Blog

1.  Health workshop on pain management by Federal Medical Centre, Enugu.

2. Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, opens 16th regular meeting of the National Council on Women Societies in Kaduna.

3. Chief Medical Director, Jos University Teaching Hospital briefs newsmen on cochlea implants.

4. Commissioner for Women Affairs briefs newsmen in Makurdi on state of Benue Rehabilitation Home.

5. Kogi House of Assembly considers motion asking the state government to initiate school feeding scheme.

6. Speaker, Taraba House of Assembly, briefs newsmen in Jalingo on findings of the House from recent oversight visits to various government establishments.

7. Lioness Club organises free eye screening and surgery programme in Ibadan as part of activities to mark World Sight Day.

8. Trial of former Chief of Air Staff Mohammed Umar for alleged arms procurement scam while in office continues at Federal High Court.

9. Trial on police pension funds scam continues at FCT High Court.

10. Chief Judge of FCT begins jail delivery in prisons in Abuja.

11. Former Plateau governor Joshua Dariye’s alleged N1.16 billion fraud case continues at
an FCT High Court, Gudu.

12. National Judicial Council meeting continues as it enters third day.

13. CAF ‘C’ Licence Coaching Course continues at FIFA Goal Project.

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Crisis
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, Oct. 13, 2016 (NAN) The Local Government Football Chairmen in Plateau have threatened to withdraw Plateau United FC from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) following the crisis rocking the state’s Football Association (FA).

Ajiji Ibrahim, leader of a nine-man group of the chairmen, told newsmen in Abuja that the plan was to ensure that the FA Chairman, Sunday Longbap, resigned his position for not honouring “a gentleman’s agreement’’.

“Plateau United will not be allowed to play in the NPFL next season because we all have stake in the club.

“No league match will take place in the stadium without the local government chairmen because we control football affairs in the state.

“This action will be taken because Longbap refused to honour a gentleman’s agreement which saw him return to office after we passed a vote of no confidence on him in 2013/2014 season.

“I took charge of the office for six months after that vote of no confidence on Longbap but he manipulated his way back to office not minding the gentleman’s agreement,’’ he said.

Ibrahim, who is the Chairman of Jos East Local Government Area, noted that the call for Longbap’s resignation followed a state FA election conducted on Feb. 19, 2015 at which they were disenfranchised.

He said a petition had already been written to the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, and the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The local government chairmen urged the minister and the NFF to wade into the matter to avert football crisis in the state.

According to Ibrahim, the matter is being revived after the NFF intervention plan failed.

“Nine of us were at the glasshouse to lodge a complaint to the former NFF General Secretary, Musa Ahmadu and he assured us that they will look into it.

“He assured us that the NFF will send a delegation to be led by Ibrahim Gusau to the state to settle the matter; we waited and we didn’t see anybody.

“Now, the NFF should come back and revisit what they left undone for the good of football because we will not allow him to continue in office next season as our FA chairman.

“We are submissive to NFF but if they fail to take action, we will send Longbap out of office by force and that is where the main crisis will start,’’ Ibrahim added.

He said that the aim of the group was not to favour any individual or group but for the development of football in the state.

Ibrahim said: “Football has suffered a lot in Plateau and we don’t want it to continue, we want the truth to prevail.

“For us, that election never held; how can an election that the major stakeholders were disenfranchised be called an election?

“Besides, the purported election was conducted as early as 7 a.m. on that faithful day just to exclude us.

“We call that election purported because they didn’t follow any guideline that concerns football on the Plateau; we had this agreement that we should be patient but it appears they are less concerned. (NAN)
EMAF/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

Atletico Madrid are keen to continue atop Spanish Liga

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Atletico
Madrid, Oct. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Practically all football experts in Spain predicted that twin giants Barcelona and Real Madrid would continue with their bipolar hegemony in La Liga this season.

However, the team on top of the greasy pole at the moment is not one of that pair but instead hard-working Atletico Madrid, who are keen to repeat their surprise title snatch-and-grab of three years ago.

“We have not spent the last 10 days staring at the league table. We do not want to attach too much importance to the table so early in the season,’’ Atletico coach Diego Simeone said ahead of Saturday’s home clash with bottom club Granada.

“But I must admit that it is good to be top, above clubs which have a much higher budget than us … Now our aim is to stay up there.’’

Simeone might be tempted to give a rare start to veteran Fernando Torres or even little Angel Correa, given that Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Carrasco returned weary and bruised on Wednesday, after playing two full matches each for France and Belgium respectively.

Griezmann is joint top Liga scorer along with Barca’s Luis Suarez, though he has missed four of his last six penalties for Atletico.

In spite of his spot-kick nightmare, Griezmann has recently convinced almost the entire footballing world of his quality – although compatriot Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich has said: “Griezmann is clearly a good player, but not yet one of the very highest class.

“When he has been at the very top for 10 or 11 years like me, then we will be able to say he is world class.’’

Back on the troubled Granada bench will be old hand Lucas Alcaraz, who has replaced the unpopular Paco Jemez. This will be Alcaraz’s fourth spell at his hometown club.

“What we need here is tranquility and hard work. The situation of a football team can change very quickly, with those two ingredients.’’

Atletico have a better goal difference than neighbours Real, who will be without Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro and Luka Modric for Saturday’s visit to lowly Real Betis.

Bossing the midfield for The Whites will be the elegant Toni Kroos, who extended his contract to 2022 this week.

Also Saturday, stumbling Barcelona will host midtable Deportivo La Coruna.

Barca have made their worst start since 2005, already dropping eight points, and will be without injured full-backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba.

However, Lionel Messi will be ready to return, as will Samuel Umtiti.

Barca are fourth, two points behind the Madrid leaders, and one below third-placed Sevilla, who will visit solid Leganes.

Sunday will see fifth-placed Villarreal host Celta Vigo, and Athletic Bilbao – who are sixth – host Basque rivals Real Sociedad.

The weekend’s other games are Las Palmas v Espanyol, Alaves v Malaga, Sporting Gijon v Valencia and Eibar v Osasuna. (dpa/NAN)
TON
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Boxer Tyson Fury gives sup world titles to focus on medical treatment

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Title
Sydney, Oct. 13, 2016 (dpa/NAN) British boxing world champion Tyson Fury has vacated his three heavyweight titles to focus on his recovery from “a serious medical condition’’ his management said in a statement late on Wednesday.

The step comes after a long break from boxing which Fury took after taking Wladimir Klitschko’s IBF, WBA and WBO belts with a victory in Germany last November.

Since then he has admitted to taking drugs and suffering from manic depression in an interview.

“I’m unable to defend (my titles) at this time and I have taken the hard and emotional decision to now officially vacate my treasured World titles and wish the next in-line contenders all the very best,’’ Fury said in the statement on the website of his management Hennessy Sports.

“I now enter another big challenge in my life which I know, like against Klitschko, I will conquer,’’ he added.

On Monday, the World Boxing Organisation issued a deadline telling Fury to demonstrate why his title “should not be vacated due to inactivity, breach of contract and performance enhancing drugs and stimulants.’’ (dpa/NAN)
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Controlled by Tony Nezianya

Kenya: 10 Kenyan football fans land trip to Emirates Stadium

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Fans
Nairobi, Oct. 13, 2016 (PANA/NAN) Ten Kenyan football fans have earned a dream trip to the Emirates Stadium in London, home to English Premier League (EPL) side Arsenal, courtesy of a top sports betting firm, SportPesa.

The winners won the trip after a month-long competition on the SportPesa platform which started on Sept. 1.

The winners of the ‘Road to Emirates’ competition will get a chance of touring the Emirates Stadium to watch a live Arsenal match and tour London in the U. K.

The ten winners, including an education officer, businessman, security officer and a teacher, were delighted and enthusiastic about the trip after emerging as the lucky ‘chosen few’.

“We thank SportPesa for availing us this opportunity through the competition as most of us will be travelling outside the country for the first time and even boarding an aircraft,’’ they said.

Sportpesa Chief Executive Officer Ronald Karauri said: “We are happy to reward our fans. This is only the beginning. We are planning to have another promotion very soon.

“As SportPesa continues to expand their presence across the African continent, the partnership with Arsenal will help the company to engage with our huge number of supporters across Africa.

“This is one of the many benefits from the SportPesa partnership with Arsenal which sees the company become the Official African Betting Partner of Arsenal with rights of association across the whole of the African continent.’’

He said the fans will be offered a number of club related benefits such as Arsenal official merchandise, tickets to matches and the chance to experience the world class hospitality at the Emirates Stadium.
(PANA/NAN)
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Controlled by Tony Nezianya

NAN-H-127

Welfare

Ikole(Ekiti) Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti has reiterated his commitment to the welfare of the people of the state.

Fayose made this known when he inaugurated  a one kilometer township road dualisation and lighting in Ikole-Ekiti on Wednesday.

he said that his government would continue to work toward infrastructure development across the state.

He stressed that the present administration was people-oriented government and was bound to prioritise the wishes of the people in order to make every nook and cranny of the state feel the impact of government.

He promised to extend the township road rehabilitation in Ikole to Federal Government College junction so that the major road in the ancient town would be motorable.

“It is exactly 8 p.m. in Ikole and it is like a day time, I will do more, I will continue to the FGC and will repair that road and make it motorable,” Fayose promised.

The governor further implored the people, especially those with no voter’s card to go and register in preparation for 2018 governorship election in the state.

He charged the people to be ready to partake in the 2018 election so that the good work he started would continue.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that residents of Ikole trooped out in their hundreds in appreciation of the project.

Though there was no light in Ikole town in the last two weeks but the contractor handling the project brought electric generating plant that powered the street light during the inauguration that lasted for about 30 minutes.(NAN)

DAK/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-126
Shiites
By Thompson Yamput
Jos, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) Capt. Ikedia Iweha, the Spokesman, Military Joint Tasks Force (JTF)
in Plateau said the Shiites Islamic Movement should blame itself for the misfortune of Wednesday morning when they were attacked by irate youths at Aguwan Rogo.

The Shiites building and members were attacked by irate youths when they staged a procession between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to mark the killing of the grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam.

The JTF Spokesman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Jos that the task
force only responded to a distressed call when they arrived at the scene of the attack.

He said “we don’t have anybody in our custody; all we did was to rescue those injured.

“We also gave the injured first aid and released them thereafter.

“For anybody to accuse us of acting on an order from above is ridiculous because there was no such order but we did what we did to maintain the peace.”

But Alhaji Adamu Tsoho, the leader of the Shiites in the state debunked Iwehas claim and called on Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau to call the JTF, the Izala and Falafiaya Islamic sects to order before they set the state on fire.

Tsoho made the call in Jos, saying that the sect’s worship building was attacked by irate youths of Anguwan Rogo in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau.

He claimed that “just when we were to finish our procession as mark of mourning of the brutal killing of the grandson of Holy Prophet of Islam which is an annual event, youths attacked us, with soldiers chasing our members away.

“Our over N2.5 million worship building was attacked with part of it set ablaze and destroyed,
while equipment worth over N1 million were vandalised and carted away,” he alleged. (NAN)
TYC/HA
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(Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-124

Hearing

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Oct.12, 2016 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on Wednesday said it would convene a public hearing to discuss the proposed concession of some airport terminals by the Federal Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee’s Chairman, Mrs Nkieruka Onyejiocha, made the disclosure during the 18-man committee’s inspection visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

NAN reports that the Federal Government had indicated its interest to concession the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports, toward increasing their capacity and efficiency.

Onyejiocha said the committee, during the hearing, would examine the pros and cons of concessioning the airports

She said:” I am one person who doesn’t believe that we should concession the four major airports that we have because I know it is those four airports that are funding the other 18 airports.

“And of course, you have to look at the issue of workers and the Nigerian people as a whole.

“If we concession them and people are going to make money and be okay, why can’t we do it?

“Having said that, I also know that we are going to conduct public hearing where we will take all the issues together.

‘’We will be able to ask Nigerians and of course, the key players in aviation industry, including the workers, and the press to tell us what they think.

“We will also look at the issues of the concession that have been done in the past. We have to evaluate it.

“How has it helped, how did we do it? Did we get any benefit from it? And if we have, then we see where we are going to do the same. If we have not; then why? What are we going to do differently?

“So I believe that very soon, by next week, Nigerian people are going to talk to us on the issue of concession. I don’t want it to be my personal opinion.

“We are going to listen to Nigerians, we are going to listen to stakeholders, we are going to listen to all aviators and we are going to listen to the ministry themselves.”

Onyejiocha also expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work at the new international terminal being constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company at the Lagos airport.

She said that given the current pace of work, the contractors might not be able to deliver the project in December.

“The engineers said they won’t be able to deliver by December, but I want them to know that they should understand that we took loan to build this.

‘’The Chinese government is not going to wait for us because agreements have been signed.

“So, the repayment period will start when it will start unless they go back to drawing board to renegotiate.

‘’You know we have three other terminals that we are hopeful will be delivered by December.

“What it simply means is that Lagos is lagging behind and we will take it seriously,’’ she said.

At the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), she urged the regulatory authority to take urgent steps to ensure more domestic carriers do not collapse.

She said that the recent challenges affecting domestic carriers had attracted their attention.

The chairman called on NCAA to step up efforts to ensure sustainability of the struggling carriers. (NAN)

ASO/DUA/SOA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Oluwole Sogunle
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CJ pardons alleged chicken thief, others in Jimeta prison

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Pardon

By Yakubu Ubah

Yola, Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) The Chief Judge of Adamawa, Justice Ishaya Banu, has ordered the immediate release of nine people including an alleged a chicken thief, Musa Ali, awaiting trial at Jimeta Prison.

Banu gave the order during a jail delivery in the prison on Wednesday.

He ordered that an alleged handset thief, Saidu Mohammed, awaiting trial for several months in In the prison should be freed.

Also released were Tilo Bamaiyi awaiting trial for insulting “an elder”, Ardo Buba for attempting to steal a sign board, Abubakar Ishaku, Rabo Umar, Buba Manu and Mustapha Mohammed arrested for wondering.

The chief judge, however, granted bail to more than 35 suspects.

A total of 681 cases are slated to be reviewed at the ongoing open court sitting in Jimeta Prison. (NAN)
YMU/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha