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  • Over 20 Palestinians injured in anti-Trump protest – officials

    Over 20 Palestinians injured in anti-Trump protest – officials

    Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza and West Bank for the fourth Friday in a row in protests against U.S. President Donald Trump ’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

    Palestinian health officials said at least 20 protesters were wounded by live fire, mostly along the Gaza border.

    An Israeli military spokeswoman said soldiers had shot at “main instigators” who posed a direct threat to the troops and who were trying to damage the border security fence.

    The spokesperson said about 4,000 Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza, some throwing rocks and fire bombs and setting tires alight, confronted Israeli soldiers who responded mainly by firing tear gas.

    In Gaza, demonstrators chanted “Death to America, death to Israel, and death to Trump” and militants fired rockets into Israel, drawing strikes by Israeli tanks and aircraft.

    The military said it targeted posts that belonged to Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Palestinian enclave, after intercepting two of the three rockets fired into Israel.

    Police said the third struck a building, causing damage.

    No casualties were reported in those incidents.

    Trump outraged Palestinians and sparked anger in the Middle East and among world powers with his Jerusalem declaration on Dec. 6.

    That reversed decades of U.S. policy on one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    Israel considers Jerusalem its eternal and indivisible capital.

    Palestinians want the capital of an independent Palestinian state to be in the city’s eastern sector, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in a move never recognised internationally.

    Most countries regard the status of Jerusalem as a matter to be settled in an eventual Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, although that process is now stalled.

    A UN General Assembly resolution passed on Dec. 21 rejected Trump’s Jerusalem declaration.

    However, a total of 128 countries voted for the UN resolution, nine opposed it and 35 abstained while 21 countries did not cast a vote.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Nigeria must regain its pride in food exportation – Buhari

    Nigeria must regain its pride in food exportation – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja reiterated Federal Government’s determination to continually review and strengthen ongoing reforms in the agriculture sector “until Nigeria regains its pride of place as food exporting country.”

    The president said this when he received a delegation of All Progressives Congress ( APC ) from Kebbi, led by the state Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu in the Presidential Villa.

    He added that the country’s rice import bill had dropped significantly, noting, however, that “beyond self-sufficiency, Nigeria must strive to become net exporter of food commodities.

    “We are not doing badly in the agriculture sector: Nigerians and indeed the world, are beginning to appreciate our efforts. We will work harder until we start exporting food.

    “We are happy that rice and beans importation into the country have gone down by over 90 per cent, and everyone can see how productive states like Kebbi turned out to be and states like Lagos, Ogun and Ebonyi are following the example.”

    The President said Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Sokoto states had already reported remarkable turn-around in the agriculture sector, with more youths taking interest in entrepreneurship.

    Buhari, who disagreed with the astronomical food import bill presented by the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) from the inception of the administration, pointed out that it was later discovered to be “fraudulent practices’’ by some elite to deplete the foreign reserves.

    He said “when I was told that the CBN had no savings after the windfall of selling oil for more than 100 dollars per barrel for many years and production was 2.1 billion barrels per day, I did not believe them.

    “I did not believe them because majority of Nigerians cannot afford imported food; they rely on what is locally grown. It turned out that 50 per cent of the export bills were fraudulent, courtesy of the Nigerian elite.

    “Unfortunately, we will not know all that happened because the elite worked in collusion with institutions in developed countries like insurance firms, shipping companies and other financial outfits, to perpetuate the fraud.”

    On security, President Buhari said the return of farmers to their farm lands in the North East, with glaring results of high yields, was a testimony to the relative peace that had been achieved.

    He assured that more would be done to check the mayhem of suicide attacks.

    The President said his administration would put in more effort to reposition the education and health sectors to compete with other global institutions.

    While introducing the delegation, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, commended government’s policies toward reviving the agriculture sector.

    The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, said “the state government and the APC family was pleased with the performance of Federal Government in securing the country, reviving the economy and fighting corruption.”

    Bagudu and members of the delegation, which included former Governor of the state, Alhaji Usman Dakingari and other former PDP stalwarts, prayed for the quick recovery of the President’s son, Yusuf Buhari who was involved in a bike accident.

    NAN

  • Obaseki assents to 2018 budget of N150bn in Edo

    Obaseki assents to 2018 budget of N150bn in Edo

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Friday assented to the 2018  budget of N150.09 billion pledging 95 per cent implementation before the end of 2018.

    Edo House of Assembly on December 21 passed the state’s budget with an increase of about N3.4 billion.

    Gov. Obaseki, had on November 29, presented a budget proposal of N146.6 billion, made up of N66.7 billion recurrent and N79.8 billion capital expenditures to the legislature for consideration.

    Assenting to the budget in Benin, the governor described the occasion as ‘historical’, noting that it was the first time in the history of the state a budget was given assent before the beginning of the new fiscal year.

    “It shows seriousness of both arms of government and it also demonstrates the level of alignment between the legislative and the executive,” he said.

    The governor commended the legislature for fine-tuning the budget, saying that the increment of about N4 billion was realistic going by the current crude oil prices.

    “The ratio of capital to expenditure is now better; 2018 will be much better than what we experienced in 2017.

    “We will implement the budget to bring succour to the people of the state,” he said.

    Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, had said the budget was designed to meet with the prevailing realities as well as for the benefit of the people of the state.

    Adjoto said the legislature increased the budget allocation for agriculture and infrastructure to allow for revenue generation for the state.

    NAN

  • Police arraign two men over theft of chapman drink

    Police arraign two men over theft of chapman drink

    The police in Lagos on Friday arraigned two men, Eddy Francis and Julius Onipede in an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court over theft
    of two packs of Smoove chapman drink worth N2,600.

    Francis, 30 and Onipede, 35, are facing two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Jimah Iseghede, told the court that the two committed the offences on December 23 at Lacasera Company, Amuwo Odpfin by Apapa Oshodi Expressway in Lagos State.

    Iseghede explained that a CCTV camera in the premises of the company showed the duo stealing two packs of the drink.

    Read also: Police arrest soldier for hijacking fuel-laden truck in Oyo

    He added that the offences contravened sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2015.

    However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and the Magistrate, Mrs Kofo Ariyo, granted them bail in the sum of N10,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the matter until January 15, 2018 for mention.

    NAN

  • Guild wants FG to revamp building construction sector

    Guild wants FG to revamp building construction sector

    Mr Kunle Awobodu, the National President of Building Collapse Prevention Guild ( BCPG ), has called on the Federal Government to help revamp the local building construction sector.

    Awobodu said in Lagos on Friday that the sector was yet to get relief from the effects of economic recession recently experienced in the country.

    He said that lack of government’s assistance was a major factor militating against the growth of the building construction industry in Nigeria.

    Awobodu expressed regret that the government gave more support to foreign construction operators than the local ones.

    According to him, foreigners still dominate the sector in Nigeria, while their local counterparts are being neglected.

    “The few construction and capital projects in the country are being executed by foreign contractors and construction operators.

    “Any contract or construction work executed by foreigners will add little or nothing to the country’s GDP and economic growth.

    Read also: Budget 2018: Financiers to execute rail projects

    “Let the government invest in capital projects and engage the services of the local construction operators to help revamp the sector and equally enhance economic growth of the country,” he said.

    According to him, until the citizens and government learnt to value and make use of the local construction professionals and operators, the sector may not record significant growth.

    Awobodu warned that if government policies were not channeled to favour the construction sector, the nation may slip back into recession.

    He blamed the attitude of politicians for the recent economic recession and other challenges facing the country.

    Awobodu described the country’s political system as too expensive.

    NAN

  • Liberia ’s VP concedes defeat to Weah

    Liberia ’s VP concedes defeat to Weah

    Liberia ’s Vice President, Jospeh Boakai, has conceded the Dec. 26 presidential runoff election to former soccer star, George Weah.

    In a nationwide broadcast from his party’s headquarters in Monrovia on Friday, Boakai who was flanked by his supporters and party leaders, said he had already called Weah to congratulate him.

    Read also: Weah set to become Liberia ’s President

    “I, Joseph Boakai, a man of peace, humility and with a deep faith in God hereby accept the results of the elections as announced by the National Elections Commission ( NEC ).

    “I congratulate Ambassador Weah and pray that God will guide and empower him as takes the onerous responsibility of steering the affairs of our nation.

    “Even though I will not be the captain of the ship, it is my fervent desire that the ship of state always sails smoothly.

    “We must work to unite our people because Liberia is bigger than all of us,” he said.

    NAN

  • Kano suspends environmental sanitation exercise

    Kano suspends environmental sanitation exercise

    The Kano State Government has suspended the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, which is expected to hold on Saturday, due to a religious function that will take place on that date.

    This government made this known via a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ali Makoda, in Kano on Friday.

    The statement said that the religious function, known as Maukibi, was an annual religious rite of the Kadiriyya sect.

    “The Maukibi usually starts very early in the day and that ought to be considered; thus leading to the suspension of the monthly environmental sanitation, as Maukibi is an annual event,’’ the statement said.

    Kano residents, particularly members of the Kadiriyya movement, commended the state government for postponing the monthly environmental sanitation because of the ceremony.

    NAN

  • Man in court for beating girl who refused to go out with him

    Man in court for beating girl who refused to go out with him

    The Police on Friday arraigned a 25 -year-old motor  man, Isiaka Abiodun, who allegedly beat up a girl to pulp for refusing to go out with him before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    The accused was arraigned before the Magistrate, Mrs O.I Raji, on a charge of assault.

    Abiodun, who resides at Agbede, Ibadan in Oyo State, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail in the sum of  N100,000 with two sureties.

    Raji ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Yomi Egunjobi, the accused committed the offence on December 14 at Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said that the accused beat up Miss Success Enebe for refusing his proposal.

    “The accused asked Miss Enebe out but she refused his proposal. Few days later, the accused attacked her  using a plank and injured her on the head.

    “After the attack, the accused ran away, leaving Miss Enebe bleeding from her injuries.” Egunjobi  said.

    He said the offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The section stipulates three years imprisonment for assault.

    The case was adjourned until January 9 for mention.

    NAN

  • Australian PM fined $195 for not wearing life jacket on boat

    Australian PM fined $195 for not wearing life jacket on boat

    Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, was fined 250 Australian dollars (195 dollars) for not wearing a life jacket while moving his dinghy on Sydney harbour, a local media reported on Friday.

    Turnbull was moving the small vessel about 20 metres from a jetty to a beach near his harbour-side home when he was photographed by a paparazzo.

    The photo appeared in the Australian newspaper on Thursday and the Maritime Service division Chief, Angus Mitchell, told newsmen safety was paramount on the water.

    Mitchell said the prime minister would be fined the 250 dollar penalty for not wearing a life jacket while alone in a boat.

    Turnbull said on Facebook that he had learned his lesson.

    “I will make sure I always wear a life jacket in my dinghy regardless of how close I am to the shore, just as I always do on my kayak.

    “The rules can often seem very technical, but they are there to keep us safe and we should all comply with them,” Turnbull said.

    The fine came the same day a man drowned in waters off Sydney after his fishing dinghy capsised and two others had to be rescued by helicopter.

    According to news report, none of them was wearing life jackets.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • ‘Be loyal to the country’, IGP tells officers

    ‘Be loyal to the country’, IGP tells officers

    The Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has enjoined officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to rededicate themselves to their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property of Nigerians and foreigners resident in the country.

    Idris also called for diligence among the personnel even in the face of “undue hostility and unwarranted criticism of members of the force and its leadership by a spectrum of the Nigerian society in recent times”.

    He made the call at a get-together organised by the family and friends of a Cadet Inspector, Mr Idris Baba-Mohammed, at the Bida campus of the Niger Polytechnic, over his recent successful passing out and Presidential Commissioning from the force.

    Represented at the occasion by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Dibal Yakadi, the inspector-general described police job as one of the best jobs in the world.

    He, however, said that the job could also be hazardous, sometimes.

    He further said if the officers and men of the force, including the celebrator, were genuinely busy protecting lives and property of other people in the larger society without getting involved in unwholesome practices, God would also bless and protect such members and their families.

    Idris, therefore, advised the celebrator, including officers and men of the force, to further rededicate themselves in the service of their fatherland, exhibit discipline, be upright in their official conduct and obey lawful orders.

    “ You should always be courageous, prayerful, shun unwholesome acts capable of tarnishing your names, families and that of the Nigeria Police.

    “Be loyal to the country and constituted authority and make sure you always obey lawful orders and be prayerful at all times for Allah’s protection and blessings.”

    He stressed that if all the instructions were properly observed, they would get to the peak of their career, just as he warned the commissioned cadet to remain focused and make up his mind not to be influenced negatively by worldly things.

    NAN