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Cilic hopes to end career-best season with Davis Cup title

NAN-S-6
Davis Cup
Zagreb, Nov. 23, 2016 (dpa/NAN) After rising to a career-best number six ranking through solid play at the World Tour Championships in London, Marin Cilic has turned his full attention to the weekend Davis Cup final.

The Croatian hopes to duplicate history from a decade ago when the young Balkan nation won its only title in the worldwide team competition over Slovakia in Bratislava.

Now the battle from Friday is with Argentina, which has come up heartbreakingly short in four previous finals, dating to a first in 1981 against the U.S.

Cilic, who will lead the hosts, said: “I’m extremely excited obviously now. A little bit more positive finishing this tournament with a win. That’s extremely a good thing for me.

“Playing now at home, I guess it’s going to be extremely exciting for the fans, for the players, for both teams.

“The teams are going to make the big difference. The team energy, the team spirit from both teams, I think they were great this year.’’

Argentina will be `quite motivated’ for the final. “We have to do the same in our team. I’m just hoping that our crowd is going to help us and lead us to the win,’’ he said.

Cilic will be backed up by 37-year-old veteran Ivo Karlovic, who `retired’ from Davis Cup in 2012, while 20-year-old Borna Coric is back after injury with the possibility of playing. Ivan Dodig leads the doubles mix.

Argentine are counting on timely form from 38th-ranked Juan Martin del Potro, who skipped the last days of the regular ATP season to return home for intense training.

“They are the favourites, I imagine they will put a very fast surface that will benefit their game, but I will check that once we are in Zagreb,’’ Del Potro said.

“We were also not favourites in the semi-finals against Britain in Glasgow but we ended up surprising everyone – we will look for the same thing.’’

Del Potro has climbed more than 1,000 rankings spots in 2016 after returning from a chronic wrist problems, beating Andy Murray in five sets in the semis.

He will be competing in his third Davis Cup final after losses in 2008 and 2011.

“I closed a spectacular year and this would be a great final prize, I’m really enjoying the build-up,’’ he said.

Argentina captain captain Daniel Orsanic has also called on Federico Delbonis, Guido Pella and Leonardo Mayer for the same line-up that beat Britain in the semis. (dpa/NAN)
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NAN-ELS-6
Rights
By Vezi Isike
Lagos, Nov. 23, 2016(NAN) Ace music mixer and producer, Victor Perez, popularly known as “VC Perez’’, on Wednesday urged relevant authorities in Nigeria to protect citizens against theft of intellectual property.

Perez said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that those who engaged in flouting the law must be punished.

According to him, the relevant agencies are not doing enough to protect artistes and their works from activities of such dubious persons.

“Till date we don’t have a structure in place, how then can our complaints be dealt with?

“Who does not know Alaba is tagged with piracy and since all these years they have known, what has anybody including government done?

“Sometimes I am tempted to ask what our leaders are doing when they fully know what is obtainable in the entertainment industries abroad,” he said.

“We hope there is a way out of this struggle, and that can only be achieved if a lot more is done to secure artistes rights.

“Government has a bigger role to play in ensuring this sector thrives in spite of the challenges, “the producer added.

NAN reports that “VC Perez’’ had produced hit songs for artists like “Baci” of Triple MG, DB records Kay switch, “BOUQUI, E-Daniels’’, Kenny Kore, and others. (NAN)

VOI/ERO/MZA
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ASUU suspends warning strike as academic activities resume at FUT Minna
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Suspension
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Minna, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) Academic Staff Union of University ( ASUU) at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, has resumed lectures at the expiration of the union’s one-week warning strike.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited the university on Wednesday reports that lecturers had resumed academic activities at the two campuses of the institution.
NAN reports that the warning strike called by ASUU was for the resumption of negotiation on the 2009 agreement between the union and the Federal Government.
Dr Suleiman Ndanista, ASUU Branch Chairman in the university, told NAN that the lecturers have returned to their duty posts in line with the union’s directive.
“We have resumed full academic activities as instructed while waiting for the next directive from the national headquarters of our great union,” the ASUU Branch Chairman told NAN in Minna.
He commended the members for complying with the union’s directive which, he said, was geared towards providing conducive teaching and learning atmosphere in the public universities.
He explained that the union would continue to press home their demands until the Federal Government did the needful to make the universities centres of excellence.
A lecturer in the university, Sunusi Abdullahi, lauded his colleagues for suspending the one-week strike and called on the Federal Government to avert unnecessary strike.
“President (Muhammadu) Buhari should demonstrate the political will to once and for all meet the demands of the union,” he said.
Adamu Musa, an undergraduate of Educational Technology, also urged Federal Government to find a permanent solution to ASUU’s industrial action in order to provide qualitative education at the ivory tower.
“Mr President should please listen and meet the demands of ASUU members so as to move the sector to forward,” he added. (NAN)
AAG/OSA/WOJ
(Edited by Shittu Obassa / Wale Ojetimi)
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Leicester midfielder Drinkwater charged with violent conduct

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Drinkwater
London, Nov. 23, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater has been charged with violent conduct for an incident in last weekend’s Premier League match with Watford.

Drinkwater appeared to elbow Watford’s Valon Behrami and though the incident went unnoticed, the FA said on Wednesday it had made the decision after examining video footage.

The midfielder could now face a three-match suspension. (dpa/NAN)
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NAN-H-60
Support
By Remi Bamgbose
Okitipupa (Ondo State), Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) The Ilaje Indigenes Descendants Association, UK chapter, on Wednesday canvassed support for Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the Nov. 26 election in Ondo State.

Mr Bolaji Odidi, the president of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa that the association supported Akeredolu because of his outstanding qualities and honesty in public service.

According to Odidi, Akeredolu is resolute, honest, truthful and he is a special breed politician, who will find it difficult to renege on his electoral promises for the masses.

“Our people have gone through hard times in the last eight years, no jobs, no salary for workers and there is lack of social amenities among other things.

“Akeredolu is an upright person and he possesses the required qualities of leadership; he will surely serve the interest of our people, that is why we support him,” he said.

Odidi, therefore, urged the people to vote for Akeredolu, the APC candidate, who would support and work for their interest. (NAN)

BAA/IKU/YEMI

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni/Yemi Idris-Aduloju

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Divorce
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Lagos, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) A commercial driver, Taiwo Oladepo, on Wednesday prayed an Agege Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his 11-year-old marriage over alleged lack of care and submission by the woman.

Thirty-five-year-old Taiwo, father of four, resides at No. 29, Anthony Nwosu, Ileke Estate., Meiran, Lagos.

He claimed that his 36-year-old wife, Biola, was troublesome, disobedient, not submissive and not caring.

“My wife is too troublesome; she is stubborn, arrogant and not submissive. She is also lazy and wayward.

“There has been no peace in this marriage; we live like cat and rat,’’ he told the court.

The petitioner submitted that his wife went out and returned any time she liked, adding that each time he asked her where she had been, she told him: “Go and ask Google’’.

“I am no longer interested in the union,’’ he submitted.
Responding, Biola, a petty trader, denied the allegations.

She said that the petitioner lacked respect for her and beat her regularly.

“There was a time his friends tried to caution him about his attitude toward me.

“The beating is unbearable but l kept bearing it because of my children,’’ she said.
She added that Taiwo had illicit affairs with different women.

Biola consented to the dissolution of the marriage, but appealed to the court to give her the custody of the children, urging that Taiwo should be responsible for the children’s education and healthcare.

The Court President, Mr Philip Williams, adjourned the case till Jan. 31, 2017 for judgment. (NAN)
LAW/IGO
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(Edited by Ijeoma Popoola)

Victorious Leicester, beaten Tottenham turn focus to Premier League

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Struggle
London, Nov 23, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino vowed late on Tuesday to turn their focus to the Premier League, but for very different reasons.

In their first season in the Champions League, English champions Leicester have excelled in Europe but are struggling at home.

Ranieri’s men assured themselves of a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Club Brugge.

But Tottenham, unbeaten in the league, cannot qualify for the knockout stages after a 2-1 defeat away to Monaco, their third loss in a disappointing Champions League campaign.

Ranieri said it was time to show their European form in the league, where they sit 14th, just two points above the relegation zone.

“It is unbelievable, to be top of the group,’’ Ranieri said. “I am very happy and very proud. I am happy for my players, for my chairman, for the fans – for everybody.

“(Now) our minds must now go on the Premier League because I want to push my players to think about the Premier League.

“We are very close to the relegation and we must play at the same level as the Champions League because when we want to do something we achieve something.

“We must concentrate on the Premier League now.’’

Tottenham, who finished third in the league last season, sit fifth this term, just four points off top spot.

Pochettino said Tottenham now had to show their resilience in the league, starting on Saturday, when they travel to leaders Chelsea.

“It’s true we’re much, much better than we’ve showed in the Champions League but we need to learn that to compete in the Premier League and Champions League demands a lot of mental energy,” Pochettino said. “That’s our challenge for the future.

“Now we need our heads up and to lift ourselves. Chelsea have had a clear week to prepare for us, and now we can start to prepare for Chelsea.

“It’s an advantage but we need to be ready, we need to be strong and like always, to show character and to be competitive.’’ (dpa/NAN)
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NAN-H-19

Fire

Lagos, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) An early morning inferno on Wednesday destroyed 20 rooms in a female hostel at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that fire broke out at a wing of the top floor of the Bakassi female hostel in the school.

It was gathered that the inferno started at about 5.20 a.m. when the school generator was switched on after a power outage.

NAN gathered that three students sustained injuries as a result of commotion that ensued when the inferno started.

The injured students were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Yaba and the General Hospital, Randle Avenue, Surulere.

Dr Ismail Badmus, the Head of Department of the Fire Service in the school, confirmed the incident.

He told NAN that no life was lost, but that some students were injured and taken to government hospitals for treatment.

“The incident happened at Bakassi Female hostel which is a two-wing two-storey building. It was the top floor of one of the two wings of the hostel.

“There was no life lost, but there were some injuries.

“We lost a lot of students’ items like laptops, phones, books and mattresses. You know it is residential hostel; many combustibles are there, which readily catch fire,’’ Ismail told NAN.

He said that the fire was combated with the combined efforts of the college’s fire service department, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire Service and the State Response Unit.

Meanwhile, authorities of the college have suspended all academic activities till further notice following the fire outbreak.

The Rector of the college, Dr Margaret Ladipo, called on the college community to remain calm, promising that the management would find ways of soothing the pains caused by the accident.

“Sequel to the unfortunate fire incident at the Bakassi hostel early this morning, the management has suspended all academic activities till further notice.

“By this notice, all examinations and lectures, especially scheduled for today, have been put on hold while the college attends to the exigency.

“The management regrets the misguided and outright falsehood on the social media and calls to certain radio stations that there was no water on campus to put out the fire,’’ Ladipo said in a statement issued by Mr Charles Oni, Head of Public Relations Unit. (NAN)
OOG/AIB/SOA

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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Oluwole Sogunle

2016 Abuja carnival to commence Dec. 3

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Carnival

By Justina David Auta

Abuja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) The 2016 Abuja Carnival will hold from Dec. 3 to 6, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced on Wednesday.

Grace Gekpe, Director, Entertainment and Creative Services in the ministry, said in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, that the annual event would commence with a street carnival from Eagles Square to Area 1.

She said that the event would also be followed by traditional circus and an opening ceremony on the first day, while Durbar, children fiesta and a cultural night would hold on  Dec. 4.

According to her, a masquerade fiesta, boat regatta and various exhibition of Nigeria’s artefacts would also feature during the annual carnival.(NAN)

JAD/MZA

Edited by Maharazu Ahmed

NAN-H-45

Recession

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Lafia, Nov 23, 2016(NAN) Mr. Philip Shekwo, the Nasarawa state chairman of All Progressive Congress(APC) has appealed to Nigerians to make sacrifices that would supplement the efforts of  President Buhari as he strives to resuscitate the economy.

Shekwo, who made the appeal on Wednesday in Lafia while speaking with newsmen, said the task of improving the living condition of Nigerians must be a collective responsibility for success to be achieved.

He expressed optimism that the policies being implemented by the Federal Government, would soon end the economic recession that had brought untold hardship to the people.

“I want to use this medium to appeal to Nigerians to be patient, prayerful and support the present government as President Buhari strives to fix the economy so as to better the standard of living of the people.

“Sustained prayers by adherents of the two major religions in the country, will definitely assist the president and other elected and appointed leaders to overcome both the economic and security challenges hindering the growth and speedy development of the country,” he said.

On the defection of some politicians in the state from the PDP and other political parties to APC, Shekwo said that such development was heartwarming for APC.

“Anybody that is already in APC and is afraid that the people coming in or defecting to the party will cause problem to the party in 2019 should be rest assured that no such thing will happen.

“If you establish a market and a motor park and nobody comes to buy or sell in the market, or no passenger is patronizing your commercial vehicle, then you have not achieved.

APC is playing the game by the rule, that is why people are defecting from their party to APC,” he added.

The chairman urged Nigerians to be law-abiding and respect constituted authorities for the country to enjoy sustainable peace. (NAN)

BAB/ASH/ASH

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