One Killed, 6 Buildings Razed Over Girlfriend In Delta

Residents of Owheologbo community, Isoko North area of Delta State, were Sunday night, thrown into confusion as one person was reportedly killed and six houses, including a secondary school building, were razed following a row over a girlfriend.

Though details of the incident were sketchy at press time, community sources said the deceased, simply identified as Mr. Dennis, was killed at about 9:30p.m. in his mother’s residence.

It was learned that angry youths on getting wind of the incident, mobilised and set fire to houses, cars and other properties of members of the family of those who participated in the killing.

A source said the assailants had fled the community to avoid lynching by the mob.

Council boss reacts 
Speaking on the development, Chairman, Isoko North local government area, Emmanuel Egbabor, confirmed that the incident was related to issues concerning a woman.

He said: “When I was called, I alerted the police and soldiers, who immediately moved into the community.”

While disclosing that security agents had taken the corpse away from the roadside to a mortuary, he said: “The Army and police have helped to restore peace in the community. I have advised them to carry out proper investigation into the incident.”

Contacted, Delta Police PRO, Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident, saying “I have heard so too. But I am yet to get situation report on it from the Divisional Police Officer

"I was sexually abused as a child” TY Bello Shares Story of Her Life

Singer and photographer, TY Bello, says she was molested as a child and that it had a negative effect on her during her formative years. The Greenland singer shared this with Kemi Adetiba.

I was sexually abused as a child and because of this, I felt like there was something ugly about me that made me encounter this. This was not the abusers fault, this was me.

I used to see other girls as flowers and I saw myself as dirty cement, hard and ugly. I never felt beautiful, everything was wrong with me, I was hairy and it was a problem.

I always attributed everything that was about me to be the reason someone took advantage of me. I thought there was something wrong with me because if the others girls were like me perhaps they would be dirty like me but they were flowers.

When a friend told me about salvation, she told me old things would be passed away and all things will become new. It was as if God could wash away that stench and I would become a girl because I didnt feel like a girl.

I was shocked when I grew up and found that one out every three or four girls in my secondary school had suffered the same thing and I could tell them the same thing that old thing can pass away.

It was a relief to find that I was not the only one and a shock that nobody talks about it. Thats why salvation worked, I had a daddy and I was going to be a flower.

EFCC Arraigns Two For €88, 000 Internet Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 arraigned the duo of Ajani Isaac Adedotun, (a.k.a. Clara Williams and Lara Williams) and Adesina Segun Adedeji before Justice A.D. Oladimeji of the Osun State High Court sitting in Ede, on a 50-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.

The petitioner alleged that the victim, Michael Wassink, a Dutch citizen, was defrauded of over €88,000 in an Internet romance scam.

The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Vera Agboje, asked the court for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody.
However, counsels to the accused persons, Sanyaolu S. Akinyele and T. S. Adegboyega, respectively prayed the court to grant their clients bail.

Justice Oladimeji adjourned the case to May 16, 2017 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the accused to be remanded in Ilesa prison custody.

Son of Evander Holyfield arrested on drug charge

University of Georgia running back Elijah Holyfield was arrested on drugs charges on Monday after being found in possession of marijuana, justice officials said.

Holyfield, the son of former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, was detained early Monday by campus police, records from Athens-Clarke County Jail showed.

The 20-year-old was found with less than one ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, according to his arrest sheet.

Reports said the 20-year-old faces a one-game suspension under University of Georgia rules for any marijuana-related arrests.

Holyfield played in five games as a freshman last season, and rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown in Georgia’s recent spring game.

Woman falls asleep on train – something awful happens to her 'breakfast'

© (Photo: @JamesAALongman/Twitter) The woman who fell asleep on the Tube

A woman fell asleep on the Tube. Disaster struck.
The unknown traveller was on the Victoria line on Saturday morning when she dozed off while clutching a large pizza.

And the pizza, from which the woman had only taken what looks to be two slices, had sorrowfully slipped onto the floor. Awful.

© Provided by Trinity Mirror Plc Credits: @JamesAALongman/Twitter

The photo was taken by BBC reporter James Longman. He noted the time: 8am. So either the woman was on her way home from a big night out, or had perhaps worked a tiring nightshift.

Whatever the circumstances, it's a sad, but intriguing scene. Nobody wants to see a pizza wasted. Even if it was technically still safe to eat. But there's a sense of admiration there too. Emotions are mixed.

James asked whether to start a crowdfunding page to find the sleeping woman and "get her a new pizza." The woman has yet to surface. - Mirror

Britney Spears Does the Splits, Shows Off Insane Abs in Gym Selfies

Hard work definitely pays off.

Britney Spears shared a few selfies at the gym on Sunday, and clearly, the 35-year-old pop star hasn't been slacking when it comes to her fitness! Rocking a hot pink sports bra and a pair of tiny low-rise shorts, Spears flaunted her well-defined abs and her impressive flexibility.
"Back at the gym.... stretch and run all the way," she wrote.

It's been a pretty busy couple of days for the mother of two, who was honored at the 2017 Radio Disney Music Awards on Saturday with the show's first-ever Icon Award. Spears thanked her sons, 11-year-old Sean Preston and 10-year-old Jayden James, during her heartfelt acceptance speech.

"My two loves of my life, Jayden and Preston, my sons. You're the reason my heart beats, and I love you so much," she said.

Sean and Jayden attended the show, where they happily met Nick Jonas. ET later talked to the 24-year-old "Jealous" singer on the red carpet, where he revealed his favorite Spears songs of all time.

Mel B's estranged husband approahes police over extortion attempt

Police in Los Angeles are investigating allegations suggesting an ex-girlfriend of Mel B's estranged husband Stephen Belafonte is attempting to extort him for $1 million (£772,000).

Belafonte has handed over audio footage purportedly featuring Nicole Contrereas, the mother of his 12-year-old daughter Giselle, threatening to destroy him unless he met her cash demands.

According to TMZ.com, the recording took place on 20 March (17) - the same day Mel B filed for divorce to end their 10-year marriage - when Contrereas allegedly told the film producer, "I'm gonna take you down."

The woman featured on the tape initially tells Belafonte she wants $500,000 (£386,000), before doubling the fee to buy her silence, after claiming she had been contacted by Mel B's representatives to tell her story, which she insists is "so ugly".

The female, who appears to be intoxicated, rambles on about Giselle, and then declares she will "bury" Belafonte, who is already fighting accusations of domestic abuse from Spice Girls star Mel.

Authorities are currently looking into the extortion tape, but Contrereas is adamant she is not the woman heard on the recording - and has slammed Belafonte for trying to damage her reputation after sympathising with Mel B.

"This audio is clearly not me," she tells TMZ.com. "Stephen is falsifying stories because I have told the press the truth."

Contrereas, who dated Belafonte for six years, recently threw her support behind the pop star, saying, "I believe (Mel has) probably been through hell. It's sad."

Ironically, Belafonte himself has been accused of trying to blackmail the Wannabe hitmaker, real name Melanie Brown, by threatening to release sex tapes of the pair engaging in threesomes with the family's former nanny Lorraine Gilles if she ever tried to leave him.

He has denied all accusations filed by Brown, but was slapped with a restraining order in March (17), banning him from approaching or contacting the star and her kids amid fears for their safety.

Belafonte has since been granted supervised visitation with five-year-old daughter Madison, his only biological child with Brown, who is also mother to 18-year-old Phoenix Chi with dancer Jimmy Gulzar, and 10-year-old Angel with comedian Eddie Murphy.

12-Year-Old Girl Banned From A Chess Tournament For Wearing A "Seductive" Dress

A 12-year-old girl was barred from a Malaysian chess tournament over her “seductive” dress, her coach has claimed, igniting public outrage against the organisers of the competition in the Muslim-majority nation.

The Malaysian Chess Federation on Tuesday said it would investigate and denied that religious sensitivities had prompted the decision to exclude the young player, as it seeks to curb the public backlash.

In a widely-shared Facebook post, trainer Kaushal Khandhar said his pupil felt “harassed and humiliated” after being forced to withdraw in the middle of the the National Scholastic Chess Championship on April 14.

The girl had been told her knee-length dress was “seductive and a temptation from a certain angle far, far away”, he said in the post on Thursday, demanding an apology from the organisers.

His remarks sparked a flurry of furious responses on social media, with commenters expressing indignation at the incident and questioning how organisers could have deemed the clothing inappropriate.

Malaysia is generally regarded as a moderate Muslim country, but fears have grown in recent years that it is becoming increasingly conservative.

“I am shocked and disturbed that her dress is a problem,” Sieh Kok Chi, former secretary-general of the Olympic Council of Malaysia told AFP.

“She is just 12 years old. No one has the right to impose self-made rules. The chess officials should resign,” he said.

The executive secretary of the chess body, Nik Hishamuddin Nik Mustapa, told AFP that the dress code had been implemented because the competition was played in a public school, which has stricter dress codes than other venues.

“We will call for a meeting of all the parties involved to resolve the matter amicably,” he added. “We lack chess talent in Malaysia. We want to see the emergence of good players.”

American agent married rapper turned Isis fighter before realising her mistake

© Provided by Independent Print Limited

A former FBI interpreter reportedly ran away to marry an Isis terror leader before realising her mistake and coming back to the US to turn herself in.

Daniela Greene travelled to Syria where she was wed to German national Denis Cuspert, who rapped under the moniker Deso Dog in his homeland, before changing his name to Abu Talha al-Almani in Syria.

Videos featuring the one time musician — whose primary role is to attract Germans to the terror group — show him on bloody battle fields and threatening former President Barack Obama.

Just a month after her departure, Greene realised her mistake and headed back into the US, according to CNN.

Greene used online tools like Skype to get close to Cuspert before she lied to her FBI employers to travel to Syria, according to Federal Court documents seen by the broadcaster, which also said that she tipped him off to the fact that he was under investigation.

On her return to the US, she admitted what she had done and was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
“It's a stunning embarrassment for the FBI, no doubt about it,” John Kirby, a former State Department official told CNN.

Most westerners trying to go to an Isis region in Syria risk “getting their heads cut off," he added. "So for her to be able to get in as an American, as a woman, as an FBI employee and to be able to take up residence with a known ISIS leader, that all had to be coordinated.”

Greene’s story was kept a secret when she first returned from Syria. Looking to avoid contaminating the investigation through allowing the case to go public with major media organisations, a federal court sealed most of the documents pertaining to her case.

Once prosecutors determined that Greene’s cooperation with them had finished they asked that the judge unseals some of the documents.
People familiar with Greene said that they hadn’t seen anything that would lead them to think she would defect from the FBI. She had undergone an extensive vetting period for her job with the agency, after completing a Master’s degree in history.

At the time of her departure, she had an American husband who she told that she was going to visit her parents in Munich, Germany. Instead went to Istanbul where she contacted Cuspert.

But after joining him in Syria, she quickly determined she had made a mistake.
Greene reportedly quickly began sending messages to someone she knew back home discussing the option to return to the US and cooperate with any investigation into her actions. She returned in August 2014 and was promptly arrested.

Greene was ultimately given two years in prison but she has since been released.
She now fears that if her location and identity were known her life would be in danger but she is known to currently work as a hostess in a hotel lounge. - The Independent

Samsung just got approved to test its self-driving cars in South Korea

It turns out that Apple isn’t the only smartphone company dabbling in the trendy field of self-driving cars. According to The Korea Herald, Samsung was just recently approved by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport to test autonomous cars on public roads.

Little is known about Samsung’s self-driving cars, except that it’s using a “commercialized Hyundai vehicle equipped with the latest cameras and sensors,” according to the Herald. A spokesperson for the Seoul-based electronics company did not respond to a request for comment. 

Samsung’s autonomous car? A Hyundai, naturally
In 2015, Samsung announced that it was creating a new team to work on self-driving car technologies. The division was said to focus on components rather than building an entire vehicle, while declining to go into further detail about its long-term plans.

And earlier this month, Apple received a permit to start testing self-driving car technology in California. The iPhone-maker’s test car, a white Lexus RX450h crossover, was recently spotted by a driver somewhere in the Silicon Valley area.

Many of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies, and most of the major automakers, have been working on self-driving technology for years now. But two of the world’s biggest consumer electronics companies, Apple and Samsung, have only recently taken steps to start testing their own autonomous vehicles.

It’s unclear how dominant either will be in the field: on one hand, both companies appear to be playing catch-up to self-driving leaders like Google and Uber; on the other, Apple and Samsung are sitting on gigantic piles of money that could give them an edge in three or four years, when self-driving cars are expected to hit the roads in full force. - The Verge

Asylum seeker electrocuted while attempting to climb on Eurostar train heading for UK

Another refugee has been electrocuted while attempting to climb on the roof of a Eurostar train heading for the UK.

The unidentified man was killed at Paris’ Gare du Nord, the busiest railway station in Europe, after being hit by a bolt of electricity from overhead power lines.

Investigators said he was caught on CCTV climbing safety fences to reach international lines at around 5am local time (4am BST) on Tuesday, but was killed “within seconds” on the roof of a parked train bound for London.

A source told Le Parisien identification would be “tough”, as the “victim’s burns made them unrecognisable”.

Power to railway lines had to be cut while emergency services recovered the man’s body, causing disruption to Eurostar and national services in France.

“There was an incident this morning at the Gare du Nord that affected some of our services,” a spokesperson for Eurostar said.

“They are now getting back to normal.”
It is the second time an asylum seeker has been electrocuted at the Gare du Nord, after an Egyptian teenager attempting to reach Britain died in July 2015.

An unknown number of migrants have also been suffocated, run over, hit by trains and drowned in desperate attempts to swim to England.

Disruption and deaths in the summer of 2015 caused Eurostar to deploy drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to monitor the Channel Tunnel, while the British Government funded a multi-million pound wall separating Calais’ main motorway from refugee camps


The British Government has largely refused to resettle refugees who have already reached Europe, and dropped a commitment to house vulnerable children before freeing up 130 places following an “administrative error”.

Despite efforts to slow the flow of boats arriving from Turkey to Greek islands, the number of migrants crossing the Central Mediterranean to Italy is increasing.

A record of almost 1,100 men, women and children have died attempting sea journeys to Europe so far this year, while 44,000 have arrived mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Iraq. - The Ind.

A record of almost 1,100 men, women and children have died attempting sea journeys to Europe so far this year, while 44,000 have arrived mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Iraq.

Nigerian Man Nabbed In Ghana For Smuggling Drugs Hidden In Rapped Clothes

 

Nigerian man, Orji Ogbonnaya, 38, from Abia state has been nabbed by Ghanaian Police for allegedly attempting to smuggle 154 parcels of compressed dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp to Nigeria which he was said to have allegedly hidden in bales of used clothes.

Briefing journalists in Accra, PRO of Accra Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mrs Effia Tenge, said the police had a tip-off about some people trying to smuggle Indian hemp to Nigeria and proceeded to the scene at Darkuman junction in Accra.

She said when the police arrived at the warehouse, they saw a number of bags containing used clothes. The officers then confiscated the bags and took them to the police station and when they were opened, the suspected narcotic was found.

According to ASP Tenge, the police counted 154 parcels of compressed dried leaves concealed in second-hand clothing which was packed in "Ghana must go" bags.

Upon interrogation, Ogbananya allegedly admitted the offence and told the police that the parcels belonged to a man he named only as Goodman, who is currently on the run.

Indian police unable to unlock the phone of Nigerian ‘ganja’ smuggler

The mobile phone of a Nigerian ‘ganja’ or Indian hemp smuggler, has proven a hard nut for Indian police.

Indian police in the city of  Visakhapatnam, desirous of knowing the Nigerian contacts  announced last night  their frustration in being unable to unlock his

The Nigerian, identified as Charles Chuks was arrested Saturday night by the City Task Force with 25kg of dry ganja.

Chuks, 40, who came to India about 18 months ago on a business visa, was living in Hyderabad.

He was the second Nigerian to be arrested for ganja smuggling in the city, The Hindu newspaper said.

Here is the account of The Hindu on the arrest:

Assistant Commissioner of Police (CTF) I. Chittibabu said that based on credible information about the illegal transportation of ganja they conducted a raid near the Government Eye Hospital and nabbed Chuks, when he was trying to smuggle 24 kg of dry ganja worth Rs. 96,000.

Investigation revealed that Chuks had visited Visakhapatnam and some other parts in Vizag Agency five times in the past few months and he had smuggled ganja to Hyderabad, Nagpur, Delhi and Chennai.

Chuks visited some remote areas in the Agency and established contacts with local ganja smugglers to procure the contraband from them, said Mr. Chittibabu. The seized hemp also was procured from the Agency area.

“We are yet to ascertain the profession of the foreigner in India and we failed to unlock the mobile phone of the foreigner. Though we have seized the passport of the Nigerian, we are yet to ascertain whether it is genuine or fake,” Mr. Chittibabu added.

The Nigerian has been handed over to Inspector of Dwaraka police station for further investigation.

Last year, another Nigerian, identified as Ikechukwu Augustine, 23, was arrested by the CTF team and about 50 kg of dry ganja was recovered from him.

Augustine also had come to India on a tourist visa and established contacts with the local ganja traders with the help of few persons in Visakhapatnam. - The Hindu

Nigerian Drug Smuggler, Onyebuchi, Shot Dead By Indonesia Security Forces

An alleged notorious drug smuggler, Douglas Hope Onyebuchi, aka Kabaka, who was a suspect in a big drug smuggling case in Kelapa, North Jakarta, has been shot dead. He was said to have been killed after resisting arrest last Wednesday.

Jakarta police chief, Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan said Onyebuchi's Indonesian wife, Yani Andriani was arrested as she has been confirmed through their surveillance to be part of the cartel.

On why Onyebuchi was killed, he said, "During his arrest, he fought back and tried to grab one of the officers' guns. Therefore, we had no choice but to take him down."

PICTURES: Anthony Joshua’s Family House In Ogun State

Find below pictures of Anthony Joshua family house in Sagamu.

The house is located along Akarigbo road, beside Firstbank Ijokun, Sagamu, Ogun State.

A banner of him been celebrated when he won a fight last year was displayed outside the house (before Klitchko’s fight).

Read more breaking Nigeria News stories and updates here from all Nigeria Newspapers such as Punch, Vangaurd, Daily Times,Thisday Guardian and more.

Policemen torture photographer to death over bail money

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Oyo State Police Command, have allegedly tortured a 50-year-old photographer, Kola Adeyeye, to death.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the victim was arrested along with four others in the Challenge area penultimate Friday.

The victim was said to be taking a herb concoction at a joint when the policemen raided the spot around 8.30pm, arresting everybody at the joint.

They were said to have been taken to the SARS office in Dugbe, where their statements were taken.

Our correspondent was told that after rounds of beatings, the suspects were taken to a courtyard, where the head of the SARS team interviewed them.

He was said to have cleared all the suspects, but ordered that they pay for bail before their release from detention.

It was learnt that while the four others paid between N25,000 and N40,000, the victim could not find anyone to raise the bail sum.

He was reportedly kept in detention for seven days before a man, sent by his pastor, paid N3,500 for his bail.

He was being taken home on a motorcycle when he slumped and died.

One of the suspects arrested with the victim said his own family paid N40,000 for his release from detention.

He said, “We were arrested on Friday, April 21, 2017, around 8.30pm. The man was taking herbs, while some of us were smoking. When we demanded to know our offences, the police said they were conducting a raid.

“They took us to their headquarters at Dugbe. When we arrived there, they first took our statements. They then took us to a room, where they descended on us. The beating was serious.

“The elderly man kept telling them that he was a photographer, but they didn’t listen to him.

“Later, they took us to a courtyard, called Assembly, where their boss interviewed us. By Monday, three persons had been released after paying some money.

“The policemen visited my house for a search and they did not find anything incriminating. They searched the man’s house as well without seeing anything. Their senior officer then said we were innocent and could be released as well after paying for bail.

“My family paid N40,000 for bail, but nobody showed up for the photographer. If he had been released on time, he probably wouldn’t have died.”

The resident, who tried to bail Kola, said he had gone to the SARS office for the bail of a suspect in another case when he sighted the victim.

He said when the police demanded N30,000 for his bail, he contacted the victim’s pastor, who urged him to negotiate the sum.

He said, “When they said I should bring N30,000, I called his pastor to inform him and he said I should negotiate with them.

“I later returned on Friday and when the policemen saw me, they said I could bring N5,000 because the man was seriously sick and needed urgent medical attention. I told them that all I had was just N2,000. I borrowed N1,500 from a motorcycle rider that took me there to make the money N3,500.

“They said the money must be complete. I left to look for the balance. But before I got back to the place, I discovered they had asked another motorcycle rider to take him away because of his critical condition.

“It was on the way home that he slumped on the motorcycle and died. As I speak with you, they still have his mobile phone, which they seized pending when we would pay the balance of N1,500.”

The victim’s younger brother, Olaolu Adeyeye, said a neighbour alerted him to the arrest of the deceased.

He said, “I saw two of those that had been bailed and they said they paid N25,000 each before they were released. I didn’t have any money and had to call other relatives to raise the money. When the money was not forthcoming, I asked my neighbour, a doctor, to help us. I was later told they had brought him home. He was dead with a lot of torture marks.”

Olaolu described the victim as a hard working photographer who was killed for nothing.

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajisebutu Adekunle, confirmed the incident, but denied that the police were responsible for Kola’s death.

He said, “The suspect was not tortured in any way. Are you aware that he died after his release from detention? The police did not torture him. Death can come anywhere, anytime. You are aware that people sleep in their homes without waking up. So, his death has nothing to do with his arrest and detention.

“He was not the only one arrested. He was arrested during raids of black spots. The command has embarked on raids of criminal hideouts to curtail the activities of criminals in Oyo State. On the issue of the bail money, I will find out. If it is true, appropriate measures will be taken against those responsible. Bail is free.”

Check out more photos/videos from Shade Okoya's 40th birthday party

 Folashade, MD of Eleganza Industrial City and wife to Billionaire businessman, Rasak Okoya, celebrated her 40th birthday in style on Sunday at Eleganza Estate. Guests present included; Aliko Dangote, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi. Abike Dabiri, Nkiru Anumudu, Ruth Osime, Mudashiru Obasa, Jennifer Obayuwana, Dele Momodu, German Consul - Ingo Herbert, Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Enemaya Lawani. Watch video below;

Take medical leave immediately, Falana, others tell Buhari

Nigerian civil society leaders have urged ailing President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately take medical leave to attend to his health.

Several activists, including notable lawyer, Femi Falana, and Jibrin Ibrahim, said the president should heed the advice of his personal physicians without further delay.

“As we join the Nigerian people of goodwill to pray for a speedy recovery of President Buhari, we are compelled to advise him to heed the advice of his personal physicians by taking a rest to attend to his health without any further delay,” they said in a statement Monday.

Others who signed the statement are Debo Adeniran, Chris Kwaja, Y. Z. Ya’u, Chom Bagu, Olanrewaju Suraju, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Anwal Musa Rafsanjani, David Ugolor, ‘Sina Odugbemi, Muhammed Attah and Adetokunbo Mumuni.

Read the group’s full statement below:

When President Mohammadu Buhari was recently in the United Kingdom on a medical vacation, which lasted 59 days, many public officers said that he was “hale and hearty.” But upon his return to the country President Buhari disclosed that he had never been that sick in his entire life. Even though the President did not disclose the nature of his ailment, he revealed that he went through blood transfusion. While thanking the Nigerian people for their prayers, the President announced that he might soon travel back for further medical treatment.

A few weeks ago, the Governor of Kaduna state, Mr. Nasir El-Rufai urged Nigerians to give President Buhari time to recover from his sickness. The plea was made after the Governor had visited and presumably assessed the state of the President at the presidential villa in Abuja. However, due to the apparent deterioration in the President’s health condition, he has neither been seen in public in the last one week nor attended the last two meetings of the Federal Executive Council. His absence at the last Jumat service in the villa has fuelled further speculations and rumours on President Buhari’s medical condition.

But instead of embarking on regular briefing on the actual state of the health of President Buhari, officials of the federal government have continued to assure the Nigerian people that the is no need for apprehension over the matter. In defending the absence of the President at the last FEC meeting and other state functions, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu stated that “the president’s doctors have advised on his taking things slowly, as he fully recovers from the long period of treatment in the United Kingdom some weeks ago.”

As we join the Nigerian people of goodwill to pray for a speedy recovery of President Buhari, we are compelled to advise him to heed the advice of his personal physicians by taking a rest to attend to his health without any further delay. -NAN

Nollywood Actress, Mercy Aigbe Speaks on Domestic Violence Amidst Marital Crisis

Battered Nigerian actress, Mercy Aigbe who was brutally assaulted by her husband has spoken out against domestic violence.

For beautiful Mercy Aigbe, whose battering by her husband few days ago, has made headlines, life goes on. Just as workers marched to celebrate the Special Day, the diva announces she is opening her shop for business and even offers patrons a special discount.

“Over to you Jehovah!!!! My dress of course from @mag_divas
Off to the shop!……. Expecting you guys, don’t forget special discount on today’s purchases”.

She is also now a campaigner against domestic violence and wife battery. Twice, since her husband Lanre Gentry’s attack, the Nollywood actress has turned her Instagram Page, with 2.1million followers, into a platform to campaign against the abuse.

The latest was a combo photograph published today. In one part, an abusive husband, shuts the mouth of his petrified wife, with his hand on which is written several messages, such as ‘I Love you, ‘I didn’t mean it’, ‘I’m Sorry”, etc. In the second, the beastly husband, is shown showing some remorse, for his action.

The combo photograph may well be illustrative of Aigbe’s situation.

Though her husband, friends and relatives have been trying to resolve the domestic conflict, the actress appears unsatisfied as she has reported the assault to the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs for justice.

The New Telegraph on Sunday reported that she had taken the matter to the Lagos State Government for investigation.

A top official revealed that the ministry had received the petition and that it is treating it with urgency, due to the mandate given to the ministry by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to crack down on domestic violence especially against women.

“I am commenting on this based on your manner of approach, so please I’d like my privacy to be respected. Truly, the case is with us here.

Mercy Aigbe posted this photo campaigning against domestic violence

”We’re still very much on top of the matter and we’ll get it to its logical conclusion,” he said.

A human rights activist, Esther Ijewere, who was the first to render help to the actress, stressed that there is no justification for domestic violence.

“There is no justification for domestic violence, at all.

”You as a man, if you can’t stand the heat, then take a walk out of the kitchen. Real men don’t hit their wives; celebrities are human, we should not be too quick to judge.

”She has taken a bold step; the best we can do is pray for her and support her in any possible way we can,” Esther said.

Clearly trying to effect damage control, Lanre Gentry posted a picture of himself and his wife on his Instagram account, saying “I love my wife and I will never beat her”. - NAN

First train from the UK to China completes its 7,500-mile journey

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The first rail freight service from the UK to China has completed its 7,500-mile journey.

The train carrying 30 containers filled with British produced goods arrived in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu on Saturday.

It was greeted by traders and shipping company officials when it arrived at Yiwu West station after departing London on April 10 carrying items such as vitamins, baby products and pharmaceuticals.
The first freight service from China to the UK arrived in London in January.

The service, which is cheaper than air freight and faster than sea freight, is part of China’s One Belt, One Road programme of reviving the ancient Silk Road trading routes with the West, initially created more than 2,000 years ago.

Yiwu Timex Chairman Timmy Feng told Reuters TV channel: "This freight train is a reflection of the achievements of trade."

After leaving London the bright red train passed through seven countries -- France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan -- before arriving in Yiwu at about 9.30am local time on Saturday.

For Britain, the train is part of an effort to strengthen trade links with the rest of the world as it prepares to leave the European Union in two years' time. - Evening Standard

NLC,Workers demand N65,000 minimum salary

The call for pay rise and improved working conditions resonated across the 36 states yesterday as workers marked the 2017 May Day.

The umbrella bodies – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) – asked employers for a review of minimum monthly salary from N18, 000 to N65, 000.

Besides, they asked for N25, 000 minimum monthly pension for retirees and special pay package for workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.The Nation reports.

In Abuja, the workers protested the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Eagle Square.
The protest marred the celebration, preventing the presentation of the President’s goodwill message.

In the message, the President promised that the report of the Main Government/Labour Committee on Mimimum wage and palliatives will be fully implemented.

Buhari’s health: Obasanjo, Babangida, Abdusalami (Nigeria Destroyers) meet

Three former Nigerian leaders, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) yesterday met behind closed doors in Minna, the capital of Niger State.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the meeting which lasted for over two hours was held at the hilltop home of former military president, IBB.

It was learnt that visitors who usually besiege Babangida’s house were streamlined, with some of them stopped from entering the house ahead of the arrival of former President Obasanjo at about 3:00pm yesterday.

Before the arrival of Obasanjo, former head of state, General Abubakar was already in IBB’s house waiting.

On arrival, Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, received Obasanjo at Minna airport and took him to IBB home at hill top without official retinue.

Sources disclosed that the governor led Obasanjo to the inner chamber where the duo of IBB and Abubakar were waiting.

It was learnt that after the usual pleasantries, even the closest domestic and security staff in the house were excused from the inner chamber at the time the meeting went into closed door.

It was also gathered that the Niger State governor who initially received Obasanjo later left the three elder statesmen.

The former leaders met for over two hours before Obasanjo left the state at about 6pm.

Details of the meeting were still not known at the time of writing this report, but a source close to one of the former leaders told our correspondent that the former leaders may have discussed some crucial national issues.

Shocking ! Soldiers Beat Comedian Arinze Baba In Enugu

Nigerian comedian Arinze Baba was reportedly assaulted by Nigerian soldiers he met on his way back home from Enugu. The comedian claimed he was beaten for no reason.

Sweden’s Largest Mosque Burned

Sweden's largest mosque has been deliberately set ablaze in an arson attack, marking yet another hate crime against the Muslim community in the Scandinavian country.

Police spokesman, Lars Bystrom, said on Monday that Imam Ali Islamic Center in the northern Stockholm suburb of Jakobsberg was badly damaged in the arson attack overnight.

"It seems it was set ablaze from the outside," the TT news agency quoted the spokesman as saying, noting, "Flames were engulfing the outer facade" of the mosque.

Mosque spokesman, Akil Zahari, told the Swedish national public TV broadcaster, SVT, that the center was attended by thousands of faithful worshipers every day.

Several mosques in Sweden have been the target of arson attacks in recent years. Only a few perpetrators have been caught over the attacks.
In April last year, a 31-year-old man was jailed for three years for racially-aggravated arson after admitting to setting fire to a mosque in the southwestern town of Boras.

In January 2015, Swedish anti-racism campaigners protested after a trio of arson attacks on mosques in the Nordic country.
This comes as anti-Islam attacks are on the rise across the US and several European countries.