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From Nigerian scholar, Pius Adeyemi to Nobel-winning novelist Toni Morrison and Zimbabwe strongman Robert Mugabe, here are some of the notable deaths of 2019. JANUARY – 10: Emir Of Lafia died of an undisclosed ailment at the age of 84. – 13: Former South Africa star Philemon ‘Chippa’ Masinga died aged 49 in a Johannesburg hospital from cancer – 21: Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala, 28, was killed when the plane he was in crashed into the English Channel. – 30 Grammy-Winning R&B Singer James Ingram dies at 66; his rise to fame came after he lent his smooth vocals to the songs “Just Once” FE BRUARY -11: NFF General Secretary Taiwo Ogunjobi died of a brief illness. -16: Bruno Ganz, the actor whose role as Hitler inspired countless parodies died in Zurich, he was suffering from cancer. Ganz died aged 77. -19: Iconic Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld died at 85. Lagerfeld was artistic director at Chanel. -28: Veteran Musician Andre Previn died at 89. MARCH -01: Former Kano Gove...

Bandits in their numbers reportedly invaded Jibia town of Katsina state, abducting a housewife alongside her one-year-old baby daughter including her 20-year-old son and whisked them into the forest.Identified as Hajiya Asma’u Tasiu, the abducted woman is a wife to one Alhaji Tasi’u Wali and her one-year-old baby daughter is identified as Husna Tasi’u while her 20-year-old son is identified as Abu Abu In a press statement issued on the state police Whatsapp platform, the spokesman of the state police command, SP Gambo Isah said Operations Puff Adder and Sharandaji including SARS patrol teams are presently combing the forest with a view to arresting them.Isah said a stray bullet fired as a result of their sporadic shooting however hit one Ibrahim Usman and died while receiving treatment at the hospital adding that investigation is on going.source:channelstv

A 23-year-old man, Adeeko Owolabi, has been arrested alongside a self-acclaimed pastor of a white garment church, Segun Philip, (aged 42) over the murder of a final year sociology student of the Lagos State University, Favour Daley-Oladele.The deceased was reported to have left home to an unknown destination since the 8th of December 2019 and has not been seen since then.Consequently, she was reported missing by her parents at the Mowe Police Station.According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Commissioner Of Police, Ogun State Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, on receiving the report, the DPO Mowe division, SP Marvis Jayeola, detailed his crack detectives to unravel the mystery behind the sudden disappearance of the lady.The detectives then went into full scale technical and forensic investigation of the case and their efforts paid off when the movement of the deceased was traced to a white garment church in Ikoyi-Ile, in Osun State.On getting to the...

Police sealed off the scene of the attack, which is close to a synagogueAt least five people have been stabbed at the house of a rabbi in New York state, police say.The house in Monsey, north of New York city, was hosting a religious celebration when the attacker burst in, according to the Orthodox Jewish Public Affairs Council (OJPAC).The suspect fled but was later taken into custody, police said. The motive was not immediately clear.One of the victims was stabbed at least six times, OJPAC said in a tweet.CBS New York reported that a man brandishing a machete attacked a Hanukkah celebration at the rabbi's property in Monsey - an area with a large population of ultra-Orthodox Jews. The incident happened at about 22:00 on Saturday (03:00 GMT Sunday)."The house had many dozens of people in there," Yossi Gestetner, a co-founder of OJPAC for the Hudson Valley region, told the New York Times.Reports said the attacker fled the scene in a car and some witnesses noted the numbe...

Hoodlums on Saturday were alleged to have attacked the Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu’s family house in Jattu-Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area of the State. It was learnt that one of the hoodlums who already scaled the fence was caught inside the house while others escaped. It was gathered that a patrol team from Jattu Police Division Office responded to a distress call from family members and mobilise to the area. It was further gathered that five persons were arrested by the police in connection of the incident after the suspects caught inside the house mentioned his other accomplices. It was also learnt that the suspects have been transferred to the Area Command at Auchi for onward movement to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), at the command headquarters, Benin. When contacted, the state Police Public Relations officer, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident. He said “from what I gathered from the divisional police officer in Jattu, he go...

Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have killed one and arrested four suspects who attempted to rob a first generation bank in the Mpape, a satellite town of Abuja.The robbers, who broke into the bank around 10 am on Saturday, met resistance from the Police, Army and the Department of State Security, who cordoned the place minutes after responding to a distress call.According to the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Mariam Yusuf, four of the robbers have been arrested while one was killed in an exchange of gunfire with the Police.The police spokesperson said the situation has been brought under control as a joint security team have maintained sanity in the area.The thieves were trapped inside the bank for over four hours.Following the incident, some Nigerians took to Twitter in various hilarious reactions as many described the robbery attack as scenes from popular series – Money Heist.Money Heist, a Spanish television heist crime drama series, was the top trending to...

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Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, who was physically brutalised by dozens of hired government thugs on Monday in Abuja during a protest tagged #FreedomRally in front of the National Human Rights Commission, has been flown overseas for medical treatment.Adeyanju has been flown to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where he would be receiving comprehensive medical treatment.During the attack, some operatives of the Department of State Services and policemen at the scene failed to rescue the activist, allowing the thugs carrying posters bearing President Muhammadu Buhari’s image and chanting ‘Sai Baba’ to violently ‘feast’ on him.Several other activists, who participated in the peaceful demonstration, were also attacked by the hired thugs. Source: SaharaReporters

The Nigerian Government has ordered the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and the convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Mr Omoyele Sowore.The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, announced this in a statement on Tuesday.Malami said the decision to release them was in compliance with the bail granted the two by the court. The statement reads: “The office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore.“Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the complainant/prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.“Howev...

Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have tried to force their way into parts of Damaturu the Yobe State capital.According to an eyewitness, the insurgents stormed the town, along Gashua road near the Police Force Headquarters around 5:30 pm on Sunday.The Assistant Director of Army Pubic Relations Sector 2, Operation Lafiya Dole, Captain Njoka Irabor, also confirmed the attack to Channels Television.He, however, noted that the security operatives are on top of the situation and that the insurgents have withdrawn from the Gashua road where they were first sighted.Meanwhile, explosions are still being heard at intervals of about five minutes around other parts of the city.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reduced cash withdrawal charges from other banks’ Automated Teller Machines ATM from N65 to N35 after the third withdrawal within a month.The apex bank in a revised Guide to Bank Charges has mandated banks to charge customers N35 for cash withdrawals.The new guideline signed by Chibuzo Efobi for CBN Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, showed a downward review for electronic banking transaction charges to align with market developments.The new directive is set to take effect on January 1, 2020, in furtherance of CBN’s quest to make financial services more accessible and affordable to various stakeholders in the economy.Source: channelstv

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday condemned the killing of a Police Corporal by an inspector who later committed suicide in FCT.A statement by ASP Mariam Yusuf in Abuja said the incident happened on Saturday at the Police Divisional Headquarters in Dutse Alhaji area of the territory.She said that preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that the inspector fired a shot at the corporal and injured a Deputy Superintendent of Police before committing suicide.Yusuf said the Commissioner of Police in Charge of FCT, Mr Bala Ciroma, had ordered a discreet investigation into the incident and put measures in place to forestall future reoccurrence.She said the command commiserates with the family of the deceased and urged residents to remain calm.Yusuf pledged the commitment of the command to provide adequate security during the Yuletide.Source:Vanguard news

Pope Francis on Saturday called on church leaders for a “change in mentality”, saying the Christian faith is less heeded — even ignored — in the modern world. New methods were needed to help “reposition our ways of thinking and our attitudes”, the pope warned in his traditional Christmas greetings to the Roman Curia, the Vatican’s top administrative body.“We are no longer the only ones today to produce culture, neither the first nor the most listened to,” the Argentinian pontiff said.“We are no longer in a regime of Christianity because faith — especially in Europe, but also in a large part of the West — is no longer an obvious presupposition of living together; worse, it is often denied, mocked, marginalised and ridiculed.” The change requires “a change in pastoral mentality,” said the Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America in the history of the Catholic Church.Since becoming pope in 2013, Francis has sought to shake up the powerful and conservative Curia. But he has continued ...

The most anticipated, and the biggest comedy Show in kogi State. It is back Again SAMUEL ALABI and FRIENDS in lokoja live XMAS EDITION Of Comic Expression. Date- December,26 2019 Venue- 3G Event Center lokoja. Take a vacation with laughter this Xmas with your family,come and enjoy yourself and of course with SAMUEL ALABI ,Gold and Diamond,MCHome Alone,D'Profesor,Aqiulla,MC Expanciate,Jesus Parrot,MC. Universe Infinix,FlizzyEmy,Sharpmouth,Omolexy,Kemiboi,Shamsudeen,Dayo Diara,Niger Delta and Lots More Musical performance by A-list Musician. Gate Fee Regular: N500 Regular plus:N1,000 Table for 4(four): N3,000 Table for 6(six): N5,000 Time Red Carpet: 5 pm, Show starts by: 6 pm For tickets and reservations, Call: 09030999196 |07063999530.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that 9, 698 accidents were recorded in 2019 leading to 4, 737 deaths in the year.FRSC Corps Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi stated this on Thursday while addressing journalists in Abuja, the nation’s capital.“Available data to the corps revealed that between January to October 2019, a total of 9, 698 road traffic crashes were recorded out of which 4,737 died.“We have 30, 744 people sustained various degrees of injury to 68, 193 people involved. 63, 456 were rescued. More disheartening is that the nation has to grapple with the worrisome challenges of crashes involving the articulated vehicles in the year 2019,” he stated.Oyeyemi stated that his agency is worried about the challenges of crashes involving trailers and trucks continued with 900 crashes recorded.According to him, over 157 thousand traffic offenders were arrested in the third quarter of the year.Source: channeltv

Former National Chairman of the Al Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Odigie-Oyegun has declared support for the second term bid of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr John Odigie-Oyegun has declared support for the second term bid of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.Speaking at a meeting of Edo State Indigenes in Abuja on Thursday, Oyegun asked those who are against the governor’s ambition to have a re-think.According to him, Obaseki has been able to do some of the things previous governors were unable to do for the benefit of the people.The APC chieftain noted that since Obaseki assumed office in 2016, his administration has initiated people-oriented policies that reflect the dreams and aspiration of the founding fathers of the state.“Mr Governor, you are standing for dignity. Mr Governor, you are standing for the truth. Mr Governor, you are standing for the type of Nigerian nation that we preached...

The Federal Government on Thursday declared December 25th and 26th as public holidays.In a statement signed by the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, January 1 was also designated as a public holiday.The public holidays are for the Christmas (December 25th), Boxing Day (December 26th) and New Year (January 1st) celebrations.According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, felicitates with “Christians and all Nigerians both at home and abroad on this year’s Christmas and New Year Celebrations.”The Minister also “enjoined all Christians to live within the virtues and teachings of Jesus Christ, which hinge on compassion, patience, peace, humility, righteousness and love for one another, adding that doing so would guarantee an atmosphere of peace and security in the country.”Source:channelstv

The Nigeria peace Corps (Est, etc) Bill, 2019 has been read for the first in the Senate Chamber of the National Assembly.This followed the reintroduction of the Peace Corps Bills to the lawmakers during Tuesday’s plenary by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume.The bill seeks to transform the Peace Corps which operates as a non-governmental organisation into a paramilitary government agency to be known as the Nigerian Peace Corps.The 8th National Assembly had passed the Peace Corps Bill in 2017 following a protracted battle involving the organisation and security agencies in the country.While many Nigerians, especially the youth were hopeful that the creation of the corps would reduce the unemployment rate, the bill failed to become a law as President Muhammadu Buhari withheld his assent in February 2018.The President had explained that he rejected the bill due to security concerns and the burden of funding the organisation by the Federal Government.He also s...

Aisha, wife of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday opted to refer to her husband as “General” in her birthday message to Buhari who turned 77.In a congratulatory message she posted on her Facebook wall and Twitter handle, @aishambuhari, Mrs Buhari decided to refer to the President as “GMB”, an acronym for General Muhammadu Buhari.Others, including top government officials, who took to various social media platforms to congratulate Buhari, however, chose “PMB”, an acronym for President Muhammadu Buhari which the President’s handlers are more comfortable with Apparently, to make it clear that she did not use the acronym in error, Mrs Buhari wrote it twice in the short message.It was not clear as of the time of filing this report why Mrs Buhari who has been calling out presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu; and her husband’s nephew, Mamman Daura, chose to prefix Buhari’s name with the General title.She wrote, “Happy Birthday to MY incorruptible GMB. “I wish yo...

Nigeria’s electricity workers have suspended a strike that engulfed a major part of the country in darkness for a little more than 24 hours.One of the major distributors in Lagos, Eko Electricity Distribution Company on Thursday morning confirmed the development and its readiness to commence business immediately.Dear customer, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has suspended its strike. Our offices and payment channels are open for business. Thank you for your patience and understanding,” the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (Eko Disco) shared on its Twitter page on the morning of Thursday, December 12, 2019.Recall that after a 21-day ultimatum, electricity workers embarked strike on December 11, citing unpaid severance allowances, salaries and pensions owed 50,000 former employees of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) before the country privatized its power sector in 2013.Comrade Joe Ajaero, General Secretary of the NUEE says: “Following the agreement...

A human rights advocate and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joshua Alobo, on Monday, insinuated that his party originated activities that can now be interpreted as hate speech in the current administration.Mr Alobo was responding to a question on Sunrise Daily, about the Department of State Services’ treatment of founder of RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore.He said he was “seriously embarrassed” by the situation as Sowore was “among those who canvassed for the ‘change’ mantra.”“APC, in which I am a chieftain, originates hate speech,” Mr Alobo, who is the President of the International Human Rights and Development Centre, continued.“Look at what happened at . . . even Lai Muhammed and the rest, nobody was arrested. Look at the fuel subsidy protest at the freedom square. If not that Jonathan was proactive to deploy soldiers . . . I was in Abuja; even though I wasn’t in the general protest, I was using my vehicle to monitor the whole situation. “So a lot of showbiz was ...

German Pentecostal evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke who is principally known for his gospel missions throughout Africa is dead aged 79.A post on his official Facebook page explained that he passed away peacefully and was surrounded by his family.“It is with sorrow that the Bonnke Family would like to announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke,” the statement read.“He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 7, 2019. For the past 60 years, he has preached the glorious Gospel of Jesus throughout the entire world.“We want to thank you on behalf of him and our family, for your kind love and unwavering support, which enabled him to preach the matchless message of salvation to countless people.source:Vanguard Nigeria News

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday upheld the power of the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Council under the control of the Inspector-General of Police to recruit constables into the NPF.Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his judgment, dismissed the suit filed by the Police Service Commission to challenge the power of the NPF and the IGP, Mohammed Adamu, to carry out the ongoing exercise of recruiting 10,000 police constables. The judge held that the PSC’s case lacked merit. The judge held that the law guiding the enlistment of constables into the NPF was the Nigeria Police Regulations of 1968, issued by the Nigerian President in accordance with the provisions of Section 46 of the Police Act 1967 (No 41), providing for the organisation and administration of the police force.The judge noted that section 71 of the Nigeria Police Service Regulations gave the power to enlist constables to the Police Council under the control of the IGP and not the PSC.He ruled that the PSC by its enabling...

Gunshot allegedly fired from a helicopter during the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State was said to have injured a 23-year-old woman, Deborah Omoba.Omoba was said to be sleeping in her room inside the mission house of The Apostolic Church, Ajara, Lokoja on the election day when she was hit by bullet fired from the helicopter.The church’s Associate Pastor, Abraham Olusegun, told journalists on the church premises on Wednesday that the bullet was still lodged in the upper region of Omoba’s private parts.Recall that no fewer than four people were reportedly killed when the helicopter allegedly released some gunshots and teargas on voters in some areas during the election.The pastor said, “The victim is a daughter of one of the church’s clerics; she was observing her siesta on the day when she screamed from her sleep.”He said when they rushed into the room, they found the girl in a pool of blood.Olusegun, who said the victim was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, a...

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Smart Adeyemi, has won the Kogi West senatorial district election.The Returning Officer of the election, Professor Olajide Lawal, announced this on Saturday at the collation centre in Kogi State.According to him, Senator Adeyemi polled a total of 88,373 votes to beat Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 62,133 votes.Ambassador Rufus Aiyenigba of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) came third in the poll with 659 votes and was trailed by John Olabode and Adeyemi Taiwo of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP who) garnered 262 and 119 votes respectively.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the APC candidate as the winner of the keenly contested election two weeks after the people of the senatorial district went to the poll.This came after the supplementa...

Six suspects have been arrested over the murder of Woman Leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Wada/Aro campaign council in Kogi state, Mrs. Achejuh Abuh.This is coming barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered security agencies to carry out a thorough expeditious investigation into the incident.Mrs. Abuh was burnt alive in her home by suspected political thugs after the Governorship election in the state.According to the Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP William Ayah, who spoke to Channels Television, the six suspects were arrested on Friday in Ochadamu while carrying out a robbery operation.He added that during interrogation, investigation revealed that one of the suspects was a principal actor in the killing of the women leader.According to Mr. Ayah, the suspects will be interrogated to ascertain the level of their involvement in the crime.The police spokesman said the outcome of the investigation will be made public upon conclusion.

Belgian student Laurent Simons, 9 years old, poses during a photo session at his home on November 21, 2019 in Amsterdam. Laurent Simons is studying electrical engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology and is on course to finish his degree in December.Like many other nine-year-olds, Laurent Simons likes TV and his pet dog. But he also wants to make artificial organs and is about to get the qualifications to set him on his way.The Belgian boy will in December receive a degree in electrical engineering from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, which will make him one of the world’s youngest graduates.Far from being fazed by his achievements, which also saw him complete the course in just nine months instead of the usual three years, Laurent says it’s “normal” — although he adds too that it’s “cool.”“I’m currently studying electrical engineering. It’s about designing circuits and things like that. So chips, actually,” the mop-haired youngster told AFP in t...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Nov. 30 for the conduct of supplementary and re-run elections for Kogi West Senatorial District and Ajaokuta Federal Constituency respectively. In a statement, Mr Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the decision was taken at the meeting held on Thursday in Abuja. He recalled that at the conclusion of the court-ordered Kogi West Senatorial re-run election on Saturday, supplementary polls were indicated by the Collation/Retuming Officer for the Senatorial District. The affected areas includes 20 Registration Areas, 53 Polling Units and 46,767 Registered Voters spread across seven Local Government Areas of the Senatorial District. “In addition, the court ordered the conduct of Supplementary re-run poll in Ajaokuta Federal Constituency affecting 22 Polling Units.” Okoye said that collation procedures shall be in line with extant Guidelines for Collation at the...

The Senate on Thursday passed the Finance Bill presented to it by President Muhammadu Buhari to raise the country’s Value Added Tax(VAT) from 5 to 7.5 percent.The bill has five strategic objectives of promoting fiscal equity, reforming domestic tax laws and raising revenue.The Bill is entitled, ” A Bill for an Act to Make for incremental changes to Nigeria Tax and Fiscal Law and for Other Related Matters therewith, 2019( SB 140).The Amendments carried out were a total of fifty-six amendments of different existing Acts which include: Company Tax; Petroleum Profit Tax; Capital Gains Tax; Stamp Duty Tax; Personal Income tax and Customs and Excise Duty.According to the Bill, a large sum of money realized from the taxation would go the states and local governments while fifteen percent will go the Federal Government.The Finance Bill was read the third time and passed after the consideration of the report of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, All ...

A police Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Mr. Ahijo Mujeli has been abducted by gunmen.The spokesman of the Police Command, DSP Suleiman Nguroje confirmed to Channels Television that Mr. Mujeli was kidnapped on Tuesday night along Mubi-Maraba road.Mr. Nguroje explained that the DPO was driving in his personal car between 7.30 p.m. to 8:00 pm near the toll-gate when he was abducted.He said sporadic gunshots were heard around the area and the Police were alerted but when they arrived, they met an empty car identified as that of the DPO.DSP Nguroje added that the anti-kidnapping unit and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police (IG) have been deployed to the area to trail the suspected kidnappers with a view to rescuing the abducted Police Officer.The police, however, revealed that they are unaware of any demand for Ransom, but have assured that they are doing everything possible to rescue him from ...

The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole has neutralized some Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) leaders and destroyed their meeting venue at Jubillaram in the Northern part of Borno State.The airforce spokesperson Air commodore Ibikunle Daramola in a press release said the operation was executed on Tuesday, sequel to intelligence reports indicating that some top ISWAP leaders had assembled for a meeting at a compound within the settlement, which they also used to store some of their logistics supplies.He added that the air task force dispatched a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform as well as fighter jets to attack the location.“Several terrorists were observed around some buildings in the middle of the settlement and were neutralized in successive strikes by the attack aircraft as they attempted to flee the location.”He also said that the airstrikes also led to the destruction of some terrorists’ structures,...

A gang of cattle thieves killed 14 people overnight Sunday in a remote village in Zamfara State, police said, the latest assault in a long-running series of tit-for-tat attacks.Police said the bandits were taking revenge for an earlier killing of nine suspected gang members by local vigilantes in a nearby village in Zamfara on November 3.In the absence of a robust police force and effective judicial system in Nigeria, villagers created vigilante groups to fight off the gangs, but the villagers have since been accused of extra-judicial killings.Zamfara officials struck a deal in July with the bandits to end their attacks and vigilantes to stop extra-judicial killings, but sporadic outbreaks of violence have continued.Zamfara police spokesman Mohammed Shehu said assailants riding motorcycles stormed into a remote village overnight Sunday to Monday, shooting residents and burning homes.As well as the 14 people who were killed, 10 others were injured, Shehu said.For several years, ru...

Grammy Awards Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, which will be handed out January 26 in Los Angeles: Album of the Year Bon Iver, “i, i” Lana Del Rey, “Norman Fucking Rockwell!” Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” Ariana Grande, “thank u, next” H.E.R., “I Used To Know Her” Lil Nas X, “7” Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You (Deluxe)” Vampire Weekend, “Father Of The Bride” Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song – Bon Iver, “Hey, Ma” Billie Eilish, “Bad Guy” Ariana Grande, “7 Rings” H.E.R., “Hard Place” Khalid, “Talk” Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road” Lizzo, “Truth Hurts” Post Malone and Swae Lee, “Sunflower” Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting Lady Gaga, Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna, “Always Remember Us This Way” (from “A Star Is Born”) Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, “Bad Guy” Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth and Tanya Tuck...

Senator Dino Melaye, on Wednesday, stormed the head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja, presenting several video evidence upon which he is demanding the cancellation of the recently concluded Kogi West Senatorial election.The lawmaker who was received by officials of the commission said he came to present the pieces of evidence because he knows that he won the poll.He accused the opposition of leading thugs to cart away ballot boxes.Mr. Melaye further stated that he is confident regarding the outcome of the election because he has the results from the polling units.Speaking further about the election, Dino said, “In Egbeda ward, the State Speaker of House of Assembly led thugs to cart away ballot boxes and all these ballot boxes were taken to a designated, all thumb-printed in favour of APC and all these results returned in favour of APC.“All areas where there were killings, there were shootings, helicopters releasing bullets, helicopters releasing teargas...

Jose Mourinho was on Wednesday appointed Tottenham’s new manager to replace the sacked Mauricio Pochettino, with the club languishing 14th in the Premier League.The Portuguese former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager signed a contract until the end of the 2022/23 season, the north London club said in a statement.Pochettino, 47, transformed Spurs’ fortunes after arriving from Southampton in 2014 and although he failed to win a trophy he took the club to the Champions League final for the first time in their history just six months ago.But the Argentine was sacked on Tuesday, with Tottenham struggling in the league after picking up just three wins from their opening 12 games.This season they were knocked out of the League Cup by fourth-tier Colchester United and suffered an embarrassing 7-2 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.“I am excited to be joining a club with such a great heritage and such passionate supporters,” said Mourinho, who has won domes...

Some suspected Boko Haram insurgents have burnt down Ngurbuwa Comprehensive Health Centre in Gujba local government council of Yobe state.A resident of the community, Mohammed Mohammed explains that the attackers came in Hilux vans shooting sporadically before setting the health facility on fire.Channels Television gathered that the health centre was renovated and equipped in early 2019 by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide health services to the community.

Suspected political thugs have set ablaze Mrs Salomi Acheju Abu, the Women Leader of PDP’s Wada/Aro Campaign Council while in her home at Ochadamu in Ofu local government area of Kogi state following last Saturday’s governorship election in the state. The woman was burnt on Monday afternoon by suspected thugs alleged to be loyal to the ruling party in the state.The politician’s remains, which were burnt beyond recognition, had been taken to a mortuary for autopsy, Mr Aya said.“It was a very unfortunate incident and the commissioner has ordered a thorough investigation to ensure that all those involved do not escape justice,” the police spokesperson said.Mr Aya, a deputy police superintendent, said a preliminary police investigation of what led to Ms Abuh’s killing showed that it was a reprisal attack for the killing of an APC supporter in the community.“There was a misunderstanding between Gowon Simeon and Awolu Zakari, both members of the community,” Mr Aya said. “Mr Simeon stabbed Mr...

Kogi State government has condemned violent clashes in Ochadamu area of the state in the aftermath of the just concluded governorship election. Kogi Governor’s Spokesman, Kingsley Fanwo in a statement on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the “mindless attacks by rival parties in Ochadamu”, saying anyone who breaks the law will be punished regardless of party affiliations. He said, “We feel disturbed at reports of violence in Ochadamu that has led to the loss of lives and property in the community. “It was reported that a supporter of the All Progressives Congress was stabbed to death while party members were jubilating over the outcome of the Governorship election. “The reprisal attack by alleged APC members which led to the death of an innocent woman is criminal and condemnable. Our government would not shield party members who break the laws of the land. “His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello has directed security agents to quell the rising tension and also ensure that perpetr...

The Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, Kogi State, Faruk Adejoh-Audu says he cannot congratulate Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello because Kogi State was turned into a war field during the Saturday election.Adejoh-Audu said the election was marred by violence, claiming that nine PDP members were killed during the election.He also explained how the PDP women leader of Ochadamu Ward in Ofu Local Government Area, Salome Abuh, was burnt to death in her home by political thugs.“I will have congratulated Governor Yahaya Bello but unfortunately, I cannot because he won no election. What he won was a war waged by him and the Nigerian Police, so I cannot congratulate him.“His claim that there were just pockets of violence is incorrect. There is hardly any ward in Kogi State except a few that did not experience violence.“Violence is not necessarily when people die, but in this case, people died. At least nine people died, all of them were PDP members. The 10th pe...

Governor Bello was returned elected on Monday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having scored the highest number of votes in the keenly contested poll.The Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Umar, made the declaration at the INEC office in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.The APC candidate polled a total of 406,222 votes to beat his closest rival, Mr Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 189,704 votes.On her part, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Natasha Akpoti, garnered a total of 9,482 votes.Professor Umar declared the winner following the collation of results from all 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, an exercise which lasted more than 24 hours.After several hours of collating the results from 19 LGAs, Professor Umar had announced on Sunday night that the exercise would continue on Monday morning.Of the results collated before the ex...

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, David Lyon, winner of the November 16 Bayelsa governorship election.Returning Officer, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, Vice-chancellor, University of Benin, announced at the INEC Collation Centre in Yenagoa, that the APC polled 352,552 votes while the PDP scored 143,17 votes. The total number of registered voters was announced as 922, 562 and the number of accredited voters was put at 517,883.PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how Mr Lyon won in 6 of the 8 local governments in the state.In the results announced for Ekeremo local government, the number of registered voters was announced as 125,189 while accredited voters were 41,423. In the local government, the APC won by polling 21,489 votes while the PDP polled 18,344 votes.In Southern Ijaw local government, the APC candidate polled 124,803 votes to defeat his closest rival in PDP who polled 4,898 votes. The APC candidate hails from...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the collation of results of the governorship election in Kogi State.The Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Umar, announced this on Sunday in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.Professor Umar told party agents and other political stakeholders present at the INEC office where the collation of results took place that the exercise would continue by 9am on Monday.He explained that the announcement was necessary as the results of the election in the remaining two local governments have yet to be brought to the collation centre.The announcement followed the collation of results of the election in 19 out of the 21 local government areas (LGAs) in Kogi.Those collated so far are Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Ijumu, and Kabba/Bunu LGAs.Others are Koton Karfe, Mopa-Muro, Ofu, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, Okene, Olamaboro, Omala, Ya...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared inconclusive the Kogi West senatorial election on the ground that the lead margin between Mr Smart Adeyemi who polled 80,118 votes and Dino Melaye who got 59,548 is 20,570 which is lower than the 43,127 registered voters in 53 polling units of 20 registration areas in the zone.The returning officer, Professor Olayinde Lawal who declared the election inconclusive said, he is constrained by law to declare a winner because of the lead margin between the leading candidates.He added that INEC will announce a new date for the conduct of a supplementary election in the 53 polling units before a winner can be returned.source:Channels Television

A Boeing 737-800 carrying 196 passengers burst into flames shortly after landing at Sharm el-Sheikh Airport in Egypt.The aircraft (UR-SQH), operating flight PQ7153 from Zaporizhia on November 9, had turned into its parking bay after landing when, shortly after it stopped, flames erupted on the left-hand main gear.Sun UK revealed that airport CCTV footage captures the moment the plane came to a stop and the wheels on the left side of the aircraft turned into a fireball.The fire was “quickly extinguished” by airport staff “without the use of special equipment.None of the 189 passengers and seven crew members was injured.Reacting to the fire incident, the Egyptian civil aviation ministry said the fire “could have turned into a disaster” but for the staff from EgyptAir Ground Services who dealt “professionally” with the fire, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the aircraft.The regulatory body attributed the fire to a leak of hydraulic oil.source: sky news

The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Operation, AbdulMajeed Ali, has warned those planning to snatch ballot boxes during Saturday’s elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States to have a rethink as the police will not condone such behaviour.“Anyone caught will not be spared and will not live to do that ever again,” Ali said.Addressing a press conference on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States, Ali, who is overseeing the Kogi elections said that the Inspector General had deployed enough personnel to adequately police the state and deal with any eventuality during the election.“We have enough personnel and capacity to deal with anyone that tried to foment trouble on Saturday. Just watch, if anyone tries to snatch ballot box on Saturday, he will pay dearly for it.“We are determined to provide the enabling environment for a peaceful election. We are tired of being held to ransom by Kogi and Bayelsa States every election period, we will put a stop to that this time ...

The All Progressives Congress has been disqualified from participating in the Bayelsa State governorship on Saturday.The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa ruled in a judgment on Thursday that the APC does not have a candidate for the election.Delivering judgment, Justice Jane Inyang, held that the primaries were conducted arbitrarily outside the rules of the party.The suit filed by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri challenged the conduct of the governorship primaries of APC which held on September 4She held that since the process was conducted in violation of the party’s constitution and guidelines as clearly spelt out for the conduct of governorship primaries, none of the aspirants should be fielded as the party’s candidate.She, therefore, restrained the Independent Electoral Commission from including Lyon as the APC candidate in the governorship election slated for SaturdayInyang noted that according to the APC guidelines for the conduct of the 2019 governorship primaries, the results w...