Global Naija Info

Military presence in Niger Delta A Nigerian armed group said the continued presence of the army in the southern Niger Delta energy hub has undermined peace talks and prompted attacks on oil-and-gas facilities in the region. The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) spoke out days after the oil minister urged fighters to stop attacks following strikes on the Trans Forcados Pipeline, the most recent of which was claimed by the group. Most of the armed opposition have adhered to a ceasefire in the last few weeks, while the government held talks with community leaders who, like the NDA, want a greater share of Nigeria’s energy wealth to go to the region that produces most of its oil. “The Niger Delta Avengers cannot be blamed for the continuous bombing of crude oil export pipelines and other oil installations, since the government has been relentlessly carrying out military build-ups to continuously harass communities,” the group said on its website. President Muhammadu Buhari sent army reinfor

Reince Priebus, RNC Chairman US Presdent-elect Donald Trump has selected the Republican National Committee chairman, Reince Priebus, as his Chief of Staff, according to two people familiar with the decision. Priebus was the favorite of GOP Congressional leaders and recommended by House Speaker Paul Ryan. Stephen K. Bannon, the chief executive of Trump’s campaign and head of Breitbart News, and Corey Lewandowski, who was Trump’s first campaign manager, were also believed to be in the running for the position.

The Federal Government is to rehabilitate Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport runway, Abuja, with about one billion naira. A reliable source from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), disclosed this to aviation correspondents in Lagos on Sunday. The runway had been in bad state due to overuse and had been a source of concern to Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers. The source said the Minister of State, Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, had set up a committee to oversee the work. “Government is making urgent effort to start the rehabilitation of the runway at the Abuja airport and government has provided funds for the work, which could start anytime from now. “The committee is expected to schedule the maintenance dates, which are expected to run from days to weeks. “It is expected to also decide whether the runway would be closed daily or some hours of the day so that work could start on the facility”, the source added. According to the source, Sirika had designated Kaduna

Tsunami hits New Zealand A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck central New Zealand just after midnight, the U.S. Geological Survey said, causing widespread damage and generating a tsunami. Thousands of people along New Zealand’s east coast fled their homes to head for higher ground as emergency services warned of destructive waves of up to five meters in some areas. “The first waves have arrived but we know that it is too early to say what the impact has been,” said Sarah Stuart-Black, national controller at the Ministry of Civil Defence. “Our concern is what is coming. Future waves are coming may be bigger than what has come before.” St. John Ambulance said it was sending helicopters carrying medical and rescue personnel to near the epicenter of the quake, 91 km north-northeast of Christchurch, where a 6.3 quake in 2011 killed 185 people, on New Zealand’s South Island. “We are starting to get reports of injuries from the earthquake area, including Culverden area and Kaikoura,” Dion

President-elect Donald Trump has said that he plans to deport two to three million undocumented immigrants immediately President-elect Donald Trump has said he plans to deport two to three million undocumented immigrants with criminal records from the country immediately – and has insisted that he will build his wall. In his first extensive interview since he won the White House, Trump is reassuring his supporters that he will deport or incarcerate up to three million ‘gang members’ and ‘drug dealers.’ In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes that airs on Sunday evening – his first since winning the election – Trump insisted that he will build the wall along the US-Mexico border that was a vital part of his presidential campaign. ”What we are going to do is get the people that are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers, where a lot of these people, probably two million, it could be even three million, we are getting them out of our country or we are going to i

Ikechukwu Anyene, President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa Nigerians living in South Africa have commended the Super Eagles for beating Algeria, 3-1, in a group B 2018 World Cup qualifying match. The match was played at the Godswill Akpabio stadium, Uyo on Saturday. The President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, said on telephone that the win had brightened the chances of the Eagles to qualify for the World Cup. “The Super Eagles did well against the highly rated Algerian team. The team showed discipline and achieved a good victory. “My prayer is that the team maintains the stability and qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup,” he said. Nimram Longbap, President of Arewa, South Africa, also commended the team for the win. “With six points already in our kitty, we hope the team continues with the same spirit. It was a good game and good result,” he said. Longbap, also, the treasurer of Nigeria Union, South Africa, suggested that the team should play more inter

Oseloka Obaze Mr Oseloka Obaze, former Secretary to Anambra Government, has indicated interest in contesting the 2017 governorship election in the State. Obaze, who served as the secretary to the state government between 2012 and 2015, announced this in a statement in Awka on Sunday. Obaze hails from Anambra North Senatorial District as Gov. Willie Obiano. Obaze, a retired diplomat, said he was not comfortable with the quality of governance in the state. “I am interested in the 2017 governorship race in Anambra. A group of aspirants from different political parties including myself campaigned assiduously and collectively in 2013 to bring the governorship ticket to Anambra North. “We funded the Let’s go North Campaign and rallied support for the eventual candidate from Anambra North. “It was supported by former Gov. Peter Obi, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), members and traditional rulers. “Anambra is not where it is supposed to be in Nigerian scheme of events, comparat

Igbo traders stormed Igbosere Court, Lagos for a case Igbo traders in Lagos under the aegis of Igbo Traders in All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Lagos State Government to increase its interaction with them for better understanding. The traders made the demand in a communiqué issued at the end of its maiden meeting in Lagos at the weekend. They said increased government engagement with them would ensure better understanding of their needs and the challenges they were faced with at the various markets in the state. According to the communiqué presented by Mr Erondu Chinedu, the Co-ordinator of the meeting, the traders sought an end to what they called “discrimination against the Igbos on levies and taxes at the various markets”. They also demanded for more inclusion of the Igbos in the political affairs of the state to give them a sense of belonging. Chinedu said the members of the association were law abiding and they would continue to relate harmoniously with the pe

Mark Mark Angel Comedy featuring six-year-old Emmanuella Samuel, Nigeria’s Channels Television and IbakaTV/Nollywood have emerged winners at the inaugural Sub-Saharan African (SSA) YouTube Awards, an official said on Sunday. According to Ms Susan Wojcicki, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YouTube, the SSA YouTube Award was Google’s way of celebrating African creators. She said “the YouTube Awards celebrates the talent and creativity of YouTube community while serving as platform that shares Africa’s creativity with the rest of the world. “By holding our first-ever YouTube Africa Awards, we hope to celebrate incredible achievements like Olympic medalist Julius Yego show, while also demonstrating our long-term commitment to the continent,” Wojcicki said. She said YouTube Awards were handed out to 25 creators across 23 categories and nominees were chosen based on subscriber numbers. She added that users had to have a minimum of 50,000 subscribers to qualify and must be based an

Police cell The Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu chapter, Dr Levi Muonanu, on Sunday, raised an alarm over the number of young boys and girls in prisons. Muonanu said there were too many young girls and boys in the prison who were not up to the age of 25. Muonanu made this disclosure after officiating at a special service for inmates in Enugu Prisons. He urged youths to always do the right things so as to avoid going to jail. According to him, when youths miss their tracks in life, they will likely find themselves in jail. The Christian leader urged youths to always exhibit the right attitude wherever they found themselves in order to avoid prison sentence. He added that “when youths miss the right track, there is tendency that they will get into prison through wrong doings exhibited in the society. “Youths should avoid anything that will get them imprisoned because prison is not their home and this can be prevented by living a truthful life.”

Mark Mark Angel Comedy featuring six-year-old Emmanuella Samuel, Nigeria’s Channels Television and IbakaTV/Nollywood have emerged winners at the inaugural Sub-Saharan African (SSA) YouTube Awards, an official said on Sunday. According to Ms Susan Wojcicki, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YouTube, the SSA YouTube Award was Google’s way of celebrating African creators. She said “the YouTube Awards celebrates the talent and creativity of YouTube community while serving as platform that shares Africa’s creativity with the rest of the world. “By holding our first-ever YouTube Africa Awards, we hope to celebrate incredible achievements like Olympic medalist Julius Yego show, while also demonstrating our long-term commitment to the continent,” Wojcicki said. She said YouTube Awards were handed out to 25 creators across 23 categories and nominees were chosen based on subscriber numbers. She added that users had to have a minimum of 50,000 subscribers to qualify and must be based an

EKEDC logo The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Sunday apologised to its consumers in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and Oniru areas of Lagos over power outage. Mr Godwin Idemudia, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of the company, disclosed this in a statement in Lagos. According to him, the outage was due to the damage done to the 33KVA underground cable by the contractors handling the Lagos State Government beautification project along Kingsway Road, Ikoyi. Idemudia listed the affected areas as KingsWay Road, Ikoyi, Glover, Banana Road, Park View Estate, Ilabere, Bourdillon Road, Gerald, Queens Drive, Cooper, Maroko Close, Oroke Drive, Okitiebor, Mullina, Club Road, State House, Cameron and Lugard. He said that the damage also affected Maroko 33KVA Line feeding customers in Oniru area. “The area are Oniru Resetlement Estate, Market Road, Integrity Estate Walter Cooperation Road, Morinho Drive, Ligali Ayorinde, Femi Sule, Convenant Esta

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari will attend the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP-22, in Marrakech, Morocco, from November 14-16, 2016. President Buhari will participate in the official opening plenary on November 15 where he will deliver his national statement during the High Level Segment of COP 22. The Presidential address is expected to highlight, among other key issues, Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policy actions aimed at tackling climate change through environmental sustainable efforts. President Buhari will also use the occasion of his speech to rally international support for the clean-up of Ogoniland in the Niger Delta and the resuscitation of the Lake Chad Basin. While in Marrakech, the President is scheduled to attend the Africa Day Commemoration at COP 22 with the theme, “Moving from Com

Rooftop riders now to pay N100,000 fine Mr Jerry Oche, the Lagos District Manager, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), said the corporation would soon increase the fine of roof top riders to N100,000. He disclosed on Sunday in Lagos that the fine was not meant to generate revenue but to discourage people from riding at the roof top of the train. He said miscreants had formed the habit of riding on roof top of train and causing mayhem on innocent passengers, making train ride insecure. He added that 36 persons were charged to court on Wednesday, Nov. 9, out of the 105 suspected roof top riders arrested recently. The district manager said that the suspects were made to pay N25,000 fine which the NRC would later increase to N50,000 and N100,000 to deter them from such illegal act. He added that “the fine is just a way to discourage people from riding at the roof top of the train. “We have charged 36 out of over 100 suspects to court recently and the clampdown will continue.” Oche

Japanese players celebrating their victory over Nigeria’s Falconets The Falconets on Sunday were handed a humiliating 6-0 defeat by Japan in their 2016 FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup opener in Papau New Guinea. Coach Peter Dedevbo’s side suffered a heavy reversal at the youth competition where they traditionally used to thrive. A hat-trick from Mami Ueno followed by Yuka Momiki’s brace and an own goal from Mary Ologbosere compounded the woes of the Falconets at the Bava Park in Port Moresby. Captain Sandra Chichi and top striker Chinwendu Ihezuo both made coach Dedevbo’s starting lineup, while youngster Ogechi Ukwuoma was named in the team. Japan took long to break the deadlock through Momiki in the 34th minute, before Ueno showed predatory instincts to double the lead three minutes later. Nigeria did well to hold their own later on, particularly after the break, with a fair spell of possession, but it was the Asians who scored again through Momiki. An own goal from Ologbosere mad

Amaju Pinnick, NFF President Amaju Pinnick, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, has commended the Eagles for a well-deserved victory but warned that the race was still a long way from over. This is according to a statement by Ademola Olajire, the NFF’s Spokesman, and made available on Sunday in Abuja. Super Eagles’ Victor Moses and Mikel Obi starred as Nigeria moved into full control of their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying group with 3-1 home victory over Algeria in Uyo. Pinnick celebrated the three precious points but insisted that the Eagles must continue to take the 2018 World Cup qualifying race one match at a time. “This victory is very, very sweet. But as I said after the match in Zambia, this is a marathon. “We have now won two matches out of six, and as a result of the draw between Cameroon and Zambia, we are looking very good on top. “The best approach is to keep focus, to know that we are not there yet but that we surely will be there by putting more eff

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State The people of Imiring in Ogbia Local Government in Bayelsa, have appealed for speedy reconstruction of the bridge in the community which was destroyed by flood in 2012. The Spokesperson of the community, Chief Augustin Imo, made the appeal in Imiringi on Sunday. Imo said the completion of the bridge had become necessary because it linked the community with other communities in the area. He regretted that the residents had resorted to the use of canoe to cross the river because of the condition of the bridge. The spokesperson said that the 2012 flood also created canals in the area which the people now had to cross with canoes on a daily basis in spite of the risks involved. Imo also appealed to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and all the other multinational oil companies operating in the area to assist in completing the bridge. He noted that pupils and students in the community were now exposed to danger daily because of th

HIV The United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) says it plans to screen 5000 persons for HIV/AIDS daily during the December Calabar Carnival. The Programme Officer of UNPF in Nigeria, Mr Araoyimbo Idowu, disclosed this in Calabar on Sunday. Idowu said that UNPF would conduct the tests in collaboration with an NGO, Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS). He said that the fund would organise an awareness campaign tagged “Wise Up Cross River ’’on a daily basis throughout the one month carnival. “There is going to be some demonstration by youths and various stakeholders during the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. “In the course of the campaign, there will be various activities including one-on-one counseling, music, graphic designs, tattoo inscription and games. “Also, many young volunteers and other stakeholders will be on stage to entertain people each day at the condom zone,’’ he said. The programme officer said that the campaign was aimed at sensitising the youths on

polio-victims The Dutse Local Government Council of Jigawa said on Sunday that it would vaccinate no fewer than 109,882 children against polio during the immunisation exercise in the state. The Information Officer in charge of the Local government area, Malam Ya’u Garba, said in Dutse that the council had 120,000 doses of Oral Polio Vaccines (OPVs) to cover the targeted number of children. Garba said that the children would be immunised against polio and other childhood-killer diseases during the five-day exercise. He said that 642 ad-hoc staff had been trained and were currently conducting the exercise. According to him, the Health Educator of the council, Alhaji Sani Yusuf, commended traditional and religious leaders for mobilising people to participate in the exercise and solicited for more cooperation to ensure its success. He added that Yusuf particularly appealed to parents to make their children available for the exercise. NAN reports that the current round of polio imm

President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday leave Abuja for Marrakech, Morocco, to attend the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also known as COP-22. This is according to a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity. Adesina said the event would be taking place in Marrakech between Nov. 14 and 16. He said President Buhari would participate in the official opening plenary on Nov. 15 where he would deliver his national statement during the High Level Segment of COP 22. According to him, the presidential address is expected to highlight, among other key issues, Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and policy actions aimed at tackling climate change through environmental sustainable efforts. He said that the president would also use the occasion to rally intern