Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari to run oil ministry

President Muhammadu Buhari says he will head the Ministry of Petroleum Resources in the new cabinet. Addressing some select reporters in New York on Tuesday, after addressing a Global Leaders' Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism, he said: ``I wil remain Minister of Petroleum.

``I will appoint a minister of State for Petroleum''.

According to him, this step is being taken as part of efforts to sanitise Nigeria’s oil industry which is said to be plagued by corruption, massive fraud, and crude oil theft.

Bayelsa APC Primary: Retired Army General Replaces Oshiomhole As Chairman

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the appointment of Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (retd.) as Chairman of the gubernatorial primary election committee for Bayelsa State.

The election is expected to hold today.

Dan Ali replaces Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, who said that in spite of the heavy presence of security personnel at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, venue of the election, last Tuesday, armed thugs still found their way and disrupted the exercise.

Oshiomhole insisted in his report to the national headquarters of the APC that no primary held last Tuesday as thugs hijacked the electoral process even as the police were helpless.

Speaking on the resolve to hold a new primary election, the National Organizing Secretary of APC, Sen Osita Izunaso, said authentic candidate of the party will emerge today.

Timi Alaibe Withdraws From The APC Governorship Primary In Bayelsa

It is with all nostalgia that I recall the zeal, enthusiasm and hope with which thousands of Bayelsans made a statement in the direction of change in August, 2015.
 I can also vividly recall a mental replay of the occasion wherein a qualitative representation of the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress ( APC) ushered in respected leaders and members from their then party, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) .

That singular event has been phenomenal just as its true meaning and direction have all exuded confidence, unity of purpose, cohesion, collectivism and courage. That day undoubtedly marked the beginning of a people's journey from hopelessness and quandary as enunciated by the accidental PDP-led ‎government in Bayelsa state to that of quality leadership that an APC government will represent.

As one of such leaders who took that historic decision, I thought of giving a further bite to my burning desire to extricate the state from‎ abysmal leadership failure. Therefore, my aspiration to be governor after series of consultations was to rekindle our collective hope and lift the state beyond its current state of decay under the PDP.

Governor Wada to reconcile PDP members ahead of Governorship Elections

The kogi state governor captain Idris wada has assured that he was continuing very serious efforts of reconciliation to bring members together for battle ahead of the November 21^st governorship elections in kogi state.

Governor wada stated this in Abuja when he received his issuing certificates of return and his Bayelsa State, counterpart, Henry Seriake Dickson at the PDP National headquarters in Abuja.

The Kogi State governor, Wada, described the primaries in kogi state as a tedious process.While he thanked the party for its leadership style.

He further expressed confidence that PDP would win the election in Kogi State.

Kogi State gubernatorial election will hold on November 21, while that of Bayelsa will hold on December 5, this year.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be objective and abide by the rules of the electoral process during the forthcoming governorship polls in Kogi and Bayelsa states.

Smart vs Dino: DSS Wrote No Report – PDP

Former zonal Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Kogi West senatorial district, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed said yesterday that the Department of State Services(DSS) has no report on the Kogi West election before the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja.

Mohammed, who debunked earlier media reports indicating that the DSS had submitted a preliminary report to the Tribunal said in Abuja that he attended the Tuesday sitting and the DSS never presented any such report.

According to Mohammed, an operative of the DSS, who claimed to have been attached to the office of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the election, Mr. Victor Garba, who was quoted as having submitted a report from the DSS was not acting on behalf of the DSS as he could not present an identity card to prove that he was a member of staff of the DSS. He also said the said report tendered by the acclaimed operative failed under cross examination by the counsel to Senator Smart Adeyemi, Mr. Kayode Olatoke, as according to him, the man was subpoenaed in his personal name and not in the name of DSS.

“The said operative was not acting on behalf of the DSS in the case between Senator Smart Adeyemi and Dino Melaye. He could not produce an identity card and he only submitted a report on plain sheet of paper. That cannot be said to be a report of the DSS,” Mohammed insisted.

“The man who claimed that Dino was properly nominated was subpoenaed in his personal capacity and not in the name of INEC. He also claimed that the primary of the APC held in Lokoja and Kabba and could not give the names of the officers that conducted it. The result he submitted was not on INEC letter head but on plain sheets. Counsel to Senator Adeyemi said it clearly that the man was not acting for INEC, so, it is wrong to claim that INEC had exonerated Dino over the issue of primaries, “ he added.(clued from KR)

Flood: Kogi to begin evacuation in 48hours time

Kogi State Government says it will in the next forty eight hours begin the process of evacuating people living in flood prone areas.

Yomi Awoniyi, Deputy Governor, and Chairman flood Management Committee, said the evacuation protocols would be activated by the state government if the water level continues to rise.

Awoniyi disclosed that the water from close monitoring rises every hour, said the state is no longer as comfortable as it thought, appealed to those living in flood prone areas to move upland to avoid the severe loss to lives and properties.

The Deputy Governor said the water has so far risen to 9.66m, described the present situation as disconcerting as some communities in the riverine areas of the state have already been flooded.

Enact Strict Measures that Would Dismantle the Havens for ill-gotten Wealth-Buhari

Paul Walker's daughter sues Porsche over father's death

The daughter of the late Fast and Furious actor Paul Walker is to sue carmaker Porsche over the crash in which he died, US reports say.

Walker was a passenger in a Porsche a friend was driving when it hit a pole and burst into flames in November 2013.

US media report that a wrongful death case has now been filed by Walker's daughter Meadow, alleging the carmaker took safety shortcuts.

Bayelsa Governorship Primary: APC Fixes September 29th For Fresh Primaries

The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cancelled the controversial Bayelsa State primaries in which former governor, Timiprye Sylva emerged flag bearer and fixed Tuesday the 29th for fresh primaries to be conducted.

The National Chairman of the Party, Mr John Odigie-Oyegun, said after the committee’s meeting on Monday that they decided to cancel the controversial primaries after prolonged discussions and anyone against that decision including the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timiprye Sylva, may challenge it in court.

This leaves the party with barely 24 hours before the deadline of Wednesday the 30th of September when it must submit to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the name of its candidate for the governorship election in the state coming up on December the 5th.

Police recover 82 stolen cows in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command on Monday announced the recovery of 80 stolen cattle between Sept. 17 and 22.

The command's Spokesman, Mr Sabo Kurawa, who made the announcement at a news briefing in Sokoto, said that three suspects had been arrested.

Kurawa said that 34 of the recovered animals belonged to one Lawali Gidan-Igwai.

The spokesman said the owner had reported to the police that three people had attacked him with a gun and carted away his 46 cows while grazing at a forest in Birisawa village of Tureta Local Government.

``The police cordoned off the forest and were able to recover thirty four out of the fourty six cows stolen,'' he explained.

Kurawa further stated that two of the three suspects were held at the State CIID while one was at the Tureta police division.

The police spokesman said that the remaining animals were found wandering in Zugu forest without a herdsman on Sept. 22.

``Police acted on the information and moved to the forest along with the vigilante group where they sighted a number of cows without a herdsman.

``It is highly expected that the cows were stolen and later abandoned by cattle rustlers. Fourty six cows were recovered in the same bush, on the same day,'' Kurawa said.

Pope at prison: justice system must focus on healing and 'new possibilities'

Pope Francis has urged inmates at a Philadelphia jail to believe in the power of rehabilitation, condemning societies that normalize their suffering, on the last day of his trip to a nation that holds one-fifth of all the world’s prisoners.

Speaking at Curran-Fromhold correctional facility, the Argentinian pontiff told a group of 60 male and 11 female prisoners: “Any society, any family that cannot share or take seriously the pain of its children, and views that pain as something normal or expected, is a society condemned to remain hostage to itself, prey to the very things which cause that pain.”

He urged the inmates, their families and the correctional officers to believe in the possibility of rehabilitation, saying Christ “comes to save us from the lie that says no one can change”.

 They should regard their time in prison not as exclusion from society but as a period aimed at giving them “a hand in getting back on the right road”, he said. “All of us,” he added, “are part of that effort.”
Francis said: “It is painful when we see prison systems which are not concerned to care for wounds, to soothe pain, to offer new possibilities,” he said. “It is painful when we see people who think that only others need to be cleansed, purified, and do not recognize that their weariness, pain and wounds are also the weariness, pain and wounds of society.”

Pope Francis chair made for him by prisoners

Pope Francis: 'God weeps' at child sex abuse

Pope Francis has met and prayed with a small group of victims of child sexual abuse in the United States, assuring them that God weeps for their suffering.

The Roman Catholic Church in the United States has been embroiled in child sex scandals and its Dioceses have made huge compensations pay out to victims.

The pope met the five victims, who are now adults but suffered sexual abuse as children at a Seminary in Pennsylvania.
The group, three women and two men had been abused by the Clergy, family members or teachers.

The Pope's Spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi said the Pontiff has renewed his commitment to ensure that victims get justice, the guilty punished and to effective prevention in the church and the society.

At the end of a nine day tour of Cuba and the US, Pope Francis is due to hold an open air mass in Philadelphia.

Buhari restates determination to sanitise Nigeria's oil industry

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his determination to sanitise Nigeria's oil industry and free it from corruption and shady deals.

Buhari made the statement on Sunday in New York during a meeting with President Xi Jinping of China on the side lines of the 70th General Assembly of the United Nations.

He said that the first step in this direction had already been taken with the appointment of a new management for the NNPC and its subsequent reorganisation.

He said that the prosecution of those who misappropriated NNPC's revenue under past administrations would soon commence.

Buhari commended President Xi for China's assistance to Nigeria to curb the theft of crude oil.
He applauded China's interception of shipload of crude oil stolen from Nigeria which was to be sold and their proceeds paid into private accounts.

``We know your stand on corruption and we are grateful. Your continued cooperation in curbing oil theft from Nigeria will be appreciated, '' he said.

Buhari told his Chinese counterpart that under his leadership, the Nigerian military had been re-trained and re-equipped and was now making steady gains in the fight against Boko Haram.

In his remark, President Xi said China was involved in the development of Nigeria in diverse areas like construction of railways, airports, agriculture, Mambilla Hydro-power project, among others.

He promised that China would increase its investment in Nigeria’s agriculture sector to boost food security.
Xi also promised that his country would invest in Nigeria's oil and gas industry and assist in the development of human capital.

Remain Good ambassadors :Amnesty-Coordinator urge Scholarship Students

Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd), the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, on Monday charged student trainees under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) studying in foreign countries to avoid detractors.

Boroh, who is also the Coordinator of PAP, gave the charge in Abuja .

He described as unfortunate reports that some of the students were allegedly poised to take to the streets to protest the delay in the payment of their allowances and school fees.

''Such a move is unwarranted, since the office had paid two months arrears of allowances owed the students.
"All arrangements have also been concluded to offset the outstanding two months, as well as all school fees yet to be paid.

'' I advise student trainees under the programme-- studying in foreign countries-- to avoid detractors and desist from negative actions capable of derailing their studies, "he said

The coordinator cautioned the students against being wrongly advised as such could put them in a delicate position.

"I don't know what some people stand to gain from inciting the students to protest, such advise is irrational and may likely put the students in a delicate position.

"Something is clear here, and that is, these students are being incited by some disgruntled former consultants for selfish reasons.

"I want to assure them that the Federal Government is fully committed to ensuring that they complete their programme successfully, without any hitch."

Boko Haram kills 9 in Borno

The Borno Police Command on Sunday confirmed the killing of nine persons after a suspected Boko Haram insurgents' attack in Mailari village in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno.

Mr Aderemi Opadoku, the Commissioner of Police said this while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri.
``Today Sept. 27, 22015 at about a.m. suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mailari village in Konduga LGA.

``Nine persons were reported killed while 10 were injured. The injured victims are now being treated at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital,'' he said.

Opadokun added: ``security has already been beefed up to forestall a recurrence while investigation is in progress.'

Eid el-Kabir: Sultan directs Imams to conduct special prayers

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has directed Chief Imams of Juma'at mosques across the country to conduct special prayers for unity, peace and progress of the nation.

This is contained in a statement signed by the acting Secretary, Sultanate Council of Sokoto,
Alhaji Sa'idu Maccido, and issued to newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the Sultan who is also the President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (NSCIA), wished Muslims across the world a peaceful and prosperous Eid el-Kabir celebrations now and always.

''His Eminence is also extending glad tidings to this year's pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, who are currently undertaking various special obligations of the 2015 Hajj.

''May Allah in his infinite mercy accept their rituals and return them safely to their various countries and destinations,'' it said.

Eid-el Kabir: Buhari restates pledge to end Boko Haram

As Muslims in Nigeria join the world in celebration of the Eid-el Kabir festival, President Muhammadu Buhari has said his thoughts and prayers for divine solace were with families who are mourning as a result of bloody activities of the Islamist terrorist sect, Boko Haram, at this time when the world is celebrating.

Top Nigerians in government and the political circle have also felicitated with the Muslim community in the country.

In a message to felicitate with Nigerian Muslims, the president congratulated the country’s pilgrims performing the hajj in Saudi Arabia as he urged them to rededicate themselves to a greater acceptance and internalisation of its lessons of piety, faithfulness, dedication, fortitude, obedience, sacrifice and selfless service, which would serve the benefit of all.

Buhari reassures the nation of safety and security of lives and property during the festivities, just as he directed the Armed Forces and other national security agencies to provide maximum security across the country during the Eid-el Kabir prayers.

The president said particular attention must be paid to areas most vulnerable to terrorist attacks, saying Nigerians should feel assured that the days of Boko Haram are numbered.

The President seized the opportunity to extend heartfelt commiserations to families in Maiduguri and North-eastern Nigeria who have lost beloved relations in recent terrorist attacks.

Buhari called for more patience, fortitude, tolerance, endurance, patriotism and a greater willingness to make personal sacrifices for the good of all as his administration strives to lead the nation towards rapidly overcoming its current security, economic and developmental challenges.

Martial shines as Man Utd go second in the EPL

French teenager Anthony Martial, having scored as a substitute on his Premier League debut in Manchester United's last game, added two more goals to earn his team a 3-2 win at Southampton.

The victory took Louis van Gaal's side into second place, two points behind neighbours Manchester City.
Graziano Pelle put Southampton ahead in the 13th minute but Martial, who cost $56.4m from AS Monaco on the last day of the transfer window, equalised 10 minutes before halftime.

His second goal followed a dreadful backpass by Southampton's Japanese defender Maya Yoshida.
Juan Mata added United's third midway through the second half before Pelle gave his team late hope by heading in Sadio Mane's cross.

Elsewhere, Danny Ings scored his first Liverpool goal within three minutes of coming on as a substitute but promoted Norwich City fought back to draw 1-1 at Anfield.
The home side had started the game in the bottom six following Tottenham Hotspur's win earlier on Sunday and the point lifted them two places to 13th, two places behind Norwich and level on eight points with their opponents.

Liverpool, with their England striker Daniel Sturridge back for the first time since April, brought on Ings for Christian Benteke at halftime and the former Burnley man scored a fine goal almost immediately.
But Norwich central defender Russell Martin equalised with his third goal of the season after a mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
Results:
Tottenham 1-0 Crystal Palace

Liverpool 1-1 Norwich

Southampton 2-3 Manchester United

Osinbajo attends follow-up meeting on Burkina Faso

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will join a select group of West African leaders at a meeting in Ouagadougou to address the political situation in Burkina Faso on Wednesday, a statement said.

the statement said, Osinbajo is representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the meeting, which was decided at the Extra- ordinary session of ECOWAS leaders in Abuja.

The statement, issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo would be among six ECOWAS leaders to participate in the event.

It said the special ECOWAS delegation would be meeting with the leaders of the military coup in Burkina Faso.

The meeting is to facilitate the return of the sacked interim government in the West African nation with the intention of holding due democratic elections in the country, the statement said.

The ECOWAS Heads of State and Government had on Tuesday approved a six-member delegation to Burkina Faso to monitor the restoration of all interim political structures in the country.

The President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Desire Ouedraogo, at the end of the extraordinary meeting at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, named Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Togo, Senegal and Benin as members of the delegation.

He said the delegation was saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the reinstallation of all members of the transitional government, including Mr Misha Karfando, as President of the interim government in Burkina Faso.

Ouedraogo said the meeting also assigned the Chairman of ECOWAS, President Macky Sall of Senegal, and his Nigerian counterpart, Buhari, to initiate a political dialogue among all stakeholders.

He said the step was aimed at finding concessional solutions to the proposed Peace Accord presented to the Commission by Sall and President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic, who were on a peace mission to Bukina Faso on Friday.

As part of the peace moves, the ECOWAS leaders called on the presidential guards to disarm and demanded the other unit of the army not to use force to avoid the loss of lives.

They also called on all the stakeholders to exercise patience and refrain from anything that could derail the national consensus.

The ECOWAS leaders also requested African Union and the international community to lift the sanctions imposed on Burkina Faso in the view of the fact the interim government would be reinstated by Sept. 23.

The statement said Osinbajo would return to the country later in the day.

END

Bayern's Lewandowski scores five goals in nine minutes

Bayern Munich substitute Robert Lewandowski single-handedly obliterated VfL Wolfsburg by scoring five times in nine minutes, including the league's fastest hat-trick, as the champions crushed their rivals 5-1 to extend their perfect Bundesliga start to six wins.

The Poland striker came on after the break and stunned Wolfsburg with three goals in four minutes, starting in the 51st, to turn the game on its head.

He struck twice more in the next five minutes, including a spectacular volley for the fastest five-goal haul in the Bundesliga's 52-year history.

The win lifted Bayern to a maximum 18 points, three ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who are in action at Hoffenheim on Wednesday.

Wolfsburg, who had not conceded a goal in their last four matches in all competitions, are third on 11 points.

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola brought on Lewandowski at the start of the second half and the 27-year-old forward opened his account six minutes later.

Nine minutes after that Bayern, who host Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League next week, were 5-1 up and the Wolves in a state of complete disbelief as Lewandowski, the league's top scorer two seasons ago, took his tally for this campaign to eight goals.

Burkina Faso coup: Michel Kafando 'back in charge'

Burkina Faso's interim President Michel Kafando has said he is back in charge and civilian rule restored nearly a week after a coup.

His announcement came as coup leader Gen Gilbert Diendere went to welcome several African leaders arriving to oversee the transfer of power.

His presidential guard agreed to a deal overnight with the regular army to avoid violence.
They pledged to return to barracks and the army to withdraw from the capital.

2015 Hajj: 3m Muslims gather at plain of Arafat

No fewer than three million Muslims from across the world gathered Wednesday at the plain of Arafat to observe one of the obligatory aspect of this year’s Hajj.

The pilgrims, who gathered at the Holy City of Makkah for Hajj, spent a night at Mina before moving to the plain of Arafat for the worship.

The Saudi authority had announced that Arafat will hold on Wednesday, Sept. 23, following the sighting of Lunar month of Zul-Hajj on Sept. 14.

About 76,000 Nigerians are among the Muslims that arrived Arafat for the largest human gathering worldwide.

Ed-El-Kabir: Yomi Awoniyi Celebrates with Muslims

The Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, has called on muslims to use the Ed-El-Kabir celebration as a period for displaying the virtues of tolerance, understanding and good neighborliness.

In a message to muslims on this year’s Ed-El-Kabir celebration, Awoniyi called on muslims to follow Allah’s command, urged muslims not to see the period as a period only for merry making and other anti social activities that may hinder the celebration, but to reflect on the significance of the season.

In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abu Micheal, Awoniyi congratulated Muslims for seeing yet another Ed El Kabir celebration, called for prayers for the success of the Capt Idris Wada’s administration, and for peace and prosperity of the state and nation at large.

The Deputy Governor advised Muslims, and indeed Nigerians, to shun all forms of vices that could hinder harmonious co-existence with people of other faiths and said “We must continue to appreciate that our strength as a people lie in our ethnic and religious diversity's. Hence, we should maximize the inherent advantages in such diversity’s through understanding and respect of the essence of the different faiths”, the Deputy Governor said.

The Deputy Governor reminded muslims to celebrate the Ed-El-Kabir with moderation,  pray for a peaceful and successful forth coming governorship election in the state, and for “God to flood Nigeria with happiness and all the joys of life as we celebrate another festival”.

President Buhari to address 70th Session of UNGA in New York on Sept. 28.

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday leave Nigeria for New York to attend the 70th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

It stated that the president would hold series of meetings and interactions with notable world leaders within and on the sidelines of the main events of the UNGA.

According to the statement, the president will hold deliberations and interactions with the UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki Moon, President Barack Obama of the U.S. and President Francois Hollande of France.

The statement said the president would also hold deliberations with Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India and others.

It said that the president’s talks with the world leaders would mainly be on domestic developmental issues, bilateral relations, the war against terrorism and countering violent extremism.

Eld-el-Kabir: Kogites lament high cost of rams

Some residents of Lokoja, who went to different ram markets  to buy rams for the Eld-el-Kabir, had lamented high cost of rams a day to the celebration.
In spite of the economic crunch and non payment of salary to civil servants in kogi state, they said most of the rams brought to the state were unaffordable.

Sulaiman Kazeem, who came to buy ram at Felele Ram Market, said that the prices of rams in the market were on the high side.

"In fact, we thought because there is scarcity of funds in circulation, prices of rams will be affordable.

"I came to this market with N45, 000 thinking that I will get a medium price ram at the price.

"To my surprise, the least medium ram here cost N60, 000 this is too much.

"The dealers should consider the fact that there is no money, everybody is just trying to kill ram to mark the festival," he said.

Kazeem said that he needed to add another N15, 000 to the money he brought to the market in order to buy his choice ram.

Alhaji Lawal Rabiu, another buyer, said that he was fortunate to get his ram at N30,000.

Rabiu said that though the ram was small, he was happy that his family would have something to celebrate with.

"There are some people who could not afford to buy a ram, but we should be grateful to God for gift of life," he said.

Alhaji Wada Ismael,who is a ram seller complained that high cost of transportation fares and feeding contributed to the high cost of livestock.

Ismael, however, said that the price would come down after the festive period

He said when compared this period with that of 2014, the prices of rams were almost the same only that the market was dull.

The price of a big rams in most of the markets are between N75,000 and N90,000

The medium size rams also cost between N40,000 and N60,000 while the smaller ones goes between N25, 000 and N35,000.

Pope Francis begins tour of the US

Pope Francis has begun his tour of the US, where he is expected to greet millions of American Catholics and address thorny issues like climate change and income inequality.

US President Barack Obama welcomed the pope as he landed on Tuesday - a rare honour for a foreign dignitary.

The pontiff will visit Washington DC, New York and Philadelphia.

Before he departed Cuba on Tuesday, he called on its people to live a "revolution of tenderness".

In the final Mass of his four-day visit to the island, with President Raul Castro attending, he urged thousands of Cubans to serve one another and not an ideology.

NYSC posting: D-G urges individuals, institutions to stop seeking favours

Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on Monday called on private, public institutions and individuals to stop sending requests for concessional posting of prospective corps members.

The director-general said the scheme would no longer entertain or grant such requests as the online registration platform introduced by it had been designed to address the problem.

Olawumi said this at the opening ceremony of a two weeks skill acquisition training programme in Building Technology for corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Abuja.

The programme is organised by the scheme in collaboration with the Housing Developers Institute (HDI) for over 200 corps members drawn from different states of the federation.

``The scheme has for the past few weeks received various requests from MDAs of government, private institutions and individuals seeking concessional posting.

``They are just wasting their time; we are not going to do any concessional posting for anybody. This country belongs to everybody so corps members should be able to serve anywhere we deploy them.

``If we concede to this it will be killing the objective by which the scheme was established which is national integration," he said.

Olawumi said that the scheme had in the past allowed concessional postings for prospective corps members who had medical problems, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

``All those who have these challenges what they need to do is in the process of doing the online registration they should upload necessary documents and information to the portal and it will automatically post them.

``These persons will automatically be posted to either the location where they are receiving treatment or where their parents reside. Pregnant and nursing mothers will be automatically posted to where their spouses reside," he said.

The director-general said the scheme had chosen the housing sector as a key component of its skill acquisition training for corps members to address youth unemployment.

NAWOJ urges FG to immortalise HID Awolowo

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) on Monday described the late Mrs H.I.D Awolowo as a true mother of the nation, worthy of immortalisation by the Federal Government.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the NAWOJ National President, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole.

NAWOJ expressed regret over the death of the matriarch, who was the wife of the former Premiere of the Western Region and Pre-Independence Nationalist, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

It described HID as a role model who women and youth should emulate.

`` HID Awolowo actively participated in politics especially in the Western Region, campaigning with her husband in the second republic.

``She was also, alongside her late husband, a nationalist who contributed in no small way to the nation’s independence.

``NAWOJ, therefore, urges the Federal Government to immortalise this great hero. Mrs Awolowo indeed deserves a state burial,’’ the statement said.

It further stated that HID would always be remembered as the woman who paved the way for active women participation in politics.

``The death of this illustrious woman at 99 came as a shocker to the Association which was already planning to celebrate her as she was to turn 100 in two months time.

``Indeed, the life of this jewel of inestimable value, as she was fondly called by her husband is worthy of emulation; and I urge all Nigerian women to emulate her exemplary life.

``NAWOJ, therefore, commiserates with her immediate family and indeed all Nigerians over the demise of the late icon,’’ the statement noted.

El-Rufai Visits Flooded Areas

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has visited some of the communities that were submerged by a heavy flood to ascertain the level of devastation.                  

The Governor who was accompanied by his Deputy, Bala Bantex, and other top government functionaries, visited some parts of Tudun Wada, Gonin-Gora, Romi, Sabon Tasha, Kabala West, among others.

El-Rufai described the flood as very devastating and the highest to happen in the state.

He gave the assurance of government’s support to the victims of the flood, saying that those displaced from their homes would be provided with temporary shelter until the floods are over.

He also stressed the need to discourage people from building houses along river banks and floodplain areas, in order to avoid a future ugly incident.

While in Romi, the Governor inspected an abandoned bridge in the area, which he said was responsible for the flooding.

The flood is said to have submerged at least 2,000 houses in the state

Saraki Arrives Code of Conduct Tribunal, Live Coverage Barred

Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has appeared at the Code of Conduct tribunal.

The Senate President is accompanied by his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and other Senators.

The Tribunal has however, barred all media outfits from broadcasting the proceedings.

Kogi 2015: Wada versus Audu

By Abu Micheal.

it calls for laughter and amazement when columnist as Idowu Akinlotun who wrote on the back page of today's Nation Newspaper try to stand logic on its head. The Kogi election would be decided by Kogi people and not Tinibu who has nominated a deputy who is unknown to kogi people for Prince Audu all because he wants to position the man for governor in 2019 and for his Presidential ambition. 

For the avoidance of doubt, the Kogi people having tested the administration of Prince Audu with his draw backs and liabilities as confirmed by Idowu are waiting for November to prove that they have moved on with their lives in more positive ways and wouldn't want to go back to the dark days when salaries are owed workers and the state turned into a fiefdom.

The rejection of Audu in 2003 was done because he lost value and importantly, nothing has changed about him to expect that the people will reelect him in 2015, an action that will mean going backward to the dark days several years after.

Pope Francis heads to Cuba after months of secret diplomacy

When Pope Francis lands in Cuba on Saturday he will find a changing country. He may well take some pride in those transformations since they came about in part through the Pope's own involvement in secret diplomacy worthy of a spy thriller.

President Obama announced last December that the United States and Cuba would restore diplomatic relations. Since then, the island has been buzzing with the possibilities of a new era.

Just this week, the United Nations announced that Cuban President Raul Castro would travel to New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly. It will be his first visit to the U.S. in more than a half century. And U.S. and Cuban officials have said that President Obama could visit the Communist-run island next year, if the two countries progress sufficiently in normalization talks.

The change that Francis helped bring about has been so dramatic that even longtime atheist and Marxist Raul Castro has said the Pope has made him consider praying again.   

(clued from cnn)

Tribunal Update: Two Witnesses Testify Against Dino Melaye

The Election and Petition Tribunal sitting in Lokoja yesterday accepted, the prayer of Senator Smart Ad­eyemi to close its case after two witnesses testified that there were irregularities in the March 28th Na­tional Assembly election that produced Dino Melaye as the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District.


While testifying before the tribunal, the star wit­ness to Adeyemi, Hon Fehinti Dada, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial collation officer said reports collated from the party agents from across the district showed that some election re­sults were doctored and manipulated in favour of the candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC), Dino Melaye.

Flood: Remain Vigilant, Kogi Govt Warns Its Residents

People living along flood prone areas have been asked to remain vigilant.

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi, stated this while at the bank of River Niger to monitor historical markings at the bank of River Niger an action he disclosed was geared towards enabling the state government plan well ahead  of the predicted flood.

Awoniyi said the state will continue to keep watch, with a view to communicate early to citizens of the anticipated flood as soon as it receives signal that the water is approaching an alarming mark.

The State Deputy Governor who also doubles as Chairman of Flood Management Committee, said there is still a wide margin between the margin when the 2012 flood occurred, said the present mark does not portend danger.

The Deputy Governor described the efforts to build well laid drains in Lokoja township and efforts at clearing blocked drains in the state as proactive measures by the state government that has contributed to the free flow of water and made the state less prone to flooding as is been experienced in other parts of the country.