How President Buhari Made Nnamdi Kanu a True Hero - Iwuanyanwu

A frontline Igbo politician and Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has stressed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government made the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu a hero by detaining him.

Iwuanyanwu’s comment is coming at a time Kanu, who is facing charges of treason before an Abuja Federal High Court was released from Kuje prison after spending about 18 months.

Speaking at Amokwe in Udi local government area of Enugu state, the Publisher of Champions Newspaper faulted the treason charges levelled against Kanu, stressing that the IPOB leader only expressed his public opinion, which is not an offence.

Iwuanyanwu, who declared that nobody can wish Biafra away maintained that he is a Biafran by virtue of being an Igbo man.

He said, “I have always said that was no reason for detaining Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu didn’t commit any treason. Treason is when you take up arms against the government, he didn’t take up any arms, there was no reason whatsoever for detaining him, because everybody have the right to say I want Biafra, everybody have the right to say I want Biafra. For God’s sake, I’ve made it clear to people that Biafra is for the Igbo. Hausas are Arewas, Yorubas are Oduduwas and we are Biafrans.

“There is a problem we have because Biafra fought a war and people are ashamed to say they are Biafrans but I am not afraid to say I am a Biafran. Biafra is part of Nigeria, Arewa is part of Nigeria, Oduduwa is part of Nigeria; all of us are there.

“If a person from Odududuwa takes up arms to secede from Nigeria, its treason but if one is just saying by words of mouth, it just an ordinary expression of public opinion. There is no law that makes such a person get convicted by just saying we want to secede, it’s a right of expression.

“But if somebody from Oduduwa is amassing arms to topple the government to secede, its treason. If somebody from Arewa is amassing arms to topple the government, its treason, if somebody from Biafra, because all of us are from Biafra I am from Biafra, to topple government, its treason.

“But if I come and say I want Biafra, it’s no offence. To the best of my knowledge Kanu didn’t have any violent means; all he said was that he wanted Biafra. He shouldn’t have been detained in the first place, I said it long ago. I said the government is making him a hero but people misquoted me and said I said government should jail him.

“No, I said that getting an innocent person, putting him in prison, they are making him a hero. So what Nnamdi Kanu is now is a hero because of all these. So he has not committed any offence and shouldn’t have been in detention in the first place.

“But there are also some parts of Igbo, who since after the war, they don’t want to talk about Biafra. You cannot wish away Biafra, Biafra is there just like you can’t wish away Oduduwa or Arewa.”

[VIDEO] I’m not corrupt, don’t like money – Amaechi

The Minister of Aviation, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared he is not corrupt and does not like money.

Featuring on Channels Television, the former Governor of Rivers State disclosed why Nigerians are of the impression that he is a corrupt individual.

According to Amaechi, “Is my honesty in doubt? I have told Nigerians and I repeat to Nigerians today I am not corrupt and I don’t like money. I am not one swayed by money. I have lived a character that most Nigerians can tell you.

“I try as much as possible not to annoy God by saying I am honest. But with all modesty, I am a honest Nigerian and there are very few honest Nigerians.”

Reacting to claims by Nigerian that he is corrupt, the Minister said, “When did that impression start? Nyesom Wike becomes the governor. He takes documents from Government house that people can’t read, and says oh, we sold Gas turbines and disappeared with the money. He set up a panel of inquiry? Publish the report.”

On whether the corruption angle came up because he led the campaign organization of President Buhari, Amaechi said, “When you talk about the PDP angle, they are bitter that we fought and led the movement against the former government and PDP, and we were successful to have removed them from power.

“If I was corrupt, why didn’t President Goodluck prosecute me? The fight between Goodluck and Rivers state government or myself lasted for two years.”

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Nigerians Insecure, Hungry, CAN Tells Buhari

The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), has reminded President Muhammadu Buhari of the pains Nigerians are going through as a result of hunger, poverty and insecurity of lives and property in the country.

The religious body said this in a goodwill message delivered by the CAN National Secretary, Rev. Dr Musa Asake, at the ongoing 104th annual session of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, holding in Abuja.

The CAN said it believed that this year’s theme for the Baptist Convention, “Moving Forward: Overcoming the challenges of Life through Jesus Christ”, was “the best suited for this troubled times.”

Asake said: “You will all agree with me that our country Nigeria is today experiencing excruciating pains as we witness religious and ethnic cleansing through the criminal activities of the murderous Fulani herdsmen who are on a killing spree on daily basis.

“Nigeria has become unsafe because our security agencies are not living up to their billings. In Nigeria today, nowhere is safe, both the rich and the poor are crying because of the evil in the land occasioned by the criminal activities of the terrorists, kidnappers, armed robbers, ritualists, cultists, while unemployment and corruption are in high places.”

CAN applauded the leadership qualities of its President, Samson Ayokunle, who is also the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC).

“We, in CAN, are very grateful to the Nigerian Baptist Convention for giving you your very best, who now serves as the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria. I am talking of no other person than Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle.

“In times like this, we need a vocal and courageous leader to speak and stand in the gap for the Nigerian church. Let me boldly tell you that the man you gave us as the number one Christian in this country is a leader who speaks his mind on all issues, irrespective of whose ox is gored,” Asake said.

Photos: IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu Freed At Last!

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has been released from prison.

Kanu was released from Kuje Prison this evening to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who signed his bail documents in the afternoon.

The IPOB leader had earlier met all the conditions attached to his granted him by Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday.

The bail conditions were perfected by the presence of the Chairman, South East Senate caucus and former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom and a Chartered Accountant residing in Abuja, Tochukwu Uchendu. The Jewish Rabbi was flown in from Port Harcourt.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday admitted Nnamdi Kanu, to bail on health grounds. Justice Binta Nyako, however, gave 12 conditions which he must fulfill to be released on bail, and to continue to enjoy the temporary freedom.

he second surety must be a highly respected Jewish leader since Mr. Kanu said his religion is Judaism



The third surety must be a highly respected person who owns landed property and is resident in Abuja

The IPOB leader must deposit his Nigerian passport

He must also deposit his British passport with the court

He must provide the court with reports on the progress of his health and treatment on a monthly basis.

There was also an order that he must deposit his Nigerian and British passports to the court. This means that he cannot travel out of the country.

The conditions include that Kanu must not hold rallies. He must not grant interviews.

He must not be in a crowd of more than 10 people.

He must provide three sureties in the sum of N100 million each.

One of the sureties must be a senior highly placed person of Igbo extraction such as a senator.

The second surety must be a highly respected Jewish leader since Mr. Kanu said his religion is Judaism



The third surety must be a highly respected person who owns landed property and is resident in Abuja
M
The IPOB leader must deposit his Nigerian passport

He must also deposit his British passport with the court

He must provide the court with reports on the progress of his health and treatment on a monthly basis.

There was also an order that he must deposit his Nigerian and British passports to the court. This means that he cannot travel out of the country.

IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, fulfills bail conditions

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Friday, fulfilled the bail conditions granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The bail condition was perfected through the presence of the Chairman, South East Senate caucus and former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a Jewish High Chief Priest, Immanuu-El Shalom and a Chartered Accountant residing in Abuja, Tochukwu Uchendu. The Jewish Rabbi was flown in from Port Harcourt.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday admitted Nnamdi Kanu, to bail on health grounds. Justice Binta Nyako, however, gave 12 conditions which he must fulfill to be released on bail, and to continue to enjoy the temporary freedom.

The conditions are:
— Mr. Kanu must not hold rallies.
— He must not grant interviews.
— He must not be in a crowd of more than 10 people.
— He must provide three sureties in the sum of N100 million each.
— One of the sureties must be a senior highly placed person of Igbo extraction such as a senator.
— The second surety must be a highly respected Jewish leader since Mr. Kanu said his religion is Judaism
— The third surety must be a highly respected person who owns landed property and is resident in Abuja
— The IPOB leader must deposit his Nigerian passport
— He must also deposit his British passport with the court
— He must provide the court with reports on the progress of his health and treatment on a monthly basis.
— The order for him to deposit his Nigerian and British passports also mean he cannot travel out of the country (If this is considered, it is the thirteenth condition).

I thought Being President 'Would Be Easier'- Trump

As the clock ticks towards his administration's 100-day mark, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he misses the life he had before moving to DC.

"This is more work than in my previous life. I thought it would be easier," he said of the presidency in an interview with Reuters at the Oval Office.

"I loved my previous life," the former Apprentice host and real estate tycoon said. "I had so many things going."

Trump told Reuters that he was still adjusting to the limitations on his personal movement and the 24-hour protection that comes with the job. "You're really into your own little cocoon," he said, "because you have such massive protection that you really can't go anywhere."

The President also said that he misses driving by himself — a limousine or an SUV now usually takes him around, according to Reuters. "I like to drive. I can't drive any more," he said.

In the same interview, Trump commented on the prospects of a possible government shutdown, and said that a "major, major conflict with North Korea" could be possible, though he and the administration would prefer a nonviolent resolution.



Time

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President Trump Says a 'Major Conflict' With North Korea Is Possible

Just ahead of his 100th day in office, U.S. President Donald Trump said that a conflict with North Korea could be a possible outcome to the escalating tensions brought about by the country's nuclear ambitions and missile testing, but a diplomatic solution would be preferable.
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"There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea," he told Reuters in an exclusive interview Thursday in the Oval Office.

Trump added that "we'd love to solve things diplomatically but it's very difficult," telling Reuters that he and his administration are seeking a peaceful resolution to the North Korea question, in part by preparing a slew of fresh economic sanctions while not ruling out a military solution.

Police return cash, items taken from Goje’s home

The police yesterday returned the items they took away from the home of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Mohammed Danjuma Goje last Thursday.

The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, will today, visit the National Assembly to explain the legality of the search on the senator’s Asokoro, Abuja residence.

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Contrary to the claim by the federal legislator that vital documents relating to the 2017 appropriation bill currently before the National Assembly were carted away during the operation, the police high command maintained that its officers only recovered N18 million and $19,000 cash, among others and nothing near budget material.
The courtesy call by the police chief to amend the fractured relationship between the two institutions should produce a fresh impetus towards seeing the already belated budget passed.

“There was no single document relating to the 2017 budget sighted or removed by the police team that executed the search warrant. There is a video recording of the execution of the search warrant,” the police said in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Jimoh Moshood.

The police stressed that the operation was carried out within the confines of the law, as a search warrant was obtained. “The report in its entirety is false, misleading and capable of misinforming Nigerians,” Moshood stressed.

He explained that three relatives of the senator, Danjuma Mohammed, Ango Usman and Aisha Umar, were present at the scene and jointly attested to what was recovered from the house, as required by the “procedure of law on search warrant which contained the money, documents and Laptop recovered, and none of the items included 2017 budget document.”

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Solomon Ita Etang, has declared that the returning of the items was in furtherance of efforts to resolve the feud between the legislative and executive arms of government.

In a statement, he thanked the Senate and House of Representatives for their efforts towards the timely passage of the budget.

Also yesterday, the lower chamber of the National Assembly said the raid would delay the passage of the appropriation by two weeks.

Its spokesperson, Abdulrazak Namdas, who briefed reporters, said the House remained resolute notwithstanding the denial by the top echelon of the police that it was not in possession of any vital documents.

His words: “We still stand by our resolution that there is a document in possession of the police. And we expect if these documents are with the police, they should be able to make them available. One thing that I have come to confirm is that even the police agreed that they took the laptop from his house.

“And whosoever took the laptop also knows that there are documents.”

On why a critical document like this could be taken to a private home, he noted: “Gentlemen, you have to be fair to us. We are public officers and if you are in the office, the kind of attention everybody wants from you sometimes makes it very difficult to complete your jobs. Sometimes, we feel we are tired and we want to go home with some of these documents to continue work. It is part of patriotism. There is nothing wrong in that.

“What is wrong is to have official documents that you refused to work on or you are doing something different with. That is a different story all together.”

But the Senate Majority Leader, Ahmed Lawan, deflated the delay claim, saying the 2017 budget will be ready for presidential assent next week.

Fielding questions yesterday from State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Lawan explained that the Senate had intended to pass the budget in March but could not due to some unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of the lawmakers.

Although he held that a part of the document was carted away during the police raid, he, however, noted: “The good news is that we are doing everything possible to ensure that we catch up with the lost time.

“I am thinking that by next week by the grace of God, we should be able to finish our own work and pass the budget to Mr. President to sign.

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“There is nothing to worry about. It was our desire and design to pass it within this April but somehow, something happened and all of you here know what happened. One of our colleagues, Senator Danjuma Goje, was raided by the police after a whistle blower gave information and it was reported that a part of the budget papers were among the documents carted away.”
“Other things that happened, essentially the trauma that the chairman had to go through, affected the process of budgeting that we had been trying to do.‎”

He added: “When we went on Easter break, our members in the Committee on Appropriation, including that of the House, did not go on recess. They stayed back because that was the arrangement. By the time we returned on Tuesday, they were to lay down the report on the budget, but unfortunately, that was not possible because of what happened.”

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Knee injury ends Enyeama’s season

Nigerian international goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama will miss the last four games of the season with a knee injury, his Lille coach Franck Passi said on Thursday.

Enyeama, his country's most capped player with more than 100 appearances for the Super Eagles, was injured against Rennes on April 15.

Passi said Enyeama, 34, would undergo an operation next week to "clean up" the knee.


"It will therefore be difficult for him to play again before the end of the season because he needs two to three weeks (rest) before returning," said Passi.


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Wenger soothed by simplicity of Arsenal’s task

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said his side know exactly what they must do in the Champions League qualification race after watching them gain a 1-0 win over Leicester City.

With time slipping away at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, Wenger threw on Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud to finish with four strikers on the pitch.

His side eventually prevailed courtesy of a late own goal by Robert Huth.

Arsenal remain outside the Champions League places, but Wenger said: "We have one advantage -- the advantage of clarity.


"We have to win our games, so that's why we cannot be happy with a 0-0.
"We absolutely have to take a gamble to try and win the game at any cost. We took the initiative tonight."

With only 72 hours to recover from Sunday's gruelling FA Cup semi-final extra-time victory over Manchester City, Wenger praised the resilience of his players.

"We lacked penetration and a change of pace," he told reporters.

"You could see that we had some heavy legs and we lacked a bit of speed in our game to get Leicester out of position.

"They defend well, but in the end I think the win rewards the team which took the initiative during the game.

"Let's not forget as well that we played on Sunday afternoon. Leicester didn't play at all over the weekend, so we knew we had a little handicap on that front."

Wenger promised Arsenal will approach Sunday's north London derby at Tottenham Hotspur purely as another step towards Champions League qualification, not a chance to halt their rivals' title charge.

"We play for us," said the Frenchman, whose future at Arsenal remains up in the air.

"In life you work for your own achievements, not for those of others."

Wenger played down a touchline incident between Alexis Sanchez and Christian Fuchs that occurred shortly after Nacho Monreal's wayward 85th-minute shot had deflected in off Huth for the decisive goal.

Sanchez twice prevented Fuchs from taking a long throw-in by standing too close to the touchline.

Infuriated, Leicester's Austria international threw the ball into Sanchez's shoulder, only for the Chilean to fall to the ground clutching his face.

Wenger said: "I think Alexis didn't know that he had to be further away. As well, the referee didn't tell him that he had to move away so he thought he was in the right position.

"He got the yellow card because he didn't respect the rules. I accept that.

"But on top of that, Fuchs was lucky not to get a yellow card because he threw the ball at him on purpose.

"If you know Alexis, he doesn't worry about what happens on the pitch. He will be the same tomorrow and on Sunday."

Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare also refused to condemn Sanchez's histrionics.

He was more concerned by a late defeat that means his side remain closer to the relegation zone than is comfortable.

"I think Christian was well entitled to take the throw-in, but we're in the referee's hands for that," said Shakespeare, whose side remain six points above the relegation places.

"It is down to Arsenal to deal with Sanchez. It would be wrong of me to talk about other players. I need to concentrate on my own players and leave Arsene to deal with his own players."

Reflecting on the game, he added: "We defended really resiliently for 85 minutes and we had to against a very good side in Arsenal.


"We'd like to have attacked a bit more, but to lose in the manner that we did is very, very disappointing.
"It was a cruel deflection because the shot wasn't even on target. It happened so quickly that Robert couldn't get out of the way.

"We have to recover quickly from this because we've got another tough away game at West Brom on Saturday."




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Man Utd drumbeat booms for flagging Guardiola

Jose Mourinho has an opportunity to score a seismic victory over his old foe Pep Guardiola when his Manchester United side visit misfiring Manchester City on Thursday.
Guardiola oversaw a one-sided 2-1 win when he and Mourinho resumed hostilities in September and was generally felt to have made a bigger impact than the Portuguese in the season's early months.

But having been condemned to a trophy-free first campaign at City by Sunday's FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal, Guardiola will lose his hold on a top-four place if United prevail at the Etihad Stadium.


"If we finish fifth and they finish sixth and we are above them, it means nothing," Mourinho said on Wednesday.
"If they finish third and we finish fourth, they are above us, but it means a lot.

"This is not about Pep, this is not about City; it is about fighting for objectives. We want to play Champions League football and we still have two doors open."

Mourinho was alluding to the fact United can also qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, ahead of their two-legged semi-final against Celta Vigo next month.

But victory on Thursday would help to shut off City's only path to Europe's top club competition.

It would also raise the prospect of United finishing above City for the first time since 2013 and provide proof that Mourinho has made a quicker start to life in Manchester than Guardiola.

United have struggled for fluency this season, drawing no fewer than 12 games, and spent four months grimly locked in sixth place in the table.

As the days grow longer, however, the prospects of a successful end to the season appear to be getting brighter.

Their stunning 2-0 ambush of league leaders Chelsea showed they are a match for anyone and they are seeking to equal a club record by going 24 top-flight games unbeaten.

Fatigue aside, the only dark cloud on United's horizon is injuries.

Marcos Rojo and top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been ruled out for the rest of the season, while Paul Pogba will miss Thursday's game with a muscular problem sustained during Sunday's 2-0 win at Burnley.

Centre-backs Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain sidelined, along with Juan Mata, who scored the winner when the teams met at Old Trafford in the League Cup fourth round in October.

Ibrahimovic's injury has opened the door for Marcus Rashford, who netted the game's only goal when United last visited the Etihad in March 2016.

Anthony Martial will also hope to start after scoring one goal and making the other for Wayne Rooney at Burnley.

Mourinho and Guardiola had a sulphurous rivalry during their time at the helms of Real Madrid and Barcelona, but Guardiola says their relationship is a courteous one.

"We are neighbours, but no," the Catalan said when asked if he and Mourinho had ever bumped into each other in Salford, where they both live.

"When we see each other, (it's) 'Hi, hi.'"

Guardiola says David Silva is a "real, real doubt" after the Spanish schemer sustaining a hamstring injury during City's 2-1 loss to Arsenal at Wembley.

But he had more positive news about Sergio Aguero, who trained on Wednesday after picking up a knock against Arsenal.

John Stones, Bacary Sagna and Fernandinho are also injury doubts, but January signing Gabriel Jesus could feature following his return from a broken foot.


Mourinho said it would be "naive" for any rival to think United will be unduly diminished by their injuries and Guardiola concurred.
"Ibra is a great player, but they also have lots of good players like Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Marcus Rashford and they find spaces between the lines," he said.

"They are good rivals, with good quality, in good form and have a big series without defeat in the Premier League. I'm looking forward to the game."




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Tottenham ready to take the fight to Chelsea, says Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino claimed Tottenham's gritty 1-0 win at Crystal Palace showed they were ready to pounce if Chelsea stumble in the title race.

Pochettino's side closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to four points with five games left after Christian Eriksen's late strike clinched a victory that looked unlikely for long periods at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.

Well below their best as they struggled to shake off the frustration of last weekend's FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea, it seemed Tottenham were about to squander a chance to keep pace with Chelsea before finally recovering their composure.


It was exactly the kind of pressure-packed situation that was Tottenham's downfall last season when they allowed Leicester to wrap up the title after briefly threatening to overhaul them.
But Pochettino is convinced the way his team saw off a formidable Palace outfit bodes well for their chances of being crowned champions for the first time since 1961.

"We showed great character and personality after a very disappointing weekend," Pochettino said.

"It was important to show we are focused and try to fight.

"We are showing we learnt a lot from last season. That is so important.

"We were fantastic last season and it was a big challenge to improve again.

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"A big part of that was the mental attitude, we improved that a lot.

"We are showing we are ready to fight."

Tottenham's eighth successive league win was the perfect response after Chelsea had opened up a seven-point lead with a victory against Southampton 24 hours earlier.

Keen to keep his players from getting ahead of themselves, Pochettino has told them to forget what Chelsea do and focus on their own performances.

"When we are playing we are not thinking about what happened with Chelsea or what will happen in the future," he said.

"We closed the gap again. It's not important to send a message to Chelsea.

"The most important is the victory builds confidence, that's the only way to catch them."

Tottenham will be guaranteed to finish above Arsenal for the first time in 22 years if they beat their bitter rivals on Sunday.

That will be a sweet moment for Tottenham fans after so long in Arsenal's shadow.

Pochettino isn't concerned with the squabble for local bragging rights because he has his sights set on the far more significant target of bringing the title to White Hart Lane.

- 'Important to be calm' -
The Argentine knows emotions run high when it comes to the derby, especially in what may well be the last north London clash at White Hart Lane before the stadium is rebuilt.

Asked if the chance to ensure supremacy over Arsenal might fire up his players too much, Pochettino called for calm.

"It's Arsenal, we know what that game means, but we are not thinking of being above them, we want to think of bigger things than that," he said.

"It maybe the last derby at White Hart Lane, but now is important to be calm.

"We have to get ready for what should be a very tough match

"We want to close the gap on Chelsea again. We want to win big trophies achieve big things, the mentality must be thinking bigger.

"We can speak about finishing above Arsenal at the end of the season."


Palace are virtually safe despite the defeat, but Mamadou Sakho, on loan from Liverpool, faces an anxious wait to see if his season is over after he was carried off with a serious-looking knee injury.
"It's a ligament, which one we don't know. I certainly hope it's not a cruciate," Palace boss Sam Allardyce said.

"It looks like a hyper-extension. We'll have to wait until he has a scan."

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Anti-Zuma rally as South Africa honours 1994 election

South Africa on Thursday marked 23 years since its first post-apartheid election with some protesters calling for President Jacob Zuma to resign after numerous corruption scandals.

At his address to commemorate the April 27, 1994 election that brought Nelson Mandela to power, Zuma hailed the end of white-minority rule as "one of the greatest achievements of humankind".

"We have achieved political freedom but economic freedom still remains largely elusive... the majority of black people are still economically disempowered," Zuma said at the event in KwaZulu Natal province.


Zuma, who came to power in 2009, has faced fierce criticism over government corruption scandals, record unemployment and slowing economic growth.
In the latest protest calling for his resignation, about 2,000 people -- mainly from the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party -- gathered in Pretoria.

"The old order is dying and a new struggle is born," DA leader Mmusi Maimane told the crowd.

"The old order gave us corruption, looting and the abuse of power."

The rally attracted lower numbers than other recent anti-Zuma protests.

The sacking of respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan last month fanned public anger against the president.

The ruling ANC party, which Zuma leads, has lost popularity in recent years and slipped to 55 percent of the vote in last year's local elections -- its worst ever result.

Zuma is due to stand down in 2019.


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Buhari absent from FEC meeting again, seeks rest

For the second time in 21 days, President Muhammadu Buhari, was again, absent from the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which held yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Seeking more time to recuperate, Buhari directed his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to preside over the gathering. The president’s absence from the FEC meetings has generated public interest leading to speculations about his health because that is where the developmental agenda for a given time is set by the government.

But apparently to douse the anxiety over the non-appearance of the nation’s number one citizen at major events lately , the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, later spoke to State House correspondents.

His words: “We just concluded the FEC meeting. I am sure you noticed that the president was not there. He was not there because he asked that he be allowed to rest and asked the vice president to preside.
“And he will be working from home. He has asked that all his files be taken to him in the house. He will be working from home today.” In the meantime, the president has sought the approval of the National Assembly to take two separate loans totalling $12.912 billion to fix the railways, reconstruct the North East and expand the social safety net programme of his administration.

Mohammed noted that Osinbajo would later brief the president on the outcome of the deliberation.At yesterday’s meeting, only a handful of ministers assembled alongside the vice president in the Council Chambers venue awaiting the Buhari’s arrival to no avail.

A security official was seen standing behind the president’s exalted seat but vacated the area later when it became apparent that the president would not be presiding.

At exactly11:00 a.m., ‎Osinbajo opened the meeting with the national anthem which was followed by prayers and the proceedings proper.

The gathering did not hold last week. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had blamed this on the inability to circulate relevant documents to members due to the Easter holiday .

Also three weeks ago, Osinbajo presided over the meeting because, of what the presidency termed, Buhari’s engagement with other pressing state issues at his official residence.In an interview with newsmen, Mohammed had maintained that it was not unusual for his deputy to preside over the council.

He had noted: “It is not unusual, even if the president is hale and hearty and everything is going on well, for the vice president to come and preside over meetings of the Federal Executive Council.

“The fact that the president is not in the office does not mean that he is not working….‎so, the fact that you did not see him does not mean that he is not working at all.

“Understandably, that has sparked a lot of controversies. I just want to make this clear, the president is in town. He is attending to other issues. The president looked at the agenda, it was a very light agenda and decided that the vice president should preside.

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“It is not unusual for the kind of interest that is shown especially given the fact that the president was away for a while on medical treatment. We are not surprised that people will be wondering is he ill again?”

Yesterday’s deliberation, however, led to the approval of ‎N3.8 billion for the lease of fast-going vessels to enable the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (MIMASA) to optimally perform its duties on the high sea in the next one year.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who made the disclosure to newsmen, added that the council sanctioned the release of N358 million for the procurement of 56 land patrol vehicles for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Also N5 billion was approved for the construction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ‎ headquarters.The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, said government would deploy a team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health personnel in Sokoto and Zamfara states to curb reported cases of meningitis.

He confirmed that 813 deaths cases have so far been recorded since the outbreak of the contagious disease in parts of the country. Adewole hinted that the “cases will drop with the commencement of rainfall.”

The new move comes five months after the Senate declined a $29.96 billion loan request. The first proposal is for a facility of $5.851 billion from the China Exim Bank. The second involves securing $6.926 billion from the World Bank.

Prior to the presentation, it was learnt that the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and principal officers of the two chambers, with the exception of the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, had met with the president some weeks back on the issue.

According to the breakdown, the Lagos-Kano railway modernisation project and Lagos-Ibadan segment will take $1.231 billion.Those of Lagos-Kano and Kano-Kaduna segments take $1.146 billion, while $3.474 billion is billed for the Coastal Railway project, Lagos-Calabar segment. The three components are part of the loan request from Chinese bank.

Part of the $6.926 World Bank facility will be used to finance projects in the Boko Haram-ravaged North East and provide social inclusion and welfare advancement project.


Polio eradication support and routine immunisation project get $125 million.Also, community and social development project would get $75 million, while states’ health programme investment projects take $125 million, just as $100 million goes to education programme investment projects at that tier of government.
Youth employment and social support projects also get $100 million while $50 million is earmarked for the Fadama 3 Project. The lawmakers had noted then that they rejected the earlier loan request because a breakdown was not attached.

Reading the letter on the floor, Dogara said it behooved the lawmakers to expeditiously approve the request since the funds available under the Chinese-African fund were limited and loan applications based on first come, first serve.

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