Today
Delta governor: We inherited N100 billion unpaid pension under compulsory pension scheme
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday said his administration inherited about N100 billion unpaid pensions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Okowa disclosed this at the third session of the 8th Synod of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Ughelli Diocese. The session was held at Bishop Agori-Iwe Memorial Church, Ughelli. Okowa said that the financial burden forced 18 state governments out of 26 that enlisted on the scheme to withdraw, leaving only eight state governments, including Delta, in the Programme. The governor explained that the major challenge which forced the states to withdraw and others not to enrol in the scheme, was the huge backlog running into billions of naira. He said that his administration was up-to-date with payment of pensioners in the old scheme. ...
Red Cross condemns ‘horrific’ sexual violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray
The Red Cross voiced alarm Thursday over “horrific” accounts of sexual violence in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Tigray region, amid fears that rape was being used as a weapon of war. Robert Mardini, director-general of the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross, said the organisation’s staff in hospitals and clinics in the region were hearing first-hand of extreme sexual violence. “Those reports are extremely horrific, very shocking,” he told AFP in an interview, adding that this was a “matter of grave concern”. “I haven’t heard such terrible accounts for more than two decades in the humanitarian sector,” said Mardini, who among other things closely followed the civil wars in Syria and Yemen when he headed ICRC’s Near and Middle East division from 2012 to 2018. “Many of my humani...
Lagos: Police arrest protesting Uber, Bolt drivers
The police in Lagos have arrested some members of the Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association (PEDPA), the umbrella body of e-hailing ride companies including Uber and Bolt, who had embarked on an industrial action over the services rendered by the platforms. Five drivers, including the president of PEDPA, Idris Shonuga, were arrested on Tuesday. Speaking on the arrest, Kolawole Aina, the Regional Vice President PEDPA, South-west, said the drivers were picked up by the police at the National Stadium in Surulere while they were gathering for a peaceful march to Alausa. Newsmen reported that Bolt and Uber drivers commenced strike on Monday to express their displeasure over the “unfavourable pricing” of the companies and its impact on their business. Shonuga, who listed ...
Ryan Mason dedicates first Tottenham win to Ugo Ehiogu
Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur interim manager, Ryan Mason, has decided his first win in charge to former coach Ugo Ehiogu, who passed away four years ago. Ehiogu, aged just 44, suffered a cardiac arrest at Tottenham training ground, where we worked as Under-23s coach. Mason, who held the same position before being promoted to first-team duties, worked with Ehiogu while coming through the ranks as a Spurs player. Today marks the four-year anniversary of the tragic passing of our former Under-23s Coach Ugo Ehiogu. 🤍 Always in our hearts. His memory fondly lives on. pic.twitter.com/U1SOQ73zg6 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 21, 2021 On the anniversary of Ehiogu’s death, Mason made a winning start to life in temporary charge of his boyhood club. “I want to dedicate that one...
European Super League shelved as more clubs withdraw
The European Super League collapsed on Wednesday as eight of the 12 founding members from England, Italy and Spain abandoned the breakaway project. The project collapsed after it came under massive pressure from fans, politicians, football officials and even the British royals. Founder and Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli told Reuters he was reluctantly calling time on the new league. This was after six English clubs withdrew on Tuesday, with Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid following suit and AC Milan indicating they would too. “The voices and the concerns of fans around the world have clearly been expressed about the Super League, and AC Milan must be sensitive to the voice of those who love this wonderful sport,” the Italian club said in a statement. Agnelli said he still believed in the...
Iran says 60% enrichment meant to show nuclear prowess, is reversible
Iran began enriching uranium to 60% purity in order to show its technical capacity after a sabotage attack at a nuclear plant, and the move is quickly reversible if the United States lifts sanctions, the Iranian government said on Tuesday. Talks in Vienna aimed at bringing the United States and Iran back to full compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal have been further complicated by an explosion at Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. Iran has responded by saying it is enriching uranium to 60%fissile purity, a big step towards weapons-grade from the 20% ithad previously achieved. The 2015 pact between Iran and world powers had capped the level of enrichment purity at 3.67% – suitable for generating civilian nuclear energy. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon. “The start of 60% ...
PDP wins all seats in Rivers council election
File Photo In line with expectation and trends in other parts of the country, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers has been declared the winner of all the chairpersons and councillorship seats contested for in the State local government election held on Saturday. The announcement that the PDP won all the seats contested for in the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers was made by the State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, in Port Harcourt on Sunday. However, one of the parties that participated in the election, the Social Democratic Party, SDP has described the poll as a ‘sham’ while calling for the resignation of Chairman of RSIEC, Justice George Omereji [rtd]. The party also called for cancellation of all the results of the election. The SDP councillorship candidate ...
Paul Onuachu speaks on missing Belgium goals record
Paul Onuachu may have emerged the Goal King of Belgium, but he came a goal shy of matching the goals record in the Belgian top league. Onuachu netted a brace to finish on 29 goals, a goal short of the record set by Wesley Sonck. The Super Eagles striker insisted he did not play to reach the record Saturday night at Antwerp. “I was not doing that at all today (Saturday),” he told Het Belang Van Limburg . “I played for the team and tried to use my qualities for them. “By getting two goals that worked well. Unfortunately it was not enough for a win and second place (for Genk).” Genk lost 3-2 at Antwerp. The striker was also a booking away from suspension, but he said he was suspended after about an hour because he was struggling with his knee. “I did not think about that yellow card. I had so...
West Ham boss allays fears of serious Jesse Lingard injury after substitution
West Ham manager David Moyes has moved to allay fears Jesse Lingard picked up an injury in the defeat at Newcastle on Saturday. The loanee, who scored his ninth goal for the club in the game, was withdrawn late on after going down with cramp. Lingard’s goal from the penalty spot made this season his best every in terms of goals scored in the top flight, doing so in just ten games for the Hammers. If they are to make the top four this season, the England international will be key, meaning that his going down sparked fears among many supporters. Lingard was quickly back on the pitch after the game and Moyes was quick to calm any worries. “I think it was just cramp, I don’t think it was anything serious,” said Moyes. Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Cresswell missed the game through injury, with the ...
Bandits kill nine persons, rustle 500 cows in Sokoto
The government and people of Sokoto State are in deep mourning over bandits attack that left at least nine persons dead and several others injured. The attack happened on Thursday in Rarah, a village in Rabbah Local Government of the State. The assailants also rustled away about 500 cows. It has been wailing and gnashing of the teeth in the community since the attack. The Sun reports that a statement from Abdulnasir Abubakar Sanyinna, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public affairs to Governor Aminu Tambuwal, also confirmed the attack. It stated that the Governor alongside heads of security agencies in the state had condoled with people and relatives of the victims. “Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal today condoled with the people of Rarah town of Rabah LGA over the recent killing of nin...
Oyo: Police rescues three abducted women after four days in captivity
The Oyo State Police Command on Friday confirmed the release of the abducted victims at Onipe, a suburb along the Ijebu-ode/Idi-Ayunre axis of Oluyole Local Government Area of the state on Monday by unknown gunmen. According to a press statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Adewale Osifeso, and made available to newsmen on Friday evening, the release of the abducted victims, Mrs Temitope Okeowo, Mrs Abosede Adebayo and Mrs Bola Ogunrinde, was a result of pressure and meaningful intelligence from police along with effective utilization of local hunters and vigilantes. The statement added that the effective utilisation of local hunters and vigilantes who under the supervision of the police, combed the suspected location in search of the abducted victims before recording the brea...
RCCG apologises to minister over Osun road project
File Photo Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), on Thursday, dismissed alleged payment of N151million to a firm for a road rehabilitated by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Osun State. Fashola in his submission before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, probing the allegation, said the claim by the church was untrue. He said the 15-kilometer road was awarded to Messrs Cartil Construction Nigeria Limited at the cost of N662.7million by the Federal Government in 2011. He said the Ministry paid N99million as 15% mobilisation fee and N52million to the contractor after the firm achieved 26.2 per cent of work done on the road in March and December 2011, respectively. He insisted that the award of the contract and the subsequent p...
