The completion date of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project is extended by FG to Dec 2019

There are indications that the completion date for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project has been extended by another one year to accommodate additional work already approved by the Federal Government.

The project, which commenced in 2013, had 2017 as the initial completion date but it was later moved to end of 2018/early 2019 as a result of the increase in scope of work.

The reconstruction of the road, it was learnt, would be completed by December 2019.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, told our correspondent that when the road contract was awarded, the Federal Government did not envisage some of the activities currently going on along the road.

He said, “The end of 2018 is no longer feasible; what we have is that the government has awarded additional work that is not part of the original contract. When the contract was first awarded, we did not take into consideration the religious organisations that are springing up rapidly in the area.

“So now, we have to make provision for toll gates, flyovers and plazas, among other additions. So, the completion date has been extended. We need additional one year to complete the work that has been added.”

About N64.108bn was approved by the government a few months ago for additional work on section one of the road being handled by Julius Berger.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, had stated that the additional work would cover flyover and pedestrian bridges as well as toll plazas for that section in order to accommodate the changing nature of the road.

Reacting to complaints by motorists on the slow pace of work on the road, Kuti said the rainy season had contributed significantly to this.

He added, “This is construction work; the pace of work is usually slower during rainy season. Once a material is wet, you must allow it to dry before it can be used.

“Instead of people to complain about the pace of work, they should consider the fact that the contractor is on site and we are moving.”

Kuti also spoke on the rumoured closure of the road, saying that there would only be diversion to enable the contractor to work faster.

“Nobody is going to shut down the road at any time; normal work will continue with diversion,” he said.

The project, which commenced in 2013, had 2017 as the initial completion date but it was later moved to end of 2018/early 2019 as a result of the increase in scope of work.

The reconstruction of the road, it was learnt, would be completed by December 2019.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, told our correspondent that when the road contract was awarded, the Federal Government did not envisage some of the activities currently going on along the road.

He said, “The end of 2018 is no longer feasible; what we have is that the government has awarded additional work that is not part of the original contract. When the contract was first awarded, we did not take into consideration the religious organisations that are springing up rapidly in the area.

“So now, we have to make provision for toll gates, flyovers and plazas, among other additions. So, the completion date has been extended. We need additional one year to complete the work that has been added.”

About N64.108bn was approved by the government a few months ago for additional work on section one of the road being handled by Julius Berger.

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, had stated that the additional work would cover flyover and pedestrian bridges as well as toll plazas for that section in order to accommodate the changing nature of the road.

Reacting to complaints by motorists on the slow pace of work on the road, Kuti said the rainy season had contributed significantly to this.

He added, “This is construction work; the pace of work is usually slower during rainy season. Once a material is wet, you must allow it to dry before it can be used.

“Instead of people to complain about the pace of work, they should consider the fact that the contractor is on site and we are moving.”

Kuti also spoke on the rumoured closure of the road, saying that there would only be diversion to enable the contractor to work faster.

“Nobody is going to shut down the road at any time; normal work will continue with diversion,” he said.

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Ministry of Mines Rakes in over N9 billion in Nearly 3 Years

The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has generated more than N9 billion from November 2015 till date. Alhaji Abubakar Bwari, the Minister of State disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja. Bwari said that the ministry generated N351,882,084.26 from November to December in 2015, N2,864,903,426.32 in 2016, N3,925,028,183.90 in 2017 and N2,060,441,736. 62 in 2018.

“When Dr Kayode Fayemi and I assumed duty in November 2015, we set an agenda to move the sector forward in line with President Muhammadu Buhari diversification plan and to boost the revenue of the ministry,” he said.

On success made by the sector through its budgetary allocation, he said that tremendous improvement had been recorded by the sector in the past two years.NAN recalls that in 2015, the capital appropriated for the ministry was N704 million and the amount released was N302 million.

In 2016, N2.6 billion was appropriated and what was released to the sector was N917 million.In 2017, N6,48 billion was appropriated for the ministry but N3.24 billion was released to the sector.He said that the ministry’s budget for 2017 was able to meet some of its needs, adding that it could conveniently provide logistics to its officers across the country.

“We can now give our officers money to monitor activities at all mine sites across the country from our budget, unlike in the past when the ministry’s budget was grossly inadequate.“The ministry also purchased vehicles for its officers across the country as well as surveillance taskforce to monitor illegal miners and mineral’s smugglers among others.”

Bwari said that the ministry has concluded arrangements to disburse another N70 million to some universities to conduct Research and Development of minerals deposits across the country.NAN reports that the fund being disbursed to some universities is the second batch of the programme.

In July, the minister disbursed N84 million to11 universities to conduct research and development of minerals deposits in Nigeria.The universities were required to conduct research and development in various areas relating to mapping and evaluation of particular mineral deposits in Nigeria.The 11 universities that benefitted from the fund in the first batch were, Obafemi Awolowo University, Federal University of Technology, Minna, and the University of Nigeria, Nsuka.

Others include, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Ibrahim Badamasi Babagida University, Niger, University of Port Harcourt, University of Jos, University of Lagos, Nasarawa State University, University of Ibadan and Ebonyi State University.

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2019 Election: Read what Nigerians are saying about cost of APC nomination forms

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the two major political parties--APC and PDP--have told aspirants for elective offices just how much nomination or expression of interest forms cost.

For instance, we do know that if you intend to run for the office of president on the PDP platform, you will have to part with N12million (N2million for Expression of Interest form and N10million for Nomination form).

Governorship aspirants on the PDP platform will cough out N6million (N1million as Expression of Interest form and N5million for the Nomination form).

See this link for cost of PDP nomination forms.

In the APC, Pulse has been told, things are a lot more expensive. Here’s what it will reportedly cost to run for office on the platform of the governing party.

PS: The APC is yet to say if the figures below are accurate. Pulse will update this story when an official response from the governing party comes in:

House of Reps - N3.8M

Senate - N8.5M

Governor - N22.5M

President - N55M

Nigerians have been having their say on Twitter on the cost of APC nomination forms. Find a few reactions below:

The reactions arrive on the heels of the signing of the Not-Young-To-Run bill by President Buhari on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

The Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act alters Sections 65, 106, 131, and 177 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and effectively reduces the age of qualification for the office of the President from 40 to 35 years; House of Reps from 30 to 25 years; and the House of Assembly from 30 to 25 years.

However, with nomination forms of the major political parties selling at prohibitive prices, young Nigerians have been wondering how they will ever make it into political offices since millions of them can't afford to purchase the APC, PDP forms.

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'I have no fear about free and fair election' - Nigeria's Buhari

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has emphasized that he is not afraid of a free and fair election because his election is a product of that process.

Speaking on Sunday in the Chinese capital of Beijing at an interactive session with the Nigerian community, Buhari said he won the presidency on his fourth attempt.

“We are not doing too badly, but we need your understanding and support. Whatever you can contribute back at home by advising your families to vote for our party.

“I have no fear about free and fair election because that is what brought me here… I know what I want to do, very few in Nigeria politicians could boast of that, I tried four times.

He stressed about challenging the results in his first two attempts then added: “the third time I said ‘God dey,’ and the fourth time technology came and helped us and people’s vote counted.”

He had made a similar comment during a visit to Abuja by German chancellor Angela Merkel, adding that his administration was also committed to the rule of law.

Buhari, a former military ruler of Africa’s most populous nation, came into office in 2015 on the back of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He has announced his intention to seek a second and final term in elections slated for February 2019.

He is leading the Nigerian entourage to the Forum for China – Africa Cooperation which kicks off today in Beijing. Dozens of African leaders are currently in Beijing for the summit themed: “China and Africa: Toward an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.”

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FOCAC: China Announces $60 billion Financing Package for African Economies

China will extend a total of 60 billion U.S. dollars of financing to Africa, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Monday.

In a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, President Xi said that the financing will be provided in the form of government assistance as well as investment and financing by financial institutions and companies

He also said that China will exempt certain African countries from outstanding debts incurred in the form of interest-free Chinese government loans due by the end of 2018.

The exemption, he said, will be granted to Africa’s least developed countries, heavily indebted and poor countries, landlocked and small island developing countries that have diplomatic relations with China.

Xi also said China will implement eight major initiatives with African countries in the next three years and beyond.

He said the initiatives, cover fields such as industrial promotion, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, and green development. 

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EPL: Wenger to replace Mourinho at Manchester United

Veteran English sports presenter and analyst, Richard Keys, has said that former Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, would take over from Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Keys who has worked with BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Talksport, Al-Jazeera, Fox Sports, ESPN Star Sports, said that Wenger would be a suitable replacement for the Portuguese.

United boss, Mourinho is the favourite with the bookies to be the next manager to lose their job in the top flight despite yesterday’s win over Burnley.

And Keys suggested the Wenger, who left Arsenal after 22 years at the end of last season, would be a good option.

“I’ll match and raise you Arsene Wenger,” he told beIN Sports.

“Let me put a bit of meat on the bone. Managed big players all of his life. Knows plenty about the English Premier League.

“He has won everything there is to win apart from the Champions League. He certainly can handle big players. Managed a big football club and he’s available.”

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EPL: David Luiz reveals who made him to remain at Chelsea

Chelsea defender, David Luiz revealed that the arrival of new manager, Maurizio Sarri convinced him to stay at Chelsea following Antonio Conte’s exit.

Luiz, who had confirmed that he planned to leave the Blues this summer if Conte remained as manager, also spoke on his new position in Sarri’s formation.

Sarri replaced fellow Italian compatriot, Conte at Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer.

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, Luiz said that the arrival of Sarri convinced him to stay at the club rather than push for a move away from the West London club.

“Maurizio Sarri already teach me many things I have not saw before,” said Luiz. “His arrival made me to stay”.

“I already had a coach the same way as him – Jorge Jesus when I had him at Benfica, he was also like that. It’s important because we play one-on-one with the ball.”

“I already played more in my life in a back four than a back three,” he added. “I start to play back three when I was 17 then I come back to play a back three two years ago here.

“I think I’m more adept with a back four than a back three.”

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LaLiga: Real Madrid coach, Lopetegui speaks on Benzema becoming top scorer this season

Real Madrid manager, Julen Lopetegui has said that striker, Karim Benzema can end the 2018-19 season as the top scorer (Pichichi) in the La Liga.

Benzema scored five league goals for the Los Blancos last campaign but has already registered four times in three appearances at the start of the 2018-19 campaign.

The France international netted a brace in Madrid’s 4-1 win over Leganes on Saturday night in the La Liga.

Lopetegui, however, believes Benzema has what it takes to pick up the Pichichi Trophy for the top goalscorer in La Liga this season.

“Why can’t he [Benzema] be Pichichi? Why can’t he end up with 30 or 40 goals? The most important thing is the team.

“The goals come from the work of the whole team and someone has the honour, proximity and quality of scoring them,” Sportmole quoted Lopetegui as saying at post-match.

Lopetegui’s side has won all three of their league matches at the start of the new season.

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Defection: Akwa Ibom PDP assures decampees of equal opportunity

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has allayed fears that those who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the party would be relegated to the background, reassuring that all party members would be given equal opportunity and a level-playing ground.

Speaking through its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, in an interaction with journalists in Uyo over the weekend, PDP said it has put in place a solid structure so that no member would be marginalised.

According to Ememobong, “When people leave the PDP, it’s defection, when they return it’s home coming. So when people come back home, it’s easy to locate their rooms.”

On the position of the party on zoning, the Publicity Secretary said that zoning has become sacrosanct in the party because such would reduce political tension and unnecessary expenditure during the 2019 general elections.

He also said the widespread sensitization on zoning has readjusted the mindset of politicians in the state to avoid undue conflicts, adding that the ongoing purchase of nomination forms by members of the party was an indication of respect to the zoning arrangement.

The party spokesman said such peaceful move runs in contrast with other political parties that were allegedly chanting war songs, with the threat to win through violence.

He said as a party determined to win the support of the people through hard work and prove of competence, the PDP, instead of threat and intimidation, has held stakeholders’ meetings in the 329 wards across the state and carried out sensitization in the 10 federal constituencies.

Ememobong said the PDP is currently running over five radio programs, using such platforms to sensitize and give seed funds to aid small and medium scale business owners, in addition to training in various trades and vocations.

“We have been holding series of meetings to prepare the ground to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible elections. In the area of touching lives, we are currently running 4-5 programs on radio, sensitising and giving out monies for people to start small businesses, we give out as much as N250-500,000.

“It’s difficult for a person who is benefiting from you not to insist you stay. We are interacting with young professionals, market people, we are carrying out door to door campaigns, we are praying, the governor before declaring went first to God, this government has been made a part of the church. We have done that part that man needed to do. That is why the campaign slogan of the governor for 2019 is ‘Only God’,” he said

“People come into politics without preparing that the answer can either be yes or no, that’s why we keep asking those not favoured by zoning to avoid spending money, some aspirants do not even know how to interact with the electorates. That is why we keep sensitizing our members to avoid this.”

While expressing confidence that the PDP has worked harder than any other political party in the state and therefore stands a huge chance of sweeping the polls, the party spokesperson said, “PDP secretariat has been a beehive of activities within these past weeks, lots of people have indicated interest and actually purchased the forms, our forms are the most reasonable in the political market. For women, it’s just the expression of interest, the nomination form is free, only the incumbent has purchased form for governorship

“PDP is the only political party in this country to attain the age of 20, it was created as a platform where everyone, irrespective of religious or any affiliation can thrive. In the past 20 years, we have provided the fertile ground for democracy to thrive, I’m sure that if the type of party we have at the centre today had been for the past 20 years, there wouldn’t have been democracy. That’s our greatest achievement.”

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Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Delta, demand N15million ransom

Reports reaching EMIRATCO say there is serious tension in Delta State as gunmen on Saturday abducted the presiding priest of Emmanuel Catholic Church, Rev. Fr. Christopher Ogaga, in Aragba/Oviri-Okpe in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State

As at the time of filing this report, the whereabouts of the priest is still unknown but the gunmen were said to be demanding N15 million ransom from to release the priest.

The cleric, who doubles as the Principal of St. Peter’s Claver’s College, Aghalokpe, was abducted at about 10am while driving alone on his way to Warri after he left Aghalokpe community, DAILY POST gathered.

Rev. Fr. Ogaga was coming to Warri to help the Parish Priest of Mother of Redeemer’s Catholic Church, Airport junction to conduct services billed to hold Sunday. He is the priest in charge of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Oviri-Okpe in addition to St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Aghalokpe.

When contacted, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa confirmed the incident to newsmen on Monday.

Mustafa said operatives of the command have launched a search to ensure the safe release of the Catholic priest.

According to him, “Yes, we are already searching for the kidnappers. He was kidnapped two days ago.”

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APC reaffirms how presidential candidate will emerge

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has again clarified that the those aspiring for the party’s presidential ticket will go through direct primary.

APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, stated this in an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) at the weekend.

Buni said, “Both direct and indirect primaries are contained in our party constitution. In the presidential primary, we are going to start the direct method at the various ward levels, then we’ll conclude everything at the national convention.

“Other primaries such as that of the National Assembly, governors and members of the state Houses of Assembly depend on what the states want.

“The party executive at the state level would sit down and decide and then forward to us the method they want for approval.”

Emiratco reports that there is confusion in the party nationwide as to how candidates will emerge.

This is despite explanation of the decisions made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) as regards the mode of primaries.

APC had said: “Primary Elections into all elective offices shall be by the Direct and Indirect Election or by Consensus. The use of the Direct and Indirect Primaries shall however depend on the peculiarity and need of a given State

“The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the Party’s Primary Elections i.e. State Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the Governorship Elections”.

But many chieftains, elected officials and members, have cried foul, insisting that subjecting some states and positions to indirect primaries was to enable certain persons determine winners.

On Sunday, a statement by Yekini Nabena, APC National Publicity Secretary, confirmed that the NEC decisions had triggered an internal crisis.

He disclosed that the party had received information that some members were working against the NEC resolutions.

Nabena noted: “The identities of those plotting such meetings have been identified and unless they desist from such they will be dealt with in line with the Party’s Constitution at the appropriate time.

“The NWC will resist any attempt to disrupt the current peace and harmony prevailing in our great Party after the exit of some members of our Party.

“We urge any member who is not satisfied with the decisions of the Party to utillize channels provided by the Party’s constitution to air their views.”

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Fire guts National Museum

Fire on Sunday gutted the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, one of Brazil’s oldest.

The cause of the fire, which broke out on Sunday night, was not yet known.

However, no injuries were immediately reported as firefighters struggled to quench the fire.

“This is a tragic day for Brazil. Two hundred years of work and research and knowledge are lost.Brazil President Michel Temer said in a statement.

“This is a cultural tragedy,” the director of the National History Museum said on Globo TV.

The museum was founded in 1818 by King Joao VI and is among Brazil’s most important, with valuable national treasures inside.

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Abia 2019: On equity I stand – Sen Orji

As intrigues intensify ahead of the 2019 elections, Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central district has insisted that the power zoning arrangements in the state should be respected by all political parties in the spirit and letter of Abia charter of equity.

The former Governor stated this at the weekend in Umuahia when he received in audience Umunneato Council of Chiefs and select women leaders.

Umunneato clan comprises three Local Government Areas in Abia Central zone of Ngwa: Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma LGAs.

Orji said that the Abia charter of equity agreed upon by the founding fathers of the state recommended power rotation among the three senatorial zones in the state.

He said his belief in the document informed his insistence on power shift to Abia South in 2015 after his second tenure as Governor, as other zones had all taken their turns.

Orji said “it will be proper for Abia South senatorial zone to be allowed to complete their turn by renewing Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s mandate in 2019”.

The former Governor, therefore, enjoined the Umunneato Council of Chiefs to prevail on senatorial aspirants from the clan to perish their ambition in 2019 in the spirit of equity and justice.

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Enugu Airport: South-East Governors knock FG

South-East Governors, Sunday, told the Federal Government that the sorry state of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu was putting lives in danger.

They spoke during a meeting of the Forum held at the Enugu Government House.

Chairman of the Forum and Ebonyi Governor, David Umahi, read a communique issued after the meeting.

Governors of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu of Enugu and Abia, respectively, were present at the meeting.

In the communique read by Umahi, he said the condition of the runway posed threat to the lives of the people of the region in particular and Nigerians in general, as pilots were finding it difficult to land.

While appreciating the Federal Government “for the intervention on the airport, the Governors drew its attention “to the deplorable state of the runway; the runway lights and the tarmac and called on the Hon. Minister of State for Aviation to visit the Airport for an on-the-spot assessment and urgent intervention.

“The Forum also requested that urgent steps must be taken for the reactivation of the cargo section of the Airport,” adding that it was also unacceptable that the International wing could not function beyond 6 p.m.

They also announced that “the Forum received interim report from the South-East Consultative Committee on health, set up to facilitate the establishment of world class health facilities in each State of the South-East zone.

“The Forum noted the calibre of health and other professionals in the committee and commended them for the progress so far and urged them to work towards ensuring the transformation of the zone into a medical tourist destination in Nigeria.”

“The Forum received presentation from the South-East Region Development Fund, (SENDEF), a financial arm of the SEREDEC and urged them to channel all development plans in the South-East region through the Secretariat of the Forum,” they further stated in the communique.

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APC fires back at PDP over Buhari’s comment on Nigerians migrating to Europe

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to mitigating the migration crisis Nigerians are facing, particularly in Libya and in the Mediterranean Sea.

The party stated this in a statement issued by Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary, in reaction to comments made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the issue.

He condemned attempts by the PDP to politicise Buhari’s statement on illegal migration and trafficking of Nigerians during the recent visit of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel to Nigeria.

Nabena said: “The PDP in its typical insensitive and unguarded stance on matters affecting the country is exploiting an issue that borders to on the lives of Nigerians, mostly youths.

“It is a known fact that many Nigerian families have suffered grief as a result of deaths and other inhuman treatment that have befell relatives attempting migration to Europe and other parts of the world.

“Through support of international agreements and efforts towards curbing illegal migration, repatriation of stranded Nigerian migrants and addressing root causes encouraging illegal migration of Nigerians, the President Buhari administration has demonstrated the political will to check the scourge”.

He recalled the presidential directive for Nigerians to be evacuated from Libya and other locations and be returned home safely.

Nabena said the administration had already put in place several interventionist programmes to enable such persons start new and productive lives in the country.

He noted that with unemployment and poverty identified as one of the root causes of illegal migration, the Buhari administration was using initiatives to check the ugly trend.

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2019: PDP reveals why Saraki, Atiku, Tambuwal won’t be screened for now

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has explained why it is yet to constitute a panel that will screen its presidential aspirants.

Many of the aspirants who have purchased the party’s presidential and expression of interest forms are said to be waiting for the naming of the panel.

Among the aspirants who have picked the forms are a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; and the Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo.

Also on the list are a former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido; a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN); a former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and Dr Ahmed Datti.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, told Punch that there was nothing wrong in the delay.

He said, “There is nothing to worry about in that (non-release of the screening panel). You know we are still selling our forms.

“As soon as we are done with the selling of the forms, we will constitute the panel. We have nothing to hide. The aspirants are also aware of that.

“The party has said that it will be transparent and we will abide by that. So, we have nothing to fear or worry about.”

According to the revised timetable of the party, the screening of the presidential aspirants will hold on September 12.

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2019: Kwankwaso speaks on PDP’s form of presidential primary

A former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso has said that he is in support of using indirect primaries by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He said he was sure the party will still continue with the indirect primaries having used that system since 2003 when it was reviewed.

The former Governor said though he was elected as governor through the direct system in 1999, he would still align himself with the position taken by the leadership of the party on the matter.

He told reporters in Abuja on Sunday that the PDP was experienced enough to handle the matter.

He said, “Well, I think parties should look out their situation. The situation of PDP is such that we have gone through all the processes.

“And we are experienced enough to select the best system for the party.

“Some of you may still remember that in 1999 when I was elected as governor, the PDP then elected their candidates through direct primaries.

“And from that experience, we sat down here in this secretariat and thought there was a need for us to review it.

“And that was why in 2003, and since then, we are doing indirect elections.

“And I’m sure one day the party may decide to go back to direct election. But I think now, a decision has been taken by the party to do an indirect election.

“And we are all abiding by the position of the party. So, I think now, it is beyond my opinion or your opinion. The party has taken a position.”

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2019: Why Imo people will miss me – Gov. Okorocha

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has provided reasons he would be missed by the people of the state when he leaves office next year.

Okorocha said he had done enough for the people to miss him after he hands over to a successor in 2019.

The Governor listed free and qualitative education programme in the State and more than 1000 verifiable projects as some of the reasons he won’t be forgotten so fast.

Okorocha said that Imo people will definitely look back with admiration at his 8 years in office.

According to the Governor, he has repositioned the state for better after repurchasing all the assets sold by previous administrations in the state.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the Governor said, “The free education programme in the State which some opponents of the government had tried to discredit when it was introduced has yielded obvious remarkable results.

“And aside the School enrolment in the State snowballing from 381,000 in 2011 to more than One million in 2017, the State has continued to lead in JAMB applications for the Seventh time now.

“The State has also continued to do very well in WAEC Exams. For instance, in the 2018 Senior School Certificate Exam (SSCE), the State came fifth out of the Thirty-Six States in the Country and the Federal Capital Territory.“

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As Buhari Arrives Beijing,Nigeria, China to Sign U.S.$328m Agreement On ICT.

President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Beijing yesterday to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) holding on Monday and Tuesday.During the 6-day official visit of the Nigerian President, he is expected to join his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping to witness the signing of an agreement on the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11) between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) at the cost of US $328 million facility provided by the Chinese EXIM Bank.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, yesterday, said the bank facility is for the development of NICTIB 11 project, which is consistent with the current administration's commitment to incorporating the development of ICT into national strategic planning under the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

President Buhari and his Chinese host will also witness the signing of the MoU on One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR).In 2013, the Chinese leader proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, with a view to integrating the development strategies of partnering countries.

During the High Level Dialogue between Chinese and African Leaders and Business representatives on the margins of FOCAC, the Nigerian delegation is also expected to sign no fewer than 25 MoUs, including those proposed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

President Buhari will today meet Nigerians living in China before the kick-off of FOCAC on Monday when he will join President Jinping and other African leaders for roundtable sessions, which will essentially discuss the report of FOCAC since the 2015 Johannesburg Summit, including the implementation of the "ten cooperation plans" adopted at the last meeting.

The Summit is also expected to adopt the Beijing Declaration and the Action Plan for the development of China-Africa cooperation and fashion out new opportunities to grow Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership from 2019 to 2021.

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Ronaldinho chooses ‘best player’ between Messi, Ronaldo, gives reasons

Brazil legend, Ronaldinho has picked his ‘best player’ between Barcelona ace, Lionel Messi, and Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 38-year-old explained that he prefers Messi over Ronaldo because of the manner in which the Argentine captain plays the game.

Ronaldinho, who is a three-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award, believes Messi is the best player of all time because the Barca No. 10 has done what no other player has done.

Speaking on who is the better player between Messi and Ronaldo, Ronaldinho told Sport, “For me it’s not a question over who is more complete, it’s a question of taste.

“I prefer Messi’s style. He [Messi] is the best in history, no doubt.

“Nobody has done what Messi’s done. I hope he plays 20 more years.

“Those who love football would love to have him here [Barcelona] for much longer.

“I think when he leaves, nobody will be able to take the No 10 of Leo.”

He added, “The other one [Ronaldo] is complete, he has it all.

“So does Messi, but it’s a question of taste and I prefer Messi’s style.”

Ronaldinho spent five years at Barcelona after arriving in 2003, during which he won two La Liga titles, a Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League.

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