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Remo Stars FC forward, Umar Martaba told Trust Sport that he dreams of playing professional football in Europe in the nearest future. The experience attacker, who is dubbed Martins in his home town of Kaduna for his good goal scoring abilities and dribbling skills, have played for many football clubs, both in Nigeria and abroad.  “I love football so much and it is the best career for me,” said Martaba. “I know I am now a household name in Nigerian professional league. But I don’t want to become just a regular professional in Nigeria. I want to make it to the very top. “My ultimate dream is to play in Europe, so that my friends, fans and family will see and be more proud,” he added. On the dilemma of last season, where they got relegated from the Nigerian professional league with Remo stars, just one season after getting promotion, he said, “It was a bad experience. We really worked hard, but we were not lucky to escape the relegation. It really saddened me. ...

A  Senate ad-hoc committee has concluded arrangement to inspect major warehouses of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) over reports that perishable food items are rotting away. The panel chaired by Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi) was constituted by the Senate following a motion by Senator Mohammed Hassan (PDP, Yobe). Addressing newsmen, Melaye said “We have decided to abandon our recess to go round the warehouses in across the country so that we can advice the executive to distribute the food items to the needy, rather than leaving it to rot away.” Hassan who is also a member of the panel said: “I know the level of hunger in my senatorial district and other parts of the country. If this food items are shared to the needy, it would alleviate their suffering. “

Commuters using the Abuja-Kaduna train service have often complained of ticket hoarding which they view with much concern, Daily Trust reports. Our correspondent who visited the train station yesterday at 2pm observed that tickets were being sold as scheduled, but that there had been cases when customers wanting to ply the 4pm train came to the station as early as 12 noon only to be told the tickets had finished. A commuter, Gloria James said urgent steps needed to be taken to address the issue of ticketing, as the survival of the train service was under threat. “Last Friday, I was at the train station at 1pm to buy a ticket for the 4pm ride only to be told the tickets had been sold out. It was later around 4pm when the train came that I was able to buy a second class ticket for N2, 000 instead of N1, 050. Fortunately, today, I had no difficulty purchasing a ticket. I hope the government looks into the matter to save the train service, especially with the cases of kidnapping ...

The House of Representatives ad-hoc panel investigating status of Treasury Single Account (TSA) yesterday resolved to issue arrest warrant against the Managing Director of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, for failing to appear before it. The committee, chaired by Abubakar Nuhu Danburam (APC, Kano), at a session in Abuja said Peterside, who was a member of the House during the 7th Assembly, has been taking them for a ride. General Reps issue arrest warrant against NIMASA boss By Musa Abdullahi Krishi | Publish Date: Dec 22 2017 2:00AM   (0 Likes) The House of Representatives ad-hoc panel investigating status of Treasury Single Account (TSA) yesterday resolved to issue arrest warrant against the Managing Director of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside, for failing to appear before it. The committee, chaired by Abubakar Nuhu Danburam (APC, Kano), at a session in Abu...

The English Football Association said Thursday no formal action would be taken against Manchester United or Manchester City following ugly scenes that overshadowed the derby at Old Trafford earlier this month. City beat nearest challengers United 2-1 to consolidate their position at the top of the Premier League on December 10. The visitors’ celebrations after the match are alleged to have sparked a row involving several players and staff from both teams in the corridor outside the dressing rooms. During the altercation, it is understood that milk and water were thrown at United boss Jose Mourinho from within the City dressing room. Reports said City assistant coach Mikel Arteta was left with a cut below his eye after being hit by a plastic bottle. The Football Association (FA) asked the clubs to explain the post-match fracas. But in a statement on Thursday, the FA said: “Following a review of the evidence provided by the clubs and independent eyewitnesses, the FA will be...

President Muhammadu Buhari, has pledged to increase investment in the health sector so that the country can halt the loss of well-trained professionals to other lands. The President made this known when he received the executive members of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at State House, Abuja on Thursday. In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President appreciated the concern expressed by the association on the state of the health sector in the country, noting: “We will do our best to work on your recommendations, and increase investment in the health sector.” The President of MDCAN, Prof. Ngim E. Ngim, said the association consists of trainers, researchers, leaders and major stakeholders in health care, who are concerned about the well-being of the sector. He appealed for action on the resolution of inter-professional rivalry in health care in the country, noting that a panel had been convened in 2014 t...

The UN General Assembly on Thursday adopted by a decisive vote of 128 to nine, with 35 abstentions, a motion rejecting the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. President Donald Trump had warned ahead of the vote in the 193-nation assembly that “we’re watching” and threatened reprisals against countries backing the measure, which reaffirms that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations. Seven countries — Guatemala, Honduras, Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands — joined Israel and the United States in opposing the measure. Among the 35 countries that abstained were Argentina, Australia, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Mexico, the Philippines, Romania and Rwanda. Ukraine, which supported the draft resolution at the Security Council, was among 21 countries that did not turn up for the vote. The measure was sent to the General Assembly after it was vetoed by the United States at the Security Counc...

Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will increase investment in the health sector so that the country can halt the loss of well trained professionals to other lands.   Receiving the executive members of Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) at the State House, Abuja on Thursday, the President appreciated the concern expressed by the association on the state of the health sector in the country. President Buhari noted that government would do its best to increase investment in the health sector. Professor Ngim E. Ngim, President of  MDCAN, said the association consists of trainers, researchers, leaders and major stakeholders in health care, who are concerned about the well-being of the sector.  Professor Ngim  appealed for action on the resolution of inter-professional rivalry in health care in the country, noting that a panel had been convened in 2014 to look into the issues, headed by...

The House of Representatives has adjourned the public hearing on the ceding of the nation’s waterways to some foreign companies till January 9, 2018. The hearing was adjourned after the proceedings which lasted for about 20 minutes on Thursday at the National Assembly in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. The House Committee on Public Petitions, led by Honourable Nkem-Obota Uzoma from Abia State, is probing the planned $195million concession of the nation’s waterways to foreign companies. In the course of its investigation, the committee plans to question the Nigeria Navy, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Federal Ministry of Transportation. At today’s hearing, the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, were among those in attendance. The hearing was, however, adjourned after the committee was informed that the Navy had not received its invitation and was not prepared to respond to questions. ...

The All Progress Congress (APC) has described the ongoing debate about the Federal Government’s plan to spend $1 billion dollars on fighting insurgency, as totally unnecessary. The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi said this on Monday, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Mr Abdullahi said the fund also has nothing to do with politics or the party, as insinuated by some members of the opposition. “In the first place this should not be a conversation for politics, it has nothing to do with politics. It has nothing to do with our party. “This wouldn’t have been an issue if the PDP did not try to muddle up everything by bringing up that wild and unsubstantiated allegation,” he said. His comments come days after the Peoples Democratic Party, criticized the move by the ruling party, describing it as alarming. This followed the approval by governors of the 36 states, to withdraw the sum from the nation’s excess crude account....

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has distributed and sold about 1.3billion litres of petroleum products, including 1.2billion litres of petrol across the country in the month of September. Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, disclosed this in a statement signed by him on Monday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. He said the figure was captured in the September 2017 edition of the monthly NNPC Financial and Operations Report which was released today in Abuja. The figure shows a 29 per cent increase from the 950.67 million litres of petroleum products posted in the month of August. According to the report, products which were distributed and sold by the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), the downstream subsidiary of the NNPC, also comprised of about 35.58 million litres of kerosene and 86.30 million litres of diesel, while total special products for the month of September 2017 was 9.29 million litres ...

The Ganduje-led faction Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas has stepped down from his position. However, the name of the ex-chairman was presented to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioner. Abbas is expected to appear before the House today for screening. The development might not be unconnected with recent political squabble between the ex-chairman and the deputy governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar. The change of events came up 48 hours after the state Deputy Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, said he would not join ticket with the incumbent governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje come 2019.

Chairman of the Senate committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara) has told the Senate that Governor, Abdulaziz Yari is not from Zamfara state. Yari and Marafa had clashed over Ahmad Bello Mahmud, a nominee of President Muhammadu Buhari for Resident Electoral Commission of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While Yari is insisting that the nominee who is to represent Zamfara in INEC should not be confirmed by the Senate, Marafa is saying otherwise. Marafa told the Senate today when he requested for the confirmation of the nominee. Details later...

Jack Wilshere wants to stay at Arsenal, but admits the decision over his future is out of his hands. Wilshere’s contract expires at the end of the season Jack Wilshere wants to stay at Arsenal and hopes a new contract can be agreed on and finalised. Arsene Wenger confirmed last week that contract talks had begun over a new deal for Wilshere, who has made 15 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this season after returning from a long-term injury at the start of August.

The Association of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle, Owners, Repairers and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) has said it is partnering with transport ministry in drawing a roadmap for safe transportation and job creation in order to boost Nigeria’s economy considering the high rate of unemployment. The President of the Association, Babangida Shehu Maihula made this known in a statement to highlight the journey of the association so far and its collaborations with different stakeholders in getting more youths eke a living through motorcycle or tricycle riding Maihula noted that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has brought about transformation in the transport sector by expanding the functions of the association and welcoming suggestions that can move the sector forward. “The union with collaboration of the Hon Minister have been collaborating to ensure safety in the transport and make more youths productive so as to sustain our econ...

Residents of Anaku Community in Ayamelum local government area of Anambra state have raised alarm over the incessant menace of Fulani herdsmen in the area, particularly the intimidation and unrestricted destruction of their farmlands. Speaking during a visit to the area, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Peter Oforkansi, said the ugly trend is already tearing the community apart, adding that the community has sent an SOS message to the state government. He narrated how the herdsmen led their cattle to graze on their crops without recourse, to the extent of damaging the community's major source of livelihood. He lamented that several invitations for discussions sent to the herdsmen's leadership were not honoured. The monarch regretted how the herdsmen block roads leading to the farms with their cattle, claiming their animals were grazing. Oforkansi appealed to the state government and relevant authorities to immediately intervene on the issue p...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said it has doubled the daily supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, from 30million litres to 80million litres per day since the current hiccup in the supply chain was noticed a few days back. Group Managing Director of the NNPC Dr. Maikanti Barud disclosed this shortly before the signing ceremony of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Corporation and the Benue State Government on the Agasha-Guma Bio-fuels Projects, in Abuja on Tuesday. The GMD attributed the hiccups in the supply of PMS to rumours about purported planned increase in the price of petrol. According to a statement by NNPC spokesman Ndu Ughamadu, the GMD stated that some marketers, in their quest to cash in on the situation, suddenly started hoarding products.  “But we swiftly swung into action by doubling our supply nationwide. At the time the rumour started, we had about 30 day sufficiency. The normal daily suppl...

Naval operatives attached to NNS BEECRAFT engaged suspected pipeline vandals in a bloody shootout at Ilado-Odo riverine community. At the end of the operation, four suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the vandalism of petrol pipeline in the area. The operatives also recovered a total of 1,330 jerry cans filled with petrol. It was gathered that the suspects are members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) contracted to monitor pipelines in the south-west region. The undercover operation saw the naval men raiding riverine community between Atlas Cove and Ejigbo. The pipeline currently under attack runs from Atlas Cove to Ejigbo and Mosemi both in Lagos and Ogun states respectively. The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROCT Commander, Rear Adm. Maurice Eno, told journalists on Saturday night that the product was evacuated from a storage facility in Ilado-Odo/ Idimangoro area of the island. According to the naval chief, the petroleum product was stolen fro...