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Russia 2018: Nigeria deserves to be in the World Cup – Green

Chris Green, member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said on Monday that the Super Eagles worked hard and deserved to be at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

Nigeria topped group b with 14 points to qualify for the World Cup. Other countries in the group, tagged the group of death are, Algeria, Cameroon, and Zambia.

Green, the chairman, player’s status of the Federation, said this in Lagos that comments made by Stuart Baxter, Coach of the South African national team about Nigeria were unfair.

Baxter, in a post-match reaction after losing 2-0 to Senegal, said that Nigeria and Senegal are not better than South Africa.

“ Maybe, I am being blue-eyed, but I don`t think Senegal or even Nigeria were much better than us,” Baxter said.

Green said that he sympathized with the South African coach for his inability to qualify the team for the World Cup.

“ First of all, I sympathize with Stuart Baxter for his inability to qualify South Africa to play in the World Cup. He tried very much for his team, but, it did not work out.

“ But as sportsmen, he cannot say that a team that qualified ahead of you, that you are better than that team,” he said.

According to Green, there is no reason to say that South Africa is better than Nigeria when Nigeria qualified ahead of them.

“ The World Cup is bigger than AFCON, CHAN, and so, it is the biggest stage and so, you cannot rightly say that you are better than Nigeria, that is not right, and that is not sportsmanly.

“Much as one will want to respect the South African team, as one of the teams that are emerging in African football, it will not be right for anybody to say that his team is better than the other team,” he said.

Green stressed the need for coaches to show respect to one another adding that he did not expect a coach like Baxter to make such comments.

“ We should remember that Nigeria is the first in Africa to qualify for the World Cup,” he said.

Read Also: Nigeria 1-1 Algeria: Super Eagles Finish 2018 W/Cup Qualifiers Unbeaten

November 13, 2017
Nasarawa to train information officers on modern journalism

Nasarawa State Government said on Monday it would train information officers in the state on modern trend of journalism for effective service delivery.

Mr bdulhamid Kwarra, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, made this known in an interview in Lafia.

He said that the training was to sharpen the skills of the information officers for optimal productivity and efficiency in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The commissioner said that Gov.Tanko Al-makura’s administration was media-friendly and would continue to engage the media at all times.

“The ministry is planning to organize in-house training for information officers in the state in order to meet up with modern trends of journalism.

“This is part of the commitment of the state government to improve journalists and workers’ capacity,” he said.

Kwarra advised information officers in the state to be cautious of the dangers posed by the social media and brace up to the challenges it posed to factual information transmission.

He also called on journalists in the state to ensure balance in their reports “in the interest of peace and for the socio-economic development of the state.”

The commissioner urged journalists to adhere strictly to the ethnics of their profession, to guarantee fairness, accuracy and balance.

NAN

November 13, 2017
PDP to work with any chairman elected at Dec. 9 convention

The eight contenders for the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP )have agreed to work with any of them elected at the party’s National Convention on Dec. 9.

Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, made the disclosure at a news briefing in the early hours of Monday after a five and half hour closed door meeting in Enugu.

Fayose said that the governors met to deliberate on the forthcoming national convention and discussed with the chairmanship aspirants.

According to him, the forthcoming PDP convention will serve as template for future conventions in the country.“We put PDP first and PDP is first.

We are leaving Enugu believing that we will take power at the centre in 2019.

Fayose flanked by other PDP governors expressed the belief that the party would win the Nov. 18 governorship poll in Anambra.

“We believe we will take over Anambra if the election is free, fair and credible.“Nigeria is of age to conduct election that is acceptable internationally,” he said.

Governors at the meeting were, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia; Darius Ishaku, Taraba; Ibrahim Dankwambo, Gombe.

Others were Emmanuel Udom, Akwa-Ibom; Ben Ayade,Cross River; ifeanyi Okowa, Delta; Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa; Nyesom Wike, River, while Ebonyi was represented by the deputy governor.

Eight chairmanship aspirants, South-west had six, while South-South had two.They are: Bode George, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja, Tunde Adeniran, Rasheed Ladoja, Gbenga Daniel, Raymond Dokpesi and Uche Secondus.

Former governors at the meeting were Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa-Ibom.

The meeting was also attended by former External Affairs Minister, Tom Ikimi, Kema Chikwe, former Senate President Adolpus Wabara, and incumbent Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

NAN

November 13, 2017
Police to deploy additional 26,000 personnel for Anambra guber poll

The Nigeria Police Force said it would deploy additional 26, 000 personnel for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Nov. 18.

It can be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim on Nov. 3 at the Also Villa, announced the deployment of 21,000 personnel for the election.

A statement by the force spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said that the personnel would comprised police special forces, Police Mobile Force ( PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit ( CTU) and Special Protection Unit ( SPU).

Others are: Anti Bomb Squad, Marine Police, Force Armament Unit, FCIID, Mounted Troops, Dogs Section, Police Gun Boats and the Armoured Personnel Carriers ( APC ).

He said that 303 police patrol vehicles were among vehicles deployed for the operations to cover the entire state including the riverine areas.

Moshood said that the Deputy Inspector-General of the force in charge of operations had also been deployed to the state and would be assisted an Assistant Inspector-General.

He said that three commissioners of police would be in charge of each senatorial district, to coordinate the security operations and deployment of security personnel throughout the election.

The spokesman said that personnel deployed for the election were under strict instruction to be polite and civil in discharging their duties,

He said that there would be no vehicular movement in and out of the the state during the election from midnight on Nov. 17 till after the voting period on the day of the election.

Moshood warned the outlawed IPOB and its members, to steer clear of the state as the force would not hesitate to use all legal means to checkmate them.

He advised political parties, their leadership and traditional rulers to prevail on their supporters to be law abiding during and after the election.

Moshood also warned public office holders, politicians and other VIPs that they would not be allowed to go to the polling unit with their security details among others.

NAN

November 13, 2017
Senate to appeal high court judgment in favour of Sen. Ndume

The Senate says it will file an appeal on Nov. 13 against judgment of the Federal High Court ordering it to pay all salaries and allowances of Sen. Ali Ndume, who has been on suspension.

The senate made this known in a statement by its Counsel, Mr Mike Ozekhome, on Sunday.

The Upper Chamber said it disagreed with the said judgment.

“For the records, the Senate had challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain the matter on several grounds, portions of which are outlined here under for the purpose of emphasis, as follows:

“That the Plaintiff wrongly joined several causes of action in his Originating Summons.

“That an action for the enforcement of fundamental rights to fair hearing can only be brought against a court or a tribunal, established by law as held by the Supreme Court in several current cases, and not against Committee of a legislative body.

“That by the provisions of sections 3 and 30 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the trial court lacked requisite jurisdiction to hear the suit of the Plaintiff.

“The Senate’s argument is supported by various and current decisions of the apex court, it noted.

The Senate expressed optimism that the decision of the trial court on Ndume would be overturned by the Court of Appeal.

It said it had instructed the law firm of Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers to file an appeal against the judgment.

“The notice of appeal is ready and would be filed unfailingly by Monday morning.

“An application for a stay of execution of the orders of the court will also be filed same time.”

NAN

November 13, 2017
AFRIMA is transforming Nigeria’s Creative Industry – Lai Mohammed

The annual All Africa Music Awards ( AFRIMA ) which Nigeria has hosted since its inception in 2014, is helping to transform the nation’s creative Industry to creative economy.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said at the 2017 Awards night held on Sunday in Lagos.

Mohammed who was the guest of honour at the event said that securing the hosting right for the Pan Africa Music Awards initiative had been beneficial to the nation’s creative industry.

“This Administration has identified the creative industry that is music, films theatre and fashion as a major avenue to diversify our economy.

“What we have seeing tonight is not just entertainment but how the creative industry is transforming into creative economy.

“You can see the huge economic potential that can come out of this endeavour.

“We have the entire world, not just the Africa here today, and more importantly is that it is being beam live all over the world.

“You can see what the government is doing to ensure the creative industry becomes creative economy,’’ he said.

The minister said that as parts of incentives to encourage investment in the sector, the creative industry enjoys pioneer status which allows investors to get a tax holiday.

He assured the Federal Government commitment to creating the enabling environment for the industry to thrive.

Mohammed said that AFRIMA annually provided the platform for talented African musicians to showcase their potentials and be given awards and incentives to encourage them to do better.

He said the Awards should be sustained to propel musicians to take African music to the next level.

AFRIMA which enjoys the partnership and support of the African Union ( AU ) was birth to inspire generations and celebrate African music.

The Awards is designed to promote the distinct rich African music worldwide, by propelling African music to glorious pinnacles beyond the borders of the continent.

Nigeria won the rights above 13 other countries to host the biggest music event in Africa for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016.

Following its successful hosting of the 2014-2016 editions the AU, again, awarded the hosting right for the Pan African Music Initiative, to Nigeria for another three years (2017-2019).

The 2017 edition held last night was anchored by Damala Badara better known as Akon, an American-born Senegalese singer, songwriter, businessman, record producer and actor.

The event which witnessed host of African stars saw Nigerian acts – Wizkid, Simi, M.I, Tiwa Savage, Ycee, Orezi, 2Baba- all got awards

Of special note was Wiz Kid who took home three major Awards of the night – Song of the Year, Artist of the Year & Best West African Act ( Male )

Africa Music Legend Awards won by Salif Keita, Afro-pop singer and songwriter from Mali was presented by the Minister.

NAN

November 13, 2017
Ex CIA director assumes Trump ‘afraid’ of Putin amid Russia meddling probe

Former CIA Director John Brennan suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump might be “afraid” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid Russia meddling probe.

On Saturday, Trump said after a brief on-the-go meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit with Putin that he believed the Russian leader when he said “he absolutely did not meddle in our election.”

Trump said that the Russian president was insulted by the ongoing investigation, which is not good for the United States.

Read also: Trump requests additional $4bn for missile defence programmes

“I think Mr Trump is, for whatever reason, either intimidated by Mr Putin, afraid of what he could do, or what might come out as a result of these investigations,” Brennan told CNN.

The U.S. Congress is currently investigating Russia’s alleged meddling in 2016last year’s US presidential election.

The FBI has been carrying out a similar investigation under Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

A number of hearings regarding the issue have been held in Congress, but intelligence service officials did not provide any evidence, claiming that the information was confidential.

Russia denies meddling in the 2016 US election, calling the accusations absurd and groundless.

NAN

November 13, 2017
Presidency replies Lamido, uncovers plan to destroy national institutions

The Presidency says it has uncovered plan by politicians seeking the destruction of national institutions such as the courts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) and “everything good that the nation stands for”.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The presidential aide cited the recent series of interviews by a former governor of Jigawa and presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Alhaji Sule Lamido, attacking President Buhari’s efforts on ongoing war against corruption, as part of the grand plan.

He, however, described the attacks by Lamido “as” a reflection of the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the opposition in the country.

“It is only in Nigeria that a leader will divert money belonging to the public into his children’s account then turns round to start pontificating on public morals, in the process subjecting the nation’s honest leadership to daily attacks based on falsehood.

“It is even worse that such a person, facing criminal prosecution will start going round saying he wants to be president. Is this not one of the reasons why other countries are laughing at Nigeria?

“This is hooliganism. It is not opposition politics,’’ Shehu noted.

The presidential spokesman challenged Lamido to convince Nigerians that his trenchant attacks against the government and the judiciary were not a smokescreen to becloud the atmosphere of his criminal prosecution.

“In his diatribe published in the Vanguard newspaper last week, it is clear that the former governor not only set out to mock the President but the judiciary and important national institutions.’’

According to him, this is part of an orchestrated plot to divert public attention from his scam related cases.

He added that, “If President Buhari’s war against corruption as he said, was a mockery what does one say of Lamido’s sworn efforts to sabotage the country’s efforts to rid itself of the cancer of corruption?

“If accountability of public officials is the very essence of a mature democracy, it is indeed ironic that a politician, seeking the leadership of the country, making a mockery of institutions and leaders seeking to entrench that.

“As a country, Nigeria settled for President Buhari not just as President but the watchman of people’s wealth.”

Shehu observed that the citizens are happy with Buhari’s efforts in fighting corruption and the whole world was applauding him, while the African Union, the AU named him as the Champion of the war against corruption.

He stated that opposition politicians like Lamido needed to come to terms with the fact that their act needed updating.

Shehu further quoted Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) that said, “the nation’s war against corruption spearheaded by EFCC was incidentally formulated by the a past PDP administration.

“It is a tragic irony that the leaders of the same party are doing their utmost to weaken or destroy it. Watch it, is that why he is seeking to lead the country?

“Time and again, President Buhari had lamented that strongmen had destroyed the country’s strong institutions and that it will take strong men to rebuild them.

“He deserves the support of everyone to rebuild such institutions because they serve a common good.”

The presidential aide, therefore, appealed to opposition politicians to give President Buhari the support he needed to rebuild national institutions such as the EFCC.

NAN

November 13, 2017
JAMB meets with ‘critical stakeholders’ to review UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) says it will meet with “critical” stakeholders in education on Wednesday to appraise the general conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination ( UTME ).

JAMB spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, said this on Monday in Lagos that the meeting, scheduled to hold in Abuja, would brainstorm on the conduct of the examination and identify possible areas for review.

Among the stakeholders expected at the meeting were Foreign Affairs Ministry officials, university lecturers, vice- chancellors and rectors of polytechnics, he said.

“We are also expecting top media executives, state commissioners of education and heads of colleges of education.
“Other stakeholders expected at the meeting are labour unions of Nigeria universities such as ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), among others,’’ he said.

Benjamin said the board had held a similar meeting with owners of Computer Based Test (CBT) centres and administrators nationwide to appraise the registration and conduct of the 2017 UTME.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, had during meeting with administrators of the CBT centres announced new measures that would further strengthen the integrity and general conduct of the examination.

Oloyede had also banned the use of pens, wrist watches and other devices as part of the newly introduced measures for the 2018 UTME.

According to him, experience has shown that some candidates were using the devices to perpetrate examination malpractices.

No fewer than 617 centres had been accredited nationwide for the examination while 72 others waiting for approval.

NAN

November 13, 2017
PDP chairman aspirants to sign peace accord – Dokpesi

Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the one of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) National Chairmanship aspirants, has said that all the eight chairmanship aspirants would sign a peace accord as part of their commitment toward successful convention.

Dokpesi, the founder of Daar Communications, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen after the PDP Governors Forum met with all aspirants in Enugu, which ended at early hour of Monday.

Dokpesi disclosed that all the aspirants had agreed to sign the peace accord at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 4 p.m.

He described the move as part of efforts by the aspirants to ensure that the party comes out of the convention stronger and united.

“With that accord being signed we are going to look forward to a very peaceful and harmonious convention.”

Asked if the issue of zoning came up at the meeting of the forum with the aspirants, Dokpesi said the party was explicit enough on the issue of zoning.

He said that while the party’s presidential ticket was zoned to the North, the position of chairman’s was zone to the South, without specific reference to states or geopolitical region.

He said that the candidates had agreed to work together

“After the zoning principle, all the aspirants have agreed to work together to come up with a common position. Anybody can contest.

“If the party in its wisdom and the aspirants agreed within themselves and notify the party early enough that would be fine.”

Also asked if the issue of a consensus candidate was deliberated at the meeting Dokpesi said “no, but that did not mean there were no discussion among the aspirants.

“Today on the way forward, a few of the aspirants met in the morning and in the afternoon and discussed which solution can be adopted.”

Dokpesi added that following the meeting he would go ahead with his campaign and consultation to fulfill his ambition.

The Governor of Ekiti and Chairman of the Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, said that the party national convention, schedule for Dec. 9, would be a world class that other political parties would emulate.

Fayose said that the party had work hard and it has all it takes to win the Saturday Anambra Governorship election.

“We are using this opportunity to demand that the election should be credible. It should not only be credible but seen to be credible.

“We want to believe that Nigeria is of age to organise election that is acceptable at home and internationally, on Nov. 18 in Anambra,” Fayose added

In attendance were the Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, all the PDP governors, except Ebonyi represented by his deputy.

Other aspirants at the meeting were Chief Bode George, Gbenga Daniel, Prince Uche Secondus, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Jimi Agbaje, Taoheed Adedoja and Rashid Ladoja.

Also in attendance were Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate; Gabriel Susuwan, former Benue Governor, Adolphus Nwabara and Sule Lamido.

NAN

November 13, 2017