Mama Taraba and the APC Crisis - by Reuben Abati

Mama Taraba is Senator Aisha Alhassan, the current Minister of Women Affairs in the Muhammadu Buhari cabinet, and arguably the most influential female politician in Taraba state today. She did something shocking and unusual in Nigerian politics during the last Eid-el-Kabir holidays. While paying homage to former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, she addressed him as follows: “Your Excellency, our father and our President by the grace of God, come 2019…” Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been on a war-path with her since then.

Catholic Priest Who was Abducted by Terrorist Group for 18 Months Has Been Rescued

An Indian Catholic priest who was kidnapped by militants from a home for the aged in Yemen has been rescued after 18 months of captivity.

India’s external Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Twitter on Tuesday that Tom Uzhunnalil had been rescued but gave no details.

Police Investigate Alleged Explosion in Enugu

The Police Command in Enugu State has commenced investigation into an alleged explosion that rocked a former New Artisan Market on the outskirts of Enugu.

The command’s Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu. Amaraizu said that the explosion took place at the former New Artisan Market along Enugu-Port Harcourt Road on Monday at about 8pm.

How Bride-to-be Duped Her Own Fiance, Disappeared With His £13,000

A woman identified as Rachel Doran has been arrested by cops after she allegedly faked her groom's stag do (bachelor's party) and fled with the £13,000 kitty.

 

According to The Sun UK, the 29-year-old was detained on suspicion of fraud after duping her groom-to-be and allegedly running off with the cash he and pals put towards his stag.

 

Confirming the arrest, Cumbria Police said: “We can confirm that a 29-year-old woman, from Cleator Moor, was arrested yesterday evening on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

Young Louisiana Rapper, Da Real Gee Money, Shot Dead In Dallas

Young Louisiana rapper, Da Real Gee Money, was shot and killed early on Sunday morning in Dallas over an alleged internet fight.

The 22-year-old rapper born Garrett Burton, of Baton Rouge, was found dead at about 1:30 a.m. in a parking lot in the 1900 block of Dallas Drive, police spokesman Sgt. Don Coppola said.

Bale admits “there is an argument” for his Real Madrid exit

Real Madrid forward, Gareth Bale, has said that “there is an argument” for his depature from the club.

The Wales international has been linked with a move to Manchester United for several years, with the latest coming in the last transfer window, where he was the subject of a reported £100million bid.

My presidency will fight corruption better, says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has vowed to fight corruption like never before if given the opportunity to preside over the affairs of the country.

In a statement by his media office, Atiku advised those he termed “his self-righteous political enemies” to either prove his alleged corrupt activities, or mind the skeletons in their own closets and keep quiet.

Zambia to camp in Ghana before clash with Nigeria

Nigeria’s main challenger for a spot at the Russia 2018 World Cup, Zambia has decided to camp in Ghana to prepare for next month’s crunch Group B qualifier against the Super Eagles, reports GHANAsoccernet.com.

The Chipolopolo will spend a week in the West African nation to acclimatise ahead of the must-win game. According to Zambia’s itinerary, the CHAN and COSAFA team will head to Spain for a two-week intensive training before the foreign-based players link up with the rest of the squad in Ghana to finalise preparations.

About that colossal, 19-second Sloane Stephens-Madison Keys hug

That mighty hug …

It lasted 19 seconds, the video indicates.

It gladdened people up and down the Internet and beyond, and it surely irked others.

We all know some others.

Among other things, though, the hug between champion Sloane Stephens and her longstanding friend, runner-up Madison Keys, after their U.S. Open final on Saturday, deepened the idea of Stephens as a world-class hugger.

Soyinka blasts online “identity thieves,” says he’s not on Facebook, Twitter

The Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, on Monday lambasted those he called ‘identity thieves’ who impersonate him online and operate social media accounts in his name.

Mr. Soyinka made the condemnation at a press briefing organised by the Wole Soyinka Foundation at Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

The briefing was part of the Foundation’s initiative to seek public support for its Study Abroad In Lebanon, SAIL, programme.

10 Killed As Al-Shabaab Attacks Somali Border Town

The Al-Shabaab armed group attacked a border town & ambushed a Somali military base killing ten people, Reuters reported.

Balad Hawo, a Somali border town near Kenya was attacked by Al-Shabaab using a suicide car bomb, a fierce gun-battle with Somali forces then erupted.

Facebook Slammed With €1.2m Fine For Breaking Privacy Laws

Facebook has been given  a €1.2m fine in Spain after the country's data watchdog found it broke privacy laws. 

The social network breached laws designed to protect citizens' information & privacy on three occasions, according to the Spanish authorities.

Melaye Reacts After Court Asked INEC to Continue Process for His Recall from the Senate

The embattled lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye, has accused Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Independent National Electoral Commission, top Federal Government officials, and top security officers of being behind his travails following a court ruling ordering INEC to go ahead with the process for his recall.

101-year-old paedophile who molested young girl 40 years ago ordered to pay her £25,000

A 101-year-old paedophile who sexually abused a schoolgirl 40 years ago has been ordered to pay her £25,000 in compensation.

But Douglas Hammersley, who will turn 102 this month, has been spared jail for molesting his young victim during the 1970s.

Buhari to governors: no excuse on workers’ pay

Governors got yesterday a subtle rebuke from the President. He urged them to ensure payment of salaries to workers and pension to retirees.

The Federal Government has released N760.17 billion in two tranches of the Paris Club loan refund to states for outstanding salaries and pensions but some governors are believed to have spent the cash on other things.

Arik share value already eroded – AMCON

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria has laughed off the suit instituted by shareholders of Arik Air against the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines over purported talks to rescue the troubled carrier.

According to AMCON, the fact that the Arik is hugely indebted to various creditors to the tune of over N300bn, and has been taken over by the corporation has eroded the share value of the airline, hence the shareholders have nothing to hold on to again.

Brexit bill passes first vote in British parliament

British MPs voted in favour of a bill Tuesday to end Britain’s EU membership, a key moment for the government’s Brexit strategy despite opposition accusations of an unprecedented power grab.

Lawmakers voted by 326 to 290 in favour of backing the legislation, after more than 13 hours of debate, which will now go forward for further scrutiny by MPs.

Two herdsmen nabbed over death of colleague in Jigawa

The Police Command in Jigawa said it had arrested two herdsmen over the death of their colleague in Gagarawa Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Abdu Jinjiri, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Dutse on Monday.

Jinjiri said that the suspects, aged 22 and 23 and who were residents of of Gangara Fulani settlement were arrested on Saturday.

I Want to Say I Am Sorry - Suspected Child-killer, Ifeanyi Dike Begs for Mercy

The twenty-three year old suspected child killer and ritualist, Ifeanyi Dike, has said no one aided his escape from police custody in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Ifeanyi Dike, a second year Physics student of the University of Port Harcourt had escaped from the premises of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Port Harcourt after he was paraded for allegedly killing his eight-year old niece, Victory Chikamso for ritual purposes.

Traffic Gridlock as Water Floods Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway After Heavy Downpour

After a heavy rainfall on Monday, the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway witnessed heavy traffic gridlock especially on the Ladipo axis as the road was flooded.

 

According to Premium Times, the heavy rain, which fell on some of the major parts of the state, began around 7 a.m, as water flooded both sides of the road as road users lamented the situation.

Serena Williams is targeting a return to defend Australian Open title after childbirth

Serena Williams is targeting a return to competitive tennis next January to defend her Australian Open title, but two former stars who became parents question her ability to regain top form so soon after childbirth.

Williams gave birth to a baby daughter on September 1 and would be trying to be ready for play when next year's first Grand Slam event gets under way on January 15 on the Melbourne hardcourts.

Policeman allegedly kills final year student over refusal to give N100 bribe

A policeman has allegedly shot to death one Imo Ekanem, a final year student of the Department of Mass Communication, Uyo City Polytechnic, Nduetong Oku, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, over the victim’s refusal to give N100 bribe.

PUNCH learnt that Ekanem was shot dead by the policeman at his hometown, Nkek, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, while he was on errand using his mother’s motorcycle.

Five suspects, one soldier killed as Nigerian forces battle attackers of Plateau community

Nigerian security forces announced on Monday that they killed the suspected perpetrators of the recent killings in Plateau State.

The special task force on Jos crisis, tagged Operation Safe Haven, said it shot and killed five persons suspected to be assailants who attacked and killed 19 persons in Ancha, a village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

We have no hands in Melaye’s travails – Kogi govt

The Kogi State Government has distanced itself from claims by Sen. Dino Melaye that it was behind his recall process.

Speaking to newsmen in Lokoja on Monday, the Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Kingsley Fanwo said it was “untrue” that the State Government was behind the travails of the embattled Senator.

Buhari decries handling of Paris Club refund by governors

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with members of the National Council of traditional rulers and decried the way the Paris Club Refund was spent by some state governors.

The federal government had on May 4 released details of the second tranche of Paris Club refund to States totalling N243. 795 billion.