President Muhammadu Buhari played host to Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) in State House.

He also received the Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mohammed Buba Marwa separately.

President meeting with a former head of state.

JUST IN: Buhari meets Abubakar, Marwa in Aso Rock

How Laycon became the winner of BBNaija Lockdown 2020 Reality Show

It’s been over six months since the BBNaija reality show came to an end and a lot of the show’s fans are in the dark about the event that took place behind the scene. 

One of such events is how alliance between the elder sister and brother of Laycon, who won the 2020 edition of the BBnaija, and Lilo formed a relationship after the latter was evicted from the house.

While Laycon won the show and has gone ahead to pursue his music career, Lilo had gone ahead to establish and run a cafe, 23 Cafe.

However, that is not where the gist ends. A seeming connection had been created between the older siblings of the two ex-housemates of BBNaija. Abayomi, Laycon’s elder brother, and Alicia, Lilo’s elder sister, struck an alliance while their younger siblings were in the house.

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After Lilo's untimely eviction from the BBNaija house, Alicia had joined forces with Abayomi to dedicate their votes to Laycon. The relationship paid off as Laycon emerged winner of the BBNaija season 5.

The two – Abayomi and Alicia – have become so close as good friends. They both insisted they are mere friends in a platonic relationship.

Speaking of his relationship with Alice Aderogba, Abayomi says, “We met during Big Brother. At some point during the Big Brother show, alliances had to be formed. When a contestant gets evicted and they have a fave (favourite) in the house, your teams align. So during the alliance, Alicia was the one in charge of her sister’s campaign while I was in charge of Laycon’s. Our conversations went well and we became friends.”

Continuing, Abayomi says, “After the show, we hung out and got to know each other better. But there’s nothing there; we’re just friends. My name isn’t saved as Yomi on her phone, it’s saved as Best Friend and that’s how she refers to me anytime we see each other. I love the friendship we have. It has been a very productive relationship on both sides. That’s why when the opportunity to design Laycon’s house came up, I had to plug in my friend because I know she’s good at what she does. It’s also the same way she hits me up when she has projects she knows I can handle.”

After the show, Laycon had tried hanging out with Lilo but fans are unsure of the result of their hangout.

Two BBNaija 2020 reality show housemates, Laycon and Lilo, together

BBNaija 2020: How Laycon Won By Forging Relationships

Mr Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo state, has made it clear that he won't stop the probing of former Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

Obaseki disclosed this information while speaking at the victory party for Chief Dan Orbih, the PDP Vice-Chairman South-South, at the home of a former PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Anthony Anenih, in Benin. 

The governor also went on to state that his victory at the Appeal Court wouldn't have been conceivable without prayers and support from Edo people.

The governor stated, “They have dragged us to every court in the land, but with your prayers and support, God has continued to give us victory."

“When we were re-elected last September, I told you to give us time to look at governance, because I have been in government and I know many things that are not right. God has given us the opportunity to come again and with what we are doing now, the people and our party will not regret it."

“We are cleaning the house so that when you come in, there will be no issues and we will not be deceived any more."

“I was part of that administration, because I believe Edo must be developed. So, I sacrifice my time for eight years to help organize the state. I went to the World Bank to raise money for the state to enhance its development."

“But with what I have seen in the books, I look like a foo; while I was arranging finances and other things, I didn’t’ know that the money I was raising for the state was being frittered away."

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“I don’t like probing; I like to go forward, but it has become very difficult, because when I look at the cost of contracts I awarded in 2020 with the ones awarded 10 years earlier, people have questions to answer."

“We are not a government that like to prosecute people or victimize anybody, but the truth must be told; Edo people must know how we awarded $200m contract 10 years ago and we have paid every amount of that contract and it has not been completed.”

He added, “Edo people must be told how a project that is supposed to remove flood from Benin City created more flood. I am not an engineer, but we will call them to tell us what happened. They must explain to Edo people how we have been able to award contracts about a 10th of the cost and achieve more than they did 10 years ago.”

“This type of behavior must stop and you can’t do something wrong and be shouting that someone is wrong because you don’t want people to know what you did wrong.”

Obaseki continues probing Oshiomole for misuse of public funds.

The present governor of Edo state and the former governor of the state

Obaseki - Oshiomhole govt probe not a witch-hunt

Reports confirmed that unknown gunmen have invaded a quarry site at Dalli village located along Ijebu-Ode/Ibadan road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and abducted two people.

Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police command has come out to confirm the abduction.

Fadeyi also said that efforts are underway to get the victims released and reunited with their families.

Fadeyi said, “Efforts intensified to get them released and also arrest the abductors.”

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men with guns storms a quarry site to kidnap two people

Unknown Gunmen Abduct Two Persons at Ibadan Quarry Site

Following the Oprah interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William has said that the royals are "very much not a racist family".

Prince William disclosed this information during a visit to East London while also mentioning that he is yet to speak to his brother n the issue but plans on it.

Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday the claim a Royal Family member questioned the Sussexes' unborn baby's skin colour was "concerning".

In a statement, the Palace said "recollections may vary" but that the Sussexes would "always be much loved family members".

In the TV interview, Meghan told Oprah Winfrey that Prince Harry had been asked by an unnamed family member "how dark" their son Archie's skin might be.

Prince Harry later clarified to Oprah that the comments were not made by either the Queen or the Duke of Edinburgh.

As he departed a school in Stratford alongside his wife the Duchess of Cambridge on Thursday, Prince William was asked by a reporter: "Is the royal family a racist family, sir?"

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Prince William addressing claims that suggests the royal family is racist

'We're very much not a racist family,' Prince William

Millionaire Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad, an avid lover of sport is set to buy the French second division club, Chateauroux.

Already the proud owner of Premier League strugglers Sheffield United, Beerschot in Belgium, India’s Kerala United, and Al Hilal United in the UAE, the 56-year-old Prince will soon have a new team in his portfolio.

“We have been interested in Chateauroux for some time, and negotiations have taken a long time,” Prince Abdullah told AFP in a Zoom interview.

“The club’s position in the second division table is now very difficult, but I am optimistic about its future.”

Chateauroux are currently bottom of the French second division with just four wins all season in 28 games.

The prince, who once held the sports portfolio in the Saudi cabinet, has given the green light for the purchase of the club to his company United World.

“I love sport and money,” added the man whose personal fortune is estimated at 200 million euros ($240 million).

“When I invested in England and Belgium, I was happy. But for France, I have a special feeling because it’s a country that reminds me of childhood.

“My memories are numerous and my brother (the prince) Abdulrahman was born there."

“I know that Chateauroux is not far from Paris (about 270 kilometres), another reason to please me when I am in France, besides the restaurants, the cafes, and walks in beautiful Paris.”

He added: “Under normal circumstances, I would visit the club (at the time of acquisition), especially since I really like France, but because of the travel conditions, I can’t go.”

United World’s chief executive Abdallah Al-Ghamdi “saw the last game and reached an agreement with club officials and the board of directors”, Abdullah said.

French media have estimated that the Chateauroux club will be bought for around 2.8 million euros, a bargain-basement price in global football economics.

“I think the amount is higher but I do not want to divulge it”, said Abdullah of a club staring at relegation after four seasons in the second tier.

Chateauroux has only spent one season in the French top flight, in 1997/1998 but they did reach the French Cup final in 2004 where they lost 1-0 to Paris Saint Germain.

“When we buy a club, we have several objectives,” added Abdullah.

“To raise the level of the club, the facilities and the level of the team. The most important thing is to do it over time."

“I’m happy that we own clubs from three of the four countries that reached the last semi-finals of the World Cup — England, Belgium, and France.”

The prince said he has followed French football closely over the years, citing Michel Platini as his idol.

“I remember the French team of Platini, Giresse, Tigana, and Rocheteau. When I was young, Platini was my favourite player when he was playing in Italy with Juventus.”

“We will now stop investing for about a year, to consolidate our clubs. Managing a club is not easy. We do not want to expand beyond our human potential."

A prince negotiating to buy a French football club

Millionaire Saudi Prince To Buy French Club, Chateauroux

The Zamfara State government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Jangebe town in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr Sulaiman Anka, disclosed this in a statement.

He noted that the government’s decision was in reaction to the unfortunate civil disobedience that took place in the town following the return of the released abducted school children.

The commissioner explained that the curfew, which came into effect on Wednesday, was imposed to prevent any further breach of peace.

“Similarly, there is strong discovered evidence of market activities in the town that aid and abet bandits’ activities in the town and neighboring communities."

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“Consequently, all market activities in the town are hereby suspended until further notice,” he said in the statement.

According to him, the state government is poised to ensure the safety of the lives and properties of the residents at all costs.

As a result of the announcement, Anka called on the Zamfara State Police Command to ensure total enforcement of the government’s directives.

On February 26, Nigerians woke up to the sad news of an attack on the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe by bandits.

While the police authorities in the state said a total of 317 girls were abducted from the schools, some of the schoolgirls were said to have escaped from the armed men.

After spending four nights in the custody of the bandits, the remaining students were released and the state governor, Bello Matawalle, put the figure of those freed at 279.

But the release of the girls was said to have met another unfortunate incident that reportedly led to the death of one person in Jangebe.

The victim was reportedly shot by security operatives who were said to have opened fire after an angry mob kicked against the insistence on a formal handover before the girls’ parents could leave with them.

This prompted the state government to impose a curfew on the town and suspend market activities there to prevent a further breakdown of law and order.

Governor f Zamfara state speaks on the kidnapping issues plaguing the state

Zamfara Govt Declares Curfew, In Jangebe Town

Dikwa Local Government, a Borno town some 90 kilometers east of Maiduguri was recently under attack by men of the insurgent group, Boko Haram.

The attack is coming 24 hours after the state governor Babagana Zulum returned from a trip after spending three nights in Dikwa.

The governor left Maiduguri on Wednesday, a day after Marte was liberated, and proceeded to Dikwa where he stayed till Saturday, proceeded to Ngala, and returned to Maiduguri on Sunday.

The attack reportedly occurred on Monday night through the early hours of Tuesday, with the insurgents destroying government facilities, the Shehu’s palace and hospitals belonging to INGOs.

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Reports gathered from sources stuck in Dikwa suggests that the insurgents are currently moving freely in the town, and have mounted a checkpoint at the exit preventing people from fleeing to Maiduguri.

The Chief of Army staff had recently visited the headquarters of the Army Super Camp 9 located in Dikwa is where he gave troops a 48-hour ultimatum to clear insurgents from neighboring Marte local government.

At least 35,000 people had fled Marte to Dikwa when the insurgents attacked.

But officials say they are not able to return the displaced people even after the military liberated the town (Marte) because of reports of land mines planted on the roads by the insurgents.

It is not clear at this moment if there are any casualties.

men of boko haram group clustered together

Terror As Boko Haram Insurgents Attack Dikwa LGA In Borno

The funeral of the seven Nigerian Air Force officers who died in the Sunday air crash has commenced at the National Cemetery, Lugbe, Airport Road, Abuja.

The men died in the Beechcraft King Air B350i which crashed a short distance from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after reporting engine failure.

The deceased include the Captain, Fl Lt. Haruna Gadzama; Fl. Lt. Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot); Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System Specialist); Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist); Fl. Sgt. Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist); Sgt. Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist) and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).

At the funeral service is the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Salihi Magashi (retd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Atahiru, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao and the family members of the deceased.

The coffins draped in the Nigerian flags have already been placed on the open graves. Sitting on each coffin were the shoes and caps of the deceased.

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deceased members of the air force being laid to rest

Air crash: Funeral for NAF personnel begins in Abuja

Sheikh Gumi who is a popular Islamic scholar used his influence to call on the Federal Government citing that for the issue of insecurity to be tackled,  bandits willing to make peace must be given ‘blanket amnesty.'

The Islamic scholar disclosed this information on Friday while addressing journalists in Minna, Niger State capital.

This was after the cleric visited the camp of some bandits operating in Niger State.

He explained that some of the complaints of the bandits are that they were being killed and maimed unjustly.

Speaking concerning his discussion during his secret visit to the bandits, Sheik Gumi said there is a positive response from the bandits who are holding the Kagara school students and their staff captive.

He, however, did not state if the students have been released.

Gumi’s comments come a few days after gunmen gained access to Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State around 2:00 and abducted scores of students, teachers and many others.

The school principal who escaped from the attack confirmed to Channels Television that the operation started from the staff quarters where they abducted members of staff including a couple before they gained access to the students’ hostels.

Sheikh Gumi addressing the issue of bandits

Sheikh Gumi Asks Govt To Give Bandits ‘Blanket Amnesty’

Five governors of the All Progressives Congress amongst the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee and Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, would welcome former governor of Ogun State Gbenga Daniel into the APC.

The defection of Daniel, who was the campaign manager for the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the last general election, Atiku Abubakar, would be held at his Asoludero Court, Sagamu, Ogun State today.

Other Governors who will be welcoming Daniel into the APC are ; Governors of Kaduna ,Kebbi , Jigawa and Ogun states
Nasir El-Rufai, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar and Dapi Abiodun respectively.

A statement sent to our Correspondent by one of his Media aides indicated that Daniel is expected to pick up the membership card of APC before the registration of new members closes today.

The statement read in part ” Visitation of Governors from the Northern and Southern Nigeria on the security challenges in the Southwest."

“The host governor, H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun will lead the Governors to Asoludero Court, Sagamu.”

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former party member of People's democratic party dumps party for All progressives congress

Five governors to receive Gbenga Daniel into APC

Deflection: Five governors to receive Gbenga Daniel into APC

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Abuja directed the Ministries of Transportation and Finance to conclude financial arrangements with appropriate co-financiers that will partner with the Federal Government f0r construction of the West-East Coastal rail line from Lagos to Calabar, linking some major cities in South East and South-South.

Speaking at the virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the Kano-Katsina-Jibiya-Maradi Rail Line, the President said the West-East Coastal rail line will connect Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Yenegoa, Port Harcourt, Aba, and Uyo.

“Furthermore, the contract for the important Central Railway traversing Itakpe – Baro – Abuja with connection to Lokoja and a new seaport in Warri has been signed and is expected to achieve an appreciable level of completion during the tenure of this administration,’’ the President said.

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President Buhari noted that the cities of Jibiya and Maradi constitute a significant trading core between Nigeria and the Niger Republic – a tradition dating back many centuries.

“This vital infrastructure line will establish an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport services between Northern and Southern regions of the country, reaching Nigerian southern ports of Lagos and Warri.

“The entire route encompasses territory inhabited by close to 80 million people across 10 states of the country. This project has a branch line to Dutse the capital of Jigawa State to open up this corridor which is endowed with vast resources.’’

He said the Kano–Maradi rail line has been identified as a viable line that will significantly enhance the movement of passengers and freight to the hinterland, especially raw materials from both agricultural and mineral resources for our industries.

“The rail line traverses the major commercial and administrative centre of Kano and passing through other economic hubs of the country including Kazaure, Daura, Katsina and up to the border town of Jibiya and the Niger Republic city of Maradi., “ the President stated.

He said the Kano-Maradi project, when completed, would serve import and export of goods for the Niger Republic and other countries in the sub-region through Nigerian ports.

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“The country would earn revenue through expansion of trade and commerce, while the people of Niger Republic will benefit from the ease of transportation logistics at an affordable cost in their import and export business.

“The connection to the Niger Republic through rail will also foster Trans-Sahara trade and contribute to the expected gains in the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.’’

President Buhari commended the construction company handling the project, Messrs Mota-Engil Nigeria Limited, for supporting knowledge and technology transfer by investing in the establishment of a learning Institution for Transportation and Railway Science.

“We have in the rail sector embarked on the completion of the 1,424 Kilometer Lagos – Kano rail line to join the one being flagged-off today for the country’s Western axis.

“On the Eastern corridor of the country, the Port Harcourt – Enugu – Makurdi – Maiduguri rail line with branches to Owerri, Imo State and Damaturu, Yobe State, have been awarded for reconstruction to include a deep seaport in Bonny Island and a Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt with the objectives of achieving a vibrant and functional railway.”

In his remarks, the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, appreciated the President for bringing the life-long dream of the state to reality with inclusion on the Kano-Maradi rail line.

Governor Masari, accompanied by the Governor of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, and Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar, urged the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to work towards the completion and commissioning of the project by 2023.

The Minister of Transportation said the feasibility study for the Kano-Maradi railway started in 2012 and was concluded by 2015, thanking the President for support and regular intervention.

West-East Coastal Rail Line: Buhari calls for end to funding

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.