Anambra has a special place in Buhari’s heart -Osinbajo

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Five ways to keep children engaged during summer break

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23-Cb_LQaSaDe_GcZCvhGWZX0xw0eom62ve6RpkRHbs3i547Fnu8hK70LdwSQQWhFyIHIfSQIASgl-gc3RsJdr4ls1J8a3ts6phbv3zCm-zruSOtNieTVZcJyHZ6-NHpt1HKQt42qi9Q/s1600/BABY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23-Cb_LQaSaDe_GcZCvhGWZX0xw0eom62ve6RpkRHbs3i547Fnu8hK70LdwSQQWhFyIHIfSQIASgl-gc3RsJdr4ls1J8a3ts6phbv3zCm-zruSOtNieTVZcJyHZ6-NHpt1HKQt42qi9Q/s400/BABY.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> As the 2018/2019 school session draws to a close, many parents may be wondering how they will get their kids reasonably engaged while the two-month break lasts.<br /> <br /> Apart from the worries of parents, on average, students lose the equivalent of two months of Maths and reading skills during the summer months..<br /> <br /> For the benefit of the entire family, experts share some tips to keep children occupied and parents happy.<br /> <br /> One way to engage kids during the holiday is to take them to a museum, a zoo or other tourists attraction near you and if you’re adventurous, you can even go further afield, but please be security conscious.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to Kidsvillage, such visits can broaden kids’ minds<br /> <br /> Kidsvillage also advised that if your child tends to get bored at museums, try bringing a sketch pad for them to draw their favourite objects or replicate their favourite art, let them take pictures of their favourite exhibits.<br /> <br /> 2. Game day<br /> <br /> Make this day all about games. Be competitive but have fun! Play your favourite board games, maths quiz, puzzles, chess, monopoly, scrabble. Feel free to get creative and put your family’s spin on these games. It stays in your child(ren)’s mind for longer.<br /> <br /> 3. Cooking<br /> <br /> Teach kids how to cook with step-by-step lessons and recipes. You can find a lot of those on the internet.<br /> <br /> Once a level of proficiency has been achieved, you may want to consider doing a family cook-off. Be warned that there will lots of washing up to do afterwards but many tired little people.<br /> <br /> 4.Vocational skills<br /> <br /> Summer holiday is another opportunity to help your children acquire more skills, aside going to school to learn how to read and write.<br /> <br /> As a parent, you can help your child develop particular vocational skills like hairdressing, tailoring, barbing and others.<br /> <br /> 5. Techie lessons<br /> <br /> The world is gradually going global and technology is taking over. The earlier you expose your children to various technologies and how to use them the better.<br /> <br /> You can enrol your kids for computer training, web designing, coding, robotics and even enlighten them on how to use social media responsibly.<br /> <br /> Don’t forget that photography, photo editing, videography and editing are also skills that come in handy for the 21st-century kid.

Latest-News Five ways to keep children engaged during summer break

As the 2018/2019 school session draws to a close, many parents may be wondering how they will get their kids reasonably engaged while the ...

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Arsenal set sign Nicolas Pepe for €80 million

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFv16F9DFyijcbUsWejc31j52Omkf45PteM2_zJDJH6cYpWZYU2BIBBxv3uobzDYzdRfxTY8hGG14zqiw80YOAMtZKksNYpgTuEgJzckx0Ukl_qNskQrRa4TGVOjp206H1-JyAQ1uSoov/s640/nicolas-pepe-lille-arsenal_1tyu8d5of0gvd1k5cki7o1t4k8.jpg" width="640" /></div> <br /> <br /> <b>Arsenal are set to see off strong competition to sign highly rated forward, Nicolas Pepe, with the Gunners now in advanced talks over the structure of a staggered payment plan for the €80 million (£72m/$89m) Lille winger.</b><br /> <br /> Liverpool, Manchester United, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain had all been credited with an interest in the Ivory Coast international, who bagged an impressive 23 goals and 12 assists across all competitions in the 2018-19 season.<br /> <br /> Indeed, Napoli head coach Carlo Ancelotti recently admitted to being in talks with the winger's representatives , stating: "Obviously, we are interested in Pepe, his agents are here [in Italy] and there’s no point hiding that. Negotiations are in progress and we’ll see what happens."<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Arsenal have also been involved in negotiations and that the Gunners are now leading the race to sign the player after talks in the last 48 hours progressed at a rapid pace, with Pepe seemingly preferring a move to the Premier League over Serie A.<br /> <br /> Lille president Gerard Lopez admitted on Friday that four "big clubs" had met their €80m valuation of the 24-year-old, leaving the former Angers man with a big decision to make as he plans the next step in his career.<br /> <br /> Lopez said: "Last year we asked Pepe to stay with the promise that we would sell in this transfer window.<br /> <br /> "We received offers that satisfy us economically from four big clubs. Now it is up to the player to decide where he wants to go.<br /> <br /> "He must make that decision based on the offers that his agents have received from the four clubs.<br /> <br /> "On Monday, Pepe will return from vacation and I believe that by the middle of the week he will have made a decision."<br /> <br /> Should Arsenal complete the signing of Pepe, it would mean the club would have to pull out of talks for Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, for whom the Gunners had a bid of £40m ($50m) rejected by the Eagl es.<br /> <br /> The Gunners had also been linked with Barcelona winger Malcom and Bournemouth star Ryan Fraser, but a deal for Pepe would also mean moves for the pair would be off.<br /> <br /> One player who could still arrive, however, is Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney, with Arsenal still hopeful they can land the highly-rated Scotland international ahead of the 2019-20 Premier League season.<br /> <br /> Should Pepe arrive, he'll be the north Londoners' four signing of the summer, with Gabriel Martinelli arriving from Ituano, Dani Ceballos joining on loan from Real Madrid and William Saliba being brought in in a deal that will see him loaned back to Saint-Etienne.

Latest-News Arsenal set sign Nicolas Pepe for €80 million

Arsenal are set to see off strong competition to sign highly rated forward, Nicolas Pepe, with the Gunners now in advanced talks over the...

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15 foods that can boost your s3x life

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZNCzzWMJcGytib1Yz0yr1DFMo0UfshioZqF1yA2ncwkLi690C01wa78i-pxp9ty5mI2oHbTgZ6z_i4x0xW607a0Oc6AJHj9HvO4jsqMucHtbIFwq-ihFTed7ZjKseERhbSdxk8M6fbs/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZNCzzWMJcGytib1Yz0yr1DFMo0UfshioZqF1yA2ncwkLi690C01wa78i-pxp9ty5mI2oHbTgZ6z_i4x0xW607a0Oc6AJHj9HvO4jsqMucHtbIFwq-ihFTed7ZjKseERhbSdxk8M6fbs/s400/food.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> For men, it is said that some of the smallest blood vessels and nerves in the body can be found in the p3nis. Hence, devouring junk foods like pizzas and fries every day may get the blood vessels ‘beneath’ clogged with fat and cholesterol.<br /> <br /> Such fat and cholesterol can restrict blood flow to the p3nis, thereby preventing it from getting hard when it’s time for action with one’s spouse, according to a urologist at the Orlando Health, Florida, the United States, Dr Jamin Brahmbhatt.<br /> <br /> Apart from that, the heart may be at risk as many of these foods can increase the chances of developing high blood pressure.<br /> <br /> Although it may sound ridiculous, Brahmbhatt said the penis should be treated like a luxury car. Like the car needs to be filled with the recommended fuel and kept up with the suggested maintenance, the p3nis also needs healthy foods and plenty of exercise to keep it brawny.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> As published on menshealth.com, the urologist said filling the manhood up with right foods could boost a man’s testosterone, strengthen the sperm, and supercharge an erection. For a start, Brahmbhatt and other experts said the following foods could keep the penis healthy and boost a couple’s s3x life.<br /> <br /> Coffee<br /> <br /> Having morning coffee may improve a man’s s3x life, according to a study of more than 3,700 men from the University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, US.<br /> <br /> During the study, it was observed that those who downed the equivalent of two to three cups of coffee a day, that is, between 170mg to 375mg of caffeine, were less likely to report erectile dysfunction than men who skipped their cup of coffee.<br /> <br /> According to authors of the study, caffeine triggers a series of effects in the body that help the arteries in the manhood relax and make blood flow to increase, producing an effect similar to erectile dysfunction drugs like viagra.<br /> <br /> Salmon, egg yolks, fortified milk<br /> <br /> A man’s penis needs vitamin D and the foods above are great sources of it. A group of researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine, Texas, US, had a group of men take either 3,332 IU (83.3μg) of vitamin D or a placebo per day for a year.<br /> <br /> The researchers found that free testosterone levels – the powerhouse of a man’s s3x drive – significantly increased in men who took vitamin D.<br /> <br /> According to the Chief of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine, Dr Larry Lipshultz, insufficient D levels may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, because when men don’t get enough vitamin D, they produce free radicals that decrease nitric oxide in their bodies, a compound that helps the blood vessels to function.<br /> <br /> Lipshultz noted that without nitric acid, the blood vessels can’t relax, hindering the flow of blood to the penis and making it difficult to get hard.<br /> <br /> The US National Institutes of Health recommends 600 IU (15μg) of vitamin D daily, while the Endocrine Society notes that some people may need to go much higher with between 1,500 IU (37.5μg) to 2,000 IU (50μg) daily. Men are advised to consult their doctors to find out what works best for them.<br /> <br /> Pistachios, almonds, walnuts<br /> <br /> Menshealth.com carried out a study involving 17 men with erectile dysfunction who ate 100g of pistachios every day for three weeks.<br /> <br /> After the period, the men were said to have all reported a significant improvement in their erectile function, orgasm ability, libido, sexual satisfaction, and overall happiness in life. Also, they were all said to have higher high-density lipoprotein (also known as the “good” cholesterol) and lower low-density lipoprotein (also known as “bad,” cholesterol).<br /> <br /> Brahmbhatt said pistachios contained a high amount of an amino acid that boosts nitric oxide in the body.<br /> <br /> He noted that pistachios, like almonds, walnuts and most other nuts, were a great source of healthy fats and good for both the heart and penis.<br /> <br /> Blueberries and oranges<br /> <br /> Experts believe that only a few people eat enough fruit.<br /> <br /> In a 10-year study of more than 25,000 men, Harvard University researchers found that men who ate foods packed with certain flavonoids such as anthocyanins, flavanones, and flavones had a lower erectile dysfunction risk than men who didn’t eat as much of them.<br /> <br /> The researchers observed that men who ate flavonoid-rich foods like blueberries, strawberries, apples, and citrus fruits a few times a week reduced their ED risk by 9 to 11 per cent compared to those who took them less frequently.<br /> <br /> The researchers discovered that flavonoids found in these foods might help improve the health of the blood vessels by relaxing the arteries.<br /> <br /> In addition, men who were physically active (even walking for between two and five hours a week) and ate flavonoid-rich fruits reduced their ED risk by 21 per cent.<br /> <br /> Legumes, whole grains, olive oil<br /> <br /> Researchers have always said the Mediterranean diet (inspired by the eating habits of the people of Greece, Italy, and Spain) is good for the heart and also the p3nis. They said heart disease was one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction and that once plaque started to build up in the blood vessels, the ones in the penis were the first to get blocked up.<br /> <br /> To test the Mediterranean diet’s benefits, menshealth.com reported that some Italian researchers had 35 men diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome load up their plates with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and fish. Another 30 men with metabolic syndrome followed a control diet.<br /> <br /> After two years, about one-third of the men following the Mediterranean diet regained normal s3xual functioning and saw lower levels of inflammation in their bodies.<br /> <br /> The researchers found that the combination of eating more fibre-filled and antioxidant-rich foods might have anti-inflammatory properties, which help promote healthy blood flow.<br /> <br /> The study also observed that men who ate lots of monounsaturated fats like fish and nuts also had the highest levels of cholesterol.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, other studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet can help one drop a few pounds, as healthy body weight is linked to stronger erections.<br /> <br /> “That’s because extra weight can harm the body’s vascular function and this interrupts blood flow to the p3nis,” a study of more than 7,000 adults published in The Lancet found.<br /> <br /> The authors stated that the Mediterranean diet could help people lose weight without counting calories. They added that the Mediterranean diet was particularly great at reducing belly fat, which could increase the risk of heart disease.<br /> <br /> Peppers, peaches, spinach<br /> <br /> Vitamin C, found in the above items, is key for healthy sperm, according to research from the University of Texas Medical Branch, US.<br /> <br /> In the study, researchers divided 75 men – all heavy smokers with poor semen quality – into three groups. One group took 200mg of vitamin C, another took 1,000 mg and the last group took a placebo.<br /> <br /> After four weeks, the 200mg group improved their sperm quality by 15 per cent, meaning they not only had a higher sperm count, but their sperm were able to swim more efficiently and survive longer, too.<br /> <br /> In addition, the 1,000mg group more than doubled that by 40 per cent. Vitamin C seems to protect the sperm’s DNA from cell-damaging free radicals, the researchers said.<br /> <br /> They said this was important since damaged sperm might mess with the man’s ability to conceive when a couple is ready to have a child.<br /> <br /> The National Institute of Health asked men to aim for a minimum of 90mg and no more than 2,000mg of vitamin C a day, stating that vitamin-C rich foods include oranges, yellow peppers, peaches and spinach.<br /> <br /> Speaking with our correspondent, a Lagos-based marriage counsellor-cum-nutritionist, Mrs Oluwatola Williams, said lack of s3xual satisfaction among couples was one of the reasons for infidelity and divorce.<br /> <br /> She agreed with the authors of the various studies above, urging partners to consume foods that could boost their s3x lives.<br /> <br /> Williams said, “I always tell couples that one of the solutions to erectile dysfunction is eating healthy foods. I agree with the consumption of the foods suggested by the experts. Thankfully, most of the foods can be found in many stores and markets in Nigeria. The truth is, lack of s3xual satisfaction can be bad and lead to severe consequences among couples.<br /> <br /> “I think many Nigerians don’t eat fruits and they don’t get all the nutrients they need for blood flow. Some men can consume ‘swallow’ from morning till night without the addition of rich vegetables.”<br /> <br /> She noted that such eating habit would do no good to the body and the overall boost of couples’ s3x lives.<br /> <br /> Another nutritionist, Dr Ninioluwa Badmus, said it was time husbands and their wives started taking care of their bodies by eating healthily.<br /> <br /> She also noted that foods played an important role in a couple’s s3xual life, advising them to be wary of the kind of foods they ate.<br /> <br /> Badmus said, “Many times, couples’ solution to poor s3xual satisfaction is not found on prayer mountains or at vigils. They are found in the kitchen. I agree with the fact that the foods mentioned could help rejuvenate a dying s3xual life.”

Latest-News 15 foods that can boost your s3x life

For men, it is said that some of the smallest blood vessels and nerves in the body can be found in the p3nis. Hence, devouring junk foods ...

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Magu raises concerns over obstacles in repatriating stolen funds

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3_27_zzEEBflJrHbneLTXgVkeXs9fu98-oC55w0-wGtMgYFhOSVC_XsQz4rC_j9eTkWIf8hyH76f7s2LhPdcAjcWUczgfVO4P6-mY6XQ4NTxyult-SbpYm0kjFyvi-XQx22nPIIqFQw/s1600/magu-efcc-e1500699525393.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/AVvXsEgQ3_27_zzEEBflJrHbneLTXgVkeXs9fu98-oC55w0-wGtMgYFhOSVC_XsQz4rC_j9eTkWIf8hyH76f7s2LhPdcAjcWUczgfVO4P6-mY6XQ4NTxyult-SbpYm0kjFyvi-XQx22nPIIqFQw/s400/magu-efcc-e1500699525393.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Acting Chairman, Economic, and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, has decried the difficulties being experienced in the repatriation of stolen assets traced to foreign countries.<br /> <br /> He appealed to international law enforcement agencies to assist the agency in this regard.<br /> <br /> A statement by the commission’s Acting Spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade, in Abuja on Friday quoted Magu to have expressed the concern when Mr Joe Abah, Country Director of DAI Nigeria, visited him in his office.<br /> <br /> DAI is an international development firm implementing programmes covering governance, in more than 100 countries worldwide.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to Magu, the process of repatriating monies stashed abroad has been very frustrating and disappointing.<br /> <br /> “Yet, we have done everything possible, gone out of our way to encourage our sister agencies, but cooperation is almost nil.<br /> <br /> “We have been investigating a number of cases for over four years working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, National Crimes Agency and even the Crown Prosecution Service.<br /> <br /> “We have done everything possible, gone out of our way to encourage our sister agencies, but except there is a third party involved there is no cooperation.<br /> <br /> “We are willing to go outside this country to give evidence, and to share the intelligence that we have,” he said.<br /> <br /> Magu, further said that President Muhammadu Buhari remained unwavering in his vision and mission of ensuring victory in the anti-corruption crusade.<br /> <br /> “The next level in the corruption fight is promising, there is political will and we are going to be daring,” he said.<br /> <br /> Earlier, Abah said that the visit was part of efforts aimed at supporting the anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “We recognise the valuable work EFCC is doing to preventing, investigating, prosecuting and combating financial and economic crimes,” he said.

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Our bad image scaring investors – Ministerial nominee

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggORvKk1zdW5hq3Tx_CmzMXG6V6Dq6NOGtLRrd6TUN26BzOuFPDbyUV7ijjehoP3FDbynh8ylOCcgrKcZv1aEsE9WBUluKrFZNvgyzD30oDYJgTb0ae4FAzFxbalzgqsiBjHT318jXAvI/s1600/images-10-678x430.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="678" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggORvKk1zdW5hq3Tx_CmzMXG6V6Dq6NOGtLRrd6TUN26BzOuFPDbyUV7ijjehoP3FDbynh8ylOCcgrKcZv1aEsE9WBUluKrFZNvgyzD30oDYJgTb0ae4FAzFxbalzgqsiBjHT318jXAvI/s400/images-10-678x430.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Dr Isa Pantami, a ministerial nominee has said that many investors are scared of investing in the country’s IT sector because the nation’s image has been badly portrayed, especially in the media.<br /> <br /> The nominee, who is currently the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said this while responding to questions from lawmakers during his screening at the National Assembly on Friday in Abuja.<br /> <br /> Pantami was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari along other 42 nominees that will constitute the federal cabinet.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Pantami, 46 years old from Gombe state was among the seven nominees screened by the Senate on Friday.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He said the Information Technology(IT) sector if properly promoted and positioned could attract investors who would create hubs, employ Nigerians and reduce the rate of unemployment.<br /> <br /> “Our image is worse than the reality,”he said.<br /> <br /> Pantami said that the government needed to work on improving the image of the nation to encourage investors.<br /> <br /> Speaking on his stewardship at NITDA, Pantami said since 2016 he assumed office, the agency has been repositioned as the IT clearing house of the nation and saved the country over N16 billion..<br /> <br /> “We have enforced local content policies which have helped in discouraging procurement of foreign IT products except when we cannot produce such goods in Nigeria.<br /> <br /> “We have increased the number of Original Equipment Manufacturers to 265,000 and established IT hubs in 246 institutions across the country,” he said.<br /> <br /> On enhancing the services of the Nigerian Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Pantami said the agency would perform better if commercialised.<br /> <br /> He said that NIGCOMSAT had played a great role in providing data for security intelligence, aiding communication in the country and commercialising it would enhance its performance.<br /> <br /> The director general said that privatising the agency would mean surrendering the security of the nation to private institution’s hand.<br /> <br /> The ministerial nominee said there was need for the country to embark on digital literacy across the nation which would enhance IT knowledge in all sector.<br /> <br /> The nominee added that the literacy should start from the teachers of IT in schools to ensure they could impact the desired knowledge to their students.<br /> <br /> He called the creation of multiple IT hubs to aid digital literacy, adding that the agency had created seven in the past and if given the opportunity would increase the number.<br /> <br /> Pantami decried the high percentage of out of school children stating that state governments needed to work to ensure the number was reduced.<br /> <br /> He also emphasised the need for increased budget for the education sector, free education and laws that would compell parents to send their children to school<br /> <br /> According to Pantami, children who are orphans should have special packages that will enable them go to school when their foster parents cannot ensure their education.<br /> <br /> He assured the screening committee that if given the opportunity to serve as minister, he would deploy his wealth of experience into changing the sector of his prospective portfolio.<br /> <br /> The other nominees screened by the Senate on Friday were, Abubakar Malami, SAN (Kebbi), Sen. Hadi Sirika (Katsina), Dr Osagie Ehanire (Edo), Mrs Pauline Tallen (Plateau) Muhammdu Dingyadi (Sokoto) and Festus Keyamo, SAN (Delta).<br /> <br /> NAN reports that the Senate so far, has screened 31 nominees while the remaining 12 are expected to appear before the red carpet on Monday and Tuesday.

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Tackle insecurity, corruption, unemployment, cleric tells Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmAXXdAI41OKoG_vynmKyTknsNwYOyiAB5MB6fHi21aYG7qHTqvBQWyaOrsS-JbCmeJne8xR-LdLKKH2PjVASU6DRdA1egoEOS9RbkgsQgb2QDOjvLHGyCIv2X_o3Fjimsk6egTSa2QnY/s1600/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430+%25282%2529.png" 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/AVvXsEgmAXXdAI41OKoG_vynmKyTknsNwYOyiAB5MB6fHi21aYG7qHTqvBQWyaOrsS-JbCmeJne8xR-LdLKKH2PjVASU6DRdA1egoEOS9RbkgsQgb2QDOjvLHGyCIv2X_o3Fjimsk6egTSa2QnY/s400/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A cleric, Adebola Odubela, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to, as a matter of urgency, take bold steps to tackle insecurity, corruption and unemployment confronting the nation.<br /> <br /> He said this on Thursday in Agege, Lagos on the sidelines of the upcoming dedication of the new cathedral of the Sacred Cherubim &Seraphim Church, El-Bethel Shiloh, Agege, scheduled for Saturday (today).<br /> <br /> Odubela, who is the minister-in-charge, noted that banditry and insurgency were gaining ground in the country due to the lack of unemployment of the critical mass of the society, which were the youth.<br /> <br /> The cleric also warned politicians to guard their utterances and imbibe acts that would promote unity and harmony in the country, adding that Nigeria could not afford another civil war.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> While calling on the government to declare a national day of prayer, Odubela argued that God was still interested in the prayers of the people, if they would repent from their sins.<br /> <br /> He said, “Unemployment, no doubt, is one of the ills fuelling the insecurity in the country. ‘The devil finds work for an idle hand.’ Therefore, the Federal Government should explore all avenues to provide employment for our teeming population, especially the youth. It must also enhance basic social infrastructure –electricity, potable water,  good roads and well-kept drainage channels, to reduce rural-urban migration.<br /> <br /> “Concerted efforts must be made at all governmental and non-governmental levels to fight corruption to its minimal level.<br /> <br /> “Let me also say that our political leaders have a major role to play in fostering unity among the component units of this country by tempering their utterances, and conduct and exhibit the highest level of patriotism and altruism at all times.”<br /> <br /> He called on the residents of Lagos to support the state government by obeying environmental and traffic laws in order to make the state habitable and pleasurable for all to live in.<br /> <br /> “We should support the state government by paying our taxes as and when due to enable the government to provide adequately for developmental projects,” he said.

Latest-News Tackle insecurity, corruption, unemployment, cleric tells Buhari

A cleric, Adebola Odubela, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to, as a matter of urgency, take bold steps to ...

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Ninth House: Newly named Appropriation Chair sued for N1b

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztycgJTw89BywBkYGt-lHu9eX14UxF9d7nc2lANY5EiqbyadddErMLXQfSb0aVVG-HsFg3YfRKKr049RcjQNT4GK1aiejDLWlQyk6g5Ral4A2NZfjlbj0cP_b9naaeTNFCqcLgXm9qjQ/s1600/Iduma-Igariwey-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/AVvXsEiztycgJTw89BywBkYGt-lHu9eX14UxF9d7nc2lANY5EiqbyadddErMLXQfSb0aVVG-HsFg3YfRKKr049RcjQNT4GK1aiejDLWlQyk6g5Ral4A2NZfjlbj0cP_b9naaeTNFCqcLgXm9qjQ/s400/Iduma-Igariwey-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Hon. Iduma Igariwey, newly appointed Deputy Chairman, House committee on Appropriation and member representing Afikpo North / Afikpo South Federal constituency in the House of Representatives has been sued for defamation by one of his opponents in the last election.<br /> <br /> The opponent, Anthony Ekoh Jnr, a pharmacist is claiming the sum of one billion naira as damages to his person and his company, Ekoh Drugs Limited by Igariwey.<br /> <br /> In a suit filed in an Abakaliki high court, Ekoh is claiming among other things that Igariwey defamed him by making repeated statements in both the print and social media that he, Ekoh was a fake pharmacist and secondary school dropout.<br /> <br /> In a 54 point statement of claim, Ekoh claims he has been traumatized, made to look ordinary and has lost face in the society by the claims of Igariwey. He averred that he went to Federal Government college , Wukari where he not only completed his secondary education in 1985, but was an established sportsman and a house prefect.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> He also went further to state that he studied Pharmacy in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and graduated in 2003/2004 academic year, did his mandatory internship with now Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki and duly licensed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> On the issue of exemption from National Youth Service Corp scheme, Ekoh stated that age barred him from participating in the programme but noted NYSC duly exempted him by issuing him a discharge certificate.<br /> <br /> Ekoh noted that he has not only been practicing but has been honoured severally by both the local and national body of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and several other distinguished bodies in the country.<br /> <br /> Mike Odo, Ekoh’s lawyer says the suit together with attached relevant documents have been served on the defendants and they are ready for the hearing.<br /> <br /> ” Elected politicians should show sportsmanship and respect to their opponents who lost the election and that it is strange that the honourable member of the House of Reps, Idu Igariwey can grant a press interview after the election and make criminal allegations against his political opponent when he has not verified his facts. We are ready to proceed with our case” Odo opines.<br /> <br />

Latest-News Ninth House: Newly named Appropriation Chair sued for N1b

Hon. Iduma Igariwey, newly appointed Deputy Chairman, House committee on Appropriation and member representing Afikpo North / Afikpo South...

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Daddy Freeze tackles Evangelist who said Tope Alabi will go to hell for fixing weavon

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJinfhrnxDdLxpWcBJeDFFnRXs5wXU9-gVM7kB3xH6HGwJmty89uB6-P5eaZ0Uj62C0SphPybkOaybWtZ1q7M1BBhx0-mDKKfnuGMimzagyy7eJrjyM4u0pl8iwT5-kVO-pxAuAAYP5Rg/s1600/Tope-Alabi-e1564167809191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="495" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJinfhrnxDdLxpWcBJeDFFnRXs5wXU9-gVM7kB3xH6HGwJmty89uB6-P5eaZ0Uj62C0SphPybkOaybWtZ1q7M1BBhx0-mDKKfnuGMimzagyy7eJrjyM4u0pl8iwT5-kVO-pxAuAAYP5Rg/s400/Tope-Alabi-e1564167809191.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Critic, Ifedayo Olarinde, popular known as Daddy Freeze, has attacked an evangelist who said popular singer, Tope Alabi will not get to heaven if she kept on using weavons, earrings and others.<br /> <br /> Evangelist Victor Edet had warned Tope Alabi through his Facebook page to beware so that her good works would not be forgotten.<br /> <br /> Edet said: “TOPE Alabi, you are talented and gifted, but don’t allow your labour to be in vain. Take off the Weavon, attachment, earrings, make-up and artificial nails.<br /> <br /> “Anyone who wear this things won’t make Heaven.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Reacting on his Instagram page, Daddy Freeze described the evangelist as an intellectual midget with a blattodea brain, exhibiting a paucity of scriptural understanding and suffering from spiritual discohesion.<br /> <br /> “When you listen to untaught preachers, you can only end up with a warped understanding of Christ.<br /> <br /> “Christianity has no dress code but ‘Churchism’ & ‘bornagainism’ two false, pagan religions, based on the ideas of men, do,” he said.<br /> <br /> Daddy Freeze quoted from 1 Peter 3:3, which said “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.”<br /> <br /> He said this in no way did not implied that these things were bad, but that “it just says they shouldn’t define your beauty.”<br /> <br /> “Women should be descent, but who or what defines decency, has always been a dilemma. If you wear a nice decent wig or weave, that won’t attract attention, but if you wear a hip long multi-coloured wig or weave that definitely will draw attention.<br /> <br /> “Also, mild, well applied, modest make up won’t draw attention to you, but painting your face in uncomplimentary colours or making up like a drag queen would,” he said.<br /> <br /> According to Daddy Freeze, “Let’s remember that Christ did not tell his disciples to go out and start religions, but as humans, they soon unwittingly found themselves teaching their followers religion.”

Latest-News Daddy Freeze tackles Evangelist who said Tope Alabi will go to hell for fixing weavon

Critic, Ifedayo Olarinde, popular known as Daddy Freeze, has attacked an evangelist who said popular singer, Tope Alabi will not get to he...

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U.S. Supreme Court approves Trump wall funding

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiw5RHCiAWbhxMqlyoyuwxD_J48CeohPBGERHoQChN69YckEPeO0g0ANrxlnLAJ39Lm52f2m9mY7vunShJ0Omijxpvu6DjR7fVFBhqFmURV7jiFJLb-zOjViJF32lsKQYT_RnAINPNtk8/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/AVvXsEhiw5RHCiAWbhxMqlyoyuwxD_J48CeohPBGERHoQChN69YckEPeO0g0ANrxlnLAJ39Lm52f2m9mY7vunShJ0Omijxpvu6DjR7fVFBhqFmURV7jiFJLb-zOjViJF32lsKQYT_RnAINPNtk8/s400/trump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The US Supreme Court has said that President Donald Trump can use $2.5 billion (£2 billion) of Pentagon funds for a section of wall on the southern border.<br /> <br /> The court ruled by five votes to four to block a ruling by a federal judge in California that barred the president from spending the money on the wall.<br /> <br /> The wall, dividing the US and Mexico, was Mr Trump’s major campaign promise during the 2016 election.<br /> <br /> It is fiercely opposed by Democrats.<br /> <br /> The decision by the Supreme Court means that the money will be used for wall projects in California, Arizona and New Mexico.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The court in California had argued that Congress had not specifically authorised the funds to be used for constructing the wall.<br /> <br /> In a tweet, Mr Trump described the ruling as a “big victory”.<br /> <br /> On Friday, the US and Guatemala signed a deal, under which migrants from Honduras and El Salvador who pass through Guatemala will be required to stop and seek asylum there first, rather than continuing and trying to enter the United States.<br /> <br /> US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “This evening’s Supreme Court ruling allowing Donald Trump to steal military funds to spend on a wasteful, ineffective border wall rejected by Congress is deeply flawed. Our Founders designed a democracy governed by the people – not a monarchy.”<br /> <br /> The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has vowed to seek an expedited decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals “to halt the irreversible and imminent damage from Trump’s border wall”.<br /> <br /> Gloria Smith, an attorney with environmental group the Sierra Club, which sued to block the funds said: “Today’s decision to permit the diversion of military funds for border wall construction will wall off and destroy communities, public lands, and waters in California, New Mexico, and Arizona.”<br /> <br /> Mr Trump declared an emergency earlier this year, saying he needed $6.7bn to build the wall as a matter of national security. However, this figure is far short of the estimated $23bn cost of a barrier along the whole 2,000 miles (3,200km) of border.<br /> <br /> Democrats claimed Mr Trump’s decision to declare an emergency exceeded his powers under the US constitution.<br /> <br /> About 20 states, along with groups including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have filed lawsuits to try and stop the president using the emergency declaration to bypass Congress.<br /> <br /> Environmental groups have also campaigned against building the wall claiming that it could have a negative impact on wildlife.<br /> <br /> In February, Congress approved $1.38bn for the construction of “primary pedestrian fencing” along the Rio Grande Valley in Texas – far less than Mr Trump had sought.<br /> <br /> The House of Representatives is also taking legal action to stop the diversion of further funds for the wall project.<br /> <br /> According to US authorities, the number of border apprehensions dropped by 28% in June.<br /> <br /> The decline follows a record number of apprehensions between ports of entry in May – the highest in over a decade. Drops in migrations are typical during summer but this June saw a sharper decline compared to previous years.<br /> <br /> The Trump administration claims the decrease is due to new policies with Mexico to curb migration.<br /> <br /> The UN Missing Migrants project reports that 170 migrants have died or are missing on the US-Mexico border so far in 2019 – including 13 children.

Latest-News U.S. Supreme Court approves Trump wall funding

The US Supreme Court has said that President Donald Trump can use $2.5 billion (£2 billion) of Pentagon funds for a section of wall on the...

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Senate resumes screening of Buhari’s ministerial nominees

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQP76Hb26-VghUXaDITN2i9kdh1Y42UQq3o8V_CdSviH-XZFl4h6Q5oEoeE5sxXHW5CoJVbuOqvasPWWyJEHbLz4bdMneUAAnNmIRNfUcFhQlSsZIAyiv26NZq-ZVOAhyE7esUccEBkk/s1600/LAWAN-senate-President.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="737" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQP76Hb26-VghUXaDITN2i9kdh1Y42UQq3o8V_CdSviH-XZFl4h6Q5oEoeE5sxXHW5CoJVbuOqvasPWWyJEHbLz4bdMneUAAnNmIRNfUcFhQlSsZIAyiv26NZq-ZVOAhyE7esUccEBkk/s400/LAWAN-senate-President.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Senate has begun the third day of the screening exercise for the ministerial nominees, with the immediate past Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami standing at the podium ready to answer questions.<br /> <br /> The screening exercise started on Wednesday a day after President Muhammadu Buhari sent in his ministerial nominee list.<br /> <br /> Senate has so far screened 24 nominees, with 19 to go.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> More details later…

Latest-News Senate resumes screening of Buhari’s ministerial nominees

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Evangelist warns singer Tope Alabi to stop using wigs, makeup, earrings so as not to end up in hell

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Senate extends ‘take a bow’ to friendly nominees, women

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH16f2hockkVnP_3W5I28bRdff71FhJE_WGGi1nw6VsyMz5PUhXv6Q7nB90DGCLs6RCwp6S4K1hHdGKjyz24Tc7fbF6Fe7gB-RZ6c5ULBZt0w6rvEshe6x2r2hjkmvQb45nInOZYVQstA/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/AVvXsEjH16f2hockkVnP_3W5I28bRdff71FhJE_WGGi1nw6VsyMz5PUhXv6Q7nB90DGCLs6RCwp6S4K1hHdGKjyz24Tc7fbF6Fe7gB-RZ6c5ULBZt0w6rvEshe6x2r2hjkmvQb45nInOZYVQstA/s400/the-senate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Senate has extended the ‘take a bow’ gesture to nominees described as ‘friendly’ towards the National Assembly as well as women.<br /> <br /> ‘Take a bow’ is a privilege traditionally reserved for nominees, who are former members of the National Assembly. It allows nominees to simply take a bow and leave without being questioned.<br /> <br /> The upper chamber of the National Assembly had initially reserved the ‘take a bow’ for former members of the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> However, Senate President Ahmed Lawan extended the privilege to former members of state assemblies thereby giving the likes of Rotimi Amaechi, a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the privilege to “take a bow”.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> A former Governor of Bayelsa State, who was accused of corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was also asked to “take a bow” after informing the Senate that he had once served as a member of the House of Assembly in the short-lived 3rd Republic in 1992.<br /> <br /> The Lawan-led Senate again extended the ‘take a bow’ gesture to some persons who had never been lawmakers as well as those who are women.<br /> <br /> The gesture was extended to a former Minister of FCT, Muhammadu Bello, who had after his lengthy address to the lawmakers, prayed that they accord him the traditional “bow and go” treatment because he is a member of the National Assembly “by association.”<br /> <br /> Kebbi State senator, Adamu Aliero, noted that Mr Bello had been screened before. He said there was no need to delay asking him to leave.<br /> <br /> “He has done very well. He has mentioned critical infrastructure. With your permission, let the nominee take a bow and go,” he said.<br /> <br /> The Senate President subsequently accorded Bello the privilege of “taking a bow” after the question was put to a voice vote.<br /> <br /> Three female nominees- Executive Secretary of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Sharon Ikeazor; a Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, Sa’adiya Farouk; and a former finance minister, Zainab Ahmed – were asked to go based on their gender.<br /> <br /> Lawan said, “The Senate is gender-sensitive. We give support to female senators and female stakeholders that we interact with. You have the entire Senate behind you.”<br /> <br /> So far, 16 out of the 21 screened nominees were asked to take a bow, meaning that only five so far were questioned.

Latest-News Senate extends ‘take a bow’ to friendly nominees, women

The Senate has extended the ‘take a bow’ gesture to nominees described as ‘friendly’ towards the National Assembly as well as women. ‘Ta...

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NEMA receives 171 Nigerians from Libya

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gj4KLFUJw1mes7wzR2-rXUTyxP7RNU13098glInBgHlKWF4Q8oIInYFG3QXQoSqfKWTvjx1hyphenhypheneactFVY78RlgjZq-LXyN0uYgkel6z-0eDzQXZ9T8d8qo3TxGv1eDt9mXvjxEDwEgTs/s1600/NEMA111.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="543" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Gj4KLFUJw1mes7wzR2-rXUTyxP7RNU13098glInBgHlKWF4Q8oIInYFG3QXQoSqfKWTvjx1hyphenhypheneactFVY78RlgjZq-LXyN0uYgkel6z-0eDzQXZ9T8d8qo3TxGv1eDt9mXvjxEDwEgTs/s400/NEMA111.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday received another batch of 171 stranded Nigerians from Libya.<br /> <br /> Alhaji Idris Muhammed, Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office of NEMA, who was represented by Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Public Information Officer, said the returnees arrived the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport about 1.10 a.m. on Friday.<br /> <br /> He said that they arrived aboard an Al Buraq Airline aircraft with registration number 5A-DMG and flight number UZ 196/25.<br /> <br /> According to him, the returnees were brought back by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and European Union, under the Assisted Voluntary Returnees (AVR) Programme.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Muhammed said the figure comprised 61 female adults, one female child and five female infants, as well as 98 adult males, one male child and five male infants.<br /> <br /> He advised Nigerian youths to be wary of overseas love advances from strangers, noting that this was now one of the tactics being used by human traffickers, to lure them outside the country.<br /> <br /> The coordinator said the traffickers were now contacting ladies via social media apps, especially Facebook and WhatsApp, and making fake marriage proposals to them, to deceive them into traveling outside Nigeria.<br /> <br /> He cited a particular case when a lady sought advice about a man who simply called himself Ali, who claimed to be living in Sudan.<br /> <br /> “Upon critical observation, the code number of the caller indicated that it belongs to Libyan code, and the man that makes video calls was an Arab; but he was not making statements for the lady to hear him.<br /> <br /> “It was understood that the man cannot communicate in English, but someone behind the scene was responsible for the chatting with the lady,” Muhammed said.<br /> <br /> He urged them to put behind their experiences in the volatile North African country and take advantage of the opportunities being put in place by the Federal Government, IOM and other development partners, to forge a better future for themselves.<br /> <br /> Muhammed advised young Nigerians planning to leave the country to make use of the Migrant Resource Centres, jointly set up by the government and the IOM, to know more about their destination countries.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that NEMA said as at March 15, 12,574 Nigerians have so far returned from Libya under the Assisted Voluntary Returnees Programme, which began in April 2017.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that NEMA said over 4,900 of the returnees have also been trained on various skill acquisition and empowerment training by IOM through special funding facilitated by the EU.

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We’ll leave Nigerian better than we met it – Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ktgGQTWRU6ZlLWW7w4SNA1dkHB7baIWnsn4_dH2hpxpfZz6car9xmsS8PM9XyYEWHmNbaUejcBwlyyLquWOU0uwHKfoUEZOHWVQDeKNnBJ2Az978mnIvOIL0MejdiW_kszM4PedjHAI/s1600/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430.png" 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/AVvXsEj2ktgGQTWRU6ZlLWW7w4SNA1dkHB7baIWnsn4_dH2hpxpfZz6car9xmsS8PM9XyYEWHmNbaUejcBwlyyLquWOU0uwHKfoUEZOHWVQDeKNnBJ2Az978mnIvOIL0MejdiW_kszM4PedjHAI/s400/bUHARI-NATIONAL-BROADCAST-750x430.png" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is determined to leave a better Nigeria for future generations.<br /> <br /> The president stated this at the closing ceremony of the Presidential Policy Dialogue Session held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.<br /> <br /> He said: “From the presentations, discussions and exchanges, I could clearly see the patriotism and commitment you all have for this country.<br /> <br /> “This gives me hope that we will surely leave a better Nigeria for future generations to come.’’<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> On the two days Policy Retreat, the president observed that several case studies were presented on how different countries successfully addressed various issues confronting them.<br /> <br /> “I listened carefully and attentively throughout all the presentations and the subsequent exchanges in the question and answer sessions. What was very obvious is that the journey for each country was different.<br /> <br /> “A good example is on infrastructure development. The path adopted by Ethiopia is from my understanding, the complete opposite of Brazil.<br /> <br /> “This is also the same when it comes to agriculture, where Brazil adopted large scale mechanised agriculture while Ethiopia took the out-grower and contract farming model.<br /> <br /> “The same can be said when you compare the oil and gas policies of Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United States as shown in one of the presentations.<br /> <br /> “Like my brother, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia mentioned, the only right answer is the one that is tailored to your specific needs,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> Buhari, however, maintained that while benchmarking Nigeria against other countries, “we must not lose sight of the laws, regulations, geography, culture, history and many other factors that makes us Nigerians.<br /> <br /> “Some of you may remember me saying some years back that what we need are “made in Nigeria solutions for our uniquely Nigerian problems”.<br /> <br /> He said already in agricultural sector, the country had partnered with the Kingdom of Morocco to revive dozens of abandoned fertiliser blending plants across the country.<br /> <br /> He added that the Federal Government had also introduced the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme that provided cheap credit to small scale farmers to buy the right inputs that would lead to enhanced yields.<br /> <br /> The Nigerian leader disclosed that his administration had successfully developed the food security programme that provided capital to large scale food processors to enable them to off-take the grains produced by these farmers.<br /> <br /> He stated that the government introduced policies that restrict imports to support the consumption of locally produced food items.<br /> <br /> “Through these interventions, we were able to systematically address some of the value chain issues confronting agriculture.<br /> <br /> “This led to significant job creation in the rural economy and savings in our foreign reserves. They also led to a lowering of food prices,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> On infrastructure, the president revealed that through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, his administration had invested in strategic projects across the country such as the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos Ibadan Express Way and the Abuja – Kaduna – Kano highway.<br /> <br /> He, however, noted that in Agriculture, the government was just an enabler, as it linked the farmers to input suppliers and off-takers while providing extension services.<br /> <br /> “In infrastructure development, we decided to build the roads ourselves for now.<br /> <br /> “As a nation, the limited experience we have on road concessions have not been very positive. But that, he said, we will continue to explore,’’ added.<br /> <br /> On the key proposals made by the experts at the policy retreat for the federal government to consider over the next four years, the president assured that the incoming Federal Executive Council (FEC) would deliberate and implement the relevant strategic initiatives.<br /> <br /> The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the resource experts at the policy retreat had recommended that the federal government should;<br /> <br /> “Stimulate significant investments in the industrialisation of agriculture; Develop policies that will facilitate private sector participation in infrastructure projects;<br /> <br /> “Introduce policies and regulatory changes that will unlock growth potentials in the petroleum sector – both upstream and downstream;<br /> <br /> “Aggressively improve the ease of doing business by reducing bureaucracy and improving inter agency collaboration;<br /> <br /> “Providing incentives for investors especially in agriculture and power sectors;<br /> <br /> “Facilitate construction of mass and affordable housing to propel economic growth and reduce the massive housing deficit;<br /> <br /> “Launch of a consumer credit scheme with the Banking Sector for citizens to have access to long term and affordable mortgages and consumer credit;<br /> <br /> “Address our security challenges by working in collaboration with the private sector;<br /> <br /> “Fix the power sector by addressing some of the regulatory uncertainties and operational shortcomings of the key players;<br /> <br /> “Drive efficiency in public service delivery through realignment of the Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs) and implementation of e-governance solutions.”<br /> <br /> Buhari, who noted that most of the proposals were targeted at the federal government, however, charged state governors to do their part especially in the areas of education and health care.<br /> <br /> According to him, education and health care are within their constitutional responsibilities.<br /> <br /> “As you are aware, some of my Ministerial nominees are currently undergoing their screening at the National Assembly.<br /> <br /> “God willing, the proposals from this session will be discussed and finalised with them in the coming weeks as they take on their portfolios,’’ he said.<br /> <br /> The president reiterated the determination of his administration to implement initiatives that would lift Nigerians out of poverty through mass employment and social safety nets.<br /> <br /> “This is achievable with the right fundamentals in place. We must all keep in mind that a successful economy is one where prosperity is felt by the majority,’’ he maintained.<br /> <br /> Buhari thanked members of his party (APC), developmental partners, captains of industries and private sector representatives, industry experts, and all the other speakers and panel members at the retreat.<br /> <br /> NAN reports that the president later hosted the participants as well as the resource persons to a dinner at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

Latest-News We’ll leave Nigerian better than we met it – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is determined to leave a better Nigeria for future generations. The president stated ...

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‘Military suffocation, hunger driving Boko Haram into violations of aid workers’

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lcZ-kChkyezu7QsjZSdQ252pQpBbC2hY-9VxqxxK06EtGgBL-qxTsq-tZVJeIQIS9OHWS_BQk1Bk3IfIaZVJAStMF3JvcphwN5MhKF9IAZIbYQ_DhNhtwopH9VnqB1t3njAb2C8mVmQ/s1600/aid-workers-kidnapped-750x422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="750" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lcZ-kChkyezu7QsjZSdQ252pQpBbC2hY-9VxqxxK06EtGgBL-qxTsq-tZVJeIQIS9OHWS_BQk1Bk3IfIaZVJAStMF3JvcphwN5MhKF9IAZIbYQ_DhNhtwopH9VnqB1t3njAb2C8mVmQ/s400/aid-workers-kidnapped-750x422.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has attributed Boko Haram’s recent strategy of abducting aid workers to desperation following massive onslaught from the Nigerian military.<br /> <br /> The group made this observation in a press statement signed by National Coordinator Gabriel Onoja on Thursday to demand the release of Action Against Hunger workers.<br /> <br /> According to CATE, the radical sect, still reeling over the heavy beatings received from the gallant troops, resorted to kidnap as they are desperately in need of money for food.<br /> <br /> While condemning the abduction, the group advised the Islamic sect to forthwith release the aid workers or face further battering.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> CATE, however, appealed to the military to intensify efforts at halting potential kidnap attempts as this is the only viable options left for Boko Haram to survive.<br /> <br /> Read the full statement below:<br /> <br /> We are saddened that Boko Haram terrorists continue to quest for relevance even though the beatings they have taken at the hands of the Nigerian military do not leave them in a position to continue such pursuit.<br /> <br /> Such pointless show of bravado is the abduction of workers of Action Against Hunger, an interventional non-governmental organization that is committed to bringing relief to the population impacted by Boko Haram’s atrocities in the Northeast of Nigeria.<br /> <br /> This action of Boko Haram is condemnable in the highest sense possible. It shows that the terrorists are not intelligent enough to embrace the offer of surrender made by the military. This rejection of an otherwise sound offer is a death wish on the part of the remaining Boko Haram fighters, for which we commiserate for them.<br /> <br /> The Nigerian Government through the military has been kind and magnanimous enough in its approach towards ending Boko Haram by allowing those who cannot withstand the firing power of the Nigerian military to surrender and be re-absorbed back into the society.<br /> <br /> In the past, when Boko Haram took hostages, it usually coincide with when the terror group was broke and desperately in need of money. Knowing that the military has seriously destroyed Boko Haram’s cache of weapons and food stuck, in addition to the fact that the terrorists had overstretched themselves and exhausted their resources in recent months. The abduction of the NGO workers is all about Boko Haram trying to raise funds for financing its terror activities. The terrorists are broke and seeking means to extort money from either the Federal Government of Nigeria or international organizations operating within the areas affected by their terrorist activities.<br /> <br /> We call on Boko Haram to unconditionally release the workers of Action Against Hunger. They are into work that help the population forget the wickedness that Boko Haram is about so the terrorists should see these courageous workers as pleading for mercy on their own behalf. Boko Haram should know that there shall be consequences if any harms befalls their captives. The terrorists must also know that the captives’ prolonged stay in captivity will further expose it as a group whose members must be hunted off the face of the Earth. This is the one abduction that will prove expensive for Boko Haram.<br /> <br /> The Boko must not deceive themselves any further but to do the needful by releasing the aid workers and turning away from their evil ways.<br /> <br /> If they fail to do so, Nigerians are confident in the military to fight to the finish until the last captive is released and last Boko Haram is seen by the Nigerian authorities.<br /> <br /> We urge the Federal Government to take stiff punitive measures, beyond what has been done before, against Boko Haram fighters if they hold onto longer than another 48 hours. The government should give the marching order to the military to decimate the terrorists accordingly.<br /> <br /> Knowing that Boko Haram has become desperate to raise money from abductions, we appeal to the military and intelligence community to intensify efforts at thwarting further attempts to abduct aid workers and foreigners. The military curtail free movement of foreigners into the region so that they will not provide ready funds to Boko Haram. Nigeria’s international partners should be updated in this regard so that they can advise their nationals against falling into Boko Haram’s trap. Particular advisory must be issued to French nationals who have a history of getting abducted and paying ransom that has kept the terrorist organization running.<br /> <br /> We sympathize with the aid workers and pray that will be returned to their loved ones safely.

Latest-News ‘Military suffocation, hunger driving Boko Haram into violations of aid workers’

The Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism (CATE) has attributed Boko Haram’s recent strategy of abducting aid workers to desperation f...

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19 ministers left to be screened, 24 through Senate grill

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEHjlIiNbCwhbcQ41OHFNaj0gylFU57KitLpjeffjGi8sCZdnMQrAqi0N5LdkUyCKJa-PUg32cQ4zN7vmTpX_NwtGXx5xued3AbTX-bSt6TqIInS0ECnDY3KuMbzJwXEtQSwHbyfJQhw/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/AVvXsEjxEHjlIiNbCwhbcQ41OHFNaj0gylFU57KitLpjeffjGi8sCZdnMQrAqi0N5LdkUyCKJa-PUg32cQ4zN7vmTpX_NwtGXx5xued3AbTX-bSt6TqIInS0ECnDY3KuMbzJwXEtQSwHbyfJQhw/s400/the-senate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Twenty four of the 43 ministerial nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari have now been screened, on the second day of the exercise.<br /> <br /> There has been no rejection yet.<br /> <br /> All the nominees that have passed through the senate grill have all had an easy touch, with only Sunday Dare, from Oyo, arguably the only one that went through screening in the proper sense of the word.<br /> <br /> He was bombarded with a host of questions about the telecom industry, about broadband, drop calls, and how to make the industry serve Nigerians better.<br /> <br /> He spoke about how registered SIMS can be used to track kidnappers and what NCC has been doing to collaborate with the security agencies.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Dare, who is at present executive commissioner with the Nigerian Communications Commission confidently and brilliantly answered the questions and delivered a most stellar performance so far.<br /> <br /> On Wednesday, the senators screened 10 of the nominees. They were:<br /> <br /> Uchechukwu Ogah, Ogbonnaya Onu, former science and technology minister, Olamilekan Adegbite, a former works commissioner in Ogun, Adamu Adamu, former education minister, Rotimi Amaechi, a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, former governor and former transport minister; former senators George Akume, Godswill Akpabio, Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora, Emeka Nwajiuba, a member of the House of Representatives.<br /> <br /> Also screened was Sharon Ikeazor, a lawyer, who now heads the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate(PTAD).<br /> <br /> Ogah was grilled on the state of the nation’s oil sector, diversification of the economy and the nation’s fiscal policies.<br /> <br /> All the Nominees who have previously served in the upper and lower legislative chambers of the National Assembly as well as in a State House of Assembly were not questioned by senators. They were simply asked to ‘take a bow’ and leave after they were introduced.<br /> <br /> The trend continued on Thursday with Senator Tayo Alasodura, a former Senator representing Ondo Central. He was also asked to take a bow.<br /> <br /> Other nominees screened on Thursday apart from Sunday Dare were: Mustafa Baba Shehuri, a former minister of state from Borno, Abubakar Aliyu, an engineer and former deputy governor of Yobe state, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi, a former ECOMOG commander from Kano, Timipre Sylva, former governor of Bayelsa, Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, from Kogi, Niyi Adebayo, former governor of Ekiti state.<br /> <br /> Others are Zubair Dada from Niger, Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra and former minister of Labour, Abdullahi Hassan the youngest nominee from Nasarawa State, Mohammed Bello, former FCT minister from Adamawa state, Sadiya Farouq from Zamfara State.<br /> <br /> Sadiya cracked the joke that her political career started in the Fourth Senate with her office ‘upstairs.’<br /> <br /> Senate president Ahmad Lawan said that the screening will continue on Friday, with eight more nominees.<br /> <br /> Lawan said those scheduled for Friday included- Goody Jeddy-Agba (Cross River), Dr Osagie Ehanire (Edo), Suleiman Adamu (Jigawa), Hadi Sirika (Kaduna), Abubakar Malami (Kebbi), Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara), Mrs Paulen Talen (Plateau) and Muhammdu Dingyadi (Sokoto).

Latest-News 19 ministers left to be screened, 24 through Senate grill

Twenty four of the 43 ministerial nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari have now been screened, on the second day of the exercise. Ther...

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Davido, Chris Brown release ‘Blow My Mind’, Nigerians react

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYQ_pa2H8VswRoYRTtUOOR3erTqReWBj8BBud6k4NNn3O1mko3QbJ0uYkbje5Qz6gl361_LV8Pk46Ak7z6FaRNWCpgUb0x5XYLwnjr_VEWzdBm3KsaMjDMswHLiG7sXNZ_FTa4BrfLyg/s1600/davido.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="736" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYQ_pa2H8VswRoYRTtUOOR3erTqReWBj8BBud6k4NNn3O1mko3QbJ0uYkbje5Qz6gl361_LV8Pk46Ak7z6FaRNWCpgUb0x5XYLwnjr_VEWzdBm3KsaMjDMswHLiG7sXNZ_FTa4BrfLyg/s400/davido.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Afropop singer David ‘Davido’ Adeleke and American pop singer, Chris Brown have released their anticipated collaboration, ‘Blow My Mind’.<br /> <br /> Davido tweeted the song’s release on Friday via his handle iam_davido. He said, “Blow my mind out now.”<br /> <br /> The collaboration was first teased on July 12 when Davido posted the cover art showing himself and Chris Brown animated with smokes puffing off the top of their heads.<br /> <br /> Following the announcement, fans had been eager to listen to award-winning Chris Brown’s take on Afrobeats.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Brown is an award-winning singer and actor who has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the world’s best-selling music artists.<br /> <br /> Throughout his career, Brown has won several awards, including a Grammy Award, 15 BET Awards, four Billboard Music Awards, and six Soul Train Music Awards.<br /> <br /> According to Billboard, Brown has the seventh most Hot 100 entries on the chart with 93.<br /> <br /> Following the release of the song, which also coincided with Burna Boy’s ‘African Giant’ album release, fans took to twitter to express diverse reactions.<br /> <br /> @Damidurosumbo said, “Song is mind blowing.”<br /> <br /> @Mr_saltan tweeted, “This jam na original. Baba made Chris to speak pigin #KingDavido.”<br /> <br /> @Sheddyking_ said, “You made a classic.. Just know.”<br /> <br /> @Jonahandy8 said, “Nice one boss, you always on point, representing your fatherland.”<br /> <br /> Davido, who was the first Nigerian artist to reach 1 million, 2 million, 5 million and 9 million followers on Instagram, is now the most bankable Nigerian on the platform.

Latest-News Davido, Chris Brown release ‘Blow My Mind’, Nigerians react

Afropop singer David ‘Davido’ Adeleke and American pop singer, Chris Brown have released their anticipated collaboration, ‘Blow My Mind’. ...

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Appoint more women in your cabinet – Reps tell Buhari

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHHF9K64ZNlCj4omlzJw14RIRpCMmccTAuYYEWBaV-Vn766mYitI31WGHsTPwBGOELbAUUEeHGgUnOgL65elCWTfg0gC3_wzlLZxMC_NaNyvk8mnsrHO-F3hdh-qxTUlI-3Y8lu_8ez8/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/AVvXsEhPHHF9K64ZNlCj4omlzJw14RIRpCMmccTAuYYEWBaV-Vn766mYitI31WGHsTPwBGOELbAUUEeHGgUnOgL65elCWTfg0gC3_wzlLZxMC_NaNyvk8mnsrHO-F3hdh-qxTUlI-3Y8lu_8ez8/s400/the-senate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> The House of Representatives on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure equity and fairness by appointing more women in his cabinet noting that women representation in federal positions had been abysmally low.<br /> <br /> The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Omowumi Ogunlola  on the matter on the floor of the House<br /> <br /> Debating the motion, Ogunlola noted that Nigeria is blessed with women of high academic stature some of who have leadership qualities and some have held exalted positions with high levels of responsibilities, both in Nigeria and international organisations.<br /> <br /> She further noted that out of 469 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are women with 12 of them in the House of Representatives and 7 in the Senate.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The lawmaker also noted that the aggregate of the two figures in terms of percentage representation is 4.1% which is not in accord with international best practices.<br /> <br /> She said: ” aware that this development does not also abide with the resolution at Women Conference in Beijing China in 1995 where it was urged that women should be recognised and given responsible positions in Governments”.<br /> <br /> She also said that women are equal partners in the political and socio-economic development of any nation and Nigeria cannot be an exception.<br /> <br /> The lawmaker added that this anomaly can be corrected by President Muhammadu Buhari appointing more women into his cabinet and also appointing them to head agencies of government.<br /> <br /> Consequently, when the House presided by the Speaker Hon Femi Gbajabiamila put the matter to a voice vote, the lawmakers voted for it.<br /> <br /> The Speaker further mandated the relevant House Committee (yet to be constituted) to ensure compliance to the resolution.

Latest-News Appoint more women in your cabinet – Reps tell Buhari

The House of Representatives on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure equity and fairness by appointing more women in hi...

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Nigerians applaud storytelling, lyrics in Burna Boy’s album, ‘African Giant’

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPnhLeuuPrbj68X1Ixx5fz45jsS4CHlihLLxDuzlHywcOHmIZfW96BNIWSOvc-hmDkH4_DfCRFYVGj3cU9IeTIZ3P7hem2iOHpWYPS9k2y8FcxFWsPQyxFLqXOXk7Ws-g2dMrtHIgpbI/s1600/BURNABOY.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/AVvXsEjkPnhLeuuPrbj68X1Ixx5fz45jsS4CHlihLLxDuzlHywcOHmIZfW96BNIWSOvc-hmDkH4_DfCRFYVGj3cU9IeTIZ3P7hem2iOHpWYPS9k2y8FcxFWsPQyxFLqXOXk7Ws-g2dMrtHIgpbI/s400/BURNABOY.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Afro-fusion star, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy has been trending on twitter since Thursday following the buildup to and release of his new album, ‘African Giant’.<br /> <br /> The conversations on the album, which started off as typical congratulatory messages, soon turned into critiquing and praise sessions for the lyrics in some tracks.<br /> <br /> Burna Boy had announced the album in April following his Coachella debacle and eventual performance during which the title, ‘African Giant’ stuck.<br /> <br /> Fans, however, were full of praise for ‘Another story’ and ‘Collateral Damage’ which describes the issues Nigerians face.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The two songs, Burna Boy and African Giant are currently top trending topics on Twitter.<br /> <br /> The fans described the two songs as history lessons needed at this time in Nigeria with some emphasizing the similarities between Burna Boy and Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.<br /> <br /> @Go_blessbless tweeted, “I hope y’all paying attention to the short history being discussed in “Another Story”.<br /> <br /> @Didiyargatta said, “Who else is listening to the whole album tonight? #AfricanGiant The guitar strumming on “Collateral Damage” is spiritual. Then Burna took us to history class on “Another Story”.<br /> <br /> @_Kboi_ said, “The history on Another story got me doing some school work. I’m here researching for more.”<br /> <br /> @Benezrr said, “The Nigerian tale on Collateral Damage and Another story shows how connected Burna boy is to Fela.”<br /> <br /> @Sonoffaith tweeted, “So deep ..listening to both song ..one is bound to feel Fela Alive again.”<br /> <br /> @TheRukky said, “Burna out here schooling us about Nigeria in Another story #AfricanGiant.”<br /> <br /> The 19-track album features Angelique Kidjo, Future, Jorja Smith, Jeremih, Damian Marley, Zlatan and YG in new tracks alongside favourites, ‘Killing Dem’ and ‘Dangote’.

Latest-News Nigerians applaud storytelling, lyrics in Burna Boy’s album, ‘African Giant’

Afro-fusion star, Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy has been trending on twitter since Thursday following the buildup to and release of his new a...

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Ministerial screening: Why Akpabio, Amaechi, 7 others were told to “take a bow”

Latest-News Ministerial screening: Why Akpabio, Amaechi, 7 others were told to “take a bow”

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Nigeria moves up 12 spots on FIFA ranking, now 33rd in the world

Latest-News Nigeria moves up 12 spots on FIFA ranking, now 33rd in the world

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El-Zakyzaky: We don’t want repeat of Boko Haram, Muslim leaders tell FG

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1FIHAeAt8cHXND6d6wHFyJjeDFnnEp0qiWxpjT9ZGWU_qVrUnf5bBgFQiXE8Jcx5do8RuA1Nd5KBdICt-pBOeLqSt-8e6h5ebPKFTspqL6ccmU4DMMtf13Rdx8sPvpySHnl2UsDHN_Q/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/AVvXsEiR1FIHAeAt8cHXND6d6wHFyJjeDFnnEp0qiWxpjT9ZGWU_qVrUnf5bBgFQiXE8Jcx5do8RuA1Nd5KBdICt-pBOeLqSt-8e6h5ebPKFTspqL6ccmU4DMMtf13Rdx8sPvpySHnl2UsDHN_Q/s400/El-zakzaky-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Leaders of  Islamic groups and Imams have told the Federal Government not to allow the violent agitations by the Islamic Movement in  Nigeria to degenerate into another Boko Haram insurgency.<br /> <br /> In separate interviews with our correspondent on Wednesday, they expressed concern over the continued detention of  Ibraheem El-Zakyzaky,  leader of the sect otherwise known as  Shi’ites. They are also worried by the protests by the group to force the FG to release their leader.<br /> <br /> The Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof Ishaq Akintola,  advised the FG  to release El-Zakyzaky.<br /> <br /> He said, “We suggest  the FG  show goodwill and allow leaders of the Muslim community in Nigeria headed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, to intervene and ensure a Memorandum of Understanding between the leaders of the protesters, Muslim leaders and the  FG that  will contain the conditionality for  El-Zakyzaky’s  release such as non-violence and peaceful processions. We are not against his release, but peace must be guaranteed.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> Worldwide Missioner, Ansar-u-deen Society of Nigeria, Imam Abdurrahman Ahmad, told the FG  to allow the court to convict or acquit El-Zakyzaky.<br /> <br /> Executive Chairman, Muslim Public Affairs Centre, Disu Kamor, described the detention of El-Zakyzaky as “senseless and a potential danger for Nigerians”.<br /> <br />  He said, “President Buhari should accept full responsibility for allowing this situation to deteriorate under his watch. It seems Nigeria is sleepwalking into another Boko Haram quagmire in the making with the continued illegal detention of the Shi’ites leader.”<br /> <br /> Chief Imam, University of Abuja, Prof Taofiq Abdulaziz, however, said the FG should not bow to pressure to release El-Zakyzaky, saying “other terrorist groups will get away with their crimes through protests”.<br /> <br />  Imam Nojeem Jimoh of The Companion said, “I call on the government to review the situation of El-Zakyzaky and his wife’s detention and make a decision in the overall interest of peace in the country. We do not want another Boko Haram coming out of this.”

Latest-News El-Zakyzaky: We don’t want repeat of Boko Haram, Muslim leaders tell FG

Leaders of  Islamic groups and Imams have told the Federal Government not to allow the violent agitations by the Islamic Movement in  Nige...

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Why I left Olamide’s label- Lyta

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkDrT3ji7XrWkLkfq-ELkDqnYLkGZL11q6LcQou_1vGD1Kw7K9hWph1-lKw6mEY54MiTq6ZOYZzgdlz_rdqOxPtdtzdnDDYAOfDcjIb0uhVplzkfpZ1S4epUMWl3lxC8ovw6nmAqvRG8/s1600/LYta-600x430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkDrT3ji7XrWkLkfq-ELkDqnYLkGZL11q6LcQou_1vGD1Kw7K9hWph1-lKw6mEY54MiTq6ZOYZzgdlz_rdqOxPtdtzdnDDYAOfDcjIb0uhVplzkfpZ1S4epUMWl3lxC8ovw6nmAqvRG8/s400/LYta-600x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Afro-pop singer, Lyta a former signee of YBNL, Olamide’s record label, has recounted why he left the label.<br /> <br /> Speaking in an interview with Hip TV on why he parted ways with the label, Lyta said he had a music release calendar which was unpredictable with how often he intended dropping new songs.<br /> <br /> “When we want to drop new songs, we do so in a group of five artistes. I was dropping my songs and they were talking about a calendar of some sort that I knew nothing about. I couldn’t always have to wait that long before dropping songs for my fans,” he said.<br /> <br /> “That was why I made the move to leave the label. Olamide treats me well. He takes me like a son and taught me lots of stuff, told me I had to hustle. While I’ve been there, I’ve been okay with the family. But for the good of my music career, I decided to move.”<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> After LYTA’s departure, Olamide had in a statement explained that he (LYTA) told him some persons expressed interest in signing him and that the calendar routine was only a way to ensure even growth among upcoming artiste signed to the label.<br /> <br /> “I don’t have any deal with YBNL or Olamide. Olamide saw me on the street and helped me. I don’t have any written contract with him… YBNL and Olamide will always be part of my story. God bless Olamide, thank you for everything. No love lost,” he had said.<br /> <br /> “Yes, I was getting benefits. They used to pay me for shows. Sometimes N80,000, N60,000. But when I dropped my songs, ‘Temi’ and ‘Selfmade,’ I didn’t get anything.”

Latest-News Why I left Olamide’s label- Lyta

Afro-pop singer, Lyta a former signee of YBNL, Olamide’s record label, has recounted why he left the label. Speaking in an interview wit...

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Billionaire Kidnapper Evans’ arms supplier nabbed after 2yrs on the run

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Reps investigate all abandoned projects since 1999

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Omokri makes corruption claims against Buhari’s ministerial nominee, Sylva, involves Keyamo

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Visa restrictions confirmed Buhari rigged 2019 elections — Atiku

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="495" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0-05be0FZrT1fooNv7jkywyV74qtexmqdxGl4PGuCBSoJRxorDaqx_MfGRoW528g3otcD5zm5-wsjBLbbJOHfp0V_2DRkiUUkM5UIe-TxHJRDRadw3BAjvtUpyQShp9qttS-_ZdDp81z/s400/Atiku-Abubakar.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 23 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has said the travel restrictions placed on politicians that engaged in electoral fraud by the United States has validated his claim that the poll was rigged in favour of the All Progressives Congress and President Muhammadu Buhari.<br /> <br /> The former Vice-President in a statement by his media aide, Mr Paul Ibe, on Wednesday said he had maintained that the poll was rigged and not credible, insisting that he won the election.<br /> <br /> He alleged that the APC, Buhari and his allies engaged in propaganda to deny that the election was rigged.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to him, after many months of allegedly living in denial, the Buhari’s administration is faced with the truth in the form of a US visa ban on politicians who undermined Nigeria’s democracy.<br /> <br /> He quoted the spokesman for the US State Department, Morgan Ortagus, as saying, “We condemn those whose acts of violence, intimidation, or corruption harmed Nigerians or undermined the democratic process.<br /> <br /> “The Secretary of State is imposing visa restrictions on Nigerians believed to be responsible for, or complicit in undermining democracy in Nigeria. These individuals have operated with impunity at the expense of the Nigerian people and undermined democratic principles and human rights.”<br /> <br /> Atiku said the above statement was a vindication of his position that the 2019 elections were “undermined by the actions of state actors and institutions.”<br /> <br /> He added, “We also wish to thank the United States of America for standing with the Nigerian people against those whose desire it is to truncate our democracy.We urge the Nigerian people not to despair. There is hope on the horizon.

Latest-News Visa restrictions confirmed Buhari rigged 2019 elections — Atiku

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 23 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has said the travel r...

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New British PM, Boris Johnson overhauls cabinet on first day in office

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWBc2Y9YByVN_3zwwqhqRVFoxixWUxYBZ-3Z8C_AFfqTQ8xXdBDy6viyK9gEo7LyiPYd7jbRlcMb8EaFALBlHX477VfOhxT0XqMAW7w6w9FdUMHF9tlTczmz1-SFP1Ad6SS5Dp6d6vmE/s1600/boris+johnson.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/AVvXsEiFWBc2Y9YByVN_3zwwqhqRVFoxixWUxYBZ-3Z8C_AFfqTQ8xXdBDy6viyK9gEo7LyiPYd7jbRlcMb8EaFALBlHX477VfOhxT0XqMAW7w6w9FdUMHF9tlTczmz1-SFP1Ad6SS5Dp6d6vmE/s400/boris+johnson.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> New British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson who took over office on Wednesday has began massive cleansing and sacking half of the cabinet in the most brutal reshuffle in decades.<br /> <br /> He took office with a resounding pledge to defy the “doubters and the doomsters” by taking the country out of the European Union by the end of October — a task that defeated his predecessor, Theresa May.<br /> <br /> Johnson’s first act was to oversee a bloodbath of Cabinet ministers. He fired supporters of his rival for the top job, Jeremy Hunt, and installed loyalists who had backed his campaign to succeed May—including his younger brother Jo.<br /> <br /> In accordance with British constitutional protocol, he was officially invited to form a government by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday afternoon, after winning the race to replace May as leader of the governing Conservative Party earlier this week.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> In a rousing speech outside the famous black door of 10 Downing Street, Johnson paid tribute to his predecessor but blamed her failure to achieve Brexit on “pessimists” and “critics” who had talked Britain down. “The doubters, the doomsters, the gloomsters, they are going to get it wrong again,” he promised.<br /> <br /> “The people who bet against Britain are going to lose their shirts,” he said, pledging that Britain would leave the EU on October 31, “no ifs, no buts.”<br /> <br /> In the following few hours, he dispatched all but one of the senior Cabinet members who had not supported his leadership bid. Hunt lost his job as foreign secretary, revealing that he had turned down another role in Cabinet, widely reported to be the less senior position of defense minister. Johnson would have his “full support,” Hunt said.<br /> <br /> Dominic Raab, who quit his role as Brexit secretary under May’s Brexit plan last year, has taken Hunt’s place. The newly appointed Foreign Secretary was also given the post of First Secretary of State, effectively making him Deputy Prime Minister.<br /> <br /> Known for his tousled shock of blonde hair and brash style, Johnson enters Downing Street at a chaotic moment for the UK, both at home and abroad.<br /> <br /> Despite his Conservative Party’s flimsy majority in Parliament, Johnson has pledged to do in three months what May could not do in three years — lead Britain out of the EU, “do or die.”<br /> Official forecasts suggest that the latter scenario — breaking out of the bloc without any deal in place — risks triggering a recession and the British pound taking a nosedive.<br /> <br /> On Wednesday, Johnson said the UK must prepare for the “remote possibility” of a no-deal scenario. “With high hearts and growing confidence,” Britain will prepare for no deal, Johnson said. Using typically Churchillian rhetoric, he said the banks, the farms and the rest of the country “will be ready.”<br /> <br /> Beyond the political bedlam in Britain, Johnson inherits a mounting crisis with Iran. Tehran’s seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker last week has thrust the UK into the middle of a standoff between Tehran and Washington.<br /> <br /> All of this falls in the lap of one of the most divisive politicians of his generation, who has said much on Brexit, Iran and many other topics, but has so far divulged little about any potential plan for his premiership.<br /> <br /> “He’s made a big pitch of re-energizing the country and bringing back optimism as a way he wants to do things,” Tim Durrant, a senior researcher at the London-based Institute for Government think tank, told CNN. “We’ll see if he has any details on the actual issues.”<br /> <br /> Johnson, a former mayor of London and British foreign secretary, won the race to lead his party with 66% of the votes. The election was triggered after an embattled May was forced to quit after losing the support of her Cabinet, many of whom were exasperated with her inability to secure Brexit.<br /> <br /> As Prime Minister, Johnson, 55, takes on the same problems that faced May — a deeply divided Parliament and and a fractured nation — but under even more pressured circumstances.<br /> “Even though Boris faces the same issues that May was confronted with when she took office … the context of those issues is much different in terms of the parliamentary arithmetic and timing,” Durrant said.<br /> <br /> Throughout his leadership campaign, Johnson was vocal about his readiness to take Britain out of the EU without a deal, pledging to leave on October 31, the latest deadline for the UK to depart the bloc.<br /> <br /> If he cannot negotiate a new deal with the EU, Johnson has said that he’d be willing to force Brexit through on that date. He has refused to rule out suspending parliament in order to do so.<br /> Johnson promised Wednesday to do a better deal with Brussels in less than 99 days, “because the British people have had enough of waiting.”<br /> <br /> “I will take personal responsibility for the change I want to see… never mind the backstop, the buck stops here,” Johnson said, referring to an insurance policy designed to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.<br /> <br /> But, given that the EU says it isn’t interested in reopening the Withdrawal Agreement — the deal that May signed with the bloc in 2018 but has been repeatedly rejected in Parliament, Johnson has his work cut out.

Latest-News New British PM, Boris Johnson overhauls cabinet on first day in office

New British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson who took over office on Wednesday has began massive cleansing and sacking half of the cabinet in...

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Watford sign Nigerian midfielder on six-year deal

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMgxz3sb0uNrRwwCj7AZtr9w4WhCR76I35C-XOxjlfEOdHfbEXjpgm-pfwcgIw6oWr-fqTtYWVILjTDagJZexs5oKtphyphenhyphen7VLNVuVSaAfo3HG6L-r5cHdftKoaB0UEawSodIuGt2SdJKU/s1600/bashiru-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/AVvXsEjzMgxz3sb0uNrRwwCj7AZtr9w4WhCR76I35C-XOxjlfEOdHfbEXjpgm-pfwcgIw6oWr-fqTtYWVILjTDagJZexs5oKtphyphenhyphen7VLNVuVSaAfo3HG6L-r5cHdftKoaB0UEawSodIuGt2SdJKU/s400/bashiru-750x430.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Premier League club Watford have announced the arrival of Nigeria’s Tom Dele-Bashiru on a six-year deal.<br /> <br /> Dele-Bashiru left Manchester City following the expiry of his contract and will now continue his career at Vicarage Road until 2024.<br /> <br /> The 19-year-old midfielder was part of the Nigeria U20 team at the 2019 Fifa U20 World Cup in Poland and he scored a goal in three games before their exit in the knockout round.<br /> <br /> Dele-Bashiru becomes the second summer signing in Javi Gracia’s team after Craig Dawson’s move from West Bromwich Albion.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The midfielder will join compatriot Isaac Success at Vicarage Road as he seeks regular playing time in the 2019-20 campaign.<br /> <br /> During his spell at Manchester City, Dele-Bashiru featured for the club’s youth team and made his professional debut as a 91st-minute substitute during their League Cup quarter-final match against Leicester City in December 2017.

Latest-News Watford sign Nigerian midfielder on six-year deal

Premier League club Watford have announced the arrival of Nigeria’s Tom Dele-Bashiru on a six-year deal. Dele-Bashiru left Manchester Ci...

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EFCC boss expresses concern over UK’s ‘slow action’ on Diezani

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nSPDcnxDu6Wg1AyLLRg9gnBjoH2f6RS13Aq4tTPNMaPhYbnUy9EvEdCsYVykrU1D4Y9kJIjT_8QrhQmoUwODniwb84DuF8UxJmItRaNH3s3-xy7FKBgJMkg3zaaC2UFerxgtix19etE/s1600/deziani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1280" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nSPDcnxDu6Wg1AyLLRg9gnBjoH2f6RS13Aq4tTPNMaPhYbnUy9EvEdCsYVykrU1D4Y9kJIjT_8QrhQmoUwODniwb84DuF8UxJmItRaNH3s3-xy7FKBgJMkg3zaaC2UFerxgtix19etE/s400/deziani.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Mr Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed concern over the slow pace of action from the United Kingdom (UK) on the corruption case, involving Diezani Alison-Madueke.<br /> <br /> Diezani, a former Minister of Petroleum, who is being prosecuted by the UK government on issues of corruption.<br /> <br /> EFCC spokesman, Mr Tony Orilade in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, quoted Magu to have said this when he received the team of International Criminal Police Organisation (InterPol) in his office.<br /> <br /> Magu regreted that the matter had dragged on in the UK for more than four years with no visible result and no end in sight.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> “There is the case of Diezani which has been going on for over four years and the amount involved is about 2.4 billion dollars and no kobo has been recovered from overseas.<br /> <br /> “Though, we have recovered some of the proceeds of the crime, we are still tracing others,” he said.<br /> <br /> Magu, however, noted that the commission’s relationship with InterPol had made it easier to place suspects on red notice.<br /> <br /> He disclosed that getting Diezani, Dan Etete, (former petroleum minister), Mohammed Adoke (former attorney general and minister of justice), all of whom are overseas and facing fraud cases in Nigeria, back to the country had been a problem.<br /> <br /> He, therefore, urged their new countries of residence to either prosecute them or hand them over to Nigeria “since they are Nigerians.”<br /> <br /> According to the statement, InterPol’s Coordinator on Anti-corruption, Mr Sebastian Bley, commended the efforts of the EFCC in the fight against corruption.<br /> <br /> “We are fostering our relationship with selected law enforcement agencies in Nigeria because we are doing a set of activities which have been fruitful.<br /> <br /> “One area we will need to be stronger is the area of case coordination support,” he said.

Latest-News EFCC boss expresses concern over UK’s ‘slow action’ on Diezani

Mr Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed concern over the slow pace of action from ...

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Okorocha reacts to EFCC’s sealing of properties, links Gov. Ihedioha

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="412" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAgwkOKfOiWAywGzdbzp0VnWS_Tb0tWx_sfi2aiFVD3f79WxThtEY3E2fiVRMTuuadBM3f1NxVl-zB0IrLbUX4SteEz3yfp09hRBl9yTHbviUWkcvz2-UaedCUsO5ql3G0DlT79ax2PH6/s400/Rochas-Ihedioha+okorocha.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> Rochas Okorocha, Imo West Senator, has reacted to the sealing of some properties belonging to him and his family by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.<br /> <br /> EFCC had yesterday sealed properties owned by the former governor of the state and his family over their failure to appear for questioning.<br /> <br /> Reacting to the development, Okorocha said most of the sealed properties preceded his emergence as governor of Imo State.<br /> <br /> In a statement by his Media Aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, the lawmaker also denied claims of EFCC’s invitation to Managements of the Colleges and other establishments sealed.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> According to the statement: “On Tuesday, July 23, 2019, as at about 6am, Agents of the Economic & Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, from its Office in Enugu with Hilux buses loaded with armed military and mobile Policemen stormed the Rochas Foundation College Owerri, with more than three thousand students, and most of them, orphans, and sealed the College.<br /> <br /> “The Commission also sealed the East High College and Academy, Owerri with Uloma Rochas Nwosu as the proprietor, among other investments belonging to the former governor and family which the Commission Sealed.<br /> <br /> “The action of EFCC with the presence of heavily Armed Military and Police Mobile Personnel frightened the students and most of them began to cry. It was a sympathetic scenario.”<br /> <br /> He accused the current state governor, Emeka Ihedioha of launching a war against him.<br /> <br /> The statement added: “What is obvious is that the PDP government in the State with Chief Emeka Ihedioha as governor and all the PDP Chieftains who felt politically displaced from 2011 to 2019 by Rochas Okorocha had come together to launch war against Rochas and his family. And APC members. And that was why they needed INEC to declare their Candidate winner even when he didn’t meet the requirement. Unfortunately, they have instigated certain agencies like EFCC into taking some hasty actions following flood of petitions by them.<br /> <br /> “Our concern about the action of the EFCC is the approach. There was no prior invitation to the Managements or Proprietors of the Colleges and other establishments sealed by the Commission as expected before such action. To the best of our knowledge too, these Colleges have not been under the investigation of the Commission. We have had the feeling that the Sealing of the Colleges or any other structure as the case maybe, would have been based on the outcome of their investigation in which the managements or the proprietors would have also been interrogated.<br /> <br /> “Sealing the colleges and other properties because they belong to Rochas Okorocha’s family before investigation is what is difficult for us to comprehend especially when most of these establishments had preceded the governorship of Rochas Okorocha.<br /> <br /> “The Rochas Foundation Colleges have existed in Imo and in several states of the Federation including Plateau, Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Oyo, Bauchi and so on, years before Okorocha’s governorship. And the EFCC may also go to those states outside Imo to seal the rest of the Colleges.<br /> <br /> “What is happening in Imo at the moment is not governance. It is a total war against Rochas and his family, APC members, members of other parties and Opponents. They said they want to make the State uncomfortable for Opponents and they are doing it with recklessness.<br /> <br /> “It should also not be forgotten that there is a subsisting Court Order to this effect. And we believe that the Commission’s office in Enugu is aware of the Court Order in question as it concerns the Commission and Okorocha’s investments. The EFCC is a highly responsible Institution and our appeal is that it should not be incited against Okorocha and family and should equally take cognizance of the Court Order in question.<br /> <br /> “Senator Rochas Okorocha and family believe strongly in the State and have relocated most of their businesses to Owerri unlike these PDP bigwigs who do not love the State, with all of them having nothing to show that they have a stake in the State.<br /> <br /> “We want to appeal to the EFCC to unseal the Colleges and other ventures they had sealed pending the outcome of the investigation they said they have begun. And also considering the stand of the Court of Competent Jurisdiction on the issue.<br /> <br /> “The students of the Colleges, most of them without parents, cannot be allowed to suffer because of the action of a wicked government in the State. It is not all about Rochas Okorocha and the family, but about humanity and posterity.”

Latest-News Okorocha reacts to EFCC’s sealing of properties, links Gov. Ihedioha

Rochas Okorocha, Imo West Senator, has reacted to the sealing of some properties belonging to him and his family by the Economic and Finan...

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Most worship centers in Nigeria not licensed to conduct weddings – FG

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_k519AZjH_WxS0qa1V0GhyzGUgvMRl7KIkei09fNYEdDQYfsDworMC66Lj-Rs45MdiG71Cl8rebweE0bAZlwC5Z7hjSeFqpDbwvikruj0RhcrBZq5vPc3O16F0y4lQNBevedbqw9Ncb9/s1600/buhari+warns.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="696" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_k519AZjH_WxS0qa1V0GhyzGUgvMRl7KIkei09fNYEdDQYfsDworMC66Lj-Rs45MdiG71Cl8rebweE0bAZlwC5Z7hjSeFqpDbwvikruj0RhcrBZq5vPc3O16F0y4lQNBevedbqw9Ncb9/s640/buhari+warns.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> The Federal Government has said most worship centres conducting weddings in Nigeria do not possess the licence to do so under the statutory Marriage Act.<br /> <br /> It explained that only 314 places of worship were licensed to contract marriages in the country.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at a one-day stakeholders’ conference on conduct of statutory marriage in accordance with the Marriage Act Cap M6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended.<br /> <br /> She stated, “Presently, only about 4,689 licensed places of worship in Nigeria have updated their records with the Ministry of Interior of which only 314 have renewed their licences to conduct statutory marriages.<br /> <br /> “The implication of this is that marriages conducted in unlicensed places of worship are not in line with the Marriage Act and cannot serve legal purposes when the need arises and such unlicensed places of worship are operating contrary to Section 6(1) of the Marriage Act.”<br /> <br /> The permanent secretary said the decision to organise the stakeholders’ conference was born out of the ministry’s experience in the discharge of its duties which she said pointed to the fact that there were extant issues in the administration of the conduct of statutory marriages which required the joint attention of key stakeholders.<br /> <br /> Ehuria added that the ministry was already building a database of all statutory marriages conducted in Nigeria, stating that it had also developed a database of all places of worship licensed for celebration of marriages.<br /> <br /> She encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of the conference to discuss the major challenges they faced in complying with the provisions of the Act.<br /> <br /> The permanent secretary said she had already put in place machinery to kick-start the process for the amendment of the Marriage Act to adequately meet the needs of citizens in the 21st century.<br /> <br /> “Also, arrangements are ongoing to give couples whose certificates were not issued in line with the Act the opportunity to bring them to conformity,” she added.<br /> <br /> Speaking earlier, the Director of Citizenship and Business in the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Stephen Okon, said the conference was planned to hold in three major cities across the geo-political zones.<br /> <br /> He said the conference, among others, was meant to educate the public and create awareness on the key requirements of the Marriage Act while also drawing the attention of stakeholders and the general public to the consequences of non-compliance with the Act.

Latest-News Most worship centers in Nigeria not licensed to conduct weddings – FG

The Federal Government has said most worship centres conducting weddings in Nigeria do not possess the licence to do so under the statutor...

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Beware, Middle East gangs is using fake job offers to lure Nigerians – NAPTIP warns

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9_ruYKeiW-XeO_EPg2f44-G0J-VFFWstMEiGFUgdwezqbvWxkzOOa86FhuMIvhUp4ARkri0ZeiINKZ1riepva7Uu0tDmSu3eqoDFLfjAwlm60rP6ryRL1703uyxAncLrbVYNhcM-up-w/s1600/naptip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="534" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9_ruYKeiW-XeO_EPg2f44-G0J-VFFWstMEiGFUgdwezqbvWxkzOOa86FhuMIvhUp4ARkri0ZeiINKZ1riepva7Uu0tDmSu3eqoDFLfjAwlm60rP6ryRL1703uyxAncLrbVYNhcM-up-w/s320/naptip.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on Wednesday raised the alarm over the activities of criminal gangs who used fake job vacancies and scholarships to lure Nigerians to “some of the notorious Middle East countries.”<br /> <br /> The anti-trafficking agency said many of the victims had ended up as sex slaves while others had their organs harvested and subsequently died.<br /> <br /> The NAPTIP Director-General, Julie Okah-Donli, gave this warning at a press conference in Abuja to commemorate the 2019 World Day Against Human Trafficking under the theme, “Human trafficking: Call your government to action.”<br /> <br /> The DG added that the agency had so far been able to prosecute and secure the convictions of 403 human traffickers.<br /> <br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> She said, “I wish to alert the nation to the emerging tricks in human trafficking which should be urgently addressed in order to protect our loved ones. Some of the tricks involve advertorials calling for the recruitment of young Nigerians as drivers, nurses, maids, fake offers of scholarships and non-existing football clubs in some of the notorious Middle East countries.<br /> <br /> “These young Nigerians are targets of organ trafficking and eventual death in the process, labour exploitation and sex slavery. Many of them that have ignorantly responded to these invitations are going through hell. Many have died while a few lucky ones survived with bitter experiences.<br /> <br /> “In order to address this situation, we have commenced discussions with various regulatory bodies such as the International Air Transport Association, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies and also the Nigerian Medical Association to ensure that their members do not aid or abet human trafficking.”

Latest-News Beware, Middle East gangs is using fake job offers to lure Nigerians – NAPTIP warns

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on Wednesday raised the alarm over the activities of criminal gangs who...

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Why Okorocha’s properties were marked - EFCC

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="750" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKU0cC0MC4AkQbeD-6RSlhtWT2fBqtOPWFwR9bPSaHD5n66yrN1n4BlxcFT2amZpSxRpaKv_93dq6MqAB8CYG_M8z2zFOi5HeXDOKEp1ysbDkhsA4wWw6NrbE5rsJ4LimvSC5cwDO7mU5/s400/okorocha+sad.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The EFCC has explained why some properties linked to former Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha were marked.<br /> <br /> The commission’s spokesman Tony Orilade issued the statement below:<br /> <br /> The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to state that it’s Enugu Zonal Office on Tuesday July 23, 2019 traced and marked some properties traced to the former Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha as well as those of his family members and cronies.<br /> <br /> The marking of the properties which is a fall-out of our painstaking investigation, is as a result of the failure of the suspects to honour the Commission’s invitation for questioning on the propriety of their acquisition.<br /> <a name='more' id="more"></a><br /> <br /> The properties include: Dews of Hope Hospital traced to Dr. Paschal Obi, former Principal Secretary to ex-governor Okorocha; Market Square Super Market; All in One Shop; and premises belonging to Imo State Broadcasting Corporation now hosting Rochas Foundation College owned by Senator Okoroacha.<br /> <br /> Other properties are: East High Academy and East High College, owned by Okorocha’s daughter, Uloma Okorocha-Nwosu; Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartment, a 16 block cum 96 flats and eight bungalow multi-million Naira estate traced to Okorocha’s wife.<br /> <br /> The Commission at no time “raided” nor “harassed” anyone in the course of marking the properties as its operatives, in line with international best practices, informed the occupants of the facilities in good time, before taking the action.<br /> <br /> It is also pertinent to state that the Commission has pictorial and video evidences which put a lie to the claim that Rochas Foundation College was allegedly raided by the EFCC while in session. This could not be so because the school was not in session and could not have had its students harassed as was fed some online media.<br /> <br /> The Commission would ordinarily not bother with any allegation coming from the camp of Senator Okorocha, having noted his penchant for frivolities and propaganda; but this refutal has become pertinent in other to clear doubts especially in these days of fake news.<br /> <br /> We urge all well meaning Nigerians to disregard the antics of some unscrupulous politicians and fraudsters who seek to distract the Commission from holding them accountable for their nefarious activities.

Latest-News Why Okorocha’s properties were marked - EFCC

The EFCC has explained why some properties linked to former Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha were marked. The commission’s spokesman Tony O...

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