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Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele The kidnappers who abducted Margaret Emefiele, wife of Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are demanding N1.5b for her release. Sahara Reporters revealed that the kidnappers had contacted the Emefiele family for the ransom. Margaret Emefiele was kidnapped Thursday night along Benin-Agbor Road Details later.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday went after Democratic rival Hillary Clinton for highlighting his treatment of a former Miss Universe. “Using Alicia Machado in the debate as a paragon of virtue just shows that Crooked Hillary suffers from BAD JUDGEMENT! Hillary was set up by a con,’’ Trump wrote in a series of tweets. Clinton pointed to 1996 pageant winner Machado in the first presidential debate on Monday to stress Trump’s poor treatment of women, noting Trump had belittled her after she gained weight. The Clinton campaign has highlighted Machado, a Venezuelan who recently became a U.S. citizen, all week as it paints Trump as a misogynist. Trump in a series of tweets alleged Machado had a checker past and suggesting Clinton had been “duped. “Did Crooked Hillary help disgusting (check out sex tape and past) Alicia M to become a U.S. citizen so she could use her in the debate?’’ he wrote without backing up his allegati

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State The two private accounts of Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti in Zenith Bank will remain frozen until November 7. This followed the adjournment till November 7 of the suit in which the governor sued the EFCC for freezing his accounts. At Friday’s hearing, Fayose’s lead counsel, Chief Mike Ozehkome, and that of the EFCC agreed on the adjournment date. The accounts had been frozen since June by the EFCC. At the resumed hearing, Ozehkome, who led 10 other lawyers, argued that the EFCC lacked the constitutional powers to so apply punitive measures on a governor that still enjoyed immunity until the end of his tenure in 2018. He argued that the freezing of the governor’s accounts based on mere hearsay and unsubstantiated allegations of fraud lacked the backing of the law. The counsel said only a declarative evidence of court of competent jurisdiction could act in the way of EFCC. He said blocking the governor’s accounts without being found guilty b

L-R): Founder, Lost For A Reason USA, Mr. Ron Grace; founder, Out of Nigeria, Mr. Toyin Adebola and founder, Eleko Motor Race, MR. Dele ‘BAMI’ Bamidele, at the media roundtable to announce the 2016 Independence Day on and off-road motorcycle adventure in Lagos An authentic Nigerian adventure dream will herald the nation’s 56th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, after Out of Nigeria (OON), an adventure and social good organisation, formally flags off its historic two-in-one Heroes and Helmets project in Lagos. Speaking at a media roundtable on Friday, to kick-start the project, the Founder, Out of Nigeria and an accomplished adventurer, Mr. Toyin Adebola, announced an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the “Most self-portraits (selfies) taken in 24 hours.” The selfies world record-setting attempt was conceived to celebrate men and women of the armed forces who daily risked their lives to keep citizens safe particularly at challenging periods of the nation’s history

President Muhammadu Buhari welcoming John Kerry to State House Abuja The United States of America has congratulated Nigeria on its country’s 56th Independence Anniversary which comes up on Saturday. A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the goodwill message was signed by the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry. Adesina said Kerry acknowledged the ability of Nigerians to address Nigeria’s current national challenges. Kerry’s statement read: “On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the citizens of Nigeria as you celebrate your Independence Day on Oct. 1. “I recently returned from my third trip to Nigeria as Secretary, and I came away with a strong sense of the nation’s resolve to build a better future. “During my trip, I was reminded that many Nigerians are engaged in bringing people together across the divides of culture, religious practices, and et

Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor A popular online medium said a group of heavily armed kidnappers Thursday night abducted Margaret Emefiele, the wife of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele. Sahara Reporters reports that Mrs. Emefiele was kidnapped along the Benin-Agbor Road. Details later.

Amir Darbanou and late wife. A 42-year-old man identified as Amir Darbanou has reportedly murdered his 35-year-old wife, Nasrin Abek, for converting to Christianity in Sydney, Australia. The suspect and his wife were originally from Iran but had been living in Australia for the past four years, the Sydney Morning Herald is reporting. Reports say the suspect, who had been growing increasingly angry with his wife, a hairdresser, and believed she had been unfaithful religiously, stabbed her multiple times with a knife, inside their Potts Point unit apartment in St Neot Avenue on Wednesday. Her body was however discovered at about 6:20 am on Thursday by the police after her father reportedly alerted the police. According to the deceased’s father, he received a ‘disturbing’ phone call from his son-in-law, Darbanou on Wednesday telling him his daughter was dead and on Thursday morning, police visited the scene where they found Abek’s body with multiple stab wounds. The father said he

Commandant-General of NSCDC, Abdullahi Gana The Kaduna State Police Command on Friday said it had arrested three suspects alleged to have killed a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC). The Command’s Public Relation Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman, said in a statement issued in Kaduna, that the command had also arrested three suspected kidnappers. According to him, the three suspected killers had on September 8, allegedly attacked and killed the NSCDC officer, Timothy Ayuba, on his way from Bakin Kasuwa to Sabon Gayan in Chukun Local Government Area of the state. “The armed men made away with the victim’ s motorcycle which was later recovered. “Two Bajaj motorcycles were also recovered from the suspects, one belonging to one Idi Bello and the other to an unidentified victim. “Investigation is in progress to arrest other members of the syndicate.” Usman also said the command had also arrested the suspected kidnappers of Mrs Fatima Inusa, the wife of Dr Inus

Dr Emmanuel Odu, Acting Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said that the Federal Government has released N9.8 billion for polio eradication and immunisation programme. Odu made this known on Friday in Abuja during a news conference on the recent polio outbreak in the northeast. He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment and the timely release of the fund budgeted for polio eradication and immunisation programme. He said that the agency believed that similar arrangement would be repeated for 2017 to push toward delisting Nigeria as polio endemic country. Odu said the federal government has released the fund as part of its substantial investment in its determination to save lives, protect Nigeria children and pregnant women. According to him, after two years without wild polio virus in the country, Nigeria confirmed that three children were paralyzed by the disease in Borno. “The cases which originated from Jere, Gwoza and

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker House of Representatives The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has facilitated with Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 56 independence anniversary. A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, in Abuja on Friday said that despite the challenges confronting Nigerians,“there is every reason for the country to celebrate its independence anniversary”. Dogara, however, noted that the current challenges were not insurmountable, adding that “with unity of purpose, commitment, sacrifice, hardwork and patriotism we shall overcome”. The speaker, who noted that while it might seem like all was bleak and gloomy at the moment, said that “Nigerians will soon begin to smile in appreciation when fruits of the structures being put in place by the present administration begins to manifest”. He, therefore, called on all leaders irrespective of political affiliation to join in rebuilding the countr

‎ James Faleke and late Abubakar Audu The Supreme Court on Friday said it dismissed the appeal of James Faleke of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Kogi governorship elections because the reliefs sought were “aberration, not known to law.’’ The court, while giving reasons for its decisions of Sept. 20 on the elections also said that the respective appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Idris Wada failed because it was “frivolous’’. The apex court panel of seven judges had unanimously dismissed the three appeals, respectively contesting the return of Governor Yahaya Bello of the APC. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who read the lead judgment in Faleke’s case said the court dismissed the appeal because the claims by the appellant were not supported by any extant laws. “This is a simple law. Since the election had not been completed and the final results issued by the electoral body, Faleke, as a running mate, cannot claim ‎victory in the election,’’ she sa

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry The United States of America has congratulated Nigeria on its country’s 56th Independence Anniversary which comes up on Saturday. A statement issued in Abuja on Friday by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, said that the goodwill message was signed by the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry. Adesina said Kerry acknowledged the ability of Nigerians to address Nigeria’s current national challenges. Kerry’s statement read: “On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the citizens of Nigeria as you celebrate your Independence Day on Oct. 1. “I recently returned from my third trip to Nigeria as Secretary, and I came away with a strong sense of the nation’s resolve to build a better future. “During my trip, I was reminded that many Nigerians are engaged in bringing people together across the divides of culture, religious practices, and ethnicity.’’ According t

Simon Lalong, Plateau State Governor Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has congratulated Mr Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) candidate over his victory at the just concluded governorship election in Edo. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Mark Longyen, Lalong described Obaseki’s victory as victory for democracy and a triumph of the people’s will. The governor also hailed his Edo counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and the APC for the success. Lalong said that Oshiomhole’s efforts ensured the triumphant of APC for continuity and consolidation of the APC government’s legacies. “It is with great joy that I congratulate the APC Candidate, Mr Goodwin Obsseki, on his well-deserved victory. “I welcome you into the progressive governors’ family and also felicitate with Gov. Oshiomhole, the state APC chapter, as well as the good people of Edo for this collective victory. “The outcome of this election is, without doubt, a v

Market women in a market As the country celebrates its 56th independence anniversary, some women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the continuous hike in the prices of food items in the market. Some of them, who spoke in Abuja on Friday called on government at all levels to introduce price regulatory system to protect the consumers from unwarranted price hike. Mrs Agnes Itoro, a housewife, said that some traders were using the pretext of the economic recession to hike prices of food items on a daily basis and indiscriminately. “My husband gives me N10,000 for the purchase of food items every month for four members of my house. But now even if he releases N15,000 or even N20, 000, it will not be enough for the list of items I normally purchase. “I normally use some of the remaining monies from the market to cater for my needs. “Now, it is not even enough for the items we need at home monthly,’’ she said. A civil servant, Mrs Lilian Ibekwe, said that prices of t

Elhamy Agina An Egyptian member of parliament is facing ridicule for saying that universities should perform virginity tests on female students. Elhamy Agina reportedly told an Egyptian newspaper on Thursday that virginity should be a prerequisite for admission to the university. He argued that it would help to end the practice of unregistered “customary” marriages that appeal to Egyptian youths who cannot afford formal weddings. “Any girl who enters university must be examined to prove she is a maiden,” Agina reportedly told the Youm 7 newspaper. His comments sparked derision on social media. “Didn’t I tell you the bottom is still far, and worse is to come?” rights lawyer and dissident Gamal Eid wrote on Twitter. “We have a member of parliament obsessed with sex,” wrote liberal dissident and journalist Khaled Dawoud. Agina told AFP on Friday his remarks had been misinterpreted and that he has decided to boycott the media. “People have been attacking me since yesterday and t

Chief Oladeji Fasuan The Chairman Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State in 1996, Chief Oladeji Fasuan, on Friday declared that he was fulfilled to see Ekiti functioning as a state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state was created 20 years ago. Fasuan told NAN at Afao-Ekiti that the state was created due to the epic struggle by patriots, including himself, who came together and worked hard to see the dream of the people of the area fulfilled. “During our struggle for the creation of Ekiti State, we travelled to Abuja 13 times; we saw the Sultan of Sokoto, the Emir of Ilorin, and the Emir of Zaria. “Others were the late Dr Olusola Saraki, there was nobody we did not see to persuade the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, on the need for the creation of the state of our dream. “We presented 24 papers– which we took to Abuja to the then Provisional Ruling Council members. “Chief Afe Babalola presented our memorandum brilliantly before the Arthur Mbanefo-le

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has lauded 14 states in the federation for their improved efforts in the control of HIV. Adewole, represented by Dr Evelyn Ngige, the Director of Public Health, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) expressed the view at the Dissemination of the National Quality Improvement Project (NQIP) and NigeriaQual Awards Ceremony in Abuja. The overall goal of NigeriaQual programme is to improve the quality and standard of care and related services for all patients enrolled in HIV/AIDS care and treatment using continuous quality improvement methods. Adewole noted that thousands of patients had been enrolled in HIV/AIDS treatment, care and related services in health facilities. “It is pertinent that the service rendered to patients in these health facilities are closely and continuously monitored and improved to ensure that patients receive optimum services. “The FMOH has established several programmes aimed at improving and unifying the quality of cl

Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients. The Jigawa Government on Friday said it had trained 100 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients in the state in different vocations and entrepreneurship. Hajiya Ladi Ibrahim, the Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse. Ibrahim said the training was in conjunction with the Fistula Foundation in Nigeria which provided the empowerment tools, while the state government provided logistics. She said that the VVF victims underwent training in skills like bead-making, mat making, shoemaking and making groundnut oil. The commissioner said that they were also taught dying, making of locust beans and local spaghetti, soap making, perfume and cosmetics production. According to her, the empowerment scheme is to create jobs and promote self-reliance among the victims. Ladi told NAN the training also engaged the beneficiaries and ease the psychologic

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that his administration will improve funding of creative industry in the 2017 budget in order to boost employment opportunities. The president made the pledge in Abuja at the public presentation of a pictorial book titled “Buhari A New Beginning”. The book launch with the theme: “Creative Youth as Drivers of the Change Agenda”, featured youth conversation, discussion session where seven selected youths exchanged ideas with the President on issues relating to creative industry. The President said the improved allocation will provide the requisite infrastructure for rapid transformation of the creative industry in the country. He said the fund would be channelled through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. The President said steps would be taken by his administration to tackle the menace of piracy across the country and other challenges facing the country. He called on the youths to partner with the

“Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen” was painted by Vincent Van Gog in 1884 and 1885. Two Vincent Van Gogh paintings have been recovered by police in Italy 14 years after being stolen, officials said Friday. Police in Naples said the works — described as being of “priceless value” — were discovered during a crackdown targeting the Naples-based Camorra crime clan, The Associated Press reported. They were taken from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 2002 and “appear to be in relatively good condition,” according to a news release announcing the discovery. They were recovered during an investigation by a specialized team within the Italian Public Prosecutions Department, the museum said. ”View of the Sea at Scheveningen,” which was painted by Vincent van Gogh in 1882. It was not immediately clear when they would be returned to the Netherlands. “The criminal case, in which the paintings will be presented as burdens of proof, is still to be held because the inve

A peace advocate, Mr Olaniyi Owolabi, on Friday called for national harmony as Nigeria clocks 56 years on Saturday. Owolabi, the Executive Director, Advocacy for Advancement of Peace & Harmony in Africa Initiative(ADAPHAI) said that only national peace and harmony would sustain Nigeria. He maintained that in spite of the cultural plurality and diverse socio-political backgrounds, the country could still build a virile and indivisible nation with harmonious co-existence. According to him, the journey of 56 years as a nation-state should be enough to unite all interests to and form a formidable entity. “No nation survives economically and enjoys stable political system without sustainable harmony with aggregated interests. “The technical defeat of Book Haram in the North-East and the frantic efforts of the military to curtail militancy in the Niger Delta are commendable and laudable.” The peace advocate enjoined political leaders to be accountable and responsive at all times i

Late Shimon Peres Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres as a “great man of the world” on Friday and promised there would be peace as he eulogised him at his funeral. “Shimon lived a life of purpose,” Netanyahu told world leaders and other mourners gathered at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl cemetery of the man who was once his political rival. “He soared to incredible heights. He was a great man of Israel; he was a great man of the world. Israel grieves for him, the world grieves for him, but we find hope in his legacy, as does the world.” He recalled a late-night discussion between them in which they debated Israel’s future. “He said that peace was true security — if there is peace, there will be security,” Netanyahu said of the former prime minister and president who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords with the Palestinians. “I told him, ‘Shimon, in the Middle East, security is an essential condition

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has advised transport unions to streamline their operations to enable them to regulate and curb illegal motor parks in the country. Idris gave the advice when the National Executive Council of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) visited him in Abuja. He added that operating different parks by different transport unions was a hindrance to effective park management. The IGP said that if all transport unions could eliminate illegal park, eradicating criminal activities at parks would be a lot easier. “We are trying to regulate motor parks; in some places you have RTEAN and in other places you have NURTW; this has made the management of these parks more difficult. “If you can meet to streamline motor parks among yourselves, then it will be easier to regulate these parks. The I-G, however, said that he would direct Commissioners of Police in states to coop

US President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the funeral The flag-covered casket of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Israeli president Shimon Peres was carried from the Knesset in Jerusalem Friday as world leaders attended his funeral. President Barack Obama and President Bill Clinton were among 90 delegations from 70 countries paying their respects to Peres, who died Tuesday while hospitalized for a major stroke. He was 93. A military honour guard escorted Peres’ casket into the ceremony at Israel’s national cemetery, Mount Herzl, while a military rabbi sang traditional funeral prayers. Peres served as the nation’s ninth president and as prime minister, as well as in various other positions over a career that spanned six decades. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to him as “a great man of the world.” He added: “Israel grieves for him. The world grieves for him.” Clinton said Peres was Israel’s “biggest dreamer” and called him a “

British Airways to stop free meals British Airways is scrapping free meals for short-haul economy fares from next year and inviting passengers to instead pay for Marks and Spencer sandwiches, creating a stir on social media. The pair announced the tie-up on Thursday, which sees BA joining the no-frills airline model of charging passengers for food and drink. From January, BA will charge £4.75 ($6.2, 5.5 euros) for a tomato and mozzarella focaccia, £1 for hand cooked crisps and a minimum of £4 for alcoholic drinks. No food item will cost more than £5. BA said the move “follows extensive customer research and feedback, which highlighted dissatisfaction with the airline’s current short-haul economy catering”. But customer Lee Butterley tweeted: “Hey @British_Airways literally no reason to pick you over EasyJet and Ryanair anymore then?” James Forshaw added: “Wow @British_Airways taking away the free food is one thing, but drinks, even soft ones? Really is no reason to fly BA short

Gunmen on rampage The Ipakodo, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, was on Thursday thrown into a state of grief after unknown gunmen invaded a house and murdered a man and his two sons. The suspects, who killed the man identified as Celestine Nwokoye, and his sons, also shot his wife and his two daughters, who are currently battling for their lives. According to Punch reports Nwokoye’s wife and injured daughters have been rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. A resident of Ebute, who visited the scene, but did not want his name in print, said the attackers were suspected assassins. Speaking, he said, “The man’s house is located on Agbose Street, off Oluodo Junction. He worked at a taxi park in the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja. The killers came on Thursday morning. They shot him and all the members of his family. He and two male children died instantly, while they left his wife and the two daughters with bullet injuries.

The Federal Government on Thursday declared Monday, 3rd of October, as public holiday to mark country’s 56th Independence Anniversary. The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Muhammadu Maccido, in a statement on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Lt Gen (rtd.) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, said government is putting in place palliatives to cushion the effects of the current economic challenges. The statement read: “While making the declaration on behalf of the federal government, the minister congratulates Nigerians at home and abroad on the commemoration of this year’s independence anniversary. “He assures every Nigerian that government is working assiduously to put in place various palliative measures to cushion the effects of the current economic challenges.”

Donald Trump In the 34-year history of USA TODAY, the Editorial Board has never taken sides in the presidential race. Instead, we’ve expressed opinions about the major issues and haven’t presumed to tell our readers, who have a variety of priorities and values, which choice is best for them. Because every presidential race is different, we revisit our no-endorsement policy every four years. We’ve never seen reason to alter our approach. Until now. This year, the choice isn’t between two capable major party nominees who happen to have significant ideological differences. This year, one of the candidates — Republican nominee Donald Trump — is, by unanimous consensus of the Editorial Board, unfit for the presidency. From the day he declared his candidacy 15 months ago through this week’s first presidential debate, Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he lacks the temperament, knowledge, steadiness and honesty that America needs from its presidents. Whether through indifference or i

Senator Magnus Abe Senator Magnus Abe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Rivers South-East Senatorial District in forthcoming re-run election, has urged the people to vote with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and not guns. Abe made the call during an APC rally at Ngo, Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers on Thursday. He alleged that opponents of APC in the state were desperate to win the election. “Let them tell their members to vote with PVCs; we will tell our people to vote with PVCs too. “Let them not do guns against PVCs. Let us do PVC against PVC, and see who will emerge.” According to Abe, opponents of his party only accept election results that are in their favour and will never take in good fate, outcomes against them. “Tai Local Government result for the March 19 re-run election is a clear example. They have even refused to swear-in APC Assembly members-elect from other constituencies. “They want the result of elections declared in their favour ag

Malam Muhammad Bello, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Thursday Abuja began the demolition of shanties and other makeshift structures erected by traders at the Nyanya market. A bulldozer and two trucks were on ground to evacuate debris from the market. A combined team of enforcement officers, including armed policemen and AMAC Marshals, were also seen trying to protect the officials from being harassed. The market was crowded with traders who were trying to salvage some of their goods. Also, security personnel in the market were seen trying to ensure peace and orderliness by warding off miscreants who might want to take undue advantage of the exercise to loot wares. AMAC Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Candido, later told newsmen in his office that the council would sustain the demolition. Candido said that residents of other states continued to constitute a nuisance to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by displaying their goods on

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has called on all the Community Development Associations, CDAs in the state to re-organise their respective associations better so as to survive the current economic recession. The Governor also charged the community association to update their information with the state government‎, saying that his administration remained committed to running all-inclusive government. ‎Speaking through his Special Adviser on Communities and Communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan‎, the governor implored the associations to initiate community based oriented projects as well as coordinate monitoring of existing infrastructural facilities in their respective Communities. ‎Ambode, who gave the advice at the 2016 Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council Annual Congress held at Oshodi- Isolo Local Government Secretariat, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria said that his administration‎ has structured the governance systems that seats on t

Tankers and othersblocking the road leading to Tincan Port, Apapa Some residents of Apapa, on Thursday renewed calls on the Federal Government to repair Apapa/Tin-Can Island ports road presently in bad condition, to reduce hardship and gridlock. The road users in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that the bad road was causing avoidable accidents and loss of man hours. A businessman, Mr Kabiru Saleh said that the bad road was affecting economic activities and health of road users. A resident of Apapa, Mr Kaleb Ola, said that the activities of tanker and truck drivers constituted nuisance on the axis. “I do not know why it is so difficult for government to fix this road and alleviate our sufferings. “Everyday, you sit for hours trying to get in or out of Apapa and it is causing a lot of stress that can lead to different diseases apart from the revenue government is losing due to this unnecessary delays,’’ he said. A civil servant, Mrs Tonia Badaru, ur

NCC Logo The Nigerian Copyright Commission has impounded illegal broadcast equipment worth more than N20 million in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra. Addressing newsmen after the raid on Thursday, its Director of Enforcement, Mr Augustine Amodu, said the confiscated items included cables, 150 decoders, network boosters, channel splitters and other rebroadcast machines. Amodu said that the commission embarked on the raid after a series of enlightenment to persuade people against piracy. “It is unfortunate that in spite of the series of campaigns carried out to warn people against piracy, they chose to pay deaf ears. “Nigerians must stop illegality and crime, and rather encourage hard work,” the director of enforcement said. He said that the commission would continue to protect the intellectual property of Nigerians and would discourage people from ripping where they did not sow. Amodu said that the commission had vowed to continue to raid various black spots where pirates

A 35-year old housewife, Salamat Jawondo, has told an Ilorin Area Court that she had no love and passion for her husband any more. The plaintiff, who resides at Isale-Aluko Area of Ilorin, therefore prayed the court to dissolve her marriage to Rasaq Jawondo. “I have no feelings and affection for him anymore and I cannot continue to hurt my emotion because of marriage. “My Lord, I want an end to this marriage because the feelings have disappeared. I don’t have any passion to endure it anymore,” she said. The plaintiff said that the marriage between her and Rasaq was contracted in 2002, adding that the relationship had produced two children: Mubarak and Abdulbaki. The defendant did not object to the prayer of his wife, saying ‘’she is free to go. “My wife is a wayward and unstable woman, so, I have lost interest in her as well,” he said. The defendant, however, prayed the court to give him the custody of the children, saying the plaintiff did not have a good job to take proper car

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Godwin Obaseki, Governor Adams Oshiomhole over Edo poll President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the government and people of Edo on successful conclusion of the gubernatorial election in the state. In a telephone call to Gov. Adams Oshiohmole of Edo on Thursday, the President noted with delight the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Godwin Obaseki. He commended the well articulated campaign programme of the APC in the state, the doggedness of the governor, governor-elect and party members in going round the state to reach the people with records of good governance. According to the president, the outcome of the election clearly reflects the mood of the people to sustain the pedigree of responsiveness, forthrightness and diligence that Oshiohmole brought into the service of his people. He said “the victory is good for democracy, for Nigeria and for the people of Edo.” The President further maintained that the vi

Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said that the refusal of some political party agents to sign the Edo governorship election result sheet did not invalidate the poll. INEC National Commissioner in Charge of Publicity, Prince Solomon Soyebi, stated this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Benin. Soyebi said that the validity of an election was stipulated in the Electoral Act and Election Guidelines. He said that the concluded Edo election was in line with the Electoral Act. “The refusal of any party agents to sign the result sheet does not in any way invalidate the declared result of the election,” Soyebi said. The agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the Young Democratic Party had refused to sign the result sheet of the Edo governorship election. He commended the people of Edo for their peaceful conduct that allowed the election to be peaceful and concluded in one ballot. “This is one of the few elections tha