Poverty reduction: FG launches single register for poor and vulnerable

A single register of poor and vulnerable Nigerians was on Thursday launched by the Federal Government in Abuja.

The register which aims at reducing extreme poverty in the country was launched by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the end of a three-day Social Protection Cross-Learning Conference in Abuja.

Osinbajo who was represented by Mrs Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment said that about 120 million Nigerians or 60 per cent of the population live on less than two dollars a day.

``For us as a government, tackling this problem is crucial to ensuring inclusive growth where all Nigerians are part of the country’s development process.

``In our resolve to address this problem, we decided to formulate a National Social Safety Net Programme (NASSAP) which is a single register that will remove errors of inclusion and exclusion.

`` It will also insulate beneficiaries selection from political influence and traditional distortions,’’ he said.

He explained that the single register relies on a community based targeting approach by which every community knows the poor amongst them.

He added that government has developed a manual to guide the establishment of the register.

NAN

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Super Eagles: Musa surrenders captain's band to Mikel

CSKA Moscow player Ahmed Musa has handed over the captainship of the Super Eagles to the team's current longest serving player John Obi Mikel.

Announcing the development before the media on Thursday, Musa said ; “I’m no longer the Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi is the Super Eagles captain.”

Obi who played his first match for the country ten years ago acknowledged Musa as a “wonderful professional."

The change is believed to be at the instance of team coach Samson Siasia who favours the captain's role being taken by the longest serving player.

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Troops kill 5 Boko Haram terrorists, rescue 180 hostages and animals

Nigerian troops operating under Operation Lafiya Dole have continued their clearing operations in the Northeast.

In the latest operation, according to a statement issued by Army spokesman, Col Sani Usman, the troops killed 5 insurgents and rescued 180 hostages and several cattle.

"In continuation of the ongoing clearance operations of remnants of Boko Haram terrorists at the various sectors of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, today, troops of 7 Division Garrison and 112 Battalion, assisted by some Civilian JTF, conducted clearing operations at Menari, Bulamari, Zangebe, Maafa,   Mijigine, Baale and Kaltaram villages in Mafa Local Government Area.

"During the operations, they killed 5 Boko Haram terrorists and rescued 180 persons and their cattle held hostages by the terrorists at Giltimari and Baale," the statement said.

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President Buhari at APC NEC meeting in Abuja (Photo)

@MBuhari @NGRPresident today attended the# APC NEC meeting at the party headquarters in Abuja

Photo by oche echeija egwa.

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What Buhari is saying about violence in Rivers elections

President Muhammadu Buhari has been speaking on the violence and killings that characterised the Rivers State legislative re-run elections.

In a series of tweets, the president condemned electoral violence and called on law enforcement agencies to deal with the perpetrators of the violence, not minding party affiliations.

President Buhari
@NGRPresident 18h
"I have given the security services clear directives to deal decisively with all agents of violence, regardless of party affiliation." ~ PMB
View conversation ·

President Buhari
@NGRPresident 18h
"The violence in Rivers, and the tragic killings of Youth Corper Samuel Okonta and other victims, are barbaric & unacceptable." ~ @MBuhari
View conversation ·

President Buhari
@NGRPresident 18h
"My condolences to the families of all who lost their lives during the elections in Rivers at the weekend." ~ President @MBuhari 1/

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Two wanted Boko Haram kingpins arrested by police in Taraba

Two more of the 100 Boko Haram kingpins declared wanted by the Army have been arrested by men of the Nigeria Police Force in Taraba State.

Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Shaba Alkari identified the arrested terrorists as Ali Abdu and Abdulmumuni Abdulahi, both indigenes of Yobe State.

He told newsmen that the two insurgents were arrested in separate locations through intelligence gathering.

Shaba said that one of the  suspects, Ali Audu was arrested at Tela town in Gasol Local Government Area of Taraba State on April 22, 2016 while the other, Abdulmumuni Abdulahi was nabbed at Bali town in Bali Local Government Area of the state on the 5th of March 2016.

He disclosed that Abdulahi had settled in Bali as a suya (barbecued meat) seller.

He also said that it was only at the Police Headquarters in Jalingo that the identities of the men as wanted terrorists were revealed.

"We arrested them while on surveillance through interagency and tip off from our informants, we never new they were on the wanted list of the Boko Harm members."

According to the Police Commissioner, the terrorists have been handed over to the Nigerian Army.

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Housewife remanded in police custody for assaulting policeman

A housewife, Mrs Mercy Abuah was on Thursday, arraigned before a Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa State on a four-count charge of intentional insult, resisting arrest, intimidation and assault.

According to the Prosecutor, Cpl Friday Adaji, the complainant, Inspector Fabiyi Segun, a police officer attached to Aso Police Station was standing in front of the station on March 13, at about 4.30 p.m when the accused who was passing by spat on him.

“ When the complainant asked why she did that, the defendant insulted him and told him that he should order for her arrest.

“ While talking to her, she then held him by the neck of his shirt and tried to strangle him,” the prosecutor alleged.

Adaji also said that the defendant tore a police officer's uniform while resisting arrest.

He said that the offences contravened Sections 399, 171, 265 and 397 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in police custody by the presiding officer, Mr Albert Maga, till March 30 to enable the prosecutor to bring his witnesses.

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