Benue Assembly Summons DPR Over Fuel Scarcity

                                               Benue State House Assembly

According to a report, Benue State House of Assembly has passed a resolution, inviting the controller, Department of Petroleum Resources (DRP) to explain the reasons for the acute fuel scarcity in the state.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr Dominic Usher, who lamented the long queues and increasing activities of black marketers who sold the product as high as 200 Naira per liter.

Consequently, the House unanimously agreed to the motion to summon the DPR Controller to appear before it by 10.00am on Tuesday and asked Governor Samuel Ortom to reconstitute the State Task Force Fuel Monitoring Committee.

The Lafia-Makurdi Federal Highway was shut to free flow of traffic throughout the weekend due to pressure mounted by motorist to buy fuel from the NNPC Mega station.

The scarcity, which ran throughout Benue State, caught the attention of the State Assembly, who among other things, resolved at its first sitting in 2016 to summon the DPR Controller.

The State Assembly also passed a resolution against consumption of rat, a local delicacy of the Tiv ethnic group, following the outbreak of Lassa fever in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State,  where one person is being treated, said Channel Television.

The outbreak of the disease in Benue State, has raised concerns among the lawmakers who believe that, Benue residence would be at a bigger risk, if they continue to consume rat meat.

Pep Guardiola: My Apology To Premier League Managers

The Bayeren Munich Coach Pep Guardiola has apologised to the managers in the Premier League who are feeling the heat with the Spaniard set to arrive next season.

 

                                 Pep Guardiola, Bayern Munich Coach

The Spaniard announced last month that he would leave the German champions at the end of the season to seek a move to the Premier League, prompting links to Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as Chelsea and to a lesser extent Arsenal.

Manuel Pellegrini has received little public assurance from City about his long-term future at the club and has commented that even winning the Premier League title might not be enough to save him.

Across town Louis van Gaal has been under constant pressure this season with Manchester United struggling for consistency in the league and out of the Champions League already.

Chelsea are actively looking for a permanent replacement for Jose Mourinho for next season, with Guus Hiddink taking temporary control of the Premier League champions.

Guardiola said he was sorry for the pressure his announcement had placed on his fellow managers.

"I am sorry," said Guardiola.

"Normally in my career as a trainer and as a player, I respect my colleagues a lot. 

So I am sorry. It wasn't my intention.

"I will reveal my new club once I have actually signed a contract."

Catholic Church: Reason Behind Father Mbaka Plans Transfer

                                                           Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka

According to a report, the decision to remove Mbaka is aimed to affect other priests in an attempt to make it look like a routine church affair.

Speaking with Daily Sun, another source revealed that the church was afraid of the possible reaction of his followers, who make up more than 80% of the population of Enugu Catholic Diocese.

Commenting on the issue, Rev. Fr. Joseph Offor, the director of social communications of the Diocese, said that there would be general posting and re-posting of priests this year. He added that the Diocese embarks on postings of priests every six years.

“Yes, the postings will be announced this week. The bishop decides who should be posted where; it has nothing to do with a particular individual. It is a routine practice which is done every six years,” he said.

Also speaking on the development, Val Nnadozie, a politician and adoration faithful said:

“For me, I think it’s just a rumour which is making the rounds. And it is my view that the bishop has the right to transfer any priest.

“However, it won’t be right if such a transfer is done with malice or as a punitive measure for holding an opinion on an issue.”

Another source revealed that Mbaka might be posted to the adoration ground, Emene, which is not yet a parish.

The fiery priest was strongly criticized by the clergies in the South East when he backed President Muhammadu Buhari to beat Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election.

In a recent New Year message, Mbaka blasted those who labeled him a false prophet and enveiled his predictions for 2016.

The priest raised the alarm over a plot to assassinate President Buhari by saying: “Many people are planning to kill Buhari; there are many plans on how to eliminate his life so that corruption will continue; so that embezzlement will continue”.

PDP Salutes The Courage And Gallantry Of Bayelsa People…..Demands Inquest Into Killings

A statement release and signed by  Prince Uche secondus, Acting National Chairman said, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and indeed all lovers of democracy salute the people of Bayelsa State for standing against intimidation, rigging and violence to ensure that their will as a people prevailed in Saturday’s supplementary election

"In fact, the steadfastness and resilience shown by the people, particularly in Southern Ijaw will go down in history as one of the many sacrifices made to defend democracy in the land."

He said, rising from what happened in Bayelsa state on Saturday, it is very clear that the APC-led Federal Government under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari is not disposed to free, fair and credible electoral process in the country despite being a huge beneficiary of PDP’s electoral reform.



"However, by standing against intimidation and remaining resilient, the people have greatly contributed in deepening democracy in the country and by so doing ensuring that their own destiny is right in their own hands."

"Bayelsa is a core PDP state and ones wonders how APC thought it could win in this gubernatorial election with its discredited candidate, knowing the strength and popularity of our great party in the state, in addition to the record of achievements of our candidate, Governor Seriake Dickson."

"The PDP however decries the desperation of the APC whose thugs and compromised security operatives openly engaged in violence resulting in the killing and maiming of innocent Bayelsans. We hereby demand a comprehensive inquest into these killings and that all perpetrators be brought to book."

The party finally congratulates Governor Dickson for his well-deserved victory and statesmanly handling of the situation in the face of provocations.

Messi Named World Footballer Of The Year 2015

Messi reclaimed the award after watching his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo walk off with the prize for the previous two years.

The Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi was named world player of the year 2015 at a FIFA gala in Zurich and claimed the Ballon d'Or trophy for the fifth time overall.

The Argentine, who finished ahead of Ronaldo and Brazil forward Neymar, had previously won it four years in a row from 2009 to 2012.


Messi helped Barcelona win a Spanish league, cup and Champions League treble plus the Club World Cup and also led Argentina to the Copa America final, where they lost to Argentina.

"It's incredible, much more than anything I dreamed of as a kid," said Messi as he received the award.

"I want to thank my team mates, without them none of this would have been possible."

Barcelona's Luis Enrique was voted coach of the year.

US World Cup winner Carli Lloyd, who scored a hat-trick in the final against Japan, was named women's player of the year.

Ronaldo ended last season without a trophy with Real Madrid although he helped Portugal qualify for Euro 2016.

Neymar won a treble alongside Messi at Barcelona but had less happy time with Brazil, receiving a four-match international ban after he was sent off during the Copa America.