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Nigeria Accuses Switzerland of Being ‘Accessory’ to Abacha Loot. Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has flayed Switzerland for its role in keeping the infamous Abacha loot and making the process of repatriation of the assets strenuous. The Abacha loot refers to monies believed to have been stolen and stashed in countries and tax havens around the world by late Nigerian ruler, Sani Abacha. Switzerland recently agreed to repatriate a fresh $350 million as part of the Abacha loot in that country. The minister said he was also shocked and angry by the chunk of the money retained by “institutions in Switzerland and lawyers”. Mr Onyeama spoke Tuesday morning at the opening of 2nd International Conference on Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Enhancing Asset Recovery for Sustainable Development. The two-day event is organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), in conjunction with other partners. Mr Onyeama described the a

Biafra: Kanu cries out over Switzerland’s refusal to grant family members visa The younger brother to the elusive leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, has berated the Embassy of Switzerland in Abuja for allegedly denying travelling visa to members of the family, following an invitation by the United Nations, UN, to the 116th United Nations Human Rights Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances. Kanu’s family members were invited by UN as key witnesses of the mass murder allegedly committed by the Nigerian security operatives when the family compound was invaded on September 14, 2017, during the Operation Python Dance ll conducted by the Nigerian Army. Speaking, Kanu said apart from the family, “key IPOB members who witnessed the genocide at Afaraukwu were also denied visas.” In a statement, Kanu accused the Embassy of “conspiracy, collusion and unholy dealings with Abuja to frustrate the family and help the Ni

The draws for the UEFA Champions League play-offs were conducted on Monday morning in Nyon. Two sides entered the stage from the Champions Path, and were joined by the six winners from the third qualifying round. The losers from both paths enter the group stage of the Europa League. Champions Path: Red Star Belgrade/Sparta Prague vs Salzburg/Shkendija Qarabag/BATE vs PSV Eindhoven Young Boys vs Astana/Dinamo Zagreb Malmo/Vidi vs Celtic/AEK League Path: Benfica/Fenerbahce vs PAOK/Spartak Moscow Standard Liege/Ajax vs Slavia Prague/Dynamo Kyiv. The two-legged ties will take place on August 21 and 22, while the second leg takes place a week later on August 28 and 29.

As Absu is set to honour our eminent Governor. Written by: Ahamefula Israel DIGNIFYING A SCHOLAR IN GOVERNANCE: Gov. Ikpeazu's Specimen. Ahamefula Isreal  In the life of every achiever, there are usually two outstanding seasons: the first season is usually that of work, work and work. The other season that follows is usually that of recognitions, awards and rewards. For such great men and women, it might take years of hard work, unalloyed dedication to duty, unparalleled sacrifice for a cause they believe in and an unstoppable drive to lift their people from the doldrums and opprobrium to irreversible stardom, to keep working, sometimes with much fanfare while others may work their socks off silently, unnoticed, and steadily but surely until they achieve their ultimate goal. For the latter, except they have grown the needed thick skin to wade off spanners and cogs that would surely be thrown their way by impatient armchair critics and professional detractors they

 Real Madrid take final decision on Hazard Real Madrid have taken their final decision on Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. New manager, Julen Lopetegui now plans to shape his side around Spanish forward, Isco. The La Liga giants have been heavily linked with a £170million move for the Belgian international, as the player told reporters after the World Cup that he was ready to make the move to the Bernabeu. Chelsea have long been aware of Hazard’s desire to eventually move to the Spanish capital but the Blues also believe they are in a strong position to keep the player. The 27-year-old has two years to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge. AS reports that the Blues’ position has convinced Real Madrid that a deal for Hazard would prove too expensive, and new boss, Lopetegui is now ready to put his faith on Isco instead. That leaves Hazard in a precarious position as Chelsea are determined to extend his deal to make him the highest paid player in their history and also hand hi

Macron Meets Olamilekan, The 11-Year-Old Boy Who Drew Him Within Two Hours The boy, who dreams of becoming like Caprese Michelangelo — an Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance who lived from March 1475 to February 1564 — impressed the French President with his art. Macron is currently ona  visit to Africa. On Tuesday, he was hosted by the Lagos State Government at the Afrika Shrine — a treat he so enjoyed that he took to his official Instagram handle to express his delight. Apparanetly, liked Olamilekan's drawing, as he posted a video of him receiving the portrait with the caption: “Very touched. Congratulations to this young boy!"

PRESIDENT Emmanuel Macron of France Tuesday said that France cannot fix the African problems to them but only the provision of security and good economic base by the African leaders would solve their problems. President Muhammadu Buhari with French President, Emmanuel Macron at the closing ceremony of the 31st Session of the Africa Union Summit today in Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania. #AUsummit He also said that he was concerned on the problem of terrorism and jihadism in the country and that he was commuted to having a strong bilateral relations with Nigeria in the areas of fighting terrorism,, improving the economy, sports and cultural development. This is as Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Macron held bilateral talks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja during which agreements for French assistance totalling $475 million for some projects in Lagos, Kano and Ogun states were sihned. The Lagos deal is a letter of intent for the financing of urban mobility improvemen