Soccer: I’ve always refused alcohol, says Toure after accepting drink-driving charge

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Toure
London,  Dec. 13, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure admitted on Tuesday to being over the legal limit following a drink-driving conviction.

According to him, he had no explanation for the reading after saying he does not consume alcohol because of his religious beliefs.

Toure was arrested in London on Nov. 28 and was given an 18-month ban and an income-related fine of 54,000 pounds ($68,600) at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The 33-year-old Ivorian issued a statement on his personal website, saying he had not intentionally drunk alcohol but shed no light on how he gave an illegal reading.

“I have always refused alcohol. Anyone who knows me or follows football will have seen me refuse champagne for Man of the Match performances because of my commitment to my religion,’’ Toure said.

He added that he decided not to challenge the charge because he was above the allowed limit.

“However, it was important to me that I told the court that I had not intentionally consumed alcohol.

“The judge in his sentencing remarks accepted that I had not been intentionally drinking,’’ Toure said.

“Drink-driving is a serious crime and even though I was not intentionally consuming alcohol I accept the ban and fine and I would like to apologise for this situation.’’

Toure has had a troubled year at City after fallout with coach Pep Guardiola left him on the sidelines for three months.

He returned to the first team on Nov. 19, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, and played in a 2-1 victory at Burnley two days before his arrest. (Reuters/NAN)
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(Editing by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

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By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Dec. 13, 2016 (NAN) Eleven Sports, an international broadcasting firm, has won the broadcast right for the World Baseball Classics scheduled for 2017 in Chinese Taipei.

An online portal, Insidethegames on Tuesday said that the competition which was the most watched baseball event in Chinese Taipei would feature the best 16 teams in the world.

It said the teams are South Korea, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, China, Cuba, Japan and Dominican Republic.

Others are Canada, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Italy and the host Chinese Taipei.

The statement said that Eleven Sports would show up to 45 live matches from the tournament across their platforms.

According to the statement, Danny Menken, Managing Director of the firm, describes the hosting right as a major achievement for the firm.

“Acquiring the rights to the World Baseball Classics is a major achievement, and we are excited to bring one of the most important sports properties in Chinese Taipei to the fans.

“With the world’s best teams and players on show, the tournament promises to be a fantastic one.

“We are sure fans in Chinese Taipei will love following their country’s progress with our fully localised coverage.’’

Twelve of the participating teams qualified based on their performances at the 2013 tournament with Australia, Mexico, Colombia and Israel coming through qualifying to earn their spots. (NAN)
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(Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Peter Ejiofor)

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Infrastructure
By Simon Akoje
Lagos, Dec. 13, 2016 (NAN) An industrialist, Mr Kuti George, on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to fix the ailing infrastructure which was impeding the expansion of manufacturing companies in the country.

George, the chairman, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the slow pace of expansion of manufacturing was linked to infrastructure gap in the economy.

He said it was appalling that there was no clear cut road map in fixing the infrastructural gap contending with businesses.

“It is disturbing that infrastructure such as   modern railway networks cannot be seen in the country, considering the size of the economy,’’ George said.

He also urged the government to address the challenges of electricity by developing other sources such as renewable energy.

“Harnessing the prospect of renewable energy can be the solution to the problems confronting industrialisation in the country.

`This model has been used successfully in other advanced countries, and we cannot be an exception to this,’’ the NASSI chairman said.

He said that an industrial park could   transform and bring economic development to various parts of the country.

“The need for an industrial park will lead to the emergence of new businesses and unemployment challenges will be gradually resolved.

“Even, the vicinity where the parks are situated will witness unprecedented development,’’ George said. (NAN)
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Olagoke Olatoye

Red Cross warns that thousands are in danger in east Aleppo

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Danger
Beirut, Dec. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Thousands of lives are in danger in eastern Aleppo, where a worsening humanitarian catastrophe is taking place, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned as fighting continued on Tuesday.

“We urge the parties to consider the fate of civilians trapped by the ongoing fighting and do their utmost to spare and protect them. This may be the last chance to save lives,” read a statement by the ICRC.

“In order for this to happen, we appeal to the parties to put humanity ahead of military objectives”, said the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Marianne Gasser, who is currently in Aleppo.

Syrian government troops and their allies militias made major advances on Monday, leaving the rebels in control of less than 3 per cent of their enclave in Aleppo.

Opposition leaders and people inside eastern Aleppo fear deadly reprisal by the Syrian government. Unarmed activists and medics in particular are concerned.

“The news out of eastern Aleppo is catastrophic … people have to be saved or else they will be massacred by the regime and their allies when they reach them,” Samir al Nashar, a Syrian opposition figure, who is originally from Aleppo, told dpa.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory chief, Rami Abdel Rahman, said that around 60 people were killed either in regime fire or shelling in the neighbourhood of al-Faradous after government troops took over the area from the rebels on Monday.

Even as the people in eastern Aleppo appealed for international help, some residents of government-held western Aleppo and other parts of Syria were celebrating the apparent defeat of the rebels in the key northern city. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

Pakistan national airline chairman resigns following crash

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Resignation
Islamabad, Dec. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chairman Azam Saigol, has resigned in the wake of a crash last week that killed all 48 people on board, officials said onTuesday.

Saigol resigned late Monday, PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani said.

“The PIA chairman resigned due to personal reasons,” Gilani said.

The chairman had worked on a pro bono basis, without salary or perks, since his appointment in May, he added.

On December 7, a PIA flight to Islamabad from the tourist resort of Chitral crashed, killing everyone on board the small ATR-42 plane. Three foreign nationals, two from Austria and one from China, were among the dead.

PIA faced tough questions about adopting international safety standards and procedures after the crash, which came after financial losses and accusations of mismanagement, according to media reports.

Earlier this year, the Pakistani government tried to sell 25 per cent of PIA’s shares to offset financial losses that had piled up over the years, according to reports.

The plan was abandoned after a strong protest by the company’s employees and opposition political parties.

On Monday, PIA grounded its ATR fleet and started the process of so-called “shakedown” tests of all 10 planes, Gilani said.

The decision to ground the fleet came after another ATR-42 airplane encountered technical issues at take-off Sunday night.

Pakistan aviation experts have begun a probe into the crash of the ATR-42 plane with the help of a French team, officials said. (dpa/NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikkhuere)

CIBN in pact with 50 varsities, polys on curriculum development
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CIBN
By BukolaAdetoye
Lagos, Dec. 12, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Segun Ajibola, President, Charterred Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), says the Institute has established linkage agreements with about 50 universities and polytechnics in Nigeria on curriculum development.

Ajibola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that the linkage agreements were aimed at streamlining CIBN’s curriculum with those of the respective universities and polytechnics.

“The linkage agreement is to train the young students and blend their respective training in universities and polytechnics with the CIBN’s professional curriculum.

“What we intend to achieve is that as they are graduating with either B.sc or HND, within a space of time, they just need to write a few papers to become chartered bankers,’’ the CIBN president said.

According to him, the CIBN has also started postgraduate programmes in over 20 universities with a view to build capacities at various levels of the country’s banking industry.

Ajibola said that the CIBN has trained and certified about 3500 management staff of microfinance banks as part of its 16 certification programmes covering all areas of banking.

The CIBN president noted that the major crisis facing the nation’s banking industry was skill gap and dearth of experienced and competent hands.

He said that the Institute has introduced Continued Compulsory Professional Development for its members to bridge the skills gap.

Ajibola said that the CIBN has inaugurated a new body of bank chief executive officers under a new leadership to ensure effective communication among practitioners, operators and regulators and government.

He said that the CIBN would soon introduce new radio and television programme – You and Your Banker – where members of the public could dialogue with experienced hands in banking industry.

“We’ll be bringing authorities and personalities in banking industry on radio and television to communicate directly with citizens at the grassroot in the language they understand in anything banking.
“New concepts are coming into banking lexicon in recent times and the dictionary is getting bigger and bigger every day.
“So we need to continually enlighten the man on the street concepts such as TSA, BVN, for instance,’’ The CIBN president said. (NAN)
(OBA/WOJ)
(Edited by Wale Ojetimi)

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Sacrifice
By Kola Adeyemi
Eid-el-Maulud: Bello urges sacrifice, love among Nigerians
Lokoja, Dec. 11, 2016 ( NAN) Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has urged Muslims in country to emulate the life of sacrifice and love exhibited by Prophet Mohammed during his lifetime .

Bello, who made the admonition in a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday to commemorate the Eid-el-Maulud, said Muslims should show love to their neighbours and be part of efforts to ensure peace and orderliness in the society.

The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mrs Petra Akinti-Onyegbule, also expressed the need for Nigerians to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of good, justice and equity.

“The best birthday gift to Prophet Muhammed is for all to strive to build an egalitarian society where equity, justice and fairness are the cornerstones,” the statement said.

Bello promised that he would continue to lead Kogi State with the fear of Allah, admonishing the people to fear Allah and avoid anti-social practices that could jeopardise the “peace and well-being of the society’’.

“I urge all Kogites and Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of Prophet Muhammed by promoting peace and stability in the society.

“In a time like this, leaders must eschew selfishness and contribute to the well-being of the people.

“All Muslims must strive to promote peace across the world, for that was the ideal Prophet Muhammad lived for,” Bello said.

The governor reassured the people of his readiness to banish poverty and underdevelopment from the state.

According to him, civil servants will soon start to reap the benefits of the civil service reforms embarked upon by his administration. (NAN)
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)

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Safety
By Yemi Adeleye
Lagos, Dec.11, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), on Sunday urged road users to maintain reasonable speed limit and imbibe safety precautions to see 2017 and beyond.

The Sector Commander of FRSC, in Lagos state, Mr Hyginus Omeje, gave the advice at a road safety awareness talk organised by Later Rain Assembly, a church, in conjunction with the commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was also held in conjunction with Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) and the Nigeria Police.

Omeje, who was represented by Mrs Bisi Sanusi, Deputy Route Commander in the sector also called on motorists to observe all safety regulations and be in right frame of mind before putting their vehicles on road.

“FRSC first message to road users is for them to go and process their genuine driver’s license; this is the document that authorises anyone to drive on the road in the first place.

“Drivers should ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition, especially at this festive season when our roads will be busier.

“Road users should be in the right frame of mind to avert accidents during the yuletide, drivers should do away with speed because it thrills but kills fast.

“We need to kill speed for road users to see 2017 and beyond,’’ Omeje said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the theme for the 2016 Ember Months campaigns is “Crash the crash, speed kills’’.

The FRSC boss warned drivers against overloading and taking alcohol stressing that, “If you must drink don’t drive, if you drive, don’t drink’’.

Omeje also urged parents to enure that their children use seat belt properly but reminded them that children under 12 years were not allowed to stay in front of vehicle.

He also urged drivers to do medical checks such as vision to determine their suitability to drive vehicle as well as ‘’to stay alive and also enable others to stay alive.’’

Mr Austin Nwosu, a Security Expert, Later Rain Assembly, emphasised the need for people, particulary road users to imbibe safety attitudes.

“Our actual purpose is to tell the road users the need to imbibe safety precautions on the road as we approach Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“This safety awareness talk is to tell the road users, especially the commercial drivers, requirements that can make our road safe and prevent loss of lives.

“Compliance to safety regulations is the most important thing; we pray this audience and other drivers comply with the rules.

“If they comply, loss of lives on the highways will be stemmed and our environment secured,’’ Nwosu said.

Nwosu, who called on the Federal Government to increase effort in rehabilitating roads to reduce carnage, also urged agencies charged with responsibility of maintaining roads live up to their mandates.

Mr Blessing Adesanya, an official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ogba said that the union had been sensitising its members on the need to limit speed while driving.

He urged FRSC and other traffic agencies to sensitise drivers on the need to limit their speed while on wheel at all times. (NAN)
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Suicide bomb kills at least 29 at Somalia’s main port- police

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Blast
Mogadishu, Dec. 11, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) A suicide truck bomb hit the entrance of Somalia’s biggest port on Sunday, killing at least 29 people, police said.

The attack has been claimed by Islamist al Shabaab militants.

The fighters said they were trying to disrupt protracted parliamentary elections – part of efforts to rebuild the fractured nation after decades of war. The three-month vote is due to end on Dec. 29.

Gunfire rang out after the blast at Mogadishu Port, Mohamed Hussein, a worker there, told Reuters. Two others said work had been halted and staff sent home.

The bodies of victims lay strewn outside the capital’s terminal in a street filled with rubble from damaged tea shops.

“At least 29 civilians died and 50 others have been injured in the blast. We believe it was a suicide truck bomb,” police officer Colonel Abdikadir Farah told Reuters.

Al Shabaab’s military operation spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, told Reuters that the blast was aimed at police officers stationed close to the port.

“We killed 30 security forces and injured 50. We targeted them because they had been trained to provide security at so-called elections,’ he said.

Al Shabaab’s insurgency aims to drive out African Union peacekeepers, topple Somalia’s western-backed government and impose its strict version of Islam on the Horn of Africa state.

Around 14,000 people representing Somalia’s federal states have been chosen to pick the 275 lawmakers. Those members of parliament will choose a new president.

The government, UN officials and international donors have said security issues prevented a broader vote.

Al Shabaab had accused the presidential and parliamentary candidates of being foreign stooges. (Reuters/ NAN)

(Edited by Julius Enehikhuere)

IS retakes control of Syria’s ancient Palmyra

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Attack
Cairo, Dec. 11, 2016 (dpa/ NAN) Islamic State forces took control of Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra once again on Sunday, the second time they have claimed the city in days and more than eight months after the radical militia was ousted by government forces, a monitoring group reported.

Islamic State fighters seized the historic city, its airport and a castle located outside Palmyra despite intense airstrikes by regime jets and those of its ally, Russia, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added.

The militants’ breakthrough comes hours after the air bombardment forced them to leave Palmyra following a brief takeover late Saturday.

Some 120 regime troops and allied militiamen were killed in fierce clashes with Islamic State fighters, the Observatory said.

Dozens of extremists were also killed and injured in the violence, according to the watchdog.

Counter attacks by IS compelled regime forces to retreat from Palmyra to the desert on the city’s south-western outskirts, it added.

Syria’s state news agency SANA, said that the army was engaged in fighting against IS on the edges of Palmyra.

“The army units are repulsing an attack launched by large numbers of Daesh terrorists from several directions,” SANA said, using an Arabic acronym for IS.

The agency did not comment on reports that Palmyra, which lies in the central province of Homs, had fallen again to IS.

In late March, government forces recaptured Palmyra, which IS had seized in May 2015, wreaking havoc on the city’s famed monuments. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by Julius Enehikhuere