Author: Isah Mukhtar

1. Oyo State Government commences certification of building plans.
2. The trial of Prof. Benjamin Ogunbodede, former Director of IAR&T, Ibadan, over an alleged N115 million fraud continues at Federal High Court, Ibadan.
3. The management of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, addresses newsmen ahead of the commencement of activities to mark its 2016 convocation ceremony.
4. Technical session of 4th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology begins in Kaduna.
5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs marks 2016 UN humanitarian Day.

   5. Japanese Embassy to hand over healthcare facility to Abaji Area council.

6. All Progressives Congress National Working Committee meets in Abuja.
7. Matches hold in FCT Super League with State House FC playing Beautiful Tours FC and Police Machine FC playing  NYSC FC.

The Nigerian Air Force commences its 2016 Sports Festival.

8. The Chief of Army Staff continues tour of Army formations in the South-South region.
9. ‎The President, National Association of Micro Finance Banks meets with stakeholders in the industry in Abuja.
10. An FCT High Court, Gudu, continues hearing in a land dispute between Freeman Global Link and the Minister of FCT.
11. Supreme Court to hear a murder appeal filed against the State by Terlumen Gibi. (NAN)

Somalia’s “Shabaab’’ seizes third town this month after peacekeepers withdraws

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Militant
Somalia, Oct. 23, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Islamist militant group al Shabaab on Sunday seized control of yet another town in central Somalia.

A militant spokesman and a local official said, It is the third city to fall to insurgents this month.

On Sunday, an Ethiopian contingent abandoned the town of Halgan in the Hiran region, allowing the group’s fighters to enter soon after, said Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s spokesman on military operations.

A military offensive launched in 2014 by AU forces and the Somali army pushed out of major strategic centres, but the insurgents, who once held sway over much of the Horn of Africa country, still control some settlements and rural areas.

The fall of Halgan was confirmed by Dahir Amin Jesow, a member of parliament from the region, who said residents were being subjected to reprisals at the hands of the insurgents.

“Each day, civilians are being beheaded over suspicion that they are government supporters,” he told journalists. “We do not have a government that is effective enough to protect our civilians.”

The reason for the peacekeepers’ withdrawal was not clear. However oficials in Ethiopia were not immediately available for comment.

Reporters say Somalia has been convulsed by instability, conflict and lawlessness since the early 1990s following the toppling of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Propped up by the AU-mandated force known as AMISOM, Somalia’s military and central government have strengthened their grip on the country but a relentless campaign of violence by al Shabaab persists.

The group regularly attacks AMISOM’s troops, which are made up of about 22,000 soldiers and police from African nations supporting Somalia’s government and army.

Reporters say Al Shabaab aim to drive out the peacekeepers, topple Somalia’s Western-backed government and impose a strict version of Islam. (Reuters/ NAN)

Editing by Julius Enehikhuere

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Tourism
Lokoja, Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Grace Olayemi, a tourism expert based in Lokoja, has urged Kogi Government to take full advantage of the tourist and cultural heritage in the state.

She made the call at a seminar on culture and tourism held in Lokoja on Friday.

According to her, Kogi is blessed with many potential that if adequately harnessed, it can improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), create jobs and improve the peoples’ life style.

She said that Kogi had better advantage over other states, noting that the confluence of rivers Niger and Benue was enough to generate revenue for the state.

She explained that all the state needed to put in place was a platform to showcase her tourist centres and ‎wealth would be created.

Olayemi advised the state’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism to scout round the state and take records of tourist sites so that government could do the needful to revive them.

She said government should rise to its responsibility at making sure that no stone was left unturned by taking over every tourist site.

She added that tapping into tourism could help to curb challenges of unemployment in the state.

She then appreciated the organisers of the Obangogo tourist centre kabba, adding that it was a great feat they achieved.

She, however, appealed to the state government to support the programme as it would help at encouraging other communities. (NAN)
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(Edited by Gregory Mmaduakola/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

Paedophilia: Paediatrician warns of rising cases of child sexual abuse, urges vigilance
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Paedophilia
By Joy Mbachi
Nnewi (Anambra), Oct. 21, 2016 (NAN) A consultant paediatrician, Dr George Emechebe, on Thursday called on residents of Anambra to beware of paedophiles in their communities.
Emechebe, of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nnewi that the call was necessitated by the increase in paedophilia in the state.
NAN reports that paedophilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult experiences exclusive sexual attraction to children or has a carnal knowledge of children.
The person who commits the act is called a paedophile and could be either a male or a female.
The paediatrician said he treated no fewer than two paedophile cases every month.
He said that there was a need for cohesive effort to stop the act which is alien to Nigerian culture.
“Victims of paedophiles come with bruises and bleeding from their private parts, having psychological trauma and, most times, contract infections.
“It is expedient for parents and guardians of younger children to be aware of this social ill and protect their children and wards carefully.
“They should monitor their movements and know the people they leave their wards with,’’ he advised.
Emechebe encouraged parents to report any act of paedophile to the nearest police station and take the victims to hospital for medical check immediately.
Speaking on the same issue in a telephone interview with NAN, Dr Lawrence Ikeakor, said the hospital had not recorded such a case.
Ikeakor, Chief Medical Officer, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, said paedophilia was an aberration and a psychological problem.
He said it had a psychological impact on the affected children, noting that victims, oftentimes, found it difficult to adjust in future.
Okafor said that parents should be careful of the custody of their wards, advising that necessary action should be taken instantly in case anything happened.
Mrs Pat Offiah, an aide to Gov. Willy Obiano of Anambra, said that cases of paedophilia were on the increase, adding that government would deal with any offender caught.
“The government will punish any confirmed offender to serve as a deterrent to others.
“Let the public know that it is not a socially acceptable act in the state,’’ Offiah, Obiano’s aide on primary education, told NAN on telephone.
A school proprietor, Mrs Chinwe Anunobi, blamed cases of paedophilia on parents who neglected their primary assignment of taking care of their children for material gains.
Another educationist, Mrs Sharon Mmaduabuchi, said the issue of child sexual abuse was rampant in the state, citing a case of a two-year-old girl who was raped by her uncle.
Mnaduabuchi advised mothers to be on red alert in order to prevent reoccurrence.
The most recently reported case of paedophile in Anambra was that of a pastor who raped a thirteen-year-old boy at the church premises at Ifite, Awka.
Another case in the state was that of an eleven-year-old girl who was raped recently by her elderly neighbour.
In spite of these, there are many unreported cases of child sexual abuse because families of victims fear stigmatisation and the long process of getting justice. (NAN)
JOY/COF/WOJ
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare / Wale Ojetimi)

1. Central Bank of Nigeria starts the disbursement of the Youth Empowerment Development Fund in Abuja.
2. Cancer Education Training, organised by Africa Organisation for Training and Research in Cancer, ends in Abuja.
3. A N100 million alleged breach of fundamental human rights suit instituted against the EFCC by Sen. Adeseun Ayoade comes up at the Federal High Court, Ibadan.
4. Workshop on polio eradication organised by the Osun Ministry of Health holds in Osogbo.
5. Minister of Science and Technology receives European Union Delegation in Abuja.
6. Consolidation of cases against Sambo Dasuki for alleged money laundering and breach of trust comes up at an FCT High Court.
7. Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court to rule on a civil matter between Believers Church of Christ and Tokunbo Adedayo.
8. The National Industrial Court hears a case of alleged termination of appointment filed an aggrieved member of staff against Ecobank.
9. Trial of an aide to former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku, continues at an FCT High Court.
10. Former House of Reps Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Abdulmumumni Jubril application over his suspension in the assembly comes up at Federal High Court, Abuja.
11. Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo attends convocation ceremony of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti. (NAN)

Bayern, Gladbach renew rivalry in Bundesliga after Euro wins

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Rivalry
Berlin, Oct. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich welcome Borussia Moenchengladbach in a classic encounter late on Saturday while Hertha Berlin host Cologne in a clash between surprise packages.

Only in Munich could one defeat in 10 competitive games and a place at the top of the table be considered a mini-crisis but Bayern were under pressure going into Wednesday’s Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.

“It was a good reaction from my players,’’ coach Carlo Ancelotti said of the 4-1 victory which ended a three-game winless streak.

“The attitude was right, the (last drawn) match against Frankfurt was a good lesson for us.’’

Previously Bayern had been held domestically by both Eintracht Frankfurt and Cologne along with losing in Europe at Atletico Madrid.

“It was fun today,’’ forward Thomas Mueller said. “We wanted to turn in a better display than in the last few matches.’’

Gladbach have also had a mixed time of things recently with the frustration of a goalless draw with 10-man SV Hamburg last weekend lifted by a superb 2-0 win at Celtic in the Champions League midweek.

“We put the game on Saturday against Hamburg behind us quickly and only looked forward – this is how we’re going to go on,’’ Andre Hahn said.

Ninth-placed Gladbach remain short of the level reached in their glory days of the 1970s but have offered stiff resistance to Bayern in recent years.

The Foals have lost only once in their last four meetings with the German record champions and have won two of these meetings.

Earlier Saturday eyes will be on the capital where second-placed Cologne visit fourth-placed Hertha with only a point separating the teams. Unbeaten Cologne can even go top – for a few hours at least – with victory.

“At this stage of the season I suppose it is a top match, but in 10 weeks it could all look very different,’’ Cologne coach Peter Stoeger told the club homepage, adding that with his team winless in Berlin since 2009 he would be content with a draw.

Hertha made a positive start to last season before fading to miss out on the Champions League spots so are cautious despite another strong opening.

“We have not set ourselves a table-place as a target rather 45 points,’’ midfielder Mitchell Weiser told the club website.

“This is the task we want to reach. We want to confirm or even improve our efforts from last season.’’

Third-place RB Leipzig do not play until Sunday when they host improving Werder Bremen before Germany’s Europa League representatives, Schalke and Mainz, face off in Gelsenkirchen.

The weekend action opens on Friday with winless Hamburg in desperate need of a victory at home to Frankfurt.

The northerners are the only original Bundesliga club never to have been relegated but, sitting 17th and having scored only twice, already seem set for another battle for survival.

“That we haven’t scored so many goals at the minute is known to everyone.’’ coach Markus Gisdol said.

“That’s in the papers every day. Of course we’re working on this topic.’’

Saturday’s other games are Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim, bottom-club Ingolstadt v Borussia Dortmund, Freiburg v Augsburg and Darmstadt v Wolfsburg, led by interim coach Valerien Ismael after the departure of Dieter Hecking this week. (dpa/NAN)
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Rampant Spanish leaders Atletico to visit solid Sevilla

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Atletico
Madrid, Oct. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Normally the big match every weekend in Spain features either Barcelona or Real Madrid, with the media almost completely focused on the two giants.

Not this time.

The big clash will be Sunday’s duel between third-placed Sevilla and leaders Atletico Madrid, both of whom are in exceptional form.

Sevilla won 1-0 at Dynamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday while Atletico prevailed by the same score at Rostov on Wednesday.

“Everything is going well for us at the moment. We have to carry this good form into Sunday’s game against Atletico,’’ Sevilla winger Vitolo said.

Atletico have won their last five games, and triumphed 3-0 at Sevilla last season.

However, coach Diego Simeone is not completely happy with his team, saying on Wednesday: “We were not particularly sharp tonight, to be honest.

“We were too anxious and tense. If we play like this against Sevilla, then we are going to have problems.’’

Kevin Gameiro is likely to return to the Atletico attack, to the detriment of Fernando Torres, while Nicolas Gaitan is likely to come in for fellow Argentine Angel Correa.

Atletico are still unbeaten and have conceded a miserly three goals in eight matches.

They are top on goal difference, above a Real Madrid side also in good form, as Tuesday’s 5-1 slaughter of Legia Warsaw confirmed.

At home to sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Real will again be without midfielders Casemiro and Luka Modric, though Marcelo and James Rodriguez are now fit again.

Bossing the midfield for the Whites will be Germany’s Toni Kroos, who has extended his contract in Madrid until 2022.

Real will be hoping for an improvement in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has so far scored only two goals in La Liga.

Sunday’s other games are Celta Vigo v Galician rivals Deportivo La Coruna, Malaga v Leganes and unbeaten Villarreal v Las Palmas.

Saturday will see Barcelona trying to confirm their resurgence at Valencia, for whom new coach Cesare Pranelli made a winning start last week at Sporting Gijon.

Barca will make the trip with a rejigged defence because of injuries to Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba. However, Sergi Roberto is fit to return at right-back.

Leading the Barca attack will be the reborn Lionel Messi, who confirmed his return to fitness on Wednesday with his 37th hat-trick for Barca in the 4-0 destruction of Manchester City.

“Whoever had any doubts about Messi’s fitness and form has been proved wrong. He was wonderful tonight,’’ Barca coach Luis Enrique said.

Last season, Valencia took four points off Barcelona, who never have an easy time of it in old Mestalla.

The weekend’s action will start Friday with Osasuna against fellow strugglers Real Betis.

In addition to the Valencia-Barca clash on Saturday will see Espanyol v Eibar, Granada v Sporting Gijon and Real Sociedad v Alaves. (dpa/NAN)
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NAN-S-18
Semi-finals
By Franklin Ohaegbu
Lagos, Oct. 20, 2016 (NAN) Top male seed, Enrique Lopez-Perez of Spain sent off Poland’s Maciej Smola in two sets to berth in the semi-finals of the ongoing Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis at Onikan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lopez-Perez defeated Smola, seeded eight in two sets 7-6, 7-5 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

The match lasted for one hour 45 minutes as the top seed served his ball deep into his opponents half of the court.

Lopez-Perez told NAN that he has his eyes on winning the second leg and would not allow anyone to get on his way.

“My game today was not an easy one; my opponent was determined to win the game.

“But because I am focused on winning the second leg, I didn’t want to leave anything to chance,’’ he said.

Reacting, Smola said that he had hoped to win but gave up when his opponent broke his serve in the tie break.

Meanwhile, Calvin Hemery, number two seed had a tough match against Boy Westerhof of the Nederland in another quarter-finals game.

Hemery defeated Westerhof in three sets, winning 2-6, 7-5 and 6-1 in two hours.

In the females’ match, Bulgaria’s Julia Terziyska, seeded seven, defeated number four seed, Valeriya Strakhova of Ukraine in two sets 6-0, 6-4 to qualify to the semi-finals.

Conny Perrin, number three, seed defeated Tessah Andrianjafitrimo, winner of the second leg of the 2015 edition in three sets, 6-4, 1-6 and 6-4.

Slovenia’s Tadeja Majeric, seeded two defeated unseeded Fatma Al Nabhani in three sets 4-6, 6-1 and 6-4.

NAN reports that the players, who came from 39 countries of the world, are vying for ranking points and the 50, 000 dollars prize money in the men and women’s events.

The grand finale of the second leg will hold on Oct. 22 with Gov. Ambode Akinwunmi of Lagos State present. (NAN)
FOE/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

Driver remanded in Lagos prison over alleged manslaughter

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Driver
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, Oct.  20, 2016 (NAN) A 42-year-old driver, Alex Unubun, who allegedly drove his car recklessly and killed a man, was on Thursday remanded in prison on the order of an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Unubun, who lives at Ajah area of Lagos, is standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on reckless driving and manslaughter.

According to Prosecutor Ingobo Emby, the accused committed the offences on Oct. 18 at about 8.20 a.m. on Bourdilon Road by link bridge, Ikoyi, Lagos.

“The accused drove a KIA Sorento car with registration no. LND 933 EC in a reckless and dangerous manner on a public highway and caused the death of a man, Benji Momodu.’’

Emby said the accused also damaged SUV car marked GCE 117 DG valued at N4 million, belonging to Mr Ademola Oluwaseun.

The offences contravened Sections 19 (1), 20 and 29 of the Road Traffic Law, Laws of Lagos State, 2012.

The accused denied the charge.

 The Magistrate, Mr W. B. Balogun, granted him a N2 million bail with two sureties in like sum, one of who must be a close relation of the accused.

He, however, remanded the accused in prison custody pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). (NAN)

OCC/ENN/DA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Dele Akinsola

Guardiola will stick to playing style in spite of hefty Barcelona loss

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Guardiola
London, Oct 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said his side’s 4-0 Champions League defeat at Barcelona will not have any impact on his style of play.
Guardiola has instilled in his City side the same kind of style he used to great success at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, which includes asking the goalkeeper to pass the ball instead of kicking long.
City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was sent off for handball early in the match, having tried to play the ball out of defence rather than clearing his lines.
A hat-trick from Lionel Messi, the 37th of his Barcelona career, helped the Catalan side easy to victory but Guardiola said he would always play the same way.
“There will be no change,’’ he said. “Until the last day of my career as a coach I will try to play from our keeper.
“Sometimes there are mistakes and sometimes you have to kick the ball out, but most of the time, when we play good, it starts from there.’’
Guardiola refused to blame Bravo for his error but said City were still a work in progress at Champions League level.
“We lost the game 4-0, but we are a new club, we are getting to know each other,’’ he said. “We are a club that for 35 years was not in Europe.
“We came here and played with huge personality but it is always difficult to play Barcelona with 11. With 10 the game was over. Until then the game was open.’’ (dpa/NAN)
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