#LazyNigerianYouths :"Critics inciting youths against Buhari'' Lai Mohammed
Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has accused critics of the Buhari-led government of inciting the youths against the government. His comment comes as Nigerian youths continue to react angrily after President Buhari said most of them are lazy and wait for government to provide them free education, healthcare and housing.In an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun state yesterday April 20th, Mohammed said the angry youths are being sponsored by the critics.
He wondered why anyone would say this administration is ant-youth. “Some people have just made it their full-time job these days to scrutinise and twist whatever the President says out of context. I wonder how a government that has employed 100,000 unemployed graduates and also feeds about 7.5 million people daily could be tagged anti-youth. Our social investment programmes have continued to generate jobs and create opportunities for our teeming youths while our empowerment programmes have been providing soft loans to over 400,000 youths. Millions of families and individuals have also continued to benefit from our Conditional Cash Transfer initiative.
This is a government that is so concerned and passionate about youth development and it is not right for people to begin to quote Mr. President out of context and thereby incite the youths against the government.” he said
Audu Ogbeh bags Zik Prize Leadership Award, dedicates award to the Nigerian farmer.
Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, OFR has been presented with the 2017 Zik Prize Leadership Award in Public Service by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre in Lagos.Chief Audu Ogbeh who emerged the only winner in the Public Service category was recognised for his success in championing the return to Agriculture as a means of diversifying the Nigerian economy. The Zik Prize Leadership Award, instituted by the Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre, Lagos 24 years ago in honour of the first President of Nigeria, Late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe is primarily to encourage and nurture leadership on the African Continent and in the Diaspora and to foster the tradition of recognizing service excellence.In a citation read at the awards ceremony in Lagos, Chief Ogbeh was described as the farmer's farmer, whose appointment represents the most square-pegged appointment in recent times; and credited for the feat of upturning rice importation, stimulating local rice production, and making Nigeria now the largest rice producer in West Africa and agriculture becoming the largest employer of labour, providing up to 70 per cent of the nation's employment.” Speaking on the award, the Minister stated: “I happily dedicate this award to the Nigerian farmer especially young farmers and new entrants into agriculture; and all Nigerians, for their response to the call to return to Agriculture in spite of the difficulties that have faced agricultural production in Nigeria. Personally, this Award is an encouragement. I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve. I appreciate the organizers of the Zik Prize Awards. Everyone at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and those working for me should consider this their prize because I couldn't have done it alone. I want to thank the Nigerian public even for their critical opinion which has helped to guide us. We listen to them and we adjust, to do better." The Award Plaque to the Minister was jointly presented by Chairman of the All Progressive Congress APC - Chief John Oyegun and Nigeria's former Senate President Ken Nnamani.Other prominent Nigerians honoured include Rivers State Governor - Nyesom Wike and his Katsina State counterpart recognised for Good Governance; APC chieftain and former Governor of Osun State - Chief Adebisi Akande was honoured with Political Leadership Award while wives of two State Governors - Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano and Hajia Hadiza Abubakar of Anambra and Bauchi States respectively were honoured for their Humanitarian Services. More photos below...
Festus Keyamo Took To His Heel As Lagos Businessman Verbally Attack Him In Court Premises, Accuse Him Of Betraying The Igbos
An Anambra businessman, Bobby Uzochukwu, on Friday attacked Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), on the premises of the Anambra State Federal High Court, Awka, accusing him of “selling out” by accepting to serve as the spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid.
The SAN was recently appointed the Director, Strategic Communications for President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 presidential campaigns. Keyamo, who was the counsel for a defendant in the August 6, 2017 killings at St Philip’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Anambra State, was addressing the press at the court complex when the businessman verbally attacked him, calling him unprintable names.
The situation abruptly ended the press session as the Senior Advocate entered his car and left. Still fuming, Uzochukwu said he would have done “worse things” if the SAN had stayed back. He said, “I know Keyamo. He’s my friend. I was surprised when I heard that he accepted to serve Buhari. This is betrayal of the highest order. “We had thought Keyamo would replace the late Gani (Fawehinmi); but see what he has done, consenting to serve somebody who has no interest of the people at heart. “I would have done more things on him this afternoon, but as you can see, he ran away.”
Korede Bello Graduates With Distinction From Nigerian Institute of Journalism
Mavin artiste, Korede Bello has graduated from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism with a distinction in Mass Communication (HND).
At the 5th convocation on Friday, April 20 with Ray Ekpu as the Chairman, the Institute presented one thousand three hundred and forty-one (1,341) “graduands of five academic sessions from 2013-2017 sets”.
The award of National Diploma (ND) certificate was presented to 501 students and Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate presented to 407 students, Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) certificate presented to 352 students, Proficiency Certificate Journalism presented to 64 students and Proficiency Certificate in Writing and Communication presented to 17 students.
According to the HND award list, Korede Bello was among the seven (7) students that graduated with distinction in the 2017 set of the institute. Apart from graduating with a Korede Bello was also awarded the best student in “Editorial Writing” by the institute.
10 Reasons Many Nigerian Youths Are Lazy – APC Chieftain Igbokwe
Spokesman for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Joe Igbokwe, has backed President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent suggestion that many Nigerian youths are lazy. Buhari had said that many of the youths below the age of 30 were uneducated, but waiting for everything to be done for them, just because Nigeria is an oil-rich country.
He made the comments during the question and answer section of the Commonwealth Business Forum in London. And in a Facebook post, REASONS WHY I INSIST SOME NIGERIAN YOUTHS ARE LAZY, Igbokwe said the president was, indeed, correct. The post read, “A research carried out at NNAMDI Azikiwe University Awka Anambra State found out that students spend more time doing some funny things on the Internet than focusing on their books.
“In the 90s I had some two children of close family members in my house. They were about writing their WEAC Exams but I didn’t see them for one day reading for the exams. When I confronted them they said ‘Uncle do not worry we will pass’. They ‘passed’ and today they are ‘graduates’ but I know they are not. “Today in Nigeria if you want a good carpenter, Tiler or POP man you need to get the Togolese, Camerounians, Ghanaians to do the job.
“I have met mothers who are ready to give anything including their bodies for their children to get admission into Universities and even to pass common entrance exams. “For years I have pleaded with some of the young people I know to go to learn a trade and even when I succeeded in getting them places to learn something they usually run away to go and continue to beg.
“I have met many of our young people who said they went to university and when you engage them you will discover instantly that they are fake graduates who are not employable and yet they will tell you there are no jobs.
“One of my brothers spent good money to get his wife who claimed to be a graduate a teaching appointment. He pushed and pushed until one day he was invited by the man who wants to help him. My brother was shocked to the marrows when the man told him that the woman should return to class one in Secondary School and that she knows nothing.
“In the South East today hundreds of young men have been brutally killed in drug-related offenses in South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia and other Countries. Some sell their kidneys to raise money. Give these young men a job of 200k a month they will just laugh at you.
“Today in NNEWI where I come from it is difficult for you to get a young boy to learn a trade for say 5,6,7 years before they are established. They prefer Okada business, yahoo yahoo, begging etc.
“There are so many fake proprietors of universities and polytechnics in Nigeria that are only interested in money and nothing else. They go to JAMB and bribe them to send these 10th rate poor students to them. They push and push them until they graduate and the vicious cycle continues. We have close to 200 higher institutions but how many of them are real higher institutions.
“I am passionate about getting our country to work again and that is the reason why I am challenging the young people of Nigeria. My father abused us for laziness and untoward behaviors to make us strong and dedicated. Our teachers in those days abused, flogged and and gave us pits to dig for failing to do our assignments. I know a father who went to pick his son in Navy School Abeokuta for holidays. When he got there and was told that the boy failed his exams the man turned his car and left for Lagos without the boy. He did not return to pick that boy until after one week. It became a turning point in the life of that boy,” wrote Igbokwe
Melania Trump, Clintons And Obamas Attend Funeral Of Former U.S First Lady, Barbara Bush [Photos]
Around 1,500 guests attended the largest Episcopal church in the US on Saturday, for the funeral of Barbara Bush. The wife of the 41st president, George HW Bush, and mother of the 43rd, George W Bush, died on Tuesday at her Houston home. She was 92.
First lady Melania Trump, former president Bill Clinton, former secretary of state and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama were among mourners at St Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston.
Donald Trump, a fierce critic and political rival of the Bush family, did not attend. The White House said this week Trump would stay away in order “to avoid disruptions due to added security, and out of respect for the Bush family and friends”.
On Wednesday, Trump said Barbara Bush was a “wonderful, wonderful person” and “a titan in American life”, adding: “Her strength and toughness really embodied the spirit of our country. She was a woman of proud patriotism and profound faith.”
On Saturday, the New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, whom Trump spent some of the morning attacking, tweeted that “having [the president] there was not something the Bushes wanted”.
Trump later tweeted: “Today, my thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family. In memory of First Lady Barbara Bush, there is a remembrance display located at her portrait in the Center Hall of the White House.”
The president, who had gone to one of his golf courses in Florida, sent out the tweet in the same minute as a message with video of supporters apparently shot from the presidential motorcade, in which he praised “fantastic crowd and great people yesterday in Key West”.
Referring to Mar-a-Lago, his luxury resort, Trump then added that he was “heading to the Southern White House to watch the Funeral Service of Barbara Bush. First Lady Melania has arrived in Houston to pay our respects. Will be a beautiful day!”
In a statement on Friday, the Bush family said Barbara Bush had chosen her son Jeb, the former Florida governor who ran against Trump for the Republican nomination – and was notoriously derided by the billionaire as “low-energy” – to deliver a eulogy.
During the 2016 campaign, Trump also attacked Jeb’s brother, George W Bush, for his record in office, over the attacks of 9/11 and regarding the Iraq war. In return, George HW Bush has publicly called Trump a “blowhard”. George W Bush has settled for veiled criticism in public remarks.
In a short and emotional eulogy, Jeb Bush joked how his mother called her style of parenting “a benevolent dictatorship”, and added: “But honestly it wasn’t always benevolent.” He emphasised that one of the most important lessons his mother taught him and others was the power of laughter and that joy should be shared.
Bush choked up, saying his mother was “beautiful” until the very end. He felt priviliged, he said, to have had a “front row” seat to his parents’ romance. Other eulogies were delivered by Barbara Bush’s long-time friend Susan Baker, wife of former secretary of state James Baker, and historian Jon Meacham, who wrote a biography of George HW Bush.
Meacham discussed the Bushes’ experiences during the second world war and said Barbara Bush was the “first lady of the greatest generation”. He also recalled her work bringing awareness to Aids patients and in promoting literacy and spoke of her quick wit. Barbara Bush was devoted to her husband of 73 years, he said, saying he was the “only boy she ever kissed”.
Burial was set for the Bush Library at Texas A&M University, about 100 miles north-west of the city. The burial site is in a gated plot surrounded by trees and near a creek. Barbara Bush’s daughter, Robin, is buried there. She died of leukaemia in 1953, aged three.
Buhari joined Nigerian Army without O’Level certificate – Fayose
Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, has continued his attack on President Muhammadu Buhari, over his comments on the youths in Nigeria.
Buhari, speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster on Wednesday , said youths prefer to do nothing because they feel Nigeria is an oil-rich nation.
According to the President, a lot of Nigerian youths have not been to school, yet they want everything free.
In a series of tweets posted on his verified Twitter page on Friday, Fayose claimed Buhari got into the Army at 19 and became a Second Lieutenant without O’Level certificate.
“Under President Buhari; a man who got everything as a youth despite his academic limitations, farms are no longer safe for our youths who have taken to farming.They are being murdered by herdsmen and the President is looking the other way. Within 3 years, over 10m jobs lost!
“If Nigeria was without opportunities for the youths like this when President Buhari was a youth,he would have probably ended up as a local farmer,rearing cows in Daura. But he had opportunity of joining the army at 19 & becoming a 2nd Lieutenant at 21 without O’Level certificate,” the Governor wrote.
Efcc framed me up because it is owning me,they have no case against me -Obla tells court.
MR Godwin Obla, SAN, a former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, on Friday accused the commission of owing him.
Obla was accused of bribing a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.
Obla, through his defence team led by Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) said that the (EFCC) has no case against him.
The former EFCC prosecutor, Obla is being accused of paying the sum of N5 million as bribe to Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia in order to pervert the course of justice in a case involving Mr Raymond Omatseye a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the EFCC.
Orbih made the statement of a no-case to-answer during the cross-examination of an EFCC investigator, Mr Lawal Abdullahi, who is the 12th prosecution witness to the corruption trial of Obla and Ofili-Ajumogobia.
During the cross examination, Orbih told Abdullahi, "I put it to you that there is no statement from anyone including the 11 witnesses that the EFCC has brought to testify in court that has said the N5million was for the perversion of justice.
"The second defendant (Obla) has not even been paid by the EFCC for his services rendered.
"It was because the second defendant demanded for his fees that these charges were filed against him by the EFCC," he said.
On an alleged meeting between the defendants where they allegedly connived to pervert the course of justice, Orbih asked the investigator how he knew that the purpose of the meeting was to pervert justice.
Responding, the EFCC Investigator said "There was a meeting between the defendants in which an account number was exchanged.
"I did not attend the meeting, but it was in their statements, I did not say that they agreed to pervert the course of justice but it was my findings that proved that there was an agreement to pervert the course of justice."
Orbih told the court that Obla paid N5million into the account of Ofili-Ajumogobia for the purpose of purchasing iron rods for construction noting that the defendants never admitted to the EFCC that they had the intent to pervert justice.
Abdullahi was given a portion of Obla's statement (Exhibit M) by the defence to read aloud.
In the statement Obla said "Ofili-Ajumogobia is my friend who was a classmate from law school in 1988".
Also in the statement, Obla had added that during a visit to Lagos, he visited the judge in her chambers and he told her he came to the city to purchase building materials and she offered to help him purchase the iron rods.
The defence denied any impropriety in the Omatseye case, the subject matter of the alleged N5million bribe, Orbih noted that Obla prosecuted the case against the NIMASA Director-General and even secured a conviction for the EFCC.
"The EFCC was very happy when the judgment was delivered and in several national newspapers such as The Nation, the EFCC celebrated the judgment
"In another publication in The Nation, the EFCC said they had gotten 140 convictions and the Omatseye case was the first on the list," Orbih said.
Orbih tendered as evidence, clippings of publications from May 27 and 28, 2016 from The Nation newspaper.
"The defendants appealed that judgment at the Court of Appeal though the EFCC was unsuccessful in defending the judgment at the higher court.
"The Court of Appeal judgment was given on May 11, 2017 and the EFCC never told the Court of Appeal that they were never going to defend the judgment from the Federal High Court because it was obtained by fraud.
"The second defendant (Obla) made 45 appearances for EFCC for the Omatseye case and there is no other case that he has handled for the EFCC where he has been accused of bribing a judge to pervert the course of justice.
"Was there a petition from Omatseye that the judgment given against him at the Federal High Court was a product of fraud between the two defendants?
"Was it because the EFCC lost the judgment at appeal that they claimed that justice was perverted? "Orbih queried
Responding Abdullahi said, "I do not know anything about this case, I told this court that as at the time this transaction took place, there was a case pending before the first defendant in which the second defendant happens to be the EFCC prosecutor.
"I do not know if there is a petition, the EFCC is a large organization,"
Orbih noted that the alleged N5million bribe was paid on May 21, 2015 and the judgment against Omatseye was given exactly a year later by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia on May 20, 2016.
He said the judge was never a Director of Nigel and Colive, the company bank account that in which the N5million for iron rods was paid and that construction business one of the objectives of the company
"Are you aware that the sale of building materials is in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of Nigel and Colive?
"The directors of the company as at 2015 were her children, the first defendant was not a director," he said.
Earlier in the proceeding, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), the lead Defence Counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, alleged that the EFCC did not properly investigate the source of funds which the judge allegedly unjustly enriched herself.
"The statement of count five was unlawful enrichment of N18million from Arkleen Oil and Gas, were you satisfied that this money was sourced from an illegality?" he asked the EFCC investigator.
Abdullahi replied, "I investigated the whole case and presented it to our legal department and it was my findings the legal department used in coming up with whether there is corruption or not.
"Most of these lodgements were not lodgements from the employer of the first defendant."
Reacting to the EFCC investigator's response, Clarke said "I can now see your thinking.
"So any money paid into a judge's account if not from the government is an unlawful enrichment,"
They are jointly charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice.
Obla is facing two-counts of offering gratification in the sum of N5 million to Ofili-Ajumogobia, a public official, while serving as a judge.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi thereafter adjourned the case till May 25 for continuation of trial.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement to British Prime Minister Theresa May in London on Monday that he was more concerned about security issues and the economy than his 2019 reelection bid generated uproar in Nigeria. This is because insecurity has not really been nipped in the bud.
Daily, cases of security challenges are reported in various parts of the country, making one to raise eyebrows over the president’s purported ‘concern’.
Few weeks ago, a former Chief of Army Staff and Minister of Defense, Lieutenant-General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), at the maiden convocation of the Taraba State University Jalingo, stirred the hornet’s nest when he urged Nigerians to defend themselves and not to rely on the military as they collude with the armed bandits to kill people.
As the country moves closer to the 2019 general elections, there are security challenges the president needs to not just tackle but also bring to an end this year.
Boko Haram:
Though Boko Haram has actually been degraded, pockets of attacks still take place. In a new video on January 2, 2018, leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, denied claims that the group has been defeated.
Days earlier, the group attacked the Muna Garage area of Maiduguri killing 25 people, with pockets of other attacks around the North-East.
Besides, the sect also “embarrassed” the government with the abduction of 110 girls at the Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi in Yobe State, on February 19. However, 104 of the girls were later released.
Besides, the talks between the Federal Government and Boko Haram on the release of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls suffered setbacks. The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement a week ago, quoted President Buhari has saying the break-down of talks was due to lack of agreement among the girls’ abductors whose internal differences had led to divergent voices regarding the outcome of the negotiations. Some of the girls have been in captivity for four years.
Herder-farmer violence:
The problem of herders-farmers clashes has not abated since the killing of 73 people in Guma and Logo local government areas of Benue State on January 1, 2018. There have been consistent killings mostly in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states. The crises were aggravated mainly with the commencement of the anti-grazing law by the Benue State Government on November 1, 2017 stopping open cattle-grazing in the state. The crises spilled to other states, with the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACRAN) saying they would resist the law.
The crises have not been fully checked even with the launch of a special military operation tagged “Ayem Akpatuma.” Fourteen people were recently killed with cattle rustled in renewed hostilities between herders and farmers in villages of Keana, Obi and Awe local government areas of Nasarawa State.
In Benue State, the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Joel Yamu, said four police officers were killed on April 15, 2018 in Logo Local Government Area when they came under attack. Besides, the Executive Secretary Benue State Teaching Service Board, Professor Wilfred Uji, said 300,000 children have been forced out of school due to herders-farmers crisis.
Kidnappings:
Just when it was thought that kidnappings across the country have reduced, the menace resurfaced. In fact, some kidnappers committed a “sacrilege” with the abduction of the twin children of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun and demanded N100 million initially as ransom before it was reduced to N10 million. The twins (a boy and girl) were held for a week before they were released.
However, in Kano, kidnappers killed a policeman and abducted a German, Engineer Michael Cremza, who work for Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company.
Not long after that, kidnappers killed a Syrian businessman, Ahmed Abu Areeda and kidnapped his 14-year-old son, Muhammad, in Kano. The boy was however rescued days later.
The Syrian, who recently retired, has been in Nigeria for about 20 years.
In Kaduna State, the Chairman National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) of Birnin Gwari, Malam Audu Kano and six of his executive council members were abducted. They were travelling to Zamfara State for a wedding.
However, in Kebbi State, the police arrested four suspected kidnappers of a Fulani leader in the state and recovered N800, 000. The suspects had earlier kidnapped and collected N500, 000 from another victim.
The police in Lagos in February also arrested six kidnap suspects and recovered arms cache. They were alleged to be involved in kidnappings in the South-South and southeastern parts of the country.
In Katsina, the police command’s spokesman, DSP Gambo Isah, said operatives arrested four kidnap suspects dressed as women trying to abduct a 4-year-old boy. He said they were nabbed with hijab and niqab.
Banditry:
The robbery of banks in Offa, Kwara State, commando-style on April 5 casts a dark chapter in the security of lives of citizens as 20 people were killed and many injured as bandits stroke financial houses in the town. Some of the victims were policemen on guard and bank officials.
However, few days later, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, said 20 suspects have been arrested in batches of 8 and 12.
Also, a week ago, 20 people were killed by bandits in Kuru-Kuru and Jarkuka villages in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Two weeks earlier, about 30 people were killed by bandits and cattle rustlers in Bawar Daji.
However, operatives of “Operation Sharar Daji” killed 21 armed bandits in a face-off at Tungar Daji in the same local government area. The bandits killed two officers in the process. Worried about the spate of killings, the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, had during a condolence visit to the Emir of Zamfara, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad Ahmad, ordered security operatives to shoot at sight any kidnapper and person bearing illegal firearms.
But the army got the worst of bandits’ attack in March when 11 soldiers were killed at Kamfan in Doka along Funtua Road in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Some of the soldiers were on their first mission after their training.
Shiite problem:
Even as President Buhari was conferring with Prime Minister Theresa May in London, Abuja was unsettled as police and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) or Shiites clashed as they converged at the Unity Fountain in Maitama, to protest the continued incarceration of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, since December 2015.
When the clash subsided, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command said 115 Shiite members were arrested in connection with the crisis. On the other hand, spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, in a statement said members of the group injured 22 policemen.
But, IMN spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, said the security personnel caused the commotion by firing at unarmed protesters which was collaborated in a statement by Director, Amnesty International in Nigeria, Dr Osai Ojigho, describing the police action as “reckless.”
However, the government has been doing all it can to check these challenges which are still prevalent. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai at a demonstration to showcase the capability of the armed forces revealed that the mobile brigade concept was instrumental to defeating of Boko Haram.
Corroborating Buratai’s position, the Director of Defense Information, Brigadier-General John Agimat, at a press briefing said other operations have been launched apart from the Operation Lafiya Dole to fight the Boko Haram.
Furthermore, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, recently said the force has commenced works on additional two training schools in Maiduguri to improve the general security situation in the North-East.
On banditry, the IGP ordered commissioners to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and ammunition in the country by mopping them up. He also ordered them to ensure that state governments do not establish militias and arm them with illegal weapons.
2019: Buhari’s second term bid divides Nigerian entertainers
…2Face, Yinka Davies, Skales, Felix Duke, others withdraw support
When President Muhammadu Buhari declared his intention to contest in the 2019 presidential election, many Nigerians frowned at his decision because they expected him to honourably step aside, and encourage the younger generation to take over the reins of Nigeria’s leadership. But there are also many who say that the man has done well and could continue.
D’banj
Mixed reactions have continued to greet the declaration which some have described with unprintable words. While some believe he has the right to contest, others strongly argue that he is too old and doesn’t have what it takes to take Nigeria to Eldorado.
Although, it’s indisputable that the Buhari-led government has recorded laudable achievements in the past three years, it’s also not out of place to say that the administration has recorded some setbacks. It’s on this premise that Showtime went to town during the week to feel the pulse of Nigerian entertainers on the matter. However, while many entertainers declined comments for fear of losing the favour of powers that be, others eloquently spoke their minds.
I didn’t know he has declared to run for second term- Dbanj, singer
Has he declared his intentions to run for second term? Wow, I didn’t know! Well, I have nothing to say about it.
I don’t understand the idea of granting amnesty to Boko Haram—2face
I don’t understand the idea of granting amnesty to Boko Haram, it doesn’t make any sense. There are so many graduates out there who are jobless and not able to fend for themselves; why does it have to be people who don’t have respect for lives that the federal government is considering granting amnesty? This just means that we have accepted defeat. It means we’re trying to appease them. Many people are angry and tired, but because we are peace loving people and the government knows, that’s why they are taking advantage of it.
2face
Running for second term is greed— Actress, Praise Sam Ogan
How can he even think of that! In a country where civil servants retire at 64, he wants to run for an election at the age of 75 and people will vote him in? This country is becoming something else; I doubt we can grow and become better even in the next 200-years!
Buhari is too old to rule us again- Pop music star, Skales
“Honestly, I’m not in support of Buhari’s decision to run for second term, so it’s a ‘no’ from me. I’m part of those people who feel younger people should be given the opportunity to rule this nation. When I say younger people, I mean people between the ages of thirty and fifty because we know what the future is. No offence to Buhari though, I have huge respect for him.
Skales
He’s a great man. But the truth is that these men are old! They should give young ones chance to rule because they can’t predict our future for us. They are done; they have seen their own future already.”
He has to step on toes to succeed- Musician, Djinee
“These three years have been painful for the masses as evident in the constant groans and pains you feel everywhere you turn to. It’s always darkest before dawn and before we enjoy a bountiful harvest, we’ll experience the pain associated with years of misrule.
But the change won’t come if institutions are made up of corrupt individuals who are strung across parties, decamping because they seek to line their pockets. For the president to move this nation forward, he will have to bite the fingers that fed him. And they include those he dines with because the ruling party and opposition are the same. Will he find ten honest Nigerians? Will he also probe himself for the sake of the nation? Your guesses are as good as mine.”
Nigerians should use their votes to decide — filmmaker, Prince Iyke Olisa
So far, this administration has inflicted more hardship on the masses than the paradise they promised. Despite the administration’s fight against corruption and the recovery of some stolen funds, we notice more hardship and upsurge of insecurity in the country.
We expected that when you fight corruption and recover stolen funds, the effect will tell on the economy; instead the masses are suffering more. I think Buhari has a clear agenda but there are some elements in his government whose presence and activities will continue to undermine his efforts. Any solution that is not affordable or effective is definitely not a solution.
Though one must not also fail to accept the truth that the previous administration had its lapses but as a progressive government, one expected that this administration should live beyond daily chanting of the dilemma called “Past administrations” and start making achievements and policies that will reflect on the lives of Nigerians. President Buhari has the right under the constitution to seek second term.
His declaration was not surprising to me at all, in fact I would have been more surprised if he chose not to re-contest. I have not seen an African President or Head of state who will have an opportunity to continue and decline except maybe one or two.
People should channel their energy on how to make use of their votes in 2019 rather than agitate over someone’s declaration to run. Anyone has the right to declare to run for any office as long as you are eligible by law to do so.
However, the power to actualize that dream rests on the people who will decide with their votes. So if you think this administration is parading an old man, what are you preparing to do as a youth? If you think they haven’t done much to deserve second chance or term, what are you planning to do with your power (PVC)? So let’s stop grumbling and do the right thing. Buhari has right to contest, it is left for him to gather enough of our votes to continue. I see nothing wrong with his ambition.
It’s within the constitutional right of the president to decide to contest for second term, but in my own view he’s still an aspirant. APC does not have a presidential candidate yet but one presidential aspirant until after the proposed national congress of the party.
And until all the presidential candidates are presented by all the political parties to Nigerians by all the political parties, it might not be intelligent enough for anybody to jump at anyone yet for consideration in the race. So, Nigeria does not have a presidential candidate yet until INEC presents them to Nigerians. Nigeria has been a dilapidated house under repairs and renovation, no doubt. Mr. President and his team have been trying their best. As far as I’m concerned, he has been trying his best to fix the house. And under such circumstance, the work might not be seen or appreciated, or even the intention of the person fixing it might be misconstrued.
Even a Nigerian like me won’t see it until the renovation work is completed and presented for proper assessment. But in all, what I see as the main problem of this government is how it has carried on with the politics. Mr. President, I believe, cannot continue to run this government smoothly and still make a great impact as it should be if he cannot decide to play the necessary politics needed to run the government.
He has no clue on how to solve Nigeria’s problem- Radio presenter, Sabina
This present administration had good intentions for Nigeria and Nigerians, or so we were made to believe three and a half years ago during the election campaigns. I was actually one of those who welcomed the idea of giving another set of leaders a chance to see what they could do differently to move Nigeria forward.
From my observation, President Buhari and his cabinet had no clue about the magnitude of the issues we face as a nation. Yet they made so many promises. I hold this against them for not properly counting the cost before promising paradise! In the area of fighting corruption, I welcome and applaud the presidency’s efforts, but I’m still expecting them to clean out the grey areas, no one found guilty should be spared. No sacred cows please, this is where integrity plays out the most.
Again, the hardship in the land has tripled compared to the last administration. Yes, sacrifices have to be made by all towards a better tomorrow but for how long? And what’s the plan to alleviate the pain Nigerians are going through? Why hasn’t the exchange rate improved in our favor in three years?
Why are Nigerians being killed on a daily basis and we don’t hear of people being questioned ? What about stories of animals stealing money in offices manned by human beings? Look at education and health sectors. Are we not retrogressive?
There’s hunger in the land and blaming the past administration for everything is actually a bad signal to the citizens who voted you in to turn things around for the better. Would you have the people’s mandate if there weren’t problems to be solved? I see Buhari’s administration as one with good intentions but it lacks the wherewithal to do what problem solvers do, and thus should give way to another crop of leaders.
Nigeria can sure boast of another set of practical intellectuals and critical thinkers who have something to contribute to the all round growth of this great nation. I appeal to Mr. President to allow them come in to help just as Nigerians gave him the opportunity to do likewise at the last election. I do not think he should re-contest.
Nigeria needs a more strategic president- Gospel music singer, Nikki Laoye
“I have no personal bias against President Buhari desiring a second term. But I just personally believe we need a younger, bolder and more strategic mind on the presidential seat at this time. Nigeria is such a rich country but we are not using the right strategies, neither do we have the correct structures in place. That’s why we are still having the same fuel scarcity, electricity issues, etc. The same issues that had been with us since I was a child still exist today. We need a drastic overhaul in our nation right now-the people, the mindset, the policies in place-. God help our country.”
Buhari hasn’t fulfilled half of his promise- Soma, ex BBNaija housemate
I don’t think Buhari has done half of what he promised Nigerians. So, I’m not in support of his second term ambition, it’s a big no!
I can never support him for second term- Musician, Felix Duke
“What can an old man do? He has nothing to offer, he brought pain and suffering to Nigerians so he should go home, sleep and enjoy his old age. I’m not in support of his declaration to run for second term, God forbid! Haven’t people died enough? I can never support him because I don’t want him back.”
Buhari deserves a second chance- Jaywon
“For me, I think everybody deserves a second chance. I feel he hasn’t done badly.”
It’s the people’s choice- Actress, Winner Lazarus
If he wants to run for second term it’s the choice of the people to vote for him and if they do then it’s fine. Everything depends on the choice of Nigerians
Anybody older than Nigeria shouldn’t contest in 2019- Juju music singer, Tayo Mix
Anybody who is older than Nigeria shouldn’t contest at all in 2019 because they only think about their families; they never do anything for Nigerians. They should allow younger people to rule so that problems such as power outage, joblessness, thuggery, violence, corruption, etc. will stop.
Yar’Adua’s tenure was better- Yinka Davies
“Our country won’t be crushed by one man’s destiny. The destiny we bring to this world says a lot about who we are and affects our people, our surroundings, and our community. Should a violent man be called into a gathering, he may not be the culprit, but everything around him will revolt against something, that is where we are. It is not for us to decide, what matters is what destiny he brought to the office. Yar’Adua’s head was gentle.”
Buhari needs rest- Actress, Sylvia Edem
“They should allow young people to rule and stop religious conflicts because we need peace in this country. The past three years of his government has been from one violent attack to the other. Do you know how many lives we have lost and the level of hunger people are suffering from? Nigerian youths are angry; Buhari needs to take a rest. I’m not in support of his second term rule.”
He has nothing good for Nigeria- Agoha John
“Buhari should just go and rest and enjoy his old age. How can he think of running for second term because people are pushing him to do so? That man has nothing good for this country.”
Ruggedman romances Police, drops ‘Is Police Your Friend’ video
Ruggedman has finally released the video for his much talked about song, “Is Police Your Friend?”
Ruggedy Baba is really out to ensure that the Nigerian police start doing the right thing, so they can get on the people’s good side.
The star-studded music video features the likes of comedians Frank Donga, Mr Hyenana. Actors Doris Simeone and Ijebu alongside fashion stylist Jerry of 710 Vision and singer Water.
According to the rapper, “Some clips you see in the video might not be for the weak-hearted, but we have to face reality and know when a menace has to be stopped.” The song was produced by Seanz Beat while the man behind the visuals is Dr Nell.
Recall that Ruggedman’s romance with the police started with the anti-SARS crusade, which ultimately earned an ambassador of the “Police and the Youth’ concert which held late last month.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lamented the absence of Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello from the state without officially transmitting a letter to the State House of Assembly.
The party therefore called on the state House of Assembly to commence an impeachment process on the governor for absenteeism and dereliction of duties. Kogi State PDP Director of Research and Documentation, Achadu Dickson who stated this in a statement yesterday in Lokoja, said it was lamentable that since the fall of the governor at a market place in Lokoja a month ago, he had been absent from the state and his duties without any letter transmitted to the state Assembly.
The statement reads, “For now the ship of governance in the state which lacked direction under Governor Bello, has on its own entered reverse gear, with unpaid salaries to workers who have been cleared since January, while some others had not been paid in the last twenty four months”.
“The absence of Governor Bello has opened up government activities to corruption and stealing, little wonder local government workers last week, since the beginning of the year, were only paid a paltry twenty percent of their January salary.
“The hunger and poverty in the state, decayed infrastructure, which has led to deaths of citizens, owing to inept leadership and governance, under the Bello’s APC is unprecedented. The state had never witnessed the worst of governance like it is experiencing.
“We therefore call on the State House of Assembly to begin an impeachment process on the governor. The assembly, composed of representatives of the people, who are daily in the know of the current suffering of the people, and the governor having flouted the constitution; the House must do the needful, to fill the vacuum created by the governor’s sudden disappearance.”
The PDP which described the unknown where about of the governor as worrisome, said the tax payers, who were citizens, whose money was used in servicing the governor, deserved to know the where about of the governor and how their resources were being used.
It called on APC led administration in the state to apologize for bringing untold hardship on the people, saying it has failed in governance.
The party however assured that it was poised to take over Lugard House soon.
Who succeeds Arsene Wenger ? Vieira, Loew, Rodger, Ancelotti, Loew
(FILES) In this file photo taken on August 09, 2015 Arsenal’s French manager Arsene Wenger gestures during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium in London on August 9, 2015.
Arsene Wenger’s decision to finally step aside as Arsenal manager after 22 years in charge has sparked fevered speculation over who the Gunners will turn to next to succeed the Frenchman.
Arsenal are struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League with victory in the Europa League their only realistic route back into Europe’s premier club competition.
However, with one of the biggest budgets in world football and a squad boasting the talents of Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Arsenal job remains highly sought after.
Here are five contenders to take over at the Emirates:
Patrick Vieira (New York City)
Patrick Vieira
The inspirational captain of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ that went an entire league season unbeaten in 2003-04, Vieira is a symbol of the glory years under Wenger.
Vieira won three league titles and three FA Cups during his playing days at Arsenal but has taken his first steps in management with another of his former clubs, Manchester City.
The Frenchman took charge of City’s elite development squad for 18 months before joining New York City, part of a network of clubs around the world owned by the City Football Group.
He led NYCFC to the MLS playoffs in each of his two full seasons in charge but lost out in the Eastern Conference semi-finals on both occasions.
While popular with the fans, Vieira’s lack of top-level managerial experience would pose a huge risk in Arsenal’s attempts to re-establish themselves as a Premier League contender.
Brendan Rodgers (Celtic)
Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers has restored his reputation in just under two years at Celtic with the Glasgow giants on the brink of sweeping a treble of domestic trophies under the Northern Irishman for a second consecutive season.
The 45-year-old’s three-and-a-half year spell at Liverpool ended on a sour note in October 2015 but he came as close as anyone to ending their 28-year wait for a Premier League title in 2013-14.
Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond said on Friday he would not stand in Rodgers’ way.
“I don’t think you can put handcuffs on anybody if they want to go to a club as good as Arsenal,” he said. “It will be Brendan’s decision and Brendan’s decision only.”
Joachim Loew (Germany)
A World Cup winner, Loew has resisted the temptation to swap international football for the rigours of day-to-day club management and is under contract with the German federation until 2020.
Joachim Loew
Despite being one of the favourites for the job with the bookies, Loew’s chances are harmed by the fact he will lead Germany at the World Cup this summer.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis conceded the club are likely to favour a quick appointment with an early end to the transfer window in August leaving just three weeks between the World Cup final in Moscow on July 15 and the closing of the window for Premier League clubs on August 9.
Carlo Ancelotti (unattached)
Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti has more experience of managing top European clubs than all the other pretenders put together and is believed to be keen on a return to London after a two-year spell as Chelsea boss between 2009 and 2011.
The Italian has three Champions League titles to his name as a coach and has won the league in Italy, France, Germany and England.
However, he was sacked by Bayern Munich in September and after Wenger Arsenal could be tempted to look for a younger coach than the 58-year-old.
Luis Enrique (unattached) Luis Enrique enjoyed a successful spell as Barcelona coach
Luis Enrique
A treble winner in his first season in charge of Barcelona in 2014-15, Enrique has enjoyed a season off after three gruelling campaigns at the Camp Nou.
Those three seasons delivered two league titles and three Copa del Rey wins on top of the Champions League in 2015.
Enrique is also interested in a move to the Premier League and would fit Gazidis’s claim that Arsenal want a successor to follow Wenger’s attacking style of play.
Trump excited as North Korea suspends nuclear, missile tests
U.S. President Donald Trump has shown excitement at the decision of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to suspend all nuclear and missile tests.
Trump tweeted shortly after the announcement from Pyongyang that Kim has declared that he would suspend nuclear and missile tests starting from Saturday and that he would shut down the site where the previous six nuclear tests were conducted.
Trump tweeted: “North Korea has agreed to suspend all Nuclear Tests and close up a major test site.
“This is very good news for North Korea and the World – big progress! Look forward to our Summit”. North Korea’s KCNA reported that Kim said the regime no longer needs nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile tests.
“Under the proven condition of complete nuclear weapons, we no longer need any nuclear tests, mid-range and intercontinental ballistic rocket tests, and that the nuclear test site in northern area has also completed its mission,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
The surprising announcement came just six days before Kim is set to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in, preparatory to a historic summit between Kim and Trump. Trump is set to meet Kim at the end of May or beginning of June, however, a location has not yet been set.
Next Friday, Kim will cross the Military Demarcation Line that has divided the peninsula since the end of the Korean War in 1953, becoming the first North Korean leader to do so since then.
He would step into “Peace House” on the southern side of the line to meet Moon, with their encounter being broadcast live.
Moon signaled this week that everything was on the table at the meeting.
“North Korea is expressing its intention for complete denuclearisation and it is not making demands that the U.S. cannot accept, such as the withdrawal of the U.S. forces in Korea,” Moon said on Thursday.
The U.S. military has 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea, with back-ups in Japan and on Guam – the legacy of the standoff that has ensued since the Korean War ended in an armistice in 1953. (NAN)
FG blames past govts for the state of the nation: Nigerians react
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The APC Constituted Federal Government, I think, is an accidental government. The reason is very simple: No prepared political party would contest for federal government leadership, without having the blue prints of what the government which they came to unseat are lacking and how to fix it.
Also, the federal government with their blame games doesn’t really understand the Nigerian structures and how it works, because if they do, they could have created another leadership formation since the one they came in with isn’t working. Perhaps, the age factor of the key players in this government is affecting them negatively by obstructing their mind and convincing them that all is well, even when nothing is well at all
But the President promised to change things for good —Azeez Oyeniyi Okuku, Lecturer
Successive administrations were responsible for the state of things before Buhari was given the mandate, but he promised to change things for good.
The whole essence of government is welfarism and Buhari’s administration has not made good his fantastic promises.The current administration is responsible for its flaws and I don’t think a second term can redeem it because Nigerians want real change.
It shows its level of irresponsibility —Oves Omoeni Ovesuor, Pharmasist
That is laughable. It simply reveals its level of irresponsibility. A responsible government will take responsibility for its policies, while an irresponsible government will always blame it on its predecessors (and that’s what this government is known for).
Almost no reasonable and sane Nigerian has any atom of confidence left in this government, not even those who voted them, and that’s because it has served Nigerians with blame games instead of results.
Only sycophants still sing praises of this government – the chief among whom is Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and one of my classmates and colleagues whose brain I’m sure, has been hacked.
This administration has no blueprint to govern —Funmilayo Adeniyi,Accountant
To start with, it appears that the current administration has no blueprint to govern. Nigerians knew that the past administration was not too good so they voted for Buhari in order to have a change and a better government not for this administration to remind us of how bad the past one was.
An administration can fail for 3years but the leader of such administration should take the blame and learn from his failure to make a better government and not blame his predecessor.
This government has failed woefully —Moses Ighodaro, Radio Presenter
I personally think this government has failed in 90% of its promises to Nigerians and instead of them to take the blame and shame they are looking for excuses by blaming the past government.
For me, this administration has performed way below average and it is so surprising that Buhari still wants to contest. My candid advice is that APC should get another candidate to contest and let Buhari go and rest.
The past government is to blame —Daisy, Entrepreneur
I think the past government is to be blamed because things were not managed properly and one can’t just wake up in a day and fix Nigeria like that. Too many underlying problems built up to cause whatever we are experiencing now.
It’s only an excuse for non-performance —Abiodun O, Engineer
I think the current government should sit up and proffer solutions to the challenges facing us as a nation. Less emphasis should be placed on the previous governments. The blame game should stop, blaming previous governments is only an excuse for non-performance.
The resources employed in the blame game should be channeled to improving the lots of Nigerians. It may be difficult to ascertain if a second term can redeem the current administration. The government of the day has spent three of its four years, with nothing to show for it.
There is absolutely no indication that another four years would be different. Maybe for the benefit of doubt, we may want to consider them for another four years.
Trading blames won’t take us anywhere —Ekwueme Chibuzor
It is said in the Holy Book that the more we blame the past, the less progress we make in future. We can’t change the past but we can succeed in the future.
Trading blames won’t take us anywhere. The government can’t fix Nigeria. Prayers alone can’t fix Nigeria.
Ankara is one of the favourite clothing materials for millions of Nigerians and can be said to be one fashion trend that will never go out of style. It is known all over the world for its irresistible bubbly colours and vibrant designs. However, bad Ankara fabric can spoil your whole look, so Jumia Nigeria gives you the most effective ways to spot good Ankara material:
Cotton: These days you can see the beautiful Ankara prints on all kinds of fabrics. Ankara clothes made of silk, jersey, satin, denim, and other materials are not at all rare. However, while these alternative fabrics can look great, the only way to get genuine Ankara is to look for 100% cotton.
Resistance: Ankara fabric with a high quality paint job displays excellent resistance. Unlike low quality materials, good Ankara won’t be scratched or damaged from accidental abrasive movements. You can test it by lightly scratching the fabric with your nail or a coin to see whether there’s a mark.
Water: While patterned Ankara seems like a very dense fabric, it’s actually pure cotton, which is why it needs to display the qualities of cotton – namely, being able to instantly absorb water and dry equally fast. Submerge your Ankara fabric into water to check its quality! Plain weave: Ankara material is famously durable, and the main reason for its durability is the plain weave. Plain weave is believed to be one of the toughest fabric types in the world. If you want your new Ankara outfit to last you for years, look for a plain weave as a sign of quality.
Strength: Thanks to the use of plain weave and the nature of cotton thread. Ankara fabric is famously very strong. It’s widely used not only in sewing clothes, but also in creating accessories like handbags and shoes - thanks to its ability to withstand extensive wear without tearing.
Soft touch: Despite all of its strength and resilience, Ankara material is one of the softest ones to touch. Perhaps, the easiest way to tell if you’re looking at high quality Ankara fabric is to simply touch it. You can do this test in just a few seconds! Give the Ankara fabric you plan to buy a pat. If the material is smooth and soft, can be easily crumpled and quickly restores its shape, it means that the Ankara you’re holding in your hands is top quality material and will be great to work with and wear!
