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US sends supersonic bombers over South Korea

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US sends supersonic bombers over South Korea

US bombers overflew the Korean peninsula Thursday as part of an exercise with Japanese and South Korean warplanes, the US Air Force said, days before President Donald Trump arrives in the region for a trip set to be dominated by the nuclear-armed North.

Tensions are high over Pyongyang’s ballistic missile and atomic programmes, which in recent months have seen it test ICBMs and carry out its sixth nuclear blast.

Flights by supersonic B-1B Lancer bombers in the area always infuriate North Korea, which condemned the drill as “blackmail” early Friday.

Two B-1B aircraft took off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, and were joined west of Japan by Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighters, the US Pacific Air Force said in a statement.

“The Lancers then transited overland to Korea to integrate with Republic of Korea fighters in the Yellow Sea,” the statement read, adding that the aircraft later returned “to their respective home stations.”

The exercise was part of the “continuous bomber presence” mission in the Pacific and “was not in response to any current event,” the statement said.

The operation follows an October 10 “show of force” in which two Lancers staged the first night-time joint aviation exercises with Japan and South Korea.

Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un have exchanged threats and personal insults in recent months — the US president has warned of “fire and fury” in response to Pyongyang’s threats, and the North’s KCNA news agency this week called him “incurably mentally deranged”.

North Korea in July launched two intercontinental ballistic missiles apparently capable of reaching the US mainland — described by Kim as a gift to “American bastards”.

It followed up with two missiles that passed over Japan, and its sixth nuclear test, by far its most powerful yet.

Pyongyang may be preparing for another missile test, Seoul’s spy agency reportedly said Thursday.

The North habitually condemns B1-B flights as rehearsals for an attack, and KCNA said Friday: “The reality clearly shows that the gangster-like US imperialists are the very one who is aggravating the situation of the Korean peninsula and seeking to ignite a nuclear war.”

Trump begins an Asian tour on Friday that will include South Korea and is set to be dominated by the North Korean nuclear issue. AFP

2019 Presidential Election: APC governors disagree over Buhari’s re-election; Okorocha vows to resist imposition of candidate

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2019 Presidential Election: APC governors disagree over Buhari’s re-election; Okorocha vows to resist imposition of candidate

…….Says no automatic ticket for Buhari.

Two days after some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly expressed their readiness to give an automatic ticket to President Muhammadu Buhari to contest the 2019 election, there was a loud dissenting voice from one of them yesterday.

Differing with his colleagues, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said that there would be no automatic ticket for Buhari in 2019 if he decided to re-contest, The Guardian NG reported.

Governor Okorocha’s position on the candidacy of President Buhari for the 2019 presidential election has reinforced fears that the entire APC structure is not united behind the re-election bid of the president. Okorocha spoke some two months after Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan had made similar remarks regarding Buhari and the 2019 presidential election.

The APC governors who rooted for an automatic ticket for the president in 2019 said he had performed well. The governors spoke on the sidelines of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Reports had named Okorocha, Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Simon Lalong of Plateau State as those who endorsed the president for an automatic ticket.

The NEC of the party had deterred an informal motion to endorse the proposal.

But Okorocha told State House correspondents yesterday that though the president was democratically qualified to re-contest, he (Okorocha) and others would resist an imposition of his candidature on the APC.

Okorocha, who said he was at the villa to see the president on issues bordering on the politics in the South East zone, pointedly said there was nothing wrong with the calls for the president to seek re-election.

The Imo governor who is also the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, however, said there would be resistance to any attempt to impose Buhari as the party’s candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

The gentleman (Buhari) is looking much more handsome than even before he went to hospital; he is looking stronger and so, he has every right and qualification to re-contest, there is nothing wrong at all.

“But we don’t allow imposition of candidates, it must be democratically done. If President Buhari will lead the ship in 2019, it must be democratically done and I say democratically done, transparently to the amazement of the whole world, the way it will take place and the way we do our thing in APC.

“President Buhari is qualified constitutionally to run and the good thing is that he is in good health, stronger than he has ever been. I think the hospital he went to was a mere exercise to strengthen his nerves and bones,” he said.

On his visit, Okorocha ‎said: “I have come to see the president and to discuss politics as it affects the South East and APC and the way forward, and the politics of APC as it also concerns governance.

“It was a very fruitful meeting. More efforts should be made in the South East to really let the people understand the APC role in Nigeria and in the South East.

“The president was quite receptive and was quite happy with the deliberation that we just had upward of 45 minutes.”

On the way forward after the meeting, Okorocha said: “The South East before now was not majorly in APC but we have worked out strategies and modalities on how to improve relationship between the people of the South East and APC government.

“That was top on the agenda, and the need for the president to come to the South East as quickly as possible to begin to show his presence and luckily the president will come to Ebonyi very soon.

“He would pass through Imo State to Anambra State. So, covering three states within this short time is a right step in the right direction because we have come to realise in the South East that we are better off in APC than any other party.”

On APC’s agenda in the South East and how to make it stronger in the region, he said “the agenda we have set is making sure that we bring in more people.

“We have more people in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) coming to APC than the number of APC people leaving for PDP. Hardly is there any story of APC people leaving for PDP but we have more PDP coming to APC.

“For instance, Ken Nnamani, Orji Uzor Kalu and a host of them have joined APC. These are some of the strategies in making sure that APC becomes bigger in the states.”

According to the Imo governor, most senators and House of Representatives members have jumped into APC. “Today, we have 24 governors and we are also looking forward to see what happens in Anambra State.

“In fact, our party is much stronger than it has ever been, even before the last election we had in 2015. The relationship now among members and Federal Government is more cordial. So we are happy that we are in the right direction and that there is no qualm for 2019.”    The Guardian NG

Ogun 2019: ‘Gov. Amosun’s mindset against me not acceptable’- Sen. Adeola Solomon

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Ogun 2019: ‘Gov. Amosun’s mindset against me not acceptable’- Sen. Adeola Solomon

………Promises to resuscitate  Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency(OGROMA), Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas(OKLNG)

A front line 2019 governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, on Thursday revealed that he has no grudges against Governor Ibikunle Amosun, The Nation NG has reported.

Adeola who is popularly called Yayi said what exists between him and Amosun are just differences in “political ideology and political belief,” explaining that what he found disagreeable about the Governor is his mindset that someone coming from Lagos should not govern Ogun State.

The Senator who hailed from Agosaga Pahayi in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, but currently representing Lagos West at the National Assembly, added that it was this Amosun’s attitude of “how can he come from Lagos to rule us” remained the source of contention between the duo.

According to The Nation NG, Adeola made the clarification while fielding questions during an interactive session with members of the Ogun West Consultative Forum at Ilaro, the Headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area.

He recalled that each of the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, Bisi Onabanjo, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Amosun himself had all worked or done business in Lagos for years before returning home to vie for and won the position of a Governor in Ogun State.

The Senator wondered why a strange and different yardstick should now be introduced into the political field of the state by the incumbent Governor because the Ogun West people have become more determined to produce a Governor in 2019?

Adeola noted that he “wants to be Governor of Ogun State but not desperate” about it, stressing, however, that he remained unflinching in his resolve to pursue the ambition to a successful end.

He also noted that there were many rumours flying about to the effect that he was stalling the efforts of the Governor to obtain the $350m loan facility which requires clearance by the Senate, and said there was no truth to it.

Adeola said he would not stand in the way of what would bring development or progress to the state, adding that the loan facility even came up on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

He explained that nobody was working to frustrate the Governor from seeking the $350m facility, saying he recognises the rights of states to source for a financial package but it shouldn’t be a routine thing.

He said he would resuscitate the Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency(OGROMA) to address the constant road problems in the state, revisit the abandoned Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas(OKLNG) located in Ode – Omi in Ogun Waterside, leverage on the proximity of Ogun to Lagos to boost the socio-economic fortunes of the state. The Nation NG

Diezani gave me N30m for logistics – INEC official

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Diezani gave me N30m for logistics – INEC official

An ex-Administrative Secretary with the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Christian Nwosu, admitted on Thursday that he received and signed for the sum of N264.8m at a branch of Fidelity Bank in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

He added that though he received N30m out of the N264.8m, he did not benefit from the money but spent it on logistics.

Nwosu stated this before the Federal High Court in Lagos where he is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly conspiring with two other INEC officials to take a total bribe of N264.88m from a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to compromise the elections.

The anti-graft agency claimed that the N264.8m was part of the sum of $115.01m which Diezani allegedly stashed in the bank for conversion and onward disbursement to several individuals across the 36 states of the federation.

But Nwosu said though he went to the bank to collect the NN224.8m out of which he got N30m, he did not benefit from the money.

He said the money was for logistics, adding that he acted under the instructions of one Mr. Togba who directed him over the phone to visit the bank to collect the money.

Nwosu said this while being cross-examined by the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, during a trial-within-trial ordered by Justice Mohammed Idris.

The trial-within-trial is to test the voluntariness of confessional statements which Nwosu made to the EFCC.

Asked by the prosecutor whether he indeed collected and signed for money, Nwosu answered in the affirmative, clarifying, however, that, “I did not personally benefit from the N30m.

“The ad hoc staff benefitted because the election went smoothly with the assistance of the logistics support. My commission was aware of the money and the evidence was that the election went smoothly.” The Punch NG

Osun state to complete N69bn MKO Abiola International Airport in 8 months

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Osun state to complete N69bn MKO Abiola International Airport in 8 months

The contractor handling the MKO Abiola International Airport in Ido-Osun, Osun, on Thursday said that the first phase of the N69 billion project would be ready within eight months.

Mr Nurudeen Ogunlade, the Chief Executive Officer of AWOL Group of Company in charge of the airport project, disclosed this at a news conference in Osogbo on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osun Government, on Oct. 26, signed a concession agreement with AWOL for the construction of the airport.

“The concession agreement will be on “Build-Operate-Transfer” basis and to last for 30 years.’’

The contract was first awarded on Oct. 14, 2012 at the cost of N4.5 billion and was to be completed within eight months.

The contract was later reviewed to N11 billion.

Ogunlade said with construction of the airport, the economy and tourism potential of the state would be fully realised.

“The state’s tourism potential will not be fully realised without an International Airport. And tourism is likely to be our foreign exchange earner for a long time to come.’’

Ogunlade said the airport project would provide about 10,000 jobs for youths during the construction period and 2,000 jobs after its completion.

He said that there would be a cargo and maintenance section as part of the airport structural design which would be one of its kind in the country and the West African sub-region.

“With the increasing alarm in agriculture food shortage in the country, the MKO Abiola International Airport will double up with manufacturing products and food bank warehouse cargo sector.’’

Ogunlade said the airport project was increased from N11 billion to N69 billion under the concession agreement due to its expansion and other modern facilities that were included.

He, however, said that the airport, which would be built on 839 hectares of land, would be funded 100 per cent by the company.

On his part, the State Commissioner for works, Mr Kazeem Salami, said the airport would bring development to the state after its completion.

NAN

Majek Fashek says ‘I never used drugs or cocaine’; plans duets with Tuface, Olamide, others

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Majek Fashek says ‘I never used drugs or cocaine’; plans duets with Tuface, Olamide, others

Reggae icon Majek Fashek said the secret elixir to his music is God and therefore it cannot fade away.

In a chat with HIPTV, the ‘Send Down The Rain’ singer said that God gives him the inspiration to make good songs and thereby it remains alive.

He said: “In every season there must be rain. So as long as there is God, the message of the prisoner of conscience, will never fade out. God always gives me the inspiration every year to write new songs.

“My music cannot fade out because I believe in Jesus Christ.”

Fashek who will be releasing the video to his new single-‘Hey! Rastaman’- soon, said his experiences while in the United States were what inspired him to write the song.

“I’m a rastaman that believes in Jesus Christ. I’m a different rastaman. This is because Jesus Christ was a rastaman. It was part of my experience while in the United States. That is what inspired me to write that song,” he said.

He continued saying, “When I was in America, the Nigerian press of my time were reporting that I’m into drugs and cocaine. I never used drugs or cocaine. I almost died in America. But God saved my life.”

On collaborations with younger artistes, Fashek said: “Tuface is a very good boy who likes and respects me. So we are collaborating on a new song. Also we are working on collaborating with Davido, Phyno and Olamide.” The Cable

 

Zenith/Delta Principals Cup starts with excitement

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Zenith/Delta Principals Cup starts with excitement

Opening game ended in stalemate

The defending champion of the Zenith/Delta Principals Cup competition Mastercare International on Thursday at the St Patrick Secondary School forced Comprehensive Secondary School, Ogwashi Uku to a 1-1 draw.

The ceremonial match that was staged to declare the Season 2 of the competition open was highly thrilling and exciting as many top dignitaries were kept at the edge of their seats with the football artistry displayed by the players.

Excited by the quality of play at the kick-off of the second edition of the Zenith Bank Delta Principals Cup, sponsors, Zenith Bank, has declared that the event will remain in their annual projects calendar.

The assurance was given by the banks Group Head of the Delta State Zone, Lucky Ighade.

Ighale said: “With what we saw in the first edition and the quality of organization and talents on display here at the kick-off of the second edition, I am delighted to say the Zenith Bank Delta Principals Cup has come to stay.

“I will not be surprised to see some of these players in the Super Eagles sometime in the future. This competition will help to feed the national teams and that is good for Delta State and our entire society.”

The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chiedu Ebie, said the colorful opening ceremony was an indication that the competition is ascending to the next level.

“I am happy with the opening ceremony and it has shown that Season 2 will be far better than season 1,” Ebie said

Ogun State: Ota Trade Exhibition 2017 Debuts in November

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Ogun State: Ota Trade Exhibition 2017 Debuts in November

Organisers of the Ota Trade Exhibition 2017 (OTE), Perfect Brands has announced that this year’s fair scheduled to hold from Thursday 30th November to Sunday 3rd December, 2017 at Ijamido town hall in Ota, Ogun state, is aimed at supporting Nigeria’s quest to achieve a virile industrialised economy by providing a platform for the nation’s short and medium scale entrepreneurs, SMEs.

According to Chief Executive Officer, Perfect Brands, Fisayo Ajibola, the theme of the fair “Providing Veritable Platform for Commerce and Industry Growth” is apt and timely in the face of the current economic realities which underscore the need for diversification and inter-sectoral synergy.

Ajibola, during the unveiling and public presentation of the OTE 2017 prospectus, called on all industry players to support the efforts of the local government in making Ota, the business hub of Ogun state a force to reckon with.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, HON. (Prince) Bashir Oladele Adeniji said the he is delighted to be hosting this exhibition at this crucial time in our country when the economy is undergoing a recovery from the harsh realities of an economic recession.  He stated that he is very optimistic that this exhibition will impact positively on the socio-economy of Ota and its neighbors as it will further open up Ota to world and position it towards maximizing its full potentials as the industrial and commercial nerve center of Ogun State.

L-R: Fisayo Ajibola, Chief Executive Officer, Perfect Brands, HON. (Prince) Bashir Oladele Adeniji, Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government andAbiodun Ogundele, project coordinator during the unveiling and public presentation of the Ota Trade Exhibition 2017 Application Forms and Prospetus on November 1, 2017

“The Exhibition will bring people from all works of life to Ota from manufacturers to vendors and shoppers and this is good for us all. Everyone will benefit when the biggest and quality brands come to display in Ota. Our government is looking forward to this and we enjoin everyone to embrace the unique opportunity and make the best out of it.  We as a government will continue in our effort to ensure the ease of doing business”, Hon Adeniji added.

The exhibition project coordinator Abiodun Ogundele also disclosed that 50,000 visitors and over 500 exhibitors across the countries were expected at the general consumer fair billed to last 4 days.

“The fair will close with a gala night and an interactive session that will afford experts, business owners and other stakeholders the opportunity to discuss ways to position Ota as the mainstream of commercial activity in Ogun State and as well network in a relax atmosphere” Ogundele assured.

Ota trade exhibitionis an annual fair that will have multinationals, local manufacturer, SMEs among others showcase their services and products to the whole world at large. It will also be an avenue for companies within and outside Ogun state to have a firsthand feel of their consumers and intimate them with their product and services.

Fayose commiserates with Tinubu over son’s death

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Fayose commiserates with Tinubu over son’s death

Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose has commiserated with APC national leader and former Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the death of his first son, Jide.

According to a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Governor Fayose, said he received the news of Jide’s death with shock and prayed that the Almighty Allah will console the Asiwaju Tinubu’s family.

“I commiserate with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the sudden death of his son, Jide. May God console him and the Tinubu’s family, and may Jide’s soul rest in peace

“I feel the pains of the Tinubu’s especially Asiwaju himself and I can only pray that God will console them and grant them the strength to bear the irreparable loss,” the governor said.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Beyonce to star in live-action remake of ‘Lion King’

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Chiwetel Ejiofor, Beyonce to star in live-action remake of ‘Lion King’

Disney has announced that Beyonce Knowles will be joining the cast of its remake of ‘Lion King’.

The singer was unveiled as one of the all-star cast members via the company’s Twitter page on Wednesday.

According to The Cable NG, the new mother of twins would be joining the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor and Donald Glover to star in the live-action version of the animated film.

Also in the cast is James Earl Jones, who is reprising his role of Mufasa from the 1994 film.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (C) Gage Skidmore

Beyonce will be playing the character of Nala, a lion who is the love interest of the film’s protagonist, Simba.

According to Disney, the Jon Favreau-directed film will be a “new take” on the classic story of the lions of Pride Rock and will feature “pioneering filmmaking techniques”.

The ‘Lion King’ joins ‘Cinderella’, ‘The Jungle Book’ (also directed by Favreau), and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in the series of live-action reboots of Disney animated classics.

The animated classic made $968 million at the global box office, spawning a successful and long-running Broadway show.

The movie is set for release on July 19, 2019.    The Cable NG

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