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Ronaldo, Modric and Salah on FIFA player of the year shortlist

Shortlist

Zurich (Switzerland), Sept. 3, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Mohamed Salah have been nominated as finalists for ‘The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award,’ world football’s governing body announced on Monday.

Ronaldo, who has won the award for the last two years, helped Real Madrid claim a third consecutive Champions League crown, before securing a transfer to Juventus.

Midfielder Modric, also part of Madrid’s Champions League triumph, finished runner-up with Croatia at the World Cup, winning the best player award at the tournament in Russia.

Egyptian forward Salah scored 44 goals for Liverpool last season, helping the English club reach the Champions League final where they were beaten by Real.

France’s World Cup winning captain Hugo Lloris is in contention for the goalkeeper of the year award, alongside Golden Glove winner Thibaut Courtois and Danish shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel.

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, France coach Didier Deschamps and Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic were on the shortlist for coach of the year award.

The women’s player of the year award will be contested between Olympique Lyonnais duo Ada Hegerberg and Dzsenifer Marozsan, and Brazil’s triumphant Copa America Femenina captain Marta.

Hergerberg and Marozsan enjoyed an unbeaten league season and lifted the Women’s Champions League.

The awards ceremony will take place in London on Sept. 24. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/KTO

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Arrest
By Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Lagos State on Monday said it had arrested 19 nationals of Benin Republic for alleged theft of over 50,000 litres of petroleum products.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Tajudeen Balogun, confirmed the arrest to newsmen while presenting the suspects and the products to newsmen in Lagos.

Balogun said the suspects were arrested between Aug. 28 and Aug. 30.

He added that 13 of the suspects were picked up in a boat at Badagry on their way from Niger Delta area and heading to Benin Republic.

The NSCDC Commandant said the other suspects were arrested at Atlas Goove and Lagos Island.

He said that they were unable to explain how they came about the products stored in different jerry cans and drums.

“We recovered 300 jerry cans of 30 litres each containing petroleum products.

‘‘We recovered 40 jerry cans of 30 litres each containing diesel and another 40 jerry cans of same litres containing kerosene.

“We intercepted another Cotonou boat with 118 drums of different products, with each drum containing about 250 litres.

‘‘We have contacted the NNPC for the evacuation of the products to their depot at Mosimi in Ogun.

“All the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded,” the commandant said.

The commended sister security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Navy, for the collaboration to effect the arrest and seizures.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all the suspects could only speak French when asked how they came about the products. (NAN)
MIO/MOL/AMY

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Abdullahi Yusuf

VC urges Nigerians support FG’s fight against insurgency, corruption
Insurgency
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Armayau Bichi, the Acting Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Dutsin-ma in Katsina State, has urged Nigerians to continue to support the Federal Government’s fight against insurgency and corruption for the country to move forward.

Bichi said this at a public lecture entitled: “Security Challenges in Growing Economy, Nigerian Perspective’’, in Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, on Monday.

“Fight against insecurity and terrorism is fundamental and crucial in nation building, hence the need for all and sundry to continue to support the government to address the problem,’’ he said.

He said the lecture was timely in view of the security challenges in the country and the need for the citizens to continue to support the government to tackle the problem.

“The university will continue to organise lecture series on issues that will assist to promote peace and unity in the country at large,’’ he said.

In his paper, retired Maj.-Gen. B T Obasa, said insecurity affects development of any nation.

“Security and development are related, the imperative to maintain security affects other sectors like education, health, infrastructure which involve use of public funds.

“Insecurity, therefore, becomes a drain on local and national resources at the expense of development and well being of the citizens,’’ Obasa said.

He further observed that insecurity discourages investments by making a country unattractive to investors.

Obasa identified loss of societal values, porosity of borders, unemployment, rural-urban drift and corruption, among others, as some of the factors responsible for insecurity in Nigeria.

He urged governments at all levels to intensify efforts toward providing good leadership and continue to initiate policies and programmes that would improve the living condition of their people.

He further urged the government to continue to adequately fund security agencies to enable them perform their functions effectively. (NAN)
ZI/OFN/MZA

Police arrest alleged killers of twin, 9 others in Ekiti

Parade

By Ariwodola Idowu

Ado Ekiti, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Ekiti on Monday said it had arrested two men, Oguntoyinbo Odunayo and Babatunde Akinola, in connection with the alleged killing of a twin, Kehinde Olomola in Igede Ekiti.

The command also arrested eight suspected cultists, who it said had been terrorising Igede Ekiti, in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state and Ado Ekiti in recent times.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that names of the suspected cultists were given as Babatunde Jimoh, Shittu Dayo, Tope Adeleye, Omowaye Rotimi, Akinola Ajisafe, Femi Felix, Adebayo Tope and Tope Oluwabusuyi.

It also arrested a rape suspect and a student of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Tolulope Bamgboye, who was picked up for raping a female victim.

The Police Commissioner, Mr Bello Ahmed, told newsmen in Ado Ekiti that the murder suspects, Odunayo and Akinola, allegedly stabbed the victim in the neck.

Ahmed, who briefed newsmen through the Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said the two were arrested after police got a distress call from Igede Ekiti about the murder incident that occurred on Aug. 28 at Ilamoye in Igede Ekiti.

He said that Olomola died after he was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti, for treatment of a machete cut.

“A team of police operatives upon investigation found one long axe with blood stain at the scene of the crime.

“The two suspects, who had direct connection with the murder were immediately picked up and are being thoroughly grilled to be able to extract useful information from them,” he said.

The commissioner said the suspects will be arraigned in court after the conclusion of investigation by detectives.

He said that the suspected cultists, who were alleged to belong to Aye and Eye confraternities were arrested at Odo Igede on Aug. 29.

He said all the suspects had confessed to membership of the secret societies and that the command was perfecting charges against them to serve as deterrent to others.

Ahmed stated that the rape suspect, Bamgboye, was arrested in Oye Ekiti after threatening violence and forcefully had carnal knowledge of a victim, (names withheld) in the town.

He said the suspect had confessed to the crime and would be prosecuted as soon as the police concluded investigation.

“In our continued determination to fight crime and criminality in Ekiti, our operatives shall continue to clamp down on those trying to undermine the security of this peaceful state.

“I want to enjoin all Ekiti citizens to be security conscious, vigilant, and report any untoward incident or happening observed in their locality to the nearest police station or call the control room number 08062335577,” he said. (NAN)
ARIS/ESAN/AMY
Edited by Abiodun Esan and Abdullahi Yusuf

Tottenham to play all Champions League group matches at Wembley

Wembley

London, Sept. 3, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Tottenham Hotspur will play all their Champions’ League group matches at Wembley as they wait to move into their new stadium, the Premier League club said on Monday.

Spurs were initially scheduled to play their first game at the new 62,000-capacity White Hart Lane venue on Sept. 15 against Liverpool.

However, safety issues meant they switched the game along with the next home fixture to Wembley.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side will now host Barcelona (Oct. 3), PSV Eindhoven (Nov. 6) and Inter Milan (Nov. 28) in Group B at Wembley, where they played their home matches last season.

Spurs will also entertain Manchester City in the Premier League at the national stadium on Oct. 29.

The match was originally due to take place on Oct. 28, but with Wembley hosting a National Football League game between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars, a new date was agreed.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said the club was doing everything to deliver the new stadium in the shortest possible time.

“Amongst the consequences of the delay have been substantial additional costs, not least of which is the need for alternative venue hires,” Levy said in a statement.

“Mauricio, his staff and the players, have been exceptional in their support and fully embraced the changes of venue with total positivity. They have my utmost respect.

“As soon as we have confidence in our project managers’ and contractors’ ability to deliver against the revised schedule of works, we shall be able to issue dates for test,” Levy said. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/NNO/SA

Edited by Nick Nicholas/Salif Atojoko

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Abduction
By Edeki Igafe
Warri (Delta), Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Delta Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Rev. Father Christopher Ogaga, a Catholic Priest in Aragba, Oviri-Okpe, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta, Mr Muhammad Mustafa, confirmed the priest’s kidnapped to newsmen on Monday in Warri.
Mustafa said that operatives of the command had begun a search to ensure the safe release of the victim.
“Yes, we are already searching for the kidnappers; he was kidnapped two days ago,” the police chief said.
Meanwhile, a source said that Ogaga was allegedly kidnapped by gunmen around Arava-Oviri-Orere-Okpe Road on his way to Warri on Saturday.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the victim, who is also the Principal of St. Peters Clavers College, Aghalokpe, left Aghalopke, Sapele at about 9:00p.m.
The source said the kidnapped priest was going for the Sunday morning mass at the Parish Priest of Mother of Redeemer Catholic Church, Airport Junction, Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta.
“Ogaga was driving alone on his way to Warri when he was kidnapped.
“He left the house and was heading to Warri through Arava-Oviri-Orere-Okpe Road; that is the route he usually take to Warri.
“He usually travelled to Warri alone every Sunday. We were supposed to go with him that Saturday,” the source said.
The source, however, said that the kidnappers were demanding for a ransom of N15 million to secure the release of the cleric. (NAN)
EDI/MOL/GOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Olagoke Olatoye
 

I regret not winning Lagos for PDP in 2003 -Atiku

By Bolaji Buhari

Lagos, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Monday said he regretted not doing much to help the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) win in Lagos State when he had the opportunity in 2003.

Abubakar, a PDP presidential aspirant, spoke in Lagos while holding a meeting with members of the party in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was part of his nationwide tour of state chapters, to seek support for his aspiration ahead of 2019 general elections.

He revealed how his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, before the 2003 elections, gave him the task to deliver the six South/West states then governed by the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the PDP.

Abubakar said that in carrying out the task, he delivered all the states to PDP, except Lagos.

The former Vice-President said that he deliberately did not do much to win Lagos because of his relationship with former governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

He apologised to party members for what he called his mistake, saying that Lagos would have been better off, if he had delivered it to the PDP then.

“When we came to power in 1999, the entire South/Western states were controlled by the AD.

“And when we were approaching the 2003 elections, I told my boss, give me the chance to take over the South-West

“And he gave me that authority, and I took all the states with the exception of Lagos.

“Why? Because Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and I came a long way from the SDP, PDM and all of that, and I felt I should leave Lagos for him. In fact, I could easily have taken over Lagos, but I did not.

“I have since regretted my decision; please, my sisters and brothers in the party, I want you to forgive me for taking Lagos out of that arrangement.

“If I have another opportunity again, Lagos will be taken to where it belongs. So, I am appealing to you to give me that opportunity so that I can correct the mistakes that I made”, he said.

Abubakar said his decision to seek the number one seat in the country was to reposition and put it on the path of progress.

He said that the country was having serious issues in the areas of economy and security, assuring that he would fix the problems if elected.

Abubakar said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed to deliver the promised change.

He said that he was committed to the idea of restructuring, and believed it was key to the country’s progress.

The former vice president said he would restructure the country within six months in office, if given the mandate.

Abubakar pointed out that the Federal Government was too powerful, and promised to ensure devolution of power to other federating units.

“If I am elected, I will make the centre unattractive and ensure that power devolves to the states”, he said.

He called on party members across the country to support his bid as he meant well for the country.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Otuba Gbenga Daniel, said that his principal had the capacity to reposition Nigeria.

He said that he has the passion and the experience to lead the country and would not disappoint Nigerians, if given the opportunity.

Daniel, a former governor of Ogun, appealed to members in the Lagos state chapter to be united and support the aspiration of Abubakar.

The only PDP member of the state House of Assembly, Mr Dipo Olohunrinu thanked the former vice president for the visit.

He promised the aspirant full support, adding that PDP members in the state had confidence in him.

“We will support you, we will be with you .We are 100 per cent with you and your aspiration,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Abubakar was also accompanied on the visit by former Minister of Niger Delta, Chief Godsday Orubebe.

Former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, was among leaders that received the aspirant in Lagos.(NAN)

BHB/JTJ/SOA

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Oluwole Sogunle

Navy
By Mateen Badru
Lagos, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Minster of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, on Monday said the Federal Government would continue to strengthen the Nigerian Navy to defend her strategic off-shore oil installations.

Dan-Ali gave the assurance on Monday in Lagos while inaugurating 16 patrol vessels, which would be deployed to patrol and police key oil installations within the nation’s maritime domain.

The minister said that activities of sea robbers had exposed Nigeria to be challenged by multi-faceted threats from continental and maritime fronts.

He added that criminalities like piracy, sea robbery and attack on strategic oil installations had complicated the nation’s maritime security environment.

Dan-Ali gave assurance that the Federal Government would rise up to curbing these criminalities capable of affecting the overall wellbeing of the nation.

‘‘For a littoral state with huge dependence on her offshore resources, maritime security is vital to the nation’s wellbeing.

‘‘Against this background of threats, the entire nation will invariably be at a risky situation if we do not insist on a motivated and virile navy like ours,’’ he said.

Speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, said that navy, as the primary element of the nation’s maritime power, had the challenging task of safeguarding the country’s maritime interests.

Ibas said that the navy would continue to maintain an environment conducive for the unhindered conduct of shipping, fishing and offshore exploration and other maritime interests.

The CNS said that his officers and men would continue to maintain their presence at sea to promote the nation’s economic growth and development.

He said the navy was adequately positioned to provide round the clock protection for sea-based critical national assets and also ensure security of the country’s sea-lanes.

‘‘The oceans have become the primary conducts of international trade and are central to the global economy.

‘‘The oceans and sea bed are increasingly looked upon today as resource providers and critical contributors to national growth and prosperity.

‘‘For Nigeria, her geo-strategical position as a littoral state confers on her the advantage of exploring the sea and its resources for national development,’’ Ibas said.

He said the threats by sea robbers pose a huge challenge that negates the vast potential of the nation’s maritime domain and the Gulf of Guinea Region in supporting the prosperity and wellbeing of states and their people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inauguration was to further fortify the presence of the Nigerian Navy around the Gulf of Guinea.

It will also curb the activities of sea robbers and pirates’ attacks on key installations and merchant vessels plying the West sub-region.

NAN also reports that the ships and boats which were inaugurated at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos, included six Fast Patrol Craft (FPC ) and 10 Inflatable Patrol Craft (IPC).

Among the boats inaugurated were two patrol crafts: NNS NGURU and NNS EKULU. (NAN)
BOM/MOL/GOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Olagoke Olatoye

Boats
By Mateen Badru
Lagos, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy on Monday said it had inducted over 200 assorted boats into the naval platforms in the last two years.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas, made the disclosure in Lagos during the inauguration of six fast patrol crafts and eight inflatable boats at the Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ibas said the 200 assorted boats were inducted among other recapitalisation attainment within two years, adding that the ocean had become the primary conduit of international trade and central to the global economy.

“Nigeria indeed relies on sea-based resources, particularly oil and gas, as well as maritime-based commerce for survival and sustained national development.

“The nation’s social and economic well-being is intricately linked to the seas, not only for trade, but also how it faces threats to its own security that develop across the seas.

“Our resolve to achieve high growth can be realised only if our maritime frontiers and assets are safe, stable and act as enablers,” he said.

Ibas said that the navy was faced with myriads of potent threats in the maritime environment which was maritime terrorism, resource theft and sabotage of their supporting infrastructure.

“Other notable threats are piracy and sea robbery, which target maritime trade and the economy of the nation.

“The use of unregulated movements at sea for seaborne trafficking in humans, narcotics and arms and the incidents of smuggling are pervasive and remain issues of grave concern.

“In this regard, the Navy must constantly sharpening its capabilities as a multi-dimensional, operationally effective and balanced force capable of countering the full range of maritime challenges across the entire spectrum of conflicts.

“Furthermore, effects are also ongoing toward acquiring more fast patrol vessels for littoral waters up to the Exclusive Economic Zone, while the construction of a hydrographic vessel and landing ship will further reinforce the navy’s regional maritime dominance,” he said.

Ibas said that the NN would not have been able to achieve such remarkable progress in its fleet recapitalisation effort without the active support of the Federal Government. (NAN)

BOM/ASS/GOK
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Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Polio immunisation: Agency targets 41,460 children in Hadejia LGA
By Nabilu Balarabe
Polio
Hadejia (Jigawa), Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa Primary Health Care Development Agency (JPHCDA) on Monday said it targeted 41,460 children in Hadejia Local Government Area of the state for vaccination against poliomyelitis under the ongoing September round Outbreak Response.
The JPHCDA Manager in the area, Alhaji Yusuf Hakimi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia.
He said that the exercise, which began on Sept. 1, was going on smoothly in the 11 wards of the council and would be concluded on Sept. 4.
The manager noted that 41,106 children were vaccinated during the June round of the campaign, representing 98 per cent of the expected target.
He however dismissed speculations that the children were rejecting the vaccine.
“We have not recorded any case of rejection so far, and we are not expecting any because we had held several sensitisation and education with the parents, community and religious leaders.
“You will recall that during the June campaign, seven households rejected the vaccine for their 16 children, which we learnt was partly a protest against their inability to access the mosquito nets recently distributed in the area.
“But when we engaged them and district heads and religious leaders in talks, they were convinced and accepted the vaccine,” he said.
Hakimi commended government at all levels and other development partners for their roles in the smooth conduct of the exercise. (NAN)
NB/KOLE/MST
Edited by Remi Koleoso/Muhammad Suleiman Tola