PDP abuses APC, says Buhari-led government lacks direction

Peoples Democratic Party in a statement has claimed it it has thoroughly reviewed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress administration and come to the conclusion that it has failed in every sector.

The PDP said that it noted that available data, both locally and internationally, confirmed that the Buhari administration had failed woefully in all its promises and claims, particularly on the fight against corruption, economy, security, democracy and national unity.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement in Abuja on Sunday said the PDP observed that the Buhari administration’s claimed fight against corruption had also been exposed to be what he described as a big lie.

An expert on what he said is; “the Buhari administration is practically a felonious empire of corrupt individuals, certificate forgers, contract inflators, looters of treasuries and well-known liars, making it, ‘head to toe’, the biggest assemblage of plunderers in the history of our nation.”

“We ask if Mr President is indeed a man of integrity as his handlers want the world to believe. Why is he comfortable employing, embracing, surrounding himself with and offering protection to corrupt persons, certificate forgers and liars as ministers, advisers and political associates?'

The problem now is whether the PDP is not just witch-hunting to get into power and do worse.

Please let's vote as enlightened Citizens of Nigeria, let's not be bamboozled into thinking this hungry politicians actually care for the masses, most of them are just power hungry and will do anything to hold the reigns of power again. PVC is key. Well, that's if the election won't be rigged again in the favor of some. 

UN says Nigerian government paid a huge ransom for the kidnapped Dapchi girls

The Nigerian government has claimed the kidnapped Dapchi girls were released through a back window but the United Nations has challenged this claim and said Nigeria paid a huge ransom.

“The girls were released around 3:00 am through back-channel efforts and with the help of some friends of the country,” said Nigeria’s Information minister Lai Mohammed in March.

President Muhammadu Buhari told the former American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Abuja that his government was going to explore negotiation instead of a military option to secure the release, this prompted questions and suspicion as to the nature of this kidnap.

In a 23-25 page document, The United Nations insisted the government paid a ransom.

“In Nigeria, 111 schoolgirls from the town of Dapchi were kidnapped on 18 February 2018 and released by ISWAP on 21 March 2018 in exchange for a large ransom payment,” the UN said on Page 13 of the 25-page document.

Chaos as Palestinians and Israelis exchange rockets and airstrikes

Since the opening of American Embassy in Jerusalem and the declaration of Jerusalem as the state capital of Israel, there has been several protest, bombings and chaos. 

The Palestinian militants in Gaza fired more than 180 rockets and mortars into southern Israel and the Israeli military fired about 150 airstrikes as weeks of on-off violence came to a head, frustrating any hope of unity. 

Three Palestinians were killed, including a pregnant woman, a toddler and a Hamas fighter. Several Israelis were wounded, along with a 30-year-old Thai woman living in Israel.

The Israeli army said it had targeted “strategic military sites” including Hamas weapons manufacturing and training locations.

Asked about the incident, an Israel Defence Forces spokesman, Lt Col Jonathan Conricus, said: “Hamas operatives, terrorists, were in a known Hamas position and fired weapons in a general direction towards the fence.

“I won’t go into further details on whether we understand it was an exercise or it wasn’t. But I can say that our mission is to defend Israeli civilians and of course if our soldiers are fired upon, we respond.”

Please, Pray for Peace in Jerusalem and its surroundings. 

British Government declared unwavering support for Nigeria's 2019 election following DSS invasion of NASS complex

The British Government in a statement made available to reporters in Nigeria has declared its unflinching support for Nigeria's 2019 election which is expected to be free and fair.

It that it is closely monitoring political developments in Nigeria following reports of blockade of National Assembly entrance by officials of the Department of State Service (DSS).

The UK Government, stated that it was aware of media reports of “the situation at the National Assembly this morning.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria. 

“The United Kingdom supports a process whereby the people of Nigeria can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be voted for.”

It declared its “unwavering support for a free, fair, credible and peaceful process and the independence of institutions, which allow for that”.

Ongoing meeting between NASS leadership and INEC delegates

The President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki has informed the electorate that the leadership of the National Assembly is currently meeting with a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have started a meeting with the National Chairman of the INEC,” Saraki said.

“We stand committed to doing our utmost as lawmakers to ensure that the responsibility and functionality of governance are met. Although we are on annual break, we are daily reviewing the situation and are alive to the responsibility to take action as necessary,” he said.

Presidency did not order DSS interference with NASS

In a statement made available to news men, the Acting President of the nation Nigeria has denied permitting armed masked men to block the NASS complex. The statement reads; 

“Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described the unauthorised takeover of the National Assembly complex earlier today as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.

“According to him, the unlawful act, which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency, is condemnable and completely unacceptable.

“By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.”

Acting President sacks DSS Boss Lawal Daura

The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo gave directives for the sack of the Director-General of the Department of State Service, Lawal Daura.

Following the invasion of NASS by suspected masked DSS staff.

Meanwhile, President Buhari who claims to be on sick leave was watching the whole drama from his London home.

NEW BLOGGER OUTLOOK

I did a blogger theme design, although its not as exquisite as I'd love but I want you to view it and let me know your impression. 

I like our blog simple though, its easier to make posts that way and make designs.

Please leave a comment in the comment box. This would be appreciated.

Have a great weekend.

NYSC has finally started paying alawee.

As a serving corps member and especially someone that relies on the N19,800 paid to him/her by the Federal government, this past few days would have been hellish because the Federal Government didn't pay the money due to the "Federal Allocation" palava.

But glory to God, the NYSC has started paying Allowances to serving Corps members.

At about 12.46 am this morning, I got the alert and that was the best news so far.

So, for those that haven't received their allowances, chill, yours is coming soon.

Your Favorite Blogger

Buhari withholds assent, returns four bills to National Assembly

Following the issues that arose from the budget, the Presidency has decided to withhold assent to four bills to the National Assembly. 

The Speaker at the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, read the letter in which the President's decision is to members of the House at the start of the day’s proceedings. 

The bills are the “Corporate Manslaughter Bill, 2018”; “Agricultural Credit Scheme Bill, 2018”; “National Child Protection Bill, 2018”; and “Court and Tribunal Standard Scale Fines Bill, 2018.” 

Britain Brexit gets new Minister

Prime Minister Theresa May has been appointed as the new Brexit Secretary after the resignation of his predecessor earlier today. Dominic Raab, 44-year-old and an eurosceptic junior minister for housing.

Dominic Raab, the new Brexit secretary, has a black belt in karate.

A statement released from Theresa May's office says, “The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Dominic Raab MP as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union,”.

Britain’s Brexit minister David Davis steps down

David Davis has resigned as Brexit secretary, after the cabinet approved a plan to retain strong alignment with the European Union even after leaving the bloc.

This would distort the hard-won consensus around Theresa May’s Chequers deal and may further  plunge her government into crisis. 

His resignation was swiftly followed by that of fellow Department for Exiting the EU minister Steve Baker

Davis was appointed two years ago to head up the newly-created Department for Exiting the European Union after Britain voted to leave the European Union in a historic referendum.

The resignation comes just hours before May was due in parliament to explain her plan for Britain to adopt EU rules on goods after Brexit, amid anger from MPs in her own party who want a cleaner break.

NDIC assists Uganda Deposit Protection Fund

Information gotten from the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation says that it is providing the Uganda Deposit Protection Fund assistance in developing its capacity to implement the Deposit Insurance System.

The NDIC, in a statement signed by its Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Mohammed Ibrahim, said it recently hosted a five-member delegation from the DPFU, who arrived in the country to understudy the activities of the corporation.

Nigerian 2018 budget; National Assembly reduces budget drastically

There has been several reports on how the the National Assembly reduced allocations to 4,700 projects of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to the tune of N347.55bn.

Several parastatals of the Government have been affacted by this new move and the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari signed the budget last week although with complaints about the new development. The National Assembly budget was increased, also the Senate President according to reports was absent at the signing of the budget.

One may want to doubt and question the credibility of some of the moves of our leaders because the 2019 elections are near and every one is deploying his/her own tactics of winning.

Alibaba not selling cloned PVC - Ruth Abidoye

A news went viral this morning stating that Alibaba.com was selling cloned PVC, this was an attempt to create a propaganda to defame the ruling party APC, but having checked from the website and confirmed from reliable sources, this news is not true.

In Nigeria, we have a habit of sharing wrong information without even dignifying ourselves by verifying. This is not good.

2019 elections are coming and there would be a lot of false alarming propagandizing news flying around so please let's be wise enough to verify every news and claims before acting on it.

Your Favorite Blogger 

Eurozone factory output hits 18-month low amid tariff fears

Eurozone, the monetary union of the European Union has suffered a slowdown in growth to an 18-month low in June amid increasing concern over import tariffs, as the EU and US edge closer towards a full-scale trade war with potentially damaging consequences for the world economy.

Growth in factory output across the 19-nation bloc dropped to the lowest levels seen since November 2016, according to a monthly survey, with weaker activity and slower growth in new orders particularly felt in Germany, France and Greece.

Source: Guardian

British PM, Theresa May to float third Brexit customs model at Chequers meeting

In Preparation for the Brexit Chequers Meeting scheduled to hold on Friday, Theresa May, the British Prime Minister intends to showcase a customs model produced by downing Street, it is a third possible model for the UK’s post-Brexit customs arrangements, which will be among issues discussed by the cabinet at a crunch meeting. 

Presently, there is no detail about the possible customs plan, but the Guardian gathered that it is distinct from the two options presented so far – the maximum facilitation option, and the customs partnership.

My Confession

I have a confession to make...

Basically, I love blogging, not for monetary benefits but because I am a talkative and like to be informed and inform people and since I can't start vlogging for now, I would rather write, share news, talk about politics, talk about relationship and other stuff.

But for a while now, I haven't been consistent in this and although I have decided to fan this passion aflame by keeping up with blogging daily, its taking a lot of effort to do this.

But the last post I made, in less than 15 minutes a lot of people have read it and it kind of motivates me to know that people somewhere, somehow actually read my post.

Now, I don't have excuse of being in school or writing final year project or preparing for a wedding and I believe whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well so I will ensure that I blog daily henceforth or at least once in two days.

Also, comments would be another motivator so I implore y'all to please make comments.

Your Favorite Blogger

Ruth Abidoye

Russians protest over pension age rise

Following the increase in the pension age announced in Russia on Sunday during the world Cup, Russians staged massive demonstrations in cities across the country. 

The rallies were organised by an unusually broad group of opposition forces, drawing crowds of up to 3,000 in dozens of towns and cities across the country. 

No protests were held in World Cup host cities due to a regulation banning protest in the cities for the duration of the tournament, and also out of a desire not to overshadow it.

Mondays are for teas

Happy Monday Yall

I am a huge fan of a hot cup of tea on a Monday morning, it Kinda keeps me focused and straightened up. I don't know about y'all but I usually feel like the weekend was short and sometimes hectic and I need something to kind of motivate me before work on Monday mornings. So, I take a cup of brewed black tea (any brand) and I am up and bouncing for the day.

Here is a potentially great week but we have to determine what we want to make out of it. Remember, you are your highest motivating factor and no one can motivate you like you'll do so sit up and make up your mind to remain unruffled throughout the week, make the most of the week and make much more money. Make up your mind that no one is ever going to steal your joy and irrespective of what shows up, you will be happy because your joy doesn't come from anything external.

Your favorite Blogger.

Ruth Abidoye.

A rekindled passion

How are yall,

My Passion for blogging came about because I was privileged to work several years ago in a firm that provided me with materials for it.

I am a natural talkative and I always wanted to write and talk and advise people and comfort people so I felt I should do this in this way. By the way its free and easy.

Passion never dies. It may dwindle overtime due to life circumstances but with the right fan, it could become aflame again.

Having said this, I think I am ready to continue again and I sincerely hope I will go on and on and not stop.

US Govt takes actions against Russia

The United States reportedly expel Russian diplomats, joining governments across Europe in punishing the Kremlin for a nerve agent attack on a former Russian spy in Britain that they have blamed on Moscow.

This can be said to be the strongest action that U.S. President Donald Trump had taken against Russia since coming to office.

He has since been criticized by Democrats and members of his own Republican Party for failing to be tough enough on Russia over U.S. allegations of Russian meddling in the U.S. electoral system, including the 2016 presidential campaign.

Wildlife secrets of Nigeria's last wilderness

The world's rarest chimpanzee has been captured on camera in the remote forests of Nigeria.

The Nigeria-Cameroon chimp was seen at various locations within Gashaka Gumti National Park, raising hopes for its future survival. Conservationists also recorded the first sighting in the country of a giant pangolin.

The park is regarded as a national treasure, but its wildlife is under threat from pressures such as poaching.

Venomous snake found in an Australian lunchbox

An Australian woman discovered a highly venomous snake in her child's lunchbox. The juvenile snake was spotted in a lid as the woman packed school lunches in Adelaide, according to reptile handler Rolly Burrell.

Mr Burrell then advised her to close the box and take it outside, after the woman had called him for assistance. He identified the reptile as an eastern brown, one of the world's most venomous snakes.

"Not really what you expect to see when you check if [your] child ate their fruit," Mr Burrell wrote on Facebook. He further said that juvenile snakes had dangerous venom.

"It is very lucky that she spotted the snake... a little kid would not even feel the bite from something so small," he told the BBC.

The snake catcher said he suspected the reptile had headed for the pantry because it was "one of the darkest spots in the house".

The species is found along coastal and inland areas of mainland Australia. It has been responsible for 23 deaths since 2000, a study of coroner's data found last year.

Source: BBC

22 years old woman killed by lion in South Africa

A woman died after being attacked by a lioness at a South African game reserve.

The said attack took place at a lodge in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.

"Reports from the scene allege that a 22-year-old female victim was attacked and mauled by a lioness. Tragically the victim had sustained severe injuries and she died at the scene."

It is unclear whether the young woman was local or a tourist

Two arragned for blocking the convoy of a Governor

Is this a misuse of power or is it lawful for a Governor to arrest cars for blocking his convoy. What do we call this in Nigeria.

Two men, Ahmed Abdullahi, and Nura Musa were arraigned in a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly blocking the convoy of  Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State. Abdullahi, 37, and Musa, 23, both of Asokoro, Abuja, are facing a count of public nuisance.

The prosecutor, Adeniyi Oyeyemi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence "public nuisance" on February 24 at Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.

The defendants reportedly parked their car unlawfully and blocked the road and sat unconcerned until the security of the governor came down to arrest them. The prosecutor said during a search of their vehicle, a bottle of codeine was found.

He said that the offence contravened Section 183 of the Penal Code.

The defendants pleaded not guilty, while the Magistrate, Emenisi Ebiwari, granted them bail in the sum of N500, 000 each and a surety in like sum.

He adjourned the case until March 15 for further hearing.

Source: Punchng

US Evangelist, Billy Graham dies at 99

The Rev. Billy Graham, a North Carolina farmer’s son who preached to millions in stadium events he called crusades, becoming a pastor to presidents and the nation’s best-known Christian evangelist for more than 60 years, died on Wednesday at his home in Montreat, N.C. He was 99.

Raised in the fundamentalist faith of his native North Carolina, Graham dedicated his life to Christ when he was 16 and was ordained a baptist minister in 1939.

He created his own brand of populist evangelism. His “crusades,” as he called them, were soon attracting millions in person and later through television.

Reverend Billy Graham transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history.

His death was confirmed by Jeremy Blume, a spokesman for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Mr. Graham had dealt with a number of illnesses in his last years, including prostate cancer, hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid in the brain) and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

He said in what was termed “Final Crusade” in the summer of 2005 that:

“Deep inside we need something else. And that something else can be brought about by Jesus.

“When I touch the podium, I can feel a new strength and a new power come and it’s a thrilling thing for me to preach the gospel at this age.”

Graham once reportedly said:”We are United,and are ready to march under the banner ofAlmighty God, taking as our slogan that which we have on our coins, ‘In God We Trust”.

Someone wrote on Twitter “Billy Graham was a rebuke to those whosay don’t mix evangelical religion and politics. This brilliant preacher was instrumental to fighting racial segregation: in the 60s he bailed MLK out of jail.”

Monkey swallows 70 million Naira in Nigeria

Senator Adamu was accused of mismanaging N70 million belonging to the Northern Senators.

Shehu Sani said it was alleged that some monkeys swallowed the money. He said the money was swallowed by the monkeys at the senator’s farm.

Sen. Shehu Sani, told newsmen that under Adamu’s leadership, the forum could not account for part of the money inherited from the 7th Assembly.

According to him, it was alleged that the former Chairman of the Forum handed over N70 million to Adamu at the inception of the 8th assembly but part of the money cannot be accounted for.

“There are some things that some of my colleagues cannot say but I’m not used to holding back what is the truth.

“When we resumed as senators, Sen. Ahmed Lawan tendered the sum of N70 million to the 8th Senate.

“That N70 million was monies gathered by northern senators from the 7th senate. So it was handed over to the 8th senators from northern Nigeria under the 8th Senate.

“I think this country is becoming a huge joke. First of all it was the rodent that drove away the President and we now have snakes consuming about N36 million, and you now you have monkeys,” Sani said.

Donald Trump ranked worst US President

President Donald Trump has been ranked as the worst U.S. President in history in a Presidents’ Day poll of political scientists that ranked all 44 of the people who have served as U.S. president.

Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Teddy Roosevelt respectively took the top four spots in the Boise State University “Presidential Greatness Survey.”

While Trump is the 45th President, one of his predecessors, Grover Cleveland, was elected two separate times, making him the 22nd and 24th President, who ranked as 24th on the survey.

The experts were asked to rank each president on a scale from zero – worst – to 100 – best – based on their overall performance in office.

Their rankings showed that Trump came in last place with an average score of 12.34.

Source: Daily Trust.

Nigeria gets new petroleum investors.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday, said the Federal Government will announce the private investors in the refineries in the coming March.

He said this at a the ongoing Nigerian International Petroleum Summit (NIPS), Kachikwu said the government was also considering a policy that would compel multinational oil and gas firms operating in the company to build refineries in Nigeria.

He said

“We would get to a point where Nigeria, definitely, would be a major supplier of refined petroleum products. It just has to happen. Nothing else makes sense,” the minister said.

“We are also saying directly to oil companies that a time would also come when we would not be open to see them move around all the crude oil they produce in Nigeria.

“We will like to see integrated refining and integrated processing here. It gives us more jobs and creates more investment,” 

“Oil has got to provide the resources to power this country; jobs for our people; and the operational environment that is transparent enough for others to take Nigeria serious. 

 “My target over the next 10 years is for Nigeria to become self-sufficient in its own power provision, gravitate from crude oil as it where, to very refined, clean provision of fossils.

“Nigerian entities and Nigerian shareholders would begin to move from the minuscule 10 per cent today to between 40 and 50 per cent of local investments.”

The minister said since the launch of the 7Big wins two years ago, the administration had been able to change the funding capacity for the upstream that had energised investors in the upstream sector.

 “Now we are beginning to see projects like Egina, $15bn; Zabazaba, potential $10bn; Bonga, potential $10bn, and the likes and so many other investments put at over $40bn potential investments over the next five years, if we do the right thing,” he asid.

US assault rifles for Syria hijacked by jihadist group

Weapons originally supplied by the US and intended for moderate allies in Syria have been hijacked by jihadist online forum in the country's northern al Qaeda heartland. In a snapshot of the disastrous outcomes and thwarted ambitions of the West's six-year effort in Syria, an M16 assault rifle -- whose serial number suggests it was originally supplied as part of a US-taxpayer-funded effort to defeat extremists in the region -- was offered to CNN by a resident of the city of Idlib over the encrypted messaging app Telegram. 

The vendor claimed the weapon originally belonged to one of the more prominent and costly failures by the US to help Syrian moderate rebels combat ISIS and other extremists. In a Telegram message exchange with CNN posing as a purchaser, the vendor said the weapon came from "Division 30" -- part of an elaborate $41 million dollar effort to train and equip elite rebels to tackle jihadists.

Source: CNN

Oxfam Director admits allegations of prostitutes

For the first time, Oxfam (a charity in England, Europe) has directly admitted the accusations leveled against its former Director, Roland Hauwermeiren who initially denied paying for sex with prostitutes or abusing minors. 

He ran the Oxfam operation in Haiti after an earthquake in 2010 and resigned in 2011.

The charity said it was releasing the 2011 report, which also documents accusations against others of using prostitutes in Oxfam-rented accommodation and of bullying and intimidation, to “be as transparent as possible about the decisions we made … and in recognition of the breach of trust that has been caused”.

Reuters has been unable to contact Hauwermeiren for comment.

Allegations of sexual misconduct against those sent to help victims of the earthquake, which killed tens of thousands, have shaken the aid sector, with Haiti’s president calling for investigations of other groups.

Britain and the European Union are reviewing the funding of Oxfam, one of the world’s biggest disaster relief charities.

The internal report details what the charity did after receiving an email on July 12, 2011, claiming that various members of staff in the Haiti project had breached Oxfam’s code of conduct relating to sexual exploitation, fraud, negligence and nepotism.

The report said the charity investigated the country director and found the “only substantiated allegations” against him were the use of prostitutes at his Oxfam residence.

65 feared dead in Iranian plane crash

59 passengers and 6 crew feared dead in a plane crash in central Iran after the domestic flight came down in bad weather in a mountainous region.

Spokesman  for Iranian carrier,Aseman Airlines told state television that everyone was killed, but the airline then issued a statement saying it could not reach the crash site and could not “accurately and definitely confirm” everyone died.

The airline had also initially said 60 passengers and six crew were on board the twin-engined turboprop ATR 72 that was flying to the southwestern city of Yasuj.

The airline later said there were a total of 65 people on board, as one passenger had missed the flight.

Professor Wole Soyinka writes off the newly formed Coalition movement

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka dismissed the Coalition Nigeria Movement claiming that he would need to have his head examined should he identify with the Obasanjo-inspired group.

He said this in an interview with the BBC Yoruba.

Soyinka said: “Me? Obasanjo would establish a group and I will become a member of such group? That means they should get a psychiatrist to examine me.” 

“When these soldiers begin to speak, we are supposed to get suspicious and ask what exactly do they have in mind? It is possible that what they have in mind is different from what we have in mind.” 

“You can look at it from two perspectives – the messenger and the message. The message should be examined closely. We should not look at the misdeeds of the messenger alone. Let’s start by asking, is he saying the truth or telling lies, or is he being tricky? 

“If he is saying the truth and talking about things that are beneficial to the masses, we would allow that be. After that, we would now look at the person speaking; what is in his mind? …  even if it’s a little child who is speaking, as far as that child is saying the truth, we won’t ask the child to keep quiet. We won’t ask the child, what do you know? We would listen. It is the same situation with those who have presided over the affairs of this nation without making significant progress. 

“We have seen their weaknesses, we have seen their nakedness in public, if they now want to be covered by saying that they have turned a new leaf, we would examine that, too. What I am saying in essence is that what they have said should also be examined.”

He urged the youth to come together and present a candidate to represent them, adding that the older generation would support them.

“We have a lot of them. It is the turn of the younger ones. If they come together, as we speak, if they can start now and bring out one individual among them, we will work with him,” Soyinka said.

Buhari arrives Yola for a conference.

President Muhammad Buhari reportedly arrives Yola to declare the State Anti-Corruption Summit open. 

This was made known on Twitter, by the President’s media aide, Bashir Ahmad.

The conference theme is “Performance-Based Governance: Transparency, Accountability, and Social Value’’.

Buhari ready to invest in oil and gas

On Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari said Nigeria is open to investments and ready to provide leadership for Africa in oil and gas.

Nigeria launched its first ever Nigeria International Petroleum Summit  (NIPS).

The president while declaring the five days conference open said as an excerpt that;

“NIPS is designed after the OTC in Houston to deepen, enrich and provide leadership for Africa and make it one of the most important annual oil and gas events globally.

“It is aimed at engendering potentially-economic benefits, generate employment and expand businesses in Nigeria and Africa.

“This summit will afford Nigeria a unique opportunity to showcase to the international community policy direction and efforts of government in the petroleum sector.

“This is especially in the new oil and gas exploration and markets, new measures to sanitise the sector, the expansion of investment opportunities to boost investors’ confidence, technological advancement and Nigeria’s content development.

“Nigeria is open to private investment in the downstream sector and pursuing vigorously a programme for the rehabilitation of existing refineries so as to enhance capacity to supply locally-refined petroleum products in Nigeria and West Africa.”

“We will continue to strive to achieve our target of seven per cent GDP growth rate within the next three years and be rest assured that previous efforts will be sustained.

“Our effort in stakeholder engagement and stabilising the Niger Delta will continue to receive due attention to ensure sustainable level of production, Buhari added. On ease of doing business, the President said he would continue to ensure that efforts in the petroleum sector and issues related to transparency, efficiency, enabling business environment and deploying new policies and regulations were enforced “so that investors will always feel at ease.

“Corruption in this industry must not be allowed in any form. On our part, we will not stop the fight until a new image is created where transparency will be the watchword in all our transactions.

“Our emphasis on gas investment is for cleaner economy that is gas-based in alignment with the Paris climate change agreement.

“The agenda for this summit portrays opportunities for all, hence we should do more than just talk about it, we should also act on the resolutions from here.”

Gov. Ortum raises alarm over threat to his life

On Monday, Governor Ortom of Benue State said there had been threats to his life over the recent anti-grazing law that his state passed into law.

We pray that he is protected in Jesus name.

Here is what he said to newsmen in Makurdi:

“There are threats to my life because of the grazing law we enacted in the state to ensure peaceful coexistence between our local farmers and herdsmen. “It is on record. I have also reported the matter to the security agencies that some persons were planning to attack me.

“But I keep saying that life belongs to God. It is only God that gives and takes away life, so my life is not in the hands of any person who is not happy with the Open Grazing Prohibition Law, 2017.

“If they are not happy, that is not my problem. They cannot take away my life because life belongs to God and not man no matter his position.

“Whether these threats are real or not, they are threats and I have reported it to the Police, and the security agencies are doing the needful. I believe that those behind the threats will be apprehended and brought to book.

“I must keep saying that the grazing law we enacted in Benue State, came from the people to stem the killings in our rural communities and it was not targeted at any group, persons or individuals, neither was it intended to chase anyone out of the state.”

Jacob Zuma resigns at 75

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa resigns this morning after being threatened to face a vote of no confidence.

ANC which is the governing party told him to resign or face a vote of no confidence in parliament.

The 75 years old President who has been in power since 2009 had been under pressure to give way to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC’s new leader.

He was allegedly involved in high levels of corrupt practices.

His resignation came at the end of a long speech in which he said he disagreed with the way the ANC had acted towards him.

He added that “I have served the people of South Africa to the best of my ability.”

Meanwhile, the governing African National Congress said it would elect Zuma successor’s on Thursday (today).

“We will possibly elect a new president on Thursday … if not Friday,” ANC treasurer general Paul Mashatile told journalists.

“We want certainty. We would like the incoming president to hold the postponed State of the Nation address without delay.”

The ANC caucus in parliament decided to move the vote forward after it formally asked Zuma to resign on Tuesday.

Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba said that Zuma would speak “at 0800 GMT and satellite trucks were in position at Pretoria’s Union Buildings, the seat of the country’s government.”

But Zuma’s office said there was no “official communication” of any impending address but urged the media to wait.

Source: Punchng.

The Speaking Speaker.

How are y'all today??

Basically, I have missed y'all so badly.

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Ermmmmm, I have gist tho.

I am just about to commence a new path in my career which is speaking. I was invited to speak to young ones at a High School in Lagos.

I wasn't sure I wanted to do that but I was convinced in my Spirit that that's the beginning of something really beautiful in my career.

Am a talkative basically, I actually think I do better with speaking than writing sef. 

But I promise this wouldn't stop me from blogging and constantly relating with y'all

I would like to know your thoughts and know if you wish me well.

President Buhari loses two family members.

Earlier today,  it was announced that President Muhammadu Buhari’s was bereaved of two of his extended family  members in quick succession.

In a statement made available to Journalists the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said;

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s extended family has been struck by the loss of two senior members who died within a few hours of one another,”

Source: Punch.

Buhari reinstates NHIS Boss despite alleged fraud of 919m. Nigerians reacts.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has reinstated the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Prof. Usman Yusuf, who was suspended by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole over an alleged misappropriation of 919m.

Prof Usman Yusuf is still under probe yet President Muhammad Buhari has reinstated him. This is the same man that is fighting corruption and belongs to everybody and nobody.

Nigerians obviously displeased with the reinstatement have taken to Twitter to express their anger over the situation yet nothing has changed. From all indications, we see a high undertone of nepotism and corruption being practised in Buhari's Administration.

Secret of success 101.

So I saw this app on Google Play Store titled 200 secret of success and I thought my wonderful readers might want to also see it.

Kindly read it and send in your thoughts.

1. Sleep less. This is one of the best investments you can make to make your life more productive and rewarding. Most people do not need more than 6 hours to maintain an excellent state of health. Try getting up one hour earlier for 21 days and it will develop into a powerful habit. Remember, it is the quality not the quantity of sleep that is important. And just imagine having an extra 30 hours a month to spend on the things that are important to you. 

2. Set aside one hour every morning for personal development matters. Meditate, visualize your day, read inspirational texts to set the tone of your day, listen to motivational tapes or read great literature. Take this quiet period to vitalize and energize your spirit for the productive day ahead. Watch the sun rise once a week or be with nature. Starting the day off well is a powerful strategy for self-renewal and personal effectiveness. 

3. Do not allow those things that matter the most in your life be at the mercy of activities that matter the least. Every day, take the time to ask yourself the question "is this the best use of my time and energy?" Time management is life management so guard your time with great care. 

4. Use the rubber band method to condition your mind to focus solely on the most positive elements in your life. Place a rubber band around your wrist. Each time a negative, energy sapping thought enters your mind, snap the rubber band. Through the power of conditioning, your mind will associate pain with negative thinking and you will soon possess a strongly positive mindset. 

5. Always answer the phone with enthusiasm in your voice and show your appreciation for the caller. Good phone manners are essential. To convey authority on the line, stand up. This will instill further confidence in your voice. 

6. Throughout the day we all get inspiration and excellent ideas. Keep a set of cards (the size of business cards; available at most stationary stores) in your wallet along with a pencil to jot down these insights. When you get home, put the ideas in a central place such as a coil notepad and review them from time to time. As noted by Oliver Wendell Holmes: "Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." 

7. Set aside every Sunday evening for yourself and be strongly disciplined with this habit. Use this period to plan your week, visualize your encounters and what you want to achieve, to read new materials and inspirational books, to listen to soft soothing music and to simply relax. This habit will serve as your anchor to keep you focused, motivated and effective throughout the coming week. 

8. Always remember the key principle that the quality of your life is the quality of your communication. This means the way you communicate with others and, more importantly, the way you communicate with yourself. What you focus on is what you get. If you look for the positive this is what you get. This is a fundamental law of Nature. 

9. Stay on purpose, not on outcome. In other words, do the task because it is what you love to do or because it will help someone or is a valuable exercise. Don't do it for the money or the recognition. Those will come naturally. This is the way of the world. 

10. Laugh for five minutes in the mirror each morning. Steve Martin does. Laughter activates many beneficial chemicals within the body that place us into a very joyous state. Laughter also returns the body to a state of balance. Laughter therapy has been regularly used to heal persons with varied ailments and is a wonderful tonic for life's ills. While the average 4 year old laughs 500 times a day, the average adult is lucky to laugh 15 times a day. Revitalize the habit of laughter, it will put far more living into your life. 

Say no to domestic violence and abuse

I got a whatsapp message from my friend and it reads.

Ruth am really angry I can't help it violent men should be killed gosh. Can you imagine, i called a colleague of mine this morning as per its been a while and she was telling me her husband beat her up for 4hours 12am till 4am in the morning and to make it worse he used pestle to pound her just imagine what kind of han being is that.

Imagine and I posted in my status that men like that should just die by hanging and guys have not allowed me rest since morning saying that's harsh but my question is is domestic violence not harsh? Are you not being harsh to the woman you are violating.

Now, I said this is totally dehumanizing and traumatizing at the same time. The victims of domestic violence most times keep it secret and smile because they want to portray their relationships as perfect and as we know this treatment sometimes leads to death, a Lady that was beaten for 4 hours could have died and the husband would have simply moved on.

Please it's not worth it, no one is saying you don't love your husband. If you are a victim of domestic violence or you know someone who is a victim of it, I advise that you leave the place immediately and report to the appropriate authority. This one is not that God will change him o, God will sure change him but what of the damage done to you. You can even lose your womb or vital part of your body in the process.

Also, the activists groups should keep on creating awareness about it.

Yes, we women can nag and sometimes be annoying but there is no reason whatsoever for you to physically assault your wife. Men should understand that women are weaker vessels, please. If you get very angry walk away and cool off.

Enough of this annoying and dehumanizing act. Also, there should be serious penalty for perpetrators of this crime because it is indeed a crime.

Human Right activists should not just wait till people come to report such cases because some women have so gotten used to this that they won't talk or because they don't want to lose out. Pay attention to any sign showing a woman being abused and deal with such issues accordingly

International Day of Zero Tolerance To Female Genital Mutilation

Say no to female genital mutilation.

What is female genital mutilation? This is a kind of circumcision done on a woman child's clitoris and there are several reasons given for this.

Read a post from the United Nations on the topic of discourse.

FEBRUARY 6 – International day of zero tolerance to FGM by THE UN

February 6th is recognised by the United Nations (UN) as an international awareness day – International day for zero tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation.

This brings one to the important question of what Female Genital Mutilation is and what the issue about it is that will make the UN set out an international day of awareness for the total eradication of such practice.

FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM)

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for non-medical reasons. FGM practice is a violation of the rights of the girl-child according to the UN. The elimination of the practice by 2030 is one the key target areas (under goal 5 of the Sustainable Development goals) of the UN.

Stat/Facts:

1. Over 150 million females alive have had FGM of some sort practised on them in over 40 countries worldwide; this cuts across Africa, Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe, South America, etc. though it is primary concentrated in over 20 African countries.

2. The practice is done on females of age 0 – 15 years

3. It offers no health benefit to the female

4. It is a cultural practice as most religions do not promote this practice

5. It causes long term issues to the affected females; Urinary Tract Infection, reproductive tract infection, Vaginal infections, menstrual problems, ease of transmission of diseases such as HIV/AIDS due to crude and unsafe tools, miscarriages, death, etc.

Other names for the practice include cutting, female circumcision, initiation.

From the foregoing, FGM is nothing more than a negative archaic practice which is also prevalent in Nigeria.

The day of awareness which was first introduced in 2003 is set out to bring to the fore this burning issue of FGM and also give individuals the right education about its practice. However, it is noteworthy that in spite of the publicity made towards the eradication of the practice, many individuals are yet to have an idea of this ongoing negative practice, many also shy away from the topic, terming it ‘a women thing’

All hands have to be on deck to ensure that the practice of FGM is totally eradicated as its continuous existence spells a great danger to the females in the society.

Chips on the penis/vagina to know a cheating partner.

I saw this post on a friend's whatsapp status and it turned out to be a post from someone else's facebook and am like is this also part of the end time signs.

First it was the invention and sales of sex toyes and now this. It's disheartening and although some may see this as invention but y'all, I  think we should really watch it.

So this newly invented chip would be transplanted on the penis of the man or the vulva of the woman and the partner can know when one partner is cheating.

Kano State Governor calls on all Fulani Herdsmen to relocate to Kano State.

Oh ye Herdsman!  My State is wide and free for all. Stop killing people and come to my State.

Kano State Governor has called on all the Fulani Herdsmen to stop the killings and relocate to Kano. He said that his Government is in collaboration with the Federal Government to convert a game Reserve into a modern grazing centre. They are also to provide free vaccination and provide care for the Herdsmen and their cattles.

He said:

“Fulani herdsmen of Kano origin do not move out of Kano to other states because we have enough grazing land, ranches and traditional stock route. They don’t have any reason to move out of the state. We take care of them and we accord them the respect and dignity they deserve.

“I am inviting herdsmen from all parts of Nigeria to relocate to Kano because we have enough facilities to accommodate them. We have grazing land in Rogo, Gaya, Kura, Tudun Wada, Ungogo and other places, where facilities have been provided to accommodate the herdsmen and their cattle.”

“Falgore Game Reserve can take care of millions of herdsmen and their cattle in Nigeria. The location has been designed to accommodate schools, human and animal clinics, markets, recreational centres and other social amenities that would provide the herdsmen enough comfort to take care of their animals and transact their business without any hindrance.

“These killings must stop. We cannot afford to continue to witness these senseless killings in the name of Fulani herdsmen and farmers clash over lack of grazing land when we have a place like the Falgore Game Reserve, which is being underutilised.”

Long and boring Saturday

How are y'all.

I am so sorry for not making an official post today.

I had a real long day, queue at the ATM and all made my day very dramatic.

Also, I witnessed a ghastly accident today in Lekki, three cars bashed each other and a guy flew and a car climbed his leg. The funniest part is how that apart from few injuries nothing happened to him. You needed to see screaming at the ATM stand close to shoprite in Jakande Lekki.

I really thank God that nothing bad happened because I can't imagine the mares I would have been having.

Basically I missed y'all.

Let's all get prepared for thanksgiving service tomorrow for those of us Christians and have nice time in God's presence.

Happy New Week Family.

Obasanjo registers as a member of the new Coalition Movement.

In a press statement by elder statesman Chief Olusegun to Buhari 9 days ago, he suggested the need for a Coalition National Movement.

On Wednesday in Abuja, the Coalition Nigeria (CN)  was launched by the former president’s allies, including one-time Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke.

Speaking at the launch, former governor Oyinlola said the “movement was not launched to legitimise OBJ’s legacies.”

Many Nigerians have reacted to this with the feeling that this is a way to form another party to take over from the incumbent one. APC claims that they are not bothered about the coalition movement.

Nigerians have reacted saying that it's the same set of people in PDP that were former leaders that came to form this new coalition Government and we are not sure what they can bring to the table for us.

Just Yesterday again, the Ogun State branch was inaugurated and former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was there.

Present at the Abuja Press Conference were: Former PDP chairman Ahmadu Ali, Alhaji Buba Galadima and Bashorun Segun Runswe, Akin Osuntokun, among many other prominent Nigerians.

Happy New Month Fam.

Happy New Month.

I decree that it is indeed a month of the supernatural for you, total recovery and abundance on every side. You will flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedars in Lebanon.

Benue State Governor reacts to the comment of the Defence Minister about the Fulani Herdsmen killings.

In an interview, the Benue Governor, Governor Ortum was asked what was his reaction to the comments of the Defence Minister that the Anti-Open grazing law was what fueled the killings by the Fulani Herdsmen in Benue State and Taraba. 

Here's what he says; 

We are not distracted, the anti-grazing law was done in the best interest of Benue State and Nigeria. Before the law came in place, Benue State was attacked more than 40 times and we suffered casualties and destructions. 

In 2014 alone, an assessment by the Bureau of Local Governments came out with a figure of N95 billion that was lost in terms of property and assets of Benue people, destroyed due to herdsmen attacks. Thirteen local government areas out of 23 were under siege. 

The herdsmen came and took over the entire land. When we came in 2015, this challenge continued, the killings continued, the burning and destruction, the raping of our wives and children continued. And we tried to broker peace as law- abiding citizens and as people who believe in leadership with the fear of God. We did everything to ensure that we had peace yet the peace we were looking for never came. And as leaders with the responsibility of providing security for lives and property, we prayed and God directed us and we went into research. 

We discovered that globally, cattle ranching remains the best practice in animal husbandry around the world. Argentina and Brazil earn much from beef export but they ranch. America produces cattle more than most countries of the world, they ranch. China and other Asian countries do same; even in Africa, it’s the same practice. Swaziland is one of the smallest countries in Africa that earn much from beef; they also ranch. What we did was the popular wish of the people. 

The law was not smuggled. It was a product of the cry of the people and as a responsible government, we heard their cry and presented a bill before the State House of Assembly that went further to do public hearings across the state to get the input of everyone that was concerned because of the importance of the bill. 

Today, you talk about ranching in some states, grazing reserve in some states and tomorrow you talk about colony. I don’t understand, when globally what is being practised is ranching.

I heard and I saw the Minister of Defence after their security meeting. While briefing the Press, he said it was the law prohibiting open grazing that brought the killings in Benue State. I saw that and I said to myself, it cannot be the Minister of Defence!

Somebody who worked and retired from the army after attaining the rank of a General. This is someone who is a Minister, who is educated and has travelled far and wide round the globe. How could he say that?

‘Honourable Minister of Defence, if you said that kind of a thing, where were you as the Minister of this country when herdsmen were carrying AK-47 and weapons higher than AK-47 and were going about killing my people and you want me to keep quiet? And I begin to wonder. The other day, the Federal Government came out with a pronouncement that it was ISIS, a terrorist group in West Africa that is attacking Benue people and on the other hand, I was told that the Minister said that we should accommodate foreigners.

What a country? Foreigners come in without valid papers and they come to take over your land and you surrender it to them? Minister, I will not do that in Benue State, we will not surrender our land.

You can go and do it in your own state and not in Benue State. These people who are supposed to be assisting Mr. President are there for their selfish interests, misinforming him, misdirecting him instead of guiding him to do the right thing.

Killings are going on in the states and they are talking about law. Is there any grazing law in Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Enugu, Kwara, Zamfara and several other states? Is there any law prohibiting open grazing in those places?

Innocent people, pregnant women were slaughtered and a minister will come out and say this kind of thing; it is unfortunate, really unfortunate.

But I want to send a message, that the God I serve lives. The God I serve is the God of justice for the poor and innocent.

They can do whatever they like today because they have the power but God is our defence. We will continue to be law-abiding.

You talk about hate speech, how can people keep quiet? If everybody keeps quiet, I’m not going to keep quiet. I’m going to say it. What they are doing is wrong. They should stop diverting attention; they should address these issues.

All ethnic groups in the country and even foreigners who have valid papers are free to come to Benue State to do business. But if you stay in Benue State, you must obey the laws of the land, that is the point we are making.

INEC to announce 2019 elections result electronically.

In a bid to avoid electoral malpractice in the 2019 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission has decided to partner with the Nigerian Communications Commission, to declare the elections result electronically. 

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this while visiting the Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said, “We are planning for full deployment (of electronic and manual transmission) this year in governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun. Thereafter we intend to deploy the system in the 2019 general elections.

“INEC has developed the hardware and software. However, we rely on the operators for the transmission of both the figures and scanned images of result sheets. We wish to assure Nigerians that while we transmit the raw figures from polling units, scanned images of the result sheets will also be transmitted electronically in addition to physical copies given to party agents at polling units.”

“Similarly, we would like the NCC to facilitate discussions with operators on ways of enhancing their corporate social responsibility to Nigeria’s electoral process. An immediate area of interest to INEC is how the operators can help in voter education and publicity.

“Towards the 2019 general elections, we would like the operators in collaboration with INEC, to send bulk SMS and possibly voice messages as well on the imperative of peaceful elections, the collection of Permanent Voter Cards by registered voters and directional information on the location of polling units for easy access to voters.”

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC assured the INEC Chairman that his agency would help the electoral body in every way possible to ensure that the 2019 elections are free, fair and credible.

Dabatta said the NCC would try to improve the security of the communications system before the 2019 election so that it would be effective for the dissemination of election results.