US To Restrict Nigerian Students To 2-Year Courses Over National Security

Foreign students including Nigerians could be restricted to admission into US universities for not more than a two-year period, a proposed government policy has shown.

This comes a few months after a failed plan to strip international students of their visas if they are not required to attend some classes in person, during coronavirus lockdown, in July.

The new guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), if approved, mean affected students will be barred from four-year courses in the US.

It was not immediately clear if Nigerian students currently studying in the US would be affected.

In the new measures published in the US federal register and scheduled for announcement on Friday, the DHS proposed a “maximum admission period of up to 2 years for certain students”, including those from Nigeria.

Among the countries targeted in the new policy are those on the US “State sponsor of terrorism list” and students from countries that visitors have overstay rate of more than 10 percent.

The DHS 2019 overstay report puts Nigeria’s in-country overstay rate at 11.12 percent; most African countries are also above the 10 percent maximum rate.

“A key goal of shifting aliens in F status from D/S to an admission for a fixed time period is to provide pre-defined time periods for immigration officers to evaluate whether a nonimmigrant has maintained his or her status,” the DHS said.

“If an immigration officer finds that an alien violated his or her status prior to or during the course of an EOS adjudication and denies the EOS request, the alien generally would begin accruing unlawful presence the day after issuance of the denial.”

It also said that the proposed rule seeks to reduce instances in which F, J, and I nonimmigrants — mostly students and exchange visitors — “unlawfully remain in the United States after their program or practical training ends.”

“Under this proposed rule, aliens who remain in the United States beyond a fixed time period generally would begin accruing unlawful presence,” it said.

Following the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration was in July forced to abandon a plan to strip international students of their visas if they are not required to attend some classes in person.

Armed Security Officers Stop Striking Ojukwu University Lecturers From Meeting

There was drama Thursday at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, COOU, Igbariam, Anambra State yesterday as gun-wielding security men from the institution’s anti-cultism outfit chased away lecturers of the institution, preventing them from holding a scheduled meeting.

The lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) recently dissociated themselves from the planned reopening of the institution by its management, a development that irked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Greg Nwakoby.

ASUU in the institution, led by Prof Alphonsus Aniebo and the zonal coordinator of the group, in Owerri Zone, Dr Uzo Onyebinama had made to commence a meeting at the congress hall of the university, when gun-wielding security men from the institution’s anti-cult outfit stopped them, asking all members of the group to leave.

The group left the hall and converged under a mango tree in the institution, but were also stopped from meeting but they insisted.

The immediate past coordinator of ASUU, Owerri zone, Prof Ike Odumegwu who spoke to journalists said, “the security men said they were instructed by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Greg Nwakoby not to let the group hold its meeting within the institution.

“We have never been treated this way before. How can the Vice-Chancellor send security men to stop us from meeting? They shut the door against us and asked everyone out of the hall as if we were common criminals.”

Prof Alphonsus Aniebo, chairman of ASUU in the institution said, “I have been queried because of this strike and this is geared towards terminating my appointment in this university

“It is very unfortunate. This union made a lot of sacrifices, we have been key to the struggles here. We will not be intimidated. In this university, there is no budget monitoring fund. TETFUND and NEEDS are products of ASUU struggles, but the VC is bent on killing the university because he has just three years to leave.

“The university wants us to break a national strike, but we have said we will not. We will keep following the national body of ASUU because every achievement he has here has been as a result of ASUU struggle,” he said.

Chairman of the Owerri zone of ASUU, Dr Uzo Onyebinama condemned the action of the Vice-Chancellor, refuting claims that the lecturers had no reason to go on strikes because they are not captured in the controversial IPPIS payment model.

“Let me tell you, our struggle has been on, for a number of reasons before the Federal Government brought in IPPIS. For the vice-chancellor to claim that IPPIS is the sole reason for the strike shows that he is not well informed.”

Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Greg Nwakoby had days back stated that academic activities will continue in the institution. He stated that out of over 600 lecturers in the university, only a few were embarking on the strike.

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Nigeria At 60: Nnamdi Kanu Challenges Professors To Live Debate

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has challenged professors in Nigeria to a live debate as the country sets to mark her independence on October 1.

Kanu, in a statement released through IPOB spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful questioned Nigeria’s age.

He said he needed a genuinely educated and intelligent Nigerian Professor to answer his posers.

Kanu, who has continued to push his Biafra agenda has already asked Ndigbo to sit at home on October 1 and not participate in any anniversary activity.

The IPOB leader threw the following questions: “What was the name of Nigeria before the amalgamation of 1914? If you debate me on this issue and you last more than 2 mins, I will abandon Biafra.

“What was the nationality of our progenitors Frederick Luggard amalgamated in 1914?

“If Nigeria is 60 years old on October 1, 2020 and your father or mother is 61 years, what nationality was she or he before he or she became a one Nigerian in 1960?

“What was Obasanjo’s nationality before independence in 1960?

“If you feel you have an answer to any of the questions above, debate me LIVE on air tomorrow morning 25 September 2020 @ 7AM GMT (Biafraland Time).”

Messi & Ronaldo Missing As UEFA Releases Full List Of Final Three-Man Shortlist For Men’s Player Of The Year

UEFA has finally released the final three-man shortlist for the Men’s Player of the Year award.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) on Wednesday announced their final three-man shortlist for the Men’s Player of the Year award.

They are Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City and Belgium), Robert Lewandowski (Poland and Bayern Munich) and Manuel Neuer (Germany and Bayern Munich).

One of the three will be named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.

The winner will be confirmed during the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League draw ceremony in Nyon on 1 October.

Messi and Ronaldo didn’t make the shortlist as they didn’t garner enough votes.

Other players who made the top ten list include:

4. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 53 votes

5. Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain) 53 votes

6. Thomas Müller (Bayern) 41 votes

7. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) 39 votes

8. Thiago Alcántara (Bayern) 27 votes

9. Joshua Kimmich (Bayern) 26 votes

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) 25 votes

Police React To IPOB Sit-At-Home Order On October 1

The police on Wednesday reacted to a call by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ordering its members to observe a sit-at-home on October 1.

In a report by TheNation, the police dismissed the order calling on Nigerians to go about their normal business activities.

Ebonyi State government urged residents to ignore the order and go about their normal business.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo said it had nothing to do with the call.

IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu said the directive was to protest “bad governance and economic annihilation”.

In a statement by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, Kanu urged the Igbo everywhere to boycott all activities organised to mark the Independence Day.

The statement said: “We, the global movement of IPOB, wish to announce to all Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world that Biafrans across the globe shall observe a sit-at-home in Biafraland in public protests to mark October 1, 2020.

“We, therefore, enjoin all Biafrans and every conscious Nigerian, especially those ethnic nationalities reeling from the triple blow of terrorism, bad governance and economic annihilation, to boycott every government organised ceremony designed to eulogise the failure that Nigeria has become.

“This is the time to let the world know how disastrously intolerable human existence is in Nigeria.

“If you want to see an end to terrorism and organised mediocrity, now is the time to register your anger by ensuring that you and your household sit-at-home on October 1, 2020.

“Do not risk the life and well-being of your children by allowing them to gather in groups in the open where terrorists may find it easier to blow them up or kidnap them.

“This order is to highlight our position and resolve as Biafrans that we are no longer interested in propping up a crumbling state.

“The leadership of this great movement in conjunction with supporters of Biafra freedom across the globe has concluded every arrangement to let the whole world know and understand that we are no longer part of this shambolic monument to terrorism and failure.”

The group said it remained committed to “the full and irreversible restoration of Biafra sovereignty and independence for all oppressed ethnic groups in Nigeria”.

Ebonyi State government urged the people to go about their normal activities on October 1 as IPOB has no legal basis to compel anyone to stay home.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Border Peace, Stanley Emegha, said: “Who is IPOB to tell people to sit at home? That is the height of craziness on their side.

“How can you tell people who have a family to sit at home? To do what? Will you come and put food on their table?

“In the first place, we don’t even know if there is anything like IPOB existing in the state.

“People should disregard the said statement and go about their normal business on that day.”

Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Philip Maku, warned IPOB to steer clear of the state.

He said the proscribed group does not have the right to tell people to sit at home.

“People have the fundamental right to movement. If you try to restrict their right to move about and transact their lawful business activities, you are crossing the red line.

“If anyone tries to force people to sit at home, the Police will not fail to deal decisively with such persons,” he said.

The Anambra State Police Command also urged residents to ignore the call.

The spokesman, Mohammed Haruna, told our correspondent that IPOB remained banned and had no right to make the call.

The Anambra State President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, said the socio-cultural organisation has nothing to do with the directive.

Besides, he said Ohaneze had no control over IPOB.

He said: “They have their Modus Operandi and we have ours. That means, we have no control over them and they also don’t have over us.”

Activist-lawyer Emperor Ogbonna said IPOB lacked the right to compel non-members to stay at home.

He said that the banned group would be infringing on others rights by stopping anyone from exercising their right to movement.

Ogbonna said: “IPOB members and their sympathisers have the right to stay-at-home and to go out.

“IPOB doesn’t have the powers to tell everybody in the Southeast not to go out because not everybody belongs to IPOB.

“They cannot compel non-members to comply with their order. If they do so, they will be infringing on the rights of those who are not members.”

Angry South Africans Hand Over List Of Demands To Nigeria’s SA Ambassador

Groups of protesters have demanded more stringent immigration laws while marching through South Africa’s capital city of Pretoria directing their anger at African immigrants.

Under the banner of #PutSouthAfricansFirst, small groups of people marched from Church Square to the Nigerian Embassy.

They said government has failed to put South Africans first and have called for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants as well as the revoking of grants and other state benefits.

Various organisations including South Africa First and “Only One SA” have handed over a memorandum of demands at the Nigerian Embassy following a march through the Pretoria CBD.

Action for change’s Nandi Gachwari said their demands were clear.

“We demand an end to human trafficking in Pretoria and, broadly, South Africa; the deportation of all illegal immigrants; the exposure of corruption in flawed Home Affairs processes that grant citizenship to undeserving foreign nationals.”

High Commissioner Kabiru Bala said while he accepted the memorandum, it was unfair that only Nigerians should be blamed for South Africa’s social and economic ills.

The organisations vowed to return to the streets if their demands were not met

Return To APC, Ize-iyamu Begs Obaseki

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress in last Saturday Governorship election, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to return to APC.

In a television broadcast on Wednesday night, Ize-Iyamu said, “We are going to talk to everybody. We are going to bring everybody back. I want to salute my brother, the governor. I will like to appeal to him to return to the party. In every family, we have a disagreement.

“Let it not be said that it was this disagreement that pushed him out. I made that mistake before and I have come to realise that it was a grievous error and I will not want him as a senior brother to make the same mistake.

“I will like to appeal to him to set aside his anger and come back. In APC, he is recognised as a leader and it would be difficult for him to be recognised as a leader in the new party he is going to.

“Certainly, we are ready to work with him and all well-meaning Edo people. We believe it is time to bring peace back to Edo State.”

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat Ize-Iyamu, who secured 223,619 votes in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

The governor was disqualified from contesting the APC primary election after he fell out with Adams Oshiomhole over the running of Edo State.

But Obaseki defected to PDP where he ran for the election and won.

IPOB orders sit-at-home on Oct 1, Yoruba group restates self-determination rally

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared a sit-at-home on October 1, 2020, to protest alleged killings and bad governance.

It stated that the exercise would hold in South East, South-South, and parts of the South West where agitation for Oduduwa Republic reverberates, as well as abroad.

Also, a Diaspora group, Yoruba One Voice (YOV) said its proposed self-determination rally entitled: ‘Oodua Republic’ to sensitise the ethnic nationality globally on Independence Day remains intact.

Its Director of Communications, Zacheaus Somorin, confirmed the body’s preparedness via a statement yesterday.

“The rally is to sensitise the world on the need to liberate Yoruba race from the shackles of bondage. We have made our position known to our people in Nigeria. The reason for seeking self-determination as the best means and alternative is to save the nation from impending implosion,” he said.

In a statement yesterday in Enugu by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB enjoined “all Biafrans and every conscious Nigerian, especially those ethnic nationalities reeling from the triple blow of terrorism, bad governance, and economic annihilation, to boycott every government-organised ceremony designed to eulogise the failure that Nigeria has become.”

The spokesman continued: “This is the time to let the world know how disastrously intolerable human existence is in Nigeria today. 

If you want to see an end to terrorism and organised mediocrity, now is the time to register your anger by ensuring that you and your households sit at home on October 1, 2020. Do not risk the life and well being of your children by allowing them to gather in groups in the open where terrorists may find it easier to blow them up or kidnap them.

“There is credible intelligence that terrorist groups are planning to slaughter our children should they venture out to celebrate or march on October 1.

“This order is to highlight our position and resolve as Biafrans that we are no longer interested in propping up a crumbling terrorist state. 

The leadership of this great movement, in conjunction with supporters of Biafra freedom across the globe, IPOB has concluded every arrangement to let the whole world know and understand that we are no longer part of this shambolic monument to terrorism and failure.”

Powerful further stated: “As this long-expired contraption marks her abused independence on October 1 this year, we (IPOB) will appropriately declare our intention towards the full and irreversible restoration of Biafra sovereignty and independence for all oppressed ethnic groups in Nigeria.

“A complete and total lockdown of Biafraland and other terror-ravaged areas of the Middle Belt come of October 1, 2020, is sacrosanct, irreversible, and non-negotiable.”

He stressed: “Wholesale slaughter of innocent Judeo-Christians and state-sponsored ethnic cleansing cannot be going on in our land at the same time as fake jamborees are being organised by the same sponsors in order to deflect our attention away from the imminent danger we are all in.“

We therefore urge that all markets, schools, and businesses in Biafraland and beyond be shut down as a mark of respect to all those who have died as a result of terrorism against innocent civilians, especially Christians, ethnic cleansing in Southern Kaduna and elsewhere across the Middle Belt. 

Everywhere in Biafraland must be under lock for Nigeria and the world to know that we are all united in our march towards total freedom. 

There should be no public events or ceremonies in Biafraland to avoid any needless loss of lives.”

FGN Puts Nine-year-old Presidential Jet On Sale

The Federal Government has put up for sale a jet in the Presidential fleet, Hawker 4000 aircraft with registration number, 5N-FGX/: RC 066.

The business-size jet which entered into service in December 2011, has capacity for nine passengers and three crews.

Findings indicate that only 73 Hawker 4000 aircraft were manufactured by Hawker Beechcraft between 2001 and 2013 and they were sold for $22.91 million each as of 2012.

The FG in a published advert on Wednesday disclosed that the aircraft with a range of 3,190-nautical mile had flown for 1,768 hours.

It said the aircraft could be inspected at the Presidential Air Fleet’s hangar located at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Interested buyers were requested to submit their closed bid to the Chairman, Committee for Sale of Aircraft, Office of the National Security Adviser, care of Special Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

In an advertisement published in some national dailies on Wednesday, prospective buyers were directed to submit a refundable bank draft for $50,000 to the committee with the bid.

It also said that all the bids should be quoted in United States dollars.

The notice read, “Please note that all bids must be submitted within one week of this publication. Background check is required as a pre-qualification for the bid. Prospective bidders who want to inspect the aircraft will be granted access within one week from this advertisement.”

The Presidency had similarly in 2016 put up for sale two presidential aircraft, a Falcon 7X executive jet and Hawker 4000, in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, that aircraft in the Presidential Air Fleet should be reduced to cut down on waste.

The government also said some aircraft in the fleet would be handed over to the Nigeria Air Force for its operations. It could not be confirmed if this had been done.

According to the Presidency, the PAF has 10 aircraft and they include Boeing Business Jet (Boeing 737-800 or AirForce One), one Gulfstream 550, one Gulfstream V (Gulfstream 500), two Falcons 7X, one Hawker Sidley 4000, two AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopters and two AgustaWestland AW 101 helicopters.

Reports said each of the two Falcon 7X jets was purchased in 2010 for $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m.

The Senior Special Assistant, (Media and Publicity) to the President, Garba Shehu, had yet to respond to inquiries on the number of presidential aircraft sold so far, as of the time of filing this report.

Minister, Sadiya Farouq Marries Sadique Abubakar In Private Ceremony

About one year after grabbing the headlines for being President Muhammadu Buhari’s potential bride, Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has tied the nuptial knots with Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in a secret ceremony in Abuja.

The extremely private event, which took place last Friday, was the culmination of a love affair between the two public figures that dates back to more than a year ago, it was confirmed.

However, in an attempt to get at the First Lady, members of the cabal around Buhari approached her parents in a bid to have her marry the President.

But with that episode now firmly behind them, Farouq and Abubakar proceeded to cement their relationship last Friday in the private ceremony.

The minister, who clocks 46 on November 5, has never been married and has no children.

The Chief of Air Staff, who is from Bauchi State, on the other hand, has 10 children from two wives – one of whom he has since divorced.

The two have kept their marriage a secret just the same way their relationship escaped public radar.

Farouq was appointed minister by President Buhari in 2019 while Abubakar, who is among service chiefs Nigerians have asked the Commander-In-Chief to fire for their poor tackling of insecurity in the country, has been in office since July 2015.

SaharaReporters reliably gathered that the marriage was delayed till last Friday after the controversy that followed the rumoured affair between Farouq and Buhari in October 2019 where it was alleged that the President was set to take her for a wife.

Sadique Abubakar and Sadiya Farouq
The news set the entire media space on fire, leaving many disappointed at the end when the purported wedding never became a reality.

Perhaps to fully banish the ghost of that rumour and keep it several radius away from her husband, it was reliably gathered that Farouq and Abubakar’s wedding was facilitated by the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, apparently in a self-saving move.

Although, it was rumoured that she dated and was planning to marry Buhari last year, Farouq, who had been around the President since she was a teenager, has never dated the retired military general.

Source:- Sahara Reporters

BREAKING: Delta govt approves date for primary, secondary schools resumption

The Delta State Government has approved September 28 for the reopening of primary and secondary schools in the state.

The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education,

Mr Patrick Ukah made this known on Wednesday in Asaba.

Ukah said schools would re-open for the conclusion of the 2019/2020 academic session and the commencement of a new academic session, NAN reports.

According to him, secondary school students in JSS 1, JSS 2, SSS 1 and SSS 2 that are yet to write the second term examination, will resume from Sept. 28 to Oct. 9.

He said this was to enable them to prepare for and write their second term examinations, adding that “boarding students are expected to resume on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020’’.

“Also, pupils in primary four and five who are yet to complete the second term examination would resume on Oct. 6.’’

The commissioner said that the second term examinations would be waived for pupils in primaries one to three.

Ukah said that the resumption dates for the first term in the 2020/2021 academic session for pupils and students in primary and secondary schools would run from Oct. 12 to Dec.18.

“While the resumption date for the second term is scheduled to commence on Jan. 4, and ends March 31, 2021, third term is scheduled to commence from April 12 and ends by Aug.13, 2021,’’ he said.

Ukah said that the resumption for all nursery/pre-primary KG one to three pupils had been deferred till January 2021.

The commissioner advised parents and guardians to avail themselves of the resumption dates to prepare their children and wards.

Burna Boy Becomes First Nigerian Musician With Certified Silver Album In UK

Nigerian superstar, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy has made history by becoming the first Nigerian artist with a certified silver album, “African Giant” in the UK.

The singer, who took to his Instagram account to share the good news said he was so excited over the achievement.

He also expressed love to his fans and everyone who supported him.

“AFRICAN GIANT SILVER IN THE UK & OWN IT X2 PLATINUM.

“Shouts to my brudda Stormzy and love to everyone that supports us. Go stream `REAL LIFE’ now,” he wrote.

This is coming after news that ‘Own It’ by Stormzy featuring Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran, has a two-time platinum certification for selling 600,000 copies.

He also received a gold plaque for his 2018 single “On The Low’’.

ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN YORUBA STUDENTS CALL ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DESIST FROM HER PLANS TO ARREST CHIEF SUNDAY IGBOHO

Association of Northern Yoruba Students (ANYS) as called on the federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President muhammadu Buhari to desist from it plan to arrest chief Sunday Adeniyi Adeyemo (IGBOHO OSAA), The called was made yesterday by the association president Comr. Olufemi Ebenezer Obalola while speaking with pressmen in Zamfara state.

Obalola stressed that peaceful walk or protest is a right of every mankind as said and accepted by amnesty international, he further quote from the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights) as implied in Article 10 (the Right to Freedom of Expression) protects a right that’s fundamental to our democracy – freedom of expression – which means that we’re free to hold opinions and ideas and to share them with others without the state interfering. Article 11 (the Right to Peaceful Assembly) of the Human Rights Act 1998, meanwhile, allows for peaceful protest to take place without disturbance from authorities – unless of course any act of hostility or violence were to take place, whereas the planned peaceful protest by Yoruba Nationalist as never in anyway served as a means to cause any bridge of peace but an avenue to agitate for ODUDUWA REPUBLIC in a peaceful and orderly manner.

Furthermore, the association president said it is all over places that the federal government are planning to use military and police to distort, dispatch and arrest the protesters planned for October 1st in ibadan, he said instead for the federal government to call for dialogue between itself and the Yoruba Nationalist/youths  they are planning to result to intimidation and harrasment, and this might be more harmful to our democracy and Nation.

Citing from the 1999 Nigeria constitution as amended, Obalola said the constitution state it clear in Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 provides as follows: Every person shall be entitled to assembly freely and associate with other persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any association for the protection of his interests, this implies that as a citizen of our dear country Nigeria we are entitled to freedom of assembly and procession in agitating for our right, but it unfortunate that the federal government want to silence the masses by resulting to intimidation and oppression, permit me to quote from the world of the sage that freedom is not freely given by the oppressors but the oppressed demand for it, it a wake up call to all Yoruba Nationalist that we should all raise up and demand for our freedom,  Yoruba nation actualization is now, it either Yoruba nation or restructuring, federal government must know this, as it a glaring fact that the federal government as failed the masses in all the sectors of the country.

Obalola finally called on all well doing Yoruba Nationalist to stand up and defend our country,he called on iba Gani Adams Aare Onakakanfo,oni of Ife,Alafin of Oyo,Alake of Egbaland and other great warriors of Yoruba nation  to know that this is a crucial time that they all need to stand with Yoruba nation and defend it sourvereinity.

Comr. Olufemi Ebenezer Obalola

President Association of Northern Yoruba Students (ANYS)

07017838670

ANYS2020g@gmail.com

Sani Shinkafi Congratulates Governor Obaseki Over Reelection Victory

Former APGA Governorship Candidate in the 2019 general election in Zamfara state. Alhaji Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi (Wamban Shinkafi) has congratulated His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki Of Edo state on his Re-election as the state Governor.

Tweeting on his twitter handle, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi wrote

"Governor  Godwin Obaseki  reelection is a  victory for  democracy in Nigeria 
Edo Gubernatorial  election is gate way for the survival of democratic norms and values.
I congratulate good people of  Edo State for making wise decision to end political godfatherism."

Crime: Woman Kills And Cooks Her Two Children

A 25-year-old woman identified as Salamatou in Cameroon, has shocked many people after murdering her two children, aged 2 and 6 months, in cold blood before cooking their bodies.

A report by the BBC revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred on Monday, September 14, 2020, at around 11 a.m. local time in Badjengo commune of Pitoa Department of Bénoué.

It was gathered that the victims had gone missing for several hours, which made the family to launch a search for them.

According to the police, after searching the house, the co-wife and husband of the suspect discovered a pot and a bucket that contained the prepared children.

Police say they are currently investigating the incident, after which Salamatou will be charged to court.

Regina Fani-Kayode: I’m Still Married To Fani-Kayode

Mrs Regina Fani-Kayode (nee Hanson-Amonoo), the legal wife of a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, says the ex-minister has never abused her in their 23 years of marriage.

She said this during a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Monday in reaction to allegations that Fani-Kayode abused his estranged wife, Precious Chikwendu.

Regina, who is a Ghanaian, said she got married to Fani-Kayode based on Ghanaian customs in 1997 and they subsequently tied the knot at the Apapa Registry in Lagos in 2002

She said, “We have a beautiful daughter called Oluwaremilekun and both she and I are very proud of him. He has been a wonderful father and caring husband and he has never subjected me to any form of domestic abuse or treated me badly.

“Reports in the media that we are divorced are fake and suggestions that I was treated in a bad way by him or subjected to any form of abuse at any time in the 23 years that we have been married are malicious and false.”

When asked if she was aware of Fani-Kayode’s relationship with Precious that produced four sons, she responded in the affirmative, adding that she approved of it.

Regina stated that she had relocated to Ghana and that a monogamous relationship would have been difficult for her husband hence she gave him her blessing to take another wife

She, however, said her husband did not commit bigamy as he did not marry Precious legally but traditionally.

Precious, who is a beauty queen, recently separated from Fani-Kayode amid rumours of domestic violence.

However, neither Precious nor Fani-Kayode has agreed to speak to the media on the matter.

Governor Zulum Donates House, N20M To Late Col. D.C. Bako’s Wife, Children

Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday announced a donation of a befitting house and 20 million Naira to the widow and orphans left behind by late Col. Dahiru Chiroma Bako who died from wounds sustained while battling boko haram. Insurgents ambushed the Commander’s troop on Sunday morning.

Col. Bako, described by Zulum as a fallen warrior, was Commander of 25 Task Force Brigade of Operation Lafiya Dole in charge of Damboa and surrounding axis in southern Borno. He died at a military hospital in Maiduguri on Monday.

Zulum, at the burial of the late Commander in Maiduguri on Tuesday, paid glowing tribute and announced house and cash donation to family of the deceased.

“Indeed it is a very sad moment, this is not a loss to the family of Late Col. Dahiru Chiroma Bako alone, not to the Nigerian Military, it is a loss to Borno and indeed Nigeria.”

“Col. Bako was a gallant and dogged military officer, under whose watch Damboa was never defeated. He is humble and committed in discharging his duties, he is part of the success recorded in degrading boko haram insurgency in Borno State.”

“He has been one of the greatest in trying to stabilize not only Borno but even the neighbouring Yobe State. We will remember his contributions forever, may almighty Allah reward him, and forgive him.”

“To his family, may Allah give them fortitude to bear this irreparable lost. To all the soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Military that lost their lives, may Almighty Allah reward and forgive them. The injured ones we pray for their quick recovery.”

“I am reliably informed that Col. Bako did not have a house of his own. We cannot ignore the family he left behind. We share their grief and nothing can equal his life. Nevertheless, I am pleased to announce that Borno State Government will build a befitting house for the family of late Col. Bako. I was also told that the Nigerian Army under the distinguished leadership of Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has offered a scholarship to his children, we will also support the family to compliment the efforts of the military.”

“For the welfare of his family, Borno State Government will relase the sum of 20 million as support for them. A cheque to the effect will be ready later today or tomorrow morning” Zulum said.

The Governor had on Sunday night expressed sadness on the news of Bako’s demise.

Zulum described the Commander as one who inspired his troops and led them in the frontline with exceptional courage which was clearly out of pure patriotism.

He had also said the death of Bako and heroes like him shall not be in vain.

I disagreed with Umahi over strangulation of Ohanaeze – Nwodo

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo yesterday explained why he had severally disagreed with the governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi on so many issues, including the strangulation of Ohanaeze.

Nwodo made this known while addressing governor Umahi, prominent stakeholders of Ebonyi and investors from all over the country during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and foreign investors at the ecumenical centre Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

He said: “We have gone to see the governor of Imo state, I and the Obi of Onitsha who is the chairman, council of elders, in the name of Ndigbo. It remains the governors of Abia and Anambra states, who we will soon go and see.

“We have always seen one thing, each time we meet with any of these governors, what they are doing that is very impressive to the people of Ndigbo. 

“We told the governor of Enugu state that among six states, the survey carried out in Nigeria, adjudged them viable, that their internally generated revenue reflected their capacity to sustain their recurrent expenditure without recourse to the collection of the Federal government allocation. And it is a great credit.

“We told the governor of Ebonyi state yesterday and I was to say it again, that it is not too long that Ebonyi State was created, but in five years that David Umahi governed Ebonyi, there has been unprecedented development which was never seen before.

“I happen not to agree with governor Umahi on several issues, including the strangulation of Ohanaeze,” he stated.

Responding, the governor, David Umahi said: “I Purposely didn’t want to pay him the debt so that he will call my name loudly on every occasion. But thank you for the warm sentiments you have expressed on our modest achievement.

“Nobody who has not paid a price for these achievements. I thank God who has called all of us as partners in this project. No permanent enemy or friend but permanent eye on the treasures.

“When people sit outside the country and make noise, I don’t regard them because they have no idea, darken counsel without knowledge. I behave like a dead man, say good of me I don’t care. I’m just focused.

“These people have demonstrated the igbo spirit. Come back home to invest, that is why we have offered to provide every assistance to them, before we put the mall at 4, 000 but because of them, we have to reduce it, due to their interest,” he noted.

Source: Daily Post 

Facebook Removes Chinese Accounts Active In Philippines And U.S. Politics

Facebook Inc said Tuesday it had removed a network of inauthentic Chinese accounts that were interfering in Asian and American politics, including some that posted material supporting and opposing U.S. President Donald Trump.

The social networking company said it suspended 155 accounts on its main platform along with six Instagram accounts. The most widely followed accounts and pages were in the Philippines, where they shared content supporting China’s actions in the contested South China Sea and national leader Rodrigo Duterte.

The U.S. accounts had fewer followers and posted content fueling both sides of the American election that will be held on Nov. 3 rather than exclusively supporting one side, the company said.

Facebook cybersecurity policy chief Nathaniel Gleicher said that the takedown was the company’s first of Chinese-based accounts on foreign-interference grounds with any engagement in U.S. politics. But he said the American accounts and groups seemed aimed mainly at building an audience.

“The volume of content is so low, it’s very hard to assess what their goal is,” Gleicher said.

Trump and his intelligence officials have said China was favoring Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

UNICEF: 57% Nigerian Children Don’t Have Birth Certificate

The United Nations Children’s Fund on Monday said about 57 per cent of Nigerian children under the age of five years don’t have birth certificates.

The child protection specialist in charge of UNICEF Zone A Field office, Enugu, Victor Atuchukwu, stated this in Awka during the training of 75 health workers from selected health facilities in the 21 local government areas of Anambra State.

He said, “It is the right of every child to have a birth certificate, but many parents did not consider it important. Without birth certificate, time would come when the child would discover that he or she had no official record of vital information.”

The Director of the National Population Commission in the state, Joachim Ulasi, who noted that the commission did not have enough man power for birth registration, said, “We just have 148 registration centres, comprising 21 controllers who are deputy chief registrars for the 21 local government areas. If they are removed from the 148, we are left with 127, which are located in health facilities throughout Anambra State. This number is not enough. We have 181 autonomous communities and we need at least one centre in each community while the large communities should have two or more.”

Ulasi, however, added that NPC had concluded plans to digitalise the birth registration exercise in the state.

Man Utd chief Ed Woodward holds Ousmane Dembele transfer talks as Barcelona make demand

Man Utd chief Ed Woodward holds Ousmane Dembele transfer talks as Barcelona make demand

Manchester United chief Ed Woodward has reportedly held talks to sign Ousmane Dembele with Barcelona willing to sell the winger. 

United are desperate to do business in the final few weeks of the summer transfer window but they're running out of time to get what they want. 

A right-sided winger has been at the top of their wishlist all summer long with Jadon Sancho their main priority.

But they've been unable to make any breakthrough in negotiations with Borussia Dortmund.

The Bundesliga outfit are not budging on their £108million asking price with United unwilling to shell out that kind of money on one player in the current market.

Bournemouth's David Brooks and Juventus winger Douglas Costa have been touted as possible cheaper alternatives.

United though are still hoping to bring in a marquee signing and progress has supposedly been made in a bid to sign Dembele from Barcelona.

The 23-year-old moved to the Nou Camp in 2017 for an initial £96million with Barcelona bringing him in to replace Neymar.

The moved hasn't worked out for Dembele though, with long-term injuries and poor form limiting him to just 35 league starts.

And it appears as though Barcelona are ready to cut their losses

According to the Daily Record, Ed Woodward has led a line of enquiry among United officials in talks to sign Dembele on loan.

The report states that Barcelona are hoping to sell the winger as they're keen to balance their high wage bill.

Barcelona are said to be open to a season-long loan, but only if a deal included an obligation to buy next summer.

It is said that any such clause would see United needing to pay just over £90m next summer to make his move permanent

But Dembele would need to be convinced of a move away from Barcelona as he is said to be determined to stay at the club.

Dembele played just nine games in all competitions last season due to a number of injury issues.

He is back to full fitness though and is expected to be involved in their season opener against Villarreal on Sunday.

And reports in Spain suggest Ronald Koeman is keen to have Dembele at the club for the upcoming season.

We Will Replicate Edo Election Victory In Lagos – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed determination to replicate the victory recorded in the Edo State Governorship election in Lagos State.

This was contained in a press statement by PDP’s spokesperson in Lagos, Taofik Gani.

In the statement titled, ‘Edo victory, we are fired up’, Gani said Godwin Obaseki’s victory has strengthened PDP’s determination to win the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had on Sunday declared Obaseki winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo.

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress Candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who scored 223,619.

Gani said, “The PDP, Lagos state chapter, has congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki, on his re-election as Edo State Governor.

“The Lagos state chapter particularly hailed the Governor for his ability to garner the needed vote to be declared at the first ballot, in the face of rumored federal might.

“To us in Lagos state PDP we have grasped from the well-deserved victory, the renewed commitment, and resoluteness to also win Lagos state to end godfatherism & imposition in Lagos politics.

“As a matter of fact, we are now more ever than before fired up to win Lagos State. We shall manifest this ability in the coming bye-elections in the state and eventually the 2023 general elections.”

Men From Age 19 To 27 Are Liabilities, Don’t Date Them – Nigerian Lady Warns Women

Nigerian lady identified as Dr Toolz on Twitter has taken to the platform to advise ladies to desist from dating men that are between the ages 19 to 27 as they are mostly liabilities.

According to Toolz, ladies should not date men who are less than 28-years-old because those type of men don’t know what they want in life and they are liabilities.

“AVOID dating men between the age of 19-27.They r usually typical mama’s boy,stuck on their ex,cheat the most,entertain hoes,party non stop,have no plans & are only concerned about their PS4,mixtape & weed.They don’t know wat they want yet & will hurt u in the process, a liability”

AVOID dating men between the age of 19-27.They r usually typical mama’s boy,stuck on their ex,cheat the most,entertain hoes,party non stop,have no plans & are only concerned about their PS4,mixtape & weed.They don’t know wat they want yet & will hurt u in the process, a liability

BBC Reveals Actual Cause Of Abule-Ado Explosion In March

In an expository investigation carried out by the BBC Eye, the actual cause of the Abule Ado explosion that rocked the part of Lagos in March, 2020 has been revealed.

In March, no less than Twenty-three people were killed in the explosion, and a girls’ boarding school was totally destroyed.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC at the time said the blast occurred as a result of a truck that hit gas cylinders near one of its petroleum pipelines.

But BBC Africa Eye’s investigation indicates that the explosion was caused by vaporized gas exuded by a leaking pipeline adjacent to the Bethlehem Girls Secondary School.

Three months after the incident, the Federal Government distributed relief materials to 392 households affected by the explosion.

The relief materials were distributed on behalf of the government by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammadu Muhammed.

The items distributed include 562 bags of 12.5kg Rice, 562 bags of 25kg beans, 56 kegs of 20L vegetable oil, 28 bags of 20kg salt, 90 cartons of seasoning and 94 cartons of tin tomatoes.

Also presented were 1,124 pieces of blankets, 1,124 pieces of nylon mats, 1,124 pieces of bath towels, 1,124 pieces of wax prints and 1,124 pieces of mosquito nets.

Other items are 600 pieces of children’s clothing, 200 pieces of men’s clothing, 300 pieces of women’s clothing, 281 cartons of detergent and 281 cartons of toilet soap.

OFFICIAL: Arsenal Sign New Goalkeeper

English club Arsenal have officially announced the signing of a new Goalkeeper Alex Runarsson from French club Dijon.

The 25-year-old Iceland international signed a four-year contract on Monday.

Technical director Edu said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Alex to our squad. We have been monitoring him for some time and from the analysis, he has strong attributes that we look for in a goalkeeper and as a person.”

Mikel Arteta added: “We want to create healthy competition for places and we look forward to seeing Alex bring further depth to the goalkeeping position.”

Alex has been allocated to wear the number 13 shirt.

Before his move to Arsenal, Alex joined the Ligue 1 club in July 2018 and made 13 appearances for them in all competitions last season.

Alex started his career with KR Reykjavik in his home country. He went on to join FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark, where he made 62 appearances during a three-year spell, before moving to Dijon.

He is stepping in following the sale of Emino Martinez to Aston Villa.

TECNO Camon 16 Premier vs TECNO Camon 15 Premier Full Comparison.

TECNO Camon 16 Premier (N115,800) Vs Camon 15 Premier (N103,000) + Camera Photos

Focusing on their performance in terms of speed – Speed Test and their cameras, pitting their pictures side by side. Asides 128GB Storage and 64MP primary cameras, these 2 actually don’t have a lot in common but this video came highly requested. A lot of the Camon 16 Premier’s selling points which I mentioned in the quick review wasn’t needed for the winner to emerge as we saw a flawless victory in the speed test between these 2. The Camon 16 Premier is easily the better phone without having to dish out extra features like the 90hz refresh rate and even the 33watt fast charging that charges its 4500mAh battery from zero to full in under an hour. The Camon 15 Premier however takes 2hours and 46mins to charge an even smaller 4000mAh battery.

The 64MP cameras on both also don’t produce results that would suggest that they’re closely related.

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