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Man charged with sending bullet to deputy PM

A 74-year-old man was charged on Thursday with posting a bullet and threatening letter to Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.

The man was charged with stalking and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.

Police alleged that the man sent the bullet and threatening letter to Joyce’s electoral office in the country town of Tamworth where it was opened by a staff worker on November 6.

Police also alleged that the man made a threatening phone call to a private home on December 22.

Authorities also alleged that the letter contained a message about the controversial Adani mine project, News Ltd reported.

The man was granted bail and is due to appear in court on February 12.

The Indian company Adani plans to build Australia’s largest coal mine in central Queensland’s Galilee Basin.

The Australian government and the Queensland state government are both promoting the mine, saying it will generate thousands of jobs.

Opponents say the project will fuel global warming and destroy the Great Barrier Reef, which is already being damaged by warming oceans.

There are also concerns about Adani’s corporate track record, including allegations of involvement in bribery and money laundering.

(dpa/NAN)

December 28, 2017
Russia, Vatican disagree with Trump over Jerusalem

Russia and the Vatican disagree with the decision of President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv, Alexander Avdeyev, the Russian ambassador to the Vatican City has said.

Avdeyev recalled that Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, in one of his recent statements said that the status quo of Jerusalem, which is a place of pilgrimage and worship for Jews, Christians and Muslims, should be respected.

“This is a city of three Abrahamic religions and it should not be politicised by recognition as a capital.

“I draw attention to the fact that this statement was made by the Pope, who usually expresses his position very carefully in order not to offend anyone.

“So we can see a clear disagreement with the U.S. decision here. We have the similar position,” Avdeyev told Sputnik.

On December 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and instructed the State Department to launch the process of moving the U.S. Embassy, which is currently located in Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.

The step has prompted criticism from a number of states, first and foremost Middle Eastern states and Palestine, and triggered a wave of protests in the region.

On December 7, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Jerusalem’s legal status.

The document called on UN member states to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the city.

The diplomat also said that Russia and the Vatican share similar views on the world and the threats posed to it in the 21st century.

“We have much in common in our vision of the threats and dangers of the 21st century. This is an important issue that unites us.

“First of all, I speak about the threat of any terrorism, criminal, religious or separatist one. The second threat is the weakening of non-proliferation regimes.

“Of particular concern is the drug trafficking and the separation into rich and poor in the world,” Avdeyev said.

The Russian diplomat added that the two states also had a common view on the threats posed by social and economic inequality and terrorism, which were behind migration.

According to the diplomat, unregulated globalisation that was closely tied with neoliberal values could result in “a significant deformation of the civil societies.”

Avdeyev added that the two states were supportive of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and backed the negotiating process and dialogue as a path toward these goals.

The ambassador also said that the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church were concerned over the destruction of the moral and ethical values of the Christian civilisation.

(Sputnik/NAN)

December 28, 2017
Yusuf Buhari not flown to Germany – Presidency

The Presidency has dismissed as `fake news’ an online story that the President’s son, Yusuf Buhari was flown out of the country early Thursday morning following his severe head injury in a bike accident.

An online media outfit, TheCable, on Thursday reported that Buhari had been flown to Germany over head injury he sustained following a bike accident on Tuesday night.

“As previously reported by TheCable, he is being flown to Germany for specialist care.

“The family is said to have decided on Germany.

“He was driven to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, in an ambulance with oxygen support.

“An orthopedic consultant with specialisation in head injuries was also on the flight to monitor his progress,’’ TheCable reported

However, Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity in a text message on Thursday in Abuja, said Buhari was still being treated at a private hospital in Abuja.

Read also: Yusuf Buhari hospitalised after bike accident

It would be recalled that Shehu had on Wednesday in a statement confirmed that the son of the President, Yusuf Buhari, who was involved in a bike accident, was in stable condition.

He said that Yusuf had the accident on Tuesday night around Gwarimpa area in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ), Abuja.

Shehu said Buhari junior broke a limb and also sustained an injury on the head as a result of the incident.

“He has undergone surgery at a clinic in Abuja. He is in a stable condition.

“The President and his wife, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari are thankful to Nigerians for the good wishes and prayers for their son,” the presidential spokesman said.

NAN

December 28, 2017
Obama, Clinton top list of most admired in US

Former President Barack Obama and former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton retained their titles among U.S. adults as the most admired man and woman anywhere in the world in 2017 for the tenth consecutive year.

Àccording to a poll by the Gallup organisation, Obama edged out [President] Donald Trump, by 17 per cent to 14 per cent, while Clinton edged out Michelle Obama, by nine per cent to seven per cent.

Trump won handily among Republicans, 35 per cent name him as the man they admire most, with only one per cent Obama, the release explained.

In contrast, Obama led among Democrats, with 39 per cent mentioning him and 3 percent mentioning Trump.

Read also: How Obama Michelle spend after presidency

Meanwhile, Clinton ’s nine per cent marked the lowest score she has received since 2002, when named by seven per cent, the release noted.

She has held the title a record 22 times in total, with Eleanor Roosevelt in second place with 13 wins.

Obama has been named the most admired man ten times, trailing only President Dwight Eisenhower, who earned the distinction 12 times, according to the release.

Barack Obama won all eight years he was president, plus 2008, the year he was first elected, and this year, his first as a former president of the U.S.

(Sputnik/NAN)

December 28, 2017
NCS to train one million students in IT usage

The Abuja Chapter of Computer Society of Nigeria ( NCS ) plans to train over one million students across the country in Information Technology ( IT )

The Chairman of the chapter, Mr. Rex Abitogun disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

The Nigeria Computer Society ( NCS ) was formed in 1978.

It changed its name from the Computer Association of Nigeria ( COAN ) to become the umbrella body of all IT professionals in Nigeria. ·

The society was established having realised that most of the software applications used in most of the government establishments and industries were not those developed locally.

It then, became expedient to come together and exhibit such software products and add commercial value to it for the purpose of patronage and also for export.

Read also: NCS collects N2.1bn in Niger

This would also be a source of income earning for the country.

He said that the society was putting in place programmes that would benefit people especially students.

“For us at the Nigeria Computer Society, we have raised the bar in terms of advocacy on IT usage and also try as much as possible to come out with programmes that will benefit people.

“One major programme that we are doing now is “Code One Million” that is an initiative of Nigeria Computer Society.

“Whereby we plan to train over one million students across the country in IT usage and that is something we are working on.

“And through some key people like Jim Ovia giving scholarship to PHD students as well as some students to pursue their master’s degree.

Abitogun said that the NCS would continue to partner with key stakeholders in the industry to make sure that the usage and adoption of Information Technology is promoted.

He said that the society was equally encouraging people to go out there to promote computer and information sustenance .

NAN

December 27, 2017
Afreximbank, ICD sign $100m agreement for SMEs

The African Export-Import Bank ( Afreximbank ) says it has signed a $100 million financing agreement with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private sector ( ICD ) to promote SMEs in Shariah-compliant countries.

A statement by the bank on Wednesday in Lagos said that the facility being provided by ICD was for small and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) in ICD-member countries.

The statement quoted Mr Khaled Al Aboodi, Chief Executive Officer of ICD, as saying that the financing facility was a token in support of private sector businesses in ICD-member countries.

According to Aboodi, the facility is for SMEs in the industrial, communication, technology, healthcare, construction and agricultural sectors.

Mr. Amr Kamel, Executive Vice President at Afreximbank, said, “this facility will give a boost to our effort to implement our current strategy which prioritises intra-African trade, intra-African investments and export manufacturing of the labour intensive type.

“It will also promote our knowledge in Islamic finance and provide us with additional manoeuvring capacity in terms of product offerings to our clients.

“We are delighted that ICD has chosen to partner with us in the pursuit of Africa’s trade development.

“This collaboration will contribute to the objective of fostering sustainable economic growth in the member countries of our two institutions leading to job creation, contribution to export and Islamic finance development, among others.”

Read also: Afreximbank finances trade with 100m Euros loan

ICD is a multilateral organisation and a member of the Islamic Development Bank ( IDB ) Group.

The mandate of ICD is to support economic development and promote the development of the private sector in member countries through providing financing facilities and/or investments which are in accordance with the principles of Shari’ah.

ICD also provides advice to governments and private organisations to encourage the establishment, expansion and modernisation of private enterprises.

ICD is rated AA/F1+ by Fitch and Aa3/P1 by Moody’s.

Afreximbank, on the other hand, is the foremost pan-African multilateral financial institution devoted to financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade.

The bank was established in October 1993 by African governments, African private and institutional investors and non-African investors.

Afreximbank has total assets of $11.7 billion as at Dec. 31, 2016 and is rated BBB+ (GCR), Baa1 ( Moody’s ) and BBB- ( Fitch ).

The bank has it headquarters in Cairo.

NAN

December 27, 2017
Man docked for threatening wife’s life over son’s paternity

A 47-year-old civil servant, Adeyemi Akande, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly threatening to kill his wife, Olanike over son’s paternity.

Akande, a resident of Alagbado, Lagos, is being tried for threat to life and assault.

According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Godwin Awase, the accused committed the offences on October 10 at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

He said that the accused beat and threatened to kill Olanike to reveal who the true father of her son was.

The prosecutor said that the accused at first refused to release money for a Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid ( DNA ) test when Olanike asked.

He said however that Olanike on her own released money for the DNA test.

“When the result of the DNA finally came out, it showed that Àdeyemi was the biological father of the child but the accused threatened to kill her,’’ Awase said.

Read also: Brad Pitt still troubled over paternity crisis

Awase said the offences contravened Sections 56 and 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 ( Revised ).

If found guilty he is liable to one year jail term.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mr. J.A Adigun, ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must present two years tax certificate to the Lagos State Government.

The case was adjourned until January 4 for mention.

NAN

December 27, 2017
Maku urges restoration of Customary Court of Appeal

Former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has called on the Nasarawa State Government to restore the Customary Court of Appeal in the state.

Maku, a 2015 gubernatorial candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA ) in Nasarawa state, made the appeal on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen in his ancestral home, Wakama, Akun Development Area of the state.

According to him, re-establishing the abolished court would fast track resolution of traditional issues.

It would be recalled that the state government scrapped the Customary Court of Appeal during the retirement and valedictory court session in honour of Justice Jibril Idrisu, the President of the state Customary Court of Appeal, on October 23.

The state government said the decision to scrap the court was based on the advice of the National Judicial Council ( NJC ), citing continued less number of cases recorded in the court over the years in the state.

Read also: Maku, others say peace, tolerance are panacea to Nigeria’s development

But Maku asked: “Why will Nasarawa State Government abolish Customary Court of Appeal when the state is made of up of different ethnic cultures and religions?

“We have Rindre, Afo, Alago, Migili, Agatu, among other tribes, in the state.

“In Nasarawa state, the law provides for three courts; Sharia Court is for Muslims, Christians would go to the common law court and traditionalists will go to Customary Court of Appeal to solve their disputes.

“For peace and unity in Nasarawa state, we want the court back, we want the state government to reinstate the Customary Court of Appeal and if the government refuse to return it, when APGA comes to power in 2019, it shall come back.”

Maku, the National Secretary of APGA, also lamented the continued payment of local government workers in percentages despite the release of bailouts to the state by the Federal Government.

On the 2019 general election, he urged Nigerians to vote leaders of proven integrity for good governance in order to end hardship, poverty and hunger in the country.

He urged people of the state to shun politics of religion, ethnicity as well as to avoid divide and rule principle in their bid to elect credible leaders that would transform the state.

The ex-information minister urged Nigerians to use the period of Christmas to offer special prayers for the peace of the country, adding that no nation can achieve meaningful progress without peace.

He also urged Nigerians, especially youths, to be peaceful, law abiding, respect constituted authorities and hard working for a greater Nigeria.

NAN

December 27, 2017
NFF moves games out of Abuja for lack of facilities

The Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), on Wednesday, said it had to play most national teams’ games outside the Abuja National Stadium, due to lack of facilities there.

Mohammed Sanusi, the NFF Secretary-General, told newsmen in Abuja, that the national stadium currently lacked the necessary facilities for the teams to play conveniently.

Sanusi, however, disclosed that the various states had indicated interest in hosting the national teams.

The female national teams have taken refuge at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, while the Super Eagles moved from the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Read also: NFF Includes Comedians Ali Baba, AY in Football Committees

“Some of these states indicated interest in hosting the teams and that is why we went there. The Abuja National Stadium is under renovation and so there is no facility for us to play our matches here.

“We have our technical centre here, but there are no dressing rooms. So we are making efforts to see if the dressing rooms can be provided,” he said.

The Secretary- General added that the football house was planning to take the matches of the teams across the country, so that Nigerians can watch their national teams play live.

NAN

December 27, 2017
Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Road accident claims four

Four persons were feared dead in an accident involving a Ford bus and a Mack trailer on Wednesday morning on the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway.

Mr. Clement Oladele, the Ogun Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), confirmed the figure to newsmen in Abeokuta.

Oladele said that the accident happened at 4:45 a.m., near the Ijebu Ode Toll Gate.

The sector commander said that the accident was caused by loss of control by the driver of the black truck with registration number XB 111 LSD.

According to him, the loss of control led to a collision of the truck with the white bus marked LSD 766 XS.

“The accident occurred at about 4:45a.m. near Ijebu Ode Toll Gate, leading to the death of four people trapped in the bus conveying passengers and woods.

“The crash is suspected to have been caused by loss of control, when a truck which had earlier parked, suddenly attempted to join the road corridor.

“A Mack truck moving in the same direction, in an attempt to avoid colliding with the truck entering the road, swerved away from the slow lane to the fast lane.

Read also: FRSC confirms one death recorded in Enugu NNPC mega station accident

“The bus travelling behind on the fast lane was too fast and could not stop but run into the truck that swerved from slow to the fast lane.

“The crash resulted in the death of the four passengers in the bus,’’ he said.

Oladele said that the corpses of the victims had been taken to the Ijebu Ode General Hospital Mortuary, adding that obstructions at the accident scene had been cleared.

He urged motorists to drive cautiously and obey all traffic rules and regulations.

The sector commander also advised motorists to avoid joining a road corridor suddenly or interfering with moving traffic.

NAN

December 27, 2017