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Reps to probe FG's bailout funds to states The House of Representatives on Thursday, resolved to probe issues surrounding bailout funds given to states by the Federal Government. It said that it would set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the terms and conditions of disbursement of the funds. The ad hoc committee, according to the lawmakers, will investigate utilization of the funds, level of compliance with targets and determine the necessity of further disbursement as being planned by the Federal Government. This followed a motion raised under ``Matters of Urgent National Importance’’ by Rep. Sunday Karimi (PDP)-Kogi), which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote. Moving the motion, Karimi said that the need to investigate the disbursement and utilisation of the funds was geared toward ensuring the welfare of citizens in the affected states. He explained that the Federal Government approved and disbursed N689.5 billion to 27 states in July,

President Muhammad Buhari has directed service chiefs and entire leadership of the nation’s Armed Forces to intensify and perfect current strategies and techniques toward curtailing criminalities across the country. The president gave the directive at the grand finale of the 2016 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in Gusau on Thursday. Represented by the Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali, the president said that intensifying current efforts would put an end to all forms of criminalities being perpetrated across the country. Expressing satisfaction with the level of professionalism displayed by the armed forces, he assured Nigerians that the current efforts would yield positive results. He restated his administration's commitment toward enhancing operational efficiency of the Nigerian Armed Forces to effectively discharge their constitutional roles. Buhari said that the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring that the military wa

8 minutes ago   From the section Europe US President Barack Obama visits scene of Bataclan theatre attack in Paris

Norwich 1 Grabban 43′ Arsenal 1 Özil 30′ FT   90  + 4 HT 1-1 29 November 2015 Last updated at 18:58 GMT 1.4K Share Facebook Twitter print By James Gheerbrant BBC Sport Arsenal missed the chance to draw level on points with Manchester City at the top of the table after Lewis Grabban's equaliser earned a point for Norwich. The Gunners were gifted the lead when John Ruddy's poor clearance allowed Alexis Sanchez to set up Mesut Ozil. But the visitors were pegged back by Grabban, who received Robbie Brady's defence-splitting pass and held off the challenge of Gabriel to fire in. Injuries to Laurent Koscielny and Alexis Sanchez deepened Arsenal's woes. Play media Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. We were a bit jaded, says Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger Centre-back Koscielny was forced off in the first half with a hip injur

Fury shocked the boxing world by beating Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday  To  secure the WBA, IBF and WBO belts. But Fury has not forgiven Haye for pulling out of  two scheduled fights  against him in 2013 and causing him "mental and physical torture". "David Haye will never get a fight against Tyson Fury after what he did to me," said the Manchester boxer. "I remember him saying that he'd never give me a payday. Well, the shoe is on the other foot now. "If he gets a mandatory shot with any of the governing bodies, I'll vacate the title. Let him go and fight Fred Flintstone or Joe Bloggs and make no money. "I don't care if he says I can make £10m by fighting him, it's not about money for me. "I knew how much boxers got messed about at the highest level. But there were times [when Haye pulled out of the fights] that I didn't want to box any more. "He is a pretender, a fraud and he is gettin

  From the section Africa Jump media player Media player help Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue. Media caption Pope Francis was greeted with loud cheers at a refugee camp in Bangui Pope Francis, speaking during Mass in the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, has called on fighting factions to lay down their weapons. Instead, he said, they should arm themselves "with justice, love, mercy and authentic peace." Earlier he said he hoped next month's polls in the CAR would open a "new chapter" for the country. CAR has been torn apart by violence between Muslim rebels and Christian militias. It is the pontiff's first visit to a conflict zone and the final stop on his landmark three-nation African tour. Acting President Catherine Samba-Panza has asked him for "forgiveness" for the country's recent religious violence. Image copyright AFP Image caption Cheers sounded in the streets