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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has arrested a 24-year-old housewife, Mrs Basira Sagiru, for pushing her sister-in-law into a pot of boiling water. The Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of NAPTIP, Mr Josiah Emerole, confirmed the arrest while speaking in Abuja on Saturday. Sagiru pushed her sister-in-law, who is living with her into a pot of boiling water over a minor disagreement in the house. The victim, whose name was given as Hasiya Ibrahim, was reported to have suffered high degree burns before some good Samaritans rescued and took her to NAPTIP headquarters in Abuja. Emerole said that the victim was under the custody of NAPTIP for medical attention. He said that the suspect was picked up on Oct. 19, and immediately the matter was reported to NAPTIP and was awaiting further investigation. He said the agency would decide the next line of action when investigations were concluded. Part of NAPTIP’s mission is to prevent all forms of hum...

A new report by BudgIT, a civil society organisation, has shown that only four states in Nigeria can pay salaries without resorting to lending or going to Abuja for bailout funds. The report, state of State 2017, was launched on Thursday and released to the public on Friday. “Important is states’ ability to meet their recurrent expenditure obligation with all revenue source — a test of prudent fiscal management. The states are: 1. Kano, 2. Katsina, 3. Rivers and 4. Lagos top that portion of the index. “In effect, only four states could meet their recurrent expenditure obligation without resorting to borrowing or tapping donor funds and other extra-budgetary revenue sources.” Majority of the states lost large portions of the federal accounts allocation committee (FAAC) monthly allocation to monthly deductions over debts.

TVC Communications, operators of TVC Entertainment, TVC News, and Adaba FM, has launched a new hit music radio station, 102.3 Max FM, which replaces Radio Continental 102.3 MAX FM was launched at a spectacular event in Lagos city last night at the Federal Palace Hotel among an audience of hundreds of celebrities and VIP’s from the advertising and entertainment industries. Radio Continental switched seamlessly last night at 10pm to become 102.3 MAX FM which is aimed at a 15-34 year old audience and promises to play non-stop hit music for the young people of Lagos. Max FM isn’t just about the music, as listeners can look forward to winning amazing prizes as the station promises to be the home of the biggest and most attractive giveaways on radio. It was also announced that TVC Communications would replace Continental Broadcasting Services as the trading name of the group business units. Speaking at the launch event, Andrew Hanlon, CEO, 102.3 Max FM and TVC Communications, said, “Earlie...

UN deputy secretary-general, Amina Mohammed has said that there are 37 career openings for young Nigerians under the United Nations bureaucracy. Amina disclosed this at a Cultural Night organised by Nigerians working at the United Nations Systems. She said the openings are available via the Junior Professional Officers’ (JPO) Programme, including internship for young graduates. According to her, Nigeria has the opportunity to sponsor its youth for UN careers through the JPO. But Nigeria has not seized the opportunity in a long while, she noted. JPO is a programme for the young people to come and grow their career at the UN and it has 37 positions for Nigeria – one for each of the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory. At the cultural night, Amina asked older Nigerians to pave the way for the youth by creating leadership opportunities for them . She urged them to stop competing with the younger ones for employment opportunities.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's private helicopter crashed into Lake Nakuru Saturday morning after what is reported as a technical hitch. The plane, according to  kahawatungu.com , with tail number 5Y-NMJ and Aérospatiale 350B3e Ecureuil model was reportedly flying a team of political staff close to Nakuru senator Susan Kihika to Narok. Among those on board are said to be one Sam Gitau, Anthony Ngari and the pilot, Apollo Malowa. It is not clear if there are any survivors from the crash but police and military helicopters have rushed to the scene to rescue any survivors. Attached Files:

A director in the Kogi State civil service, Mr Edward Soje has allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree in Lokoja, the state capital. It was gathered on Saturday in Lokoja that the dangling body of Soje was found on a tree behind the mammy market at the Maigumeri barracks, the Nigeria Army Command Record. The 54-year-old civil servant decided to take his life barely 10 days after his wife of 17 years gave birth to a set of male triplets in a private hospital in Abuja. The couple had been childless before then. Soje, a Grade Level 16 Officer in the Kogi State Teaching Service Commission, was being owed 11 months’ salary arrears as at the time he took his life. He hailed from Ogori town in Ogori -Magongo Local Government area of the state. He had before killing himself travelled to Abuja and left a suicide note for the wife who also works in one of the federal ministries. “Psalm 121:3 God will not suffer your foot to be moved: He that keepeth you will not slumber. Amen....

President Muhammadu Buhari held bilateral meetings with President Alpha Conde of Guinea and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of Pakistan in Turkey on Saturday. See photos:

Nuhu Bamali, the Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand has stated that there are over 1,000 young Nigerians currently residing in the various jails of Thailand due to their use of improper channels of leaving Nigeria in search of greener pastures in Asia. The Ambassador made this statement at the African Gems and Jewellery Exhibition that took place in Abuja on 18th of October, 2017 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. He reiterated the former Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Chudi Okafor, who also stated in 2013 at least one in five Nigerians currently in the Asia nation was currently serving a prison term for what he could only define as drug related offences. Currently, the mission in Thailand has an agreement with the Government of Nigeria and Thailand to release Nigerians in jail to Nigeria so that they could spend the remainder of their jail term in their country of birth. Courtesy: Premium Times Nigeria

A team of four missionaries from Great Britain have been the abducted by a group of suspected kidnappers in Delta State, Nigeria. The four missionaries, including a Doctor and his wife were taken from their dwelling around the area where they had been operating a series of clinics for no less than 14 years. The prime suspects have been identified as Karowei, a local militant that has been oprating around the area. The Delta police commissioner, Zanna Ibrahim stated that the incident may have been the group's response to the recent law and order operation called "Operation Crocodile Smile" that had been recently implemented. The police commissioner also had 14 persons suspected of kidnapping around the area, with 5 of said suspects accused to have been involved in the abduction of the missionaries in question. Mr. Ibrahim stated that the anti-kidnapping team was already "on the trail of the suspects". Courtesy: The Telegraph

Relations between the Nigerian and the Turkish governments have been strengthened thanks to the agreement between President Muhammadu Buhari and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. During the Nigerian President's visit in Ankara, Turkey's capital city, it was agreed that the security agencies of both countries are to work in a collaborated effort to strengthen the fight against terrorism, after a pleasant tete-a-tete with the host country's Head of State.. In a statement to the Press, President Muhammadu Buhari stated, ‘‘We are very pleased with the progress of the meeting so far and we are going to wait for the details of meetings between the two countries. ‘‘We will as a result of the meeting between the ministers and officials of both countries strengthen rapidly whatever their recommendations are,’’ the President said. This comes as another arrow in the bow to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts to fight terrorist radicals that are trying to bring down both gov...

No less than 39 candidates have been successfully screened for just 8 positions currently vacant in the congress elections of the All Progressive Party (APC) scheduled for the 21st of October, 2017. This information was disclosed by Mallam Kasim Maigari, the political party's Caretaker Secretary. Speaking positively on the development and current trajectory of the Party, the CAretaker Secretary also stated as follows: “There are eight persons contesting for the post of chairmanship, five for deputy chairmen, four for secretary, 10 for youth leader, three for legal adviser, two for zonal women leader and three for ex-officio,” he said. Forms for the running for the various positions did not come cheap, the the cost of purchasing a form for the role of Chairman priced at N100,000 each. Other positions were priced at N30,000 each. 50 per cent of said costs was waived for all female contestants vying for a position. The elections have been promised to be free, fair and very credible. C...

The National Caucus and the National Working Committee meetings of the All Progressive Congress (APC), will be held at the Presidential Villa and the APC National Secretariat respectively, both venues in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. This statement was made by the public secretary to the political party, Edegbe Odewingie who confirmed that the date of the National Caucus would be on the 30th of October, while the National Working Committee meeting would hold on the 31st of October, 2017. Despite coming as the top political party in the 2015 Presidential Elections, the party has yet to either constitute its Board of Trustees or organise any major meetings since the 2015 victory. Courtesy: Premium Times

Chelsea's coach, Antonio Conte has reacted to his side's 4-2 win over Watford at the Stamford Bridge Watford controlled the game most of the time but Conte's substitution made the difference as Michy Batshuayi scored two goals. My players showed good character and spirit, and a desire to fight, with the way they came from behind to win today. I am pleased for Batshuayi because his impact on the game was amazing. The same goes for Willian and Zappacosta. To overcome a difficult moment, such as when we were 2-1 down today, makes you stronger Attached Files:

Last Resort entertainment working in partnership with Global Resources Limited, have announced the launch of Nigerian Icon, a first of its kind in talent scouting and entertainment project in Nigeria. Programmed to air on Wazobia TV in November 2017, this one of a kind talent hunt for Nigeria’s freshest entertainment talent in comedy, pageantry, dancing and of course, singing is to produce four winners who excels in any of the four categories mentioned, with the grand finale scheduled to take place in January 2018 – just in time to kick off the new year. With celebrity guest judges gracing and providing directions such as Mr. Kayode Ogunyankinnu, Omawumi Megbele, and Akpororo, this reality show is slated to be the best in recent history. A two million naira (N2,000,000) cash price, a Hyundai Elantra SUV and a two year artiste management deals will be given to a winner in each category to enable them launch their entertainment careers in style. The 1st and 2nd runners up for the singing...

The father of Vice President Osinbajo’s wife, Elder Olutayo Soyode, speaking in an exclusive interview with the Punch stated that he isn’t a big fan of visiting with his daughter. According to the close associate of the Late Obafemi Awolowo, going to the villa to visit his daughter was like going to jail, given the way his movement would be monitored and he would need to sign various forms before he could go out, for security reasons. During his interview with the Punch, when he was asked what visiting with his daughter is like to which he said; “I don’t go there often. Going there is like going to jail, as far as I’m concerned. It’s like locking me up. The way you see me, do I look like someone that can be kept in one place and before I could go out, I have to sign papers and there would be plenty phone calls? I would just run mad because I’m not used to such. “I’m a free man. That place (Aso Rock), is a very good place but I’m not the type to live there, so I don’t go there often. An...

The Ondo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said former President Goodluck Jonathan should beg God and Nigerians for forgiveness. The state chapter of the party said this while expressing disappointment at a statement credited to Jonathan, saying President Muhammadu Buhari operates a government of lies and propaganda. Reacting to the statement by Jonathan, spokesman for the party, Abayomi Adesanya, said the former president is yet to recover from the shock of his defeat in the 2015 election.   According to Adesanya, “For the avoidance of doubt and for clarification that is known to the public though, Jonathan plunged Nigeria into this present quagmire of unprecedented corruption and economic crisis. “If I were Jonathan, I would keep quiet and beg for forgiveness from Nigerians and God, rather than making uncomplimentary comments about the present government.”

Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to score twice as Chelsea fought back from behind to win a six-goal thriller against Watford. Chelsea were on the back foot for much of this contest at Stamford Bridge but two goals from Batshuayi, either side of an 87th-minute header from Cesar Azpilicueta, snatched the champions a much-needed 4-2 victory. For a while, Chelsea looked on course for a third straight Premier League loss when Abdoulaye Doucoure and Roberto Pereyra's goals put Watford 2-1 up before Batshuayi and then Azpilicueta instigated the turnaround. Batshuayi added his second in stoppage time. Chelsea also had the officials to thank after Pedro's opener, a superb long-range strike, came from a corner that should not have been given. That will be of little significance to Antonio Conte, however, whose relief was palpable when he celebrated Azpilicueta's goal by diving in amongst the Chelsea fans. This was his team's first victory in four matches in all competitions. T...

The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, has urged the Federal Government not to limit the names of treasury looters being compiled for publication to members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Sani, who spoke figuratively in a Facebook post on Friday, said the list should include members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the cabal suspected to be in the Presidency. The post read, “The Federal Government’s decision to publish the names of looters is commendable. Hope the ‘call-up’ list will not be limited to the ageing ‘Umbrella United’ players, but will include those in the ‘Broomers FC’ and ‘Paris Saint Germain’ and ‘Dynamo Cabal FC’ players.” While the APC was figuratively referred to as the broom party, PDP was referred to as the umbrella party. President Buhari had reportedly directed ministries, departments and agencies to compile names of public officials who embezzled government funds and from whom some loot had been...

  Abia State government has expressed its enthusiasm for the ZUMA Film Festival that is set to take place between the 1st to 5th of December, 2017 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu also commended the efforts of Nigerians in the growth of Nigeria’s film industry and its international appeal. He made this statement while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe and the Deputy Director, Rt Honorable Ude Oko Chukwu at the Government House, Umuahia, Abia State. The governor commended the leadership and management board of the NFC for promoting the direction and progress of the film industry in Nigeria. He also used the opportunity to announce the establishment of a ten million naira (N10,000,000) creative grant that would enable the complete production and filming of a Nigerian movie in Abia State. This, she stated, was to encourage the promotion of the State as a tourist destination in Nigeria. Courtesy: ...

Skye Bank Nigeria Plc and First Bank of Nigeria have taken over its asset of Evans Medical Plc, the management has said. Adesua Akintemi, the company’s secretary, disclosed this in a statement shared with  TheCable. The statement said the company had received a court order for its assets to be taken over as a result of a loan default. “Evans Medical Plc would like to announce that the company’s bankers (Skye Bank Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Limited) have served the company with an ex-parte order of the federal high court dated 4th July, 2017, granting them right to take over the company’s assets used as collateral against facilities granted to the company by its bankers due to loan default,” the statement read. “A receiver manager has also been appointed and has taken over the assets of the company.” Akintemi said the company is negotiating with the banks to reach a favourable arrangement. “The board of Evans Medical, however, has begun discussions with the two lenders with a vie...

A family member of the man who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon has reacted to the incident saying he left his Ondo state residence three days ago. The Nation reports that the family member said the man identified as Adekunle Oluseyi attended a church programme at the Redemption Camp. He reportedly took off his clothes, phone, wristwatch, wallet, band and shoes before jumping into the water at about 10am on Friday, October 20. The recovered wallet contained no cash but two ATM cards. LCCI officials on getting the news of the incident checked their CCTV and when they confirmed alerted emergency workers. Adesina Tiamiyu who is the general manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said the body of the man had not been found yet. He said: “We cannot say whether he is dead or alive. All we can say right now is that he is missing. It is confirmed that the man jumped into the lagoon. “LASWA, LASEMA and Marine Police have been searching for him since we got the distress call from LC...

Boko Haram ambushed a military convoy in Damboa, Borno State, on Thursday, killing at least three soldiers. The attack would be the second against the military within a week as last Friday, one soldier was killed while nine others were injured when the terrorists overran a military base in Marte, near Lake Chad. According to AFP, Thursday’s attack was targeted at an Army Commanding Officer’s convoy travelling between Damboa and Maiduguri, the state capital. Quoting a senior military officer, AFP reported, “We lost three soldiers in the ambush by Boko Haram terrorists. The terrorists, in their large number, opened fire on the convoy of the commanding officer of 81 Battalion. “Five other troop members were injured in the intense battle that broke out when soldiers engaged the attackers.” The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the media, said the arrival of reinforcements forced the rebels to retreat. Corroborating the officer’s account, a c...