More Nigerians accepting Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals – Poll

The acceptance rate of Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals among Nigerians is on the rise according to a latest survey by NOIPolls, a premier organisation for country specific polling services in West Africa.

Commissioned by The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs), a non-profit organization working to protect the rights of sexual minorities, the Social Perception Survey on Lesbian, Gays and Bisexual Rights report showed a rise in family acceptance from 11 per cent in 2015 to 13 per cent in 2017.

The Nigerian Senate passed the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act – also known as Anti-Gay Bill – in late 2013 before it was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan in January 2014.

The law criminalises same-sex unions in Nigeria with a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment if convicted. It also seeks to punish any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations directly or indirectly with a jail term of 10 years.

A 2015 survey conducted by NOIPolls showed a majority of adult Nigerians (87 per cent) remained in support of the law, although the figure was down by 5-points from the 2013 survey where 92 per cent showed support for the bill.

But the latest NOIPoll’s findings showed that 39 per cent of Nigerians now say that Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual persons should be allowed to have access to public services, a 9 per cent increase from 30 per cent of respondents in 2015.

One of the highlights of the report was the fact that 17 per cent of respondents answered in affirmative when asked if they know someone who is Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual- a family member, friend, or someone within their locality.

The survey method involved a random nationwide sampling of 2,000 respondents who were interviewed over the telephone. Participants were selected from the six geo-political zones through a proportionate stratified random sample design. - Premium Times

Med-View kicked off the safety list for Europe

All air carriers from Benin and Mozambique were removed from the EU Air Safety List, while four individual airlines, one each from Nigeria, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe, were added.

Today the European Commission updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of non-European airlines that do not meet international safety standards, and are therefore subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. The EU Air Safety List seeks to ensure the highest level of air safety for European citizens, which is a top priority of the Aviation Strategyadopted by the Commission in December 2015.

Following today's update, all airlines certified in Benin and Mozambique are cleared from the list, following further improvements to the aviation safety situation in these countries. On the other hand, the airlines Med-View (Nigeria), Mustique Airways (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Aviation Company Urga (Ukraine) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) were added to the list due to unaddressed safety deficiencies that were detected by the European Aviation Safety Agency during the assessment for a third country operator authorisation.

Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: "I am glad that we are able to take all carriers from Benin and Mozambique out of the air safety list. Their reforms have paid off. This is also a signal to the 16 countries that remain on the list. It shows that work and cooperation pays off. The Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency are ready to assist them and raise the safety standards worldwide".

The EU Air Safety List not only helps to maintain high levels of safety in the EU, but it also helps affected countries to improve their levels of safety, in order to eventually allow them to operate flights to and from airports in the European Union. In addition, the EU Air Safety List has become a major preventive tool, as it motivates countries with safety problems to act upon them before a ban under the EU Air Safety List would become necessary.

Following today's update, a total of 181 airlines are banned from EU skies:

• 174 airlines certified in 16 states[1], due to a lack of safety oversight by the aviation authorities from these states.
• Seven individual airlines, based on safety concerns with regard to these airlines themselves: Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran), Iraqi Airways (Iraq) and Blue Wing Airlines (Suriname), Med-View Airlines (Nigeria), Mustique Airways (St Vincent and the Grenadines), Aviation Company Urga (Ukraine) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe).

An additional six airlines are subject to operational restrictions and can only fly to the EU with specific aircraft types: Afrijet and Nouvelle Air Affaires SN2AG (Gabon), Air Koryo (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), Air Service Comores (the Comoros), Iran Air (Iran) and TAAG Angola Airlines (Angola).

The Commission is constantly looking at ways to improve air safety. One such way is to work with aviation authorities worldwide to raise global safety standards. With this in mind, the European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA) is therefore implementing technical cooperation projects with partner countries and regions. An example is the "Improving Air Transport in Central Africa" (ATA-AC) project, where EASA works with a number of African states on several aspects of aviation safety. Benin and Mozambique both benefitted from such cooperation projects, which contributed to address past safety deficiencies. More information on technical cooperation projects is available here.

Background information

Today's update of the Air Safety List is based on the unanimous opinion of the aviation safety experts from the Member States who met from 25 to 27 April within the EU Air Safety Committee (ASC). This Committee is chaired by the European Commission with the support of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The update equally got the support from the European Parliament's Transport Committee. Assessment is made against international safety standards, and notably the standards promulgated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

For more information:

List of airlines banned within the EU 

Importance of aviation for the European economy

EASA Technical Cooperation Projects

[1]Afghanistan, Angola (with the exception of one airline which operates under restrictions and conditions), Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon (with the exception of 2 airlines which operate under restrictions and conditions), Indonesia (with the exception of 7 airlines), the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone and Sudan. - European Commission

Meet the man who brokered the deal to release the Chibok girls and how he did it

Zannah Mustapha is the 57-year-old lawyer who brokered the release of 82 women captured by Nigeria's militant Islamist group Boko Haram, BBC news reports.

Novelist and writer Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani in this report by BBC profiles the lawyer who recounted how the breakthrough was accomplished. “One of about seven Boko Haram militants, who accompanied them, went from woman to woman asking: “Throughout the time you were with us, did anyone rape you or touch you?” Mr Mustapha said, adding that each of them replied in the negative.

When Mustapha arrived for the handover, after three years in captivity, a militant read out the girls' names from a list. One by one, the abducted schoolgirls, now women, lined up along the outskirts of a forest near Kumshe town, on the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.

"I went ahead of the Red Cross. They [the militants] brought the girls to me," he said, adding that the girls started singing for joy when they got into Red Cross vehicles. Previous negotiation attempts had failed, with different groups coming forward, each claiming to be the militants in possession of the missing schoolgirls.

It was Mr Mustapha who succeeded in convincing the Nigerian authorities that this particular group should be taken for what they say. His role as a mediator dates back to his founding the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation School in 2007, to provide free Islamic-based education to orphans and the poor.

When the Boko Haram insurgency erupted in 2009, the school offered admission to the children of soldiers and government officials killed by the militants, as well as those of militants killed by the state.

He then sought the assistance of the Red Cross (ICRC) which began providing free meals to the pupils. He also encouraged parents to form an association which would reach out to other widows and convince them to send their children to his school.

The ICRC soon extended its humanitarian services to the mothers, providing them free food and other items every month. The Boko Haram saw him and the ICRC as neutral parties.

Two gay men sentenced to 85 lashes in Indonesia

Special sharia court in Indonesia's Aceh Wednesday recommended 80 strokes of the cane for two men accused of having sex in contravention of sharia law, the first such punishment of a gay couple in the conservative province.

Aceh is the only province in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country which implements sharia law.

The pair, both in their early 20s, were caught together in bed by a group of vigilantes who raided a boarding house in the provincial capital Banda Aceh in late March.

“The defendants are proven to have committed sodomy and are found guilty. The convicted men will be publicly caned in the province’s capital Banda Aceh on May 23 before the fasting month of Ramadan starts, according to the lead prosecutor, Gulmaini, who goes by single name.

They will be the first to be caned for breaking the regulation if the punishment goes ahead.

My family not from Benin - Musiliu Obanikoro

Former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, yesterday, refuted claims that his progenitor, Obanikoro of Lagos, was not from Bini Kingdom, Edo State. 

Setting the records striaght, the former Minister clarified that the legendary Obanikoro was an Awori from Idiluwo-Ile in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos. 

He, however, faulted the account of the former Minister of Works, Chief Femi Okunnu who said Obanikoro was from Benin saying the account was false. He said while he personally had a link with Benin City through his paternal great grand mother, who was from Eletu-Odibo family, the first Obanikoro was not from Benin. 

Obanikoro said the descendants of Chief Obanikoro, including Ajayi-Bembe, Ogunlana Arewa, Abisawo Otun, Osadeko, Aregbe and Oyerokun, were conscious of their Awori root. 

He said: “Chief Okunnu said Obanikoro was from Benin, we are not from Benin. We are from Aworiland. We are from Idiluwo-Ile in Ojo local government. 

Personally, I have Bini blood. My paternal great grand mother was from Eletu-Odibo family. Eletu-Odibo came with the Oba of Benin to Lagos. She was the daughter of Ogabi Eletu-Odibo. But, Obanikoro was not a Bini man. He was an Awori.”

Putin ‘ready to provide recording’ of Lavrov-Trump exchange

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump did not pass any secrets onto Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting in Washington on May 9 and that he could prove it.

Speaking at a news conference alongside Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, Putin quipped that Lavrov had not passed what he said were the non-existent secrets onto him either.

Putin said Russia was ready to hand a transcript of Trump’s meeting with Lavrov over to U.S. lawmakers if that would help reassure them.

Two U.S. officials said on Monday that Trump had disclosed highly classified information to Lavrov about a planned Islamic State operation, plunging the White House into another controversy just months into Trump’s short tenure in office.

On Tuesday, Trump said that he had an “absolute right” to share intelligence information with Russia.

“As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining … to terrorism and airline flight safety,” he wrote on Twitter.

“Plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism,” he continued.

The Washington Post reported Monday that Trump revealed highly classified information about the Islamic State extremist group during a meeting last week with Russian envoys in the Oval Office. - AFP

Photos: MI Abaga Visits Jay Z's Roc Nation

MI also known as Mr. Incredible, is one of the most celebrated artistes in Nigeria and definitely one of the best in the music scene. His début album titled “Talk About It” released 2008, swept across Africa and the rest of the world leaving marks that can never be erased. He has been a strong pillar behind Chocolate City which introduced Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz and a host of others into the music world.

He has performed on a lot of stages and won many awards. MI graced the One Africa Fest which took place at London in the United Kingdom just few days ago; and thrilled audience with some of his old classics. He visited New York for some business activities and decided to pay the Roc Nation family a visit as well.

The Nigerian superstar was seen with top executives Lenny Santiego who is the A&R to Jay-Z, and Jason Kpana who is head of Tidal. Nigerian artistes seem to have a seamless connection with the entertainment world abroad and capable of pulling thrilling surprises. Until we get surprised, check out the exclusive pictures below…

Playboy model Dani Mathers faces jail after secretly Snapchatting photo of naked woman at gym

A former Playboy playmate Dani Mathers is officially facing jail time for secretly Snapchatting a photo of a naked woman from the locker room at LA Fitness.


Asked if Ms Mathers would be testifying at her trial, her lawyer responded, “Oh yeah, definitely”.
Last summer, Ms Mathers posted the photo of a naked, 70-year-old woman to her public Snapchat story with the caption "If I can't unsee this then you can't either”.

Prosecutors charged her with misdemeanour invasion of privacy.
“She should face the consequences of her cruel and criminal act," the Los Angeles City attorney's office said at the time.

Under California law, it is illegal to secretly photograph another identifiable person in a changing room without their consent.
Charges can result in up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Ms Mathers previously attempted to avoid jail time by offering to apologise to the victim, undergo counselling, and take an anti-bullying course.
The judge declined, citing lack of remorse.
Ms Mathers was also banned from all LA Fitness gyms. 

Judge Gustavo Sztraicher scheduled her trial for 26 May.

Read this 82-year-old barre instructor's tips for healthy ageing

In a recent interview with SELF, Esther Fairfax, the 82-year-old fitness instructor revealed some of her best healthy aging tips. Here are three of our favourites:

1. She views ageing as an accomplishment, not something to be feared.

It's all too common for people (and women especially) to view ageing as an unfortunate fate - something we all dread and try to fight off as best we can. But for Fairfax, growing older is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
"I'm like a 5-year-old who wants to be 6 because that's more proud," she told SELF. "Now I'm at that other end. I want to be 83. Then I want to be 84 because there's a sense of achievement. I'm still here! And still working! And I love it."

2. She never lets haters slow her down.

When Fairfax first began following in her mother's footsteps and teaching fitness classes for a living, talking about health and fitness wasn't as popular as it is today. But Fairfax didn't let the naysayers get her down - and she's healthier today because of it.
"When I started, exercise was a joke," she said. "Men would tease you and say, 'I do lots of exercise. Drinking beer - that's what I do!' It was ridiculed. But culture has changed completely. Now everybody seems to want to exercise."

3. She makes exercise part of her regular routine.

Even at 82, Fairfax teaches four Lotte Berk-method barre classes a week at her studio. She credits her decision to make exercise a regular habit for her impressive physical fitness today, and she advises others to do the same.
"As you wouldn't go a week without eating, you shouldn't go a week without exercising," Fairfax told SELF. "And if it becomes part of your routine, part of your life, part of your strategy for health and well-being - then start young."

Sharapova vows to 'rise up again' after French Open snub

Russian professional tennis player, Maria Sharapova insists she will "rise up again" after being snubbed by the French Tennis Federation (FFT) as a wildcard entrant at the French Open.

FFT president Bernard Giudicelli announced on Tuesday that Sharapova would not be invited to play at Roland Garros this month.

The five-time major winner only made her comeback from a 15-month doping ban in April but was expected to return to the grand slam stage in Paris having been handed wildcard entries at Stuttgart, Madrid and Rome.

Giuidicelli explained the decision in a live broadcast on Facebook, saying: "There can be a wildcard for return from injuries; there cannot be a wildcard for return from doping."

However, former world number one Sharapova suggested the blow will not stop her aiming to return to the top of the women's game.
"If this is what it takes to rise up again, then I am in it all the way, everyday," Sharapova posted on Twitter.
"No words, games, or actions will ever stop me from reaching my own dreams. And I have many."
Shortly after the FFT announcement Sharapova took to the court for her Internazionali BNL d'Italia second-round match against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, retiring while 2-1 up in the deciding set due to what appeared to be a thigh injury.

Antonio Cromartie’s Wife Announces She’s Pregnant With His 14th Child

Former Jets star, Antonio Cromartie and his wife, Terricka Cromartie, are expecting their 6th child together, but Antonio’s fourteenth child. This will be their third child after he announced he had a vasectomy in 2011.

(A vasectomy is a simple surgery done by a doctor where small tubes in a male scrotum that carry sperm are cut or blocked off, so sperm can’t leave body and cause pregnancy)

  

He had a set of twins on May 8th 2016, now his wife is 6 months pregnant with another child since the procedure.

The free Agent NFL cornerback player got a vasectomy when his wife was pregnant with his 11th child.

“I really thought I was dreaming . . . I was just in total disbelief,” Terricka told US Weekly at the time she was pregnant with the twin babies last year.

On Sunday, which was Mother’s Day in the US, Terricka Cromartie announced on Instagram that she’s expecting their sixth child.
Though some think it might be a joke because of her  #bowwowchallenge hashtag, she is really pregnant.

She posted another photo of herself some hours ago to confirm that she is truly pregnant with her 6th child.

Benue will prosecute anyone who blows whistle without evidence – Ortom

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has spoken further on his call to persons who had corruption allegation against his government to expose it.

He warned that such persons should be ready provide concrete evidence to back up their claim or face prosecution.

Ortom spoke on Tuesday after a private meeting with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, at the presidential villa in Abuja.

According to him, those who accuse falsely or tell lies to blackmail others should stop as the state can decide to sue such people for libel.

The governor affirmed his administration’s position against corruption, adding that Nigerians had a duty to eradicate the challenge.

“It is the duty of all of us to work together to eliminate corruption because that has been the problem and people were not bold enough until President Muhammadu Buhari came in.

“For some us we are actively supporting what the federal government is doing so that together we can eliminate this corruption.

“Nigeria has no business with poverty because we have enough.

“The only problem is corruption and all of us, journalists, government officials, leaders, everybody must come together to ensure that we eliminate corruption,’’ he said.

Wizkid lands seven Billboard Music Awards nominations

Courtesy of his feature on Drake’s ‘One Dance’, Nigerian pop star Wizkid is eligible for seven Billboard Music Awards.

Wizkid served as a featured artiste on the commercially successful 2016 song which he also co-produced.

‘One Dance’ is nominated for Top Hot 100 Song, Top Selling Song, Top Radio Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Collaboration, Top R&B Song and Top R&B Collaboration

According to the official website of Billboard, the nominees are split up into 52 different categories.

Unlike other awards, Billboard ranks potential winners based on their song sales, streams, radio airplay, live tours and social engagement.

Although the full line-up is yet to be revealed, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Celine Dion, Lorde, Imagine Dragons, Drake, John Legend, Florida Georgia Line and Camila Cabello are expected to perform.

Drake and The Chainsmokers were the most nominated. Both are contesting for awards in 22 categories.

They will also square up for major categories such as Top Artist, Top Male Artist and Top Billboard 200 Artist.

Twenty-One Pilots have 17 nominations, Rihanna earned 14 while The Weeknd and Beyonce have 13 nominations each.

The annual awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 21.

Man Granted N2m Bail For Raping, Impregnating Neighbour’s Daughter

A 42-year-old driver who allegedly raped and got his neighbour’s daughter pregnant was today charged before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The accused, Jimoh Adeola, a resident of 4, Omodara Avenue, Iju Ishaga area of Lagos, is facing a charge of sexual assault.

The Prosecutor, Raphael Donny, told the court that the offence was committed in January 2017 at the accused residence.

Mr. Donny said that the accused and the 16-year-old girl live in the same compound.

He told the court that the girl’s sister discovered that she was growing bigger and decided to take her to hospital for a medical check-up.

“On getting there, it was confirmed that she was pregnant and when she was asked, she said it was the accused who raped her sometime in January,” he said.

The offence contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Davies Abegunde, granted the accused N2 million bail.

Ms. Abegunde ruled that the accused should pay N150,000 into the registrar’s account as part of the bail condition.

She adjourned the case until June 5 for Director of Public Prosecution’s advice. - NAN

‘Prophet’ arraigned for possessing human skull

A 55-year-old man was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrate’s Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, for being in possession of a human skull.

According to the charge sheet, with number, Mi/1731c/2017, the accused, Isaiah Alimi, who claimed to be a prophet, was arraigned on one count of unlawful possession.

The prosecutor, Mr Sunday Ogunremi, told the court that the accused, on May 5, 2017, at about 9.10pm on Sango Road in Ibadan Magisterial District, did unlawfully had in his possession, one human skull.

He said, “The offence contravened Section 329(A) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Law of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.”

Alimi had told the police in his statement that he was a founder of a church in Lagos.

He said that he inherited some herbalist skills from his father and that the big horn that was caught with him at the time of arrest was used to pray for people who in turn would be compelled to pay him huge sums in exchange for his spiritual services.

The self acclaimed prophet told the police that he got the human skull from an area in Lagos after a bulldozer was used to clear a portion of land.

“They brought the bulldozer to clear the street, so I found the skull there and took it for personal use because I know it will be useful for me. I was arrested when the police stopped a commercial bus I was travelling in for a search,” he said.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Abiola Richard, granted the accused bail in the sum of N75,000 with two sureties in like sum, and adjourned the case till June 28 for hearing.

But Alimi did not meet the bail condition and was remanded in the Agodi Prison.

Wealth of five richest Nigerians can end poverty – Oxfam

The Inequality report released by Oxfam International, on Wednesday, revealed that the combined wealth of five richest Nigerians put at $29.9bn could end extreme poverty in the country.

The report, entitled ‘Inequality in Nigeria, Exploring the Drivers and obtained in Abuja, exposed the large and growing gap between the rich and poor in Nigeria.

It revealed that the benefits of the nation’s economic growth had been captured by a few wealthy elite at the expense of the ordinary Nigerians.

According to the report, the economic inequality is a key factor in the conflict in the North-Eastern states of the country.

Oxfam International also disclosed that Nigeria’s richest man earned 8,000 times more in one day than a poor Nigerian would spend on basic needs in a year.

It said that more than 112 million people were living in poverty in Nigeria, yet the country’s richest man spent $1m a day for 42 years to exhaust his fortune.

According to the report, Nigeria is one of the few countries where the number of people living in poverty is on the increase despite the growth of the economy.

The report also indicated that 69 percent of people now live below the poverty line in North-Eastern states, compared to the 49 percent in the South-West.

It also showed that women were not being captured on the benefits of economic growth because they tended to be employed in low-skilled, low-paid informal jobs.

According to the organisation, women represent between 60 percent and 79 percent of Nigeria’s rural labour force but are five times less likely to own their own land than men.

It further stated that women were also less likely to have had a decent education, noting that over three-quarter of the poorest women in Nigeria had never been to school.

The report said that poor people did not benefit from Nigeria’s wealth because of the high level of corruption and the excessive influence big business and some wealthy elite had over government and policy making.

According to the report, public office holders steal estimated $20tn from the treasury between 1960 and 2005, while multinational companies receive tax incentives estimated at $2.9bn a year.

This development it said was three times more than Nigeria’s entire health budget.

It further revealed that small and medium size businesses and workers in the informal sector, however, faced multiple taxes.

“Despite being Africa’s biggest economy, the share of the national budget allocated to education, health and social protection is one of the lowest in the region.

“In 2012, Nigeria spent just 6.5 percent of its national budget on education and just 3.5 per cent on health.

“By comparison, Ghana spent 18.5 per cent and 12.8 per cent, respectively in 2015.

‘’As a result, 57 million Nigerians lack safe water, over 130 million lack adequate sanitation and the country has more than 10 million children out of school.“ it stated.

Commenting on the report, Mr Celestine Odo, Good Governance Programme Coordinator for Oxfam in Nigeria, said extreme inequality was undermining the economy and fermenting social unrest.

According to him, Nigerian leaders must be more determined to tackle this terrible problem.

Odo said that it was an irony that Nigerians were living in poverty in spite the abundance of wealth in the country.

He said it was important to free millions of Nigerians from poverty by building a new political and economic system that would work for everyone and not just a fortunate few.

“The government can make a start by tackling corruption, ensuring big business and wealthy individuals pay their fair share of tax, investing in vital public services, and protecting the rights of women.” - NAN

Guardiola tells Man City some home truths

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City’s home form must improve next season if they are to challenge for honours after they beat West Bromwich Albion in their last home game.

Guardiola’s first season in English football will end at Watford on Sunday with the Catalan failing to win silverware for the first time in his stellar managerial career.

But Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over West Brom should be enough to guarantee a top-four finish — and a place in next season’s Champions League — while a win at Watford will assure City of advancing directly to the competition proper.

“I will not say fourth position is done, but Arsenal have to win by five or six against Everton and my good friend Ronald Koeman,” City manager Guardiola told reporters at the Etihad Stadium.

“We are there and we are going to travel to London to try and finish third and go direct to the Champions League. I’m happy it’s in our hands to finish third.

“This club had not played in Europe for 30 years. Now we are there every year, but we have to try and be better next season.”

However, City will need to improve their form at the Etihad, where despite ending the season with three straight victories, they have collected just 11 wins from 19 games.

“Our home season was not good,” said Guardiola. “We finished the last three games with good performances, but it was not good.

“That was the reason we didn’t fight (for the title) until the end of the season. We lost a lot of points, but this was a perfect night, especially for Pablo.”

Guardiola was referring to Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta, who played his last home game for the club prior to leaving as a free agent.

– ‘Thin line’ –

“It was an emotional night, for his family, for the people in the crowd,” said Guardiola.

“I saw many people crying and they are realising the impact Pablo had on the club.

“He helped build something special and he deserved absolutely everything and the performance was good, but it was a resume of our season.

“I don’t know how many chances we had and we didn’t score many goals. They had one chance and scored.”

Supported by his wife, Christel, and son, Asier, Zabaleta was given an emotional farewell by team-mates and City supporters after the game, with all keen to show their appreciation for his nine eventful years as a City player.

“As a football player and as a football fan it was a dream to come to the Premier League,” Zabaleta said in an on-pitch address to fans.

“I said to my girlfriend, now my wife, ‘Let me go to Manchester. I will enjoy it. It will be only for three or four years.’ So I’ll have to say sorry — it’s been nine years!”

First-half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne put City in control before Yaya Toure added a third and Hal Robson-Kanu claimed Albion’s late consolation.

West Brom slipped a place to ninth without any of their rivals playing, the result of a run that has seen them collect just two points from the last available 24.

“I don’t think we’ve shot ourselves in the foot in respect of not trying,” said manager Tony Pulis.

“But it’s such a thin line between winning at this level. You’ve got to take your chances and, not tonight, but in other games we have been well in them.

“We’ve lost four games 1-0 when we have had really good chances. That’s the thing you have to accept and get on with it.”

Osinbajo condemns mutiny in Cote d’Ivoire amid similar fears in Nigeria

Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, has on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria condemned in strong terms the recent developments in Cote d’Ivoire in which a small fraction of the country’s Armed Forces mutinied against the Government.

This is contained in a statement by Laolu Akande, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.

It said “Nigeria presses strong and unflinching support for the Government of President Alhassan Ouattara and welcomes ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis.

“In this context, the Federal Government urges the parties to the crisis to exercise maximum restraint, remain calm and continue with dialogue and negotiations with the Government of President Ouattara.

“Nigeria also urges the mutineers to return to their barracks and to refrain from any action capable of undermining the peace, security and democracy in the country.

“The Federal Government further urges the people of Cote d’Ivoire to remain steadfast in their support for the Government and to refrain from giving support to the mutineers in the overall interest of peace, tranquillity, good order and prosperity of the country”.

The mutiny in Cote d’Ivoire occurred at a time Nigeria’s Army Chief, TY Buratai, Tuesday, personally confirmed that politicians were holding meeting with Army officers and soldiers.

He vowed to punish any indicted officer or soldier taking part in such meetings, warning that the Army hierarchy will not sit back and allow mutiny against constituted authority.

His alarm was an affirmation that powerful forces may be enticing Army personnel to come out of the barracks to topple President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

The unholy alliance, it was gathered, followed the health crisis of the President which some elements are trying to use to seize power.

Nigerians have been expressing concern over the alarming statement by the Army chief and more worried over the safety of Acting President Osinbajo due to absence of his principal, Buhari.

Again DSS Fails To Produce Sambo In Court

For the second time in a week, the trial of Sambo Dasuki at a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama, for an alleged N13.5 billion fraud, could not go on as expected, as the former National Security Adviser, NSA, was again absent in court today.

Mr. Dasuki, along with Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance and Administration, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA; Aminu Babakusa, a former General Manager, Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation; Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 19-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N13,570,000,000.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, had at the last sitting Tuesday, told Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf that “I’m surprised he’s not here”.

The counsel to Mr. Dasuki, J.B. Daudu, had also expressed concerns about the absence of his client “who though has been granted bail by the court has not been allowed by the DSS to have control over his movement”.

Mr. Daudu had along with Akin Olujinmi, counsel to Mr. Salisu, who was present with Mr. Babakusa, urged the court to adjourn to May 17, and compel the prosecution to present him.
At the resumed hearing today, however, Mr. Jacobs informed the court that his frantic efforts to ensure that Mr. Dasuki was present, proved abortive.

He said: “Yesterday, I promised he’ll be brought to court today, and I immediately contacted the director, legal department of DSS, who told me that Dasuki’s absence in court yesterday was an oversight and that the defendant will be produced this morning.

“I made series of efforts when I noticed he was not in court this morning to contact the director, but was unable to reach him, and I immediately contacted my client, the EFCC, who also approached the DSS.

“The information I received is that the first defendant will not come to court today on the grounds that he’s indisposed.”

Mr. Jacobs, thus, requested for an adjournment.

While not opposing the application for adjournment, Mr. Daudu noted that “this appears to be an inter-agency issue”, and urged the court to “place on record that we’re not trying to frustrate this trial as adjournment is at instance of the prosecution”.

Mr. Olujinmi, who aligned with Mr. Daudu, added that “it is the prosecution that has not allowed the trial to proceed”, adding that the excuse of “oversight” on the part of the DSS (also called SSS), “without an apology was irritating”.

“Your lordship should direct that those keeping him in custody should ensure they’re alive to their responsibility to the court,” Mr. Olujinmi added.

While adjourning to July 11 and 12, 2017 “for continuation of hearing”, Justice Baba-Yusuf, held that “the proceedings of the court should not be taken lightly, and strains between agencies should not be allowed to interfere with proceedings”, adding “the prosecution counsel, whom I know is passionate with his work should be allowed to do his job”. 

Adeleke: Family threatens to sue LAUTECH CMD

The family of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, has vowed to sue the Chief Medical Director of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo , Prof. Akeem Lasisi, and other medical practitioners for alleged unprofessional conduct in handling the report of the autopsy ordered by the family into the death of the Senator.

The family led by Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, said this at a press conference in Ede on Wednesday while reacting to the testimony of the CMD, who appeared before the coroner, Mr. Olusegun Ayilara.

He said the family neither participated nor believed in the kangaroo inquest ordered by Governor Rauf Aregbsola, saying the CMD has refused to give the family the result of the autopsy carried out on the deceased.

He said, ” It is quite disheartening, that we live in a country where some of our supposed professionals can be so easily compromised by their paymasters without any regard to the oath they swore to as medical health practitioners. 

The family has also noted with interest the contradictory testimonies at the Coroner’s Inquest as to whether Senator Isiaka Adeleke had anything to eat at the last party he attended that was hosted by an Osun State APC chieftain.

“The Adeleke family hereby puts it on record, that based on the high level of unprofessional conduct already displayed by the CMD of LAUTECH, the integrity of the ‘Yet to be ready’ autopsy must have been seriously compromised.

” The Adeleke family is consulting layers and is considering all legal options available to address this unfortunate and unprofessional conduct exhibited by the medical practitioners in this matter.” - Punch