U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed Democrats of frustrating talks between him and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un, earlier scheduled to hold in Singapore on June 12.

Though Trump said on Friday that he was happy with North Korea for leaving the door open for potential U.S.-North Korea talks, he maintained that Democrats were against negotiations with the rogue regime.

Democrats are so obviously rooting against us in our negotiations with North Korea.

Just like they are coming to the defense of MS 13 thugs, saying that they are individuals

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The Senate has intervened in the ongoing industrial action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), in a bid to end the strike and make the nations hospitals functional once again.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, after a meeting with the leadership of JOHESU yesterday () where he listened to their grievances and demands, today () met with the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, to hear their own side of the issue.

While meeting with the JOHESU leadership led by its Chairman, Comrade Biobelemonye Joseph, the President of the Senate, had pledged that the Senate would ensure that the right thing is done to end the strike.

Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate, Sanni Onogu, in a statement in Abuja, said Sarakis meeting with Adewole and Ngige was meant to hear their side of the issue and to forge a way forward, not only to end the strike but to ensure that there is lasting peace and industrial harmony in the nations health institutions.

During his meeting with the leadership of JOHESU, Saraki said the Senate and indeed the National Assembly, would ensure that the right thing is done to end the strike.

He noted that it is not in the interest of the country to have its hospitals closed while he pledged that the Senate would work with all stakeholders to ensure that the strike is called off.

Saraki said: Our interest here in the Senate and the National Assembly in general, is to find a solution to this problem. It is not in the interest of the country for us to have our hospitals closed and we must work to ensure they are reopened promptly.

I have heard your remarks, I will spend sometimes to discuss with you and get more details to see how we can put an end to this strike.

On our own part, we will bring all parties involved together to ensure that where commitments have been made, those who made the commitments honour them.

The only thing I can assure you is that we will make sure that the right thing is done and that this matter is resolved, he said.

Source: NAN

Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta joined Japan’s Vissel Kobe on Thursday, calling his J-League move an “important career challenge”.

“This is a very special day for me,” the 34-year-old World Cup winner said after signing his contract at a glitzy unveiling in Tokyo.

“I had a lot of offers, other clubs showed an interest in me,” added Iniesta, who is reported to have agreed a three-year deal with an annual salary of $30 million, comfortably a J-League record.

“But I chose Vissel Kobe because it was an interesting project. There was also a lot of trust and confidence in me as a person and also as a player — that was a big reason.”

Iniesta, who lifted 32 major trophies and made 674 appearances for Catalan giants Barca, was handed his trademark number eight shirt by Vissel owner Hiroshi Mikitani.

“I am confident that Iniesta’s leadership philosophy and his DNA will be a terrific inspiration for not only Vissel Kobe but Japanese football,” said Mikitani.

“His arrival in Japan will raise the profile of Japanese football globally. Iniesta will inspire and empower us to reach new heights in football in Japan. We are very proud to see this day come.”

The Spain icon’s decision to choose Kobe arguably represents Japanese football’s biggest transfer coup, with many top players now moving to cash-rich Chinese clubs in the twilight of their careers.

It also comes as a timely boost to the J-League, which used to attract luminaries such as Brazilian great Zico and former England star Gary Lineker when it began in 1993 but has struggled to attract marquee players in recent years.

Iniesta will join former Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski in the western port city of Kobe after he completed a move from Galatasaray last summer. Podolski was quick to send a “welcome” tweet to Iniesta on Thursday.

“I’d like to help take this club forward and help the J-League grow in Asia,” said Iniesta, who is set to join his new team mates after the World Cup in Russia.

“I’m looking forward to getting to know the Kobe players as quickly as possible to be able to help with that process.”

Danish star Michael Laudrup, himself a former Barcelona fan favourite and one of Iniesta’s boyhood heroes, also played for Vissel in 1996-97.

Source: NAN

Contrary to reports, northern groups have denied asking President Muhammadu Buhari against seeking a re-election in 2019.

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) on Wednesday also denied asking former Vice President Atiku Abubakar not to contest presidential election.

The group described the report as misrepresentation.

Mr Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, spokesman of CNG, said in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday that the CNG did not discuss individual aspiration at its two-day summit in Kaduna as reported in the media.

According to him, the communiqu only highlighted its support for structural reforms with condition that only youths between ages 18 and 60 should represent the North.

The attention of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has been drawn to certain misrepresentations of parts of its communiqu of May 21, 2018 by a section of the media.

While we do not want to believe that the misrepresentations, though very fundamental, were maliciously made, we nevertheless owe the public a duty to straighten the records.

At the end of our two-day summit at Arewa House, Kaduna, a five-page communiqu was read by our spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in which we categorically stated that the North fully supports the restructuring of the country and shall be prepared to represent itself in any debate thereon.

Our coalition said the North supported structural reforms, with certain conditions, he said.

According to him, one of the terms is that those who will carry the banner to any future discussion with regards to Nigerian federal arrangement should be within the 18 to 60 years bracket.

We said this out of a patriotic conviction that the older men who have been speaking and running the country since independence should cease to take the front seats at such national discourses.

The coalition was, however, quite surprised by some reports by a section of the media, tending to suggest that we have asked certain aspirants to the 2019 presidency to shelve their ambition.

We wish to respond here that at no time did the individual aspiration of any politician ever came up at our two-day summit nor was it mentioned anywhere in the communiqu we read.

Our summit and subsequent communiqu essentially concentrated on the issue of restructuring. Nowhere, and at no time, did we discuss such matters as the 2019 presidency, Suleiman said.

He said that the summit was sequel to calls from several quarters in the last six months asking for our position on the issue of restructuring.

Suleiman said the group answered those calls by mandating a committee to sample the pulse of Northern Nigeria in that respect.

He said that the committee, after contacting stakeholders across all shades of interest in the region, reported that the North favoured restructuring of the country.

Consequently, we called for the summit at which participants unanimously confirmed Norths support for total and holistic structural reform.

A communiqu was issued to that effect, devoid of the slightest hint at partisanship or 2019 elections, nor did we discuss the individual aspiration of any politician, he added.

He advised media practitioners in the country to stick to their professional ethics of accurate reporting of events and avoid unnecessary sensational overkill.

NAN reports that a section of the media on Monday reported that CNG asked Buhari and Abubakar not to contest for president in 2019.

CNGs position was reported to be contained in a communiqu issued after at the end of its two-day summit in Kaduna. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said no fewer than 131, 687 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were still uncollected in Sokoto state.

The commissions Spokesman in the state, Malam Muhammad Musa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Sokoto that the unclaimed PVCs comprised 69, 685 not claimed between 2011 and 2014.

Musa said that another set of 62, 002 PVCs were recently received from INEC National Headquarters for distribution to owners, adding that the distribution of the cards commenced on Monday.

He said the Continues Voters Registration (CVR) that started on April 27, 2017 was in progress across the 39 collection and registration centres in the state.

He advised eligible persons to forward their Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) for the collection of PVCs at designated centres.

Musa said that ongoing issuance of PVCs was to persons who applied for transfers, lost, defaced or destroyed cards.

The commission is assuring those who registered in 2018 that their PVCs will be ready for collection in good time before the 2019 general elections, he said.

He, however, appealed to public to use the opportunity to collect their PVCs for use in the 2019 elections. (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Voters Union, a programme of Be-The-Change Organisation (BCO), a civic advocacy organisation, says it is committed to increasing the chances of peaceful, credible elections and protection of voters voices.

Voters Union Chairman, Ms Diana Olabisi, who briefed newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the group envisioned a well-informed passionate voters that were hard to be compromised.

She said the decision to create Voters Union came after a rigorous research for solution to boosting voters mood and increasing political participation.

According to her, Voters Union is a voter advocacy platform where voters connect to achieve common goals.

Olabisi listed the goals of the group to include: increasing voters access to information

To educate voters on voters rights, duties and responsibilities; to minimize oppression and suppression of voters voices, to reduce the toxicity in political atmosphere; to maintain and improve relationship between the voters and the voted.

With Voters Union, protecting constituency integrity, protecting our votes, and election follow ups becomes easy.

This will check the right of citizens to participate in public affairs without intimidation or favour, she said.

She said that the widespread development of non-partisan election monitoring around the world was a tangible evidence of citizens desire for responsive, transparent, and democratic governance achievable through voter education.

The chairman said that by providing voter education, election monitoring, vote protection, and constituency integrity, the group was working to advance democratic goals and strengthening democratic institutions.

She said that Voters Union had made conscious decision for monitoring efforts that would safeguard electoral integrity and create governmental and political accountability.

On his part, Mr Emeka Ejezie, National President, Actors Guild of Nigeria, said he came to lend support to Voters Union.

He said that the most important persons in politics are the voters not the voted.

We need to protect our votes so that our voice will count, before, during and after election.

That is only the way we can effect a change and get the people we want into offices.

We have 150 members in 32 states; as role models, we want to join our voices with Voters Union, he said.

He said the guild always made meaningful impact in any sector it identified with.

Source: NAN

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Appeal Committee in Kwara State has said there was no petition or appeal against the state congress conducted on Saturday by Senator Bukola Saraki-led faction, which was supervised by the national secretariat of the party in Ilorin.

Chairman of the committee, Mr Osita Egwuatu, made this known in Ilorin on Wednesday at a news conference at the party secretariat.

Egwuatu said the three -member committee were in the state for hearing of election petition that might have arisen from the state congress election.

He added that as at the 9 a. m on Wednesday when their assignment ended, the committee has not received any complaint against the conduct of the congress.

Egwuatu said members of the committee arrived Ilorin on Sunday to hear any complaint, petition and appeal against the state congress of the party.

He said he pasted notice on the board at the APC secretariat for any person with petition or complaint to submit same.

As I am speaking to you, we have not received any petition from anybody.

Today is the last day of the hearing of the petition, up till now, no petition from anybody, Egwuatu added.

He said that since there was no petition, appeal or complaint from anybody, it means that the congress went well in the state.

Reports had indicated that two congresses of the party were held simultaneously on Saturday, with the Saraki led group, holding its own atthe Banquet Hall opposite the Government House. It elected Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani as chairman.

Another faction loyal to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, held another congress at the Arca Santa Event Hall, in Ilorin and electedMoshood Bolarinwa as chairman.

Malam Abdullahi Samari was elected as the Deputy Chairman.

Others were Alhaji Abdulganiyu Saka (Secretary); Abegunde Goge (Assistant Secretary); Rahmat Abolaji (Women leader) and Samuel Isaac (Youth Leader).

Source: NAN

Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi has accepted the resignation of his deputy, Alhaji Nuhu Gidado, who turned in his letter of resignation on Wednesday.

In a statement issued on his behalf by Mr Ali M. Ali, Special Adviser, Media, the governor described the tenure of his deputy as meritorious and therefore deserving of commendation.

Wereceived the resignation of our Deputy Governor, Engr. Nuhu Gidado.

On behalf of the people of Bauchi state, I want to thank him for his meritorious service while in office.

He remains vital to our administration and party.

I wish him well in his future endeavours, and he can count on me for support.

I am also optimistic he will avail the state his service when called upon in the future, said Ali in the statement, quoting the governor.

It would be recalled that the deputy governor resigned on Wednesday, attributing his action to the dampening of spirit and waning zeal with regards his official responsibilities.

Ordinarily, I should have remained up to the end of the tenure, but, with the current dampened spirit and waning zeal as it relates to my official engagements, my continued stay will not be fair and truthful to you as my brother and leader.

In this regard, I feel sure that, Your Excellency will readily recollect the most recent one on one discussion we had, precisely, on Thursday, April 19th, 2018, in your office, where, among other issues, I expressed to you, my contemplation to step aside, if need be, in order to free my conscience.

I regret to say that it has become necessary to yield to that inner calling, and may this development be in accordance with the blessed will and guidance of Allah, said the deputy governor in his resignation letter.

Source: NAN

President Donald Trump has cancelled the planned June 12 summit in Singapore with North Koreas Kim Jong Un, citing the tremendous anger and open hostility in a recent statement from North Korea.

It came on a day that North Korea dismantled its nuclear bomb testing site, in the presence of some invited journalists

Trump said in a letter to Kim released Thursday by the White House that based on the statement, he felt it was inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting.

The president says the North Koreans talk about their nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

Read Trumps letter:

The aborted Singapore summit had a ring of doubt since it was first suggested. At the heart of the problem was Trumps suggestion that North Korea unilaterally give up its arsenal of nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles.

Last week, Trump sought to placate North Korea after it threatened to call off the summit, saying Kims security would be guaranteed in any deal and his country would not suffer the fate of Muammar Gaddafis Libya, unless that could not be reached.

But the reference to the case of Libya has angered North Korea.

In a statement released by North Korean media on Thursday, Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui called U.S. Vice President Mike Pence a political dummy for comparing North Korea a nuclear weapons state to Libya, where Gaddafi gave up his unfinished nuclear development programme, only to be later killed by NATO-backed fighters.

It is to be underlined, however, that in order not to follow in Libyas footstep, we paid a heavy price to build up our powerful and reliable strength that can defend ourselves and safeguard peace and security in the Korean peninsula and the region, Choe said.

Choe said the fate of the summit was entirely up to the United States.

We will neither beg the U.S. for dialogue nor take the trouble to persuade them if they do not want to sit together with us, said Choe.

She said she could suggest to leader Kim that North Korea reconsider the summit if the United States offended the Norths goodwill.

Source: NAN

South Korean President Moon Jae-in convened a meeting with top security officials on Thursday night after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled his planned summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the presidential office said.

Yonhap news agency reported that Moon called an emergency meeting at Cheong Wa Dae at 11:30 p.m. with his chief of staff, top security adviser, intelligence chief, chief press secretary, and foreign, unification and defence ministers, his press secretary Yoon Young-chan said in a message to reporters.

The presidential office said it is seeking to figure out the background of Trumps decision to call off the June 12 summit with North Koreas leader Kim Jong-un.

(We) are trying to figure out what President Trumps intention is and the exact meaning of it, presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Trump cancelled the summit, citing the Norths tremendous anger and open hostility. Trump informed Kim of the decision in a letter released by the White House, hours after the North dismantled its only known nuclear test site.

We greatly appreciate your time, patience, and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore, the letter said.

Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting.

Source: NAN