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SALKARB`s BLOG: Buhari to workers: bigger minimum wage coming: President advises governors to pay salary arrears before Xmas 50% Paris Club refund for states Workers got some cheery news yesterday f...
November 2017
Latest News and Information
President advises governors to pay salary arrears before Xmas
50% Paris Club refund for states
Workers got some cheery news yesterday from the President — the N18,000 minimum wage will go up.
President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee, noting that the last minimum wage instrument had expired. He said the government’s move was to ensure a fair and decent living wage for workers.
Labour leaders were excited about the development.
Buhari said: “You are all aware that during the period following the increase in petrol pump price in May 2016, a technical committee was established to examine and make recommendations to government on the measures to be adopted to cushion the envisaged painful effects of the increase on workers and the Nigerian populace at large.”
”During the deliberations of the technical committee, which comprised government and organised labour, the need for the review of the National Minimum Wage was highlighted and recommendation to set up a committee to look into the level of minimum wage was made accordingly. I am glad that the recommendation is being acted upon today and we can all acknowledge that this is in line with our democratic process. I wish to thank all those who participated in that exercise,” he said.
The President stressed that the scope of the membership of the committee showed that it is all encompassing. He hoped that the outcome of its deliberations would be generally acceptable.
Buhari urged the members to consider the National Minimum Wage and all matters that are ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of the workforce but the effect on the economy.
He said: “The subject of a National Minimum Wage for the Federation is within the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Accordingly, we should aim to go above the basic Social Protection Floor for all Nigerian workers based on the ability of each tier of government to pay.
”I say this because minimum wage is the minimum amount of
compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour
and, as such, should be anchored on social justice and equity.
”Government’s decision after considering your final recommendation will be sent as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for it to undergo appropriate legislative scrutiny before passage into law.
”As is evident by the membership of the committee, state governors and private sector employers are part of this process. This will ensure ease of implementation of a new Minimum Wage nationwide.
”I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with Social Partners and their direct participation would be utilized by the Committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria).
”Accordingly, conditions of genuine Social Dialogue should prevail in the spirit of Tripartism and Collective Bargaining Agreements. I, therefore, enjoin you all to collectively bargain in good faith, have mutual recognition for each other and always in a spirit of give and take.
”The Committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to enable other requisite machinery to be set in motion for implementation of a new National Minimum Wage,” Buhari said
Former Head of Service of the Federation Ama Pepple, is to chair the committee
The Federal Government team is led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is deputy chairman. The chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission,Chief Richard Egbule, is secretary.
Others in the federal government team are the minister, Budget and Planning, Udo Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun; head of the Civil Service of the Federation Winifred Oyo-Ita ; permanent secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Roy Ugo.
A team from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) includes Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (South West), Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (Souh East), Gombe State Governor Hassan Dankwambo (North East), Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (South South), Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong (North Central), and Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (North West). The director-general of NGF, A. B. Okauru, will be an observer.
On the trade union’s side, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president Ayuba Wabba leads a team that includes comrades Peters Adeyemi, Kiri Mohammed, Amechi Asugwuni, Peter Ozo-Eson .
In the Trade Union Congress (TUC) team, led by its president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama , are Sunday Olusoji Salako, Alade Bashir Lawa and Igwe Achese, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) president.
On the employers’ side are the director-general, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, Mr Timothy Olawale (NECA), Mr. Chuma Nwankwo (NECA); Mr Olubunmi Adekoje, Director-General, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI); Alhaji Ahmed Ladan Gobir, chairman, Kaduna East Branch, Manufacturers’ Association (MAN), Otunba Francis Oluwagbenro (MAN); Hajia Muheeba Dankaka, president, Kano Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Prince Degun Agboade, president, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME)
Ngige said: “Today is a remarkable day because this is a journey we started in May 2016. In May 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to do appropriate pricing for petroleum products and because of that, the pump price of petroleum and kerosene and others had to take their real pricing.
“Coincidentally, some weeks before then, the Trade Union Congress and National Labour Congress (NLC) served the government a notice that the minimum wage would lapse in the next one month. They made a proposal to Mr. President on what they think will be the realistic national minimum wage.
”At the time the fuel price was increased, there was disquiet, resulting in industrial dispute between the labour unions on one side and the government on the other side.
”Those recommendations came to council and council approved them and set up a 30-man minimum wage committee.”
According to him, the minimum wage is aimed at removing the problem of what the International Labour Organisation (ILO) calls “poverty pain”.
50% Paris Club refund for states
Workers got some cheery news yesterday from the President — the N18,000 minimum wage will go up.
President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee, noting that the last minimum wage instrument had expired. He said the government’s move was to ensure a fair and decent living wage for workers.
Buhari said: “You are all aware that during the period following the increase in petrol pump price in May 2016, a technical committee was established to examine and make recommendations to government on the measures to be adopted to cushion the envisaged painful effects of the increase on workers and the Nigerian populace at large.”
”During the deliberations of the technical committee, which comprised government and organised labour, the need for the review of the National Minimum Wage was highlighted and recommendation to set up a committee to look into the level of minimum wage was made accordingly. I am glad that the recommendation is being acted upon today and we can all acknowledge that this is in line with our democratic process. I wish to thank all those who participated in that exercise,” he said.
The President stressed that the scope of the membership of the committee showed that it is all encompassing. He hoped that the outcome of its deliberations would be generally acceptable.
Buhari urged the members to consider the National Minimum Wage and all matters that are ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of the workforce but the effect on the economy.
He said: “The subject of a National Minimum Wage for the Federation is within the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Accordingly, we should aim to go above the basic Social Protection Floor for all Nigerian workers based on the ability of each tier of government to pay.
”Government’s decision after considering your final recommendation will be sent as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for it to undergo appropriate legislative scrutiny before passage into law.
”As is evident by the membership of the committee, state governors and private sector employers are part of this process. This will ensure ease of implementation of a new Minimum Wage nationwide.
”I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with Social Partners and their direct participation would be utilized by the Committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria).
”Accordingly, conditions of genuine Social Dialogue should prevail in the spirit of Tripartism and Collective Bargaining Agreements. I, therefore, enjoin you all to collectively bargain in good faith, have mutual recognition for each other and always in a spirit of give and take.
”The Committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to enable other requisite machinery to be set in motion for implementation of a new National Minimum Wage,” Buhari said
Former Head of Service of the Federation Ama Pepple, is to chair the committee
The Federal Government team is led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is deputy chairman. The chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission,Chief Richard Egbule, is secretary.
Others in the federal government team are the minister, Budget and Planning, Udo Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun; head of the Civil Service of the Federation Winifred Oyo-Ita ; permanent secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Roy Ugo.
A team from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) includes Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (South West), Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (Souh East), Gombe State Governor Hassan Dankwambo (North East), Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (South South), Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong (North Central), and Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (North West). The director-general of NGF, A. B. Okauru, will be an observer.
On the trade union’s side, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president Ayuba Wabba leads a team that includes comrades Peters Adeyemi, Kiri Mohammed, Amechi Asugwuni, Peter Ozo-Eson .
In the Trade Union Congress (TUC) team, led by its president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama , are Sunday Olusoji Salako, Alade Bashir Lawa and Igwe Achese, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) president.
On the employers’ side are the director-general, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, Mr Timothy Olawale (NECA), Mr. Chuma Nwankwo (NECA); Mr Olubunmi Adekoje, Director-General, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI); Alhaji Ahmed Ladan Gobir, chairman, Kaduna East Branch, Manufacturers’ Association (MAN), Otunba Francis Oluwagbenro (MAN); Hajia Muheeba Dankaka, president, Kano Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Prince Degun Agboade, president, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME)
Ngige said: “Today is a remarkable day because this is a journey we started in May 2016. In May 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to do appropriate pricing for petroleum products and because of that, the pump price of petroleum and kerosene and others had to take their real pricing.
“Coincidentally, some weeks before then, the Trade Union Congress and National Labour Congress (NLC) served the government a notice that the minimum wage would lapse in the next one month. They made a proposal to Mr. President on what they think will be the realistic national minimum wage.
”At the time the fuel price was increased, there was disquiet, resulting in industrial dispute between the labour unions on one side and the government on the other side.
”Those recommendations came to council and council approved them and set up a 30-man minimum wage committee.”
According to him, the minimum wage is aimed at removing the problem of what the International Labour Organisation (ILO) calls “poverty pain”.
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Cross River State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the
destruction of over 50 shops after Monday’s fire incident at the Yoruba
section of Watt market in Calabar.
Mr John Inaku, SEMA Director General, who said this after a visit to the area on Tuesday, said the cause of the fire was still unknown.
“Up till now, the cause of the fire is still unknown; over 50 shops were affected during the tragic incident.
“I am here on the directives of the State Government to ascertain the
cause of the outbreak and to report back so that something can be done
to alleviate the plights of the victims.
“If you take a critical look at the shops, they are closely located. This makes it easy for the fire to spread quickly from one shop to another.
“My advice to shop owners is that they should always put off their appliances after close of business; this would go a long way to prevent disasters like this,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fire affected mostly electrical, provision, jewellery and book shops in the market.
NAN further reports that no casualty was recorded.
(NAN)
Mr John Inaku, SEMA Director General, who said this after a visit to the area on Tuesday, said the cause of the fire was still unknown.
“Up till now, the cause of the fire is still unknown; over 50 shops were affected during the tragic incident.
“If you take a critical look at the shops, they are closely located. This makes it easy for the fire to spread quickly from one shop to another.
“My advice to shop owners is that they should always put off their appliances after close of business; this would go a long way to prevent disasters like this,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fire affected mostly electrical, provision, jewellery and book shops in the market.
NAN further reports that no casualty was recorded.
(NAN)
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Imo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike
Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri
There was confusion on Monday at Orji, a
suburb of Owerri, the Imo State capital, after a gas plant exploded and
killed four persons.
The deaths occurred just three days
after a truck, laden with diesel, rammed into an 18-seater bus on the
Umuaka bridge on the Owerri-Orlu expressway, where 19 persons were burnt
to death.
The gas explosion occurred around 4.35pm, at Okpokiri petroleum station, in the vicinity of two commercial banks.
When our correspondent visited the scene of the tragedy around 5pm, four lifeless bodies were sighted.
Pieces of the bodies littered the premises of the plant.
Policemen from the Orji Divisional
Police Station, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ude Umanta, a
Superintendent of Police, and others were at the scene of the incident.
The two banks, located opposite and
beside the fuel station, were forced to close for the day as part of the
buildings were affected by the effect from the explosion.
Some bank customers and motorists at the fuel station were injured and were rushed to the hospital.
One of the survivors, Adubackoja
Ochowotia, told our correspondent that while two of his colleagues died
on the spot, two members of staff of the filling station equally lost
their lives.
Ochowotia, a Benue State indigene said,
“We came from Abuja to fix the gas plant. We were working on it when the
oxygen exploded and killed two of my colleagues.”
The 28-year-old survivor gave the names of his dead colleagues as Adeyemi Wasiu from Oyo State and one Maruf.
A senior police officer, who spoke on
condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the
press on the incident, confirmed to our correspondent that four persons
died in the explosion.
He stated, “The gas plant exploded
around 4.35pm and before we could arrive at the plant, four persons
already died. The survivors had been taken to the hospital.
“From our preliminary investigation, it was an explosion from a gas plant that was being worked on by artisans from Abuja.
“The two banks here and some cars were
affected. The state Commissioner of Police Chris Ezike, has drafted more
men to the scene to help us manage the situation.
“Several buildings around this place,
including some people making use of the Automated Teller Machines, were
affected. The situation is under control.”
The management of the fuel station refused to speak to The PUNCH on the explosion.
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Brig.- Gen. Sani Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations, said this in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
Kukasheka said that the troops also rescued 30 persons, captured one insurgent and recovered various caliber of ammunition from the insurgents.
He said that the troops had also cleared insurgents in their hideouts
at Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari,
Gashimari and Awaram villages in Bama local government area.
Kukasheka explained that 8 insurgents were killed while many of them escaped in the affected villages, adding that three males; 12 females and 15 children were rescued from the insurgents.
The army spokesman also disclosed that the troops also ambushed and killed six insurgents at Kumshe and Darel-Jamel villages.
According to him, the arrested insurgent was handed over to the appropriate authorities for intonation.
“Troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army in Conjunction with elements of Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) on Operations LAFIYA DOLE, in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II, on Saturday Nov. 25, 2017, cleared Boko Haram terrorists’ enclaves in Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari and Awaram amongst other villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
“The troops whose continuous resolve in routing out the remnants of the suspected terrorists hibernating within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility ensured that their superior fire power made the terrorists to flee in disarray, leading to the capture of one suspected terrorist while eight Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised.
“The gallant troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, three magazines, seven Dane guns, machetes, amongst other items.
“In addition, the troops also rescued three men, 12 women and 15 Children, among whom were an aged man and a woman held captives by the Boko Haram terrorists.
“The suspected terrorist has been handed over to the relevant
authorities for further interrogation, while the rescued civilian
captives are being attended to.
“Similarly, troops of 152 Battalion of the Brigade deployed as a blocking force at the Foward Operations Base, Kumshe, to aid a successful clearance operation ambushed some fleeing unsuspecting Boko Haram terrorists and neutralised five fleeing terrorists, while troops of 151 Battalion also deployed at the Forward Operations Base, Darel Jamel, neutralised a terrorist in an ambush.”
(NAN)
Kukasheka said that the troops also rescued 30 persons, captured one insurgent and recovered various caliber of ammunition from the insurgents.
Kukasheka explained that 8 insurgents were killed while many of them escaped in the affected villages, adding that three males; 12 females and 15 children were rescued from the insurgents.
The army spokesman also disclosed that the troops also ambushed and killed six insurgents at Kumshe and Darel-Jamel villages.
According to him, the arrested insurgent was handed over to the appropriate authorities for intonation.
“Troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army in Conjunction with elements of Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) on Operations LAFIYA DOLE, in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II, on Saturday Nov. 25, 2017, cleared Boko Haram terrorists’ enclaves in Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari and Awaram amongst other villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
“The troops whose continuous resolve in routing out the remnants of the suspected terrorists hibernating within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility ensured that their superior fire power made the terrorists to flee in disarray, leading to the capture of one suspected terrorist while eight Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised.
“The gallant troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, three magazines, seven Dane guns, machetes, amongst other items.
“In addition, the troops also rescued three men, 12 women and 15 Children, among whom were an aged man and a woman held captives by the Boko Haram terrorists.
“Similarly, troops of 152 Battalion of the Brigade deployed as a blocking force at the Foward Operations Base, Kumshe, to aid a successful clearance operation ambushed some fleeing unsuspecting Boko Haram terrorists and neutralised five fleeing terrorists, while troops of 151 Battalion also deployed at the Forward Operations Base, Darel Jamel, neutralised a terrorist in an ambush.”
(NAN)
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Kamarudeen Ogundele and Oladimeji Ramon
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele
Fayose, has criticised human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), over
the allegation by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar
Malami (SAN), linking the lawyer to a N1bn property on Gana Street,
Maitama, Abuja.
Fayose said it was embarrassing,
shameful, disgraceful that a man of Falana’s standing, reputed to be a
human rights activist, friend of the masses, crusader of justice and
defender of democracy, could be linked to such a scandal.
The embattled former chairman of the
defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, had accused Falana
of buying the building which was one of the properties he helped to
seize from suspected pension thieves and handed over to the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission.
Malami had while testifying before the
National Assembly last week, echoed the allegation, saying the property
was sold to a ‘Lagos lawyer.’
Reacting in a statement on Monday,
Fayose said it was sad and shameful that Falana could be “cited in such
an odious, obscene, and offensive conduct.”
He said it was not surprising that
Falana had taken it upon himself to always defend the EFCC, even when
the anti-graft agency acted lawlessly, since the lawyer was allegedly
benefitting from the EFCC.
Fayose said, “Linking Falana to
illegally-acquired properties seized by the EFCC is bad enough but the
facts provided by Malami make the case against Falana even worse. This
must be the real reason why Falana always fall head over heels in
defence of the EFCC and Magu, not minding the vicious violations of the
constitutionally-guaranteed rights, freedoms, and liberties of citizens.
“What we have always suspected has now
been confirmed publicly and by no less a person as the Attorney General
of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
“Falana’s alleged unprincipled and
disgusting defence of the EFCC and Magu’s penchant for disrespect of the
rule of law and due process is for selfish reasons and personal gain.”
Fayose said the Federal Government must investigate Falana and not allow the matter be swept under the carpet.
But reacting to the call for his probe
by Fayose, Falana, in a telephone interview with one of our
correspondents, lambasted the governor for failing to pay attention to
his earlier explanation on his connection with the property.
He challenged Fayose and the AGF to
approach the court to seek a forfeiture order on the N1bn property if
they were sure it was proceeds of crime.
Falana said, “I stand by my earlier
defence that I never bought the house from the EFCC and I challenge him
(Fayose) and the Attorney General to show the evidence. I challenge the
garrulous Governor of Ekiti State to prove the monstrous allegation that
I bought a house from the EFCC.
He added, “Since Mr. Ayo Fayose has not
paid attention to the fact and circumstances of the case, I advise him
to study my explanation that the house in question is a subject matter
of a pending suit before the Federal High Court and that the house has
been forfeited to AMCON in the interim.
“The EFCC is not a party to the case.
So, if Mr. Ayo Fayose wants to join the suit, he’s free, he is at
liberty to approach the Federal High Court holding at Abuja to prove his
allegation. But his is a case of Ajegbodo to nweni kun ’ra. (The one
recklessly eating fresh yam will always want to co-opt others into the
deal.) .
“As of today, he has already forfeited
six houses to the government of Nigeria. So, if he is sure that that
this is proceeds of crime, he should apply to have it forfeited. He
should contact the Attorney General, Mr. Malami, to apply to have the
house forfeited, if they are sure that the house is proceeds of crime.”
Falana said the governor had been
looking for a way to attack him “since I pressured the state to charge
Mr. Fayose and his armed goons with the cold-blooded murder of Dr. Ayo
Daramola and Tunde Omojola.”
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The baby thrown down fourth-floor window. (SUN photo)
A nineteen-year-old student threw her newborn baby out of a
fourth-floor window after secretly giving birth in her university room,
according to reports.
The horrifying incident is said to have happened at Xi’an Engineering Technology College in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, north-western China.
Disturbing footage seemingly showing the dead tot wrapped in a bed sheet lying on the ground beneath the dormitory building was circulated online.
The infant – whose gender was not given – was later found by a campus
security guard and pronounced dead by hospital staff, reports said.
The student was said to be a resident on the fourth floor of the dormitory.
Policemen probing the incident reportedly said the young woman – who was studying nursery education – was in a stable condition and had been brought back to her family.
She is said to have told authorities she got pregnant in February but kept it a secret.
Neither her relatives nor any staff at her school knew and did not suspect anything because she was always in class.
One unnamed teacher was quoted as saying: “One thing is certain: she is a good child. She never missed class.
“During the eight or nine months (she was pregnant), it included the summer holidays in August and September. So, if her family didn’t know, there is no way we could have.”
The police have yet to reveal the identity of the child’s father, but teachers reportedly said he was not a student of the university.
Investigators said they were now in the process of determining
whether the infant died before or after being thrown from the dormitory
window.
(SUN)
The horrifying incident is said to have happened at Xi’an Engineering Technology College in Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, north-western China.
Disturbing footage seemingly showing the dead tot wrapped in a bed sheet lying on the ground beneath the dormitory building was circulated online.
The student was said to be a resident on the fourth floor of the dormitory.
Policemen probing the incident reportedly said the young woman – who was studying nursery education – was in a stable condition and had been brought back to her family.
She is said to have told authorities she got pregnant in February but kept it a secret.
Neither her relatives nor any staff at her school knew and did not suspect anything because she was always in class.
One unnamed teacher was quoted as saying: “One thing is certain: she is a good child. She never missed class.
“During the eight or nine months (she was pregnant), it included the summer holidays in August and September. So, if her family didn’t know, there is no way we could have.”
The police have yet to reveal the identity of the child’s father, but teachers reportedly said he was not a student of the university.
(SUN)
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A 45-year-old Marketer, Samsideen Apanisile, on Monday sought the
dissolution of his 14 years marriage to his wife, Basirat, at an Ikorodu
Customary Court in Lagos State, for allegedly communicating with her
ex-lover on Facebook.
Apanisile, the Petitioner and a resident of Aladiye Community in Ikorodu, told the court to dissolve the union over claims that his wife was communicating with a man, whom he suspected to be her ex-lover.
“My wife fornicates. Apart from that, she is very disrespectful to me and my family.
“I have proof of her communication with men on Facebook. I have a print-out of her conversation from her Facebook inbox.
“I am fed up with the union. I can no longer live with an adulterous wife. An adulterous wife can kill her husband, please separate us,” he told the court.
However, the 44-year-old respondent, Basirat, a trader and mother of four children, denied the claim and accused her husband of not making her happy.
“My husband is always making phone calls. He does not have time for me.
“He is accusing me of infidelity but I was never jealous when he brought another woman to our house.
“I am not fornicating as he has alleged. There is no man that would marry me with four children. I plead for settlement,” she said.
The petitioner tendered a printout of his wife’s alleged conversation with men on Facebook to the court.
The President of the Court, Mrs Funmi Adeola, urged both parties to remain in peace, while the court would commence a series of investigations into the matter.
She adjourned the case until Dec. 4, for continuation of hearing.
Apanisile, the Petitioner and a resident of Aladiye Community in Ikorodu, told the court to dissolve the union over claims that his wife was communicating with a man, whom he suspected to be her ex-lover.
“My wife fornicates. Apart from that, she is very disrespectful to me and my family.
“I am fed up with the union. I can no longer live with an adulterous wife. An adulterous wife can kill her husband, please separate us,” he told the court.
However, the 44-year-old respondent, Basirat, a trader and mother of four children, denied the claim and accused her husband of not making her happy.
“My husband is always making phone calls. He does not have time for me.
“He is accusing me of infidelity but I was never jealous when he brought another woman to our house.
“I am not fornicating as he has alleged. There is no man that would marry me with four children. I plead for settlement,” she said.
The petitioner tendered a printout of his wife’s alleged conversation with men on Facebook to the court.
The President of the Court, Mrs Funmi Adeola, urged both parties to remain in peace, while the court would commence a series of investigations into the matter.
Latest News and Information
The Federal Government has said that war against corruption
remains the toughest of all the three broad issues that it campaigned
with among all its three cardinal points before the conduct of the 2015
general elections.
The other two cardinal points are revamping of the economy and tackling insecurity.
It, therefore, called on the media to stop mocking the Federal Government over its declaration of war against corruption.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 68th General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria.
The theme of the conference was, “The Media and the fight against corruption.”
Rather than mocking, Mohammed said, the media should join hands with the government in its determination to stamp out corruption in the country.
He said the fight must not be seen as that of President Muhammadu Buhari alone, warning that corruption is capable of killing the country if not well tackled.
He said, “Without mincing words, let me use this platform to appeal directly to the media in general to join this administration in facing down the problem of corruption.
“As we have said times without number, this fight must not be seen as Buhari’s fight. It must not be seen as the Federal Government’s fight. It is our fight.
“If we fail to win by defeating corruption, it will simply kill us as a nation.
“This appeal to the media to join us in the fight
against corruption is borne out of the fact that the Fourth Estate of
the Realm cannot afford to sit on the fence as far as this fight
is concerned.
“We are not saying the media should not criticise us over our strategy against the fight, but they should stop mocking us.
“In recent times, it is not unusual to read such headlines as ‘Buhari’s government losing anti-corruption war;’ ‘Buhari’s anti-corruption war is failing;’ ‘Arewa Youths knock President Buhari over failing anti-corruption war,’ etc.
“This is sheer mockery, not reporting! And this war is not Buhari’s war. It is our war.”
The other two cardinal points are revamping of the economy and tackling insecurity.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 68th General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria.
The theme of the conference was, “The Media and the fight against corruption.”
Rather than mocking, Mohammed said, the media should join hands with the government in its determination to stamp out corruption in the country.
He said the fight must not be seen as that of President Muhammadu Buhari alone, warning that corruption is capable of killing the country if not well tackled.
He said, “Without mincing words, let me use this platform to appeal directly to the media in general to join this administration in facing down the problem of corruption.
“As we have said times without number, this fight must not be seen as Buhari’s fight. It must not be seen as the Federal Government’s fight. It is our fight.
“If we fail to win by defeating corruption, it will simply kill us as a nation.
“We are not saying the media should not criticise us over our strategy against the fight, but they should stop mocking us.
“In recent times, it is not unusual to read such headlines as ‘Buhari’s government losing anti-corruption war;’ ‘Buhari’s anti-corruption war is failing;’ ‘Arewa Youths knock President Buhari over failing anti-corruption war,’ etc.
“This is sheer mockery, not reporting! And this war is not Buhari’s war. It is our war.”
Latest News and Information
Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to work with state governors to ensure the payment of outstanding Paris and London Clubs refunds before the end of the year.
The President gave the directive at a meeting he had with state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.
According to information posted on one of the Presidency’s twitter
handles, @NGRPresident, the meeting featured discussions on the nation’s
economy, workers’ welfare as well as Federal-State relations, among
others.
“President @MBuhari has directed the Ministers of @FinMinNigeria and Budget & National Planning and Governor @cenbank to commence negotiations with the Governors Forum to enable payment of outstanding Paris & London Club refunds, before the end of the year,” the information read.
See the tweet:
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to work with state governors to ensure the payment of outstanding Paris and London Clubs refunds before the end of the year.
The President gave the directive at a meeting he had with state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.
“President @MBuhari has directed the Ministers of @FinMinNigeria and Budget & National Planning and Governor @cenbank to commence negotiations with the Governors Forum to enable payment of outstanding Paris & London Club refunds, before the end of the year,” the information read.
See the tweet:
President @MBuhari has directed the Ministers of @FinMinNigeria and Budget & National Planning and Governor @cenbank to commence negotiations with the Governors Forum to enable payment of outstanding Paris & London Club refunds, before the end of the year.— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 27, 2017
Latest News and Information
Ten suspected Al-Qaeda members in southern Yemen were
killed in drone strikes over the weekend, government officials said
Monday, as raids targeting the radical group intensify.
The United States is the only force known to operate armed drones
over war-torn Yemen, where thousands have died in the conflict and
millions now face famine.
Fadl Tissi, Han Tissi and Sultan Amri — three Yemenis “known for their ties to Al-Qaeda” — were killed when their car was hit in a drone attack on Qaifa in the central Baida province late Sunday, a local government official said.
Another drone attack at around midnight Saturday targeted three vehicles on the road from the southern province of Shabwa to Baida, killing seven suspected jihadists, an official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Washington considers the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to be the radical group’s most dangerous branch.
A long-running US drone war against AQAP has intensified since President Donald Trump took office in January.
AQAP has flourished in the chaos of the country’s civil war, which pits the Saudi-backed government against Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies.
More than 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened on the government’s side in March 2015.
Al-Qaeda’s jihadist rivals, the Islamic State group, have also carried out several deadly attacks in the country.
Washington in October said it had killed dozens of IS fighters at training camps in Baida.
Fadl Tissi, Han Tissi and Sultan Amri — three Yemenis “known for their ties to Al-Qaeda” — were killed when their car was hit in a drone attack on Qaifa in the central Baida province late Sunday, a local government official said.
Another drone attack at around midnight Saturday targeted three vehicles on the road from the southern province of Shabwa to Baida, killing seven suspected jihadists, an official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Washington considers the Yemen-based Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula to be the radical group’s most dangerous branch.
A long-running US drone war against AQAP has intensified since President Donald Trump took office in January.
AQAP has flourished in the chaos of the country’s civil war, which pits the Saudi-backed government against Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies.
More than 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict since a Saudi-led military coalition intervened on the government’s side in March 2015.
Al-Qaeda’s jihadist rivals, the Islamic State group, have also carried out several deadly attacks in the country.
Washington in October said it had killed dozens of IS fighters at training camps in Baida.
Latest News and Information
Prince Harry To Marry Meghan Markle Next Year
Britain’s
Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early
next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence
House announced Monday.The couple became engaged in London earlier this month, his office said, adding that the 33-year-old prince had informed his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, close members of the royal family and had sought the blessing of Markle’s parents.
Latest News and Information
A Chechen warlord suspected of organising the 2016
suicide bombing at Istanbul’s airport may be among those killed last
week during a counter-terror operation in Tbilisi, Georgia said Monday.
“We suspect that maybe it’s (Akhmed) Chatayev,” the spokeswoman for Georgia’s security service, Nino Giorgobiani, told AFP.
Media reports had already suggested that the one-armed leader of an Islamic State group cell in Istanbul was killed during Wednesday’s operation on the outskirts of the Georgian capital.
“We can only give a definitive answer after experts conclude their work,” Giorgobiani said, adding that “the relevant United States agencies joined in with the investigation.”
Authorities said one suspected member of a “terrorist group” was arrested and three more were killed on Wednesday during the operation in Tbilisi’s suburban Isani district.
Georgia’s security service has said it was working to identify the group, with the help of international counter-terrorism organisations.
In an earlier statement, Giorgobiani said that the three men “refused to surrender, opened fire with automatic rifles and threw hand grenades at counter-terrorist units,” killing one serviceman and wounding four others.
Turkish media have identified Chatayev as the organiser of the June 2016 triple suicide bombing at Istanbul’s main airport in which forty-seven people were killed and 200 wounded.
Forty-six suspects went on trial in connection with the case earlier this month. The three bombers are believed to be from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and entered Turkey from Syria’s Raqa, IS’s de-facto capital at the time.
Chatayev, who reportedly found accommodation for the bombers, was in 2015 put on a terror blacklist by the US Treasury and the UN Security Council for his allegiance to IS and Al-Qaeda.
Georgia has no recent history of major terror attacks.
Some 50 Georgians are believed to be fighting alongside IS extremists in Syria and Iraq, officials have said.
Most are ethnic Chechen Muslim minority residents of the Pankisi valley in the country’s northeast, which has developed a reputation as a jihadist hotbed.
“We suspect that maybe it’s (Akhmed) Chatayev,” the spokeswoman for Georgia’s security service, Nino Giorgobiani, told AFP.
Media reports had already suggested that the one-armed leader of an Islamic State group cell in Istanbul was killed during Wednesday’s operation on the outskirts of the Georgian capital.
“We can only give a definitive answer after experts conclude their work,” Giorgobiani said, adding that “the relevant United States agencies joined in with the investigation.”
Authorities said one suspected member of a “terrorist group” was arrested and three more were killed on Wednesday during the operation in Tbilisi’s suburban Isani district.
Georgia’s security service has said it was working to identify the group, with the help of international counter-terrorism organisations.
In an earlier statement, Giorgobiani said that the three men “refused to surrender, opened fire with automatic rifles and threw hand grenades at counter-terrorist units,” killing one serviceman and wounding four others.
Turkish media have identified Chatayev as the organiser of the June 2016 triple suicide bombing at Istanbul’s main airport in which forty-seven people were killed and 200 wounded.
Forty-six suspects went on trial in connection with the case earlier this month. The three bombers are believed to be from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and entered Turkey from Syria’s Raqa, IS’s de-facto capital at the time.
Chatayev, who reportedly found accommodation for the bombers, was in 2015 put on a terror blacklist by the US Treasury and the UN Security Council for his allegiance to IS and Al-Qaeda.
Georgia has no recent history of major terror attacks.
Some 50 Georgians are believed to be fighting alongside IS extremists in Syria and Iraq, officials have said.
Most are ethnic Chechen Muslim minority residents of the Pankisi valley in the country’s northeast, which has developed a reputation as a jihadist hotbed.
Latest News and Information
A young woman bled to death after a junior doctor on a Saturday shift accidentally punctured her stomach wall with a needle.
Emme Godiff was having fluid drained from around her internal organs when the medic tried to insert the syringe — only for it to curve.
Emme sent a WhatsApp message to her grandmum saying: “I’m not letting another student (doctor) touch me again,” but her condition deteriorated and a subsequent scan showed the procedure had caused a severe bleeding which failed to clot.
She died the following day from internal bleeding into a cavity next to her stomach, despite efforts to save her.
At an inquest, Salford Royal Infirmary in Greater Manchester admitted the mistake following an inquiry into last May’s tragedy, but said ”less staff” were on duty at a weekend.
The doctor who performed the procedure has not been named.
Emme, from Longsight, Manchester had been admitted to the hospital on May 5 with a chest infection after complaining of stomach pains and swelling. On May 17, a ”drain” needle was successfully inserted into her stomach to relieve fluid around her organs.
But tragedy struck three days later when the junior doctor attempted to insert a second drain while being supervised by a senior colleague.
But the needle curved, resulting in no fluid being released from Emme’s stomach.
Although a senior doctor successfully inserted the needle three hours later, the bleed was only detected at 3am on May 21 when a CT scan was performed after she continued to complain of stomach pains. She died later that day.
Emme’s grandmum, Nora Summers, 73, told the Bolton hearing: “I got a message from Emme saying that she was ill and had to go to hospital.
“I went to see her while she was in hospital, and she seemed
to be doing better or was at least stable. She did message me about a
student nurse stabbing her with the drain and doing it wrong, and that
she didn’t want them doing it again.
“Has anything been done so this doesn’t happen again and why wasn’t I informed when she was in a bad state so I could have spent some time with her before she died.”
A post-mortem report showed Emme had an enlarged liver and abnormal liver functions caused by excessive drinking.
Consultant Adam Robinson who headed up the investigation, concluded that nothing else could have been done to save Emme because she was so ill, but that they would learn from it.
He added: “There are more staff during the week 9-5 but over the weekends there are less staff.
”We are progressing with a policy because of what has happened. There was no way of predicting what was going to happen. Lessons have been learnt and things are being changed on the outcome of this.”
(SUN)
Emme Godiff was having fluid drained from around her internal organs when the medic tried to insert the syringe — only for it to curve.
Emme sent a WhatsApp message to her grandmum saying: “I’m not letting another student (doctor) touch me again,” but her condition deteriorated and a subsequent scan showed the procedure had caused a severe bleeding which failed to clot.
At an inquest, Salford Royal Infirmary in Greater Manchester admitted the mistake following an inquiry into last May’s tragedy, but said ”less staff” were on duty at a weekend.
The doctor who performed the procedure has not been named.
Emme, from Longsight, Manchester had been admitted to the hospital on May 5 with a chest infection after complaining of stomach pains and swelling. On May 17, a ”drain” needle was successfully inserted into her stomach to relieve fluid around her organs.
But tragedy struck three days later when the junior doctor attempted to insert a second drain while being supervised by a senior colleague.
But the needle curved, resulting in no fluid being released from Emme’s stomach.
Although a senior doctor successfully inserted the needle three hours later, the bleed was only detected at 3am on May 21 when a CT scan was performed after she continued to complain of stomach pains. She died later that day.
Emme’s grandmum, Nora Summers, 73, told the Bolton hearing: “I got a message from Emme saying that she was ill and had to go to hospital.
“Has anything been done so this doesn’t happen again and why wasn’t I informed when she was in a bad state so I could have spent some time with her before she died.”
A post-mortem report showed Emme had an enlarged liver and abnormal liver functions caused by excessive drinking.
Consultant Adam Robinson who headed up the investigation, concluded that nothing else could have been done to save Emme because she was so ill, but that they would learn from it.
He added: “There are more staff during the week 9-5 but over the weekends there are less staff.
”We are progressing with a policy because of what has happened. There was no way of predicting what was going to happen. Lessons have been learnt and things are being changed on the outcome of this.”
(SUN)
Latest News and Information
A nine-year-old girl is pregnant by her alleged rapist stepfather — who is said to have assaulted her up to 10 times a day.
The abused girl’s pregnancy was only discovered by her mother after five months, meaning she was too late to have an abortion in Peru.
Local news reported that the girl’s stepfather, 30, has fled and a manhunt is underway to track him down.
The girl, who has not been named to protect her right to anonymity,
has claimed she was attacked at home while other family members were
out.
She said she was set upon by the sicko up to 10 times a day and has called for the full weight of justice to be brought against him.
Financial aid is being sought to help the stricken girl and mount a legal case against her alleged attacker.
Peru’s Minister for Women, Ana Maria Choquehuanca, has said guidelines are in place to give abusers of minors maximum sentences. (SUN)
The abused girl’s pregnancy was only discovered by her mother after five months, meaning she was too late to have an abortion in Peru.
Local news reported that the girl’s stepfather, 30, has fled and a manhunt is underway to track him down.
She said she was set upon by the sicko up to 10 times a day and has called for the full weight of justice to be brought against him.
Financial aid is being sought to help the stricken girl and mount a legal case against her alleged attacker.
Peru’s Minister for Women, Ana Maria Choquehuanca, has said guidelines are in place to give abusers of minors maximum sentences. (SUN)
Latest News and Information
”Robert Mugabe’s nephew said Sunday the ousted Zimbabwean president
was in good health and “quite jovial” after being forced to resign when a
military takeover ended his 37 years in power.
“He is fine. I have been to see him, he is quite jovial,” Leo Mugabe, son of Mugabe’s late sister Sabina, told AFP.
“He is actually looking forward to his new life, farming and staying at the rural home. He has taken it well.”
Leo Mugabe declined to discuss the $10-million retirement bonus
reportedly granted to the 93-year-old former president as part of a deal
to persuade him to eventually resign on Tuesday.
He added that Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace was now concentrating on plans to build a university in his honour.
“I like the spirit she has, she is with him all the time. She is an amazing person. She wants to continue planning the Robert Mugabe University so they have something to do,” he said.
In August, Zimbabwe announced plans to build the $1-billion post-graduate university in Mazowe, 35 kilometres (20 miles) outside Harare.
The plan drew fierce criticism as Mugabe is accused of brutal repression and bringing the country to economic ruin.
“He is fine. I have been to see him, he is quite jovial,” Leo Mugabe, son of Mugabe’s late sister Sabina, told AFP.
“He is actually looking forward to his new life, farming and staying at the rural home. He has taken it well.”
He added that Robert Mugabe’s wife Grace was now concentrating on plans to build a university in his honour.
“I like the spirit she has, she is with him all the time. She is an amazing person. She wants to continue planning the Robert Mugabe University so they have something to do,” he said.
In August, Zimbabwe announced plans to build the $1-billion post-graduate university in Mazowe, 35 kilometres (20 miles) outside Harare.
The plan drew fierce criticism as Mugabe is accused of brutal repression and bringing the country to economic ruin.
Latest News and Information
Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on all Africans to
give the necessary cooperation and support to the new government in
Zimbabwe.
Obasanjo said in a congratulatory letter to the new President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent on Friday.
The former president said he was convinced that the new president would be an asset to the country.
The letter reads, “It is with profound delight and happiness that I convey my heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
“As you assume the mantle of leadership of your great country, I have no doubt in my mind that you will execute the responsibilities of your office with the great political acumen that you are noted for.
“Your world-acclaimed experience in business and legal profession, I am convinced, will be an asset to be utilised effectively and efficiently to take Zimbabwe out of political and economic doldrums.
“At the moment, Zimbabwe needs the cooperation of the continent of Africa and cooperation of her friends outside the continent for the advancement of the economic fortunes of your great people and country.
“I am, therefore, of the strong conviction that the excellent relations between Nigeria and Zimbabwe will also benefit and blossom under your leadership.”
Obasanjo said in a congratulatory letter to the new President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent on Friday.
The letter reads, “It is with profound delight and happiness that I convey my heartfelt congratulations on your appointment as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
“As you assume the mantle of leadership of your great country, I have no doubt in my mind that you will execute the responsibilities of your office with the great political acumen that you are noted for.
“Your world-acclaimed experience in business and legal profession, I am convinced, will be an asset to be utilised effectively and efficiently to take Zimbabwe out of political and economic doldrums.
“At the moment, Zimbabwe needs the cooperation of the continent of Africa and cooperation of her friends outside the continent for the advancement of the economic fortunes of your great people and country.
“I am, therefore, of the strong conviction that the excellent relations between Nigeria and Zimbabwe will also benefit and blossom under your leadership.”
Latest News and Information
The death toll in a bomb attack on a packed mosque in Egypt’s restive North Sinai province has risen to 235.
Gunmen attacked set off a bomb, killing at least 235 people in one of the country’s deadliest attacks in recent memory, state media reported.
A bomb explosion ripped through the Rawda mosque roughly 40 kilometres west of the North Sinai capital of El-Arish before gunmen opened fire on the worshippers gathered for weekly Friday prayers, officials said.
Witnesses said the assailants had surrounded the mosque with all-terrain vehicles then planted a bomb outside.
The gunmen then mowed down the panicked worshippers as they attempted to flee and used the congregants’ vehicles they had set alight to block routes to the mosque.
State television reported at least 184 people were killed and 125 wounded in the attack, which is unprecedented in a four-year insurgency by Islamist extremist groups.
Egypt’s presidency declared three days of mourning, state television reported, as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met his security ministers to follow developments.
Ahmed Abul Gheit, head of the Arab League which is based in Cairo, condemned the “terrifying crime which again shows that Islam is innocent of those who follow extremist terrorist ideology,” his spokesman said in a statement.
– IS views Sufis as heretics –
The Islamic State group’s Egypt branch has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, and also civilians accused of working with the authorities, in attacks in the north of the Sinai peninsula.
They have also targeted followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam as well as Christians.
The victims included civilians and conscripts praying at the mosque.
A tribal leader and head of a Bedouin militia that fights IS told AFP
that the mosque is known as a place of gathering for Sufis.
The Islamic State group shares the puritan Salafi view of Sufis as heretics for seeking the intercession of saints.
The jihadists had previously kidnapped and beheaded an elderly Sufi leader, accusing him of practising magic which Islam forbids, and abducted Sufi practitioners later released after “repenting.”
The group has killed more than 100 Christians in church bombings and shootings in Sinai and other parts of Egypt, forcing many to flee the peninsula.
The military has struggled to quell the jihadists who pledged allegiance to IS in November 2014.
IS regularly conducts attacks against soldiers and policemen in the peninsula bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, although the frequency and scale of such attacks has diminished over the past year.
The jihadists have since increasingly turned to civilian targets, attacking not only Christians and Sufis but also Bedouin Sinai inhabitants accused of working with the army.
Aside from IS, Egypt also faces a threat from Al-Qaeda-aligned jihadists who operate out of neighbouring Libya.
A group calling itself Ansar al-Islam — Supporters of Islam in Arabic — claimed an October ambush in Egypt’s Western Desert that killed at least 16 policemen.
Many of those killed belonged to the interior ministry’s secretive National Security Service.
The military later conducted air strikes on the attackers, killing their leader Emad al-Din Abdel Hamid, a most wanted jihadist who was a military officer before joining an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group in Libya’s militant stronghold of Derna.
Gunmen attacked set off a bomb, killing at least 235 people in one of the country’s deadliest attacks in recent memory, state media reported.
A bomb explosion ripped through the Rawda mosque roughly 40 kilometres west of the North Sinai capital of El-Arish before gunmen opened fire on the worshippers gathered for weekly Friday prayers, officials said.
The gunmen then mowed down the panicked worshippers as they attempted to flee and used the congregants’ vehicles they had set alight to block routes to the mosque.
State television reported at least 184 people were killed and 125 wounded in the attack, which is unprecedented in a four-year insurgency by Islamist extremist groups.
Egypt’s presidency declared three days of mourning, state television reported, as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met his security ministers to follow developments.
Ahmed Abul Gheit, head of the Arab League which is based in Cairo, condemned the “terrifying crime which again shows that Islam is innocent of those who follow extremist terrorist ideology,” his spokesman said in a statement.
– IS views Sufis as heretics –
The Islamic State group’s Egypt branch has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, and also civilians accused of working with the authorities, in attacks in the north of the Sinai peninsula.
They have also targeted followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam as well as Christians.
The victims included civilians and conscripts praying at the mosque.
The Islamic State group shares the puritan Salafi view of Sufis as heretics for seeking the intercession of saints.
The jihadists had previously kidnapped and beheaded an elderly Sufi leader, accusing him of practising magic which Islam forbids, and abducted Sufi practitioners later released after “repenting.”
The group has killed more than 100 Christians in church bombings and shootings in Sinai and other parts of Egypt, forcing many to flee the peninsula.
The military has struggled to quell the jihadists who pledged allegiance to IS in November 2014.
IS regularly conducts attacks against soldiers and policemen in the peninsula bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, although the frequency and scale of such attacks has diminished over the past year.
The jihadists have since increasingly turned to civilian targets, attacking not only Christians and Sufis but also Bedouin Sinai inhabitants accused of working with the army.
Aside from IS, Egypt also faces a threat from Al-Qaeda-aligned jihadists who operate out of neighbouring Libya.
A group calling itself Ansar al-Islam — Supporters of Islam in Arabic — claimed an October ambush in Egypt’s Western Desert that killed at least 16 policemen.
Many of those killed belonged to the interior ministry’s secretive National Security Service.
The military later conducted air strikes on the attackers, killing their leader Emad al-Din Abdel Hamid, a most wanted jihadist who was a military officer before joining an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group in Libya’s militant stronghold of Derna.
Latest News and Information
A 31-year old
security man, Jimmy Ushie, who allegedly stole laptops, mobile phones
and money from his company, on Friday appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’
Court.
The accused, whose address is unknown, is being tried for burglary, stealing and causing damages.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mike Unah, told the
court that the offences were committed on Oct. 19 at 7, Seinde Calisto
St., Oshodi, a suburb of Lagos.
Unah alleged that the accused burgled Tee By Link Security Company, where he worked.
‘‘The accused stole two laptops valued at N350,000, three mobile phones valued at N27,000, an MTN modem and N21,500 cash.
‘‘The accused also damaged keys valued
at N29,500, CCTV cameras valued at N178,000 and POP ceiling valued at
N25,500, property of Tee By Link Security company,’’ he told the court.
Unah also said that the accused was captured on the CCTV camera and handed over to the police.
The offences contravened the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Gbajumo, admitted him to bail for N200,000 with two sureties.
Gbajumo adjourned the case until Dec. 4 for mention.
Latest News and Information
Nigeria Singer and Dancehall star Damini Ogulu a.k.a Burna Boy, is on the run over alleged robbery and battery.
The Songwriter was alleged to have battered and robbed his fellow musician Mr 2Kay, at gun point in his hotel room at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, recently during the “Buckwyld N Breathless” concert
The Lagos State Acting Police Commissioner Edgal Imohimi had on Monday declared reggae-dance –hall singer wanted.
Imohimi at a news conference said that four armed robbers carried out the attack and detectives were able to arrest one of their girlfriend identified as ‘Matejero’.
They confessed to receiving a part payment of N50, 000 before the job and another N50, 000 was paid to the robbers directly by Burna Boy when the job was done.
Burna Boy’s record label Spaceship Entertainment on Tuesday issued a statement saying that the singer honoured the police invitation on Monday and he has been cooperating with the police.
The police command however debunked the statement by his (Burna boy’s) management that he honoured their invitation on Monday.
A statement released on Wednesday by police spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP) said “Burna Boy” is yet to report himself to the police and still on the run contrary to reports making rounds on the internet that the musician has honoured police Invitation.
“The command would also like to inform the public that only Burna Boy’s father; one Samuel Ogulu visited the investigating Police Officer (IPO) in-charge of the case with the promise to bring Burna Boy before the police.
The command also assured that justice will be done.
Latest News and Information
Super Eagles forwards Odion Ighalo and Brown
Ideye have been named in the team of Africa Legends scheduled to face
Kano Pillars Football Club in a charity match on Dec. 14.
The match is scheduled for the Sani
Abacha Stadium in Kano and it is being organised for the Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East of Nigeria.
The duo will be among several other star footballers who will sweat it out to raise awareness on the plight of the IDPs.
Former Super Eagles captain Nwankwo
Kanu confirmed to newsmen in Kano on Friday that the two players have
agreed to be part of the charity match tagged “Match4IDPs’’.
“I have spoken to Ighalo and Ideye and they have agreed to be part of the awareness match for the IDPs on Dec. 14,” Kanu said.
He listed other notable stars expected
for the match to include South Africa’s Lucas Radebe, Daniel Amokachi,
Mutiu Adepoju, Nwankwo Kanu and Senegalese El-Hadji Diouf.
Speaking also, the match’s Chief
Coordinator, Abi Goodman, said some Nigerians in diaspora have also
agreed to join the train to create the needed awareness on the IDPs’
plight.
“These Nigerians in diaspora include
Detective-Sgt. Bassey Osagie who is the Toronto Police Service
Representative at the Toronto Youth Cabinet at City Hall, as well as
Zainabu Otiti-Obanor.
“Osagie is a Nigerian-Canadian who
volunteers for the Canada Health Mission Outreach and provides extended
health care for the poor and under-privileged.’’
Goodman added that a number of
ambassadors and Nollywood stars, such as Ali Nuhu, have also been
confirmed to be available for the event.
She also said the programme has already got the backing of the Kano State Government and the Emirate Council.
“This is why we will also hold an
auction night in Kano, where the legends will auction
their autographed jerseys and other personal effects to build up the
charity fund,’’ Goodman said
Latest News and Information
Nigeria’s
premier private university, the Igbinedion University, Okada has
offered to give scholarship to 360 students from across the country.
It said the scholarship would be granted to 10 brilliant and best students from each of the 36 states in the country.
Vice
Chancellor of the university, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, stated this at
the award of first degrees and prizes to the 15th set of graduates of
the institution.
Prof.
Osaghae noted that the gesture was to bridge the gap between the rich
and the poor by making quality education available to every Nigerians.
Osaghae
stated that both the federal and state government have continued to
fail private universities in critical areas by not extending bursary and
scholarship award to students attending private universities.
He
also lampooned the private sector for depriving many Nigerians quality
education by refusing to give support to students and management of
private universities.
The VC said 11 out of the 85 graduates from the federal government amnesty programme scored Second Class Upper honours.
Prof.
Osaghae announced automatic employment for the best graduating students
from the federal government amnesty programme including best graduates
from its Smart Partnership Programme with some state governors.
His
words, “Many people who desire private quality university education
don’t have the means to do so. When government gives scholarship and
bursary, they only give to students of public universities which are
tuition free.
“Private
sector is the worst enemy of itself. The private sector also gives
support to public universities and thereby deprive many people quality
education. This is the time to support people so that we can bridge the
gap between the rich and the poor.
Chancellor
and founder of the university, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion who was
represented by his son, Lucky, said the running of a private university
was not to make profit but contribute to national development.
Chief Igbinedion urged the Federal Government to change its policy on private university funding by allowing access to TETFUND.
Latest News and Information
Popular Nigerian singer/songwriter, Oluwabankole Wellington, a.k.a
Banky W, and actress Adesua Etomi’s wedding dominated the internet
search engine Google this week.
Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made this known in a dispatch to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
He said that the Anambra state governorship election also top the chat of the search engine.
“The highly anticipated wedding of Nigeria’s favourite couple, R&B singer, Bankole Wellington and Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi was held on Sunday.
“The couple, who announced their engagement shortly after co-starring
in the Wedding Party movie, also held their court wedding on Monday.
“The video of the court wedding went viral as soon as it was posted on social media by the happy couple.
“Fans and friends have since taken to Google to search for more photos from the couple’s traditional wedding,’’ Kola-Ogunlade said.
The Google manager said that Governor Willie Obiano, this week, was declared the winner of the Gubernatorial Election held in Anambra State.
He added that in his acceptance speech, Obiano thanked the citizens of Anambra State for voting despite several instances of election manipulation and over-voting cited by the election officers.
Kola-Ogunlade said that this led to the cancellation of results in several units.
Well-wishers also raced to Google to search for more details about the election results.
Also, the reported death of the former Vice President Alex Ekwueme who died in the early hours of Sunday in a London clinic became a trending topic.
“The sad news was confirmed by his family in a statement. This followed his family debunking news of his death two weeks earlier.
“Fans and well wishers raced to Google to confirm the sad news,’’ he said.
Kola-Ogunlade said that the news of the resignation of the Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe also trended on google.
“Mid last-week, in what was referred to as a “bloodless transition”, Mugabe was removed from office and placed under house arrest.
“After almost a week of uncertainty, the 93-year old dictator resigned on Tuesday after nearly four decades in power.
“His resignation letter was read out at a joint session of the Zimbabwean Parliament in Harare and as celebration continues in Zimbabwe, Nigerians took to Google to confirm Mugabe’s resignation,’’ he said.
Early this week, news broke of Cyntoia Brown, a 29-year-old victim of sex trafficking, who had been sentenced to life in prison in Nashville, Tennessee,’’ the Google manager said.
He added that she was sentenced for shooting her abuser after being forced into prostitution at the age of 16.
“Brown, who has already served nearly 13 years in prison, will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years behind bars.
“This sentence has drawn outrage from celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna, who has began a social media protest with the Free Cyntoia Brown.
“Nigerians raced to Google to read more about Brown’s story, making her name a top trending search term,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Google Trends launched in May, 2006, allows one to see how popular, search terms and its demography have been over time on Google.
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Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made this known in a dispatch to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
He said that the Anambra state governorship election also top the chat of the search engine.
“The highly anticipated wedding of Nigeria’s favourite couple, R&B singer, Bankole Wellington and Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi was held on Sunday.
“The video of the court wedding went viral as soon as it was posted on social media by the happy couple.
“Fans and friends have since taken to Google to search for more photos from the couple’s traditional wedding,’’ Kola-Ogunlade said.
The Google manager said that Governor Willie Obiano, this week, was declared the winner of the Gubernatorial Election held in Anambra State.
He added that in his acceptance speech, Obiano thanked the citizens of Anambra State for voting despite several instances of election manipulation and over-voting cited by the election officers.
Well-wishers also raced to Google to search for more details about the election results.
Also, the reported death of the former Vice President Alex Ekwueme who died in the early hours of Sunday in a London clinic became a trending topic.
“The sad news was confirmed by his family in a statement. This followed his family debunking news of his death two weeks earlier.
“Fans and well wishers raced to Google to confirm the sad news,’’ he said.
Kola-Ogunlade said that the news of the resignation of the Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe also trended on google.
“Mid last-week, in what was referred to as a “bloodless transition”, Mugabe was removed from office and placed under house arrest.
“After almost a week of uncertainty, the 93-year old dictator resigned on Tuesday after nearly four decades in power.
“His resignation letter was read out at a joint session of the Zimbabwean Parliament in Harare and as celebration continues in Zimbabwe, Nigerians took to Google to confirm Mugabe’s resignation,’’ he said.
Early this week, news broke of Cyntoia Brown, a 29-year-old victim of sex trafficking, who had been sentenced to life in prison in Nashville, Tennessee,’’ the Google manager said.
He added that she was sentenced for shooting her abuser after being forced into prostitution at the age of 16.
“Brown, who has already served nearly 13 years in prison, will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years behind bars.
“This sentence has drawn outrage from celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna, who has began a social media protest with the Free Cyntoia Brown.
“Nigerians raced to Google to read more about Brown’s story, making her name a top trending search term,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Google Trends launched in May, 2006, allows one to see how popular, search terms and its demography have been over time on Google.
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Latest News and Information
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria ( AFN ) has commenced the 2018
Season with the AFN All-Comers meet which started today and ends on
Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium.
Activities for the two-day event include the 100m, 100m Hurdles, 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m, Heptathlon, Decathlon, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot put, 10,000m, 4x100m and 4x400m.
Meanwhile, the meet which has been tagged the Commonwealth Games 2018 Open Trials is also geared towards preparing athletes for the 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games slated for Australia between 4 and 15 April .
In the same vein, the AFN Golden League meets commence next weekend with the first leg holding at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
Activities for the two-day event include the 100m, 100m Hurdles, 110m Hurdles, 400m Hurdles, 200m, 400m, 800m, Heptathlon, Decathlon, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot put, 10,000m, 4x100m and 4x400m.
Meanwhile, the meet which has been tagged the Commonwealth Games 2018 Open Trials is also geared towards preparing athletes for the 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games slated for Australia between 4 and 15 April .
In the same vein, the AFN Golden League meets commence next weekend with the first leg holding at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
Read Also: AFN Set to amend 77 year-old constitution, unveil logo
Latest News and Information
The Managing Director of Lagos State Water Corporation, Mr Muminu
Badmus, on Friday appealed to residents in the state to stop molesting
its officials on routine maintenance at their residence and
neighbourhood.
Badmus made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, the corporation will no longer take the harassment of its officials on legitimate duty lightly.
”The corporation is concerned about the intimidation of its staff on routine maintenance or repairs in some residence.
”Our staff and contractors, especially in some high profile estates in the state, have been harassed and intimidated while on duty.
”The corporation is at present sensitising residents on the installation and use of pre- paid meters and the need to stop wastage of water.
”We are appealing to residents to cooperate with our staff as this will go a long way in ensuring efficient water service delivery,” he said.
Badmus said that it was the duty of the corporation to attend to report of burst water pipes and mains in any location.
While appealing for residents’ cooperation, he said that the corporation would no longer condole such behaviour.
”Our staff have been held hostage by the security personnel, their vehicles seized, and driven away with their tools and materials in some estates.
”In some areas, social miscreants have been hired to harass them.
”The management will not allow such scenario to continue.”
Badmus said that staff were presently carrying out enumeration for the purpose of obtaining accurate data of customers.
He said the exercise would ensure that every household in the state had access to potable water.
The managing director said that the corporation would carry out the assignment without inhibition, adding that the establishment would not allow some residents to thwart the efforts of the staff.
Badmus said that anybody or group involved in molesting its staff on legitimate duty would face the wrath of the law.
Badmus made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to him, the corporation will no longer take the harassment of its officials on legitimate duty lightly.
”The corporation is concerned about the intimidation of its staff on routine maintenance or repairs in some residence.
”Our staff and contractors, especially in some high profile estates in the state, have been harassed and intimidated while on duty.
”The corporation is at present sensitising residents on the installation and use of pre- paid meters and the need to stop wastage of water.
”We are appealing to residents to cooperate with our staff as this will go a long way in ensuring efficient water service delivery,” he said.
While appealing for residents’ cooperation, he said that the corporation would no longer condole such behaviour.
”Our staff have been held hostage by the security personnel, their vehicles seized, and driven away with their tools and materials in some estates.
”In some areas, social miscreants have been hired to harass them.
”The management will not allow such scenario to continue.”
Badmus said that staff were presently carrying out enumeration for the purpose of obtaining accurate data of customers.
He said the exercise would ensure that every household in the state had access to potable water.
The managing director said that the corporation would carry out the assignment without inhibition, adding that the establishment would not allow some residents to thwart the efforts of the staff.
Badmus said that anybody or group involved in molesting its staff on legitimate duty would face the wrath of the law.
Latest News and Information
Former vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been sworn in as Zimbabwe’s president in the country’s capital, Harare.
This is after the rather dramatic exit of Robert Mugabe after 37 years of ‘draconian’ rule.
Mnangagwa’s dismissal few weeks ago led the ruling Zanu-PF party and the army to intervene and force Mugabe to quit.
It can be recalled that he fled the country in the wake of the political upheaval, only return on Wednesday.
Mnangagwa who was accompanied by his wife Auxilia took the oath of office and was led by Chief Justice Luke Malaba.
Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans
gathered at a stadium in Harare, jubilating and congratulating one
another amidst singing and dancing.
Raised banners with writings such as “Dawn of a new era” and “No to retribution” brandished the atmosphere.
“I Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa swear
that as the president of the republic of Zimbabwe I will be faithful to
Zimbabwe and obey, uphold and defend the constitution and all other
laws of zimbabweLatest News and Information
Latest News and Information
An eight-year-old victim of rape, who suffered from rectovaginal fistula, as well as a sexually transmitted disease, is dead.
Ababy died last Friday at their Bolar, Ilaje in Bariga, a Lagos slum, after complaining of stomach ache.
It was gathered that her elder sister was also sexually assaulted in January but the culprit was apprehended and charged to court.
According to a source, Ababy was serially abused by unknown men. The wall separating her female organ from her anus was damaged.
Although no one knew the exact period the deceased was defiled, The Nation gathered that her mother, Jumoke, knew of it last Wednesday when the child complained of stomach ache.
A social media user, Adeniyi Adeniyi, who posted the incident said: “I am so sad right now. Despite all the brothels in this state, grown up girls everywhere but you rather chose to defile this innocent child, I am full of tears right now.
“They did not know on time and the wound got infected. That was how the girl died of infection.”
Further findings by our Correspondent indicated that the deceased’s mother gave her herbal mixture to drink in order to cleanse her stomach.
A source said: “No one knew when she was raped. It was on Wednesday that she started complaining of stomach pain.
“The mum checked her and discovered that she had been defiled. She asked the girl who did it but she did not mention anyone. So the woman bought an herbal concoction that flushes the tummy and gave the girl.
“The concoction made her stool for two days. By the third day, the girl was rushed to a local nurse but died on the way.
“The mother explained that Ababy usually bathed herself and that it never occurred to her that someone could be raping her.”
Another neighbour, who claimed it was at the local clinic Jumoke knew Ababy had suffered several rape, described the mother as “careless.”
She said: “I do not know if they know about it and tried to cover up for the culprit. But when the nurse saw the girl’s private part, she asked if the mother did not know and she said she does not bathe her.
“How can a mother be with her children without observing changes in them? For that wound to have been badly infected like that, it means it might have been long.
“The woman is not educated. She’s not exposed too. It is sad that the little girl died like that. I do not know if they reported the case at the police station.”
Similarly, a three-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man at 13, Orekupolati Street, Aguda in Ogba.
It was gathered that the victim exposed her alleged abuse, Rasheed, when she told her mother that he inserted his private part into hers.
According to a source, the child was in pains and cried to her mother, saying “he put something inside my bombom.”
He said: “The little girl exposed the man when she was asked to show how it happened before the neighbours. She pointed at the suspect’s manhood and showed that he put it inside her private part.
“The man denied it but the child insisted he was the one. All the neighbours gathered and said for the sake of the child, the matter should not be made public. The man was made to sign an undertaken that he would never do anything to harm the child.”
Ababy died last Friday at their Bolar, Ilaje in Bariga, a Lagos slum, after complaining of stomach ache.
It was gathered that her elder sister was also sexually assaulted in January but the culprit was apprehended and charged to court.
According to a source, Ababy was serially abused by unknown men. The wall separating her female organ from her anus was damaged.
A social media user, Adeniyi Adeniyi, who posted the incident said: “I am so sad right now. Despite all the brothels in this state, grown up girls everywhere but you rather chose to defile this innocent child, I am full of tears right now.
“They did not know on time and the wound got infected. That was how the girl died of infection.”
Further findings by our Correspondent indicated that the deceased’s mother gave her herbal mixture to drink in order to cleanse her stomach.
A source said: “No one knew when she was raped. It was on Wednesday that she started complaining of stomach pain.
“The mum checked her and discovered that she had been defiled. She asked the girl who did it but she did not mention anyone. So the woman bought an herbal concoction that flushes the tummy and gave the girl.
“The mother explained that Ababy usually bathed herself and that it never occurred to her that someone could be raping her.”
Another neighbour, who claimed it was at the local clinic Jumoke knew Ababy had suffered several rape, described the mother as “careless.”
She said: “I do not know if they know about it and tried to cover up for the culprit. But when the nurse saw the girl’s private part, she asked if the mother did not know and she said she does not bathe her.
“How can a mother be with her children without observing changes in them? For that wound to have been badly infected like that, it means it might have been long.
“The woman is not educated. She’s not exposed too. It is sad that the little girl died like that. I do not know if they reported the case at the police station.”
Similarly, a three-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a man at 13, Orekupolati Street, Aguda in Ogba.
It was gathered that the victim exposed her alleged abuse, Rasheed, when she told her mother that he inserted his private part into hers.
According to a source, the child was in pains and cried to her mother, saying “he put something inside my bombom.”
He said: “The little girl exposed the man when she was asked to show how it happened before the neighbours. She pointed at the suspect’s manhood and showed that he put it inside her private part.
“The man denied it but the child insisted he was the one. All the neighbours gathered and said for the sake of the child, the matter should not be made public. The man was made to sign an undertaken that he would never do anything to harm the child.”
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