FG set to pay whistleblowers N421m

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has confirmed that a sum of N421.33m is ready to be paid to whistle-blowers for the November batch.

She said the amount included that of the whistle-blower for the cash recovered from a building in Osborne Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Adeosun disclosed this on Wednesday while answering questions from State House correspondents, after the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
She said the money would be paid to the whistle-blower who signed the agreement and not any firm.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government would pay applicable taxes on the sum directly to the state government where the whistle-blower is domiciled.
She said, “The total amount, which also include Osborne Road, Ikoyi is N421, 330, 595. This is for the November batch and it is ready for payment.
“The only condition necessary is that the money will be paid to the whistle-blower who signed the agreement, not to any company.
“If we get the court judgement, we have to wait for three months to ensure that there are no encumbrances.”
She added, “We will also make sure that all applicable taxes are paid ahead. We will get in touch with the state government where the person is domiciled and we will pay the tax directly to the state and issue the tax receipt.
“We built in these procedures to protect the whistle-blower.”
Source:Punch Newspaper

Court affirms NAFDAC’s power to regulate chemicals

FEDERAL High Court sitting
in Calabar, Cross River State,
said the National Agency for
Food and Drug Administration
and Control, NAFDAC, has the
power to regulate all chemicals
in Nigeria.
Justice E. A. Obile held that
the importation, exportation and
use of all chemicals are within
NAFAC’s regulatory purview
including clinker which is used
in cement production.
He delivered judgment in a
suit filed by United Cement
Company of Nigeria Limited,
UNICEM.
The plaintiff contended in a
suit filed on September 22, 2011
that NAFDAC lacks the powers
to regulate the import or export
of Portland cement ‘clinker’ for
not qualifying as a chemical as
specified in NAFDAC’s Act.
UNICEM argued that the
word “chemical” as stated in
Section 5(a) of NAFDAC’s Act
refers only to pharmaceutical
chemicals.
It said any attempt by
NAFDAC to regulate nonpharmaceutical
chemicals
would amount to usurping the
functions of other regulatory
agencies.
But, NAFDAC’s lawyer,
Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, argued
that its power to regulate and
control the business and use of
“chemical” was not limited to
only pharmaceutical chemicals.
Justice Obile held that based
on Section 5(a) of the NAFDAC
Act, the agency has powers to
regulate the use of food, drugs,
cosmetics, medical devices,
bottled water and chemicals.
According to him, the section
provides that the agency
shall “regulate and control
the importation, exportation,
manufacture, advertisement,
distribution, sale and use of
food, drugs, cosmetics, medical
devices, bottled water and
chemicals.”
The judge held that cement
clinker is a chemical, adding that
there is no ambiguity in Section
5(a) of the NAFDAC Act.
Justice Obile said NAFDAC
did not go beyond its powers and
that any attempt by the court to
state which chemical NAFDAC
is to control or regulate would
amount to amending the statute
which he said the court lacks the
power to do.
The judge, therefore, dismissed
the plaintiff’s claims.

Source: Nigeria Pilot

Nasarawa budgets N122.8bn for 2018 fiscal year

NASARAWA State
Government has earmarked
N122.8 billion for the 2018 fiscal
year.
Presenting the budget
tagged “Budget of sustainable
development”, at the floor
of the House of Assembly
for consideration, yesterday,
Governor Umaru Tanko Al-
Makura said the budget is
aimed at consolidating his
administration’s achievements
in the fight against poverty,
unemployment and to ensure
even development in all
spheres.
Al-Makura, who presented
the budget in Lafia, assured
the Assembly of the state
government’s commitment
to key into people-oriented
projects that have direct bearing
on the lives of the people.
The budget framework
shows an increase of N31 billion
representing 34.25 percent as
against the 2017 appropriation
bill of N91,485,700,231.
“I make bold to state that the
2017 budget recorded optimum
performance. Accordingly,
the execution of projects and
programmes that have direct
bearing on the lives of our
people remained our major
focus. I am pleased to inform
this House that most of the roads
construction, hospitals, sports
facilities, school infrastructure,
power and water projects, as
well as the provision of market
facilities among other projects
have been completed. It is our
determination to complete all
on-going projects within the
next fiscal year.
“The speaker, members, I
am delighted to lay before you
a total budget size of N122.8
billion for the 2018 fiscal year.
“N45 billion representing
36.79 percent of the budget has
been earmarked for recurrent
expenditure”.
Al-Makura called on the
lawmakers to give the budget
proposal a speedy passage to
enable the state government
execute people-oriented projects
for the overall development of
the state.
Responding, Speaker
Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi
assured the state government
of the speedy passage of the
budget.
“I want to assure Governor Al-
Makura, his Deputy, Silas Agara,
his cabinet members, aides and
the good people of Nasarawa
State that the 2018 appropriation
bill which has just been presented
to us will be given expeditious
attention,” he said.
Balarabe-Abdullahi called
on MDAs to give the various
standing committees of the
House total cooperation as
they discharge their oversight
responsibilities.
He also assured the
governor of a cordial working
relationship between in
order to achieve speedy
development.

Source: Nigeria Pilot

2019: Kwankwaso tells supporters to dump APC

 The former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has reportedly asked his supporters in the state to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to his nephew, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, who is also the Commissioner for Special Duties in Kano State, the former governor had asked his supporters to join the PDP ahead of the forthcoming local council election in the state.
He was reacting to the report that pressure was being mounted on Kwankwaso to decamp to the former ruling party.
He told newsmen in Kano yesterday that, “Already, he has given the go-ahead to his supporters to join the PDP in Kano State so that they can contest in the forthcoming local government election in the state. But what I can assure him is that the APC will win all the 44 local governments because of the growing supporters’ base of Governor Ganduje.
“It was because of Kwankwaso that the chairman of the PDP was thrown out of office because they wanted to hand over the party structures to him ahead of his defection,” he also claimed.
“They want to use red caps to cause confusion during President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit next month. We will not allow that because Kano people are for Buhari all the time,” he said.
“I think we should think positive. We are taking the negative side now. It is just like me asking you: ‘If your employers do this or that, would you leave your place of work?’
“We should think positive; it depends on how you put it. We are happy now in the APC, we are comfortable with our leaders in Abuja and they have not done anything wrong,” he said then.

Source: DailyPost Nigeria

ASUP suspends 15 day-old strike

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics on Wednesday announced the suspension of its 15-day-old strike at a meeting held in Bauchi.
The President of ASUP, Usman Dutse, made the announcement while addressing journalists at the 14th National Delegates Conference held at the Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.
He said the union was driven by its consideration for the impact of the strike on the students, their parents and the society as a whole, as well as pleas by well-meaning Nigerians, to suspend the strike.
Dutse also noted that the suspension was meant to give the Federal Government an opportunity to implement the resolutions reached during its negotiation with the union.
The ASUP president, in a text message sent to our correspondent, confirmed the suspension.
Members of ASUP had on November13 embarked on an indefinite strike, following a directive issued by its National Executive Council in reaction to government’s failure to heed its requests.
The body had wanted the FG to address issues, such as the non- implementation of the report of the NEEDS Assessment survey of polytechnics, sustained shortfall in personnel cost, withdrawal of their allowances since December, 2015 and non-payment of promotion arrears.

Senate summons security chief over fresh Boko Haram attack

The Senate on Wednesday resolved to invite the country’s security chiefs, in order to investigate the latest attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by Senator Ali Ndume (Borno-South) at the plenary on Wednesday entitled, ‘The Worrisome State of Security in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.”
The motion partly read, “As most of you will agree, the situation in Borno particularly, and the North-East in general, is very pathetic and worrisome. And I am sure that the public is expecting this Senate to stand up and ask questions; that is what we are supposed to do in a closed session.
“The Senate is concerned that in this year (2017), the level of attacks by the insurgents has escalated to a worrisome level. It is worried that in the year 2017, more than 357 civilians were killed during 55 attacks in the North-East. The deadliest month was in August when the militant group killed 100 people, followed by November; with 76 people killed already. Recently, three soldiers and a child were killed in Magumeri in Borno; several civilians were killed in Madagali in Adamawa; and eight soldiers were killed in Sasawa in Yobe State.
“The Senate observed that up till date, 103 Chibok girls, 10 women from Askira/Uba and lately, three employees of the University of Maiduguri remain in captivity.”
He prayed the lawmakers to “invite the service chiefs to brief the Senate on the worrisome state of security in a closed session.”
Seconding the motion, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, expressed his disagreement with the Federal Government that the recent attacks by Boko Haram were from a decimated terrorist group.
He said, “Having listened to Senator Ali Ndume, I got as worried as himself about the situation in the North-East. When the news broke last week on the several killings in Adamawa, the Minister of Information (Lai Mohammed) told the whole nation that what we were seeing in Adamawa was the last kick of a dying horse.
“It appears that Senator Ndume disagrees with him and I disagree with him too. That is why the Senate is worried about the security situation, not only in the North-East but across the country.”
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, referred the matter to the Ahmed Lawan-led security committee.
Source: Punch Newspaper

Jay Z finally admits cheating on Beyonce

American rapper, Shawn Corey Carter, otherwise known as Jay-Z has finally agreed cheating on his wife, Beyonce.
In an interview with New York Times, Jay Z disclosed that therapy kept them from getting divorced.
‘You have to survive. So you go into survival mode, and when you go into survival mode, what happens? You shut down all emotions. So, even with women, you gonna shut down emotionally, so you can’t connect. … In my case, like, it’s deep. And then all the things happen from there: infidelity.
“The hardest thing is seeing pain on someone’s face that you caused, and then have to deal with yourself.
“We were using our art almost like a therapy session. And we started making music together.
“But the best place in the hurricane is in the middle of it.
“The best place is right in the middle of the pain. And that’s where we were sitting and it was uncomfortable. And we had a lot of conversations.
“I was really proud of the music she made, and she was really proud of the art I released.
“And, you know, at the end of the day we really have a healthy respect for one another’s craft. I think she’s amazing.
“You know, most people walk away and divorce rate is like 50 percent or something cause most people can’t see themselves.
‘The hardest thing is seeing pain on someone’s face that you caused, and then have to deal with yourself.
‘”I grew so much from the experience,” he said.
He also talked on his difficulties with Kanye West, ‘I talked to Kanye the other day, just to tell him, like, he’s my brother. I love Kanye. I do. It’s a complicated relationship with us.’
“Kanye came into this business on my label. So I’ve always been like his big brother. And we’re both entertainers. It’s always been like a little underlying competition with your big brother.
“And we both love and respect each other’s art, too. So it’s like, we both – everyone wants to be the greatest in the world. You know what I’m saying? And then there’s like a lot of other factors that play in it. But it’s gonna, we gonna always be good.’
“In the long relationship, you know, hopefully when we’re 89 we look at this six months or whatever time and we laugh at that.
“There’s gonna be complications in the relationship that we have to get through and the only way to get through that is we sit down and have a dialogue and say,
“These are the things that I’m uncomfortable with,these are the things that are unacceptable to me, this is what I feel.
“I’m sure he feels that I’ve done things to him as well. I’m not a perfect human being by no stretch.”

8 donkeys spent 3 days in jail for eating plants, destroying flower pots (Photos)

8 donkeys feasting on plants intended for a local jail in Orai, Uttar Pradesh, India, tried the patience of the facility’s workers, who eventually lost it and locked them up.The animals were set free after spending four days behind bars. On Monday, the group of four-legged former convicts walked out the prison gates.

At least one of the ex-cons seemed relieved as it trotted ahead, as seen on the video. The mischievous eight had indulged on some expensive plants that were being grown for display at the jail on the orders of one of the facility’s senior officials, according to Head Constable RK Mishra.

“Despite warnings, the owner let loose his animals here so we detained the donkeys,” India Today quoted him as saying. “We made all the arrangements for them inside. They were fed two times a day,” a jail worker said.

The animals were rounded up on November 24 after prison workers failed to contact their owner, named Kamlesh. The unfortunate owner had to post bail before he was allowed to get the smooth criminals back.

Newly wed, Banky W and Adesua Etomi will be having their honeymoon in January.

Most people feel they are already honeymooning at the Zebula Golf Estate & Spa in Johannesburg, but the singer has revealed that it’s just a bridal party trip.

Meet the man who deactivated Donald Trump’s Twitter account

After initially reporting that it had been an error, Twitter said that the action had been taken by a contractor on his last day. Now, after a global manhunt by journalists, the former employee revealed himself to TechCrunch.

His name is Bahtiyar Duysak, a German citizen of Turkish descent, and he worked for Twitter as a contractor with a firm named Pro Unlimited.
Duysak said the move was “a mistake” and told TechCrunch he never thought the account would actually be deactivated. He attributed the deactivation to a series of unspecified “coincidences” that had occurred on his final day.

“I had a wild time in America,” Duysak said. “I was tired sometimes. And everyone can do mistakes. I did a mistake.”
Duysak told TechCrunch that a Twitter user had reported Trump for abuse on his final day. “As a final, throwaway gesture, he put the wheels in motion to deactivate it,” TechCrunch reported.
“Then he closed his computer and left the building.” Duysak did not explain his motivation or offer any other comments on the president.
He said he did not believe that Trump’s account would actually be deactivated.
Duysak said he does not believe he is under investigation by the FBI, although Twitter has asked him for more information.
He said he hopes to have an ordinary life, and said he did not plan to work in tech again in the near future.
“But I love Twitter,” he told TechCrunch, wearing a sweater emblazoned with the stars and stripes. “And I love America.”
Source: Laila's blog

Father of 6 declared wanted for allegedly raping his wife’s sales girl

According to the Public Relations Officer of Ekiti State Police Command, Alberto Adeyemi, the victim, after spending few years as an apprentice at a medicine store owned by the wife of the suspect, decided to stay and continue to assist her in the shop as a sales girl.

The suspect was said to have cajoled the sales girl into his room located at Agbangudu in Ijero-Ekiti on the 20th of November 2017, under the the pretence of requesting her to serve him sachet water.

Tope immediately grabbed the victim and raped her. Sources said the suspect doesn’t have any tangible work and lives in an apartment very close to his wife’s shop. He is said to have gotten six children from three different women.
It was gathered that when the incident happened, his pregnant wife was away in Lagos. The victim said Tope forcefully had his way and ended up defiling her. She observed blood stains all over her panties.
When the information got to the family of the victim, they followed her immediately to the house of the suspect, but he was nowhere to be found.
An elder brother to the victim, Mr Ropo Ojo said the victim was taken to the state government hospital in Ijero-Ekiti where she was treated.
Source: Laila's Blog

Nigerian pastor who used electric iron to remove her tattoo finally scrapes it off with knife

Following her inability to remove her tattoo with a hot iron, Nigerian pastor, Ifeoma Vivian has scraped her skin with a knife in a bid to remove it.

See her post below…

A gas plant exploded on Monday, killing four persons at Orji, a suburb town in Owerri, the Imo State capital

The gas explosion occurred at about 4.35pm at Okpokiri Petroleum Station, near two commercial banks.

Around 5pm, four lifeless bodies were sighted with some of the body parts scattered on the ground.
Policemen from the Orji division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ude Umanta, a Superintendent of Police, as well as others drafted from the command headquarters, were seen on the ground.
Diamond and First bank branches located around the filling station were forced to close for the day, as their facilities were affected by the explosion.
It was learnt that some bank customers and motorists, who wanted to fuel their cars, were injured and rushed to a hospital.

One of the survivors, Adubackoja Ochowotia, said that while two of his colleagues died on the spot, two members of staff of the filling station also lost their lives.
The Benue State indigene said,
“We came from Abuja to fix the gas plant. We were working on it when the oxygen exploded and killed two of my colleagues.”
The 28-year-old gave the names of his dead colleagues as Adeyemi Wasiu and one Maruf.
A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said four persons died while many others were taken to the hospital.
He said,
“The gas plant exploded around 4.35pm and before we could arrive here, four persons were already dead. The survivors were taken to the hospital. From preliminary investigations, it was an explosion from a gas plant that was being worked on by some artisans from Abuja. The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, has drafted more men to the scene to help manage the situation. Several buildings, including people making use of the Automated Teller Machines, were affected.”
After about an hour, the corpses were taken to a morgue. By then, men of the Imo State Fire Service had also arrived at the scene.
While there was heavy traffic around the scene of the incident, people were booing the firefighters for arriving late.
Source: Laila's Blog

Man gets fired for shouting at a lady who allegedly told him to park properly at a Lagos restaurant

A video which shows a man shouting at a lady who allegedly told him to park properly at a restaurant in Lagos went viral yesterday.

The man in the video can be seen almost raising his hands at the woman threatening to beat and ‘kill’ her.

An update by Twitter user, @doreenglm who made a thread on the video says he has been fired.

His Instagram bio reads; ‘Don Jazzy’s Body Guard’
Watch the video below….

After begging this man in front of Bukka Hut to park well outside, she simply tried to reason with him when he did not answer and the next thing he wants to beat her. What is wrong with people ehn??!pic.twitter.com/hkxvqwNt00

— The 411 (@DorothyTuash) November 26, 2017

Source: Laila's blog

President Buhari gives state governors ultimatum to pay outstanding salaries

President Muhammadu Buhari,has directed  the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to work with state governors to ensure the payment of outstanding Paris Club refund before the end of the year.
The President was said to have urged the governors to utilise the money to clear salary arrears they owed their workers before Christmas.
The governors had earlier received 50 per cent of the refund, leaving a balance of 50 per cent which Buhari directed its payment on Monday.
The President was said to have given the directive at a meeting he had with state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to information posted on one of the Presidency’s Twitter handles – @NGRPresident – the meeting featured discussions on the nation’s economy, workers’ welfare, as well as federal-state relations, among others.

President @MBuhari has directed the Ministers of@FinMinNigeria and Budget & National Planning and Governor @cenbank to commence negotiations with the Governors Forum to enable payment of outstanding Paris & London Club refunds, before the end of the year.

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 2017

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, confirmed the development to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.
Okorocha said the President, at the meeting, expressed the need to ensure that every Nigerian, especially workers, had a beautiful Christmas.
He stated, “We are looking at getting the balance of Paris Club refund.
“We also made a request for Mr. President’s approval that the balance should form part of our 2018 budgets because we can’t do anything until we are sure that the money is coming.
“The issue of workers took the centre stage and Mr. President expressed concern about those who depend on their salaries to feed their families and pay their house rents and he had the assurance from the governors that we will meet up our obligations.
“Also, it was emphasised that states and Federal Government must work together to get Nigeria out of its present economic predicament.”
When asked specifically if all state governors owing salaries would clear the arrears before Christmas, Okorocha said, “Yes; with the Paris Club refund coming, every worker should enjoy their Christmas.”
He added that the governors also seized the opportunity of the meeting to review their relationship with the President, adding that they found out that they were in harmony.
“There is no difference between us and the President. Everybody seems to be happy working together. But particularly, we commended the President for getting Nigeria out of recession within such a short time,” he added.
El-Rufai also confirmed that Buhari approved the payment of the balance of 50 per cent refund before Christmas to cater for workers.
He, however, said he did not know the amount of the refund, stressing that only the Ministry of Finance could provide the figure.
“There is another 50 per cent that needs to be paid when the figures are reconciled. The reconciliation is going to be concluded before the end of the year.
“The Chief of Staff to the President will ensure that the committee working on the reconciliation conclude the work before the end of the year.
“So, what the governors are requesting from the President is a directive, ‘go ahead to include the next 50 per cent in your 2018 budget,’ and that is going to be looked at.
“Every state will get its own share of the Paris Club refund. Every state has a specific amount that was deducted. That amount may be enough to cover the arrears and it may not be because you cannot get more than you are entitled to.
“My state has no salary arrears at all. So, whatever we are getting, we will just continue with our development projects.
“Some states have salary arrears that are bigger than the Paris Club refund they are getting. Even when they get it, they will not be able to clear the salary arrears. But it is better to reduce it so that people will have a happy Christmas than nothing.”
Source: Punch Newspaper

8 prison officers sacked for smuggling marijuana,mobile phones

The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) has sacked eight junior officers for various acts of indiscipline including smuggling of prohibited items into prison yards for inmates.
Spokesman of the NPS, Mr Francis Enobore, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Enobore said the smuggled items included cell phones, marijuana and other intoxicating substances.
He said two of the culprits, identified as Thomas Jatau and Mottallem Yari, were dismissed for “trafficking in mobile phones”.
The rest, Mohammed Jibril, Saleh Dan’Azare, Umar Gusau, Mohammed Ja’Oji, Saidu Gusau and Maji Maiku, were involved in smuggling of marijuana and other prohibited items into the prison yards, he said.
Enoboro stated that their dismissal followed the approval of the recommendation of the NPS Zonal Disciplinary Committee by the Conptroller-General, Mr Jaáfaru Ahmed.
He said, “Illegal access to mobile phones and other communication gadgets by prisoners has been of great concern to the management of the Prisons Service.

“This is because various criminal activities have been perpetrated with them by inmates including facilitating jailbreaks and escapes.

“Similarly, apart from the far-reaching health implications of exposing inmates to the use of Indian hemp and other intoxicating substances, the act also compromises discipline and negates inmate reformation thrust of the NPS,” he said.
The spokesman conveyed the appreciation of the Controller-General to men and officers of the service as well as the general public for assisting the service with information on bad eggs in the system.
NAN

Russia 2018: Pinnick says big teams avoiding Super Eagles

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has stated that his colleagues from other countries called to inform him that they don’t want to play against the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He claimed that most countries who qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup do not want to be drawn in the same group with Nigeria.
The NFF boss made the claim during the launching ceremony of short code *1945# for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup in Lagos on Monday which will be used to reward Nigerian fans.
The draw for the 2018 World Cup will be held on Friday, December 1 in Russia.
Pinnick said, “We can play any country. In fact when the draw for the last 20 teams in Africa came, I said any country that qualifies for the World Cup is as good as lifting the World Cup. Nobody would have believed that Nigeria would qualify out of that group.
“The same way we are panicking, so also other countries are panicking to meet Nigeria. Even though we are in the last pot, nobody wants Nigeria to be in their group.
“I can tell you that, I talk to my colleagues globally and they call to say they don’t want Nigeria to be in their group. Now Nigeria is rated in their minds as one of the first four teams in the world because beating Argentina is no mean feat.
“So every country is scared. And that’s why I said people should not look at the FIFA ranking, it’s just numbers and numbers don’t lift trophies, it’s your determination, resilience and prayers that do.
“I always want us to play against quality teams in friendlies, let’s see them, let’s expose them the way they too can expose us as well.
“The principal reason for playing against these big countries is that you will be able to note your inadequacies immediately and know how to correct them.”
Pinnick also spoke on plans being put in place by the NFF for the Super Eagles to do very well at the 2018 World Cup.
“We are just being prayerful and being dedicated and working according to our plans. On the 12th of December, we will be addressing a world press conference in Abuja.
“And in that world press conference, we are going to unveil A to Z of our plans till the kick-off of our first game.
“We will unveil the day the players will be paid, their 25 per cent World Cup money, there is going to be count down to Russia 2018 and we have worked out plans in that regard.
“We want to ensure total organisation, we want to ensure smoothness towards the World Cup because if you have quality preparation, also expect a quality result. We have chosen three camp venues.
“We will look at the temperature of the country, comfort and proximity to Russia. We don’t want to compromise standard, and we believe if we give them quality preparation, they will give us quality result.”

Source: DailyPost Nigeria

Livescore: Latest Premier League results for Week 14, 2017/2018 EPL scores

There will be more action in the English Premier League this midweek, with fixtures all around the country on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Leicester City will welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the King Power, while Watford hope to continue their fine form under Marco Silva when they welcome Manchester United.
Arsenal will welcome Huddersfield and Chelsea are also at home to Swansea.
Leaders Manchester City will be seeking to maintain their eight-point lead, when they take on Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.
WEEK 13 RESULTS
West Ham 1 Leicester 1
Crystal Palace 2 Stoke 1
Man United 1 Brighton 0
Newcastle 0 Watford 3
Swansea 0 Bournemouth 0
Tottenham 1 West Brom 1
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1
Southampton 4 Everton 1
Burnley 0 Arsenal 1
Huddersfield 1 Man City 2
WEEK 14 FIXTURES
Tuesday, November 28
Brighton vs Crystal Palace
Leicester vs Tottenham
Watford vs Man United
West Brom vs Newcastle
Wednesday, November 29
Arsenal vs Huddersfield
Bournemouth vs Burnley
Chelsea vs Swansea
Everton vs West Ham
Man City vs Southampton
Stoke vs Liverpool
CURRENT TABLE
Pos Team         P W D L GD Pts
1 Man City 13 12 1 0 34 37
2 Man United 13 9 2 2 22 29
3 Chelsea         13 8 2 3 13 26
4 Arsenal         13 8 1 4 7 25
5 Tottenham 13 7 3 3 11 24
6 Liverpool 13 6 5 2 7 23
7 Burnley         13 6 4 3 2 22
8 Watford         13 6 3 4 1 21
9 Brighton 13 4 4 5 -1 16
10 Southampton 13 4 4 5 -3 16
11 Huddersfield 13 4 3 6 -10 15
12 Leicester 13 3 5 5 -2 14
13 Bournemouth 13 4 2 7 -3 14
14 Newcastle 13 4 2 7 -6 14
15 Stoke         13 3 4 6 -10 13
16 Everton  13 3 3 7 -15 12
17 West Brom  13 2 5 6 -9 11
18 West Ham 13 2 4 7 -14 10
19 Swansea         13 2 3 8 -8 9
20 Crystal Palace 13 2 2 9 -17 8
Source: DailyPost Nigeria

Liverpool vs Chelsea: Sadio Mane reveals why he argued with Jurgen Klopp after 1-1 draw

Liverpool forward, Sadio Mane has explained what transpired between him and manager, Jurgen Klopp when they appeared to have argued after a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday.

Mane came on in the closing stages of the draw before having a discussion with Klopp after the final whistle.
The Senegalese played down the incident, saying it was a “friendly” conversation with his manager.
Mane told Sky Sports, “He asked me to play on the right side and one time I tried to ask for the ball in the number nine position.
“Mo [Salah] was on my side and the coach was shouting, ‘Sadio come onto the right side’.
“After the game I told the coach it was easier if you told Mo to come in because he was close to you.
“But it was friendly, it was not because I was unhappy or something else.
“There was no problem, I was just communicating and explaining that to him after the game.”

Source: DailyPost Nigeria

Aubameyang offered to Chelsea

Chelsea have been alerted to the availability of Borussia Dortmund striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The Mirror reports that the Premier League champions, were “among a number of clubs” to have been told he will be available in the January window.
It is claimed that Dortmund will sell Aubameyang, after deciding they have “had enough” following a campaign “peppered with controversy”.
The Gabon striker has scored 17 goals in 19 matches so far, but was sent off in the dramatic 4-4 draw in the derby with Schalke last weekend.
He was also suspended for unspecified disciplinary reasons earlier this month.
Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, is looking to add to his attack and is likely to move for Aubameyang when the winter window opens.

Source: DailyPost Nigeria

ECOWAS Parliament approves 2018 community budget

ECOWAS

The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted the proposed 2018 community budget of 284.9 million West African Units of Account (UA) approximately 122 billion naira.
The Central Bank of Nigeria puts a West African UA at 430.1 naira.
The budget was adopted following the presentation of the Report of the Ad hoc Committee for the Consideration of the Consolidated 2018 Budget of the Community.
The report, adopted by the parliament at its ongoing Second Ordinary session in Abuja, was presented by the Chairman of the committee, Mr Orlando Pereira.
The proposed budget depends majorly on the Community Levy of 175.9 million UA (approximately 75.7 billion naira).
The committee noted that the Community Levy represented 70 per cent of the bloc’s source of funding for its activities.
It, however, said that the community budget performance for the 2017 financial year showed a relatively low recovery rate of the levy adding that the non-remittance by member states hindered the implementation of proposed community activities.
It added that member states only met up with 31.91 per cent of the proposed levy for 2017.
It further called on member states to comply with the payment of their obligations to the Community Levy aimed at funding activities of the sub-regional bloc.
“This situation is mainly due to the non-compliance of the related Protocol.
“To this end, the Ad hoc Committee invites all parliamentarians, of whose states are not up to date in the payment of their obligations, to intercede to their respective authorities to ensure payments of the amount of the collected proceeds.
“The Ad hoc Committee invites the ECOWAS Commission to involve the parliament in their advocacy at member state level to ensure recovery of the Community Levy.”
The committee also called on ECOWAS institutions to explore other alternative sources of funds to “conveniently carry out their activities”.
The proposed 2018 budget indicates a 16.96 million UA increase from 267.9 million UA 2017 budget.
The proposed external funds for the budget was put at about 41.8 million UA (17.9 billion naira).

Source: P.M. NEWS Nigeria

Osinbajo reveals Buhari’s plans for 2018

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has outlined plans of the Buhari-led government for 2018.

He said this on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course 39 of 2017 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS.
Osinbajo assured all sectors will witness government intervention and support, in order to further consolidate the improving state of the economy.
His speech read in part: “To start with, the Federal Government sees 2018 as a year of consolidation of the economic recovery, and the gains from improved macroeconomic management, and the extensive investments made in agriculture, infrastructure and the business environment. We are diversifying our options in power supply.
”Our programme of energizing industrial clusters has started. That project involves providing power in existing small business clusters. For our first batch, we will be providing independent power in certain markets; the Ariaria Market in Abia State, the Somolu Printing Community in Lagos State, the Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi (Sabon Gari) Market in Kano State. This power is independent power which will guarantee constant supply 24/7. We intend to take batch by batch some of this projects to encourage small businesses.
”Also we have provided in both the 2017 and 2018 budgets, funds for what we have described as the energizing education project. This involves providing independent power in the following universities in the first batch; the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Bayero University in Kano, Usumanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, Federal University of Agriculture in Makurdi, Federal University, Ndufu Alike, and Nnamdi Azikwe University in Anambra, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University and Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Petroleum in Delta State.
”Our emphasis going forward, will be on job creation, through scaling up of the social intervention programmes, to include artisans, but also through a massive construction effort with regard to homes and revitalization of the manufacturing sector.
”Jobs are central to our purpose for revitalizing the manufacturing sector. The focused attention we have given to promote agriculture will be replicated in the manufacturing sector. We recognise of course that electricity is critical for this sector and this is being continually addressed.
”We already have policies for the automobile and tomato processing sectors, and we will continue to fine-tune other sectoral policies. In addition, we are focused on ensuring the take-off of a Special Economic Zones in six geo-political zones, dedicated to textiles and footwear for exports, and on ensuring adequate, and affordable financing to enhance the operations of manufacturing concerns. We have already provided N80billion in the 2018 budget for this Special Economic Zones.
”Jobs are also the reason why we will be fast-tracking the implementation of the Family Homes Fund. It is an important programme for providing housing in the coming year. Our intention is to use this programme to create a large number of jobs in construction, and as well to promote widespread home ownership by providing affordable housing to be paid for through a sustainable mortgage financing system.
”The coming year, will see even greater movement to fully utilise the oil and gas value chain. The private investments in refineries, petrochemical plants, fertiliser factories will be complemented by more gas projects, especially critical pipeline infrastructure and greater penetration of LPG in the domestic market. The start-off of modular refineries in the Niger Delta is part and parcel of this work programme. Up to 35 communities and their investor groups, have reached the right to invest stage and three of them are already preparing to ship their facilities for installation.
”Our emphasis on supporting micro, small and medium scale enterprises, is largely because the sector is also critical for job creation. We will continue with the MSME clinics which are being followed up with the creation of one-stop shops for Federal Regulatory Agencies across all the States of the Federation. We will by this means reduce some of the costs and the regulatory obstacles that MSMEs face in trying to do their business. The MSME programme now goes hand in hand with the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme which provides micro loans to cooperative societies and artisans.
”Our recent experience has shown that Government revenues are quite low for the size of our economy and inadequate to fully meet related societal demands. Our total tax collection is just 6% of Gross Domestic Product, as compared to an African average of 17%. We are accordingly taking all necessary steps, to increase Government revenues through the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), excise taxes and improved collection of taxes.
”Government will also ensure better management of its resources, through cost efficiencies, automated payroll systems and leveraging of its assets to ensure better returns. The decision to reduce Federal Government holdings in Joint Venture operations, in a case in point. By this means, we will not only be raising revenues to help fund Federal and State budgets, we will in addition also be improving governance in the oil and gas sector.
”In a similar context, as the case of JAMB has shown there is substantial under-remittance to the Federal Government by its parastatals and agencies and we will be putting a stop to this using the results of a forensic audit being undertaken as well as greater scrutiny and oversight by the Economic Management Team.
”The infrastructure projects that I have mentioned will of course continue to be the focus of attention, until they are completed across power, roads, rail, airports and broadband infrastructure. The 25 road projects in all six geopolitical zones to be financed by the recently issued N100 billion Sukuk Bonds, will be closely monitored to ensure that they are delivered in good quality by the specified date.
”Our efforts to improve business conditions will continue apace. We must always bear in mind that the purpose of our efforts on the ease of doing business, is to promote the private sector and provide the right atmosphere for firms to operate profitably in order to grow the economy and provide jobs for the unemployed and those joining the labour market.
”Thus while we continue to bask in the improvements in our ranking, and the citation of Nigeria as one of the 10 best reforming economies in the world, we realize that our task is far from being done and will remain focused on the ERGP objective of being in the top 100 countries in terms of ease of doing business by 2020. Until the average Nigerian has food on his table, has a job and is satisfied with the life that he is living, we are far from preparing any kind of celebration.”

Source: DailyPost Nigeria

Don’t punish me, just hand me over to God -Suspected ritualist begs again

A man, Olayinka Abass Akeem, 32, allegedly arrested with seven fresh human skulls along Ajase-Ipo Road, Kwara State by the police, has confessed that he is a ritualist
According to him, he exhumed the skulls from a cemetery for money ritual. Police sources said Akeem had been trailed from   the Muslim Cemetery in Igbo-Owu, near Ajase-Ipo where he had gone to exhume the skulls after the police had been alerted by a passersby.
He was later arrested in a vehicle he boarded to meet a friend he simply identified as Tunde,a.k.a Bante, who was expected to deliver the skulls to a herbalist for money ritual.The suspect told Sunday Vanguard at the headquarters of Kwara State Police Command where he was being held last week that he was desperate to be rich because he came from a poor background. 
 “I came from a very poor family. At 32, I am still poor because I am unemployed. To feed myself and my parents has been very difficult for us. That was my situation when recently I ran into an old friend,Tunde, who convinced me that money ritual was the surest way to be rich”, Akeem said. 
According to him,Tunde told him that money ritual was what everyone living comfortable was doing to escape economic recession. When asked how he felt and the boldness he had when exhuming the human skulls from the graves, he said

"I didn’t feel anyhow. The desperation to become rich was all over me since I thought that was the only thing i needed to do to become rich” 
The suspect,   however, urged the police to hand him over to God for divine punishment because that is what he would do if anyone had exhumed the corpse of his parents or relations for ritual purpose. Olayinka nevertheless expressed remorse particularly when his parents visited him  in police cell.

Source: Sunday Vanguard

Jose Mourinho offers Michael Carrick managerial role at Manchester united

Manchester United captain, Michael Carrick, have been offered a coaching role at the club, this was confirmed after the ex-England international announced he had received treatment for an irregular heart rhythm.

Carrick issued a statement on the eve of United’s 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday that revealed he had undergone a procedure to correct the problem.The midfielder suffered dizzy spells during a League Cup win over Burton in September and has only recently been cleared to resume training with Mourinho’s first team.
But the United manager confirmed he had offered Carrick the coaching role had the England international decided to retire following the diagnosis and that the job is waiting for him if he decides to retire at the end of his current contract in June.
“Michael as a person is more important than Michael as a player,” said the United manager. “We gave him the time to relax, to recover, to feel confident, to make the decision — wants to play, wants to stop.
“He knows that my coaching staff has a chair for him, if he wants, when he wants. The chair is in the office for him. I want that, the board want that, the owners want that.
“Michael is in a comfortable position — the future is with us. But he wants to play until the end of the season and now he feels confident to be back. He is one more option for us.”
Source: Punch Newspaper

Police rescue 30 women from sex traffickers

The Police rescued about thirty women who were trafficked for sex — most from Colombia and Venezuela — were rescued in two raids in Mexico.

The biggest rescue mission took place in Toluca, capital of Mexico state, the most populous and one of the most dangerous states in the nation.
In that raid, authorities freed 24 women between 21 and 39 years old. Federal police said 14 of the women said they were originally from Colombia and 10 from Venezuela.
The victims were detained and the man and woman in charge of their activities were arrested.
After being promised jobs, in Mexico they were stri*ped of their documents and forced to prostitute themselves, under the threat that their families would be harmed.
In another operation carried out in several homes in the city of Cuernavaca, Morelos — a popular holiday destination in the center of the country — authorities freed another six trafficking victims, five Venezuelans and a Mexican.
Source : ( AFP )

Lagos govt issues 3-day ultimatum to Okada riders

Okada riders

The Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, has given commercial motorcyclists in the state three days to register with any of the two relevant associations or risk arrest.
Edgal gave the directive on Saturday during an emergency meeting with the leadership the commercial motorcycle operators as part of measures to ensure that they are well coordinated to promote security.
According to him, the two recognised associations are National Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NNAMORAL) and Motorcycle Operators Association of Lagos State (MOALS).
The police boss said that the registration was necessary for proper identification, warning that commercial motorcycle operators not registered with either of the unions by Tuesday would be arrested for illegal operation.
“If you want to be a commercial motorcycle operator in Lagos State, you must belong to either NNAMORAL or MOALS.
“All commercial motorcycle operators are given three days to get registered; anyone found wanting will be arrested.
“The operators must wear their reflective vests designed by the unions with their names and numbers.
“Members of the public are advised not to patronise any okada rider (commercial motorcyclist) without the vest as his or her safety cannot be guaranteed,’’ he said.
He said that the police would not relent in enforcing Lagos traffic laws.
“There are roads okada riders must not ply. They must carry one person at a time.
“The vests are numbered. There are emergency numbers to call in case a passenger has a problem with any commercial motorcycle operator.
“We all want Lagos to be a mega city but this cannot be achieved when we have commercial motorcycle operators without helmets, taking one way and BRT lanes.
“In enforcing traffic laws, community policing is the way out as I don’t intend to enforce these laws without you.’’
Edgal directed that the two motorcycle transport unions should have a database for commercial motorcycle operators in the state.
He said that increasing rate of accidents involving commercial motorcyclists made it necessary for their operations to be strictly monitored.
“When you go to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, and see cases, you will see that there is the need to monitor their (commercial motorcyclists‘) operations,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of MOALS, Mr Pekis Tijani, said that the union leaders would fully implement the directive.
Tijani, who commended the police boss for the meeting, assured him that motorcycle operation in Lagos would take a new shape.
Source: P.M. NEWS Nigeria

Properties submerged as flood takes over Cross River Governor’s office

Flood has taken over the multi-million naira governor’s office in Calabar, Cross River State.

The flood followed the heavy downpour that occurred around 4pm on Thursday and lasted less than two hours.
The flood affected central parking lots of the governor’s office, canteen, accounts department, technical offices, generator house and other offices in the governor’s office.
DAILY POST investigations revealed that property worth millions of naira were destroyed.
Among the property destroyed were: vehicles, stationeries, mechanic and engineering equipment while those submerged were government, workers, journalists and visitors’ vehicles as well as giant government generators.
A visitor to governor’s office who gave his names as Chief Bassey Ekpo Etim lamented the situation, saying that his car was soaked in the flood.
“I was in one of the offices when the rain started. Not knowing that the area I parked my car was a flooded area and by the time I came out, the entire area was flooded and my car was submerged and water entered the vehicle.
“I hired some persons to push the car out of the flood. It was a terrible experience” he said. Mr Bassey Asukwo another victim of the flood also told DAILY POST that his car was also soaked in the flood.
He said when he came, he parked his car at the parking lot, little did he know that behind the governor’s office main block, the entire area was flood prone.
“Look at my car (Pointing at a car soaked with rainwater), how will I leave this place” he queried adding, “I didn’t come with money to pay out of this place” and lamented.
Government officials in governor’s office when contacted, declined to comment on the flood that had been a reoccurring decimal.
However, a clerical officer who did not give his name for fear of being punished, said, “This thing did not start today. It has been with us ever since this administration comes on board. It’s unfortunate”
“Whenever it rains, we carry our heart on our hands because nobody knows who will be victim. We beg on our so called ‘Digital Governor’ to come tour aid and save civil servants from this wanton embarrassment” he pleaded.
Suggesting a way out, he said, “The issue is not a difficult one, let government open up the drainage, the drainage has been block. We have engineers but we have not seen their expertise. It is sad” he fumed.
Frantic efforts made to reach out to the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Dan Osim-Asu proved abortive and his phone was permanently switched off.v

Izu Joseph: 3SC blackmailing my family, they only paid us N284,800 – Father of late player cries out

Pa Reuben Izu Martin, father of the ex-slain Shooting Starts Sports Club (3SC) player, Joseph Izu, has refuted a claim by the club that it has paid six months salary arrears of the deceased into his account.

Pa Reuben Izu Martin, who made this declaration in a statement sent to DAILY POST on Thursday, noted that “The management of Shooting Stars football Club has paid the sum of N142,400 twice into my account and not six months as been claimed by the club”.
Izu, an indigene of Rivers State while holidaying was allegedly killed by some soldiers in Bayelsa state over a year ago.
Pa Reuben Izu noted that the need to put the record straight became necessary because it is the custom of the club to find a cosmetic solution to their request immediately after a public outcry like this .
He said “I, Mr. Reuben izu Martin father to late Izu Joseph wish to let the public know that the management of Shooting Stars football Club has paid the sum of N142,400 twice into my account and not six months as been claimed by the club.
“This is the 2nd time they are doing it and it appears it is done immediately after a public outcry as regards the way they have treated my son, Joseph Izu’s finance since his death.
“I called Balogun the GM to explain that amount payed and Balogun sent a text that the money is made up of salaries, bonuses and others and promised to send the breakdown when he gets to Ibadan as he is taking care of his sick son. Up till now no information from him.
He noted that the family is not begging for money but is requesting for the money their departed son worked for before he was killed.
“We are not begging Shooting Stars for any kind of money, but for what my son worked for before he was killed.”
He said what the family want is nothing but justice served on the soldiers who killed their son.
“At this point, the family wants justice for Izu from the soldiers who killed him as well as Shooting Stars to pay his dues.”
Pa Reuben Izu while making further clarification enjoined the 3SC management to stop blackmailing the family especially, a brother to the deceased, Mr. Reuben Izu Jnr simply because he was fighting for his late brother.
He said “I need to know why Shooting Stars is blackmailing my son simply because he is fighting for his late brother.
“My son, Reuben Izu Jnr. has never wanted his late brothers money to be paid to him, he is mandated by me on behalf of the family to ensure that 3SC pays salaries owed my son.
“I call on the oyo State government to investigate the club management as they have clearly shown unprofessionalism in handling my son, Izu’s finance.
“I don’t know why its so difficult for 3SC to furnish the family with details of debt profile to late IZU Joseph.
“Instead of paying an amount without any narrative. I spoke with the COO of the LMC on this issue last week in Jos during the AGA of NFF. Responding to his question on the exact amount of late Izu Joseph salary, I told him that from the records we have in his contract with the LMC, is about 400, 000 monthly.
“He told me that the issue is that in most cases the amount in the contract with the LMC is different from the one they signed with the Clubs. The Union has also written to the LMC to compel 3SC to furnish them with details of the actual amount owed Izu in terms of outstanding salaries and match allowances .
“The club is yet to respond. The LMC has equally assured that monies due 3SC will not be paid to them until this issue and others are sorted out”.
Source: DailyPost Nigeria

Enugu approves N1.5b for rehabilitation of 14 rural, urban roads

The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the sum of N1,532,148,154.76 for the construction of 14 critical roads in both the Enugu metropolis and some rural communities.

This fresh massive approval came on the heels of the flag off of construction and rehabilitation of four other critical roads at the cost of about N1billion within Enugu metropolis.
Briefing journalists on the outcome of the Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Enugu, the state’s commissioner for works, Engr. Greg Nnaji, said the approvals were given after an extensive deliberation on various issues affecting the state, especially with regard to infrastructure, security and human capacity development.
He said that contracts for the urban roads were awarded with the aim of rehabilitating feeder roads to ease the pressure and occasional congestion on some major city roads, while the focus on rural roads was consistent with the Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration’s vision to improve the living standard of rural dwellers and build new cities.
Nnaji explained further that in line with this philosophy, the council has decided to decongest the Nike Lake road as part of the government’s urban renewal strategy.
“The council approved the linking of Ezike road-Mgbowo-Nike Lake road extension in Enugu East Local Government Area.
“This is a popular road and once this road is linked, people coming into Enugu from other states could drive through there to access the airport or continue their journey to destinations such as Anambra State,” he said.
He added that all the roads were strategic and would impact on residents’ access and mobility given that some would serve as necessary bypass to decongest the popular Nike Lake road.
According to him, some of the rural roads like the Ogrute-Umuogbo Ulo-Isiugwu-Umuokpu-Ette roads, in Igbo-Eze North LGA, that lead to neighbouring Benue State have “for years not seen any form of construction whatsoever”.
A breakdown of the approvals further shows contract awards for the construction and rehabilitation of the following roads: Construction of Ohom-Orba-Amajioka-Umuikeoha-Agu Orba and Okpu-Agu Orba road in Udenu Local Government Area, at the cost of N376,921,420.00; and reconstruction/rehabilitation of Ngenevu road and Brodrick Street, Coal Camp, in Enugu North council area at the cost of N116,567,814.54.
Others include the rehabilitation of Njamanze Entrance/Ogui Road; rehabilitation of Bonny Lane/Ogui Road; rehabilitation of Asata Chemist Lane/Ogui Road; reconstruction of New Market Roundabout-Civil Defence Headquarters-Works Road, in Enugu North lLocal Government Area.
Equally approved was the procurement of an Incidence Response Vehicle for the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and an approval for the establishment of the Enugu State Multi-Door Court House for connected purposes in the state ministry of justice.
There was also an approval for the fumigation of 425 primary, secondary, science and technical schools in Enugu State prone to to dangerous reptiles and insects.
“This is to ensure that teaching and learning take place in a safe environment”, the commissioner said.

Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Europa League: Wenger explains why he took off Welbeck at half time against Cologne

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has revealed why Danny Welbeck was taken off at half time against Cologne

in their 1-0 defeat to the German side in the Europa League, Thursday night.
Wenger said the plan was to play Welbeck for only 45 minutes.
Welbeck made his first start in five weeks against the Bundesliga side, but was replaced at half time by Alex Iwobi.
Fears that the England striker may have suffered an injury were soon allayed by Arsene Wenger.
“It was planned before the game that he would only play 45 minutes,” he said.
“He has only just come back from injury, and we have three more games on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday again. Medically, the risk was a bit too high to play him for longer because he has been out for a while.
“He has no problem. Of course, he was ready to stay on and frustrated to come off, but he’s in good shape.”

Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Bishop Oyedepo reveals what will happen to those who don’t pay tithe

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder, Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, Thursday explained why it is important for Christians to pay tithe.

Oyedepo said tithing opens the windows of heaven and ensures divine blessings for Christians, stressing that those who don’t tithe are permanently beggars.
He said this while addressing members of Dunamis International Gospel Center in Abuja and monitored by DAILY POST.
According to Oyedepo, “If you don’t pay tithe you are permanently a beggar.
“I’m permanently under an open heaven. Every seed you give to God returns but only tithe secures your destiny.Its tithing that secures your blessing.
“Through the mystery of tithing you don’t run out of divine ideas. Tithing opens the windows of heaven and pours you quick understandings.”

Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Atiku Abubakar dumps APC

Former Vice President of Nigeria , Atiku Abubakar, has dumped Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mr. Abubakar in a statement sent to  narrated his reasons for leaving the party.
The former vice president who challenged President Muhammadu Buhari for the APC ticket in the build up to the 2015 elections did not indicate the new party he would join.
Many members of the main opposition PDP, a party Mr. Abubakar helped form, have, however been asking him to rejoin the party.
Read Mr. Abubakar’s full statement below.
On the 19th of December, 2013, I received members of the All Progressives Congress at my house in Abuja. They had come to appeal to me to join their party after my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, had become factionalized as a result of the special convention of August 31, 2013.
The fractionalization of the Peoples Democratic Party on August 31, 2013 had left me in a situation where I was, with several other loyal party members, in limbo, not knowing which of the parallel executives of the party was the legitimate leadership.
It was under this cloud that members of the APC made the appeal to me to join their party, with the promise that the injustices and failure to abide by its own constitution which had dogged the then PDP, would not be replicated in the APC and with the assurance that the vision other founding fathers and I had for the PDP could be actualized through the All Progressives Congress.
It was on the basis of this invitation and the assurances made to me that I, being party-less at that time, due to the fractionalization of my party, accepted on February 2, 2014, the hand of fellowship given to me by the All Progressives Congress.
On that day, I said “it is the struggle for democracy and constitutionalism and service to my country and my people that are driving my choice and my decision” to accept the invitation to join the All Progressives Congress.
Like you, I said that because I believed that we had finally seen the beginnings of the rebirth of the new Nigeria of our dreams which would work for all of us, old and young.
However, events of the intervening years have shown that like any other human and like many other Nigerians, I was fallible.
While other parties have purged themselves of the arbitrariness and unconstitutionality that led to fractionalization, the All Progressives Congress has adopted those same practices and even gone beyond them to institute a regime of a draconian clampdown on all forms of democracy within the party and the government it produced.
Only last year, a governor produced by the party wrote a secret memorandum to the president which ended up being leaked. In that memo, he admitted that the All Progressives Congress had “not only failed to manage expectations of a populace that expected overnight ‘change’ but has failed to deliver even mundane matters of governance”.
Of the party itself, that same governor said “Mr. President, Sir Your relationship with the national leadership of the party, both the formal (NWC) and informal (Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso), and former Governors of ANPP, PDP (that joined us) and ACN, is perceived by most observers to be at best frosty. Many of them are aggrieved due to what they consider total absence of consultations with them on your part and those you have assigned such duties.”
Since that memorandum was written up until today, nothing has been done to reverse the treatment meted out to those of us invited to join the All Progressives Congress on the strength of a promise that has proven to be false. If anything, those behaviours have actually worsened.
But more importantly, the party we put in place has failed and continues to fail our people, especially our young people. How can we have a federal cabinet without even one single youth.
A party that does not take the youth into account is a dying party. The future belongs to young people.
I admit that I and others who accepted the invitation to join the APC were eager to make positive changes for our country that we fell for a mirage. Can you blame us for wanting to put a speedy end to the sufferings of the masses of our people?
Be that as it may be, after due consultation with my God, my family, my supporters and the Nigerian people whom I meet in all walks of life, I, Atiku Abubakar, Waziri Adamawa, hereby tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress while I take time to ponder my future.
May God bless you and may God bless Nigeria.
Source: Punch Newspaper

Ogun 2019: Stranger won’t succeeds me – Amosun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun  on Wednesday vowed for the second time that he would not hand over to a stranger in 2019.
Amosun said it would be an insult to the forebears of Ogun State if an ‘Atohunrinwa’ (stranger) should succeed him when there are true sons and daughters of the soil in abundance.
The Governor reiterated his vow while addressing elders from Ogun the West Senatorial district during a meeting with them at his Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The elders visited Amosun to dissociate themselves from a reported endorsement on Monday of a governorship aspirant from Ogun West by a group.
Amosun who reaffirmed his resolve to work for the emergence of an Ogun West son or daughter as Governor in 2019, said a stranger would “wreck” Ogun State if given its affairs to manage.
He noted that people from other senatorial districts are qualified to vie for the governorship seat of Ogun State in 2019 but insisted he would only work for the Ogun West candidate.
Amosun appealed to the Ogun West elders not to see two other senatorial districts as enemies, saying they need to court their support, lobby and consult for the realisation of Ogun West governorship agenda.
“It is a covenant between me and my God, I will be handing over to someone from Ogun West but other senatorial districts are also qualified to contest.
“But we shouldn’t see them as enemies, it should not appear that we are taking anyone for granted, our people in Ogun East can come out to contest, in Ogun Central we’ve agreed, but if anybody comes out from the central, I will confront him frontally.
“We will be tactical and strategic but we shouldn’t pay attention to those that are not necessary. I am free to take my position just like every other person.
“I am not God, we are human but where we are today, I am supporting people from Ogun West, it will be an insult to us in this state when we have sons and daughters, no ‘Atohunrinwa’ (stranger) will come, they will wreck Ogun State if we allow it.
“You can’t wake up one day and be moving from one place to the other, when it is time for campaign, they will not even come because it will be too hot for them to handle,” Amosun said.
Earlier, the elders cutting across  the five Local Governments of the zone, led by a former Secretary to Ogun State Government, Deacon Poju Adeyemi, told the Governor that his choice of will succeeds him, will be theirs.
The elders comprising representatives from Yewa Think Tank, Ogun West Elders Forum, Ogun West Elders Council and leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) from the zone urged Amosun to pick a popular choice from the zone.
A professor of history, Anthony Asiwaju, who spoke at the meeting, appealed to Amosun to lead them into who his choice is to enable them throw their weight behind such a person.
“You should lead us as to who in Ogun West, who in Yewa land you will like us to support and work for.
“I have said it because it’s our stand, in Ogun West Elders Council, we will go where where you go and we will support whoever you ask us to support from Yewaland.
“We will suggest without forcing you into action unnecessarily, within shortest possible time, let’s know who we should support from the candidates,” Asiwaju said.
Meanwhile, Senator Olamilekan Adeola has lauded  a group of professionals, academics and community leaders under the aegis of Ogun West Consultative Forum (OWECOF) for endorsing him as their choice among governorship aspirants from the area.
In a statement by Adeola’s Media aide, Chief Kayode Odunaro, he hailed the group for their courage and painstaking efforts in contributing to steps being taken to ensure that the next governor of Ogun State comes from Ogun West extraction.
“Following the endorsement he received from a group of professionals,  academics community leaders and opinion molders  from Ogun West Senatorial District under the auspices of Ogun West Consultative Forum, OWECOF, to contest as Ogun State Governor in 2019, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola aka Yayi, chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content has commended the group for their courageous and painstaking efforts in contributing to efforts to ensure that the next governor of Ogun State will be of Ogun West extraction after 42 years since the creation of the state.
“The senator who was endorsed ahead of 5 other notable aspirants praised the group for providing a level playing ground for majority of the aspirants from the Ogun west senatorial district to showcase their credentials and their agenda for Ogun state as governor stressing that the race to Oke-Mosan Government House in 2019 for him is not a do or die affairs but a vision to build on the achievements of previous administrations with experience garnered over the years in governance at both state and federal levels.
“Senator Adeola promised to continue with his consultations with relevant stakeholders and the teeming masses of the people of Ogun state in the days and months ahead stressing that his vision is for an all-inclusive participatory government that will bring urgently needed development to all the nooks and crannies of Ogun state.
“The senator called on other aspirants in the race from the district to join hands with him in the quest to reverse a history that has relegated the district to the back burners adding that it should be a collective effort to build on the ongoing rebuilding mission as well as make improvements on areas that are facing serious challenges in the state.
“He reiterated his earlier commendation for former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba and incumbent governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun for supporting the Ogun West aspiration to produce the governor of the state in 2019 in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play adding that history will not forget their roles in the holistic development of all parts of Ogun state,” he stated.
Source: The Nation