News

How Buhari-Led Administration Has Contained Militancy – Iyamu

Edobor Iyamu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, on Tuesday said that militancy in the Niger Delta region was being contained by the present administration through series of people-oriented programmes.
He said this while addressing State House correspondents after the unveiling of the Niger Delta Vision website: www.ndnewvision.gov.ng, by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.
The ceremony was held during the 2018 World Environment Day.
Iyamu said: “It (militancy) is being contained, this administration is doing a lot to ensure that we are in tune with all of the agreements reached and all of the things that we need to do to ensure that peace is maintained in the region.”
According to the presidential aide, following the palliative to the people of the region oil exploration has increased and has been sustained over a long period of time for almost a year or there about.
He said: “I think that to a very large extent militancy has been contained by this administration and I think there is peace and calm in the region and we are moving forward.”
The Presidential aide recalled that since the United Nations Environmental Protection report was produced on Ogoni cleanup in 2011 nothing was done until the Buhari administration intervened.
He said: “Since this administration came into power, it has commenced a number of activities in fulfillment of the UNEP report.”
According to him, the report says some preliminary steps should be taken, one of which is that a health impact assessment test, water contamination test and other medical outreaches must be carried out.
Iyamu said that such preliminaries were to bring in some kind of palliatives to the region.
He noted that Hypre, the agency in charge of the Ogoniland cleanup, had done a number of medical outreaches as well as a number of assessments in respect of water pollution extent.
He observed that the cleanup was at a point where advertisements had been published for interested companies to bid from where no fewer than 120 companies
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News

Designer Kate Spade Found Dead In Manhattan Apartment

American Fashion Designer Kate Spade was found dead in her Park Avenue apartment in Manhattan of an apparent suicide, according to law enforcement officials.
The officials say she was found hanging by housekeeping staff inside her Park Avenue apartment at about 10:20 a.m.Tuesday.
They say she left a note at the scene.
The officials were not authorized to divulge details of an ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity
The officials didn’t know what the note said.
The 55-year-old Spade created a line of sleek handbags in the early 1990s that created a smash.
Her company, Kate Spade New York, has over 140 retail shops and outlet stores across the US and more than 175 shops internationally.

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News

‘Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism’ – President Buhari, Says

President Buhari today in Abuja declared that Nigeria is safe and secure for tourism, citing improved security and country’s burgeoning economy.

Receiving Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at the Presidential Villa, the President said it would have been inconceivable to host an international tourism conference in Abuja four years ago, because of security concerns.

‘‘I am pleased that the country is now sufficiently safe and secure, and the message should go out to the world for all tourists and business travellers. The first thing tourists look out for is security and I am happy we have it now. Minister Lai Mohammed has been trying to convince the world that Nigeria is safe and has great potentials for tourism and investment. I am glad that you and your team have come here to see things for yourself,’’ the President told the UN tourism chief, who is in Abuja for the 61st UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF) conference.

Highlighting the nexus between tourism and sustainable development, the President said Nigeria would not be left behind in ensuring that communities and businesses benefit from tourism development.

In his remarks, Pololikashvili commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the conference which brings together African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.

The UN tourism chief told the President Nigeria had huge potential to develop the tourism sector considering its large economy.

‘‘We can do it in Nigeria, we can create, convert Nigeria to the main tourist destination in Africa. There is a huge potential here. Culture, nature, food you have everything here. You are investing in agriculture, improving seamless travel through visa-on-arrival programme, reforming the economy and doing so much on security. Nigeria is safe,’’ Pololikashvili said.

Also speaking, the Information and Culture Minister said 166 delegates, including 26 tourism ministers from Africa are attending the UN tourism conference, holding from June 4 to June 6 in Abuja.

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News

Ghanaian police arrest 50 Nigerians for Internet fraud & robbery

A total of forty-six laptops, mobile phones and several electronic gadgets was retrieved from 50 Nigerians, who were arrested in Kasoa, Ghana for internet fraud and armed robbery attacks.

They are aged between 20 and 37, and claimed they were students or businessmen but had no proof.

Personnel of the Police Intelligence Directorate who launched the raid, disclosed that it was conducted based on intelligence received from residents, who complained about the rise in criminal activities in the area.

The Director-General in-charge of the Police Intelligence Directorate, Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who spoke to newsmen said the suspects, comprising 49 men and a female, reportedly rented several apartments in the area to plan their nefarious activities. According to him, the police personnel from the unit carried out the operation in the said areas at Gomoa Budumburam around 9.00am and about 20 suspects were rounded up in the first apartment, which is a two-bedroom facility.

“During the arrest, most of the suspects were busy on their laptops while the others were sleeping” he said.

COP Tetteh Yohuno who disclosed that 21 out of the 46 suspected Nigerians rounded up in a similar exercise two weeks ago at Amanfrom, are to be repatriated by the Ghana Immigration Service for illegal immigration, added that the exhibits gotten from the new raid would be forwarded to the Cyber Crime Unit of the Police CID for further investigations.

“We are currently screening them for varying criminal offences, including cyber related crimes and robberies after which they would be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for residence status investigations,” the Director-General of the Unit revealed.

Mr Yohuno advised foreigners in Ghana whose permits had expired to regularise their stay with the GIS and also ensure that they engaged in meaningful jobs, “otherwise they may be suspected of being involved in criminal activities”…

News

‘APC Will Rule Nigeria Forever’ -Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs

The honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, is of the opinion that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will remain in power forever.

Alhassan said this in Abuja on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after the inauguration of state chairmen of the party.

She maintained that despite the wide-ranging rancour in the party, nothing would stop it from retaining power in 2019 and beyond. “Crisis is normal in a big party like APC,” she said.

“Once we can do our national convention, then we face the opposition PDP and I assure you that APC will win more states like Taraba in 2019.

I will make sure that in my zone, I follow up and by God’s grace Gombe and Taraba will be taken over in 2019. And don’t even talk about Nigeria because it’s already APC and it will continue to be APC forever.”…

News

Woman murders her husband because he beat the family cat

A woman admitted to detectives on Saturday that she shot and killed her husband because he was beating the family cat.

Mary Harrison, 47, was charged with murdering her husband, Dexter Harrison, 49, in Fall Manor Drive in Dallas, Texas. She told detectives in Dallas that she shot her husband during a heated argument on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

The shooting occurred just before 7:00 a.m. in the 13200 block of Fall Manor Drive in Dallas, according to police. Dexter Harrison was transported to Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, where he was pronounced dead.

Neighbors told CBS that the couple moved into the neighborhood with their two teenage sons several months ago. They said the family’s pet cat went missing, but after the wife posted several signs, it was eventually returned.

“They were some good people. They don’t bother anybody,” neighbor Carl Phillips said. “A man got shot over a cat? It’s kind of crazy.”…

News

FG Bans Shisha Smoking In Public, Police To Arrest Culprits

The Nigerian government, on Monday, June 4, declared the banning of the use of flavoured tobacco, especially shisha, in public places, and directed security agencies to arrest anyone found inhaling the substance.

While speaking at the 2018 World No Tobacco Day celebration, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, on Monday in Abuja, said the Federal Government has banned the use of flavoured tobacco, especially Shisha, in public places, and directed security agencies to arrest anyone found inhaling the substance.
According to New Telegraph, the minister who spoke during the event with the theme,‘Tobacco Breaks the Heart Choose Health, Not Tobacco’, explained that evidence has shown that for every $1 gain from tobacco business about $3 was expended on healthcare cost.
Worried over the increasing rate of tobacco-related deaths in the country and the world in general, a work plan was developed and launched by the minister on the National Tobacco Control (NTC) Act, which could be implemented by stakeholders before the approval of the NTC Regulations, to curb the use of tobacco products in the country.
 
“The work plan outlines education, enforcement and monitoring for compliance including the ban on sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below 18 years of age; ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of any kind; ban on smoking in public places; and ban on sale of tobacco products in piecemeal quantity but in packs of 20 sticks for cigarettes or 30g for smokeless tobacco.
 
“The FMOH is also looking beyond the work plan as we are developing a comprehensive 5-year National Tobacco Control Strategic Plan that will provide the roadmap for complete tobacco control. In addition to this, the FMOH participated actively in the review of the Nigeria Industrial Standard for tobacco products convened by Standards Organisation of Nigeria in collaboration with Consumer Protection Council (CPC).
 
“A key outcome of this review was the ban on all characterizing flavours including the addition of menthol into tobacco products. This decision is to protect our children from getting enticed by flavoured tobacco
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News

US To Reduce Troops In Africa

The United States is considering to reduce by half its counter-terrorism troops based in Africa over the next three years.
This followed a consideration for a sharp reduction in its special forces operations in Somalia and other African countries.
About 6,000 American soldiers are currently assigned to several African countries, according to the US Africa Command.
Some 500 of those commandos, trainers and logistics specialists are based in Somalia, where they assist African Union and Somali national forces in carrying out attacks on Al-Shabaab.
US military action in Somalia mainly consists of drone strikes that are said to have killed dozens of Shabaab militants in the past year.
But some US troops operate on the ground in an advisory capacity, and a steep reduction in their numbers could have negative consequences for the 11-year-long war against Al-Shabaab.
The contemplated reduction in US troop levels in Africa is mainly a product of two factors.
One is the political furore that erupted following the killing of four US soldiers last October during a counter-insurgency operation in Niger.
A Pentagon investigation into that attack “exposed a risk-taking culture among commandos”.
And that finding strengthened US Defence Secretary James Mattis’s inclination to reduce counter-insurgency missions in Africa, the newspaper said.
At the same time, the US is putting greater emphasis on responding to perceived military threats posed by Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.
A share of the special forces currently based in Africa would be reassigned to missions elsewhere in the world in accordance with that strategic reassessment.
Last year, President Donald Trump loosened restrictions on US military operations in Somalia that the Obama administration had put in place with the aim of avoiding civilian casualties.
An escalation in drone strikes ensued, along with an increase in the number of US military personnel inside Somalia.
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Football / News / Sports

Kanu Recovers Stolen Money

Russian police on Monday detained two baggage handlers at a Moscow airport on suspicion of taking cash worth $11,000 from former Nigerian skipper Nwankwo Kanu’s check-in luggage as he flew from London to the World Cup host country.
The world’s top soccer players and thousands of foreign fans are set to converge on Russia for the World Cup from June 14 to July 15.
Kanu, 41, who played for Arsenal, travelled to Russia to play a friendly organised by FIFA in Kaliningrad, one of the 11 host cities, alongside former England international Wes Brown and former Brazilian international Cafu.
He flew from London to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport before taking a connecting flight to Kaliningrad, the regional centre of the Russian exclave in Europe bordered by Poland and Lithuania. He reported the missing cash when he arrived at his hotel and discovered it was not in his luggage.
It was not immediately clear why he was carrying that amount in cash.
Police said they had detained two men who had handled check-in luggage for a flight from London to Moscow.
The former striker in a chat confirmed that the stolen money has been returned.
“It is true but they caught them and have returned it,” Kanu revealed.
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News

Why Nigerian Army Was Not Hard On Biafrans – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday adduced reasons why the Nigerian Army was not hard on Biafrans agitating for separation during the 30 months civil war that wracked the country.
The President gave the reasons on Monday during his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
He said the Nigerian Army, which he was part of, had strict and formal instructions to exercise restraint against Biafrans during the three-year civil war.
He said every military commander had instructions in dispatches handed to them from the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, that the Biafrans, were not enemies but brothers and sisters of the rest of Nigerians.
Buhari, who promised to assist the organisation secure a permanent office accommodation in Abuja, showered praises on Gowon for that gesture and also the role of the Red Cross in bringing succour to victims of the war even in dangerous circumstances.
He said: “Earlier in my profession, during the civil war, I know how much sacrifice members of the Nigerian Red Cross and their international counterparts did both in the real front of operations and at the rear, on both sides.
“I think it is a lot of sacrifice because anything can happen to you in the operational areas.
“The risks they faced were real and I admire their courage and commitment to helping people who were in distress and were virtually in millions.
“Those photographs of people from the Biafra enclave spoke a lot.
“I remember with nostalgia the performance of the Commander-in-Chief, General Gowon.
“Every commander was given a copy of the Commander-in-Chief’s instructions that we were not fighting enemies but that we were fighting our brothers.
“And thus, people were constrained to show a lot of restraint.
“The international observer teams were allowed to go as far as possible within and outside the front and I think this was generous and very considerate of General Gowon.
“He is a highly committed Nigerian.
“I have taken note of your logistics especially your request for office here.
“I assure …

News

FG To Ban Flavored Tobacco ‘Shisha’, Says Minister

Federal Ministry of Health says it is working with key stakeholders to ban flavored tobacco, including `Shisha’ to proctect children from getting enticed with the product across the country.

 

 

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made the remarks while briefing newsmen in commemoration of 2018 World No Tobacco Day on Monday.
He said that tobacco, whether Shisha, cigar or cigarette, was harmful to the health, adding that the ministry was working with key stakeholders toward an eventual ban of the product in the country.
Adewole added that people import tobacco under a different brand called `Shisha’, saying that flavored tobacco was not acceptable in Nigeria.
Corroborating the position of the minister, the Director-General of Consumer Protection Council, Babatunde Irukera, said Standard Organisation of Nigeria was in charge of creating industrial standard of products in Nigeria.

 

He added that SON Technical Committee in respect of tobacco standard in the country placed Shisha in the class of any tobacco product, hence, it was not an illegal product now.
He said the ministry had developed a work plan on some provisions of the National Tobacco Control Act which stakeholders could immediately implement before the approval of the NTC Regulations.
He explained that the work plan had outlined education, enforcement and monitoring for compliance, including the ban on sale of tobacco products to and by anyone below 18 years of age, among others
The minister said the 2018 World No Tobacco Day has “Tobacco and Heart Disease” as its theme and the slogan is “Tobacco Breaks the Heart – Choose Health, Not Tobacco”.

He added the theme and slogan highlighted the link between the use of tobacco products and heart and other cardiovascular diseases.
He said the theme called for increased awareness on the impact of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke on cardiovascular health.

 

The 2018 World No Tobacco Day therefore provides Nigeria the opportunity to make commitments to promote heart health by protecting people against the use of tobacco products.
Country Representative of World Health Organisation, …

News

Popular Conjoined twins Maria and Consolata die aged 21

Popular Tanzanian conjoined twins Maria and Consolata Mwakikuti have reportedly died after they were hospitalized for heart conditions in December 2017.

The twins who were joined from the navel downwards and shared organs like the liver and lungs, had two hearts and separate heads and arms had great plans for their future and reportedly fought hard for their lives.

The high school graduates whose parents died while they were still infants, were raised by the Catholic charity Maria Consolata, which had adopted and named them.

Reports of their demise on Saturday has spread nationwide leaving Tanzanians in shock and mourning the ever joyous and seemingly happy twins who despite their predicament managed to make an indelible mark in the lives of all.

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News

Young lady survives fatal accident gives credit to Frank Edward’s song for her survival (Photos)

A young woman who survived an accident that killed two other passengers has shared her testimony with gospel singer Frank Edwards.

The woman, whose name was given simply as Chalene, said she took a bus from Onitsha heading to Port Harcourt and noticed immediately they boarded that one of the tyres was faulty.

She mentioned this to the driver but he ignored her. She also expressed her concern to the woman beside her but no one paid attention.

In the course of their journey, the car tyres bursted and the car somersaulted multiple times. The woman beside her who she earlier complained to died in the accident. A male passenger also died but Chalene survived.

She shared her story on Instagram and tagged Frank Edwards. She told him she was listening to his song titled Idi Ebube when the accident occurred.

She wrote:

Survivor. Jesus saved me. I came out alive and unhurt. @frankrichboy I can’t stop praising this God. #wedontdie. We live and proclaim the goodness of God

Read her message to Frank Edwards below.

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News

Shock as girl who was buried two years ago returns to her parents’ house

A girl who was believed to have died two years ago and was buried shocked her community yesterday as she returned to her parents’ home in the quiet Masala town in Ndola, Zambia.

The girl, whose name was given only as Winnie, reportedly died of an illness and her body was deposited in the morgue. She was later buried at Mitingo cemetery and her family came to live with the pain of the loss.

However, the community was left shocked yesterday when the same girl returned home. The girl told her family that it was a banana tree that was buried, not her.

Hundreds of residents gathered at the Central Police where the parents and the girl were kept as they waited for a DNA test to be authorized and conducted on the girl.

The girl’s death certificate and birth certificate were also tendered to the police to assist in the investigation.

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News

Medical Doctor Warns Ladies On The Dangers Of Fixing Eyelashes

A medical practitioner, Dr Ayopo Adeyemi, on Sunday warned women against the use of artificial eyelashes, commonly used to enhance beauty, in view of its grievous consequences.

Adeyemi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the health implications of fixing false eyelashes included corneal abrasions or ulcers, damage of the natural eyelashes, eye sensitivity, amongst others.

She said fixing of artificial eyelashes had become an increasingly popular trend in the fashion world as most ladies, regardless of the health implications, seek perfection and glamour.

According to her, natural eyelashes had its natural way of preventing dirt, sweat, bacteria and other foreign materials from entering into the eye by trapping and keeping out anything that comes near.

Adeyemi, a practitioner at Mushin General Hospital, Lagos, said false eyelashes would accommodate the dirt, thereby causing different forms of allergy and infections.

“The use of harmful chemicals on the eyelashes can cause them to fall out quicker than they naturally would and it is also dangerous when tools to be used come in close proximity to the eye.

“Artificial eyelashes can cause trauma to the eye either through the glue and other materials used or unprofessional operators; there could be introduction of microbes into the eye causing conjunctivitis of all types.

“The lashes themselves can cause allergic conjunctivitis trapping and retaining dirt around the eye,” she said.

Adeyemi advised ladies to minimise the rate at which they fix false eyelashes if they must retain healthy natural ones.…

Entertainment / News

Femi Gbajabiamila gifts his wife N75m G-Wagon with a customized ‘Assurance’ licence plates for her 50th birthday

Popular Nigerian lawmaker, Demi Gbajabiamila appears to have taken a queue from Singer, Davido, as he just presented his lovely wife a brand new G-wagon for her 50th birthday celebration today.

The House of Reps Majority leader surprised his wife, who was celebrating her 50th birthday today, with a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon that had customized ‘Assurance’ licence plates.

Sharing the news on social media, Ovation boss, Chief Dele Momodu wrote;

Wife of the Majority Leader House of Representatives Hon. FEMI GBAJAMILA gets accolades and assurances on her 50th birthday… Check out one of its kind Mercedes G-wagon…

See more photos and video below;

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News

NDLEA to curb drug abuse through “special raids” in FCT

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), FCT command says it is poised to curb drug abuse and trafficking among youths in the territory through “Surprise Raiding Strategy” (SRS).

Mr Peter Adegbe, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command disclosed this in an interview with  Newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

He explained that the SRS as the name implies involves surprise raids on the traffickers’ black spots and hideouts in the territory such as Zone 4, Bannex, Jabi and other areas in the outskirts of the FCT. According to Adegbe, the strategy is part of the agency’s efforts in tackling drug vendors and traffickers in the territory and environs.

He said the command would achieve the goal by ensuring that the demand and supply of both cocaine and cannabis sativa are reduced to the barest minimum.

“Once people, especially the youths, are well informed about the dangers of drug abuse, the demand will drastically reduce and this will affect the supply.

“The command has chosen to tackle the menace of drug abuse and ridding the territory with this new strategy,” he said.

The spokesman said that the menace of drug abuse had become a global concern as citizens particularly young people in several countries were engaged in the act.

“It is disheartening that children at tender age already have problem using drugs. “There should be deliberate and sustained efforts at educating the younger generation on drug prevention,’’ Adegbe said.

The spokesman said the command would not relent in its efforts to rid the FCT of hard drugs, adding that several campaigns had been held in this regard. He urged Nigerians especially parents and guardians to give listening ears to their children and youths who were the vulnerable groups against drug abuse.

Adegbe also appealed to residents of the FCT to join hands with the NDLEA in ensuring a responsible society void of social vices. “The public needs to understand that they should also support the NDLEA in tackling this drug menace,” he said.…

Entertainment / News

Femi Fani-Kayode & his wife welcome triplets on her birthday

Peoples Democratic Part (PDP) Chieftain and Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and his wife Precious Chikwendu have welcomed three boys on her birthday, today, May 25th.

The couple welcomed the triplets this morning. It also happens to be Precious’ birthday so it’s a double celebration for the family.

The boys have been named Ragnar, Aiden, and Liam. The couple already has one son named Aragorn.

Announcing the good news, FFK wrote:

“I give thanks to God for the birth of my three beautiful sons Ragnar, Aiden and Liam this morning. They are so beautiful. Precious and the three boys are doing very well. Today is her birthday: what a wonderful birthday gift that the Lord has given to us. To God be the glory!”

 

He earlier on took to his twitter handle to serenade his wife and mother of his son, Aragorn, Precious, with kind words as she turns a year older today May 25th.

Happy birthday to her! In his post, FFK wrote;

”Happy birthday to my darling wife @Snowhitey1. May the Lord continue to bless you and be with you, may His Holy Spirit guide and lead you and may He cause you to excel, flourish and prosper. Thanks for your love and kindness and for being such a wonderful wife to me and mother to our beautiful son Aragorn. You are everything to us and we love you very much. May your joy be full and may you live long and prosper. Many more years to come! Congrats dear and have a great day! @Snowhitey1”.…

Entertainment / News

Fani Kayode And Wife Expecting Triplets (Photos)

The former Aviation minister Fani Kayode and wife are expecting triplets.

His wife Precious Chikwendu who doubles as a model and actress shared photos on her instagram page and wrote:

Had this amazing shoot at 22weeks and looked forward to sharing it but loosing my mom clouded my joy. Been cold for a while, still in denial, she remains irreplaceable even in death. But hey I’ve got to be the strong,cheerful and brave woman she knew. So as we await these amazing young ones , I celebrate you my angels, your presence would definitely cheer me up and I’m totally up for the new experience and challenges of being a trip-mama.😘thank you @byjaru stylist of life 😘😘😘😘😘 #waitingtillyouarrive #twinsandmultiples #triplets #tripletpregnancy #tripletbelly #tripletmom

See photos below;

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