NLC decries defection, urges politicians to focus on moving nation forward

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants  politicians to stop the ongoing   gale of defections, and play politics by the rules to safeguard democracy in the country.

Mr. John Ndiomu, the state Chairman of NLC, told our reporters in Yenagoa,the state capital onFriday that political actors should instead focus on issues that  would drive Nigeria’s development.

The chairman cautioned against repeating mistakes of the past, stressing that defection would not impact on national development in any form like job creation and provision of basic amenities.

He said: “I will not say that our democracy is under threat or that we are going backward; my concern is that our politicians are yet to learn their lessons because the current issue of defection is indicating that they are going to repeat the old mistakes in the forthcoming elections.

“My question here is: are the defectors defecting for the good interest of Nigerians or for their selfish interest?

“It is high time we learned  from the past in order not to repeat the old mistakes.

“In the forthcoming elections, we want politicians who have the interest of Nigerians at heart. “The electorate should be mindful not to vote for politicians that have failed the people.” 

9 killed in fresh Benue gunmen attack

Armed men struck afresh at  Tse- Ujo village, Katsina Ala Local Government area in Benue state on Thursday killing 10 persons, according to residents.

The hoodlums invaded the village at about 8am allegedly in search of a rival gang member but left disappointed as they did not find him.

They were said to have returned in the evening and when they still did not find their target, decided to vent their anger on innocent villagers, shooting indiscriminately.

Ten were thus gunned down.

The police said Friday that nine were killed

Spokesman for the state police command, Moses Yamu, a deputy superintendent, said policemen had been drafted to the area.

Governor Samuel Ortom condemned the incident and asked  security agencies to go after the bandits.

The governor described the attack as unacceptable.

Ortom, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase assured the people of Katsina-Ala that steps had been taken to prevent further attacks in the area, adding that three persons had been arrested in connection with the attack.

The governor also  reassured the people of the state that his administration will not allow armed militia to continue to terrorise communities.

“He encouraged anyone with information that can lead to the apprehension of the gang to contact the police, Department of State Services or the military,” Akase said.

Hoodlums  have consistently targeted Katsina Ala over the last few months killing people and setting houses ablaze. - The Nation

Kidnapping : Victim recounts how pastor, other abductors made her drink urine for four days

A kidnap victim in Asaba, Delta State, Rosemary Ifeanyi has opened up on her recent encounter with kidnappers, who abducted her at gunpoint, adding that she was fed with soft drink, bread and her urine, for four days.

The 32-year-old wife, who spoke to DAILY POST on Friday, said: “I recognized a Pastor among the kidnappers at their hideout where I was held hostage before a team of policemen invaded the hideout, and rescued me”.

It was gathered that police operatives in Asaba have in the past three weeks spread their dragnet to nab the General Overseer of a new generation church in Asaba, Pastor Sunday Ekezie, who allegedly masterminded the recent kidnap of Rosemary Ifeanyi.

The victim was said to have been kidnapped after she closed her shop, and was on her way home to meet her husband and children when the kidnappers rounded her up at gunpoint, and was forced her into a waiting vehicles before they zoomed into an unknown destination.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Muhammed Mustafa, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said: “we were able to rescue the victim unhurt and we are searching for the pastor at present. We will get him”.

It was further gathered that the said pastor allegedly obtained information concerning the victim from his girlfriend identified as Victoria Ose, and subsequently mobilised his cohorts to carry out the kidnapping.

Police sources said Victoria had claimed to have met the pastor less than a month ago, and unknowingly let out the information on how her girlfriend’s brothers bought a car for her, including how she gave testimony/thanksgiving in one of the churches presided over by pastor Ekezie.

“That was how that useless pastor, and devil used me to get information about my girlfriend and arranged to kidnap her,” Victoria was quoted as saying while being interrogated.

Speaking further to DAILY POST, Rosemary said: “I just closed from my shop and few meters to my house, the kidnappers swooped on me. I struggled with them, but they overpowered me, bundled me into their waiting SUV, Rav 4 Jeep, took me away into the bush where I stayed for four days”.

She said that she noticed a tall figure like pastor Ekezie beside the SUV, but gave little thought that a man of God would be involved in such activities until the day police rescued her, and stated that the pastor was involved. - Daily Post

PL news : Arsenal manager delivers update on Ramsey contract talks

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been discussing the club’s contract talks with Aaron Ramsey once again.

The Gunners have for some time now been attempting to tie the Welshman down to a new and improved deal at the club, with concerns over his future in North London.

Ramsey has featured prominently under Emery in pre-season and appears to figure as an important player in the Spaniard’s plans for the campaign ahead.

Emery, who will lead Arsenal into their first competitive fixture under his stewardship on Sunday against Manchester City, spoke about how Ramsey is an “important” part of his plans for the future.

Ramsey has been facing a race against fitness to be ready in time for Arsenal’s encounter with the Premier League champions but appears to be close to regaining full fitness ahead of what promises to be an intriguing campaign.

Emery, as quoted by Goal, delivered an update on Arsenal’s progress in their bid to keep Ramsey for years to come.

“It’s not my work but, for me, it’s very important [Ramsey] stays with us. His experience here in Arsenal, in the Premier League, is very important to give us his information, his performances and his quality. The contract is for the club to speak with the player.” - Read Sport

PL news : Pogba captains Manchester United in Premier League opener

Jose Mourinho has sprung a surprise by starting Paul Pogba in Manchester United's first Premier League game of the season against Leicester City - just four days after the midfielder returned from a post-World Cup break.

Pogba played a key role for France as Didier Deschamps' men triumphed in Russia last month, though his participation in the latter stages of the tournament meant he was late in joining up with his club colleagues.

But, despite the potential rustiness that comes with not playing in any of United's pre-season matches, Mourinho not only selected Pogba to face Leicester but also named him captain.

Last season was a turbulent one for Pogba as he was dropped several times by Mourinho due to inconsistent performances, but this display of faith from his manager so soon after returning from holiday should provide an early boost at the beginning of the 2018-19 campaign.

Pogba is joined in midfield by Brazil international Fred, who was signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in June, while there is also a place for Andreas Pereira following his eye-catching pre-season displays for United.

Matteo Darmian starts at right-back despite confirming he wants to leave the club, with Mourinho forced to select the defender due to Antonio Valencia's injury.

With Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku only ready for a place on the bench, Marcus Rashford and Alexis Sanchez start in attack.

Rashford's England team-mate Jamie Vardy, who signed a new four-year contract this week, is on the bench for Leicester.

However, Harry Maguire, linked with a move to United before the transfer window closed on Thursday, starts in defence for the visitors. - Goal

Transfer news : Gerrard refutes claims that Solanke will join Rangers

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has denied claims that his side will complete the signing of Dominic Solanke on a season-long loan.

For some time now, the promising Reds forward has been linked with a move to Scotland, as Gerrard continues to assess the areas of his squad that need strengthening.
However, the Liverpool legend was quick to quieten speculation linking Solanke with a move to Ibrox, as he told Rangers TV:
“It’s speculation, it’s just speculation.”

Solanke appears to have found himself low down in the pecking order at Anfield as the new season approaches, with Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi now available to Jurgen Klopp.

The loan window for clubs across the United Kingdom is still open, however, and the Reds could be tempted to seek a temporary move away for Solanke should the opportunity present itself.

Solanke was afforded opportunities on a sporadic basis last season but failed to truly convince in his first season at Liverpool. - Read Sport

David-West: The mistake Buhari made over Adeosun

Tam David-West, former minister of petroleum resources and an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, says the president’s mistakes are haunting his government.

In an interview with The Guardian, he said Buhari made a mistake in the first four months of his administration with the people he surrounded himself with and are working against him.
David-West said that the economy is not doing well because the president made a mistake in appointment.
He added that Buhari should have appointed Udo Udoma, who is the minister of budget, as the minister of finance instead of Kemi Adeosun who currently holds the position.

The former minister, nevertheless, stated that the president suffered a lot to be elected and should re-contest in 2019 because of his high moral standard.
“You are elected to change and you can do the change. He made a mistake in the first four months. The mistake is what is haunting his government. The people, who he surrounded himself with, now cabals are not working in his interest. I told him before his wife went to the press, that the people are working against him,” he said.

“I have said it before that the economy is not doing well. People are suffering. I told him to alleviate the suffering. Give greater happiness to the greatest number. Let me be personal, if I were Buhari, the person I would have appointed the minister of finance is Udo Udoma, who is the minister of budget. That is not a good place for him.
“The economy is not doing well because of the mistake in appointment. I am not saying the minister of finance is not doing well. I do not know her. From what I have seen on television, she talks well, but talk is not enough.

“People are suffering. I am a diehard Buharist, but I cannot close my eyes and my conscience to admit there is not a lot of suffering. And something should be done about it.
“But, I want him to contest, because by our constitution, he has the right to contest and sentimental too. He suffered a lot to be elected. I have never joined any political party, but I support principles and persons. I do not see anybody in the political terrain that can contest against Buhari on moral turf. That is his greatest asset.” - TheCable

Holy land !!! Most of us were raped and forced to work 18 hours daily, says Nigerian rescued from Saudi Arabia

A female victim of human trafficking recently rescued from Saudi Arabia says many Nigerian girls in the country were raped and made to work 18 out of 24 hours.

The victim, who was veiled, disclosed this while narrating her ordeal at the ministry of foreign affairs in Abuja.

She said she left for Saudi with other girls in December 30, 2017, and went through hell in the country before being rescued by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

The victim said many were made to sleep in very poor condition and not paid in accordance with what the trafficking agencies promised them.

“It all started through a friend who claimed that she was living in Dubai. She introduced me to a woman agent in Abuja. I was living in Lagos and was later invited to meet her in Abuja,” NAN quoted her to have said.

“When I came, I was taken for a medical check-up in Dr Wada’s hospital. The agent promised that I would go to Saudi as a sales girl and that I would be earning equivalent of N150,000 there.

“Everything was processed through her and when we got to Saudi, it was a different thing entirely, my passport was seized and I ended working as a house help.”

She reportedly said when the condition became unbearable, she called the woman and said that she could no longer cope but the agent said she could not leave and that she had to pay N1.7 million before regaining freedom.

“And if I could not pay I would have to work for two years, so I contacted a journalist friend who contacted NAPTIP that contacted the Nigerian Embassy through the ministry of foreign affairs,” she said.

“I want government to assist those other girls that are stranded because it is not easy. Nigerian girls are passing through hell in Saudi, there may not be work in Nigeria but it is better to stay back.

“I went through physical torture because my boss and her children beat me when I said that I wanted to go back to Nigeria.” - TheCable

Saraki in secret deal with Babangida, DSS, EFCC, Police – Presidency

The Presidency has blamed recent happenings in the polity on President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

In an article Friday evening by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, the Political Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari in the Office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the presidency insinuated that Saraki had been working with retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

In the article, titled: “Fifth columnists in our recent history,” Ojudu alluded to some of the happenings during the military regime, which Buhari led, allegedly committed by some of the former General’s lieutenants, but which they ended up heaping on him as reasons for overthrowing him.

Ojudu wrote: “They hired a band of boys within the security to proceed to the house of the revered leader of the Yorubas, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“In the middle of the night the boys sacked the house, forced their way into his bedroom, ransacked everywhere and broke down his ward robe.

“They claimed they were sent by the then Head of State General Muhammadu Buhari to go look for some confidential documents acquired illegally by the Chief.

“The Yorubas and other sympathizer of Buhari were outraged. That was the end of the romance between the anti corruption duo of Buhari and General Tunde Idiagbon and the people.

“They didn’t stop at that they sent another band of marauders to Kaduna. Destination was the home of the Islamic cleric, Alhaji Gumi. Their goal: embarrass the much respected cleric and set the Muslims against the regime. They succeeded at this as well.

“A couple of months thereafter when they struck and overthrew the regime, these were listed among the offenses committed by General Buhari. The people having been deceived applauded them and Buhari adjudged high handed, brutal and a dictator.”

Ojudu said he was not shocked when Saraki visited Babangida after the invasion and blockade of the National Assembly by the operatives of the DSS, adding that his reading of the situation was that the President of the Senate went to brief Babangida on the development.

He wrote: “When a couple of days ago Senator Bukola Saraki visited the gap tooted General in Minna, I interpreted it as going to ask: ‘Oga I hope I am doing well?'”

The presidential aide further listed the invasion of the houses of some judges by the DSS in the middle of the night, the freezing of the accounts of the Akwa Ibom and Benue States Governments by the EFCC and the invasion of the National Assembly and Benue State House of Assembly by the DSS and police as activities carried out with the knowledge of Saraki.

He wrote: “From the shenanigans at the Benue House of Assembly, to the siege on National Assembly, the attack on judges home in the night, the so called barricade of the Senate President’s house, the laughable kidnap of Boy Dino and ‘his eleven hours on a tree’, the freezing of Benue and Akwa Ibom accounts all are scripted, produced and acted by Oloye (Saraki) Productions.”

Ojudu added: “Soon they may come up with a bullet riddled vehicle and claim that the Executive Producer has survived an assassination attempt. After all some of the Offa sharp shooters are still at large.

“May God save us from these power mongers.” - Daily Post

38-year-old father of quintuplets seeks help

A man, Mr Nwaka Ogbonnaya, has urged governments, philanthropists, politicians and churches to help him settle the medical bills he incurred when his wife was delivered of a set of quintuplets in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

The man, a provisions trader at Alaba International Market in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said it would be a Herculean task to raise the children amidst the prevalent harsh economy in the country.

He described the quintuplets as the result of his answered prayer after four years of waiting to have children.

Ogbonnaya said: “It is a thing of joy, not of tears. It is God’s gift because God does not give His gifts with sorrows. We prayed for a child after four years we had our first child, Precious. But we never anticipated five at a go.

“I am extremely happy for this bundle of joy. The mixture is actually what we prayed for: three boys and two girls. They are now six because we already had a female child. It’s now three boys and three girls. I am now a fulfilled man and I glorify God for His mercies.

“It is not easy to handle five children at once, no matter how rich you are. I need people’s assistance, especially companies that produce baby food.”

A fertility expert and In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialist, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, supervised the delivery.

The expert said it was the first time a quintuplets was delivered at the facility.

He said: “We give all thanks to God for this miracle. The woman conceived 36 weeks ago following assisted reproductive technology and, by God’s grace, she has five embryos and foetus developed.

“One of the marvellous things in her pregnancy is that the woman has been in good health throughout this period. She has been in admission in this hospital for the past two weeks, essentially for us to allow more time for foetus maturity. Today, we delivered them.

“This is bringing to over 130 babies delivered through this method in this facility in Awka as well as Nnewi.”

The 34-year-old mother of the babies, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, from Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area, said her husband’s business was at the verge of collapse due to the financial burden the medical bills had exerted on it.

She said: “When I was told the result of the scan, my heart bled. I appeal to Anambra deputy governor, my brother, Dr Nkem Okeke, and our traditional ruler, Igwe Ralph Ekpe, as well as other good-spirited individuals and religious organisations to come to our aid.” - The Nation

Federal Mortgage Bank reduces conditions for housing loan

Nigerians above 18 with a steady paycheck will now be able to access up to N5 million housing loan from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria without equity contribution.

This is one of the new conditions for accessing mortgage funds from the bank.

According to a statement by Zubaida Umar, the revised requirements are a 100% reduction in the equity contribution required of beneficiaries.

Previously, beneficiaries had to contribute 10% to access up to N5 million, 20% on N10 million and N30 million to access N15 million.

With the new conditions, an equity contribution of 10% will be needed for funds between N5 and N15 million for contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF).

Ahmed M. Dangiwa, FMBN managing director, said the reduction is to help more Nigerian workers afford quality housing.

“I am delighted that we have been able to achieve this groundbreaking feat. It is a huge win for the Nigerian workers and particularly those that contribute to the NHF,” he said.

“It will go a long way towards reducing the financial burden of homeownership that contributors to the fund have been carrying for the past three decades. I am glad that today, we have been able to crash it by over 100%.” - TheCable

Psychiatric patient beats nurses, destroys hospital equipment in Ondo

Medical workers at the Ondo State Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Akure, on Thursday staged a protest against what they described as insensitivity of the state government towards their welfare.

The protesters alleged that the government exposed them to attacks by psychiatric patients, who often assaulted them while on duty.

It was gathered that the protest was staged after a patient, identified as Folorunsho Olawale, who was brought in by men of the Ondo State Police Command, allegedly attacked the nurses on duty and destroyed some equipment of the hospital on Wednesday.

The protest leaders said the patient was aggressive at the hospital, adding that on Wednesday, he allegedly stabbed two nurses and beat up the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Akinwumi Akinloye.

The nurses and other medical workers of the psychiatric hospital were said to have informed the Permanent Secretary of the Hospital Management Board, Dr Niran Ikuomola, about the matter.

He was said to have told the workers to go back to their offices, which did not go down well with the employees. - Daily Post

FG to commercialise projects of best engineering undergraduates

Three Nigerian agencies will join hands to develop and commercialise the best engineering projects completed by undergraduates in the 2017/2018 academic session.

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and the Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET) will partner to bring the top projects to the market.

Simbi Kesiye Wabote, executive secretary of NCDMB, made this known at the 27th Engineering Assembly organised by COREN in Abuja.

The top three prizes for best individual engineering projects went to Egbe Gabriel Tobi and Nsionu John Udoka, both from Covenant University (CU), and Omoseyi Aaron Tolu from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA).

The awards for best group engineering projects went to students of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Also, the top three best graduating students in engineering emerged from UNN, CU, and FUTA.

Prizes for best academic publication went to students from UNN and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia state.

The top group and individual projects were selected by the committee of deans. - TheCable

PL news : Emery wants Arsenal to play on the front foot

New Arsenal head coach Unai Emery says organisation will be key as the Gunners look to control matches in the Premier League this season.

Emery is attempting to impose his own style on a club that has been under the stewardship of Arsene Wenger for two decades and faces his first test when Manchester City visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

And the former Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla coach has stressed the importance of Arsenal being on the front foot.

"Our style with the ball is to be protagonists, to do things with combinations, to control the match with the positioning of the ball," he told Sky Sports. "And then when we have the space, to be aggressive going forward.

"Defensively: first it is to be organised, recover the ball quickly. But in these two moments in the match we need to work.

"To say it here is easier than doing it on the pitch. We also need time, but now I am happy because I think the players are improving.

"We need two things: quality players, which we have, and then organisation. Together I think we can improve, to win in our way. I repeat: organised, then play.

"When we are thinking in an attacking moment, I want the goalkeeper thinking for that, he is the first.

"The same when we are thinking defensively, I want our strikers to be thinking: 'We need to protect the goalkeepers.' I want those two moments to feel the same for all players.

"Each player has this quality, this characteristic to help the team as a collective. For me, that is very important."

Emery's ultimate goal is to win the Premier League, but he wants to see his players do it in style.

"The aim for the club is to arrive as champions, play for titles," he added. "But for me, I want to enjoy the way [we do it].

"I want the players and supporters to feel that together, and also enjoy each match, each moment in our stadium, and in this way the team transmits to the supporters the passion." - Goal

PL news : Pochettino hints Brexit influenced lack of transfers

Mauricio Pochettino is happy with Tottenham's squad and praised the club for keeping Harry Kane as he hinted at Brexit and Spurs' new stadium being to blame for no new signings.

Tottenham re-signed star striker Kane on a long-term deal but they failed to reinforce their team before Thursday's Premier League deadline.

Spurs were linked with Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, however, a deal was not completed, leaving manager Pochettino without any fresh faces in London.

Reflecting on the transfer window, the manager again praised the importance of keeping Kane, as well as making sure Pochettino himself stuck around. 

"We have a very good squad, we have very good players and it is not easy to add players that improve that," Pochettino said.

"Of course we didn't sell players and with 25 players in the squad it's difficult to add.

"Our targets are always in the same level of Real Madrid or Manchester United or Manchester City, but for different circumstances we cannot achieve that.

"If you cannot add players who can improve your squad, the most important thing is to make sure you do not lose your best player.

"And I think that was a great job from the club to keep the best player and keep the manager."

Pochettino highlighted the cost of Tottenham's new stadium, which will open this season, arguing that while it is a big investment, Brexit made it more expensive than the figures let on. 

Pochettino added: "What the club is doing is showing it is so brave. Building a new training ground, finishing this summer the [player's] lodge was a massive investment.

"Building a stadium that is nearly £1 billion. That is true, don't believe in £400m, that is the truth. Then with Brexit it's worse because the cost is 30 per cent more. That is a drama, I feel sorry for the English people." - Goal