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Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West, says he escaped death by the whiskers when gunmen invaded his house in the early hours of Saturday at Ayetoro-Gbede in Kogi State.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reported that the gunmen numbering about 10 arrived the house at about midnight through the bush and opened fire from different directions on the house.

The house was riddled with bullets while two of the vehicles parked in the estate were damaged by the hoodlums, the agency reported.

Mr. Melaye was in his country home at Ayetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area for the Easter holiday at the time of the attack, NAN said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, William Aya, told NAN that the police received a distress call from the senator at about 1 a.m. and immediately responded.

He said the hoodlums escaped before the police arrived, thereby making arrest impossible.

Mr. Aya said the Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, had set up an investigation committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to unravel those behind the attack.

On his part, Mr. Melaye said the hoodlums arrived at about midnight and started shooting sporadically at the main building in the compound.

He said the shooting lasted for almost one hour, adding that apart from the building riddled with bullets, two of his vehicles were damaged.

The senator said the attack was most likely due to his incessant verbal attacks on the State Government.

“I got a rousing welcome from Kabba to my home town on Friday and I know it angered the power that is in the state which mobilised for this assassination attempt on my life.

“At about midnight, we started hearing gunshots. They fired more than 200 rounds of bullet into the house. This attempt to kill me will not stop me from speaking the truth.

“If I speak the truth, I will die, if I lie, I will die. I’ve decided to speak the truth and die. I’m not afraid of death. I only respect men, I don’t fear them.

“I am championing an administrative course. I will continue to speak and be the voice to the voiceless. I’m not deterred; I remain resolute to make Kogi better. Noting will stop me from coming home.”

Mr. Melaye also chided the police for not responding quickly to his distress call, saying that the house of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the town was a stone thrown from the scene of the attempt on his life.

“The DPO did not come to my house until three hours later. Even the area Commander in Kabba was not notified until I called the Commissioner of police. I suspect a satanic collaboration between Taufiq Isa and the police in Aiyetoro because the duo held a meeting two days ago.

“Only God will protect us in this country but definitely not the police”, he said.

In a swift reaction, Isa denied having a hand in the attempt on the life of the Senator, saying that he had been busy for sometime taking care of his sick wife.

“I’ve never been a violent man. My running battle with Dino Melaye, if any, is because I have asked him to stop vilifying the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“Let him (Dino) prove it. I lost my uncle a week ago; I’m still attending to my sick wife and busy supervising the APC re- registration programmes. I’m a democrat and law abiding. I challenge Dino to prove his case,” he said.

(NAN)

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The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has said that the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, would be ready by April 17, two days ahead of the deadline.Saleh Dunoma gave the assurance in a statement signed by the media consultant to the Minister of State for Aviation, Ariyo Akinfenwa, on Sunday in Lagos.

“We will be ready April 17 but we are leaving the remaining two days for Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

“We have written to them and they will come by today (Sunday) to do the preliminary inspection.

“They have to certify the airport that what we have done is in accordance with their standards.

“They have to certify the airport that what we have done is in accordance with their standards.

” If there is any observation as a result of the inspection, we will now make sure we carry out corrections,” the FAAN boss said after inspecting the progress of work at the airport.

He maintained that with the work done, the April 19 deadline for the reopening of the airport is no longer in doubt.

“All the critical items of work are 100 per cent except may be two items; which of course are the markings and the cleaning.

“Asphalt work is 100 per cent, markings have reached almost 70 per cent and the airfield lighting system has reached 80 per cent,” Mr. Dunoma added.

According to him, the authority also used the opportunity provided by the closure of the airport to address other Airport Excellence in Safety (APEX) related items.

He said: “We are now levelling all the airfield lightings’ locations, all the installations and flash with the ground surface.

“In case of any skidding, there will not be concrete projection above the ground surface.”

The FAAN boss further explained that the newly constructed runway does not need calibration because the previous Navigational Aids were not tampered with.

“The runway does not need calibration. All we need to check is to make sure there is 100 per cent illumination.

“Calibration is done periodically. When the time come for calibration, the appropriate authority will calibrate the Instrument Landing System (ILS),” he said.

Mr. Dunoma also noted that the terminal building was also ready for flight operations.

The Abuja airport was shut on March 8 for six weeks to enable Julius Berger rebuild the 3.6-kilometre runway.

The runway, which was constructed in 1982 was meant to last for 20 years, but had been in use for 35 years without major repairs and maintenance.

(NAN)

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Some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have reacted to the plans by an ad-hoc committee investigating the $1.3 billion Malabu deal to summon former President Goodluck Jonathan over his role in the controversial award of OPL 245 licence.The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice who also chairs the ad-hoc panel investigating the scandal, Razak Atunwa, had told PREMIUMTIMES that his committee would invite the former president for questioning.

Mr. Atunwa later released a statement to the media restating his position, with sources telling PREMIUM TIMES the committee has the approval of the Speaker to summon the former president.

Although Mr. Jonathan has denied receiving from the over $800 million transferred into the private account of ex-petroleum minister, Dan Etete, by his administration, from the money paid by oil giants Shell and ENI; investigations in Nigeria, U.S. and Italy indicate the former president may have benefitted from the scandal.

Apart from Mr. Jonathan, other officials believed to have benefitted from the Malabu funds include his justice minister, Mohammed Adoke, and then petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

It is based on recent revelations suggesting Mr. Jonathans involvement, that the House committee decided to invite the former president.

Some lawmakers from Mr. Jonathan’s Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have, however, expressed reservations with the decision.

Mr. Atunwa, like House Speaker Yakubu Dogara, is of the ruling All Progressives Congress, but his committee like the House of Reps, also has PDP members.

In a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, the House Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, said there are modalities in summoning an ex-president.

“If it is the resolution of the house, we’ll follow it logically,” he said. “This isn’t the first time a former president will be summoned by the house”

The PDP House leader said rather than summoning the former president, the two oil firms (Shell and ENI) who paid the money into the Nigerian government account should be investigated.

“The ex-president said he doesn’t have a foreign account,” he said. “I think the committee should rather investigate the oil firms, the Minister of petroleum and attorney general since they participated in signing the MoU.”

He however expressed optimism that Mr. Jonathan will be exonerated at the end of the investigation.

“I chaired that committee in the 7th assembly, we did our investigations and I’m sure Mr. Jonathan will exonerated”

Also commenting on the potential summon, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, a PDP lawmaker from Edo State said he is not aware of such plans but believes the ex-president will appear if summoned.

“I know Dr. Jonathan is a man who believes in the rule of law, he will definitely appear if he is invited”

“We shouldn’t be talking about that now since he has not been invited” Mr. Agbonayinma said.

He said the allegations against the former president, who is spearheading moves to unite a factionalised PDP, had not been proven in court.

Also speaking on the matter, Nicholas Ossai from Delta State said any plan to invite the former president must be discussed at plenary.

“Former presidents, irrespective of their political parties are senior citizens, and there are certain levels of respect accorded to them”

“If there is any plan to summon him, it has to be deliberated on the floor of the house”

“The principal officers have to be consulted,” Mr. Ossai said.

In his reaction, Solomon Maren, a lawmaker from Plateau State, said there is no need to invite the ex-president since he didn’t partake in the signing of the agreement.

“There were people in charge of the justice and petroleum ministries, they are the people who are to explain to us the terms of agreement,” Mr. Maren said, referring to the 2011 agreements that saw the oil block given to Shell and ENI while they paid the $1.3 billion to the Nigerian government. It is from the money the oil firms paid that the Jonathan administration transferred $801 million to Malabu company accounts controlled by Mr. Etete.

“Mr. Jonathan certainly did not draft the (2011) agreement and he can’t peruse the entire agreement”

“It is expected that the ministers will do the entire agreement on his behalf and give him an executive summary,” he said.

Another PDP lawmaker from Gombe State, Ali Isa, drew parallels between Mr. Jonathan’s planned invitation and that of former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

“I remember in the past when the House was investigating power; a similar attempt was made to invite former president Olusegun Obasanjo. But because of the respect the House has for him, the committee didn’t do that.”

Mr. Isa suggested an alternative way the lawmakers could question the former president.

“I know if the committee wants any information, they will pay a courtesy visit to the former president who is still respected within and outside the country”

“They won’t summon him,” he said.

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Christians around the world have on Sunday, gathered to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.This is a major celebration for Christians as it is believed to be the foundation of their faith.

Observed anywhere between March 22 and April 25 every year, Easter is the culmination of the passion of Jesus Christ, preceded by, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance, called the lent.

Churches in Nigeria are marking this day with several activities lined up throughout the holiday period.

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The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accused the Federal Government of using the anti-corruption war as a tool to cripple the opposition political parties.Governor Fayose was reacting to the cash discovery at an apartment in Osborne towers in Ikoyi, Lagos state, by the Economic and Financial Crimes, Commission (EFCC).

The governor questioned the recovery, while urging the government to declare the owner of the money.

“If the President is not aware, the EFCC is not aware, the NSE is not aware, then there is more to it. I want to enjoin Nigerians to let us continue to ask questions; this drama is becoming one too many.

“Again up till today, the EFCC is yet to tell Nigerian the identity of the owner of the shop, and Nigerians are asking whether or not the LEGICO shopping Plaza, Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island Lagos, is not owned by anyone and the owner of the Plaza won’t be able to  identify his or her tenants. We would keep our fingers crossed because we cannot be fooled forever,” the governor said.

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Prof. Taofiq Azeez of the Department of English, University of Abuja, says that Nigerian universities have been destroyed by political leaders over the years.Azeez made the submission in a lecture at the West African Society for Communication and Administration (WASCA) Professional Development Workshop and Conference in Abuja.

The title of the lecture is “Building, Suturing and Sustaining Sound Leadership for National Development.’’

He said that the leaders deliberately neglected and underfunded schools to promote subservience.

“If the products of the schools come out with knowledge and skills, they will challenge the system; that is why the political leaders destroy the schools.

“They removed subsidy on hostel accommodation and underfunded education.

“Lecturers engaged in the university system since 1999 till date have doubtful ability because they could be merely seeking for jobs.

“Nigerian students that excel abroad are self-made; if out of two million 3 succeed, is it representative of the 2 million?’’ he queried.

He regretted that more universities were being established instead of making the existing ones viable enough to produce knowledgeable and skilled graduates.

He said that failed leadership in Nigeria had bred corruption and other vices.

The professor said that anyone who aspired to be a leader must have mental energy and stamina, intelligence and cognitive ability.

He added that leaders should be decisive, self-confident; should have tact and diplomacy among others.

Azeez said that it would be difficult to sustain sound leadership for national development because of inter-playing factors both seen and unseen.

Earlier in his address, Mr Simeon Charles, WASCA’s Executive Secretary, said that a lot had been achieved via information and communication.

“Today, political and economic boundaries have been broken; humans have recorded remarkable achievements through sponsorship of man and women to the moon.

`A lot has been achieved in technology because information is transferred within a split of seconds

“ A lot has been achieved that our society is now called a global commodity not a global village –this is courtesy of Information Communication Technology,’’ he said.

Charles said, however, that despite all these achievements, leadership tussle had continued to rob men of peace.

He said poverty, injustice, inhumanity and other vices had continued to thrive worldwide which called for serious interrogation.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Heneiken Lokpobiri and the Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu.

Six other persons also received awards.

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Deeper life National Easter Retreat theme’ Conquering with the Crucified king’ from 13th -16th April held at km 42 Lagos –Ibadan Express way PHOTOS CHINYERE IKEANYI

General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi(m) he is flanked by Lagos Moderator Pastor Adebayo Oyeyemi (r) and spokesman, of the (DCLM) Pastor Segun Babatope (left) at National Easter Retreat theme’ Conquering with the Crucified king held at Deeper Life Conference Center Lagos- Ibadan Express way .0n 16th April 2017.

Cross section of Deeper Christian Life Ministry Choristers.

Cross Section of worshipers

Cross Section of worshipers

Cross Section of worshipers

National Women Leader and wife of General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry Sister Esther Kumuyi, with Sister Theresa Ebi. at National Easter Retreat theme’ Conquering with the Crucified king held at Deeper Life Conference Center Lagos- Ibadan Express way .0n 16th April 2017

General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi(m) he is flanked by Lagos Moderator Pastor Adebayo Oyeyemi (r) and spokesman, of the (DCLM) Pastor Segun Babatope (left) at National Easter Retreat theme’ Conquering with the Crucified king held at Deeper Life Conference Center Lagos- Ibadan Express way .0n 16th April 2017.

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1 RETREAT…(L-r)General Overseer the Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka his Wife pastor (Mrs) Joy Lagos State Coordinator of the Church Pastor Amadi Chidozie, at a two days Easter Retreat theme ‘God’s Covenant of peace and blessing ’held at the chosen revival ground ljesha Lagos at the weekend 16/4/2017 PHOTOS CHINYERE IKEANYI

Children Choristers singing at a two days Easter Retreat theme ‘God’s Covenant of peace and blessing ’held at the chosen revival ground ljesha Lagos

Youth Choristers of the Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries singing

Central Choristers singing

Public relation Choristers singing

Cross Section of the worshipers

The man at the center received his healing at the crusade

The man at the center received his healing at the crusade at a two days Easter Retreat theme ‘God’s Covenant of peace and blessing ’held at the chosen revival ground ljesha Lagos.

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An attack has occurred in Asso community, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The details of the attack are unclear, but the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, condemned the attack in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan.The attack on Asso is believed to be part of the larger Southern Kaduna violence that has pitched Fulani herdsmen against largely local farming communities leading to the death of over 200 people in the past year.

The casualty from this weekend’s attack has not been confirmed but Mr. El-Rufai condoled with “the victims and their families, while affirming that security operations are being ramped to rid the forest areas of the bandits.”

The governor also launched ‘Operation Harbin Kunama II’ that would help the Army deal with the armed persons responsible for the attacks in Southern Kaduna.

Read the Kaduna governor’s statement below:

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai on Sunday said that the forthcoming Operation Harbin Kunama II is a necessary step towards ending the violence in parts of southern Kaduna. The governor spoke while condemning the weekend attack on Asso community in Gwong Chiefdom of Jema’a local government area of the state.

In a statement issued in Kaduna by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, the governor extended his condolence to the victims and their families, while affirming that security operations are being ramped to rid the forest areas of the bandits.

The Governor charged security agencies to redouble their efforts in fishing out those behind the killings, and to act promptly on carefully vetted intelligence.

The statement said that agencies responsible for emergency services have been directed to offer relief.

The governor requested support from communities to the security agencies as the Nigerian Army gets set to commence a major operation tagged ‘Operation Harbin Kunama II’, including assisting the Nigerian Army with vital information that could aid a successful clampdown on elements responsible for this terror attacks on our citizens.

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The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the removal of all illegal road blocks by unlawful revenue collectors across the country.A statement issued by the Force spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, in Abuja on Sunday, said that the Special X-Squad Teams of the Force had been deployed to begin the exercise on April 17.

Mr. Moshood said the exercise would remove obstructions on public highways and roads mounted by unlawful revenue and tax collectors including the transport union, NURTW.

Mr. Moshood said the X-Squad reams were under strict instructions to also arrest, investigate and prosecute any person or group of persons found committing this illegal act.

“It is unlawful and contrary to the laws for any individual, or group under any name to take laws into their hands and block any road or highway under the guise of collection of Revenue/Tax,” he said.

He advised all relevant state and local government councils, as well as boards of internal revenue services across the country to desist from the acts as it was against the laws of the nation.

The spokesperson said that these illegal road blocks were most times taken over and used by armed robbers and kidnappers to rob, kidnap and maim innocent travellers and other road users.

He warned that anyone arrested in the act would be prosecuted along with their sponsors.

“Parents and guardians are also enjoined to monitor their children and wards not to be used to commit illegal acts under the pretence of employment.

“The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to continue to enforce the law, guarantee adequate security and safety of every Nigerian and ensure crime free society remained unwavering,” he said.

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Love and hope were at the heart of the Easter message delivered by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja on Sunday.After leading the service at the Villa Chapel to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Professor Osinbajo encouraged all Nigerians to shelve tribe or religion and embrace the love of Christ.

The Vice President told worshippers that as God loved all mankind, Nigerians should commit to supporting each other, regardless of ethnic groups to ensure the growth and development of all.

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Police in Panama have said the national team soccer player, Amilcar Henriquez, has been shot dead while leaving his home.The press chief for Panama’s National Police  said the killing happened Saturday in the country’s Colon province.

Authorities say a gunman shot the 33-year-old midfielder several times.

Another two people were wounded. The player died at a nearby hospital.

President Juan Carlos Varela has condemned the killing on his Twitter account. He is calling for authorities in Colon to find those responsible.

Henriquez was part of the Panama team that is trying to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He played in the last 20 minutes of Panama’s 1-1 tie with the United States last month and has appeared 75 times for his country.

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President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina,  has said  billionaire businessman, Aliko Dangote, may become the largest exporter of rice in the world by 2021.Speaking at the Mo Ibrahim Forum in Morocco over the weekend, Adesina said Africa must focus on agriculture to drive growth and create jobs on the continent.

“I remember when I was minister of Agriculture in Nigeria. Aliko Dangote was there, and he was our biggest importer at the time, and he and I used to have all the time to dialogue,” Adesina said.

“One day, I was in my office, about 10 O’clock, Aliko walks in, Ngozi was minister of finance. Aliko bangs on my door and said ‘minister I came to see you’, and I said ‘what are we going to disagree on this time?’

“He said no, I have actually looked at the policies, and the policies you put in place for import substitution are very right policies. So, I have changed my business model from being an importer to being a local producer.”

Adesina narrated the role Dangote played in his happiest day as a minister in Nigeria.

“I said what exactly are you going to do. He said I will put in $300 million into producing and processing rice in Nigeria. I said yippee! I went home, I told my wife, my best day as minister,” he said.

“He comes back three months after that, he says I have changed my mind, I said ‘what in the world happened?’ He said no, I have changed my mind from $300 million to a billion dollars.

“If they continue that policy, he would probably be the single largest producer of rice in the world, in about four years. The reason why I was so excited about that is that agriculture is cool, agriculture is a business…agriculture pays.”

Adesina was named Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2013, while Dangote won the same award in 2014.

It would be recalled that a tripartite agreement put together by the Dangote Rice limited to create jobs for 16,000 outgrower rice farmers in Sokoto was recently signed with the Sokoto State government and rice growers in the country after which he launched the rice outgrowers scheme in Sokoto.

Aliko Dangote , the Chairman of Dangote Rice Limited, Asaid he was moved to go into rice cultivation because of the genuine interest of the Federal government to revive agriculture as the mainstay of the economy, and reduce importation of foods that could be produced locally.

He lamented that Nigeria consumes 6.5 Mtn of rice which costs the nation over 2 billion dollars annually pointing out that it is heartening that the government now has policy direction that encourages private sector’s active participation in agriculture.

He disclosed then that “In the next three years we want to produce one million tons of quality rice and make it available and affordable to the people. We hope to do 150, 000 ha and when we are done, Nigeria will not have anything to do with importation of rice.

“Dangote Rice outgrowers scheme is committed to creating significant number of jobs, increasing the incomes of smallholders farmers and ensuring food security in the country by providing high quality seeds, fertilizers and agro-chemicals as well as technical assistance on best agricultural practice to farmers.

“This Scheme will help to diversify the economy, alleviate poverty and reduce the nation’s import bill. The scheme has been designed as a one stop solution for the rice value chain,” Dangote stated.

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The Ekiti State Government (EKSG) on Monday announced an increase in the maternity leave period for women in its public service from 12 weeks to 16 weeks.The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Information, Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Kola Ajumobi, said this at a public enlightenment forum in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

He said the gesture was approved by the state governor Ayodele  Fayose as part of his display of love and special regard for the womenfolk in the state.

He said it was also aimed at encouraging exclusive breast feeding for newly born children in the first six months of birth.

It is also meant to promote good nutrition for both mothers and their new born children, he said.

Ajumobi said nursing mothers would, in addition to the four months, be granted two hours’ off duty every day for a period of six months from the date they resumed from maternity leave.

According to him, the commitment of the Fayose  administration to the reduction in mothers and children’s mortality and morbidity rate to the barest minimum remains sacrosanct.

Ajumobi said the crèche at the state secretariat had also been invigorated to boost bonding between mothers and their children during official working hours without undue hindrance to performance and efficiency at the workplace.

The permanent secretary lamented that lack of good nutrition; poverty, hunger as well as lack of access to economic and political empowerment had largely contributed to high maternal and child mortality.

He, however, noted that the present administration in the state would continue to roll out various palliative packages exclusively for women to empower and guard them from avoidable travails.

Ajumobi said such measures already in existence include the provision of N500million as revolving soft-loan to promote small and medium Enterprises driven by women.

Also, women farmers were being supported with various incentives, he said.

According to him, government has also encouraged women’s access to political power.

Harmful traditional practices to woman’s nutritional and sexual reproductive health, such as widowhood rites and inheritance had become criminal offences in the state, he said.

He said that rapists and wife beaters now face life sentences in the state

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