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  • Netanyahu wins majority of votes to head new Israeli gov’t

    Fifty-five members of the Knesset parliament on Monday called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of Likud party, to form the next government, compared to fifty-four votes for the opposition Blue and White political alliance, according to media reports.

    On Sunday, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin began two-day consultations with elected parties to pick a politician with the best chance of forming a coalition government.

    According to the Israeli Channel 13, the round of consultations at the president’s headquarters ended with Benjamin Netanyahu’s mandate to form the government.

    Netanyahu’s party Likud and allies have secured 55 seats, while Gantz’s Blue and White-led alliance won 54, the channel reported.

    The broadcaster added that Netanyahu got the mandate after the National Democratic Alliance (Balad party), an ally of the Arab Joint List, said it did not support the List’s position to vote for Benny Gantz.

    READ ALSO: Netanyahu, Gantz compete over Israel’s leadership

    “The only government which can be formed is a broad unity government.

    “The only way to reach such a government is to sit down and talk with an open mind,” Netanyahu said on Twitter.

    On its turn, the Yisrael Beitenu political party led by former defense chief Avigdor Lieberman refused to support any of the elected candidates.

    The final results of the election will be presented to Rivlin on Sept. 25.

    The president will meet with the leaders of the parties elected to parliament to discuss the nominee for the office of prime minister.

    After the nominee is chosen, he will have 42 days to form a viable coalition.

    (NAN)

  • Man with two wives arrested for allegedly sleeping with daughter

    The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Borno Command, says it has arrested a 46 year-old man, Mohammed Pantami, for alleged defilement of his 15 year-old daughter.

    The Commandant of the Corps, Abdullahi Ibrahim, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Maiduguri.

    Ibrahim said that the suspect was arrested on Aug. 29 at Bulabulin-Allajeri area in the outskirt of Maiduguri.

    He said that an elderly woman assisted the victim and reported the matter to the command after the suspect severally had canal knowledge of her.

    READ ALSO: Man docked for sleeping with stepdaughters, impregnating one

    Ibrahim added that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had been sleeping with the girl for the past one year.

    “The suspect,who is married with two wives,often sneaks into the victim’s room while she is asleep and force himself on her.

    “The victim said that the suspect had first forced himself on her when she was 14-years, and continued to do so until his arrest.

    “The suspect threatened to harm the victim, if she told anyone about his sexual escapade,” Ibrahim said.

    He said that in spite of the victim`s horrible experience, she remained silent for the past one year.

    Ibrahim added that investigations into case was in progress while the suspect would soon be arraign in court. (NAN)

  • Buhari mourns Amb. Chiedu Osakwe

    President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and all Nigerians has condoled with the family of Nigeria’s Chief Trade Negotiator and Director General of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations, Amb. Chiedu Osakwe.

    The President noted, with deep pain, that the passing of Amb. Osakwe has created a gulf in the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations, which he served as pioneer Director General, bringing invaluable experience, knowledge and skill in setting up and motivating the operations of the agency that was established in 2017.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, commiserated with all friends, relations and professional associates of the deceased, who served the country for many years as Foreign Service Officer, before joining the Word Trade Organisation, and later accepting to return to the country as a Trade Adviser to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and Director General of NOTN.

    READ ALSO: Buhari mourns Okonjo-Iweala’s father

    The President affirmed that the intellectual depth, fervour and sense of patriotism that Amb. Osakwe handled responsibilities will be sorely missed, especially the frontline and historical role of chairing the Negotiating Forum of the African Union (AU) from June 2017 to March 2018, during which time the negotiations were concluded on the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    President prayed that the Almighty God will receive the soul of the cerebral diplomat, scholar and administrator, and comfort his family.

  • UPDATED: Shekarau, others in fresh trouble over N950m PDP fund

    The Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Monday, struck out the no-case submission filed by the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, challenging his alleged N950 million money laundering trial.

    The EFCC, arraigned Shekarau on May 24, 2018, alongside former Foreign Affairs Minister, , Aminu Wali and one Mansur Ahmad on six counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N950 million.

    Delivering his ruling, Justice Lewis Allagoa, held that the EFCC has made out a prima facie case against the defendants, warranting that they must defend themselves.

    “I have considered evidence by the prosecution against the defendants, it is sufficient that they have case to answer and defend themselves,” he said.

    Allagoa adjourned the case until Nov.18 and Nov. 19, for defence to open its case.

    Earlier, Counsel to Shekarau and two others, Mr Dauda Abdulrahman, and Mr Abdul Adamu, on July 9 filed a no-case submission.

    Adamu said EFCC failed to present a prima facie case to warrant the defendants entering defence and urged the court to discharge his clients.

    Read Also: Shekarau brings rare virtues to the Senate

    Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Johnson Ojogbane, had earlier told the court that the defendants, between March 26 and March 27, 2015, conspired among themselves and received the said amount without going through financial institutions.

    He said that the money was issued to the defendants by the Peoples Democratic Party and former petroleum minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act and Section 15(1) of money laundering Act.

    The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    NAN reports that the defendants were earlier granted bail in the sum of N100 million each with two reliable sureties in like sum and during the course of trial, the prosecution called four witnesses and closed its case on May 8.

  • 10 youths to win N10m grant as FG kick-starts 59th Independence activities

    The Federal Government Monday started activities to mark Nigeria’s 59th Independence Day Celebration.

    Nigeria got her independence from Britain on 1st October, 1960.

    Speaking during the 59th Independence Day Celebration press briefing at the Radio House, Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, thanked God for preserving the nation to witness its 59th anniversary.

    Mustapha, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the SGF, Gabriel Aduda, said efforts have been made to keep the nation one over the years despite its diverse challenges.

    He recognized the fact that the country ought to be far ahead where it is today.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, he said, is doing its best to leave long lasting legacies in the country.

    He said that 10 youths will have the opportunity to win N1 million each during the youth Concert scheduled for Monday 30th of September, 2019.

    He said “First, we give thanks to God Almighty for preserving our lives to witness this Celebration. We pay tribute to our founding fathers who exhibited patriotism and spirit of nationalism during the struggle for Nigeria’s Independence.

    “The struggle for Nigeria’s independence was not an easy one. It was a a result of intellectual prowess, patriotic zeal, as well as love of country that enabled our forebears to succeed in their struggle.

    “Nigeria’s leaders since then have made varied contributions to building our nation state. Above all, efforts have been made to ensure that the country remains united despite diverse challenges which are not unexpected in a multicultural society such as ours.

    “Independence Day for us is a joyous occasion, but also a sobering one because we are beset with a lot of developmental challenges looking at how far we have come. Ideally we should be far ahead of where we are right now as a people, but never the less President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is not sitting on its oars, but working to ensure better livelihoods for the Nigerian People.

    “It is the avowed determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to bequeath to the Nation a long-lasting legacy of improved infrastructural facilities and a better economy across the length and breadth of the country.” he stated

    He said that there will be Juma’at Prayer & Special Lecture on Friday 27/09/19 at the National Mosque, Abuja.

    Interdenominational Christian Service, he said, comes up on Sunday 29/09/19 at the National Christian Center, Abuja.

    On Monday 30/09/19, he said there will be National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit (NYEES2) Independence Edition at the International Conference Center, Abuja.

    On the same day, he said there will be Youth Concert Independence Edition CD at the Millennium Park.

    On Tuesday 01/10/19, he said there will be Independence Media Broadcast by the President by 7am.

    He disclosed that there will also be Presidential Change of Guards and Public Lecture/Gala Night at the State House in the evening of the same day.

  • APC announces candidates for Adamawa council poll

    Following the conduct of primary election to pick chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the local council elections scheduled for November in Adamawa State, the party has announced results for 18 of the 21 local government areas.

    The primary election had commenced throughout the state by 12 noon on Sunday, and results for the 18th LGA arrived the state Secretariat of the party in Yola just before 3pm on Monday as the party was rounding off a press briefing to announce the results that had arrived the secretariat.

    The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Mohammed Abdullahi, who announced the results to newsmen, indicated that the only one woman emerged chairmanship candidate out of the 18 so far determined.

    The publicity secretary gave the names of the elected candidates and their respective LGAs as Muhammed Ribadu Lawal (Mubi North), Musa Usman Teran (Hong), Ahmed Bobo (Maiha), Umar Hamman Joda (Jada), Phillip Ahmed (Shelleng), Mahmud Gurumpawo (Ganye), Hamza Zubairu (Mubi South) and Dumas Maina (Gombi).

    The others are Iya Aliyu Muhammadu (Girei), Ibrahim Abubakar Abba (Yola North), Mark Maina Dauda (Demsa), Joshua Ediba (Lamurde), Salihu Bayos (Mayo-Belwa), Saidu Yahaya Nuhu (Fufore), Diascos Wadube (Michika), Lazarus Kefas (Song), Nafama Timu (Guyuk) and Sophia Elisha (Numan).

    READ ALSO: Over 1,000 PDP, ADC members defect to APC

    Results were still being expected from Yola South, Madagali and Toungo LGAs when this report was filed late afternoon Monday.

    The APC state publicity secretary, who affirmed that Sophia Elisha for Numan LGA was the only woman out of the 18 candidates, recalled that only 13 were women among the 226 councillorship candidates who emerged from the councillorship primary of the party last week.

    He said the poor outcome disappoints the party which had offered free nomination forms to women to encourage their participation.

    “Women are still not coming out” he lamented, telling the newsmen who attended the briefing, “Please educate women to come out. They were offered free nomination forms but they still did not venture out. Please encourage them in your own ways.”

  • Olojo: Ooni begins 7-day seclusion to pray for resuscitation of economy

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has proceeded on a seven-day annual seclusion as this year edition of Olojo festival begins in Ile Ife, Osun State.

    On Sunday evening before ceremonies for seclusion began, the foremost African traditional ruler and the Arole Oodua addressed journalists, where he expressed joy to formally begin the Olojo festival.

    He said he was on a very high spirit to go into seclusion to meet with “God Almighty who owns the Day through fasting and prayers.

    He said he would pray for the resuscitation of the country’s economy while in seclusion.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for setting up an excellent Economic Advisory Council led by Prof. Doyin Salami, warning stakeholders especially those within the presidency to resist attempts to sabotage the council’s efforts in the interest of Nigerians, especially the poor masses.

    While explaining the significance of the seven day seclusion, the Ooni revealed that the God answers prayers during the period, noting that all he prayed for during last year’s seclusion, particularly for peaceful state and general elections were granted by God.

    He said: “I am going into seclusion now just to pray for the presidency that they should provide an enabling environment for the newly economic council to do their job. It is very important. In fact, we have to do it in any way we have to do it because Nigerian economy needs to be resuscitated in a rapid manner for the betterment of our country. I am so much familiar with the pedigrees of all the members and Am so sure they will deliver only if given free hands to work.

    “As a spiritual head of the Yoruba race, I must continue to pray for the country and the government. I must also intercede for the people to support the government and for the government to work for the people. The president has to listen to this wonderful team. Every recommendation must be followed to the later because these are experts carefully selected from all parts of Nigeria. Failure to listen to them might even draw us back.

    “There is problem in Nigeria, we cannot continue to deceive ourselves because if we do so, we are only postponing the evil day. It is important that we do a rapid economic transformation. We are very thankful for having a corrupt-free President and whoever that would not allow him to listen to the council will have God Almighty to contend with.”

    “This time around as the Arole Oduduwa, I am focusing more on how Nigerian economy will be completely turned over. If you look around, you will see unemployed youths everywhere this is the time to pay attention to these kegs of gunpowder that we are all seated upon. To me, I am very excited that the best decision ever made by this current government of Buhari administration is to bring in experts for the economic council because I know that our economic fortunes will change for good.”

  • Hisbah destroys 196,400 bottles of beer in Kano

    Kano State Hisbah Board has destroyed over 196,400 bottles of beer, in its bid to rid the state of consumption of alcohol.

    Speaking shortly after flagging off the destruction exercise at Kalemawa in Dawakin Tofa local Government Area, Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said Islam strongly condemn drinking of Alcohol and all other intoxicants that can distort mental capability of a person.

    “ln Islam, drinking of Alcohol is strongly forbidden being one of the backbones of committing sins either big or small and that has been stated out at several places in the Holy Qur’an.

    “Our Islamic Scholars, religious and community leaders should join hands together in the crusade against such social vices because it is not only Islam that condemns alcohol consumption, to good Christian, consuming alcohol is also prohibited,” he said.

    The Governor represented by his Deputy Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna assured that all other shari’a agencies in the State would enjoy similar promotion and support with State Hisbah board to enable them discharge their mandates.

    READ ALSO: Kano Hisbah arrests 32 beggars

    He said “this Government is a Shari’a compliant Government. We will continue to support the Hisbah Board “.

    Ganduje therefore implored people in the State to accord the needed support and cooperation to the officials of the Hisbah Board, pointing out that…” giving them all the supports to discharge their duties will not only promote their work but ensure that our society become free from evil social acts “.

    In his remarks, the Commander General Kano State Hisbah Board Sheik Haroon Muhammad Sani ibn Sina disclosed that the board had succeeded in preventing selling and drinking of alcohol under the provision of penal Court section (401) of 2013 sharia law in Kano.

    According to him, the Board has got court order to destroy over 12 Tippers of Alcohol confiscated while trying to bring them in to the State which are meant to distort the life of the teaming youth.

    “It is against this background, I call upon the suppliers and those that consume the alcohol to shun this act as Hisbah Board will not relent in its effort to fish out the perpetrators and take them to court at any given time for prosecutions,” he assured.

  • Edo to invest N2.1bn Azura Power Proceeds in Benin Industrial Park

    The anchor investor in the Benin Enterprise and Industrial Park would soon be moving into the facility, as the Edo State Government has finalised plans to invest the N2.1 billion that will accrue from its divestment of 50 per cent of its equity in the Edo-Azura Power Project, into the park.

    In a statement, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the N2.1bn would go a long way in building the needed infrastructure for the park to come on stream.

    According to him, “The state government is going to divest 50 per cent of its equity in Edo Azura Power project. We will be investing the proceeds into the Benin Enterprise and Industrial Park project as we prepare to have the Anchor investor settle down to business.

    “The state government will be providing the needed infrastructure for the project, including access roads and other needed structures to ensure the smooth take-off of the facility.

    Read Also; Obaseki reassures on kidnapping, other crimes

    “We disclosed earlier that we have an anchor investor for the park. With the funds we now have, we have all that is needed to effectively kick-off. Nothing is going to be left to chance. As is characteristic of the governor, this is a masterstroke as we now have funds to begin the project. We expect other investors to cash-in on opportunities in the new industrial corridor.”

    He noted that the N2.1bn would be instrumental in ensuring that the state government meets its obligations to investors, by deploying the fund in constructing the access roads, clearing the environment as well as other physical structures to drive investment.

    He added that the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Enterprise and Industrial Park is being conducted by the Federal Ministry of Environment, which would pave the way for the anchor investor to move into the facility.

  • Edo 2020: Hosa Okunbor yet to be approached to vie for guber election – Aide

    Edo business mogul and billionaire, Captain Hosa Okunbor has denied reports in sections of the social media that he has been approached by some political leaders in the state to contest for next year’s governorship election.

    Captain Hosa said he has never muted the idea to contest for governorship election in the state neither has he been approached for same to the investor who pleaded anonymity.

    A close aide of Captain Hosa who spoke to some select newsmen in Benin City said the development of Edo State remained upper most to him.

    The aide who identified himself as Sir Solomon said the report making round in the social media was a calculated attempt to drag his boss into the political mess in the state.

    He said his boss was concern about the development and advancement of state and described those behind the lies as busybody whose stock in trade continues to spread lies and mischief.

    According to him, “His major preoccupation is how to manage his growing business interest across the globe, and not the issue of governorship.

    READ ALSO: Edo 2020: ‘Captain Okunbo not interested in partisan politics’

    “He is always ready to contribute his quota to the development of the state anytime he is called upon, without necessary being political.

    “I am sure you all know the kind of man Captain is. He will not come out to address this issue but has confided in me severally on it. Being a man that is very close to him and from our discussions overtime on the same subject matter, nobody has actually approached Captain to vie for the governorship in 2020.

    “Whatever information, especially in the social media you here about him, are all figment of the writers opinion and meant to arose ‘silly’ political discuss.

    “Okunbor remain committed to the development of the state, is however more concern on how to manage his business interest that is expanding by the day,” he stated.