#OccupyCBN: Group plans protest at CBN tomorrow, says N500 to $1 unacceptable

A Civil Society Group, The Wailing Wailers, has condemned in what it termed, “conflicting and unclear monetary policies,” the Federal Government and especially the Central Bank Of Nigeria, CBN’s alleged sharp practices and anti-masses policies which it said have brought the Naira to exchange with the U.S Dollar at a sorry rate of N500 to $1, thereby unleashing severe hardship and misery on the people. It said, the policy which involves sharp practices in Forex tradings sees the apex bank selling the Dollar at a cheaper rate to the Federal government, some few politicians and some rich cabals who in turn sell at the black market at highly exorbitant rates of N500 to $1 , a development among others, it said have led to inflation in the country.
source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/occupycbn-group-condemns-alleged-sharp-practices-cbns-forex-tradings/

Vehicle importation: Senate rejects FG’s ban

Senate, yesterday, unanimously rejected the Federal Government’s ban on importation of vehicles through land borders into the country.

The Red Chamber It described the policy as anti-people and meant to further impoverish Nigerians.

Deputy Senate President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided at yesterday’s plenary, specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the cries of Nigerians and rescind the decision.

“From the contributions here, it is obvious that the policy is unpopular. We are representatives of the people and the people have spoken through us that they do not want this policy. I think those in government should listen to them,” said Ekweremadu.

Adopting two, of the three prayers, Senate called on Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to, “immediately, suspend further action on the ban on importation of vehicles through our land borders as January 1, 2017.”

Senate Committee on Customs and Excise has been mandated to investigate the circumstances which led to government’s decision.

Sponsor of the motion, Barau Jibrin, from Kano State, explained that the ban would lead to the loss of about 500,000 jobs.

He further argued: “The economy of border villages and towns that depend on the activities of vehicles importation shall be adversely affected, to the detriment of all.

“Since the announcement, through the NCS, Nigerians have spoken out, and they still do, that it is not economically expedient to ban the importation of vehicles through our land borders given the ramification of such a policy on the economy.

Senators who spoke on the issue, condemned the policy.

Immediate past Senate Leader, Ali Ndume said: “Let us not forget the fact that the Constitution says the primary responsibility of government is for the security and welfare of the people. This policy will render so many small businesses useless. My constituents are disturbing me to ensure that this policy is reversed.

“Why can’t Nigeria look at its policy to ensure that our laws are reformed? Senator Dino Melaye said, with the policy, it “is an admittance by Customs that they lack the capacity to mount our borders effectively. As a parliament, we must speak in the interest of the people. We should be seen to be defending the people we are representing here.”

Former Ebonyi State governor, Sam Egwu, said the policy is “an unpopular policy. This is a government that is supposed to bring change and succour to the people. But, they have brought hardship on the people.

“This Senate must stand with the people. We need to defend the people. This government should put on its thinking cap and come up with policies that are beneficial to the people.”

Chairman of the Committee on Works, Kabiru Gaya agreed that, although “this is our government, as legislators, we should speak the truth.

“By stopping importation through land borders, we are creating hardship. Other countries within West Africa region, have lower tariffs. We have to look at this issue.

“Let government man the borders and do the right thing. By this policy, we have created a new unemployment of over 500,000. This policy can increase in the states. We should reverse to the former policy. We should stop this policy.”

The committee headed by Senator Hope Uzodinma, is expected to report back within two weeks.

The Federal Government, recently rolled out new tariffs on imported goods and also placed a total ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders.

Since the policy was introduced, it has generated a mixed reaction, with majority of Nigerians, calling for a reversal of the policy.

Ends…

souirce:http://sunnewsonline.com/vehicle-importation-senate-rejects-fgs-ban/

Tiwa Savage Sets To Release Hot Banger With Awilo Longomba

Mavin artiste, Tiwa savage took to Instagram and shared photos of she and the veteran Congolese singer, Awilo with the caption “Tiwa Savage Awilo Longomba coming soon.”
source:http://stargist.com/nigerian_celebrity/tiwa-savage-awilo-longomba-set-to-release-song-together-photos/

Drake’s N49 Million Diamond Necklace Gift To Jennifer Lopez Will Give You Goose Bumps

Canadian singer, Drake reportedly gifted Jennifer Lopez with a $100k (about N49 Million) diamond necklace which features 16 carats worth of round, pear and marquise-shaped diamonds set in platinum.

Video:Army frees 1250 Boko Haram suspects to go, sin no more

Army frees 1250 Boko Haram suspects to go, sin no more

The Nigerian army has, Tuesday, released a total of 1250 Boko Haram suspects, saying they do not have anything to do with the terrorist sect. Brg. Gen.  Victor Ezeugwu said the army believes in engaging all groups before taking opposition. Type your views after watching. 

watch video below
https://youtu.be/a040rZIGnzc

source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/video-army-frees-1250-boko-haram-suspects-go-sin-no/

Breaking: Jammeh hits roadblock in court (Gambia)

President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia now has to find another gambit to stay in power beyond next week, as his court case against Adama Barrow’s election has run into a ditch.
Gambia’s Supreme Court said today that it cannot rule for several months on Jammeh’s challenge against his electoral defeat on 1 December due to a lack of judges.
“We can only hear this matter when we have a full bench of the Supreme Court,” Emmanuel Fagbenle, the court’s chief justice said Tuesday.
The Nigerian judge said the extra judges needed to hear the case were not available.
The Gambia relies on foreign judges, notably from Nigeria, to staff its courts due to a lack of trained professionals in the tiny west African state.
Jammeh’s political party lodged a legal case on his behalf last month aimed at annulling the December 1 election result and triggering new elections.
Fagbenle added that he would prefer the country to resolve its political deadlock through the mediation underway by a group of West African leaders, who are attempting to persuade Jammeh to respect the constitution and step aside.
“This is why alternative dispute resolution is important,” he said.
“We are now only left with the ECOWAS mediation initiative and the inter-party committee set up by government to resolve the dispute,” he said.
The leaders from the ECOWAS regional grouping led by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will return to The Gambia for the second time since the election tomorrow to attempt a diplomatic solution, but Nigeria’s foreign minister has said the use of force remains an option.
By ECOWAS deadline, Jammeh has up till 19 January to quit office to allow the swearing in of Adama Barrow on 20 January, as the new leader.

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FIFA Council unanimously approves World Cup expansion to 48 teams

The FIFA Council has rubber-stamped plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams from 2026 onwards, adding 16 extra nations.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino's revamp plan received unanimous backing at a meeting in Zurich on Tuesday.
Delegates were asked to vote on four proposals to change the existing format or stick with the current format of 32 teams.

This is the first time since the 1998 World Cup that changes have been made to the make-up of the tournament, with the 2026 competition set to feature 16 groups of three.
Infantino's preferred option for change was for a 2026 competition featuring 16 groups of three, followed by a 32-team knockout, increasing the number of games from 64 to 80 but remaining inside a 32-day schedule.
There were also options to have a 40-team tournament, with 10 groups of four or eight groups of five, but the only other 48-team make-up would see a 32-team one-game knockout round with the winners joining 16 already-qualified teams.
Infantino has also suggested that penalty shootouts be brought in to settle the results of all drawn games, thereby minimising the risk of teams colluding in their final group games to eliminate others from the tournament.
The Swiss has repeatedly said his main motivation for expansion is to give more nations a chance of experiencing the joy of a World Cup, which will bolster international football in developed markets and help its growth in new ones.

It meets Infantino's election pledge of a bigger World Cup, and should help fund promised raises for FIFA's 211 members.
With 80 matches instead of 64, FIFA forecasts $1 billion extra income from broadcasting and sponsor deals, plus ticket sales, compared to $5.5bn forecast for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
FIFA's six continents should find out by May how many extra places they will get.
The African and Asian nations are expecting significant increases on their current allocation of four spots apiece, while UEFA wants 16 European teams in the tournament.
The other major decision regarding 2026 -- who will host the event -- is not scheduled for consideration until 2020 with a bid featuring United States, either on its own or in conjunction with one or both of Canada and Mexico, the overwhelming favourite.

The European Club Association continued its stance of opposing the move, calling it "regrettable" and claiming it had been made due to "political reasons."
source:http://www.espnfc.com.ng/fifa-world-cup/story/3035778/fifa-council-unanimously-approves-world-cup-expansion-to-48-teams

Obama says goodbye

Popular but politically humbled, President Barack Obama says goodbye to the nation Tuesday night in a dramatic reinterpretation of a presidential farewell address.
Hoping to capitalize on a well of goodwill that's expanded in the final year of his tenure, Obama has discarded the staid Oval Office or East Room for his last formal set of remarks. Instead, he'll travel to Chicago, the city where he declared victory in 2008 and 2012, to address a sold-out crowd of ardent supporters.
The moment, conceived months ago, is meant to recall the most iconic moments of Obama's historic tenure, ones rooted in the "hope and change" message that carried the first African-American to the White House.
As he departs office leaving scores of progressive policies in place, there's ample evidence of change. But for his backers, the "hope" aspect of that original mantra is diminished by the prospects of Donald Trump's presidency.
On Tuesday, Obama aims to revive the spirits of progressives who he'd hoped to rally behind Hillary Clinton. Though his speech won't be policy-oriented or carry any direct contrasts with Trump, his message will offer a "hopeful" vision for the future, according to administration officials.
Obama in his speech wants to cast a "forward-looking" vision for a country, those officials say, insisting his message won't be directed solely at his successor. Planned declarations that the nation benefits from diversity and fairness, however, will surely be regarded as admonitions to the future commander in chief.
"The President is primarily delivering a message to the American people, all Americans, whether they voted for President Obama or not," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Monday. "The President feels an obligation to talk about what he's learned of the last eight years, what he's learned about the country, what he's learned about governing the country, and offer up his advice to the American people about the most effective way to confront the challenges that we see ahead."
Obama's speech is the capstone of a months-long farewell tour, manifested in extended magazine interviews, lengthy television sit-downs, and the White House's own efforts to document the President's waning administration.
Through it all, Obama has sought to highlight the achievements of his presidency using statistics showing the country better off now than eight years ago. He's offered a rational view of Trump's election and rarely lets on to any apprehension about his future as an ex-president.
First lady Michelle Obama has offered a more candid view in a scaled-back version of her own farewell. She sat for an hour-long interview with Oprah Winfrey, frankly admitting that Democrats were now "feeling what not having hope feels like."
And she became emotional during her final set of formal remarks at the White House Friday, her voice quaking and eyes welling with tears as she told a crowd of educators: "I hope I made you proud."
The first lady's subdued but deeply felt departure stands in sharp contrast to the President's own farewell speech Tuesday. Upwards of 20,000 people are expected to view the address at McCormick Place, the largest convention center in North America where Obama declared victory over Mitt Romney in 2012.
Obama has been planning his speech for months, aides said, formulating the broad themes while on vacation over the holidays in Hawaii and developing drafts starting last week.
He told aides months ago that he preferred to deliver his farewell address in his hometown, a first for a departing President. George W. Bush, unpopular and facing a financial crisis, delivered his final prime-time address in the White House East Room to a crowd of 200 supporters and aides.
Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter all used the Oval Office -- a setting Obama has long spurned for formal remarks. George H.W. Bush traveled outside of Washington to West Point for a departing address after failing to secure a second term, though he didn't actually bill it as a farewell.
The tradition extends back to George Washington, who issued warnings against unchecked power and partisan entrenchment in a written address to the nation in 1796.
Like major addresses in the past, Obama is writing his speech himself, dictating passages to his chief speechwriter Cody Keenan who puts the President's words into print. Obama returns the drafts with heavy annotations, writing his changes in a tightly compressed scrawl on the margins.
The President and Keenan have gone through at least four drafts of the farewell speech, an official told CNN Tuesday.
They expect work to continue well into the day before Obama departs for Chicago in the late afternoon.
The broad themes of the speech came together while the President was in Hawaii and he started reading a first draft on the long flight home last Sunday.
Aside from Keenan, several familiar names from the past have been involved in the drafting, including former speechwriter Jon Favreau and former senior adviser David Axelrod.
Aides expected the drafting process to extend into Tuesday before Obama departs for Chicago in the afternoon.
When he returns to Washington in the early morning hours of Wednesday, it's expected to be Obama's final flight aboard Air Force One. He'll use the presidential aircraft on Inauguration Day to depart Washington. But with only a former president aboard, it's known simply as "Special Air Mission 28000."

CHRIS BROWN, SOULJA BOY WE'RE BOXING IN DUBAI To Make a Fortune Off Pay-Per-View

Chris Brown and Soulja Boy are gearing up for a bloodbath in the ring, but for various reasons they can't pull it off in the U.S. ... so we've learned they're planning to fight it out in Dubai.

Sources connected with both Chris and Soulja tell TMZ they genuinely dislike each other and each wants to beat the crap out of the other, but what they want more than anything is a huge paycheck by running the fight on Pay-Per-View.

The initial plan was for a Vegas fight, but we've learned there are several rules and regs that would make such a fight impossible there, not the least of which is a mandatory drug test for amateur fights ... which both Chris and Soulja know they would never pass.

We're told their plan is to take the fight overseas -- first choice Dubai -- and they believe the Pay-Per-View audience would rake in untold millions of dollars.

Both Chris and Soulja have talked about making this a charity fight, but we're told some of the money will line their pockets.

FG threatens to sack Discos over poor service delivery

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has told power distribution firms across the country to improve on their service delivery or be ready to quit the sector.

Fashola handed down the warning at the 11th monthly Power Sector and Stakeholders Meeting held in Lagos yesterday.

“We all know the issues around metering and billing. We must build that trust and confidence that customers complains will be addressed. Without the customers and the consumers, there is no business and I think that all of us in the public and private sector must understand that. If you don’t have the skin and the patience to serve, leave,” he warned.

He said stakeholders must use this year to tell their workers that without the customers, they don’t have a job, adding that if they are not in a good mood, they don’t pick the telephone.

“As a public appeal, we need to do whatever is possible in our various distribution areas to improve the quality of service, train personnel, recognise that the customer is king. And even if we cannot provide or solve the problem, we owe it a duty to explain what we are doing.

“It is a thankless job. I am conscious of the challenges operators in the sector face. My team and I are working as hard as we can to make the environment more conducive to you and as I have always said that as pioneers, you will carry some burden.

“You will have to sacrifice perhaps more than what you have done but I am optimistic that it will get better. I am optimistic that we can win together and we can win for the Nigerian people,’’ he assured.

On liquidity constraints, the Minister assured that government was working with development, local and international partners, who have shown commitments and inspiring appetite to play in the market in a bid to stem the tide of funding.

‘‘Our partners in government are also inspiring and understanding of what the challenges are. So it is quick decision making now. Collaboration and decisions will be fair but firm and we expect people would respect the decisions and also processes to be introduced along the line.

“These are matters the regulator, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Agency (NERC), will have to deal with, the bulk trader, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) which is in-house, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Petroleum in terms of gas and all other players will dovetail into one another.

I think the owners of this business must look inside and do what is possible. We have spoken about undercover boss here before. Go round and ask your consumers what they are facing and this will inform your management decision on what to do,” he advised

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Anthony Youdeiwoe, stated that 2016 was a challenging year for stakeholders, stressing that the challenges still remain, but are better discussed whenever stakeholders meet in a bid to address them and proffer solutions.

source:http://sunnewsonline.com/fg-threatens-to-sack-discos-over-poor-service-delivery/

FG suspends controversial Corporate Governance Law

The Federal Government has suspended the law which forced Pastor Enoch Adeboye to step down as the Nigeria General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), under Jim Obazee, had directed Not-For-Profit Organisations (NFPOs)— including churches and mosques — to comply with a corporate governance code stipulating a term of 20 years for heads of such entities.

It was by this provision that Adeboye, who had spent over 20 years as GO of RCCG, named Pastor Joshua Obayemi to head the Nigerian church as national overseer while he remained the worldwide general overseer of the church.

Yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari fired Obazee and approved the reconstitution of the board.

Also, in a statement yesterday, Constance Ikokwu, media aide of Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, said the law has also been suspended, in order to review it. “The code issued by the FRCN has been suspended pending a detailed review, extensive consultation with stakeholders and reconstitution of the board,” he said.

Obazee’s sack came hours after Adeboye retired as RCCG general overseer.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president named Daniel Asapokhai as Obazee’s replacement and appointed Adedotun Sulaiman, as board chairman.

Daily Sun, however, gathered that Obazee was relieved of his job following Enelamah’s report to the president, on reconstitution of the FRC board.

“President Buhari has appointed a chairman and a new executive secretary for the council. The new council, as approved by the president, has Mr Adedotun Sulaiman, as chairman. Sulaiman was a former Managing Partner/Director of Arthur Anderson and later, Accenture.

“He is a chartered accountant and a product of the University of Lagos and Harvard Business School.

“The president has also approved the appointment of Asapokhai as the executive secretary of the Council. Asopokhai is a partner and a Financial Reporting Specialist at PricewaterHouseCoopers, Nigeria.

“He is a product of the University of Lagos and the University of Pretoria.

“President Buhari has also instructed the minister to invite the 19 ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government and private sector organisations specified in the FRC Act to nominate members of its board,” Shehu’s statement said.





…We’ll make our stand known soon –CAN


By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi


The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), yesterday, night, brushed aside the Federal Government’s suspension of the new corporate governance code of the Federal Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) for Not-For-Profit-Organisations (NFPO).

In Part B of the NFPO’s code, published on the FRCN website, financialreportingcouncil.gov.ng, the federal agency listed them to include homeless shelters, hospitals, clinics, rights groups, para-military (scout, brigade, etc), philanthropic organisations, schools, temples, church, mosques, synagogue, seninary/Bible college, any other religious body, mission or society, among money others.

General overseers, founders and leaders of religious organisations, including churches and mosques, who have been in the saddle up to 20 years or more, or who have attained of 70 years of age are affected by the now suspended FRC code.

Perhaps, in fulfilment of the law, Pastor Enoch Adeboye stepped down last week as general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Nigeria.

In his stead, he appointed Pastor Joseph Olayemi as the church’s national overseer in Nigeria.

Regardless, CAN President, Mr. Supo Ayokunle, who spoke through his spokesperson, Mr Bayo Oladeji, yesterday, said the association will study the new law and react appropriately.

“The Holy Bible says; ‘touch not my annointed and do my prophet no harm.’

“We are aware that FRCN’s exeucitve secretary, Jim Obazee has been sacked and that, the new corporate governance code has been suspended.

“At the right time, we will talk; we will make our position known, soon. This government should respect the church because the church has not been against government but the government has been against the church.”

Ayokunle, a reverend, took over CAN leadership from Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. The election was conducted at the National Ecumenical Center, Abuja in June 2016.

Oladeji also added that CAN leadership would likely meet on the matter next week since Ayokunle is presently out of the country.

Regardless, Bishop Samuel1 Olumakinde Alawode, presiding bishop of Maranatha Lord Cometh Ministries International, with headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, insisted government cannot regulate succession in churches.

“CAN has its succession procedure enshrined in its constitution and some of these churches have existed for centuries, before the birth of Nigeria in 1914! These churches have procedures for running their organisations.

“The excesses of some churches and general overseers should not be encouraged but, not to the point where government would now decide succession plans of each denomination. It will simply cause crisis…”

Retired Bishop of Akure Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi also said it was wrong for government to attempt to regulate how churches are administrated in Nigeria, just as the President of Mount Zion Faith Ministries International , Evangelist Mike Bamiloye said there is no cause for alarm.

Gbonigi told Daily Sun, yesterday, that he was not aware of the law as he only heard of it on radio last Sunday, after the appointment of a National Overseer by Pastor Enoch Adeboye, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The RCCG national overseer will administer the church in Nigeria.

Gbonigi, who retired as bishop of Akure Diocese, after serving for over 43 years, said he retired in accordance with Anglican regulation that a bishop should retired after the age of 70.

“It is not right for government to be involved in how a religious organisation is administered. Religion is personal and the fundamental right of every individual. Government cannot dictate how they must be administered.

Also speaking, Bamiloye said he won’t comment until he fully understands the new governance code “because I don’t how church, mosques, charity organisation and orphanage homes will be grouped together.

On its website, financialreportingcouncil.gov.ng, FRCN explained why the new governance code became necessary in a its 29-page rules set for Not-For-Profit-Organisations (NFPO).

“Many NFPOs operate with unknown frameworks, with governments completely in the dark as to both their ownership and principal accountability. In the context of current global insurgency, the operations and funding of NFPOs raise serious security concerns, hence the need for good governance of NFPOs in the country.

Although the new code was suspended in May 2015, it came into effect on October 17, 2016.

source:http://sunnewsonline.com/fg-suspends-controversial-corporate-governance-law/

Senate rejects Buhari’s NERC chair nominee

The senate has failed to confirm Akintunde Akinwande, the nominee of President Muhammadu Buhari for the chairmanship position of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Citing Akinwande’s failure to appear before it for screening, the upper chamber asked President Buhari to send another nominee for the position.

However, the senate confirmed the nominees for the positions of vice-chairman and commissioners.

After his appointment was announced, Akinwande, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), did not present himself to the Department of State Services (DSS) for for security checks.

He also failed to appear before the Senate twice in October, a move that was interpreted as a rejection of the appointment.

But the presidency dismissed reports on his rejection, attributing Akinwande’s absence to his inability to tidy up his papers before the screening date.

Senior Special Assistant to the president on National Assembly matters (senate), Sen. Ita Enang, had said the nominee had written to ask for more time.

He had said Akinwande was trying to formalise his resignation at MIT, where he lectures.

But at a second screening session convened by the power committee chaired by Eyinnaya Abaribe, a senator from Abia state, Akinwande was not just absent, he informally told the committee that he was not available for the job.

A source had said Akinwande sent a text message to a member of the committee that he was uninterested in the job.

But Enang tried to persuade the committee not to interprete Akiwande’s absence to mean that he had declined the president’s nomination.

“I would want to plead to the committee that the nominee was simply absent. I will communicate with the president and get more information about him and get back,” he said.

This remark was quickly rebuffed by members of the committee, who openly declared that they had tried enough and would not be ready to reconvene a third screening session for Akinwande.

At this point, Suleiman Hunkuyi, a lawmaker, posed a question to Enang: “But if somebody says ‘I will not be able to make it’, what does he imply?”

Enang was unable to respond.

The committee said it would submit its report on the screening and a final decision on Akinwande would be communicated to the senate at plenary.

Another source said Akinwande turned down the job because he was not consulted before the announcement was made, and also because he was not ready to leave his present businesses.

“We also learnt that enough consultation was not made before the man was nominated,” the source said, adding that Akinwande also failed to present himself to the Department of State Services (DSS) .

Protesters occupy Benue House of Assembly over herdsmen attacks

Victims of herdsmen attacks in Benue state have urged the state House of Assembly to pass the open grazing prohibition bill

- The bill was presented 10 months ago but the lawmakers are yet to work on it

The group said the protest is aimed at coercing lawmakers to pass the open grazing prohibition bill that will streamline the activities of herdsmen in the state, Daily Sun reports.

With their mats, cooking pots and other items they gathered, chanting songs and making their demands.

The bill was presented 10 months ago and the lawmakers are yet to work on it.

Different communities Benue state have experienced frequent attacks by herdsmen resulting in deaths of hundreds while thousands have been displaced.

The alleged herdsmen were killed by yet to be identified persons, even as the state police command said six persons arrested over the incident were helping in the investigations.

Vanguard reports that the Anambra state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Okaula, said yesterday that the command had already deployed a large number of policemen to the area to maintain peace and to prevent reprisal attack.

source:https://www.naij.com/1081806-protesters-occupy-benue-house-assembly-herdsmen-attacks.html

It Is Madness To Take A Wife At 63” – Jide Kosoko

Veteran Nollywood actor, Jide Kosoko who lost his wife, Henrietta Kosoko sometime in 2016 disclosed in an interview with The Point how his late wife died and how remarrying at 63 is madness to him.

‘Forget all those things you heard. She was ill. She died of complications that arose from diabetes. Honestly, my family, friends and colleagues stood by me and I appreciate that.

Of course, you will always have one or two persons, who would say one or two negative things. But you see, in my life, I have fought so many battles and I have won all. It is only people who want to be crushed that would confront me in war, because the Almighty God has His plans for me. It is just quite unfortunate that these things are happening to me, but I would still thank the Almighty God for everything. There are reasons for everything and I want to believe that it is natural’.

When asked if he’ll be taking a new wife;

‘If at this age, I still think of taking a wife, when I have over a dozen children, it is madness. On January 12, I will be 63. I am taking care of some of the children, while others are now adults. She left and left me with two teenagers’.

DONALD TRUMP Fires Back at Meryl Streep SHE'S AN 'OVERRATED' HILLARY FLUNKY

Donald Trump isn't taking Meryl Streep's Golden Globes attack lying down -- he's dismissing her as a Hillary Clinton "flunky."

Streep used her acceptance speech for the Cecile B. DeMille Award to bash the President-elect for his campaign tactics ... especially his infamous run-in with a disabled reporter. The speech got a huge response in the room ... and, apparently, at Trump Tower.

Trump called her, "One of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn't know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes. She is a Hillary flunky who lost big."

His Twitter reply continued ... "For the 100th time, I never 'mocked' a disabled reporter (would never do that) but simply showed him "groveling" when he totally changed a 16 year old story that he had written in order to make me look bad."

His right hand woman, Kellyanne Conway, has also joined the fray.

TOP STORY: Is Guardiola targeting Rakitic?

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is ready to return to his old club to sign midfielder Ivan Rakitic, according to multiple reports.

Rakitic was left out of Barcelona's squad for Sunday's La Liga trip to Villarreal, with the Croatia international in and out of the...

source:http://www.espnfc.com.ng/blog/transfer-talk/79/post/3035003/manchester-city-linked-with-move-for-barcelona-midfielder-ivan-rakitic

Barcelona's Lionel Messi to miss Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony

Barcelona star Lionel Messi will not be present at The Best FIFA Football Awards on Monday, the Catalan club have confirmed.

Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez -- Barca's other players who were due to travel to the ceremony in Zurich -- will also remain in Spain with Messi to prepare for Wednesday's Copa del Rey game against Athletic Bilbao.

Messi is in the running to be crowned The Best FIFA Men's Player, but is expected to lose out to Cristiano Ronaldo, as he did in the Ballon d'Or last month. Iniesta, Pique and Suarez are all tipped for recognition at the event, too.

Instead Barca's travelling party will be led by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who will be joined by a number of the club's various directors.

A Barca statement read: "With the aim of prioritising preparations for Wednesday's game against Athletic Bilbao, FC Barcelona have decided that the players recognised in the Gala The Best FIFA Awards, which takes place on Monday in Zurich, will not be travelling to Switzerland for the ceremony.Lionel Messi is tipped to lose out to Cristiano Ronaldo at The Best FIFA Football Awards.

"The club's delegation is led by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, sporting vice president Jordi Mestre, director Silvio Elias, CEO Oscar Grau, Albert Soler [director of professional sports], Robert Fernandez [first team technical secretary] and Raul Sanllehi [director of football].

"FC Barcelona thank FIFA, its president Gianni Infantino and the executive structure for the organisation's help in being able to take part in today's gala. The club expresses their recognition and support for the Best FIFA Awards."

Following last week's 2-1 loss to Athletic at San Mames, Barca must win when the two sides meet in the second leg of their Copa del Rey tie this week with a place in the quarterfinal up for grabs.

Failure to progress in the cup would increase the feeling of crisis around the Blaugrana, with Sunday's 1-1 draw with Villarreal leaving them five points behind Real Madrid in La Liga having played a game more. They are yet to win in 2017 and have won just five of their last 11 games in all competitions.



Samuel Marsden covers Barcelona for ESPN FC.

Senate’ll give priority to passage of 2017 Budget – Spokesman

The Nigerian Senate has said it would place priority on the passage of the 2017 Appropriation Bill when it resumes from its three weeks recess.

Spokesman of the Upper Chamber, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi told NAN in an interview on Monday that the Senate would live up to its constitutional responsibility in turning out an implementable budget.

He assured that the senate would speed up consideration of the budget in order to pass it in good time.

The senate spokesman said the upper chamber would also speed up activities with regards to making laws that would entrench sustainable democracy in the country.

“The senate will continue where it stopped in terms of the speed of work, the focus, and there will be increased intensity in terms of output,’’ Abdullahi said.

The lawmaker assured that the senate would avoid anything that would create controversy and derail speedy consideration of the budget.

He said, “At this period last year, we were already submerged in controversy with regard to the 2016 Budget but as you can see there is no controversy this time around.’’

President Muhammadu Buhari had on December 14, 2016, presented a budget of N7.3 trillion to the National Assembly for approval. (NAN)

See Gbenga Daniel’s Reaction As His Physically Challenged Son Bags Distinction In Engineering From UK University

Adebola Irede Daniel, one of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel’s children recently bagged a Masters with distinction in Mechanical Engineering from the University College London.Irede is physically challenged and is an inspirational speaker.

Irede had this to say:

“I was born into a very comfortable home, with both amazing parents and without a disability. However, when I turned 5, I was diagnosed with paraplegia- a rare condition with no medical clarity.

I became confined to a wheelchair. Growing up in Nigeria, I unconsciously associated disability to poverty and crime due to amputated beggars on the streets mostly as a result of Sharia Law practised in the North.
This was the general opinion of most Nigerians in my social circle as a child. Having myself become physically challenged, I was exposed to the stigma and assumptions that came with being ‘disabled’.

All of a sudden, I was looked at with pity, with judgement and sometimes with resentment by my fellow countrymen.

As I became an adult, I began to realise that the onus was on me to make something of myself and create my life and future the way I envision it. My future was, and would always be in my own hands.”

Meanwhile, his father, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has expressed happiness over the feat recorded by his physically challenged son, Adebola, as he got distinction in Mechanical Engineering in his master’s programme.

In his reaction to the son’s feat, Daniel in a press statement signed by his media aide, Steve Oliyide, said:

“Today, I am a very happy man and all should join me in praising God tomorrow for his blessing and protection in spite of all odds. Ask me why? Amongst other reasons, my physically challenged son Adebola Daniel just got a Distinction in his M Sc Mechanical Engineering at UCL.

Adebola became paraplegic at age 5 but went on to become the best student in his career even amongst the physically fit.He chooses a most tedious course of study, bagged a BSc Mech Engr. from University of SURREY and went on to UCL for his Masters.

Despite the mental torture from colleagues and frequent flashes of OGD in the dock, Adebola did what he had to do. He is one of the most efficient automotive Drivers that I know. He has made me proud. Join me in shouting Halelujah.”

source:http://www.nigerianmonitor.com/adebola-daniel-bags-distinction-in-engineering-from-university-college-london

Babalakin committee: We’re ready for renegotiation –ASUU President

President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi has assured the Federal Government that the union is ready for the renegotiation of the 2009 Federal Government/ASUU agreement that bordered on funding of the universities and condition of service of lectures, particularly, as it concerns salary structure, staff loans, pension, overtime, and moderation of examinations.
“We have waited for long for ASUU and federal government to come to negotiation table to discuss and review the content of the 2009 agreement which was long overdue for review. The issue was at the center of our one week warning strike in November, 2016,” Ogunyemi told Daily Sun.
“However, our team is ready to do the necessary things that would guarantee the success of the renegotiation, but that would be as soon as we receive the official communication from the federal government in that regard,” he added. The reassurance was in response to a 16-man committee constituted by the federal government last week to renegotiate the contents of the FG/ASUU 2009 agreement.
Ogunyemi, however, lauded the development and commended the federal government for the renegotiation committee “made up of men and women of integrity and proven track record.”
He, thus, passed a vote of confidence on the team and appealed to the federal government to show sincerity and commitment to resolving the pending issues.
In 2009, federal government and ASUU entered into an agreement to amicably resolve industrial issues that bordered on condition of service of lectures and funding of universities.
As at the last warning strike the federal government was owing public universities N800 billion. The agreement also touched on institutional autonomy and compliance with the UNESCO benchmark of allocating, at least, 26 percent of annual budget to education, with half of it allocated to universities and several other issues, including the ones that require legislation.
But Daily Sun learnt that lack of political will or insincerity had resulted in one of the parties not complying with the agreement, thus, resulting in periodic industrial unrest in the system which experts warned would have negative effect on students.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, in a statement, over the weekend, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved that Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) should lead the federal government renegotiation team.
The statement, however, listed members of the team to include; Prof. M.M. Jibril, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lafia; Prof. Nimi Briggs, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja; Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke; Arc. Lawrence Ngbale, Pro-Chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi.
Others are; Prince Alex Mbata, Pro-Chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri; Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, Pro-Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun; representatives from Federal Ministry of Education; representative from Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and representative from Federal Ministry of Finance.
A representative each from Federal Ministries of Justice, Budget and National Planning, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) and a representative from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) also made the list.

source: sun news

Returning home to find your house in a 'different country'

Hatchet in hand, 82-year-old Dato Vanishvili paces back and forth in the patchy snow; he says he's a prisoner in his own front yard.

Trapped behind a barbed wire fence, the white-haired, elderly farmer hacks at the bare branches of his fruit trees, scavenging much needed fuel to ward off the biting cold of the Georgian winter.

"They don't let me go," he says, plaintively. "I'm stuck here. Where should I go? I don't have food, bread, I don't have anything. What should I do? Kill myself?"

To Georgians, Vanishvili is the desperate face of a frozen conflict, a victim of what some call the "creeping border" -- and Georgia calls the "line of occupation."

House in 'different country'

Five years ago, Vanishvili says he left the house to run some errands in the local village, only to find his house fenced off, effectively in a different country, when he returned.

"They said: 'This is Russian territory, so if you don't want to be in Russia leave from here,'" he says. "I'm from South Ossetia, in Georgia. I'm Vanishvili, a Georgian citizen!"

He says he faced an impossible choice: Abandon his home, or lose contact with the country he loves.

Now razor wire slices through his garden, penning Vanishvili, his grandson and ailing wife into their home.

A knowledgeable source indicated to CNN on a map where boundary movements had occurred.

"I'm stuck here," Vanishvili says. "If I cross they will arrest me and I will have to pay money, like penalty. They are watching me."

The only time he sees his neighbors is when they come to mourn lost relatives buried in the cemetery on the other side of his property: Barred from entering it, they ask him to lay flowers on the graves on their behalf, sometimes bringing care packages by way of thanks.

The Vanishvilis are cut off not only from friends and family, but also, they say, from essentials such as gas and electricity, leaving them reliant on firewood for heating.


"My life became worse and worse. Help me if you can," he pleads from the other side of the fence. But there is little anyone in Georgia can do.

Life in no-man's-land


Vanishvili is just one victim of what European Union monitors call Russian "borderization" -- they say Russia is steadily creating a new border inside the former Soviet state.


Merab Mekarishvili's home near the small farming village of Dvani was bombed during the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia, but he was determined to keep living there.

Then the Russians came and fenced off the road, leaving the house his father had built on one side of the wire, the family's land on the other. He says they gave him a choice: Become a citizen of South Ossetia, or move.


He gave up his home and lives nearby on what remains of the property, where he is building a new house -- within sight of the off-limits old one -- using any materials he can gather.

Tamara Qoreli lives in no man's land with her husband and two grandchildren, their cozy home sandwiched between a Georgian border post and a Russian checkpoint and overlooked by a Russian border guard base.

She says life here has been more difficult since the war.

Earlier it was good," she says. "I was making my life by having cows, but after the war I have only one cow, which I am taking here and there by rope ... because there are minefields."

"I used to have income and now I am left without," she says. "We have no pension, no social aid, we have absolutely nothing."

Frontier creeping forward

An EU monitoring mission patrols what is officially known as the Administrative Boundary Line between Georgia and the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

With each passing year, the monitors say the line steadily moves forward, swallowing farmland, even entire villages.

Many people don't know in many places where the line is," Kestutis Jankauskas, head of the EU monitoring mission, tells CNN. "It [the border] is being established by practice but it is nothing official. It is [a] very fluid notion of a line."

Sometimes the Russian troops use razor wire fencing to mark what they see as the border; at others they post green signs saying "passage forbidden" in Georgian and English.

These signs often stand alone, creating confusion for locals, who complain they've been detained and fined for unwittingly crossing the line.

This year, the Russians dug two trenches through prime orchard land, claiming the move was for fire protection purposes, but Georgians who traversed the ditches say they were detained.

"We don't know where and how far that line can move because it was never recognized; it was never negotiated," explains Jankauskas, adding that it is most likely based on old Soviet General Staff maps from the 1980s.

International law violation

Monitors say each encroachment is a violation of international law.
Only Russia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states.
Russia says its military is there by invitation; the monitors say a total of 18 Russian border guard bases and four Russian military bases now rest on land considered part of Georgia by the international community.
John Durnin, spokesman for the EU monitoring mission, says the Russian border guard bases, which began appearing in South Ossetia in 2009, are part of Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB.
Built so that they can be quickly reinforced when necessary, each is home to between 30 and 50 soldiers. They also include quarters for married couples and families and even playgrounds for children.

Local residents say they believe the bases are a sign that the Russians are here to stay.

CNN's trip to the area highlighted the tension and suspicion on both sides of the line; our visits were only allowed in the company of Georgian security forces or EU monitors, and on several occasions we were watched closely by men in green on the other side.
An EU monitoring mission hotline, usually reserved for messages about movements along the boundary, was activated by Russian border guards demanding to know why we were there.
CNN has reached out to officials in South Ossetia and the Kremlin regarding allegations that people are losing their land but has yet to receive a response.

Referendum on accession

It is 25 years since Georgia gained its independence from the Soviet Union; the breakaway state has had a contentious relationship with its Russian neighbor ever since.

In 2008, it spiraled into full-blown conflict, after South Ossetian separatists attacked Georgian peacekeepers. Georgia sent troops into South Ossetia, and Russia responded with a military incursion into Georgia itself.

When the fighting ended, Russia's military pulled back only as far as South Ossetia, which they see as an independent state.

And in 2017, things could get yet more complicated: In a move that invites comparisons to the annexation of Crimea, South Ossetia is to hold a referendum on accession to Russia.

The Kremlin remains silent on the vote, neither ruling it out nor welcoming it. Russia's state news agency TASS reports Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying: "I will not comment on this issue, this is not our matter."

But tacit support from Russia is clear: in April 2016, the Russian Duma ratified a treaty on the demarcation of the state border of South Ossetia.

As tensions ratchet up, both Russia and Georgia have conducted military training exercises, posturing at each other across the border.

source: cnn

[PHOTO] Nigerian Woman Who Had Been Labelled ‘Barren’ Finally Gives Birth At 40 Years Old

A Nigerian woman and hair stylist by the name Kemi  has everything to thank God for after she put to bed at 40 years of age.

She said many people called her barren and it seemed all hope was lost when she was admitted to the hospital for two months.

Today, despite being 40 years old, Kemi has given birth to a bouncing baby and is celebrating her delivery with family and friends.

Read what she wrote:

HMMMMM I DONT KNOW DAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ME AT THE AGE OF 40, WHEN MY ENEMY CALLED ME BARREN WOMAN UPON THE ADIMTTION IN D HOSPITAL FOR 2 MONTHS. 

I WOKE UP DIS MORNING AND JUST HAD TO THANK GOD BECAUSE HE GAVE ME JOY TO REPLACE MY SADNESS. 

NO MORE KEMI OR SARRIE I AM NOW MUM PRECIOUS, MUM 

GBOGBO AWON TI O N BE OLORUN PATAPATA NI OLORUN A FUN NI OMO NI ODUN YI AGAN A TI OWO ALA BO OSUN. 

I APPRECIATE ALL CALLS MSGS SHARES ON MY WALL FROM MY FRIENDS