A NATION OF BELIEVERS

In both 2008 and 2012 I warned the world and particularly Africa and the Middle East about the evil of Barack Obama. No-one listened.


Femi Fani_kayode & President Buhari

In 2011 I warned the world about the consequences of removing Muammar Gadaffi for Africa and the Middle East. No-one listened.


In 2015 I warned the world and Nigeria about supporting and electing Muhammadu Buhari as President of our country. No-one listened.

In 2016 I warned Nigeria and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) about making Ali Modu Sheriff National Chairman of our party. No-one listened.

In 2015 I told the world that Donald Trump would win the nomination as flag-bearer for the Republican party and that he would go on to win the American presidential election in 2016. No-one listened.


In 2016 I warned Nigeria and the world that Buhari’s health would present a major challenge for the rest of his tenure. No-one listened.

In each of these cases I have been proved right.

Now I shall give two more warnings and whether anyone listens to me or not takes absolutely nothing away from me. Mine is to pass on the message and it is left for those that hear it to accept it or not.


The first is that if Nigeria makes the mistake of bringing back Buhari in 2019 that will be the end of our country as a viable, cohesive, tolerant, medium-power democratic nation-state where the rule of law, the principle of equality and the most fundamental civil liberties, human rights and basic freedoms for the individual are guaranteed and respected. Worse still she may NEVER recover.

The second is that if those of us in the PDP, Nigeria’s leading opposition party, fail to make the right choices for the Presidential and Vice Presidential ticket of our party for the 2019 election we will not only lose woefully but the country will suffer the consequences of our abysmal error and lack of good judgement for the next 50 to 100 years. In short future generations of our people will suffer for it.

Think about that and let it sink in.

We should stop listening to what those that believe that they are the gods of Nigeria and those that we consider to be the “big” and “untouchable” men in our country say.

We should stop sheepishly accepting their self-seeking and self-centred choices, we should stop allowing them to impose their will on our future and our nation and we should stop following them like mesmerised and bewitched zombies.

Instead, like the great 19th century poet William Ernest Henley counseled, we must be “the master of our soul and the captain of our ship”.

We must understand and appreciate the importance of the prophetic, seek the face of God, listen to what He says, be guided by His leading and accept only His choices.

The result of our consistent subtefuge, ignorance, folly and sheer obstinance over the last 57 years in Nigeria is that our people have suffered immeasurably.

We were once the giant of Africa but over the last two years we have been reduced into a weak, impoverished and inconsequential vassal state made up of quislings, cowards and slaves and whose people are bought and sold in distant foreign lands for as little as $200.

Consider what is happening to Nigerians in Libya and yet there are no consequences. That is what we have now been reduced to: a nation whose people can be castrated, murdered, enslaved, caged, bought and sold like cattle and whose organs can be removed and harvested for ungodly gain and profit.

Nothing can or will change until we get the right leaders. Nothing can or will change until we reject the counsel and leading of the devil and his human agents that hold sway in our country and instead listen to and courageously enforce the counsel of God.

The choice is ours.

Permit me to conclude this contribution with the following.

I watched a video of a press conference that President Nana Akuffo-Addo of Ghana and President Emmanuel Macron of France gave a few days ago and I was not surprised by Akuffo-Addo’s sheer courage and refreshing eloquence because I have known him for at least 45 years.

In his speech, which touched on the issue of African slavery in Libya and the migration problem, he did not just do Ghana proud but the whole of Africa.

No other African leader has been able to articulate the issue as cearly and succintly as he did on that occassion and I urge every Nigerian to google the speech on Youtube and listen to him carefully.

He brings hope to a continent that is stark, dark, poor, weak, corrupt, cowardly, self-destructive and plagued with tyrants, despots and ignorant and incompetent leaders who delight in shooting down bright young stars, shattering dreams and destroying the future and destiny of their own people.

Akuffo-Addo is the exception and his words in that short press conference inspired millions of black people all over the world.

This is what happens when you have a brilliant, British public school-educated, Oxford University graduate as your President.

In that intervention he was profound, insightful and incisive and I am proud of the fact that we went to the same prep school (Holmewood House in Langton Green, Kent) many years ago.

He attended the school a number of years before I did and went on to Lancing College in Sussex and when I finished there I went on to Harrow School in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex.

The only mistake he made was that he went to Oxford and not Cambridge but I guess we can live with that!

I am very proud of him and what he is doing for his people in Ghana. Even Emmanuel Macron was clearly surprised and impressed with his foresight, knowledge and understanding

Sadly in Nigeria we don’t have people like this as Presidents and leaders.

Those that I am referring to know who they are. These are men who play God and who believe that they must impose their will on our nation and our people until the day that they die.

Yet thankfully all hope is not lost. We must not despair because our future and destiny lies in our hands. If we make the right choices I have no doubt that we shall achieve our full potentials and take our rightful place in the comity of nations.

I say this because despite all our challenges and mind-bending viscititudes and in spite of our dearth of good quality leadership, we remain a nation of proud and noble souls and great and beautiful people.

Nigeria is a lion. She is powerful and resilient. She is enduring, long-suffering, irresistable and irrepressable. She is more than a nation. She is an inexplicabe monuement of irreconcilable contradictions.

She comprises of many countries all wrapped up in one awesome mighty mega-nation. She is a life-force. She is both a tangible and an intangible entity all at once. She is a living spirit and a powerful soul.

She is the only country on the African continent that has a true identity and whose people yearn for her when outside her shores. Everyone on the continent looks up to Nigeria. She is their heart and their hope.

Even if she is restructured or if she breaks up tomorrow and goes under a thousand different names we shall still see ourselves as first and foremost Nigerians. Nothing can take away the strength and essence of a mighty and roaring lion.

We are many nations within a nation. We are a mega- nation of believers. We are the pride of Africa, the hope of the black man and the beloved of the Lord.

We shall endure, we shall excel and by the grace of the Living God, we shall rise again.

By Femi Fani-Kayode


https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_f...1516216357

Nigeria and Switzerland have sealed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the return of $321 million traced to former Nigerian military ruler, Sani Abacha.
The deal was signed on behalf of Nigeria by Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation, in Washington DC, US, on Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the World Bank Group.
When returned, the money is expected to be expended on social protection programme in Nigeria.
More to follow...
https://www.thecable.ng/just-nigeria-sea...bacha-loot

The Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Idris Kpotun Ibrahim, has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (sars) across the country.

This follows series of complaints shared online by Nigerian youths on alleged harassments, assaults by SARS operatives.

The campaign had exposed some of the atrocities committed by the squad as a petition on scrapping SARS had already been addressed to the National Assembly

Reacting to the development,The IGP in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood said, “The Nigeria Police Force has observed the recent trends of event in the Social Media on the #ENDSARSNOW and the controversy being generated by the innuendos from the allegations and other misconceptions as it concerns the Operational roles and activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a detachment of the Nigeria Police Force.

‘‘Undoubtedly, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have been doing very well in fighting violent crimes such as Armed Robbery, Kidnappings and Cattle Rustling in the country in the recent time and this has resulted in drastic reduction of incidents of the mentioned violent crimes nationwide.

‘‘However, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni concerned with public interest and the need to reposition the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for more efficiency and effective service delivery to all Nigerians and ensure that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operates based on International Core Value of Policing with integrity and make sure the rule of law prevails in the operations and activities of the outfit, has directed the immediate re-organization of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) nationwide and instant investigation into all the allegations, complaints and infractions levelled against the personnel of the Special Anti Robbery Squad across the country by the IGP X-Squad of the Force.

‘‘In the new arrangement, a Commissioner of Police is now the overall head of the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad nationwide under the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja. ‘The Police Zonal Commands, State Commands and Divisions will continue to operate anti-crime units/sections, crime prevention and control squads and teams imperative to prevent and detect crimes and criminalities in their Area of Responsibilities, and other crack squads necessary to sustain law and order and protection of life and properties in their Area of responsibilities (AOR).

‘‘Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) will now exist and operate in the State and Zonal Commands under the Commissioner of Police (F-SARS) at the Force Headquarters. A Federal SARS Commander of a Rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and not below Superintendent of Police (SP) will be in charge of FSARS in State and Zonal Commands across the Country. All Commissioners of Police have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to comply with this directive with immediate effect and warn their personnel not to pose as SARS operatives. The IGP X-Squad has been mandated to go round the Commands and Police Formations nationwide to ensure strict compliance and apprehend any erring police officer.

‘‘Furthermore, a new training program to be organized by the Force in collaboration with some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Local and International NGOs, and other Human Rights Organizations on core Police Duties, Observant of Human Rights and Handling, Care and Custody of Suspects have been directed by the Inspector General of Police for all Federal SARS personnel nationwide with immediate effect. ‘However, aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any ‘’Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions.

‘‘However, aggrieved members of the public who have any complaint in the past or present of violation of their rights by any Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) personnel anywhere in the country are to report through any of the following channels for investigation and further actions.”

i. IGP X-SQUAD 0902 690 0729 – CALLS 0903 227 8905 – SMS 0903 562 1377 – whatsapp, Email: integrityxsquad@gmail.com

ii. FORCE PUBLIC COMPLAINT BUREAU 07056792065 Calls/SMS/whatsapp 08088450152 Calls/SMS/whatsapp Email: bailisfree@gmail.com, pressforabuja@gmail.com Twitter: @PoliceNGwww.facebook.com/ngpolice

iii. PUBLIC COMPLAINT RAPID RESPONSE UNIT (PCRRU) 08057000001 – Calls Only 08057000002 – Calls Only 08057000003 – SMS & whatsapp only Twitter: @PoliceNG_PCRRU http://www.facebook.com/PolicePCRRU

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/04/breaking-...omplaints/

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[url=https://contriman.com/newreply.php?tid=3357&replyto=4096] 

Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has claimed that Jesus Christ was surrounded by bodyguards who were armed to protect him from danger.

He said this on Sunday to shed light on how some people mindlessly criticise pastors who move around with police escorts.

Making reference to when Peter cut the ear of a man with a sword, Suleman said the disciples of Jesus played the role of bodyguards for him.

He said: “I have observed that people who are attacking men of God can’t stand to be attacked. You speak against them, they will insult you; they will block you.

“The men of God they are attacking are not even answering. They are ignoring them. I do not support when pastors begin to place curse on people because they are expressing their personal belief and opinions.

“Jesus Christ had 12 disciples and they were following him everywhere. Peter took a sword and cut-off somebody’s ear and Jesus told him to sheath his sword meaning that as they were following Jesus they were armed.

“Today, if a man of God has policemen around him, they will criticise him.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/05/jesus-bod...man-video/

Francis Agoda, I Go Dye, has dished out advice to former vice President, Atiku Abubakar, following his formal return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The Comedian said Atiku should quit ”using sentimental empathy on the youths to express his political ambition,” rather he advocated for a process that will afford the youth the opportunity of a youthful leadership in the 2019 election.

On his Instagram page @igodye_ he wrote “Don’t use sentimental empathy on the youths to express your political ambitions. Sir, you are one of those that have immensely benefited from Nigeria since your birth in 1946.

‘’Having worked for 20 years with the Nigeria Customs where you retired at the age of 43 in 1989 as Deputy Director, your bucket list sure looks good because you were obviously employed at youth 23.

“In 1999 you became governor of Adamawa and ultimately the Vice President, all of these you achieved at 53. What did you do during your time in that exalted position? When will the youths like in your time get a chance? am motivated to speak, based on your statement: A party that does not take the youths into account is a dying party. The future belong to the young. Please which of the future?

“Remarkably, between 1999 and 2007 that you were the Vice president of Nigeria, it is recorded that tertiary institutions witnessed several strikes that wasted seventeen months ,three weeks and three days.Within this period, what did you do?

“If social support were given to youths then, their children will be between 18 and 20 years during the 2019 elections, obviously they would have willingly voted for you or anyone that you endorse in 2019. This is the essence of making sacrifices for the future generation.

“You cannot be credited to have been a philanthropic to the youths. The recent revocation of the NPA contract with Intel,your company,is the major issue.

“As a company either, the people in the region you operated cannot accredit Intel to have provided credible support for the youths or built skills acquisition centers to curb unproductivity as part of it’s cooperate social responsibility , which has resulted to many youths embarking on the sub- sahara deserts route treking to Europe,which has claimed many lives.

“Your excellency,sir Atiku Abubakar, please don’t use sentimental empathy on the youths to express your political ambitions, because by 2019 the youths are preparing to substantiate the real economical, political and progressive change.

“I kindly recommend that you should advocate for process that will afford us the opportunity of a youthful leadership in the 2019 election.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/04/comedian-...-abubakar/

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

*THE REALITY OF SALVATION .*

Tuesday, December 5th .
Pastor Chris

_*For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:10).*_

Our opening verse lets us know how salvation is made real in our lives; it’s by declaring the lordship of Jesus over your life. Someone can “believe” that Jesus is the Son of God, and still go to hell. To believe is not enough. The Bible says even the devils also believe; they believe so much that they tremble, but that doesn’t mean they are, or can be, saved: _*“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble”*_ (James 2:19).

If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died for you, and that God raised Him from the dead, you must also confess His lordship over your life; otherwise, you’re not saved. A man’s good works won’t save him either. I know it’s Christmas time where many, including non-Christians, express goodwill and are generally kind to others. Nevertheless, salvation from God isn’t as a result of your good works; it’s by the grace of Jesus Christ: _*“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”*_ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The Bible tells us of a certain Roman centurion, Cornelius by name, a devout and generous man; but he was not saved (Acts 10:2). The Lord sent an angel to him and said, _*“...Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved”*_ (Acts 11:13-14). His good deeds didn’t save him. He had to receive salvation through the affirmation of words—words of the Gospel.

Receiving salvation is the greatest miracle of all. Once you believe in Jesus and confess that He’s Lord of your life, you receive the life and nature of God. In that split second, you’re awakened to the fatherhood of God; you become a legal and vital child of God; an associate of the God-kind, superior to Satan.

Share this good news with those you meet who haven’t yet known the Lord. Tell them they don’t have to try to atone for their sins or impress God with their works. All they need to experience the reality of salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ and confess His lordship over their lives.

*PRAYER*

*I believe in my heart that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and I affirm that He’s Lord of my life. I live in the consciousness of all that the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ brought to me. Health, wealth, eternal life, prosperity are all mine in Christ. My life is a manifestation of God’s glory and grace, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Romans 10:6-10* But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down [from above] 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. *||*

*||* *Romans 10:13* For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* 2 John,
Daniel 5-6

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* John 18:1-9,
2 Chronicles 11-12

*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://bit.ly/ror_sponsor

*Be A Partner Of Rhapsody Of Realities Today!*
Rhapsody of Realities
# AFFIRMATIONTRAIN 5TH DECEMBER.
I affirm that the joy of the Lord is my strength, and I rejoice in Him today, for He has filled my life with His goodness. I refuse to be perturbed about anything because, in Christ, all things are mine. Daily, I delight myself in Him, excited that He is my life. In Him, I live, and move, and have my being! I live in the Spirit; I also walk in the Spirit, because I am born of the Spirit. I am heavenly; therefore, I live by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. I am a life-giving spirit, ministering the divine life to my world. Hallelujah! Nothing is impossible with me because I and the Father are one. All the forces of life and nature are at my disposal, they work together for my good because I am the King’s kid. I am conscious of my heavenly heritage and walk in the light of who I am; an associate of the God-kind! Glory to God!
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This is something to shout about. Keep saying it, don't stop talking it. Remember, your mouth is the edge of a weapon. Refuse to be quiet
You can now reach us on:
affirmationtrain@minister.com
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God bless you.

Travelling has so many benefits. Not only do you get to see the world and learn about other different cultures and the way of life of people in other parts of the world, it opens your mind to a broader perspective of things. Oh and there’s a whole lot of food to try out. Think of it as taking yourself out of the bubble your environment may have put you in.
So, here are five ways travelling can help you be empowered

1. Discover Yourself
Photo credit: Oneika the Traveller

Travelling is one of the best ways to find yourself. When you travel, you get to meet new people and experience new cultures. This can bring out different sides of you, from the frustrated, jetlagged traveller, to the adventurous human who is ready to take up a new challenge every day. You may be eager to see new places and take your mind and body through new tests, whether it is riding a sand board down the side of a towering dune in the Peruvian desert or learning how to tactfully swing like Tarzan from ropes into rivers. This not only helps you feel complete but also helps you truly discover who you are and what you love to do that you may not have known before. There may not be that epiphany type of moment but you will find yourself gradually becoming a stronger, more solid and more confident human being. Add that to the million and one memories you will make with new friends from around the world.

2. Be more resilient
Challenges seem more difficult to resolve when you are in unfamiliar territory. Whether it is trying to buy fruit from the local market or asking for directions, language and cultural barriers turn into bigger challenges to overcome. But these challenges help you build a strong wall of resilience, which will stay with you and support you in making decisions when you get home.

3. Be more open
Travelling makes you more open to new things. Seeing how large the world really is, you will learn to open your mind to new sounds, tastes, sensations and experiences that have incredibly empowering effects. This will also give you more opportunities because you will be more open to saying yes, eager to try out new things. That, in turn, will lead to a new and improved life.
Photo credit: The Blod Abroad

4. Have a wide, global network
There is this confidence that travelling gives you. Meeting new people from across the world will inspire confidence in the shyest of individuals. You become more able to converse and express yourself to other people when you open yourself to a myraid of other cultures.

5. Feel more complete and opportuned.
Travelling helps you become more aware of your choices and new opportunities you can grasp. You will also find yourself eliminating close-minded thoughts you may have had before. You get to appreciate the things you possess. This makes you realise how much time you have to be productive and then choose to do what makes you happy and whole.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has reiterated that there is no plan to increase the prices of petroleum products both at the ex-depot level and pump price ahead of the forthcoming Yuletide.
The corporation re-emphasised this in a statement signed by its Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in Abuja on Monday
It said that the ex-depot petrol price of N133.38 per litre and the pump price of N143/N145 per litre had not changed
It noted that the corporation had enough stock of fuel to ensure seamless supply and distribution of products across the country.
It enjoined motorists and other users of petroleum products to disregard trending rumours in some online news platforms of an impending fuel price hike.
The corporation in the statement added that it had the full commitment of all downstream stakeholders, including petroleum marketers and industry unions, to cooperate in achieving zero fuel scarcity this season and beyond.
It further enjoined motorists not to engage in panic buying or indulge in the dangerous practice of stocking petroleum products in jerry cans at home.
It assured that its downstream subsidiary companies, namely the Petroleum Products Marketing Company and NNPC Retail Limited were fully geared up to ensure that motorists enjoy uninterrupted access to petrol throughout the nation.
http://punchng.com/n

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has fixed a date for the commencement of the sale of the 2018 application forms.

The board said the sale and registration for all candidates, including those from foreign countries, will now hold from December 6 to February 6, 2018.

The spokesperson of the board, Fabian Benjamin, said this in an interaction with newsmen, Sunday evening.

According to him, registration fee is N5,000 while an additional N500 will be paid to obtain a compulsory reading text “IN DEPENDENCE” for UTME candidates and “The Last Days at Forcados High School” for direct entry candidates.

He said, “The MOCK examination shall commence from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 January, 2018 and the CBT Centres are allowed to collect, through their bank accounts, a separate ₦700 for this exercise from interested candidates after notification of centre has been received by the candidate.”

The board had also proposed March 9 to 17, 2018 as the date for the examination.

The Great Oba of Benin Omo'noba N'edo Uku Akpololo , His Royal Highness Oba Ewaure II.... Is pictured here in a private jet on a flight With his Chiefs!

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday 28 November commission one new committee of 30 people to look wetin go be di new and correct minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
"Money no dey" or "things hard" na regular talk you go hear from plenty government workers and civil servants.
Record wey concern economy and money matter show say Nigerian workers dey earn small money on top dia minimum wage.
Di minimum wage na di least salary wey any worker suppose collect for Nigeria.
N56,000 naira na im almost all di workers union for Nigeria dey ask government to pay civil servants after five years waka pass from August 2011 when dem don dey collect 18,500 Naira minimum wage .
Dis new minimum wage wey government workers union dey demand don even pass one year now and as e be so, even di 18,000 current minimum wage sef some states for Nigeria still dey owe dia workers

Sabi person Professor Eme Ekekwe from Claude Ake School of Government Port Harcourt talk say "new minimum wage for Nigeria no be only wetin di people want but e dey urgent because di current one no be money."
"Now na how much we need to pay labour so dat dem fit do dia work and get interest for di economy we go dey ask."
"Government no go ever claim say dem get enough money to pay new salary, but I think say na something wey dem fit do if dem block all di areas where billions of money dey leak from because of corruption."
But e get some people wey no agree with dat one.

Tori be say di workers union want make di new minimum wage cover all di increase from exchange rate, transport, house rent to cost of living for Nigeria.
Na for 1 July 2010 Nigeria National Assembly approve one national minimum wage law wey say make government look di pay wey di least civil servant dey earn at least once every five years with eye to increase di money.
Di committee wey di president appoint from workers union and government oga dem na im go shook eye for di matter.

Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, Alhaji Yaro Makama Rigachikun, who decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, has dumped the party. Rigachikun returned to the PDP,alongwith his followers at the weekend in Kaduna. He was received back to the party at a ceremony attended by top leaders of the PDP, including the interim National Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, among several others.

Speaking during the occasion, Rigachikun said he made a grave mistake by joining the APC in 2015.Speaking in Hausa language, he said the APC has failed Nigerians, declaring that the time had come to “change the change.”He said he joined the party, thinking it would address the numerous problems confronting Nigerians, regretting that over two years since its assumption of power, Nigerians were plunged into untold hardship. He condemned the sacking of teachers and local government workers in Kaduna State, alleging that Governor Nasir el-Rufai was implementing anti-people programmes.

He said the governor should start packing his belongings from the Government House, as the people will not vote him again in 2019. “The APC has brought much suffering to Nigerians, in Kaduna State, the teachers are crying, local government workers are suffering and traditional institutions are ridiculed.“The school feeding program is in comatose, in fact, nothing is working in the state, so we must change the change” he said. Hundreds of the defecting members burnt their brooms, the APC symbol.

Rigachikun, who is said to be a closed political ally of Makarfi, was the chairman of PDP in Kaduna State for eight years when Makarfi was governor.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/201...dumps-apc/

Car dealers in the country recently made the shocking disclosure that they do not expect sales of brand new cars to exceed 10,000 this year. In fact, the sales of brand new cars have been dropping every year since 2013 when it hit 50,000. With an estimated population of 180,000 million, only 10,000 new cars will be sold in Nigeria in 2017 to both individuals and corporates and that will rank Nigeria as one of the worst places on earth to sell new cars, an irony considering we are Africa’s largest economy.
A report on focus2move.com on the top 100 countries for sales of “light vehicles” ranked Nigeria at number 77 in terms of the number of “light vehicles” sold globally in 2016. The report estimates that the total number of new vehicles sold in the country in 2016 was only 36,000, which was lower than the 48,000 sold in the previous year of 2015. This resulted in Nigeria’s global ranking for auto market sales dropping from 71 in 2015 to 77 in 2016. If, as is projected, new car sales drop to 10,000 in 2017, the country will actually fall out of the top 100 auto markets in the world despite being the most populous African country and having Africa’s largest economy.
Based on the 2016 data, South Africa, which boast of only one third of Nigeria’s population and is the second largest economy on the continent, records the largest number of “light vehicle” sales in Africa, with about 561, 000 cars sold in the country in 2016, which is about 11.7 percent lower than the 590,000 cars sold in 2015. It ranked 23 in terms of global auto market sales down from 21 in 2015.
Egypt, Africa’s third largest economy, which has about half the population of Nigeria is estimated to have recorded 217,000 new car sales in 2016, down by 20.8 percent from the about 274,000 sold in 2015. The drop in car sales in Egypt pushed the country’s global ranking to 40 in 2016 down from 33 in 2015. There were about 164,000 “light vehicles” sold in Morocco in 2016 up from 132,000 in 2015. This improved Morocco’s ranking on the global auto market sales market to 45 in 2016 from 49 in 2015. Morocco has a population of just about 35 million people, which is about one fifth of Nigeria’s population.
Another North African country, Algeria, with a population of just about 40 million, recorded new vehicle sales of 129,000 in 2016 almost 50 percent down from 256,000 in 2015. Among the top 100 auto markets in the World, only Kenya ranked lower than Nigeria with its sales record of 13,000 cars in 2016. Now, based on car dealers’ projection, Nigeria is going to likely fall behind Kenya and out of the top 100 auto markets in the world in 2017.
Dwindling car sales in Nigeria has been fuelled by rising inflation and weaker naira which has led to a fast rise in car prices across the country. A recent report by BusinessDay shows that a brand new 1.6 litre Engine Kia Cerato automatic transmission saloon car, which used to sell for N3.6 million in early 2015 is now selling for N9.54 million. A base model Toyota Corolla, one of the most preferred brands for many Nigerians, which used to sell for N4.45 million three years ago now sells for N18.9 million
While car prices have risen significantly, the real incomes of Nigerians have actually declined in the last three years in addition to the fact that many people have been thrown out of jobs as the first economic recession in 29 years gripped the country in 2016. Companies and individuals have suffered from the effect of the recession forcing many companies to downsize and also cut costs simultaneously.
Corporates, which used to be the biggest buyers of cars, in the country for staff and business activities, have since cut down on their demand for brand new cars in a bid to control costs. Banks that used to buy cars for managers and above are now monetising such offers since the prices of the status cars that they used to buy no longer makes economic sense. A brand new Honda Car that used to cost about N5 million to N6 million, which was once the preferred car for managers, now cost not less than N13 million for the base model. Many banks are now struggling to maintain their pool cars and have resorted to outsourcing such services or even using the services of e-taxi operators like Uber and Taxify.
The truth is that even Tokunbo or second hand cars are out of the reach of most Nigerians currently. The fairly used cars that cost an average of N2 million to N3 million three years ago are now in the range of N6 million to as high as N20 million depending on the model and year of manufacture. Many Nigerians, who two to three years ago, shunned “Used in Nigeria” cars now have no choice but to seek out such cars because they are cheaper, even though, sadly they are also more likely to cost more in terms of maintenance. Others have resorted to refurbishing their old cars, replacing the engine, where it is really out of shape.
Data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) confirm that there is a general decline in the number of cars plying Nigerian roads. Figures obtained from the FRSC 2016 annual report shows that total number of new number plates registered in the country was down by 27 percent in 2016 or 155,976, an indication that less number of cars are coming unto our roads. This not really good news as the country’s population is not declining and there is no indication that we have developed alternative modes of transport so well that people are now willing to give up cars for other forms of transportation.
The only plausible explanation for the declining car sales in the country is the obvious fact that Nigerians have gotten poorer in real terms in the last two years. Nigeria’s much hyped middle class is vanishing and is vanishing very fast. The burble that has kept many of the country’s “floating poor” as Nigeria’s struggling middle class is referred to sometimes, floating has been deflated by government’s poor economic choices in the last two years. The middle class have been swept away by the tsunami of the resulting economic hardship.
The decline in new car sales is just a reflection of how badly the country’s middle class has been hit by the country’s economic situation. Many more Nigerians are poorer than they were two years ago and have seen new cars go out of their reach. Sadly, if the middle class is in trouble, then many of those down the ladder are even in bigger trouble. The pressure at the bottom of the pyramid is getting more intense and should signal significant economic reforms to release that pressure. Rising inflation and unemployment amidst stagnant incomes have taken a hit on the purchasing power of the middle class, squeezing life out of them and consequently the economy. The decline in new car sales is just one side of a very bad state of what used to be the Nigerian middle class. They are vanishing and vanishing fast.
 

http://www.businessdayonline.com/nigeria...-new-cars/

Former military president, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has warned the extremely wealthy Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants against money-induced electoral process ahead of Saturday’s PDP elective convention holding in Abuja.
He further stated that the office of the party’s national chairman is not for sale.
This is coming just as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally announced his return to the opposition PDP.

Pre-wedding photos of ex beauty Queen Simi and Nigeria football star Daniel Etor
On November 14, 2016, Nigerians were served a different type of proposal after former Enyimba Star, Daniel Etor who currently plays for Alnasir Club of OMAN in United Arab Emirates proposed to his girlfriend, Queen Simi Silas on the pitch.

Queen Simi Silas, the Former Queen of Unity Northern Nigeria,  took to Instagram to share her pre-wedding photos with Daniel while also revealing that her white wedding will be this weekend, December 9th in Abuja.

Congrats to them!










https://www.lailasblog.com/pre-wedding-p...niel-etor/

Nnamdi Kanu is back! Finally breaks silence from hiding place
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has said that despite being granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja where he is being prosecuted alongside others on charges of treasonable felony, he is still entitled to the $800m compensation for his alleged unlawful arrest and detention in 2015, [b]Punch Newspaper reports.[/b]

This is contained in his response to the motion filed by the Federal Government asking the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States sitting in Abuja to dismiss a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by the IPOB leader, according to Punch.
Kanu had filed the suit on March 3, 2016 demanding $800m as compensation from the Federal Government for his alleged unlawful arrest in 2015 and detention.

But the Federal Government, through its lawyer, Mrs. Maimuna Shiru, filed its motion on November 13, stating that Kanu having been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 25, 2017, and allegedly jumped bail, the judgment of the ECOWAS Court on the suit would serve no purpose.

Punch quoted Kanu, through his lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, as objecting to the Federal Government’s motion contending that granting bail to the IPOB leader was just a partial satisfaction of prayers sought in the suit.

He maintained that the ECOWAS Court had the power to grant his client the $800m compensation sought since the IPOB leader’s rights had been violated.
Ejiofor stated in his written address, “We submit therefore that the court has powers to order for payment of compensatory damages when found that the plaintiff’s right has been violated.” 
https://www.lailasblog.com/nnamdi-kanu-b...ing-place/

A SOUTH Belfast mother and son are facing deportation as Home Office officials prepare to send them to Nigeria.
Favour Egbomeade and her son Osareuse (10) have made a home and lives for themselves in the Ormeau area.
Osareuse was born in the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin in August 2006 – mother and son then found themselves in the “direct provision” system.
After seven years of waiting for her asylum claim to be dealt with, Favour decided that, for the sake of her son, she needed to move to Belfast. She claimed UK asylum in May 2013.
Since then, Favour and Osareuse have immersed themselves in their South Belfast community with Favour volunteering with the South Belfast Foodbank, LORAG and City Church Belfast.
Osareuse attends St Malachy’s Primary School in Eliza Street and sat his transfer test last Saturday.
The South Belfast News met with Favour, Osareuse and some of their support network to discuss Favour’s case.
An emotional Favour was too upset to speak and relied on her friends from the various organisations she’s involved with to speak on her behalf.
Jennifer Bell of LORAG said: “We have a lot of inter cultural event days in LORAG, Favour would host the Nigerian table, she is also part of our inter-cultural parenting group, we meet every Tuesday and do various arts and crafts activities as well as discussing with each other various cultural backgrounds and histories. Favour is very active within the community,” she said.
Bruce Gardiner-Crehane, Manager of the South Belfast Food Bank, added: “We set the Food Bank up in 2014, it’s an initiative of City Church and with Favour being a part of the church she heard about it and right from the word go she was keen to give up her time to volunteer.
“What makes her contribution special and unique is that she herself is an asylum seeker and we work with quite a lot of them and she is able to bring that strength and support to them, she empathises and offers help where she can.
“She volunteers every Wednesday without fail, she is an important part of our team who is very cared for and looked after. We are just trying to make a difference and Favour is helping us do that, she is an asset to the community.”
Osareuse attends St Malachy’s Primary School. He has never lived anywhere besides the island of Ireland and speaks with a strong Belfast accent.
His Principal, Dermot Flynn, is concerned that all the worry and stress could affect the primary seven pupil’s studies.
He said: “We regard Osareuse as a prime example of a success story, the challenges he faced were extremely great. Osareuse faced many, many challenges and overcame them.
“As a result of the school’s support and his own efforts he has slowly but surely come around. His social and emotional improvement has been amazing, he is an exemplary student in every way. He is one of our stars.”
Suzanne McKeown of Tim McQuoid Solicitors said: “We are trying to prevent the Home Office from removing them, while at the same time we have made an application to the Minister of Justice and Equality in the south to have Osareuse made an Irish citizen because he was born in Dublin.
“Had he been born a year earlier he would have automatically been made an Irish citizen. A lot will come down to the Minister’s discretion.”
She added: “Osareuse is thriving in school and Favour is well known in the local community. Her asylum claim has been rejected several times, with the High Court recently refusing to grant leave to seek judicial review of the last decision by the Home Office to reject her further submissions. As a result, the Home Office is now gearing up to remove mother and son to Nigeria. Favour’s parents are both dead and she has no contact with extended family. She will not be able to raise the money to put her son into school in Nigeria.
Favour herself has health issues, physical and mental, which would prevent her from working if she had the right to. As removal to Nigeria would be disastrous for both, we are now making a Form 11 application to the Department of Justice and Equality in Dublin to have Favour’s son made a naturalised Irish citizen, which would enable both mother and son to stay.”

The Police Command in Osun on Monday said it had arrested one Joseph Mark,  a 25-year-old undergraduate of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo, who beheaded his mother on Sunday.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, DSP Folashade Odoro, told newsmen in Osogbo that the incident happened at about 6:30 am, at No 25, Zone 5, Ajetomobi Street, Eko-Ende Road, Ikirun, Osun.
According to Odoro, the father of the suspect, Mr Adewale Mark, reported the incident to Ikirun Divisional Police station.
She said the father explained that he left his house around 5:30 a.m. to visit his friend at the next street and on returning home at about 6 a.m., he discovered that his son had cut off his wife’s head with a cutlass.
Odoro said the culprit, who was suspected to be insane, was arrested when the team of police detectives visited the scene of crime.
She said exhibits; medical examination of the suspect, weapon used and photographs of the scene and victim were taken by the police.
She said the corpse of the victim, Mrs Christianah Mark, 62, had been deposited at mortuary and that further investigation on the matter had begun.

I Go Dye comes for Atiku Abubakar for trying to play Nigerian youths
Shortly after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar made a public announcement of his return to PDP, ace Nigerian comedian I Go Dye, has dragged the politician for trying to play Nigerian youths.


According to the comedian, Atiku was Nigeria’s Vice President between 1999 and 2007,and those years were plagued with tertiary institutions strikes that wasted seventeen months ,three weeks and three days.
Here’s what he wrote;
“Don’t use sentimental empathy on the youths to express your political ambitions.
Sir, you are one of those that have immensely benefited from Nigeria since your birth in 1946.
Having worked for 20years with the Nigeria Customs where you retired at the age of 43 in 1989 as Deputy Director, your bucket list sure looks good because you were obviously employed at youth 23.
In 1999 you became governor of Adamawa and ultimately the Vice President, all of these you achieved at 53. What did you do during your time in that exalted position? When will the youths like in your time get a chance? am motivated to speak, based on your statement : A party that does not take the youths into account is a dying party.The future belong to young.Please which of the future?

https://www.lailasblog.com/i-go-dye-come...an-youths/

‘I was with my boyfriend, I wasn’t abducted’ – Wife rescued from kidnapper’s den

Following kidnap complaint made by one Ibrahim Nasir about his 18-year-old wife, Mrs. Fatima Muhammed, operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nasarawa State Command stormed the alleged kidnapper’s den to rescue the lady alongside 15-year-old Hafsat Adamu.


According to the state commandant of NSCDC, Mr. Mamud Gidado-Fari, the victims who have been locked up for over a week by the yet to be identified suspect, were rescued last Friday at Line Supper Cinema in the Lafia LGA of the state.

“We forced our way into the room and found the woman alongside a 15-year-old girl, Hasat Adamu,” he said. The motive of the abductor had yet to be determined. .
The nature of the case is what we are trying to investigate because as it is, we don’t know whether the motive of the abductor was ransom or for ritual.”

Punch reports that the rescued housewife who spoke to newsmen, however claimed that she was at her lover’s place when some NSCDC operatives broke into the room and whisked her away.

“I was with my sick mother from morning till evening and when it was time for me to go home I decided to see my old boyfriend, because I didn’t have money for transport. .
I had to stay till the following day because it was late and before I knew what was happening, I saw NSCDC (operatives) breaking into my boyfriend’s room and that was how I was arrested.
I am a married woman, but I left my matrimonial home because I have been having quarrels with my husband ever since we got married. My husband had told me not to go anywhere there is crisis and there was never a day I disobeyed him” Fatima said.

https://www.lailasblog.com/i-was-with-my...ppers-den/

Joro shared a yet shocking story of a bride-to-be who is currently in a dilemma and needs advise from matured minds.

She revealed her fiance is from a rich family, and she has gotten gifts from his family… But the problem is he has slept with 3 of her bridesmaids..

Read her story below:
“This is concise as I’m too distraught to type. I’m meant to get married soon. My fiancee is from a rich family. His fam bought me a car, land amongst other things for wedding gift.”

“As at today I have millions in my account from wedding money as gift. He was dreamy to me. My all. But I’m in a quandary now. I don’t know if I should go ahead with the wedding. My family thinks I should. I realize people change when they see money.”

“I realize people change when they see money. My family doesn’t care about the cheating because they know I’ll be financially secure. Cutting the story short.”

“I found out my fiancee has slept with 3 of my friends on my bridal train. I saw this in a text he was sending to his friends and bragging. I’m so ripped apart. I can’t eat or sleep.”

“I confronted him and I said I needed time to rethink. He has been crying. I love my girls but I’m not mad at them. Is it weird I’m mad at him alone. He sleep with them all while we were dating. Please public opinion matters.”

http://www.torimill.com/2017/12/found-ou...of-my.html

According to a report shared by a social media user,the lady pictured below was caught while trying to kidnap a small girl at Oriya Yidi Agunpopo,Oyo state.He was beaten and stripped unclad by an angry mob.

Source: http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2017/12/lady-c...p.html?m=1





Female Kidnapper Caught In Oyo, Stripped Unclad By Mob (Photos)
Read more http://www.trezzyhelm.com/2017/12/lady-c...p.html?m=1

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/19-investo...ctors.html

Quote:“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new beginning.” -Carl Bard

...coy pays N300m to ‘redundant’ workers

Aero Contractors, Nigeria’s oldest carrier, is to have an enlarged shareholding structure with the expected coming of core investors, it was learnt.


About 19 local and international investors have bided to buy in the shares of the airline while they have been trimmed down to six.

From the six bidders, they would further be streamlined into the preferred bidder, second bidder and the standby bidder. 

Currently the airline is managed by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which has the majority share and is also a creditor of Aero Contractors, the airline it took over in February 2016.

When the process is completed, the appointed investor is expected to buy from the share of the airline thereby enlarging the shareholding structure.

Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Capt. Ado Sanusi who gave this hint in a chat with select journalists in Lagos said the the current efforts to bring in core investors into the airline was a long term plan to revive the airline being spearheaded by AMCON.

He also said the airline has come up with a five to 25 years fleet renewal programme with discussions ongoing with many aircraft manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, among others.

With the airline fleet expected to grow to four in January coupled with the approved maintenance organization (AMO) being operated by the airline with the capacity to carry out comprehensive check, Sanusi said the airline might reabsorb all the workers that were declared redundant recently.

He said already the airline has paid N300m out of N2.2bn it owed the workers, adding that the future of the airline is bright.

According to him, AMCON intervention in the airline is a blessing and not a step to kill the carrier as being insinuated.

He said demand for aircraft maintenance from  third party has increased in recent times, saying Aero Maintenance Organization

On the expected investors’ buy in, he said, “I think by the end of the process we would have three - the preferred bidder, second preferred bidder and the standby bidder.

“They would be investing into Aero Contractors as a whole because Aero Contractors share would be diluted. They would not buy into the share but it would be diluted and so they would acquire the shares. Their investment would be to acquire more share in Aero Contractors.

“We have two shareholders now - AMCON and the legacy shareholders. So AMCON and legacy shareholders’ shares would be diluted in order for the core investors to come in and have shares. 

At the end of the day there would be three shareholders - AMCON, legacy and the new core investors.”

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/19-investo...ctors.html

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

*THE PROGRAMMING OF THE WORD .*

Monday, December 4th .
Pastor Chris

_*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 (Colossians 3:16).*_

1 Peter 1:23 says, _*“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”*_ You’re a product of God’s incorruptible seed: His Word. Your origin is in the Word of God. Therefore, your life ought to be programmed with the Word. Some people programme their lives for failure, lack, poverty, and sickness by the words they speak.

Some parents, for example, talk negatively to their children. Imagine a parent telling a five-year-old child out of annoyance, “You’re mad.” When the child gets to fifteen and begins to act in a strange manner, the parents would begin to wonder what has gone wrong! They failed to realize that they had programmed that child wrongly by driving those negativities into his psyche and into his spirit—through their swear words, and he had no choice but to act them out, and become what they said he was.

Be careful what you say, because Jesus said, _*“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”*_ (Matthew 12:37). Use the Word of God to programme yourself for greatness. God’s Word is powerful. From the Lord’s admonition in Joshua 1:8, we observe that success in life comes from meditating on God’s Word. It’s the reason we emphasize personal study of the Word.

Consciously soak your spirit with the Word. It’s the only way you can be programmed for excellence, and for the fulfilment of your destiny in Christ.

*CONFESSION*

*I’m born of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God; therefore, my origin is in the Word. I stay connected to the Word, which programmes me for the glorious life in Christ. I succeed in all things, fulfilling my destiny in God, and riding on the high places of the earth by the Word of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.*

*FURTHER STUDY:* *||* *Romans 12:1-2* I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. *||*

*||* *2 Timothy 3:15* And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. *||*

*||* *Joshua 1:8 AMPC* This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. *||*

*DAILY SCRIPTURE READING*

*1-Year Bible Reading Plan:* 1 John 5,
Daniel 3-4

*2-Year Bible Reading Plan:* John 17:22-26,
2 Chronicles 9-10

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

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*Be A Partner Of Rhapsody Of Realities Today!*
Rhapsody of Realities
# AFFIRMATIONTRAIN 4TH DECEMBER.
I affirm that I am a new creation in Christ, with the life and nature of God at work in my spirit! My entire being is inundated by the divine life that flows in every fibre of my being, every cell of my blood, and every bone of my body. I live over and above sickness, the devil, and the rudiments of this world. I am the embodiment of Christ, the effulgence of His glory and the express image of His person, because as Jesus is, so am I in this physical world. I am one with the Lord; in Him, I live, and move and have my being. Everywhere I go, I manifest His righteousness, virtues, and perfections. Hallelujah! I am born of the Spirit and the Word, therefore, I am impregnable to anything that hurts or binds, because I hail from God! I’ve overcome the devil and his cohorts of darkness, for the greater One indwells me! I have the nature of God; I am more than a conqueror; I am an associate of the God-kind, and I am living triumphantly every day, through Christ Jesus. Blessed be God!
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This is something to shout about. Keep saying it, don't stop talking it. Remember, your mouth is the edge of a weapon. Refuse to be quiet
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Atiku Abubakar

•  PDP, Ekweremadu welcome his return 
  
• He sounds like a broken record, declares APC
  
• PDP chairmanship post not for sale, warns Babangida
  

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, has said he could still contest the party’s presidential ticket in spite of the defection of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the party.
In an interview in the current edition of The Interview magazine, Mr. Makarfi said, “Atiku left before, he’s on his way back before the (party’s) Convention.”
It is widely believed that Mr. Abubakar’s may be gunning for the PDP’s presidential ticket.
In response to a question about his own interest, Mr. Makarfi said, “I have heard the rumour, it has been there since 2007…I have thought of it. By the time I leave as caretaker committee chairman on 9th or 10th, there’ll still be ten months to the party primaries. By any law or the party’s guidelines, I’m not excluded.”
In a statement, the MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Interview, Azu Ishiekwene, described the edition as “the most revealing disclosure yet of the inner workings of the opposition trying to come to terms with its uncertain future.”
Even though the PDP has zoned its presidential ticket for 2019 to the North, Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti is playing the wild card.
Mr. Makarfi told The Interview that Mr. Fayose’s declaration of interest in the party’s presidential ticket, “is uncalled for and unhealthy.”
Apart from his comment on the build up of interest in the party’s presidential ticket, Mr. Makarfi also said the PDP was expecting a harvest of defections, after Mr. Abubakar’s move from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC
“For some strategic reasons,” he said, “don’t expect a lot of people to move to the PDP now. People are in APC for different reasons. Wait for the time when everybody will be on his own, you will see the influx of people into the PDP.”
He spoke on the bitter contest for the party’s chairmanship, probably the most dangerous threat since the Supreme Court ruling saved the party from extinction; and on his rival former Governor Ali Modu-Sheriff, whom he said had sponsors in the APC.
Mr. Makarfi, who came close to being the PDP’s presidential nominee in 2006, revealed, for the first time, how former President Olusegun Obasanjo schemed him out, even though an internal party assessment had returned him as the most favourable candidate.
Also in this edition, former resident electoral commissioner for Ondo and Lagos states, Akin Orebiyi, shared insights on his experience, while ex-Nigerian national team captain, Segun Odegbami, revisited the COJA scandal, describing it as “the looting of our commonwealth.”
Ikeogu Oke, the NLNG Literature Prize winner explains, in great detail, why it took him 27 years to write his winning entry.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-...i.html/amp

Over 1,000 people have lost their lives in Boko Haram attacks since the terror group was declared “technically defeated” by President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2015.
This is the findings of Daily Trust on Sunday from figures recorded in 181 attacks, including the one in Biu, Saturday, that have been reported in the media.
The total number of deaths recorded between December 2015 and now stands at 1, 088 and with the official figure of deaths recorded in the Biu suicide attacks yesterday, the number now stands at 1,101.
The findings show that the group seemed to have had more impact in 2017 than it did in 2016, doubling the number of casualties it recorded.
The group killed 379 people in 57 attacks in 2016. This number includes 327 civilians, 49 soldiers and 3 immigration officers, while 2, 200 people were reported injured in these attacks.
In 2017, the group recorded three times more attacks than it did in 2016, with a reported 124 violent incidents, including the suicide bombing in Biu, Saturday, blamed on the group. These attacks caused the deaths of 637 civilians, 68 soldiers and four policemen, bringing the total number of people killed to 709 so far.
With the 13 people officially reportedly killed in the Biu suicide bombing, the number rises to 722, representing a 90.5 per cent increase from the previous year.
Attacks by the group have left 536 people injured in 2017, representing a drop of 75.3 per cent compared to the figures of 2016. These figures were recorded in 124 attacks.
What this suggests is that Boko Haram has recorded more fatalities in their attacks in 2017, implying that the group’ attacks have been more efficient in terms of recorded fatalities than in 2016.
During these 181 attacks in over two years, 602 insurgents have been reported killed. This figure does not include instances where the military reports that it had killed “many” or “scores” of insurgents.
Analysis of the figures shows that while Boko Haram increased its efficiency in 2017, it somehow managed to reduce the number of its foot soldiers killed in 2017. For instance, while 413 insurgents were reported killed in 2016, 189 insurgents have so far been killed in 2017, representing a drop of 54.2 per cent.
The explanation for this is that in 2017, Boko Haram changed its modus operandi, mostly avoiding direct confrontations with the military and focusing on soft targets instead. Most of the insurgents who lost their lives in 2017 did so during suicide bombings.
Far more cases of suicide bombings were recorded in 2017 than in 2016 and these pushed up the number of civilian casualties in Boko Haram attacks. The attack in Mubi, November 22, was the highest with 50 worshippers killed during a suicide bombing at a mosque.
However, the highest number of insurgents killed in confrontation with the military recorded on February 1, 2017, when 35 insurgents were killed in Buk, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Compared to 2016, the insurgents suffered heavy losses during clashes in Musari, where 58 insurgents were killed on March 20. In Kotokuma area of Dikwa, 37 insurgents were killed on February 28, while another 35 lost their lives in Bulari on April 21, followed by another 25 in Kangarawa on July 2.
Interestingly, Boko Haram’s attacks are spread over the three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. However, all the reported killings of insurgents took place within Borno State.
These figures are alarming considering that in December 2015, six months after coming into power, President Muhammadu Buhari declared that Boko Haram had been “technically defeated.”
The declaration was made on the back of military successes in recapturing large swaths of territory the brutal group had taken control of. At its height, in January 2015, Boko Haram controlled major parts of Borno and Yobe States as well as a significant chunk of Adamawa State. Their control of about 20 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass was the excuse then President Goodluck Jonathan gave for postponing the 2015 elections by six weeks.
Since President Buhari succeeded Jonathan, the group has lost significant territory and is no longer in control of any major town. However, observers claim Boko Haram still controls some remote villages and their capacity to threaten displaced persons from returning to their villages has never been in doubt.
Over two million people have been displaced by the insurgents in parts of Nigeria, Cameroon and Niger, a sizeable number of those are still afraid to return to their homes.
But the Nigerian military has made significant gains, pushing the group back into its stronghold of Sambisa Forest. However in December 2015, the military was able to take over a key Boko Haram base in Sambisa, prompting the president to make his declaration.
Despite this progress, the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, evades capture, prompting the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Burutai on July 21, 2017, to issue a forty-day ultimatum to his men to capture Shekau, dead or alive.
At the end of August when the ultimatum elapsed, Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, General Ibrahim Attahiru appealed for an extension of the period, to which the COAS agreed. The army has remained silent on when the new deadline is.
On more than one occasion, the Army declared Shekau dead, even if he had resurfaced in videos spewing threats and ridiculing the army. In defence, the army has claimed Shekau has a body double masquerading as the leader.
But what turned out to be Shekau’s greatest undoing was pledging allegiance to the Islamic State in March 2015.
Not long after, IS deposed Shekau as leader and appointed Abu Mus’ab Albarnawi, long reported to be the son of the group’s founder Mohammed Yusuf, as its new leader. Shekau rejected this and eventually a battle of supremacy followed, splitting the group in two.
Whatever advantages Shekau hoped to gain by aligning with IS has fallen flat on its face, if not backfired entirely. With the resultant infighting and IS effectively defeated in the Middle East, Boko Haram needed a new strategy to stay relevant.
If the numbers are anything to go by, the president’s claim that Boko Haram is incapable of mounting “conventional attacks” may not be far off the mark but the group’s efficiency in carrying out suicide bombings is increasing their capacity to cause maximum fatality, while reducing casualties figures on its side.
The group has employed mostly female suicide bombers, and sometimes even children, often working in groups to target people in places of worship as was the case in Mubi and or in markets as was the case in Biu yesterday.
Both attacks employed twin suicide bombers and targeted groups of civilians going about their normal businesses in what is increasingly becoming a signature attack for the terror group.
Last week, President Buhari again dismissed the group, saying its suicide bombings were “the last kicks of a dying horse.”
Speaking through his minister of information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during a commissioning ceremony in Adamawa, the president said, “Let me be clear: Boko Haram has been massively degraded and its surviving members put on the run. In their desperation to stay relevant, they have resorted to the wicked and dastardly act of using innocent under-aged children to carry out suicide bomb attacks.
“What we are witnessing now are the last kicks of a dying horse. A dying horse manages to engage in some kicks. These kicks may be dangerous, but they don’t last long. Progressively, they become weaker and weaker until the horse finally gives up.”
He assured that they are developing new strategies to completely nullify the group and has approved the establishment of an intelligence fusion center in Maiduguri, which will gather and share intelligence among security agencies with the hope of preventing these attacks. For Nigerians eager to get on with their lives without fear, this horse cannot die soon enough.
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/boko-haram...eated.html

The Nigeria Police Force have dismissed allegations of torture and crimes levelled against the the special anti-robbery squad (SARS).
SARS was established by the Nigeria police to fight violent crimes.
On Saturday, Some Nigerians took to the social media to condemn the “careless” regard for human lives which they say is evident in operations of SARS operatives.
While calling for the proscription of the squad, they accused SARS of maltreating and torturing innocent citizens at will.
But the police said such accusations should be dismissed by Nigerians.
Speaking to TheCable on Sunday, Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, said SARS has lived up to its duty of curbing violent crimes and so, calls for its proscription should be “totally condemned”.
“As we speak, SARS is doing fantastically well across the country in reducing incidents of robbery to the barest minimum… they are doing very, very well,” Moshood said.
“There has not been any specific violation of human rights against any SARS personnel. So anybody that is spreading such a rumour is not doing the nation any good.
“SARS has no excesses and when there is any, we do investigate.
“The call for SARS to be scrapped should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. Anybody calling for their proscription is not doing the nation any good and such people should be suspected as having something to hide.”
Moshood urges Nigerians with complaints against any police officer – “whether SARS or any other personnel” – to channel their complaints through established channels.
“Accessibility (to the police in cases of complaints) is very possible, he said, adding: “We do not take any infraction or violation of human right of any Nigerian likely. You know that so many police officers have been dismissed and even charged to court.”
“So, Nigerians should not give in to insinuations from people that just come to the social media and start spreading falsehood. Such people spreading such information may likely be armed robbers themselves.
“There is laid down rules for police procedures and any police officer that go beyond boundary to do something outrageous which is against the law is apprehended.”
https://www.thecable.ng/sars-fantastical...mpaign/amp

The Ore depot branch of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has threatened to increase petrol price from the approved price of N145 to about N160 per litre.
The chairman of the branch, Shina Amoo, who said this in an interview with our correspondent in Ile Ife on Saturday, explained that marketers in some states in the South-West would not have to increase petrol price because Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria had increased the price of fuel sold to marketers by N16.
Amoo pointed out that such action would push petrol price to about N160 per litre. He noted that though the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation did not increase the price they supplied the product to private depot owners, the latter had chosen to sell the product to marketers at N144 per litre.
He said, “We want members of the public to know that we can no longer continue to sell fuel at the government approved price. The private depot owners sell a litre to us at a price between N142 and N144 per litre, which should be sold at N133.28. They got the product from the NNPC at N117 per litre.
“We will transport the product from the depots to our various stations and pay workers as well as incur other expenses. So, how will anybody expect us to continue to sell fuel to consumers below the cost price? It is not possible. We will have to increase fuel price to about N160 per litre.”
Amoo, therefore, appealed to the NNPC to expedite action on the Ore depot so that marketers in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states would be able to lift petroleum products directly from the depot.
Recently, the Lagos State branch of IPMAN had threatened to embark on an indefinite strike beginning from December 11 because of the alleged breach of the bulk purchase agreement to sell fuel to them at N133.28k per litre by the NNPC.
Source: http://www.punchng.com/ipman-threatens-t...e-to-n160/

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has described Ojukwu Jr. as ‘a sad irony’ of his father, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

He said this while debunking a claim that he pestered Emeka Ojukwu to return to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Son of the Biafran warlord had on November 15, dumped APGA, a political party believed to have been founded by his late father, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a recent interview, Ojukwu Jr. said that Obiano had been lobbying for him to return to the party, adding that the Anambra governor was playing “ infantile and local politics.”

But responding in a statement by his Media Aide, Olivier Okpala, Obiano said Ojukwu lied against him, stressing that he had never talked to the late Igbo leader’s son since he joined the APC.

Obiano said he had nothing to gain if Ojukwu returned to APGA.

The statement partly reads, “It is a matter of pure pathetic fallacy for the younger Ikemba to say that Governor Obiano is lobbying him to come back to APGA.

“The governor wondered on what grounds anybody would ever lobby Ojukwu to return to APGA while he never held any important position to warrant being described as a stakeholder or a leader of the party when he was a member of APGA.

“In fact, nobody knew that he was a member of the party.”

Obiano described Ojukwu’s son as “a sad irony of his father” who “In his lifetime, was the champion of the struggle for the rights and emancipation of his people, standing firm with his Igbo brothers and sisters and never betraying their cause.”

Adding, “I wonder what the Great Ikemba would be thinking when his son openly denied the only political entity which he left to unite the Igbo under a political umbrella.

“It is unfortunate that Ojukwu’s son described an elder and the governor of his state as one playing juvenile and local politics when the late Ojukwu respected constituted authorities.

“We urge Ojukwu Jnr to show respect to the governor and continue his sojourn with the APC rather than make untrue remarks about the governor.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/03/sad-irony...ojukwu-jr/

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has said President Muhammadu Buhari has lost a lot of goodwill and Nigerians will decide if he deserves to continue in 2019.

Abubakar in an interview with Dele Momodu also boasted he will defeat Buhari in 2019.

He said he decided not to wait and participate in the APC primary election because the party had become a one-man business and lacks growth.

He said: “After Buhari won the election, he was no longer interested in the Party that made him President. Every activity stopped and not even the Party Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, could take any decision.

“I called Chief Oyegun a few times to tell him our Party was dying slowly but he told me he would not do anything unless he got clearance from the President. At a stage, I gathered about 18 prominent members and began to meet in the hope that we can re-energise Party activities, but some people lied to the President that I wanted to use the forum to launch my Presidential campaign. That forum became simply dead on arrival. No BOT, no NEC meetings, as stipulated in our Constitution.

“The Party became a one-man property. Everyone grumbles behind the President’s back but they are too timid to raise a voice against the illegalities being perpetuated. I should be bold enough to know what I want, and can do so at my age, so I decided to leave.”

Asked if he was guaranteed of the presidential ticket of the PDP and would defeat Buhari in 2019 elections, Atiku said: “Nothing is absolutely certain in this life, but PDP needs a candidate with the brightest chance and that can only come from someone who has major experience, exposure, knowledge about running an economy, who is a Nationalist and not a sectionalist and whose brand cannot be intimidated in anyway by that of the current President.

“If PDP picks a weak candidate, then the Party is doomed. Some of those whose names are being touted and bandied about have not grown beyond their immediate domains.”

“I will definitely beat him this time. He has wasted a lot of his massive goodwill. A lot of people are disgruntled but keeping quiet and lying low. Our youths are suffering terribly and now they are being sold into slavery. Everyone knows my track record of inviting and attracting a good team and giving them the opportunity to work professionally.

“Nigerians are tired of leaders who cannot think big and work big. Dele, I will be ready from day one.

“Buhari is free to contest and I’m free to contest. And Nigerians will make their choice.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/02/will-defe...-abubakar/

The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has spoken again on the raging tithe controversy sparked by controversial On-Air-Personality, Daddy freeze.

This time he said God himself convinced him that tithing was right for Christians.

Recall that in a previous reaction to the tithing controversy, Adeboye warned Christians against the dangers of non- compliance to paying of tithe.

However, the cleric, on Sunday, 3rd December, 2017 edition of his Daily Devotional, titled: “Open Heavens”, said the command to pay tithes on one’s earnings simply places a demand on the Christian to trust God.

Writing on the topic, ‘Tithing Is Trusting’, Adeboye said: “To experience exploits in your life, you must have a personal relationship with God. You must believe that He lives and love Him with all your heart. You must also learn to trust in Him.

“The command to pay tithes on your earnings simply places a demand on you to trust God. Your response to this command shows the level of trust you have in Him.
“If you can pay your tithes correctly, it shows that you trust God for your livelihood, but if you find it difficult to be faithful in doing this, it simply shows that you trust more in your earning than in God to sustain you.

“After I became newly born again and we were taught to pay tithes, I laughed and said in my mind, ‘These people do not know that I am a mathematician. If 100% is not enough for me, how can 90% be enough after I have paid 10% as tithe? Thank you very much! Even though these people are not educated, they still want to use their smartness to take 10% of my income from me. Let them try and take it’.

“However, down the line, God convinced me by Himself and I observed remarkable changes in my life.”

Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/02/god-convi...ye-speaks/

The Governments of Britain and the United States of America, have warned their citizens residing or planning to visit Abuja, that terrorist groups are threatening to carry out bomb attacks in the Nigeria’s capital city during the Yuletide.
This latest advice to British nationals was made by the country’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, FCO.
FCO said that around 117,000 British citizens visit Nigeria each year.
Also, the US Government warned its citizens not to travel to Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe , Jigawa and Yobe till the end of the year.
FCO wrote on its official website, “The risk of terrorist attack increases around religious festivals; so (the threat alert) will be elevated in the run-up to and throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
“Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja ) area during this period.
“You (British nationals) should avoid places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people.
Last week, the United States Embassy in Nigeria issued a similar warning entitled, “Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Holiday Security Reminder.”
Saying, “The US Mission urges all US citizens to exercise caution in and around shopping centres, malls, markets, hotels , places of worship, restaurants, bars, and other places where crowds gather in and around the Federal Capital Territory, from now through the Christmas and New Year ’s holiday season.
“Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in this area during this period.
“The US Mission remains concerned about potential attacks in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe. Travellers are urged to avoid those states through the end of the year.
“Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates . Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.”
Source: http://dailypost.ng/2017/12/03/terrorist...k-us-warn/


Buhari to Atiku: Leave me out of your trouble with US


[url=http://thenationonlineng.net/#twitter][/url]
•Declares: ‘I have never been barred from entering America’
•Ex-VP on why he can’t enter USA
•Vows to beat President in 2019
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday told  ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar to go and deal with whatever issues he has with the United States of America (USA) instead of looking  for a straw to clutch at.
He dismissed as a fiction, claim by Atiku that he (Buhari) was barred from entering the USA for 15 years on account of his religious views.
Atiku had admitted in an interview with  The Boss newspaper published yesterday that  he has been unable to visit  the United States of America (USA) in the last few years owing to what he  termed  administrative denials.

He said it was wrong therefore to suggest that he was avoiding a trip to America or afraid of an arrest warrant against him in the US.
He then cited President Buhari, who according to him, was also   denied entry into the US for 15 years on account of strong reservations by the White House about his religious views.
The President did not take kindly to the statement.
His Special Adviser of Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina branded the Atiku allegation as “a fictive concoction being passed off as truth.”
He said: “”This fictive concoction being passed off as truth is mind boggling, coming from a former Number Two man of Nigeria, who should know the truth.
“At no time was President Buhari, as a private person, ever forbidden from entering any country in the world.

“Rather, the rest of the world has always held Muhammadu Buhari as a man of sterling qualities, strong on integrity, transparency and accountability. The same testimony is still borne of the Nigerian President by many world leaders today.
“It is curious that former VP Abubakar had been asked why he had not visited America for over a decade, something that had been a stubborn fact dogging his footsteps.
“Instead of answering directly, he begged the question, saying Buhari also had been disallowed from entering the same country for 15 years, before becoming President.
“We hereby make it resoundingly clear that what the former Vice President said only exists in the realm of his imagination. If he has issues to settle with American authorities, he should do so, rather than clutch at a straw.”
Atiku, explaining his own situation said: “I applied but wasn’t issued a visa. However, they did not decline me categorically either.
“They’ve only said my application is going through administrative process. It is the sole prerogative of America to determine who they want in their country or not. I’m not running away from America.”
Speculations about Atiku’s run in with the U.S. authorities stemmed from a broadband contract awarded to iGate, an America company which Williams Jefferson, then U.S. federal lawmaker from Louisiana, had interest in.
Jefferson was jailed in the US for  his involvement in the deal in which cash was said to have changed hands.
The former Congressman revealed in a secretly recorded conversation with the FBI that Atiku stood to benefit up to $500,000 for helping influence the broadband deal in Nigeria at the time.
Jefferson subsequently lost his seat in the Congress but Atiku was never prosecuted in Nigeria and there is no record that he was indicted in the U.S over the case.
Responding to the perception he is a corrupt politician, Atiku said: “I have challenged anyone, anywhere, who has any evidence of corruption against me to come forward.
“I’m sure they would have combed everywhere trying to find anything incriminating against me but they have not found it.”
On his presidential ambition in 2019, Atiku who recently resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) boasted that he would easily defeat President Muhammadu Buhari should he contest against him in 2019.
“I will beat him this time. He has wasted a lot of his massive goodwill.
“A lot of people are disgruntled but keeping quiet and lying low. Our youths are suffering terribly and now they are being sold into slavery.”
 

http://thenationonlineng.net/buhari-atik...rouble-us/

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari requesting him to use his “good offices and leadership position to revisit and refer the allegations of corruption and abuse of process in the privatisation of public enterprises in Nigeria between 1999—2011 to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation, and if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence, for anyone suspected to be involved to face prosecution.”Buhari

The organization urged Buhari to “reform the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) to remove opportunities for corruption in privatisation process, and to instruct the EFCC and ICPC to ensure the recovery of proceeds of corruption. We request that you take the steps within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel your government to act in the public interest.”

In the letter dated 1 December 2017 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization said: “SERAP has obtained and carefully read the full report of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Investigation of the Privatisation and Commercialisation Activities of the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) from 1999 to 2011, which contains damaging allegations of corruption, presidential interference, and abuse of due process in the selection of core investor, valuation of public enterprises, pricing of shares/assets, determination of workers terminal benefits, and use of proceeds of privatisation.”
According to the organization, “Many cases of presidential directives/interference during the period under review (1999-2011) affected the process of core investor selection. The BPE was negligent and ineffective in monitoring of privatised companies. In some cases, BPE never monitored the companies for the entire lock-in period and in other cases their reports were complete opposite of what was on the ground.”
The letter copied to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who is also the chair of the National Council on Privatization (NCP), read in part: “It is in the public interest that any sales of public assets will get the best value but the Senate report shows exactly the opposite. By revisiting the privatisation process and referring the allegations of corruption documented in the report to the EFCC and ICPC, your government would be demonstrating that it’s willing and able to fight impunity of perpetrators of corruption, which is responsible for legacy of grand corruption and abuse of office in the country.”
“Specifically, the committee among others found that: A total sum of N301bn was realised as proceeds of privatisation from 1999 to 2011. N900m of that was used as loan to Nigeria Re-insurance Plc for recapitalization, in violation of section 19(2) of the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act 1999. Folio Communications Limited pledged the assets of Daily Times Nigeria Plc to obtain loan from bank(s) and utilized the loan to pay for the share of the company.”
“Core investor converted the premises of Volkswagen Nigeria Limited into bonded warehouses for storage of contrabands mainly rice, vegetable oils, fertilizer, but was not reported by the BPE. Former Director-General of BPE, Mrs Irene Nkechi Chigbue sought and received direct approvals of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for many privatisation transactions, in violation of Section 11 of the Public Enterprise Act and the Bureau Procedure Manual.”
“Aluminium Smelter Compny of Nigeria (ALSCON)—BFIG Corporation of the USA was declared preferred bidder and winner with a bid of $410 million after going through the bidding process but was denied its legal right to negotiate terms, sign Share Purchase Agreement and pay 10% initial payment. However, BPE approved a Willing Seller Willing Buyer to Rusal/Dayson for $250m and cancelled BFIG Corporation $410m offer. Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria was grossly undervalued, having being built for $3.2bn and was privatized by BPE for $130m excluding $120m Imo River Channel Dredging cost from the purchase consideration.”
“Michelle Nigeria Limited emerged as the preferred bidder of the Apapa Port Complex Terminal “C” but it was given to ENL Consortium Limited which already had one, in breach of Ground Rule 7, which states: “No single bidder/concessionaire would be allowed to have more than one concession in Apapa Port Complex.” BPE reversed the process instead and gave Terminal “C” to ENL Consortium Ltd without cancelling the Michelle Nigeria Limited offer, in breach of the core investor selection process.”
“Former Director General of BPE Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa abused the approval process in the sale of 5% Federal Government’s residual shares in EPCL to Indorama Group, in contravention of the First Schedule of the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act 1999. Indorama Group has already acquired the maximum 75% shares reserved for core investor in EPCL as provided in the First Schedule Section 1(1) no. 6 of the Act.”
“The share purchase agreement created an escrow account into which all the monies shall be paid. However, the escrow account was not opened. The enterprise was handed over to the purchaser without payment of the purchase consideration. Former president Olusegun Obasanjo approved the addendum, in violation of the Privatisation Act and the share purchase agreement.”
“All former Directors-General of BPE (Mallam Nasir el-Rufai-1999-2003; Dr Julius Baba-2003-2004; Mrs Irene Chigbue-2004-2009; Dr Chris Anyanwu-2009-2010; and Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa-2010-2012) established several accounts with various commercial banks, in violation of Section 19(1) of the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act 1999.”
“All former Directors-General used privatisation proceeds to pay transaction expenses, consultancy fees and staff terminal benefits without appropriation by the National Assembly, in violation of Section 19(2) of the Public Enterprises Act. Former Director-General of BPE Mrs Irene Chigbue used privatisation proceeds to execute capital projects (Office extension) in 2007 in violation of this provision.”
“The process of privatisation of public enterprises was totally set aside in the concession to Global Infrastructure Holdings Limited and Global Infrastructure Nigeria Limited by the then Federal Ministry of Power and Steel Development in breach of Section 11© of thee Public Enterprises Act. BPE later converted the Concession Agreement to a core investor agreement, in breach of the transaction process.”
“The N1.9bn Privatisation Proceeds loaned for recapitalisation of Nigeria Re-insurance Plc and Nicon Insurance Plc was not used for that purpose and the BPE is yet to recover the money. Contract for dredging Imo River Channel was overvalued at $120m by BPE. This would cost less than $100 today (2011). 43 enterprises of 122 privatised companies are not performing.”
“The core investor of Transcorp Hilton Hotel agreed among others to within 3 years construct a shopping mall within the Hotel grounds; and construct short/long stay serviced apartments on the available land within the hotel premises. However, to date the core investor has failed to deliver in breach of clause 8.4 of the share purchase agreement and BPE also failed to apply sanctions as provided in clause 10.”
“The core investor of Abuja International Hotels Limited (Nicon Luxury Hotel) agreed to invest at least additional N2bn to complete the furnishing of the hotel and provision of ancillary services to a 5-year deluxe status within 9 months. However, the core investor has failed to comply, in violation of clause 7.3 of the share purchase agreement and BPE has failed to apply sanctions as provided in clause 9. Also, the core investor of Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja has failed to comply with the share purchase agreement, in violation of clause 8.6 and the BPE has failed to apply sanctions as provided in clause 9.”
“The core investor in Nigerian Cement Company Plc (Nigercem) has woefully failed to fulfil its technical and financial obligations several years after privatisation. The core investor in Delta Steel Company agreed to invest $100.65m within 15 months but no evidence of such investment. The Delta Steel Township 1 Housing Estate is comprised of 4,500 housing units; 1,109 unauthorised plots were illegally sold/allocated by the BPE.”
“Dr Julius Bala should be investigated by anti-graft agencies for giving approval to Folio Communication Limited for the illegal sale of assets of Daily Times Nigeria Plc. Ms Bolanle Onagoruwa showed gross incompetence in the management of the BPE and she illegally and fraudulently sold 5% Federal Government residual shares in Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (EPCL).”
“Poor privatisation monitoring, skewed share purchase agreements in favour of investors in many instances and abuse of process in utilizing privatisation proceeds further marred the privatisation programme. Some of the share purchase agreements were skewed in favour of private investors against public interests. In the Nicon Insurance Plc share purchase agreement, the BPE deliberately removed the protective clause on sales of assets without BPE’s written consent within the first 5 years.”
“Bid bonds are usually refunded to bidders after closure of bidding. In the case of crystallized bid bonds transaction expenses are deducted before refunds. BPE abused this process in the sense that National Council on Privatization (NCP) approvals for funds are kept for years without payment.”
“Terminal benefits of workers of companies slated for privatisation are usually computed by management or by an appointed BPE Actuarial Consultant before payment. The processes are often abused by BPE. In NITEL, workers were forced to accept less than 5 years pension buy-out where it was agreed earlier for 5 years. BPE owed workers in Delta Steel Company (N5.2bn); and ALSCON (N2.7bn). In Federal Superphosphate Fertilizer Company the Actuarist computed and recommended full payment of N457m but BPE paid only N383m leaving a difference of N73m.”
“Workers of National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency, Kaduna are owed gratuities of N150m by Nicon Insurance Plc. Workers often benefit from allotments of shares in companies undergoing privatisation on request. The reserve shares are however not granted on free carriage in compliance with provisions of the First Schedule Section 1(1) in line with Nigeria Individuals Participation as Percentage Post Privatisation. Out of the 122 privatised public enterprises only 14 enterprises had shares reserved for workers. 11,000 jobs were lost in Nitel/M-Tel; 2000 jobs were in Daily Times; and 1000 jobs were lost in ALSCON.”https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/sera...efcc-icpc/

A physically challenged man recently tied the knot with his beautiful bride against all odds.

Here’s what Facebook user Chibest Chibuike who posted the photos, wrote;
“True love does exist, you just might not have found the right person!”

27 year-old supermodel Chanel Iman and NFL player Sterling Shepard are engaged!
The couple, who have been dating since January, announced their engagement on Saturday.

They both took to Instagram and posted a copy of the same photo, which shows Sterling Shepard down on one knee asking Chanel Iman to marry him.
Chanel, 27, stands before Sterling, 24 years old, in a white feathery coat and dark skinny trousers, apparently covering her mouth with surprise.
Romantic candles are laid out all around the couple.

In her Instagram post, Victoria’s Secret darling Chanel couldn’t help but gush about her husband to be. She wrote:
‘A night full of tears of happiness. I’m beyond excited to spend the rest of my life with you @sterl_shep3 you are my soulmate, my best friend, my everything! Can’t wait to be your Mrs.
Sterling’s own post was shorter. While expressing his love, he included a clever pun:
"the catch of my dreams…can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you!"

Sterling Shepard certainly chose a memorable day to pop the question, as Chanel celebrated her 27th birthday only one day before, on Friday. https://www.lailasblog.com/chanel-iman-e...g-shepard/

[/url]Media personality/model, Uti Nwachukwu no longer appears in Nigerian movies.
In a new interview with Punch, he says this happened because acting doesn't pay much and he’s not ready to pretend all is well and waste his time doing things that don’t swell up his bank account.

[img=482x0]https://www.lailasblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Acting-doesn%E2%80%99t-pay-much%E2%80%99-Uti-Nwachukwu-collage-482x410.jpg[/img]
Read what the Big Brother Africa All Stars winner told Punch when he was asked why he stopped acting for a while now:

Quote:“I haven’t been in the country, but I am back now. I took a break from acting because it doesn’t pay much and I am not ready for that kind of life. I don’t want to pretend about it; so, I am only focusing on what brings greater remuneration, which is television presenting and hosting of events.

“Acting would just be a hobby because honestly, producers can’t afford to pay what I want to earn. But I will not stay away from movies totally; I will pick only exceptional movies instead of featuring in all the ones I am invited to partake in. I don’t have so much time for little money. I am not here to pretend all is well. I am in the industry to make money; I am not in the industry to play.”

Quote:“I will marry at the right time and marriage is not a competition. Once I find the right person, nothing will prevent me from getting married. I am an adult and my parents are educated. Therefore, they can’t force me to get married,” he added.
https://www.lailasblog.com/uti-nwachukwu...-pay-much/

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES

SUNDAY, 3RD DECEMBER.

Pastor Chris

TOPIC ✨ YOU LIVE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD’S SON ✨

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

You’ve been “delivered” from the power of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of God’s love-son. You’re in that Kingdom now, not when you get to heaven. This is the reason it’s such an incongruity to accept or even think that the Christian needs deliverance from Satan.

Satan and the Christian aren’t in the same class. The Christian is in the Kingdom of God’s dear Son, too far and too high from Satan’s domain. Ephesians 2:6 says we’ve been raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We’re seated together with Christ, far above principalities and powers. This is the reality.

As long as a Christian believes he or she is troubled by demons and therefore requires deliverance, that Christian has left his or her estate. The question to ask would be where did the demons meet him? Certainly not in Christ, where he’s supposed to be seated far above them! That’s the reason as a Christian, it’s important that you know the Word of God for yourself. You need to know who you are, what you have, where you are, and your abilities in Christ; you don’t need to be afraid of the devil! You’re superior to him.

If you’ve experienced spiritual attacks, perhaps it was because you didn’t know what to do. All you have to do is say, “In the Name of Jesus Christ, Satan, stop it! From this day, you’ll come back no more.” Surely, he’ll flee and return no more.

Being born again, you live in the presence of God, and function with the dominion of Christ. Live the victorious life that you’ve received in Him.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for transferring me from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of your dear Son, Jesus Christ. I thank you for bringing me into Christ. Christ is my place—my place of health, wealth, security, prosperity, and greatness. The prince of this world, Satan, has nothing in me. Glory to your name forever. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
1 John 4, Daniel 1-2
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
John 17:11-21, 2 Chronicles 7-8
Rhapsody of Realities
# AFFIRMATIONTRAIN 3RD DECEMBER.
I affirm that the Spirit of God has taken His abode in the quarters of my heart. I am imbued with supernatural powers, graces and glory, which overflow from within me to my world. Righteousness, peace, joy, and excellence exude from me. Hallelujah! I've been brought into the life of peace and unlimited prosperity in Christ Jesus. God has granted me understanding and insight into His will, purpose, and plans as I study His Word. My heart is flooded with wisdom and spiritual understanding, not just to know, but also to walk in His perfect will today and always. I am not ordinary; I am a vital member of the family of God— a member of Christ’s body, of His flesh, and of His bones. Therefore, I am invigorated with divine might and ability in my spirit for the supernatural. I am empowered to do the impossible, for greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. Glory to God!
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This is something to shout about. Keep saying it, don't stop talking it. Remember, your mouth is the edge of a weapon. Refuse to be quiet
You can now reach us on:
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God bless you.

                                                                        Phelekezela Mphoko

Zimbabwe’s former vice president, who was on a trip abroad during last month’s military takeover that led to Robert Mugabe’s resignation, has returned home, local media reported Saturday.
Phelekezela Mphoko was the second deputy appointed in 2014 by longtime strongman Mugabe, along with current President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Mphoko had flown to Japan on official business the day before the army took over the country in an operation that culminated in Mugabe’s ouster after a 37-year rule.

But instead of returning home at the end of his mission, Mphoko sought sanctuary in Botswana, where he remained until Friday.
“Mr Mphoko and his family arrived at the Zimbabwean side of the border at 1:15 pm (1115 GMT) aboard a Zimbabwe department of immigration minibus accompanied by Botswana immigration officials,” The Herald newspaper reported.
He was with his wife Laurinda, son Siqokoqela and seven other family members, the paper added.
According to The Herald, Mphoko spoke to Mnangagwa by phone and got “the necessary assurances that he was free to come back to Zimbabwe”.
The former vice president and longtime diplomat — less well-known in the country than popular Mnangagwa — was reportedly a member of a faction in the ruling ZANU-PF which rallied behind Mugabe’s wife Grace and backed her bid to replace her husband as president.
They were reportedly expelled from the party for “engaging in activities meant to destabilise the Government”.
Former finance minister and alleged member of the faction, Ignatius Chombo, was last week the first Mugabe loyalist to be charged by the new government on fraud charges dating from 2004-2009, when he held a different ministerial role.
Other senior members of the so-called G-40 faction are believed to be in hiding.
Mnangagwa, 75, named his cabinet overnight Thursday and he is expected to appoint his two vice presidents following a special ZANU-PF congress in mid-December, according to a government statement issued Saturday.
But he has come under fire for naming two military allies to top positions in his new cabinet, including Sibusiso Moyo, a major general who on November 15 went on state TV to announce the military’s takeover — a power grab which led to the 93-year-old Mugabe quitting the presidency a week later.
Another cabinet minister is the airforce boss — Air Marshal Perence Shiri, who had previously headed a special North-Korean trained unit that is alleged to have committed atrocities during a crackdown on a rebellion in the western Matabeleland province in the early 1980s.
An estimated 20,000 people were killed during the campaign known as Gukurahundi.Mnangagwa was also criticised for recycling ministers from Mugabe’s discredited era.
Following public outcry, he dropped Lazarous Dokora as education minister on Saturday, replacing him with professor Paul Mavima, another ZANU-PF legislator.

https://guardian.ng/news/world/zimbabwes...be-ouster/

Nigeria’s (top L-R) Leon Balogun, William Ekong, Anthony Nwakaeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Onyinye Ndidi, John Ogu, (bottom L-R) Abdullahi Shehu, Alexander Iwobi, Ola Aina, Oghenekaro Etebo, and Kelechi Iheanacho pose prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifying football match between Algeria and Nigeria at the Chahid Hamlaou Stadium in Constantine on November 10, 2017. RYAD KRAMDI / AFP

FORMER Coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde, has said that the Super Eagles would only soar at the Russia 2018 World Cup based on the level of preparations it made.

He therefore, urged the team and its handlers to cast aside permutations and calculations about their opponents and get to work fast.
The Eagles were on Friday drawn in Group D with old rivals, Argentina, Croatia and Iceland during the draw held at the Kremlin Palace, Moscow on Friday,

Onigbinde, who was the first indigenous coach to take Nigeria to the World Cup in Korea/Japan, said the nation should concentrate on preparing well rather than relying on permutation for the team’s matches in the group.
“What is going to happen during the World Cup will now depend on our opponents and how prepared we are. That is why we should forget about calculation on our opponents’ strength. Statistics do not play football and will never win matches.
“In 2002, France came to World Cup as the defending champion and in their first match at Korea/Japan they were beaten by Senegal. To me what matters now is how to ensure that the team prepares adequately and gets ready for the tournament. That you beat me yesterday does not mean that you will beat me today. I wish the team the best of luck,” he said.
Also speaking on the draw, the former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr. Kashimawo Laloko, declared that the goalkeeping area of the team needs to be addressed if the team must make any meaningful impact.
“I am not worried about our qualification from that group because I believe we will qualify. But I am scared a bit about our defence but majorly the goalkeeping area. I think Vincent Enyeama should be brought back to assist us. I believe with him, we should be able to win and move to the next stage of the tournament.
“Matches in that group are going to be very tough ones. As for Argentina, their friendly game against us was a fluke. I believe this time around, they are going to come out smoking at the World Cup.
“The exit of Enyeama from the Eagles was the coach’s fault. He caused the confusion and I will want us to appeal for his return in order to help the team.
“I believe this is one thing we can do for these young boys who already are a team. There is no time for trials now, all that we need to do is to solidify the team and see that we equally have a good bench that is all. So, I wish Nigeria the best of luck,” he said.


https://guardian.ng/sport/prepare-well-f...es-eagles/

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[/img]

•••say countrymen more wicked than Arabs

•Over 400,000 still stranded –AU Commission

                                                                                 Javier Mascherano

BARCELONA’S Argentina international, Javier Mascherano, has labelled the meeting between Argentina and Nigeria on June 16, a World Cup Clasico.

The two continental powerhouses have faced off four times in the group stage in the last six editions of the World Cup, with Argentina narrowly beating the Africans by the odd goal on each occasion.
Speaking at a McDonalds event following the World Cup draw on Friday, he said: ‘’It’s a harder group than you think. It was clear we were not going to get an easy group,’’ Mascherano was quoted as saying by Olé Argentina.

‘’All the rivals are difficult especially the first game, but you have to play it.
‘’Nigeria have become a clasico for us in the World Cup, they have been improving like all the teams.’’
Mascherano started and went the distance in Argentina’s wins against Nigeria at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively, and also featured in the recent friendly in Krasnodar.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Croatia international Ivan Rakitić anticipates a difficult battle in their quest to qualify for the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup after they were drawn in the same group with Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland.
The attacking midfielder reckons that they will survive the group stage if they beat Nigeria in their World Cup opener at Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad on June 16.

https://guardian.ng/sport/argentina-nige...ascherano/

Newcastle United’s Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba ® holds up Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (L) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 2, 2017. Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP

Eden Hazard gave England followers a glimpse of what to expect at next summer’s World Cup with a glorious display as Chelsea beat Newcastle United 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Less than 24 hours after the World Cup draw put Belgium and England in the same group, Belgian Hazard was in imperious form, scoring twice and running at defenders at will.
Chelsea’s victory, which keeps them third in the Premier League, ought to have been more emphatic but it briefly looked as if they might not collect the three points at all when Newcastle took a surprise lead in the 12th minute.

Dwight Gayle chased down his own header and hurried Marcos Alonso into a back-pass which sold his keeper Thibaut Courtois short.
Seeking to prevent Jacob Murphy nipping in to round him, Courtois was forced to dive at the Newcastle winger’s feet but succeeded only in pushing the ball back to Gayle, who stroked it into the empty net.

The Chelsea response was immediate. Twice they went close before inevitable equaliser finally arrived after 20 minutes. Alvaro Morata contested a high ball and it bounced off him and dropped towards Hazard, who controlled his half-volley to perfection, driving the ball into the ground and bouncing it into the far corner of the net.

That goal settled any anxiety that had been floating around Stamford Bridge and it came as no surprise when the home side took the lead just after the half-hour.

Matt Ritchie’s clearing header was neither strong, nor decisive and fell straight to Victor Moses who quickly drilled over a cross that Morata merely had to divert home with his head.
Danny Drinkwater, making only his second Chelsea start in the Premier League, was the next to go close with a shot which drifted away from the far post.

The second half began as quietly as the first, with only a deflected Hazard shot raising excitement levels among the crowd above the soporific.

That was until the 56th minute when the Belgian danced through the centre of the Newcastle defence only to stumble just he approached Karl Darlow in the Newcastle goal.

At the other end, Ayoze Perez sent a bouncing shot just wide of the post, his last act before being replaced by Isaac Hayden.
If anyone was going to add to the scoreboard, however, it was going to be Hazard. Prepared to drift all over the pitch in search of the ball, he picked it up in his own half after 69 minutes and had Newcastle defenders backpedalling and afraid to tackle lest he skip his way past them.
A one-two with Drinkwater ended with the ball agonisingly out of his reach.

When his second goal came, it was from the penalty spot, impudently chipping the ball beyond Darlow after Ritchie had brought down Moses.

The Newcastle keeper exacted a revenge of sorts moments later when he stuck out a hand to deny Hazard his hat-trick.
As if in an act of mercy by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, that was Hazards last contribution as he was replaced by Willian. Chelsea did not need him by then and may even have won more convincingly had Darlow not blocked Alonso’s goal-bound shot.

https://guardian.ng/sport/hazard-inspire...newcastle/

President Muhammadu Buhari was banned from entering the United States because Americans had reservations about his religious views, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said Friday.
Critics have long accused Mr. Buhari of holding extreme religious views that antithetical to modern democratic principles.
In 2001, Mr. Buhari drew nationwide backlash when he declared his total commitment to Islamic doctrine of Shari’a and called on Muslims to only vote for their fellow Muslims during elections.
But the president has denied being an extremist, saying he tolerates other religions as much as he does his Muslim faith.
“For about 15 years, Buhari could not enter America on account of religious considerations,” Mr. Abubakar said in an interview with Dele Momodu which was published in The Boss Newspaper Saturday.
Mr. Momodu had asked Mr. Abubakar why he had not been able to visit the United States for many years, amid speculations that he is wanted in that country for a slew of sharp practices.
Mr. Abubakar, who is expected to run for president in 2019, said the U.S. authorities have nothing against him. He said he was able to visit Europe regularly without being arrested for onward extradition to the U.S.
The former vice president said if Nigerians elect him president, he would be allowed into the United States just like Mr. Buhari and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both of whom are now being accorded red carpet treatments in the U.S. after becoming leaders of their respective countries.
Mr. Abubakar was named in at least one fraudulent deal in the United States, which involved contract award in Nigeria.
An American congressman Williams Jefferson was jailed in 2009 after being convicted by the FBI in relation to that case. A $100,000 cash which federal agents found in Mr. Jefferson’s apartment during a raid was said to have been from Mr. Abubakar.
Mr. Jefferson acted as a middleman in the deal, which saw him use his political connection to top Nigerian officials to get the broadband contract for iGate, a company linked to his immediate family members.
The U.S. Embassy in Abuja did not immediately respond to PREMIUM TIMES email seeking comments Saturday afternoon.
Presidential spokespersons Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, did not immediately respond to PREMIUM TIMES’ requests for comments Saturday.
Mr. Abubakar, vice-president from 1999-2007, dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress last week Friday, citing failure by the Buhari administration to improve the quality of life in the country and neglect of the youth in federal cabinet appointment.
His political allies have indicated that Mr. Atiku was on his way to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which has opened its doors to him.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/head...atiku.html

Waking with an erection is normal and common among men, but does a lack of morning wood suggest erectile dysfunction? The presence of nighttime erections still remain an important indicator of how your entire body is functioning.
In fact, a healthy man should expect to get hard three to five times per night, says Dr. Köhler.
Erections are a part of the normal sleep cycle and occur multiple times during the night. The body gradually goes through different stages of sleep, from Non-REM sleep to deep sleep. This cycle occurs 4-5 times in the night. As you enter REM sleep, you not only dream, but your body also goes through some physiological changes. One of these changes involves the shutting off your neurotransmitters in an effort to regulate your body and prevent you from acting out your dreams.
They are caused by low levels of norepinephrine.
One of these neurotransmitters happens to be norepinephrine, which is involved in the control of erections. This neurotransmitter is responsible for vasoconstriction of the penis blood vessels, thereby actively preventing erections. It’s basically like a stop sign. When one enters REM sleep, norepinephrine levels decrease and testosterone-related actions are no longer inhibited. This leads to vasodilation i.e. increased blood flow to the blood vessels, resulting in erections.
Don’t worry, morning erections are healthy!
This extra oxygentaion helps the organ repair itself and maintain functionality. So morning erections shouldn’t be a cause of worry. It’s just that one tends to wake up during the REM stage and witness the effect of sleep on the body.
They also prevent prevent you from wetting the bed.
A full bladder can also cause a morning erection, which is basically a reflex erection. The physiological benefit of this is that it prevents you from urinating in your sleep.
What Does It Mean Not To Wake Up With A Morning Erection?
There are a few reasons that a man may not wake up with a morning erection. First, younger adolescent boys who are not fully capable of erections will not likely have one upon awakening. These erections may occur with increasing frequency later in puberty, and into adult life.
Men may not wake with an erection if they’re not coming out of REM sleep at that time. Wakefulness is often preceded by lighter stages of sleep when erections do not occur. It’s also possible to have REM without having an erection. A lack of morning erections may also be a sign of erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence. http://theredgossipblog.com/2017/11/30/r...s-morning/

From: Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
More than 300,000 people are said to be living positively with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with about 140,000 HIV patients undergoing treatment in Benue State.
Acting Country Programme Manager of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Dr. Greg Abiaziem, who gave the figure, on Friday, in a chat with newsmen, in Makurdi, on the occasion of the World AIDS day celebration, also put the prevalence rate of the virus in the state at 15.4 percent.
While describing the development as unacceptable, Abuaziem said it was consequent upon that that his organisation had been working hard in 10 local government areas of the state in collaboration with the state government to tackle the epidemic and bring down the figure.
“Benue state where we are working and with the current national survey carried out in 2014, ranked highest with 15.4 percent which is unacceptably high. We have over 300, 000 people living with HIV and AIDS. Out of this number, 140, 000 HIV patients are currently undergoing treatment in the state.
“That is why we are working hard as stakeholders to bring the figure down. Government must put more funds into HIV project to keep the service going to reduce prevalence. The adolescents girl are the most vulnerable and we need to reach out to them,” he said.
He stated further that there was need to urgently intensify efforts at bridging the gap following the 2016 statistics which put the global death record from HIV/AIDS at one million while two million new infection was revorded across the world with in 2016 alone with 20 million persons currently without treatment.
The acting Country Programme Manager added that the status of people most vulnerable to the scourge had shifted to the adolescents with the key population being Men Sleeping with Men (MSM) as he noted that despite challenges ahead, the AHF in collaboration with the state’s agency on AIDS control had made huge success in the sector by reducing the size and impact of the epidemic in the state.
Abiaziem restated the commitment of the Foundation to continue to do its best to expand coverage and access to HIV testing and treatment in the state, stresding that this year’s World AIDS Day was meant to create awareness and launch fast track initiatives to undergo testing and counselling which is an avenue to reach out to the populace so that they can come out and know their status. http://sunnewsonline.com/over-300000-liv...benue-ahf/

From: Obinna Odogwu, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezuruike, on Friday, said that about 260,000 persons were infected by the HIV/AIDS disease in the state. Out of this figure, only 4,000 people, according to him, are currently living on drugs.
The Commissioner disclosed this in his office in Abakaliki at a press briefing to mark this year’s World AIDS Day. He disclosed that a total of 3.4million are infected by the virus nationwide out of which 600,000 patients are on drugs.
He further explained that 37.7 million people worldwide are living with the virus. This was even as he lamented that many people have not shown willingness to check their status to enable them embark on early treatment.
“It is note-worthy to clearly state that testing positive is not a death sentence but the beginning of a new life. People have lived with the virus for over 40 years as long as you live positively.
“Know your status and you will have the right to health which is the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day while concealing or not knowing your HIV status is your right to death” he declared.
Umezuruike disclosed that the state has a total of 202 HIV Health service facilities across the 171 wards in the state and called on the people to access the services free of charge. http://sunnewsonline.com/over-300000-liv...benue-ahf/

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has accused Kashim Shettima, Borno state governor, of frustrating the war against Boko Haram during his administration.
He said the governor exposed the girls of Chibok Secondary School to danger by failing to heed the federal government’s directive to relocate them while writing the West African School Certificate Examinations (WASCE).
Jonathan said this in reaction to Shettima’s claim that he nearly removed him as governor in 2014 over the disappearance of Chibok schoolgirls.
In a statement issued on Friday by Jonathan spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, the former president also described ‘On a Platter of Gold- How Jonathan won and lost Nigeria’, a book written by Bolaji Abdullahi, as “sore grapes and full of lies and gossip”.
THE FULL STATEMENT
Our attention has been drawn to the claims made by the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima on Thursday at a book launch to the effect that former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan wasted the goodwill he commanded because of bad governance and poor choices in office. He was also said to have accused Jonathan of believing that he was behind the kidnap of the Chibok girls.
As a man who had never seen anything good in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan on account of party and other differences, it has remained our considered view that in a democracy, Governor Kashim Shettima and others like him are entitled to their opinion, no matter how jaundiced.
However, it is a sad commentary on the character of some of our politicians that they go to any length to make spurious statements, in pursuit of the sad narrative to remain politically correct. We cannot be deceived by his crocodile tears and patronizing claim that “Jonathan is essentially a decent man”, which is a ploy he deployed to justify his false allegation of a lost glory.
The man who today speaks of squandered goodwill should be able to tell Nigerians what percentage of the votes Jonathan got in 2011 from Borno State at the height of that his envisaged glory according to Shettima, and what it became in subsequent elections. What was obvious yesterday and has remained so today is that Governor Shettima and those who think like him never liked Jonathan based on some parochial and paternalistic sentiments.
We didn’t expect anything less from Governor Shettima, knowing the ignoble roles he played in frustrating the war waged by the past administration against Boko Haram, even in his own Borno State.
He should be able to tell us if it was Jonathan’s poor choices that led the Governor to expose students of Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok to avoidable danger, in total disregard of a Federal Government directive to the Governors in the three states most affected by Boko Haram to relocate their students writing the West African School Certificate Examinations to safe zones.
The Governor is now denying that he had no hand in the kidnap of the Chibok girls even before anybody accused him of culpability. However, we share the view of those who insist that the Governor had other things up his sleeve when he promised the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) that he would secure the girls, and ended up doing the very opposite, by deliberately abandoning them to their fate, without any security presence in their school.
It is instructive that while other Governors in the zone heeded the security advice, Shettima remained the only one that flagrantly flouted it. Should we also fail to point out that his decision to reward the principal of Chibok Secondary School, who was uncharacteristically absent on the night terrorists stormed the school, with the post of a commissioner, did throw up more questions than answers?
Talking about accountability, perhaps, Shettima should also do well to explain to the good people of Borno State and Nigerians what he did with the over N60 billion Local Governments fund, left by his predecessor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
We understand Governor Shettima and those who spoke like him accused Jonathan of bad governance and poor choices, and we would like to know if it was bad governance that led Jonathan to assemble a-yet-to be matched crop of dynamic cabinet and economic management team made up of tested technocrats like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Finance ministry, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman in Planning, Mr Olusegun Aganga in Trade and Investments as well as Dr. Akinwumi Adesina leading the charge in Agriculture. The efforts of the Jonathan administration in repositioning Nigeria’s economy remain self-evident and it must have indeed been poor choices at their best for Jonathan and his team to have recorded the following key achievements:
* Nigeria’s Gross domestic Product rose to $503bn in 2013 and became Africa’s largest economy and 26th in the world; from 3rd and 46th respectively.
* Nigeria became the number one destination for Foreign Direct Investment in Africa under former President Jonathan, with the numbers rising from US$24.9 million as at 2007 to over US$ 35 billion in 2014.
* Jonathan Government delivered over 25,000 kilometres of motorable federal roads from just a quarter of that number in 2011.
* The Jonathan Administration resuscitated the railways in the country after about 30-years of hiatus
*Jonathan’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda ended fertiliser racketeering, encouraged more young Nigerians to take to farming, boosted local food production and took the country closer to self-sufficiency in food production by recording more than 50% reduction in food imports. It was as a result of this that the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, for the first time, voted Nigeria the largest producer of Cassava in the world.
* Power generation under Jonathan was boosted to about 5,000 megawatts in 2014 up from 2,000 megawatts in 2011.
* Prices of food and other household items remained stable and inflationary pressure was down to a single digit.
* Under Jonathan, Nigeria controlled clinically Ebola outbreak to the admiration of the whole world, became Guinea-worm-free and also eradicated polio, with United States billionaire and renowned philanthropist Bill Gates, praising Nigeria’s successes against polio as one of the great world achievements of 2014. Sadly polio has returned to the country with the likes of Shettima in charge of the endemic states.
* Under Jonathan Life expectancy in Nigeria rose from 47 years in 2010 to 54 years in 2015.
*Just before Jonathan left office, CNN Money projected that Nigeria’s economy in 2015 would become the third fastest growing economy in the world at 7% behind China at 7.3% and Qatar at 7.1%.
Was it bad governance and poor choices that reformed the political and electoral processes to the extent that the United Nations is now pleading with the government of the day to strive to maintain the standards established by Jonathan?
Fortunately, Nigerians know where they stand with all of their leaders. All those who are calling Jonathan names today, and accusing him of having become quite unpopular, should simply take a walk on the streets of any Nigerian city as real leaders do. That way, they will accurately gauge their own approval and test their popularity with the Nigerian people.
On the book entitled “On a Platter of Gold- How Jonathan won and lost Nigeria” written by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, we have watched for some time as some outrageous fabrications are extracted from its pages day after day by the media. When the publication of the book, with an ominous
title was first mooted, we knew it will be full of bile and sour grapes. We didn’t expect truth, sincerity and accuracy of narration, given that the author who was sacked from his ministerial position by the subject of the book, is now the spokesman for the ruling APC.
We will therefore like to dissociate former President Jonathan from the book’s salacious contents, with all the obvious distortions, lies and exaggerations. Its pages are populated with gossip, politically influenced newspaper articles, uncoordinated raw data and unproven claims. Sadly, the author did not help matters, as there was no
rigor or indepth investigations towards establishing the veracity of the allegations the book contained. For instance, it is ridiculous for the author to have claimed that the President was forced to sack a certain minister by another cabinet member when the obvious truth known to all key members of the administration was that the President acted based on the recommendation of an internal committee that investigated the matter. This, unfortunately, is the kind of baseless claims and narrative that run through the entire book, and it would be pointless devoting our time towards making a case by case response to all its ridiculous allegations.
We will like to remind Nigerians of what former President Jonathan said earlier in the year when a similar book was published, that only the key actors in his Government and in the 2015 Presidential elections could give an exact account of what transpired, not speculations and conjectures by third party spectators. That time will come someday. https://www.thecable.ng/jonathan-hits-sh...ibok-girls

Bukola Saraki, Senate President, said former President Goodluck Jonathan was never desperate for power but got there by providence.
He said this on Thursday in Abuja at the unveiling of a book entitled ‘On a Platter of Gold’. The book written by Bolaji Abudullahi,
national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saraki, who was the chief host of the occasion, said “a country produces the kind of leadership it gets’’.
He said: “I think it is us Nigerians, that produce the kind of leaders we get; no matter what you say about Jonathan, I don’t think he was someone who was desperate for power.”
He added that Jonathan was not someone that was prepared for leadership but became the president of the country either by “misfortune or fortune“.
The president of the senate said it was unfortunate that Nigerians knew the right things to do, but would rather keep playing the blame game.
He expressed optimism that the book would be cherished by Nigerians going by its quality.
The book chronicled the ascension of Jonathan, the power play, and the intrigues that led to his loss of power in the 2015 presidential election.
https://www.thecable.ng/saraki-jonathan-...leadership

OBJ vows never to support ex-VP
Atiku shuns Ethiopia meeting
I made my money early –Atiku
He must beg to achieve aim –Group
By Olalekan Osiade
Sequel to the resignation of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), there have been so many backlashes on the rumoured presidential ambition of the former number two citizen. But of all the criticisms trailing his ambition, the most striking is that of his former boss, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom many see as a major obstacle to Atiku’s ambition. Some highly influential Nigerians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan have advised the ex-VP to close ranks with Obasanjo in order to achieve his aim.
Though Atiku has not announced his presidential plans or the platform he will use, Jonathan had recently warned him not to ignore Obasanjo, even if he gets the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket. “If Atiku gets our party ticket, he would compete well. But he would have to reach out to our boss, Baba OBJ, the boss of all bosses.
We’ve all learnt at different times that you ignore OBJ at your peril. OBJ has the magic wand, he is respected at home and abroad”, Jonathan was quoted as saying. As if some Atiku’s traducers were waiting for his exit from the APC, they had immediately put to use an old video of Obasanjo’s interview where he gave reasons for not supporting his former ally.
The video, which had recently gone viral showed the retired General saying he couldn’t have allowed Atiku to succeed him, apparently because of the magnitude of the information at his disposal. “With what I know about Atiku, if I had put Atiku forward, God would not have forgiven me”, Obasanjo claimed in the video, said to have been recorded in 2015.
The insinuations from the video have portrayed Atiku as corrupt in the public view but the ex-VP had on Thursday in Lagos put paid to all the insinuations surrounding his source of wealth where he narrated how he established his business as far back as 1971. With this, it appears that the Atiku camp seems not to be deterred by Obasanjo’s outburst, as the team is also determined to fight back and call the bluff of the ex-president; this, Saturday Telegraph gathered, from sources close to both camps.
Atiku shunned meetings –OBJ camp
An impeccable source within the Obasanjo camp told Saturday Telegraph that with the stance taken by Atiku, it’s going to be a fight to the finish, just as he revealed how Atiku had refused to take advantage of two meetings meant to reconcile the old friends.
The source claimed that though Atiku had been to Obasanjo’s home in Abeokuta, he said that was just a publicity stunt, revealing that there were two meetings called specifically for reconciliatory purposes that had been thwarted. “Some people tried to put all these crises to an end, they called two meetings for them within and outside the country but their efforts were frustrated.
It is a pity things are going this way. “But for the steps taken by Atiku and his die-hard supporters, the matter would have been settled long ago. Baba only wanted him to confess the allegations against him and apologise. He could just have done that but he botched it twice. “There had been two meetings called to settle this matter.
On the first occasion, he refused to apologise and he shunned the second one that was to be held outside Nigeria. “He attended the one in Nigeria but was adamant, he didn’t apologise. On the second meeting, baba was actually waiting for him in an East African country but Atiku did not show up.
That was a great opportunity he missed. He would have been president if he hadn’t fought his benefactor. “Unknown to many people, baba actually brought him on board in 1999 to succeed him in 2007. If you remember, Atiku was already elected a governor in Adamawa but baba picked him as his running mate for the presidency”, the source said.
OBJ is not God –Atiku’s camp
But in response from the other camp, a source linked with Atiku faulted the claim, saying that Obasanjo was becoming too overbearing for his former deputy, hence the need for Atiku to check his excesses.
The Atiku’s ally was also of the opinion that the apology demanded by Obasanjo would not have changed anything because the former president had made up his mind and had publicly said he wont back Atiku. “Don’t believe everything they are saying, it is even people in Obasanjo’s camp that are scuttling all the reconciliation moves. They are not sincere.
What else do they want? If we call a meeting, they will make it public. Ask them why? “The last time Atiku was in Abeokuta, it was supposed to be a closed-door meeting, it wasn’t meant to be for the press, but when we got there, they had already briefed the media. “Whatever we do, they have a way of turning it around.
That’s why we went with our team for the Abuja meeting, in case they wanted to play pranks. The one they told you we didn’t attend was supposed to be in Ethiopia. “They didn’t tell you the country but I am telling you now that it was supposed to be in Ethiopia. They told Atiku late and he already had another engagement within the country.
“They can’t blame anybody for that. More so, why are they playing God? Is Obasanjo God? Let nobody play God, whatever would be, would be. 2019 is not a do-or-die matter, if God decrees that Atiku will rule, millions of Obasanjo cant stop it. We shall leave beyond 2019 by God’s grace.”
Atiku must beg OBJ, says NYLF
In the same vein, the National Youth Leaders Forum, has aligned itself with Jonathan, asking Atiku to seek reconciliation with his former boss. The group, in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Elliot Afiyo, explained that its position is to clear the air, being a group that had been a party to the reconciliatory efforts so far made.
Accusing some supporters of the former VP, the group alleged that some of the ex-VP’s aides were the cause of the unending crisis. “We make bold to say that aides of the former Vice President are responsible for the botch attempts to reconcile them, because Atiku, rather than listen to wisdom with no vested interest chose to listen to these aides. “Twice we had made moves to reconcile him with Baba, but, twice he had failed. Atiku is not that hard to bend, but his so-called loyal aides were responsible for those failed times we agreed.
“For the records, we make bold to say that those two times were in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, yet at the last minute, Atiku would bow to his aides and will not come. We want to appreciate Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for hitting the nail on the head.
“It is not too late, we are going to build on the suggestion of Jonathan to reach out to Atiku again for the reconciliation. Baba Obasanjo is the most forgiving person for those who are close to him. When you are wrong or make mistakes he will naturally chide you. “And it is for you to go back to him to apologise and promise not to repeat the mistake. He will surely forgive, that is Baba Obasanjo for you.
But, when your aides are telling you to do without him, then according to Jonathan, you are doing so at your own peril. “NLYF is using this opportunity to call again on Atiku, irrespective of his aspiration or ambition to do away with his aides’ hard stance and seek the reconciliation with Obasanjo and our doors are wide opened to be the channel for such”, the statement reads.
Atiku will work with everybody –Media aide
In response to our enquiries, Atiku’s Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone, denied knowledge of any botched meeting or any group that is linked with such reconciliatory efforts.
Ibe however assured Nigerians that his principal would work with everybody that matters for the betterment of the nation and towards achieving a united country. “Atiku’s strength is his ability to gather people together and work with all shades of opinion from all sides. Be it Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo, Atiku will work with everybody and he has that ability to carry everybody along.
That is his strength. When probed further on the botched meeting with Obasanjo, he denied knowledge of such, saying, “I am not aware of any meeting and I don’t even know the group you are talking about. “Like I told you, I have said this in a recent interview and I am repeating it. Atiku will not discountenance the importance of carrying everybody along in order to build a consensus. Atiku is opened to all”, Ibe said.
How I started my business in 1971 – Atiku
In what seems like a denial to all the allegations of corruption against him, the former VP, while speaking in Lagos on Thursday explained how he made his money, revealing that he took his first business decision as far back as 1971. Atiku, who urged Nigerian youths to have more drive towards entrepreneurship, spoke after receiving the Honourary Achiever Award, at the Africa’s Youth Entrepreneurs Conference and Award. “I came to Lagos on June 29, 1969, and after my twoyear training with the Nigeria Customs Service; I was posted to the border station of Idi-Iroko.
At that time, the Badagry Road had not been constructed and the only means of transportation to the rest of the West African corridor was through the Idi-Iroko border to what used to be called Dahomey and what is now known as Benin Republic.
“On getting to Idi-Iroko, my first posting, I was not married and what I discovered was that the most promising business was transportation. Many pickup vans were transporting women traders from Ajase (Port Novo) to Lagos every morning, and every evening from Lagos back to Port Novo. “So I asked myself; how can I seize the opportunity of this moving business?
I came over to Lagos and in those days, SCOA was the sole distributor of Peugeot, so I went to SCOA and I signed a hire-purchase agreement and bought four of those pickups and gave them to four different drivers and every day they will bring their returns to me and at the end of the month, I will go to SCOA and pay them.
“I wasn’t married, so my salary was intact, and in addition I was saving from what I was getting from my transport business. So, sometime, to be an entrepreneur you must have the ingenuity to be an entrepreneur”, Atiku said, noting that the country’s education system in the early 1960s provided the Nigerian youths the opportunities to make diverse carrier choice.
According to the former Vice President, “the educational system we operated in the First Republic provided our students then the opportunity to either go to universities or go to technical colleges or to go to crafts schools. There was never a dropout in that kind of educational system.
The dullest was trained on a skill and given the capital to start a business.” Atiku however regrets that “suddenly, Nigeria moved away from that to a system of education where you train only job seekers.” He pointed out that the products of this educational system didn’t know how to do anything else other than to seek for jobs, adding that they could not self-employ themselves.
“So, what I am trying to say is that my Nigeria is possible and your own Nigeria is possible”, he said. The former Vice President urged the youth to take advantage of the rebound in railway infrastructure that was built by the last administration to start a business initiative of transportation of goods across the country and reduce the reliance on heavy-duty trucks to convey those goods.
https://newtelegraphonline.com/2017/12/2...ht-finish/

How To Start Turkey Rearing In Nigeria (Detail Guide)

The turkey fowl is a common poultry bird in Nigeria, usually locally raised at homes. It is reared for its meat and eggs. According to government reports, Nigeria is not producing poultry meat or any other meat for that matter satisfactorily enough for its consumption. The situation is so desperate frozen fowl meat is being imported into the country from Benin Republic legally and illegally. The government past and present introduced a ban on foreign meat (especially turkey) challenging local turkey rearing farmers to match the demand for the gargantuan appetite.

Because of the incredible ‘high demand’ for turkey meat across the country, venturing into the turkey rearing business is fetching yourself a lot in profits. And the best part is you can start with as little as N40,000 (NGN).
The turkey rearing model in this article is meant for simple rearing of the birds in a backyard setting, where the objective is to fatten them for a period of time and then sell them when they have reached market size. Suitable for up to fifty turkeys and as little as five depending on your space and not for hundreds of turkey birds as it is in a poultry farm.

So, we are going to proceed with all calculations based on ten turkeys, you can multiply or divide up the total sum of capital needed according to your requirements.
Where To Buy Turkey
You can easily obtain your first assemblage of turkeys from your neighborhood or in a local farm near you. Watch out closely for those with defects, their defects are quiet visible and easy to discern.
Disregard any bird with a form of discoloration in the caruncles (the fleshy protuberance on the head and around the neck) or having a deformed beak, or with swollen caruncles, blisters on the head or any part of the body and so on.

Turkey Rearing Requirements

Turkey rearing is fairly easy compared to other birds and advantageous as they are highly resistant to diseases and they exhibit a low mortality rate once they have grown past their infancy stage (0 – 4 weeks) also known as brooding. They could be raised in a free-range setting, that is letting them out from their cage to an open surrounding area and there is the semi-intensive, where they are kept in a cage/room throughout the rearing process. The first system is very economical as they could fend for themselves most of their dietary needs but the latter system enables them to grow faster and bigger because of the attention they will get.

I suggest you start with the 4-5 weeks old turkeys those past their brooding stage (or else contact other sources for a more elaborate insight on the topic), they are easily recognized by the red combs protruding from their heads at that stage.

Key Fundamental Subject Matters In Turkey Rearing

Breed

There are numerous varieties of turkey but there is not much difference between them, some are good at egg production and others meat. We won’t be bothering ourselves with hybrids since they require an intensive farming system. The male turkey known as ‘toms’ are much heavier than their female counterparts known as ‘hens’ and hence the former fetches higher earnings in the market. To achieve higher productivity separate the toms from the hens in the cage.

Temperature

Provide ample shade around the surrounding of your turkey rearing area, and make sure if they are in their cages roll the covers up so that the cage will be well ventilated. Install a hot filament bulb in the coop, hanging from the roof to provide heat during cold nights.

Debeaking And Toe Clipping

Cutting of the beak and clipping of their toe is essential to prevent them from injuring each other. Consult a veterinary.

Vaccination

They require vaccination at least twice times from 0 – 10 weeks. A veterinarian will best explain what your turkey needs. Deworming should be done at least once a month, the deworming drug is usually mixed with their water.

Behaviour

Turkey tend to be easily frightened by a person’s presence which may result in a stampede when inside a cage. They may injure themselves by trampling, so when handling them it is best done in low light.

Shelter For Turkey Rearing

Turkeys are kept in low cost rearing pen/cages called coops. They could be made of iron or wood and covered with corrugated zinc sheets. The height should be up to 2.5 to 3 meters from the floor to roof with a meter long overhang to prevent rain from splashing into the coop.

Floor Space – The required space for a fully grown turkey is at least one square meter per bird. So for ten birds they will need a minimum of 10 square meters. Avoid overcrowding the birds to prevent trampling and to ensure that each bird had enough to eat.

Floor Covering – Saw dust, wood shavings and other similar materials should be used for the floor covering. It should be about 2 inches thick and gradually increased to 4 inches and it should be raked regularly to prevent caking.

Feed and Feeding

What turkey eats is similar to what chickens eat. Mostly grains and occasionally even feeds on greens and vegetables. Their diet requires about 25% proteins and a good amount (1%) of calcium because of their large size. When it comes to consumption of water they require an around-the-clock supply of clean water, and the water troughs should be filled even more regularly during the hot season. They feed on 150 grams of feed every day per bird, which is like half a mudu of millet for each turkey.

The total feed consumption of the Toms is estimated at about 20 kg from 4-16 weeks.

The total feed consumption for the Hens is estimated at about 15 kg from 4-16 weeks.

You can feed them with hybrid feeds or feed them a mix of both common and hybrid feeds. They also eat leftovers, a little bit of fruits and vegetables are also recommended to meet their dietary needs most especially onions. Some points to consider when feeding your turkey birds for optimum results are;

• They should be fed during the cooler parts of the day, morning or afternoon.
  
  
• Always provide them with clean water.
  
  
• Water troughs should always be full at all times.
  
  
• Provide more waterers during summer/hot season.
  
  
• Avoid pouring the feed on the floor but in feeders.
  
  
• When change is made from one diet to another take precaution to withdraw gradually from their former diet by mixing it with the new diet when feeding them.
  

• Soybeans
  
  
• Millet
  
  
• Rice
  
  
• Corn
  
  
• Wheat (recommended)
  
  
• Sorghum
  

• Onions
  
  
• Watermelon
  
  
• Egg shell grit (30-40 grams per bird occasionally)
  
  
• Fish (both dried and fresh)
  

• Turkey Starter’s mash (4-5 weeks old)
  
  
• Turkey Grower’s mash (5-8 weeks old)
  
  
• Turkey Finisher
  
  
• Chicken feed
  

How to cook Nigerian vegetable soup with tomatoes

Nigerian vegetable soup cooked with tomatoes.

I get mails from blog readers asking if it's alright to cook vegetable soups with tomatoes and my reply is a "yes" This here is vegetable soup cooked with fresh tomatoes and served with roasted goat meat.
INGREDIENTS:
11/2 cups palm oil
11/2 cups vegetable oil
1 medium sized onion
5 large sized tomatoes
1 teaspoon pepper, you can add more
1 medium sized bunch ugu vegetables (Fluted pumpkin)
3 large sized bunch water leaf
1 cup ground crayfish
2 seasoning cubes
salt to taste
No water. The soup is cooked with juices from vegetables.
2kg goat meat (Roasted)

DIRECTION:

1. Stir fry the onion and chopped tomatoes in hot oil with pepper and one seasoning cube. Stir till onion is translucent. My tomatoes are frozen, so, the skin came off easily. You can pour boiling water on tomatoes or freeze to remove skin before chopping.
   
2. Add washed vegetables, stir very well, cover and leave for about a minute before adding crayfish and the remaining seasoning cube. Note that you may also fry the crayfish with the onion and tomatoes o. cover to cook for atleast half a minute.
   
3. Stir, check for taste and salt before turning off the heat.
   

Soup can be served with fufu, tuwo, eba, semo, amala, rice, plantain, yam, etc.

Below is the soup recipe in pictures...

Mixture of Vegetable and palm oil heating up.

Just added the onion, chopped tomatoes

 Pepper and seasoning cubes

 Tomato cooks until onion looks tanslucent

Quantity of ugu vegetable is 1/3 that of water leaf to really get the begetables softened

Adding vegetables to the cooking pot with tmy roast goat meat waiting to be served as a side

Adding ground crayfish

Stirring and checking for salt

Tomato and leafy  Vegetable soup cooked and ready to serve

 Enjoy the weekend

http://www.wivestownhallconnection.com

How To Cook Edikang Ikong Vegetable Soup With Crunchy Snails

A serving of vegetable soup with crunchy snails, smoked cat fish, stock fish and crayfish

[size=undefined]Boiling washed goat meat and stock-fish with onion and salt

Adding pepper sauce to boiling meat

Adding  some water and washed smoked cat fish to soup

Adding palm oil to soup

Adding roughly ground crayfish to boiling soup

Adding seasoned boiled crunchy snails to soup with the snail little stock

Adding vegetables to cooked soup. Ugu and water leaf were washed together
Enjoy with some swallow!

A serving of yummy nutritious vegetable soup
Enjoy your lunch![/size]

How To Cook Crunchy Peppered Nigerian Snails

[size=undefined]add washed snails to boiling salted water and cook for 30 minutes for very large snails

boiled snails removed from the stock 
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cook ground pepper in oil for about 1 to 2 minutes

add cooked snails to pepper sauce
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[size=undefined]adding snail stock to make snail stew

Snails boil, heat is reduced and allowed to simmer for 3 to 5 minutes
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[size=undefined]Enjoy tasty snail stew with rice

Three snails served with rice and snail stew[/size]

How to Build Low Cost Poultry House For Rural Poultry Farmers


Low cost poultry house is essential for startup poultry farmers who are operating on budget. The purpose of this article is to inform farmers that poultry farming is not a business for only rich people. The cost of land, and construction of pen are major and capital expenditure in setting up a poultry farm. If you can reduce this cost it will help a lot . To reduce the cost of land, do not site your farm in the urban area, for the following reasons.
In many parts of Ogun state you can get a plot of land for less than hundred thousand and an acre for less than three hundred thousand Naira .Many of these villages between Atan Ota to Owode from Owode to Idiroko and Ipokia towns are farming communities where one can seek land for farming at low cost. The last town mentioned Ipokia is the farthest and not more than two hours drive to Agege. I visited a farmer at Oke Odan. The owner constructed his two bedroom flat farm house where he lives and three low cost poultry house (pens) that houses 1500 layers each on two plots of land.

Two plots of land in this town sells for less than hundred thousand. The impressive fact is that he used local materials to construct the pen, refers to in this article as low cost poultry house. The brooder house 35 ft by 30 ft was roofed with raffia palm leaves and bush poles. According to the farmer the roof material lasts for two years. The brooder pen is able to house 1000 pullets from day old to point of lay, and the cost of construction is less than 30 thousand Naira .To build smaller size of this pen like 15ft by 15ft costs like 15 thousand Naira. This can house up to 500 day old to point of lay.

The people constructing this low cost poultry poultry house or pens are in the local area and I am sure if they have the contract they will construct it in any other place where their service is required.

Construction of Low Cost Poultry House And Layers Cage.

Layers cage is very important for the following reasons, The pullets reared in cage produce more eggs than the ones on deep litter system. The eggs produced in cages is neater than the ones produced on deep litter. The pullets in cages does not suffer from litter borne diseases like coccidiosis. Theft of a bird can be detected immediately if they are in cages.
The record of sales and stock Yellow Chicken balance is made easy when pullets are in cages. The cost of imported cages to house 90 pullets is 120 thousand Naira. The life span of the cage is 15 years. With local materials you can construct cages that will last 10 years for as low as 20 thousand Naira.. This can be a starting point to raise money to buy imported cages.
Procedure.

The material for making this cage is the wire gauze as seen in the picture (The pictures coming soon). Each sheet cost 4000 Naira and you need two sheets to make cage for 96 pullets. You can use the service of a welder to construct iron leg for the cage or a carpenter to make wooden legs as shown in the picture.

The feed trough is made of 6 inches diameter, plastic pvc pipes and the water trough made of3 inches diameter plastic pipe also. The wire gauze can be bought at Owode Onirin or Iyana Ipaja .The welder will charge about 5 thousand Naira for the legs and to bend the gauze wire to the shape of cage. He will also cut some parts to partition the cage into units of 4 pullets per cage and construct the shutters.
If you want to make this cage by your own direct labor you will spend not more than 20000 Naira. But if you want ready made locally fabricated cage it is between 25000 to 30000 Naira. For inquiries on Procurement of farm land , Low cost poultry pens , Low cost layers cage, contact Ely Jay. I wish you profitable farming.
www.wealthresult.com/agriculture/how-to-build-low-cost-poultry-pen-for

Indian Jails 8 Donkeys For Eating Expensive Plants (Photo)

Eight donkeys have spent four days in an Indian jail for eating expensive plants. They did not go for trial. They were summarily incarcerated as the illegal eating took place near a prison.
It all happened in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
The animals were arrested after eating  up “expensive” plants just outside the compound of the main jail in the state’s Jalaun district, over 200 km from capital Lucknow.
Various types of saplings were planted in the jail premises for beautification. Those were damaged by the donkeys. Hence, I rounded them up,” jail chief Sita Ram Sharma told the media.
The donkeys were freed on Monday after a local politician of the state’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intervened in the wake of a plea by the owner of the donkeys.
“For two days, I could not find my horses and donkeys. When I came to know that they are in jail, I sought the help from local BJP leaders to secure their release,” owner Kamlesh S. said.


(Xinhua)

Chicken plantain pepper soup for new mums

 Plantain pepper soup for new moms
This is a very traditional delicacy for women who have just been delivered of babies, great to take in the first few months after delivery. Most traditional Nigerian meals for new mums are cooked with lots of pepper but without the addition of palm oil. If you were to make this on a normal day for anyoe other than a new mum, you can add some palm oil (1/4 cup). This plantain soup can be very spicy and delicious. I didn't add too much pepper here because of the baby that doesn't need to suck pepper from breast milk.

INGREDIENTS:
1 medium sized local chicken (Cock), dressed
1 small onion to steam the chicken
4 cups water, you can add more later
1 tablespoon ground fresh pepper
Salt to taste
2 seasoning cubes
1 small buch scent leaves
5 fingers unripe or fairly plantain ( I used unripe plantain here)

DIRECTION:

• Peel the plantain, scrape the skin lightly with a sharp knife from your knife set till clean before chopping into small sizes. 
  
• Boil the chicken with salt, onion, pepper and seasoning cube for about 10 minutes or till chicken is almost cooked.
  
• Add the plantain and stir, check for salt and cover to boil. Check frequently and stir vigorously so it starts thickening. Do this until plantain softens.
  
• Add the washed scent leaves, stir and check again for salt. Once it thickens to your desired consistency, turn off the heat.
  
• Serve hot. If new mum breastfeeds, please watch the pepper.
  

Boiled chicken and spices before adding plantain

Plantain

Cutting, what you see on the knife is what will help the pottaage thicken fast

Adding plantain to boiled chicken

Chicken plantain pepper soup is ready. Serve hot with enough sauce,
Enjoy!

Banky’s wedding did not outshine mine, I don’t see any comparison’ – Oritsefemi
The much talked about weddings of two of Nigeria’s artistes, Oristefemi and Banky W, has come and gone but the buzz they generated has yet to be over as so many fans still compare the two weddings in terms of class and taste.
Surprisingly, when Saturday Beats reached out to the self-acclaimed music Taliban, Oritsefemi, he said that there was no basis for comparison.
The Double Wahala singer added that his wedding trended on Twitter as such, no one could say that Banky W’s wedding outshined his.
He said,
“Initially, I did not notice that people were comparing my wedding with Banky W’s but later, after the whole ceremony, I noticed it. I did not even know that Banky was getting married on the same day that I did. But to be truthful, I knew that he had a ceremony about a week ago so I thought that was his wedding.
I have no issues with both of us getting married on the same day, if anything; it was more fun because like they say, the more the merrier. I was the one that got married and I am not even doing any form of comparison. All I wanted was to have a classy wedding and I got that at the end of the day.
 
 “My wedding was well attended by highly respected people in the society. I don’t see any comparison because Banky even had his own in South Africa while mine was in Nigeria.

“Banky’s wedding did not outshine mine. Although I did not follow what was happening on the social media, I was told that my wedding trended on Twitter. I feel it was more fun for us that we got married on the same day and we were keeping people busy on the Internet. The Internet almost went crazy for both weddings. I don’t see any problem with it. Entertainers don’t see such as a competition but it is the fans that always start such comparison. All I know is that both weddings went well, they were classy and it would go down in history as one of the most talked about weddings of 2017. I congratulate Banky W on his wedding and wish him and his bride blessings,” he said.

https://www.lailasblog.com/bankys-weddin...ritsefemi/

UBA Emerges First Nigerian Bank To Win African Bank Of The Year Award




Pan-African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has once again proven its leadership on the continent, as The Banker magazine has crowned the bank ‘African Bank of the Year 2017’.

The award was a first for Nigeria as it marked the first time a Nigerian-headquartered bank will beat other contenders to the prestigious and highly coveted regional award.


To further demonstrate the group’s strength and dominance in the financial sector on the continent, four of UBA group’s operations in Africa also led contenders in their respective countries to emerge the ‘Best Bank of the Year 2017’ in their respective markets.

A statement from the bank Thursday said UBA Congo, UBA Tchad, UBA Gabon and UBA Senegal emerged the Best Bank of the Year in Congo, Tchad, Gabon and Senegal, reinforcing the strong franchise of the group across its chosen markets in Africa.

UBA Gabon and UBA Senegal won the same awards in 2016, as both subsidiaries of the UBA Group remained the banks to beat in the respective countries, the statement added.

A publication of the London-based Financial Times newspaper, The Banker magazine, is a global financial intelligence magazine that provides global bank ratings/analysis and is the definitive reference in international banking for high level decision makers globally.

According to the magazine, the aim of the award “is to highlight industry-wide excellence within the global banking community. The winner is selected from participating banks in each of the 120 countries from which entries are received for the competition”.

Explaining the rationale behind UBA carting multiple categories in its December issue, The Banker magazine noted that Africa’s economic landscape has been unpredictable in recent times, resulting in recessions in some of Africa’s best performing economies while the region as a whole only expanded by about 1.3 per cent in 2016.

“In these conditions only the most diversified and innovative of regional banks can prosper. And this is precisely why the United Bank for Africa (UBA) has scooped the 2017 regional winner award.
“For one, the lender registered impressive top- and bottom-line growth over the review period,” it noted.

The magazine went further to enumerate the various achievements recorded by UBA Group during the period, noting that earnings for the year reached N384 billion ($1.07 billion), signalling a 22 per cent growth from its 2015 performance while profit before tax also grew by 32 per cent, to reach N91 billion.

According to the organisers, “Equally impressive was UBA’s capital adequacy ratio which at the end of 2016 stood at 20 per cent while its non-performing loan ratio was a healthy 3.9 per cent. Operating across 19 markets in Africa, the bank serves more than 14 million customers.”

It added that the pan-African bank’s foray into various ventures in Africa also helped to clinch its activities in the year under consideration, stating: “Beyond the numbers, the bank has won and acted on a number of headline deals. These include financing a new stadium in Douala, Cameroon for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for $285 million.
“In Senegal, more than $250 million of trade finance was provided to the state oil company while the lender acted as arranger and bank agent in the raising of $160 million to finance road infrastructure.

“The bank’s digital tax collection solutions are also helping regional governments in Senegal and Burkina Faso.”
The organisers observed that UBA also made impressive strides in the digital space, adding that in terms of internet banking, the organisation processed seven million transactions valued at more than N600 billion in 2016.

Mobile banking processed transactions valued at N70 billion over the same period. UBA also launched eMailMoni, a service that lets customers transfer funds via e-mail, while Chat Banking allows clients to perform basic transactions through social media platforms.
“For these reasons and others, UBA is the winner of our 2017 African Bank of the Year award,” the magazine stated.

According to the statement, the Group Managing Director/CEO of UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, who was delighted by the recognition from The Banker, said: “These awards mark another milestone for the UBA Group and are a testament of the diligent execution of the bank’s strategic initiatives on customer service.

“Being recognised as Africa’s best bank complements positive feedback from customers and is a recognition of our improving efficiencies, service quality and innovation. I therefore dedicate it to our growing loyal corporate and retail customers, who are our essence.

“Given our heritage commitment to Africa’s development, we continue to impact lives through our service as well as funding to individuals, businesses and government.”
Uzoka added: “The bank remains focused on its goal of democratising banking in Africa, leveraging on new technologies and our rich pool of talent.

“It is satisfying that our efforts towards leadership are yielding great results. We continue to gain market share across our chosen markets, as we deepen financial inclusion, meeting basic and complex financial service needs of the growing African population.
“We are Africans and determined to change the narrative of financial services in Africa and this is just the beginning.”

On his part, Mr. Emeke Iweriebor, Regional CEO, UBA Francophone Africa, described the awards as exciting, stating that the bank’s great work in Africa was increasingly being recognised.
Iweriebor, who dedicated the awards to the bank’s esteemed customers, said: “Our pioneering innovations in the African banking sector are undoubtedly critical to the growth and development of the continent.
“Africa’s banking sector has come a long way but we still have a lot to do. We at UBA Group are dedicated to being a critical part of this transformation.”

He added that the bank will continue to leverage its local knowledge, global exposure as well as presence to drive positive change in Africa, working actively with the government, local businesses, regulators and other stakeholders in deepening financial services.
The Banker awards “Bank of the Year Awards” are widely regarded as the Oscars of the banking industry. For 90 years, The Banker has been the world’s leading monthly journal of record for the banking industry.

UBA was incorporated in Nigeria as a limited liability company after taking over the assets of the British and French Bank Limited, which had been operating in Nigeria since 1949.
UBA merged with Standard Trust Bank in 2005 and from a single country operation founded in 1949 in Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy – the bank has become one of the leading providers of banking and other financial services on the African continent.

The bank provides services to over 14 million customers globally, through one of the most diverse service channels in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 1,000 branches and customer touch points and robust online and mobile banking platforms.

UBA was the first Nigerian bank to make an initial public offering (IPO), following its listing on the NSE in1970. It was also the first Nigerian bank to issue global depository receipts (GDR).
The shares of UBA are publicly traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the bank has a well-diversified shareholder base, which includes foreign and local institutional investors, as well as individual shareholders.
thomasloaded

Nigerian wife stumbled on husband's romantic chat on Social media, pulled a Boko stunt on him, it worked

According to multiple online reports, a woman in Yola, Adamawa state, accessed her husband’s phone and saw his romantic chat with another woman on Facebook, instead of doing the normal confrontation and stuff, she did this beautiful and smart thing that immediately ended the Facebook relationship and saved her marriage!...

Here’s what Facebook users wrote;

A WOMAN THAT IS MORE BRILLIANT THAN MARYAM SANDA:
Women be like her Please.
A woman in Yola Adamawa State took her husband’s Phone and access his Facebook, she realise and see romantic charts he does with women. She sat down and think of the possible way that she can easily use to separate him with the women. She came up with a beautiful idea, without even the husband’s knowledge. She came up with the following methods
1- She copied all his conversation charts with one of the women.
2- She open a new Facebook account with a Male name
3- She send a friend request to the husband, and he accepted the request unknowingly is his wife.
4 – After accepting the request. They started charting and she hide her identity and introduced her self to him. She said “I’m Abu Dar’daee by name, a Member of BOKO HARAM. I saw all ur conversation charts with my wife. Therefore I want to use this medium to warn you to stay away from her if you really want to continue existing on the earth. To clear any element of doubt to you, I have all the conversation with me and hear they are, you can see.
5- So, if you dont stop chatting with my wife then I’ll slaughter you like Ram.
6- I know you. I truly know you your name is Jamilu your father’s name is Mohammed, your mother’s name Khadija, you have 3 childrens. Al’ameen, Zahara and Yusuf. Abdulrahman is your best friend and Usman is your neighbor. You are a Lecturer working at FCE. You also go to work 9:30am with your friend Usman, you follow Jambutu street and you spend time together. I’m warning you if you dea call, text or chart with my wife again I will slaughter you like a Ram as I said earlier”.
The wife was close to him while he’s reading the text. As he’s reading it, he was shaking and repeating “Innalillahi WA innaillaihirraji’un”. she asked him what happened, he said nothing. He immediately deleted his Facebook and whatsapp and any other social media.
The following morning, he went and sold the phone in the market and bought a new one. 

Source:wivestownhallconnection

‘We drank urine, fuel to survive’ – Libyan returnee
The time was 9.10pm. A Buraq Air’s Boeing 737 with tail number 5A-DMG landed on the tarmac of the cargo terminal of the Murtala International Airport and out came 20-year-old Clement Chibuzor, along with 149 other Nigerians whose ghoulish appearances told of the horrific experiences they must have experienced in Libya.
Over the past two weeks, Nigerians have added their voices to the global uproar over the exposed tales of slave trade, torture and killings of migrants in Libya.
Over 5,000 Nigerians have been repatriated from Libya by the International Organisation for Migration since the beginning of 2017.
Each time a new batch of returnees arrive, they bring with them tales of horror from the transit country, where they hoped to take the treacherous journey through the Mediterranean Sea.
Saturday PUNCH spoke with many of the returnees as they touched down on Thursday night. They told the tales of man’s inhumanity to man.
Chibuzor, a Delta State indigene, was just a teenager working as a Plaster of Paris artisan when his father met a trafficker, who told him he could get his son to Europe.
The young lad had worked as a POP artisan for eight months with little money in his pocket, his father told him not to worry about the money.
“I never thought about going to Europe. My father was the one who brought the idea. He sold his land and raised N450,000 which he gave to my ‘burger’ (trafficker). He did not tell my mother until I was already in Libya,” Chibuzor said.
The young man spent 18 months in Libya. He left the country, a hopeful man. On Thursday, he returned like a mere cargo, thankful to be back to safety.
As he stepped off the plane, Chibuzor looked nothing like a 20-year-old.
His hollow cheeks told of starvation while his skin told of suffering in disease-ridden cells.
“After many of my co-travellers died in the desert, I was kidnapped as soon as I got to Libya. I was in prison for four months until my father sent N300,000 for my release.
“In the prison, our food was a piece of bread every day. When I got out of the prison. I was on the street one day when I met a Nigerian who promised to help me. I worked in his house for some weeks until he sold me to a gang. They kept me in a cell. I was there for a very long time. I cannot count the number of people who died in the cell.
“The police were raiding different places where black people were kept and I willingly surrendered to the police. That was how I got an opportunity to come back to Nigeria.
“While working on the streets of Libya, if the gangs saw you, they would grab you and put you in a cell. They put you in a cell with many others where you would either be sold or made to call your people to pay for your freedom.
“While I was trying to get money the to free myself from the prison, I spoke with my father two months ago. He then told me that if I had the chance, I should return home. I told him that I might die before I had the opportunity to return home because I saw people die every day.”
We drank urine, fuel in desert – Kelvin, 21
Many of the returnees who shared their experiences like Chibuzor, vowed never to attempt the dangerous journey again. But experts say that so far as there are few success stories amidst the deaths, some of the returnees may try again when the shock of their time in Libya wear off.
Kelvin Sunday, 21, an Edo State indigene, who returned with Chibuzor, told Saturday PUNCH that he was in Libya for seven months.
He spent N965,000 to get to Libya after raising the money with the help of friends and his my sister.
Sunday explained that a friend of his, who made it to Europe, convinced him to embark on the journey.
According to him, 41 of them set out in Kano for the journey through the desert but only 10 made it to Libya.
He said their fate was sealed when their vehicle developed an engine fault in the desert.
Sunday said, “We were in the desert for three days without food or water. We were drinking our urine to survive. It got to a point that when there was no more urine to drink, we started to drink fuel.
When we got to Libya, I was working in my burger’s house. I spent two weeks there before I went to the seaside (in Tripoli) where we would cross. From Sabha to the seaside in Tripoli, I spent two weeks. On the way, some traffickers kidnapped us. They beat and loaded us into their Hilux van, but few of us jumped down and I broke my leg. I managed to escape as they were shooting.
We spent two days in the desert again after that escape. We later saw a motorist whom we begged to help us get to the seaside.
We were camped at the seaside for three months without any opportunity to cross through the seas. People trying to cross the sea told me to avoid Nigerians helping Libyans to sell people. But later our camp was raided by soldiers, who took us to prison.”
He had spent four months in the cell before luck smiled on him and IOM officials effected his repatriation along with many others.
I return home as a one-eyed man – Okotie, 35
Less than a year after Harrison Okotie, 35, got to Libya, he was kidnapped by some violent traffickers, who hit him in the eye with the butt of a gun.
He lost his left eye to that attack.
“Now, I don’t know if my wife and two children would ever recognise me when I get back home. I left Nigeria a whole man but I am returning with one eye,” Okotie said.
He explained that before leaving Nigeria in 2014, he worked as a painter after graduating from the Delta State University.
After paying N600,000 for the journey through the desert, he got to Libya where he was grabbed off the street by some traffickers who sold him for 2,000 dinars (about N529,000).
“When you got to the person you were sold to, he sold you again for double the previous amount.
“Many Nigerians have gone mad and cannot even say where they are in Libya right now. The day officials came to register us for repatriation, we were in a queue when one of the Libyan officials shot a Nigerian dead right there. They said he was trying to run, whereas he was desperate to return home.”
Another returnee, Esosa Osas, 25, who was a hairdresser before he left Nigeria, spent six months in Libya. She told tales of many women being raped.
“It is either rape or death. Nobody could refuse being raped,” she said.
A fellow Edo State indigene, Odion Saliu, 26, told Saturday PUNCH that the Nigerian trafficker who facilitated her trip lied to her.
She said, “She told me that once in Kano, we were going to take a plane to Libya. I was shocked when we were loaded into a vehicle.
“We spent nine days crossing the desert to Libya. I was kidnapped and sold at least three times before God brought me back to my fatherland. I am really thankful to God that I am alive.”
The Nigerian traffickers fueling the trafficking industry in Libya seems to have attracted the attention of the government.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said there was a need for Nigerians to report human traffickers in the society.
She said the Federal government’s whistleblower policy against human trafficking would ensure a handsome reward for credible information about human traffickers .
“Traffickers must be prosecuted, must be arrested and they must be known. There is a whistle-blower policy by NAPTIP; report traffickers, they are amongst you’
An official of the Edo State task force on illegal migration, Mr. Okoduwa Solomon, told Saturday PUNCH that since November 7, the state had taken custody of at least 897 Libyan returnees who are indigenes of the state.
He explained that the exercise to help them resettle in Nigeria would continue so far as there were still Nigerians trapped in Libya.
“We are using the returnees to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal migration in Edo State,” he said. 

(Punch)

How To Start Ram Sheep Rearing Business In Nigeria


Animal production in Nigeria is experiencing a sudden boom in interest. People are realizing the potential in the business of rearing animals especially now that there is a ban on exported meat by the government, our major source of protein. So with an insufficiency in the meat market in Nigeria, this presented an opportunity for anyone to source the meat locally, and a considerable percentage of our meat source is sheep’s. They originated from the North, where they are reared in great numbers for generations.
The male sheep known as ‘ram’ is the predominant choice when it comes to selling or marketing them, especially during Muslim Sallah celebrations. Their female counterpart the ewe, are mostly kept for breeding processes. With the right knowledge and connections you will be able to rake millions of Naira in profit each year. One of the major advantages of the ram over other domestic animals is that it doesn’t take long to reproduce and it attains full maturity in a very short time for its size, and it is highly disease resistant.

The rams are bred for a minimum of six months, but they are usually reared till they reach a year before they are sold out in the market. We will first be discussing some of the common breeds found here in Nigeria then move onwards to the key practices when starting ram farming.

Common Breeds of Sheep
Sheep are said to perform better in terms of growth when they are bred in the same region they originated from, but of course they will still thrive in other regions with similar climate and weather conditions, so a ram from Maiduguri will most likely do well somewhere in Niger state but not necessarily well in rainforest areas of the country. Here is a list of the four common breeds we have in Nigeria and where they are found to guide you when opting for what type of ram to keep.

1. Balami – It is the largest breed found in Nigeria, they are usually tall and huge, all white with large droopy ears. Found in the arid regions such as Maiduguri.
   
   
2. Uda – This breed is long legged and large, it usually has two colour combinations black and white or brown and white. It could grow to an enormous size.
   
   
3. Yankasa – This breed is the common type everyone knows, it looks like a cross between an Uda and a Balami but not as big as them. It usually has black patches on its legs, around the muzzle or eyes.
   
   
4. West African Dwarf – Found within the middle-belt region, they are short and stumpy and has the lowest growth rate among the other breeds.