Niger Top News

Director-General, National Sports Commission, Alhassan Yakmut has appealed to President Mohamadu Buhari to allow a percentage of proceeds of the Nigeria Lottery Trust Fund for development of sports in Nigeria.
 The DG made the appeal after briefing President Buhari on the activities of his Commission at the presidential Villa yesterday in Abuja. He commended the federal government for being the highest financier of sports in Nigeria, stating that a lot also needed in exploiting opportunities in the medials won in swimming competition. “We briefed Mr. President on sports development in Nigeria and its retinue of social economic values.
 “Mr. President was impressed with the presentation but he raised observation on the need for us to rekindle the exploitation of the medals available in swimming in order to make Nigeria top in All African Games table in future and that is actually the presidential observation that we have taken technical interest to ensure that it is implemented to the letter.
 “You know that we also have cultures that are oriented with gymnastics and that culture is the one that we will first of all technically invest in terms of facilities, coaches and programmes to make sure we compete with others.
 “Yes, we did discussed funding. But rather in discussion of funding we commended the Federal Government for being the highest financier of sports in Nigeria. And we also sought for his intervention to encourage the private sector to do the same with their budget for corporate social responsibility to promote sports.

 female suicide bomber has killed herself and seven others at the
Damaturu Motor Park. Many others were severely wounded by the blast
which shook the vicinity.
The bomber, who disguised as a passenger, and was veiled, detonated
the bomb at 9:45am when security men manning the park had not commenced
checking.
Witnesses said the bomber was clutching a luggage pretending to be a passenger and gained easy access to the unmanned park.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says arrangement has been concluded for the sale of its 2016 application forms.
 JAMB-LOGOThis is contained in a statement by the board’s Head of Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria yesterday in Lagos. According to the statement, the measure is to prepare candidates early for the 2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. It urged candidates to purchase the examination scratch cards from Zenith Bank, Skye Bank and First Bank.
 “The registration fee for the (JAMB) UTME is N5,000 and candidates are also to pay N500 to obtain the textbook, ‘The Last Days’ at Forcados High School. “Candidates will, however, be issued the book at the point of registration after showing evidence of payment,” the statement said. It added that the registration period would be from August 31 to January 15, 2016. According to the statement, the registration website will close on January 19, 2016. It noted that the UTME had been slated to commence on February 29 and end on March 14, 2016. The statement said the board had advised all prospective candidates to ensure they obtained the application forms early as well as fill their personal data correctly to avoid any mix-up.

ABUJA — President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, set up a 13-member panel to probe two of his predecessors, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on procurement of arms and ammunition for the Armed Forces.
 The investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.
 The committee, which was constituted by the the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd), on the directive of the President, is headed by AVM J.O.N. Ode (retd.) while Brig-Gen. Y. I. Shalangwa is secretary. Other members are Rear Admiral J. A. Aikhomu (retd.), Rear Admiral E. Ogbor (retd.), Brig-Gen. L.
 Adekagun (retd.), Brig-Gen. M. Aminu-Kano (retd.), Brig-Gen N. Rimtip (retd.), Commodore T. D. Ikoli, Air Commodore U. Mohammed (retd), Air Commodore I. Shafi’i, Col A. A. Ariyibi, GP Capt C.A. Oriaku (retd) and Mr. I. Magu (EFCC). A statement from presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said “the establishment of the investigative committee is in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service. “It comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the northeast, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects on troops’ morale.

An Arik Air cabin crew member as on Monday night arrested at Heathrow Airport London by the UK Border Force in connection with alleged possession of items suspected to be banned substances.
PM News could not officially ascertain the nature of the ban substance or the name of the crew member but unconfirmed source said the crew member was caught with cocaine.
Arik Airline has however responded to the arrest saying that is presently carrying out its private investigation to determine how the cabin crew member came about the suspected banned substance.
A statement signed by the airline spokesman, Ola Adebanji said the airline will be cooperating fully with the UK authorities and other appropriate agencies in their investigations.
“The airline again reaffirms its commitment to the fight against drug and illicit substances trafficking and will not tolerate the use of any of its aircraft or crew for the courier of banned items and substances,” he said.
Adebanji added that Arik Airline carries out very stringent checks on all members of staff and its travelling guests ahead of all flights.