A 41-year-old man, identified as Ojuneme Festus, who was arrested for allegedly smuggling 200 kilograms of cannabis sativa, confessed that hunger and poverty pushed him indulge in the criminal act.
Festus, a father of four from Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency after the illicit substance was found in his vehicle.
The Volkswagen bus, with registration number, ACA 711 XT, was intercepted in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
Southern City News learnt that the illicit drug was packed in 20 sacks and concealed in a false compartment lined on the inside wall of a dark-blue Volkswagen bus with registration number, ACA 711 XT.

A book written by the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan has been described by the former President as a bunch as a mere gossip that is full of lies. The book, which is titled, “On a Platter of Gold — How Jonathan won and lost Nigeria,” was launched in Abuja on Thursday. At the launch, Borno State Governor, Mr. Kashim Shettima, described the former President as a bad leader who made poor choices while in power. But, Jonathan, in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja on Friday, described the governor’s claims as parochial and jaundiced. The former President debunked the allegations of poor governance and highlighted what he described as his key achievements, which he said were yet to be matched by any other leader. He further challenged the governor to come clean about the roles he allegedly played in the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls, stressing that it went beyond the dismissive claim that “Jonathan thought I kidnapped Chibok girls.” Jonathan also accused the governor of frustrating the war against Boko Haram. The statement read in part, “He [Shettima] should be able to tell us if it was Jonathan’s poor choices that led the governor to expose the students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok to an avoidable danger, in total disregard of a Federal Government’s directive to the governors in the three states most affected by Boko Haram to relocate their students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination to safe zones. “The governor is now denying that he had no hand in the kidnap of the Chibok girls even before anybody accused him of culpability. However, we share the view of those who insist that the governor had other things up his sleeve when he promised the West African Examinations Council that he would secure the girls and ended up doing the very opposite, by deliberately abandoning them to their fate, without any security presence in their school.” The former President said that it was instructive that while other governors in the zone heeded the security advice, Shettima was the only one who “flagrantly” flouted it. “Should we also fail to point out that his decision to reward the principal of Chibok Secondary School, who was uncharacteristically absent on the night the terrorists stormed the school, with the post of a commissioner, did throw up more questions than answers?” he asked. He challenged the governor to explain to the people of Borno State and Nigerians what he did with the over N60bn Local Governments Fund, which he said were left by his predecessor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. The former President further described Abdullahi’s book as sour grapes — full of lies and gossip. He said it was unfortunate that Shettima claimed at the presentation of the book that he [Jonathan] wasted the goodwill he commanded because of bad governance and poor choices in office. The statement said, “As a man who had never seen anything good in the administration of Jonathan on account of party and other differences, it has remained our consistent view that in a democracy, Governor Kashim Shettima and others like him are entitled to their opinion, no matter how jaundiced. “However, it is a sad commentary on the character of some of our politicians that they go to any length to make spurious statements in pursuit of the sad narrative to remain politically correct. “We cannot be deceived by his crocodile tears and patronising claim that ‘Jonathan is essentially a decent man,’ which is a ploy he deployed to justify his false allegation of a lost glory. “The man who today speaks of squandered goodwill should be able to tell Nigerians what percentage of the votes Jonathan got in 2011 from Borno State at the height of that his envisaged glory, according to Shettima, and what it became in subsequent elections. “What was obvious yesterday and has remained today is that Governor Shettima and those who think like him never liked Jonathan based on some parochial and paternalistic sentiments.” The statement further said that the Jonathan government assembled a “yet-to-be-matched crop of dynamic cabinet and economic management team made up of tested technocrats like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (former Minister of Finance), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman (former Minister of National Planning), Mr. Olusegun Aganga (former Minister of Trade and Investments) and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (President of the African Development Bank and former Minister of Agriculture). Source: ( Punch Newspaper)

The Acting Country Programme Manager, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Greg Abiaziem, has confirmed that over 382,000 persons have been confirmed with HIV, in Benue, Ondo and Borno states, with Benue State ranked first in the HIV/AIDS prevalence rating in Nigeria according to the national survey carried out in 2014.
Abiaziem said this on Friday at the commemoration of the 2017 World AIDS Day held at the IBB Square, Makurdi.
He stated that over 300,000 people were living with the virus in the state, adding that the AHF was working hard to bring the figure down.
He said out of the figure, 140,000 were currently undergoing treatment at the various treatment centres in the state.
Meanwhile, Abiaziem said the government must put more funds into HIV prevention so as to reduce the spread of the virus.
He added that the virus was predominant among men sleeping with men, saying there was the need to reach out to them in terms of testing, counselling and treatment.
He said, “Statistically, we have not really done well in terms of testing and treatment services. Therefore, we are advocating that people should come out for testing so as to receive counselling and early treatment if need be.
“We must hold our government accountable to see that they keep their promises of committing more funds to AIDS’ activities.”
In his address, the state governor, who is also the Chairman, Board of Governors, Benue State AIDS Control Agency, Samuel Ortom, said with the dedicated and collaborative efforts of BENSACA and its partners, HIV prevalence rate would soon be reduced in the state.
Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Benson Abounu, said the state’s long-term objective was to have a zero prevalence rate.
Similarly, no fewer than 81,871 persons were living with HIV in Ondo State.
According to a report presented at the 2017 World AIDS Day in Ondo, out of the figure, 5,048 people are newly infected, while 8,048 are receiving treatment.
However, the Chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS and Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Sunday Abegunde, who presented the report, said the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu administration would not relent in its efforts to ensuring that the disease was eradicated in the state.
Also, in his keynote address, Akeredolu said the state government had been up and doing in trying to eliminate the mother-to-child transmission of the disease and also prevent new infections.
He added, “Awareness is going to be scaled up in the state. In addition, an investment in testing, treatment, and elimination of mother-to-child transmission will slow down HIV spread and lead to early treatment, which is the key to viral suppression and long-term survival.”
The governor also urged the residents to avoid multiple s*x partners and ensure the use of condoms during s*x, saying that only a collective fight would help reduce the prevalence of the disease.
Similarly, the Borno State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Haruna Mshelia, at the commemoration of the 2017 World AIDS Day, said that more than 1,900 people were living with HIV in the state.
He, however, added that the state government had scaled up HIV services in 237 health facilities across the state to achieve the United Nations AIDS global strategy of 90:90:90 by 2030,
The 90:90:90 strategy aims that by 2030, “90 per cent of the population should be tested, 90 per cent of those found to be positive should be placed on therapy and 90 per cent of those on drugs should have viral load suppressed.”
Mshelia said the state had already intensified its HIV sensitisation efforts so as to reduce the spread among the residents.
Source: ( Punch Newspaper )

A 41-year-old man, identified as Ojuneme Festus, who was arrested for allegedly smuggling 200 kilograms of cannabis sativa, confessed that hunger and poverty pushed him indulge in the criminal act.
Festus, a father of four from Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency after the illicit substance was found in his vehicle.
The Volkswagen bus, with registration number, ACA 711 XT, was intercepted in Ehor, Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State.
Southern City News learnt that the illicit drug was packed in 20 sacks and concealed in a false compartment lined on the inside wall of a dark-blue Volkswagen bus with registration number, ACA 711 XT.

Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr has given hints on the Super Eagles prospect of qualifying from the group phase of the World Cup to be hosted in Russia.
For the fifth time in six FIFA World Cup appearances, Nigeria will be playing against Argentina in the group phase come next year summer in Russia.
Three-time African champions, Nigeria, will also tackle European teams Iceland and Croatia in Group D.
Rohr in his reaction to the draw said the Super Eagles will have to be up and doing if they are to make it through to the next phase.
In Russia, the Super Eagles’ first match will be against Croatia at the 35,000 –capacity Kaliningrad Stadium on Saturday, June 16, 2018.
Rohr harped on the fact that Nigeria need to start well in their first game.
“It’s the first game and if we start well we can have a chance to go through. Croatia will be the most important game because they have technical quality and play very good football. I played with Bogdan at Hadjuk Split and I know that Croatian players are quick and technically very strong. At the moment, they are one of the best teams in Europe and beat Greece 4-1 in the play-offs so we have to be prepared and ready for them”
For their second match, Nigeria will fly to Volgograd, where they take on Iceland at the 45,000 –capacity Volgograd Arena on Friday, June 22, 2018 and Rohr equally noted the importance of the game.
“They have a lot of fans who usually act as their number 12 player. I saw them play at the European Championship in 2016 and the supporters were very massive as they got all the way to the quarter-finals. Their fans will be there and it will be like they’re playing at home.” Rohr stated.
On the final group opponents, Argentina, Rohr noted that the recent victory recorded over the two-time world champions in a friendly will count for less in the World Cup proper.
“When we played and beat Argentina 4-2, they did not have Lionel Messi who’s arguably the best player in the world.” Rohr noted.
“So when we faced them at the World Cup, they’ll be stronger with him playing. On the other side, we scored four goals and he’s not going to play in defence so if we can score more goals against their defence than he will lead his team to score against us, then we will be fine.
“We showed that it was possible to win against Argentina, but it will be a different ball game and we have to be strong both mentally and physically. It will also be a difficult game for them,” Rohr concluded.
Source: ( Punch Newspaper )

North Korea held mass celebrations for its latest successful long-range missile test, Pyongyang’s state media said Saturday, with a propaganda-filled display of fireworks and dancing in public squares.
The ruling Workers Party official daily Rodong Sinmun covered its front page with colour photographs showing thousands of tightly packed soldiers and people applauding in Pyongyang’s Kim Il-Sung square, which was decorated with large portraits of the North’s late leaders.
“We heartily celebrate the successful test launch of the Hwasong-15 which showed Chosun (North Korea)’s power and greatness to the whole world”, read one banner held up by the crowd, referring to the missile.
North Korea on Wednesday successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile, with leader Kim Jong-Un declaring his country had now achieved full nuclear statehood.
The US in response warned that Kim Jong-Un’s regime would be “utterly destroyed” if its pursuit of a long-range nuclear missile arsenal provokes a military clash, and has battled to maintain international solidarity in the face of North Korea’s nuclear threat.
Kim himself was absent from the celebrations — he usually stays away from such events — but Friday’s gathering drew key military, party and government leaders.
“Long Live the General Kim Jong-Un who has brought us the great historic cause of nuclear statehood”, another banner read.
Vice Chairman Pak Kwang-Ho of the party’s decision-making Central Committee told the crowd that, after Wednesday’s test launch, “now no one can infringe our sovereignty and rights to survive and develop”, according to the daily.
He said that the United States had been “jolted” at the strengthening of North Korea’s nuclear force and could attempt to commit “robber-like” provocative acts.
He repeated Kim’s warning that the North would respond with the “highest level of hard-line countermeasure in history”.
Kim first made the threat in September in response to US President Donald Trump’s UN speech threatening to destroy the North and mocking him as “Little Rocket Man”.
The ICBM Hwasong-15 type weaponry system used in Wednesday’s test is an intercontinental ballistic rocket tipped with super-large heavy warhead capable of striking the whole mainland of the US, the North said.
But analysts remain unconvinced that the North has mastered the technology required to launch and direct a missile, and ensure it survives the difficult re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.
Tensions are expected to rise further in the coming week as South Korea and the United States launch a massive air force drill mobilising some 230 aircraft including six US F-22 Raptor stealth jet fighters.
Source: (AFP)

Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr has given hints on the Super Eagles prospect of qualifying from the group phase of the World Cup to be hosted in Russia.
For the fifth time in six FIFA World Cup appearances, Nigeria will be playing against Argentina in the group phase come next year summer in Russia.
Three-time African champions, Nigeria, will also tackle European teams Iceland and Croatia in Group D.
Rohr in his reaction to the draw said the Super Eagles will have to be up and doing if they are to make it through to the next phase.
In Russia, the Super Eagles’ first match will be against Croatia at the 35,000 –capacity Kaliningrad Stadium on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

Some local miners in Plateau State were attacked by unidentified gunmen on Thursday evening, injuring four of miners.
The attack which occurred at a local mining site in Jol Village, Riyom Local Government was confirmed by the police.
The spokesperson of the state police command, Terna Tyopev, on Friday said investigations had commenced and promised that the perpetrators will be brought to book.
Similarly, the spokesperson of the Special Taskforce on Jos crisis, Umar Adams, a captain in the Nigerian Army, also confirmed the attack.

Abubakar said on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari was banned from entering the United States of America because the reservations about the president’s religious views.
Critics have long accused Mr. Buhari of holding religious views antithetical to modern democratic principles, a charge the president has repeatedly rejected.
In 2001, Mr. Buhari drew nationwide backlash when he was quoted as declaring support for the Islamic doctrine of Shari’a and as calling on Muslims to only vote for their fellow Muslims during elections. The president challenged the report saying he was quoted out of context.
He has also repeatedly denied being an extremist, saying he tolerates other religions as much as he does his Muslim faith.
“For about 15 years, Buhari could not enter America on account of religious considerations,” Mr. Abubakar said in an interview with Dele Momodu which was published in The Boss Newspaper Saturday.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has explained why he could not enter the United States, there were reports that Mr. Abubakar was avoiding a trip to America because he fears a warrant was out for his arrest there.
Mr. Abubakar, responded to the allegations in an interview published by The Boss newspaper that he had actually made attempt to visit the U.S. but was denied on administrative grounds.
“I applied, but wasn’t issued a visa. However, they did not decline me categorically either. They’ve only said my application is going through administrative process,” Mr. Abubakar told the paper published by Dele Momodu.
“It is the sole prerogative of America to determine who they want in their country or not. I’m not running away from America,” Mr. Abubakar added.
The former vice-president said such administrative denials were not unique to him, saying President Muhammadu Buhari could not also enter the country for 15 years due to his religious views.
Source: ( Premium Times)

Panic buying of petroleum products particularly PMS began in Delta State and its axis over threat by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association to shut down all the fuel depots across the state.
The threat to embark on a strike followed the postponement of the state IPMAN election scheduled for last Friday but was called off by the state government alleging security reasons.
IPMAN members who had a peaceful protest in Asaba, the state capital, on Friday threatened to withdraw its activities if the election of the body was not conducted before Monday.
The protesters who were angry over the postponement of the election said there was no reason to postpone the exercise after the state government moved the exercise to Asaba for security reasons, stressing that they would resist any plot to extend the tenure of the present executive which had since elapsed.
A leader of the protesting IPMAN members, Chief John Kejeocha of KJ Petroleum, told newsmen that the tenure of the Exco led by Comrade Benjamin Omoefe aka Ben Jones ended since last month and members were mobilised for the election only to be told that the election had been postponed.
Source: ( Punch Newspaper )

The Police in Borno on Saturday said that 13 persons were killed in a suicide bomb attack at Biu Market in Biu Local Government Area of the state.
Victor Isuku, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), made the confirmation in a statement issued in Maiduguri.
Mr. Isuku said 53 persons sustained injuries while the two female suicide bombers were also killed.
He explained that the incident occurred at about 11:40 am on Saturday, when a female suicide bomber infiltrated the market and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) strapped to her body.
Mr. Isuku said one other bomber detonated the explosive outside the crowded market and killed herself.
“Today Dec. 2, at about 11:40 hours, two female suicide bombers infiltrated and gained entry into Biu town, in Biu Local Government Area.
“One of the bombers detonated IED strapped to her body within the main market, while the other one detonated outside the market square.
“So far, a total of 13 persons excluding the two suicide bombers, have been confirmed killed in the two explosions, while 53 other persons sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.
The police spokesman disclosed that the corpses were evacuated while the injured were referred to the General Hospital, Biu.
Mr. Isuku said that police patrol and EOD teams were deployed to sanitise the scene of the attack, noting that normalcy has been restored in the area.
Source : (NAN)

The Imo State Chapter of the, Federal Road Safety Corps, Imo State Command, has distributed additional 20 towing vehicles to various formations in the state for the immediate removal of all abandoned vehicles on the highways.
The Sector Commander, Joseph Aremu, said this during the 2017 special marshall investiture held in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Saturday.
Aremu stated that out of the 20 vehicles, one had been stationed in Owerri for 24-hour operation in view of the gridlock witnessed in the city.
He said, “We have arranged this in such a way that the special marshals will now join hands with us to respond to any emergency at any point in time.
“Drivers should avoid speeding, overtaking at dangerous spots or using mobile telephones while driving and driving without seatbelts. Those who drink must not drive and those who drive must not drink.”
Source: ( Punch Newspaper )

An unidentified online user took to social media to reveal how his last girlfriend refused him from seeing her people because of how he looks.
The albino who shared his predicament on Facebook, stated that he used to believe that people have special someone meant for them but not anymore this days after suffering from heartbreak.
He wrote;

I used to believe that we all have that special someone but not anymore this days. The last girl I dated when it got time to see her people she refused that she cannot cause of obvious reasons.. of how I look so why would one believe someone praying for you. Where the world see you as strange. No matter how hard you try to take care of yourself and look good…

Wow!!! For me I think this is cool. A fan of Banky w and his newly wedded heartthrob made a portrait of their traditional marriage picture which she said is a little gift from her to them.
The facebook user identified as Happiness Esu wrote: My little wedding gift to Banky and Adesua
Sign ; Fan
See below ;

Source: Naijaloaded

Be warned, the following content is dangerously cringe-worthy.
Canada’s House of Commons is currently locked in a true clash of the intellectual titans over a proposed bill which if passed, would see marijuana become legal.
Sarnia–Lambton representative Marilyn Gladu, who you’ll be surprised to learn is a conservative, is vehemently against the bill being approved.
Of course, it’s not a shock that Gladu would take this position.
She has previously said that legalising marijuana would see kids probably “ become drug mules ” at their schools.
And if you were so inclined, there are many ways you can detail reasons why an idea such as the legalisation of weed shouldn’t occur.
However, few of them are worse than the method Gladu chose in Parliament recently – reading out a poem she wrote herself.
*READERS IN AUSTRALIA, WATCH IN THE PLAYER ABOVE. EVERYONE ELSE, CLICK HERE*
Honestly, it’s difficult to decide where to start with whatever this thing is – I mean, everyone knows you’re supposed to begin every poem with, “My name is [insert] and I’m here to say…”.
And to think this is the same country that brought the world Justin Trudeau.

A shark crossed with a snake? That is a whole load of nopes right there.
Just when you thought you’d seen it all, the ocean throws out another bizarre creature which dates back to prehistoric times. The animal of the hour was recently caught by Portuguese scientists and has been scientifically categorised as a Chlamydoselachus anguineus, which is living a near threatened existence. It’s common name is a frill shark, which may sound frilly and pretty, but this label is only due to its decorative gills – nothing more.
According to the BBC, European scientists were trawling through the Atlantic Ocean on a mission to “minimise unwanted catches in commercial fishing.” Instead they found this monster of the deep. The deep-sea shark measured around 1.5 metres and was swimming at a comfortable deep sea climate of about 700 metres below the surface.
As well as being utterly disgusting in appearance, it’s also really old – it’s been surviving for 80 million years. They were literally hanging out with the brontosauruses and T-rexes of the world. The everlasting life these deep sea dwellers seem to have has earned them the nickname of a ‘living fossil.’
Back to the appearance though, this shark is the stuff that exists in nightmares. The creature has approximately 300 teeth with 25 backwards facing rows, which means if you get into a fight with this devil, you will inevitably die. Their prey (mainly other sharks, fish, octopus, and squid) are trapped in the backwards facing teeth, and a fight for survival is near impossible. They can also grow up to 1.9 metres long –the size of a tall male human – so, that’s pretty unnerving.
With all this in mind, you can be even more unsettled by the fact that humans have barely come into contact with this creature due to it’s deep-sea existence off the coast of Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. So, if frill sharks of death are out there in the blue beyond and we barely knew about them, we should probably be concerned about what other, undiscovered animals are out there.
Note: mermaids probably do exist

This is an interesting piece of news ! President Uhuru Kenyatta today said that any African can get a visa on arrival in Kenya, and will be free to settle in the country if they marry a Kenyan, removing restrictions on some nations.
Kenyatta was on Tuesday sworn-in for a second term in office.
“If you wish and find a willing partner, you can marry and settle in Kenya,” he said during his inauguration address, saying the move was designed to cement African ties.
Image
“This commitment we make again with no requirement for reciprocity.”
Kenyatta won a repeat presidential election on Oct. 26 that was boycotted by Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair.
READ ALSO: Gold miners slaughter 10 members of uncontacted Amazon village
The supreme court nullified the first presidential election, in August, over irregularities.
Kenyatta’s speech acknowledged that the extended election season has divided Kenya, a Western ally in a volatile region, and blunted growth in East Africa’s richest economy.
“The elections are now firmly behind us … I will devote my time and energy to build bridges,” Kenyatta told the rapturous crowd in a sports stadium in the capital of Nairobi as he formally began his second five-year term.
He said Kenyans needed to “free ourselves from the baggage of past grievances, and … keep to the rule of law”.
Supporters of Kenyatta, who won with 98 per cent of the vote after Odinga’s boycott, want Odinga to engage in talks and move on.