Nigeria Vs Poland, Serbia: Ideye, Ighalo To Return; Nwakaeme, Nwakali Dropped

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is set to hand Malaga striker Brown Ideye a recall to the Nigeria senior national team ahead of next month’s international friendly matches against Poland and Serbia, Completesportsnigeria.com has gathered from a top official.

Ideye last featured for the Super Eagles in their first Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying game against Zambia in Ndola in 2016 which Nigeria won 2-1.

Since joining Malaga in January, the 29-year-old has scored once in four La Liga Santander games.

CSN also gathered from that the trio of Chidebere Nwakali of Aberdeen, Victor Osimhen of Wolfsburg and Hapoel Beer-Sheva forward Anthony Nwakaeme have been excluded from the squad to face Poland and Serbia.

The Super Eagles, drawn against Argentina, Croatia, and Iceland in Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, will face Poland in Warsaw on the 23rd of March and four days later take on Serbia in London.

According to CSN sources, Elderson Echiejile, Odion Ighalo, Ogenyi Onazi and Mikel Agu who missed the last games against Algeria and Argentina due to injuries as well Victor Moses are expected to be named in the 25-man squad for the friendlies.

“No major surprises in the team list actually, but it’s more likely Ideye returns but Nwakeame won’t be in the squad,” one of the sources revealed.

“The first team players who missed the last two games in November will be included.”

Rohr is expected to announce his squad that will prosecute the games before Friday.

Invited players are expected to arrive in Poland from 19th March for the friendlies


https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/super-eagles-vs-poland-serbia-ideye-ighalo-return-nwakaeme-nwakali-dropped/

About To Be Initiated Cultists Arrested In Benue By Soldiers

Troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade conducting EXERCISE AYEM AKPATUMA arrested 5 suspected cultists on Sunday 25 February 2018 at Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State. Preliminary investigation conducted revealed that the suspects were said to be students of College of Education, Katsina Ala who were about to be initiated as new members.

Troops acted on credible information followed by raid operations which led to their arrest. The suspects arrested are, Mr Dennis Victor Terfa, Mr Emmanuel Daniel Akpagher, Mr Akuse Jacob Aondongu, Mr Kpo Isaac and Mr Idika Kelechi.

Similarly troops operating at Sector C of same Exercise carried out cordon and search operations at Ukum Local Government Area which also led to the arrest of gun runners and cattle rustler.

Among the suspects arrested is a 55 year old weapon Instructor, Mr Samuel Gaza, who is a member of the Livestock Guard confessed to have been rustling cows for over 4 years before he was recruited by the state government,while Mr Jato Aontoseer, confess that he is a gun runner, Mr Avaatyough Aontoseer is a weapon fabricator.

Items recovered are: one Fabrique National rifle, 3 Fabrique National and AK 47 magazines, one locally made pistol, 3 dane guns, 4 mobile phones and one axe, military belt, lanyard and a beret, charms, some quantity of Indian hemp.

Source; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2018/02/troops-arrests-suspected-cultists-and-cattle-rustlers-at-katsina-ala.html

Super Falcons Withdraw From Turkey Invitational Tournament

The Super Falcons have pulled out of an invitational women’s tournament in Turkey due to logistics.

The Nigerian ladies were due to travel on Monday ahead of their opening match against Kazakhstan on Wednesday but did not have enough time to secure visas due to their participation in the WAFU Women’s Cup in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Falcons were in action in Abidjan only on Saturday, where they defeated Mali 2-1 to win the bronze medal at the inaugural WAFU Women’s Cup.

The eight-team tournament in Turkey would have been the African champions’ second tournament in 2018 after the WAFU Women’s Cup for a team that did not play any football for over one year.

The Super Falcons had not been involved in any sort of action since winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in December 2016 until the WAFU Women’s Cup this February.

“It was impossible for the team to sort visas and make it to the tournament in Turkey, so they had to pull out,” Nigeria Football Federation spokesman Ademola Olajire explained BBC Sport.

“They only just finished playing the Wafu Cup on Saturday and had a short time-frame to sort out visas and other important logistics for the trip to Turkey.

“Importantly, attention and preparations will shift towards the big friendly against France in April.”


https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/super-falcons-withdraw-turkey-invitational-tournament-2/

How FG & Boko Haram Negotiated Ceasefire, Release Of Militants - Lawal Daura

The Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), Lawal Daura, has given rare details of how the Nigerian government negotiated with Boko Haram for the release of abducted oil explorers and policewomen.

The police officers were abducted in June 20, 2017 while travelling from Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State, to Askira Uba local government area to attend a burial.

The lecturers were part of a team of geophysicists searching for oil in the Lake Chad Basin, on behalf of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

The abductees were released on February 10. They were received by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday.

Addressing the president and the abductees, the SSS boss, Mr. Daura, identified Jummai Ibrahim as the victim who was serving as a youth corps member at the time of her abduction.

He said she could have passed out at the end of the last batch in 2017.

Other female abductees are Esther Kwasina, Amina Gomdiya, Gloria Bulus, Paulina Amos and Tani Audu, a final year student at the University of Maiduguri.

He later gave details of how the negotiation happened. It is however unclear what terms were finally agreed upon for the kidnapped officials to be released.

“Mr. President, the search and negotiations for the rescue of the victims commenced in earnest following your directives to the effect that all abducted persons must be found and rescued alive,” Mr. Daura said.

“However, we chose the path of negotiation because it was considered as the safest because any forceful attempt to rescue the victims could endanger their lives.

“These negotiations took several months and the Department of State Services with support of the external elements of the group in diaspora and support from friendly countries and liaising with International Committee of the Red Cross, made the rescue possible,” he said.

Mr. Daura also said the process of the rescue slowed due to the problem of dealing with two different groups based in different locations at the same time.

“In addition, the negotiations took place mostly outside the country, though subsequently finalised in the theatre of operations.

“The negotiations were mainly centered on an attempt at conflict mitigation which include the fate of arrested members of the insurgent groups especially, accepting to free by government those found not to be culpable in any criminal action.

“Also, possible cessation of hostilities especially the attacks with IEDs on innocent civilians, worship centres, schools and other public places in return for temporary stoppage of air strikes by helicopter gunships.

“Lastly, the negotiation was also centered on the possibility of granting amnesty to those willing to surrender and ready to lay down their arms by the federal government,” he said.

A geophysics lecturer, Solomon Yusuf, spoke at the event on behalf of the released abductees.

“While we were in captivity and we said with 180 million or more Nigerians, will Nigeria ever come to rescue us? We lost hope! Sir, you surprised us. After seven months for us in the university and eight months for the 10 ladies, Nigeria rescued us. This shows that the life of every Nigerian is important and is worth rescuing.

“Sir, we are grateful. You gave us hope when there was no hope And we are excited, we thank you Sir, Mr. Yusuf said.

“We also want to appreciate the DSS, the Nigerian armed forces, and the entire team that worked together to make sure we regained our freedom. We appreciate the labour of love they have shown to us.

“We also want to appreciate Nigerians for praying. We were informed that the entire nation was praying for us and we were excited and we said, ‘Oh God what is this?’ This is love. Sir, we are grateful.

“Sir, from the university, it is a golden opportunity for us to see you and to share our fears and concern because we were abducted while working for the nation. And right now going back home to us is still a nightmare because of our experiences.

“Sir we have this golden plea with all due respect. Sir, if there is an opportunity for us to be relocated and maybe given another job, Sir, this is our golden request. This is the only opportunity we have to share with you. But we appreciate everything done, the sacrifice you have given to us. Thank you Sir.”

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/259906-nigerian-govt-boko-haram-negotiated-ceasefire-release-militants.html

FG Reveals When New Minimum Wage Will Be Announced

By Sylvester Ugwuanyi 


The federal government on Monday assured the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and entire workforce of the country that the new national minimum wage will commence, latest by end of September this year.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, who made this known in Abuja at an event marking the 40th anniversary of NLC, disclosed that the federal government would announce the new minimum wage before the end of the third quarter which is September.

He said, “In furtherance to the determination by the federal government to attain the decent work agenda which involves opportunities for works that are productive and deliver a fair income, security in workplace, and social protection for families; there have been overtime, three minimum wage reviews and currently the tripartite committee on national minimum wage is set to review the current minimum wage.

“Memoranda are being received from relevant bodies are persons to enable the determination of a new minimum wage for the nation. By the third quarter of this year, a new minimum wage will be announced for the country.”

The minister appealed to workers for more time and understanding because the government wants to ensure compliance by all state governments.

“Better late than never because some State governors are still owing and cannot pay the current N18,000 minimum wage to workers, that’s why we are ensuring we bring all stakeholders along and announce the new minimum wage at the appropriate time.

“But I can assure you that the third quarter is the maximum time the new minimum wage will be announced,” he said.

http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/26/fg-reveals-new-minimum-wage-will-announced/

Many Killed In Kasuwan Magani, Kaduna As Mayhem Breaks Out

El-Rufai directs prosecution for culprits in Kasuwan Magani mayhem

The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has directed the prosecution of all persons responsible for the Monday mayhem that occurred in Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru local government area.

The government said that security agencies must investigate this unfortunate incident, arrest and make available for prosecution the perpetrators.

Samuel Aruwan, Governor El-Rufai’s spokesperson disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna, shortly after receiving preliminary report of the mayhem.

Aruwan explained that the government condemns the violence, and regrets the wanton shattering of lives. He further disclosed that the government has expressed its sympathy to the victims and their families.

According to Aruwan, the government has directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take inventory of damages and provide relief materials with immediate effect.

The statement added that security forces have been deployed to contain the situation, protect lives and properties and to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

The statement added that the government urges all citizens and communities to reject violence and division, and uphold their neighbours in peace and harmony.

Signed

Samuel Aruwan
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media and Publicity)
26th February 2018


Source: http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2018/02/violence-breaks-out-in-kadunamany.html?m=1

Jude Chukwu Replaces Sani Usman As Army Spokesman

Brig.-Gen. Jude Chukwu on Monday assumed duty as the new Director of Army Public Relations.

Chukwu takes over from Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who proceeds for a course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPS), Kuru, near Jos.

Until his appointment, Chukwu was the Commandant of the Nigeria Army School of Public Relations and Information, Lagos.

Speaking shortly before he handed over to the new spokesman, Usman described his tenure as Army spokesman as a mixture of “excitement, challenges and adventures.’’

He, however, said the challenges and excitement enabled him to effectively discharge his duties, adding that the “experience and knowledge acquired will continue to be cherished.’’

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai for the opportunity given him to serve, as well as Defence Correspondents for their understanding and cooperation.

Usman urged them to extend same cooperation to the incoming army spokesman.

In his remarks, Chukwu also thanked the army chief for the appointment and confidence reposed in him and pledged to live up to expectation.

While soliciting the cooperation of the media, he urged them to put national interest above any other consideration in reporting security issues.





https://extraloops.com/international-news/brig-gen-chukwu-assumes-duty-army-spokesman/