President Buhari congratulates German chancellor, Merkel, on her re-election

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday congratulated German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, on her re-election for another term.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement said Buhari has conveyed his congratulatory message to Merkel in a letter.

Ex-Vice President Sambo meets Buhari, keeps mum

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with former Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sambo was vice-president to former President Goodluck Jonathan during the last administration.

The meeting of the two leaders, which was held inside the President’s office, lasted about 25 minutes.

We Formed Our Gang In Prison – Robbery Suspect

Two of the robbery suspects arrested by the operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command for killing a Taxify driver and snatching his vehicle have confessed that they formed their robbery gang in Kirikiri Prison.

The suspects, Simon Tyozemda (27) from Benue State and Lucky Friday (24) from Delta State were arrested on Wednesday, 14th March, 2018 with two long knives inside a UBER operated cab, a Toyota Camry Saloon with the registration number APP 145 EE, which they had planned to kill its driver and steal.

Messi reveals why he always vomited on pitch

Lionel Messi has revealed that a change in his diet is the reason he no longer gets sick and vomits on the pitch during games.

The Barcelona forward admitted in 2014 that it happened to him “all the time”, after vomiting while playing an international friendly with Argentina.

Shares fraud: N180 million not remitted to Oyo – witness

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Yinka Fatoki, Tuesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that N180million, which was part of proceeds of shares sold by the Oyo State Government under Chief Rashidi Ladoja, was allegedly not remitted to the state.

The court also heard that the state government sent a petition to the EFCC following suspicions of fraudulent activities in the sale of the state’s shares in seven banks by the Ladoja administration.

Usain Bolt to attend Commonwealth Games – as a spectator

Sprint legend Usain Bolt will attend next month’s Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast to watch the 100-metres final, former Jamaican world champion Yohan Blake has revealed.

Bolt, 31, who retired from athletics after August’s World Championships in London, has been busy preparing for a tilt at football and has also worked with Australia’s cricketers to boost their running between the wickets.

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba misses France training

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba missed France’s training session for treatment on Tuesday as Didier Deschamps’ side prepared for Friday’s friendly with Colombia.

Pogba, his United teammate Anthony Martial and Marseille winger Florian Thauvin were victims of “little knocks”, according to French officials.

I lack powers to reverse or adjust Benue grazing law – Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom has stated that he lacked the powers to reverse or make adjustments to the Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition Law which was enacted last May in the state but came into effect on November 1.

He explained that the law which was made collectively by the people of the state was made for the collectively interest of both farmers and herders alike.

African migrants worse threat than jihadists - Israel Prime Minister

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that an electronic fence along the Israel-Egypt border has saved the Jewish state from jihadist attacks or what he believes would be worse — a tide of African migrants.

“Were it not for the fence, we would be faced with… severe attacks by Sinai terrorists, and something much worse, a flood of illegal migrants from Africa,” Netanyahu’s office quoted him as telling a development conference in the southern Israel desert town of Dimona.

Suspected Fulani herdsmen allegedly kill four farmers in Delta

At least four farmers who were on fishing expedition have been reportedly shot dead by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Their bodies were found in a bush in Uwheru community, in the Ughelli North Council Area of Delta State.

The  incident, which was said to have occurred over the weekend, has resulted in palpable tension in the area, as other members of the fishing expedition reportedly  sustained different degrees of gun wounds from the attack.

Police arrest nine suspected kidnappers in Taraba

The Commissioner of Police in Taraba, Mr David Akinremi, on Tuesday in Jalingo announced the arrest of nine persons suspected to be kidnappers.

Akinremi told newsmen that the command’s anti-kidnapping team had, on Feb. 22, arrested Jibrin Buba, Suleiman Ahmadu, Haruna Abdullahi and Usman Mohammed for threatening to abduct one Abdullahi Ahmadu.

Doyin Okupe challenges Professor Sagay to reveal running costs for President Buhari, Osinbajo, ministers

Former presidential spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has challenged the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, to carry out his threat to reveal details of the running costs of the principal officers of the National Assembly.

He, however, added that Sagay should also include that of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, ministers, special advisers to the President, and other top government functionaries, including himself.

Why I intervened in FETHI crisis – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, has said he intervened in the crisis that rocked the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti recently even though it is a federal institution because of the need to defend the interest of the people.

According to the governor, corporate interest must be placed above personal or even political consideration.

Liberian President, George Weah’s Son Set To Play For US National Team

Paris Saint-Germain’s Timothy Weah has received his first call-up to the United States national team, as caretaker manager Dave Sarachan continues his youth movement by naming a 22-player squad for the March 27 friendly against Paraguay.

18-year-old Weah is the son of one-time World Player of the Year and current president of Liberia George Weah. After scoring a hat trick against Paraguay at the Under-17 World Cup last October, the 18-year-old made two first-team appearances with PSG this month, and Sarachan is keen to get a look up close.

‘I Stay True To My Calling Till I Die’ ; Nigeria’s Longest Serving Teacher

John Chukwuemeka Nwafor who hails from Ogbaku in Mbaitoli Local Council of Imo State – recently celebrated 60 years of active service in the classroom. The teacher has been a primary school teacher for 60 years now, becoming the oldest primary school teacher in the country.

Robbers Kill Taxify Driver, His Car Sold For N350,000 (Photos)

Two of the robbery suspects arrested by the operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command for killing a Taxify driver and snatching his vehicle have confessed that they formed their robbery gang in Kirikiri Prison.

The suspects, Simon Tyozemda (27) from Benue State and Lucky Friday (24) from Delta State were arrested on Wednesday, 14th March, 2018 with two long knives inside a UBER operated cab, a Toyota Camry Saloon with the registration number APP 145 EE, which they had planned to kill its driver and steal.

President Buhari set to launch Borno’s rice pyramid

As Borno State joins about five other states that have made giant strides in the Buhari administration’s efforts to make Nigeria self-sufficient in rice production, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to launch the rice pyramid in the State on March 27, 2018.

This followed the decision of the State in joining Kebbi, Ebonyi, Ogun and Jigawa States in keying into the Central Bank of Nigeria funded Anchor Borrowers Scheme.

Court dismisses suit seeking to remove Governor Bello

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, dismissed a suit seeking to remove Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, from office.

Justice John Tsoho dismissed the suit on grounds that the plaintiffs, Mr Michael Elokun, Mr Ibrahim Sule and Mrs Hawa Audi had no business instituting the case.

The plaintiffs were asking the court to grant an order for the return and immediate swearing-in of Mr Idris Wada, former governor of the state.

Customs intercepts N2.55 billion goods in Zone A

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted various contraband with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N2.55 billion between March 1 and March 19.

The Area Controller of the Unit, Muhammed Uba, told journalists in Lagos on Tuesday that the seized items included 16 exotic vehicles of mostly 2017 model.

Woman allegedly kills friend in Osun

An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of a 23-year-old woman, Jimoh Simiat, in Ilesa prison for allegedly killing one Esther Oge, believed to be her friend.

Magistrate Tunde Badmus ordered that the accused be remanded in prison pending her arraignment before a judge at the State High Court.

Another parcel blast reported in Texas

A package exploded early Tuesday at a FedEx distribution facility in Texas, news reports said, two days after the latest in a series of blasts in Austin attributed to a serial bomber.

This time the explosion rocked a facility in the town of Schertz, in the San Antonio area. Reports said one employee was injured.

The Washington Post, quoting the FBI, reported that the package had been bound for Austin, the state capital.

Public smiles, private problems as Saudi prince visits White House

Saudi Arabia’s young crown prince heads to the White House Tuesday, looking to underscore his grip on power and ensure that several emerging points of friction don’t threaten a burgeoning alliance with Donald Trump.

In front of the cameras, it will be all back-slapping, handshakes, smiles and warm words.

This is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first visit to the Oval Office since the 32-year-old cemented his role as the kingdom’s de facto political leader and embarked on economic and social reforms long sought by the west.

Governor Obaseki: Edo now destination for Asian investors

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that reforms by his administration and the state’s strategic assets account for the increasing interest of Asian investors in the state.

The governor made the submission when he received the Director/State Coordinator of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Mrs. Ladi Katagum, at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

CAF Confederation Cup play-offs draw seeding

CAF Confederation Cup seeding for play-offs draw in Cairo on Wednesday:

Pot A: Al Hilal (SUD), Saint George (ETH), V Club (COD), Zanaco (ZAM)

Pot B: USM Alger (ALG), SuperSport Utd (RSA), Al Hilal Obied (SUD), Enyimba (NGR)

Rafa Benitez: Newcastle United must change if they are to progress

Newcastle United must effect significant changes and establish a clear structure for progress off the pitch to improve their on-field performances and compete at a higher level, manager Rafa Benitez says.

The Spaniard took charge of Newcastle United in 2016 and helped them earn promotion from the Championship last season.