Blondie plans star guests for new album…Read full details

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(FILES) This file photo taken on August 11, 2016 shows singer Debbie Harry arrives for the premiere of "The Get Down" at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in Bronx, New York. New Wave pioneers Blondie on February 1, 2017 announced a new album that will bring in stars from across generations including Sia and Joan Jett. Entitled "Pollinator," the album will come out on May 5 and mark the first release in three years by the New York band fronted by 71-year-old Debbie Harry. The band released the album's first track, "Fun," which harks back to the disco era but with more contemporary electronic beats.<br />ANGELA WEISS / AFP

New Wave pioneers Blondie on Wednesday announced a new album that will bring in stars from across generations including Sia and Joan Jett.

Entitled “Pollinator,” the album will come out on May 5 and mark the first release in three years by the New York band fronted by 71-year-old Debbie Harry. The band released the album’s first track, “Fun,” which harks back to the disco era but with more contemporary electronic beats.

Blondie, which also features guitarist and co-writer Chris Stein, teamed up for the album with a diverse range of artists including groundbreaking female hard rocker Jett, prolific pop songwriter Sia and young electropop star Charli XCX.

Guitar collaborators include Johnny Marr of The Smiths, the defining 1980s alternative band highly influenced by Blondie, and Nick Valensi of The Strokes, which led a revival of New York post-punk in the 2000s.

The album also features the experimental rock composer Laurie Anderson and is produced by John Congleton, who has worked with some of the most critically acclaimed names in contemporary rock, including Sigur Ros and St. Vincent.

Blondie was at the forefront of the New Wave scene that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, expanding the energy of punk rock to bring in elements of dance music and reggae.

Harry pursued a solo career through much of the 1980s and 1990s before Blondie returned.

Blondie — whose best-known songs include “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me” and “One Way or Another” — plans a global tour in 2017 starting with Australia and New Zealand in April.

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Blondie plans star guests for new album

http://ift.tt/2kjzeCo

(FILES) This file photo taken on August 11, 2016 shows singer Debbie Harry arrives for the premiere of "The Get Down" at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in Bronx, New York. New Wave pioneers Blondie on February 1, 2017 announced a new album that will bring in stars from across generations including Sia and Joan Jett. Entitled "Pollinator," the album will come out on May 5 and mark the first release in three years by the New York band fronted by 71-year-old Debbie Harry. The band released the album's first track, "Fun," which harks back to the disco era but with more contemporary electronic beats.<br />ANGELA WEISS / AFP

New Wave pioneers Blondie on Wednesday announced a new album that will bring in stars from across generations including Sia and Joan Jett.

Entitled “Pollinator,” the album will come out on May 5 and mark the first release in three years by the New York band fronted by 71-year-old Debbie Harry. The band released the album’s first track, “Fun,” which harks back to the disco era but with more contemporary electronic beats.

Blondie, which also features guitarist and co-writer Chris Stein, teamed up for the album with a diverse range of artists including groundbreaking female hard rocker Jett, prolific pop songwriter Sia and young electropop star Charli XCX.

Guitar collaborators include Johnny Marr of The Smiths, the defining 1980s alternative band highly influenced by Blondie, and Nick Valensi of The Strokes, which led a revival of New York post-punk in the 2000s.

The album also features the experimental rock composer Laurie Anderson and is produced by John Congleton, who has worked with some of the most critically acclaimed names in contemporary rock, including Sigur Ros and St. Vincent.

Blondie was at the forefront of the New Wave scene that emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, expanding the energy of punk rock to bring in elements of dance music and reggae.

Harry pursued a solo career through much of the 1980s and 1990s before Blondie returned.

Blondie — whose best-known songs include “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me” and “One Way or Another” — plans a global tour in 2017 starting with Australia and New Zealand in April.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kjEhD8

Beyonce takes over internet with twins news…Read full details

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(FILES) This November 4, 2016 file photo shows Beyonce and and Jay Z perform on stage during a Get Out The Vote concert in support of Hillary Clinton at Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Pop superstar Beyonce announced February 1, 2017, that she is pregnant — this time with twins.Beyonce — who already has a five-year-old daughter with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z — showed a picture of herself on Instagram in lingerie, her arms cradling her rounded belly."We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over," Beyonce wrote."We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for all your well wishes," she wrote, signing with Jay Z.<br />Duane PROKOP / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Beyonce is pregnant — and this time, she’s expecting twins with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z.

The pop superstar — who already has a five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, with Jay Z — announced the news to her more than 92 million followers on Instagram on Wednesday.

Clad in panties and a bra under a flowing veil, Beyonce posted a picture of herself kneeling beside a human-size floral arrangement, her hands cradling her rounded belly.

“We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over,” the 35-year-old singer wrote. “We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for all your well wishes,” she added, signing with Jay Z.

In a timeline sure to trigger intrigue, Beyonce announced the pregnancy a little more than nine months after her last album “Lemonade” — in which she strongly hinted that Jay Z was unfaithful.

Beyonce released “Lemonade,” an album intertwined with a film, on April 23. One lyric warns an unfaithful man of a “final warning” that he’s “gonna lose your wife” if his behavior doesn’t change.

A sullen Jay Z appears at the end of the film to embrace her, suggesting reconciliation.

“Lemonade” is in the running for album of the year at the Grammy Awards on February 12, where Beyonce leads the nominations.

Her baby bump will presumably be even more evident two months later, when she is set for the first time to headline Coachella, the two-weekend festival in southern California that is among the world’s premier live music events.

– Previous miscarriage –
Typically reserved, Beyonce has openly spoken about the pain of a miscarriage before she gave birth to Blue Ivy, saying the heartbeat she had heard during her first pregnancy was “the most beautiful music I ever heard in my life.”

News of the twins prompted an avalanche of postings on social media — which included a guessing game on the children’s names.

Twitter reported half a million tweets on Beyonce within the first 45 minutes as she became the world’s top trending item.

“When Beyonce is pregnant I am pregnant,” the popular YouTube comedian Tre Melvin tweeted, calling the news a “marvelous start” to February, marked in the United States as Black History Month.

Several of Beyonce’s fans — presumably critics of new US President Donald Trump — declared the announcement the happiest development so far of 2017.

Some fans imagined the prospect of a new Jackson-style musical family, with Blue Ivy as the big sister and guide to the twins.

Beyonce was a music prodigy herself when she was growing up in Houston. Then known as Beyonce Knowles, she started her career as the teenage lead singer of Destiny’s Child.

She and Jay Z are among the most commercially successful figures in music, with a combined net worth estimated at $1 billion.

While enjoying a wide following, Beyonce has increasingly felt comfortable showing her political side. She and Jay Z hit the trail for Hillary Clinton in her unsuccessful campaign against Trump last year.

The first single on “Lemonade,” the bouncy New Orleans-inspired track “Formation,” was accompanied by a video that throws support behind the Black Lives Matter campaign against police brutality.

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Senate to allow Magu defend EFCC budget

FRSC sanctions commercial drivers over speed limit device

Assembly crisis: Hoodlums stop Ondo budget presentation

Beyonce takes over internet with twins news

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(FILES) This November 4, 2016 file photo shows Beyonce and and Jay Z perform on stage during a Get Out The Vote concert in support of Hillary Clinton at Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Pop superstar Beyonce announced February 1, 2017, that she is pregnant — this time with twins.Beyonce — who already has a five-year-old daughter with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z — showed a picture of herself on Instagram in lingerie, her arms cradling her rounded belly."We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over," Beyonce wrote."We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for all your well wishes," she wrote, signing with Jay Z.<br />Duane PROKOP / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Beyonce is pregnant — and this time, she’s expecting twins with her husband, rap mogul Jay Z.

The pop superstar — who already has a five-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, with Jay Z — announced the news to her more than 92 million followers on Instagram on Wednesday.

Clad in panties and a bra under a flowing veil, Beyonce posted a picture of herself kneeling beside a human-size floral arrangement, her hands cradling her rounded belly.

“We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over,” the 35-year-old singer wrote. “We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for all your well wishes,” she added, signing with Jay Z.

In a timeline sure to trigger intrigue, Beyonce announced the pregnancy a little more than nine months after her last album “Lemonade” — in which she strongly hinted that Jay Z was unfaithful.

Beyonce released “Lemonade,” an album intertwined with a film, on April 23. One lyric warns an unfaithful man of a “final warning” that he’s “gonna lose your wife” if his behavior doesn’t change.

A sullen Jay Z appears at the end of the film to embrace her, suggesting reconciliation.

“Lemonade” is in the running for album of the year at the Grammy Awards on February 12, where Beyonce leads the nominations.

Her baby bump will presumably be even more evident two months later, when she is set for the first time to headline Coachella, the two-weekend festival in southern California that is among the world’s premier live music events.

– Previous miscarriage –
Typically reserved, Beyonce has openly spoken about the pain of a miscarriage before she gave birth to Blue Ivy, saying the heartbeat she had heard during her first pregnancy was “the most beautiful music I ever heard in my life.”

News of the twins prompted an avalanche of postings on social media — which included a guessing game on the children’s names.

Twitter reported half a million tweets on Beyonce within the first 45 minutes as she became the world’s top trending item.

“When Beyonce is pregnant I am pregnant,” the popular YouTube comedian Tre Melvin tweeted, calling the news a “marvelous start” to February, marked in the United States as Black History Month.

Several of Beyonce’s fans — presumably critics of new US President Donald Trump — declared the announcement the happiest development so far of 2017.

Some fans imagined the prospect of a new Jackson-style musical family, with Blue Ivy as the big sister and guide to the twins.

Beyonce was a music prodigy herself when she was growing up in Houston. Then known as Beyonce Knowles, she started her career as the teenage lead singer of Destiny’s Child.

She and Jay Z are among the most commercially successful figures in music, with a combined net worth estimated at $1 billion.

While enjoying a wide following, Beyonce has increasingly felt comfortable showing her political side. She and Jay Z hit the trail for Hillary Clinton in her unsuccessful campaign against Trump last year.

The first single on “Lemonade,” the bouncy New Orleans-inspired track “Formation,” was accompanied by a video that throws support behind the Black Lives Matter campaign against police brutality.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2kYeQG7

Non-stick chemicals common in fast food packaging

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(FILES) This file photo taken on August 19, 2009 shows a fast food hamburger in Washington, DC. Burgers, fries, tacos and pastries come wrapped in grease-proof paper and boxes that often contain non-stick chemicals that may be able to leach into food, US researchers said February 1, 2017. The study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters tested more than 400 samples from 27 fast food chains in the United States. Almost half of paper wrappers and 20 percent of paperboard samples — such as boxes for fries and pizza — contained fluorine, a marker for highly fluorinated chemicals used in stain-resistant carpets, non-stick cookware and waterproof outdoor apparel.<br />Paul J. Richards / AFP

Burgers, fries, tacos and pastries come wrapped in grease-proof paper and boxes that often contain non-stick chemicals that may be able to leach into food, US researchers said Wednesday. The study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters tested more than 400 samples from 27 fast food chains in the United States.

Almost half of paper wrappers and 20 percent of paperboard samples — such as boxes for fries and pizza — contained fluorine, a marker for highly fluorinated chemicals used in stain-resistant carpets, non-stick cookware and waterproof outdoor apparel.

“Wrappers for Tex-Mex food, desserts and breads were the most likely to contain fluorine,” said the report. The study did not show any specific harm to human health from exposure to these chemicals — known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) — in food wrappers.

But researchers warned that exposure to some PFASs has been associated with cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, low birth weight, and decreased fertility according to prior studies.

“These chemicals have been linked with numerous health problems, so it’s concerning that people are potentially exposed to them in food,” said lead author Laurel Schaider, an environmental chemist at the Silent Spring Institute.

“Children are especially at risk for health effects because their developing bodies are more vulnerable to toxic chemicals.”

Six of the samples contained a long-chain PFAS called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), also known as C8, even though several major US manufacturers agreed to stopping using C8 compounds in food packaging due to health hazards, after a 2011 US Food and Drug Administration review.

Researchers also detected some shorter-chain PFAS compounds, which have been increasingly used as replacements for the longer chain PFASs.

“The replacement compounds are equally persistent and have not been shown to be safe for human health,” said co-author Arlene Blum, founder of the Green Science Policy Institute.

“That’s why we need to reduce the use of the entire class of highly fluorinated compounds. The good news is there are non-fluorinated alternatives available.” About one in three American kids eat fast food every day.

The United States began phasing out certain PFASs in 2000, but other countries still produce them, and they tend to linger in the environment for long periods after being discarded in landfills.

Prior studies have shown that substances in food packaging can migrate into food.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2jFD6M1

Gabon 2017: El Hadary takes Egypt into Cup of Nations final…See full details

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Burkina Faso's goalkeeper Herve Kouakou Koffi (C) is consoled as he cries at the end of the penalty shootout of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Burkina Faso and Egypt at the Stade de l'Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on February 1, 2017.
GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

Egypt's goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary (C) celebrates with teammates at the end of the penalty shootout of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Burkina Faso and Egypt at the Stade de l'Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on February 1, 2017.
GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

Veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary’s save from Bertrand Traore’s spot-kick allowed Egypt to beat Burkina Faso 4-3 on penalties on Wednesday as they secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations final.

A tense semi-final in Libreville had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, with Mohamed Salah’s superb 66th-minute opener for the Egyptians quickly cancelled out by Aristide Bance for Burkina Faso.

That goal was the first conceded by El Hadary in 653 minutes at the Cup of Nations going back to 2010.

Abdallah El Said missed Egypt’s first penalty in the shoot-out but El Hadary kept the Pharaohs in it when he saved from opposing goalkeeper Herve Koffi, and the 44-year-old veteran then denied Traore from the last kick.

For Egypt, the record seven-time champions of Africa, the win completes a remarkable journey all the way to the final in their first appearance at the tournament after a seven-year absence.

They will play Cameroon or Ghana in Gabon’s capital on Sunday as they look to reclaim a trophy they had won three times in a row between 2006 and 2010 before their fall from grace.

Cameroon and Ghana meet in Franceville in the second semi-final on Thursday. “They were better than us and had several chances that they didn’t take,” admitted Egypt’s Argentine coach Hector Cuper.

“We were very tired and our wish was to go to penalties because then anything can happen. We are delighted to be in the final.”

At a Stade de l’Amitie that was once again a long way from being full, Burkina Faso enjoyed the better of the game for long spells but came up against an Egypt side transformed under Cuper.

The Pharaohs had not conceded a goal at this Cup of Nations coming into this last-four tie, with a well organised defence complemented by the extraordinary El Hadary, comfortably the oldest player ever to appear at the Cup of Nations.

Without the injured Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny, Egypt handed a start to Mahmoud Kahraba, who had come on to get the winner in the quarter-final against Morocco, while Bance came into the Burkina Faso starting line-up.

With him leading the line the Stallions were the better side in the first half and El Hadary had to save from Blati Toure while the impressive Prejuce Nakoulma sent a rising effort over the bar.

Trezeguet and Kahraba both threatened Koffi’s goal as the first half ended goalless, while El Hadary batted away another free-kick from Traore after the restart as he continued to frustrate Burkina Faso.

And it looked set to be another classic smash and grab act from the Egyptians as they opened the scoring just before the midway point in the second half.

After some patient build-up play, Ahmed Elmohamady’s ball into the box found Kahraba, who controlled and laid it off for Roma winger Salah to blast a first-time strike high into the net.

Yet Burkina Faso kept going and the Egypt defence was breached for the first time at this Cup of Nations thanks to giant striker Bance.

Steeve Yago’s backheel found Charles Kabore and the captain’s flighted ball was controlled and smashed home from close range in one lighting-fast action by Bance, ending El Hadary’s remarkable record of invincibility at the tournament at just short of 11 hours.

El Hadary then needed to be alert to tip over from substitute Banou Diawara in stoppage time, ensuring the game went to the extra period and then penalties.

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Police ban hip-pop artiste, Tuface, from protesting in Lagos (Read full details)

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Tuface

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Fatai Owoseni, has disclosed that popular hip-hop star, Innocent Idibia, also known as Tuface, would not be allowed to embark on any protest in the metropolis.

The artiste recently announced his plan on his Instagram page, stating that he intends to lead a nationwide protest on February 5. Tuface said he would lead the protest against the Federal Government’s handling of the economy among other issues.

Owoseni said the police command was not ready for that kind of demonstration. He stated that the police have received an intelligence report that criminals were planning to hijack the process to wreak havoc on Lagos.

According to him, no matter how good an intention is, hoodlums would always find a way to harass, rob and attack innocent members of the public who may wish to go about their lawful duties.

“We know that Tuface does not have the capacity to contain such a crowd and we will not fold our hands and watch while things go out of hand,” he stressed.

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FG approves new national tax policy, sets up panel on rising food prices (Read full details)

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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new National Tax Policy for the country. The policy is expected to guide the operation and review of the nation’s tax system and provide the basis for future tax legislation and administration.

• Okays upgrade of facilities in 21 airports

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new National Tax Policy for the country. The policy is expected to guide the operation and review of the nation’s tax system and provide the basis for future tax legislation and administration.
‎
The council has also set up an inter ministerial task force to urgently consider measures that would ensure a steady flow of produce to the market and reverse the rising food prices across Nigeria.

Members of the task force include the Ministers of Agriculture & Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, Finance: Kemi Adeosun, Industry, Trade & Development: Okey Enelamah, Transportation: Rotimi Amaechi, Water Resources: Suleiman Adamu, Labour and Employment: Dr. Chris Ngige.

The offices of the Chief of Staff to the President and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, would also be on the task force.

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo had during the council meeting yesterday expressed concern at the rising inflationary rate of food prices, noting that the task force would explore options to promote availability and affordability of food items to Nigerians.

Adeosun, who briefed State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting presided by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday, said the implementation of the policy would effect an increment in Value Added Tax (VAT) on all luxury goods.

With the implementation of the policy, which begins immediately, the ministry of finance working with other relevant agencies of government including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) would liaise with the National Assembly to effect changes in the existing tax policy.
‎
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while also briefing newsmen said the committee hopefully is expected to report back to council next week and concrete actions would be taken.

FEC also approved the upgrade of facilities in 21 airports across the country. Minister of State Transport (Aviation) Hadith Sirika said the project would include total radar coverage system, automation and pilots briefing rooms all that were tampered with during renovation projects.

The 21 airports include Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Jos, Yola, Calabar, Enugu, Owerri, Kaduna, Benin, Osubi-Warri, Katinsa, Zaira, Minna, Bauchi, Ibadan and Akure.

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Group demands impeachment of Saraki, Dogara, others over alleged rent fraud (Read full details)

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Saraki and Dogara

• Allegation baseless, aides say

Citing alleged fraudulent involvement in a rent scam, a civil society organisation, Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and some principal officials of the National Assembly.

While briefing the media in Abuja yesterday, the co-convener of the group, Ibrahim Garba Wale, threatened to mobilise Nigerians to occupy the National Assembly if the officials indicted fail to step aside.

Apart from the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, other officials listed by the group included their deputies, Ike Ekweremadu and Yusuf Suleiman Lasun.

The group recently accused the four principal officials of the Assembly of abuse of office in a N630 million fraud through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) under the guise of renting and renovating their official residences.

Despite the rebuttal of the allegations by the aides to the officials, the group said it had evidence that they secretly collected the sum of N150 billion and N120 billion as First Line Charge budget for the National Assembly in the first and second year of the current administration without the knowledge of the members.

However, the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuf Olaniyonu denied the claim by the group. According to him, “There is no truth in the allegation. In fact, during the preparation of the budget, the Senate President and the Speaker directed the FCDA to remove the N10 billion voted for the construction of their official residence to save cost. The current leadership of the National Assembly will not be part of any illegal payment to anybody.”

Also, the Special Assistant on Media to Dogara, Turaki Hassan described the allegations as spurious. He said the principal officials by their positions were entitled to official accommodation according to the constitution, just like other key state officials who are covered by the government’s monetisation policy.

“Presiding officers of the National Assembly are entitled to official accommodation which is provided by the FCDA as host of the National Assembly. The same is applicable to the President, Vice President and the Chief Justice of Nigeria because their offices were not covered by the monetisation policy.”

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Ambode okays death penalty for kidnappers (Read full details)

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<br />The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday signed into law, the bill prescribing death penalty for kidnappers

• Signs Sports Commission, Trust Fund Bills

The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday signed into law, the bill prescribing death penalty for kidnappers. While the law stipulated death sentence for kidnappers whose victim dies in their custody, it prescribed life imprisonment for those who kidnap for ransom.

The governor expressed the hope that the law would eradicate kidnapping and prevent security breaches in schools. While promising to fully implement the law, he said kidnapping had become a major threat in the state, which deserves to be decisively tackled.

Ambode urged stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that kidnapping is eradicated in the state. He said: “Security is of utmost importance to our administration and we are confident that this law would serve as a deterrent to anybody who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of the state.

“While the law would address the challenges posed by kidnapping and punish the criminals, we would also put appropriate measures in place to prevent security breaches.”

Also signed into law were the state Sports Commission and Sports Trust Fund Bills. “The sports commission law gives legal backing to the formulation and implementation of sports policies in the state while the sports trust fund enables government to raise money for the development of sporting facilities and activities.

“As provided for in the law, a board of trustees comprising all stakeholders in the sports community would be inaugurated soon to manage the fund. By these laws, we have restated our commitment to making Lagos the hub of sports in Nigeria,” he said.

While commending the leadership of the state House of Assembly for its support, he explained: “These laws were enacted to address the key issues bordering on security and effectively harnessing the potentials in the sports sector.”

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FG’s request for secret trial of Dasuki is undemocratic, says Fayose (Read full details)

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Former national security adviser (NSA), retired Col. Sambo Dasuki<br />PHOTO: NAN

Fayemi slams N3b libel suit against gov’s aides

Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has described the Federal Government’s attempt to secretly try the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, by using mask-wearing prosecution witnesses as satanic and mockery of democracy.

He said, “It is becoming obvious that the All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government has something to hide on the travail of Col. Dasuki because if you were not afraid to call someone a thief in the market place, you should not be afraid to try such a person in the full glare of the public.”

The governor, who said Nigerians should ask the Federal Government why it was afraid of trying Dasuki openly, noted that; “Since names of the would-be prosecution witnesses have already been made public, what agenda is the government pursuing by insisting that its witnesses be given protection by the court by not allowing their names and addresses to be made public in the course of the trial.”

A statement yesterday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose challenged the Federal Government to allow live television coverage of the trial so that it can tell the entire world how Dasuki actually stole the $2.1 billion arms money and Dasuki would also defend himself in the full glare.

Meanwhile, former Governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is claiming N3 billion as damages in a libel suit against Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Governor Ayodele Fayose, Mr. Lere Olayinka and a member of Ekiti House of Assembly, Dr. Samuel Omotoso, over offensive statements made against him.

The minister’s action follows the failure of the defendants to retract the libelous statements and tender public apology as demanded by
his counsel, Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun, in a letter dated November 19, 2016.

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