ONE WORD

Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday felicitated with his Ondo State counterpart, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, who turned 63 years on July 21. Okowa’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba. He lauded the professional competence and administrative prowess of Akeredolu. He described Akeredolu as “a humane, urbane, cerebral leader of inestimable value and a committed progressive concerned with the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Ondo.’’ Okowa extolled the sterling and legendary contributions of Akeredolu, saying that his visionary and pragmatic programme of change had ensured job creation through agriculture, entrepreneurship, industrialisation as well as massive infrastructure and rural development, among others. “It is heart-warming to note that you have through dint of hardwork, discipline and uncommon vision won the admiration and respect of Ondo

Against all odds, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive as the party’s candidate Atiku Abubakar will reclaim its mandate through the election tribunal. Obi raised the hope of the faithful when he addressed the 8th Stakeholders Meeting of the Anambra Chapter of PDP in Awka on Saturday. The former two-time governor of Anambra, who said PDP was the solution to Nigeria’s political and economic challenges, said the party has a good case at the ongoing tribunal. “Election in Nigeria is not easy. After the election, you have to still go to court and queue up, and that is where real money is spent in hiring lawyers.But I must assure you that all hope is not lost, and we are progressing steadily. “The man who is there now has contested for four times before he made it, and we are also confident that in no time, the right thing will be done. “Nigerians are already disenchanted, so that has made PDP a bran

Buhari: reported to ICC for investigation  Mrs. Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC), will from Monday pore over a complaint filed by a Nigerian rights group against President Muhammadu Buhari and his predecessors, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerian state governors, past and present. To be determined and investigated is whether the Nigerian officials have all committed crimes against humanity and violence against children by failing to address the perennial crisis of an estimated 13 million out-of-school children. Bensouda is being asked to find out if this negligence does not fall within the jurisdiction of the ICC and whether it also does not resemble the Congo DR Lubanga case, where the ICC found that “the interruption, delay and denial of the right of children to education is a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court”. SERAP which is pushing for the criminalisation of the negligence urged Bensouda to: “push for those suspe

President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana: helicopter catches fire Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi has survived a potential helicopter crash in the country’s second largest city Francistown after his chopper ride was aborted following an engine fire. Botswana Defence Force and the Office of the President on Saturday issued a statement stating that the presidential helicopter was forced to make an immediate precautionary landing while taxiing at Francistown airport upon arrival from Mathangwane. “While taxying for landing at Francistown Airport, the pilots reported an engine fire indication where upon they promptly executed an engine shut down and landing on runway 13 at the airport,” said the statement, adding that the emergency response at Francistown Airport also responded to provide assistance with fire retardant foam. The statement further said all five passengers including Mokgweetsi Masisi and the three aircrew members are safe and without injuries. “The BD

There has been a twist in the tale of rape accusation by Busola Dakolo against Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, as the police sent separate invitations to Busola and her husband, Timi on Saturday. The invitations which were delivered in the couple’s home in Lagos today, came from police headquarters in Abuja. Fatoyinbo and Busola Dakolo They were signed by a deputy commissioner of police Kolo Yusuf, who asked the couple to report on Tuesday by 10 a.m to face questioning over a case of “criminal conspiracy, falsehood, mischief and threat to life”.  Letter to Bisola(Busola) Dakolo The letter to Busola Dakolo was wrongly addressed to “Bisola Dakolo”. The police were silent on the rape complaint filed by Busola weeks ago. Pastor Fatoyinbo allegedly raped Busola in her family home about 20 years ago in Ilorin, Kwara state. Busola was then just about 16 years old. The story has provided a staple of discussions with opinions divided as t

Saturday comment1 There are vast opportunities in a partnership by both countries, writes Nonye Mpho Omotola With a South African mother and Nigerian father, I am in the fortunate position of being exposed to the best of both countries and cultures. As such, I can clearly envision the benefits of the two nations coming together and working towards shared common goals. South Africa and Nigeria each have rich cultures and a wealth of human talent, skills and resources in their own right. And both can only grow stronger and progress at a faster rate should these diverse nations join together to work towards mutual goals. The aim should be to leverage off each other’s strengths to benefit the African continent as a whole, instead of being threatened or being unduly critical of each other.  The time has come to shed the straight-jackets of the past that are restricting forward-focused movement and collaboration of these two influential African countries. It’s long overdue for a

Arsenal playmaker, Mesut Ozil, has confirmed that he and manager Unai Emery, have spoken about the new season. The Germany international has had an inconsistent time in recent seasons with the Gunners and was often a bit-part player under Emery in his first year as manager. Being the club’s highest earner, there were speculations he was going to move this summer. However, Ozil now seems set to stay at the Emirates and Emery has outlined what he wants from the playmaker. “What we spoke about between me and the coach I can’t say, I can’t tell you because if I say something now to you, in the future he doesn’t want to speak to me again, so I have to take care of that! “I’ve had a lot of coaches in my career so of course every coach is different and wants something different from you as a player. “I had a few injuries before last season started so of course I had a tough time but especially the end of the season I played a lot of games. “I have a really good relationship with