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Tracking radars are following closely the gradual fall to Earth of a large Chinese rocket vehicle.

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The country is responsible for 27% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new report.

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The first batch of a spirit made with ingredients grown in the Chernobyl exclusion zone is seized.

At least two persons were feared killed while one was injured in a fresh robbery attack on a bullion van at Boluwaduro area of Ondo East Council Of Ondo State.

The robbery which started around 5:30pm on Thursday, involved robbers numbering over eight men.

The driver and the police officers escorting the bullion van were reported to have fled immediately the attack started while the robbers shot repeatedly at the bullion van.

Two police vehicles escorting the bullion van were damaged in the process and an unspecified amount of money was said to have been carted away by the robbers.

According to an eyewitness, the bullion van was coming from Ondo town before it got ambushed by two vehicles and a Lexus car along Akure-Ondo expressway.

Some motorists at the scene reportedly left their vehicles and ran into the forest following the sporadic shooting by the robbers.

However, the state commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleke, confirmed that three person were shot by the robbers during the robbery and that one injured person was rushed to the hospital by the corps' personnel.
 

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The popular Cairo Market in the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State was gutted by fire on Thursday.

It was gathered that the fire, whose cause had yet to be determined as of the time of filing this report, affected the fabrics section of the market.

Illustration

The extent of the damage could not be also ascertained as at press time.

Firefighters and other emergency operators were on the ground to put out the fire. 

The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), who confirmed the incident said the cause of the fire was unknown.

According to him, emergency responders have arrived on the scene and are battling to contain the fire. 

He said, ”Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, it was observed that some lock-up shops were on fire."

He also stated that the operation was ongoing as at press time.
 

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday suspended Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

No reason was given for the suspension of Usman who was reappointed for another five-year tenure recently.

Hadiza Bala Usman

She was first appointed as the Managing Director of NPA in 2016.

The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi is expected to give details about her suspension on Friday.
 

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday suspended Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

No reason was given for the suspension of Usman who was reappointed for another five-year tenure recently.

Hadiza Bala Usman

She was first appointed as the Managing Director of NPA in 2016.

The minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi is expected to give details about her suspension on Friday.
 

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The government will bring some "vulnerable" Australians home after its travel ban ends next week.

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Joe Biden has set the withdrawal deadline for 11 September, but it comes amid escalating violence.

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Democrats say the measures are voter suppression but Republicans say they protect election integrity.

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The girl, likely aged 11 or 12, shot and wounded two of her fellow students and a member of staff.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye preached virtually at the church's Holy Communion service on Thursday. 

This is despite the loss of his third son, Dare, who died on Tuesday in his sleep. 

The Holy Communion Service, a programme held in preparation for the church's monthly programme, 'Holy Ghost service', which holds every first Friday of a month. 

Adeboye's sermon was titled, 'Overflowing Blessings' and he read from John 6: 5-13.

He preached in his usual fashion regardless of the tragedy that struck the family. 

As his usual practice, he called on those who have yet to give their lives to Christ to do so. 

SaharaReporters observed that Adeboye didn't make a comment about his son's death but rather focused on the message.  See Also Sahara Reporters Pastor Adeboye Loses Son 0 Comments 12 Hours Ago

He also prayed for healing for all those who are sick all over the world; prayed for a new power to witness for God with signs following. “So that the world will know that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world,” he said.

A minister, who moderated the Holy Communion Service at the Convention Ground said the Pastor was not physically present due to some ‘circumstances beyond control’.

The minister said, “I am here not standing in for him because I am too small to stand for him. I am only here to deliver the message as a messenger. He could have been here physically as he used to but due to circumstances beyond control, he was not able to be here but to the Glory of God, he has said to us, Jesus is here and he is also there praying for us...”

Dare, who is the third child of the General Overseer would have turned 43 on June 9, 2021.

He was a life coach, visionary leader, motivator, bridge builder and a youth provincial pastor in Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

The church had, however, revealed that the death of Pastor Dare Adeboye is not related to COVID-19.

The church, in a post on its verified Twitter handle, @rccghq said Pastor Dare died on Tuesday, May 4. 

The statement signed by the church's spokesman said it was the wish of the family to be left alone at this critical time.

The tweet read, “It is with a deep and heartfelt sense of loss we announce the departure of our beloved son, brother, husband and father, Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye, who went to be with the Lord on the 4th of May, 2021. 

“His life was well lived as he served the Lord without reserve, giving effortlessly and leading fearlessly.

“He was crowned by the Lord with blessings of 3 seeds and a beautiful wife.

“Though shaken, our anchor remains Jesus Christ in whom we have the assurance that we will one day meet in a place where there is no pain.

“It is the wish of the family to be left alone at this moment, and we pray the Lord to keep you as you honour this humble request.

“Oluwadamilare Temitayo Adeboye, June 9th 1978 - May 4th 2021. Remain forever in our heart. Please note that this is not a COVID-19 related death.”

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Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, says Senate minority leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, should be in prison for failing to produce the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in court.

Adesina in a Facebook post on Thursday accused Abaribe and ‘his co-travellers’ of planning to wreak havoc on Nigeria’s sovereignty and the corporate existence of the country.

Femi Adesina

Though, the presidential aide didn’t mention the senator’s name, he claimed some ‘disgruntled, caterwauling religious and political leaders’ are working towards a vote of no confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Adesina said, “There is one funny fellow at the National Assembly, who is always using foul words against the leadership of the country. The more uncouth the words from him, the happier he seems to be. He has, to a large extent, poisoned the minds of people in his region of the country against the government. Evil words inexorably germinate, and bear bitter seeds.

“It was ironic to see the fellow this week talk of massive insecurity in the land, poor state of the economy, and alleged stifling of voices of dissent. This was a character who stood surety for an insurrectionist who then jumped bail. The government has not put the man in the slammers, where he rightly belongs, and he has the temerity to talk of stifling of voices of dissent in the land. Good grief!

“He talked of utilizing all constitutional means to do the needful against the government of the day. Well, every butterfly fancies itself a bird, and the fact that the mangrove tree lives inside the river does not make it a crocodile. Talk is cheap, and dreams cost nothing. The intention of that fellow, and his co-travellers is not really about now. What they are playing is the politics of power grab in 2023, thinking they should muddy the waters before then, as much as possible. When the lobster walks on mud, it stirs it up for everybody. The welfare and well-being of the country and its peoples do not matter.

“The disgruntled, caterwauling religious and political leaders are working towards a vote of no confidence in the President. After that, what next? The DSS (Department of State Services) has indicated support for a united, indivisible Nigeria, stressing that government can only be changed through the electoral process. The military has equally done same, saying it is committed to the present Administration and democratic institutions in the land. Good.”

Abaribe had recently asked Buhari to resign over the spate of insecurity in the country.

He also stood surety for Nnamdi Kanu before the IPOB fled the country. 

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Popular Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has assured that the remaining 16 of the kidnapped Greenfield varsity students will be released soon.

He said negotiations were ongoing with the bandits who seized them since they issued a threat to kill the abductees if a ransom of N100 million was not paid.

Gumi disclosed this in Kaduna shortly after receiving parents of freed students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, who paid him a ‘thank you visit’ for his roles in securing the release of their children.

He said, “The role myself and former President Olusegun Obasanjo played in the release of the 27 Afaka students is the role of mediators, because the fight is not between us and them, but between the bandits and the government.

“What we understand is that these people are trying to attack the government by attacking the government institutions and taking innocent children. Having understood that, we came to the conclusion that, this is not a hopeless situation, we can really go in and negotiate for the release of this child, which we did after so many ups and downs. But in the long run, a conclusion was reached and these children are out.

“So, we are happy that, all of them are out and none was killed. The talk with the Greenfield University students’ abductors is also going on because we are. You know they threatened to kill all of them after a particular deadline, but after talking to them, they are now lowering their bar.

“So, we are thankful they have stopped killing. And we are still negotiating with them. I hope this Afaka case will also encourage us to know that there is hope in negotiation and release of the children.”

On the reported swap of a bandit for the students, Sheikh Gumi taunted the Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai over the comments he made in 2014. See Also Insecurity FLASHBACK: Government Must Do All It Takes To Rescue Abducted Citizens, Including Negotiating– El-Rufai Attacked President Jonathan In 2014 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

He said, “I cannot confirm that, but I can quote the Governor of Kaduna state when the children of Chibok were kidnapped by Boko Haram, he said it is the duty of the government to use whatever means possible to save the lives of Chibok girls.

“This is a general rule that life is more precious. Now, I am happy that 27 lives have been saved.”

SaharaReporters recalled that El-Rufai had in 2014 criticised the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan shortly after Boko Haram insurgents abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

He had said Jonathan was insensitive to the plights of the kidnapped girls, calling on the Nigerian government to pay ransom to facilitate their freedom.

The video recently sparked an outrage amidst mixed reactions, which have continued to trail the ongoing attacks and abductions of citizens in Kaduna state.

The governor had said, “If one of these girls was Jonathan’s daughter, the story would have been different.

“The only reason why these girls are still in captivity is because they are not the daughter of any important Nigerian and we know it.

“If you say we are politcising terrorism, go and rescue the girls so that I will not have the basis to politicise it.”

Asked if he was in support of negotiation, he had responded, “I am in support of every option, when you have life of a citizens at risk, you should not have any option on the table. You should reflect and listen.”

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The social media platform said the account was trying to evade Mr Trump's Twitter ban

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Travel will be more expensive as airlines can't afford to bring many planes back into service.

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African countries struggled to get vaccines, but now several of them have thousands of expired doses.

A Nigerian man has been apprehended by CISF personnel from the Delhi airport for allegedly smuggling narcotics hidden in his underwear, officials said on Wednesday.

They said 200 grams of methaqualone, a sedative, was recovered from Nonso Ekwealor Base. He was undergoing security checks at terminal two of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport on Tuesday before he was scheduled to board an Indigo airlines flight to Bengaluru.

File photo used to illustrate story.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) had intercepted the passenger, a Nigerian national, based on 'behaviour detection, officials said.

The foreigner was handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau authorities and the seized narcotics that is estimated to be worth Rs 40,000, a senior CISF officer said.

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The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka from church activities for one month as the controversial priest's political escapades continue to overshadow his theological obligations on a scale that nurtures unending concerns amongst his senior clerics. 

Mbaka was asked to proceed on suspension with effect from May 3 after being summoned by Callistus Valentine Onaga, the diocesan bishop. 

Onaga called Mbaka in following his repeated clashes with President Muhammadu Buhari and warned that his conduct was smearing the church's image, the largest of any Christian organisation worldwide, church officials familiar with the matter told The Gazette. 

SaharaReporters had reported last Wednesday Mbaka's criticism of the Muhammadu Buhari regime over its inaction on the widespread killings across the nation.

See Also Politics 'Is It A Lie There Is Insecurity, Nigerians Are Hungry, No Good Hospitals, No Jobs For Youths?' Mbaka Asks Presidency 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

Speaking at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Mbaka said it is wrong for Buhari to maintain grave silence despite the incessant killings in the country.

He accused the government of being behind several killings across the country and tagging separatists groups as terrorists rather than focus on getting them good jobs.  

The cleric also frowned on the activities of herders that destroy the farmland of people without any repercussion.

He said Buhari had failed Nigeria woefully and that he should resign now. Mbaka also called for the President's impeachment.

Following his suspension, Mbaka returned to his ministry that lies north of the outskirts of Enugu city centre, where he subsequently incited his members against the bishop, sources said. 

Mbaka's followers claimed without evidence that he was kidnapped by Mr Onaga and handed over to the State Security Service. They subsequently marched on the premises of the bishop on Wednesday morning, looting and destroying assets therein.

The mob also descended on the Holy Ghost Cathedral, again looting and destroying items in the building. The members also went to town to allege that the SSS had arrested Mr Mbaka — generating widespread media reports despite lacking requisite corroboration. 

A spokesman for the SSS denied taking Mr Mbaka into custody or coming in any contacts with him when reached by The Gazette, contrary to his followers' rumours. 

A spokesman for the diocese did not immediately return a request seeking comments. Mbaka's line was switched off when dialled by The Gazette on Wednesday night.

Before falling out with Buhari recently, Mr Mbaka was an ardent supporter of the President. He endorsed his campaign in 2015 and claimed his blessings played a role in its success. 

But as Buhari's regime failed to tackle acute poverty and insecurity, Mr Mbaka said he was compelled to speak up and distance himself from his regime, describing it as evil and satanic and calling on the President himself to vacate office.

Church sources said Mbaka's latest suspension was being viewed as significant for its undertone, but not the first time the fiery priest would face administrative action.

"We know people will link this to his confrontation with Buhari, but he was once demoted from a parish priest to a deputy under a parish priest," a church official told TheGazette. "He had also been transferred from bigger parishes to smaller ones for his frequent infractions in the past." 

Still, church officials admitted Mbaka's Adoration Ministry has been a cash cow for the Enugu Diocese, even though it was built by Mr Mbaka and not directly under its control. 

"The real problem is the Diocese has been financially dependent on Mbaka, collecting his millions," a source said, adding that some of the senior clerics themselves have also been in bed with politicians whom Mr Mbaka has long railed against.

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The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka from church activities for one month as the controversial priest's political escapades continue to overshadow his theological obligations on a scale that nurtures unending concerns amongst his senior clerics. 

Mbaka was asked to proceed on suspension with effect from May 3 after being summoned by Callistus Valentine Onaga, the diocesan bishop. 

Onaga called Mbaka in following his repeated clashes with President Muhammadu Buhari and warned that his conduct was smearing the church's image, the largest of any Christian organisation worldwide, church officials familiar with the matter told The Gazette. 

SaharaReporters had reported last Wednesday Mbaka's criticism of the Muhammadu Buhari regime over its inaction on the widespread killings across the nation.

See Also Sahara Reporters 'Is It A Lie There Is Insecurity, Nigerians Are Hungry, No Good Hospitals, No Jobs For Youths?' Mbaka Asks Presidency 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

Speaking at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Mbaka said it is wrong for Buhari to maintain grave silence despite the incessant killings in the country.

He accused the government of being behind several killings across the country and tagging separatists groups as terrorists rather than focus on getting them good jobs.  

The cleric also frowned on the activities of herders that destroy the farmland of people without any repercussion.

He said Buhari had failed Nigeria woefully and that he should resign now. Mbaka also called for the President's impeachment.

Following his suspension, Mbaka returned to his ministry that lies north of the outskirts of Enugu city centre, where he subsequently incited his members against the bishop, sources said. 

Mbaka's followers claimed without evidence that he was kidnapped by Mr Onaga and handed over to the State Security Service. They subsequently marched on the premises of the bishop on Wednesday morning, looting and destroying assets therein.

The mob also descended on the Holy Ghost Cathedral, again looting and destroying items in the building. The members also went to town to allege that the SSS had arrested Mr Mbaka — generating widespread media reports despite lacking requisite corroboration. 

A spokesman for the SSS denied taking Mr Mbaka into custody or coming in any contacts with him when reached by The Gazette, contrary to his followers' rumours. 

A spokesman for the diocese did not immediately return a request seeking comments. Mbaka's line was switched off when dialled by The Gazette on Wednesday night.

Before falling out with Buhari recently, Mr Mbaka was an ardent supporter of the President. He endorsed his campaign in 2015 and claimed his blessings played a role in its success. 

But as Buhari's regime failed to tackle acute poverty and insecurity, Mr Mbaka said he was compelled to speak up and distance himself from his regime, describing it as evil and satanic and calling on the President himself to vacate office.

Church sources said Mbaka's latest suspension was being viewed as significant for its undertone, but not the first time the fiery priest would face administrative action.

"We know people will link this to his confrontation with Buhari, but he was once demoted from a parish priest to a deputy under a parish priest," a church official told TheGazette. "He had also been transferred from bigger parishes to smaller ones for his frequent infractions in the past." 

Still, church officials admitted Mbaka's Adoration Ministry has been a cash cow for the Enugu Diocese, even though it was built by Mr Mbaka and not directly under its control. 

"The real problem is the Diocese has been financially dependent on Mbaka, collecting his millions," a source said, adding that some of the senior clerics themselves have also been in bed with politicians whom Mr Mbaka has long railed against.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has suspended Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka from church activities for one month as the controversial priest's political escapades continue to overshadow his theological obligations on a scale that nurtures unending concerns amongst his senior clerics. 

Mbaka was asked to proceed on suspension with effect from May 3 after being summoned by Callistus Valentine Onaga, the diocesan bishop. 

Onaga called Mbaka in following his repeated clashes with President Muhammadu Buhari and warned that his conduct was smearing the church's image, the largest of any Christian organisation worldwide, church officials familiar with the matter told The Gazette. 

SaharaReporters had reported last Wednesday Mbaka's criticism of the Muhammadu Buhari regime over its inaction on the widespread killings across the nation.

See Also Politics 'Is It A Lie There Is Insecurity, Nigerians Are Hungry, No Good Hospitals, No Jobs For Youths?' Mbaka Asks Presidency 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

Speaking at the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Mbaka said it is wrong for Buhari to maintain grave silence despite the incessant killings in the country.

He accused the government of being behind several killings across the country and tagging separatists groups as terrorists rather than focus on getting them good jobs.  

The cleric also frowned on the activities of herders that destroy the farmland of people without any repercussion.

He said Buhari had failed Nigeria woefully and that he should resign now. Mbaka also called for the President's impeachment.

Following his suspension, Mbaka returned to his ministry that lies north of the outskirts of Enugu city centre, where he subsequently incited his members against the bishop, sources said. 

Mbaka's followers claimed without evidence that he was kidnapped by Mr Onaga and handed over to the State Security Service. They subsequently marched on the premises of the bishop on Wednesday morning, looting and destroying assets therein.

The mob also descended on the Holy Ghost Cathedral, again looting and destroying items in the building. The members also went to town to allege that the SSS had arrested Mr Mbaka — generating widespread media reports despite lacking requisite corroboration. 

A spokesman for the SSS denied taking Mr Mbaka into custody or coming in any contacts with him when reached by The Gazette, contrary to his followers' rumours. 

A spokesman for the diocese did not immediately return a request seeking comments. Mbaka's line was switched off when dialled by The Gazette on Wednesday night.

Before falling out with Buhari recently, Mr Mbaka was an ardent supporter of the President. He endorsed his campaign in 2015 and claimed his blessings played a role in its success. 

But as Buhari's regime failed to tackle acute poverty and insecurity, Mr Mbaka said he was compelled to speak up and distance himself from his regime, describing it as evil and satanic and calling on the President himself to vacate office.

Church sources said Mbaka's latest suspension was being viewed as significant for its undertone, but not the first time the fiery priest would face administrative action.

"We know people will link this to his confrontation with Buhari, but he was once demoted from a parish priest to a deputy under a parish priest," a church official told TheGazette. "He had also been transferred from bigger parishes to smaller ones for his frequent infractions in the past." 

Still, church officials admitted Mbaka's Adoration Ministry has been a cash cow for the Enugu Diocese, even though it was built by Mr Mbaka and not directly under its control. 

"The real problem is the Diocese has been financially dependent on Mbaka, collecting his millions," a source said, adding that some of the senior clerics themselves have also been in bed with politicians whom Mr Mbaka has long railed against.

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Kane Tanaka, 118, says she's worried about spreading Covid-19 to others in her nursing home.

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Emergency relief is flowing into India to help stem its Covid-19 crisis, but concerns are mounting about delays in supply.

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Former Rugby League player Jarryd Hayne is jailed for more than five years for the 2018 attack.

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Truck driver Ben Stamatovich uses a drone to capture rugged landscapes on his journeys across Australia.

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