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http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has warned Nigerians to be wary of consuming killer rice that has flooded the market. A statement by the forum’s Media and Public Affairs, Abulrazaque Bello-Barkindo said a communiqué issued by the forum in Abuja last week held that the imported rice contains poisonous substance that make people sick and even kill some who consume them. The statement however lamented that despite the poisonous nature of the rice, the banned product still finds its way to the Nigerian market on increasing rate. “Governors expressed concern that Nigerians were either falling sick or losing their lives to the consumption of this substandard product even though some states have commenced elaborate efforts to produce rice in commercial quantity with a view to halting the nation’s over-reliance on staples that can be produced locally. “Most governors of the states that have already embraced the back to land mantra of this administration frowned at ...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Senate has confirmed the appointment of 15 resident electoral commissioners (RECs) out of the 27 names sent to it by the Presidency. The confirmation followed consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on INEC presented by its acting Chairman, Sen. Suleiman Nazif during Thursday’s plenary. The Senate resolved to confirm the remaining 12 nominees at a later date. Those confirmed include Prof. Godswill Obioma, Abia; James, Apam, Benue; Dr Nwachukwu Orji, Ebonyi; Dr Iloh Chuks, Enugu; Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, Plateau; Umar Ibrahim, Taraba; Mr Emeka Joseph, Imo and Obo Effanga, Cross River. Others are, Prof. Francis Ezeonu, Anambra; Dr Briyai Frankland, Bayelsa; Ibrahim Abdullahi, Adamawa; Agboke Olaleke, Ogun; Hussaini Pai, Federal Capital Territory; Ahmad Makama, Bauchi and Sadiq Musa, Kaduna. Nazif had while presenting the reports, informed the Senate that although all the 27 nominees had been cleared by relevant security agencies, the committee w...

http://ift.tt/2quGPAu US President Donald Trump addresses US military personnel and families at Naval Air Station Sigonella after G7 summit of Heads of State and Government, on May 27, 2017 near Taormina in Sicily. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGAN President Donald Trump on Monday called North Korea’s latest missile test a slap in the face for its main ally China, which the US leader praised for trying to rein in the regime. “North Korea has shown great disrespect for their neighbor, China, by shooting off yet another ballistic missile… but China is trying hard!” Trump said in a tweet. North Korea launched its 12th ballistic missile test this year on Monday, this one falling provocatively close to Japan. South Korea’s military said the Scud-type missile travelled for 280 miles (450 kilometers), and Japan said it was estimated to have fallen into its exclusive economic zone, extending 200 nautical miles from the coast. The test was carried out in defiance of UN sanctions warnings, ...

http://ift.tt/2qySRrV Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode (5th R) and discussants at the Lagos History Lecture For me, one of the major highlights of events lined up to mark the Golden Jubilee celebration of Lagos State was the Lagos History Lecture with the theme: “Lagos: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. The lecture which took place At Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos had in attendance Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, former governors of the state, former deputy governors of the state, eminent statesmen, traditional rulers, university dons among others. A major issue that was roundly dealt with at the lecture is the subject of Lagos being a no man’s land. Before now, a few individuals and groups have claimed that Lagos doesn’t belong to any particular people or group of people. Those who hold this view, perhaps, based their judgment on the cosmopolitan nature of L...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J The Kaduna State House of Assembly, on Wednesday repealed the law establishing the state transport agency, popularly known as KASTELEA. ” The Kaduna State Traffic Law and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (KASTELEA) Law No.12 of 2014 is hereby repealed,” the Deputy Speaker, Mr John Kwaturu, said at plenary. In its place, the Assembly has passed a new law to establish the state traffic authority. Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority 2017, was passed by the assembly during the sitting. The new body would take over only traffic matters excluding the handling of environmental issues. Kwaturu said the new body would implement and enforce the provision of the Road Traffic Law cap 135 Law of Kaduna State 1991 and Road Traffic Regulation 2007. It would also direct and control traffic on public roads in the state, inspect vehicles, issue certificate of road worthiness, impound erring vehicles, and enlighten motorists on road safety measures. The agency ...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Violent clashes erupted in a remote north western farming community in South Africa on Monday after two white farmers accused of murdering a 16-year-old black boy were granted bail. Residents of Coligny took to the streets after the court decision, burning down a white family’s home and heightening racial tensions that erupted after the teen’s death. Pieter Doorewaard, 26, and Philip Schutte, 34, are accused of killing Matlhomola Mosweu on April 20, after they reportedly caught him stealing sunflowers from a farm in the area. The boy is alleged to have died after being thrown out of a moving vehicle driven by the pair and suffering a broken neck. A witness has claimed he was deliberately jettisoned. The men claim he jumped off the truck as they were taking him to the police. The death sparked rioting in the town, with black residents torching and looting white-owned shops. The accused later handed themselves over to the police. Following Monday’s arson attac...

http://ift.tt/2pHQLJ6 Director General, NITDA, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami ‎In line with the Federal Government’s fight against corruption, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) had adopted the “whistle blowing” policy to sanitise it’s system of unethical practices. Mrs Hadiza ‎Umar, the Head, Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA said this on Friday in Abuja in a statement. The adoption of the policy by Dr Isa Ibrahim, the Director-General of the agency was followed by inauguration of an Anti-Corruption Committee to sanitise the agency. The Chairman of the committee, Mr Sarafa Lawal lauded the D-G for setting up the committee, adding that the strategy would aid transparency. “We appreciate Dr Isa Ibrahim for implementing the whistle blowing initiative in the agency, which will aid transparency in all the activities operating within the borders of the organisation. “I am allergic to corrupt practices and favouratism. “Restructuring th...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Targeted global marketing and closer relations with the betting industry are two weapons La Liga are deploying in their battle for football supremacy with the Premier League, the Spanish league’s marketing guru told AFP. Gregory Bolle, who took up his post as global partnership sales chief last October after three years with Premier League giants Manchester City, admits it is a challenge to supplant the Premier League as the world number one football league but adds that since Javier Tebas became president of La Liga huge progress had been made. “We are in a battle with the EPL because we consider we have the best football but the EPL have done a great job financially and not just with TV rights,” Bolle told AFP after appearing on a panel at the International Sports & Football Betting Trade Conference at Chelsea’s football ground, Stamford Bridge. “In the past La Liga was relying on the quality of the football but since Javier Tebas came in (2013) it has be...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Wimbledon singles champions will cash cheques for £2.2 million ($2.8 million, 2.6 million euros) this year, the All England Club said on Wednesday. Andy Murray and Serena Williams earned £2 million for taking home the silverware in the men’s and women’s events at the grass-court Grand Slam last year. That figure has now been surpassed by a 10 percent hike as Wimbledon prepares for this year’s tournament, which gets under way on July 3 in its latest start date since 1895. In the last six years, the cash pot for the Wimbledon winners has doubled from £1.1 million. Wimbledon’s total prize money for 2017 is up by 12.5 percent to £31.6 million, reflecting the huge revenue streams of the world’s most famous tennis tournament. “We are proud of the important leadership role that Wimbledon plays locally, nationally and internationally, and are committed to continuing to secure the future of the Championships, and of our sport, for years to come,” said All England Club...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Governments at all levels must set aside special grants for artists to boost the industry and for individual development. An artist, Oscar Ukonu, told newsmen in Lagos that such grants would help young artists to take off after school before they start selling their products and earning a living. The Creative Director, Oscar Ukonu Studios of Art, said that the established ones also needed to boost their works. “The present government needs to help us through grants to assist us in going for residency; every artist needs it but must have money to do it. “Grants are important because it will help to support artists for a period of time before they are stabilised,’’ he said. The artist said that grants are usually provided for artists by governments abroad to enable them go for residency programme, further studies and trainings that can enhance their performances. “It is to help them with whatever they can do to enhance their jobs or get them started with their...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J For every self-acclaimed strong man, there is a God who takes away even the captive of the mighty and delivers the prey of the terrible. History has a way of repeating itself. Very early in the life of this world, there arose a certain Pharaoh that did not know Joseph. He subjected the children of Israel to such hardship as had never been known before except for a time like this in Nigeria. The people’s backs were lashed with whips and many more had their spines broken as a result of the slavish condition this Pharaoh subjected them to. They cried; they wept; they mourned, yet, there was no respite in sight until that day when God appeared to Moses and ordered him to go down to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let His people go! Moses delivered the message, yet, Pharaoh kept on playing god over God’s people. Not even all the pleas and miracles wrought before him could melt his heart or bend his will. For no just cause, he insisted on punishing the people. Not even th...

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Dutse – A Jigawa Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday remanded the immediate past governor of the state, Alhaji Sule Lamido, in prison till May 4, for alleged incitement. Chief Magistrate Muhammad Lamin refused the accused bail and adjourned the case till May 4, for the continuation of the case. Lamido is standing trial on a four-count charge of inciting public disturbance, defamation of character, criminal intimidation and disturbance of public peace. The offences contravened sections 113, 114, 392 and 394 of the Penal Code. His counsel Yakubu Ruba and Felix Jones said that the offences were bailable and wondered why the court did not grant the accused bail. Lamido was arrested by the police in Kano on Sunday for the offences. The post Court remands ex-Gov. Lamido in prison appeared first on Vanguard News . Vía Vanguard News http://ift.tt/2p4wWc7

http://ift.tt/eA8V8J Over 400 Fulani Christian converts have been tasked on preaching the gospel of peace to their kindred in order to reduce the prevailing crises in the country. Rev. Copper Sebok, Reverend in charge of COCIN Church Panyam, gave the charge on Sunday at the end of a 3-day conference organised for all Fulani converts of all denominations across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was aimed at awakening the need for preaching peace to their fellow brothers and sisters across the country. “The conference is also a re-union service for all Fulani converts regardless of their denominations and to share experiences and encourage one another in the propagation of the gospel of peace. “It is a concept of COCIN 43 years ago, and to debunk the notion that Fulani’s are nomadic and can’t be reached with the gospel of Christ.’’ In his sermon, read from Matt 9: 35-38, the clergy said man must have compassion on the unsaved to draw them to ...

http://ift.tt/2puokfP Swansea City's Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson (2L) celebrates scoring their first goal to equalise 1-1 during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Swansea City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 30, 2017. Oli SCARFF / AFP A sublime freekick by Icelandic international Gylfi Sigurdsson gained Premier League strugglers Swansea a deserved point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, dealing a blow to the latter’s Champions League hopes. Sigurdsson’s 10th goal of the season but first in 11 matches cancelled out veteran Wayne Rooney’s contentious penalty in time added on in the first-half when Marcus Rashford made the most out of minimal contact with ‘Swans’ goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. The point saw United move level on points with city rivals Manchester City but remained fifth, a place outside the automatic spots for the Champions League, because of a poorer goal difference. It...