Traders protest planned merger of market with school

Traders at the Ogba Retail Market on Monday closed their shops for business in order to protest against the planned demolition of the market by the Ojodu Local Council Development Area.

They also claimed that the local council authorities had concluded plans to relocate them to Ojodu Primary School pending the reconstruction of the market.

This, according to them, is unacceptable as a market and a school should not exist in the same premises.

The protesters were armed with placards bearing various inscriptions such as, “Ojodu LCDA Chairman, stop creating poverty in our community; Retirees, widows, graduates, self employed to be displaced by Ojodu LCDA, why? We say no to false report to the Lagos State House of Assembly,” among others

PUNCH Metro had on June 6, reported that the traders had expressed concern over the planned demolition and relocation of traders and that the State House of Assembly Committee on Transport, Commerce and Industry had invited the market association and the council authorities in a bid to resolve the issues amicably.

But the Chairman of the Market Association, Mr. Teju Ayewole, told PUNCH Metro on Monday that the traders embarked on the protest to appeal to the state government to come to their aid.

He said, “This is our own way of saying no to the planned demolition of the market. They had claimed that the reason for their action is for development. What do they mean by development? This market is very neat and organised. We have received awards as the cleanest market in the state.

“The Assembly committee they set up to resolve the issue claimed that we have agreed to the demolition and reconstruction of the market. How can we agree to pay N5m per shop after reconstruction? How many of us can afford it?”

A shop owner in the market, who identified herself simply as Alhaja Olorundare, wondered why the council chairman would want to implement a policy that would increase poverty.

A youth representative, Adewunmi Olalekan, argued that the council could give the market a facelift without necessarily demolishing it. He said relocation was not feasible because of the thousands of traders involved and because the proposed site was not suitable.

He said, “How can a school and a market exist in the same premises?”

An apprentice, who is learning tailoring in the market, identified simply as Esther, appealed to the government to intervene on the matter as many families earn their livelihood from the market.

The Information Officer of the council directed our correspondent to the council chairman, saying he was in a position to respond appropriately.

But attempts to speak with the chairman were unsuccessful as calls made to his phone line was received by his personal assistant who said he was in a meeting and would get back to us.

The chairman, as at the time of filing this report, had yet to make contact.

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Sudan didn’t frustrate Nyanya suspect’s extradition –Envoy

The Arab Republic of Sudan has said that the process of extraditing one of the masterminds of the April 14,2014 Nyanya blast, Sadiq Ogwuche, is on course and cannot be frustrated.

Contrary to a report that the Sudanese government had blocked the repatriation of the terror suspect, Sudan stated that no such thing happened, stressing that Ogwuche would be extradited to Nigeria as soon as the necessary formalities were concluded.

It stated that the extradition process was being handled by the International Criminal Police, otherwise known as INTERPOL, noting that the suspect would be brought back to Nigeria to stand trial for his crimes.

The Media Adviser to the Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Abdulrahman, stated these in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Abuja on Monday.

He refuted a report by a national newspapers (not The PUNCH) that Sudan had blocked the extradition of Ogwuche, following the intervention of an unnamed Emir.

The newspaper had alleged that the Emir used his political connection in Sudan to frustrate the Nigerian officials that visited the country to bring back Ogwuche, adding that the officials came back to Nigeria in frustration.

The paper had reported, “It was learnt that when the officials of the Nigerian security agencies arrived Khartoum, Sudan, last week for the hand-over of Ogwuche by the Sudanese authorities, they were faced with conditions that were unknown to them, particularly against the backdrop of the fact that Sudan was not a signatory to any convention on the extradition of criminals and terrorists.

“Ogwuche’s wife, who is based in Sudan, is believed to be the interface between the Nigerian Emir and her husband’s lawyer that are battling to get the suspected terrorist out of the hook in Sudan.”

But Abdulrahman, who described the report as a fabrication, stressed that the blast suspect would be brought back to Nigeria once the extradition processes were completed.

He cited the extradition of former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, from Dubai to the United Kingdom, which he said took some time before it was perfected.

He noted that it involved court processes and other formalities that cannot be done in a hurry.

He said, “The process of extradition requires a lot of paper work and it often takes time. It is handled by the INTERPOL and no government can stop it. So, the report by a newspapers that Sudan stopped the extradition of the terror suspect is not true; it is a fabrication.

“We don’t have sympathies for Boko Haram because Sudan is against terrorism in all its ramfication. We are an international player and we don’t condone terrorist activities in any form. We have the Ahfad University for Women; so we support girls getting quality education and cannot support any violence against women or other people on the grounds of religion or politics.”

The media adviser condemned the abduction of over 200 school girls by the Boko Haram sect, saying the action was a crime against humanity.

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FIFA to review goal-line TV process

June 17, 2014 by Pius Ayinor, from Sao Paulo, Brazil Leave a Comment

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter
| credits: File copy

FIFA is to review how it broadcasts goal-line technology decisions after the process caused confusion during a World Cup game between France and Honduras, BBC Sport reports.

On Sunday in France’s 3-0 win, goalline technology was used for the first time at the World Cup to aid a decision.

Replays showed a ‘no goal’ graphic before judging the ball later crossed the line after hitting the goalkeeper.

Honduras coach Luis Suarez and his French counterpart Didier Deschamps were left confused by the process.

“The first replay that was used showed the ball hitting the inside of the post and not fully crossing the line, before the next replay aired seconds later with the animation confirming the ball had fully crossed the line after it had hit the goalkeeper,” said a statement from football’s governing body.

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Driver drags tricycle rider on road till death

The life of a 28-year-old tricycle rider, Onu Kingsley, has been cut short after the driver of a Toyota Corolla, identified simply as Kingsley, allegedly dragged him on the road and crashed his body against a hurdle.

The incident happened on the Apapa Road, Ebute Meta area of Lagos State on Saturday evening.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Onu, an indigene of Enugu State, had alighted from his tricycle, popularly called, Keke NAPEP, to complain that Kingsley hit his motorcycle and injured one of his passengers.

Our correspondent learnt that the driver ignored the deceased and made to drive off. Seeing this, Onu was said to have pulled him by the shirt in a bid to stop him from escaping.

The suspect was said to have wound up his window glass with the deceased’s hand stuck, and raced down the Apapa Road, dragging him on the road in the process.

A friend of the deceased, Emmanuel Esan, said they lived in the same room on Ilaje Street.

He said, “We were together in the room that evening because we lived together. He did not plan to go out that day, but because there was no electricity, he decided to go out and make some money.

“I suddenly woke up around 12 midnight and didn’t see him by my side. I decided to call his telephone line, but the person who picked it said the owner of the phone had been injured in an accident and was at the police station.”

He said he never knew his friend had died until someone broke the news to him while he was heading for the Iponri Police Station.

Esan lamented that Onu might not have died if he had been helped to the hospital on time.

“I learnt he was on the accident spot for over two hours before the police arrived and took them to the station. He was asked to make statements, together with the driver. It was on the way to the hospital that he died,” he added.

He said Onu had only recently bought an application form to run a part time academic programme at the Yaba College of Technology, when fate struck.

Uncle to the deceased, Mike Onu, said he brought him to Lagos 15 years ago.

He described him as a quiet, humble and hardworking boy, adding that the incident was unfortunate.

“He was working hard for his future when the incident happened. He has just two brothers; one is in Sokoto, while the second is in Enugu.

“Since he died, his body has been lying there at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary.

“We have been waiting to hear from the family of the suspect, but none of them has shown up. We believe the police will help us handle the situation,” he added.

A family friend, Spurgeon Ataene, asked the police authorities to give the deceased justice.

The legal practitioner said, “The circumstances under which a case can be regarded as a fatal motor accident are clearly distinct from that of a case of murder. Murder is with intent to kill ab initio.

“Here, the suspect was not even provoked. He was the one who hit the passengers and was being confronted. He still sped off, brushing Onu’s body on the concrete tars, peeling off his flesh in the process and turning his body to piles of meat. This is a clear case of murder and should be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Ngozi Braide, could not be reached on the telephone.

A text message sent to her phone had also yet to be replied as of the time of filing this report.

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ITTF Lagos World Tour: Egypt camp in China

June 17, 2014 by Kazeem Busari Leave a Comment

The Egypt team expected at the International Table Tennis Federation in Lagos World Tour and African Top 16 Cup have started camping in China ahead of the tournaments.

The eight-man team are expected to take on China team as part of their build-up to the tournaments. They are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Saturday for the World Tour, which is scheduled to begin on June 23 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation said the Egyptian team would be competing in the four singles events and the U-21 event as they aim to replicate the feat achieved by Omar Assar when he won the men’s singles title at the Lagos International Classic last year.

The Egyptian team are also eyeing the sole slot in the men and women’s event of the African Top 16 Cup which holds on June 27 and 28.

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My place is under threat —Rooney

June 17, 2014 by Agency Reporter Leave a Comment

Wayne Rooney
| credits: http://images.performgroup.com

Wayne Rooney admits he is fighting for his starting place in England’s team for Thursday’s crucial World Cup clash with Uruguay, ESPN reports.

Rooney, who was played out of position on the left in Saturday’s opening 2-1 defeat to Italy, said no player is ever guaranteed a spot in Roy Hodgson’s team but concedes Raheem Sterling’s incredible rise to prominence means he needs to prove his worth now more than ever.

“Why would I feel my place in the team is guaranteed?” Rooney said. “I work hard to try and get into that team. I have never said my place is guaranteed. I don’t expect to play, but I work hard. I want to play.

“We have got a lot of good young players so we will all work hard. We all give the manager different options, different choices, and whoever he picks then I am sure we will all respect that.”

Rooney’s former Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes has called for him to be played through the middle on Thursday, but his prospects of starting are uncertain, with Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge, who scored England’s goal, also impressing against Italy.

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‘Lack of data bank, our security, challenge’

The Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, has said that non-availability of comprehensive data bank that could proffer suggestions to solving security and other national problems is a major challenge to solving Nigeria’s security problems.

He spoke at Lokoja on Monday during the opening ceremony of a one-week Executive Intelligence Management Course 7 of the Institute for Security Studies, Abuja.

Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, described the theme of the conference, ‘Democratic Governance and National Security; Prospects and Challenges,’ as coming at a time that the country is confronted with security challenges.

He hoped that the conference would proffer solutions to the nation’s security and other challenges.

The governor stated that the relationship between good governance and national security cannot be over-emphasized.

He advised that the outcome of such a conference should be collated, secured and kept safe in a central data bank for references and for easy access.

Wada stated that the outcome of the group’s discussion will help promote good governance and boost democracy in Nigeria when applied.

Head of ISS delegation, Prof. Aminu Dawari, in his address, stated that the increasing cases of insecurity are a global phenomenon.

According to him, their visit will give them an insight on how democratic governance affects national security.

Wada’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Air Commodore Mathias Abdullahi (retd.), said Nigeria’s insecurity is caused by bad governance and inability to resolve other interest that are at conflict with democratic governance.

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STF frees kidnapped foreign national in Jos

A foreign national working with Retro Construction Company in the Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State, who was kidnapped by some gunmen, has been freed by security operatives.

Our correspondent gathered the unidentified victim, said to be a Lebanese, was kidnapped at the construction site of the company.

Media Officer of the state Special Task Force, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, who confirmed the development to our correspondent in Jos on Monday, said that the victim had been handed over to his family.

He said the task force also arrested a suspect, identified simply as Onenofvyhe, for his involvement in the kidnap, while efforts were being intensified to apprehend his collaborators.

Iweha said, “I can confirm to you that the foreign national, who was kidnapped in Langtang over the weekend, has been freed by a combined efforts of the STF and sister agencies and he is right now resting with members of his family.

“He was freed by the combined efforts of gallant security officers in the state. We are also making efforts to arrest his collaborators in the heinous act and we will brief the press on the development.”

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Suarez not world-class yet —Hodgson

England manager Roy Hodgson thinks Luis Suarez has a lot to prove before he can be considered a truly world class player, Liverpool Echo reports.

Uruguay and Liverpool striker Suarez is expected to recover from a knee injury in time to face England in Thursday’s crunch match in Sao Paulo.

He has been castigated in the past, but this year Suarez has enjoyed a season free of controversy and full of goals.

Suarez’s goals and all-round play brought Liverpool within a whisker of ending their 24-year wait for the league title.

There was many a stunning effort in that haul, but for Hodgson, a player has only proven himself when he lights up a World Cup.

When asked whether Suarez belonged in the same “world-class” bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the England manager said, “I think he will only be at that level when he shows it on this particular stage.

“He has got the potential. He is a wonderful footballer.

“But if you are really going to put him up there with (Diego) Maradona, Pele, (Franz) Beckenbauer and (Johan) Cruyff, and (Andrea) Pirlo, this is the stage you have got to do it on really.

“You can be a great player in your league but for the world to recognise you are one of the all-time greats you have got to do it at the World Cup.”

Hodgson may live to regret those comments. Suarez loves nothing more than proving his critics wrong, and after Saturday’s shock defeat to Costa Rica – in which he was an unused substitute – his country needs him more than ever.

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Commission, unions disagree over Bayelsa workers’ biometrics

The Bayelsa State Local Government Service Commission on Monday disagreed with the National Union of Local Government Employees and Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Bayelsa State chapters, on the staff biometrics.

NULGE and MHWUN describe the biometric exercise as a waste, saying the eight local governments in the state had lost over N200m to power the exercise in six months.

President of NULGE, Mr. Akpos Ekiagha, and the state Chairman of MHWUN, Mr. Biu Josiah,said during an emergency meeting that the use of consultant to prepare payrolls for the LGs was not right, stressing that the development had rendered staff of the Account Departments redundant, while the consultant laughed to the bank with over N40m per month.

They, therefore, asked Dickson to terminate the contract of the consultant, alleging that the services of the consultant were fraudulent and a conduit for draining the state’s resources.

They also called on Governor Seriake Dickson to remove the Chairman of LGSC, Mr. Talford Ongolo, over alleged high-handedness and insensitivity to the plight of council workers.

They said, “The clock-in-and-clock-out aspect of the biometric exercise has not yielded the desired result because the claim by Ongolo and the consultant that over N90m was realised was a ruse.”

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We must stop Neymar —Mexico captain

June 17, 2014 by Agency Reporter Leave a Comment

Neymar

Mexico captain Rafael Marquez says his side must stop Neymar from playing to the best of his ability if they are to secure a positive result against Brazil, Goal reports.

The Group A rivals meet in Fortaleza on Tuesday having each made winning starts to their respective campaigns.

Brazil saw off Croatia 3-1 in the opening game of the tournament before Mexico edged past Cameroon, and a further victory for either side would likely all but confirm their place in the knockout stages.

Former Monaco and Barcelona man Marquez has picked out the attacking trio of Neymar, Oscar and Hulk as players Mexico will need to keep a close eye on, with the Barcelona and Chelsea stars having bagged the goals in the curtain-raiser last week.

Marquez, who now plies his trade with Leon, says his team will be required to close down the space and deny Brazil opportunities if they are to take anything from the game.

“We have to cover, have two against one, be fast and reduce the spaces on the pitch — do not let (Neymar) play,” he told Globo.

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We’ll beat Eagles – Bosnia coach

Bosnia-Herzegovina coach Safet Susic has his sights set on victory over Nigeria to boost his side’s hopes of qualifying for the Brazil 2014 World Cup Round of 16.

The Golden Lilies were narrowly beaten 2-1 by tournament favourites Argentina in their Group F clash at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday – to make their remaining group games against Nigeria and Iran a must-win affair.

A moment of magic from Lionel Messi proved to be the difference on the night, with the Barcelona forward netting Argentina’s decisive second.

The World Cup debutants will take on the Super Eagles in Cuiaba on Saturday and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Susic believes his team will run out winners.

He praised the performance of his side after their defeat to Argentina, saying they had learned some lessons from the game.

He admitted that he did not expect to pick up three points in the encounter, saying his target was to claim maximum points against Nigeria and Iran.

“We have still two games to play and I told my players this was not the key match (against Argentina), that we could afford to lose but not by a large margin and this is what we achieved, Skysports quoted the 59-year-old as saying on Tuesday.

“If Argentina wins all their matches, we may only need four points to qualify – everything hangs on the match between Nigeria and Iran.”

He added, “We are realistic people and our goal was to put as much resistance as possible to one of the favourites to win the title, and this is what we have done.

“I am satisfied with what I saw, especially after we had this misfortune to concede an own goal in the first couple of minutes.

“It is a huge satisfaction to take part for the first time in the World Cup and play against a great team and one of the best players in the world – and not only of today but of all time.”

Susic, who has come under criticism for opting to drop the highly-experienced VfB Stuttgart forward Vedad Ibisec to the bench minutes before Sunday’s game, said he had no regrets over the decision. Ibisec came off the bench to score for Bosnia in the encounter.

“It is difficult to play Messi or a player like him, I originally thought of man marking him but it is impossible,” IBNLive quoted him as saying.

“I gave him some freedom but instructed my players that the nearest one to him must close him down whenever he gets the ball.

“And I don’t regret at all leaving Ibisevic on the bench. We started two friendlies (before the World Cup) with the same formation and everything worked perfectly.

“I told Ibisevic before the match that we could not play with two strikers against Argentina, it would have been too risky.”

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Gunmen abduct Bayelsa commissioner’s mother, demand his resignation

Gunmen have abducted 78-year-old Patimi Akene, the mother of the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr. Furoebi Akene.

The abduction of Patimi came 18 days after Ogboro Orumo, 90-year-old mother-in-law of Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Tombowei Benson, was kidnapped.

Orumo’s whereabouts had remained unknown since May 30 when her abductors whisked her away from her residence in Krokorosei in the same Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

Sources said Patimi was kidnapped on Saturday by six gunmen at Ofoinbiri community.

It was learnt that the commissioner’s mother and one of her granddaughters were returning home from a church vigil in the community at about 1am on Saturday when the hoodlums swooped on her.

They were said to have sped away with the victim into the creeks in a speed boat they operated.

The commissioner, who confirmed his mother’s abduction, said the gunmen took her away without firing a gunshot.

Akene said his mother’s assailants covered her mouth with a handkerchief when she screamed for help, threatening to kill her and the granddaughter if they did not keep quiet.

The commissioner said, “My mother was in company with one of her granddaughters when the armed men arrived at about 12 am and took her away.

“Preliminary investigation showed that the gunmen know her and have been studying her.”

He said the gunmen established contact with him on Sunday evening and demanded his resignation from the cabinet of Governor Seriake Dickson as ransom.

Akene added, “Someone that I suspected to be one of the kidnappers called me and said they don’t need my money. But that I should ‘withdraw’ from the present administration as commissioner. I think what they are demanding is for me to resign my appointment.

“My brother, I think the people interested in my job as commissioner in the state are the ones behind the abduction of my mother.”

When contacted, Commissioner of Police, Hilary Opara, confirmed the incident.

Opara said the police had swung into action with a view to rescuing Patimi and arresting the culprits.

“We will continue to depend on information. We are soliciting more information. I thank the people of Bayelsa for being aware and partnering with the police,” he said

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I was anxious, nervous —Messi

Argentina star Lionel Messi admitted to nerves in his side’s victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina during their first game of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, BBC Sport reports.

The 26-year-old struggled to make an impact before a sublime effort put his side two up as they went on to win 2-1.

“It’s the first game, I was anxious, nervous,” said Messi.

“It was important to start with a win. We’ve got to improve certain things, but it was important to start with the three points.”

Argentina took the lead through a Sead Kolasinac own goal which came from a Messi left-wing free-kick, although Alejandro Sabella’s side stuttered through the first half.

But La Albiceleste captain Messi sparked his performance and that of his side to life when he played a one-two with Gonzalo Higuain, went past two defenders and drilled in a low shot.

It was his second goal in nine World Cup games, and first in 623 minutes since his effort against Serbia and Montenegro at the 2006 tournament.

“I wanted to release all the energy from other times when things didn’t go right (with the national team),” said Messi. “It’s always a pleasure to score with the national team.”

He added, “We had a great second half. We had the ball much more, created several opportunities and that’s what we have to continue to do.”

Sabella’s half-time switch in formation from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3 played a pivotal role in his side’s improvement.

“As strikers, we prefer that system as it gives us more attacking opportunities and if we don’t use that system we suffer a bit,” said Messi.

“I was often on my own and so was Kun (Sergio Aguero) and it was very difficult, so there are things to be improved on.”

Argentina, who are aiming to win a third World Cup, play Iran on June 21 in their next game.

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Four feared dead as thugs clash in Ilorin

Three persons were confirmed dead on Monday while many vehicles and property worth millions of naira were destroyed following violence that erupted among thugs in Ilorin, Kwara State.

About 15 victims, including three siblings of same parents, were said to have sustained bullet wounds.

Also, an airforce official was injured when his patrol van was shot at by the rampaging thugs.

Residents of the area were said to have fled to safe communities following the pandemonium.

There were two accounts as to the cause of the mayhem.

A source said it started after some hoodlums clashed with some vigilante men at Alore, Ogidi ward in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of the state.

Another source said the thugs, suspected to be supporters of rival political parties in the state, engaged in a clash.

He stated that the fight started on Friday around the Abayawo area of Ilorin and spread to Alore-Ode Adana-Omoda, Ode-Alawusa Okelele after which one person was said to have injured.

He added that another rival gang of thugs engaged in a reprisal on Sunday after which a victim, identified simply as Ebba, was killed.

Some hoodlums were said to have attempted to avenge Ebba’s death and engaged in another hostility for about five hours on Monday.

Our correspondent learnt that the thugs, who wore masks, brandished weapons such as cutlasses, irons, sticks and guns.

It was also learnt that some youths in the affected areas engaged the rampaging thugs to stop them from further invasion of their communities.

Many vehicles and property were damaged while the thugs allegedly looted many shops and carted away goods and cash.

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the violence. He said only three people died, while a naval police officer was injured when his patrol van was shot at.

He also said that 12 suspects had been arrested in connection with the mayhem.

He said, “Some thugs engaged in violence. They were damaging vehicles and firing at random. In the process, one airforce patrol vehicle was fired at and one officer was injured. In the process of moping up the situation and calming down the area, two of the miscreants were shot dead. Their remains are lying at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital mortuary. Twelve suspects were also arrested.”

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Chinese fan dies

June 17, 2014 by Agency Reporter Leave a Comment

A Chinese football fan has reportedly died after staying up on successive nights to watch the World Cup, Eurosport reports.

The 25-year-old man from Suzhou, near Shanghai, was found in front of his TV hours after the Netherlands beat Spain 5-1 in their first round game on Friday, which finished at around 5am Chinese time, and doctors said his death could have been caused by sleep deprivation.

The time difference between Suzhou and Brazil is 11 hours, meaning fans have to stay up through the night to follow the World Cup, and it appears this particular enthusiast took things a little too far.

According to the Xinhua news agency, doctors said the death was related to an excessive lack of sleep, but couldn’t be sure whether it was sheer exhaustion or a possible heart attack.

This is not a new problem in China, whose time zone rarely tallies with whoever is hosting the World Cup, and similar problems were reported for both the 2006 and 2010 tournaments.

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Motorists beat up LASTMA official for ‘misconduct’

A yet-to-be-identified official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority was beaten up on Monday afternoon at the Ogolonto area, Ikorodu in Lagos for what motorists described as an “immodest attitude.”

The LASTMA official, whose uniform was blood-stained, was beaten up by a combined team of motorists and street urchins, otherwise known as area boys, at about 12.30pm.

When our correspondent got to the scene of the clash, a transporter in the garage, who identified himself simply as Obisesan, said the LASTMA official was beaten up due to his “overbearing attitude.”

He said, “There were about five LASTMA officials at this junction at about 12.30pm. A commercial driver with his conductor was approaching from inside the area. Their bus did not have any passenger. By the time they got to the junction, two of the LASTMA officials climbed into the bus for a reason unknown to the driver, and ordered him to park.

“While the driver was finding out what his offence was, one of the LASTMA officials placed his leg on the clutch. Meanwhile, the driver’s leg was on the turtle. That was how the bus swerved and the engine got knocked. Motorists got angry, and the pandemonium started.”

It was further learnt that while the commotion lasted, other LASTMA officials and traffic policemen on duty could not intervene, as the area boys continued to hit the LASTMA official. Meanwhile, the motorist was also said to have sustained slight injuries in the scuffle.

A LASTMA official at the bus stop, who craved anonymity, told our correspondent that they quickly alerted the police when they suspected the situation was getting out of hands.

He said, “It took the intervention of the police to arrest the situation as the area boys were growing in number. Eventually, when the policemen showed up, the culprit driver and some area boys were all taken to Ipakodo Police Division.

“The driver’s bus is at the station and our injured colleague is also with them.”

Our correspondent who also visited the division saw the bus, and met about 20 people including two LASTMA officials.

When contacted on phone, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, Mr. Young Arabamen, said he had yet to receive any information of an injured official.

“I do not have that information of any injured official,” he said.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said she would get back to our correspondent, but had yet to do so as of the time of going to press.

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Scrapping amnesty programme’ll end Nigeria –Senator

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, Senator James Manager, on Monday said any plan to scrap the Amnesty Programme for ex-militants will end the continued existence of Nigeria as a nation.

Manager, who is representing Delta South in the upper chamber, stated this in Warri during an empowerment programme he packaged for over 1,000 people from the eight local government areas of the senatorial district.

There have been clamours for the scrapping of the programme by some individuals and groups recently because of the huge funds, they claimed.

But Manager insisted that the programme must remain relevant adequately funded beyond 2015 if the country must continue to enjoy peace in the ever volatile oil-rich region.

He described those calling for the scrapping of the laudable programme as enemies of Nigeria in view of the fact that the country had been enjoying steady rise in crude production due to the engagement of youths from the area in productive activities.

Rather than clamouring for the end of the programme, Manager advised Nigerians to push for more funding and support from multi-national oil firms and foreign agencies to make it more successful.

He said the amnesty programme may only be discontinued when the much needed developmental projects being executed by various intevention agencies has touched every sector of the of the economy in the areas.

He said,”The programme must continue in the Niger Delta if Nigeria must continue to exist as a nation. It can only be stopped when the development we are yearning for would have been fully achieved.

“Some of the restive youths hitherto perpetrating one form of atrocity or the other in the creeks, thereby disrupting oil exploration by the multi – national firms, are now being trained as pilots and engineers, among others, just to make them useful to the society.”

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Ocheho Handball: Lagos teams in good start

June 17, 2014 by Idris Adesina Leave a Comment

The Lagos State men and women’s teams at the ongoing Sam Ocheho Invitational Handball Championship began their campaigns on a bright note on Sunday.

The event, which is in its second edition, has eight teams in the men’s category and five teams in the women’s category.

The Lagos men’s team, Eko United, beat De-Defenders 25-23 on match day one and went on to defeat Idah Pillars 22-17 in their second match.

The women’s team, Eko Queens, beat Police Machine 39-16 and also defeated Delta Force 38-16 to set themselves on the way to the elimination rounds.

Head coach of the teams, Anthony Idolor, said their aim was to win the competition.

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Suspected drug dealers kill NDLEA officials in Ogun

Three officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency were killed on Sunday in Sabo Owode, Yewa South Local Government Area, Ogun State.

It was gathered that the NDLEA officials were in the area to arrest some suspected drug dealers when the incident happened.

Some eyewitnesses, who pleaded anonymity for security reasons, explained to one of our correspondents that the dealers sighted the NDLEA officials and engaged them in a shootout.

He said the combat left three officials dead, while an unspecified number of the suspected dealers were also killed.

The witness said, “The suspected drug dealers in the Sabo area of Owode, Ogun State, confronted the NDLEA officials when they wanted to arrest them.

“A shootout occurred and casualties were recorded on both sides.”

The state commander of the NDLEA, Bala Fagge, confirmed the incident, adding that the entire command was mourning the men.

He said, “But we have the main suspect in our custody and he will be charged to court soon. There is another officer that sustained injury who is currently recuperating at the hospital.”

The national spokesman for the NDLEA, Michelle Ofoyeju, explained that the men were killed during the arrest of a drug dealer.

He said, “The three officials were killed in a mob attack while on official assignment in Owode, Ogun State. The incident occurred during the arrest of a notorious cannabis dealer, Azeez Babatunde.

“The officials - Bolaji Owolodun, Rabiu Usman Kazaure and Ishaku Joshua - were confirmed dead after the attack.”

The Chairman of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, said the perpetrators of the attack would be brought to justice.

He said, “The agency will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators are arrested and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country.

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