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UCL: Benzema Is An Exceptional Player – Guardiola

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ABN Editor 2
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Pep Guardiola and Karim Benzema

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has described Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema as an exceptional talent.

City will meet Benzema and Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.

Guardiola said: “Benzema is exceptional, not only for what he does now, but also for what he has been doing for more than 10 years at Real Madrid.

“He is not only a goalscorer, but also a fantastic and versatile player.

“His career is phenomenal.”

Losing finalists last season, Man City are eager to make amends, but the 13-time European champions are a huge obstacle in their path.

These sides met in the semi-finals in 2015/16, drawing 0-0 in Manchester before Fernando’s own goal at the Santiago Bernabéu took Real Madrid to the final, where they beat city rivals Atlético on penalties.

Pep Guardiola’s side avenged that defeat in 2019/20, beating the Merengues 2-1 away and then at home in the round of 16, but the stakes are much higher this time.

Insecurity: Imo Will Overcome Current Travails – Uzodimma

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Munachi
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Insecurity: Imo Will Overcome Current Travails – Uzodimma

Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma has expressed hope that the state will overcome its current travails.

This was contained in a press statement released on Sunday by the governor’s Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku.

According to the statement, Uzodimma gave the assurance in his Easter message at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish, Ozuh Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area.

Uzodimma enumerated the travails to include the killing of innocent citizens, burning of public and private property, burning of police stations, and the killing of policemen, among others.

He urged the congregation to join him in beseeching God to touch the heart of those perpetrating the violence to repent in the spirit of Easter “as we mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ”.

He noted that the killings in parts of the state were politically motivated as against reports in some quarters that they were the handiwork of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

According to him, the personal property of opposition politicians was hardly affected by the menace in the state, an indication that politicians could not be exonerated from the killings and wanton destruction of property.

He called on those behind the dastardly acts to repent quickly before the government would go after them, adding that the killing of innocent Imo people must stop henceforth.

“These are the activities of wicked politicians who are unrepentant and have continued to sponsor the killings of their fellow brothers.

Pope Cried Over Children Killed In Russian Invasion – Ukrainian Lawmaker

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ABN Editor 2
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Pope Francis
Pope Francis

A member of Ukraine’s parliament who met Pope Francis this weekend said the pontiff was overcome with emotion when told about the children who had died during Russia’s invasion.

Maria Mezentseva, who is in Rome as part of a Ukrainian delegation, said she personally informed the Pope “about the number of casualties among children.”

“He started crying, simply, it touched him so much,” she said.

Mezentseva also said the delegation received a “positive signal” about the possibility of Pope Francis visiting Ukraine.

Some context: At least 191 children have been killed since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukrainian prosecutors said last week, and nearly 350 children have been injured.

Calls for peace: Pope Francis on Sunday said the world was marking an “Easter of war,” and called for peace in Ukraine, which he said has been dragged into a “cruel and senseless war.” 

“We have seen all too much blood, all too much violence. Our hearts, too, have been filled with fear and anguish,” the Pope said while delivering his annual Easter blessing.

Among the 100,000 people attending the Easter Mass in St. Peter’s Square were several Ukrainian politicians, including Ivan Fedorov, the elected mayor of the occupied Ukrainian city of Melitopol who was detained by Russian forces last month and accused of terrorism offenses.

NDLEA Intercepts Cocaine Hidden In Footwears, Toothpaste Tubes, Arrest Suspects

By
Alex Enemanna
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted large consignments of Cocaine smuggled into the country through three major international airports in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi on Sunday.

According to the statement, seven traffickers were also arrested in connection to the smuggling by Brazil-based drug cartels.

The Cocaine was hidden and smuggled using unconventional methods like inside toothpaste tubes and footwear.

At the Port Harcourt International Airport, five suspects were arrested on Saturday, April 9.

“Three of them were arrested during the inward screening of passengers on board Qatar Airline flight QR1433 from Doha to Port Harcourt. The three suspects departed Sao Paulo, Brazil on board same Qatar flight, en-route Doha to Abuja and Port Harcourt with a total of 24.96 kilograms of cocaine,” the statement read.

“The first is 51-year-old Udogwu James Johnson who hails from Orlu LGA, Imo state. He was arrested with 5.48kg of cocaine concealed in lotion plastic bottles sealed with candle wax. He claimed he agreed to traffic the drug for a fee of N1million.

“Also arrested is Ezekwueme Ifeanyi Valentine, (32), from Aguata LGA, Anambra State, who was caught with 10.82kg cocaine packed in 84 sachets concealed in seven duvets, while the third trafficker, Chiezie Ikechukwu Arinze (35), from Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State, was arrested with 8.66kg cocaine hidden in 115 golden and silver colour 30ml breakable bottles factory packaged with lotion on top.

“The fourth suspect, Uchechukwu Onwugbufor (42), from Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, was arrested at the airport car park while waiting to receive one of the traffickers, Udogwu James and his consignment. He claimed he was contacted by someone in Brazil to receive Udogwu and lead him to Lagos for a fee of N100,000. Uchechukwu Onwugbufor was at the Airport with his neighbour, Nwogu Ezimadu, who is equally being investigated to determine if he’s complicit in the crime or not”.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, a Psychology graduate of Imo State University, Owerri, Sebastine Emeka Kelvin, (30-years-old), was arrested with 74 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.454kg on arrival aboard Ethiopian Airline flight enroute Doula- Addis Ababa-Abuja on Wednesday, April 13.

“The father of one who claimed he’s a motor spare parts dealer is from Ezeagu in Ezeagu LGA, Enugu state. He said he’s lived in Cameroon for six years before going into the drug business to raise money to boost his trade. He added that he was introduced to the man who gave him the drugs at Addis Ababa by another person serving jail term for drug offence at the Doula Newbell Prison,” the statement said.

In Lagos, another Brazil-based passenger, Uba Samuel was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, by NDLEA operatives on Friday, April 15, on arrival aboard Ethiopian Airline flight from Sao Paulo via Addis Ababa to Lagos with sachets of cocaine weighing 633grams concealed in his footwear and toothpaste tube.

While accepting ownership of the drug, the suspect who claimed to be a cobbler from Abia State, said he used his shoe-making knowledge to conceal the drug in his pair of sandals.

Uba who is a regular traveller confessed he bought the drug to sell at a market in Abia.

Meanwhile, more illicit substances were recovered in raid operations in other parts of the country. In Gadaka village of Fika LGA, Yobe state, operatives arrested one Hassan Usman with a total of 22, 110 tablets of Tramadol, D5 and Exol 5, while one Ali Mohammed was nabbed in a commercial vehicle coming from Kano to Maiduguri with 40 blocks of cannabis weighing 33kg. Also arrested on the Kano-Maiduguri route was a driver Ibrahim Khalil Idris with 60 packets of Tramadol, all on Tuesday 12th April.

In Kogi state, 750 blocks of Cannabis weighing 750kg were seized from two suspects: Hassan Adamu, 25, and Abdulmalik Abdullahi, 24, along Okene-Abuja highway. The drug exhibits were concealed inside fabricated panels of a Ford bus.

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of the PHIA, NAIA, MMIA, Yobe, and Kogi Commands of the Agency for disrupting desperate attempts by drug cartels to traffic dangerous drugs into Nigeria and across the country.

He said the huge seizures at the airports will send a strong message to drug barons that Nigeria will no longer be their safe destination or transit route.

Super Falcons Keeper Nnadozie’s French Club Qualify For UEFA Women’s Champions League

By
ABN Editor 2
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Super Falcon Goal Keeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie

Super Falcons first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and her Paris FC teammates have qualified for next season’s UEFA women’s Champions League.

Paris FC will feature in the qualifying round to advance into the Champions League group stage.

Their qualification was confirmed after Olympique Lyon defeated Fleury 91 2-1 away in Sunday’s league game.

With Nnadozie in goal, Paris FC had boosted their qualification hopes with a 3-1 home win against Montpellier on Friday.

The results means Paris FC in third place (on 44 points) are now 10 points ahead of Fleury 91 after 19 games with three fixtures left to play.

The team that tops the 12-team league table (currently occupied by Lyon) qualifies automatically for the women’s Champions League while second and third will go through the qualifiers.

Last season Paris FC missed out of Champions League qualification after finishing in fourth place.

Nnadozie has kept in all 19 of Paris FC’s league games this current season.

And reacting to her team’s Champions League qualification, Nnadozie wrote on Twitter: “CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEXT SEASON, CONGRATULATIONS TO TEAM PARIS FC . HARD WORK REALLY PAYS💙⚔️💙FROM NIGERIAN LEAGUE TO SENIOR WORLD CUP, FROM SENIOR WORLD CUP TO FRANCE LEAGUE, FROM FRANCE LEAGUE NOW GOING TO PLAY IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEXT SEASON 😭😭 GOD IS THE GREATEST 🙏🙏“

She was recently in action for the Falcons in their doubleheader friendly games with Olympic champions Canada.

Yahaya Bello Will Defeat So Called Heavyweights To Grab APC Presidential Ticket, Says Hafsat Abiola-Costello

By
Alex Enemanna
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Director-General, Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Organisation, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, has said Nigerians of all walks from life would play the godfather role to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State when he is elected President in the 2023 election.

She also said in a free, fair and credible contest, Yahaya Bello has what it takes to beat other presidential aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to get the ticket.

Abiola-Costello, who stated this while addressing a world press conference on the aspiration of Governor Bello and his chances at the delegate election.in Abuja yesterday, said: “One of the major qualities is that this is a person that is willing to be independent, a person that is willing not to have a godfather.

”The people that will be the godfathers of Governor Yahaya Bello when he becomes President are the people of Nigeria.”

On whether Bello could get the ticket, with the likes of Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi and other APC stalwarts in the race, she said: “It is good that you said heavyweights. But he will win in a free and fair contest.

”His chances are actually the best of the group because in a competition, it is about the voters and 60 per cent of Nigerians are under 30. I am his Director-General because I believe in him.

“There have been a ground swell in our country by young people to play a bigger role in our political affairs. You do know about the not-too-young-to-run campaign that has been going on for a long time, which led to the President signing the bill into law.

“Young Nigerians are ready to take more responsibilities in the governing of our affairs and this is the young people’s candidate.

“But we really value and appreciate the heavyweights and those you call tested politicians, and they can be sure that if, God willing, we have President Yahaya Bello come 2023, he will carry them along, he will be consulting them and seeking their counsel.

“He will want to build on their networks and resources because the country belongs to all of us. It belongs to the tested politicians and most especially, the young people of Nigeria.”

On zoning, Abiola-Costello said APC, as at today, had thrown open the contest, not restricting it to any zone, noting that everyone is eligible to contest, regardless of zone.

“At this time, the APC has said that all candidates are free to contest. They have given no restrictions by zone and we are guided by that and our aspirant has the freedom to put his aspiration forward.

“I can assure you that his aspiration that he has put forward was done with a lot of consultations from within the party to the highest level and there have been no reservations to his. The support across Nigeria is overwhelming,” she added.

 

Yari, Marafa Dump APC In Zamfara, Defect To PDP

By
Alex Enemanna
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0

The struggle for the control of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Zamfara State may have reached its climax, as two stalwarts of the party, former governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, and Senator Kabiru Marafa, yesterday, defected to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speaking after a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Gusau, the state capital, chairman of PDP in the state, Col. Bala Mande (retd), said they had sat down and finalised the issue of the defection of Yari and Marafa to the PDP.

He said: “We have reached an agreement to work for the development of the party. We have all agreed to work for the development of the party and the PDP in the state has welcomed them to its fold.

‘’We will ensure justice and fairness to all members, even after we have won elections in 2023.

“The date for their grand reception to our party will be announced later but we are going to implement all the agreements reached during the stakeholders meeting.”

Confirming the development, Publicity Secretary of Yari’s faction of the APC, Ibrahim Magaji, told journalists: “It is true, we are moving to opposition PDP, and this is all I can say for now.”

It would be recalled that Yari and Mafara were neck deep in the struggle for the control of APC in Zamfara State after Governor Bello Matawalle joined the party in 2021.

Abia-North: ‘Expect More Devt Projects’ Sen. Orji Kalu Tells Nkporo Community

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Abia-North: 'Expect More Devt Projects' Sen. Orji Kalu Tells Nkporo Community

Abia-North: 'Expect More Devt Projects' Sen. Orji Kalu Tells Nkporo Community

Constituents of Nkporo in Ohafia LGA of Abia-North Senatorial District have been assured that more developmental projects will be sited  in their community within the 2022/2023 budget year.

The assurances were given by their Senatorial representative Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during his visit to the community on Saturday held at the Palace of HRH Eze Patrick O Ogbuagu , the Ezeaja of Nkporo Ancient Kingdom.

Abia-North: 'Expect More Devt Projects' Sen. Orji Kalu Tells Nkporo Community

Kalu had last Friday led the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and other distinguished Senators to inaugurate some constituency projects which he facilitated to his Abia North Senatorial District. The projects were mainly intra- and inter-community roads constructed in Bende, Ohafia and Isuikwuato Local Government Areas. The completed road projects constitute the 53 community roads, amongst others attracted by Kalu within three years as a first time Senator.

During the interactive session with his constituents who gathered at the Palace, Senator Kalu conveyed his commitment to expedite more projects in the community. Speaking further the Senate Chief Whip beseeched the indulgence of the community over the absence of Ahmad Lawan and other Senators to visit them on Friday for the inauguration of the already constructed 7.5KM road project in Agbaja, Nkporo. The 7.5Km road was among the roads scheduled to be commissioned by Ahmad Lawan on Friday, however the Senate President wasn’t able to make it to the community due to other pressing engagements outside the state.

According to reports the community rolled out a line up of pomp activities in honour of Lawan and his entourage in appreciation of the projects sited in their community by their Senatorial representative Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. They were however left disappointed when they received the news that Lawan wouldn’t be able to attend the commissioning ceremony.

In his appeal the Senate Chief Whip explained that the Senate President was in a hurry to attend to other pressing engagements outside the country, kalu added despite him being the host, time didn’t even permit the Senate President to visit his hometown Igbere not talk of coming to his house.

“Lawan didn’t even visit my house, he was in a hurry. He didn’t even step into Igbere and also he is my Boss at the Senate. He is the first and I am the 4th in the hierarchy of the Senate. If it were to be a Governor I would have asked him to turn back because I was also a Governor 22 years ago. 

“The situation was totally out of my control, despite being my guest because I invited him and other Senators ,I didn’t even have the opportunity to even host them in my house. I understand how you all feel and the preparations you made to welcome us but , kindly accept our apology and we ask for your understanding,” Kalu said.

Giving an insight into the state of road projects in the community, the former Governor said that asides the 7.5Km road, the Etitiama elugwu Nkporo road will be extended.  He explained that the road ought to have been extended but due to the existing contract to a previous contractor who has threatened to institute legal action if the road project is re-awarded to a new contractor. Orji Kalu also mentioned that another Borehole water project will be built in Etitioma which will add to the 3 Boreholes already built in Agbaja,Amuri and Enugwu in areas of the community.

He said; “I am happy that I and the Senate President were not coming to make promises to build projects, we were actually coming to commission visible projects that had been completed. The road has not been completed because there is an existing contract for the construction of that road but I am discussing it with the Minister for works. 

“I have met with President Buhari to review the contract so we can extend the construction of the road. There is a contractor who was earlier awarded the contract and he has threatened to head to the court if the contract is re-awarded. Some communities have gotten Boreholes but now it is the turn of Etitioma.

In his response Ezeaja commended Kalu for the projects in his community, he added that Kalu expedited the projects as a result of his good heart.

“We are grateful to you for the wonderful works you are doing in your community, it’s not just  because it’s your duty but as a result if you are kind hearted.  I pray that God bless you more in your endeavours at the Senate.

Sir Udensi Felicitates With Abians At Easter, Says State Needs Visionary Leadership To Move Forward

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ABN TV EDITOR
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Sir Udensi Felicitates With Abians At Easter, Says State Needs Visionary Leadership To Move Forward

An aspirant for office of the governor of Abia State ahead of the 2023 general elections, Sir Chikwe Udensi has congratulated the people of the state at the occasion of Easter celebration, urging them to be resilient and committed.

He said the growing economic hardship across the country is deeply felt in the state as a result of backlog of unpaid salaries to workers and retirees, noting that this will be corrected in a new Abia ahead.

The APGA chieftain in a felicitation message urged Abians to imbibe the life of sacrifice, peace and love which Christ Jesus exemplified, calling on them not not resort to fate but be part of that great future for an inclusive, egalitarian state.

Sir Udensi, Interpol Systems Consultant and security expert said even though the people of Abia do not have a lot to celebrate because of State of affairs, particularly quality of leadership in the state, he will provide a visionary leadership that will bring joy to the people and prosperity to the state if elected as governor in 2023.

He reiterated his commitment to continue to touch the lives of Abians in welfare, empowerment, Infrastructure and general care.

While urging then to celebrate responsibly, he reminded them on the need to get enrolled and get their voters card to be part of the process for a new Abia which he said he will spearhead.

He also called on the people to always pray for the peace and prosperity of the country.

How 40-Year-Old Man Raped Brother’s Daughter In Lagos, Gagged Mouth With Pillow

By
Alex Enemanna
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0
Nuwel
Nuwel

A 40-year-old man, Nuwel Ajagu, has allegedly defiled the teenage daughter of his brother in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.

It was learnt that Ajagu lured the 13-year-old girl from her home at Bayeku Last Bus Stop to his apartment on Etubure Street also in Bayeku.

He was said to have rebuffed the teenager’s appeals to him not to defile her before he forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

It was also learnt that efforts by the victim to free herself from his stranglehold by screaming for help were to no avail as the suspect gagged her mouth with a pillow.

He was also said to have warned her not to report the incident to anyone.

However, Ajagu was said to have been exposed when the victim’s mother, identified as Salako Toyin, discovered his criminal act.

It was learnt that Toyin, who was alarmed by the defilement of her daughter, reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of her brother-in-law.

The Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent on Saturday.

He said the victim was taken to a health facility for a medical check while the suspect was detained.

“One Salako Toyin of Bayeku Last Bus Stop, Ikorodu, Lagos, came to the station with her daughter and reported against her brother-in-law, one Nuwel Ajagu, of No 17, Etubure Street Bayeku Ikorodu, Lagos, that sometime in March 2022, he lured her daughter to his house and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her; that when she shouted, he used a pillow to cover her mouth and threatened her not to tell anyone.

“The victim was taken to Italewa Health Care Centre, Ikorodu, for medical check and test. The suspect is in custody. The case will be transferred to the gender office, Ikeja, for further investigation,” he added.

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