DADDY FREEZE REACTS TO KIKI OSINBAJO’S PROPOSED MARRIAHE TO BOLA SHAGAYA’S SON
Controversial OAP, Daddy Freeze just reacted to the news of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s Daughter Damilola getting married to Shamsideen Oluwaseun Bakare, the son of one of Nigeria’s richest businesswomen, Hajia Bola Shagaya.
The OAP posted on his Instagram this morning writing,
“I congratulate them and sincerely wish them well as they look really happy and in love!His name seems Muslim… If it’s normal church rats that want to marry Muslims, they won’t agree o… The will go as far as saying “Allah is not God” and say “let’s not be unequally yoked”. But with the political pedigree involved here, I’m sure even the GO and his Mummy will attend.Let me remind you of the high profile case of another Redeemed pastor’s daughter Charity, who wanted to marry a Muslim, the whole CAN stepped out to stop the wedding according to the story below
Charity Uzoechina, the daughter of Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor, Raymond Uzoechina, who made headlines with her story of conversion to Islam, was set to marry the lawyer who handles her controversial case in court but the Niger state Government called it off.
Aisha (formerly known as Charity) Uzoechina, 26, was supposed to be marrying her Muslim lawyer, Barrister Tijani, reportedly on May 2. However, the Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu, where Uzoechina resides, ordered that the wedding to be stopped as he got information that Aisha’s parents were not informed of her upcoming wedding.
According to Vanguard, imams and other Muslim clerics were already gathered when the wedding was canceled.
Charity Uzoechina, the daughter of Redeemed Christian Church of God Pastor, Raymond Uzoechina, who made headlines with her story of conversion to Islam, was set to marry the lawyer who handles her controversial case in court but the Niger state Government called it off.
Aisha (formerly known as Charity) Uzoechina, 26, was supposed to be marrying her Muslim lawyer, Barrister Tijani, reportedly on May 2. However, the Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu, where Uzoechina resides, ordered that the wedding to be stopped as he got information that Aisha’s parents were not informed of her upcoming wedding.
According to Vanguard, imams and other Muslim clerics were already gathered when the wedding was canceled.
The reason why Aisha didn’t inform her parent about her upcoming wedding can be the differences between them about her conversion to Islam. Back in 2013, Aisha sued her parents for interfering in her decision to change religion.
Representative of the National body of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state Chapter Chairman, Dr Musa Dada, had informed the State’s Commissioner on Religious Matters and the Attorney General of the state about the upcoming wedding between Aisha and Barrister Tijani.”
Zuma refuses to resign, says he is being victimised
Jacob Zuma has refused to heed calls to step down as South African president, denouncing moves by the ruling African Nation Congress ( ANC ) party to remove him following a string of damaging corruption scandals.
The ANC formally asked him to resign on Tuesday.
“I am being victimised here. I think there has been a misinterpretation,” Zuma said in an attempt to present his side of the story.
Zuma however indicated he would accept the outcome of a parliamentary vote of no confidence against him, which has been scheduled for Thursday.
During more than a week of negotiations with the ANC’s key decision-making body, Zuma said that “nobody provided the reasons, nobody has been able to provide me with what I have done.”
Zuma denied any wrongdoing over the corruption allegations of recent years. “There is no problem. There has never been a problem,” he said in the televised remarks.
The ANC “will regret the crisis they have caused,” he said, adding he wsa planning to make a formal statement on the calls for his resignation later on Wednesday.
During the negotiations with the ANC leadership, Zuma said he had in principle agreed to step down but presented “a package” of demands that included him staying in power for several more months.
The ANC didn’t accept those conditions, said Zuma.
“I am open to further discussion, but they are rushing [into a vote of no confidence],” he said, adding that he was unjustly “portrayed as this person who is defying the leadership.”
If Zuma loses the vote, parliament may elect a successor the same day, according to ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile.
“We will possibly elect a new president on Thursday … if not Friday,” said Mashatile, assuming scandal-hit Zuma will lose the vote.
Zuma’s successor would most likely be Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who in December took over from Zuma as president of the ANC.
Zuma, who became president in 2009 and whose second term officially ends in 2019, has already faced six no-confidence motions, four of which were voted on.
This time, the vote is likely to succeed because the ANC holds a large majority of seats in parliament, and the vote of no confidence is decided by a simple majority.
If Zuma loses the vote, South Africa’s chief justice will preside over the election of a new president, while the cabinet will have to resign.
The ANC caucus in parliament decided to hasten the vote, which had been initially requested by opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters for February 22.
“We want certainty.
“We would like the incoming president [to hold the postponed State of the Nation address] without delay,” he said.
Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested three people from the Johannesburg home of the Gupta family, linked to the corruption scandals that have engulfed Zuma.
Hangwani Mulaudzi, the spokesman of the elite crime investigation unit the Hawks, confirmed the arrests to dpa, without disclosing the identity of those arrested.
Arrest warrants had been issued for two other people who were expected to hand themselves over to the police, Mulaudzi said.
Media reports said those arrested are expected to appear before a commercial crimes court in the city of Bloemfontein later on Wednesday.
The influential Gupta family, which has business interests in the computer equipment, mining, air travel, energy, technology and media industries, have been accused of influencing the state together with Zuma through lucrative business deals and possibly even influencing ministerial appointments.
Most recently, the family came under fire when one of their companies took over the management of a small-scale dairy farm, which shortly thereafter received a payment of 34 million rands (2.85 million dollars) from the provincial agriculture department.
A high court in January ordered the freezing of all assets linked to the farm.
Zuma and the three Gupta brothers he is mainly linked to – Ajay, Atul and Rajesh – deny any wrongdoing.
Opposition party Democratic Alliance ( DA ) meanwhile demanded that the police extend their raid on the Gupta family to include government ministers linked to the corruption allegations.
“The investigations and action simply cannot end [with the Guptas] and must continue to all those implicated, including key ministers,” DA member Zakhele Mbehle said in a statement.
Mbehle demanded investigations into four ministers as well as ANC secretary general Ace Magushule.
NAN
Enugu govt. increases NYSC members’ allowance
Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi
The Commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbuagu Anikwe, announced this in Enugu on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
Anikwe said that medical doctors serving in hospitals in rural areas would henceforth receive N30, 000 monthly from the state government as against N3, 800 being given to them currently.
Similarly, he said, pharmacists, nurses, radiographers, laboratory scientists and statisticians would receive a monthly stipend of N20, 000.
He announced that the government also planned to review the service condition and welfare of other set of corps members in the state.
The commissioner explained that the increase in allowances of the corps members serving in health facilities was to further ensure that health services were taken close to rural dwellers.
“The government has approved that each corps member selected to work as a medical doctor in government hospital in the rural areas will get a monthly stipend of N30, 000.
“All of these will cost the government extra N31.2 million per annum but it is an expense that is worth it. It is to ensure that health facilities are available at the door steps of our people,” he said.
Anikwe said that the government noted the challenges of getting medical personnel to work health facilities in rural communities and decided on the incentive.
According to him, the council decided that one sure way to solve the problem is to get health personnel from the NYSC who will be encouraged with an increased stipend.
The commissioner said that the state government had invested much in rural communities and would want such facilities to have direct impact on the inhabitants.
“Before now, Enugu had a peculiar problem because the state was paying a certain amount as allowance and it led to an influx of youth corps members from all over the country, wanting to serve here.
“It then became impossible for the state government to continue to sustain that stipend because we are not out of the woods yet.
“So, we are not unmindful of what to do for corps members but everything we are doing, we check our purse.
“I am sure that as the finances of the state government improves, we will come to a point where everybody is given an allowance that enables them cope with the condition of life in the country,” he said.
Anikwe said that the government was first looking at very critical sectors, adding that others would follow soon.
He said that the governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was passionate about making residents of the state competitive and healthy “and that is why his economic blueprint traversed the entire state”.
Also, Commissioner for Works, Mr Greg Nnaji, said that the state government had approved the renovation and upgrade of eight district hospitals across the state.
Nnaji said that the gesture was to reduce the pressure on secondary health facilities in the state and to ensure that residents did not have to travel to the state capital for medical attention.
He said that such hospitals and clinics would now wear new looks while modern health equipment would be installed in them.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all youth corps members posted to rural communities of the state are paid monthly stipend of N3, 800 each.
UPDATE: Shooting outside US NSA HQ injures one
Shooting outside US NSA headquarters, one hurt
Police tape blocks a visitor's entrance to the headquarters of the National Security Agency (NSA) after a shooting incident at the entrance in Fort Meade, Maryland, February 14, 2018. Shots were fired early Wednesday at the ultra-secret National Security Agency, the US electronic spying agency outside Washington, leaving one person injured, officials said. Aerial footage of the scene from NBC News showed a black SUV with numerous bullet holes in its windshield crashed into concrete barriers at the main entrance to the NSA's headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland./ AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB
Aerial footage of the scene from NBC News showed a black SUV with numerous bullet holes in its windshield crashed into concrete barriers at the main entrance to the NSA's headquarters in Fort Meade, Maryland.
The images showed what appeared to be police surrounding a man on the ground in handcuffs.
"The situation is under control and there is no ongoing security or safety threat," the NSA said.
"We can confirm there has been one person injured and we don't know how the injuries occurred," an NSA spokesman told AFP.
The local ABC television affiliate put the number of injured at three and said a suspect was arrested.
The Baltimore office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the investigation, said the incident "has been contained."
A law enforcement source told AFP that it was too soon to know whether the incident was an attack on the facility or otherwise.
They are "still trying to ascertain the facts," the source said.
"The president has been briefed on the shooting at Ft Meade," the White House said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone that has been affected."
'Puzzle Palace'
The NSA is the premier US signals intelligence agency, eavesdropping on electronic communications and hacking computers of US adversaries and suspects worldwide, and also protects US communications and information systems from cyber attack.
The agency was thrust into the spotlight in 2013 when former contractor Edward Snowden leaked details of its global surveillance programs, including its collection of data on Americans.
Its compound, known as the "Puzzle Palace" -- located about 32 kilometers (20 miles) northeast of Washington -- is highly secure.
In March 2015, guards at the NSA gate opened fire on an SUV which did not heed orders to stop, killing the driver and wounding a passenger.
The two involved, it turned out, were men dressed as women who made a wrong turn into a restricted lane and may have refused to stop because, it later turned out, there were drugs in their vehicle.
The leading US spy agencies installed heavy security at their facilities after an assault rifle-wielding man opened fire on cars waiting to enter the Central Intelligence Agency's headquarters compound in McLean, Virginia in January 1993. Two CIA employees were killed and three wounded.
The man, Aimal Kasi, escaped to his native Pakistan and it took US investigators four years to find him. He was eventually arrested and sent back to the United States, where he was convicted of murder and executed in 2002.
In 2016, a man drove his car into a fence gate at the CIA headquarters, claiming he was an agency recruit. He was arrested but was found to be mentally unstable, and only received 30 days in jail and a fine.
There is a plan to attack Taraba in 10 days – Governor
The Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Darius Ishaku, has said there is a plan to attack the state in the next 10 days.
The governor also said the information had been passed to security agencies, adding that he was not aware that any action had been taken.
Ishaku spoke in Jalingo on Thursday when he received members of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party who paid him a sympathy visit on the death of a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Hosea Ibi.
The governor told the PDP delegation, which was led by the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, that peace had become a scarce commodity in the state.
He said, “When I assumed office, I asked my people to give me peace and that I would give development in return. Peace is elusive in Taraba, but we have development. Here I am as a governor with a crown, but without a sword.
“You call police and security agencies for help, they will tell you they need to clear from Abuja before acting. Before you know it, you have lost 100 people.
“When you call for help, the help takes ages to come. We need to restructure the security architecture of this country. You take one step forward as the governor, the almighty Federal Government takes you back 10 miles.
“The police we have can’t help themselves. In 10 days’ time, we will be attacked. Helicopters dropped arms here at night for hoodlums.
“We will talk because if the Federal Government cannot help us, let those who can help us come to our aid.
“Our farmers cannot travel at night with their goods to neighbouring states to sell again. God gave us good land, but we lack common sense.
“I’m talking now since writing has not produced the desired results. Some of these things are not meant to be said, but we will henceforth be talking.”
The governor said, “We buried 63 people at Lau, the same day that Benue State buried 73 of its people. We are in trouble in this country.
“If our voices are not heard in Abuja, they can be heard in Kano, Niger Republic, United States of America and other places.”
Earlier, Secondus said that he and members of his team were in the state to condole with the people on the death of the lawmaker.
He blamed the Federal Government for the insecurity in the country, saying “the first duty of any government is to provide security for its citizens.”
Secondus appealed to members of the National Assembly to investigate those behind the alleged dropping of arms and expose the perpetrators.
He called on the Federal Government to review the country’s security architecture to curb the senseless killings in the country.
The Defence Headquarters, Abuja, which did not say if it received any information from the governor, said the step by Ishaku would cause proactive measures to be put in place.
The Director, Defence Information, Brig Gen John Agim, said, “Informing the defence and the security agencies would enable proactive measures to be put in place.
“The military, being the last line of defence, would require the Commander-in-Chief’s directives to act. For the records, the procedure is for His Excellency to bring such information to the immediate attention of Mr. President and the military would move in if the crisis overwhelms the police.”
But a top source at the Ministry of Defence said he was not aware of such information from the governor.
“There is no such information in the ministry. The governor should help with when such letter was written and to who.”
The Taraba State Commissioner of Police, David Akinremi, denied receiving any information from the governor.
He said, “As far as I am concerned, I have not received any letter from the governor. I am not aware that the governor informed us about any impending attack.”
Osinbajo panel forms committee to meet Miyetti Allah
The Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo committee has set up a sub-committee to interface with members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and other groups with a view to ending killings by herdsmen.
The committee was set up by the National Economic Council to find lasting solutions to increasing cases of killings by herdsmen across the country.
The sub-committee is headed by the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, said this to State House correspondents on Thursday at the end of a meeting of the Osinbajo committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Yari, who is the governor of Zamfara State, said the governors of Plateau and Adamawa states were members of the dialogue committee headed by Umahi.
He said some technocrats would be invited to join the sub-committee in visiting states affected by the attacks.
He said, “In our discussion today (Thursday), we set up a committee headed by the governor of Ebonyi State, while Plateau and Adamawa governors are members.
“We are bringing some technocrats that will visit hot spots’ states like Benue, Taraba, Adamawa and Zamfara where there is crisis so that they can interface with the Miyetti Allah and other groups to see how we can reduce this to the barest minimum.
Yari explained why attacks by herdsmen could not end, saying criminals had turned them to money-making ventures.
“Why we cannot say we will put this matter to rest is because some people have taken it as a money-making venture.
“As a government, we have to take all the measures despite the fact that the army, police and other security agents are on the field at the affected places. But we still have to form this committee to interface with the actors so that this matter can be reduced to the barest minimum and possibly be wiped off,” he said.
Apart from Yari and Umahi, others who attended the meeting were Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa); Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abonu; that of Oyo State, Chief Moses Adeyemo, as well as the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh; and his Interior counterpart, Abdulrahman Dambazau.
Seven killed, others injured in Kaduna attack
Some suspected Fulani herdsmen on Wednesday invaded Kaguru village in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing seven persons, while many people sustained injuries.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the gunmen invaded the village at about 7pm, shot indiscriminately and set houses ablaze.
He said those that sustained injuries were receiving medical treatment in the General Hospital, Birnin Gwari.
It was learnt that the armed gunmen had left before the arrival of policemen.
The eyewitness said, “Fulani herdsmen attacked Kaguru village and killed seven people. They burnt down many houses in the village. The residents ran away to nearby places.
“Many people, including children were injured and taken to a hospital. Before the police came, the herdsmen had left and nobody could find them again.”
Calls put across to the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mukhtar Aliyu, rang out. Also, a text message sent to his mobile had yet to be replied to.
However, a police source told our correspondent that contrary to claim of the villagers, four persons were killed while six people got injured.
Five missing in Nasarawa village
No fewer than five persons from Agbara village in Nasarawa State have been reported missing.
Agbara village is close to Kadarko town, where seven persons were killed on Tuesday.
The PUNCH on Thursday reported the Kadarko town attack, which led to the death of seven persons.
Our correspondent also reported that some other communities were razed by the gunmen.
A relative of one of the missing persons, Mr. Justine Wombu, on Thursday told one of our correspondents his elder brother, Felix Wombu, had not returned home since the day of the Kadarko attack.
He said, “My brother and some persons went to Agbara. We learnt that they were attacked on the way by the gunmen that attacked Kadarko.”
He said five out of the 10 men that went to Agbara escaped, leaving other five who had yet to be found.
“Security agents deployed in Kadarko had combed everywhere to no avail,” he added.
The relatives of other missing villagers said they feared for the safety of the missing men.
But, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kennedy John, said that the command had yet to receive the report of any missing person, adding that investigation into the attack on Kadarko was ongoing.
The names of the missing villagers were given as William Tija, Peter Oryem, Felix Wombu, Zaber Targule, Gboho Uhugwa.
S’West group warns of famine
A socio-political organisation of professionals in the six South-West states, under the aegis of South-West Think Tank, on Thursday said there was a famine looming in Nigeria.
The group said the destruction of farmlands and the fear of farmers to plant due to activities of Fulani herdsmen could cause the famine.
SWETT added that the activities of herdsmen were also “a clear signal that the 2019 general elections could be in danger.”
The group said it was saddening that despite the fact that Fulani herdsmen wreaked havoc almost on a daily basis, the Federal Government had done nothing to check their destructive activities.
A statement issued by its spokesperson, Femi Davies, said since the beginning of the year, the Fulani herdsmen have killed over 100 persons in the country, with Benue State suffering the biggest casualty.
He said, “This government leaves us with no option but to believe that because they are Fulanis and their own man, President Muhammadu Buhari, is in power, they are untouchable.
“Apart from the human losses, famine could be looming in the country with the burning of farmlands and the refusal of farmers to plant again owing to the fear that the criminal elements operating under the guise of being herdsmen could strike at any time.
“This can only portend famine if urgent action is not taken and the perpetrators of this heinous crime brought to justice.”
SWETT also said that with the proliferation of arms and ammunition, it was becoming obvious that 2019 general elections could be in danger.
It said, “The security agencies in the country must find out how these herdsmen come about the sophisticated guns they are using.”
The group also opposed the proposed cattle colonies across the country.
SWETT said, “Our position on this is very clear: no cattle colony will be accepted in the South-West and the Yoruba-speaking states of Kogi and Kwara.”
Stop arming militia groups, IG warns
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has warned state governments and command Commissioners of Police against arming militia and vigilance groups.
He also directed the CPs to monitor the activities of state governments as the 2019 elections approached.
The IG said this on Thursday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during the monthly meeting with Commissioners of Police and other senior officers.
Idris said, “Everybody is aware that political issues are coming up to the fore and I believe as officers, we must gear up in our various locations to ensure law and order all over Nigeria.
“Commands should be very careful about arming militia men or vigilance groups because before a vigilance group is established by a government, there must be a bylaw which must be passed by the House of Assembly.”
The police boss admonished the CPs to study the bylaws and see how they conformed to the constitution and other laws, and cautioned against connivance by the police commands with state governments to arm illicit groups in the country.
He said, “No government in this country has the responsibility to approve prohibited firearms to any Nigerian under any guise.
“I think it is the responsibility of CPs of commands to put a close watch on the activities of some of the governments arming individuals which is against the laws of this country.”
Story by: Olusola Fabiyi, Olalekan Adetayo, Friday Olokor, Adelani Adepegba, Olaleye Aluko, Godwin Isenyo, Umar Muhammed and Justin Tyopuusu
Xi wants 'new level' of China-Britain ties as May visits
Chinese President Xi Jinping waits for British Prime Minister Theresa May (not pictured) ahead of their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on February 1, 2018. Hounded by Brexit rows at home, May met President Xi on February 1 to forge deeper trade ties after Britain leaves the EU. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / WU HONG
Hounded by Brexit rows at home, May is seeking to deepen trade relations with the world's second largest economy as Britain prepares to leave the European Union next year.
The embattled prime minister and senior Chinese leaders championed a "golden era" of relations between their two countries throughout her visit.
But criticism in London over her domestic agenda and her handling of Britain's vexed divorce with the European Union loomed large, prompting her to declare she was "not a quitter" before her arrival on Wednesday.
"As the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union we're going to be more outward looking and looking to enhance our relationships around the world, and this relationship with China is an important part of that," May told state broadcaster CCTV.
May held talks with Xi at the Diaoyutai State Guest House tea after visiting an agricultural sciences academy, later taking part in a traditional tea ceremony with the Chinese leader and his wife Peng Liyuan.
The BBC reported that May, who was expected to raise environmental concerns, would present Xi with a box set of the network's Blue Planet II series, with a personal message from presenter David Attenborough.
"We must strengthen the pragmatism of Sino-British relations in the golden era, and push economic and trade cooperation between the two countries to a new level," Xi said during their meeting, according CCTV.
Xi said the two countries can "develop mutually beneficial cooperation on a wider scale, at a higher level and on a deeper level" though his cherished One Belt One Road initiative.
The massive infrastructure programme is aimed at reviving ancient Silk Road trade routes by building rail and maritime networks across the world.
But the project has spurred both interest and anxiety in many countries, with some saying it mainly benefits Chinese state-run firm and has whiffs of expansionism.
May had said on Wednesday that London welcomes the initiative but she cautioned that the two countries would continue to work together to ensure that the endeavour "meets international standards".
Despite the concerns, Standard Chartered announced Thursday a memorandum of understanding in which the British bank would receive 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) from the state-owned China Development Bank to back Silk Road projects.
'Double-lose result'
May said the two countries would sign nine billion pounds ($12.7 billion) in business deals during her visit.
The two countries agreed new measures to improve access to the huge Chinese market and set up a special panel to explore trade opportunities, she said Wednesday.
Britain runs a 25.4-billion-pound trade deficit with the Asian giant and only 3.1 percent of British exports go to the country, according to Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist at IHS Markit.
Brexit crept into her talks with Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday, though her Chinese counterpart reassured her that their "golden era" of relations would not be affected by London's EU departure.
"As a trade and strategic partner of both Britain and the EU, China certainly hopes that the result (of Brexit) will be good for both sides," said Cui Hongjian, director of the European studies department at the China Institute of International Studies.
"If it comes to a double-lose result, that will be also unfavourable to China," Cui told AFP.
China worries that Britain's EU exit will remove a pro-free trade force from the bloc and give rise to protectionism, he said.
Hong Kong concerns
The British prime minister was also under pressure to address the political situation in Hong Kong and human rights abuses in mainland China.
Chinese authorities have carried out a relentless crackdown on civil society since Xi took office in 2012.
But she had yet to make public statements about either matter during her visit, which ends in the business hub of Shanghai on Friday.
Before her trip the former British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, sent a letter to Downing Street saying the semi-autonomous city, which London handed back to Beijing in 1997, was facing "increasing threats to the basic freedoms, human rights and autonomy".
EU presidency slaps down May on post-Brexit citizens' rights
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May ./ AFP PHOTO / Leon Neal
Bulgaria, which holds the presidency of the EU, warned British Prime Minister Theresa May against plans to deny residency rights to Europeans arriving during the post-Brexit transition period.
Lilyana Pavlova, the Bulgarian minister for the EU Presidency, told AFP that she was "worried" by May's stance and that the other 27 countries would be "tough" in negotiations on Britain's exit in March 2019.
Pavlova a close ally of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said in an interview that she hoped "in the end the support for the citizens will be ranked higher than political ratings."
"European acquis (laws) should be applied in the transition period, it should be followed completely," Pavlova said. "This is not the right way forward if we are not following and we are not completing the EU acquis as it is."
The EU said on Monday that Britain must follow all of the bloc's laws including the right of citizens to live and work where they choose in return for access to the European single market during the proposed transition ending in December 2020.
But May set up a fresh clash after saying that Europeans arriving in Britain during the 21-month transition phase should not get the same rights as those who arrive before Brexit day.
Bulgaria, which heads the EU for six months until June, wanted to protect both Bulgarians living in Britain and Britons living in Bulgaria, "so we are a little bit worried," Pavlova said.
'Tough in negotiations'
The EU wants to finish talks on the transition by the end of March so negotiations on future ties with Britain can start, but has warned that deadline could be pushed back if there is no progress from London.
The Bulgarian minister said Brexit talks were now entering "the most challenging" period and that the EU needed to keep unity.
"Success for us means keeping the unity of the 27, defending the rights, because now Theresa May was very well supported by, for example the United States president in having a tough Brexit," she said.
"We prefer Britain to stay. But if they decide to leave then we will be tough in negotiations," Pavlova added.Pavlova meanwhile said the former Soviet bloc country would push during its first EU presidency for closer relations with six Western Balkan states.
She said they should have "roadmaps" for joining the EU, financial commitments to better road, rail and communications links, and that she hoped Serbia and Montenegro would be able to join by 2025.
But Pavlova said they would not give them "false promises" and urged the Balkan states to meet the EU's requirements for membership.These included resolving all regional disputes before they join, adding "If they want to join the EU, they should not bring new problems to the EU."
President Buhari nominates Edward Adamu as CBN Deputy Governor
CBN
President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Mr Edward Lametek Adamu to the Senate for confirmation as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Adesina stated that the nomination was in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(1) (2) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (Establishment) Act 2007.
The presidential aide revealed that the nomination of Edward as CBN Deputy Governor by the President was contained in a letter dated Jan. 26, 2018, which was addressed to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
According to the statement, Adamu, from Gombe State, replaces Mr Sulaiman Barau, from Zaria, Kaduna State, who retired in December, 2017.
The nominee, who has spent 25 years in the CBN, was appointed in 2012 as Director of Strategy.
He became Director, Human Resources in 2016, from where he was nominated as Deputy Governor.
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In the language of aviation, we often say that old people have already collected their boarding passes and are only waiting for their fli...