MTN latest list of data plans and prices for 2018

MTN has been seen in 2017 frustrating their data plan prices by increasing and decreasing the plans to suite users needs but hopefully, they finally arrived at the one that all subscribers would love to pay their penny to activate, since they are flexible and
affordable .

There are the data plans that are worth paying for but I assure you that MTN latest 2018 data plans are among. You need to figure out how much data you can consume before paying for it because MTN new data plans could half the bill.

If you are reading this, am guessing you are looking for the best data plans from MTN but moreover, you need to spend a little penny to afford the plan that will perform all the necessary tasks you want.

The previous MTN data plans was very cost but the newly launched data plans are there to automatically cut down your bills to an inexpectable price. You’ll will be able to calculate up the data you used daily, weekly and monthly, and still find out or see the low finalization.

You almost have 2GB of data for just a thousand naira unlike the previous data plan that offers 350MB for N1,300. Ohh! You could see that right?
Sometimes, people thinks Glo data plans is the best because they offer up massive data plans at low costs but can you compare their speed? Who will like to purchase a data plan that cannot offer up what is expected from it. Imagine, getting 4GB at N1,000 but the network couldn’t allow you finish it up. Ohh! That’s bad and annoying!

These plans can work effortlessly on any device that can access the internet. Be it, Laptop (through Modem), Android smartphone, PSP console, IOS devices like Apple & others, Wrist watches that can connect the internet and many others.

Now, let’s look into MTN 2018 Latest List of Data Plans, Activation or Subscription Codes and their prices . Be rest assured that their affordable prices won’t send you off, since their services is good to write home about.
MTN Data Plans, Activation Codes and Prices
MTN data plans ranges from daily, weekly and monthly; they are flexible and affordable. The monthly data plans can be used up to 30 days, the weekly is up to 7 days, the daily plans can be used in 24 hours which is their validity period. Meanwhile, there are heavy data packages that valid for 60 days and 90 days, they are Quarterly plans.
Moreover, some current MTN data plans have additional bonus that can be used between 1am to 7am. These bonus are time-restricted, you don’t expect it to browse a whole day like the main data plan.
MTN Daily Plans
MTN currently have two daily plans. These plans are designed for those who will love to check up the internet in a day with the small data volume. You can check your social media notifications, download little files and of course, stream a little.

1. 50MB for N100: This plan is 5 times far better than what we used to get (i.e 30MB for N100). Imagine getting that little data volume for that price. So, MTN reconsidered everything and offer up 50MB for N100 with additional 20MB. It valid for 24 hours which is complete full day.
To opt-in this plan, dial *104# or quickly send an SMS of 104 to 131 and you are done subscribing.

2. 150MB for N200: This is another daily plan from MTN that will give 150MB with just N200. The 150MB can be used in a day. I think this is one of the best data plan from MTN, since the data can be used to do anything one wishes on the internet without restrictions.
To opt-in this plan, dial *113# or quickly send an SMS of 113 to 131 and you are done subscribing.
MTN Weekly Plans
MTN has two weekly plans that valid for 7 days. Those who loves streaming and downloading, will definitely find these plans reasonable. You can as well use it to check notifications and many other things you wish to do on the internet without interruption. Meanwhile, they are way better than what you used to get before.

3. 150MB for N300: What a flexible data plan! With N300, you get a wholesome 150MB internet data. You might have been confused that the daily plan of 150MB for N200 and this weekly plan are same and similar. No, the validity makes the difference. The weekly plan valid for 7 days while the daily valid for a day.
Are you the type that could manage a data up to a week or the type that just want to boost up GP and fire up the data within a twinkle of an eye. Your choice determines the one you can activate, since it also determines about how you have figured out your data consumption rate.
To opt-in this plan, dial *102# or quickly send an SMS of 102 to 131 and you are done subscribing.

4. 500MB + 250MB (Bonus data) for N500 : The plan is awesome. Just N500 will give you 500MB, not only that, you also get an additional 250MB data that’s usable between 1am to 7am on daily basis.
To opt-in this plan, dial *102# or quickly send an SMS of 102 to 131 and you are done subscribing.
MTN Monthly Data Plans
MTN Monthly data plans offers you the best data plans and prices you would love to get from any good network providers. The extended validity period of 30 days will help you out to browse, stream, download and surf the internet till your satisfaction.

5. 1GB + (500MB bonus data) for N1,000: This monthly plan valid for 30 days. Within 30 days, you can browse, download and enjoy up your internet data at your comfortable time within the period. With just N1,000, you’ll get 1GB data plus 500MB as an additional bonus that’s usable between 1am to 7am on daily basis.
To opt-in to this plan, dial *106# or send 106 to
131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.

6. 1.5GB for N1,500: This plan give you the data without restrictions. You don’t have to get additional bonus that’s restricted to time. By adding N500, you’d get 1.5GB data as main data which will valid for 30 days.
To opt-in to this plan, dial *130# or send 130 to
131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.

7. 2.5GB + 1GB (Bonus data) for N2,000: This plan is good for a heavy Internet user but you need to pay a penny to activate it. You get 2.5GB data plus 1GB as an additional bonus that can be used from 1am to 7am on daily basis. It valid for 30 days which is complete full month.
To opt-in to this plan, dial *110# or send 110 to
131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.

8. 5GB for 3,500: This plan give you the data without restrictions. You don’t have to get additional bonus that’s restricted to time. By adding N3,500, you’d get 5GB data as main data which will valid for 30 days.
To opt-in to this plan, dial *107# or send 107 to 131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.

9. 10GB for N5,000: Their mind would have flied out, once they see that 10GB data plan cost N5,000. The plan is for those who download heavily and knows their data consumption rate. The plan valid for 30 days.
To opt-in to this plan, dial *116# or send 116 to
131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.

10. 22GB for N10,000: Some minds are like, “ how will I get 22GB data for huge N10,000 “. I assure you that for some people it’s actually a soft spot to those who use the internet for small scale business. The plan gives you unparalleled access to cyberspace for a complete month (30 days).
To opt-in to this plan, dial *117# or send 117 to
131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.
MTN 60/90 Days Quarterly Plans
Those who need unparalleled access to the cyberspace for 60 days or 90 days would consider these plans useful. You can stream and download heavily without interruption.

11. 50GB for N20,000: You can activate this plan if you are a super heavy data user or a business owner. You can connect to your devices and accessories and enjoy up the data with your families or business workers. It valid for 60 Days.
To opt-in to this plan, dial *118# or send 118 to
131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.

12. 85GB for N50,000: Internet walkers can crawl up this data into their phone and bang it up without a blink. Business owners and heavy internet users will found this data reasonable and not scary like the average users. It valid for 90 Days (3 months).
To opt-in to this plan, dial *133# or send 133 to
131 as SMS text message to activate the plan.
MTN NIGHT PLAN
MTN offers quality night plan for those who are on MTN Pulse tariff plan. You can legitimately activate the plan and enjoy up your data, since the data work throughout the night effortlessly to make you feel happy.
You only have to migrate to MTN Pulse by dialling
*406# USSD code. If you are the type that hates to migrate, the migration is just like a breeze because one dial gives immediate migration.
The night plan can be used and utilized between
12am to 4am in the night and is only valid for one night. However, multiple night plan activation in a night isn’t allowed.
With N25, you get 500MB data by sending “NIGHT” to 131 as text message and you’re done.

MTN Activation Codes and Prices
Plan Validity Opt-in Code

MTN Daily Plans

50MB @ N100 1 Day Dial *104#

100MB @ N200 1 Day Dial *113#

MTN Weekly Plans
150MB @ N300 7 Days Dial *102#

500MB (+ 250MB bonus data) @ N500
7 Days Dial *103#

MTN Monthly Plans

1GB + (+ 500MB bonus data) @ N1,000
30 Days Dial *106#

1.5GB @ N1,200 30 Days Dial *130#

2.5GB (+ 1GB bonus data) @ N2,000
30 Days Dial *110#

5GB @ N3,500 30 Days Dial *107#

10GB @ N5,000 30 Days Dial *116#

22GB @ N10,000 30 Days Dial *117#

Quarterly 60/90 Days MTN Plans

50GB @ N20,000 60 Days Dial *118#

85GB @ N50,000 90 Days Dial *133#

MTN Night Plan

500MB @ N25 For one night
Send “NIGHT” to 131 as SMS text message
How to Subscribe For MTN Data Plans
You can subscribe to MTN data plans by dialling *131# and follow the on-screen instructions to activate the plan of your choice or use the activation codes above.
How to Check MTN Data Plans
To check your MTN data balance, simply send “STATUS” to 131 or dial *131*4# to check your data balance.

MTN Data Plan & Internet Bundles Prices & Codes

MTN has cleaned up its internet browsing data plans making it easy to choose the one that is perfect for you. You now have just seven MTN Data Plan to choose from. There are cheap browsing plans for entry level users and mobile phone browsing as well as browsing bundles for medium data and high data users.

MTN, like most other networks offers daily data plans and weekly data plans in addition to the standard monthly subscription.

When choosing a data plan for browsing on the MTN network, it is a good idea to make sure you choose a browsing bundle that meets your needs. In this page you will find latest browsing data plans offered by MTN.

MTN currently charges 5 kobo/kb for pay as you go browsing. Browsing on pay as you go is expensive for most users. So it is a good idea to migrate to an internet plan using its internet browsing codes as they offer more value for money.

For information about MTN Data Plans in Nigeria, just dial *131# on your MTN line.

MTN Data plan is now cleaner and offers a lot more value for money. From having over 15 different data plans, MTN have reduced it to 9, making it very easy to choose the best.

MTN seems to have axed the weekend and nightly data plans in its latest updates, which is great since those data plans never really made any sense to me.

MTN Data Plan Prices

Here are latest MTN Data Plan Prices:

MTN Cheap Browsing for Mobile, 1Gb (24/7 30 days) – N1000

1.5GB MTN mobile data plan (24/7 30 days) – 1200 Naira

2.5GB MTN mobile data plan (24/7 30 days) – 2000 Naira

5GB MTN mobile data plan (24/7 30 days) – 3500 Naira

10GB MTN data plan (24/7 30 days) – 5,000 NGN

22GB MTN data plan (24/7, 30 days) – N10,000

50GB MTN data plan (24/7, 60 days) – N20,000

85GB MTN data plan (24/7, 90 days) – N50,000

MTN Daily data plan for mobile, 50MB (24 hours) – 100 Naira

500MB MTN Weekly data plan for mobile (24/7, 7 days) – 500 NGN

MTN Daily data plan, 150MB (24 hours) – N200

Activation codes for MTN Data Subscription

Follow the instruction below to activate any MTN browsing bundle of your choice.

 You will also see code for checking your MTN data subscription balance.

MTN Cheap Browsing Plan for Mobile, 

1GB (24/7 30 days) – text 106 to 131 – 1000 NGN

1.5GB MTN data plan (24/7 30 days) – text 130 to 131 – 1200 NGN

MTN 2.5GB mobile data plan (24/7 30 days) – text 110 to 131 – 2000 NGN

5GB MTN data plan (24/7 30 days) – text 107 to 131 – 3500 Naira

10GB MTN data plan (24/7 30 days) – text 116 to 131 – 5000 Naira

22GB MTN data plan (24/7 30 days) – text 117 to 131 – 10000 Naira

50GB MTN data plan (24/7 60 days) – text 118 to 131 – 20000 NGN

85GB MTN data plan (24/7 90 days) – text 133 to 131 – 50000 NGN

MTN Daily data plan for mobile, 100MB (24 hours) – SMS 104 to 131 – N100

750MB Weekly browsing for mobile, 500MB – text 103 to 131 – N500

MTN Daily data plan, 150MB – text 113 to 131 – N200

To check your MTN browsing data balance, SMS 2 to 131.

MTN supports 4G LTE, for some good smartphones that are supported on the MTN network, check our lineup of Best 4G Phones .

You can also checkout our list of Cheap Android Phones and Best Android Phones .

24/7 internet browsing is great as you can browse anytime you want. MTN Night browsing seem to have been suspended at least for now. MTN Weekend data plan, which used to be active throughout the weekend from 9pm on Friday to 6am on Monday seem to have suffered the same fate.

Weekend browsing and Night browsing made sense in the days of fixed internet, but will the mobile always on world both data plans seem lame.

Activating Internet browsing on MTN

MTN internet services can be accessed with an internet enabled mobile phone, an Internet modem, or an Internet router. You can browse with the mobile phone directly or use it as a modem to connect your desktop or laptop to the internet using a data cable/USB or Bluetooth. 

To get your 3G/3.5G/GPRS settings automatically, text

SETTINGS to 3888 on an MTN Nigeria mobile phone.

You can also manually configure your mobile phone using the following settings.

Account name: MTN GPRS

Access point name (APN): web.gprs.mtnnigeria.net

IP Address: 10.199.212.2

Port: 8080 (for HTML) or 9201 (for WAP)

Username: web

Password: web

Port 8080 is recommended except if your mobile phone supports only WAP.

If you buy your internet browsing devices from an MTN service centre, it will be pre-loaded with MTN internet settings.

The 3.5G FastLink USB modem costs around N5,000 from MTN and is also compatible to 3G/EDGE/GPRS. 

According to Ads on MTN website offers 6 months free data, though we cannot confirm the limits.

MTN also offers a portable Wi-Fi router that enables you share your internet access with up to five Wi-Fi devices within a 10m range. The portable Wi-Fi hotspot called MTN Mi-Fi, costs N21,000 with 3GB free internet browsing bundle. To activate your MTN free Mi-Fi bundle, text MIFI to 131 .

1GB MTN Data Plan

MTN 1GB Data plan (formally 100MB, 200MB, 260MB, 1.5GB): This MTN data plan offers 24/7 internet access for 30 days at N1,000. The browsing bundle is limited to 1GB data. Our this MTN data plan offers a bonus of 500MB bringing the total data allowance to 1.5GB. 

However, the 500MB bonus can only be used between 1 am and 7 am in the morning

1GB MTN data plan is best suited for browsing directly on your mobile phone.

Even when using mobile phones with this MTN data Plan, it is a good idea to download and browse with the Opera Mini/mobile browser or a similar cloud based data compression browser like the UC Browser or UC Mini.

To migrate to the 1GB internet browsing bundle SMS 106 to 131 . 

This MTN data plan can also be used on your laptop or desktop but do not expect it to last more than a week except you are on a slow network or browse only occasionally.

To save bandwidth, it is a good idea to turn off automatic updates for OS and Antivirus. If your antivirus allows you to set frequency of updates, set it to daily (24 hours/1440 minutes).

10GB MTN Data Plan

This MTN Data plan is the best for browsing on your laptop or desktop. It offers 24/7 (always on) Internet access to prepaid MTN subscribers for a 30-day period at a price of 5,000 NGN. The MTN Data Plan is limited to 10GB data (formally 5GB) per month. To migrate to this 30-day MTN Data Plan SMS 116 to 131 .

Make sure you have at least N5,000 on your account before migrating. Once migration is successful N5,000 will automatically be deducted from your MTN account. The 10GB MTN data plan is recommended for heavy users on high-speed (4G / 3G/HSDPA) coverage.

22GB MTN Data Plan

The 22GB Data Plan is another exciting package from MTN. This MTN Data plan is the best if used with a wireless router to build a hotspot in your home or office. With the hotspot you can connect multiple devices smartphones, laptops, desktop, set top boxes, etc. You get 24/7 (always on) Internet access for a 30-day period at a price of 10,000 NGN. The MTN Data Plan is limited to 22GB per month. To migrate to this 30-day MTN Data Plan SMS 117 to 131 .

Make sure you have at least N10,000 on your account before migrating. Once migration is successful N10,000 will automatically be deducted from your MTN account. The 22GB MTN data plan is recommended for heavy users on high-speed (4G LTE / 3G/HSDPA) coverage.

24 hour MTN Data Plan

24 hours browsing bundle: MTN offers a daily internet data plan. This internet browsing bundle allows subscribers to pay daily for 150MB bulk internet access. You pay for this service any day you want to browse the internet. Just pay N200 any day you want to browse and you will get 24 hours internet browsing access from MTN limited to 150MB data.

The 24 hours MTN data plan, will appeal to customers who currently spend a couple of hours a week browsing internet in cyber cafes, especially if they already have a computer at home/office. This is a very good plan, it is cheap and convenient however you may find it wanting if you want 24/7 access. This internet service is available to MTN prepaid users only.

To migrate to the daily MTN data Plan SMS 103 to

131 on any day you want to browse the internet. Internet access will be available for 24 hours limited to 100MB. Make sure you have at least N200 on your account before migrating. Once migration is successful N200 will automatically be deducted from your MTN account.

MTN Double Data Free Browsing Cheat 2018

Hello guys and welcome to today’s post on how to double your MTN data.
Have you ever think that what if you. Could enjoy 100% of your data purchased on MTN sim
Mtn Yafun Yafun SIM Free Browsing
Mtn is back at it again, when it come to Mtn free data rewards 2017 was a blast ranging from the MTN Stark VPN Cheat to the MTN Yafun Yafun SIM Free Browsing but this year is going to be tremendously superfab cause Mtn has already started putting smiles on people’s faces.
The article below contains a quick step on how to activate the MTN double data on your sim.
How To Double Data
Activating the double data on your MTN sim is as simple as possible.
1 . Firstly before purchasing any data on your MTN line go to your message box and create new message

2 . In your Text body type the word ‘ DOUBLE ‘, please make sure it’s in capitalise all through and send it to ‘ 131 ‘ you will recieve a message immediately from mtn that. ‘your message has. Been received and it’s been processed you will recieve a message shortly please don’t resend your message again.
3 . Again send. The word ‘ PROMO ‘ to 131 this. Time you will recieve a message from. 131 telling you that you have sent an incorrect message.
Download My Dirty Little Bitcoin Secrets ebook
4 . Finally send the word ‘ FREE ‘ to 131 this time you will recieve a welcome message to MTN 100% double data.
Immediately you recieve a welcome message the one above just proceed to purchasing your data and it will doubled 100%.
HOW TO CHECK THE MTN DOUBLE DATA CHEAT MB
Don’t hesitate to comment if you are finding any of the steps to be confusing

IGP summoned over breach of Presidential order

The presidency on Tuesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, to answer query as to why he breached a Presidential order to relocate to Benue following reported killings in the state.

The post IGP summoned over breach of Presidential order appeared first on PM NEWS Nigeria.

Basketball: 11 teams battle for promotion ticket in national divisions League

No fewer than 11 teams are currently battling for promotion ticket in both the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), National Division 1 & 2 leagues which tipped off in Ilorin on Tuesday.

The post Basketball: 11 teams battle for promotion ticket in national divisions League appeared first on PM NEWS Nigeria.

When Pre-Wedding Picture Goes Wrong

When you spot it, drop your comments below!

The post When Pre-Wedding Picture Goes Wrong appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

When Pre-Wedding Picture Goes Wrong

Nigerians Paid More For Kerosene In February – NBS (See Statistics)

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, said the average price per liter paid by consumers for National Household Kerosene increased by 0.10% month-on-month and decreased by-18.12% year-on-year to N288.57.

According to a report obtained from the Bureau by Brand Spur Nigeria, the price of per litre Kerosene increased to N288.85 in January 2018 from N284.03 in December 2017.

The report reviewed States with the highest average price per liter of kerosene were Plateau (N319.44), Nassarawa (N316.67) and Bayelsa (N315.28). It named States with the lowest average price per liter of kerosene were Kebbi (N257.29), Oyo (N260.53) and Niger (N262.5).

Similarly, the average price per gallon paid by consumers for National Household Kerosene increased by 0.54% month-on-month and decreased by -24.58% year-on-year to N1,030.33 in February 2018 from N1,024.83 in January 2018.

States with the highest average price per gallon of kerosene were Kebbi (N1,203.13), Borno (N1,187.50) & Niger (N1,184.38).

Also, States with the lowest average price per liter of kerosene were Rivers (N828.26), Delta (N858.33) and Abia (N882.50).

The post Nigerians Paid More For Kerosene In February – NBS (See Statistics) appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Nigerians Paid More For Kerosene In February – NBS (See Statistics)

Jesus Drank Alcohol When He Was Alive, Go To Quilox And Drink – Daddy Freeze

Bursted! Wanted Nigerian Yahoo Boy/Armed Robber Arrested By Police In Ghana (Photos)

Kess Billions, a 29-year-old Nigerian and a leader of a vicious robbery gang who had been terrorizing the residents of Accra, Ghana for a long time has been arrested by the Ghanaian police after being placed on a Wanted list.

Kesiena Blessing Kagi, alias Kess Billions, was arrested at his hideout at Community 20 in Tema on Friday, March 9, 2018. The Delta State big boy was on the police wanted list for the robbery of a forex bureau at Teshie on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.

Kess Billions was also said to have led a gang of robbers to attack a company at Community Nine Light Industrial Area, Tema. The IGP said other suspects in the forex bureaux robbery gang, Prince Wanganga, Gift Wanganga, alias Festus; John Ani, Prince Yfuah and Okoro Amulley had been arrested earlier.

He said Kess Billions and the other five suspects were all Nigerians. He said a check on Kess Billions’s passport, number A07598838, revealed that he was a native of Warri. Kess Billions frequently comes to Ghana, with his last being on January 19, 2018, with a 90-day stay permit.

The Nigerian was declared wanted by the Ghanaian police force last week. According to the Ghanaian police, Kess led his gang to rob a bureau de change and carted away with a huge sum of money.

His gang struck again and attacked a company on the 16th of February, 2018. They also left with a huge sum of money. According to previous reports Kess is believed to be currently hiding in Aflao, Ghana or Nigeria.

The police have issued a red alert on him, requesting for anyone with information about him to report to them.

This is not the first time Nigerian citizens in Ghana have been arrested or declared wanted for robbery, In a previous report, Police in Ghana arrested two Nigerian citizens, Ndubueze Odoemenam and Chiokoko Amadie for bank robbery.

The post Bursted! Wanted Nigerian Yahoo Boy/Armed Robber Arrested By Police In Ghana (Photos) appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Bursted! Wanted Nigerian Yahoo Boy/Armed Robber Arrested By Police In Ghana (Photos)

Timaya Shows Off His Beautiful Mum (Photos)

Singer Timaya Show off his Beautiful mother in this adorable photo. She tag her the love of her life.

See screenshots below:

The post Timaya Shows Off His Beautiful Mum (Photos) appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Timaya Shows Off His Beautiful Mum (Photos)

AU supports 5,200 migrants return from Libya – IOM

"We are embarking on a completely new approach to reintegration and we believe in it."

The post AU supports 5,200 migrants return from Libya – IOM appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

AU supports 5,200 migrants return from Libya – IOM

‘Champions League quarter-final: Dzeko is our diamond’

 

From a possible sacrifice for his cash-strapped club in January, Edin Dzeko proved his worth to Roma Tuesday, sealing a first Champions League quarter-final berth in a decade.

After the 31-year-old’s proposed move to Chelsea fell through in the winter transfer window, Dzeko helped the balance sheet of the club’s US owner James Pallotta by securing Roma’s place in the last eight of Europe’s lucrative elite competition.

“I didn’t want to go in January because I want to play these kind of games,” explained Dzeko after his 52nd-minute goal clinched a place in the last eight after a 2-1 first-leg loss in Ukraine amid scenes of euphoria in the Stadio Olympico.

Cengiz Under’s goal in the first leg last month ultimately proved crucial for Roma, but Dzeko was the hero on the night and also proved instrumental in Shakhtar defender Ivan Ordets being shown a straight red card with 12 minutes left.

“We managed to do something that had been missing for 10 years,” said Dzeko. “Going forward and playing with big teams is a pride for all of us.”

Dzeko proved to be a leader on the pitch with coach Eusebio Di Francesco giving him a standing ovation at the end.

“It is not for me, but for everyone, we are deservedly in the quarter-finals,” said the Bosnian after his fourth Champions League goal, and 18th in total for the club this season.

“Dzeko is our diamond,” said Italian defender Alessandro Florenzi.

“It’s my first Champions League quarter-final, so it’s a euphoric moment,” added Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan as Roma qualified for a third quarter-finals of the modern Champions League.

“It’s really satisfying for me because I think we saw a team being born this evening,” said Di Francesco. “We played a team game, a man’s match. We didn’t give them anything.”

After Italy’s shock failure to qualify for the World Cup, Roma’s progress to the last eight along with Juventus is a boost for the country.

Juventus have reached two finals in the last three seasons. The last Italian club to win the title was Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

“There aren’t any teams I want to avoid,” continued Di Francesco looking ahead to Friday’s draw. “Roma must not fear anyone. I want to continue to dream with this team.”

There will also be at least three Italian coaches in the quarter-finals — Di Francesco, Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus and Vincenzo Montella of Sevilla.

“I spoke a few days ago with Montella. We said we’d meet in the final,” said the Roma coach.

“Joking aside, whatever the team we meet they will be welcome. In the meanwhile we’ll prepare for the (Serie A) match against Crotone.”

Tunde Ednut Slams Wizkid, Others, As He Hails Singer, Rihanna For Acknowledging Nigerian Kid Dancers

Yesterday, we brought you reports about how singer, Rihanna, reposted a video of some Nigerian kids dancers from Ikorodu.. She didn’t do it just once, but twice.. [READ THE REPORT HERE IF YOU MISSED IT]

Tunde Ednut has reacted to this new development, and has called out WIZKID, and other celebrities for not helping the “upcomings” by reposting their videos to their millions of followers.

Tunde shared a screenshot of Rihanna’s post, and wrote as caption: With 60million followers, they tagged her and she has posted them twice.”

“Our celebrities never even reach 10million, them go pretend like say them no dey see anything wey dey go on for social media. Some won’t even like your post when you help them promote.”

“They believe it’s their right for you to post their shit. Anyways, we can’t always stand on that table, we will come down from it one day because the table go tire for you. Na wood nau.”

The post Tunde Ednut Slams Wizkid, Others, As He Hails Singer, Rihanna For Acknowledging Nigerian Kid Dancers appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Tunde Ednut Slams Wizkid, Others, As He Hails Singer, Rihanna For Acknowledging Nigerian Kid Dancers

Renowned Scientist Stephen Hawking Is Dead

British physicist Stephen Hawking, whose mental genius and physical disability made him a household name and inspiration across the globe, has died at age 76.

His family said he died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday morning. .

Hawking, whose 1988 book “A Brief History of Time” became an unlikely worldwide bestseller and cemented his superstar status, dedicated his life to unlocking the secrets of the Universe. .

He defied predictions he would only live for a few years after developing a form of motor neurone disease in 1964 at the age of 22. .

The illness gradually robbed him of mobility, leaving him confined to a wheelchair, almost completely paralysed and unable to speak except through his trademark voice synthesiser. .

Hawking became one of the world’s most well-regarded scientists, earning comparisons with Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton.

The post Renowned Scientist Stephen Hawking Is Dead appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Renowned Scientist Stephen Hawking Is Dead

President Buhari Summons IGP Over Benue Saga

A top Presidency source revealed on Tuesday night that President Muhammadu Buhari summoned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to explain why he flouted the order to relocate to Benue State to stem the killings blamed on Fulani herdsmen. It was learnt that the police boss was summoned to the president’s residence on Tuesday morning.

Buhari was said to have demanded a full report on the Benue till date which may now decide the IGP’s fate.

According to the source, “Police IG, Idris was the first caller this morning at the Presidential villa apparently to explain his flouting of the President’s order to remain in Benue at the height of the incidence between farmers and herdsmen.

“President Buhari who is believed to have summoned the IG received him in a private audience.

“The IG left about 30 minutes after without speaking to anyone. “It is believed that sort of a query the president demanded a full report on police operations till date after which he will make further decisions.

“There is a renewed resolve to make sure that the killings and bad security situation in Benue State abates.” The Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media Garba Shehu confirmed the meeting.

The post President Buhari Summons IGP Over Benue Saga appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

President Buhari Summons IGP Over Benue Saga

Nigerian govt releases N43.92 billion to 330,000 rice farmers – Official

Funds will increase rice production by two million tonnes in 2018.

The post Nigerian govt releases N43.92 billion to 330,000 rice farmers – Official appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Nigerian govt releases N43.92 billion to 330,000 rice farmers – Official

Think of me as your daughter, 16-year-old dreamer tells Trump

Nicolle Uria was 15 when her parents told her a shocking secret: she was an undocumented immigrant in the only country she has even known.

The teen, who was born in Bolivia, recalls that as her parents braced her two years ago for that gut-wrenching conversation, she expected something else to come out of their mouths.

“I immediately thought, ‘I’m adopted’, even though I look just like my sisters and my mom,” Uria told AFP.

“The last thing on my mind was finding out that I was undocumented,” said Uria, who is in her last year of high school in Annandale, Virginia outside Washington, and says she wants to study journalism in college.

She gets good grades, is on the school volleyball team and works on the school newspaper. But she is now worried that her dreams will go unrealized.

Last September, her life was turned upside down when President Donald Trump ordered an end to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the Obama-era program that protected from deportation some 700,000 immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, as she was.

Trump gave Congress six months to work out something for these so-called “Dreamers,” most of them Latinos.

The program was supposed to end on March 5 but remains in force because of rulings from two federal judges suspending Trump’s decision.

While the program works its way through court and lawmakers have failed to agree on the fate of the “Dreamers,” Nicolle is terribly afraid of being separated from her parents, siblings and other family members.

“I would be going back to a country I don’t even know,” she said as she cried. “I have no memories of Bolivia.”

– ‘A better future’ –

Nicolle’s parents brought her to America when she was a year old.

Ivan Uria, a former civil servant, and Giovanna Portugal, who studied to be an architect, worked in whatever they could find: cleaning homes or offices, at a gas station, looking after small children.

Their overriding goal was to get a good education for their three daughters. They always led Nicolle to believe she had been born in the United States.

“I did not want to break her heart telling her the truth,” said Portugal.

One time, Portugal asked her daughter’s Girl Scout leader to leave her out of a trip to the White House by telling her there was no room — she could not bear to tell Nicolle she did not have the papers needed to get into the presidential mansion.

Portugal and her husband recently obtained residency papers after their elder daughters — Ariana, 31, and, Lizzet, 29, both university graduates — married US citizens.

But legalizing Nicolle’s status is tricky, and they are acutely afraid of her being deported.

“I just don’t want to go back because I’d feel that I wasted my parents’ time. My parents have worked so much,” Nicolle said.

She thought of her parents when she attended Trump’s State of the Union speech at the invitation of a Democratic lawmaker, and once again heard the president speak of immigrants as if they were criminals.

“I would like him and the members of Congress to think of us as their kids. I know that they want the best for their kids. And we are here to give a better future to America,” said Nicolle.

– Threats –

Once she knew the truth, Nicolle was not shy about telling the truth. But it was not easy.

Kids she thought were her friends treated her “in a different way,” she said, adding: “That was a surprise.”

On social media, she got threatening messages that told her to go home, or that immigration agents would be sent to her house, or that her parents should be arrested.

One teacher even told her he trusted Trump would build his promised wall on the border with Mexico. Uria said it was a joke but it still stung.

Nicolle’s real friends say they could not be prouder of her and that she is the first “Dreamer” they have met.

“When she told me her story, it was the first time I heard about DACA,” said Jessica Roop, who has played volleyball with Uria for the past four years.

Another classmate, Asael Saed, added: “Many Americans don’t even know that their friends and their neighbors hold this stress inside.”

Nicolle began to feel she was doing the right thing when kids at school who had grown up without papers would stop her in the hall and thank her.

“This country was made by immigrants. I’ve always felt American and I always will,” she said.

AFP.

Champions League heartache not new for United, insists Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insisted European disappointment is nothing new for the English giants after losing 2-1 to Sevilla at Old Trafford to crash out of the Champions League by the same scoreline on aggregate.

Wissam Ben Yedder struck twice in four second-half minutes on Tuesday to send Sevilla into the quarter-finals for the first time in 60 years as United suffered a first European home defeat since Alex Ferguson’s Champions League farewell in 2013.

Mourinho was on the winning side that night as Real Madrid manager and also sent United out of the last 16 when Porto boss in 2004.

“I’ve sat in this chair twice before with Porto, Manchester United out, and Real Madrid, Manchester United out, so I don’t think it’s anything new for the club,” said Mourinho, who bristled at questions over his tactical approach.

“I don’t want to make a drama of it. We have no time to be sad for more than 24 hours, that’s football. It’s not the end of the world.”

The visitors were deserving winners as they controlled the game throughout, but had to wait for Ben Yedder’s introduction as a substitute 18 minutes from time to add a clinical finish by taking his Champions League tally for the season to eight goals in seven appearances.

Ben Yedder put Sevilla in front two minutes later when he blasted into the bottom corner before heading in a second shortly after.

Romelu Lukaku reduced United’s arrears, but it was too little, too late with Mourinho’s decision to once again drop Paul Pogba certain to be scrutinised.

“In the first half we played a good game apart from the last 30 metres,” said Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella.

“In the second half we were more clinical with Ben Yedder, he made the difference today.”

Mourinho sprang a surprise before kick-off by recalling Marouane Fellaini at the expense of Pogba, who had also been dropped for the first game.

Sevilla dominated the vast majority of the first leg only to be denied by some stunning saves from David de Gea.

However, it was wayward finishing rather than the Spanish number one that prevented the visitors making the most of their ascendency for most of the match.

Indeed, of Sevilla’s 10 efforts on goal in the first period only one weak Muriel effort forced De Gea into making a save.

– Fellaini gamble backfires –

Mourinho’s gamble on Fellaini appeared to have largely backfired as he failed to impose his physical presence on Sevilla’s ball players in midfield.

Yet, the Belgian nearly made the breakthrough with United’s best move of the opening period when he latched onto Alexis Sanchez’s layoff and his powerful effort was turned behind by Sergio Rico.

The second period began in the same vein as the first with Sevilla on the front foot, and only a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Eric Bailly denied Correa a clear sight of goal.

Pogba, who cost United a then-world record £89 million ($116 million) in 2016, was eventually introduced just after the hour mark with Fellaini sacrificed.

However, even the Frenchman couldn’t kickstart the hosts and they were eventually made to pay.

Ben Yedder had only been on the pitch for two minutes after replacing Muriel when he finally broke the deadlock in the tie with a brilliant finish low into De Gea’s bottom left-hand corner.

“Manchester United have experience in the Champions League, it was a special game for us,” said Ben Yedder.

“But I believed in myself, believed in the team and we showed we are a great team.”

Mourinho responded by throwing on Anthony Martial and Juan Mata, but their attacking edge was needed far earlier as Ben Yedder soon put the outcome beyond any doubt when he forced home a corner at the far post despite a despairing effort by De Gea.

Lukaku finally got United on the board six minutes from time when he swept home Marcus Rashford’s corner.

But it was to little avail as United have now failed to reach the quarter-finals for four straight years.

AFP.

Federal Govt. releases N43.92bn to 330,000 rice farmers

The Federal Government has released about N43.92 billion (122 million dollars) to 300,000 rice farmers to increase Nigeria’s rice production by additional two million tonnes in 2018.

The post Federal Govt. releases N43.92bn to 330,000 rice farmers appeared first on PM NEWS Nigeria.

Presidents Cup: Tiger Woods and Els to captain United States

Tiger Woods and Ernie Els shifted their decades-long friendly rivalry onto the international stage as they were officially named captains for the 2019 Presidents Cup on Tuesday.

The post Presidents Cup: Tiger Woods and Els to captain United States appeared first on PM NEWS Nigeria.

Indian Wells: Simona Halep downs Wang to reach quarter-finals

World number one Simona Halep overcame a sluggish start to beat Wang Qiang 7-5 6-1 at the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday and book a quarter-final  seed.

The post Indian Wells: Simona Halep downs Wang to reach quarter-finals appeared first on PM NEWS Nigeria.

Victims Of Herdsmen Attack Buried In A Mass Grave In Plateau State

The victims who were killed in fresh herdsmen attack – have been buried. They were laid to rest in a mass grave yesterday in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state.

The death toll from the attacks on communities in Plateau State has risen to 16, the Police have said, but residents claimed 25 people have been killed. Residents blamed herdsmen for the attack on communities in Bokkos Local Government Area, including on the days President Muhammadu Buhari visited the state.

The Police spokesman said 16 people had been confirmed killed in the multiple attacks on several villages between Wednesday, March 7, and Friday, March 9.

He said the Command had deployed more personnel to restore peace to the troubled areas, and advised the people to remain calm and avoid taking laws into their hands.

Meanwhile, community leaders, who briefed journalists in Jos Sunday, said 25 people were killed in the attacks, while many others were still missing. The community leaders blamed the attacks on herdsmen and listed villages attacked to include Nghakudung, Shilim, Morok, Mandung, Faram, Filla and Hotom.

See photos below:

The post Victims Of Herdsmen Attack Buried In A Mass Grave In Plateau State appeared first on Naijaloaded | Nigeria's Most Visited Music & Entertainment Website.

Victims Of Herdsmen Attack Buried In A Mass Grave In Plateau State

Former Golden Eaglets striker joins Swedish Club

Abbah scored four goals in six test games at the club

The post Former Golden Eaglets striker joins Swedish Club appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Former Golden Eaglets striker joins Swedish Club

Commonwealth Games: Nigeria picks final basketball team

The team is made up of six home-based players and six-foreign based pros.

The post Commonwealth Games: Nigeria picks final basketball team appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Commonwealth Games: Nigeria picks final basketball team

Ethiopia says nearly 7.88 million of its citizens need emergency food aid

The government agency estimates that $1.44 billion is needed for emergency food, shelter and health-related needs of the citizens

The post Ethiopia says nearly 7.88 million of its citizens need emergency food aid appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Ethiopia says nearly 7.88 million of its citizens need emergency food aid

Saudi Arabia approves nuclear power programme policy

The policy limits all atomic development activities to peaceful purposes within the frameworks set by international conventions

The post Saudi Arabia approves nuclear power programme policy appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Saudi Arabia approves nuclear power programme policy

Adamawa govt empowers 10,000 youth

The youth were supported in various areas of economy to create wealth and reduce restiveness

The post Adamawa govt empowers 10,000 youth appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Adamawa govt empowers 10,000 youth

FG releases 54 billion to pencom for payment of arrears — Rep

The money will be used to pay 33 percent pension’s arrears to pensioners

The post FG releases 54 billion to pencom for payment of arrears — Rep appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

FG releases 54 billion to pencom for payment of arrears — Rep

Hike in excise duty on tobacco, alcohol will reduce abuse, disease – CPC

The new excise duty rates were announced on Sunday.

The post Hike in excise duty on tobacco, alcohol will reduce abuse, disease – CPC appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Hike in excise duty on tobacco, alcohol will reduce abuse, disease – CPC

Lawyers, activists march against ‘obnoxious’ Lagos taxes

"The tax increments by Ambode would cause hyperinflation, insecurity, encourage crime and hunger."

The post Lawyers, activists march against ‘obnoxious’ Lagos taxes appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Lawyers, activists march against ‘obnoxious’ Lagos taxes

Despite denials by Edo govt, PDP insists rice for IDPs diverted

“How can they harass me for telling them that they stole rice?"

The post Despite denials by Edo govt, PDP insists rice for IDPs diverted appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Despite denials by Edo govt, PDP insists rice for IDPs diverted

Foremost Cambridge scientist, Stephen Hawking, is dead

The author of 'A Brief History of Time' passed on at his home in Cambridge.

The post Foremost Cambridge scientist, Stephen Hawking, is dead appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Foremost Cambridge scientist, Stephen Hawking, is dead

Mourinho’s excuses for UCL ouster not tenable

The whole United team was a complete shadow of the United teams seen in the past.

The post Mourinho’s excuses for UCL ouster not tenable appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Mourinho’s excuses for UCL ouster not tenable

Sierra Leone Polls: Run-off declared as opposition candidate, Maada Bio, wins first round

The run-off between the ruling and opposition candidates will hold March 27

The post Sierra Leone Polls: Run-off declared as opposition candidate, Maada Bio, wins first round appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

Sierra Leone Polls: Run-off declared as opposition candidate, Maada Bio, wins first round

NERC permits new operators to supply meters

The new class of operators in the power sector are called Meter Asset Providers (MAPs).

The post NERC permits new operators to supply meters appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.

NERC permits new operators to supply meters

What Tillerson said as U.S. Secretary of State before sack

• Says transparent, credible, fair, peaceful elections expected next year

Rex Tillerson, until yesterday the United States Secretary of State had to cut short his trip to Africa because of developments at home. He had been fired by President Donald Trump. Tillerson, whose replacement has been named, will bow out of office on March 31. Below is excerpts of what Tillerson said in Abuja, Nigeria’s political capital on Monday before his sack.

Well, good afternoon, and I am so pleased to be back in Nigeria, a place that I have visited many, many times.  And I particularly appreciate the time that President Muhammadu Buhari and Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama have given me to discuss our countries’ relationship, and importantly the commitments we have and make to one another.

We collaborate to create a number of opportunities to increase trade and investment and to expand access to electricity, an essential component of both human and economic development.  We also take on a number of challenges across this continent together, from corruption to disease to terrorism.  As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria is America’s second-largest trading partner on the continent with over $9 billion in Nigerian-U.S. total goods traded last year.

Later this year, we will inaugurate the U.S. – Nigeria Commercial and Investment Dialogue and a Trade and Investment Framework Council, both very positive steps to develop stronger business networks and address barriers to increasing trade and investment from the U.S.

We also look forward to the finalisation of the Continental Free Trade Agreement through the African Union (AU) as an important mechanism to accelerate intra-African trade, a step which we believe is going to bring even greater foreign direct investment and I know a greater U.S. business investment and involvement in Africa, and most particularly Nigeria with Nigeria’s large population and growing economy.

We thank Nigeria for the leadership role it is playing in the Lake Chad Basin Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) with Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Benin.  Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa have caused the displacement of millions and stolen the future from so many.  The recent kidnapping of more than 100 school girls is heartbreaking. Nigeria has the U.S. full support, and we are actively working with our partners here on other ways we can assist you in this fight.

Finally, I shared with the President the U.S. optimism about the future of democratic governance here and throughout the continent.  Nigeria’s elections and peaceful transfer of power in 2015 demonstrated for the rest of Africa and the world that diverse societies can conduct peaceful, democratic transitions of leadership.  The U.S. looks forward to joining with government and civil society groups in support of transparent, credible, fair, and peaceful elections once again here in Nigeria.

The U.S. also commends Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.  President Buhari’s work has resonated across the continent with his recent recognition as the AU’s anti-corruption champion.  We continue to encourage the Nigerian government to work with civic and community leaders to create a durable social, economic, and political infrastructure that supports lasting peace and development for the decades to come.

This is essential to deepening the people’s trust in their government, strengthening security efforts in the Northeast, and improving the U.S. ability to partner with Nigeria in the future.  We see nothing but a very bright future ahead for Nigeria and for U.S. – Nigerian relations.

 

Africa and Trump administration

 

Africa’s been really important for the administration, and that’s what I’ve been focused on for the past week, as you know.  I think, with respect to Mr. Kushner’s portfolio of assignments that the President has given him, I think it’s best to leave any comment on that to himself or the White House.

 

Consequences of the Boko Haram insurgency

 

Well, first, we respect the responsibilities of the Government of Nigeria.  This is sovereign territory of Nigeria.  But the way we support is in providing them capability, capacity, whether it’s equipment, but also training personnel for special operations, and sharing certain intelligence to ensure that they have all the information available to plan and carry out a recovery effort.

But I think it’s also important to put this in the broader regional context as well.  Boko Haram is a threat to others regionally, and this has been a subject in my meetings elsewhere while in Africa as well.  And in my discussions, in fact, with President Idriss Deby in Chad earlier today (Monday) we spoke about the threat of Boko Haram.  And I think what’s important and has really been powerful is the collaboration of the joint task force that – of which Nigeria is a part and Chad is a part, to respond to this threat of terrorism, of which Boko Haram is one organisation.  There are other threats that the leadership in this part of the country has to deal with and this part of the continent has to deal with.

So the U.S. is very engaged in that coordinated effort as well, both in supporting, equipping, training, and where we can advise and provide information.  I think that’s the best way we can help the Government of Nigeria secure the release of these girls, which we hope will be done in a peaceful manner.  We hope that something that can be worked out and they will be persuaded to release these girls quickly.  That’s what we’re pray, anyway.

 

Trump and Jong-un

 

With respect to the ongoing discussions about a potential meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong-un, as you know, it’s a very recent development.  There will be – several steps will be necessary to agree on a location, agree on a scope of those discussions.  It’s very early stages.  We’ve not heard anything directly back from North Korea, although we expect to hear something directly from them.  So, I would – I know those are all questions that people are anxious to have answers to.  I would say just remain patient and we’ll see what happens.

 

How about a location?

 

That as well…  Nothing – nothing’s been agreed, and I don’t want to start floating ideas out through the media.  I think it’s going to be very important that those kind of conversations are held quietly between the two parties.

 

Chinese debts

 

Well, I’ve commented on this question a couple of other times, and I think it’s important that our view be clearly understood.  We do not seek to keep Chinese dollar investments from flowing to countries that need those investment dollars.  What we are cautioning countries is to look carefully at the implications of the level of debt, the terms of the debt; whether the arrangements around that financing are in fact creating local jobs, local capacity, or are the projects being carried out by foreign labour being brought to your country?  Is the structure of the financing such that you will always be in control of your infrastructure?  Are there mechanisms to deal with default in a way that you do not lose the ownership of your own assets?  These are national assets, whether they’re ports or railroads or major highways.

And we have seen this occur in other countries where countries were not so careful, and as a result, they got themselves in a situation where they ultimately lost control of their infrastructure, they lost the ownership of it, they lost the operatorship of it.  And that’s the caution we have.  There are very well-known international rules and norms, well-known financing structures to deal with unforeseen circumstances, and I think we’re just – we’re cautioning countries to look carefully.

And there are other alternatives.  There are other alternative financing mechanisms available, and I think in particular, if governments create the right conditions around those infrastructure investments, there are also great potential for public-private sector co-investing in infrastructure.  And we are developing mechanisms and the President has charged some of his executive staff back home to begin to develop alternative financing mechanisms that will also create alternative opportunities to what China is offering.  And again, it may be that China is fine, but we have seen many, many examples around the world where it didn’t work out so well for the host country.  And as friends of all countries, we’re just asking:  Be careful.

 

Former secretary unaware of reason for sack

FORMER Rex Tillerson is unaware of why President Donald Trump asked him to resign AS United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Steve Goldstein, said in a statement on yesterday.

Goldstein also said the former Secretary of the State and did not speak to Trump about the development.

“The Secretary did not speak to the President and is unaware of the reason, but he is grateful for the opportunity to serve, and still believes strongly that public service is a noble calling,” Goldstein said.

Trump, however, said that he and Tillerson disagreed on many things, including the Iran nuclear deal, following the announcement of the top diplomat’s departure from the high-ranking position.

The U.S. President said: “We got along actually quite well, but we disagreed on things. When you look at the Iran deal, I think it’s terrible, I guess he thinks it was okay.

“We wanted to either break it or do something and he felt a little bit differently. So, we were not really thinking the same.”

Trump added that he made the decision to fire Tillerson by himself, announcing that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director, Mike Pompeo, will replace Tillerson.

“Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service!” Trump wrote in a Twitter message.

A White House official said Trump wanted to make the change at the State Department ahead of expected talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un and trade negotiations.

Trump reportedly asked Tillerson to resign on Friday while the secretary was in the middle of a diplomatic trip to Africa.

Tillerson, who was in Abuja, on Monday cut his trip short by a day and returned to Washington, DC.

Trump plans to nominate Gina Haspel, the CIA’s Deputy Director, to take over for Pompeo.

Haspel would become the first female director in the history of the intelligence agency.

Haspel served as a clandestine officer with the CIA in 2002 in Thailand and oversaw the torture of two terrorism suspects and destruction of videotapes documenting that torture, according to a Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA torture.

Both Pompeo and Haspel will need Senate confirmation before starting their new positions.

The post What Tillerson said as U.S. Secretary of State before sack appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.

The Nation Nigeria

House of Reps lifts suspension on Jibrin

The House of Representatives has lifted the suspension placed on the former Chairman of its Committee on Appropriation, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kano-APC).

This followed a letter of apology sent to the House by Jibrin, which was presented by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, at plenary on Tuesday.

The lawmaker was suspended in 2017 for 180 legislative days for allegedly exposing “budget padding” scandal in the legislative arm of government.

Presenting the letter, Dogara said that the suspended legislator had met all the conditions necessary for him to resume his duties.

He therefore said that Jibrin was free to resume his legislative duties whenever he wished

 

The post House of Reps lifts suspension on Jibrin appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.

The Nation Nigeria

Lassa fever kills three in Ekiti

•Five out of eight persons tested positive

A fresh outbreak of Lassa fever has reportedly killed three persons in Ekiti State, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rotimi Ojo, has said.

Ojo, who addressed reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said five of the eight suspected cases tested negative while one was uncertain and the last one pending at press time last night.

The commissioner said the government was taking proactive steps in its surveillance involving the residents because some cases and deaths had been recorded in neighbouring states.

He assured the residents that the State Disease Control team had been alerted while the process of sensitising the people with jingles, adverts and other communications media were ongoing.

Ojo said similar actions taken during the 2016 outbreak were successful, adding that the epidemic was controlled and the identified patient, who was properly managed, survived.

According to him, the three isolation centres at Ido Federal Teaching Hospital in Ido-Ekiti; Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, Ado-Ekiti and the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti were still operational.

The commissioner urged stakeholders, including health practitioners, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as community and opinion leaders, to join hands with the state government to prevent the spread of the disease.

He advised the people to avoid self-medication and keeping sick people at home.

Ojo noted that any unusual increase in temperature or fever must be reported to the nearest health facility.

He stressed the importance of environmental sanitation practices and general cleanliness, saying hand-washing, good food storage as well as practice and enforcement of infection prevention and control at various health facilities should not be compromised.

 

The post Lassa fever kills three in Ekiti appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.

The Nation Nigeria

Gunmen kill 25 in Plateau attacks

•Lalong sacks Bokkos council chair

No fewer than 25 people were killed in an attack by gunmen in Bassa local government of Plateau state on Monday night.

The gunmen attacked Kimakpa, Zirshe and Dundun villages in Kwall district of the local government.

The killing were carried out as people were preparing to burry 18 of their people killed last weekend who bodies were deposited at the morgue of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

Plateau State Police Spokesman Terna Tyopev, said policemen had been deployed in the communities to prevent further attack.

He said: “The gunmen stormed the village at about 11pm and took residents unaware. Some residents were able to escape, but the gunmen killed 25 people before the information got to us”

However, the special military task force code named operation safe haven (OPSH) said 21 people were killed and two injured

Some of the villagers who escaped the Bassa attack said the gunmen that came were more than 200 and they were heavily armed.

Many of the residents were reported missing after the attack; a rescue team put up by the villagers have been combing the nearby bush in search of the missing ones.

Media officer of OPSH Major Adam Umar said the task force had launched a manhunt for the killers. “With the deployment of men of the OPSH to the affected villages, residents can be assured of safety”

Spokesman of the Irigwe Development Association Ivy Gulu, said 23 persons were killed at Dundu, another village in Kwall District of Bassa.

“Twenty-three persons were killed in an attack on Dundu village last night. We are already preparing for a mass burial,” Gulu said.

He said that many others were missing and were feared killed.

Gulu said that many houses were burnt down by the invaders.

A correspondent of NAN, who visited the village, observed that smoke was still billowing from some of the houses set ablaze while many residents had fled to villages considered safer.

Gulu expressed sadness that the attacks came on a day slated for the mass burial of those killed last week.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has sacked Mr Simon Angyol, the Management Committee Chairman of Bokkos Local Government over incessant killings in the locality.

Lalong made this in communication forwarded to the State’s House of Assembly and was read at Tuesday’s plenary by its Speaker, Mr Peter Azi.

“Following certain unpleasant development in the management of Bokkos local government council, I wish to seek approval for the removal of Mr Simon Angyol as Management Committee Chairman of the Council.

“I also wish to seek your approval to appoint Mr Tamai Simon as the new Management Committee Chairman of the Council,” he stated.

Members of House, in a voice vote, approved the removal of Angyol and the subsequent appointment of Simon

The post Gunmen kill 25 in Plateau attacks appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.

The Nation Nigeria