We are not aware of revocation of gun licences, says police

The Nigeria Police Force has said it is not aware of the Executive Order reportedly issued by President Muhammadu Buhari to revoke licences for firearms or short guns nationwide.

The Executive Order, according to reports, is to take effect from June 1 (today).

The President was said to have signed the order on May 22, 2019, in response to threats by some Niger Delta militants to declare a Niger Delta Republic and secede from Nigeria.

But, the police denied knowledge of the order barely 24 hours after the National Assembly, through the Federal House of Representatives, passed a resolution asking Buhari to reverse it in the interest of Nigerians.

The resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a motion, which came under Matters of Urgent Public Importance, titled, ‘Motion on the Need for Mr President to Rescind the Executive Order to Remove, Revoke and Banish all Firearms Certificates and Licences Throughout the Country,” at the plenary.

The lawmakers contended that the Executive Order cannot override an Act of Parliament, just as they urged the President to sign into law the bill on the Establishment of the (National) Commission against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The green chamber said many citizens would be left vulnerable and would be at the mercy of mindless criminals, terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, if the order was not rescinded.

The lawmakers argued that licensed guns were not the ones used to perpetrate crimes, noting that withdrawing the guns would further expose law-abiding Nigerians to danger as they would become the target of “mindless criminals and bandits.”

They called on security agencies to rather go after the criminals carrying out their nefarious acts with unlicensed guns.

According to reports, the Executive Order mandates the police and other security agencies to confiscate all firearms in the possession of Nigerians.

If implemented, thousands of Nigerians would lose their licensed arms which may increase their vulnerabilities.

But the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said he was “not aware” of the order.

Responding to Saturday PUNCH enquiries on Friday about the implementation of the order for revocation of firearms licences, the police spokesman simply said, “I am not aware of the order and we cannot confirm the order.”

Mba declined further comments, saying that was all he could say on the matter.

Findings by our correspondents indicated that the Presidency had neither commented nor denied reports on the purported order since it came to the public domain contrary to the practice by the Presidential spokespersons who usually announce government policies or deny any form of false reports.

Buhari’s aide declines comment on executive order

President Buhari’s National Assembly Liaison Officer, Senator Ita Enang, on Friday declined to speak on the issue.

He said, “It is not appropriate for me to speak on it. That is my response.”

Also, none of the President’s spokespersons responded to enquiries by Saturday PUNCH.

Neither his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, nor his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, responded to enquiries.

Punch

Pastor charged to court for allegedly impregnating 20 members

A 53-year-old General Overseer of Vineyard Ministry of the Holy Trinity, Enugu, Timothy Ngwu has been arrested for impregnating 20 women in his church.

Enugu State Police Command arrested him following his wife’s report about his acts. Ngwu had impregnated his wife’s niece in the name of obeying divine instruction.

When asked about the allegations, Ngwu said the Holy Spirit commanded him to impregnate as many female members of the church as possible.

Enugu Police Spokesperson, Ebere Amaraizu stated however that the Pastor had been charged for sexual abuse on Thursday May, 30.

Unnamed sources close to the church confirmed that he is indeed obeying a spiritual command to do the will of God by impregnating anyone chosen and revealed by the Holy Spirit, irrespective of the woman’s marital status.

Women impregnated by the pastor are required to remain in the ministry with their child for life.

In his defense, the pastor stated that he never had sex with any of the married women unless their husband concurred to the request of the ‘Holy Ghost’.

However, he had earlier been quoted that he has only 5 wives with 13 children along with other concubines he got after the Holy Spirit commanded him to do so.

You can't make heaven if you eat Titus fish - prophetess

Social media went agog after a video of a pastor telling her congregation that they would not go to heaven if they continue eating “Titus fish” or taking vitamin C, surfaced online.

“If you continue taking Vitamin C, bet it, you can’t make it, how can you make heaven? Unless you go and stop it and do your deliverance,” she was heard saying.

“Is it not ascorbic acid? Ascorbic acid is not produced anywhere on earth. Ascorbic acid comes directly from the deep sea. Some of you still enjoy Titus fish.

“You can’t make heaven while you are still eating Titus fish. You can’t make heaven while you’re eating Titus fish also. You must go for deliverance.”

It is unclear when the video was released. The location of the church is also unknown.

WHAT IS ASCORBIC ACID?

Ascorbic acid, popularly referred to as vitamin C, is a vitamin found in various foods and sold as a dietary supplement.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters

A deficiency in vitamin C can lead to scurvy, a disease characterised by weakness, fatigue, sore arms and legs.

If scurvy is not treated on time, it could lead to convulsion and even death.

WHAT IS TITUS FISH?

Mackerel is a common name applied to a number of different species of pelagic fish, mostly from the family Scombridae. It is also called Titus fish, especially in Nigeria.

Titus fish is rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids which reduces inflammation and potentially lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

Despite the many health benefits of vitamin C and Titus fish, the prophetess told her congregation to shun them over a belief that they are reportedly associated with evil.

The video has since stirred reactions from Nigerians as many found the comment unbelievable and hilarious.

TheCable

FIFA U20 world Cup: Flying Eagles through to quarter final

Nigeria fought from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Ukraine in the FIFA U20 World Cup at the Bielsko Biala Stadium on Thursday night.

With the result, Nigeria finished third in Group D with four points from three games.

The Paul Aigbogun boys advanced to the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides, or “best losers” as it is referred to in Nigerian parlance.

Flying Eagles were hit with two major injuries going into the game; centre-back Valentine Ozornwafor was not available due to a groin problem, while defensive midfielder Jamilu Mohammed was ruled out of the competition due to injury.

Success Makanjuola, Aniekeme Okon, Ugbo Igoh and Nnamdi Ofoborh were deservedly handed their first start of the competition.

Danylo Sikan drew the Eastern Europe side went ahead on the half hour. Sikan stole behind the post to head home after goalkeeper Olawale Oremade couldn’t get his fist to the ball.

Nigeria should have levelled up before half time when Tijani Mohammed lined up a spot kick. The Banik Ostrava forward was denied from the penalty spot as goalkeeper Andriy Lunin guessed the right way.

The Flying Eagles stormed off the locker room with renewed belief and vigour. They were rewarded in the 51st minute through a VAR adjudged penalty after a defender held the ball in the box following pressure from Tijani.

This time Tijani dusted himself off to send the keeper the wrong way. Both sides wasted chances to find the winner as the game ended 1-1.

Nigerians became poorer in Buhari's first term - The Economist

The Economist reviewed the first term of President Muhammadu Buhari and concluded that Nigerians became poorer during his first four years in office.

The magazine, in the publication, which was posted on its website on Thursday, said while the Nigerian economy was “stuck like a stranded truck,” average incomes fell during the four-year period covering 2015 to 2019.

Opposition parties led by the Peoples Democratic Party agreed with the magazine’s damning report, saying it confirmed their belief that Buhari was clueless and could not run the country efficiently. They advised Nigerians to prepare for another disastrous four years, which Buhari started on May 29.

The Economist in its report said based on the thinking of the International Monetary Fund, the average income of Nigerians “will not rise for at least another six (years).”

The report partly read, “The Nigerian economy is stuck like a stranded truck. Average incomes have been falling for four years; the IMF thinks they will not rise for at least another six (years).

“The latest figures put unemployment at 23 per cent, after growing for 15 consecutive quarters.

Punch

My father and Dangote are the future president and vice president of Nigeria - DJ Cuppy

Nigerian Disc Jockey, Florence Otedola popularly called DJ Cuppy reacted to the viral picture of her father and Aliko Dangote by calling them the future leaders of Nigeria.

Dj Cuppy’s father, Femi Otedola and fellow billionaire Aliko Dangote were present at the inauguration ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

The billionaire took to his Instagram page to share a picture of himself and Aliko Dangote seated at the inauguration and it garnered alot of reactions from Nigerians.

Cuppy couldn’t hide her excitement and commented calling both men the future President and Vice President Of Nigeria.

She wrote “Our future President and Vice President? #JustSaying”

Timi Dakolo calls out COZA pastor, Fatoyinbo over alleged sex with church members

Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo has taken to his Instagram handle to call out popular Abuja based Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo who is the founder of The Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA) over his alleged sexual relationship with female church members.

In a series of post on Thursday, the singer called on members of the church to “try and find” these ladies and men who have at one time come out to say their truth but got shut up by the pastor and his “criminal lawyers”.

Alongside a picture with text written on it, Timi Dakolo captioned the picture, "COMMONWEALTH KO ZION NI...CHURCH IS SUPPOSE TO FIX BROKEN PEOPLE AND NOT CRUSH PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP IN CHURCH NEEDING GOD.

"DEAR AGGRIEVED AND AGGRESSIVE CHURCH MEMBERS, PLEASE USE THE SAME ENERGY YOU ARE USING TO CALL ME, AND THREATEN ME OR SLIDE INTO MY DM TO SEARCH FOR THIS VICTIMS AND ASK THEM WHAT REALLY HAPPEN. THAT IS WHAT JESUS WILL DO."

The picture with text written on it reads: “From florin to Abuja to Lagos to Dubai to Port Harcourt to London and any city he visits, your pastor is leaving a trail of broken women, sexually abused and mentally strangled. From Avalanche to Gratitude, from Pastoral Care Unit to Host and Hostesses, from witty Inventions to Hospitality Unit. They are found in every department in that “Church”. He hand picks his victims and ruins them.

So none of you wonder why a dedicated church worker or leader stop coming to church and don’t want to talk about it. Suddenly rumors start flying around the person being evil, I will tell you all straight up, all your branch pastors know about this evil going on for years and are part of it.

“Some of the victims they will threaten some they will pay off and some they will spur by isolating from the “Church Members”. Oga “Criminal Lawyer” always ready to do the dirty work behind the scenes just to drown the truth. Dear Church Members, try and find these ladies and men to hear their side of the truth before crucifying them or branding them evil. Trust me, their side of the story will SHOCK YOU.

“Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm? They have used that line to scam us well well. How we carefully uproot a scripture and give it an interpretation that soothes us without actually knowing the context with which it was said./ Both the congregation and the pastor are very much anointed. Jesus did not die two separate death. One for the pastor and another for the congregation. The House of God is a place of prayer not a den of thieves.”

It will be recalled that in 2013, a former church member Ese Walter had in a blog post revealed her alleged sexual encounter with Pastor Fatoyinbo in a hotel in Lagos.

According to her, the Pastor told her to feel at home and should not be "shy".

She alleged that he told her to order for "alcohol, feel free and order what you want."

Ese Walters said she felt guilty at first that she and the pastor were getting involved however, Mr. Fatoyinbo told her that he will  “ teach you a level of grace that you don’t understand."

Anambra now 7th most indebted state in Nigeria

Anambra State has just made the seventh in the list of the ten most indebted states in Nigeria with an external debt profile of N107 billion.

The disclosure was contained in an information recently provided by the Debt Management Office [DMO].

The news came as a shock to Anambrarians who recall vividly that barely six years when Mr. Peter Obi handed over as the governor, the state was not just debt free but has well over N75 billion in cash and savings.

However, in the six years Willie Maduabuchukwu Obiano steered the fortunes of the state, the debt profile jumped from N75 billion savings to N107 billion debt.

Also, according to another official document, the state is burdened with 92,332 out of school children.

2019 budget: Dogara attacks Buhari

In a statement he signed, Dogara said: “His first budget was the 2016 budget, which was submitted on December 22, 2015, exactly nine days to the end of the fiscal year.

“The minimum time the National Assembly requires to pass budget is three months. But he presented it just nine days to 2016’ and that ‘what Nigerians didn’t know and the President won’t say is that the Executive through the various ministries continued to propose additional projects to be included in the 2018 budget even as at April and May which further delayed the passage of the 2018 budget. These were communicated officially and if anyone is in doubt, the letters are there with the dates they were written and received. But here’s Buhari blaming the National Assembly.’

“President Muhammadu Buhari a few days ago, in his usual characteristics of self-righteousness, and buck-passing blamed tardiness in the passage of budgets by the National Assembly for the delay in the completion of projects across the country by his government.

“To be precise, the president said, ‘If the National Assembly takes seven months to pass a budget, then we should be commended for the much that we have achieved, and can still achieve. I personally feel very disappointed. I spoke with the leaders of the National Assembly on the issue that seven months is a long time to work on a budget.”

“Even though buck passing and blame game is not new to Buhari as it is now his stock in trade; in the past few days and weeks, there is no day that passes without the President blaming others in a desperate move to exonerate himself from any blame or failure of the Executive under his leadership to execute projects across the country.

Shettima speaks on suicide in government house

Governor Kashim Shettima has described as unfortunate the death of a steward within the presidential lodge, inside Government House in Maiduguri.

John Achagwa took his own life on Tuesday.

Governor’s Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Gusau, in a statement, said the deceased was supported to build a complete seven-bedroom apartment and was also given a car, which he used to work.

Gusau said Shettima was shocked and has been wondering what kind of depression could push John to suicide.

The statement read: “Governor Kashim Shettima is deeply shocked by the unfortunate incident especially given the fact that John who looked in mid 60s was publicly known to be one of the Governor’s favourites as he served important guests at the Presidential lodge for more than 30 years.

“When John retired from civil service, Governor Shettima had requested that he be retained as casual staff because of his good services and the confidence in him.

“The Governor even supported John with personal funds with which he used in completing his beautiful house at a good location like Polo in Maiduguri. John also had a car to himself and he lived very comfortably. He was known to be friendly.

“The Governor has since directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure thorough investigation including carrying out a post mortem on his corpse and digging questions everywhere to establish what pushed him to take his own life

Court acquits ex-President Jonathan's cousin

An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has discharged and acquitted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s cousin, Robert Azibaola, of $40 million laundering charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Delivering judgement on Monday, the judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, held that no credible evidence was adduced to establish the offence of money laundering against Mr Azibaola.

He added that the prosecutor should have produced former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki as a witness. Mr Dasuki is in the custody of the State Security Service.

He noted the following:

“That the prosecutor failed to provide witness from the Office of the National Security Adviser(ONSA).

“That the EFCC and the prosecutor cried more than the bereaved.

“That the prosecutor has not been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the 2-count charge against the defendant.”

“The defendant is hereby discharged and acquainted and not guilty,” the judge ruled.

The EFCC had in 2016 filed a seven-count charge against Mr Azibaola, his wife, Stella, and their company, saying that they received $40 million worth of illicit contract from Mr Dasuki.

They were arraigned on June 7, 2016, and were admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million each.

They were re-arraigned on April 27, 2017, on a nine-count amended charge.

Real Madrid to sell 11 players this summer

Real Madrid could sell as many as 11 players this summer to fund a squad overhaul.

According to Marca, Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, is set to bolster his squad ahead of next season and could let up to 11 players leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer’s transfer window.

Former Tottenham Hotspur star, Gareth Bale, tops the list.

Bale has been told that he will be frozen out of the Zidane’s first team, should he not be able to find a new club this summer.

The other 10 players include: Isco, Mateo Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez, Keylor Navas, Dani Ceballos, Mariano Diaz, Raul De Tomas, Borja Mayoral, Zidane’s son, Luca and Theo Hernandez.

Real Madrid were dumped out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Ajax.

The Los Blancos have struggled in the La Liga this season. They finished in third position on the Spanish table behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Daily Post

Philippine President tells son not to run for speaker of house of representatives

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he would resign if his eldest son bids for the speakership of the House of Representatives, having won a seat in the lower chamber of parliament in elections earlier this month.

The 74-year-old leader has asked his son, Paolo, to let him know three days in advance of announcing his bid for the speakership of the House so he can tender his resignation.

“If you run, I will resign.

“There are too many of us. Your sister is mayor of the Southern city of Davao, then the vice mayor is my youngest son.

“If you’re speaker and I’m president, it doesn’t look good,’’ he said in a speech at the presidential palace, addressing Paolo.

Duterte noted that his son usually does not listen to him.

“If he insists on running, go ahead. Let me know three days in advance before you make the announcement and I will tender my resignation,’’ he said.

Paolo Duterte, a former vice mayor of Davao City, was elected congressional representative for the municipality’s first district.

His sister, Sara, won another term as mayor, while his youngest brother Sebastian was elected vice mayor.

Duterte previously warned his daughter against running for president in 2022, amid talk that she was a strong contender for the top post.

“Inday, I’m publicly warning you. The presidency will not educate you, it will just destroy you,’’ Duterte told newsmen, calling his daughter by her nickname.

Enugu set to become cleanest city in Nigeria

The coordinator and chief executive officer of the Enugu Clean Team Project, ECTP, Rev. Fr. Michael Ogbu, says the organization has put machinery in motion to ensure that Enugu becomes the cleanest city in the country within the shortest possible time.

Speaking to journalists on the activities of the body, Fr. Ogbu, disclosed that apart from the procurement of new equipment to cover Enugu, Nsukka, 9th Mile Corner, Awgu and Oji River Local Government, the recent employment of additional 1000 staff would enhance their operational capacity.
According to him, ‘‘I believe the governor and the state executive council are impressed with our performance, and that is why we were graciously granted request to increase our staff strength with one thousand’’.

Describing the concept of the Enugu Clean Team Project as a great innovation and brain child of the state governor, chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Rev. Fr. Michael Ogbu, re-affirmed his commitment to meet the mandate given to him by the governor to make Enugu the cleanest city in Nigeria, a dream come true.

While appealing to motorists to drive slowly in the early hours of the day to avoid hurting his workers who are on duty, the Enugu Clean Team Project coordinator advised residents of Enugu and other parts of the state to stop littering the streets with refuse, pure water sachets and other particles to enable the streets look beautiful and drainages flowing freely.

I'm leaving N42.5bn for my successor - Okorocha

Rochas Okorocha, governor of Imo state, says he has left enough money in the coffers of the state for Emeka Ihedioha, incoming governor.

According to NAN, Okorocha disclosed this while swearing in permanent secretaries, a new accountant-general and a head of service at the government house, Owerri, the state capital, on Monday.

He said the amount was kept to ensure that the incoming administration would not experience financial setback.

According to him, N8.1 billion has been set aside for payment of salaries and for capital projects, while N5.2 billion has been earmarked for payment of pension arrears.

He also said N7.6 billion had been set aside for renovation of schools across the state and N21.6 billion for the construction of rural roads.

The governor advised the new permanent secretaries to do their best to reposition the civil service in the state, “protect the integrity of the state, and shun corruption”.

“My government has kept aside a total of N42.5b for the in-coming government, and for that reason, I will set up a sub-committee to make sure that the projects they are attached to, come to fruition even when I am out of office because government is a continuum,” Okorocha said.

“I, therefore, charge you to serve our dear state with all your might just as I have.”

I rate Saraki, Dogara very low - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says he rates senate president Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house, “very very low”.

Speaking in an interview with state TV, Buhari said the national assembly, as led by Saraki and Dogara held Nigeria to ransom for seven months without passing the budget.

“They were not hurting me, they were hurting the country,” Buhari said on Monday night.

The president said the national assembly wanted to show they were the government and not the executive, and he made his displeasure known about their conduct.

Maryam Uwais replies Aisha Buhari

Maryam Uwais, senior special assistant to the president on social investment, has defended the federal government’s social investment programmes (SIP).

Uwais said Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari who criticised  SIP, would have been able to track all beneficiaries of the project if she had access to available data.

Speaking on Channels Television, the presidential aide said 190,000 beneficiaries are currently being paid under the investment programmes.

Buhari’s wife had said the programme being coordinated by Uwais has failed in the north.

She had specifically said she was told that 30,000 women from Adamawa would benefit from the programme but nothing of such happened.

“The SSA to the president on social investment is a lady from Kano and I’m sure that my husband decided to put somebody from Kano because of the population and political impact it made. I have never asked how the money is used or being given out,” she had said.

“I met one of the president’s aides on SIP once and he promised me that for my state (Adamawa), N10,000 each would be given to 30,000 women but up till now, I haven’t heard from him.”

But speaking during the live programme, Uwais said Aisha spoke without the knowledge of available records on SIP.

She said, for instance, that the conditional cash transfer programme is ongoing in 12 local governments in Adamawa, while over 11,000 graduates have been recruited in a similar package.

Uwais said: “I believe that if she (Aisha) were to listen to the information they have there, if she were to check on our data, she would be able to track all the beneficiaries.

“Yes, she may not have met them. But we are in 12 local governments for the cash transfer. And we are also in 12 LGAs for the loans. So, I think we have at least 290,000 beneficiaries directly that we are paying in Adamawa state.”

Uwais said the school feeding programme is also ongoing in over 1,000 public primary schools in Adamawa and that much more could have been done with more funding.

“I’m saying that we have over 11,000 graduates recruited and working in her home state. We have non-graduates, 440; we started the school feeding programme in October 2018, we are in 1,054 public primary schools,” she said.

“And if we’ve done about 300,000 beneficiaries directly, I believe we could do so much more if we have sufficient funding. We have only scratched the surface in the sense that we don’t have the sufficient funding to address.”

Adewura Bello, lady declared missing in Lagos, found dead in canal

Adewura Bello, a lady who was declared missing on May 15, has been found dead in a canal in Lagos.

Adewura, the 26-year-old accounting graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), was said to have gone missing on Wednesday after she boarded a bus from Ikeja to Egbeda, where she lives.

According to Fadesola, Adewura’s sister, the last time she heard from the deceased was when she told her she was on her way home.

“I spoke with her around 7pm on Wednesday. She works at Ikeja and she told me she was on her way home. Then, when it was raining around 7:55pm, I called again. This time it rang but she did not pick. So, I assumed it was the rain,” Fadesola said.

“But we did not see her after the rain and the next time I tried her number, it said it was unavailable and later said switched off.

On Sunday, Benjamin, a cousin to the deceased, tweeted that Adewura’s body has been found in a canal.

“Thank you all for the search. Adewura is Dead. Her Body found in a canal. Heaven has gained an angel. We depart to meet again till we Meet again Adewura. Forever in our Heart. God, I am in pains but who am I the question you. Rip,” he tweeted.

Kante may miss Europa League final against Arsenal

The France international had been on the road to recovery, but the latest knock means he remains a doubt for the final against the Gunners

Chelsea are sweating over the fitness of N'Golo Kante ahead of the Europa League final after the midfielder suffered a knock in training on Saturday.

The Blues star had almost completely recovered from the calf strain he sustained against Watford in the Premier League at the beginning of May, but he has now encountered another set-back in his road to recovery.

He had been taking part in preparations ahead of the Europa League decider against Arsenal when he suffered a knock to his knee and his involvement in the game remains doubtful as a result.

Maurizio Sarri had indicated last week that he was optimistic the France international could play a part in the game against the Gunners, so the injury comes as a blow and he will now have to consider alternative arrangements.

Indeed, Kante is not the only concern for Sarri in the build up to the all-Premier League encounter in Baku, with Jorginho also sustaining a knock in last week's open training session.

The Chelsea boss is already without both Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek who both suffered ruptured Achilles tendon injuries, with the latter having suffered his set-back in a post season friendly match against New England Revolution.

Antonio Rudiger, meanwhile, is out with a knee injury that needed surgery.

There is some good news, however, as Ethan Ampadu has returned from a back injury and the Wales international will likely make the bench for the final.

Chelsea's Europa League clash against Arsenal is set to be played at Baku's Olympic Stadium on Wednesday, May 29.

Sarri has already secured Champions League football for the Blues by guiding the club to a third-place finish in the Premier League, but he will be eager to land silverware as speculation swirls around his future.

"I think we had a good season, with a lot of problems of course," the former Napoli boss told reporters.

"We lost two, three games very badly, but we finished third, we got to the League Cup final, a very difficult competition, and now we have the opportunity to play the Europa League final."

The Italian coach added: "I'm very happy to stay in the Premier League and Chelsea is one of the most important clubs in the Premier League."

I'm scared Beyonce would hate me - Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke wanted to beg for Beyonce’s forgiveness when the singer raved about her ‘Game of Thrones’ character at an Oscars party earlier this year, because she knew her Dragon Queen was about to go nuts.

The star, who has played Daenerys Targaryen on the cult fantasy series from the show’s first season, previously admitted she “messed up” her opportunity to chat to Beyonce because she was so overcome with emotion when the pop icon approached her.

Clarke recalled the encounter in a new interview with The New Yorker, and admitted she wanted to blurt out a spoiler from the show’s eighth and final season after the Formation hitmaker gushed about her “brilliant” performance on screen. “I see this vision, this angel, this incredible woman float towards me,” the actress shared. “I can’t quite control myself. And Beyonce says to me, ‘Oh, my goodness, it’s so wonderful to meet you. I think you’re brilliant’.”

The high praise left Clarke “on the verge of tears”, partly because she was well aware of the way Daenerys’ story would unfold, eventually killing hundreds of innocent men, women and children by setting her beloved dragon on a surrendering city in the penultimate episode, titled ‘The Bells’. She continued, “All I wanted to scream was, ‘Please, please still like me even though my character turns into a mass-killing dictator! Please still think that I’m representing women in a really fabulous way’.” “I was just, like, ‘Oh, my God, my absolute idol in life is saying that she likes me, and I know for a fact that by the end of this season she’s going to hate me’,” Clarke added.

It’s not yet known if Beyonce was among the fans who were left less than impressed by her character’s evolution, which led to Daenerys’ death at the hands of her lover and nephew Jon Snow, played by Kit Harington, in the series finale. The show’s ending received a mixed response from viewers, but Clarke insists she is satisfied with the way the story wrapped. “The show is, in a certain way, divisive: ‘Whose side are you on?’” the Brit remarked. “Also, if you’re pleasing everyone, then it’s probably quite tepid. But to me it seemed like the only way it could end.”

Source: Stuff.co.nz

Rwanda lawmakers approve Swahili as the official language, dropping French completely

Rwanda lawmakers approve Swahili as the official Language of the country, dropping French completely and sidelining English

People said: “This is good,really good but such a move leaves the Belgian (the former colonizer) and French authorities furious. I will not be surprised if a few months from France imposes sanctions on Rwanda or increases its funding to opposition parties or releases a report on Kagame’s government poor service delivery and human rights violations.

Rwanda is setting an example for the rest of the African countries. Its about time we drop the colonial legacy and go back to our roots. After all there is no European with an African name or African language as their official language…..Good job Rwanda, wake the rest of the sleeping countries up.

This is great development, if Rwanda still hold on that colonial tight with France, they would not have gone this far, France is evil blood suckered, they keep developing and building their country, But most Country they colonize are living in objective poverty, they dominated their entire existence.

The African Union should rise and liberate the African from France and western imperialism.

Source: African Leadership

Killings: Katsina suspends Sallah celebration

The Katsina Emirate Council says it would not hold the usual Sallah Durbar during the forthcoming Eid Fitr to mourn victims of recent bandit attack in some communities in the state.

The Emirates Information Officer, Alhaji Ibrahim Bindawa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Katsina.

“His Royal Highness, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir has directed me to inform the people of the state that following bandit attacks in some communities in the state, the usual Sallah Durbar will not hold during the Eid Fitr celebration,” Bindawa said.

He said, however, that special prayers would be held after the Eid prayer for sustainable peace in the state and the country at large.

Bandits had attacked communities including Batsari, Danmusa and Kankara killing many people.

(NAN)

Lee Kuan Yew's grandson marries boyfriend in South Africa

A grandson of Singapore’s late founding father Lee Kuan Yew revealed on Friday he had married his boyfriend in South Africa, prompting a flurry of mostly positive reactions in his country, where male homosexuality is banned, and around the region.

Li Huanwu, the second son of Lee Hsien Yang, was seen with his partner Heng Yirui in an Instagram post the latter shared online on Friday with a caption that read: “Today I marry my soulmate. Looking forward to a lifetime of moments like this with [Huanwu].”
The picture showed both in matching white shirts and khaki trousers at a game reserve in Cape Town.

Detained vulture consumed N30,000 worth of meat in six days - Police

The Adamawa state police command says a vulture arrested in Maiha area of the state has consumed meat worth N30,000 after spending six days in detention.

According to Daily Trust, Othman Abubakar, the public relations officer of the command, said the command might incur more cost due to the continued detention of the vulture as an investigation into the appearance of the bird was ongoing.

Adamu Madaki, the commissioner of police, had confirmed the arrest of the vulture and its owner following a formal complaint from a senior member of the community, who had said the bird’s presence caused fear in the community “as it was considered a harbinger of impending insurgency attacks”.

The elder said the last time someone kept three vultures in the community, the area was invaded by insurgents afterward.

The police commissioner said that he advised the elder to lodge a complaint with the divisional police officer, which subsequently, led to the arrest of the vulture and its owner.

Madaki explained that the police, upon receipt of such complaints, must launch an investigation into the matter with a view to taking the “necessary action to maintain peace and harmony”.

“So, we want to ascertain what the vulture is meant for,” Madaki said.

Zamfara: S/Court nullifies APC’s votes, declares parties with second highest votes as winners

The Supreme Court has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had no candidates in the 2019 general elections in Zamfara state. The five-member panel of justices, in a unanimous judgment on Friday, held that the party in the state failed to conduct primaries in accordance with the party rules.

In the lead judgment by Justice Paul Adamu Galinji, the apex court held that all votes cast for the APC as “wasted votes” and declared that all political parties with the second highest votes in the elections and the required spread, are elected to the various elections. The panel also awarded cost of N10m against APC in favour of the Kabiru Marafa faction of the APC and other respondents in the appeal.

The justices sounded a note of warning to politicians against destroying the country’s democracy.

Czech government tells its citizens shoot terrorists themselves

A couple of months ago, Czech President Milos Zeman made an unusual request: He urged citizens to arm themselves against a possible "super-Holocaust" carried out by Muslim terrorists.

Never mind that there are fewer than 4,000 Muslims in this country of 10 million people — gun purchases spiked. One shop owner in East Bohemia, a region in the northern center of the Czech Republic, told a local paper that people were scared of a "wave of Islamists."

Now the country's interior ministry is pushing a constitutional change that would let citizens use guns against terrorists. Proponents say this could save lives if an attack occurs and police are delayed or unable to make their way to the scene. To become law, Parliament must approve the proposal; they'll vote in the coming months.

The Czech Republic already has some of the most lenient gun policies in Europe. It's home to about 800,000 registered firearms and 300,000 people with gun licenses. Obtaining a weapon is relatively easy: Residents must be 21, pass a gun knowledge check and have no criminal record. By law, Czechs can use their weapons to protect their property or when in danger, although they need to prove they faced a real threat.

This puts the country at odds with much of Europe, which has long supported much more stringent gun-control measures.  In the wake of the 2015 terror attacks in Paris, France pushed the European Union to enact even tougher policies. The European Commission's initial proposal called for a complete ban on the sale of weapons like Kalashnikovs or AR-15s that are intended primarily for military use. Ammunition magazines would be limited to 20 rounds or less.

UK terror plots that were foiled by security services
Show all 13
 Oxford Street terror plot
Rosie Cooper MP plot
'Poppy terror plot'
National Action arrests
The Czech Republic came out hard against the directive. Officials warned — somewhat ominously — that the measure would limit the country's ability to build "an internal security system" and make it nearly impossible to train army reservists. And a total ban on military-style rifles that can fire large numbers of rounds would make illegal thousands of weapons already owned by Czech citizens, potentially creating a black market for terrorists to exploit. Finland and Germany offered their own reservations; Europe's pro-gun groups also mobilised against the bill with the support of politicians on the extreme right.

After months of contentious negotiations, the EU passed a compromise last month; the Council of Ministers will confirm the measure this spring. All member states will have 15 months to comply with the new gun restrictions. The final measure bans the sale of most military-style rifles and requires all potential buyers to go through a psychological check before they can buy a weapon. If someone fails a check in one E.U. state, that information will be shared in an international database so that the person can't procure a gun somewhere else. Online sales are also severely curtailed. The Czech Republic was the only country to oppose the directive for being too strict. Luxembourg also voted against the measure, but on the grounds that it was too weak.

That means that regardless of how the Czech parliament votes on the terrorist-hunting measure, gun laws in the Czech Republic are going to get stricter. All gun purchasers will be required to pass the psychological checks, though it's not yet clear if gun owners will have to turn in newly illegal weapons. That ambiguity has led one Czech newspaper to suggest that the Interior Ministry's latest move is much more about political safety than safety from terrorism.

Copyright: The Washington Post

Van Persie apologizes to Arsenal fans over Man Utd move

Robin van Persie has apologized to Arsenal supporters, over his move to Manchester United in 2012.

The Dutch striker went on to win the Premier League the following season, finishing as the top goalscorer in the league.

Van Persie’s departure left a bitter tastes at the Emirates, that still resides in some quarters today.

But he has taken the first step in an attempt to make amends.

Van Persie told BBC Sport: “I get that the fans were angry with me.

“I was the captain, top scorer and we came third that year. But just sometimes you feel you need a challenge, a new adventure.

“If I hurt people, I’m sorry. But that’s me. I made that decision and I stand by it. But that doesn’t mean that I look in a negative way towards Arsenal.”

Court orders arrest of former governor

Justice Aminu Aliyu of the Federal High Court in Minna on Thursday, issued bench warrants for the arrest of former Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger and Umar Nasko.
Justice Aliyu also revoked the earlier bail granted Aliyu and Nasko by Justice Yellim Bogoro, for failure to respect hearing notices served on them to appear in court.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Aliyu and Nasko were ordered to appear in court on Thursday, for re-arraignment after their alleged N1.9 billion fraud case was re-assigned to Justice Aliyu.
Their counsel did not showed up.

Counsel to Aliyu, Olajide Ayodele, however, sent a letter praying for an adjournment.
The case was adjourned until May 27.

(NAN)

Man reveals how he dealt with his son for mocking someone

Man reveals how he dealt with his son for mocking someone, a father has revealed what he did to teach his son a lesson after he mocked a boy for wearing rubber sandals to school.

Onyeka John wrote: “My son mocked a boy on rubber sandals last friday, so yesterday I bought him two rubber shoes, one for church,the other for school and locked up all his sneakers and fancy shoes, he must have sense by force #responsibleparenting”

Maid who killed boss in Lagos sentenced to death by hanging

The Lagos State High Court in Igbosere has sentenced a Cameroonian maid, Leudjoe Koyemen Joel, to death for murdering her Nigerian employer, Mrs Dayo Adeleke.

Delivering the judgement on Tuesday, two years and five months after the crime, Justice Adedayo Akintoye convicted Joel and ordered that he be hanged to death.

Justice Adebayo said, the prosecution proved beyond a reasonable doubt a count of murder pressed by the state against the Cameroonian.
Ebun's mother at her graveside
They family of late Dayo Adeleke in a statement welcomed the judgment.
It reads: “On the night of 20th December 2016, we received the news that our daughter, sister, and friend Dayo Enioluwa Adeleke, was brutally slaughtered in cold blood whilst defenceless and in the solace of her own home by her Cameroonian domestic help, Joel Ledjou
“Words cannot adequately describe the complete and utter devastation and sorrow that her senseless murder has caused in our lives.

“Joel had just been employed two months prior to the murder of Dayo. Dayo’s usual empathy and the need to help a ‘poor refugee’ as described by the pastor who referred him to Dayo from Mountain of Solution Ministries, led to her employing him.
“It’s ironic that the person she employed, out of her compassion, turned round and snuffed out her life in one senseless act of greed.

“Her supposed ‘offence’ to warrant being murdered by him was that she had not obliged him a two-week salary advance which he requested earlier that morning. The reward for Dayo’s kindness was death!
“Joel robbed Dayo of marriage, motherhood and longevity, a painful fact that still hurts us as a family each and every day.

“The Nigeria Police worked tirelessly in investigating the matter and the Ministry of Justice, Lagos State, in turn, has worked diligently in prosecuting the matter in court.

“Today, Tuesday, May 21, 2019, two years and five months after the murder, Justice Akintoye, sitting at the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State delivered her judgment and found Joel Ledjou guilty of murder and sentenced him to death by hanging.
“This murderer who robbed Dayo of marriage, motherhood, and longevity.

“Though still heartbroken over the loss of Dayo, we are somewhat consoled that justice has finally been served. Our beloved Dayo can now rest peacefully in the knowledge that her perpetrator received the full weight of the Law for her murder.

“Dayo, our light, you will never be forgotten. You are always and forever in our hearts. Your legacy lives on through all of us who remain.”

Adamu confirmed as IGP

Mohammed Adamu has been confirmed as the inspector general of police.

Adamu was confirmed at the police council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.

Musiliu Smith, chairman of the police service commission, and governors of the 36 states were part of the meeting.

Adamu, who succeeded Ibrahim Idris, took over the force on January 15, 2019.

According to section 27 and 28 of third schedule of the 1999 constitution, the Nigeria police council comprise “(a) the President who shall be the Chairman; (b) the Governor of each State of the Federation; (c) the Chairman of the Police Service Commission; and (d) the Inspector-General of Police.

“The functions of the Nigeria Police Council shall include – (a) the organisation and administration of the Nigeria Police Force and all other matters relating thereto (not being matters relating to the use and operational control of the Force or the appointment, disciplinary control and dismissal of members of the Force);

“ (b) the general supervision of the Nigeria Police Force; and

“(c) advising the President on the appointment of the Inspector General of Police “

Boko Haram captures Shuwa town in Adamawa

Boko Haram fighters have over-run Shuwa town in Madagali Local Government A rea of Adamawa State sending the people scampered to neighboring towns.

Reports in Shuwa said the insurgents have invaded the town using Hilux vans, Tata trucks and motorcycles.
Reports from some eyewitness accounts said many houses have been burnt and the entire town have remained a ghost town as thousands of people are fleeing the area.

Some non-governmental organizations NGOs based in Mubi said large numbers of fleeing people of Shuwa are trooping into Mubi while Michika town which is 5km from Shuwa town has seen the fighters running into the town before returning back to Shuwa their base.

It was not clear if the military responded because the military was said to have been overwhelmed as several Boko Haram invasions took place in the neighbouring communities of Lassa, Shuwa, Uba and other places which have been under serious attacks from Boko Haram recently.

Fayemi elected Chairman of Nigeria Governor's Forum

Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state, has been elected chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Fayemi was chosen by a consensus after he was nominated by Nasir el-Rufai, with Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta state, seconding his nomination.

Abdulaziz Yari, the immediate past chairman, announced this on Wednesday evening.

He said Fayemi was unanimously elected by the governors to lead the forum till 2021.

“Members also elected Governor Aminu Tambwal of Sokoto state as the vice-chairman of the forum from 2019 to 2021,” Yari said.

He explained that Tambuwal was nominated by Akinwumi Ambode, governor of Lagos state and seconded by Rotimi Akeredolu, his Ondo state counterpart.

Reading a communiqué at the end of the meeting, Yari said that the forum was concerned with the recent guidelines of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

The guidelines according to him sought to impose restriction on the powers of states and local governments to operate within constitutionally approved parameters.

“The new guidelines have no legal basis under the NFIU Act and are contrary to constitutional provisions which put the State Joint Local Government Account under the legislation of the state houses of assembly,” he said.

“The guidelines will also be detrimental to the interest of States and local governments by crippling programmes such as the Universal Basic Education programme, Primary Health Care Under One Roof, as well as the payment of the salaries of teachers, medical doctor and health workers among others which are primarily funded by state governments.”

On the call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to declare state of emergency on issue of insecurity, Yari said that they had all agreed to meet President Muhammadu Buhari for one-on-one discussion.

“The issue of security is under the mandate of Mr president, we are supporting him because he is the Commander-in-Chief and we hope to come up with solutions with him, ” he said.

In his acceptance remark, Fayemi expressed his gratitude for the confidence reposed on him by colleagues.

He pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors and success stories of the forum.

“We will build on commitment with strong partnership with the Federal Government as federating unit and trash out issues as amicably as possible, in the over all interest of the country,” he said.

He pledged that they would represent the interests of Nigeria irrespective of their political affiliations.

“Whatever we are going to do will be in overall interest of the nation in ensuring that our states are continuously strengthened,” he said.

“Our country derives the benefit of strong, dedicated states to our citizens and the partnership with all arms of government, development partners working with us in the over all interest of Nigeria.

He commended the outgoing chairman and the secretariat for their commitment to states and Nigeria at large.

TheCable

Panasonic makes u-turn on US restrictions on Huawei products

Panasonic insists it has not suspended business with Huawei despite earlier statement saying US ban would be enforced

* Panasonic’s business with Huawei involves the supply of ‘electronic parts’
* The global market for components used by Huawei is worth US$70 billion

Japan’s Panasonic on Thursday released a statement on its China website claiming it continues to supply Huawei as normal. It followed an earlier statement from the company saying it had stopped shipments of certain components to Huawei.

“Currently Panasonic Corp is still supplying for Huawei. The reports from online media about being out of stock are simply untrue,” the statement said.

“Huawei has always been an important partner with Panasonic Corp. We will continue to sell commodities and provide service to our Chinese clients like Huawei, according to the law and regulations of the country and region which Panasonic Corp is located. By helping China, we will help our business grow in China too.

“Panasonic is an important partner of Huawei and the two sides work closely together in various fields,” it said. “All business cooperation between Panasonic and Huawei remains in continuous and normal progress. Thanks to Panasonic for its consistent support to Huawei.

The global market for components used by Huawei is worth US$70 billion.

Brain-dead toddler donates organs

'21 month old @Carolyn suffered cardiac arrest three times due to Parainfluenza infection, which causes respiratory problems and weakens immune systems. Her brain was damaged as she struggled to breathe. It then began to swell, before she was declared brain dead.

Heart will be donated to a one year old boy,liver to a 1yr old girl and kidneys to a 41yr old woman.

Culled from Metro

Confusion as RCCG preacher heals leper, deaf in market place

The city of Akure, the Ondo State capital last Friday erupted in wild excitement and jubilation when a 26-year-old woman, Bose Isaac who in the course of evangelism, preaching, prayed for a crippled man with leprosy and two deaf men who instantly received healings.



The rare occurrence which took place within the Erekesan Market popularly known as Oja-Oba, around First Bank junction attracted a huge crowd.

The crippled man who got healed was a popular beggar at the First Bank junction in the market while one of the deaf men known as Chidi was also said to be selling recharge cards at the same junction.


Traders and passers-bye according to eye witnesses were said to have abandoned their wares and milled around the lady, requesting to be prayed for.

It was gathered that when the crowd became uncontrollable, the woman was whisked to Chief Elemo’s palace, a stone throw from the scene of the event.

Sources said the crowd continued to increase, as they protested why the miracle worker woman was taken inside the palace instead of allowing her to pray for many who gathered outside waiting to receive similar miracles.

At a point, when the crowd was becoming uncontrollable and almost degenerating into a stampede, people at the palace invited the police to rescue them from the impending violence that may break out .

Police at the ‘A’ Division, responded swiftly but faced a tough time before they could rescue the lady from the crowd and she was taken to the divisional headquarters at Alagbaka.

The crowd followed the police van swiftly and as they surged forward, the police had to resort to firing teargas before they could disperse the miracle seeking crowd.

The event which lasted for several hours almost paralysed commercial activities and vehicular movements along the Oba-Adesida ‘A’ Division road.

When our correspondent visited the ‘A’ Division, the police said that Bose had been taken to the police headquarters at Igbatoro road.

Eventually, the owner of a fashion designing shop at No 18, Adedeji shopping complex within the Oja-Oba where Bose is working as an apprentice, Mrs. Juliana Okoro from Enugu State was contacted. She told our correspondent that the lady sometimes ago approached her requesting to learn fashion designing.

Mrs. Okoro said: “I asked her to bring her relatives to sign on for her if she is really interested. In February this year, her brother later brought her to my shop.

Since that February, she has not been able to pay the N3,000 I demanded from her as the sign on fee for an apprenticeship. But I was not even eager that she pays the money, she added.

Bose’s brother, who brought her to the shop, a 39-year-old, Mr. Jacob Adolewa whom she is also staying with since she came to Akure, speaking with our correspondent, described Bose as a devout Christian, who always read her Bible. “She has always been encouraging me that there is nothing God cannot do.

In a chat with the 50-year-old crippled who got healed, Mr. Jehrome Ademeso, a father of five residing at the Leprosarium along Oba-Ile road in Akure said he had been living with his condition for the past 42 years.

While speaking, he brought out the clutches he was using, and declared “Now I can walk, my daughter has taken them from me.

He said he was also suffering from leprosy and deafness which is why he is residing at Ago-Ireti.

He said; “I was never born a leper, this condition had destroyed my life for 42 years, but I am very happy now that I am healed. I thank God for this and I need to thank that woman that prayed for me.

I was crippled, deaf with leprosy and the lady prayed and touched me, now I can walk and hear all what the people are saying, he declared.

Miss Bose Issac, a native of Isua Akoko who lived in Lokoja with an uncle came to Akure in February this year to live with her cousin as her aged parents were in Akoko who cannot afford her upkeeps.

She is a graduate of Government Technical School Lokoja and a devote member of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Akure. She was described as a very quiet young lady. In an interview with The Hope, she said: “My pastor has already told me that God will use me for my family.

She narrated to our correspondent how she came in contact with the Holy Spirit saying.

”I was in the shop one day, while working, I saw someone passed and came back to me, he directed me to read some scriptures from the Bible in book of psalms 19, Isaiah 47, in water for 10 days that I will discover the will of God for my life.

I started last week and the 10 days have not been completed. I never knew I would feel such because I was trying to locate where my brother was. I saw the leper on my way as he blocked my path. The rest that happened, I cannot explain.

I attend Redeemed Christian Church of God. My pastor had told me that God will use me greatly for his great works. But I was always laughing I did not understand, he was always giving me prayer points and he also pray along with me.

Boko Haram attacks military base in Borno, several soldiers killed

Insurgents in Nigeria’s north-east have attacked yet another military base in Borno State, killing, wounding and displacing soldiers.

The Boko Haram thugs drove yet unconfirmed number of trucks into Gubio Local Government Area at about 5:30 p.m. on May 19, PREMIUM TIMES learnt from military sources. They attacked a camp housing the Nigerian Army 5 Brigade and the 159 Task Force Battalion, leaving at least one soldier killed and three others injured.

Six soldiers were still missing as of Tuesday night, two days after the attack, sources said.

But soldiers were able to repel most of the Boko Haram attackers before they could inflict maximum damage, killing at lease one of them with some guns recovered.


The Nigerian Army has not issued a statement on the attack. A spokesperson, Sagir Musa, did not immediately return calls seeking comments Wednesday morning. The military contacts spoke under anonymity because the military top brass had not authorised disclosure of the attack to the media.

The attack occurred barely three days after the military acceded to the request of Gubio residents for an additional time for farmers to return home daily.

The farmers had complained that the curfew hitherto in place was obstructing their farming activities because it required them to stop working on their farm before 4:00 p.m. Several residents were reported to have been arrested because they sometimes stayed beyond the 4:00 p.m. in their farms.

Premium Times

Messi deserves Ballon d'Or - Mbappe

Paris Saint Germain star, Kylian Mbappe, has predicted the winner of 2019 Ballon D’or.

Mbappe said the Barcelona superstar, Lionel was the favourite to claim the most prestigious individual award.

He said the Argentine had done enough to put himself ahead of other players this season and so deserved the award.

“Messi, despite the elimination in UCL semi-final, it does not change anything. He is the number one,” he told Eurosport.

“He has shown he was the best player this year.

“You have to keep working on the pitch to win it. I still have more work to do before I can win it,” he said.

Nurse fired for always preaching to patients

Sarah Kuteh was fired from her job at Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent, in 2016 for repeatedly talking to patients about her faith and handing out a bible, in breach of Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) rules.

Another complaint, again in April 2016, came from a patient who said Ms Kuteh 'spent more time talking about religion than doing the assessment', and another, the same month, came from a patient who said they didn't want to see Ms Koteh as they 'didn't like preaching'.

NHS nurse who offered a Bible to a cancer patient and encouraged him to sing The Lord is My Shepherd LOSES appeal after tribunal ruled she was 'rightly sacked for religious fervour'

The court documents also point to a number of other incidents, in which Ms Kuteh told a bowel cancer patient in April 2016 'that if he prayed to God he would have a better chance of survival'

Daily Mail

Comment on Boko Haram: FG attacks Obasanjo

The federal government has described former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s comments imputing ethno-religious motive to Boko Haram and ISWAP as deeply offensive and patently divisive, saying such indiscreet comments are far below the status of an elder statesman.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it was particularly tragic that a man who fought to keep Nigeria one is the same one seeking to exploit the country’s fault lines to divide it in the twilight of his life.

He said Boko Haram and ISWAP are terrorist organizations pure and simple, adding that they care little about ethnicity or religion when perpetrating their senseless killings and destruction.

”Since the Boko Haram crisis, which has been simmering under the watch of Obasanjo, boiled over in 2009, the terrorist organization has killed more Muslims than adherents of any other religion, blown up more mosques than any other houses of worship and is not known to have spared any victim on the basis of their ethnicity. It is therefore absurd to say that Boko Haram and its ISWAP variant have as their goal the ‘Fulanisation and Islamisation’ of Nigeria, West Africa or Africa,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

He said President Buhari put to rest the mis-characterization of Boko Haram as an Islamic organization when he said, in his inaugural speech in 2015, that ”Boko Haram is a mindless, godless group who are as far away from Islam as one can think of”.

The Minister said Obasanjo’s comments are therefore as insensitive and mischievous as they are as offensive and divisive in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country like Nigeria, wondering whether there is no limit to how far the former President will go in throwing poisonous darts at his perceived political enemies.

He said Obasanjo’s prescriptions for ending the Boko Haram/ISWAP crisis, which include seeking assistance outside the shores of Nigeria, are coming several years late, as President Buhari has done that and more since assuming office, hence the phenomenal success he has recorded in tackling the terrorists.

Man who spent 45 years in prison for murder he didn't commit gets $1.5m compensation

A former auto worker who spent 45 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit has been awarded $1.5 million by the US state of Michigan as restitution for his wrongful conviction.

Richard Phillips was convicted in 1972 and sentenced to life in prison “based almost entirely” on the false testimony of one witness, according to prosecutors.

He was 27 when he entered the prison and is now 73.

He was freed in 2018 after the University of Michigan’s Innocence Clinic took up his case and declared him the longest imprisoned innocent man in America.

Phillips maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration.

“I would rather die in prison than to admit to something that I didn’t do,” he told WDIV television last year.

To support himself while waiting for officials to decide restitution, Phillips sold paintings he had made in prison.

The wait ended Friday when Michigan’s top law enforcement official announced the $1.5 million award — the largest of three restitution payments.

“Reentering society is profoundly difficult for wrongfully convicted individuals,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.

“We have an obligation to provide compassionate compensation to these men for the harm they suffered.”

Punch

UEFA president speaks on Manchester city

UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin, has made it clear that the body will not shy away from sanctioning Manchester City amid fears of a ban from the Champions League.

City have been under investigation by a regulatory committee, over a series of leaks into their financial conduct published in German outlet Der Spiegel.

Reports last week suggested that City may face a Champions League ban if found guilty, with UEFA referring the case to Club Financial Control Body adjudicatory chamber.

Ceferin, while speaking with the New York Times, insisted that UEFA will have no qualms about coming down hard on any club.

“Sometimes we forget how dirty this industry is.

“If you do it right, you don’t sell yourself.

“If you are not involved in any strange business, if you are not corrupted, then you go straight forward and be fair to anyone,” Ceferin said.

Daily Post

Tinubu meets with Buhari, Mamman Daura in Saudi Arabia

One day after hosting Abdulaziz Yari, governor of Zamfara state, President Muhammadu Buhari held a meeting with Mamman Daura, his cousin, and Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Saudi Arabia, where he is performing lesser hajj.

Sa’ad Abubakar, sultan of Sokoto; Isa Dodo, Nigerian ambassador to Saudi Arabia; Ismaila Isa, an associate of the president; Wale Tinubu, chief executive officer of Oando PLC; Najib Adamu, emir of Kazaure; Hakeem Fahm, commissioner of science and technology of Lagos state, were in attendance.

According to Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Abubakar led prayers for Buhari’s second term in office, and for the nation to overcome current challenges.

The monarch was said to have pledged support for Buhari’s administration.

Speaking after the meeting, Tinubu called on Nigerians to support the president in ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria.

TheCable

Mourinho offered new coaching job

Former Chelsea striker, Chris Sutton, has claimed that former Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho was offered the chance of becoming Celtic’s new manager.

Mourinho was sacked by Man United in December and hasn’t managed any club since then.

The 56-year-old had reiterated his desire to return to management this summer and hinted that it would be in a league that motivates him.

But Sutton has now disclosed that the Portuguese gaffer was presented with the opportunity of coaching the Scottish giants next season.

“There’s going to be a lot of managers in for it (the Celtic manager’s job),” Sutton was quoted by Manchester Evening news as saying.

“Mourinho was heavily linked and I’m led to believe that there was something in that in terms of there being an offer.

“But why would he take the Celtic job? I just don’t get it. I don’t know the exact terms but there was an offer.”