Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, the Senate yesterday condemned the federal government for deploying 30,000 police officers and men for the exercise while killings of innocent Nigerians continued unabated across the country.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said it did not make any sense for the Nigeria Police Force, NPF to deploy such number of security agents while it had failed to deploy 10, 000 to Zamfara and other states where there was high level of insecurity.

The two principal officers spoke during the consideration of a bill for an Act to repeal and re-enact the Police Act of 1943, which has been in existence for about 75 years without any amendment.

Senator Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South), while stressing the need to reform the Nigeria Police for better service, after he had presented the bill during plenary, frowned at the government’s insensitivity to the high spate of killings in the country while paying much attention to a governorship election.

He said: “30,000 policemen to supervise an election in Ekiti while they could not mobilise 10,000 men to stop the killings in Zamfara and other places.

“Our party, the APC that I represent will frown at this, it is not part of our manifesto, it is not what we promised the people and I am sure that the president himself knows that this is not acceptable. Unfortunately, the police have already conditioned that service, ‘korokoro’ eye service.

“We would continue to tell the people that we will leave our promise that is why we are before you for the reform. Let it not be a situation where a killing would be involved and we have 10,000 police and an election is going on and we have 30,000 police.

“I don’t like that situation. I appall it and I think that it does not represent what we stand for as a party and therefore we would seek the indulgence of our colleagues to reform this institution that is called the Nigerian Police”.

In his remarks, Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, said also condemned the mobilization of such huge number of police men for a day election while hundreds of innocent people are being killed on daily basis in some states.

“In response to this your last statement, I am also worried about the fact that we have 30,000 police men you can deploy in a state for election and the other issue here is the issue of sincerity in deploying 30,000 policemen and (if) it would ensure security of lives and properties, there is no problem with that.

“But sometimes, some of this statistics are misleading and it only goes to count when allowances are to be paid and nobody is sure how many people actually participated, meanwhile provision were made for that number; that is my warning here.

“But if we have 30,000 policemen that we can deploy them and pay them and it can be accounted for, I have no problem with that anyways. We need to ensure accountability, this is important not just dropping figures”, he stressed.

The deputy senate president, however, disclosed that the upper legislative chamber was working to find a “permanent solution to policing problem” through the bill.

The bill, which was first read on May 30, 2018, was thereafter passed for second reading and referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs for further legislative action.

It would be recalled that the Force Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP said in a statement on Sunday that 30,000 personnel, two Patrol Surveillance Helicopters, five additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), 10 Armoured Personnel Vehicles and 250 police patrol vehicles have been deployed for the election slated to hold on Saturday, July 14.

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FORMER House of Representatives member and chairman board of the Cross River Basin Development Authority, Mr Eseme Eyiboh, has said that most governments at sub national levels only pay lip service to the Federal Government’s innovative programmes to revamp agriculture.

Eyiboh who spoke at a briefing for members of the Correspondents Chapel in Uyo yesterday said that the innovative programmes of the government were aimed at boosting the sector by creating value addition but are not sustained at the state level.

“The Federal Government is determined to grow the sector and has come up with innovative policies not only to ensure food sufficiency but to boost value chain addition.

“But what we have seen is that most governments at sub-national level are not buying into it, if they should there wouldn’t be anybody going around looking for white collar jobs.” He said.

Eyiboh, who was the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs during the 6^th Assembly said the Cross River Basins Development is poised to revive the management of surface and underground water resources as part of deliberate efforts to resuscitate  agriculture in the area.

Eyibohv who is the Dean Committee of Chairmen of River Basins Development Authorities in Nigeria lamented that River Basins Development Authorities have been a “cesspool of illegalities’’ with no ethical integrity.

According to him the dearth of ideas and innovations has been largely responsible for the inability of Nigeria River Basins Development Authorities to deliver on their mandates leading to food insufficiency in the past.

“Before now there was a decline in value change where farmers were no longer having the benefit of their labour” he said regretting that the middlemen who buy from them were the one having the field day.

Eyibio said the Cross River Basins Authorities was not only poised to change the situation by providing the necessary nursery that would propel agricultural revolution in the country and make agricultural practice  a  pride to all farmers.

He added that the Authorities are driving the vision of smart agriculture, which encourages the development of agriculture based on climatic condition and has entered into collaboration with ECOWAS Commission to drive the necessary innovations to boast the sector.

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House of Representatives yesterday ordered that Senator Ovie Omo- Agege and six others who invaded the Senate chambers be tried for treasonable felony.

The House also listed other charges for which they should be prosecuted to include, assault occasioning harm, conspiracy to steal and actual theft of mace, the symbol of authority of the Parliament.

Considering a report of the ad hoc committee which investigated the Senate chambers invasion, the lawmakers also approved prosecution of the Delta Senator for incitement and breach of peace in the chamber of the Senate, in addition to suspension for 180 legislative sitting days, as provided by section 14(2) of the legislative Houses( Powers and privileges) Act, 2017.

The lawmakers noted during debate of the report at the committee of the whole, chaired by deputy speaker, Yussuf Lasun, that it was imperative to prosecute the Senator and six others for obstructing and assaulting officers of the National Assembly in the course of their duty contrary to relevant provisions of the legislative houses, powers and privileges law which states that: “any member of a legislative house who assaults or obstructs any officer of the legislative house while in the execution of his duty shall be guilty of contempt of the legislative House” and should be dealt with on accordance with the provision of the law.

They recommended too that the preliminary investigation on the issue by the Police should be quickly concluded to allow for prosecution of the senator and his accomplice, while a new and much more secured National assembly be made by designing a new security operational order and security architecture.

The lawmakers admonished themselves to be henceforth courteous and cooperate with security operatives and Nass staff . It asked for compensation and commendation to some staff of Sergeant- at- arms for being exemplary and brave to retrieve the mace though were overpowered by the hoodlums.

Deputy Sena ye president, Ike Ekwermadu , the press and international community were subsequently commended for being steadfast during the period of hostility with the thugs

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…As 13 APC members petition House

THE rumoured impeachment plot against the Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Ezeakonobi Madumere yesterday came to the fore on the floor of the Imo State House of Assembly, IMHA, as 13 members of the Assembly served a notice of gross misconduct against the deputy governor, a process many consider as prelude to actualization of the impeachment.

This action of the pro-Okorocha lawmakers is coming barely two weeks after the suspension of four lawmakers believed to be loyal to the embattled deputy governor and several other leaders of the Coalition Group of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

In the petition which was presented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Ugonna Ozurigbo representing Nwangele state constituency and read by the Speaker, Dr Acho Ihim of Okigwe constituency, the APC caucus alleged that the Deputy Governor had failed to perform any of the constitutional Functions of his office.

They also alleged that Madumere had been absent from his office for three months without official reason or permission as well as failed to attend constitutionally mandated proceedings of the State Executive Council and proceedings of the state Security Council.

The petitioners further listed refusal to attend and meet with the State Governor and Commissioners of the state for governance, made compulsory by section 193(2) of the 1999 constitution among others.

In addition, the group alleged that embattled deputy governor had concealed felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as eligible candidate of the office of deputy governor despite his conviction and imprisonment for theft in the United States of America, USA.

Signatories to the petition against Madumere are: Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo (Nwangele), Hon. Chinedu Offor (Onuimo), Hon. Ikechukwu Anuka (Ideato South), Hon. Lawrence Duruji (Ehime Mbano), Hon. Uche Ejiogu (Ihitte Uboma), Hon. Henry Ezediaro (Oguta)

Others include; Hon. Maxwell Odunze (Orlu), Hon. Lloyd Chukwuemeka (Owerri North), Hon. Chika Madumere (Nkwerre), Hon. Uju Onwudiwe (Njaba), Hon. Ngozi Obuefule (Isu), Hon. Victor Onyewuchi (Owerri West) and Hon. Arthur Egwim (Ideato North).

After reading the petition, the speaker, Dr Ihim, constituted a six man committee headed by Kennedy Ibeh (APC) representing APC Obowo constituency to investigate the allegations and report back today Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Addressing newsmen after the plenary session, The speaker stated that the deputy governor had been served the petition and reaffirmed the desire of the House to do justice to the petition by ensuring that fair hearing prevails.

Similarly, the majority leader of the House, Chief Lugard Osuji has urged the House to immediately subject the member for Oru West, Barr. Donatus Onuigwe to its ethnics and disciplinary committee and to suspend him until the report of the said committee is received and resolved.

It would be recalled that the issue of Madumere’s impeachment had long been anticipated by pundits and moves in that direction began fortnight ago with the suspension of four lawmakers believed to be loyal to the deputy governor and other leaders of the APC Coalition Group.

Trouble began between the embattled deputy governor, Madumere and his age long boss, Governor Rochas Okorocha following the farmer’s refusal to drop his governorship ambition to support the governor’s son in-law, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu.

In his reaction to the suspension of the lawmakers then, a governorship aspirant under the umbrella of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha alleged that the suspension was hatched to “garner overwhelming support for the governorship aspiration of Governor Okorocha’s son-in-law and to perfect the clandestine plot of the impeachment of the Deputy Governor by the state House of Assembly.”

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Madumere has admitted receiving the notice of gross misconduct which has gone viral on various social media platforms and responded accordingly.

Mr Uche Onwuchekwa, Special Assistant to the Deputy Governpr on Media, in a statement yesterday described the first claim of absence from office as an old ploy of calling a dog a bad name to hang it.

He explained that the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere has never absconded from office as claimed, pointing out that he is an administrator who does not joke with his duties, especially his constitutional responsibilities.

The statement read in part, “He is constitutionally saddled with the responsibilities of superintending Boundary commission. By our records, the Deputy Governor of Imo State has never abdicated from such responsibility or any other. People of Umuoma of Ihitte-Uboma local government, Ihube of Okigwe local government among others can testify of the Deputy Governor’s sagacity in crises resolution with particular reference to April 11, April 16 2018.

“His Excellency also participated in one day retreat for Stakeholders in the management of Nigeria boundaries, which held at the Airforce Conference Center, Abuja in the company of the Surveyor General of the State and the Principal Secretary to the Deputy Governor on May 7, 2018.”

On the second ground of alleged refusal to attend constitutionally mandated proceedings of the State Executive Council, he said the allegation that cannot stand any administrative procedure.

Onwuchekwa insisted that the Deputy Governor can only attend a meeting he is officially invited to, as he is not a spirit to know when meetings are slated except if he was duly informed.

He contended that Madumere cannot force himself on the Governor especially when he has been tagged a pariah in the Government circle by the governor.

The special assistant said, “We state here that Governor Okorocha has never created such opportunity to meet with the Deputy Governor to discuss the programmes and activities of the Government other than the once we embarrassingly hear by the road side and other sources. To this extent, where the Deputy Governor’s inputs are needed, there are right procedures through which he could be reached either through his Principle secretary and other principal officers or directly to the Deputy Governor.”

Continuing, the media aide said, “The most embarrassing among the spurious allegations is the annoying allegation of concealment of felonious conduct affecting the presentation of self as eligible candidate of office of Deputy Governor of Imo State. This is not only astonishing but an extreme show of lack of due diligence. The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere has never been convicted of any civil matter let alone a criminal matter.

“We are pained to state that two times the Deputy Governor had to go through the pains of losing his freedom in detention were all in the course of saving Owelle Rochas Okorocha from public disgrace. He rather had to carry Okorocha’s cross and bore his shame.

“It will be recalled that Prince Madumere shortly after Achike Udenwa’s victory at the polls in 1999 where he had to face contempt of Court for failure to make it to the court. He was in detention in the United States for about one month all because he was delayed by Governor Okorocha. To the glory of God, Prince Madumere was acquitted of all charges. We also challenge the members of the House of Assembly to produce the verdicts of the court that convicted Prince Madumere.

“The second time he had to stoop that Governor Okorocha may be spared of the humiliation of getting incarcerated, Prince Madumere again yielded and was detained for almost two months on phony charges, which he also been absolved of all charges.”

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Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu  Enelamah said over  20 foreign investors and consultants  have indicated interest in the  automotive industry .

Enelamah who stated this in a statement issued by his Strategy and Communications Adviser, Mr. Bisi Daniels yesterday in Abuja, noted that the interest would boost the sector and ensure development of the automobile industry in the country.

According to the statement, “It is an encouraging expression of confidence in the leadership of the country and our spirited efforts to exploit the socio-economic potential of the automotive sector in the country to the fullest for the benefit of all Nigerians”.

The statement further said, “The visit also offered networking opportunities for Nigerians in the auto industry and other stakeholders”.

It stated that, “We are excited by the role the automotive industry plays in the strategic and catalytic economic development of countries.

The minister said ,“And we are committed to developing the sector speedily to facilitate the economic diversification of the country”.

He said that the international investors in the African automotive industry, who visited Abuja, Lagos and Edo State to engage various stakeholders, were in the country to have an insight into the opening business opportunities.

He added that the investors would also gain insight into the investment environment in the Nigerian automotive sector, assist in the shaping of national and state policy to support the industry.

Enelamah said the visit would also enable them to build relationships and networks with key government and private sector figures, deepen the structured business links and investment between the private sector of Nigeria and South Africa.“The intention of the investors is to domesticate aspects of their manufacturing and supply value chain in Nigeria.’’

He said that Thomas Schaefer, the Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa, who led the delegation, noted “the plan is to have short, medium and long-term approaches that target growth in the manufacture of cars in Nigeria.He listed the investors to includes, “Volkswagen, Nissan, Bosch, BMW and Uber.

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*Reps move to whittle down Buhari’s powers

*To strip him of powers to freeze, forfeit assets

*Insists only Court Judges have such powers

*Says it’s to deepen democracy, ensure separation of powers

As the rift between the National Assembly and the Presidency deepens, the House of Representatives has taken a step to strip President Muhammadu Buhari of powers to freeze and forfeit assets of Nigerians henceforth. Insists only Judges of high courts have such powers.

The House said the gesture is to deepen democracy and ensure proper separation of powers among the three arms of government.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, who stated this yesterday at a public hearing to amend the Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) Act, noted that all three arms of government needed to be strengthened to effectively perform their constitutional responsibilities, as such deepening democracy to the fullest.

He regretted that the executive arm was previously usurping the powers of the judiciary to adjudicate and give rulings and orders but that it was time that the legislature rose up to play its constitutional roles in crafting laws that will protect both private and public financial investments.

Dogara said: ”the essence of the Bill for an Act to amend the Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) Act is the discretionary power being sought for the judge of the high court to order the freezing and forfeiture of assets of affected persons”, which previously was exercised by the President.

“In the present Act, the power to freeze and forfeit is vested in the president, which invariably usurps and erodes the prerogative power of the judiciary to adjudicate and give rulings and orders”, the Speaker said, adding that for democracy to be truly deepened, all the three arms of government need to be strengthened to effectively perform their constitutional responsibilities.

He noted that too many petitions were before the House pertaining to breaches, which require such action like the amendment of the Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) which according to him is aimed at protecting investment interests and rights and in so doing, protect and develop the Nigerian economy.

Represented by the deputy minority leader of the House, Chukwuka Onyeama, the speaker also spoke of two other bills; Bill for an Act to establish Factoring (Assignment of Receivables) 2018, and a Bill to repeal the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, (Guarantee) Act, which governs the operations of the Bank of Industry, BOI.

He said it was imperative to repeal the law because it was inhibiting the full and effective discharge of the bank’s duties of meeting financial yearnings of individuals and groups seeking to do business in Nigeria.

It was the same position canvassed by the Chairman, House Committee on Banking and Currency, Hon. Jones Oyereri, when he read his welcome address, insisting that the bills were aimed at strengthening the investments, business and banking climate in the country.

He noted that the legislature, nay the 8th House would always make people oriented laws that will secure both local and foreign investments for the good of the people.

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Ankara/African Print is one of the most versatile fabric around the world. Synonymous with West Africa, these print designs come in various forms but they all retain a certain richness, vibrancy, bold motifs making them stand out everytime. Africans are colorful people!

The Ankara/African Print has become a style item and one that inspires designs from domestic designers to international ones all over the world.

Top fashion designers and brands are now rooting for the Ankara print, which is probably why most of them have Hollywood celebrities in Ankara print, endorsing them. There are no limits as such when it comes to styling the Ankara print and fashion, you just have to use your imagination. This is exactly why stylists find it trendy and very easy to have the Hollywood celebrities in Ankara print dolled up for many important events.

When it comes to African print fashion, red carpet events have seen Hollywood biggies rock them. And all thanks to the many young aspiring designers in Africa and of African origin, Ankara or celebrities in Ankara print, seem to be the headlines being made. From international fashion magazine covers to famous fashion weeks and more.

Here are celebs that have upped the ante fashionably with Ankara prints.

Kim Kardashian on Instagram, sported in Ankara fashion and prints.

Chris Brown in Ankara too!

Here’s Hollywood singer and actor, Fergie in an one piece chic Ankara print, styling up with shades and a duffle bag in leather.

Beyonce doesn’t fail to disappoint us with her sense of fashion, and her African print dress styles are incredible.

Rihanna in a super cute long Ankara dress, with a topknot for company and a leather bag too, perfect for office wear.

Gwen Stefani in an Ankara print gracing the ramps.

Hollywood diva Amber Ross shows us how to sizzle in them!

The empire star Taraji P. Henson is rocking them!

Solange is such a lover too!

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Members of the Plateau State House on Wednesday impeached the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Peter Azi who is member representing Jos North West Constituency and the Majority Leader Hon. Henry Yunkwap Member representing Shendam Constituency.

Our correspondent gathered that they were impeached by vote of no confidence being passed on them by members of the state house of Assembly .
.
The members immediately elected Barr. Joshua Madaki representing Jos East to replace Rt. Hon. Peter Azi as Speaker and Hon. Daniel Nanlong member representing Mikang Constituency as Majority Leader.
The Impeachment motion was moved by Hon. Peter Gyendeng, member representing B/Ladi Constituency and was endorsed by over 2/3 majority of the APC dominated House.

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A Turkish wedding photographer from the eastern Turkish province of Malatya has been declared a hero on social media after beating up a groom who was going to get married to a 15-year-old girl.

The photographer, Onur Albayrak admitted that he beat the groom and tried to stop a wedding after learning that the bride was under age.

“Yes, the reports are correct. A child bride means child abuse, and no force in the world can make me photograph a child as a bride,” Albayrak said on his Facebook account on July 7, adding that he did not regret his actions.

According to local media reports, Albayrak was hired to photograph the wedding at Malatya’s Turgut Özal Nature Park on July 5. When he noticed that the bride-to-be did not look like an adult, Albayrak reportedly asked the groom about her age.

The photographer reacted angrily when the groom answered that the bride was only 15 years old.

The two men soon started fighting, and the groom’s nose was broken in the quarrel, according to the reports.

“The groom had come to my studio some two weeks ago and was alone. I saw the bride for the first time at the wedding. She’s a child, and I felt her fear because she was trembling. The groom attacked me as I was leaving,” Albayrak said, noting that he is “happy to manifest his reaction.”

According to Turkish law, the minimum age to marry for both men and women is 18. Only in exceptional situations, a judge order is required to marry off 17-year-olds. It is not legal to marry younger in any condition in Turkey.

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Ex-Big Brother Naija housemate, Tboss, has expressed disappointment in men who send her nude pictures.

The ex house mates took to her Snapchat page lamenting the pictures, saying they were immoral and we’re violating her eyes.

On her Snapchat, she wrote, “Dear guys, you all need to stop sending D*ck pictures.

“Like yo, my chest is hurting from what just jumped at me not to mention the violation it caused my eyes.

“My beautiful personal space is not so personal anymore.

“So now that you have shown me your bits, what are you expecting to happen? Am I supposed to call you up?

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Ahead of the forthcoming EkitiGuber elections coming up on July 14, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has said it will place sanctions on any erring broadcasting station that fails to conform with the provisions of the Nigerian Broadcasting code, especially those relating to coverage of elections.
This statement was made known in a press release signed by theDirector General, DG, NBC, MallamIs’haq ModibboKawuand made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Tuesday, in which the commission noted that though, all broadcast stations reserved the rights to freedom of speech as agents of the society, highlighted in the Nigeria Broadcasting code, it shall however, sanction any breach arising from monitoring and all complaints received on the content or conduct of a broadcast station.
The DG noted that, sanctions will be placed on any erring station that breaches section. 5.2.12 which states that :all broadcast concerning political campaigns shall end not later than 24 hours before polling day, section 5.2.14 which states that: a broadcaster shall not use any results of votes obtained at different polling stations or from exit polls, to project or speculate on the chances of the candidates, and section 5.2.15, which also states that: a broadcaster shall broadcast election results or declaration of the winner only as announced by the authorized electoral officer for the election.
Mallam Modibbo further urged all broadcast stations to promote sustainable democracy in Nigeria, as he also warned that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to any station that operates outside the confines of the code in accordance with section 14.0.1 which states:
“The Commission shall imposesanctions for any breach arising from monitoring and all complaints received on the content or conduct of a broadcast station” He urged.

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It’s no secret that Hailey Baldwin is engaged to Justin Bieber, the bride-to-be is up on all of the hottest couture trends. She’s been giving us extreme wifey looks all along.

Between her striking striped gown at the 2017 Cannes Festival and her undeniable Tommy Hilfiger gown at this year’s Met Gala, Hailey has been ready for this moment all her life and we can’t wait!

Take a look!

Judging by these dresses, the big wedding dress hunt will surely be a piece of cake for this fashionista. We are loving the bride-to-be

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Nigerian Pilot has just learned that Governor Ayodele Fayose has collapsed after policemen in Ekiti state fired Teargas at him.

Photo below

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The boys rescued from a Thai cave were passed “sleeping” on stretchers through the treacherous pathways, a former Thai Navy SEAL who was the last diver to leave the Tham Luang complex told AFP Wednesday.

The details of the complex operation are among the first to emerge from a rescue effort to save 12 boys and their football coach that has been shrouded in secrecy since it began on Sunday and ended successfully three days later.

“Some of them were asleep, some of them were wiggling their fingers… (as if) groggy, but they were breathing,” Commander Chaiyananta Peeranarong said, adding that doctors stationed along the dark corridors of the Tham Luang cave were constantly checking their condition and pulse.

“My job was to transfer them along,” he said, adding the “boys were wrapped up in stretchers already when they were being transferred”.

Thailand’s junta chief told reporters on Tuesday that the group had been given a “minor tranquiliser” to help calm their nerves.

But he denied they were knocked out for the miraculous rescue.

The lack of information about the meticulously planned rescue had baffled observers given that the team were extracted safely.

The members of the “Wild Boars” team, aged 11-16, had no experience in scuba diving, and the death of an ex-Navy SEAL who had helped install oxygen tanks in preparation for the rescue underscored the dangers of the mission.

Thailand said it had called on 13 “world class” divers to help with the unprecedented job, one of whom was Australian Richard “Harry” Harris, a diver and professional anaesthetist.

Rescue chief Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters on Wednesday that the entire operation would not have been possible without the unique skills that Harris brought to the mission, though he did not elaborate.

The international bid to extract the team garnered attention from around the world after the team found themselves trapped on June 23 when they entered the cave after practice and were blocked by floodwaters.

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..Says Civilian coup staged against Fayose

National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Ekiti state.

Addressing a press conference at the PDP national secretariat over the assault on Governor Ayo Fayose by policemen in Ekiti, the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said the brutalisation of the governor is tantamount to a civilian coup against the governor.

He said the APC is desperate to take over Ekiti state by all means and has deployed federal might to cow and intimidate the people ahead of the election.

Prince Secondus emphasised that the people are determined to resist any attempt to subvert their mandate and install unpopular candidate on them.

“No bullet or oppressor’s whip can cow Ekiti the people of Ekiti State,” he said.

Details Later

More Details coming…

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Kylie Jenner is about to become a self-made billionaire at the young age of 21 – she’s just 20-years-old but with a birthday in August and her current trajectory – she is set to claim the title.

The young mum, who launched Kylie Cosmetics, is about to become the youngest-ever self-made billionaire, according to Forbes, as her empire is worth $900 million (£678 million).

Her sister Kim Kardashian, who propelled the family to fame with her sex tape with Ray-J before the whole family went on to score a reality TV show, congratulated Kylie with fire emojis earlier today and sharing the front cover.

In just two years, since Kylie Cosmetics launched with just a $29 lip kit – a lipstick and lip liner – the youngest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan has gone on to sell more than $630 million worth of make up.

Kylie Jenner who gave birth to her daughter Stormi in February, owns 100% of her company. The young mum credits social media for her success, as she told Forbes: “Social media is an amazing platform. I have such easy access to my fans and my customers.”

Kylie also posted 50 minutes ago on Instagram: “ Wow. I can’t believe am posting my very own @forbes cover. Thank you for this article and recognition. Am so blessed to do what I love everyday. I couldn’t have dreamt this up! #KylieCosmetics”

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Nicki Minaj has presented Cardi B a $5,000 gift basket filled with items for her newborn baby, despite her rumoured squabble with the rapper.

The steam between Nicki Minaj and Cardi B is officially over after the “Chun-Li” rapper extended an olive branch in the form of a very expensive gift basket for Cardi’s new baby.

Nicki visited trendy Los Angeles children’s toy boutique Petit Tresor on Wednesday where she purchased the extravagant item for her fellow rapper. The bundle is said to have included luxury seasonal cloths, dolls and a rattle. She shipped it to Cardi’s Atlanta, Georgia residence.

The Bodak Yellow hitmaker took to Instagram earlier in the day to announce the birth of her baby girl by sharing a nude maternity photo of herself. In the photo, Cardi poses with one hand touching her large baby bump and her other arm over her breasts as she sits in a white chair surrounded by colourful flowers.

“Kulture Kiari Cephus,” she featured the post, revealing the name of her daughter, who was born on Tuesday.6

Earlier last year, it was reported that Nicki and Cardi were involved in a squabble after Cardi went on stage at art show MoMA PS1 and said: “You know this b**ch she never f**king liked me, and all of a sudden she want to be friends with me – no, b**ch. I still don’t like you b**ch.”

Cardi and Nicki at the Met Gala in May

Fans connected that to the fact Nicki had recently followed Cardi on Twitter. A week later, London On Da Track’s song No Flag, which featured Nicki, Offset and 21 Savage, dropped with Nicki’s verse assumed by many to be referencing Cardi.

“I heard these labels are trying to make another me/Everything you’re getting little h*e is because of me,” she rapped in the tune.

In spite of that, when a fan asked Nicki Minaj about whether she had written the lyrics about Cardi B, she replied: “It sure ain’t…”

This is a big step for the stars, who have been in and out of public squabble, that all appears to be water under the bridge.

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Mr Anthony Ani, a former National Youth Service Corps Director in charge of mobilisation, has reacted to the fake certificate reports, while stating that the certificate of exemption purportedly issued by the NYSC to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, is fake.

Ani who revealed this during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, said, “The NYSC cannot issue that kind of certificate. Yes, the one reported byPremium Times. We could not have issued that type.”

The former NYSC director, said Brig. Gen. M. I Tsiga was the Director-General of the NYSC in September 2009 but curiously, it was Brig. Gen. Yusuf Bomoi,  who purportedly signed the one belonging to the minister.

Ani added, “The certificate that I saw, that one that I saw if it is the one that they are talking about, the one I saw online, it was not issued by NYSC. I don’t know who issued it. It was not issued by NYSC because what I saw there, the signatory to that certificate was our DG (Gen. Bomoi) who left in January and Gen. Tsiga took over from Gen Bomoi.

“Tsiga was a sitting DG even as of that September 2009. So, I don’t know where her certificate came from but NYSC cannot make that kind of mistake. The NYSC that I served, I know can never make that kind of mistake.”

He said it was impossible for the NYSC to have issued a certificate of exemption to someone who graduated below the age of 30.

Ani maintained that the only persons exempted from service were those who had served in the police, military or graduated above the age of 30.

The former NYSC director said a person who was 60 years of age would be made to serve if he or she graduated below the age of 30.

He added, “If you are above 30 even by one day, you will be exempted but if you are below 30 or you are 30 at the time of graduation, you will be deployed.

“It is not possible to be exempted if you graduated below 30 because it is against the NYSC Act.”

Responding to a question, he said, “So, even if you graduate at the age of 20 and you are in the United States and you have not made yourself available to be mobilised, whenever you come back even if you are 60 years, you have to undergo the NYSC.”

Ani noted that it was a crime for anyone to present a forged NYSC certificate to an employer.

He said all employers were mandated to demand NYSC certificates before hiring graduates.

Ani added, “If you read Section 13 of the NYSC Act, it says not making yourself available for service is a criminal offence. However, whenever you want the NYSC certificate, whether you delay it until you are 60 years old, you must come to serve because you graduated when you were below 30.

“According to Section 13 of the NYSC Act, if you give false information concerning your NYSC, you are liable (sic). If you present a certificate that was not issued by the NYSC, you are liable (sic). It is a criminal offence.

“Whoever is employing anybody in this country, whether private or government, once you are coming in to accept that appointment, you are to present your NYSC certificate and it is also the responsibility of your employer to request it.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has cautioned the leadership of the NYSC not to allow the Presidency to coerce it into covering the alleged NYSC Exemption certificate forgery allegation against Adeosun, with a purported investigation.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said, “The NYSC must, therefore, know that its reputation is highly at stake as Nigerians are already agitated over the questionable delay by the agency in coming out with an answer on a direct issue that requires a simple computer or even manual file check at its headquarters.

“NYSC is advised to have it in mind that in this age of global Information Communication Technology, there is nothing anybody can do to suppress or distort facts, even in the public service.  Any attempt to cover up will invoke the wrath of Nigerians and irredeemably rubbish the integrity and respect the Corps has earned over the years.”

However, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday,  said it was wrong to say that the Federal Government had not spoken out on the alleged certificate forgery involving Adeosun.

“The government has spoken. NYSC is part of the government and I have nothing to add to what the NYSC has said,” the minister added.

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Actress Stormy Daniels was arrested at a strip club in Columbus, Ohio for allegedly allowing a patron to touch her while on stage in a “nonsexual manner,” her lawyer, Michael Avenatti said early Thursday morning.

Following a performance at the Columbus strip club called Sirens Wednesday night, Daniels was approached by multiple undercover officers informing her that she would be arrested for allowing the patron to touch her, Avenatti said.

The lawyer said Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is expected to be charged with one or more misdemeanors. Early Thursday she remained in custody awaiting a determination of bail, Avenatti said.

An Ohio strip club law prohibits patrons from touching a nude or seminude dancer unless the patron is a member of the dancer’s immediate family.

Avenatti claimed the arrest was a politically-motivated “sting operation.” He said his client was “performing the same performance that she has conducted at over a hundred strip clubs around the country.”

“This is ridiculous that law enforcement resources were used to conduct this sting operation,” he said. “There has to be a better purpose for such resources.”

Avenatti expected her to be released on bail shortly and vowed to “vehemently contest all charges,” he tweeted.

The Ohio strip club law prohibiting the touching of dancers, the Community Defense Act, was proposed by a Cincinnati-based conservative religious organization and approved in 2007. But according to a Columbus Dispatch article in Sept, 2017 the law has rarely been used since then.

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Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of Nigeria has revealed how the disbursement of the $322m Abacha loot, which is part of the money stashed in Switzerland by the late former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, would be divided and how beneficiaries would be selected.

Osinbajo revealed this on Wednesday at the launching of the Monitoring of Recovered Assets through Transparency and Accountability project- which was part of the ‘Roundtable of the African Union Champion on Anti-Corruption’ to commemorate 1st African Day of Anti-Corruption.

The event was co-organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, and the African Union, with the theme, “Enhancing Domestic Resources for Sustainable Development Goals by Improved Asset Recovery and Asset Return.”

Osinbajo was represented at the event by Special Adviser to the President on Social Protection, Maryam Uwais.

He assured that the $322m Abacha loot cash transfer programme would be monitored to ensure transparency of the process.

She said monitors would visit the individual households that have been identified through “deliberate targeting.”

The VP said, “By the end of this year, we should have a register of the entire country.

“This register is where all our beneficiaries of the $322m Abacha loot, will be mined from. There is a number for each of the beneficiaries, and we’ll have pictures captured.

“When we started, three banks offered to support us with the biometrics. By the time they started going to the locations they realised it was costly for them.

“So they backed out. Now, we’re working through agents to ensure we pay at the last mile, because if a person is on this register, and is actually deserving of this our N 5, 000, many of them cannot travel for long distances.

“Many of them need the money so we don’ t want them spending money going to look for their money. So we’re using the agents. We’re working to see that their biometrics are captured.

“It’ s more than just financial inclusion . It’ s also social inclusion. It’s important for planning that every state is aware of where these people are located.

“We’re also collating data on access roads to these communities, nearest primary schools, secondary schools, healthcare centres, connectivity issues.

“There is a huge conversation on how to ensure that we’re able to make payment by virtual wallet, because a lot of our women on pay days are visible when they go to collect their money and we need to protect them.

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