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The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, has announced Monday, September 12th as the Eid-El-Kabir Day. The announcement is contained in a statement signed by Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council of Sokoto. "The committee in conjunction with the National Moon Sighting Committee had received reports from various Moon sighting committees across the country. The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016,  which was the 29th day of Zulka'ada, 1437 AH. The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, Sept. 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH. Therefore, Monday, Sept.12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, and will be marked as this year's Eid el-Kabir"the statement read.

Rotimi Akeredolu has emerged the governorship candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State following today’s primary election held amidst tight security in the capital of Akure. Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, who is also the chairman primary election committee of the party that monitored the exercise, announced Mr. Akeredolu as the winner of the poll at the international event center moments ago. Our correspondent found that other members of the APC Primary Election Committee include: Dr. Bruce Ugbide, Rep. Hamma Ali, Prince M. Martin, and Mr Mohammed Lawal. He described the conduct of the APC primary election producing a candidate for the opposition party in the state as transparent and credible. Mr. Abubakar, however, asked the unsuccessful aspirants in the election to pacify their supporters to join hands with Mr. Akeredolu in order to win the November 26th governorship election in the state. He di...

Mr Ogbonnaya Nta, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Abia, has confirmed the death of Mr Chinweoda Ndubuisi, a pastor with Foursquare Gospel Church in Umuahia, the Abia capital. Nta told newsmen in Umuahia on Thursday that Ndubuisi, who was in his early 40s, died in an explosion from a faulty generator in his residence. He said that Ndubuisi was trapped in the fire resulting from the explosion which occurred in the presence of a generator repairer while trying to fix the generator. Nta said that the incident occurred at Plot 100, Nkwerre Street, Umuahia, on Wednesday evening. He said that the deceased engaged the repairer to work on the generating set and that it suddenly caught fire while they were still trying to kick-start it. According to the PPRO, fire and smoke engulfed the corner under a staircase, where the generator was securely chained to an iron protector. He said that while the repairer, who reportedly stood close to the exit door managed...

The Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, on Friday evening raised the alarm that if something urgent was not done, a war worse than the Boko Haram insurgency looms in Borno State and the North East generally. Ndume raised the alarm at a cocktail organised to mark the official inauguration of ‘Get Involved Initiative’, a pet project of the Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari. The project is aimed at combating malnutrition in the North East. Ndume said Nigeria might have a larger crisis on its hands if all stakeholders failed to do something urgent on the malnutrition being experienced among children in the affected area. He said about 500,000 children would die of malnutrition if something urgent was not done. He said, “The situation in Borno State particularly in the North East and in the country as liberated generally is very very serious. “If we do not do something concrete now on these children that are growing up malnourished, sick with ...

Two time African footballer of the year  Kanu Nwankwo today in London scored a heart trick as Arsenal legends defeated Milan legends 4-2. Kanu who had Arsenal legends like Kolo Toure and David Seaman as teammates was coached by Arsene Wenger while Milan Glorie that had Milan legends like Paolo Maldini, Christian Vieri and Marcel Desailly were coached by Fabio Capello. Watch the video after the cut...

Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, indeed said Nigeria’s current economic recession is just “a word”, PREMIUM TIMES can confirm today, two days after the minister denied making such statement. The confirmation, based on video evidence, counters Mrs. Adeosun’s denial on Thursday, after the comment became controversial, with many condemning it as insensitive to the sufferings of Nigerians. In denying the comments, the minister had also rejected a Twitter handle that for months posted messages in her name, with its tweets frequently reported by the media. In its latest post on Wednesday, the account, @Mrskemiadeosun, responded to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics showing that the Nigerian economy contracted for another quarter and was effectively in recession. But as distraught Nigerians reacted to the verdict, the handle appeared to downplay it. “The strongest of all warriors are these two, time and patience. I know people are concerne...

Former aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has lent his voice in defence of his country in the ongoing Twitter feud between netizens in Nigeria and Kenya. Fani-Kayode, who gave his verdict on his official Twitter account, @realffk, stressed that Kenyans are far behind Nigerians in every aspect. Truth is that the Kenyans are v far behind us in every respect. I know their history inside out: they are just too small for us. — Femi Olu-Kayode(FFK) (@realFFK) September 3, 2016 He furthers, “Kenyans should stop attacking Nigeria on twitter. They must know their place. Truth is the worse Nigerian is better than the best Kenyan.”  When Kenyan leaders were still doing “mau mau”, swinging from trees and eating one another ours were at Oxford and Cambridge university” He noted When Kenyan leaders were still doing "mau mau", swinging from trees and eating one another ours were at Oxford and Cambridge university — Femi Olu-Kayode(FFK) (@...