Kaduna Governor, El-Rufai Suspended For 6 Months By APC Faction

A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna state has suspended Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, for six months.  El-Rufai’s suspension is coming three days after the faction, known as Kaduna Restoration Group, issued him a query and suspended three of his aides for 18 months.

The faction led by Suleiman Hunkuyi, leader of the faction and senator representing Kaduna north central, had accused el-Rufai of  “anti- party activities and anti-human activities”.

Man and 11-year-old daughter killed in French Alps avalanche

A 44-year-old man and his 11-year-old daughter have died after being swept away by an avalanche in the French Alps, according to local media.

BFMTV reports that the two skiers, who were from Paris, died after an avalanche in the Val d’Isere area, at an altitude of 3,000 metres.

Man removed from plane for excessive farting

A pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after a row caused by a passenger who refused to stop farting.

The passenger apparently kept breaking wind on board a Transavia Airlines flight from Dubai to Amsterdam Schiphol last weekend.

Iran plane crash kills all 66 people on board

A plane crash in southern Iran has killed all 66 people on board, according to a spokesman for Aseman Airlines.

The ATR-72, a twin-engine turboprop, went down near the remote mountain town of Semirom, about 390 lies south of the capital Tehran.

Obasanjo Opposes N’Delta Leaders’ Call for Resource Control

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo again opposed the agitation for resource control for the people of the Niger Delta region saturday, insisting that all resources within the Nigerian space belong to all parts of the country.

Obasanjo argued that if God wanted each state and each region to control what is found in their land, he wouldn’t have brought the entity called Nigeria together.

No alternative to Buhari, Igbo deserves 2023 Presidency —Balarabe Musa

A former civilian Governor of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, tells GODWIN ISENYO that the Igbo should take a shot at the 2023 Presidency

What is your assessment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in the last two years?

The performance of President Muhammadu Buhari since he came on board in 2015 has fallen short of the expectations of Nigerians. In other words, he has been unable to fulfil promises he made before he got the votes of Nigerians. I can reasonably say without fear that his government has failed.

Real reasons Senators, Reps amended 2019 election sequence

Details have emerged on the reasons the National Assembly changed the sequence of elections ahead of the 2019 polls.

Some lawmakers who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES in confidence said negotiations that preceded the passage ended in majority favouring the change based on past experiences and calculations about the 2019 elections.

I pay N10,000 for virgins’ underwear, herbalist allegedly says

A herbalist whose name was given as Ogbuebunu was on Saturday nabbed by a combined efforts of vigilantes and youths of Abagana community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He allegedly confessed that he bought virgins’ underwear for N10,000 for ritual purposes.

The herbalist, it was gathered, was a native of Aguluizigbo in Anaocha LGA of the state, but had reportedly resided in Abagana for a long time.

BREAKING: Catholic Church returns to CAN

After about five years’ absence due to alleged misunderstanding that was later described as “political,” the Catholic Church has announced its return to the Christian Association of Nigeria.

The return was reportedly perfected on Thursday and Friday in Abuja when a delegation of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, led by Rev. Fr. (Prof) Cornelius Omonokhua, appeared at the expanded National Executive Committee and quarterly meeting of CAN for the amendment of its constitution.

Child commedienne, Emmanuella, to feature in Hollywood Disney movie

Nigeria’s child comedienne, Emmanuella Samuel, aka Emmanuella, appears set to feature in a Hollywood Disney movie.

An unverified Instagram account bearing her photographs quotes her as saying that she never dreamed of “getting here so soon,” while also thanking those who have given her support since she debuted her comedy career.

Ex-minister, ‘100,000 supporters’ decamp to APC

A former Minister of Sports and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Samaila Sambawa, and his supporters have decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr. Sambawa,who served as a Minister of Internal Affairs, Foreign, Sports and Youths Development under the PDP administration formally dumped his party and joined APC on Sunday at the Halidu Stadium,Birnin-Kebbi.

Group says it will compel Buhari to re-contest in 2019

Danladi Pasali, National Coordinator, Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), says the organisation will compel President Muhammadu Buhari to re-contest in 2019.

Mr. Pasali said this in Bauchi on Saturday while inaugurating the group’s North-East Zonal Secretariat.

Cristiano Ronaldo not better than Neymar – Xavi

Cristiano Ronaldo may have played a key role in sinking Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, but Xavi dismissed the Real Madrid star’s performance as he defended Neymar’s display in the Champions League loss.

Ronaldo was at the double as the Champions League titleholders came from behind to beat French giants PSG 3-1 in the first leg of their last-16 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, while Neymar was criticised for his subdued outing.

Paul Pogba illness concerns Jose Mourinho ahead of Sevilla trip

Jose Mourinho faces an anxious wait to discover whether Paul Pogba can take part in Manchester United’s midweek Champions League last 16 trip to Sevilla after he missed their FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town.

An unspecified illness saw Pogba withdraw on the morning of Saturday’s match in Huddersfield, which United won 2-0 thanks to two goals from Romelu Lukaku as they advanced into the quarter-finals.

Ernesto Valverde: Philippe Coutinho benched for the good of Barcelona

Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde said Philippe Coutinho was benched for the good of the team following Saturdays victory at Eibar.

Despite being ineligible for Tuesday’s Champions League showdown with Chelsea following his arrival from fellow last-16 participants Liverpool, Coutinho was dropped for Barca’s 2-0 win.

Federal govt lifts ban on directors of administration’s promotion

Head of Service (HOS) of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, has announced the lifting of earlier ban placed on the promotion of Directors of Administration.

Before now, the Directors were denied promotion, while their counterparts in professional callings were moved up to the position of Permanent Secretary before retirement, a situation that has brought stagnation into the Federal Civil Service.

Three children, 10 others killed in Mexican minister’s helicopter crash

Thirteen people, including three children, were killed when a cabinet minister’s helicopter crash-landed on the way to the epicenter of an earthquake, state officials said Saturday.

The military helicopter that went down late Friday carried Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete and Oaxaca state Governor Alejandro Murat, who were unharmed.

Pope Francis announces Sainthood for Pope Paul VI

Paul VI, who led the Catholic Church through tumultuous reforms in the 1960s and 1970s, will be made a saint this year, Pope Francis said in remarks released on Saturday.

“There are two recent Bishops of Rome who are already saints, Paul VI will be a saint this year,” Francis said in a closed-door meeting with Roman parish priests, referring to John XXIII and John Paul II.

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to be buried on Tuesday – son

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is set to be buried on Tuesday, his son Edwin Tsvangirai has said.

Tsvangirai succumbed to colon cancer at a private South African hospital on Wednesday.

His body was expected to be repatriated on Saturday evening aboard an Air Zimbabwe plane.

Three Children Suffocate Inside Parked Car In Kano

The Kano State Police Command confirmed on Saturday that three girls died of suffocation inside a parked car in Sabon Gari area of Kano metropolis.

“The car has been parked there for more than one year; the girls were playing around it and later locked themselves inside.

Ethiopia bans protests for six months

Ethiopia’s state of emergency imposed on Friday includes a ban on protests and publications that incite violence, Defence Minister Siraj Fegessa said.

The move was made a day after Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced his surprise resignation in a televised speech on Thursday, saying he wanted to smooth the way for further reforms.

Governor Okorocha: No plan to impeach my deputy

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state has dismissed news of a planned impeachment of his Deputy, Eze Madumere, as a ruse and a figment of the imagination of political rabble-rousers in the state.

He said that those allegedly plotting the much rumoured impeachment neither have the capacity to do so nor are they members of the State House of Assembly whose statutory duty is to effect impeachment.

Islamic cleric kills co-tenant over N60 house bill

The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for an Islamic cleric, identified only as Raheem, for allegedly killing a co-tenant, Monday Olaleye, aka Messiah.

The duo, who lived in a house on Adebayo Close, in the Ibafo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state, reportedly had a disagreement which degenerated to fisticuffs.

AS Roma go third as Inter sink again in Genoa

AS Roma confirmed their return to form with a 2-0 win at Udinese on Saturday to move third in Serie A as Inter Milan fell back into crisis with a 2-0 loss in Genoa.

Inter had looked to have put their poor run going back two months behind them with a 2-1 success against Bologna but the revival was short lived as they suffered a fifth consecutive defeat in Genoa.

2019: APC members in NASS distancing themselves from President Buhari – Senator Lanlehin

Immediate past vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, has described the changed order of 2019 elections passed by the National Assembly as an indication that All Progressives Congress (APC) members in both chambers are trying to distance themselves from the perceived failure of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Pasuma: I see myself becoming Nigeria’s president

Fuji musician Wasiu Alabi Odetola popularly known as Pasuma, has said he sees himself becoming president of Nigeria.

Pasuma, writing on his Instagram page, noted that his plan was to totally eradicate poverty, if he was voted into power.

Cows prevent Air Peace flight from landing at Akure airport

An Air Peace flight was prevented from landing Saturday as cows strayed into the runway of the Akure airport in Ondo state.

The airplane, which travelled from Lagos for Akure, was delayed for several minutes, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said.

Kaduna APC suspends senator, 28 others over alleged anti-party activities

The All Progressives Congress in Kaduna State, on Friday, suspended the senator representing Kaduna North, Suleiman Hunkuyi, over alleged anti-party activities.

According to the allegations brought against Hunkuyi, he was part of a parallel APC that opened an office of the party in the state.

Abdulrasheed Maina: Looters after me for recovering N2.1 trillion

The embattled former chairman of Pension Reform Task, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, yesterday, raised alarm that scared looters were bent on seeing him crucified, as a result of exposing and recovering N2.1Trn stolen pension fund.

He made this known in a statement issued through his spokesperson, Abdullahi Usman, in response to a report published by Premium Times, an online medium with the headline titled: “115 days later, Buhari fails to act on Head of Service report on Maina.”

Pope Francis Reactivates Vatican Panel Against Child Sex Abuse

Pope Francis has reactivated a panel of experts on child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church tasked with looking into prevention and care for the victims, the Vatican said on Saturday.

Francis had faced criticism for failing to renew the three-year mandate of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors when it lapsed in December.

22 Killed In Borno Suicide Attacks

At least 22 persons were killed and 28 others injured in several explosions at a market in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

The incident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday when three suicide bombers detonated explosives at the “Kasuwar Kifi” in the outskirts of Konduga town.

Judicial Staff Union Of Nigeria Begins Indefinite Strike In Nasarawa

The Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Nasarawa State chapter, has commenced an indefinite strike following the failure of state’s Chief Judge to meet their demands on welfare issues.

The Chairman of the union, Mr. Jimoh Musa, disclosed this during a chat with journalists in Lafia on Saturday.

Okorocha Orders Arrest Of Hemp Smokers

The Imo State Police Command has received a directive to arrest Indian hemp smokers and other-related drug addicts in the state.

Governor Rochas Okorocha was quoted as saying, “When arrested, don’t take the suspects to police custody. Rather, take them to the Government House. We have a big cell for them,” Punch reports.