NEITI boss comments on Osinbajo’s data: "110m Nigerians should not be poor"

Mr Waziri Adio, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), on Tuesday said that there was no reason for Nigeria to have 110 million people living in poverty.

“With the kind of money Nigeria made from oil in the past decades, there is no reason it should have 110 million poor people,’’ Adio said during a visit to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

The NEITI boss said that the visit was aimed at renewing collaboration between the two organizations to end corruption, impunity and mismanagement in the country’s oil, gas and mining revenues

Five persons in court for feeding dog with new-born baby in Katsina

One Muhammad Bello, 45, a teenage girl and three others have appeared before a Chief Magistrates’ Court in Katsina State for allegedly killing a newborn baby born out of wedlock and fed a dog with the corpse.

The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Altine Ragiji, told the court that the incident occurred at Saika village in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, a traditional ruler in the town reported to the police that a teenage girl (names withheld, 15), gave birth to a child out of wedlock.

Lagos State: Man Impregnates Daughter, Defiles 18-Month-Old Baby

The police in Lagos State have arrested a 36-year-old man, Kennedy Michael for allegedly raping his teenage daughter, Maria and attempting to abort the resulting pregnancy.

Michael was arrested alongside his lover, one Ndukwe Ijeoma, for assisting in procuring an abortion for her lover’s daughter.

The suspect was also accused of defiling an 18-month-old baby girl belonging to his neighbour, identified only as Uche, by inserting his finger forcefully into the baby’s vagina.

President Buhari says Kachikwu is Not Under investigation

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to discerning Nigerians to ignore orchestrated attempts to sully the integrity of ministers and other senior government officials, who are being tarred with the brush of corruption without any concrete evidence.

A statement by Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina said Buhari, in his reaction to reports, particularly by online media, that the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who is also Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, is being investigated over crude oil swap deals and gas liftings during his tenure as GMD of the petroleum corporation, appealed for decent and civilized comments, particularly when it has to do with the integrity of those who are serving the country.

Ibrahimovic left out of Manchester United squad for China tour

Manchester United have left Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Marouane Fellaini out of their squad for a pre-season tour to China.

The quintet have yet to join up with their team-mates following their Euro 2016 exploits and will consequently miss the friendlies versus Borussia Dortmund on Friday and Manchester City on Monday.

New arrivals Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mikhitaryan are both named in the 25-man squad, while Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and David De Gea - all eliminated from Euro 2016 in the round of 16 - are travelling, too.

Barcelona extend Qatar Airways sponsorship deal

Barcelona has extended their sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways for one additional year until June 2017.

The previous contract between both parties expired at the end of the 2015-16 campaign and Barcelona was reportedly keen to find a more lucrative main sponsor.

However, Qatar Airways now stay on Barcelona's jersey for an extra season under the same terms of their old deal, which is reportedly worth €35 million per season.

Hull City confirm Bruce talks over England job

Hull City have confirmed boss Steve Bruce has held informal talks with the Football Association over the England manager's job.

The position has now been vacant for three weeks after Roy Hodgson resigned in the immediate aftermath of England's defeat to Iceland at the last-16 stage of Euro 2016.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce was pictured emerging from the house of FA vice-chairman David Gill last week while Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and the United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann have also been mentioned as candidates.

Chelsea boss Conte dismisses Costa Atletico return rumours

Antonio Conte has moved to deny suggestions that Diego Costa will leave Chelsea to return to Atletico Madrid.

Costa departed the Spanish capital for Stamford Bridge in a reported £32million deal ahead of the 2014-15 season and scored 20 goals as Chelsea claimed a Premier League and League Cup double.

However, the Spain striker was blighted by injury last term as Chelsea's title defence fell apart and the Blues limped to a 10th-placed finish.

Costa's indifferent season meant he was overlooked by Spain for Euro 2016 and Atleti president Enrique Cerezo claimed that talks had begun about bringing Costa back to the Vicente Calderon to reignite his career.

Yobe State: Two women, man run mad at IDP camp

The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), an NGO, has advocated a psychological therapy for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the Kukareta self-established a camp in Yobe.

Dr Abdullahi Nur, Chairman of the association in the state, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu on Tuesday.

Nur said the appeal became necessary following an evaluation and discovery by the association of three cases of insanity among the IDPs in the camp.

8-year-old pupil says Security Guard called her to a corner and raped her

A primary 2 pupil of Adeniyi Primary School, Itire, a public school in Lagos state, has narrated how a security guard raped her.

The eight-year-old girl, identified only as Mercy said the guard, Friday Oshoba, popularly called Mopol, called her to a corner within the school premises after school hours and removed her underwear, the Punch reports.

Oshoba was said to have persuaded her to follow him to a deserted spot within the school and after removing her underwear, he raped her.

Film Producer narrates how police officers followed me to ATM to collect bribe in Lagos

A film producer and television personality, Benjamin Ogunbodede, has alleged that some police officers in Lagos followed him to the ATM to collect a N10,000 bribe on Saturday.

Recounting his ordeal, Benjamin said he picked up a lady going his way On Friday and drove into a checkpoint mounted by some mobile police officers. Then he was asked to pull over and they requested for his drivers license, which he presented to them.

According to Sahara Reporters, the police also asked him to open his boot which he did.

Having found nothing incriminating on him, the officers then asked what his connection was with the lady in his car.

Hijab: Osun Court strikes out stay of execution suit filed by CAN

An Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 struck out application for stay of execution of the June 3 judgment which allowed Muslim students freedom to wear Hijab approved by the state government to public schools.

The State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had on June 22 filed an application before the State High Court, asking for a stay of execution of the judgment.

However, at the court sitting on the case on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, Justice Jide Falola in a brief ruling stuck out the case based on the fact that the state Christian Community has approached the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital to sit on the matter.

Super Eagles’ players must have Ronaldo’s mentality – President, NFF

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has expressed hope that Nigeria will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

He expressed optimism on Tuesday after meeting the NFF technical committee on the choice of Frenchman Paul Le Guen as the new technical adviser for the country’s senior national team.

Goal quoted him as saying, “By God’s grace, we are going to qualify. We have worked round and have done everything possible. We have discussed with the players. There are a lot of things we have done. There is a level you can go in terms of providing everything.”

Rivers State: Store owner rapes 10-year-old girl to death

The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, are joining hands to ensure that a man, identified as Mallam Bashir, who allegedly raped a 10-year-old girl to death in the state is not granted bail until he is tried.

The chairperson of NAWOJ in the state, Lillian Okonkwo, pointed out that efforts were being made by friends and relatives of the suspect to bail him from police custody.

Former Nigeria Ambassador to Central African Repulic, Yahaya Tabari dies in auto crash

Former Nigerian envoy to the Central African Republic, Ambassador Yahaya Tabari is dead. Tabari died in an auto crash on Monday night on Kaduna-Zaria expressway.

A close relation to the family, Alhaji Abdurrahman Nuhu-Bayero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria on Tuesday that the deceased died at the age of 64.

Abuja: Protesters shut AEDC office in Utako over 6-day power outage (PHOTOS)

Utako, one of the commercial hubs in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory was Tuesday, literally shutdown following a protest by a group of people who identified themselves as Utako villagers to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, office.

The protesters, as early as 8.30am stormed the AEDC office just by beggar junction, near Arab Contractors, bearing placards, and questioning a six-day power shutdown by the company. The aggrieved villagers in their number insisted on seeing the Manager of the company and to ask why they were no longer entitled to their constitutional given right. Angered by the refusal of the management to come out to address them, the angry protesters barricaded the entrance to AEDC office, demanding that their light be reconnected back before any staff of the company would be allowed to go out of the office. Customers who went to the office to make payment were equally turned back by the protesters.

Lagos State: Oba petitions State Govt over alleged plans to kill him

An Oba-elect, Babatunde Olarinde of Oguntedo Town in Ori-Ade LCDA of Lagos State, has petitioned Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode over threat to kidnap and kill him. Olarinde’s petition, a copy of which was made available on Tuesday, alleged that one Mr Tunde Faduola and some others were after his life.

The petitioner, Ajoa Oluokun Family in Oguntedo Town situated along Lagos/Badagry Expressway, urged Ambode to protect and save his life from his alleged assailants.

Olarinde, a lawyer, in his petition, said that he awarded a contract to Faduola which he failed to execute. He said he later revoked the agreement signed between them. “Faduola arrested and later charged me to court.

Lagos CP warns residents to stop patronizing street traders

Lagos State residents have been told to avoid patronizing street hawkers. Commissioner of Police in the State, Fatai Owoseni, gave the warning when he spoke with Journalists after a meeting with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and security chiefs yesterday.

Owoseni said the decision to enforce the ban on street trading was a measure to monitor the activities of such criminals, adding that there have been instances where criminals hide among street traders to steal from innocent citizens.

Lalong calls for calm over Assassination of Plateau monarch

Sequel to the killing of the Saf Ron Kulere and Chairman of Bokkos Traditional Council, Sir Lazarus Agai, and three others by suspected herdsmen, there is pandemonium and tension in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.

According to Daily Post, despite the deployment of security operatives in the affected Council, the people are still in fear and shock over what has befallen them.

Reacting to the incident, the immediate past Governor of the State and Senator representing Plateau North, Jonah Jang, has condemned the action and has called on the people of the State to remain vigilant and stand united.

Saraki as individual on trial, not Senate – Lawyer says

A Legal practitioner, Mr Remi Agwuezie, has called on the Nigerian Senate to face the business of law making rather than dissipate energy on the trial of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Agwuezie made the call on Tuesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar, Cross River State.

“They should allow the Senate President to face his trial as an individual not as Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Court sentence stepmother and two others to death by hanging for killing baby for ritual

An Edo High Court on Monday sentenced three people to death by hanging over the murder of a three-year-old girl.

The convicts, Betty Stephen, the stepmother, and the two teachers- Johnson Ogbeide and Nancy Aiwuyor, committed the offence on February 24, 2009, at Erhiborhibo village, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo.

The judge, Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo, in her judgment said the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

PDP begs Nigerians says they are sorry for bringing Nigeria to this toxic state

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has apologised to Nigerians over whatever role it may have played in bringing the nation to a deplorable state.

In a statement on its twitter handle, @pdpNigeria, the party promised to proffer solutions that will turn the negative tide in the country around.

The tweet reads, “We accept responsibility and apologise for whatever role we have played in reaching this level of toxicity.”

Basketball: D’Tigers defeat Argentina in Exhibition Game

Nigeria's D'Tigers defeated Argentina's national basketball team 96-92 in an exhibition game in the USA ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

The game which was played at the Thomas and Mack centre in Las Vegas saw the William Voigts' team get their pound of flesh  from the Argies who had beaten Nigeria 71-49 at the Stankovic Cup earlier this month.

Nocioni finished as top scorer in the game with 18 points just as Ike Diogu, followed by Laprovittola who had 17 points and Scola 15.

Stephen Keshi’s memorial service to hold on July 23

A memorial service in honour of former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, will hold on July 23 in Kempton Park, Johannesburg in South Africa.

The Big Boss passed on June 7 in Benin City, Nigeria, after a brief illness.

The event is being put together by the ‘Friends of Keshi’ and takes place six days before his official state funeral in Nigeria.

PHOTONEWS: Protest Against Rivers Judiciary

The resident of Rivers state has taken to the streets to protest what they tagged ''gross impunity'' of the judiciary.

IS claims first attack in Germany

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Tuesday for its first attack in Germany, an axe and knife assault on a train carried out by a 17-year-old Afghan refugee. German authorities said they had found a hand-painted IS flag among the belongings of the asylum seeker, who seriously injured four members of a family of tourists from Hong Kong in his rampage. 

The teenage assailant was killed as he tried to flee. “The perpetrator of the stabbing attack in Germany was one of the fighters of the Islamic State,” the IS-linked Amaq news agency said. The assault on a regional train near the southern city of Wuerzburg late Monday left two of the victims critically hurt, said Joachim Herrmann, the interior minister of Bavaria state.

Dino Melaye insists he will not apologize to Tinubu

Dino Melaye, a senator from Kogi west, says he will not apologise to Oluremi Tinubu, his colleague from Lagos central and wife of Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Melaye said this at the executive session of the senate on Tuesday.

In a closed-door session of the senate last Tuesday, Melaye and Tinubu had engaged in a brawl over an issue regarding the trial of the presiding officers of the upper legislative chamber for alleged forgery of the senate rule book, 2015 at an Abuja high court.

JUST IN: Paul Le Guen turndown Super Eagles' Appointment

Newly appointed Super Eagles’ technical director, Paul Le Guen, has rejected the job offer by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

This was revealed by a top French journalist Herve Penot, via the verified Twitter handle (@hpenot_lequipe).

According to the tweet, Le Guen will not go to Nigeria because the NFF is yet to meet the terms & conditions for the said job.

Man sentenced to seven years in prison for fraud

A 42-year- old man, Charles Hamilton, has been sentenced to seven- year imprisonment for defrauding a company of N485,000.

Hamilton was jailed by an Evboriaria Magistrates Court after he was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Militants seize army base in Mali

Militants attacked and seized control of an army base in the central Malian town of Nampala on Tuesday, the mayor of a nearby town said.

“The army is regrouping in town (Diabaly) and is preparing a counter-attack to retake the base, which fell into the hands of the assailants,” the mayor of Diabaly, Ousmane Diallo, told Reuters on telephone.