9JATRAFFIC

Armed robbers have attacked the Sky Bank branch in Ifon at the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo state, Sahara Reporters just learned. The robbers numbering over twenty were said to have moved into some strategic locations when they entered the town. It was gathered that the robbers killed at least two policemen who wore mufti and engaged them a gun duel. The policemen were said to have been attached to the Sky Bank upon request from the Ondo State Police Command. A yet to be identified man was also killed in the gun battle as the robbers forced their way out to the town in a way to escape. An eyewitness told our correspondent in a phone conversation that the robbers stormed the bank premises at exactly 3 pm on Thursday afternoon. The witness pleaded anonymity and also disclosed that the robbery operation had disrupted commercial activities in the community. "The bank (Sky Bank Plc) was almost randing off their transactions when the hoodlums stormed the premises." "Immed...

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity, says President Muhammadu Buhari remains focused in serving Nigerians, and ensuring an improvement in the lives of all. Adesina stated this when he received a delegation of well wishers to the President, led by Amb. Eze Ebere, in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. The presidential aide commended Nigerians for the outpouring of prayers and show of goodwill to President Buhari since he returned to the country. He said President Buhari deeply appreciated the prayers during his ill health, and after his recovery, from both the Christian and Muslim communities. The Special Adviser also said the positive reviews on the President's handling of conflicts in various parts of the country had been most encouraging for the administration. "The President really appreciates all the prayers, and will like to say a big thank you for your support for his leadership style and handling of the conflicts,''...

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has lauded the tenacity and ingenuity of Nigerians for sustaining efforts that gave rise to the country's creative industry such as the entertainment industry and allied businesses which serve not only to document Nigeria's culture but also to boost economic activities. The governor said this on the occasion of the World Day for Audio- Visual Heritage, marked globally every October 26 by the United Nations Education and Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Obaseki said that much as the creative industry, such as Nollywood and the music industry, have grown from little beginnings to eventually becoming a global phenomenon, there was need for governments, practitioners and investors to synergise and build solid structures to prevent the successes recorded from eroding. According to Obaseki, "On the occasion of this day, it is imperative to acknowledge the immense work that went into creating Nollywood and Nigeria's ...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria and Indonesia will work together to increase economic cooperation between both countries. Osinbajo held a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, on the sidelines of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Conference in Jakarta. Osinbajo told Kalla that Nigeria is open for business and more investment. And Kalla told Osinbajo that his own country is also ready for more economic cooperation with African countries, especially Nigeria. Vice President Osinbajo left for Nigeria after the meeting with Kalla.

C. Rolnaldo reaction following  his award  he posted on his twitter  page.  "Amazing feeling to have won this award again. Want to dedicate to my family, my friends, my teammates and coaches from both Real Madrid and Portuguese NT and everyone who supported me."

New York – At least, 650 people were killed daily in road accidents throughout Africa, Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety said on Monday at the 2017 Africa Road Safety Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. New York – At least, 650 people were killed daily in road accidents throughout Africa, Jean Todt, UN Special Envoy for Road Safety said on Monday at the 2017 Africa Road Safety Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. "There is projected increase in urbanisation, motorisation, infrastructure development projects and vehicle ownership in the region over the coming decades. "Road traffic fatalities and injuries will continue to take a rising toll on countries, if no significant changes are made," he warned. To change the trend, Todt urged participating governments to implement the Global Plan for the Decade of Action and the African Road Safety Action Plan, which focuses on safer roads, vehicles and road users. He said the plan also detail...

Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning last season saw him win the 2017 Best FIFA men's player of the year trophy as Real Madrid dominated a star-studded awards ceremony in London on Monday.  The Portuguese ace, who has scored 44 goals in just 48 games for club and country so far this calendar year, played a major role in Real winning both La Liga and the Champions League. He scored twice in a 4-1 win over Juventus in the continental final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on June 3. Real boss Zinedine Zidane took the corresponding manager of the year award, with the Spanish giants providing five players in the FIFA team of the year. Ronaldo won the inaugural Best FIFA men's player of the year award last year following the end of a six-year merger between the FIFA honour and the Ballon D'Or. This year he saw off competition from longstanding Barcelona rival Lionel Messi and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, with former Manchester United favourite Ronaldo receiving his trophy fr...

No vehicle had entered the communities since conception, but the state governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, leading other government officials and his friend, a former deputy governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Murktar Shagari, broke the curse with the ongoing construction of the N30 billion Sagbama-Ekeremor road project by his administration. Jubilant kids seeing a car for the first time in their community scramble for a ride The road, which is 60 per cent completed, is expected to be completed in 2018. Joyous villagers, who saw vehicles only when they traveled to cities and never believed that vehicles will come into the locality in their lifetime, trooped out in large numbers to welcome the governor and his entourage. At the moment, Toru-Orua, Angalabiri, and Ofoni on the Sagbama council area axis could be reached comfortably by road while the Ayamasa and Aleibiri stretch in Ekeremor council area could be reached by four- wheel vehicles.

As part of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's campaign for promoting Made-in-Aba products, Abia State government and Abia State National Association, U.S.A. and North America, ASNA-NA,showcased the potentials and quality of Aba products to the international community during the association's national convention in New York City, USA. The event saw many designers, such as Chumar, and thousands of products shipped in from Aba on display, with models on the runway, adorning Aba-made designs. According to the Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Diaspora Matters, Mr. John Ndubuisi, all the outfits on display were sold out and orders placed, noting that Made-in-Aba designs will soon be competing in the American market. He added that with the clamour for restructuring, Abia State Government is working to grow the local economy, provide employment, empower skilled artisans and boost internally-generated revenue, stressing that Aba, dubbed The Japan of Africa for its entrepreneurial ...

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has recovered a body believed to be that of 40-year old Mr Oluseyi Adekunle, who allegedly jumped off the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge into the Lagos lagoon, on Friday. The body which was said to have been found floating by the river bank around the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge, was discovered by a local fisherman on Sunday morning at about 5.00am, after which the attention of the rescue agencies was called. The body was recovered from the lagoon by coordinated efforts of officials of the LASEMA, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Marine Police and handed over to the State Environmental Monitoring Unit (SEHMU). The body has been taken to the Lagos Mainland Hospital Mortuary for deposition. Mr Adekunle who according to eyewitnesses, appeared to be on his way to work on the fateful day, was said to have dropped his bag at the rails before taking the plunge in an apparent suicide bid.

As part of the efforts to develop tourism sites and promote tourism potential in Abia, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has pledged N10 million as grant for any film shot in the state. Ikpeazu made the pledge when he received Dr Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation ( NFC ), his office in Umuahia. A statement signed by Mr Brian Etuk, the Head of Public Affairs, NFC, in Jos on Friday, quoted the governor as saying that the production ‘should be 100 per cent shot in Abia.’ The statement said that the governor charged film practitioners to improve on the quality of their production so as to compete with the global market. As part of the efforts to develop tourism sites and promote tourism potential in Abia, the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has pledged N10 million as grant for any film shot in the state. Ikpeazu made the pledge when he received Dr Chidia Maduekwe, the Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation ( NFC ),...

Daniel Olukoya, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) falsely affirmed himself to be a legal resident of the State of Maryland in the United States for business purposes, official court documents show.  Olukoya made the false claim in the Articles of Incorporation of the church in Baltimore in 2002.  In the Articles of Incorporation filed with the State of Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation, Olukoya claimed to be a Resident Agent for Service for MFM Baltimore, and personally signed the Articles in that capacity. (See certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation in story).   The laws of the State of Maryland require all corporations or organizations applying for registration in the State to designate a person or organization, who must be a legal resident of the State of Maryland, as Resident Agent for Service. The Resident Agent for Service of any organization is primarily to receive court and other le...

Jose Mourinho said on Friday that he expects Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be ready to return to action from his career-threatening knee ligament injury before the end of the year. The Manchester United manager has stubbornly refused to put a timeline on the absences of long-term injury victims Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, who suffered a hamstring tear in mid-September. He has said he does not even know when the pair will be back although while Pogba remains in Florida for rehabilitation, veteran Ibrahimovic is now back with United’s medical staff in Manchester and has posted social media pictures of his recovery. That has led Mourinho to predict a return for the cult hero striker some time in December after what will be eight months out with knee ligament injury that was sustained in April and required surgery. “Paul is not here. I don’t know when he comes back, when he’s available, I’ve no idea,” said Mourinho. “Zlatan is here, he’s working here, unde...

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Vice President and elder statesman, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme who will turn 85 years tomorrow, October 21, 2017. The President in a statement on Friday celebrates the octogenarian’s love for knowledge and search for wisdom from an early age which led him into obtaining many degrees in various fields of study, including a doctorate in Architecture, and being one of the first Nigerians to gain the Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States. The statement which was signed by the Special Adviser to the President, Adesina said, “President Buhari commends the former Vice President’s entrepreneurial spirit in setting up the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria, spreading its tentacles to more than 16 cities, until he accepted the national call to serve his father land in 1979 after a long commitment in building his community.” Buhari affirms that Ekwueme played a major role in mobilising...

The striking lecturers of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnics Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State suspended their seven-week industrial action on Tuesday evening, SaharaReporters has learned. The workers, organized under the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), had been on strike since August 31, 2017, crippling activities on campus. Our correspondent learned that the strike was called off after the union held an emergency congress summoned by the executive of the ASUP. Rafiu Ijawoye, the Chairman of the ASUP in the school, confirmed this in a telephone chat with SaharaReporters in Akure. He explained that the union decided to call the strike off after the lecturers engaged in a series of negotiations with the government. Mr. Ijawoye said the state government paid the striking lecturers one month’s salary out of the ten months outstanding. He added that further details of the meeting would be revealed at a later time. A student source further confirmed the develo...

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered Senator Eyninnaya Abaribe, and two others standing as sureties for the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to explain the IPOB leader’s whereabouts. Kanu who was granted bail by the judge on April 24, 2017, was absent from court on Tuesday when his trial was billed to commence. But his three co-defendants were produced in court by prison officials. Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told the judge that Kanu had been missing after soldiers allegedly invaded the IPOB leader’s home‎ on September 14, 2017, adding that the Nigerian Army was in the best position to produce the defendant. A lawyer, Mr. Ogechi Ogunna, appeared for Abaribe on Tuesday, informing the judge ‎that his client had filed a motion seeking to be discharged as Kanu’s surety. ‎The two other sureties, Immanuel Shalum Okabenmabu and Tochukwu Uchendu, were absent from court and not repre...

The Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladdelusi, Odundun II, will on Thursday 19th October join his subjects to celebrate the Ugogo masquerade festival in Akure. This was contained in the press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akureland, Michael Adeyeye. From 6:00am in the morning till 12:00 in afternoon on the day all the shops along Oba Adesida and Arakale axis of the community is to be closed. The general public is also expected to observe the directive. The palace urge the residents to go about their duties without any fear. The Ugogo masquerade is being celebrated just once in a life time of a king.

Wiskid popularly know as Star boy has done it again!  Proving to the world that his rival does not exist in Africa, Wizkid has been nominated for "Best African Act" at the 2017 MOBO Awards He has already won this category twice: 2011 and 2016

Is Nigeria really out of recession?

Cristiano Ronaldo and his pregnant girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez stepped for a lunch date this afternoon ahead of his team Champions League's clash with Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow. The Real Madrid and Portuguese star shared the photo with his beau at the Tatel Resturant, where Ronaldo describes as 'the best restaurant in town'.

Ibadan Zonal Office of the EFCC , has arraigned two suspected Internet fraudsters: Abdulwahab Abduljelil and Erinle Olalekan before Justice Maliki of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State for offences bordering on possession of documents containing false pretence, obtaining under false pretense and forgery. The judge adjourned till 26th of October, 2017 for ruling on the bail applications and 30th of November for the commencement of trial. The court also ordered that the defendants be remanded in Prison Custody pending the ruling on their bail applications.

Davido's lawyer exclusively revealed to LIB today that the singer has been allowed to go about his business after meeting with the police. This evening, 'IF' crooner David Adeleke took to his Insta stories to thank everyone who prayed for him, revealing that he has forgiven every single person, media house or blog that accused him of having a hand in the demise of his late friend, Tagbo Umeike. The singer further stated that he's ready to now go back to making music. Speaking exclusively to Linda Ikeji's Blog, a member from Davido's legal team led by Norrison I. Quakers, SAN revealed that the singer has been released by the Police to go about his business as he's not guilty. "We’ve been to Panti and my client has given a statement there too. It’s clear from all the investigation, evidence and statements given so far that David was not at any point with the deceased after he left him alive at Shisha room as as ...

President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to strike out all suits seeking the removal of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrhim Magu, from office. “This honorable court cannot invoke its judicial powers under Section 6(6)(b) (of the Constitution) to hear and determine this case,” the President and the AGF stated in a preliminary objection challenging the competence of a suit seeking Magu’s removal from office. The AGF took the legal position backing Magu’s appointment despite the reported strained relationship between the minister and the acting EFCC chairman. There are said to be pending 17 suits filed in support and against Magu’s appointment, following the refusal of the Senate to confirm the appointment of Magu as the substantive EFCC chairman on two different occasions. One of the suits is ...

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said yesterday he is unaware of the whereabouts of leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for his case but he has not been seen since September 24 when military men entered his compound in Afaraukwu, Umuahia. Members of his outlawed organization are claiming that the military too him away a claim that has been denied. Former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu said he was reliably told that Kanu had eloped to London through Malaysia. Speaking to reporters in Abuja at the weekend, Ikpeazu said:  “I don’t think that is a fair question. I don’t have the capacity to determine where Kanu is. I have never visited him. I have never called him on phone and he has never taken me into confidence as to what he does, where he goes. So, those who are close to him would answer. I don’t have capacity to monitor him to know where he is, maybe journalists, through inves...

The British and Scottish executives have made progress in talks on how to share powers after Brexit, they said on Monday, but Edinburgh still objects to the central government’s proposed law on withdrawing from the European Union. Scotland, which has a semi-autonomous parliament and executive with powers over specific policy areas, has been seeking assurances from the United Kingdom’s central government over the status of those powers after Brexit. The sides held talks in London on Monday along with representatives of Wales, which also has devolved institutions. “We have been able to make some progress, including agreeing general principles that should ensure the role of the Scottish parliament in any potential UK- or GB-wide frameworks,” said Michael Russell, Scotland’s Brexit minister, after the talks. The British government’s minister for Scotland, David Mundell, said the parties had moved in a positive direction. “We have taken a major step today by agre...

More than 300 people died after twin bomb explosions in Mogadishu, an official said on Monday, as locals packed hospitals in search of friends and relatives caught up in Somalia’s deadliest attack in a decade. The death toll has steadily risen since Saturday, when the blasts – for which no organization had claimed responsibility by Monday morning – struck at two busy junctions in the heart of the city. “We have confirmed 300 people died in the blast. The death toll will still be higher because some people are still missing,” Abdikadir Abdirahman, the director of the city’s ambulance service, told Reuters on Monday.  Aden Nur, a doctor at the city’s Madina hospital, said they had recorded 258 deaths while Ahmed Ali, a nurse at the nearby Osman Fiqi hospital, told Reuters five bodies had been sent there.   Nur said 160 of the bodies could not be recognized. “(They)were buried by the government yesterday. The others were buried by their relatives. Over ...

Lebanon’s president said on Monday his country could no longer cope with hosting huge numbers of Syrian refugees and called on world powers to help them to return to calmer areas of their troubled homeland. Michel Aoun told international envoys he wanted to work out ways to help refugees return safely to the neighboring state but he had no plan to force people back to places where they could face persecution.  “My country cannot handle it anymore,” Aoun told representatives of the European Union, the Arab League and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council at a meeting in Beirut, according to his media office.   More than six years into the Syrian war, 1.5 million Syrians account for one quarter of Lebanon’s population and patience is wearing thin with their presence and the strain it has placed on local resources. As the Syrian government regains control of more territory, calls have increased in Lebanon for Syrians to return home. ...

A nutrition crisis, exacerbated by continuing violence, instability and displacement in Mali, is threatening the lives and futures of thousands of children in the West African country, UNICEF warned this week. New data published today from the 2017 SMART (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions) survey shows that the rate of acute malnutrition among children under five has reached critical levels in the conflict-affected areas of Timbuktu and Gao, while the national rate remains very high. The survey shows acute malnutrition of children in Timbuktu has risen to 15.7 per cent and in Gao to 15.2 per cent, a worrying rise from “serious” to “critical” level on the World Health Organisation’s classification scale. Serious levels of acute malnutrition were also recorded in the regions of Kayes (14.2%) and Taoudéni (14.3%), while the national rate is 10.7%. “Behind these figures are the lives of the most vulnerable and forgotten girls and boys in...

Excessive force by police against protesters and residents in strongholds of opposition leader Raila Odinga caused the deaths in Nairobi, the report said. President Uhuru Kenyatta defeated Odinga in the Aug. 8 election and days of protests followed. The Supreme Court last month voided the election citing procedural irregularities and ordered a re-run, which is to be held on Oct. 26.  “Researchers found that although police behaved appropriately in some instances, in many others they shot or beat protesters to death.”   The report is likely to bolster the case of Kenyan activists and rights groups who accuse police of brutality and extrajudicial killings but say few officers are charged and convictions are extremely rare.  Police spokesman Charles Owino did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Police have said only looters and thugs were killed or injured in the violence.   The report said a 9-year-old was shot dead whil...

A Taliban spokesman denied on Sunday accusations by a Canadian man that one of his children had been murdered and his wife raped while they were being held captive by militants who kidnapped them in Afghanistan in 2012. Joshua Boyle and his American wife, Caitlan Coleman, were held by the Haqqani network, a semi-independent wing of the Afghan Taliban, before being rescued by Pakistani troops in northwest Pakistan, near the Afghan border, last week. Boyle told reporters soon after he, his wife and their three children returned to Canada on Friday that their captors had murdered a fourth child and raped his wife.  Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid rejected that as propaganda by the Western governments that helped rescue the family.   “We strongly reject these fake and fabricated allegations of this Canadian family, now in the hands of the enemy,” he said in a statement sent to media.‎  “Whatever statement the enemy wants to put in their mo...

Tunisian striker Youssef Msekni (7) celebrates with Amine Ben Amor (14) after scoring against Guinea during the World Cup 2018 qualifying. STRINGER / AFP Impressive World Cup qualifying form has lifted Tunisia back to the top of the FIFA Africa monthly rankings after 15 years. The “Carthage Eagles” last occupied first place in January 2002, having risen to the top six months earlier. Tunisia are on the verge of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after defeating and drawing with the Democratic Republic of Congo and trouncing Guinea. Winning 4-1 in Guinea this month was a landmark success for coach Nabil Maaloul and his squad as Tunisia lost four previous World Cup qualifiers in the west African nation. Tunisia lead DR Congo by three points in Group A and need one point from a home fixture against Libya on November 11 to be sure of finishing first. Egypt, who booked a World Cup place by beating Congo Brazzaville last weekend, dropped one place to seco...

(L-R) Egypt’s Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, Tarek Hamed, Essam El-Hadary, Mohamed Salah, Saleh Gomaa, Ahmed Fathy, Mohamed Elneny, Hassan Ahmed, Ramadan Sobhi, Ahmed Hegazi, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy pose for a team picture during their World Cup 2018 Africa qualifying match between Egypt and Congo at the Borg el-Arab stadium in Alexandria on October 8, 2017. Mohamed El-Shahed / AFP Egypt will compete at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, despite being eliminated in the qualifying competition two months ago. The Egyptians lost 4-2 on aggregate to Morocco, who are now automatic competitors in the 16-team event having replaced Kenya as hosts. This opened the door for Egypt to be reinstated into the biennial tournament restricted to home-based footballers. African football body CAF ditched Kenya as hosts last month for falling behind with preparations and Morocco were chosen to replace them at the weekend. Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville,...