Monday 27 July 2015

WHAT NIGERIA SHOULD LEARN FROM GREECE DEBT CRISIS

The global economic slowdown has left some mature economies like Greece stricken and more on a par with emerging markets like Nigeria, mainly because of their Achilles Heel of over-leveraged government debts. At last count, Greece owes 242 billion euros to its creditors the IMF and European Central Bank, an amount that the IMF decided is unsustainable just after the country missed a 1.5 billion-euro repayment.As a Eurozone member state, Greece’s economic performance has a direct impact on the value of the euro, which slumped to its lowest point in 2015 against the USD, while declining to 0.00462 from 0.00451 against the naira at the height of the Greek debt crisis in mid-July.Why is this good news for Nigeria-EU trade? In the process of signing a trade agreement with West African countries, the EU has been steadily developing its relations with Nigeria, which is the largest economy in Africa. In the face of some difficulties in trade talks, business has picked up considerably between the two partners, and the EU is gaining market share in Nigeria, which imports millions of euros-worth of goods from the bloc. The EU sells machinery, chemicals, industrial goods and vehicles to Nigerian companies. A fall in the value of the euro means that European goods are more affordable than they used to be, so this could mean an increase in the level of goods ordered from the EU by Nigerian companies.Nigeria exports mainly oil and other commodities like gold and diamonds to the EU, accounting for 80% of West African exports together with Ghana and the Ivory Coast, and this is where the bad news comes in. As the euro declines against the USD and the naira, Nigeria gains buying power, but loses some selling power because the EU may reduce the current level of purchases or imports from the West African country, which will have a knock-on effect on government tax revenues. A lower-valued euro means less buying power for the EU, which sees Nigeria as its top source of oil in West Africa, and the longer the Greek debt crisis drags on, the more damage it will do to the bloc’s exchange rate stability with its trading partners.Emerging markets like Nigeria are coming into an era of opportunities and increased bargaining power in their relations with giant economies like the EU, which is the world’s second largest economic power. With each member state crisis, the euro loses value. There are also some serious underlying economic trends that are concerning, such as disinflation, slow GDP growth, and the challenge to the euro that is posed by vulnerable economies like Italy, or Spain and Portugal, which are only just emerging from their own crises.Back to the good news, with lower oil prices around the globe, maintaining oil imports to the EU may not be such a difficult challenge as originally assumed. This is balanced out by future developments in the level of the USD against the euro, if the US economy continues growing and outpacing its developed rivals, the currency exchange challenge returns to the table.My view is that Nigeria could see the Greek debt crisis as an opportunity to increase its bargaining power with the EU, both in terms of bilateral trade agreements and in terms of increasing its national exports to the bloc.

HEALTH CORNER: FACTS ABOUT MENSTURATIONS SOME FIRLS DON'T KNOW

A lot of people think it’s weird to talk about periods, but not us. Menstrual cycles are part of our biology, just like the nervous system or the billions of cells that make up our bodies.Periods has been ignored by the society so much that most girls are left to find out about their bodies on their own. Here are 10 little known facts about menstruation – and the science behind them.1. Menstruating makes you hornierThe hormone progesterone is said to lower a woman’s libido. Yet while menstruating women produce less progesterone, which makes them likelier to crave sex during this phase.2. And less attractive to menA man’s testosterone levels are directly affected by a woman’s scent, which changes during a menstrual cycle.One study where men sniffed the T-shirts of women who were ovulating showed the men’s testosterone levels spike, while testosterone decreased when they sniffed T-shirts of women who weren’t ovulating.Another study showed that strippers make twice as much in tips when they’re ovulating than when they’re on their period.3. In the olden days, girls didn’t used to get their period until around 16 or 17Right now, the age of 12 is an average launching pad for a girl and her period pads. She will continue menstruating until around age 50.In the 1800s, the average girl did not get her first period until well into her teens. It is thought that girls reach puberty earlier these days due to a combination of better nutrition and increased stress.4. Your periods isn’t just bloodYou can tell just by looking – if you cut your finger, the blood appears different from what shows up in your underwear. That’s because what comes out during a period is actually the lining of the uterus, a mixture of blood and tissue.Your body builds up the lining of your uterus each cycle in preparation for potential pregnancy. But if an egg isn’t fertilized by a sperm, the thickened lining of the uterus is shed through the vagina. This is your period.5. Your period can change your voiceOne study published in the journal Ethology claimed that men who listened to recordings of women’s voices were generally able to tell which women were menstruating.One would assume that their tone while menstruating was slightly more menacing than normal.6. You can get pregnant on your periodIt’s unlikely, but still possible, since sperm can stay alive inside the vagina for up to a week. The risk of pregnancy is highest when having sex during the end of one’s menstrual cycle.7. Your body mimics the symptoms of pregnancy in the days leading to your periodIn the days leading up menstruate, your body secretes hormones that cause irritability, feeling bloated, acne, and fluid retention—which are precisely the same symptoms one experiences during pregnancy.8. You think more like a man when you’re menstruatingLowered estrogen levels during menstruation may actually enhance a woman’s “male cognitive skills,” lending a temporary cognitive advantage in areas such as spatial thinking.9. You may bleed form other places than your vaginaIn a very rare and a little scary medical condition known as “vicarious menstruation,” women on their period may also harmlessly bleed from their mouth, ears, lungs, nose, eyes, and skin. It is not known exactly why this happens, only that it does.10. You need body fat in order to menstruateIf your body fat plummets below 8-12%, your period will abruptly cease, if it ever began at all. Fat cells are correlated with a woman’s estrogen levels and are thus necessary in both menstruation and procreation.

WAEC to Withhold Some States Results Over Debts

Hundreds of candidates who sat for the May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination may not have their results released in the next two weeks, the West African Examinations Council has announced.No fewer than 19 states of the federation owe the council about N4bn examination registration fees.The WAEC Head of National Office, Lagos, Mr. Charles Eguridu, announced this on Monday at a briefing in Lagos.He, however, failed to make public the affected states.Eguridu said, “A total number of 19 states in the country owe the Council in respect of entry fees for state government sponsored candidates for the May/June 2015 WASSCE. Some states also still owe the Council registration fees for the May/June 2014 WASSCE.“We have written to the affected state governments without any response. The poor response of the debtor states is threatening the smooth operations of the Council.“We, therefore, want to publicly plead with the affected states to off-set the registration fees of their candidates as soon as possible, as we cannot guarantee that the results of their candidates for the May/June 2015 will be released along with others.”

Thursday 23 July 2015

Close to 100 Roasted in Arepo, Ogun State Fuel Theft.

NOT less than 100 suspected petroleum
pipeline vandals were yesterday roasted to
death along Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Arepo area
in Ogun State.
Accounts say, the vandals were busy
scooping fuel gushing from damaged
pipelines when the fire suddenly started.
As at 2.30 p.m. when The Guardian
visited the area, the fire was still raging.
The area, hitherto guarded by members of
Odua People’s Congress (OPC) was said
to have been left unprotected following the
withdrawal of the OPC members by its
leadership over non-payment of their
contract fee by the Federal Government.
When The Guardian visited the scene,
some of the vandals who survived the fire
outbreak were seen battling to put out the
raging fire while others were taking away
the bodies of their colleagues burnt
beyond recognition in canoes.
The NNPC management had called in
policemen attached to the Inspector
General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase’s
Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline
Vandalism.
One of the policemen, who spoke with The
Guardian said that they were making plans
to create an access to the area, which has
been overgrown with weeds and water
hyacinth.
Policemen could not get access to the
swampy areas where the vandals were
evacuating the bodies.
“You can see that there is no tent in this
area. The one that was here was set
ablaze by vandals who attacked members
of the OPC. We were however invited by
NNPC to come and secure the area while
repairs will be done on the security post.
“More than 100 vandals were roasted in
this fire outbreak.
As you can see, we do not have a tent, no
pathway to the scene of the incident. The
best option is for helicopters to be used
to access the area or better still,
construct a road to the site,” the policeman
who sought anonymity said.
Confirming the incident, the newly posted
officer in charge of the task force,
Valentine Olumese, a Chief Superintendent
of Police (CSP) who was also at the
scene, said police have completed plans to
take over the security and protection of
the area.
“The tent that was destroyed will be
repaired and access to the scene will be
created. Our men will maintain presence.”
He also assured that pipeline vandalism
would be reduced to the barest minimum if
police presence returns to the area.
Ogun State Police Spokesman, Muyiwa
Adejobi, however, declined to speak on the
issue.

Wednesday 22 July 2015

Pastor Fails to Resurrect After Tell People to Bury Him Alive.

Five members of the same family were charged with
the murder of a prophet who had been called to
their their home in the village of Mazonde,
Zimbabwe to help them cleanse their house of evil
spirits.
According to local newspaper, Zed 24
News, the accused family identified as
Leanmore Mutero, Tonderai Muswere,
Michael Muchengeti, Manasa Mutero and
Nicholas Mutero , appeared at the High
Court in Harare facing a murder charge for
participating in the death of self-professed
Prophet Shamiso Kanyama, who
accidentally died during a healing ceremony.
Pastor Kanyama had reportedly asked his
followers to bury him alive so that he
could summon more cleansing powers to
heal the family that had been plagued by
mysterious deaths.
Zed
24
News reports that High Court Justice
Owen Tagu heard how on that day, the
late pastor had been invited to attend the
home in the Muzarabani district, which is
situated along the Mozambique-Zimbabwe
border, by their priest, Zvidzai Muchengeti.
The five men had requested the priest to
help them clean their home of evil spirits,
because it was causing mysterious deaths
in their family.
Responding to their request to perform a
healing ceremony, Kanyama had ordered his
followers to dig a grave and bury him
alive because that was the way he
summoned more healing powers to ward
off evil spirits. However, the plan
backfired on the prophet when instead of
being resurrected as he supposed, the men
dug up the grave again to find him dead.
Kanyama helped to dig his own grave
before praying and jumping inside, Father
Zvidzai, who has turned State witness,
told the High Court. He continued that after
laying face down in the grave, he ordered
his followers to start covering him with
soil.
“He pegged a grave-shaped pit in front of
my hut and asked for help to dig the pit,”
Zvidzai continued. “Deceased requested to
be buried alive so that he would gain
power to drive away the evil forces.”
Fearing for the life of the prophet as the
men were in the process of filling the
grave, he requested the men to stop what
they were doing, Joseph Taderera told
Justice Tagu.
However, they ignored his pleas when
Kanyama urged them to continue the
process of burying him alive, stating that
he would rise from the grave unharmed.
“I warned the men about the danger of
their actions, but my advice fell on deaf
ears because Kanyama shouted, telling me
that I am disturbing his angels, and urged
them to continue filling the grave, saying
that he would later come out alive,”
Taderera said.

Sourced from Guardian News.

NYSC: First Class Graduate to be Posted to Tertiary Institutions.

The Director-General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, on Wednesday said graduates with first class degrees would, henceforth, be deployed to teach in universities and other tertiary institutions.Olawumi said this in Kaduna at a two-day pre-mobilisation workshop for the 2015 Batch ”B” NYSC programme.He said the new posting policy was to properly mobilise the right manpower to boost the education sector.“All corps members who graduated with First Class honours Degrees and Diplomas will be posted to tertiary institutions for effective utilisation of their manpower.“ The posting policy of the scheme is being vigorously implemented for the achievement of the desired impact.“ I, therefore, appeal to the authorities of all tertiary institutions of learning to reciprocate this gesture by accepting and offering them permanent appointments after service.“The NYSC D-G disclosed that an online certificate verification procedure would be introduced to make participation in the scheme more transparent.He said that the verification procedure was to promote smooth interface between the scheme and the public.“ This is focused at further simplifying the procedures for certificate verification and enquiries as to whether some individuals participated in national service by making the process more transparent and less cumbersome.“Olawumi said the workshop would holistically review the scheme, identify and eliminate areas of difficulties that might crop-up during call-up formalities.“Pursuing its firm resolve to ensure that the mobilisation process is transparent and 21st century compliant, the management of the scheme introduced the online registration platform to ease the entire exercise.“The initiative is now widely accepted and applauded by all stakeholders today because the initiative has eliminated cases of registration by proxy and also granted easy access to call-up letters by prospective corps members.“ Arrangements have also been concluded for the setting-up of a help desk, where prospective corps members can get quick response to the challenges they may face while registering online.”He said that ICT facilities would be provided to enable prospective corps members have a seamless mobilisation process.The NYSC boss assured that necessary changes to the format for online registration would also be made in compliance with the NYSC Act.Olawumi disclosed that 410, 821 corps members had been trained in different skills under the NYSC skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development initiative.“ We, therefore, call on organisations and well meaning individuals to support the initiative of government, so that nobody is discharged from the national service without being equipped with skills for self employment.“The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was to allow stakeholders review policies and challenges of the scheme.The theme of the workshop is `ICT and NYSC mobilisation process; towards eliminating identified challenges’.Gov. Nasiru El-Rufa’I, while declaring the workshop open , assured that the Kaduna State Government would discharge its obligation to the scheme.The governor represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Musa, said, “no stone will be left unturned to ensure the safety and security of corps members in all parts of the state.“(NAN)

6 Awkward Places Guys Invite a Girl for a date

Guys need not break a bank for a lady to trip or impress her when on a date but that is not excusable to suggest awkward places to boycott spending most especially when you know she is not the gold digging type. It's rather a disgrace to manhood seeing places where some stingy/broke guys suggest for dating and these places are;
1. Their Houses:
Often times, guys who fall under this category are not only broke or stingy but sex starved. There's actually nothing wrong with this, just that some do that just to get under her pant. 
2. Mama Put Restaurant:
 Broke guys suggest local restaurant for babes because of the erroneous belief that Sweet Sensation foods and co. are cancerous due to the form of processing. 
3. Public School Class:
I shake my head when I see grown up adults caressing themselves in public schools. Of all places, why should it be a roofless classroom? "Some Babes Self No Get Self Worth At All". Only broke or stingy dudes suggest this kind of shameful arena for date.
 4. Church Premises:
This is a common practice in some churches especially during weekly programmes. You will see a broke brother and Sister at the church backyard professing their love, and in some cases, bleeping each other. 5. Library: Broke dudes (most especially students) seek excuse to spend big by inviting a lady to see them at a library. When she comes, they engage her in extensive discussion without buying a single item for her. 
6. Road-by ShopsThis is a style broke and stingy guys adopt by telling a lady to meet them at a road by shop. Knowing fully well that the commodities within the shop are not off budget (biscuit, pure water and soft drinks), they will ask the lady when she comes to mention anything she wants to eat as if he is a billionaire.

CORRUPTION ALLIGATIONS: Yar'dua's Daughter and Saraki's wife Invited for Questioning.

Former President Umaru Yar’ Adua’sdaugther and wife of former Kebbi StateGovernor, Zainab Dakingari has been invited by the Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud to the tune of N2billion perpetrated during her husband’s tenure as governor ofthe Northwest State.Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate Presidentand former governor of Kwara State,Bukola Saraki was also invited forquestioning over alleged moneylaundering.When contacted, EFCC spokesperson,Wilson Uwujaren, said, “I’m aware that anew set of suspects were recently invited,”Mr. Uwujaren said. “It’s not impossible thetwo women are among them.”However, a source at the anti-graft agency disclosed that Saraki is wanted in relation to questionable inflow of funds in to companies where she has interest.She is expected to report at the commission's headquarters in Abuja on July 28, 2015; where a crack team of investigators have already been assembled to grill her.Dakingari on the other hand was initially expected to report for questioning at the EFCC headquarters on Wednesday.It was however gathered that the formerKebbi first lady sent words that she was away to Saudi for Umrah (lesser hajj), and pleaded to be allowed to report on July 27,2015.She is expected to explain to operatives of the anti-graft agency the source of the steady stream of huge cash into her companies, while she held sway as ‘firstlady’ of Kebbi State.

Tuesday 21 July 2015

5 Questions Nigerians Wants Amanpour to Ask Buhari

CNN’s chief international correspondent and anchor ofAmanpour nightly foreign affairs programme on CNNInternational, Christiane Amanpour, will by 7pmNigerian time be interviewing President MuhammaduBuhari, who is in the US to meet with US President,Barack Obama.Amanpour in one of her tweets this evening said:“Nigerian President @MBuhari is in the U.S. seekinghelp to take on Boko Haram – I ask him how – 8pmCET on @cnni.”As the time ticks for the interview session, here arefive salient questions Nigerians who visitedAmanpour’s twitter timeline @campour wants her toask Buhari.– Please help us ask Nigerian president why hasn’t hepublicly declare his assets as he promised duringcampaign?– Is he in the U.S seeking help to take on BH or in theU.S cos Obama invited him?– Any revelations yet as to financiers and sponsors ofthe Boko Haram insurgency?– Don’t forget to ask if he already has a shortlist forhis cabinet?– Ask him about the economy and his plans onmassive education of North East youths to defeat BokoHaram?

Gay Right "non issue" Kenyan President

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday
dismissed gay rights as a “non-issue” ahead of a
visit by US President Barack Obama later this
week.
Kenyatta also said Deputy President
William Ruto, who is still on trial at the
International Criminal in The Hague accused
of crimes against humanity, would also
meet the US leader.
“That is a non-issue to the people of this
country, and it is definitely not on our
agenda at all,” Kenyatta said in response
to question about gay rights.
“We as a country, as a continent, are faced
with much more serious issues which we
would want to engage the US and all our
partners with.”
Obama’s planned Kenya visit was itself
long delayed by Kenyatta’s indictment by
the ICC.
Those charges, linked to post-election
ethnic violence in 2007-08, were
suspended last year — in part,
prosecutors say, because the Kenyan
government thwarted the investigation.
Kenyatta said that Obama would meet all
members of the government.
“Without a doubt, he is coming to meet the
government that is in place, that includes
all of us,” Kenyatta told reporters,
standing alongside Ruto. “We shall all be
meeting.”
Ruto has spoken out against
homosexuality, telling worshippers in
church in May it was “against the plan” of
God. In May, he said there was “no room
for homosexuality” in Kenya.
Homophobia is on the rise across much of
Africa and homosexuality remains illegal in
many countries, including Kenya where it
was outlawed under British colonial
legislation.
One Kenyan man, Kidala Vincent, had
promised to lead a march of “5,000 totally
naked men and women” to protest
Obama’s support for gay rights, so that
he can “see and understand the difference
between a man and woman.”
Kenyatta said economic development and
security were his priorities.
“Poverty, improved health for our people,
better education, better roads, better
security, these are our key focuses,” he
said.
“The fight against terror will be central, we
have been working in very close
cooperation with American agencies,” he
added.
Kenya has been hit by a string of attacks
by the Somali-led Shebab insurgents.
Kenyan troops crossed into Somalia in
2011 to fight the Al-Qaeda-linked
insurgents, and later joined the African
Union force, AMISOM, which is supporting
Somalia’s internationally-backed
government.
The Shebab have since stepped up their
operations in Kenya, dealing a blow to
plans for the troops to serve as a buffer
and protect the long, porous border.

READ WHAT OBAMA AND BUHARI DISCUSSED

Both presidents commit to war against
terror, corruption
• Nigerian leader says ministers will be
appointed in September
United States President Barack Obama
yesterday, in Washington DC, pledged to
stand with Nigeria in all its endeavours,
including the fight against Boko Haram,
provided it remained on course.
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently
in the U.S. on Obama’s invitation.
Buhari, according to a tweet by Senior
Special Adviser to the President on Media
and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had made a
brief stop to greet an ecstatic crowd of
All Progressives Congress (APC)
supporters, who converged at the Blair
House — United States Presidents’ official
guesthouse — to greet him.
Both leaders discussed areas of
collaboration, especially on fostering unity,
fighting insurgency and corruption, as well
as Nigeria’s expected leadership role in
Africa.
Citing Buhari’s credentials in integrity,
Obama told the Nigerian president:
“Wherever Nigeria goes, Africa goes; the
continent’s destiny is tied to Nigeria’s.”
Obama, who urged five accompanying
governors and others to work with
Buhari, harped on the need for unity saying
that a divided country would hardly
succeed. He, therefore, urged the president
to turn Nigeria’s diversity to source of
strength.
Governors of Edo, Oyo, Imo, Borno and
Nasarawa states and other top
government officials joined Buhari and
Obama for the bilateral talks.
On war against insurgents, the U.S.
president advised that a combination of
military action and socio-economic
programmes would help.
Buhari had, prior to his meeting with
Obama, held a breakfast session with Vice
President Joe Biden, during which they
compared terror-war notes. He is billed to
meet with Secretary of State, John Kerry,
today.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has affirmed
that he would appoint members of his
cabinet not earlier than September.
He also declared that the continued
pressure on the immediate past
administration by the U.S. and some
European countries made the general
elections in Nigeria to be free and fair.
Writing in The Washington Post yesterday,
Buhari, said his discussions with President
Obama would include not only his plans for
critical reforms, but also “why the
formation of my administration is taking
time and, crucially, why it must. Already
there are voices saying these changes are
taking too long – even though only six
weeks have passed since my inauguration.
I hear such calls, but this task cannot and
should not be rushed.
“When cabinet ministers are appointed in
September, it will be some months after I
took the oath of office. It is worth noting
that Obama himself did not have his full
cabinet in place for several months after
first taking office; the United States did
not cease to function in the interim. In
Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent
nor serve the interests of sound
government to have made these
appointments immediately on my elevation
to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must
first put new rules of conduct and good
governance in place.
“I cannot stress how important it is to
ensure that this process is carried out
correctly, just as it has been crucial to
first install the correct leadership of the
military and security services before we
fully take the fight to Boko Haram.”
Also, while responding to the welcome
remarks by Obama before the start of the
bilateral meeting between officials of both
countries at the Oval Office of the White
House, on the second day of the visit,
Buhari acknowledged the contributions of
the U.S. and some European Union
members towards the consolidation of
Nigeria’s democracy.
The President, who noted that without the
external pressure, “we would not be where
we are today” in Nigeria, recalled that the
pressure started from the visit of the
United States Secretary of State, John
Kerry to the past Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega.
“Nigeria will be ever grateful to President
Obama and the United States for making
Nigeria consolidate its gains on
democracy,” the President said.
On his trip to the U.S. the President said
he looked forward to a fruitful visit and
engagement with his host government,
while expressing delight that the United
States government had indicated interest
in partnering and helping the APC-led
administration to bring to fruition its goals
of tackling insecurity, corruption and youth
unemployment.

Sourced from Guardian News

Monday 20 July 2015

OBJ Reveals political role model

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that he believed in the political philosophy of the first Federal Minister of Social Services and Natural Resources, Adegoke Adelabu popularly called ‘Penkelemesi’ , describing him as his political role model.Obasanjo said the political philosophy of the late politician was devoid of ethnic and tribal considerations, but focused on a united Nigeria.He stated this while receiving the family of the late Ibadan-born politician, who visited him on Saturday in Abeokuta, saying, majority of Nigerians are still struggling to reach the pinnacle Adelabu attained in politics.Obasanjo, who accepted the offer to be the patron of the posthumous centenary birthday celebration of the late politician, described the late Adelabu as a detribalised Nigerian.Some members of the Adelabu family, who were led by an Ibadan chief and a former broadcaster, Aare Tunde Alabi, said they were in Obasanjo’s house to seek his help in giving a befitting ceremony to the first African Manager of UAC Haberdashery, Lagos.According to Obasanjo, Adelabu was years ahead of his political contemporaries, adding that he advocated for United State of West Africa before his demise.He said, “Adelabu was not just a historic figure, he was a reality, he was a phenomenon, he was uniquely Yoruba, uniquely Nigerian, uniquely African and uniquely a member of human race.“What you are proposing to do, I believe Adelabu deserved it in every facet. Today, we are still struggling to reach the pinnacle or the pedestrial Adelabu reached in politics, of not being swayed by linguistic, ethnic, tribal, regional, sectional consideration but by what is best for Nigeria.“He was years ahead of his contemporary politicians. In his life time, he was talking of United State of West Africa, ECOWAS came up years after his demise. In his lifetime, he belonged to a political party that has its base outside the western region where he came from. He was not a tribal baron, but a national politician.“So, when you asked me to be the patron of Adelabu posthumous centenary birthday celebration, I have no reason to say no.”“I have no reasons to say ‘no’ because, I share what Adelabu stood for, I share Adelabu’s philosophy of a united Nigeria and believe, I share Adelabu’s view of politics beyond ethnicity, beyond tribe, beyond region and I believe that in our national life, we should extol the virtues like the one we saw in Adelabu, a man of the people, down to earth, absolutely down to earth and yet, a man who believed that his politics must be above ethnicity, must be above tribe, must be to unite the country while, of course, uplifting his own people.“On behalf of the family who asked me to accept this and having accepted this, I will do my utmost best to contribute to making that day you have chosen to celebrate the birthday a success and also to use it to remind those who may like to forget that there was, even before independent, men and Nigerians like Adelabu who believed in the unity of this country, who lived for it and indeed died for it.”Earlier, Aare Alabi who gave a brief bio data of the leader of opposition in Western House of Assembly between 1956 and 1958 pleaded to Obasanjo to ‘carry Adelabu to the world’

Fist Combat at Assemblies of God Church Enugu

It was a show of shame, yesterday, in Enugu as two pastors and their loyalists engaged themselves in fisticuffs at Mount Street Parish of Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria.Consequently, police was compelled to lock up the church premises.Vanguard gathered that the church was turned into a battle field, yesterday morning, as two pastors and their supporters fought over who should take control of the parish.Crisis of factionalisation of the Assemblies of God Church had been lingering for more than three years as two persons, Professor Paul Emeka and Dr. Chidi Okoroafor, are each laying claims to the leadership of the church, a position known as General Superintendent, a matter that is currently before the Supreme Court.The drama started when one of the pastors, Rev. Nathaniel Udeze, came with letters of posting and other court documents as part of preparations to be installed as the new pastor at the parish.He was promptly resisted upon arrival with his team of supporters.Leading the opposition was current resident pastor of the parish, Reverend Amaechi Agbo, who along with his supporters, also vowed not to allow Pastor Udeze take over, accusing him of being an “intruder.”The incoming pastor Udeze, said to have been very furious, insisted that he had been officially posted there by the leadership of the church under Rev. Paul Emeka.He also insisted that Rev. Agbo had been transferred to another parish since May 2015.Howver, Rev Agbo disagreed, insisting that he was still in-charge of the parish as he was yet to be formally written by Rev. Okoroafor’s leadership of the church, which he recognised.Factional Sunday SchoolTrouble started as early as 7a.m., when supporters of both pastors arrived and started sharing different versions of Sunday school manual in preparation for the main service.When the factional pastors arrived, the situation broke down completely as the pastors started shoving each other and shortly afterwards, members of the two factions engaged in fisticuffs.Divisional Police Officer, Dennis Ayara, who later arrived the scene, made frantic efforts to bring the situation under control through negotiation, but to no avail.The police, therefore, cordoned off the church and put it under lock, while the leaders of the two factions were asked to report to the station.

Sunday 19 July 2015

Trump:"I don't like to be lectured by failed politicians"


Say what you will about Donald Trump, he certainly has a knack for keeping his name in the news.

Facing criticism from all sides, on Sunday evening the business mogul wrote an op-ed for USA Today where he touts his record on veterans' issues and claims Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain has "made America less safe."

The piece comes amid a firestorm of public shaming as Republicans and Democrats alike chide Trump for deriding McCain's service to his country during the Vietnam War.

"I don't like losers," Trump, an alleged Republican presidential contender, said at the Iowa Family Leadership Summit during a question-and-answer session.

"He's not a war hero," Trump said mockingly of McCain. "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured."

While it's true that McCain was captured, during his five and a half years in a prison camp he refused to be released early ahead of other soldiers who'd been held longer than him. He was tortured, and even took a bayonet in the groin.

Trump avoided being drafted via a medical deferment in 1968 because of bone spurs in his heels, according to him.

In his op-ed, Trump takes a heavy handed swipe at nearly the entire sprawling GOP 2016 field, saying: "A number of my competitors for the Republican nomination have no business running for president. I do not need to be lectured by any of them. Many are failed politicians or people who would be unable to succeed in the private sector. Some, however, I have great respect for."

News credit: NBC News

Photos: Oyedepo Bless Osun Workers with Food aids

Oyedepo lends a helping hand to workers in osun state. The sharing of food stuff and other materials were to help workers inview of the current situation of unpaid salaries in the state

See What a Suit Designed with Naira Looks like. (Photo)

Buhari to be the First Nigerian President to Stay at the Blair House

President Buhari, who left for the US this morning, will be staying at the Blair House in Washington D.C during his US visit, according to the presidency. He will be the first Nigerian president ever to stay in the house which is the US President's official guest house.An invitation by a sitting US President to stay in this historic guest house is regarded in America as an honor of highest significance. When visiting leaders reside here, the flags of their nations fly proudly over Blair House, a courtesy that serves as both a gracious welcome and a symbol of the home’s crucial role in diplomatic relations. SSA to Buhari on media & publicity, Shehu Garba shared the photo of him and another Nigerian standing in front of the historic building

Okonji denies sending list of GEJ's corrupt deals to Buhari's administration.

There were reports last week that former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala sent a list of corrupt deals done during the past administration to President Buhari. Dr Okonjo-Iweala, released a statement through her media aide, Paul Nwabuikwu, discrediting the report. The statement belowThe recent report by the integrity-challenged website, Saharareporters and some other media that former Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has handed over a “dossier of corrupt deals” perpetrated by the Jonathan administration to President Buhari is completely false and without foundation. This sponsored lie is part of the political attack by the pay masters of Saharareporters against Dr Okonjo-Iweala. These attacks will continue given that these individuals are bent on a political and personal vendetta against her. Why are they angry? It is simply because she tried to bring integrity and transparency to the management of Nigeria’s public finances which obviously did not suit their interests. Saharareporters which has a long history of publishing falsehoods and distortions against Okonjo-Iweala is a paid tool of these individuals. But the lies of Saharareporters and its cohorts will never stop Okonjo-Iweala from loving her country or make her regret serving it, not once but twice. As always, we are confident that the truth shall prevail. Paul C Nwabuikwu Media Adviser to Dr Okonjo-Iweala

"All our engineers are intact" Radio Biafra

After NBC said in a statement yesterday that SSS have arrested engineers of Biafra Radio and seized their transmitters, the radio operators have fired back saying it is not true and they are still very much operating. They denied the news that any of their engineers were arrested by SSS men and said instead they are broadcasting strongly.

On its official website and via its Twitter account, the management of the radio outfit said;

“We want to categorically report to great and hardcore ‪‎Biafrans that the news going around the media that our engineer was arrested by DSS is false.

“All our engineers are intact. We urge you to remain formidable and disciplined, the battle is heavy and we are winning already. We are live in Biafraland. Call on Chukwu Okike Abiama to help us all and our leader Nnamdi Kanu.

“We are unstoppable. We are formidable. We Biafrans we have superior technology..."

Saturday 18 July 2015

Photo Speaks MAMA 2015

D'banj dedicates award to Don Jazzy

Singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and businessman, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo (D’Banj) who won the maiden MAMA Evolution awards, has dedicated the prestigious prize to his former business partner and producer, Don Jazzy, who is the boss of Mavin Records.The Evolution category is meant for established artistes who have made a huge impact on the African music scene, taken African music to new heights around the world and pushed the boundaries of creativity.D’Banj beat fellow Nigerian representatives Asa, Psquare and 2face  to the awards. Fally Ipupa (DRC), Samini (Ghana), HHP (South Africa) Chameleone (Uganda), Black Coffee (South Africa) and Anselmo Ralph (Angola) were also nominatedIt will be recalled that the musical marriage  between D’Banj and Don Jazzy ended on a sour note in 2012.Breaking: D'banj dedicates MAMA awards to Don Jazzy -

Ex-president Jonathan' Chief Security Officer Arrested

Authorities have arrested Mr, Gordon Obua, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan during his 6-year tenure as President. A security source with knowledge of the development told THEWILL that the employee of the State Security Service (SSS) was taken into custody by the secret service on Thursday evening (local time).So far, we have been unable to independently confirm why he was arrested.Meanwhile, the Society for Global Justice has called on the SSS to release him with immediate effect.The group in a statement issued by its Executive Director. Mr Marcus Ogabe confirmed that Obua was detained at the SSS headquarters in Abuja since Thursday.The Group called on Nigerians to take note of the tyranical, autocratic and dictatorship tendency of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration as exemplified by the continued incarceration of the Chief Security Officer to former president Jonathan. “‎Obua has been detained since last Thursday at the headquarters of the State Security Services in Abuja without charge.“He was also not told the reason for which he is being detained, the group said.

List of MAMA awards so far

Full List of winners Below.
I will be updating this thread so stay tuned.
Best Live Acts - Diamond Platnumz
Best Group - PsquareBest Pop & Alternative - Jimmy Nevis
Best Lusophone - Ary
Best Francophone - DJ ArafatBest New act - Patoranking
Personality of the Year - Trevor Noah
Evolution Award - Dbanj
Best Hip Hop - Casper Nyovest
Best Female - Yemi AladeBest VideoBest Male - Davido

"I cook my husband's food" President's wife.

Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday revealed that she still personally cooks her husband’s food.Speaking during the Sallah party she organized for Nigerian children at the old Banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, she sought the children’s permission to leave the party after staying for about two hours in order to go home to cook for President Muhammadu Buhari.She said: “I’m going to leave you soon. I want to go back home to cook for my husband. Because my children are here playing with you, so nobody is at home, only my husband. So I want to go back home to be with him and also cook dinner for him.”She urged the children to continue to pray for other Nigerian children who are presently at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)’ camps due to the insurgency.Stressing that the administration of her husband attaches importance to Nigerian children’s welfare, protection and development, she urged them to be good ambassadors to their parents.She said: “The future of this great country lies in your hands. You are to complement the efforts of government by working very hard in school and to be obedient to your parents.”“Tomorrow, you may be the President, the President’s wife, senator, honourable members, governors, medical doctors, teacher, journalist, engineer, nurse, lawyer and the rest of our honourable professions,” She addedThe Wife of the President also urged parents to encourage and monitor their children.

Friday 17 July 2015

Popular music artists wizkid and phyno travel together for MAMA awards (photo)

Obiano honors unclaimed dead bodies of the onitsha fuel tanker victims

For the residents of Obosi, a suburb of the commercial city of Onitsha, Friday was a very sad day as a mass burial was organized by the Anambra State Government for 32 unclaimed bodies of victims of the tragic fuel tanker explosion that took place at Upper Iweka, May.The Ceremony commenced with a 21 gun-salute in honor of the dead, which then proceeded with an inter-denominational service held at the Anglican Bishop on the Niger.Bible passages were read and a deep and solemn exhortations that highlighted the fickleness of life and the need for the living to ensure that they are in the good book of their creator at all times, the victims were committed to mother earth in the Obosi Cemetery.Governor Obiano recalled that in swift response to the incident, his administration had taken pragmatic measures against future recurrence – such measures include a ban on fuel-carrying tankers and trucks from plying state roads as well as a restriction of motorcyclists from plying the state major highway.The governor described the accident as a very big tragedy which befell the state.The governor revealed that his government is working in collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure safety on the state roads, While also urging the motoring public to embrace safety habits and to always ensure that their vehicles are in good shape before they set out for the highways.In his own remarks, the Chief Imam, Central Mosque, Bida Road, Onitsha, Mr Abdulraman Hamza, who represented the Muslim Community in the State, said Governor Obiano had by his decision to organize the burial, showed he has genuine humaneness and goodwill – as well as good commitment towards addressing any bottlenecks that would hamper the growth of the State.The Governor was prayed for, as well as for the repose of the souls of the dead.

Two aircraft collied at lagos airport

Lagos – Tragedy was averted on Friday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) in Lagos following a ground collision of two aircraft belonging to FirstNation Airways.A similar incident had occurred at the airport on July 6, following the collision of two aircraft belonging to Emirates and Hak Air.It was gathered that Friday’s incident which happened at about mid-day involved two Airbus 330 conveying not fewer than 250 passengers.The two aircraft had their bodies partially damaged as a result of the collision.A source at the airport said one of the aircrafts was taxiing from the runway to MMA2, to disengage passengers while the other aircraft was preparing to take off to Port-Harcourt Airport from the same terminal.The source alleged that the pilot may have been misdirected by the marshals who directed the pilot to taxi to the wrong part of the apron.According to the source, the Port-Harcourt bound aircraft was parked at Gate 4 while the arriving aircraft was bound for the Gate 3 of the terminal.However, the source claimed that the marshals misdirected the arriving aircraft to the same Gate as the parked aircraft which led to the two wings brushing each other.Following the incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), immediately, grounded both aircraft while passengers wereasked to disembark by the airline.It was further gathered that the refunds of tickets were made to passengers on the Port-Harcourt bound aircraft by the airline.The NCAA also confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Fan Ndubuoke.Ndubuoke said no passenger was hurt and that the incident had been referred to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) for further investigation.He also reiterated NCAA’s commitment to safety and security of passengers. (NAN)

Two aircraft collied at lagos airport

Lagos – Tragedy was averted on Friday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) in Lagos following a ground collision of two aircraft belonging to FirstNation Airways.A similar incident had occurred at the airport on July 6, following the collision of two aircraft belonging to Emirates and Hak Air.It was gathered that Friday’s incident which happened at about mid-day involved two Airbus 330 conveying not fewer than 250 passengers.The two aircraft had their bodies partially damaged as a result of the collision.A source at the airport said one of the aircrafts was taxiing from the runway to MMA2, to disengage passengers while the other aircraft was preparing to take off to Port-Harcourt Airport from the same terminal.The source alleged that the pilot may have been misdirected by the marshals who directed the pilot to taxi to the wrong part of the apron.According to the source, the Port-Harcourt bound aircraft was parked at Gate 4 while the arriving aircraft was bound for the Gate 3 of the terminal.However, the source claimed that the marshals misdirected the arriving aircraft to the same Gate as the parked aircraft which led to the two wings brushing each other.Following the incident, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), immediately, grounded both aircraft while passengers wereasked to disembark by the airline.It was further gathered that the refunds of tickets were made to passengers on the Port-Harcourt bound aircraft by the airline.The NCAA also confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Fan Ndubuoke.Ndubuoke said no passenger was hurt and that the incident had been referred to the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) for further investigation.He also reiterated NCAA’s commitment to safety and security of passengers. (NAN)

Bruno Iwoha Goes Blind Battling with Diabetes


Another Nollywood actor needs
help urgently to restore his sight. Last
Tuesday 14th of July, veteran actor
Bruno Iwuoha was a guest on the
Brekete Family Program on 104.5FM in
Abuja. And while on air, he opened up
about his current battle with diabetes/
glaucoma.
According to the talented actor, he never
knew he had diabetes until a violent
armed robbery attack that landed him in
hospital. A series of test carried out on
him revealed that he has diabetes and
since then he has been managing it until
the condition affected his sight.
His words:
He said he got to know that
“I’ve gone to so many places; within
the country, outside the country for
treatment, until finally…finally, the
thing [diabetes] claimed one of my
sight. As I look at you now, I’m using
only one sight. They call that
glaucoma. And gradually, it’s affecting
the other one [eye]. So, naim make,
apart from places…the people who call
me atimes, both the little cash they
can give me…drugs and all that…but I
discovered that this thing [the illness]
is a lifetime something.
And it has robbed me of the job
[acting]. And now, if I get a script, it
will be hard for me to read it very
well. And if I read it, if I strain my
eyes for so long, it would look as if
someone would lead me around the
house or anywhere I want to go
because it will affect the only one
[eye]. So that’s my problem.”
The actor said he needs the help of
kind-hearted Nigerians because he
has been referred to a US-based
hospital where he is required to have
N3.5million. So far he has about
N200,000.

#Sourced from naigaparrot

Check Out How Many Girls Who Carried Out The Damturu,Yobe Bombing

Three girls carried out triple bombings in the
northeastern Nigerian city of Damaturu on
Friday that targeted Muslims celebrating the
end of the holy month of Ramadan and left 13
dead, police said.
“13 people were killed in the… suicide
blasts,” said Markus Danladi, Yobe state
police commissioner. “The attacks were
carried out by three under-aged girls.
Fifteen people were also injured in the
attacks.”
UPDATED
At least 13 people were killed in the
Nigerian city of Damaturu on Friday in
three suicide attacks carried out by girls
as residents prepared for the Eid festival
at the end of Ramadan, police said.
The attacks, in an area hard hit by the
Boko Haram insurgency, came just days
before Nigeria’s new President
Muhammadu Buhari travels to Washington
for talks with his US counterpart Barack
Obama.
Buhari is expected to use Monday’s
meeting with Obama to push for US help
to tackle the jihadist violence, which has
surged since he took office in May.
Boko Haram have increasingly used young
women and girls as human bombs over the
past year as part of campaign of terror,
which has left 15,000 people dead and 1.5
million homeless since 2009.
Residents said twin explosions near a
prayer ground in Damaturu had killed two
people, before a third blast went off
moments later near a mosque leaving
another 11 people dead, according to
medics.
“Thirteen people were killed in the… suicide
blasts,” said Markus Danladi, Yobe state
police commissioner. “The attacks were
carried out by three underage girls. Fifteen
people were also injured in the attacks.”
The attacks followed a double bombing at
a market in the town of Gombe, south of
Damaturu, on Thursday evening that killed
at least 49 people who were shopping for
the Eid celebrations.
This year’s Ramadan has been particularly
deadly, with suicide bombers hitting
mosques and worshippers gunned down
as they prayed.
“There were two blasts near the Eid
prayer ground,” said Ahmad Adamu, a
security volunteer in Damaturu said of
Friday’s attacks.
“The first blast went off around 7:15 am
(0615 GMT) while security volunteers who
had come earlier than worshippers were
waiting for the worshippers so they could
assist in crowd control. Two were killed
and three were injured,” he said.
“While we were attending to the victims we
heard another blast about 500 metres
(yards) away.”
Damaturu is the capital of Yobe, one of
three northeastern states worst affected
by the insurgency.
– ‘Strengthen cooperation’ –
Nigeria’s new army chief Major General
Tukur Buratai was due to visit Damaturu
on Friday to celebrate Eid with soldiers
battling the jihadists, who have pledged
allegiance to the Islamic State group that
has seized swathes of Iraq and Syria.
Buhari, a former military head of state, has
made the fight against Boko Haram one of
the main planks of his administration —
but more than 700 people have been killed
in attacks since he came to office.
Topping the agenda of his talks with
Obama “will be measures to strengthen
and intensify bilateral and international
cooperation against terrorism in Nigeria
and west Africa”, a statement from the
Nigerian presidency said.
Relations suffered in the latter part of
former Nigerian president Goodluck
Jonathan’s rule, with Abuja considering US
aid to fight Boko Haram insufficient.
The west African nation decided to halt a
US training programme for an army
battalion which would have developed into
a unit to take on the militants.
The US State Department reacted by
saying it would do what was needed to
assist Nigeria.
But it also expressed concern over
respect for human rights and protection of
civilians during military operations.
The Islamist militants have taken
advantage of the transitional period
between Buhari’s installation and the
deployment of a regional force of 8,700
troops, scheduled for late July, to launch
deadly attacks on an almost daily basis.
The group has also carried out suicide
bombings in neighbouring Chad and
Cameroon.
Washington, which has consistently
condemned Boko Haram attacks, has said
it can provide material aid to Nigerian
forces and encourage countries in the
region to combat the group.
The United States already shares
intelligence on Boko Haram with Nigeria,
and last year sent military and civilian
advisers to try find the more than 200
school girls abducted from their school in
Chibok in the northeast.
The girls are still missing.

The Nigeria Union in South Africa on
Thursday unveiled it had concluded arrangements
to launch an identity card for Nigerians in the
nine provinces of that country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that the event is scheduled for
Saturday in Johannesburg.

The Secretary of the union, Mr Adetola
Olubajo, told NAN in Pretoria, South Africa,
that the identity card was vital for
Nigerians living in South Africa.
“ The Nigerian community will launch the
Consular Identity Card to ensure proper
identification of Nigerians.

Nigerians in South Africa to Launch Identity Card

The Nigeria Union in South Africa said on
Thursday that it had concluded arrangements
to launch an identity card for Nigerians in the
nine provinces of that country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that the event is scheduled for
Saturday in Johannesburg.
The Secretary of the union, Mr Adetola
Olubajo, told NAN in Pretoria, South Africa,
that the identity card was vital for
Nigerians living in South Africa.
“ The Nigerian community will launch the
Consular Identity Card to ensure proper
identification of Nigerians.

Thursday 16 July 2015

Buhari dissolves federal agencies

Buhari dissolves boards of federal
parastatals, agencies

JULY 16, 2015 : OLALEKAN ADETAYO

President Muhammadu Buhari has
approved the dissolution of the Governing
Boards of all federal parastatals, agencies
and institutions.
According to a statement by the Special
Adviser to the President on Media and
Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the dissolution
takes effect from Thursday.
Adesina said until the boards are
reconstituted, Chief Executive Officers of
the affected parastatals, agencies and
institutions are to refer all matters
requiring the attention of their boards to
the President through the Permanent
Secretaries of their supervising ministries.
He said the dissolution does not affect
Federal Executive Bodies listed in the
1999 Constitution.
He however said the dissolution order
covers administrative or technical
committees and other similar organs
established by the now dissolved boards.