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Osun State Government workers have suspended the strike action embarked upon to force government to stop paying them half salaries. The workers, on Saturday night, announced the suspension of the strike after signing a memorandum of understanding with the representatives of the state government.  The MoU was signed on behalf of the workers by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Tunde Adekomi; Chairman, Joint Negotiating Council, Bayo Adejumo among others while the, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji; the Head of Service, Dr. Fetus Oyebade and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola signed on behalf of the state government. According to the MoU, the entire workforce and pensioners would be paid their full salaries for the month of December 2017 and the modalities for payment of subsequent salaries from January 2018 would be worked out later.

Medical personnel is now free to treat victims of gunshot without waiting for a police report and it is official. Entitled Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act, 2017, was among the six bills signed by the President. Mr. Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), told State House correspondents in Abuja that the Gunshot Act specifically stipulates that a person with gunshot shall be received for immediate and adequate treatment by any hospital in Nigeria with or without an initial monetary deposit. He explained that "Furthermore, a person with gunshot wound shall not be subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment or torture by any person or authority, including the police and other security agencies." Enang said the NDDC Act also included the gas producing and gas processing companies in the list of agencies that were contributing to the Niger Delta Development Commission, in addition to oil comp...

As President Muhammadu Buhari's son, Yusuf, continues to receive treatment at Cedar Crest Hospital, Gudu District, Abuja, some petty sellers close to the hospital are happy about the boost in their sales due to the influx of dignitaries, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt. The traders, who deal in food, recharge cards, and drinks around the hospital on Sam Mbakwe Street, told our correspondent on Saturday that notwithstanding the improved sales, they wished the President's son a quick recovery. Among the top government officials who visited Buhari's son were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

The Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, a local research and investment firm, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, speaks on the economic policies and events that defined 2017 and projections for 2018, in this interview with 2017 was an interesting year for Nigeria. The average cost of borrowing has remained high at 25-27 per cent pa while Nigerian Interbank Offered Rates oscillated within a wide range of 2-148 per cent (OBB, O/N) depending on the level of liquidity in the system. Treasury bills, on the other hand, have declined from an average yield of 16-18 per cent (across all tenors) to 10-15 per cent in the secondary market; an indication of a likely reduction in the benchmark interest rate. Economic output increased, thanks to the massive government intervention in the agriculture sector (growth of 3.06 per cent, contribution of 29.15 per cent) and a ramp up in oil production (oil sector growth of 25.89 per cent, contribution of 10.04 per cent). There was minimal di...

The Vice President believes the modular refinery initiative which featured prominently in recent talks between the Federal Government and the oil-producing areas, as represented by PANDEF, will also reposition the petroleum industry and ensure self-sufficiency of petroleum products while serving as a disincentive for illegal refineries and oil pollution. The statement explained that at an end-of-the-year review meeting of the Niger Delta Inter-Ministerial Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, before the holidays, Professor Osinbajo noted that the Federal Government, in line with its Niger Delta New Vision, is targeting measurable objectives in its efforts towards implementing development projects in the region. It added that the December 22 meeting received a report that 38 licensed privately financed greenfield and mini-modular refineries investors have so far indicated interests in the establishment of refineries in the region and at least ten (10) of the licensed refinerie...

Russian scientists have restored communications with a satellite days after they lost contact with it. Launched on 26 December, Angosat-1 will boost mobile and net communications in Angola as well as broadcast radio and TV shows. Soon after launch, Russian ground control staff said they were no longer receiving data from the spacecraft. It comes soon after Russia revealed "programming errors" led to the loss of another multi-million-pound satellite. The launch of Angosat-1 was the culmination of a project started in 2009 and was the first communications satellite built for Angola. The development and launch of the satellite cost more than 286m euros (£253m).

Students from the Niger Delta want the Federal Government to quash charges against an ex-militant, Mr Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. They made their demand known while staging a peaceful protest in Warri, the commercial centre of Delta State. The students consist of the National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) and Law Students Association of Nigerian Students, Delta State University chapter. The students claim to have benefited tremendously from the educational scholarship program of the Tompolo foundation, they, however, want the government to encourage him to invest more rather than prosecute him.

Nayzia Thomas, a sophomore at Johnson County Community College, Missouri, United States, tweeted a photo that her mother snapped of her finishing up her final exam on December 11 while in the labour room at the hospital. Thomas said she wanted to be done with the semester before the birth of her son, Anthony Johnson, who arrived about 12 hours later on December 12. “It wasn’t due until the end of the week,” she told Yahoo! Lifestyle of her final exam. “But my goal was to try to have everything done before. I thought before all this gets crazy, let me hurry up and finish this final exam. “School is so important to me. I didn’t want pregnancy to be in the way. That’s what people expect. You’re a teen mom, you’re a young mother. That’s why my mom took that picture.” Thomas said that despite the extra hardship that comes with pregnancy, she finished the semester with a 3.5 GPA. “It shows I follow through,” she said.

        No other state can match Osun public schools’ infrastructure — Aregbesola Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has said that no other state in the country can compete with Osun in terms of infrastructural development in primary and secondary schools. According to a statement made available to our correspondent in Osogbo on Wednesday by his media adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, the governor said this while featuring on an NTA network programme, ‘Good Morning Nigeria.’ Aregbesola, the statement noted, described the provision of free meals to pupils in all government-owned primary schools in the state as exceptional. He said that Osun had received many awards, particularly from international organisations, based on its school-feeding programme which, he claimed, had drastically increased pupil enrolment in primary schools in the state. The statement read, “Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme is one of our programmes. Thousands of pupils are f...

The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Imo state has commenced vegetation control and desilting of concrete line drains and hydraulic structures along federal roads in Imo state. The Federal Road Maintenance engineer in Imo state, Emeka Maduagwu, said the exercise is part of the agency’s plan to continue to maintain federal highways and make it motorable to road users across the country.

Jack Wilshere is confident of signing a new contract at Arsenal with the club planning to open talks over terms with the midfielder, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, early next month. Wilshere, who has been at Arsenal since the age of nine and spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, started his fourth successive Premier League game in his team’s 3-2 victory at Crystal Palace and set up the visitors’ decisive third goal. “I probably feel better than I did last year,” he said. “I feel fitter, and am getting better each game. I spoke to the boss [about contract talks] and he said he will speak to me. I’m sure it will get done.” Arsène Wenger subsequently confirmed those talks will take place next month, once the cluttered fixture schedule over the festive period has been concluded. “The situation is that we need to sit down with him,” said the Arsenal manager. “At the beginning of January, it’s planned. “There is no delay. I said we would sort out his situat...

Footballer George Weah has won the Liberian presidential run off with 61% of the vote. Unofficial partial results announced on local radio stations all showed Mr Weah in the lead on Wednesday. Mr Weah, the only African ever to be named Fifa World Player of the Year, lost to Ms Johnson Sirleaf in a 2005 election as a political novice after a football career that took him to both Chelsea and Manchester City. He has served in Liberia's senate since 2015.

First, he stunned the World champion. Then, he stunned the world. Viswanathan Anand did all that at the age of 48, as he lifted the World rapid chess championship in Riyadh on Thursday. The genial genius from Chennai, who defeated Magnus Carlsen of Norway earlier in the tournament, went on to finish on top with 10.5 points at the end of the 15th and final round. But, since two other men, Vladimir Fedoseev and Ian Nepomniachtchi, both of Russia, also scored 10.5, a tie-breaker was required to decide the winner.

Labour leaders led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, Mr. Jacob Adekomi, on Wednesday led other unions’ leaders to the State Secretariat at Abere to shut down the place as workers commenced the indefinite strike. Labour leaders had on Friday announced that they would begin an indefinite strike immediately after the Christmas break over modulated salary, lack of promotion and the non-remittance of their contributory pension deductions to workers’ pension accounts. The NLC chairman, the chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Amudah Wakeel and other Labour leaders stormed the secretariat's gate as early as 7 am on Wednesday to ensure compliance with the directive from the labour leaders. The NUT chairman, who spoke to our correspondent said workers from grade level 01 to 07 who were collecting full salary joined the strike because the strike was not based on the issue of half salary alone.

President Muhammadu Buhari spoke for the first time yesterday on the excruciating nationwide fuel scarcity, expressing his sympathy for Nigerians who are enduring weeks of needless queues at filling stations. In a statement personally signed by him and posted on his twitter handle, @Mbuhari #FuelScarcity, he said the development was regrettable. “I am being regularly briefed, especially on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC’s) interventions to ensure that there is enough petrol available during this period and beyond. The fuel scarcity being experienced nationwide is regrettable. I sympathize with all Nigerians on having to endure needless fuel queues,” he said. The president said he had the NNPC’s assurance that the situation would improve significantly over the next few days, “as new shipments and supplies are distributed across the country.“I have also directed the regulators to step up their surveillance and bring an end to hoarding and price inflation by market...

To reinforce earlier announcement of the reorganisation of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the Nigeria Police Force has announced new measures to reform the squad. This was after a meeting by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and commanders of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) on Friday, December 22. Part of the new measure is that SARS operatives should not serve as bodyguards or delve into civil matters and must wear their uniforms during operation. The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, Nnamdi Omoni in a statement made available to Channels Television said the Nigeria Police Force after the IGP lecture, decided to implement new measures to reform the squad.

Israel is to name a planned new railway station close to Judaism’s hallowed Western Wall in annexed east Jerusalem after US President Donald Trump, the transport minister has said. Trump has been lauded by the Jewish state — and sparked international condemnation — by breaking with years of US policy to recognise the holy city as Israel’s capital. Minister Israel Katz approved a plan on Tuesday to extend a high-speed rail line under construction between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem into the Jewish Quarter of the Old City and build a station next to the Western Wall, a statement said. The station close to the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray will be called “Donald John Trump”, the minister ordered, in tribute to his “historic and courageous decision” on Jerusalem. Trump’s controversial shift on the holy city has sparked angry protests by Palestinians and was rejected in a non-binding UN General Assembly resolution.

A former Ivorian minister was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday for complicity in a 2012 attack in western Ivory Coast that killed 18 people, including seven UN peacekeepers. Hubert Oulaye, 64, ex-public works minister under former president Laurent Gbagbo, “provided the financial means to establish a rebellion in the west” of the country, the attorney general said. “The accomplice is sometimes more dangerous than the perpetrator,” she added. Oulaye dismissed the verdict as a “political conviction” and returned home while his lawyers vowed to appeal the decision. The attack happened as Ivory Coast was reeling from violence caused when Gbagbo refused to step down after losing presidential polls to current leader Alassane Ouattara. Gbagbo is currently on trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the crisis, in which 3,000 people were killed.

Two-time world chess champion Anna Muzychuk has said she will not attend a tournament held in Saudi Arabia because of the way the kingdom treats women as "secondary creatures'. The landmark event and its record $2m (€1.7m) prize pot comes as crown prince Mohammed bin Salman looks to repackage his oil-rich nation as more welcoming – and moderate. On Christmas Eve Muzychuk said she would not attend the tournament, citing the kingdom's restrictions on the movement of women. "I am going to lose two world champion titles - one by one," she wrote on Facebook. "Just because I decided not to go to Saudi Arabia. Not to play by someone's rules, not to wear abaya, not to be accompanied getting outside and altogether not to feel myself a secondary creature," she said.

A private jet carrying two top Nigerian musical artists, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun aka “Wizkid” and Tiwa Savage from Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state was attacked and robbed last night while taxiing on Lagos airport’s runway 18L. The Bombardier Challenger 605 jet with registration number T7-A00 arrived Lagos from Uyo about 8:33 pm and was slowly taxiing to the arrival hangar when the cargo compartment was burgled. The jet slowed to allow an Ethiopian Airline cargo plane with registration number ET-ARH to push back for take off. The pilot, Captain Cloud Cote noticed the cargo door had been opened by burglars and promptly notified Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security, but the burglars had disappeared before FAAN officials could make it to the point where the attack took place.

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Britney Spears is officially going to help us all ring in the new year! The 36-year-old Glory pop icon revealed on Thursday that she will be performing from The AXIS at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas as part of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018. Britney will be performing "Toxic" and "Work Bitch" in what will be the first television performance of 2018, according to Dick Clark Productions. Britney is currently wrapping up her long-running Piece Of Me residency in Las Vegas, which will end on New Year's Eve. The show begins at 8 p.m.

Rita Ora keeps it cool and casual as she steps out in a stylish red dress and grey coat while hopping into her car on Wednesday evening in New York City. That same day, the 27-year-old "Anywhere" hit-maker took to her social media accounts to share a picture of herself alongside Liam Payne with the caption, FiftyShadesFreed. It looks like Rita and Liam may have recorded a duet for the upcoming Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, which will be released in February alongside the film release. Liam isn't the only former One Direction member to have a song on the Fifty Shades soundtracks - earlier this year Zayn and Taylor Swift released "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack.

Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner are now officially divorced. The 29-year-old Supergirl actress and the 25-year-old Edge of Seventeen actor reached a property settlement agreement which they did not file in court, telling the judge that the issues are resolved and that they are in agreement, according to TMZ. Melissa filed for divorce almost one year ago to the day on December 27, 2016, citing irreconcilable differences. TMZ reports the couple got married in 2013, though it was also reported that they tied the knot in March 2015.

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer and Fox News star Laura Ingraham are none too pleased with actor Tom Hanks for saying that he wouldn't be in favor of a White House screening of his timely new film, The Post. "I don't think I would," Hanks said when asked by The Hollywood Reporter if he'd attend such a screening with President Trump, should they invite him. "I would not have been able to imagine that we would be living in a country where neo-Nazis are doing torchlight parades in Charlottesville [Va.] and jokes about Pocahontas are being made in front of the Navajo code talkers. On her show on Wednesday night, Ingraham pounced. "One of America's favorite actors is insulting the president, just to sell his movie" she said. Ingraham remarked that Hanks "flops as a political commentator and pundit." She closed with a reference to his starring role in the 2000 movie Cast Away. "Maybe it's time to cast away Tom Ha...

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released beautiful official photographs to celebrate their enga gement. They were photographed by Alexi Lubomirski earlier this week at Frogmore House, Windsor.

Manchester City are prepared to put their move for Alexis Sanchez on hold until the summer as Pep Guardiola considers dressing room harmony at the Etihad Stadium, according to reports. Guardiola has prioritised a new centre-back in January but those plans are also affected by the Catalan's desire not to disrupt the balance of his high-flying squad. Alexis and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk were both identified as priority targets by Guardiola during the summer, partly because the Catalan believed they could come into the squad and make a big impact both on and off the pitch. But their strong personalities and leadership qualities could ironically count against them next month, as Guardiola tries to maintain the positive atmosphere that has developed around the club during the first part of the season. City have coped with a number of injuries in key positions so far this season and therefore it is not regarded as vital as it was during the summer that several altern...

Germany have been crowned the Team of the Year by FIFA after finishing on top of the World Ranking at the end of 2017. FIFA published its full ranking for December on Thursday, with few changes towards the top of the ranking as only 41 "A" international matches were played. Joachim Low's world champions remain comfortably ahead of second-placed Brazil and European champions Portugal, who sit third. Germany take over as Team of the Year from Argentina, who finished top in 2016. Belgium were top of the ranking at the end of 2015. A perfect World Cup qualifying record, with 10 wins out of 10, ensured Germany have remained first for four consecutive months, and five of the last six. Best placed teams in each confederation: UEFA: Germany (1), Portugal (3), Belgium (5), Spain (6) CONMEBOL: Brazil (2), Argentina (4), Chile (10), Peru (11) CAF: Senegal (23), Tunisia (27), Egypt (31)... Ghana (50), Nigeria (51)... Kenya (106) AFC: Iran (32), Australia (38), Jap...

Facebook and Universal Music Group announced a global, multi-year agreement under which UMG becomes the first major music company to license its recorded music and publishing catalogs for video and other social experiences across Facebook, Instagram and Oculus. According to a press release, the partnership will allow users to upload and share videos that contain licensed music and personalize their music experiences on Facebook, Instagram and Oculus. Eventually, functionality will expand to enable access to a vast library of music across a series of social features; the agreement “is intended to serve as a foundation for a strategic partnership roadmap that will deliver new music-based experiences online.” Going forward, the companies will experiment together to introduce new music-based products to these Facebook platforms, including Messenger, with the goal of developing the next generation of music products to engage social consumers. As more and more Facebook users have in...

Gun-wielding herdsmen have fired at the Alpha Jet and the EC 135 Helicopter deployed by the military in an attempt to resist the interventions by the Nigerian Air Force in the troubled communities of Numan and Demsa Local Government Areas of Adamawa State. The herdsmen, who were dressed in black, reportedly attempted to bring down the fighter aircraft which were flown to fire “only warning shots” and not to kill any of the attackers. Reports two weeks ago said that the NAF, on the invitation of the Nigerian Army in Adamawa, deployed some fighter aircraft to support the ground forces in stopping the crisis. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice-Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, who confirmed the deployment of the air assets, had said it would be “a continuous exercise.” The police in Adamawa State also confirmed attacks by the rampaging Fulani militia on Dong and Lawura villages in the Demsa LGA, saying that many buildings were razed, scores were killed whi...

Bayern Munich have announced the signing of Sandro Wagner from Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed on Wednesday that an agreement was close, with Wagner to complete his switch to the Allianz Arena on January 1 after putting pen to paper on a contract until June 2020. Bayern have reportedly agreed a fee worth in the region of €13 million for the forward, who progressed through the youth academy and made his senior debut for the club in 2007. "We are confident that Sandro Wagner will further enhance the quality of our team through his class and experience." He will wear the number two shirt and could make his debut when Bayern resume their season on January 12 at Bayer Leverkusen. This player is really a hot stuff big ups to Bayern Munich  

Aset of massive deals could be about to take place regarding the world's top attackers, if Paulo Dybala's brother is to be believed. With Real Madrid linked to Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, there is a theory that the Brazilian will be replaced in the French capital by Juventus' Dybala. This comes via Corriere dello Sport, who report that Mariano Dybala travelled to Paris for secret talks with the Ligue 1 leaders last week. Upon his return the player's brother is said to have told Dybala: "Neymar will go to Real Madrid and you are the one who will replace him." It is also reported that Juve are furious with the trip and it's not the first time Mariano Dybala has caused a stir with his glances towards a lucrative transfer for the Argentine.

The Senate on Wednesday criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for arresting the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innoson Motors, Innocent Chukwuma. The lawmakers accused the EFCC of using military approach and therefore mandated the Senate Committee on Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption to investigate their actions. During the plenary on Wednesday, the lawmakers took turn to criticise EFCC's actions as Senator Monsurat Sunmonu in an additional prayer which was seconded by Senator Oluremi Tinubu said that the Committee on Women Affairs should investigate the alleged assault on Chwukuma's wife by EFCC operatives. Senator Emmanuel Bwacha in his comments said if, truly, Chukwuma's wife was slapped by an operative of the EFCC as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe claimed to have been told, "someone must be held to account; he must lose his job and he must be prosecuted." Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu also at the ple...

Cristiano Ronaldo did not train with the Real Madrid squad ahead of their Clasico clash with Barcelona on Saturday. The Portugal international, who has scored four goals and provided two assists in 11 La Liga games thus far this season, trained away from the group, after suffering from slight discomfort following the Club World Cup final against Gremio. Ronaldo has not trained with the group at any point this week, but sources have told that there is no possibility of him missing the encounter with Barca. Instead, on Thursday, he took the to the training pitch and worked out with a ball, away from his team-mates. Zinedine Zidane's men have lost twice this season, to Girona and Real Betis, and also drawn with Valencia, Levante, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

Production banner Paramount Pictures has postponed the release date of the third 'Spongebob Squarepants' movie from 2019 to July 31, 2020. Reportedly, the animated project, now titled 'The SpongeBob Movie,' was announced in 2015 with Paul Tibbitt returning to direct and a voice cast including Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke and Carolyn Lawrence. Paramount also announced on Tuesday that it has moved back Johny Knoxville's theme park comedy 'Action Park' from March 23 to May 11. Tim Kirkby directed the film, which has been made from a script by John Altschuler, Dave Krinsky and Knoxville, in which Knoxville and his friends have designed and will operate a theme park.

The power of Barack Obama has always been in the simple reality of him. Just the sight of him—so smart, so powerful, so black—means so much to so many. And for over a decade, Pete Souza was responsible for spreading that reality around the world. As Obama’s chief White House photographer, Souza went wherever the president went. He covered Obama in countless meetings with his advisers and when he coached his daughter's basketball team. He shot Obama’s reaction as SEAL Team Six shot Osama bin Laden, and painstakingly documented the first time the first family's dogs saw snow. He was also there to capture Jacob Philadelphia's moment—the only picture that hung in the Obama White House for the entire eight years of his presidency. In his new book,  Obama: An Intimate Portrait , Souza presents around 300 of his favorite pictures from the nearly 2 million he took during his time in the White House, as he went from just another staffer to a close family friend. "Having ...