IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Senators, members of the House of Representatives and the state Houses of Assembly have devised various means to keep safe and protect themselves in the wake of rising cases of kidnapping of eminent citizens, including politicians. Just three weeks ago, a lawmaker from Kano State, Mr. Garba Umar-Durbunde, was kidnapped by gunmen along the Abuja-Kaduna Road, after which he reportedly paid N10m ransom to secure his freedom.

Senator Jonah Jang’s aide was killed by kidnappers last weekend and it was said that the former Plateau State governor was the target. Investigations by showed that one of the strategies adopted by many Federal Lawmakers was to lie low to avoid being identified in public and drawing attention to themselves. It was learnt that many senators and House of Representatives’ members no longer use official number plates on their vehicles in a bid to keep starring eyes in check.

For instance, a member of the House of Representatives, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that in the past, it was prestigious and fashionable for legislators to use their official number plates but not anymore because of the level of insecurity in the country.

The Independent Democrats in Anambra State has sacked its pioneer state chairman, Mr. Omeife Omeife over alleged anti party activities. The party accused Omeife of hobnobbing with other political parties with the intention to undermine ID. The new chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor, disclosed this to newsmen at the party’s secretariat in Awka. He said Omeife’s activities were “against the philosophy of the party”.

Okafor added, “He was hobnobbing with other political parties in a manner that we considered to be against the interest of our great party. “He acted without the consent of the party’s executive, NWC and other party hierarchy.” He said the party had commenced registration of new members ahead of the November 18 governorship election in the state. “The registration will take place in the 21 local government areas of the state and the party is targeting a minimum of one million members.

He expressed optimism that the Independent Democrats would win the governorship poll in the state, adding that four governorship aspirants had declared to run on its platform.

The Joint Action Committee of four trade unions of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, has accused Senator Gbemisola Saraki of allegedly running the institution unilaterally and without recourse to due process. Senator Gbemisola Saraki is the institution’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairperson of the Governing Council.

The JAC, comprising the Academic staff Union of Universities; the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities; the National Association of Academic Technologists and Non-Academic Staff Union, carpeted Saraki for allegedly disallowing a properly-constituted Committee on Staff Verification to submit their report. The staff verification committee, which was saddled with the mandate of looking into the issues of staff welfare, promotions, salary disparity, tax remitances, pension remission, statutory allowances, confirmation of appointment, among others had reportedly submitted its report to the Governing Council.

They claimed that instead of the Pro-Chancellor to work on the report of the committee, she allegedly disregarded it and constituted another Ad-Hoc Committee unilaterally to look into staff welfare and complaints as well as to probe the protest in the institution on May 23, 2017.

Southampton have appointed Mauricio Pellegrino as their new manager.
The 45-year-old Argentine replaces Claude Puel, who was fired after one season in charge earlier in June. Pellegrino stood down as Alaves manager in late May, after losing the Spanish Cup final to Barcelona and finishing ninth in La Liga with a club that had been promoted the season before. "My philosophy and the culture of the club will work well," said Pellegrino, who has signed a three-year deal.

"I want to win matches, be successful and develop a team spirit where everyone gives 100% and supports each other. "I am excited and passionate about what the future holds." Southampton vice-chairman Les Reed said former Liverpool defender Pellegrino "impressed us with his depth of knowledge, motivation and ability" adding that he "quickly became our first choice". "While he had other options, we are delighted he feels that St Mary's is the right place for him," he added.

Pellegrino previously worked at Independiente and Estudiantes in his native Argentina, joining the latter after he was fired by Valencia - his first job in management - following seven months in charge.

Stakeholders on electoral reforms have dialogued with the Inspector General of Police and the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission on constructive suggestions towards improving the twenty nineteen general elections. Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris says the commission has put in place strategies to enforce proper policing and that candidates must abide with electoral laws. The efforts he says are in place to surmount security challenges during election as there will be prosecution of electoral offenders.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission says Nigeria has over seventy million voters as he highlights the breakdown of registered voters as well as the challenges surrounding operations come twenty nineteen general elections. In his presentation at the media brief in Abuja on the dialogue with situation room and other Civil Society Organisations, the Inspector General of Police advocated for the punishment of kidnappers in the country following the rapid increase of arrest carried out by the Police.

He added that there will be establishment of special tactical squad, technical intelligence unit, intelligence response unit and terrorism investigation bureau to bring the force closer to the communities.

The Grenfell Tower fire in London started in a fridge freezer, and outside cladding failed safety tests, police say. Insulation on the building also failed tests and the Metropolitan Police will consider manslaughter charges. Seventy-nine people are feared dead after the blaze destroyed 151 homes in the Kensington tower block. The government has ordered immediate testing of the Hotpoint fridge freezer which was involved.

Whirlpool, who owns Hotpoint, has urged anyone who thinks they may own one of the appliances of the model FF175BP or FF175BG to call 0800 316 3826. It said: "We offer our most profound condolences to the victims, those who have lost loved ones, homes, and possessions, and to their friends and families."

It said it was working with the authorities to obtain access to the appliance so that it could assist with the ongoing investigations.