• NAMA Bombs INEC Over Poor Weather, Says Airports Operated 24 Hours On Friday
  

NAMA Bombs INEC Over Poor Weather, Says Airports Operated 24 Hours On Friday

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Oil prices hit $65 amid OPEC cuts
February 17, 2019 




Brent crude oil prices hit 2019 highs above $65 per barrel on Friday, spurred by OPEC-led supply cuts and a partial shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s biggest offshore oil field.


Brent rose as far as $65.10, pushing past the $65 mark for the first time this year, before falling back to $64.77 by 0623 GMT. That was still 0.3 percent above the last close.

The international benchmark for oil prices is at a near three-month high and set for a 4.5-percent gain for the week.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $54.56 per barrel, up 15 cents, or 0.3 percent, from their last settlement.
Traders said prices were pushed up by the partial closure of Saudi Arabia’s Safaniyah, its biggest offshore oil field with a production capacity of more than 1 million barrels per day (bpd).

The shutdown occurred earlier this week, a source said, and it was not immediately clear when the field would return to full capacity.
The partial closure comes on top of voluntary supply cuts led by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of which Saudi Arabia the de-facto leader, aimed at tightening the market.

The group as well as some non-OPEC producers including Russia late last year agreed to cut crude output by a joint 1.2 million bpd. Top exporter Saudi Arabia said it would cut even more in March than the deal called for.
Russia has reduced its oil production by 80,000-90,000 bpd from its level in October, Moscow’s reference level for its cuts, the country’s energy minister said.
“Brent should average $70 per barrel in 2019, helped by voluntary (Saudi, Kuwait, UAE) and involuntary (Venezuela, Iran) declines in OPEC supply,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a note.

It also expects “a 2.5 million barrels per day drop in OPEC supply from 4Q18 into 4Q19”.
Despite Friday’s bullish market, there are signs of a slowdown in demand.
“Maintenance season finally materialized this week, with (U.S.) refinery utilization decreasing by a sharp 480 basis points week-on-week to 85.9 percent,” U.S. investment bank Jefferies said on Friday.

Faltering economic growth is also a concern, with signs of a slowdown now abundant in Europe, Asia and the United States.
“Our macroeconomic view remains firmly bearish,” said commodities brokerage Marex Spectron.
Surging U.S. output may also undermine OPEC’s efforts to tighten the market.

Retail sales post biggest drop in nine years in December
U.S. crude production rose by more than 2 million bpd last year, to 11.9 million bpd, making the United States the world’s biggest oil producer.
Most analysts expect U.S. output to rise past 12 million bpd soon, and perhaps even hit 13 million bpd by the end of the year.
Climbing U.S. shale oil supply, increasing spare capacity within OPEC and stagnating fuel consumption meant the medium-term oil price outlook was lower, BoAML said.

“We see growing downside risks to medium-term oil prices on rising U.S. supply and slower consumption,” the U.S. bank said. It expected Brent to range between $50 and $70 per barrel in the coming five years.
Reuters/NAN

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

MONDAY, 18TH FEBRUARY.

SPEAKING WISDOM.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect…we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory (1 Corinthians 2:6-7).

God expects you to constantly renew your mind with the Word, so you can think, talk, and live the higher life in Christ. In this higher life, we speak wisdom; and the wisdom of God is the Word of God.

For example, you may be feeling stressed or faint, yet you affirm, “I have the life of God in me!” The people of the world and the spiritually immature can’t get in on this kind of talk; they don’t understand the wisdom of God that we speak, because it’s not in their plane.

Consider this: God said to Abraham, “Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:5). The man knew those words were the wisdom of God for it was naturally impossible for him to have a child, being almost one hundred years old, with an equally old, barren wife.
Nevertheless, he immediately aligned his confession with the wisdom of God and started introducing himself to everyone by his new name, “Abraham,” which means “father of many.” He didn’t care if the people laughed him to scorn; he maintained his confession of God’s wisdom and sure enough, Isaac was born.

As you meditate on God’s Word, continue to declare the things He has said concerning you, irrespective of the prevalent natural circumstances. It makes no difference if the theorists have said the disease is incurable; keep affirming, “Christ is my life! Christ makes me whole; Christ makes me sound! Christ in me means divine health! His divine presence makes me indomitable, refreshed, invigorated, and energised.”

Do this every day, interjecting it with speaking in tongues; and I guarantee you, that sickness will pass out of your body in no time. Hallelujah!

CONFESSION

I’m what God says I am! I’m like a tree planted by the riverside, bringing forth fruits in and out of season! I’m more than a conqueror, because the greater One lives in me. Christ is my life, and His glory is revealed in, and through me. Hallelujah.

FURTHER STUDY:

1 Corinthians 2:4-7 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden [wisdom], which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Mark 3:13-35 & Leviticus 13-14

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Matthew 15:21-28 & Genesis 49



#TALKINGSESSION

18TH FEBRUARY.

KINDLY SAY THESE WORDS OUT LOUD

Dear Lord, I am so glad You made me fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the Kingdom of light. I thank You for the anointing of Your Spirit and manifestation of Your grace in my life. I thank You for anointing my mind with divine wisdom to affect the lives of people all over the world. I am the seed of Abraham.

My thoughts are anointed, and I implement those ideas by the ability of Your Spirit at work in me. I have within me the inherent dynamic ability to cause changes. I take full advantage of my divine abilities in Christ and effect changes in and around me today. I am full of God’s might, and function by His power and glory today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.


God bless you

Stock investors recoup January losses, gain N806bn
Published February 18, 2019
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[url=https://punchng.com/stock-investors-recoup-january-losses-gain-n806bn/]

Reserves fall to two-month low of $42.86bn
Published February 18, 2019
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[url=https://punchng.com/reserves-fall-to-two-month-low-of-42-86bn/]

POLITICS
Nigeria Decides: Timi Frank reveals how secret meeting of APC leadership, Buhari, INEC forced postponement of polls
[img=46x0]https://0.gravatar.com/avatar/30f2bcc04d7ab024076edc2d499f42e5?s=92&d=mm&r=g[/img]
Publis
 February 17, 2019

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has alleged that the decision to postpone Saturday’s election was taken at a secret meeting between Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently.

According to Frank, despite denials by the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu and others who attended the secret meeting, the template designed by the APC’s leadership to rig the presidential election also included staggered and postponement of elections to frustrate the Nigerian voter.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, Frank said that Nigerians and the international community should disregard what he (Frank) described as ‘lip service’ to the disappointment caused as a result of Saturday’s postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections credited to the presidency.

He condemned in strong terms the desperation of the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-rufai who allegedly lied that 66 persons mostly Fulanis were allegedly killed by unidentified gunmen in the state on the eve of the postponed elections in order to provoke chaos and force cancellation of poll results in the state.

He stated that the reported case of 16 bags of already thumb-printed 3.3 million ballot paper in favour of the ruling party allegedly going to Kano and many other states, calls for concern on the readiness of the APC’s leadership for the election.
“I have been vindicated on my earlier revelation about the INEC’s secret meeting with Gen Buhari,” said the Bayelsa-born political activist.

The former APC Deputy National spokesman said Professor Yakubu’s insistence that he would conduct the election in just one day was against the rigging template of the leadership of the APC, hence the frontal attacks against him by the presidency and the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.
While calling on Nigerians to resist any attempt to impose a former INEC’s head of logistic, Hajia Amina Zakari, as the electoral umpire, Frank urged Prof Yakubu to remain resolute in the face of intimidation and blackmail by the APC’s leaders.

“Intelligence at my disposal presently indicates that the presidency and some APC leaders are no longer comfortable with Prof. Yakubu’s headship of INEC but they should bear it in mind that INEC is a constitutionally guaranteed independent body.

“Nigerians must be prepared to resist imposition of Amina Zakari as the new chairman of INEC,” he stated.

On the readiness of Gen. Buhari to relinquish power if defeated, Frank expressed worry over the kind of statements credited to the president in a recent interview with CNN, where the former military ruler said ‘nobody can unseat me.’

“Gen. Buhari is yet to come to terms with democratic processes. His recent comment has shown that he is a sit tight leader at heart, doing everything possible to repeat what he did in 1983,” he said.

Comrade Frank, therefore, called on the international community to continue to keep an eye on the process leading to the elections, to avoid chaos in Africa’s most populous country.

He also urged Nigerian voters not to be discouraged but angrily use their PVCs on the 23rd of February to end the reign of impunity and lifelessness by APC-led administration.



Daily post

INEC chairman admits commission contractor is APC senatorial candidate


tribuneonlineng.com Feb 17, 2019 9:39 AM


•Says process not compromised



National chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Saturday admitted that candidate of the All Progressives Congress, for Niger East Senatorial District, Senator Mohammed Musa, was a registered contractor with the commission.

The INEC chairman made the disclosure at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, had in a statement hinted the nation that the Managing Director of Activate Technologies Limited, Mohammed Sani Musa, whose company supplied the machines used in printing the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), was the candidate of the APC for Niger East Senatorial district in the aborted Saturday’s election.


Atiku, in the statement, further argued that “given that Mr. Musa’s previous company, Act Technologies, had a contract to supply and install PVC card printers in the INEC Headquarters, it does beg the question why Mr Musa’s new company, Activate Technologies, was given a subsequent contract to print PVC cards itself?”

“Other investigations have revealed that an employee and Director of Activate Technologies and an APC member, Mr. Mohammed Keffi, was filmed at Abuja Airport Domestic Departure Lounge on December 29 opening an official INEC envelope and then handling multiple ballot forms which he was checking off against his mobile phone.

INEC obtaining ad-hoc staff list from APC ― PDP
Atiku further noted that “while Sani Musa has the right to hold any public office in spite of his line of business, it is morally unjustifiable to allow a well-known supplier of sensitive INEC materials to partake in an election in which the key materials to be used for the poll were supplied by him.”

Asked by a former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, who stood in for PDP national chairman, Uche Secondus for clarification, the INEC Chairman admitted that he was aware that the said contractor with the commission was a senatorial candidate of the APC.

But he, however, assured Nigerians that it would not affect the credibility of the electoral process.

He said: “Yes, I am aware. That company has been working with the commission since 2011. I assure you that we have a strict system. No electoral officer will be compromised. The integrity of the process is protected.”



https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/amp/191184/

Again, tomb of legendary philosopher Karl Marx vandalized in London






The tomb of legendary philosopher, Karl Marx in Highgate cemetery in London has been vandalised for the second time in the space of a month.  
 
The words “doctrine of hate” and “architect of genocide” were found daubed in red paint across the Grade I-listed monument in the north London graveyard on Saturday.
 
The latest attack comes less than two weeks after the marble plaque on the tomb was defaced by an apparent attempt to scrape and chip Marx’s name off the marble slab with a hammer.  
 
At the time the group who manage the cemetery said they feared the memorial would never be the same again. Maxwell Blowfield, 31, who visited the cemetery this morning with his mother admitted he was “quite shocked” by the attack.  

 
Blowfield who works for British Museum, said: “It’s a highlight of the cemetery. The red paint will disappear, I assume, but to see that kind of level of damage and to see it happen twice, it’s not good. I wouldn’t like to say who or why someone did it but it was clearly someone very critical of Marx and that part of history. I am just surprised that somebody in 2019 feels they need to and do something like that.”  
 
German revolutionary philosopher Marx moved to London in 1849 and lived in the city for the rest of his life. His theories became the basis for communism before he died on March 14, 1883, aged 64.  The granite slab monument in north London, 12 feet (3.7 metres) tall and topped with a bronze bust of Marx, was funded in 1956 by the Communist Party of Great Britain.

by Linda 

HIV activist moves her followers to tears as she narrates the heartbreaking story of how she was raped and lost her womb






A radio host living with HIV told the story of how she was raped from age 5, lost her womb, and became HIV positive.
The HIV activist tweeted:
 

Quote:I was molested at the age of 5 and raped twice (once by a policeman).I did 3 abortions,lost a son at 16, dropped out of matric,diagnosed HIV positive and lost my womb in my early 20s.Currently living with depression and a kidney disease. What matters is, I'M STILL HERE!

by Linda 

6-year-old pupil exposes sodomy and cannibalism in Kuje College





A 6-year-old pupil identified as Imran, who featured on the February 4 edition of Brekete Family Talk Show on Human Rights Radio/Television, exposed sodomy in a Kuje College. 

The boy’s mother, Dr Hannatu Ayuba Usman, an oncologist with the National Hospital, Abuja, and his grandmother, Hajia Salamatu Abubakar Maina who confirmed the boy’s ordeal at the School for the Deaf, Kuje, Abuja, disclosed that he just spent one term after he transferred from another school in Kaduna.
The 6-year-old pupil who exposed sodomy and cannibalism at the Kuje College, recounted how he was forced to watch other children slaughtered and how the corpses were roasted and the flesh forcefully shoved down the victims’ throats.  It was further learnt that the boy is in need of surgery in his anus (as he could no longer control faeces) and an MRI scan because of the beating to his head.

The Police confirmed the story and the mother of abused boy who shared a text with sunnewsonline, wrote;

“This evening the FCT Police command CID confirmed that my son was sexually assaulted, after all the propaganda that it’s a false allegation against the Abuja School for the Deaf, Kuje. It has been a rough path for the family. We appreciate all your concerns, prayers and support. It’s our prayer that people living with disabilities will live and achieve their best in all facets of the Nigerian society without any form of abuse or discrimination.”

Read the full story from Sunnewsonline below;
The victim’s grandmother, Hajia Salamatu Abubakar Maina, gave a comprehensive account. “Imran was born deaf with heart defects. He was operated upon when he was two years old, and thankfully, he started growing. While in Kaduna, before he was moved to Abuja, he attended Demonstration School for the Deaf and Islamiyya for the Deaf, Angwa Sariki. He was doing very well and was passionate about his education. He was even leading prayer at the assembly. I employed one of the teachers to teach him extra lessons, so he could pray all the Muslim prayers and when the school saw that, he was the one saying prayers at the assembly hall. He spent just one term at the school before leaving for Kuje.


“On the day the school closed, the mother went to pick him. Normally nobody is allowed into the premises until after the PTA meeting. She went there at 8am and the meeting ended around 1pm. As soon as they got home, other family members were arriving for the holiday, so the house was busy. He tried to demonstrate something to me, but I didn’t give him enough attention. In Kaduna, his mother and I attended the lessons so we could communicate with him in sign language. Two days later, I washed his clothes and arranged them neatly in his school box. He likes wearing socks around the house. He went to take the school socks and I said, ‘no, everything here should be kept in the school box because we might travel and when we come back late, you will be returning to school and we don’t have to go about looking for your things for school.’ He said, ‘No, I will not be going back to that school.’ I asked why; he said he would die if he should return. He started demonstrating how when they slept at night, they were woken up, tied and sodomised. He said they did it many times to him, that it was painful, blood came out of his anus and his back was paining him and his head too.

He also said they took them out at night to somewhere. Only boys and men were there, no woman. He said their leader is tall and also climbs on top of something to address them. He said they kill people in his presence. He demonstrated three ways they kill people––they turn the head, they cut the throat or they put the head on the table and severe the head. Then those killed were roasted. He demonstrated how the leader wore gloves and used a knife and a big fork to cut the roasted human flesh and the boys with their hands tied to the back forcefully fed with human flesh. He said anytime they brought it near him, he would start vomiting and they would hit him. He counted six times. They tried to feed him and he kept vomiting and they kept hitting his head. Back in the school, he tried to tell the class teacher but he was threatened, they said they would kill him if he mentioned it to anyone, having witnessed how they had killed some people, he was afraid to tell anyone.

“I was personally visiting him every two weeks since we took him to that school because I was worried about his health. Imran doesn’t eat much. He doesn’t like pepper. The school didn’t feed them early. They serve them breakfast long after 10 am, so we provided Golden Morn cereal and milk for him. He also showed us a part of his arm that is now black. He went to the cupboard and brought out a syringe but he said the one used on them was bigger, that they used that to draw blood from his hand into a cup and handed it over to the leader who drank it.”

Dr Hannatu Ayuba Usman, Imran’s mother, continued the story.

“Using sign language, he told us that the leader ordered that he should be taken away because he kept vomiting each time they tried to give him roasted human flesh. He was subsequently hit with a plank with a nail that missed his right eye narrowly. The leader took him and swirled him around severally and flung him away. He hit his head against the wall and started crying. He said it was then his ‘school father’ who witnessed the ordeal took him back to the hostel and laid him on the bed. According to him, whenever they were in pains and crying, a certain solution is poured into a handkerchief that was pressed to their noses and they would sleep off. In the morning, the school father took him to the sick bay to see the nurse and told the teacher a lie about a fight, claiming that a retarded boy who was not happy that Imran touched his socks with his dirty hands hit him on the forehead with a belt knuckle.
“The teacher, worried, had called to tell me about the incident, assuring me not to worry that Imran has been taken to the sickbay and was being treated. But when my son came back he debunked the lie. He said he was injured at that place because he refused to eat human flesh. He said his seniors dipped their penises into his mouth up to his throat, and if he vomited semen, they would hit his head with a wooden plank to force him to swallow it. I asked if he was the only one that was so tortured, he said all the boys were being molested and they would be crying and that blood would be pouring out from their anus. We took him to the hospital and the doctor that examined him at the family medicine department confirmed that he has healed fissures in his anus.
“Now, when he sleeps, he has faeces in his pants. He shows it to me every morning and I tell him to go wash it. He can no longer chew with his teeth because his jaw aches. Even bread he cannot chew. Just one term that this boy spent in this school, now the doctors say he must undergo surgery in his anus. We have been told to do an MRI scan on his head, which we cannot afford. One can imagine what he is going through now. Parents of the children in that school are very poor and cannot communicate in sign language with their children as we can.”
According to Hajia Maina: “He told me that a day before we visited, the school father had cut his own finger and was bleeding, and had given him the flesh to eat but he refused. In one of the pictures I took during my visit (because I try to build a memory album for him), we noticed the school father was trying to shield his hands from us. Whenever we went to check on Imran, they would drug him. Parents complained that each time they visited, they were made to wait for an hour and a half before their children are brought to them. With Imran, we noticed when he appeared that he was always looking dreamy. We thought he was improving because Imran is very hyperactive. We thought he had been tamed. We didn’t know he was drugged. These people fooled us.”

According to a report, there was a brief clash among some party members who boarded a private aircraft at Abuja airport with over 15 bags of cash filled with both Naira and dollars. This reportedly happened yesterday, hours to the proposed elections. 

The allegation was made known by content developer and political analyst, Benny Umoren, who said that the party members involved belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) who are ready to buy votes during the forthcoming elections. 

Read below what she shared on Facebook earlier today; 

Let me tell you what played out in Abuja airport yesterday. APC will open CBN this coming week to meet up for more vote buying.

So yesterday this private aircraft operated by petrowest, Registration is N404SA.

This aircraft was to carry a particular group of APC to Edo state with cash, and they didn't come on the agreed time.... So the captain agreed to carry another APC group that was looking for an aircraft to katsina state, at this process the first group that this aircraft was waiting for came and the both group started arguing, this first group loaded the aircraft with 15 Ghana must go full of cash biggest size and four suitcase all with dollars and the aircraft nose up and hit it tail on the ground..... One of the bag tore and the cash splashed on the floor (tamac) pictures below for the scene.

The started fighting and when they both discovered they were on the same assignment they calmed down but before then Efcc was called and they came and coverered up the whole thing and the aircraft took them to Edo.

See more; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/apc-members-spotted-with-over-15-bags-of-cash-at-abuja-airport.html

Kingtblakhoc, the Nigerian porn star and his friends became latest victims of police brutality, as they were assaulted by police officers who felt they were yahoo boys (internet fraudster).

Kingtblackhoc who confirmed that he was assaulted by policemen, shared a video via Snapchat as he disclosed that the incident occurred in Osun State. He wrote as he shared the video;

Police staff handcuffs pulled outta cell door and they like 10 police officers gave me 250 strokes of their staffs on ma hand. Painful when you can't call me a yahoo boy, lol that I bought a small car with my hard earned money. My Naija smh

See his posts and video below;


https://unclesuru.com/2019/02/17/kingtblakhoc-and-friends-assaulted-by-policemen-after-mistaken-for-yahoo-boys/

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s oldest daughter, seven-year-old Blue Ivy, is “queen bee” of their household.

The ‘Formation’ singer’s mother, Tina Knowles-Lawson, has revealed her seven-year-old granddaughter, Blue Ivy, rules the household over her famous parents and twin siblings Rumi and Sir, 19 months.
Tina said: “Blue is the Queen B. The second Queen B.” And the 65-year-old fashion designer went on to explain the twins are already showing signs of very different personalities. She told the New York Post newspaper’s Page Six column: “For the twins, the girl is really going to rule the world, and the boy is kind of laid-back. He just chills like his dad.”

Tina previously revealed Blue is a great performer like her mother but hasn’t yet “decided” where her passion lies. She said: “[She] hasn’t decided yet. But whatever she wants to do, she will definitely be able to do it because she’s good at a lot of things.”
And last summer, the youngster beat Tina in a dance-off. Sharing a video on Instagram of her own take on Bey and Jay’s duet ‘APES** T’, Tina wrote: “This is my dance off with Blue!! She beat me of course! We had to make up an original dance move. “My awkward shoulder move was my made up dance. I know it’s wrong but my competition is only 6. She killed it though!!! #aboutthatcaftanlife. [sic]”

The clip was taken when the family enjoyed a summer break in the south of France – and it wasn’t the first time Tina has shared an adorable story of her granddaughter. Back in May, Blue Ivy scolded her for breaking the rules in a theatre in Paris and filming inside when she wasn’t allowed. As the pair sat in their seats waiting for the production to begin, Tina to took to her Instagram account to share the experience with her followers.

Posting a video, Tina said: “I’m in Paris, France and I’m at the most beautiful theatre I’ve ever seen in my life about to look at the ballet. It’s a walking ballet, it’s so cool.” However, rule follower Blue interrupted her grandmother to remind her that filming inside the venue was prohibited. The youngster said: “You’re not supposed to take videos grandma. You’re not supposed to.”

PRESS RELEASE*

*RE: ATTACK ON INEC BUSES IN OBOT AKARA LGA BY SUSPECTED APC HOODLUMS*

We wish to draw the attention of the international community, civil right agencies and the general public to the continuous resort to violence by the All Progressives Congress, APC in an apparent attempt to paint a crisis scenario in Akwa Ibom State.

Specifically, we condemn in strong terms, the attack carried out on buses hired by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for electoral duties, and on some persons in Obot Akara local government area. According to our findings, the ridiculous action was allegedly carried out by suspected APC thugs who wanted to truncate the smooth conduct of the election in the area. This, action corroborates our earlier disclosure that the APC plans to sponsor violent criminal operations that could enable its poorly orchestrated script for postponing the elections in Akwa Ibom State.

Let us sound it loud and clear that Obot Akara a PDP enclave, is home of the former deputy Governor and senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Chris Ekpenyong, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Ebong Uko as well as the Dean of the College of Personal Aides of the Governor, Elder Ufot Ebong, among others. This, in addition to the new roads and bridges built by the current administration of His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel to reconnect the area with other parts of the state, cement the area as a stronghold of the PDP. 

It is unfortunate that despite the repeated outcry against the threats to violence by leaders of the state’s opposition party, no significant action has been seen to be taken against such threats.

For example, the Caucus leader of the APC in Akwa Ibom on three different occasions in between August and September last year, threatened to unleash Warsaw in Akwa Ibom in a manner akin to the invasion of Poland by notorious German despot, Adolf Hitler. He made those boasts in a church, the town square and in his residence respectively, and the video clips are still available. As if not satisfied with that, Senator Godswill Akpabio went ahead to threaten that he will capture the state under three hours.

The Divine Mandate Campaign Organization wishes to echo for the umpteenth time that election is not war, and as such every attempt by the All Progressives Congress and its so-called Warsaw agents to instigate crises in the state, is hereby hugely condemned. We therefore call on security agents to fish out perpetrators of the dastardly act, and ensure that justice is not only done, but seen as being done. 
We wish to conclude by reiterating the call by our leader and Governor, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel, that election will come and go, but the bond of unity in the state, should not be severed on the altar of politics. 

Signed,
Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok
Director, Public Communications
Divine Mandate Campaign Organization
16/02/19

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/17/postponement-ad-hoc-staff-protest-non-payment-allowance-benue/

Hundreds of ad-hoc staff posted to Ushongo local government area of Benue on Saturday morning staged a protest to demand the payment of their transport allowance by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Our correspondent gathered that the ad-hoc staff had besieged INEC’s office in the town as early as 8 am demanding that they be given transport fare as well as other allowances as promised them by the commission.

They lamented that most of them had to sleep in the open and some in the buses throughout the night.

Trouble however, started when their demand was not being attended to causing them to protest.

Eyewitnesses who do not want to be named said the ad-hoc staff took to the streets, blocked the entrance to the INEC office and were preparing grounds to start burning used car tyres before the security Joint Task Force arrived the scene to calm the tension.

Some of the affected ad-hoc staff who spoke on the condition of anonymity expressed disappointment in the whole process and urged INEC to make better arrangements for them before next Saturday’s elections.

Postponement: Ad-hoc Staff Protest Non Payment of Allowance In Benue

A staff of INEC who wanted to remain anonymous said they did not refuse to pay them but had asked the ad-hoc staff to show their identity cards.

At the tme of filing this report, normalcy had been restored as the INEC officials had commenced payment of their allowances.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Candidate, Mr Donald Etim Duke has described the postponement of the presidential election scheduled for Saturday, February 16th as a coup against Nigeria.

Speaking with newsmen in his resident in Calabar, Duke regretted the postponement, saying that the postponement was a national embarrassment and disgrace.

“The folks have come all over the world to observe and monitor our elections, Nigerians have travelled length and breadth to go and participate in the civic responsibilities, all of the sudden, our so-called Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the elections, it is totally unheard of.

“You don’t postpone election like that, not even a week before the elections but four hours. Now, if you are a participant in this election, you have your agents spread throughout the length and breadth of this country, you financially empowered them because they are going to take money for accommodation, feedings and all sort of things, then last minutes, this happened, all that money is wasted, you got to start all over again.

“It is a trick, well scripted and it has been taken to the next level, this trick was to breed the opposition financially, PDP started this nonsense but this government has taken it to the next level, theirs was a week before the election but this guy has taken it to four hours into the election.

“We all know that the government in power has unlimited access to finance but the opposition does not, so by the time you get to election day, the opposition would be exhausted or barely able to go through the process again, they have only one week to raise funds, you are not talking about pittance here, we are talking about millions and billions of naira because we are talking about National elections” he said.


Mr Duke said, “It is impossible for INEC to do this without consultation with government, usually; government can even instigate them to do this for one reason or the other. It is sad, I just imagine, the way the rest of the world will look at us.

“There is nowhere that INEC could postpone the election without collaboration with the federation. The action was an international disgrace, we are a nation so compromised, our sycophancy has taken another form, we don’t speak the truth to power that be” he stated.

He attributed the postponement to the incompetence of the National Chairman, “People have travelled the bad road, security is questionable, all sort of things have happened, yet elections was postponed.


“INEC had four years to conduct election, they know that every four years, they have to conduct election, nothing new, they know this, they started asking for money last year, that is stupid, you waited to the last moment, they have no excuse whatsoever, if they can’t move the materials, there is aeroplane or helicopter, this is 21st century for goodness.

“This is where we find ourselves, regardless how well the election will be conducted, next week, if it happened at all, the result will not be accepted by all, because it has already been contaminated; if those that were smooth were not accepted then imagine what this will be.

On the outburst of Kaduna state governor regarding body bags, Mr Duke said, “Kaduna State Governor’s comment was a loose talk and that should not have come from the State Chief Executive and high ranking member of APC, he is a great friend of mine but he gets too emotional in his speech, he needs to be more cultured when addressing issues of those nature,” he said.

http://dailypost.ng/2019/02/17/postponement-presidential-election-coup-donald-duke/amp/

A lady who appears to be mentally unstable caused a scene along a road earlier today in Owerri, Imo state capital.

The lady while agitating with herself on the road, made some remarks while pointing to her private parts in the public display.

Facebook user Ann Johnson, shared a video of the lady in action while warning girls to be careful to avoid being used for rituals.

While some attributed her case to ritualism, others who claim to know the lady said she's a "possessed" and mentally unstable person who walks around Owerri metropolis in skimpy outfits for many years now and that her case is not new.

See how various internet users reacted to the viral video seen below.

See more; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/mentally-unstable-lady-in-skimpy-outfit-causes-a-scene-in-owerri-photos.html

Though the election may have been rescheduled due to some logistics reasons being cited by the INEC Chair, we seem to be getting some heartbreaking news on the hour. According to reports, it was reported that two buses carrying sensitive materials to Obot Akara local government in Akwa Ibom state got burnt and two persons were reportedly died.

Two persons have been killed in Akwa Ibom state after an attack on buses carrying sensitive materials to Obot Akara local government area, the buses were accompanied by NYSC corp members who will serve as polling officers in their various locations.



The buses which were also conveying election personnel were set on fire and some of the drivers were wounded with machetes. It was reported by a corp member that they have to run for their lives and some spent the night in the bush.



The personnel and drivers are hiding in the INEC office and need urgent security and medical support as at the time of filing this report.

These are images from the scene...


Source:
https://www.autoreportng.com/2019/02/two-killed-as-thugs-burn-inec-buses-in.html

Gbenro Ajibade calls out his wife, Osas, on Instagram






Nollywood Actor and model Gbenro Ajibade shared the post above on his Instastories this morning.
His marriage to Nigerian actress and presenter, Osas, has reportedly been in crisis for sometime now. Though the pair spent last Christmas together in the U.S. with their child,  it still seems all is not well between them as Gbenro has called her out for neglecting their child a number of times so she ''can be out all night partying and hanging out with friends.
 

by Linda

Kano State Hisbah Board screens over 8,000 divorcees, widows and spinsters to participate in state-sponsored mass wedding






Over 8,000 prospective couples have joined the queue and are undergoing screening to participate in Kano state-sponsored mass wedding.  
 
The Kano State Hisbah Board embarked on the screening of the divorcees, widows and spinsters. The Kano State Government had on December 12, 2018 set up a 23-member committee on state-sponsored wedding of 3,000 widows, divorcees and spinsters in the state.  
 
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Adamu Yahaya on Saturday said that no fewer than 15 persons were found to be HIV positive while 23 women were also discovered to be pregnant.  

Quote:“The screening was conducted to ascertain the health status of the couples before the marriage. The screening is mandatory as it will enable the board and each partner to know the health status of their partners before the marriage is conducted,” he said.  

by Linda

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SUNDAY, 17TH FEBRUARY.

LISTEN FOR HIS COUNSEL.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27).

Many people are in a dilemma today because they ignore the Holy Spirit; they make important life decisions, inadvertently ignoring His counsel. If you would follow His counsel in all things, your life would be void of stress; much more excellent and full of glory.

Having the Holy Spirit live in you is the greatest blessing of all. He’s your advantage and the secret to a glorious and successful life. Therefore, you must recognise and take advantage of His presence and guidance.

Christ has been made wisdom unto you, and so the Holy Spirit’s voice is God’s wisdom leading, instructing and guiding you. Don’t just live and do things aimlessly; be led by Him. Romans 8:14 says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

Always listen for His counsel from within you; He speaks to us on life’s issues through the Word. However, because His counsel and voice is never strong and harsh against us, many ignore Him, to their detriment.

Practise listening to Him. He always seeks to talk to you, and does talk to you actually, even more than you want to hear His voice. He already gave you the Scripture; the complete message of the Gospel. That’s our instruction manual for life.

To hear Him, therefore, you have to become more acquainted with Him, and be familiar with His voice, through study and meditation on the Word. Remember, He’s the author of the Holy Scriptures. Also, you must learn to respond to Him the right way and promptly too!

PRAYER

Blessed Father, you’re my Wonderful Counselor, and I rely on you for counsel that puts me over at all times. Your perfect will is unveiled to me as I walk in the light of your Word and fulfil my divine destiny, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:

Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

Isaiah 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This [is] the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Mark 2:23-3:1-12 & Leviticus 11-12

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Matthew 15:10-20 & Genesis 48



#TALKINGSESSION

17TH FEBRUARY.

KINDLY SAY THESE WORDS OUT LOUD.

Dear Father, thank You for the comfort of the Scriptures! Your Word indeed is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will never walk in darkness or confusion; for the Holy Spirit has unveiled the truth of Your Word to my spirit,

enlightening the eyes of my understanding to know the hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. I am what God says I am, and I have what He says I have because His Word is Truth! I am so grateful to learn from You today that no matter what happens, I am a victor in Christ Jesus! I maintain that right attitude of faith and victory today, and always, in Jesus' Name. Amen


God bless you

@ZENITHNAIJA


Governor El Rufai of Kaduna have been accused of cooking up the story of the 66 people killed last night in Kajuru L.G.A of Kaduna

Prof Chidi Odinkalu, a Channels TV election consultant during a media chat on "The Verdict" accused El-Rufai of fabricating the "66 FULANI KILLED" Story and equally noted some poinfs such as, where are the bodies and why didnt any arm of the security agency join him in the press conference. 

Recall that Kaduna state government, on Friday evening, disclosed that 66 persons were killed by unknown gunmen in Kajuru local government of Kaduna state, according to a statement issued by the spokesman to the governor of Kaduna state, Samuel Aruwan.

The statement however did not provide details about where or how the incidence happened but said among the victims were 22 children and 12 women.


Watch the video here and see photo below.

Former Governor of Edo state, Lucky Igbinedion, lost his second son, Osaretin, to the cold hands of death this morning February 16th. According to family sources, Osaretin died in a fatal accident in Dallas. He was driving with his cousin, Esosa Oyemwense, when they collided with an 18-wheeler at about 3am. They both died. So sad!



Osaretin graduated from the University of Pittsburgh's College of Business Administration with a degree in marketing, and a minor in economics. He also bagged a Masters degree in International Management from the Northeastern University.

Source: https://www.mediahelm.com.ng/2019/02/former-edo-state-governor-lucky.html

The lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial district, Magnus Abe, on Friday claimed that the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi once asked him to bomb the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.


He said this while rubbisshing Amaechi’s claim that he was working with the State Governor, Nyesom Wike against the interest of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement he signed, Abe, who is a factional governorship candidate of the APC in the state said: “I have received several calls this morning that the the Minister of Transportation Rt Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi was on air this morning alleging that I am being used by Gov Wike to destabilise the APC in Rivers state.


“It’s unfortunate that the only time we met, at the office of the national chairman of the APC to try to find some working solution to crisis in the party, the Hon Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, spent over two hour abusing me, and calling me names.

“He did not mention Rivers state or the APC once in the course of his entire diatribe. The national chairman could not call him to order or remind him of the purpose for the meeting that day. Instead the party was bullied into participating in an illegality.

“Today, rather than discuss how we can come together despite our differences to mobilise Rivers people to vote for our party and our President, Minister Amaechi was busy telling Rivers people that I am being used by Governor Wike.

“Amaechi as governor worked with me and he is aware that several times he ordered me to do things that I considered wrong, or incompatible with my principles, I not only refused to carry out such orders but I always told him to his face that I would not do them and I never did.

“When he ordered me to go arrange to bomb the INEC office in Port -Harcourt after the 2015 elections. I told him to his face that I cannot be part of any action that would involve violence and death because of politics, when he ordered the attacks on GDI at the time Governor Wike started GDI in Rivers state, Gokana was the first local Government in Rivers state that disobeyed that order, even though there were those hell bent on carrying out his orders in Gokana at time.

“So Minister Amaechi knows from personal experience that I cannot be used by anybody to do something I do not believe in. His refusal as a leader to accept responsibility for his actions is the reason the party is in this state. The bulk of the fight against Wike in 2015 was in my senatorial district, I led the fight in person from the front even in the face of clear personal danger. It is unfortunate that rather than face the real issues the Minister has continued to engage in name calling, inciting violence, and abusing those that can help to find solutions.”



http://dailypost.ng/2019/02/15/amaechi-asked-bomb-inec-office-abe-reacts-claim-working-wike/amp/

Kogi women take to the streets to protest the renewed political violence






Kogi women took to the streets on Saturday February 16, to protest the renewed political violence that has claimed the lives of residents in Ihima community, Okehi local government area of Kogi state.
The protest comes after 15 houses were burnt in the area and many were injured in an act of politically-motivated violence.
During the protest, the women cursed the desperate politicians who sponsored the violence. They went on to call for peace in the land.
In a video shared online, Hajia Abisetu, while speaking on behalf of the women, said their children have been killed in the violence allegedly sponsored by Okehi Administrator and Commissioner for water resources, Salami Ozigi, adding that they don’t want more of their children to be killed.
 

by Linda Ikeji 

Breaking: Boko Haram attacks Maiduguri mosque, kills 11






No fewer than 11 persons have been confirmed dead after suspected members of the Boko Haram sect attacked a mosque in Kushari village in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, today Saturday, February 16th.
The commissioner of police in the state, Damian Chukwu, who confirmed the incident, said two suicide bombers accompanied by a gunman infiltrated the mosque. 
 

by Linda 

Unknown gunmen have yet again wrecked havoc in Rivers state following the killings of two brothers.

According to reports, the deceased were killed by their assailants yesterday at Ozuaha, Kelga area of the state.

The reason for the killings is yet to be determined as at the time of filing this report as some residents believe it’s cult related.

Continue Reading: https://www.hgsmediaplus.com.ng/2019/02/two-brothers-killed-by-suspected.html?m=1
1

Photo: Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa's aide shot dead






Special Assistant on Youth Development to Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Lawrence Akpomiemie, has been murdered.
According to reports, Akpomiemie was on his way out with his girlfriend when unknown gunmen ambushed him and shot him dead at close range in the Uvwie Local Government Area of the state last night Friday, February 15th.
Pandemonium broke out in the area afterwards as his supporters began to attack the home of those believed to be behind the murder.
The police have been drafted to the area and are making frantic effiorts to restore peace. Meanwhile the remains of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue. It is not certain if the girlfriend of the deceased was killed in the attack. 
The Nation reports that prior to his appointment by Governor Okowa in 2016, Akpomimie was standing trial for murder and other crime but was controversially released from prison before being appointed.

by Linda I

Quote:The leadership of the Third Force Movement under the umbrella of Nigeria Intervention Movement has endorsed Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party for the presidential election.

The decision was contained in a statement by the movement’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Debo Adeniyi, on Friday.

Adeniyi said the decision of the third force stakeholders was without prejudice to the recently-concluded opinion polls by Alliance for Defence of Democracy to pick a consensus candidate to contest against the All Progressives Congress and the PDP.

He said Atiku was chosen based on his promise to restructure Nigeria.

“Our support for Atiku Abubakar, an ardent apostle of restructuring of the Nigerian state, gives our movement a better and more feasible prospects of taking charge of a new Nigeria in the shortest possible time,” he said.

He added that the movement, under the leadership of Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), and Dr Abduljalil Tafawa Balewa, had mandated the Director-General of NIM to “immediately mobilise all officials, members, stakeholders and allies of the Third Force Movement under the umbrella of NIM to vote and work for Atiku Abubakar enmasse as a major political bloc in the country with over seven million membership.

Buhari must apologize to us for the postponement of this election- comedian I Go Dye says






Comedian I Go Dye has joined other Nigerians to condemn the sudden postponement of the Presidential election earlier scheduled to hold today February 16th but will now hold on  February 23rd.
I Go Dye in post shared in his Instagram page, says the INEC chairman must be suspended while President Buhari must tender an unreserved apology to Nigerians for the postponement of the election.
Posting a throwback video of President Buhari condemning postponements of the elections in 2015, I Go Dye wrote;

Quote:I CALL FOR THE SUSPENSION OF THE INEC CHAIRMAN AND UNRESERVED APOLOGY FROM PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI WHO ONCE CONDEMNED THE 2015 POSTPONED ELECTION.

I am astonished like many other Nigerians who woke up only to discover that INEC has postponed and fixed new dates 23rd for the elections. I feel this is totally unacceptable from an institution like INEC that had been given 185 billon naira to organise it's logistics prior to this day.
Federal government has the financial capacity to bear the extra logistics burden that will be incurred from this postponement, but what happens to the rest of us?Who have planned marriage ceremonies,parties,funeral programs and other social activities who have fixed several events and occasions on the new dates,we are now forced to make new plans,resulting in the loss of time,financial burden and psychological problems.
Unfortunately for me,I have proposed 23rd February as the auditioning date for my project Sort talent hunt at Delta State. After spending so much on publicity,venue and other logistics,I am now forced to change the dates, even the final that was to hold on 27th February will also be affected. This is the highest level of mismanagement and gross interpretation of corruption against the original Nigerians.
This is the kind of frustration melted on Nigerian youths on a daily basis,when they are frustrated out of businesses because of electricity,high expenses of goods and services due to foreign exchange rate,unemployment that has led many to crimes and taking risks' through the deserts to seek greener pastures in strange lands;the negative options is created by the insensitive of Nigerian government,it shows they don't really care about their citizens.
To even make this situation worst, the postponement was carried out at Night.So when did they realise that the logistics involved was not adequately prepared for? This was how the Goodluck Jonathan past administration postponed the 2015 presidential elections and we condemned it,we felt that with the change mantra that will be end of such maladministration. This id a national embarrassment and deliberate attempt to ridicule us a Nation. Amb Francis Agoda

by Linda

Quote:KANO, Nigeria (AP) - Nigeria's electoral commission delayed the presidential election until Feb. 23, making the announcement a mere five hours before polls were set to open Saturday. It cited unspecified "challenges" amid reports that voting materials had not been delivered to all parts of the country.


Residents of Africa's most populous nation and largest democracy will soon wake up to outrage. Many had relocated for the chance to vote.

"This was a difficult decision to take but necessary for successful delivery of the elections and the consolidation of our democracy," commission chairman Mahmood Yakubu told reporters in the capital, Abuja. He said more details would be released during an afternoon briefing.

A review of logistics, along with the determination to hold a credible vote, led the commission to conclude that going ahead with the election as planned was "no longer feasible," he said.

Nigeria also postponed the previous presidential election in 2015 because of deadly insecurity in the northeast, which remains under threat from Islamic extremists.

As word filtered out after midnight of a possible election delay at least in some regions, the Situation Room, a civil society collective monitoring the vote, said in a statement that "any suggestion that the election be held in a staggered manner will be totally unacceptable, and would be a recipe for a disastrous election."

In this image from video, Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), speaks about election delayed during a press conference in Abuja, Nigeria, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. Nigeria's electoral commission delayed the presidential election until Feb. 23, making the announcement a mere five hours before polls were set to open Saturday. It cited unspecified "challenges" amid reports that voting materials had not been delivered to all parts of the country. 

[i]In this image from video, Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), speaks about election delayed during a press conference in Abuja, Nigeria, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. Nigeria's electoral commission delayed the presidential election until Feb. 23, making the announcement a mere five hours before polls were set to open Saturday. It cited unspecified "challenges" amid reports that voting materials had not been dlivered to all parts of the country. (AP Photo)

More than 84 million voters in this country of some 190 million had been expected to head to the polls in what is seen as a close and heated race between 76-year-old President Muhammadu Buhari and top challenger Atiku Abubakar, a billionaire former vice president.

Both have pledged to work for a peaceful election even as their supporters, including high-level officials, have caused alarm with vivid warnings against foreign interference and allegations of rigging.

"This is truly disappointing but ... Nigeria will prevail," the spokesman for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said on Twitter, noting that Buhari was already in his hometown where he had been set to vote.

When Buhari came to power in 2015 he made history with the first defeat of an incumbent president in an election hailed as one of the most transparent and untroubled ever in Nigeria, which has seen deadly post-vote violence in the past.

Now Buhari could become the second incumbent to be unseated. His term has been marked by a crash in global oil prices that spun Nigeria's heavily crude-dependent economy into a rare recession, from which it only emerged in 2017. Unemployment shot up. The country passed India as the nation with the most people living in extreme poverty. More than 13 million children are said to be out of school.


Insecurity on multiple fronts has seen little improvement, worrying neighbors of the West African regional powerhouse and beyond. While the military pushed Boko Haram extremists out of many communities in the country's northeast, claims of the group being "crushed" have withered in the face of continuing violence. A new offshoot pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group has surged in recent months, attacking military bases - and this week, a governor's convoy - sending tens of thousands of people fleeing anew.

On top of that, banditry in the northwest, oil militants in the south and deadly fighting in the central region between farmers and herders over increasingly precious land keep security forces stretched and the population on edge. On Friday, authorities reported at least 66 deaths in a single community this week in what one resident blamed on farmer-herder clashes.

"We love our country and we need our country to be safe from all the violence ... and all the nonsense that takes place during election time," worshipper Amin Muhammad Khalif said as he emerged Friday from prayers in Kano, Nigeria's second-largest city in a nation largely evenly split between Muslims and Christians.

Even in the fight against corruption, in which Buhari could claim some progress, many in Nigeria have expressed concern that those targeted are mostly opposition figures..

Meanwhile, many Nigerians worry about Buhari himself after he spent more than 150 days outside the country for still-unspecified medical treatment. Spare in both charisma and physique, Buhari spoke for just a few minutes at his final campaign rally on Thursday and struggled to hear or grasp a number of questions in a recent televised town hall.

Borrowing a page from President Donald Trump's playbook, top challenger Abubakar has campaigned on the theme of "Let's Make Nigeria Work Again," while vowing to apply his business acumen to privatize Nigeria's all-important state oil company and lift 50 million people out of poverty by 2025.

Despite such proclamations, Abubakar has never managed to shake years of corruption allegations. And, as Buhari grumbled in his final pre-election address to the nation on Thursday, one "cannot simply proclaim jobs into existence."


In the end, the now-delayed vote could come down to the sorry state of Africa's largest economy and people's empty pockets, and stomachs.

In Abuja, 56-year-old Bako Sharibu was wrist-deep in a dumpster as he fished out pieces of plastic for recycling. His shy smile disappeared as he recalled that he once had good work as a janitor. Now he struggles to make his target of 300 naira (83 cents) a day.

"Everybody suffers too much. Hungry everywhere," he said, adding that if he could save a few thousand naira he would send the money to his three children in northern Kaduna state.

Then he shook his pocket. It was near sunset. He had just 50 naira in hand.

He will be voting for Abubakar, he said. Nigeria needs change.

The Niger Delta Vocational Amnesty training center at Kaiama has been vandalized and properties stolen by both youths and women from various communities.

The Amnesty vocational training center which was just commissioned on the 14th February, 2019 by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Prof. Charles Quaker Dokubo to train youths of the Niger Delta as part of the Amnesty program by the federal government.

The properties looted raging from Plasma Television, general set of all kind, refrigerator, washing machine and other materials.

Continue Reading: https://www.hgsmediaplus.com.ng/2019/02/niger-delta-amnesty-office-vandalized.html?m=1

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SATURDAY, 16TH FEBRUARY.

THE WORD MIXED WITH FAITH.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

Faith is acting on the Word. God’s Word is all-powerful—having the ability to produce in you what it talks about. Nonetheless, God’s Word to you won’t produce any result except you act on it; the Word mixed with faith is what produces results. What is faith? Put simply, it’s the response of the human spirit to the Word of God.

Every time you hear God’s Word, faith comes to you in the Word. And because that Word is more real in your spirit than all physical circumstances, it propels you to action. That was what Abraham did; he mixed the Word with faith; he acted on what he heard. In Genesis 17:5, the Lord had told him “…a father of many nations have I made thee”; but at this time, Abraham was still childless. Then the Bible says Abraham believed “…God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Romans 4:17).

The ensuing verses 19-21 says, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God….” Could this be you? Could this be the description of your faith? It should, and must be. The Bible says for us to be “…followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).

Thus, like Abraham, always create the right environment for the Word to produce results in your life. Mix the Word with faith. Refuse to consider physical circumstances. Refuse to stagger at the Word of God through unbelief. Yes, God’s Word never fails, but the efficacy of God’s Word in your life depends on your response to the Word. Therefore, take a stand on God’s Word for yourself; be a doer of the Word, and your progress, victories, and success will not only be evident, but also consistent.

CONFESSION

At all times and in all seasons, irrespective of the circumstances or contrary situations, I choose the faith-way. I have the assurance on the basis of the Word that I’m who God says I am, I have what He says I have, and can do all He says I can do! My faith prevails, today and always. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY:

Romans 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Mark 2:1-22 & Leviticus 9-10

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Matthew 14:34-15:1-9 & Genesis 47



#TALKINGSESSION

16TH FEBRUARY.

KINDLY SAY THESE WORDS OUT LOUD.

Dear Father, thank You for the revelation of Your Word that confirms indeed that the glory of the latter is greater than that of the former, as evidenced by the miracles that are wrought today by Your Spirit, through faith in the Name of Jesus. I am properly positioned to experience the greater and, mighty move of the Spirit in my day and will do wonders in my world.

I rule, reign and dominate my world today by the faith of God in my spirit! My faith is alive and producing results today because the Word of God is in my heart and in my mouth, and as I speak it forth, circumstances align with the Father's perfect will for my life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.


God bless you

#TwitterStories: 'My 45-year old aunty is getting married on February 23rd' - Nigerian man cries out following INEC's election postponement






Following the announcement by INEC to postpone the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for today February 16th to next Saturday February 23 2019, a Twitter user has come out to lament.
 
According to him, 'my big Aunty that's getting married at the age of 45 on 23rd of Feb, we've been crying and praying since last 9th'.

by Linda

You have failed us, resign now' - Nigerians call out INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu for postponing the 2019 elections



 



A few hours ago, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for today February 16th to next Saturday February 23 2019, while State Governorship and House of Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday March 9. (Read HERE)
 
Nigerians woke up to the announcement made by Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and many are already calling for resignation saying 'he has failed us'.
 
See all the reactions below....


by Linda Ikeji at 

Christy Augustine, a beautiful Nigerian graduate observing her National Youth Service Corp programme at a secondary school got a romantic overture from a minor. 
 
Christy Augustine and the love letter in question
 
A corps member identified as Christy Augustine, took to the platform to share a photo of the love letter she got from a student at the school she was deployed to.
 
The corps member who took to social media to share the love letter, revealed that the student who gave it to her is in J.S.S 2. She took to a popular platform to ask if she should punish or advice the student.
 
Read her post below;
 
"Imagine this fa!
 
My fellow ranters...
 
This is one of my students in school, the worst part he is in jss2
 
And the funniest thing was that,
 
He walked up to me directly saying...Corper I have a letter for you.
 
After reading this am still confused either to punish him or advice him."
 
The letter reads:
 
"Good day Corpa Christy,


I love your teaching


I love the way you smile


I love the way you teach


Am in love with you for everything. How I wish you will be coming to our class everytime."
 

I Received About 50 Messages From Ladies After My Divorce Prank – Seyi Law
Saturday, February 16, 2019 ENTERTAINMENT

                           
Seyi Law who a new interview recounted the drama that played out after his divorce prank, disclosed that he received 50 messages from ladies. 

According to the comedian, the ladies didn't wait for loose ends to be tied before trying to start off a romantic relationship with him. Recall that the Seyi Law had written few days ago on Instagram; 

“Due to irreconcilable differences would have been enough to announce this, but the kind and beautiful heart of my ex-wife must be stated. She is one of the best women I have ever known. It is however sad, that I announce that my wife and I have decided to part ways for good. We will appreciate your love and support at this time. God bless you. Tiwaloluwa is safe and good.”

In an interview with Saturday Beats, Seyi Law said the he was on the plane when the inspiration to play the divorce prank came to him.


“I thank God for a good and understanding wife; I didn’t take permission from her before playing that prank. When she saw it, she couldn’t reach me because I was still on the plane. People had been calling her repeatedly. Also, when I landed, my phone rang repeatedly. I called her to explain things to her immediately we saw each other.

“She said I should have carried her along because she didn’t know what to tell people when they called her. My wife is my number one critic; that is the beautiful thing about my marriage,”

Femi Otedola donates N35m to save life of Victor Olaotan





Femi Otedola, the Nigerian billionaire businessman has donated the $100,000 (N35m) needed to save the life of veteran Nollywood actor Victor Olaotan.

Actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) in an Instagram post confirmed that Femi Otedola has donated N35m to save life of Victor Olaotan who is currently bed-ridden and receiving treatment from injuries he sustained from an accident in October 2016.

[url=https://unclesuru.com/2019/01/21/toyin-lawani-promises-to-help-young-pepper-seller-as-she-recounts-her-early-years/amp/][/url]
RMD wrote;
“Valentine has come and gone for many but for me I am still overwhelmed by the best valentine gift yet, a text from a man who has in a short space of time become friend and brother @femiotedola confirming that he has released just a little less than $100,000 (USD) for the commencement of the treatment of my brother and friend Victor Olaotan.
“I just wanted to share this here not to flatter Femi but to reiterate that you are what you do not what you say you will do.
“Thank you my brother @femiotedola for proving that you are a man of your words. God bless you.”

The fund release is coming two months after RMD reached out to the billionaire. The veteran actor had appealed on social media for financial aid to seek medical treatment abroad. According to a Gofundme page created by Emmanuel Ajibade that went live on Sunday 2nd December, the actor is appealing for financial aid to seek medical treatment abroad.

Reports has it that some of AD-HOC STAFF who are due to work in the 2019 presidential elections have to sleep outside without protection and proper accommodation.

INEC postpones presidential election to February 23rd






The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, a few hours ago announced the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for today February 16th to next Saturday February 23 2019, while State Governorship and House of Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday March 9.
 
The announcement was made by Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu earlier today. Read the statement and watch the video below...

 
 


by Linda 

This lady was not happy with the valentine gifts her boyfriend gave her.

She angrily scattered the gift and the whole apartment over the Val gift.

She said she was expecting chains, rings but the lover got her other things.

Watch the video HERE

Guys, if you were the boyfriend, what would you do?

PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the killings of 66people in kaduna which happened this evening.

He wrote:

“No one deserves to die over an election. Whichever way it goes, we are bound by a common heritage. I urge for calm & respect for all persuasions. It is my hope security be stepped up in hotspot areas. May the souls of the scores of lives lost in the Kaduna crisis rest in peace.”

See below 

Source:https://www.mtetimes.com/2019/politics/atiku-reacts-to-the-killings-of-66people-in-kaduna

Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Reports reaching Daily Independent indicate that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may postpone the 2019 general elections scheduled to begin tomorrow till Tuesday for logistics reasons.

A credible source in INEC said the development may be due to the fact that sensitive materials needed for the election are yet to be distributed in some states of the federation.

He also said the Commission is trying to put adequate security measures in place.

INEC Chairman, Professor Manhood Yakubu and other senior officials of the commission as well as other relevant agencies crucial to the conduct of the election are currently in an emergency.
Details later…
https://www.independent.ng/breaking-inec-may-postpone-election-till-tuesday-for-logistics-reasons/

According to reports, a popular eatery 'Mat Ice' in Auchi, Edo state, has been shut down temporarily following the death of a young lady identified as Sarah.

According to reports, the deceased, a 300 level Nursing student of Edo University in Iyamho, went all the way from her school to buy cake for a friend's birthday at the eatery in Auchi where the tragedy occurred.

It was gathered that Sarah who was on high heel, slipped and fell at the entrance of the eatery. The glass door of the eatery was said to have choked her neck after landing on the ground with her head.

She reportedly died while being rushed to the hospital after the incident.

According to reports, the eatery has been suspended from operating for now after the death of the girl which happened three days ago.

See more; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/popular-eatery-shut-down-after-death-of-300l-female-student-in-edo-state-photos.html




Re: Sarah Death: 

According to reports, a woman was caught with over five thousand Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) in Abia state ahead of the elections tomorrow. 

According to TVC news, the woman was allegedly arrested after the items were found in the booth of her car at a checkpoint as can be seen in the pictures below. 

The reason for her being in possession of the items - was not given. 

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is to deploy 1,315 vehicles for Saturday’s election in Abia state.

Trucks loaded with non-sensitive electoral materials were stationed within the INEC premises ready to be moved to the various local government areas in the state.

See more; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/lady-allegedly-caught-with-over-5000-pvcs-in-abia-state-photos.html

Fanny Facsar an international journalist with DW News is poised to cover the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria.

Fanny Facsar was at the APC giant broom at Abuja city gate and talked about the inability of the APC broom to sweep away corruption in Nigeria.

She wrote:

"It was put up shortly before the election. The broom has always been a symbol of the APC party. President Buhari’s party. A symbol of the promise to sweep away corruption. But that did not happen. Follow our election coverage with @adriankriesch @FlourishChukwur #NigeraDecides"

"You would say Buhari swept away corruption? Unfortunately his efforts failed. That doesn’t mean it cannot be tackled ...but question of strategy." 

Fanny Facsar @FannyFacsar is an International Correspondent with DW News, WestAfrica Correspondent based in Nigeria.

Watch the video HERE

Photos: Angry wife shoots her husband after he refused to explain a mystery phone call during their romantic Valentine's Day dinner






A 44-year-old woman, Mayura Panichpongsapak,  shot her husband after he refused to explain a mystery call to his smart phone during a romantic Valentine's Day dinner in Kalasin, Thailand.
Police arrived at a two story house on Friday morning and found Dr. Ratthasat Panichpongsapak, 45, seriously wounded with a gunshot to the head. His wife claimed that a  9mm gun went off by accident as they fought over clothes after she ordered him out of the family home.
 

 
The wife is a prominent businesswoman selling Pla Ra (fermented fish) while the husband has a doctorate and is a prominent figure in Kalasin educational circles.
Dr Ratthasat had been seriously injured on the right cheek. He was rushed to hospital after surviving the battery. On the floor was a 9 mm gun. Clothes were scattered all around.
Pol Col Thaweesak Raksasin of the Somdej police said that Mayura had told him that the couple had been out to dinner when her husband received a call on his smartphone. She asked who it was from and he was evasive.
 

 
Back at home the couple began arguing again and she ordered her husband to pack up his clothes and get out of the family home. He did so but then things calmed down until 4.30 am when the arguments resurfaced.
The wife said that the couple were grabbing and wresting over clothes when her husband's gun in the pocket of a garment went off resulting in her husband being shot in the head. She immediately called the foundation rescue team.
 

 
She has been charged with attempted murder that could be changed dependent on the condition of the husband who is in a serious way in hospital.
The victim is on the executive board of a well know school in Kalasin. He is known as an innovative and forward thinking educationalist driving improved standards in the province.
The couple have two children - the eldest is a boy and the youngest a girl.
 


by Lin

66 persons including children killed in Kaduna on election eve






No fewer than 66 persons have been killed by unknown gunmen in Kajuru local government of Kaduna state. This attack comes less than twenty four hours to the conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections in the state.
Media aide of the Kaduna state Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement released on Friday evening, said already, security agencies are on the trail of the assailants.
The statement added that among the victims were 22 children and 12 women.   
Read the statement below

Quote:The Kaduna State Government has condemned the killing of 66 persons in Kajuru LGA and has warned all communities against instigating attacks or reprisals. A government statement said that security agencies have been deployed to the area, while arrests have been made.
“Security agencies today reported the recovery of 66 bodies that were killed in attacks by criminal elements on various dispersed hamlets in the Maro Gida and Iri axis of Kajuru LGA. The settlements affected include Ruga Bahago, Ruga Daku, Ruga Ori, Ruga Haruna, Ruga Yukka Abubakar, Ruga Duni Kadiri, Ruga Shewuka and Ruga Shuaibu Yau.
“Among the victims were 22 children and 12 women. Four wounded persons rescued by the security agencies are now receiving medical attention.
“Government condemns the attacks and commiserates with the families of the victims. Security agencies have been deployed to the area and arrests have been made. Government urges community, traditional and religious leaders in the area to encourage residents to avoid any reprisal attacks and to leave the matter in the hands of the security and law enforcement agencies. The killings are being investigated and residents are assured that indicted persons will be prosecuted.
“Residents of Kaduna State are enjoined to uphold peace and harmony, shun violence and allow the elections to be held in an atmosphere of calm. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the security agencies in person or through the following lines: 09034000060 and 08170189999.”
Signed
Samuel Aruwan
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor (Media & Publicity) 
15th February 2019

by Linda Ikeji 

Photo: Two men arrested for planting explosives on Ebonyi bridge






The Ebonyi state police command have arrested two men for planting Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs on Idembia bridge in Ezza South Local government Area of the state today Friday, February 15th.
The state governor, David Umahi, made this known in a special security situation broadcast to the people of the state today. The governor said the arrest followed intelligence reports that some members of a political party were planning to bomb bridges and other installations in the state.

Quote:“The report came to me as Chief Security officer of this state that a House of Assembly candidate went to quarry site to buy explosives and the people came and reported to us, they refused to sell to him. We had to immediately report to the security agencies and they have the name of the person. They moved into action to arrest the person and I have said they should declare him wanted. Subsequently, four hours later, we got information that a meeting was held and it was agreed to plant explosives in hotels, in flyovers and bridges including bridges built by past administration in the state.
“While we were still examining the authenticity of the information, Commissioner for Internal security called to say that the community and Neighbourhood Security Watch apprehended two people that have succeeded in planting explosives at Idembia bridge but they have not detonated it.
“They were still planting it, they went to the expansion of the bridge the weakest link to plant it. They have been apprehended and sent to the Army and the Army has sent them to the police. So, they are being investigated”.

by Linda 

Ahead of the elections on Saturday, February 16th (tomorrow), men of the Nigeria Police Force have apprehended some suspected political thugs in Akwa Ibom state.

According to police report, the suspects including a woman were arrested at D'Angelo Hotel, in Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

The hotel is said to be owned by Hon Isantim Kenneth Okon, a former chairman, Etinan local government area of the state.

The suspects were paraded at the police station, after being nabbed following a tip-off.

Investigation into the matter is still underway.

Watch the video below. 

See more; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/alleged-political-thugs-arrested-at-a-hotel-in-akwa-ibom.html

Thief jumps into Lagos lagoon after snatching phone from a passenger in traffic






A suspected thief who could not swim, jumped into the Lagos lagoon after snatching a phone from a passenger in traffic this afternoon February 16th. Luck ran out on the thief after he couldn't swim when he landed into the Lagoon. He cried out for help and was rescued by passersby who recovered the stolen phone from him.
 
Ashamed of his act, the thief asked that he be thrown back into the lagoon but the people refused to lynch him or throw him into the Lagoon. He has since been handed over to the police.
Watch a video from the scene below

Quote: 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thief jumps into lagoon after snatching phone from a passenger in traffic. He clouldn't swim and was rescued by passersby. The phone was recovered from him.
A post shared by LIB - Linda Ikeji Blog (@lindaikejiblog) on Feb 15, 2019 at 6:25am PST

by Linda

This pre-wedding picture is causing controversy online as many feel the bride to be is too exposed, while some feel her dressing is okay as long as her man is cool with it.

What do you think about the picture, drop your comments below
Unique and Rare to find Guy, I don't do Normal i stick with Special, i am a big fan of my COUNTRY and i love Entertainment, Politics and Sports.
Twitter: @teedeeawe  //  Email: [email protected]  //

Philip Clements, 80, married Florin Marin, 25, in 2017, after the pair first met online in 2015. They are seen together in an undated image  
A retired priest who married his toy boy - 55 years his junior - claims he's happier than ever despite the pair living 1500 miles apart.
Philip Clements, 80, married Florin Marin, 25, in 2017, after the pair first met online in 2015. 
But last summer, Mr Marin - who is originally from Romania - landed himself a job at Alicante Airport with a car rental company and the pair have been forced to live separately ever since.
Mr Marin has flown back every few months to be reunited with his husband since relocating and the pair claim they're more in love than ever.
Mr Clements, from Maydensole, Dover, said: 'Florin is my first long and meaningful relationship since I retired from the church, I am just so in love with him.
'He is the funniest man ever, he makes me laugh until my belly hurts.
'Laughter is such an important ingredient to our marriage. Florin is the most amazing man and is so handsome.
'I hate it when we are not together, but we have accepted it and we are now stronger as a couple now we live apart.'

Last summer, Mr Marin - who is originally from Romania - landed himself a job at Alicante Airport. The couple are seen at their wedding in 2017

Mr Clements as a priest
Mr Clements said he speaks daily to his husband on FaceTime, when he hears about his day at work. 
'Not being with each other every day makes it more exciting, I literally count the days down until I see him again,' he said. 
'I can't get too excited though because my heart would probably give up!
'We hope to one day get a place together in Alicante and I would stay for two months at a time.
'As he is much younger, I want to give him the chance to be free and hang out with his friends and have fun.

The couple who met on dating site Gaydar in 2015, now meet up every two to three months. They're seen at their wedding in 2017
'Florin definitely keeps me young, even my dress sense has changed since meeting him, I now wear much tighter trousers.
'I haven't got long left in this world, and I would like nothing more to spend it with Florin.'
The couple who met on dating site Gaydar in 2015, now meet up every two to three months and have been on holidays to Turkey, Spain and Romania.
Mr Marin, who is an aspiring model, said: 'Some people might say what have we got in common when we are 50 years apart, but actually we have loads in common and enjoy each other's company.
'My family have accepted our marriage and think a lot of Philip which is amazing.
'He is a clever man, he has taught me a lot over the past four years, Philip loves history.
'I now know about the Victorian era and World War II, I like to listen to him.
'We have fun when we go on holiday together, we go to the cinemas and eat lots of good food with good wine.
'We are just like any other couple despite us being born 50 years apart.' 

Lere Olayinka Aresa 1 who was Governor Ayo Fayose spokesman took to his twitter account to make the announcement that the Current Governor of Ekiti State as Shutdown People's FM 104.1.

See tweet below...

Quote:The only objective Radio Station in Ekiti, Our People's FM 104.1 has been shot down by the Ekiti State interim gov. Kayode Fayemi.
@realFFK
@OfficialPDPNig
@atiku
@renoomokri
@MobilePunch
@GovAyoFayose
@channelstv
#FayemiTyrannyInEkiti

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Source: http://www.ngg.ng/2019/02/15/ekiti-state-governor-fayemi-shutdown-peoples-fm-104-1/

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Breaking: Onnoghen arrives CCT for arraignment






Suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has arrived the Code of Conduct Tribunal for his arraignment. Onnoghen who was suspended by President Buhari on January 25th, is being arraigned over his alleged false declaration of assets.
 
Since the beginning of his trial, Onnoghen has refused to appear before the CCT on grounds that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to hear his case.
 
On Wednesday, CCT chairman, Danladi Umar, issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

Photo/Video of Justice Onnoghen arriving the CCT this morning






Here is a video of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as he arrived the Code of Conduct Tribunal for his arraignment this morning. Watch the video below..
 

Quote: 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Suspended CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, arriving the Code of Conduct Tribunal CCT, for arraignment this morning.
A post shared by LIB - Linda Ikeji Blog (@lindaikejiblog) on Feb 15, 2019 at 1:49am PST

by Lind

Man who survived stampede at Rivers APC campaign rally, dies due to poor medical attention






One of the survivors of the stampede that occured during the APC rally in Rivers state on Tuesday February 12th, Bestman Kalagbor, has died. According to his close friends, Bestman who is married with children, died due to poor medical attention. He narrowly escaped being killed during the stampede. He was rushed to the hospital where he died yesterday allegedly due to poor medical attention.
 


by Linda 

Girl killed by train as she was looking at her phone while crossing the tracks






A 15-year-old schoolgirl was struck by a train and killed as she was looking at her phone while crossing a track.
 
Evie Wright was walking across a level crossing where a footbridge was supposed to have been built 20 years ago. She went through a gate on the pedestrian path across the track in Worle, Somerset. A child who witnessed what happened described seeing Evie with her head down. She ‘kept looking down at her phone, like she was checking the time’ before being struck by the train.
The witness, who did not know Evie, told an inquest into her death:
 

Quote:The train was quite far away, past the bridge, but I could see it getting bigger as it approached, so I stopped and waited.
The girl kept looking down at her phone, like she was checking the time.
I heard a loud crash as the gate opened and closed behind her, and she looked to be moving vigorously across the track.
She was on the track looking at her phone, and then she leaned forward as if to see the train.
I instinctively closed my eyes, and when I opened them about ten seconds later, I could see her lying face down on the track, and the train was stopped.

Quote:I saw her looking up at me as she stepped towards the crossing. There was nothing I could do to stop my train at such a short distance. I saw the girl hunch down as though bracing herself, and then I felt the impact as the train hit her.

Quote:Whilst all this is going on in the background, children are trying to cross this crossing. Our daughter is not the first to die like this. I am disappointed in the people responsible for this, and I would like to request something is done as soon as possible.

by Lind

Great-great-grandmother treated to naked men for her 100th birthday party (+18 photos)






A great-great-grandmother, who has six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren, was given an extra-special treat for her 100th birthday.
 
It was Doll Jenkins' wish to have naked butlers for her birthday and the cheeky birthday wish was fulfilled when staff at her retirement home hired the buff butlers for her very special birthday party.
 
Residents at Milton Lodge made international news last year after they requested the naked hunks to come and serve a three-course meal. This happened after residents told staff they wanted to spend some time with a man.
Then, for Doll's birthday this year, two hunks were invited back to join Doll, her family and staff at the home in Colchester, Essex to celebrate her big day last Friday.
 

 
Leigha Jones, senior carer at the home, said Doll had a great time with them.
She said:
Her face just lit up when they came in, she was beaming. We all sat in the lounge area waiting for them and when they came in she was a bit taken aback.
She told them to go and put some clothes on, but she soon came out of her shell and was flirting and smacking their bottoms.
 

 
She loved it and she kept asking them to come back and say goodbye to her properly.
Leigha said:
 

Quote:She kept asking if we could go and find the naked men again.
She is a lot younger at heart – she still gets around and walks when she feels strong enough and she still laughs and jokes.

by Lind

A man was publicly humiliated after he was caught for allegedly stealing female panties recently in Ondo state.

It was gathered that the man was exposed by a resident who saw him in action and raised an alarm.

The man was immediately nabbed and stripped totally unclad while being paraded in public. According to reports, the man was later handed over to security operatives.

This is coming weeks after a man was arrested over a similar issue after telling a young boy to bring his mother’s panties for a fee of N500 in Ondo.

The man was beaten to pulp by the residents before being whisked away by the police.

See more; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2019/02/man-caught-stealing-female-panties-in-ondo-state.html

Today at Abbi Divisional Police Headquarters,Delta, the police displayed two armed robbers(one already shot dead) during the operation yesterday around 10 - 11pm.They were caught after exchanging gunshots with the police.

The armed robbers who were four in numbers yesterday mounted between Abbi and Ezhionum to rob machines and people returning from Ukwata Abbi.

Luck ran out of them and police went after them.However,two were lucky to escape.

As at the time of filing this report, efforts are being made to nab the remaining two.


Source: http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2019/02/police-shoot-robber-deadcatch-his.html

A man's corpse has been found with some vital body parts missing in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. 
 
Photo of the mutilated body
 
Barely 48 hours to Nigeria’s general elections, political thugs were said to have murdered a middle-aged man close at a ghetto area in Ibadan, leaving his severed body dropped close to a popular joint in the area.
 
The man, said to have been murdered overnight of Wednesday, at Asaka, along Gege area at Ibadan surburb, was found with his head cut off, genitals and intestines removed at the location  where his body was dropped.

Pastor’s Wife Dies During Service, 


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Omamen Iyawe, the wife of Pastor Idahosa Iyawe, Assistant Pastor of The StandPoint Church, Abuja, who died on March 4, during Sunday service, will be buried tomorrow after a service of songs at Word of Faith field, opposite CGMi Faith Arena, Benin City, Edo State by 10:00a.m.

An earlier service of songs was yesterday evening held in her honour at Daughter of Abraham Hall, opposite Setraco headquarters, Mabushi Express, Abuja. According to the church, “the 29-year-old mother of one was deeply and intensely lost in worship, lifted up her hands and was called to a higher place of praise and worship when she suddenly slumped and died during service last week.”

In a tribute, the church said: “The StandPoint Church together with the families of the Iyawe’s and Obaseki’s, soberly announce to the public the passing of Mrs. Omamen Iyawe, a profoundly treasured mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. It was a glorious exit. As Oma, deeply and intensely lost in worship, lifted up her hands, she was called to a higher place of praise and worship.

“Oma was a beautiful soul, an admirable shining example, and a source of inspiration to many people in and outside The StandPoint Church. Oma will surely and terribly be missed by many. We cry and we grieve, but we also rejoice in this glorious translation because we know that Omamen Iyawe is not in our past, but alive in our future.”

Her bereaved husband, who was married to her for two years before her death also took to social media to mourn her.

guardian[/size]

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FRIDAY, 15TH FEBRUARY.

AUTOMATIC CLEANSING.

In whom, we have our redemption—the remission of sins, — (Colossians 1:14 EBR)

Aren’t you glad that in Christ, all our sins are remitted; past, present, and future? Imagine if someone says our future sins weren’t taken care of by the blood of Jesus, when then is He going to fix them? When will they be remitted?

Also, assuming that a Christian committed a sin at his workplace, and said to himself, “This office isn’t conducive for me to pray right now; I’m going to hurry up with work so I can get home to pray, and get reconciled with God.” Imagine that while he’s still at work, the trumpet for the rapture of the Church suddenly sounds; will he go to heaven or will he be left behind?

Now, maybe you’re thinking, “That Christian is done for! He can’t go to heaven.” That means you really don’t know the Lord. He’s too passionate about your salvation to leave you behind because you made a mistake. He provided for the Christian what is called automatic cleansing! This is what the Word teaches.
Those who’ll be left behind are those who haven’t been walking in His light; those who didn’t know Him and didn’t love Him. The mere fact that you acknowledged you did something wrong, for which you thought to talk to Him, shows that His light is in your heart.

Now, read what the Word says in 1 John 1:7: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.” The underlined portion doesn’t say you’ll be cleansed after you pray to God for forgiveness; no! Neither does it say the blood of Jesus is going to cleanse you from sin; it’s not futuristic; it’s a continuous automatic process! His blood CLEANSES you each time the need arises.

And guess what? This auto-remission of your sins is a legal matter before God. It’s no longer a matter of choice from God; it’s a legal justification for a Christian. Hallelujah!

This is why it’s so important that we know, understand, and walk daily in the light of God’s Word, not in human assumptions. Walk in the light of your righteousness, pleasing the Lord with your life, and you’ll not have to worry about sin, because your nature in Christ isn’t subject to sin.

CONFESSION

I live and walk in righteousness; Satan has nothing in me, because in Christ Jesus my Lord, I’ve been justified from all things from which I couldn’t be justified by the Law of Moses. I walk conscious of the Father’s nature in me. Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY: Romans 4:6-8 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 [Saying], Blessed [are] they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed [is] the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Micah 7:18-19 AMPC Who is a God like You, Who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy and loving-kindness. 19 He will again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Mark 1:21-45 & Leviticus 8

2-Year Bible Reading Plan
Matthew 14:22-33 & Genesis 46

#TALKINGSESSION

15TH FEBRUARY.

KINDLY SAY THESE WORDS OUT LOUD

Dear Father, I thank you for giving me the power of attorney to use the Name of Jesus, and utter words of power as a king and effect the desired changes in my career, ministry, finances, family, and health. I speak life to everything that concerns me today. No weapon formed against me

shall prosper. I function in the dominion of the Spirit, having been enthroned over Satan, the principalities of darkness, and all negative circumstances. My life is the manifestation of the graces, many-sided wisdom, and perfections of God, whose glory I am, and whose presence I carry to impact and beautify my world, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.


God bless you

The Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s Thursday night broadcast as a farewell speech.

Reacting to President Buhari’s characterization of the opposition in a nationwide broadcast, Atiku Abubakar described the president as a failed steward who has consistently distorted and twisted facts and events.

Atiku, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Publication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu said, “We see President Muhammadu Buhari’s attack on the opposition in his nationwide broadcast, Thursday night, as part of the many gaffes which have come to define last days of the Buhari Presidency, rather than an address to be taken seriously by Nigerians.”

Atiku said President Buhari ought to have shown deep introspection in his public comments “because he is not just presiding over any country, but one with the largest black nation on earth, which bestows a lot of responsibility on him.”

According to Atiku, “If the President is not telling Nigerians that he was sworn in as president in 2005, he is mistaking Ondo Central Senatorial District for Edo Central Senatorial District or surrendering his ticket to Mr. Great Ogboru whom he mistakenly referred to as the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while on campaign tour of the state.

“These gaffes and the latest negative comments against opposition elements in his nationwide broadcast are not the attributes of a leader who should be re-elected for another term of office,” Shaibu quoted Atiku as saying.

Atiku also said that, “Even when he is voted out of office come Saturday, February 16, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari must learn to rise above certain issues and do things that will enhance the respect the citizenry have for the office of the President, rather than rushing to exhibit soap-box mentality when the occasion does not call for it.”

”As for which party will better serve the people, we leave that judgment to Nigerians who will decide on 16th February, instead of a highly-partisan and easily excitable President Buhari,” Atiku said.

While dismissing President Buhari’s nationwide broadcast as a farewell speech, the former Vice President said “the Nigerian public is already giving its reaction on General Buhari’s less than Presidential address to the nation this evening.”

“A review of comments on Buhari’s Facebook Page to the broadcast shows that he should call in the removals-van as people can’t wait for him to leave Aso Rock. When you compare these to the comments on HE Atiku’s page to his Facebook Live broadcast this morning, the contrast could not be greater. The final verdict is in the hands and fingers of the millions of voters this Saturday.

“As our candidate HE Atiku said in his final message of the campaign ‘Even if you are not voting for me, still come out to vote on Saturday. It is about Nigeria, not Atiku Abubakar. It is about you and your future.’”

“So, we appeal to every eligible voter to express their will and contribute to our democracy,” the statement concluded.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/buharis-nationwide-broadcast-a-farewell-speech-atiku/

Nigeria wastes 42,160MW as transmission, distribution challenges linger
Friday, February 15, 2019  BUSINESS

                           
Challenges facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), have led to the wastage of about 42,160.87 mega watts (MW) of electricity out of the 88,566.43MW generated by power generation companies (GenCOs) last year.  Although the current administration had vowed to address the barriers limiting power supply to consumers, statistics made available to The Guardian yesterday, in Abuja by the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) revealed that almost half of Nigeria’s generated power was stranded. Indeed, only about 46,405.56MW was used across the country due to weak distribution capacity and transmission infrastructure, including the national grid.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), had said the country’s national grid never transmitted power above 5,375MW, while the average power generated, transmitted and distributed by the grid, which collapses habitually stands at about 3,700MW.Executive Secretary of APGC, Dr. Joy Ogaji, said the prevailing situation has worsened financial liquidity in the sector, as government has been unable to address losses from the stranded power.

The statistics further showed that in January, of the GenCos’ output of 7,689.04MW, only 3,733.01MW was used, while an average of 3,956.03MW was stranded. In February, available generation stood at 7,584.46MW, while 4,001.33MW was used and 3,583.13MW stranded. Similarly, the generated power for March stood at 7,306.39M, with 4,097.62MW consumed while 3,208.77MW was stranded.

The story did not change all through the rest of the year, through to the last quarter, where 7,691.37MW was generated in October, 3,810.74MW distributed and 3,880.63MW wasted. Same with November’s 7,238.12MW with only 4,093.76 utilised, and 3,144.37 stranded. In December, when power is at optimum demand due to year-end holidays, generation dropped to around 5,207.57MW, with 4,162.47MW utilised on the average while 1,045.10MW was stranded, all padding the cost burn by operators in the industry.



With the prevailing situation, generation companies have an available capacity of about 8,000MW, but the transmission system can only transmit (transport) about 5,000MW, while distribution network is capable of absorbing about 4600MW. Ogaji insisted that “Due to sub-standard transmission and distribution system, generated power becomes rejected or forced to be reduced to match the infrastructure that distributes power to the customers, making GenCos operate below their optimum capacity.

“With the growth of power generation, both installed and available in Nigeria, it is only possible for the gains of privatisation and the reform that what is generated can all be evacuated or transmitted.”She said the inadequacy of power evacuation infrastructure, which is largely responsible for the recurring supply shortages in the nation, remained worrisome.

To compound the situation, Ogaji said operators’ investment in power, especially the Gencos, is under threat due to a regulation introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which allegedly favours the DisCos.She cited a publication to the effect that DisCos insist they are being over-billed on supply as captured in the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO), forcing NERC to adopt actual generation capacity against available generation, warning that the development could undermine the growth of the sector.
    
MYTO is a tariff model developed in 2008 by the NERC, pursuant to Section 32 (d) and 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, 2005.The aim is to ensure that prices charged by licensees are fair to customers and sufficient to allow them to finance their activities and obtain reasonable profit for the efficient operator.
     
She clarified: “In a layman’s term, this redefinition of capacity by NERC means that if a GenCo declares 500MW as available on any day, and the grid or TCN only nominates to take 100MW, which, to a large extent, is based on what the DisCos want to take and distribute, that GenCo will only be paid for the energy and capacity equivalent of 100MW. The GenCo is left to bear the capacity cost of making available the remaining 400MW. No country can grow its power base on this flawed and lopsided regulation that penalises/punishes a generator for investing to increase its available capacity.”

APC plans to scuttle Kaduna polls –PDP
Friday, February 15, 2019  politics
                             
Kaduna State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of socio-political move to scuttle the general elections.

Addressing a press conference, yesterday, at the PDP secretariat, the state chairman of the party, Felix Hassan Hyat, alleged that one of the APC’s plans was to disobey court order over some pending matters affecting some communities and personalities in the state.

When contacted on phone, Assistant Secretary of APC) in the state, Yahaya Pate, said he would not react to the allegation until the chairman of the party, Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada (retd), gave him go ahead to do so.

But, at the time of filling this report, neither Pate nor Jekada called back to react to the allegation.

However, Hyat said: “Information reaching us now has it that the governor is currently mobilising some observer groups to the Government House, to induce them to dance to his tune. His plan is to pressurise them to cook up false reports that would support his rigging plan.

‘‘We call on the observer groups not to succumb to the governor’s antics, but continue to remain neutral and unbiased in the discharge of their duties, as stakeholders in the electoral process.

“We are also aware of the plan of the government to scuttle the forthcoming elections in Kaduna State, by engaging in actions that could provoke the people to cause crisis, so that a state of emergency would be declared, inorder for him to call for the cancellation of the elections, because he is already sure of losing.”

He alleged that part of the orchestrated plan is to install a new chief in the controversial Adara Chiefdom, despite the litigation in court. 

“This is in addition to using fake results to swear-in the APC candidate in Jaba Local Government who lost the last council polls, despite the fact that the case is in court.

‘‘The governor knows that such actions could lead to resistance by the people which can cause mayhem. We call on the people concerned to remain calm and law abiding, no matter the provocation.

“We’ve further gathered, from our field operators, that the APC government in Kaduna State has recruited thousands of Kato da Gora, a state sponsored security outfit, with the aim of hijacking ballot boxes and papers on transit to polling units, especially in rural areas. We are calling on both INEC, security agencies and all observers to take note of this very important issue, and act accordingly.

“We remain solidly on the side of the people of Kaduna State, and strongly plead with them that the patience they have exhibited in the past three years and nine months should not be sacrificed by anger of a few days. We urge the people to come out en masse to vote massively and peacefully for the PDP, so we can bring about a new leadership at the National and State levels, that would get Nigeria working again, and that which shall rescue, reunite and reconstruct Kaduna State.”

Hyat further alleged that that the order by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), barring VIPs from using security personnels for partisan political activities and harassment of innocent citizens, is grossly being violated.

A case in point is that of the wife of the National Security Adviser (NSA), whose brother is contesting for the House of Representatives in Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State under the APC. 

“The wife of the NSA has been using soldiers to harass and intimidate people in favour of her brother. We condemn this in very strong terms and call on the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command to investigate it”.

3,187,988 People Eligible To Vote In Katsina – REC
Friday, February 15, 2019  NEW
                              
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioner of Katsina State, Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa, said 3,187,988 Permanent Voters Card, PVCs were distributed in the state.

Zarewa said the 3,187,988 representing 98 per cent collection were out of the 3,230,000 registered voters in the state. The Commissioner also said that 63,939 PVCs were yet to be collected and would be taken to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN for safe keeping. His words: “In Katsina State, there are 3,230,000 registered voters out whom 3,187,988 representing 98 pcollected the Permanent Voters Card, PVC. The balance yet to be collected is 63,939 representing two per cent. We have housed it and kept it till after the elections.”

Wike alleges plot by Amaechi, others to bomb INEC offices, disrupt polls
Friday, February 15, 2019  politics
                           
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has has alleged a plot by his predecessor, Chibuike Amaechi, in collaboration with ‘unpatriotic military and police officers’ to bomb the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices and disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections in the state. 

Governor Wike also declared today as public holiday for Rivers people to pray for God’s intervention in ensuring that the elections are peaceful. 

Wike, in a state broadcast yesterday, ahead of the general election, said credible intelligence revealed the unpatriotic plot. 

But, in a swift reaction, Amaechi dismissed Wike’s allegations, saying he has not been in a meeting where violence is discussed.

Amaechi said his dance and purported war song during the APC presidential campaign in Port Harcourt, was a way to tell the state governor that this year’s elections would be different from the last elections, where much blood and killings were perpetrated.

However, Wike, in his broadcast said: “Credible intelligence has linked Amaechi and his cohorts in the factionalised APC to prevent the peaceful conduct of the general election in Rivers State with the support of some unpatriotic military and police officers. 

“The security officers have been detailed to provide covert and over operational covers for Amaechi’s armed militants and thugs on military camouflage and fake police uniforms to bomb INEC offices, cart away or destroy voting materials at registration area centres, and disrupt the voting processes across the state on a scale that will force INEC to abruptly call off elections on the grounds of insecurity.”

The governor said several Hilux vehicles painted in military colours and gunboats donated by the executive director (Technical) of the Nigerian Ports Authority, have been handed over to the militants to carry out the illegal anti-democratic attacks across the state. 

While expressing worry on the needless threats of violence by the director general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the party’s last presidential campaign rally on Tuesday, in Port Harcourt, Wike said the APC internal crisis was a fallout of the love for impunity, arrogance and disdain for due process.

“It is, therefore, most unfortunate that instead of using internal party mechanisms to settle the festering crisis before it was too late, Amaechi chose to act with impunity and is now hunted by the unpleasant outcomes of his arrogance and disdain for due process.

“Even at that, the Supreme Court has spoken and the only rational path left for Amaechi is to recognise the fact that justice has prevailed over impunity.”

Wike advised him to be political matured enough to accept the consistent decisions of the courts in good faith, eat the humble pie, put his damaged political enclave in order and wait for 2023 elections. 

The governor stated that Rivers is peaceful and ready for the general elections. He warned against any negative actions that would upset the peace of the state and disrupt its economic processes which are key to the survival of Nigeria.

He said: “I wish to, therefore, appeal to the conscience of Amaechi, as a brother and fellow compatriot, to stop stoking the drumbeats of violence and allow the prevailing peace to continue in Rivers State.

“At this point, let me remind us that these are strange and tempting times in our political experience that call for utmost vigilance and maturity in our response to the wilful provocations from the APC and the security agencies, which are clearly working together on a well choreographed script to destabilise the state and prevent the general election from holding,” the governor said.

He called on Rivers people to remain peaceful and go about with their lawful activities and refrain from returning violence for violence despite the provocation. 

The governor called on the international community to hold the former governor and his faction of the APC responsible for any outbreak of violence during the elections. 

He said: “May I call on the international community, particularly the United Nations, the European Union, ECOWAS, as well as the governments of the United States of America, United Kingdom and France to hold Amaechi, his cohorts in the factional APC and the compromised security officers responsible for any electoral and or related violence in Rivers State during and after the general election.”

Wike commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones during the last APC presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt. 

He said: “To lose 15 innocent and lively persons are deeply distressful not only to the immediate families, but, also, to their communities and the entire state. These are active and productive people who still have a lot to offer to the wellbeing of their families and the progress of our state.

“This sad situation calls for sober reflection and penitence, especially on the part of the APC, which brazen negligence in crowd control and at the facility, was directly responsible for the tragic and irreversible loss of these innocent souls to the cold hands of death.”

He thanked God for the violence-free political campaign in the state and prayed that the same will continue after the elections. 

“I wish to remind us once again, that we are one people with a common destiny. We may belong to different political parties, but there is no other state we can call our home, except Rivers State.

“It is, therefore, incumbent on us as leaders and followers, irrespective of political or other affiliations, to continue to work together in brotherhood to build and advance the progress and prosperity of our state and our people with all sense of responsibility and commitment,” he said.

Meanwhile, Amaechi, while addressing journalists yesterday evening, said he has never be engaged in any meeting where violence was discussed.

The Minister of Transportation, while reacting to the issue of him singing a war song during a presidential rally, denied charting war song, saying his dance and songs were his way of telling his successor that he cannot get away with his (Wike) previous activities of winning election’s in the mixed of blood shade and violence.

Amaechi said this time, Rivers people must be allowed to vote without fear of being killed, unlike what happened in 2015.

Responding to question on what is the cause of the problem with Wike, the minister claimed it was desperation and hunger for power on the side of his successor.

Portfolio investors gain in Nigeria’s $17b capital inflow
Friday, February 15, 2019  BUSINESS
                          
The record of foreign inflow into the country in 2018 at $16.81 billion has shown that investors targeted portfolio investments also known as “hot money” rather than establishing institutions and staking in existing ones. Hot money, as it is called, is frequently transferred among financial institutions in an attempt to maximise interest or capital gain and could easily be pulled out by the investor depending on his/her perception of the business environment.

Specifically, hot money investments are targeted at bonds and money market instruments. They are major part of foreign investments inflow, which also exerts pressure on the naira and national reserves every time the investor’s perception of the economy is negative. The move leads to capital flight.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the total value of capital importation into Nigeria rose to $16.81 billion in 2018 from the $12.23 billion tally of 2017, representing a 37.49 per cent growth.Of the sum, portfolio investment accounted for $11.8 billion, 70.20 per cent of the total.

This was followed by Other Investment, made up of trade credits, loans, currency deposits and other claims, representing 22.69 per cent ($3.82 billion) while Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) only fetched in a paltry 7.11 per cent ($1.19 billion).A further breakdown shows that foreign investors as well as their local counterparts took advantage of the high-yielding government securities and the expanding commercial paper issuing companies to stake more in portfolio investment.

The investor’s perception of the country’s business environment ended in steep descent on a quarterly trend analysis, as Q1 recorded $6.3 billion capital importation, followed by the year’s first decline to $5.51 billion in Q2 and a plunge to $2.85 billion in Q3, while Q4 had $2.14 billion.Top five sectors to attract inflow were shares, with $10.43 billion; banking, $2.02 billion; financing, $1.48 billion; servicing, $1.29 billion; and production, $671 million.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has added Nigeria, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and other jurisdictions to a blacklist of nations that pose a threat owing to lax controls on terrorism financing and money laundering.The move, according to the body yesterday, is part of a crackdown against money laundering after several scandals hit EU banks in recent months.

But the decision has, however, drawn criticisms from several allies about their economic relations with the affected nations, notably Saudi Arabia.Other criterion employed to blacklist countries include insufficient cooperation with the EU as well as lack of transparency over the beneficial owners of companies and trusts.Besides reputational damage, inclusion on the list complicates financial relations with the EU. The bloc’s banks would have to carry out additional checks on payments involving entities from listed jurisdictions.