Abdu Maikaba , coach of the Golden Eaglets says he is confident that Nigeria would lift the Championship of African Nations CHAN trophy in Morocco on Sunday.

Maikaba said on Thursday in Abuja that the team’s formation and renewed zeal with which they beat Sudan in the semi finals should be sustained.

He noted that the Salisu Yusuf tutored team had tremendously improved in all departments especially in the attack.

The coach, who expressed confidence in the ability of the home based Eagles to beat Morocco in the finals, called for more hard work from the players.

Maikaba, who doubles as coach of Akwa United FC, a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, said that the only secret to success was hard work, adding that it was time for Nigeria to lift the trophy.

“The Eagles should come all out better than the way they played against Sudan to defeat Morocco.

“I don’t see any problem confronting Morocco because I have confidence in our team, but they should be at alert for 90 minutes,” he said.

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Abdu Maikaba, coach of the Golden Eaglets on Thursday said that Nigeria would lift the Championship of African Nations CHAN trophy in Morocco on Sunday.

Maikaba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the team’s formation and renewed zeal with which they beat Sudan in the semi finals should be sustained.

He noted that the Salisu Yusuf tutored team had tremendously improved in all departments especially in the attack.

The coach, who expressed confidence in the ability of the home based Eagles to beat Morocco in the finals, called for more hard work from the players.

Maikaba, who doubles as coach of Akwa United FC, a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, said that the only secret to success was hard work, adding that it was time for Nigeria to lift the trophy.

“The Eagles should come all out better than the way they played against Sudan to defeat Morocco.

“I don’t see any problem confronting Morocco because I have confidence in our team, but they should be at alert for 90 minutes,” he said.

Nigeria’s home based Eagles on Wednesday dispatched Sudan 1-0 in the keenly contested second semi finals of CHAN.

Okechukwu Gabriel’s early lone goal secured a place for the Eagles in the finals for the first time since the inception of the tournament in 2009.

Nigeria will on Sunday, February 4, slug it out with the host country, Morocco to decide the winner of the 2018 championship.

Nigeria’s home based Eagles on Wednesday dispatched Sudan 1-0 in the keenly contested second semi finals of CHAN.

Okechukwu Gabriel’s early lone goal secured a place for the Eagles in the finals for the first time since the inception of the tournament in 2009.

Nigeria will on Sunday, February 4, slug it out with the host country, Morocco to decide the winner of the 2018 championship.

The Kenyan government has declared the opposition coalition’s National Super Alliance (NASA)’s wing, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), as an organized criminal group.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, in a gazette notice dated January 30, outlawed the movement as per the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act, 2010.

Matiang’i issued the notice just hours after NASA leader Raila Odinga was sworn in as the “People’s President” at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.

NRM, a wing of NASA, was formed in October 2017 on the eve of repeat presidential elections.

During its launch in 2017, Odinga said NASA’s resistance wing would embark on vigorous pro-democracy campaign through economic boycotts and picketing and other legitimate forms of protests until a legitimate presidency is restored.

Odinga’s supporters say he is Kenya’s legitimate leader and Kenyatta’s election was neither free nor fair.

Kenyatta’s victory in August was annulled by the Supreme Court over irregularities but he won a re-run, which Odinga boycotted because some electoral commission reforms he demanded did not take place.

Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term in November and state institutions report to him.

“I, Raila Omolo Odinga, do swear that I will protect the nation as people’s president, so help me God,” Odinga, who held a bible, said to the cheers of more than 15,000 people in Uhuru Park, next to Nairobi’s main business district.

During a speech lasting less than five minutes, Odinga declined to give details of his plans and said they would be disclosed in “due course.”

In a possible sign of division within the opposition alliance, Odinga’s vice presidential candidate and two other senior leaders were absent.

Odinga said the vice president would be sworn in at a later date.

The attorney-general had warned that Odinga could be charged with treason if the event went ahead – an offence that can carry the death penalty.

As people assembled, authorities forced independent television and radio stations reporting on the gathering off air, several outlets said – the most widespread censorship for a decade.

The UN was watching developments in Kenya closely and it was “critical for the media to be able to operate freely and to report freely,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York.

He said the UN was urging “that all Kenyan parties, political actors and their supporters maintain a lawful and peaceful social and political environment.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and major opposition to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has expressed fear that the President Mohammadu Buhari led government may influence the 2019 general elections.

The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus also expressed fear that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may not act as unbiased umpire in conducting a free and fair election in 2019.

Secondus, who spoke when United Nations assessment team paid him a courtesy call, said, “We have fear since APC came on board, if election is not in their favour there is a rerun. There must be election that is free and fair and when there is no free and fair election it breed crisis and we are witnessing what is happening in Kenya.

“What is happening in the West should happen here. There is a great fear whether INEC will conduct free and fair election. Free and fair election will guarantee the unity of this country and we are afraid if INEC will conduct free and fair election.”

He pointed out that President Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) government owes Nigerians the conduct of free and fair election, which, according to him, will guarantee the unity of Nigeria, warning that “the 2019 election will make and mar the nation.”

He said: “This visit is timely because of the unfolding event in our country and the political situation, I believe this is the time for intervention.

“Take this to New York for all the necessary action required. Election is coming in 2019, the election that will make and mar the nation. The National Assembly and the judiciary, they are important arms of the government, the judiciary is not obeyed.

“During our time, we lost without going to court and that is the first time in the history of this country,” he said.

Earlier, the leader of the team, Mr. Serge G Kubwimana, said that they were meeting with political parties to form assessment on how to support them.

Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has risked being charged for treason, an offence punishable by death as he defied government’s warning and sworn-in himself as “the people’s president”.

Despite President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government warning that he could be charged for treason, an offence punishable by death if he dares it, Odinga took a symbolic oath of office on Tuesday.

Odinga, who boycotted the country’s disputed election last year, swore himself in as the “people’s president” at a mock inauguration ceremony Tuesday in protest against President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Thousands of opposition supporters gathered at Uhuru Park in central Nairobi to attend the “swearing-in” protest event, which was organised by Odinga’s National Super Alliance (NASA).

Police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse crowds pulling down signs near the park on Tuesday.

Authorities had earlier said they would put a stop to any illegal meetings, but Reuters reported that no uniformed police could be seen in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles were visible.

Kenyatta won a second presidential term with 98% of the vote following a controversial election re-run in November.

The country’s Supreme Court nullified the previous ballot, also won by Kenyatta, due to “illegalities and irregularities.”

Odinga and his opposition party dropped out of the second vote, claiming the election commission had failed to implement any reforms.

A tweet by Msh Cnn‏ @mshcnn said: “Kenya opposition leader Raila Odinga swears himself in as ‘president’’.

Ozymandias‏ @jalvinz also reported that Odinga “swears an oath of office, declaring himself president of the East African nation .‘’

Tension is rising across Kenya as defeated presidential candidate Raila Odinga prepares his “inauguration.”

Authorities had warned that the move to swear-in Odinga is a treason that is punishable by death

Odinga’s security details have withdrawn and his passports and that of his running mate Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka revoked.

They are not allowed to leave the country.

Reports on social media, especially that of TV Uganda, say that four Kenyan television stations have been shut down for airing Raila Odinga’s intending swearing-in ceremony.

Odinga lost an August 8 presidential election that was nullified by the Supreme Court, and boycotted a repeat poll on October 25, saying it would not be free and fair.

Cameroonian separatist leader, Julius Ayuk Tabe and 46 others, some of whom were arrested in Abuja earlier this month have been deported by Nigerian authorities to Cameroon.

Ayuk and the others were deported on Friday to Yaounde, Ayuk’s lawyer, Abdul Oroh, a former member of the House of Representatives and human rights activist said.

Ayuk is the president of a self-declared breakaway state made up of the Anglophone regions of majority-Francophone Cameroon.

He was one of fifteen others who Cameroon issued an international arrest warrant for in November 2017.

His deportation marks an escalation in Cameroon’s fight against the separatists who have taken up arms over the past year in their bid to create a nation which they call Ambazonia.

“A group of 47 terrorists, among them Mr. Ayuk Tabe, has for some hours been in the hands of Cameroonian justice, before which they will answer for their crimes,” Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a statement.

The Ambazonian movement has gathered widespread support due to a government crackdown on peaceful protests by Anglophones who complain of being marginalised by the French majority.

Nigeria and Cameroon are increasingly coordinating efforts to deal jointly with the growing insurgency that Yaounde has struggled to contain – in part because most of the leading actors are orchestrating events from abroad.

Tens of thousands of Cameroonian refugees have flooded into Nigeria, since the conflict began.

In his statement, Cameroon’s communications minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, praised his government’s cooperation with Nigeria, adding that the two countries “will never tolerate their respective territories serving as a base for activities that destabilise one or the other.”

Ayuk, a former businessman who had lived in Nigeria, is seen as a moderate voice in the separatist movement and has in the past promoted dialogue over violence.

Nevertheless, he has been the target of Cameroonian authorities as a leading member of a resurgent movement to break away from French-speaking Cameroon.

In December, his family home in Anglophone Cameroon was surrounded by government troops, he told Reuters at the time from Nigeria.

“If you can kidnap someone like Ayuk, who wanted meaningful dialogue, who will you be able to speak to?” said Cho Ayaba, head of the Ambazonian Governing Council, a separatist body established to create an independent state called Ambazonia.

“This is an intolerable act. Now we have no choice but to defend our homeland.”

Delta state polity have been heated up, owing to the plot by the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to drop some alleged non performing Commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.

Although the seeming overhaul has been trending in the past weeks, shortly after the January 6 Local Government election which was swept by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the state government and its officials have kept mum on the issue.

Penultimate Tuesday, during the State Executive Council meeting which lasted till about 9:00 pm at Government House, Asaba, the Governor told the Commissioners that “certain changes are expected to take place but urged them to sustain their faith in the party.”

Meanwhile, tension has hightened in the state, following an alleged last minute resolve by the governor to sanction erring Commissioners through sack, which some political pundits claimed is overdue.

At Government House, on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, most of the Commissioners present ahead of the Executive Council meeting wore gloomy and anxious faces, unsure of who the Governor’s sledge hammer would hit.

***Watch out for more details in Blank NEWS Online.

The commissioner directorate of projects in the Delta state Oil Producing Development  Commission (DSOPADEC) Mr. Phillip Gbasin has described the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa lead administration has a landmark of development in all ramifications of Delta State.

The commissioner who made this known in Koko  headquarters of Warri North LGA, during his way to Ogheye  and Tsekelewu in the riverine communities to inspect the bridge  projects that was done by the governor and ready for commissioning this week in the two communities,” Gbasin said “anymore with such a people oriented projects in the state shows that he has the mind of the people at heart” The project director said “the nature of massive construction and rehabilitations work going on in Delta state are not Tea Party projects rather they are capital intensive one,” he said

“He described the bridge constructed in the two community and  others done by the governor as a mega projects”. “He said the Okowa administration does not believed in construction of  pets projects rather the governor SMART AGENDA is build on the construction of  a Mega projects” when completed will add to the economic values of the state.

Pastor  Philip Gbasin who said the governor development strives in Delta has earned him the Nike name as the “SMART GOVERNOR” which is also making all Deltans to queue behind the  governors re-election come 2019.The DESOPADEC project director said. The governor believe in action plans of development not talking on paper without performance he said.

The commissioner, said there is nobody that would have done better than what governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration is currently doing for Delta considering the present economic situations in spite of this situation, Delta state  has maintained regular payment of salary of civil servants, in fact  she is one of the governor that is not owing salary of staffers, he added.

He appeal to  Deltans to continue to pray for the governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration and the country in general for a  robust economic boom that  will benefit all Deltans to get the full benefits of the governors vision of prosperity for all Deltans and SMART AGENDA  vision of the governor”, the commissioner added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared that the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration, CVR, will be suspended 60 days before the beginning of the 2019 general election.

INEC disclosed that suspension is as a result of the amendment made to the nation’s electoral law, although it said the process will continue, after the election,

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Solomon Soyebi, issued a statement to that effect on Wednesday in Abuja.

Soyebi also announced that over four million Nigerians had been registered across the country since April 27, 2017.

His words: “The nationwide CVR is to afford all eligible Nigerians, 18 years and above, who did not register in the previous exercise, an opportunity to do so.

“So far over four million have registered across the country.

“The commission wishes to assure all eligible Nigerians that the CVR exercise is designed to continue indefinitely as envisaged by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“However, as provided for in Section 9 (5) of the Electoral Act (as amended), the CVR will be temporarily suspended 60 days to the commencement of the next General Elections scheduled for February 2019.

“The exercise will resume after the conclusion of the elections.

”The Commission encourages all eligible Nigerians to register at our offices in all local government headquarters and other officially designated areas across the country between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.”

Oil prices on Thursday hit their highest since December, 2014, pushed up after U.S. crude inventories posted a 10th straight week of declines and as the dollar continued to weaken.

Oil prices rallied to three-year high, boosted by a record 10th straight weekly decline in U.S. crude inventories.

International benchmark Brent futures were nudging 71 dollars per barrel Both crude benchmarks are up by almost 60 per cent since the middle of last year.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures climbed to 66.22 dollars per barrel in early trading, also the highest level since early December, 2014.

Price support has also been coming from supply restrictions led by a group of producers around the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and Russia, which started last year and are set to last throughout 2018.

“The Saudi’s and Russians continue to work together to talk the oil market higher and last night, the countries’ two oil ministers said they were working together on other longer-term projects as well,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader.

“That, and the USD fall, along with another inventory draw combined to drive (crude) up,” he added.

U.S. crude inventories C-STK-T-EIA fell 1.1 million barrels in the week to Jan. 19, to 411.58 million barrels, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday.

That’s the lowest seasonal level since 2015 and below the U.S. five-year average around 420 million barrels.

In foreign exchange markets, the U.S. dollar hit its lowest level since December, 2014 against a basket of other leading currencies.

A weakening dollar often results in financial traders taking investment out of currency markets and into commodity futures like crude.
Analysts said that rising oil prices would likely start to have an inflationary effect.

Looming over the generally bullish oil market has been U.S. oil production, which is edging ever more closely towards 10 million barrels per day (bpd), hitting 9.88 million bpd last week.

U.S. output has grown by more than 17 per cent since mid-2016, and is now on par with that of top exporter Saudi Arabia.

Only Russia produces more, averaging 10.98 million bpd in 2017.

Nigeria’s former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, has been arrested by the EFCC for alleged fraud.

Mr Samin Amaddin, Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, confirmed that Babachir who was sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari, was being investigated for alleged N223 million fraud.

He said on Wednesday that the former SGF was cooperating with investigators and had made useful statements.

Lawal arrived at the Abuja office of the EFCC at 11:00 am yesterday, after which he was detained.

Amaddin said Lawal’s interview with the anti-corruption agency will continue today.

According to reports, Lawal’s travails began on December 14, 2016, when the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on humanitarian crisis in the North East’ indicted him of fraud.

He was implicated in a grass-cutting contract awarded to his company, for the clearing of “invasive plant species” in Yobe State, through the Presidential Initiative on Northeast (PINE).

Lawal’s crime, according to the ad-hoc committee, included his alleged spending of N570 million to cut grass.

President Muhammadu Buhari studied the report of the panel headed by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, which investigated the allegations.

The President accepted the recommendation of the panel to terminate the appointment of Mr Lawal, and has appointed Mr Boss Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. .

The people of Ugborodo Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have called on the State Governor, Senator (Dr) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa to prevail on the Federal Government for the urgent take off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbararmatu Kingdom.

They reaffirmed their support for the people of Gbararmatu Kingdom, describing them as peace loving and implored the Governor to mount pressure on the Federal Government on the take off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

In an open  letter to Governor Okowa, signed by Pa Douglas Omagbemi (Ugborodo Community), Pa Pasco Oritsegbami (Elder, Ugborodo community) and Hon Thomas Metseagharun (The Toritsemogha of Ugborodo Community), the Ugborodo people made it clear once again that they are not part of Warri Kingdom.

Their letter was entitled; “Prevail On The Federal Government For The Take-off Of Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko. We Stand With The Peace Loving People Of Gbararmatu Kingdom”.

They wrote that;”Your Excellency, we the peace loving people of Ugborodo Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State are pleased with the total peace that your administration has restored to all parts of the State and we want to give you a pat on the back for this”.

They added that;”But we are deeply worried that the prevailing peace may be scuttled  as a result of the activities of some individuals who are against the establishment of the much needed Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbararmatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, hence we are writing you this open letter. As a proactive Governor, we know what you have done so far to encourage the smooth take-off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, but we want you to do more in order for the peace being enjoyed in all parts of the State to be sustained”.

“Your Excellency, we want you to educate the Federal Government more on the location of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko. The place where the University is located belongs to the people of Gbararmatu kingdom of Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta and we the people of Ugborodo Community are in support of the University and it’s location in Okerenkoko. We the people of Ugborodo Community want to go to School and therefore, we need the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko and we want to appeal to our dynamic Governor to prevail on the Federal Government to let the University get off the ground now”, they stated.

According to them;”The University will bring rapid development to the entire Niger Delta Region. Those frustrating the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbararmatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area are enemies of progress and they would be happy if they set the State on fire just to make sure that  the University never saw the light of day. But they must not be allowed to have their way”.

“The people of Ugborodo Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State are not part of Warri Kingdom. We are autonomous Kingdom and we are  close to Gbararmatu kingdom, where the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko is located and not near to the Olu of Warri and his Kingdom in Warri South Local Government”.

They made it clear; “That we the people of Ugborodo Community will not be pushed to have problems with the people of Gbararmatu Kingdom because they are peace loving people hence we are supporting the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Gbararmatu Kingdom. The Gbararmatu people are the only people that we have common boundary with and we have been living together peacefully as neighbours all these years. We are not going to allow ourselves to be used against our peace loving neighbours in Gbararmatu Kingdom, no matter the instigation from enemies of progress”.

“Let it be noted that Itsekiris in Warri South Local Government do not have boundary with the GB people in Warri South West Local Government Area. We share boundary with the Ijaws of Gbararmatu Kingdom. The boundary for Warri South West Local Government Area is only for the Ijaws and Ugborodo people and no other people. Those claims of the Itsekiris on the ownership of the land are fake. We stand with our peace loving people of Gbararmatu Kingdom”, they wrote.

According to them also;”We want to vividly recall the letter written April 8, 2001 by the late J.O.S. Ayomike on behalf of Ugborodo Leaders to the administration of former Governor James Onanefe Ibori (Your Excellency, you served in that administration) where he accused the late Warri monarch, Ogiame Atuwatse 11, of his unlawful ambush of Ugborodo people’s  #12 Million, amongst others”.

Their letter further read;”He had told the late monarch in the letter that; ” It is ironic that you, who would not have a Trust for central Itsekiri affairs, could descend so low to seek to side-line the legal Ugborodo Trust in order to set up your fake one through your surrogate for selfish reasons. You have thrown several stones at us in Ugborodo — Escravos, and to halt the damage so far,we will haul our missiles. You will please note other offensive acts of yours in Ugborodo affairs that have destabilized the Community so far”.

“The situation has not changed even with the new Warri monarch. Enough is enough of the interference in our community’s affairs as we are autonomous. We are in total support of the establishment of the Nigerian Maritime University in Okerenkoko and we plead with the Governor to mount pressure on the Federal Government to expedite action on the take off of the University.

“Your Excellency, we want you to halt the impending fresh crisis in the Warri area being instigating by the very well known enemies of progress as a result of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbararmatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area by imploring the Federal Government to rise up to the occasion of allowing the University to commence academic activities without further delay. We say no to under development of the area and enough is enough to those always beating drums of war. We need development in our area and not war”, they posited.

A 38-yrs-old Lagos-based businessman, Mr. Ahmed Buhari, has vowed to do all it takes to wrestle power from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

According to him, his decision to contest the presidency in 2019 was “to take Nigeria out of the quagmire to a destination that will benefit all Nigerians.”

Ahmad Buhari, said he was tired of complaining about how things were being done in Nigeria, saying he had decided to come out of his comfort zone to contest.

The young Buhari, who hails from Kontagora in Niger State, said he was “ready to slug it out with President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates in 2019.”

“I am still consulting on which platform to use in contesting but, for now, I am of the view that most of the major political parties do not share ideologies that conformed with mine and that of my numerous followers,” he stated.

Following the recent threat by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) to attack critical oil assets in the Niger Delta Region, Deputy Governor of Delta State and Chair, Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has appealed to the agitators to sheathe their swords and come to the dialogue table.

The intended resumed programme tagged “operation red economy”, according to reports, is aimed at bringing Nigeria’s oil production, export capacity and hence its largely oil-based economy to ground zero.

Deputy Governor of Delta State and Chair, Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has appealed to the Niger Delta Avengers to sheathe their swords and come to the dialogue table.

Meanwhile, the Otuaro-led Advocacy Committee with Dr. Chris Ekiyor as Secretary, has extended invitation to the NDA, asking the militant body to formally lodge their grievances to Governor’s office Annexe, Warri or to the Deputy Governor’s Office, Government House, Asaba for subsequent engagement.

Addressing newsmen in Warri, following Avenger’s fresh threat, Otuaro said: “As agitators, we must be mindful not to cancel out the modest gains already made through the dialogue process with the Federal Government which is still on course. Days back, the House of Representatives passed the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Bill to law as the Senate did last year. The Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) was also just passed. These are few pointers among others of better things to come”, Otuaro said.

“The Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities which I chair, just concluded a 2-day Conference on securing oil installations in Delta State. Conference drew attendance from oil companies, government bodies and communities from both Itsekiri and Ijaw Kingdoms in the riverside areas of the state. To underscore the importance of the conference, the Country Chair/Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Company (SPDC), Mr. Osagie Okunbor, personally attended and delivered the keynote address”, Otuaro said.

“Among several issues, Conference resolved that oil bearing communities must be engaged to better protect oil installations. It was agreed that oil installations vandalism was criminal and shooting self and future generations in the foot, having regard to concomittant environmental despoliation and loss of revenue for development of the region”, Otuaro informed.

“At a post-conference press briefing in Warri, the Advocacy Committee hinted of arrangements to reach higher platforms to engage authorities of key issues raised at the conference towards resolving same. We have made contacts and gotten responses; I can tell you that there is yet no reason to be pessimistic”, Otuaro added.

“Delta State Government efforts at peace for development of the oil bearing areas is without prejudice to other groups and bodies in commendable nonviolent agitation for the improvement of the Niger Delta region”, Otuaro clarified, adding: “Experience shows that we can achieve more through dialogue than by violence. It is not only the Federal Government that needs the oil revenue to develop the entire nation. We also need revenue that ensures the modest development we can bring about. While we deserve more, we cannot endanger the environment for survival of our generation, let alone future generations”.

Following the passage of 2018 Budget, the Delta State Public Procurement Commission has assured contractors, public officials and civil servants of quick response to all requests directed to it, pursuant to the law establishing the body.

The commission has also expressed its readiness to operate a transparent system in regulating procurement activities in the state, in line with the its mandate.

The Director General of the commission, Joseph Duke Okeze gave the assurance in a chat with newsmen in Asaba, capital of Delta State during which he commended Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa for running an open and transparent government devoid of financial recklessness and indiscipline.

He therefore debunked insinuations that the governor was diverting public funds and engaging in corrupt practices, noting that on the contrary, Governor Okowa has maintained a prudent approach to financial matters, while adhering to laid down procedure in the disbursement of the lean resources that have accrued to the State since he took over office in May 2015.

“I want to place on record that Governor Okowa has run a transparent administration devoid of financial recklessness. I also affirm that he has maintained financial prudence in the disbursement of the scarce resources that has accrued to the state since he took over in May 2015. I therefore find it preposterous that anyone could be suggesting that he is corrupt”, he declared.

The DG particularly commended Governor Okowa for establishing the Delta State Public Procurement Commission early in his administration, in line with what obtains at the federal level, arguing that this was a clear demonstration of his sincerity and intention to run a public financial discipline.

“We must remember that not all states have established the procurement regulatory Agencies. But Governor Okowa has shown that he is sincere by initiating the Law on Public Procurement, and establishing the commission to implement the law. This shows he has nothing to hide and indeed, he deserves special commendation”, he added.

Duke Okeze however assured the public that mechanism has been put in place by the commission to block loopholes in the State procurement activities, while also appealing to the public to draw its attention to infractions in funds expenditure at all levels, assuring that confidentiality is totally guaranteed.

“The commission is largely preventive. Mechanism has been put in place to block loopholes, ensure transparency, fairness, competition and value-for-money in Delta State public procurement. But we are also appealing to the public to let us know when the law setting us up has been breached, and I want to assure all that such information will be treated with utmost confidentiality. We shall immediately swing into action based on the law setting us up”, he stated.

Monrovia, the Liberian capital, will be agog today Monday, January 22, 2018 as former football star, George Weah, will be inaugurated as the President of Liberia.

Weah defeated incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai in the delayed presidential runoff election on December 26 to become the president-elect.

It will be the first transition of power from one democratically elected president to another in Liberia’s political history.

Present and past leaders of countries around the world, according to the Chief Protocol of Liberia, Mr Jarvis Witherspoon, had indicated intention to grace the occasion.

Top on the list of the dignitaries is President Muhammadu Buhari.

Said Witherspoon: “We have very important personalities coming from all around the world.

“The countries we have already that have confirmed that their presidents would be coming are Ghana, Togo, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, Cape Verde, South Africa, Gabon, Nigeria (and) Guinea Bissau.

“The Prime Minister of Senegal will represent his country. We also have several former presidents of African countries who will be attending.

“The United States of America will have a congressional committee and also a special envoy of the President of the United States of America will be in attendance. “There will also be a special envoy from France and Egypt. We expect that the list is going to get longer.’’

Also expected, it was gathered, are representatives from the European Union Parliament and other international groups, including world football governing body, FIFA.

International football stars including Nigeria’s Taribo West and Sunday Oliseh, are expected at the event.

Witherspoon said 900,000 U.S. dollars had been earmarked for the event while security was guaranteed.

The Deputy Inspector-General (Operations) of the Liberia National Police, Mr Abraham Kromah, said adequate security arrangements had been made for a hitch-free inauguration.

He said as part of the security measures, the Robert International Airport in Monrovia would be closed from 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Monrovia, the Liberian capital, will be agog today Monday, January 22, 2018 as former football star, George Weah, will be inaugurated as the President of Liberia.

Weah defeated incumbent Vice President Joseph Boakai in the delayed presidential runoff election on December 26 to become the president-elect.

It will be the first transition of power from one democratically elected president to another in Liberia’s political history.

Present and past leaders of countries around the world, according to the Chief Protocol of Liberia, Mr Jarvis Witherspoon, had indicated intention to grace the occasion.

Top on the list of the dignitaries is President Muhammadu Buhari.

Said Witherspoon: “We have very important personalities coming from all around the world.

“The countries we have already that have confirmed that their presidents would be coming are Ghana, Togo, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, Cape Verde, South Africa, Gabon, Nigeria (and) Guinea Bissau.

“The Prime Minister of Senegal will represent his country. We also have several former presidents of African countries who will be attending.

“The United States of America will have a congressional committee and also a special envoy of the President of the United States of America will be in attendance. “There will also be a special envoy from France and Egypt. We expect that the list is going to get longer.’’

Also expected, it was gathered, are representatives from the European Union Parliament and other international groups, including world football governing body, FIFA.

International football stars including Nigeria’s Taribo West and Sunday Oliseh, are expected at the event.

Witherspoon said 900,000 U.S. dollars had been earmarked for the event while security was guaranteed.

The Deputy Inspector-General (Operations) of the Liberia National Police, Mr Abraham Kromah, said adequate security arrangements had been made for a hitch-free inauguration.

He said as part of the security measures, the Robert International Airport in Monrovia would be closed from 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Christiano Ronaldo took a nasty cut to the head during the Real Madrid match against Deportivo La Coruna at Santiago Bernabeu.

He had given everything to nod a cross by Lucas Vazquez into the net, his second goal of the day.

But the goal at the 84th minute came with a price: the cut on the head, which streamed blood on his usually handsome face.

Ronaldo had broken a lengthy scoring drought to record the brace as Deportivo were routed 7-1 on Sunday.

Defender Nacho Fernandez and Gareth Bale also recorded a brace each, with Luka Modric scoring the seventh goal.

The Madrid striker caught a stray boot in the head as he powered a header past Ruben Martinez, Deportivo’s keeper.

He stayed down on the turf thereafter.

He was eventually helped off the field by a Madrid medic, while his team saw out the final minutes at the Bernabeu in complete control despite being reduced temporarily to 10 men.

Even in the heat of action, however, the Portugal star could not help but check out the extent of the damage to his face.

The medic’s phone was seized and Ronaldo looked at his reflection in the screen, as blood flowed down from the wound.

Judging by his reaction, he was less than pleased to see his movie star looks distorted by the cut!

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

In addition to the actions taken so far by the Delta State Government to address the menace of flood in Asaba, the state capital, further approval have been given to ensure a lasting solution to the reoccurring menace.

To this end, the State Executive Council, during its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, approved the construction of Storm Water Discharge Channel along Ambassador Ralph Uwechue Way to Anwai River, and that of DBS/Cabinet/Umejei Adudu Way to Amilimocha River both in Asaba.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, in a statement issued after the meeting, said the approval is to address the flood menace along Okpanam Road and it’s environs.

According to the statement, the meeting also approved the completion of the rehabilitation of Runway and Taxiways, Extension of Box Culvert and Ancillary Works at the Asaba International Airport.

Mr. Ukah revealed that the State Executive Council further approved the construction of Trauma Centre in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, due to its central location on the Asaba/Benin Expressway, to provide Comprehensive Specialized Multidisciplinary Emergency Medical Services to patients suffering from major traumatic conditions.

Also approved in the health sector is the revalidation of the contract for the conversion/partitioning of the Pathology Department into 80 Bed Ward at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area, to accommodate more patients.

The Commissioner for Information stated that the installation of 280 (Nos) Smart Off Grid Solar Solutions at Owa-Ekei Road, and another 280 (Nos) at Old Lagos-Asaba Road, both in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, to provide illumination at night for the security of lives and properties, were equally approved.

Mr. Ukah disclosed that the Executive Council also approved the construction of Owerre-Olubor/Ekwuoma Road in Ika North East Local Government Area.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –: 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has fixed March 9 to 17 for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Registrar of the board, Ishaq Oloyede, said this at a meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday.

The theme of the meeting is “Strategic planning on the conduct of the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation.”

Mr. Oloyede said the mock examination initially scheduled to hold between January 22 and 24 has been moved to the first week in February due to the ongoing strike by non-teaching staff of universities.

“We are unable to access our CBT centres because most of them are in the universities and non teaching staff are on strike,” he said.

“Regarding the sale of forms, about 10 per cent of the expected candidates have registered, the number of candidates that have registered now is about 283,319,” he said.

The registrar said the prohibition of materials is applicable to candidates, supervisors and examiners.

“No candidates, examiners, invigilators will be allowed to enter the examination hall with wrist watches, pencils except HB pencils …and cameras” he said.

Registration for the 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination is ongoing in over 700 centres across the 36 states of the federation.

The board had advised candidates to avoid being conned by fraudulent operators, noting that an extension would not be given for the UTME registration.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka

Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) –:

The 2018 star New Year baby, Kosisochukwu Purity Bright has been born at the Central Hospital, Agbor, sharing the same birth hospital with Her Excellency Dame Edith Okowa.

The new born baby girl, weighing 3.5kg was delivered at the Central Hospital, Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area at 12.37 am on Monday, January 1, 2018 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Igudia Bright who hail from Alileha Agbor.

Presenting cash and gift items to the Bright family at the maternity ward, the governor’s wife thanked God for the gift of life and congratulated the family on producing the Baby of the Year 2018.

She disclosed that her mother gave birth to her at the same Central Hospital, Agbor, 56 years ago and shared other good memories of the hospital,describing it as a place of joy and happiness.

Dame Okowa urged Deltans to seek the face of God, declaring what they wanted to see in 2018, correct their past mistakes and live a life of gratitude and forgiveness, pointing out that everyone have their destiny in their hands.

The father of the New Year Baby, Mr. Igudia Bright, a 36-year-old business man and her mother, Mrs. Mercy Bright, expressed joy that the birth of their baby girl attracted the governor’s wife to the hospital and thanked her for the cash and gifts items.

The governor’s wife later visited every child in the ward with gift items and prayed for them.

Remarkable on her visit was her decision to settle the hospital bill of an eight-year-old boy at the Paediatrics Ward, Master Onyeka Philips, suffering from a poorly treated tetanus condition and whose parents could not afford the prescribed drugs and treatment, according to the Principal Nursing Officer, Mrs. Franca Ebite.

The governor’s wife, who was moved with compassion, immediately released funds to begin immediate treatment and promised to foot the hospital bills when his treatment is completed.

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Nigeria (Blank NEWS Online) – 
E.I.C: Albert Eruorhe Ograka