ONE WORD

Acting IGP, Mohammed Adamu. The Inspector General of Police has announced the restriction of vehicular movement from 6 am to 6 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2019, as part of the measures to ensure hitch-free Presidential and National Assembly elections. In a statement by the Police spokesperson, the IGP, Mohammed Adamu, noted that “the restriction will assist the security agencies in effectively policing the electoral process, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from hijacking and disrupting the electoral process. ”Mr Adamu gave the assurance of adequate security to ensure a safe and conducive environment for a peaceful and credible election and asked Nigerians to come out en-masse on Saturday to exercise their franchise without any fear. He regretted the inconveniences the restriction would cause the citizens but warned that the Force would deal decisively with any individuals or groups that attempt to foment trouble with the aim of jeopardizing the el

Everything you need to live well They arrive in battered cars, on crutches and sometimes on a stretcher barely able to breathe — but salvation is close for thousands of Hindus who go to the holy city of Varanasi each year to die. Some end up in homes for the elderly overlooking the revered Ganges river where they eventually hope to be cremated but a few struggle to the Kashi Labh Mukti Bhawan, or Salvation House, which is reserved for those with only a few days to live. About 20 men and women each month come from around the world to finish their days at Varanasi’s ‘Death Hotel’, a tired old red colonial-era building with 12 sparse concrete floor rooms. Hindus believe that dying in Varanasi releases them from the eternal cycle of life and death reincarnation. Cremation in the Ganges is an added spiritual bonus. There used to be more guest houses like Mukti Bhawan, but the buildings have increasingly become regular hotels for tourists who bring more cash to the city where 24-h

Jose Mourinho (file copy) Manchester United revealed on Thursday that sacking Jose Mourinho cost the club nearly £20 million, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hailing the impact of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The sum of £19.6 million ($25 million) which is listed under “exceptional items” in the club’s second-quarter results, includes pay-outs for the members of Mourinho’s staff who left with him after he was sacked in December. The fortunes of the Premier League club have been transformed since Solskjaer took the helm as interim boss. United are now in the top four after being 11 points adrift of the Champions League places when Mourinho left. Solskjaer won 10 and drew one of his opening 11 games but the remarkable run came to an end on Tuesday, when United were beaten 2-0 at home in the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking on a conference call with investors, Woodward hailed the “fantastic start” under the Norwegian, who set a club record by winning his f

An early morning fire has razed down a police station in Ajalli, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The mystery fire did not also spare patrol vehicles that were parked in the premises of the police station, as two of them were burnt down. Though the cause of the fire was not immediately ascertained, some resident of the community who preferred to speak under the cover of anonymity said the fire may have been ignited by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, as they had passed by the station, chanting anti-election songs. The source said the group who passed by the station shortly before dusk were chanting that no election would hold in the entire Biafraland. But the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Haruna Mohammed who spoke to journalists said it was a case of mere fire incident, and the police command would have no reason to suspect an attack, except investigation, proves so. He said, “It’s a case of fire incident for now until cont

The body of footballer Emiliano Sala is to be flown back to his hometown in Argentina where a vigil is planned. Sala, 28, was travelling to Cardiff in a plane piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on 21 January. His body was recovered from the plane wreck last week but Mr Ibbotson’s body has still not been found. Sala was flying to join his new side Cardiff City from French club Nantes when the plane went missing. Julio Muller, mayor of Sala’s hometown of Progreso, said the footballer’s family had arrived for the service. Mr Muller said Sala’s body would arrive in the late afternoon on Friday and be taken to the gymnasium next to his youth club’s headquarters, where a vigil was scheduled. His boyhood club San Martin de Progreso posted an emotional tribute on Facebook, saying, “We are waiting for you…like the first day you left but this time to stay with us forever. “You went and you are an example for everyone. Eternally in our hearts.”

In a bid to scale up its frontiers and leverage on global technology, the President of Africa's Young Entrepreneurs, Mr. Summy Smart Francis paid an official visit to Silicon Valley, the leading tech community in the World and initiated a partnership with Goggle. Following the recent launch of the A.Y.E Trust Fund by Africa's Young Entrepreneurs Organization, an online platform created to improve the savings culture among African entrepreneurs and provide access to loans in 59 seconds, without collateral, interest, paper work or credit check; with other enormous benefits, The Platform which is developed to support entrepreneurs and eradicate poverty in line with the United Nation Sustainable development goal 1 was officially launched November 2018. It is believed that this step represents a strategic and profound effort to greatly enhance the current technological infrastructure of the A.Y.E Trust Fund in order to provide top drawer services to the teeming members of th

Kashim Shettima Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has confirmed that three people were killed during an attack on his convoy by Boko Haram insurgents. In a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy, Isa Gusau, the governor mourned the victims of the attack and sympathised with their families. Gusau said the governor was expecting a full security briefing to get accurate information on the incident. “Preliminary report on Wednesday confirmed the killing of three persons during the attack, which principally aimed to attract local and global media attention in order to sustain propaganda strategy and to instil fear in citizens and gallant troops,” the statement read in part. Gusau also disclosed that the governor would meet with the families of those affected by the attack on Thursday. He added that his principal would meet some security heads in the state to address the incident and to continue collaboration with all security agencies

The imprisoned presidential candidate of the National Action Council (NAC), Rev. Dr. King Ezeuko Emeka has asked Nigerians to vote massively for him come Saturday, February 16th for good governance and enhanced development. The Presidential candidate who spoke through his spokesman and Deputy National Legal Adviser of the National Action Council (NAC), Johnson Omede said he has excellent plans for the nation if elected. Omede stated that Politics is said to be an institution where many people come and bring ideas. “According to Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of United States of America, ‘I opine that no one serves as a leader without the people’s consent. This is why Dr. Rev. King Ezeuko Emeka has come to solicit and advocate your mandate in this presidential race for a better Nigeria” He said “The fourteen major thrusts are job creation, power, corruption, food abundance, health and security, provision of infrastructure, business and entrepreneurial development, hum

Nollywood figure and businesswoman, Ini Edo looked stunning as she posed for pictures with celebrity stylist, Swanky Jerry. Swanky Jerry and Ini Edo Ini Edo and Swanky Jerry looked like a couple in these gorgeous photos making the round online. They look so good together but what brought them together isn't far from business. Swanky Jerry has worked with several celebrities across Nigeria including President Muhammadu Buhari. Ini Edo, 36, has a good body and they give fitness to the clothes she wears. See more images below: source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/actress-ini-edo-and-celebrity-stylist.html

A Boko Haram splinter group loyal to the Islamic State, Islamic State West Africa Province, has claimed the attack on the convoy of Borno State governor in northeast Nigeria, Reuters reported. The state is one epicentre of insurgency that started in 2009 and is home to Chibok where over 200 girls were kidnapped from their school hostels a little less than five years ago. ISWAP said on Amaq News Agency that it killed 42 people in the attack carried out on Tuesday evening when the governor was returning from a campaign outing near Dikwa. Some of those killed may have been beheaded, a military source told Reuters. The Guardian learned on Wednesday that the insurgents ambushed the convoy, split it into two and attacked the one left at the rear. Another source told AFP that two soldiers and two civilians were killed and an unspecified number of ruling All Progressives Congress members were kidnapped. “The bus they were travelling in got stuck in the sand while the driver was

Nigeria, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Panama were named in a proposed European Union blacklist of nations seen as posing a threat because of lax controls on terrorism financing and money laundering, the E.U. executive said on Wednesday. The move is part of a crackdown on money laundering after several scandals at E.U. banks but has been criticised by several E.U. countries including Britain worried about their economic relations with the listed states, notably Saudi Arabia. Nigerian and Ghanaian officials are yet to react to the proposed blacklist. The Saudi government said it regretted the decision in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, adding: “Saudi Arabia’s commitment to combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism is a strategic priority”. Alleged N9.7bn Fraud: Court adjourns trial of Ex-Air Chief, Dikko, to Feb 27 Despite pressure to exclude Riyadh from the list, the commission decided to list the kingdom, confirming a Reuters report in January.

Temitope Adeoye A young man identified as Temitope Adeoye has been allegedly killed and burnt to death after he was wrongly accused of being a thief in Lagos state. A colleague of Sodiq, @acelady_luck  who shared the heartbreaking story online, said Sodiq had just gotten to his bus-stop and was about to pay the motorcycle that will take him home when some boys in the area started shouting thief and pointing at him. As he attempted to clarify himself, he was roughhandled, beaten up, stabbed and then set ablaze. He left behind a pregnant girlfriend. ''This is the picture of TEMITOPE ADEOYE,his Facebook handle is (A KAN JI) he is my colleague at work apapa tincan island port, was coming from work when someone people point him as thief he was burn to death instantly his mother died last December and his girlfriend is heavily pregnant pls justice sodique justice for his family it happened last night along cele ijesha road." In another post, the heartbreaken coll

By Dayo Adesulu While the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, last week suspended its three months old industrial action, many stakeholders were excited with the news, believing that at least students and lecturers can now return to classroom. However, there are indications that though the strike was called off seven days ago and teachers back at school, many undergraduates and new admitted students were nowhere to be found on campus, as they preferred to remain with their parents at their respective homes. A lecture hall Vanguard visits to some of the public institutions of higher learning in the country revealed a very low turn out of students on campus. Thus, while teachers are preparing for lectures, the students are nowhere to be found for learning. Situational reports revealed that some of the available students at the University of Benin, UNIBEN, had arrived the campus before ASUU suspended the strike to serve as INEC official during the elections. Some new

The Scripture says: we shall know the truth, and the truth we know shall set us free. In other words, the knowledge of the Word of God liberates mankind from the clutches of darkness and slavery. It was in the same vein that Utman Dan Fodio said that conscience is an open wound and only truth can heal it. This is the crux of this write-up. Going further, It is an indisputable fact that craving for power and its glory lead men and women to so many things – struggles, squabbles and even wars. Those who had tasted power always want to keep it, hardly wanting to let it slip off their hands. Both a lover and the man in possession of power behave in the same way. They lose their heads easily, and could go to any length to keep their precious possession. This partly explains why the French political philosopher, Montesquieu once said: “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is also why the like of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Paul Biya of Cameroun have continued to

[FILE PHOTO] School girls in hijab In Osun, there were melees. In Lagos, there were legal fireworks. Recently, in Ibadan, everybody was ready for a showdown – all in the name of religion and the theatre of the crisis are schools as wearing of head covering, otherwise known as hijab, by Muslim students became more than an issue of piety. Head, Education Desk, Iyabo Lawal, examines how religion is turning the heat on Nigeria’s secular, even missionary schools. Considered as some of the most religious people on earth, Nigerians’ religious fervour borders on the legendary and incendiary. In the northern part of the country religious extremism brought down walls of schools, maimed schoolchildren and threw teachers out of job. In the country’s south, religion is dictating a discordant tune in erstwhile peaceful schools. It is no wonder when some female students of the University of Ibadan (UI) International School (ISI) in cahoots with their parents and guardians decided they wanted

By Olu Fasan THIS Saturday’s presidential election features a motley crowd of candidates, about 76 in all! Yet, despite the dense thicket of candidates, only two really matter. The contest is between two recurring faces in Nigeria’s political space: President Muhammadu Buhari, of All Progressives Congress, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, of People’s Democratic Party. Both candidates are very different personalities, with diametrically opposite visions and values. But neither possesses, holistically, the qualities needed for a country’s leadership, and, indeed, each has devastating flaws. Thus, Nigerians must decide, based on key evaluative factors, which of the two candidates is the lesser of two evils. There are three critical qualities that any leader must possess. These are vision, competence and values. A leader must have the right vision for his or her country; must have the ability to provide competent and knowledgeable leadership to deliver that vision; and must h

Maurizio Sarri Maurizio Sarri has concerns over his Chelsea squad and wants to stage a mass overhaul if he is retained as manager. The Italian is under pressure after the 6-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City. But according to The Times Sarri has lost confidence in his squad and wants to major changes - in the event he survives his maiden season. In other news, the arrival of Neymar could block any chance for Eden Hazard to land at Real Madrid this summer, according to Don Balon. Madrid president Florentino Perez is known to have proritised bringing the PSG star to the Bernabeu over Hazard and believes the two players are incompatible. So if Perez does successfully pry Neymar away from PSG, Hazard will not have Madrid interest to complete his dream move to the European champions. Keylor Navas and Marcelo are among those set to be searching for a new club at the end of the season as Real Madrid prepare for the 2019-20 campaign, according to Don Balon. Mariano i

File] Trucks completely blocking a section of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway at Second Rainbow inward Mile 2 on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. PHOTO: TONYE BAKARE The poor performance of the Nigerian economy may not be unconnected with the poor transport structure, which poses challenges to businesses and distribution of goods and services. Renowned Economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, made the assertion at the investiture of the new President, Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA), Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, Tuesday, in Lagos. He said Nigeria needs to build solid institutions that would enable a regulatory framework for effectiveness in ensuring competition within that space, and also ensuring that users have access to common services offered. He urged the Federal Government to fix the bad roads, improve connectivity, and allow the private sector to also operate in the railway, which should link all necessary routes across the country, including the seaports. Describin

Following the successful neutralising of scores of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and recovery of cache of assorted arms and ammunition by the dogged troops of 143 Battalion(Bn), 28 Task Force Brigade, Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole recently at Madagali Adamawa State, the battalion has recorded yet another great feat. In this regard, the gallant troops once again devastated and clipped the wings of the terrorists group in a fierce encounter which occurred at about 1810hrs on Tuesday, 12 February 2019. The terrorists came in 5 Gun Trucks, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and Vehicle – Borne IED but met superior fire power by own troops. During the encounter, the troops successfully repelled the attack and went on hot pursuit with heavy fire and momentum. 5 BHTs were neutralised, others withdrew with gunshot wounds while several equipment were captured and others destroyed. Troops captured 1 gun truck mounted with Anti Aircraft (AA) Gun, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tu

Pictured is one of the victims killed after Boko Haram insurgents opened fire on the convoy of Kashim Shettima, governor of Borno state, on Tuesday. About three persons, including an aide of the governor identified as Usman Bagidos were killed in the process. Security sources told TheCable that the incident happened while the governor and his campaign team were on their way to Gamboru Ngala. Shettima, a two-term governor, is contesting Saturday’s senatorial election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor confirmed the attack to TheCable, saying a soldier was among the three persons killed. “We were ambushed last night at Maula village, on our way to Gamboru-Ngala and we lost three lives: a soldier and two stakeholders,one of whom is the influential chairman of Jogol Handset Sellers Association,” he told TheCable via text message. The governor’s media team later issued a statement which gave details of the unfortunate incident. “Six ve

Kemi Olunloyo is far from done with the people of Rivers state has she just revealed that she is wishing death on all of them. Taking to her IG page the controversial media personality said she is placing the curse due to the false claims their attorney general brought against her. In her words; WISHING DEATH UNTO RIVERS STATE PEOPLE! (Part of my upcoming book) I once said that Rivers people were going to die for the false case their attorney general bought against me for Ibiyeomie. He died, the prison guard who went to court with me died, lots died in the collapsed building and now APC. I’m very bitter about that state even more after finding out how police botched my case. Idris’ men quickly withdrew charges after finding out Iyabo Ojo’s PA sent the Journalist the fake 8 page newstip, something they said I wrote. I chatted with the DEVIL (Yes he’s inside the prison) Unleashed curses on Rivers State, prayed for the mayhem they avoided from Abacha to happen one day. IT’S ALL

LASU The crisis rocking the Lagos State University (LASU) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) worsened yesterday as some aggrieved members accused the embattled leadership of gross misconduct and demanded the conduct of a fresh election to usher in new executives. Addressing reporters on the development, the group, under the aegis of ‘Concerned members of academic staff union’ appealed to the national leadership of ASUU, led by Prof Biodun Ogunyemi to intervene. Led by Prof Adeleke Fakoya, the aggrieved members demanded the dissolution of the Dr Isaac Oyewumi led executive, which they claimed, lapsed in March 2018. Oyewumi and his deputy, Dr Adebowale Adeyemi-Suenu were dismissed from the university in September 2017 for alleged gross misconduct. They had since gone to court to challenge their dismissal by the institution’s management. The university also last year stopped the disbursement of check-off dues to the union based on the allegation tha

Nigerian Stock Exchange After days of upward trend, the bears upstaged the bulls yesterday, on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), following price losses suffered by some bellwethers, causing the All-share index to slide marginally by 0.1 per cent. Specifically, at the close of transactions, the All-share index fell by 48.39 points from 32,462.31 recorded on Tuesday to 32, 413.92. Also, market capitalisation depreciated by N18 billion from N12.105 trillion to N12.087 trillion. Analysts attributed the drop in indices to profit taking by investors taking on the Exchange, saying the trend would be sustained to enable investors leverage the moderate appreciation recorded in the last few days to recoup their investment. Specifically, analyst from Afrinvest said: “We expect to see sustained profit taking in previous advancers in the last two sessions before the elections.” Similarly, Codros Capital said: “Our outlook for equities in the near-to-medium term re

By Emma Amaize and Perez Brisibe Militant group, NIGER Delta Avengers, NDA, has warned that if President Muhammadu Buhari rigs his way back to office, it would once again cripple the country’s economy. The group, which rejected the purported plan to endorse President Buhari by some ex-militant  leaders, said Nigeria should be prepared for a perpetual recession if Buhari insists on imposing himself on the people, “as we shall not relent until oil stops to flow in the pipes that braces our feet in our land.” NDA Spokesperson, self-styled “Brig Gen” Mudoch Agbinibo, in a statement, asserted that, “As a warning and closing note; we want to resound it to members of the International Community, multinational corporations and subsidiaries’ operatives to withdraw their workforce and services from Niger Delta within the period of this elections.” The group said, “We are in charge of the struggle now and our strike teams are active and gallantly waiting to receive instructions from the h

[FILES] Election At long last the days of reckoning are here. We are back to the rituals consistent with the features of a democratic order. The last time we passed this road was 2015. Each season the contest gets keener. The 2015 exercise was on a higher degree of heat than what obtained in 2011. With the heat and pressure, those of us on the observatory will undoubtedly have witnessed the beautiful, the ugly, the noisemaking and the bizarre emanating from the gladiators and perhaps the system. Indeed, the true character of man comes out when he is under pressure. It is different from that for which he has always been known, or that he has striven to let people know about him, filing away his true self, until he is under pressure and the heat of power mongering. I must confess, I, like so many people, have missed the banters and the punches of irrepressible Dame Patience Jonathan in this dispensation. Since her husband was too cool to pull any punches, she threw her headgear int