UN says bird flu spreading across Africa,Human spilover feared

The U.N.'s food agency has warned that a highly contagious strain of avian flu is spreading across West Africa, decimating poultry farms and stoking fears the virus will jump from birds to humans. Markets and farms in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger, Ivory Coast and Ghana have been hit with the deadly H5N1 virus over the past six months, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said.

Five killed in Nigeria's Damaturu bomb blast

Five people were killed when a vehicle occupied by suicide bombers believed to be members of Boko Haram exploded at a police checkpoint in Nigeria's northeastern city of Damaturu on Monday. The policemen at the checkpoint had stopped the highlander car on suspicions of carrying explosives, according to an eyewitness.

Outcry over National Assembly funds,a blackmail -David Mark

The immediate past Senate President, David Mark, declared on Monday that there was no secrecy in the finances of the National Assembly, because parliamentary practices and procedures dictates that all issues should be carried out in the open. Mark made the clarification while reacting to public outcry over the National Assembly budgets & salaries which many believed are shrouded in secrecy.

Sport News: Leo Messi was paid €3.5m by Ali Bongo For Gabon Visit

With Barcelona flying out to the US for the pre-seaon tour last weekend, Leo Messi made a surprise visit to Gabon, having been given extended holidays by manager Luis Enrique.

Personally invited by Gabonese President Ali Bongo to participate in some symbolic ceremonial events, Messi’s visit has become the source of some controversy.

Messi was invited out to Gabon to lay the first stone at a future Africa Cup of Nations venue, which he did dressed in a casual pair of denim shorts and t-shirt, which rather contrasted with the formal wear of the Gabonese politicians.

But comedic effect aside, the controversy had nothing to do with Messi’s get-up, but the financial reward he earned for the visit: according to France Football, the four-time Ballon D’Or was paid 3.5m Euros by Ali Bongo in exchange for his brief presence on Gabonese soil.

As well as the obscene amount of money paid for a simple visit, the sight of Messi being chauffeur-driven by Bongo around the streets of Libreville did not go down at all well with the local residents.

France Football claim that the entire charade was arranged by Messi’s former teammate Samuel Eto’o, who enjoys a close relationship with Bongo.

NEWS HEADLINES

VANGUARD

*Probe Jonathan, be fair, PDP tells Buhari

*Police shut Enugu church as pastors, supporters engage in free-for-all

*You can't judge Buhari in two months ' Fred Agbeyegbe

*Available natural resources led me into wine production ' Okpala

*Nigeria loses $200m annually in untapped traditional medicine ' Esuleke

*BVN: Central Bank sets up centre in South Africa

*51 mortgage banks fail to meet recapitalisation requirements

*China reveals gold holdings amid investors'doubts

*Foreign exchange risk impacting negatively on FDI

*Stakeholders charge FG on increased revenue

*Akume, Oritsejafor: Lessons from Catholic conspiracy

*Countdown to NCS election: Uwaje shops for N100b to rebuild Nigerian IT ecosystem

*Davido speaks on his controversial 'Fans Mi video

PUNCH

*Future of cashless banking lies in mobile phones 'Ashaye

Naira remains under pressure as MPC meets Thursday

*NICON Insurance gets continental award

Govt support needed to enforce compulsory insurance 'Operator

*Petrol subsidy hits N1.69bn daily

*Residents groan as potholes take over Lagos roads

*Roads: Ogun to compensate demolished property owners

*Kano emir, Sanusi, weeps

*US to trace Nigeria's stolen funds

*Troops clear Maiduguri-Biu road of landmines

*FG okays Brass as oil, gas free zone

*MAN wants CBN's list of imported items reviewed

*Deforestation threatens food production 'NAGGW

*Wike visits CJN twice in one month

*10 feared dead, 15 houses burnt in Nasarawa

*Apologise to Nigerians, APC tells Jonathan, PDP

*Call for unity govt causes disagreement in LP

*Siasia condemns imposition of candidates in Bayelsa

*Defectors to APC are traitors Bayelsa PDP

*Ex-Niger Delta militants groan over unpaid allowances

*We're trailing Enugu royal father's killers 'Police

*Rivers residents decry epileptic power supply, bad road

*Why I don't drive bullet-proof cars ' Fayose

*Buhari's unfortunate economic misstep

*Abia needs N6bn to pay workers salary arrears

*Ex-police chiefs disagree over Buharis security

*Ex-finance director accuses NAFDAC DG of corruption

*Lagos govs wife urges good upbringing for children

*Ignore US on same-sex proposal, cleric urges FG

You' re the baddest entertainer,Don Jazzy tells D'banj

Ace music producer and leader of Supreme Mavin Dynasty, Michael Collins (Don Jazzy) has hailed his former business partner,  Dapo Oyebanjo (D’banj) for the feat recorded at the 2015 MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) held in South Africa, describing him as the baddest entertainer he knows.Don Jazzy was reacting to the MAMA Evolution awards won by D’banj, which the Kokomaster dedicated to the Doroboss

Forgive me for your prison experience,Lamido begs sons.

Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has asked his two sons, Aminu and Mustapha, to forgive him over their prison experience, as he claimed responsibility for their ordeal in the hands of the law. In an interview with VOA Hausa, shortly after his return from Abuja, in company of his two sons, Lamido described his arrest as the beginning of restoration of confidence in political leadership in Nigeria.

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Motivational Monday.....

To recognise an opportunity and use it is the difference between success and failure. - Karl Marx This week, make the most of every opportunity.

Reps Resume,set to boil again:Gbajabiamila will not be Majority Leader-Dogora insists

The House of Representatives is expected to resume on Tuesday after  three weeks break occasioned by the leadership crisis bordering on the sharing of principal offices. But emerging signals indicate that the House will not resume for plenary on the said date as the lingering crisis is yet to be resolved and may now resume on Tuesday, July 28.