Nigeria Shakes Off Japan Defeat, Beats Canada 3-1

The Nigeria Under-20 team, Super Falcons on Wednesday defeated their Canadian counterpart at the ongoing FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

Goals from Uchendu 45+1', Bokiri 46' and Ihezuo 73' were enough to claim the maximum three points for the Nigeria ladies.
The Falconets who lost their first match against Japan will now seek to get three points when they take on Spain.

Atiku - There Will Be No Boko Haram If I Was President of Nigeria

Nigeria's former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Tuesday, said that if he were the president of Nigeria, Boko Haram will cease to exist. 

Atiku made the remark at a charity event to commemorate his 70th birthday. 

Atiku stated that, he would have used all resources at his disposal to ensure that Boko Haram did not take place in any part of North-Eastern Nigeria and anywhere else in the country. He said he would have made sure Nigerians never heard anything about it again, until he leaves government, adding that he regretted that Boko Haram took over seven of the 21 local government area of Adamawa.
“If you recalled,while we are in office in 2002, such a small up raising ,very similar to this Boko Haram,reared their head in Yobe State,then,we smashed it immediately. So I think it requires a steadfast leadership,a leadership that is decisive.”

 

Nollywood Actor Leo Mezie Returns to Nigeria After Kidney Surgery

Nollywood actor Leo Mezie is back in Nigeria after a successful Kidney surgery in London. 

The actor was diagnosed with Kidney disease few months ago. His return was announced by Ani Amatosero who shared a photo of him on her Instagram page.

GHANA'S RULING PARTY WARNS CITIZENS- DON'T REPEAT NIGERIA'S MISTAKE BY VOTING IN A BUHARI

Ghana's ruling party, the National Democratic Congress, NDC has asked the citizenry not to repeat Nigeria's mistake by voting out the ruling party.

Addressing party supporters on the President John Mahama's second campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region in Tema last Saturday, Kofi Adams, the NDC national campaign coordinator said Nigerians have regretted replacing Goodluck Jonathan’s government with that of President Mahamadu Buhari; GHANA WEB reports.

“President Buhari in his maiden speech asked Nigerians not to expect any change from him culminating in his abysmal performance as he has succeeded in running down several policies and initiatives introduced by his predecessor. He has plunged Nigeria into serious economic hardship”, Kofi Adams said.

JAMB APPROVES REDUCTION IN ADMISSION CUT-OFF MARKS

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has approved the reduction of the cut-off mark for admission into tertiary institutions from 180.

JAMB’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Prof. Ishaq Oleyede, made this know during the 2nd Technical Committee Meeting for 2016 Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, which was held at the Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Owerri.

He had initially called for a national debate on the propriety of cut off marks.

Oloyede explained that the decision became necessary, due to the inability of some schools to implement the cut-off mark.

He said: “it was in a meeting of the Board of higher institutions and other Stakeholders that a decision of 180 as the 2016 National cut-off mark was reached.

“However, many Institutions, though part of the decision, have expressed concern on their inability to effect this cut-off mark as they are finding it difficult to fill a reasonable percentage of their quota if the rule is strictly applied as we insist.

“I think this cry needs attention, otherwise, some of these institutions whether public or privately-owned may soon begin to wobble or even close shops. This will be counter-productive and even defeat the Government Policy of expansion of access to higher education and manpower development.”

He, however, explained that the new flexible cut-off, will only apply to institutions that have exhausted the list of candidates that scored 180.

Oloyede warned that no institution, whether Federal or State, will be allowed to continue with admission of students after the November 30 deadline.

YU XU CHINA’S FEMALE JET FIGHTER PILOT IS DEAD

Captain Yu Xu,  the first Chinese woman to fly a J-10 fighter jet has died.

She was was killed in a training accident, according to China’s state-run media.

Yu Xu, 30, died Saturday during a routine training flight with the country’s air force aerobatics team in Yutian county in Hebei province in northern China, Xinhua reported.

Yu had ejected after the J-10 she was flying collided with another J-10 and was killed when she was hit by the wing of another aircraft.

Her male co-pilot ejected safely and had only minor injuries.

Yu joined the military in 2005 and first flew the J-10 in July 2012. She was one of only four women to fly the J-10.

Fans nicknamed her Golden Peafowl because she excelled in the peafowl dance.

She had taken part in the Airshow China in Zhuhai earlier this month.

“I hope to give the audience a good performance,” China National Radio quoted her as saying before the show. “In terms of safety, in our training we’re always reminded to put safety first.”

“The morale of the aerobatics team will be hit. There has not been an incident like this for the team for a long time,” military observer Antony Wong Dong told the South China Morning Post.

“If such accident happened in the air show in Zhuhai, it would be a disaster because more casualties would be likely.”

The most recent J-10 crash was on Sept. 28, when a plane crashed near Yangcun air base in Tianjin reportedly after hitting a bird.

*Originally reported by UPI

Kaduna denies banning Shi’ites, but says group is ‘illegal’

El Rufai

The Kaduna State Government said on Wednesday that it had not placed any ban on Shi’a Muslims in the state.

Mr Samuel Aruwan, the government spokesman said at a news briefing in Kaduna, that what the government did, was to declare the operation of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) illegal, as the group was not registered.

“Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) was never a registered organisation and it refuses to conduct itself with full adherence to the laws of Kaduna state.”

Ambode sacks three commissioners

Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode

Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has sacked three commissioners from his cabinet exactly one year after they were sworn in.

No reason was given for their sack.

The affected commissioners are Mr Folorunsho Folarin-Coker who was the commissioner for tourism and culture, Dr Mustapha Akinkunmi of the ministry of finance and commissioner for transportation, Dr Ekundayo Mobereola.

13 Nigerian Soldiers Wounded, Many Missing After Clash With Boko Haram Fighters

The clash, according to a statement signed by Colonel Sani K. Usman, acting Director of Army Public Relations, took place at about 5:30 pm on Monday, when a band of terrorists attacked the troops' location around the border with the Niger Republic.
The Nigerian Army has announced that 13 soldiers were injured, while many are missing, during a clash with fleeing remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in Gashigar, Borno State.

Governor Mimiko Launches Killer Squad, Sponsored My Mother’s Abduction, Says Jimoh Ibrahim

Jimoh Ibrahim

Jimoh Ibrahim, the controversial factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has accused the outgoing governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko of inaugurating a “killer squad” ahead of the November 26th, 2016 governorship election in the state. Mr. Ibrahim alleged that the killer squad was launched a few days ago at the Government House in Akure with the aim to cause unrest specifically in the southern part of the state. He made the accusation in a petition sent to President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.
Jimoh Ibrahim, the controversial factional candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has accused the outgoing governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko of inaugurating a “killer squad” ahead of the November 26th, 2016 governorship election in the state.

Ten Northern governors have headed out to Washington for a three-day symposium arranged by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), which began on Monday. Worried that their trip to the U.S.  might be perceived by Nigerians as a jamboree amidst the biting economic recession back home, the governors are demanding from their host's practical benefits of the symposium as would make positive impacts on the majority of citizens across the 19 Northern States. 

Supreme Court Judge accuses Amaechi, APC of attempt to manipulate judgement

Rotimi Amaechi

Another Nigerian judge caught in the State Security Service crackdown on senior judicial officers has written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, stating how the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, allegedly tried to manipulate him.

Inyang Okoro, a Supreme Court judge, whose home in Abuja was amongst those raided by masked SSS operatives on October 7 and 8, said security agencies came after him because he turned down pressure to help influence the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on Akwa Ibom gubernatorial election.

EXCLUSIVE: Tiwa Savage speaks on marriage controversy, D’banj, Don Jazzy

Tiwa

PREMIUM TIMES had an exclusive chat with Mavin Record’s First Lady, Tiwa Savage, at an event in Lagos on Tuesday. In the interview, the pretty mother of one spoke about her career and controversies.

P.T: How have you handled all the controversies that trailed your marriage in April?

TIWA: It’s been the grace of God and I think I have been able to pull through by simply immersing myself in my work.

PT: And the bad press and ‘nasty’ things written about you?

TIWA: Generally speaking all that has been written about me doesn’t really affect me anymore. When I got into the industry initially, it was very difficult for anybody to realise this. But now, I have come to the realisation that the hard work you put in and the positive things that you do as an artiste always outweighs the negative. Whether you’re in the media, a banker or a nurse, you’re going to have people talk about you. Not everyone loves Jesus Christ so who am I to talk about people saying things about me? You can’t make everyone happy. I don’t try to waste time on people that don’t love me, so I just spend time with people that love me so I don’t disappoint them.

Buhari, APC, send Amaechi to inform me that they must win election at all cost but I refused to cooperate, that's why I'm being persecuted - Justice Inyang

 

 A serving justice of the Supreme Court, Justice John Inyang Okoro, whose house was invaded by the DSS has written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed saying that his travail was not unconnected with the visit of the former governor of Rivers State and Transport Minister Rotimi Ameachi to his official resident.

He said that during the visit, Amaechi said that President Buhari and the APC mandated him (Amaechi ) to inform Justice Inyang that they must win their election Appeals in respect of Rivers , Akwa Ibom and Abia States at all cost.

Shocking! Jonathan won 2015 presidential election, our resistance group fought to throw him out, return power to the North - Ango Abdullahi

Professor Ango Abdullahi

PARIS, OCTOBER 19, 2016: (DGW) Professor Ango Abdullahi has made a stunning revelation almost one and half years how former President Goodluck Jonathan was rigged out power in the 2015 presidential election.

According to the Daily Sun newspapers published on October 16, 2016,  Prof. Ango, the Secretary and spokesman of NEF, Professor Ango Abdullahi, while speaking in a pre-summit address conveyed in Kaduna, north central Nigeria to address the problem facing the north and Nigeria under the APC-led administration, he said as a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), there was no way he could have worked for the success of another political party.

Governor Obiano offered Automatic employmenet to physically challenged graduate of Anambra State

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has offered automatic employment to all physical challenged graduates from his state, Vanguard reports. According to him, this is part of the state government’s determination to reduce their hardships.

speaking through Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, secretary to the state government, during a cultural carnival for Anambra Central Senatorial District held at Agulu in Anaocha local government area in continuation of the Anambra@25 Silver Jubilee anniversary celebration, Obiano said the employment was in line with the stimulus package announced recently for the people of the state. He said: “It is clear that any physically-challenged person who is a graduate of a higher institution has paid enough dues to better his lot. Such a person has passed through a lot of hardship and therefore should not be allowed to continue to suffer. “The governor has announced automatic employment for all physically challenged graduates. This is not politics because we have also abolished collection of levies in all primary schools in the state.”

The move by Governor Obiano comes months after 260 physically challenged persons applied for various automatic job offers to be provided by Governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state. The governor had some months back promised to offer automatic employments to indigenes of the state living with disabilities.

Motorist killed as tanker falls on Benz car in Abia

The NNPC truck laden with over 40,000 litres of petrol, on Saturday night fell on a Mercedes Benz car and killed the occupant. The tanker, with registration number XKN 222 SA and NNPC emblem, was said to be heading to Owerri, the Imo State capital before .....

Aisha Buhari off to Brussels to Deliver Speech

Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari is proving to the world that she does not belong in her husband's kitchen.
Few minutes ago, Aisha announced that she is off to Brussels in Germany to deliver the opening remark on "Women's Role in Global Security". She is accompanied by several aides and her daughter , Hanan.

President Buhari Advised To Declare State of Emergency in Southern Kaduna

A Member of the House of representatives, Barr. Sunday Mashall Katung has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari to declare total war on the killer herdsmen who have in the last couple of months continued with their unprovoked attacks on the agrarian and peace loving people of southern Kaduna, in Kaduna State.
The Member advised the President to invoking the constitutional provision in Section 14(2)(b), which states that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

Katung who represents Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal constituency, also wants the Federal Government to establish a military formation in Jema’a local government with the aim of stopping the invasion of terrorists into “our helpless communities.”
Representative Katung in a statement warned that if the Federal government fails to act, the people will be left with no option than to resort to self- help which will further exacerbate an already inflamed situation.
“Finally, both the state and Federal Govt ought to upgrade their intelligence gathering mechanism to forestall the occurrence of these incessant attacks”, he said. 

$3bn Nigeria-bound Rice Rots Away in Benin Republic

According to a report from Today, some rice worth $3bn is rotting away in Benin republic as the Nigeria Customs service has banned importation of rice into the country through land borders.
An estimated $3 billion bags of rice destined for the Nigerian markets are stuck in various warehouses in Benin Republic due to the Federal Government’s refusal to allow importation through land borders and fierce customs anti smuggling drive.
The annual routine of importing rice into the neighbouring country from July to December to make massive sales in Nigeria during Yuletide period has hit a brick-wall this year as Controller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali has insisted that his men have tightened the frontiers.
Nigeria shares major border frontiers with Benin Republic at Seme Border (Lagos), Idiroko (Ogun), Shaki (Oyo),Chikanda (Kwara) and other smaller openings. Prominent among them is Seme where the highest volume of trade and largest smuggling opportunity exist because of its easy access to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital city.

Read full report Here