Welcome to Safana's Blog

The US embassy in the Gambia has advised US citizens living in Gambia to leave the country as tension continues to rise following whether Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh will step down this January for the President-elect, Adama Barrow to to be sworn-in as the country’s new President,  Jeffrey Smith, a Gambia-focused analyst, says the advice was given during a town hall-style meeting with the ambassador earlier today Friday.

Some armed herdsmen and farmers in Kankara Local Government Area  of Katsina State have surrendered their arms in a peace and reconciliation move initiated by the local council. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kankara is among the areas that recorded increased cases of clashes between the disputing groups over land encroachment during grazing, cattle rustling or other crime in the state. The acting Chairman of the council, Alhaji Bishir Mashi, disclosed this during the reconciliation meeting on Thursday in Kankara. Mashi said the dialogue was informed by the spate clashes that resulted in loss of lives and properties in the area which he described as detrimental to nation building. He said series of meetings and consultations have been conducted between government officials and the disputing groups at various places and periods. The chairman stressed that based on good understanding and pledges to discontinue the confrontations, they both pledged to surren

Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez has won the Confederation of African Football's player of the year award. The 25-year-old Algerian, who inspired Leicester to the Premier League title, is already the PFA Player of the Year and BBC African Footballer of the Year. Borussia Dortmund's Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was second and Senegal and Liverpool striker Sadio Mane came third. Advertisement Arsenal and Nigeria forward Alex Iwobi won the young player award. Countryman and Manchester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho was in contention for the honour.

US department imposes sanctions on Hamza bin Laden son of late al-Qaeda leader, designating him a "global terrorist". The United States has added the son of the late al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to the US counter-terrorism blacklist, in a move that would keep him from accessing the US financial system. The State and Treasury departments  said  on Thursday they had designated Hamza bin Laden a "global terrorist" who they said had "called for acts of terrorism in western capitals".  Hamza, who is in his mid-twenties, has become active as a member of al-Qaeda since his father's death at the hands of US special forces on May 2, 2011. Egyptian deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri has since taken up the reins of the organisation, but Hamza has also issued audio messages to supporters and was officially named an al-Qaeda member in 2014.  In August 2015, al-Qaeda released an audio message that it claimed had come from Hamza, in which he urged att

Meek Mill  responded to  Nicki Minaj 's breakup announcement with a parting shot at her fashion sense. Burn.  The since-deleted post featured a white shoe and a caption that read: "If you walk out don't wear these they wack...." The sneaker wedge is the same one Nicki wore in the video for Ciara's 2013  breakup anthem, "I'm Out." Gotta say, Meek firing off style jabs doesn't come off as the greatest comeback ... but we suspect there will be more coming.  Nicki beat him to the punch by announcing  the couple's demise  early Thursday morning. They'd been together for almost 2 years.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today January 3, 2017 arraigned one Sule Yusuf Saulawa, a parmanent secretary formally attached to the office of the Deputy Governor of Katsina State before Honourable Justice Sanusi Tukur of the Katsina High Court on a one count charge of Obtaining by False Pretense contrary to section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 . The accused person who is a permanent secretary in Katsina but currently without portfolio allegedly obtained the sum of N2,500,000 ( Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira Only) while he was attached to the office of the Deputy Governor of Katsina State from the complainant under the pretext that the then Deputy Governor’s office would award the complainant a contract for the supply of fertilizer to all the Local Government areas in Katsina State. Saulawa obtained the money under the guise that it is for the purchase of bidding documents. It was further alleged that afte

Two students from Katsina state of Government College Day Wing, Funtua has won a bronze medal at international festival of science and engineering competition in Tunisia. These students according to our sources are: Umar Bala and Jamilu Sagir. It was also gathered that they were fully sponsored by the state government under the leadership of His Excellency the Executive Governor of katsian State RT.HON Aminu Bello Masari, together with their teacher Mallam Yazid Ahmed, and the state JETS club coordinator Alhaji Gambo Yakubu Dan Dume. JETS -Junior Engineers and Technicians Scientists club is a popular club especially among secondary school students in the state as it is one of the most vibrant clubs and societies with presence in almost all secondary schools across the state. KATSINAPOST

The Coalition for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption has called for the immediate impeachment of governor Ayodele Fayose by the National Assembly. According to National Secretary of the coalition, Comrade Audu Joseph, it is pertinent to impeach Fayose over several allegations of corruption and criminal conducts surrounding him. “To the National Assembly, we demand that a declaration of the doctrine of necessity to waive Fayose’s immunity is non-negotiable at this point such that people enjoying immunity can be allowed to answer to criminal charges like the current situation where security funds were embezzled and millions of Nigerians including the armed forces had to pay the supreme price. “In the last quarter of 2016, details emerged of how N4.7 billion naira being part of the stolen $2.1 billion meant for arms purchase found its way into Ayo Fayose’s bank account after the money was ferried across the country in a private jet and bullion vans, according to Obanikoro

Nigerian lawyer and activist Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa , is claiming that President Muhammadu Buhari is seriously ill and his government has been hijacked by a cabal. Adegboruwa made the claim in a statement titled “Nigerians, Arise Now” obtained by DAILY POST. The statement read, “The President is truly and truly sick, to the very point that sickness can be inferred, and this is known to many people around him, but they are denying and “padding” it because of their personal and selfish interests. “It does not gladden my heart to know this, as sickness cannot be a reason to kick against anybody, given that we are all human, but Nigerians have a right to know the true state of health of their leaders, especially the president given the enormous functions and powers attached to his office. He cannot rule us by proxy. “All the so-called international trips and State visits embarked upon by the President so far, were meant to attend to his failing health. The international community

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte expressed regret after his side’s 13-game winning run in the Premier League was ended by a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday. Leaders Chelsea were aiming to become the first team to win 14 successive games in the same English top-flight season, but Dele Alli’s brace of headers stopped them short of the record. Chelsea’s lead over second-place Liverpool remains five points, while Tottenham are now seven points off the pace in third place. “It is a pity to stop this run, but Tottenham is a good team, a really strong team and I think is for sure one of the teams that can fight for the title until the end,” Conte told Sky Sports. “We knew that defeat could happen before the game, but I think today I saw a game with a good balance. They scored a goal at the end of the first half and the second goal in our best moment. “When you concede two goals, for sure you have to improve. My team are top of the table because we are working a lot.

A tourist who tried to have her picture taken with a crocodile in Thailand was injured when the reptile snapped at her when she got too close. On Sunday, Benetulier Lesuffleur, a 47-year-old French tourist, was visiting Thailand’s famous Khao Yai National Park in the western part of the Sankamphaeng Mountain Range. According to Thanya Netithammakul, head of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Lesuffleur approached the pond where the crocodile was located and attempted to take the photo but she tripped. The large reptile then snapped at her when she got too close and bit her leg.  Photos of the scene showed camouflaged park rangers carrying the victim on a stretcher with her knee bandaged. Another photo showed a ranger pointing to a pool of blood while standing next to a sign warning visitors in both Thai and English of a “Danger Crocodile No Swimming.” “She wanted to take selfie with the crocodile who was lying down near a stream,” park offici

 Brazilian midfielder Oscar landed in Shanghai on Monday where the 25-year-old was set to smash the Asian transfer record with a reported 60 million euros ($63 million) deal with Shanghai SIPG. Dozens of supporters chanting club songs swarmed the former Chelsea player at the city’s Pudong airport. Oscar’s arrival in the Chinese Super League comes ahead of that of Argentina’s former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, who signed for Shanghai Shenhua in another big-money deal last week.  Tevez’s transfer fee was 10.5 million euros, according to the website transfermarkt.com, which tracks dealings in the sport, though the reported two-year contract of 38 million euros per season ($40 million) makes him the world’s highest salaried footballer. SIPG’s general manager on Monday dismissed concerns raised by state media of a market bubble in the super-rich Chinese league, arguing prices have to be higher to attract players away from big European leagues. “The league is deve

London (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes his goal-scoring form for Manchester United has forced his critics to eat their words. There were fears that, aged 35, the former Paris Saint-Germain star would struggle to cope with the ferocious pace of the Premier League. But he has risen to the challenge in style, scoring 17 goals in his first 27 appearances for the club to keep United within sight of the Champions League places. “I feel good,” he said in comments published by several British newspapers on Monday. “I don’t know how many years I have left, but I am enjoying the football. “I came to the Premier League and everyone thought it would not be possible, but like always, I make them eat their balls. “It gives me a lot of energy, trust me, because they get paid to talk s*** and I get paid to play with my feet. That’s how I enjoy it. “Every year they (Premier League clubs) have been calling me and it was not feeling good, so I wanted to come when everyone thought I wa

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gave a tetchy television interview to a BBC journalist following his team’s 2-1 Premier League win over Burnley on Monday. City overcame the first-half dismissal of Fernandinho to prevail through goals from Gael Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero, but Guardiola seemed less than impressed. Told by a post-match interviewer that City had won the hard way, Guardiola forced a smile and said: “Yes, that’s true.” Asked for his thoughts on Fernandinho’s dismissal — for a two-footed foul on Johann Berg Gudmundsson — Guardiola responded: “You are the journalist, not me. Ask the referee.” It was the Brazil midfielder’s third red card in six games and will earn him a four-game ban. When it was put to him that Fernandinho might have a disciplinary problem, Guardiola said: “I have to understand the rules here in England. I know you’re a specialist, but I have to understand it.” Guardiola also felt Burnley’s go

Istanbul (AFP) – Former Liverpool striker on Monday signed a three year deal with top Istanbul side Besiktas, the club said in a statement. Former Dutch international Babel, who played for Liverpool from 2007 to 2011, was a free agent after his contract with Deportivo La Coruna expired. Besiktas said he would be paid 1.2 million euros for the rest of this season then 2.1 million euros for the next two full seasons. The Turkish side are looking to make a serious bid to retain their Super Lig title, lying just one point behind pacesetters Basaksehir at the turn of the year.

London (AFP) – Pep Guardiola does not believe his first season as Manchester City manager should be classed as a failure if he cannot guide the team to Premier League glory. Guardiola won the league in his first seasons at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but his City side lie 10 points below leaders Chelsea and in fifth place after Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Liverpool. He does not see winning the league as the be-all and end-all of City’s season, however, and says he is relishing the new challenge of being the hunter rather than the hunted. “We have put a lot of stress about, ‘Oh, if you don’t win the Premier League, that is going to be not a good season’,” he told reporters after the New Year’s Eve defeat at Anfield. “No, in that situation we’re going to analyse what happened at the end of the season, what was good, what was bad. Now it’s just focus on the next game against Burnley. “I was always on top, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. But OK, this is a new chapter in my career as

London (AFP) – Arsene Wenger hailed Olivier Giroud’s stunning strike against Crystal Palace as a work of art and one of the top five Arsenal goals in his 20-year reign.  Giroud’s mid-air back-flicked volley gave Arsenal the lead at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday and set them on course for a 2-0 victory.  The France forward’s sumptuous scorpion-kick goal will undoubtedly rate as one of the goals of the season, but Wenger went one step farther by placing it in the most hallowed of company.  When Arsenal fans talk about the best goals to grace their club’s illustrious history, their thoughts turn to some of the highlights of the Wenger era — Dennis Bergkamp’s majestic strikes against Leicester and Newcastle, Nwankwo Kanu’s outstanding effort against Chelsea and numerous gems from Thierry Henry.  Wenger believes Giroud — who has been on the bench at times this season — deserves his place among those greats. “He transformed that goal into art. It was art because of the surpris

Gary Cahill says record-seeking Chelsea will be focused on winning at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday and nothing else. The Blues won for a 13th straight game on Saturday, beating Stoke 4-2 with Cahill nodding in the opener, and lead the Premier League by six points from Liverpool entering 2017. And after equalling Arsenal’s single-season record, Antonio Conte’s men can draw level on the Gunners’ tally of 14 straight wins (across two seasons) with victory at White Hart Lane. Cahill claims Chelsea’s record bid is not a topic for discussion among the squad and says it is imperative the players maintain the same approach which has proved so successful. “We’re on a terrific run, but we realise it’s a game everyone’s going to be speaking about,” Cahill told Chelsea TV. “It’s not because it’s Tottenham that’s going to change in our preparation, the way we go about things. “It’s going to be exactly the same and we expect exactly the same from each and every player come kick-off t

Katsina state government is to set up a committee to look into the 2016 Hajj operation following several reports of financial misdeeds allegedly perpetuated by officials of the state Hajj Pilgrimage board. Governor Aminu Masari who disclosed this when he received the report of the state Hajj committee said it is disheartening for officials to defraud those entrusted on them while in holy land. According to him, this criminal act will not be allowed as government will ensure all those found wanting are dealt with adding that we will look into it and assure you that people must be made to account for their actions. He said, a new board will be constituted for the board to ensure proper coordination and smooth exercise of 2017 Hajj exercise. Earlier, the chairman of the committee and Bunun Katsina Salisu Shinkafi said the state recorded one dead pilgrim , three serious health condition saying that a strong hajj tribunal in needed for the state to handle hajj related offences.

“Let me make it clear: Most, if not all the reasons advanced for their appeals for me to reembrace my initial position are based on fears of a military confrontation that leads to violence and concerns for an outbreak of war in this peaceful country of ours. A military confrontation with who? Let me make it very clear: That we are ready to defend this country against any aggression and there will be no compromise on this,” he added. “My government insha Allah will never give up for such confrontation, unless we are compelled to defend our sovereignty, independence and dignity. Defending our independence and total sovereignty is scared duty to all patriotic Gambians; more so The Gambia Armed Forces. What is clearly incontrovertible is that the decision of ECOWAS on the current situation to implement the results of the December 1st election by whatever means possible is totally illegal as it violates the principles of noninterference of internal affairs of member states, which is

President Muhammadu Buhari is ostracizing the Igbos with the way he is running the country, former Anambra state governor, Chukwuemeka Ezerife has stated. Speaking in an interview published by Punch, he said Buhari’s statement that he belongs to everyone and no one isn’t true. “Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was president of Nigeria. Was IPOB fighting him? Was MASSOB (Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra) fighting him? Was Biafra being promoted? (Former President Umaru) Yar’Adua was also from the North. (Dr. Goodluck) Jonathan spent over four years as the president of Nigeria. During his time, did you hear of anyone fighting for Biafra? Why is Buhari pushing the South-East out of Nigeria? If one wants to appoint people and they are removed from the offices they are in, does he want to make Igbo traders bankrupt? “Last time, Mr. President said he was coming to Enugu State. He didn’t go, neither did he send a representative or an apology. The President is disdainful of Igbos