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President Buhari told the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon that Nigeria would welcome intermediaries from the global body as a show of commitment to swap the abducted schoolgirls from Chibok with Boko Haram fighters in custody. Speaking during a bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary General at the sidelines of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York, President Buhari said the Nigerian government was willing to enter into negotiations to get the Chibok girls released from captivity. He said: “The challenge is in getting credible and bona fide leadership of Boko Haram to discuss with,”. “The split in the insurgent group is not helping matters. Government had reached out, ready to negotiate, but it became difficult to identify credible leaders. We will welcome intermediaries such as UN outfits, to step in.” The President reiterated that the teachings of Boko Haram were far from being Islamic, as neither Islam, nor any other religion, advocates hurting the weak an

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will be sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin strain, dealing a huge blow to his club and country. “To lose Lionel Messi means football loses and we lose,” said Barca boss Luis Enrique. Messi limped off just before the hour mark of the Spanish champions’ 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. The Argentine captain is set to miss his country’s World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Paraguay next month as well as Barca’s Champions League clash at Borussia Moenchengladbach. Messi will also sit on the Catalans’ La Liga trips to Sporting Gijon and Celta Vigo. However, Messi should be fit in time for a reunion with old boss Pep Guardiola when Manchester City visit the Camp Nou on Champions League duty on October 19. The five-time World Player of the Year missed Argentina’s World Cup qualifier with Venezuela earlier this month due to the problem and only started Barca’s shock 2-1 defeat to Alaves 10 days ago on the bench as coach Luis Enrique be

Starnley Nwanosike, NAN: The Nigerian Army killed 23 militants in the “Operation Crocodile Smile”, staged to flush out criminals in oil-producing Niger Delta. The soldiers also recovered 55 assorted weapons from suspected criminals in the region, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahitu, said on Saturday. He told newsmen in Enugu that the recoveries were made during a military exercise and that many of the criminal fled with various degrees of injury. He said that 38 camps belonging to the militants and 91 illegal refineries, including bunkering sites and underground tunnels used by the suspects, were destroyed in the 10-day exercise. “The precursor operations were followed by `Exercise Crocodile Smile’ proper, which was orchestrated and conducted with sequencing and lines of operation to upgrade the skills, expertise and competence of the troops in land and riverside environments. “Over 3,000 soldiers were deployed along two axis

– President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to sign the Paris Treaty at the General Assembly in the US – The Paris Treaty had been agreed since December 2015 and will be effective from 2020 During his stay in the United States for the 71st UN General Assembly, President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the Paris Treaty on Climate, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. This much was disclosed by Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria’s minister of Foreign Affairs, during a news conference in New York ahead of the president’s visit. In a statement signed by Akinremi Bolaji, the spokesperson for the Nigerian contingent to the Assembly, 195 countries adopted the first-ever universal, legally-binding global climate deal during the December 2015 climate conference (COP21) in Paris. This agreement which will be enforced in 2020, will set a global action plan to help the entire world escape the dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C. Nigeria’s minister,

Alexis Sanchez scored twice and missed a penalty as Arsenal comfortably beat 10-man Hull City in the Premier League. Sanchez put Arsenal ahead when he got a touch on Alex Iwobi’s shot, but failed from the spot after Jake Livermore handled and was sent off. Theo Walcott added a second after the break before Robert Snodgrass pulled one back for the hosts with a penalty. Sanchez stroked a third into an empty net before Granit Xhaka’s spectacular shot rounded off the scoring. Sanchez’s first goal owed much to fortune rather than brilliance as Iwobi arrived at the back post and saw his effort deflect in off the Chile international. Livermore was shown a straight red card five minutes before half-time when he blocked Iwobi’s goal-bound effort with his hands. Sanchez took responsibility for the penalty ahead of recent regular taker Santi Cazorla only to see his low effort saved by Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic. It was a decision which also mystified Wenger who rev

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, has admitted that Liverpool is the last side in the League he wants Chelsea to be playing at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea manager is a worried man as he tries to lift Chelsea back to the top of the table for the first time in 16 months. Liverpool came into the game having thrashed champions Leicester 4-1 last week and also beat Arsenal 4-3 at Emirates Stadium on the opening day. Conte, who didn't lose in his last 31 home games as Juventus coach, said: "I consider Liverpool the worst team to play now. "I think it will be a very tough game because at this moment Liverpool are in a very good shape and we must pay great attention. "It is important that when you play at home in front of your own fans, not to lose and to always try and win, to always give your all. I hate to lose, but for one or two days, I suffer a lot after a defeat. "And for this reason I try with my players and other people who work with me to find the

Hull City Against Arsenal Hull City Have been doing great this season Do you think they can perform great Against Arsenal Today, Let's see what you have as Correct Score. Predict Correct score. First 2 correct prediction Wins. 500 Airtime Awoof

The Red Devils paying £89million for the ex-Juventus man is not as shocking as other clubs spending £40m on one player, according to his manager Jose Mourinho has defended Paul Pogba's sluggish start to his second spell at Old Trafford, stating the world-record fee paid for him by Manchester United is not a "big deal" in relative terms. Pogba left United for Juventus in 2012 but returned in August in a transfer costing an initial £89million, making him the most expensive player in the world. After impressing on his debut against Southampton last month, the France international came under fire for disappointing displays in defeats to rivals Manchester City and Feyenoord. United this week reported a club-record £515.3m revenue for the last financial year, and the Portuguese suggested such financial muscle makes other clubs paying £40m for a player more surprising. "I think there are clubs that paid 20, 30, 40 [million pounds] which is a bigger deal than wh

Osita Iheme (Pawpaw) Shares amazing photo with his Dog (Charlie) . On Instagram, Fans went crazy on his comments section and took the matter over to twitter for debate. Photos from Instagram.

– Prominent man of God unveils fresh prediction for Nigeria, they include a warning for another cleric from south – The cleric said that he saw that life of the former minister Okonjo-Iweala is in danger, asking Nigerians to pray for her – Mr Ifeanyi, who said he would not want to be addressed as a prophet of doom, also foresaw that leaders of Boko Haram would be apprehended – Prominent man of God unveils fresh prediction for Nigeria, they include a warning for another cleric from south – The cleric said that he saw that life of the former minister Okonjo-Iweala is in danger, asking Nigerians to pray for her – Mr Ifeanyi, who said he would not want to be addressed as a prophet of doom, also foresaw that leaders of Boko Haram would be apprehended Nigerian pastors Prominent man of God, Pastor Emma Chris Ifeanyi of Rain Of Power Ministries has released a series of prophecies for Nigeria. The cleric who sent his predictions exclusively for NAIJ.com has claimed that God sho

A vehicle of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) scheme was on Friday involved in an accident after it slipped off the Owode-Elede road in Ikorodu. The cause of the accident of the vehicle, with identification number 405 under the new BRT scheme, remains unknown as at press time. So too, no injury was reported.

Four companies linked to former First Lady Patience Jonathan, yesterday pleaded guilty to laundering $15,591,700 (about N5billion). They are: Pluto Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Friday Davis), Seagate Property Development and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Agbor Baro), Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Ltd (represented by Dioghowori Frederick) and Avalon Global Property Development Ltd (represented by Taiwo Ebenezer). The companies, along with a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, a lawyer, Amajuoyi Briggs and a banker, Adedamola Bolodeoku, were arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos. Dudafa, Briggs and Bolodeoku  pleaded not guilty to a 17-count charge before Mr. Justice Babs Kuewumi. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the accused persons conspired on November 13, 2013 in Lagos to launder $15,591,700. It said the defendants “reasonably ought

The United Nations is warning that Nigeria is seriously on the verge of a famine that is worse than that ever seen anywhere in the world, according to a report by Sky News. The report attributed to UN’s assistant Secretary-General Toby Lanzer said currently, about a quarter of a million children in the north-eastern part of Nigeria are severely malnourished.  The UN says Nigeria could witness serious famine While this is so, millions of other children are supposedly starving in refugee camps ‘that are too dangerous for aid agencies to reach.’  “Nigeria is already economically struggling – it is in a recession for the first time in more than a decade, inflation is at an 11-year high and oil, which makes up 70 percent of the government’s revenue, is still suffering from a slump.  “For the country’s north eastern region, however, things are made worse by Islamic militants Boko Haram, who have disrupted trade and farming in the region and are also hostile to western medicine,” the report

The Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) office in Onitsha, Anambra, has been torched by suspected gunmen. Some equipment and Star Times section in the premises were said to have been destroyed by the infernl. Acting Manager of the station, Chris Nwigwe, told newsmen in Onitsha that the incident occurred at about 1.40 a.m.Wednesday. “Some armed men tried to attack the staff on duty but only succeeded in burning down the Star Times building,” he said, adding that no life was lost in the attack. An eyewitness said that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was planted at the security post of the station, while tyres were set around the premises to set the station ablaze. “There was a gun duel between the armed men and policemen who are manning the office. “They managed to burn down the Star Times office while the fire was later put out with the help of people around. “This type of incident has never happened,” the source said. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Sam Okaula, w

The Kano State government has stated that it spends at least N70 million on weekly basis to feed public primary school pupils in the state. The acting governor of the state, Hafiz Abubakar, said the expenditure was in addition to N68 million the government spends weekly on boarding schools. He made the disclosure on Wednesday when he received the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi II, during the emir’s traditional Sallah homage to Government House, Kano. The Acting Governor added that the feeding program was an arrangement involving the state, local governments and host communities of schools. Mr. Hafiz said the state government had even been releasing about N700million every month to the local governments to ensure they pay their workers’ salaries and meet running cost. He further disclosed that the state also pays N300million as scholarship to students studying in Nigeria and abroad. He said the economic problem was surmountable if government followed good expert advice

A Keke driver and a police officer, yesterday, engaged in a scuffle along Oron road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State following an accident blamed on the cop. According to eyewitness report, the policeman jumped into the Keke,while dragging the steering with driver, the vehicle somersaulted leaving the passengers seriously injured and bleeding. See more photos below. Source: Metro Naija

The Scottish champions stunned their Spanish counterparts at Celtic Park back in 2012 and will now look to repeat their success in this season's Champions League There is no tougher question in football: How do you stop Lionel Messi? The former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has an answer, because his most famous moment as a coach came in the Champions League on November 18, 2012, when Celtic had 11 per cent of the possession according to some analysts but defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Celtic Park. Now coached by Brendan Rodgers, Celtic are facing the same task once again. The Argentine will be reunited with Luis Suarez and Neymar for the first time this season when the Scottish champions visit Camp Nou on Tuesday. “There is no secret, trying to get to him,” Lennon told Goal. “Try and make him play with his back to goal. Because once he gets on the half-turn and finds the pockets of space, then you are in trouble.” There are other factors, too, said Lennon. “You alw

The midfielder is only concentrating on Tuesday's Champions League opener against Celtic, despite the prospect of welcoming back his old mentor later in the group phase Andres Iniesta will not be distracted by Pep Guardiola's return to Barcelona during the Champions League group stage, and insists his team is focused on making it to the knockout stages. Pep will take his new side Manchester City to Camp Nou after being drawn alongside the Catalans in the European competition. But despite the hype surrounding the encounter, Iniesta is thinking about all of their competitors as they bid to reach the last-16. "When the group was drawn it was inevitable that much would be made about Pep returning to Barcelona again - but that is not what this group is about," he told Goal . "It is a group with four very strong teams - and it would be disrespectful to make it all about Pep and Barcelona." Nevertheless, the midfielder believes that the

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed his team mate, Paul Pogba, saying that his critics are “jealous people” who will regret criticizing the French midfielder. Pogba arrived in Manchester for a record transfer fee of £89.3million but has yet to make a real impact in the Premier League but his team mate and former Swedish captain, who also arrived United this Summer believes the former Juventus midfielder will improve. “All the jealous people who talk about him will swallow all of the words they have said about him. He will only improve and will get everyone behind him”, Eurosport quotes Ibrahimovic. The Swede also told SFR Sport: “My relationship with Paul is easy: I speak, he listens. Paul is a player with a lot of talent. “Now, you have to be realistic: people are putting a lot of pressure on Paul. His transfer created a huge amount of buzz. “I didn’t know Paul before and, now that I do, I can tell you he’s someone who works enormously. He r

Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said she would not serve in the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, even if invited. Okonjo-Iweala said this on Monday during a programme on Al Jazeera, The Stream. She said this was because Nigeria boasts of competent people. She said it was better to allow those managing the economy now to do the best they could, noting that there could be solutions to the present economic decline in the country. Okonjo-Iweala, who served in the administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan for seven years, said: “One of the things you learn as you get wiser is to talk less as you grow older. “I have spent my time contributing to the country. “It will be better to live those managing the economy to do what they know how to do. “There can be solutions. “I am not a typical politician. “I went in as a technocrat. “I think on the continent we have seen a period when the econo

For the second time in two months, Nigerians, especially Muslims in the country, yesterday celebrated a Sallah free of bomb attacks. This is even as President Muhammadu Buhari, who is in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, for the Sallah celebration, expressed appreciation to Nigerians for supporting the federal government’s policies, programmes and actions aimed at improving security, revamping the economy and combating corruption. Unlike in the past when occasions such as yesterday’s Sallah celebration witnessed movement restriction especially in states in the North Eastern part of the country, residents particularly in Borno State, which was the epicentre of Boko Haram activities for over six years, trooped to worship centres for Eid-el- Kabir prayers, and later retired to different spots in the metropolis for celebrations. The Eid prayer ground located at Ramat Square in Maiduguri, the state capital, was filled to capacity as worshipers moved in without rest

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that economic re-strategising and re- planning are necessary to achieve sustainable prosperity in Nigeria. He did not give details. Tinubu told newsmen after Eid prayers at Dodan Barracks praying ground in Lagos on Monday that lack of solid foundation contributed to the nation’s current economic situation. “Without a good and solid foundation, we cannot achieve a sustainable economic prosperity. We depended solely on one channel of revenue. “So, we need to re-trategise and re-plan, but that planning period is always a very difficult period in any family, organisation and nation. “That is what we are experiencing now, but it is for a better and stronger future. “The political and economic stability we are enjoying in Lagos today is as a result of a solid foundation,’’ he said. In her message, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Id

Vice Premier of the Peoples Republic of China, Liu Yandong, Presenting trophy to Mr Charles Onunaiju, Director of Center for China Studies, Abuja Vice Premier of the Peoples Republic of China, Liu Yandong, Presenting trophy to Mr Charles Onunaiju, Director of Center for China Studies, Abuja, at the 10th Special Book Award of China, in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China. Mr Onunaiju is the first and only Africa so far, to win the China Special National Book award instituted since 2005. to recognize foreign experts who have written, translated or published book to introduce China to the world

A Nigerian woman has delivered a baby boy on board a rescue ship in the Mediterranean after being plucked from an overcrowded migrant rubber dinghy. BBC quoted Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) as saying that the baby’s parents, Otas and Faith Osunbor, had named him Newman Otas. They had been making the hazardous crossing to Italy with their two other children, aged seven and five, and were rescued just 24 hours before the baby was born. An MSF midwife on board the ship MV Aquarius, Jonquil Nicholl described the birth as “normal… in dangerously abnormal conditions”. Mrs Osunbor said she had been “very stressed” on the rubber boat and had been having contractions for three days. Nicholl, who delivered the baby, said: “I am filled with horror at the thought of what would have happened if this baby had arrived 24 hours earlier in that unseaworthy rubber boat, with fuel on the bottom where the women sit, crammed in with no space to move, at the mercy

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has just bought a brand new Rolls Royce for Sallah. The Emir, Monday, shared the picture of the new white car on the social media(instagram) On his official instagram page, the Emir captioned the pictures thus: “Has just been added.” However, checks on the official website of the manufacturers show that the price of 2016 Rolls-Royce Phantom is valued at $417,825 (about N132 million).

Former President Goodluck Jonathan in his Sallah message, yesterday advised Nigerians to put the love of the country above personal interests, saying that is the only way to achieve the “Nigeria of our dreams.” Jonathan cited the example of Ibrahim who was willing to sacrifice his son, saying: “Let us imbibe Ibrahim’s ideals and put Nigeria first in all we do. I salute the Muslim Ummah this Sallah. Happy Eid-el-Kabir. Without self-sacrifice, we will never see the Nigeria of our dreams. And we always think, ‘what about me’ instead of ‘what about Nigeria’. “On Eid-el-Kabir, we honour Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son. This must teach us that we must all sacrifice for Nigeria’s greatness,” he wrote on Twitter.

The Kaduna State Command of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, said, yesterday, that it had secured 45 convictions of motorists for various traffic offences in Kaduna. The Command’s Legal Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Tanko, told newsmen that the motorists were convicted via a mobile court during Sallah and ember months’ operations, which commenced on September 7. Tanko said that 19 of the offenders were convicted for driver’s licence violations, six for seat belt and two for driving with forged documents. He said that six others were convicted for passengers manifest violation and 11 for windscreen violation, while the others were convicted for vehicle licence violation, road obstruction and use of phone while driving. Joseph Sunday The FRSC had, on September 7, commenced a special Sallah and ember months’ patrol to ensure zero accident across Kaduna State. The Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, announced the deployment of 406 marshals, six ambulances, 30 patrol vehic

At least five persons were Monday confirmed dead and 15 others injured in an accident along Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The accident occurred at about 4pm, at Ogunmakin, near the Total gas station between a Mazda bus marked KSF477XK and a Mitsubushi car with registration number MUS639DK. It was gathered that the accident caused serious traffic congestion on the expressway, as the vehicles involved were said to have blocked the road. The Nation gathered that four males and a female were among the deceased. It took the intervention of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) officials in Ogun to evacuate the vehicles and normalise traffic flow, The Nation also gathered. Confirming the accident, the FRSC Sector Commander said 20 people were involved in the mishap. He added that the injured were rushed to Ife-Oluwa Hospital and, Ibadan Centre Hospital. He attributed the cause of the accident to wrongful overtaking, urging drivers to exercise patience. “Divers are

Romelu Lukaku became the first to score the 2016/2017 English football season hat-trick after goals within the space of eleven minutes saw off perennial relegation strugglers Sunderland in the final game of the Premier League’s fourth round fixtures. After the first half ended goalless, Lukaku struck the first in the 60th minute following an assist from Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye before adding the 2nd and 3rd in the 68th and 71st minutes respectively. The defeat spoilt the reunion party for former Everton boss David Moyes who left the club in 2013 to take over at Manchester United. It was his first game against his former club following his new managerial role at Sunderland. Everton now sits third on the log with 10 points, same with Chelsea but with an inferior goal difference

A Rome court on Tuesday rejected a €444m lawsuit by Italian champions Juventus over damages suffered by the loss of their 2006 Serie A title and consequent demotion to Serie B. Juventus were handed the sanctions following their role in the “Calciopoli” match-fixing affair which rocked the world of football in the weeks leading up to the 2006 World Cup, won by Italy. Although one of five clubs involved in the scandal, Juventus were handed the stiffest punishment after police wiretaps caught Juventus official Luciano Moggi influencing the selection of supposedly partial match referees. Juventus, then coached by Fabio Capello, were stripped of the 2005 and 2006 league titles and demoted to Italy’s second division. Italian media reports did not say why the club only appealed its 2006 title loss. Juventus, detailing loss of income and damage to the club’s reputation, cited the Italian Football Federation and the Italian Olympic Committee in its appeal to the TA

Former Burkina Faso international Ben Idrissa Derme on Monday died during a French Cup tie involving his team, amateur side AJ Biguglia. The 34-year-old suffered a heart attack early in the second half of the third-round tie while playing for the French sixth- division side. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the available medical services personnel treated him on the pitch but were unable to revive him. Derme had been capped four times by Burkina Faso and had played in the French lower leagues and in Moldova, as well as in Burkina Faso.

Arsene Wenger has stated that the outcome of Tuesday's matchday 1 UEFA Champions League clash between Arsenal and Paris Saint Germaine will be decided by whoever wins the midfield battle. This will be Arsenal's first visit to the Parc des Princes since the first leg semi-finals of the 1993/1994 Cup Winners Cup game which ended 1-1. The Gunners will go into the game on the back of a hard fought 2-1 win against Southampton in the league on Saturday. PSG will hope to overcome last weekend's home draw against Saint-Etienne. “For us this is an important match, but there is no symbolic desire to win. We want to play well and win,” Wenger explained during his pre-match press conference on Monday. “Last year we were second because Bayern were in front of us. Bayern were more consistent. “I think that PSG are very strong in midfield. The game will be won or lost there. “Better than all my speeches is the way we play… We are used to the intensity of the Cha

If you were the owner What will you do? Barika de Sallah

It can be tempting to share your food with your dogs, but what we consider to be treats can be extremely dangerous to our dogs. So here are a few pointers to keep your dog from needing a visit to the emergency vet. Alcohol Alcohol is significantly more toxic to dogs than to humans. When consumed, alcoholic beverages and alcoholic food products may cause vomiting, diarrhoea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death. So, remember to keep alcoholic beverages well out of reach of your dog! Avocado A substance called Persin that is contained in the leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados can cause vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs. In addition birds and rodents are particularly sensitive and serious reactions such as the development of congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart can result. Grapes & Raisins The toxic substance that is contained within gr