Scores Killed As Soldiers Liberate Michika

There are strong indications that the Nigerian Military have over-run
the Boko Haram sect and liberated Michika and Gulak in the Madagali
Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The two towns had been under the control of Boko Haram insurgents
since September 7, this year.

A source, while speaking to correspondents on the telephone, said
following the fierce fighting between the military and the insurgents,
the soldiers crushed the sect and took control of the towns.

According to the source, "I can confirm to you authoritatively that
the military are advancing towards Madagali after taking over Michika
and Gulak."

The source, who spoke from Michika, on Monday, noted that despite the
military bombardment, the insurgents tried to regroup at the
Government Technical College, Michika on Sunday night but they were
dislodged by the soldiers.

Though efforts to get the reaction of the Army Public Relations
Officer of the 23rd Army Brigade Yola, Capt. Nuhu Jabaru, proved
abortive as his GSM line was not reachable, the Adamawa State Acting
Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, confirmed the development.

Fintiri, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Solomon
Kumangar, commended the military for liberating the two local
government areas overrun by the militants in the past one month.

He said the liberation of Michika and the other towns was a welcome development.

Reports indicated that about 200 insurgents had been killed in the
latest offensive as Boko Haram insurgents were forced to beat a
retreat when troops routed them from Michika town.

"The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika and Gulak and are
now fully in control of the towns after they dealt a severe blow to
the insurgents, who lost about 200 members while some escaped with
gunshot injuries," the source said.

He added that the insurgents came through Uba and attacked the
Nigerian troops who had already advanced into Michika but were
repelled immediately.

"The gallant Nigerian soldiers were attacked from behind by the
militants but the soldiers engaged them in a fierce battle for over
five hours and eventually overpowered them," the source said.

However, there are reports that the members of the Boko Haram sect
have launched another attack on some communities in Adamawa State
after they fled Michika.

It was gathered that some of the insurgents evaded the fighter jets of
the Nigerian Air Force and went to hide in two buildings and an EYN
Church but were bombed by the military inside the buildings.

"The Boko Haram today entered Madagali, and Michika, but the soldiers
cleared them; they also bombed the two houses and a church (EYN) where
the Boko Haram went to hide," the source said.

However, the source said that the insurgents moved into the hometown
of the Minister of Youth Development, Alhaji Boni Hanura,
Kuburshawshaw, and killed about 70 people.

The insurgents were also said to have raided two other towns, Watu and
Garta, before they were forced to withdraw in the direction of Gwoza
by troops.

The report was not confirmed.
When PUNCH correspondent contacted the Director of Defence
Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, he said that the Madagali and
Michika axis remained areas of the ongoing military operation in the
North-East.

Kukah Bags 2014 Outstanding African Leadership Award

The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese of the Catholic Church, Rev. Matthew
Kukah, will onOctober 17, beconferred with the 2014 Outstanding
African Leadership Award by Voice Magazine in Amsterdam, The
Netherlands.

This was contained in a letter by the organisation to the Bishop,
which was made available to newsmen in Kadunaon Tuesday.
Already, Kukah is said to have accepted, promising to continue to do
his best to the glory of God and humanity.

The selection committee in the letter, signed by Pastor Elvis Iruh,
who chairs the committee, said, "On behalf of The Voice Magazine and
The Voice Achievers Award Committee, we have the honour to inform you
sir that the Award Committee for 2014 has proudly nominated and
conferred on your person, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the
Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in Nigeria as our 'Outstanding African
Leadership Award winner for 2014′.

"Your selection for this award was a unanimous choice because of your
tremendous contribution to the rebirth and development of the
Christian faith through your commitment to righteousness and
upliftment of social and moral values in our nation and invariably the
continent and the rest of the world. You have taken your Christian
work beyond the shores of Nigeria and it is quite commendable.

"Your effort as a man of God has seen you grown in stature, not afraid
to call a spade, a spade and closely watching over the affairs of the
Nigerian state despite probable risks to your personal life and
safety. The lives of millions of Nigerians matter more to you that
your personal life. You are determined to see a better church, people,
society and country at large."

Kukah, who was born on August 31, 1952, hailed from Anchuna, Zangon
Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Platini Returns $25,000 Watch To FIFA

UEFA President Michel Platini has returned the luxury watch handed out
as a gift before this summer's FIFA World Cup, the UEFA media director
confirmed toDie Welt.

Platini had said last month that he wouldn't return the watch since he
doesn't give back gifts. The FIFA Ethics Committee had a deadline of
October 24 for officials to return their watches or risk facing
disciplinary action.

The watches were originally included in gift bags given to members of
the FIFA Executive Committee, a representative from all 32 teams that
qualified for the World Cup and other South American soccer officials
at the pre-World Cup congress.

While Platini didn't originally plan on returning the watch, he said
he would donate an amount equivalent to the value of the watch to
charity instead. The watches are valued at between $25,000 and
$27,000.

Platini has found himself at odds with FIFA before. He's announced his
opposition to FIFA president Sepp Blatter running again for the
presidency next year and recently called for the report about FIFA's
investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to be
made public.

Fresh Arms Deal: S-Africa Seizes Another $5.7m

Three weeks after South Africa confiscated $9.3m belonging to the
Federal Government over an alleged illegal arms deal, the South
African authorities have seized another $5.7m arms money from Nigeria.

Last month, two Nigerians and an Israeli were arrested at Lanseria
International Airport, Johannesburg, after they attempted to smuggle
$9.3m to South Africa which the Federal Government described as a
legitimate business deal to purchase arms for the Nigerian
intelligence services.

This is just as a statement by PR Nigeria on behalf of the Nigerian
government said the report by the South African newspaper, City Press
on the latest transaction has vindicated the Federal Government's
official position that the deal was legitimate.

Despite explanations by Nigeria, the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa obtained a court
order to freeze the money for allegedly being the proceeds of illegal
transactions.

The latest transaction, according to a South African newspaper,City
Presswas between Cerberus Risk Solutions, an arms broker in Cape Town,
and Societe D'Equipments Internationaux, a Nigerian company in Abuja.

The paper reported that the deal fell apart after Cerberus which had
earlier received R60 million (N1.02 billion) from Nigeria in its
account at Standard Bank, attempted to pay back the money because it
could not resolve its registration formalities with the South African
authorities.

According to the paper, Cerberus was previously registered as a broker
with the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), but the
registration expired in May this year. The marketing and contracting
permits also expired at the same time. The company was said to have
since applied for re-registration, but the application was yet to be
granted and had been in the NCACC's mailbox for more than two months.

Following attempts by Cerberus to pay the money back to the Nigerian
company, the bank became suspicious. The NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit
subsequently obtained a court order in the South Gauteng High Court to
seize the money. Cerberus' attorney, Martin Hood, was said to have
declined to comment on the matter.

In the first arms deal, the two Nigerians and the Israeli national,
Eyal Mesika were arrested after they failed to declare two black
plastic suitcases, filled with 90 blocks each containing US$100,000 in
notes, with combination locks, as well as two pieces of hand luggage
also containing US currency, according toCity Press. The Israeli, Eyal
Mesika, had the combination to open the locks. The men landed at
Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, on September 5 in a
private jet from Abuja.

At the time, the South Africa Revenue Service, SARS, said Customs
officers became suspicious when the passengers' luggage were unloaded
and put through the scanners.

The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, in South Africa said there
was an invoice for helicopters and armaments intended to be used in
Nigeria.

Under South African laws, a person entering or leaving the country is
expected to carry cash not exceeding US$2,300, or the equivalent in
foreign currency notes. The Nigerian government later admitted it was
behind the deal meant to purchase arms with which to fight Boko Haram.

The South African paper said documents in its possession show that the
first consignment was personally signed off by the National Security
Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, who issued the end-user certificate for the
transaction.

An entire "shopping list" was supplied with the certificate, which
included everything from helicopters to unmanned aircraft, rockets and
ammunition, it said.
NPA spokesperson Nathi Ncube said there were no indications that the
two transactions were related, adding that, "both are now the subject
of a criminal investigation and all possible information and
connections are being investigated".

South Africa frustrating Nigeria
Meanwhile, the Federal Government as well as top officers of security
agencies in the country were worried about the increasing trend by
South African authorities to frustrate efforts by Nigeria to acquire
weaponry and equipment needed to contain the deadly Boko Haram
terrorism in North Eastern Nigeria.

This concern came as South African media have published documents
confirming the legitimacy of the $9. 3million botched arms deals
between Nigeria and the former apartheid enclave.

According to sources, government is particularly concerned that South
Africa has remained recalcitrant even after authoritative sources
confirmed that there were official communications at the top level of
the two governments and the South African media have published
documents confirming the legitimacy of the botched arms deals.

Ebola: US Yet To Request For Assistance --FG

Contrary to expectations, the United States is yet to approach Nigeria
for assistance with regards to methods used to contain Ebola THE PUNCH
reports.

The US had last week recorded its first Ebola case in circumstances
similar to the importation of the virus to Nigeria by the
Liberian-born American Diplomat, late Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

Thomas Duncan, the first person to have been diagnosed with Ebola in
the US, is said to be fighting for his life in a hospital in Dallas.

Based on the feat recorded by the Federal Government in the
containment of Ebola in Lagos and Port Harcourt, speculations had been
rife that the US would seek the intervention of Nigeria.

But the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, told THE PUNCH
that US had yet to approach Nigeria for assistance.

His Special Assistant, Media and Communications, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, made
the clarification during an inquiry by our correspondent on Monday in
Abuja.

"As at Friday really, there was no formal request by the United
States, for assistance in the containment of Ebola Virus Disease," he
said.
The Ebola case in US was recorded in Dallas, Texas, and was from a
patient who had reportedly just come back from Liberia.
A statement from the Director of Centre for Disease Control and the
Texas Health Department, Dr. Tom Frieden, last Tuesday said the
patient had been hospitalised while contact tracing had commenced.
The patient had no symptoms when leaving West Africa, but was said to
have developed symptoms approximately four days after arriving in the
US on Sept. 20.
He said, "The person fell ill on Sept. 24 and sought medical care at
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas on Sept. 26. After
developing symptoms consistent with Ebola, he was admitted to hospital
on Sept. 28. Based on the person's travel history and symptoms, CDC
recommended testing for Ebola.
"The medical facility isolated the patient and sent specimens for
testing at CDC and at a Texas lab participating in the CDC's
Laboratory Response Network. CDC and the Texas Health Department
reported the laboratory test results to the medical center to inform
the patient.
"Local public health officials have begun identifying close contacts
of the person for further daily monitoring for 21 days after exposure.
A CDC team was dispatched to Dallas, Tuesday morning.

I Won't Apologise To Mourinho --Wenger

Arsène Wenger has refused to apologise for pushing José Mourinho as
the rival managers were involved in an ugly first-half spat, while
Chelsea were left facing awkward questions themselves in the wake of
this victory over their medical staff's initial assessment of the
severity of a head injury sustained by Thibaut Courtois.

Wenger had been infuriated by Gary Cahill's poor challenge on Alexis
Sánchez on the touchline, a tackle which earned the England
centre-half a caution, and marched out of his own technical area and
across that of his opposite number. Mourinho stood in the Frenchman's
way, ushering him back, with the Arsenal manager pushing him back. The
pair clashed again seconds later with the fourth official, Jonathan
Moss, duly stepping in to separate them and the referee, Martin
Atkinson, subsequently speaking to both.

(Photo: Arsenal Manager, Arsene Wenger (l) and his Chelsea
counterpart, Jose Mourinho in a moment of madness)

There will be no retrospective sanction given the clash was witnessed
at the time but, while the incident merely served to inflame an
already tense occasion, Wenger expressed no regret.

"What is there to regret?" he asked. "I wanted to go from A to B, and
somebody confronted me before B without any sign of welcome. B was
Sánchez, to see how badly he was injured." The Arsenal manager
suggested Cahill's foul was worthy of a red card and, asked what
Mourinho had said to him, added: "Honestly, I don't listen to what he
says. Push him? You would know if I really tried to push [him]. Come
on."

The pair, who share a strained relationship born of regular clashes
since Mourinho arrived in English football in 2004, did not
acknowledge each other on the final whistle, once Chelsea had
reasserted their five-point lead at the top of the table and condemned
Arsenal to a first league loss of the season. "It becomes heated
because it's a big game, big clubs, big rivals, an important match for
both teams," said Mourinho, who has not lost in 12 meetings with
Wenger. "These conditions make a game of emotions. After that,there
are two technical areas. One for me, one for him. He was coming into
my technical area and not for the right reasons, to give some
technical instructions. He was coming to push the referee for a red
card, and I didn't like that.

"But no problem. I think Jonathan Moss did a good job, and Atkinson
too. I've done so many wrong things in football, sometimes due to
emotion, but not this time. This time I was just in my technical area
and it was not my problem. Game over. Story over."

Mourinho was less comfortable discussing the issue surrounding
Courtois, who was floored after sustaining a 10th- minute head injury
when connecting with Alexis Sánchez's right thigh. Two of the home
side's medical staff sprinted on to the pitch to assess the Belgian
and, having examined him for 56 seconds and spoken to the player, were
satisfied the goalkeeper could play on. Yet 13 minutes later he had
sunk to his knee with liquid coming out of his right ear, was
substituted, assessed by a Premier League appointed doctor in the
dressing room and taken to hospital for precautionary tests. It was
later confirmed he had suffered mild concussion and was kept overnight
in hospital for observation.

Chelsea's staff technically followed the new guidelines set out by the
Premier League for this season - Fifa have since stipulated a
three-minute timeout should be taken in such cases to make a more
thorough assessment of a player's state of fitness - with the incident
merely serving to underline how limited the recently adopted measures
are. "He had hospital tests as a precaution," said Mourinho. "But we
think nothing to worry about.

Ubang, C'River Community Where Men, Women Speak Different Languages

Nestled between two mountains in Obudu Local Government Area, Cross
River State, is Ubang community where the female and their male
inhabitants speak separate languages and they understand themselves.
Neighbouring villagers, who know about the extraordinary development
look at the people with a feeling of awe.

Ubang people know how others feel about their wonderful talent and now
and again, they tell their story in a way that makes others green with
envy.

For instance, whenNiger Delta Voicevisited the community, the elders
led by Ogbe Sylvanus Odobi, said God descended on one of the mountains
in the villages of Okiro and stood on the rock at the peak of the
mountain and distributed languages.

"He started with us (Ubang) since it is our mountain that He stood to
distribute the languages and His footprint is still etched on that
rock till today," Odobi flanked by two others, Ochui David and Clement
Obi said.

His words: "It was after God had distributed the languages to the men
and women of Ubang that He discovered that the languages would not go
round the communities if He continued to give each for both sexes and
so He decided to give the other communities one language for both
sexes."

The clan head, Chief Moses Ade, corroborated their story.

No plan to merge languages

Populated by energetic young men and stunning girls, Ubang comprises
of three villages, Okwersing, Ofambe and Okiro, the variances in
language between the male and female folks is what stands the
community out they most and they are quite proud of it.

They boast that God so loved them and except He comes down again to
the spot in the community where He handed them the languages and
directs otherwise, they had no plan to fuse the two languages.

Odobi asserted that right from birth, each child born in the community
knows he or she has to speak the language of his or her sex because
any attempt to learn the language of the other will end in futility.

"If a female tries to speak the language of the male or vice versa,
she will not be able because she will be confused and make a lot of
mistakes," he added.

For example, the men folk call waterAmie, while the female call
itBanu. The verb, 'go,' isMbieby the male, while to the women, it
isUruo. Women call yam,Iri, while men call itKetung.

An elderly woman in the village, Mary Orim, said the words that form
the two languages were given by God, so no one language is superior to
the other and each sex speaks the words allotted to their language
with pride and confidence.

"Why should I speak the men's language after God has considered it fit
to give me my own language? She queried when asked why the women did
not revolt and speak the same language with male counterpart as it is
done in other places.

She toldNiger Delta Voice, "you (reporter) will spend the entire week
here if you decide to write all the words down because nearly all the
words we speak are separate."

Stuffing her nose with snuff from her carefully-held snuff box, she
said, "Women call stone 'koka', while their men call it 'okai, we call
shirt is 'ariga' while men call itNki.

She added: "If a woman, no matter how old, begins to speak like a man,
the women will laugh at her."

Okorocha's Daughter, Nneoma To Wed The Son Of SSG, Uzoma

With exceptional gratitude to God almighty, and with every sense of
humility, we have the pleasure to inform the good people of Imo State
in particular and indeed Nigerians of goodwill that the daughter of
the Executive Governor of our dear Imo State, His Excellency, Owelle
Rochas Okorocha, OON, and his amiable wife, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha,
Miss Uju Vanstasia Okorocha will be wedding Mr Uzoma Tony Anwuka, the
son of the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Prof Anthony
Anwuka this week.

The traditional marriage ceremony will be taking place on Thursday,
October 9, 2014, at Ogboko in Ideato South Local Government, while the
church wedding proper would take place on Saturday October 11, 2014 at
St. Joseph Catholic Chaplaincy, Imo State University, Owerri.

It is a thing of joy and something noteworthy that the people's
governor has given out two of his daughters in marriage to sons of Imo
state, since he became the Executive Governor of the state.

He gave out the first daughter to Chief Uche Nwosu from Nkwerre Local
government Area and has now given out the second daughter to Mr Uzoma
Tony Anwuka, from Oguta local government area. This is a clear
demonstration of an unbridled love for the state and her people.

We wish the governor's daughter, Miss Uju, and Professor Anwuka's son,
Mr Uzoma a blissful wedding.
And we pray that the presence of God would continue to manifest in
their marriage, while we have every reason to say, to God be the
glory.

Sam Onwuemeodo
Senior special assistant on Media, to the Governor

Agbaso Drags Capt Ihenacho To Court Over Libel, Demands N20bn For Damages, Move To PDP Divides APGA In Owerri

A frontline contender for the 2015 Governorship election in Imo State,
Chief Marfin Agbaso is claiming M20 Billion from Captain Emmanuel
Iheanacho, who is also gunning for the same seat, for libel. Sued
along wifh Iheanacho is an Owerri-based newspaper, Weekend Nigeria
Newspoint, its publisher Newstime Publications Limited and its former
acting editor, Emmanuel Iheaka.

Agbaso, who is also asking the Court to order the defendants to issue
a retraction and an apology, claims that Iheanacho validated and
confirmed in the publication a false story earlier carried by another
Owerri based newspaper, National Gazette, that he (Agbaso) demanded Ml
Billion from him (Iheanacho) in order to hand over the machinery of
the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to him (Iheanacho) to
actualize him dream to be governor.

It would be recalled that Agbaso had while denying ever making such
demands on Iheanacho made some statements, which prompted Iheanacho to
sue Agbaso and National Gazette for Ml 0 Billion in Suit No.
HOW/402/2014. The suit is before Hon. Justice Ngozi Ukoha of Owerri
High Court.

When the case came up last Thursday, Chijioke Emeka, a Lagos- based
lawyer representing Agbaso informed the Court of Agbaso's suit in form
of a counter-claim against Iheanacho for re-publishing the libelous
statement that he (Agbaso) demanded money for election tickets in
APGA. The Court granted Agbaso's application to bring the
counterclaim. The case was adjourned to 6th November.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Owerri North Local Government Area Chapter
of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Hon. Evans Mbata and
some of his executives have resigned to join their state leader Chief
Martin Agbaso who moved to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) few days
earlier.

Giving notice of their resignation to ward chairmen secretaries, women
leaders and youth leaders at a meeting held at the party secretariat
Ugwu Awaka on Tuesday, 30th September 2014, they cited the alleged
highhandedness of the present chairman of the party and the
factionalization of the party at the national level as key reasons why
they have to leave for PDP.

Speaking at the meeting, the resigning LGA chairman said his
conscience cannot allow him to continue in office when their state
leader, Chief Martin Agbaso, who suffered to keep the party alive for
years and made it what it is today is being sidelined and disrespected
by persons who have recently hijacked the party and planted barrister
Peter Ezeobi as state chairman.

Hon. Mbata said his decision to resign his office and membership is
irrevocable because things have really gone wrong and made his
continuing in the party inconvenient and unbeneficial. He recalled
that he came into the party because Chief Agbaso prevailed on him to
come over from PDP and help him rebuild the party. According to him,
he had hoped that after rebuilding the party the leaders and members
can collectively go into the 2015 election with one mind and one
voice, regretting that he has become disillusioned by the activities
of new entrants who did not know the history of the party and have now
torn it apart.

He reminded his listeners that party membership is a voluntary thing,
meaning that one can enter and leave a party at any time depending on
his interests. He therefore urged those who still believe that they
can manage and survive in the present APGA to please continue while he
leaves.

Stunned by the said decisions, LGA party leaders present expressed
their disenchantment that their able and resourceful chairman could
decide to resign without first tipping them of his intentions "so that
they can do something about it". They peeped into the party's future
and wondered why the state executives are watching the party slide
into problems without doing anything to arrest the situation. They
also bemoaned the ugly situation now staring them in the face that
their state leader Chief Martin Agbaso has left them for the PDP.

Owerri North LGA officers who announced their resignation at the
meeting were Hon. Evans Mbata (Chairman), Deaconess Bridget Opara
(Treasurer), Pastor Mike T. Ekeocha (Organizing Secretary), Eziada
Franca osuji (Woman Leader), Chidimma Oparaocha, Lolo Celestina
Okorie, Evangelist Barth Odionyemma, Ms. Obiageri Merenini, and Mrs.
Nkiru Nkwopara.

Others were the secretary of the party, Ifeanyi Ikegwu, the publicity
secretary, Larry Opara, and a host of other members.

How I Made Enemies Serving Imo Governor --Uche Ogbuagu Confesses

The former Senior Assistant to Governor Rochas Okorocha on
Entertainment, Hon Uche Ogbuagu, who reportedly resigned from the
position, has revealed that he made more enemies serving Governor
Okorocha than friends which was the major reason why he decided to
resign to save the face he labored to build as a notable entertainer
cum public relations guru.

Hon. Ogbuagu who is presently a Media Executive in the Transformation
Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), also disclosed that he has taken time to
compile all the atrocities going on in the present administration,
including how all the projects from the Federal Government are been
claimed by State Government thereby keeping Imo people in the dark and
preventing them form appreciating the Federal presence in the State as
well as the missappropriation of the funds meant for the development
of the state in his new album which will be released soon.

While chatting with newsmen recently in Owerri, the Public Relations
guru, narrated how his bureau was starved without subvention and how
he ran the office to a great extent with his personal money and yet
achieved what non of his commissioners can achieve.

He also narrated how he alongside Imo State Pioneer Entertainment
Troupe, which he sponsored to the United Kingdom, were humiliated just
for mentioning the name of Governor Okorocha in the diaspora.

Hon. Ogbuagu denied the media report by a state based newspaper that
he was sacked by Governor Okorocha, stating that he dumped, the
present Government because of its insincerity to Imolites, maintaining
that the report emanated from individuals who have run out of ideas
and resorted to blackmailing and damaging propaganda.

The Akabor-born compere cum comedian berated the APC -led Government
in the State over what he described as "Construction of China roads
and life consuming bogus rounderabout projects here and there."

He said, "Nothing about this government is real. Its all about the
more you look the less you see, a government that we tell its subjects
another thing and do another thing. Divert public funds for personal
use, a government where people working under it are suffering, but are
forced to smile".

Speaking further, Hon. Ogbuagu, whose 2011 album titled "OKU Dl OVER"
contributed to the emergence of Governor Okorocha, said he never
believed what he experienced could come from someone who many believe
is a notable philanthropist until he worked under him, calling on
Imolites never to wish for an administration like the present
government ever in the state, vowing to share his experience with
Imolites through his new album, urging Imo people never to relent in
fasting and prayers which according to him is the only miracle that
can rescue Imo from the present unfriendly government come 2015.

Di Maria Voted United's Player Of The Month

Angel di Maria has rounded off an impressive September with a Player
of the Month award at Manchester United.

The club's record signing has already become an influential player for
Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford and was the clear winner of the award
winning 68 per cent of the vote.

Ander Herrera and Rafael were given 23 per cent and 9 per cent of the
votes respectively, but the Argentinian playmaker won the ManUtd.com
online poll.

Di Maria opened his Manchester United account against QPR, before
scoring an early goal of the season contender against Leicester.

"I am very happy to have received the award but I've got to stress
that it's all about the team,' Di Maria told ManUtd.com. I'm happy
that my career here at Manchester United has started very well, and I
hope that what I'm doing out there on the field is helping us to pick
up points and victories."

Ebola: Nurse Infected In Spain

The Spanish health minister has confirmed that a nurse who treated a
victim of Ebola in Madrid has tested positive for the disease.

The nurse is said to be the first person in the current outbreak known
to have contracted Ebola outside Africa.

Health Minister Ana Mato said the woman was part of the team that
treated Spanish priest Manuel Garcia Viejo, who died of the virus on
25 September.

Some 3,400 people have died in the outbreak - mostly in West Africa.

The Spanish nurse is in a stable condition, Reuters quoted health
officials as saying. She started to feel ill last week when she was on
holiday.

The nurse was admitted to hospital in Alcorcon, near Madrid, on Monday
morning with a high fever, Ms Mato said.

Doctors isolated the emergency treatment room.

The infection was confirmed by two tests, the minister said.

Manuel Garcia Viejo died in the hospital Carlos III de Madrid after
catching Ebola in Sierra Leone.

Another Spanish priest, Miguel Pajares, died in August after
contracting the virus in Liberia.

Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of someone who
has the virus and the only way to stop an outbreak is to isolate those
who are infected.

There have been nearly 7,500 confirmed infections worldwide, with
officials saying the figure is likely to be much higher in reality.

Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have been hardest hit.

Celebrations in West Africa for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha are
being badly affected by the Ebola outbreak, with many public places
deserted this weekend.

Earlier health officials said people arriving in the US from
Ebola-affected countries in West Africa could be subject to extra
screening at airports.

But the White House said on Monday it was not considering a ban on
travellers from such countries, according to Reuters news agency.

It comes as the US tries to limit the spread from its first confirmed
case, a Liberian in Dallas.

Thomas Duncan's condition is critical but stable, Reuters quoted
doctors in the state of Texas as saying on Monday.

Nigerian Troops Kill 200 Boko Haram Militants In Michika

There are strong indications that the Nigerian troops have overrun
Michika and Gulak in Madagali Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.

The states had in the past one month been in the hands of the dreaded
Boko Haram insurgents.

A source while speaking to our correspondent on phone said following
the fierce fighting, the military are at the moment comfortably
controlling Michika, which the insurgents seized on September 7, 2014.

The source said, "I can confirm to you authoritatively that the
military are advancing towards Madagali."

The source who spoke from his mountainous hideout in Michika, noted
that despite the military bombardment, the insurgents on Sunday night
re-grouped at the Government Technical College, Michika with the
intention of attacking the soldiers before they were dislodged and
chased away.

Reports indicate that about 200 Boko Haram insurgents have been killed
in the latest offensive, as Nigerian troops take control of the town
and have gained an upper hand in the ongoing war.

The source said, "The Nigerian troops have gained entry into Michika
and Gulak, and are now fully in control of the towns having dealt a
severe blow to the insurgents, as they lost about 200 members, while
some escaped with injuries sustained from gun shots."

Another source from the area said Nigerian troops had earlier met with
a stiff resistance from the insurgents as they advanced towards Gulak
leading to the prolonged gun duel.

The source added that: "There is a heavy fighting between the
insurgents and Nigerian troops as the insurgents are doing everything
to frustrate the effort of the Nigerian troops and many people who
were trapped in the towns are now sneaking out following intensified
fighting."

He added that the insurgents who were in their thousands came through
Uba and attacked the Nigeria troops who had already advanced into
Michika, but were repelled back immediately.

Efforts to get the reaction from the Army Public Relations Officer of
the 23rd Army Brigade Yola proved abortive as his telephone was not
reachable while the police authority refused comment saying it is not
within their area of jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Adamawa State Acting Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has
commended the efforts of Nigerian soldiers to liberate the two local
government areas initially under the grip of the militants.

Imo 2014 Carnival Begins With Funfair

The rescheduled Imo 2014 Carnival, which began in Owerri on Sunday,
would showcase the economic, fun and human development strength of Imo
State, a government official said.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Chairman 2014 Imo
Carnival Committee, Mr Paddy Obinna, also said it would be a period of
self-expression, free flow of dressing and movement.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event took off from the
Owerri Township School while participants marched through the popular
Wethdral Road before converging on the newly constructed Imo Freedom
Square.

Obinna said it would showcase different types of bands including the
free education band (tertiary), youth must work band, friendship band,
new masquerade band, corporate bands, the governor's and Nneoma bands.

Also, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Administration and
Secretary of the Committee, Ms Nkiru Sylvanus, said the committee had
established a carnival village.

Sylvanus said the village would be open to all individuals and
corporate organisations throughout the carnival for the people to
subscribe to it to ensure effective publicity.

NAN reports that the week-long carnival is expected to attract
delegates from more than 16 states and friends from different nations.

It will feature parade of Imo youth/children, Umuada (maidens) and
Umuopara (sons) command performance, contemporary music, upcoming
stars, musical performance, Igbo poetry/folk night, Igbo talk show,
and night of laughter and comedies.

It will be recalled that Gov. Rochas Okorocha had postponed the Imo
carnival, earlier scheduled to begin on May 9, to show sympathy for
the kidnapped Chibok girls.

Okorocha had explained that the decision to shift the festival was
taken at an emergency meeting of the expanded state executive council.

Skye Bank To Acquire Mainstreet Bank For N126bn

Skye Bank Plc has emerged the preferred bidder for Mainstreet Bank
Limited while Cedar One Investment Partners Limited and. Fidelity Bank
Plc emerged as the 1st reserve bidder and the 2nd reserve bidder.

Investigations revealed that Skye Bank bided N126 billion to acquire
the entire issued and fully paid up ordinary shares of the
nationalised Bank.

In a statement announcing this development, Kayode Lambo, Head,
Corporate Communications Strategy & Research, Asset Management
Corpration of Nigeria (AMCON), said, "The Asset Management Corporation
of Nigeria ("AMCON" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce Skye
Bank PLC ("Skye Bank") as preferred bidder; Cedar One Investment
Partners Limited ("Cedar") as the 1st reserve bidder and Fidelity Bank
PLC ("Fidelity Bank") as the 2nd reserve bidder for the acquisition of
the entire issued and fully paid up ordinary shares of Mainstreet Bank
Limited ("Mainstreet Bank") (the "Transaction"). This follows the
receipt of the approval of the Board of Directors of AMCON.

The completion of the Transaction is subject to the fulfillment of the
conditions precedent as stated in the Share Sale and Purchase
Agreement (SPA) to be executed with Skye Bank Plc as well as the
receipt of all required regulatory approvals from the Central Bank of
Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the event that
Skye Bank is unable to complete the Transaction in line with the
payment terms and other provisions of the SPA, the SPA entered into
with Skye Bank would be terminated and Cedar would become the
preferred bidder.

Further, in the event that Cedar is unable to complete the Transaction
in line with the payment terms and other provisions of the SPA,
Fidelity Bank would become the preferred bidder.

This process started with interest shown by 25 parties cutting across
local and international investors. The emergence of Skye Bank, Cedar
and Fidelity Bank as preferred, 1st and 2nd reserve bidders,
respectively, resulted from a rigorous and competitive bidding
process, which was coordinated for AMCON by Barclays Africa Group
Limited and Afrinvest West Africa Limited (Financial Advisers) and
Banwo & Ighodalo (Legal Advisers)."

To consummate its bid, Skye Bank has to pay 20 percent of its bid
figure within 11 days while it must pay the balance of 80 percent
within 21 days after making the first payment.

Mainstreet Bank Limited, arose from the ashes of the former Afribank,
one of the three banks nationalized and sold to AMCON in 2011. The
other two banks were Keystone Bank (offspring of former Bank PHB) and
Enterprise Bank (offspring of former Spring Bank).

Last month, AMCON announced Heritage Investment Services Limited
(HISL) sponsored by Heritage Bank Limited, as the preferred bidder for
Enterprise Bank.