Lagos/Abeokuta rail project: FG Relocates Abeokuta Train Station Again

The Abeokuta train station, for the proposed Lagos/Abeokuta rail project, earlier scheduled to be located at the Trade Fair complex, Laderin, Abeokuta, is to be relocated to the Oba New City, a 6-km distance from the state capital.

Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, disclosed this, after an on-the-site visit to the project site, together with the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and engineers handling the project.

He said the earlier chosen site, was declared unsuitable by the engineers, adding that the new location, which incidentally falls within the proposed  new city of the Ogun State Government, will enhance the new city development project as well as attract rapid development to the area.

According to him, the initial location will have necessitated the demolition of about 2000 houses, adding that the decision will avert the big loss to residents.

Amosun, in his remarks, restated that the government was not only heeding the advise of the engineers but also avoiding inflicting pain on residents, whose properties will have given way for the project.

Atiku Promises To End Boko Haram As President

Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is aspiring to become President in 2019, on Tuesday, said he would put an end to the Boko Haram crisis in the shortest time after his inauguration as Nigeria’s number one citizen.

Abubakar, who is one of the presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, made the vow while addressing his supporters at the Forshams Hall, Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.

He said, “Nigeria ended its civil war in only two and a half years despite the thick forest in the South-East. I wonder why the war against insurgency took us nine years; there must be something wrong somewhere.”

He added, “If elected, I will not allow any commander to tell me stories, we must end insurgency within the shortest possible time because the insurgency has crippled everything in the North-East.”

The Director-General, Atiku campaign Organisation, Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, said they were in Maiduguri in consultation with PDP stakeholders in Borno.

He said, “This is the chance for the people of the North-East to produce the next President, you should not miss this opportunity to produce the President. So, I call on you to support one of your own.”

Earlier speaking, the Borno State Coordinator,  Atiku Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Mohammed Imam, said there was no need for them to be in Maiduguri, “as he (Atiku) need not campaign in the state.”

“Borno State is your own; you need not to campaign. We the people of Borno and Yobe are behind your candidature,” he promised.

Kylian Mbappe To Donate World Cup Money to Charity Home

Though Kylian Mbappé was already turning heads and lighting up the pitch at Parc des Princes, the 19-year-old has shot into the national limelight after this summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cuptournament, winning over football and non-football fans alike. 

Having helped led Les Bleus to their second World Cup victory, along with being named the tournament’s best young player, Mbappé will be making another big statement: the breakout star will be donating all his World Cup winnings to charity.

During the tournament Mbappé made roughly $22,300 USD per match plus a reported $350,000 USD bonus for winning the Final against Croatia on Sunday night. Roughly adding up to $500,000 USD, Mbappé will be donating the money to Premiers de Cordée, a charity that provides free sports instruction to disabled children and hospitalized children. Mbappé signed with Paris Saint-Germain in August of 2017 and makes $1.7 million USD a month.

“Kylian, he’s a great person,” said Sebastien Ruffin, general manager of Premiers de Cordee. “When his schedule allows it, he intervenes for us with pleasure. He has a very good [relationship] with children, he always finds the right [words] to encourage them. I sometimes even feel that [he] takes more pleasure to play with the kids than the kids themselves.”

Juventus director reveals how 'crazy' Ronaldo move happened

Goal

An incredible overhead kick in April gave the Old Lady the idea to make an effort to land the Portugal star

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici said his club got the idea to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after his stunning bicycle kick against them in April.

The then-Real Madrid star lit up the Champions League quarter-final first leg in Turin with two goals, including a sensational overhead kick in the second half.

Ronaldo's strike was so stunning that it even caused fans at the Allianz Stadium to stand up and applaud the visiting player's effort.

In addition, Paratici has revealed it was the moment that set the move in motion.

"The crazy idea started after the crazy goal he scored against us," Paratici told Sky Italia.

"(Ronaldo's agent) Jorge Mendes told us that Cristiano was stunned by the attention he received, he said that one day he would like to come to Juventus."

That vision became a reality earlier this month, when Ronaldo signed for Juve in a deal worth €100 million (£88m/$117m).

Policemen extort N100,000 from building contractor through POS

Oluwatosin Omojuyigbe

Some policemen attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Edo State Police Command, have been accused of extorting N100,000  from a building contractor, Emmanuel Alabede.

The operatives allegedly collected the money using Point Of Sale (POS) machine after threatening to kill him if he failed to give the bribe.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Alabede was travelling from Ibadan to Abuja when the car he was travelling in was stopped by the cops on the Ibilo-Okene Expressway and the bags of the occupants of the car were searched.

Alabede said the operatives told him to give them his mobile phone but he declined, telling them to state what his offence was.

Twenty eight year-old  Alabede, who said that the operatives raised their voice and threatened to kill him, added that he eventually released his phone to them.

He said, “They searched my phone but they found nothing incriminating; all they saw were pictures of uncompleted buildings. They asked me if the buildings belonged to me and I told them that they were not mine but they belonged to my clients.

“They said I was lying and accused me of being an Internet fraudster but I told them I was not and showed them my ID card and my company’s card, but they did not release me.

“While they were with my phone, a notification of alert of over N200,000 popped up on my phone from a client and they said they were going to collect the N200,000 from me.

“I told them that the money was not for me; that it was for a client that wanted me to work on his building, but they told me that if I didn’t give them the money they would kill me and nobody would hold them responsible.”

Alabede said when he refused to give the cops the bribe demanded, they told the driver of the car he was travelling in to go.

The Oyo State indigene added that he had to cooperate with the operatives to save his life.

He said, “I told them that I could not give them the whole money but I can give them part of it; so they told me that they would not collect anything less than N100,000 from me.

“They took me to a POS operator and I made a transfer of N100,000 to the operator  who charged N2,500 for the transaction and gave the cops N97,500.”

Alabede further stated that the operatives who were in their uniform when stopped his car, changed to mufti when they were going to the POS operator’s stand.

 He said he reported to the police helpline (0805700000) immediately he left the scene but was rebuked by the person that picked the call for not calling when he was with the cops.

Punch

Alfa used fake vision to rape student in Lagos – Police

Deji Lambo

An Alfa, Mustapha Hammed, has been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly raping a 29-year-old student of Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos.

The police said the 23-year-old suspect told the victim that he saw a vision that she would die in 24 hours, unless the student took three spiritual baths.

It was gathered that after the victim received the message, Hammed allegedly took the girl to Itowolo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State for cleansing to avert the death.

While addressing the press during a parade at the state police command on Monday, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, said the victim never knew Hammed had a clandestine plan, as he sexually assaulted her.

He also said  since Hammed allegedly raped the victim, she had remained traumatised.

Imohimi said, “The Alfa deceived the victim that he saw in a vision that she was going to die within 24 hours. He took the girl to Ikorodu, Lagos, for cleansing so that she will not die.

“At Ikorodu, he raped the girl, who was a virgin.

“He thereafter wiped of her blood with a white handkerchief and since then, according to the victim’s father, the girl has been behaving abnormally because she was completely devastated and traumatised by the incident.”

Hammed confessed that he deflowered the girl when he took her to Itowolo in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State to spiritually cleanse her.

The Oyo State indigene said, “On April 7, 2018, I called the girl to come and meet me at my house. The girl is a friend to my girlfriend. When she came, I told her that I saw a vision that she has spiritual husband while I was praying and told her she needed to bath three times to solve the spiritual problem.

“The girl agreed to follow me to my house in Ikorodu. When we got there, she bathed the first time, but before she had the second bath, I had put a frog inside the water. I threw the frog inside the water because I want to marry her but do not know how to tell her.

“When she saw the frog, she ran out of the bathroom. I told her that it was a bad sign and she asked what to do. I then told her to call her boyfriend to meet her at my place. She told me that she could not call anybody and asked me to help her to do everything. She said she was still a virgin and told me to deflower her, so I did. But it was on that day that I realised that she was a virgin.

Hammond also said the girl was fine when they got back from Ikorodu, adding that he was not responsible for her abnormal behaviours.

He said, “When we came back to Bariga from Ikorodu, I saw her about two weeks ago and she was fine. I was arrested on Thursday, July 12, and they said I raped the girl and used her to do something; I did not use her to do anything.”

The CP said the case had been transferred to the Gender Section Unit for further investigation, adding that the suspect would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Punch

Employment: 5,000 undergraduates begin training in three Lagos centers

At least 5,000 final year students from eight tertiary institutions in Lagos have commenced training in three different centres for the third edition of the Ready.Set.Work, an Entrepreneurship and Employability Training programme of the State’s Ministry of Education.

The training programme commenced at the weekend at the three designated centres including LASU, Ojo Campus; LASPOTECH, Ikorodu Campus and UNILAG, Akoka, with scores of professionals from different sectors of the economy, who have signed up as volunteers in the Ready.Set.Work Faculty which will run for 13 weeks.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh in a statement on Monday, said the peculiarity of the ongoing edition of Ready.Set.Work initiative was a testament to the unwavering commitment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to human capital development, especially for Students in Lagos State.

He said, “This administration has committed resources to the Ready.Set.Work project since its inception. In his resolve to empower youths in the State and stem the tide of unemployment, the Governor has mandated that the programme must be expanded to cater for every student in any Tertiary Institution in Lagos State.”

“You we recall that the programme started in 2016 with 500 final year students from three institutions namely; Lagos State University, LASU; Lagos State Polytechnic, LASPOTECH and Lagos State College of Health Technology, LASCOHET. I am glad to announce that this year; we have 25,000 students from eight institutions participating in the programme. About 5,000 of these students, who are in their final year, have resumed the 13-week campus classes as of Saturday, while 20,000 others in their penultimate year will participate in the programme through the RSW Online Academy.”

Vice Chancellor of LASU, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun (SAN) as well as the Provost of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Dr. (Mrs.) Oladele Aina were on ground for the kick off at the LASU Centre hosting over 2,400 Ready.Set.Work students.

Addressing the students, Dr. Aina stressed the importance of the programme, expressing optimism that it would help the beneficiaries see the real world of work and give them a seamless transition into it.

Professor Fagbohun, on his part, emphasized how privileged the final year students were to be in the programme this year.
“About 10,000 final year students wanted to be a part of this programme, but only you were chosen. What that tells you is this: You are the best of the best. You must recognize your strength and give it your best,” he said.

In Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, where over 2,000 students are enrolled in the programme, the Rector of the Institution, leading the entire management team was on ground throughout the day to inspire the students and ensure a smooth kick off.

Some of the students could not hold back their excitement as they took to their various social media platforms to give kudos to the State Government and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the laudable project.

Tejumade Akintunde said, “This is an amazing programme, I can’t wait to receive more interesting lectures. The content of the programme is rich and impactful”.

Another participating student, Olumide said, “Lagos State is really investing a lot in the Ready.Set.Work programme. It is totally worth the time.”

This year, as in previous years, the programme boasts a team of Volunteer Faculty and project support staff, all professional and talented individuals who have chosen to give up theirSaturday to train, mentor and positively impact the lives of these students.

For the next 13 weeks, they will be bringing to bear their knowledge and wealth of experience to shape and inspire the next generation of workers and business owners.

The Ready.Set.Work 2018 cohort includes students from Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), a private institution, CALEB University.

FLOOD: LAGOS ALLAYS FEARS, SAYS MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGE CHANNELS ON COURSE

In the wake of torrential rainfall experienced in some neighbouring States, the Lagos State Government on Monday allayed fears of residents, assuring that the on-going flood abatement and ocean shore protection measures will keep them out of harm’s way during the rainy season.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, in a statement, said the Government had already commenced the maintenance of all primary, secondary and tertiary drainage channels under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative.



“Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration is mindful of the terrain and geographical location of Lagos State being very close to the coast which makes it relatively prone to flooding and as such has come up with the global best practices through the engagement of reputable and competent contractors for all year schedule maintenance of all primary, secondary and tertiary drainage channels in the five divisions of the State,” Bamigbetan said.



He listed the areas undergoing dredging and cleaning to include Adetokunbo Ademola collector drain; 1004 collector drain – 1004 – Bishop Aboyade Cole to IGI; Idejo collector drain – Idejo – Adeola Odeku to Ozumba Mbadiwe; Billy collector drain, Epe; Beecroft/Simpson collector drain Lagos Island; Jankara/Adeniji Adele/Dolphin Estate Channel, Lagos Island; Ashimowu/Bakere Channel, Mushin; Ladipo Trape Zoidal channel, Mushin; Kehinde/Eta-oko collector drain, satellite Town, Amuwo-Odofin and dredging of Ketu-Alapere channel.



Others, according to the Commissioner, are dredging of 3.50km long Ketu-Alapere Drainage Channel, Kosofe LGA; 2.07km long Lakowe Drainage Channel, Lakowe, Ibeju Lekki; NTA 7 Tejuosho/Alaka Channel, Surulere; Osapa/Maiyegun Channel, Eti-Osa; Abeokuta/Egbe/Idimu Channel, Alimosho LGA; Ogombo Channel, Eti-Osa; Aguda/Coker Channel, Surulere and 615m long Kokoro Abu/Adeniran Ogunsanya Drainage Channel, Sabo, Ikorodu.



He also listed areas being cleaned up under the exercise to include Akibo Savage Collector drain, Victoria Island; Church gate collector drain, Victoria Island; Agoro Odiyan collector drain Victoria Island; Old Ewu Road collector drain, Oshodi Isolo; 5.00km long Ladipo Collector Drain, Fatai Atere, Mushin LGA; 1.98km long Alafia Collector Drain, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA; 2.30km long 21 Road Collector Drain, Festac, Amuwo Odofin LGA; 820m long Amuto/Adeniji Adele Collector Drain, Lagos Island LGA; 235.0m long Thomas/Adeniji Adele Collector Drain, Lagos Island LGA; 850.00m long Oba Sefiu Adewale Drainage, Epe LGA and 950.0m long Billy Tertiary Drain, Epe LGA.



Noting that the administration’s efforts to protect the shores and the coastal communities led to the construction of 15 groins, Bamigbetan thanked environmental authorities for commending the Government’s efforts and recommending the construction of more groins from Lagos to Escravos to increase the protection.



“In addition, the Lagos State Public works has also commenced the cleaning/clearing of some road drains and inlets capable of causing traffic during the heavy down pour such as the inlets along Odo-Iya Alaro Bridge,” he said.

Abeokuta Flood: Amosun Warns Against Indiscriminate Building of Houses, Dumping of Refuse

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has  embarked on an assessment visit to  some areas affected by Friday's flood, which wrecked havoc around Abeokuta metropolis, warning against the indiscriminate building of houses.

He said the flood, as a result of a three-hour downpour and said to have claimed lives and properties, was avoidable.

Amosun, in company of his wife, Olufunso, Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga and cabinet members, during the visit, asked residents to desist from building on waterways.

Such action, he noted, is unlawful and can cause great havoc when water movement is disrupted and hindered.

He also warned against the dumping of refuse inside drainages, after he visited Ijeja, Gbangba bridge, Itoku market, Kuto, Isabo and Lafenwa areas.
He commiserated with those who lost their loved ones, praying that God will comfort them and grant them the fortitude to bear the losses.

Amosun also assured those who lost valuables, of government's commitment to intervene and cushion their losses.

While noting that the damage would have been more devastating, if not for the massive infrastructure put in place by his government, he stated that it would  not relent in doing more, to avert a future occurrence.

Imo crisis: God’ll impeach Okorocha, says Umeh

Tony Okafor, Awka

The senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, on Sunday, asked God for forgiveness over his role in the emergence of Rochas Okorocha, as the Governor of Imo State in 2011 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Describing Okorocha as an evil who had become an island unto himself, Umeh said the governor had become   “a pain in the neck of his people.”

Umeh, as the APGA national chairman in 2011, led members of the party to Imo State and after giving the party’s ticket to Okorocha, campaigned for him and he won.

Okorocha, however, dumped APGA and joined the All Progressives Congress.

Speaking during the inauguration of “Senator Victor Umeh Support Group” at Neni in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State ahead of the 2019 general elections, Umeh wondered why Okorocha should be desperate to instigate the impeachment of his deputy, Eze Madumere.

The senator recalled how Madumere worked so hard to ensure the success of Okorocha as governor of the state.

He said, “Madumere was even detained because he was fighting for Okorocha, only for the governor to want to impeach him because the governor wants his son-in-law to be governor of the state.”

Umeh said the Imo State Governor had in 2013 spearheaded the impeachment of his first deputy, adding that there must be something wrong with the governor as he could not be the only ‘Mr Right” all the time.

Customs officer kills two colleagues in Lagos

Two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service lost their lives in a tragic accident on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Saturday.

The three officials were reportedly attached to the Seme Border Command, Lagos.

While the two crushed customs officers died on the spot, the driver of the Avalon was said to be unconscious at the Intensive Care Unit of the Badagry General Hospital, where he was receiving treatment.

Our correspondent gathered that officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, led by the Badagry unit Commander, Fatai Bakare, deposited the remains of the deceased in a morgue.

A witness said the accident was caused by a burst tyre.

He said, “The incident happened around 7.45am on Saturday at Gbaji checkpoint. The customs officers were crushed to death by a Toyota Avalon driven by another customs officer of the same command.

“His car was descending the Gbaji Bridge and heading for Seme when one of his tyres burst. He lost control, thereby sending the two officers to their death.”

The customs unit commander, Bakare, however, said the accident was caused by speeding.

He said, “The customs officers were inside their vehicle at one of the checkpoints on the Lagos-Seme Road. The driver of the Avalon was on top speed when he crashed into them. He veered off the road and rammed into them. The two customs officers died on the spot, while the man responsible for the accident is in a coma.”

The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Seme Command, Saidu Abdulahi, confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Usman and Kabiru.

 He also confirmed that the driver of the Avalon was a customs officer and identified him as George.

 He said, “On Saturday, July 14, 2018, I received reports of an incident involving three officers of the Seme Area Command at Gbaji checkpoint. Usman and Kabiru were involved in a ghastly motor accident which resulted in their fatalities.

“The driver of the other vehicle, George, is currently on admission at a general hospital.”

Punch

EFCC mocks Fayose, says we’re expecting you soon

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has lampooned Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State after the failure of his preferred candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, at the polls.

The EFCC said in a tweet that with Fayose’s tenure ending in less than three months coupled with the loss of his immunity, he should begin to prepare to visit the commission.

The commission hinted that investigation into Fayose’s alleged N1.3bn poultry project during his first term from 2003 to 2006, would be reopened and the prosecution would be able to continue

The tweet read, “The parri (party) is over; the cloak of immunity torn apart and the staff broken.

“Ekiti Integrated Poultry Project/Biological concepts Limited N1.3bn fraud case file dusted off the shelves. See you soon.”

However, a large section of Nigerians on Twitter accused the EFCC of being unprofessional and fighting a one-sided anti-corruption war.

The anti-graft agency subsequently deleted the tweet.

Fayose has been having a running battle with the EFCC since 2007 but it intensified in 2016 after it was discovered that the governor, while running for office in 2014, allegedly received over N1.3bn from the then Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who is now a member of the All Progressives Congress.

The money was said to have emanated from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), who has been in detention for nearly three years.

Fayose’s aide and trusted ally, Abiodun Agbele, who allegedly received the money from Obanikoro, has since been arraigned by the anti-graft agency while all of Fayose’s accounts have been frozen.

The governor was, however, untouched due to his immunity.

Obanikoro has, however, been converted to a prosecution witness and will be expected to give evidence against the governor when his tenure ends.

With Fayose’s tenure coming to an end on October 16, 2018, his case is expected to be immediately reopened.

Punch

Adeboye advises Nigerians

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has told Nigerians to expect dream-like miracles that will turn their lives around.

He, however, added that they must be ready to work towards such miracles.

The G.O., who spoke at the dedication service of the RCCG Region 19 Headquarters, Acme, Ikeja, stated that those who received dream-like miracles were either visited by God or God passed by and branched at their houses.

Adeboye, who mentioned Solomon in the bible as one of the people who had dream-like miracles, said he did what no one had done unto God which made God do what no one had seen before for him.

He said, “When you go through the scriptures, you will notice that all those who got dream-like miracles either invited God to visit them or God was passing by and they opened the door for him to come in.”

The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, however, called upon the congregation to rededicate their lives to God’s service, urging them to continue praying for the peace and unity of the country.

Ambode, who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Folasade Adesoye, said, “I want to congratulate the pastor and the members of Region 19 Dominion Sanctuary, on the dedication of the sanctuary. It gladdens my heart to be a part of this dedication in which I have the grace to serve as a worker.

“The theme of today’s dedication, Dream-like Miracle, is taken from Psalm 126: 1-3; this dedication, therefore, should be a reminder for us as Christians and workers in the vineyard of God, to rededicate ourselves to His service.”
Punch

Workers’ salary arrears will be paid in six months –Fayemi

The winner of the Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that he will pay the backlog of salaries owed civil servants in the state within the first six months of his return to office.

Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress beat Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party in a keenly contested race to succeed the incumbent Governor  Ayodele Fayose.

Speaking at his residence in Isan-Ekiti, the former Minister of Solid Mineral Development, said Ekiti State lost value under Fayose, while also promising to re-introduce free education in the state.

He said, “Ekiti people should expect the eight-point agenda redoubled. They should expect the backlog of salaries cleared within the first six months of my coming to the office. They should expect re-introduction of free education, including payment of fees for the West Africa Examination Council, National Examination Council, National Business and Technical Examinations Board and the national entrance examination into tertiary institutions which they lost out on.

“We will re-introduce social security scheme for the elderly in an enhanced manner. They should expect the return of our youth volunteer programme. Luckily, the Federal Government has started a programme similar to what we used to have in Ekiti State, called N-Power. We will add our own initiative to that programme.

“The outgoing government is not interested in what happens to the young in our society beyond using them as thugs and forcing them to eat crumbs from the table of the master. They should expect a return to decency, decorum, integrity, values in Ekiti State. It is about reclaiming our land and restoring our values which we have lost in the past four years.”

Meanwhile, an APC chieftain, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, has congratulated Fayemi on his victory at the poll.

According to the former Minister of State for Works, Fayemi’s victory will change the leadership style in the state, stressing that the people of Ekiti deserved mature leaders who value development of state’s human and natural resources.
Punch

BREAKING: PDP Rejects Ekiti Governorship Election Results

Channels Television 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the results from the Ekiti governorship election in which the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kayode Fayemi, emerged as the winner.

Fayemi was announced as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday morning after he outpolled the Deputy governor of the state, Professor Kolapo Olusola of the PDP, and others in the race to succeed Governor Ayodele Fayose.

He won in 11 out of the 16 Local Government Areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes, and edging out his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes by 19,338 votes.

But the PDP in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, described Fayemi’s victory as a “daylight robbery”.

Below is the full statement

The PDP Cannot Be Crushed!

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected in its entirety the results concocted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, in the governorship election in Ekiti state and declared by INEC.

The party rejects the falsified results and declaration of APC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to be the winner of the election, as a daylight robbery, a brazen subversion of the will of the people and a direct assault on our democracy.

From the authentic results flowing directly from the polling centers across the state, it is clear that the PDP candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, incontrovertibly won the election, with a very comfortable margin over the APC candidate, only for INEC to allow the alteration of results at the collation centers.

Painfully, the people of Ekiti state were pillaged, openly brutalized, confronted with the worst form of cruelty and intimidation from security agencies, and their mandate, which they freely gave to the PDP, was snatched at ‘gunpoint’ by enemies of democracy, who are parading themselves as icons of anti-corruption.

Nigerians are witnesses to all manipulations by the APC, aided by security agencies and compromised INEC officials, to rig the election, particularly, the audacious alteration and substitution of election results in favour of the APC at the collation centers amidst the brutalization of our agents.

The PDP has the details of all the polling units where we won, mostly with very wide margin ahead of the APC, only for the security agencies to chase away our agents, then aid the alteration and swapping of such results with those smuggled in by the APC at the collation centers.

We have the detail of the discrepancies between the authentic results from the polling units and the false figures eventually announced by INEC.

It is also instructive to state that all the issues we raised ahead of the election, including the conspiracy between the APC, some compromised INEC officials and security agencies; the importation of thugs from other states by the APC; the use of brute force against our members, the falsification and alteration of results in favour of the APC, all manifested in the election.

We know how APC conspired with INEC to bring in card reader machines belonging to Kogi, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun states into Ekiti state to enable APC members from these states to vote in Ekiti election with ease.

Nigerians will recall the irresponsible and inciting statement credited to the factional National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, where he threatened that the opposition will be “crushed” in this election.

The APC governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also vowed that they will “cage” the Ekiti State governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose.

These threats were carried out with the full collaboration of our security agencies.

Furthermore, the PDP has details of how APC state governors and federal ministers diverted huge sums of money from their states and ministries to bribe top officials of INEC, particularly, those in the ICT Department as well as security agencies to perfect the brigandage against the people of Ekiti state.

The PDP holds strongly that there is no way our democracy can survive with an electoral process as witnessed in Ekiti state under President Muhammadu Buhari and the current INEC leadership.

This bare-faced subversion of the will of the people is a clear recipe for crisis and we invite Nigerians and the international community to hold President Buhari, the APC, the INEC Chairman and heads of security agencies in Nigeria responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order in Ekiti state as a result of this election.

This robbery of the franchise of Ekiti people is a horrible rape of our democracy and it is most uncharitable that it could happen under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the participation of the APC, who hugely benefitted from the credible electoral process midwived by the PDP in 2015.

It is shameful that APC and President Buhari, who jointly won a pan Nigerian election in 2015, now rely heavily on brute force to deliver their gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti state. This, indeed, is very shameful!

Finally, let it be known to all that, surely, this electoral banditry will not stand. The PDP is already collating all the infractions in this election and within the possible timeframe, we shall make our next step to reclaiming our stolen mandate public.

AMBODE CONGRATULATES EKITI GOV-ELECT, FAYEMI

...Says Victory Well Deserved

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor-Elect of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi for emerging victorious at the keenly contested governorship election held on Saturday.

Fayemi was declared winner of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating his closest rival, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 197,459 to 178,121 votes.

Governor Ambode in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna commended President Muhammadu Buhari, leadership and members of APC and its supporters for the hard-fought victory adding that it was a testament to the fact that the electoral value of the party has not waned.

The Governor specially praised and congratulated Fayemi for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership of the State for a second time.



He also urged the Ekiti Governor-Elect to use his second coming to build on its previous achievements and forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation, especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the South-West geo-political zone and justify the confidence the Ekiti electorate have reposed on him.



Governor Ambode also congratulated the Ekiti electorate for comporting themselves peacefully throughout the period of the election, while urging those aggrieved with the result to channel their grievances to the appropriate quarters rather than resort to self help.

INEC Declares Fayemi Winner Of Ekiti Governorship Election with 197, 459 Votes

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kayode Fayemi, has won the Ekiti State governorship election.

Fayemi defeated current Deputy Governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kolapo Olusola, and over 30 others in a keenly contested
election.

He was victorious in 11 out of the 16 local government areas of the state, polling 197,459 votes, and edging out his closest rival Olusola who got 178,121 votes by 19,338 votes.

Based on the votes secured, INEC’s Chief Returning Officer for the election, Professor Idowu Olayinka, declared Fayemi the winner.

Saturday’s election was highly anticipated as it pitted both the APC and Fayemi against one of their biggest critics and a key member of the opposition.

The buildup to the election was filled with drama and heightened expectations but led to fears of violence, with more than 30,000 policemen eventually deployed to provide security.

It, however, started rather smoothly with electoral materials and officials getting to polling units visited by our correspondents on schedule.

In Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, there was a large turnout of voters and more than 60,000 people eventually voted there, the largest votes cast in a local government during the election.

Apart from reports now and then of card reader malfunction, one of the first issues to pop up was the allegations of cash inducements by observers and party agents.

A few hours into the start of the election, the police arrested some persons for allegedly distributing cash to voters.

By midday, both Fayemi and Olusola had suffered hitches at their polling units.
In the case of Fayemi, the card reader smoothly read his PVC enabling him to vote but it failed to read that of his wife and it took several attempts before she got to vote.

After voting, the former Ekiti governor told reporters he was confident of victory and that the day will be celebrated.

In the case of Olusola, the card reader failed to recognise his card when he tried to vote at his polling unit – Ofomofuru Hall, Ward 2, Okokuru in Ikere-Ekiti.

He only got accredited to vote after INEC National Commissioner, Anthonia Simbini, intervened.

Both candidates did not dwell on the hitch, however, with the focus more on voter inducement and intimidation.

The victory puts Mr Fayemi on course for a second term as governor of the state, an ambition he failed to achieve in 2014 when he was defeated by Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Fayemi had gone on to head the Policy, Research and Strategy Directorate of the APC’s Presidential Campaign for the 2015 election before becoming Minister of Mines and Steel Development.

Fayose, whose administration repeatedly accused Fayemi’s administration, was keen to ensure that his deputy succeeds him and that Ekiti remains under the leadership of the PDP.

When he came out to vote, the governor repeated his calls to supporters of the PDP to vote and protect their votes.

Although it was a close contest, Fayemi and the APC prevailed.

Ekiti election: I was paid N3,000 to vote for PDP — AP candidate

Aluko said, “What we are doing is not election. It is money competition. The PDP started it by paying N3,000 into the accounts of civil servants and pensioners. I am a pensioner and I received an alert of N3,000 to vote for the PDP.

#EkitiDecides2018 #EkitiDecides #EkitiVotes
#Punch Agege Pulse

Fayemi wins as APC, PDP woo voters with cash

Punch

The All Progressives Congress candidate in the Ekiti State governorship election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has won the poll held on Saturday.

From the results of the 16 local government areas in the state, Fayemi defeated his closest rival, Prof. Kolapo Olusola of the Peoples Democratic Party, in 12 LGAs.

Fayemi polled 197,459 while Olusola scored 178,114 votes.

The election witnessed a large turnout of voters and early arrival of the ad hoc staff and supervisors of INEC at polling units.

Voting materials also arrived early in many polling units across the state while voters conducted themselves well during accreditation process.

But tension set in as allegations of vote-buying were levelled against party agents by voters in some polling units. In some cases, the situation led to friction among loyalists of various political parties.

At Ward 12 in the Igbehin area of Ado-Ekiti, an elderly voter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused the All Progressives Congress of offering N5,000 to those who had the Permanent Voter Card to secure their votes. He said he rejected the offer.

“I was offered N5,000 to vote for the party but I rejected it. I am 73 years old retired teacher. I cannot allow the future of my children to be bought by moneybags.  I don’t know how we descended to this level when people brazenly offer money to people to secure their votes. It was not like this in the past. Will our votes count with this problem?” he asked.

In Ayegbaju and Oye-Ekiti, it was alleged that party agents paid those who had no PVC N2,000 to vote in connivance with the INEC officials.

A source, who simply identified herself as Bimbo, said after those who had PVC had voted, some of the remaining ballot papers were thumb-printed by youths who had no PVC with the promise of financial gratification.

She said, “If you look well and observe the polling units, the INEC officials connive to allow this thing to happen. They pretended to check the fingerprint but it is fraud they are perpetrating.”

The Peoples Democratic Party was also accused of offering voters N3,000 each to secure their votes. Apart from the reported N3,000 allegedly paid to some civil servants and pensioners by the PDP-led state government, the party agents were accused of going from house to house, approaching voters who possessed PVC.

INEC’s preparation, which the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Abdulganiy Raji, had described as foolproof, failed some of the tests on the election day. Although election materials got to many of the polling units early, there were reports of the card readers failing to function properly.


Punch

Juve sold 520,000 Cristiano Ronaldo shirts in 24hours

Juventus sold 520,000 Cristiano Ronaldo shirts within the first 24 hours of him signing for the club.

An official shirt with Ronaldo on the back costs €104.95.

Therefore the club brought in anything up to €54m gross alone within a day of the transfer.

Missing three-year-old boy found dead in cesspit

Residents on Simpson Street, in the Ebute-Meta area of Lagos State were thrown into mourning on Wednesday after the corpse of a three-year-old boy, identified as Waris, was found dead in a cesspit of an uncompleted building.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Waris was with his mother in their apartment before he went out to play.

His mother was said to have raised the alarm when she did not see Waris in the compound.

It was gathered that the mother and her neighbours searched for the boy, which was initially unsuccessful.

Waris, who was said to have got missing around 3.30pm, was later found inside the cesspit around 7pm.

The father of the deceased, who declined to give his name, said the cesspit was opened because workers wanted to work on it.

He said, “His mother went to pick him in school and when they got home, his mother changed his clothes and he went out to play.

 “They don’t normally open the cesspit, but yesterday (Wednesday) they wanted to work on it, so they opened it to bring out water that was inside.”

One of the neighbours, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as unfortunate.

He said, “His mother was taking care of the younger brother inside the house and she discovered that she could not find him and she informed the neighbours who conducted a search.


“After searching for a while, someone discovered one of his slippers beside the cesspit and a ladder was brought to search inside the cesspit and his body was found in there.”

He said Waris was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Oluwatosin Omojuyigbe #Copied

Headline News

AGEGEPULSE *HEADLINES TODAY*
 *[FRI-13-JUL-2018]*

 *Punch Newspaper*
How we paid June salaries without FAAC Wike

Ekweremadu, 75 senators lay state police bill before Senate

Yakasai, Ezekwesili knock Buhari for security racking brains comment

NYSC DG advises corps members

PDP to Al-Makura: Site cattle ranches in your village

32 get mass burial, as NASS, Tambuwal, govs condemn Sokoto killings

Buhari withholds assent, returns four bills to National Assembly

Looters of TETFund grant to be prosecuted soon Magu

Again, Mathematics scares pupils, parents

Military feeds 1,000 pupils in Borno IDPs camps


 *Vanguard Newspaper*
Edo PDP protests police brutality on Fayose

Go collect your PVCs, Bamgbetan urge Lagosians

Northern group seeks probe, prosecution of PDP, others for forgeries

Onaiyekan, Ekweremadu, TuFace to unveil social media app for Catholics Sunday

Senate begins move to establish state, community police

Senate probes Enugu airport runway project

Police attack: Imo, Abia PDP protest alleged intimidation of Fayose

Buhari's stand on restructuring faulty ' Dickson

Abia youth group urges Ogah to run for governor

Ogun swears in 9 new magistrates, 9 customary presidents


 *The Nation Newspaper*
APC, PDP locked in verbal attacks over Ekiti election

Buyers shun AMCONs N182b assets

Senate moves to unbundle police

31 lawyers elevated to SAN

Fed Govt to name owners of illegally acquired assets

Winners and losers of 2018 World Cup

All is set for governorship poll in Ekiti

Ekiti decides

Traders, informal sector operators to pay N10 daily tax in Oyo

All-female crew flight


 *Thisday Newspaper*
NIMASA Engages CBN on Special Interest Rate for Maritime Asset Acquisition

Report: Despite N299.6bn Revenue, Maritime Sector Operates Inefficiently

Why Nigerian Airlines Cannot Fly International Routes

Expert Calls for Agro-industralised Nigerian Economy

Soyinka on a Suspicious Path

Dangote Cement Bags SON Quality Certification

Imbibing a Culture of Saving, Investing

As InfraCredit Joins League of Harvard Business School Cases

GSMA Supports NCC's Spectrum Trading Policy

Zero-oil Plan an Export Revolution, Says Awolowo

AMBODE HOSTS 11-YEAR-OLD HYPERREALIST ARTIST, PROMISES HIM EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday hosted an 11-year-old hyperrealist artist, Kareem Waris Olamilekan who drew a stunning portrait of French President, Emmanuel Macron in just two hours on the spot during the President’s visit to the new Afrika Shrine in Lagos.

Governor Ambode, who hosted the artist alongside his parents, teachers and instructor, promised to give him educational support, as well as help to nurture his talent to become a great artist later in life.

The Governor also pledged to support Waris’ instructor, Adeniyi Adewole Wasiu, who is said to have an Arts Academy, Ayowole Academy of Arts, where he trains young artists.

Briefing journalists after the Governor hosted the artist at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde said the development was basically to appreciate and encourage the young hyperrealist and as well to assure him of the readiness of the State Government to give him the needed support.

According to Ayorinde, “You would recall that Waris was one of the star attractions during President Macron’s visit to Afrika Shrine. Before painting the President and presenting the portrait to him, Waris had become a household name thanks to the special story done by a media house.

“So, the Governor has invited him and his parents to come and meet him and because the Governor is interested in his education and if you like the welfare of his parents, His Excellency has promised to assist just like he did to the Footprint of David boys who had a special performance at the State House during the Children’s Day.

“So, the Governor is interested in his school. We are happy that Waris is a product of a public school and you could see that the Principal of his school is here and she is happy. The Governor has also acknowledged the contribution of Waris’ mentor, Adewole who is here and because he also has a Arts Academy that inspired and produced Waris, His Excellency the Governor thinks that that Arts Academy should flourish and he is going to also support him, his career and what he is doing,” Ayorinde said.

The Commissioner added that since the works of the young artist became public knowledge, the State Government had taken special interest in his case, saying that the objective of government was to ensure good education and training for Waris to become a great artist later in life.

“The Ministry of education has been involved from day one since the story was reported but our Ministry (Tourism, Arts and Culture) would also be monitoring Waris. He is already in JSS1; he is talented as an artist but then that is not the only subject that he would be taking.

“We want him to be a successful well-rounded student first and foremost and of course as an artist. It is a long haul thing but first good education and let him continue as a good artist,” the Commissioner said. 

Responding, Waris said he was extremely thrilled to meet with President Macron and Governor Ambode, saying the development was a life-changing moment for him.

“I am very happy and excited. I thank Governor Ambode for this opportunity. Now, I want to study my arts very well; I want to be a good artist, great artist in the world,” Waris said.

Also speaking, Waris’ parents, Mr and Mrs Mutiu Kareem said the feat attained by their son was a significant turning point in their lives, and thanked the State Government for the huge support they have so far received.

“I thank God for this. What has happened in my life through my son is something I never thought would happen to me but this is a miracle. I am so happy. I want to thank Governor Ambode for all he has done for us and also my son’s instructor who trained him, as well as his teachers and mother,” Kareem said.

How Khadijat Oluboyo Was Killed – Boyfriend Confesses

Saidu-Shakiru Adeyemi, the boyfriend of Miss Khadijat Oluboyo, the slain daughter of Lasisi Oluboyo, former deputy governor of Ondo State, has denied involvement in her death.

DAILY POST had reported that, Oluboyo, the 25 year-old final year student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, was found dead at the home of her boyfriend in Akure.

Khadijat was found dead in Alao’s residence on Sunday.

Adeyemi denied involvement in Oluboyo’s death when he faced journalists at the headquarters of the Ondo State Police Command on Wednesday in Akure.

According to him, it was the slain girl that brought two boys into his room, who eventually killed her.

Adeyemi explained that he had dated Oluboyo for four years before they parted ways in 2015, and that they only reconciled after the last Ramadan celebration.

Adeyemi, who completed his National Youth Service in 2017, said he had no reason to kill her because he hoped to use her father’s connection to secure job.

He said that Oluboyo came to his house on Thursday because of her project which he was helping her to do.

According to him, they had finished chapter one and her supervisor had already approved it and she came for final correction so that she could move to chapter two.

He explained further that the girl later travelled to Lagos on Friday to buy some wrist watches but she forgot to drop her project with him.

“Meanwhile, on Saturday she snapped both the soft and hard copy of her project to me on my whatsApp for correction.

“On Monday, I believed she was already in school when she sent me a text message to send her N2,000. But I was able to send only N1,000.

“So, I was surprised when I heard a knock on my door later in the day and she entered my room.

“She later told me that she wanted to receive some visitors in my place, and few minutes later she brought two boys in. I was not surprised because that was not her first time to bring someone to my house.

“Later when they came in, we exchanged greetings and I left them in the room. But after 30 minutes, one of the boys called me in and I discovered he held a small gun in his hand while the other boy was on her, Unclad.

“And I heard Khadijat saying ‘I will not tell anybody’. The boy strangled her to death and threatened me not to shout or else they would kill me.

“They later forced me to find a digger with which they dug the ground in my room and buried her

“They are the ones that killed and buried her. I could not shout after they left because of the implication of what has happened, for I was sure nobody would believe me.

“On the fifth day, I was not comfortable anymore, so I exhumed her body and confided in my younger brother who advised that we should inform our father about the development.

“It was my father who informed the police before I was arrested,” Adeyemi said.

Mr Femi Joseph, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command who paraded Adeyemi with other suspects, said he would soon be charged to court after completion of investigation.

COMMISSIONER ASSURES JOB SEEKERS OF DIRECT EMPLOYMENT

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Pharmacist (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, has assured participants at the ongoing Mindset Re-orientation and Employability Skills Training of direct employment either by potential employers or through self-employment.

The Commissioner, who spoke at the Mindset Re-orientation and Employability Skills Programme organized for 500 unemployed youths in the State, lamented the increasing rate of unemployment and described it as saddening and very disheartening.

She maintained that several interventions by the state government, especially with the establishment of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, are already bridging the gap between the employed and unemployed, adding that a change in the orientation of job seekers is also needed for them to attract the right job and also pursue their passion.

In her words, “The Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has developed a series of initiatives and activities that would ensure that it meets up with its mandate of bridging the employability gap in the State. One of such initiatives is this “Mindset Re-orientation, Leadership and Employability Skills Programme” for unemployed youths.’’

According to her, the dearth of white collar job is obvious in the country and it is necessary to re-orientate the mind of youths to be flexible towards growth mindset and the realities of the dynamic labour market as well as modify their behaviour.

Akinbile-Yusuf said that the government is putting all parameters in place to put the unemployment rate in the state under control. “We actually planned to engage 500 participants under this initiative but I was surprised to see over one thousand participants here. This does not mean that our approach to job creation is not yielding the expected outcome but it is evident that more people are coming into Lagos for greener pasture on a daily basis”.

“It is our intention to properly channel the passion and energy of unemployed graduates towards self-reliant skills outside white collar job, enhance the leadership and employability skills of the youths in recognition of the gap between skills possessed by applicants and needed by employers, considering the huge mismatch in the labour market and also facilitate meeting and relationship between employers and unemployed youths in the State”, the Commissioner added.

She explained further that the Ministry championed the programme as a way of bringing job seekers closer to experienced employers who are interested in recruiting qualified hands, stressing that at the end of the training and re-orientation, over 80% of the participants would be fixed for direct employment or empowered to start their personal businesses.

Mr. Tonye Bodam, Head of Talent Management of Airtel, Nigeria advised job seekers to develop positive attitudes, noting that the right attitude plays a great role in securing employment and in excelling in an individual endeavour.

He highlighted some of the attributes that are indispensable for job seekers to include problem-solving, communication, initiative, self-management and acquiring technological skills.

The Special Guest Speaker, Mr. Oluwatosin Oyin-Jolayemi M.D Daily  Need  advised the graduates to  think creatively and stride to make  difference in their communities by turning their passion into a profit-making venture

AMBODE SWEARS IN SIX NEW PERMANENT SECRETARIES

...Tasks Appointees To Add Value To Governance


Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday swore-in six new Permanent Secretaries into the State Public Service, with a charge on them to contribute to the ongoing efforts by his administration to build a modern smart-city for the benefits of residents and visitors.

Speaking at the brief but impressive swearing-in ceremony held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Ambode said the vision to transform the State could only be actualized when abilities were matched with responsibilities, and as such it was incumbent on the new appointees to add value to governance and contribute to the realization of the State’s short, medium and long term plans.

“We believe strongly that our State Public Service deserves nothing but the best. Our vision to build a Modern Smart City-State can only be driven and actualized by matching ability with responsibility. This is a key philosophy which has guided all our actions since we assumed office.



“I have no doubt in your capability to add value to governance and contribute to the realization of this administration’s short, medium and long term plans,” the Governor said.



While congratulating the appointees, Governor Ambode said the decision to elevate them was not only informed by the need to fill the vacancies created by some Permanent Secretaries who recently bowed out of service having attained the retirement age, but more importantly on account of the fact that they possess qualities which stand them out among others.



The Governor particularly urged the appointees to align their actions with the overall policy objectives of his administration which include selfless service, inclusive governance, fair and just distribution of resources among the people as well as deployment of best global practices in service delivery.



“I look forward to seeing your positive impact in the State Public Service especially in the area of improved efficiency and effectiveness with which government business is handled, keeping in mind that we can only be adjudged to have done the right thing when our people are happy and satisfied,” the Governor admonished the appointees.



The new Permanent Secretaries and their portfolios are Mrs Bamidele Fadipe, Office of Civic Engagement; Mr Bashir Braimah, Public Service Office; Mrs Raji Ganiyat, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment; Mrs Omotola Akinsanya, Local Government Establishment, Training and Pension; Mrs Olufunmilayo Okeowo, Tutor General/Permanent Secretary Education District Four; and Mrs Adeleye Olatokunbo, Teachers Establishment and Pensions Office.



In his vote of assurance on behalf of the new appointees, Braimah thanked Governor Ambode for finding them worthy to serve the State in the highest capacity in the public service, just as he assured that they would hit the ground running to contribute to the development of the State.



“As your foot soldiers, we have hit the ground running with competence, commitment and concern for a better Lagos. For the confidence reposed in us, we are eternally grateful and we shall add our plough to the various deliverables to which Lagosians are accustomed,” Braimah said

Breaking News: Ayo Fayose appears at PDP rally in Ado Ekiti with a cervical collar after inhaling 'tear gas

Breaking News: Ayo Fayose appears at PDP rally in Ado Ekiti with a cervical collar after inhaling 'tear gas '

See images below:

Breaking: I'm in Pain -Fayose, As Security Operatives Disperse PDP Supporters From Rally Venue

Security operatives have dispersed supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the venue of the party’s rally ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Party members had converged on the popular Fajuyi Park in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Wednesday before gunshots were reportedly fired into the air.

Sitting on the floor, Gov. Fayose allegedly teargas by the police

Afterwards, Governor Ayodele Fayose attempted to lead the supporters back to the park but the move was thwarted security operatives who reportedly fired gunshots into the air again.

The development resulted in the relocation of the rally to the Government House premises, where Governor Ayodele Fayose and other PDP leaders are expected to address the party members.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, confirmed the incident to Channels Television.

Source: Channels

Married Woman Steals 3-week-old Baby

Mrs. Bunmi Adebayo, a 26-year-old woman, says desperation to have a baby after 10 years of marriage made her to steal a three-week old baby in Modakeke, Osun State.

Punch Metro reports that she allegedly stole the baby, named David Oluwaseun, on Sunday July 1, 2018.

The suspect, who resided in Magboro, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, was arrested on Saturday at Orile Imo village, in the same local government area by men of the state Police Command.

She had fled there with baby named David Oluwaseun.

Parading the suspect before the journalists on Tuesday at the state Police Command headquarters, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, said “the suspect took her desperation too far.”

He said the suspect had lied to her husband, who used to visit her at her abode at intervals, that she was pregnant.

And after nine months, Iliyasu, said, the suspect called her husband and broke the news that she had been delivered of a baby boy.

The news, he added gladdened the heart of the husband, Gbenga Adebayo, who rushed down to her residence.

But, he was said to have become curious when he demanded for the placenta and the suspect was unable to present it.

Iliyasu explained further that when the husband asked her to breastfeed the baby in his presence, she was unable to do so.

Having realised the curiosity of her husband, she was said to have absconded from the home, and her husband had to report to the Police that his wife was missing.

The Police search team caught up with her and the stolen baby at Orile Imo last Saturday, where she was arrested and the baby was rescued.

L-R: The suspect, Mrs. Bunmi Adebayo; and mother of the baby, Eniola Oluwaseun, being handed her child

Copied

THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE TO BE CLOSED FOR REPAIRS

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, said on Tuesday that consultations had begun for the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for repairs.

Kuti said that the ministry of works was going to hold a meeting with stakeholders tomorrow to discuss how to manage traffic during the repairs.

He, however, did not specify the exact date the bridge would be closed to traffic or how long the repairs would last.

According to him, stakeholders attending the meeting to discuss the repairs include traffic regulatory agencies, transport unions, truck owners and drivers’ unions, law enforcement agents, among others.

“The Federal Executive Council has approved the maintenance work on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

“The project has taken off already and in carrying out the work, we may at certain times be shutting down the bridge for maintenance.

“At the moment we may begin with tests on the bridge, so, we may shut it by 12 midnight on Thursday and carry out tests and some repairs and open it to traffic by midnight on Sunday.’’

He said that six other damaged bridges across the state were already undergoing maintenance and rehabilitation.

“We have contracts on maintenance of some of the bridges in Lagos.

“We are completing maintenance work on the expansion joints on the Coconut Bridge.

“We are expecting the contractor to start work on the Independence Bridge in Lagos.

“There is repair work going on currently on the Apapa Bridge, that is, Ijora/Leventis Bridge.

“Maintenance work is ongoing on the Ijora-7up Bridge, we are also changing the expansion joints.

“On the bridge around the National Stadium area, we are putting covers to all the stolen manholes, we are replacing the steel covers from stadium to Costain,” he said.

The controller said that some tests had been carried out on the Otedola Bridge, whose surface was recently burnt during a tanker fire.

Kuti said that the tests revealed that the bridge was safe for use and that the contractors would soon attend to the bridge.

AgegePulse Magazine

Today's Newspaper Headlines

AGEGEPULSE *HEADLINES TODAY*
 *[WED-11-JUL-2018]*

 *Punch Newspaper*
Plateau massacre suspects must be tried in Jos Gowon

Asset forfeiture: Why were stripping President of his power

Court orders forfeiture of ex-gov Aliyus houses, cars, N57m

50 feared killed in Adamawa, Taraba attacks

Ekiti poll: Heavy security as Buhari, Tinubu, others campaign for Fayemi

Money laundering: Court sends ex-Ondo PDP chair back to prison

Nigerian ambassador to Sao Tome dies, Buhari mourns

State police bill passes first reading in House

Reps seek suspension, prosecution of Omo-Agege, six others

Ambode orders agency to open Badagry expressway


 *Vanguard Newspaper*
Gang-up by parties can't stop Buhari ' APC

Leadership failure, cause of killings in Nigeria 'Tambuwal

My position on cattle ranches ' Oluwo

Call herders to order, S-West hunters tell Fulani leadership

Farmer contends against Ugwuanyi for 2019 gov poll

NASS battles FG to release 33% pension arrears 'House c'ttee

Abuja killings: Reps summon FCT CP

Most states breaching pension law, says Takor

Ortom/Akume rift: Security personnel cordon off Benue Assembly

Those perpetrating killings in North are not from Libya ' Ashimolowo


 *The Nation Newspaper*
APC, 20 others join forces to tackle anti-Buhari coalition

Ekiti must grow beyond stomach infrastructure, says Buhari

Borno police protest

Ex-Ondo Dep. governors girl: I reported suspect to police, says dad

Alas,APCs illegitimate kids come of age

The force of consequences
APC wont waiver over PDP coalition

PDPs coalition is an act of opportunism, says Balarabe Musa

We are taking measures against killings, says Buhari

Atiku rallies PDP supporters against Buhari


 *Thisday Newspaper*
We Remain One United Party under Buhari, APC Insists

With Strike in Norway, Libyan Disruption, Crude Oil Price Rises to $79

Court Order Required to Reveal Customers' BVN, CBN Tells Banks, Others

FCMB Offers Training to SME Operators

VC: UNIOSUN Was Bankrupt When I Took Over

FBN Holdings to Buy Back $300m Eurobond Debt Notes

Despite Aregbesola's Plot, Tinubu Finally Settles for Ambode

CBN, Others Back Removal of President's Power on Assets Forfeiture

Regulatory Approval Delays Teleology's Final Payment for 9Mobile

Address Proliferation of Arms, US Envoy Tasks FG

Cristiano Ronaldo Signs $140 Million Deal to Play for Juventus

Following multiple reports, it is now confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is leaving Real Madrid to play for Italian football club Juventus.

According to The Guardian, the Italian club agreed to a €100m ($117m USD) fee for the Portuguese forward with Real Madrid. Ronaldo, meanwhile, will receive a salary of €30m (roughly $35m USD) each year over the course of his four-year contract.

The 33-year-old is ready for a new challenge after nine years at Real and asked the La Liga club to let him go. The player and his agent, Jorge Mendes, met the Juventus chairman, Andrea Agnelli, in Greece on Tuesday to discuss the final details of the deal.

Ronaldo is signing a four-year contract with an annual salary of around €30m. In Italy clubs have to pay the same amount in tax, which takes the total cost of the transfer to €340m (€100m transfer fee plus €240m in salary and taxes).

Real also released a statement on Tuesday saying they had agreed to the transfer “at the will and the request of the player”. The statement added: “Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude to a player who has proved to be the best in the world and who has made this one of the most brilliant times in the history of our club.

“Beyond the titles he won during these nine years at the club Cristiano Ronaldo has also been an example of dedication, work, responsibility, talent and constant improvement.”

Ronaldo in a thank you message said, “Real Madrid has conquered my heart, and that of my family, and that is why more than ever I want to say thank you: thank you to the club, the president, the directors, my colleagues, all the staff, doctors, physios and incredible people that make everything work.”

He finished by saying: “Thanks to everyone and, of course, as I said that first time in our stadium nine years ago: Hala Madrid!”

AgegePulse Magazine