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Nigerian actress, Uche Jombo has called out Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) after a transaction was made without her consent.

The mom-of-one says she no longer has a dollar card with the bank but she was charged over N6,000 for service charge she never used.

Uche has now called on GTB to refund her money with immediate effect.

See her post below:


Source:
www.tori.ng/news/114502/actress-uche-jombo-blasts-gtbank.html

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has claimed that the purported collapse of President Muhammadu Buhari, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital capital, vindicates their stand that “he is physically unfit to continue in office”.

This was contained in a statement sent to DAILY POST on Wednesday and signed by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the spokesperson for the Opposition Coalition, along with a short clip.

CUPP called on Nigerians to “reject Buhari when they still have the power to avoid painful regret”.

According to the statement, “Desperate APC/Presidency cabal wants Buhari back despite his lack of capacity to rule for selfish monetary and political reason”.

Ugochinyere also warned Channels TV not to “destroy the full video record of the rally where Buhari collapsed”.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/16/2019-cupp-speaks-buhari-allegedly-collapsing-apc-campaign-lokoja-video/

Professor Suleiman Olanrewaju Abubakar, Director-General of Campaign Organisation of Abubakar Bukola Saraki, believes that nothing will upend the the political control of Kwara State by the senate president. The former Minister of National Planning and Statistics told ABIODUN FAGBEMI in Ilorin that the current heat being turned on Saraki’s political dynasty by the opposition would fizzle out

• Political prostitution must stop in Nigeria

How has it been heading the Saraki’s campaign organisation?
My job is one given to me on trust and I am ready to put in my very best. I am to paddle the ship of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State. I am to mobilize all the resources of our party in the state for us to be victorious in all the cadres of elections this year. The job requires experience, skills and dedication in view of the type of government at the centre. The government thrives on propaganda and falsehood. As the Director-General of ABS, it has been a herculean task. But in the last five weeks, we can say that we have done the needful. We have done our campaign flag-off and try to mobilize our supporters to do the needful just as we told them to make the elections rancor-free.

Despite recent scathing attacks by the opposition against Kwara PDP, are your chances still bright?
What do you mean? We are very optimistic that our party will carry the day both at the state and federal levels. Kwara is a PDP state and our people are on ground to prove it when the time arises.

But are you not scared about the much-touted ‘federal might’ that could be used against your party?
‘Federal might’ counts where one is popular, I mean where the electorates believe so much in you. It counts where you are a credible candidate with stewardship. With the Federal Government of today under All Progressives Congress (APC), I don’t think that concept can work anywhere. Federal might where Nigerians would wake up and see massive killings of people? Where you have brigandage, annihilation, and unethical boycott of meetings with Labour Union leaders; don’t let us talk about anything called Federal might. Can APC, with all these vices, utilize the instruments of federal government to its advantages anymore? APC government is no longer popular due to hardship and poverty the people are made to suffer. I don’t see therefore where the ‘federal might’ will count where certain variables are missing.

The Yoruba phrase ‘o to ge’ (enough is enough) is popular with APC in Kwara State and the popular interpretation is that voters in the state should jettison the political structure of Saraki and embrace another option. How true can this be?
The question is, ‘o to ge’ of what? If they say they don’t want certain people again, then who do they want? Look, most of them now referring to themselves as opposition group enjoyed the same structure for between 16 and 17 years. Many of them were Chief of Staff, Secretary to the State Government, and Commissioners, name it. But when they were dropped for other candidates, they are chanting ‘o to ge’. ‘O to ge’ of what? I think we need to get those characters out of politics. It is a slogan just for slogan’s sake. I think the people of Kwara are wiser now. They know who is there for them whether or not there is any election.

If you look at the person on the other side, I mean their governorship candidate, his lineage had always been the one presenting opposition candidates in the state. Could it be said then that ‘o to ge’ means, why should it be their family members alone? Why could they not try others within the same opposition camp? If the characters we have in the state APC today are going for this year’s polls, they are not in any way credible to Saraki’s establishment.

Let them point to what they have done for the state, the Ilorin emirate and the people. How many lives have they positively affected? How many scholarships have they awarded to our people? There are mosques and churches around, let

Leading economic experts from the private and public sectors will today converge on Civic Centre in Lagos for the 3rd edition of Vanguard Economic Discourse.

The experts will be led by renowned banker, Mr. Fola Adeola, as the keynote speaker, and former Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, as chairman.

Also speaking at the discourse are Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Managing Director/Chief Executive, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Ifie Sekibo, as well as erudite economist and former member ofMonetary Policy Committee, MPC, of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Doyin Salami.

Other eminent personalities speaking at the event, which is sponsored by Heritage Bank are Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Mrs Hadiza Bala Usman; Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, and General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson.

The experts will brainstorm on the theme, Human Development Index vs Economic Growth: Nigeria’s Policy Options. They are also expected to proffer appropriate policy mix needed to galvanise Nigeria’s human resources and economic growth.

The discussions would be coming against the backdrop of the recent World Bank Group ranking of Nigeria 152 out of 157 countries on its first-ever Human Capital Index.

Similarly, a report by the Brookings Institution said Nigeria had overtaken India as the nation with the highest number of extremely poor people. The report showed that about 87 million Nigerians are in extreme poverty, with six Nigerians falling into extreme poverty every minute.

Furthermore, data from National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, showed that the number of unemployed Nigerians rose by 3.3 million or 19 per cent to 20.9 million in third quarter of 2018 (Q3’18) from 17.6 million in third quarter of 2017 (Q3’17).

The need for the right mix of policies to align the nation’s economic and human development performance informs the theme of the Vanguard Economic Discourse.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/economy-experts-converge-on-lagos-for-vanguard-economic-discourse-today/

After confirming his split from Tinny entertainment, famed rapper Y cee has launched his very own record label.

The ‘omo Alhaji’ star made the announcement about the new label on via Twitter while revealing the name to be “Ain’t Nobody Badder Than (ANBT)”.

His official statement read;

“It’s been an amazing last 6 years of my life and career and I will always remain grateful to Tinny Entertainment for the opportunity presented to me by the platform. The label has come to become like family and while the business relationship might have ended, we will continue to fellowship as brothers and grown men.
As is usually the case, the end of one journey marks the beginning of a new one. I am more than proud to present to you all my own label The ANBT Company. I thank each and every person that’s aided my growth to the point I am at today and look forward to growing even more from here on out.
@anbtcompany”
YCee Announcement Tweet

Source:
guardian.ng/life/ycee-announces-launch-of-new-label/

Cesc Fabregas has admitted it was sad leaving the Premier League for a second time as he looks forward to helping his old mentor, Thierry Henry turn around the fortunes of Monaco.

The Spanish star moved to the Mediterranean principality last week from Chelsea, bringing to an end 13 years in England over two spells. He made his debut for his new club in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Marseille.

“It was tricky for me to leave after 13 years in England. I started my career there, won a lot of trophies, played for two top clubs, and made more than 500 appearances. I sometimes even feel more English than Spanish,” said Fabregas as he spoke to journalists in Monaco on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old who has also played for Barcelona moved to the Stade Louis II on a three-and-a-half-year deal for a reported fee of 10 million euros ($11.5 million), having fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge under new Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri.

“Three months ago I wasn’t thinking about leaving Chelsea, but the circumstances helped,” he said.

“I was getting less game time. At first it was a surprise for me, but I came to the decision with my family. It is the best thing for my future. I feel like a young player again and can’t wait to get playing.”

Fabregas has teamed up again with Henry, the France great with whom he played at Arsenal at the start of his career and who became coach of Monaco in October.

“Thierry helped me a lot when I was young. He is one of the best players I have played with. This is a huge challenge. I am here to help him but also to help the club,” he added, with Monaco currently languishing in the Ligue 1 relegation zone.

“The club are not in a good position. We are in a negative moment but we can turn it around. The objective is to save the team and go far in the Cup to try to get into Europe next season. Everyone is looking at the challenge in a positive way.”

Fabregas was speaking after being presented along with Monaco’s other January signings: Brazilian defender Naldo and full-back Fode Ballo-Toure as well as midfielder William Vainqueur, who has joined on loan from Antalyaspor.

None of the quartet was eligible to play in Wednesday evening’s derby between Monaco and Nice, when Henry was due to go up against his old friend Patrick Vieira, another Arsenal great who is now the Nice coach.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/16/leaving-epl-sad-cesc-fabregas/

The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, has threatened to resume the industrial action it suspended on 30th May 2018.

The body said this was imperative following Federal Government’s failure to resolve lingering disputes.

It said it would down tool if the issues in dispute are not resolved by Thursday, 31st January, 2019.

JOHESU chairman, Comrade Biobelemoye Josiah issued the 15-day strike notice in a letter addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

He stated, “In view of the apparent indifference of government to permanently resolve these lingering issues, some of which have persisted for over five years now, the Joint Health Sector Unions by this letter notifies the Federal Government of her resolve to resume the suspended industrial action by Thursday, 31st January, 2019.

“Having waited for this long it is surprising that the following matters have not been resolved,” he noted.

Among issues at stake are upward adjustment of the CONHESS Salary structure; unjustified withholding of the salaries of JOHESU members for the months of April and May, 2018 and headship of hospital departments.

Others are non promotion of members on CONHESS 14 – 15 as Directors in some Federal Health Institutions, and implementation of Consultancy Cadre to JOHESU members.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/17/johesu-announces-date-nationwide-strike/

The Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, were at a meeting with the Business community Wednesday, in Eko Hotels and Suites. The meeting had the theme, Getting Nigeria’s Economy Working: A Pragmatic Approach.

Stock market to recover N2trn loss post-election – Shareholder
The business-savvy candidate from the time of launching his campaign has been bent on job creation. He stated earlier that he has created about 45,000 jobs as a private citizen. For many Nigerians, this is enough antecedent to hand over the reins of power to him, considering that every problem Nigeria faces now, can be traced to lack of jobs.

However, Opeyemi Agbaje; the moderator, wanted to know how involved he was in the creation of such plans. The reason is that governments have denied their policies and manifestos in the past. To this, Atiku replied, “This is not the first policy document I’m creating. I want to assure you I was personally involved and participated in crafting the ideas. I worked with the best experts as well.” With this answer, the attendees and indeed other members of the public understood that the aspirant has owned his plans for Nigeria’s economy.

Atiku continued on his experience with policies and documents, “in 2007, when I wanted to run, I worked with experts to produce the Niger Delta Master Plan. When I lost the elections, I handed it over to Yaradua. This document led to the reforms and creation of the Niger Delta Ministry.” On the success and growth of the economy when he was in government, Atiku stated that the secret was that the government always met with the business community and always knew their needs as a result. This led to a 7% economic growth, as opposed to the current 1.8% economic growth rate.

On the gap in infrastructure in the country, Mr. Obi stated, “Fixing Nigeria’s infrastructure must be private sector-led. That is what is obtainable elsewhere. Government does not have the capability to deliver the infrastructure we need now.” Mr. Obi also stated that the idea of allowing government handle infrastructure is behind the debt burden of the economy which in turn reduces money that could have been spent on education and health.

On jobs, which is definitely the biting issue in the country, considering that 2018 saw the nation losing cumulatively 20.9m jobs, Mr. Obi stated that China used MSMEs to drive employment. He stated that small and medium scale enterprises, contribute 60% of China’s economy and Nigeria should learn from them. He had earlier stated that he compares China to Nigeria because they were once as broke as Nigeria, with even more population.

Furthermore, popular actress, Onyeka Onwenu asked about Atiku’s plans for women. Upon that, Atiku stated that he plans on giving 30% of appointment to women and 40% to youths, since they collectively contribute 70% to the population of the country. This is not far from what he has done as a private citizen, given that out of his 45,000 employees, 70% are people 25 to 30 years of age, with half of this population being women. Also, he directed that 80% of loans in a micro-finance bank he runs, be directed to women. He stated that this has led to 92% repayment by the women.

Peter Obi was clear on treating education as an investment, instead of expenditure. He stated that companies who are knowledge-based, make more money than Nigeria. Additionally, Atiku stated that they passed the Universal Basic Education law when he was VP. This law made it compulsory that kids get basic education. As such, he plans on making education a priority, since it is what Nigeria needs. In all of this, the government of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi plan to be watch dogs. Reducing the size and cost of governance is the first way to make progress in governance.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/atikus-pro-economy-plan-receives-business-communitys-applause/

The mommy loading

There's always the day for the criminal

Wow, am speechless

God help us, man must survive by any means

Let them go and continue their lying

King of finals

Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi has named the first goal he scored for his side in May 2005 against Albacete at Camp Nou as the “favourite goal” of his career.

The Argentine captain scored a goal for Barca following an assist from Ronaldinho to hand Barcelona a 2-0 win over Albacete at home in the La Liga encounter.

“The first against Albacete from the pass of Ronnie [Ronaldinho], I will never forget, it’s my favourite,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday.

“The goals of the Clasicos are always special and against hard opponents that are usually Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Sevilla. Also those that I have had the luck to score in front of our fans. In Camp Nou they are always nice.

“In the end, the most important goals are not the most spectacular, but those that serve us as a team to win.”

Messi will hope to lead Ernesto Valverde’s side to victory when they tackle Levante on Thursday night in the Copa Del Rey round of 16 second leg tie at the Camp Nou

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/16/messi-reveals-favourite-goal-career/

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, has flagged off his campaign for a second term, declaring that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has lost the political struggle in the state due to the greed of a political godfather.Speaking during the flag off of the PDP State Campaign Rally in Tai Local Government Area of the state, yesterday, Wike said that the APC was presently looking for a political party to support during the 2019 general election.

He said that the APC had attracted no value to Rivers State; hence Rivers people will overwhelmingly vote PDP candidates.

“I hear that the APC in Rivers State are negotiating for a political party to support during the 2019 general election. But it is already too late,” he said.

He said that he has enterred a covenant with Tai people to deliver more projects for them during his second term, noting that they are under obligation to protect their votes during the elections.

The governor said that over the last three and half years, his administration has planted key projects in the area.

He announced that in the coming days, he will flag off the construction of General Hospital.

“This is a project I have agreed with Tai people to execute for the benefit of the masses,” he said.

He charged the people of Tai council to vote overwhelmingly for PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar during the Presidential election.

“Buhari does not like Rivers State. The only person that will help Rivers State is Atiku Abubakar. That is why we will vote for him,” the governor said.

He said despite the assurances of the New Inspector General of Police, IGP, Rivers people should remain vigilant.

He said: “Anybody who rigs election in Rivers State will suffer God’s wrath. If you leave your home to come and rig in Rivers State, your family will suffer the consequences”

Wike said all the people of Rivers State are looking for, is free and fair elections, where the people will be allowed to choose their leaders.

Rivers South East Senatorial District PDP Candidate, Mr Barry Mpigi said the people of the area will vote Governor Wike because the Rivers State Governor is the father of modern Rivers State.

Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah said Tai Local Government Area is a fertile ground for PDP because of the key projects executed by Governor Wike.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/wike-flags-off-pdp-state-campaign-says-apc-has-lost-the-political-struggle/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to re-elect him in the Feb. 16, Presidential Poll so he can continue with the good work he started in 2015.

Buhari, who made the plea in Lokoja while addressing a rally of party faithful and supporters, said all other candidates of the All Progressives Party (APC) should be voted for during the general election.

NAN quoted him as warning the electorate against voting for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the country should not be returned to the ugly past.

Atiku Abubakr is the PDP presidential candidate.

Buhari reminded them of the situation in the country in 2015 when he took over, saying that the PDP wanted to return to power to entrench corruption in the system.

The President said he had been able to fix roads, power, economy, Ajaokuta Steel Complex and other sectors, promising to secure the country against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes.

He also promised to sustain and improve upon the achievements recorded in the power, road, education, health, economic and others sectors.

He commended the people for their love for him and the party, promising to reward their loyalty.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/16/apc-vs-pdp-nigerians-chose-atiku-buhari/

ABUJA—The Senate, yesterday, resumed from its Christmas and New Year recess, with its president, Senator Bukola Saraki, declaring that next month’s general election is not a do-or-die affair.



Saraki
Addressing his colleagues at plenary, Saraki said: ‘’to those of us who are contesting, let us remember that our biggest offer is to serve.

“Ultimately, the Nigerian people have a right to choose who will represent them at all levels. It is not a do or die affair. I encourage all to participate in the coming polls and I wish Nigerians a safe 2019 election.’’

Speaking further, he said: ‘’Distinguished colleagues, it is an honour to welcome you all back after the festive break. I wish everyone of you, and your families, a very happy new year 2019.

“Although the political season has swung into full gear, it is my hope that you were able to get a bit of rest and some quiet time during the break; and that you have recharged your batteries, ready to dive back into legislative work with renewed vigour.

“As evident all around us, the New Year has met our countrymen and women in an anticipatory mood. Spirits are high, because in this year 2019, Nigeria has a date with destiny. But we also know that despite all of this, the work of leadership must go on; governance must not suffer.”

Reps resume, adjourn plenary

Meanwhile, House of Representatives, which also resumed sitting yesterday, adjourned proceedings till today in honour of former President Shehu Shagari and Abayomi Abdul-Kabir Ayeola who died recently.

It will be recalled that former President Shagari who was also a former member of the House died on December 28, 2018.

Similarly, Abayomi Ayeola, a serving member of the House, who represented Ibeju-Lekki federal constituency of Lagos State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, also passed on during the recess.

Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, after reading official communications from families of the deceased, called for Christian and Islamic prayers for the repose of their souls

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/2019-elections-not-do-or-die-affair-saraki/

When the Federal Government through the Labour and Employment Minister, Chris Ngige, announced that it was close to reaching an accord with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), many thought that the public tertiary schools would resume soon. But that hope was dashed as the strike continues. Experts suggest that the ASUU/FG rift might need intervention of a third party. UJUNWA ATUEYI writes.

It is only in marriage that inviting a third party could be destructive. However, when two organisations are having ceaseless issues with their contract, deal or agreement, the intervention of a third party becomes necessary.

But the mediators, according to stakeholders, must be neutral and unbiased if tangible result must be achieved.

Close to eleven weeks now, Nigerian undergraduates have been idle at home due to the current Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike. While their teachers (ASUU) are yet to have a consequential conclusion with the Federal Government on the wellbeing of university education, as well as their welfare, there are fresh concerns that hiring arbitrators could be the only way out.

From all indications, lack of trust and commitment, coupled with the ongoing electioneering, is what is keeping Nigerian students at home. While government is busy mapping out strategies on how to retain power come February, ASUU on its part, sees government’s latest proposals as empty promises.

They, therefore, after due consultations with their members at different zones across the country, resolved that the strike would continue until government provides evidence of all its promises.

The Federal Government had during its last meeting with ASUU leaders made proposals to the union with the intent that it would be accepted and all dispute resolved. Government even went further to announce that lecturers would soon return to classrooms.

But that was not so, as the union rejected government’s offer on the ground that it was meagre, ambiguous and undecided. The union said they couldn’t trust government anymore as all their promises in the past were defaulted.

President of the union, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, told The Guardian that what is happening between the association and government is an issue of “once bitten, twice shy.” He said the unpleasant experience they have had in the hands of government over the years made the union to apply caution going forward.

According to him: “The union rejected the latest proposal of the government after due consultations with members, because government cannot be trusted. The last time we met with representatives of government, they gave us their proposal and we said we will present it to our members and their reactions to the items of the proposal will be sent back to them within a week. And now, we are through with the consultation and we have communicated areas of disagreement to them today.

“There are basically two or three major areas that need to be properly addressed before the university teachers could go back to classrooms. One is on the revitalisation fund. We presented to them that government owed an outstanding balance of N1.1trillion in five tranches. But what government eventually proposed is something that is far-fetched. They were talking about N20 billion that will be released in two tranches starting from next quarter, and we felt that will not address the issue at hand. Though they said that they released N20 billion earlier, the N20 billion was to be released in 2017, if they released it in November 2018, it is not the same thing.“So, our union said the barest minimum they can accept is first, if government can release one tranche out of the five outstanding tranches. In other words, out of the N20billion government released earlier, we have outstanding N200 billion. So, if government can release N50 billion in addition to the N20 billion released earlier; and the remaining N150 billion can be released on quarterly basis within this year, N50 billion each for the remaining three quarters, then it will show a sign of commitment. Our target for the year is one tranche out of the outstanding five tranches.

Also, for EAA and shortfall in salaries, the group demanded that government should provide evidence of its promises and give specific information and guidelines to its proposals. “So let government try to mainstream 2018 EAA into 2019 budget. If they can do so, it means they have put an end to accumulation of arrears. They have been saying it for quite some time but our members want to see the evidence that it is done.

“And so, our members are saying that they want to be sure of government’s promise to mainstream it into the 2019 budget so that by next year, we will not be talking about arrears of 2019. For instance, if government has done what it promised in 2017 that the EAA would be mainstreamed into 2018 budget, we will no longer be talking about arrears of 2018 this year. So, we want to prevent a situation in which by 2020, we will still be talking about arrears of 2019.

On the issue of shortfall, Ogunyemi said although government has shown them a paper authorising the release of N15.89 billion to universities, “but universities have not confirmed receipts. As far as ASUU is concerned, it is an issue of ‘once bitten, twice shy.’ If what appeared like a beautiful Memorandum of Action (MoA) in 2017 was never acted upon fully, then government cannot be trusted. Our members are also calling for renegotiation, and this time around, government should set a timeline for it. So, we want government to be specific in its communication to us,” Ogunyemi expressed.

Suggesting the possible ways of resolving the dispute, a Jean Monnet Professor of Strategy and Development, Anthony Kila, regretted that campaigns could still interest people when public education is under threat.

Kila, who is the Director, Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), said though it might not be easy for lecturers at the moment, but as it stands, both parties might need arbitrators to wade into the matter.

He said: “It is a tough place to be in for lecturers as they do not trust the government anymore, and the government on its part, does not seem to have money. The sad thing is that we the people do not see it as an emergency. It is absurd that the issue of campaigns and electioneering can still interest people when our biggest assets are not being treasured.

“I am not sure these two parts can come out of the impasse in fair and sustainable way. For the sake of the country, the parties in contention (FG and ASUU) might have to go to a third party for negotiation and dispute resolution. They can go to an arbitrator, or get someone who is neither government nor ASUU to help them negotiate terms.”For Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, Isaac Olawale Albert, ASUU has been having third party coming into their matter with government, but they are non-neutral third party.

“They are mediators imposed on ASUU by FG, and that is no longer mediation. Mediation is when the two sides voluntarily look for a third party that is neutral. Not a case of somebody who is trying to establish his own university now being asked to preside over the meetings of ASUU and FG. Or people who are looking for contract from government being asked to come and stand as mediators or those who have issues with government being invited to serve as mediators. Mediators should be neutral people.

“But as it is now I don’t see mediators being functioning well in this issue because government will always want things to work its own way. If only the mediators will be neutral, only then will it work. It is really pathetic that the strike is lingering, is the government saying that it’s not aware that our universities are not doing well? Universities that are still using chalk and the chalk are not available. Everything ASUU is asking for is basically to save university education. Primary and secondary education have been killed, what is left to be killed is the university education.”

Lamenting that the FG is not committed to education, Albert maintained that the world over, the level of development of any nation is judged by the quality of their education system.

He said: “If our education is weak, you will not be given first class rating outside this country, no matter how hard you struggle. Our industries cannot develop when our universities are not doing well, and different aspect of our economy will also not do well. When we go abroad as Nigerian professors, people underrate us until we outperform their own people. You go to Benin Republic, we see people doing satellite teaching, and we see all kinds of technologies we don’t know in Nigeria. Are we saying that Nigeria is poorer than these countries?

“For me as a university lecturer, until recently, if I supervise a Ph.D. student for one year, it is N5000. Is that the kind of university system, we want to build. Our leaders are just not serious. When we go outside Nigeria, and we see how lecturers are treated, they are provided basic tools to do their work. They have modern books, library and laboratories. But here, our Ph.D. students run around the world looking for laboratory to do their research. It is a very shameful scenario! Our so-called leaders are simply not interested in the development of this country. Otherwise, they would have known that the first thing you develop as a nation is education. If you develop education, the system will regenerate.”

He said with such attitude of the FG, it will be difficult to have an ASUU that doesn’t go on strike. “It is indeed shameful that they go on strike all the time, but what do you do when your system is collapsing right in your face.”

Meanwhile, stakeholders are yet to come to terms that campaigns and electioneering are actually and successfully going on, while the nation’s most treasured assets are neglected.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had last Tuesday announced that the FG would implement more projects and infrastructure in Lagos State, if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins the presidential election.

According to reports, Osinbajo made the remark at the palace of the monarch of Kosofe and Oloworo of Oworoland, Oba Olohuntoyin Salau. His visit was in consonance with the party’s house -to-house campaigns.

As the campaigns continue, Nigerians are praying that government should prioritise public education and do all it could to see to the end of the strike.

Source:
guardian.ng/features/stakeholders-call-for-third-party-in-asuu-fg-rift/

SUCCESSIVE Nigerian leaders have either been utterly inept or woefully visionless, or both. But none combined incompetence with brazen arrogance. Except President Buhari. He is intolerably inept and unbelievably arrogant! Buhari’s ineptitude is recognised globally. Recently, the international consulting group, Eurasia, said in its 2019 Top Risk Report that Buhari “lacks the energy, creativity or political savvy to move the needle on Nigeria’s most intractable problems”. His stubbornness and arrogance are legendary too.

A British newspaper, Telegraph, once described Buhari as a “Headmasterly figure”, alluding to his didactic, “my way or the highway” approach to governance. In a recently leaked tape, Rotimi Amaechi, the Transport minister, said: “The president doesn’t listen to anybody. He doesn’t care”. Indeed, Buhari’s wife, Aisha, said as much. Referring to her husband, she told the BBC in 2016: “Sometimes, when one is doing something wrong and people talk to them, they should listen”. But what was Buhari’s response? He said: “I can claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition because, in the end, I have succeeded”.
That hubristic sense of “superior knowledge” has defined Buhari’s presidency. He has shown it in his idiosyncratic running of the economy, and in his insensitive handling of issues of national unity and social cohesion, such as his tacit support for the killer herdsmen and his lopsided, nepotistic appointments. I mean, consider his government’s recent ill-judged, ill-timed and insensitive attempt to remove and replace the Chief Justice of Nigeria on allegations of false asset declaration. Just a month before a general election! But leaving those aside, my focus here is on two seemingly symbolic gestures of Buhari’s uppity.

Have you noticed the APC’s new two four-fingered sign? President Buhari started it when he raised two four-fingered hands in the National Assembly while presenting the 2019 budget. The picture went viral, and the sign has now replaced the broom in Buhari’s re-election campaign. You may ask: why am I focusing on this sign? Well, two reasons.

First, the use of the sign in a self-entitled manner to suggest four more years is presumptuous and arrogant. Buhari’s presidency is internationally adjudged a failure. Just one year into his presidency, the cry across the country was: “This is not the change we voted for”. That sense of despondency remains today. A president seeking re-election in those circumstances should show humility. Instead, Buhari and his supporters are arrogantly raising two four-fingered hands at Nigerians. It is insensitive and provocative!

If you’er not aware of plot to arraign CJN Onnoghen resign, Frank tells Buhari

But the four-fingered sign grates for a more pernicious reason. It’s the symbol of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group linked with terrorism? Recently, the leader of the UK Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, was widely condemned when it was discovered he had used the sign during a visit to a mosque in 2016. If President Buhari didn’t know what the sign represents, then he is appallingly ignorant of international affairs. But if he knew and still used the Rabi’ah sign, then he is unbelievably insensitive to Nigeria’s religious diversity. In any case, how could Buhari say he’s fighting Boko Haram and then promote a sign universally associated with Islamist terrorism? Unbelievable!

So much for the Rabi’ah sign. Let’s take another example of Buhari’s uppity. Recently, he said he would hand over his campaign to Bola Tinubu “in order to concentrate on governance”. My immediate reaction was: Why does Buhari keep insulting Nigerians? I mean, has he governed over the past 3½ years? He spent much of his presidency receiving treatment abroad for an undisclosed illness. As the Financial Times said, Buhari’s illness “has sapped his presidency of strength and direction”. Even when he is at home, he rarely goes to his office or att

The OfficialPDPNig Presidential campaign organization has alerted the public of plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to frame its Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and heap allegations of gun running on him.

In a press statement signed by its national publicity Secretary, the opposition party said it is aware that some agents of the APC have already perfected plots to brand some vehicle with Atiku campaign colours, laden them with arms & ammunition and take them to Atiku Abubakar’s home in Abuja and Adamawa, where conniving security agents will pounce on them.
The opposition party condemns the plot in totality and urge Nigerians to note that the has become frenetic and increasingly vicious in its desperation to smear our candidate ahead of the 2019 Presidential election.
We therefore call on all Nigerians to be at alert and continue to be wary of the malicious activities of the APC and the Buhari Presidency, who, in the despondency of their imminent and inevitable defeat at the Presidential poll, have sold their souls to mischief; the statement read.

See original copy below:
www.insiderpostonline.com/news/pdp-alerts-of-plot-by-apc-to-frame-atiku/

God please help our sisters

Too bad, such a free death

Two security guards, identified as Samuel Linus and Adekunle Ogundana, have allegedly stolen underwears belonging to the daughter of a pastor within a church’s premises in Akure metropolis.

They were yesterday paraded alongside suspected kidnappers by the Ondo State Police Command.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Femi Joseph, while briefing newsmen in Akure, said the daughter of the clergyman washed two of her pants and spread them on the line at about 8p.m. in the presence of the guards and by 6a.m., next day, the panties disappeared.

The police PRO said the suspects, who are attached to the orthodox church, were posted to the apartment, which was highly fortified by a private security outfit in the state.

However, the suspects denied complicity in the offence for which they were paraded.

The state Police Command also paraded two suspected Indian hemp dealers, Sunday Femi and Friday Ami.

The suspects allegedly hacked a 75-year-old grandmother, Modupe Olorunfemi, to death at her Owo farm.

They killed her for allegedly giving security operatives information about their nefarious planting and selling of Indian hemp in Owo area.

The police spokesperson said, “The suspects and their accomplices allegedly killed the old woman. The suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigation.”

The state Police spokesperson, Femi Joseph, said the suspected kidnappers were arrested at a hideout in Emure-Owo Forest during a raid by the Joint Task Force of the security agencies in the state.

Joseph said the suspected kidnappers were arrested “at about 3a.m. by the joint Task Force codenamed Operation crime free, acting on a tip-off.

According to him, the “six suspected kidnappers were picked up at Emure Junction via Owo, where they gathered in a suspicious manner.

“The following items were recovered from them: 16 locally-made guns, 17 cutlasses, 13 knives, seven handsets and N27,820 cash.”

Source:

dailypost.ng/2019/01/17/yayoo-church-security-guards-allegedly-steal-2-pants-belonging-pastors-daughter-akure/

And you guys are repairing our democracy I guess

Boko Haram sponsored by forces outside Nigeria- Buhari

Kamarudeen Ogundele and Tobi Aworinde, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said Boko Haram insurgents are being sponsored by forces outside Nigeria, stressing the need for the nation to support the administration in the fight against terrorism.

He said the military needed a lot of money for the purchase of gadgets, spare parts and arms to completely wipe out the enemies from the nation.

Buhari spoke during a live presidential town hall meeting tagged, “The Candidates” at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, on Wednesday night.

“We need a lot of money for the military for spare parts, communication gadgets, arms and ammunition. Boko Haram is certainly supported by forces outside Nigeria,” the president said.

The All Progressives Congress presidential candidate said also said he became the candidate of the party because of the support of the National Executive Committee.

He said, “I said it much earlier at the National Executive Committee of our party that if my party recommended me to its executive, I would contest. I did that to save time and wide discussions among members of the party.

“So, those who felt very strongly about it left the party and the party nominated. Why? It is because I felt that the three fundamental objectives we campaigned in 2015 are still relevant.

“We want to remind Nigerians to see when we started — 2015 — where we are now, what we have been able to do in between this time of three and a half years with the resources and time available to us.”

Source: punchng.com/boko-haram-are-sponsored-by-forces-outside-nigeria-buhari/amp/

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has reacted to claims that it was being used by opposition political parties to frustrate the current administration.

The National President of ASUU, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, said that the union had always demanded that education be given priority.

Ogunyemi spoke to journalists after submission of the union’s reports to the Federal Government, yesterday.

He pointed out that in 2013, when the Union had embarked on strike, it was also accused of favouring the opposition.

He said, “Everybody knows that we have our own tradition of advocacy that is undaunted.

“We have our own strong conviction that we have always projected and defended on how education should be managed, supported and promoted in Nigeria and Africa.

“Look at the records. Our first agreement with government was in 1992. We were on strike for six months before we reached an agreement with the government. It was that agreement that gave birth to what we are doing today.

“Anybody that is turning round to say that we are being used, we will remind them that in 2013 when the spokesperson for a party said that ASUU was being unpatriotic and that we were ready to work for the opposition.

“The opposition then is the one in power so do we now go back to those who saw us as enemies or what? It is really laughable, myopic, unthinkable and without substance.”

Source:

dailypost.ng/2019/01/17/asuu-strike-lecturers-speak-used-political-party-frustrate-buhari-govt/

The Nigerian Army has raised an alarm over an outbreak of Lassa Fever.

A statement on Wednesday by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 3 Division, Maj Ikechukwu Eze, said the disease killed an officer on Tuesday.

It read: “The Headquarters 3 Division wishes to inform the general public that a male senior non- commissioned officer of the Division was admitted and was being managed for resistant malaria at the 3 Div Hospital after returning from Kogi State where he went for his father’s burial.

“Consequently, the soldier was managed but there was no significant improvement which resulted to him being referred to Bingham University Teaching Hospital (Jankwano) Jos for further management.

“Unfortunately, the soldier died on 15 January 2019, 4 days after his case was reported.” Maj Eze stated.

“Available medical information confirmed that the soldier may have died of Lassa Fever”.

The division said while investigation is ongoing, it had taken the following measures:

“Contact Tracing and Monitoring for both primary and secondary contacts in collaboration with Representatives of World Health Organization (WHO), Medical Personnel of Bingham University Teaching Hospital and 3 Division Medical Services and Hospital.

“Sensitization for residents of Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, the host community and the general public has also commenced.

“The General Officer Commanding has further directed that the entire Maxwell Khobe Cantonment be fumigated,” he said.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/17/nigerian-army-raises-alarm-lassa-fever-kills-officer/

Rip to him, hope he made amends for his ways before he died

Another northerner to replace the outgoing evil one

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it is ready for the conduct of the forthcoming general election.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the European Union (EU), led by its Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Ketil Karlsen, at the commission’s headquarters on Wednesday in Abuja.

Yakubu said the commission is at the moment putting finishing touches to the preparations for the election.

“All heavy items for the election are being procured; additional ballot boxes, voting cubicles, replacement of card readers, and Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) have also been delivered to states for collection by the electorate.

“We have concluded and published the guidelines for the general election. We have finalised the manual for election which will be used for training of various staff.

“We are recruiting and we will soon start training of ad hoc staff for the election. We are good to go for general election,’’ he said.

Yakubu assured that the commission is not going to fail the nation and the international community in the conduct of the election.

“The election will be credible; we will guide the process and ensure that it lead to the outcome that all Nigerians expect. Nothing, but free, far and credible election,’’ he said.

Karlsen speaking earlier said that the mission is in Nigeria to ensure that the country conduct free, fair and credible election.

He said the international community and the missions are not in the country to support particular candidate, political party or ideology.

“What we are here for is to see the continuation of consolidation on the democracy,” he said.

Karlsen said beyond large population, Nigeria is critical to Africa and the entire world.

British High Commissioner, Catriona Laing, advised INEC to continue to maintain its independence.

Laing expressed confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct free and fair election.

David Young, Charge D’Affaires, U.S. embassy, stressed the need for security agencies to be neutral in the election.
“The neutrality of the security service is one of the important factors for credible election,” he said.

The Deputy Head of Mission, Regine Hess, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, called on political actors to avoid hate speech and anything that could cause violence in the forthcoming election.

She called on women to come out massively to vote on election days.

The delegation, however, joined INEC Chairman to inaugurate the Commission’s Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) newly built and equipped with ICT, within INEC headquartres in Abuja.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/17/2019-election-inec-chairman-declares-readiness-speaks-recruitment/

Little wonder my last relationship failed

Everything you need to live well

Nothing beats quicker at the foundation of any relationship than a cheating partner. Just like love, there are also signs of cheating.

Below are signs that can point to cheating in a partner:

AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOUR

A cheating spouse sometimes avoids the other partner because of guilt or shame of their actions. If your partner consistently avoids you for no reason, then it may be a pointer he or she might be cheating on you.

NO ACCOUNTABILITY

A partner who used to be accountable for his or her time and money who suddenly becomes distant is a pointer to something amiss.

People do not just change their habits or behaviours in a split moment. No accountability to a loved one says a lot about the bond in a relationship.

UNEXPLAINABLE TENSION

Suddenly, it seems your partner is tense or uncomfortable around you. This can manifest as a partner been not open to conversations with you as he or she was in the past.

SECRECY

Cheating partners often stress the need to keep things private. Most cases, they stop being open and hide aspects of their lives from the other partner.

COMMUNICATION

The cheating partner may reduce the rate of communication with the other partner or leaves the room to pick a call often.

TECHNOLOGY

A cheating partner most often will clear his/her browser history on their laptops. Another sign may be that he/she puts a smart lock or password on messaging and social media applications suddenly.

However, all the above tips only apply to a sudden change in a partner or repetition of the above tips over time.

Source:
guardian.ng/life/6-signs-of-a-cheating-partner-in-a-relationship/

ABUJA – PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has declared that if eventually he loses the February 19 presidential election, it will not be the first time of him losing elections.


President Muhammadu Buhari
The President who stated this while fielding questions on whether he will accept the results of the forthcoming election if he loses said it was impossible for him to lose.
The President said he tried it three times but was unsuccessful until the introduction of electronic system and the Card Reader by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking during a live programme tagged ‘The Cadidates’ debate for the 2019 general elections in Abuja, President Buhari said it sounded impossible for him the lose the election considering the wide reception has continues to receive across the country during campaigns.

Asked specifically whether he will quit office if he is defeated in the forth the election, President Buhari said, “it won’t be the first time I will lose election,”.

I tried 2003 and I was in Court for 13 months, 2007. I was in court for 18 months in 2011 and went up to the Supreme Court. I sat down and said God Dey. For the fourth time, God and technology helped me.

President Buhari said that the government was following a tedious way in fighting corruption, following carefully the books and records.

He said there are instances where contracts were awarded to companies and individuals without work done.

Asked whether he was getting frustrated by the slow pace of the fight, President Buhari declares that “I can’t afford to get frustrated.”.

He also explained why he has decided not to react on the bribery allegations against the governor of Kano State Abdullahi Ganduje.

“I am completely overwhelmed by the Ganduje case. I decided not to talk about it because the State Assembly has taken it up,” he added.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/february-polls-if-i-lose-it-wont-be-first-time-buhari/

ABUJA—Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire, Ibrahim Isah, is dead, Foreign Affairs Ministry officials, have confirmed.

Sources from the Nigerian Embassy at Deux Plateau, Abidjan, disclosed that Mr. Isah, aged 60, died at 7p.m., Tuesday.

The sources said he slumped and died at the Polyclinique Internationale Sainte Anne-Marie, PISAM, where he had gone to see his doctors.



Ibrahim Isah
The Interim Chairman of Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Musudi Akanfe, said the entire embassy had been thrown into mourning over the death.

“We are already in a mourning mood. We received this sad news as a rude shock, we pray God to console his family and the Nigerian community,” he said.

The former President, Nigerian Youths in Cote d’Ivoire, Bright Moses, described the death as ‘shocking and painful’.

Kadija Bukar-Ibrahim is an asset – Onyeama

“He was a very lively and proactive diplomat. He listened to the plight of Nigerian people in this country, this is very shocking,’’ he said.

Mr Isah, born in 1959 in Niger State, held a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos.

He joined the Foreign Service in 1983 and was posted to Cote D’Ivoire in 2017.

He served in different capacities in the ministry before his death.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/nigerias-ambassador-to-cote-divoire-ibrahim-isah-dies/

ASABA—Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has vowed to put in place, mechanism to ensure that politicians do not thwart its efforts to conduct credible elections in riverine communities of the state.



INEC
Administrative Secretary of the commission, Felix Enabor, who stated this in Asaba during an interactive session with religious leaders, said: “Politicians mostly did a lot in the past elections to stop INEC from getting to the riverine areas, like buying off the boats a day before the elections. It will not be like that this time around.”

READ ALSO: Polls: Army vows to swallow political thugs

Reiterating the resolve of the commission to discipline staff found to have violated the laws of the commission in the forthcoming general election, he disclosed that the commission had prosecuted about 215 staff nationwide who were found wanting.

“Any INEC staff that is caught would be disciplined. We have zero tolerance for corruption,” he said.

Speaking at the meeting, Rev Musa Bello, who represented Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, noted that the body would ensure that Christians are well informed as peace was non negotiable in the upcoming elections.

On his part, Chairman of Delta State Muslim Council, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, said religion should not be brought into politics as it was only the will of God that would be done.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/politicians-cant-thwart-our-efforts-in-riverine-communities-inec/

The Kaduna State Police Command on Wednesday said it arrested 2, 551 suspected criminals in the state in 2018, out of which 2, 229 were arraigned.

It added that 189 of the cases were still under investigation, while 484 had been forwarded to the state Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

This was contained in a document made available to the DAILY POST in Kaduna by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo.

It further indicated that out of the 1, 290 cases recorded in 2018, 829 along with 1,794 accused persons were awaiting trial.

The police stated that among those charged to court were 66 persons accused of kidnapping out of the 70 kidnap suspects arrested in 2018.

Sabo said: “On kidnapping, a total of 47 cases reported with 70 suspects arrested. 46 victims were rescued by the police while four lost their lives.

“Thirty-seven cases along with 66 accused persons were charged to court for cognizance and are still on awaiting trial.

“Ten cases are still pending investigation while 37 case files were sent to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

“The sum of N14,900,000 ransom demanded was recovered from the suspects on the process of investigation within the period under review.”

The command also revealed that properties worth N724, 762, 590 were reported stolen or lost during the period, but that it was able recover properties worth N408, 470, 040.

On culpable homicide, it said 132 cases were reported and 294 suspects arrested.

It added that 141 victims lost their lives, while 129 cases along with 288 suspects were charged to court, and the remaining three under investigation.

The command said it recovered “66 arms and 93 ammunition of various calibers,” and also arrested 275 robbery suspects from the 63 armed robbery cases recorded in the state in 2018.

It said: “In the case of rape and indecent assault, a total of 113 cases were reported and 132 suspects arrested.”

The police command stated that it would be more vigilant in 2019 in safeguarding lives and properties, and appealed to the general public for a robust collaborationck out criminals from the state.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/16/kaduna-police-arrest-2551-kidnap-suspects-others/

An alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans, has denied his confessional statement after his arrest in 2017, saying it was made under duress.

NAN reports that Evans told Justice Adedayo Akintoye of Igbosere High Court, Lagos on Wednesday that he signed the statement to save him from being tortured to death.

Evans is currently facing charges, bordering on conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping and attempted murder before Justice Akintoye.

In the first charge, Evans is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Ugochukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba.

In the second charge, he is standing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Linus Okpara and Victor Aduba.

At the resumed hearing, Evans gave details of how members of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team allegedly tortured and killed several others who were paraded alongside him in his presence.

He said that the security agents tortured the victims by suffocating them with plastic bags and threatened to do same to him if he failed to cooperate with them.

Evans said that some sheets of papers were brought for him to sign, adding that some of the papers were blank while other had things written on them.

“When I asked what I was to sign the police officers slapped me and even quenched a cigarette on my hand.

“The officers were beating me and told me that if anything happens to me, no one will know. They hit my head and blood was gushing, the scars are still on my head.

“When I saw how five men, who were paraded with me, were tortured and killed, I agreed to sign the papers with fear of what happened to the other men,” Evans said.

He also said that the contents of the papers he signed were not read to him and that there was no video recording during the statement taking.

Evans gave the details while a trial within a trial was conducted to ascertain whether his statement was taken under duress or not.

He was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr O. I. Ajanuku.

However, Evans was cross-examined by the Lagos State counsel, Mr Jide Martins, to prove that Evans statement was not taken under duress.

Earlier, the prosecution had told the court that the business of the day in the first charge was the adoption of the final written address in respect of the trial within trial done in that case.

The Lagos State counsel, however, said that they have not been served with the address of the defence.

Ajanuku, however, assured the prosecution that they would be served by close of work on Thursday.

Justice Akintoye, after listening to the evidence, adjourned the case until Jan. 30 for continuation of hearing.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/16/police-wanted-kill-everything-said-duress-evans/

Ibadan—Many people reportedly sustained various degrees of injuries in Ogbomoso, yesterday, in a clash between supporters of All Progressives Congress, APC, and Action Democratic Party, ADP.

Both sides have been pointing accusing fingers at each other over the clash that occurred in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of the state.

While APC is claiming that it was ADP that first launched attack, the latter is saying APC should be blamed for it.



Chairman of APC in Ogbomoso North, Mr. Bukola Badmus, said: “Machetes were used by ADP thugs and when they were challenged, they attacked with fierceness.”

He alleged that the mass exodus of ADP members to APC prompted the crisis.

His words: “We have gathered that ADP people are planning to launch attack on members of APC and PDP in Ogbomoso, because they consider us as threat to the chances of their candidates.”

However, Bimbo Oladeji, a member of Oyo State House of Assembly, said it was APC that launched an attack on some of their party chieftains and members at Okelerin area around 6p.m.

To her, the attack was unprovoked and the attackers targeted ADP’s governorship candidate, Otunba Adebayo Akala.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/many-injured-as-apc-adp-loyalists-clash-in-ogbomoso/

Bayern Munich manager, Niko Kovac, has said he expects James Rodriguez to retain his motivation and focus for the rest of the season, because he is “playing for his future” at the club.

Rodriguez joined Bayern on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid at the start of last season, and while he has impressed in spells, consistency has been lacking.

The Colombian midfielder has started just five times in the Bundesliga this term, as he has struggled with a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since Novermber.

As Bayern prepare to return from Germany’s mid-season break away to Hoffenheim on Friday, Kovac is urging the playmaker to kick on and force the club into a decision.

“The competition is very big, but anyone can earn [their place].

“All the players signing a contract here know that you can be out of the team.

“James is playing for his future. I expect him to keep pushing. I see that he is motivated and focused, he wants to play more than in the past.

“As a coach, I can only rate what I see on the pitch, which is the standard for him, but also for everyone else. Nothing else matters,” Kovac told reporters on Wednesday.

Source:
dailypost.ng/2019/01/16/transfer-bayern-munich-manager-speaks-james-rodriguezs-future-amid-arsenal-links/

Ahead of the 2019 election, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar III, yesterday, warned politicians on the dangers of using children of the poor to perpetrate violence in their desperation for power.This is even as President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Dr. Supo Ayokunle, warned security agencies not to become a threat to the elections by doing the bidding of politicians to the detriment of national interest.

Both spoke at the 2nd General Assembly of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, IDFP, with the theme, “2019 general elections and national security: The role of interfaith communities.”

The Sultan, who appealed for calm during the forthcoming election, urged politicians not to forget that God gives and takes power when he chooses.

While expressing happiness with the assurances made by President Muhammadu Buhari that the polls would be free and transparent, he asked: “The most important thing is: are the politicians ready?”

He said: “Let us reason for a while and ask which children they use for perptuating these crises. They don’t use their children and not rich men children but the children of the poor who are nobody.

“In most instances, these children are killed and their bodies are no where to be found. And when they (politicians) succeed in using these children and they get to their offices, you never see them again. So, we must never be allowed to be used.”

He tasked the clergy to always preach peace.

On his part, the CAN president, who prayed for transformational leaders for Nigeria, cautioned politicans and political leaders not to be too desperate to win the forthcoming polls.

Ayokunle, who advised the youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs, said: “In fact, you should not be desperate at all in this forthcoming elections. For me, leadership is a burden. If you want to serve your people, know that on the other hand you are in for trouble because you have made yourself open to criticisms by the people.

“They will attack you left, right and centre. Leadership will take away sleep from your eyes, it will make you to work extra time if you want to serve your people. But if you are going into an election and God said it is not time yet and the people say maybe we should choose you later, why should you intimidate people?

“Why should you intimidate the people who have asked you to go and rest? Is rest not good for you? Why should you say you must be there at all cost? When you want to be there at all cost, I suspect you. I know you are not coming to help us. You are coming to kill us and the Lord will deliver us from you.”

“So desperation should be taken out of it completely. In advanced countries politics is not taken as a full time job. The president of America is a successful business man. He can serve the nation without taking out one Kobo because there is no money he has not seen before that he will now see while in government.

“So we the electorates should be careful. People that don’t have any other job apart from politics shouldn’t be voted. And when you see them carry huge sum money about to persuade you to follow them, please run away from them because when they win they will first of all recover what they have expended. And what are they recovering? they are recovering what they spent on you.

“I want to urge those in government and politicians generally to please calm down so that there will be no break down of law and order. We need our peace. We don’t want you to set our nation on fire.

“Election is for a better society. It is not for the destruction of the nation. Therefore ,done let you ambition be greater than the existence of the nation and the well being of Nigerians.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/polls-sultan-can-warn-politicians-against-winning-at-all-cost/

By Dayo Adesulu

Education stakeholders have reiterated the need for academicians to concentrate on solutions-driven research just as international researchers at the on going International Conference on Knowledge and Innovation Management hosted by Babcock University said ”Government is not perusing research, because they are not impactful”. They disclosed that for research to be impactful, it must be contemporary and solve contemporary problems while they stressed that the challenge generally is the need for stakeholders in academics to be pragmatic and for government to provide conducive atmosphere for research .

Professor Pat Utomi, Professor Daisy Selematsela, Professor Ademola Tayo, Professor Iheanyichukwu Okoro and Professor Prince Mike Ikupolati among others spoke on Stimulating a Culture of Knowledge Management and Innovation for Sustainabe Development’ and lamented to dearth of research in the ivory tower.Utomi , the guest speaker,said ”Research suffered a challenge especially under the military and as a result of this, the prestige universities deserve for research depends on power. Inadequate funding has forced many Nigerian researchers overseas to commercialise their solutions.

Artist calls for more research into Nigerian arts and culture

“People in our university system who keep generating good ideas that can move society forward can’t thrive in a stiffling environment. However, I see some gradual changes in the university system and especially some private universities. They look out for what some serious students are trying to do with venturing, creating value and try to facilitate the process. Where is our endorsement in Nigeria, the biggest cassava producer in the world? It’s very important to build our development strategy around endorsements and value chains which some economists define as latent comparative advantage.

” The richest guys in the world came up with some knowledge-based things and many of them started with nothing, but because there was knowledge they could build on, they got it right. We should effectively encourage young people to know that knowledge is the basis of striving. If they see the incentives in converting knowledge to enterprise, they will be motivated”.

In his remarks, Chairman, GIC Nigeria Limited, Abuja, Professor Mike Ikupolati said “We have a beautiful way of providing a bridge between the gown and the town” stressing that without the effective leadership of an organization, it will be impossible for knowledge and innovation management to be impactful. For society to feel the impact of a research, he noted, ”there must be executive buying. Who is an executive in an institution? It’s not the management of the university but functional leadership.

”We need effective leadership to drive knowledge management and until that is done, researching might be difficult. We have single loop learning, a situation where you discover the error and then you correct the error but you don’t change the existing policy, procedures and practises of the organization. Moreover, double loop learning is when you discover the error and modify it. For research to be effective, there must be a bridge between the government and university. There are a lot of research going on in the academic environment in Nigeria, but they need to be utilized by government. Why is government not perusing them?. Research will have impact if it’s contemporary and provides solutions to current problems. The Sustainable Development Commission defines research as development that satiates the need of the present without compromising the ability of the third generation to satiate theirs. We must have development system that facilitates continuity, so research must solve present problems and provide solutions for future problems. If it doesn’t government may not peruse it. We expect stakeholders in academics to look into current problems and research them” .

”
Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/researchers-task-academics-on-solutions-driven-research/

War is coming for them

The lord of flops himself

Luck has ran out on a thief after he was nabbed stealing from a church in Bayelsa state.

The young man simply identified as Junior who hails from Okrika in Rivers State – was nabbed by men of the Bayelsa State Vigilante Service.

He was arrested around 5.00 am today for burglary and stealing equipment from a church opposite Fidelity bank in Isaac Boro expressway Amarata, Yenagoa, the state capital.

The suspect has been handed over to the police for prosecution.

Source:
www.tori.ng/news/114445/young-man-caught-redhanded-stealing-from-a-church.html

President Muhammadu Buhari says he is seeking re-election in the 2019 presidential election to consolidate on his achievements in the fight against corruption, insecurity and to ensure economic development.

Buhari made this known at a town hall meeting tagged ‘The Candidates’ organised by the MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with NTA and DARIA media in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said the All Progressives Congress (APC) nominated him as its presidential candidate because he had delivered on the campaign promises of the party.

“We want Nigerians to remember where we were in 2015, where we are now and where we are going,” he said.

On allegations that the fight against corruption was skewed in one direction, Buhari said the allegations were not backed with facts.

According to him, there is nobody who has been accused of corruption with evidence and we have looked the other way.

The president said he was being careful as people could not be easily arrested in a democratic government and taken to court without strong evidence.

He called on Nigerians to support the government and expose individuals, groups and companies involved in corrupt practices.

According to Buhari, such people would be handed over to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and we trust the system to follow up the matter.

Buhari urged the media to carry out intense investigation into Local and State Governments’ expenditure on education and expose bad governance across the country.



Source:
guardian.ng/news/why-am-seeking-re-election-buhari/

Abuja – Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Federal Government’s fight against corruption is on course and that all monies returned to government by those who looted public treasury will be judiciously utilised to develop the country.

Osinbajo gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Daria Media with support from the MacArthur Foundation.

The town hall meeting tagged: “The Candidates“is a two-hour televised series between the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates of four leading political parties.


VP Osinbajo delivers keynote remarks as he declares the conference ope
The parties were selected from the results of multiple polls aggregated by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
The vice president, however, said that the federal government had been able to block channels of looting the nation`s treasury through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

He said that all returned looted funds would be used following budgetary process, saying that, in the case of properties, ones there was a final forfeiture, such property (asset) become the property of the state unless where there was a legal claim to it.

He, however, said that the mere fact that someone returned monies acquired through illegal means while holding public office did not make him a free person.

This, Osinbajo said, was especially so as some of such persons could still be facing investigation.

While speaking on the farmers’ herders clashes especially in Benue, the vice president attributed the development to climate change.

He said the development was getting worse because of desertification, adding that the federal government was collaborating with the country`s neighbours to address it.

He said the federal government was making efforts to recharge the Lake Charge which he noted was shrinking.

The vice president said that the long term plan to address the development was to create ranches, saying that water dams were presently being created by the federal government as a short term measure.


According to the organisers of the town hall series, Omoyele Sowore and his running mate, Rabiu Rufai, would feature on Jan. 23, while Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi, would be feature on the programme on Jan. 30.

The platform provided an opportunity for the studio audience which included Civil Society Organisations, Diplomatic Corps and some members of the general public who had applied online to directly interact with the presidential candidate and his running mate.

The event was also streamed online at www.dtv.media and nta.media live to enable Nigerians in the diaspora and those not near television screens to participate.

The President Buhari administration had taken on the three arms of government where corruption was alleged, including the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) who was not spared.

The former SGF, Babachair Lawal, is still being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption charges.

Source:
www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/corruption-osinbajo-says-all-returned-looted-funds-will-be-judiciously-utilised/

Veteran Nigerian singer, Eedris Abdulkareem has written a farewell message to ex-Nigerian police IG, Ibrahim Idris.

Eedris and Idris

Idris Ibrahim, the immediate past Inspector-General of Police recently handed over to the new IG, Mohammed Adamu, paving the way for a new leadership.

Following his retirement, veteran rapper/singer, Eedris Abdulkareem has penned down a farewell note to the former police boss.

In his message, which he shared on Instagram, Eedris told Idris that if her had done well while in office, goodness will follow him, but if he had done badly, he will find misery.

He wrote: "Former IGP Idris Ibrahim, I personally welcome you to another phase of life!

"I congratulate you as you join the class of Retired Public Office Holders (RPOH), If you did well as the Police Boss, May Goodness follows you, But if you did bad because you were acting on instruction, causing untold hardship to innocent citizens, May your Retirement Age be as miserable as the lives of others you made miserable.

"Amen"

Source:
www.tori.ng/news/114541/check-out-the-farewell-message-eedris-abdulkareem.html