Buhari calls for more intra Africa trade

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for the acceleration of economic integration of African countries and the intensification of intra-African trade.

Buhari made the call on Thursday in Kenya at a dinner organized to mark the end of his state visit to that country.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said that the expansion of trade in the past few years between Nigeria and Kenya should be replicated among other African countries to enhance economic development on the continent.

“We now have Nigerian industrialists establishing cement plants in Kenya, while Nigerian telecommunications operators are learning and adopting the Kenyan mobile banking model as a tool for financial inclusion in rural Nigeria.

“We have Nigerian farmers coming to learn from successful Kenyan farms while at the same time, we have many up and coming Kenyan oil and gas businesses partnering with Nigerian oil companies.

“We have Nigerians drinking Kenyan coffee in their homes and offices, while we have many Kenyans listening to Nigerian music and watching Nollywood movies.

“These developments point to a real integration on the continent beyond formal diplomatic relationships. Greater intra-Africa trade will ultimately result in the creation of millions of jobs within Africa for Africans,” he said.

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Villagers lynch, set armed robbers ablaze in Kogi State.

Three armed robbers on Friday met their Waterloo at Orunu junction in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State in the hands of the youth of the community.

A gang of five armed robbers was said to have in recent times been terrorizing commuters along the motorway passing through the community.

An eyewitness to the lynching said that the robbers had as usual mounted their nefarious operation, oblivious that the youth of the area had decided to end their menace.

“The villagers came out in their numbers and in the process seized their guns before crushing three of them to death with heavy stones, clubs and other dangerous weapons. Two of the armed robbers escaped into the bush while three were burnt to ashes after they were given the beating of their lives," he said

The incident was confirmed by the The Kogi State Police Public Relation Officer, PRO, Williams Aya who explained that the mob had dispersed by the time his men got to the scene, leaving three charred human remains.

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Adamawa grains market blasts claim 15

No fewer than 15 persons were killed this Friday when twin bomb blasts rocked the popular Gombi grains market in Adamawa State.

The blasts reportedly happened in the afternoon when activities at the market were in full swing.

An eyewitness said that two male suicide bombers carried out the attack.

He disclosed that a third suicide bomber was apprehended by the youth of the community before he could detonate his device. The suspect then disclosed that two other suicide bombers had escaped into the community. 

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Supreme Court sacks sacks Senators Andy Uba, Stella Odua

The Supreme Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja this Friday, unanimously sacked two Senators and a member of the Federal House of Representatives from Anambra State.

The decision affected Stella Odua representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone and Andy Uba representing Anambra South.

With the apex court's ruling, Chris Uba is expected to take over the seat vacated by his elder brother Andy Uba in the Senate while Prince Emeka takes over from Stella Odua.

Friday's judgment of the Supreme Court affirmed the earlier ruling of the High Court which held that Ejike Oguebego's faction of the PDP is the legitimate one to conduct primaries in Anambra State.

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I bought the weapons Buhari is fighting Boko Haram with - GEJ

Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan nathan has said that the progress being recorded by the present administration in the war against Boko Haram is on built on the solid foundation that he left behind.

He said that the Buhari administration has not procurement any weapons but has been relying on the equipment he bought to prosecute its counter-insurgency operations.

Jonathan told Paris based France 24 on Wednesday that he laid the groundwork for the successes being recorded by the military against Boko Haram.

“... you know the new government is working hard and I believe they are still using the equipment we procured.

“The 2016 budget is still being debated and no new equipment has been bought. So, even what the new government is still using to prosecute the war is the equipment we procured. I believe that with what we left behind, and the new ones they would acquire, this issue of Boko Haram will be taken to a logical conclusion,” he said.

The former president however declined to comment on the Buhari administration.

“Please, please, I have said that I will not comment on these areas because they are sensitive areas and I wouldn’t want to create problems for my country.

“I cannot comment on what is happening now. It is not proper for a former president to be commenting, either positive or negative,” he said.

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Kaduna monarch caught with Indian hemp suspended from office.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday announced the immediate suspension of Alhaji Ibrahim Danladi, the traditional ruler of
Goma village in Gimi District of Danga Local Government Area of the state.

The village head was allegedly found in possession of 1.5kg of cannabis otherwise known as Indian hemp by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA on January 20, 2016.

The suspension was announced through a statement issued by El-Rufai's Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Samuel Aruwan.

“In a dramatic demonstration of its campaign against drugs, the Kaduna State Government has announced the immediate suspension of a traditional ruler who was arrested for a drug-related offence.

“He admitted ownership of the illegal drug, and the NDLEA will be charging him to court as soon as it concludes its investigations.

“The NDLEA subsequently notified the Kaduna State Security Council of the arrest of the traditional ruler. While deliberating on the matter, the council recommended his suspension from office pending the conclusion of investigations and possible trial. The government accepted the recommendation,” the statement said.

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Former Army Chief's Estate Seized By EFCC In Abuja (Photos)

A luxury estate belonging to a former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Azubuike Ihiejirika was yesterday sealed off by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in Abuja.

The estate is located in Jabi district of the Federal Capital Territory.

See photos here.

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