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United States President Donald Trump says he would like to visit Nigeria and hailed efforts being made to improve the country. Trump said this on Monday at the White House while holding a joint conference with President Muhammadu Buhari after their bilateral meeting. The United States President had found himself in the eye of the storm earlier this year when he was accused of calling African nations “shithole countries”. Asked if he would consider visiting Nigeria, he said, “I would very much like to visit Nigeria. It is an amazing country and in certain ways, I hear from the standpoint of the beauty of a country, there is no country more beautiful.” Both President Buhari and Trump, however, said they did not discuss his reported use of vulgar language to describe African nations. President Buhari told journalists he kept quiet about it because he was not sure about the accuracy of the reports. “I am very careful with what the press says about others and myself. I am ...

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed the sale of Super Tucano aircraft by the US government to Nigeria. Trump said this on Monday when he both leaders were addressing a press conference after their meeting in the White House noting that the aircraft will improve Nigeria’s terrorism fight. “We are also helping our Nigerian partners by facilitating intelligence, cooperation and providing training and military equipment to Nigerian forces. For example, we recently sold Nigeria 12 US A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, great aircraft, in the first ever sale of American military equipment to Nigeria. This new aircraft will improve Nigeria’s ability to target terrorists and protect civilians,” he said. President Buhari had earlier come under criticism over purchase of the Turcano aircrafts with some Nigerian senators moving for his impeachment. The Senators during plenary, last week Thursday,   asked Senate President Bukola Saraki to invoke Section   143 of the c...

Lionel Messi scored a hat trick as Barcelona became La Liga champions for the seventh time in the past 10 years with a 4-2 defeat of Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor on Sunday. Depor were relegated for the first time since the 2012-13 season with the result. The Catalan club extended their league record unbeaten streak to 34 matches while securing the   Blaugrana 's second trophy of the season after lifting the Copa del Rey in stylish fashion earlier this month. The league title marks boss Ernesto Valverde's first as a manager and sees his side rise to an unassailable 11 points above second-placed Atletico Madrid with a game still in hand. And the party started after seven minutes when Philippe Coutinho sweetly stroked his shot across Deportivo goalkeeper Ruben and into the far corner from an Ousmane Dembele pass. Messi seemed to put the match away in the 38th minute but Lucas Perez answered two minutes later to give Barca something to think about during the...

Disgraced television icon Bill Cosby was convicted Thursday of sexual assault by a US jury — losing a years-long legal battle that was made tougher at retrial as the first celebrity trial of the #MeToo era. The frail and 80-year-old Cosby — once beloved as “America’s Dad” — could now spend the rest of his life behind bars when he is sentenced for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion in January 2004. Constand was in the packed courtroom in Norristown, just outside Philadelphia, as the verdict was read out to stifled sobs in the gallery. A criminal conviction and possible prison term is a devastating final chapter in the career of the once towering figure in late 20th-century American popular culture, the first black actor to grace primetime US television, who hit the big time after growing up as the son of a maid. The jury, which deliberated for more than 14 hours over two days, found him guilty on all three counts of aggravated indecent assaul...

Some senators have called for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari. The call follows the senate’s debate on the unapproved spending of $496 million by the federal government on the purchase of some fighter jets from the US government. Buhari had approved the withdrawal of the money from the excess crude account without the backing of the national assembly. He subsequently sent a letter to the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday, seeking their approval of the expenses — a move that angered that the lawmakers. At plenary on Thursday, some senators in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including Mathew Urhoghide and Chukwuka Utazi described the president’s action as an impeachable offence and called on their colleagues to commence an impeachment process again the president. The call for impeachment generated a mild drama in the red chamber with some lawmakers advising against the move.

Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi won a legal battle Thursday to register his name as a trademark to sell sports goods after an EU court ruled that he is too famous to be confused with other businesses. The Argentine star, the world’s highest-earning footballer, rode out a challenge by a Spanish cycling gear manufacturer called Massi, which had challenged his trademark on the grounds that it was too similar to its own. “Lionel Messi may register his trademark ‘MESSI’ for sports equipment and clothing,” said a ruling by the General Court of the European Union, the bloc’s second-highest court. “The football player’s fame counteracts the visual and phonetic similarities between his trademark and the trademark ‘MASSI’ belonging to a Spanish company,” the Luxembourg-based court said. The ruling caps a seven-year legal fight since the footballer first tried in 2011 to trademark his name with the EU’s intellectual property office. The boss of the Massi cycling goods company ...

Mohamed Salah scored two brilliant goals and set up two more as Liverpool beat Roma 5-2 in a remarkable Champions League semi-final first leg at Anfield on Tuesday. Salah’s stunning brace separated the sides at half-time, and the Egyptian created further goals for Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, with the latter then making it five. However, an Edin Dzeko goal and a late Diego Perotti penalty gave Roma some hope ahead of next Wednesday’s return. Details later…

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered that the rapper get bail. After being incarcerated since November 2017 for violating his probation, the Supreme Court has granted Meek Mill bail. In a statement to  Billboard , Meek said the following: “I’d like to thank God, my family, my friends, my attorneys, my team at Roc Nation including JAY-Z, Desiree Perez, my good friend Michael Rubin, my fans, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court and all my public advocates for their love, support and encouragement during this difficult time," began Meek. "While the past five months have been a nightmare, the prayers, visits, calls, letters and rallies have helped me stay positive. To the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, I’m grateful for your commitment to justice -- not only for my case, but for others that have been wrongfully jailed due to police misconduct," he continued. "Although I’m blessed to have the resources to fight this unjust situation, I understand that ma...

In the last three years, Kano State tops the list of the states with  the highest rate of drug addiction in the country. Codeine, a prescription pain medication used to treat mild or moderate pain is a drug which is abused by some youths in the state. It comes in tablet and syrup form and as the main ingredient in the prescription for cough suppressants. Statistics by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said despite its efforts to stem the trend in the bud, two million bottles of codeine syrup and thousands of kilograms of narcotics are being consumed daily in Kano State. The statistics also revealed that most of the drug users are young boys and girls between the age of 16 and 25 and they are linked to several crimes committed under the influence of drugs. How to end the menace has been a topic of discussion by industrial pharmacists of Nigeria, vigilante groups and members of police community in Kano State. Speaking with Channels Television, the Po...

Prince William’s wife Kate has given birth to a baby boy. Kate was admitted to hospital in London on Monday in the early stages of labour, Kensington Palace announced. She was accompanied by her husband, their Kensington Palace home said in a statement. The hospital is a mile (less than two kilometers) from the palace. “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was admitted to St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, London earlier this morning in the early stages of labour,” the statement said. “The Duchess travelled by car from Kensington Palace to the Lindo Wing at St. Mary’s Hospital with The Duke of Cambridge.” Royal fanatics have been camped outside the hospital wing for several days in anticipation. A night at the Lindo Wing costs £7,500 ($10,500, 8,550 euros), including a delivery package and two-room suite, excluding consultants’ fees. The baby will be the sixth great-grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II, who turned 92 on Saturday, and her husband Prince Philip. ...

The Senator representing Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye has been released from detention. The Senator was released after he was detained by officials of the immigration service at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to Morocco. He took to his Twitter page to confirm his arrest. I have just been arrested at the international wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport on my way to Morocco for an official engagement sponsored by the Federal Govt after checking in. — Senator Dino Melaye (@dino_melaye)  April 23, 2018 The police had on  April 3, warned the Senator to appear in court  ahead of his arraignment on May 10, 2018. He is to be arraigned on a case of conspiracy and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms already filed before a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State. Senator Melaye had earlier failed to honour the invitation and a court summon issued him by the Force on March 24. However, the Immigration officials allege t...

Men of the Nigeria Immigration Service have arrested the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye. Senator Melaye was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport Abuja on his way to Morocco. His arrest may not be unconnected to his refusal to report at the Force Headquarters in Kogi for questioning. Melaye took to Twitter to announce his arrest. Meanwhile, the police are yet to confirm the arrest.

Liverpool winger, Mohammed Salah, has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for the 2017/2018 season. Salah won the prize ahead of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who was the early season favourite to claim it. The other players nominated in the category included: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), David De Gea (Manchester United), Leroy Sane (Manchester City) and David Silva (Manchester City). Salah enjoyed a fine debut season at Liverpool, equalling a 38-game Premier League record held by Alan Shearer (95/96), Cristiano Ronaldo (07/08) and Luis Suarez (13/14), with his 31st goal of the season in their 2-2 draw at West Brom. The Egypt international will be hoping to end the campaign with a Champions League medal, with the Reds taking on his former club Roma in the semi-finals of the competition.

Miracle Ikechukwu Igbokwe has emerged the winner of Big Brother Nigeria #BBNaija, reality show. Miracle beats the one of the most controversial housemate, Cee-C to win the ultimate grand prize of N20million cash, a brand new SUV amongst other prizes. Miracle is a young pilot and also a model. Hip Hop Star, Davido thrilled the fans at the live eviction show as he sang his top songs LikeThat, FIA among others. Tagged Double Wahala the reality show came to an end amidst social media hype with increased campaigns for housemates. The last five housemates Tobi Bakre (Tobi), Asogwa Alexandra Amuche Sandra (Alex), Miracle Ikechukwu Igbokwe (Miracle), Chinonso Nina (Nina) and Cynthia Nwadiora (Cee-C) stand a chance at the ultimate grand prize of N20million cash and an SUV valued at N25million.

Nabi Tajima,  the World’s oldest person has died aged 117 the Associated Press reported. At 117, Tajima was older than modern-day Australia, and everyone else known to live on the planet. Tajima, born Aug. 4, 1900, in Araki, Japan, and recognised as the world’s oldest person, has passed on that mantle. She died Saturday, having been hospitalized since January and was the last known person born in the 19th century. She was living in the small island town of Kikai, the AP reported. The title of “world’s oldest living person” is a remarkable, if fleeting, one. Tajima claimed the distinction in September, when fellow 117-year-old Violet Brown died in Jamaica. Brown was the oldest person in the world for about five months. Tajima was in the exclusive group of supercentenarians, people who have crossed the 110-year threshold. The U.S.-based Gerontology Research Group, which tracks certified people who become supercentenarians, reports 36 ...

Several people have been killed and many others injured in a suicide attack at a mosque in Bama Local Government Council, Borno state. According to reports, two suicide bombers, a male and female between the ages of  13 and 14 invaded a mosque at about 5:15 am on Sunday morning around the Bama Dina area, when people were in the middle of prayers and detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). Most of the injured were adults (males)  who have been evacuated to the General Hospital in Maiduguri by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for treatment. Meanwhile, the area has been secured as the police IED team, military personnel and CJTF helped the evacuation process. Most of the victims are recently returned Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who have just been resettled by the Borno state government.

President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Nigeria from London where he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The President took off from London on Saturday afternoon and arrived at Abuja after 7 pm. President Buhari had travelled to London on April 9, shortly after declaring his intention to seek re-election at the All Progressives Congress’ National Executive Council Meeting in Abuja. While attending CHOGM, the President called for more investments in Nigeria, pointing out that boosting trade and investment are the surest way of getting millions out of poverty. He also called on Commonwealth heads of states to avoid trade warns, warning that it would hurt developmental efforts. The President, however, courted controversy during the event when he said, “More than 60 percent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil producing country, therefore, they should sit an...

The Europa League trophy was stolen after being displayed at a publicity event in Mexico, only to be recovered a few hours later, authorities in the state of Guanajuato said on Saturday. The trophy had been on display at the football stadium in the city of Leon on Friday night, only to be taken from a car after the event. “We recovered the Cup after receiving information that it had been stolen from the car transporting it,” said a post on the Twitter account of the Guanajuato public prosecutor, alongside a picture of the trophy in a case. No other information was given about who took the trophy, where it was found or whether any perpetrators had been identified. The event had been organised by one of European football governing body UEFA’s sponsors. AFP

At least 10 residents were killed when suspected armed herdsmen invaded Saghev Ward in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. The state government confirmed the attack and the casualty figure on Saturday in a statement by Mr Terver Akase, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Samuel Ortom. According to them, many innocent persons are feared killed during the attack which started on Friday night and lasted until the early hours of the next day. The communities affected by the invasion are Tse-Abi, Tse-Ginde, Tse-Peviv, Tse-Ikyo, Agenke and Gbenke. “Ten corpses have so far been recovered with many others injured. The armed herdsmen also burnt numerous houses, shops and other property in the area. “This mindless attack was unprovoked, and we urge security agencies to arrest the herdsmen behind the killings for prosecution,” the statement read. However, the police authorities in Benue have yet to issue any statement concerning the attack.

A alleged jilted suitor, Mr Muntari Idris, on Thursday appealed to a Sharia court at Magajin Gari in Kaduna State to help him to recover N68,000 he spent on his ex-fiancee. Idris, who resides at Kawo, told the court that he got engaged to Miss Ummahani Manji in 2016 and paid N25,000 to her guardian, Mr Abdullahi Tarazo, as dowry, but she abandoned him. The complainant told the court that Manji called off their engagement 16 days to their wedding. He said that he needed refund of the dowry and all other expenses on Manji throughout their courtship. “I spent a total of N68,000 on Ummahani; I gave Baba Abdullahi N25,000 dowry, paid for transport to Saminaka where her parents live, showered them with gifts and also sewed clothes for Ummahani. “I want this honourable court to help me to recover the amounts from Ummahani because she refused to marry me and married someone else,” he prayed. Responding, Manji, however, refuted Idris’s claim of spending up to N68,000 on her. S...