FG in dialogue with militants to end bombings Read more:

– The NSCDC commandant, Abdullahi Muhammadu discloses that the federal government is in dialogue with aggrieved militants to get to the root of the problem fuelling the hostilities in the region – Muhammadu says the government chose the option of dialogue with the militant groups in order not to send a wrong signal to the international community on some of the happenings in the country

Niger Delta militants have intensified their bombing campaign on oil facilities in recent times. The commandant general of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, has disclosed that the federal government has begun to dialogue with some aggrieved Niger Delta militants to end the on-going bombings of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. READ ALSO: Militants Kidnap senator in Cross River According to Vanguard, Abdullahi Muhammadu said the federal government chose the dialogue approach to end hostilities with the militants to get to the root of the problem. He said: “The Federal Government has commenced negotiations with some of the aggrieved militants in the region on the need to sheath their swords and embrace peaceful resolutions of all perceived grievances that led to the bombings of oil pipelines in the region. To the best of my knowledge, I think the Federal Government is already negotiating with them. “At the last meeting we had, we discussed at length and very soon all these bombings will come to an end. “The government is trying to negotiate with them with a view to finding out why they are doing it so in order as to get to the root of the problem.’’ READ ALSO: Many feared dead as rival cult groups clash in Ikorodu The NSCDC commandant said the need to avoid sending a wrong signal to the international community on some of the happenings in the country was one of the reasons the government opted for the dialogue approach. “You know we are in a democratic setting, so we have to be very careful of what we do. “ After the first bombing, second bombing and the third bombing, we were sent there and we did our job there to find out some things. “During the period of our assignment, we went on a fact-finding mission and we came back with some facts which I will not disclose to you now. But I am sure it will soon come to an end,’’ he said. Meanwhile, the general overseer of Victory Assembly Ministry (VAM), Bishop Jonathan Eze has warned the Niger Delta militants to stop blowing up oil pipelines or be prepared to face the wrath of God. The Bishop Eze who was reacting to the incessant attacks on oil pipelines by new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) on Thursday, July 7, in Owerri said the avengers are incurring the wrath of God by their activities. The cleric who is also a UN peace ambassador said if the Avengers were aggrieved over any issue, they should address it in a civil manner rather than threaten the country.
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Ajimobi ‘punishes’ schools for protesting against him, here is his declaration

– Governor Abiola Ajimobi is not happy that pupils of some schools in Oyo state protested against his policy on education – The education policy was meant to involve private participation in schools but the pupils believe it is a ploy to privatise them – Ajimobi says the schools remain shut until the schools whose pupils protested tender letters of apology to the government Oyo state’s Governor Abiola Ajimobi has ordered that the schools whose pupils protested against him should remain shut until they tender letters of apology.

File photo of protesting health workers The pupils took part in a protest against a government’s proposed education initiative on June 6 with the impression that the schools had been privatised. They reportedly went on rampage in protest against the state government’s proposed public/private participatory management of schools. READ ALSO: So sad! How police shot three Polytechnic students The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alhaji Abiodun Jimoh, chairman of the National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Oyo state chapter, said this in Ibadan on Thursday after a meeting with the governor. But the government has denied the allegations, saying the initiative was participatory and aimed at boosting the education sector. Jimoh told newsmen that the association had visited the governor to appeal to him to re-open the schools which were shut down by the state government over the incident. Jimoh said the governor had expressed displeasure over the involvement of pupils in the protest adding that he demanded that he would re-open the schools only if the affected institutions submitted letters of apology to government over the unruly behaviour of their pupils. READ ALSO: Aregbesola speaks about Osun hijab crisis He said: “The governor said that the heads of the schools should write letters of apology to the government. “We have promised him that we will meet with the heads of the schools to immediately write the letter in the interest of the pupils. “We are fed up with the strike action and our children staying at home for so long. We want them back in school and for teachers to resume at their duty posts.” Promising that the association would wade into the face-off between labour and government in the state, Jimoh added that the governor had explained to his the agreement reached with labour on the modalities for the payment of salaries to workers.
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EURO 2016 LIVE: France 2 - 0 Germany Read more:

73′ GOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL! Antoine Griezmann makes it two for France. Pogba makes a fine cross, Neuer fumbles it unto the path of the Atletico Madrid striker who taps it in.

 71′ Payet goes off for N’Golo Kante as France make another tactical change.
70′ Mustafi heads wide!
67′ Dmitry Payet with a chance to extend France lead…..he couldnt quite connect well with the ball.
65′ Dmitry Payet goes down the turf; ball accidentally hits his face. France would not want anything to happen to the player at this crucial moment.
 63′ Koscielny heads wide a French corner.
61′ Mustafi replaces injured Boateng as Joachim Low is forced to make a change.
 60′ Jerome Boateng goes down the turf, as the medics assist him off the pitch.
57′ Decent ball across to Hector who couldn’t keep it in. Goalkick France.
55′ Great defending by Koscielny, but referee spots an infringement and awards a freekick to the hosts in their own area.
52′ Crucial defending by Evra to shield Draxler off the ball. It’s a goalkick to France.
 50′ Draxler goes into the referee’s books for a foul on Sissoko.
48′ The French team are desperate for another goal. They know how dangerous Germany could be. He hosts are piling more pressure
. 46′ Second half starts and Olivier Giroud just missed the chance of his life. That was wasteful! HT’ Referee signals the end of the first half and France are 45 minutes away from the final.
45+1′ GOOOOOOAAAAALLLL! Antoine Griezmann scores from the penalty spot. France take the lead.
45′ PENALTY! The German captain shown a yellow for handling the ball in the penalty area.
45′ France have stepped-up their game, navigating the German defense.

Manchester City star discloses a great transfer deal Read more:

– Gundogan has joined Manchester City – The player discloses Manchester United offer – The former Borussia star could become a key part of Pep Guardiola’s plans Manchester City playmaker Ilkay Gundogan has revealed a transfer offer Manchester City have completed the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a four-year deal. Previously, Bild reported that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola met with the agent of Ilkay Gundogan. PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest sports news on Naij Sports App The 25-year-old will spend four years with the Citizens. He said:  “Maybe last year it [a move to United] was close, but not everything happened like I wanted it to. Maybe it was not the right moment and at the end we decided to stay and renew my contract, to extend for one more year.” Gundogan continued: “We always had the conversation with Dortmund and agreed that if I left, I will not leave for free, for zero. So I renewed my contract and now this year everyone is lucky and happy how it came to an end.”

Ilkay Gundogan The former Borussia star says:  “I recognised over the last few months that I needed a change, to start from zero, to prove myself again. Which is why I’m really happy to be here, to have the chance to work with Guardiola and this wonderful club.”
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EURO 2016 LIVE: France 1 - 0 Germany Read more:

60′ Jerome Boateng goes down the turf, as the medics assist him off the pitch. 57′ Decent ball across to Hector who couldn’t keep it in. Goalkick France. 55′ Great defending by Koscielny, but referee spots an infringement and awards a freekick to the hosts in their own area. 52′ Crucial defending by Evra to shield Draxler off the ball. It’s a goalkick to France. 50′ Draxler goes into the referee’s books for a foul on Sissoko. 48′ The French team are desperate for another goal. They know how dangerous Germany could be. He hosts are piling more pressure. 46′ Second half starts and Olivier Giroud just missed the chance of his life. That was wasteful! HT’ Referee signals the end of the first half and France are 45 minutes away from the final. 45+1′ GOOOOOOAAAAALLLL! Antoine Griezmann scores from the penalty spot. France take the lead. 45′ PENALTY! The German captain shown a yellow for handling the ball in the penalty area. 45′ France have stepped-up their game, navigating the German defense. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Griezmann with a powerful shot which sails wide 42′ Poor strike by Oliver Giroud. He got a loose-ball and was through on goal, but Höwedes was swift enough to clear the danger. 40′ Scramble in the box by Pogba who wriggles-down Schweinsteiger; “no penalty” says the center referee. 37′ Great strike by Pogba who whips-in the freekick from about 28-yards-out, Neuer makes another fine save. 35′ It’s a freekick for France at the edge of the German-area as Emre Can is shown a yellow. 32′ The Germans are dictating the pace of this game. Les Blues have been in their own half in the last couple of minutes. 28′ Great run down the middle by Griezmann who gives the ball away cheaply. His pass to Payet was just too much, as ball rolls into touch. 26′ Schweinsteiger tries to curl the ball into the far post, Lloris makes a wonderful save. Brilliant from the goalkeeper.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/883516-france-vs-germany-a-final-in-the-semis-preview.html

Air Force celebrates Eid el-Fitr in Maidugiri, Yola (photos) Read more:

– Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar is showing leadership by example – The CAS was back again in the Northeast yesterday, July 6 to celebrate Eid el-Fitr with troops in Maidugiri and Yola – These routine visits has been part of Air Marshal Abubakar’s itinerary since he assumed office Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar yesterday, July 6 visited the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational areas in Maidugiri and Yola. The CAS visit coincided with Eid-el-Fitr celebration which afforded him the opportunity to feast with troops. The CAS, by this demonstration of commitment, has shown once again that he is both an inspirational leader and a devout Muslim. Air Marshal Abubakar used the opportunity to appreciate the troops for their selflessness and sacrifices. He also conveyed the greetings and well-wishes of President Muhammadu Buhari while urging the troops not to be complacent in carrying out their duties. He reiterated the commitment of the current NAF administration to continue to provide the necessary training, adequate equipment as well as boosts the welfare of personnel and their dependants. READ ALSO: Nigerian Air Force foils Boko Haram ambush, kills 15 terrorists Troops celebrated the Salah midway between brief stay on ground to enjoy the day and getting airborne as fighter jets were scrambled intermittently to undertake strike missions. See photos below:
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Air Marshal Abubakar with other senior officers on arrival in Maidugiri

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Air Marshal Abubakar exchanging pleasantries with other senior officials on ground

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Air Marshal Abubakar meet some of the operational personnel on ground

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The troops feasting with the CAS

Typhoon Nepartak: Taiwan on high alert as storm approaches

Taiwan is bracing itself for the arrival of a vast typhoon, expected to hit the island in the next day.

Thousands of tourists have been evacuated from offshore islands ahead of category five Typhoon Nepartak.

The super typhoon packed winds of up to 263km (163 miles) an hour, some 780km south-east of Taiwan's Hualien city on Wednesday, officials said.

They also warned of the risk of flooding and mudslides as high winds and lashing rains were expected.

"As the typhoon kept gaining strength and approaching Taiwan over the past three hours, the Central Weather Bureau decided to issue a sea warning at 14:30 local time (06:30 GMT)", senior forecaster Chen Yi-liang told AFP.

"Residents must heighten their vigilance."

Around 3,000 tourists have been evacuated from the Green and Orchid Islands, two popular tourists spots off south-eastern Taitung county, said local government officials.

A storm is classed as a super typhoon if it reaches maximum sustained 1-minute surface winds of at least 65 m/s (145mph), the equivalent of a category-five hurricane in the Atlantic basin.

Some 35,000 soldiers have been put on standby, according to the defence ministry.

Transport Minister Hochen Tan also assured citizens that measures have been taken to ensure Taoyuan Airport will not be flooded.

Taiwan is often hit by typhoons, with super typhoon Dujuan killing three people and leaving more than 300 injured in Taiwan in 2015.

In the same year, Typhoon Soudelor killed at least eight people in Taiwan and 21 in China.

The island's rugged terrain, with mountains up to 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) stretching across the territory, increases the risk of flooding and landslides during a typhoon.

Chilcot report: US 'pushed UK into Iraq War too early', says ex-ambassador

The US pushed the UK into military action in Iraq "too early", a former British ambassador to the UN has said in the wake of the Chilcot report.

The long-awaited report said ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair had overstated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein - and military action was not a last resort.

Sir Jeremy Greenstock, UK ambassador to the UN in 2003, said Mr Blair had wanted a UN resolution backing action.

But he told the BBC senior US officials thought it was a "waste of time".

The Chilcot report was published on Wednesday having taken seven years to compile.

Sir John Chilcot - chairman of the the UK's Iraq War inquiry - concluded Mr Blair had sent ill-prepared troops into battle and had "wholly inadequate" plans for the aftermath.

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Media captionSir John Chilcot: "The UK chose to join the invasion of Iraq before peaceful options for disarmament had been exhausted"

The 2003 invasion was not the "last resort" action presented to MPs and the public, he said. adding that there was no "imminent threat" from Saddam Hussein, and the intelligence case was "not justified".

• Tony Blair's Iraq War case not justified
• Chilcot Report: At-a-glance
• Key lines from the Blair-Bush memos
• Q&A: What is the Chilcot report?

Sir Jeremy said he felt Mr Blair had wanted to wait longer before taking military action.

It would have been "much safer" to give weapons inspectors in Iraq another six months to continue their work, he added.

"I felt that at the time, the British felt it at the time, I think the prime minister felt it at the time, that the Americans pushed us into going into military action too early," he told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight.

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Media captionTony Blair expressed sorrow, regret and apology

Mr Blair had wanted to secure a UN resolution before the conflict but US officials were not committed to a resolution, he added.

"The Americans weren't genuine about it - but the prime minister was genuine about it - because he thought there was a chance that Saddam could be made to back down before we had to use military force.

"And George Bush for a while agreed with him. But other people behind George Bush didn't agree with him and thought it was a waste of time."

• Blair sorry for families but defends war
• Kuenssberg: Polite but damning
• Corbyn: Iraq invasion a 'catastrophe'
• Jeremy Bowen: Bitterness in Baghdad

General Tim Cross - the most senior British officer involved in planning the war - said former US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, would not listen either to the UN or the UK about the aftermath of the invasion.

He said the US dismantled the Iraqi army and the ruling Ba'ath party without consultation.

However, the US administrator to Iraq at the time, Paul Bremer, told the BBC's Newsnight that British officials had been thoroughly briefed on the strategy for dealing with the Ba'ath party.

"That particular decision was approved by the president of the United States, the secretary of defence, by the joint chiefs of staff of the United States.

"It was previously discussed by my national security adviser with authorities in London 10 days before it was issued - he received no objections," he added.

Following the publication of the report, Mr Blair said he took responsibility for "mistakes in planning and process" identified by the inquiry.

He said he felt "more sorrow, regret and apology than you may ever know" for the grief of those whose loved ones died.

But he insisted he could look the families in the eye - and the nation - and state that he did not mislead anyone over the invasion, the service personnel did not die in vain, and he was right to do what he did.

A spokesman for some of the families of the 179 British service personnel and civilians killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2009 said their loved ones had died "unnecessarily and without just cause and purpose".

He said all options were being considered, including asking those responsible for the failures identified in the report to "answer for their actions in the courts if such process is found to be viable".

Prime Minister David Cameron, who voted for war in 2003, told MPs it was important to "really learn the lessons for the future" and to improve the workings of government and how it treats legal advice.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - who voted against military action - said the report proved the Iraq War had been an "act of military aggression launched on a false pretext", something he said which has "long been regarded as illegal by the overwhelming weight of international opinion".

Read what Christians did to Muslims in Kaduna yesterday

– Over 1,000 packaged food and drinks were distributed to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), destitute and widows – The Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry of Nigeria also distributed clothes to inmates and IDPs – The merciful gesture was aimed at promoting peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians in the country The Christ Evangelical Intercessory Fellowship Ministry of Nigeria in Kaduna has donated over 1,000 packages of food and drinks to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), destitute and widows to mark Sallah celebration on Wednesday. READ ALSO: Photonews: See who visited President Buhari to celebrate Sallah Pastor Yohanna Buru, the general overseer of the church, has explained the move by sincere desire to promote religious tolerance, better understanding and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. NAN reports that Buru led a team of Christian and Muslim youths to distribute the food and clothes to inmates of Kaduna Central Prison and IDPs at Badarawa, Ungwan Dosa, Barakallau and Rigasa, all located in the northern part of Kaduna metropolis. He said: “We see it as a duty to support our brothers with food so that they can join other Muslims around the world to celebrate Eid-El-Fitr. The bible teaches us to love our neighbours as we love ourselves; as such, as Christian clerics we are simply obeying the teaching of the holy book. This is the fifth year we are distributing food and drinks to the less privilege, inmates and widows during Sallah period as well as donate clothes to orphanages.” READ ALSO: Top most memorable photos of Buhari’s second Ramadan celebration as president (photos) One more cleric, Pastor Maxwell Sanda, has expressed his gratitude to Muslim brothers and sisters who join Christians to celebrate Christmas and New Year. “Today we are here to extend hands of love to the needy and those in distress as God will expect of all humanity,” he said. Mamam Aisha Gamborin Gala, an IDP from Borno state and mother of seven children, thanked the church for its kindness: “No one has brought us food except you. We are grateful and call on good Samaritans in the state to remember us while eating their delicious meal,” she said. READ ALSO: See how IBB and another former head of state celebrated Sallah (photos) The church members also visited Mallam Nigger Skill Acquisition Centre in Rigasa and distributed food to drugs addicts undergoing rehabilitation in the centre

Alton Sterling death: Fresh protests over Louisiana shooting

Hundreds of people have gathered for a second night of protests at the spot where a black man was pinned to the ground and shot dead by police.
Mourners, friends and relatives of Alton Sterling met outside the shop in Baton Rouge where he was killed early on Tuesday morning.
Some demonstrators chanted "Black lives matter" and called for justice.
A second video emerged on Wednesday that showed the altercation between the 37-year-old and two police officers.
It appears to show Mr Sterling being held down and then shot several times, although some shots are heard when the camera moves away from the confrontation.
Seconds later, one of the officers is seen removing an object from the man's trousers as he lies on the ground with blood on his chest.
Police have said Mr Sterling was found to be armed. Officers were initially called because of a 911 report of a man brandishing a gun.
The latest video was provided to the Daily Beast by the shop owner, Abdullah Muflahi, who said it proves the man was no threat to the officers when he was shot.
Why do US police kill unarmed black men?
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When do US police use deadly force?

At the scene: Laura Bicker, BBC News, Baton Rouge
The cry is for "justice". But most of those here say it's not something they expect. They distrust the police, they say they fear all authority and they've gathered at this street corner where Alton Sterling was killed to stand together and say "no more".
They've prayed, they've sung, they've cried and they've danced. An artist has spray painted Mr Sterling's face on the side of the convenience store. Others lit candles and released balloons.
It has been peaceful but there is real anger here and at times almost despair.
It's not just about the death of one man. There are some who feel that the fight for equality might be one that they will never win.

Mr Sterling, a father of five, died at the scene and hours later a video filmed by a bystander and showing his death was released.

Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II were put on administrative leave.

The US Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation and Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has appealed for calm.

About 200 people protested on Tuesday night and on Wednesday there was unrest in Philadelphia where about 75 people blocked a busy road as they protested about the killing of Mr Sterling.

His death follows a long line of high-profile incidents involving African Americans at the hands of the police, igniting a national debate about the lethal use of force.

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