Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) a German NGO, has commenced peace mediation training for officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in a bid to strengthen peace and security in Nigeria. Mrs Hildegard Kigozi, Country Representative of KAS in Nigeria, made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the five-day training. She said that the intensive training would go a long way in introducing the officers and men of the Corps to the latest mediation and conflict prevention skills. She said that the prevailing security challenges in the country make it mandatory for the…
Author: David Folami
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has attributed the agitation and social tension in the country primarily to hunger and poverty. Osinbajo said this while declaring open the Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) conference at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UniZik), Awka, on Monday. He said that political leaders across the country had failed to distribute equitably the resources accruing to their areas from the centre for the good of the people. “Most of the security problems of the nation are self-inflicted through corrupt practices. “The Boko Haram in the North-East, militants in the Niger Delta, herdsmen and farmers clashes are as…
Sen. Dino Melaye escaped death on Monday in Lokoja when unknown gunmen attacked him during a rally in Lokoja. Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, was said to be rounding off his speech at the rally in front of Kogi State Polytechnic when the invaders attacked with guns and cutlasses. Traffic on Lokoja-Abuja highway was disrupted for almost one hour as motorists abandoned their vehicles and scampered for safety. Traders at Lokoja main market also hurriedly abandoned their wares and escaped into nearby bushes and houses. A student of the polytechnic simply identified as Saka Seidu and one other…
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has charged the judiciary to make litigation process in the country less cumbersome in the country. Saraki made the call at a public hearing on four Bills organised by Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters at the National Assembly Complex on Monday in Abuja. Represented by Chairman, Senate Committee on Information Sen. Suleiman Adokwe, he said that making litigation process less cumbersome would guarantee the swiftness of getting dispute resolution through arbitration and conciliation. The four Bills are National Commission for Peace, Reconciliation and Mediation, Revised Laws of the…
Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun and some Nigerians have called for restructuring of Nigeria as the only way to survive running a federalism. Aregbesola made this call while speaking at the 24th anniversary celebration the annulled June 12, 1993 election of Chief MKO Abiola in Osogbo. In Lagos some prominent citizens also advised the Federal Government to set necessary machinery in motion to restructure Nigeria on the principle of pluralism and true federalism. “It is time Nigeria gets restructured in line with the federal system of government being operated in India,’’ Aregbesola said. He said in India, states were created…
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola, has faulted the no confidence vote passed on Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) by the state House of Assembly. The minister, who criticised the action on Monday in Enugu at the 16th power sector monthly meeting, appealed to the state government to settle the N2.6 billion it owed EEDC. He said that the debt contributed to the challenges faced by the distribution company in meeting the electricity needs of its consumers. He expressed dismay that the company had been under assault in Enugu State. “EEDC appealed to me to intervene…
Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has been withdrawn from the Brazil squad to play Australia on Tuesday after fracturing the orbital bone around his left eye, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Saturday. The 20-year-old forward was hurt in a clash with his Manchester City teammate Nicolas Otamendi during Friday’s 1-0 loss to Argentina in a friendly. Brazil have advised his club of the injury but will not be replacing him in the squad for the Australia friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Bayern Munich have signed former Arsenal midfielder Serge Gnabry from Werder Bremen on a three-year contract, the German champions said on Sunday. The 21-year-old scored 11 league goals for Werder last season and was also the joint top scorer at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Germany were silver medallists. “We’re pleased that in Serge Gnabry another young German international is coming to FC Bayern. Serge has developed a lot at Bremen,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a statement. Gnabry will join the Bundesliga champions on July 1, boosting manager Carlo Ancelotti’s options on the wings alongside Arjen Robben, Kingsley…
Didier Deschamps on Monday hailed the fabulous destiny of former France teammate Zinedine Zidane, who lead Real Madrid to consecutive Champions League titles. “It’s fabulous, no-one had done it,” said France coach Deschamps of Zidane’s achievement. “He was two-time European champion in a year and a half as coach. I’m very happy for him. It caps a season (in which he was) champion of Spain and champion of Europe. It’s hard to do better.” Deschamps — winner of the 1998 World Cup alongside Zidane — coached Monaco to a runner-up spot in the 2004 Champions League. “He (Zidane) took his…
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said on Sunday that he hopes to be fit for the start of the new season after recovering from the cruciate knee ligament injury that has prevented him from playing competitive football this year. The 26-year-old Germany international impressed in his first season for the club, playing 16 games before sustaining the serious injury against Watford on December 14. Gundogan returned to light training last week, working with the ball for the first time. “I think I’m in a good way,” he told the club’s official website on Sunday. “I’m working hard. So hopefully I…
England goalkeeper Joe Hart does not think Manchester City will hamper his chances of winning a move away from the Premier League club by putting a massive price tag on him, the 30-year-old has said. Hart, who joined City in 2010, completed a year-long loan spell at Italian side Torino last season, making 36 appearances as the club finished ninth in Serie A. Hart is looking for a permanent move away from the Etihad after being replaced by Claudio Bravo last season under manager Pep Guardiola. The Spaniard also signed Ederson from Benfica last week, so Hart is likely to…
Fewer top clubs should get automatic spots in the lucrative group stage of the Champions League, the umbrella organisation representing Europe’s domestic leagues (EPFL) said on Tuesday. EPFL chairman Lars-Christer Olsson said he wanted more teams from the biggest leagues to play their way through the qualifying competition instead. European soccer body Uefa last year announced that it would give more slots to teams from the four biggest leagues, effectively England, Spain, Germany and Italy, while cutting those allocated to sides from smaller countries. Those changes will come into effect for the 2018-21 cycle but Olsson told reporters he was…
Senator Dino Melaye has hit back at his predecessor, Smart Adeyemi for making claims of corruption against him. The representative of the Kogi West senatorial district has been under the spotlight again after Sahara Reporters leaked a tape last week of a telephone conversation that allegedly involved him and Justice Akon Ikpeme, the chairperson of the Kogi State Election Tribunal. The tape has sparked talks of illegal dealings between the two, and Adeyemi called for a thorough investigation of the matter on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Abuja. While speaking on the subject, Adeyemi had said, “I hereby call for…
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Timi Frank, has appealed to Northern region leaders, Governors, Emirs and political leaders to advise youths of the region against making inflammatory statements. Frank in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to a call by Northern youths to Igbos to leave the region, said such call could build tensions across the country. He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to take necessary steps to douse tension that may have been generated as a result of the threat. Frank also cautioned youths across the country not to give in to…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered five new political parties. They are: Young Progressive Party (YPP), Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), New Generation Party of Nigeria (NGP), All Democratic Peoples Movement (ADPM) and Action Democratic Party (ADP). According to Punch, INEC, in a statement issued by its Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Prince Adedeji Soyebi, said “At present, 95 Associations have applied to the Commission for registration as political parties. Two of the associations voluntarily withdrew their applications. “The Commission today approved the applications of five of the associations which have fulfilled the constitutional requirements for…
Osagie Ize-Iyamu has lost his appeal against Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the Appeal Court in Benin City. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate’s appeal suit against Obaseki’s victory in last year’s gubernatorial election was dismissed by a five-man panel led by Justice M.B Dongban-Mensem. Ize-Iyamu challenged the outcome of the election, accusing Obaseki and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the process. The aggrieved PDP candidate claimed that the September 28 election was marked by corrupt practices, accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of not complying with the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act…
Nnamdi Kanu has received a huge honour in his hometown. According to several sources, the leader of the pro-Biafra group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been given a look-alike statue in his home in Afara, Umahia the capital of Abia State. The statue was reportedly done by a sculptor and IPOB member named Mazi Okwuchukwu Njoku. He presented it to Kanu in the presence of family and members of IPOB. The IPOB leader, who is among the four defendants standing trial on charges bordering on Biafra agitation, is currently out on bail. However, the Federal Government revealed plans…
Head coach of South Africa’s national team, Stuart Baxter, has opened up on how his side claimed their first win over Nigeria in a competitive game. Two second half goals courtesy of Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau, saw Baxter’s side claim a famous away victory. “We opened up the game in the first half but unfortunately we did not score. Beating Nigeria is very interesting. “Nigeria is a very good side but my boys prevented them from scoring. We are trying to develop our boys and expose them,” he said after the match. Quit notice on Igbos: Fani-Kayode reveals real…
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho is joining the battle for Sporting CP winger Gelson Martins. O Jogo says Barcelona and Real have been keeping tabs on the playmaker – as has Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. But the £52 million buyout clause might put off some suitors after the club tied him down to a lengthy contract in February. United need attacking reinforcements after Zlatan Ibrahimovic left and they returned to the Champions League thanks to their Europa League triumph. The Portugal international only scored six league goals last season but he laid on nine assists, the most in the Portuguese…
According to Stuart Pearce, Liverpool can still sign Virgil van Dijk this summer if they pay the £70 million that Southampton are demanding. It’s safe to say that there is very little clarity on where Liverpool stand as far as Virgil van Dijk is concerned. After being reported to the Premier League by Southampton for “tapping up,” Liverpool issued a public apology and retracted all interest in the Dutchman. So, where does that leave Liverpool? Well, the official statement that was issued on Monday leaves very little room for manoeuvring as it plainly states that the Reds are no longer…