Global Naija Info

The Senate The Senate on Thursday passed the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill which seeks to empower, develop and provide gainful employment for youths. The Bill, which was sponsored by Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC-Borno), was first read at plenary on March 10, 2016 and scaled second reading. It seeks to facilitate peace volunteerism, community service, neighbourhood watch and nation building. The bill will also facilitate the training of youths to advance the course of peace building and conflict transformation through peace education, mediation and conflict resolution among warring groups or communities where there are crisis in Nigeria. The passage of the Bill followed a report presented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Sen. Bayero Nafada (APC-Gombe North) after clause by clause consideration. According to the report, the head of the corps will be referred to as Commandant General with six Deputy Commandants from the six geopolitical zones of the country. Th

Toyin Aimakhu and ex-lover Toyin Aimakhu’s ex-lover and Lagos-based Nollywood film-maker, Seun Egbegbe, has been remanded in Kirikiri prison pending the fulfilment of the conditions attached to his bail. He was arraigned on Thursday before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing nine pieces of iphones at the Computer village, Ikeja. The presiding Magistrate Aje Afunwa granted him bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum. The accused pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of stealing preferred against him. A mild drama, however, played out outside the court as Egbegbe’s supporters threatened to beat up any journalist who tries to take photograph of the accused. It took the intervention of the police and court orderlies who sent the rowdy mob out of the court premises. While journalists waited to take Egbegbe’s picture, the prison warders assisted by his family members sneaked him out of the court premises through the back door into a waiting pris

Grainy footage showing the aftermath of the attack appeared on Twitter At least 80 people, many of them Shia pilgrims, have been killed in a truck bomb attack at a road stop in Iraq, a security official says. The blast struck at a petrol station and restaurant near Hilla, some 100 km (60 miles) south of Baghdad. Busloads of pilgrims had stopped there on their way home from commemorating Arbaeen in the holy city of Karbala. Many Iranians were among the dead. The jihadist group, Islamic State said it carried out the attack. The attack happened close to the village of Shomali, 80 km (50 miles) south-east of Karbala. Some reports say the suicide vehicle was parked, and the force of the blast completely destroying the petrol station. Provincial security, chief Falah al-Radi told the BBC that Iranians were among the dead and wounded, and he feared the toll would rise. It is a familiar tactic of IS militants to strike in one place when under pressure in another, says the BBC Middle E

Rotimi Ogunleye Kazeem Ugbodaga The Lagos State Government on Thursday moved to resolve lingering dispute at the Lekki Free Zone, LFZ corridor as it sets up five resettlement committee to resolve the crisis in the area. Recurring civil disturbance in the zone led to the death of the former Managing Director of Lekki Free Zone Limited, Mr. Tajudeen Disu in October 2015. The inaugurated committees include Abomiti Zone, Lekki Coastal Zone, Yegunda Zone, Lekki-Epe Zone and Abejoye Zone, a major spot where the confrontation between the security officials and the residents occurred. Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye, who inaugurated the committees at the Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Thursday said that the essence of the committees was to foster mutual relationship between communities and the state government. Ogunleye said the essence of the committee was to ensure a hitch-free delivery of the LFZ project as a vehicle for indu

Yinka Egbeyemi, Taskforce Chairman Kazeem Ugbodaga Tragedy struck on Wednesday night as two officers of the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit died in a ghastly motor accident in Alausa in abnormal over-speeding. Taskforce source said officers over-sped in a short distance of about 500 metres between their office in Alausa and the State House of Assembly. One of the officers was said to have died immediately while the second died in hospital on Thursday as the incident has thrown the taskforce headquarters in a mourning mood. PM News gathered that the officers might have gotten drunk as the distance between the taskforce office and the State House of Assembly were the accident occurred was just about 500 metres. The police officer who drove the vehicle was said to be on top speed when the accident occurred. A taskforce source who craved anonymity wondered how such an accident could have occurred at such a short distance, meaning that

The crashed presidential plane One of the presidential planes handed over to the Nigeria Airforce by the Presidency, Augusta AW101, has crashed within the Airforce base in Makurdi, Benue State. The $21 million presidential jet was given to the Nigeria Air Force by the presidency two months ago. A military source at the base confirmed that the crash occurred on Wednesday and that there was no casualty. He said the flight engineer who was the only one on board, had landed the jet at the base and was to be parked in the hanger when it suddenly moved up and then crashed. He added that the was not that serious but that the flight engineer sustained minor injury.

Lt. Col. Mohammed Abu-Ali News about Nigeria’s gallant soldier, Lt. Col. Mohammed Abu-Ali, who died fighting Boko Haram terrorists, was top on Google search this week, an official said on Thursday. Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made the disclosure in a statement in Lagos. He said that the search was from Nov. 16 to Nov. 23. Kola-Ogunlade said that the Mannequin challenge which requires people to stay frozen while a video was being recorded also got people’s attention. According to him, Google search users were also agog over news on the internet which went from Kanye West’s rant on stage, to the death of two members of the Nollywood community. “Earlier this month, a gallant Nigerian soldier, Abu-Ali lost his life in the battle to recapture some major towns in the North-East from the stronghold of the terrorist group, Boko Haram. “As a form of support to his widow, Gov. Kashim Shettima, of Borno, donated N10

Bad Lagos-Abeokuta expressway Some commuters plying the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Thursday renewed appeals to the Federal Government to construct pedestrian bridges at Iyana Ipaja and Dopemu areas of the highway. They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos said that the completion of the foot bridges would ease gridlock and reduce hardships. An educationist, Mrs Oluwasheun Adepoju, said that pedestrians were always afraid of crossing the ever-busy highway because there were no foot bridges in the high density areas of Iyana Ipaja and Dopemu. “Government should construct the foot bridges and leave the choice of whether we will use them or not to us. “But as it is, the Federal Government is putting our lives at a risk daily by not constructing the bridges,’’ she said. Mr Ifeayin Justine, a system analyst, said that having a foot bridge at Iyana Ipaja was long overdue and appealed to government to expedite action to save lives. “Government has neglected this area for lo

…as Nike Akande, Olu Jacobs, others eulogize late industrialist Late Rasheed Gbadamosi Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday described the late literary icon and foremost industrialist, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi as one of the founding fathers of modern day Lagos who offered selfless service to the service of the State and the nation. Governor Ambode, who spoke at Lagos House in Ikeja during a reception organized by the State Government in honour of Gbadamosi, said the late economist and industrialist was a true Lagosian who contributed immensely to the development of the State, adding that the government and good people of Lagos would forever cherish his contribution to the growth of the State. Speaking at the event which was well attended by captains of industry, politicians, and stakeholders in the arts industry, among others, Governor Ambode said Gbadamosi served the State at a young age as Commissioner for Economic Planning and ended his service to the State at

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police Security has been beefed up in Ondo state ahead of the Nov. 26 governorship election. A visit to some areas in the state on Thursday revealed armed personnel from the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army stationed at strategic places. No fewer than 26,000 police officers were deplored to the state by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris for the election. DSP Oluwole Ojo, the Divisional Police Officer in Okitipupa, disclosed that security agencies were fully prepared for the election. He said that the presence of the security agencies was to protect lives and properties before, during and after the elections. “We are fully prepared for the election, we want to guide against any break down of laws and order. There is no cause for alarm, we are poised to protect lives and properties during the election,’’ he said.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State The Kwara State Government said on Thursday that it had closed 132 illegal private schools operating in the state. Hajia Zainab Bello, the Director of Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, said apart from being illegal, the schools were operating in unhygienic environment. Bello, who spoke on behalf of Alhaji Musa Yeketi, State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development while closing 19 other private schools, said government had begun verification of tertiary institutions in the state. She said that the objective of the exercise was to fish out those violating the laws that established them. Bello said that the government had previously shut down schools which were either built with wooden planks or operating without due authorisation from the state government. The director assured of the state government’s commitment to ensure quality education, stressing that government would continu

L-R: Govs Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and representative of Ondo State Governor at the meeting on Monday Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajumobi (Oyo) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) on Thursday renewed calls for stronger ties among the Yoruba-speaking people of the country. They were also joined in the calls by other eminent Yoruba leaders at the Tribute Day organised by the Afenifere Group in honour of the deceased Afenifere leader, Pa Olanihun Ajayi, at his residence in Ishara-Remo, Ogun. Ajayi died in Lagos on November 4 at the age of 91. Amosun said that the Yoruba people were not acting like one united people and not speaking with one voice on issues of common interest. The governor said that despite their different political leanings, the Yoruba people could still be united and speak as a group. “I feel pained when we Yoruba antagonise ourselves and speak to malign our characters.

Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Sen. Solomon Olamilekan (Lagos West Senatorial District) on Thursday said that having soaked “garri’’ and dried fish as a meal gave him more satisfaction than any other food. Olamilekun, a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that garri and dried fish was his favourite food. “I don’t know why I just like garri and dried fish, it gives me the kind of satisfaction I can`t describe, I just feel good after having it. “Some people would ask me, why would a senator like garri and not all these expensive stuffs? and the answer I give is that it makes me feel great. “It is so amazing that sometimes when I am having stomach upset, and I take garri everything disappears within minutes. I think garri is best suited for my body,’’ he said. Olamilekan stated that he preferred mostly local foods to foreign delicacies. Speaking on his political career and speculations that he intends to contest for the governorship

Nigeria-Super-Eagles Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved 10 places up in the November FIFA World ranking to 50th. In the rankings on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday, Nigeria is now placed joint 50th with Burkina Faso and Slovenia. Nigeria garnered 616 points for the month of November after defeating Algeria 3-1 in the 2018 World Cup qualifier earlier in the month. With this movement, Nigeria is now joint 7th with Burkina Faso at the continental level behind Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Congo DR. There have been many movements in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings. Thanks to the 63 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification matches so far played and also to 71 other qualifiers and international friendly matches that took place over the past few weeks. On the global scene, Argentina remains top for November, but has seen their command on the summit weakened by close rivals, Brazil (2 up 1). The December ranking will be the final r

Mile 12 market in Lagos Traders at Mile 12 produce market in Lagos on Thursday lauded the cancellation of monthly environmental sanitation exercise by the state government, saying it would boost economic activities. Mr Femi Odusanya, spokesperson, Mile 12 Traders Association, stated this in an interview on Thursday in Lagos. The Lagos State Government announced the cancellation on Wednesday, saying, “it was no longer appropriate to restrict movement of people for three hours in a mega city like Lagos.’’ Odusanya said: “The government’s decision was quite thoughtful. It has become unnecessary restraining people’s movement for three hours in this economic recession. “Most people bringing goods from the North wait at the expressways till sanitation ends but now our goods will get to the market early with reduced waste. “With this new development, traders will have more time to promote their businesses and contribute to the economic growth of the country.” He, however, noted that t

Mr Eyitayo Jegede, PDP Governorship candidate for Ondo State Eyitayo Jegede Following Wednesday’s Appeal Court judgment, the Eyitayo Jegede’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is rushing gubernatorial election campaigns in Ondo to beat Friday night deadline. The Appeal Court in Abuja declared Jegede the authentic PDP candidate for the poll slated for Nov. 26. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Jimoh Ibrahim’s name with that of Jegede. Before the judgment, INEC approved Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the election. Jegede’s campaign jingles and promos rented radio and television airwaves immediately after the judgment. A NAN correspondent who went round Okitipupa on Thursday observed that Jegede’s campaign train was in the town and its environs. Jegede’s campaign team sang his praises and distributed fliers on his election bid. His supporters were also jubilating, dancing and singing different campaign songs. Meanwhi

Jimoh Ibrahim. The Supreme Court on Thursday referred back to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, all pending cases relating to the dispute over the leadership tussle between the Ali Modu Sheriff an‎d Ahmed Makarfi factions of the Peoples Democratic Party. The appeals which the apex court referred back to the Court of Appeal have to do with questions bordering on which of the factions of the party ‎has the authority to instruct lawyers to represent the party in a pending case before Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The five-man panel of the ape‎x court led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onoghen, also, in a separate unanimous ruling, struck out all pending appeals relating to the candidacy of the PDP for the Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State. Justice Onnoghen, who read the lead ruling, held that the pending appeals before the apex court had become academic in view of the judgment of the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel of the Court

Mr Eyitayo Jegede, PDP Governorship candidate for Ondo State The Supreme Court on Thursday further validated the candidacy of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede as the PDP flag bearer in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State. This was sequel to the striking out of all the pending interlocutory appeals filed by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party. Justice Walter Onnoghen, leading four other justices of the apex court, held that Wednesday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal on the main appeals rendered the interlocutory ones academic. Onnoghen held that it was against the rules of the court to determine interlocutory appeals and motions when a lower court had decided on the substantive issues. “To this end, all interlocutory appeals relating to the Ondo State PDP governorship crisis and the leadership tussle of the party at the national level are hereby struck out. “The contending parties are ordered to go back to the lower court and do the needful. “That would mean filing notice o

Buhari-Atiku President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as he turns 70 on Nov. 25, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, has said. Adesina said in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that the president, in a personal letter, said he was delighted to welcome Atiku “to the 70s club.” He prayed that Allah would grant Atiku “many more years of good health and service to Nigeria”. “Over the years, I have admired your courage and doggedness in defending your interests and your generosity in promoting education. “The American University in Yola is one of your noble legacies, and my hope and wish is that it will endure,” Buhari said. The president said he and Atiku should be grateful to Allah, who has granted them grace to be in the 70s club. Buhari expressed his “kind personal regards” to Abubakar at 70. Atiku was vice-president from May 1999 to May 2007 under the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent a letter to Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen Chief Justice of Nigeria requesting a probe of the $16b spent on electricity by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime. SERAP specifically asked the CJN “to appoint an independent counsel to investigate allegations of corruption in the spending of $16 billion on electricity by the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.” SERAP said the request was brought “pursuant to Section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, and the letter and spirit of the Act, and the object and purpose of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).” The letter dated 24 November 2016 and signed by SERAP senior staff counsel Timothy Adewale states that, “a Parliamentary Hearing by the House of Representatives in Abuja over the spending of $16 billion between 1999 and 2007 on the power project revealed through testimonie

Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) Some Abuja residents on Thursday said that they have benefited immensely from the popular financial programme, MMM Nigeria Scheme, and have no intention of leaving the scheme any time soon. The Mavrodi Mondial Movement popularly known as MMM has gained popularity among Nigerians as the programme promises a monthly payment of 30 per cent interest on loans provided by participants. This is against the backdrop of the House of Representatives order in November that operators of the scheme should be arrested to protect Nigerians from financial devastation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in spite of the order, MMM’s membership had continued to grow. Some residents who spoke to NAN said that MMM was very beneficial to Nigerians. Ebube Osakwe, a civil servant told NAN that she doesn’t see the programme as a Ponzi scheme and believed it could help many Nigerians. “When I heard about it, I was skeptical at first, but I decided to test the s

Mr Eyitayo Jegede, PDP Governorship candidate for Ondo State Eyitayo Jegede Following Wednesday’s Appeal Court judgment, the Eyitayo Jegede’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is rushing gubernatorial election campaigns in Ondo to beat Friday night deadline. The Appeal Court in Abuja declared Jegede the authentic PDP candidate for the poll slated for Nov. 26. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace Jimoh Ibrahim’s name with that of Jegede. Before the judgment, INEC approved Ibrahim as the PDP candidate for the election. Jegede’s campaign jingles and promos rented radio and television airwaves immediately after the judgment. A NAN correspondent who went round Okitipupa on Thursday observed that Jegede’s campaign train was in the town and its environs. Jegede’s campaign team sang his praises and distributed fliers on his election bid. His supporters were also jubilating, dancing and singing different campaign songs. Meanwhi

Mr Eyitayo Jegede, PDP Governorship candidate for Ondo State The Supreme Court on Thursday further validated the candidacy of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede as the PDP flag bearer in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State. This was sequel to the striking out of all the pending interlocutory appeals filed by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the party. Justice Walter Onnoghen, leading four other justices of the apex court, held that Wednesday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal on the main appeals rendered the interlocutory ones academic. Onnoghen held that it was against the rules of the court to determine interlocutory appeals and motions when a lower court had decided on the substantive issues. “To this end, all interlocutory appeals relating to the Ondo State PDP governorship crisis and the leadership tussle of the party at the national level are hereby struck out. “The contending parties are ordered to go back to the lower court and do the needful. “That would mean filing notice o

Chief Yele Omogunwa Chief Yele Omogunwa, the PDP Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State, on Thursday, confirmed his defection to All Progressives Congress (APC). Omogunwa confirmed his defection in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure. The lawmaker, who was a former Commissioner for Works in Ondo State, said that he had formally joined APC at his hometown, Ode-Irele in Irele Local Government Area of the state. “It is very correct that I have decamped to APC and it was done in my country home, Ode-Irele. “I am no more in PDP, but now a bonafide member of APC. My reasons for joining APC are personal,” he said. NAN reports that with the defection of Omogunwa, all the three Senators representing Ondo State at the upper chamber of National Assembly, are now members of APC. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Nov. 26 for the Ondo State Governorship Election.

Chief Yele Omogunwa Chief Yele Omogunwa, the PDP Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State, on Thursday, confirmed his defection to All Progressives Congress (APC). Omogunwa confirmed his defection in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure. The lawmaker, who was a former Commissioner for Works in Ondo State, said that he had formally joined APC at his hometown, Ode-Irele in Irele Local Government Area of the state. “It is very correct that I have decamped to APC and it was done in my country home, Ode-Irele. “I am no more in PDP, but now a bonafide member of APC. My reasons for joining APC are personal,” he said. NAN reports that with the defection of Omogunwa, all the three Senators representing Ondo State at the upper chamber of National Assembly, are now members of APC. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Nov. 26 for the Ondo State Governorship Election.

Alhaji Mohammed Kari The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) on Thursday described as false, a report that its Chief Executive Officer and Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, was arrested on Wednesday. Kari told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the telephone that he was never arrested by any security operatives. He described reports on his alleged arrest as unfounded, saying that was at his duty post. Also, in a statement in Lagos on Thursday, the commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Rasaaq Salami, denied the alleged arrest. Salami noted that Saharareporters reported that the Department of State Security (DSS) and police arrested Kari over allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement. “I wish to state that Kari was at the senate on Nov. 23 to honour an invitation of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions on the commission’s 2016 budget performance. “He was never arrested by DSS. “However, it is worthy to not

The Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, has inaugurated the first Digital Literacy Council to oversee digital literacy programme aimed at providing individuals and communities with Information Communication Technology (ICT) education. Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, Deputy Director Press and Public Relations Unit, Ministry of Communications, made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. The statement said that members of council had been carefully selected to represent key stakeholders, corporate organizations, government functionaries, academics and industry luminaries. It quoted the minister as saying that in view of the seriousness attached to the task, “I have also taken the responsibility of chairing the council’’. It said that the council’s members who were at the inauguration included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Mr. Sonny Echono. Others are the Permanent Secretaries, Ministries of Sports and Youths Development, Mr. Chinyeaka Ohaa, Women

Sanitation Exercise Some Lagos residents on Thursday expressed mixed feelings over the cancellation of the monthly sanitation exercise by the state government, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The residents stated their feelings in interviews with NAN. Those who supported the government’s decision said that it would give people time to go about their economic activities on the last Saturday of the month. However, people who opposed the decision said the cancellation could result in making the environment dirtier than the present situation. NAN further reports that the government had announced the cancellation after the weekly State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday. Mr Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, who announced the cancellation, said it was no more appropriate to lock down the state for three hours, in a 24-hour economy like Lagos. He added the restriction of movements no more suited the state’s economy, saying the government would i

Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party The PDP has restated its call for the extension of the Ondo governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 26, to enable it “screen and select agents for the exercise”. The Court of Appeal, on Wednesday in Abuja, dropped the party’s candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim, and replaced him with Eyitayo Jegede, who was the flag bearer before being substituted. Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman of the party’s national caretaker committee, has described the judgment as a “massive step forward”, but argued that the party deserved “a little more time to select its agents in the interest of fair play”. “Victory comes from God, however, a bit of extension of time will be fair, especially considering the fact that it is only now that the party will begin the process of selecting its agents,” Makarfi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Thursday. Makarfi urged INEC to consider the party’s request in vi

Jimoh Ibrahim. Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, the candidate of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP in the Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo State, has urged his supporters to be calm over the appeal court judgement. The Appeal Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party as the authentic candidate of the party in the election. In a statement he issued to newsmen on Thursday in Okitipupa, Ibrahim urged his supporters not join issues with anyone that could threaten the security of the state and cause the postponement of the election. He expressed confidence that he would get justice at the Supreme Court. “We have nothing to lose as the Supreme Court will seat on the case on Friday; we shall get justice and if PDP wins Saturday’s election, we shall have our four years mandate to rule Ondo State. “Let me advise you not to abuse anyone or fight over this one-day ruling, which was paid for from the state tr

Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman, National Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party The PDP has restated its call for the extension of the Ondo governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 26, to enable it “screen and select agents for the exercise”. The Court of Appeal, on Wednesday in Abuja, dropped the party’s candidate, Jimoh Ibrahim, and replaced him with Eyitayo Jegede, who was the flag bearer before being substituted. Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, Chairman of the party’s national caretaker committee, has described the judgment as a “massive step forward”, but argued that the party deserved “a little more time to select its agents in the interest of fair play”. “Victory comes from God, however, a bit of extension of time will be fair, especially considering the fact that it is only now that the party will begin the process of selecting its agents,” Makarfi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Jos on Thursday. Makarfi urged INEC to consider the party’s request in vi

Jimoh Ibrahim. Mr Jimoh Ibrahim, the candidate of Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP in the Nov. 26 governorship election in Ondo State, has urged his supporters to be calm over the appeal court judgement. The Appeal Court on Wednesday ruled in favour of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party as the authentic candidate of the party in the election. In a statement he issued to newsmen on Thursday in Okitipupa, Ibrahim urged his supporters not join issues with anyone that could threaten the security of the state and cause the postponement of the election. He expressed confidence that he would get justice at the Supreme Court. “We have nothing to lose as the Supreme Court will seat on the case on Friday; we shall get justice and if PDP wins Saturday’s election, we shall have our four years mandate to rule Ondo State. “Let me advise you not to abuse anyone or fight over this one-day ruling, which was paid for from the state tr

Lufthansa airlines: strike paralyses operations The strike by Lufthansa pilots in support of a pay demand is in its second day on Thursday, with the German flagship carrier cancelling 912 flights for the day. The strike has hit the travel plans of some 100,000 long-and-short-haul passengers. The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) Pilots’ Union announced that the strike, the 14th in a dispute stretching back to April 2014 would be extended to a third day on Friday, from the two originally planned. The stoppage, aimed at pressing demands for a backdated pay increase of 22 percent over the five years to April 2017, grounded 876 flights on Wednesday. In total, 215,000 passengers have been affected over the first two days. Report says the Friday action is likely to hit primarily short-haul flights taking off within Germany. The company said it planned to service all its long-haul destinations on Friday. Airports across Germany were noticeably quieter than usual, with Munich badly hit as wel

Dr. Olu Agunloye, Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), says he will transform Ore in Odigbo Council Area of Ondo State to a commercial hub if elected as governor. He also promised to increase the salary of traditional rulers and the number of first class traditional rulers in the state as part of the initiatives to improve their welfare. Agunloye made this promise during his campaign rally at Ore on Thursday. He said that bad leadership was responsible for the underdevelopment of the state and promised to present himself as a leader with passion and courage to rebuild the state. “We will transform Ore to an economic hub where national and international business activities will take place. “The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Depot in Ore will be transformed to be one of the largest industries and employers of labour in the state. Responding, the Olore of Ore, Oba Johnson Olatomide, gave his blessings to Agunloye and urged him not to renege on

FILE PHOTO: A bomb blast scene The Police Command in Borno on Thursday, confirmed the killing of two persons after a suicide bombing around Muna garage in Maiduguri. Mr. Victor Isuku, the spokesman of the command stated this in a statement in Maiduguri. “About 2106hours of Wednesday, an explosion occurred at Muna garage along Gamboru Ngala road Maiduguri. “Two persons, including the suicide bomber, died on the spot while a Mercedes-Benz car with registration number, AX 571 ABJ, parked by the roadside was damaged by the impact of the explosion,” Isuku said. He said that normalcy had returned to the area. It would be recalled that last Friday, a suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives at the entrance of Muna garage, killing himself alone. Another bomber killed himself and two vigilantes a few meters away from Gamboru-Ngala road, almost the same time while another bomber was killed before gaining entry into the Custom House refugee camp, the same Friday.

Hillary-Clinton Hillary Clinton’s margin in the popular vote against President-elect Donald Trump has surpassed two million, furthering the record for a candidate who lost in the Electoral College. Hillary Clinton’s national popular vote lead over President-elect Donald Trump has now exceeded two million votes, according to an ongoing count by the Cook Political Report on Wednesday. Clinton’s vote total is 64,223,986 (48.1 per cent of the vote), while Trump’s is 62,206,395 (46.6 per cent), a difference of 2,017,591 votes. Clinton’s margin in the popular vote against Trump’s as additional votes have been counted in the presidential election, furthered the record for a candidate who lost in the Electoral College. Much of that lead was generated by California, where Clinton had 3.7 million more votes than Trump in the last totals reported in the state on Tuesday evening. The Democratic vote was not distributed well enough across the country, however, Trump carried most of the stat

Donald Trump, US president elect U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump, has called for unity among Americans and urged the citizens to unite and move forward as one country after a bruising political campaign. Trump said in a video address to mark Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day that the tension of the campaign could not heal overnight. In the address, which was posted on social media, The president-elect called for the restoration of trust among citizens. “We are very blessed to call this nation our home and that’s what America is, it is our home. “It’s where we raise our families, care for our loved ones, look out for our neighbours and live out our dreams. “It’s my prayer that on this Thanksgiving, we begin to heal our divisions and move forward as one country, strengthened by shared purpose and very common resolve. “In declaring this National Holiday, President Lincoln called upon Americans to speak with one voice and one heart, that’s just what we have to do. “We’ve just finish

FRSC The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has urged motorists to always use the seat belt while driving as it can lessen the severity of injury in case of an accident. The FRSC Zonal Legal Officer in Enugu, Mr Morison Agulanna, gave the advice in Enugu on Thursday. He said the use of seat belt in vehicles had gone a long way to reduce death rate and injury on Nigerian roads. “Proper use of seat belt reduces severity of injury and fatality at the point of crash on the road,’’ he said. According to Agulanna, the enforcement of the use of the seat belt began in Nigeria in 2007, while other nations of the world have made it mandatory for every motorist to wear the seat belt and sit in perfect driving position. “Wearing a seat belt is a traffic regulation in every part of the world. “The seat belt when worn in proper order in your normal driving posture keeps you seated no matter how hard the impact is. “There are many accidents where the driver is thrown out of the car and t