Treats malaria, prevents cancer… five reasons to snack on ‘licky-licky’

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State of the nation: Obasanjo is not neutral -Presidency

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Joshua: My uncle predicted Ruiz’s defeat in 2014

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G4N3qf7h8t3JeDboSXc2VQYS1gU5Qcebt6bES34UerHx5SA_qktM9mAlvzf_uuzDzHOnuM8E5Rw3vll08-6zSs436xUZCzkNlhANSHUjOloTpFIIYGQ4zoS_XHT-KGym0WL7ociiV6c/s1600/aj+ruis.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G4N3qf7h8t3JeDboSXc2VQYS1gU5Qcebt6bES34UerHx5SA_qktM9mAlvzf_uuzDzHOnuM8E5Rw3vll08-6zSs436xUZCzkNlhANSHUjOloTpFIIYGQ4zoS_XHT-KGym0WL7ociiV6c/s400/aj+ruis.webp" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Anthony Joshua’s uncle labelled Andy Ruiz Jr as an “upset king” five years ago.<br /> <br /> The British superstar has vowed to bounce back after he was dethroned by the 25-1 outsider in New York on June 1.<br /> <br /> Joshua’s defeat to the 19st Mexican-American came as one of the biggest shocks in boxing history.The Watford bruiser was decked four times before referee Mike Griffin eventually waved the fight off before the end of the seventh round.<br /> <br /> But in 2014, AJ’s uncle predicted that Ruiz Jr would cause a stir in the heavyweight division.<br /> <br /> Speaking on his YouTube channel, Joshua said: “I remember years ago my uncle wrote out a list of all the heavyweights and next to Andy Ruiz Jr he wrote ‘upset king’ believe it or not.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “This was around 2014 he gave me that list.”<br /> <br /> AJ has claimed that he got hit so hard during the fight that he did not know where he was. The former WBO, WBA and IBF champion added: “I couldn’t even really remember where I was at the time but I just knew that I was in for a fight.<br /> <br /> “I knew that I should be here [on the canvas], so I just got to my feet and we went again.<br /> <br /> “Ruiz done well, hit me with a good shot and I just couldn’t recover from it and that was it.”

Latest-News Joshua: My uncle predicted Ruiz’s defeat in 2014

Anthony Joshua’s uncle labelled Andy Ruiz Jr as an “upset king” five years ago. The British superstar has vowed to bounce back after he ...

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Nigerians jittery as Trump begins raid of illegal immigrants

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgN_BJTVXKbgAadeBD95IVvGunRIb6BJFpGj-WARlzI5_kvkhdpKAsauxxSQ66Xu_yPMrGlzE9C1u2lcJXYOWyDGGFkNPgJOG8kyiN-nT-hFLiHFd1KLIJr6wGsfigx3xYIGpGBaXTJA/s1600/trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgN_BJTVXKbgAadeBD95IVvGunRIb6BJFpGj-WARlzI5_kvkhdpKAsauxxSQ66Xu_yPMrGlzE9C1u2lcJXYOWyDGGFkNPgJOG8kyiN-nT-hFLiHFd1KLIJr6wGsfigx3xYIGpGBaXTJA/s400/trump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> There are indications that some Nigerians may be affected in the ongoing raids on undocumented aliens ordered by the United States President, Mr Donald Trump.<br /> <br /> The raids, being carried out by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, began a few days ago.<br /> <br /> The New York Times reported that ICE commenced the arrests of potentially thousands of undocumented immigrants on Sunday.<br /> <br /> The development has led to apprehension among legal and illegal foreigners including Nigerians living in the US and Nigeria.<br /> <br /> It reported that ICE agents were targeting at least 2,000 immigrants for deportation across 10 major cities and could also sweep up immigrants who were not the initial targets.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The NYT recalled that Trump had on June 17 tweeted that the following week, ICE would begin removing “millions” of undocumented immigrants from the US.<br /> <br /> But on June 22, he said he would hold off for two weeks.<br /> <br /> However, indications emerged on Thursday that the raid had begun in the planned cities with so many undocumented foreigners staying away from work.<br /> <br /> Besides, it was learnt that a few Nigerians had already been invited for questioning by the immigration authorities.<br /> <br /> A resident of Texas, who craved anonymity, said her Nigerian neighbour was invited for interrogation but was quick to add that most Nigerians in the US were documented.<br /> <br /> “The raid is principally targeted at undocumented immigrants who crossed the border from neighbouring Mexico. Those being targeted already have court-sanctioned removal orders. Any other deportation outside this is viewed as collateral.<br /> <br /> “Some Nigerians who did asylum but failed have been issued removal order. My Nigerian neighbour was arrested and detained last week. I also understand that some others have been interrogated in their homes,” she said.<br /> <br /> Further findings revealed that residents of Houston, Texas, were apprehensive as ICE agents began raid on undocumented aliens.<br /> <br /> A resident told Saturday PUNCH that most places where illegal aliens work were deserted on Thursday, while streets were scanty.<br /> <br /> The raids, which will also focus on recent arrivals to the country, are slated for Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco, according to a CNN report.<br /> <br /> New Orleans is also on the list, but the city tweeted last week that US ICE said it would suspend operations through last weekend in areas hit by Tropical Storm Barry, which weakened to a tropical depression Sunday.<br /> <br /> The response of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.

Latest-News Nigerians jittery as Trump begins raid of illegal immigrants

There are indications that some Nigerians may be affected in the ongoing raids on undocumented aliens ordered by the United States Preside...

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Abolish herdmen’s North-South movement, Ganduje tells FG

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bC6WXg8kQVqUkcqGSQZuYQNQSvMoj4euT6SkZgBzGKUKLsT1MONkM1I_yPI9D5zor5s39zapGCMyavonPSvu3NMSPPE4OjrjFzRM6kFRBE3V-fs5KaXRR_-rmyVQTFKYs7WApOFH838/s1600/Ganduje-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bC6WXg8kQVqUkcqGSQZuYQNQSvMoj4euT6SkZgBzGKUKLsT1MONkM1I_yPI9D5zor5s39zapGCMyavonPSvu3NMSPPE4OjrjFzRM6kFRBE3V-fs5KaXRR_-rmyVQTFKYs7WApOFH838/s400/Ganduje-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on the Federal Government to abolish the movement of herdsmen from the northern to the southern part of Nigeria in order to curb farmer/herders clashes.<br /> <br /> Ganduje, however, said that the Ruga settlement was the only way to address the crises occasioned by the movement of herdsmen in the state.<br /> <br /> The governor said that the settlement programme was a must for the state and had been fully embraced by his administration as the only way to reduce the concerns raised, Channels TV reported on its website on Friday.<br /> <br /> “The Federal Government should abolish the movement of herdsmen from the northern part to the southern part of Nigeria because that creates a lot of problems and the only way to do it is the Ruga issue.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “This settlement is a must and to us in Kano State, it’s a task that must be done, because we must improve the quality of lives of the herdsmen so that they become full Nigerians and behave like any other good Nigerian, so that the conflict we are having all over the country can be reduced and, at the same time, they can improve the way they breed their cattle,” Ganduje was quoted to have said in an interview with the TV station.

Latest-News Abolish herdmen’s North-South movement, Ganduje tells FG

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on the Federal Government to abolish the movement of herdsmen from the northern to the ...

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Yari reveals Obasanjo’s obsession that made him write letter to Buhari

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Buhari shows outrage as two teachers rape blind students (VIDEO)

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How Nelson Mandela stopped Obasanjo’s third-term ambition

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Olakunrin gave her best to humanity – Tinubu

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bu7lfoMUopSdvt468g8hjyXLnwwO4hMQlEhMhhsJw3PXnIKKjX41a9qpiFBmVWKbr6TBMn4z6amqXaWVYLJi6NBbPUM0Carv-dvh18iPoowFUELXay7akRmmXkUNnW8ypPE_FzLRfn0/s1600/Olakunrin-Tinubu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bu7lfoMUopSdvt468g8hjyXLnwwO4hMQlEhMhhsJw3PXnIKKjX41a9qpiFBmVWKbr6TBMn4z6amqXaWVYLJi6NBbPUM0Carv-dvh18iPoowFUELXay7akRmmXkUNnW8ypPE_FzLRfn0/s400/Olakunrin-Tinubu.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  has described late Mrs Olufunke Olakunrin, the daughter of Chairman of Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, as someone who gave her best to the humanity and worthy of emulation.<br /> <br /> The former Governor of Lagos State said this at the commendation service and a night of tribute held in her honour at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, urging Nigerians to emulate her virtues<br /> <br /> Olakunrin was killed by gunmen in a kidnap attempt, between Kajola and Ore along Ondo-Ore Road last week, when she was travelling to Lagos.<br /> <br /> Tinubu in his tribute said the attackers of the deceased were wrong thinking they killed Funke Olakunrin, adding that ‘her spirit continues to reside with us and make us better’.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to him, Olakunrin was closer to the ordinary people than the rich and the mighty, noting that she did her best to better lives of those who came her way.<br /> <br /> He said the deceased was full of compassion and quick to forgive those who crossed her path.<br /> <br /> “To know Funke is to know an exceptional human being. All who encountered Funke attest to her goodness, her nobleness, and decency. She cared for the poor more than she cared for the rich. She tended to be weak more than to be strong and mighty. She gave more than she took and laugh more than she cried.<br /> <br /> Her actions showed her motivated by her concerned her words to those who are of compassion or not. The person she came to be, will be an honour to her parents and the entire family.<br /> <br /> “This bright star was taken from us in the most terrible way. Her lost cut us deeply and make the world darker. Those who know Funke and the charity of her soul would know that Funke will advise us not to be sad and even forgive those who took her from us. She will tell us not to carry hatred in our hearts because hate destroys yet she would also want her assailants to be captured and delivered unto justice, not so much in vengeance but so that they will not repeat their crime and bring unto another family the sorrow we share here today.<br /> <br /> “The is the kind of person she was and we must share this ideal so that we may continue to give meaning to the life of this great woman. In the spirit of Funke, let those who love peace regardless of the religion or tribe or political affiliation pin hands so that what we can do all we can to put an end to such criminality in our society. So that our women and children may travel this nation free of fear.<br /> <br /> “Funke and I shared what I believed an exceptional friendship. We regularly exchanged ideas and advised, we could get on the phone with each other and speak for hours about everything from politics to family matters. I was enriched by her word of advice and encouragement. I shall miss our talks and care that animated from this human who I considered my sister.<br /> <br /> “I pray that the Almighty God will give the family and the father the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”<br /> <br /> Speaking, Pastor Tunde Kolade said the late Olakunrin did not die in vain, noting that all must make their paths clean.<br /> <br /> “We should be prepared to meet our maker. Those of us who are still alive still have every opportunity to change in order to occupy the mansion our Lord has prepared for us.<br /> <br /> “It will not be healthy for us to suffer here and suffer after we quit this vicinity. We must strive to do what is good and godly because nobody knows when the trumpet will blow,” he said.<br /> <br /> Present at the event were Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel; Afenifere chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo; former Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Akin Osuntokun; Mr Femi Fani-Kayode; APC chieftain, Pius Akinyelure; Hon. Jide Benson and others.

Latest-News Olakunrin gave her best to humanity – Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  has described late Mrs Olufunke Olakunrin, the dau...

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FIFA, others pay tribute to Mikel Obi after retirement

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uywGqGE9l5yohEEaTz51ag6crsPgHkkjoEoBZjvEv0xf8lSzmcMumipg3dHMKjl04MRS08lE2KzXPxKhxQ-SB8XGTrNgauhqJluQxoDF0bRnlNhkIagBpMDYsMboqZVvdpja9bNP_v8/s1600/john-obi-mikel-nigeria-2018-world-cup_cg3t118ndqyc1qxhh30pmrki7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uywGqGE9l5yohEEaTz51ag6crsPgHkkjoEoBZjvEv0xf8lSzmcMumipg3dHMKjl04MRS08lE2KzXPxKhxQ-SB8XGTrNgauhqJluQxoDF0bRnlNhkIagBpMDYsMboqZVvdpja9bNP_v8/s400/john-obi-mikel-nigeria-2018-world-cup_cg3t118ndqyc1qxhh30pmrki7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Following Thursday’s announcement by Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, of his retirement from international football, tributes have continued to pour in for him, including from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, the sport’s international governing body.<br /> <br /> The 32- year-old midfielder made 89 appearances for his country between 2005 and 2019, scoring six times.<br /> <br /> Paying tribute to the Nigerian legend, FIFA, on its Instagram page, said, “Super Eagles legend, Mikel Obi, who played at the 2014 and 2018 world cup finals – has announced his retirement from international football. Congrats on an amazing Nigeria career!”<br /> <br /> Others who also praised the footballer for his dedication to his career included famous Nigerian historian, Max Siollun, who said on Twitter, “Congrats to him on an excellent international career. He has been an excellent servant to Nigeria’s Super Eagles for over a decade. Played at World Cup, Olympics and won the AFCON. Not much left for him to do at the international level.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “He received a call that his father had been kidnapped and still went on to play and represent Nigeria with everything he had. John Mikel Obi retires from the national team,” Oseni also said on Twitter.<br /> <br /> In his tweet, praising the football legend, Collin O.  said,  “A legend and a patriot. John Mikel Obi has paid his dues. Happy retirement to the Nigerian maestro.”<br /> <br /> Knoxtainment said, “For everything you have given to Nigeria and Nigerians, thank you, John Mikel Obi. Happy retirement from international football.”<br /> <br /> Mikel, who has just signed for Trabzonspor in Turkey, had already told BBC Sport that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt would be his last appearance on the continental showpiece event.<br /> <br /> “At the age of 32, it’s time for me to retire from the national team and let the youth take over, (sic) who’ve done an amazing job securing a bronze medal at AFCON 2019,” he wrote on social media.<br /> <br /> “Egypt is a country where I’ve started and have finished my national career. In 2006, I played my first official championship for my country. The 2019 African Cup of Nations marks my last championship for the national team with Super Eagles.”<br /> <br /> His expected decision comes despite Coach Gernot Rohr saying Mikel could guide his young team for a few more years in their quest to reach the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.<br /> <br /> “My national career started in 2003 under 17 World Cup and I’m grateful to the national team for placing me on the world arena and giving me an opportunity to show my skills and have an incredible national and international career,” Mikel added.<br /> <br /> “Thank you to all my Nigerian supporters and to my country for all the trust, support and love you’ve shown me over the past 15 years.”<br /> <br /> Mikel played for Nigeria in the past two World Cups and helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He was part of the team that finished third at the 2006 and 2010 Nations Cups.<br /> <br /> He made two appearances for Nigeria at the ongoing tournament in Egypt as the Super Eagles sealed a third-place finish on Wednesday.<br /> <br /> A finalist with the youth side at the under-20 World Cup in 2005, the former Chelsea player won the silver ball as the tournament’s second-best player behind Argentina’s Lionel Messi.<br /> <br /> He was also one of Nigeria’s three over-age players as the African side won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.<br /> <br /> It’s been said that Nigerians are so industrious that they can be found in almost every country in the world. In these countries, they have come to hold quite important roles in their different spheres of lives. Football is not left out in this as several Nigerians have dominated and are still dominating popularly clubs. John Michael Nchekwube Obinna, popularly known as Mikel Obi, is one of such gifted Nigerian stars.

Latest-News FIFA, others pay tribute to Mikel Obi after retirement

Following Thursday’s announcement by Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, of his retirement from international football, tributes have continu...

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Miyetti Allah to herdsmen: Defend yourselves against ethnic militia groups

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby_5J62E1FKMkOgzYquxtkHdq3RpbaHgGKvi1CeXp88d3RwnMSRauDD5nc0YyYNa4XpA8Lnbh-pvGhWB7Ev_VnTMi98sd-vxvlQCZh1cIbNQtfW-20ngOVXlTZPTViM7L8VAror8pDAk/s1600/herdsmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="696" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby_5J62E1FKMkOgzYquxtkHdq3RpbaHgGKvi1CeXp88d3RwnMSRauDD5nc0YyYNa4XpA8Lnbh-pvGhWB7Ev_VnTMi98sd-vxvlQCZh1cIbNQtfW-20ngOVXlTZPTViM7L8VAror8pDAk/s400/herdsmen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Barely 72 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari asked Fulani herdsmen in the South to ignore the call by northern elders asking them to return to the North, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, the umbrella body for Fulani herdsmen in the country, has asked its members to defend themselves against any ethnic militia group in the country, saying herders should exercise their rights to free movement as Nigerians.<br /> <br /> The National Secretary of the group, Saleh Alhassan, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Thursday, also said that governors in the southern part of the country would be held responsible if any of their members was attacked.<br /> <br /> The South-East Governors Forum, through its Director-General, Prof Simon Ortuanya, had recently warned that movement of cattle into the zone by foot would no longer be allowed except through trucks to specific cow markets to avoid the incessant clashes between herders and farmers.<br /> <br /> The position of the governors was echoed by the Ohanaeze Youth Council worldwide a few days ago when it warned herdsmen to stop moving around bushes and farmlands across the South-East.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The council’s President General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, pointed out that starting from Saturday, July 20, 2019 (today), there would be severe consequences if herdsmen were caught moving around on foot with their cattle.<br /> <br /> Also, the Yoruba nationalist organisation, Oodua Peoples Congress, had through its President, Prince Osibote Oodua, warned kidnappers and herdsmen engaged in criminal activities to stop or they would be forced to vacate the region. It stressed that it was ready to flush out those abducting innocent Nigerians.<br /> <br /> The leadership of the three indigenous youth groups from the major southern geopolitical zones, including the Ijaw Youth Council in the South-South, had equally said three days ago that they could no longer tolerate the killings and threats from herdsmen in the zones.<br /> <br /> Following the warnings, members of the Northern Elders Forum and the Coalition of the Northern Groups had on Tuesday asked herdsmen to leave the southern part of the country and return to the North where their safety could be guaranteed, a directive the President and all the southern groups had condemned.<br /> <br /> But, speaking on Thursday, Alhassan said herdsmen would remain where they were and that governors of the respective states would be held responsible should anything happen to their members.<br /> <br /> He said, “We are Nigerians and we have a history. Anybody that thinks he can wake up and take on the Fulani pastoralist is making a grievous mistake; we are well prepared to defend our fundamental human rights of movement in this country.<br /> <br /> “They (herdsmen) are Nigerians, so they are entitled to stay where they are. They should remain where they are and defend themselves against ethnic militia and assert their citizenship in this country.<br /> <br /> “The only thing we would say is that we will hold all the governors of those states responsible for their safety and security, but if any ethnic militia, by any name, attacks our members, they should defend themselves in a manner that nobody would try such again.<br /> <br /> “We have been saying it that people behind insecurity are not herders; bandits are behind these killings, and if the government is saying foreigners have infiltrated the herders, have they been arrested and what is their nationality? Anybody that is trying to destabilise this country should be dealt with.”<br /> <br /> Speaking further on the call by some northern groups that they should vacate the southern part of the country, Alhassan said, “Those so-called northern youths called coalition of northern groups should note that if because of their action any herder is killed, we will first look for them before we go after our enemies.<br /> <br /> “We are Nigerians and we are not going anywhere. Our attachment to the land is opportunistic; we don’t farm the land. So, if anybody is thinking that because he has cultivated the land in a particular place for long and he has rights there more than us, then we would ask where is the grazing area that the colonial masters created for us?<br /> <br /> “Politicians can play their politics but they should leave our people out of it because it is the desperate politicians that are causing this confusion and they are looking for anything to hang on to, but we are watching them critically.<br /> <br /> “If you threaten the herders, they react; they cannot be used for any political game because we have our way of defending ourselves. We hate injustice and we fight it. Anybody that thinks we can be squeezed is making a mistake.”<br /> <br /> Asked the solution to the persistent clashes between herders and their host communities, he said grazing reserves that were carved out before the country’s independence should be developed to serve their purposes.<br /> <br /> “When we begin to discuss the Nigeria question, we would ask where the grazing reserves are because we know them and we have the records of where they are,” he added.<br /> <br /> But, in their separate responses, the Ohanaeze, OPC and Ijaw Youth Council said Miyetti Allah was testing the patience of the various ethnic militia groups.

Latest-News Miyetti Allah to herdsmen: Defend yourselves against ethnic militia groups

Barely 72 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari asked Fulani herdsmen in the South to ignore the call by northern elders asking them to r...

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Some fans wished I had gotten married to Falz -Simi

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIejkahuE9dcCYlsiIppp96v1tMVO4sKNQc3dvW5HiCq2JyqGiNMd0qg2CjJsvg7RUOEe5LWgxiDqHGdb1yxGJCnV86Pdr7W1fEmYw7MalQ53SdmJUYKidJXaJcb0HjZMekIXVI2UB5w/s1600/Simi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIejkahuE9dcCYlsiIppp96v1tMVO4sKNQc3dvW5HiCq2JyqGiNMd0qg2CjJsvg7RUOEe5LWgxiDqHGdb1yxGJCnV86Pdr7W1fEmYw7MalQ53SdmJUYKidJXaJcb0HjZMekIXVI2UB5w/s320/Simi.jpg" width="296" /></a></div> <br /> Simisola Ogunleye, Nigerian sensational singer and songwriter, has said some fans wished she had gotten married to Falz.<br /> <br /> The singer who recently exited X3M Music made this known in a recent interview.<br /> <br /> According to her: “Some people still tell me: ‘I still wish it was Falz you got married to’. At the beginning, Kunle and Falz weren’t friends at all. I don’t have a lot of friends in the industry. I and Falz just got along from the beginning. Nigerians said I and Falz were dating, we never said once that we were dating, at the end of the day, it's about selling the music”, she said.<br /> <br /> Going down to the memory lane, the ‘Jamb Question’ crooner said it was hard when she started music.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “It was hard when I started music. I used to wish that my songs would be popular but no one would know me. I didn’t want people to know me; I just wanted people to know my song. I didn’t want the fame; I was just really passionate about music. That was my driving force. I just wanted people to hear my song. I decided that whatever happens I was going to be true to myself”.<br /> <br /> On how she handles criticism, Simi said: ”I don’t give anybody access to my emotions, It is not just anyone that can make me feel bad. If you make me feel bad, it means I have to care about you on a certain level. The best advice I have gotten has been criticism. I actually like it when people criticize me. I don’t like ‘yes ‘men. If your criticism is coming from a bad place, I know. You can tell”.

Latest-News Some fans wished I had gotten married to Falz -Simi

Simisola Ogunleye, Nigerian sensational singer and songwriter, has said some fans wished she had gotten married to Falz. The singer who ...

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Why I decided not to have s3x in the Big Brother House- Isilomo, ex-housemate

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR78ZH5pTdBH7Fux6NgWPm61MD3aYdzSUjxxC3fe7OviVzWu8a8TfDuPHxgmGjNBVa7tVf5Th90O1s1DL2oGrDEvpAdllp95uvbz7G6waVyeoes5M9hPBYIjLPx4Jv2QdbRYu-yTJnLic/s1600/isilomo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="406" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR78ZH5pTdBH7Fux6NgWPm61MD3aYdzSUjxxC3fe7OviVzWu8a8TfDuPHxgmGjNBVa7tVf5Th90O1s1DL2oGrDEvpAdllp95uvbz7G6waVyeoes5M9hPBYIjLPx4Jv2QdbRYu-yTJnLic/s400/isilomo.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Isilomo Braimoh is a recently evicted housemate from the ongoing reality TV show, BBNaija has revealed why she decided not to have s3x in the BBNaija House.<br /> <br /> In her words, Braimoh noted that she refused to engage in s3x because the BBN house is a controlled environment.<br /> <br /> “I planned to take everything as it came while in the house; the only thing I decided not to do was to have s3x in the house. I wouldn’t go as far as being in a relationship because it was a controlled environment, she said.<br /> <br /> Speaking further, Isilomo maintained that she thought it was a joke when she was evicted.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “When I was evicted from the house, I thought it was a joke. Even after I got on the live eviction show, I thought we were going to be ushered into a room to wait but we were put on a bus with our luggage. It was then that it dawned on me that it was happening. That was the only time I ever cried about it. Later, I shook it off and let it go. Since then, I have not cried again. If I am given the chance to go back to the house; I will jump at it”.

Latest-News Why I decided not to have s3x in the Big Brother House- Isilomo, ex-housemate

Isilomo Braimoh is a recently evicted housemate from the ongoing reality TV show, BBNaija has revealed why she decided not to have s3x in ...

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Buhari lacks ideas to create wealth for Nigerians – Atiku

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv5bPkn4oL5iCNVTduogQerHBWr89gEm2LIBPTL3osUC6TbYdg4euH3ID7VHgR7I08hR0YDeDDDoNmo3mYH1h4grNSWNU6cpEAPlCUR9g6ZXetPPU2HMOjmQFFDirqkr4zj8Y7nzUdPI/s1600/Atiku-Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1095" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfv5bPkn4oL5iCNVTduogQerHBWr89gEm2LIBPTL3osUC6TbYdg4euH3ID7VHgR7I08hR0YDeDDDoNmo3mYH1h4grNSWNU6cpEAPlCUR9g6ZXetPPU2HMOjmQFFDirqkr4zj8Y7nzUdPI/s400/Atiku-Buhari.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his discomfort at the rising debt threat facing the country, which he said the Buhari-led administration has chosen to overlook.<br /> <br /> The former presidential candidate has now called for immediate action by stakeholders to address the nation’s debt burden, saying the payment of N610.2 billion to service domestic debts in the first quarter of 2019 was unacceptable.<br /> <br /> Few days ago, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that Nigeria used N610.2 billion to service its local debts.<br /> <br /> But Atiku said this was alarming, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to act quickly on what he described as matter of national concern.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a statement issued by Mr Paul Ibe, his Media Adviser, the former VP the amount used to service domestic debts in the first three months of this year was more than the combined entire budget for education and youth development for the whole of 2019.<br /> <br /> He wondered how the present administration has doubled the nation’s debt in four years from N12 trillion in 2015 to N24.9 trillion without tangible evidence of development, noting that government should have worked on efficient repayment plans for the debts incurred.<br /> <br /> He stressed that if this trend continues, the nation’s debt servicing might overshadow the capital budget.<br /> <br /> “If the current trend continues, Nigeria will have spent N2.5 trillion on debt servicing by the end of 2019, a figure that is more than our capital budget. Can a nation survive like this?” a part of the statement, which was posted on Mr Ibe’s Twitter page, said.<br /> <br /> “The reason is that no matter how much resources you give a man who does not know how to create wealth, it will never be enough,” he further said.<br /> <br /> Atiku stated that the deeper the nation goes into unsustainable debt, the more of her independence to creditors wanes.<br /> <br /> Emphasizing on the need for the country to prepare for the future generation, the veteran politician said, “The older generation should sacrifice for the youth. We must not be a vampire generation that squanders the financial lifeblood of Nigeria and bequeath financial bondage to the next generation”<br /> <br /> Concluding, Atiku said he had outlined a robust strategy for the funding of the country’s development needs without resorting to indiscriminate borrowing prior to the 2019 presidential election.

Latest-News Buhari lacks ideas to create wealth for Nigerians – Atiku

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed his discomfort at the rising debt threat facing the country, which he said...

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If a small state like Bayelsa has three senators, Nigeria’s Constitution is fair – Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pFGhTAOZQWzb2BEQJXdN2UtIFQMZlW-a5Y2sMZESpocQxLgfurIxP6YmM541AAvd7aP27oTz23me_lI-PfV0GdMVP560f9iFe5MXnw-xhdteP7BuQHbyWrdkue1PqwXWLGZEA8BxMy3s/s1600/Buhari-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="650" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pFGhTAOZQWzb2BEQJXdN2UtIFQMZlW-a5Y2sMZESpocQxLgfurIxP6YmM541AAvd7aP27oTz23me_lI-PfV0GdMVP560f9iFe5MXnw-xhdteP7BuQHbyWrdkue1PqwXWLGZEA8BxMy3s/s400/Buhari-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari has described the 1999 Constitution as fair to all segments of the country.<br /> <br /> To justify his position, Buhari cited the fact that each of the 36 states must have a minister representing it in the cabinet.<br /> <br /> He also noted that it was for the same reason that Bayelsa, a small state with only eight local governments, would have three senators in the National Assembly, compared to a big state like Kano with 44 local governments, also having three senators.<br /> <br /> Buhari spoke in Abuja when members of the Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Dynamic Support Group visited him at the Presidential Villa.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The group, which was led by the National Coordinator, Usman Ibrahim, was one of the many groups that worked for the re-election of Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo during the February 23 presidential poll.<br /> <br /> The President said, “The Constitution facilitates one thing; that there must be a member of the (Federal) Executive Council from each state of the federation.<br /> <br /> “Why I praise the authors of our constitution is that Bayelsa with eight local governments has three senators and Kano with 44 (local governments) has three senators. So, you can’t be fairer than that in the context of one Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “Please, try and understand that I appreciate you, you are doing a thankless job; nobody is paying you. You use your resources and time to come together and discuss national issues. I pray God will help us to keep this country strong economically and morally.”<br /> <br /> He informed the group that his administration was determined to provide safety to all Nigerians, wherever they reside.<br /> <br /> “As leaders in your various communities, I urge you all to take the message back to your communities. It is not about politics, religion or tribe, it is about having a Nigeria where our families will be safe and our children will have plenty opportunities to earn a living and have a comfortable life.”<br /> <br /> Earlier, Ibrahim recounted the sacrifices the group made to ensure Buhari won the election, saying there were instances where the members were attacked, while its coordinator in Kwara State paid the supreme price.<br /> <br /> He said the members did their work without asking for any financial support from the President, adding that it was because they believed in Buhari to rescue Nigeria.<br /> <br /> He added that the group was blessed with many professionals, who could render their services to the administration if given the mandate to do so.<br /> <br /> “We, therefore, request that you give consideration to this noble men and women and we promise that we will never let you down,” Ibrahim told Buhari.

Latest-News If a small state like Bayelsa has three senators, Nigeria’s Constitution is fair – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the 1999 Constitution as fair to all segments of the country. To justify his position, Buhari c...

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Asari Dokubo blows hot, asks Fulani herdsmen to leave Southern Nigeria

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr-ateqHjQpesg1-82n5YqLQMbAZJ4Xvyux8vQ75bhvhgzxFAdWi3P1Gm8mvVivXHnnmCPABSZY2exL3l3elCEczvJeotvNFWKTrWXuxJDQvYflX_egmL9a2jlSieuCXFc_LJcVqhnEKk/s400/Asari-Dokubo.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has called on South-South and South-Easterners to return home following threats from Coalition of Northern Groups.<br /> <br /> Asari spoke on the heels of the Coalition of Northern Groups and the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, asking herdsmen to leave the South.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Dokubo spoke during a meeting with leaders of Niger Delta states, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday.<br /> <br /> He said, “We, the people of the Niger Delta today, resolved to be part and parcel of the actualization the United States of Biafra.<br /> <br /> “What has brought us here today is the dark cloud that is gathering. In 1967, we did not ask for war, war was imposed on us and millions of our people were killed. Our properties were destroyed and so many people until today are carrying the scars of that imposed war.<br /> <br /> “Our people have not gone to Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Borno to ask that land be forcefully given to us or that our resources should be used to give us properties in the north.<br /> <br /> “But northern organizations and northern individuals have come up to say we must surrender our land to them to create colonies on our land. Are you going to allow that?<br /> <br /> “We will not surrender one grain of sand of our sacred land to anybody. We will stand on our land and wait for you to come and carry out your threat and inshallah by the grace of God we will defeat you.<br /> <br /> “We have heard that you have called your people to come back home. They should all go, we will assist them to leave (because) this is what we have been looking for all along.<br /> <br /> “We call on our people, Igbo, Ibibio, Ikwerre, Ijaw return back home. If anything happens to you and these coward spines on you, you would have yourself to blame. We would not continue to risk our integrity and our pride because of you, return home now.<br /> <br /> “We extend a hand of fellowship to our brothers in the middle belt who are suffering the same pain and deprivation as we do. We are with you in your hours of grief and pain and we will stand with you to the end.<br /> <br /> “To our Yoruba brothers in Afenifere, and the leader of Afenifere, whose daughter has been gruesomely murdered by these Gambari invaders, we condole with you but this is the price we have to pay to wake up.”

Latest-News Asari Dokubo blows hot, asks Fulani herdsmen to leave Southern Nigeria

Ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has called on South-South and South-Easterners to return home following threats from Coaliti...

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Nigerians in America jittery as Trump begins raid of illegal immigrants

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXneyd2EEOoz1CqPrfx2zFcOLx_c29Jr1A7OtFNaR0uohf1lg33pc4pQ9DhgSOGxU3CuXKdVUZ3lyc40aGx1APughj0pfBpTUkDAxuDDFK9p4Dhj54Jrk0EJvOie4pQ_-sQhkZy99t-Ji/s1600/trump+phone.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="400" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXneyd2EEOoz1CqPrfx2zFcOLx_c29Jr1A7OtFNaR0uohf1lg33pc4pQ9DhgSOGxU3CuXKdVUZ3lyc40aGx1APughj0pfBpTUkDAxuDDFK9p4Dhj54Jrk0EJvOie4pQ_-sQhkZy99t-Ji/s400/trump+phone.png" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <b><br /></b><b>There are indications that some Nigerians may be affected in the ongoing raids on undocumented aliens ordered by the United States President, Mr Donald Trump.</b><br /> <br /> The raids, being carried out by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, began a few days ago.<br /> <br /> The <i>New York Times</i> reported that ICE commenced the arrests of potentially thousands of undocumented immigrants on Sunday.<br /> <br /> The development has led to apprehension among legal and illegal foreigners including Nigerians living in the US and Nigeria.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It reported that ICE agents were targeting at least 2,000 immigrants for deportation across 10 major cities and could also sweep up immigrants who were not the initial targets.<br /> <br /> The NYT recalled that Trump had on June 17 tweeted that the following week, ICE would begin removing “millions” of undocumented immigrants from the US.<br /> <br /> But on June 22, he said he would hold off for two weeks.<br /> <br /> However, indications emerged on Thursday that the raid had begun in the planned cities with so many undocumented foreigners staying away from work.<br /> <br /> Besides, it was learnt that a few Nigerians had already been invited for questioning by the immigration authorities.<br /> <br /> A resident of Texas, who craved anonymity, said her Nigerian neighbour was invited for interrogation , but was quick to add that most Nigerians in the US were documented.<br /> <br /> “The raid is principally targeted at undocumented immigrants who crossed the border from neighbouring Mexico. Those being targeted already have court sanctioned removal orders. Any other deportation outside this is viewed as collateral.<br /> <br /> “Some Nigerians who did asylum but failed have been issued removal order. My Nigerian neighbour was arrested and detained last week. I also understand that some others have been interrogated in their homes,” she said.<br /> <br /> Further findings revealed that residents of Houston, Texas, were apprehensive as ICE agents began raid on undocumented aliens.<br /> <br /> A resident revealed hat most places where illegal aliens work were deserted on Thursday, while streets were scanty.<br /> <br /> The raids, which will also focus on recent arrivals to the country, are slated for Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco, according to a CNN report.<br /> <br /> New Orleans is also on the list, but the city tweeted last week that US ICE said it would suspend operations through last weekend in areas hit by Tropical Storm Barry, which weakened to a tropical depression Sunday.<br /> <br /> The response of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.

Latest-News Nigerians in America jittery as Trump begins raid of illegal immigrants

There are indications that some Nigerians may be affected in the ongoing raids on undocumented aliens ordered by the United States Preside...

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Why Buhari won’t ask court to free El-Zakzaky – Presidency

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89JsL7ilYDcMyrYFE94cJQg_Fy_08_QHhPdOPGwP8WMbnFt265ecUl2o1JMGzHvs7l27q1hkWU2P9uoS_FHK9i34uqPH5KEmlT9enZm3CRGGtAFj4cdXlN8JCgr-B6dmMrcZJi-8ezs2V/s1600/Ibraheem-El-Zakzaky1+shiite+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="606" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89JsL7ilYDcMyrYFE94cJQg_Fy_08_QHhPdOPGwP8WMbnFt265ecUl2o1JMGzHvs7l27q1hkWU2P9uoS_FHK9i34uqPH5KEmlT9enZm3CRGGtAFj4cdXlN8JCgr-B6dmMrcZJi-8ezs2V/s400/Ibraheem-El-Zakzaky1+shiite+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Presidency said on Friday that the issue involving the detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zalzaky, could only be determined by the judiciary and not President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <br /> It stressed that no matter the protests by the group, the President would not interfere in a judicial process by asking that El-Zakzaky should be set free.<br /> <br /> The Presidency, in a statement released by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, appealed to members of the group to halt further street protests and await the outcome of judicial decision on their leader’s fate.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> It read, “The Presidency appeals to El-Zakzaky-led Shiite members to desist from needless violent street protests and await the decision of the court in Kaduna where their leader is currently being tried.<br /> <br /> “The issue of El-ZakZaky is before the court in Kaduna and his supporters should focus on his ongoing trial instead of causing daily damage, disruptions and public nuisance in Abuja.<br /> <br /> “It is wrong to be in court and resort to violence at the same time in order to get justice for anybody accused.<br /> <br /> “The destruction of public property in the name of protest is not within the right of this group of Shiite members and no government anywhere would have tolerated a situation where any group would take over public roads in cities as they have done in Abuja and interfere with the rights of other citizens who are prevented from reaching their destinations.”<br /> <br /> It also said, “As far as this country’s Ministry of Justice is concerned, the case involving El-Zakzaky is no longer in its domain. The Federal Government no more has hands in the matter and, to that extent, the government at the centre can be said to be clear of any alleged violation of court orders as being trumpeted every day.<br /> <br /> “These rallies and street dances ostensibly to openly insult the President and other leaders, threatening bloodshed will lead nowhere because President Buhari will not ask the country’s judiciary to abandon due process and set a suspect free. At the same time, the administration is determined to enforce the decision of the court clearly issued. The Buhari administration has absolutely no hand in the ongoing court case and the courts are free to determine the bail request and the final outcome.”<br /> <br /> The Presidency further warned the group to respect the rights of other citizens and stop carrying on like they were above the law.

Latest-News Why Buhari won’t ask court to free El-Zakzaky – Presidency

The Presidency said on Friday that the issue involving the detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zalzaky, could o...

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Review: Beyonce delights with Lion King, the Gift

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1024" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyVZZaqOG7OQaFGwSYhBREvjddoarfvBCLAXuupaeS9MUDCrA3ocovDDnN7dGyd-GDam-47ChHQpavGDeSRLBKiAr97YWTEN7KYXPUO-O3T1MJ7aPv3D-mwoSpgGoD7HSJyel4G_enHwS/s640/beyonce+lion++king+2.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> The Bey Hive was feeling the love Friday over Beyonce’s release of the album “The Lion King: The Gift,” which the pop queen dropped as a sister piece to her new film, a remake of the Disney classic.<br /> <br /> Beyonce dubbed the 27-track album she curated and produced “a love letter to Africa,” enlisting several African artists as well as a host of stars including her husband Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, her co-star Donald Glover (who also performs as Childish Gambino) and Pharrell Williams — along with none other than Jay and Bey’s seven-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter — as collaborators.<br /> <br /> “I wanted to be authentic to what is beautiful about music in Africa,” Beyonce, who voices Nala in “The Lion King,” told ABC’s “Good Morning America.”<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The Gift” is separate from the film’s official soundtrack which includes a rendition of Elton’s John’s iconic “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” by Beyonce and Glover, who plays Simba in the film.<br /> <br /> John himself also graced the film’s soundtrack, released 25 years after the original, with a new song entitled “Never Too Late.”<br /> <br /> Both albums include Beyonce’s latest single “Spirit.”<br /> <br /> But it’s Beyonce’s “Gift” that has her legions of fans abuzz.<br /> <br /> The album features Afrobeat-heavy songs interspersed with dialogue from the highly-anticipated film, which also was released on Friday and stars Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar.<br /> <br /> In addition to pop royalty, Beyonce brought Nigerian musicians Tekno, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Wizkid and Mr. Eazi on board for “The Gift,” along with Ghanaian reggae-dancehall artist Shatta Wale.<br /> <br /> Cameroonian urban music star Salatiel sang with Beyonce and Pharrell on the thumping groove “Water.”<br /> <br /> “I wanted to make sure we found the best talent from Africa, and not just use some of the sounds and did my interpretation of it,” Beyonce said on ABC.<br /> <br /> In classic Beyonce fashion, the album skews toward the visual — what she calls “sonic cinema.”<br /> <br /> “This is a new experience of storytelling,” she said in announcing the album.<br /> <br /> “It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afrobeat.”<br /> <br /> Beyonce also released a sprawling, richly pigmented video to accompany “Spirit,” which features the star and Blue Ivy in matching ruffled pink dresses, their long curls blowing in the desert wind.<br /> <br /> “Your destiny is comin’ close / Stand up and fight,” she sings. “So go into a far off land / And be one with the great I Am.”<br /> <br /> Pairing her powerful vocals with a visual feast, Beyonce makes about a dozen outfit changes in the video including both custom and couture looks, according to Vogue. The clip was partially filmed in Arizona’s remote Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon.<br /> <br /> It also includes the legendary “Lion King” scene where Simba and Nala lock eyes over a pool oasis, which the new film recreated from the original animated take.<br /> <br /> “The soundscape is more than just the music because each song tells the story of the film,” Beyonce said.

Latest-News Review: Beyonce delights with Lion King, the Gift

The Bey Hive was feeling the love Friday over Beyonce’s release of the album “The Lion King: The Gift,” which the pop queen dropped as a ...

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Nigerians attack 2Face Idibia for endorsing post condemning the Bible

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REVEALED: How Pinnick wanted to kick out CAF president — but his plans backfired

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Falana calls for amendment of constitution, recommends retired judges

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I prefer being Senator to Buhari’s ministerial appointment – Ex-gov Ajimobi

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Reps move to avert SSANU, NASU strike

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilP_0Z1qie1-zGcjpeEO7VhGHfZ9op4r5VmXIfeErI_DFfvyDT16SxkauIEnsZIl321V3qYrYnQFMO3lP7Adyne-hV_1rz-6SqQy0jo-J6V9eTDYgi_k4SuBHj9juE85y2l8ww1Lo__Q/s1600/the-senate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilP_0Z1qie1-zGcjpeEO7VhGHfZ9op4r5VmXIfeErI_DFfvyDT16SxkauIEnsZIl321V3qYrYnQFMO3lP7Adyne-hV_1rz-6SqQy0jo-J6V9eTDYgi_k4SuBHj9juE85y2l8ww1Lo__Q/s400/the-senate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The House of Representatives has moved to avert the planned industrial action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the  Non-Academic Staff Union.<br /> <br /> The lawmakers also resolved to set up a committee to discuss with the Federal Government and the unions to resolve the matter.<br /> <br /> The move followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance on the matter moved by a member, Aisha Dukku, at the plenary on Thursday.<br /> <br /> The lawmakers called on the Federal Government to release the allowances of non-teaching workers in public universities between 2009 and 2016.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Also, the parliament called on the Federal Government to set up a committee to address the alleged discrimination against SSANU and NASU members.<br /> <br /> Moving the motion, Dukku said   SSANU and NASU leaders had directed their branches to prepare for a nationwide protest before embarking on strike.<br /> <br /> She said the action was as a result of the refusal of the Federal Government to recall the sacked workers of Staff Schools and the alleged discriminatory attitude of government against members of the unions.<br /> <br /> Dukku highlighted the grievances of the unions as including exclusion of their members from the National University Pension Company solely operated by the Academic Staff Association of University.<br /> <br /> She added that it included, “The alleged preferential treatment extended to ASUU by the Federal Government as seen in recent allocation of money by the Ministry of   Education, signed by the Director of Tertiary Education, allocating 80 percent of the money to ASUU and only 20 percent to non-teaching staff unions.”<br /> <br /> Seconding the motion, Mr Tajudeen Yussuf, blamed incessant strikes by university workers on the inability of the parties to keep to the terms of agreement reached.

Latest-News Reps move to avert SSANU, NASU strike

The House of Representatives has moved to avert the planned industrial action by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and...

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BREAKING: Atiku, PDP ask for more time to conclude case at tribunal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPfWMOlUdib0JmpqRYY7jiuUipGfU5-RtFMq1V5FUh7s1H9AOSB0OYEGgQwPu-GUFa5Ctu7F5-qDNYgKDpVGR8pQvhH7yUF3ftsrJbbTngYOz2Pc7xe4Ugvvk11uTXGnug1Mt3G4dnao/s1600/atiku.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPfWMOlUdib0JmpqRYY7jiuUipGfU5-RtFMq1V5FUh7s1H9AOSB0OYEGgQwPu-GUFa5Ctu7F5-qDNYgKDpVGR8pQvhH7yUF3ftsrJbbTngYOz2Pc7xe4Ugvvk11uTXGnug1Mt3G4dnao/s400/atiku.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday asked for more time from the five-man Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, to conclude their case.<br /> <br /> Friday is the last of the ten days allocated to them to make their case.<br /> <br /> They are by their petition challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at February 23, 2019 election.<br /> <br /> The petitioners, who only on Thursday received from the Independent National Electoral Commission a heap of documents to be tendered as an exhibit, gave the hint that they would not be able to conclude their case on Friday through their lawyer Chief Chris Uche (SAN).<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The documents received from INEC rose from 55 cartons as of when the tribunal closed proceedings on Thursday to 75 as of Friday morning.<br /> <br /> Uche couched his request for more time as “a modification of the pre-hearing report” in which 10 days period was allocated to the petitioners to present their case and six days for each of the respondents to present their defence.<br /> <br /> He said, “Today may appear to be our last day. But my lords, we are seeking a modification of the pre-hearing report.<br /> <br /> “Today should not be construed as our last day.<br /> <br /> “We asking if my lords can give us tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday for us to conclude.”<br /> <br /> Earlier, Justice Mohammed Garba who heads the five-man tribunal, had said the court would not have the afternoon session of the Friday’s proceedings for undisclosed reasons.<br /> <br /> Reacting, Buhari’s lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), insisted that should the court grant the “extension of time” it should be across the board for all the three respondents – INEC, Buhari and the All Progressives Congress.<br /> <br /> Olanipekun also suggested that the court could only compensate the petitioners’ time that would be lost since the court would not sit in the afternoon by being allowed to conclude their case in the morning session of the next sitting day.<br /> <br /> But the tribunal said that the petitioners had not asked for an extension of time but for a modification of the pre-hearing session.<br /> <br /> Justice Garba asked the petitioners to continue with the case.<br /> <br /> The petitioners have now called their next witness.

Latest-News BREAKING: Atiku, PDP ask for more time to conclude case at tribunal

The Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday asked for more time from the five-man Presidential ...

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APC expels national vice chairman over ‘anti-party activities’

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Yoruba Nation Ready To React Over Herdsmen Killings – Gani Adams

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYZsyBQBdr_EFGYlpE02SldXZF5GZwKYwB6iOJjVmhORzf3Y99iEebbAgkhMtX23UnCiF3yoV9lpEfnrGeWMT5xwLk9BeWyCn98-9s9XMc-inOkwmkBpFvlfkhLwGJBIhVMC6F-o6vHY/s1600/gani-adams-as-aare-ona-kakanfo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="678" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYZsyBQBdr_EFGYlpE02SldXZF5GZwKYwB6iOJjVmhORzf3Y99iEebbAgkhMtX23UnCiF3yoV9lpEfnrGeWMT5xwLk9BeWyCn98-9s9XMc-inOkwmkBpFvlfkhLwGJBIhVMC6F-o6vHY/s400/gani-adams-as-aare-ona-kakanfo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has stated that the Yoruba nation will react over the spate of kidnapping, armed robbery, herdsmen invasion and banditry in the South-West region.<br /> <br /> The leader of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) made this known when a paid a condolence visit to the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, over the murder of his daughter, Mrs Funke Olakunrin, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.<br /> <br /> Gani Adams noted that the leaders of the South-west are meeting as a group to strategize on how to react appropriately.<br /> <br /> According to him, “It is very important that we have to react to this issue but we will not overreact.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “We are being cautious so that we won’t be setup. And the law is there that we have to operate within the ambit of the law. That is one of the reasons we are being careful.<br /> <br /> “But I can tell you authoritatively that we are meeting as a group and as stakeholders to map out strategies to complement the efforts of the law enforcement agencies.<br /> <br /> “My own Aare Ona Kakanfo is a modern one. It is not that of the olden days where the Alaafin and some Yoruba Obas with the Oyo Meesi will declare war and you can go to war. We have the structure of security on the ground, the entire security apparatus.<br /> <br /> “We can no longer allow our people to be killed like chickens. We can’t keep quiet while Yorubas are being killed like fowls.<br /> <br /> “But we have to be careful not to fall into their trap. We have to be careful. It is good you see me in circulation to walk with you. We don’t want a situation we will walk into their trap because we realise that this ugly incident is being coordinated beyond our own scene. There are some forces behind them.”<br /> <br /> “How can ordinary Fulani herdsmen be holding AK 47. In our findings, the AK 47 rifle goes for about N1 million and with many bullets. So, we are looking beyond ordinary Fulani herdsmen.<br /> <br /> “We realised that there are some forces behind them in three phases. Those who strike in the bush, Those who issued statements to back them up and those who are strategists who give instructions to those who strike and those who issue statements,” Gani Adams added.

Latest-News Yoruba Nation Ready To React Over Herdsmen Killings – Gani Adams

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has stated that the Yoruba nation will react over the spate of kidnapping, armed robbe...

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Pursue double digit economic growth, NIQS charges Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFepxgMjGtweKztYdHmu6cEDDauwpGClzkg5KZlksvJvH4JRXecxllnM_2Odu2_Xq2rVUS4_6be45D3_MnUun67kfzAjbLIIZESI9om6_72-M7czXqZ543mCkT36i3sq5FO-DRZdvHckU/s1600/buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="650" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFepxgMjGtweKztYdHmu6cEDDauwpGClzkg5KZlksvJvH4JRXecxllnM_2Odu2_Xq2rVUS4_6be45D3_MnUun67kfzAjbLIIZESI9om6_72-M7czXqZ543mCkT36i3sq5FO-DRZdvHckU/s400/buhari.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The most pressing and immediate task to be pursued by the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari should be to ensure a fast double digit growth of the economy, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors has said.<br /> <br /> According to the institute, the Federal Government should also avoid the practice of depending on multilateral donor agencies to set up policies for the country.<br /> <br /> The President, NIQS, Obafemi Onashile, said these in Abuja on Thursday at a workshop organised by the institute on project monitoring and reporting services for financial institutions/third party funded or sponsored development projects.<br /> <br /> Onashile said, “The new Federal Government’s most pressing and immediate task is to create new leadership initiatives for a fast double digit growth of the national economy. This will be in the form of implementation of bold and creative ideas to run the nation.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “The practice of relying on international management consultants and multilateral funding bodies such the World Bank to set up government policies for Nigeria and expect the Ministries, Departments and Agencies to simply drive such policies ‘externally crafted’ during a two-day management retreat has failed us woefully.<br /> <br /> “This is due to the disconnect between the policy crafters and the expected drivers, as the drivers had no input in the policies.”<br /> <br /> The NIQS president explained that the first 100 days of any new administration was very crucial, as activities undertaken within this period would be a true barometer of the style, direction, capacity and depth of accomplishment that such administration would achieve in its entire days in office.<br /> <br /> He further noted that the construction industry was a very strategic sector of the national economy that the government should focus on and exploit in order to make a meaningful impact in the administration of this country.<br /> <br /> “The construction industry is the second industry after the agricultural sector, with potential for the greatest impact on the national economy of any nation,” Onashile said.<br /> <br /> He added, “In many nations, the construction industry plays pivotal roles in infrastructure delivery, employment, domestic manufacturing through cottage industries for producing glass, ceramics, iron billets and rods, aluminium sheets, paints, plywood and timber that can be consumed locally and exported to neighbouring countries to earn foreign exchange.<br /> <br /> “This is why on behalf of the construction industry and as a part of the private sector drivers, NIQS wishes to contribute to the crafting of a new direction and administrative policies that can assure a double-digit growth for our national economy and transform Nigeria back to being a ‘developing country’ rather than being an ‘under-developed country’ in the committee of nations.”<br /> <br /> Onashile explained that a good start to stir the construction industry for a fast-paced growth would be an immediate action to implement social housing programme to provide housing for the vulnerable civil service employees, including the men and women in uniformed services.

Latest-News Pursue double digit economic growth, NIQS charges Buhari

The most pressing and immediate task to be pursued by the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari should be to ensure a fast doub...

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Northern zones under siege, says Senate

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvefh4cSvsD5uASon3EuJ6qM6ZooKVSr7tP7qlMEKp3e_ym7pUse1RRwqFvZVsYJdhTrTdEUQGCIu3fPN2Fb4OzWGeo5-505gUHfUI91MugQQyc882JzZiGOJIcYLv0baJLYXrQOtb3Fo/s1600/the-senate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvefh4cSvsD5uASon3EuJ6qM6ZooKVSr7tP7qlMEKp3e_ym7pUse1RRwqFvZVsYJdhTrTdEUQGCIu3fPN2Fb4OzWGeo5-505gUHfUI91MugQQyc882JzZiGOJIcYLv0baJLYXrQOtb3Fo/s400/the-senate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The growing insecurity in parts of the country came to the fore again in the Senate on Thursday.<br /> <br /> The upper chamber particularly lamented the increasing humanitarian crisis in the Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral geo-political zones.<br /> <br /> The humanitarian crisis in the regions, it said, was being fueled by Boko Haram and Islamic State in West African fighters in Northeast, farmers/herders clashes in the Northcentral and rampant cases of banditry and kidnapping activities in the Northwest region.<br /> <br /> Adopting a motion sponsored by Mohammed Ali Ndume, titled: “The dire state of humanitarian crises in Nigeria, especially in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states,” the Senate asked the Federal Government to pay more attention to the humanitarian crisis caused by growing insecurity.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Ndume, in his lead debate, described the realities on the ground in the Northwest zone.<br /> <br /> The Borno South senator put the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in the Northeast at over 7.1 million.<br /> <br /> Ndume put the number of people in need of food in the area at 2.7 million.<br /> <br /> He added that underfed children stood at 1.1 million.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker noted that about $1.2 billion (N420 billion) is required to address the humanitarian crises as soon as practicable.<br /> <br /> Ndume said: “The humanitarian crisis caused by Boko Haram and ISWA in the Northeast, Northwest, farmers-herders clashes in the Northcentral region and rampant cases of banditry are of concerns.<br /> <br /> “Already, more than 7.1 million people need humanitarian assistance in the Northeast. The violence continues to disrupt livelihoods and deepening the impact of chronic vulnerabilities such as food insecurity, malnutrition and epidemics in affected communities.”<br /> <br /> As part of measures to address the distressing issue, the Senate asked the Federal Ministry of Finance to release funds to National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Refugees Commission to enable them to deal with the humanitarian crises.<br /> <br /> The upper chamber also resolved to hold a conference on Northeast humanitarian issue aimed at finding ways and means to address them.<br /> <br /> Senate President Ahmad Lawan frowned at some government agencies responsible for the management of funds donated by donor agencies.<br /> <br /> Lawan warned that the mismanagement of funds must stop in the interest of the affected persons.<br /> <br /> Senate President particularly took exception to the practice of using the bulk of the money received from donor agencies for overhead by those responsible for the implementation of the intervention programmes.<br /> <br /> Lawan said: “The issue of the displaced persons and IDPs are a subject of debate. It is a serious issue. We have to come up with a very coordinated approach to handle the situation in the IDP camps<br /> <br /> “As a country, we can afford to deal with the situation. We are not a very poor country. I think what we lack is the coordination to deal with the situation there.<br /> <br /> “We get from within and from foreign donors, but there is a lack of focus and prudence in the use of the resources.<br /> <br /> “What we need to do is to engage the National Planning Commission because the donor agencies should really declare exactly what is being brought and what the IDPs would have.<br /> <br /> “A situation where the donor agencies use the monies for rent and other things is wrong. I think it is not acceptable. The bulk of the funds must be expended on the IDPs. The committee on special duties will handle it when constituted.”

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The growing insecurity in parts of the country came to the fore again in the Senate on Thursday. The upper chamber particularly lamented...

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We’ll hold you responsible if any herdsman is killed in the south -Northern coalition warns Buhari

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#BBNaija2019: I like bad boys-Ella says

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTFKfDw8XsD-8Qs0BhsspzcAW8Gp_0fbTtGATJWDJTpXYaGGD26rEfJsITCPL6IJ42mvTv-KPmlaTk4RH34gK8u813bI9QLZzFzJhCI1YAWez4wOiAD7FYaJp0ndxyk6S1jhU7aqwWW8/s1600/Big-Brother-Naija-housemate-Ella-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTFKfDw8XsD-8Qs0BhsspzcAW8Gp_0fbTtGATJWDJTpXYaGGD26rEfJsITCPL6IJ42mvTv-KPmlaTk4RH34gK8u813bI9QLZzFzJhCI1YAWez4wOiAD7FYaJp0ndxyk6S1jhU7aqwWW8/s400/Big-Brother-Naija-housemate-Ella-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> BBNaija 2019 housemate, Victoria Ella who was recently evicted from the ongoing reality TV show has declared that she loves bad boys.<br /> <br /> The singer turned reality TV show star opened up about her relationship with Ike and her stay in the BBNaija house.<br /> <br /> Speaking in a chat with Pulse, she said:” I like bad boys. I like bad boys, they are interesting, they have a story, it’s not like a cool guy who doesn’t speak too much or all he wanna do is just make you smile. There has to be this horrific feeling when you are in a relationship. I think to me it keeps the swag going…you know. I really would have loved to know Ike really very well because I wanted to know. There was a part where he said he feels its Karma coming back, things that he’s done and I was aware that…you know…he went to prison every country he travelled to. I needed to know what was leading to all those back actions because you can see the bad side of Ike but inside he just wants to do good. I’m sure he doesn’t know when he does the bad and can’t control it,”.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> When asked what her reaction was when she was evicted, she said: “I didn’t see that coming, I didn’t see my eviction coming but it is what it is, we can go back you know, there is nothing to say that probably it is a joke or a lie. Its reality, I’m out but I didn’t think Africa had enough time with me because I was only singing and sometimes looking for trouble. You can never know how to please this Africa but away I didn’t see it coming but it is what it is,” she said.<br /> <br /> Speaking further, she noted that her brief romance with Ike was one of the highlights of her two weeks in the house.<br /> <br /> “What you guys don’t know about that is, I told Ike that I liked him, right? Mercy wasn’t even strong then like she just still trying as much as possible to like see that it just works, I don’t know…then sometimes when I ask her she would be like she knows what she is doing. But I did like Ike because I thought and still think he is an interesting person. His personality is actually like a movie so I thought if we got closer I could probably get to know more about him but it kind of felt like Mercy was like my friend and he is my friend too and I didn’t want all that mirage happening…the boy is mine (She laughs). So we turned out to be cool friends”.

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BBNaija 2019 housemate, Victoria Ella who was recently evicted from the ongoing reality TV show has declared that she loves bad boys. Th...

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Nobody hated herdsmen until they began to kill -CAN president tells Miyetti Allah

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OSUN: Adeleke replies Oyetola - ‘Dancing is better than looting government funds'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx81sKitdKyZDd22gUV9Pii6a-prYBsLhyphenhyphenZqVwNMH-NIOtFqCT_L3DzJrU-sjKEbLjybMZa5SWoiuHJONJx4ZpG_ngt_4f4AKRWia1v-2l9rcZTxNOXwi6EkqYYcIWvjYmzMEjgWLtdfa5/s1600/Adeleke+Oyetola+APC+PDP+OSUN.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="848" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx81sKitdKyZDd22gUV9Pii6a-prYBsLhyphenhyphenZqVwNMH-NIOtFqCT_L3DzJrU-sjKEbLjybMZa5SWoiuHJONJx4ZpG_ngt_4f4AKRWia1v-2l9rcZTxNOXwi6EkqYYcIWvjYmzMEjgWLtdfa5/s400/Adeleke+Oyetola+APC+PDP+OSUN.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <b>The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2018 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has slammed the state governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, accusing him of shortchanging the state.</b><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.nigerianeye.com/2019/07/osun-election-i-felt-ridiculed.html"><b>Adeleke was reacting to a statement credited to the Oyetola, where he berated the former lawmaker of lacking requisite mental and academic strength to stand for an election other than ‘dancing skill’.</b></a><br /> <br /> In a swift reaction on Thursday, Adeleke declared that it was better for him to dance and exude happiness and joy than “imposing sorrows and untold hardship by looting public treasury”.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He alleged that the governor was instrumental to the economic woes the state had been experiencing, claiming that the people actually preferred him to the governor.<br /> <br /> Adeleke said:” There is nothing wrong in dancing especially when praising God, our creator, but everything is wrong with the exploitation of the weak and underprivileged.<br /> <br /> “Osun people know that I am not the facilitator and prime partaker in the looting of Osun state’s treasury. For more than eight years, Gboyega Oyetola was the chief enabler of the most corrupt, inept and anti-people administration in the history of Osun state.<br /> <br /> “I dare Oyetola to walk the streets of Osun alongside me and see who will get mobbed and stoned by the embittered citizens of our dear state. The people had voted the honest dancer and rejected the false progressives who had ruined the fortunes of Osun state and sentenced generations unborn to excruciating debt burden.<br /> <br /> “It is shameful for Oyetola to be gloating over daylight electoral robbery which is being roundly condemned as rape of justice across all sectors of Nigerian society and indeed internationally. Osun people were denied the supremacy of their will and on them was foisted a Governor they did not elect, a governor they rejected.<br /> <br /> “Osun people will remember that immediately after the apex court ruling,I issued a press statement congratulating Oyetola and restraining our members and supporters from violence and anti-peace actions.I claim credit for restoring normalcy, peace and stability to Osun state after the protracted governorship battle. At a time Oyetola and his band of usurpers were at a loss on how to manage the usurpation and its resultant tension in the land, I deployed diplomacy, putting the safety of our people above all considerations despite the blatant robbery you now call electoral loss.<br /> <br /> “While top state and national leaders of even his party the All Progressives Congress and other well meaning Nigerians appreciated our sportsmanship, the chief usurper seem to lack the decorum expected of a democratically elected Governor.<br /> <br /> “Let me remind Oyetola that his records as Chief of Staff to Rauf Aregbesola clearly confirmed his incompetence as an administrator but shows his competence at treasury looting and hardship imposition.<br /> <br /> “Osun people fully know his records. They are aware this his stolen tenure is going to be devoted to covering up their evil tracks of the last eight years”.<br /> <br /> He further accused the government of concealing the total debt owing by the state to the general public, as he said workers in the state are still going through serious economic predicament due to backlog of salaries and other emoluments.<br /> <br /> He added that the state of infrastructural development in the state is still at the lowest ebb despite billions of naira the government claimed to have expended, citing the failed MKO Abiola Airport located at Ido-Osun, a suburb of Osogbo, the state capital.

Latest-News OSUN: Adeleke replies Oyetola - ‘Dancing is better than looting government funds'

The candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2018 governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has slammed the s...

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Armed bandits kill over 20 in Sokoto

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="152" data-original-width="203" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsKmBhyUh2kUAJD_RJN_7iUUwVKGEiDUDpOXauvJUtHMvS8k-ax37QVNi7iTdYs-8i6GzcLO9iIQpUQuck0rUmSoPWgKidGgOf8cbHKS_Zv1xlshMz-WtlNnXI5nwtZmFpXZutwkJWLp5/s400/sokoto.gif" width="400" /></div> <br /> Suspected armed bandits have killed over twenty persons in Dan Tatsako village in Goronyo local government area of Sokoto State.<br /> <br /> A source in the local government says the assailants arrived in the village at night armed with sophisticated weapons and started shooting sporadically.<br /> <br /> He says apart from the twenty persons killed, houses and other properties were destroyed by the bandits.<br /> <br /> He explains that survivors of the attack fled the village to seek refuge in nearby communities within Goronyo and Isa Local Government areas of Sokoto state.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Sadiq, who also confirmed the attack, said the casualty figures were yet to be ascertained.

Latest-News Armed bandits kill over 20 in Sokoto

Suspected armed bandits have killed over twenty persons in Dan Tatsako village in Goronyo local government area of Sokoto State. A sourc...

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US offers $7.5 Million in scholarships to over 303 Nigerian students

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwNP_7Ag7NjkEiH2nl0utKr-ratQ4cb24opGTcEHvezmVlZStYStGFNeQyWPq37tQUvESUpZOZN0jS7AeI2yU2tojWqDPGBC5KjCW6jklmrtS_6mAOdFoCICpgT2wPa3tdST_dxKKCBx/s1600/Education-Scholarships+university+school+graduate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="450" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhwNP_7Ag7NjkEiH2nl0utKr-ratQ4cb24opGTcEHvezmVlZStYStGFNeQyWPq37tQUvESUpZOZN0jS7AeI2yU2tojWqDPGBC5KjCW6jklmrtS_6mAOdFoCICpgT2wPa3tdST_dxKKCBx/s320/Education-Scholarships+university+school+graduate.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> Even as Nigeria remains the 13th highest sending country of international students to the US, with about 12, 693 Nigerians currently studying in the United States, additional 303 Nigerian students from the 17 states of southern Nigeria have joined the league.<br /> <br /> The successful students have received no less than $7.5 million in full or partial scholarships from 225 American universities and colleges to study in the United States for the 2019-2020 academic session.<br /> <br /> Delivering his keynote massage during the 2019 EducationUSA pre-departure orientation for the students, Tuesday, 15th July 2019, Acting US Consul General, Osman Tat, stated that the US remains a top destination for international students. He explained that the list of acceptances for Nigerian students for the upcoming academic year has been quite impressive, cutting across many of the 50 US states.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to the acting CG, “I congratulate each one of you on your tremendous success. This is a very important step in your life. I encourage you to make the most out of your time in the United States to acquire the requisite skills and knowledge needed to support Nigeria’s development.” The pre-departure orientation is intended to assist students to prepare for their move from Nigeria to attend a college or university in the United States.<br /> <br /> The event included interactive sessions on topics such as travel planning, adjusting to life in America, safety on campus, and F-1 visa rules for international students. The group of the US- bound students has been accepted for undergraduate and graduate degree programs at top notch US institutions ranging from Ivy League universities, liberal arts colleges, women’s colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to community colleges.<br /> <br /> Also included are Stanford University, The George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, Tufts University, Boston University, Emory University, and Howard University, among many others. Among the departing students are 13 EducationUSA Opportunity Fund grantees, 10 undergraduate and 3 graduate students, with full scholarships, who received financial aid to cover the up-front cost of obtaining admission.<br /> <br /> Worthy of note is the fact that annually, through the Opportunity Fund Program, the US Consulate’s EducationUSA Advising Centre assists talented low-income students who are good candidates for admission to US colleges and universities, by funding their application process. Reportedly, the latest Open Doors Report, published annually by the Institute of International Education, Nigeria is the 13th highest sending country of international students to the U.S., with about 12, 693 Nigerians currently studying in the United States.<br /> <br /> However, participants also had the opportunity to meet with students currently studying in the United States who offered tips on how to prepare for the U.S. academic, social, and cultural environment.

Latest-News US offers $7.5 Million in scholarships to over 303 Nigerian students

Even as Nigeria remains the 13th highest sending country of international students to the US, with about 12, 693 Nigerians currently study...

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Renault, Coscharis to assemble, sell two low-cost vehicles in Nigeria

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zLn0tcq9Q6o8cc_e0IlfjA_RFDh78CiLAzcPXRoGvO-SCtAFw0rVgP6fK5iyQgamwsdU98es9RMtYAX3OwUT24GfoFZ5o8ZdU53SZj9PzBTzKtfQfgVRIkOYbnYWn2MC4ypD7Uu8L2vk/s1600/Renault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="640" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zLn0tcq9Q6o8cc_e0IlfjA_RFDh78CiLAzcPXRoGvO-SCtAFw0rVgP6fK5iyQgamwsdU98es9RMtYAX3OwUT24GfoFZ5o8ZdU53SZj9PzBTzKtfQfgVRIkOYbnYWn2MC4ypD7Uu8L2vk/s320/Renault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> French car giant Renault plans to assemble two low-cost vehicles in Nigeria via a joint venture with the local conglomerate Coscharis, a Renault statement said Thursday.<br /> <br /> Renault, which claims an 18 percent share of the African auto market, wants to “respond to the demand of the new emerging middle class of the countries like Nigeria,” which has a population of more than 200 million people, the statement said.<br /> <br /> The Logan and Duster models are to “be assembled in the existing Coscharis assembly facility in Lagos starting October 2019,” Renault said.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Coscharis is active in several sectors of the Nigerian economy, including autos, information technologies, logistics, agriculture, food, real-estate and health. It began to assemble vehicles in late 2015 and has created a sales network across the country that includes five dealerships in Lagos.<br /> <br /> Renault plans to import two other models, the entry-level crossover Kwid, and the Oroch pickup that is based on the Duster, from Brazil. All are to be distributed by Coscharis, the statement said.<br /> <br /> Renault is aiming initially for a five-percent share of the Nigerian market, or around 900 registrations a year, a spokeswoman told AFP. The French group already has a strong presence in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and South Africa.

Latest-News Renault, Coscharis to assemble, sell two low-cost vehicles in Nigeria

French car giant Renault plans to assemble two low-cost vehicles in Nigeria via a joint venture with the local conglomerate Coscharis, a R...

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Army investigates video of soldier assaulting motorist in Lagos

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="139" data-original-width="361" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuf7Q02abCNPZ0c6-CKPup508HmRo2tUoQeNKmwt4xp7TKO-5BPTJQPRt1PxXYu4-TOgayr3h_axGRZ2IHPsgdRZuIXHM9Xi_Ilc1WqRP3k3VlAJ_MaMb4mZRZb5lgbtt9waidkBxFP2ZT/s400/nigerian+army+logo.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Army said yesterday that it had begun investigation into the assault of a motorist at Obalende, Lagos Island, by a man dressed in military camouflage.<br /> <br /> General Officer Commanding 81 Division Maj.-Gen Musa Yusuf, reacting to the video, said: “Intelligence and Military Police commanders are handling the matter. We are trying to trace the soldier and where he is serving.”<br /> <br /> Outcry greeted a viral video, which showed the purported soldier identified as Duru I., who drove an ash Acura Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with number plate Oyo AE966YYY, physically assaulted an elderly man.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to the poster of the video, the incident occurred around 5:16pm on Monday opposite Kam Salem Police Station, Obalende.<br /> <br /> The video showed the uniformed man drove against traffic and suddenly stopped, came out of his vehicle and slapped the driver of a car, ordering him to come out of his car.<br /> <br /> Narrating what happened, the poster wrote: “We were on the right side of the road, coming from Obalende, but had to stop, as there was an oncoming vehicle on our way. This vehicle should have been on the left side. We horned several times, but the vehicle refused to move.<br /> <br /> “We then heard other disgruntled drivers murmur ‘na soldier o’. So we reversed in an attempt to wriggle our way out peacefully, but surprisingly the soldier reversed and intentionally drove forward to hit our car.<br /> <br /> “These videos show the altercations right from when we were wrongly hit. His name as seen on his uniform is Duru I.”

Latest-News Army investigates video of soldier assaulting motorist in Lagos

The Army said yesterday that it had begun investigation into the assault of a motorist at Obalende, Lagos Island, by a man dressed in mili...

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Military pressure forced Zamfara bandits to embrace dialogue — Buratai

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="319" data-original-width="412" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UKczAb2IjRyjebYVmaGyRScUjNd9AOW0McAVBvB2754aw94Kj28VFdDTt1yo0j-C1MHlFMfP9DLlP_q3qWjY7yWEHj5kJsoScGvk7vZ2bWZRBp7Apjp7icTC7baMXRHtL6_XCrbE5tYA/s400/buratai7.png" width="400" /></div> <br /> The Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said the pressure mounted by the troops on bandits and criminals in the North-West geopolitical zone has forced them to embrace the dialogue option initiated by the Zamfara State Government.<br /> <br /> The army chief, however, said the “dialogue option must be comprehensive and there must be disarmament.”<br /> <br /> He added that the army had pledged its “support to the Zamfara State Government which is already in dialogue with the bandits.”<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Buratai stated this on Wednesday evening when the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, visited him at the army headquarters in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Buratai said, “We are quite interested in the security situation in Zamfara State and more so the democratic process that is managed by the governor.<br /> <br /> “We are 100 per cent in support of whatever the civil administration decides towards bringing about peace and security in our country. We have remained apolitical and indeed the military is an instrument of the state.<br /> <br /> “Just about two days ago, the combined troops of the military including the police and the state services went from Zamfara into Katsina State to flush out these bandits and many of them were either neutralised or captured while some others fled their camps.<br /> <br /> “This is one of the pressures that the army had put on the criminals that have forced them to look for the dialogue option. In this regard, I want to say that the dialogue option must be comprehensive; there must be disarmament which is quite fundamental and also the issue of release of captives, which you have started.<br /> <br /> “We will support you to ensure that there is complete disarmament and equally the concept of deradicalisation and other political process which I believe the government will take note of and see how it can implement not only in Zamfara State but across the states that are facing this banditry especially Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states.”<br /> <br /> Earlier, the governor said the bandits’ activities in Zamfara State had reduced, adding that the effort of the military made the bandits to opt for dialogue.<br /> <br /> He said, “The bandits told us that they would not have embraced peace if the army was not giving them too much trouble. So, we agreed that the army should reduce attack on them so that they can come out.<br /> <br /> “We have secured the release of over 120 captives including foreign nationals and arrangement is on the ground to release another 25 captives including women and children.”

Latest-News Military pressure forced Zamfara bandits to embrace dialogue — Buratai

The Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has said the pressure mounted by the troops on bandits and criminals in the North-Wes...

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Ooni of Ife to Buhari - 'Fish out bad eggs among Fulani herdsmen'

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxzQEKsEe7eIq3EJtbXWGcJEYX77aHT-n_lDNkYIFn_1u1kb5COGfSKJHL9TZ0d3k2NTzDWzBH6qj8okh3syo3ZSw_Cys7Ua5yflAbM-dxXn6DQ1If-1jiZmEwIbcEf_VT89X300zpnhT/s1600/Ooni+of+Ife+to+Buhari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="640" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxzQEKsEe7eIq3EJtbXWGcJEYX77aHT-n_lDNkYIFn_1u1kb5COGfSKJHL9TZ0d3k2NTzDWzBH6qj8okh3syo3ZSw_Cys7Ua5yflAbM-dxXn6DQ1If-1jiZmEwIbcEf_VT89X300zpnhT/s400/Ooni+of+Ife+to+Buhari.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday called for the tightening of security in the South-West by the Federal Government amid the increasing attacks by herdsmen on communities in the geopolitical zone lately.<br /> <br /> He noted that while not all Fulani herdsmen were involved in the attacks, it was the wish of Yoruba monarchs and their subjects that the Federal Government in collaboration with local communities, should fish out the “bad eggs” among the herdsmen.<br /> <br /> The Ooni stated that the escalating security challenges in the country had led to some persons and groups beating the drums of war.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> However, he clarified that the South-West was not ready to go to war with any part of the country.<br /> <br /> The paramount ruler disclosed that it was the desire of the Yoruba to see improved security over lives and property, a responsibility he said was not impossible for the Federal Government to undertake.<br /> <br /> The Ooni, who spoke with State House Correspondents after he held a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said he came to the State House on behalf of royal fathers in the South-West to make a case for improved security.<br /> <br /> His visit came just a week after the late Mrs Funke Olakunri, the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was killed by suspected herdsmen along the Kajola-Ore Road in Ondo State.<br /> <br /> Speaking on whether he thought the Fulani were being stigmatised , the Yoruba paramount ruler said, “Well, it is not about stigmatisation; it is about separating the wheat from the chaff.<br /> <br /> “A lot of them are mixed up with the good ones. We are not saying all the Fulani are bad. It is not only about the Fulani, it is not only about them; it is about the bad miscreants that are even hiding under the name of the Fulani.<br /> <br /> “We want to try as much as possible to work with the government right now. They have all the security apparatus and they are meant to defend us; that is what we are looking up to now. We have to stand up and meet with Mr President and he has given us a listening ear and you (will) see a lot of result going forward.”<br /> <br /> Responding to a question on the purpose of his visit, Ogunwusi said, “(It was on) how to improve security. I came to speak on behalf of other traditional rulers. The issue at hand in the South-West is real. The issue of insecurity; we that live in the remote and rural areas of the south-western part of the country, most of the bushes are occupied by strange people and we decided to work with the government to fish them out.<br /> <br /> “Everybody is beating the drum of war; we don’t want war. Who can stand war? We want something better for our youths.<br /> <br /> “We should better use them (youths) for something good other than shouting war and anarchy. We don’t want that.<br /> <br /> “We told the President that and he is on the same page with us. Politicians should be careful not to blow things out of proportion.<br /> <br /> “We should make sure things are right and the President has given good directives to security chiefs including the Inspector-General of Police (Mohammed Adamu), to visit all traditional institutions in the South-West.”<br /> <br /> The monarch canvassed efficient policing and intelligence gathering that involved using the locals to help fish out strange elements in the various communities.<br /> <br /> Opposing a resort to war at this point, he said, “We shouldn’t keep over-hyping war and we still want to keep the peace in the South-West. We don’t want anarchy.”<br /> <br /> Ogunwusi also noted that the controversial Ruga scheme appeared to have been given different interpretations, saying that Buhari did the right thing by intervening to ease the growing tension in Nigeria over the initiative.<br /> <br /> He added that overall, what was of utmost importance to the people of the South-West was maximum security.<br /> <br /> “What is important is for the youth not to take the law into their own hands, killing and causing violence. The drum of war is resonating loud and we are very worried.<br /> <br /> “We need more federal apparatus to defend ourselves. We need security reinforcement from the Federal Government. We understand more than anybody. We don’t want war and we want to work with government to bring peace.<br /> <br /> “We are not saying all Fulani are bad; it is about the bad guys working under the name of the Fulani,” the monarch further stated.<br /> <b><br /></b><b>Leaders shouldn’t keep silent on insecurity – Jonathan</b><br /> <br /> Just as the Ooni was saying this, former President Goodluck Jonathan also called on all leaders to speak out whenever things were going wrong in the country.<br /> <br /> Recall that Buhari had a few days ago advised leaders to watch their utterances, saying those criticising his administration handling of insecurity were not patriotic.<br /> <br /> But Jonathan on Thursday said leaders should come together and proffer solutions to insecurity in the country.<br /> <br /> He said insecurity appeared from time to time, but noted that leaders must come together for a conversation that would end attacks on defenceless citizens.<br /> <br /> Jonathan said this in Abuja during the public presentation of a book, “Not By Might Nor By Power: Selected messages to the world,” an autobiography written by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, who would retire next year.<br /> <br /> “We must get the country out of insecurity,” he said at the event which brought together eminent Nigerians including a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.).<br /> <br /> But in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Jonathan said every generation had challenges, adding that leaders must come together to address the menace.<br /> <br /> He said, “If things are wrong, leaders, including me, should be talking. And there are a lot of conversations going on to solve this problem (of insecurity); every generation has its problems. In fact, my generation is almost gone. It’s for your generation and we must all come together to solve the problem.<br /> <br /> “The security challenges have been with us for long, but we know that whatever the challenges are, we must come together and address them. The political leaders in the country and traditional leaders are talking. And we must get the country out of insecurity.”<br /> <br /> Okoh cautioned ethnic groups forming their own militias to retrace their steps and stop the killings in the country.<br /> <br /> He said, “I have no solution because I am an individual. But we should try to ask the appropriate authorities to do what they should do, and that is the government.<br /> <br /> “I strongly believe that individuals should not take security initiative because if individuals take their own security initiatives, I mean organising our own militias, the country will be destroyed. Everybody will perish.<br /> <br /> “But the government which has the constitutional responsibility to maintain security should do so and quickly too before it gets out of hand. That is my appeal.”<br /> <br /> Also, the Primate advised young pastors not to be in a hurry, adding that what he observed was that many of them were in a hurry to be noticed.<br /> <br /> “If you are with God, hear from God before you speak. Don’t resort to your imagination and say, ‘God has said’; make sure you receive a message from God and you are in tune with Him (God).”<br /> <br /> According to him, the Nicholas Okoh Foundation will help him in ministry even after leaving as Primate in 2020.<br /> <br /> “I want to continue with my work as a man of God. The book is about yearly situations and the solutions I provided. At this point, I decided that the two volumes should be published. There are other books unpublished. There is a gap between what we think and what we do. We want our children and those following us to know that we have not arrived. We must back it up with moral integrity,” Okoh added

Latest-News Ooni of Ife to Buhari - 'Fish out bad eggs among Fulani herdsmen'

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Thursday called for the tightening of security in the South-West by the Federal Government amid ...

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Death Of Fasoranti’s Daughter: Residents cry out over arrest of artisans, motorcyclists

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="462" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-6FKkEq0MNWqSEVyN9OYhlbJ-xXlLb2zZ_F2JoeTo35OK1DbvP9gpKBEiBtMfOZfnutHyLXSCwvFkMroSg4GDV-IM05x97tGUT2NwgaMBHt5wIyp5BmA2zVhRZ-F0zZXl4Pd9H70xzyS/s400/Mrs.+Funke+Olakunrin%252C+daughter+of+Afenifere+chairman%252C+Pa+Reuben+Fasoranti.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Following the death of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, security men have reportedly begun to make some arrests.<br /> <br /> Olakunrin was killed along the Ore-Sagamu Expressway in Ore, in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state last Friday.<br /> <br /> Residents of some communities in the local government area raised the alarm over the arrest of their members by the joint task force of the security agents, including soldiers and policemen from the Inspector-General of Police Special Squad and the state command who were deployed in the forest reserves in the LGA.<br /> <br /> The residents alleged that the security agents left the criminals in the forest and were arresting innocent people in the town. According to the residents, most of those that were allegedly arrested were farmers.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> One of the residents, Mr. Ayomide Akinyemi, who lived in Kajola village, revealed that many farmers were in police custody following the arrest by the security men. .<br /> <br /> He said, “The security men have been arresting our people. Most of the people arrested are innocent. The criminals are hiding in the forest. The security should go there and arrest them not the innocent farmers that are working in the farm.<br /> <br /> Another resident of Ore, Mr Abayomi Akingbeyin, who lamented that the herdsmen had been terrorising the communities in the area, commended the security agencies for their intervention but complained that the security operatives deployed in the areas were deviating from their original assignment.<br /> <br /> He said, “Since the security men are around here, I think they should go after the criminals, not we villagers, they are tormenting us because they just picked up anybody they see in the street and in the farms. I think the Commissioner of Police and other security chiefs should look into this.”<br /> <br /> A source in Ore said security agents had been indiscriminately arresting people going to farm and commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) and artisans.<br /> <br /> The Police Public Relations Officer of the state, Mr Femi Joseph, who confirmed that many people have been arrested, however, said those that were innocent had been released, shortly after the arrest.<br /> <br /> He said the operation involved all the security agencies in the state and the team from the Force Headquarters, Abuja.<br /> <br /> The PPRO said, “We are working in that forests, we cannot be disclosing how we are doing it because it is a security matter, it is true that we have arrested many people but those with genuine reason, we have released them.”<br /> <br /> Joseph declined to disclose the number of people arrested. He said they would be paraded soon.

Latest-News Death Of Fasoranti’s Daughter: Residents cry out over arrest of artisans, motorcyclists

Following the death of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, the daughter of the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa. Reub...

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El-Zakzaky: Christian-Muslim forum decries continuous terror acts by IMN in Nigeria

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zgo82iQHmoeaQJsfYu2E_8R5vm3A2HHQwHXABVA93yUQADA_Qa9DOk7Ql3khIfthhikK6Bl7GlH8206DSqBdq0AFZs4-XmWjkh2B1yf4D4VryZl0LFsGqp2oZhyphenhyphenP122CbcVq3N18A08/s1600/El-zakzaky-750x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Zgo82iQHmoeaQJsfYu2E_8R5vm3A2HHQwHXABVA93yUQADA_Qa9DOk7Ql3khIfthhikK6Bl7GlH8206DSqBdq0AFZs4-XmWjkh2B1yf4D4VryZl0LFsGqp2oZhyphenhyphenP122CbcVq3N18A08/s400/El-zakzaky-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Following the violent protests by the members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, in some parts of the nation over the continued detention of their leader, El-Zakzaky, an interfaith group known as Forum of Muslim and Christian Faithful in Abuja, has decried continuous terror acts by the sect.<br /> <br /> Recall that the group had last week invaded the national assembly complex, vandalizing vehicles and killing a security officer in the process.<br /> <br /> Speaking at a joint press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the religious forum warned the sect to stop acts of terror in the country.<br /> <br /> A statement jointly signed by Rev. Nathaniel Atawodi, Convener, Nurudeen Abdul-Gafar<br /> Deputy Convener, called on the Nigerian government, through the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence and even the military, to clamp down on the terrorist activities of the IMN so that the brand of terrorism it is seeking to spread is not allowed to take over Abuja.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The forum also called on the international community to call the violent group to order.<br /> <br /> The statement reads.<br /> <br /> We have followed with interest the various security advisory issued by diplomatic missions, supra-national bodies and international organizations to their nationals and staff living in Nigeria, particularly Abuja, since this is where most of them are based. Whilst some contrived incidents might have given rise to the issuance of these advisories, we have deemed it right to weigh in on the situation.<br /> <br /> It is imperative to categorically state that Abuja has not only remained safe but that it remains one of the safest capitals in the world today. The sense of insecurity being attributed to the capital city arises from the activities of bandits in the north-west, the remaining traces of terrorism in the north-east and kidnapping in the outlying neighbors of Abuja.<br /> <br /> These criminal activities spiked following the elections held earlier in the year. There have been reports that these crimes are the manifestations of the threats by the opposition that killings will continue and intensify if they did not win the election.<br /> <br /> This is by no means to say that Abuja has not recorded its own share of muggings, car burglary and some other crimes that are common with cities of Abuja’s status. These crimes exist but fortunately the state of security in Abuja and environs have remained within a healthy threshold since President Muhammadu Buhari came on board. Security agencies and their military counterparts have continued to collaborate to keep criminals out of the city and their efforts and the resulting success must be commended.<br /> <br /> The only serious blot on the security landscape of Abuja remains the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) whose members have continued to torment residents of the city. IMN members have now made it a routine to deny other road users the right of way while their frequent confrontation with the police usually lead to entire districts being sealed off. This has taken heavy tolls on quality of life and businesses.<br /> <br /> The peace, which the city has been known for since President Buhari came into office, is now being threatened with the terror attack launched on the National Assembly by IMN elements last week. It is a situation that cannot be allowed to continue. We cannot again have a situation where terrorists will take over the capital and be killing security operatives like Boko Haram did before the military flushed them into the desert and Sambisa Forest.<br /> <br /> This attack, in which IMN members used firearms against law enforcement officers, is totally condemnable because person that have been radicalized on the scale of the IMN members should not be allowed anywhere close to weapons. It is an unacceptable development because it clearly conflicts with the lies they had always told that they are harmless. With this development, it is now clear for all to see that the IMN protests have nothing peaceful about them as there is nowhere in the world where bearing arms for protests is considered peaceful and neither is civil disobedience equated with openly attacking persons that are providing security for the country.<br /> <br /> What we found worrisome is that the IMN’s attack has triggered an avalanche of these advisories and questionable reports that are now making Abuja sound like a war zone when the reverse is the case. It is inconceivable that one sect will make it its life mission to destroy a city that many of us have labored to build and call home. It is most ridiculous that the so called IMN members are not even taxpaying individuals in addition to their disavowal of the Nigerian state of which Abuja is the capital. We, therefore, wonder on what basis they have decided to import terrorism into our city.<br /> <br /> We have no option than to warn IMN and its members that they must stop committing their acts of violence and terrorism in Abuja, and indeed in any other part of the country since that has a way of having knock on effects here in our city. IMN must realize at this stage that no one has the monopoly of violence.<br /> <br /> Intelligence report has also suggested that the upsurge in incidents of muggings, car burglary and robberies being witnessed in Abuja coincided with mass exodus of IMN members into the city under the guise of coming to protest to demand for the release of their detained leader. An additional point that has been noted is that these IMN members resorted to these crimes to finance their stay in Abuja since they are not gainfully employed in the day time other than taking part in violent protests.<br /> <br /> Abuja cannot and must not suffer the double jeopardy of having IMN shooting and killing policemen by day while attempting to sack the National Assembly and robbing or mugging residents at night to finance their ill-fated campaign. The daytime and nighttime terrorism must both be stopped. We cannot begin to live under constant fear of not knowing when IMN members will strike and make life unbearable for the rest of us.<br /> <br /> We, therefore, call on the Nigerian state, through the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), Civil Defence and even the military, to clamp down on the terrorist activities of the IMN so that the brand of terrorism it is seeking to spread is not allowed to take over Abuja. It is also crucial that their fanatical activities are checked so that other persons of faith are not mistaken for sectarian fanatics and harmed in any way.<br /> <br /> The international community is invited to condemn the IMN’s act of terror. Countries with missions in Nigeria should endeavor to get the correct brief from their consular staff on the IMN issue so that they would not be misguided into wrongly siding with terrorists. Home countries must further ensure that their staffers in Nigeria have not been compromised by the huge funding that IMN has deployed to manipulate the true account of its complicity in terrorism.

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