ONE WORD

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as Shiites, set ablaze the national flags of the US and Israel during a massive protest in Abuja on Friday. The protesters, who converged on Wuse market junction, described both countries as enemies and oppressors of the people of Palestine. Abdullahi Musa, secretary of the academic forum of the movement, said the flags were burnt to show anger against the countries over their “oppressive tendency” against Palestine. The flags were displayed to the crowd with the caricature of President Donald Trump before some members of the group sprayed fuel on them. The incident led to traffic logjam in the area. Also, three coffins wrapped with Palestinian flags were on display which signified the three children of Ibraheem El-Zakyzaky, leader of the group, who were killed by the security operatives during a protest in Zaria, Kaduna state, in 2015. The movement said the protest was organised to drive home the deman...

The first man in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, is to spend N1.001 billion on travels this year alone. According to the detailed 2019 budget which was signed into law early this week, the president would spend N751.296 million traveling internationally and another N250.021 million locally. The first man in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, is to spend N1.001 billion on travels this year alone. According to the detailed 2019 budget which was signed into law early this week, the president would spend N751.296 million traveling internationally and another N250.021 million locally. According to the budget, N576.747 million was set aside for the phased replacement of vehicles, spares and tyres in the presidential CVU, security/police escort and State House operational fleet. The Office of the Chief Security Officer to the President got the sum of N 433.457 million for the purchase of security and operational vehicles. According to the budget, Vice President Y...

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has secured a 12-year jail term for its ex-board nominee, Saad Alanamu and the Director of Namylas Nigeria Limited, Salman Sulaiman, for collecting and giving a bribe respectively. This was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the commission, Rasheedat Okoduwa. The convicts had earlier been arraigned before Honourable Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin on an 8-count for bribery. Alanamu who is also a former Chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, was nominated into the Board of ICPC in 2017. He was later dropped on an allegation of corruption which the Commission was investigating. He was charged for collecting N5million bribe from a contractor friend of his as a kickback for the award of a contract. Sulaiman, on the other hand, was accused of bribing a government official when he paid the said sum of mon...

The news that Nigeria’s economy cooled down to 2.05% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 2.38% in Q4’18 has left investors wondering about the chances of growth gathering momentum during the second half of the year. On the one hand, it’s an encouraging sign we’ve seen the fastest first-quarter growth since 2015, driven mainly by the non-oil sector which grew 2.47%. On the other hand, the oil sector shrank by 2.4%, sending a worrying signal that the sector isn’t doing as well as it should be even amid rising oil prices. It is becoming increasingly clear that economic growth is unlikely to reach the ambitious Economic Recover and Growth Plan (ERGP) target of seven percent but it may hit the Central Bank of Nigeria’s target of 2.47%. For this to happen, the growth trend in the oil sector would need to rebound and the services sector would need to sustain its current strength. Added momentum could stem from oil prices should they hit a bullish streak going forward, su...

Apple iPhone XR. Image: tech2/Omkar Patne A 30-year-old Chinese man, Quan Jiang, in Oregon has been reportedly found guilty of trafficking counterfeit iPhone devices. Over a span of two years, Jian used to send fake iPhone devices, either hand delivered or shipped to Apple saying that they are not turning on and should be replaced by the company as they were under warranty. These devices were not limited to one or two but around 3,000, for which Apple did replace 1,500 devices costing around $600 (Rs 42,000) each. The accused pleaded guilty in the Federal court for trafficking counterfeit iPhone devices on Wednesday. “Submission of an iPhone that will not power on is critical to perpetuating iPhone warranty fraud, as the phone will not be able to be immediately examined or repaired by Apple technicians, triggering the Apple iPhone replacement process as part of its product warranty policy,” wrote Homeland Security Investigations special agent Thomas Duffy, quoting Apple brand p...

A woman who recently got married has tragically lost her life while returning from her traditional wedding.   Sandra and husband after traditional wedding   A newly-wedded first Class graduate, Amarachi Sandra Olua and a Lecturer with the Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State has reportedly lost her life just three days after her traditional wedding.   It was gathered that the fatal crash on the Hawan – Kibo – Jos road involving a truck with registration number BSA214XA, and a Toyota Hiace bus marked BSA453XJ also claimed seven lives.   The sad accident occurred on Tuesday evening.     Six other persons were also left severely injured. It was gathered that the truck belonged to Dangote Company, while the bus was from God’s Time is the Best Transport company in Jos.   Sandra, who is a graduate of the Federal University, Lafia, had her traditional wedding on Sunday, May 26th in her hometown. She was travelling back wh...

An African man was found crammed behind the glove box of a car in a bid to get to Europe. He was one of four people spotted hiding in vehicles on the same day by authorities in Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, in north Africa. Three other people ,including a 15-year-old girl ,were found in separate cars at the Beni-Enzar border between Morocco and Melilla on May 24. Two people were found in special compartments behind the dashboard while the third person was found under a rear seat. The fourth person was also found on May 24 under a truck in the Melilla port. They were treated by medics for asphyxia, disorientation and joint pain. In recent years, thousands of African migrants seeking a better life in Europe have tried to enter Spain through its two enclaves in north Africa, Melilla and Ceuta.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has confirmed the death of its President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, who died in the early hours of Friday Also President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and sadness over the passing away of the President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Francis Johnson on Friday. Johnson’s death was confirmed in a statement issued by the Association’s National Executive Council (NEC), Central Working Committee (CWC) and signed Lumumba Okugbawa, the Deputy President and Frank Esanubi General Secretary of PENGASSAN PENGASSAN said “We announce the untimely and painful death of Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, President PENGASSAN in the early hours of Friday 31st May 2019 at National Hospital Abuja, after a brief illness. “Late Comrade F. O. Johnson until his passing on was a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and was on the final lap of his ev...

A lone accident occurred in Lagos when a 20-Ft Containerized truck fell off a bridge along the Ijora-7UP bridge, inward Iganmu in Lagos state. The accident occurred as the truck descended from the bridge. Officials of LASTMA were on-ground to manage traffic situation. The LRU later visited the scene to carry out the recovery of the fallen truck. credit by Autojosh

Smoking once upon a time used to be considered more of a male pursuit, with much higher numbers of men smoking than women. A few years ago, it was estimated that about 52 percent of men smoked, compared to 34 percent of women. Now, the empirical evidence suggests that the proportion of women smoking is equal if not higher than men. Though the overall percentage of people who smoke has come down, the "gender gap" in smoking has narrowed over time, putting both sexes at more equal risk of the dangers of smoking. Both sexes have some risks in common Smoking is perhaps the most dangerous method of using tobacco. Irrespective of gender, it's important to note that inhaled smoke contains nicotine, along with several other dangerous chemicals. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals including carcinogens — cancer-causing compounds — and other toxins. Carbon monoxide, for one, is a colorless and odorless gas produced from the partial burning of virtually a...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has confirmed he was among those on board the Ethiopian Airlines flight that nearly crashed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Wednesday. In an interview with Premium Times, Obasanjo narrated how the pilot had difficulty landing as a result of strong winds and a heavy downpour. NAN had reported that the Ethiopian Airlines aircraft, ET-901, had departed the Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa at 7am (Nigerian time). Obasanjo had attended a stakeholders dialogue on Continental Trade and Strengthening Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in Ethiopia. Close to 400 passengers are said to be on board the flight which had been smooth until the pilot attempted to land at the airport. Obasanjo, who was returning to Lagos, said he “remained calm” while reading his papers during the chaotic situation. “One man, who was next to me, said, ‘Oga you no worry?’ I said, ‘Íf I worry, what will I do? If yo...

Norwich City have confirmed that Manchester City forward Patrick Roberts will join the club on a one-year loan deal from July 1st.  The club announced the deal on their official website, in a statement which read: "Norwich City are delighted to confirm that Patrick Roberts will join the Club on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City from July 1." Speaking to the club website, Roberts declared: “It’s great to have the deal done. I’ve known about the interest for a while. I’ve spoken to the manager [Daniel Farke] and sporting director Stuart Webber and it was clear in my mind that I wanted to come here this season. “I had a few other offers, the same as last season. But speaking to Stuart, he said he’s been watching me for a while and he likes the way I play. The manager was very enthusiastic when he spoke to me. He really enjoys the way I play and that’s a big boost of confidence for me. “It’s good to have someone in your corner to give you the belief and oppor...

Executive Secretary, UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi; Registrar,TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye; Executive Secretary, NMEC, Prof. Abba Haladu; Education Specialist, Commonwealth of Learning, Tony Mays at a Committee Meeting on Open Schooling Programme in Abuja. The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is set to adopt Open Schooling Programme as a strategy to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria. Dr Hamid Bobboyi, Executive Secretary, UBEC, disclosed this on the sidelines of a two day Committee Meeting on Open Schooling Programme in Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday. Bobboyi said the programme was receiving technical support from the Commonwealth of Learning, Canada He said Nigeria was faced with real challenges especially in the basic education sector and the commission had to look for the right strategies to address the challenges. Bobboyi said the number of out-of-school children had been increasing for different reasons, adding that there was also the problem of ...

Manchester City have reject Bayern Munich's opening bid of £70.7m for winger Leroy Sane, with the German champions expected to return with a follow-up offer. As reported by the Guardian, Bayern tabled the bid with the hope of replacing at least one of the departing duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, but they will have to do better than the initial £70.7m, with City holding out as it stands. It is understood that the Bundesliga outfit will now consider whether to widen their coffers with a second bid, with the prevailing expectation being that this particular transfer saga is far from over, especially given City's acknowledgement that, should the right offer come in, they possess sufficient talent in wide areas to combat the loss. The 23-year-old, who was infamously snubbed from Die Mannschaft's 2018 World Cup squad, has been used fairly sparingly by Guardiola this term, particularly for a player as talented as himself, but this does not mean that the tactician ...

Immediate past governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has cried out over the demolition of some monuments erected by his government in the state, by his successor, Emeka Ihedioha. The former governor has also denied the story of his arrest by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He accused Ihedioha and his new government of being behind the false arrest claim. Less than 24 hours after being inaugurated into office, Ihedioha had begun the demolition of some of the monuments erected by Okorocha’s government in the state, including the ‘Akachi’ (the symbolic hand of God). Media reports on Thursday had also claimed that Okorocha, his wife, Nkechi and the governor’s brother, Okey, have been arrested by the EFCC. Responding in a statement through his media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former governor said: “We have read on-line including some print media on-line platforms that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has arrested the former Governor of Imo State...

President Trump on Thursday said he would impose a 5 percent tariff on all goods entering from Mexico unless it stopped the flow of illegal immigration to the United States, a dramatic escalation of his border threats that could have sweeping implications for both economies. The White House plans to begin levying the import penalties on June 10 and ratchet the penalties higher if the migrant flow isn’t halted. Trump said he would remove the tariffs only if all illegal migration across the border ceased, though other White House officials said they would be looking only for Mexico to take major action. After the 5 percent tariffs are imposed on June 10, the White House said it would increase the penalties to 10 percent on July 1 and then an additional 5 percent on the first day of each month for three months. The tariffs would stay at 25 percent “until Mexico substantially stops the illegal inflow of aliens coming through its territory,” a statement by the president said. The ec...

The president teased his plans on Thursday morning, telling reporters outside the White House that he was preparing a “big-league statement” about the border surge, without going into detail. “We are going to do something very dramatic on the border because people are coming into our country,” Trump said. On Wednesday, more than 1,000 Central Americans crossed into the El Paso area to surrender to U.S. authorities, the largest group of migrants that U.S. border agents have taken into custody at a single time. Trump tweeted a video of the apprehension late Thursday, declaring that “Democrats need to stand by our incredible Border Patrol and finally fix the loopholes at our Border!” Deportations by Mexican authorities have increased threefold compared with the same period last year, according to the latest statistics, but the vast majority of Central American migrants appear to be successful at evading arrest en route to the U.S. border. López Obrador campaigned last year on a...

Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet praised Antoine Griezmann, labelling his France team-mate one of the best players in LaLiga. Griezmann, 28, has been heavily linked with a move to Barca after announcing earlier this month he would be leaving Atletico Madrid. Lenglet, who is in line to make his France debut next month, hailed Griezmann as one of the best players in Spain's top flight. "Griezmann is one of the three or four best players in LaLiga," he told a news conference. "He is a star and he has been in the competition for several years. He has scored many goals every season. "He is the star of Atletico and also one of the great figures of the league." While Griezmann is linked with a Barca switch, the forward is also a reported target for Premier League giants Manchester United. Lenglet, 23, said he would be watching closely for Griezmann's decision on his future. "Griezmann has said that he is leaving Atletico, but not wher...

Inter have confirmed the appointment of Antonio Conte as their new coach following the departure of Luciano Spalletti. Despite qualifying for the Champions League by finishing fourth in Serie A, Inter announced the dismissal of Spalletti in a short statement on Thursday. The news came as a surprise to few, as rumours had linked Spalletti with the sack for several weeks with Conte mooted as his potential replacement. Speculation went into overdrive on Wednesday when a photo of Conte with Inter's media team surfaced on social media, and the club made an announcement on Friday. "A new chapter in my life is beginning, I'm really excited," Conte said in a statement. "Through my work, I'll try to repay all of the trust that the president [Steven Zhang] and directors have placed in me. I have chosen Inter because of the club it is, because of the project's sound basis and how ambitious it is. Because of Inter's history. "I was struck by...

Records are made to be broken, but not usually by such an absurd margin. In a U-20 World Cup match between Norway and Honduras, 18-year-old Erling Braut Håland scored a "hat trick of hat tricks," netting nine goals in 83 minutes (he scored his first in the seventh minute) to shatter the previous record for goals in a match at the tournament; the previous record was six. Norway's 12-goal margin of victory is also a record for the U-20 World Cup. Håland's (which can also be spelled Haaland) nine were part of a 12-0 thrashing that Norway put on the CONCACAF squad, in a match it had to win to advance to the Round of 16 (it did). While Håland isn't a particularly well-known prospect on the international stage, he's not completely under the radar, either. Håland currently plays for Austrian power Red Bull Salzburg, having previously broken out at Norwegian side Molde, where he was coached by current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, among oth...

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea executed its nuclear envoy to the United States as part of a purge of officials who steered negotiations for a failed summit between leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, a South Korean newspaper said on Friday. Kim Hyok Chol was executed at Mirim Airport in Pyongyang, along with four foreign ministry executives, in March after they were all charged with spying for the United States, the Chosun Ilbo reported, citing an unidentified North Korean source. "He was accused of spying for the United States for poorly reporting on the negotiations without properly grasping U.S. intentions," the source was quoted as saying. The summit in Hanoi, the second between Kim Jong Un and Trump, failed to reach a deal because of conflicts over U.S. calls for complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and North Korean demands for sanctions relief. Kim Yong Chol, Kim Jong Un's right-hand man and the counterpart of U.S. Secretary of...