Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has formally signed a short-term deal with four-time Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Champions, Kano Pillars.
The club said this is in a statement by its Media Officer, Rilwan Malikawa, on Friday in Kano.
According to the statement, Musa signed the short term deal at the club’s secretariat on Thursday.
Shortly after signing the deal, the Super Eagles captain said he was back at the club to contribute his own quota up to the end of the 2020/21 NPFL season.
He promised to do his best to see the club emerge as the champions of the current NPFL campaign.
“I left Pillars over 10 years ago without winning the league but now, by God’s grace, I will make a special record by leading the club to the NPFL title,” he said.
He thanked the management, players and fans of the club for sustaining the relationship.
On his part, chairman of the club, Alhaji Surajo Shuaibu, expressed delight at the decision of Musa to rejoin the club 10 years after and urged him to feel at home as always.
Shuaibu urged him to use his vast experience to move the club forward and assured that the club would release him any time he gets an offer outside the shores of Nigeria.
According to the statement, Musa was handed the iconic Number 7 jersey.
The former Leicester City winger has been without a club after leaving Saudi Arabia Professional League outfit Al Shabab in October
An Abuja-based pastor, Rev Emeka Evans Unaegbu has died after gunmen stormed his church in Nyanya-Jikwoyi area of Abuja.
Emeka Evans, as he was popularly called, was reported to be conducting a lone vigil in his Goodnews Power Assembly International church, when he was attacked on Tuesday night.
He was barely alive when he was discovered on Wednesday.
Melania Trump made her second public appearance in a week on Wednesday night, when she enjoyed dinner with her husband Donald at a private roped-off table at Mar-a-Lago.
The dinner outing marks only the seventh occasion that the 50-year-old former First Lady has been seen out and about since the Trumps left the White House in January of this year - after which Melania has seemingly tried to maintain a much more private lifestyle.
Images taken by guests at the Palm Beach resort and shared on social media show Melania and Donald, 74, sitting side-by-side at a round table outdoors at one of Mar-a-Lago's restaurants, with the mother-of-one looking chic in an elegant sleeveless dress.
Although the couple chose to dine at a public restaurant alongside other guests, they appear to have gone to great lengths to ensure that they were not bothered during their meal.
In the photos, red velvet security ropes are seen separating their table from others at the venue, while one guest who snapped images of the couple revealed that 'security was tight' throughout the evening.
The public dinner comes just days after Melania stepped out at a glittering fundraiser held at the Florida club - where she and former President Trump have been living since leaving Washington, D.C. in January.
An Ekiti monarch, Oba David Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso in Oye Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, has been kidnapped by gunmen, the police said.
ASP Sunday Abutu, the spokesman for the police, confirmed the incident and described it as “unfortunate and regrettable’’.
Abutu said the gunmen stormed the traditional ruler’s palace on Thursday and abducted him.
“Yes, the incident happened yesterday, (Thursday night) at the Oba’s palace. We are already doing everything necessary to rescue him and apprehend the culprits,’’ he said.
Sources in Ilemeso told newsmen that six gunmen scaled the Oba’s fence and fired several shots into the air to scare its occupants.
They said the incident happened at about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night when the chiefs who visited the place had left.
“After they gained entry, the gunmen asked for the king which showed that they really came for him,’’ one of the sources said.
Ilemeso is a neighbouring town to Isan Ekiti, country home of Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, narrowly escaped kidnap at Isan Ekiti, last week on the Ewu-Ayetoro road.
India saw an unprecedented surge of 217,353 coronavirus cases on Friday as authorities imposed further restrictions to contain a severe second wave of infections.
This is the second consecutive day that India has recorded more than 200,000 new cases.
Fresh infections were 7.6 per cent higher than on Thursday, when the country registered 200,739 cases, according to Health Ministry data.
A total of 1,185 deaths in 24 hours raised the death count to 174,308.
Health care infrastructure was slowly crumbling in the worst-hit areas, including major cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, which reported dwindling intensive care unit (ICU) beds and stocks of oxygen cylinders.
To ramp up the fight against COVID-19, the government said 100 new hospitals would have their own oxygen plants and another 50,000 metric tonnes of medical oxygen would be imported.
Some states were running low on vaccines stocks. India, the world’s biggest vaccine maker, was seeking to import the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia later this month, local media reported.
India, which at 14.2 million cases is the second-worst-affected country after the U.S., saw a downward trend in infections from the end of 2020, but the numbers began rising again in mid-February.
India’s vaccination programme, which started in January, has seen some 117 million doses administered so far.
Ten persons have so far died in Kano State from the poisoned powdered beverage, against three confirmed barely two weeks ago.
Also, those hospitalised have reached 400 from the initial 243 declared by the state government.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Tsanyawa, who gave an update on the emergency situation, disclosed that additional 50 persons that took the flavoured drink were undergoing kidney-related checks at various hospitals.
Tsanyawa, in a video clip, cautioned residents on the choice of drinks to quench their thirst.
Government had declared that victims of the poisonous drink spread across 17 local councils of the state, including the eight densely populated metropolitan councils.
“The ministry in the recent past announced the outbreak of a strange disease traceable to the consumption of substandard juice. The consumption of this fake and substandard product has negatively impacted on several residents. Today, 10 persons are dead, 400 hospitalised, while about 40 are being treated for various kinds of kidney complications.
“Government is advising people to be mindful of the kind of drink they go for, especially in this excessive hot weather, coupled with the fasting period,” Tsanyawa noted.
The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recently released the result of an investigation into the killer drink and identified unauthorised poisonous additives as a major cause of the deaths.
According to NAFDAC, the additives used in the flavoured beverage, known as Hyroxylamine, is a poison used sometimes for terrorism.
Although the agency disclosed that the merchant responsible for the importation of the chemical has been arrested, it claimed that the substance did not pass through routine check at the point of entry.
NAFDAC warned that adding chemicals to foods and drinks to enhance taste could be harmful and even lead to death.
Before NAFDAC’s investigation, the Kano government had attributed the deaths to an infection contracted through groundwater near a cemetery in the city.
A former Minister of Education, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, has written a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, demanding the prosecution of social media influencer, Japheth Omojuwa.
The petition titled, ‘Petition Against Mr Japheth Omojuwa for Forgery, Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Fraudulent Use of the Name, Identity and Particulars of Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili as a Director of Alpha Reach Limited RC No: 1066507’ is dated April 14, 2021, but was received at the Force Headquarters on April 15.
In the petition, signed by Marshal Abubakar of Falana and Falana chambers, Ezekwesili said Omojuwa fraudulently listed her name as a director in his firm, Alpha Reach Company Limited without her permission, adding that she only got to know of the infraction when she was contacted by American news outlet, Buzzfeed, over a story on Alpha Reach.
Ezekwesili, who was a co-founder of Transparency International, said when she was informed of the development, she quickly called Omojuwa to confirm if she was ever listed as a director at Alpha Reach.
The former minister subsequently attached as evidence, communications between herself and Omojuwa wherein he allegedly stated that he never listed her as a director in the company.
Incidentally, Omojuwa had in an open letter addressed to Ezekwesili on Tuesday said he obtained her permission before listing her as a director.
The petition read in part, “It is our brief that our client promptly contacted Japheth Omojuwa to confirm whether he forged her signature and other incorporation documents and processes but he informed her that the Alpha Reach Company Limited is his company and that she is not involved in it at all.
“Please find attached the referenced communication between our client and Mr. Japheth Omojuwa.”
Ezekwesili further stated that she requested for the incorporation documents from Omojuwa and he promised to make them available to her within the week but he never did.
The petition further read, “Japheth Omojuwa never sought for her consent and /or participation in incorporating any company whatsoever and for any purpose whatsoever. The said Japheth Omojuwa neither sought for nor obtained requisite incorporation documents and information the CAC would require in processing the registration i.e the particulars of directors, share numbers, signature of directors, means of identification of directors and address etc.
“Our client reiterates for emphasis that she never filled or signed the statutory consent of first directors of Alpha Reach Company Limited in 2012 and or at anytime whatsoever.”
The former minister told the IG that throughout the time she was fraudulently made a director in the company, no notice of meetings, annual returns, accounts or board resolutions were issued to her.
She noted that her name was eventually removed in 2017 but no special notice of proposed removal was ever issued or served on her.
The petition further read, “We submit that the foregoing infractions amount to forgery, fraudulent misrepresentation and egregious breach of extant provisions of the Penal Code Law, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and the Companies and Allied Matters Act deserving of investigation and prosecution.”
An unusual attack on a bank has happened in Anambra state, with 10 gunmen storming a bank premises and bearing Biafran flags.
There was no money stolen, no person killed, but some parked vehicles were damaged, according to a report.
The attack happened at Abagana, Njikoka local government area around 4pm on Thursday.
According to TheNation, the attack took place barely hours after Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu raised the alarm over alleged DSS’ plan to attack banks in South East.
He alleged the ploy was to hang the attacks on IPOB.
The shooting in front of the old generation bank scared passersby, customers and staff who took to their heels.
The gunmen, according to an eyewitness, drove in black Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Confirming the incident, Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu said the Command was on the trail of the hoodlums.
According to him: “Those hoodlums were pursuing their target and when they could not get him, they started shooting sporadically in the air.
The first Yeezy sneakers ever worn in public by Kanye West are going on sale for over $1 million.
The Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototypes, which the American rapper debuted at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in 2008, will be among the most expensive sneakers ever to appear on the market, according to Sotheby's auction house, which is organizing the sale.
Described in a press release as "one of the most prized and sought-after sneakers in existence," the shoes will be offered via private sale after going on display in Hong Kong later this month. Sotheby's did not reveal an exact asking price, though it said it has valued the item "in excess of $1 million."
While there is no known record for private sneaker sales, a seven-figure price tag would far exceed the current auction record of $615,000, set at Christie's in May 2020 by a pair of autographed Nike Air Jordan 1s worn by Michael Jordan in 1985.
Put on the market by sneaker collector Ryan Cheng, the prototype Yeezys come in a size 12, West's shoe size. According to Brahm Wachter, Sotheby's head of streetwear and modern collectables, the valuation derives from the brand's cultural impact.
"This pair is critical to the development of the Yeezy franchise, which has become one of the most important sneaker and lifestyle brands in history," he said over email.
Nigerian actor, Sunkanmi Omobolanle has penned a heartfelt note to his wife, Abimbola as she turns a new age .
Taking to his Instagram page, he shared a loved-up photo of him with his wife both rocking a white outfit and described her as his soulmate and one who is more than a wife every man could ever dream of having.
The 40-year-old Nollywood thespian reaffirmed his undying love for her and noted that she is the best thing that ever happened to him.
He wrote;
“You are my always and forever
My Happily ever after
My Soulmate
My best friend
Our journey so far has been an amazing one and the best part is that you and I have been side by side
Being together give me LIFEs best views I wish I could turn back time,
I would find you sooner and love you longer
I you MINE
&
When I tell you I love you, I don’t just say it out of habit or to make a conversation I say it to remind you that YOU ARE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US @_bmb_omobolanle”
Ekiti State former governor Ayodele Fayose said his political party colleague Seyi Makinde, Oyo State governor, is a dirty person as against his “quiet look”
“Governor Makinde looks quiet but dirty. Parading these people to wait for me; they are over a thousand. They are doing this to me in the video, ‘we will cut your neck,’ Fayose alleged when he featured on Politics Today, a Channels Television Programme, on Wednesday.
Fayose was reacting to a video shown to him during the interview.
The footage showed how some men threatening to kill the former governor if he comes to the venue of the People’s Democratic Party congress held to determine its leaders in the South-West zone.
Both Fayose and Makinde have been at loggerheads over who controls the party in the region.
Fayose claimed that those threatening to kill him in the video were thugs from the road transport workers union in Oyo, adding that the video depicts the kind of characters behind the Oyo governor.
“I have seen this video; what this gentleman was saying at the time they came to the venue. They said ‘Fayose, we are waiting for you here; we are going to kill you.’ This is the chairman of road transport workers in Oyo state,” he said.
“These people came with governor Makinde’s convoy. Everybody knows. Who is this man? Is he the road transport worker in Ekiti? This is enough to show the whole world. If governor Makinde, a first-term two years old governor — yet-to-be two years old governor — is parading characters like this, it simply shows the kind of people behind him.
“This is shameful for our party. I take responsibility for that. In the 21st century, thuggery is shameful for our party. Remember I was in Ondo; these people came to Ondo to attack me. These same people came to Ondo and I told governor Makinde. So I’m glad the whole world is seeing this.”
Fayose also condemned the election as a “scam,” adding that the election was rigged in favour of Taofeeq Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo state, backed by Makinde.
The Kano State Hisbah Board has arrested eight persons at Tudun Murtala in Nassarawa Local Government Area and Hudebiyya in Sharada, Kano, over their refusal to fast during Ramadan.
The Executive Director of the board, Dr Aliyu Kibiya confirmed the arrest in a statement signed by Malam Lawal Ibrahim, Public Relations Officer of the board in Kano on Thursday.
Kibiya said the arrests were made following reports from residents of the areas.
The statement said, “The culprits were five females and three males, eating in the afternoon in the month of Ramadan.”
It further explained that the board would continue to conduct raids in all parts of the state to curb the development.
A Nigerian property company, Persianas has been revealed as the buyer of Shoprite’s local business in Nigeria.
Reuters reported this on Wednesday, citing multiple sources, including banks.
Shoprite, with more than 2,300 stores across Africa, is awaiting regulatory approval on the sale of its Nigerian supermarket operation, though no further details have been disclosed.
Banking sources told Reuters that Persianas Properties emerged as the buyer after a bidding process and the company is arranging debt for the buyout.
The Palms shopping mall, Persianas’ flagship mall, houses a Shoprite store in Lagos.
Shoprite has more than 25 retail stores across Nigeria, including some of the largest in West Africa.
Persianas and Shoprite declined to comment on the deal.
Persianas, which is chaired by businessman Tayo Amusan, with his wife, Ayo as CEO, came into being in 1990, according to information on its website.
It says since then it has grown to become a substantial group with the proven capabilities to initiate, construct and manage high quality retail, residential and commercial environments in Nigeria.
It opened The Palms in 2004, which served as the cradle for Shoprite retail business in Nigeria.
It subsequently developed and opened four additional malls along similar lines in Enugu, Kwara, Ota and Ibadan.
The company’s sixth mall will soon be opened in Abuja.
Shoprite has said it is in the process of concluding a franchise agreement for the brand to remain in Nigeria as well as a services agreement to provide support to the new shareholders with operating the outlets.
The Federal Government has approved the activation of new SIM card registration with mandatory National Identity Number linking, starting from April 19, 2021.
This was disclosed in a statement signed on Thursday by the Technical Assistant (Information Technology) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Femi Adeluyi.
According to him, in line with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, Section 23(a), the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, coordinated and led the development of a revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM card registration in collaboration with all other stakeholders.
He noted that the key aspects of the draft policy were presented to the stakeholders at the 4th review meeting of the Ministerial Task Force on the NIN-SIM registration which held in February.
Dr Pantami also presented the revised policy to President Muhammadu Buhari, on March 26, and the final amendments were completed Wednesday with further improvements and endorsed by the President.
The policy includes guidelines on new SIM acquisition and activation, SIM replacement, New SIM activation for corporates and Internet-of-Things/Machine-to-Machine, amongst others.
For the corporate registration, institutions would be required to appoint a Telecoms Master (at the minimum of an Executive Management level) to provide the operational Primary NIN representation.
The Telecoms Master would also be responsible to ensuring that the users provide their NINs to serve as a secondary NIN, according to the statement.
Minister of Information Lai Mohammed has said Twitter’s decision to set up in Ghana instead of Nigeria where it has more users will serve as a lesson to Nigerians to stop demarketing the country.
“I think the natural expectation is for Nigeria to be the hub of Twitter headquarter especially in this part of Africa given the fact that we have 25.4million Twitter users in Nigeria against 8million Twitter users in Accra,” Mohammed said.
“Clearly, the decision was not a commercial one or business one. I think Twitter has the prerogative and exclusive right as to where to site its headquarters and I hope that this will serve as a lesson to Nigerians. This is what you get when you demarket your own country.”
Mohammed noted that Twitter’s decision might also be influenced by “exaggerated reports” by the media on the challenges the country is facing most especially during the #Endsars protest.
He said this a good example for Nigerians to learn better how to manage the image of the country.
“I think this will teach all of us a lesson that we have no other country but Nigeria. We are not saying you should not criticize this county but be fair, be patriotic,” Mohammed said.
“When you destroy your own house where will you live. You can imagine the job opportunities that siting the headquarters in Nigeria will bring.”
