Winner of the MR. history pageantry goes on air..

Alex .J. emerges as the winner of the Alvan  2017 Mr.  History..

militants in Niger Delta threaten CLARK and other PANDEF...

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South MILITANTS in the Niger Delta have inundated South-South leader and Convener of the Pan Niger –Delta Forum, PANDEF, Chief Edwin Clark, with threat text messages and emails, asking him, former military governor of old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, and ex-governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, to discontinue all engagements on the region’s peace process with the Federal Government as they have lost confidence in the body. Osinbajo Sunday Vanguard learned that the militants and youths in the region had agreed to take their destiny in their hands and, consequently, notified the elders to step aside so that they would bring oil production in the country to zero since government was not interested in proper conversation. They maintained that Niger Delta stakeholders, including traditional rulers, militants, youths, women and professionals, gave a clear mandate, last year, to PANDEF to discuss on their behalf with government, but it seemed the talks had stalled. Speaking to Sunday Vanguard at his Abuja residence, at the weekend, Clark, who confirmed the threat messages, said: “I do not know who gave them my telephone numbers and email. I receive calls and messages everyday that they are tired, that they gave us 60-day window to discuss with the Federal Government, now almost a year after, they are tired. “My telephones are filled up with text messages and threats. The last PANDEF meeting we held in Yenagoa, they sent me a message that they learned that we were having a meeting and that I should know they had lost confidence in us. They said some youths would be having a meeting in Port Harcourt and they would identify with the youths and publish it in the newspaper, and they published in Vanguard two days after, Monday, 17th July, warning that they had lost confidence in us. “They mentioned me particularly and King Diete Spiff and Victor Attah, that we allowed ourselves to be used by these people, that they will not listen to us and that they will take their destiny in their own hands. So, they have been threatening, saying that they are tired of waiting.” The PANDEF leader pointed out that the youths complained that nobody was listening to them anymore probably because they gave their mandate to the group, accusing that “we have taken money from government.” One of the militant groups that warned PANDEF leaders, Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders, NDRC, claiming to be a pan-Niger Delta advocacy and liberation movement, in an electronic mail to Clark, earlier this month , said: “We honestly advise our eminent royal fathers and distinguished personalities in PANDEF to stop all engagements on behalf of the people and resources of the Niger Delta. Though we appreciate their sacrifice and service over the years, they have not been able to unshackle our people from the chain of slavery. “We acknowledge the sacrifice of Chief E.K. Clark at 90 as well as the sacrifice of HRM Alfred Diete Spiff, His Excellency Victor Attah and all distinguished personalities of the PANDEF. But we want to state that slave masters do not and would never understand the language of platitude. We suspect collusion between them and the slave masters to further their personal interests.” However, in an email to Sunday Vanguard, yesterday, the spokesperson for the group, WOI Izon Ebi, clarified: “The NDRC and the 21st century youths and agitators of the Niger Delta’s statement calling on PANDEF to stop its advocacy and representation of the Niger Delta people and its resources was not borne out of their ineffectiveness, rather, it was borne out of the fact that the mode and style of their advocacy has been overtaken by present day reality. “We have resolved and are more determined to use all necessary means to take back our ancestral heritage by stopping all activities of exploration and exportation in Nigeria on the 31st of September 2017. And when that time comes, heaven will not fall.” In previous statements, which jolted PANDEF and other stakeholders, the militants had declared: “Therefore, the 21st century youths of the Niger Delta do not have confidence in their advocacy. We, therefore, advise them to step down so that we can take our future and that of our children in our hands. We, the NDRC, and the 21st century youths of the Niger Delta equivocally state that there is nothing we would not give to unshackle our people from the chain of slavery. “We would fight till the last drop of our blood until justice and equity is enthroned in our land because we cannot afford to bequeath this type of society to our children. Peace without justice is not the same as justice before peace. We would not allow anybody to bequeath peace of the grave yard on us. “We are also aware of a section of the political north to ramp up bombing and insecurity in the north east to use it as a bulwark to capture political power in 2019, just as they did in 2015, though foisting an ineffectual political leadership in the country, we advise them to thread with caution, what worked in 2015 would not necessarily work in 2019 “The same means that pipelines were blown to bring our production to 800barrels a day from 2.5million can be activated again. We want the federal government to realize that the same way we blow and destroy one pipeline is the same way we are capable of blowing and destroying all pipelines in 24 hours because we have the records and maps of all pipelines and exporting terminals. “The white shark, the custodian of the aquatic heritage is just waiting for the D-day. It is time for the federal government to know that our agitation today is borne out of marginalization and oppression, as championed by our late hero, Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro. The federal government should act fast because there is no time, as the clock is ticking.’’

Breaking: Apeal court acquits Balla Ngilari

The Apeal court in Yola has acquitted Balla Nigiari immediate past governor of Adamawa state who was earlier convited and granted bail. Ngilari Bala Ngilari was convicted and released from prison under controversial circumstances is alleged to be on the run. In March the Yola High Court granted Ngilari N100 million bail with two sureties, who must deposit Certificates of Occupancy of landed property owned in Yola.

Lagos Council Poll: We’ll win for Ambode,Tinubu — Ajomole -APC chairman

Ahead of Saturday’s Local Government Elections in Lagos, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Chief Henry Ajomale on Tuesday evening assured that the party would emerge victorious in all positions at the polls as a befitting gift to the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Ajomale Ajomale, who spoke at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House in Ikeja during the presentation of flags to the Chairman and Vice Chairmanship candidates, said the party had worked hard in the last few months to ensure total victory for all its candidates at the polls. He said it was imperative for the party to maintain its grip so as to complement the efforts of the Governor to deliver more dividends of democracy to every part of the State, charging all party leaders at the local government level to ensure victory on Saturday. “Nothing is going to stop us. By the grace of God, we are going to win the elections. Come Saturday, get ready and use your available opportunities and your leadership role to win for our candidates and we know, for His Excellency, the Governor and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu our leader, we must win the elections as a gift to both of them. “I said it before; we are going to give the Governor the whole package, the total package, all the councilors, all the chairmen are going to be handed over to His Excellency, the Governor. We are going to succeed by the grace of God,” 

JAMB to resolve result issues before posting...

Bwari (FCT) – The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Saturday said it would henceforth ensure the resolution of all exam issues before releasing results of its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), to avoid cancellation. JAMB candidates JAMB’s Head of Public Relations, Mr Fabian Benjamin, said this in an interview in Bwari, FCT, while speaking on the outcome of the mop-up examination results. He disclosed that the results of supplementary examination conducted by the Board on July 1 in 170 centres for 85, 000 candidates across the country had been released. He explained that the result was delayed to ascertain there were no hitches all the centres that the supplementary exam was conducted. “The results had been ready as usual; we release results two hours after examination; this delay was because we wanted to take our time to clear all issues. “This is also to ensure that all the CCTV at centres we conducted mop-up examinations were adequately fixed; we do not want situation where we release results before thinking of cancelling it. “What we want to be doing now as we have started with this mop-up examination, and will be doing in 2018, is to ensure all issues are resolved before releasing results. “It is our view that there is no need rushing to release results; it is better to do whatever is supposed to have been done, before we release the results,” he said. He urged candidates yet to receive their supplementary examination results, not to panic, saying that no result from the mop-up examination was outstanding. He said that the breakdown of the 2017 UTME result could not be published at the moment since the Board was yet to conduct exam for foreign candidates. “We are still writing exam and it will be unfair to publish the whole results when people are still writing. “We just rolled out forms for foreign centres, so once we finish that, which is not going to take long, we will do the analysis and come to a conclusion,” Benjamin said. 85, 000 candidates of the 1.7 million enrolled for the 2017 UTME had registered late for the exam as a result of some challenges.

Egypt Hurghada stabbing: Two Germans killed at Red Sea resort

Two German tourists have been killed in stabbings at a hotel beach in the popular Red Sea resort of Hurghada, Egyptian officials say.

At least four other people were injured and a man has been arrested.

The suspect is being questioned by police to determine his motives, the interior ministry said.

The knifeman initially killed the two women before injuring two other tourists at the Zahabia hotel, officials told Reuters news agency.

He then swam to a nearby beach and attacked and wounded two more people at the Sunny Days El Palacio resort before he was overpowered by staff and arrested.

"He had a knife with him and stabbed each of them three times in the chest. They died on the beach," El Palacio hotel Security Manager Saud Abdelaziz said.

Mr Abdelaziz said the injured include two Czechs and two Armenians. All are now being treated in hospital.

The attacker's motive was still under investigation, the interior ministry said.

"He was looking for foreigners and he didn't want any Egyptians," a member of staff at the Zahabia hotel said.

Three foreign tourists were stabbed at the same resort, renowned for its scuba diving, in January 2016 by two suspected militants from the Islamic State militant group (IS).

House Rep member, Muhammadu Wamakko die.

Sokoto – The death has occurred of a House member representing Kware/Wamakko federal constituency in Sokoto state, Hon. Abdullahi Muhammadu Wamakko. A cousin to Sen. Aliyu Wamakko, the ‎50 year old member died in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness. Wamakko was before his death, the vice chairman of House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and a member of several other committees. He is survived by one wife and five children

Jimmy Carter released from Canadian hospital after suffering dehydration.

Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter has been released from a Canadian hospital after being treated for dehydration suffered while participating in a charity building event, his foundation said Friday. Carter, 92, had been admitted to St Boniface General Hospital in Winnipeg on Thursday after collapsing following an event at a Habitat for Humanity building site. His foundation said Carter was able to attend the 8 am devotional session with the building team on Friday. Habitat for Humanity, a charity which constructs homes for the needy, posted a photo of a smiling Carter arriving at the building site. He has been an active promoter of the organization and led building trips around the world. Carter, who served as president from 1977 to 1981, had been diagnosed with brain cancer in 2015 but declared himself cancer-free months later.

There is vancancy in Aso rock : says PDP members

ABUJA—RISING from an emergency meeting, yesterday, members of the House of Representatives on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, declared that there was vacancy in Aso Rock Villa in 2019. Their declaration came as the delegitimised Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led leadership of the party expressed shock at the Supreme Court judgment that sacked it from office but vowed to continue with its campaign for internal democracy in the party. This is even as the National Caretaker Committee of the party , yesterday, extended its hands of fellowship to the party’s former Acting National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff; ex-Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh, and others, saying all hands should be on deck preparatory to the 2019 general elections. Speaking on behalf of other PDP lawmakers in the House at a briefing in Abuja, Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, the APC administration had been all promises and no action, stressing that this has occasioned the impoverishment of Nigerians, who now live in hunger and insecurity. BUHARI IN ASO ROCK—President Muhammadu Buhari in his Aso Villa office, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. He said the APC, having failed to improve the country’s situation better than it met it, should see the PDP’s legal victory at the Supreme Court as a quit notice towards 2019. He said:  “We have learned our lessons, no matter how you look at them. We consider this victory for democracy. It has gone a very long way to strengthen the democratic principles and ethos, and it is one great opportunity for us to congratulate all PDP and Nigerians, who stood firm in the midst of these crises. This shows once  more that the party must be more democratic in all its internal affairs. “One major lesson we have learned in this exercise is that we must do everything possible to strengthen our internal democracy. We will also work hand in hand to make sure that this party stands and this party belongs to the people. “The PDP, which is the largest party in Africa, shall aspire for a more perfect union of the Nigerian people. You all have seen clearly the challenges that have befallen us as a people and we must work to avert the confusion and crises of the past two years of the APC government. “I believe that what has happened from all indications has strengthened the PDP.  Come 2019, we shall restore true democratic governance where power belongs to the people.” Sheriff PDP shocked Meanwhile, the delegitimised Senator Ali Modu Sheriff-led leadership of the PDP has expressed shock at the Supreme Court judgment that sacked it but vowed to continue with its campaign for internal democracy in the party. The leadership, which was sacked by the Supreme Court, Wednesday, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Bernard Mikko, yesterday, said:  “We received with shock the July 12 judgment of the Supreme Court on the leadership of Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP). “Though we still await the full written judgment of the highest court from our lawyers who will fully brief us on the details of the judgment, in the interim, we ask all members and supporters to remain steadfast in prayers for Nigeria. “Meanwhile, we continue with our avowed demands that the party must be given back to the owners at the grassroots to always elect their party officials and those to contest elections for them at all levels. Internal democracy must be institutionalised in the party.” PDP grants amnesty to Sheriff, Cairo, others Similarly, the National Caretaker Committee of the party, yesterday, extended its hands of fellowship to Sheriff; ex-Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh and others, saying all hands should be on deck, preparatory to the 2019 general elections. At a press briefing in the aftermath of the Supreme Court verdict, which sacked the Sheriff faction, the party pledged to ensure unity within its ranks, particularly at the state levels. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, who briefed the press, described the leadership crisis in the party as a “monumental distraction” while it lasted and a “painful and agonizing period.” He said the Supreme Court ruling effectively dissolved the party leadership under Sheriff, noting that the convention in Port-Harcourt held in accordance with the laws and constitution of the PDP. The PDP, scribe while responding to a question on the fate of members who may have been guilty of anti-party activities, said the door of fellowship was open to all and sundry, regardless of what happened while the crisis lingered. He said: “We are granting amnesty to all of them including Sheriff and his group. It is general amnesty for everyone.” He urged those that instituted cases against the party to give peace a chance in the interest of party unity. Adeyeye who lamented the hardship Nigerians have been subjected to in the past two years, added that come 2019, the PDP will stage a comeback. “APC is the worst we have ever seen in the history of this country. The election in 2019 will be a walkover for the PDP,” he added.

latest: Sheriff dissociates self congratulatory messages.

By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA-

The last may not have been heard of Wednesday Supreme Court ruling which recognized the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Modu Sheriff The judgment which sacked the leadership of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was hailed as victory for democracy by prominent members of the party including the Immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. Few hours after the apex court ruling, reports in the traditional media and social media platforms had indicated that Senator Sheriff had on his Twitter Handle, congratulated Makarfi, pledging to work with him in the interest of the party. However, the former Borno State Governor has dissociated himself from the report even as he described the said congratulatory message as fak.

Nigeria v Cameroon: NFF confirms Uyo as venue

There was a heated debate of whether the match will be played at the Nest of Champions International Stadium in Uyo or not after the Super Eagles lost 0-2 to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the the stadium. But the NFF who spoke through its Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire has confirmed the stadium as the venue for the encounter which will now be played on September 1. Olajire told journalists yesterday in Abuja the issue of venue has been settled and that all the necessary stakeholders are being informed of the date and venue. He also assured that the federation is putting in place every necessary arrangement that will ensure that the Super Eagles who are leading their group  with six maximum points will get the desired result when the defending African champions visit Nigeria. “I want to confirm that the match against Cameroon will take place in Uyo on the September 1. Uyo has been a good ground for the Super Eagles irrespective of what happened in the last game against South Africa in the AFCON qualifier. “Equally, I have to reassure all lovers of Nigerian football that the NFF is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that we defeat Cameroon because that will brighten our chances of qualifying for the World Cup” Olajire concluded

TWO BROTHERS BEHEADED IN PORT HARCOURT.

Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT—Unidentified killers have murdered and beheaded two brothers, Ifeanyi and Emeka Wobo, natives of Rumuokparali community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. Ifeanyi and Emeka Wobo The decapitated remains of the brothers were found around Elekahia Housing Estate in Port Harcourt by operatives of the State Police Command, Tuesday. Vanguard gathered that the brothers had picked a taxi from Rumuokparali, Monday evening, before their remains were found the next day. A youth leader in the community, Mr. Pamoses Omah, told Vanguard that the news of the incident caused uproar and wailing in the community. Omah narrated that the Police got Ifeanyi’s identity card and used it to trace his next of kin to the company where he (Ifeanyi) acquired a skill in pipeline welding, from where their relations were contacted. He said: “They are the two sons of late Chief Oliver Wobo. There is serious wailing in Rumuokparali right now because what happened is strange. “Nobody knows what must have happened, but their corpses were found around Elekahia Housing Estate. They left home on Monday evening. “The Police found Ifeanyi’s wallet, with which they traced the company where he acquired his pipeline welding skill. They obtained the phone number of his next of kin and called. Their mother is still unconscious since the news broke on Tuesday evening.” The Public Relations Officer of the state’s Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed the development and noted that Police have commenced investigation. Omoni said: “Yes, we are aware and efforts are on to unravel the circumstances that led to their death.”

China sends troops to open first overseas military base in Djibouti

Ben Blanchard

BEIJING (Reuters) - Ships carrying personnel for China's first overseas military base, in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, have set sail to begin setting up the facility, as China's rapidly modernizing military extends its global reach.

Djibouti's position on the northwestern edge of the Indian Ocean has fuelled worry in India that it would become another of China's "string of pearls" of military alliances and assets ringing India, including Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

China began construction of a logistics base in Djibouti last year. It will be used to resupply navy ships taking part in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia, in particular.

It will be China's first overseas naval base, though Beijing officially describes it as a logistics facility

Okorocha bars traditional rulers from speaking English at functions

Owerri—Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday, barred traditional rulers in the state from speaking English language at functions, saying any one caught would face the penalty. According to a realease by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, in Owerri, the governor also rested the trouble emanating from eze stool in the state, by giving staff of office to 19 traditional rulers.”

Chief Rochas Okorocha The governor also warned that any of the royal fathers who failed to restore peace in his domain, such traditional rulers’ staff of office would be withdrawn. According to the statement, “Governor Rochas Okorocha has banned traditional rulers in the state from speaking English at functions and in conducting affairs at their palaces. “And directed that they must talk in Igbo at functions and conduct activities in their palaces in Igbo, adding that they could employ the services of interpreters if the need arises. “Okorocha gave the directive while handing over letters of recognition and staff of office to 19 newly recognised traditional rulers in the state, adding that Igbo language must not be allowed to die as being predicted in some quarters. “As traditional rulers in the state, you must be agents of peace, progress, and prosperity in your respective domains instead of being tools of disunity and destabilisation. “Any traditional ruler who could not show genuine leadership in his autonomous community stands the risk of having his certificate of recognition and staff of office withdrawn. “History is made that light has come and darkness would not comprehend at all. The truth has surfaced and the right people have finally become the custodian of the traditional right of their people. “You are not permitted to speak English at functions. This will help keep our culture and Igbo language alive. “For many years now, most of you have been looking forward to a day like this. Some of you were victims of injustice and never believed that this could be possible and most of you have been waiting without knowing your fate. “But today, it is a manifest of truth that your people have chosen you, and the government of Imo State has approved. “I took the bold step of reconciling people, took the step to ensure that truth came to be and voided the rancour that has existed in our various communities over eze title.” The names of the traditional rulers as mentioned by the release are: HRH D.E.C Onyebuagu (Ibiasuegbe Autonomous,Oru West); HRH Ifeanyi Kenneth Aguneto (Umueze/Abaza Ogwa, Mbaitolu); HRH Charles Anyakudo (Ekwe, Isu LGA); HRH Ugo Ndubueze Donatus (Umunokwu, Okwuato Aboh Mbaise); HRH Athanasius Ezekwe (Enyiogugu) and  HRH James Nnamdi (Ngurunweke Aboh Mbaise). Others are, HRH Francis Anukwu, (Avuvu Ancient Kingdom, Ikeduru); HRH J.C. Ebii (Umunama-ala Ezinihitte); HRH Jude Alozie, (Onicha Nworie Ezinihitte); HRH Val Nwoke (Ejemekwuru Oguta); HRH Boniface Uzoma (Abba Nwangele) and  HRH Ukachukwu Nnanna (Dioka Nzerem Mbano). The rest are HRH Pius Onyekwere (Nnarambia Ahiazu Mbara); HRH Lucky Ajoku (Ihiagwa, Owerri West); HRH Christopher Amadi (Okolochi, Owerri West); HRH James Ezerioha (Ihite Owerre, Orlu); HRH Basil Anyanwu (Umuhu, Ngor-Okpala); HRH Leonard Aguocha (Umuohiagu, Ngor-Okpala) and HRH Eze Frankline A. Dabirinze (Uzoagba)

…Abductors demand fresh N1.5m as ‘transport fare’ By Evelyn Usman

lagos—A competent  government official, who would not want his name in print, yesterday told Vanguard that another N20 million ransom has been paid for the release of the six abducted students of Lagos Model College, Igbonla Epe , bringing the total amount so far paid to N30 million. The money was reportedly paid last week at an undisclosed place, as instructed by the captors. Pix: Parents of kidnapped students of the Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe stormed Governor’s Office to demand for the release of their children 14 days after they were abducted by gunmen. at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, Yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez Thus, expectation for the release of the students were high over the weekend, as parents of the affected students as well as those who stood as middle men for the negotiation, stayed awake from midnight Friday, to the early hours of Monday , expecting a call that would instruct them on where to pick the students. But their hope was dashed, after a call was received to the contrary. Rather, the call from the kidnappers end, was a demand for additional N1.5 million as transport fare. Vanguard was reliably informed that the kidnappers claimed to have taken the students to a farther location that would take more than a day’s journey to bring them to the pick point. They were also said to have insisted on getting the N1.5 million which they claimed would be used to fuel their means of transportation as well as to buy recharge cards . As at yesterday, Vanguard learned that the demand of additional N1.5 million was yet to be met, a reason given for the delay of the students release. When one of the parents was contacted, he denied  knowledge of the latest development but expressed optimism that the students would soon be released, if promises by the state government was anything to go by. He said; “Our hope was rekindled when we heard that the students were likely to be released last weekend. We were told that some people would go and bring them, while all parents would be contacted to assemble at a particular place to receive the students. But we waited endlessly without any word . As I speak, we are still hopeful, considering the assurances of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during the commissioning of a project at Epe last week.” Meantime, the Safe Schools and Communities Advocacy Group , SSCAG has tasked the Lagos State government and security agencies on the need to employ urgent actions towards the rescue of the six abducted students The group which was recently launched by a combination of 19 civil society organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations, in response to the long stay of the six students in their captors’ den, as well as the rising spate of criminality in Lagos state, expressed regret over the delay in the rescue operation, in spite of assurances from the Police. 

ARTISTIC WORK- wiz khalifa's rough sketch drawn by a Nigerian undergraduate.

U.S repeated calls: China to end ‘China responsibility theory’ on N. Korea – Foreign Ministry .

China on Tuesday came up with  an unusually strong terms to end what she called ‘China responsibility theory’ with North Korea following a repeated calls from the U.S. Asked about calls from the U.S., Japan and others for China to put more pressure on North Korea,Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Geng Shuang,said it was not China ratcheting up tension and the key to a resolution did not lie with Beijing.
U.S. President Trump took a more conciliatory tone at a meeting with Chinese President, Xi Jinping, on Saturday, but he has expressed some impatience that China, with its close economic and diplomatic ties to Pyongyang, is not doing enough to rein in North Korea. That feeling has become particularly acute since Pyongyang launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that some experts believe could have the range to reach Alaska, and parts of the U.S. West Coast. “Recently, certain people, talking about the Korean peninsula nuclear issue, have been exaggerating and giving prominence to the so-called ‘China responsibility theory,’” Geng said at a daily news conference, without naming any parties. “I think this either shows lack of a full, correct knowledge of the issue, or there are ulterior motives for it, trying to shift responsibility,” he added. Geng said China has been making unremitting efforts and has played a constructive role, but all parties have to meet each other half way. “Asking others to do work, but doing nothing themselves is not ok,” he added. “Being stabbed in the back is really not ok.” China has been angered by North Korea’s repeated nuclear and missile tests, it also blames the U.S. and South Korea for worsening tension with their military exercises. China has been upset with the U.S. deployment of an advanced anti-missile system in South Korea too, which it says threatens its own security and will do nothing to ease tensions. Additionally, Beijing has complained about Washington putting unilateral sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals for their dealings with North Korea. Geng questioned how China’s efforts could bear fruit if, while it tried to put out the flames, others added oil to the fire, and if, while it enforced UN resolutions, others harmed its interests. He said that everyone needed to accept their responsibilities to get the North Korea issue back on the correct track of a peaceful resolution through talks. “The ‘China responsibility theory’ on the peninsula nuclear issue can stop.-says Geng.

CHINA EXPERIENCES BAD FLOOD TODAY.

A very terrifying footage has been shared showing a 5-story building in Tibet, China being washed away by the flood, though no live was recorded dead, because all persons in the building got saved before the collapse. A heavy red truck abandoned by its driver was also washed away.

Heavy rain in Tibet has eroded foundations, including that of a five-storey apartment block. The moment the building toppled into a surging river was caught on camera. Luckily, all occupants of the building were evacuated long before the collapse. According to reports Tibet's Changdu City has been hard hit, with the local Ziqu River eroding its banks and bursting out over surrounding terrain at the weekend. The river, held back in part by a bridge, gradually ate away the soil away beneath the yellow waterfront structure before moving to erode the foundation of the building.

WHAT DO WE MAKE OF A COUNTRY WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL OWNS A FLEET OF PRIVATE JET?- says bishop okojie of Lagos.

EMERITUS Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, has described Nigeria as a nation without leaders, arguing that all available indices, including high level insecurity, abysmally low quality of life of the average Nigerian, in sharp contrast with the opulent lifestyle of politicians, offer little or no hope to even the most incurable optimist in the land. Okogie, in an open letter, yesterday entitled “A Nation Without Leaders,”, averred that when a nation is in turmoil, those who have faith in God must pray. Given clear indices that Nigeria is in turmoil, we pray: Gracious God, grant that our leaders become wise, and the wise become our leaders. “But it would be irresponsible fideism to simply pray and fold our arms. Those who pray must think, and, having sought and obtained answers to right questions, they must act intelligently.” Okogie, who had in recent times written several letters to President Muhammadu Buhari to address the plight of the Nigerian masses, arguing that Nigerians hunger, not only for food, but also for good leadership, peace, security and justice, urged the APC government to do something fast, and “if you are already doing something, to redouble your effort. May it not be written on the pages of history that Nigerians died of starvation under your watch.” Cardinal Okogie The 81-year old cardinal, in his latest letter made available to Vanguard, yesterday, maintained that as the nation navigates from one turbulent season to another, “it has become inescapable to inquire: what is the quality of leaders—of the men and women at the helm of affairs—in our beloved Nigeria? “Can it be said that those at the helm of affairs—at federal, state, and local levels of government—are sufficiently competent to navigate the ship of state? Do our leaders fit the bill?” Painting a gleam picture, he said the high level of “insecurity in our land; the abysmally low quality of life of the average Nigerian, in scandalously sharp contrast with the opulence in which past and political office holders live; the self-serving and malevolent demagoguery that accompanies unitarist, secessionist, and xenophobic agitations in our country; the propagation of the stubborn myth that one’s ethnic community is marginalised by all other ethnic communities, when in fact every ethnic community is marginalised by the incompetence of our leaders; the acceptance of this myth by young, discontented but gullible Nigerians: these and many other indices offer little or no hope to even the most incurable optimist in the land. “Instead of devoting their mental and physical capacities to governance, our leaders are seeking their own interests. Nigerians bear the excruciating burden of being ruled by politicians who simply care less about Nigerians. “The burden is increased when they have to listen to religious leaders who whip up emotions and deceive by using the name of God, claiming visions and miracles. We do not care about our legacy, we care only about the power we wield, the wealth—often ill-gotten—we display, and above all, the pleasure and affluence we seek. “What do we make of a country where an individual owns a fleet of private jets while an overwhelming percentage of its citizens cannot afford a bus ride to the market? What do we make of a country where the wealth of the land, wealth that belongs to the people and not to government, is used to provide security for government officials, while there is no security for the average man or woman in the street? “We have the police and the military; we have assorted security agencies with exotic names. Yet, Nigerians are robbed and murdered in their homes, abducted on the streets, at the mercy of gangsters, ritualists and cultists in their neighbourhood, while the police is helpless to the point of non-existence. The only sign that there is policing is when policemen and women extort money from Nigerians, often at gun point. “Our security agencies need to get the sequence of their steps right. Thorough investigation must precede an arrest, diligent prosecution with evidence must come before conviction in a lawfully constituted court. That is what obtains in other climes. But in our own Nigeria, media trial is fashionable.” The Cardinal concluded his letter by saying: “Precisely for these reasons, this country is in very urgent need of quality leadership. Our situation cannot be addressed by an executive and a legislature locked in a recurrence of unprincipled and sterile conflicts. In more concrete terms, neither an ailing and absent President nor an acting President can lead Nigeria out of the present situation. “Nigerian leaders must wake up lest the ship of state sink. They must stop fiddling while the country is burning. So we pray: Grant, O Lord, that our leaders become wise, and that the wise become our leaders. Amen.”

zambia declares state of emergency

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has declared a state of emergency due to riots during which public properties were destroyed.

“This is not an easy decision to make, but in order to preserve peace, tranquility, the safety of our citizens and national security, we had no choice but to take this decision given the events that have occurred in the recent past,” he said in a televised address on Wednesday.

Lungu said he has issued a statutory instrument to invoke Article 31 of the constitution which gives him powers to declare a state of emergency. The matter will, however, be tabled in parliament for approval by lawmakers, he added

Lungu noted that the government has on several occasions advised citizens to desist from any irresponsible behavior and expressed sadness that this has fallen on deaf ears.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the intentions of the perpetrators of these irresponsible actions is to make the country ungoverned,” he said.

He, however, said the action will not affect law-abiding citizens as they will be allowed to go about their daily activities.

On Tuesday, Lungu warned that the government will be forced to take measures that will curtail rights of citizens due to lawlessness. It came after the burning of a busy and popular flea market in Lusaka, the country’s capital, the latest destruction of property by unknown people.

Last week, the police said they had intelligence information that some people were plotting to cause destruction to public properties.

why we should beg the Igbos-fani femi kayode speaks

We should be begging the Igbos for forgiveness- Fani-Kayode ON JULY 6, 201711:55..
 Lawyer and former minister of Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode has requested that forgiveness be sought from the Igbos in connection to the number of lives lost during the civil war. In a tweet obtained Thursday, he said “We killed 3 million Igbos in the war including 1 million children. We should be begging them for forgiveness and not threatening them”. 

Igbo quit notice: Diaspora group to petition ICC, calls for return to fiscal federalism

While condemning in complete term the recent quit notice issued by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum to Igbo people residing in the northern part of the country, the Igbo World Assembly, IWA, has said that the group would liaise with appropriate agencies to file a petition to the International Criminal Court, ICC, to prevent genocide and bring culprits to book IWA is the umbrella organization that represents the apex national Igbo organizations residing across the world. Calling for return to fiscal federalism as contained in the 1963 Constitution as the way forward to save the country from eventual collapse, the group in a statement jointly signed by Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, President, United States of America chapter and Chief Oliver Nwankwor, Secretary General, Netherlands chapter respectively, noted that those inciting the violence by giving fellow citizens quit notice should be held accountable for any incident that might occur within the timeline of the quit notice As a way of handling the threat holistically, IWA said that mechanism is being set up to enable Ndiigbo residing in the North to report provocations, insults, incidents, among, adding that such evidences will be used in support of ICC filing in the Hague. The group in a statement jointly signed by its President, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, and Chief Oliver Nwankwor, Secretary General, noted that by adopting fiscal federalism, each region should be responsible for the development and management of resources including minerals from their region. “This will foster industrial development and competition among regions instead of the current docile nature of a majority of states as presently constituted. Nigeria needs to implement the National confab recommended equity in state creation within the geo-political zones”, the group said, noting that the quit notice declaration was made by a sponsored group of criminals with primary intent to steal property, suppress the legitimate grievances of other groups and their inherent right to self-determination . The continued agitation of Igbo youths across the country, according to IWA is a by-product of persistent injustice and marginalization arising from bad leadership and unjust structure of the country’s polity. Without mincing words, the group said that a Nigeria of equal ownership is the only forward to save the situation. IWA believe that the posture of the Northern youths is targeted towards suppressing all forms of opposition to the failed system. As a way of maintaining sanity in the system, IWA in its recommendation warned that Nigerians across the nation should exercise restraint at this point in time so as not to overheat the polity. Urging all Igbos residing in the Northern parts of Nigeria in particular and Nigerians in general to go about their engagements, lawfully , the group noted that security agencies should be deployed accordingly to ensure that there is no intimidation, hindrance or molestation. The group advised Nigerian government and the International Community to setup mechanism to conduct referendum in each State and the various geopolitical zone of Nigeria for the people to decide how to be or not to be in Nigeria. To prevent further escalations as well as reassuring those threatened, IWA recommended that the government should arrest the signatories to this threat and their supporters and put them on trial with immediate effect. Noting that some people may have been traumatized by this threat, IWA called on the Nigerian government and the International community to setup plans and provide resources to deal with Igbo internally displaced people from the Northern Nigeria. To save Igbo property in the North, IWA urged the government to work with Ohanaeze and Igbo groups in the North to help document Igbo properties. “IWA will register such ownership to the appropriate International Community agency for recollection/repatriation from Nigerian government at any time. There will be no more abandoned properties in Nigeria as we are in a new century”, the group assured

3 confirmed dead during church deliverance in Delta-police says

The Police in Delta, have confirmed that three worshippers died during deliverance service at a Church located in the outskirt of Warri.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
He said that one of the deceased drowned, while the other two died during prayer session in the church at the weekend.
“The information actually is that one worshipper drowned and two died in the church; that is the information available to me at the moment,” Aniamaka said.
However, a source had earlier told journalists that the deceased were a 10-year-old boy, identified as Emmanuel Odili, Mrs Beatrice Nwachukwu and Mr Antonio Abba.
The source, who spoke in confidence, said that the late Odili, on Friday accompanied his mother to the church to worship, but fell into a pit inside the church premises and died.
He said that on Saturday, members of the church found his corpse floating after he had been declared missing by his parents.
The source said that the church authority deposited the remains of the boy at a morgue before reporting the incident at Eburumede Police Station.
“The authority of the church alleged that the deceased had mental disorder which was denied by the parents.
“While the matter was being investigated, some members of the church on Saturday came to report that Mrs Nwachukwu and Mr Abba had died during deliverance in the church.
“They (church authority) said that Nwachukwu slumped during the prayer session; they also claimed she had high blood pressure but the husband denied it.
When contacted, the spokesman of the church, Mr Godday Emiko, denied the allegation through a text message.
“Sorry, I miss your call, there is nothing like that,” Emiko said.

MRS BUHARI CONDOLES WITH THE FAMILY OF MAITAMA SULE.

The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has condoled with the family of late Danmasanin Kano, Yusuf Maitama Sule, who died in the early hours of Monday while on admission in Cairo hospital, aged 87.
The condolence message is in a statement by Mrs Buhari’s Director of Information, Suleiman Haruna, on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said “I received with shock, but total submission to the will of Allah, the death of Dr Yusuf Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano, a leading light of Nigeria.”
The wife of the president described the late Danmasanin Kano as epitome of humility, moderation, tolerance, patriotism and love.
She said Maitama Sule died at a time when Nigeria needed his wise counseling, noting that “Danmasani availed himself at all times to national causes of cohesion, peace and stability.
“He will be remembered for his stabilising role as an elder statesman and a national example whose life is worthy of commendation and emulation.
“I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Kano State and his family in particular over this sad loss.”
Mrs Buhari, therefore, prayed to Almighty Allah to grant him Aljannatul firdaus and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Meanwhile, the remains of Danmasani would be transported from Egypt to Nigeria on Tuesday and be buried at about 4 p.m. in Kano.
Sule was said to have been flown to an Egyptian hospital on Saturday after doctors at Kano Nasarawa Hospital diagnosed him of pneumonia and chest infection.
Born in Kano in 1929, the late Danmasani attended Shahuci Elementary School in 1937 and Kano Middle School and Kaduna College (now Barewa College) for his secondary education.
He later taught at his alma mater, Kano Middle School and played significant roles in social mobilisation, touring villages with the then Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi throughout the Kano emirate which afforded him the opportunity to carry out health, literacy and tax campaigns.
A politician and diplomat, Sule was elected into Federal House of Representatives in 1954.
In 1958, he was Chief Information Officer to the Kano Native Authority, and in 1959, he was appointed Federal Minister of Mines and Power.
He was a member of Nigeria’s delegation to the Addis Ababa Conference of Independent African States in 1960.
He became Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to UN in 1976 during the tenure of Kurt Waldheim as Secretary-General of the world body.
He was also Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints in 1979 and vied for the ticket of the defunct National Party of Nigeria for the 1979 presidential election, but lost to Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
Sule was assigned as representative of Nigeria’s President to the Lancaster House Talks on Zimbabwe in London and was also counsel to African Leaders on Zimbabwe crisis.
Former President Shehu Shagari appointed him Minister for National Guidance in 1983, a portfolio designed to assist the president in tackling corruption.
When 12 states were created in Nigeria 1967, Sule became Commissioner for Local Government in his native Kano State and later moved to Ministry of Forestry, Co-operatives and Community Development.
He also served the state as Commissioner for information..