Tag: Nigeria newspaper
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Ribery joins Fiorentina
Bayern Munich legend Franck Ribery has signed for Fiorentina, the Serie A club announced on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old, who won a record nine Bundesliga titles during his stay in Germany, has penned a two-year deal with the Florence-based side to take him through until 2021.
The former France international brought the curtain down on a 12-year stay with the Bavarian giants last season after helping them to another domestic triumph.
Having started his career with his hometown club Boulogne in 2000, he spent spells with Ales, Brest, Metz and Galatasaray before moving to Marseille in 2005, where he made his name, helping the club to back-to-back Coupe de France finals.
He subsequently moved to Bayern two seasons later, in 2007, for a then club-record fee of €25 million (£22.9m/$27.7m), where he helped the club dominate German football for the subsequent decade, winning his first title in his maiden season.
Along with his domestic league triumphs, was also a six-time DFB-Pokal Cup winner and, in 2013, was a member of the Bayern team that memorably achieved the treble after they lifted the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
In 2008, he was named German Footballer of the Year, making him one of only five foreign players to date to be awarded the honour, while he came third in the Ballon d’Or race in 2013.
At international level, Ribery was called up to the national team for the first time in 2006, playing a part in their World Cup near-miss against Italy in Germany, and he would go on to become a consistent presence until 2014, when he retired from representative football following the World Cup in Brazil, which he missed through injury.
Goal.Com
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Alleged N537m debt: Court orders AMCON to seize Donald Duke’s property
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and United Bank for Africa (UBA) to seize a property of former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke over an alleged N537,334,360.77 debt.
Vacation judge Justice Chuka Obiozor also authorised AMCON and UBA to, in the interim, take possession of funds in the accounts of Duke and others in any bank.
The judge made the order pursuant to AMCON and UBA’s August 8, 2019 ex parte application, marked FHC/L/CS/1373/2019.
The applicants listed Stonehedge Investment Ltd, Duke and his wife, Owanari Bob-Manuel Duke, as first to third defendants in the suit.
The applicants had prayed the court for “an order of interim attachment, possession and custody of the property being No. 3, Temple Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.”
Read Also: CBN’s report: AMCON N3.8tr Bonds mature 2023
They averred that the property was mortgaged by Duke “as collateral in securing the 1st respondent’s indebtedness to the applicants.”
They urged the court to grant them possession of the property “pending the institution and disposal of proceedings for recovery of debt against the respondent, pursuant to Section 49 of the AMCON Act 2010 (as amended).”
They also prayed the court for an interim Mareva injunction to take possession of funds in the accounts of Duke and others in any bank “pending the institutional and disposal of proceedings for the recovery of a debt of N537,334,360.77 made up of the principal debt and interest against the respondents pursuant to Section 50 of AMCON Act 2010.”
The judge granted the prayers, in addition to an order restraining the respondents from “transacting, transferring, changing or howsoever dealing in any manner or interfering with the applicants’ possession” of the Ikoyi property.
The judge ordered AMCON and UBA to ensure service of substantive originating processes on the respondents within 20 days of the making of the order.
He adjourned further proceedings till September 2.
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Kogi guber race: Akpa completes tour of LGAs
An aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state, Major General Patrick Akpa (Rtd), has completed the meet-the-delegates tour of all 21 councils in the state.
The former commandant of Nigeria Defence Academy, Kaduna and a one-time Military Secretary, said the exercise was to solidify his support base across the councils.
The tour started in Koton karfe, Kogi Local Government with a visit to the Traditional Ruler and Chairman Koton Karfe Emirate Council, The Ohimege of Koton Karfe, HRH Alh Abdulrazaq Isa Koto.
The royal father warmly received the team and prayed for the success of the aspiration.
In Lokoja Local Government, the campaign team visited the Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Muhammadu Kabiru III to seek for his royal blessings before meeting party executives and wards coordinators in a town hall meeting in Lokoja.
The traditional ruler admonished Akpa to keep to his words having made a bond with the people through his profile, while wishing his well in his ambition.
The delegates and coordinators in Central and Western Senatorial Districts eulogised Gen. Akpa, saying he has assisted them in diverse ways as the then NDA commandant.
They said his hope agenda will bring development to the area, having been supportive of the party.
They expressed confidence he will do more if he emerges governor.
In Idah LGA, the campaign team paid courtesy visit to the Attah of Igala, HRH Dr Micheal Idakwo Ameh Oboni.
The royal father called the aspirant his son, urging him to put Kogi first in his aspiration.
He said Akpa impacted the people positively while in the Army and he prayed that the land will fight for his ambition.
At the residence of the Catholic Bishop of Idah diocese, Most Revered Anthony Adaji, the bishop described Akpa as a general you can trust.
He urged the team members to support him for the realisation of the HOPE Agenda.
The Director of support group, Mr. Ibrahim Idakwo, who spoke at all the meetings, said Akpa remained the best aspirant in APC.
Read Also: Governorship polls: INEC fixes Sept 2nd for collection of PVC in Bayelsa, Kogi
He described the aspirant as bold, fearless and a purpose-driven person.
He posited Akpa would bring about the much needed transformation and unity amongst the diverse groups in Kogi State.
Idakwo said with the wide acceptability of Akpa across the 21 LGAs, he is convinced he would emerge victorious as the party’s candidate.
The head of the media team, Pastor John Desmond, said they have seen in Gen. Akpa the qualities required to move Kogi to enviable height as Governor.
He said Akpa is man of integrity and someone with a great heart.
In all the areas visited, Akpa said he is in the race for governorship to bring about immense transformation and change the fortune of the State.
He said he would pursue unity and entrench good governance in the state.
He promised to carry all people along irrespective of ethnic, tribal, religious and political inclinations if elected.
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Buhari re-appoints Adesina, Shehu as media aides
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-appointment of Mr Femi Adesina as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity and Malam Garba Shehu as Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity.
A statement by the Deputy Director (Information), Abiodun Oladunjoye, said the President also re-appointed Mr Laolu Akande as Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President.
He said “President Buhari equally retained Tolu Ogunlesi, Bashir Ahmad, Lauretta Onochie and Nazir Bashiru as Special Assistant, Digital/New Media, Personal Assistant, New Media, Personal Assistant, Social Media and Personal Assistant, Visual Documentation, respectively.
Read Also: Be relentless, Buhari tells ministers
“Following the election of Hon. Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada, the former Personal Assistant, Broadcast Media, as the lawmaker representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, the President has appointed Buhari Salau as his replacement.”
All appointments, he said, take effect from May 29, 2019 except that of the new entrant into the team, Buhari Salau.
Another statement by the Director of Information to the First Lady, Suleiman Haruna, said that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reappointment of Dr. Hajo Sani OON, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration; Malam Hadi Uba Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Dr. Kamal Abdurrahman Muhammad, Special Assistant to the President on Health and Personal Physician, all in the Office of the First Lady.
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Photos: Amaechi, Saraki assume office
Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi (L) receiving a rousing welcome from staff members of the Ministry during his assumption of duty in Abuja on Wednesday 
From left: Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi; Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki; and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Sabiu Zakari, during the Ministers assumption of duty in Abuja on Wednesday -
IPOB to Igbo leaders: retrace your steps or be treated like Ekweremadu
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has threatened to give southeast politicians the same treatment that former Deputy Senate; Senator Ike Ekweremadu received from its members in Germany if they don’t retrace their steps.
The group in a statement by Mazi Chika Edoziem, Head of Directorate of State of the Indigenous People of Biafra (HoDS) said that their struggle for the Sovereign State of Biafra has now shifted to the international and global arena.
The group while chiding Gov. Dave Umahi over his comments on the activities of the group said: “Very soon we shall show Dave Umahi the Fulani slave in Ebonyi Government House that IPOB has not only the capacity and reach but also the power through the grace of Chukwuokikeabiama to achieve our set objectives and fulfill our promise to the living and the dead.”
“(IPOB) led by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will continue in the avowed pursuit of our right of existence as a people, independent of the evil enclave called Nigeria; unhindered, unperturbed and unfazed by the cacophony of morally bankrupt manufactured voices that appear to rally round one of their comrade in crime Ike Ekweremadu.
“Going through the vomit of some of these faceless sycophants with no iota of influence on the ground in Biafraland apart from dishing out meaningless drivel in the name of press statements, one is confronted with the mindset of a people living in a Banana Republic in which all forms of freedom of expression is brutally repressed and mediocrity extolled to high heavens.
“These men of the night and reprobates of the highest order travel out of the shit-hole of a country- apologies to Trump, to visit, invest and educate their children in civilized functioning countries founded on the supremacy of the rule of law in the hope of exporting their warped way of reasoning and ignorance to societies to Igbo communities that operate where there is respect for the law.
“The recurring theme in all the reactions of these reprobates to the Nuremberg encounter is their exhibition of crass stupidity in asking the German authorities to “fish out those who according to them disgraced one of their own”. They are ignorantly wondering who gave IPOB the impetus to disrespect a corrupt Nigerian official.
“Morally upright people from around the world have commended the Indigenous People of Biafra for once again showing Nigerians the path that will lead them to liberation, that is, if they wish to be liberated. As for we Biafran people, our objective is clearly set before us and our destination is a liberated and fully sovereign Biafran nation.
“Opportunity for every politician of Biafran extraction slavishly serving the Islamic Sokoto Calphate to retrace their steps and avoid this certainty of this onrushing rage from the masses and true owners of the land.
“We must remind everyone that is part of the political establishment in Nigeria to go and get acquainted with the statement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi the former Central Bank Governor now Emir of Kano about his take on what this generation of Biafrans are about to do.
Read Also: No regrets attacking Ekweremadu – IPOB
“This battle which we the Indigenous People of Biafra led by Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have embarked upon will be at a time, place and methodology of our own choosing.
“It is imperative to state that in making that choice, there will be no differentiating between the subservient Biafran politician(s) who see nothing and hear nothing wrong when Biafraland is under Fulani military siege and their caliphate masters that dehumanize abduct torture and murder at will.
“As we march ahead in this sacred cause to restore our honor and dignity as a people no obstacle, be it human or material will be allowed to stand in our way.
“Very soon we shall show Dave Umahi the Fulani slave in Ebonyi Government House that IPOB has not only the capacity and reach but also the power through the grace of Chukwuokikeabiama to achieve our set objectives and fulfill our promise to the living and the dead.
“We are waiting for them and their trumpeters in all the civilized nations of the world. Their story of their humiliation will become a subject of study in foreign institutions. Our struggle has shifted to the international arena where every eye will be watching and taking note,” the statement read
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Court stops Indians from taking over three ‘Nigerian firms’
A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday restrained three Indians from taking over three firms – Bolawole Enterprises Nigeria Ltd, Lesag Nigeria Ltd and Intermanagement Nigeria Ltd, allegedly owned by Oluwole Oginni and his wife, Mobolatan.
Vacation judge Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the interim order following an ex parte application by Mr Oginni, 87, in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1431/2019.
The Indian nationals, who are also first to third respondents in the suit, are: Mr. Jai Bhagwan Gupta, and his two sons, Vineet Gupta and Rachit Gupta.
Justice Oweibo also restrained the respondents from convening any meeting at Mushin; Sheraton Hotel, lkeja or at Victoria Island, all in Lagos, for the removal of the couple as the firm’s Directors pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
Read Also: Court adjourns for judgment on Atiku’s petition
The judge made the interim orders after hearing the Octogenarian, through his counsel, Mr. Yakubu Galadima.
Oginni had claimed that without his consent or a board resolution to that effect, the Indians sometime in November, 2017 illegally removed and changed the signatory to the corporate accounts of the firms.
He also averred that the Indians had, by a Notice of Extra Ordinary General Meeting scheduled to take place on August 21, 22 and 23, respectively, proposed to remove him and his wife as a director and to strip them of their membership of the firms.
The judge fixed September 5 to hear the substantive suit.
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Army hands over killer soldier to police for prosecution
The leadership of the 14 Brigade Headquarters of Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State on Wednesday formally handed over Lance Corporal Aliyu Johnson to the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution.
Corporal Aliyu is the soldier serving at Ohanze Forward Operation Base (FOB) who allegedly killed one Chimaobi Nwaogu in his father’s compound at Amaise Umuokereke Ngwa community, Obingwa LGA for reportedly refusing to give N100 bribe on the said fateful day
Speaking at the Police Headquarters Umuahia while handing over Ajayi to the Abia State Commissioner of Police, the Commander 14 Brigade; Brigadier General Solomon Kumapayi said that their visit was in line with the military tradition of handing over personnel to the police for further investigation and prosecution after being tried in the orderly room and dismissed from service.
Kumapayi further said that they were at the police commissioner’s office to formally hand over the culprit to the Nigerian Police, adding that he will be tried in line with the Police tradition.
The Deputy Director Army Public Relations Nigerian Army 82 Division Enugu, Col. Aliyu Yusuf disclosed that Ajayi on the August 7, allegedly murdered Chimaobi Nwaogu at Umuokereke Obingwa, pointing out that the soldier was charged, tried, and dismissed and has been handed over to the Police for further investigation if found culpable.Read Also: Army begins 2019 Annual Shooting Exercise
Yusuf reiterated that the Nigerian Army will not condone any form of unprofessional action by any of its officers, assuring general public that the Nigerian Army will continue to assist in the protection of lives and properties in line with Nigerian Constitution.
Speaking while after the handover exercise, the Commissioner of Police Abia State Mr. Ene Okon said that the culprit, would be formally rearrested in line with the Police tradition, explaining that there has been a good collaboration between the Military and the Police.
Mr. Okon thanked the Army for making their job easy by handing over the culprit to the Police and assured the general public of their resolve to carry out their investigation in a more professional manner.
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It took me over a year to understand my job as minister, says Adamu
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu on Wednesday said it took him one and a half year to understand how Federal Ministry of Education operates when he was first assigned to the ministry.
The minister said he first had to get the idea of what education was when he first got to the ministry, adding that he could only see what was happening at the ministry after a year and half.
According to him, haven worked in the ministry for over three and a half years, he was returning home to his “family.”
He said these in his remarks when he and Emeka Nwajuiba, the new Minister of State for Education resumed briefly at the Ministry.
The ministers both arrived at about 2:45 pm after they were inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday.
Buhari had retained Adamu as the main minister and named Mr. Nwajuiba as the minister of state for education.
The duo were welcomed by excited staff of the ministry led by the Permanent Secretary, Sonny Echono and some directors in the ministry.
Malam Adamu, hailed Echono and directors of the ministry for their support during his first stint in office.
He said both him and the former Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah had worked hard to put together the Ministerial Strategic Plan (MSP 2016-2019) to the point of implementation before their tenure ended on May 2019, 2019.
The minister said: “We had laboured over the time on the strategic plan for the education and only to the point of implementation then we had to leave. I had the opportunity to remind President Muhammadu Buhari that the nation was expecting so much from him.
Read Also; Adamu, Nwajiuba resume at education ministry
“When we were sent here the first tenure, it took me one and half year to understand the ministry, it also took me as a surprise when I was re-assigned to the ministry of education. I had thought I would be sent to another ministry where I would have to learn all over again. Now, I know that I am coming back to a family.
“You all are my teachers and hopefully we will work well together again.
“The reality is the confidence I reposed in the Permanent Secretary. When I came here I had to get the idea of what education is and I could only see what is happening here after a year and half.”
Adamu noted that Nwajiuba had abandoned his Doctorate programme to serve in the cabinet of President Buhari as minister, adding that his appointment as minister of state would be helpful.
Nwajuiba was Chairman, Board of the Tertiary Education Trustfund (TETFund) until his appointment as the minister of state for education.
Nwajuiba said he was at home at the ministry.
”I am comfortable that I do not have to go to another ministry but here with my senior brother at the ministry of education I can be tutored and well directed,” he said.
The ministers were presented with the handover notes by the permanent secretary after meeting with workers.
They left immediately after the presentation.
They are expected to resume fully tomorrow and brief the press on their programmes.