Global Naija Info

Messi scores one of his goals Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona punished 10-man Manchester City in the Champions League on Pep Guardiola’s return to his old club. City were competitive in the first half, but made far too many errors against a ruthless Barcelona revelling in Messi’s return from injury. A Fernandinho slip inside his own box put Messi clear for his first, then Kevin de Bruyne lost possession allowing Andres Iniesta to set up the Argentine for a left-footed strike into the bottom corner. The evening got worse for the visitors when goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was sent off for handling outside the box and minutes later Messi struck again. Barcelona were also reduced to 10 men in the last 15 minutes as substitute Jeremy Mathieu was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Raheem Sterling, but by then the damage had been done. Willy Caballero saved a late Neymar penalty – but the Brazilian scored from open play minutes later to complete a comprehensive win for t

Sanchez wonder goal Mesut Ozil scored a hat-trick after stunning goals from Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott as Arsenal dismantled Ludogorets Razgrad in a ruthless Champions League display. Sanchez got the first with a masterful chip from just inside the box. Walcott powered a curling shot home after Ludogorets’ Wanderson hit a post. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain smashed a loose ball into the corner for the third, before Ozil scored three times in a game for the first time in his career. The Gunners have won seven games in a row in all competitions – scoring 23 goals – and are undefeated in 11 matches. Their last defeat was at home to Liverpool on the opening day of the Premier League season. Victory over Bulgarian champions Ludogorets means Arsenal top Group A ahead of Paris St-Germain, who beat Basel 3-0, on goal difference. As Sanchez’s drifting lob settled in the Ludogorets net, gleeful manager Arsene Wenger leapt from the bench in celebration. The Frenchman’s side were so domin

Kemi Adeosun, Minister of Finance A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy, in spite of its current challenges. Nigeria is placed ahead of South Africa and Egypt which are second and third respectively. In August, Nigeria was reported to have lost its position as Africa’s biggest economy to South Africa, following the recalculation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But the IMF’s World Economic Outlook for October, puts Nigeria’s GDP at 415.08 billion dollars, from 493.83 billion dollars in 2015, while South Africa’s GDP was put at 280.36 billion dollars, from 314.73 billion dollars in 2015. According to the report, Egypt’s 2016 data is not available, but its 2015 size remained at 330.159 dollars while that of Algeria, one of the largest economies on the continent, is put at 168.318 billion dollars. The United States, China and Japan maintain their spots as the largest economies in the world, ahead of G

Ken-wiwa jnr President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja condoled with the Saro-Wiwa family, the government and people of Rivers on the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr. The president, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also commiserated with the people of Ogoni Kingdom over the passage of their illustrious son. Buhari joined the Ogoni Kingdom in mourning the sudden and painful passing of a promising Nigerian, author and environmental activist. He said the deceased was an ardent believer in the unity, progress and stability of his community. According to him, the deceased’s willingness and dedication to the clean-up of Ogoni land has inspired a healing process in Nigeria after the death of his father, Ken Saro-Wiwa. Buhari urged family, friends and associates to honour Saro-Wiwa’s memory by making his dream of an environmentally safe, secured and prosperous Ogoni land a reality. He prayed that the almighty God would “comfort a

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has re-launched its “Make a Difference’’ Malaria hotline to make it easier for Nigerians to report stolen and falsified anti-malaria drugs. The “Make a Difference campaign” re-launched in Abuja by Special Agent, Mr Jonathan Schofield, is expected to encourage citizens to participate in strengthening and protecting malaria programmes within their countries. The initiative is born out of the need to curb the prevalence of counterfeit malaria medicines that undermine worldwide attempts to control the disease. The campaign aims to solicit the involvement of local communities in the fight against people who prey upon malaria control programmes in Nigeria and elsewhere. “The MAD campaign’s main objective is to obtain actionable information concerning the theft, transhipment, resale or falsification of anti-malaria drugs and commodities receiving funding from the USAID President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI),” he said. Schofield

Dr Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, YABATECH rector The Yaba College of Technology(YABATECH) says it will grant Higher National Diploma and National Diploma to 7,102 students during the 2014/2015 convocation holding between Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. The Rector of the college, Dr Margaret Ladipo, made the disclosure in Lagos on Wednesday during the 30th pre-convocation news briefing. Ladipo said the ceremony would be low-keyed because of the economic realities of the country. She said 40 graduating students in the HND Full-Time category bagged distinction, 489 bagged upper credit while 987 had lower credit. The rector also said in the HND Part-Time category, eight students bagged distinction. A further breakdown showed that in the National Diploma category, 132 had distinctions, 769 had upper credit while 852 got lower credit, with 376 awarded pass. The rector said that a convocation lecture would be delivered by Mr Mustapha Chike-Obi, a financial and investment analyst, on `Technology as a

Crown Prince (Amb.) Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken of Uselu. The British Government has felicitated with the incoming Oba of Benin, Eheneden Erediauwa, the Government and people of Edo. British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright delivered the message when he visited Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo in Benin on Wednesday. Arkwright said he was in the state with his wife Tricia to witness the coronation of Eheneden as the new Oba of Benin as well as convey the greetings of the Queen of England to the crown prince. He said he had been in the country for one year as the British High Commissioner but was in the state for the first time. He expressed the interest of the British Government to foster a bilateral relationship with Edo. He said his country was interested in what business British companies can venture into to curtail unemployment in the state and commended the achievements of outgoing Oshiomhole’s administration in the last eight years. Oshiomhole said the coronation

Alhaji Shettima Yerima, National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF). The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) on Wednesday described recent attacks on the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, as ‘unpatriotic’. Alhaji Yerima Shettima, National President AYCF, said in a statement that Emefiele and others of like-minds were doing all they could to revive the nation’s economy. With the present economic recession, several groups have criticized the CBN governor for not doing enough to help in turning around the nation’s fortunes. One of such groups called on him to resign within 21 days if he could not bring solutions that would turn the tide. Shettima, however, said that such calls were unfair. “The ongoing campaign launched against Emefiele is a deliberate misinformation designed to mislead the public and set the people against the hardworking staff and management of the apex bank. “It is also designed to pressurize President Muhamm

Dr Margaret Ladipo, Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). To end the disparity between polytechnic and university graduates, the Federal Government will soon introduce a National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF). Dr. Margaret Ladipo, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), announced the plan at the 30th pre-convocation news briefing on Wednesday in Lagos. Ladipo said that the framework was still being formulated by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and would be adopted as soon as the paperwork was completed. With the framework in place, she said polytechnic graduates would write an examination which would place them at par with their counterparts in the university. “The Federal Government is working on the framework, the unions are also working on it and very soon, everything will be okay. “If you go to developed countries, the framework is the way to end the disparity between the HND and B.Sc. “It is all about competency in educa

President Buhari addressing the girls at Aso Rock “My dear children. This is a happy moment for me and for all Nigerians. I welcome you back to freedom. It is a moment your parents, the Nation and the International Community have been eagerly waiting for, since your abduction on 14th April 2014. “We must from the onset, thank Almighty God for this day that 21 of the Chibok girls have again breathed the air of freedom and are reunited with their parents. We are equally prayerful, that God in his infinite mercies and benevolence, will see to it that the girls remaining in captivity will be freed and returned to us soonest. “All Nigerians recall, sadly the night of 14th April 2014, 276 young female Nigerian students were abducted from the Government Secondary School in Chibok Borno State by the Boko Haram. “Fortunately, 57 of the kidnapped school girls were able to escape, leaving 219 in captivity. One of the abducted girls, Amina Ali was found in May 2016. And today we are here cel

Bolingo Hotel Abuja The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Wednesday sealed the Bolingo Hotel, Abuja, over suspected tax matters. A source at the FIRS said the measure was part of the deliberate action to shore up government revenue drive, especially in the area of recovery of tax revenues from defaulting organizations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the entrance of the hotel building was sealed by the FIRS officials who stormed the premises and directed workers to vacate their offices. Mobile policemen and other security agents were stationed at the entrance to prevent visitors from the hotel building. All staff of First Bank of Nigeria PlC, at the hotel’s branch, were chased out of the workplace. “We were working when our boss asked us to shut down operation for the day and leave the bank premises,” some of the bankers told NAN. A NAN correspondent who witnessed the action and attempted to make inquiries from the hotel management was prevented from entry

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has pledged additional support to make the police more effective and result-oriented in tackling crime. Ajimobi made the pledge on Wednesday in Ibadan while receiving Dan Bature, the new Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in Charge of Zone 11. Zone 11 of the Nigeria Police comprises Oyo, Osun and Ondo states. He said the state had hinged its development strides on a pyramid built around adequate security and safety of the citizenry and businesses. The governor said that a joint task force was constituted to tackle the challenges of security in the state, adding that this had resulted in peace in the state. “We have had four Commissioners of Police here in the last four years and all of them have performed well. I am confident that AIG Bature would do well. “He is a professional to the core and an accomplished policeman. You have just assumed duty at a zone that comprises the core Yoruba states. “Oy

Sheikh-Ibraheem-El-Zakzaky, leader of Shiites in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government said on Wednesday that it had not placed any ban on Shi’a Muslims in the state. Mr. Samuel Aruwan, the government spokesman said at a news briefing in Kaduna, that what the government did, was to declare the operation of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) illegal, as the group was not registered. “Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) was never a registered organization and it refuses to conduct itself with full adherence to the laws of Kaduna state.” He added that the group had consistently blocked roads and inconvenienced road users. “It occupy without permission, facilities that did not belong to it, and it has ignored the law and neglected the obligations of civility,” he added. Aruwan said that the IMN should follow due process and get the required government certificate for it to operate as an organization. He noted that other groups that practice Shia Islam were not included in the ban.

By Seun Bisuga Hilary Clinton, Democrat presidential candidate Many are of the opinion that minorities in the United States especially African Americans and Hispanics will vote for Democrat presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, giving her an overwhelming assurance that she will beat her Republican counterpart, Donald Trump to the Oval Office. But the truth is, while many African Americans and Hispanics would like to vote for Clinton, most of them are ineligible to do so, giving Trump some invisible boost where he should have had little or none. Here is an insight into why they cannot vote Clinton. There is a law in the United States known as “Felony disenfranchisement”. Felony Disenfranchisement means the exclusion from voting of people otherwise eligible to vote due to conviction of a criminal offense, usually restricted to the more serious class of crimes. According to various reports and studies, African Americans are on the other side of the law. In a study conducted b

Efcc-Operatives The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has recovered N222.574 million and foreign currencies from fraudsters in South East Nigeria. Mr Johnson Babalola, the South East Zonal Head of the commission, disclosed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Enugu. Babalola said that the amount was recovered from January to date following a renewed drive by the leadership of the commission. He said that the monies were recovered from fraudsters, including politicians. “We equally recovered 955,465 dollars; 10,000 Euros and 3,588 Chinese currencies. “The zone has successfully concluded some of the reported cases where monies were recovered out of which 130,750 dollars was forfeited and paid into the coffers of the Federal Government,” he said. Babalola said that 36 out of the 522 cases currently under investigation had been concluded and charged to various courts in the zone. “Of these cases, we have secured a total of 14 convictions. “The zone is currently

A total of 28 students of Bells University of Technology in Ota, Ogun, bagged first class degree during its 2015/2016 academic session. The new Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Jeremiah Ojediran, disclosed this on Wednesday in Otta during a press conference to mark the 8th Convocation Ceremony of the institution. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 334 students are graduating. They comprised 28 with the first class degree, 122 with the second class upper degree, 108 with second class lower, 76 with third class and 30 postgraduates. Ojediran said the institution had set in motion a conversion programme to avail HND holders who were affected by the B.SC/HND dichotomy to upgrade their certificates to B.Sc degrees status. ”The university is committed to reaching out to the heavy population of HND holders in numerous industries in the country,” he said. Ojediran also said the management was working toward making the university a world-class one which woul

President Buhari, CP Osinbajo and the 21 rescued Chibok schoolgirls. President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said the Federal Government would ensure that the released 21 Chibok school girls would be fully integrated into the society and their needs provided. The president stated this while receiving the girls at the Presidential Villa from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The girls regained freedom from their Boko Haram abductors on Thursday while the president was leaving to Germany on official visit. President Buhari addressing the girls at the Presidential Villa. They were kidnapped in their Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno, on April 14, 2014. Buhari said that the girls had experienced the worst the world could give, but assured that “they will now be getting the best the world can offer”. He also assured that his administration would ensure the release of the remaining girls in captivity and other Nigerians being held by the insurgents. The pre

Hajiya Aisha El-Rufa’i, wife of Kaduna State governor. The wife of Kaduna State governor, Hajiya Aisha El-Rufa’i, on Wednesday, called for more public awareness on the importance of hand washing to reduce the incidence of diarrhoea and respiratory infections. The governor’s wife, who was represented by Mrs Mary Sawok, Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Women Affairs, said this at a two-day review meeting with selected leaders of Faith-Based Organisations (FBO) in Zaria. The theme is: “Demand Creation for Child Survival and Development”. “On hand washing, children suffer disproportionately from diarrheal diseases. “A UNICEF report says that over two million children, under the age of five, are dying every year from diarrhoea and pneumonia-related diseases, globally. “However, research has shown that hand washing with soap or ash, can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea among under-five children by almost 50 percent and respiratory infections by nearly 25 per cent. “The simple

Christine Lagarde, IMF MD A new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected Nigeria as Africa’s biggest economy, in spite of its current challenges. Nigeria is placed ahead of South Africa and Egypt which are second and third respectively. In August, Nigeria was reported to have lost its position as Africa’s biggest economy to South Africa, following the recalculation of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). But the IMF’s World Economic Outlook for October, puts Nigeria’s GDP at 415.08 billion dollars, from 493.83 billion dollars in 2015, while South Africa’s GDP was put at 280.36 billion dollars, from 314.73 billion dollars in 2015. According to the report, Egypt’s 2016 data is not available, but its 2015 size remained at 330.159 dollars while that of Algeria, one of the largest economies on the continent, is put at 168.318 billion dollars. The United States, China and Japan maintain their spots as the largest economies in the world, ahead of Germany,

Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr., son of playwright and oil industry opponent Ken Saro-Wiwa. The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), has expressed shock over the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa Jr., son of late environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa. The Publicity Secretary of MOSOP, Mr Felago Nsuke, said on Wednesday that the movement “is deeply pained by this tragic incident, the loss of our dear Ken Jr. – son of our celebrated hero, Ken Saro-Wiwa.” “We express our deepest condolences to the family of Wiwa in particular and the Ogoni nation in general.” Ken Jr., 47 died in London after suffering stroke, according to his family. His late father Ken was executed by late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha for leading protest against environmental degradation of Ogoniland caused by multinational oil companies.

Police cell A 30-year-old driver, Yahaya Yusuf, was on Wednesday arraigned in an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for alleged reckless and dangerous driving. The prosecutor, Insp. Fagboyinbo Abiodun, told the court that the accused person committed the offences on Oct. 11, at about 4:30 p.m. on Alekuwodo area of Osogbo. Abiodun said the accused drove a heavy duty vehicle owned by Dangote Cement dangerously and damaged a street light pole. The prosecutor said the accused refused to comply with the Osun Government order to repair the damaged pole and he was brought to the court. He said the offences contravened Sections 23(D) and 135 of the Criminal Code Laws of Osun, 2003 and Section 28 of the Road Traffic Act of Osun, 2003. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him. Counsel to the accused, Mr Kenneth Ngokwe, prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms. The Magistrate, Mrs Halimatu Bashiru, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,

The Assistant Inspector–General of Police in charge of Zone 8, Mr Tijani Baba, on Wednesday warned policemen to avoid violating human rights of citizens while carrying out official duties. Baba gave the warning in Lokoja while declaring open a three-day training programme for policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). He said that any policeman found guilty of human rights abuse would have himself to blame, warning that Nigerians should be treated with respect and honour. Baba said the retraining programme became necessary as a result of rising wave of violent crimes and commended the Inspector- General of Police for rising up to the challenge. He urged the participants to take the programme seriously, noting that they would also train others. The Assistant Inspector-General said that the Nigeria Police Force was ready to partner with the civil society to bring about a new order in the force. Participants at the training were drawn from Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti st

The gavel of justice A 32-year-old housewife, Adetuyi Esther, on Wednesday approached an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court seeking dissolution of her seven-year-old marriage to her husband, Ajayi. Esther is seeking the dissolution on grounds of desertion, regular curses on her and her family and lack of care for her and the only child. Esther, residing at No 28 Basiri, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that her husband had abandoned her and the child since two years ago when he left for Lagos. She said he told her to relocate with him, but she could not because she could not live with his family members. The mother of one said there was a day, her brother called to tell her that the husband was raining curses on him and their mother, saying that they were behind her refusal to relocate with him. According to her, whenever her husband visited Ado-Ekiti, he always threatened that bad things will happen to her if she refused to bring his child. Esther alleged that the husband was not taking care

Two international airlines have announced plans to suspend flights to the Nigerian capital Abuja by next month due to falling demand as a currency crisis in Africa’s top economy deepens. Emirates Airline on Wednesday became the latest to suspend its four times weekly service between Dubai and Abuja starting Oct. 30, a company spokesman said. The decision to stop flights to and from Abuja was made “after a review of the airline’s operations to ensure the best utilisation of its aircraft fleet for its overall business objectives,” the Emirates’ spokesman said. Domestic and international carriers operating in Nigeria have struggled with the plunge in the local currency that has made their jet fuel bills in dollars ever more expensive and also hurt their profitability as their passengers pay in naira. Nigeria is facing its first recession in 25-years brought on by low oil prices, which has cut government revenue and created chronic dollar shortages. The situation has seen many firms ha

Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai The Kaduna State Government is to establish three new centers to cater for victims of sexual assault in the state. This is contained in the state’s 2017 budget document for of the judiciary, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] in Kaduna on Wednesday. A total of N3.6 billion was allocated to the justice sector out of the N215.9 billion budget of the state in 2017. The document indicated that N30 million would be used to establish the three additional Sexual Assault Centres. The budget also contains the provision of N35.7 million earmarked for the training of prison inmates to acquire life-long skills, which they could rely on to earn a living after their release. The document, obtained from the Ministry for Budget and Planning, indicated that N1.2 billion was for capital expenditure and 2.4 billion for recurrent services. About N18.8 million was set aside for the training of judicial officers, N50 million for law review, N4.3 million for se

Nigeria-Super-Eagles Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Idah Peterside, on Wednesday urged the team to maintain their lead in Group by winning Algeria in their next home game. Peterside, also a former Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper, said in Johannesburg, South Africa, that winning their first game away from home was a big advantage for the Eagles. He said that though the encounter against Algeria would be tough, the team could win it and top the group. “Algeria is the number one team in Africa, but I believe the Super Eagles can win them at home. “The Eagles need that win to maintain the lead in their group. The Eagles need to be focused to get all the maximum points,’’ Peterside said. Peterside, who also played for Israeli club, Macabi Hazelia, said the current Super Eagles team was good and had the potential to qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup. “We have a good team now, but my advice is that as we play against Algeria, we must be very careful because they are still the number one team i

According to an Agency report on Wednesday, 193 suspects were detained over a five-day period for airline ticket fraud. The report said that the incident happened at the world airports around the globe. The suspects booked flights using stolen, compromised or fake credit card details, allowing them to travel anonymously. Airline fraudsters cost the industry an estimated $1 billion dollars per year. The tickets are often purchased to facilitate more serious crimes, such as illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug smuggling and terrorism. “We cannot allow anyone, in particular, serious criminals and terrorists, to travel around the world anonymously and to endanger others,” the report said.

magistrate-court A sex worker, Grace Aghomi, who allegedly sold her daughter for N60,000, on Wednesday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a two-count charge. Thirty-seven-year-old Aghomi sold her child to a woman, simply identified as Endurance, on Sept. 30 at Badagry, Lagos, according to the prosecutor, Insp. Daniel Ighodalo. Ighodalo told the court that Endurance was at large, adding that the offences contravened Sections 142 and 274(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty. The Chief Magistrate, Miss Abimbola Awogboro, granted bail to the sex worker in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum. Awogboro adjourned the case till Nov. 21 for further hearing.

Federal Road Safety Corps vehicles The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has warned its officers against extortion and misconduct while discharging their duties. Mr Kehinde Adeleye, FRSC Zonal Commander for Edo, Delta and Anambra, gave the warning on Wednesday during a working visit to Onitsha command. “Let me appeal to you to have a rethink about touting, extortion, misconduct or fighting with offenders in the discharge of your duties on highways. “Performance evaluation is a punishment and reward system; if you do wrong to the extent of embarrassing the system, we will not hesitate to discipline you,’’ Adeleye warned. The zonal commander also advised the officers to be conscious of their personal safety at all time. He blamed the incidences of officers’ death on highways on individual and corporate carelessness. Adeleye informed the officers that the zone came first in the recent assessment performance evaluation of the Commission. He solicited the support and contribu

FILE PHOTO: A police patrol vehicle The Edo Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) have deployed 5,300 personnel to provide security within Benin metropolis during the coronation of Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa as the new Oba of Benin on Thursday. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Haliru Gwandu, told newsmen in Benin that his command would deploy 5,000 policemen for the occasion. Gwandu said the deployment was necessary in view of the number of high profile personalities from across the world that would attend the ceremony. “The process of coronation is ongoing and I think the last day will be on Thursday and quite a number of personalities are expected to grace the occasion. “We have decided to remain proactive to make sure that the town is not infested with unguarded elements who will disrupt public peace. “We will try to provide an enabling environment, having discovered that the number of very important personalities who are goi

A woman and her cow went on trial in Germany on Wednesday for the death of a 57-year-old woman who was attacked by the cow. The woman sustained fatal injuries in 2011 while walking her dog the cow, named Verona, is accused of fatally attacking the 57-year-old while she was on a walk near the town of Greifenstein. Verona had broken out of her compound several days earlier. Verona’s owner Maria G, whose full name was withheld in line with privacy laws, was found guilty of negligent homicide in 2013 after an appraiser found traces of Verona’s DNA on the dead woman’s clothing. Maria G was placed on probation and handed a fine of 2,197 dollars, but a higher court in Frankfurt later ordered a retrial because of procedural mistakes. A court in Dillenburg would now assess two new evaluations of the DNA traces to determine whether the cow dubbed “Killer Cow Verona’’ by German media, did, in fact, attacked the woman.

NSCDC operatives The Cross River Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday said it had arrested 20 suspected transformer vandals from January to date. The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr. Clement Adesuyi, told newsmen in Calabar that the suspects were arrested at different locations in the state. Adesuyi said part of the key mandate of the corps was to protect major assets and critical infrastructures such as oil pipelines, transformer cables and telecom masts. “Between January and now, we have arrested no fewer than 20 suspects in connection with transformer theft. “After much investigation, 10 of them were released while the remaining 10 are still facing charges in court. “Our activities on pipeline vandalism in the state is zero because we don’t have pipelines here. But in the area of cable vandalism, we have made 20 arrests. “We have also made some arrests in the area of oil theft; all these cases are pending in court,’’ he said. Ades

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State Exactly one year after constituting his Executive Council, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday effected a reshuffle of his cabinet with the dropping of the Commissioners for Tourism- Mr Folorunsho Folarin- Coker; Finance- Dr Mustapha Akinkunmi and Transportation, Dr Ekundayo Mobereola. In a Press Statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the Governor also directed the Special Adviser, Arts and Culture to take over as the Acting Commissioner for Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Special Adviser on Transportation will take over as Acting Commissioner for Transportation while the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance takes over as the Acting Commissioner for Finance pending the appointment of new Commissioners in the respective ministries. The Statement adds that the Governor expresses his appreciation to the former Commissioners for their service to the State and wished them well

Mr Dan Bature Mr Dan Bature, an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in Charge of Zone 11 comprising Oyo, Osun and Ondo states, says any policeman checking vehicle particulars on the highways is on illegal duty. Bature said this on Wednesday in Ibadan during a two-day familiarization visit to Oyo State. He said that the duty of the police was not to check vehicle particulars but to ensure safer roads. Bature warned policemen against blocking highways, saying police patrol vehicles were not supposed to be toll gates. He said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was committed to changing the negative image of the police and supporting the anticorruption war of the Federal Government. Bature advised officers unable to key into the laudable initiatives of the IGP to resign from the force. He said that a lot was expected by the public from the police, adding that this informed the monitoring of officers. “The Inspector General of Police is determined to improve on your wel

US President Barack Obama The United States expects Islamic State to use crude chemical weapons as it tries to repel an Iraqi-led offensive on the city of Mosul, U.S. officials say, although adding that the group’s technical ability to develop such weapons is highly limited. U.S. forces have begun to regularly collect shell fragments to test for possible chemical agents, given Islamic State’s use of mustard agent in the months before Monday’s launch of the Mosul offensive, one official said. In a previously undisclosed incident, U.S. forces confirmed the presence of a sulfur mustard agent on Islamic State munition fragments on Oct. 5, a second official said. The Islamic State had targeted local forces, not U.S. or coalition troops. “Given ISIL’s reprehensible behavior and flagrant disregard for international standards and norms, this event is not surprising,” the second official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity, and using an acronym for Islamic State. U.S. officia

Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos Mr Benjamin Okewu, National President, Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), has commended the Federal Government for correcting irregularities in appointments in Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, Okewu said that the current reorganization in the agency was a welcomed development. He said that the recent right-sizing in FAAN was a product of long-time agitation by the union to ensure that carrier staff members of the agency were not short-changed by politicians. According to him, the union was part of the committee set up by the government to look into the complaints of irregularities and to verify the certificates of those involved. “The agitation for the right placement has been on and we were part of the committee that was set up to look into it and has since submitted the report. “We have been pushing for the implementation of

Fenerbahce players celebrate a goal Fenerbahce’s team plane has been forced to make an emergency landing after it was hit by a bird on its way to the UK for Thursday’s Europa League game against Manchester United. The private chartered aircraft was travelling from Istanbul in Turkey when it was diverted to Budapest, Hungary. A second plane was then sent from Istanbul to pick the team up from Budapest and take them to Manchester. The Turkish side play United at Old Trafford in Group A at 20:05 BST. The club’s Twitter account tweeted there was “nothing alarming” after the incident. Fenerbahce, who are ninth in Turkey’s Super Lig, are currently top of the Europa League group and a point ahead of United, who are in third. Their team includes ex-United striker Robin van Persie and former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel.

Senator Bukola Saraki, Senate President The Senate on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Judiciary , Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the purported arrest of six judges by the Department of State Security (DSS). This followed the request by the committee to invite the judges for clearer insight on the issue. Chairman of the committee, Sen. David Umaru, had on a point-of-order during plenary said that it was necessary to invite the judges to provide answers to certain questions from the senate. “By virtue of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Order 96, Rule 37 of our Rules, the powers of this committee to oversight the Judiciary and its powers include judicial matters and judges. “I am bringing this to the attention of the Senate so that we can take the permission to enable us conduct proper oversight on this matter and invite the justices. “This is to enable us to interact with them in order to conduct proper oversight as we are enjoined by the provision of our r

Militants The Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe, said on Wednesday that it had killed five suspected militants and two pirates in the last three days. Spokesman of the force, Lt.-Cdr. Thomas Osuji, disclosed in Yenagoa that the task force had also arrested three other suspects. Osuji said the arrest was made at Ikot Ene, Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River. He said that the troops had also rescued a boat laden with rice and some passengers earlier seized by suspected members of a gang known as Bakassi Strike Force. He said the suspects were killed by troops from Sector 4 of the Operation Delta Safe in conjunction with some local vigilantes at Parrot Island, Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River. “The militants had earlier seized the boat conveying large quantities of rice from a marketer and the passengers on board, asking the owner of the rice to pay N500,000 ransom. “The troops placed bait on the suspects during the rescue ope

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, has described recent attacks on the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, as unpatriotic. There have been calls for the removal or resignation of Emefiele with claims that he lacks the capacity to help resolve Nigeria’s economic challenges. But the AYCF has said this is not true. It further argued in a statement by its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, that Emefiele and others of like-minds were doing all they could to rejig the nation’s economy and that this was already evident in the country. “Of late, there is a clear evidence of gang-up against the CBN Governor – Godwin Emefiele – by some politicians hiding behind the mask of obscure groups and using the media as the stepping-stone. “For weeks, these opaque groups have launched a massive negative campaign against the renowned banker, with the hope of denting his many years of professional records and turning public opinion against him,” the group lamen

•Niyi Osundare The governing council of the University of Ibadan is to confer a honorary degree of Doctor of Literature on Professor Niyi Osundare. In a letter sent to Osundare who is a Professor of English at the University of Ibadan, the governing council said the award will be performed on Thursday, 17 November during the 68th Foundation Day ceremony of the university. The letter reads: ”I have pleasure in informing you that the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan has approved the recommendation of the joint council-Senate Committee on Honorary Degrees and Fellowships that an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) (Honoris Causa) of this university be conferred on you at the 68th Foundation Day Ceremony of the University on Thursday, 17 November 2016.”

Femi Fani-Kayode The absence of Justice Sule Hassan of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday stalled the trial of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, over money laundering. Fani-Kayode, who was also former Director of Media and Publicity, campaign committee of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, is charged alongside a former Minister of Finance, Nenandi Usman, and Danjuma Yusuf. Also charged is a company, Joint Trust Dimension Nig. Ltd. They were arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money in the tune of about N4.9 billion. They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bail. On Wednesday, the trial of the accused could not proceed due to the absence of the trial judge, who is said to be away on official assignment. The trial of the accused was, however, slated for Oct. 21 for continuation. In the charge, the accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.

Crown Prince (Amb.) Eheneden Erediauwa, Edaiken of Uselu. Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa on Tuesday chose his coronation name after defeating Edigin N’Use in the traditional Akhue game( marble seeds). Erediauwa, will however, officially announce his name during his coronation on Thursday at Urho-Okpota in Benin. The crown prince entered the shrine at the Edigin’s Palace, after playing the game of Akhue with HRH Kelvin Ekpe Edigin, the Edigin N’ Use and thereafter chose his coronation name. Abieyuwa Edigin, a highly placed family member in the Edigin Palace said the Akhue game was the climax of all the coronation ceremonies. He said the Akhue game was cultural and traditional requirements that must be fufilled by the crown prince before he could be crowned as Oba. Abieyuwa explained that the former Oba also played the Akhue game with Kelvin’s father, Robert Edigin, before choosing the name “Erediauwa’’(I have come to strengthen and prosper my people) . He said the tradition st

PTDF Dr Bello Gusau, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has visited the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) in Effurun, Delta State. This is contained in Abuja on by the PTDF Head and External Relations, Mr Kalu Otisi. According to the statement, the visit is part of a renewed emphasis on proper implementation and delivery of PTDF institutional capacity development projects, spread across the country. The new PTDF boss in his remarks, at the event said: ”I must say that these are facilities I have not seen anywhere except in PTI. ”In fact I was arranging to send some of my PhD and Masters Students from South Africa to come and get experience. ”When I see this here, I know PTI is supposed to be money spinning because these are money spinning machines. ”With these not only will you graduate masters for the university, you will be servicing the oil companies because before they start their own rig, all the parameters can be verified and tested