Osama bin Laden’s relatives killed in UK plane crash

Four people have been killed after a private jet crashed in southern England, reportedly including deceased al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s half sister and stepmother.

The private plane owned by the bin Laden family overshot the runway when trying to land at Blackbushe airport in Hampshire on Friday morning. The plane crashed into a car auction site next to the airport.

Migrants ‘attacked’ at sea between Greece and Turkey

Migrants trying to sail from Turkey to Greece are increasingly reporting being attacked by gunmen trying to prevent them from reaching Europe, according to multiple sources.
The reports came as the UN’s refugee agency on Friday said Greece’s infrastructure was falling “far short” of the needs of the 109,000 migrants who have arrived in the country this year, fleeing war, poverty and persecution.

Firefighter dies in battle against California wildfires

A firefighter died while battling one of the 18 large wildfires raging in California, its governor said, declaring a state of emergency.
About 8,000 firefighters have been deployed across the state, said the California National Guard, which has been called into action.
“California’s severe drought and extreme weather have turned much of the state into a tinderbox,” California Governor Edmund Brown said in a statement.

I felt like singing national anthem when Obama called Buhari ‘man of honour’ – Okorocha

By Ameh Comrade Godwin on August 1, 2015@dailypostngr

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has explained why the United States Government did not support the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, especially in its fight against the Boko Haram terrorists.
Okorocha said the US government outrightly snubbed the immediate past administration because it (the US) did not trust Jonathan.
He, however, said the American government had promised to assist Nigeria in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Kaduna refinery begins production

By Ameh Comrade Godwin on August 1, 2015@dailypostngr

The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (KRPC) has began production.

The company now refines about 60,000 barrels of crude per day following the rehabilitation of two of the company’s production lines.

The company said it was at the moment working with a target to release two million litres of petrol daily into the market by October.

PDP workers beg EFCC, ICPC to probe NWC members

By Daily Post Staff on August 1, 2015@dailypostngr

Staff members of National Secretariat of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), want anti-graft ageagencies to probe activities of members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Led by Chairman and Secretary of PDP Staff Welfare, Ngozi Nzeh and Dan Ochu-Baiye respectively, they made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Friday.

Ochu-Baiye, who read the statement signed by 74 staff members of the party, said the call was important before the NWC takes the party to the grave yard.

FG strips Abati, Obua, Adegbe, other Jonathan’s aides of official passports

By Wale Odunsi on August 1, 2015@dailypostngr
More than 12 close aides of former President Goodluck Jonathan have been stripped of their official passports.

They include former Special Adviser to the President on Media Reuben Abati, former Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua, and former Aide-de-Camp, Col. Ojogbane Adegbe.

The decision to withdraw the official passports of the former aides of Dr Jonathan was to prevent misuse and conflict with new aides and officials of President Muhammadu Buhari, who assumed duties on May 29, 2015, Saturday Vanguard reports.

Former Adamawa lawmaker sentenced to seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking

By Ameh Comrade Godwin on August 1, 2015@dailypostngr

A former member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and delegate to the National Constitutional Conference, Honourable Missa Bobbo has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for possession of illicit drugs.

Honourable Justice Balkisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State said the former legislator was convicted for possessing 81.9 kilogrammes of Indian hemp

The Rebellion of the Godsons – 2

DIALOGUE WITH NIGERIA BY  AKIN OSUNTOKUN, Email: akin.osuntokun@thisdaylive.com

“Most Northern elite, the Nigerian oil subsidy barons and other business cartels, who never liked Buhari’s anti-corruption political stance, are quickly backing up the rebellion against APC with strong support. While other position seekers are waiting in the wings until Buhari’s ministers are announced, a large section of the South-west see the rebellion as a conspiracy of the North against the Yoruba.”-  Chief Bisi Akande.

As the Ooni Retires to the Penthouse

Pendulum by Dele Momodu, Email: dele.momodu@thisdaylive.com

Fellow Nigerians, the controversy surrounding the health status of The Ooni of Ife would have been unnecessary if many of us had understood or respected the Ife tradition. Ile-Ife being the cradle of civilisation is steeped in endless myths and the ancient town parades countless pantheons for about 401 deities who are worshipped all year round. Ile-Ife and Benin City cherish their culture and never joke with tradition.