Global Naija Info

Samsung Electronics West Africa Limited (SEWA) has announced the postponement of the launch of Samsung Galaxy Note7 in Nigeria. This is sequel to the postponement of sales of the device globally due to isolated battery cell problems. On September 2, 2016, Samsung had announced an official Galaxy Note7 replacement program due to a rare battery cell manufacturing error which had led to a few reported incidents. In a statement, the company stated that “since customers’ safety is top priority, all Galaxy Note7 purchased are eligible for replacement regardless of the original place of purchase.” Although the Galaxy Note7 has not been released in Nigeria, the current Galaxy Note7 users are kindly advised to visit the nearest Samsung Authorized Service Centre for immediate assistance about replacement program. We acknowledge the inconvenience this may have caused in the market, but this is to ensure that Samsung continues to deliver the highest quality products to Samsung customers. Samsun

FILE PHOTO: Pound For Pound! Olaide ‘Fijaborn’ Fijabi in action against Sadiq “Police Machine” Ahmed Boxers billed to fight at GOtv Boxing Night 9, scheduled for the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium on 2 October, have intensified their training ahead of the event. The duo of Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, national light welterweight champion, and Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, national lightweight champion, disclosed that they have had to step up their training regime because they are fighting elite class opponents from Ghana. Fijabi will be fighting Raphael Kwabena King in an international challenge contest, while Joe Boy takes on Richard “Desert Warrior” Amefun. “I cannot afford to lose. This fight is more Nigeria vs Ghana than Fijabi vs King. I am working real hard in the training camp to ensure that my country is not made a laughing stock,” Fijabi said. Joe Boy is similarly persuaded that the sporting rivalry between the two West African giants is one that cannot be played down.

President Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has urged member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), development partners and international community to assist security personnel, victims and countries affected by Boko Haram insurgency. This is contained in a statement by the Spokesperson, Nigerian Mission to UN, Mr Akinremi Bolaji, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday. The statement quoted the president as making the call in his speech at the 17th Summit of NAM at the Island of Margarita, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. NAN reports that NAM is a group of states which are not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc. Buhari stressed the need to provide assistance to member countries that had borne the brunt of Boko Haram terrorism, and relief to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees. He explained that twin scourge of terrorism and violent extremism had continued to wreak havoc in Nigeria and countries around L

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday urged community leaders, youths and residents of the State to take ownership of the 114 roads newly constructed across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State, just as he vowed to continue to implement people-oriented projects and policies. Governor Ambode, who spoke during the commissioning of the 114 roads, held simultaneously in 10 local governments, said residents must guard the infrastructure provided by government for them jealously, assuring that more projects would follow those already completed in the nooks and crannies of the State. In Epe, the Governor, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Wasiu Anifowoshe, and a party chieftain, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki, commissioned about 610meters road in Ajijolaiya Street, Papa Epe and another 620meters road in Adegoke Atowa Street, Epe. I

The gavel of justice Jethro Ibileke/Benin ‎ An Oredo Magistrate Court in Benin, Edo State, has sentenced a teenager, Happy Okotie, to six years imprisonment ‎for stealing. The 19-year old who was convicted on a two count-charge of stealing, was sentenced along with his partner in crime, 25-year old Kingsley Ebose, without option of fine.‎ Police Prosecutor, Inspector Patrick Agbonifo, had told the court that the offence was committed on August 25, 2016, at New Benin, Benin City, adding that the convicts conspired to commit felony on the said date. He said they broke into Mrs Tessy Okpebiye’s store at night and stole one Nokia battery, two Samsung galaxy phones, one laptop, a sum of N17,000, all valued N235,000. Agbonifo explained that the offence contravened sections 516 and 411 of the Criminal Code. The duo were convicted by the trial magistrate, Mrs. RacheaI Ogbevoen, who found them guilty on the charges preferred against them. ‎ ‎The Police also arraigned one Joy Omoregie

Tunji Bello, Lagos State SSG The Lagos State Government has denounced the purported restriction of movement announced in Itire on Sunday night as part of traditional rites on the demise of Onitire of Itire, Oba Lateef Abayomi Akanbi Dauda, describing it as act of illegality. According to a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the State Government condemned the action of declaring a curfew without due consultation with the State Government before making the statement public. He added that no individual or group has the right to infringe on the rights of citizens to freedom of movement and association as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He noted that the State Government is alive to its core responsibilities of protecting the citizens and is collaborating with security agencies to put in place measures that will guarantee safety of lives and property of its citizens in every part of the state. The st

A mechanic, Christopher Nwachukwu, on Monday, appeared before an Enugu North Magistrates’ Court for allegedly slapping a commercial tricycle rider, Jonah Uwana. Uwana was said to have obstructed the entrance to the accused person’s workshop at Coal Camp in Enugu which made him to slap and inflict injuries on him with the help of other mechanics. Testifying before the court, the complainant who hails from Cross River said he was riding his tricycle when his brother called him and told him that his keke broke down. He said that he drove to where his brother was and helped him to transfer the goods in his tricycles to his own before the accused accosted them and demanded that the keke be removed from his entrance. Uwana told the court that he and his brother pleaded with the accused to allow them transfer the goods but he refused. “We begged him to allow us finish transferring the goods to my keke but he refused. “My brother even went to stop the oncoming vehicles to enable him pas

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State The Rivers Government has denied owing the salaries of security guards working in public primary schools in the state. This is contained in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant on Electronic Media to Gov. Nyesom Wike. Security guards had on Monday locked the entrances to some public primary schools, preventing pupils from gaining access. NAN learnt that the action was to protest alleged backlog of unpaid salaries owed the workers by the State Government. Some public school pupils who could not gain access into their schools were forced to go back home. Meanwhile, the State Government announced that public schools in the state had re-opened for classes Sept. 19. “All our public schools have re-opened for classes; teachers are expected back in class too. “The State Government does not owe any security guard directly employed by it, therefore, nobody can close the gates of the public schools. The st

NCC Logo The Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it has drawn a monitoring plan to check unsolicited messages and calls. This information is contained in the second quarter report of the Compliance Monitoring Enforcement Department pasted on NCC website. The report said the department held series of engagement sessions with critical stakeholders to ensure hitch-free implementation and full compliance. It said the move followed complaints from telecom subscribers on the menace of unsolicited text messages and nuisance calls from mobile network operators in the industry. “The commission issued a direction to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on April 19, 2016 to dedicate short code 2442 on their networks for use by subscribers to opt-in to the ‘’Do Not Disturb’’ database to restrict unsolicited marketing messages (Voice and SMS) on their mobile lines. “All MNOs have been directed to ensure full compliance with

The gavel of justice Chiweiko Samuel, a 26-year-old man, was on Monday arraigned before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for stealing female bathroom slippers valued N18,500. The prosecutor, Christopher Okoliko, told the court that Samuel committed the offence on Sept. 11 at Doyin Market Surulere at about 7 a.m. He said that Samuel went to the shop of the complainant Maduesike Ifenyinwa and stole 47 pairs of the slippers. “But he was caught when he attempted to run out of the market with the slippers,” he said. The prosecutor, who told the court that the address of the accused is unknown, said that the offence contravened section 285(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011. When the one-count charge was read to him, Samuel pleaded guilty. The Magistrate, Mrs M.I. Dan-Oni ruled that the case be adjourned till Sept. 22 for facts and sentencing.

Mohammed Babandede, Comptroller-General of Immigration The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) command in Katsina state said it had rescued 11 youths trying to cross into Niger Republic through the state. The command’s Comptroller, Mr Mohammed Yaro, made this known in a news briefing in Katsina on Monday. Yaro said that the youths were rescued on Saturday in Babban-Mutum forest while trying to cross the border on their way to Niger Republic and Europe. “Our intelligent officers on patrol arrested the victims one-after-the-other on the same day at different intervals inside the bush. “They came differently on commercial motorcycles and begun to walk inside the forest to find their way to Agadez, Niger Republic. “They are now giving us vital information on how to arrest their traffickers,” he said. According to him, five of the victims are females, while the remaining six are males between the ages of 19 and 38. Yaro said that none of the victims was in possession of any travel d

A Kano Magistrates’ Court sitting in Audu Bako Secretariat on Monday ordered the remand of a 25-year-old man, Mansir Sani, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old boy. The defendant of Yakasai Quarters, Kano, was charged with unnatural offence, contrary to Section 284 of the Penal Code. The Prosecutor, Mr Suleiman Danladi, told the court that Yusuf Dauda of Kofar Mata Quarters, Kano, reported the case to Kano State Hisbah Board Office on Aug. 22. Danladi said that sometime in August, the defendant Sani lured the complainant’s step son to the veranda of Amadu Tijjani Islamic Centre, located at Kofar Mata Quarters, Kano. The Prosecutors said that the defendant then forcefully had intercourse with the boy through his anus. He said the boy was seriously injured and was rushed to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano. Sani pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge read to him. The Chief Magistrate, Muhammad Jibril, ordered the remand of the defendant in prison custody and adjourned

Wedding rings Some married men in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have said that not wearing wedding rings is not to disrespect the marriage bond. The residents who spoke in Abuja on Monday, described wearing of marriage rings as a mere symbol. Mr Ikenna Ibegbu, an Abuja-based businessman, said that he disliked the idea of wearing any kind of jewellery. “Personally, I don’t appreciate the idea of wearing jewellery on my body because they make me uncomfortable. “I prefer to leave my hands bare and that does not mean I don’t respect the sacredness of marriage. “Women are the ones that are conscious of wearing jewellery and the ring is just a symbol,” he said. According to him, wearing the marriage ring can be discomforting but some men do so to respect their spouse. He said that respecting the concept of marriage fell more on the individual than a mere symbol. Mr George Edem, a banker said that most men do not wear their marriage ring due to the nature of their jobs. “Ther

FILE PHOTO: A herdsman in Nigeria A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced one Ali Haruna to two years imprisonment for taking his cows for grazing in a farmland in Ado-Ekiti and destroying crops. The Magistrate, Idowu Ayenimo, in his judgement, said the accused was arraigned in his court on Jan 22, 2016 over a two-count charge of wilful and unlawful damage of farm crops at Ago Aduloju in Ado-Ekiti. The 18-year-old Haruna was confirmed by the four prosecuting witnesses to have been caught in the midnight grazing his cow in the farm belonging to Abdulahi Yaho and Bello Mohammed. The cash crops said to have destroyed by the cows in the farm included cassava, maize, okro and pepper, all valued at N3 million. In his defence, the defendant had told the court that the owner of the cows lived in Ilorin, Kwara. The magistrate said that the court did not believe Haruna’s defence as it was not credible. He held that the Police prosecutor, Mr Olasunkanmi Bankole, had p

Joachim Iroko An Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, on Monday, fixed Nov. 21 to hear an application by Joachim Iroko, challenging a charge preferred against him for naming his dog Buhari. Iroko, 40, was arraigned on a one-count charge of naming his dog Buhari, and parading same at the Hausa section of the Ketere Market in Sango, Ogun, on Aug 22. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail. When the case was called before Chief Magistrate Bolaji Ojikutu, on Monday, Counsel to the accused, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, informed the court that he had filed two applications to challenge the jurisdiction of the court. He informed the court that the prosecution had declined service of the said applications in court, and had insisted that service be effected at his office. Adegboruwa then urged the court to suspend the trial since the accused was challenging the jurisdiction of the court. He also prayed the court to direct the prosecution to furnish the defence with the

An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered the remand of four men in prison custody over alleged armed robbery. The four accused, according to the Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Bankole Olasunkanmi, are Yomi Adedayo,27; Ige Ogunleye,18; Seyi Daramola,23; and Bode Ajitotutu, 20. The prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 12 at Ifelodun Street, Bawa road, Ado-Ekiti. He alleged that the accused, while unlawfully armed with offensive weapons like guns and cutlass, robbed one Ojo Abayomi of his valuables whose value was yet unknown. According to him, the offence contravened Sections 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act. LFN, 2004. He sought for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses and send the case file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. The plea of the accused persons were also not taken. Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo ordered that the accused be reman

Mr Salihu Lukman The Secretaries to State Governments (SSGs) of 23 states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) are meeting in Jos on the economic challenges facing the country, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Mr Salihu Lukman, Director General, Progressive Governors Forum, said in Jos on Monday that the meeting was to articulate ways to ease out of the recession. “We are here to discuss what it is to be done across the 23 states. Once it is agreed we will present it to the progressive governors for adoption of the recommendations and implementation.” Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong, in his message, advised the SSGs to “think out of the box” in addressing the abnormal situation in their states. “As you brainstorm to proffer solutions to our plethora of problems, I admonish you in the words of our President to think outside the box, because abnormal situations require abnormal solutions. “We will not have been in this state of affairs if the last administrat

Senator Bukola Saraki No fewer than 2,570 aides are engaged by members of the 8th National Assembly, totaling 469, an investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has revealed. Out of the number, 700 aides work for lawmakers in the Senate, while the remaining 1,870 are engaged by House of Representatives members. As provided in the National Assembly Act, each lawmaker, excluding principal officers, is entitled to five aides – one senior legislative aide, two legislative aides, a personal assistant and a secretary. It was discovered that in the provision, President of the Senate is entitled to 45 aides, his deputy, 30 and 20 each for principal officers. Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives has 35 assistants, Deputy Speaker, 15 and 10 each for the six principal officers. The number of aides to each legislator, it was gathered, includes those in their Constituency offices. The monthly emolument of the aides, which ranged from N150, 000 to N250, 000, sources clos

Governor Tanko-Al-Makura of Nasarawa State The Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB), has advised residents of the state against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, considering its health implications on human lives and to avoid flooding. The Managing Director of the board, Alhaji Adamu Sule-Mohammed, gave this advice on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia. He said that the advice became necessary, considering the harmful effects of refuse on human health, as well as to ensure environmental cleanliness and the well -being of the people. “The State Government under Gov. Tanko Al-Makura administration is doing its best to keep the environment clean while it is the responsibility of everybody to complement government’s efforts in this regard. “A healthy nation is a wealthy nation, it is on this note that the government and stakeholders are always advising the people on the need to maintain personal and environmental hygiene. “I want to use t

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture Photo: Femi Ipaye/PM News Dear Editor, I have followed with great interest the allegations of plagiarism made against Alhaji Lai Mohammed the Hon. Minister of Information and Culture and the rebuttals made by his office. I am constrained to write in respect of same with a view to setting the records straight having had privileged knowledge and information about the conception of the Change begins with me campaign. I watched the launch of the “Change Begins With Me” campaign by President Muhammadu Buhari and silently chuckled to myself that the Hon. Minister for Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had finally been able to launch it. It was almost with a sense of dejavu as I listened to PMB launch what Alhaji Lai Mohammed had started to conceptualise even before his swearing in as the Honourable Minister for Information. I was therefore shocked, surprised, bemused, most concerned and puzzled when I read online allegations and strong cla

New York mayor Bill de Blasio, right, and New York governor Andrew Cuomo, New York authorities said Monday they are seeking a 28-year-old man in connection with a bombing in the city that injured 29 people. Police spokesman J. Peter Donald tweeted a photo of Ahmad Khan Rahami, saying he was “wanted” for questioning in the explosion Saturday night in the Chelsea neighborhood. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said on CNN that Rahami, a naturalised US citizen from New Jersey, “could be armed and dangerous.”

FILE PHOTO: Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia Kebbi Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the death of two pilgrims from the state during the just concluded 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Alhaji Aliyu Jajirma, Secretary, state Publicity Committee on 2016 Hajj, confirmed this in a telephone interview from Mecca on Monday. Jajirma, who is also the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists [NUJ], however, did not disclose the names of the pilgrims, but said the two, male and female, died in hospital as a result of brief illness. He said that the affected pilgrims, who were buried in the Holy city of Mecca, hailed from Maiyama and Augie Local Government Areas of the state. According to him, wife of the state governor, Dr Zainab Bagudu, who also performed the Hajj, had commisserated with the families of the deceased. A total of 4,107 pilgrims from Kebbi performed the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Some Borno school girls The Borno Government said on Monday that it would re-open public secondary schools next week, two years after they were closed due to Boko Haram insurgency. The state’s Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Inuwa Kubo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that Internally Displayed Persons (IDPs) occupying the schools had been relocated to allow for resumption of academic activities. Kubo said that repairs had been carried out on all the structures in the schools to provide atmosphere, conducive for teaching and learning. “I wish to announce that on Sept. 26, all public schools are going to be re-opened. “I want to state that government has repaired all the structures damaged by the IDPs in the schools, to ensure comfort for the returning students. “Parents and guardians should please make sure that they send their children back to school,” he said. Kubo, however, decried the prolong closure of the schools and the fact that proprietors of priv

A Nigerian policeman The Rivers Police Command said it has rescued 14 oil workers abducted by unknown gunmen on Sept. 2 along Elele-Omoku road. The command`s spokesman, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, a DSP, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that the workers were freed in the early hours of Sunday. Omoni said the Command`s Tactical Units, engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, which lasted for one and half hours, to rescue the victims. “The Oil Workers were rescued unhurt due largely to the efforts of the Command’s Tactical Units, who, at the early hours of Sept. 18,engaged the hoodlums, in a fierce gun battle which lasted for one and half hours, leading to the rescue of the victims. “The hoodlums took to flight abandoning their hostages. Efforts are on to arrest and bring them to justice,” he said. Omoni said no ransom was paid to rescue the workers. “They have been debriefed and are receiving medical attention in the hospital. “Investigation is on-going at the Command’s Anti-Kidnappin

African Elephant Photo: National Geographic A 66-year-old Italian tourist was trampled to death by an elephant after ‘provoking’ the animal when he moved too close to get a better photo. Fernando Mocclola had been having breakfast with his wife in their tent when he left to photograph the elephant at a watering hole in Kenya’s coastal region on Sunday. He suffered serious injuries to his left leg and died after the attack near Sabaki River, just outside luxury Swara Camp in Kulalu ranch, according to police. Mr Mocclola was pronounced dead at the camp before he could be airlifted to hospital. The couple, who arrived in the country last month, were due to leave in two weeks when their tourist visa expires. Kulalu Ranch in the Tsavo is a one of the major tourist destination due to its wide range of wildlife. Samburu National Reserve is a very peaceful national park in Northern Kenya. It attracts wildlife because of the Uaso Nyiro River that runs through it and the mixture of f

Dele Alli commits to Tottenham Hotspur till 2022 (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) Tottenham’s England international midfielder Dele Alli has signed a new deal to remain at the club until 2022. Alli, 20, signed a five-and-a-half-year contract when he joined from MK Dons for an initial £5m in February 2015. He made his first appearance for Spurs on the opening day of last season, scored 10 goals in 46 matches and signed an improved contract in January. Alli made his England debut in October 2015, and scored on his full debut against France the following month. Eric Dier, a team-mate for club and country, signed a new five-year deal last week. Dier, 22, joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon for £4m in August 2014, and has made 87 appearances for the club, scoring six goals. Originally a central defender, he has established himself as a defensive midfielder, starting all four of Spurs’ games this season in that position. Dier made his England debut in 2015, and has scored twice

The remains of Gbenga Kiki, Gbenga Kiki, a farm manager, was reportedly strangled to death by unknown persons while harvesting the crop on a farmland in Orisada-Eyo community in the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State. The 35-year-old father of two, was killed last Sunday while harvesting tomatoes on the farmland. According to Punch reports, the manager left for the farm on his motorcycle around 12pm with his nine-year-old daughter, who was latter found at a junction some hours later, and was taken home by a good samaritan. Gbenga’s corpse was, last Thursday, discovered by some members of a vigilance group. The deceased’s mother, Celina Kiki, told newsmen that the assailants trailed her son to the farm and killed him. She said, “It was around 12pm on Sunday. I prepared food for him and asked him to eat before going to the farm as he had much work to do. He insisted on going, adding that he would return to eat as he was not going to stay long. He went on his motorcycl

FBI probe New York explosion/REUTERS Investigators on Sunday probed three attacks carried out on US soil in one day — a Manhattan bombing, a Minnesota mass stabbing and a New Jersey pipe bomb blast — for possible terror links, as five people were reportedly held in New York. Authorities say there is no evidence that the attacks were coordinated but their timing in less than 24 hours raises fears about security — already a major issue in the country’s deeply divisive presidential election battle between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Twenty-nine people were injured when a bomb exploded in New York’s upmarket Chelsea neighborhood on Saturday night, damaging buildings, shattering glass and sending shrapnel flying across the street. A second bomb was uncovered by police four blocks away and defused safely, before being sent to the FBI in Virginia for forensic examination. Both bombs were filled with shrapnel and made with pressure cookers, flip phones, Christmas lights and explos

•Falcons star, Asisat Oshoala Nigeria’s defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title will begin with matches against Ghana, Mali and Kenya in Group B of the 2016 tournament. Hosts Cameroon are in Group A and will face Egypt in the opening match of the finals on 19 November in Yaounde. South Africa and Zimbabwe, who both played at the Rio Olympics, complete the teams in the group. Advertisement The final is set for 3 December with Limbe as the other host city. Nigeria have dominated women’s football in Africa having been crowned champion a total of nine times, Equatorial Guinea are the only other nation to have won the continental title. Kenya are making their first ever appearance at the women’s finals and have reached the final of the East and Central African regional event in Uganda. They will play Tanzania in the final of the Cecafa Women’s Championship on Tuesday. Ghana have never won the women’s continental title but have been the losing finalists on three occasi