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Accept Modu Sheriff’s PDP governorship candidates list, court orders INEC A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to only accept the list of Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidates for the forthcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states from the Modu Sheriff-led faction of the party. Justice Okon Abang, delivering ruling in an interlocutory application filed by two governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP in Edo and Ondo states, granted an injunction restraining INEC, the PDP and their agents from dealing with or according any facility required by law to any other persons or group than the Sheriff-led National Working Committee of the party. The plaintiffs in the suit in a PDP governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Chief Benson Akingboye, and one of his counterparts in Edo State, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma. Justice Abang ruled that his restraining orders against the INEC and the PDP would subsist pending the hearin...

Workers in Ondo State have suspended their 30-day-old strike after labour leaders signed an agreement with the state government. The labour leaders and the government signed the agreement at a meeting yesterday. The state Head of Service, Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, the Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), commissioner for Finance, Chief Yele Ogundipe, the special adviser on Union matters, Mr Dayo Fadahunsi and the state Accountant General, Mr Frederick Ajibokun were representatives of the government at the meeting. On the side of the labour were the Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council,  Sunday Adeleye; the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Bose Daramola; and state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Soladoye Ekundayo. According to the Chairman of the JNC, Sunday Adeleye under the agreement, the government is expected to pay a month salary for workers in the mainstream, 2 months to local government workers and primary school teache...

Following the annulment of his election, the independent national electoral commission INEC has issued a certificate of return to Mr. Uche Ogah of the people's democratic party PDP as he was the came second during the party primaries in Abia state prior to the general election in 2015. According to the commission Director of publicity Mr Oluwole Osazi-Uzi, this was coming due to the standing court order which vacated Governor Okezie Ikpeazu from office on account of fake tax returns prior to the party primaries which he won.  The court however asked the commission to immediately issue a certificate of return to Mr. Uche Ogah who came second at same primaries. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had his election nullified Monday 27, 2016 after he was found guilty of presenting a fake tax returns during the party primaries. Justice Abang Okon however disqualified his candidacy  for that election hence ceded victory to Mr. Uche Ogah.  The Judge however, after the ruling gave mandat...

The elder-statesman who took ill was reported to be returning to Nigeria on Wednesday from the U.S via Dubai. Maduekwe was born on May, 6, 1945 in Abia State. He was appointed Culture and Tourism Minister by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, and Minister of Transport in 2001. Maduekwe who during his reign as transport minister advocated for the greater use of bicycle as a noble means of transport. He also served as Foreign Minister of Nigeria on July 26, 2007 appointed by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and left office in March 2010 when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan dissolved his cabinet and formed a new henchmen. He was National Secretary of then ruling political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and worked as the Deputy Director of PDP presidential campaign 2011 Goodluck/Sambo ticket.

The Rivers born Elechi Amadi, who wrote famous books like The Concubine, Isiburu, Sunset in Biafra, Peppersoup and The Road to Ibadan, died at about 3:15pm on Wednesday, about a week after he took ill. According to a  close confidant, the deceased was billed to be at Wednesday’s annual book reading programme organised in Port Harcourt by Total Exploration and Production, but could not make it as a result of his ill health.His wife, Preye, represented him at the event. It was gathered that the Rivers State Government had concluded plans to fly the late Amadi abroad for proper treatment before he died. Born on May 12, 1934 in Aluu in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Elechi Amadi attended Government College, Umuahia (1948–52), Survey School, Oyo (1953–54), and the University of Ibadan (1955–59), where he obtained a degree in Physics and Mathematics.He worked as a land surveyor at a time and later was a teacher at several schools, including the Nigerian Military Sc...

The ambassador's convoy was moving at high speed when the seven-year-old was fatally hit in April. The US provided the family with 1m Central African francs (£1,257). The boy's family also received two cows, flour, onions, rice, salt, sugar, soap and oil, according to the Associated Press news agency. The US said it would also build a well to provide fresh drinking water for the boy's community, located near the northern city of Mokolo, according to state department officials. Department spokesman Jeffrey Loree described the contribution as a "compensation package commensurate with local custom, as well as the needs of the family and village". "US diplomats have visited the family on several occasions following the accident and will continue to provide all support possible," he added. Ms Power was on a week-long trip to show US support in the battle against militant Islamist group Boko Haram when the accident occurred. The boy, Birwe Tous...

FEMI FANI-KAYODE SENDS MESSAGE TO ALL CHRISTIANS AND APOSTLE SULEIMAN FROM DETENTION! Embattled Former Minister for Aviation and one time campaign spokesperson/director for the Goodluck Jonathan campaign train under the auspices of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP for the 2015 general election bid Mr Femi Fani Kayode  has written a  formal letter addressing all Christians to be weary of their path as the future according him seems bleak. FFK as he is fondly called penciled this very spiritual letter as his heart bleeds for all Christians most especially apostle Johnson Suleiman for whom he fears might be in danger.  The Former Minister is been charged by the anti-graft agencies for corrupt related offenses.     The Letter Reads; "God willing am in custody of EFCC. But to me is a great time to commune with God just the way Paul and other brethren did in their days.I am here not only because my party gave me money to campaign for them like every other polit...

 Following the disappointing outing of the English national team against perceived minnows Iceland at the current Euro 2016 competition, coach of the English team Roy Hogson has announced his resignation shortly after losing to Iceland. England who took the lead through a Wayne Rooney's penalty went behind as the Icelanders came from behind to secure a stunning victory contrary to majority opinion prior to the game. Wayne Rooney’s penalty gave England the lead, but that seems a long time ago now.Sigurdsson and Sigthorsson quickly responded to give the minnows a shock lead and England failed to react.Roy Hodgson quickly retired after the final whistle and England are left to look for another manager and an awful lot of soul searching.     Shearer: I want England job Shearer is evidently livid with England’s performance tonight. The former England striker has torn into Hodgson’s tactical decisions and selections. He also confirmed he w...

Following the closure of the Silverbird Conglomerate by the Assets Manangement Corporation of Nigeria AMCON due its inability to pay her N11bn accrued debt, the management has decided to reopen the Silverbird group so as to enable them meet up their financial responsibilities. The Silverbird group which was sealed Thursday June, 23 will now have its Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos branch resume back operations so as to fulfill her debt obligation.                                         According to the Lawyer representing the debt recovery manager AMCON over seeing the recovery of the Group Mr Muiz Bunire,  he said the move became imminent so as to allow the corporation recover her debt been owed by the Silverbird Group. Mr Kunle Adegoke who hinted that the reopening of the businesses should ...

‘APC won’t hesitate to revisit Edo primaries’ The All Progressives Congress (APC) election appeal committee for the Edo governorship primary yesterday threatened to cancel the exercise won by Godwin Obaseki if allegations of misconduct were proven true.The committee warned it might order a fresh primary if it is discovered the exercise was manipulated. According to the chairman, Opeyemi Bamidele, who dropped these hints while addressing newsmen at the party secretariat,he said the committee has invited forensic experts to examine the ballot papers used for the election. Bamidele who said the integrity of the party and the process was important, also note the number of aspirants complaining about the exercise.He pointed out that the national secretariat of the party has agreed to extend the deadline for the committee to submit its report. Bamidele said: “I want to assure all of you that cancelling this primary is not something we are going to blink an eye if it becomes s...

Following their one week prolong strike, the National Association of Resident Doctors has announced the suspension of her strike action. The doctors who embarked on a strike action on the basis of government inability to attend to their welfare condition has suspended their strike action after series of consultations reached with both warring parties.    National President of the Association, Mohammed Askira, made the announcement during a press conference in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Saturday, June 25. Addressing journalists in Abuja, Mr Askira, however, appealed to the government to implement agreements reached with the association before July the 14th. While stating that it’s decision is borne out of the need of alleviating the plight of Nigerians, who have been unable to access medical services during the period of the industrial action, he said official duties for the doctors will begin from Monday, June 27. It will be recalled that the Association had an emer...

Following the recent UK referendum and the subsequent pulling out of Britain from the European Union, top diplomats from the European Union's original six founding nations are meeting in Berlin for hastily arranged talks following Britain's stunning vote to leave the bloc. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says it is critical to see the vote as a wakeup call. He was heading into meetings Saturday with his counterparts from France, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg. Steinmeier says EU politicians must listen "to the expectations of the European governments but also to the expectations of the people." He cautioned against rash decisions, saying that "it's totally clear that in times like these one should neither be hysterical nor fall into paralysis." Steinmeier's office says the meet ing is one of many conversations now taking place, and shouldn't be seen as "an exclusive format."

‘The God Of 2006 Is Not Dead’ Brother to the Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has written an open letter to the embattled Governor currently facing several travails ranging from corruption allegation to striking workers in his state. Mr Issac Fayose who wrote an emotional letter to his Bro. assured him of the divine presence of the Almighty in all situation one find himself while noting that there is nothing too difficult for the good Lord to handle. According to Mr Issac, the Governor has been so out spoken in recent times and it was of no surprise that he is been stoned with this inherent nemesis as the case maybe. He however urged the embattled Governor to remain resilient knowing fully well that God is in total control of the situation. Dear Brother/Father, I am writing you this letter to encourage, strengthen and remind you of this verse of the Holy Bible that says, “If God be with us, who can be against us?” As you read this letter, I pray it gives you strength and co...

President of the Nigerian Football Federation Mr Amaju Melvun Pinnick has stated that the need to start shopping for a concrete coach for the National team is now as such call has become imminent going by the recent world cup qualifying draws which pair Nigeria among several African topnotch. Mr Pinnick who said going to the world cup come 2018 in Russia is non- negotiable for the National team also hinted that an early preparation for the team will aid a better performance when the mundial competition starts eventually.    As for the draws which pair Nigeria along side like Algeria, Cameron and Zambia, the NFF boss stated that one must be prepared to beat a tougher opponent if any team aim at making it to the world cup eventually "I have always said that you have to beat the best to get to the World Cup,” he resolved. Pinnick stated that preparations must begin immediately and “we must make good use of every single day”. “It is a tough draw, but then I have always sai...

 PENDULUM  Fellow Nigerians, the shocking exit of Britain from the European Union has compelled me to choose this important topic today. I had voted on Thursday in London to keep Britain in the EU but the proponents of Brexit won the day, unfortunately. Prior to that important day in the British calendar, I had listened keenly to both sides of the arguments. There were no doubts that each side had their valid reasons for wanting to stay or jet out of the union. But I was more persuaded that Britain stood to gain more by remaining in a larger clime than being a tiny insignificant island on its own, especially now that the world has become a global village due to the advent of the internet, social media and information technology generally. All that is now history. Britain has chosen to take a monumental risk. There is nothing wrong with taking risks. It is part of growing up as a people. They will learn from it in the long run, either positively or negatively. But I lov...

From: Prime Minister Office, 10 Downing Street and  The Rt Hon   David Cameron MP Delivered on: 24 June 2016   (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Location: Downing Street, London First published: 24 June 2016 Part of: EU  referendum Full Statement as Cameron bows out   The country has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise – perhaps the biggest in our history. Over 33 million people – from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar – have all had their say. We should be proud of the fact that in these islands we trust the people with these big decisions. We not only have a parliamentary democracy, but on questions about the arrangements for how we are governed, there are times when it is right to ask the people themselves, and that is what we have done. The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected. I want to thank everyone who took p...

British Prime Minister David Cameron has formally announced his resignation following an historic victory poll that has now set the UK as independent Brexit over their European Counterpart. The British prime minister who prior to this sudden resignation was an adherent of the lead campaign in favor of UK remaining as part of the EU got the knockout after the anti - EU campaign camp group in support of the UK leaving the EU had their way during the just concluded UK referendum scoring a total of 51.9% over the remain camp group who secured a total of 48.1% according to the polls.   He has not set out a full timetable but has suggested a new leader will be in post by October this year meaning a leadership contest will be underway in the summer.The process for electing a new Conservative leader is fairly complex.Candidates must first be nominated by two sitting Tory MPs via a submission to the chair of the 1922 committee Graham Brady. Next Conservative Party leader ...

Former super eagles and Everton ace sensation Joseph Yobo is set to become a part of the Nigeria Professional Football League as he reach an agreement with the League Management Company (LMC). Yobo who recently had his testimonial match revealed that it was imperative to give back to the society who obviously made it possible for them to excel both Nationally and internationally.  Yobo has reached an agreement with the League Management Company (LMC) and will be assigned to a club for the last 12 matches, under the NPFL Elite Players Scheme. Four teams – Kano Pillars, Akwa United, IfeanyiUbah FC and Wikki Tourists – are all fighting to land the former Everton and Fenerbahce defender. “He is looking forward to playing in the league; this is not issue of money because Yobo is very much comfortable. When NFF came up with the idea, he bought it completely and said he cannot wait to start,” a source close to the player told AfricanFootball. “He is very passionate over this and...

FINAL RESULT  41.1%  REMAIN EU 16, 141, 241  51.9%  LEAVE EU      17, 410, 742 Counting progress 100% Last updated 07:30 Midpoint REMAIN                                                LEAVE ENGLAND 46.8%                                  53.2% SCOTLAND 62%                                   38% WALES        48.3%    ...

Following the indefinite strike action been embarked upon by the National Association of Resident Doctors in protest for what they refer to as "poor welfare conditions", the federal government who hitherto issued a directive to all heads of the various federal government health tertiary institution to as a matter of immediate urgency fill the needed vacuum been created by the striking doctors has rescinded its decision as contained in a memo after an emergency meeting held Tuesday night. The meeting which had the speaker of the house of representative in attendance together with the minister of health and leaders of the resident doctors reached a resolution on the way forward.      Also in attendance was Minister of Labour represented by the Permanent Secretary, Salaries and Wages Commission, Chairman of Committee of Chief Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions,  Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of Consultants and Leaders of ...

Following the sexual misconduct complaint filed by the United States Government through her Ambassador to Nigeria Mr James entwistle, the members involved has been in the defense claiming nothing of such happened. The honorable members who were part of a Ten man delegation of the National Assembly that recently traveled to Cleveland, Ohio as part of participants in the international leadership visitor programme on good governance were accused of gross misconduct and social misdemeanor during their stay as participants. The news which went viral got the attention of the speaker on receipt of a formal complaint through the Ambassador of the united states to Nigeria where the said members were formally indicted on sexual misconduct. According to the complaints, the accused Hon. Samuel Ikon (Akwa Ibom PDP), Hon. Mohammed Gololo (Bauchi APC) and Hon. Mark Gbilah (Benue APC) attempted a rape move and also solicited for sex from prostitutes during the programme.  Mr. Gololo was reporte...