Sierra Leones President Julius Maada Bio has rolled out names of his cabinet including some members of opposition.

Veteran politician and lawyer Charles Francis Margai was named as Attorney General and Justice minister.

Mr Margai was one of 16 candidates who contested the March 7 first round presidential election.

He backed Brig (Rtd) Bio in the second round on March 31.

The veteran politicians father and uncle, both of who served as prime ministers, were among the founders of the governing Sierra Leones Peoples Party (SLPP).

Mr Margai ditched his kins party in 2007 after losing the contest to lead it in presidential elections that year.

He formed the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (MPDC), which joined forces with President Ernest Bai Koromas All Peoples Congress (APC) to defeat SLPP in a hotly contested run-off.

Mr Margai soon fell out with President Koroma who he accused of undermining his party.

His appointment will particularly provoke questions around the commitment of the new president to his campaign promise of separating the office of Attorney General from the Justice ministry, which has been seen as a hindrance to justice delivery.

A total of 12 ministers were named on Thursday, including those for Finance, Health and Energy.

Former World Bank development expert Jacob Jusu Saffa takes over the Finance ministry, while medical scientist and renowned educationist, Dr Alpha Wurie, was given the Health docket.

Primary and Secondary Education went to Dr Alpha Ousman Timbo and the Energy went to Mr Kanja Sesay.

Other ministerial appointments include Information and Communication (Mohamed Swaray), Marine Resources (Mrs Emms Kowa), Labour and Social Security (Adenkunle Joliff Milton-King), Water Resources (Dr Jonathan Tengbe), and Social Welfare, Gender and Childrens Affairs (Ms Baindu Dassama).

There were also appointments for Internal Affairs (Edward A. Suluku) and Deputy Defence minister, (Brig (Rtd) Simeon N. Sheriff.

Mr Sahr Lahai Jusu was named Financial Secretary.

President Bio also named his long term personal assistant Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, as Press Secretary.

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Source: NAN

A bomb killed five spectators at a football match in southern Somalia, police and a lawmaker said on Friday, the first time an explosion has targeted a stadium.

The blast went off in the port town of Barawe, in the Lower Shabelle region, when residents were watching a football
match on Thursday afternoon, police said, adding that al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab could be behind the attack.

Police said it appeared to have been detonated by remote control.

The bomb killed five people and injured a dozen others in the football field.

All the casualties were from the onlookers, Mahad Dhoore, a lawmaker for South West state told Reuters.

Police officer Mohamed Aden said al Shabaab group was suspected of being behind the attack and put the number
of dead at four and wounded at 12.

We believe al Shabaab was behind (it) and that the target was officials who were not seated there at the
time of the match.

The bomb looked like a remotely controlled one that was planted there, Aden told Reuters from Barawe.

Al Shabaab are fighting to topple Somalias Western-backed central government and establish their own rule based
on their strict interpretation of Islamic law.

The group frequently carries out bombings and gun attacks in the capital Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia.

Al Shabaab carried out an explosion that killed teenagers who were just playing football in Barawe town.

Al Shabaab is the only enemy we have, President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed said during a farewell party for Somalias outgoing parliament speaker.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

President Rodrigo Duterte of Philippines on Friday threatened to arrest International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda if she conducts activities in his country.

He argued that Philippines was no longer an ICC member so the court had no right to carry out any investigation.

Hitting out at what he said was an international effort to paint him as a ruthless and heartless violator of
human rights, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICCs Rome Statute in March and promised to
continue his crackdown on drugs, in which thousands have been killed.

ICC prosecutor Bensouda in February announced the start of a preliminary examination into a complaint by
a Philippine lawyer which accuses Duterte and top officials of crimes against humanity, and of
killing criminals as a policy.

Duterte has cited numerous reasons why he believes the ICC has no jurisdiction over him, and on Friday
suggested that any doubts about that should have been dispelled by his withdrawal.

What is your authority now? If we are not members of the treaty, why are you in this country?, told
reporters, in comments aimed at Bensouda.

You cannot exercise any proceedings here without basis. That is illegal and I will arrest you.

It is not clear whether Bensouda or the ICC has carried out any activities in the Philippines related to
the complaint against Duterte.

The office of the prosecutor in The Hague and the Philippine foreign ministry did not immediately respond to
requests for comment.

Police have since July 2016 killed more than 4,000 people they say are drug dealers who resisted arrest.

Activists say many of those were executions, which police deny.

Duterte has told security forces not to cooperate with any foreign investigators and last month said he would
convince other ICC members to withdraw.

Duterte had earlier vowed to face the ICC and critics say pulling out is futile, because the ICC has jurisdiction
to investigate alleged crimes committed in the period from when the Philippines joined in 2011 to when
its withdrawal takes effect in March 2019.

Under the Rome Statute, the ICC can step in and exercise jurisdiction if states are unable or unwilling to
investigate suspected crimes.

The mercurial former mayor and his legal aides argue that technically, the Philippines never actually joined
the ICC, because it was not announced in the countrys official gazette.

If there is no publication, it is as if there is no law at all, Duterte said on Friday. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has pledged to build on the gains of the bilateral relations with Nigeria to achieve meaningful growth.

Mr Jon Tong Chol, the Ambassador, DPRK, made the promise at an event to mark the 106th birthday anniversary of the late Korean leader, Kim Il Sung, organised by the Embassy in Abuja.

He described the Sung as one who devoted his lifetime to preach on the importance of independence, self-reliance and self-defence in Korea and in the world.

According to him, his revolutionary cause has succeeded and even brought about the external relationship with countries like Nigeria, they enjoy today, which brought about economic ties between both countries.

The traditional relationship and cooperation between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and DPRK have further consolidated and developed.

We sincerely wish the Nigerian people greater successes in maintaining the peace and security.

Also to consolidate the national unity in making Nigeria prosperous under the wise leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari

He wished the government and people of Nigeria success in the fights against corruption and terrorism.

Kim Il Sung, born April 15, 1912 was the leader of North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death on July 8, 1994.

Source: NAN

Lebanons Hezbollah does not believe the latest Syria crisis will spiral into a direct U.S.-Russia conflict or a wider all-out war, its deputy leader said in comments published on Friday.

The heavily armed and Iranian-backed Shiite movement has been a vital military ally of President Bashar al-Assad in the seven-year-old Syrian war.

We rule out the situation developing into a direct American-Russian clash or a wide state of war.

The conditions do not point to a total war unless U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu completely lose their minds, Sheikh Naim Qassem told newsmen.

Trump has threatened strikes against Assads forces after a suspected gas attack on a rebel town where dozens of people died, and a Russian envoy has voiced fears of a wider conflict between Washington and Moscow.

The threat of confrontation between Russia, the Syrian states key ally, and the West loomed after Trump said on Wednesday missiles will be coming and lambasted Moscow for standing by Assad.

Trump has tempered those remarks since and even as he consulted allies Britain and France, there were signs of efforts to prevent the crisis from spiralling out of control.

The White House said no final decision has been made on Syria after Trump met his national security team on Thursday. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

The National Assembly has endorsed the commencement of Higher National Diploma course in Official Reporting at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

The programme will commence in June, following its approval by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The Institute is the research arm of the National Assembly.

Director General of NILDS, Prof. Ladi Hamalai, stated this on Monday while declaring open a two-week certificate training programme on Official Reporting.

The event was put together by the Institute for staff of Anambra and Ogun State Houses of Assembly.

Represented by the Director of Research and Training in the Institute, Adeyemi Fajingbesi, Hamalai said the training was specifically designed to acquaint participants with information, methods and modern tools to report parliamentary practices and proceedings accurately.

The DG said topical issues to be discussed at the training include: Principles and Elements of Speed Writing/Shorthand Development, Hansard Styles Manual, ICT in Official Reporting, Editing, Keyboarding as well as Record Management and Archiving of Parliamentary Reports.

The central role of the legislature in the overall development of the nation particularly in the areas of law-making for the good governance of the country, oversight of other arms of government and representation of their respective constituencies cannot be overemphasized.

The present certificate programme is therefore part of NILDS efforts to assist the State Houses of Assembly to develop skills of Official Reporters to meet the present global challenges especially in the area of the use of modern technology, Hamalai said.

Source: NAN

The Senate on resumption from its two-week Easter break suspended plenary in honour of its member, the late Mustapha Bukar who died on April 4.

Until his death, Bukar, 63, represented Katsina North Senatorial District in the Red Chamber and was Chairman Committee on Capital Market.

Leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, moved a motion for suspension of plenary.

A minute silence led by the President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki was observed for the deceased.

Saraki, thereafter, said a valedictory service would be held on Wednesday in honour of their deceased colleague who served the country immensely.

It is a great loss, Saraki said.

In separate interview, Sen. Abu Ibrahim (APC-Katina South) said every life will test dead.

We are in this world as actors on stage: we come and do our action and leave.

He was a prominent politician, a well known person, he was my in-law, my son is married to his daughter, he was a highly respected person, he said.

Similarly, Sen. Victor Umeh (APGA-Anambra) prayed God to spare the National Assembly of these deaths.

We carry a lot of stress , a lot of problems of Nigerians here.

These sudden deaths are signs that those who are in the National Assembly to take things easy.

Nigerians should pray for the members of the National Assembly, he said.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter to the Senate dated April 4, 2018 said I was saddened to receive the news of the deaths of Senators Ali Wakili and Mustapha Bukar.

He said their various contributions to the Senate deliberations and the wider democratic process in the country had been of immense values.

Please accept Mr Senate President, the expression of my deepest sympathy, Bugatti said.

Source: NAN

Comrade Oladele Nihi, an aspirant for the seat of the President, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), says he is excited over President Muhammadu Buharis decision to seek re-election in 2019.

Nihi, who addressed newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the Presidents declaration had put to rest the speculations on whether he would run in the 2019 elections or not.

Before now, we have listened to comments from both the sides of those who want the President to re-contest and those who do not.

Others have even written open letters and counter letters advising the president of what to do.

All these created some form of palpable tension in the polity. We are happy that the uncertainty has been brought to an end by Mr Presidents decision.

Nihi, who is the Chairman Kogi State chapter, NYCN, said it was time for all interested parties to return to the drawing board to strategise the way forward and let the people decide.

He lauded Buhari for the successes achieved so far in the area of security, anti-corruption fight, economy and social welfare.

The aspirant however, urged the President to ensure the total independence of INEC in carrying out its duties.

According to him, INEC is the umpire that will oversee the conduct of the 2019 elections and the scope of its independence will determine how efficient and effective it would be.

Though we are optimistic about free, fair and credible elections in 2019, youths must remain steadfast and avoid being used as tools to propagate disunity among ourselves. It takes the collective effort of all to achieve a better Nigeria, Nihi said.

He used the opportunity to call on the President to, as a matter of importance assent to the Not Too Young To Run Bill to give room for more people to participate in the electoral processes.

Nihi also pleaded with the president to reconsider his decision on the Peace Corps of Nigeria Bill as it was youth-oriented.

Source: NAN

The Senate on Thursday suspended a pro-Buhari senator, Ovie Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days for his remarks during and after the consideration of the electoral acts amendment.

Omo-Ageges suspension followed the recommendation of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Sam Anyanwu.

With the suspension, Omo-Agege will stay suspended for 90 legislative days. This means that if the senate were to sit without any interruption, recess or adjournment for committee work, it would take 30 weeks (7 months for Omo-Agege to completely serve his suspension.

Currently the senate is yet to take its over 2-months long annual recess as well as its December break during which times the suspension will not be counted.

The senator had gone against the senate during the consideration of the electoral act amendment and went ahead to grant a press conference where he said that the move by the senate was targetted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senator was one of the 9 other senators who had insisted during the amendment that the election sequence targeted President Muhammadu Buhari.

His comments which infuriated other senator was seen as unethical and the senate mandated its committee on Ethics to investigate the matter.

However, Omo-Agege who later recanted came to the floor on another legislative day to tender an unreserved apology to his colleagues, however Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the days plenary only noted the apology and asked the ethics committee to submit its reports as soon as possible.

While submitting its report on Thursday, the Sam Anyanwu-led committee recommended that the lawmaker be suspended for 181 legislative days.

However, after pleas from many of his colleagues, the senate resolved to suspend senator Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days.

In a related development, the Senate also disbanded the Parliamentary Support Group for President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group was chaired by Senator Abdullahi Adamu while Sen. Omo-Agege was the secretary. The group was made up of 11 members including the late Sen. Ali Wakili.

More details later

Source: NAN

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has pledged the willingness of his administration to upgrade allowances of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state.

Ugwuanyi made the disclosure in Enugu on Thursday during the passing-out ceremony of 2017 Batch A Stream 1 corps members in the state.

The state government recently increased allowances of medical and paramedical corps members serving in the rural areas from N3, 800 to N30, 000.

The governor, who was represented at the event by the Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mr Uwakwe Azikiwe, said the gesture would soon be extended to the rest of the corps members.

Recently, the state government upgraded the allowance of medical and paramedical personnel and very soon this gesture will be extended to other corps members in the state.

As a responsible government, we will make sure that your state allowances will continue to be paid as and when due, he said.

Ugwuanyi urged the out-gone corps members to make good use of the skills they learnt during the service year as a veritable option for self employment in the face of white collar job.

You are stepping into another phase of life where you may discover that some of your preconceived ideas and dreams are not in tandem with present economic realities with regard to job opportunities.

It is now time to use the lessons learnt from this exposure to make the right decisions for your future, he said.

Ugwuanyi called on them to remain resolute and confident in their ability to decent living from genuine and honest endeavours.

Earlier, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Alhaji Ahmed Ikaka, commended the state government for organising a befitting passing out parade for the corps members.

Ikaka said that the corps members had commenced their service year on May 23, 2017, adding that their performances were satisfactory.

He, however, said that four of the corps members absconded from the service and would be re-mobilised to start the service afresh whenever they resurfaced.

He also noted that six corps members whose performances were exceptional were honoured with the state award.

With heavy heart, I wish you to inform you that we lost two corps members to death who are supposed to be passing out today.

I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the unwavering support and assistance the scheme enjoys in the state and as humans, we plead that you should not be tired of our ceaseless requests, he said.

Ikaka also commended the local government areas of the state, traditional rulers and employers for their contributions to the success of the scheme in the state.

Finally to my outgoing corps members, I congratulate you on your great achievements in rendering your services to the people of the state.

As you move ahead to assume greater responsibilities, do not forget the positive experiences acquired during your service and stay in Enugu State, Ikaka said.

The last time an elaborate passing out parade was organised for corps members was in November 2015.

Source: NAN