Modric defeats Ronaldo and Salah to be crowned FIFA's The Best of 2018

Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has been named the Best Men’s Player at The Best FIFA Football Awards on Monday evening, fighting off competition from fellow nominees Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah.

The award caps off an incredible year for Modric, who won his fourth Champions League title with Real Madrid in May, before leading his country to a World Cup final in July and being crowned UEFA Men’s Player of the Year last month.

The Best Men’s Player of the Year award, formerly named the Fifa World Player of the Year, has long been dominated by both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but Barcelona forward Messi failed to make the shortlist for this years award for the first time since 2006. Neither player was present in London on Monday.

Modric’s other accolades from last season include him being awarded the Golden Ball for his performances during the 2017 Club World Cup, whilst the former Spurs man was also included in the Champions League team of the season for a third consecutive year and named the best midfielder in the competition for a second consecutive year.

"This trophy is not just mine, it’s for all my Real Madrid team-mates, for all my team-mates from the Croatia national team, for all the coaches that I have played for," Modric stated upon receiving the award.

"Without them, this would not be possible and thank you a lot to them.

"This trophy is also for my family, without whom I would not be the player and person that I am. They are my ‘the best’.

"At this particular moment, I would like to mention my footballing idol [Zvonimir Boban] and captain of Croatia generation 1998 and their first participation [at the World Cup finals as Croatia] and bronze in France.

"He was my big inspiration and that team gave us belief that we could achieve something great in Russia. Hopefully we can be the same for next generations.

"This award shows that we all can become the best with hard work, dedication and belief. All dreams can come true."

Juventus forward Ronaldo had won the two previous Best FIFA awards before this year, but was beaten to this year's crown by his former Real Madrid team-mate and also missed out of the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award to Modric last month.

The Portugal star was nominated after playing a vital part in a third successive Champions League title for Real Madrid last season. He was top scorer in the competition with 15 goals and netted 44 goals altogether for Los Blancos in 2017-18, before moving to Juventus in a deal worth a reported €100 million (£90m/$118m).

"First of all I would like to give congratulations to Mohamed [Salah] and Cristiano [Ronaldo] for the seasons they have had, and I'm sure that in the future you will have another opportunity to win this trophy," Modric said of the two fellow nominees.

Liverpool star Salah was nominated after a remarkable year that saw him score 44 goals in 52 games in his debut season with the Reds, after arriving from Roma in June 2017.

The Egyptian icon came up against both Modric and Ronaldo in last seasons Champions League final but was forced off early after suffering a shoulder injury in a coming together with Sergio Ramos. He recovered in time to represent his country at the World Cup in Russia, but was unable to guide them past the group stages.

Salah was rewarded at Monday's ceremony with the Puskas Award for best goal of the past year .

France coach Didier Deschamps was crowned Men's Coach of the Year, while football legends lined up to criticise Messi and Ronaldo for their notable snub of the FIFA event.

Five-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner Marta  won the Best Women's player award, having been runner-up last year.

Goal.com

BREAKING: Protest rocks Osun INEC office

Femi Makinde, Osogbo

Hundreds of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday stormed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission to protest against the state rerun governorship election ordered by the commission.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as “No To rerun, “INEC don’t conspire with APC”; “The people spoke on Saturday, announce the results ” among others.

The protesters berated the INEC for not declaring Senator Ademola Adeleke the winner of the poll having scored the highest number of votes in the poll.

They said the people of the state had spoken and that majority of the voters wanted Adeleke as the state governor and that the peoples’ wish should be respected.

Details later.

Punch

NERC working on alternative energy sources, says Chairman

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, says it is working on alternative energy sources to boost power supply in the country.
Its Chairman, Prof. James Momoh made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Igarra, Edo.

“We are working on other options of energy supply so that we don’t have to always rely on power from Egbin, Afam or Sapele.

“That is why now, we are working and making sure there is network to transfer long distance power to other parts of the country.


“With respect to renewable energy, God has given us wind and solar energy in Nigeria, sunshine which can be turned into energy.
“We have investors, even Nigerians themselves who are interested in getting involved in the business of energy production, we have regulations that allow them to do so.

“So if you know somebody who wants to engage in distributing power, marketing power, making money, we are the people that will authorize such persons.

“Already some other states have taken advantage of that,” Momoh said.
The NERC chairman said that the commission is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have access to power and every home  is metered.
“First of all, we have sufficient power and accessible power for everyone who want to use power and buy.

“So we are metering, we are regulating; every Nigerian home must be metered so you don’t pay for energy you did not use. Nobody should be given estimated bills.

“We are a commission which solves problem legally, the law is in place to make sure every home is metered and if you are willing to access power, you need to be metered and pay,” he said.
On the power supply problem in Igarra, Momoh said the effort is on to enhance supply.

“We are working and making sure there is network to transfer long distance power to Igarra; that is what we just did in Okpella.
“Okpella had been in darkness, we have solved their problem, they will no longer be in darkness.

“Igarra too, we are going to solve their problem, we are going to make sure that power from Okpella gets to this place,” he added.

(NAN)

Punch

Live: Agege LGEA, FMEN Begin 3-Day Trainning For Parents, Teachers on Effective Parenting

Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Agege Local Government Education Authority in collaboration with Foundation for Montessori Education in Nigeria today begins 3days training for Teachers/Parents in Agege.

The three days training Tagged: Aid To Life, ...supporting the Natural Development of Children at Dairy Farm Primary School Multipurpose Hall, Agege.

According to the Education Secretary, Agege LGEA and Chairman of all Education Secrtaries in Lagos, Hon. Majiyagbe said that, this initiative is unprecedented and would go in a long way to discover new innovations while developing a child.

Details later....

APC shifts presidential primary to Sept. 27th

John Alechenu, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress has shifted its presidential direct primary election earlier scheduled for Tuesday, September 25th, 2018 to  Thursday, September 27th, 2018.

This was contained in a terse statement signed by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in Abuja.

The statement also said, “Duly registered party members are to collect their permanent membership cards from their respective wards.”

Punch

National Assembly postpones resumption to Oct. 9

Leke Baiyewu, Abuja

The National Assembly has postponed its resumption from the ongoing two-month annual recess to October 9, 2018.

The federal legislature, which went on summer recess in July, was scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

A top source told our correspondent that the decision followed a meeting by the leadership of the National Assembly on Sunday night.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Mohammed Sani-Omolori, in a statement issued shortly after the meeting, announced the postponement.

The statement read, “This is to inform all distinguished senators and honourable members that resumption of plenary session earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 25th September, has been postponed to Tuesday, 9th October, due to the activities of the primaries of the political parties.

“All distinguished senators and honourable members are expected to resume plenary session by 10am on the 9th of October, please.”

SUNDAY PUNCH had exclusively reported on September 9 how some lawmakers called on the leadership of both chambers to extend their resumption from September 25 to the second week of October.

A cross section of the lawmakers from both the Senate and House of Representatives had explained that the September 25 earlier fixed was no longer feasible.

Osun: PDP to strike deal with Omisore, others

Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja

There were indications in Abuja on Sunday that the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party might strike a deal with a former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore,  in a bid to win the state rerun governorship election slated for Thursday, investigations by our correspondent have revealed.

Omisore is the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the election in which the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke, came first with 254, 698 votes while the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, came second with 254,345 votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has, however, said there would be rerun in some polling units where elections were cancelled.

The units,  which were listed by the commission, are two in Orolu Local Government Area, one in Ife South Local Government Area, one in Ife North Local Government Area and one in Osogbo Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the PDP had already initiated discussions with Omisore towards winning the two units in his stronghold of Ife.

Apart from Omisore,  the PDP was said to be planning to meet with candidates of other political parties that had what a source described as a “worthy outing” during the election on Saturday.

Such candidates, it was gathered, are African Democratic Congress’ Fatai Akinbade and Action Democratic Party’s Alhaji Moshood Adeoti.

Already, it was gathered that a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, had spoken with Omisore on the need for the latter to support the PDP candidate in the rerun.

Fani-Kayode, who is also from Ile Ife like the former deputy governor, confirmed that he had spoken with both Omisore and Adeleke on the issue.

NNPC urges NUPENG, PENGASSAN to halt planned strike action

The Group Managing Director, of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, has urged oil workers to halt their planned strike over a labour dispute involving Chevron Nigeria Limited management and the staff.

The unions are National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria .

Baru made the appeal in a statement by NNPC’s Group Public Affairs Manager, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja on Sunday.

The GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, said he had directed the management to work with other stakeholders to resolve the issues raised by the leadership of the unions.

He appealed to the unions not to do anything that would disrupt the industrial harmony that had pervaded the sector.

The group managing director expressed fears that the gains of the recent past in the sector, if care was not taken, could be frittered away inadvertently.

He, however, expressed optimism that the current dispute would be settled amicably.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the unions had recently called on the National Assembly to intervene in the brewing impasse between CNL and its staff in Nigeria

The unions further urged the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the NNPC and the Department of State Services to also intervene.

The disagreements borders on the company’s disclosure that the contracts with all its manpower services providers would expire by the end of October 2018.

Consequently, NUPENG and PENGASSAN, last week Wednesday, put their members on red alert.

Meanwhile, the NNPC has allayed concerns of petroleum product consumers over possible hiccups in supply in parts of the country due to the workers’ ultimatum.

It gave the assurance that the corporation had adequate storage of petroleum products across the country to take care of the national demand.

NAN Punch

Buhari willing to grant presidential pardon to late Ambrose Alli – Edo gov

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed willingness to grant presidential pardon to late Professor Ambrose Alli, former Governor of Bendel State (now Edo and Delta States), according to Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Obaseki made the disclosure at a memorial service held in honour of the former governor, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Emaudo, Ekpoma, on Sunday.
“I had an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari while in China and discussed the issue of a presidential pardon for late Prof. Alli.

“The president asked me to meet with the Attorney-General of the Federation. This I have done and I have also written to him.


“The president has subsequently instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to begin the process,” he said.
The governor said he was optimistic that at the next meeting of the Council on Prerogative of Mercy, the president would officially grant the pardon.

Obaseki also gave the assurance that he was working with his Delta counterpart to ensure that pension due to late Alli was paid to his widow and the family.

The governor lauded the former governor’s development strides in defunct Bendel, noting that the feats were intimidating and accomplished in just one term.

On his part, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta said the state would continue to remember Alli for developing it, adding that the people had a lot to thank him for.

“We are grateful, as his developmental strides can still be seen years after his death,” he said.

Eldest son to the former governor, Mr Andrew Alli, the Ezomo of Ekpoma, regretted that his father was still termed a criminal despite his contributions to the development of Delta, Edo and Nigeria.

According to Wikipedia, Alli was arrested and sentenced to 100 years in prison by a military tribunal for allegedly misappropriating N983,000 meant for a road project when the military government of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari took power in 1983.

He was allegedly later freed when the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, paid a fine to the government

(NAN) punch

Kogi LG workers to receive 54% of salary

Local Government workers in Kogi State have applauded the state government for its decision to increase their monthly percentage salary from 30 per cent to 54 per cent with effect from this month.


The state chapters of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Teachers and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees gave the commendation in a statement in Lokoja on Sunday.
It said that the decision to raise the bar was commendable and urged the government to take cognizance of the percentages of salary yet to be paid.

The statement signed by Mr Onu Edoka, Mr Tade Adeyemi and Mr Thomas Ayodele, state Chairmen of MHWUN, NULGE and NUT respectively urged the government to continue this gesture until 100 per cent salary payment is regularised.

“Government should include in the payroll the names of all the staff and teachers that have been cleared but are to be captured on the payroll, while the case of the uncleared undergoing review should be resolved without further delay,“ the statement said.


The workers promised to reciprocate the government‘s gesture by continuous loyalty, support and dedication to duty.

NAN
Punch

Nigerians Critisize INEC for declaring Osun gov election inconclusive

Nigerians have condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission after it announced that the Osun State governorship election was inconclusive.

According to the election’s Returning Officer, Joseph Afuwape, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, got 254,699 votes while Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress had 254,345 votes.

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

Afuwape went on to declare the election inconclusive due to the fact that the difference between the two leading parties was 353 votes while the number of cancelled votes was 3,5498.

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


Nigerians have been reacting to the news. See reactions:

FLASH: They have influenced INEC to declare#OsunDecides2018 inconclusive!

It’s a sad day for democracy!
— Oluyemi Fasipe 🇳🇬 (@YemieFASH) September 23, 2018

If INEC likes, let them declare this Osun State election inconclusive. This election has proven that power belongs to the people and not with the godfathers. This is also a huge lesson for governors who don’t pay salaries. Your waterloo awaits you.
— Oriekose (@michaeloriekose) September 23, 2018

INCONCLUSIVE election? INEC is just a scam, the first time another party will ever beat an incumbent APC government.

— McBee (@Official_McBee) September 23, 2018

INEC, God punish you as you wan assist APC rig election

— peteswagz (@araswagz) September 23, 2018

INEC should be fair. I don’t like the ways things are playing out.

— Duchess Stella 👑 (@stellagloww) September 23, 2018

I’m guessing Adeleke, The dancing Senator won. Inec quickly dabaru d tin.

Some 🇳🇬lawyers are about to making Shit loads of money in Osun State.
— Wale Gates 🇳🇬🇬🇧 (@walegates) September 23, 2018

INEC is not independent, it is funded and directed by APC.

Osun people will resist this act of disregarding democracy.
— Mckay (@BookieMckay) September 23, 2018

OSUN GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION is the trailer of PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2019#OsunDecides2018

— Riches💸✌ (@DaveRaez) September 23, 2018

#INEC calls for a rerun in those areas where the#OsunDecides2018 election was cancelled.

The difference bw the votes garnered by the leading PDP & APC is just 353.
Fairness demands that there should be a rerun if the voting population of the affected areas is more than 353.
— friarsomadina (@friarsomadina) September 23, 2018

INEC has to be consistent in its application of the rules. The cancelled votes during the by election for the Lokoja Federal Constituency was more than the margin of victory between the two front leading candidates. But the election was returned

Punch

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.

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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.