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Djokovic
New York (U.S.), Sept. 3, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Novak Djokovic sweated his way to a 6-3 6-4 6-3 fourth round win over Joao Sousa as the heat returned to the U.S. Open on Monday.

The victory sets up a potentially mouth-watering quarter-final meeting with Roger Federer.

Djokovic did his part improving his perfect record in U.S. Open fourth round contests to 11-0 leaving it to Federer.

The Swiss will take on Australian John Millman in the late contest on Arthur Ashe Stadium court to give the fans what would be a hotly anticipated matchup.

A Federer versus Djokovic clash would provide the perfect contest to propel the U.S. Open into the second week, with the two champions having claimed seven titles at Flushing Meadows between them.

Sousa arrived at the season’s final Grand Slam in dreadful form having lost his last seven matches.

But he suddenly found his game on the Flushing Meadows hard courts knocking off two seeded players, number 12 Pablo Carreno Busta and number 17 Lucas Pouille, on route to the last 16.

The first Portuguese player to reach the fourth round of any Grand Slam, the 68th ranked Sousa never looked a threat to progress any further.

The biggest concern for Djokovic might well have been the conditions as the heat returned to New York after a few days of relief.

Through his opening round matches Djokovic and his play both suffered under a blazing sun and with temperatures once again nudging into the 90s Fahrenheit (32 Celsius).

The sixth seed went off court two sets and 2-1 up for a medical evaluation.

The 13-times Grand Slam winner had made easy work of the opening set, breaking Sousa twice, the second time to close out set.

Things grew tougher in the second as a sluggish Djokovic laboured before again clinching the set with a break.

As the temperatures rose so did the tempers, both players engaging in animated arguments with chair umpire James Keothavong over points.

Djokovic, however, was able to keep is cool just long enough to finish off Sousa with another late break. (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo

Chevening

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Paul Arkwright, has said that 53 Nigerians have been awarded Chevening scholarships for 2018.

Arkwright said this at a dinner organised for the beneficiaries of the scholarship and Chevening Alumni in Abuja on Monday.

He told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the beneficiaries were selected out of no fewer than 6, 000 applications, adding that the number of awardees had increased from 43 in 2017.

“Last year we had 43 and this year it is an increase of 10, to 53 which is great; it means that the standard is very high because over 6, 000 people applied for Chevening Scholarship this year.

“To get 53 scholarships this year is a real bonus and it is wonderful that so many young, intelligent and bright Nigerians want to study in the UK.

“Over 6, 000 applications, this is the highest number anywhere in the world actually.”

He said that 40 per cent of recipients were females and that five out of the 53 scholarships were awarded to people with disabilities.

The envoy disclosed that only one person with disability had been awarded the scholarship in the last 20 years in Nigeria.

“We have increased the number of women from 33 per cent to 40 per cent; our target next year is 50 per cent.

“It is so important that Nigeria encourages girls to go into education. There are 12 million Nigerian children who do not go to school and the majority, are girls and women.

“It is therefore really important that we do everything we can to encourage girls to get the education they need.”

He expressed hope that Nigeria would get a good proportion in the increase of the scholarships to 100 in Africa as recently announced by British Prime Minister, Mrs Theresa May.

Arkwright also said that no fewer than 15, 000 Nigerian students were currently studying in different universities in the UK, adding that a lot of people were taking advantage of British universities.

“I would like to increase that number. Britain is a very welcoming place for students. We like to encourage more people to apply,” he added.

Miss Tinuoluwa Adelegan, Senior Communications Officer of the high commission and a past recipient of the scholarship, said the main focus of the awards was to develop young leaders globally.

Adelegan was awarded a scholarship at Leeds Business School for the 2016/17 academic year.

“The opportunity Chevening scholarship gives is to experience global best practices; it is not just about the UK but people get to mix and learn from others.

“There are leaders that are willing to make a difference, and that is why with Chevening you must come back to your country to make the difference.”

She encouraged more women to apply for the scholarship and advised the new scholars to make the most of the opportunity given to them through the scholarship.

One of the scholarship awardees, Miss Lilian Umeakunne, who is also a crop farmer, said she got a scholarship to study Food Security in the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

“The process of applying for the scholarship takes you through a path of self-discovery and you do not have to know anybody to apply.

“I had to search within, know what exactly I wanted to do with my life to try to answer the four essay questions, gave examples of the work I had done, the impact and results achieved during the interview.”

Umeakunne said she had spent more than six years working with women farmers and hoped to apply her new skills to address challenges faced in the agriculture sector.

She added that she was a first-time applicant.

Another recipient, Mr Damian Ohienmhen, who is a co-founder of Nugenesis Energy, was also awarded a Masters scholarship in Sustainable Energy at the University of Glasgow.

Ohienmhen said he had applied for the scholarship for three consecutive years before being finally rewarded.

“I was fortunate to be selected for the interview; I actually applied three times in a row and I was always rejected.

“No one tells you why but I realised that my application became stronger each time I applied and I am glad because I grew as a person and my desire to study in the UK gained greater clarity.

He advised aspiring applicants and those whose applications were not accepted not to be discouraged.

The Chevening Scholarships Programme commenced in 1983 as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Awards Scheme and is funded by the British Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

TOP/OPI

By Tukur Muntari

Rejection
Kano, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party in Kano state, has rejected in totality the purported dissolution of the state executive committee by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Mr Sarki Labaran, a chieftain of the party declared the stand of party stakeholders while addressing hundreds of supporters who converged on the state Headquarters of the party on Monday in Kano.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Labaran spoke on behalf of the executive committee members of the party who were also present at occasion.

He said it was unfortunate that the PDP National Working Committee took the decision despite the court order retraining it from taking the action.

“The Peoples Democratic Party in Kano state has rejected the dissolution of the state executive committee as the action was a complete violation of the court order which was issued on Aug. 28.

He wondered why the National Working Committee of the party took the decision knowing fully well that the state party leaders were elected to serve a four year tenure.

“The state party leadership including its elders and all other stakeholders have condemned the action in its entirety and will not accept the injustice,” he said.

He accused former governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso who defected to PDP from APC of trying to have full control of the party in the state for his selfish interest.

“The party has been doing very well before Kwankwaso and others joined the party. He want to cause problem to the party,” he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Gambo Sallau challenged the National leadership of the party to come out and explain reasons behind the dissolution of the state executive committee of the party.

NAN reports that the occasion was attended by various party stakeholders including state Deputy chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim KT, Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Musa Danbirni as well as gubernatorial aspirants, among others.

NAN recalls that a Kano State High Court presided over by Justice N S. Umar, had on Aug. 28, restrained the National and state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from restructuring Kano state chapter of the party.

However, despite the court order, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP on Friday dissolved the Kano State Executive Committee of the party under Sen Mas’ud El-Jibril Doguwa.

The NWC of the party announced the dissolution of the Kano Executive committee in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Friday in Abuja.
No reason was also given for the action which had generated a lot of controversy and plunged the party into crisis. (NAN)
MTM/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Amnesty
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has called on the Federal Government to grant amnesty to political office holders accused of looting the nation’s treasury.
Umahi made the call on Monday in Abakaliki when he declared open the anti-corruption, ethics and integrity training organised by Anti Corruption Academy of Nigeria for local government officials in Ebonyi.
He expressed concern over the number of unresolved corruption cases and blamed the development on “wrong approach” by various anti-graft agencies.
“Ebonyi is determined to inaugurate an anti-corruption office because corruption remains the bane of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.
“The Federal Government should, however, be commended for its visible efforts in the fight against corruption in the country,” he said.
The governor charged the anti-graft agencies to be resolute and firm in the discharge of their duties and resist political manipulation.
He said that granting amnesty to individuals facing corruption charges would enable the government to recover stolen funds.
He said the fear of the anti-corruption agencies had sent several treasury looters into hiding their loot.
“We have so much of the looted funds either trapped in foreign banks, buried at cemeteries or underground and destroyed by termites,” the governor said.
He advised the Federal Government to negotiate with suspects to enable them to surrender at least 70 per cent of the looted funds or invest the entire loot in the country.
The governor said the training was designed to enlighten participants on the most effective way to fight corruption and ensure the overall development of the state.
Earlier, a representative of the Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Mrs Rose Okoduwa, said the training was intended to bring the anti-graft crusade closer to the grassroots.
“We intend using the local government officials as vehicles of social re-engineering,” Okoduwa said.
She commended the anti-corruption stance of the state government and admonished council officials to shun corrupt tendencies.
“This will help to ensure that democracy dividend gets to the grassroots,” she said. (NAN)
RCO/USO/JCE
Edited by Sam Oditah/Chukwudi Ekezie

By-election

By Cecilia Ijuo

Abuja, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) Winner of Katsina North Senatorial election, Rep. Ahmad Kaita, said contrary to insinuations, outcome of the election would not affect his relationship with his brother.

Kaita, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), contested the election against his elder brother, Kabir Kaita, who was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He told newsmen in Abuja the result of the poll would not stir trouble in their family, saying they were from an enlightened and politically-exposed family.

“A family of about 26 graduates out of 30 and we have been a political family historically.

“My father was a member of the House of Assembly in Kaduna State and he was about to contest for the Senate when there was a coup.

“It has always been a liberal family and people can key into what they believe in.

“Our relationship as brothers remains intact. He has congratulated me and I have accepted his congratulations.

“His party even wanted to go to court but he said they should not.”

On allegations of vote-buying in the state, Kaita, who currently represents Kusada/Ingawa/Kankia constituency in the House of Representatives, denied it and said “it was naive for anybody to think that he won through vote-buying|”.

He said that his victory was as a result of his achievements as well as President Muhammadu Buhari’s integrity.

He said “how could anyone imagine that a man (Buhari) that is so loved by his people would have a contestant under his party, representing his constituency, buying votes.

“The people have spoken. My election only shows that once you are doing the right thing your people will definitely reward you.

“I am very grateful to them and I assure them that whatever I have been doing that made them to elect me out of 11 contestants during the primaries and my eventual emergence as the winner, I will redouble my effort.”

On the late Sen. Bukar Mustapha, whose seat he has been elected to occupy, the lawmaker said “he was a nice person. He did more than what people thought he did.

“We only began to know this after his death. I want to consolidate on his gains and continue from where he stopped.

“Mind you this is a golden constituency; the people are not expecting less. So it is a double challenge for me.

“First of all, there was someone who was doing his best; secondly, it is the President’s constituency.

“But, I think it is doable. I have done it in my own little way in the House and I hope to do more in the Senate.

The by-election for the Katsina North Senatorial District was necessitated by the death of Sen. Mustapha Bukar, which occurred on April 4, 2018. (NAN)

CJM/OPI

Medical Council inducts 120 medical doctors from LAUTECH

Induction

By Akeem Abas

Ogbomoso, (Oyo state), Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), has inducted 120 new medical doctors trained by the College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, the Registrar of the Council, conducted the induction of the new doctors along with other officials at a ceremony held at the college premises, on Monday.

Sanusi said that reports about LAUTECH products were pleasant and encouraging, adding that the only concern was the incessant industrial actions embarked upon by workers of the institution.

“We have pleasant and encouraging reports about LAUTECH products, but what has remained worrisome is the incessant industrial actions embarked upon by workers of the institution’’ he said.

He appealed to the owners of the institution to do all within their powers to provide adequate funding for its administration.

Sanusi warned that the council would not hesitate to close down any medical school which performed below laid down standards.

He counselled the newly inducted doctors to be alive to their responsibilities and be truthful to the oath they swore.

He reminded them that the profession was a delicate one meant to ensure safety of life.

Earlier, Prof. Samuel Taiwo, Provost of the College, said it was highly unfortunate that some of the inductees who were admitted in 2008 stayed long in the college.

“The global best practice and training to produce high quality medical doctors and other healthcare personnel is hinged on ensuring seamless and uninterrupted academic activities usually anchored in the College and Teaching Hospital.

“Our desire as a College is not to cause delay in the training of our students. When there are significant interruptions in the training programme, we have no choice than to extend the period of training to compensate for the period of interruptions,” he said.

Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, thanked the two owner states of Osun and Oyo, and appealed to the governors to increase funding to the institution. (NAN)

TAA/JTJ/AFA

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Felix Ajide

Contract

Liverpool (UK), Sept. 3, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has signed a new long-term contract at Anfield, the Premier League club said on Monday.

The 28-year-old England midfielder joined the Merseyside club from Sunderland in 2011 and has made 283 appearances for them, scoring 24 goals.

“It doesn’t seem like too long ago when I signed my first one – it feels like yesterday, really – but a lot has happened since then,” Henderson told the club website here.

“I feel it’s been a progressive journey for me throughout my time here and one I’ve enjoyed so much.

“There is no other place in the world I would rather play football. I want to be here for as long as I can be.”

Henderson, who took over the Liverpool captaincy from Steven Gerrard in 2015, made his first league start of the season against Leicester City on Saturday.

He has earned 44 England caps and was a regular as Gareth Southgate’s team reached the World Cup semi-finals this year for the first time since 1990. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/SA

Edited by Salif Atojoko

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Police nab headmaster for allegedly defiling 4 pupils in Enugu

Defilement
By Maureen Ojinaka
Enugu, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested a school Headmaster, one Idoko Nathaniel,50, of Mkpamteulo village, Enugu Ezike community, for allegedly defiling four pupils put under his care.

The command’s Spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Monday that the incident happened at Migrant Farmers Children School located at Aguibeji community in Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North local Government Area.

Amaraizu said that operatives of the Gender Unit of the state’s Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department investigated the suspect for weeks in relation to his alleged nefarious activities.

He noted that the suspect had allegedly in the afternoon of July 17 at a bush near the school sexually abused and defiled the four minors aged between  five and six years.

“It was gathered that the school headmaster had allegedly used his fingers on the private parts of the four female school pupils, inflicted serious injuries on them and thereby making them to be walking abnormally.

“It was further gathered that this was revealed as one of the victim school pupil opened up to her parents on what transpired in the school where she was defiled by the headmaster.

“This, however, led to the arrest of the headmaster. In his response, the headmaster regretted his act and blamed it on the Satan,” Amaraizu said.

The spokesman further revealed that the headmaster claimed that he was a father and had a wife at home.

“My wife is not happy with me over this incident. I am begging my wife, the parents of the children and God to forgive me,’’ Amaraizu quoted the suspect as pleading.

On whether he had been sexually assaulting other school children before now, the headmaster declared that this was his first time and that it was not done for anything.

The police spokesperson said that the affected pupils were currently being treated by medical doctors at the Police Medical Unit of the command, while investigation had begun.

Amaraizu said the headmaster would be arraigned in court on conclusion of investigation. (NAN)
OJI/DOE/AMY
Edited by Dianabasi Effiong and Abdullahi Yusuf

AKK

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Abuja, Sept.3, 2018 (NAN) The China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has assured Nigeria of its unflinching commitment towards securing funding for the  financing and execution of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline project.

The Nigerian National petroleum Corporation (NNPC) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Spokesman, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja on Monday.

It said that CNPC gave the assurance to the Corporation Group Managing Director  Dr Maikanti Baru during a high-level meeting between the NNPC and CNPC Management held on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, China.

Speaking on behalf of over six CNPC subsidiaries at the meeting, the Assistant President and Board Member of the CNPC, Mr Wang Shihong, said his company placed a very high premium on the AKK Project, describing it as the beginning of several collaborations between both corporations.

“We are in full support of Nigeria’s quest to deliver the AKK project.

“We are working relentlessly towards securing funding for the project based on regulations and policies of Chinese financial institutions,” Shihong stated.

He added that the CNPC cherished its relationship with the NNPC and  pledged to fully support his company’s subsidiary, CPP Bureau, partner in the AKK Project, to ensure success of the initiative.

Responding, Baru said that the AKK Project was dear to Nigeria, adding that while at the FOCAC Summit, President Buhari reiterated the potentials of the project to strengthen Nigeria-China relations.

He added that the NNPC was looking forward to a successful close-out of the project’s financing towards official groundbreaking ceremony in October.

“We want to maximize the construction work before the end of the year. We are hoping for the quick resolution of the financing agreements so that we will kick-start the project in October, when the dry season begins,” Baru added.

Also, Executive Vice Chairman of Brentex, one of the contractors handling Lot 3 of the project, Mr Sani Abubakar, said since signing the Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Contract, tremendous progress had been made towards securing financing for the project.

He commended Baru for driving the project, adding that following his leadership, some of the elements that were not part of the process were brought in, including providing financing for early works.

The Chairman of Oilserve, one of the contractors handling Lot 1 of the project, Dr Emeka Okwuosa, said they had already gone into some agreements with Brentex/CPP consortium on financing, which in the end, would bring the project under a single financing arrangement.

The AKK gas pipeline project would enable connectivity between the East, West and North that is currently non-existent.

It would also enable gas supply and utilisation to key commercial centres in the Northern corridor of Nigeria with the attendant positive spin-off on power generation and industrial growth.

Financing for the 40-inch x 614km AKK gas pipeline is expected to cost about 2.8 billion dollars while 85 per cent of the money was expected to be funded by the financiers which include Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).

Other financiers are Bank of China, and Infrastructure Bank of China with Sinosure, China’s Export Credit Agency (ECA) providing insurance cover.

The remaining 15 per cent will be provided by the contractors which include Oilserve/Oando consortium, as well as Brentex/China Petroleum Pipeline (CPP) Bureau consortium.

The project is described as the single biggest gas pipeline in the history of oil and gas operations in Nigeria (NAN).

ENO/IA

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Kidnappers

By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Police have arrested three suspected kidnappers of a four-year-old boy in Kano metropolis.

DSP Magaji Majiya, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in the state, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Kano on Monday.

Majiya said the suspects were nabbed on Aug. 31, following a report from the father of the boy, one Mustapha Mohammed of Gwauron Dutse quarters in Kano city.

“Mohammed reported to the command that his four year old son, Al-Amin Mustapha, was missing but was later called via cell phone No. 08069777966 and the caller demanded from him a N100,000 ransom before they would release the boy,”he said.

Majiya said on receiving the report, detectives from Anti-kidnapping Squad were mandated by the Police Commissioner, Mr Rabi’u Yusuf, swung into action with a view to rescuing the victim unhurt and arresting perpetrators of the dastardly act.

“The suspects apprehended in connection with the crime are: Ibrahim Idris, 19 years of Gwauron Dutse quarters; Khalid Abdulrahman, 24, of Unguwar Dabai quarters and Ahmed Ibrahim Usman, 20 years of Aisami quarters,”he said.

He said the principal suspect, Idris Ibrahim, confessed to masterminding the operation and mentioned others as accomplices arrested in carrying out the heinous operation.

The Police Spokesman said as soon as investigation was completed, the suspects would be charged to court. (NAN)
MTM/AMY

Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

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