PHOTO OF OSINBAJO IN PRESIDENTIAL JET TO LONDON

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Kaduna state governor, Nasir El Rufai pictured in a presidential jet as they left Abuja yesterday to participate in the launching of the Energy Africa Campaign in London today.-CLICK HERE FOR STORY-

NIGERIA TO SIGH ENERGY AGGREMENT WITH UK - OSINBAJO OFF TO UK

Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday night left Abuja for London to participate in the launching of the Energy Africa Campaign today.

He will be signing a commitment on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria to partner with the United Kingdom government on the Campaign.

A statement from his office stated that the agreement would improve on the power situation of the country.

The statements reads: “The Nigeria-UK partnership intends to bring solar power to millions of homes in Nigeria, using the model of installation and payment that has worked effectively in Kenya and Tanzania.”

“Originally an initiative of the UK government, the partnership involves the governments of Nigeria and other African nations in an effort to shorten the time required for universal electricity delivery, specifically in the continent where two out of every three persons do not have electricity in their homes.

“Prof. Osinbajo will speak at the event alongside the UK Minister of State for International Development, Mr. Grant Shapps, MP, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other leaders from Africa.

“The Vice President who will return to Abuja by the weekend is accompanied on the trip by Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and Deputy Chief of Staff in the presidency, Mr. Ade Ipaye

U17: NIGERIA QUALIFIES, BEATS CHILE 5:1

Holders Nigeria continued their impressive start to their FIFA U-17 World Cup title defence by completing a comprehensive 5-1 victory over hosts Chile and progressing to the knockout stages in the process.

A goal within 30 seconds by star man Samuel Chukwueze set the tone for a straightforward win, with the diminutive No8 grabbing a second in the second half after he had earlier been fouled for Kelechi Nwakali’s to score from the spot, and before he was felled for Victor Osimhen’s successful spot kick conversion.

Chile grabbed a consolation, before Funsho Bamgboye saw his marching orders, with Osimhen’s late header adding some gloss to the win, despite Nwakali missing his second penalty of the match after Chukwueze had been fouled in the penalty area for a third time.

The African side were remarkably quick out of the blocks, opening the scoring after 22 seconds. Victor Osimhen, fresh from his goal in the opening game against USA, sprinted down the Nigerian left and slid the ball across the Chilean penalty area. The onrushing midfielder slammed home with ease.

He then played a big part in the second Nigeria goal, sprinting onto a long upfield clearance and tapping the ball past the sliding Juan Jose Soriano in the penalty area. The Chilean defender’s challenge brought down the Nigeria No8 and Nwakali doubled his side’s lead.

Chukwueze then grabbed his second of the game thanks to sheer determination on the hour mark. He worked his way into the Chilean penalty area, performed a couple of stepovers and, after seeing an initial shot blocked, slammed a left-footed strike past Lopez.

Chile’s defence will be glad to see the back of the Nigerian No8, as he burst into the Chilean penalty area once more moments later and was felled again, this time by substitute Brian Leiva. For the second spot kick, it was Osimhen who stepped up, and he matched Nwakali’s first effort by firing home.

Substitute Funsho Bamgboye later hit the post before Chile’s consolation came courtesy of Marcelo Allende, who slammed past Akpan Udoh from Luciano Diaz’s cross.

Despite Bamgboye’s late dismissal, for a rash challenge, Nigeria rallied and Osimhen grabbed his third of the tournament in two games. Nwakali then missed his chance to double his own tally for the game from the penalty spot, after Chukwueze had been fouled for a third time.

It did not matter though, as Nigeria join Korea Republic in the last 16, with Chile set to face USA in a pivotal final clash back at the Estadio Sausalito on Friday.

UN HAILS PRESIDENT BUHARI FOR HIS FIGHT AGAINST BOKO HARAM

The United Nations (UN) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari administration for its fight against Boko Haram.

Mr. Weixiong Chen of the UN Counter Terrorism Centre said this when he led a delegation to Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS’) Controller-General, Dr. Peter Ekpendu.

Chen praised the government and the NPS management for being able to contain insurgency, particularly the de-radicalisation of those in prison custody.

NPS spokesman Francis Enobore  quoted the leader of the delegation as noting with delight the “appreciable success that has been recorded in the counter-terrorism, reformation and rehabilitation drive of the prisons service through the support of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), European Union and other development partners”.

He stated that violent extremism, which he described as a relatively new phenomenon in Africa, remained a global challenge and a common enemy to mankind.

The UN official said insurgency must be collectively fought with unwavering determination and relentless vigour.

Chen observed that Nigeria, being the first country in Africa to adopt the soft approach to managing terrorism through good penal practice, has once again demonstrated its capacity to taking a leading role in strengthening the resources of other sister nations in the continent in dealing with the menace.

He promised to seek the support of international donor agencies for logistics, infrastructural intervention and capacity-building for prison workers to enhance and sustain the gains so far recorded.

The NPS’ Controller-General thanked the visitors for the  interest in assisting Nigeria to surmount the challenge of violent extremism, which has redefined the country’s security architecture and socio-economic development.

He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the logistics support through the ONSA that led to a huge impact in the de-radicalisation  programme for those  in prison custody

SOUTH AFRICA RETURNS $15MILLION TO NIGERIAN GOVERMENT

The South African government has reportedly returned the $15 million for arms procurement, back  to the Nigerian government.

You will recall that South African border authorities seized $9.3 million meant for the procurement of arms for the Nigerian military in September 2014, from two Nigerians and an Israeli who arrived the country in a private jet.  Also, South Africa seized another $5.7 million transferred by Societe D’Equipments Internationale of NIGERIA to South African arms company, Cerberus Risk Solutions.

According to Premium Times, the money has been returned to  Nigeria

The report states “the money was released as a result of some legal and diplomatic processes initiated by the former National Security Adviser which ensured that cash seized by the South African government during the cash for arms saga last year have been fully recovered by Nigeria.

BOMB EXPLOSION AVERTED IN JOS.

 

 

A Bomb explosion that would have taken the life of many Nigerians was averted by a security guard on sunday in pleatue state. The ECWA church which was filled with Worshiers had a bomb planted at the Entrance. The guard spoted, picked up and threw the bomb which exploded instantly.Although  no one was killed from the explosion, the guard sustained injuries on the leg and is currently being treated, a worshipper said.
     Another explosive device that was planted in the rest room of the church was discorverd by the  police anti bomb squard said another witness.
   The ECWA church in tudunwa is located near the federal secetariat in jos, jos north local goverment area of plateau state.
   Meanwile the police spokesman in pleatue, Abuh Emmanuel  confermed that no life was lost in the explosion  and that expersts were deployed to the scene To ascertain those who planted the explosive device, and possibly the manufacturers.
   This explosion occured just only after 1 week  after a similar explosion At a redeemed church in Yobe state, which unfortunately clamed many lives.