The legal team led by Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, ‎said it had therefore, on Wednesday filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order directing the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to produce Kanu in court.

Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who is the former Deputy President of the Senate has pronounced himself as a born-again politician. He said whatever he now says is the truth and urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party to believe him.

 According to the concert program on Friday 22, 2017 held at St, Peter Anglican church Ajido area in Badagry, Tagged UNLIMITED JUBILATION", it was wonderful and interesting as children of God were praising God with songs and dancing offerings.

 It was great as people of God, worshiping the Lord in a new dimension. Rev. Rotimi Komolafe, who is the vicar of St Bartholomew Anglican church, Povita  - Badagry. he explicit his feelings towards the program, he said his seeing bundles of talent in the youth of the church. He urge the youth that whatsoever talent in them, to be showcase in God's manner, that the youth is the future of the church.

The music director of the church Youth choir, Padonu Seyon, said he really thank God for the great success achieved so far, he said he must not but thank everybody that supported him to achieve this success and he also thank the vicar of the church in person of Rev.Cannon.Samuel Anko, for giving him the opportunity to lead the great youth of the church in the choir ministry. he exhort all leaders to be focus and not to be disturb by any challenges which may come's their way.

 One of the guest artist of the event, Akinyele Cornelius commend the Youth choir for bringing up a great program like this and he said he never regret been part of the program, he kindly advice the youth choir to work on their composition.
Mr. Viavon Whesu, who is a loving father to the youth, said is very happy seeing his youth doing wonders in the church of God. He said it shows the future of the church is bright. he also advice the youth to keep doing their best and to be focus in anything they do.

A member of the youth choir, Ajayi Abiodun said he's delighted to be a member of fabulous youth choir of the church, he said the program is not just a program but a praise concert, that as really blessed a lot of soul. He also said is looking up to see more of their great performers.


NAN/ SEUN                                                          SEUN

Some soccer fans in Ebonyi have expressed mixed feelings over the calibre of players invited by Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr for the World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.



The list consists of 22 foreign based players and one home-based player. He also placed on standby seven players made of four foreign-based and three home-based players.
The fans state that retaining the entire team that fell to South Africa in an AFCON 2019 qualifier in June was suicidal while others reasoned otherwise.
Bright Ibe, former Chairman of the Nigerian Referees Association (NRA), Ebonyi Chapter, said that Rohr would have invited players with requisite experience for the clash considering Cameroon’s pedigree.
“Players such as Godfrey Obaobona, Efe Ambrose, Nnamdi Oduamadi, among others, should have been invited to avoid the lethargic performance of the youngsters paraded against South Africa.
“Cameroon as African champions are buoyed by its FIFA Confederation Cup escapade and can only be dismantled by an experienced side,” he said.
Benson Imagwe, defunct Ebonyi Angels Goalkeeper, faulted the retention of Daniel Akpeyi in the team after a poor display against South Africa.
“Fans are still nursing the pains caused them by Akpeyi’s performance against South Africa. His matter is worsened by his loss of first-team place in his South African club, Chippa United.
“Rohr should have invited the CHAN team and Plateau United goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye for the clash,” he said.
Princewill Udoh, a lecturer, also faulted the retention of some players, especially in the defence.
He said that the defence might be an “easy pie” for the rampaging Cameroonian strikers.
“Chidozie Awaziem and Elderson Echiejile outing against South Africa was poor and the matter is worsened by the absence of another natural left-full back to cover Echiejile.
“Rohr is only left with the option of fielding untested players such as Mikel, Agu, Ola Aina, among others; the situation is dicey,” he said.
Chief Sebastine Elem, a retired public servant, however, said that the coach was right to select the players because the time was too short for changes in the team.
“The Eagles would have less than one week to train before the match and it will be difficult for Rohr to field players that are new to him.
“He wants to give the players an opportunity to correct the South African poor showing but we would have wished for a lesser opposition than Cameroon,” he said.
Judith Odoh, a female musician and soccer enthusiast, noted that the return of players such as Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Mikel Obi, among others, would definitely strengthen the team.
“Soccer fans should support the team because the team even if deficient cannot be changed overnight,” she aa

Twelve suspected kidnappers, including a woman, arrested by the police in connection with a suspected kidnappers’ den at Ile-Zik bus stop in Ikeja, were on Friday remanded at Ikoyi Prisons on the orders of a Lagos magistrate.


Tajudeen Elias, chief magistrate, said the accused are to remain behind bars pending a legal advice from the state director of public prosecutions (DPPs).
The “Ile Zik 12 men” were brought before an Ebute Meta chief magistrates’ court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, attempted kidnap and possession of arms and ammunition.
The bus stop is named after a four-storey building built by the late Nnamidi Azikiwe.
Barely a week before, another kidnappers’ hole was discovered at Ijaiye area on the Oshodi-Sango-Abeokuta highway.
The accused are Hakeem Ogundele, 32; Noah Samuel, 25; Ayomide Olatunji, 44; Felix Matthew, 34; American Obodoyibo, 42; Shola Elemo, 32; and Adijat Mudashiru, 32.
Others are Tunde Akanji, 41; Adeoye Adekeye, 38; Patrick Onwubufor, 65, Samuel Iyede, 50; and Bright Amankwa, 36.
Earlier, Kehinde Omisakin, police prosecutor, told the court that the accused committed the offences on August 10 between 10am and 4pm.
According to her, the 12 accused had conspired to kidnap some students of a nearby Girls Junior High School, but they luckily escaped.
“Some school uniforms and notebooks of the students were found in possession of the accused,” he said.
Omisakin said one live ammunition, nine empty shells of expended ammunition, one kitchen knife and road maps were recovered from them.
The accused pleaded innocent of the offences which contravened sections 22, 330 and 411 of the criminal law of Lagos state, 2015.
Kidnapping and other related offences carry life imprisonment or capital punishment.
The case has been adjourned until August 22.

FG hands over Presidential Lodge, Marina to LASG
…State promises to preserve architectural finesse, beauty

The Federal Government on Thursday handed over the Presidential Lodge, Marina to the Lagos State Government in fulfillment of the promise of President Muhammadu Buhari to entrust the edifice to the State for tourism development.

In a brief but impressive ceremony held at the main conference room of the Lodge, also known as State House, Marina, the Federal and Lagos State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding formally transferring ownership of the edifice to the State Government.

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello who led the State officials including members of the State Executive Council, promised that the State Government would not compromise its structural integrity while preserving the architectural finesse and beauty.

Bello said the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would ensure the edifice becomes a tourist destination.

He stressed that the edifice will become one which residents of Lagos and Nigerians in general would not only be proud of but which compares to similar ones in distant locations, assuring Lagosians that the State will put the edifice to the best and most judicious use.

He added that the State Government would ensure that it is perfectly transformed without compromising its structural integrity and preserving its architectural finesse and beauty.

"The successful handover of the structure represents one of the landmarks of the City of Lagos and an eloquent testimony to the new dawn of politics of tolerance and inclusiveness which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has brought to the Nigerian landscape", Bello said.

The SSG, on behalf of the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the Government and people of the State, expressed deepest appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his statesman-like gesture in the approval of the release of the edifice to the Lagos State Government.

He also applauded the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo for ensuring that the handover process became realizable  and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for his untiring assistance to ensure the success of the transfer.

"The list of appreciation will be incomplete without mentioning the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Abuja, Mr Jalal Arabi with whom I co-chaired the committee that midwifed the handover process for the painstaking job. Same goes for all the directors and top staffers in the Presidency with whom officials of the State Government worked. Mr Arabi and his team have been very supportive forthcoming and painstaking in the last couple of months since we commenced this exercise by ensuring that nothing is left out. We are indeed very grateful to you and your team", he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Abuja, Mr. Jalal Arabi who described the occasion as a solemn one because of the emotional attachment that most of the staff have towards the complex, said they are happy it was a smooth transition process.

He said the several months of perfecting the transfer of the ownership was a family discussion which was devoid of any bitter feelings expressing delight that he and his team carried out the directives of Mr. President concerning the handover of the edifice and ensuring that all the equipments and properties were not removed.

He described President Muhammadu Buhari as a statesman who believes that his word should always be his bond, hence his insistence that his promise to the State Government must be kept.

The event featured a ceremonial handover of the keys to the building and the symbolic takeover by the State Government officials led by the SSG.

Also part of the Lagos State team are the Commissioners for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Seye Oladejo; Housing, Prince Gbolahan Lawal; Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon Lola Akande; Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola; Special Adviser on Urban Development, Mrs Yewande Onabule and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engineer Olujimi Hotonu.

The Federal Government has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its ongoing strike in the universities in the interest of the nation.
Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment made the appeal in a statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director, Press, in the Ministry, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had on Monday declared an indefinite strike over Federal Government failure to keep to the 2009 agreement.
According to Ngige, there is an ongoing renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU by the Babalakin Committee.
“The Federal Government has set up the Babalakin Committee on 13 Feb. 2017, which is already addressing the issues raised by ASUU.
“Though the Federal Government did not wish to apportion blame, it is important to note that ASUU did not follow due process in the declaration of the industrial action.


“As it did not give the Federal Government, the mandatory 15 days’ notice as contained in the Section 41 of Trade Disputes Act, Cap T8, 2004.
“In fact, it was on 14th Aug., 2017 that the Office of the Minister received a letter dated 13th Aug. 2017 from ASUU, that is, one full day after it commenced the strike,” he said.
He, however, noted that the letter was to inform the Federal Government that ASUU has commenced strike, adding that this is not a declaration
of intention to go on strike as contained in the Trade Dispute Act, 2004.
He further said that since the case was being conciliated, it was against the spirit of Social Dialogue and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for ASUU to embark on strike as enunciated in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention.
“The Federal Government therefore wishes to appeal to ASUU to consider students who are currently writing degree and promotion examinations. Please call off the strike and return to the negotiation table.’’
The minister added that the Ministry of Labour and Employment would ensure that a time frame is tied to negotiation this time around.
Ngige added that the Babalakin Committee was ever ready to continue the negotiation.
He also noted that the necessary ingredients for fruitful social dialogue as well as adequate powers to negotiate and make recommendations to the Federal Government had been put in place.

The General court marial (GCM) sitting at the Nigerian Air Force base in Makurdi, Benue State has sentenced Aircraftman (ACM)  Bernard Kalu, to death by hanging for shooting and killing his female colleague. Late Aircraftwoman (ACW) Sholape Oladipupo

Delivering the judgement on Tuesday, August 15, the president of GCM,  Group Captain Elisha Bundy, found ACM Kalu guilty of the charges of murder, house breaking, impersonation, failure to perform military duty, loss of service property and disobedience to standing orders.

 The verdict is, however subject to confirmation by the convering Authority


Nigerian Air Force (HQ) www.facebook.com

Forget about returning to power 2019 – Bello tells PDP


By Oduwole olorunseun


The Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Sunday said Nigerians are yet to forget pains inflicted on them by the 16 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and would never vote for the party again.
Besides, the governor commended the peaceful conduct of the national delegate congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held across the state on Saturday.
Speaking against the background of the boast by the PDP to return to power in 2019, Bello said the people of the country were not in a hurry to forget the misrule of the party from 1999 to 2015.
The leaders of the PDP had during the national convention of the party stated that the PDP is now better positioned to dislodge the APC during the next general election in 2019.
A former president of the country, Goodluck Jonathan, the national chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Ayodele Fayose, all spike at the convention where they expressed the readiness of the party to return to Aso Rock.
But according to Bello, the majority of the people of Nigeria would not want to go back to the dark days of the PDP when looting of the common patrimony of entire Nigerians were being looted by few individuals.
The Kogi state governor noted that the APC was already gaining the confidence of the people, adding that Nigerians are convinced that President Muhammadu Buhari, and the APC can be trusted with power

He explained that the policies and programmes of the APC led government were beginning to lead to the recovery of the economy that would further aid the development of the people.
Bello also lauded the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari led government, which he said had led to the recovery of money stolen during the PDP administration in the country.
The governor said the discovery of the huge sum of money looted from the treasury by the people that served in the previous administration of the PDP were pointer to the recklessness of people in positions of authority before the coming of the APC.
He however urged the people to continue to support the efforts of the present administration at repositioning the country and eliminate corruption from the system.
Bello also asked Nigerians to continue to pray for good health for the president to enable him complete the good works he had started in the country.
He also noted that the peaceful conduct of the national delegate congress of the APC in the state showed that the party was popular among the masses.
He therefore assured that his administration would continue to implement programmes and projects that would make life worth living for the people of the state.