Nigeria head coach, Sunday Oliseh, says he has been left impressed by the mental strength of the players he has worked with since taking charge of the national team.

Last week, I told you that I was abducted from my Port Harcourt residence last month and held by kidnappers for nearly 13 days in a remote creek location. This terrible experience has inspired me to reflect deeply about the meaning of Life and has taught me a few lessons that I’d like to share with you: Before the kidnappers abducted me, they entered my bedroom and demanded my jewellery.

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, led an array of past national leaders in a colourful ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to mark the country’s 55th independence anniversary, where most of the leaders said, in spite of challenges, the country’s future is bright.

Nigeria climbed one spot to 52nd in the latest FIFA ranking published yesterday in Zurich. However, the Super Eagles retained the tenth position in the African continent.

More than 1,000 pilgrims are still confined to a number of hospitals in Makkah for treatment of various ailments, Health Ministry’s spokesman Faisal Al-Zahrani said. He said the patients include some pilgrims who were injured in the crane crash in the Grand Mosque on Sept. 11 and others who sustained injuries during the Mina stampede.

No fewer than 250 customers of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, at Anazodo street and its environs in Awada Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday, took to the streets in the area to protest against the electricity company.

OLEH—MAJORITY Leader of Isoko North Local Government Council legislative arm, Delta State, Mr. Alex Okathe, and his deputy, Mr. Ighogboja Imuoma, have been removed from office for alleged unruly behaviour and disobedience to the constituted authorities of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the area. This came as Burutu Legislative Arm summoned the chairman of the council, Chief Ebikeme Clark, to appear before it on October 6, to explain the council’s monthly statutory financial allocation and expenditure from his assumption of office to date.

PORT HAR-COURT— Former governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Nigerians to support the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government in achieving success, growth and sustainable development, as the country marks its 55th independence anniversary The former governor contended that the nation’s problems could be successfully dealt with when the people unite to forge a common front.

Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, yesterday, lamented the state of slavery in which Nigeria had found herself after over five decades as a nation state.

GOVERNOR Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, yesterday, stated that any uncompleted building discovered to be the hide-out of kidnappers would be demolished by the state government within 24 hours.