Global Naija Info

National Youth Service Corp members during a parade The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the service year of 24 members of the 2015 Batch ‘B’ Stream One in Niger. The scheme’s Coordinator in Niger, Mrs Bolade Loto, made this known on Thursday at the passing out ceremony of the batch in Minna. Loto said the affected corps members had their service year extended because of their continuous absence from their places of primary assignments. She said 10 corps members received State Merit Award, while 10 others received commendation letters for initiating projects that impacted on the lives of the people. She also disclosed that two corps members died in the course of the service year. She said that a total of 2,193 corps members completed the year successfully, noting that the passing out ceremony was low key as members were just asked to collect their certificates at the various local government councils.

Chief Olusegun Osoba Veteran journalist and politician, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on Thursday, called on publishers to take proactive measures to address the welfare of journalists in the country. Osoba, a former governor of Ogun, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Editors’ House in Ikeja. He said that journalists were an important resource for the development of any nation, adding that their welfare should be of utmost interest to publishers. Osoba said that the Press Council Bill aimed at improving the welfare of journalists would amount to nothing without the support of publishers. “Modern day journalists and reporters are not well paid the way we were well paid in our time. “It is not a legislative issue but moral appeal. “No law can force anybody who has no money to pay, but we have to continue to appeal to publishers that they should pay their editors and reporters as at when due,“ he said. Mr Femi

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the media not to see themselves as mere critics, but as true partners in the task of nation-building. The President, who stated this in Abuja on Thursday at the Leadership Awards, said the Nigerian media should always act in the spirit of patriotism in the important role of informing the people of the country. He further urged the media to join the ongoing Federal Government efforts at uplifting the quality of life of the people. “I expect the Nigerian media to join our government in the pursuit of these goals not just to criticise to prove their independence. “The media must continually see itself as true partner in the task of nation-building and thus act in the spirit of patriotism at all times in the important role of informing the people of the country. “On our part, our doors are wide open to media inquiries in line with the transparency and anti-corruption stance of our administration.” The President noted

court An 18-year-old secondary school student, Sadiq Adegbite, who allegedly stole N200 from a fellow student and used charm to harass other colleagues, was on Thursday brought before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The accused, a student of Junior High School, Ogudu, Lagos, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and disorderly conduct. According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Lucky Ihiehie, the complainant, a 15-year-old student of the school, came to Ogudu Police Station to report the incident. He said while the complainant was returning from school at Emmanuel Street, Ogudu, he was stopped by the accused and some of his friends now at large. “They were harassing him and searching his pockets for money and they even beat him up. “They dispossessed him of his N200 transport fare which was the only money he had in his pocket. “A senior student came to the complainant’s rescue and the accused brought out some charms from his pocket to scare them before the police

Torbjorn Roe Isaksen Norway is to prepare guidelines banning female students from wearing full-face veils, the country’s education minister said Thursday. Education Minister Torbjorn Roe Isaksen said that in their view, full-face veils like the niqab do not belong in educational situations since they prevent communication. “The government is, therefore, investigating the possibility of regulating the use of such garments in daycare centres, schools and universities,” he added. Earlier, Isaksen told newsmen that in practice the niqab would be banned, but not through a bill. Report says Isaksen belongs to Prime Minister Erna Solberg’s conservatives that rule with the right-wing populist Progressive Party. Meanwhile, the populists support a ban as does the main opposition Labour Party. The National Union of Students, Norway’s largest with about 230,000 members, opposed a ban saying there was insufficient research to support the idea that full-face veils constituted an obstacle in

By Toyin Omotoso Nigeria’s first sports betting platform, NairaBET has just launched a new platform for its users. To celebrate the transfer to this new betting platform, NairaBET is giving a FREE bet credit bonus of N1000 to all existing customers. Before we tell you how to take advantage of this bonus, the question is – Why exactly is Nairabet moving its servers to a new platform? In the words of NairaBET’s CEO, Otunba Akin Alabi, the main reason for switching to a new platform is to enable Nairabet to serve its customers better with speed, flexibility and a much user friendly interface. If you happen to be an existing customers, you are well covered and there’s is absolutely NO REASON for you to panic. Everything in your account remains unchanged. Your betting history is intact. Your current bets are untampered with. But your account balance will automatically increase by N1000 With this N1,000 bonus, you can bet on any number of games you want – 1 game or 10, single game

Comptroller Umar Dahiru The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone ‘A’ Federal Operations Unit, Lagos, says it intercepted prohibited items with a duty paid value of N101.5 million in September. Area Controller, Umar Dahiru, told newsmen on Thursday in Lagos that the unit also recovered N30.1 million on false declaration, undervaluation and evasion of duty payment from vehicles and other goods. The controller said 14 suspects that tried to beat the system from the seaports and border stations were apprehended in connection with the seizures. “In the month of September 2016 alone, about 98 seizures were recorded, comprising vegetable oil, imported rice, frozen poultry products, fairly used vehicles and general merchandise,” he said. Dahiru commended the courage, patriotism and intelligence displayed by the officers which led to seizures and urged them to intensify their border patrols. He warned smugglers who saw ‘ember’ months as peak periods for their nefarious acts to desist fro

A cleaner, Ebere Nwankwo and a housekeeper, Job Martins, who allegedly engaged in sex through the anus, were on Thursday charged before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Nwankwo, 16 and Martins, 20, are facing a two-count charge of stealing and unlawful sexual intercourse. The accused reside at Goshen Estate, Ikate and Aboki Estate both in Lekki respectively. The prosecutor Sgt. Ajaga Agboko told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in August at Aboki Estate in Lekki. He said Nwankwo had stolen a Zenith Bank Automated Teller Machine Card ‎(ATM) belonging to Martins and had used it to withdraw the sum of N22,000. Agboko‎ also alleged that Martins in return committed gross indecency with the teenager by engaging in acts of sodomy. “The accused were caught having anal sex and upon interrogation, Nwankwo explained that Martins, his boyfriend, had forced him to have sex with him because he took his ATM and withdrew the sum of N22,000.” According to the p

Hon Terkimbi Ikyange, Speaker, Benue state House of Assembly. The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, has appealed to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to absorb all Benue indigenes serving as volunteers with the Corps. Ikyange made the call on Thursday when the State Commandant of the Corps, Mr Shuaib Jibril, paid him a courtesy visit at the assembly complex. The speaker said that the volunteers would be encouraged to put in their best when given the employment opportunity. ”This people have to be encouraged by giving them employment since they helped the society for a long time by rendering selfless and voluntary service to the society,” he said. Ikyange promised that the House would make a legislation that would assist the corps to function optimally in the state. He also pledged to support the corps in tackling security challenges. Earlier, Jibril said his visit was to acquaint himself with the speaker and members of the house in order

Prof. Wale Oladipo The Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP says it is ready to reconcile with the Ahmed Markafi-led faction. Prof. Wale Oladipo, National Secretary of the Sheriff faction of the party, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja. Oladipo said some eminent Nigerians, some of whom were apolitical, had been meeting with the feuding parties with a view to resolving the lingering crisis. He said both Sheriff and Markafi attended a peace meeting initiated by these Nigerians, adding that an agreement was reached for an amicable resolution of the crisis. “The two leaders have agreed that a 24- man committee of committed PDP leaders and members from all over the country will be formed to chart the way forward for our party. “This is with a view to bringing this unnecessary crisis to a stop and making sure that our party comes out of it stronger. “Sheriff is out of the country, as soon as he comes back, himself and Makarfi ‎will put this committ

Mr Rajesh Prabhu, a General Manager in NIPCO Plc., has urged the Federal Government to use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to run official vehicles to save cost. Prabhu gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos, while speaking on cost-saving measures the government could employ in the face of dwindling revenue. According to him, there is an urgent need for government to promote the use of CNG in the country to reduce the cost of importing petrol with the huge foreign exchange. “The essence is to provide an alternative to diesel and petrol at a reduced cost to boost national socio-economic growth. “Government should formulate a policy that would promote use of CNG as a vehicular fuel to all government official vehicles including the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to save cost,’’ he said. The General Manager said that the project would have saved government over two billion dollars yearly if the use of CNG had been promoted

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State The Ebonyi Government says it has concluded arrangements to provide one functional primary healthcare centre in each of the 171 wards in the state before December 2016. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezuruike, made the disclosure in Abakaliki on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Umezuruike said that the decision was to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance healthcare delivery in the country. “Ebonyi today has fully perfected all arrangements to provide one functional primary health care centre per ward to complement what the Federal Government is doing. “Primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities have to be fully functional and equipped with facilities to achieve the aim of universal health coverage,” he said. The commissioner said that Gov. David Umahi had declared a state of emergency on the health sector in the state due to the weak system inherited from the past administration

Prison inmates Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba has granted state pardon to 21 prisoners serving various jail terms in Gembu, Jalingo, Serti and Wukari prisons. A statement signed by Ishaku’s Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, made this known in Jalingo on Thursday. Ishaku said the pardon was based on the recommendation of the state Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and in line with Sec. 212 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Those pardoned were; Yankari Isaac, Philibus Maisamari, Lawan Saidu, Aisha Abdullahi, Alani Usman, Isah Mohammed, Mohammed Babamuri, Bala Usman, among others. He urged the Controller of Prisons in the state to as a matter urgency discharge and acquit the affected prisoners. Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistance to Ishaku on Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, has called on the freed prisoners to see their freedom as a call to a changed life. Bello told journalists in Jalingo that the pardoned prisoners had shown sufficient remorse

Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, Deputy Governor, Ondo State The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, on Thursday, advised Muslim students to imbibe the tenets of Islamic principles in order to live a rewarding life. Oluboyo gave the advice at the fifth Annual Symposium of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Federal University of Technology, Akure branch. The deputy governor, who was represented by Alhaji Aminu Arowolo, Special Assistant to the State Governor on Political Matters, said that Muslims students should participate in active politics to turn their society around for the better. He also charged them to be law-abiding, security conscious and avoid acts forbidden by Allah in the Quran. Oluboyo charged the students to pray for Nigeria to scale through its current economic and social challenges. The theme of the symposium is: “Social Security and Responsibility of Muslims in the Society’’. Also speaking, Mr Muhammad-Jameel Muhammad, the National Preside

National Youth Service Corp members during a parade Eight Corps members deployed to Kaduna State under the `Batch B’ 2015 of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are to repeat their service year in the state. The NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mr Mohammed Momoh made the disclosure in Kaduna on Thursday at the passing out of the 2, 837 members of the batch. Momoh said the eight corps members absconded immediately after their orientation last year. He said that 15 other corps members had their service years extended for violating rules and regulations of the corps. “This is a punitive measure taken against the erring corps members for violating the rules and regulations of the corps,” he said. The coordinator, however, said that seven corps members died in active service. Momoh disclosed that three corps members won the state’s prestigious merit award, seven others got the chairman’s awards, while 10 won the state coordinators commendation award. He commended the state gover

Senator Bukola Saraki in the dock The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, challenging the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to try him. Justice Abdu Aboki-led other four justices of the appellate court to reserve the date after parties had adopted their written addresses. Aboki said that the date of the judgment would be communicated to the parties. The notice of appeal was filed on March 24 after Saraki’s motion challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal was dismissed. Adopting his address, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), Counsel to Saraki, urged the appellate court to upturn the decision of the tribunal which had arrogated to itself jurisdiction to try the applicant. “That is to say that the tribunal has no jurisdiction to entertain the charge brought against my client,’’ he said. Agabi argued that under Section 3(d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, anyone alleged to have brea

A teenager, Sunday Udongensit, who allegedly broke into a shop and stole N100,000 was on Thursday arraigned in a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. ‎Udongensit, 16, whose address was not provided, pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of ‎burglary as well as stealing, and begged for leniency. The prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 30 at No. 51, Ashimowu Bakare St., Itire, Lagos State, at about 8:00pm. ‎ She said the accused broke into a shop belonging to Utin Okon but was seen by a neighbour who raised an alarm. Osayande said that Udongensit was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the police. The prosecutor said that the accused stole N100,000 from a plastic container in the shop, adding that the money was, however, not found in his possession when he was arrested. She said that during preliminary investigation by the police, the accused confessed to have stolen the money but hid it in a fence wh

Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun Osun State Government on Thursday introduced Economic Development Levy (EDL), on business owners. Mr Dayo Oyebamiji, Acting Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS), made this known at a news conference in Osogbo on Thursday Oyebamiji said the EDL was a charge introduced and permitted by law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He said the levy was introduced by the Federal Government last year, permitting all the states across the federation to increase their Internally Generated Revenue as part of the efforts to find lasting solution to the current economic meltdown. He said the state officially launched the level programme on Wednesday to increase the number of revenues that are accruable to state government’s purse in order to meet certain obligations. He further explained that the levy became imperative following the current economic downturn caused by the appalling fall in the price of crude oil over the years. He said generation of addi

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the N65 being charged customers by commercial banks for Automated Transaction Machine (ATM). The house directed its Committee on Banking and Currency to investigate the charge and other related rates paid by banks’ customers. The resolution followed a motion under Matters of Urgent Public Importance moved by Rep. Tijani Yusuf (PDP-Kogi), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerian banks charge N65 extra on other banks ATM different from the holders’ bank after each third transaction. Moving the motion, Yusuf expressed concern that banks across the country had been extorting N65 from customers from every bank transaction while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) failed to act. He said that recently, banks in the UK were asked to pay customers monies collected from them in the name of bank charges. Also contributing on the matter, Rep. Aminu Sule

Gunmen in the Niger Delta Gunmen in broad day light kidnapped four students and two teachers in a Lagos State Model College on Thursday morning. The gun men invaded the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria and whisked away the students and their teachers. There was pandemonium in the school when the kidnappers struck around 8.00am on Thursday as they shot sporadically into the air to scare people away. The students and their teachers were taken to an unknown destination. However, the police confirmed the kidnap of the students and teachers. Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos said two of the students were rescued while two teachers and two students have been taken away by the gunmen. She said four students and two teachers were initially captured by the gunmen, but that the police successfully rescued two students while the gunmen made away with two other students and two teachers. “Four students were kidnapped and two teachers. W

By Okey Ndibe Professor Okey Ndibe Last week was a rather sobering one for Nigeria. The country marked its 56th anniversary, an altogether dour affair. Margaret Emefiele, wife of Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was kidnapped and then rescued. President Muhammadu Buhari spoke to Nigerian youths and served notice that he intends to continue blaming his predecessors—especially the immediate past one—for the country’s dismal situation. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo gave his own speech, again to youths, and advocated an end to the blame game. Mr. Buhari gave another speech, on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day, and couldn’t seem to decide whether to blow hot or cold on the militancy in the Niger Delta. Let’s begin with the Independence anniversary. In his national broadcast, President Buhari said, “Today, 1st October is a day of celebration for us Nigerians. On this day, 56 years ago our people achieved the most important of all human desires—freedom and inde

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police The police in Plateau on Thursday arraigned a man for illegal possession of a Military RPG Bomb in a Federal High Court sitting in Jos. The 37-year-old accused, Nanpon Sambo alias Yabang, was arrested on June 18, 2016 at Bani Hotel, Langtang North Local Government by men of the Military Joint Task Force (JTF) keeping the peace in the state. Sambo is being tried on a two-count charge of unlawful possession of firearms contrary to Section 3 and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of Fire Arms Act CAP F28 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The offence also contravened Section 3 of the Explosives Act and punishable under Section 67 of the Explosives Registration Act CAP 117 Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990. At the resumed hearing, the Prosecuting Counsel, Mrs Kuturah Saliyuk, told the court the Department of State Services (DSS) had been trailing Sambo since 2013, adding that he was arrested on June 18, 2016. The Counsel to t

Kogi House of Assembly Kogi House of Assembly on Thursday called for abolition of the Transition Examination from Junior Secondary School (JSS) to Senior Secondary School (SSS) classes in schools across the state. The assembly made the call in a resolution following the adoption of a motion calling on the state government to abolish multiple examination system being operated by the state Ministry of Education and its agencies. Mr Linus Eneche (PDP-Olamaboro), who moved the motion at the plenary in Lokoja, said that the transition examination had no relevance and any direct impact on the educational development of students. Eneche said that the education ministry, vested with the mandate of providing policy framework for smooth operation of the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, ought to take cognisance of resources available to parents and guardians. He frowned at what he described as “exploitative duplication of examinations” in secondary education in the state “all

Mobile phones The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), on Thursday said the number of mobile telephone lines in Nigeria stood at 222, 695, 990 at the end of August. The commission said this in the August edition of its monthly “Subscriber Data’’ publication. The report stated that in July, the number lines was 222, 440, 207, and increased by 255, 783 lines in August. According to the data, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network services in August rose to 222,695, 990 compared to July which had 222,440,207. The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators had 3,608,272 active users in August, indicating a decline of 3, 654 from 3,611,926 customers recorded in July. The report also revealed that connected Fixed Wired/Wireless networks’ consumers increased to 349, 185 in August, rising by 252 consumers from the July figure of 348, 933. It showed that Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) had 32, 925 in August as against 19, 420 in July, representing an increase

The gavel of justice An Evboriaria Magistrates’ Court in Benin on Thursday ordered that a 21-year-old man Lucky Igbineyi be remanded in prison for allegedly stabbing his in-law friend to death. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Caroline Oghuma, who ordered the remand, said that the case file should be duplicated and sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Oghuma remanded the accused at Oko Medium security prison, Benin, pending the advice of the DPP, and adjourned the case till Nov. 18 for mention. Prosecutor Oluwaseun Olatoye told the court that the accused committed the crime on Sept 3, at No 40, Enoruwa Str., Off Upper Sakponba Road, Benin. Olatoye said the accused unlawfully killed Blessing Obazee his in-law by using a knife to stab him on his stomach severally. He the accused came to stay in the same room with the deceased, his in-law, in his house. The prosecutor said that on that faithful, Obazee refused to give the accused the cigarette he was smo

•A cross section of mass transit buses launched by the Federal Government in Abuja, recently. A total of 4,116 buses valued N37 billion have been delivered to beneficiaries nationwide under the Federal Government’s Public Mass Transit Revolving Fund (PMTF) Scheme. The Managing Director of The Infrastructure Bank, Mr Adekunle Oyinloye, stated this in a paper he presented at a National Workshop for Chief Executive Officers of Mass Transit Companies in Abuja. Oyinloye said the buses were released to mass transit companies to provide cheap and affordable road transport services to Nigerians across the six geo-political zones and the FCT. According to him, the vehicles were provided under Phases I and II of the N25 billion PMT scheme being managed by The Infrastructure Bank. He stated that the scheme has also empowered over 50,000 Nigerians, including bus drivers, bus assistants, auto-technicians and booking clerks, through direct employment. “In addition, the scheme has thrived in r

Versatile Yoruba language comic actor, Alhaji Nurudeen Babatunde Omidina otherwise known as Baba Suwe is critically sick. The sickness according to close associates is as a result of the torture he went through in the hands of the NDLEA operatives years ago when he was nabbed at the airport on suspicion of carrying hard drugs. In a statement by actor and filmmaker, Yomi Fabiyi while calling on senior colleagues to act fast, Baba Suwe has not been fine for a while now and his health is deteriorating at an alarming rate. “The torture done on him by NDLEA is vastly damaging his health at an alarming rate. “He told me he no longer feel comfortable since that episode,” Fabiyi wrote on Instagram. The actor further blamed Baba Suwe’s predicament on the National Drug Enforcement Agency, condemning their uncivilized way of handling the matter after his arrest. Fabiyi wrote, “He told me when I visited him that he is innocent of the accusations and yet a long pipe was inserted through his

npfl-logo Niger Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Sports Development, Mamman Bosso, on Thursday commended Niger Tornadoes FC for working hard to remain in the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL). Bosso disclosed this during an interactive session with members of the state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Minna. “They tried their best, it was hard work all the way, bearing in mind that the team played her home matches away in neighboring Lokoja, Kogi state capital. “I must commend the Niger Tornadoes FC of Minna for a good outing in the 2015/2016 NPFL season. Playing home matches away from home must have been difficult. “We are making efforts to ensure that the state football club returns home for next season`s campaign in the league,” he said. Bosso commended the management of the club for ensuring that the team remained in top flight football of the country. The commissioner appealed to supporters of the club to be patient as governme

Hilary Clinton A new poll shows US Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton is leading her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, by 10 points in the run-up to the US 2016 presidential vote. According to the results of the Fairleigh Dickinson University survey released Wednesday, the former secretary of state has 50 points and the New York billionaire 40 percent among likely voters. Adding two other candidates, Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein, to the equation would still show the former first lady in the vanguard with 45 percent to 36 percent compared to Trump. In that case, Johnson grabs 11 and Stein nabs just 3 percent. The outcome of the new poll was released in the wake of a debate between vice president picks by the two major parties, Indiana Governor Mike Pence and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. The poll showed that if the two were running for president themselves, the Democratic senator would beat the GOP governor 49 to 41. With a 4.4 percentage

Senator Oluremi Tinubu A socio-political group, the Lagos Future Group has called on senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to put sectarian politics aside and treat the bill seeking special status for Lagos State with all the merits it deserves. Reacting to the decision of the senate to drop the bill during their plenary session on Wednesday, the group in a statement signed by its president, Mr. Seyi Bamigbade reiterated the strategic economic importance of Lagos to Nigeria. The statement had it that it is crucial for the Federal Government to support Lagos financially in order for the state to be able to provide the needed infrastructure, befitting of a world class mega-city. “The bill sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu should not be taken as something to play politics with. Lagos is a state where every ethnic group and every region in the country is highly represented. “It is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria and as such, the city must be cared for in a special way; b

Gov Akinwunmi Ambode Kazeem Ugbodaga Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has berated the Senate for turning down a bill meant to grant Lagos special status which will entitle the state to a special grant. The Senate on Wednesday vote overwhelmingly against the bill sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu. In a statement on Thursday, Ambode commended Senator Tinubu for pushing the need for Lagos State to be recognized and rewarded with a Special Status and Grant into the forefront of national discourse even if the import of that request is lost on a number of her colleagues. In a release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Ambode said that history would remember Senator Tinubu kindly for her thoughtfulness and courage in promoting the bill that sought a special recognition for Lagos State as the commercial capital of Nigeria as well as one per cent of federally generated revenue in view of its socio-economic importance to the entire country.

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has been summoned by the National Assembly to brief the legislature on measures he is taking to lift the country out of recession. A motion to invite President Buhari to address the National Assembly was passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday. The president is expected to use the opportunity to brief the legislators on the economic crisis facing the nation and ways of getting out of it. The country officially entered recession towards the end of August and since then the country has witnessed a rise in inflation. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has blamed the recession largely on the disruption of oil sales by Niger Delta militants who have destroyed many oil pipelines since the beginning of the year.

University of Ibadan Dr Mohammed Abullahi of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has warned that treating eye infection with human urine can lead to blindness. Abdullahi, a public health physician, made this known on Thursday. According to him, people who engage in such practices are prone to loosing their eyes completely. He said that treatment for conjunctivitis, ‘Apollo’ and other eye diseases, were available at clinics and hospitals and people did not need to resort to home remedies. Abdullahi said that some people go to the length of using battery acid and other dangerous substances to treat eye infections. The others, he said, use sugar or lemon juice which is unlikely to treat any ailment of the eye, but it might also cause some serious eye irritation. “The traditional eye remedy of instilling urine into the eye can have devastating consequences when used by patients with gonorrhea,” he warned. He explained that gonococcal conjunctivitis cases had various

File photo: Doctors Dr Douglas Okor, a Consultant Neurosurgeon, Spine Fixed in Abuja (SFIA), has on Thursday called on Nigerians to trust local surgeons as they are capable of conducting complex surgeries done outside the country. According to him, 70 to 75 per cent cases of brain surgery can be done in the country. He said that lack of trust within the public health system, competence, skills and knowledge had made many to seek medical help in other countries. Okor said Nigerian doctors formerly based in the Diaspora were back to transfer their knowledge in daily medical practice and to boost the healthcare sector in the country. “One of the significant brain and spinal surgery can definitely be done in the country; going out of the country for medical surgery could be expensive compared to undergoing it here. “Hotel accommodation, accompany doctors if the patient is in a critical stage, getting a visa, feeding and many others could add up to the expenses if one seeks medical

Donald Trump On Wednesday GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, showing he’ll say anything to win a vote, had this message for America’s terminally ill people : Stay alive long enough to cast a vote for me next month. “I don’t care how sick you are,” Trump said at a rally in Henderson, Nevada. “I don’t care if you just came back from the doctor and he gave you the worst possible prognosis, meaning it’s over, you won’t be around in two weeks. Doesn’t matter. Hang out till Nov. 8. Get out and vote.” Speaking with his signature arrogance, Trump then assured those dying people that after they are gone, “all we’re going to say is, ‘We love you and we will remember you always.’ To be fair, Trump prefaced his comments by saying “I say kiddingly, but I mean it.” news.usa reports

Handcuffed Nigeria authorities have uncovered a scam in which a woman ‘rented’ three babies for street begging. The fraudster was spotted with three very young infants laid out next to each other on a blanket in Lagos. She had claimed to be destitute and asked for ‘alms’ – or charitable donations. But onlookers grew suspicious when they realised the babies did not look alike. Street children then revealed to authorities that the woman ‘rented’ the children from mothers in hospital She used them to beg for money and then split the earnings with the mothers afterwards. The woman fled when officials from Ikeja Local Government arrived, NigeriaToday reports.

Makarfi and Sheriff The extended national caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed the peace move by the Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee to reconcile with the disputed National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff and his faction. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen after the party’s caucus meeting. Adeyeye said that the purpose of the meeting was to brief the caucus on the move and get its endorsement. The caucus is made up of PDP governors, National Assembly caucus, Board of Trustees and other stakeholders. “Members of the caretaker committee are not there on their own, they were appointed by the party and they have to carry the party along in all they are doing. “The peace move has been finally endorsed and supported by members of caucus without any dissent voice,” he said. Adeyeye, however, said there were no factions in the party but aggrieved member

Ondo APC Primary election. The Vice-Chairman (South-South), All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Eta Halierd, has dismissed the allegation that the Ondo state governorship election primary was manipulated in favour of Mr Olurotimi Akeredolu, the declared winner. ‎Halierd said this while briefing newsmen ‎at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday. According to him, Mr Pius Akinyelure, the APC Vice-Chairman, (South- West), misled the public that the primaries in Ondo State was skewed in favour of the eventual winner.‎
‎ Akinyelure had earlier accused the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, National Secretary Mai Mala Buni and the National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, of doctoring the delegates’ list. ‎He had further alleged that the three national officers usurped powers of the National Working Committee (NWC).‎ ‎Halierd said contrary to Akinyelure’s claim, he also voted that the report of the Ondo Appeal Committee, which recommended a cancellation o

The Nigerian Army is getting closer to ending the Boko Haram terrorism in the Northeast going by successes recorded in recent operations, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, has said. Irabor, the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, gave the assurance while addressing newsmen in Maiduguri on Wednesday. He said that the capture of the terrorists’ last stronghold in Northern Borno was a pointer to the level of success recorded by the army. “As you know, Malamfatori is in our kitty; our troops are consolidating on the capture of Malamfatori, Abadam and Gashigar. “The last time we met I told you that we were looking forward to capturing these areas which were the last strongholds of the Boko Haram terrorists, that we have done successfully,” he said. Irabor said that since the Sept. 27 capture of the areas, the army had consolidated its position by keeping the place safe. He, however, expressed regret that the army lost few equipment during the battle for the areas. “Let me state that our

Tyson Fury nWorld heavyweight champion Tyson Fury could lose his licence after he revealed he was taking cocaine to help him deal with depression. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) is meeting on 12 October, when it will look at Fury’s admission. BBBofC general secretary Robert Smith said cocaine use is against the law and “will be dealt with accordingly”. IBF world champion Anthony Joshua backed Fury to return to the ring while Tony Bellew said Fury “needs help”. Fury, 28, claimed he had retired on Monday before retracting the comment three hours later. The BBBofC meeting has not been called exclusively for Fury’s case, but Smith said the body “can’t ignore the law of the land”. BBC Sport has contacted the WBO and WBA – the two organisations with which Fury holds heavyweight titles – but is yet to receive a response. The WBO and WBA can strip Fury of the title, declare the titles vacant, or he can vacate them. Smith said: “We deal with the licence, so in theory, if