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  • Early Jesus goal sends Man City into FA Cup final

    Gabriel Jesus’s early headed goal was enough for quadruple-chasing Manchester City to beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 on Saturday and reach the FA Cup final.

    Back at the scene of their League Cup triumph over Chelsea, Pep Guardiola’s side were not at their rampant best against a Brighton side with their minds still on top-flight survival.

    It took City three minutes to go ahead at a less-than-full Wembley, Jesus diving full length to connect with Kevin De Bruyne’s superb whipped cross.

    Whatever game-plan Brighton boss Chris Hughton had devised to stop a relentless City side was presumably now in tatters, but the expected onslaught did not materialise.

    Read also: Benzema brace gives Real Madrid victory over Eibar

    City had a let-off when Kyle Walker was perhaps fortunate not to get a red card in the first half following a clash with Alireza Jahanbakhsh and they never looked totally secure as Brighton caused problems.

    There were not too many major alarms, however, as City claimed their 21st win from their last 23 matches in all competitions.

    They will play the winners of Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday.

    City lost the Premier League top spot to Liverpool on Friday, although they are only two points adrift with a game in hand. They face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League quarter-finals. (Reuters/NAN)

  • NERC to begin mass metering on May 1

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will begin mass metering for electricity consumers by May 1, to bridge the metering gaps in the country.

    Dr Usman Arabi, NERC General Manager Public Affairs in a statement said the metering will be executed under the Meter Asset Providers(MAP) programme of the Federal Government.

    “The commission issued permits to MAPs on April 5, in accordance with section 4(3) of the MAP Regulations 2018, to MAPs that were successful in the procurements.

    “The procurement was conducted by Abuja Electricity Distribution  Company  Plc  AEDC  and  Jos Electricity Distribution Company Plc (JEDC).

    “Section 4(3) of the MAP Regulation 2018 requires all electricity distribution licensees to engage MAPs that would assist, as investors, in closing the metering gap.

    “AEDC has appointed  Mojec International Limited, Meron Consortium and Turbo Engineering Limited to provide 487,000, 213,000 and 200,000 meters, while JEDC has appointed Triple 7 and Mojec International Limited consortium to provide 500,000 meters.’’

    Arabi said customers of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Jos Electricity Distribution Company(JEDC) should expect meters to be installed in their premises within 10 working days of making payment to MAPs.

    He said the payment and installation of the meters within the time frame was in accordance with section 18 (3) of the MAP Regulations 2018.

    “MAPs shall charge a maximum of N36,991.50 for single phase meters and N67,055.85 for three-phase meters.

    “These costs are inclusive of supply, installation, maintenance and replacement of meters over its technical life,’’Arabi said

    He said NERC  shall monitor closely the rollout plan of distribution licensees and overall compliance with the regulation and various service agreements by the MAP and electricity distribution licensees.(NAN)

  • Conflict claims over 100,000 babies in Nigeria, other countries annually – Report

    At least 550,000 babies reportedly died as a result of armed conflict between 2013 and 2017 in the 10 worst-affected countries, according to a new report by an international nongovernmental organisation, Save the Children.

    The organisation said this is an average of over 100,000 every year.

    The countries include: Afghanistan, Yemen, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Iraq, Mali, Nigeria and Somalia.

    Chief Executive Officer, Save the Children International, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, in a statement in Abuja, said these were the countries where children were hardest hit by conflict in 2017.

    Thorning-Schmidt said the infants succumbed to indirect effects of conflict and war such as hunger, damaged infrastructure and hospitals, a lack of access to health care and sanitation, and the denial of Sis.

    According to Thorning-Schmidt, the babies probably would not have died if they had not been living in areas affected by conflict.

    “Our report shows that the way today’s wars are being fought is causing more suffering for children. Almost one in five children are living in areas impacted by conflict- more than at any time in the past two decades. The number of children being killed or maimed has more than tripled, and we are seeing an alarming increase in the use of aid as a weapon of war.

    Read also: Ending banditry remains key priority of my administration – Buhari

    “It is shocking that in the 21st century we are going backwards on principles and moral standards that are so simple – children and civilians should never be targeted,” he said.

    Also, the Country Director of the organisation, Ben Foot, at the launch of Stop the War on Children campaign in Abuja, said that Save the Children analysis showed that the situation was getting worse.

    He said: “Our analysis clearly shows the situation is getting worse for children and the world is allowing this travesty to happen.

    “Everyday children come under attack because armed groups and military groups disregard international laws and treaties. From the use of chemical weapons to rape as a weapon of war, war crimes are being committed with impunity.”

    The organisation called on the international community not to tolerate and hold accountable perpetrators who break the rule of war, urging independent bodies to probe and analyse all violations of humanitarian laws, human rights especially children rights.

  • Ending banditry remains key priority of my administration – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured Nigerians that ending banditry remains a key priority of his administration.

    In a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, Buhari said that would do whatever it takes to ensure the country’s security system confronts these public enemies with merciless determination.

    Buhari was reacting to the recent spike in reported incidents of banditry and kidnappings in some parts of the country.

    To this end, the President vowed that ending criminality.

    The president condoled with all those affected by the unfortunate events.

    Buhari described as ridiculous allegation of indifferent being levelled against him in some quarters.

    “How can I be happy and indifferent to the senseless killings of my fellow citizens by bandits?

    “I am human and I understand the pains of the victims and their families who have been traumatized and impoverished by constant ransom demands by bandits.

    Read also: Buhari committed in the fight against corruption, says youth group

    “The politicisation of tragedy reveals the darkest sides of our primitive politics. Almost every week, I summon my security chiefs to get an update on the strategies being devised to defeat these mass murderers.

    “There is no issue that dominates my mind every 24 hours like security, because as an elected President, protecting life and property remains primary function of my administration.

    “I constantly listen to our security personnel in order to understand their problems and needs, and I have never hesitated to attend to those needs in terms of motivating and equipping them to respond effectively to our security challenges.

    “It is therefore ridiculous to suggest that I am indifferent to these killings.

    “I have ordered rapid and robust deployment of troops to all the areas currently under attack from bandits and we are determined to tackle this challenge ferociously until these remorseless killers are crushed and utterly defeated,” Buhari said.

    He, however, called on communities affected by banditry to support and cooperate with the security agencies, particularly the recently launched Operation Puff Adder to battle bandits and kidnappers.

    The President said it was regrettable that bandits had informants within some communities and utterly reprehensible that certain communities had signed protection deals with bandits at the expense of other communities, thereby creating complications and frustrating government’s intervention

    He appealed to communities to report suspicious movements of the bandits into their areas within the shortest available opportunity, especially considering the fact that  “intelligence is critical to detecting, frustrating, neutralising and defeating the criminals.” (NAN)

  • Benzema brace gives Real Madrid victory over Eibar

    Karim Benzema scored twice as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Eibar 2-1 at home on Saturday in Zinedine Zidane’s 100th La Liga game in charge of the club.

    Benzema had an early strike disallowed at a barely half-full Santiago Bernabeu for offside while the visitors took a surprise lead in the 39th minute thanks to a cool finish from forward Marc Cardona, who is on loan from Barcelona.

    Eibar had humbled Madrid 3-0 back in November and looked to be on course to do the double on the deposed European champions until Benzema headed in an equaliser in the 59th minute, shortly after being denied again by the linesman’s flag.

    Benzema netted another header in the 81st minute to put Madrid in front and the Frenchman passed up two opportunities to clinch a hat-trick in the closing stages, missing the target and then hitting the post in stoppage time.

    Madrid moved on to 60 points after 31 games, thanks to the victory but remain third in the standings, 10 points behind leaders, Barcelona, who host nearest challengers, Atletico Madrid in a top-of-the-table clash later on Saturday.

    “We have had many games like that this season, I don’t think we lacked attitude; but we did lack confidence and we didn’t have a clear idea of how we wanted to play,” said Madrid defender Nacho.

    “At halftime Zidane told us to show character and be more confident. We managed to react well to going behind and we played well in the second half.”

    Read Also: Ronaldo, Benzema seal title for Madrid

    Madrid had fallen to their first defeat since Zidane returned to the club with Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Valencia and the Frenchman again made several changes to his side, who have nothing to play for but pride in the remainder of the campaign.

    He rested captain Sergio Ramos and dropped Toni Kroos and Casemiro to the bench in favour of inexperienced Uruguayan midfieder Federico Valverde, while bringing Spanish youngster Sergio Reguilon back in for the suspended Marcelo.

    Gareth Bale also returned to the line-up and he put the cross in for Benzema’s first disallowed goal but had strayed offside before he made the pass.

    The Wales international again came in for heavy boos from his own supporters for two missed chances and was taken off for Kroos with the game tied at 1-1.

    The Germany midfielder bore the brunt of criticism for the defeat in Valencia but made amends by picking out Benzema for the winning goal.

    NAN

  • Nigeria, others begin battle for WJC slots in Ghana

    Nigeria will be aiming to have a glorious return to the global stage at junior level as the battle for the African slots at the ITTF World Junior Championships (WJC) begins on April 7 at the 2019 African Junior and Cadet Championships in Ghana.

    Already, a record entry has been confirmed for the continental showpiece holding at the Sports Emporium in Bukom, Accra as Nigeria contends with the likes of Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroun, Congo DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Mauritius, Eritrea, Burundi, Benin Republic, Togo, South Africa, Angola, Libya, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire and host – Ghana.

    The African tournament also serves as the platform to select the African Cadet team for the World Cadet Challenge holding in October in Poland, while the WJC will be hosted by Thailand in December.

    Defending champion – Egypt will be aiming to hold on to their titles in all the events but the return of another continent’s superpower – Nigeria may pose a threat to the North African ambition.

    For the President of African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, this is indeed a record entry. “It seems we are going to have historical event with the highest level of entries since 2001, with 180 players representing about 20 countries listed for the 2019 African Junior and Cadet Championships. We look forward to an exciting tournament in a cordial and friendly atmosphere in the beautiful country of Ghana,” El-Salhy said.

    To affirm its readiness for the competition, Nigeria has showed its class at the ITTF World Junior Circuit after dominating the event to emerge as the best team of the tournament last week.

    Ghana will also be relying on the skills of 11-year-old Ibrahim Gado Nuhu who claimed the sole gold medal won by Ghana at the ITTF World Junior Circuit.

    Already, all the teams are in Accra for the one-week battle as players and teams compete in events like team, singles and doubles in the junior and cadet categories.

    The top three teams in the junior team event will qualify for the World Junior Championship holding later in the year in Thailand while the best five players in the boys and girls cadet singles will form the African Cadet Team to the World Cadet Challenge in Poland later in the year.

  • Buhari committed in the fight against corruption, says youth group

    The Youth Project for the Promotion of Democracy and Good Governance (YPPDGG) has called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s ambition to rid the country of corruption and poverty.

    In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Shuaibu Mustapha and made available to journalists in Kano, the group urged Nigerians to restore their confidence in the leadership of President Buhari, insisting that his re-election will bring better tides for the country.

    According to the Statement, “We want to seize this opportunity to commend Nigerians for giving President Buhari another mandate. We are not unaware of the perceived sufferings of the masses. In any case, we want to urge Nigerians to remain resolute and pitch their tent with the desire of the ruling All Progress Congress (APC) government to take our great nation to the Next Level.

    Read Also: Unemployment: Nigeria needs skillful youths – Buhari

    “President Muhammadu Buhari’s government should be appreciated in somewhat ways such as the N-Power programme which has directly and indirectly touched the lives of the Nigerian youths. In spite of the undue propanganda being peddled by the opposition, Buhari’s government has recorded huge achievements in agriculture, infrastructural development, power and technology.

    “We have persistently observed the tremendous efforts being put in place by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, His Excellency, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu which has continued to empower Nigerian youths.”

    The group noted that, “the Ministry of Science and Technology under Ogbonnaya Onu  has remained committed towards intensifying research and innovation, as well as, increase the awareness among the people in the country of the importance of science and technology to their daily needs.”

    The group also commended President Buhari for his unrelenting efforts in the fight against corruption and called on Nigerians to lend their support to incumbent government in that regard.

    On the issue of insecurity, the group hailed President Buhari’s resolve to stamp out terrorism, kidnapping and youth restiveness, pointing out that Nigeria can only get better when Nigerians see the fight against insecurity as a personal project.

     

     

  • Buhari greets Olagunju at 60

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm greetings to Mr Waheed Olagunju, former Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry Limited and Executive Director of Small and Medium Enterprises on his 60th birthday, April 7th, 2019.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, celebrated with all family members, friends and associates of Olagunju.

    Read Also: Buhari vindicated by Onnoghen’s resignation —APC  

    Buhari congratulated him for always making himself available for service to the nation and humanity, which is centrally motivated by his fear of God and sense of patriotism.

    President Buhari commended the former Acting Managing Director of Bank of Industry for playing a significant role in supporting the vision of diversifying the Nigerian economy through innovative and actionable ideas that translated into growth of more Small and Medium Enterprises across the country.

    As Olagunju turns 60, the President prayed that the almighty God will grant him long life, good health and strength to continue serving the country.

     

  • Adeleke qualifies to be governor, says Appeal Court

    The Akure division of the Court of Appeal has said the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke was eligible to contest the election.

    With the ruling, the controversies surrounding the eligibility of the lawmaker to contest the election or hold the office as a governor might have ended.

    The Appeal Court in its ruling dismissed an appeal against the judgment of an Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo which had earlier confirmed the eligibility of Adeleke to contest the governorship election.

    An Osun State High Court had earlier ruled that Adeleke was qualified to contest for the governorship election, having been educated up to secondary school level.

    The petitioners, however, proceeded to appeal against the ruling, maintaining that the Senator was not qualified and therefore Dr Akin Ogunbiyi who is the second runner up at the governorship primary should be declared the winner of the primary election of the party.

    The Appeal Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital in its ruling dismissed the appeal on three grounds, affirming the judgment of the lower court that confirmed the eligibility of Adeleke.

    The first ground was that the court has no jurisdiction to hear the case.

    Read also: We didn’t see Adeleke in exam hall, NECO supervisors tell court

    The second was that the sponsored petitioner; one Kingsley Awosiyan from Ife Central has no locus standi to file the case and third was that the matter was brought to court outside the stipulated 14 days after the conduct of the Governorship primary election.

    Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Adeleke, Nathaniel Oke said the latest judgment has knocked out the judgment of an Abuja High Court and rendered its conclusion ineffective, null and void with no
    effect on the candidacy of the PDP candidate for the September 2018 gubernatorial election.

    He said the Abuja High court judgment had contradicted the Osogbo High court verdict by rejecting testimonies of WAEC, an examination body which in a sworn affidavit confirmed that Ademola Adeleke sat for its examination with attached results.

  • Customs committee distributes 8,834 bags of rice, others to Orphanage, IDPs

    The Nigeria customs Service Sub-Committee on distribution of relief materials to orphanage and IDPs nationwide, has distributed over 8,834 bags of foreign rice, spaghetti, foreign sugar, mosquito coils, as well as vegetable oils and bales of used clothes to orphanage and IDPs in Kano.

    The Chairman of the committee, comptroller of Customs, Yakubu Salihu, told reporters in Kano on Saturday during the documentation exercise, said that over  110 orphanage homes including IDPs has benefited from the on-going distribution exercise .

    Read Also: Customs command generates N814.7m

    According to him, “the compilation of issuing the landing certificate is still in progress as it is now, we have over 110 orphanage homes and IDPs that has been attended to. We have gone round and verify the authenticity of those orphanage homes of which we have seen that really, they do exist.

    “We have spent three days in Kano working according to the mandate given to us. We have been to other places in northern Nigeria and we have done our outmost best as regards to the distributions of these relief materials to orphanages and IDPs.

    “We can see the large crowd of people outside reason being that they are not aware of the mandate given to the committee. Our mandate is very clear and I have to categorically tell you that we deal only with orphanage and IDPs.

    All you see us doing here, is on child development and we have criteria for doing that, what we are dealing with here is documentation requirements which would show the level of transparency and accountability in whatever we are doing, same things goes for the IDPs.

    “We have procedure and processes as you can see the process is on-going onto the time the landing certificate would be issued for them to go and load and that complete the process which is very critical to this exercise.

    Salihu explained that “On the part of the beneficiaries, people that just came around didn’t know that certain documentary evidence is required but we tried as much as we can to see that, we scrutinized their documents properly, those that met the requirements, we give them a clean slate and we give them what is required of them.

    There are so many challenges the committee is facing, we see all manners of people coming out from nowhere such as tailors, hair dressers and farmers’ associations and not what trying to get the goodies of the federal government, but that is basically not the intention of the Government.

    “In as much as the government wants to alleviate the sufferings of the people, the particular targets are the Orphans and the vulnerable ones”  he said.