My Government Left N36 billion Debt, Not N84 billion - -

The immediate-past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed claims of financial recklessness and indebtedness levelled against his administration by the Governor, Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, saying that the state is indebted to the tune of N36.317 billion as at October 15, 2014, when he left office, against an indebtedness of N57 billion.

Fayemi described Fayose’s allegations as “fraudulent claims and deliberate distortion of facts” to paint a dismal state of finance for the state.

Fayose had in his inaugural speech put the state’s debt profile at N57 billion. A day earlier, he had put the figure at N84 billion during a television interview.

Fayemi through his media Aide, Olayinka Oyebode, in a press statement released in Ado-Ekiti yesterday said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the indebtedness of the state as at October 15, is N36, 316 billion. Of this amount, the sum of N7.830 billion represents foreign loans incurred by previous government since the days of the old Ondo State.


“The remaining sum of N28, 485 billion represents internal loan. This includes inherited loans from previous government and outstanding balance (debt) of the bond taken at the capital market.”

Adding that Fayose should have gone through the handover note on his four-year stewardship before making unfounded claims

Continuing, Oyebode wrote, “In spite of this, the Federal Government is owing the state the sum of N17.7billion. This includes N10.8 billion (amount due from construction of federal roads); N4 billion (refund on Paris Club) and N2.8 billion (amount due on ecological projects). If the Federal Government would graciously effect part of this payment, the debt profile of the state would have been greatly reduced,”

Oyebode added: “While Mr Fayose alleged that the state account was in red, the state bank balances as at October 15th stood at N1.9 billion. This comprised N1.46 billion (state account) and N466.9 million (local government account). Also the Bond Sinking Fund Account balance as at September stood at N3 billion.”

“Nothing could be farther from the truth than Mr. Fayose’s allegation that none of the MDA’s account had up to One million naira. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture’s account is in the excess of N90million, while the MDG account has close to One billion naira”, said the former CPS.

He said in all this, the Debt Management Office (DMO), a federal government agency, still rates the state as one of the least indebted states in the country.

Oyebode maintained that the Fayemi–led administration had in 2011 approached the Capital Market where it raised a N25billion bond which it spent on infrastructure projects which are regenerative in nature.

“Of the sum, about N14 billion has been repaid through the laid down repayment regime. The outstanding balance of the bond money forms part of the N28billion debt profile according to the state’s audited accounts which was published in some national newspapers last week.”

My Government Left N36 billion Debt, Not N84 billion - -

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The immediate-past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed claims of financial recklessness and indebtedness levelled against his administration by the Governor, Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, saying that the state is indebted to the tune of N36.317 billion as at October 15, 2014, when he left office, against an indebtedness of N57 billion.

Fayemi described Fayose’s allegations as “fraudulent claims and deliberate distortion of facts” to paint a dismal state of finance for the state.

Fayose had in his inaugural speech put the state’s debt profile at N57 billion. A day earlier, he had put the figure at N84 billion during a television interview.

Fayemi through his media Aide, Olayinka Oyebode, in a press statement released in Ado-Ekiti yesterday said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the indebtedness of the state as at October 15, is N36, 316 billion. Of this amount, the sum of N7.830 billion represents foreign loans incurred by previous government since the days of the old Ondo State.


“The remaining sum of N28, 485 billion represents internal loan. This includes inherited loans from previous government and outstanding balance (debt) of the bond taken at the capital market.”

Adding that Fayose should have gone through the handover note on his four-year stewardship before making unfounded claims

Continuing, Oyebode wrote, “In spite of this, the Federal Government is owing the state the sum of N17.7billion. This includes N10.8 billion (amount due from construction of federal roads); N4 billion (refund on Paris Club) and N2.8 billion (amount due on ecological projects). If the Federal Government would graciously effect part of this payment, the debt profile of the state would have been greatly reduced,”

Oyebode added: “While Mr Fayose alleged that the state account was in red, the state bank balances as at October 15th stood at N1.9 billion. This comprised N1.46 billion (state account) and N466.9 million (local government account). Also the Bond Sinking Fund Account balance as at September stood at N3 billion.”

“Nothing could be farther from the truth than Mr. Fayose’s allegation that none of the MDA’s account had up to One million naira. For instance, the Ministry of Agriculture’s account is in the excess of N90million, while the MDG account has close to One billion naira”, said the former CPS.

He said in all this, the Debt Management Office (DMO), a federal government agency, still rates the state as one of the least indebted states in the country.

Oyebode maintained that the Fayemi–led administration had in 2011 approached the Capital Market where it raised a N25billion bond which it spent on infrastructure projects which are regenerative in nature.

“Of the sum, about N14 billion has been repaid through the laid down repayment regime. The outstanding balance of the bond money forms part of the N28billion debt profile according to the state’s audited accounts which was published in some national newspapers last week.”

How To Apply and Start Making Money From Product Sales With Jumia Affiliate Program

How To Apply and Start Making Money From Product Sales With Jumia Affiliate Program

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Sabina,Lilian And Esther Get Evicted

Lilian from Nigeria, Esther from Uganda and Sabina from Kenya get evicted from the 'Big Brother Hotshots'.

The second set of housemates to be evicted from the Big Brother Hotshots' are Nigerian housemate Lilian, Kenyan housemate Sabina, and Ugandan housemate Esther. The housemates were up for eviction alongside, Frankie, Tayo, Laveda, Permithias and JJ.


It has been a night of surprises as Nigerian housemate who entertained the housemates and Africa with her twerking gets evicted. With the way the eviction is going, we would be having an 'only guys' house soon.

According to the host IK, Sabina's eviction came as a surprise to him, as she was nothing but a lady in the house. In her short discussion with IK, she confessed that she was growing close to Permithias. Lilian also confessed her twerking addiction to IK, while Esther revealed that she liked Tayo.

Did you see their exit coming? Who do you think will be next?

Sabina,Lilian And Esther Get Evicted

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Lilian from Nigeria, Esther from Uganda and Sabina from Kenya get evicted from the 'Big Brother Hotshots'.

The second set of housemates to be evicted from the Big Brother Hotshots' are Nigerian housemate Lilian, Kenyan housemate Sabina, and Ugandan housemate Esther. The housemates were up for eviction alongside, Frankie, Tayo, Laveda, Permithias and JJ.


It has been a night of surprises as Nigerian housemate who entertained the housemates and Africa with her twerking gets evicted. With the way the eviction is going, we would be having an 'only guys' house soon.

According to the host IK, Sabina's eviction came as a surprise to him, as she was nothing but a lady in the house. In her short discussion with IK, she confessed that she was growing close to Permithias. Lilian also confessed her twerking addiction to IK, while Esther revealed that she liked Tayo.

Did you see their exit coming? Who do you think will be next?

A Spanish Nurse Cured Of Ebola

Spanish nurse, who became the first person to be infected with Ebola outside West Africa, has been cured of the disease after tests came back negative.

Teresa Romero, the Spanish nurse who contracted Ebola from a priest she treated, has now tested negative for the disease.

Romero was the first person to be infected with the disease outside West Africa.

Her family members reportedly told Spanish media that she was found to be Ebola-free after a preliminary test.

A subsequent test will however be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.

Romero's dog, Excalibur was killed, despite protests, after authorities feared that he could pose a risk due to his contact with her.

The nurse is the third Spaniard to have Ebola but is the first to survive it after priests, Miguel Pajares and García Viejo, died of the disease which they contracted in West Africa.

A Spanish Nurse Cured Of Ebola

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Spanish nurse, who became the first person to be infected with Ebola outside West Africa, has been cured of the disease after tests came back negative.

Teresa Romero, the Spanish nurse who contracted Ebola from a priest she treated, has now tested negative for the disease.

Romero was the first person to be infected with the disease outside West Africa.

Her family members reportedly told Spanish media that she was found to be Ebola-free after a preliminary test.

A subsequent test will however be conducted to confirm the diagnosis.

Romero's dog, Excalibur was killed, despite protests, after authorities feared that he could pose a risk due to his contact with her.

The nurse is the third Spaniard to have Ebola but is the first to survive it after priests, Miguel Pajares and García Viejo, died of the disease which they contracted in West Africa.

The Phase III Distribution Of PVCs In Lagos, Kano, Rivers Nov 7- INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in 13 states in the third phase of the exercise to begin on Friday, 7th November and end on Sunday, 9th November 2014.

 

INEC

According to a statement by the electoral commission contained in its bulletin, yesterday, the exercise will commence on November 7 and end on November 9.

It will be followed immediately by continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise in the affected states from November 13 through 17.

Besides Lagos, Kano and Rivers, the other states involved are Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun and Plateau.

While the PVC and CVR exercises were earlier conducted in Ekiti and Osun states because of the governorship elections held recently, INEC had also distributed and conducted the PVCs and CVR exercises in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this year in phases I and II.

The electoral commission has also warned that only electorates with permanent voter cards will be allowed to vote during the 2015 general elections and advised eligible voters to cross-check their names in the displayed voters’ register.

“Those who registered before but do not see their names in the displayed register are to re-register during the continuous voter registration exercise.

“The CVR exercise is not for those who wish to transfer. Those wishing to transfer should write to the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in their new states of domicile, well before the election, as no transfer will be approved less than 30 days to the election.

“Those who have lost their cards or whose cards are damaged may apply for them to be replaced by writing to the resident electoral commissioner (REC) through the INEC electoral officer of the local government area where they registered for their replacement well before the election. No replacement will be approved and no new card will be issued less than 30 days to the election.”

The Phase III Distribution Of PVCs In Lagos, Kano, Rivers Nov 7- INEC

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in 13 states in the third phase of the exercise to begin on Friday, 7th November and end on Sunday, 9th November 2014.

 

INEC

According to a statement by the electoral commission contained in its bulletin, yesterday, the exercise will commence on November 7 and end on November 9.

It will be followed immediately by continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise in the affected states from November 13 through 17.

Besides Lagos, Kano and Rivers, the other states involved are Adamawa, Borno, Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun and Plateau.

While the PVC and CVR exercises were earlier conducted in Ekiti and Osun states because of the governorship elections held recently, INEC had also distributed and conducted the PVCs and CVR exercises in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this year in phases I and II.

The electoral commission has also warned that only electorates with permanent voter cards will be allowed to vote during the 2015 general elections and advised eligible voters to cross-check their names in the displayed voters’ register.

“Those who registered before but do not see their names in the displayed register are to re-register during the continuous voter registration exercise.

“The CVR exercise is not for those who wish to transfer. Those wishing to transfer should write to the resident electoral commissioner (REC) in their new states of domicile, well before the election, as no transfer will be approved less than 30 days to the election.

“Those who have lost their cards or whose cards are damaged may apply for them to be replaced by writing to the resident electoral commissioner (REC) through the INEC electoral officer of the local government area where they registered for their replacement well before the election. No replacement will be approved and no new card will be issued less than 30 days to the election.”

Fear grips Benin Citizens As Bomb Rocks Her.

An explosion has occurred on Dennis Osadebey Avenue, in Benin City, Edo state leading to panic in the metropolis.

The police in Edo State have been placed on red alert after a bomb went off on Dennis Osadebey Avenue, in the state capital, Benin City.

Reports of the explosion, which is believed to have occurred on Saturday, October 18, have been confirmed by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Ejiroro Ahwara.

He said via a statement today:

“The Command received information that at about 10: 30 p.m. on Saturday that there was an explosion at Dennis Osadebey Avenue, Benin City.’’

“The IED used in the attack has been recovered by the Bomb Disposal Unit for analysis, while some suspects have been arrested”

Ahwara also added that officers attached to the Special Anti-Bomb Squad had been deployed to the scene of the explosion.

The blast was set off by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), made up of two tiger batteries of 15 volts, he added.

No lives were lost in the incident and investigations are still ongoing.

Fear grips Benin Citizens As Bomb Rocks Her.

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An explosion has occurred on Dennis Osadebey Avenue, in Benin City, Edo state leading to panic in the metropolis.

The police in Edo State have been placed on red alert after a bomb went off on Dennis Osadebey Avenue, in the state capital, Benin City.

Reports of the explosion, which is believed to have occurred on Saturday, October 18, have been confirmed by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Ejiroro Ahwara.

He said via a statement today:

“The Command received information that at about 10: 30 p.m. on Saturday that there was an explosion at Dennis Osadebey Avenue, Benin City.’’

“The IED used in the attack has been recovered by the Bomb Disposal Unit for analysis, while some suspects have been arrested”

Ahwara also added that officers attached to the Special Anti-Bomb Squad had been deployed to the scene of the explosion.

The blast was set off by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), made up of two tiger batteries of 15 volts, he added.

No lives were lost in the incident and investigations are still ongoing.

A Student Jumps To His Death In Malaysia

A Nigerian student simply identified as Osazuwe has taken a final jump in a criminal enterprise in far away Malaysia where he lost his life in the process.

In a bid to escape from the police in far away Maylasia, a Nigerian student simply identified as Osazuwa, took a deathly plunge from a 15-storey building to his sure death.

According news report in the Malaysian Star, an online news portal, Osazuwa who is from Edo State, was staying with friends when police stormed the place and in a bid to escape, he decided to jump from the window instead of being caught and probably sent to jail.

The incident, according to local media, happened when a Nigerian student had lodged a police report in Puchong on Sunday October 12th, claiming his girlfriend had been kidnapped by Osazuwa and his gang.

Criminal investigator Datuk Mohd Adnan Abdullah told local media:

The boyfriend said he received a call from a suspect who demanded RM40,000 for the release of his girlfriend, also a Nigerian student here.

We suspected the kidnappers were people that the victim must have known. Police immediately tracked the victim and her kidnappers’ whereabouts.

Malaysia police said the victim’s boyfriend cooperated with the police in their investigations and he managed to coax the suspects into giving him more time and told them he was gathering the funds.

Mohd Adnan said when police ambushed the unit located at the condominium’s 13th floor, there were three Nigerian men and two local women.

The police managed to find the victim’s location on Monday. She was being held in a condominium unit in Taman Melati, Ampang.

We formed a team to raid the condominium unit and moved in on the suspects at about 5 pm.

Upon seeing the police, the suspects attempted to escape. The raiding team arrested two women and two men.

The gang thought they could get money quickly by carrying out this crime, but look what had happened — it has just gone awfully wrong

The suspect who died was in his 20s and we are still trying to establish his full identity.

A Student Jumps To His Death In Malaysia

Posted by Sylvester No comments

A Nigerian student simply identified as Osazuwe has taken a final jump in a criminal enterprise in far away Malaysia where he lost his life in the process.

In a bid to escape from the police in far away Maylasia, a Nigerian student simply identified as Osazuwa, took a deathly plunge from a 15-storey building to his sure death.

According news report in the Malaysian Star, an online news portal, Osazuwa who is from Edo State, was staying with friends when police stormed the place and in a bid to escape, he decided to jump from the window instead of being caught and probably sent to jail.

The incident, according to local media, happened when a Nigerian student had lodged a police report in Puchong on Sunday October 12th, claiming his girlfriend had been kidnapped by Osazuwa and his gang.

Criminal investigator Datuk Mohd Adnan Abdullah told local media:

The boyfriend said he received a call from a suspect who demanded RM40,000 for the release of his girlfriend, also a Nigerian student here.

We suspected the kidnappers were people that the victim must have known. Police immediately tracked the victim and her kidnappers’ whereabouts.

Malaysia police said the victim’s boyfriend cooperated with the police in their investigations and he managed to coax the suspects into giving him more time and told them he was gathering the funds.

Mohd Adnan said when police ambushed the unit located at the condominium’s 13th floor, there were three Nigerian men and two local women.

The police managed to find the victim’s location on Monday. She was being held in a condominium unit in Taman Melati, Ampang.

We formed a team to raid the condominium unit and moved in on the suspects at about 5 pm.

Upon seeing the police, the suspects attempted to escape. The raiding team arrested two women and two men.

The gang thought they could get money quickly by carrying out this crime, but look what had happened — it has just gone awfully wrong

The suspect who died was in his 20s and we are still trying to establish his full identity.

Eagles Camp Opens Monday In Abuja

Super Eagles camp for the African Nations Cup double header against Sudan on October 11 and 15 respectively will open in Abuja on Monday, October 5 with the technical crew and his backroom staff.

According to Head coach of the team, Stephen Keshi, the players are expected to start arriving camp from Monday, October 6 to enable them have at least three days of training before flying to Khartoum, capital of Sudan for the first leg of the two legged matches.

“I expect all the players to be available for training in Abuja before we depart for the game. All the players have assured me that they would be available for the games and would try to come early,” says Keshi.

“They know the importance of the games and we cannot afford not to be in Morocco to defend our title. We are not unaware of the precarious position we found ourselves in the fight to qualify for Afcon but we shall scale through by the grace of God” he quipped.

He said that if beating Sudan is what the Super Eagles need to qualify for the African Nations Cup, then they have no choice than to do just that by winning the two fixtures to remain in contention.

Eagles Camp Opens Monday In Abuja

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Super Eagles camp for the African Nations Cup double header against Sudan on October 11 and 15 respectively will open in Abuja on Monday, October 5 with the technical crew and his backroom staff.

According to Head coach of the team, Stephen Keshi, the players are expected to start arriving camp from Monday, October 6 to enable them have at least three days of training before flying to Khartoum, capital of Sudan for the first leg of the two legged matches.

“I expect all the players to be available for training in Abuja before we depart for the game. All the players have assured me that they would be available for the games and would try to come early,” says Keshi.

“They know the importance of the games and we cannot afford not to be in Morocco to defend our title. We are not unaware of the precarious position we found ourselves in the fight to qualify for Afcon but we shall scale through by the grace of God” he quipped.

He said that if beating Sudan is what the Super Eagles need to qualify for the African Nations Cup, then they have no choice than to do just that by winning the two fixtures to remain in contention.

Kelechi Iheanacho Turns 18, Set For Man City Pro Contract

Flying Eagles midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho who is on the books of Manchester City but yet to be granted a work permit because he has not clocked 18 and yet to be handed a work permit could now be in line for a professional contract as he turns 18-years-old todat, Friday, 3 October 2014.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho was voted the Most Valueable Player of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup where he helped Nigeria win a record fourth title at the Cadet World Cup.

Recently, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi revealed that he will NOT invite Iheanacho alongside MLS September Player of the Month winner, Seattle Sounders’ Obafemi Martins, to the national team because he has not played much games for the Citizens though he was in promising form during the English champions’ pre season friendlies.

Iheanacho’s dream of playing for Nigeria’s senior national team may wait until after he plays for the Flying Eagles in the African U-20 Youth Championship early 2015 in Senegal and hopefully at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

However, should there be a change of guard in the Super Eagles coaching crew, fans of the three-time African champions may see the prodigiously talented star strut his skills for the Super Eagles sooner than expected.

Manchester City also have in their youth team Iheanacho’s U-17 World Cup teammate, Chidiebere Nwakali who was one of the best midfielders of the U-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Kelechi Iheanacho Turns 18, Set For Man City Pro Contract

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Flying Eagles midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho who is on the books of Manchester City but yet to be granted a work permit because he has not clocked 18 and yet to be handed a work permit could now be in line for a professional contract as he turns 18-years-old todat, Friday, 3 October 2014.

Kelechi Iheanacho

Iheanacho was voted the Most Valueable Player of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup where he helped Nigeria win a record fourth title at the Cadet World Cup.

Recently, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi revealed that he will NOT invite Iheanacho alongside MLS September Player of the Month winner, Seattle Sounders’ Obafemi Martins, to the national team because he has not played much games for the Citizens though he was in promising form during the English champions’ pre season friendlies.

Iheanacho’s dream of playing for Nigeria’s senior national team may wait until after he plays for the Flying Eagles in the African U-20 Youth Championship early 2015 in Senegal and hopefully at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

However, should there be a change of guard in the Super Eagles coaching crew, fans of the three-time African champions may see the prodigiously talented star strut his skills for the Super Eagles sooner than expected.

Manchester City also have in their youth team Iheanacho’s U-17 World Cup teammate, Chidiebere Nwakali who was one of the best midfielders of the U-17 World Cup in the UAE.

More Pain To Come For ‘Unrecognisable’ Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has laid bare his frustration with Liverpool’s form by describing the team as unrecognisable from last season’s title challengers and warning supporters there could be further pain ahead.
Liverpool host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday with seven points from six league games and having fallen to a fourth defeat in nine matches this term at Basel in the Champions League. Rodgers claimed “we have gone into a little bit of transition” following the Basel setback and compared Albion’s visit to his first league game as Liverpool manager at The Hawthorns in August 2012, on the basis that “this feels like a new group again”.

While a transitional period was to be expected following Luis Suárez’s departure to Barcelona and the signing of nine players at Anfield this summer, the extent of Liverpool’s problems have alarmed even their manager. Rodgers made no attempt to camouflage his team’s malaise ahead of the Albion game and, in his most damning assessment of Liverpool’s performances so far this season, admitted he does not recognise the side that fell just short of winning the Premier League title only six months ago.

“It’s hard for the supporters [to hear of transition] and I understand that,” said the Liverpool manager. “It must be so difficult at the moment to see a team that for 18 months has been so fluent and dynamic. Now they probably look and see a team with maybe no resemblance to that in many ways. I understand that and there is no one more frustrated than myself.

“We look at our game, which is based a lot on possession, but we’re also a big threat in transition when we’ve won the ball back and we’re on the break. We don’t look a threat on the break at the moment. You could argue that we don’t even play in transition. We’re getting no one in behind. No one is breaking lines.”

That final complaint, about a lack of penetrating runs behind opposition defences, suggests Rodgers has more concerns over Mario Balotelli’s contribution than the lack of goals and assists that he criticised on Thursday. The £16m signing from Milan is likely to lead the line again against Alan Irvine’s team with Daniel Sturridge expected to miss a seventh game with a thigh injury, another source of frustration for the manager.

More Pain To Come For ‘Unrecognisable’ Liverpool

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Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has laid bare his frustration with Liverpool’s form by describing the team as unrecognisable from last season’s title challengers and warning supporters there could be further pain ahead.
Liverpool host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday with seven points from six league games and having fallen to a fourth defeat in nine matches this term at Basel in the Champions League. Rodgers claimed “we have gone into a little bit of transition” following the Basel setback and compared Albion’s visit to his first league game as Liverpool manager at The Hawthorns in August 2012, on the basis that “this feels like a new group again”.

While a transitional period was to be expected following Luis Suárez’s departure to Barcelona and the signing of nine players at Anfield this summer, the extent of Liverpool’s problems have alarmed even their manager. Rodgers made no attempt to camouflage his team’s malaise ahead of the Albion game and, in his most damning assessment of Liverpool’s performances so far this season, admitted he does not recognise the side that fell just short of winning the Premier League title only six months ago.

“It’s hard for the supporters [to hear of transition] and I understand that,” said the Liverpool manager. “It must be so difficult at the moment to see a team that for 18 months has been so fluent and dynamic. Now they probably look and see a team with maybe no resemblance to that in many ways. I understand that and there is no one more frustrated than myself.

“We look at our game, which is based a lot on possession, but we’re also a big threat in transition when we’ve won the ball back and we’re on the break. We don’t look a threat on the break at the moment. You could argue that we don’t even play in transition. We’re getting no one in behind. No one is breaking lines.”

That final complaint, about a lack of penetrating runs behind opposition defences, suggests Rodgers has more concerns over Mario Balotelli’s contribution than the lack of goals and assists that he criticised on Thursday. The £16m signing from Milan is likely to lead the line again against Alan Irvine’s team with Daniel Sturridge expected to miss a seventh game with a thigh injury, another source of frustration for the manager.

Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal Makes Case For His Defense

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United have conceded “too many goals” and has told the team to start defending as a unit, beginning with the strikers. United have let in nine goals in six matches, with only Crystal Palace conceding more of those sides in the top half of the table, as Everton visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

Louis Van Gaal

“I want my defensive organisation to be better but the defence begins in the striker’s position,” he said. “It’s teamwork, so when we concede a goal it’s not only because of an individual error from the defence. It starts somewhere else and that is what we have to analyse and improve.

“All the teams are mostly scoring goals out of counterattacks against us and free-kicks and corners – not that they make their goals like we do out of building up, first, second, third and fourth phase.

“That’s the difference and, when you want to be a big team, you have to perform like that. You must dominate the game. When they are organised and also when the team is organised in their own half, then you need these kinds of players [who can carry this out]. But you also need to think about the balance of the team and the defensive organisation at the same time. That is what I’m working on.”

Van Gaal rejected the suggestion that having attack-minded footballers such as Ángel di María makes the defensive side difficult. “You want to make it personal,” he said. “We are playing like a team and then you pick up on Di María, it’s a pity.

“We have a lot of creative attacking players in our selection and I like that but I also like to think that you have the discipline to come back in a certain shape because now we have conceded too many goals. The media are writing it’s because of the weak defence, but no. I have explained I want to improve your knowledge of football also.”

With Juan Mata favourite to replace the suspended Wayne Rooney in the No10 role, Van Gaal would not explain what Adnan Januzaj has to do to make the starting XI. “You make it again personal. I cannot answer that, it’s personal.”

The Dutchman offered a similar response regarding who would be captain at Old Trafford on Sunday. “You shall see,” he said. “I have told the players but you shall see on Sunday.”

Manchester United’s Louis van Gaal Makes Case For His Defense

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Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United have conceded “too many goals” and has told the team to start defending as a unit, beginning with the strikers. United have let in nine goals in six matches, with only Crystal Palace conceding more of those sides in the top half of the table, as Everton visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

Louis Van Gaal

“I want my defensive organisation to be better but the defence begins in the striker’s position,” he said. “It’s teamwork, so when we concede a goal it’s not only because of an individual error from the defence. It starts somewhere else and that is what we have to analyse and improve.

“All the teams are mostly scoring goals out of counterattacks against us and free-kicks and corners – not that they make their goals like we do out of building up, first, second, third and fourth phase.

“That’s the difference and, when you want to be a big team, you have to perform like that. You must dominate the game. When they are organised and also when the team is organised in their own half, then you need these kinds of players [who can carry this out]. But you also need to think about the balance of the team and the defensive organisation at the same time. That is what I’m working on.”

Van Gaal rejected the suggestion that having attack-minded footballers such as Ángel di María makes the defensive side difficult. “You want to make it personal,” he said. “We are playing like a team and then you pick up on Di María, it’s a pity.

“We have a lot of creative attacking players in our selection and I like that but I also like to think that you have the discipline to come back in a certain shape because now we have conceded too many goals. The media are writing it’s because of the weak defence, but no. I have explained I want to improve your knowledge of football also.”

With Juan Mata favourite to replace the suspended Wayne Rooney in the No10 role, Van Gaal would not explain what Adnan Januzaj has to do to make the starting XI. “You make it again personal. I cannot answer that, it’s personal.”

The Dutchman offered a similar response regarding who would be captain at Old Trafford on Sunday. “You shall see,” he said. “I have told the players but you shall see on Sunday.”

Cameron, British Muslims Condemn Beheading Of Aid Worker Alan Henning

Muslim groups across Britain united on Saturday to join Prime Minister David Cameron in condemning the beheading of aid worker Alan Henning by Islamic State insurgents, with one leading cleric calling it a "despicable and offensive act".

Prayers for the 47-year-old taxi driver from Salford in northern England were said in mosques throughout the country at the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival.

Cameron called Henning a gentle, compassionate man who had simply tried to help others. Britain would do all it could to destroy his killers, he said.

Speaking after meeting the heads of Britain's armed forces and intelligence agencies, Cameron said in a broadcast message: "we will use all the assets we have ...to defeat this organization which is utterly ruthless, senseless and barbaric in the way it treats people."

Henning had been held captive in Syria for nine months before a video was posted on YouTube on Friday showing him kneeling before a masked knife man against a desert setting.

The masked man spoke briefly with the same southern British accent as that of the killer of previous hostages widely dubbed "Jihad John".

Cameron, British Muslims Condemn Beheading Of Aid Worker Alan Henning

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Muslim groups across Britain united on Saturday to join Prime Minister David Cameron in condemning the beheading of aid worker Alan Henning by Islamic State insurgents, with one leading cleric calling it a "despicable and offensive act".

Prayers for the 47-year-old taxi driver from Salford in northern England were said in mosques throughout the country at the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival.

Cameron called Henning a gentle, compassionate man who had simply tried to help others. Britain would do all it could to destroy his killers, he said.

Speaking after meeting the heads of Britain's armed forces and intelligence agencies, Cameron said in a broadcast message: "we will use all the assets we have ...to defeat this organization which is utterly ruthless, senseless and barbaric in the way it treats people."

Henning had been held captive in Syria for nine months before a video was posted on YouTube on Friday showing him kneeling before a masked knife man against a desert setting.

The masked man spoke briefly with the same southern British accent as that of the killer of previous hostages widely dubbed "Jihad John".

Nigerian Defeating Ebola Virus

WITH the last patient under surveillance for Ebola completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period yesterday, the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that Nigeria should be declared Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) free.

Nigeria To Be Certified Ebola Virus Disease Free
A report on Nigeria's response to the outbreak, which appears in a September 30 early release issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), noted that Nigeria's success story was due to her strong emergency operations centre and polio eradication experience.

The CDC report reads: "...There have been no new cases since August 31 and the last three patient contacts will exit their 21-day follow-up on October 2 - strongly suggesting the outbreak in Nigeria has been contained."

According to the MMWR, Nigeria's decision to use the emergency operations' centre to respond to the Ebola outbreak resulted in a rapid, effective and coordinated response.

Nigerian Defeating Ebola Virus

Posted by Sylvester No comments

WITH the last patient under surveillance for Ebola completing the mandatory 21-day monitoring period yesterday, the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that Nigeria should be declared Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) free.

Nigeria To Be Certified Ebola Virus Disease Free
A report on Nigeria's response to the outbreak, which appears in a September 30 early release issue of CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), noted that Nigeria's success story was due to her strong emergency operations centre and polio eradication experience.

The CDC report reads: "...There have been no new cases since August 31 and the last three patient contacts will exit their 21-day follow-up on October 2 - strongly suggesting the outbreak in Nigeria has been contained."

According to the MMWR, Nigeria's decision to use the emergency operations' centre to respond to the Ebola outbreak resulted in a rapid, effective and coordinated response.

Federal Government Tighten Security Nationwide For Sallah

Security agencies in the country have been put on red alert to forestall terrorist activities as Muslims troop out today to celebrate Eid el-Kabir festival.

Prayer grounds and other public places have been put under surveillance by plain-clothed security men, just as enhanced security has been ordered across the country.

According to a source in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), apart from 50, 000 officers and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that would be on duty, the police, State Security Service (SSS), the Military Intelligence and other security agencies have been readied to thwart any attempt to breach public peace during the celebrations.

As part of security measures during this period, Saturday Tribune learnt that passes on annual leave for military officers have been put on hold by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh.

On Friday, soldiers were seen patrolling strategic places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and conducting stop-and-search.

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, had on Thursday ordered all commanding officers nationwide to provide watertight security before, during and after the celebrations.

Abba specifically directed all zonal Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take measures to provide adequate security at all key and vulnerable points.

He listed those areas as all places of worship, recreation centres and other public places, adding that this was to enable worshippers perform their religious obligation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, has assured residents of the territory of adequate security during the period.

Inalegwu, who briefed journalists on the command’s preparation for Eid el-Kabir on Thursday, assured that the police would be deployed in all prayer grounds and other public places.

The commissioner assured of increased motorised patrol during the period, and directed all Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders to mobilise their men to provide adequate security throughout the celebrations.

According to him, a lot of covert operations were ongoing to prevent crime.

He said that the command was collaborating with the FCT authorities to address the use of unpainted taxis in the territory.

In Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, directed all area commanders and Divisional Police Officers to ensure watertight security at public places.

According to its image maker, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the state police command was leaving no stone unturned to ensure successful celebrations of Eid el-Kabir.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and commanders of all police operational and combat outfits to ensure watertight security during the Sallah celebrations.

“The commissioner directed that adequate attention be paid to places of worship, recreational parks and bus, train and boat terminals. Strategic infrastructure are also to be adequately protected during this period,” he said.

Also, in the spirit of the Sallah celebrations, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has set up mobile courts across the country for instant arrest and prosecution of traffic offenders.

The corps has deployed 18,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, along the nation’s highways to provide safety and sanity during the celebrations.

Corps Public Education Officer, Stella Uchegbu, spoke with journalists on the special Sallah patrol codenamed, “Operation Eid el-Kabir,” which commenced on September 30 and is to last till October 12.

Federal Government Tighten Security Nationwide For Sallah

Posted by Sylvester No comments

Security agencies in the country have been put on red alert to forestall terrorist activities as Muslims troop out today to celebrate Eid el-Kabir festival.

Prayer grounds and other public places have been put under surveillance by plain-clothed security men, just as enhanced security has been ordered across the country.

According to a source in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), apart from 50, 000 officers and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that would be on duty, the police, State Security Service (SSS), the Military Intelligence and other security agencies have been readied to thwart any attempt to breach public peace during the celebrations.

As part of security measures during this period, Saturday Tribune learnt that passes on annual leave for military officers have been put on hold by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh.

On Friday, soldiers were seen patrolling strategic places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and conducting stop-and-search.

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, had on Thursday ordered all commanding officers nationwide to provide watertight security before, during and after the celebrations.

Abba specifically directed all zonal Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take measures to provide adequate security at all key and vulnerable points.

He listed those areas as all places of worship, recreation centres and other public places, adding that this was to enable worshippers perform their religious obligation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, has assured residents of the territory of adequate security during the period.

Inalegwu, who briefed journalists on the command’s preparation for Eid el-Kabir on Thursday, assured that the police would be deployed in all prayer grounds and other public places.

The commissioner assured of increased motorised patrol during the period, and directed all Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders to mobilise their men to provide adequate security throughout the celebrations.

According to him, a lot of covert operations were ongoing to prevent crime.

He said that the command was collaborating with the FCT authorities to address the use of unpainted taxis in the territory.

In Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, directed all area commanders and Divisional Police Officers to ensure watertight security at public places.

According to its image maker, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the state police command was leaving no stone unturned to ensure successful celebrations of Eid el-Kabir.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and commanders of all police operational and combat outfits to ensure watertight security during the Sallah celebrations.

“The commissioner directed that adequate attention be paid to places of worship, recreational parks and bus, train and boat terminals. Strategic infrastructure are also to be adequately protected during this period,” he said.

Also, in the spirit of the Sallah celebrations, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has set up mobile courts across the country for instant arrest and prosecution of traffic offenders.

The corps has deployed 18,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, along the nation’s highways to provide safety and sanity during the celebrations.

Corps Public Education Officer, Stella Uchegbu, spoke with journalists on the special Sallah patrol codenamed, “Operation Eid el-Kabir,” which commenced on September 30 and is to last till October 12.

Plan For Search To Restart On Sunday After Four Months On Hold

After a four-month hiatus, the hunt for Malaysia Airlines flight 370 is about to resume in a desolate stretch of the southern Indian Ocean, with searchers lowering new equipment deep hoping to finally solve one of the world’s most perplexing aviation mysteries.

BH370

The GO Phoenix, the first of three ships that will spend up to a year hunting for the wreckage far off Australia’s west coast, is expected to arrive in the search zone on Sunday, although weather could delay its progress. Crews will use sonar, video cameras and jet fuel sensors to scour the water for any trace of the Boeing 777, which disappeared on 8 March during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

The search has been on hold for months so crews could map the seabed in the search zone, about 1,800km off Western Australia. The 60,000 sq km search area lies along what is known as the “seventh arc”, a stretch of ocean where investigators believe the plane ran out of fuel and crashed. The belief is based largely on an analysis of transmissions between the plane and a satellite.

Given that there have been false alarms, from underwater signals wrongly thought to be from the plane’s black boxes to possible debris fields that turned out to be rubbish, officials say their are “cautiously optimistic” rather than confident.

“We’re cautiously optimistic; cautious because of all the technical and other challenges we’ve got, but optimistic because we’re confident in the analysis,” said Martin Dolan, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the agency leading the search. “But it’s just a very big area that we’re looking at.”

That area was largely unknown to scientists before the mapping process began in May. Two ships have surveyed the seabed using multibeam sonar devices, similar to a fish-finder. The equipment sends out a series of signals that determine the shape and hardness of the terrain below, allowing officials to create three-dimensional maps of the seabed.

Those maps are considered crucial because the seafloor is riddled with deep crevasses, mountains and volcanoes, which could prove disastrous to the pricey, delicate search equipment that will be towed just 100m above the seabed. Two of the search ships will use underwater search vessels worth about $1.5m each.

“You can imagine if you’re towing a device close to the seafloor, you want to know if you’re about to run into a mountain,” said Stuart Minchin, chief of the environmental geoscience division at Geoscience Australia, which has been analysing the mapping data.

The terrain is not the only challenge. The area is prone to brutal weather, and is so remote that it takes vessels up to six days to get there from Australia. Water depths are also tricky: they range from 600m to 6.5km.

That is about the deepest the sonar equipment can go, Dolan said.

“In all sorts of ways we’re operating towards the limits of the technology that is available,” Dolan said.

With the mapping nearly complete, the GO Phoenix, provided by Malaysia, will begin hunting in an area considered the likeliest crash site, based on an analysis of satellite data gleaned from the plane’s jet engine transmitter and a series of unanswered phone calls officials on the ground made to the plane.

The other two vessels, the Equator and Discovery, provided by Dutch contractor Fugro, are expected to join the hunt later this month.

Malaysia and Australia are contributing about $60m each towards the search.

The ships will use towfish, underwater vessels equipped with sonar that create images of the ocean floor. The towfish, which transmit data in real time, are dragged slowly through the water by thick cables up to 10km long. If something of interest is spotted on the sonar, the towfish will be hauled up and fitted with a video camera, then lowered again.

There will be between 25 and 35 people on each ship, and crews will probably work around the clock. The ships can stay at the search site for up to 30 days before they must head back to shore to refuel and resupply.

Dolan said, “We’re doing this primarily because there are families of 239 people who deserve an answer. We will give it every possible effort and we think our efforts will be really good – but there’s no guarantee of success.”

Plan For Search To Restart On Sunday After Four Months On Hold

Posted by Sylvester No comments

After a four-month hiatus, the hunt for Malaysia Airlines flight 370 is about to resume in a desolate stretch of the southern Indian Ocean, with searchers lowering new equipment deep hoping to finally solve one of the world’s most perplexing aviation mysteries.

BH370

The GO Phoenix, the first of three ships that will spend up to a year hunting for the wreckage far off Australia’s west coast, is expected to arrive in the search zone on Sunday, although weather could delay its progress. Crews will use sonar, video cameras and jet fuel sensors to scour the water for any trace of the Boeing 777, which disappeared on 8 March during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

The search has been on hold for months so crews could map the seabed in the search zone, about 1,800km off Western Australia. The 60,000 sq km search area lies along what is known as the “seventh arc”, a stretch of ocean where investigators believe the plane ran out of fuel and crashed. The belief is based largely on an analysis of transmissions between the plane and a satellite.

Given that there have been false alarms, from underwater signals wrongly thought to be from the plane’s black boxes to possible debris fields that turned out to be rubbish, officials say their are “cautiously optimistic” rather than confident.

“We’re cautiously optimistic; cautious because of all the technical and other challenges we’ve got, but optimistic because we’re confident in the analysis,” said Martin Dolan, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the agency leading the search. “But it’s just a very big area that we’re looking at.”

That area was largely unknown to scientists before the mapping process began in May. Two ships have surveyed the seabed using multibeam sonar devices, similar to a fish-finder. The equipment sends out a series of signals that determine the shape and hardness of the terrain below, allowing officials to create three-dimensional maps of the seabed.

Those maps are considered crucial because the seafloor is riddled with deep crevasses, mountains and volcanoes, which could prove disastrous to the pricey, delicate search equipment that will be towed just 100m above the seabed. Two of the search ships will use underwater search vessels worth about $1.5m each.

“You can imagine if you’re towing a device close to the seafloor, you want to know if you’re about to run into a mountain,” said Stuart Minchin, chief of the environmental geoscience division at Geoscience Australia, which has been analysing the mapping data.

The terrain is not the only challenge. The area is prone to brutal weather, and is so remote that it takes vessels up to six days to get there from Australia. Water depths are also tricky: they range from 600m to 6.5km.

That is about the deepest the sonar equipment can go, Dolan said.

“In all sorts of ways we’re operating towards the limits of the technology that is available,” Dolan said.

With the mapping nearly complete, the GO Phoenix, provided by Malaysia, will begin hunting in an area considered the likeliest crash site, based on an analysis of satellite data gleaned from the plane’s jet engine transmitter and a series of unanswered phone calls officials on the ground made to the plane.

The other two vessels, the Equator and Discovery, provided by Dutch contractor Fugro, are expected to join the hunt later this month.

Malaysia and Australia are contributing about $60m each towards the search.

The ships will use towfish, underwater vessels equipped with sonar that create images of the ocean floor. The towfish, which transmit data in real time, are dragged slowly through the water by thick cables up to 10km long. If something of interest is spotted on the sonar, the towfish will be hauled up and fitted with a video camera, then lowered again.

There will be between 25 and 35 people on each ship, and crews will probably work around the clock. The ships can stay at the search site for up to 30 days before they must head back to shore to refuel and resupply.

Dolan said, “We’re doing this primarily because there are families of 239 people who deserve an answer. We will give it every possible effort and we think our efforts will be really good – but there’s no guarantee of success.”

NJC Asks IG To Probe Attack On Ekiti Judges

According to New Telegraph the National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday demanded a probe into the recent attacks on judges in Ekiti State.

Suleiman, IG of Police

The NJC, at the end of an emergency meeting in Abuja, condemned the attacks on the judiciary and judicial officers in general nationwide and asked the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, to carry out a thorough probe into the attacks on Justices John Adeyeye and Olusegun Oguyemi at the High Court Complex, Ado-Ekiti, to ensure that the culprits and their sponsors are brought to book.

The NJC push for a probe of the incident just as the All Progressives Congress (APC) asked that the state Governor elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, whom it accused of masterminding the attacks on the judges, should be arrested and prosecuted. Following the assault on Justice Adeyeye, Fayose was said to have petitioned the NJC to investigate the activities of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola. Justice Daramola had in turn forwarded a petition against Fayose, accusing him of being the mastermind of the assault on Justice Adeyeye who was reportedly beaten by some people whom Justice Daramola in his petition said acted on the orders of Fayose.

The council, in a statement by its acting Director of Information, Soji Oye, also requested the IG to urgently provide adequate security to judicial officers and the judiciary in Ekiti State. The NJC urged the IG to personally lead investigation into the attacks on Justices Adeyeye and Ogunyemi, some members of staff of the court and the vandalism of property of the High Court of Justice, Ado-Ekiti and bring the culprits to justice.

It, however, assured the people that all petitions forwarded by all parties to the council on the matter are being looked into. Also reacting to the attack on the judges, the APC reiterated its earlier call for the arrest and prosecution of Fayose for allegedly leading thugs to attack the judges on September 25. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that failure to act decisively now over the matter would spell danger for judges and democracy.

The party said the issue of the security of judges and the unfettered administrative of justice transcends politics, hence no politician, no matter his status, must be allowed to go scot-free after attacking judges. It said any delay in taking action would mean that Fayose, who is billed to assume office in the next two weeks, would be conferred with immunity that would stop him from facing justice for “egregious contempt of court.”

APC also called on the Abba to punish the policemen who stood idly by as thugs were attacking judges, lawyers, litigants and others, saying the police must always carry out their constitutional duties, no matter which politician is flouting the law. The party urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take the lead in ensuring that those behind the attack on Ekiti judges are made to face the full wrath of the law, irrespective of their status.

NJC Asks IG To Probe Attack On Ekiti Judges

Posted by Sylvester No comments

According to New Telegraph the National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday demanded a probe into the recent attacks on judges in Ekiti State.

Suleiman, IG of Police

The NJC, at the end of an emergency meeting in Abuja, condemned the attacks on the judiciary and judicial officers in general nationwide and asked the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, to carry out a thorough probe into the attacks on Justices John Adeyeye and Olusegun Oguyemi at the High Court Complex, Ado-Ekiti, to ensure that the culprits and their sponsors are brought to book.

The NJC push for a probe of the incident just as the All Progressives Congress (APC) asked that the state Governor elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, whom it accused of masterminding the attacks on the judges, should be arrested and prosecuted. Following the assault on Justice Adeyeye, Fayose was said to have petitioned the NJC to investigate the activities of the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola. Justice Daramola had in turn forwarded a petition against Fayose, accusing him of being the mastermind of the assault on Justice Adeyeye who was reportedly beaten by some people whom Justice Daramola in his petition said acted on the orders of Fayose.

The council, in a statement by its acting Director of Information, Soji Oye, also requested the IG to urgently provide adequate security to judicial officers and the judiciary in Ekiti State. The NJC urged the IG to personally lead investigation into the attacks on Justices Adeyeye and Ogunyemi, some members of staff of the court and the vandalism of property of the High Court of Justice, Ado-Ekiti and bring the culprits to justice.

It, however, assured the people that all petitions forwarded by all parties to the council on the matter are being looked into. Also reacting to the attack on the judges, the APC reiterated its earlier call for the arrest and prosecution of Fayose for allegedly leading thugs to attack the judges on September 25. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, warned that failure to act decisively now over the matter would spell danger for judges and democracy.

The party said the issue of the security of judges and the unfettered administrative of justice transcends politics, hence no politician, no matter his status, must be allowed to go scot-free after attacking judges. It said any delay in taking action would mean that Fayose, who is billed to assume office in the next two weeks, would be conferred with immunity that would stop him from facing justice for “egregious contempt of court.”

APC also called on the Abba to punish the policemen who stood idly by as thugs were attacking judges, lawyers, litigants and others, saying the police must always carry out their constitutional duties, no matter which politician is flouting the law. The party urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take the lead in ensuring that those behind the attack on Ekiti judges are made to face the full wrath of the law, irrespective of their status.

Building Collapse,Dozen Trapped In Abuja

A club house which was undergoing make over from a bungalow to a storey building collapsed on Friday trapping scores of menial labourer and customers at Phase IV road in Jikwoyi, Abuja.

Four persons were pulled out alive by rescue workers within few hours of the incident and rushed in ambulances to nearby hospitals, while voices were heard under the rubbles calling for help and making phone calls.

Two female workers of the club were seen wailing and showing rescue officials where people were trapped in the collapsed site. One of them put the figure of those still trapped as 13.

Residents within the area alleged that the building named ‘Mimshack Arena’ belongs to a policeman called Corporal Joseph.

Emeka Ikechuckwu, a resident said some customers were drinking at the bar, while construction work was going on when the entire building craved in.

One of the rescue officials at the scene complained that buildings around the area were built so closely which made it difficult for rescue vehicles to get to the incident scene.

Efforts to speak to the coordinator of the Abuja operations office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ishaya Chonoko, failed as calls to his phone were not answered. Daily Trust later learnt that he was at the scene of the building collapse coordinating rescue operations.

However, NEMA information officer, Manzo Eziekiel informed our reporter that the building collapsed as a result of an additional floor being added on it.

A club house which was undergoing make over from a bungalow to a storey building collapsed on Friday trapping scores of menial labourer and customers at Phase IV road in Jikwoyi, Abuja.

Four persons were pulled out alive by rescue workers within few hours of the incident and rushed in ambulances to nearby hospitals, while voices were heard under the rubbles calling for help and making phone calls.

Two female workers of the club were seen wailing and showing rescue officials where people were trapped in the collapsed site. One of them put the figure of those still trapped as 13.

Residents within the area alleged that the building named ‘Mimshack Arena’ belongs to a policeman called Corporal Joseph.

Emeka Ikechuckwu, a resident said some customers were drinking at the bar, while construction work was going on when the entire building craved in.

One of the rescue officials at the scene complained that buildings around the area were built so closely which made it difficult for rescue vehicles to get to the incident scene.

Efforts to speak to the coordinator of the Abuja operations office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ishaya Chonoko, failed as calls to his phone were not answered. Daily Trust later learnt that he was at the scene of the building collapse coordinating rescue operations.

However, NEMA information officer, Manzo Eziekiel informed our reporter that the building collapsed as a result of an additional floor being added on it.

- See more at: http://aitonline.tv/post-dozen_trapped_in_fresh_abuja_house_collapse#sthash.YWT9dydY.dpuf

Building Collapse,Dozen Trapped In Abuja

Posted by Sylvester No comments

A club house which was undergoing make over from a bungalow to a storey building collapsed on Friday trapping scores of menial labourer and customers at Phase IV road in Jikwoyi, Abuja.

Four persons were pulled out alive by rescue workers within few hours of the incident and rushed in ambulances to nearby hospitals, while voices were heard under the rubbles calling for help and making phone calls.

Two female workers of the club were seen wailing and showing rescue officials where people were trapped in the collapsed site. One of them put the figure of those still trapped as 13.

Residents within the area alleged that the building named ‘Mimshack Arena’ belongs to a policeman called Corporal Joseph.

Emeka Ikechuckwu, a resident said some customers were drinking at the bar, while construction work was going on when the entire building craved in.

One of the rescue officials at the scene complained that buildings around the area were built so closely which made it difficult for rescue vehicles to get to the incident scene.

Efforts to speak to the coordinator of the Abuja operations office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ishaya Chonoko, failed as calls to his phone were not answered. Daily Trust later learnt that he was at the scene of the building collapse coordinating rescue operations.

However, NEMA information officer, Manzo Eziekiel informed our reporter that the building collapsed as a result of an additional floor being added on it.

A club house which was undergoing make over from a bungalow to a storey building collapsed on Friday trapping scores of menial labourer and customers at Phase IV road in Jikwoyi, Abuja.

Four persons were pulled out alive by rescue workers within few hours of the incident and rushed in ambulances to nearby hospitals, while voices were heard under the rubbles calling for help and making phone calls.

Two female workers of the club were seen wailing and showing rescue officials where people were trapped in the collapsed site. One of them put the figure of those still trapped as 13.

Residents within the area alleged that the building named ‘Mimshack Arena’ belongs to a policeman called Corporal Joseph.

Emeka Ikechuckwu, a resident said some customers were drinking at the bar, while construction work was going on when the entire building craved in.

One of the rescue officials at the scene complained that buildings around the area were built so closely which made it difficult for rescue vehicles to get to the incident scene.

Efforts to speak to the coordinator of the Abuja operations office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ishaya Chonoko, failed as calls to his phone were not answered. Daily Trust later learnt that he was at the scene of the building collapse coordinating rescue operations.

However, NEMA information officer, Manzo Eziekiel informed our reporter that the building collapsed as a result of an additional floor being added on it.

- See more at: http://aitonline.tv/post-dozen_trapped_in_fresh_abuja_house_collapse#sthash.YWT9dydY.dpuf

Cretics by Victor Ikpeba: Keshi has lost it.

The former African player of the year has criticized the Big Boss for his selection ahead of the crunch qualifiers against Sudan this month
Former Nigeria forward Victor Ikpeba has lashed out at coach Stephen Keshi over his decision to call up ‘rookies’ for the must-win pair of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan this month.

Victor Ikpeba

The Super Eagles, reigning African champions, could miss out on defending their title in Morocco if they fail to win both matches after starting on a wrong footing last month.

Nigeria lost 3-2 to Congo in Calabar before pulling a listless goalless draw in Cape Town against South Africa and sit third on the table with a single point out of a possible six.

While the out-of-contract Keshi insists he is still building a good squad by handing fresh call ups to several new players, Ikpeba has raised the alarm over the possibility of the country missing out on qualifying due to the Big Boss’ self-serving posturing.

As part of his 24-man squad for the double-header against Sudan, Keshi called up Aaron Samuel of Guangzhou R&F in China, Emmanuel Sunday on SV ScholzGrodig, Austria, Anyora Ugonna of Haugesund FC, Norway and Hope Akpan of Reading FC, England. The 52-year-old has ignored more experienced campaigners Ikechukwu Uche of Villareal, Obafemi Martins of Seattle Sounders and new kid on the block Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City.

“For how long will Keshi build the Eagles,” Ikpeba who won the African Player of the Year award in 1997 asked in a Vanguard interview.

“He has been building this team since 2012 and still wants to continue building in 2014. No. What type of builder is he? His success in South Africa where he won the Nations Cup was a collective effort.

“He has placed us on the hard corner of qualification for the Nations Cup in Morocco. While Nigerians are gritting about their chances, he has invited rookies for the must win matches against Sudan. Keshi needs to ask himself questions. He should be a critic unto himself.

“He is either blaming the players or attacking even ex-internationals who criticize him.

"He has invited rookies to the national team. He is busy excluding the best players because of his personal interest. My brother, Keshi has lost it,” Ikpeba said.

The fate of the coach who led Nigeria to their third African title in 2013 will largely be determined by his side's performance over the two legs with Sudan as the new Nigeria Football Federation board takes charge.

Nigeria will travel to Khartoum to play the first leg on October 11 before returning to Abuja for their first match there since 2011 on October 15.

Congo will take on South Africa for an opportunity to cement their leadership of qualifying Group A during the same period.

Cretics by Victor Ikpeba: Keshi has lost it.

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The former African player of the year has criticized the Big Boss for his selection ahead of the crunch qualifiers against Sudan this month
Former Nigeria forward Victor Ikpeba has lashed out at coach Stephen Keshi over his decision to call up ‘rookies’ for the must-win pair of 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan this month.

Victor Ikpeba

The Super Eagles, reigning African champions, could miss out on defending their title in Morocco if they fail to win both matches after starting on a wrong footing last month.

Nigeria lost 3-2 to Congo in Calabar before pulling a listless goalless draw in Cape Town against South Africa and sit third on the table with a single point out of a possible six.

While the out-of-contract Keshi insists he is still building a good squad by handing fresh call ups to several new players, Ikpeba has raised the alarm over the possibility of the country missing out on qualifying due to the Big Boss’ self-serving posturing.

As part of his 24-man squad for the double-header against Sudan, Keshi called up Aaron Samuel of Guangzhou R&F in China, Emmanuel Sunday on SV ScholzGrodig, Austria, Anyora Ugonna of Haugesund FC, Norway and Hope Akpan of Reading FC, England. The 52-year-old has ignored more experienced campaigners Ikechukwu Uche of Villareal, Obafemi Martins of Seattle Sounders and new kid on the block Kelechi Iheanacho of Manchester City.

“For how long will Keshi build the Eagles,” Ikpeba who won the African Player of the Year award in 1997 asked in a Vanguard interview.

“He has been building this team since 2012 and still wants to continue building in 2014. No. What type of builder is he? His success in South Africa where he won the Nations Cup was a collective effort.

“He has placed us on the hard corner of qualification for the Nations Cup in Morocco. While Nigerians are gritting about their chances, he has invited rookies for the must win matches against Sudan. Keshi needs to ask himself questions. He should be a critic unto himself.

“He is either blaming the players or attacking even ex-internationals who criticize him.

"He has invited rookies to the national team. He is busy excluding the best players because of his personal interest. My brother, Keshi has lost it,” Ikpeba said.

The fate of the coach who led Nigeria to their third African title in 2013 will largely be determined by his side's performance over the two legs with Sudan as the new Nigeria Football Federation board takes charge.

Nigeria will travel to Khartoum to play the first leg on October 11 before returning to Abuja for their first match there since 2011 on October 15.

Congo will take on South Africa for an opportunity to cement their leadership of qualifying Group A during the same period.

Nigerian Force React On New Shekau Video.

The Nigerian military has reacted to a new video purportedly released by “Abubakar Shekau” wherein he tried to debunk his killing during a battle in Konduga on September 17.

In it, military authorities insist that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau was actually eliminated as corroborated by still photographs, video evidence and surrendering and captured terrorists.

Purported new video of Abubakar Shekau

The reaction was contained in a short statement posted on defence information blog defenceinfo.mil.ng.

But independent investigations by PRNigeria reveals the anger by the military hierarchy at the propensity of some news media especially foreign based ones to fall for the antics of Boko Haram propaganda.

This is because in view of glaring evidences shown in still and video photographs coupled with oral testimonies of surrendering and captured terrorists, some media outfits still help in the spread of propaganda that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau is still alive.

A top source in Abuja told PRNigeria that the new video purportedly released by “Abubakar Shekau” was still being carefully studied but urged Nigerians to continue to have confidence in the ability of their military to contain terrorism in parts of the country but keep strict vigilance on their environment so as to report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.

The reaction of Defence Headquarters titled The Purported Shekau Video in Circulation is as follows:

“The Defence Headquarters is studying the claims made in the video purportedly released by the terrorists showing their leader Abubakar Shekau as dismissing his death. From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date. The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.

“It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed. It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.

“As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September. The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death."

While still conducting thorough investigation into the new claims in the purprted video, the military promised that justice will be served to whoever bears that name or designation and whoever engages in act.

Nigerian Force React On New Shekau Video.

Posted by Sylvester No comments

The Nigerian military has reacted to a new video purportedly released by “Abubakar Shekau” wherein he tried to debunk his killing during a battle in Konduga on September 17.

In it, military authorities insist that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau was actually eliminated as corroborated by still photographs, video evidence and surrendering and captured terrorists.

Purported new video of Abubakar Shekau

The reaction was contained in a short statement posted on defence information blog defenceinfo.mil.ng.

But independent investigations by PRNigeria reveals the anger by the military hierarchy at the propensity of some news media especially foreign based ones to fall for the antics of Boko Haram propaganda.

This is because in view of glaring evidences shown in still and video photographs coupled with oral testimonies of surrendering and captured terrorists, some media outfits still help in the spread of propaganda that Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau is still alive.

A top source in Abuja told PRNigeria that the new video purportedly released by “Abubakar Shekau” was still being carefully studied but urged Nigerians to continue to have confidence in the ability of their military to contain terrorism in parts of the country but keep strict vigilance on their environment so as to report suspicious activities to appropriate authorities.

The reaction of Defence Headquarters titled The Purported Shekau Video in Circulation is as follows:

“The Defence Headquarters is studying the claims made in the video purportedly released by the terrorists showing their leader Abubakar Shekau as dismissing his death. From immediate observation and what some online news outlets claimed to have seen, the video did not indicate when it was shot neither did it show any proof of life or currency such as screen time or date. The video also did not make any reference to anything that has happened since the impostor’s reported death.

“It is also noteworthy that the air plane said to be mentioned in the video had been missing before he was killed. It should not surprise anybody if the terrorists decide to manipulate pictures, clone another Shekau or upload a pre-recorded video all in a bid to prove invincible.

“As far as we are concerned, the individual who was appearing in video and claiming to be the leader of the terrorist group was killed in the Kondunga battle in September. The resemblance of the corpse and that of the eccentric character was incontrovertible. His identity was equally corroborated by people who knew him before we announced his death."

While still conducting thorough investigation into the new claims in the purprted video, the military promised that justice will be served to whoever bears that name or designation and whoever engages in act.

New Video In Which Shekau Appears Claiming He Is Still Alive

BOKO Haram has released a new 36-minute Youtube video in which its leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau appears denying that he was killed by the Nigerian Army in Borno State earlier this month.
After a fierce battle between the Nigerian Army and Boko Haram  in Kodunga in Borno State on September 17, military authorities said they had killed Shekau. Pictures were released of a man resembling him and  it was reported that over 200 terrorists were also killed and a lot of their equipment, including a tank, armoured personnel carriers, surface-to-air missiles, rocket launchers, multi-purpose machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition were seized.

However, earlier today, Sheikh Shekau appeared to be the one speaking in a video in which he dismissed the talk of his death as government propaganda. He went on to add that Boko Haram has implemented strict Islamic law in the towns it has captured .

Sheikh Shekau said: "Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath."

Security analysts and the US had questioned the credibility of the military's claim that Shekau was dead and this new video will be thoroughly examined to see if it is indeed him in it. In the video, Shekau appears in combat fatigues and black rubber boots, standing on the back of a pick-up truck and firing an anti-aircraft gun into the air.

Standing in front of three camouflaged vans and flanked by four heavily armed, masked fighters, he then speaks for 16 minutes in Arabic and Hausa. There was no indication of where or when the video was shot but Shekau appeared heavily bearded in it, as he did in previous clips.

"Nothing will kill me until my days are over, I'm still alive. Some people asked you if Shekau has two souls, no, I have one soul, by Allah.

"I'm the Islamic student whose seminary you burnt. I'm not dead," Shekau added.

There have been two previous claims by Nigeria's security forces that Shekau was dead, once in 2009 during unrest in Maiduguri and again in 2013. Following each previous claim Boko Haram has issued denials in video messages.

Elsewhere in the new video, Boko Haram also claimed to have shot down a Nigerian Air Force jet that went missing nearly three weeks ago. However, air force spokesman Air Commodore Dele Alonge said the jet was missing and claims it had been shot down were just propaganda.

BOKO Haram has released a new 36-minute Youtube video in which its leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau appears denying that he was killed by the Nigerian Army in Borno State earlier this month.

After a fierce battle between the Nigerian Army and Boko Haram  in Kodunga in Borno State on September 17, military authorities said they had killed Shekau. Pictures were released of a man resembling him and  it was reported that over 200 terrorists were also killed and a lot of their equipment, including a tank, armoured personnel carriers, surface-to-air missiles, rocket launchers, multi-purpose machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition were seized.

However, earlier today, Sheikh Shekau appeared to be the one speaking in a video in which he dismissed the talk of his death as government propaganda. He went on to add that Boko Haram has implemented strict Islamic law in the towns it has captured .

Sheikh Shekau said: "Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath."

Security analysts and the US had questioned the credibility of the military's claim that Shekau was dead and this new video will be thoroughly examined to see if it is indeed him in it. In the video, Shekau appears in combat fatigues and black rubber boots, standing on the back of a pick-up truck and firing an anti-aircraft gun into the air.

Standing in front of three camouflaged vans and flanked by four heavily armed, masked fighters, he then speaks for 16 minutes in Arabic and Hausa. There was no indication of where or when the video was shot but Shekau appeared heavily bearded in it, as he did in previous clips.

"Nothing will kill me until my days are over, I'm still alive. Some people asked you if Shekau has two souls, no, I have one soul, by Allah.

"I'm the Islamic student whose seminary you burnt. I'm not dead," Shekau added.

There have been two previous claims by Nigeria's security forces that Shekau was dead, once in 2009 during unrest in Maiduguri and again in 2013. Following each previous claim Boko Haram has issued denials in video messages.

Elsewhere in the new video, Boko Haram also claimed to have shot down a Nigerian Air Force jet that went missing nearly three weeks ago. However, air force spokesman Air Commodore Dele Alonge said the jet was missing and claims it had been shot down were just propaganda.
- See more at: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/5441-boko-haram-issues-new-video-in-which-shekau-appears-claiming-he-is-still-alive-#sthash.9P3CHvHf.0uksmFjR.dpuf

New Video In Which Shekau Appears Claiming He Is Still Alive

Posted by Sylvester No comments

BOKO Haram has released a new 36-minute Youtube video in which its leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau appears denying that he was killed by the Nigerian Army in Borno State earlier this month.
After a fierce battle between the Nigerian Army and Boko Haram  in Kodunga in Borno State on September 17, military authorities said they had killed Shekau. Pictures were released of a man resembling him and  it was reported that over 200 terrorists were also killed and a lot of their equipment, including a tank, armoured personnel carriers, surface-to-air missiles, rocket launchers, multi-purpose machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition were seized.

However, earlier today, Sheikh Shekau appeared to be the one speaking in a video in which he dismissed the talk of his death as government propaganda. He went on to add that Boko Haram has implemented strict Islamic law in the towns it has captured .

Sheikh Shekau said: "Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath."

Security analysts and the US had questioned the credibility of the military's claim that Shekau was dead and this new video will be thoroughly examined to see if it is indeed him in it. In the video, Shekau appears in combat fatigues and black rubber boots, standing on the back of a pick-up truck and firing an anti-aircraft gun into the air.

Standing in front of three camouflaged vans and flanked by four heavily armed, masked fighters, he then speaks for 16 minutes in Arabic and Hausa. There was no indication of where or when the video was shot but Shekau appeared heavily bearded in it, as he did in previous clips.

"Nothing will kill me until my days are over, I'm still alive. Some people asked you if Shekau has two souls, no, I have one soul, by Allah.

"I'm the Islamic student whose seminary you burnt. I'm not dead," Shekau added.

There have been two previous claims by Nigeria's security forces that Shekau was dead, once in 2009 during unrest in Maiduguri and again in 2013. Following each previous claim Boko Haram has issued denials in video messages.

Elsewhere in the new video, Boko Haram also claimed to have shot down a Nigerian Air Force jet that went missing nearly three weeks ago. However, air force spokesman Air Commodore Dele Alonge said the jet was missing and claims it had been shot down were just propaganda.

BOKO Haram has released a new 36-minute Youtube video in which its leader Sheikh Abubakar Shekau appears denying that he was killed by the Nigerian Army in Borno State earlier this month.

After a fierce battle between the Nigerian Army and Boko Haram  in Kodunga in Borno State on September 17, military authorities said they had killed Shekau. Pictures were released of a man resembling him and  it was reported that over 200 terrorists were also killed and a lot of their equipment, including a tank, armoured personnel carriers, surface-to-air missiles, rocket launchers, multi-purpose machine guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition were seized.

However, earlier today, Sheikh Shekau appeared to be the one speaking in a video in which he dismissed the talk of his death as government propaganda. He went on to add that Boko Haram has implemented strict Islamic law in the towns it has captured .

Sheikh Shekau said: "Here I am, alive. I will only die the day Allah takes my breath."

Security analysts and the US had questioned the credibility of the military's claim that Shekau was dead and this new video will be thoroughly examined to see if it is indeed him in it. In the video, Shekau appears in combat fatigues and black rubber boots, standing on the back of a pick-up truck and firing an anti-aircraft gun into the air.

Standing in front of three camouflaged vans and flanked by four heavily armed, masked fighters, he then speaks for 16 minutes in Arabic and Hausa. There was no indication of where or when the video was shot but Shekau appeared heavily bearded in it, as he did in previous clips.

"Nothing will kill me until my days are over, I'm still alive. Some people asked you if Shekau has two souls, no, I have one soul, by Allah.

"I'm the Islamic student whose seminary you burnt. I'm not dead," Shekau added.

There have been two previous claims by Nigeria's security forces that Shekau was dead, once in 2009 during unrest in Maiduguri and again in 2013. Following each previous claim Boko Haram has issued denials in video messages.

Elsewhere in the new video, Boko Haram also claimed to have shot down a Nigerian Air Force jet that went missing nearly three weeks ago. However, air force spokesman Air Commodore Dele Alonge said the jet was missing and claims it had been shot down were just propaganda.
- See more at: http://www.nigerianwatch.com/news/5441-boko-haram-issues-new-video-in-which-shekau-appears-claiming-he-is-still-alive-#sthash.9P3CHvHf.0uksmFjR.dpuf

United State Confirms First Ebola Virus Case

A traveler from Liberia to the United States has been officially diagnosed with Ebola, the United States Center For Disease Control and Prevention said today.

The individual is said to have left Liberia on the 19th of the month and arrived a day later, with no symptoms.

Some days later the patient began to show signs of the virus, prompting hospitalization and quarantine Sunday at a Texas, US, hospital.

United State Confirms First Ebola Virus Case

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A traveler from Liberia to the United States has been officially diagnosed with Ebola, the United States Center For Disease Control and Prevention said today.

The individual is said to have left Liberia on the 19th of the month and arrived a day later, with no symptoms.

Some days later the patient began to show signs of the virus, prompting hospitalization and quarantine Sunday at a Texas, US, hospital.