I was afraid of Barcelona stars before my first game - Neymar

Neymar has admitted he was slightly overwhelmed by the presence of Lionel Messi and his team-mates ahead of his Barcelona debut.

The Brazil international joined Barcelona from Santos in June 2013 and has since developed into one of the Catalans' undisputed stars.

But Neymar needed some time to adapt to his new surroundings, with compatriot Dani Alves in particular helping him feel at home in Spain.

"boys are vexing" - Charly Boy pen another Message to President Buhari

Mr. President Sir,

Once again I am compelled to voice out my bewilderment at the stumbling and wobbly kind of governance we have had since you came onboard.
I wonder what you are doing right now.
I wonder if our tears, pains and hopelessness affect you in anyway.
I wonder if you are the one in charge or some other people.

You have tasted leadership before and you know what it entails. I understand that. However, then and now are two different scenarios, two separate dispensations.

Israeli soldiers shot a Palestinian after an alleged car attack

Israeli soldiers have shot dead a Palestinian and wounded another after an alleged car ramming attack in northern Jerusalem. 

The incident took place early on Wednesday at a checkpoint in the district of al-Ram.

US says They’ve no fraud information on Nigerian first lady, Aisha Buhari

The United States government says it has no information on the alleged crimes committed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s wife, Aisha.

The acting Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Lagos, Frank Sellin, said this in an email sent to our correspondent on Tuesday.

Sellin said this in response to an enquiry made by Punch Newspaper regarding allegations that the President’s wife was wanted in the US and was avoiding travelling to the country.

Tragic! UNILAG final year student dies in hostel

A final year student of the department of Estate Management at the University of Lagos, Odusami Bayo, died last Friday, July 8th, just after playing football with some of his friends at Biobaku hostel, where he resides.

Bayo who is said to be one of the leading students in his class had complained he was having a serious headache during the football match. He stopped and decided to rest a little. The pain however continued. 

Act of Bravery! Nigeria Soldier pictured defusing a landmines

Photo credit: Beegeagles

God continually bless and guard our troop!

Governor Okorocha slam with N50m suit for allegedly beating ex-minister's aides

‎Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has been slammed with a N50m suit for allegedly ordering his security details to beat up two aides of former minister of interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho.

DAILY POST gathered that the victims, Anthony Amadi and Chigozie Oparaku were found within the vicinity of Ihenacho’s house when Okorocha allegedly led a team to bulldoze part of Ihenacho’s building.

The source further disclosed that “when the team arrived, the duo brandished a copy of an order of court restraining the Governor from demolishing Ihenacho’s property.

President Buhari praises Prof Jega, U.S for Nigeria’s stability

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday observed that the support accorded Nigeria by the United States, U.S, before, during and after the 2015 general elections was key to Nigeria’s stability.

The immediate past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was also described as competent and courageous by the President.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President spoke while granting farewell audience to the outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In Nasarawa: Suspect apprehended while robbing students at gunpoint

A vigilante group in Nasarawa has apprehended a suspected robber identified as Paul John during an operation.

John was nabbed on Monday in Lake Garden town in Keffi Local Government Area, LGA of the state while allegedly robbing female students who reside in the area.

Paul was accompanied by one Gambo.

The duo reportedly held their victims to ransom at gunpoint but luck ran out on them after a neighbour heard the screams of the students and alerted the security operatives, who swooped in immediately.

PDP accuses APC of deliberately causing rancour in the Senate

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has been told that it lacks the moral rights to question the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which stated this in reaction to a comment credited to the National Chairman of the APC that it was difficult for the party to accept the emergence of a person as deputy president of the senate, stressed that “The APC has no constitutional or moral grounds to be displeased with Ekweremadu’s emergence‎.”

The APC National Chairman was quoted to have said, “I think the thing that rankled us most was the election of Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President.

National Chairman of AFGA says they made a mistake backing Jonathan in 2015

A National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Oye, has said that the party would field a candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

He added that the party made a mistake by not fielding a candidate in the 2015 presidential election.

APGA had backed President Goodluck Jonathan in his re-election bid.

Oye described APGA as a party with clear-cut ideology and had moved from its regional colouration to a global movement.

Gov Fayose accuses EFCC of conducting investigation by “trial and error”

The Ekiti State Government has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of going after opponents of the All Progressives Congress, APC, government of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially the state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose to the extent that the anti-corruption agency was now carrying out investigations by trial and error.

The government disclosed that “officials of the EFCC stormed a popular Guest House on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja today to seal off the property believing that Governor Fayose owned the Guest House only for the EFCC officials to be confronted with the fact that operator of the Guest House leased the property from its owner for ten years.”

Okorocha says Imo State not owing any bank, repaying FG bailout funds

Gov. Rochas Okorocha has urged journalists to be more constructive in their criticisms of government activities while reporting events.

He made the call at an interactive session with journalists on Tuesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo Council Press Centre in Owerri.

He also urged journalists to concentrate more on issues and defend them instead of personalities, noting, however, that journalists were supposed to check the excesses of those in government.

The governor said all his actions were to make Imo a brand new state through enhanced infrastructure development.

Federal University VC orders probe of recruitment, payments, admissions under predecessor in Katsina

The Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, has constituted audit committee to review staff recruitment, salary underpayments and complaints on admissions during the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. James Ayatse.

The incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof. Haruna Kaita made the disclosure on Tuesday in Dutsin-ma while briefing newsmen.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kaita was appointed as FUDMA VC about four months ago after the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Ayatse.

In Ghana: Dangote Cement to recruit 5,000 workers

As part of the initiative to widen access and improve the availability of cement in all parts of the country, Dangote Cement Ghana has procured 1,000 brand-new-trucks to facilitate distribution of the product into all parts of Ghana.

With these, the Company has commenced the process of recruitment of drivers, truck driver assistants and loaders.

These trucks, which came in three different vessels, arrived at the shores of Tema Port between July 4 and 8, 2016, according to the Company’s Media Relations Manager, Etornam Komla.

“We’ve started the recruitment exercise and by the end of July, all of the drivers will be on board,” Komla said.

Gov Oshiomhole says he can’t visit his village because Jonathan’s regime destroyed Ekpoma-Auchi-Okene road

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday, blamed the administration of Goodluck Jonathan for the sorry state of Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Okene highway.

He spoke when the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) visited him in his office at the Government House, Benin.

“Right now, I have difficulty going home to my village because of what your predecessor did”, Vanguard quoted him as saying.

3 Months Strike: Students beg Kogi University lecturers to call off strike

Students of Kogi State origin in tertiary institutions have appealed to lecturers in Kogi State University, Ayangba, to call off their three months old strike.

The students, under the aegis of National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), made the appeal on Tuesday in Lokoja during a press conference.

The President of NAKOSS, Mr Ahamadu Ibrahim, told newsmen that students and parents had been at the receiving end of the lecturers’ action, saying it was the time they have a rethink.

“We are tired of staying at home.

CAN accuses Fulani herdsmen of killing ECWA Reverend

The Narasawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has accused Fulani herdsmen of the gruesome killing of the Overseer of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Reverend Joseph Kura, in Obi.

In a press briefing at CAN secretariat, the chairman, Bishop Dr Joseph Masin claimed that men identified as Fulani herders murdered the late Rev. Kura while he was in the bush gathering timber to re-roof his church building.

Kaduna Government visits Zaria flood victims, condoles with victims family

Kaduna State government on Tuesday visited Magume community flood victims in Zaria city, during which it condoled the family that lost a wife and three children in the incident.

Speaking at Emir of Zazzau’s palace after the inspection of flood affected areas, the State’s deputy governor, Arch. Bala Yusuf Bantex, said the ministry of works would evaluate the collapsed bridge and drainages for prompt action.

The deputy governor, accompanied by top government officials, added that the State Emergency Agency, SEMA, would provide immediate relief materials to the victims and also bring assessment report to avert future occurrence.

Oyegun boasts over Edo Guber election, APC will win

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said that the party will emerge victorious at the Edo governorship election on September 10.

Odigie-Oyegun said this in Abuja on Tuesday after presenting the certificate of return to Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the APC for the election.

Federal Government not owing military officers - Army

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday dismissed the report that the Federal Government omitted some of its officers in the payment of salaries and other entitlements.

Spokesman of the Army, Col. Sani Usman said this while addressing reporters in Gusau, Zamfara State.

According to Usman, the Army was financially and logistically viable in its operations against insurgency, cattle rustling, kidnapping and criminals.

Militants threaten to resume attacks, condemns VP Osinbajo’s comment

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has been criticised by the trio of Niger Delta Volunteers, NDV, Niger Delta Peoples Liberation Front, NDPL, and Bakassi Freedom Fighters, BFF, for saying that Niger Delta militants were fighting for their pockets.

Osinbajo was reported to have made the statement last weekend while delivering a lecture at Elizade University in Ondo State.

The militant groups, in a statement signed by their spokespersons – Ekpo Ekpo for NDV; Henry Etete for NDPLF and Asukwo Henshaw for BFF, stressed that instead of ridiculing them, the Vice President should have advised President Muhammadu Buhari to address the injustice in the Niger Delta.

Buhari appoints BBOG co-founder, Hadiza Usman as MD of Nigerian Ports Authority

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He also appointed three Executive Directors.

A statement on Tuesday by the Director of Communication of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Mrs. Yetunde Sonaike, also named Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko as Executive Director (Finance); Prof. Idris Abubakar, Executive Director (Engineering); Dr. Sekonte Davies, Executive Director (Marine Operations).

APGA believes in Nigeria's unity, opposes IPOB, MASSOB

National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Victor Oye, says the party strongly believes in the unity of Nigeria.

Oye spoke on Tuesday in Awka at an event to mark his 60th birthday.

“The party believes in the unity of Nigeria; Nigerians must remain one and respect each other’s sensibilities, anchored on equitable distribution of political offices and resources,” he said.

DisCos advocates for 100% Increase in Electricity Tariff

Power firms are pushing for a fresh 100 percent increase in electricity tariff, the second in six months.

The electricity distribution companies (DisCos) raised tariff by over 45 percent in February.

The DisCos had written to the regulatory authority, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) demanding hike in tariff from the current average of N24 per kilowatt (for residential consumers) to N50 per kilowatt.

However, the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr Remi Ogunmefun said that his association had opposed that move in writing to the NERC.

The NERC announced the 45 percent hike in electricity tariff with effect from February 1, 2016, and said the increase would enhance service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Dasuki says Federal Government Abusing Legal Processes just to Nail me

Immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA) Colonel Mohammed, Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has alleged before an Abuja High Court that the federal government planned to ambush him at all cost in the three criminal charges against him in three different high courts in Abuja.

Dasuki said that the federal government in the quest to nail him has engaged in gross abuse of court and legal process by instituting various criminal charges against him on just one issue.

In a motion he filed to challenge the alleged abuse of court process by government, Dasuki said that it was wrong in law and even against natural justice for the government to arraign him before two different High Courts of the Federal Capital Territory on the same sections of the law and on the same alleged arms fund.

NSEMA reveals that over 250 persons displaced following farmers, herdsmen clash in Niger

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, has stated that over 250 people were displaced following a clash between Fulani herdsmen and Gbagyi farmers in state.

Four persons reportedly died with properties destroyed in the clash that happened in Bara-kuta, Bosso Local Government Area on Friday.

Director General of NSEMA, Malam Ahmed Inga, disclosed this in Minna, the state capital, on Tuesday.

Pandemonium in House of Reps over immunity for Senate President, Speaker

The planned inclusion of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives among public officers to enjoy immunity on Tuesday threw the Lower Chamber into a rowdy session.

Noting that only the President, Vice President, Governors and their deputies presently enjoy immunity, the Minority leader of the House of Reps, Leo Ogor called for the amendment of Section 308.

He advocated the inclusion of the leaders of the National Assembly.

Sokoto State gets three additional Perm Secs and new Head of Service

The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has approved the appointment of Dr. Buhari Bello Kware as the new Head of the state’s Civil Service.

A statement issued in Sokoto on Tuesday by the Governor’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the appointment followed the retirement of the immediate past Head of Service, Alhaji Bature Shinkafi, who retired from service after reaching the mandatory 35 years in service.

It said the new appointee was born on 1st June 1960 in Kware LGA of Sokoto State. He graduated from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto with a Bachelor’s Degree, Masters Degree and PhD in History.

Ali Modu Sheriff says he has no godfather in politics

Embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has declared that he has no godfather in politics, even as he called on all party loyalists across the country to stop the smear campaigns, and address issues in their collective quest to find a lasting solution to the crisis that has beset the party.

He spoke in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Inuwa Bwala, which reads; “This call becomes necessary in the face of recent reports planted in some sections of the media, alluding that Senator Buruji Kashamu is a godfather to National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.