I'll Give Youths, Women, Pensioners Priority If Elected, Says Princess Adesola Areago

...As She Seeks Lagos West Senatorial District's Ticket

In a quest towards searching for quality representation at the Lagos West Senatorial District, well meaning youths and women have called on the service of Princess Adesola Areago Elegbede to vie for the office of the Senate in Lagos West come 2019.


Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, having been born to a notable industrialist, Chief Ajani Areago and married to a one-time Military Governor of Rivers State and former Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, the late Admiral M.A.B Elegbede, Princess Adesola, as she is fondly called, is surrounded with wealth. Yet, her passion revolves around work and diligence.



She is the Chief Executive Officer, McBel Group, a company dealing in importation/exportation of building materials and household goods. Under this group, exists McBel Security Services Limited, a security-consulting agency with affiliation in the United States of America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Mabaka Designs is an African Textile Collection concept, transforming the making of Ankara, Adire and Batik, her hobby, into a money-making venture.

Princess is a workaholic and her passion for work is fuelled by flair for perfection, accountability and trust seeking.

Speaking on the call to service, she disclosed that if given the opportunity to serve the people of her constituents, she would move bills, facilitate and push them into laws which would increase youths and women participation in getting appointment into political offices .

The Chief Executive Officer, McBel Group, a company dealing in importation/exportation of building materials and household goods said pensioners would never suffer again as she has a blueprint that would allow them to enjoy the fruits of their Labour immediately after retirement.

Adesola while briefing the media, also revealed that, quality representation,  accountability and earning people's trust should be top agenda of any one vying for any political post in Nigeria.

However,  Alhaji Isa Egbeyemi who represents Princess Adeola Areago Elegbede described her as a "Concern African Model" that would take the dividends of democracy to the grassroots and doorsteps of everyone of her constituents, rather than using the paypayers money for chasing shadows.

He solicited for peoples support and APC Delegates to vote Princess Adesola at the primary election, sighting Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senator representing Lagos Central as a woman that has made women and people of her constituency proud with an excellent performance at the National Assembly.

He appeal to coordinators of all 28 LGAs and LCDAs under Lagos West to please work in a synergy and ensure Princess Elegbede grabs the Senatorial District Ticket she is aspiring for.

The briefing which was held at the Onigbongbo Town hall, Onigbongbo LCDA was witnessed by top APC Party chieftains in Lagos.

BREAKING: #OsunDecides2018: Adeleke, Oyetola to battle in re-run election

-------------------------
At the end of collation of results, Ademola Adeleke of the PDP won majority votes of about 254,698 while Gboyega Oyetola of the APC came a close second with 254,345 votes.

OSUN DECIDES: INEC DECLARES OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION INCONCLUSIVE

 September 23, 2018  Newsflash247

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Saturday’s Osun State governorship election “inconclusive”.

Announcing the results on Sunday afternoon, Joseph Afuwape, INEC’s Returning Officer, said Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 254,698, while his closest challenger, Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had 254,345 votes.

Iyiola Omisore of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) polled 128,049 votes to place a distant third.

However, Afuwape said that since the difference between the two leading parties was just 353 votes but the number of cancelled votes was 3,548, no winner had emerged.

“Unfortunately, as the Returning Officer, it is not possible to declare any party as winner,” he said.

Sen. Adeleke in early lead as INEC announces results

Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke of the PDP is leading Gboyega Oyetola of the APC as INEC commences announcement of results from Osun polls.

playINEC chairman, Yakubu Mahmood. (NAN)
INEC has commenced announcement of results from the Osun governorship election.
The Osun governorship election was a race between Ademola Adeleke of the PDP,Moshood Adeoti of the ADP, Gboyega Oyetola of the APC, Iyiola Omisore of the SDP and Fatai Akinbade of ADC.

Incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola was backing Gboyega Oyetola, his former Chief of Staff, to succeed him.

X

ALSO READ: Here are official results of Osun governorship election

Here are the results of the Osun election by local governments, from the various returning officers in the local governments in the State.

From the results, the PDP's Adeleke is leading in 10 of 30 Local Governments announced.

Pulseng.

Osun election: Declare fake results, go to jail — INEC

Osun REC, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, addressing members of the press at INEC head office Osogbo. Photo: Femi Dawodu

Olaleye Aluko

The Independent National Electoral Commission has warned politicians that announcing or publishing fake results in the Osun State governorship election is a criminal offence and punishable by a term of imprisonment.

The INEC said the people should await “official results” to be uploaded on its platforms as declared by the election returning officer.

The commission stated this on Saturday on its Twitter page to warn against false election results disseminated on social media.

It said, “Warning! Announcing or publishing a false election result is an offence. It is a criminal offence punishable by a term of imprisonment. The official Osun-decides-2018 results will be uploaded on our platforms as declared by the returning officer.

“This is to remind us that INEC has not completely banned the use of mobile phones at the polling unit but at the polling booth. We can use the INEC application to report incidents of misconduct.”

The commission also reiterated that vote buyers and sellers were also criminal offenders who would be punished by a term of imprisonment.

“Paying money to any other person for bribery at any election or receiving any money or gift for voting or to refrain from voting at any election is an offence. It is a criminal offence punishable by a term of imprisonment, a fine or both.”

The commission added, “A person voting or attempting to vote at an election when he or she is not qualified or inducing a person to vote at an election, knowing that such person is not qualified, is a criminal offence. It is punishable by a term of imprisonment, a fine or both.”

  Copyright PUNCH

Anthony Joshua knocks out Povetkin

Britain’s Anthony Joshua retained his world heavyweight titles by inflicting the first stoppage defeat of Alexander Povetkin’s professional career with a ruthless seventh-round finish at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

A previously close contest turned in Joshua’s favour decisively when he sent the Russian crashing to the canvas with a straight right hand and left hook.

Povetkin gamely beat the count but Joshua piled in before referee Steve Gray stopped the contest at one minute and 59 seconds of the seventh round.

Victory saw Joshua extend his unbeaten professional record to 22 wins from 22 fights, with 21 knockouts, in front of a raucous home crowd.
“Povetkin is a very tough challenger and he proved it tonight,” Joshua told Sky Sports.

“I realised he was strong to the head but weak to the body.
“I got my knockout streak back, I found my right hand again.”
Joshua was putting his International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation belts on the line against 39-year-old Russian challenger Povetkin.

This fight was the latest in a line of professional heavyweight title bouts, featuring the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman, between two former Olympic champions, with Joshua having won gold in front of his home crowd at the 2012 London Games — eight years after Povetkin stood atop the podium in Athens.

Joshua, 28, had a significant height and reach advantage of several inches over Povetkin.

Friday’s weigh-in also confirmed a significant size difference, with Joshua tipping the scales at 17 stone 8 pounds (111.5 kilogrammes) compared to Povetkin’s 15st 12lbs.

This fight saw Joshua returning to the scene of arguably his greatest triumph, an 11th-round stoppage of former champion Wladimir Klitschko last year.

Klitschko was the only man to have previously inflicted a blemish on Povetkin’s now 36-fight record, with a points win back in 2013.
Joshua, born in nearby Watford but based in London, had been taken the distance for the first time as a professional in his last title defence — a unanimous points victory over New Zealand’s Joseph Parker in Cardiff in March.

The undercard of that fight saw Povetkin serve notice of his formidable punching power with a sickening knockout of Britain’s David Price.
Povetkin, who in 2016 was given an indefinite ban from boxing after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium that was later cut to a year, had insisted in the build-up he was a far stronger fighter than the one beaten by Klitschko.

– Povetkin pressure –

And the first round ended with Povetkin, stooping low, rocking Joshua with a right uppercut that drew blood from the champion’s nose.
Joshua, who said Thursday that “my well is deep, my heart can definitely go through hell and back”, was certainly being tested in the opening exchanges, although he did start to respond with some single-punch jabs.
And come the fourth round, Povetkin had a significant cut above the left eye.
Nevertheless, at the end of the sixth he was still in the contest only for Joshua to seal victory barely two minutes later.

But whether this win takes Joshua any closer to a fight with World Boxing Council heavyweight title-holder Deontay Wilder, who next fights Britain’s former world champion Tyson Fury on December 1, remains to be seen.
“My number one would be Wilder,” said Joshua, whose promoter Eddie Hearn has already booked Wembley for April 13, when asked about his next opponent.

“May the champion bring himself here and have a good old fashioned dust-up.

“All I want to fight is serious challengers. If Dillian (Whyte) wants to fight here he is also more than welcome.”
Joshua beat compatriot Whyte with a seventh-round knockout in December 2015 — his last fight before becoming a world champion for the first time

Whyte, who was among an estimated 80,000 crowd at Wembley, said of Joshua’s latest victory: “He was patient and took his time, he was jabbing to the body and then brought the right into play which caught Povetkin by surprise.
“Hopefully, it’s me next, I’m here and ready to fight.”
AFP.

Punch

Tonto Dikeh Decorates Dino Melaye As The Most Outstanding Lawmaker Of The Year

AgegePulse Magazine

Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West senatorial district share the photo of Actress Tonto Dikeh presenting the Most outstanding Lawmaker of the Year Award.


He wrote:
Actress Tonto Dike decorate me as Most outstanding Lawmaker of the Year at The Nigerian Goodwill Ambassador Award 2018.

Native Reporters

Lagos West deserves better representation – Opeifa

Gbenga Adeniji

A former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, has said the desire to provide a better representation is the reason he is vying for the All Progressives Congress’ ticket in the Lagos West senatorial district.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the APC chieftain in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, stated that he would give the district the deserved attention if given the opportunity to serve.

The ex-commissioner is eyeing the position which is currently occupied by Senator Adeola Olamilekan.

Opeifa said, “I will ensure a better representation as well as bring the plight of the people of the senatorial district to the attention of the Federal Government if given the opportunity to serve. I believe my representation will not only benefit the people of my senatorial district, but also the entire country as I will ensure a robust debate in the Assembly.

“I believe Lagos West deserves better representation that is full- time. As the largest senatorial district in the country; some of its constituents are bigger than the population of a state and I believe it can be better.”

Dismissing insinuations that the party leadership had endorsed a candidate for the position, he added that the party always provided a level-playing field for members desiring to contest any position

Opeifa further said what was needed on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway was more than a motion.

He noted, “What we need is not just a motion, but a collaboration between the state and the Federal Government. I will ensure that it further receive the attention of the Federal Government so that it can receive national attention.”

Punch

AMBODE ORDERS IMMEDIATE REPAIR OF ROADS.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has ordered the immediate repair of all roads that have been affected by potholes across the state in order to bring relief and succor to the generality of the motoring public and residents.

Making this disclosure in his office yesterday, was the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Ade Akinsanya who said that due to the perennial rainfall witnessed in the last few weeks, repair work on many roads in the state were suspended but that with the rains subsiding, there is need to intensify efforts in completing repairs where it has started but more importantly carrying out massive repair across the state.

Akinsanya said further that the Public Works Corporation (PWC) with help from some contractors have been mandated to move to sites and commence work immediately. The operation “fix the pothole” will last for about 3 - 4 weeks

He therefore appealed to residents and motorists to co-operate with them by following the traffic diversion put in place to ensure the early and smooth completion of the repair works.

It would be recalled that earlier this year, the Lagos state Government embarked on repair and rehabilitation of 115 roads carried out by the Public Works Corporation  apart from the 48 major roads totaling 129km that were rehabilitated and upgraded by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure while 25 other road projects totaling 94km are ongoing.

Polaris Bank Takes Over Skye Bank

AgegePulse Magazine

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the licence of Skye Bank Nigeria Plc.

CBN Governor and the Managing Director of the Nigeria Insurance Deposit Corporation (NDIC), Godwin Emefiele, disclosed this on Friday at a media briefing in Lagos.

He also announced the change in the name of Skye Bank to Polaris Bank which takes over the bank.

He said an injection of N786 billion has been made into the bank with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has been directed to commence the sale process of the bank from Monday.
The revocation of Skye Bank’s operating licence follows the Central bank’s decision to pause its injection of funds processes in the lender.

The regulators maintain that customers deposits safe as management and members of staff will be retained under the new ownership structure.

Meanwhile, the share price of Skye Bank on Friday gained 4.05 percent at 77 kobo.

The stock is expected to be placed on suspension from Monday in accordance with bridge bank procedures.

Channels Tv

Malabu: Italian judge jails Nigerian, one other

’Femi Asu  with agency report

After several years of inquiry into the purchase of an offshore oilfield in Nigeria by Shell and Eni, an Italian judge on Thursday sentenced two defendants to jail in the first ruling on one of the oil industry’s biggest graft scandals.

The two oil majors are embroiled in a long-running corruption case revolving around the purchase in 2011 of one of Africa’s biggest oilfields – Oil Prospecting Licence 245 – for about $1.3bn.

Nigerian Emeka Obi and Italian Gianluca Di Nardo were found guilty of international corruption and each given four-year jail sentences, Reuters quoted three sources with knowledge of Thursday’s ruling as saying.

Lawyers for Obi and Di Nardo declined to comment, according to Reuters.

Milan prosecutors alleged that bribes totalling around $1.1bn were paid to win the licence to explore the oilfield which, because of disputes, has never entered into production.

The main trial, which besides Eni and Shell, also involves Eni Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, and four ex-Shell managers, including a former Shell Foundation Chairman, Malcolm Brinded, is expected to drag on for months.

But Obi and Di Nardo, accused of being middlemen and taking illegal kickbacks, had asked for a separate fast-track trial which, under Italian law, allows sentences to be cut by a third.

Thursday’s ruling will not tie the court’s hand in the main trial.

The next hearing of the main trial involving Eni, Shell and 13 people is set for September 26.

Barnaby Pace, anti-corruption campaigner at Global Witness, was quoted as saying, “This judgment will send shivers down the corporate spines of the oil industry.”

In an emailed statement, a spokeswoman for Shell was quoted as saying that neither Obi nor Di Nardo worked on behalf of the company, adding that it was waiting to see the fast-track judge’s written decision.

“Based on our review of the Prosecutor of Milan’s file and all of the information and facts available to us, we do not believe that there is a basis to convict Shell or any of its former employees of alleged offences,” it said.

Also in emailed comments, Italian oil company Eni reiterated it had acted correctly in the purchase of OPL 245, saying it had worked directly with the Nigerian government.

OPL 245 is one of the biggest sources of untapped oil reserves on the African continent with reserves estimated at nine billion barrels.

Eni, the biggest foreign oil producer in Africa, has been doing business in Nigeria since 1962 and last year produced 109,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Shell is the biggest foreign investor in the country, producing 266,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2017.

The sources said the Milan judge had ordered the seizure of $98.4m from Obi and more than 21 million Swiss francs ($21.9m) from Di Nardo.

Prosecutors had alleged that Obi received a mandate from a former Nigerian Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete, to find a buyer for OPL 245, collecting $114m. Di Nardo, they said, took $24m of that amount for putting Obi in touch with Eni.

 Copyright PUNCH.

Buhari lacks vision, capacity to develop Nigeria –Saraki

Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, says that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, lacks the vision, capacity and the patience to develop the country.

Saraki made the comment on Thursday when he led his Presidential campaign team on a courtesy visit to Governor Seriake Dickson at Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The Senate President asked Nigerians to replace the current leadership provided by the APC, saying that the party had caused disunity in the country.

Saraki stressed that the country was in dire need of a leader like him with a demonstrable capacity to unite the deeply divided country and create a sense of belonging through fair distribution of appointments in the country.

He argued that it was indeed impossible for anybody to give what he doesn’t have as shown by the inadequacies of the current APC leaders.

He further said that the country was in need of a young vibrant leader with the capacity to withstand the rigours of governance at all times.

He said that running governance must be accompanied with the inseparable willingness and capacity to give all-round attention to the demands of the job.

The Senate President, who also spoke on the raging debate on restructuring, stated that it would be wrong to perceive restructuring as a move to develop a few states.

Saraki said that restructuring would create opportunities for the respective states of the federation to actualise their developmental potential and ensure national growth in the interest of the future generation of Nigerians.

He stated, “2019 is a very crucial election for this country; we are at the crossroads as we have never been so disunited as we are today.

“Wherever you go, people ask questions: where do you belong? We need to address the issue of unity in this country; it is time for everybody to have a seat on the table, a time for everyone to have a sense of belonging in this country. It is not about me.

“There is a new order in the world today, wherever we go, we see leaders that have a vision, that are ready to develop their countries. A lot of us talked about the Asian tigers, but they did not come by chance, or trial and error, they became tigers because they have visionary leaders.

“They are leaders that are ready to defend their countries, that have an idea of what they want to do.  As I keep on saying, you cannot give what you don’t have.

“Where we are now, we have a leadership that has no vision for us. We must bring visionary leadership to the presidential level so we can move this country forward.”

In his remarks, Governor Dickson said that the time had come for the country to move away from the evil of bigotry and indeed a leadership founded on feelings of sectional superiority.

Punch 

One killed as police, cult members clash in Lagos

   Deji Lambo

One person has been killed after operatives of the Lagos State Police Command clashed with some suspected cult members in the Owode area of Lagos State on Wednesday.

The operatives had reportedly received a report that the hoodlums allegedly stabbed a rival cult member, Sylvester Chikwendu, to death in the Alapera area of the state.

The policemen were said to have ambushed the suspects at Thomas bus stop, Owode.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, in a statement on Thursday, said in a bid to evade arrest, the cult members opened fire on the police team, adding that the operatives fired back.

A member of the group was said to have been hit by a bullet and died on the spot.

Oti noted that other members of the gang fled with bullet wounds, adding that their operational vehicle and ammunition were recovered from the scene.

He said, “The onslaught against the twin evil of armed robbery and cultism in the state ended on a high note on Tuesday, September 19, 2018, around 8:30pm, when operatives of the Lagos State Police Command not only intercepted a rampaging criminal gang, but killed one of them during a gun battle.

“A tip-off from a well meaning citizen to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Owode Onirin, Ikorodu, Lagos, changed the game for the terror gang, who had around 6.40pm on the same day at Demuren Street, Alapere, stabbed one Sylvester Chikwendu, 32, suspected to be a rival cult member, to death.

“Sequel to the information, the DPO mobilised a crack team to Thomas bus stop, Owode. He told his men to narrow the road and gave them a clear description of the gang’s operational vehicle.

“When the gang approached the police zone, they became desperate and opened fire on the operatives in their last ditched effort to evade arrest, eliciting immediate response from the team

“However, in the ensuing gun battle, one of them was fatally wounded, while the others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds. They abandoned the following items at the scene; their operational vehicle, a Toyota Camry saloon, one pump-action rifle, one locally-made revolver pistol, one locally-made single-barrelled pistol, five live 9mm calibre ammunition, three live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two cutlasses, charms and assorted clothing.”

Oti said the command’s swift response to the crime was a signal that the state was unrelenting in its quest to combat criminal activities in the state.

He said, “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi, said the quick resolution of a crime that started at Alapere should signal to criminal elements that security in place in the state is virtually impregnable.

“He added that now that the ember months had come, police personnel serving in the state are under firm instruction to decisively subdue perpetrators of violent crimes.

Punch 

Catholic priest dies four days after escaping kidnappers’ den

Theophilus Onojeghen, Warri

The Chaplain of the Seat of Wisdom Catholic Chaplaincy of the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, Delta State, Very Rev. Fr. Dr Louis Odudu, who recently escaped from a kidnappers’ den, is dead.

Odudu died on Wednesday, four days after he escaped from his abductors’ den.

Sources in the Catholic Diocese of Warri told PUNCH Metro that the priest was abducted last week Friday and he escaped on Saturday.

Although the immediate cause of death could not be ascertained by our correspondent, it was gathered that the incident was not unconnected with his abduction.

Family, friends and parishioners were still celebrating his freedom when the news of his death filtered into town on Wednesday.

He was said to have been pronounced dead at a private hospital in Warri, hours after he reportedly complained of pains and demanded to be taken to a hospital.

Odudu, who was ordained priest of the Catholic Diocese of Warri in 1987, had reportedly been in the United Kingdom for years.

He was said to have returned to the country about five months ago when he was abducted.

The deceased was a former Assistant Secretary-General at the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.

The news of the death reportedly threw the Catholic community in Delta into mourning, as worshippers discussed the incident in clusters after mass on Thursday.

A source said, “He was just assigned to the chaplaincy at PTI about two months before his kidnap and untimely death.

“It was a black Wednesday for the Diocese of Warri as Very Rev. Fr. Louis Odudu died on the day the diocese was holding a prayer vigil for one of the deceased priests, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Ekakabor, who died early this month after battling with a brain injury he sustained when he was attacked by armed robbers. The robbers invaded the priest’s rectory in 2017 at his parish of St. Joseph, Okpare-Olomu, in the Ughelli South Local Government Area.”

The Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Warri, Rev. Fr. Dr Benedict Ukutegbe, confirmed the demise of the priest.

Ukutegbe, who declined to speak on the cause of death, also confirmed that he had just been released by kidnappers.

Catholic priests in the state have been under attack by some hoodlums in recent times, as no fewer than five priests had been abducted in 2018 alone.

“I’ll dance to the Government House” after Saturday’s Election – Senator Adeleke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)‘s candidate for the September 22 Osun governorship election Senator Ademola Adeleke, has said that he’ll be victorious at the polls and will dance to the government house.

According to Punch, Adeleke, nicknamed “dancing senator” made this known at an interactive session organised by the Oduduwa Youth Development Initiative in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Adeleke had been marred with an examination malpractice scandal, causing the police to declare him wanted on Wednesday. President Buhari later reportedly ordered the police not to invite him until after the polls on Saturday.

“I will dance to the Government House after winning Osun governorship election on Saturday.

“I have been tagged dancing Senator, but this shouldn’t be used against me because everybody dances. Have you seen someone who doesn’t dance? I am winning this election and I will dance to the Government House after that.

“When I was in the university overseas, I used to go for dancing competition. Although, I am a Nigerian, I still won dancing competitions which is the reason why I was nicknamed ‘Jackson,’ but my real name is Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke,” Adeleke said.

Adeleke, who criticised the educational policy of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, said the unpaid salaries and school merger were some of the reasons for the poor performance of pupils of the state in public examinations.

Criticising incumbent governor Rauf Aregbesola’s administration, Adeleke said:

“Anybody who fails to pay his or her labourers is wicked and I can boldly say that the APC government is wicked for not paying its workers and pensioners in the state.

“The menace of non-payment of salary is responsible for the 29th position of this state in the ranking of WAEC; but when I get to power, I will turn it around by ensuring that the welfare of every worker in the state is catered for.

” insensitivity of the All Progressives Congress government is responsible for the state where LAUTECH is today and it is evidently clear to the masses that the PDP government takes education as a priority.”

A statement by the director general of Adeleke’s campaign organisation Lere Oyewumi also condemned the police invitation on the examination malpractice scandal.

He said the certificate issue had been tried and judgement given by an Osun State High Court presided over by Justice David Oladimeji.

He added that there’s an ongoing court case in Abuja on the same issue.

BREAKING: Amaju Pinnick wins NFF election

Olaide Oyelude, Katsina

Amaju Pinnick was on Thursday afternoon, reelected the Chairman of Nigeria Football Federation.

Pinnick polled 34 votes to beat three other contestants to retain his seat.

Alhaji Aminu Magari got eight votes; Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi got two votes while Honourable Chinedu Okoye did not have any vote.
In all, 44 delegates from states football federation and other bodies including coaches, referees associations and players unions, participated in the election which took place in Katsina State.

The chairman of the Electoral committee for the election, Muhammed Katu announced the results.

FIFA representatives, Luca Piazza and Solomon Mudege were among football chiefs who witnessed the election.

Elections into the offices of first Vice President, Chairman of Chairmen and other members of the NFF board were still in progress as of the time of filing this report.

See NFF tweet:.@PinnickAmaju re-elected NFF President. He scored a total of 34 votes, Maigari 8 votes, Ogunjobi 2 votes, and Okoye 0 votes.#NFFElections #NFFElections2018pic.twitter.com/8mUwc7nO77

— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) September 20, 2018

Punch

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULT & UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

MATCH DAY 1

Wednesday 19th Sept 2018

5:55 pm - Ajax 3 VS AEK Athens 0

5:55 pm - FC Shakhtar Donetsk 2 VS Hoffenheim 2

8:00 pm - Benfica Lisbon 0 VS Bayern Munich 2

8:00 pm - Manchester City 1 VS Lyon 2

8:00 pm - FC Viktoria Plzen 2 VS CSKA Moscow 2

8:00 pm - Real Madrid 3 VS Roma 0

8:00 pm - Valencia 0 VS Juventus 2

8:00 pm - BSC Young Boys 0 VS Manchester Utd 3



UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

FIXTURES

MATCH DAY 1

Thursday 20th Sept 2018

5:55 pm - PAOK VS Chelsea

5:55 pm - Vidi FC VS FC BATE Borisov

5:55 pm - Villarreal VS Rangers

5:55 pm - SK Rapid Vienna VS FC Spartak Moscow

5:55 pm - Marseille VS Eintracht Frankfurt

5:55 pm - Lazio VS Apollon Limassol FC

5:55 pm - Stade Rennes VS FK Jablonec

5:55 pm - FC Dynamo Kiev VS FC Astana

5:55 pm - Besiktas VS Sarpsborg

5:55 pm - KRC Genk VS Malmo FF

5:55 pm - Sevilla VS Standard Liege

5:55 pm - Akhisar Bld Spor VS FC Krasnodar

8:00 pm - AEK Larnaca FC VS FC Zurich

8:00 pm - Ludogorets  Razgrad VS Bayer Leverkusen

8:00 pm - RB Leipzig VS RB Salzburg

8:00 pm - Celtic VS Rosenborg BK

8:00 pm - FC Copenhagen VS FC Zenit St Petersburg

8:00 pm - SK Slavia Prague VS Bordeaux

8:00 pm - FC Spartak Trnava VS RSC Anderlecht

8:00 pm - GNK Dinamo Zagreb VS Fenerbahce

8:00 pm - Sporting Lisbon CP VS Qarabag FK

8:00 pm - Arsenal VS FC Vorskla Poltava

8:00 pm - F91 Dudelange VS AC Milan

8:00 pm - Olympiacos VS Real Betis

Alleged torture: Journalist seeks NUJ’s help to tackle LASPOTECH

Deji Lambo

A journalist, Folake Sokoya, has petitioned the Lagos council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists over alleged torture by security guards at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.

Sokoya, whose battle with the Lagos State’s owned institution had been in public space for a while, said she had been denied justice by appropriate government agencies.

She noted that the institution had manipulated the narrative in its favour, hence the need for the state NUJ to come to her aid.

The 40-year-old alleged that she and her son, Boluwatife Olowu, were manhandled by security guards at the school.

Olowu, a National Diploma student in the Hospitality Management Technology Department of the school, was reportedly seized by the guards for wearing earrings on the school’s premises.

He was said to have been brutalised before Sokoya showed up and challenged the guards for assaulting her son.

The freelance journalist said she was also beaten up, adding that she reported the case at the Sagamu Road Police Station.

Sokoya explained that her past experience from almost losing her son to kidnappers prompted her to visit the school when she was informed about the incident.

She said, “My son was abducted by some ritual killers on June 11, 2017; it took the grace of God to find him after four days. So, when he called to tell me that he had been arrested, I was scared. I quickly informed the police and the 174 battalion commandant before rushing out.

“I also called some of his classmates to know his whereabouts; one of them, Ajibola, told me that she saw him when the security guards were beating him up.

“I got back to the commandant and he told me to ask for the Chief Security Officer of the school. I saw my son seated on the floor when I got to the security unit. Immediately they knew I was there because of him, they refused to give me the CSO’s phone number, so I had to leave with my son. We were about three blocks away before my son identified two security officers and showed me the one who beat him up. I was surprised when they accosted him again and wanted to take him back to the unit.

“I challenged them as a mother and they pushed me out of the way. I held one of them. The other guard tried to remove my hand and in the process his clothes got torn. The guard became annoyed and punched me on the face and head butted me until I passed out.

“They dragged me into their office and injured me. I was admitted to a hospital for about three weeks. The police told me that they could not arrest them because it was a school matter.

 “I want justice; I have spent a lot on medical bills. They stole my son’s gold chain; they also spoiled his phones.”

Punch 

Train kills motorcyclist, passengers at PWD in Lagos

A moving train on Wednesday killed a motorcyclist and his passenger at the PWD level crossing along Ikeja-Oshodi route of the railway line.
Mr Jerry Oche, the Lagos District Manager of Nigeria Railway Corporation, confirmed the incident to theNews Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Oche said that the incident, which happened in the morning, involved an Ijoko-Apapa train at the level crossing where the motorcyclist refused to stop for the moving train.

“We have warned passersby, motorists and other road users to stay away from railway tracks.


“Railway track is a very dangerous place to toy with; everything involved is iron both the rail tracks and the train itself.
“I learnt that he was trying to outsmart the train before he was crushed by the moving train.

“It’s an unfortunate incident.
“We are appealing to people to learn from such incident and exercise patience at the railway level crossings across the state,” he said.

The district manager said that the remains of the victims had been deposited at the mortuary, while the police were working towards contacting the family of the victims.

(NAN)

BREAKING: FG Suspends Planned National Carrier, Nigeria Air

Channels Television  

The Federal Government has suspended the proposed new National Carrier, Nigeria Air.

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Serika, made the announcement on Wednesday through his Twitter handle.

“I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim.

“All commitments due will be honoured.

“We thank the public for the support as always”.

I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) September 19, 2018

He, however, gave no reason for the decision.

 The Federal Government’s decision to suspend a new national carrier follows its unveiling two months ago.

During its unveiling on July 18, the minister said the national carrier will be private sector driven and not a “social service”.

According to him, the Federal Government will not own more than 5% (maximum) of the new National Carrier.

Serika explained that the airline will create economic and job opportunities.

“We want to use this new private-sector-led airline to make a statement that, ‘Yes, Nigeria can do it!’ and we also want to promote our cultures and traditions. It will also create economic opportunities and jobs.”

I will contest Lagos gov election –Jimi Agbaje

Jimi Agbaje

Mr Jimi Agbaje, the 2015 Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Wednesday ended speculations about his re-run bid, saying he was back in the race.

Agbaje made the confirmation via a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria  in Lagos.

“It is true that initially I did not want to re-contest, but I had so many people urging me to run.

“I bought and submitted my nomination form shortly before it closed. I will be part of the PDP Lagos governorship primaries, billed for Friday, September 28th, “ he said.

Agbaje said that he was confident he would win the elections in Lagos state, if he picked the PDP guber ticket to run.

On the upcoming primaries, Agbaje said he was confident that the leadership would create a level playing ground for all the aspirants, as has been the norm of the party.

“Our primaries have always been open, fair and free for all.

“This is what we are known for, and that is the way I expect it to be,” he said.

Agbaje, who also contested for the National Chairmanship of the PDP in 2017, won by Uche Secondus, said that the recent defections from the party in the state would not affect him if he picked the ticket.

“It is the people of Lagos State that will decide. The issues in the party will not impart negatively on votes.

“Most Nigerians now vote for individuals rather than party,” he said.

NAN reports that Agbaje, popularly known as JK, was born March 2, 1957 in Lagos State to late Chief Julius Kosebinu (Banker) and Mrs. Margaret Olabisi (teacher).

(NAN)

WAEC confirms Adeleke sat for 1981 exams, shows candidate had F9 in English

Ade Adesomoju, Abuja
The West African Examinations Council has confirmed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Bwari, Abuja that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday in Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, sat for its examination in 1981.

WAEC stated this in a court filing which it made in compliance with an order issued by Justice Othman Musa on September 11.

In the results attached to the documents filed by WAEC, Adeleke was listed as number 149 out of the 221 candidates that sat for the May/June 1981 examinations of the Council at Ede Muslim High School in Ede, Osun State.

The results showed that he sat for only English Language in which he had F9.
He did not sit for other registered subjects which included Mathematics,  Literature in English, Islamic Knowledge and Geography.


He also did not sit for Economics and Biology.

Justice had directed WAEC to produce Adeleke’s results in a ruling on an ex parte application by two plaintiffs, Mr. Wahab Raheem and Mr. Adam Habeeb.

Justice Musa had in the ruling specifically ordered the examination body to produce in court the ledger containing results of Ademola and his mates with whom he sat for the examinations.

He also ordered WAEC to swear to an affidavit either denying or confirming that Adeleke, an incumbent senator representing Osun West Senatorial District in the Senate, sat for the Council’s May/June 1981 examinations conducted by the Council at Ede Muslim High School in Ede, Osun State.


The court ordered that WAEC should file the ledger and the verifying affidavits within five days of being served with the enrolled order.

Punch

APC shift Primaries to September 25

The Presidential Primaries of the All Progressives Congress earlier scheduled for Thursday, 20th September will now take place on Tuesday, 25th September, the party has said.

A statement signed by the National Organizing Secretary, Emma Ibediro also announced the shift in date of all other primary elections from the earlier date, with the governorship primary now scheduled to take place four day after the presidential primary on 29th September.

Similarly, the senate and House of Representatives primary will now take place on 2nd and 3rd October, while the state houses of Assembly primary will now take place on 4th October.

The National Convention of the party to affirm the party’s Presidential candidate is expected to hold on 6th October as earlier scheduled.



No explanation was offered for the shift in date of the primaries, but The Nation can report that screening of aspirants was yet to begin as at the time of this report as no committee has been inaugurated to handle the screening.

Also, the party was yet to name Committee to conduct the primaries.

It was gathered that the National Working Committee of the party was working round the clock to avoid major crisis after the conduct of party primaries.

Most states of the Federation are sharply divided over the mode of primary to adopt for the conduct of party primaries with some stakeholders pushing for direct primaries, while others are insisting on the use of direct primaries.

The Nation

Farmer bags six months for stealing 13 crates of eggs

A 28-year-old farmer, Amisu Bello, is to serve six months in prison after a Magistrates’ Court in Minna, Niger, convicted him of stealing 13 crates of eggs.
Bello was docked alongside one Shefiu Yahaya on a two-count of theft and receiving stolen property, contrary to Sections 288 and 317 of the Penal Code Law.

The Police Prosecutor, Emmanuel Ogiri, had told the court that one Isa Azeez, the Manager of IK Farms, Gidan Mangoro, Minna, reported the matter at the Kpakungu Police Station on Sept. 17.

Ogiri said that Bello went to IK farm and stole 13 crates of eggs and when he was arrested, he confessed to having previously stolen 12 crates on five different occasions.

He also said that police investigation revealed that Bello was in the habit of selling the eggs to Yahaya, the second accused person.
When the charges were read to them, Bello pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency while Yahaya pleaded not guilty.

In her ruling, the Magistrate, Ramatu Adamu, sentenced Bello to six months in prison with an option of a fine of N10, 000.
Adamu also ordered him to pay N17, 000 to the complainant as compensation.

He, however, discharged and acquitted Yahaya of any wrongdoing after establishing the fact that he bought the eggs at their market value without the knowledge that they were stolen.


(NAN)

Cultists allegedly kill final year medical student, nine others during graduation party

A final year medical student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, simply identified as Dr Einstein, alongside nine others were allegedly killed by cultists on Tuesday.

It was reported that the deaths resulted from a fight between two men at the venue of the graduation party of the students at Judges quarters in Ekpoma.

However, as other people attempted to stop the fight, one of the men, said his clothes had been torn by the peacemakers and he promised to make them pay for it.


It was reported that he left and later returned with his friends. They were all allegedly armed with guns. The angry man searched for the man, he had been fighting with earlier and on sighting him, he and his friends shot him and those, who had tried to make peace between them.

According to reports, about 10 people were killed, including Dr. Einstein, a final year medical student who would have been graduating next week.

Other casualties include one Ose Abulu, his girlfriend and Jerry Omobude, who was an engineering student of the institution.

Punch