Every country has security challenges, Buhari replies critics (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said security challenges are not peculiar to Nigeria alone as the nation battles insurgency, kidnapping and banditry. “Every country has security challenges, while we have made significant progress in fighting against terrorism, we acknowledge that there are new and emerging challenges of Kidnapping and banditry,” Buhari said when he received executives of Buhari Campaign Organisation in Abuja. Buhari’s statement came a day after former Nigeria president Olusegun Obasanjo warned him on the rising state of insecurity in the country. Read more
PDP, Atiku commend Makinde for making assets public (Nation)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde for making public his assets declarations documents in line with his electioneering campaign promise. Also, the candidate of the PDP in the February 23 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, similarly expressed delight over the governor’s action. Governor Makinde had, on Monday made public his asset declaration documents revealing a net worth assets of N48 billion. Read more
Banditry in North West may have international dimension—Yuguda (Guardian)
A former governor of Bauchi State, Mr. Isa Yuguda, on Tuesday said that the challenges of banditry in the North West of Nigeria might have an international dimension. Yuguda fielded questions from State House correspondents after a private visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said he was in the villa to show solidarity with the President over the security challenges currently facing the country. Read more
Northern Elders CNG orders Fulani herdsmen back to the north (Nation)
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Coalition of the Northern Groups has again stirred the hornet’s nest, ordering Fulani herders to immediately vacate the Southern parts of the country and return to the north as their security in the south can no lager be guaranteed. The two groups claimed that it was worrisome that Southern leaders have openly threatened war against the Fulani herders, claiming that their worry led to their call for the Fulani herdsmen to return home where their safety is assured. Read more
Kwara Assembly probes alleged transfer of chalet to Saraki (Nation)
The Kwara House of Assembly on Tuesday directed its Committee on Land, Housing and Urban Development to investigate the alleged transfer of the ownership of a four-bedroom chalet to the immediate past Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki. The building named Alimi Lodge is located on Alimi road in GRA, llorin, the state capital. The directive of the House followed the raising of the issue under matters of urgent public importance by Omotayo Awodiji (APC-lrepodun). Read more
Edo Government sets aside 1,000 hectares for women cassava farmers (Guardian)
Edo Government on Tuesday said it had set aside 1,000 hectares for cassava cultivation in the state, as part of its Agriprenuer programme targeted at galvanising women farmers toward realising its food security target. Mr. Godwin Okonofua, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin. Okonofua said that 1,000 hectares of land were dedicated for cassava production under the women empowerment initiative. Read more
Senate begs SSASU, NASUU to shelve strike (Nation)
The Senate on Tuesday appealed to the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSASU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASUU) to shelve their planned nationwide strike in the interest of the country. The upper chamber promised to engage stakeholders to resolve their grievances. The resolution followed a point of order by Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North), on the impending nationwide industrial action by the two unions. Read more
Police seal off NABTEB office, cart away registration materials for 2019 exams (Nation)
Policemen attached to the Inspector-General of Police Special Tactical Task Force Squad have sealed off the Abuja office of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB). NABTEB Staff, who staged a mild protest to demand the reopening of their office, said the policemen acted on the orders of some faceless individuals laying claim to ownership of the NABTEB premises. Read more
Von der Leyen elected EU Commission head after MEPs vote (BBC)
Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen has been narrowly elected president of the EU Commission following a secret ballot among MEPs. The centre-right defence minister will replace Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on 1 November. She secured the backing of more than half of the members of the European parliament on Tuesday evening. Read more
IMF to begin search for new leader as Lagarde resigns as of September 12 (Guardian)
Christine Lagarde will resign from the International Monetary Fund on September 12 as she awaits final word on her nomination to the presidency of the European Central Bank, she announced Tuesday. Her departure allows the IMF board to begin the search for her replacement. “With greater clarity now on the process for my nomination as ECB President and the time it will take, I have made this decision in the best interest of the fund, as it will expedite the selection process for my successor,” Lagarde said. Read more
I am not a racist, insists Trump (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has insisted he is not a racist after his Twitter attacks on four US congresswomen were widely condemned as such. He had said the women, who are all minorities and US citizens, should “go back” to countries they “came from”. After Sunday’s tweets sparked fury, he denied he was racist, adding: “I don’t have a Racist bone in my body!” Read more
EU threatens Venezuela with more sanctions (Guardian)
The EU on Tuesday threatened to expand sanctions against Venezuela unless talks between the government and opposition lead to “concrete results”, and warned President Nicolas Maduro’s regime to end human rights abuses. The European Union, which has sought to help resolve Venezuela’s political crisis by convening an international contact group, urged both sides to show “genuine engagement” with the Norway-brokered talks on the Caribbean island of Barbados. Read more
Eric Garner: No federal charges in US ‘I can’t breathe’ death (BBC)
The US Department of Justice has said it will not bring federal charges against a New York City police officer in the 2014 death of Eric Garner. Garner, a 43-year-old African American, was detained for allegedly selling loose cigarettes and died after being placed in a chokehold by the officer. A civil rights investigation was launched in 2014 after a grand jury declined to indict on criminal charges. Read more
French lawmakers to agree Notre-Dame restoration as controversy swirls (Guardian)
French MPs were on Tuesday set to approve a law on the reconstruction of Notre-Dame, three months after flames ravaged the great Paris cathedral, but with the rebuilding process still mired in controversy. The cathedral, part of a UNESCO world heritage site covering the banks of the River Seine in Paris, lost its gothic spire, roof and precious artefacts in the April 15 blaze. Tourists in Paris are still heading to Notre-Dame to take photos and selfies, with the horrific fire only increasing its global fame, although they cannot access the esplanade in front of the building let alone the edifice itself. Read more
François de Rugy, French environment minister, quits over spending allegations (BBC)
France’s Environment Minister François de Rugy has announced his resignation after being accused of extravagant spending, including on private dinners. He lashed out at what he described as a “media lynching”, saying the energy he had spent defending himself had hampered his work as minister. An investigative website said he had spent large sums of taxpayers’ money on gala dinners and refurbishing his apartment when speaker of parliament. Read more
Trump says he wants review of Google’s ties to China (Guardian)
President Donald Trump said Tuesday he wants his administration to “take a look” into whether Google has been working with the Chinese government — an allegation swiftly denied by the US internet giant. Trump echoed an unsubstantiated remark from tech billionaire Peter Thiel that Google had been working with China’s government or military establishment. “Billionaire Tech Investor Peter Thiel believes Google should be investigated for treason,” Trump said in a tweet. “A great and brilliant guy who knows this subject better than anyone! The Trump Administration will take a look!” Read more
Emmys: Killing Eve stars Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh go head-to-head (BBC)
Killing Eve stars Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh will battle it out off-screen for the best actress award at this year’s Emmys. The comedy thriller series has nine nominations in total at the ceremony. The show’s original writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge is also up for lead actress in a comedy series for Fleabag. Read more
‘Shackled’ R Kelly remains in custody as he pleads not guilty to child porn charges (Metro)
R Kelly has been denied bail as he appeared in court today, following charges of child pornography and sex trafficking. He pleaded not guilty to the charges that were levelled against him last week. The performer reportedly appeared in court today wearing shackles and an orange jumpsuit for his bond hearing – however bond was denied and he will remain behind bars. Read more
Siasia’s family awaits mum abductors’ phone call (Nation)
There were concerns in Odoni community, Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State on Tuesday following failure of kidnappers of Madam Ogere Siasia, the mother of a former Coach and player of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia to call any of the family members. It was gathered the concerns were based on the failing health of Ma Ogere, who was abducted without her anti-hypertensive drugs and mobile handsets. Family members living in Odoni and Yenagoa, the state capital, were said to be disturbed over the possibility of their 80-year-old mother surviving the abduction. Read more
Lennon warns Arsenal not to expect Tierney bargain (Punch)
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has warned Arsenal that the Scottish champions won’t let Kieran Tierney leave on the cheap after rejecting a second bid for the defender. Lennon is believed to rate Tierney at £25 million ($31 million) but Arsenal’s latest bid is reported to have fallen short of that price tag. Celtic plan to stand firm in their valuation of the Scotland international and Lennon on Tuesday said, “I don’t know what Arsenal’s financial state is, I know what ours is and we are quite comfortable with the situation at the moment. Read more
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney is full of praise for Jurgen Klopp but aims cheeky dig at Liverpool (Metro)
Manchester United hero Wayne Rooney had some kind words for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, but wishes the German was achieving success elsewhere. Klopp led the Reds to the Champions League title last season and the most points they ever achieved in a Premier League season, although it wasn’t enough to knock Manchester City off their perch as champions. It is the only piece of silverware Klopp has got his hands on while in charge at Anfield, although he has taken the team to three other cup finals and currently holds a hugely impressive win ratio of 57.2%. Read more
Juventus to be called Piemonte Calcio in Fifa after PES deal (BBC)
Fifa 20 will not feature Juventus, after Konami, the games company that makes Pro Evolution Soccer 2020, signed an exclusive deal with the club. Players of Fifa 20 will instead have to search for “Piemonte Calcio” if they want to play as Juventus stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Aaron Ramsey. Piemonte Calcio will have its own badge and kit, designed by EA Sports. Read more
Manny Pacquiao’s team rubbishes claims of a fight with Amir Khan being signed (Metro)
Manny Pacquiao’s team have rubbished claims that he has signed to fight Amir Khan in November in Saudi Arabia. Khan (34-5) was bullish in claims that his next fight will be on 8 November in Riyadh and says that both men have signed for the fight, with only the result of Pacquiao’s (61-7-2) next bout possible to cause a problem. The Filipino is taking on Keith Thurman (29-0) in Las Vegas on Saturday night with the WBA welterweight title on the line, as he looks to hand the American his first loss in 30 pro fights. Read more