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  • Missing corps member’s whereabouts unknown

    Where is 25-year-old Cynthia Amarachi, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Osun State?

    What happened to her on March 15, after she left the state en route to Lagos for a weekend with her parents?

    These are the questions her mother, siblings and friends have been asking following her mysterious disappearance.

    Their agonies further worsened after visiting hospitals and mortuaries to find out whether she was involved in an accident.

    Her mother, a primary school teacher, Mrs. Constance Nwawike, said they have reported the incident to the police in Lagos and Osun states without success.

    She said at a point, the police tracked one of her phones to Ogun-Oyo forest where some suspects were arrested, but later freed, adding that her other phone was traced to Kano State.

    The woman, who said Amarachi, the only graduate they suffered to train, was a level headed and reserved woman, noted that they only knew about her disappearance about a week after March 15 when she was contacted by officials of the NYSC in Osun State that Amarachi was yet to return from Lagos.

    “Before then, we had been worried as we could not reach her on the phone.

    Read Also: Prominent Nigerians at receiving end of kidnapping

    ”On that fateful day, March 15, I called my daughter’s number, but it was switched off. I thought it was network problem. I did not call again.  On Monday, I called the number again, but no response. I continued for three days without a response. I then informed my husband.  All of us became worried.

    “Her younger sister even complained that she (Amarachi) didn’t call to wish her happy birthday. It has not been an easy period for us. We have visited churches and we were told she is still alive. I am just begging anyone who is holding her to please release her for us,” she said amid tears.

    Mrs. Nwawike said Amarachi’s friend, who notified the NYSC about her trip, said she boarded a commercial vehicle at Iwo Road en route to Lagos and they exchanged pleasantries, promising to inform them once she arrived her parents’ Ikorodu home.

    “But when they got no response and called several times without a response, her colleagues reportedly went on the social media to trace her parents, which eventually paid off,” she said.

    The woman said she received a call from her daughter’s service centre a week later that they were looking for her.

    “The state coordinator also called and reported that they did not see her after she travelled home. Shocked at the unfolding drama, I told them that she did not return to our home in Ikorodu. I made further enquiry, the coordinator said her friend, also a corps member, told them that she travelled to meet us in Lagos and since then, she had been calling her number without reply.

    “I asked the man (NYSC state coordinator) to give me the corps member’s number. I talked to her and she said she had been trying to reach me.  I reported the case at Ikorodu Police Station. They said I should go to Ibadan because the lady made it known that she took Ibadan-Iwo Road and when she got a vehicle going to Ikorodu, they had a conversation. She told her that she had boarded a bus going to Ikorodu and her friend said she wished her safe trip. Since then, she had not seen or heard from her. I went to the school where she was serving in Osun State and the head teacher told me the same thing.

    “Since then, I have tried my best. We had gone as far as reporting to the anti-kidnapping squad and they told us that they had tracked her number to Kano. They later told me that they made some arrests and I asked how far, but the policemen keep ‘posting me’. Last week I called them, but they said that they would call me back, but they didn’t call me back.

    “I also reported the case at the Osun State Police Command. They invited me for an interview, but when I got there, they said I should connect them with the anti-kidnapping unit investigating the matter in Lagos, which I did, only for the police in Osun to say that they have been trying the number of their colleagues at the anti- kidnapping unit without success,” Mrs. Nwawike said.

  • Tearful Serena retires injured in Rogers Cup final in Toronto

    Serena Williams’ first U.S. Open tune-up ended in dramatic fashion as the tearful American was forced to retire with a back injury on Sunday.

    She quit while trailing Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu 3-1 in the Rogers Cup final.

    Williams, who hopes to chase a record-equalling 24th career Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open, seemed fine on court.

    But she suddenly sat crying in her chair before deciding to retire 19 minutes into the match with back spasms.

    “I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today. I tried but I just couldn’t do it,” an emotional Williams, who struggled to get the words out, told the crowd.

    “It’s been a tough year but we’ll keep going.”

    Andreescu consolidated an early break to move 3-1 up at which point Williams went to her chair where she called for the trainer and broke down in tears.

    Williams said the spasms began during her three-set semi-final win over Czech Marie Bouzkova on Saturday.

    They got so bad that she was unable to sleep and could not really move but she added that she at least wanted to try and play the final.

    “I was just trying to figure out how do you play a match where you have no rotation?” said Williams.

    “And I don’t want to get this far and not at least try. I think I would have really regretted not at least going out there and seeing maybe if a miracle happened.”

    The 37-year-old Williams, whose competitive action this year has been severely limited because of knee issues, declared herself pain-free ahead of the tournament.

    She had been hoping to use the event as a springboard for the rest of her hardcourt swing.

    But the six-times U.S. Open champion, still without a title since returning from maternity leave in 2018, now faces her latest injury setback.

    This is happening with the year’s final Grand Slam just two weeks away.

    Read Also: I won’t be here if I didn’t love tennis — Serena

    Williams, who is due to compete in Cincinnati next week, said she has experienced back spasms a lot in her career.

    She said if this latest episode plays out like those before, she does not expect it to keep her out of any events.

    “They’re incredibly painful, but it goes away after, like, 24, 36, maybe 48 hours, and like clockwork,” said Williams.

    “In that first phase, it is incredibly painful, to a point where I usually don’t get out of bed. So, if it’s what typically happens, I will be fine, but I have to wait and see.”

    As Williams sat dejected in her chair, Andreescu, who is no stranger to injury setbacks, went over to console her.

    The pair embraced and had a heartfelt conversation.

    Andreescu had shot to prominence with her Indian Wells triumph in March.

    Competing this week for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open with a shoulder injury, she is the first Canadian to win the event in 50 years.

    “I feel for Serena so much. I’ve been through so much the last year with injury, so I am so sorry she had to go out this way,” the 19-year-old said during the trophy ceremony.

    “Sometimes, you can’t push your body and she couldn’t today and I wish her a fast recovery”

    NAN

     

  • We’ll help El-Rufai get $350m World Bank loan, says Rep

    A MEMBER House of Representatives representing Kachia /Kagarko federal constituency of Kaduna State, Gabriel Saleh Zock, has declared that the priority of all the lawmakers from the state is the socio-economic development of the state.

    Zock said the representatives are committed to effective representation and will do anything in the interest of the state, including assisting the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, secure $350 million World Bank loan he had requested earlier.

    The governor had during the 8th National Assembly applied for the World Bank loan, but senators from the state’s three senatorial zones kicked against it, expressing fear that generations yet unborn would not be able to repay such loan, if granted and taken.

    Read Also: El-Rufai threatens to sack commissioners

    Addressing reporters in Kaduna at the weekend, Zock said: “Our priority is to ensure that we represent Kaduna State effectively. We will ensure that whatever will bring development to Kaduna State is given priority above any other thing.”

    He added: “We are at the National Assembly believe that since it is Kaduna people that took us to the assembly, whatever the governor of the state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai , and the people of the state want from us, we will do it for them.”

  • Onyekuru lands in Monaco for 5-year deal

    HENRY Onyekuru has finally arrived in France to sign a five-year contract with AS Monaco subject to passing a routine medical.

    Onyekuru whose arrival in France was delayed by a visa hitch will be presented to the media today.

    SCORENigeria first reported that Monaco and Onyekuru’s parent club Everton has agreed a 15 million Euros transfer for the Super Eagles’ winger.

    Read Also: Everton considering sale of Onyekuru

    This was after Everton’s application for a work permit for the player was not granted by the British Home Office.

    ‘Prince of Monaco’ Victor Ikpeba was the most successful Nigerian star at the Principality club where he won the French Ligue 1 and was crowned CAF African Player of the Year in 1997.

    The likes of Sani Kaita and Lukman Haruna have also featured for Monaco.

  • Chukwueze scores superb goal

    NIGERIA international forward Samuel Chukwueze opened his goal account for Villarreal in a seven-goal thriller which his team won 4-3 against Italian Serie A side Bologna in a pre-season friendly game.

    Chukwueze returned to training last week as he was given an extended break due to his involvement with Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where Nigeria won bronze.

    The left-footed forward was introduced in the second half and he wasted no time in making his mark with a trademark run drawing a foul which Santi Cazorla curled into the net to put Villarreal 2-1 up.

    He increased the lead for his side with a solo effort after picking the ball from the right as he glided past his markers to bury the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper of Bologna to put his team 3-1 up.

    More goals were scored in the remaining 27 minutes played after his goal and Villarreal edged what was their final pre-season game 4-3 ahead of their first LaLiga game against Granada at home on the 17th of August.

  • Ganduje releases 200 prison inmates

    KANO State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has, as part of his prerogative of mercy programme, facilitated the release of 200 inmates from 10 prisons.

    Those released under his administration are now 2,717, from the time his committee on Prerogative of Mercy started working on his directive.

    After Eid-Prayer with the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the governor went round a few places as his usual tradition during Sallah period.

    Among the places was Kano Central Prison.

    At the prison after being received warmly by the officials and the inmates, he said he was at the prison for the release of some of them, advising them to be of good character after their jail terms.

    “Some of you are released because of old ages, some because of illness and some of you are released after paying the fines put on you by different courts. After we paid on their behalf, they can now go and rejoice with their families during this Sallah festive period.”

    “After our Prerogative of Mercy Committee went thoroughly through court records of some of you, we found out it could be good and encouraging if we could pay and pardon some of you. This is what we have been doing since our coming as a government,” he said.

    Read Also: PDP tenders 241 exhibits against Ganduje at tribunal

    Comptroller of Prison, Kano Magaji Ahmad Abdullahi hailed the governor for his immense contribution in beautifying and helping the prisons in the state.

    All the released inmates were given N5,000 for them to use as transport fares to their homes.

    At the VVF Hostel,  Kwali, Ganduje promised to put in place a modest skills acquisition centre at the hostel to help the victims to be trained and become self-reliant after being recovered and discharged.

    The hostel, according to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Auwalu Umar Sanda, treated 825 female victims of VVF from January this year to date.

    He hailed the state government for the treatment of the victims, whom, he said, were doing very well.

     

  • Zulum shuns Sallah as troops repel insurgents in Borno town

     BORNO State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Sunday visited Gubio Local Government area, after soldiers of the 5 Brigade repelled dozens of Boko Haram fighters, who stormed the council.

    For seven hours, there was a gun battle between the insurgents and troops.

    The governor’s trip came after he set aside activities lined up for the Sallah  celebration, including a lunch with stakeholders of All Progressives Congress (APC) and a traditional visit by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi, to the Government House. The monarch’s visit usually takes place at 4pm on every Sallah day.

    Zulum postponed the Shehu’s visit till today.

    The governor visited the area alongside a member of the House of Representatives representing Gubio, Kaga and Magumeri federal constituency, Usman Zannah and some government officials.

    Read Also: Borno: Police ban street begging

    He first visited the Headquarters of the 5 Brigade in Gubio town, where a meeting, hosted by the brigade’s commander, Colonel I.A. Ajose and attended by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major-General Benson Akinroloyo and the caretaker chairman of Gubio, Zannah Modu Gubio and other government officials was held.

    The caretaker chairman told Zulum that it was the gallant resistance by soldiers of the brigade, which saved Gubio from being taken over on Sallah’s eve.

    Zulum lauded the troops of the Brigade for their gallantry and patriotism.

  • RevolutionNow: Lawyer warns against bringing down Buhari’s govt

    A Benin lawyer and former Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Edo State, Mr Eddy Osifo, has warned religious leaders, politicians and sponsors of RevolutionNow to desist from engaging in actions or comments that aims at bringing down President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Osifo said sponsors of divisive actions and statements were getting it wrong on insecurity in the land, especially the killing of Nigerians by unknown gunmen, erroneously called herdsmen.

    In a statement, the lawyer said the people responsible for the killing of innocent Nigerians are Muslim sects of Boko Haram Harambe, Al-Qaeda and ISIS, who have also converted to gun-trotting herdsmen.

    Read Also: #RevolutionNow: Protest capable of causing uncontrollable crisis, says Uche Nwosu

    He said it was unfortunate that those he called opportunistic politicians and opponents of President Buhari have been deliberately heaping the blame of killings on the Fulani with a view to defeating President Buhari’s political purpose and work for his replacement.

    The statement said: “Nigerians should know that the various gangs of these sects are in our bushes, farms and towns, and they are well armed as well as ready to kill.

    “The earlier Nigerians take time to study the formation, nurture, growth and politics of these Muslim sects, the better for the good of the country.

    “If these sects have the opportunity to meet President Buhari and other religious movements, they would kill him first before eliminating the Christians.

    “As far these groups are concerned, the normal Muslim is not a believer. Nigerians should stop playing politics with herdsmen and religion so that we will be able to fight the common enemies who are on a mission of Islamisation.”

  • Fed Govt allocates N100b for research in tertiary institutions

    The Provost of Adeyemi College of Education in Ondo, Dr. Samuel Akintunde, has said the Federal Government had allocated N100 billion to boost research activities in tertiary institutions across the country.

    Dr. Akintunde spoke at a seminar, tagged: Proposal Writing, at the college.

    According to him, the money was earmarked by the Federal Government under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund) and dedicated as National Research Fund (NRF) with the aims of boosting academic development and enhancing people’s skills in project proposal writing and research activities.

    He said: “The Federal Government is interested in boosting research activities in tertiary institutions and has joined the rest of the world to acknowledge the fact that you cannot improve your society without research.

    “So, a lot of money is now being pumped into research work. Over N100 billion has been earmarked by the Federal Government under TETfund as National Research Fund.”

    Read Also: Fed Govt to focus on youth empowerment

    The provost urged teaching and non-teaching staff of the college to constantly work for self-improvement through acquisition of more knowledge.

    He added that the college workers could use the opportunity provided by the funds for research from the Federal Government to improve their skills in research proposal writing.

    Akintunde hailed the Directorate of Gender and Sustainable Development Studies in the college for organising the seminar.

    The provost also thanked the presenter, Prof. Bridget Teboh, from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, the United States of America (U.S.A), for identifying with the college’s growth and development.

    Describing Prof. Teboh as erudite and international scholar, the college administrator expressed optimism that participants would benefit from her wealth of experience and become more knowledgeable in good proposal writing skills at the end of the seminar.

  • ‘Probe contractors over failed road projects’

    The former Director General of ECOWAS Inter-Government Action Group Against Money Laundering, Prof Shehu Abdulahi, at the weekend urged anti-graft agencies to beam their searchlight on poor road projects across the country.

    Abdulahi spoke at the 12th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR) with the theme: Mobilising Stakeholders for Improved Accountability and Good Governance Through Asset Declaration organised by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    Decrying the poor road projects in the country as compared to other places in West Africa, like Ghana, the professor noted that corruption must also be tackled in the area of infrastructure as contractors do not build roods according to original plans.

    “We have to fight corruption on the aspect of infrastructure. Most people awarded the contracts of building roads do not build them as contained in original plans. They reduce the size of the thickness and then launder the money,” he said.

    Read Also: Five ex-commissioners under probe for illegal auctioning of Niger vehicles

    Abdulahi also urged civil societies and anti-graft agencies to scrutinise issues of corruption “on the angle of asset declaration to know a politician’s weight in terms of asset, when coming into office and when going out of office”.

    Also, the Chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Professor Muhammed Isah, regretted that inadequate budgetary provision for the agency and the reluctance of the National Assembly to pass the bill ensuring judicial reform affected the agency’s performance.

    Isah, who spoke through the Director of CCB, Mr Okokon Esien, expressed optimism that the collaboration of other institutions with CCB would help the agency to perform maximally.