Global Naija Info

Adama Barrow, left, accused Mr Jammeh of damaging democracy The African Union will stop recognising Yahya Jammeh as The Gambia’s president from 19 January, when his term expires, its peace and Security Council has said. It warned The Gambian strongman of serious consequences if his actions caused the “loss of innocent lives” and it urged the security forces to exercise restraint, reports BBC. Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari has tweeted that he has held talks with The Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh to end the crisis over his refusal to accept defeat in elections and to step down when his term ends next week Before the meeting, Buhari said that “only God knows” if Mr Jammeh would step down, AFP news agency reports. Mr Jammeh has been demanding a new election, run by a “God-fearing” election commision following hi shock defeat at the hands of opposition leader Adama Barrow in the 1 December poll. Mr Jammeh first seized power in a coup in 1994.

Diego Costa Striker Diego Costa has been left out of the Chelsea squad to face Leicester on Saturday after a dispute with a coach over his fitness. The Spain international has not trained this week and has not travelled for the Premier League leaders’ match with the defending champions (17:30 GMT). The news comes amid reports he is the subject of an offer to move to China that would be worth £30m a year. Costa, 28, has scored 14 goals and provided five assists this season. Chelsea declined to comment. It is understood Blues owner Roman Abramovich is not interested in releasing him from his contract, which expires in 2019, and would not entertain the idea of being forced to do so. Speaking in early January, Costa admitted he wanted to leave Chelsea last summer, but said he was now happy to stay. Chelsea had been hopeful of agreeing a contract extension with the Brazil-born forward, but the dispute with fitness coach Julio Tous raises new doubts. Costa joined the Blues for £32m

Gabonese Prime Minister Emmanuel Issoze Ngondet with the Nations Cup trophy. The 31st edition of the Africa Cup of Nations will kick off at 16:00 GMT on Saturday when hosts Gabon take on debutants Guinea-Bissau. Sixty years have passed since the first Nations Cup, which took place in Sudan in 1957, consisted of only three teams and was won by Egypt. This year’s edition has 32 matches over 23 days, featuring 16 teams – who begin their quest in four groups of four – and will end on 5 February with the winning finalists lifting the Italian-made trophy and taking home $4m (£3.28m). Africa remains enthralled by the tournament, which has steadily grown to become the continent’s biggest sporting event, and the 2017 finals are guaranteed to provide a mix of flair, surprise, controversy and historic moments. Hosts Gabon welcomes back the cream of African football only five years after it co-hosted the Nations Cup with Equatorial Guinea. The country was awarded the finals by the Confeder

DSS operatives The Department of State Services (DSS) says it has rescued four oil company kidnap victims from their abductors in Port Harcourt. This is contained in a statement by DSS spokesman, Mr Tony Opuiyo in Abuja on Friday. Opuiyo said the victims were rescued during an operation supported by the military. He said a staff of the service sustained gunshot injuries while three members of the gang were killed during exchange of gun fire. According to him, one AK.47 rifle, one magazine containing 59 rounds of 7.5mm ammunition and three locally made pistols were recovered from the gang. He said the kidnap gang leader; Emmanuel Eyo, had earlier been arrested in Uyo. Opuiyo said one Alkasim Salisu, a Boko Haram member had been arrested by the service in Kaduna State. He said Salisu had fled the military operation in Yobe State to settle in Kaduna where he and his cohorts had planned to launch attacks on select targets in Kaduna. “The Service has also arrested one Kelvin Nwana

UNILAG Two graduating students of the University of Lagos have also recorded 5.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in 2015/2016 academic session, just like Ayodele Dada recorded the same feat in the previous year. Prof. Rahamon Bello, the Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of the institution, who gave the hint during the 2016/2017 matriculation on Friday, named the two students as Miss Taiwo Bankole and Miss Ajoke Omotuyi. The V-C had, during the 2014/2015 convocation, had described 5.00 CGPA as ‘a perfect score’. According to Bello, both students are from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science and the Department of Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, respectively. “Both students, females, had also posted a `perfect score’ of 5.00 CGPA, thus matching the record set by Dada in 2014/2015 academic session,’’ he said. The V-C stressed that such feats were achievable by a dint of hard work and not a myth. “All it requires is to be focused, disciplined and

The Cross River House of Assembly has passed the 2017 budget of N301 billion, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. On Oct. 31, 2016, Gov. Ben Ayade presented a N301billion budget proposal to the assembly for scrutiny and passage. Mr Jonas Eteng-Williams, Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, presented the report of the budget to the House on Friday in Calabar. Eteng-Williams said that after the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), defended their budget proposals, the committee carefully studied the budget and gave approval for the passage of the budget. “From the budget, a total of N226.48 billion representing 75.2 percent of the budget is for capital expenditure, while personnel cost and overhead stand at N56.78 billion and N17.93 billion respectively. “The committee also approved N707 billion to be passed into law for use in the next three years, but the N301 billion for 2017 still stands. “The N707billion will cover 2017, 2018 and 2019, which is

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police The U.S. on Friday donated eight military grade multi-purpose tents to the Nigeria Police for a quick return of civil authorities in communities liberated from the Boko Haram insurgents. Ms Rosalyn Wiese, the Director, U.S. International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, presented the items to the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris, in Maiduguri. Wiese explained that the gesture was to support the country toward the re-establishment of civil authorities in communities liberated in the North-East. “The U.S. Government is partnering with the Federal Government of Nigeria to support efforts to deploy additional civilian security, particularly the police to the North-East Nigeria. “The tents are being donated to the police because many areas have been ravaged by Boko Haram and many public buildings, including police stations and barracks are still being rebuilt,’’ she said. Wiese added: “A successful transition

A Twitter user, by the name Gbemi Famoti @gbemifam, some hours ago took to his Twitter page to narrated his near-death experience last night on the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Famoti who didn’t hide his disappointment with LASG revealed how he almost died in a car accident on Thursday night because of the country’s constant negligence and disregard for safety. He said he survived a crash after he drove into the section of the 3rd mainland bridge road that is being renovated. According to reports, there is an ongoing construction along Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, and road users often lament the fact that there is no sign on the road to let drivers know of the construction works in the middle of the highway. It was learnt that the contractors have broken and removed the bitumen used for surfacing and roofing the road but placed no sign to say that the road is now rough, and as a result of this, a man nearly lost his life on Thursday night. Below is how he narrated his near-death exper

•FILE PHOTO: Wrestling action from National Sports Festival Photo: Emmanuel Osodi The Technical Director of Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Okaihe, on Friday in Abuja, said that Bayelsa would host this year’s National Wrestling Championships. The wrestling championships would hold in Yenagoa from March 8 to March 13. Okaihe said the event was an open competition, adding that the federation would be expecting all the states to have representatives. “We are expecting all the states, including clubs, military and paramilitary at the open competition. “We have 10 weight classes; each club or team must come with 10 weight classes in the three styles. “We are expecting a large number; they should come with 10 Greek Roman wrestlers, 10 women wrestlers and 10 for men’s freestyle. Okaihe said the championships would be sponsored by his Gov. Serials Dickson. “The event will be sponsored by the Bayelsa governor but each state or institution will take care of its team. “This

Amid the rumoured crisis in the 17-month old marriage to hubby and philanthropist Oladunni Churchill, Tonto Dikeh who recently removed Churchill from her name seems unperturbed. After an ill remark the Nollywood actress and mother of one made about Mercy Johnson’s child a long time ago, she has publicly come out to ask for her colleague’s forgiveness as the apology was long overdue. Read her post on Twitter this morning to Mercy: “Good morning world Since I have your undivided attention I better make good use of it and not miss the blessing in this lesson!!! @mercyjohsonokojie Ever since I had my baby I have been reminded constantly about an ill statement I made about one of your kids a very long time ago.I want to use this media to say I am so sorry,I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart.I had no right to say what I did,I totally disgraced myself with that. As a mom I do realize a lot of things I take in because of the love of my son and I know you only took my insult

Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh The Political Party of Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh filed a request on Friday with the Supreme Court for an injunction aimed at blocking the swearing in of his rival. Jammeh lost an election last month and has refused to accept his defeat. The question of whether Gambia can install opposition figure Adama Barrow as president is seen as a test case for African democracy in a region accustomed to coups and political unrest. Barrow, who won the poll and has received the support of the international community, has said he will go ahead with his inauguration on Jan. 19 despite Jammeh’s rejection of the result. Supreme Court Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle, confirmed receipt of the petition, which was filed by Jammeh’s Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC). “It is filed today with the court registrar,’’ said Fagbenle, who did not say when a decision on the petition might be made. Aziz Bensouda, the secretary general of the Ga

MMM The popular money-doubling scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox (MMM), which placed a one-month ban on all withdrawals from Dec. 13, 2016, is back in full force. In a statement on its official Twitter account on Friday, MMM stated: ”This is to officially inform you that MMM Nigeria is open for business a day earlier than promised! Let’s go there Nigerians’. Read the full statement below: MMM returns in full force MMM Nigeria participants have been patiently and eagerly awaiting the return of the controversial Ponzi scheme and this has witnessed a countdown to January 14, a day believed to be when the scheme would begin operations after the end of the year break. The Mavrodi Mondial Movement which is a scheme that assures up to 30% interest on money invested, and is very popular in the country with several millions involved in it. The Ponzi scheme on December 12, 2016, announced a ‘one-month freezing’ of confirmed Mavros, with a promise to upgrade and return three weeks after

Amid the rumoured crisis in the 17-month old marriage to hubby and philanthropist Oladunni Churchill, Tonto Dikeh who recently removed Churchill from her name seems unperturbed. After an ill remark the Nollywood actress and mother of one made about Mercy Johnson’s child a long time ago, she has publicly come out to ask for her colleague’s forgiveness as the apology was long overdue. Read her post on Twitter this morning to Mercy: “Good morning world Since I have your undivided attention I better make good use of it and not miss the blessing in this lesson!!! @mercyjohsonokojie Ever since I had my baby I have been reminded constantly about an ill statement I made about one of your kids a very long time ago.I want to use this media to say I am so sorry,I sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart.I had no right to say what I did,I totally disgraced myself with that. As a mom I do realize a lot of things I take in because of the love of my son and I know you only took my insult

Mavrodi Mondial Movement (MMM) The popular money-doubling scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox (MMM), which placed a one-month ban on all withdrawals from Dec. 13, 2016, has left its Nigerian participant with anxiety, excitement and mixed feeling as they await its return on January 14, 2017. MMM Nigeria participants have been patiently and eagerly awaiting the return of the controversial Ponzi scheme and this has witnessed a countdown to January 14, a day believed to be when the scheme would begin operations after the end of the year break. The Mavrodi Mondial Movement which is a scheme that assures up to 30% interest on money invested, and is very popular in the country with several millions involved in it. It would be recalled that the Ponzi scheme on December 12, 2016, announced a ‘one-month freezing’ of confirmed Mavros, with a promise to upgrade and return three weeks after the ‘freezing’ which is January 14. The scheme last week introduced the Bitcoin payment as part of its mo

Three bombs have exploded in Madagali town in the northern part of Adamawa State, killing many people. Eye witnesses said three explosions occurred this morning at a crowded motor park on the outskirt of the town. Casualty figure is not clear as volunteers and security men were evacuating bodies from the scene, Daily Trust reports. A local official who did not want his name published confirmed the attack, saying there was yet no detail of casualty and that it was not clear whether the attack was suicide. The Spokesperson of the 28 Task Force Battalion in Mubi, Major Bakare Akintoye did not pick phone calls from our correspondent.

Nigeria-Super-Eagles Nigeria drawn in Group E for 2019 AFCON qualifiers, Cameroon 2019, alongside South Africa, Libya and Seychelles. Games begin June 2017. AFCON 2019 qualifiers Details later.

The gavel of justice 25-year old Auwalu Yusuf is currently facing prosecution for allegedly having anal sex with four teenagers, after luring them with a bicycle and money. Yusuf, who resides at Madobbal village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, was said to have committed the offence early this month. According to reports, the victims reported him to their elder brother last week and this eventually led to his arrest. Yusuf appeared before a Katsina senior magistrate’s court on Thursday where he was charged with “unnatural offence.” Police prosecutor, Insp. Muhammed Kabir according to Punch Metro, told the court the offence was contrary to Section 284 of the penal code law, adding that investigation into the allegation was still in progress. The police First Information Report marked KT/39X/17, which was read in the court, revealed how the accused allegedly committed the offence. The FIR read in part, “The following juveniles(1)Mohammed Shehu(14 years); (2)Usm

lover An enraged lover, Luka Shuaibu, who attempted to slit the throat of his girlfriend, following suspicion of unfaithfulness, has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm. In October, 2016, Shuaibu, a diploma student in the Department of Tourism and Leisure Management, Adamawa State Polytechnic, attempted to slit the throat of his girlfriend, Sekina Ishaya, Punchng reports. Sekina, also a Tourism and Leisure Management student, was attacked by her angry lover after allegedly seeing her with another man. Shuaibu was sentenced last Wednesday to 12 years imprisonment without option of fine. Shehu Ahmad, the Chief Magistrate of the Yola Magistrate Court, while passing his sentence, said the court found the accused guilty of an attempt to commit culpable homicide and causing grievous bodily harm to his female lover. The magistrate said the sentence was based on the witnesses, testimonies as well as admission of guilt by the conv

TRACE Officials The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has warned the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and others unions against the indiscriminate parking of vehicles by their drivers in Sango-Ota park and its environs. Mr Seni Ogunyemi, the Chief Executive Officer, gave the warning when he briefed newsmen on the achievements of TRACE in 2016 in Ota, Ogun, on Friday. Represented by Adekunle Ajibade, the Unit Commander, Sango-Ota, Ogunyemi said the indiscriminate parking of drivers would no longer be condoned because they were constituting nuisance and gridlocks in the area. “The indiscriminate parking of drivers had resulted in some fatal accidents where lives and property were lost,” Ogunyemi said. He, however, implored the NURTW and others stakeholders like the Road Transport and Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to desist from parking and dropping passengers on the roads. The TRACE boss also urged the unions to be proactive to

The Kwara government says it will partner with the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) in achieving common goals. Alhaji Mahmud Ajeigbe, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, said this in Ilorin when he received Desmond Nwachukwu, a presidential aspirant in the association’s forthcoming national elections. He said the state government had been supporting the association as a counterpart of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). According to him, the profession has been a source of employment to the youth in the country and a platform for Information dissemination. He wished all the aspirants positive outcomes in the national elections, urging winners to be magnanimous in victory. Earlier, Nwachukwu had said that his campaign train was in the state to canvass for votes in the elections that would come up on Jan. 19. FIBAN, he said, was an integral part of the media that government would need to incorporate in the informat

Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshal, (FRSC) The Ekiti Sector Command of the FRSC says 19 persons died in the 49 road traffic crashes recorded in the state in 2016. The FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mr Ismaila Kugu, made this known on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti. He advised drivers and other road users to refrain from using cell phones while driving or walking on the road. Kugu also warned against the use of fairly used tyres, especially at a period of unfriendly weather. Motorists, he added, must also be cautious on the roads in view of the current hazy weather which limits vision. He said the command was poised to sensitise residents of the state of road traffic crash and its management in a bid to reduce carnages on the highways. The sensitisation programme, he said, would focus on speed limit as well as eye sight and “don’t drink while driving ” campaign.

• Dr Ade Abolurin, NSCDC Commandant-General The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has urged the public to furnish the agency with vital information leading to crime prevention and apprehension of criminals. Mr Waheed Popoola, the Assistant Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Zone F, made the call when he visited the Osun command of the corps. According to Popoola, unless security agents receive vital information from the general public, it will be difficult to identify and apprehend criminals. “People living in a community and environment know each other and they can easily identify strangers entering their midst. “When they identify and report strange people in their communities to us, it will help us prevent any kind of criminal plan or operation they hope to carry out. “Our motto is defending the defenceless, but if we don’t get adequate and timely information from the public, it might be difficult to prevent crimes. “In a bid to prevent crimes and boost our cou

A notorious and infamous kidnapper, Chief Daniel Okafor was on Wednesday sent to cool off in the prison by an Asaba High Court after bagging 11 years in prison. Chief Daniel Okafor, who is also known as Odogwu Anam, the czar of the criminal gang alleged to be in charge of incessant kidnappings in Anambra and Delta states. Okafor and his syndicate had attempted to kidnap an Asaba-based industrialist, Chief John Ucheche on January 16, 2013, but was nabbed by the police. The crime kingpin was arrested following the confessional statement of one Mr. Ifeanyi Iwuno, one of the assailants, who was said to have later escaped from police custody after his arrest for the attempted kidnap. Iwuno confessed to being part of an armed gang that attempted to kidnap Ucheche and named Okafor as the mastermind. Okafor, who claimed to be the chairman of a non-existent National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Small Arms, Light Weapons and Monitoring of Oil Pipeline Vandalism, River Niger Operatio

Sasha and Malia Obama, daughters of President Barack Obama. Daughters of former U.S. President George W. Bush, Barbara Bush and Jenna Bush Hager, have written a letter to daughters of outgoing President Barack Obama, advising them on life outside the White House. In the letter, the two sisters of the former president recalled how they received the two sisters of the outgoing president and showed them around at the White House preparatory to their fathers’ handing and taking over. “Malia and Sasha, eight years ago on a cold November day, we greeted you on the steps of the White House. We saw both the light and wariness in your eyes as you gazed at your new home. “We left our jobs in Baltimore and New York early and travelled to Washington to show you around. “To show you the Lincoln Bedroom, and the bedrooms that were once ours, to introduce you to all the people – the florists, the grounds-keepers and the butlers – who dedicate themselves to making this historic house a home. “

The UN International Labour Organisation (ILO), said economic growth trends was lagging behind employment needs and predicts both rising unemployment and worsening social inequality throughout 2017. ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, stated this on Thursday while releasing the 2017 World Employment and Social Outlook report. “We are facing the twin challenge of repairing the damage caused by the global economic and social crisis and creating quality jobs for the tens of millions of new labour market entrants every year.” According to the report, global growth domestic product (GDP) reached a six-year low in 2016, well below the rate that was projected in 2015. Forecasters continue to revise their 2017 predictions downwards amid the uncertainty about the global economy. The situation is generating worry among experts that the economy would be unable to employ a sufficient number of people and that growth would not lead to inclusive and shared benefits, it said. Throughout 2017, glo

Nigerian soldiers have arrested four fleeing members of the Boko Haram sect with 100 motorcycles. Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen Sani Usman who disclosed this in a statement, said the fleeing terrorists were arrested on Wednesday afternoon at Madaki village in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade stationed in Bara. The names of the terrorists were given as Muazu Gogobir, Mamman Shuaibu, Muhammadu Muhammadu and Isah Ibrahim. They were intercepted along with 100 concealed motorcycles at the outskirt of the town. The suspected Boko Haram terrorists are undergoing preliminary investigation, Sani Stated. Read Sani’s full statement below. NIGERIAN TROOPS ARRESTS FLEEING BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS WITH 100 MOTOR BIKES Following the dislodgement and subsequent occupation of Boko Haram stronghold at Camp Zairo, Sambisa forest, the terrorists have been escaping the theatre to avoid capture and prosecution. It is in this vein that troops of Operation LAFIYA DO

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Inspector General of Police The House of Representatives on Thursday threatened to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris if he fails to appear before its Committee on Police Affairs on Jan. 19. This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Gabriel Onyenwife who condemned the continuous refusal of the I-G to honour invitations of the Committee. The Committee is investigating alleged violation of the 2016 Appropriation Act by the Nigerian Police Force. Moving the motion, Onyenwife noted that the I-G had failed to appear before the Committee to explain why the force diverted N1.2 billion approved for the purchase of 10 armoured personnel carriers. He said that instead of using the approved sum to purchase the said carriers, the money was rather used for the purchase of 64 Toyota Hiace Commuter vehicles, without the approval of the National Assembly. He also said that N6billion was appropriated in th

Brig.-Gen Sani Usman, Acting Director of Army Public Relations The Nigerian Army has denied an online report that it is planning to attack The Gambia, in order to remove the country’s President Yaya Jammeh from office. The denial is contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations. “For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerian Army is not planning to attack any country. “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication by Premium Times online news medium titled “EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria raises troops for Gambia, ready to remove Yahya Jammeh”. “This is not true. “Consequently, Nigerian Army wishes to disassociate itself from such false information that exists only in the figment of the imagination of the medium. “It should be noted that such reckless and unprofessional conduct is not expected of any reputable and responsible news medium as it is inimical to national security,” Usman said. He said that at “no