NATURE CRIB

Maradona, Messi, Kanu to Play Anti-terrorism Match in Nigeria Argentina football legends, Diego Amando Maradona and Lionel Messi are among a host of former and active football stars scheduled to play an international exhibition match against human trafficking, insurgency and terrorism. The match is listed for May 21 in Abuja. The FIFA and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) sanctioned initiative tagged: Africa My Africa is organised by next2none, a non-profit making organisation to use football to promote global security and fight human trafficking. The novelty match between Africa Stars Vs World Stars will feature household names including Zinedine Zidane, Ruud Gullit, Ronaldinho, George Weah, Samuel Kuffour, Samuel Eto’o, Abedi Pele, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo. Others include; David Beckham, Didier Drogba and a cluster of female footballers such as Sydney Leroux, Asisat Oshoala, Birgit Prinz, Sun Wen, Abby Wanbach, Homare Sawa, Kell...

Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai has disclosed that the Nigeria Army would recruit 12,000 men in 2017 to help fight insurgents and other uprisings across the country. Buratai was speaking during a budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Army. According to him, the recruitment exercise would take place after the Army’s 2017 budget proposal of N152.8 billion is approved. He further revealed that the exercise would be in two batches with 6,000 men first and another 6,000 later. The army chief further explained that the Army was currently engaged in different operations in almost all the states of the federation, combating criminalities such as kidnapping, terrorism, pipeline vandalism, cattle rustling, among others. He complained that delay in release of funds was frustrating military operations nationwide, adding that the morale of troops must be boosted regularly. http://www.newshelm.com/2017/02/nigeria-army-to-recrui...

BREAKING: Super Eagles Coach Christian Chukwu is Named the new manager OF CHAMPIONS ENUGU RANGERS Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu has been appointed general manager and chief executive of champions Rangers with immediate effect. This followed Monday afternoon's fact-finding meeting between Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi with the board, management, players, supporters club and other stakeholders of Rangers. After this revealing parley, the governor announced the appointment of the former captain and coach Rangers ‘Chairman’ Chukwu as the new General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the club. He takes over from Paul Ozor Chibuzor, who has led the team for about 10 years. The rest of the management has also been affected by this order from the Governor. The decision may not be unconnected with the unimpressive performance of the club in the new NPFL season. The poor financial position of the club despite the prompt release of funds by the government...

President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature has been allegedly forged in order to sell $19 million worth of crude oil in China according to a House of Representatives member, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma Agbonayinma also accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of gross corruption while appearing on Channels TV. “In this letter here, this is not President Buhari’s signature but it was forged by our people – by Nigerians who wanted to sell the crude in China worth about $19 million,” he said. “I tell you the truth, the .Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is also aware. We are working day and night to also do what is needed to get it right because he (the AGF) is the custodian of the laws in the nation “So, I’m saying I must tell you that the corruption in this country didn’t just start yesterday. It is a cancer, and to cure cancer, you need a radical approach getting the radical approach in this case means you have to step on peoples’ toes, which might affect those ...

The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has taken over another airline, Odengene Air-Shuttle Services, known more as OAS Helicopters in Lagos following a court order. It was the third aviation firm to be taken over by the bad bank in four months. OAS is one of the leading helicopter chatter service companies in the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AMCON had on Tuesday sealed the company at Maryland in Lagos, indicating that the company had been taken over. The order on the company’s office reads: “POSSESSION TAKEN TODAY 14/2/17 BY AMCON COURT ORDER ON SUIT NO. FHC/4CS/1139/2016 NAN however reports that it could not authoritatively confirm if the company is indebted to some banks that could have warranted such take over. However, the company was among the airlines that received the Federal Government intervention fund during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan. Recall that AMCON had on Thursday Feb.9, taken over the management of A...

Flight operations to the London and Johannesburg routes have been suspended by Arik. This announcement was made by the spokesman of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, Jude Nwauzor, on Tuesday in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that AMCON had on February 9 taken over the airline following its huge indebtedness to the company and other creditors, both local and foreign. Mr. Nwauzor said the suspension would enable Arik Air to find a permanent solution to problems facing its passengers and carry out a thorough assessment of its situation. He said, ”The strategic business decision is meant to realign our operations and refocus on satisfying our domestic and West Africa and other international passengers. “It will also present Arik with excellent opportunity to engage and discuss with creditors who have become restive since the intervention and have also understandably exhausted their patience due to non-payment of accumulated debt and non-performance on ser...

The Presidency has said the nation’s economy which is currently in recession is currently on course for recovery and growth. This was contained in the 23rd newsletter published by the Presidency Office of Digital Engagement, a copy of which was posted on the official website of the Presidency, @AsoRock. The Presidency said there were 11 reasons to prove that the nation’s economy was gradually coming out of recession. It said, “After two consecutive quarters of negative growth, the non-oil economy showed, in Q3 2016, a modest return to positive territory, at 0.03 per cent. “This was partly due to the continued good performance of agriculture and the solid minerals, two sectors prioritised by the Federal Government. “Agriculture grew by 4.54 per cent in the quarter under consideration of which growth in crop production at nearly 5 per cent was at its highest since the first quarter of 2014. Growth in the solid mineral sector averaged about 7 per cent.” According to the docu...