2019 Presidency: PDP already conceding defeat – APC (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is already conceding defeat. The APC in a statement on Sunday said :’with over 13 million registered APC members coupled with a large section of nonpartisan Nigerian electorate supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration, it would seem that the PDP on account of its attack of APC’s adoption of Direct primaries particularly to elect its presidential candidate, has already conceded defeat even before the 2019 elections.’ Read more
Nigeria, China to sign $328m agreement on ICT – Presidency (PremiumTimes)
Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, has said that Nigeria and China have completed arrangements to sign 328 million dollars agreement on the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11). Mr Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday. Read more
NGO advocates N100, 000 minimum wage for police (Guardian)
An NGO, Advocacy for Better Welfare of Nigeria Police, on Sunday canvassed a minimum wage of at least N100, 000 for the least officer in the Nigeria Police to ensure quality service delivery. Mr Solomon Bankole, the President of the group, who made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that it had become imperative to sanitise and rebrand Nigeria Police through improved welfare. Read more
Jonathan, Okowa, others for Niger Delta Lifetime Achievements Awards (PM News)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Edwin Clark and the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka would be honoured with the “Niger Delta Lifetime Achievement Awards” by GbaramatuVoice Newspaper. Mr Jacob Abai Publisher of GbaramatuVoice Newspaper disclosed this in a press statement signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Warri. Read more
Is Nigeria Prepared For A Female President? (Guardian)
When President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to Germany to see the Chancellor, Angela Merkel in Germany in 2016, said “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room” because he could “claim superior knowledge over her”, his statement sparked international outrage. One thing, however, stood significantly: it brought to the fore, the ideology that is propagated in the country – that women’s access to power has to be limited. Read more
Amnesty International commends Nigeria’s trial of Boko Haram suspects (PremiumTimes)
Amnesty International has commended the Nigerian government over the trial of suspected Boko Haram terrorists, describing the ongoing trial as ”good progress for the justice sector.” The commendation was contained in a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, by Osai Ojigho, Country Director, Amnesty International Nigeria. Read more
Worry over increased Cameroonian refugees in Taraba (Nation)
There is growing concerns over the increasing influx of Cameroonians taking refuge in Taraba State. The Central African Republic of Cameroon shares boundary with Nigeria in Taraba State. As at press time, over 4,000 Cameroonian refugees were being camped in four locations in Ussa and Kurmi local government areas of the state. The Anglophone speaking people are fleeing from crisis in which dozens of residents have been killed and several others missing. Read more
Deforestation: Nigeria has lost 96 % of its forest – NCF (Nation)
Nigeria has lost 96 per cent of its forest due to deforestation, according to the Director-General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr Muhtari Aminu-Kano. He said the country currently has only four per cent of its original forest cover. “About 96 per cent of our original forest have been lost; it is catastrophic. Read more
Pentagon moves to scrap $300 million in aid to Pakistan (Guardian)
The US military plans to cancel $300 million in aid to Pakistan due to Islamabad’s lack of “decisive actions” in support of American strategy in the region, the Pentagon said Saturday. The US has been pushing Pakistan to crack down on militant safe havens in the country, and announced a freeze on aid at the beginning of the year that an official said could be worth almost $2 billion. Read more
NFF election: No plan to disqualify Pinnick, Maigari – Katu (Nation)
Sani Katu, Chairman, Electoral Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed concerns that the committee has concluded plans to disqualify top contenders in forthcoming election into the NFF Executive Committee. Katu allayed the fears in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday. A source who preferred not to be mentioned had told NAN that plans had been concluded to disqualify former NFF President Aminu Maigari and embattled current NFF boss Amaju Pinnick. Read more
Aubameyang, Lacazette work to rescue Arsenal against sees Cardiff City
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette’s burgeoning strike partnership came to the rescue as Arsenal eventually shook off Cardiff City to claim a 3-2 win in the Welsh capital. Shkodran Mustafi headed the visitors into an 11th-minute lead before Neil Warnock’s side averted a seventh consecutive goalless half in the top flight this season when Victor Camarasa pounced in stoppage time. Read more