Private Hajj Operators Subjected Nigerians To Untold Hardships In Saudi Arabia, Group Alleges

September 2, 2017

A group, Independent Hajj Reporters, have painted a sordid picture of how private hajj operators subjected Nigerian pilgrims under their care in Saudi Arabia to all forms of hardships.
The group, which called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to probe such hajj operators, in a statement in Muna, Saudi Arabia, by the national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed, said that one of the hardships the pilgrims were subjected to was hunger.
“There are complains of non- provision of some essential services like meals, transportation of pilgrims, non-allocation of tents for pilgrims by some Nigerian tour operators and their Saudi based service providers,”
“This situation has made it difficult for the affected pilgrims to perform their act of ibadah under conducive environment.
“In view of the above, Independent Hajj Reporters, therefore, called on NAHCON to immediately begin investigation to unearth the reasons for the poor services experienced by some pilgrims in Muna, especially those served by Service No 18.”
The group suggested that a committee, comprising of leadership of AHUON – the umbrella body of Independent Tour Operators, NAHCON’s inspectorate, evaluation and compliance unit, Mutawwif for African Non- Arab Pilgrims and Saudi Ministry of Hajj, and Umrah, be constituted to look into the matter.
“NAHCON should replicate what it did in 2015 by immediately commencing the process of compelling the service provider(s) to make refunds back to pilgrims for service not rendered or rendered un-satisfactorily. Such moves will help the commission to apply sanctions to appropriate quarters.”
according to the statement.
The group also condemned some states pilgrims welfare boards officials who it said, evaded the genuine requests for information from their pilgrims and absconding from their duty posts when it mattered most.
The group promised to officially report such States Pilgrims Welfare Boards leadership to their respective state governors, stressing that their action caused some pilgrims untold hardship during this year hajj.[myad]

Football: Super Eagles Reduced Us To “Boys,” Indomitable Lions’ Coach Admits

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

Indomitable Lions' Coach, Hugo Broos — Indomitable Lions’ Coach, Hugo Broos

Coach of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon Hugo Broos has admitted that the Super Eagles virtually reduced his players to ‘boys’ because they were technically superior.
Commenting on the 4-0 humiliation the Lions suffered in Friday’s World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, the Coach said: “your team made us feel inferior. They were good at one on one situations and restricted us to just one chance all through the game. The better side actually won, no doubt about it.”
Looking dejected and dissapointed, Broos also bemoaned the fact that Nigeria scored her first goal at a time the Cameroonians were having the upper hand and despite being the more experienced of the two sides.
“We were good in the first 10 minutes before Nigeria came back into the game. Your first goal came when Cameroon was having the upper hand and from then we were not relaxed to play our game. Our experience also did not count any more because if you don’t play well your experience will not matter.”
Broos admitted that Cameroon’s World Cup dreams are over and therefore Monday’s return leg fixture is meaningless.
“The second leg is no longer important. We don’t have a chance to reach the World Cup . Russia 2018 won’t happen for us.”[myad]

How I Escaped Kidnappers And Who’ll Have Paid Ransom For Me – The Punch Reporter

Greenbarge Reporters

September 2, 2017

The Plateau State correspondent of The Punch Newspapers, Friday Olokor, has given a description of how and two other persons he offered a ride from Jos, escaped kidnappers on their way to Abuja.
Olokor started by saying that the incident took place today, Saturday, by about 11.50am, at Agitata – Gunduma road, along Keffi-Kaduna expressway in Nasarawa State. The place is just after a big company under construction.
He said that the attackers emerged from the bush and hauled big stones on the rear glass of his car at a spot where there were big potholes. He said that the windscreen was shattered into pieces.
“The voice of God told me, ‘Na dem, don’t stop’ and so I didn’t stop. When we eventually stopped in a safer place in the community, we saw some young men and women with long sticks, the type used by Fulani herdsmen to whip recalcitrant cows. We told them of our encounter with the deadly beats.
“They asked us where the incident took place and we told them. One of the young men shook his head but showed no empathy. Instead, he was smiling. Then, we suspected that we may be in their den and I zoomed off to the next police checkpoint.
“it’s not that I was smart. It was divine escape from vicious Fulani.
“If their mission was abduction for a ransom, who would have paid the money? To you Lord, I give the thanks and glory.” Olokor said that when he and his fellow travellers got to the next police check point, he narrated the incidence to the police men on duty.
“The Police officers from MOPOL 38, Akwanga on Highway Patrol informed us that two of the armed robbers terrorising commuters in the area were caught two days ago, while their leader escaped.
“The Police officers said robbery on the road does not know time: It could be morning, afternoon, evening or night. They alleged that the perpetrators are Fulani Boys from Bauchi. When I told them that I went to some Fulani boys and narrated my encounter, one of the officers said, that is their den. Their feeling could be that they have missed target.
“You’re a bad market for them. Yes, Na them. All the robbery on this road are carried out by the Fulani Boys. Please go to church tomorrow and give thanks to God.
“The officers commended the DPO in Agitata Police Division saying: “he doesn’t rest because of the activities of these gangsters.”
Those with him in the vehicle are Ibadan, Oyo State-born businessman and contractor, Adesokan Fijabi who was traveling to Akure and Samuel Dul Shetur, Lantang, Plateau State-born staff of a popular Hotel in Gwarinpa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Abuja.[myad]

North Korea To Execute 4 South Korean Journalists For Insulting The Govt In Book Reviews

Greenbarge Reporters

September 1, 2017

Kim Jong-un of North Korea with military chiefs

North Korea has sentenced four South Korean journalists to death for book reviews that insulted the administration.
Two newspapers (Chosun Ilbo and the Dong-A Ilbo) reviewed the new Korean edition of “North Korea Confidential,” a book by two Seoul-based British journalists that was first published in 2015. The work details the growing role of the market in daily lives in the North, where South Korean television dramas are circulated on the black market and fashion items and hairstyles from the South are copied.
According to the North’s Central Court, by reviewing the book, newspapers “committed a hideous crime of seriously insulting the dignity of the DPRK” as part of a “sordid smear campaign.
“They have reached the state of slandering and insulting even the inviolable name of our country and its national emblem.”
One journalist from each newspaper and the presidents of both publications were sentenced to capital punishment
“The criminals hold no right to appeal and the execution will be carried out any moment and at any place without going through any additional procedures,” the judgment said.
It is not the first time Pyongyang has declared a death sentence on South Korean citizens.
In June, it said it was imposing the death penalty on the South’s former president Park Geun-Hye and her former spy agency head, Lee Byung-Ho, claiming its state security authorities had foiled a plot by US and South Korean spy agencies to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.[myad]

Accountant, Lawyer Emerges Akarigbo Of Remo

Greenbarge Reporters

September 1, 2017

A renowned chartered accountant and lawyer, Prince Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, has been selected as the new Akarigbo of Remoland in Ogun State of Nigeria.
Adewale Ajayi, according to information, was elected through an open ballot which was held among the seven kingmakers at the Akarigbo’s Palace in Sagamu.
The newly elected Akarigbo is a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, a chartered accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria. He is the Managing Partner of Babington Ashaye & Co.[myad]

Eagles Send Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions ‘To The Cleaner’ With 4 Un-Replied Goals

Greenbarge Reporters

September 1, 2017

Nigeria’s Super Eagles, today, Friday, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, sent their Cameroonian counterparts, the Indomitable Lions to the cleaner, beating them silly with 4-0 goals.
The match, which inched the Eagles closer to the 2018 Russia World Cup, was played in a Group B.
The Eagles sealed the hope of the defending champions with two goals in each half. The goals were recorded by Odion Ighalo, Skipper Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, with goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa’s brave performance denying the visitors any goal.
The goal harvest started in the 29th when striker Ighalo outmuscled Ngadeu-Ngadjui in a battle for a long ball, cut inside the defender and put a low, left-footed shot past the left hand of goalkeeper Ondoa.
Old warhorse, Mikel extended the lead two minutes to the break tapping in A Victor Moses corner from the right flank.
Victor Moses, who had been anxious to score from the blast of the whistle and had an early goal controversially ruled offside, finally put his name on the scorers’ sheet 10 minutes into the second half, firing home a low shot after exchange of passes with Moses Simon.
Supersub Iheanacho iced the cake in the 76th minute, easily heading home into an empty net after superb work out wide from Victor Moses and Ogenyi Onazi.
Nigeria now sit tight on top of the table with nine points from three games. The return fixture of the double header comes up on Monday in Cameroon.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a congratulatory message to the victorious Eagles, commending them for their disciplined, skilful and entertaining display against the defending African champions.
President Buhari said that with the exhilarating victory, Nigeria is on the verge of qualification for the World Cup in Russia 2018, even as he asked the players to sustain the momentum as they approach the crucial second leg of the tie in Yaounde, on Monday.
The President called on Nigerians who always see football as a unifying platform, to continue to pray and support the team to guarantee victory next week and make qualification doubly sure.
He thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued support and provision of excellent hosting facilities.[myad]

Army Boss Gives Account On Effort To Capture Boko Haram Leader, Shekau Within 40 Days

Greenbarge Reporters

September 1, 2017

Nigerian troops in sambisa forest |Credit: Buznigeria

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has given account of the efforts made by the Nigerian soldiers to fulfil the 40-day ultimatum given to them to capture the leader of Boko Haram insurgents, Abubakar Shekau.
The Army boss had, July 21 this year, given the soldiers 40-day ultimatum to capture Abubakar Shekau dead or alive. The ultimatum elapsed on Wednesday, August 30 this year.

General Buratai acknowledged the soldiers could not capture the Boko Haram leader for no fault of theirs even as he commended them for zealously pursuing the hiis directive of capturing Shekau.
He particularly hailed the Theater Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, his Sector Commanders and all troops of the operation for eliminating the five key leaders of the terrorists group, who were the closest associates and right hand men of the terrorists group leader.
“Within the same period 82 of the Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated.”
This was even as the Theater Commander has requested for the extension of the deadline for the capture of Shekau, which was promptly granted by the Army boss.
According to General Buratai, giving deadlines and extensions are strategic means of focusing troops’ efforts in the theatre.[myad]

Kenya’s Supreme Court Nullifies Presidential Election

Greenbarge Reporters

September 1, 2017

The Kenya’s Supreme Court has nullified the result of the August 8 presidential election won by the incumbent President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
The court, ruling in the case today, Friday, said that the electoral board committed “irregularities and illegalities” during last month’s vote thereby harming the integrity of the election.
The Nairobi-based court ordered another presidential election to be held within 60 days.
“The declaration [of Kenyatta’s win] is invalid, null and void,” said Judge David Maraga, announcing the verdict of four out of the six judges.
No presidential election in Kenya has ever before been nullified.
Maraga said the election commission “failed, neglected or refused to conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the constitution”.
In a national address following the court decision, Kenyatta said that while he “personally disagrees” with the ruling, he will “respect it, as much as I disagree with it”.
“It is important to respect the rule of law … we are ready to go back again to the people with the same agenda,” he said as he appealed for calm.
But he also criticised the six members of the Supreme Court for going “against the will of the people,” by nullifying the vote.
Earlier a lawyer for Kenyatta, Ahmednasir Abdullahi, said the decision was “very political” and the election board had “done nothing wrong”. But he said the decision had to be respected.
The protest was brought before the Supreme Court by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Kenyatta was announced the winner with 54 percent of the vote – but Odinga claimed the election was rigged with electronic voting results hacked into and manipulated in favour of Kenyatta.
Kenya’s electoral commission had said there was a hacking attempt but it had failed. International election observers said they saw no interference with the vote.
Odinga supporters erupted in jubilation after the decision was announced.
“This is an unprecedented ruling,” Odinga said outside the court. “This is a triumph for the people of Kenya.”
He condemned members of the electoral board and vowed to press for criminal proceedings.
“We have no faith at all in the electoral commission as currently constituted. They have committed criminal acts,” said Odinga.

Editor-In-Chief At Eid Prayer Ground Today

Greenbarge Reporters

September 1, 2017

Editor-In-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited, (GMCL), publisher of Greenbarge Reporters (www.greenbreporters.com), Yusuf Ozi-Usman, joined other Muslims to observe two-rakah of Eid-el-Kabir today, September 1, at Chibiri Eid ground, in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
We in GMCL wish Muslims all over the world Happy celebration, and other peace-loving people in Nigeria in particular and the world in general fulfilment in their lives. [myad]

We’ll Assist Buhari Fight Corruption Because It Is Part Of Our Religion – Pope

Greenbarge Reporters

September 1, 2017

Representative of Pope Francis in Nigeria, Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria, Embassy of Holy See Vatican, Archbishop Antonio Fillpazzi, has pledged that Pope will continue to assist President Muhammadu Buhari in the war against corruption.
“The church will be preaching the gospel and also do orientation to the society, to be an example and solution to the problem of corruption.
“Pope Francis is interested in what corruption is and how to address the challenge.”
‘Apostolic Nuncio’ which is the term used for the Pope’s direct representatives to countries, spoke in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.
He stressed the Vatican’s support for the anti-corruption crusade and development of education sector in Nigeria.
According to him, Pope Francis is interested in assisting Nigeria’s leadership to address the social economic problem and the challenge of irregular migrants to Europe.
“In the past and in the present, the Catholic has been part of development in education and social economic development and we wish to continue.
“There is no intention to withdraw in this commitment because it is part of our faith and our religion.
“As it is indicated by the president and the diplomatic community, I think that the Catholic Church can do a lot, especially in addressing the problem which sometimes comes from lack of education and information.”
He pledged to contribute to the development and enhance the progress of Nigeria as well as making meaningful impact in the lives of Nigerians before the end of his official assignment.
Speaking earlier, Onyeama commended and solicited for the continued support of the Vatican for Nigeria.
“We appreciate the good work that the Vatican is carrying out in various fields in Nigeria, especially in education and social economic and religious, so we look very much forward for you to continue.
“Though, we should not rely on Vatican to solve our challenge but we certainly look forward to increasing cooperation from the Vatican.” [myad]

1...1,4841,4851,486...2,499 Page 1,485 of 2,499