The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] has recovered seventeen vehicles from the former Comptroller-General of Nigeria Custom Service [NCS], Abdullahi Dikko Inde.

The vehicles were listed as:

i. Black colour BMW 525i series, 2010 model with chassis number WBAFR7108BC262936.

ii. ASH colour Hyundai Velester, 2012 model with chassis number KMHTC6AD4CU056038.

iii. Dark Blue BMW 325i, 2003 model with chassis number WBAEV31090KL48386.

iv. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ50K082080.

v. Black colour Mercedes G wagon, 2013 model with chassis number WDB4632361X207661.

vi. Black colour BMW 335i series, 2012 model with chassis number WBA3A91040F268895.

vii. Silver colour Peugeot 406, 2002 model with chassis number VF3BBRFNR81519018.

viii. Black colour Land Cruiser Prado Jeep, 2014 model with chassis number JTEBU3FJ10K082352.

ix. Yellow colour Toyota FJ Jeep, 2007 model with chassis number JTEZU11F68K001301.

x. Black Toyota Avensis, 2013 model with chassis number SBIBL76L20E037245.

xi. Dark ash colour KIA Cadenza, 2011 model with chassis number KNALN414BC5093288.

xii. Silver colour Porsche Cayene, 2009 model with chassis number WPIZZZ9PZ9LA12738.

xiii. Golden colour Honda Accord, 2013 model with chassis number IHGCR2634DA620609.

xiv. White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 2006 model JNITF4E25Z0715833.

xv. White colour Nissan Urban Bus, 1996 model with chassis number JTFJXO29P605023996.

xvi. White Toyota Hiace Bus, 2010 model with chassis number JTGJXO2P4B5020268.

xvii. White Nissan Bus, 2009 model with chassis number JNITA4E250011697.

http://www.newswatch.ng/2017/02/22/see-list-vehicles-efcc-recovers-ex-custom-boss/

Doctors in Vietnam on Wednesday successfully carried out a lung transplant surgery from living donors for the first time, the Vietnam Military Medical University (VMMU) has said.

Doctors from local 103 Military Hospital and VMMU have coordinated to successfully carry out the lung transplant on Ly Chuong Binh, born in 2010, VMMU said at a press release in Hanoi.

The donors are Binh’s father and uncle, born in 1989 and 1987 respectively, reported the VMMU’s website.

Binh suffered from congenital bronchiectasis in two lungs with complications of respiratory failure, chronic Iheart failure, and malnutrition at degree three.

It added that after the surgery, the health conditions of the donors are now stable.

The university said that the patient, whose survival indexes are stable, was being monitored and receiving intensive treatment.

http://www.newswatch.ng/2017/02/22/doctors-carry-lung-transplant-living-donor-first-time/

A Nigerian woman who gave birth to quadruplets is the focus of two UK newspaper stories today after it was revealed that she has racked up a UK hospital bill of $630,000 (£500,000).

The woman, named Priscilla, was on her way home from the US when she went into premature labour and gave birth on a plane that landed at London’s Heathrow airport.

One of the babies did not survive the birth, but Priscilla and the other babies were taken to an intensive care unit in London. A second baby later died.

It is not clear from the reports in The Sun and The Daily Mail when she gave birth, but she and her babies are still in hospital.

As the woman is not a British resident, she must pay for the care that she and her babies are now receiving.

Their emergency treatment has been provided free of charge but non-UK residents have to pay for subsequent care.

It is estimated that some $364m (£289 million) was charged to all overseas patients in 2015/16 but only half that amount was recovered, the Press Association reports.

http://www.newswatch.ng/2017/02/01/nigerian-mother-racks-500k-hospital-uk-hospital/

In December 2016, the federal government launched a new information app called Federal Government of Nigeria Information App (FGN IAPP) to help close information gap between the federal government and Nigerians.

Beyond serving as a medium to send undiluted and factual information directly to Nigerians and bringing about a paradigm shift in the way the government communicates with the citizens, the FGN IAPP is poised to be a good resource for motivation and inspiration for Nigerians with the BE INSPIRED section of the mobile app.

The “Be Inspired” feature is aimed at motivating young entrepreneurs, academics, professionals and those aspiring for greater heights to meet those who have made their mark in different fields.

According to the developer, Mr Olawale Wale-Falope, Nigerians on a monthly basis will be given the chance of a life transforming session with a top government official, business icon, celebrity, professionals or industry leader who will inspire them to greatness.

“We aim to bring inspiration at its best to Nigerians who have downloaded the app on their gadgets,” said Wale-Falope.
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While declaring the first draw for, he said the very first “Be Inspired” icon would be Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man and one of the most powerful individuals in the world in 2016, according to Forbes.

“Entries will be received via the app only, which is readily available on app stores,” he said.

He advised that subscribers read through the terms and conditions carefully before beginning.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/01/19/be-inspired-federal-governments-life-changing-experience/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW4k2rWt5nM

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had the honour of scoring the first goal at the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday as he fired hosts Gabon into the lead against minnows Guinea-Bissau.

The Borussia Dortmund striker, a former winner of the African player of the year prize, netted from close range to make it 1-0 in the 52nd minute after being set up by Denis Bouanga in the tournament's opening game in Libreville.

The tournament curtain-raiser will be followed by a meeting of the other two sides in Group A, Cameroon and Burkina Faso, at 1900 GMT at the same venue.

http://www.newswatch.ng/2017/01/14/aubameyang-grabs-first-goal-cup-nations/

A group tagged: “WITHBUHARIWESTAND’’, has emerged to counter the activities of the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group led by Oby Ezekwesili.

The withBuhariwestand group led by Comrade Idris King, marched to the Army Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday.

“What they – BBOG came out initially to do was good but by the manner in which they are going about it now, they are distracting the government and the Army.

“What they are doing is simple and is what I call Socio-advocacy terrorism,’’ King said and denied that his group was sponsored.

He said that they came to identify with and congratulate the armed forces, particularly the Army, for successes achieved so far in the fight against the Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East.

“We want to salute the doggedness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially the Nigerian Army,’’ he said.

King also said they came to sympathise with families of soldiers who had died in the course of the war.

Maj.-Gen. Chris Jemitola, who addressed the group on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, thanked the group for identifying with the army and commended them for their orderly conduct.

“It is quite painful that when you are doing so much and some people are out to point out fault,’’ Jemitola lamented.

He noted that security was a collective responsibility, adding that nobody could claim to love Nigeria more than Nigerians.

Jemitola, who is the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, urged the group to align with groups of like minds to project the country in good light.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group marched to the army headquarters with placard carrying various inscriptions.

Some of them read: “BBOG give some credit to the Government and the Nigerian Army for the achievement recorded in the fight against Boko Haram’’.

“Oby Ezekwelisi, stop politicising the rescue of Chibok Girls, “No more business and “BBOG bizness is over.

http://newswatch.ng/2017/01/10/pro-buhari-group-slams-bbog-socio-advocacy-terrorism/

Five Nigerian soldiers and more than 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed when the jihadists attacked an army base in the remote northeast where the group has been fighting for an Islamic state, a military source said on Sunday.

Boko Haram attacked an army brigade in Buni Yadi in Yobe state late on Saturday, an army spokesman said by text message, without giving a casualty figure.

"Five soldiers lost their life in the attack though more than 15 Boko Haram were killed by troops," the military source said.

Several explosions could be heard on Sunday in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state where Boko Haram started its seven-year insurgency that has killed about 15,000 people and displaced more than 2 million.

Officials or medics were not immediately available to give a casualty figure.

In early 2015, Boko Haram controlled an area about the size of Belgium. It has been pushed out of most of that territory over the past year by Nigeria's army and troops from neighbouring countries, moving to a base in the Sambisa forest.

http://newswatch.ng/2017/01/09/captain-four-others-killed-in-boko-haram-on-army-base/

Last month, the army said it had taken Boko Haram's key camp in the forest, although the group has staged suicide bombings since then.

Nana Akufo-Addo presidency got off to a rocky start Saturday after he was accused of plagiarising a portion of former American president George Bush's 2001 inaugural speech.

Akufo-Addo was sworn as the 54th president of Ghana, a country described as the "gold standard for democracy in Africa" taking over from John Dramani Mahama. But the new president's inauguration was blighted by the accusation of directly lifting from Bush's own inauguration speech, The Guardian reported on Saturday.

In his speech, Bush said: "I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building communities of service and a nation of character."
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Akufo-Addo said: "I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens building your communities and our nation. Let us work until the work is done."

This is not the first time West African presidents would be accused of plagiarising American presidents' speeches.

In September 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari came under fire from critics after admitting part of his “Change Begins With Me” speech was copied from US President Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech. His aides put the blame on an unnamed "overzealous speech writer."

Buhari’s speech read in part “We must resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that have poisoned our country for so long. Let us summon a new spirit of responsibility, spirit of service, of patriotism and sacrifice. Let us all resolve to pitch in and work hard and look after, not only ourselves but one another.”

Obama had in different parts of his 2008 victory speech said: “Let’s resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship, pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long…

“So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.”

http://newswatch.ng/2017/01/08/president-akufo-addo-of-ghana-accused-of-plagiarism-in-his-inauguration-speech/

Arsenal were forced to stage a second half fightback to secure a 2-1 win at Preston on Saturday that extended Arsene Wenger's record of never having lost in the FA Cup third round.

Wenger's side suffered an early shock at Deepdale as Callum Robinson put the Championship side on course for their first victory over the Gunners since 1960.

Arsenal were fortunate to be only one goal down at the interval, but they produced a much-improved second half showing.

Aaron Ramsey got the equaliser less than a minute into the second half and Olivier Giroud completed the comeback in the final minute.

Preston, buoyed by a fervent home crowd, took the lead after only seven minutes to ensure a pulsating cup tie.

Aiden McGeady showed neat footwork in midfield, dragging the ball back and spinning to create space to beat his marker before slotting a pass inside Nacho Monreal for Jordan Hugill.

McGeady was ushered off the ball by Monreal but it broke kindly for Robinson, who took advantage of some leisurely defending to pounce on the ricochet and steer past the on-rushing David Ospina.

Despite fielding a strong side, Wenger must have been disappointed to see his side struggle to cope with the early pace being set by Simon Grayson's team.

Indeed, the only surprise of the opening half was that Arsenal were not trailing by more than a solitary goal.

On 22 minutes McGeady again found space behind the defence to play in Hugill whose cross was met by a strong Robinson header, needing a block from Shkodran Mustafi to deny a goal.

Seconds later, it was Robinson's turn to be the creator, crossing low from the right for the unmarked Hugill who somehow failed to make contact in front of an open goal for what would have been a certain second.

By the time the excellent McGeady crossed from the left and full-back Marnick Vermijl arrived unmarked to volley wide, the Arsenal supporters behind that goal were beginning to voice their disapproval.

- Whole-hearted -
Giroud had Arsenal's first meaningful chance on the half-hour, glancing well wide from Ainsley Maitland-Niles' cross, but at least there were signs of Arsenal life.

In quick succession, Lucas Perez and Ramsey should have done better as they tried to walk the ball into the net, only to be blocked by whole-hearted Preston defending.

Giroud chipped across the face of goal when he might have shot, while Perez launched a powerful header that was well held by Chris Maxwell.

Still, there were warning signs for Wenger as a Mustafi error allowed Gallagher a chip which cleared the goalkeeper and was bound for the net until Monreal made an appearance to clear.

Wenger must have delivered a half-time team talk of some impact because, within 55 seconds of the restart his side was level.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain launched the attack down the left and, after picking out Alex Iwobi in the Preston area, the ball was worked to Ramsey who struck an unstoppable shot past Maxwell from 18 yards.

Giroud was also handed a chance, from Granit Xhaka's well-judged 65th minute free-kick, but only managed to head directly at Maxwell under pressure from more dogged Preston defending.

And Mustafi was also denied by Maxwell, with a far more impressive reflex save, from a near-post snapshot following an Arsenal corner.

Not for the first time this season, it was the often maligned Giroud who came to Arsenal's rescue with another late goal, this time in the 89th minute when he forced home from six yards after Perez managed to clip the ball back from the byline.

To complete what had become a satisfactory afternoon for Wenger, the Arsenal manager was able to bring on England forward Danny Welbeck for the final seven minutes for his first appearance since damaging knee ligaments eight months ago.

http://newswatch.ng/2017/01/07/girouds-late-strike-earns-arsenal-fa-cup-third-round-win/

Leicester fought back to move into the FA Cup fourth round as Ahmed Musa's double clinched a 2-1 win at Everton on Saturday.

Claudio Ranieri's side fell behind to Romelu Lukaku's strike after the break, but Musa had come off the bench as a first half substitute and the Nigeria forward made the most of his opportunity.

He scored twice in five minutes to notch his first goals since October and settle a hard-fought third round tie at Goodison Park.
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Musa's heroics ended Leicester's run of 10 away games without a win in all competitions and ensured the English champions avenged their Premier League defeat against Everton on Boxing Day.

England striker Jamie Vardy was missing for Leicester, but Ranieri gave a debut to Nigeria midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who completed his £15 million ($18 million, 17 million euros) move from Genk this week.

The 20-year-old was keen to make a positive first impression as he tried his luck with a long-range effort that was deflected to safety by the massed Everton defence.

Demarai Gray's pace caused problems for Everton and the Leicester winger forced a decent save from Joel Robles in the early stages.

Foxes striker Leonardo Ulloa came off with an injury late in the first half, with Musa on in his place.

Chances were limited for Ronald Koeman's side as they struggled to find any rhythm and Belgian striker Lukaku wasted their best opportunity just before the interval.

Koeman sent on Gerard Deulofeu at half-time and the former Barcelona winger made a key contribution when Everton took the lead in the 63rd minute.

Surging down the wing, Deulofeu raced past Leicester defender Ben Chilwell and whipped over a cross that Lukaku tapped in from close-range.

But Everton's lead was short-lived as Musa equalised with a scrambled effort that went in off the post from Gray's cross three minutes later.

Suddenly, Leicester were clicking into gear and they scored again in the 71st minute when Danny Drinkwater's pass sent Musa clear to drive in his fourth goal of the season.

An excellent save from Kasper Schmeichel preserved Leicester's lead as the Danish keeper kept out a long-range strike from Kevin Mirallas in the closing moments.

http://newswatch.ng/2017/01/07/ahmed-musa-on-the-double-to-kick-out-everton-from-fa-cup/

Contrary to the hugely popular imagery of a flowing mane and white skin, Jesus Christ probably had a short, kinky and curly hair with a darker skin hue.

A forensic scientist has recreated what Jesus looked like, using historical evidence of his life, artists’ depictions and physical descriptions found in the Bible.

Richard Neave began his mission in 1998, examining skulls from Northern Israel from the beginning of the first century.

He made a plaster cast of a skull for BBC documentary Son of God, and the result looks nothing like the Jesus we’re used to seeing in churches.

This is what Neave says Jesus might actually have looked like

http://newswatch.ng/2017/01/07/what-jesus-really-looked-like/

Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) on Friday asked its fighters to prepare to hit the ‘enemy’ in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, claiming that the Nigerian government was not ready for sincere negotiations.

The Niger Delta Avengers had declared a ceasefire last year after staging major attacks on oil facilities crippling the OPEC member’s oil output in a fight for more oil revenues to give dialogue with authorities a chance.

The government has been holding talks for more than six months with Niger Delta leaders to address grievances of poverty and oil pollution in the southern region but former militants have complained that no progress has been made.

“It has been evidently clear that the Nigerian state is not ready for any form of dialogue and negotiation,” the Niger Delta Avengers said in a statement posted on their website.

“All fighters and commands are hereby placed on high readiness in your webs of operations to hit and knock the enemy very hard,” the group said.

It declared the start of an “Operations Walls of Jericho and Hurricane Joshua … to reclaim our motherland” but did not say whether this meant an end of the ceasefire or gave any details.

The Avengers, like other militant groups, has split into different factions, which struggle to control their fighters, unemployed young men who work for anybody who pays them.

Another former militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which had agreed to lay down arms in 2009, had said a week ago it had lost trust in the government to bring peace to the region.

Those behind the pipeline attacks, which began in early 2016, say they want a greater share of Nigeria’s energy wealth to go to the southern region. The frequency of attacks has diminished since President Muhammadu Buhari held talks with community leaders but there are sporadic attacks, most recently in late November.

http://newswatch.ng/2017/01/07/niger-delta-avengers-threaten-war-against-enemies-of-niger-delta/