Crowd gathers as Crown Prince begins trek to Benin

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="Benin" class="attachment-300x300 size-300x300 wp-post-image" height="225" src="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/image-3.jpg" width="400" /> </div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br /></div> <br /> From Osagie Otabor, Benin<br /> A huge crowd has gathered at the Uselu Palace of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Edaiken N’ Uselu, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa to escort him to Benin.<br /> Several musicians and cultural troupes are also playing performing to entertain the crowd.<br /> Today will be the last day Prince Erediauwa will step foot at the Uselu Palace.<br /> <div id="adcode"> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-0939437379495916" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-slot="3079782517" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="display: block;"></ins> </div> He will trek a distance of about ten kilometres to Benin.<br /> Some Chiefs from Benin are already stationed at Iyan-Akpan to escort the Crown Prince to Benin.<br /> The event was last witnessed in 1979<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br /></div> <br /> </div>

Crowd gathers as Crown Prince begins trek to Benin

  From Osagie Otabor, Benin A huge crowd has gathered at the Uselu Palace of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Edaiken N’ Use...

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NDDC working on Bayelsa roads, not state govt – Semenitari

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Mrs-Ibim-Semenitari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mrs Ibim Semenitari" border="0" class="attachment-300x300 size-300x300 wp-post-image" height="300" src="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Mrs-Ibim-Semenitari.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="showmore-content s_content"> <div class="more-less"> <div class="more-block"> The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Saturday, said it was shocked at the attempts by the Bayelsa State Government to take credit for roads the commission was undertaking in different parts of he state.<br /> The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said contrary to the claims of the state government, the commission commenced repairs and rehabilitation of 14 roads in the state including the capital, Yenagoa.<br /> Semenitari in a statement signed by her Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Bekee Anyalewechi, said she was reacting to claims by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite.<br /> Obuebite reportedly said on a live radio programme in Yenagoa that the ongoing emergency repairs on roads in the state were the handiwork of the state government.<br /> <div id="adcode"> <ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-0939437379495916" data-ad-format="auto" data-ad-slot="3079782517" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="display: block;"></ins> </div> But Semenitari flayed the claims and explained that the projects, which covered NDDC’s nine mandate states, were initiated and being executed by the commission.<br /> She wondered why instead of commending the interventionist agency for its bold step to bring a huge relief to the suffering people of the state, the government resorted in turning the truth head-down.<br /> “Such deliberate falsehood erodes public trust in authorities”, the NDDC boss said adding that the emergency work was designed to relieve the government of some infrastructural burden. <br /> Semenitari said the commission had expected that the Government of Bayelsa State would, in best practice, emulate its Cross River and Akwa Ibom states counterparts in commending the NDDC. <br /> “Or, where it lacked the courage to attribute credit to NDDC, would keep quiet than spreading misinformation”, she said.<br /> She expressed disbelief that the government, though knew the truth, chose to hide it from the public noting “that such style of governance erodes confidence in government and ridicules the tenets of probity”.<br /> She said: “NDDC saw gaps in road infrastructure across its nine mandate states and the urgent need to intervene and after a management meeting, decided to act as to procure relief to motorists and other road users. <br /> “So the option of emergency road repairs came handy as it would afford immediate remedial solutions, relieve states of financial burden and enhance inter and intra-city communications. <br /> “Under this intervention, hitherto impassable roads have become usable routes thereby boosting economic activity and improving livelihood of the people.”<br /> The commission listed the 14 roads in which it was working on in the state as the Oporuma-Sabageria-Polaku road in Opokuma local government; Odi-Trofani road; Otiotio Road, Yenagoa; DooGood Street, Yenagoa; Goodnews Street, Azikoro, Yenagoa; Shepherd Vine Road, also in Yenagoa.<br /> Others in Yenagoa are Capt. Ayeni Street; Saptex Road, Yenizue-Epie; INEC Road, Kpansia; Jasmine Suite Road, Kpansia; Erepa Road ; and NIIT Road, Dimrose-Green; Villa-Custom Link Roads 1 & 2, Biogbolo; and Tolda Road, Ekeki.<br /> “While we are not engaging the Bayelsa State Government in any verbal war, it is necessary to leave the public with the correct information because it is critical for good governance and sustainable development.”<br /> </div> </div> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> </div>

NDDC working on Bayelsa roads, not state govt – Semenitari

  The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Saturday, said it was shocked at the attempts by the Bayelsa ...

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N23.29b poll bribe: Buhari to determine fate of RECs

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="N23.29b poll bribe: Buhari to determine fate of RECs" class="disappear appear" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Muhammadu-buhari..2-e1468702625951.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">president buhari</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <em><strong>two INEC commissioners, 16 directors, 82 others to face trial</strong></em><br /> <br /> All is set for the trial of about 100 Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) officials who allegedly collected over N23.29b bribe to influence the 2015 general election.<br /> The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu and the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, have met on the list of those indicted in the scam, the investigative report and how to go about the trial.<br /> The INEC chief, <em>The Nation</em> learnt, promised that the indicted officials will immediately undergo an internal disciplinary process before being handed over to the EFCC for prosecution.<br /> But Yakubu said the law does not allow him to take a disciplinary action against the two Resident Electoral Commissioners,Gesil Khan and Mr. Slyvester Ezeani, who were implicated in the scandal, because they are appointees of the President. They can be disciplined only by  President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> The EFCC has decided to refer the two RECs to the President to determine their fate.<br /> The EFCC has been investigating the bribe, which was allegedly facilitated by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.<br /> About four oil firms,  some directors of  some oil companies, two banks and some politicians are under probe for their roles in the scandal.<br /> From the EFCC’s findings,  the two RECs, 16 INEC directors and 82 others were allegedly involved in the scam.<br /> Many of the indicted  INEC staff and politicians have owned up and refunded huge sums of money to the EFCC.<br /> Some choice assets belonging to the officlas have been placed under Interim Asset Forfeiture until the determination of cases against them.<br /> A source  in the EFCC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are closer to the trial of INEC officials implicated in the scandal. The EFCC chairman and INEC chief have met at the office of the anti-graft agency on the report and the list of those to be investigated already sorted out at the meeting.<br /> “One of the key decisions at the meeting is the need to subject the indicted officials to internal disciplinary action before the EFCC can charge them to court. The INEC chairman, it was learnt, made a commitment that the electoral body would expedite action on the disciplinary procedure.<br /> “After the internal disciplinary measures, INEC will then forward its decision to the EFCC to pave the way for the trial of the affected officials.”<br /> The source added: “Based on the mode of appointment of RECs, the INEC chairman said only the President could exercise disciplinary control on them because they are his appointees.<br /> “With this development, EFCC will now refer the two RECs to the President for necessary action. All the evidence will also be forwarded to the President.”<br /> Section 3 of INEC Establishment Act says:<br /> (1)    “ The chairman and members of the Commission shall each hold office for a period of five years and on such terms and conditions as may be specified in their letters of appointment.<br /> (2)    “ A member may at any time be removed from office by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for any act of misconduct but shall not be removed from office except in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.<br /> (3)     ”A member may resign his membership by notice in writing addressed to the President and that member shall, on the date of the receipt of the notice by the President, cease to be a member.”<br /> Some INEC officers already grilled are REC Gesil Khan for collecting  N185, 842,000 out of a N681million bribe deal; Fidelia Omoile( Electoral Officer in Isoko-South Local Government Area of Delta State)—N112,480,000 ; Uluochi Obi Brown( INEC’s Administrative Secretary in Delta State)—N111,500,000; a former Deputy Director  of INEC in Cross River State, Edem Okon Effanga—N241,127,000 and the Head of Voter Education in INEC in Akwa Ibom, Immaculata Asuquo—N214,127,000.<br /> Also, a retired INEC officials, Sani Isa  was grilled over alleged N 406,206,000 bribe sum allegedly collected on behalf of the deceased Resident Electoral Commissioner  (REC), in Kano State, Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi.<br /> Those grilled in Gombe were: Godwin Maiyaki Gambo Balanga, Bukar Alone Benisheik, Dukku, Jibril. B. Muhammed,Billiri, Dunguma Musa Dogona, Funakaye, Mohammed. A. Wanka, Kaltungo, Ishaku Yusuf, Kwami, Suleiman Isawa, Nafada, Babagana Malami, Shongom, and Nuhu Samuel, Y/Deba. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> </div>

N23.29b poll bribe: Buhari to determine fate of RECs

president buhari two INEC commissioners, 16 directors, 82 others to face trial All is set for the trial of about 100 Independent ...

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Ambode’s wife charges women on regular cancer screening

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Mrs.-Bolanle-Ambode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Mrs.-Bolanle-Ambode.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has advised women to go for regular cancer screening to know their latest status. She gave the advice at the maiden scientific conference of the Lagos State branch of the Association of Female Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, at Alausa, Ikeja on Friday with the theme: ‘Cancer in the Life of a Woman not a Death Sentence (the Medical Laboratory Perspective)’. She observed that cancer screening was necessary for early detection in case of affliction, stressing that when detected early, it could be treated and cured like any other health condition. “Truly, cancer in the life of anyone today is certainly not a death sentence. Through relentless advocacy, public education and mass enlightenment, we have come to know that early diagnoses mean easier management of the condition and increased chances of survival. “The message we are trying to pass therefore is that, people with the challenge should not be heartbroken or see it as the end of life. Normal, happy life is possible with a cancer condition,” she said. Mrs. Ambode who appealed that persons living with cancer should not be stigmatized, showered encomiums on female laboratory scientists. She said, “The role of lab scientists is such that one wonders what would happen in the health care delivery chain, if you are not there to confirm the blood groups, do the wide array of tests and general laboratory investigation that could make or mar the patient treatment process”. Earlier, Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, Mrs. Audu Habibat, noted that the conference was aimed at building bridges of understanding and cooperation between the laboratory scientists and other healthcare professionals, towards improving healthcare delivery in the state. She said that the maiden edition was dedicated to public enlightenment on cancer as a health condition that could be managed like any other if diagnosed early.

Ambode’s wife charges women on regular cancer screening

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode has advised women to go for regular cancer screening to know their latest status. ...

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Bologna unveil Sadiq Umar

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Sadiq-Umar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Sadiq-Umar.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br/><br/>Nigeria striker Sadiq Umar has been unveiled as a Bologna player. The striker joined Bologna on a season-long loan from Serie A giants AS Roma. The 19-year-old, who was part of Nigeria’s squad that won bronze at the men’s football event of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, met the press for the first time as a Rossoblu player on Thursday at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara alongside fellow new recruit, Federico Viviani. “This is a great opportunity,” Goal quoted Umar as saying to the press. “I can’t wait to get started for the fans, and everyone. “I want to thank the director for bringing me here. “I’m thankful and I will do my best. “It’s a great opportunity to play with [Mattia] Destro, [Sergio] Flocarri, players who have been in the Seria A for a long time; watching them and staying near them is something I will learn from. “Playing at the Olympics is a high level in football. “Getting the bronze medal is a step forward in my career and a good feeling.”

Bologna unveil Sadiq Umar

Nigeria striker Sadiq Umar has been unveiled as a Bologna player. The striker joined Bologna on a season-long loan from Serie A giants AS Ro...

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NIFOR, PZ Wilmar sign MoU on oil palm development

PZ Wilmar on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to help develop Nigeria’s oil palm. The chairman, PZ Wilmar, Kola Jamodu, said the MoU would help Nigeria to regain its lost glory in palm oil production through research. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeifun witnessed the signing of the agreement between the two firms. Jamodu, who signed on behalf of the company, said the essence of the MoU was to promote research on how Nigeria could regain its position in palm oil production. He said the firm has three location covering 30, 000 hectares of lands and the first set of the company’s fruits has started coming out. He said: “The whole essence was on research. We thought to share our knowledge with NIFOR to translate into other farmers to provide employment opportunity to youths in the country.” The Executive Director, NIFOR, Dr. Omorefe Asemota, said this was a milestone for Nigeria’s palm oil industry because PZ is a major stake holder in the development of the agricultural sector.

NIFOR, PZ Wilmar sign MoU on oil palm development

PZ Wilmar on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) to help develop Nigeria’s...

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Firm promises 70% freight savings to business owners

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Justimo-768x515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Justimo-768x515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br/><br/> Simplified Corporate Logistics, a global procurement, handling, clearing and forwarding service targeted at Nigerian businesses has recently launched and revealed its promise to help business owners. The procurement company disclosed in a statement, its plans to help Nigerian business owners who are currently facing difficulty ordering goods from overseas due to high costs of clearing and logistics, reduce their incurred fines and charges, improve their cargo logistics efficiency and shrink their freight costs up to 70%. The statement reads in part: “Offering a full service cargo logistics package for export and import, including global procurement, warehousing locally and internationally, clearing, documentation review to ensure Customs and regulatory compliance, Simplified Corporate Logistics takes risk away completely from businesses complexity associated with import and export – by handling their forex needs to reduce the long processing times needed to access forex, providing a transparent Customs Clearing typically within 6 days while handling documentation for efficiency and offering a cargo consolidation service that will save businesses up to 70% on freight costs. “Speaking at the launch of Simplified Corporate Logistics, in Lagos, founder and Chief Eecutive Officer (C.E.O) Nduka Udeh remarked: “Nigerian businesses of recent have been hit by a steep hike in the price of ordering, handling and clearing goods from overseas. What Simplified Corporate Logistics does is that; it removes the risk factor for businesses. “We make it our responsibility to source for Forex to carry out transactions so our customers only pay in Naira. Then we guide them through the entire clearing process and handle the documentation on their behalf so that they reduce incurred fines and charges to the barest minimum. Our process is so efficient that we can guarantee clearance of goods within six days. “We can even source for the items our customers want from trusted manufacturers globally, and get them at the best prices – thanks to our partnership with several auction companies in the USA. Most significantly, we offer a cargo consolidation service that can save our customers up to 70% in freight costs. We believe that it is these cost and efficiency savings that will propel the Nigerian small and medium enterprises into the future.” The company added that details on the launched Simplified Corporate Logistics, could be found on its website www.sclogisticsng.com

Firm promises 70% freight savings to business owners

Simplified Corporate Logistics, a global procurement, handling, clearing and forwarding service targeted at Nigerian businesses has recentl...

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Nigeria will overcome economic recession – Saraki

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Saraki-Buhari-480x320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Saraki-Buhari-480x320.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br/><br/>Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday assured that Nigeria will overcome the current period of economic recession. Speaking with State House correspondents after observing the Friday Jumaat prayer with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Saraki urged Nigerians to be patient. He said the nation’s leaders are very much aware of the economic hardship in the land. The leaders, he said, are also feeling the people’s pains. He urged Nigerians to support President Buhari in order to succeed. The Senate President wished Nigerians, especially the Muslim faithful, a happy Sallah celebration. He said: “With prayer Insha Allahu, we will overcome it (economic recession). The most important thing is for us to stay together and give the President support and continue to believe in this great country that we all have and be rest assured that we will all weather the storm and scale through together. “Once again, as a country in this period, we will continue to pray. On Sunday, the day of Arafat, we offer prayer for our leaders and President so that we can do what is right, because we feel the pain. We know what the country is going through. “Because there is no Nigerian with blood flowing through that will not know that things are difficult now and we pray that with God’s guidance, He will see us through.”

Nigeria will overcome economic recession – Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday assured that Nigeria will overcome the current period of economic recession. Speaking with State ...

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Troost-Ekong rejoins Gent in November

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/EKONG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/EKONG.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Nigeria international William Troost-Ekong has said he will return to parent Belgian club Gent in November. The player is presently on loan at Norwegian club, FK Haugesund. “In November, at the end of the season in Norway, I will return to Gent, where I have extended my contract,” the defender told africanFootball.com. “It’s the next step in my career development. “I will be with Moses Simon and Rabiu Ibrahim and we will play in the Europa League.” <br /><br /><br />

Troost-Ekong rejoins Gent in November

Nigeria international William Troost-Ekong has said he will return to parent Belgian club Gent in November. The player is presently on loan ...

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How PDP plans to rig Edo election – Oshiomhole

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Adams-Oshiomhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Adams-Oshiomhole.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oshiomole</td></tr></tbody></table>GEdo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has unveiled<br />plot on how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) planned<br />to rig the state governorship election rescheduled for<br />September 28.<br />The governor disclosed that the PDP through some<br />governors in the South-south planned to rig the election<br />by registering 8,000 militants from their states for the poll.<br />Oshiomhole, who spoke while receiving the Inspector-<br />General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim, at the Government<br />House in Benin City, said the PDP opted for militants from<br />other states because they couldn’t find any local thugs to<br />help them perpetrate violence which they have done<br />between 1999 and 2007.<br />He said the PDP resorted to liaising with his brothers<br />(Governors) in the sub-region, Delta and Rivers, in<br />particular, to export criminals and militants into Edo State<br />in order to make peaceful election impossible.<br />The governor recalled how he first raised the alarm on the<br />eve of the INEC Continuing Voters’ Registration exercise.<br />He explained that the militants registered in the state to<br />have the lawful basis to be present at the designated<br />polling units where they were expected to unleash<br />violence on election day.

How PDP plans to rig Edo election – Oshiomhole

oshiomole GEdo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has unveiled plot on how the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) planned to rig the state govern...

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‘Foiled Paris attack was directed by IS’

Three women arrested over a foiled attack in Paris were<br />directed by so-called Islamic State (IS) from Syria, a French<br />prosecutor has said.<br />The group “wanted to make the women into fighters,”<br />Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said.<br />A policeman was stabbed during an operation late on<br />Thursday to arrest the women, after the discovery of a<br />suspect car containing gas canisters, the BBC reports.<br />The vehicle was found near Notre Dame cathedral in Paris<br />on Sunday.<br />Police shot and wounded one of the women during the<br />operation in Boussy-Saint-Antoine, south-east of the city.<br />One of the three women, aged 19, reportedly declared her<br />allegiance to IS in a letter.<br />The others arrested were said to be aged 39 and 23.<br />President Francois Hollande said: “An attack was<br />derailed… a group has been disbanded, but there are<br />others and we must be able to act each time before it is<br />too late and that’s what we’re doing.”<br />Mr. Molins said the latest plot showed IS was now<br />recruiting women to carry out attacks.

‘Foiled Paris attack was directed by IS’

Three women arrested over a foiled attack in Paris were directed by so-called Islamic State (IS) from Syria, a French prosecutor has said. T...

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NAL hails Oloyede’s appointment as JAMB Registrar

Nigeria Academy of Letters (NAL) on Friday hailed the appointment of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede as Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), describing it as “a highly merited appointment.”<br /> A statement issued by the Spokesperson of JAMB, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the President of NAL, Prof. Olu Obafemi, made the commendation, when he led the NAL’s team, including the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, to Oloyede’s office in Bwari area of Abuja.<br /> Obafemi described NAL as an intellectual organisation whose sole mandate is the promotion of research and scholarship at the highest level in all branches of humanities.<br /> He said Oloyede is an active and dynamic member and a fellow of NAL.<br /> “The appointment of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede is a highly merited one not because he is a former Vice Chancellor but because he has distinguished himself in Nigeria. It is a merited appointment considering his profile and pedigree,” Obafemi stressed, adding that the Academy’s visit was to assure Oloyede of their support and collaboration with a view to ensuring that he excels in his new appointment.

NAL hails Oloyede’s appointment as JAMB Registrar

Nigeria Academy of Letters (NAL) on Friday hailed the appointment of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede as Registrar/Chief Executive of the Joint Admiss...

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PDP accustomed to rigging – Oshiomhole

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Adams-Oshiomhole-e1462052714273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Adams-Oshiomhole-e1462052714273.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OSHIOMOLE</td></tr></tbody></table>Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is accustomed to rigging and can’t boast of a transparent election in other states in the South-South geopolitical zone.<br /> He said Edo is the only state in the region that had been able to dismantle the PDP rigging machine and would do so again on the rescheduled date for the state’s gubernatorial election.<br /> Speaking while receiving a team of European observers led by Ben Llewellyn-Jones, of the British High Commission, Abuja, at the Government House, Benin City, Friday, Oshiomhole said, “We do appreciate the interest of what I might call friends of Nigeria, those who help us to continually and continuously remember that although there are different nation states, but the world has increasingly become one small village such that events in any part can affect the whole. So, we do not underestimate the import of this election even as it is limited to Edo State.<br /> “Edo State as we speak is the only state that can boast of a record of transparent elections since I came on board in 2007. Since I came, my campaign slogan was, we must dismantle the rigging machine.<br /> “Having been a union member all my life, I couldn’t condone the situation where people are imposed at various levels, and our people gave up on democracy in this state, just like the rest of the South-South.”<br /><br />“I am sure you have witnessed elections there and you can write volumes. They vote with bullets, not with ballots. Terror, not persuasion is the name of the game in the rest of the South-South. But since I came in, we have fought the forces behind rigging. We emboldened the people to challenge authorities, which is what I have done when I was in labour. And even as they still rigged me out and I fought them through the legal process, painstakingly established how I was rigged out and I got my mandate restored. It never happened before, and nobody appreciates the essence of free and fair election more than myself.”

PDP accustomed to rigging – Oshiomhole

OSHIOMOLE Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is accustomed to rigging and can’t boast ...

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Edo election a big challenge – IGP

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Friday said the Edo State governorship election is a big challenge to security agencies being the first major election to be conducted since his appointment.<br /> The IGP urged police officers and other security agencies not to relax until election results are announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).<br /> He spoke in Benin City while addressing security officials to be deployed for election duties.<br /> Idris vowed to deal with any police officer supporting political parties during the conduct of the election.<br /> On the Boko haram threat, the IGP directed effective policing of prayer grounds and areas where people assembled to avoid embarrassment from “bad people.”<br /><br />He urged all Divisional Police Officers to visit all polling units within their division and not read about them in the newspapers.<br /> Idris warned security personnel not to collect money for election duties, saying the Federal Government has released money for payment of security officials.<br />

Edo election a big challenge – IGP

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Friday said the Edo State governorship election is a big challenge to security agencies ...

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Ambode explains N500b bond approval

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ambode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ambode.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AMBODE</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">THE N500 billion bond approved by the Lagos State House of Assembly was a pool fund that will span over a period of time and not just for the 2016 appropriation year alone, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ambode, who spoke to reporters yesterday, said it was relevant to clarify the bond programme because the approval had been technically misrepresented in some section of the media.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The governor said, since 2007, the state has had two bond issuance programme, adding that the one approved by the assembly during the week was the third. He said it would run for between three to five years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ambode added that for the present appropriation year, his administration can only draw N60 billion from the pool of N500 billion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the government would draw from the fund for subsequent years as approved by the House.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The governor said: “Before you can actually even appropriate it in your budget, you need that programme and that was what was approved by the House.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“But what is in the Appropriation Law for 2016 is just N60 billion. So, it’s from this programme that we are pulling out this N60 billion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“So, for next year’s budget, if the House approves for instance N80 billion as bond, we don’t need to go back to the House again after they have approved that budget. You draw from that issuance programme and take another amount, which is approved for 2017 budget.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“If they approve any amount for 2018 budget, you take from that pool of N500 billion, which can take the next five to 10 years. So it’s just a lump sum which you now draw down based on the authorisation by the House. That is the technical explanation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It’s not as if the state wants to go and take another N500 billion; it’s just a requirement by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so that you follow the procedure on a yearly basis.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The governor assured that the N60 billion bond programme approved for the year would be used to accelerate aggressive infrastructural growth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the funds would be channeled towards the completion of the Ajah Flyover, Abule Egba Flyover, Pen Cinema Flyover, as well as the construction of more lay-bys, bus parks, improve health facilities and the building of more public schools among many other infrastructural projects.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the financial arrangement is such that bond programmes embarked upon are easily repayable through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), adding: “All we are just doing is to accelerate development for the future prosperity of Lagos.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ambode hailed members of the House of Assembly for approving the bond, saying that their actions have shown their passion and commitment to see the State make appreciable progress.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Ambode explains N500b bond approval

AMBODE THE N500 billion bond approved by the Lagos State House of Assembly was a pool fund that will span over a period of time and not ju...

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Oshiomhole accuses Okowa, Wike of deploying militants to Edo

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Adams-Oshiomhole-e1462052714273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Adams-Oshiomhole-e1462052714273.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Oshiomhole</u></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, has accused Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of deploying militants in Edo State to disrupt the governorship election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also alleged that the governors have raised N2b for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu “at a time they cannot pay salaries in their states.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oshiomhole said the APC was ready for a peaceful election and not violence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> He spoke when he received Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) National President Waheed Odusile.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oshiomhole said he had raised the alarm about the decision of Okowa and Wike to make Edo ungovernable during the election and perpetrate violence by exporting militants from some of the South South states.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“As we speak, both governors have raised N2billion to give to Ize-Iyamu when they could not pay salaries in their states. They mobilised militants to Edo to register, preparatory to use them for violence in this election. We have eliminated violence in our elections here but in my election in 2007 PDP members killed three people at Oba primary school and brutalised hundreds of others. But there after we have ensured free and fair election in Edo State.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“But we have asked our people to be on the watch out, during the continuous voters registration exercise, many of them came into town and to my shock INEC registered many of them. But at least we were able to apprehend 13 and we handed them over to the police. During the same period in Etsako Central, they carried data capturing machines and turned private residence to registration centers. We did not take laws into our hand, we reported to the police.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The guy whose house was being used, we reported to the police. We insisted that the police should charge them to court and after they did that they were granted them bail. And all these are PDP players.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the course of distributing the PVCs last week at Igueben, Some PDP thugs came to forcibly hijack PVCs from the officer that was distributing them at a school in Igueben and he ran into the residence of the PDP leader. Those PVC cards were recovered by the DSS.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“As we speak many militants have been imported into Edo state and the security agents are aware of this. For us we are ready for the election but we know that PDP has perfected plans to unleash violence. If you watch their public pronouncements, Ize-Iyamu has talked about cancellation and inconclusive elections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“As we speak I do not know what has been done about the EO that made the data capturing machine available for illegal registration in private residence. We want a peaceful environment to be able to get our people out to vote” he said</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Oshiomhole accuses Okowa, Wike of deploying militants to Edo

Oshiomhole Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, has accused Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of de...

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ICPC arraigns Orubebe over ‘N1.97b fraud’

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Orubebe-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Orubebe-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>orubebe</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it had arraigned former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godsday Orubebe, before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, in Maitama District in Abuja, for alleged N1.97 billlion fraud.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The commission accused Orubebe of allegedly diverting the votes meant for the compensation of owners of properties on Eket Urban section of the East-West Road in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Orubebe, who had failed twice to appear in court, is facing a six-count charge before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He is on trial with an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs, Mr. Oludare Davis Alaba, and the Director of Contracts, Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nig. Ltd., Mr. Ephraim Towede Zari.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A statement by ICPC spokesperson Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa quoted counsel to ICPC Mr. Ekoi Akpos, as saying that  the offences contravened sections 25 (i), (b); 19, 22(5); of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and Sections 96, 312 and 323 of the Penal Code laws of FCT 2006.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Part of the charge reads:  “Diverting the sum of N1, 965,576,153.46 out of the sum of N2, 320,686,826.00 initially released by the Federal Government meant for the compensation of owners of properties on Eket Urban section of the East- West Road.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Conferring unfair advantage upon Gitto Costruzioni Generali Nig. Ltd, by circumventing the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the dualization of the Eket Urban road  where the former Minister`s decision to rehabilitate the road instead of dualization  falls contrary to the award letter No.WR14522/VOL.1/55 dated 28/09/2006 as approved by the FEC; and making false statements to operatives of the ICPC where he mentioned in his  written statement that the decision to rehabilitate the Eket Urban road was taken after he had left office as Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs.’ The ex-Minister and the co-accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Their counsel, F. Zimuan, representing Orubebe, K. Asunogie, representing Alaba and Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing Zari, who is a Lebanese, pleaded with the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms. Zimuan specifically urged the court to grant Orubebe bail on self- recognition, having served as a minister.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Justice Adeniyi admitted the ex-Minister to bail in the sum of N10 million and a surety who must be resident in Abuja, with evidence of three years tax clearance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He admitted Alaba to bail in the sum of N20 million and a surety who must be an employee of the Federal Government not below the rank of an assistant director.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The third accused Mr. Zari, was granted bail by the judge in the sum of N20 million and one surety who must be resident in Abuja, under the jurisdiction of the court.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Justice Adeniyi ruled at the end of the arraignment that all the accused persons be kept in ICPC custody pending the fulfillment of their bail applications and then adjourned the case to 10th November, 2016 for hearing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

ICPC arraigns Orubebe over ‘N1.97b fraud’

orubebe The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said it had arraigned former Niger Delta ...

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Buhari to Nigerians: change won’t happen overnight

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/President-Muhammadu-Buhari-e1471116429573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/President-Muhammadu-Buhari-e1471116429573.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>President Buhari</b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Critics of the government’s change campaign got a reply yesterday – President Muhammadu Buhari challenged them to ask themselves how far they have changed in their ways.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To the President, nothing is working because of the total breakdown of our core values over the years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said old habits of partisanship, pettiness and immaturity must give way to new order characterised by a new spirit of responsibility, service, patriotism and sacrifice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nigerians, in Buhari’s view, need attitudinal change and a change of mindset in private and public life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said those asking for the change to first ask themselves, how far they have also changed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Buhari spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja at the launch of a national re-orientation campaign, titled “Change Begins With Me”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the nation must be ready to stop the tyranny of rent seekers and vested interests while the majority suffers. Besides, Nigerians should not be under any illusion that changes will happen overnight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But Buhari is confident that the campaign will help restore our value system and rekindle our nationalistic fervor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Buhari said:” I am therefore appealing to all Nigerians to be part of this campaign. Our citizens must realise that the change they want to see begins with them, and that personal and social reforms are not theoretic exercise.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“If you have not seen the change in you, you cannot see it in others or even the larger society. In other words, before you ask ‘where is the change they promised us’, you must first ask how far have I changed my ways, ‘what have I done to be part of the change for the greater good of society?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Nigeria today is passing through a challenging moment where hardly anything works in a normal manner. Many have attributed this phenomenon to the total breakdown of our core values over the years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It is safe to say today that honesty, hard work, Godliness have given way to all kinds of manifestations of lawlessness and degeneration in our national life. This is why we have among our cardinal objectives ‘change’, which implies the need for a change of attitude and mindset in our everyday life.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The President said with the success of the anti-corruption crusade of his administration, there is need for a sustainable framework to change the attitude and mindset of Nigerians.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He added: “I need not mention the serious effort we have engaged in since the inception of this administration on the fight against corruption in our public life. With the progress we have so far made in that regard, we feel the need to ensure that we   put in place the necessary sustainable framework for action and measures that will help to entrench and consolidate the progress achieved so far.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This we believe can best be maintained through attitudinal change, and the change of our mindset in private and public life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“ The campaign we are about to launch today is all about the need for us to see change not merely in terms of our economic, social progress but in terms of our personal behaviour on how we conduct ourselves, engage our neigbhours, friends and generally how we relate with the larger society in a positive and definitive way and manner that promotes our common good and common destiny, change at home, change in the work place, change at traffic junction, change at traffic lights etc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“This campaign is part of the determination of our party to seek to carry all Nigerians along on the journey to a better and greater society that we all can be proud of.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Reviewing how the nation has degenerated, Buhari regretted that Nigerians now give preference to dishonesty, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said: “There is no doubt that our value system has been badly eroded over the years. The long-cherished and time honoured, time-tested virtues of honesty, integrity, hard work, punctuality, good neighbourliness, abhorrence of corruption and patriotism, have given way in the main to dishonesty, indolence, unbridled corruption and widespread impunity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The resultant effect of this derailment in our value system is being felt in the social, political and economic sphere.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“ It is the reason that some youths will take to cultism and brigandage instead of studying hard or engaging in decent living; it is the reason that some elements will break pipelines and other oil facilities, thus robbing the nation of much-needed resources; it is the reason that money belonging to our commonwealth will be brazenly stolen by the same public officials to whom they were entrusted; it is the reason why motorists drive through red traffic lights, it is the reason that many will engage in thuggery and vote-stealing during elections;  it is part of what has driven our economy into deep problem out of which we are now working hard to extricate ourselves. Every one of us must have a change from our old ways of doing things; we cannot fold our arms and allow things to continue the old way.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We must resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our country for so long.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Let us summon a new spirit of responsibility, spirit of service, of patriotism and sacrifice. Let us all resolve to pitch in and work hard and look after, not only ourselves but one another. What the current problem has taught us is that we cannot have a thriving army of rent seekers and vested interests, while the majority suffers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Rather than sit back and complain endlessly, we have decided to act pragmatically, with the launch of this National Re-orientation Campaign. The campaign will not be a sprint but a marathon that will run the course of our tenure. We are under no illusion that the changes we seek will happen overnight, but we have no doubt that the campaign will help restore our value system and rekindle our nationalistic fervor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“While the government will drive the Change Begins With Me’ campaign, it must be strongly supported by all concerned individually. In this regard the private sector is a major stakeholder. Indeed when the campaign succeeds, it will impact heavily on the private sector. A punctual, diligent and hardworking staff can only be of benefit of not just himself or herself or the organization they work for but to various governments whether at local, state or Federal level.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“While congratulating the stakeholders, especially Ministry of Information and Culture and the National Orientation Agency for conceiving this campaign, I charge all to pursue the campaign with vigour and ensure its sustenance by taking it to all the nook and crannies of this country, with the aim of getting the buy in of the old, the young, the rich, the poor irrespective of gender or other social positions.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Buhari later handed over the instrument of “Change Begins With Me” to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for transmission to all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With applause from the audience, he said: “Indeed I say to the glory of Mighty Allah, “Change Begins With Me”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mohammed, who presented the multi-media format of the re-orientation campaign Change Begins With Me to the President said it is “a Pan-Nigeria Campaign that has no coloration whatsoever – whether it is political, religious or ethnic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It is a campaign for all Nigerians with the sole objective of achieving a paradigm shift in the way we do things. The campaign’s principle is simple: Each one of us must be the change we want to see in our society!”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the campaign, which will be carried out in all the major Nigerian languages, will leverage heavily on the social media and will be largely youth-driven.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mohammmed urged all the states to partner with the Federal Government so as to reach every Nigerian.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>

Buhari to Nigerians: change won’t happen overnight

President Buhari Critics of the government’s change campaign got a reply yesterday – President Muhammadu Buhari challenged them to ask the...

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APC, PDP clash as INEC fixes Sept 28 for Edo poll

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Edo-Poll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Edo-Poll.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Edo State will elect a new governor on September 28 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday postponed the election by 18 days.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Wednesday, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the police advised the agency to shift the poll because of an untoward security situation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At a joint news conference, the security agencies said it would be impossible for the election to hold on schedule.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The INEC, whose top officials, including Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, were already in Benin, the state capital, said it would meet and take a decision based on the advice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The initial position of the agency yesterday was to go ahead with the election.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">INEC National Commissioner in charge of voter education and publicity Prince Solomon Soyebi, said the agency was ready and would go ahead.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We cannot shift the election on the basis of security report. We have weighed all the parameters and consequences of postponing the election. This Commission will not mortgage its independence for the sustenance of democracy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We have made 99 percent preparation for the elections and we have also weighed the political atmosphere,” Soyebi said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But he later made a U-turn to announce a new date after a long deliberation. Reporters were kept for a long time after the agency called a news conference to break the news of the shift.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sources said the delay in announcing the new date was to avert a clash with the coronation of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, Ambassador Eheneden Erediauwa, as the Oba. The ceremony is slated for September 26.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Soyebi said the commission’s earlier insistent on holding the election on Saturday was because there was no official communication from security agencies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said the commission only received official communication from security agencies at about 6pm yesterday, drawing attention to the need to postpone the election in view of threats of terrorist activities in Edo and other states.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said: “The communication indicates that deployment of security personnel country wide to secure lives and property would over stretch their capacity to at the same time provide adequate security for the election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The commission notes the request of the security agencies and considering the security implications of proceeding with the election, the safety of eligible voters, electoral officials, including <em>ad hoc</em> staff and other stakeholders, has decided to reschedule the Edo governorship election to Wednesday, 28 September.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Governor Adams Oshiomhole welcomed the decision although he would have favoured a week’s postponement. He cautioned against a new date clashing with the Oba’s coronation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The governor nevertheless said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win because he claimed the PDP is not popular in the state.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking on a television programme, Oshiomhole said  the APC  defeated the PDP in 16 local governments in the last election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said his party was ready for the election and that Edo is not a war zone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">His added: “We will win the election. The PDP has no credibility in this state.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But the PDP declared the shift as illegal and a coup against the people.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the Makarfi-led PDP said the date should be kept sacrosanct, stressing that there were no tangible reasons to tamper with the election.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The statement said: “The call for the postponement of the election by top hierarchy of the security agencies predicated on alleged security threat was a less than ingenious attempt to buy time for the APC which is clearly heading for a major electoral catastrophe on Saturday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It is shameful and indeed a major constitutional breach for the security agencies to act in concert with the APC to truncate an election that had been planned for months.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Nigerians were not deceived by the obvious concoctions of the security agencies whose performances during elections have been less than average since the advent of the Buhari Administration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Indeed they have become instruments in the hands of the ruling party to harass, intimidate and punish opponents”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The PDP called on the President and the National Assembly to conduct a non partisan and holistic review and investigation of the national security apparatus to save the nation’s fledgling democracy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The postponement of the election by INEC is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of the peoples’ trust in the commission and the security agencies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It is a coup against the people of Edo State in particular and Nigerians in general. Since the APC assumed power, virtually all elections conducted by INEC have either been inconclusive or truncated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Saturday’s election in Edo State must be an exemption. We will not accept anything less than free, fair and transparent election conducted and concluded the same day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">“INEC must rise to the occasion to restore the confidence of Nigerians in its operations. Edo is a test case. With the way INEC is performing, how are we sure that it would be able to handle the 2019 national elections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In another statement by its publicity secretary, Chri Nehikiare, Edo State PDP accused INEC and the state government of orchestrating the shift.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">‘’For us, the move by INEC to put off the election is shocking and unacceptable.</div></div><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-5089981496810613" data-ad-slot="6482008575" data-adsbygoogle-status="done" style="display: inline-block; height: 90px; width: 640px;"><ins id="aswift_4_expand" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: inline-table; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 640px;"><ins id="aswift_4_anchor" style="background-color: transparent; border: none; display: block; height: 90px; margin: 0; padding: 0; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 640px;"></ins></ins></ins>

APC, PDP clash as INEC fixes Sept 28 for Edo poll

Edo State will elect a new governor on September 28 after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday postponed the ele...

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Solution To Help Reverse Your Diabetes Naturally

<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREBDg37gyy-SewVorz8BDtJ3VM4JtEbu6syuUn9hhJRc7YGwdw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcREBDg37gyy-SewVorz8BDtJ3VM4JtEbu6syuUn9hhJRc7YGwdw" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>stop disbetes</b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />Diabetes rates are rising, in fact it is now considered an (epidemic) in the medical community.<br /> The International Diabetes Federation reports that:<br />=> 1.5 Million Nigerians are confirmed Diabetic.<br />=> Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death.<br /> => Diabetes increases heart attack risk and 68% of diabetes related death certificates report heart related problems.<br /> => 75% of adults with diabetes will develop high blood pressure.<br /> => Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and nervous system disorders.

Solution To Help Reverse Your Diabetes Naturally

stop disbetes Diabetes rates are rising, in fact it is now considered an (epidemic) in the medical community. The International Diabetes Fe...

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