Global Naija Info

Some teachers in the South-South zone have attributed the improved performance of students in the May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to hard work. The teachers expressed the view in interviews conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the performance of students in the past five years. They said sustained motivation for teachers would lead to success for students. Mr Lambert Nwika, former President, All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Rivers chapter, said that teachers taught students using WASSCE past questions as reference. “It is not surprising that Rivers recorded a very high success rate in 2016 compared to past results which have been poor. “The success recorded this year could be that teachers finally recognised the importance of incorporating past WASSCE questions in their syllabus. “I believe that students were taught with the past questions to enable them to fully understand what was expected of them in t...

Godsday Orubebe The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has found former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, guilty of false declaration of assets. As a result of this the tribunal ordered the forfeiture of a property belonging to the minister in a choice area of Abuja, Asokoro Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar, on Tuesday, delivered the judgment convicting Orubebe of the offence. Justice Umar explained that the testimonies and documents presented by the prosecution prove that the former minister is guilty as charged. He further stated that while the minister claimed that the property was on rent from the federal government, the rejection of the claim by his former landlord to allow him exercise his right over the property rendered the power of attorney useless. The former Minister had pleaded ‘not guilty’ for two count charges of false declaration of assets and another two counts of bribery when arraigned before the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Mr Orubebe was ...

Governor Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State A chieftain of the Adamawa chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Abu Dan-Arewa, on Tuesday, dismissed threats by Gov. Umar Bindow to indict former governor Murtala Nyako. Dan-Arewa said the governors was only playing to the gallery as the former governor had no case to answer. The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] reports that Bindow had recently threatened to ratify the white paper on the report of a judicial commission which investigated the administration of the former governor. The governor told members of his potical support group, Team Bindow, that the government may release the white paper if Nyako’s supporters continue their alleged sabotage of his administration. Dan-Arewa claimed that the Justice Bobboi Umar Judicial Panel of Inquiry, set up by former acting governor, Umaru Fintiri did not complete its assignment. “It is an empty threat because there is nothing like white paper as the said panel did not complete it’...

Hajja Nana Shettima, Wife of Borno Governor. Hajja Nana Shettima, Wife of Borno Governor, on Tuesday, launched enhanced feeding for children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, as part of efforts to fight malnutrition and ensure the protection of child rights. Shettima launched the exercise at a ceremony in Dalori IDPs camp in Maiduguri. She said that the objective of the programme was to safeguard the future of the children. “We are here basically to kick-start the provision of enhanced feeding, especially among children in all IDPs camps in the state. “Our target is to ensure that the children are fed with balanced diet to prevent malnutrition,” she said. She said the exercise followed last month’s visit of the Senate Committee on Women and Children Affairs to the state. “The committee was disturbed by the condition of the children at the IDPs camps and donated N2 million for the provision of enhanced feeding in the camps. “We are here to supervise th...

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of two teenagers in Ilesa Prison over attempted fraud and threat to life. The accused, Lawal Yusuf and Karim Abass, both 18, committed the offences on Sept. 28 at Adebanbutayo area of Osogbo. The Prosecutor, Insp. Taiwo Adegoke told the court that the accused, and others now at large, attempted to defraud one Adejuwon Busayo and threatened to kill him. He said the accused wrote a letter to the complainant, asking him to pay N10 million into a bank account or be killed. According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 86, 406, 509, and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume 11 Law of Osun, 2003. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. In overruling their bail application, the Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case to Oct. 28 for mention.

An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mrs Bola Ake, has called for the arrest of careless parents as a means of protecting child rights in the country. Ake, who gave the advice when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Tuesday, said government should be rigid on parents in order to protect child rights. She said most parents were careless in handling their children, resulting into the high rate of child abuse in the country. “Most parents shows non-challant attitude toward their children and go scot-free in Nigeria unlike advanced countries where effective child rights law are in place,” Ake said. The lawyer called on the government to arrest parents of children found roaming about the street aimlessly to serve as a deterrent to other parents. Ake urged the Integrated Child Protection Scheme to ensure the protection of child rights and keep children safe from risks of childhood. “Human rights applies to all age groups, children respectively have the same hum...

Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has sacked the Director General,DG, Lagos Safety Commission, Fouad Oki and appointed a new DG on Tuesday. Reason for Oki’s sack was unknown but PM News gathered that he has been relieved of his job. This was confirmed when Ambode approved the appointment of Mr. Hakeem Olaogun Dickson as the new Director General of Lagos State Safety Commission on Tuesday. In a statement signed by the State Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, the governor said Dickson’s appointment was in line with his administration’s commitment to turn around the agency for optimal performance. Dickson holds a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts from the Thomas A. Edison State College, Trenton, New Jersey U.S.A and two Masters Degrees in Business Administration specializing in Accounting and Finance respectively, both from the Fairleight Dickinson University, Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A. He was an internal Auditor at the now defu...

The Operation Safe Haven Special Task Force in Plateau says it will engage the services of the Nigeria Prisons Service dogs in its activities. Maj. Gen. Nicholas Rogers, the Commander of the task force made this known when he visited the Controller of the Prisons in Plateau, Mr Noel Ailewon, in Jos. Rogers said that the dogs would be used in intelligence gathering and arrest of suspects, adding the dogs were good tool for curtailing vices such as drug peddling and weapon concealment. “There are security issues of concern like drug use and hawking, illegal possession of weapons and so many other vices affecting the society, these dogs can help us meet up the challenges. “We want to collaborate with the Nigeria Prisons to see how we can deploy these dogs as part of our security machinery to be able to gather more intelligence and make useful arrests,’’ he said. Rogers said the taskforce would continue to sustain the relative peace enjoyed in the state through the collaboration with...

L-R: Justice of the Appeal Court, Justice Habib Abiru; Director CMC, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya; UN Country Director, MR. Ronald Kayanja; representative of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Seye Oladejo; Solicitor General/Permanent Secretary. L/S Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami and PS Office of Chief of Staff, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye at the 17th Stakeholders Conference/International day of Peace held recently. The Lagos State Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC, recently joined the rest of the world to mark the International Day of Peace in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Hon. Jibrin Abdumumini The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has charged Abdulmumin Jibrin to tell Nigerians more about his allegations of systemic corruption in the House of Representatives. SERAP said it regards Jibrin a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged budget padding and fraud in the House of Representatives in the context of his work in the House as a member. Mr Jibrin yesterday threatened to reveal more alleged systemic corruption among the leadership of the House of Representatives including in the House’s investigative hearings and oversight functions; as well as to disclose the internal budget of the House. A statement released on Tuesday by SERAP’s Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni said that, “We encourage Mr Jibrin to tell Nigerians more about his allegations of systemic corruption in the House of Representatives. Mr Jibrin will be doing a positive act of ‘good citizenship’ by revealing how exactly is the Hous...

Alhaji Umaru Goro, Councillor representing Muna ward in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe state, has appealed to the state government to grant free education to physically challenged persons in the state. Goro, who is also the Chairman of Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities (JAPWD) in the state, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Tuesday. He said that most of his members were from humble families deserving of free education. According to him, the state government’s investment in the education sector has helped his members secure the requirements for admission to higher institutions of learning. He noted that such brilliant members who could contribute their quota to the advancement of the state, should not be denied access to higher education on the account of their humble background. Goro commended Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo for appointing some of his members into political office in the state as well as empowering many ...

An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday slammed a N250,000 bail on a driver, Jimoh Taylor, who allegedly inserted his fingers into the private part of a minor. The Magistrate, Mr T.A. Elias, granted the accused bail after he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Elias ordered the accused to produce two sureties as a condition for the bail. He adjourned the case to Nov. 30 for mention. Taylor, a resident of Isheri Osun area of Lagos, is being tried for indecent treatment of a child. The prosecutor, Sgt. Rapheal Donny told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug.25 at his residence. He said the accused unlawfully and indecently romanced the breast and private part of an eight-year-old girl. “The accused romanced the victim’s breast and also inserted his fingers in her private part,” he said. Donny said the accused went to buy something in a chemist at the victim’s house and lured the girl with a N10.00 biscuit. “The accused came to a chemist in front of the victim’s...

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. The Rivers Government announced on Tuesday that it was on course to creating no fewer than 10,000 jobs through its agriculture expansion scheme. The Special Assistant to the governor on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, made the announcement in a statement in Port Harcourt. He said the government would soon start expanding the state-owned Risonpalm Plantation at Ubima in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state. Nwakudu disclosed that the government was already partnering with a private investor, Siat Ltd., to plant new nurseries at the plantation. “The Risonpalm expansion scheme is a deliberate effort of government to bring agriculture closer to the people. “The scheme will engage youths and women from the affected and neighbouring communities as captured in the government’s campaign promise.” He said the government would also reactivate the moribund Delta Rubber Company to make it productive. “What we cannot afford to do is renege...

Former Minister of Environment, Laurentia Mallam The Police Command in Kaduna State on Tuesday, confirmed the kidnap of the immediate past Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam and her husband, Mr Pius. The Command’s spokesman, ASP Aliyu Usman in Kaduna said that the two were abducted along Bwari/Jere axis on Kaduna-Abuja highway on Monday evening. Usman said that the abductors took away the former minister and her husband, but spared their driver unharmed. He assured that the Police was tracking down the perpetrators and would ensure the release of the victims unharmed. Sources indicated that the abductors had reached out to the minister’s family demanding for ransom. The command’s spokesman, however, said the police was not aware of any demand by the abductors. “All that we are doing is to see that the victims are freed from captivity and returned to their home unhurt,” Usman said.

Haiti’s provisional President, Jocelerme Privert One of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes in recent years is closing in on Haiti, bringing winds, rains and storm surges. Hurricane Matthew, a Category Four storm, is forecast to hit the western tip of Haiti early on Tuesday. “Life-threatening” conditions are already bearing down on the island, the US National Hurricane Center said. Interim Haitian President Jocelerme Privert said a number of people had been killed. “We’ve already seen deaths. People who were out at sea. There are people who are missing. They are people who didn’t respect the alerts. They’ve lost their lives,” he said. Matthew could bring up to 40in (102cm) of rain and winds of 145mph (230km/h), potentially triggering mudslides and flash floods. Its centre is forecast to hit Haiti’s south-western tip around dawn (1100 GMT). Haiti is one of the world’s poorest countries and many residents live in areas prone to flooding. “Part of the problem in Haiti is it’s ...

A Nigerian policeman The police on Tuesday arraigned 10 men in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for rioting, assaulting and damaging people’s property, The accused persons were; Umar Zakari, 18; Babagida Malami, 20; Babagida Sani, 22; Salisu Auta, 33; Aminu Nuhu, 32; Ezekiel Yahaya, 29; Bala Yau, 30; Mohammed Bello, 45; Shefiu Halidu, 22; and Aji Rabiu, 29. The accused are being tried for breach of peace, conspiracy, rioting assembly, damage and assault. The Prosecutor, Sgt. Michael Unah told the court that they committed the offences on Sept. 6 and Sept. 7 at Abattoir Animal Market, Agege. He said that they conspired to riot, disturb the peace and damaged property of the residents of the area. “The accused persons conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause fear by attacking the innocent residents of the area with dangerous weapons,” he said. Unah said that there was a disagreement between the two factions of the accused over the demolition of some structures which resulted i...

Basketmouth Popular Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth, has lost his mother.

The Kaduna State Chapter of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS, on Tuesday, appealed to the state government to assist its members with food supplement to improve their nutritional status. Malam Aliyu Sada, Secretary of the network in the state, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna. “Nutrition is crucial in improving the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS because it provides the nutrients our body needs and keep our immune system stronger to better fight the disease. “This is because our body experiences changes, both from the condition and medications and we usually experience extreme weight loss. “As such, improving our diet will greatly improve our health status. “So, we are calling on the state government to look into the issue of food and nutrition for people living with HIV and AIDS,” he said. Sada commended the state government for consistently providing free antiretroviral drugs for infected persons a...

Eight persons on Tuesday appeared before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court in Osun over the theft of 1,000 chickens from a poultry farm. The accused include Odebiyi Yinka, 20, Ayoola Samson, 20, Cecilia Ochilla, 35, and Elizabeth Akira, 30. Others are Oyelami Tajudeen, 30, Regina Philip, 40, Grace Odelia, 35, and Akira Hanna, 24. The accused and others at large are facing charges bordering on stealing. The Prosecutor, Insp. Taiwo Adegoke told the court that the accused committed the offence between the months of May, June and July at Erin-Osun, Osogbo. Adegoke said the accused conspired with others now at large to steal 1, 000 chickens owned by one Mrs Titilayo Akulo. He said that Odebiyi and Ayoola, who are co-workers at Aluko Poultry Farm, conspired to steal 1, 000 chickens valued at about N1.5 million. The prosecutor said the accused sold the chickens to the six other persons at the total sum of N1.2 million. He said the offences contravened Sections 516, 390(9), 383(9) and 427 ...

Aminu Masari, Katsina State governor Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State has approved the appointment of Alhaji Garba Sanda Mani as the new Head of Service of the state. This is contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Alhaji Abdu Labaran, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Katsina. The statement said the appointment took immediate effect. It said Mani’s appointment was based on his track record of service. ‘’Your selection is in recognition of your track record of service and on the conviction that you will serve faithfully, diligently and in the best interest of the state,’’ the statement said. It said the appointee was born on Oct. 15, 1959; he began his working career in 1983 in the old Kaduna State as a Master Grade II officer in the office of the Secretary to the State Government. It said Mani is an Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, a graduate of Political Science, 1982. The statement said the appointee also holds a...

Rio Olympic Paralympic Games: Team Nigeria A coach, Austin Chima, says the uncertainty over the staging of the 19th National Sports Festival in Calabar in November is disrupting preparations by athletes for the competition. Chima of the Rivers Para-athletics Association made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos. He said that since the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) had yet to come up with any clear declaration, athletes believe that it might not hold. “The festival’s aura ought to be everywhere now, especially with the good performance of the Para-athletes at last month’s Rio 2016 Paralympics in Brazil. “But as we speak, there is no sign that the festival will hold because the authorities are not talking about it, keeping us in a state of doubt. “Our activities have been affected, many of the athletes no longer come for training and the few ones that do are not as committed as before. “This is not good for our spo...

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN The Kaduna Electric on Tuesday said it would commence the distribution of pre-paid meters to its customers in Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi and Zamfara beginning from Oct. 10. This is contained in a statement by the company’s Head, Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] in Kaduna on Tuesday. He said that the unveiling of the smart meters would be performed in Sokoto on Monday by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal. Abdullahi said customers to be provided with the free smart meters had been identified in the four franchise states under the company. According to him, the company had also commenced the distribution of meters to customers who had earlier paid for the facility under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) system. “We are set to provide meters to customers who have since paid for...

Pilgrims arriving Nigeria from Saudi Arabia No fewer than 3,770 pilgrims from Sokoto State have been transported back to Nigeria after successfully performing the 2016 Hajj. The Director-General of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Agency( PWA),Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Tuesday. Umar said the pilgrims were transported in seven flights by Max Air. “The 8th flight, with 500 pilgrims from Illela Local Government, the remaining of some local governments’ pilgrims and officials will leave Jeddah Airport in the next thirty minutes. “Then, only 480 pilgrims from Sokoto South, Sokoto North, Bodinga and some officials, will be transported back to Nigeria in the 9th flight, which will be the last. “The 9th flight which, God willing, will mark the completion of the transportation of our pilgrims back to Nigeria will arrive the Sokoto Airport in the early hours of Oct.7.” Umar expressed happiness with the speedy and smooth transportat...

Basketmouth Popular Nigerian comedian, Bright Okpocha aka Basketmouth, has lost his mother. Basketmouth revealed that she died on Monday night through his Instagram page @basketmouth. He wrote: “Last night my angel left me, my first love stopped breathing and it’s the deepest pain I’ve ever felt. “I love you for every sacrifice you made to make me the man I am today, I’ve loved you through the tough times. “I’ve loved you through happier days and all I can say at this point is that I will love you forever. I will miss you mummy.”

The Taraba State Branch of the Igbo Welfare Association has awarded scholarships to 100 orphans studying in various secondary schools in the state. The President-General of the association, Mr Mazi Nwokeocha, made the announcement in Jalingo on Tuesday while disbursing money to beneficiaries. He said that the 100 beneficiaries were children of the association’s dead members. The president-general said that each beneficiary received N15,000 as assistance to continue his/her education. Nwokeocha said the gesture was initiated by the association in 2007 to give families of dead members sense of belonging. He advised Igbos residing in the state to live in peace with their host communities and to continue to be good ambassadors of the Igbo race. One of the beneficiaries, Mr Johnson Emeka, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended the association for the gesture. He promised that the beneficiaries would justify the gesture by being hard working.

The gavel of justice An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded one Afeez Alabi in prison custody, over alleged robbery and murder. Alabi, 26, was brought to the court by the police for allegedly shooting to death a security guard in Osogbo. The prosecutor, Mireti Wilson told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 27, at about 2:00am on Television Street in Awosuru area of Osogbo. Wilson said that the accused shot and killed the security guard, Adejumo Abimbola, and also stole a plasma television and two wrist watches belonging to one Akinwusi Abidemi. The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 1 and 6 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Laws of the Federation and the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun, 2002. The plea of the accused was not taken as he had no legal representation. The Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, however, ordered that the accused be remanded at Ilesha Prisons, and adjourned the case till Nov.11, for menti...

Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson announced on Tuesday plans to slash 3,000 jobs in production, research and development and sales and some 900 consultants in Sweden. Ericsson said, in a statement, the slash was due to a tough global market. However, it said it would recruit about 1,000 research and development positions in Sweden over the coming three years. It said its cost and efficiency programme was progressing according to plan. The announcement confirms reports about job cuts at Ericsson, which said in July it would step up efficiency measures due to a tough market. Ericsson announced a nine billion Swedish crown ($1.1 billion) cost-cutting programme in 2014.

Kenya striker Michal Olunga Harambee Stars are set to play DRC Congo on Tuesday away at Stade de Martyrs in an international friendly. It is not going to be the first time the sides are meeting. It is going to be a seventh meeting between the two nations, the first one coming way back in May 1967 in a friendly, where Harambee Stars won 5-4 against the visitors, before playing to a one all draw again at home in the same month. However, four latest encounters have ended in favour of the Central African nation. During the 2000 Afcon qualifiers, Kenya fell 2-1 away to Congo DR, before again losing by a solitary goal at home. The two other encounters came in terms of friendlies – though it was a mini tournament, Nile Basin Tournament, organized by Egypt with Uganda also taking part, where Kenya fell twice to the same opponent by a solitary goal. Kenya has not lost her five latest matches since falling 1-0 to visitors Guinea Bissau in the Afcon qualifying match. The Stars have however, ...

Real Madrid and Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo smiles after receiving the 2014 FIFA Ballon d’Or award for player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo may have the edge in this year’s Ballon d’Or race given the trophies he has won, according to former Barcelona star Xavi. The Real Madrid forward is expected to be at least among the final three nominees to defend the trophy he last won in 2014, having fired his side to Champions League glory before captaining Portugal to a shock triumph at Euro 2016. Xavi claimed last month that “anybody who likes football” would consider Lionel Messi to be better than Ronaldo, prompting an angry response from the 31-year-old, in which he scorned the former Spain international for having never won a Ballon d’Or. But the 36-year-old has now admitted that Ronaldo could be the favourite to claim football’s top individual prize for a fourth time – although he warned that he will face stern competition. “Cristiano has the numbers to win this year’s Ballon ...

Cristiano Ronaldo The Real Madrid and Portugal superstar is currently 31 but he hopes to continue playing at an elite level for another decade, such is his commitment to the sport. Cristiano Ronaldo insists that he has no intention of retiring any time soon. The Real Madrid superstar has tormented backlines in England and Spain during his club career, while also becoming the leading Champions League scorer. After netting 118 goals in 291 appearances for Manchester United, the Portugal international has managed an astonishing 367 strikes in 354 games in the Spanish capital. His career has brought four Premier League titles, one La Liga crown and three Champions League successes, and he added the European Championship with Portugal to that haul earlier this year. And the forward’s hunger for football shows no sign of dissipating after announcing he plans to play on for another decade. “Life is not just about football,” the 31-year-old said at the opening of his new hotel in Lisbo...

Rigobert Song Former Cameroon international Rigobert Song has come out of a two-day coma and can be flown to France for treatment. The 40-year-old was admitted to Yaounde Central Hospital on Sunday after falling unconscious. “He has come out of his coma and the oxygen has been disconnected,” Dr Louis Joss Bitang A Mafok, director of the hospital’s emergency centre confirmed. “His high blood pressure has returned to normal and the cerebral haemorrhage has been controlled.” Dr Mafok also explained that a plane will be arriving from France to evacuate Song on Tuesday. “A medical aircraft will be in Cameroon in (Tuesday) he morning, we will have a working session with the French team and then he will be flown to France,” he explained. Song played 137 times for his country and had spells with English clubs Liverpool and West Ham. He has been working as a coach for Cameroon’s football federation following his departure as Chad coach. Former Cameroon team-mate Samuel Eto’o tweeted ...

The Benue State Police Command said it has picked up 25 persons in connection with the attack on Igumale Police Station in the Ado Local Government Area of the state. The suspects were apprehended Sunday afternoon during a raid on criminal hideouts in the area. According to reports, some gunmen on motorcycles in the early hours of Sunday attacked the police station, killing some of the policemen on duty. They also gained access to the division’s armoury, carting away arms. While a policeman died on the spot, two others died at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, where they were taken for treatment. A police inspector, which led the team and a corporal were critically injured. ASP Moses Yamu, Benue State Police Public Relations Officer confirmed the arrest of the suspects while saying the command had been on the trail of the assailants. He added that the gunmen did not succeed in freeing suspects in detention at the station. The PPRO, however, said two policemen were killed whil...

Kanye West Rap superstar Kanye West late Monday rescheduled two tour dates after his wife, reality television celebrity Kim Kardashian, was robbed at gunpoint in Paris. West will no longer perform Tuesday in Philadelphia or Thursday in suburban Detroit “due to family concerns,” promoter Live Nation said in a statement. The rapper, one of the biggest draws in US live music, is scheduled to resume his arena-packing “Saint Pablo” tour on Friday in his hometown of Chicago. West rescheduled the Philadelphia concert for December 13 and the Detroit area show for December 22, with previously sold tickets to be honored, Live Nation said. Kardashian, one of the most identifiable US celebrities, was tied up and locked in the bathroom of her Paris hotel late Sunday by armed thieves disguised as officers, according to French police. The 35-year-old mother of two, who was taking part in Paris fashion week, was robbed of jewelry worth $10 million. West learned of the incident while performin...

Kanye West Rap superstar Kanye West late Monday rescheduled two tour dates after his wife, reality television celebrity Kim Kardashian, was robbed at gunpoint in Paris.

Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian West has arrived back in New York as the hunt continues for armed robbers dressed as police officers who targeted the American reality TV star in a Paris apartment. The gang held a gun to Kardashian West’s head during the early morning robbery, before tying her up and locking her in the bathroom. They then escaped with an estimated €10m (£8.7m; $11.2m) in jewellery. Her publicist said the star was “badly shaken but physically unharmed”. The mother-of-two, who became a household name thanks to the reality series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, left France hours later, flying to New York in a private jet. She was pictured with her mother Kris Jenner – who had been at the Givenchy show with Kardashian West on Sunday in Paris – and husband, the rapper Kanye West, outside their home in the city hours later. Paris police are continuing to search for the gang of five, two of whom forced their way into Kardashian West’s luxury apartment at about 02:30 on ...

The Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs Monica Ugwuanyi, has awarded scholarships to 102 indigent students drawn from the 17 council areas of the state. Ugwuanyi announced the award on Monday in Enugu during the monthly Women Prayer Network held in Enugu. She explained that the scholarship as well as free health insurance attached to it, was meant for students who have little or no means of furthering their education at the secondary school level. “The assistance to these set of beneficiaries will come in the form of funding their tuition; provision of other basic school requirements as well as their healthcare,’’ she said. The governor’s wife distributed school bags, exercise books, other writing materials and foot wears to students during the event. She assured that her pet project `Ugo’s Touch of Life Foundation’ (U-TOLF) would continue to up-lift the downtrodden and less privileged in the society. She recalled that the foundation had in the short period of its existence, record...

Gov Atiku Bagudu The Kebbi Government has declared Tuesday, October 4 as public holiday to mark the beginning of the new Islamic calendar 1438 A.H. (After Hijrah). A statement issued by Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abubakar Dakingari in Birnin Kebbi urged Muslims to use the holiday to pray for Nigeria. According to him, Sunday, October 2 falls on Muharram 1, 1438 A.H., being the first day of the first month in the lunar Islamic calendar. In Islam, the use of lunar calendar started in 578 A.D. when Prophet Muhammad migrated from his home in Makkah to Medinah in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, Enugu State Police Commissioner The Enugu State Police Command on Monday said that it arrested two armed robbery suspects that have tormented residents of Achara Layout within Enugu metropolis. The command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed in Enugu that the suspects had been disturbing the layout for over two months. Amaraizu noted that the suspects were nabbed through police operative response to a distress call. “The criminals and their cohorts now at large were operating at a shop on gunpoint at Awkunanaw Street in Achara Layout on Thursday at about 4p.m. where suspects have allegedly robbed a salesgirl of an undisclosed amount of money and valuables. “It was gathered that on arrival, suspects allegedly engaged police in a gun duel and the ensuing gun battle resulted in the arrest of Obumneme Nwafor, who already had been touched by bullet. “His arrest, however, promptly guided police operatives in the arrest of Emeka Oparaugo alias cross-over. “Re...

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State The Delta Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Mrs Rukky Eneru by unknown gunmen in Uvwie Local Government Area. The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Celestina Kalu, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday in Warri. The police image-maker said that effort was ongoing to rescue the victim unhurt and also apprehend the suspects. “We have already spread our dragnet to rescue the victim as well as apprehend the hoodlums to face the law,“ she said. Kalu said Eneru was abducted by unknown gunmen at about 6 a.m. on her way to church on Sunday in Isoko Estate near Airport road. Sources said the hoodlums numbering three, allegedly forced the victim into her dark-coloured Toyota Camry car and later transferred her into another car and whisked her away. “Her car was later abandoned by the hoodlums at a spot. “The operatives of the Warri Area Command and the patrol team at Ugborikoko Police Station, the jurisdiction where ...

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State Rivers State government has started the process of creating 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths through the expansion of agriculture projects, Governor Nyesom Wike, has said. Wike made the announcement in a statement issued by Mr Simeon Nwakaudu, his Special Assistant on Electronic Media made available to newsmen on Monday. The statement said Wike made the announcement in his address at a reception to mark the coronation and thanksgiving in honour of Chief Mike Elechi as Obua Weze in Elele, Ikwerre LGA. “Aside the development of infrastructure across the state, we are working with private investors to create 10,000 jobs through key agriculture projects,” he said. Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Chukwuemeka Woke, said that the 10,000 jobs would be created with the expansion of Resonpalm Oil Plantation in Ubima. He said that his administration was partnering Siat Limited to plant new nurseries at the oil palm plantation in the...

Col-Sani-Kukasheka-Usman A suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Adamu Nuhu, was arrested by troops on Sunday at Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area in northern Borno, according to a statement issued Army spokeman, Col. Sani Usman. Usman said on Monday that the arrest of the suspect followed tip off, adding “Nuhu is currently being interrogated.” “Similarly, at about 5.43 p.m. yesterday, Sunday, three women suspected to be spouses of wanted Boko Haram terrorists and logistics suppliers were arrested at Miringa market by vigilante members in the town,” Usman said. He added the vigilante members had handed the women to troops and were also being investigated. In a related development, Usman said that troops of 33 Brigade, Nigerian Army, deployed at Forward Operation Base (FOB), Bauchi, killed five suspected kidnappers at Dutsen Makurd in Ningi Local Government Area. He said that killing followed an exchange of gunfire between the suspects and troops. According to the army spokesman, thre...

Maria Sharapova said she tested positive for banned substance Maria Sharapova will find out on Tuesday if her two-year doping ban will be overturned, says the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). The five-time Grand Slam winner, 29, was banned by the International Tennis Federation after testing positive for meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open. The Russian, who said she had been taking the drug since 2006 for health problems, appealed against the ban. She maintains she had “not tried to use a performance-enhancing substance”. In a statement, Cas said its decision would be announced at 14:00 BST on Tuesday. Meldonium became a banned substance on 1 January 2016. -BBC

Gianni Infantino, FIFA president Fifa president Gianni Infantino has proposed expanding the World Cup finals to a 48-team tournament – a larger number than his election promise. The Italian suggested 16 of those teams would be eliminated after one knockout match – before the group stages. The rest of the tournament would be the same as it is now, with 32 teams competing in group stages followed by knockout rounds. One of his election promises was to expand the finals to 40 teams. Infantino said a decision would be taken by the governing body’s council in January. “These are ideas to find the best solution, we will debate them this month and we will decide everything by 2017,” said the 46-year-old. “They are ideas which we put forward to see which one is the best.” Infantino took charge of football’s world governing body in February after the disgraced Sepp Blatter resigned. Under his proposal, a preliminary knockout round in the host country would involve 32 teams with the wi...

Kim Kardashian Kim Kardashian West has arrived back in New York as the hunt continues for armed robbers dressed as police officers who targeted the American reality TV star in a Paris apartment. The gang held a gun to Kardashian West’s head during the early morning robbery, before tying her up and locking her in the bathroom. They then escaped with an estimated €10m (£8.7m; $11.2m) in jewellery. Her publicist said the star was “badly shaken but physically unharmed”. The mother-of-two, who became a household name thanks to the reality series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, left France hours later, flying to New York in a private jet. She was pictured with her mother Kris Jenner – who had been at the Givenchy show with Kardashian West on Sunday in Paris – and husband, the rapper Kanye West, outside their home in the city hours later. Paris police are continuing to search for the gang of five, two of whom forced their way into Kardashian West’s luxury apartment at about 02:30 on ...

Putin and Obama Russia has suspended an agreement with the US on the disposal of surplus weapons-grade plutonium, the latest sign of worsening bilateral relations. In a decree, President Vladimir Putin accused the US of creating “a threat to strategic stability, as a result of unfriendly actions” towards Russia. Moscow also set pre-conditions for the US for the deal to be resumed. Under the 2000 deal, each side is supposed to get rid of 34 tonnes of plutonium by burning it in reactors. It is part of cuts to nuclear forces. The US state department said the combined 68 tonnes of plutonium was “enough material for approximately 17,000 nuclear weapons”. Both sides had reconfirmed the deal in 2010. In a separate development, the US said it was suspending talks with Russia over the Syrian crisis. Washington said Moscow had not lived up to the terms of last month’s ceasefire agreement, which has since collapsed. Russia said it regretted the decision, accusing the US of trying to shi...