Buhari Holds Closed Door Security Meeting With Service Chiefs

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday held a closed door meeting with his security chiefs with a view to tackling the militancy in the Niger Delta region.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also present at the meeting.

Some of the issues reviewed include the militancy in the Niger Delta region and the level of operations in the war against terrorism in the northeastern part of Nigeria.

Security chiefs present include the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Ayo Oke and the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (Rtd.), National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Munguno (Rtd.), Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal and the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Abba Kyari.

They, however, did not speak with journalists at the end of the meeting that lasted over three hours.

National Assembly Tribunal Judgment: Onjeh Heads To Appeal Court

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All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Benue South Senatorial District, Mr Daniel Onjeh has appealed the National Assembly Tribunal judgment, which dismissed his petition against the election of former Senate President, Senator David Mark.

Speaking to Channels Television in Abuja, Mr Onjeh said that his lawyers have already filed the appeal at the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division.

The tribunal had ruled that Mr Onjeh filed his petition out of time.

But Mr Onjeh insisted that he filed within the time allotted by the Electoral Act.

The tribunal, on Thursday, struck out the petition filed by Mr  Onjeh.

The former Senate President had asked the tribunal to dismiss Mr. Onjeh’s petition for filing outside the 21 days required by law.

Manchester City Complete Nolito Signing

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English Premier League club, Manchester City, have completed the signing of Spanish forward, Manuel Agudo Duran, popularly known has Nolito from Spanish Club, Celta Vigo.

According to a statement by the club on Friday, “Nolito has become City’s second signing of the summer after agreeing a four-year deal. Nolito will wear the No.9 shirt this season”.

The player in a statement said he would bring his best to his new club.

“I’ll try to bring as much as I possibly can.

“I’ll do everything that the manager asks of me, try my absolute best and do everything I can to try to repeat the form I’ve shown throughout my career at various clubs.

“It’s just about trying to play my normal game and let’s hope that I can help Manchester City to win games.

“I think that Pep Guardiola is one of the best managers in the world. He knows a lot about the game and he’s going to help me progress as a player and I’m sure he’ll get the best out of me.”

Nolito, 29, joined Celta Vigo in 2013, scoring 39 goals in 103 appearances.

Cross River Govt. Donates Vehicles To Special Courts

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The Cross River State Government has presented seven utility vehicles to special courts established in the state as part of efforts to ensure the speedy dispensation of justice.

The courts are Revenue, Forestry, Environmental and Sanitation, Traffic, Arbitration and Miscellaneous Matters, Medical and Pharmaceutical, as well as Ports and Allied Matters.

Presenting the vehicles at the Governor’s Office in Calabar to the Chairman of the task force, Deputy Governor of the State, Prof Ivara Esu, reiterated the readiness of government to support the courts in the discharge of their duties, pointing out that the courts would be mobile in nature.

According to him, the special courts which takes off July 1, 2016, will ensure that the issue of evading taxes and levies are adequately addressed.

He added that the courts will move from bakeries to schools, to hospitals, forestry, private clinics, market square and timber markets to ensure that those who are supposed to pay one form of tax to government do so.

Tory Leadership: Theresa May Gains More Backing

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Theresa May’s bid to become the next conservative leader has won the support of two more cabinet ministers and the Daily Mail.

Michael Fallon and Patrick Mcloughlin both say they back the home secretary.

Ms. May has also received pledges of support from many more lawmakers than the other four candidates, with at least three more cabinet members among her backers.

Rivals Micheal Gove, Stephen Crabb, Andrea Leadsom and Liam Fox are also in the running to lead the Conservative Party and become UK Prime Minister.

Mr Gove was a surprise addition to the race, having been expected to back Boris Johnson, who shocked the political world by ruling himself out on Thursday.

Slovakia Assumes EU Presidency

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Slovakia will assume the six-month rotating presidency of the EU on Friday, as the bloc faces unprecedented pressure following the UK’s decision to leave it.

This is the first presidential stint for Slovakia, which joined the EU in 2004.

Earlier, Prime Minister Robert Fico said the EU will have to “redefine” unsuccessful policies, particularly on immigration.

But analysts say the Slovak agenda, which also includes reforming the European Union’s single market, will be eclipsed by the fallout from Brexit.

Slovakia and the other so-called Visegrad states – Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic – are calling for more powers to be returned to EU capitals and a reduction in the role of the executive European Commission in Brussels.

US Donates Seeds To IDPs In Adamawa

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The United States government through its agency for international development (USAID) has delivered over 160 metric tons of seeds to over 6,000 households in Adamawa and Borno states during the month of June.

More than 60,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the local government authorities of Madagali, Michika, Gombe, and Fufore of Adamawa, and Kaga of Borno benefitted from this effort.

The initiative involved a collaboration between USAID, the Adamawa State Ministry of Agriculture, the American University of Nigeria’s Adamawa Peace Initiative, and the Borno State government.

The seeds; maize, sorghum, millet, groundnut, and cowpea were distributed ahead of this year’s planting season.

According to USAID/Nigeria Mission Director, Michael T. Harvey, “These distribution efforts are literally sowing the seeds for recovery and resilience of IDPs.

“Working with the Nigerian government and other partners, USAID plays an active role in helping the Northeast realize its full potential.”