Why the Buhari administration engages foreign media – Lai Mohammed (Punch)
The Federal Government says it is engaging foreign media organisations, networks and think tanks to shape their opinion on the true position of things and to also correct the negative narratives about the country and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this in London after an engagement with the Royal African Society, a body founded in 1990 to promote relations between the UK and Africa. Read more
Fayemi dissolves boards of agencies, parastatals (Nation)
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has ordered immediate dissolution of the boards of government agencies, parastatals and corporations in the state. Chairmen of the boards of these agencies are directed to hand over to the most senior officer in their respective agencies. A statement on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, said the dissolution however does not affect the statutory boards. Read more
Again, Buhari commends Jonathan (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari has again commended former President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the outcome of the 2015 presidential election which he (Buhari) won. Buhari spoke while hosting some entertainers of the Northern Nigerian extraction, Kannywood, to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday evening. The president who spoke in the Hausa language said he would continue to hold Jonathan in high esteem because of that decision. Read more
EFCC quizzes Abia Finance Commissioner, 4 ministry officials over alleged fraud (Guardian)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation into alleged financial misappropriation involving at least five officials of the Ministry of Finance in Abia. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi, made the disclosure on Friday in Umuahia during a joint news briefing with the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Oriaku, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Enyinnaya Appolos, and Dr. Moses Orji, a media aide to the governor. Read more
Anambra bans religious activities in public schools (Punch)
The Anambra Government, on Friday, banned religious bodies from using either public schools or its facilities, to conduct religious services across the state. The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Don Adinuba, announced the ban in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Onitsha. Adinuba said the ban became imperative because of the ongoing seeming ownership tussle of Bishop Crowder Memorial School, Onitsha, being contested between the state and the Diocese on the Niger, Anglican Communion. Read more
Army hands over 680,000 adulterated diesel, kerosene to EFCC (Nation)
The Nigerian Army has seized over 680,000 litres of adulterated diesel, kerosene and “black oil,” an official said. Brig.-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwahia, Chief of Staff of Nigerian Army 6 Division Port Harcourt, spoke at a formal handover of 17 trucks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Port Harcourt on Friday. Igbinomwahia said that the products, if supplied to the public may have led to explosions and possible deaths. Read more
90-year-old man dies of shock as store runs out of his favourite beer (Punch)
A 90-year-old man, Ntumbu Ndlovu, collapsed and died shortly after he found out that a store had run out of his favourite beer. The Zimbabwean man reportedly left his home, around 5pm, headed for his niece’s house in the same Hungwe village to collect his groceries which he had left there earlier, reports iharare. A family member, Ethel Tshuma, said the deceased was a habitual drinker, who loved a brand of opaque beer and had no health problems except for the fact that he was advanced in age. Read more
Jamal Khashoggi case: Turkish police ‘search forest’ (BBC)
Police in Turkey investigating the alleged killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have expanded their search. Unnamed Turkish officials say his body may have been disposed of in the nearby Belgrad forest or on farmland. Mr Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October, where Turkish officials allege he was murdered. Read more
Volleyball: Nigeria to participate in World U-19 Boys Championship (Vanguard)
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) on Friday approved the qualification of Nigeria’s U-19 boys national team to the World Championship in Tunisia in 2019. The FIVB Vice-President, Dr Amr Elwani, confirmed the participation in a letter to the President, Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod. Read more
Sarri’s Chelsea show Mourinho how to have fun and win (Guardian)
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho returns to his former home on Saturday seeking to stop the rot against a high-flying Chelsea team playing with a smile on their faces under Maurizio Sarri. United fought back from 2-0 down at home to Newcastle to win 3-2 two weeks ago to hand Mourinho a stay of execution as reports emerged that the Portuguese were set to be axed. Read more
Sterling value rises as Man City prepare for Burnley test (Guardian)
Raheem Sterling will return to Premier League action for Manchester City against Burnley on Saturday with a spring in his step after ending his international goal drought in style. The burning issue now for the City management is tying the 23-year-old down to a long-term deal at the Etihad. The forward’s stellar two-goal display in England’s 3-2 Nations League victory against Spain on Monday could make it harder for Pep Guardiola to hang on to the player, with speculation increasing over a move to Real Madrid. Read more
Lopetegui ‘calm’ over his Real Madrid future (Punch)
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui said on Friday that he feels “good” and “calm” over his future at the club despite four winless matches. “I feel good, I’m Real Madrid coach, the pressure is at the maximum,” Lopetegui said at the press conference prior to the Liga match against Levante on Saturday. Real are fourth in La Liga and have not scored in six hours and 49 minutes, their worst drought since 1985. Spanish media have been speculating that Italian coach Antonio Conte, who left Chelsea in the summer, could replace Lopetegui if form does not improve. Read more