The players were sacked for poor performance and after a row over money

Madagascar have sacked their entire national team and will replace them with under-23 players for Sunday's African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria, officials said on Wednesday.

The team was disbanded after poor performances in this month's Indian Ocean Islands Games and a row over allowance payments.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/madagascar-sacks-national-team

More than 84 billion dollars would be required for Africa to meet the MDGs in 2015

No fewer than a 100 million Africans slip below the poverty line each year while trying to survive from illnesses, Dr David Evans, the Director of the Department of Health Systems Financing, said on Tuesday.

Evans spoke at the World Health Organisation (WHO) regional meeting for Africa held in Ivory Coast. He said many families suffer financial catastrophes in trying to finance health services, and called for a sustainable financing structure to help Africans.

Read More >> [url]http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/100-million-africans-slip-below-poverty-line-yearly%E2%80%94who[/url]

Efforts were being made under the auspices of the SADC to conduct free and fair elections in 2012.

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, assured Zimbabwe that Nigeria would support its efforts to ensure the conduct of peaceful, transparent and credible elections.

Jonathan gave the assurance at a meeting with Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who was in Abuja to solicit Nigeria’s support for the country’s general elections in 2012.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-assist-zimbabwe-conduct-free-polls

The Super Eagles midfielder went to express his gratitude for the assistance the President gave during the ordeal.

Super Eagles and Chelsea FC of England club star, John Mikel Obi has thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his assistance during the ordeal that accompanied the kidnap of his father, Mr. Michael Obi, earlier this month.

Speaking to the President at State House, Mikel said his “entire family appreciate your help to us during this difficult time,” adding that his father was recovering from the mainly psychological and physical injuries he suffered.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/mikel-visits-gej

The DSS gave the name of the suspect as Mamman Nur, and added that he has links with global terrorist group, Al-Qaeda.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has declared a suspect, Mamman Nur, wanted in connection with last Friday's bombing of the United Nations' compound in Abuja. Mr. Nur is believed to be the brains behind the operation. The DSS also said that it believed that Mr. Nur has links with Al-Qaeda, the glabal Islamist terrorist group.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/al-qaeda-operative-declared-wanted-un-building-blast

Big powers, gathered to coordinate the political and economic reconstruction of the oil-producing country, will also be jostling over business interests there.

World leaders meet in Paris on Thursday to discuss Libya's future, with hosts France and Britain hoping to show that a costly military campaign can lead to a political transition that avoids the mistakes of Iraq.

Big powers, gathered to coordinate the political and economic reconstruction of the oil-producing North African state, will also be jostling over business interests there.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/paris-meeting-focus-libyan-politics-and-economy

The move would reduce maternal mortality rate in the state

The Ebonyi government has pledged to sponsor the treatment of women with pregnancy -related complications to control maternal mortality in the state.

Governor Martin Elechi made this known in Abakaliki, on Wednesday, when a delegation of women from Izzi local government paid him a courtesy call as part of the celebration of the council’s annual New Yam festival.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/ebonyi-sponsor-maternal-complications-treatment

Uche will immediately proceed on loan to Granada

Villarreal have agreed to sign Super Eagles striker Ike Uche from Real Zaragoza and Canadian-born Dutch midfielder Jonathan De Guzman from Real Mallorca.

Uche, 27, who has had a string of injuries through his career, is to finalise a four-year deal with Villarreal. He is away on international duty but on his return will play this season on loan with promoted Granada, the two La Liga sides said.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/villarreal-sign-uche

The state government has failed to implement the new minimum wage.

The Gombe State NLC is to commence strike today following its inability to come to an agreement with the state's government on the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage which was signed into law in March and meant to be implemented in August.

After an emergency meeting of the Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) of NLC yesterday in Gombe, a communiqué was issued to the effect that a strike begins today. The communiqué was signed by the state NLC Chairman, Mr Ahmed Maisaka.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/gombe-nlc-commence-strike-over-minimum-wage-today

Nigeria’s number one shot-stopper moved to France from Israel where he has been for four years

Following the closure of the transfer window last night across Europe, Daily Times can authoritatively reveal that few Nigerian players plying their trade in Europe made money spinning, tongue-wagging moves.

This is how they moved >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigerian-footballers-move

Zimbabwe's PM asks for Nigeria's assistance, and the President obliges.

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the government of Zimbabwe that Nigeria would support all efforts to ensure the conduct of peaceful, transparent and credible elections in that country.

The President gave the assurance when Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai visited him in Abuja to solicit Nigeria’s support for the country’s general elections which are scheduled for next year.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-assist-zimbabwe-conduct-free-polls-0

The Oyo state government tells people who have built structure along drainage channels that they have 7 days to get out.

Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi has given owners of structures built on the right of way and traders along the flood plain areas in Ibadan seven days to quit the areas. The ultimatum followed the flood that ravaged the ancient city on Friday causing loss of lives and property.

Ajimobi, who spoke during an on-the-spot assessment of some of the affected areas, warned that after the expiration of the ultimatum on September 7, all structures blocking free flow of water would be pulled down.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/ajimobi-issues-quit-notice-property-owners-along-flood-plains

The sisters were returning from church rehearsals

Two sisters have died in floding following a downpour in Ekpoma, Edo state. The incident occured on Saturday evening.

Joy (3) and Ifeoma (5), both children of Mr and Mrs Raymond Nwakuma, died on their way home from the Assemblies of God church after an evening service.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/two-sisters-die-flooding

Access plans to use money it raised in 2007 to pay for the transaction.

Access Bank has announced that it will seek shareholders approval to acquire a 75 percent stake in rescued rival Intercontinental Bank and use 53 billion Naira it had raised in 2007 to fund the transaction.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/access-bank-buy-75-intercontinental-bank

Another round of violence rocks the Jos area

Sketchy reports reaching us say that four people have been killed and more than 50 vehicles burnt in yet another round of violence in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.

As of the time of filing this report, the violence which started in the Rukuba Road area has spread to Ahmadu Bello Way.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/fresh-violence-plateau

Only three of the dam's eight generating units were serviceable with each of them generating 80 mega watts instead of 100

The World Bank has approved $82 million loan for the rehabilitation of the Kainji Dam.

This was disclosed by Chief Executive Officer of Kainji Hydro Electricity Plc, Reuben Akinwumi when the Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, visited the dam on an inspection tour.

Akinwumi said the loan deal was signed between the World Bank and Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, on June 27.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/world-bank-approves-82m-kainji-dam

Lawan Yarami was shot by unknown persons at his Maiduguri residence

Borno State Police Command has confirmed the killing of Lawan Yarami, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Kukawa Local Government Council.

The Commissioner of Police, Simeon Midenda, who spoke to our correspondent on Monday, said Yarami was shot dead by unknown gunmen at his Bulabulin Ngarnam residence on Sunday night.

“The killers got information about his coming to Maiduguri so they followed him to his house in the evening,” he said. “They pretended to be his guests and asked for permission to see him.”

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/police-confirm-killing-lg-chairman-borno

A group of shareholders of the former Afribank say that the CBN's action was illegal.

A Federal High Court in Lagos have been asked by some shareholders of Afribank Plc to set aside the revocation of their bank’s licence in its entirety by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

They made this known through their counsel, Mr Onyebuchi Aniakor. They challenged the propriety of the revocation of their bank’s licence by the CBN, insisting that the apex bank had ridiculed the judiciary with its action.

Read More >> [url]http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/afribank-shareholders-sue-cbn-over-revocation-bank%E2%80%99s-licence[/url]

Human factor constituted 90 per cent of road accidents

Plateau Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), on Sunday, said no fewer than 60 persons were killed in road accidents within the state between January and July.

Samuel Odukoya, the Sector Commander, revealed that about 460 people were injured in the incidents, adding that the stat recorded 131 cases of road traffic accidents.

The sector commander said 23 cases were fatal, 105 serious while three were minor.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/road-accidents-claim-60-plateau

The 44-year-old will start work with an African Nations Cup qualifier at home to Sudan on September

Frenchman Jean-Guy Wallemme has been named as the new coach of Congo, the French sports daily L'Equipe said on Sunday.

The 44-year-old departed for Congo capital Brazzaville on Saturday and will start work with an African Nations Cup qualifier at home to Sudan on September 4.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/congo-appoint-frenchman-wallemme-new-coach

Corporal Thomas Nifwa, his aide, died on the spot

The deputy governor of Gombe State, David Albashi, sustained serious injuries when his vehicle collided with another vehicle along the Cham-Gombe road on Sunday.

Albashi was returning from his village, Cham, when his car collided with an on-coming Golf car. Sources said the vehicle somersaulted twice.

The deputy governor sustained injuries on his head but his orderly, Corporal Thomas Nifwa, reportedly died on the spot. His body had been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Gombe.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/gombe-deputy-governor-survives-auto-crash

D’Tigers earns a bid to the last-chance Olympic qualifying tournament.

Nigeria knocked off Cote d'Ivoire on Sunday to take third place at the 2011 FIBA Africa Championship in Madagascar. Along with bronze, Nigeria earns a bid to the last-chance Olympic qualifying tournament.

Nigeria had come into the knockout phase as one of four top seeds, but fell in the semifinals to perennial African champion Angola. Nigeria featured the tournament's only recent NBA player, Ime Udoka. In Sunday's bronze game, the former Spur had nine points. Nigeria was led by Derrick Obasohan, who finished with 19 points.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nigeria-takes-third-fiba-afrobasket-2011

The government is worried about its recent second highest prevalence rate ranking by the National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA)

No fewer than 54 suspected prostitutes have been arrested in Akwa Ibom as the state’s government stepped-up its campaign on HIV/AIDS.

The government said that the arrest of the suspects, seen as “spread agents” of the disease, was part of its effort to lower the rising cases of persons diagnosed with the ailment in the state.

Mary Ayewa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, said that the women were nabbed during a raid of some “bad spots” in the state capital.


Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/akwa-ibom-battles-prostitutes-over-hivaids

Donation of food and clothing items were made to the lepers in kwali as Sallah gift.

Saratu Shazin, Wife of the Kwali Area Council Chairman, has donated clothing materials and food items to Lepers in Alheri Special Village in Kwali Area, in Abuja.

According to Shazin, the donation was to give the lepers a sense of belonging during the Sallah celebration.

She said the donation was part of the council's commitment to ensure that the less-privileged in the society are catered for.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/lepers-receive-relief-materials

The agency decided to establish the factories to encourage people start large-scale production of the commodity

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ondo had concluded plans to establish two garri processing factories worth about N12 million, NDE coordinator in the state, Olaitan Olayinka said.

The factories would be located at South and Central senatorial districts of the state. Also, a similar project, valued at N6 million, is on-going at Ikaram Akoko in North senatorial district.

Olayinka said the agency decided to establish the factories to encourage people start large-scale production of garri, adding that it would make the commodity more affordable to the populace.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/nde-constructs-garri-processing-plants-ondo

The flamboyant Portuguese is being investigated by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) after he jabbed a finger into the eye of Barca assistant coach Tito Vilanova during a mass brawl

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, under fire over an eye-poking incident during a game against Barcelona, believes he should have lived 100 years ago at a time when people were less hypocritical.

The flamboyant Portuguese is being investigated by the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) after he jabbed a finger into the eye of Barca assistant coach Tito Vilanova during a mass brawl that marred this month's Spanish Super Cup match.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/i-should-have-been-born-100-years-ago-mourinho-says

Police are investigating the motive behind her action

A 27-year-old woman was arrested for attempting to set St. John’s Cathedral Church on Yandoka road in Bauchi ablaze, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Bauchi State Command, Mohammed Barau, has said.

He said that members of the church arrested the woman and informed the police, adding that the woman was caught with a jerry can and a lighter.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/woman-arrested-attempting-burn-church

70 cases were recorded in the epidemic

Two children have died from an outbreak of Gastroenteritis in Rabah Local Government of Sokoto State.

The deaths occurred in Gandi Community. District head of the area, Mohammed Maccido, who made the disclosure on Sunday, said about 70 cases were recorded.

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Also known as gastric flu, stomach flu or stomach virus; the disease is caused by certain virus and sometimes by certain substance in foods.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/gastroenteritis-kills-2-sokoto

Production of palm fruits is usually low in the rainy season

Palm Oil prices recorded about 11 per cent increase in Delta State between May and July, a recent survey has revealed.

Investigations in the state’s major market indicated that a 20-litre container which was sold for N4,200 in late May had increased to N5,000. Four litres of the product has also risen to N1,300 from N1,000.

A litre of the commodity in markets at Asaba, Ughelli, Warri, Agbor and Sapele now sells for N450 as against N300.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/palm-oil-prices-increase-delta

Last Friday, students of the University of Calabar had gone on rampage

Cross River governor, Liyel Imoke has described the Friday, August 26 destruction of property in the University of Calabar (UNICAL) by students during a demonstration as "most unfortunate".

While answering questions from journalist after an assessment of the damage, Imoke reasoned that no matter the cause of the demonstration the students should have opted for dialogue with the school authority rather than resort to wanton destruction.

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/imoke-condemns-unical-riot

Un Moves To Protect Staff

The United Nations is making efforts to better protect its 400 staff and ensure continuity of operations in Nigeria after Friday's blast

The Nigeria UN Country Team is assessing the full impact of Friday’s bomb attack of the UN House, and continues with its efforts to ensure that the people affected are receiving medical care and support, the UN has said.

The UN House in Abuja includes 26 United Nations agencies and about 400 staff. The bombing, which occurred at about 10.30, am on Friday 26 August, caused extensive damage to the entire building. 

Read More >> http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/un-moves-protect-staff