Albania passes law banning sports betting

Albania passes law banning sports betting

Albania’s parliament on Thursday passed a law banning sports betting and other forms of gambling in the country from 2019.

The measure is to tackle addiction among gamblers and match-fixing in sport competitions, while also protecting household finances. The legislation was passed with 75 votes from members of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party. It will force the closure of slot machine parlours, betting shops and all other forms of sports wagering, including via online sites. It will, however, allow gambling at casinos in large hotels and a televised bingo game and national lottery will continue to operate because they have an ongoing concession. Albania’s sports betting industry has grown rapidly in recent decades and has an annual turnover estimated at 700 million euros. It is stoking concerns about its impact on low-income families and the integrity of national sport. Rama, an artist and former basketball player, has led a backlash against the industry. “We are waging a frontal war with the evil entrenched deeply in our society over the years,” he told parliament before Thursday’s vote. The prime minister accused some betting firm owners of having a criminal record and links to organised crime. He said a special task force would be set up to shut down any online gambling sites operating in the country. “They might keep changing sites, and we’ll keep shutting them down,” he said. Representatives of sports betting companies, which had offered to stop advertising and close half of the country’s betting shops to avert total ban, said they would fight the prohibition and seek compensation. “The companies are also evaluating the damages from the unilateral interruption of their license and mulling legal action to recover the damages,” Artan Shyti, the head of a sports betting industry association, said. (Reuters/NAN)

2019: Atiku, Ezekwesili, Duke, others incapable of defeating Buhari-Says Igbokwe

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Ahead of 2019 Presidential elections, spokesman of the All Progressives Congress, APC Lagos chapter, Joe Igbokwe, has said none of the candidates is capable of defeating the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, boasting that his achievements will stand him out among other contestants.

He stressed that since assumption of office, Buhari has continued to improve the standard of infrastructure, tackled corruption for the  general interest of every citizen.

Igbokwe gave the assurance while debunking allegations credited to him that APC will not hand over power to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in 2019 if outcome of the election favoured the opponent.

According to him: “President Buhari as a Democrat, an incorruptible person and an honest man will hand over power to any candidate that wins, but am sure that all these candidates put together can defeat this great man (Buhari), known for honesty and integrity in 2019, all things considered.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/buhari-congratulates-emir-of-zuru-sani-sami-at-75/

“I have no power whatsoever to stop Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from handing over power to any of the candidates out of more than 20 contestants that wins the 2019 Presidential Elections.

“The truth Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and their colonies of unrepentant looters must know is that there are some Nigerians we have sworn never to trust with the keys of the Treasury of Nigeria given the monumental damage they inflicted on the project Nigeria in 16 years. This is the self evident truth they do not want to hear.

“We will not be distracted by the antics and shadow chasing PDP is known for. They sit down to gossip and make all the noise but we do work silently. History will remain our witness in fullness of time,” Igbokwe stated.

2019: Don’t wait until next election to claim your right, group tasks Nigerians

2019: Don’t wait until next election to claim your right, group tasks Nigerians

A Community Life Project Initiative otherwise known as Reclaim Naija has urged Nigerians not to wait until 2019 before they engaged the government to do the required in their locality. ‎

Cross section of grassroots participants at the Town Hall meeting on community participation in budgeting held at Kosofe LGA Speaking

China vows to fight Trump’s tariffs ‘at any cost’

China vows to fight Trump’s tariffs ‘at any cost’

— 6th April 2018

dpa/NAN

China vowed to fight “unilateral U.S. protectionism at any cost” on Friday after President Donald Trump ordered officials to examine posing an additional 100 billion dollars in tariffs on Chinese goods.

“On Sino-US trade, China has made its position very clear. We don’t want a trade war, but we are not afraid of such a war,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce told state-run news agency Xinhua

Senators in tug of war

Senators in tug of war

■ Pro-Senate members move against pro-Buhari group, may suspend 10 soon

FRED ITUA, Abuja (fredo.itua@gmail.com)

Across the globe in modern democracies, face-off between the executive and legislative arms of government is not uncommon. Thus, it is not peculiar to Nigeria. In sane democracies across the world, the legislative and executive arms come into friction from time to time. But at the end of the day, the actors always find a common ground.

Don’t dare us, ipob warns Ohanaeze

Don’t dare us, ipob warns Ohanaeze

■ Threatens bloodbath

■ I don’t want to enter into any crossfire with IPOB –Nwodo

Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka

The war of words between the Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday took a frightening dimension with the later threatening fire and brimstone on the families of President General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo and those of the governors of the five states of the South-East.

Martin Luther King Jr’s family to Nigerians: “Give Buhari time”

Martin Luther King Jr’s family to Nigerians: “Give Buhari time”

NAN

Martin Luther King Jr’s nephew, Isaac newton-Farris Jr, has enjoined Nigerians to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari and give him time to complete the work he has begun in setting Nigeria on the right path, and building a country every Nigerian would be proud of.

Farris made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja after a get together in honour of the visiting Luther family who are in Nigeria

Russia to retaliate as U.S., EU, Canada others expel envoys

Moscow will retaliate against a series of expulsions of Russian diplomats from European countries and response with regard to each case, a source in the Russian Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Monday.

“There will be a mirror-like response. We will work it out in the coming days and give our response with regard to each country,” the source said.

The European Council President Donald Tusk announced that 14 EU member

Benue: We’re disappointed over Buhari’s visit –Tiv leader

Benue: We’re disappointed over Buhari’s visit –Tiv leader

Rose Ejembi, Makurdi

President General of Mdzough-U-Tiv, Edward Ujege has expressed disappointment over the recent visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Benue State. According to him, the expectation of the Benue people that the president, as a father would come and comfort them in their moment of trial was dashed as he (Buhari) refused to address the matters at hand. 

You were one of those who spoke at the town hall meeting held in Makurdi when President Muhammadu Buhari paid a condolence visit to the state. What were your takeaways from that meeting? 

development plan for Anambra

Obiano adopts 50-year development plan for Anambra

… Appoints Special Advisers

Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka 

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has said his government was working on a 50-year development plan that would ensure that subsequent administrations do not derail but queue into the vision of developing the state.

Obiano, who made the disclosure

Why conservatives couldn't care less that Trump may have had an affair with a porn star

• Thomas Farnan, Observer

Stormy Daniels.Joe Raedle/Getty Image

• In this opinion piece, author Thomas Farnan seeks to explain why conservatives don't care about President Trump's alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels.
• He explains that during the Monica Lewisnky scandal, liberals and conservatives generally agreed that infidelity isn't a disqualifier for a president.
• Trump may be unfaithful in his marriages, but he is extremely faithful to his voting basis, Farnan says.

Nigerian government reacts to Bill Gates’ comment on Buhari’s economy

The Federal Government has said that Nigerians misunderstood comments made by Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Recovery Growth plan (ERGP) does not address the needs of the citizens

Buhari tasks Nigerians on road usage

Buhari tasks Nigerians on road usage

Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, charged Nigerians to change their ways in the usage of the nation’s road infrastructure.

President Buhari made the call during a one-day public enlightenment  programme on the developments in the road sector organised by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, in Abuja.

The President said the critical place of

APGA consolidates, as Obiano takes fresh oath

APGA consolidates, as Obiano takes fresh oath

History was again be made this weekend when the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano, will take another oath of office to begin a new era in piloting affairs of Anambra State.

APGA had outlandishly outsmarted 37 other political parties to poll an unprecedented victory in the November 18, 2017 Anambra governorship election, clearing all the 21 councils to retain power in the state.

The new oath of office will mark the beginning of an era of matching expectations with actions in line with APGA’s manifesto. The government will be expected to keep to its campaign promises. And considering the track records of achievements of the APGA-led government in the last 12 years and in line with the governor’s clear vision and pact with Ndi Anambra, Chief Victor Oye, the party’s national chairman say, the people of the state have nothing to worry, as government would meet their yearnings and expectations.

Archbishop’s attack: Imo leaders declare holy war on Okorocha

Archbishop’s attack: Imo leaders declare holy war on Okorocha

•‘You’ve acted like King Saul who tore the robe of Prophet Samuel’

GEORGE ONYEJIUWA and STANLEY UZOARU, OWERRI

The Biblical scene in which King Saul held tightly to the garment or robe of Prophet Samuel (who had come to deliver a divine message on his half-hearted disobedience to God’s commandment to wipe out the Amalekites), until it tore in his hand (1 Samuel 15: 1-27) turned out to be quite a tragic one as it marked the beginning of the end of Saul’s theocratic rule over the nation of ancient Israel.
According to the Biblical account, “as Samuel turned

2019 will make or break nigeria – Prof Ben Nwabueze

2019 will make or break nigeria – Prof Ben Nwabueze

•Igbo presidency, a mirage without restructuring

Elder statesman, Professor Ben Nwabueze has warned that the nation that the much anticipated 2019 elections may not hold if the country is not properly restructured before then.

In this interview with VINCENT KALU in Lagos, he equally opened up on a lot of national issues including how former President Obasanjo doctored the nation’s constitution to create the current problems the country is facing today. He also spoke on the near hopeless situation of the Igbo and the tough conditions through which an Igbo can become Nigeria’s president.

Nigeria doesn’t seem to be working, why?
Nigeria is not working; this is the truth. It is not working because of so many things. The first and foremost is bad leadership, which leads to bad governance. We don’t have the right type of leadership in this country, at least at the present time.
This has worsened since the election of President Muhammadu Buhari; I have made it clearly that I don’t think this man was the right type of leader for this country at this time of our history. What kind of leader do you need to govern Nigeria, which is one of the most complex societies in the world, with over 300 different ethnic nationalities? A team of researchers from the University of Ibadan has identified at least, 300 ethnic groups in the country.

Italy vote shocks EU

        Italy vote shocks EU

The European Union struggled yesterday to absorb the shock of a populist breakthrough in Italy amid fears that the anti-migrant blowback would threaten a post-Brexit reform drive led by France and Germany.

The jolt from Rome came hours after Germany snapped months of political stalemate in Berlin, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel clinching four more years in power on a cautious pledge to help overhaul Europe.

Nigeria’s 2019 general election attracts US attention

Nigeria’s 2019 general election attracts US attention

As Nigeria prepares for the 2019 general election, the United States says it’s major priority now is to see a peaceful transition, as the country occupies a strategic position in Africa.
The US Department of State said this during a background briefing on the first trip of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Africa, monitored by NAN, in New York. Tillerson would meet with Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and other top government functionaries, and also leaders of Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya during his travels

Anambra govt. bans Okada after 7:00pm

Anambra govt. bans Okada after 7:00pm

The Anambra State Government has banned the operations of commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, after 7:00pm across the
state.

The ban, according to Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnacheta, was part of efforts of government to curb resurging crimes.

Announcing the ban in a press statement made available to newsmen, in Awka, on Sunday, the Commissioner noted that there has been a resurgence of armed robbery and other sundry crimes in the State in recent times.

He disclosed that security reports confirm that the hoodlums operate with motorcyclists (Okada).

2019: Change the Change with your PVCs, Rep tells Nigerians

2019: Change the Change with your PVCs, Rep tells Nigerians

A member in the House of Representatives, Omosede Igbenidion, on Sunday, in Abuja, called on Nigerians to register and get their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) ahead of the 2019 election to vote a party capable of entrenching the dividends of democracy, rather than sulk over the biting hardship.

Igbinedion, who represents the people of Ovia North-East and Ovia South-west federal constituency of Edo State, while fielding questions from journalists, said it was time for Nigerians to elect a government that is sensitive and proactive.

“The population of those who can not afford to survive the current situation is huge. Government really needs to take into consideration the average Nigerians