The University of Ilorin has become a terrorist organization - ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday branded the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) as a terrorist organization after the institution reportedly sacked the ASUU chairman in the school, Dr. Kayode Afolayan, for allegedly exposing corrupt practices of the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali.

The union made it know in a statement sighted on the Vanguard which was signed by Dr Ade Adejumo and Dr. Deji Omole, the Zonal Coordinator of the Ibadan Zone of ASUU and Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter, they claimed that the outgoing Vice-Chancellor at Unilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, who is allegedly behind the termination of the ASUU chairman in the school, illegally handed a temporal appointment to his wife Dr (Mrs) Taiwo Toyin Ambali.

Idyl wins the #THEVOICENIGERIA season 2

22-year-old, Idyl on Sunday was announced winner of the second season of Airtel’s The Voice Nigeria.

 The Bayelsa-born singer beat fellow Team Timi contestant, Jahtell to make it to the top four and then headed to the final two alongside Team Patoranking’s Ebube.

He walks away with a recording contract with Universal Records, a GS4 SUV from GAC Motors and a trip round Dubai courtesy Ajala.ng.

Ghana beat Nigeria to win WAFU cup

The Black Stars of Ghana on Sunday, beat the Super Eagles of Nigeria 4-1 in the final of the 2017 West African Football Union Cup of Nations.

Ghanian forward Stephen Sarfo who was voted as man-of-the-match scored a brace for the Black Stars while Atinga and Cobbinah scored a goal each for the hosts.

Rabiu Ali scored a stunning free kick late in the game, but it could not change anything as the Super Eagles settled for second place

We will not allow illegal admission – JAMB

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Thursday, said it will not tolerate illegal admissions by any higher institution, adding that students admitted illegally won’t be regularised anymore.

‎JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, stated this at a Training and Sensitization Forum on Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS) for admission offers, candidates and stakeholders on in Abuja.

He said, “We know that we have abused the process. What we have been doing is to send N5,000 each to JAMB in the name of regularisation without capturing their picture, without capturing anything. You pay N5,000 and then they are regularised.

Customs DG meets Turkish envoy today over illegal arms importation

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, (retd.) on Thursday, announced that the service would be having a diplomatic meeting with the Ambassador of Turkey on Friday (today) – to address the spate of illegal of weapons into the country.

It could be recalled that the Tin Can Island command of the service on Tuesday uncovered another container of 470 rifles barely one week after the command intercepted a 20-foot container load of 1,100 pump-action rifles bringing to a total of 2,671 rifles seized within the last eight months.

Lagos state police command demolish suspected Badoo shrine discovered in Ikorodu

The Lagos state police command on Wednesday demolished the suspected Badoo shrine operated by an oil marketer, Alaka Abayomi, that was discovered in July this year.

Lagos state police commissioner, Edgal Imohimi, led the demolition exercise.

It could be recalled that the Lagos state police command had uncovered a shrine said to be used by members of the secret cult, Badoo in Ikorodu.

Photos: Federal High Court in Abuja outlaws IPOB and its activities

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday outlawed secessionist group - The Indeginous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its activities.

Acting Chief Judge of the Court, Justice Abdu Kafarati heard and granted the ex parte motion filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), in chambers.

See the official documents below...

The anti-corruption war of the FG is lopsided – Wike

The Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike has described the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government as pretentious and intended to silence opposition in the country.

Delivering the keynote address of the 12 General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion at St Paul’s Cathedral, Port Harcourt, yesterday, the governor queried how politicians, who decamped from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress, (APC), were granted amnesty by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

FG accuse France, UK of supporting IPOB

The Federal Government has accused France of sponsoring the secessionist group, IPOB and has blamed the United Kingdom for its lack-lustre attitude towards the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) crisis considering the fact that Biafra Radio that has been broadcasting from its territory.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, addressing newsmen after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said, “Let me tell you, the financial headquarters is in France, we know, but you see, can you as a government stop sending money to your parents? You have to block the sources of finance that is what I said recently.

Photos: Buhari meets Trump at UN General Assembly

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday met the United States President, Donald Trump, at a Luncheon in honour of selected African heads on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

See photos:

Nurses, Midwives to commence strike today

The Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals, JOHESU, and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, NANNM on Tuesday announced the commencement of their nationwide strike.

The strike is coming barely a week after the National Association of Resident Doctors suspended its strike

According to a statement signed by the National President of NANNM, Abdrafiu Adeniji, all nurses and midwives in all federal health institutions are to proceed on an indefinite strike action from midnight of Wednesday.

Mr. Adeniji said the association is in agreement with all JOHESU’s positions on the recent seven-day ultimatum given to the federal government to accede to all its lingering demands dated back to 2012.

Kogi, Ekiti, others still owing salaries despite bailout funds and Paris Club refund – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened to name and shame state governors who has refused to pay complete salaries to workers in spite of the bailout funds and the Paris Club refunds.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said this at the National Executive Council meeting of the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, 10 out of the 36 states are particularly guilty of the offence, while six of the ten states were in terrible situation.

Air Force joins Operation Python Dance II in the South-East

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has joined the Operation Python Dance II exercise in the South-East by deploying its air assets.

A statement released by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the NAF, Air Commodore Olatokunbo Adesanya on Tuesday, said, the essence of the deployment is to provide the necessary air cover to the ground troops to enhance overall operational cohesion and efficiency – also inevitable due to the wide expanse of the exercise area.

4 dead as explosion rocks NNPC Lagos depot

Four people are reportedly dead after an explosion at the Petroleum Wharf, Apapa, Lagos on Monday.

Punch Metro learnt that a vessel, identified as Histria Ivory, was discharging Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) around 3am when some hoodlums besieged it to scoop fuel spilling from the vessel.

The activities of the hoodlums were to have caused an explosion, which resulted in the death of four people.

We did not declare IPOB a terrorist organisation – Buratai

The chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai says the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) did not declare the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation but only pronounced the group as a terrorist organisation.

The Army had inaugurated Operation Python Dance II in the Southeast which met strong resistance, especially from members of IPOB; the Senate President and other stakeholders in the country.

It could be recalled that the clash between IPOB members and the Nigerian Army led the Defence Headquarters to release a statement saying, “…the Armed Forces of Nigeria wish to confirm to the general public that IPOB from all intent, plan and purpose as analysed, is a militant terrorist organisation,”.

ASUU suspends strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has announced the suspension of its strike action.

The ASUU President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, announced this in Abuja late on Monday.

The union said it was suspending the strike till end of October for the Federal Government to fulfill its promises.

The union directed university lecturers to immediately resume duty.

The strike was called off after a memorandum of understanding was signed with the federal government delegation led by the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige at a meeting.

IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu reportedly goes into hiding

Leader of the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB Nnamdi Kanu has reportedly gone into hiding days after the Nigerian Army declared IPOB a terrorist militant organization.

It could be recalled that last Friday, the Army declared IPOB a militant terrorist group after some members of the group confronted Army officers who attempted to pass through the home of the leader in Umuahia in Abia state.

We will launch 'Operation Crocodile Smile' in S-West, S-South - Army

The Nigerian Army has said it will soon launch Operation Crocodile Smile II in the South-West and South South regions of the country.

Army spokesman, Sani Usman, said this in an interview with Signature TV, an online platform.

Usman said despite the controversies surrounding Operation Python Dance in the South-East, the army had been getting encouraging feedback.

Photos: President Buhari arrives New York for UN summit

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived New York for the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA72).

A statement by the president media aide Femi Adesina reads, “The high point of the President’s visit will be his participation in the General Debate during which he will deliver the country’s National Statement. The theme for this year’s Debate is: “Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet.”

Turkey dissaciates self from citizen who expressed support for Biafra

The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has dissociated itself from a Turkish citizen, Abdülkadir Erkahraman, who has expressed support for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

It could be recalled that Mr Erkahraman had visited Mr Kanu at his residence in Afarakwu, Abia in June and had released a video three months earlier where he hailed IPOB and made reference to an exhibition which Biafra agitators organised in Spain back in 2015.

APC NWC grills Alhassan over 2019 election comment

The National Working Committee, NWC of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday grilled the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan over her comment that she would support former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in 2019.

Aisha Alhassan arrived the party headquarters at 1:59pm, and was questioned for more than two hours.

National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi while briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting said Alhassan’s statement was an act of indiscretion.

IGP meets Osinbajo over IPOB crisis

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday met with the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over the ongoing crisis in Abia state.

Idris spoke with State House Correspondents after the meeting which lasted for an hour.

He said the aim of the meeting was to ensure the security of all Nigerians.

He said, “Obviously, one is to deploy policemen across the country; two, we are in touch with the state government, trying to mobilise the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the South-East.”

Hundreds of Biafran youth still missing, dead in Abia and Rivers – IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has alleged that its members in Abia and Rivers were missing after clashes with the army.

IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful disclosed this to journalists on Thursday.

He said some members of the group, who were detained in military barracks, had not been accounted for.

APC panel on restructuring to begin public hearing on Sept 18

The All Progressives Congress, APC panel on restructuring has announced that it would hold public hearing in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Secretary of the committee, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, announced this at a media briefing in Abuja, on Thursday.

He said the hearing would commence on September 18 in Benin, the Edo State capital in the South South zone.

Adetumbi explained that since its inauguration, the committee had met four times and it had narrowed down the issues for discussions to 12.

He said, “As a committee, we are not conversing for any opinion. As a committee, we are interested in harvesting opinions in order to inform the party on what the public is saying on these issues so that the party can work effectively in such a manner that it responds to public opinion.”

IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, backs out of talks with South East governors

The Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, says he would not be attending a meeting with the South East governors earlier scheduled for Friday, the 15th of September.

Kanu and the governors met on August 30th where they discussed the crisis that has erupted since the group began its agitation for the creation of Biafra and how the agitation can be done peacefully.

Dino Melaye files appeal against court judgment on his recall

Senator Dino Melaye, through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome, has filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, ordering INEC to continue with his recall process.

It could be recalled that members of the Kogi West senatorial district in June, sent signed copies of a recall register to INEC chairman, Yakubu Mahmood, for Senator Melaye who represents them at the senate to be recalled.

Army/IPOB clash: Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, appeals to the Nigerian military to reduce its presence in Aba and Umuahia

The Abia state governor Okezie Ikpeazu has appealed to the Nigerian Army to reduce the presence of its officers in those parts of the state following the recent faceoff between some soldiers and IPOB members in Aba and Umuahia on Tuesday.

It could be recalled that on Tuesday, some military officers had a clash with IPOB members when they tried to access a road close to the leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu's home in Umuahia. IPOB members who were on their way from Aba to Umuahia to protect their leader had a faceoff with the soldiers, leading to the death of 7 of their members.

Halimah Yacob emerges Singapore’s 8th president

Singapore on Wednesday elected 63-year old Halimah Yacob as its first female president.  

Halimah Yacob who was a former speaker of parliament from the Muslim Malay minority became the first woman and first Malay in 47 years to ascend to the highest office, after successfully filing her nomination papers on Wednesday as the sole eligible candidate for this year’s reserved Presidential Election.

Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, declares three-day curfew in Aba

Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has declared a three-day curfew in the state capital, Aba, following a clash between members of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB and some soldiers.

According to reports, the clash between both parties occurred at the Isiala Ngwa junction of Aba and seven IPOB members reportedly lost their lives.

It was reported that the secessionist group members were on their way to Umuahia, the hometown of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, when the clash occurred.

Apple unveils iPhone 8 & iPhone X

Apple has unveiled the latest generation of its flagship device iPhone X and it cost £1,000.

The all-glass device has an edge-to-edge display and no home button. It unlocks using facial recognition software and features wireless charging.

INEC releases press statement on Melaye's recall

INEC has released a press statement on the petition to recall Senator Dino Melaye as the Senator Representing Kogi West.

The press statement reads, 

Police to deploy 21,084 policemen, 3 helicopters for Anambra polls

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has said 21,084 policemen and three police helicopters will be deployed to Anambra State for the governorship election in November.

Idris said this while speaking on Tuesday at the 2nd Situation Room Dialogue Session organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).

CJN to confer SAN rank on Keyamo, Osinbajo, others

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen will confer the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on 30 lawyers on September 18.

Director of Press and Information, Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said the conferment of the SAN on the lawyers was part of events to begin the 2017/2018 legal year.

Our exercise in the S’East is not targeted at Nnamdi Kanu – Army

The Nigerian Army has said the military exercise in the south-east, ‘Operation Python Dance 2’ is not targeted at leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and denied reports that soldiers surrounded the house of the IPOB leader or placed him under arrest.

Deputy Director, Public Relations, 82 Division of the army, Sagir Musa said this in Enugu while briefing reporters at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Umuahia, Abia state capital.

The deployment of troops to Abia State, especially the local government of Kanu had sparked tension.

WAEC set to re-introduce e-marking for its tests

The West African Examinations Council International Office in Lagos said it will soon re-introduce electronic marking for its tests.

Head of the Office, Adelowo Maliki, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Lagos.

He said, “We started this electronic marking in 2014 through to 2015, only for us to suspend it in 2016, due to high costs as regards the high exchange rate.

Customs seizes 1,100 firearms at Lagos port

The Nigeria Customs Service at the Tin-Can Island command has intercepted a 20-feet container marked GESU25255208, carrying 600 pieces of Jojef Magnum Black, Pump rifles, Jojef Magnum Silver pump action rifles, Jojef Magnum plastic single barrel, hunting gun pump action rifles all totalling 1,100.

The container which arrived Nigeria from Turkey, was labeled to be carrying wash hand basins.

The guns were discovered during an inspection by some officers in the command.

Court dismisses Melaye’s suit, asks INEC to continue recall process

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday dismissed the suit by Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, challenging the validity of the process of recalling him by his constituents.

The judgment terminated the earlier ex parte order made by another judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, on July 6, 2017, directing parties to maintain status quo.

Justice Dimgba, to whom the case was reassigned, ordered that the process shall only proceed with the recall process, subject to the service of the petition, the full list and signatures of persons in support of the recall process.

Troops did not invade Nnamdi Kanu's house – Army

The Nigerian Army has dismissed allegations that soldiers attempted to invade the compound of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in Abia State.

There has been reports that the soldiers attacked the building and shot some members of the secessionists group who resisted.

However, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade, Maj. Oyegoke Gbadamosi, in a statement said the soldiers did not shoot any IPOB member.

Charly Boy is only acting a script – Okorocha

The Governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha yesterday reacting to a recent meeting convened by Charly Boy and the State Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lawrence Nwaekaeti, to review suspected cases of rights abuses in the state, said the activist continued to act the script handed to him by his paymasters since 2014.

The governor said Charles Oputa, known as Charly Boy was recruited in 2014 by his political opponents to fight his administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor said, “Our attention has been drawn to the meeting presided over by Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy) and the Chairman of Owerri branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Lawrence Nwakaeti, on September 9 at the Bar Centre, High Court premises in Owerri and the publications on the outcome of the meeting.

Stand on the truth, don't be intimidated | Fani-Kayode tells Alhassan

A former minister of aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has asked the minister of women affairs, Aisha Alhassan, not to be intimidated and to stand by the truth.

It could be recalled that Fani Kayode had claimed that Alhassan had said that the governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, was involved in the kidnap of the Chibok girls and Alhassan discredited the statement saying that claim did not emanate from her.

Fani Kayode again wrote, “Mama Taraba should continue to stand on the platform of truth and not allow herself to be intimidated. I reacted to a story in which she allegedly exposed Nasir El Rufai.

Stop peddling falsehood | Alhassan tells Fani-Kayode

Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan has attacked former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode for peddling falsehood.

Fani-Kayode in a series of tweets had stated that Alhassan, who is in charge of the rehabilitation of Chibok girls had a revelation to give about the role Governor Nasir el-Rufai in the scam.

Alhassan responding through a tweet on her Twitter handle, said she never made such statement, adding that Fani-Kayode should respect himself as a former minister.

Withdraw your men within 21 days or face legal action | INC tells Buratai, FG

The Igbo National Council (INC) on Sunday, gave the Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai 21 days to withdraw his men from the Southeast region.

This was stated in a release signed by the National President, Comrade Chilos Godsent and issued to Vanguard in Owerri.

The release read, “In view of the above, the Igbo National Council (INC), has analysed the state of the Southeast and the Nigerian state and hereby state the following.

Nigeria may suffer scarcity of cow meat soon – Agric Minister, Audu Ogbeh

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh says that Nigeria in the very near future may suffer scarcity of cow meat.

The Minister spoke yesterday ahead of the National Conference on Transformation of the Livestock scheduled to hold in Abuja from Tuesday.

According to him, the expected scarcity could be attributed to the huge number of cows consumed daily without commensurate calving.

Buhari jets to U.S next week to speak

President Muhammadu Buhari has been scheduled to address the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly in the United States on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.

The President of Nigeria is listed as number seven on the provincial list of speakers.

Buhari is expected to speak after the leaders of Brazil, the United States, Guinea, Switzerland, Jordan and Slovakia.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirming the news said, “I cannot tell you the time he will be going because it can change but I know he is expected to be the eighth speaker at the UN. So, he will be there and he will speak.”

Earthquake in Mexico kills 5, triggers tsunami

At least five people have been killed after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mexico overnight.

Buildings collapsed and thousands of people were evacuated after the powerful tremor struck off the coast of Chiapas, the country's southernmost state, just before midnight on Thursday.

Mexico's president said that the earthquake was the strongest to strike the country in a century.

Tsunami waves have since been recorded as a result of the quake, and could reach three metres high, according to the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

The Associated Press reports that 5 have died in Mexico's Tabasco and Chiapas states amid falling buildings and hasty evacuations.

Police officers can collect money for private engagements – Okiro

The Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, has said that the law permitted the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to receive money from corporate organisations and private individuals for private engagement.

Dr Okiro stated that one-third of such monies should be given to the police officers involved in the private duties as allowances while the rest would be kept by the force.

The former Inspector-General of Police said, “The police regulation, the Police Act are very clear on it; We have what we called private engagement, when you give policemen for private duties, a certain amount is normally paid of which one-third is kept by the police, two-third is paid to the police reward fund, it’s there in the law. The one-third is paid to policemen who performed the duty as allowances,”.

FG warns state govts, LGA's to brace up for more flood

The Federal Government yesterday warned that the millions of Nigerians may be affected by varying degrees of flooding, The Nation reports.

The Federal Government through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) had warned in an Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) to brace for flood-related challenges.

The NIHSA Director-General, Dr. Moses Beckley at a workshop on AFO in Abuja,  predicted flooding in eight major rivers across the country.

ASUU: Lecturers reach agreement with govt

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have agreed to consider the federal government’s offer and suspend their strike.

The agreement comes after a closed door meeting between ASUU and a government delegation in Abuja.

However, the leadership of ASUU said though it accepted the proposal presented by the government, it will take the proposal to its members and get back to the government in a week.

The national president of ASUU,Biodun Ogunyemi told journalists after the meeting that the union will come back after one week to take its final decisions.