7-year-old male suicide bomber kills Prof., others in Unimaid mosque

A seven-year-old male suicide bomber has been identified as the one of those who detonated his explosives at the Senior staff quarters of the University of Maiduguri in Borno state killing a Professor, four others.Emergency workers have evacuated body of the Professor and others to mortuary after twin bomb-blast. The incident occured near Gate 1, not the main Central Mosque, while the other explosion occured around Gate 5 of the same university. The late professor has been identified as Prof. Aliyu Usman Mani, the Director of Veterinary of the University, according to Alhaji Satomi Ahmed, the Chairman of State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA). The Commissioner of Police(CP), Damian Chukwu, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Maiduguri. Chukwu said that 15 persons, who sustained various degrees of injuries were rushed to hospital. “At about 5:45 a.m. a mobile police officer who is on duty sighted a suicide bomber who was trying to scale the fence at Gate Five of the university. ” Suspicious of his movement, the mobile police officer instantly gunned him down and his bomb exploded and killed him instantly. “The second suicide bomber, a seven year-old detonated the second explosive at the senior staff quarters mosque in the university where a professor, and four persons were killed and 15 persons sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital,”said Chukwu. Chairman State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Satomi Ahmed said; ” All I can say is to appeal to the people to be vigilant and ensure proper watch because, like we have said, the insurgents are in disarray and employing any tactic to cause havoc. “The people must be vigilant at all time,” said Satomi.

Gambian citizens flee country over political unrest with few days left to inauguration

Prolonged political uncertainty and fear of unrest have pushed thousands of Gambians across the border into neighbouring Senegal and farther to Guinea-Bissau. The national coordinator for Guinea-Bissau’s refugee commission, Tibna Sambe Na Wana said more than 1,000 Gambians had crossed into the country where they do not require a visa, in recent days. “It is clear that the total number is far higher than a thousand and rising daily,” Na Wana said. “ They fear their own lives. This is why they are running. Even my own family some of them have left, they went to Jarra. ” Women, children and the elderly made up the greatest numbers, the official said, with more than 500 passing one border post near the town of Jegue in three days. “They fear their own lives. This is why they are running. Even my own family some of them have left, they went to Jarra. If you go to the ferry terminal or the GPTC you will see so many people. They are running, leaving the country because they fear their lives.” said an unidentified resident. In Senegal, the UN’s refugee agency said, “several thousand people” had crossed into the southern Casamance region from The Gambia, especially children. Senegal and The Gambia have deep ethnic and linguistic ties, and most families have relatives living across the border. “Most arrivals in Senegal are Gambians and Senegalese who have been working or living in The Gambia,but Africans from several other nations were also crossing,” said Liz Ahua, UNHCR’s representative for West Africa in Dakar. A nation of fewer than two million people, The Gambia already accounts for the highest number of migrants per capita of any nationality crossing the Mediterranean on smugglers’ boats to Italy. The effects of the crisis were further scrutinised across the continent in Addis Ababa, where the African Union (AU) declared it would no longer recognise President Jammeh as head of state on January 19, regardless of the Supreme Court case.Jammeh has said he wants to wait for the Supreme Court to sit and hear his case, but the Gambian Bar Association on Friday said his term could not legally be extended except through a referendum altering the constitution.

South Sudan's central bank governor, other senior government officials sacked

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has sacked his longer – serving central bank governor Korneilo Koryom Mayik and his deputy John Dor amidst the country economic collapse. This comes a week after a Swiss firm offered to bail out the country’s empty coffers. According to a decree broadcast on state television on Saturday, the outgone bank chief has been replaced by an economist Othom Ajak. President Kiir also sacked deputy minister of finance Mary Jervase Yak and first Undersecretary in ministry of finance salvatore Garang. Mayik was reportedly dismissed due to concerns about high inflation and the depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) against the dollar. The SSP fell over 10 percent in the first week of January to 105 from 90 alongside inflation hurtling from 17 percent in October to over 800 percent. The central bank abandoned fixed exchange rates in December 2015. However, the sacked deputy governor of Central Bank John Dor appointed technical advisor at ministry of finance while former undersecretary of finance Salvatore Garang Mabiordit appointed technical advisor to ministry of trade and Industry. Malou Puot was also appointed as director general of taxation in the Ministry of Finance. The country’s oil production has plunged and the economy is suffering after an armed conflict between Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar started in December 2013. Tens of thousands have been killed and 3 million displaced. However, no reasons was given for the reshuffling in the financial sectors of the country. South Sudan faces economic collapse after financial donors withdrew their support due to the ongoing civil war. If the deal goes through, it would be a breakthrough for the Juba government and significantly hamper US efforts after it pushed the UN Security Council to isolate South Sudan and consider a draft resolution on targeted sanctions against several leaders in November. Among those targeted is Sudan People’s Liberation Army Chief of Staff and President Kiir’s right-hand man Gen Paul Malong Awan.

SPORT: I’ll end my career in China-MIKEL

Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has hinted that Tianjin Teda will be his final bus stop in football, if all things go on well with him in China. Mikel signed a three-year deal with the Chinese Super League club currently training in Malaga, Spain after being frozen out at Chelsea, where he spent close to eleven years winning titles.“Of course, I want to stay in a team for a long time, I left Chelsea after eleven years, I hope to stay in TEDA for a long time, not one or two seasons, “ Mikel was quoted as saying by Netease Sports. “If the club will not let me go, I hope to stay until the end of my career, TEDA will be my last stop.” Mikel scored his first goal for his new club in their 6-2 loss to German side St. Pauli yesterday. His goal came off a header from a well delivered free kick, which left the goalkepper of St. Pauli stranded in goal as the ball flew into the net.

Army Kills 13 Boko Haram Suspects In Clearance Operations

Maidugur- The Nigerian Army on Sunday said soldiers killed 13 suspected Boko Haram members during clearance operations in Bomboshe and Sinbaya in Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno. Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations, said in a statement in Maiduguri that the operations were carried out on Thursday and Friday. According to him, the troops also discovered and destroyed the insurgents’ night market at Boboshe and neutralised five terrorists. “The Army troop also rescued 58 persons comprising 35 women and 23 children held in captive by the terrorists. “During the operations, the troops met stiff resistance from suspected terrorists, eight of whom were neutralised around Sinbaya. “As part of the clearance operations of remnants and fleeing Boko Haram terrorists in the North East, troops have continually carried out raids, patrols and cordon operations. “It is in that regards that troops of 112 Task Force Battalion, 22 Brigade, Nigerian Army on Operation Lafiya Dole, conducted joint operations with vigilantes and civilian JTF in suspected terrorists hide outs. “In the last two days, the troops have carried out patrols and clearance operations in various villages and towns in Dikwa Local Government Area. “On Thursday, Jan. 13, with the assistance of some local vigilantes and civilian JTF, the troops carried out fighting patrols and clearance operations in Awada and Sinbaya villages. “They also carried out similar clearance operation at Anaduwa village where they removed Boko Haram terrorists’ flags and recovered four Isuzu vehicles and three motorcycles. “Yesterday (Saturday), they also carried out a joint patrol to Agulari, Kirinari, Gubdori and Yale villages, including Talwari village, which served as harbour for the terrorists. “Although the terrorists have abandoned the locations, the troops observed traces of their activities such as hoisted Boko Haram flags in the area. “Troops also arrested the terrorists’ food store keeper and recovered two Isuzu vehicles, grinding machines and vehicles workshop tools. “They recovered five Pump Action Guns, two pumping machines, eight vehicle tyres and one battery. “The troops proceeded to Dagumba, Boboshe, Kajeri, Boskoro and Saleri and cleared the areas. “The patrol recovered one Toyota truck at Kajeri and arrested one Boko Haram terrorist in Boskoro village. “However, one soldier sustained injury during the operation and is receiving medical attention,’’ the statement stated. Usman reminded members of the public to always pass information on suspicious persons in their environment to security agencies.

Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration 2017: IBB sues for national unity

Former Military President and elder statesman, General Ibrahim Babangida, has called for national unity, noting that “in our collective and individual resolves, we should keep Nigeria’s unity, irrespective of sectional, religious and cultural leanings”.Speaking on the occasion of the 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations, Babangida expressed joy that this year’s celebration is coming at a time our armed forces are gaining more ground in the fight against insurgency. In a statement by his media office, IBB said, “As we celebrate the Armed forces remembrance day, we should take a stock of our uniqueness and sacrifices by our men and women of the armed forces especially the fallen heroes that paid the supreme sacrifices of maintaining peace not only in our country but beyond the shores of Nigeria”. Commending the military for containing Boko Haram terrorists, Babangida posited that recent events across the country on general insecurity and economic sabotage are a source of concern to every well-meaning Nigerian. Meanwhile, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has expressed displeasure over the way and manner soldiers who fought for the peace, unity and progress of the country are neglected and pleaded for a special attention and support for them. He made the passionate plea during the launching of the 2017 official launch/ sale of poppy to mark the Armed Forces Remembrance Appeal Week, held at Government House, Minna. Announcing a cash donation of N6million, on behalf of the state government and a personal donation of N250, 000, the governor directed all local government councils in the state to support legionnaires.

EDUCATION: SSANU, NASU, NAAT begin five-day warning strike on Monday

Non-academic activities in universities will be paralysed for five days from tomorrow as the non-teaching staff unions comprising the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, and Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, have threatened to commence on a warning strike over non implementation of the 2009 agreements the unions entered into with the Federal Government.Meantime, the Joint Action Committee, JAC, of the three unions have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over what it described as the “continued industrial unrest at Federal University of Technology, FUTA, Akure” , urging “decisive government action concerning the University’s Vice Chancellor.” JAC also wrote to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, informing him of the resolution of the three unions to embark on the warning strike. The three university affiliate unions, in a statement in Abuja, listed ten grouse upon which they decided to declare the strike which in their letter to the minister “has become necessary to make government take necessary action to fully implement the 2009 FGN/Non-Teaching Staff Unions Agreements it freely entered into with us.” According to the statement, “The university system is challenged by poor governance and administrative lapses which need to be addressed holistically. Poor funding of our universities, shortfall in payment of staff salaries, increasing corruption in the university system.” Also listed as among the problems that required attention of the ago government was “the problem of inadequate physical infrastructure and abandoned projects which they said reduces the capacity and output of her members. Other areas that government had allegedly neglected were “the problem of lack of adequate teaching and learning facilities which have reduced the productivity of our members and the non-payment of Earned Allowances being product of the 2009 Agreement.” JAC said the issue of the Nigerian University Pension Management Commission, NUPEMCO, to resolve the problem of university staff pensions, the non implementation of the National Industrial Court, NIC, judgement on university staff schools and the non-implementation of the negotiated career structure for technologists, CONTISS 14 and 15. In the letter to Buhari, JAC said that arising from issues of serious disagreement between labour unions in the institution and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Gregory Daramola, there had been continuous industrial unrest. The letter was signed by Comrades Samson C. Ugwoke, SSANU President, Sani Suleiman, President of NAAT and Chris O. Ani, President of NASU and copied to the ministers of education, labour and employment, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission and President, Nigeria Labour Congress.

Frustrations Persist As Promoters Urge MMM Investors To Be Patient 24 Hours After Resumption

A day after the popular money-doubling scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox, MMM, resumed operations in Nigeria, participants have resigned to fate as they await their trapped investments.Most, who had expected an immediate return of normal transactions were found to have developed mixed feelings over the new method with which their funds would be repaid. Sunday Vanguard learnt that some people, who had applied for their funds were not too comfortable with the scheme’s decision to prioritise payment of micro-investors. Micro-investors, according to MMM managers, are those with least minimal investment. The new payment limit was also found to be a thing of concern to those who were in a hurry to recoup their investments. Get Help is the phrase for request for payment. But the Help appeared not to be readily available yesterday. Applications for Get Help were met by this usual aknowledgement message from MMM: “Your application has been received. “Wait patiently to be matched with another participant.” For most of those who had tried to Get Help, this response all the more heightened their feeling of frustration. Since the meger process was often done within two weeks, those who had so far requested for their funds were found not to be too disturbed yet, the optimism which greeted their initial investment drive appeared to have been dampened but not totally lost. Amid all these, the faith of participants was found by Sunday Vanguard to be unshakable – a situation attributed as a fallout of the grinding nature the hardship in Nigeria had assumed. There were many participants who did not want their names in print. A participant, who provided help (invested) with the sun of N200,000, Mr. Olisa Akubundu, told Sunday Vanguard that there was nothing to worry about. However, he added that all that mattered to him were his funds. “We suspected that there would be changes relating to the process of getting our money. “Knowing how MMM works, it would be childish to expect immidiate payment with the old model. “I will continue with the scheme because I benefited much last year but what matters to me now is my money. “I can’t afford to lose such amount in this critical period when a 12 kilogram cylinder of cooking gas sells for N6,000. “The media that is so much concerned about MMM, why is it not telling the federal government the enormity of the hardship in Nigeria? “This country is becoming worse under the present leadership.We can’t wait for 2019, it is even MMM that can sustain us till 2019 when we will pay this government back.”

CAF election: No serious contender as Hayatou goes for 8th term

The Confederation of African Football CAF has announced that its president, Issa Hayatou will have a contender when the elections are held on March 16, 2017 after serious contenders from the strong football nations chickened out to avoid clash with the incumbent. His only contender is the president of the Malagasy Football Federation, Ahmad Ahmad whose country, Madagascar was coincidentally stripped of the hosting right for the 2017 U-17 Nations Cup after the Executive Committee met in Libreville, Gabon last Thursday. However, no reason was given by CAF for the withdrawal of the hosting right but it announced that “Following the reports of the CAF inspection teams, the CAF Executive Committee unanimously decided (with the exception of the President of the Malagasy Football Federation) to withdraw the hosting rights of the Total U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2017 from Madagascar.”An indication that Hayatou may not be enjoying good relationship with the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino emerged when sources disclosed that Infantino may be throwing his weight behind Ahmad to stop the Cameroonian from returning to the position he has held since 1998. It would be recalled that CAF under the supervision of Hayatou, changed its bylaws in September last year stating that the maximum number of terms in office for any president will now be limited to three. It however, added that the new law will not take effect until after the 2017 election and does not prevent Hayatou from running again. If re-elected, Hayatou, now 70 will remain in office till 2021 even though he told Radio France International October last year that though he was seeking another term of office, he would not stay “another twelve years” at the head of the African body. He was blamed by the IOC in December 2011 after being implicated in a corruption case in connection with FIFA’s former International Sport and Leisure (ISL) marketing agency. Meanwhile, despite the controversy surrounding his nomination for election into the CAF Executive Committee, NFF president, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is expected to confront the outgoing member of West Africa zone B position, Anjorin Moucharafou from Benin Republic who is re-contesting.

Osinbajo to lead FG delegation to Niger Delta

Vice president Yemi Osinbajo will be visiting Delta state on Monday, January 16, as part of his visit to the Niger Delta region - The vice president is expected to lead a federal government delegation that will interact with leaders and representatives of the oil-producing communities - The presidency says it is fully committed to having an effective dialogue and positive engagement that will end the crisis in the oil-producing areas Osinbajo to lead FG delegation to Niger Delta The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo is expected to lead a a high-level delegations of the federal government that will interact with leaders of the oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta region. The vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, will be visiting some oil communities across some Niger Delta states to reaffirm the readiness the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to find a permanent solution to the crisis in the oil rich region.The senior special assistant to the vice president on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Saturday, January 14, said Osinbajo’s visit to the Niger Delta region will begin with a stop at Delta state on Monday, January 16. The vice president is expected to visit Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states respectively during his visit to the region. According to the statement, the vice president will lead a high-level delegations of the federal government that will interact with leaders and representatives of the oil-producing communities The statement added that Osinbajo’s visit is in continuation of the on-going outreach efforts of the Buhari administration towards a long lasting and permanent resolution of the Niger Delta crisis.It said: "The Buhari presidency is fully committed to having an effective dialogue and positive engagement that will end the crisis in the oil-producing areas and believes that these visits would further boost the confidence necessary for the attainment of peace and prosperity in the areas and the Nigerian nation in general.Meanwhile, Niger Delta elders under the umbrella of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have pleaded with Niger Delta Avengers and other militants in the south-south region not to renew oil pipeline bombings as earlier threatened. The group said in a statement released on Friday, January 13 and signed by Dr. Alfred Mulade on behalf of the Central Working Committee that the negotiations would only yield desired results under an atmosphere of peace.

SPORT: NIGERIA START STRONG IN JANUARY FIFA RANKING

Gernot Rohr’s men moved a place up in the monthly ritual released by the world football governing body Nigeria are ranked 50th in the world according to January Fifa ranking released published on Thursday morning. The Super Eagles climbed a place upward to become the seventh best African football playing nation behind Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Congo DR. The three-time African kings are odds on to move southward in February’s ranking following their non-participation in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Gabon. The top 34 positions remain unchanged with Argentina, Brazil and Germany still holding first, second and third place respectively. Swaziland reached its best ever position in the Fifa/Coca-Cola World Ranking (99, up 1). The next ranking will be published on 9 February 2017.

Gambia: Jammeh's Party Seeks Injunction to Block Barrow's Inauguration

The political party of Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh filed a request yesterday with the Supreme Court for an injunction blocking the swearing in of his rival and president-elect, Adama Barrow, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Barrow's party has said the President would be honoured as a former head of state if he stepped down and suggested he might not face trial for alleged crimes during his 22 years in power. In an apparent bid to ease increasing tensions in the country by persuading Jammeh to step aside, a senior member of Barrow's coalition, Mai Ahmad Fatty, said Jammeh would be entitled to the usual benefits afforded past heads of state, including an office of his choice, bodyguards and luxury vehicles. "We want to give him all the privileges of a former head of state," Fatty said late on Thursday, adding that the party would like Jammeh to be someone it could call on for counsel. Barrow told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) yesterday: "We want to keep Jammeh in the Gambia. I don't think there is any need for him to go to another country." Jammeh lost in last month's presidential election, but has refused to accept defeat, despite earlier conceding defeat and congratulating Barrow on his victory. The question of whether the West African country would inaugurate Barrow as president is seen as a test case for African democracy and regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has set up a committee to persuade Jammeh and ensure smooth transition in the countryBarrow, who is backed by the international community, has said he would go ahead with his inauguration on January 19, despite Jammeh's rejection of the result. Supreme Court Chief Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle confirmed receipt of the petition filed by Jammeh's Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC), saying: "It is filed today with the court registrar." But he did not say when a decision on the petition might be made. Aziz Bensouda, Secretary General of the Gambia Bar Association, said an injunction would be unconstitutional, adding: "The inauguration of the president-elect should be held when Jammeh's term officially ends. The court does not have any mandate to put an inauguration on hold." According to Reuters, Fatty said the opposition was not pursuing legal action against Jammeh, whose rule has been marred by the imprisonment and torture of opponents, despite calls for his immediate prosecution once Barrow takes over. "If there are any crimes against Jammeh, we cannot say so, because the crimes must be proven in a court of law. But at the moment, we are not talking about that," he said. The election defeat of Jammeh, a former coup leader, after 22 years of increasingly authoritarian rule was celebrated across the tiny West African nation. The APRC had earlier challenged the poll results, but the Supreme Court was unable to hear the petition due to lack of enough Judges to hear the matter, making Fagbenle to adjourn the hearing until January 16. The Supreme Court, which rights campaigners say is heavily influenced by Jammeh, has not sat in over a year. Two chief justices have been dismissed since 2013 and one of them was jailed. The court hired four foreign Judges from Nigeria and Sierra Leone to hear Jammeh's appeal, but it was not clear whether or when they would arrive the country. ECOWAS has sought to negotiate Jammeh's peaceful departure and President Muhammadu Buhari is leading a mediation mission to Gambia this weekend. The House of Representatives has approved a motion to authorise an offer of asylum to Jammeh if he steps down. ECOWAS has also hinted at possible military action if he stays beyond the end of his term in office next week, raising the prospect of violence. The U.S. Department of State, which has already advised against travel to Gambia, warned American citizens to avoid the capital, Banjul's, city centre, with Embassy staff required to be off the streets by 6 p.m. until further notice. Jammeh's predecessor, Dawda Jawara, fled the country when he was deposed in a bloodless coup and lived in exile until Jammeh granted him amnesty in 2001..

SPORT: Pogba can be captain - Morinho

Manchester - Paul Pogba has all the qualities to be a future Manchester United captain, according to Jose Mourinho. The United manager believes the 23-year-old France midfielder's recent performances show he can be a long-term replacement for Wayne Rooney in the role. Rooney's future at Old Trafford has been the subject of speculation, despite the fact he recently drew level with Bobby Charlton as the club's all-time record goalscorer. The England captain said in November he wanted to see out his contract with United, which runs until 2019, although he has had started only eight of their 20 Premier League fixtures this season. Pogba's form, however, suggests a natural successor is emerging to take over the captaincy on a full-time basis when Rooney does move aside. The midfielder had a slow start after rejoining the club from Juventus for a world-record $109 million fee in August, but has flourished since being pushed forward into an attacking midfield role. "I think he has," said Mourinho when asked whether he had the qualities to be captain. "I think he has the charisma. The ambition. The mentality. He is a good professional. Being so young and with so many ingredients, I think he can." Mourinho is wary of putting too much pressure on Pogba, though. "It is not fair to say a player has to be dominant," said Mourinho. "He is playing amazingly well, yes. No doubts about it. But the team is also playing well. "I am not expecting the team to play really badly and for one player to have all the weight on his shoulders. Not Paul, not anyone. "I expect the team to play well and Paul to be at the level he is playing now regularly." Mourinho, though, has no such qualms about declaring United the biggest club in England, even though they are sixth in the Premier League as they prepare to face Liverpool on Sunday. Alex Ferguson, during his time in charge at Old Trafford, once declared that United v Liverpool was "the game of the season in English football". Mourinho for his part wasn't so sure. "I don't know. I know that Manchester United are the biggest club in this country. I know, you know, everybody knows. I am sorry. It is easy to know. "I can feel the rivalry is big and for sure, it is a big match. Around the world, people will look to this match with special eyes, that's for sure." United have won nine successive matches in all competitions going into the mouth-watering clash. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic suggested during the week that United can still catch Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title, and Mourinho refused to rule it out. "We are in the race to win the next match," said Mourinho. "We can win against Liverpool. After Liverpool, if you ask me, I will say we can win against Stoke. That is our approach. "I am still not looking to that (the title). "Mathematically the numbers are huge. Eighteen matches to play, 54 points to play for. "Not yet. The last three or four matches, with nine, 12 points to play for. That is the moment to say what we can do. Now is too early."

Nigeria, China trade hits $9.5bn in 2016 – envoy

Abuja - Trade between Nigeria and China stood at 9.5 billion dollars in 2016, according to the Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Zhao Linxiang. Linxiang gave the figure at a dinner to host participants of different training courses in China on Friday night in Abuja. The envoy said though bilateral relations between both countries faced challenges, Nigeria remained China’s fourth largest trading partner in Africa. “In the first 11 months of last year (2016), our bilateral trade reached 9.5 billion dollars. It is a great achievement under the current condition the Nigerian economy is. “So far, China’s total investment in Nigeria reached 2.2 billion dollars and Nigeria is China’s important destination in Africa. “Our investment cooperation is expanding. “A large number of Chinese investors and enterprises are concentrated in Nigeria and cover various fields like oil and gas exploration, free trade zone project, steel processing, manufacturing, agriculture, broadcasting and pharmacy among others,’’ the counsellor said. He added that implementation of the 10 major China-Africa cooperation projects, which began in 2016 was progressing. The envoy said it was important for both countries to promote win-win cooperation, seek common development goals and maintain high-level exchanges. Linxiang reiterated China’s commitment to work with Nigeria to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote Nigeria’s industrialisation and agricultural modernisation. Also read: China foreign minister to visit Nigeria According to him, both countries can better enhance cooperation in the area of capacity building. “We will provide more training and scholarship for Nigerians under the framework of `1000 People Plan’. “The friendship between both countries needs more publicity,’’ he said. The envoy said the Chinese Government offered training opportunities to 3,200 Nigerians in the last decade, adding that 260 officials participated in different training opportunities in China in 2016. “Last year, we held the 2016 China-Nigeria Agricultural Technical Training programme; 40 Nigerian officials and technicians got trained in Abuja. “This is a historical beginning which means we can achieve better results through providing localised courses,’’ he said. Also speaking, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said the relationship between both countries was beneficial. “China has been in several developmental places in Nigeria,’’ Ahmed added. The minister further remarked that continued engagement with the right partners would bring Nigeria out of its current economic situation. “Our focus is to develop infrastructure required to ease the difficulties of doing business in our country and the Chinese companies working in Nigeria are set to help us in deploying those projects. “We will be reaching out to you to make sure that some of the projects that we have started discussing are crystallising within the shortest possible time,’’ she said. Mr Stephen Anayo, who spoke on behalf of the trainees, said that Nigeria could learn from China’s development. Anayo urged the Chinese Government to sustain the training opportunities, adding that it would promote capacity building and boost development in the country. “Transfer knowledge is the best a partner or friend can do for another; China is considered as one of Nigeria’s allies. “When people are knowledgeable, they know what to do and do it right,’’ he said. He called on other participants to utilise the knowledge acquired for the development of the country. - NAN

CAF: we have contingency plans on security issues

Confederation of African Football (CAF) General Secretary Hicham El Amrani said at a news conference on Friday that he was confident the 2017 African Cup of Nations in Gabon would pass smoothly, despite security fears. El Amrani was talking at a news conference in the Gabon capital of Libreville on the eve of the tournament, which kicks off when the hosts face Guinea-Bissau on Saturday. Gabon has suffered from political and economic uncertainty in the build-up to the tournament, with protests against President Ali Bong expected in some areas of the country. Bongo was re-elected by fewer than 6,000 votes after a poll in August that the European Union said was marked by anomalies in Bongo’s stronghold province of Haut-Ogooue, where he won 95 percent on a 99.9 percent turnout. Bongo became leader in 2009 on the death of his father, who ruled for 42 years. The win gives Bongo another seven years in office. Because of the African Cup of Nations, legislative elections set for late December have been postponed. El Amrani said CAF were aware of the security concerns, but said “contingency plans” were in place. “We are pretty confident that things will go well but at the same time we have contingency plans in case anything goes wrong. But this is happening in Gabon or any host country where we go,” said the Moroccan.

Akon, Davido among top musicians set to open AFCON 2017 in Gabon

Africa is ready to open the prestigious continental football competition, the Africa Cup of Nations in the Gabonese capital Libreville on Saturday, ...

Army, Boko Haram terrorists engage in deadly shootout

The gun battle happened on Friday, January 13, when the terrorists launched a surprise attack on troops of 119 Battalion and 133 Special Forces Battalion of 7 Brigade on Operation Lafiya Dole in Kangarwa, Kukawa local government area, Borno state. In a statement by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, who is the director of army public relations, he said weapons used by the terrorist were recovered while they were also on the trail of those who escaped. Read the statement below: Elements of 119 Battalion and 133 Special Forces Battalion of 7 Brigade, Nigerian Army, on Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed at Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State, with the assistance of the Nigerian Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance planes dealt a decisive below on Boko Haram terrorists that dared attack on their location yesterday.The futile attack which was launched by the terrorists group from the shores of the Lake Chad in the evening and lasted till later in the night. The resilient troops repelled the incursion and in the process killed 10 insurgents and wounded several others. They recovered, 1 Pulemyot Kalashnkova Machine (PKM) Gun, with 67 rounds of ammunition, 1 AK-47 Riffle with 18 rounds of ammunition, 2 AK-Rifle top covers and 3 Dane Guns with 1 cartridge. Others include, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube with 3 bombs, 1 Rocket Propelled Grenade charger and smoke grenade, 1 Hand Held (HH) Motorola Radio an antenna, 1 copy of Holy Quran and Boko Haram terrorists flag.Unfortunately, 3 soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the encounter, while 27 soldiers sustained various degrees of injuries.The bodies of the gallant soldiers and those injured have since been evacuated for treatment. The troops have continued to trailed those terrorists that escaped with gunshot wounds. They have also intensified vigilance and high level of alertness and making concerted efforts to clear the remnants of the terrorists in various nooks and crannies.

SPORT : Gabon puts faith on Aubame P as Cup of Nations begins

The Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in Gabon on Saturday afternoon as the hosts, spearheaded by the brilliant Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang, face minnows Guinea-Bissau in the tournament’s opening game in Libreville. The Panthers, coached by veteran Spaniard Jose Antonio Camacho, are looking to the French-born Borussia Dortmund striker to lead their bid to win the continental title for the first time, 60 years on from the inaugural Cup of Nations. “Pierre is one of the best players in the world. Gabon are lucky to have him,” Camacho admitted at a press conference on Friday in the Gabonese capital as he underlined the importance of the 27-year-old 2015 African player of the year to his team’s cause. “It will be difficult for Gabon to go far if Aubameyang is not at his best.” Guinea-Bissau caused a sensation when they qualified for the finals for the first time but while the side known as the ‘wild dogs’ will be desperate to seize their opportunity on the international stage, they could also be forgiven for feeling rather rusty.After all, Baciro Cande’s team have not played a competitive match in four months. “Guinea-Bissau have nothing to lose and everything to win. For us it is the opposite,” warned Camacho. Saturday’s opening match at the Stade de l’Amitie, where Zambia beat the Ivory Coast in the 2012 final, kicks off at 1600GMT and will be followed by a meeting of the other two teams in Group A, Cameroon and Burkina Faso, at the same venue at 1900GMT. Cameroon have won the trophy four times but come into this year’s Cup of Nations with arguably their weakest ever squad. That is after several leading players, notably Liverpool defender Joel Matip and Schalke striker Eric Choupo-Moting, rejected call-ups from coach Hugo Broos to focus on their club careers. And on Friday Broos complained that it might be time for the biennial tournament to be moved to a different period of the year. “Times are changing. Before, certain players were happy to come and play for Cameroon,” said the Belgian. “Now some clubs put pressure on their players. Those who are coming to the ends of their contracts prefer to stay in Europe in order to negotiate better deals. “I think the Cup of Nations needs to be played at a different time of the year. It doesn’t come around at a good time.” Burkina Faso, the 2013 runners-up coached by the Portuguese Paulo Duarte, will hope to take advantage of their opponents’ troubled build-up. – Tension – The build-up to this Cup of Nations has been played out to a backdrop of social and political tension in the central African country following President Ali Bongo’s contested election win last year. And supporters of Bongo’s rival Jean Ping are planning to stage a demonstration in Libreville on Saturday at the same time as the opening ceremony which will precede the first two games. Unprecedented violence following last August’s election in the relatively prosperous country of 1.8 million people led to around a thousand arrests and at least five deaths. Meanwhile, opposition calls to boycott the tournament altogether have come from what Bongo called “a small minority who are forgetting this is a sporting competition” as he inaugurated the new venues in Port-Gentil and Oyem earlier this week. While many in Gabon have more pressing concerns than the Cup of Nations due to the economic difficulties being experienced in the country, organisers have put half a million tickets on sale for prices ranging from 500 to 40,000 CFA francs ($0.81 to $65). Matches in the 16-team tournament are also being staged in Franceville in the interior, where the Algeria of newly-crowned African player of the year Riyad Mahrez meet Zimbabwe and Tunisia take on Senegal in Group B on Sunday. Reigning champions Ivory Coast begin their defence of the trophy against Togo in Group C on Monday.

Photos: Buhari, other African leaders in crisis talks with Yahya Jamme

West African leaders flew out of Banjul late Friday with The Gambia’s president-elect Adama Barrow, en route to Mali for crisis talks with regional heavyweights in hopes of ending the nation’s political impasse. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari led a three-nation delegation to Banjul earlier in the day, which his foreign minister admitted had not succeeded in getting longtime Gambian President Yahya Jammeh to step down. Jammeh has made clear he will not stand aside until the country’s Supreme Court decides on his legal challenge seeking to annul the results of last month’s polls, which he initially conceded losing. The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), a 15-nation bloc, has repeatedly called on Jammeh to respect the result of the vote that delivered Barrow to victory, and step down after 22 years in power.

A handout picture released by the Nigerian Presidency on January 13, 2017 shows Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (R) welcomed by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh upon his arrival in Banjul

A handout picture released by the Nigerian Presidency on January 13, 2017 shows Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari (L) Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (2nd L), former Ghana President, John Dramani Mahama (2nd R) and an unidentified woman meeting with Gambian President Yahia Jammeh in Banjul.

A handout picture released by the Nigerian Presidency on January 13, 2017 shows Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (R) shaking hands with Gambian President-elect Adama Barrow (L), as Gambian President Yahya Jammeh (C) looks on in Banjul.

SPORT: DR Congo players refuse to train over allowance

Democratic Republic of Congo players have refused to train ahead of their opening Africa Cup of Nations match against Morocco in a dispute over pay. Norwich City midfielder Yousuf Mulumbu, the DR Congo captain, said the squad boycotted Friday training in a dispute over match bonuses. “It has been the same for years and years. We prepare well for our matches and in the end there is always a problem over bonuses,” he said on Twitter. “Having said that, on January 16 we will fiercely defend our flag,” in the team’s opening match against Morocco. Another team appearing in the the tournament which opens Saturday, Zimbabwe, initially refused to fly to host nation Gabon in a dispute over bonuses which has since been resolved.