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Buhari's Prayer Warrior Reveals How He Was Kidnapped And What Kidnappers Did To Him In The Bush Sheikh Ahmad Sulaiman, a famous Kano Qur’anic reciter, was abducted by kidnappers along Sheme-Kankara road in Katsina State. He spent 13 days in captivity. In this interview, Sheikh Sulaiman recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors. How were you kidnapped? It happened on Thursday, March 14, 2019, while we were on our way back from Birnin Kebbi. There was a wedding fatiha of three of my daughters scheduled for Friday, March 15. Before then, I had a condolence visit to pay in Birnin Kebbi, but because it had to do with Government House, I had been trying to secure an appointment but couldn’t get it until the day preceding the fateful day. I was told that the wife of the governor asked me to come, first thing the following morning, which I did. Our car was not sound enough for the long journey, so when we took off, it was giving us problems, such that we had to stop a number ...

Kajuru killings: 148 people killed, 545 houses destroyed in Kaduna community The Adara community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State said it requires about N50 million to rebuild 545 houses destroyed by gunmen following the recent attacks in the area. Speaking to newsman in Kaduna on Sunday, chairman of the community, Mumini Madugu, said the attacks left thousands of the Adara people homeless with all of their belongings. Mr. Madugu said the community came under attacks few days after a statement from the Government House Kaduna on February 15, alleging that a number of Fulani people including women and children have been killed by the locals. He said series of attacks launched between February 10 and March 11, left 148 people dead and 545 houses destroyed. He explained, “The attackers in their hundreds first invaded Unguwan Barde, killed 35 people and destroyed 90 houses and proceeded to Karamai village on Feb. 2, killed 42 people and destroyed 196 houses. “On March 1...

Kano: Emir Sanusi finally states position on Ganduje’s victory over PDP’s Kabir Yusuf The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Saturday organised a special prayer session at the Kano Central Mosque for the Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje administration as he is about to enter into his second term in office. The session was attended by District Heads, Chief Imam of Kano, scholars, members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers among others. Ganduje of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated Abba Kabir Yusuf of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Malam Abba Anwar on Saturday, the prayer is to seek for Allah’s protection and guidance for the governor’s second term in office and the country as a whole. Sanusi explained that forgiveness was necessary in anything that has to do with governance and social relationship, insisting that “misunderstanding is sometime caused by sycophants. “It is not bad for an...

EPL: Chelsea’s squad against Cardiff City revealed [Full list] Chelsea have released their line-up that will tackle Cardiff City in today’s Premier League fixture. According to Tribuna, the Blues manager, Maurizio Sarri has released a list of 21 players. Chelsea head to the game following a 2-0 defeat to Everton in their last Premier League encounter. Below is the Chelsea squad against Cardiff City: Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero, Rob Green. Defenders: Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Davide Zappacosta, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ethan Ampadu, Andreas Christensen, David Luiz, Emerson. Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Forwards: Eden Hazard, Willian, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Gonzalo Higuain, Olivier Giroud, Pedro. The kick-off time for the match is 2:05pm.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2019/03/31/epl-chelseas-squad-cardiff-city-revealed-full-list/

Almajiris: ‘Why Muslims’re not thrilled by Kukah’s offer’ By Sam Eyoboka FOUNDER/DIRECTOR of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Is-haq Akintola has advanced reasons why Muslims are opposed to Bishop Matthew Kukah’s initiative to train 10 million almajiri children in the northern region of the nation. Worried by the social and economic impacts of the Almajiri phenomenon, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Very Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah recently revealed plans to rehabilitate 10 million almajiri children in the North in vocational skills in order to transform their lives. Kukah, founder of Kukah Centre, a policy research centre, is of the opiniion that many of the societal chalenges in the North will be reduced when these street kids are empowered and engaged in economic activity instead of carrying plastic plates to beg for a living. A prominent Muslim scholar and director of MURIC, Prof. Akintola, in an interview with Religious correspondents in his office at the...

Ogbeh appeals for speedy clearing of agricultural export in ports Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has appealed to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to ensure speedy evacuation and clearing of agricultural produce for export. Ogbeh made the appeal in an interview with the Newsmen in Abuja. Sea port He was reacting to current delay in evacuation of cashew nuts worth 300 million dollars for export to Vietnam. He described the situation as disturbing. The minister said the development negated the Federal Government’s desire to make the country an exporting nation. “It has been brought to our notice that cashew nuts worth 300 million dollars destined for export to Vietnam have been stuck in Lagos. “And as we know, they are usually locked in containers at high temperatures and if these cashew nuts remain there for too long, they get spoil and that is extremely disturbing. “It has happened before and this also compromises our desire to become an ex...

Messi guides Barca to derby victory over Espanyol Lionel Messi scored twice to earn FC Barcelona a 2-0 derby win over Espanyol and send them 13 points clear at the top of La Liga on Saturday. With second-placed Atletico Madrid travelling to Alaves later in the day, the champions took advantage of the chance to extend their lead. A dull match was decided by FC Barcelona’s number 10, who lofted home a free kick after 71 minutes and slotted in from substitute Malcom’s cross towards the end. Messi Messi, the division’s top scorer with 31 goals, had suffered criticism in his native Argentina after withdrawing from a friendly against Morocco because of a groin problem. But he was hailed by FC Barcelona fans after taking them one step closer to retaining the title. Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid “The important thing is that (Messi’s) on our side, he scored a great free kick and without doubt having him is always an advantage for us,” said midfielder Sergio Busquets. “Espanyol were u...

The preaching of Easter celebration – Another Jesus By Sam Eyoboka In II Corithians 11:2, it is written: “If He that cometh, preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit which you have not rec-eived or another gospel, which you have not receiv-ed or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.” File: An actor dressed as Jesus Christ carries a cross, as he reenacts the crucifixion walk, along the cobble streets of Old San Juan during the Good Friday procession in San Juan, Puerto Rico on March 30, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / And Paul said in Galatians 1:8: “But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, than that we have preach-ed unto you, Let him be accursed.” The confession of a true seeker (2) It means that any minist-er of God that seduces the congregation into receiv-ing another spirit, through the preaching of another Jesus or another gospel, apart from the preaching of the incorruptibl...

Israel reopens Gaza crossings closed for days after rocket strike This picture taken on March 30, 2019 from the southern Israeli kibbutz of Nahal Oz across the border from the Gaza Strip, shows Palestinian protesters, one of them waving a national flag, as they demonstrate to mark the first anniversary of the “March of Return” protests. – Tens of thousands of Gazans gathered along the Israeli border to mark a year since protests and clashes erupted there, testing a fragile truce only 10 days ahead of an Israeli general election. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)Israel reopened its crossings with the blockaded Gaza Strip on Sunday after having kept them closed for nearly a week following a rare long-distance rocket strike from the Palestinian enclave, an official said. The Erez crossing for people and the Kerem Shalom crossing for goods reopened Sunday morning, a spokeswoman for COGAT, the defence ministry unit that oversees the crossings, told AFP. They were closed on Monday after the ro...

Obasanjo should respect Buhari — Femi Adesina Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in this interview, reviews the just concluded presidential election that saw his boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, re-elected. Adesina Considering the unease that characterized the last elections, how do you review the process because, to me, the struggle started on May 30, 2015 which was the time politicians actually started the 2019 race. Do you have any disappointment that they did? Well, there is a saying that the politician thinks of the next elections, while the statesman thinks of how he can make a difference in his own country. So, in 2015 after the President got inaugurated, he put himself to the work and he was trying to bring change to Nigeria as he had promised. But because there were politicians out there, it is not disappointing that they started politicking immediately. That is the nature of politics and politicking because, after one electi...

LaLiga: Messi nets brace against Espanyol as Barcelona go 10 points clear Lionel Messi scored twice in the second half as Barcelona continued their march towards the La Liga title, with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol on Saturday. The visitors gave their city rivals a tough game at the Camp Nou as there were no goals in the opening 45 minutes. Messi opened scoring with a chipped free-kick with 19 minutes to play. The Argentine superstar added a second late goal in the game to send the Spanish champions 13 points clear at the top, before Atletico Madrid cut it by three, following their 4-0 demolition of Alaves later in the day. Messi has now netted eight times in his last four games for Barca and leads the way in the La Liga scoring charts with 31 goals, 13 ahead of teammate, Luis Suarez.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2019/03/31/laliga-messi-nets-brace-espanyol-barcelona-go-10-points-clear/

Tiger loses to Bjerregaard in WGC Match Play quarter-final Tiger Woods. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images/AFP Tiger Woods won a dramatic morning showdown with Rory McIlroy only to be upset by Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard in Saturday’s quarter-finals of the WGC Match Play Championship. Woods, a 14-time major champion seeking a fourth WGC Match Play title, defeated McIlroy 2&1 in a morning knockout match only to fall 1-up to the 50th-seeded Dane, dropping the 18th hole when he missed a four-foot par putt. “We read it inside left center and it went left,” Woods said. “It was just one of those weird spots. It’s match play. They are going to put the pins in difficult spots and we just have to make the shots.” Bjerregaard, who will face US 23rd seed Matt Kuchar in a semi-final Sunday, marveled at his achievement and the crowds Woods drew to Austin (Texas) Country Club. “We had a great match. It’s a shame it had to end like this,” Bjerregaard said. “I enjoyed playing with him. It was ...

Tiger loses to Bjerregaard in WGC Match Play quarter-final Tiger Woods. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images/AFP Tiger Woods won a dramatic morning showdown with Rory McIlroy only to be upset by Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard in Saturday’s quarter-finals of the WGC Match Play Championship. Woods, a 14-time major champion seeking a fourth WGC Match Play title, defeated McIlroy 2&1 in a morning knockout match only to fall 1-up to the 50th-seeded Dane, dropping the 18th hole when he missed a four-foot par putt. “We read it inside left center and it went left,” Woods said. “It was just one of those weird spots. It’s match play. They are going to put the pins in difficult spots and we just have to make the shots.” Bjerregaard, who will face US 23rd seed Matt Kuchar in a semi-final Sunday, marveled at his achievement and the crowds Woods drew to Austin (Texas) Country Club. “We had a great match. It’s a shame it had to end like this,” Bjerregaard said. “I enjoyed playing with him. It was ...

Emery urges Suarez to take his chance as Arsenal chase top four Denis SuarezUnai Emery has challenged Denis Suarez to finally make an impact as Arsenal bid to climb back into the Premier League’s top four against Newcastle on Monday. Suarez has struggled since his January loan move from Barcelona and the Spanish midfielder is yet to make a competitive start for the Gunners. But a series of impressive displays at Arsenal’s recent training camp in Dubai could have earned the 25-year-old a chance to shine when Newcastle visit the Emirates Stadium. Suarez played the full 90 minutes and created a goal for Carl Jenkinson in Arsenal 3-2 friendly victory over Al Nasr. With Granit Xhaka facing a late fitness test and Lucas Torreira suspended, Arsenal boss Emery is encouraged by Suarez’s timely improvement. “He is okay for starting in the first XI, to give us this impact,” Emery said. “We are going to need everybody, every player for the next matches. “We decided to go away to train for fou...

Gov. Fayemi reacts to Oluleye’s death Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with the family of Dr Oluwole Oluleye, a former governorship aspirant in the state, who passed away on Friday after a brief illness. The late Dr Oluleye, a former Executive Secretary of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Oluomo of Efon Alaaye, was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2018 election. Governor Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr.Yinka Oyebode, said the news of Dr Oluleye’s death came to him as a rude shock because he did not exhibit any sign of ill health during their last meeting. The Governor described the late Oluleye as an amiable, energetic, enterprising and highly resourceful politician who demonstrated great love and passion for the development of his people. “Dr Oluleye was an embodiment of intellect, courage and hard work. He would be greatly missed,” the Governor said. Dr F...

Transfer: PSG ready to offer De Gea £350,000-a-week deal David De Gea may leave Manchester United during the summer, as the club continue negotiations over a new contract, The UK Sun reports. The Spain keeper wants £350,000 per week, with French giants Paris Saint-Germain happy to meet his demands. Man United activated the one-year extension in his contract earlier this season, but want to tie the 28-year-old down to a longer deal. De Gea is thought to be open to stay, after an upturn in fortunes under new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was appointed permanently last week. However, PSG are willing to offer £60million for the stopper to test Man United’s resolve. The Parisians are also interested in Ander Herrera, whose contract expires in the summer and has yet to agree new terms.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2019/03/31/transfer-psg-ready-offer-de-gea-350000-week-deal/

Man United or Real Madrid: Pogba takes final transfer decision Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba has expressed his desire to join Real Madrid at the end of the season. Marca reports that Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, has spoken with the La Liga giants about the possibility of signing the France international from Manchester United this summer. The report claimed that Raiola has spoken with Madrid’s executives twice in the last few weeks and has made player’s desire clear. Pogba was reportedly desperate to leave Old Trafford during former Red Devils’ boss, Jose Mourinho’s tenure following a series of bust-ups with the 56-year-old. However, since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December, Pogba’s form has drastically improved.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2019/03/31/man-united-real-madrid-pogba-takes-final-transfer-decision/

EPL: Solskjaer reveals why Pogba played badly against Watford Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has defended Paul Pogba following his disappointing display in their lacklustre 2-1 win over Watford. Pogba has been in scintillating form for United since Solskjaer took over the reins from Jose Mourinho back in December, but the 26-year-old was unable to exert his usual influence against Javi Gracia’s men. Though, Abdoulaye Doucoure’s last-gasp strike set up a nervy finish, following goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, the Red Devils managed to hold on for three points. Pogba played every minute of France’s Euro 2020 qualifying victories over Moldova and Iceland during the international break and Solskjaer says the midfielder must have been fatigued. “Paul [Pogba] is important for us and we couldn’t keep the ball today. “He’s been away for two games with France and played a bit deeper, so maybe we have to get him more of the ball. “After PSG was a mental cha...

EPL: Unai Emery hints at new deal for Welbeck Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, has hinted that Danny Welbeck may still have a future at the club. Welbeck suffered a severe ankle injury in November and has been out of action ever since. The 28-year-old signed from Manchester United for £16million in 2014 and is on course to be a free agent in June. But as Emery admitted that although Welbeck is training again he’s unlikely to return before the season ends, he revealed there will be talks about his future, after their final Premier League fixture away to Burnley on May 12. “Danny is starting to touch the ball again – and to work on the pitch. His progress with such a big injury is going very well. “I think it’s difficult for him to play any matches this season, but maybe the doctor will say he can come and train with us in the last weeks of this season. And then after that, his individual thing will be to speak with the club (about his contract),” Emery said according to the UK Mirror.S...

Flogging of suspected bandits unacceptable – NAF [FILES] NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle DaramolaThe Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has condemned the reported flogging and physical assault of suspected bandits by some military personnel in Zamfara, as totally unacceptable. NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, condemned the action in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. ” The attention of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been drawn to a video and some pictures circulating on some social media and online platforms showing some military personnel flogging suspected armed bandits at Shinkafi Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara State. ” The NAF has discovered that some of its personnel were part of the joint team stationed at the Galadi Sub-Sector at the time. ” The NAF wishes to state unequivocally that the troops’ actions of flogging and physically assaulting the disarmed suspects were totally unacceptable and not in consonance with the Standing Operating Procedures (SOP...

DSS 'Re-Arrests' Abiri, The Journalist Who Spent Two Years In Detention Jones Abiri, the publisher of Weekly Source Newspaper, has reportedly been arrested again by the Department of State Services (DSS), TheCable reports. Abiri was reportedly picked up on Saturday at Ayabowei Plaza in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, while he was having a discussion with his colleagues. The DSS first arrested Abiri in 2016 after he was accused of being the leader of the joint revolutionary council of the separatist group, Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force. He was also accused of threatening oil companies and demanding money from them He was granted bail in August 2018 when an Abuja magistrate court struck out a suit against him after being held in detention for two years. When contacted to react to the report, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesman, told TheCable that he is not in the know but would get back when he has information on the report. “I don’t have this information,” he said.Source...

My re-election victory remains valid, legitimate – Omo-Agege Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta-APC) has restated that his reelection victory in the Feb. 23 National Assembly poll remains valid and legitimate. Omo-Agege, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, said this on Saturday in a statement by Godwin Anaughe, his Senior Special Assistant, Communications and Strategy, in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Court of Appeal, Benin, had on March 29, upheld the earlier judgment delivered by the Asaba Federal High Court which nullified the Jones Erue-led APC state executive committee. Omo-Agege and Rev. Francis Waive had earlier filed an application seeking the leave of court to join as parties to the appeal, on behalf of themselves and other candidates of the APC, against the judgment of the Asaba court. Reacting, the lawmaker said it was instructive to note that the ruling delivered by the Court of Appeal only struck out the application on the ground that ...

State Govt. plans to create ‘Silicon Plateau’ to reduce youth unemployability Lagos – Mr Daser David, Director General, Communication and Technology Development Agency, on Thursday said that the Plateau State Government was planning to create a ‘Silicon Plateau’ to reduce youth unemployment. President Buhari David made this known during the 10th West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) 2019 which was held in Ikeja. The theme of the event was “Regulations, Disruptions, Employability, Entrepreneurship, Convergence, Broadband and Broadplan.” NAN reports that West Africa Convergence Conference is a gathering of stakeholders in Nigeria and West Africa interested in exploring opportunities, building patnership in the ever growing ICT sector as it relates to the dynamics of technology and regulatory convergence. He said that the state government would establish 17 innovation hubs in the 17 local government areas of Plateau to ensure job creation for the youth. He noted that the Silicon ...

‘Buhari laying foundation of fundamental changes in history’ Lagos – Mr Adewale Ajadi, Country Director, Synergos Nigeria says President Muhammadu Buhari is laying a foundation of fundamental changes that the nation has never known with his Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. President Muhammadu Buhari Ajadi, who is the Keynote Speaker at “The Surge” Conference organised by the Transformative Leadership and Sustainable Development Initiative (TLSDI) on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos, disclosed this. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that conference tagged: ” Harnessing Nigeria’s youth Bulge for Socioeconomic Transformation, was a closed gathering of young leaders across sectors, including young political leaders that emerged in the 2019 election. “This President is laying a foundation of fundamental changes that we have never known in the history of this country. I think the current President is in the right way if we look at the economy recovery and growth plan. “It sends out how...

Breaking: PDP’s Fintiri wins Adamawa guber re-run Adamawa State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, Ahmadu Fintiri, has won the state’s supplementary poll held Thursday. Fintiri-Bindow He defeated All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate and incumbent Governor Mohammed Bindow in the results so far collated such that the governor cannot overturn the margin of lead. With 367,471 votes to Bindow’s 334,995 votes, Fintiri went into yesterday’s make-up election with a 32,476 votes advantage. Thus, Bindow was required to get at least 41,000 votes from the available 49,377 cancelled votes, to be re-elected. This may be a tall order, if the results released at press time are anything to go by. Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials, security agents and other stakeholders arrived the various polling units on time prompting early commencement of the exercise. For instance, in Aroo Maguwa PU Girei, APC polled 102 votes while PDP got scored ...

FG, Int’l Corporations commit to combating illicit cash flows By Victoria Ojeme The federal government of Nigeria and member countries of the South-South Cooperation has agreed on putting in measures to combat illicit financial flows within member countries. According to IMF, illicit financial flows (IFFs) refer to the movement of money across borders that is illegal in its source (e.g. corruption, smuggling), its transfer (e.g. tax evasion), or its use (e.g. terrorist financing). IFFs can have a big impact on the economic stability of a country and the broader global financial system. For example, they can drain foreign exchange reserves, lower tax receipts and reduce government revenue. The South-South Cooperation is an association of developing countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. At the second United Nations high-level conference on South-South cooperation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Director General of Nigeria’s Directorate of Technical Aid Corps,...