President Muhammadu Buhari departs for Jos Plateau state over killings
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Jos, the Plateau State capital, where he is expected to meet with representatives of communities affected by the latest violence in the State.
This was disclosed on the president’s verified Twitter handle @Mbuhari.
President Buhari, who flew into Jos from Calabar, the Cross River State capital, was received on arrival at the Yakubu Gowon, Airport, Jos, at 3: 20 p.m, by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President’s visit is coming on the heels of the visit by his deputy, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who was in the state capital on Monday to meet with leaders and representatives of communities affected by the violence.
‘‘We must condemn killings of any kind. It doesn’t matter whether these killings are by herdsmen killing villagers, or whether it is villagers, who in one way or the other have killed others, including herdsmen,’’ Osinbajo said on Monday during his meeting with local representatives, held at the Government House, Jos.
Osinbajo, who heralded the President’s visit, pledged that the Federal government will ensure that perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.
NAN reports that at the Government House in Jos, Buhari is scheduled to hold an interactive session with traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, representatives of youth and women groups and security chiefs, including the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
Mrs Aisha Buhari has bagged the “Woman of Valour” award of the Nigerian Women Association of Georgia (NWAG) for her support to women, girls and children.
The award was given at the 18th Annual Awards Banquet at Atlanta, where she was applauded for her efforts at protecting the poor and vulnerable in the society.
Founded in 2000, NWAG is a group of accomplished Nigerian women, residing in the State of Georgia that combines efforts to impact on the lives of Nigerians at the home and in the diaspora.
President of the association, Dr Stella Etta, said Aisha Buhari “has used her position as the First Lady to bring global attention to and campaign for laws that protect women, girls and children’’.
Stella Etta
“This is especially on issues of forced marriages, sexual abuse of children and human trafficking.
“She takes time out to visit the poor and the oppressed such as meeting with mothers of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls and the six-month-old victim of the violation, Khadijah Bashir, in Kano State,’’ Etta said.
The association also noted Mrs Buhari’s advocacy for equal rights, respect and access to education for women and girls, adding that she advocates against child marriage before the age of 17.
“These noble and humanitarian causes won her local and international acclaims, as well as from housewives who have been shut out of opportunities because of lack of access to education.
“She ensured that women issues were represented in her husband’s election platform, promising that his administration would give top priority to women’s health and education and equal opportunities to contribute towards nation building.’’
In her acceptance speech, Mrs Buhari in a recorded video message to the event said the recognition would spur her to do more for the less-privileged.
She commended NWAG for promoting Nigeria’s image internationally.
“The award, will spur me to do more.
“I, therefore, call on others to work harder on the negative health and the economic outlaws of women.
“Thank you all for projecting the good image of Nigeria in various areas of endeavour.
“I dedicate this award to the women and children of Nigeria,’’ Mrs Buhari said.
Other award recipients included an African-American, Dr Gloria Herndon; a gender advocate, Dr Elisha Attai; and a philanthropist, Dr Mohammed Ladan.
Herndon, the first female black official at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, who also taught Economics at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was presented with ‘Friend of Nigeria’ award.
Attai, President of African Women in Leadership Conference, won the ‘Vanguard Award’ while Ladan, a philanthropist who promotes education among indigent students in Northern Nigeria, won the ‘Unsung Hero’ award.
Mrs Florence Okafor, a dedicated member of the association also emerged the 2018 Member of the Year Award.
Consul-General of Nigeria in Atlanta, Mr Kayode Laro, commended the organisation for living up to its vision and mission.
He remarked that the activities of the association since its establishment “are highly commendable’’.
Laro lauded the group’s contributions to Nigeria, particularly, in the areas of support to orphanages, scholarship scheme, annual medical missions and shipment of medical supplies to hospitals in Nigeria.
He also commended the association for promoting Nigerian culture in Metro Atlanta Schools and its milestone million-dollar project – Nigeria Centre for Arts, Culture and Empowerment in Georgia.
“Our culture is part of what defines us as Nigerians and the more our American friends know about it the better they will know and understand us.
“NWAG’s collaboration with other non-profit organisations involved in charity work for the benefit of the needy is highly commendable,’’ Laro said in his speech read by Mr Innocent Iwejuo, Consul, Information and Economics.
The event was attended by officials from the Nigerian Missions in New York, Atlanta and non-profit organisations from across the U.S. (NAN)
Marcus Rojo and Lionel Messi after Rojo volleyed the winner against Nigeria’s Super Eagles
By Olawale Alabi/ St Petersburg (Russia) & Olanrewaju Akojede/Lagos
Former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, Tunde Disu, has said that hard luck was responsible for Nigeria’s ouster from the ongoing World Cup in Russia.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles lost1-2 loss to La Albiceleste of Argentina in their last Group D match at St. Petersburg on Tuesday.
An emotional Disu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Gernot Rohr-tutored side deserved to win barring the last minute goal by Marcus Rojo.
Victor Moses after scoring the equaliserMoses celebrates goal with acrobatics
NAN reports that the Super Eagles narrowly lost to Argentina by two well taken goals by Lionel Messi and a last gap shot by Rojo, while Victor Moses scored Nigeria’s goal through a penalty kick.
“Hard luck caused the Eagles loss to Argentina; I think we did not deserve to lose the game by all standards.
“The Eagles played to the best of their abilities save some players, the coach ought to have removed during the match, one of whom was Moses.
“The coach should have replaced Moses to bring on a more vibrant Alex Iwobi. Moses looked tired and was not marking anyone towards the tail of the match.
“In all, I think it was a good outing for us because Argentina has the experience to beat Nigeria at any given time; only that we showed the world that we are no push over,’’ he said.
Disu told NAN that the Eagles should hold their heads high as they did not have the worst campaign after all.
“The Eagles should not be too sad about this, they played a more experienced side with quality players and they still held their own.
Messi opens scoring for Argentina: He was named Man of the Match
“It is a loss for us, yet it is a good outing at the World Cup,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Nigeria has never defeated Argentina in all the five encounters they have had at the World Cup, starting from the USA ’94 edition.
In that encounter, the Diego Maradona-captained squad beat the Super Eagles 2-1 in a keenly contested match, where Nigeria drew the first blood through a Samson Siasia’s goal.
But the Argentines eventually brought their guile and skill to bear on the Super Eagles who were playing for the first time ever at the FIFA World Cup
Argentina beat Nigeria again 2-1 to advance into the second round in Russia.
The match had begun tentatively, and Lionel Messi brought it into life when he scored his first Russia 2018 goal in fine fashion to give Argentina a deserved 1-0 half-time lead.
Ever Banega lifted over a retreating Nigerian defenceline for Messi to brilliantly control with his thigh and edge past Kenneth Omeruo before striking home in the 14th minute with his right.
Argentina had been lacklustre in their first two games and were on the verge of an embarrassing exit, but they did what was needed to keep the Nigerian side in check.
Messi could have extended the lead in the 32nd minute, when Banega almost inspired a second goal for the Argentines.
Banega put Angel Di Maria clear, and the winger was brought down by Leon Balogun for a free kick.
His free kick from the edge of the penalty box was pushed into the far upright and back into play by goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
They steadfastly held on to their lead as the Eagles struggled to stay in the game and probably draw level.
But a Javier Mascherano foul on Balogun resulted in a penalty kick which Victor Moses utilised to equalise for Nigeria in the 51st minute, for the Eagles to spring to life.
Nigeria thereafter wasted several chances to add a second, with their offensive still blunt in spite of the 46th minute substitution of Kelechi Iheanacho for Odion Ighalo.
But as the clock wound down, Argentina surged forward in their number, getting succour from an unlikely source in Manchester United central defender Rojo.
Nigeria were just minutes away from joining group leaders Croatia in the second round before Rojo superbly volleyed home a Gabriel Mercado cross from the right.
Croatia advance as Group D winners with the maximum nine points after beating Iceland 2-1 in the group’s other match, and will now face Denmark in the second round.
Argentina go on to face France in the next round, having finished second in the group with four points.
Maradona hit by blood pressure after Nigeria, Argentina match
Maradona hit by low blood pressure after Nigeria-Argentina match
Argentina great Diego Maradona appeared to need help to walk after watching his national team dramatically beat Nigeria to survive in the World Cup, according to a video clip posted on Twitter.
Argentine media, including newspaper La Nacion, said Maradona was treated for low blood pressure in the stadium and was able to leave normally shortly afterwards.
In the video posted by Fernando Schwartz, a well-known sports journalist in Mexico, a man can be seen helping Maradona to stay on his feet as he was led away from his seat overlooking the pitch and into an adjacent room.
A photograph also posted on Twitter appeared to show two medical staff attending to Maradona.
Maradona needed help after Nigeria-Argentina match
Earlier, he had been captured by television cameras flicking his middle fingers toward the crowd and celebrating wildly as Argentina beat Nigeria 2-1 with the winner coming minutes before the South Americans would have been eliminated from the finals.
The Argentine website of sports broadcaster ESPN said Maradona was taken to hospital. But other Argentine media described the incident as only a scare.
A spokesman for World Cup organizers FIFA said Maradona had left the stadium but could not provide further comment.
A spokesman for Argentina’s football association could not immediately be reached.
Maradona, who led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title, has battled cocaine addiction in the past. In 2015, he underwent a gastric bypass operation.
The Plateau Youth Council (PSYC) has called on the Federal Government to urgently review the security strategies in Plateau to forestall killings in the state.
Mr Gongden Othniel, Deputy Chairman of the council, made the call at a news conference ?on Tuesday in Jos.
Othniel said the present security structure on ground in the state, since 2001, should be reviewed, adding that the people of the state had lost confidence in it.
“The presence of security agencies under a climate of mistrust from the communities who are currently vulnerable and helpless is not good for the state-citizen relationship.
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“The perpetrators of the heinous crime are getting bolder by the day due to the weak responses by the security agencies, this act has eroded the people’s confidence in the security structure, “he said.
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He also called for the formation of a Civilian Joint Task Force as applicable in the North-East with a view to helping the conventional security? agencies on ground.
Otahniel called on the state government to empower members of the Operation Rainbow to enable them perform their duty proactively. ?
He also urged plateau youths to eschew violence and guard their various communities. (NAN)
The Standard Organisations of Nigeria (SON) says it has impounded 1,223 cartons of “EmmaScale” paint for non-compliance to quality standards.
The organisations also sealed the warehouse of EmmaScale Nigeria Ltd., importers of the product located on Modebe Street and its operational office in the Building Materials Market, Bridge Head, all in Onitsha.
Mr Viginus Omeje, a staff in the Engineering Department of SON, Anambra Office, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday the product, seized on Friday, was neither registered nor presented by the company for quality assessment.
Omeje said the company also faked SON’s registration logo which was assigned to a similar product and printed on its own, thus misleading unsuspecting public.
He said the impounded products would be kept at the Enugu zonal office of SON for further investigation.
The official said the managing director of company who was still at large must report to SON and be made to face the consequences of counterfeiting the quality seal of the Federal Government.
“We got information about the circulation of the product which supposedly has SON quality seal on it in the market and upon investigation, it is was discovered that it was not registered and the seal is fake.
“In line with our effort to rid the Nigerian markets of unwholesome products, we have impounded the product until it undergoes the standard processes.
“In total, 1,223 cartons of EmmaScale elastic spray paint was impounded,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Sylvester Ahanonu, Chairman, Power Tools and Allied Products Dealers Association, Bridge Head Market, Onitsha has commended SON for its efforts to sanitise the markets of substandard products.
Ahanonu, who witnessed the sealing of the company’s office, said the association was willing to work with SON to ensure that Nigerians were protected from the costly experience of buying and using bad products.
He said that in addition to its internal taskforce against substandard products within the markets, SON should set up an office for more effective fight.
“Substandard products go with high cost and risk to lives, any product that does not meet the set quality should not be in the market, so, we are together with the Federal Government and SON in this.
“We shall not stand in their way to ensure that any trader who cut corners faced the music, we discourage our people from indulging in such acts because what we sell is delicate,” he said. (NAN)
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged governments at all levels to ensure routine immunisation in order to end polio among Nigerian children.
Mr Bhanu Pathak, UNICEF Chief of Bauchi Field Office, gave the advice at the ongoing Mid-Year review meeting of the field office on Tuesday in Jos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bauchi Field Office comprises of six states: Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Gombe and Plateau.
Pathak, who assumed office three months ago, decried the poor level at which children, particularly in the north were immunised, describing it as a serious challenge for UNICEF.
“Polio is a global issue but its prevalence in Nigeria is still a major concern to us in UNICEF.
“A lot of children, particularly in the northern part of the country, are not fully immunised and it is a big challenge to us as an agency who is working to save the lives of children.
“It is very key to us and we are working hard in that area, we call on government at all levels to support us in achieving this,“he urged.
The UNICEF boss expressed optimism that polio could be eradicated in the country with intensified efforts to get every child immunised.
“It is very possible to eradicate polio from Nigeria, because it was eradicated in other countries.
‘’However, we must develop a mechanism that will ensure sustained and routine immunisation, where children are immunised on time.
“So, with improved immunisation system in our communities, Nigeria will be completely free from polio, “Pathak said.
The Chief of Field Office said children were facing a myriad of challenges, particularly in the six states under him, but assured that UNICEF was working assiduously to addressing them. (NAN)
Nigerian producer and film maker Femi Odugbemi has been formally invited into the voting membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the United States of America.
The academy organises and decides the nominations for the universally-acclaimed Oscars award for motion pictures.
It is a world recognised movie-related organisaion, comprising more than 8000 accomplished men and women working in cinema.
Academy membership is limited to film artists working in the production of theatrically-released motion pictures.
The academy has 17 branches ranging from actors, writers and two categories that involve members-at-large and associates to accommodate individuals who have no defined branches in motion picture.
Elated Odugbemi shared the news of his invitation to the oscars on his Instagram page @femiodugbemi on Monday.
He wrote: “so today, I received a formal invitation to become a voting member of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the United States. Honoured! #Oscars #Vote4bestfilm.”
Odugbemi, who studied Film and Television at The Montana State University, scripted, directed and produced numerous documentaries, short films and drama.
He produced Tinsel, a widely acclaimed soap opera that started airing in August 2008 and celebrated as successful drama on Nigerian television.
The producer’s filmmaking credits include‘Gidi Blues’, ‘Battleground’, ‘Maroko’ and ‘Bariga Boy’.
Odugbemi was the President of the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria in 2002, a tenure that ended in 2006.
In 2008, he produced ‘Abobaku’, a short film directed by Niji Akanni. The film won the Most Outstanding Short Film at the Zuma Film Festival held in 2010.
It also won Best Costume at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards held on April 10, 2010 at the Gloryland Cultural Centre in Bayelsa.
In 2013, Odugbemi scripted, produced and directed a documentary titled, ‘Literature, Language and Literalism’ about the late Nigerian writer, Daniel O. Fagunwa, the author of ‘Ògbójú ?d? nínú Igbó Irúnmal??’(NAN)
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Argentinian Football Association with a fine of 105,000 Swiss Francs and a warning.
The Football Association was sanctioned for the violation of article 67 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Argentinian supporters had been involved in fights, throwing objects and homophobic and insulting chants.
The football body also breached the Media and Marketing Regulations by failing to attend a flash interview after the Argentina versus Croatia on June 21.
The FIFA committee has also sanctioned the Croatian Football Association with a fine of 13,000 Swiss Francs and a warning.
Croatia violated article 67 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in the involvement of Croatian fans in fights and throwing objects during their match against Argentina.
Also, three players of Switzerland — Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner — have been sanctioned with fines.
Xhaka and Shaqiri are to pay in fine 10,000 Swiss Francs each, CHF 10,000, while Lichsteiner is to pay 5,000 Swiss Francs.
The trio have also received warnings, with all being punishment for having infringed article 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for unsporting behaviour contrary to the principles of fair play.
They had committed the offence through their goal(s) celebrations during their match against Serbia.
Equally, the Football Association of Serbia has been sanctioned for the violation of article 67 paragraphs 2 and 3 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.
The football body was fined 54,000 Swiss Francs and a warning for the display of discriminatory banners and messages by Serbian supporters.
The sanction was also for throwing objects during their match against Switzerland.
In relation to the same match, the President of the Football Association of Serbia, Slavisa Kokeza, as well as national coach Mladen Krstajic were found guilty.
They were said to have infringed article 57 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code for their unsporting behaviour through statements made in the aftermath of the Serbia versus Switzerland match.
They were therefore sanctioned with fines of 5,000 Swiss Francs and a warning each. (NAN)
