Determined to end oil theft and vandalism of oil and gas pipeline in the Niger Delta region, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Abuja announced the deployment of military and task forces to the region.

Bauchi—Bauchi State Police Command, yesterday, arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly kidnapped two children and demanded for N500,000 ransom.

The Osun State Security Council yesterday commended the Police and other security agencies that foiled the bank robbery incident in Ikirun last Friday.

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in a move to douse the tension over the 2016 budget controversy, fired the Director-General for Budget, Mr Yaya Gusau, and announced a replacement in the person of Mr. Tijjani Abdullahi.

ABUJA—CATHOLIC Bishop Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, yesterday, threw its weight behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption, just as it stressed the need for all hands to be on deck if the anti- graft war must be achieved in a holistic manner.

Egyptian Football Association (EFA) officials said they have not received any notification on the postponement of the African Cup of Nations Cup qualifiers between the Super Eagles and the Pharaohs originally billed for March 23.

The Nigeria Football Federation claimed that it has received the African soccer ruling body, CAF’s blessing to shift the game from March 23 to 26 to enable it get the match venue, Ahmed Bello Stadium ready.

FOR almost 70 years, Chief Isaiah Fayomi has practised as a professional circumciser, and currently, he holds sway in Ile Ife, Osun state as the Head of Circumcisers. During a 2-day media dialogue on Female Genital Mutilation & Cutting, FGM/C, and abandonement, organised by UNICEF in Osogbo, the 83-year-old that is reknowed for circumcising both males and females, related how, for the best part of 60 years, he was actively involved in the practice of female circumcision on girls and women of all ages.

NIGERIA, because of its huge population has stood out, over the years as a large market, and automobiles are not left out. Different automobile brands abound, but a recurring challenge has been durability and ability to withstand our environment, road condition, temperature etc. Another challenge has been that of perception for vehicles coming from Asia, especially from China, are Chinese vehicles really durable? Can they give value for money? Are they truly comfortable to drive ?

The Volkswagen Centre has unveiled the much anticipated revolutionary tech-savvy eight-generation 2016 Volkswagen Passat in Nigeria. Positioned between Golf (Jetta) and Phaeton in the current Volkswagen line-up, the new Passat is significantly fitted with swank exterior, more aggressive features with exceptionally refined interior appointments.

ASABA—SPEAKER of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Monday Ovwigho Igbuya, linked to several fraud allegations since he assumed office, has said that he knew why the peddlers of the false information and their sponsors were press-ganging him, but vowed that he would not capitulate to their plan. Speaking to Niger Delta Voice, he said: “I know those holding me to ransom and the purpose, but I have developed a shock absorber to absorb the lies they churn out against me every month. They have hired journalists, particularly the online media to intimidate.

Reports have said representatives of former youth international, Isaac Success are locked in talks with Watford and Granada for the transfer of the striker in the summer.

Both the Andalusian club and the Hornets are sister clubs and a transfer fee for the Nigeria youth international will only be for bookkeeping purposes.

Nigerian athletes will have their fitness level tested today in Port Harcourt as the Athletics Federation of Nigeria hopes to produce podium performances at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Athletes who have been in camp at the University of Port Harcourt High Performance Centre and others who have been training on their own, will compete in the one-day meet arranged by the AFN.

CALABAR—PATIENTS have complained about the mind-boggling extortion and exploitation by staff of the General Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State, especially nurses, who sell their own drugs to sick persons. Patients, who spoke to Niger-Delta Voice, also grumbled that those that sell drugs at the Pharmacy Unit do not issue receipts for the actual drugs and consumables like drips and gloves purchased, thereby undercutting the hospital.

As controversy continue to trail the sack of three Vice Chancellors of the three federal universities, the former Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Peter Okebukola has urged stakeholders in the sector to tread the path of caution, stating that there may be some laws guiding their appointments that were not made public.

THE Federal Government, yesterday said that it is shopping for $250 to $300 million to build two additional back-up satellites to complement the existing one in the orbit.
The Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, disclosed this in Abuja during his facility tour of the agency with his team.