9JA LEAKED: LATEST NEWS

Friday, August 14, 2015

Japan PM apologetic over WWII, but says next generation not obliged

Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Image source ndtv

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed deep remorse Friday over World War II and said previous national apologies were unshakeable, but emphasised future generations should not have to keep saying sorry. In a closely watched speech just ahead of the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, the nationalist premier appeared to tread a fine line between regret over Japanese wartime aggression while also focusing on what his pacifist country

Thousands of people are expected to take part in dozens of marches in cities across the globe Saturday in support of Iran’s deal with world powers over its controversial nuclear programme.
The “global day of peace”, as organisers describe it, is aimed at showing support for the deal, which must be approved by US lawmakers before being implemented, and to “prevent another war in the Middle East”.
The call to mobilise comes as the historic deal reached last month is under fire from US and Iranian hardline politicians.

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari

The Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has condemned a statement credited to the acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari, that the April 11 House of Assembly election in Ilaje state constituencies I and II was not credible.

The PDP asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Zakari.

South Sudan’s army has lifted a more than a month-long aid blockade into rebel areas, the UN said Friday, warning of a “dire situation” as fighting continues despite ongoing peace talks.
The blockade since late June of aid barges on the Nile river into the northeastern battleground state of Upper Nile, as well as a ban on food flights into the state capital Malakal, had badly hit areas already on the brink of famine.

As Buhari plans his cabinet (2)

WHERE Azikiwe preached political inclusion and strategic integration, his political opponents preached exclusion based on historic difference. The defeat of the Zikist vision of nation was the ultimate Nigerian tragedy; in its place have triumphed the Awoist and Sarduana models of Nigeria, in which “the North is for the North, and the West is for the West, and Nigeria for all of us.”

Air Force offers more platforms to defeat Boko Haram

Lagos – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has restated its dedication to complementing efforts to end the Boko Haram scourge afflicting some parts of the country.
On Thursday, in a renewed drive to crush the resistance of the Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) group, NAF deployed additional combat platforms to the Northeast Nigeria in support of the ongoing counter-insurgency operation codenamed

The Biafrans have not forgotten nor forgiven

Biafrans are forced to stay together with the North/West Nigeria, Biafrans made their stand known earlier which resulted to war and Biafran where almost wiped out "how can a country united by war have peace?" never.

Also read: The chief corner stone rejected by majority in Biafra

We Biafrans have not forgotten nor forgiven the atrocities done to us by Nigeria

Fashola dragged to EFCC over N78m website scam

Lagos - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been petitioned over the alleged N78 million website scam built for former Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola, Premium Times reports.
The Civil Society Network Against Corruption, a coalition of anti-corruption organisations in Nigeria, petitioned the anti-graft agency over the “questionable expenditures” of the administration of Babatunde Fashola.

IS truck bomb kills at least 38 in Baghdad market

A truck bombing claimed by the Islamic State group killed at least 38 people in a Shiite-majority area of Baghdad Thursday, in one of the deadliest single attacks in the city in months.

The blast, which was likely aimed at undermining confidence in the government and stoking sectarian tensions,

Kylie Jenner offered first porn role since turning 18

Abuja - Kylie Jenner has been offered her first role in a pornographic film by adult entertainment site Brazzers.

The reality star, who recently celebrated her 18th birthday, was tweeted by the company who asked her about "putting those lips to good use".

Hey @KylieJenner now that you're finally 18, how about putting those lips to good use?

— Brazzers (@Brazzers) August 10, 2015

Bristow Helicopter pledges assistance to,survivors, deceaseds’ families

The crashed helicopter being pulled out of the Lagos Lagoon…PHOTO|: vtolblog.com

Bristow Helicopter Limited on Thursday promised to assist survivors and families of the dead victims of its ill-fated chopper that plunged into the lagoonon Wednesday in Lagos.

Bristow Regional Director for Africa Duncan Moore made the pledge in a statement in Lagos.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by the unfortunate accident. We regret the loss of lives in the air crash and we are ready to assist them with our full resources.

There is nothing here we are hiding, says Bukola Saraki

ABUJA – SENATE President Bukola Saraki vowed yesterday that the present political environment would not allow for the use and dump syndrome as obtained in the past, just as he reiterated that the 8th Senate was committed to openness and transparency. He said, “the present administration is committed to carrying the youths along as against the use and dump syndrome of the past. Speaking yesterday in Abuja when he received the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Youth Forum (APYF) in his office as part of the celebration of this year’s International Youth Day, Saraki who noted that the Senate has nothing to hide, said that the e-parliament being planned by the Senate was designed to give voice to Nigerians who will want to contribute to discussions on issues concerning the upper chamber of the legislature. The Senate President who urged the APC youth body to disregard negative insinuations and speculations concerning the Senate as the lawmakers were committed to making a difference, said: “I want to assure you, despite all what you read in the papers, be rest assured that we are here for serious business. We are all committed to make a difference and my doors are open. Very soon, from what I am being told from the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, we are trying to move fast about the e-parliament so that everybody here can know what we are doing and they can also contribute to some of the discussions. Senator Saraki “We want to make this place as open as possible. There is nothing here we are hiding. What is our great motivation? Nigerians spoke at the last elections and I don’t think they spoke for things to be the same and we must not let it be the same. We must ensure that it is positively different.” He said the report on the proposed legislative agenda which will soon be debated on the floor of the Senate is meant to identify priority bills that will give the needed support to the executive. He said: “For example, the issue of rebuilding the Northeast. We believe there are no schools. There are no hospitals. There are no homes. That cannot come from normal budgetary allocation or appropriations. As a country, we must make a special case for the rebuilding of the Northeast and again, that is going to come from the support of the National Assembly and that is an area of focus for us,” he said.. The National President of the APYF, Ismaeel Ahmed in his remarks commended the Senate President for being youth-friendly and for his immense contributions to the success of the APC in the 2015 elections. He added that now that the APC is the governing party, it was time to ensure good governance which the nation lacked under the previous administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ahmed said: “We have seen an incredible move by you to include a lot of young people and give them the ladder of opportunities for them to grow in the political atmosphere and we hope that in your current position, that will continue as well. We are also here as concerned members of the APC. “It will be disingenuous for us to leave this place without telling you as a member of this good party, that you have contributed in no small way to the success of the party. Young people, as you are quite aware, played incredible role in bringing about the success from their activities on the mainstream and social media to make sure that the information that was coming from the other side do not overwhelm us. “What we lack in terms of resources and authoritarian manpower, we gained in the voice of a lot of young people that did not have the comfortability of either security or money or the wherewithal but we stood by and made sure that change happened in 2015. You are aware of that. You have helped us in so many respects in achieving that. “Now, we are here, we have won the election, we have to win the country as well. Wining the country means governing it well, governing well means having a functional National Assembly and a very functional President. We have known your track records,” he said.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Man claims he is Tarzan in Californian zoo

California - A drunk man claimed to be Tarzan and tried to swing into a monkey exhibit at his local zoo. John William Rodenborn first attempted to break into the bird exhibition at Santa Ana Zoo in California but failed and swiftly moved onto the monkey enclosure. Zoo director Kent Yamaguchi was forced to telephone police to get Rodenborn removed and a transcript of the conversation has been made public. Also read: Girl plays piano while asleep He said: "We have a gentleman who is - appears to be - under the influence of something and is climbing in our trees and jumping into animal exhibits." Officers removed the intruder, who was in possession of methamphetamine and claimed to be the feral child who becomes Lord of the Jungle. Thankfully none of the animals were harmed during the incident. - BangShowBiz

Chadian leader: Boko Haram has been 'decapitated'

N'Djamena - Chad's president Idriss Deby declared on Tuesday that efforts to combat neighbouring Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadists had succeeded in "decapitating" the group and would be wrapped up "by the end of the year". Addressing reporters in the capital N'Djamena on the 55th anniversary of Chad's independence from France, Deby said: "Boko Haram is decapitated. There are little groups [of Boko Haram members] scattered throughout east Nigeria, on the border with Cameroon. It is within our power to definitively overcome Boko Haram." "The war will be short, with the setting up of the regional force, it will be over by the end of the year," Deby added, referring to a new five-country force aimed at ending Boko Haram's bloody six-year Islamist insurgency that he said would be "operational in a few days". Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria have all pledged troops towards the new force. Deby further claimed that Boko Haram was no longer led by the fearsome Abubakar Shekau and that his successor was open to talks. Also read: Boko Haram members arrested in Lagos, Ogun Terrorist acts "There is someone apparently called Mahamat Daoud who is said to have replaced Abubakar Shekau and he wants to negotiate with the Nigerian government. "For my part, I would advise not to negotiate with a terrorist," Deby, whose country has been spearheading the regional fightback against Boko Haram, said. While claiming progress in the fight against the jihadists, who have repeatedly hit border areas of Cameroon, Chad and Niger, and wrought havoc in northeast Nigeria, Deby admitted that suicide bombers still posed a threat. In the past few week, suicide bombers, many of them women, have staged several attacks in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. The challenge, Deby said, was to "avoid terrorist acts and that's why we must organise at the regional level to prevent bomb-making materials and other explosives entering our countries". - AFP

Stoke sign Shaqiri for record fee

Stoke - Swiss attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has joined Stoke City from Inter Milan for a club-record fee of £12 million, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The 23-year-old Switzerland international, who only joined Inter from Bayern Munich in January, has signed a five-year contract at the Britannia Stadium. Shaqiri's transfer eclipses the fee of around £10 million that Stoke paid Tottenham Hotspur to sign Peter Crouch in 2011. "He's a dynamic and explosive player who will bring something different to the group and at the age of 23 he still has a great deal of potential," Stoke manager Mark Hughes told the club website. "In the chats I've had with him, it's obvious that he's excited about playing in the Premier League and showing what he's capable of." Also Read: Rodgers welcomes return to scene of 6-1 defeat Shaqiri is the ninth player to join Stoke for the new season and arrives three days after the club opened their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 loss at home to Liverpool, a match that he attended. He had been close to joining Stoke in July, only for the deal to collapse, but the club subsequently decided to resurrect the move. Born in what is now Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia to Albanian Kosovar parents, Shaqiri emigrated to Switzerland with his family while still a baby. He come to prominence with Swiss side FC Basel, winning three league titles and two Swiss Cups and breaking into the national team, for whom he has made 46 appearances and scored 17 goals. He moved to Bayern in 2012, but although he won several trophies during his time in Bavaria, including the Champions League in his first season, he failed to hold down a first-team place. He joined Inter on a four-and-a-half-year contract in January and made 20 appearances in the second half of last season, scoring three goals. - AFP

Omotola Jalade Ekehinde and scraping of NYSC

VETERAN actor and reality show star Omotola is trending, and this time not on account of some photo shoot but for calling for President Buhari to scrap the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) programme. It’s not useful, he should please do that for Nigerians. Our children don’t need it anymore. I have looked at the programme thoroughly and exactly what it’s supposed to have achieved over the years? Believe me, there is no credible or tangible result. It’s a total waste of time and resources and I think all the time and resources should be channelled into something more resourceful. For instance, I have had situations where some members of my staff, in the name of NYSC, left for a year only to come back and their spaces had been taken by another. NYSC is not just adding any value to our society or even to the lives of our children. Below is the excerpt from newtelegraph What advice do you have for President Muhammadu Buhari? He should scrap NYSC. It’s not useful, he should please do that for Nigerians. Our children don’t need it anymore. Why do you want NYSC scrapped, knowing fully well it’s a national orientation programme? I have looked at the programme thoroughly and exactly what it’s supposed to have achieved over the years. Believe me, there is no credible or tangible result. It’s a total waste of time and resources and I think all the time and resources should be channelled into something more resourceful. For instance, I have had situations where some members of my staff, in the name of NYSC, left for a year only to come back and their spaces had been taken by another. You can imagine. NYSC is not just adding any value to our society or even to the lives of our children. I am of the opinion that it should be scrapped.

Sudan summons Libya envoy for alleged Darfur rebel support

Khartoum - Sudan summoned the military attaché on Tuesday over accusations Libya's internationally recognised government has sheltered Darfuri rebels on its territory, an army spokesperson said. The Sudanese "armed forces summoned the Libyan military attache for the Tobruk government's sheltering insurgents" from the Darfur-based Sudan Liberation Army led by Minni Minnawi, Colonel al-Sawarmy Khaled Saad said. Also Read: Pastors blocked from leaving Sudan The envoy was summoned "in protest at and complete rejection of this behaviour by the Tobruk government, which represents an intervention in internal Sudanese matters", Saad said in a statement. Since 2003, Minnawi has been battling Khartoum's forces in the western Sudanese region of Darfur, which borders Libya to its northwest. Threat to security Saad said Minnawi's forces were being trained inside Libya to fight alongside the troops of General Khalifa Haftar, the anti-Islamist general named in April as the army chief for the Tobruk-based government. Plunged into chaos after the 2011 overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has two parliaments and governments vying for power. Saad called the alleged presence of the rebels inside Libya a "threat" to security in Darfur and the border region between Libya and Sudan. Also Read: Bashir, facing charges, scheduled to speak at UN The SLA-Minnawi denies its forces were in Libya. "This is not true. We have no presence in Libya and we are in Darfur and the government knows that," said spokesperson Abdullah Mursal. Minnawi was among several mostly black, African insurgent groups who mounted a campaign against President Omar al-Bashir's Arab-dominated government 12 years ago, complaining of marginalisation. The conflict has killed 300 000 people, the United Nations says. - AFP

Gunmen injure 6 in Bisich, Plateau

Jos - A member of the Special Task Force (STF), and five other persons, were attacked by gunmen in Barkin Ladi Local Government of Plateau on Tuesday. Captain Ikedichi Iweha, STF spokesperson, said that the attack occurred in the afternoon at Bisich village in Barkin Ladi. Iweha said the victims sustained injuries but were not life threatening, adding that they were responding to treatment. "As for the soldier who sustained gunshot wounds, it is one of the prices we pay in the course of ensuring that there is peace," he said. Also read: Gunmen kill 8 in Rivers The STF Media Officer said the peace in the area was punctured when the corpses of two persons declared missing were later found. "This resulted into attacks and reprisals leading to the blocking of road at the Bisich area." He said with the rapid response by the men of the STF, the situation was brought under control and motorists had started plying the road. Iweha advised people in the area to cooperate with security agencies in tackling the security challenges facing the area. - NAN

President as Minister of Petroleum?

THE news has been making the rounds in both the conventional and internet media that President Muhammadu Buhari is to assume the position of Minister of Petroleum when he appoints ministers next month. According to the information reportedly leaked after a meeting of the president with chieftains of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja over the impending ministerial appointments, Buhari said he would take the action as part of his move to sanitise the oil sector and rid it of corruption. Ordinarily, this should be a welcome development for several reasons. Number one is that the president’s reputation as “Mr Clean” remains intact, even among his political adversaries. Number two is that the fight against corruption, especially in the cash-cow oil sector, has been a major concern of Nigerians which Buhari promised to address during his campaigns. Number three and most importantly, is that President Buhari is a veteran in the management of the sector. He spearheaded the establishment of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) when he was oil minister in the late 1970’s. He has the cognate experience to do a thorough job and creating the right template before ceding the position to a cabinet minister. However, we are concerned about issues of transparency and accountability if the president chooses to take up the post in addition to his onerous and overloaded duties as the nation’s Chief Executive and Security Officer. The nation is still at sea over the way in which former President Olusegun Obasanjo handled the same job for six years from 1999 when he assumed power. A number of turnaround maintenance projects were undertaken and billions of naira sunk and yet the refineries remained comatose until after Buhari took over, and they started bouncing back, as if by magic. We do not want a repeat of the nation being put in the dark about proceedings in the industry. One big disadvantage of having the president of the country as Minister of Petroleum Resources is that it will be very difficult, if not impossible, for him to be summoned by the National Assembly to be grilled over any misgivings that might arise, and to supply information that will help to set the minds of Nigerians at rest when the “clean-up” of the industry begins. The story will be different if a minister is on the job. We suggest that the president appoints a person of proven competence and integrity to carry out his mandate in the industry and be available and accountable to Nigerians through the federal legislature, the media and civil society. Once bitten, they say, twice shy. A minister should be put on the job for greater transparency, accessibility and accountability.

Senate Refers Oshiomhole’s $75 Million World Bank Loan To Ad Hoc C’ttee

The Senate on Tuesday at plenary referred the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of $75 million World Bank loan to Edo state to the Ad hoc Committee on Local and Foreign Debt. The Senate had at its resumed plenary constituted a seven-man Ad hoc committee and charged it to consider the request and report back to the Senate today for further legislative consideration. The Members of the Committee include: Senator Kabiru Gaya, who is the Chairman of the Committee; Senator Bukka Abba, Senatir David Umoru, Senator Durofashe, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, Senator, Samuel Anyanwu and Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi. Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had requested the Senate to grant approval to the government of Edo State, to obtain a loan of $75 million from the World Bank. In a letter to the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, which he read on the floor of the Chamber on August 4, 2015, Buhari reminded the lawmakers that the World Bank had aproved a development policy program for the total sum of 225 million dollars to Edo state government in 2012, to be implemented in three tranches of $75 million per annum. He told the Senators that the first tranche of the loan was approved by the National Assembly in the 2012-2014 federal government external rolling borrowing plan. The President also informed the legislators that the Edo State government had successfully implemented the Development Policy Operation (DPO) since 2014. He further explained that, following this success, the World Bank’s Board of executive directors approved the second tranche, noting that on April 29 2015, the DPO was also captured in the federal government’s external borrowing plan of 2014-2017, which is pending with the National Assembly.

SDP Committed Blunder By Endorsing Jonathan – Kaka

Senator Sefiu Adegbenga Kaka, a former Deputy Governor in Ogun State represented Ogun East Senatorial district in the 7th National Assembly. The chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in this interview with Anthonia Duru spoke on some issues that borders on national development.Excerpts… 2015 election was adjudged to be free and fair. As one of the contestants in that election who didn’t win, what are your thoughts about the conduct and outcome of the exercise? Globally, there is no absolutely free and fair election. What we do is comparative assessment. When we compare what transpired in 2015 with that of 2011, it was generally believed that it was better off. That is not to say we don’t have flaws with the electoral system. With the electoral Act there are issues. With the conduct and the process which led to the conduct, there are problems. There was massive financial inducement in the last election. That is not the fault of INEC or the electorates who are extremely poor and some of them are destitutes with unemployment. The hunger is everywhere and it is the politician that created that. Many had thought you will challenge the outcome of the election in court The defeat I suffered, I can identify the sources. The rigging that took place is not such that you can easily substantiate. The most important aspect is financial inducement and you can’t defend that in the court. The pre-election voting is difficult to substantiate. My party SDP committed a blunder of announcing the adoption of Goodluck Jonathan which was against the change mantra that was ongoing. This really worked against the party at the polls. I have been in and out of government for the past 28 years. I think it will be out of place if I go to tribunal just because the exercise didn’t favour me. I am thanking my God because I satisfied the expectations of my people within me. I satisfied my conscience during that period. I don’t have any form of ill-feeling or regret any action I took while I was in government. If given another opportunity, I will still do all I did. I won’t induce any voter with money, I will go into it to expose the shortcoming of the system. I was very active during NADECO days and we weren’t expecting anything other than fighting for justice. I will still fight for justice as often as circumstances demand. SDP to some is a child of circumstance which was formed as a result of crack in Ogun APC. Can this party stand the test of time? SDP has being in existence before the election and it will exist after the election. We have representatives in the House of Representatives. It is a party for the future. What is your next line of action in politics aside party politics? To set the record straight, I am a farmer by profession and by vocation, so I am not idle. I have a farm established over 20 years ago and the profit there is enough to meet all my financial expectations. On that note, politics is an hobby for me, because it has been promoted to a level of business and to some it is a matter of life and death I don’t believe I have to be there at all cost. The only thing is that once you have passion for enthronement of justice and for ensuring the development of growth of the society, you just have to be interested in what is happening around you. What is your view on the recent upsurge in Boko Haram attacks? What is happening in the country has been like that for many years and it is very frightening. I know our security operatives are trying but I think their best is not good enough. They need to redouble their effort to ensure we stop the carnage we are witnessing every day. Initially we missed the point when we attributed their activities to religion; it took us four years to understand that they have no religion motive as no religion preaches violence. If we don’t identify the problem then we won’t get any result. We need money to repair all the settlements that were destroyed by this sect. we are also spending money on the security and there are internally displaced persons that must be rehabilitated. Without properly identifying the problem, we will be glowing in darkness and we won’t find solution to the problem. Cost of governance is still very expensive in the country, as someone who once collected for many allowances; Don’t you think there is need for lawmakers to cut down on the cost of running governance in Nigeria? If you check my previous submissions, I believe the cost of government must be drastically reduced. Noting stops us from going back to the parliamentary system of government that is more cost effective, accountable and that is more evolving. I believe in it and I am an advocate of it. The National Assembly is also not doing enough to give a clearer perspective of what amount; I also believe that the work of a legislator could be accomplished done on a part-time basis. These are all area of cost-savers for the country. The issue of enumeration by our legislators was enshrined by some wise men who crafted for our constitution. Unfortunately we have been abusing it. The overhead cost at all the levels is just too much and if we really desire development in Nigeria, we need to reduce it. Of what effect do you think the recent bailout President Buhari gave to states to pay salaries will be? The most important positive thing about the bailout is that those who labored and whose sweat must not dry before they get their entitlements will be paid. If only for that I commend the president, I pray the affected governors will not divert the money. We have an inflationary economy; the naira is getting to an unprecedented level to the extent that our naira is now N230 to a dollar, which is unheard of in the history of Nigeria. The local industries we want to protect will not increase their capacities. The effect will be galloping inflation which we are already experiencing. Do you think political office holders who cut their pay be applauded? Psychologically it may have effect but in real term, where is the money going to? Have the abolished the security votes that is gulping most of the money? Has the allowanced being reduced? Are we stopping the white elephant projects that are scattered through the country? There are many abandoned projects all over the country and these are because the projects were not well thought of. Have we blocked the loopholes and have we punished those who committed the offences? The three tiers of government have not done well for the country. Don’t you think there may be a kind of frosty relationship between the executive and legislature at the federal level in the dispensation? I don’t think so if they have patriotic spirit. Our acts and deeds must be in the overall interest of the nation. If for whatever reason all the people involve are patriotic, they should be able to work together. Interest of the country must supersede all primordial motives so we can move the nation forward.

Hillary Clinton to hand over email server to the FBI

Hillary Clinton has agreed to hand over the private email server that she used as secretary of state to the Justice Department. Mrs Clinton's use of private email has generated a barrage of criticism. Critics say that her set-up was unsecure, contrary to government policy and designed to shield her communications from oversight. Mrs Clinton initially handed over thousands of pages of emails to the state department, but not the server. The FBI is investigating the security of Mrs Clinton email server.

Pedro: Barcelona forward 'wants to leave the club'

Pedro scored the winner as the Catalan club beat Sevilla 5-4 in the Super Cup Barcelona forward Pedro wants to leave the Spanish side, says technical secretary Robert Fernandez. Pedro has been linked with Manchester United,as the Premier League side look to replace Angel Di Maria. The 28-year-old scored the winner as the Catalan club beat Sevilla 5-4 in a thrilling Super Cupon Tuesday. "Pedro has told me he wants to go. The buyout clause in his contract is not negotiable but this could be his final game," said Fernandez. Pedro 'angry' at not playing Spain international Pedro has scored 99 goals in 319 games for Barcelona, and has won five La Liga titles with the club. Pedro, who made 50 appearances for the Nou Camp side last season, has won the Champions League three times, including scoring a goal in the 2011 final against Manchester United. He has also played a part in Spain's World Cup and European Championship triumphs. Asked if he wanted to leave Barcelona, he said on Tuesday night: "The answer is no. But it is a difficult, complicated situation. When you know you may leave it is difficult." Pedro said the issue around his future was "not for money", but about "minutes" on the pitch, adding he had a "lot of anger" at not starting the Super Cup. But he criticised Fernandez for "some very unfortunate declarations". "I've not said what Robert's said, or at least not how I said it," the forward told a Spanish broadcaster after the match. "The truth is that I had a good chance to play. The coach has decided not to count on me. I don't know, I don't know if I will continue here," he added. "Manchester? Yes, there are nice challenges on all sides. Today I'm here, and I'm happy. And if I go, I will go with my head held high having always given everything." What his team-mates said Lionel Messi, scorer of two goals against Sevilla, said: "The players and the club don't know what he is going to do. It is his decision, but whatever he does we wish him the best." ArgentineJavier Mascheranoadded: "Hopefully he can continue here. He is one of those players that is made for the big moments. He has that touch where he delivers at the vital point." MidfielderSergio Busquetssaid: "He is a player who has helped a lot, that deserves it. Who, as he said himself, doesn't get all the minutes that he would like - and I think he deserves. "But, this is football and I wish him all the best either here or wherever he wants. He has said he doesn't want to leave but well, in the end all us players want to play and we will see what happens." 'Van Gaal destroys clubs' However, he has been warned about a move to Old Trafford, with former striker Hristo Stoichkov sayinghe would "no longer be a footballer" if he went there. The Bulgarian said: "Pedro is a symbol of Barcelona, a type of player with energy, he fights to make himself great. Why do Barcelona need to sell him? "I'd never be under the orders of Louis van Gaal. He destroys clubs, he did it with Barcelona, and after they take years to build."

Turkey PM: Syria no-fly zone needed

The Turkish prime minister has told the BBC that Turkey will push again for a no-fly zone over northern Syria to protect civilians fleeing both Islamic State and Syrian government forces. Ahmet Davutoglu said he would work with the US to establish a "safe area" for people displaced by Syria's conflict. Mr Davutoglu did not rule out sending Turkish troops in to protect the area. Turkey is home to more Syrian refugees than any other country - more than 1.8 million according to recent UN figures. In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen, Mr Davutoglu called on the international community to do more to resolve the four-year conflict in Syria and denied that Turkey had helped so-called Islamic State and other extremist groups. He criticised the five permanent members of the UN Security Council for failing to make a "strong decision" to stop the atrocities in Syria. Asked whether Turkey was doing enough to prevent the large numbers of migrants reaching Europe though his country, he said it was the responsibility of the international community to stem the flow of migrants by bringing the four-year conflict in Syria to an end. Despite not ruling out the use of Turkish ground troops, Mr Davutoglu said he preferred to strengthen Syria's moderate opposition. "If there is enough power of moderate forces in Syria, there will not be any necessity for other countries including Turkey to send any ground troops," he said Analysis: Jeremy Bowen, Middle East Editor Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu argues that the bloodshed in Syria is still out of control because of a simple fact of international life: the five permanent members of the UN Security Council are paralysed when it comes to dealing with Syria's war. They haven't been able to agree a single course of action. When he was foreign minister, Mr Davutoglu was praised for a policy based on the idea that Turkey should have no problems with its neighbours. But the collapse of much of the Middle East into violence means the Turks face challenges wherever they look. They are struggling most with fall-out from the Syrian war, in which Turkey is deeply involved. The war has converged with the much older fault line between the Turkish state and Kurdish separatists. It's another example of how the Syrian war is making existing problems much worse. Turkey v Islamic State v the Kurds: What's going on? Profile: Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Turkey's dangerous game Opponents of the Turkish government have accused it of using the conflict with IS jihadists to target the Kurdish separatist militant group, the PKK. A ceasefire in Turkey's long-running conflict with the group disintegrated in July, when a suicide bombing blamed on IS killed 32 people in the predominantly Kurdish town of Suruc. The PKK's military wing killed two Turkish police officers, claiming they had collaborated with IS in the bombing, and in response Turkey began bombing PKK camps in northern Iraq at the same time as launching air strikes on IS militants in Syria. More than 50 people are thought to have been killed in Turkey in violence linked to the PKK since the current crisis began. The number of PKK militants killed in Turkish air strikes is unknown, but unconfirmed reports in Turkish media said that 190 were killed and more than 300 injured in two major strikes in Turkey and northern Iraq in July. Turkey launched a fresh round of air strikes in the south-east of the country on Tuesday as the PKK said it was behind Monday's bombing of a police station in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country would continue to fight the PKK "until not one terrorist is left within our borders" and "until concrete is poured" over the separatists' weapons. Mr Davutoglu denied that Turkey was at war with the Kurds, arguing instead that the country was retaliating against a terrorist group. "You can not say if al-Qaeda attacks Britain it is a war between Britain and al-Qaeda. This is a terrorist attack," he said. "No government, neither European or American democratic government can tolerate a group which is calling people for rebellion against the legitimate government," he added. The PKK is regarded as a terrorist group by many Western countries, including the US and the UK. More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK began its armed struggle against the Turkish government in 1984. In the 1990s, the organisation dropped its demand for a Kurdish state and instead called for more autonomy for the Kurds. But Mr Davutoglu has said since the recent resumption of violence that air strikes against the group will continue until it surrenders. The leader of the PKK, Cemil Bayik, told the BBC on Sundaythat he believed Turkey wanted IS to succeed in order to prevent Kurdish gains. Kurdish fighters - among them the PKK - have secured significant victories against IS militants in Syria and Iraq. Turkey's battle with the PKK is complicating the US-led war on IS, for which the US has relied heavily on Syrian Kurdish fighters affiliated with Turkey's Kurdish rebels. Turkey has been accused, along with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, or supporting jihadist elements in Syria in the early stages of the formation of IS. Mr Davutoglu rejected the accusation, telling the BBC Turkey had never supported IS or other extremist groups such as al-Nusra. "No. Never. Never. Never. We supported only those who escaped from Assad's atrocities - chemical weapons, barrel bombs," he said. "This is an unfair assessment and accusation against Turkey which there is no ground at all. If there is anybody who has a proof for this, they should put this on the table."

CBN faults banks on ATM cash withdrawal limits

LAGOS— The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday disagreed with the restructuring some banks have effected in their debit card, otherwise known as Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) services as well as some measures they introduced on foreign cash and e-payment transactions this week. CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele Some banks had early this week imposed N60,000 per day limit on ATM withdrawals while also limiting foreign currency withdrawal per day to $300. Also some of the banks have indicated that they can allow $10,000 withdrawal in a single transaction that would cover for one month maximum limit while others have imposed $300 daily limit on POS/online spending. CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Ibrahim Muazu, toldVanguard,yesterday, that the apex bank policy was just on ATM cash withdrawal limit of $300 per day and POS/online purchases abroad which has a limit of $50,000 per annum. He stated that the apex bank’s policy does not affect or stipulate any limit for domestic (Naira). He also added that the $10,000 single transaction limit even if it stays within the $50,000 annual limit stipulated by CBN is in violation of the rule. Muazu also explained that the basic thrust of the policy on withdrawal limits in foreign transactions was to curb abuse of the exchange system while preventing people from trading with their ATMs abroad which, according to him, eats into the country’s foreign reserve. In the wake of the apex bank’s measures against speculative demands for foreign exchange, banks have followed with series of actions limiting volume of transactions allowable on electronic payment cards. In the new arrangement, all ATMs that were hitherto enabled for domestic and foreign transactions were restructured to limit Naira cash withdrawal at ATM machines to N60,000 per day while foreign currency is $300 per day. Previously, the domestic withdrawal limit was N150,000.00 per day.

Buhari is ‘born again’ phenomenon – Soyinka

ABUJA — Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has described President Muhammadu as a “born-again” phenomenon on the Nigerian political landscape, who is ready to make amends for his past mistakes. Soyinka, who spoke in an interview with Zero Tolerance, a periodic publication by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, noted that Buhari has already paid some debts to the Nigerian community, describing him as a lucky man. Soyinka noted that although Buhari has not come out openly to apologise for his wrong deeds in the past, he has nonetheless accepted the fact that he had made some mistakes. He said: “He (Buhari) has not brought himself round to apologise; if he had done that, I might have been less ambiguous about him. But I think from my findings about him, he is a born again phenomenon. If I am wrong, well, too bad. Though I don’t believe in ‘born-againism’ but I think this may be an exception.” Nigerians should’ve challenged Jonathan for defending stealing The laureate also descended heavily on former President Goodluck Jonathan for trying to differentiate between stealing and corruption, saying Nigerians should have challenged him on that. Soyinka noted that it was wrong for a president to have taken such a position on a serious issue like corruption, thereby playing down its negative impact on the nation and its people. He said: “The media should have challenged President Jonathan to define what stealing is, when he said that stealing is not corruption. How can a public figure, an intelligent person like that, come out to tell the public that corruption is not stealing? Then you should have asked him, what then is corruption? The media should have challenged him.” Pyrates Confraternity isn’t a cult The pioneer Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, chairman, who is believed to have co-founded the Pyrates Confraternity in Nigeria, said it was wrong to lump cultism with confraternity, arguing that the two were not the same. According to him, belonging to confraternities is a normal culture in colleges and not an evil cult, as wrongly portrayed by ignorant persons in Nigeria. Soyinka said: “Everybody knows that fraternities are a normal culture in all colleges. It exists in all colleges. President Clinton was a member of a fraternity. In fact, anybody who goes to college in the United States is a member of a college fraternity. There is absolutely nothing evil or occultic about fraternity. “But here, the media is largely responsible for fuelling the ignorance of society of the words ‘cultism’ and ‘fraternity’. This is a disservice and I have said it again and again. There are evil cults, whose members must prove themselves by going to rape. There are others whose entry is to slash or eat somebody or rob; it has nothing to do with college fraternity. “The media owes the responsibility to constantly tell the public the truth. But they go on and children grow up, believing that college fraternity is Satanic, demonic and this is wrong.”

N25.7bn theft charge: EFCC appeals judgement freeing Atuche, others

Lagos—The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos was yesterday urged to set aside the judgement of a Lagos High Court which discharged a former Managing Director of defunct Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche of the N25.7 billion theft charge preferred against him. Francis Atuche The notice of appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, also prayed the court to re-list the case at the high court for fresh trial. Discharged alongside Atuche at the lower court were his wife, Elizabeth and a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu. The trial judge, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, while delivering judgement in the matter on June 22, 2015, upheld the arguments canvassed by the defence team including Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) and Sylvia Ogwemoh (SAN) that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit and that the prosecution’s case lacked merit. In the appeal lodged by the anti graft body’s counsel, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), it prayed for an order of the court to set aside the order of Justice Lawal-Akapo, which struck out the counts contained in the amended information dated June 1, 2011 against the respondents. Besides, EFCC sought for an order allowing its appeal and an order directing a continuation of trial and defence before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the High Court of Lagos State, in Ikeja. The anti-graft body hinged its appeal on five grounds. The agency further submitted that the defendants pleaded separately each of the counts contained in the amended information to the main suit, adding, that “counts one to 10 dealt with the alleged stealing of money belonging to the bank while counts 11 to 27 dealt with the allegation of conversion of the monies to personal use.” It said the court ignored Section 152 and 153 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2011 by striking out all the counts against the defendants.

Security agencies watch-list Supreme Court justices

SupremeCourt justices and judges serving on nine election petitions tribunals have been placed on a security agencies’ watch-list, it was learnt yesterday. The tribunals are those of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Yobe, Gombe, Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Delta and Taraba states. Besides, a governor and a former governor are being investigated for allegedly offering to pay for some judges’ vacation trips . According to sources, the Federal Government is disturbed that some governors and candidates in the last general elections have become desperate in their bid to influence tribunals. It was gathered that some petitioners and defenders had been dangling mouth-watering bribes before judges to sway judgment in their favour. The development was said to have irritated the Muhammadu Buhari administration, which asked security agencies to bring errant judges to book. It was learnt that the row generated by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s controversial visit to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmood Mohammed, has further motivated the government to ask security agencies to watch and protect judges. “The new administration is out to protect the sanctity of the judiciary. The era of impunity, judgment-fixing and hijack of the court or tribunals for selfish ends is gone,” a source said. It added: “The position of the Buhari administration is that each litigant and respondent should go to the tribunals to defend his or her petition. This position applies to all political parties.” It was learnt that security agencies have been trailing a governor and a former governor who offered to pay for some judges’ vacation trips. “The serving governor has been boasting that there is no judgment he cannot fix because he has the head of one of the courts at his beck and call. He also said he will be paying for vacation trips of some judges. “The former Chief Justice of Nigeria threatened to sanction the said head of a court when insinuations of his under-the-table deals got to her. “The ex-governor is also noted for bragging that there is nothing money cannot buy.” A source at the Supreme Court, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the development. The source said: “All judges are really on security watch-list, including those at the apex court. The security agents were called in to monitor judges and movement of money. “There is no tribunal sitting without any official of the Department of State Services attached to it. “But there are more discreet security personnel putting close tabs on election petition tribunals than those officially attached. “The position of the government is that these judges must be allowed to discharge their duties without fear or favour.” Determined to stave off pressure from election petitioners, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, recently banned politicians from his residence – a developmentThe Nationreported exclusively . He also directed that his security detail from the State Security Service (SSS) and police orderly will henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him. The CJN has limited official courtesy calls by governors with outstanding petitions against them at election tribunals. The CJN put all these measures in place following subtle moves by some election petitioners to drag the Judiciary into politics.

Abdulsalami Panel: we didn’t beg for Jonathan

Abdulsalami Panel: we didn’t beg for Jonathan Treasury looters to face trial soon, says Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption battle got a major boost yesterday, with the Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee for the 2015 General Elections endorsing it. Besides, the committee denied the speculation that it was on a mission to plead for former President Goodluck Jonathan. Dr. Jonathan, who left office on May 29, has not been accused of any offence. Members of the committee, who met with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said the on-going action against corruption was in order. “It is not heating up the polity,” their spokesman, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kuka, told State House reporters after the meeting. The committee, however, cautioned against the abuse of due process. Rev. Kukah said the committee members, on Monday, met with Senate President Bukola Saraki and spoke of plans to hold talks with House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara. Gen. Abdulsalami led other members of the panel, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III; the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh. Others are: the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan; Dr. Kukah, who is the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese; a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Priscilla Kuye and Senator Ben Obi. Briefing reporters on their mission to the Villa, Rev. Kukah denied that the Committee was intervening on Jonathan’s behalf when it met behind closed doors with President Buhari. The former President was at the Villa last Thursday night for talks with his successor. There were unconfirmed reports that Dr. Jonathan approached the Gen. Abdusalami-led panel to plead with President Buhari as his administration beamed its searchlight on the activities of those who held public offices under the former president. But, the cleric noted that Jonathan never sought the committee’s intervention. Rev. Kukah said: “We gave a bit of update about the relevance of the peace committee itself and how we can help to nurture what God has given to us. “Anybody is free to come to our committee but President Jonathan never by telephone or another means talked to the committee. “We went to see him, but that is after we had already seen members of the political parties, members of the civil society. We planned to see the speaker because we couldn’t see him yesterday. “This is a very planned series of intervention, essentially just to hear out everybody and I think the good news is that Nigerians are committed to a new nation, they are committed to ensuring that the gains and blessings God has given us come to fruition.” On the committee’s mission, he said: “This is not an intervention; it is not a hearing out process. When we had election, it was like a wedding. Now the reality of government is now the marriage and people need to be encouraged. “We need to reaffirm that this is our country and the only thing we can collectively be opposed to is injustice, iniquity, corruption and in that regard we all had one single conversation.” The bishop said the President reaffirmed the need for the committee to continue. The international community has also welcomed the contributions. Stressing that the committee has not been policing elected officials, Rev. Kukah said that the panel’s intervention will not only help to build but also strengthen confidence in the process. Commenting on the Buhari administration’s anti-corruption posture, the cleric said: “It is not heating up the polity. In our conversation with President Jonathan and members of the parties, I don’t think any Nigerian is in favour of corruption, or is against the President’s commitment to ensuring that we turn a new leaf. “I think what we are concerned about is process. It is no longer a military regime and under our existing laws everybody is innocent, until proven guilty. “Again our own commitment is not to intimidate or fight anybody. The former President’s commitment and what he did still remain spectacular and I think that President Buhari himself appreciates that. So, our effort really is to make sure that the right thing is done.”

CBN urges Buhari to sign FSS2020 bills into law

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently give presidential assent to three bills passed by the National Assembly concerning Financial Sector Strategy 2020 (FSS 2020). The CBN is particularly worried that the bills may be given less attention than they deserve because they were passed during the last days of the last National Assembly. CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele who amde the appeal during the e-Government Summit 2015 in Abuja, lamented that the bills had over-stayed their welcome on the floor of the National Assembly. Represented by the apex bank’s Deputy Governor (Operations), Alhaji Suleiman Barau on the occasion, he said the bills had for seven years been at the National Assembly, adding that the president’s quick assent to the bills will “pave the way for the establishment of the Nigerian International Financial Centre and other ancillary requirements in line with international best practice.” Emefiele said the CBN was ready “to support the e-governance project in Nigeria as way of deepening payment system in the country as well, as help enthrone transparency and accountability. It is in this light that the CBN has been supportive of the FSS2020 project as a way of establishing an international financial centre in Abuja with all the benefits accruable from the establishment like the Dubai model.” The CBN described the three bills as unique because of the number of years they had spent at the National Assembly, saying the CBN therefore ”plead with Mr. President to take time out and look at the bills and give them his assent because they will help to move this country forward.” Also at the ceremony, Anambra State Governor, Mr. Willy Obiano said the deployment of information communication technology (ICT) in the state’s governance structure had boosted its internally generated revenue (IGR) from N500 million monthly to N1.4 billion. He urged the Federal Government and states of the federation to borrow a leaf from the Anambra experiment. He said the move has also helped the state to fight crime, improve its security network and manage workforce by building a comprehensive data bank for the state.

How Yoruba chose Awo as their leader — Osoba

Former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, in this interview deflates claims by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his recent book that the Yoruba never had a leader. He argues that the former president is distorting history. Osoba also spoke on other issues. Olusegun Osoba By Monsuru Olowoopejo Doyou agree with Obasanjo that the Yoruba never had a leader? I cannot share such opinion with him because 49 years ago, precisely on August 12, 1966, I was present at a forum where Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was unanimously elected the Yoruba leader. And the election involved all stakeholders -political, cultural and intellectual in Yoruba land. I have records to prove that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was elected aside the newspaper publications after the election in Ibadan. I disagree with Obasanjo on whatever claims he has that Awolowo was handpicked by some of his supporters. At the event where Awolowo was elected as the Yoruba leader, there were people of diverse political interests. For instance, late Dr. Koye Majekodunmi, had same political ideology as Awolowo. Late Chief T.O.S Benson, a staunch supporter of Late Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe was there. I want everyone to know that Awolowo was released from prison two weeks before his election as leader of the Yoruba. He was unanimously elected by all stakeholders. The military governor of the Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo on Tuesday, August 10,1966 held meetings with intellectuals and activists. The next day, which was 11, he held meetings with traditional rulers before the meeting of all stakeholders on the August 12. And on this day, there was not a dissenting voice against the election of Awolowo. These are some of the facts. What do you think was the reason for Obasanjo’s assertion? I hate to play the role of a mind reader. But my worry is that if I fail to come out as someone, who was involved in the activities leading to the election of late Chief Awolowo, history would be distorted. And in future, historians and researchers will base their conclusions on Obasanjo’s record of events. He was also an active participant in events of that period. As the Garrison Commander in Ibadan, he was an active member of General Adeyinka Adebayo’s cabinet. I do not think that he would have forgotten so soon the sequence of events that threw up Awolowo as Yoruba leader. He has direct knowledge of what transpired before and during the election. In fact on that evening, some of us (journalists) interviewed Awolowo after his election. And the statement was that he would remain the leader of the Yoruba for the duration of the military administration. And we asked that why should he limit his election as the leader of the Yoruba to the military period. And I can remember vividly that his response to the question on that day was that the Yoruba race is so intelligent and sophisticated that under no circumstance in a political dispensation will the Yoruba follow same political ideology. And that he decided to limit the honour bestowed on him to only the period when the common interest of the Yoruba was threatened. He argued that the day the bell for the commencement of partisan politics is rung, capitalists like Chief Majekodunmi, Otegbeye and T.O.S Benson; a Zikist, will return to their political tents. They may not be in the same political party. Under such circumstances, he cannot claim to be the Yoruba leader. What could have led to the unanimous endorsement by these leaders? Awolowo had been in incarceration. And when he came out, Gowon knew that he needed Awolowo’s influence. Before his imprisonment, he had been winning elections in other regions aside the Western Region. This was because he had created a Pan-Nigerian image for himself despite some claims that he was tribalistic. Another reason was that at that time, Gowon had emerged as the Head of State and Awolowo didn’t support him. Ojukwu had emerged as leader for the Igbo. The Yoruba at that time needed someone who will be a rallying point. But there was no one who could contest it with Awolowo. Besides, the Agbekoyas were holding the military to ransom. It was only Awolowo who could go into the jungle to persuade them to lay-down their arms. These were some factors that led to the emergence of Awolowo as the Yoruba leader. Obasanjo said the late Chief Adisa Akinloye and few others objected to the emergence of Awolowo as Yoruba leader. How true is that? Late Chief Adisa Akinloye never kicked against the election of Awolowo until his death. He was one of the admirers of Awolowo. He was the one who coined the wordAfenifere.’I was close to Akinloye even during his days in London where he was in exile. He never disagreed with the fact that Awolowo must be respected as a person. There is a difference between members of different political parties and having respect for a particular person. For instance, when Aminu Kano was alive, he often visited the Sardauna of Sokoto for consultation. Though they had different political ideologies. Aminu Kano had theTalakawa (welfarist) ideology. Sardauna was for the Oligachy. He was aristocratic. Joseph Tarka was for the emancipation of his people. I don’t know why anyone in death should denigrate the reputation of Awolowo. On implications of the statement I will not like to judge ex-President Obasanjo. I don’t want to join him in the condemnation of individuals. My aim is to put the fact straight. I respect Obasanjo. He has his own strong points and weaknesses. But one of the things I disagree with him on is the act of condemning people. I feel bad when he does these despite the luck he had. At the end of the civil war and when General Murtala Muhammed was killed, he was opportuned to assume the leadership of this country. Whether he likes it or not, late Chief MKO Abiola will continue to be the hero of modern democracy in Nigeria. He laid down his life and I expect Obasanjo to recognize the fact that he became a beneficiary of his effort and see Abiola as a hero. Nobody can claim to be the only hero in a society; a society is made up of different people. Today, within the Egbas, the Kutis are heroes. This family produced Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Beko Kuti and Prof. Olukoye Ransome-Kuti. Other Egbas are Prof. Wole Soyinka, Akintola Williams and others. A tree cannot make a forest. It hurts me when Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo denigrate heroes. Has Obasanjo shown inclination towards feeling offended that some of you do not respect his status in the country? In Yoruba, we believe that one must earn whatever status he wants. We submit ourselves to any leadership voluntarily and not by coercion. He (Obasanjo) should be someone that everyone would visit for consultation. I remember when Papa Simon Adebo was alive; Obasanjo and I often visited him to learn from him. That is what people should do at the moment for Obasanjo. He must earn it. The Yoruba often say that when one is aging, he puts aside some attitudes in him. General Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalam Abubakar do not speak often. But they contribute to the country’s development. They also play key roles internationally. At this age, I believe that we should be careful of what we say. Who is the current Yoruba leader? We cannot have a Yoruba leader in a political dispensation. When Awolowo was elected as the Yoruba leader, he said he will remain the Yoruba leader under military. I have often said it. What we can have at the moment is a cultural Yoruba leader not an overall Yoruba leader. Even within family meetings, theOlori Ebi(head of the family),’ is challenged on issues affecting the family. So, each time the interest of Yoruba is threatened, we all gather under the leadership of an individual to solve the problem. Pre-civil war, the Yoruba interest was threatened. And everyone agreed that the best person to lead the Yoruba at that time was Awolowo. When June 12, 1993 presidential election was annulled, not only Yoruba but everyone who believed in democratic governance believe that the system of government is threatened. This incident threw up late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, as the leaders of the Yoruba. I remember that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo came to Owo, Ondo state in 1994. if Obasanjo didn’t recognize Ajasin as Yoruba leader why did he visit him in Owo. After the death of Ajasin, late Pa Abraham Adesanya was nominated by Omoyele Sowore, the founder of Sahara reporters at Premier Hotel. And the reason was that MKO Abiola who would have assumed the leadership had died in incarceration . Many became sad. But when the bell of partisan politics was ranged in 1999, Adesanya ceased to be Yoruba leader. He vacated the office to becomeAfenifereleader. Since the death of Adesanya, why has there not been a cultural leader for the Yoruba? General Akinrinade, retd and Pa Fasoronti are playing that role now. In Yoruba, one must show leadership qualities before anyone can respect him. For instance, Akinrinade was involved in the enthronement of democracy in the country. He was a successfulb in the military. Even when the issue of former President Goodluck Jonathan and late President Umaru Musa Yar Adua evolved, he went the streets with Soyinka and others, demanding that the democratic norm must be adhered to. We have cultural leaders at every level.

61.32% fail English, maths as WAEC stops 13 states

616,370 of 1,593,442 get credit passes in five subjects MORE than half of the candidates who sat for the May/June 2015 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) cannot advance to higher institutions. Reason: They failed English and Mathematics. The two core subjects are compulsory for admission into tertiary institutions, especially the university. The council released the results yesterday. But, candidates in some 13 states have their results withheld because their states are yet to pay the fees. Only 616,370 of the 1,593,442 (38.68 per cent) of the candidates got credit passes in at least five subjects, including English language and Mathematics. The percentage, according to WAEC Head of National Office Mr. Charles Eguridu, is a slight improvement on last year’s examination, which recorded 529,425 (representing 31.28 per cent) and 639,760 (38.30) in 2013. Announcing the results at WAEC’s office in Yaba, Lagos Mainland, Eguridu said: “Out of the 1,605,248 candidates that registered for the examination, with 1,593,442 candidates who sat for the examination,616,370 candidates representing 38.68 per cent obtained credit in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics. ”The results of 118,101 candidates, representing 7.41 per cent, are being withheld in connection with various cases of examination malpractice as the cases are being investigated and the reports of the investigations will be presented to the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC). ”Out of all the candidates who sat for the exams, 758,849 candidates, representing 47.62 per cent, obtained six credits and above; 949,862 candidates representing 59.61 per cent obtained five credits and above, while 1,114,988 candidates (representing 69.97 per cent) obtained credits and above in four subjects. In addition, 1,292,915 candidates, representing 78.81 per cent obtained credit and above in three subjects, while 1,376,743 candidates, representing 86.40 per cent obtained credit and above in two subjects.” Eguridu said that of the 109 visually impared candidates, who registered for the examination, 20 of them (representing 18.34 per cent) obtained credits in five subjects, including English language and Mathematics. In a further breakdown, Eguridu said 864,096 male and 729, 346 females registered for the examination as candidates. He said: “Of the total number of candidates that sat for the examination, 1,498,069 candidates, representing 94.01 per cent, have their results fully released while 95,373 candidates, representing 5.99 per cent, have a few of their subjects still being processed due to some errors, mainly traceable to the candidates and schools in the course of registration or writing the examination.” According to him, the errors were being corrected by the Council to enable the affected candidates get their results fully processed and released subsequently. He said the Council has decided be hard on states that eventually defaulted in paying WAEC fees after the expiration of its two-week deadline. Eguridu: “Due to challenges facing the council, which l alerted the nation to on the indebtedness to the council by some state governors, candidates in 13 states whose governors have not paid the Council will not be able to access their results until the states affected produce advance payment guarantees from reputable banks, so that the Council will be assured that the fees will be paid.” Although, he refused to name the debtor-states, Eguridu said the issue had been brought to the attention of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), noting that payments were still being made by some states. It will, therefore, be premature to name the states, he said. Eguridu said the examination was also conducted in Benin Republic and Cote d’lvoire due to “wishes of parents of Nigerian origin who are not satisfied with the education of their wards there and want them to come to Nigerian higher institutions. WAEC is also open to other nationals who wish to patronise it.” There were cases of Nigerians colluding with their wards and schools to engage in examination malpractices. Such cases have been recorded and such results withheld, Eguridu said.

Buhari floors Niger Delta opponents with Ogoni clean up

LAGOS—Insinuations about President Muhammadu Buhari’s bias against the Niger Delta region have been laid to rest with his decision to fast-track the cleaning up of Ogoni land, Rivers State, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC said yesterday. President Muhammadu Buhari Addressing newsmen in Lagos, party spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed also identified the adulteration of the original version of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB as preventing the party from taking a position on the bill. Mohammed said that APC-led Federal Government would focus on creating more job opportunities and providing infrastructure in the Niger Delta as a way of addressing the spate of restiveness in the region. Noting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to adopt the report of the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP on the clean up of Ogoni land as one of the most significant decisions taken since the advent of the new administration, Mohammed said: “This action of the President transcends all the needless arguments about the appointments so far made by him, because it touches directly on the well-being of a long-suffering people, people whose farmlands, drinking water, homes and sources of living have been deeply affected by hydrocarbon pollution.”

Return of N12m: Enugu govt offers cleaner automatic employment, names street after her

Enugu—A cleaner attached to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, in Lagos, Miss Josephine Ugwu, who picked N12 million belonging to a passenger at the airport and returned same to the owner intact will be offered automatic employment in the Enugu State Civil Service. Miss Josephine Ugwu In addition to that, a street will also be named after her in Enugu to immortalize her in appreciation of the unequalled display of honesty by that act. This was unanimously arrived at during the sitting of the State House of Assembly, yesterday. Members of the State Assembly led by the Speaker, Mr. Edward Ubosi also resolved to write Miss Ugwu a formal letter of recommendation to serve as an inspiration to other Nigerians. Member representing Awgu North constitutency, Mr. S.K.E. Ude-Okoye, during the debate on the floor of the House on the issue, said: “I do move that the House should urge Enugu State government to name a street in the state capital after her for her truthfulness and honesty.” Many contributors, including the chief sponsor of the motion, Mr. Matthias Ekweremadu, who is the Chief Whip, eulogized the cleaner for her rare character, while the Speaker described Miss Ugwu as “a true daughter of Enugu State and Igboland. “I thank you in a special way because you have proved to be a true ‘Wawa’ woman.’ ‘Wawa’ means ‘no, no.’ You said no to temptation. Keep it up.”

FIFA: Toro faults Adamu, warns against misleading Kalu

FORMER Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, Sani Ahmed Toro has laughed off Dr Orji Uzo Kalu’s dream of replacing Sepp Blatter as FIFA’s next president. Orji Uzor Kalu Toro who called our hotline yesterday said that he found it more ridiculous that former executive member of FIFA, Dr Amos Adamu backed the former Governor’s ambition. Toro said that Nigerians in high positions should be careful not to mislead Kalu and make Nigeria a laughing stock in the world. ‘’With due respect to Kalu, his credentials with Enyimba is not enough to catapult him to FIFA. He did well with the club but he should be told about the rules and guidelines. Nobody wakes up to join the queue to become FIFA President overnight’’, Toro said. He faulted Dr Adamu for not telling Kalu the truth on FIFA. ‘’ I don’t think Dr Adamu that I know can make that statement credited to him by a section of the media. If he actually made that statement, then I am disappointed. ‘’The former Bauchi State Sports Commissioner and former House of Representatives member said that Kalu does not have the platform to contest for that exalted position. ‘’People should not deceive Kalu’’, Toro emphasised.

Labour rejects planned 100% increase on VAT

*Says it’ll worsen poverty level LAGOS — Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has condemned the plan to double the Value Added Tax, VAT, from five per cent to 10 per cent, to shore up government revenue which has been eroded by declining international price of oil, warning that it will worsen poverty in Nigeria. File photo : NLC’s protest on minimum wage. TUC, in a statement yesterday, contended that the VAT increment proposal by Sunday Ogungbesan, Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, runs contrary to the agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government centred on restoring hope to the masses, reducing the poverty level among the citizens and building a new Nigeria that the entire citizenry will be proud of. In the statement by the group’s President and Secretary General, Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Musa Lawal, respectively, TUC disagreed with Ogungbesan’s claim that the tax regime undermines the ability of the president to deliver on his campaign promises. According to the statement, “the fact that the country depends on crude oil exports for over 70 percent of government revenue and over 90 percent of foreign exchange is not debatable. The chairman needs not preach that; he should save us the stress. After all, even the president was aware of the current scenario when he made the promises. “In fact we advise the president to beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing within his administration, persons whose main motive is to play the good boys to the detriment of the people. The proposed increment will enthrone poverty and create untold hardship in all spheres of life, as most goods consumed by the masses attract VAT. “Just as it happened after each increment in the prices of petroleum products, prices of goods will increase across board, and purchasing power will drastically reduce. Staple food will virtually disappear from the dinner table of the average Nigerian, thereby compromising his health, and we know the implications of that in a nation where access to basic medicare is a luxury. “The FIRS boss opined that the country can survive without oil. That is true and incontrovertible. But our worry is, why must we always choose the easy but destructive way out? Must the government always prey on the masses to achieve revenue targets and address deficits? “How efficient has the government been in monitoring and enforcing the payment of VAT at the current rate of five percent, and how effective has been the utilisation of the VAT that has been collected over the years? Should the poor masses of the country be blamed if, as the chairman claims, only 125,000 out of 450,000 corporate entities pay tax to the government? “Whatever the answers to these questions may be, surely the government and FIRS need not be reminded that Nigeria can and should also generate substantial revenue from bitumen, tin, gold, limestone, iron ore, coal, etc. “Now let us ask ourselves this question: have government agencies entrusted with the responsibility of collecting taxes demonstrated the will to attain optimal collection? In other words, have they demonstrated the courage and wherewithal to collect up to 50 per cent of the projected tax revenue? Our answer is a capital “NO” because they have been involved in compromises for pecuniary considerations, a habit that has rendered useless many a Nigerian agency.” “Can the government tell Nigerians how much ground rent is being collected relative to projected figures? Nigerians have come of age and no one should attempt to hoodwink us with theories that have no empirical basis. Nigerians should no longer be taken for a ride. “The TUC regards the proposed increment as the brain child of self-serving bureaucrats at the FIRS and a deliberate and calculated attempt to stir up civil unrest and create problems for the present administration. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call them to order before they rubbish his administration.”

Explosion rips through Borno market, kills over 47

At least 47 people were killed and dozens wounded in a bomb blast Tuesday in a part of northeast Nigeria frequently targeted by Boko Haram Islamists, a medical source and witnesses said.
The explosion ripped through the weekly market in the village of Sabon Gari, around 135 kilometres (85 miles) south of Borno state capital Maiduguri, during peak trading around 1:15 pm (1230 GMT), the sources said.
“We have received at least 47 dead bodies and at least 50 with injuries from the Sabon Gari market, where there was a blast this afternoon,” a nurse at Biu General Hospital, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) away, told AFP.
He said the injuries from the blast are mostly “severe”, meaning the death toll could continue to rise.
“The explosion happened inside the market at the mobile phone section, near the livestock section of the market,” said Yuram Bura, a member of a local vigilante group fighting Boko Haram alongside the army.
“It was concealed in a knapsack used for spraying herbicides. It was smuggled into the market and apparently abandoned.”
Witnesses said the blast bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram, which has previously targeted crowded bus stations, markets, mosques and churches during its bloody six-year insurgency.
“Following the explosion everybody fled the market because of fear of more explosions. However, vigilantes and volunteers went to the scene and were able to evacuate the victims,” Samaila Biu, a local trader, told AFP.
“Soldiers were also deployed… The market has been closed.”
– Increased attacks –
The attack came two days after jihadists shot dead four people and abducted five others in an ambush on a highway in the same area on Sunday, according to local vigilantes.
Gunmen suspected to be from Boko Haram also killed eight people at the end of July in a raid on a village near Biu, the biggest town in southern Borno, the state which has borne the brunt of the insurgency.
Boko Haram has killed more than 15,000 people since 2009 and has increasingly spread across the country’s borders, with Chad and Cameroon suffering deadly suicide bombings in recent months.
Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger launched a joint military fightback this year, with Benin set to join a new multi-national force due to go into action shortly.
Boko Haram has increased the frequency and intensity of its attacks since Muhammadu Buhari became president on May 29. Since then, more than 900 people have been killed in Nigeria alone, according to an AFP count.
Buhari has vowed to crush the insurgency, which has made more than 1.5 million homeless since 2009.
He announced on Friday that Nigeria would step up domestic arms manufacture for the military to cut its reliance on foreign weaponry in its fight with the Islamists.
He has instructed the defence ministry to create “a modest military industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces”, his office said in a statement.
– Exporting terror –
Buhari’s victory triggered a wave of optimism for oil-rich Nigeria, which has Africa’s biggest population and economy but many deep and seemingly intractable problems.
The military has long argued that it is hampered by a lack of weaponry, and Buhari warned Washington last month that a US refusal to arm his troops because of “so-called human rights violations” was helping Boko Haram.
The US has vowed to help Nigeria defeat the insurgency but it is prohibited under law from sending weapons to countries that fail to tackle human rights abuses.
As it struggles with the insurgency at home, Nigeria is taking steps to prevent the export of terror abroad, it said earlier on Wednesday, with a crackdown on young adults leaving with no apparent means of supporting themselves.
Immigration officials said almost 24,000 nationals aged 17 to 35 were turned back at the border between January 2014 and March this year.
“There have been reports in recent times of some Nigerians departing to join terrorist groups especially in the Middle East and north Africa,” Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) spokesman Chukwuemeka Obua told AFP.

The crackdown sought to prevent young Nigerians being “lured into terrorism, prostitution, slavery and other untoward activities abroad”, the NIS said in a statement.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

POWER OUTAGE: JTF detains ex-militant leader over planned protest

CSJ tasks FG on reintroduction of PIB … calls for total removal fuel subsidy

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) on Monday called on the executive arm of government to re-introduce the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to the 8th National Assembly and use the party machinery and public pressure to ensure that the Bill is passed in record time before the end of the 2015 fiscal year.
The lead Director of the organization, Mr. Eze Onyekpere made the call at a media presentation of an independent study on the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMP) by the CSJ and with the support of Heinrich Boll Foundation.

FG to spend N15bn to achieve 8,000 megawatts electricity generation by 2016

Power PlantDr Atiku Abubakar, Deputy Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), on Tuesday said about N15 billion was required for the nation to generate 8,000 megawatts of electricity by 2016. Abubakar made this known during inspection of some ongoing electricity projects at the sidelines of a training programme for auditors in Lagos.
He disclosed that electricity generation

Rihanna thinks Rita Ora has 'lack of respect'

Los Angeles - Rihanna thinks Rita Ora has a "lack of respect" for her.

The BBHMM singer is reportedly furious with the 24-year-old singer for recording a song with her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown and objects to the steamy video which is set to accompany the track Body On Me.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "There's no lost love between them, but this is another example of what Rihanna perceives to be a lack of respect by Rita.
"Chris and Rihanna have a long history and she hit the roof

Ex-Army GOC: Many Boko Haram Suspects Arrested in Lagos, Ogun

Despite past attempts by Boko Haram insurgents to infiltrate Lagos, the Nigerian Army monrday said it was able to nip their acts of terror in the bud by arresting them.

THISDAY gathered that the suspected members of Boko Haram were arrested during several raids conducted in both Lagos and Ogun States by the 81 Division headquarters.

The sect has in the past tried to infiltrate the South-west, especially Lagos,

Probe Jonathan’s $200 million Nollywood fund – Veteran urges Buhari

A veteran thespian, Lari Williams, on Tuesday urged the government to inquire into the current state of the grant the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration gave to the entertainment sector. Williams told pressmen on Tuesday that he and others needed to know what had been disbursed and what had yet to be disbursed.

Jonathan provided a grant of $200m to the entertainment industry as Nollywood Fund
Williams added that a proper management of the sectors’ resources would help to keep it dynamic with the provision of requisite infrastructure

Breaking news: OPEC raises 2015 oil demand forecast

OPEC on Tuesday revised upward its growth forecast for global oil demand in 2015 and maintained projected record levels of world consumption next year, despite turbulent market conditions spurred by financial instability in Greece and China. In its August monthly report, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said it was expecting world oil demand to grow by 1.38 million barrels per day — some 90,000 more than announced in its July estimates. The cartel also stuck to last month’s prognosis that demand growth in 2016 would reach 1.34 million barrels per day thanks to global GDP expansion set to reach 3.5 percent, up from 3.2 percent this year. “Given the better-than-expected growth in global oil demand so far this year, together with some signs of a pickup in the economies of the major consuming countries, crude oil demand in the coming months should continue to improve and, thus, gradually reduce the imbalance in oil supply-demand fundamentals,” OPEC noted in its latest report. Oil prices collapsed 60 percent between last June and January, hitting a low of $45. This was due in part to a supply glut caused by the boom in US shale oil. But OPEC, which has traditionally defended price levels by cutting output when necessary, dramatically switched strategy last November when it opted to leave its production target unchanged. OPEC has since stuck to this strategy, keeping its output target level at 30 million barrels per day. On Monday, the World Bank warned that the lifting of sanctions related to Iran’s nuclear programme would have a “significant impact” on the world oil market in 2016. Iran’s return to the global market would eventually add about a million barrels of oil a day, lowering prices by $10 per barrel, the bank said. Oil markets have also been shaken by China’s reduced economic growth and collapsing stock market. As a result of losses “triggered by China’s stock market slump” and global supply glut, US crude prices posted their biggest monthly drop since the 2008 financial crisis, with Texas light sweet declining to $47.12 per barrel on July 31. Meanwhile, general expectations for Europe’s oil demand during 2015 have improved since OPEC’s last monthly report, but remain “coupled with large uncertainties” over the region’s economic developments, particularly in Greece, the cartel said.

Nicki Minaj sparks pregnancy speculation

Los Angeles - Nicki Minaj has sparked speculation she is pregnant.
The 'Anaconda' rapper made waves at the latest stop on her 'Pinkprint' tour by referring to boyfriend, rapper Meek Mill, as her "baby father".
Nicki sent fans into a frenzy at her concert in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, on Friday night with the bold statement as Meek joined her on stage.

stop-appropriating our achievements pdp tells apc

Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop appropriating to itself the achievements of the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, reports Premium Times.
The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh noted that the APC has been dancing around the achievements of the previous government in an attempt to make the public believe that recorded successes in critical sectors are for the party and President Muhammadu Buhari.
Also read: PDP urges Buhari to review appointment of DSS boss
He said instead of trying to steal the PDP's achievements to earn undeserved praise, the APC and Buhari Should brace up, articulate a precise economic policy, assemble an economic team and urgently commence the delivery of the promises for which they were voted.
Metuh also lambasted President Buhari for refusing to constitute his cabinet almost three months after he was sworn-in.
He stated that it was unacceptable, not withstanding the reasons being adduced, for a government in a democratic setting to run for almost three months without a cabinet and any policy direction whatsoever.
Read more at Premium Times.www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/188140-stop-appropriating-our-achievements-pdp-tells-apc.html

New evidence reports Nick Gordon drugged and drowned Bobbi Kristina Brown

Ferguson anniversary: State of emergency declared amid protests

A state of emergency is in force in the US city of Ferguson amid protests marking the anniversary of the death of black teenager Michael Brown. The city is reported to be tense after another black teenager was critically wounded in a gun battle with police on Sunday. Tyrone Harris, 18, was later charged with assaulting police officers. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has appealed for protests to remain peaceful. Michael Brown, 18, was shot in August 2014 by a white police officer who was later cleared of any wrongdoing by a grand jury and the US Department of Justice. The death triggered a wave of protests over alleged racism and the use of excessive force by police officers. Late on Monday, police arrested several protesters who blocked a traffic lane on West Florissant Avenue - the site of previous unrest. Witnesses said some people in the crowd threw water bottles at officers but there were no reports of violence. Earlier, police arrested about 50 protesters - including civil rights activist Cornel West - who staged a sit-in outside the main courthouse in St Louis. Other protesters also briefly blocked a major highway - Interstate 70 - during the afternoon rush hour and a number of arrests were made. The demonstrations were part of a day of civil disobedience called by activists in St Louis and other major US cities. The state of emergency was issued on Monday afternoon by St Louis County Executive Steve Stenger and authorised county Police Chief Jon Belmar to take control in and around Ferguson. Sunday's shooting came after a day of peaceful and sombre commemorations in memory of Michael Brown. What happened in Ferguson in 2014? According to police, a gunfight erupted between two rival groups in West Florissant Avenue and a suspect, whom they identified as Tyrone Harris, then shot at plain-clothes police who returned fire. Police Chief Belmar said those who had opened fire on the officers "were criminals, they weren't protesters". But Mr Harris's father described the police account as "a bunch of lies", saying his son had been unarmed and was "running for his life". US attorney Loretta Lynch denounced Sunday's violence. "As we have seen over the recent months and years, not only does violence obscure any message of peaceful protest, it places the community, as well as the officers who seek to protect it, in harm's way," she said. There have been a number of high-profile shootings of unarmed black men in US cities in recent months. The most recent case involved 19-year-old Christian Taylor who was shot dead by a white police officer after he was spotted on surveillance footage vandalising cars in Arlington, Texas, on Friday. Campaigners were further incensed when a justice department investigationfound widespread racial bias in the Ferguson police force.

Japan restarts first nuclear power plant since Fukushima

Japan has restarted its first nuclear reactor under new safety rules following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. All Japan's nuclear plants were gradually shut down after a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima plant sparked by the tsunami and earthquake. But after passing stringent new safety tests, Kyushu Electric Power restarted the number one reactor at its Sendai plant on Tuesday morning. There is still strong public unease about a return to nuclear power. Protests have been taking place outside the Sendai plant and at Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's residence in Tokyo, about 1,000 km (600 miles) away. The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo says that after being told a disaster like Fukushima could never happen, public confidence has been shaken. A total of 25 plants have applied to be restarted, he says, but all are facing legal challenges from concerned locals. What is happening inside the Sendai reactor? 'Safety first' Kyushu said reactor No.1 at Sendai began operating again at 10:30 local time (01:30 GMT). TV images showed the plant's control room as workers turned the reactor back on. Kyushu Electric spokesman Tomomitsu Sakata said the reactor had gone back online without any problems. It will be about 24 hours before a full reaction takes place, and the plant is expected to start generating power by Friday. It will reach full capacity some time next month. Prime Minister Abe said on Monday that the reactors had passed "the world's toughest safety screening". "I would like Kyushu Electric to put safety first and take utmost precautions for the restart," he said. Since shutting down all nuclear plants, Japan has been relying on imported fossil fuels for its energy, at huge expense. The government has said nuclear power must resume to cut both import bills and growing CO2 emissions. Experts have also warned that reactors left idle for years tend to experience teething problems and that such a mass restart of dormant reactors has never been attempted before, says our correspondent. Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority approved two reactors at the Sendai plant last September under stricter safety rules. The second reactor is due to be restarted in October. More than $100m (£64m) has been spent on fitting new safety systems at the Sendai plant. But local residents say the new safety regulations are not stringent enough - they are worried about potential dangers from active volcanoes in the region. Protesters were rallied by Naoto Kan, prime minister at the time of the Fukushima crisis, who told the crowd: "We don't need nuclear plants." He said the Fukushima disaster had "exposed the myth of safe and cheap nuclear power, which turned out to be dangerous and expensive". One of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded struck off the coast of Japan in March 2011, triggering a huge tsunami which damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant, leading to meltdown. Almost 16,000 people died and more than 2,500 are still listed as missing, though none of the deaths has been linked to the nuclear disaster. Some 160,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding areas in the following weeks - continuing high radiation levels mean most have never been able to return home.

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