Suspected Fulani herdsmen behead farmer in Kogi State

Tempers are running high in Karagi community in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State following the beheading of a 45-year-old farmer by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

A member of the community said that the killing which happened on Sunday was the latest in a series of attacks on the indigens by Fulani herdsmen.

The victim who was identified as Adama Mohammed was reportedly working in his farm when he was attacked by his assailants.

With tempers rising high among the locals, Fulani herdsmen in the area are said to have fled for fear of reprisal attacks.

According to Amina, the wife of the diseased who is nursing a two month old baby, she raised the alarm when her husband did not return from the farm as expected.

The community then organized a search party which found the headless body of the victim in his farm with machete cuts all over.

A relation of the deceased said that he had been complaining about cattle destroying his crops for some time.

“This my cousin who just died now used to complain about the Fulanis. They used to carry their cows to come and destroy his own crops. I believe its through them that this thing happened," he said.

Another member of the community who was in the search party described how the victim was butchered by his killers.

“I followed the family members who came here to take him to the village. When we got here, there was machete wound on all parts of his body. After they killed him, they caught off his head and stabbed him on his stomach," he said.

The villagers are said to have been having running battles with Fulani herdsmen over the destruction of their crops by cattle.

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Buhari abandons Kano film village over immorality concerns

Feelers from the presidency suggest that President Muhammadu Buhari has abandoned his proposed plan to build a multi billion naira film village in Kano.

The Buhari administration is said to have earmarked more than N3 billion for the project as part of its efforts to improve the Hausa language film industry known as Kannywood.

The government had also planned to create job opportunities and promote the culture of the people through the project.

However, following strident protesters from Muslim clerics who argued that the proposed film village would promote immorality, the president appears to have put the project in the cooler.

According to a presidential aide, Buhari being a listening president has considered the opinion of the people.

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La Liga President promises tour of Nigeria by Barcelona, Real Madrid

Football fans in Nigeria have been promised a mouth watering tour of the country by top flight la Liga clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

La Liga President, Javier Tebas made the promise over the weekend in Abuja at the official opening ceremony of la Liga office in Nigeria in fulfillment of the collaborative agreement between the League Management Company of Nigeria, LMC and the organizers of the Spanish league.

Tebas said that the scheduled game between some Nigerian Premier League stars and their La Liga counterparts next week in Spain is part of the dividends of the mutual relationship which  will enable both sides to learn from each other.

"We've made a lot of progress in the last three months and in the next few weeks a team of players from Nigeria will be playing three matches in Spain. These players will have the chance to show what they can do in front of coaches and scouts from Spanish clubs. We will also be sharing our knowledge by sending coaches to work with the academies of clubs in the Nigerian league, the NPFL [Nigeria Professional Football League]," he said.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the League Management Company, LMC and First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Mallam Shehu Dikko said that La Liga was chosen because it is the best league in the world and would offer Nigeria the best opportunity to learn.

He added that the decision to emulate Spain in administration of football has started yielding results as no less than 10 leagues across Africa have already signified interest to  understudy the Nigerian League Management Company.

Nigeria has now become the second country in Africa to host a La Liga office after South Africa.

Javier Tebas was accompanied to the opening of the new office in Abuja by the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, Antonio Barnuevo; La Liga's Country Manager for South Africa, Antonio Barradas; and LaLiga's Managing Director of International Development, Vicente Casado.

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22 years old man arrested for stealing diesel in Maiduguri

The Nigerian Security And Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has apprehended a 22-year-old man for allegedly stealing 90 litres of diesel from a 250kv generator meant to power street lights.

The Borno State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN in Maiduguri on Sunday.

He said that the suspect, who identified himself as Muhammad Ibrahim, confessed to the crime, adding that he was arrested at Circular Road area in Maiduguri.

"The culprit confessed that he has been stealing fuel from the generator for the past two years. We are still investigating him because we know he has buyers.

"The command had recorded several cases ranging from vandalism, phone theft, defilement, murder and fuel diversion, among others.

"While we keep vigilance and watch to curb all nefarious activities, the command warns perpetrators to desist from their activities or they will face the wrath of the law,’’ he said.

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Buhari celebrates 2nd anniversary of eradication of polio in Nigeria

24 July 2016 | STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI ON THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF INTERRUPTION OF WILD POLIO VIRUS TRANSMISSION IN NIGERIA

1. Today, July 24, 2016 marks two years since the last case of wild poliovirus was reported in Nigeria. I congratulate all stakeholders that have made this historic achievement possible and those who have worked tirelessly to maintain the effort and permanently halt new polio cases in the country.
2. The next major milestone for us as a country is the certification of polio-free status in 2017 by the World Health Organisation. This administration remains firm in its commitment towards making this a reality by continuing to support in every way possible, routine immunization and the revitalization of primary health care system.
3. As a nation, we are cooperating with international public and private partners to ensure that in our lifetime our children do not suffer from this crippling disease again. We recognize the power of global partnership to achieve a polio-free world and Nigeria will continue to honour its commitment to ensure that this disease is wiped off the face of the earth for good.
4. In the last 14-months since this administration came into office, we have had a number of challenges in the drive to eradicate polio. The downturn in the economy, the frequent disruption of services by health workers, the insecurity in some of the eleven polio high risk states, are just some of the rivers we must cross to achieve our objective and protect our children against this vaccine-preventable disease.
5. We will continue to do our best to ensure timely release of funds required for polio eradication programme. The good health and well-being of Nigerian children remain an important part of our drive to national development.
6. We have demonstrated our strong commitment in this regard with the allocation of N12.6 billion in the 2016 budget for vaccines and programmes to prevent childhood killer diseases such as polio, measles, yellow fever and others.
7. The Government will encourage leaders in the states and local governments to continue to provide direction, supervision and improved surveillance activities. These are critical as we collaborate towards ensuring that polio moves closer to extinction in Nigeria and by extension on the African continent.
8. I applaud the immense support given by our revered religious and traditional leaders through the years as I invite others who are yet to lend their weight to this laudable task of polio eradication. It is a collective effort that requires the support of all communities including parents, guardians, teachers, health workers, international partners and leaders.
9. Just a fortnight ago, I directed the Federal Ministries of Health and Information and Culture, to reinvigorate their strategies in concert with State governments, to ensure our certification by 2017.
10. A year ago when Nigeria was delisted as a polio endemic country, I remarked that our fight against other communicable and non-communicable diseases must be anchored on a strong health system. I am pleased that the National Health Act has made provision for universal access to basic healthcare with a focus on the poor and the vulnerable as well as the basic healthcare provision funds to support its implementation. This government intends to improve the whole field of Medicare during our term of office.
11. I thank our development partners particularly WHO, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, USAID, US-Centre for Disease Control, Rotary International, and a host of others who contributed financially and materially to this effort. Together we can achieve our vision to make polio a thing of the past.
Thank you.

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Arik Air staff beat up passenger for questioning flight cancelation

A passenger who dared to ask why his flight was canceled got the beating of his life on Sunday from some staff of Arik Airlines at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The man who was traveling with his family had approached the airline's desk to request for boarding pass only to be told that all flights for the day had been canceled.

The passenger's demand to know the reason for the cancelation was rebuffed by Arik staff, upon which he demanded for a refund of his air fare.

It was at that point that the passenger was said to have been pounced upon by Arik workers who beat him to a pulp before he was rescued by airport security personnel.

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Slain RCCG female preacher buried amid tears in Abuja (Photos)

The remains of the Late Deaconess Eunice Olawale Elijah who was murdered in the early hours of Saturday July 9, 2016 by suspected religious fundamentalists, while on evangelism at the Gbazango area of Kubwa were laid to rest at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja on Saturday 23 July 2016 amid tears and wailing.

Among those present at the funeral service which was conducted at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Kubwa were the Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande; Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen.

See photos below.

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