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Sen. Rochas Okorocha And Wife Allegedly Arrested For Unlawful Entry.

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The former governor of Imo state, Sen. Rochas Okorocha And Wife Nneoma Okorocha have allegedly been arrested for breaking into their estate without a court order.

The former governor and his wife were arrested for unsealing a property that had been taken over by the state government.

It is reported that on Friday February 19, a team of police officers and government officials led by the commissioner of lands, Barr. Enyinnaya Onuegbu invaded the property, allegedly owned by Nneoma Okorocha and sealed it off.

The sealed property, which is one of the many properties linked to the couple is called the Royal Palm Estate located around Akachi towers, with completed and fully furnished flats and hotels.

Sources say, Sen. Okorocha had gone to the estate on Sunday with a group of loyalist and unsealed it. Word quickly got to the state governor, Hope Uzodimma, who immediately ordered their arrest for flaunting state orders and the resealing of the property.

The Information Commissioner, Hon Declan Emelumba, confirmed that normalcy has been restored and the former governor been arrested for unlawful entry and breakdown of law and order”

Just In: Kagara Abductees Regain Freedom

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News just reaching ln247 says students and teachers of Government Science School Kagara, Niger State, Nigeria’s North-Central.

The abductees, include 27 students, 3 staff and 12 members of their family.

More details soon.

Naomi Osaka Defeats Jennifer Brady to Win 2021 Australian Open Women’s Final

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Naomi Osaka captured her fourth Grand Slam title with a straight-sets 6-4, 6-3 victory over Jennifer Brady in the 2021 Australian Open women’s final Saturday at Melbourne Park.

Osaka also won the 2020 U.S. Open, giving her back-to-back major titles for the second time. She pulled off the same feat in the 2018 U.S. Open and 2019 Australian Open.

The 23-year-old Japanese sensation held the advantage over Brady in almost every major statistical category in the championship match, including winners (16-15), aces (6-2) and break points converted (4-2).

Brady was making her first appearance in a Grand Slam final

The first set came right down to the wire after they traded breaks in the middle of the set.

Brady twice held a two-point edge (30-0 and 40-15) while serving at 4-5, but she couldn’t close out the critical game as Osaka came back to secure the break and the first set.

The second set was less dramatic as the No. 3 seed stormed out to a 4-0 lead on the strength of two breaks and cruised to her second Australian Open title.

It wasn’t the cleanest match as the players combined for more unforced errors (55) than winners (31), but it was Osaka’s play on the key points that put her over the top.

She’s now 4-0 in major tournament finals, and she’s happy the latest one came with fans in the stands after capturing the U.S. Open without spectators amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“I didn’t play my last Grand Slam with fans so just to have this energy it means a lot,” Osaka said during the trophy presentation. “Thank you so much for coming. I feel like playing a Grand Slam is a super privilege right now and it’s something I won’t take for granted. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Brady is on the ascent, with two straight Grand Slam events where she at least reached the semifinals. She’d never previously advanced beyond the fourth round before last year’s U.S. Open.

“Tonight it wasn’t meant to be,” she told reporters. “Hopefully there’s many more.”

In the bigger picture, it feels like Osaka has now established herself as the player to beat on tennis’ biggest stages, especially considering her semifinal victory over Serena Williams, who held that unofficial title for around two decades.

Next up on the Grand Slam schedule is the French Open, which is slated to start May 23 at Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

Abuja crash: Chief of Air Staff orders immediate investigation, reveals 7 lives were lost

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The Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the aircraft crash that took place on its place on its way to Abuja on Sunday.

This was disclosed by Air Vice Marshal Ibikunle Daramola, Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF via his Twitter handle on Sunday.

Contrary to the initial report that stated that six personnel were on board, Daramola disclosed that it was seven people on board and they all died in the crash.

He tweeted, “This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.

“The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), @CAS_IOAmao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. While urging the general public to remain calm & await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased.

Lookman Is Fulham’s Key Attacking Player

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The English winger of Nigerian descent proved his reliability in Scott Parker’s team this season after propelling the Cottagers past the Blades

Ademola Lookman has now had a hand in seven goals for Fulham in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign, having found the net in the Cottagers 1-0 defeat of Sheffield United on Saturday night.

7 – Ademola Lookman has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than any other Fulham player this season (4 goals, 3 assists). Inspired. pic.twitter.com/sznKvrU5Z7— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 20, 2021

With the score still 0-0 at Craven Cottage, the former English youth international handed Scott Parker’s men all points at stake thanks to his 61st-minute effort.

Profiting from a long ball for Joachim Andersen, the former Everton man controlled the ball with his chest, turned Ethan Ampadu, before unleashing a shot past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

As a result of that, the Super Eagles prospect has now contributed four goals and three assists in the Premier League for Fulham so far this term – the most of any Cottager.

Also, the 23-year-old’s tally in 22 English elite division games brings him one goal short of his best in a top-flight campaign. While at German elite division side RB Leipzig in 2017-18, he scored five goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances.

THIS MANNNNN! @Alookman_ #FULSHU pic.twitter.com/1MQIYBAzSG— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 20, 2021

Despite an improved effort after the conceding first, Chris Wilder’s Blades tried in vain towards getting an equaliser as they now account for 20 defeats out of 25 outings, which sees them remain at the base of the log having garnered just 11 points.

After a notable shift, Lookman was replaced in the 90th minute by Bobby Reid. Bordeaux loanee Josh Maja was handed his third start but came off for Gabonese midfielder Mario Lemina with four minutes left to play, while the trio of Ola Aina, Tosin Adarabioyo and Cameroonian star Andre-Frank Anguissa saw action from start to finish.

“I’m very proud of the team,” Parker told the club website after the game.“It’s been a tough week in terms of the games we’ve had to play, the travelling we’ve had to do.“I think we all understood tonight what this game was about.“The message to the team before the game was to focus on us, let’s not listen to the noise that’s been created around this game.

“Throughout this year there’s been one focus and that is us, that’s been my constant message.

“I know with that, us showing our quality and playing with a freedom we’ll get results, and I think that was proven tonight.”

Even with this triumph, Fulham remain in relegation waters with 22 points from 25 fixtures to occupy the 18th spot. Unbeaten in their last four games, they are guests of Crystal Palace on February 28.

Abuja plane crash: Air Force confirms 7 personnel dead, orders investigation

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The Nigeria Air Force has confirmed that seven personnel died on board a military aircraft which crashed at Abuja Airport on Sunday.

The military aircraft, King Air 350 crashed on Sunday morning on the runway of Abuja airport.

Confirming the incident, Air Force Director of public relations and information, Air Vice Marshall Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed that an investigation has been ordered to determine cause of plane crash.

He urged public to remain calm as he commiserated with families of deceased.

On his official Twitter page, he wrote: “This is to confirm that a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft crashed while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure enroute Minna. First responders are at the scene. Sadly, all 7 personnel on board died in the crash.

“ The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), @CAS_IOAmao, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.

“While urging the general public to remain calm and await the outcome of investigation, the CAS, on behalf of all NAF personnel, commiserates with the families of the deceased.”

Rep laments influx of displaced herdsmen in Kogi

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The lawmaker representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Teejay Yusuf, has raised the alarm over an influx of displaced Fulani herdsmen and other northerners in Kogi State.

Yusuf alleged that the presence of the herdsmen poses danger to his constituency.

The lawmaker raised the alarm in a statement sent to our correspondent on Friday, titled ‘Urgent Need to Stop Influx of Herdsmen and their Dangerous Activities in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.’

The Shasha market has been shut since last Friday when Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani communities clashed reportedly resulting in the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.

Before then, Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, had issued a seven-day ultimatum to herders in the Ibarapa Area of Oyo State, accusing them of kidnappings, killings, destruction of farmlands, and insecurity in the state.

After confronting the herders in Ibarapa with some youths in the area at the expiration of the ultimatum, he moved to Ogun State and was received by thousands of youths.

The rising irredentism has led to the loss of lives in Oyo and Ondo States.

Yusuf, however, alleged that the relocation of the herdsmen to parts of Kogi State poses danger to the host communities.

The statement read in part, “Following the rising, unrestricted influx of alleged Fulani herdsmen into some communities in Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, which has led to very serious, grievous security situation, breach of law and order as well as its negative effect on peaceful co-existence, Hon. Teejay Yusuf has made a most passionate call for immediate actions by security and intelligence agencies to stem the tide.

“The activities of these suspected herdsmen, who allegedly migrated into communities within the constituency from Ondo and other neighbouring states in the South West, has become worrisome and dangerous, which if left unchecked, poses a serious threat to the peace, unity, comfort, and security of the constituency.

“It has become absolutely necessary that the unrestricted influx of these characters into our communities be tackled and addressed immediately, and nipped in the bud with more seriousness, tact, courage, and sincerity before it gets out of hand.

“According to reports, in recent weeks, the spate of attacks on innocent, law-abiding and helpless communities by these rampaging herdsmen have led to the destruction of farmlands, loss of properties and other valuables.

“For instance, during the course of these attacks, a community school in Bunu District was burnt down, while just yesterday two hunters on their legitimate business at Iyamoye town in Ijumu Local Government Area were brazenly, seriously attacked by these alleged herdsmen, who boasted and threatened thereafter to come back and inflict more harm to people in these and other more communities.”

While asking how the alleged herdsmen were able to beat the different security and intelligence agencies in and around the states and found their way into the communities, the lawmaker said, “One is appalled with the apparent downward slide in the activities and operations of security agencies across the country.”

Edo State University Commences Admission Into Post-Graduate Programmes

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Edo State University Uzairue, formerly Edo University Iyamho, has commenced admission into postgraduate programme for the 2020/2021 academic session after securing approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The commencement of the postgraduate programme is sequel to the graduation of two sets of students and a resource verification visit to the University by the National Universities Commission in November 2020.

The University secured approval for postgraduate Diplomas, Masters and Doctors of Philosophy in Economics, History and International Studies and Political Science. Others include; Biochemistry, Computer Science, and Microbiology and postgraduate Diplomas, Masters in Accounting.

The modern public institution has continued to achieve great heights within its five years of its existence.

the University is the first in West Africa to adopt CANVAS as its learning management system and having completed the 2019/2021 academic session using the CANVAS LMS at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has also commenced academic activities for undergraduate programmes for the 2020/2021 academic session with students resuming physically for their lectures.

UK Public Sector Borrowing Hits £8.8bn In First Decade Long Deficit

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Public sector net borrowing rose to £8.8 billion last month, marking the first January deficit for a decade.

The figure is £18.4bn more than in the same month 2020 and is the highest January borrowing amount since records began.

According to the Office for National Statistics, Public sector borrowing is now estimated to have reached £270.6bn in the first 10 months of this financial year.

This is £222bn more than the same period last year and is also the highest borrowing amount in any April to January period since records began in 1993.

Public sector net debt rose by £316.4 billion over the first 10 months of the year.

It came as separate ONS figures showed retail sales dropped by 8.2 per cent last month compared to December due to the impact of the third national lockdown.

All brick-and-mortar retailers suffered a decline in sales while online retailers continued their ascent with sales soaring to reach a record high of more than a third of total money spent.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to extend business rates relief, as well as other support measures such as furlough, into the summer, marking a boost for struggling companies.

The chancellor is expected to delay a final report on a review into business rates relief, which includes a potential online sales tax, until the autumn.

New UK Science Research Agency To Open In 2022

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The government of the United Kingdom will Friday announce a new £800 million military research agency that was spearheaded by former Boris Johnson aide Dominic Cummings.

The military research agency known as Advanced Research & Invention Agency (Aria) will be “tasked with funding high-risk research that offers the chance of high rewards” and is set to be launched next year.

A statement from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial (Beis) said Aria will fund the most inspiring inventors to turn their transformational ideas into new technologies, discoveries, products and services.

The agency is based on the US’ Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), which has overseen the creation of experimental military technologies.

Darpa and its predecessor agency have been responsible for the invention of the internet, GPS and a series of dog-shaped cyborgs.

The creation of the UK’s own experimental military technology agency was a pet project of Cummings, who wrote a 2018 blog post about how Britain’s post-Brexit priorities should be forming its own Darpa and reforming Whitehall.

The Times reported earlier this week that Aria will not be subject to the UK’s Freedom of Information laws.

The initiative has generated a lot of mixed reactions with Labour’s shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said the government needed to “clarify” the mandate of the new agency.