A new video of the factional leader of the Boko Haram terror group, Abubakar Shekau, surfaced online on Thursday, where the fleeing militant leader urged President Muhammadu Buhari to repent while mocking the Nigerian military for claims that it had defeated the terror sect.

In the 25-minute video, released by the Paris-based AFP, Shekau, who spoke in Hausa and Arabic, debunked claims of victory by the military.

The video, which Shekau claimed was made on Christmas Day, had the sect leader and some of his armed-hooded lieutenants with military hardware in the background.

He said the announcement by the military that it had won the war was an excuse for their exhaustion.

Shekau said, “My message is to you Buhari. Your age is up to 72 years, fear Allah. Allah’s Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), while in Medina, wrote letters to leaders.

“There was one who repented and became a Muslim; Buhari, repent. In this old age, you have been tied; if you don’t repent, you will see. Wallahi (By Allah), if you don’t repent, you will see.

“As for you, (Gen.) Kukah Sheka, you are a liar, looking for money under infidels; infidels like you saying you have defeated us.

“Has anyone defeated someone pursuing a religious cause? Our fear is the fear of leaving our ideology, not the fear of anything else.

“You must understand this and stop lying to people. If you have finished us like you said, will you see me like this? You have killed us in your usual bogus way; like someone asked ‘does Shekau have nine lives?’ I have only one life wallahi (by Allah); it is just that my time on earth has not ended.”

While mentioning the Chief of Army Staff by name, Shekau said, “Nothing has happened to us. We are fine, we have not been driven anywhere. Tactics and strategy will not allow us reveal our location unless Allah wills it. Tactics will not allow us, you rely on Europeans as advisers: Germany, America, Italy, Israel, Russia; you boast in them? We boast with Allah.”

He added, “Your soldiers want to rest that’s why they have said they have finished the job. In the near future, we will start (sarcastic laughter); when we start, you will know.

“If you try us, you will see whether or not we are working because the job is for the one who owns the heavens and you are under the heavens.

“First of all, here I am. You want to spend the money given to you by the Germans, now you have not succeeded.

“Playing football and following the constitution, democracy, drumming, singing, dancing, destruction and you think this is how you are going to succeed against us?”

“Remember the past, look at today, tomorrow is not yours, yesterday will tell you about today.”

He expressed displeasure that a respected Kano State Muslim cleric, popularly known as Kalarawi, attended a peace meeting with Christians on Christmas Day.

Shekau accused the cleric of embracing the “white man’s religion.”

In remarks targeted at fellow extremists, he said, “We are the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, (Arabic: People committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s teachings and Jihad).  We are on a Jihad and our aim is to establish an Islamic Caliphate.

“We have our caliphate; we are not part of Nigeria. We are here, our brothers, kill infidels, fight wars, detonate bombs, slaughter; that is how our forbearers – not blood relations, but our religious brothers – that is how they did it.

“This is what I have to say to you, the work is not yet done, there is still work to be done. Before we were born, he knew we will come to do this; we will not leave our religion.”

On claims by the military that it had captured hundreds of the insurgents in Sambisa Forest, Shekau said, “You have not infiltrated us, and it’s a lie that you captured 1,000 of us, that 38 of us surrendered to you; it’s a lie. Prophet Isah (Jesus) is not yours (Christians); you have no affiliation with our mother, Miriam (Mary).

“You (military) said last Friday, you defeated us, for you to enjoy your Christmas? You will not enjoy it. It is me, Abubakar Muhammad Al-Shekawi.”

New video undergoing analysis – Army

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said the new Boko Haram video was undergoing a forensic analysis, adding that the troops were still making concerted effort to clear the hiding places of the terrorists.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Sani Usman, who stated this in a statement on Thursday, said the video clip was a mere terrorists’ propaganda, adding that there was no cause for alarm.

He said, “While effort is ongoing to subject the video to further forensic analysis, the Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate that it has captured and occupied the last known stronghold of the terrorist group in the Sambisa Forest.

“We reassure the public that this video is nothing but a mere terrorists’ propaganda, aimed at creating fear in the mind of people and to remain relevant. Therefore, there is no cause for alarm, more so as concerted effort in clearing the vestiges of Boko Haram terrorists, wherever they might be hiding, is still ongoing.

“Troops deployed in various parts of the North-East have continued to intensify search for all persons associated with Boko Haram terrorist group with a view to bringing them to justice.

“Consequently, the public is hereby enjoined to go about their normal lawful business, remain vigilant and security conscious. They should also report any suspicious person or group of persons to security agencies.”

abb96ebb685ca7f4efadb0d392e4c48c13891692eb494448b3

01:34

The Supreme Court on Friday said it dismissed the appeal of James Faleke of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Kogi governorship elections because the reliefs sought were “aberration, not known to law’’

The court, while giving reasons for its decisions of Sept. 20 on the elections also said that the respective appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Idris Wada failed because it was “frivolous’’.

The apex court panel of seven judges had unanimously dismissed the three appeals, respectively contesting the return of Gov. Yahaya Bello of the APC.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun who read the lead judgment in Faleke’s case said the court dismissed the appeal because the claims by the appellant were not supported by any extant laws.

“This is a simple law. Since the election, had not been completed and the final results issued by the electoral body, Faleke, as a running mate, cannot claim ‎victory in the election,’’ she said.

She held that Faleke was not qualified to benefit the votes the APC scored in the contest before the death of the party’s governorship candidate, Prince Audu Abubakar, because he did not meet the condition precedent.

Kekere-Ekun said that Faleke neither obtained nomination form nor substantively participatedin the APC governorship primaries.

The Judge further said that INEC had already declared the election inconclusive before Audu’s sudden death.

Adducing reasons in support of Bello’s qualification, the Judge held that the Electoral Act gives room for substitutions of candidates on account of either death or withdrawal.

She said the extant law gives powers to political parties to take full charge of the process of selection of candidates for elections, adding that the court lacked the jurisdiction to stop them.

Kekere-Ekun, therefore, held that the substitution of the late governorship candidate of the party with Bello was apt.

“Nothing can be more apt as the governor had fully participated in the governorship primary election of the APC and came second after Abubakar.

“Unlike Faleke who did not meet that condition, but was simply selected to be a deputy governor.

“By virtue of the provisions of Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution it is the political parties that actually contest elections.

“The governor having become candidate of APC, and legally sponsored by the same party can lay claim to the votes scored by the party in the Nov. 21, 2015 poll,’’ she held.

Faleke, the running mate to Abubakar had filed the appeal against Bello’s victory in the Dec.5, 2015 supplementary election.

He urged the court to return him as duly elected on the grounds that the Abubakar/Faleke ticket had already scored the majority votes of 240, 873 in the Nov.21, 2015 governorship election.

He contended that INEC acted in bad faith by declaring the election inconclusive because he (Faleke) should have been declared as governor after the death of Abubakar.

Similarly, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta in his lead judgment gave reasons why the apex court dismissed the appeals by PDP and Wada.

“The testimonies relied on by the appellants relate to qualification of the first respondent (Bello) and his alleged failure to personally nominate a running mate.

“They have also challenged his non-participation in the Nov. 21, 2015 election and the combination of the votes and votes scored by late Abubakar.

“We join the tribunal and the appeal court to hold that the testimonies have no probable value,’’ he held.

Ngwuta further said that the concurrent decision of the two courts below was affirmed because the appellants had not advanced any reason for the apex court to hold otherwise.

“It is my view that the appellants did not prove a ground for this court to interfere with the concurrent findings of the trial tribunal and the court of appeal,’’ Ngwuta held.

The appeals filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Labour Party (LP) on the elections suffered similar fate.

12:16

Pension operators in the country are increasingly getting uncomfortable with the moves being made by the Federal Government to use part of the N5.8tn Contributory Pension Scheme assets to fund infrastructure development and move the nation out of economic recession.

Operators, who spoke to one of our correspondents, said it was wrong for government officials and senators to accuse the administrators of the CPS of holding on to the fund when the economy was going through a difficult time.

They insisted that contrary to that position, the fund was actually not idle.

“Despite the fact that we have been explaining that the fund is not idle but is invested wisely, because it belongs to the contributors and retirees who subscribe to the scheme, it is disturbing that government officials have continued to display their level of ignorance on how the scheme works by demanding that we should release the money to them,” one of the operators, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.

The Director-General, National Pension Commission, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, said on Wednesday that there was a need for the government to provide adequate guarantees to secure investment of the fund in infrastructure.

She stated this at the African Pension Awards, which was organised as part of activities for the World Pension Summit.

There have been calls by stakeholders in the public and private sectors that the fund should be spent on addressing the infrastructural gap in the country.

However, Anohu-Amazu said while the commission was not opposed to the idea of deploying the pension fund for infrastructure, adequate mechanism must be put in place to ensure its safety.

The PenCom DG explained that pension funds alone would not be able to address the infrastructure needs of the country, adding that other sources of funding such as Public-Private Partnership arrangements should be explored.

She said, “Today, pension and social security systems serve as catalysts for generating pool of long term investible funds that can be used to develop necessary ingredients for economic development such as infrastructure.

“Given the current global economic challenges occasioned by the drop in commodity prices, the funds generated under viable pension schemes have become veritable sources of financial intermediation.

“In order to support economic development, it is fundamental that the pension fund is diversified to include investment in identifiable infrastructure, real estate and other key aspects of the real economy.

“In achieving this, pension funds require adequate guarantees by the government, in addition to the development of the enabling vehicles through which the investments will be made.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had warned at the World Pension Summit on Tuesday that while the pension funds could provide the needed funding for developmental projects, caution must be taken in order not jeopardise the objectives of the pension scheme.

Obasanjo, whose administration was instrumental to the establishment of the CPS in 2004, said with the fund rising to about N5.8tn, there would always be the temptation to tamper with it for other compelling needs such as infrastructural development.

He said, “I am particularly happy that what we put together 10 years ago has become so successful that we have well over seven million employees captured from both the public and private sectors, and as you have heard, we have almost N6tn in pension assets.

“I like innovation and I like what you are talking about in the next two days – pension innovations and sustainability – but I will add two things. Your innovation must be with caution.

“When people have to work all the days of their lives that they are strong and they make contributions for their future, we cannot be too adventurous with the so called innovation because when they need the money, the money must be there.”

The former President added, “One of the things that makes me very happy about the pension scheme is that in the last five years or so, when almost anything goes about public funds, the pension fund remains sacrosanct, and I believe that is something we must preserve no matter what we do.

“Our innovation must be with caution and security. We must never reduce trust or eliminate trust from the pension fund. People must have trust that when they require money in their old age, in their retirement, from the money they have contributed, the money will be there.”

Obasanjo added that while he was not opposed to the idea of deploying the pension fund for infrastructure, it must be done in such a way that it would not affect the prompt payment of pensioners who had contributed to the scheme in their active days.

He said the sustainability and integrity of the pension industry was vital as any issue of mistrust from pensioners would lead to its collapse.

The Chief Executive Officer, RiskGuard Africa Nigeria Limited (Pension & Insurance), Mr. Yemi Soladoye, said that pension funds were long-term funds and that part of the reasons for creating them was to finance national development projects.

“As long as the issue of safety and security of the fund is guaranteed, it is okay to borrow the government part of the fund, because that it part of the reasons why we generate long-term funds,” Soladoye said.

He, however, pointed out that the bulk of the fund should be invested in government securities, because it would be safe there except the country was no longer safe for investment.

02:04

Well today marks the launch of the new Cindy  Dreamer Girl novel series
Have a Read of Chapter one two and three and indicate if you would love to have the complete Book.

CHAPTER ONE

FAMILY

I, cindy, 18 years of age. I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but I do know when. Mom and dad used to be very happy, they loved each other so much that among all the families in our street, my parents were the happiest. Dad died 8 years after I was born, he was the best dad ever, with his brown curly hair and beautiful eyes, his hand some look was hard to beat and every other detail sat perfectly on him. Dad was a kind man and all he ever wanted was to keep his family happy. Mom, my sweet mom, my life. Mom loved dad so much and was very devastated when died dad. Mom was a teacher at our school and everyone loved her, I never felt ashamed of her walking by my side into school, and I know, I can never find another like her. Everyone always told me I was a copy of my mom and my ravishing good looks came from her.

Three weeks after my eight birthday in June, dad was heading back home in his car after work from his office. That was when tragedy struck, that cold rainy evening when the clouds were unfriendly and the terrible roaring of thunder from the heavens kept on and on. It got too dark and dad was still struggling to get home as quickly as possible, he didn’t want to miss the family dinner, after all, Uncle Ben and Aunt Tracey were around. No one told him,I wish I did, I really wish I did but I didn’t understand then. Dad smashed into a fallen tree, but that wasn’t it. After that impact his door was stuck, he tried but it never came open. Still in pain, struggling to open that door, he could hear the sound of the truck coming, he knew what was about to happen but couldn’t do anything about it. Dad died a terrible death, his car was smashed by the truck, and it had no breaks. All he did was stare at what was coming from behind till impact. We hardly had anything left to bury. I could have stopped it from happening, but I didn’t, I hate myself.

On that day dad died Uncle Ben and Aunt Tracey were coming to visit. We had just ended the term for holidays, so I was at home. Mom and I went to the store to get groceries and other things we needed for the family dinner by evening. At noon I had just read a novel for kids, one of the issues of Enid Blyton, I was a collector. I slept off on my bed after reading that novel and that was when it came, I had a dream so real, anyone would shiver. I saw dad’s death play out like I was watching a movie, every single detail. When I woke up I was soaked in sweat,I couldn’t believe, I couldn’t understand, I was mute, oh why did I, I didn’t move, all I did was cry, all I did was cry like the little 8year old girl I was, I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t think. All I did was cry, oh, how could I, these memories bring pain to me. Mom came up to check on me, I was still scared and afraid. I laid in my mother’s arms too frightened to speak, all I said repeatedly were the words. ‘I had a dream, dad is at his end, tell dad to come home now’. I was too shocked until uncle ben and aunt tracey arrived. When they got to the house, they and mom came to my room, and I told them I had a dream that dad died on his way home. They all said it was just a bad dream, mom called dad and told him to be careful and to drive safely, she never told him of my dream.

Well, that was when I discovered my gift. Dreamer girl I suppose, but wait a minute, what kind of gift requires you to sleep first and have a nightmare seeing into the future. This isn’t a gift no, it’s a curse, a terrible one. It has shattered my life, these 18 years of my life have been miserable. I’ve seen terrible things happen, prevented very few, and worst of it all, I’ve attended way too many funerals. Funerals of people I don’t even know.  After Dad’s death Mom and I moved to Newyork, she found a new job and buries herself in workload daily. Mom hardly has time for herself.

I live in the dormitory at college now, I only head home on holidays. Guess Mom and I have a strange way of healing. I’ve got very few friends, people don’t hate me but sometimes think I’m weird, guess it hurts them. Having the most, pretty chic in class as a nerd, super smart and still a weirdo. Well, that’s a plus for me ~Winks~ .

Hi I’m cindy, 18, Gregory’s college a student of philosophy and this is, ‘My Life’.

CHAPTER TWO

FRIENDS

Well I’m the smartest in class and I’ve only got three friends. Jessica, Michael and Sophie. Yea, Michael’s my boyfriend don’t know what he likes in me, but I still love him tho. He literally doesn’t leave me alone. I’m a strange person what’s here to love. Michael’s the second smartest in class, he’s cute, fun to be with and absolutely charming, oh yea, I forgot, Michael’s shy and sometimes super quiet. Michael is the kind of guy every girl wishes for, you know sometimes, I can imagine placing him on the wall and just staring at him every day. Mind you he’s mine, and I’m not leaving his side either.

~Cheers~ . Jessica and sophie are my besties, who says you can’t have two besties, I disagree. The truth is, we all know, they’re ladies. There is just so much to say about them, the thought of writing it down on paper gets me scared. Simply put, my friends are super cool.

But, I will mention, sophie has a hot temper tho and when she’s angry we all look for cover ~Literally~. I share the same room with Jessica, she’s cute. Jessica’s too quiet and mostly talks when she has something reasonable to contribute. Trust me, jessica’s a noise maker, only when she’s around us. She’s a keeper of secrets, whatever you do tell her stays with her. As we have it, Michael, Jessica and Sophie are the only ones aware of my gift. Sorry, I mean, aware of this curse, and like I said before I rather not see the future.

CHAPTER THREE

MISS HANNAH

Miss Hannah is our history lecturer, stern but very intelligent. She knows how to carry the class along. She takes her job seriously. Miss Hannah just got divorced, her husband was a drunk, a very violent man and a gambler, guess she had to leave him to stay sane. She had two children, Mark and Annabelle. Love her kids, I once was their nanny, when mum had money issues and couldn’t meet up with some of our financial needs. Miss Hannah wasn’t troublesome and she treated people right. Michael and I had just come back from class, we went to the park to spend some ‘alone’ time. It had really been a while we did that, the semester had been hectic and we almost forgot what fun was. We sat on one of the park seats and it wasn’t long before I slept off on his lap, while he listened to music on his iPod.

I was in Miss Hannah’s house, standing unnoticed. Miss Hannah had just picked the kids from school, gave them lunch and helped them with their assignment, until she got a call on her cell, it was something urgent. She called the nanny to come over as quickly as possible. It didn’t take long and the nanny arrived, she kissed her kids goodbye and left in a hurry. Minutes later, someone came knocking on the door, it was a man, at first I couldn’t make out his face, I walked slowly to the door, it was Miss Hannah’s Ex-husband, he was attempting to come in  and the nanny prevented him from doing so. He pulled out a pistol and the scared nanny backed out, he came in, shut the door and then asked her where his kids were. Immediately she said they were upstairs he hit her with the gun and she collapsed, he slowly dragged her towards the basement, kept her there and locked her in. He called out to his kids, and upon hearing their father’s voice ran down and gave him a hug. He lied to them saying their mother asked him to come take them out for a treat. He packed their small outing bags, and drove off with the kids. This was actually kidnapping, Miss Hannah has a restraining order against him and even the court didn’t grant him custody of those children because Mr Barry was actually capable of selling his own kids for money. At that point, I heard my name being called continuously, I could feel drops of water on my skin, I didn’t understand until….. I opened my eyes it was Michael he kept calling honey, honey, its dripping and then I realized we were going to get wet if I didn’t stand up immediately. I had just woken up, the heavy rain was about to start. We ran into the car and drove to his place. I told Michael about this dream and called the rest of my little team, Sophie and Jessica came over to Michael’s place. I told them what happened, We had to do something about this.

To be continued…….

16:34

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun investigations into the utilisation of N8bn released by the Office of the National Security Adviser for multi-national operations, The PUNCH has learnt.

It was gathered on Thursday that the funds were released in March, 2014 and January, 2015 for counter-insurgency operations across the Nigerian borders.

It was learnt that the investigations were based on the third report of the Presidential Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment in the Nigerian Armed Forces, which was submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari in July.

A source in the commission, who confided in one of our correspondents, said the commission had started tracing how the funds were spent with a view to recovering it.

The Air Vice-Marshal John Ode-led panel had, in its report, stated, “In March 2014, the ONSA made a case for the release of N1,000,000,000 to sustain offensive operations against Boko Haram insurgents across Nigerian borders. Although the amount was approved and released, the committee could not establish the utilisation of the funds.

“Additionally, in January 2015, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs requested N7,000,000,000 to urgently fund operations of the Multi-National Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad, which was approved and released from ONSA. However, the committee could not ascertain the utilisation of the funds from ONSA and the Defence Headquarters.”

The source stated that one of the mandates of the EFCC was to recover all funds diverted in the guise of fighting insurgents.

The source added, “I can assure you that the commission is doing that and those who got funds and could not account for how the money was used for counter-insurgency operations will be quizzed.

“They have to provide documents to prove that the money was used for what it was meant for. The report is not a final indictment, but if they cannot provide documents besides being taken to court, they will refund the money.”

It was learnt that those being investigated on how the funds were spent included a former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.); an ex-Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed; and a former Director of Finance in the ONSA, Alhaji Salisu Shuaibu.

It was also gathered that the EFCC was investigating the abuse of end-user certificates and payments of withholding tax.

According to Wikipedia “an end-user certificate  is a document used in international transfers, including sales and arms provided as aid, of weapons and ammunition to certify that the buyer is the final recipient of the materials, and is not planning on transferring the materials to another party.

“EUCs are required by many governments to restrict the flow of the materials to undesired destinations such as embargoed states or rebel groups, governments with bad human rights records or states, which are considered a threat by the original supplier of the arms.”

The presidential committee had stated in its report, “The Nigerian Army issued several EUCs for the procurement it undertook within the period under review. The authority to issue or raise EUCs is exclusively vested in the NSA.

“The Nigerian Army also made provision for payment of VAT in several of its contract agreements for procurement of military hardware which are exempted from the payment of VAT. On the other hand, the Nigerian Army failed to deduct WHT from source on most of the payments and where made, there were no evidence of remittance to FIRS.’’

The PUNCH had reported that the EFCC had begun investigations into 20 companies indicted in the third arms probe report.

No fewer than six of the companies would pay a total of N2.4bn as withholding tax in connection with defence contracts awarded between 2007 and 2015.

Source:Punch

23:56

Julius Agwu who survived a brain surgery last year was reportedly hospitalized in London recently and was unable to attend his show-‘Crack Ya Ribs’. Julius’ wife Ibiere took to Instagram to confirm that her husband was in the hospital due to stress related issues. She thanked fans and supporters for their love and care.

‘THANK YOU ALL!!! On behalf of my husband Julius Agwu, my children Zahra and Zadok and the entire Reel Laif Entertainment family, I say a big THANK YOU to all that have wished us well; prayed for us and shown concern during the past 96 hours. We thank God for his faithfulness and his restoration power.  

Let me also use this medium to diffuse the fears created by some media outlets that had good intentions but used old pictures from Julius’ May 2015 craniotomy, and many people mistook it for his current situation. The pictures displayed on social media in the past 72 hours are old pictures and do not correctly represent his current situation. 
Julius was admitted due to stress-related issues that necessitated proper rest and rehabilitation. As many of you may already know, he had several shows lined up in the UK during the Nothing hill Carnivals.  By the grace of GOD Julius is doing well and receiving adequate care. 
As you continue to keep him in your prayers, it is our sincere prayer that God will do for you what no man do! Ephesians 6v8.
Thanks and God bless you all. 
Ibiere Agwu.’

14:34

Adesuwa Etomi ,Edo state born & Award-winning actress dazzles in cover photos of myhairmybeautyng magazine.

14:29

The 68-year-old, who replaced Antonio Conte at the national team helm, suffered defeat in his first game in charge to Didier Deschamps' men in an international friendly in Bari

Giampiero Ventura suffered defeat in his first game in charge of Italy as his side slipped to a 3-1 loss at the hands of France in an international friendly on Thursday.

The Azzurri fell behind to an Anthony Martial strike in the first half but replied four minutes later through Graziano Pelle.

However, France restored their lead moments later when Olivier Giroud found the back of the net at Stadio San Nicola in Bari.

And Italy, who handed a senior debut to 17-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma, were unable to rally under new boss Ventura as Layvin Kurzawa wrapped up a morale-boosting win for France on the 81st minute.

More to follow.

14:17

The African Cup of Nations continental football finals will go ahead as scheduled in Gabon despite the wave of riots following president Ali Bongo’s re-election, African football authorities confirmed on Thursday.

“There will be no change, we are following proceedings closely,” African football confederation media spokesman Junior Binyam told AFP.

The 16 nation bi-annual finals are scheduled to take place between January 14-February 5 in Gabon after original hosts Libya were stripped of the competition due to their ongoing civil conflict.

“As things stand the schedule is being maintained,” Binyam insisted. “The draw for the finals will take place at Libreville (on) October 19 as scheduled.”

However, he warned things could change.

“The situation will be debated and evaluated at the annual CAF meetings (in Cairo) between September 21-27,” he explained.

When asked if the finals could possibly be moved in the case of escalated violence, Binyam said: “The time has not yet come to discus that.”

The 2015 edition of the finals also switched venue a mere two months ahead of the finals when Morocco was stripped of hosting rights following its request to delay the tournament due to fears over the Ebola virus.

Those finals were eventually staged on schedule but in Equatorial Guinea, who also co-hosted the 2012 edition with the current 2017 hosts Gabon.

The 32 matches will take place at four venues, two of them in Libreville, one at Franceville and the fourth at Port Gentil.

Overnight riots on Wednesday saw a thousand people arrested after Bongo was declared winner of disputed presidential polls.

Thousands of angry protesters poured onto the streets of Libreville late on Wednesday, accusing the government of stealing the election after Bongo won a second term by a razor-thin margin over rival Jean Ping.

His victory is set to extend the Bongo family’s almost 50-year rule over the small oil-rich nation.

14:14

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he and members of his cabinet are aware of the pains Nigerians are going through.

The President, who said  ‘change’ was aimed at restoring the nation on the path of integrity and prosperity said this in Osogbo on Thursday at the inauguration of the Osogbo Government High School built by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The President urged Nigerians to be patient and persevere while promising that pains would soon give way to development.

He said his administration was working hard to avoid the mistakes of the last administration in tackling insecurity and corruption and to revamp the economy which was badly affected by the drop in the price of oil.

Buhari said, ” We promised Nigerian people positive and progressive change during our campaign. We are not and shall not be deterred from that noble undertaking.

“But as we have learnt from history, change has never been attained by  any nation on a bed of roses, but rather, through patience, perseverance and steadfastness.

“We are quite aware of the pains and inconveniences that have been the lot of the citizenry in the past one year as we strive to faithfully implement our programmes in fulfilment of our change agenda.

“We are however comforted by the real change and progress we have made in fighting corruption and restoring integrity to government; providing security for lives and property; and positioning the government for effectiveness and especially deregulating the oil sector.

“We must also not forget the fiscal discipline that has now characterised government business at all levels. This indeed is how it should be and we are determined to introduce and implement actions and measures that will entrench the change mantra in our individual lives just as we are doing in curtailing excessive waste and rent seeking in governance.

“We are determined to remain on track as we strive to deliver to rescue the country from past mistakes in fulfilment of our promise of improving the conditions of our people and making Nigeria a prosperous country.”

14:12

Fall is arguably the best time to start running. And I might be a little biased — I fell in love with running on a cool October morning in San Francisco's picturesque Golden Gate Park, while running (and walking!) my first half-marathon. Prior to that moment, I hadn't been a "runner"; I could barely maintain a 15-minute-mile pace, which is basically the equivalent of a brisk walk. With these tips and a bit of perseverance, I was able to transform myself from a walker to a full-fledged runner.

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400-Calorie-Burning Walking Interval Workout

Start With a Combination of Walking and Running

Whether you're jogging through your first mile or venturing out on your first long run, don't be ashamed to give yourself a walking break. In fact, you should absolutely being a combination of walking and running when first starting out. It can take a while to build up endurance, especially if this is your first form of cardio exercise. Those walking breaks will make your run more manageable and enjoyable, and you'll be more likely to keep working on your running.

Track Your Progress

When first starting out, download an app to log your runs. Whether you're using a fitness tracker like a Garmin or Fitbit, or just bringing your phone along with you. Tracking your mileage and pace will help you log your ups and downs to see what's working for you and what isn't. It'll also serve as a means of encouragement and inspiration when you start to notice your progress.

12:51

Coach Fernando Santos has left out his captain from the squad for upcoming matches, citing lack of fitness for his decision

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of his country's squad for matches against Gibraltar and Switzerland, with the Real Madrid forward not fit enough to be included.

Ronaldo - who won UEFA's Best Player in Europe award on Thursday - missed pre-season as he was recovering from a knee injury sustained in the Euro 2016 final against France and only recently returned to training.

Joao Cancelo and Andre Silva have been called up to the squad for the first time, while Monaco's Bernardo Silva is recalled after missing Euro 2016, but veteran defender Ricardo Carvalho is omitted and Vieirinha is out due to injury.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said his squad selection has been affected by the "unusual" time of the season for an international break, with a friendly against Gibraltar in Porto on Thursday being used as a warm-up for a World Cup qualifier in Basel five days later.

"The clubs are only just starting their championships and this is an unusual phase of the season," Santos said. "My choice was to maintain the base of the final stages of the European Championship, apart from the ones who are medically not in shape.

"The national team is never closed to any player. There are other options who could be here but aren't today."

Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches has been included in the Portugal squad after recovering from a thigh injury in time to be selected by Santos.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Chelsea), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Cagliari), Cedric (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Joao Cancelo (Valencia), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Luis Neto (Zenit), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Adrien (Sporting CP), Andre Gomes (Barcelona), Danilo Pereira (Porto), Joao Mario (Sporting CP), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich), William Carvalho (Sporting CP)

Forwards: Andre Silva (Porto), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Eder (Lille), Nani (Valencia), Rafa Silva (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).

12:42

Fatih Terim has axed star names such as the Barcelona player and Burak Yilmaz from his squad for games against Russia and Croatia

Arda Turan and Burak Yilmaz are among the big names to have been dropped from the Turkey squad for games against Russia and Croatia.
Turkey were eliminated from Euro 2016 in the group stage and coach Fatih Terim has wielded the axe in response, with Selcuk Inan, Gokhan Gonul, Hakan Balta and Caner Erkin also left out.
Arda was whistled at Euro 2016 by Turkey fans who felt the Barcelona winger's performances were substandard, while Beijing Guoan striker Yilmaz's international career could be over at the age of 31.
Turkey face Russia in a friendly on Wednesday before taking on Croatia in their first qualifying game for the 2018 World Cup.
Among the fresh faces in a squad that does not feature any players over the age of 30 is teenage Manchester City forward Enes Unal, who is on loan at Twente and hit a first-half hat-trick in the Eredivisie last weekend as the Tukkers beat Groningen 4-3.

Turkey squad in full: 
Goalkeepers: Harun Tekin (Bursaspor), Onur Kivrak (Trabzonspor), Volkan Babacan (Basaksehir)
Defenders: Ahmet Oguz, Ahmet Calik (Genclerbirligi), Sener Ozbayrakli, Hasan Ali Kaldirim, Ismail Koybasi (Fenerbahce), Caglar Soyuncu (Freiburg), Serdar Aziz (Galatasaray)
Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu (Bayer Leverkusen), Irfan Can Kahveci (Genclerbirligi), Mehmet Topal, Ozan Tufan, Salih Ucan, Volkan Sen (Fenerbahce), Nuri Sahin, Emre Mor (Borussia Dortmund), Oguzhan Ozyakup (Besiktas), Olcay Sahan (Besiktas), Gokhan Tore (West Ham United), Cengiz Under (Basaksehir)

Strikers: Cenk Tosun (Besiktas), Yunus Malli (Mainz), Enes Unal (Twente).

12:36