RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

FRIDAY, 2ND MARCH.

Pastor Chris

TOPIC ✨ THE LIGHT OF GOD IN YOUR SPIRIT✨

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly (Proverbs 20:27).

You can never know God except from your spirit; that’s where His light shines. His Word is His light (Psalm 119:105). Job 18:5-6 reveals something interesting. It says, “Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, AND HIS CANDLE SHALL BE PUT OUT WITH HIM” The wicked here refers to someone who’s non-conforming to the Word; it’s the description of a man or woman who’s rebellious against the Word of God —deliberately or indirectly.

For such a person’s lamp to be put out means it was on before, which means he’s someone who had been given the light of God’s Word and he rejected it; he turned away from God. Some people are that way; they forget God; they’ve closed their hearts—their spirits—to His Word. I’m not talking about the heathen; the heathen doesn’t have light at all, and never had it.

Nevertheless, for such people who never had the light of God or whose light has been put out, all they need is to receive the light of God’s Word into their spirits. Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of thy words giveth light….” God’s Word brings illumination to your spirit and gives you insight into reality.

Notice that the scripture doesn’t say God’s Word gives light; rather, it’s the entrance of God’s Word that gives light; entrance where? Your spirit! The Word has to gain entrance into your spirit to produce results. Suddenly, you’re awakened to spiritual realities; your path is flooded with light; darkness and negative circumstances are dispelled, and God’s glory and His abundant provisions become real to you.

In Psalm 18:28, the psalmist said, _*“For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” We read that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, thus the entrance of His Word into the spirit (candle) of the one whose light is out, will give him light. If he’d open his spirit to the Word, the storms of life will no longer obscure his vision.

Fill your heart with the Word. Make it your compass for navigating through the storms of life.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the light of your Word that lightens my heart, enlightening my life. I function in, and by the precision of the Spirit, because I see with your light, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

FURTHER STUDY: Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 1:17-19 AMPC [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Mark 9:33-50,
Numbers 9-10

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 23:11-21,
Psalm 52-54
#AFFIRMATIONTRAIN 2ND MARCH.
 affirmationtrainorg
 Affirmation,
https://wp.me/p9v28c-KS
I affirm that God is at work in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure. The Wisdom of God is propelling me in the direction of God’s will and purpose for my life. My life is well planned by God; therefore, the days ahead of me are days of glory! I will never be a victim of life; never will I be stranded or become a victim of another man’s mistake. The Holy Ghost has made me super-intelligent; He has anointed my mind and given me an extraordinary amplitude of comprehension. I have quickness of understanding, and the Wisdom of God is at work in me to produce excellent results in everything I set my heart to do. Life is not a mystery to me, because as I meditate on the Word, the Holy Spirit unveils spiritual realities to me, enlightening the eyes of my understanding to know and apprehend my inheritance in Christ! I live triumphantly today and always because I live by the knowledge of God’s Word. Glory to God.
-FREE DOWNLOAD-
• This is something to shout about. Keep saying it and your life will go in one direction only—upward and forward. You can now reach us on:
• Info@affirmation-train.org
• http://www.affirmation-train.org
God bless you.

Quote:The former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has said that Nigerians should not see restructuring as a way out of many challenges confronting the nation.

Abubakar said this in Lagos during the public presentation of the book, ‘In the belly of vultures’ written by Adetola Adeniyi.

The former vice president said that the current structure in the country facilitates corruption and makes it more difficult for the kind of leadership being clamored for to emerge.

“I say this because some of those who argue against restructuring keep saying that it is not our main problem. Some say it is good leadership that we lack. Others say it is corruption that we should focus on instead.

“We’ll, my position is that all are important and should be addressed. But to pretend that the critical issues thrown up by the current deformed structure of our federation will disappear as soon as we have good leadership or tackle corruption is to miss the point.

Details shortly….

PHOTOS: Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun Meets Nigeria's Most Tax Compliant Citizen

Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun together with El rufai identified Elder Lema Jibrin, Dan Iyan Katsina as the most tax compliant ever known in the country. He has been paying taxes consistently for 40 years. He never relents and never evades. He deserves such accolade.


http://www.newshelmng.com/2018/03/photos-finance-minister-kemi-adeosun.html

His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano and former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Lamido Sanusi, has denounced radical Islamic teachings that breed poverty in Northern Nigeria.
The Emir, who stated this via his Instagram page, noted that the Southern Christians had set the pace of development in the country, and apparently left the North behind.
He urged Governors such as Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State, to pay attention to his opinions, and teach his people to be productive, instead of being beggars.
He wrote: “It’s my duty to speak the truth about the ill-effects of conservative Muslims who are harming Islam, rather than helping it.
“I condemned their refusal to expand their knowledge outside their own religion, and failure to realise that knowledge is power.
“I also correctly concluded denying the right to pursue scientific and technological knowledge and restricting people to Islamic knowledge, is the best means of ensuring that Muslims in Northern Nigeria will be remain economically backward.
“I’m upset at the legion of beggars on the streets, and is trying to bridge the gap between the backward North and the Southern parts of the nation.

“I still believe that conservative Muslims are still stuck in the 13th Century, and their claim that children need no other knowledge than Islamic studies, flies in the face of reality.
“All the poverty, under-development, and immense suffering in the North, are a result of uneducated masses, refusing to learn work or a trade.
“The majority of Technicians in Kano are from the South, while untrained indigenes beg. How does that make sense?
“Why is it that conservative Muslims who claim to be against scientific progress, enter aeroplanes and fly to perform the Hajj in Mecca, rather than using camels to cross the desert! Why do they watch sermons beamed by TV live from Mecca, and read the Holy Quaran on their laptops, yet profess to abhor modern technology?https://exclusive103.com/2018/03/01/shocking-i-am-ready-to-change-to-christianity-than-to-continue-with-radical-islam-emir-sanusi-makes-deadly-confession/

The Northern region of Nigeria offers numerous attractions for tourists. And besides visiting the tourist-worthy sites, travellers can also enjoy tasty traditional food of the north. Although the food of the region is not considered as the primary reason for its popularity, one cannot ignore the fact that the Northerners have contributed richly to Nigeria’s national food identity. Below, Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares traditional foods of the Northerners.

Burabisco

A traditionally made couscous meal common to Northern Nigeria, especially in Maiduguri, Burabisco is loved and enjoyed by many. Usually paired with spicy stew of meat and vegetables, its rich ingredients categorize it among luxurious dishes in the region.

Miyan Kuka

Miyan Kuka is certainly the most famous northern Nigerian soup and translated as “Boabab leaf soup”. The green draw-soup is made from ground baobab leaf and special spices, preferably ‘Yaji’ – a mixture of ground pepper, ginger, garlic and other seasonings/herbs.

Tuwon Dawa

This is a side dish made with ground guinea-corn made thick and cassava. It is best eaten with soups like Kuka and okra. This meal is unique majorly because it is best prepared with firewood.

Tuwon Shinkafa

This mouth-watering dish is possibly the most popular foods in the Northern part of Nigeria. It is also very palatable and widely embraced by other cultures in the country. The meal consists of thick rice pudding and spicy sauce. If you are visiting the region, try this meal to broaden the spectrum of your taste. And once tried, you may find it hard to resist the temptation of re-ordering.

Pate

A dish usually prepared with ground corn or rice, cooked with vegetables, tomatoes, onions, pepper, garden egg, locust beans, groundnut, biscuit bone, meats minces and sometimes, assorted meat parts, Pate is largely consumed in Kaduna, Nassarawa, Plateau and other Northwestern states. This dish is primarily porridge and is an all-time favourite liked by almost all age groups.

source: http://www.opinions.ng/tasty-foods-northern-nigeria-traveller/

Navy confiscates 3,574 bags of smuggled rice in Calabar

Naval personnel attached to the Nigerian Navy Ship Victory in Calabar, have arrested a large wooden boat laden with 3,574 bags of foreign rice worth N53.6 million smuggled from Cameroon republic. 


They also arrested three suspects found in the boat that came from Cameroon and heading for Calabar. NNS Commander of NNS Victory, Commodore Julius Nwagu, said on Thursday in Calabar that the arrest was made along the Calabar waterway in the early hours of Feb. 27, when they got information about the activities of the suspected smugglers. Addressing newsmen at the NNS Victory Jetty before handing over the items and suspects to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nwagu said that it took the command two and half days to offload the bags of rice from the wooden boat. “In the early hours of Feb. 27, we got information about a boat laden with rice and my patrol team arrested the boat and three suspects on board. 

We brought the boat to base and offloaded the rice. “It took us two and a half days to offload the content. After counting, we got 3, 574 bags valued at N53.6million. “We will hand them over to the Nigerian Customs


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/navy-confiscates-3574-bags-smuggled-rice-calabar/

We Are Targeting Zero Import Bill For Food Consumption – Buhari


Channels Television 
Updated March 1, 2018


President Muhammadu Buhari says the Federal Government is already targeting a regime of self-sufficiency in food production and consumption.

He explained that part of measures taken by his administration to achieve this was radically cutting down on imports of agricultural products that depleted the country’s foreign reserve in the past.

President Buhari gave the hint on Thursday while receiving the Letter of Credence from the High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore to Nigeria, Mr Lim Sim Seng, at the State House in Abuja.

He said the era of high import bills on food was fast becoming a thing of the past with growing investments in the agricultural sector, favourable weather, and collective will of Nigerians to start feeding themselves and exporting products.

“I am very pleased with the relationship we have with Singapore, and we are benefiting a lot from your experiences and investment,” the President told the diplomat in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina.

“Recently, I was in Kaduna (state) to commission one of your investments in agriculture. We are happy that you are also looking at the agricultural sector because that is integral to our economic blueprint for diversifying the economy.”

President Buhari noted that bilateral relations with Singapore would be further strengthened so that both countries can enjoy the benefits of competitive advantage, especially in exchange of ideas and technology which would enhance growth and improvement in the livelihood of citizens.

In his response, the High Commissioner of Singapore said his country could go into partnership with Nigeria in exchange for technical skills, training of entrepreneurs and public servants.

He described Nigeria as the ‘big brother of Africa’, adding an investment in the country would result in growth for the entire continent.

The President also received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner of Republic of the Philippines, Mrs Shirley Ho-Vicaria, and the High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda, Nelson Ocheger.

He assured the countries of Nigeria’s cooperation on economic, security and diplomatic issues.

https://www.channelstv.com/2018/03/01/targeting-zero-import-bill-food-consumption-buhari/?

Key leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to announce their membership of the Social Democratic Party tonight.

According to findings by DAILY INDEPENDENT, the declaration will take place at the Ladi Kwali hall tonight in Abuja.

Chief Olu Falae, National Chairman of SDP, also confirmed the development to our correspondent.



Read more https://independent.ng/breaking-apc-pdp-leaders-declare-sdp-tonight/

Quote:by Dyepkazah Shibayan




 Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on house of assemblies to take a cue from Kwara and pass their own versions of the bill suspending payment of pension to former governors and deputy governors.
Kwara assembly passed the bill on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Saraki commended Ali Ahmad, speaker of the assembly, for working to pass the bill.
The nation’s number three citizen said he influenced the action of the lawmakers.

“I am pleased that following my conversation with Kwara speaker, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad, two months ago, the bill to suspend the payment of pension to former governors and their deputies when they hold a political or public office was passed into law yesterday by the Kwara house of assembly,” Saraki said.

“Moving forward, it is my hope that other state assemblies take a cue from Kwara state and pass similar pieces of legislation into law.”

Saraki, who governed Kwara between 2003 and 2011, was criticised for collecting pension from the state government.
Last year, the senate president said he had written a letter to the government to stop paying him pension.

“I’m not collecting pension; the moment I saw that allegation, I wrote to my state to stop my pension,” he had said in an interview.

“So, I speak for myself on that part; I’m not doing that, I am not receiving pension from my state.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had asked Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, to take legal action against former governors, who are now either senators or ministers so as to recover an alleged N40bn earned in
double payment.

SERAP listed Rabiu Kwankwaso, Godswill Akpabio, Theodore Orji, Abdullahi Adamu, Sam Egwu, Shaaba Lafiagi, are among former governors receiving double emoluments and large severance benefits from their states.

Others named are Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, Ahmed Sani Yarima, Danjuma Goje, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Adamu Aliero, George Akume, Biodun Olujimi, Enyinaya Harcourt Abaribe, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Chris Ngige and Babatunde Fashola.

President Buhari receives letters of Credence from Ambassadors of Philippines, Uganda and Singapore in State House, Abuja on Thursday, March 1, 2018.
see more photos below.

source
https://www.reportnaija.ng/2018/03/01/ph...singapore/

Quote:SENATOR Dino Melaye (Kogi West) was on Thursday arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for misinformation.

Melaye, arraigned on two count charges of giving false information about an assassination attempt on his life to the police in April 2017 pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation filed the charges, marked CR/106/18 on January 31, 2018.

He was accused of falsely incriminating the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Mr. Edward Onoja David, in the said assassination attempt.

The offences were said to be punishable under sections 140 and 393 of the Peal Code Law, Cap. 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

The lawmaker was granted bail after a plea application filed earlier by his lawyer, Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN).

The bail application, though was opposed by Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, the prosecuting counsel, the judge, Justice Olasunbo Goodluck, dismissed the opposition which she ruled was based on inadmissible affidavit evidence.

She therefore granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100,000 with one surety who must be a federal civil servant of at least Grade Level 14 in any federal parastatal or establishment.

The surety must also provide proof to be a resident of the Federal Capital Territory.

Nigerian actress, Genevieve Nnaji set her social media on fire when she shared a photo with this dashing hunk, who turned out to be her kid brother, whose good looks had some female fans of the movie star drooling on her page all night.

See photo below...


http://www.tunezmedia.com.ng/2018/03/gen...n-her.html



8 Likes 1 Share

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency's response unit were able to stop the spreed of an inferno that engulfed a Warehouse,Sunny B/S Inward Alaba, Ojo, Lagos state.



The cause of the fire outbreak is yet unknown but lots of goods were destroyed.



Photos Below:

http://www.newshelmng.com/2018/03/photos...se-at.html

Nigerians are getting poorer, says IMF



Akinpelu Dada with agency report
nigeria ’s people are getting poorer despite the country ’s slow recovery from recession and economic reforms are urgently needed , the International Monetary Fund has said .



The Fund expects the government to “ muddle through ” in the medium term , and any progress could also be threatened if elections next year consume political energy and resources , it said in a report seen by Reuters on Wednesday .



Since emerging from recession in the second quarter of 2017, Nigerian officials have repeatedly boasted that they have set the economy back on track .



But critics say much of the recovery comes from a return to oil dependence after a rise in global oil prices and a rebound in crude production , more the result of militants in the Niger Delta halting attacks on oil facilities than of economic policy under President Muhammadu Buhari ’s administration .



The IMF said in the report that the outlook for growth had improved but remained challenging.
“ Comprehensive and coherent ” economic policies “ remain urgent and must not be delayed by approaching elections and recovering oil prices ,” it stated in its annual Article IV review of Nigeria ’s economy .



“ Higher oil prices would support a recovery in 2018 but a ‘muddle - through ’ outlook is projected for the medium term under current policies, with fiscal dominance and structural constraints leading to continuing falls in real GDP per capita ,” the IMF added .



In the report, it identified risks to growth , including additional delays to implementing policies and reforms ahead of the 2019 elections, security tensions , and oil prices , a fall in which could see capital flows reversed .
“ Further delays in policy action , including because of pre - election pressures , can only make the inevitable adjustment more difficult and costlier ,” the report added .



The lender repeated its call for Nigeria to simplify its complex foreign exchange system, a bugbear for the IMF for more than a year , which has left large gaps between official rates and various windows that certain groups can use to get other rates .



“ Moving towards a unified exchange rate should be pursued as soon as possible . The IMF staff does not support the exchange measures that have given rise to the exchange restrictions and multiple currency practices ,” it stated.



The Fund further singled out the central bank , saying it should discontinue direct interventions in the economy .
The Central Bank of Nigeria frequently injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the foreign exchange market to keep its own rates stable .



Commercial banks struggling to remain solvent were also called out, but not identified by the IMF , including one that the lender said was already insolvent , adding, “ Some of these banks are kept afloat through continuous recourse to the CBN ’s lending facilities .”



The IMF said it would not comment on purported leaks . A spokeswoman for the Fund said a statement would be issued after the lender’s board ’s meeting to discuss its assessment on Friday.



A spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Finance did not immediately respond to a phone call and email requesting comment .




http://punchng.com/nigerians-are-getting...-says-imf/

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a vote of no confidence on the two ministers manning the ministry of mines and steel development, Kayode Fayemi and Abubakar Bawa Bwari respectively.

Members of the House were angry that the two ministers boycotted an invitation personally signed by Speaker Yakubu Dogara to appear before them at plenary on Thursday as part of sectoral debate on how to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

The lawmakers said it was unfortunate and a clear case of contempt of the parliament for Fayemi and Bwari to say that they would not attend the session due to other engagements when their ministry is at the centre stage of the Ajaokuta Company. Thus, the lawmakers resolved to constitute a powerful adhoc panel to investigate why the company has been comatose and the role of the two ministers in the allegations of under hand dealings on plans to concession the steel plant.

The lawmakers said the two ministers would not be granted any form of audience henceforth by the House due to their behaviour. Speaker Dogara had at the opening of the session told his colleagues that the ministers said they would not attend the session due to other serious engagements.

He said it was an attempt to boycott the session. Speaking, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila said he considered the ministers' attitude as contempt of the House. "You personally signed the letter to them, unfortunately none of the ministers could sign their reply. Rather, they asked the PS to respond to you two weeks after.

"The invitation that hasn't been honoured is a serious contempt. This presentation gives ample opportunity for fair hearing. There are allegations. I believe we should take this matter seriously. Whatever we should do here today should be moved to a powerful investigative hearing.

Steel is probably more than the oil. Whatever we have in this chamber has a touch of steel in it. One of them was part of us here. "I will personally take it as an assault to the common sense of this country for the two minister to ignore, pupu and scorn an invitation of this chamber."

Also, Chief Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa said: "At a point when the leadership of the country is talking about diversification of the economy, we have found the gold. But these relevant ministries are not ready to cooperate. "What we do here is not about you but it's for and on behalf of the generality of the people of Nigeria. For any minister to undermine an invitation of this House is to say the least unfortunate. "This is an intervention for us to save this nation from economic quagmire. I want to say that at the end of the sectoral debate, we have to take a decisive action.

"Their absence here simply means that there's something suspicious - absolutely suspicious. Most of the face-off we face with the Executive is as a result of the attitude of these ministers and the rest." One after the other, members of the House took turn to lament the development, with Rep Zakari Mohammed saying the House should not pass the ministry's budget until the two ministers tendered unreserved apologies.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/amplite/re...bwari.html

@POLITICSNGR

Former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri has weighed in on President Muhammadu's recent rejection of the Peace Corps bill.

President Buhari on Tuesday rejected the Peace Corps bill citing security challenges and lack of funds. Reacting to the development, Omokri, took to his Twitter page to question the president's reason of mentioning funds as a hindrance to the passage of the bill.

He wrote;

"The same President Buhari that wants Nigeria to use public funds to build cattle colonies for his Fulani kinsmen is the same President Buhari who rejected the Peace Corp Bill because he says there's no money. There‘s money for cattle colony, but no money for peace. Well done sir!".

https://politicsngr.com/no-money-peace-c...es-buhari/

#BBNAIJA: LOLU AND C-CEE IN HEATED FIGHT, RISK DISQUALIFICATION
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/bbnai...fight.html

The Big Brother Naija house was on fire today as Lolu and and the very controversial C-Cee engaged in a very heated fight, they also risked disqualification despite the fact that both of them are on two strikes each.

Other housemates like Bam Bam, Cleo, Teddy A and others tried to intervene in the matter


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j6-6Oz_l5M

Any person found guilty of any form of hate speech that results in the death of another person shall die by hanging upon conviction, reads a new bill by the Senate.The bill, which reflects the growing concern over the spate of violence in the nation, was sponsored by the spokesman of the upper chamber, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC, Niger).

It also seeks the establishment of an ‘Independent National Commission for Hate Speeches’, which shall enforce hate speech laws across the country, ensure the elimination of the menace and advise the Federal Government.For offences such as harassment on the grounds of ethnicity or racial contempt, a culprit shall be sentenced to “not less than a five-year jail term or a fine of not less than N10 million or both.”

The bill notes: “A person who uses, publishes, presents, produces, plays, provides, distributes and/or directs the performance of any material, written and/or visual, which is threatening, abusive or insulting or involves the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, commits an offence, if such person intends thereby to stir up ethnic hatred, or having regard to all the circumstances, ethnic hatred is likely to be stirred up against any person or person from such an ethnic group in Nigeria.”

It notes that “a person subjects another to harassment on the basis of ethnicity for the purposes of this section where, on ethnic grounds, he unjustifiably engages in a conduct which has the purpose or effect of (a) violating that other person’s dignity or (b) creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the person subjected to the harassment.

“Conduct shall be regarded as having the effect specified in subsection (1) (a) or (b) of this section if, having regard to all the circumstances, including in particular the perception of that other person, it should reasonably be considered as having that effect.”The National Commission for Hate Speeches shall be headed by an executive chairperson who would be appointed by the president on recommendation of the National Council of State, subject to the confirmation of at least two-third majority of the National Assembly.

The commission shall discourage persons, institutions, political parties and associations from advocating or promoting discrimination or discriminatory practices through the use of hate speeches; promote tolerance, understanding and acceptance of diversity in all aspects of national life and encourage full participation by all ethnic communities in the social, economic, cultural and political life of other communities.It shall also plan, supervise, coordinate and promote educational and training programmes to create public awareness, support and advancement of peace and harmony among ethnic communities and racial groups.

It shall furthermore promote respect for religiouss, cultural, linguistic and other forms of diversity in a plural society; promote equal access by persons of all ethnic communities and racial groups to public or other services and facilities provided by the government.

The Senate also disclosed that its bid to pass the 2018 budget was being frustrated by ministers and heads of parastatals who have refused to provide details on allocations to their ministries.Without mentioning names, the upper chamber issued a fresh seven working-day ultimatum to the affected ministries.

Similar ultimatums in the past had done little to facilitate the budget preparation.The Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Sunny Ogbuoji, said: ” The majority of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies are not coming forward to interface with the standing committees. Some of the ministers will tell you they are going outside the country, and because of that, the MDAs are not fully ready.”

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, stressed that the upper chamber wants the process concluded as early as possible, regretting: “The perception is that it is the parliament that delays these things.”He said: “The Senate Majority Leader will communicate and get in touch with the executive arm of government, so that these MDAs can be told to play their part to ensure that this exercise can be completed.

“I appeal to all these ministers and managing directors that keep on travelling that this is a time for them to be on ground and ensure that they finish this report.”The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, said it was unfair for the heads of parastatals to “hold the country down.” He noted: “It has come to a stage where we have to consider taking what has already been presented by the president from those MDAs as the position of the MDAs, instead of waiting for them for ever.

“We gave them an opportunity about three weeks ago to make this a priority but it seems that has not happened. So, instead of the country suffering, it is better to give them just few more days. And after that, the relevant committees will adopt what was sent to us by the president as the positions of the MDAs. We cannot continue to be running the country like this.”

The Senate furthermore faulted the assumption of office by the newly nominated acting Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, ahead of a confirmation.It also mandated its committee on judiciary to investigate the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for directing Ojukwu to do so.

The upper chamber reached the resolutions following a motion by Senator Dino Melaye who noted: “If the attorney general, who is supposed to be the custodian of our laws, will flagrantly ask an individual who has been nominated by Mr. President but has not been confirmed by the Senate to go and assume duty, and the person has since resumed, then we are not practising democracy. We have no regard for the rule of law.”



https://extraloops.com/international-new...-new-bill/

Why I spent 9 years in university – Ayo Makun

Nigerian comedian, Ayo Makun, aka AY, has explained why he spent nine years in the university.

He said, ” In December 1999 when my dad passed, It was difficult to take over his position as the first son. It became even more difficult when my mum decided to join him in no time.

“Embracing the reponsibilities of taking care of my four sisters and two baby brothers wasn’t the best message to preach to a waiting landlord whose rent must be paid in due time. The combination of being a big brother and father came with a price that kept me in Delta State University for 9 years as a student.”

Continue reading on

https://www.headofsocials.com/2018/03/01...ayo-makun/

BREAKING: Nigeria’s economy attracted $12.2bn investments in 2017 – NBS
Published March 1, 2018


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[url=http://punchng.com/breaking-nigerias-economy-attracted-12-2bn-investments-in-2017-nbs/]
Statistician General for the Federation/Chief Executive, NBS, Dr. Yemi Kale
Ifeanyi Onuba, Abuja
The National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday released the capital importation report for the 2017 fiscal year with the economy attracting a total investment inflow of $12.2bn.
The $12.2bn investment inflow, when compared with the $5.38bn in 2016, represents an increase of $6.82bn or 56 per cent.
The report put the investment inflow into the country as at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017 at $5.32bn compared to $4.14bn in the third quarter.
The NBS report stated during the fourth quarter of 2017, Abuja and Lagos accounted for over 97 per cent of the destinatiion of investment inflow into the country.


http://punchng.com/breaking-nigerias-eco...-2017-nbs/

@POLITICSNGR

A mild drama played out at an Abuja court today as dozens of protesters carrying placards stormed the court premises in solidarity with Senator Dino Melaye who is facing trial with the Federal government.

Melaye is being charged by the FG for allegedly false information of an assassination attempt on his life. Some senators including Ben Murray Bruce have arrived the premises to support the kogi west senator. More details soon....

https://politicsngr.com/drama-dino-melay...rt-photos/

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS N16BN SUKUK BOND ON SOUTH EAST ROADS
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/feder...sukuk.html

The federal government has invested N16.6 billion of the N100 billion Sukuk Bond for the rehabilitation of some roads in the South East geopolitical zone. In October 2017, the federal government had released the proceeds of the N100 billion Sukuk bond to 25 key economic road projects across the country. Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, The director of Highways, South East, Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Adetokunbo Sogbesan, made the disclosure in Enugu yesterday during a media tour of ongoing federal projects in the zone. Sogbesan said the investment is aimed at improving road infrastructure in the zone, adding that four different road sections were covered by the fund. He listed the sections to include the Enugu – Onitsha expressway, Enugu – Lokpanta, Lokpanta – Abia Tower and Abia Tower – Aba section of the Enugu – Port Harcourt expressway. At the 9th Mile – Enugu section of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway, Sogbesan expressed satisfaction on the job done so far by the contractors, Reynolds Construction Company Ltd (RCC). He said the project, which covered a distance of 58km, is from Amansea in Anambra to Enugu. “Forty kilometres of the road is in Anambra while 18km is in Enugu section of the road. The contractors have achieved about 35 per cent completion of the project,” he said. He said that with the quality of job being done by the contractors, the road would make its expected lifespan of between 20 years and 30 years. Sogbesan, however, expressed concern over the heavy traffic flow on the road. He said, “I pray we get more funding so as to deliver this project at the right time. This project will improve transportation infrastructure. The micro-economy impact of this road will go a long way to help Nigerians”. Also, the federal controller of Works, Enugu, Mr Oluropo Oyetade, said that monitoring of the project had been encouraging since the contractors reported to site. Oyetade said that the contract with a completion period of 36 months was awarded in 2014 but was not funded till 2017, just as he noted that the job is expected to be delivered by December 2019. In a related development, the federal government has said it will use Infrastructure Bond Investment from financial institutions and investors to expedite execution of road and housing projects across the country. According to a statement from the information unit of the Works department, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this while receiving institutional investors, including HSBC, China group 3 and 4 led by the managing director of Stanbic IBTC, Dr. Damola Sogunle, in his office yesterday. Fashola explained that to finance road/bridge projects through Tax Relief and Islamic banking “Sukuk” cannot be enough to provide infrastructure development in Nigeria. He added that Infrastructure Bond Instrument will complement government efforts at providing the needed critical infrastructure to end users. The Minister however expressed the need for a reset in the housing sector in the country, emphasising that the “financial establishment must stand as the vanguard of the reset” by borrowing a leaf from countries that have successfully utilised similar investment practice, such as United Kingdom. Fashola disclosed that the Pilot Home for the National Housing Programme of the present administration has taken off in 33 states of the federation. This, he said, is made up of one to three bedrooms model, which are expected to be valued accordingly, considering the standard and infrastructure. The minister further disclosed that the federal government, currently holding 40% equity in the power sector, is of the opinion that privatisation is logical, arguing that it has been successful in the media, banking, aviation sectors amongst others. According to him, the Ministry will optimise on existing capacity even as government has approved distribution extension programme in power.

The Kano State Police command has arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly impersonating the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II online. Report has it that the young man who is very active on social media - pretended to be the Kano monarch on Instagram with 262,000 followers.

The young man was eventually arrested after months after manhunt.

He is currently helping the police with investigation.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, last year disowned social media accounts opened in his name. Sanusi said in a statement tin Kano that he never authorized any person or organisation to open to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media account nor post any message on his behalf.

He explained that this should put to rest series of calls and enquiries to the office of the Emir on some purported malicious and fake social media accounts in the name of the monarch. He lamented that the fraudsters have remained unrelenting in their nefarious acts.

Source; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2018/03/man-...agram.html

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

THURSDAY, 1ST MARCH.

Pastor Chris

TOPIC ✨ DESIRE SPIRITUAL GROWTH✨

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15).

Some people have been Christians for many years, but they haven’t grown spiritually. Some aren’t even aware of the reality and necessity of spiritual growth. The Bible says, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:1-2). This is God’s desire for you; He wants you to grow in fellowship with Him and in the things of the Spirit.

The latter part of our opening text says, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” This is God’s purpose for you; He doesn’t want you tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. He wants you stable, mature, and established in the faith.

Spiritual growth is like the growth of a newborn baby that has to go through several stages before coming to adulthood. It’s exciting to see the baby take its first feeble steps, make expressions, and attempt to hold things. It’s even more thrilling when the baby is eventually able to walk and run around, even though at first, with wobbling steps. In all of these phases, growth is progressive, and that’s the reason for the excitement.

It’s the same thing spiritually. When you’re growing spiritually, you’d notice you’re able to take charge of your life; you don’t need somebody to deal with the devil for you; you’re able to put him where he belongs by exercising your dominion in Christ! You’ve learnt the Word; you’re in charge and in control of your life. You can tame circumstances. That’s how it should be.

Desire more of God; desire more of His Word, for the Word of God is God. Feeding on the Word is the only means you can grow spiritually, and live the transcendent life in Christ. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the working of your Word in my life. My growth in life is evident and consistent, because I’m connected to my source—the Word—in Jesus’ Name. Amen

FURTHER STUDY: 1 Timothy 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 2:1-2 AMPC So be done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Mark 9:14-32,
Numbers 7-8

2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Acts 23:1-10,
Psalm 50-51
#AFFIRMATIONTRAIN 1ST MARCH
 affirmationtrainorg
 Affirmation,
https://wp.me/p9v28c-KS
I affirm that I have received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness; therefore, I reign over and above all circumstances and situation. Excellence, glory, virtue, and success are the hallmarks of my life because the grace of God is superabundant in and upon me. Daily, I grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The beauty of God in my spirit is showing forth on the outside, evidently, manifest for all to see! Hallelujah! The wisdom of God is at work in me, and my faith is alive! My opinions, judgments, and responses are not according to what my natural senses perceive, but according to the Word. My life is the daily expression of the Word of God. Today and always, I bring forth good things from within me, because I have an excellent mind; I have insight into mysteries and secrets and bring forth creative ideas because Christ has been made unto me wisdom. I initiate success, victory, and prosperity from within, in the Name of Jesus. Glory to God. Hallelujah! -SEE VIDEOS-
( SPECIAL GIFT http://bit.ly/2dZqtLQ )
• This is something to shout about. Keep saying it and your life will go in one direction only—upward and forward. You can now reach us on:
• Info@affirmation-train.org
• http://www.affirmation-train.org
God bless you.

The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has alleged that Boko Haram has become source of indirect treasury looting; saying “Those benefitting from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scams, payment of ransom (in dollars) to free those abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents, among others will never wish to see the end of the insurgency.”

The governor described the alleged withdrawal of military check-points from Dapchi and other communities, few days before 110 students of Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC) were abducted by Boko Haram, as major pointer to possible conspiracy in the abduction of the school girls and other dastardly acts of the insurgents, asking why no one had been questioned up till now despite conflicting claims by the army and police.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose insisted that withdrawal of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account by the federal government was a continuation of the use of fight against the insurgents to fleece the country.

He lamented that Nigerians were now getting to a state of helplessness on the insurgency; adding that “Painfully, it appears we will have to live with Boko Haram for a very long time because waiting for this President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to save Nigerians is a waste of time. They boasted that Boko Haram will be defeated within three months; it is now more than 30 months. All that they have told Nigerians is grammar. Boko Haram technically defeated, Boko Haram completely defeated and now Boko Haram completely degraded. ”

The governor said; “We have heard stories of alleged diversion of foods and relief materials meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East to Chad and Niger Republic, about 200 tons of dates donated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for distribution to the IDPs sold in the open market in Abuja and most importantly, use of the IDPs camps by top government officials to perpetrate monumental fraud. As long as fight against Boko Haram remains a business venture, providing cheap money for top officials of this government, the insurgency will continue.

“The anti-corruption watchdog, Transparency International said last year that corruption in the military was weakening Nigeria’s efforts to battle Boko Haram.

“In Transparency International’s words; ‘corrupt military officials have been able to benefit from the conflict through the creation of fake defense contracts, the proceeds of which are often laundered abroad in the UK, U.S. and elsewhere.’

“In its own report, the US Department of State’s Bureau for Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism said that the inability of security agencies in Nigeria to share intelligence report because of animosity is affecting the success in the fight against Boko Haram.

“The public disagreement between the army and police over the security arrangements that were in place in Dapchi and other communities in Yobe State a few days before the Boko Haram attack that led to the abduction of the 110 girls has further lend credence to the position of the US Department of State’s Bureau for Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism.

“President Buhari must therefore have to look inward and purge his government of those benefitting from the insurgency is indeed he desires that it should end.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/figh...nd-fayose/

SThe military has employed the services of local fishermen and farmers in the search for the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls, the head of counter-insurgency operation in the North East (Operation Lafiya Dole), Maj. Gen. Rogers Nicholas, has said.


Speaking at the inauguration of helipad, office complex and residential quarters for officers and airmen at the newly established 171 Nigerian Air Force Detachment in Monguno town by the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno on Tuesday evening, Nicholas said over 200 hours have been spent by crafts combing the Theatre for the schoolgirls.

https://wuzupnigeria.com/yobe-school-attack-military-employs-fishermen-farmers-search-missing-dapchi-schoolgirls/

The inaugural joint Lagos-Kano Economic and Investment Summit was declared open by H VP Professor Osinbajo. The aim of the summit is to boost economic development & Investment between the 2 states, through stronger partnership. The keynote speech was delivered by Sarkin Kano Muhammad Sanusi II. with the theme, “States Partnership as a tool for Sustainable Economic Development” commenced today in Epe, Lagos.



Those in attendance are Oba of Lagos, Akinolu, Dangote, Pat Utomi, Gov Ambode, Gov Ganduje, Emir Sanusi, former INEC chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and others.

See more photos below.

source
https://www.reportnaija.ng/2018/02/28/photos-lagos-kano-summit-osibanjo-ambode-ganduje-emir-sanusi-attendance/
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Re: Lagos Kano Summit: Osinbajo, Ambode, Ganduje, Emir Sanusi In Attendance (Photos) 
more photos below..
https://www.reportnaija.ng/2018/02/28/photos-lagos-kano-summit-osibanjo-ambode-ganduje-emir-sanusi-attendance/

Quote:Health minister David Parirenyatwa has challenged local companies to consider manufacturing condoms, saying imported options aren’t quite up to task.

According to New Zimbabwe, the minister was speaking at the recent launch of a new board for the Zimbabwe Private Sector HIV and Aids Wellness Coordinating Programme (ZPSHAWP) in Harare.

Condoms are a type of contraception that can both prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Parirenyatwa said most of the condoms available in the country are imported from China, adding that some local men however found them not quite the right size.

“You know this region, the Southern African region, has the highest incidence of HIV and we are promoting the use of condoms; both males and females,” said the minister.

“The youths now have a particular condom that they like but we don’t manufacture them. We import condoms from China and some men complain that they are too small.

“We need to look at that; you need to able to have your own condoms. So, if you want to be a big businessman, then manufacture them (condoms) for the region.”

Some 109.4 million male condoms were distributed around Zimbabwe in 2016, representing 33 per individual for the year.

This makes Zimbabwe one of only five countries to meet or exceed the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNDP) regional mark of 30 male condoms per man per year.

Condoms are one of the key measures being used in the country by government and development partners in the fight against HIV infections.

Zimbabwe has the sixth highest HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa at 13.5%, with 1.3 million people living with the virus in 2016.

In a recent interview, Nigerian controversial blogger and journalist "Kemi olunloyo" reveal that pastor "Adeboye" and "Oyedepe" are drug dealers before they invested in church business. 

When the interviewer ask kemi Olunloyo if her father (Omololu Olunloyo) is a ritualist like she claimed. 

She said: 

Yes, my father is a ritualist, he always go to herbalist when he was a politician but he has gave his life to Christ. She further disclosed that she knows some other politicians that are ritualist too. 

Watch The Interview Video Below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUw6SbV25-M




Source:
http://www.nairaplus.com/2018/02/my-father-is-ritualist-and-pastor.html



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzjrs_bP1o0

A divorce seeking wife has accused her husband of employing an Islamic preacher to have sex with her for money-making ritual purposes.

The woman, Musilimotu Olashuyi, 48, claimed that she introduced her husband, Gbenga Olashuyi, 55, to the unnamed Alfa because she used to frequent his mosque for prayers.

She said at some point, the Alfa noticed that Olashuyi’s business wasn’t going well, a situation that made her to introduce the Alfa to him.

However, Musilimotu said, the Alfa ended up committing adultery with her, allegedly on the instruction of her husband.

She made the allegations at the Igando Customary Court in Lagos on Wednesday.

“It was with my husband’s consent that the Alfa slept with me for three days,’’ Musilimotu disclosed, while praying the court to dissolve the marriage.

She alleged that her husband had also conspired with the Alfa to use her for money ritual.

She narrated to the court, “Actually, my husband got to know the Alfa through me because I always go to his mosque to pray.

“When he told me that my husband’s business was not moving fine, I brought him home to meet my husband.

“Before I knew what was happening, my husband had conspired with him to use me for money ritual. It was with my husband’s consent that the Alfa slept with me for three days.

“After the incident, I started getting sick and getting emaciated and I told the people around me what happened, which led to the arrest of the Alfa; but my husband ran away.

“Gbenga resurfaced at the station after the Alfa brought a remedy to cure me.”

Musilimotu alleged further that Gbenga had refused to repay a loan she collected on his behalf in which she stood as the guarantor.

She said that Gbenga packed out her belonging from his house last October and stole N1m belonging to her.

Musilimotu pleaded with the court to terminate the union, saying that she was no longer in love with Gbenga after four years of marriage.

But Gbenga told the court that it was Musilimotu who lured him to buy the coffin for the money ritual to turn their fortunes around.

“My wife and her concubine persuaded me to buy a coffin for money ritual and she brought the Alfa to the house,” Gbenga said.

He added that the cleric had told him that God revealed to him that his business was collapsing and that he would make some rituals for him.

“I agreed to make the ritual because truly, my business was not moving well. Since that day, my wife has been coming home with the Alfa and with different objects and concoctions for me to drink and have my bath with.

“Later, Alfa asked me to bring N800,000 to buy some items for another ritual. He also told me to buy a casket for money ritual, which I will put in a separate room where nobody will enter except me.

“My wife begged me to comply with Alfa’s request, but I declined,” Gbenga claimed.

The businessman accused his wife of infidelity, alleging that Alfa always made love to Musilimotu on their matrimonial bed.

He said he knew about the adulterous relationship when his wife had Alfa arrested and accused the cleric of using charms to rape her.

“The cleric told the police that he did not hypnotise my wife to rape her, saying that it was with her consent that he made love to her on those three occasions,” Gbenga said.

Gbenga confessed that he packed Musilimotu’s belongings out of his house.

He also pleaded with the court to dissolve the marriage, saying that he was no longer interested in the relationship.

The President of the court, Mr. Akin Akinniyi, however, advised the couple to maintain the peace while he adjourned the case until March 22 for judgment. 


http://www.estarsblog.com/husband-employed-imam-sleep-three-days-wife-published-february-28-2018-divorce-seeking-wife-accused-husband-employing-islamic-preacher-sex/

Quote:A 33-year old man, Ashindioting Patrick who engaged a 14-year old girl in sex romps for almost 12 months informed the police that the victim was enjoying the romp before her parents discovered and started making trouble.

P.M.EXPRESS scooped that Patrick accepted that he had sex with the victim with her consent repeatedly since 2017, she kept the secret as they both agreed and was still coming for it.

The alleged rape took place at Abeokuta Street in Bariga area of Lagos where the victim’s parents and the suspect resided. The victim’s parents claimed that Patrick deceived and exploited their under aged daughter and repeatedly raped her.

It was said that Patrick landed in trouble after the information got to the victim’s parents the suspect was sleeping with their daughter. It was learnt the parents summoned the victim and asked to know. She confessed and informed them that it started in 2017. She said she was afraid to reveal it and Patrick had warned her never to tell them or anyone about the romps.

The matter was reported to the police at Gender Section of the Police Command at Ikeja, Patrick was arrested and detained at the police station. He still denied that he raped the victim and informed the police that the victim consented to it.
However, the police found him culpable because of the victim’s age which is now 15 years and charged him before Ikeja Magistrate court for defilement.

He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Benson Emuehi did not object to his bail condition.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs B.O. Osunsanmi granted Patrick bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Patrick was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.
The matter was adjourned till 24 May, 2018.

Former Barcelona striker Enrique Castro dies after heart attack.

Former Barcelona striker Enrique Castro has died after he suffered a heart attack on Tuesday, February 27

Castro who was 68-years-old was a fan favourite as a striker for Barcelona, made a total of 178 appearances for Barcelona and scored over 70 goals.

Castro played for the Catalan club between 1980 and 1984 was presented a golden badge by Barcelona president in 2016 for his loyalty and dedication to the club.

He won five trophies in his time as a Barcelona Player as his death has brought out reactions from Barcelona supporters across the world.

The official Twitter handle of FC Barcelona confirmed the death of Castro with a message on its official Twitter account which said, “Enrique Castro ‘Quini’ dies (1949-2018), a player and legend of our Club. The Camp Nou will never forget your legacy. RIP”

Barcelona President, Josep Bartomeu reacted to the death of the clubs icon by posting a message on his official Twitter account.

He said, “Dismayed by the death of Quini, an extraordinary player and an incredible person who won a privileged place in the hearts of the Barça players and the world of football. Our heartfelt condolences to your family and friends.”

Former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique also reacted to the death of Castro on his Twitter handle.

He said, “Warlock, Q happy you made me in my beginnings. I’ll never forget you. Affectionate, simple and close. It’s your turn to rest, in peace.”

The late forward played for Spanish side Sporting Gijon before his move to Barcelona, and after his time with the Catalan outfit he returned to Sporting.

Source: http://www.clintgist.com/enrique-castro-dies-after-heart-attack-id8048871-html/

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday announced dates for general elections in the country for the next 36 years , starting from 2019 to 2055 .
Chairman of the commission, Prof . Mamood Yakubu , made the announcement at a consultative meeting with leaders of political parties in Abuja .
“ In 2019 , the dates are February 16 and March 2 ; in 2023 , the dates are February 18 and March 4 .
“ In 2027 , the dates are February 20 and March 6 ; in 2031 , it is February 15 and March 1 .
“ In 2035 , it is February 17 and March 3 ; in 2039 , it is February 19 and March 5 and in 2043 , it will hold on February 21 and March 7 .
“ In 2047 , it is February 15 and March 2 ; in 2051 , it is February 18 and March 1 ; in 2055 , it is February 20 and March 6 , ” Yakubu said.
He pointed out that in other democracies of the world, periods of elections are generally known and are not topics for speculation .
Yakubu explained that the aim was to engender certainty in the election calendar and also to allow for long- term planning by the commission and all stakeholders .
He said that certainty in election calendar was necessary to match Nigeria’s democratic system with global best practices .
The chairman said that in the last one week , INEC had received 108 applications from associations seeking to be registered as political parties .
He said that 66 of the applications did not meet the initial requirements , while 33 passed and had proceeded to the next stage .
He said that nine others were at the final stage of registration .
The INEC boss commended political parties for the roles they played in the governorship and National Assembly by -elections in Anambra , which ensured that the exercises were crisis -free .
He urged all existing political parties yet to comply with all relevant sections of the constitutional requirements necessary for their existence , to do so.
He advised the parties to ensure rancour -free conventions and congresses ahead of 2019 and the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections later in the year .
“ Internal party democracy is critical to the overall success of the elections and it helps to eliminate some protracted litigations .
“ Less than a year to the 2019 general elections , there are still cases in courts challenging the nomination of candidates in the 2015 elections , ’’ he said.
Yakubu urged the parties to support the commission in its quest to sanitise the voter register by drawing the attention of the umpire to any irregularity.
In his remarks, the Chairman , Inter Party Advisory Council , Mohammed Nalado, commended INEC for recognising political parties as partners.
He said with little or no financial support, political parties have been at the forefront of voter sensitisation to the need to conduct themselves responsibly at polling units.
Nalado commended the commission for creating an enabling environment for free and fair elections by rolling out election calendar in good time .
He added that the political parties were happy with the position of INEC on the sequence of elections , saying the commission acted on the existing law.
He welcomed the newly -registered political parties to IPAC and urged INEC to support the council ’s plan to amend its code of conduct .
According to Nalado, the amendment will address issues of internal democracy and conflict resolution system , among other issues affecting political parties in the country .


http://punchng.com/breaking-inec-states-general-elections-dates-for-the-next-36-years/

Here is a pictorial comparison of US President (Donald Trump) motorcade and UK Prime 

Here is a pictorial comparison of US President (Donald Trump) motorcade and UK Prime Minister (Theresa May) motorcade.

https://learnvercity.com/3331/us-president-vs-uk-prime-ministers-motorcade-photo/

Quote:



Five students of the Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, in Yobe State, who narrowly escaped abduction by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, have returned to their school.

The entire Dapchi community has been thrown into a sorrowful mood, following the invasion of the school by the insurgents which led to the closure of the institution (in the meantime) by the state government.

However, hope seems to be returning to the community as some of the students reportedly held hostage managed to escape the terrorists’ enclave.

In an exclusive interview with Channels Television, one of the students Sadiya Mohammed narrated her experience in Hausa language.




Sadiya Mohammed wants her abducted friend and other Dapchi schoolgirls rescued


She said: “Honestly, we are saddened with the abduction because we don’t really gain; sitting idle at home with the value of education in our modern world cannot be over-emphasised.

“110 of us were abducted, including my best friend, Zahra Mohammed, who will do all things together. I call on the government to look at the pathetic situation to intensify efforts towards the rescue of our colleagues.”

It is 10 days since the students were declared missing by their school authorities, as their parents have called on the Federal and state governments to ensure their safe return.

President Muhammadu Buhari, obviously worried about the situation, has given the assurance that he would ensure the safe return of the girls and other citizens in the captivity of the outlawed group.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, who also met with the Yobe State Governor, Mr Ibrahim Gaidam, also reassured him of the Federal Government’s support.

“I want to reassure you of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in getting all these girls back,” he said.

“This is a primary responsibility that rests not only on his shoulders but on mine, as well as all my colleagues who are here and on those who are also operating elsewhere.”

On his part, Governor Geidam called for improved cooperation among religious, community and military leaders to ensure the speedy return of the girls.

PoliticsNGR has gotten photographs of INEC officials testing Card readers ahead of the Osun state Gubernatorial Elections.

The Osun elections are scheduled to hold on September 24, 2018.  The national chairman of the Ruling AP, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said that the party will do everything possible to win the elections.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the party’s National Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday at its national secretariat, Oyegun said it was important for the party to win the elections in those states as they will be an indicator of the outcome of the 2019 general elections.

https://politicsngr.com/inec-begins-testing-card-readers-ahead-elections-photos/

Quote:Vice President’s wife, Dolapo Osinbajo and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State have called on Nigerians to pray for the safe return of the 110 girls abducted by Boko Haram insurgents from Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, last Monday.

They made the call while speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day conference of Osun Officials’ Wives Association (OSUNWA) tagged: “Virtuous Woman: Pushing for greater development.”

A gathering of pro-democracy and civil rights groups in the five states of the South-East geopolitical zone under the auspices of Southeast Based Coalition of Human Rights & Good Governance Organizations, SBCHROs, has published the result of its fieldwork which returned Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state as the Worst Serving Governor in the South-East.

The exhaustive project also singled out the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as the most unpopular and unfriendly federal government among the people of the South-East, as it named the Nigerian army and its 82 Division in Enugu as the most atrocious security organization in the South-East.

These results were recently released during a press briefing in Onitsha, Anambra state attended by: Emeka Umeagbalasi, Dr. MaryRose Umeh, and Barr Jacinta Ezinwanne for Intersociety; Aloysius Emeka Attah, Chairman, CLO, Southeast Zone; Peter Onyegiri of Centre for Human Rights & Peace Advocacy; Michael Ifeabunuke, representing Human Rights Organization of Nigeria; Chike Umeosonwunne for Society Watch & Advocacy Project of Intersociety; Alex C. Olisa of Anambra Human Rights Forum; Barr Obianuju Joy Igboeli of Intersociety and Southeast Good Governance Forum; Dr. Jerry Chidozie Chukwuokoro for Int’l Solidarity for Peace & Human Rights Initiative.

Others in attendance include: Charles Ogbu representing Igbo Ekunie Initiative; Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, Chairman, Civil Liberties Organization, Anambra State Branch; Nelson Nnanna Nwafor for Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Dev; Orji Andy Ndukwe for Society for Economic Rights & Social Justice; Comrade Nwokocha Anozie Innocent Initiative for Ideal Dev & Emancipatory Leadership in Nigeria; Comrade Chilos A.C. Godsent, President Igbo National Council; Forum for Promotion of National Ethos & Values participated but not represented; Emeku Uche of Easy Life Initiative for Rural Youths; and Barr Violet Chekwube Umenwofor-Ezekwike, Founder Voice of the Voiceless Int’l.

Below is the full list of those in the worst public office holders:

Most Unpopular & Unfriendly Federal Government Among The Southeast People

Government of President Muhammadu Buhari

Worst Past Governors in the Southeast

Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju – Anambra State (1999-2003)

Chief Orji Uzor Kalu – Abia State (1999-2007)

Chief Ikedi Ohakim – Imo State (2007-2011)

Chief Theodore Orji – Abia State (2007-2015)

Worst Serving Governor in the Southeast Zone

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State

Worst Public Utilities Providers of the Year 2017 in the Southeast Zone

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC). See Intersociety & SBCHROs’ Memo to the Minister of Power & ors, dated 18th December 2017 (www.intersociety-ng.org)

Most Atrocious Security Organization in the Southeast Zone

Nigerian Army and its Enugu 82 Division (shot and killed in two years-2015-2017 over 370 unarmed and defenseless citizens of the Southeast and maimed over 400 others)

Most Regime Atrocity Perpetrator in the Southeast Zone

Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai (vicariously masterminded in two years 2015-2017, as COAS, the massacre of estimated 370 defenseless citizens of the Southeast Zone and maiming of over 400 others)

Most Atrocious Police Special Squad of the Year 2017 in the Southeast Zone

The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) formations in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States as well as the Zone 9 SARS formation in Umuahia; killed average of estimated 35 detained citizens monthly and 420 annually in the Zone. The killings are perpetrated through criminal processes of extra jus (beyond the law), extra legal (beyond what the written criminal law provides) and extra judicial (beyond court or judicial pronouncement or verdict); arising from racial profiling and unprofessional crime detection and criminal investigation management. For more details, see Intersociety’s expert report: The Untold Story of Ezu River Police SARS Killings (July 2017).

Most Lopsidedly Composed Security Organization in the Southeast Zone

The Nigerian Army & Navy (most, if not all their key heads in the Zone are members of Hausa-Fulani Muslims). For more details, see Intersociety’s statement of 19th October 2017; titled: The Retun Of “Glover Hausas” In The Nigerian Army: Exposing 95% Dominance Of Key Army Formations In Igbo Land By Northern Muslim Officers

Most Corrupt & Incompetent Policing Organization of the Year 2017 in the Southeast Zone

The Nigeria Police Force and its key formations in the Southeast under IGP Ibrahim Idris (generated, illicitly, over N14 billion or $45 million between September 2017 and January 2018 from Southeast roadblocks using over 2900 police roadblocks raised in early September 2017). See Intersociety’s statement of 5th September 2017 on: Unchecked Police And Army Extortion In Southeast Nigeria: How IGP And His Cohorts Will Pocket (already pocketed) N14.1Billion In Five Months (Sep 2017-Jan 2018) From 2900 Roadblocks Using False Biafra Insecurity, etc.

Destitute of the Year 2017 in the Southeast Zone

The Destitute of Uga Junction Pedestrian Bridge in Onitsha (represents the plight of the destitute population roaming the streets of the Southeast Zone without government care and welfare). Governors of the Zone are called upon to urgently address the plight of the destitute population especially their children who are out of school. One of the core ways to address this is by enacting the Destitute & Disability Rights & Welfare Laws by the Executive and Legislative Arms in the Southeast.

The Slain & the Disappeared of the Year 2017 in the Southeast Zone

Estimated 100 defenseless citizens of the Zone killed or made to disappear by the Nigerian Army in September 2017; in addition to over 270 others earlier shot and killed; with most of their bodies remained missing till date. Their killers must be fished out and severely punished by the Federal Government or relevant international justice groups no matter how long it takes.

The Maimed or Wounded of the Year 2017 in the Southeast Zone

Over 400 victims of military shootings in the Zone. They must be adequately compensated with their shooters fished out and punished severely.

Persecuted Citizens of the Year 2017 in the Southeast Zone

Include Citizens Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Dave Nwawuisi, Benjamin Mmadubugwu, Bright Chimezie and over 82 others including minors and married women presently languishing in various prisons across the country without formal trial; in connection with nonviolent pro Biafra agitations. Others are those in the category of “dark figures of crime” or arrested and detained citizens without public notice or records. All pro Igbo-Biafra detainees in Nigeria must be de-criminalized, released and have their phantom charges dropped by the Buhari Administration.

http://allnews.uodoo.com/en-ng/detail/2328743474207627?uc_param_str=dnfrpfbivesvchmtsscpgimibtbmntniladsnwkt&opt=list_auto&app=h5_detailrec&reco_id=48d49b52-858d-45ad-a614-233d867398ac&rs=relate_news&entry1=card&entry2=list&entry=browser&deep=1

John Oyegun, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the outcome of the meeting of the party’s national caucus had shamed the prophets of doom who predicted his removal from office.

He said this when he briefed state house correspondents after the APC national caucus meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Monday night.

Describing the outcome of the meeting as “beautiful and pleasant”, Oyegun accused the media of manufacturing and exaggerating issues within the party.

“In fact, I want to ask the media where did they dig them out (of) because we just had a pleasant meeting and all what I have been reading in the media none of it (happened), all the prophecies of doom none of it even came near for mention,’’ he said.

Oyegun also dismissed the assertion that the caucus discussed his exit date as party chairman, describing it as mere media speculation.

He said: “It is the media we should ask where do they get those stories from, where do you get them? Nothing like that ever happened; nothing like that was ever discussed; nothing like that came up – beautiful, pleasant, intellectual, deep reasoning today about issues.’’

He announced that the APC convention would be coming up in June.

The party announced the extension of the tenure of the national working committee led by Oyegun at the end of its national executive council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday.

SOURCE
https://www.reportnaija.ng/2018/02/28/prophets-doom-put-shame-oyegun/

A man has revealed what happened after his young daughter broke through security in order to catch a glimpse of the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Mrs. Ipalibo Banigo when she visited a Redeemed church in Port-Harcourt, the state capital.

According to the father identified as Kasarachi Innocent, the girl who wanted to film the deputy governor - did not allow herself to be discouraged as she insisted on trying saying 'if they don't allow her, she will come back'.

The deputy governor later recognized the girl at the event and even gave her some money to the surprise of her parents and everyone at the event.

The father shared the news on Facebook. Read below;

IF THEY DON'T ALLOW ME, I WILL COME BACK!

I was invited to a Dinner to round off a conference by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Port Harcourt on Saturday. I had earlier presented a paper at the conference. My family joined me for the Dinner.

The Deputy Governor of Rivers State was to be given an award at the Dinner. As she stood for her citation, my second daughter told me she wanted to go video her. My wife refused and I told her the security would not allow her. She insisted on trying. I allowed her. She forced her way through the security and was face to face with the deputy governor and did her video.

Later in her speech, the deputy governor asked for my daughter to come out and insisted that she would take pictures with her. She gave her money and even asked to be involved in her education henceforth. My wife was shocked. Everyone was.

LESSONS: 1. Try first! You can come back if you fail! 

2. To get to the front in life, you must find your way through the SECURITY - the obstacles! 
3. When you get to the FRONT in life, your helpers will see you clearly!

Source; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2018/02/deputy-governor-of-rivers-state-poses-with-girl-who-broke-through-her-security.html

Quote:•18 persons arrested as death toll rises to 12
•Police recover petrol bombs, other dangerous items
•Senate cautions religious, political leaders against hate speech

By Henry Umoru & Ben Agande

KADUNA—No fewer than 1,000 shops and several vehicles were torched in the violent clash that occurred between Christian and Muslim youths in Kaduna on Monday over girls, as the death toll rose to 12 yesterday.

When Vanguard visited the scene yesterday, the large scale destruction that trailed the clash which engulfed Kasuwan Magani town in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state was benumbing.

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Austin Iwar, who disclosed the new death toll yesterday, said 18 people had also been arrested.

Addressing journalists after a fact-finding and assessment visit to the area, the Police Commissioner vowed that no stone would be left unturned in unravelling the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.

The Police Commissioner, in company of the General Officer Commanding I Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major-General Mohammed Mohammed and state commandant of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, Modu Goni, expressed shock at the scale of destruction.

He said: “It is unfortunate. As we can see, the level of destruction is very high, some people were killed and properties were destroyed. This is not what we wish for our state, Kaduna.
“Let me say that we will not leave any stone unturned in investigating the remote and immediate causes of this problem. We will talk to the stakeholders here and try to find out what the problem is and through civil problem solving approach and conflict resolution, we will deal with that.”

Police recover petrol bombs, other items

“We will also look at the criminal aspect of it. So far, we have arrested eighteen people we suspect were involved in the crisis. We are working round the clock to ensure that we get to the root of the matter.

“We have recovered a number of dangerous items, including petrol bombs. We believe this is a planned thing and we will get to the root of the matter. We will do a thorough investigation to ensure that it does not happen again.”

He said the police was aware of “skirmishes” in the area two weeks ago and had made some arrests “but we did not know that there was a grand design to carry out massive destruction as it happened.”

He defended police response to the crisis, saying he mobilized his men and deployed to the area as soon as the Police received reports of the crisis.

“The most important thing to us is, when was it reported to us? Travelling from Kaduna to this place takes about forty minutes. We needed to prepare and mobilize our men. Police officers are not like items sitting on the shelves of supermarkets.

“We needed to bring people from other places. We took necessary steps to check the crisis. We brought in military reinforcement, Civil Defence and Police reinforcement,” he added.

The Police commissioner said 11 victims of the crisis were “buried around12 midnight”, while one person who sustained injuries later died in the hospital yesterday.

Crisis started on Monday, when a Christian girl who was allegedly engaged to a Muslim man was about to convert to Islam, a development that angered youths of the predominantly Christian settlement.

Senate warns against hate speech

Meanwhile, the Senate has cautioned religious, political, community leaders against hate speech to avoid hate actions.

It also said any conflict with religious colouration would be the fastest way to liquidate Nigeria as a country.

Speaking yesterday, in Abuja during plenary when Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central) raised a point of order on the killings, destruction of property in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, said if all Nigerians, irrespective of class, religion and status, treat themselves as brothers and sisters, those following them would follow.

Ekweremadu, who urged the leaders to try as hard as they can to avoid escalation of religious crisis in Nigeria, said:

“This is one incident too many. This is becoming very worrisome. What is even more worrisome is the religious colouration to the killings, based on what Senator Shehu Sani has said. This is something we need to avoid.

“That is, any conflict that will have religious colouration, that will be the fastest way to liquidate this country. As leaders, we must understand that leadership comes with responsibilities. It is our job to keep preaching to those who are leading through our actions and words that we belong to one God.
“The fact that somebody is a Christian or Muslim does not mean that he should hate another person. I have not seen any religion that preaches hate killings. It is the way we behave that promotes that.

“We are talking about hate speech. The worst of it is hate action. If we treat ourselves as brothers and sisters, those following us will follow us. We must try as hard as we can, not to have any religious escalation in Nigeria.”

Season of mayhem in Kaduna — Sani

Earlier in the presentation of his point of order, Senator Shehu Sani, who came under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as Amended, said: “I stand to bring the attention of the Senate and the nation to an unfortunate violence we had yesterday in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The violence took the lives of over six to seven people. Houses were burnt and it was a season of mayhem.

“The mayhem was attributed to youths who decided to take laws into their hands. But it had the colouration of religious violence. Everyday, we wake up in this country and we are faced with one form of violence or another. We are now accepting the reality that violence is the way of life.

“It is unfortunate that we wake up everyday and we see killings, kidnappings and other things that shake the stability and unity of this country in every respect. I use this opportunity to appeal to all parties involved in all forms of violence to know that we cannot achieve any progress without peace.

“The unity of Nigeria is not about the flag or the anthem, but the establishment of a system that ensures justice, harmony and love among one another. I want the Senate to identify with us in our time of crisis.

“We must live together as Christians and as Muslims in this country. We need to live as people, despite the fact that we are from different parts of the country.”


Photos of Mayhem in Kaduna

A Nigerian man, Eric Okojie, has taken to Facebook to share the new update about Emeka the DELSU genius who went mentally deranged after he has reconcile the man with his family members. 

Eric, took to his Facebook page to share thank everyone who supports him by giving helping hand to the man and has give update about his current status now.

Read what he, wrote;
THE POWER OF LOVE
EMEKA THE DELSU GENIUS OUT OF RAGS
# SaveEmeka Do you remember the story of Emeka, the young genius from Delsu with a promising future who was on RAGS, wasting away in the street of Benin-City? We TeamSaveEmeka Made a call and Nigerians both home and in Diaspora responded.
There were two sets of people who received and responded to our message online. From the first group of people, we got all forms of media attacks, destructive criticism, we were mocked, misinterpreted for scanners, called thieves etc (by an undiscerning few who we don't have need to forgive because we never took their unbelief as an offense because in a country where online and offline scam is rife, one may expect even the most genuine intentions to be misunderstood).
And we did all we were able to do, not to prove critics wrong but because of love for God, humanity and nation. But while all the critics were probably rocking their New Year, I spent almost the whole of January with Emeka. With joy in our hearts, we appreciate and celebrate the overwhelming population of saints (the second group) who contributed their voices by sharing, liking, commenting, calling, visiting etc and those who made financial contributions. You all are the real heroes here! By your effort, we removed Emeka from the street, took him to the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Uselu.
All necessary test were conducted, he was diagnosed and placed under medication. We gave two or more progress report and you didn’t hear from us since then. Due to quick response to treatment & recovery, Emeka was transferred to the Hospital's Permanent Site at Aduwawa, Benin-City. We kept praying, we kept caring and we kept showing him love. Two weeks into February, the hospital invited me for Emeka next assessment scheduled to hold Feb 14th once again I postponed all schedule for that day and hurried to the hospital. And like a dream, right in my presence, Emeka was assessed and discharged. It was so unbelievable and an emotional moment as we both go up simultaneously hug each other, tears rolling down our eyes in appreciation to God.
On the 17th of Feb, I went back to the hospital did the necessary things and went home with Emeka. Finally, on the 21st Feb Emeka boarded God IS GOOD first class bus to Lagos to meet his siblings. Emeka's quick recovery wasn't just due to medical attention but the prayers you made on his behalf and the love we told him that Nigerians were showering on him both online and offline
OUR NEXT POINT OF ACTION #SaveEmeka story united Nigeria beyond ethnic and religious lines. People called us from as far as the North, then the West, East and South of Nigeria. Notably, someone called from Cotonou. Just as we spread the news about his insanity, it is now time to spread the news about his SANITY, RECOVERY and REINTEGRATION to the society. Now let's go: 1. Like the post 2. Tag at least a friend or more from- -CEP Business Administration, -Delsu Asaba campus between 2007 to 2012, -DSC in d Delta State -Ugwa, tag a friend from Isialangwa Tag everyone you tagged before and new people you didn't tag 2. Like the post 3. Make comments with
# SavedEmeka 4. Share the post on your wall We succeeded in the first place because Good Nigerians assisted us in sharing, tagging. We are counting on you again to spread the good news that Emeka is well back on his feet and living a normal life now. Don’t read this post without sharing. 5. Keep appreciating God for His Works and continue praying for Emeka Let nobody tell you that Nigerians are not good people, this proves it wrong. What unites us is more than what divides us. Let's do away with our ethno-religious bias and focus on our what unites us.
GOD bless Delsuites
GOD bless Nigerians
GOD bless You

See Him Before;


See Him Now;



https://www.torimill.com/2018/02/remember-delsu-graduate-who-went-mentally-deranged-he-is-now-back-on-his-feet.html

Quote:Buhari re-appoints Jonathan’s appointee as NEPC boss


President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the re-appointment of Olusegun Awolowo as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC.
Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Adesina quoted a letter signed by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as saying that the re-appointment of Mr Awolowo was for another four years.

Mr Awolowo, a lawyer and grandson of the late Premier of Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, was first appointed to the NEPC position in 2013.

NAN

The senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Becky, Monday visited the graveside where over 73 persons gruesomely murdered on New Year day in Guma and Logo LGAs of Benue State were buried.


The Senior Pastor, who was accompanied by former military governor of Kastina and Plateau States, Gen Lawrence Onoja, Barr Adulugba, Barr Felix, Mr Tolu Jinadu and Hon Moses Enenche, also visited the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Daudu where he donated a truck load of relief materials to the IDPs.

Presenting the items to the state government on behalf of the church, Dr. Enenche warned against diversion of the material, saying they must be judiciously used to the glory of God.


Among the items he dnoted were: bags of rice, salt, garri, clothes, noodles, toiletries, dunlop and several other materials.


Receiving the materials on behalf of the state government, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, who represented the governor at the camp, thanked Dr. Enenche, his wife, Dr. Mrs. Becky and the entire Dunamis family for the kind gesture.


The minister noted that what the church brought was much more than what the Nigerian government donated.


“I must confess that the items you people brought today are more than what the even Nigerian government donated. We can’t thank you people enough for this magnanimity. The state government is not only proud of you, Dr. Paul and you wife, Dr. Mrs. Becky Enenche as citizens, we are happy for what God is using you to do in this nation and beyond,” he said amid excitement and cheers from the IDPs.


Speaking earlier during a brief service held in honour of the acclaimed ‘heroes of the open-grazing law’ at the graveside, the Dunamis Pastor described the decision by governor to give the victims a mass burial as a prophetic action.


The cleric, who was embittered over the continuous massacre of Benue natives by marauding herdsmen, averred that the mass burial of the victims signifies the end of evil in this entity called Nigeria.


Dr. Enenche, who took his text from the book of Romans 12:15 in a message entitled, ‘weep with them that weep and rejoice with them that rejoice’ gave five cogent reasons he decided to lead his team to the burial site.


According to him, “There are five reasons why we are here.

1. First, to commiserate with the state government and the families of the victims with his Excellency, the executive governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom over the massive lost of lives in the state.


The bible made it clear that the loss of life if an irreplaceable loss. That is why we came to stand with the state and to let the state know that God is aware of our mourning. And to also let the state know that the ministry of the Holy Spirit shall comfort our state and make the state to come over this temptation.


2. Second reason we are here is to stand in the gap between the dead and the living, which is the major duty of a priest. We are here to cry out our hearts to God that the blood of Jesus Christ that speaks better thing than the blood of Abel should speak for our state and prevent further deaths in the land.


3. The third reason we are here is to appeal to the justice of God and demand that the God of justice will do justice in our land and nation. We are here to tell God that the blood of those slain shall cry up to heaven so we could see the response of God. We came here to provoke the earth in Benue State and other parts of the country where innocent blood is being shed. The earth will begin to fight the killer and swallow them.


4. Number four, we are here to make prophetic decree and injunction. In the history of the country, there was never a time, where any state or any leader organized a mass burial. To us, this is not just an event but a prophetic action. We came here to enforce the prophetic nature of this action. The implication of what happened is not just a mass burial of innocent victims; we are seeing a mass burial of evil in this nation. We are seeing the mass burial of impunity in this nation. We came to decree to that this is the mass burial of security failure in Nigeria. We came to decree that this is the mass burial of leadership and governmental failure in Nigeria. We came to decree that this is the mass burial of evil, atrocious and jihadist agenda in Nigeria. We came to decree that this is the mass burial of ethnic cleansing in Nigeria. This is the mass burial of pain, every form of segregation, ethnicity and suppression in Nigeria.


5. Fifthly, we came to remind ourselves of the end of all flesh. Bible says it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. No matter what happens, once a life is lost, it is time for sober reflection for those who are alive. How prepared will we be to make our maker?


The Dunamis senior pastor, who led the people in a torrential prayer session on behalf of the land, anointed and prayed over the land as a point of contact to the nation were innocent blood is being shed.


Speaking earlier, the state governor, Orom disclosed the plan of the state government to build a mini-chapel in honour of the victims at the burial site.


He vowed to continue to stand and protect his people despite the attacks on him from every corner.

Quote:Houses set ablaze, many injured as Muslim, Christians clash in Kaduna

Timely intervention of security forces Monday afternoon averted escalation of crisis between some Muslims and Christian youths in Kasuwan Magani in Kajuru local government of Kaduna state.

Several houses were however reportedly set ablaze and unspecified number of people were also said to have sustained injuries.

There were conflicting reports on what triggered the crisis but one account said some Christian youths in the town went about beating girls for allegedly dating Muslim boys while another account claimed that some youths in the area went beavers when report filtered into town that there was an attempt to forcefully convert some Christian girls who were allegedly taken to the residence of the local chief.



It was however gathered that there had been simmering crisis in the area between adherents of the two faith before it tipped Monday morning.

The community which is about 31 kilometers away from Kaduna city is located along the highway connecting Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue States as well as the southern part of Kaduna state.


Commuters plying that route were stranded for several hours following the incident.

Residents alleged that security personnel could not arrived until around 2pm when a combined team of soldiers and police were deployed to tackle the situation.

Spokesman of the Kaduna state police command, Aliyu Mukhtar told Vanguard in a telephone interview that the situation had been brought under control.


Aliyu said the Assistant commissioner of police in charge of operations had relocated to the area.

“We got a distress called in the morning that there was tension in Kasuwan Magani. The Assistant commissioner of police is already there as I am talking to you with his men.
“Mobile policemen have been deployed to the place. So the situation has been brought under control.

I cannot give details about the cause of the problem now until investigations are concluded.

We are yet to obtain number if casualties but we are on top of the situation” he said.

In a swift reaction, The Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has directed that all persons responsible for the crisis be arrested and prosecuted.
.
A statement by El RUFAI’S spokeman, Samuel Aruwan, said while condemning the incidence, Governor El-Rufai expressed his sympathy to those affected by the incidence.

He directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take inventory of damages and provide relief materials with immediate effect.

The statement added that security forces have been deployed to contain the situation, protect lives and properties and to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

The governor urged all citizens and communities to reject violence and division, and uphold their neighbours in peace and harmony.

.Osinbajo preaches collaboration among arms of government 

Quote:President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the stand-off between the executive and the National Assembly is slowing down the processes of governance.

The president spoke yesterday in Abuja during the meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. 

Buhari said the APC-led government was working hard to resolve the differences with the National Assembly in order to move the country forward.

He implored party leaders and members to put their hearts together and support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed-led reconciliation committee to resolve all differences in states where there were disagreements.

While thanking the party leaders, especially the national chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for steering the APC from “success to success” since 2015 with reference to Kogi, Edo and Ondo states, he commended the feat achieved in Anambra State election.

According to him, “APC is the party of government and now the party of the Nigerian people.”

Buhari lauded the APC governors for stabilizing the country and the armed forces, police and other security agencies for stopping Boko Haram in its tracks and driving them from their bases.

According to him, no country, however well secured could prevent isolated acts of terror as was seen in United States of America, Europe, Asia and in Africa.

He said, “We cannot afford to fail to remind Nigerians where we came from in 2015. I am happy to report that slowly and steadily we have managed to stabilize the country and re-direct the ship of the state.”

While noting that the pace of government might not have fully met the high expectations of some party members, he reminded them that it took the APC two years “to dig Nigeria out of the mess.”

Buhari therefore urged members and leaders of the ruling APC to work together to ensure victory no matter the outcomes of the party primary processes ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“Soon, primaries for wards, local governments, state and centre will be due. I urge all members to take account of the fact that APC has a history of conducting free and fair primaries whenever consensus about any position is not reached. 

“Regardless of the outcomes of the primary processes, it is imperative that we all work together to ensure victory for our party,” Buhari said. 

Earlier in his opening remarks, the APC national chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, said 2018 was a challenging year for the party in view of the coming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, stressing that the party should do everything to win.

“These elections are precursors of the national elections. It is therefore necessary that we treat them with great seriousness because they are elections we should do everything to win. 

They are signals and signposts, indicators of what is to come in 2019. Preparations are also well underway for those elections,” he said.

PDP NWC led by the National Secretary paid a condolence visit yesterday to victims of Herdsmen attack that led to the death of over 41 persons including women and children in Zamfara State .

The People’s Democratic Party also donated various items of relief as they have done in various places of conflict resulting from herdsmen attack recently.

The team also comprised of the National Woman leader, National Auditor and Zonal Chairman, North amongst others.



https://www.facebook.com/princeuchesecondus/posts/218036022079678

Quote:…Says ruling party now Public Complaint Commission
…APC, not a political party-Babangida

By Dirisu Yakubu


ABUJA- The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Dino Melaye has taken a swipe at the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians, many of whom he said, defied the odds to vote for Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s President in the 2015 general elections.

Melaye who spoke after he was conferred with the Legislator of the Year 2017 at the Daily Asset Newspaper maiden annual awards and lecture in Abuja, also charged Nigerians to conquer fear by rising up to ask critical questions on governance and service delivery.

Prefacing his remarks with his usual coinage; “If you speak the truth, you die. If you lie, you die. I, Dino Melaye has decided to speak the truth and die,” the fiery Senator wowed the audience with his vitriolic against his own party, which he likened to the Public Complaint Commission, apparently due to its penchants for blaming past administrations for its inability to deliver on some of its electioneering campaign promises.


“The APC government has become Public Complaint Commission. I say this without fear or favour. We have more complains in the APC and even in the Presidency than service rendered. We cannot as a people continue like this.

“The President said two days ago we should all embrace peace but I want to say without fear or favour that there can be no peace without justice. There is hunger in the land, there is poverty in the land, and there is unemployment in the land. A lot of decision has not been taken; yet we say we want peace. The primary objective of government is the security and welfare of the people. There is no security, there is no welfare,” he said.


According to the federal lawmaker, “Nigeria is not only sick presently but equally suffers from regretful congenital abnormality. There is therefore a serious need for amelioration, palliation and correction. The question is: are you going to be part of that correction? I want to say that in an unjust society, silence is a crime, and every one of us here today, is the reason why (sic) Nigeria is sick.

“It is not about the leadership, it is the inability of the followership to check the leadership. Today Nigerians have become indolent, we are suffering and smiling. We are not reactionary. We are not asking questions and that is why we are where we are.

“Democracy will continue to be government of the people by the people for the people but what we have today is greedocracy which is government of the greedy by the greedy and for the greedy, “he added.

While decrying the squalid social conditions in which the people live in, Melaye warned those in positions of authority not to forget that their failure to make the most of their offices in the interest of the people could turn out to hurt them, arguing that not even the rich would be immune from the disaster that looms in the horizon.

“2019 is around the corner again. Many of us are lackadaisical about the future. I delivered a lecture recently at the University of Lagos and some students from very wealthy homes, two of them said they didn’t care who the president of the country is and that it was none of their business because their parents were very successful. I said to them that when the poor have nothing to eat, they will start eating the rich.

“A time will come when it will be difficult to drive your expensive jeeps and cars on the streets. A time will come when it would be difficult to switch on your generator because everywhere around you is dark. Will you be the only one having light? There was no kidnapping before, and kidnapping is seen as the redistribution of both ill-gotten and legitimate wealth. People now take from the rich and they now appropriate to themselves,” he noted even as he urged the masses to be wary of the elites whom he accused of polarizing the rest of the populace.

“The elites have divided us using tribal sentiments. When you go to the hospital, there is a column for religion on your call card, a column for tribe and local government as if this will in any way facilitate your recovery. We have become too ethnic conscious. I sponsored a bill that is about to go for a second reading. The bill is saying that we should abolish state of origin and in its place; we should have state of residence. This is when we will have a true Nigeria when you will not need a Senator’s note to get job with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN or the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,” he added.

APC incapable of good leadership-Makarfi

On his part, former Kaduna State governor and Chairman of the defunct National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi who bagged the Man of the Year 2017 award said the APC cannot provide the expected good leadership because the party is made up of strange political bedfellows.

While dedicating the prize to the entire PDP family, Makarfi promised Nigerians that the party will restore their hope and deliver on quality governance if given the opportunity again. In a private chat with Vanguard, an elated Makarfi said the award would spur him to do more for Nigeria and her people.

“The award will surely encourage me to do much more. As the chairman of the occasion, Babangida Aliyu mentioned, APC is conglomeration of incompatible political interest groups which Senator Melaye re-echoed. Therefore, they cannot provide good leadership,” he said.

APC, not a political party-Aliyu

Co-chairman of the occasion and former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu also slammed the APC, saying it was never prepared for governance. “Why is APC not doing very well? It is because it has not become a political party. It won election before becoming a political party. It is a combination of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and one-quarter of PDP,” said Aliyu who also lamented the lack of unity among leaders in the northern part of the country.

“Why is it that there is the problem of insecurity more in the North? Why is that we cannot speak with one voice?” he asked noting that while the government of President Buhari claimed to have defeated Boko Haram, herdsmen/farmers ‘clashes birthed leading to the death of many across the country.

Tambuwal, Ishaku, Abubakar, others honoured
Also honoured at the event were the trio of Aminu Tambuwal, Darius Ishaku and Mohammed Abubakar, the governors of Sokoto, Taraba and Bauchi States respectively as Governor of the Year 2017. Other awardees included Nnamdi Okonkwo, Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank PLC (Banker of the Year 2017); Luke Onofiok (Young Achiever of the Year 2017); Igho Charles Sanomi (Business Person of the Year 2017 and the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (University of the Year 2017).

THE Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) has described a report quoting security sources as saying it leader, Nnamdi Kanu and his wife, Uchechi Kanu, were sighted in Ghana as fake news.
An online publication quoting security sources on Tuesday (27/02/2018), reported that the IPOB leader and his wife were seen in the republic of Ghana.
Kanu who is on trial for treasonable felony was last seen in September 2017 when the army reportedly raided his house in Abia State, after he boasted that if arrested again, his arrest will lead to the balkanization of the country. This was after he flouted several bail terms granted to him.
However, Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of the state, said Kanu was in London, he made the claim without evidence to back up his attest.
Tuesday’s report said Kanu was ferried to the Niger Delta creeks by militants at the height of Python Dance II, from where he found his way to Ghana by sea.
“He is regularly seen at Kenzo Bar and IBG saloon in Accra, disguised in face cap and usually in company with his wife, Uchechi.
“Kanu is said to live at an area called Cantonment, also in Accra, at an estate called “Arabella”.
Reacting, the separatist group alleged that the report was fabricated by the Nigerian Army in a calculated attempt to absolve the federal government of direct involvement in the abduction of it leader.
“We are waiting for the next installment of these comical sightings or where they will say our leader is. Hopefully this time around one of the Nigerian security agencies will have guts and decency to come forward to say they have him in their custody.
“The sooner the Nigerian Army and government speaks the truth about the whereabouts of our leader, the better it will be for Nigeria. Understandably and rightfully so, a lot of people are angry about what has befallen our leader and they are beginning to manifest their irritation whenever the name Nigeria is mentioned in a public gathering in Biafraland”
“How long the high command of IPOB can keep this anger under control is unknown to us but what we do know is that those holding our leader or his body should not let this anger become uncontrollable.
“Yesterday it was a fake non-existent DSS computer generated ‘IPOB leader’ they christened Okwudili Ezenachukwu who nobody has ever seen or heard from, today we are being entertained with yet another tale by the moonlight that our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his beautiful devoted wife were spotted in Accra Ghana. The originators of this fake news and their merchants went as far as publishing old pictures of the couple to lend credence to what is in essence a calculated attempt to absolve the federal government of direct involvement in the abduction of our leader…
“No amount of fabrication and idle unsubstantiable speculation will deflect or weaken our resolve in pursuit of freedom for our leader and Biafra. This is not the first, second or third time such frivolous speculation has been placed in the public domain. It started with our leader being spotted around Cameroonian border disguised as a Yoruba woman.
“When that failed to be substantiated with pictorial proof or evidence they moved to situating him at a militant camp in the Niger Delta under the protection of our brothers, the Niger Delta Avengers.
“After a few months went by without any shred of proof they alleged that our leader was ferried by boat through the Atlantic Ocean to Ivory Coast. When again that failed to gain traction, they came up with these miraculous sightings in Ghana. These sightings are begining to assume the same dimension as those of Elvis Presley reportedly seen severally over the years around his home in Graceland Memphis USA,” a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, said.
https://www.headlineng.com/report-nnamdi...news-ipob/

Agency halts issuance of ODCs to former aviation personnel
PLANS are underway by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is to capture the construction of perimeter fences in all airports in the 2019 budget following the recent spate of runway incursions across airports in the country .
This is just as the Airport Authority has stopped the renewal of On Duty Cards (ODCs) for former airline and FAAN workers to ensure strict personnel monitoring, stop touting around the airport.
Following what happened at Akure of recent, the General Manager Corporate Communications FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu in an interview in Lagos said the issue of security across the airport remained a great concern to the organisation.
She explained that the incident at Akure was regrettable but was being addressed stressing that the airport had perimeter fencing but there was a gap in which the cattle entered into the runway.
According to her, FAAN civil engineers were already at the Akure airport to fix the collapsed section of the fence.
As part of measures to further strengthen the security of the airports across the country and further weaken the activities of touts at the airport, Mrs Yakubu revealed that FAAN has stopped the renewal of On Duty Cards (ODCs) for former airline and FAAN workers to ensure strict personnel monitoring.
According to her, cards renewal will be thoroughly scrutinized by the agency.
Yakubu explained that all security measures have been reviewed while 10 vehicles have been added to the ones on ground to enhance runway patrol in order to minimize aircraft runway attacks.
While grass cutting has been stepped, Mrs Yakubu noted that all abandoned aircraft on the air side have been moved to the mortuary adding that those in Kano, Jos and Benin airports will be moved out soon in order to create space.
She further explained that the aviation security personnel AVSEC have been working hard to ensure that the activities of touts and touting were curtailed https://nigerianflightdeck.com/2018/02/f...19-budget/

FEDERAL Government’s Ease of Doing Business is still gathering momentum as the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), has tagged the counters of its on-duty personnel at the airport.
Each officer of immigration on duty had removable tag placed against his counter while attending to arriving or departing passengers which officials told our correspondent that it was part of the Ease of Doing Business policy of the Federal Government, which came to effect in July 2017.
During a visit by nigerianflightdeck.com correspondent, he observed that all 16 counters for immigration processes for arriving passengers were tagged while the same was also done for outbound passengers.
The tag is removed when an officer finishes his or her duty while a new officer who reports for duty also put his name into the tag for easy identification.
A top officer at the airport who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the Comptroller General Immigration Service, Mohammed Babandede ordered the move for proper identification of officers especially those who have contact with passengers.
The service also insisted that its personnel had the right to check the travelling documents of any traveller departing or arriving the country.
According to the source, since the ease of doing business came into being, Babandede had done a lot to check activities at the airport with the introduction of visa on arrival for passengers, stressing that the immigration could refuse a passenger from travelling if they were not sure of his mission abroad.
Mr. James Sunday, the spokesman for the service speaking on phone with our correspondent said that it was within the purview of the service to ensure that anyone departing the country had the necessary document that would aid his or her travelling.
He dismissed reports that immigration officials at the airports ask for grafts from the travelling public, stressing that anyone with complete travelling documents should not entertain any fear when approach by its officials.
He said: “I cannot start to talk on an issue that there is no fact on ground. The fact on the ground is that for anyone that is travelling, I believe by virtue of exposure, one should be able to know the name of the person that is travelling. Also, we have several agencies there that are in mufti and you can’t just attribute anything that happens at the airport to the immigration officers.
“It is not every time that when you are approached at the airport that it is the immigration that approaches you. It’s is not always true. Much as I can’t say much on the issue, I cannot confirm that our officer is involved in any shady deal at the airport. What I can say is that our officers wherever they are posted to, do their best to hold the integrity of the nation.”

I WANT TO BE NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT - DONALD DUKE
source: http://www.eyesoflagos.com/2018/02/senator-melaye-apc-has-failed-nigerians.html

A former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, said on Tuesday he has not dropped his presidential ambition.


Duke stated this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the speculations that he has dropped the presidential aspiration were untrue.

The ex-governor said he has not officially declared for the presidency for strategic reasons.

“Sometime ago, I said I will run for the presidency of the country if the opportunity presented itself.

“Yes, my presidential ambition is still intact. I am only waiting for the opportunity to present itself to make the right move,’’ he said.

Asked on what platform he would run, since he was a member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s inspired “Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM),” he said it was too early to decide on the matter.

He, however, said he was still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“I am still a member of the PDP, at the same time a member of the coalition which is not a political party.

“The coalition will definitely align with a political party to achieve its goals, otherwise it will make no sense.

“I can’t say yet the platform on which I will run if the opportunity presents itself. We are still watching and will take the right step at the right time,’’ he added.

On the abductions and killings in some parts of the country, Duke described the situation as disturbing.

He urged the relevant authorities to confront the problem head on for the peace and stability of the nation.

source: Eyes Of Lagos

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, a pan-African banking group, and China Development Bank (CDB), the world’s largest development finance institution, yesterday announced the signing of a $100 million seven-year loan agreement to finance the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.

The $100 million loan would enhance UBA’s capacity to provide access to finance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the 19 African countries where UBA currently operates.


“We are excited to partner CDB, the Development Financial Institution of the Chinese Government, on this historic transaction, as we strongly believe that the facility will serve as a catalyst to the sustainable development of commerce and industry in Africa through provision of critical financial interventions to SMEs across our presence countries,” Group Managing Director/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said.

Uzoka noted that this line of credit is timely, as it would complement the recovery of economic activities.

It will also further encourage African entrepreneurship particularly as the funds will be applied to SMEs, which are important for inclusive growth on the continent.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chairman of UBA Plc, Mr. Tony Elumelu, said the fund would boost small and medium scale enterprises across Africa, noting that CDB’s interest in supporting SMEs aligns with UBA’s vision in growing business across Africa.

“In UBA, CDB would have an enduring partner in reaching out to Africans as UBA provides banking services to over 14 million people across 20 African countries, and like CDB, UBA funds critical infrastructural projects on the African continent,” Elumelu said. He expressed hope that he would like to see a stronger relationship grow with CDB and UBA as well as with China and Nigeria.

Also commenting, the President of CDB, Mr. Zheng Zhijie, said the agreement was the beginning of cooperation between UBA and CDB that would translate into an enduring business relationship between China and Africa and Nigeria in particular.

“UBA is a leading and dependable bank not only in Nigeria but Africa, and this partnership will help our Bank to accelerate its business objectives in Africa, more importantly as we deepen our investment in energy, road and rail constructions, infrastructure in Africa,” Zhije said.

UBA, Africa’s global bank, is one of the largest commercial banks in Nigeria which operates in 19 African countries while providing a wide range of products and services.
It is the leading bank in infrastructure financing particularly in the power, telecoms and transport sectors.
UBA leads in social infrastructure such as hospital and education facilities to various countries in Africa.

In Nigeria, the bank operates in each of the country’s 36 states, helping to deepen financial inclusion through its brick and mortar network as well as through its cutting edge digital platforms. Globally, UBA has over 1,000 branches and customer touch points, serving over 14 million customers.

CDB, founded in 1994, is the world’s largest development finance institution and, the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation.
It provides medium-to-long-term financing facilities that serve China’s major long-term economic and social development strategies.

By the end of 2016, its assets grew to RMB 14.34 trillion, a balance of loans of RMB 10.32 trillion.
CDB currently has 37 primary branches and three secondary branches on the Chinese mainland, one offshore branch in Hong Kong and five representative offices in Cairo, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Caracas and London

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/china-development-bank-uba-sign-100m.html

Quote:Posted by Segun James



Barely a week the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, started his assignment as head of the reconciliation committee of the party, the Lagos State chapter of the APC may have split as a new group called the Broom United Movement (BUM) yesterday emerged to challenge the leadership in the state.

The split in the Lagos APC might have made the work of the national leader difficult as those involved in the “rebellion” are known followers of Tinubu.

The splinter group accused the party leadership of the party in the state of engaging in “illegalities, manipulation and marginalisation” against members, warning that unless genuine reconciliation is allowed to take place, the party may be heading for a crisis and a disaster in an election year.

According to Mr. Found Oki, a former Director General of Governors Bola Tinubu, Tunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode’s campaign organisations and convener of BUM, “Our party suffers from low organisational capacity and lack of internal democracy. The resultant effect of this has been its incapacity to support our democracy as expected.”

At the inaugural meeting of the group which took place at the Absolute Lagos Lounge of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Oki, lamented that there are no templates established to promote inclusiveness and equity in the party.

“Today, our party in Lagos State is fading into insignificance. Massive membership exclusion is becoming the order of the day with members withdrawing from the political space and constituting themselves into internal opposition.

“It is in the light of all these, that the BUM will involve committed party members who will bring moral authority, character and wisdom in handling the delicate issue of reconciliation, unity and accord Oki saud.”

He assured party members that from now on, their “votes will count and will be allowed to freely choose their leaders in a healthy competitive atmosphere.”

The BUM Leader lamented that the APC in the state “has never been this divided and disunited. The current graveyard silence that permeate our political landscape with a ‘siddon look’ syndrome is very dangerous,” adding that political parties are vital organisations in a democracy, and democracy is stronger when citizens become active members of political parties parties.”

Oki said that this unfortunately is what is lacking in party management in the state. “Unfortunately, the democratic culture in our state is characterised by factors such as illegalities, rigging, oppression, manipulation, marginalisation and violence.”

He warned: “Democracy and political participation are related to good governance; this relationship is complementary but appear to be antithetical in our political system. When democracy is abused, good governance becomes elusive and evasive.”

Quote:Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, Tuesday banned Fulani herdsmen and their cattle from entering communities in Ivo Council Area of the state following a clash between suspected Fulani herders and a farmer in Akaeze community which left the farmer fatally injured.

The governor also banned herdsmen from entering the state from other states evwn as he said that night grazing in all parts of the state is prohibited .

said that unless such a herdsman secured the permission of the Ardos of the two points of expected movement areas, as well as the Village Heads of the receiving community, such movement is outlawed.

Umahi made the pronouncement during the an emergency security meeting involving the state government and the Fulani herdsmen at the Exco Chambers, Government House in Abakaliki which was attended by the heads of various security commands in the state.

Daily Independent gathered that some herdsmen and a farmer in Akaeze community had clashed in a farmland in the area. But while giving accounts of the incident, both sides claimed innocence.

While the Fulani community led by the Coordinator of Northern community in the South East, Abubakar Yusuf Sambo, claimed that two of their members were injured and had been hospitalized in a hospital in Awgu, Enugu State, the Akaeze contingent led by the Coordinator of Akaeze Development Centre, Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu, claimed that their victim, Mr Daniel Ngwoke, was receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

But given the complicated nature of the matter, the Governor set up a 10-man Committee to investigate the matter at the end of which the offender, according to him, would be severely punished.

“If we had seen cow, we would have said yes, they butchered a cow and they attacked back. This is a story that would been ok. But in all things, I want the CP, NSCDC, and Army to bring two persons each from their commands plus the Coordinator. Then, the Sambo and the T.A.; that would make them a 10-man committee to investigate the matter and we’ll convey another emergency security meeting.


“But I am banning herdsmen from entering Ivo Local Government Area until this investigation is completed. I want my security men to carry out my instruction.

“No herdsman should enter the place. No cattle should enter Ivo council area again until this investigation is completed. At the end of the day when the report comes out, my prayer is that they would be alive. This is because whoever that is the first aggressor will go to prison in this state.

“I will send the person to prison no matter who the person is. Until this thing is completed.

“The National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and his secretary told me something; they said no herdsman suppose to come from Enugu State to Ebonyi State without first getting approval from the Ardo of wherever he is coming from.

“The Ardo in charge of where he is coming from must first write a letter to the Ardo of where is going to in Ebonyi. And the Ardo here must approve his coming. The village head must also agree that the herdsman should come. If the two of them say no, then the herdsman cannot come” he said.

Quote:Buhari’s return in 2019 will end in tragedy, says Junaid Mohammed


Reward For Failure, Nepotism Bane Of This Government

Kano-based politician, Dr. Junaid Mohammed again exposes the ills in the government of Muhammadu Buhari, and why he must not be returned in 2019. ADAMU ABUH reports.

What do you think of the clamour for a second term for President Buhari in 2019? 

Personally, I am not surprised that there is clamour for President Muhammadu Buhari to continue and contest in the 2019 poll. Anyone involved in this country’s politics knows that there is absolutely nothing new there.

Every president we’ve had in this country, every heads of government, as well as heads of state have been told they were special persons, that nobody else can govern the country, and as such they should continue, as such without them, the country couldn’t move on. I am not surprised it is happening to Buhari and I am not surprised he is putting his personal ambition over and above the country’s interest. It is so unfortunate that Buhari and the cabals have found themselves in the same shoes as their predecessors and it will end in tragedy.

I say so because those urging them to remain perpetually in power are not doing so because they like them. And even though Buhari has surrounded himself in a very nepotic way by ensuring that all the major appointments were given to his in-laws, nephews and cousins, but I can assure you that when the chips are down, he would be left to cry all by himself.


Ex-presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida have advised Buhari not to re-contest in 2019…

First and foremost, the question I ask myself when something of this nature emerges is: Is it the truth? And I have no doubt in my mind that what both Obasanjo and Babangida said was the truth. In addition, I also believe Nigerians should be more mature, because though you may not like somebody, but as long as what he/she said is the truth, then you should stand by the truth.

If others are imputing motives to Obasanjo and Babangida by saying it was a continuation of an old quarrel and that they never liked Buhari; that is neither here nor there. The fact of the matter is that Buhari has done nothing for Nigerians to like him. So, whatever was the motivation, what they said was the truth and I believe they did this country a great service. I am prepared to stand by them, even though I have my own issues with them.

I was sent to jail without any trial during Babangida’s regime and up till today nobody has told me what I did. They took me to Owo in Ondo State during the month of Ramadan, while I was fasting for nearly three months. I have also had problems with Obasanjo, even before I resigned from public service to join politics over his attempt to jail my colleague, Hamidu Ali, the man who had a gun in the House of Representatives, but that is neither here nor there. What they said was the truth. The nepotism they mentioned, I also talked about over two years ago.

What is your take on the alleged lopsided appointment of security chiefs and the controversy surrounding appointment of the NIA DG?

There is no law that says those who are heading security positions must not come from a particular zone. But what happened was that this gentleman, Mr. Ahmed Abubakar, who was not even an NIA employee, joined the service by accident, because there was supposed to be a meeting of what they called Nigeria /Niger commission and unfortunately the then DG of NIA did not make arrangement for interpreters from Lagos, when the summit held in Kaduna. So, they found somebody that could speak French, who was in Katsina State’s kitchen cabinet. And so, he was picked and then he became the interpreter for that occasion. After it was over, the then NIA DG, who was a Katsina man decided to induct and recruit him into the NIA. And that was how the man came into the service.

But because he came from a very low background, when he sat for exams from Assistant Director to Deputy Director, he failed twice or thrice. And the NIA system, just like that of most Civil Service, stipulates that if you fail an exam once or twice, you’ll be asked to go. So, this man was asked to go. And he left quietly, but they later discovered that the way he was recruited was improper. First, there was the question about where he was born. It was discovered that he was born in Chad Republic. Then they also found that he was married to a Moroccan.

Now in the service, they don’t allow you to marry a foreigner, though you can be a diplomat and marry a foreigner. But somehow, this was allowed to pass because the man has powerful backers. However, he had to go eventually because he could not pass his exams. But some of the people that sat with him and passed their exams are still in service. But they have now appointed him DG NIA over and above those who are with him, and who passed their exams while he failed his own. They sacked the other people who passed their own exams. This means the Buhari government is determined to reward failure, provided it is his kinsmen. You know the directors have taken the matter to court.

The issue at stake over the appointment of the DG NIA and DG SSS is not wrong because they are from the same state, but because they did not meet the laid down guideline and they were also deficient in terms of their qualifications and the cognate experience in their places of work.

There is also the issue of never appointing somebody to supersede people who are better, unless you want to destroy an organisation. You don’t allow it in any system. In the case of the DG SSS, who had already retired from service years ago, he was brought back and made the DG SSS. That was improper, unusual and is very devastating to morale. I like him. He used to be a director in Kano and is a personal friend because we used to get on well, and I still like him, but unfortunately, his problem is that he believes he is a politician and he is not. He is a security technocrat. So, if he behaves like he knows too much of politics, he will end up in disaster.

In the case of the newly-appointed DG NIA Ahmed Abubakar, who is also from Katsina, the man clearly did not measure up when he was in service. He failed his exams. There is nothing he can do about it. He had to go because they have a hierarchical system, just like in the Army. If you don’t pass the Captain to Major exams, they ask you to go. To make matters worse, they now picked him and made him boss over those that sat with him for the same exams and passed. The most senior director, who should have been appointed, is from Plateau State. He was the one that acted. He is Mr. Mohammed Dauda. He is fit and qualified to take the seat as the substantive head of NIA and you now brought a failure to take the seat.


This is gross injustice and a great disservice to the country. At any rate, if he wanted a northerner, what is wrong in picking the man who is the most senior and from Plateau State?

The most senior director after Ayodele Oke was asked to leave was from Plateau State. He was allowed to act and they had nothing against him, other than that there is some mago mago in the NIA concerning money found in a flat in the DGS office vault. It is only in Nigeria you have somebody keeping $43 million in some kind of flat in Lagos and then about $44 million in his office. He must be crazy or there must have been some high handed moves by the cabal to steal the money and then the man came out to say he was not confirmed, because he was not prepared to cooperate with the cabal to steal the money. And the other directors who had been shortchanged have now taken the matter to the High Court. It is not a matter of heads of security outfits coming from a particular zone.

As I’m speaking, there are 28 directors from the Southwest in the NIA. And this is just within the two terms of Oladimeji and Oke. How do you justify having 28 directors mainly from Oyo State, when there are states that don’t have a single director in NIA? They should know that some of us know so much about the agency.

What is your take on the existence of the so-called cabal in Buhari’s government?

When I started talking about the cabal over two years ago, many Nigerians, some of them with the best but naive intentions, thought there was no such thing as cabals. But there is a cabal. Because Buhari has been out of government for many years, he has not been able to update his knowledge in terms of development and events in and outside the country. And because of this and in my own estimation, we now have the least competent, the most isolated, most divisive and arrogant leader in the history of Nigeria. And in a country that is so complex and not so cohesive, this is clearly a disaster, which is where we are heading.

Right now, nobody doubts that there is a cabal. The de facto president of the country from May 29, 2015 has been one joker called Mamman Daura, who was a one-time Managing Director of the defunct New Nigerian newspapers. He is the head of the cabal and the de-facto president, because there have been instances when the president would give an instruction, he would undermine the instruction and nothing would happen. There have been times policy decisions or appointments would be made and his lackeys – Abba Kyari, the president’s chief of staff, the former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, who was appointed against all odds, but who remained there because he was in the cabal’s good books, will tamper with it. We all knew how he diverted donor monies belonging to international donor agencies, until they told Buhari in no uncertain terms that he had to be punished. But the others like Mamman Daura and Abba Kyari are sitting tight and taking decisions for you and me, as well as all Nigerians.

None of them was elected and though Kyari has a letter of appointment as chief of staff, Mamman Daura does not have a single letter indicating that he is whatever he is, but how he came about exercising such enormous powers is what nobody knows.

There are ministers who have been appointed not because they have any qualifications but because they are related to Buhari. The Aviation minister, Hadi Seriki is his elder sister’s son. Amina Zakari, who works in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representing the seven states of the northwest zone was appointed even before Buhari came into power through mago mago. It is left to the former president Goodluck Jonathan to tell us how she became national commissioner in INEC. Then there is the minister of Interior, Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd.) who was born and bred in Zaria. Somehow, and in a typical arrogant and abuse of power, he was turned into a Kano man and given a ministerial appointment, which constitutionally should have been given to a person who grew up in Kano State. Yet, Kano is the only political base Buhari has.

There are several others. The State House chief of protocol is a son-in-law to Mamman Daura, who is President Buhari’s nephew. Ordinarily, the position should have been given to a senior ambassador. The president’s chief personal security officer is Mamman Daura’s younger brother. Another State personal security officer is another relation of theirs. The ADC to the president is a son-in-law to them. Do you know that the S.A to Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the S.A to the junior minister of petroleum resources are Mamman Daura and Buhari’s daughters respectively?

This is an update of what I started saying two years ago. They now have their sons, daughters, sons-in-laws and nephews as beneficiaries of the appointments made so far. Now, among the people in the cabal, but very powerful and not known is someone called Tunde, originally called Sabiu Yusuf. He is the son of Mamman Daura’s immediate younger sister. He is, today, P.A to the President, even though he has never worked for one day in his life. But a P.A job is normally the work of a full-blown director or a permanent secretary. That boy only got married last year and as I speak to you now, he is one of the billionaires in Nigeria today. Nobody of his age has the kind of money that boy has. So, can that be justified?


If they are going to treat this country as if it was conquered by them and or by their families, you can imagine what the picture would look like, if Buhari were to be given a second term and how they are going to use our resources and how they are going to abuse power.

Mamman Daura’s daughter, who is married to one of the Dantatas, is the S.A to the CBN governor. Then Buhari’s sister’s son is also an S.A to Kachikwu, the junior minister of petroleum resources. The chief personal security officer to the president, DCP Abdulkarim Dauda is Mamman Daura’s younger brother. The chief security officer (CSO) Col Bashir Abubakar is also married into the family. The State chief of protocol, Lawal Kazaure, who has not reached the rank of an ambassador, is also married to Mamman Daura’s eldest daughter. I mentioned earlier that the P.A to the President, Sabiu Yusuf Tunde, who is in his 20’s, is one of the wealthiest 20-year-olds in Nigeria. He is also the son of Mamman Daura’s immediate younger sister. She herself is a niece to Buhari. And that is how the country is being governed.

The national commissioner at INEC is Buhari’s niece. In addition, her husband, who used to be a manager in UBA, died. Now when an opportunity arose, they went and picked the late husband’s younger brother and made him Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He is Brig Gen Zakari from Kazaure in Jigawa State.

As seen on twitter. Bbn 2018 Bambam toilet s€x with Teddy A is making waves right now. BamBam church members react to this. Read below


Gist from Praizeupdates


News source :: http://www.praizeupdates.com/bbn2018-bam-bams-church-member-reacts-to-her-toilet-sex-with-teddy-a/

Quote:I'm personnel disappointed in bamike #bambam, she's a choir member In my parish!! #BamTeddy #BBNaija


Her dad is a church elder, how will her family feel... How they really suffered on her... Reason for naming her #bamike (God take care of her for me)

Nigeria’s gross domestic product grew 1.92 percent in the last quarter of 2017 compared with a 1.73 percent contraction in the same period the previous year, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s economy returned to growth in the second quarter of 2017 but the recovery has been fragile since it is largely due to higher oil prices. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in December that the economy remains vulnerable.

This growth is compared to a contraction of –1.73% recorded in Q4 2016 and a growth of 1.40% recorded in Q 2017. 

Quarter on quarter, real GDP growth was 4.29%. 

The year 2017 recorded a real annual growth rate of 0.83% higher by 2.42% than –1.58% recorded in 2016.

In the quarter under review, aggregate GDP stood at N31,209,137.74million in nominal terms higher when compared to N29,169,058.99 million in Q4 2016, resulting in a Nominal GDP growth of 6.99%. This growth is lower relative to growth recorded in Q4 2016 at 12.49%. Nominally, 2017 recorded an annual growth rate of 12.05% higher by 4.25% compared to 2016 annual growth of 7.80%. The broad classification into the oil and non-oil sectors will give a clearer depiction of the Nigerian economy. 

The Oil Sector

In the period under review, Oil production averaged at 1.91million barrels per day (mbpd), -0.12million barrels lower than the daily average production recorded in the third quarter of 2017. Oil production during the quarter was higher by 0.15million barrels per day relative to the corresponding quarter in 2016, which recorded an output of 1.76mbpd.

The Non-Oil Sector
The non-oil sector grew by 1.45% in real terms during the reference quarter.  This is higher by 1.78% point compared to the rate recorded same quarter, 2016 and 2.21% point higher than in the third quarter of 2017. The non-oil sector recorded an annual growth of 0.47% compared to –0.22 in 2016. This sector was driven this quarter mainly by Agriculture (Crop), Trade and Transportation and storage. In real terms, the Non-Oil sector contributed 92.83% to the nation’s GDP, lower from share recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 (93.25%) but higher than in the third quarter of 2017 (89.96%). Annual contribution was 91.32% and 91.65% in 2016. 

SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/nigerias-economy-grew-1-92-in-q4-2017-0-83-for-full-year-2017/

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL (MARCH PDF => http://bit.ly/2cuJG6M

*KEEP LOOKING…*

Wednesday, February 28th .
Pastor Chris

_*But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:25).*_

The Word of God is a mirror. The Bible says, _*“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord”*_ (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we look into the mirror of God, we see ourselves. We see the glory of God. The natural mirror portrays earthly reflections, but God’s mirror, His Word, is the perfect mirror that shows you who you are and exactly how God sees you.

The more you look into the mirror of God, the more you’re changed to become what you see. So, keep looking, because as you look, you’re metamorphosed; your life becomes increasingly excellent. But if you take your eyes away, you’d live a confused life because you’re looking at the wrong thing. Our opening verse says, _*“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”*_

James 1:22 says, _*“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”*_ If you’re a doer of the Word, when you look into God’s mirror, you don’t forget who you are. The one who doesn’t do the Word has an identity crisis.

No matter the challenges you face and the troubles that may come your way, stick to the Word. Always remember what the Word says about you: you’re more than a conqueror; greater is He that’s in you than he that’s in the world. Maintain this consciousness.

*PRAYER*

*Dear Father, I thank you for your Word transforms me from glory to glory, and instills in me the mindset of the just. I’m a doer of the Word, and not a hearer only. Therefore, I’m blessed evermore, living transcendently over and above sickness, disease, Satan and circumstances, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Psalm 19:7* The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. *||*

*||* *2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC* And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit. *||*

*||* *Hebrews 12:2* Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Mark 8:27-38, 9:1-13,
Numbers 5-6

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* Acts 22:11-30,
Psalm 46-49

*EXTRACT FROM:* http://app.rhapsodyofrealities.org/reader/34

*Act Now!!! Give someone the chance for a new start and fresh hope for tomorrow. Follow this link to Donate at least One Copy:* http://rhapsodyofrealities.org/partner/influencers

*Be A Partner Of Rhapsody Of Realities Today!*
Affirmationtrain
# AFFIRMATIONTRAIN 28TH FEBRUARY.
I affirm that the Father has given me His Word, to show me how to run with patience the race that is set before me. My spirit is open to correction and I have a teachable heart! My heart is full of joy, love, kindness, and compassion. I refuse to allow bitterness, anger, or strife to take root in me. I walk in love today and always, confident that no weapon fashioned against me shall prosper. My gaze is on the Lord Jesus, and my energies are focused on fulfilling God's plans and purpose for my life. I function from a vantage position of rest without struggles, worries, or anxieties over anything. Jesus paid the price for all things; and now I live a life of glory, grace, favour, and increase. I refuse to compare myself to anyone else, but measure my success base on my assignment here on earth. I walk by the same principles of faith by which my heavenly Father made the heavens and the earth! Today, by my faith-filled affirmations, I am framing my world, causing spiritual forces and the circumstances of my life to synchronize with God’s perfect will for my life. Blessed be God. Hallelujah.
( SPECIAL GIFT http://bit.ly/2dZqtLQ )
• This is something to shout about. Keep saying it and your life will go in one direction only—upward and forward. You can now reach us on:
• Info@affirmation-train.org
• http://www.affirmation-train.org
God bless you.

A businessman from Anambra state has cried out for help after being allegedly brutalized by officers of the Nigeria Immigration service and one man at a Nigerian/Cameroonian border. The man who was left seriously injured is calling on Human rights group, and other well meaning Nigerians to intervene in his case with hope of bringing these cabals to book.

Read his lengthy story below;

MAN’S INHUMAN TO MAN PERPETRATED AGAINST ME BY MEN OF NIGERIA IMMIGRATION AND THEIR COMRADES IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES STATIONED AT ORON, A BOARDER BTW NIG. AND CAMEROUN:

My name is chidi Nzelu, am a native of Ojor village OJOTO in Idemili south Local Government Area in Anambra State,am a businessman which deals on a company’s Pharmaceutical products and due to the nature of my business, i normally and occasionally travel to some other parts of African countries including Cameroon.

THE CRUX OF THE MATTER :

On the 12th day of February 2018,when i was coming back from Cameroon to Nigeria after a business trip.
I boarded a boat from Edinau Cameroon to Oron Nigeria, while i was in a boat i came across a man who extended courtesy to me and he immediately introduced himself to me as Mr Deyong Bruno, he threw banties cum conversation to me and we started conversating lately he told me that he has not been to Nigeria for the first time and that he was coming to Nigeria to set up a bakery business industry and I told him that I have no idea about bakery and after 2hours in the said journey.

We finally reached to Oron been the final destination from Cameroun ,when i step out of the boat and went straight to immigration Oron department to formalize my arrival accordingly,when i finished my activities with immigration officials and about leaving out their office then the said Mr Bruno approach and begged me to help him plead to the Nigeria immigration authorities so that they would give him some consideration in view of the fact that he didn’t visit Nigeria with the required documents including his passport.

I pleaded to the Nigeria immigration on his behalf which they listened to and immediately gave him some discount instead and collected three thousand from him , as I was about living,he approach me and demanded to know my next travel destination which i oblige him that am would be going to Onitsha but I will stop over at Uyo because it was around 7pm, this same man said that he wanted to go and see Uyo which i never knew that he has evil plan against me, we boarded the same taxi to Uyo and lodged in the same hotel but in different Hotel rooms respectively.

The next morning when am about to leave the Hotel and immediately approach me again and said that he will be going back to Cameroon so that he can get a proper preparation and bring in the bakery machine to enable him set up the said bakery business.

I left him and he begged me for financial assistance to enable him go back to Cameroon to the tune of N5000 which i obliged to assist him as a Christian.

HIS CRIMINAL ABDUCTION, PLOTS TO KILL ME AND COLLABORATION WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS FROM ORON DEPARTMENT: MY PAINFUL DISHUMANIZATION, PLOT TO MURDER AND THROWN ME INTO THE HIGH SEA,IF I FAIL TO PAY 420.000 France

Then when i was traveling to Cameroon on 20th February 2018 through the same Oron, then on getting to Oron, i immediately boarded via the office of the Nigeria Immigration services and i was stamped with my passport accordingly, then i proceeded and boarded a boat which accordingly was normal practice and immediately, everything changed and all a sudden,group of persons approached me including that same Bruno (that claimed Cameroon citizen) and the man Bruno pointed at me and said this is the man , I was ask to come out of the boat which I did, immediately I stepped out of the boat, they took me into their office being the Nigeria immigration at Oron, right there,the immigration officers who congregated immediately they saw me.

THE INTERROGATION STARTED BY THE IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS :
They horribly asked if I knew the man, I said yes and i vividly explained how i meet him and all that happened, and they ask the man and he said that he gave me the sum of four hundred and twenty France(420000f) to go and buy goods for him and since then that hasn’t see me, before I could know what is happening those Nigeria immigration offices has started beating hell out of me.

My painful experience with the Nigeria Immigration at Oron is highly imaginable,

The immigration officers adopted different unethical and unprofessional traumatic method of torture and uses all different torturing method just to compel me to accept such lies, they compel me to accept that the man gave me the money he claimed , at a point they were asking me how much money will i bring which I told them ,they even used tear gas on me to show me how mean they are, they told me that if I don’t comply and bring money that they will kill me and throw me into the shack infested sea and nobody will know, when the pain became unbearable to me,I told them to take the thirty one thousand(N31000) that was with me and so that the beating will stop which they refused.

When the beating continued and blood was all over me and saw in them that they are mean and if i fail to give them the money that they are ready to kill me, that was when I negotiated one hundred thousand with them which they agreed and ask how much I have in my account which I told them that their was no money in my account and the gave me my phone to start calling people and including my wife, I know that they will send me money, that was when i call my wife and told her that she should look for one hundred thousand from anywhere and send to me because am danger, my wife started calling people for and finally they could be able to raised the one hundred thousand (N100,000)and send to my account.

Immediately i received bank credit alert,they went to the bank and withdrew and took the money themselves via my ATM they had seized , after that,they force me to sign that Bruno gave me one hundred thousand naira not 420.000 France again and that i have given it back to him, which I signed because they threatened to kill me if I don’t sign, after the signing they ask me to go, my people do you know that i can’t walk nor sit because I was badly brutalized and injured? , finally I managed to leave there but was not easy for me……but thank God for life.

Note. I pleaded to them to hands me over to the Police been the next door office from their own office but they reneged.

Source; https://www.nationalhelm.co/2018/02/businessman-allegedly-brutlaized-by-immmigration-officers-at-nigerian-border.html

Quote:John Charles, Makurdi


Suspected Fulani herdsmen early hours of Monday invaded Mbatoho community in Makurdi , Benue State capital .

Mbatoho community is a council ward located on an Island in Makurdi town.

Leader of the community, who identified himself as John Tehemen, led a few other residents to lodge a complaint with deputy governor , Benson Abounu, saying that the herdsmen had ordered them to vacate their homes.

He said , “Herdsmen who were fully armed with sophisticated weapons early hours of yesterday (Monday ) stormed our community, Mbatoho, and ordered everyone to leave.

“ The herdsmen came in large numbers but they did not harm anyone ; they only asked us to leave, ” Tehemen said . He gave the population of the community to be about 5 , 000 .

In response , the deputy governor said the government had just received the information from the community, adding that he had ordered the security adviser , Paul Hemba , to go and find out the situation.

“ The community has just come to inform us about the attack ; I have directed the security adviser to report to Police and find out the situation of things . The village is right here (pointing towards River Benue ) across the river .

When asked whether the state government is not worried that herdsmen might use the place as a launch pad , Abounu said government would determine the line of action when it establishes the true story.

When contacted on phone , the state commissioner of police , Mr. Fatai Owoseni , told our correspondent that he had just received the report .

By Wisdom Nwedene 

Reports gathered by Igbere TV correspondent have it that a farmer has been butchered by Fulani herdsmen at Akaeze in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Our correspondent reports that trouble started when the farmer asked the Fulani herdsmen not to pass through his farm with their cows but herdsmen insisted and attacked the man with cutlass. 

Igbere TV learnt that the community is not far from the Governor's Uburu hometown in Ebonyi South.

Igbere TV recalls that his Excellency, Engr. David Nweze Umahi recently came back from peace meetings with farmers and herders in northern part of the country.

Source : http://igberetvnews.com/430949/breaking-panic-as-fulani-herdsmen-butcher-a-farmer-in-ebonyi-state-graphic-photo/

The federal government has released a statement informing Nigerians how President Buhari should be addressed at formal functions henceforth. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, gave the directive in a circular sent to ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government. The circular reads;

“Government has observed with concern the inconsistent manner in which the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria is addressed during Official and Private functions. It has therefore become necessary to have a standard format for addressing him at such formal occasions. To this end, Mr. President shall henceforth be addressed as ‘‘MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.’’ except in purely Armed Forces Programmes, where “COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA” will be added. All concerned persons should accordingly be guided and ensure strict compliance with the contents of this Circular.”

This new directive indicates the president, though a retired major general, is not to be addressed by that military rank at formal function

https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2018/2/f...forth.html

These figures show something is really wrong with anti-graft campaign in Nigeria.

Transparency International (TI) has released all facts to defend its ratings and assertion that corruption is getting worse in Nigeria.
In a tweet thread, the global corruption watchdog explained that 9 sources were used to arrive at Nigeria's score of 27/100 in the Corruption Perception Index 2017. This score puts the country as the 148 most corruption of 180 countries surveyed across the globe (a 12 place drop from 2016 ranking).

All the sources rated Nigeria low in the year under review. This, thus, affected the final rating of the country in 2017 by TI.

These nine sources are World Bank, African Development Bank, The Economic Intelligence Unit of the Economist, World Economic Forum, World Justice Project, V-Dem Institute, the PRS Group, Bertelsmann Transformation index and Global Risk Insight.

However, the Nigerian government said 2017 CPI contracts obtainable facts as regards anti-corruption drive of the country. The report was summarily called a mere fiction and political distraction.

“Anybody who knows where Nigeria was coming from would not believe that corruption is worse under the Buhari administration.

“We wonder where they got their facts from. At a time, they are alleging increase in the incidence of corruption under this government, the whole of Africa is applauding by choosing President Buhari as the continental Champion to lead the fight against it. Nothing can be more eloquent than this.

“In the end, this whole episode may turn out to be just a political distraction, given the strong views some of TI’s patrons have expressed against the Buhari administration.

“This notwithstanding, facts are facts, and those facts won’t cease to be facts even if you don’t care to pay attention to them,” the statement said.

source : http://www.clintgist.com/transparency-international-hits-nigerian-government-with-facts-on-corruption/

https://mobile.twitter.com/transparencITng/status/968181381699432448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clintgist.com%2Ftransparency-international-hits-nigerian-government-with-facts-on-corruption%2F

BREAKING: 8 Nigerian Soldiers Missing, 3 Wounded During Boko Haram Terrorists Ambush On Damboa Road In Borno State

Eight soldiers are missing, while three others were injured when Boko Haram members ambushed troops on the Damboa-Sabon Gari Road in Borno State on Monday.

Military sources told SaharaReporters that one Army gun truck was also taken away by the sect's members.

According to sources, the injured soldiers have been moved to a medical facility in Biu for treatment.


http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/26/br...ush-damboa

Top 10 Cancer Causing Food Stuff You Eat Daily

What if I told you there was something you could do right now to cut your cancer risk in half? That’s right, in half!

I point this out because you’ll note that several of the most common (and aggressive) cancers have to do with your gastrointestinal system. The function of your body that processes the food you eat, distributes it around your body as needed, and does its best to dump the leftover toxins.

That makes it a major area of your daily life that dramatically affects your prevention – and ultimately your survival – of cancer. The food and beverages you consume, the fuel your body uses to fight disease, is critical to your overall wellbeing.

Some foods are worse for you than others and are increasing your risk of many conditions and diseases. While cancer is one of the worst, regularly eating the cancer causing foods in our top ten list can also lead to heart disease, diabetes, chronic inflammation, and so much more.

What Causes Cancer?

Understanding possible causes of cancer comes down to understanding the causes of gene and DNA mutations. Chemicals (like carcinogens), radiation, obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation, smoking, viruses, and a number of other factors have been found to be cancer causing.

You can explode that out to many different types of chemicals whether it’s what you put in your body, what you breath, what you eat, radiation from all sources − women from mammograms, from CT scans, from your cell phones, your cell towers, your Wi-Fi. Cancer is caused by chemicals and radiation, period.”

If Bob is correct that the primary causes for cancer are chemicals and radiation, then both of these factors can be greatly reduced through the food and lifestyle choices that you make

Top 10 Cancer Causing Foods to Cut Your Cancer Risk in Half

-Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs):
The rapidly growing industry of genetically modified crops are infiltrating our food supply at an alarming rate. More than 90% of our corn and soy are now genetically modified.

This fairly new practice is the source of many debates. Experts agree that adequate testing was not done before GMO foods were added to the ingredient listing of thousands of products.

In other words, no one – including the growers and manufacturers of GMO foods – knows the long-term effect they will have on human health. Look for GMO-free labels whenever possible or buy organic (which always means a product is not genetically modified).

-Microwave Popcorn:
From the chemically-lined bag to the actual contents, microwave popcorn is at the center of lung cancer debates around the world.

Not only are the kernels and oil likely GMO (which the manufacturer does not have to disclose) unless organic, the fumes released from artificial butter flavoring contain diacetyl, which is toxic to humans.

Make your own organic popcorn the old-fashioned way – it tastes better, doesn’t release toxic fumes, and is a healthier choice for you.

-Canned Goods:
Most cans are lined with a product called bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been shown to genetically alter the brain cells of rats. Many plastic goods, thermal paper, water lines, and many dental composites also contain BPA.

Help protect your DNA by sticking to fresh or frozen vegetables that have no added ingredients for your family’s table! These are better for you and available year-round.

-Grilled Red Meat: 
While grilled food can taste delicious, scientists have discovered that preparing meats in this way – especially processed meats like hot dogs – releases a carcinogen called heterocyclic aromatic amines. When you grill red meat to the point of well-done, it changes the chemical and molecular structure of the meat. You’re better off baking, broiling, or preparing meat in a skillet than on the grill.

-Refined Sugar:
The biggest cancer causing food (by far) is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and other refined sugars. Even brown sugar is highly refined white sugar with some of the removed molasses added back in for flavor and color.

Refined sugars (and foods made with them) are the source of major insulin spikes and feed the growth of cancer cells.

Since the majority of the sugar supply in the U.S. is made using genetically modified (GMO) sugar beets, a healthier option is organic honey, coconut sugar, or maple sugar.

Now that oncologists are using diabetes medication to fight cancer cells, there’s no doubt (finally) that those mutated cancer cells love sugar.

-Salted, Pickled, and Smoked Foods:
These products typically contain preservatives, such as nitrates, which are intended to prolong shelf life. The additives used in processed foods can accumulate in your body over time. Eventually, such toxins cause damage at the cellular level and lead to diseases like cancer. When smoked foods are cooked at high temperatures, the nitrates are converted to the much more dangerous nitrites. (Note: By pickled foods we don’t mean the fermented foods you make at home.)

-Soda and Carbonated Beverages:
Sodas have been at the center of the health debate for two decades as a major cancer causing food. Filled with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), dyes, and a host of other chemicals, they are very bad for every aspect of your health. They provide zero nutritional value and rob your body of the nutrients you get from other foods. Adding “diet” to the label means you’re also likely consuming aspartame – which is no better than rat poison to human cells.

-White Flour:
When flour is refined, all nutritional value is removed. Then it’s bleached with chlorine gas to make it more appealing to consumers. The glycemic index for white flour is very high – meaning it spikes your insulin levels without providing nutritional fuel. Carbohydrates are converted to sugars by your body, so excessive products that contain white flour can lead to increased insulin resistance. Simple sugars (like refined carbohydrates) are the preferred fuel source for cancer.

-Farmed Fish:
Commercial fish farming involves raising an incredible number of fish (such as salmon), in a crowded environment. More than 60% of the salmon consumed in the United States comes from a farming operation where they are treated with antibiotics, pesticides, and other carcinogenic chemicals to try and control the bacterial, viral, and parasitic outbreaks that result from cramming so many fish in a small space. Farmed fish also don’t have as much omega-3 as wild salmon.

-Hydrogenated Oils:
Vegetable oils are chemically extracted from their source, chemically treated, and more chemicals are added to change the smell and taste. They’re packed with unhealthy omega-6 fats (that Americans already consume way too much of) and have been proven to alter the structure of our cell membranes.

(Generalhealthinfo)

The Invention Of Zero


When you were a little kid, even before you ever dealt with your first word problem in math class, you probably had to solve a problem something like this. You have four Starbursts, and you eat four Starbursts. What are you left with? That’s right: sadness. And also no candy. But though even small kids can understand “nothing,” the concept of “zero” is actually a bit more advanced; so advanced, in fact, that by the year 1200 C.E., it had only just barely reached the brightest mathematicians in Europe. This is the story of the invention of zero, and how a whole lot of nothing ended up changing the world.

 Making Something Out Of Nothing
It almost sounds impossible that ancient people wouldn’t have the concept of “zero.” Even animals can understand nothingness — just let your cat’s dish go empty if you don’t believe us. But there’s a big difference between nothing as a tangible emptiness and zero as a mathematical concept. One forerunner of the mathematical zero can be seen in the earliest known counting system, devised by the Sumerians. At first, they’d use a blank space to indicate a nothing value, and when that grew confusing, they began using a pair of angled wedges as a placeholder for a blank space. But in a sense, that symbol indicated a lack of a number, not a number in and of itself.
Similar placeholders for an empty value can be found in other counting systems, including those of the Mayans and the Babylonians. But most scholars agree that zero as a mathematical concept originated in India. The earliest use of the round symbol that would become the universal zero comes from the Bakhshali manuscript, a merchant’s document explaining mathematical equations for various transactions. It also included a placeholder zero in the form of a little black dot, and was in common parlance in India in the 3rd or 4th centuries C.E. Just a couple of centuries later, the symbol was used by legendary mathematical scholar Brahmagupta. In the 7th century, he wrote the earliest surviving explanation of how, exactly zero works: “When zero is added to a number or subtracted from a number, the number remains unchanged. A number multiplied by zero becomes zero.”
He also worked out that subtracting a positive number from zero gave you a negative number, and that subtracting a negative number from zero gave you a positive. That’s the first known account of knowing how zero works in relation to other numbers, and we can only assume he went on to coin the phrase, “Ditch the zero, get with the hero.”

Zero Goes Abroad
 
After zero caught on in the Indian subcontinent, it was only a matter of time before other cultures began to recognize its significance. China and the Arabian peninsula were first (although it’s worth noting that some historians believe the Arabic zero was a direct descendant of the zero precursors of Sumeria and Babylon), and it was in the Arabic numeral system that it first took the form of an empty oval. Muslim mathematicians called the symbol “sifr” (anglicized as “cipher”), and with it, invented both algebra and algorithms. And as Islam spread to Africa, zero came along for the ride.
But after that, it ran into some issues. Namely, Europeans. When the Moors conquered Spain, they brought their math along with them, and from there, zero made it to Italy. Where it was promptly outlawed. Yes, religious leaders of Europe saw the devil in that little blank circle, which they strongly associated with Islam. But the number didn’t stop being useful, and merchants knew that very well. So when they’d include zeroes on their ledgers, they did so in secret — and the word “cipher” came to be synonymous with “code” in the process.
For European mathematics, the taboo didn’t last. Without zero, Newton and Leibniz wouldn’t have been able to come up with calculus, Descartes couldn’t have figured out how to graph points, and car dealers wouldn’t be able to dazzle customers with the mysterious phrase “0% APR"

Source: eagless news

By Estarsblog.com

A 15-year-old pupil, Idris, has been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly belonging to the Aiye Confraternity.

Idris, a Junior Secondary School one pupil at a private school in the Orile area of the state, was paraded along with 56 other suspected cult members at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Monday.

We learnt that the suspects were rounded up on Thursday at Elemoro, in the Ajah area by the police and members of a vigilance group in the community.

The cult had gone inside a bush some distance away from Eleko Beach, Ajah, to perform initiation rites for new members, including Idris, who had tattoos on his chest and hand.

They were about to complete the rites when the operatives swooped on them around 4am.

Two locally-made cut-to-size guns, three live cartridges and 22 expended cartridges were reportedly recovered from them.

Idris, a resident of Arowoyabuna Street, Orile, told our correspondent that an unnamed neighbour had approached him on Wednesday and taken him to a bar to drink.

He said, “A man in my community bought a drink for me. After we finished drinking, he asked me to follow him to Eleko Beach for a party. When we got there, they covered my face and took me inside a bush. They used an object to pierce my thumb and collected some blood.

“As we were about to leave around 4am on Thuursday, I heard gunshots and the police arrested us. I have not been told the name of the cult.”

He said the inscription, ‘Baba Bose,’ tattooed on his chest, was an expression of love for his girlfriend, identified as Bose.

Another suspect, 23-year-old Eze Michael, explained that his friend, one Kelechukwu, lured him into the bush on the pretext that they were going for an event.

The Ebonyi State indigene said, “Kelechukwu invited me to an event at Eleko Beach. When we got there, he said we would have to wait till late evening. When it was 10pm, he took me inside a bush. I met so many people there. They beat us. They told us to lie down and raise our hands.

“They threatened to shoot us if we did not cooperate. Immediately they cut my thumb, I heard gunshots from the police and everybody started running helter-skelter.

“Some OPC members beat us up. Kelechukwu did not explain anything to me before we got to the bush. But I learnt the group is Aiye Confraternity.”

Adedayo Obabiyi, 25, from Ogun State, said he and his siblings had attended a birthday party at the beach and were returning home when some hoodlums attacked them.

“They collected our phones and ATM cards and blindfolded us. They took us to an unknown place. When we got there, I heard a lot of voices. They pierced our thumbs,” he added.

The state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, lamented increasing involvement of youths in cultism.

He, however, said the command had initiated a clampdown on cult members, adding that those arrested would be prosecuted.

The CP said, “Based on credible intelligence that members of the dreaded Aiye Confraternity were performing their initiation rites at a shrine in a thick forest in Abule Egbanu, in the Elemoro, Aja area of Lagos, the Divisional Police Officer, SP Mohammed Limawa, mobilised his men. The DPO received support from the undercover operatives of the Area J, Elemoro, and the men of the Anti-Cultism Unit of the command. Together, they stormed the area and arrested 57 members of the notorious Aiye Confraternity.

“Some of them were not in their right senses at the time of the arrest due to drug overdose. Items recovered from the suspects include two Suzuki mini buses with number plates, LND 893 XV and EPE 189 XV, respectively, one Volkswagen bus, one Mitsubishi space wagon marked, SMK 455 AL, and two Toyota Camry cars with number plates, BD 760 DH and LSD 506 EC.”

Imohimi also paraded three suspected members of a cult that allegedly killed an official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Monsuru Bolaji, on Wednesday in the Aguda, Surulere area of the state.

He said the suspects, Muyideen Bello, Wasiu Adio and Nurudeen Odofin, had confessed to participating in the murder of the father of two children, noting that an axe and a knife with bloodstains reportedly recovered from them had been sent to a forensic unit for analysis.

“It is interesting to note that one of the suspects, Wasiu Adio, aka Trouble, further confessed that he was a senior member of Eiye Confraternity and that he and members of his group killed one Timothy in Aguda, Surulere, sometime in October 2017. Investigation into the case is in progress and further findings will be made public. The suspects will surely have their day in court at the end of investigations,” Imohimi added.

But the suspects denied involvement in cult activities and in the murder of the LNSC official.

Bello claimed that Bolaji was his friend and that he took him to a hospital for treatment after he was attacked on that day.

He said, “After he died, I took him to the Aguda Police Station from the hospital. He (Bolaji) was my childhood friend; we went to the same primary school.”

Odofin, 39, said he was the chairman of commercial motorcycle riders in Aguda, while Bolaji was the secretary, aside from being a security official.

He stated that some cult members had been on their trail since December 2017 for allegedly giving the police information about cult activities in the area.

He said, “After I observed Ishai (Islamic 8pm prayers) that day, I was relaxing in front of my house when I heard gunshots. A boy came to tell me that some cult members were running after somebody on the street. After about 15 minutes, I heard that somebody had been killed.

“I ran to the scene and discovered that Monsuru (Bolaji) was the victim. It was Gafar, Adura and their gang members who killed him. In October 2017, they also killed one boy called Timothy. That was when the problem started because the boy’s father was related to me. They started chasing Monsuru and me. We reported at the Aguda Police Station and the LNSC office.

“They said anytime we saw those boys we should report them. We didn’t see them until that evening when Monsuru was killed.”

The third suspect, Adio, said he was a family friend of the deceased, adding that he was at home when some LNSC officials arrested him for Bolaji’s death.

http://www.estarsblog.com/jss-1-pupil-ot...nitiation/

Reports came in yesterday of the wedding of the gentleman, whose pre-wedding photos went viral last year, after it was seen that he planned to marry two women the same time.

Mr Ejindu finally tied the knot with his two lovelies identified as, Ebere and Oyediya, over the weekend at Agbala Amangwu Amogudu in Abiriba, Aba State.

The ceremony had a lot of people in attendance as they came to witness the rather unusual event. The man has become a sensation on social media as many social media users keep asking how he was able to achieve the feat.

More photos from the event;





https://www.torimill.com/2018/02/more-ph...state.html

BILLY GRAHAM'S BODY BEGINS JOURNEY HOME !!

A hearse bearing the body of Evangelist Billy Graham has begun its journey from the North Carolina mountains to his home town of Charlotte.

The procession began with a ceremonial departure from a mountain chapel at the training centre operated by his evangelistic association in Asheville.

Crowds lined the streets as the procession passed through the town of Black Mountain on its 130 mile journey.

The Billy Graham Evangelical Association announced Graham’s funeral service will take place at noon on March 2 ,2018 !

Graham, known to many as America’s pastor, died aged 99 on Wednesday from natural causes at his family home in Montreat just outside Asheville.

Mark Demoss, a spokesman for the organisation, said the funeral will be held in a large tent as a tribute to Graham’s first Crusade in Los Angeles in 1949.

And, like his wife Ruth, who died in 2007, Graham will be buried in a simple pine casket made by inmates at the correctional facility in Angola, Lousiana.

Approximately 2,300 invitations were issued for the private funeral, including to President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and former presidents, George H W Bush, George W Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Mr DeMoss said.

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