Breaking News: Militants attack SPDC trunk line in Delta

WARRI- SUSPECTED militants on Sunday attacked a major crude oil exports trunk line close to Odimodi community in Delta State. It was gathered that the trunk line, Trans Ramos, belongs to the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC. Confirming the incident n Sunday night, on phone to Vanguard, a resident of the community, Endoro New-world said: “The incident occurred at about

Army to move troops, heavy military weapon in S-South

The Nigerian Army said last night that its training exercise for the Niger Delta code named “EXERCISE CROCODILE SMILE” in 82 Division and part of 2 Division areas of responsibility traversing the South-South geo-political region will commence this weekend. “The general public is please requested not to panic on the sight of unusual movement of large number of troops, heavy military weapons and equipment in these areas” a statement signed by Col Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations said. “The aim of the exercise is to practice our Special Forces and

law-land-touts-

Recently, the Lagos State House of Assembly passed a Bill which criminalises the activities of land touts and grabbers popularly known as “Omo Onile’s” or “Ajagungbale’s”, an action which has understandably been hailed in many quarters. The reason for this is not far-fetched. These hoodlums have been making life hell for landowners and property developers in Lagos State. They have, over the years, earned their notoriety through such criminal actions as forceful entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent extortion of property developers, selling a piece of land to two or more, different, individuals leading to clashes and litigations among the buyers, amidst  other acts of land touting. They also indulge in the sale of properties without the knowledge of the real owners. What many find baffling is the fact that they have always acted with impunity, arrogantly giving the impression that they are above the law. The reality of the menace of Omo Onile to property owners in Lagos is evident in the disputes over land as well as warning notices such as: ‘This Land

Buhari Appoints Heads Of 5 Strategic Health Agencies

Conveying their appointments in a statement, the Personal Assistant to the President on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, disclosed that the health agencies with new heads are the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

• CDC – Dr Chikwe Andreas Ihekweazu, until his

Why Post-UTME test should not be cancelled

The discussions around the conduct of the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination test within the university admission structure had brought to the fore again how controversial, many policy prescriptions and implementation can be in Nigeria. There have been several conflicting information on the process and procedure for admission into universities for the next session. Unfortunately, most of the issues raised appeared to be based on emotions, whims and caprices of the discussants. When emotions underlie policy prescriptions and actions, then the probability of wrong judgment becomes inevitable. It is my belief that unless we discuss the real issues facing the universities’ admission, it will become difficult to solve the problem.

Andre Gomes seals Barcelona transfer from Valencia for £41.7m

Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Portugal international Andre Gomes from Valencia for £41.7m.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder had been linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United after impressing in his two seasons at Valencia having joined them from Benfica.

But the Catalan club have confirmed on Twitter that they have secured a deal.
"Agreement with Valencia for Andre Gomes. The player will both sign and be presented as a new Barcelona player next week," Barca tweeted.

James Rodriguez determined to fight for place with Real Madrid

James Rodriguez insists he is determined to stay and fight for his place at Real Madrid after revealing the club received a huge offer for him.

After a hugely successful debut campaign at the Bernabeu in which he managed 13 goals and 13 assists, Rodriguez struggled to break into the starting line-up last season.

Head coach Zinedine Zidane favoured a 4-3-3 formation with Casemiro deployed as a holding midfielder, and Luka Modric and Toni Kroos either side of him.

Massimiliano Allegri confirms Juventus in talks to sell Manchester United target Paul Pogba

juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that the club are in talks with a club over the sale of Manchester United target Paul Pogba.

The France international was the subject of a £85m bid from United with Sky in Italy revealing Pogba has already agreed personal terms with his former club.

Juventus and United manager Jose Mourinho have refused to confirm whether United are interested in signing the 23-year-old, but Allegri did admit the club were in transfer negotiations.

Rio Olympics: Ministry denies asking athletes to buy air tickets

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development says it did not direct foreign-based athletes going to the Olympic Games in Rio to buy their own air tickets.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, made the clarification on Saturday in Lagos in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Nneka Anibeze.

Mourinho relaxed despite Dortmund thrashing

Jose Mourinho said he would not be rushing into judgement on his players as a result of Manchester United’s 4-1 drubbing by Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday.

“Unfair to make any decision. Day by day they are starting to win my trust,” Mourinho said of his players, who only returned to pre-season training 10 days ago.

Dortmund have been back for a month already, and it showed with superior levels of fitness in

CBN orders fund transfer operators to sell forex to BDCs

AS past of efforts to ensure the stability of the naira exchange rate and to encourage all criti­cal stakeholders to participate in the foreign exchange market, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday directed authorised dealers who are agents to approved international money transfer operators, to sell foreign currency accru­ing from inward money remittances to licensed bureau de change operators in the country.

The bank in a circular referenced, TED/FEM/ FPC/GEN/01/004, dated July 22, 2016, and signed by Acting Director, Trade and Exchange department, W.D. Gotring, directed that all in­ternational money transfer operators will be re­quired to remit foreign currency to agent banks for

Sunderland appoint Moyes coach

Sunderland have appointed former Manchester United manager David Moyes to replace Sam Allardyce as boss at the Stadium of Light, the Premier League club said on Saturday.

The 53-year-old Moyes signed a four-year contract with the Black Cats and was chairman Ellis Short’s “first choice” to take over after Allardyce was named the new England manager this week.

Moyes, who was sacked from Old Trafford in the immediate post-Alex Ferguson era and then had

Rio 2016: Argentina takes game two against Nigeria

. As Brazil arrests 10 in alleged Olympics terror plot

Argentina took its pound of flesh against Nigeria’s D’ Tigers in game two of her two leg friendly international matches ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as they hit back with a vengeance in the second game winning 101-79 after their 96-92 points loss earlier.
Nicolas Laprovittola underlined his importance to the team, stepping out of the shadow cast by his more famous teammates by pouring in 24 points for the winners. He hurt Nigeria with 3-point shooting and overall play.
Captain Luis Scola and fellow veteran Andres Nocioni contributed 16 and 14 points, respectively.

CAF lands Total sponsorship for AFCON, others

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), yesterday announced  multi -national oil company, Total as the new title sponsor of  African football for the next eight years.
According to a statement  from the continental soccer ruling body,  CAF and Total reached an agreement under which Total will support CAF’S 10 principal competitions, beginning with the Gabon 2017  AFCON, which would be renamed the Total Africa Cup of Nations.
The sponsorship also covers the women’s AFCON, U17, U20, U23 AFCONS, the CHAN as well as the CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup and Super Cup.
CAF President, Issah Hayatou, described the partnership as a milestone aimed at accelerating African football’s development.
“This partnership is a major milestone in our ongoing search for additional resources to accelerate African football’s

We are not in talks with FG – Avengers

The Niger Delta Avengers on Friday denied claims by President Muhammadu Buhari that his administration was holding talks with the militants for possible compromise.

The militants had claimed responsibilities for series of attacks on oil facilities across the region in recent times.

 A statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, the group was not aware of any ongoing peace talks.



It said the militants would only hold peace talks with the government if the international community were involved.

Forget Le Guen, give Amuneke Eagles job –Ida Peterside

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peterside Ida has called on the Nigeria Football Federation leadership to forget the hiring Frenchman, Paul Le Guen as Super Eagles technical adviser and hand the job over to coach of the current Flying Eagles Emmanuel Amuneke.
Peterside, speaking from his base in South Africa told Daily Sunsport that had told the leadership of the NFF two months back to hand the job over to former Barcelona winger because he is the best coach in Nigeria at the moment.
“Long after the short spell of Samson Siasia as Eagles coach, I had during a meeting with the leadership of the NFF advised that Nigeria stands a good chance of moving her football to the next level with a coach like Emmanuel Amunike.
“Having followed his matches from the U17 to the Flying Eagles, I have come to realise that he holds the ace for our football. Looking at our current coaches, he stands head and shoulders above the others. “More importantly, he is a level headed coach who knows what he is doing. He understands his players very well and they know what he wants. Amunike has played the game for Nigeria at the highest level which is the World Cup in 1994 and also played with top European champions Barcelona. The cap fits him,” Peterside stressed

Avengers give foreigners, NUPENG, PENGASSAN quit notice

The Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) yesterday warned all foreign firms and their expatriates operating in the Niger Delta region to leave the area or face the consequences of staying put.
Also on the warning list of the militants are the two unions in the oil and gas industry, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) which the Avengers are imploring to “leave all oil fields and terminals” in the region because it is going to be dirty very soon.
A statement by the group’s spokesman, Muddoch Agbinibo gloated over various attacks being carried out on oil installations by the militants and denied that the Nigerian Navy arrested the NDA’s logistics supplier.

NIGERIA: Is Salisu capable of coaching Super Eagles – Disu

Former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Tunde Disu, has urged Nigerians to give the interim Coach of the Super Eagles the chance to lead the team.

Disu made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria after the friendly match between the Flying Eagles and Remo Stars of Shagamu at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

Nigeria and Russia to Sign Nuclear Agreement – Is It The Right Move??

As part of effort to create a scientific and industrial base in Nigeria, Russia and the Federal Government are expected, this month, to sign a bilateral agreement on the creation of a multifunctional scientific and research nuclear center in Nigeria.

Also, Moscow has expressed its readiness to help Nigeria resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Plant. This was disclosed by Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Nikolay Nikolayevich Udovichenko while addressing the Congress of Soyuznik Alumni Association Nigeria (The Association of Nigerian Graduates Trained in the Former Soviet Union and Commonwealth of Independent States) and invited guests in Lagos.

NIGERIA:I’ll reposition economy with technology, agriculture – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday promised that his administration will continue to welcome innovative ideas in the gas, technology and agricultural sectors as ways of repositioning the nation’s economy.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke while receiving the Letter of Credence of the High Commissioner of the Republic of India, Mr. Nagabhushana Reddy, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.