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Godwin Obaseki addressing the press with the APC state Chairman, Anslem Ojezua, (LEFT) and Secretary APC, Chief Osaro Idah (Right) Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Governor-elect of Edo State, Thursday described his election as a historic victory for Edo people and for the APC. He stated this on Thursday in Benin while giving his acceptance speech, following his declaration as winner of the September 28 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Obaseki who said he accepted his election with great humility and abiding faith in God Almighty, added that it was a historic victory for all Edo citizens and the APC, and that “it underscores clearly your preference for the continuity and consolidation of our programmes.” While promising not to disappoint those who voted him as governor, Obaseki said his election is a responsibility that he and his running mate, Philip Shaibu, will not take lightly. “Our promise to build a state anchored on a productive economy...

Voters queing to vote in the Edo governorship election Jethro Ibileke/Benin A polling agent of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Solomon Omorogbe, reportedly slumped and died on Wednesday at the polling centre during the state gubernatorial election. The sad incident which occurred at Ward 10, Unit 8, located in Abico Market area, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state, slowed down voting process at the unit, causing pandemonium among voters. ‎The 58-year old man was said to have left his house to his polling unit very early in the morning where he was to serve as a polling agent. He slumped shortly after casting his vote and was immediately rushed to Akugbe Hospital by his first son, Charlie and other sympathizers at the polling unit where he was confirmed dead by the doctor. His body has since been deposited at an undisclosed hospital morgue. ‎‎

L-R: The Board Secretary, Lagos State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Olayinka Oye-Bamgbose, South-West Commissioner of National Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, Mrs. Olufemi Taire and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adeola Senayon Hundeyi during the screening exercise for year 2016 intending pilgrims to Jerusalem and Rome at Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Ikeja on Thursday. Lagos State Government has begun the administrative and Medical screening exercise for intending pilgrims to Jerusalem and Rome to ascertain their medical fitness in preparatory to this year’s Holy Pilgrimage slated for November. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr. Adeola Hundeyi who spoke at the screening at the Chapel of Christ The Light, Alausa, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Thursday, said that the state government had concluded necessary arrangement with the provision of experienced personnel that would assist the intending pilgrims in making the journey a...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday congratulated the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for his victory at the just concluded gubernatorial election, saying that the people of the State have made the right choice. Obaseki, who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeated his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with 319,483 votes to 253,173 votes. Governor Ambode, in a congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the development was not just a victory for democracy but the people who he said would experience continuity in terms of dividends of democracy. The Governor, who was the Chairman, APC National Campaign Committee for the election, said the people of Edo have voted for continuity of people-friendly policies and programmes, and urged all the relevant stakeholders in the affairs of t...

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode A group of Lagosians under the auspices of Lagosians Furture Group (LFG) has lauded the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for fulfilling his promise to construct 114 roads across the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state. In a statement signed by its president, Mr. Seyi Bamigbade, the group had it that Ambode had impressed Lagosians with laudable and people-oriented programmes he had been embarking on since assuming office last year. It could be recall that in a space of one week, Ambode commissioned 114 roads, two from each of the 57 council areas in the state. The road which were built by local contractors were of international standard and should last an average of 40 years. The group in the statement reiterated the importance of roads to grassroots development, noting that accessible and motorable roads were vital to community development and business growth. “Ambode with this 114 road projects has ...

HOBOKEN, NJ – SEPTEMBER 29: Train personel survey the NJ Transit train that crashed in to the platform at the Hoboken Terminal September 29, 2016 in Hoboken, New Jersey. (Photo by Pancho Bernasconi/Getty Images) Authorities are reporting at least one death and more than 100 injuries after a New Jersey Transit commuter train crashed into the Hoboken platform during morning rush hour. Rescuers are scrambling to remove people from the trains. There was major damage to the train and terminal, and it appears from photos posted to social media that part of the structure’s roof may have collapsed. Major delays can be expected as the terminal is a major transit hub across the river from Manhattan. CNN

Obasanjo Kazeem Ugbodaga Nigeria’s former President, Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said it was time Nigeria has the first elected female governor to pilot the affairs of a state in the country. Obasanjo spoke at the book presentation of “Nigerian Women Pioneers and Icons” written by Prof. Bolanle Awe, the first female lecturer in Nigeria, held at the MUSON Centre on Lagos Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The former president said the world is witnessing a time where women were taken over the mantle of leadership in several parts of the world, saying that Nigeria should not be an exception. He cited the example of Britain where a woman had just assumed the mantle of leadership at the topmost hierarchy, while being optimistic that the United States was about to witness the emergency of a female president for the first in the person of Hilary Clinton. Obasanjo stated that the book, which chronicled the life and achievement of 33 women in their various professions in the country, w...

Candidate of the‎ All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo State governorship election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has been declared winner of the ‎September 28 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nineteen political parties contested in the election which was initially scheduled to hold on September 10, but had to be shifted to September 28 over security concerns as advised by security agencies. INEC’s Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, who declared Obaseki winner of the election, said the APC flagbearer polled a total of 319,483 to beat his closest rival, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 253,173 votes. He disclosed that out of the 1,900,223 total voters registered across the state, ‎622,069 were accredited for the election, out of which 613,244 voted. ‎Mr. Obaseki won in 13 local government areas of the state, while Pastor Ize-Iyam...

Mr Suraj Adekunbi, Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly. The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, on Thursday said that lawmakers would soon pass a bill to criminalise land grabbing in the state. Adekunbi spoke when members of the National Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and the broadcast chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ogun visited him at the assembly complex in Abeokuta. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the move by the Ogun Assembly is coming on the heels of a similar law which has since come into effect in neighbouring Lagos State. Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Aug. 15, had given his assent to a bill passed by the state lawmakers to outlaw land grabbing, bringing on board the Lagos State Properties Protection Law. Adekunbi said the bill in Ogun was borne out of the need to ensure that the lives of the citizens were protected. “Work is ongoing on the bill on land speculation; we have had stakeholders meeting on the bill and I ...

Prison inmates The Lagos State Prisons Command has graduated 29 inmates under its “ONESIMUS Project” designed to teach them life skills preparatory to their release and eventual re-integration into the society. The “ONESIMUS Project” is under the Kiriki Medium Prisons, Lagos, which held its joint 7th Graduation and 8th Matriculation Ceremony on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme has the Covenant University and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria as collaborators. Other collaborators are the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS). The Project’s Coordinator, Dr Nasiru Sule-Bamigbola of the Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PFN), said the essence of the project was to give hope to the inmates. “Today, the actual figure of the current graduating students is 29, comprising of 16 females and 13 males. “Last year, we graduated 44 inmates, comprising 22 male and 22 female inmates drawn from the ...

A 29-year-old unemployed man, Monday Suileman, who allegedly sneaked into a shopping plaza and stole three cartons of spaghetti, was on Thursday charged before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State. The accused, who resides at No. 2, Adewusi St., Ajara Dokoh area of Badagry, is facing a charge of stealing. Prosecutor Innocent Uko told the court that the accused committed the offence at Ajun Plaza in Gbaji area of Badagry, but did not state when the offence was committed. Uko said the accused stole the items from the shop of the complainant, Miss Gbemi Adoveh. “The accused went into the shop in the plaza and as soon as he noticed that there was no one there, he took three cartons of Spaghetti but he was immediately apprehended by the shop owner.” The offence contravened Section 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011. The accused, according to the section, may be sentenced to three years in jail on conviction. The accused, however, denied the charge. Mr Remi Ajo...

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State Security has been beefed up at Edo Government House,Benin, and other public institutions as the result of the governorship election in the state is being announced. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some people had protested in front of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin while the result was being announced. NAN also reports that the state Chairman of PDP, Mr Dan Orbi, said the party had rejected the result of the election because it had been pre-determined and predicted. Following the protest, more security personnel were drafted to the state INEC office and also stationed at strategic locations in Benin City. NAN reports that more security personnel were seen at the government house following the protest. The security personnel drafted to government had barricaded major entry and exit points, while visitors are thoroughly screened before entering the building. Police Armoured Personnel Carri...

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it has, through consumer safety clubs, trained and empowered youths to promote quality products and reject fake ones. Mr Richard Anichukwu, NAFDAC Coordinator for Ebonyi, said this in Abakaliki on Thursday while presenting prizes to winners of the 2015 Annual Secondary School Competition for NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club members for Ebonyi. He said that the club, established in 2003, was aimed at enlightening students on NAFDAC activities so as to use them as change agents and vanguards for consumer protection of all goods and services. “The students as members of the club are made to understand NAFDAC regulatory activities in order to ensure that the health of the nation is protected,” he said. Anichukwu noted that the competition was held in the state, zonal and national levels in junior and senior categories. He advised the students to report all cases of potassium bromate which could cause cancer, ki...

Alhaji Tanko Yakasai An elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, has instituted a N500 million libel suit against Sun Newspaper for alleged defamation of character. Yakasai, who claimed that an article published by the paper contained disparaging falsehood against him, joined its columnist, Mr Duro Onabule, as a co-defendant. In the suit filed before Justice A.B Mohammed of the FCT High Court, the plaintiff is claiming N500 million as damages jointly from each respondents. He also asked the court to award N50 million as exemplary damages and two million naira as cost of filing the suit. The plaintiff also wants the court to compel the defendants to declare that the said publication was false, derogatory, malicious, defamatory and libelous to his person and reputation. Yakasai said the legal action became necessary following the failure of the newspaper to retract the publication and issue an apology. The defendants have been given eight days after the service of process to respo...

A medical practitioner, Dr Festus Olalekan of the Graceland Hospital, Ilorin, has warned against excessive consumption of food seasoning, saying it can damage the brain. Olalekan told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ilorin that most of the food seasoning contained Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), which poses serious health damage. According to him, the amount of sodium in the food seasoning over stimulates the brain cells until the cells die off. He said that food seasoning with high sodium content should be avoided. He explained that sometimes people experienced dizziness and headaches after eating heavily spiced food as a result of MSG present in the seasonings. “Food spiced with various seasonings can really taste great, but the health implications could be unbearable. “Most of the food seasonings in our local markets contain MSG, which could result in serious brain damage,” he said. Olalekan explained that the excessive intake of seasoned foods could cause high b...

PDP supporters protesting in Benin Jethro Ibileke/Benin Hundreds of angry youths believed to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), went on the rampage this morning at the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission, even while the collation of the election results wasongoing. Trouble started shortly after INEC has announced the results of nine on the 18 local government areas, in which the All Progressives Congress (APC), won five while the People Democratic Party (PDP) got four. Not long after the Commission’s official announced a break to resume by 12 noon, the youths in their hundred stormed the gate with placards, saying that the election was rigged by INEC in favour of the APC.‎ Earlier, as soon as the result of Oredo local government area was announced, which was won by the APC, with 37,612 votes against PDP’s 30,492, one of the PDP representatives at the collation centre in the INEC premises whose identity could not be verified as at press time, acc...

Ali Modu Sheriff, embattled PDP national chairman Disputed National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, said he did not support Thursday’s rejection of the yet-to-be-declared result of Wednesday’s governorship election in Edo. He said that the rejection of the result ahead of its declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was preemptive. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PDP in Edo, at a news conference in Benin, announced its rejection of the result of the governorship poll. Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Dan Orbih, who addressed the media, alleged that the outcome of the exercise had been pre-determined by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). At the time of the news conference, collation of results of the election was ongoing at INEC secretariat in Benin. Speaking on behalf of Sheriff, Deputy National Chairman of his faction of the party, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, said, “we will await the final ann...

Mr Anselm Ojezua, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo chapter. Mr Anselm Ojezua, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo chapter, has described the rejection of the state governorship election results by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as an act of a bad loser. Ojezua told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday that the entire process of the election had been nothing but peaceful. “This is just a case of a bad loser. It is a pity that the PDP expects to win in a state which it had run down. “Though the announcement of the results is still ongoing, I commend INEC , thus far. “The process was very peaceful. INEC was efficient in delivery of materials to ensure that they got to locations on time,” he said. The chairman advised the PDP to channel its grievances to the appropriate quarters. NAN reports that the PDP had, through its Chairman, rejected the results of the election, describing it as “fabricated and pre-determined”.

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State Imo State Government has saved N1.2 billion after it carried out verification of local government workers in the state, an official, has said. Mr. Ikechukwu Njoku, Economic Adviser to Gov. Rochas Okorocha disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Thursday. He said the money was being diverted in paying ghost NYSC members and family members of some local council workers whose names were illegally inserted in payrolls. Njoku said that the money has been used by the government to settle pension arrears. He said that the workers’ biometric data had helped the government to determine the work strength of local councils, plug areas of diversion and save vital funds for development. The economic adviser disclosed that the state government would engage foreign investors to concession some of the state assets, to boost its economy. He called on the general public to support the government on its concessioning policy, stressing...

35-year-old Ejike Onyejekwe has been killed in the Festac Town area of Lagos State. The victim, who lived on 21 Road, K Close, FESTAC, was reportedly stabbed to death after winning a lot of money from a lottery. Reports have it that Onyejekwe, who celebrated his win, bought drinks for his friends and threw a party last Thursday and Friday. It was further learnt that on Friday evening, he was heard arguing with an unidentified person on the phone, he allegedly told his friend he was going to see the man, but never returned. His corpse was according to PUNCH Metro, was allegedly discovered the next day on one of the estates. An anonymous resident said the chairman of the estate called the attention of residents to the corpse on Saturday. He said, “I was sipping tea around 7am when I heard the chairman blowing a whistle. I thought it was strange, but my wife called my attention to the surging crowd on the estate. “I went downstairs and saw the corpse on the road. Like everybody, I...

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Domestic airlines operating in Nigeria recorded 16,353 cases of delayed flights between January and June, statistics from the Consumer Protection Department of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have revealed. A document issued by the department and obtained on Thursday by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, shows that 30,100 flights were operated by eight airlines during the period under review. According to the document, 601 flights were cancelled for various reasons by the airlines. It said the airlines in operation were Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Air Peace, Azman Air, Dana Air, First Nation, Med-View and Overland. Arik, which operated 10,261 flights, topped the chart of delayed and cancelled flights with 5,780 and 156 respectively. Aero Contractors followed with 2,895 delayed flights and 231 cancellations out of its 4,714 flight operations, the department reported. Air Peace operated 5,366 flights with 2,328 cases of dela...

The Ogun State Government has signed an agreement with a consortium of four private firms to build a refinery, proposed to be the second largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The agreement also included the building of the largest petroleum product depot in Nigeria. The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Abeokuta between the government and four firms: Petrolex Oil and Gas, Hyundai, Ajayi Legal Partners and Wema Bank PLC. The Chairman, Petrolex Group, Segun Adebutu, who led the other partners at the ceremony, noted with satisfaction that the government had continued to provide an environment conducive for viable investment. Adebutu said the refinery would be cited in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state. According to him, the two projects will generate about 2,000 employment opportunities for the people and also boost the socio-economic condition of the state when completed. Governor Ibikunle Amosun assured the consortium of the commitment of his administration to support the p...

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana In his rather hasty reaction to my petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the criminal diversion of public funds from the Federation Account and the mismanagement of the nation’s foreign reserves, a former CBN Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo accused me of peddling falsehood by saying that he removed $7 billion from the nation’s foreign reserves and doled it out to 14 commercial banks in 2006. While insisting that the issue of $7 billion was a figment of my imagination he asked for a retraction of the allegation and apology from me. Although Professor Soludo’s rejoinder was full of vitriolic attack and unwarranted innuendoes I decided not to react to them since he claims to have respect for me! However, in rejecting his baseless demand for apology and retraction I had pointed out that it was the CBN management that issued a statement on October 3, 2006 to the effect that its share of $7 billion had been released to the 14 bank...

Voters queing to vote in the Edo governorship election The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Mr Sam Olumekun, says collation of results for the governorship election in the state would commence on Thursday. Olumekun disclosed this in Benin on Wednesday after a closed-door meeting with a National Commissioner and two Resident Electoral Commissioners at 11.20 p.m. He, however, did not give reasons for the shift in date for the exercise. The decision to commence the collation on Thursday, it was learnt, could be traced to the late arrival of results from the 18 local government areas of the state. Investigation at INEC office in Benin shows that security was tight while movement to the area had been restricted to only accredited officers and staff. At the INEC office, party agents, Journalists and election observers were seen waiting for the commencement of collation of results from the local government areas. A source close to the commission said that those waiting for the...

Survivors of the chemical attack Dozens of children in Darfur have died writhing in agony, allegedly killed by chemical weapons dropped on them by their own government, it is claimed. Amnesty International say the children are among more than 200 people estimated to have been killed by the banned weapons since January. Those affected by the “poisonous smoke” vomit blood, struggle to breathe and watch as their skin falls off. The Sudanese government and rebels have been fighting in Darfur for 13 years. Yet the conflict and its toll on Darfur’s citizens has fallen off the radar since 2004, when warnings of a potential genocide forced the outside world to act. Advertisement But a new report into repeated attacks by the Sudanese government against their own people reveals “nothing has changed”, according to Tirana Hassan, Amnesty’s director of crisis research. The human rights group’s eight-month investigation uncovered “scorched earth, mass rapes, killings and bombs” in Jebel Mar...

Aleppo bombing destroys properties US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned his Russian counterpart that Washington will end Syria talks unless Moscow stops the bombing of Aleppo. In a phone call with Sergei Lavrov, Mr Kerry said the US held Russia responsible for the use of incendiary and bunker bombs against the city. The US state department said it was making preparations to suspend talks. Aleppo has come under heavy aerial bombardment since the end of a ceasefire a week ago. In response to Mr Kerry’s phone call, the Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Evgeny Zagaynov, said the “trend” of Russia being blamed for the attacks in Syria must stop. “It’s become a sort of unfortunate tradition that the majority of strikes on civilian facilities in Syria, without checking it … is blamed on Damascus or Russia,” he said. But Moscow said on Wednesday they would send diplomats to Geneva to talk to the US about normalising the situation in Aleppo. “On orders of the Russian presiden...

US President Barack Obama Congress has voted to override President Barack Obama’s veto of a bill that would allow families of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabian officials. In the first veto override of his presidency, the Senate voted 97-1 and the House of Representatives 348-77, meaning the bill becomes law. Mr Obama told CNN the lawmakers had made “a mistake”. The president argued the bill could expose US companies, troops and officials to potential lawsuits abroad. CIA Director John Brennan said the vote carried “grave implications” for national security, adding: “The downside is potentially huge.” The House and Senate unanimously passed the legislation, known as the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism (JASTA), this year despite the Obama administration’s lobbying efforts. The bill amends a 1976 law that shields other countries from American lawsuits, allowing victims’ families the right to sue any member of the Saudi government suspected of playing a role in the 9/11 attac...

Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday expressed sadness over the death of a former Inspector General of Police, Sir Etim Inyang. Sir Etim Inyang, a former Inspector General of Police between 1983-1986, died in Lagos on Monday after a brief illness at the age of 85. The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described the deceased as a gallant police chief who led his men to wage war against the high wave of crime and criminality during his tenure. “Sir Inyang who rose from the rank of recruit to be Inspector General, was one of the best police chiefs this country has had over the years. Despite the high wave of crime that characterised the period he was in the saddle, he was dogged and consistent in his quest to bring the activities of a notorious armed robbery gang led by Lawrence Anini and his cohorts to a halt. “Though his stint as the Inspector General of Police was short, he contributed...

One of the naval chiefs docked by EFCC for N600m fraud Justice A. S. Umar of the FCT High Court sitting in Maitama on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 granted bail to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman O. Jubrin and two others for an offence bordering on criminal conspiracy brought against them by the EFCC. Others are Rear Admiral Bala Mshelia (retd) and Rear Admiral Sheu Ahmadu ( retd). One of the naval chiefs docked by EFCC for N600m fraud They were docked alongside Harbour Bay International Limited by the anti- graft agency on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. The naval chiefs, whilst in office, allegedly bought a house worth N600 million from the account of Naval Engineering Services without the said purchase contract being captured in the budget. One of the naval chiefs docked by EFCC for N600m fraud

Gerard Pique’s first goal of the season gave Barcelona victory in Germany Barcelona came from a goal down to beat Borussia Monchengladbach and make it two wins out of two in this season’s Champions League. Barca, who beat Celtic 7-0 in their opening Group C game, trailed to Thorgan Hazard’s opener in Germany. Substitute Arda Turan fired in the equaliser before Gerard Pique bundled in the winner for the Spanish side. Elsewhere, Paris St-Germain were 3-1 winners at Ludogorets and Napoli beat Benfica 4-2. Luis Enrique had to come up with a rare solution to the problem of Lionel Messi’s absence, with the Argentine striker missing with a groin injury. His initial solution was to start Spain international Paco Alcacer in Messi’s place, alongside Neymar and Luis Suarez in a front three. The home side were not overawed, though, and took the game to the visitors, opening the scoring through Hazard’s poked finish following Mahmoud Dahoud’s pass. If Enrique’s initial tactics were misjudg...

Army Spokesman Col. Sani Usman The Army on Wednesday said its troops, Operation Lafiya Dole, had killed nine suspected terrorists at Bulabulin, Borno. In a statement issued by Col. Sani Usman, acting Director, Army Public Relations, said the troops had also wounded several others in the fight which lasted for about an hour. “The troops’ hand held radio was, however, badly damaged during the encounter,” Usman said. Usman said two AK-47 rifles, two hand grenades, one Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), five jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit and nine motorcycles were recovered from the terrorists. “The troops would continue the clearance operation of the remnants of the Boko Haram in nooks and crannies of their areas of operation with renewed vigour and determination.”

OPEC OPEC agreed on Wednesday modest oil output cuts in the first such deal since 2008, with the group’s leader Saudi Arabia softening its stance on arch-rival Iran amid mounting pressure from low oil prices. “OPEC made an exceptional decision today … After two and a half years, OPEC reached consensus to manage the market,” said Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh, who had repeatedly clashed with Saudi Arabia during previous meetings. He and other ministers said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries would reduce output to a range of 32.5-33.0 million barrels per day. OPEC estimates its current output at 33.24 million bpd. “We have decided to decrease the production around 700,000 bpd,” Zanganeh said. The move would effectively re-establish OPEC production ceilings abandoned a year ago. However, how much each country will produce is to be decided at the next formal OPEC meeting in November, when an invitation to join cuts could also be extended to non-OPEC countri...

Mr Muda Yusuf, Director-General Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) says the 2016 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) would open opportunities to address the current economic recession in the country. Mr Sola Oyetayo, LCCI Vice Chairman, disclosed in Lagos on Wednesday that the fair would provide opportunities to look inwards and boost capacity. “This fair will open a window of opportunities to take advantage of the current situation in the economy to take action. “This is not the time to pass blames on anyone but to take up responsibility and contribute our quota to the growth of the economy,’’ said the LCCI boss. He said that the economy had been diversified to a certain level, with the new awareness on patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods and services, but added that more work needed to be done. “This fair will attract more foreign investors because there is a lot of interest in the country, as the economic diversifi...

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru conferring with Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, during a visit to the Oba’s palace in Lagos The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru has called on traditional rulers and members of their various communities to secure and protect critical national oil and gas facilities in their domain for the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. Dr. Baru made this appeal when he paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu 1 at his palace. The GMD said the country recognizes the contributions of Lagos to the nation’s economy especially in shipping, finance services and most recently oil and gas. “We appreciate your fatherly role and support in protecting our pipelines and other oil and gas facilities. GMD noted. In his response, Oba Akiolu noted that he has told all the chiefs under his kingdom in the communities hosting NNPC pipelin...

A former Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Etim Nyang, has died in Lagos at the age of 85. His son, Nyang Etim-Nyang, said in a statement that the former I-G died on Monday at Reddington Hospital, Lagos. ”We write to formally announce the call to glory of our father, Obong (Sir) Etim Okon Inyang, Inspector General of Police (retd). ”The sad event occurred at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos on Sept. 26, 2016 at the age of 85,” the family said in the statement. Inyang joined the Nigeria Police Force on Oct. 1, 1949 and rose through the ranks to become Nigeria’s top cop until his retirement in October 1986. He was at various times Commissioner of Police in Kano and old Bendel States and was also appointed Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee in 1987. A recipient of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Inyang is survived by his wife, Mary, and five children.