A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration's determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken.
And to underscore that he is unrelenting in waging the war, President Buhari announced that his government would probe the shenanigans reported in connection with IDP funds and punish culprits.
The President, who gave the assurance in his New Year message to Nigerians, however, said that the fight against corruption would be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process.
He vowed that his administration would not spare anybody or organ of government in the ongoing crusade against corrupt practices.
""It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions.
""The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign.It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream,'' he added.
The Kebbi State Government has earmarked N10million for the planting of one million trees as part of efforts to establish the Green Belt Forestation programme against desert encroachment.
A statement by Umar Gulma of the Ministry of Environment in Kebbi on Saturday indicated that the ministry will grow the nurseries and plant the trees along designated locations.
Gov. Bagudu
According to the statement, the ministry will also spend N11million on the construction of perimeter fences to protect the trees as well as nurture them to maturity.
The ministry will also spend N6million on surveys of the mineral resources available for commercial exploitation as part of efforts to generate revenue, provide employment and ensure rapid development.
The statement also indicated that efforts would be made to protect the environment especially the development of plantations and eradication of tree felling.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has again been rejected following the refusal of Jan Chamberlin, a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to sing during his inauguration.
Chamberlin is quitting the group and saying that she could never sing for Trump after she sent a resignation letter to the choir president this week.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sings during the biannual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah October 3, 2015. Approximately 21,000 are expected to attend in person while many more around the world will watch the broadcast, according to a press release from the church.
"I've tried to tell myself that it will be all right and that I can continue in good conscience before God and man," Chamberlin wrote in a Facebook post. "I only know I could never 'throw roses to Hitler.' And I certainly could never sing for him."
One month out, Trump inauguration lacks star power
Chamberlin said she has concerns about the choir's reputation after performing at the inauguration.
"Looking from the outside in, it will appear that Choir is endorsing tyranny and fascism by singing for this man," she wrote.
"Tyranny is now on our doorstep; it has been sneaking its way into our lives through stealth. Now it will burst into our homes through storm," Chamberlin added.
The choir did not return a request for comment. Boris Epshteyn, a spokesman for Trump's inaugural festivities, simply said, "We're honored to have the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform in the 58th Inauguration, their sixth time participating in inaugural ceremonies, and we look forward to their uplifting performance."
Phoebe Pearl, a dancer with the Rockettes, reportedly had previously protested on Instagram about the group being chosen to perform at the event. Her post has since been deleted.
The Madison Square Garden Company, which operates the Rockettes, previously said the dancers would not be compelled, by MSG or their union, to perform at next month's inaugural festivities.
The committee for Trump's inauguration has not yet publicized any major celebrities performing at the event — a change from the past two events.
The inaugural committee has announced The Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and 16-year-old "America's Got Talent" star Jackie Evancho.
MOTHERS certainly know best no matter how old their children. Eccua, a younger friend, paid a visit to her mum some few months back, virtually bending her ears with tales of her husband's latest escapades. "She always made a soothing noise whenever she realized all I needed to do was let off steam", said Eccua, "but this fateful afternoon, my mum gave me a bored look, yawned and declared: 'Aren't you a bit tired of hearing your own moan? I mean look at you! A graduate we were all proud of now turned into what? Look at the back of your feet.
When last did you have a pedicure? Or a good facial? Or a fancy stint at the hairdresser's? I scarcely see you in anything glamorous but a frumpy boubou. If I were your husband, believe me, I wouldn't be interested either!" I glanced at her and she glared right back. Whose side was she on? I'm a mother of three for goodness sake, not some femme fatal! she ought to be more sympathetic".
I hate to rob salt into Eccua's wound but I told her gently that I agreed with her mum. She was really fashionable when she was younger and we weren't surprised when she married into a respectable family. Now a couple of decades later, she's settled into a rut. She'd become sort of 'mum-sy' and even mothered her husband. I told her that if she didn't snatch a bit of her old self back, find some self-respect, her husband might not appreciate her. My harsh words obviously hit home.
She looked at me as if I were a traitor, but I gently pointed out to her that she might be running a successful primary school, that didn't mean she had to dress the part of a school ma'am! She'd put on more weight than necessary and in spite of her mum's warning, she had on an unflattering boubou which seemed to be her trade mark lately. "Why don't you give away your boubous and get some more flattering gears?", I asked her gently. She nodded, then left, a bit dejected. Had I gone too far? She needed to be shocked out of her complacency, I consoled myself. Who best to do that but a well meaning 'aunty' like me?
When I next spoke with her on the phone, she told me excitedly that she'd started on a diet and joined a group of ladies that went for walks in their estate. Good for her, I encourage, my conscience salved. When next I saw Eccua, I nearly flipped. She'd lost the right amount of weight, had a lovely and flattering dress on. She'd also put some fancy highlights in her hair. "Wow!" I yelled encouragingly. "Double wow!" she shrieked and then her phone rang. Her face instantly lit up as she checked the caller's identity. She had on a smug smile after she finished her call. 'That was Femi, one of my pupil's dad' 'Oh', I gulped. She joked: 'Thanks to you and mum. I can now pull men!" "Heh, that wasn't the idea", I quickly told her. "We just wanted you to feel good about yourself, not start pulling men, left, right and centre!" Had we created a monster?
"The good thing about having an inner glow is that other people notice," she told me smugly. `Femi has two children in my school and sometimes comes .for them instead of sending a driver. We've often chatted but it never even occurred to me that he could be anything but a parent. After I lost weight, he started staying longer and longer. When the staff decided to do a play and one of Femi's sons was involved, he was excited, chipping in his bits at rehearsals and since I hadn't forgotten my sewing skills I made some of the costumes. Femi praised my efforts to high heavens one evening after rehearsal. We were alone in my office and I thanked him. 'What could I have done without you!" I told him innocently until I saw the dirty look on his face.
"Show me," he declared as he moved closer to me giving me a kiss. He must have unlocked some hidden passion in me because I couldn't stop myself – I was all over him and he was kissing me as if I was a much needed drug. We made love right there and then in my office. It was so daring, so passionate. And by the time I got home that evening, I was still smiling. Seyi, my husband, was waiting for me – he'd been coming home early since I changed. I felt like a teenager rather than a staid married woman!
Instead of dashing to the kitchen, I asked the maid to rush to a lovely canteen a few doors away – that specializes in home-made meals and Seyi made a show of actually enjoying the meal. In the past, he used to moan about my penchant for buka foods and how I should take pride in serving home made meals. After the meal, he brought out my favourite wine, I was pleasantly surprised. My hard work at keeping fit had certainly paid off as we retired to the bedroom. Then it hit me! I would be making love twice with different men in the space of a few hours! Wicked!
"I intend to sleep with Femi a couple more times. It is thanks to him that I got my sensual self back. After that, I intend to let him know deep down, it is my husband and my marriage that I really want. Thanks to my mum's seemingly cruel jab at my appearance, and your backing her all the way, I was jolted into taking another look at myself. Now, I've virtually got my husband back and it is worth the effort. "We go out more often than we ever did in the last few years and we make love more. Once he asked suspiciously about why I decided to spruce myself up and I told him about my mum. He was amused Apparently, he had first thought I made the effort for a lover! "It's only you I've told about Femi and I don't feel guilty for cheating on Seyi, because my fling has made our marriage stronger. I'm glad I followed you people's advice. By taking some pride in the way I look, I've found the respect I deserve."
In The Line Of Duty? (Humour)
A man is delivering coal to a lady's house. In order to reach the coal shed, he had to carry the sacks right through the garden, where the lady has a lot of washing hanging out to dry on the line. While carrying the sacks through, he brushes against the clothes and gets them smudged and dirty. The lady of the house notices this and forbids him from delivering any more of the coal. Not knowing what to do, he rings his boss.
'The lady has got her clothes up and I've soiled her drawers with my dirty bags,' he explains. 'I've got half of it in, but she won't let me put in the rest because her drawers are in the way. And the half I've got in, she won't let me take out. What should I do?"
'You'll just have to persuade her to let you put it all in so you can finish it off. And in future, make sure you ask her to remove her clothes first!'
Nasty Dog Bites? (Humour)
A married man decides to spend the evening with his secretary, so he calls his wife to make an excuse. He and his secretary go out to dinner, then back to her flat for sex. Later, he looks in the mirror and sees a huge love bite on his neck. He panics, wondering what he's going to tell his wife.
Back home, as he opens the front door, the dog bounds up to greet him. The man falls to the floor, pretending to fight off the animal. Then, holding his neck with one hand, he calls out to his wife: "Look what the dog did to my neck!" "That's nothing!" she says, pulling up her top". "Look at what he did to my boobs!"
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has said that the need to make the Osun society emerge a major player within the new knowledge economy and digital world informs his administration's dogged battle to revamp education.
Aregbesola stated this when he bagged on the 2016 Governor of Year Award in Education, presented by the African Education Monitor.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, receiving an Award of the Nigerian Governor of the year in Education (2016) from the Publisher, Chief Executive Official, African Education Monitor Magazine, Oludaisi Adetarami (right), during his Investiture as Nigerian Governor of the year in Education (2016) by African Education Monitor Magazine at the State Secretariat Abere on Thursday 29-12-2016.
The management of the AEM said it arrived at the decision to honour the governor given his tremendous works on the sector.
Presenting the award, the Publisher, African Education Monitor Magazine, Mr. Oludaisi Adetarami, commended Governor Aregbesola for guiding the state towards educational prosperity.
He said the state has distinguished itself among its peers in education sector, thus, making Osun the model and pacesetter for national and international education system.
Adetarami, who described Osun education policy as one of the best in the world, said the impact of the state in building solid foundation in education sector has been yielding positive results.
He said the huge investment made in education by Osun government was part of the reasons for the state to be ranked among the best four states in Nigeria on female child education.
According to him, it is a known fact that the education policy of Osun was designed basically to advance humanity and as well build minds that would not only be productive to themselves but meaningful and impactful to the society at large.
He said, “As this has been the hallmarks of the present administration not only in education but in other sectors, that is why we identified ourselves with the state so as to further enhance quality and functional education in line with international best practices."
“We painstakingly studied and analysed the Osun education policy and we found out that the policy adopted by the state is not only in conformity with international best standards but a sine qua non to achieve a sustainable education system."
“As we all know that today, Osun is being ranked among the best four states in Nigeria on female child education, these among others are the outward manifestation of Governor Aregbesola’s contributions to education."
“The successes recorded in education in Osun had showcased the untiring interests of the state towards the provision of educational infrastructure developments which the state viewed as basis for all round transformation, growth and development."
“It is for this noble reason that our organisation felt to celebrate the state and Mr. Governor on this investiture ceremony as a sign of appreciation towards making education the bedrock of development."
“Our organisation’s project has cardinal relations to education system in Africa that is why we do everything to partner with a state like Osun on education development.
“We want to liaise with the state to complement the government’s efforts in repositioning the education sector in the state”, Adetarami stated.
In his remarks, Aregbesola described education as an opportunity for happiness and fulfillment of life deserving ultimate priority.
Describing education as a process of integrating human being into the society, the governor said all hands must be on deck to promote education in Africa.
He added, “Education is the tool required by individual to live a purposeful, productive beneficial and rewarding life through wish life is productively navigated to the benefit of self, society and world at large.
“We must therefore put in our best as governments, individuals, stakeholders and agencies to revamp the education sector by seeing it as the only mechanism to development”.
He promised to continuously earmarking larger chunk of the state’s resources on education, saying, “it is only educated society that would meet the needs of the present digital world”.
The Federal Government on Friday declared that the Assumpta Science Centre, Owerri will be ready for use in four months time. The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed this while performing the foundation laying ceremony of the Science centre, at Ofekata, Owerri, in Imo State.
Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu performing the foundation laying ceremony of the Science centre, at Ofekata, Owerri, in Imo State.
The Minister explained that the project is in line with the Federal Government's commitment to the initiative of International Universities and Youth Cooperation with Africa in informal science learning activities for sustainable development.
Dr. Onu stated that the project is one of the Federal Government's Projects in the South East saying that one of the benefits of the centre is that it will contribute to the development of the country and ensure that Nigerians and indeed other African countries would become self sufficient in defending the available resources God has given them.
He maintained that national development will be difficult to achieve without the application of Science and Technology, urging all and sundry to key in to ensure that the laudable project is sustained.
The Minister argued that the difference between Africa and developed nations lies in the actualization of Science, Technology and Innovation and as such thanked the people of Ofekata for their commitment and the donation of their land to ensure that the Assumpta Science becomes a reality.
He further assured the commitment of Federal Government to ensuring the completion of the project in four monthstime, calling on the state and local governments to join hands together to ensure the success of the laudable project.
He pointed out that the neglect of science and technology affected Nigeria's economic growth and development but expressed optimism that with the coming on board of the Assumpta science centre and other scientific innovations Nigeria is at the centre of development with the available resources Nigeria has, we would have been the at the center stage for development
Dr. Onu lamented that Africa has come to a stage where it can use its natural resources to develop our nations, adding that there is need for all the African countries to change direction, focus and embrace science, technology and innovation as it has a vital role in assisting humanity in all aspects of life, to ensure national security and higher agricultural productivity, better housing, broad communication, better health care delivery system, improve quality of life and sustainability that could help turn Nigeria into truly a great nation.
He maintained that the nation's weak scientific and technological culture constitute to serious obstacle towards achieving the economic diversification the country is yearning for decades, assuring that the administration of president Muhammadu Buhari is willing and determined to utilize science, technology and innovation as a tool to achieve diversification of the national economy.
The Minister however stated that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Pontifical Council for Culture of the Vatican City on the ASSUMTA Science centre in Owerri the Imo state capital.
In his remark, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, who was represented at the event by the Chairman, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Honorable Chris Nwike thanked the gesture done to his people by the Federal Government and promised to collaborate and ensure speedy completion of the project. He also called on the people of the community to see it as an opportunity not only for them but for the future generation yet unborn.
In his response, the President General of Ofekata Autonomous Community, Chief Alexandra Iwuore thanked the federal Government for its commitment to ensuring that the project is realized and pledged the co- operation of his community to achieve the laudable objectives of the project.
Among dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, His Grace, Archbishop Anthony Obinna.
Willian scored twice as Chelsea claimed a record-equalling 13th consecutive Premier League victory by beating Stoke City 4-2 on Saturday to provisionally move nine points clear at the summit.
Stoke twice hit back to level after falling behind at Stamford Bridge, but Willian’s second goal and a late Diego Costa strike saw Chelsea match Arsenal’s run of 13 wins within the same season from 2001-02.
Antonio Conte’s side pulled nine points clear of second-place Liverpool, who host third-place Manchester City later in the day in an explosive climax to the calendar year.
Manchester United came perilously close to seeing their own winning streak end, only for late goals by star signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba to secure a 2-1 home win over Middlesbrough.
It was sixth-place United’s fifth straight league win and took them to within a point of fourth-place Arsenal, who host Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day.
Chelsea welcomed back N’Golo Kante and Costa from suspension for the visit of Stoke and took a 33rd-minute lead when Gary Cahill headed in a corner from Cesc Fabregas.
Bruno Martins Indi equalised within seconds of kick-off in the second half, slotting in after Peter Crouch nodded down Charlie Adam’s free-kick.
After Willian had restored the hosts’ lead, lashing in from Eden Hazard’s lay-off, Crouch drew Stoke level again in the 64th minute when he tapped in Mame Biram Diouf’s cross.
But Willian put Chelsea back in front a minute later and Costa’s late strike sealed victory.
– Gray hat-trick –
At Old Trafford, United produced a comeback reminiscent of the glory years of the watching Alex Ferguson to continue their recent upturn.
But they had to do it the hard way, with Ibrahimovic initially denied an 18th goal of the season in a contentious incident late in the first half.
Leaping to meet Anthony Martial’s left-wing cross, the Swede jabbed the ball past goalkeeper Victor Valdes at the near post, only for referee Lee Mason to rule it out.
United’s players, and Jose Mourinho, contested the decision, and there was worse to come when Grant Leadbitter drilled Boro in front from Alvaro Negredo’s knock-down in the 67th minute.
But Ibrahimovic did get his goal in the 85th minute, tucking in Martial’s cross, and barely a minute later Pogba headed in the winner from Juan Mata’s cross.
Champions Leicester City claimed a much-needed win, beating West Ham United 1-0 courtesy of Islam Slimani’s 20th-minute header to climb six points clear of the relegation zone.
Swansea City made a demoralising start to life without sacked manager Bob Bradley, slumping to a 3-0 home defeat against Bournemouth that kept them at the foot of the table.
Goals from Benik Afobe, Ryan Fraser and Josh King gave Bournemouth victory, with first-team coach Alan Curtis taking temporary charge of Swansea.
Andre Gray became the first Burnley player to score a Premier League hat-trick as Sean Dyche’s men beat third-bottom Sunderland 3-1 to climb to 11th place.
Gray scored three times in the first 53 minutes at Turf Moor, with Ashley Barnes netting a penalty before Jermain Defoe replied for the visitors.
Matt Phillips and Wales’s Euro 2016 star Hal-Robson Kanu scored as West Bromwich Albion came from behind to win 2-1 at Southampton, who had centre-back Virgil van Dijk sent off late on for two bookable offences.
Two weeks ago, on this same platform, I warned against the statement of the Governor of Kaduna, who in a recorded interview with several journalists, said that his administration had traced those Fulani herdsmen involved in killings in Southern Kaduna and rather than arresting and prosecuting them, the Kaduna state government had offered them money to placate them so they would not kill again.
I wrote that if killers heard that other killers were paid by a government not to kill, that they will also go and kill in order to get their own blood money.
With what is happening in Southern Kaduna today, I have been vindicated. When you allow criminals profit from their criminality, what you have is always more crime.
What is going on in Southern Kaduna is nothing short of genocide! In the past week, an untold number of people have been killed with some reports alleging that hundreds have been killed.
Certainly, thousands of Nigerians have been killed in and around Nigeria’s Middle Belt since the beginning of the year. Yet, the President of Nigeria has remained silent.
Last week, there was a terror attack in Germany where a terrorist named Anis Amri killed 12 people. The day after the attack, President Muhammadu Buhari issued a statement condemning the attack and commiserating with the victims.
Three days after that incident, suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked Goska village and killed 11 people including the 14 year old daughter of former Chairman of Jema'a LGA, Barr. Gideon Morik.
The same President Buhari who was so quick to issue a statement condemning the German terror attack and commiserating with the German people and their government has continued to remain silent when Nigerians are killed.
This is is more so when the Governor of Kaduna has, in a recorded interview, admitted that the people doing the killings are foreign herdsmen! This leads me to ask the question of President Buhari: Are German Lives More Important Than Nigerian Lives?
And when asked why the President has continued to ignore the killings of Christians in Southern Kaduna, the President’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, said that it is because the Kaduna Governor has assured the President that he is on top of the situation.
Really?
Did the German leader, tell President Muhammadu Buhari that she was not on top of the situation in Germany before he released his statement condemning the terror attacks there?
The number one job of the Nigerian Army is protecting the nation from external aggression. Yet, while foreigners are killing Nigerians in Southern Kaduna, our army is being sent to the Niger Delta where nobody is killing Nigerian citizens!
And to add insult to injury, the Kaduna state governor is trying to blame Niger Delta militants for the killings in Southern Kaduna.
Let me say that I condemn militancy and I am a man of peace any day. My weapon is the Word of God and my sword is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
But if only President Buhari was as interested in the loss of lives in Southern Kaduna as he is in the loss of oil in the Niger Delta, the killings could have ended long ago.
And quite sadly, while I am waiting for the All Progressive Congress to condemn the carnage in Southern Kaduna, the party, through it’s a Ekiti chapter, released a statement condemning the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye for his praise of the Ekiti state Governor, Ayo Fayose, and went ahead to insult the sensibilities of Nigerian Christians by accusing Pastor Adeboye of collecting a bribe from Governor Fayose.
Christians are being killed in Southern Kaduna and I ask: Where is the Vice President, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo? Where is Reverend Father Mbaka? Where is Pastor Tunde Bakare?
I want to address in particular the Vice President and I will quote from the Bible to him.
Pastor Osinbajo, this is what Esther 4:14 says, "if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Mr. Vice President sir, please permit me to rephrase that Scripture and say ‘if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the people of Southern Kaduna will arise from another place, but you and the political family you belong to will answer to God. And who knows but that you have come to your Vice Presidential position in Aso Rock for such a time as this?”
By Reno Omokri
Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California, author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept and the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri
The former Special Adviser to Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Electronic Media, Reno Omokri has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria has since 2015 not printed any new Naira notes and that the Buhari-led government is using the over $36b left for it by the Jonathan’s administration.
On Christmas Day of 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari hosted leading citizens of the Federal Capital Territory led by the minister of the FCT, Muhammad Bello, and during the visit, he returned to his old habit of blaming and said, and I quote, “there was no money saved, no infrastructure built, and power is still our main problem.”
This is patently untrue and without mincing words, President Buhari was wrong in his assertions.
The Naira is about to hit ₦500 to $1, but rather than find solutions, President Buhari is still blaming ex President Jonathan while our economy is collapsing all around him!
But it would have been bearable if the president was accurate in the accusations he made, but no, the President did not have his facts correct and exposed the fickleness of his anti-corruption stance.
Former President Jonathan left $2.07 billion in the Excess Crude Account when he handed over to President Buhari on May 29, 2015. He also left foreign reserves of $29 billion for the incoming government in May 2015. In addition to this, the Jonathan administration left behind $5.6 billion in dividend payments from the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company which amount has since been utilized by the Buhari administration.
If ex President Jonathan left no savings, with what money did President Muhammadu Buhari use to bail out those states that could not pay salary (mostly APC states) after he assumed office in May 2015? Of course the Central Bank of Nigeria did not print money! That money came from somewhere. They came from savings left by the Jonathan administration.
On Tuesday the 26th of July, 2016, President Buhari commissioned the $1.457bn Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail project. This was a project built and COMPLETED by the Jonathan administration. It is a 187 kilometer railway that enables Nigerians to live in Kaduna and work in Abuja. Is this not infrastructure?
The only federal university in President Buhari’s state is the federal university Dutsin-Ma was built by former President Jonathan who also built 11 other federal universities in Zamfara, Yobe, Nasarawa, Kogi, Taraba, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Bayelsa and Ekiti states.
By building 12 new federal universities and 165 Almajiri schools and renovating 507 additional secondary schools all over Nigeria through the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Jonathan administration not only increased access to education, the policy also had the intended side effect of putting hundreds of thousands of youths to work which stimulated the economy and contributed to GDP growth. Are these not infrastructure?
To prove that former President Jonathan prudently and judiciously developed all parts of Nigeria, I will now list, state by state, some of the infrastructure that the Jonathan administration invested in every state of Nigeria. This is not an exhaustive list as Jonathan did far more than this. I challenge President Muhammadu Buhari to contradict me on these projects.
In Abia, Jonathan completed power plants in Aba and Alaoji and reconstructed and reopened Ohafia barracks to stem kidnapping.
In Adamawa Jonathan constructed 5 Almajiri schools and the NAF Comprehensive Secondary School and a Terminal at the Yola airport.
In Anambra Jonathan completed Onitsha River Port, repaired Onitsa-Owerri Rd and kick-started the process of the 2nd Niger Bridge.
In Akwa Ibom Jonathan established a new Federal Polytechnic in Ukana and the Nkari Earth dam and rehabilitated FG roads.
In Bauchi Jonathan equipped the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital Bauchi and built 5 Almajiri schools.
In Benue Jonathan took the Loko-Oweto bridge to more than 65% completion and completed the Makurdi Water Supply Scheme supplying to 1 million people.
In Borno, Jonathan fought desertification with the Great Green Wall Project and rehabilitated the Uba – Mbalala Road. He also set up the Presidential Initiative for the Northeast and the Victims Support Fund which raised ₦59 billion for the Northeast. Interestingly, it is from this PINE that a certain Babachir Lawal is accused of pilfering ₦270 million from.
In Cross River Jonathan rehabilitated the Margaret Ekpo International Airport and Modernised the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
In Delta Jonathan took Itakpe-Ajaokuta-warri railway to 80% completion and kick started the $16 billion Gas City Project at Ogidigben which is the single largest investment in the oil and gas sector in Africa.
In Ebonyi Jonathan established the Federal University in Ndufe – Alike, repaired over 250km of roads and built power substations.
In Edo Jonathan completed the Ihovbor power Station, reconstructed the Benin-Ore-Sagamu and equipped the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
In Ekiti Jonathan established the Federal University in Oye – Ekiti, and repaired Federal roads.
In Enugu Jonathan gave the South East their first International Airport by upgrading the Akanu Ibiam Airport and revived the Port Harcourt-Enugu rail line.
In Gombe Jonathan established the Federal University in Kashere and built 5 Almajiri schools.
In Imo Jonathan rehabilitated the Sam Mbakwe International Airport and completed power stations and built sub stations.
In Jigawa Jonathan established the Federal University in Dutse, built 5 Almajiri schools and built strategic grain reserve silos.
In Kano Jonathan revived the Lagos-Kano rail, built 5 Almajiri schools, renovated the MAKIA International Airport and built strategic grain reserve silos.
In Kaduna, Jonathan completed the Standard Gauge Kaduna-Abuja rail that enables you work in Abuja and live in Kaduna.
In Katsina Jonathan established the Federal University in Dutsin-ma, built 5 Almajiri schools and multiple silos.
In Kebbi Jonathan established the Federal University in Kalgo, built 5 Almajiri schools and multiple strategic grain reserve silos.
In Kogi Jonathan established the new Federal University in Lokoja, and completed the Geregu power plant.
In Kwara Jonathan revived Jebba-Kano, Ilorin–Offa rail lines, built Almajiri schools, and kick started the ongoing reconstruction of Ibadan-Ilorin road.
In Lagos Jonathan revived the Lagos-Kano rail, introduced inter-city air conditioned diesel trains and rehabilitated Murtala Mohammed International Airport
In Nasarawa Jonathan established a new Federal University in Lafia and rehabilitated the Lafia–Makurdi road.
In Niger Jonathan dredged River Niger up to Baro, developed the Baro Port up to 95% completion and advanced work on the Zungeru power plant.
In Ondo Jonathan completed and commissioned the 500 MWs Omotosho Power Plant Phase 2 and renovated the Akure airport.
In Ogun Jonathan rehabilitated the Sagamu-Ore road as well as the Ijebu Igbo Ajegunle–Araromi–Ife-Sekona Road (Section II).
In Osun Jonathan re-equipped Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, constructed silos, built power substations, and repaired Efon Alaaye-Erinmo Ijesha-Iwarga Road.
In Oyo Jonathan kick-started the reconstruction (not repair) of the Lagos-Ibadan road and mobilized two construction giants (Julius Berger and RCC) to the site to work simultaneously. He also commenced initial groundwork for the proposed Lagos-Ibadan hi-speed rail.
In Plateau Jonathan repaired the Vom-Manchok road, constructed an earth dam in Heipang and built power substations.
In Rivers Jonathan revived the Port Harcourt-Enugu Rail, was Rehabilitating the Port Harcourt International Airport (still ongoing as at the time he left office) and upgraded the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.
In Sokoto Jonathan fought desertification with the Great Green Wall and built 5 Almajiri schools.
In Taraba Jonathan established the Federal University in Wukari and constructed the Kashimbila Multi-Purpose Dam Project.
In Yobe Jonathan established Federal University of Gashua, built Almajiri and the Gashua–Hadejia 132KV double circuit transmission line.
In Zamfara Jonathan established the Federal University Gusau, built multiple Almajiri schools and constructed strategic grain reserve silos.
If President Muhammadu Buhari believes this is nothing, then he should define what nothing is.
Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California, author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept and the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri.
The suspended lawmaker in a series of tweets on Saturday condemned the leader of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara for denying that former Gov James Ibori provided huge support to his emergence as Speaker and urged him to return funds donated to his speakership campaign:
Makurdi – Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue said on Saturday in Makurdi that the state would clear outstanding salaries of state and Local Government workers in 2017.
The promise was contained in the Governor's New Year message that was signed by the Chief Press Secretary Mr Terver Akase.
The state government workers are being owed four months salaries, while local government and primary school teachers were being owed eight months. Pensioners are being owed for 13 months .
While felicitating with the people of the state as they step into the new year, Ortom said his administration has concluded plans to clear salary arrears in the coming year.
"The wage bill of Benue workers in particular will continue to be a priority as our administration plans to clear outstanding salaries at the State and local government levels", he said.
He expressed optimism that 2017 would be a better year which would offer greater opportunities to the people in different sectors of the economy.
Ortom said that the state 2017 Appropriation Bill would open up rural roads for ease transportation for effective agricultural produce and enhance mechanized equipment to support farmers.
Gov Ortom reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to uphold transparency, accountability, as well as sustained peace and security as demanded by the change mantra.
Also the state Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) Mrs Mimi Orubibi in her New Year message thanked God for his continuous blessings and protection over his people in the state and beyond.
Orubibi explained that his lead board would continue to operate a tax friendly regime adding that the welfare of the masses was the topmost priority of the Ortom lead administration.
She disclosed that the people's taxes would be used judiciously.
Outgoing U.S. President Barack Obama has called for the sustenance of the legacies of his eight-year presidency as he hands over to President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20, 2017.
Obama, in a New Year message to Americans, said America had made significant progress over the past eight years as against the gloom that pervaded the country when he took office in 2009.
"Happy New Year, everybody. At a time when we turn the page on one year and look ahead to the future, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for everything you've done to make America stronger these past eight years.
"Just eight years ago, as I prepared to take office, our economy teetered on the brink of depression.
"Nearly 800,000 Americans were losing their jobs each month. In some communities, nearly one in five folks were out of work. Almost 180,000 troops were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Osama bin Laden was still at large.
"And on challenges from health care to climate change, we'd been kicking the can down the road for way too long."
According to him, eight years later, Americans are telling a better and different story.
*Obama
"We've turned recession into recovery. Our businesses have created 15.6 million new jobs since early 2010 – and we've put more people back to work than all other major advanced economies combined.
"A resurgent auto industry has added nearly 700,000 jobs, and is producing more cars than ever. Poverty is falling. Incomes are rising.
"In fact, last year, folks' typical household income rose by 2,800 dollars, that's the single biggest increase on record, and folks at the bottom and middle saw bigger gains than those at the top.
"Twenty million more Americans know the financial security of health insurance. Our kids' high school graduation rate is at an all-time high. We've brought 165,000 troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, and took out Osama bin Laden.
"Through diplomacy, we shut down Iran's nuclear weapons programme, opened up a new chapter with the people of Cuba, and brought nearly 200 nations together around a climate agreement that could save this planet for our kids.
"Almost every country on Earth sees America as stronger and more respected today than they did eight years ago. And marriage equality is finally a reality from coast to coast.
"We've made extraordinary progress as a country these past eight years. And here's the thing: none of it was inevitable. It was the result of tough choices we made, and the result of your hard work and resilience."
The outgoing President, however, reminded the citizens that to keep America moving forward is a task that "falls to all of us".
"Sustaining and building on all we've achieved – from helping more young people afford a higher education, to ending discrimination based on preexisting conditions, to tightening rules on Wall Street, to protecting this planet for our kids – that's going to take all of us working together.
"Because that's always been our story – the story of ordinary people coming together in the hard, slow, sometimes frustrating, but always vital work of self-government," the two-term President said.
Obama, who was inaugurated as the 44th U.S. President on Jan. 20, 2009, the only Black man in the history of U.S. to be elected president, and won re-election for the second and last term, described his two-term presidency as a "privilege".
"It's been the privilege of my life to serve as your President.
"And as I prepare to take on the even more important role of citizen, know that I will be there with you every step of the way to ensure that this country forever strives to live up to the incredible promise of our founding.
"That all of us are created equal, and all of us deserve every chance to live out our dreams.
"And from the Obama family to yours – have a happy and blessed 2017," the former Illinois senator, who still receives uncommon high popularity ratings among Americans, concluded.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians to pray for the quick recovery of the nation's economy in the New Year.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja on Saturday.
Ekweremadu, who expressed concern over the current economic hardship in the country, said the nation's leadership needed divine guidance for right economic policies.
He called on the Federal Government to put the right policies in place to boost investors' confidence while spending more on infrastructure and critical sectors to ensure economic growth.
Ekweremadu
"No doubt, 2016 will be remembered for unprecedented economic hardship for Nigerians, irrespective of social status, political, ethnic, and religious leanings.
"Therefore, we must all join hands to seek the face of God for quick economic recovery and peace in our land.
"Importantly, those in charge of the economy must rise to the occasion.
"We must assemble the best hands, irrespective of where they come from, to lead the nation out of the economic wilderness'', he said.
The deputy president of the senate also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and political elites to improve on electoral process ahead of 2019.
He said, "we must restore the confidence of our people in the ballot box.
"They must freely vote and their votes must count, devoid of all forms of intimidation, manipulation, and political excesses.''
He wished Nigerians a happy celebration and a prosperous New Year.
Nigerian Army of ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in the north east on Friday night made a heavy breakthrough when it arrested a Caretaker Chairman of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno state, Alhaji Shettima Lawan Maina for hiding a top Boko Haram Commander (name withheld) in his house at 1000 housing estate along Maiduguri- Damaturu- Kano road. Sources have said.
The incident according to sources living at the same estate with the Chairman did not come to them as a surprise following the capture of Sambisa Forest, a stronghold of insurgents by troops that led to so many of the terrorists escaped to various places for safety.
Mafa Local Government is east and about 40 kilometres drive from Maiduguri the state capital which had witnessed series of deadly attacks by insurgents, before it was liberated by the military early last year.
A resident and neighbours of the LG boss said, the military and some security operatives stormed the house after getting an intelligence report that the top Boko Haram commander had sneaked into the house for safety.
Already the source said, both the top Boko Haram Commander and the Chairman have been detained in a military facility to enable thorough investigation as to how a wanted terrorist will sneak into the house of the Chairman, knowing fully well, that politicians of such caliber do not usually allow access to their house of abode.
When contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer, Victor Isuku’s phone lines were not reachable, but a top security officer who is not authorized to talk to the press confirmed the incident, stating that “The arrest and capture of the Caretaker Chairman and the wanted boko haram commander took place on Friday night following a tip off”.
Ado-Ekiti-Tragedy struck at Ido Ekiti, Ido/Osi local government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday as three persons were killed when a truck belonging to Dangote Company reportedly crushed two motorcycles.
The Chairman of the Council, Mr Ayodele Arogbodo, who related the sad incident to journalists in Ado Ekiti, said the incident happened in front of Ekiti Parapo Grammar School in the town at about 10.30 am on Saturday.
He explained that the Dangote truck was coming from Lagos State via Ijero Ekiti and lost control at Usi-Ido junction before crashing into two moving commercial motorcyclists and overran them.
According to him, "one of the Okadas carried two passengers and another one carried three people. Three of these five persons died on the spot while the two other persons sustained severe injuries.
"I visited the scene this morning and those wounded are now at the Intensive Care Unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti and the mangled bodies of those who lost their lives have been deposited in the morgue in the same hospital".
The Council boss said the Divisional Police Officer of the Ido Ekiti Division and the Ekiti Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission promptly visited the scene to ensure free flow of traffic along that route.
Arogbodo, who expressed sadness on the loss of the three persons called on motorists to always exercise patience while driving on the road to prevent loss off innocent lives.
Another source confided in the journalists that those who lost their lives were of the same parents and that they were traveling to Usi Ekiti when the incident happened.
The source added: "the truck were moving down the hill when he drove very close to that junction. The driver wanted to apply brake but the brake failed and the two Okadas were already at the centre of the junction when the truck climbed the median and ran over them.
"The accident would have been worse than that but there were few vehicles on the road at that time . Even those who were coming from Ido Ekiti and were quick to recognize that the truck had lost control had immediately stopped their vehicles to prevent being crushed".
The Police Public Relation officer, Ekiti State Command, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, who confirmed the incident, said the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti.
Rivers United defender, Chigozie Ihunda has undergone successful surgery on his knee and is expected to be back in action for the 'Pride of Rivers' in the next three to six months.
Ihunda injured his left knee during United's 1-0 win over Warri Wolves at the Warri City Stadium, Warri on May 8 and has not played competitively ever since.
The right-back is currently in New Delhi, India where he has now undergone successful surgery and will now continue his rehabilitation with a view to returning to active competition.
Rivers United doctor, Chukwuemeka Agi who is with the defender in India explained that the procedure which took place on December 24 was successful.
"Ihunda has been operated upon at the Artemis Hospital in New Delhi, India.
"We arrived in New Delhi on December 22 and he (Ihunda) had blood tests and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) done on the same day.
"We had a review with the surgeon on December 24 and agreed to have the surgery two days later.
"The surgery lasted for two hours.
Chigozie Ihunda
"The operations that were done were in two phases; the first was a key hole surgery on the left knee while the second was an open surgery.
"He is currently in the first phase of recovery and we will now need to commence rehabilitation.
"He has already started minor physiotherapy which we hope will be good and effective.
"The time line for his return to action will be between three to six months but it could also be earlier depending on how the physiotherapy progresses.
"We wish to thank the Rivers State Government led by the Governor, His Excellency, Barrister Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike for facilitating this trip and ensuring the career of this young man did not end prematurely," Dr Agi told the club's official media.
Ihunda who is recovering well after the surgery also took the time to discuss his current situation.
"This is an important moment in my career. Football is my life and I feared I may never play again.
"It is God that will bless the Governor and the Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Honourable Boma Iyaye for the role they played in bringing me here (to India).
"I also want to thank my teammates for their support during my trying moments.
"Hopefully, I will be with them soon on the pitch to help Rivers United FC win things," a very emotional Ihunda said.
Ihunda scored two goals for Rivers United last season before he sustained the unfortunate injury on matchday 15.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration's determination to wrestle corruption to the ground remains unshaken.
The President, who gave the assurance in his New Year message to Nigerians, however, said that the fight against corruption would be guided by respect for the rule of law and due process.
He vowed that his administration would not spare anybody or organ of government in the ongoing crusade against corrupt practices.
""It is a collective undertaking and resolve that must be seen to its logical conclusion in spite of certain distractions.
""The fate of our country lies partly in the success of this campaign.
""It will be unthinkable on my part to allow the boat of this crucial campaign promise capsize mid-stream,'' he added.
On the economy, President Buhari said his administration had focused its energies to turn around the economy, create jobs, fight corruption, and transform agriculture to replace oil and gas as a major revenue earner for the nation.
Buhari
""I am encouraged that we are getting things right.''
According to him, agricultural revolution has begun and farmers in different parts of the country are experiencing bumper harvests while states are getting into strategic partnership towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice.
He said that "the era of over-dependence on oil for foreign exchange revenues was gradually waning.
""I am optimistic that the CHANGE we all yearned for in voting this administration to power in 2015 will manifest more and be sustained in different sectors, particularly agriculture, in 2017.''
He noted that the nation's economic recovery and growth plan in 2017 was anchored on optimizing the use of local content and empowering local businesses.
""In pursuit of this administration's philosophy, we will continue to appeal that we buy "Made In Nigeria" goods.
""Like I said during the 2017 Budget presentation to the National Assembly, farmers, small and medium-sized manufacturers, agro-allied businesses, dressmakers, entertainers and technology start-ups, will remain the true drivers of our economic future.
""They are the engine of our economic recovery and their needs underpin our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan,'' he further maintained.
On job creation, the President stated that his administration would sustain existing programmes aimed at lifting a vast number of the youth out of poverty, while at the same time creating the opportunities for people to fend for themselves.
President Buhari thanked Nigerians for their support to his administration's efforts to transform Nigeria.
""I assure you again that the current pains are temporary and will ease when the economic seeds in gestation begin to bloom to fruition" he said.
He urged them to continue to support the administration in its effort to transform Nigeria for the good of all.
Rafael Nadal ended an injury-plagued 2016 on a high by lifting the Mubadala World Tennis Championship title for a fourth time on Saturday.
The 30-year-old Spaniard defeated 11th-ranked Belgian David Goffin 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) after world number one Andy Murray earlier ousted Canada’s Milos Raonic 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) to take third place.
“I’m very happy to return to competition again. These three days have been good for me. These three days, playing at this level, are going to stand me in good stead for the rest of the season,” said Nadal.
Nadal’s 2016 campaign had been ruined by a wrist injury that forced him out of Roland Garros after the second round and saw him miss Wimbledon.
But he looked in form throughout the exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, beating Czech Tomas Berdych in the quarter-final and Raonic in the semi-finals.
“He put a lot of pressure on me,” said Goffin of his first clash against the Spaniard.
“You can feel how strong he is when he is in front of you. Mentally he is very impressive and he looks really strong to start the new season.”
Nadal will now head to Australia for the Brisbane International, with Goffin travelling to Doha for the Qatar Open.
Wimbledon and Olympic champion Murray, who was knighted in the New Year Honours list, lost to Goffin in Friday’s semi-final, his first defeat in the Belgian in six meetings.
“It was good to finish the year with a win,” said the 29-year-old Scot. “I still feel like Andy Murray – that feels more normal – but I am happy with the knighthood and it is a nice way to start the new year.”
Murray’s next stop is neighbouring Qatar for the opening week of the ATP season and two weeks out from the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of 2017.
In the match for fifth-place in the six-man field, France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Czech Thomas Berdych 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 10-3.
The Kano State Government is to establish six additional fire service stations across the state in 2017.
The Director of the State Fire Service, Alhaji Mustapha Rulwan, disclosed this in an interview in Kano on Saturday.
He said the project had been captured in the 2017 budget.
He said the offices, when established, would complement the existing 26 stations located across the state.
"Our plan is to have fire service office in each of the 44 local government areas of the state to ensure adequate coverage of the state.
Ganduje
"But 2017, we plan to establish six offices in order to enhance our performance and in readiness of any eventuality.''
He said the state government also planned to purchase additional fire fighting vehicles and other necessary equipment to enhance the operation of the department.
He said the state government had rehabilitated six broken down fire fighting vehicles and an ambulance to complement the existing vehicles at the headquarters.
According to him, the fire service had reopened four of its offices that were closed due to lack of fire fighting vehicles.
"We opened four of our offices that were closed down and provided each of them with a vehicle", he said.
He said the reopened stations are located at Gezawa, Wudil, State House of Assembly and Jakara/Kasuwar Kurmi.
He urged residents to continue to comply with safety regulations in order to avoid possible fire outbreak especially during the harmattan.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured the people of Rivers State that they will continue to enjoy good governance; pro-people leadership and enhanced welfare in 2017 .
In a new year message, the governor felicitated with the people of Rivers State and other Nigerians on the new year, urging them to continue to pray for Rivers State and Nigeria.
He noted that Rivers State will continue to grow in all sectors in 2017 as his administration is focused on building on the successes of 2016.
Gov. Wike
The governor said that civil servants and pensioners welfare will continue to receive priority attention as his administration will always pay salaries and pensions.
He emphasised that the state will witness unprecedented development in the areas of infrastructure, education, health, women and youth empowerment as his administration has dedicated 70 percent of the 2017 budget to capital expenditure.
Governor Wike further assured the people of the state that the security network of the state will improve in 2017 as structures have been put in place to enhance the security architecture of the state.
While wishing the people of Rivers State a prosperous 2017, Governor Wike thanked them for their unflinching support, love and prayers.
A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Here's a quick recap of some of the musical talents we lost this year;
David Bowie: He was a master of music and makeovers, famous both for his talent and gender-bending artistry. The iconic "Ziggy Stardust" singer, who died on January, 10 at the age of 69 after a quiet, 18-month battle with cancer, defied labels while producing a long string of acclaimed hits in a range of genres, from glam rock to funk to hip hop. His final album, "Blackstar," was released just days before his death.
Glenn Frey:The Eagles co-founder, who died on January 17 at the age of 67, was known for his laid-back persona and country-tinged California sound. Along with Don Henley, Frey co-wrote such indelible Eagles songs as "Best of my love", "Lyin' Eyes", "One of These Nights" and "Hotel California" before going on to a '80s solo career.
Paul Kanter: Guitarist Paul Kantner was a founding member of the '60s psychedelic-rock band Jefferson Airplane, which later morphed into Jefferson Starship. The 74-year-old who died on January 28 was heralded as the architect of what was then known as San Francisco sound, exemplified by such trippy songs as "White Rabbit."
Maurice White: Founder and leader of sprawling R&B group Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White died on February 4 at age 74, leaving behind a legacy of funky, spiritually uplifting hits that were loved by black and white audiences alike. Many, including 'Shining Star', 'Sing a Song' and 'September', will stand the test of time.
Keith Emerson : Keyboardist Keith Emerson co-founded Emerson, Lake & Palmer, which Billboard calls progressive rock's first supergroup. The British outfit thrilled audiences with florid instrumentation and elaborate stage shows, including pyrotechnics. Emerson, 71, died on March 11 in Santa Monica, California, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a coroner said.
This file photo taken on May 18, 2013 shows musician Prince performing onstage during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 19, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pop icon Prince died at his compound in Minnesota on April 21, 2016, a representative said. He was 57. “It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,” said his spokeswoman, Yvette Noel-Schure. / AFP PHOTO
Phife Dawg: Born Malik Taylor, he found fame as rapper Phife Dawg, a founding member of pioneering group A Tribe Called Quest. Pitchfork published some of the most epic rhymes by the diminutive, 45-year-old rapper and lyricist who spit serious magic on the mic before dying of complications from diabetes on March 23.
Merle Haggard: Singer-songwriter Merle Haggard was a grizzled country music legend who became a voice for the working man with classics like 'Okie from Muskogee' and 'Fightin' Side of Me'. He was 79 when he died from complications from pneumonia on the 6th of April.
Prince: Prince Rogers Nelson's music — a brilliant mix of pop, rock and stripped-down funk — transcended genres and generations. His best songs, from "When Doves Cry" to "Purple Rain" to "Kiss," somehow sound both timeless and fresh some 30 years later. His shocking death at age 57 on April 21 drew an international outpouring of grief that showed the breadth of his influence in popular culture.
Leonard Cohen: Canadian crooner Leonard Cohen's songwriting and poetry influenced countless musicians with its dark sensibility and ironic humor. Just before he died on November 10 at the age of 82, he released an album, 'You want it darker' that explored big questions about mortality and God.
Leon Russell: Rocker Leon Russel, who died in his sleep on November 13 at the age of 74, worked for years as an acclaimed session pianist before finding fame in his own right in the 1970s. His distinctive look and stage presence earned him the nickname, "The Master of Time and Space." Russell played on the famed 1971 "Concert for Bangladesh" at Madison Square Garden.
Sharon Jones: Soul and funk singer Sharon Jones spent decades in anonymity before audiences discovered her in the mid-2000s. With her backing band, the Dap-Kings, she became legendary for her fiery live shows, earning comparisons to her idol James Brown. Jones died at the age of 60 on November 18, but not before she defiantly told Rolling Stone in July, "I have cancer; cancer don't have me."
Greg Lake: On December 7, the prog-rock singer and bassist died at 69 after a battle with cancer, leaving Carl Palmer as the only surviving member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Lake also co-founded King Crimson and later scored a big solo hit in the UK with "I Believe in Father Christmas."
George Michael: Singer George Michael burst onto the scene with '80s pop duo Wham! before reaching greater heights as a charismatic — and controversial — solo artist. With such monster hits as 'Faith' and 'Freedom! '90', Michael blended danceable pop with progressive social commentary. The British pop star and gay icon was 53 when he died on December 25.
Debbie Reynolds: Actress and singer Debbie Reynolds died on Wednesday, a day after the sudden death of her daughter, "Star Wars" icon Carrie Fisher. Reynolds was 84. "She's gone to be with Carrie," Reynolds' son, Todd Fisher, said in a statement. "She loved taking care of her and now she's gone to be with her." Reynolds was rushed to a hospital from a Beverly Hills home at around 1 p.m. PT, according to law enforcement officials. Todd Fisher confirmed she had died Wednesday evening and later told "Variety" he blamed heartbreak for his mother's death.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has petitioned Ms. Agnes CALLAMARD, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, urging her to "prevail on the Nigerian authorities to halt further killings of innocent citizens in Southern Kaduna, and to urgently investigation recent allegations of killings of over 800 citizens mostly women, children and the elderly in that part of the country by suspected herdsmen, and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims"
The organization also asked Ms. CALLAMARD to "request to visit Nigeria to conduct fact-finding mission into the circumstances surrounding the killings."
In the petition dated 30 December 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization expressed "concern that the killings of citizens in Southern Kaduna of Nigeria amount to serious violations of the rights to life; to security of the human person; to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being; and right to property guaranted by not only the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) but also the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”
The petition reads in part: "SERAP contends that Nigerian authorities have failed and/or neglected to respect these human rights and to exercise due diligence to ensure that these rights are not violated by private individuals such as herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators. Nigerian government should therefore be held to account for failing or neglecting to guarantee and protect the rights of the people in Southern Kaduna, regardless of whether such violations are directly or indirectly attributable to the state or its officials."
"SERAP is concerned that the Nigerian government has failed and/or neglected to create an environment in Southern Kaduna to end the unlawful killings by failing to move their legal and institutional machinery towards the actual realisation of these rights. It is in fact the failure by the government to take adequate measures to prevent the violence which has contributed to the increasing number of victims."
"SERAP believes that the killings would not have taken place if the Nigerian authorities have taken measures to prevent their happening and to address persistent impunity of those responsible for the violations and abuses. The lack of accountability for the attacks by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators across the country has continued to create a culture of impunity which clearly is not compatible with the rule of law in a democratic society."
"According to the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Kaduna State, a total of 808 people were killed in 53 villages across the four local governments areas in the state ridden by crisis. The church leaders also said that 57 people were injured; farm produce estimated at N5.5 billion were also destroyed, and a total of 1,422 houses and 16 churches were burnt during the attacks. The affected communities are spread across Kaura, Sanga, Jama'a and Kauru Local Government Areas where there had been persistent attacks on communities by gunmen believed to be Fulani herdsmen."
SERAP therefore urged Ms. CALLAMARD to prevail on the Nigerian authorities to:
Take measures to urgently secure the right to life, right to security and dignity of the human person and right to property of citizens in Southern Kaduna, and to prevent further attacks and killings by herdsmen and other unknown perpetrators Carry out an effective investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and to provide reparations to victims Provide a framework of security for the protection of life, and to protect the lives of those individuals at risk from unlawful attacks in Southern Kaduna Provide for an effective remedy and reparation for the victims
An Oredo Magistrates' Court in Benin has ordered the remand in prison custody, of two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, Osakpamwan Eriyo and Sunday Osagbona, for alleged attempted murder.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M. C. Ojobo, who said she lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, directed that both accused persons be remanded in Oko Medium Security prison.
She said the prison has proper health facilities and directed that the case file be sent to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice
The accused persons were charged with the attempted murder of Chief Osaro Idah, Secretary of the state's APC.
Eriyo is the State Youth Leader of the APC and Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) while Sunday is the Ward 3 Chairman of the APC in Oredo Local Government
No pleas were taken.
Eriyo protested being handcuffed in the court room.
He said: "Am I a criminal? Did I kill anybody? Why are they charging me for attempted murder?
"I didn't do anything. It is the governor that is oppressing me."
Their Counsel, Usunobun Evbayiro, urged the court to grant them custody in the police clinic because of their ill-health.
He said his clients were hypertensive, asthmatic and diabetic and they needed constant medical attention.
"The first accused person collapsed in police station. It was the police doctors that revived him.
" I urge you to use your discretion to order him to be kept in police hospital so that police doctors can attend to him. It is for him not to die in custody."
The case was adjourned till Jan. 13 for mention.
The APC chieftains' supporters had earlier staged protests at the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command to demand their release.
The police, however, ignored the protesters and whisked the accused, under heavy security, to the court.
Similarly officials of RTEAN and suspected thugs attempted to storm the court room but they were barred by the police.
The APC chieftains were arrested following a petition sent to the police by Chief Osaro Idah that they threatened his life
The US President-elect Donald Trump has urged Obama, Americans and, perhaps, Russian President, Putin to jettison the disagreement between the two countries and move on to bigger and better things.
Trump also said he will, however, meet with intelligence leaders next week to get the "facts of the situation" that led the Obama administration to expel 35 Russian diplomats in the wake of cyber attacks related to the US election for the interest of America.
Trump
The statement from Mr Trump urged America to "move on to bigger and better things" but confirmed he would meet security officials "in the interest of our country and its great people".
"It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things. Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation.
The Kremlin has warned the expulsion may lead to retaliatory actions.
Mr Trump has previously dismissed as "ridiculous" claims Russian cyber-hackers had interfered with the US election
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats including shutting down of two Russian compounds in the U.S. in a number of actions announced on Thursday as reprisal for Russia's meddling in US election.
"Today, I have ordered a number of actions in response to the Russian government's aggressive harassment of U.S. officials and cyber operations aimed at U.S. election.
"These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behaviour.
"The U.S State Department is also shutting down two Russian compounds, in Maryland and New York, used by Russian personnel for intelligence-related purposes, and is declaring 'persona non grata' on 35 Russian intelligence operatives.
"Finally, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are releasing declassified technical information on Russian civilian and military intelligence service cyber activity.
"This is to help network defenders in the U.S. and abroad to identify, detect, and disrupt Russia's global campaign of malicious cyber activities."
According to him, all Americans should be alarmed by Russia's actions.
Russian intelligence agencies over the last two years blanketed Democratic Party targets with malicious emails and have likely continued such efforts after November's elections, a US federal law enforcement report showed Thursday.
According to the AFP, US officials in the report refer to the Russian hacking efforts collectively as "Grizzly Steppe".
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump agree to improve relations of both countries
The report's release coincided with an array of measures unveiled by Washington as retribution for what American officials have described as Moscow's malicious efforts to tip the vote in favour of President-elect Donald Trump by stealing embarrassing information from Democratic Party operations and senior party members before releasing it to the news media.
The report, produced jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security, traces the routes allegedly taken by hackers to infiltrate party operations, using targeted campaigns of "spearphishing," or fraudulent emails designed to cause the recipients to reveal passwords and other information, and then stealing large volumes of email.
The report corroborated or matched much of what had already been revealed by news media, which pointed to broad-based hacking by outfits such as APT 28 for "advanced persistent threat" tied to the Russian military intelligence body known as GRU, and APT 29, which may be associated with the FSB, or Russian federal security service.
"This activity by Russian intelligence services is part of a decade-long campaign of cyber-enabled operations directed at the US government and its citizens," DHS and FBI said in a joint statement with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the sprawling US intelligence community.
US intelligence officials in October formally accused Russia of responsibility for the hacking but have since reportedly been at pains to provide evidence without compromising their own intelligence collection.
The report contained technical specifications and IP addresses that the authors said network administrators could use to identify malicious activity as well as a set of recommendations for hardening networks against attack.
According to the report, in mid-2015 APT 29 used legitimate internet domains from US educational institutions and other organizations to host malware and send spearphishing emails to more than 1,000 accounts, including some belonging to US officials, successfully stealing email in bulk from several accounts.
In the spring of 2016, APT 28 also attacked, tricking victims into changing their emails on a fake website hosted by APT 28.
The New York Times reported this month that APT 28 stole emails belonging to John Podesta, then the chairman of Democrat Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and also penetrated computers used by the Democratic National Committee as well as the campaigning arm of Democrats in the House of Representatives.
"The US government assesses that information was leaked to the press and publicly disclosed," Thursday's report said.
"Actors likely associated with (Russian intelligence services) are continuing to engage in spearphishing campaigns, including one launched as recently as November 2016, just days after the US election."
The Directorate of State Services has reported various successes in smashing criminal gangs, including kidnappers, fraudsters and Boko Haram terrorists planning to detonate improvised bombs on New Year Day.
In Kano, the DSS operatives arrested three suspected Boko Haram fighters namely Samaila MUHAMMAD, Sanusi MUSA and Hudu MUHAMMAD.
They were arrested at Dirbunde village of Takai LGA in Kano State. The trio have perfected plans to carry out series of coordinated attacks with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in selected States of the North-West zone in the month of November, 2016 to disrupt festive activities during the end of year and the new year of 2017.
It was also in Kano state that DSS arrested Usman Sanusi MUSA aka KEKE, a notorious kidnap kingpin on 15th December, 2016, at Sabuwar-Kaura village in Doguwa LGA, Kano State.
MUSA is a high-profile criminal who, in conjunction with other criminal associates of his gang has been terrorising residents and communities in Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau States, the agency reported
In the latest update of the agency's operations by Tony Opuiyo, its spokesman, the DSS said it has succeeded in degrading criminal gangs in several parts of the country in tactical operations in the last three months.
Among the criminals smashed were two gangs, a three-man and a four-man cell operating between Edo and Kogi states, either kidnapping or robbing people on the route.
Members of the three-man gang made up of Abubakar MUSA, Ismail MUSA and Suleiman MAINASARA, were arrested four weeks ago at Aduwawa in Benin city, Edo State.
"Prior to their arrest, they were members of a kidnap gang that terrorised commuters and residents of communities along the major highways between Edo and Kogi States", Opuiyo said.
"Similarly, on 30th November, 2016, one Ibrahim ADAMU and three of his associates namely; Umar ABUBAKAR, Ibrahim SALISU and Abdullahi ABUBAKAR, were arrested at Ibilio village in Edo State. The quartets were part of a larger gang that specialized in the kidnap of people along the Edo-Kogi corridor."
The DSS also on 20 December at Katsina-Ala town in Benue State,arrested another gang of suspected kidnappers comprising one Ernest BENZE, Terkura TYOKISHIR alias MPOTO, and Anun AONDONA.
The trio were identified as members of the notorious Terwase Akwaza kidnap syndicate.
Operatives of the Service also arrested Sani DIGARU, along with one Mohammed ALI, on 25th December, 2016, about 1315 hours, along Gombe-Dukku road, Gombe.
It was however not clear whether DIGARU was still alive as the DSS reported that he was fatally shot when he attempted to escape from arrest.
His arrest was sequel to earlier intelligence that he was in possession of N2million meant for the coordination of a terrorist operation in Yobe and Bauchi States.
The DSS has also uncovered a criminal gang which specializes in robbing foreigners, either visiting or living in Abuja.
For instance, on 5 December, 2016, the gang robbed an expatriate in a high brow hotel in Abuja and carted away his money and other valuables.
However, acting on actionable intelligence, and with the support and cooperation of sister agencies and the hotel management, the Service arrested one Ikechukwu OBADLEGWU and Ikechukwu Joseph EKE.
While OBADLEGWU carried out surveillance on potential targets for the group, EKE is the kingpin and mastermind of the whole operation.
Following this operation, the Service has successfully recovered almost all the stolen items.
In further disclosures, the DSS said it arrested a notorious fraudster at Gwaron Dutse, Kano Municipal, Kano State.
The fraudster was identified as Auwalu Abdullahi YAKASAI.
He was apprehended for allegedly defrauding Jaiz and Unity Banks of N100 Million and N50 Million respectively.
The Service also arrested one Bashir SHUAIBU, on 5 December, 2016 at Tsamiya village, Gezawa LGA of Kano State for obtaining money from unsuspecting victims through threat messages. He was arrested while in the process of defrauding another victim.
Just last Wednesday, operatives of the agency waded into the kidnap of a 10 year-old boy at Ben Kalio Housing Estate, Damaturu.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of N5 million .
However, about 1920 hours same day, the Service rescued Muhd Yusuf DAYA, at Potiskum town, Potiskum LGA.
Meanwhile, the victim's mother Barakat DAYA and her friend, Rukaiya DANLADI, have been arrested for culpability in the incident, DSS said.
At least 15 Boko Haram fighters were killed in Borno State, Friday, when Nigerian troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and Boko Haram terrorists engaged in fierce battle which lasted several hours.
Sources say the battle ensued at 6 a.m this morning and did not end until after 9 a.m.
Our sources said the battle began when fighters of the terror group launched a surprise attack on troops location in Rann, in northern Borno, shooting sporadically.
They said the soldiers responded promptly, killing an unknown number of the terrorists, and wounding several others.
The battle was said to have raged for over two hours, and when the dust settled, several terrorists were found dead.
The Taraba Police Command on Friday said no All Progressives Congress (APC ) chieftain was killed in the state by miscreants.
The news of the killing was said to be contained in the news flash of a private television station on Friday.
The police spokesman in the state, Mr David Misal, told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in Jalingo that the story of a purported killing of an APC chieftain in the state was false.
He, however, said two people had sustained injuries from a violent attack shortly after they attended a recent campaign rally of a politician at Dampar in Ibi Local Government Area of the state.
Misal said: " It is not true. No APC chieftain was killed in the incident.
" What actually happened was that two people sustained injuries from a violent attack when they returned from a campaign rally of a politician at Dampar.
" I will not give you any name because when you are dealing with political cases, you have to be careful to avoid misinterpretation.
"The two persons are currently receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.
" The offence here is that they did not contact the security agencies before embarking on the rally.
" That is the reason why we have always advised politicians to contact security agencies before going for rallies so that they can be protected.
" If we had been informed, we would have averted the attack.''
He warned politicians in the state against violating the law while canvassing for votes in the February 2017 local government election in the state.
" Any political rally without security approval will be considered as a threat to security and the perpetrators would be liable to prosecution,'' Misal said. (NAN)
Embattled President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia has been unreachable by phone. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon revealed his frustration in attempting to reach him in a statement in New York on Thursday. "Despite efforts to reach President Yahya Jammeh by phone, the Secretary-General has not yet been able to speak with him", the statement by Stephane Dujarric, Ban Ki-Moon's spokesman said.
Yahya Jammeh
The UN chief has however spoken with Adama Barrow, the President-elect to congratulate him on his electoral victory and to reiterate the commitment of the UN to a peaceful, timely, and orderly transfer of power. In a readout of the phone call to Barrow, Ban Ki Moon said the UN welcomed and fully supported the decision of ECOWAS on Dec. 17, to support the safety of the president-elect. Ban advised the president-elect to urge his supporters to show restraint and not resort to violence. The secretary-general emphasised that the UN would support the will of the people in their election of Barrow as well as the future government in efforts to promote democracy and sustainable development of the country. The UN Security Council and the AU have also expressed such support and have acknowledged Barrow as the president-elect after he defeated the incumbent, Jammeh, in the Dec. 1 presidential election.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adams Dabutorudima has resigned. Information about his resignation is still very sketchy as at press time.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Alhaji Sani Zoro, has advised the IDPs to be wary of returning home until the military certifies their communities safe.
Zoro gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Friday.
He noted with concern that some IDPs have started rushing home after the capturing of Sambisa forest, saying this did not augur well for their safety.
According to him, there is the need for the military to certify the communities safe, after liberating the territory hitherto seized by insurgents.
"I am not happy about the development that IDPs in the camps are rushing to their homes, because already there is fear that some of these communities have been mined by insurgents.
"There is need to escalate the level of reconstruction, especially shelter and means of livelihood in this harmattan season and there is also need for the massive `demining' of all liberated areas and the army had to confirm that such places are safe for the return of IDPs" .
He also advised the Federal Government to assign the reconstruction of houses, roads, police stations and schools in the North-East to the military .
Zoro explained that such a decision will generate employment in specialised areas such as carpentry, masonry and engineering.
He said that the Armed forces should be encouraged to develop their capacity in other aspects of human endeavour as obtained in other parts of the world.
Sen. Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers South-East) has flayed the preparation and passage of the Rivers' 2017 budget. He described the budget presented by Gov. Nyesom Wike and passed by the state legislature "as too hasty".
Abe made remarks when a chieftaincy title: "Esaan Kono" (First Son of Kono) was conferred on him by the Kono Community on Friday in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said that the budget was not supposed to be treated as a secret document but a collective interest of all groups in the state.
Abe said the absence of some lawmakers during the budget presentation to the House of Assembly attested to the manner the budget was prepared.
"A budget is expected to be discussed by representatives of the various local government areas to ensure equal opportunities for the economic interest of all.
"The governor would have waited for the swearing-in of all the elected lawmakers to enable every part of the state have a voice in the economic plan of the state.
"If the budget is hastily presented and subsequently passed into law without involvement of all the lawmakers, then its aim is defeated," he said.
He urged the governor to make public copies of the budget to enable the people have better knowledge of his administration.
Abe also charged the people of Kono to embrace the spirit of brotherhood to enhance the economic growth and political stability of the constituency.
Mr Blessing Nwikinaka, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the title was to honour him on his successful re-election and to pledge their continued support to his programmes.
"Kono has benefited greatly from some of your laudable projects.
"Today, we have two functional boreholes, youth scholarships, payment of backlogs of electricity bills and rehabilitation of jetty at the Kono Waterfront are some of your show of love to Kono people," Nwikinaka said.
Mr Marvin Yobana, the Youth Leader, urged youths in the area to support the Senator in his effort towards attracting democracy dividends to the region.
He urged them to embrace peace at all times so as to move the community forward.
Lawyers in Kuala Lumpur said on Friday that a 9-year-old Malaysian boy got his penis amputated in the second botched circumcision operation in December.
The Lawyers said was due to negligence on the part of his surgeon.
The doctor accidentally cut off the head of the boy's penis during the operation on December 15.
He then tried to stitch the penis head back on, but did not align it properly, lawyer P. Uthayakumar told reporters at a press conference outside the main hospital building in Kuala Lumpur.
The child was referred to another hospital for immediate further surgery, but the penis head started turning black, and the whole penis later had to be amputated.
"I am very stressed out I don't know what to do,'' the father of the child, who did not want to be named, said.
The boy's parents are seeking compensation to cover reconstructive surgery and are hoping for their son to be treated at a hospital abroad.
"He asks me: Why are you sad mother? I try to control crying in front of him I can't help but think how his life will be after this,'' the boy's mother added while sobbing.
Neither the unidentified doctor, who carried out the botched operation, nor his clinic has made any comment about the case.
Last week a 10-year-old boy lost the top of his penis in a laser technique circumcision, however, the glans was successfully reattached.
Sen. Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers South-East) has flayed the preparation and passage of the Rivers' 2017 budget.
He described the budget presented by Gov. Nyesom Wike and passed by the state legislature "as too hasty".
Abe made remarks when a chieftaincy title: "Esaan Kono" (First Son of Kono) was conferred on him by the Kono Community on Friday in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said that the budget was not supposed to be treated as a secret document but a collective interest of all groups in the state.
Abe said the absence of some lawmakers during the budget presentation to the House of Assembly attested to the manner the budget was prepared.
"A budget is expected to be discussed by representatives of the various local government areas to ensure equal opportunities for the economic interest of all.
"The governor would have waited for the swearing-in of all the elected lawmakers to enable every part of the state have a voice in the economic plan of the state.
"If the budget is hastily presented and subsequently passed into law without involvement of all the lawmakers, then its aim is defeated," he said.
He urged the governor to make public copies of the budget to enable the people have better knowledge of his administration.
Abe also charged the people of Kono to embrace the spirit of brotherhood to enhance the economic growth and political stability of the constituency.
Mr Blessing Nwikinaka, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the title was to honour him on his successful re-election and to pledge their continued support to his programmes.
"Kono has benefited greatly from some of your laudable projects.
"Today, we have two functional boreholes, youth scholarships, payment of backlogs of electricity bills and rehabilitation of jetty at the Kono Waterfront are some of your show of love to Kono people," Nwikinaka said.
Mr Marvin Yobana, the Youth Leader, urged youths in the area to support the Senator in his effort towards attracting democracy dividends to the region.
He urged them to embrace peace at all times so as to move the community forward. (NAN)
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Alexis Ohanian, the 33 year old. who got engaged to tennis legend, Serena Williams is a great man too in ICT. He is also a legend in his own world.
He is an American internet entrepreneur, activist, investor, and best-selling author. He lives in San Francisco.
He was born on 24 April 1983 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. His father Chris Ohanian, is an Armenian-American whose family were Armenian Genocide survivors who came to the US as refugees.
Williams and Ohanian
His mother, Anke is a German-born, who worked as an au pair and overstayed her visa when she fell in love with Ohanian's father.
Ohanian went to Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland where he gave the student address for his graduating class in 2001.
He is best known for co-founding the social news website Reddit, co-founding the early stage venture capital firm Initialized Capital, helping launch the travel search website Hipmunk, and starting the social enterprise Breadpig. He was a partner at Y Combinator, and is also the executive chairman of Reddit.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2005 with degrees in commerce and history, Ohanian started reddit.com, with co-founder Steve Huffman. Reddit initially received funding from Y Combinator after Ohanian and Huffman were rejected for their initial idea, My Mobile Menu.
In 2007, Ohanian launched Breadpig, an "uncorporation" that produces geeky merchandise and gives the proceeds to charity. He is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of Breadpig.
In 2009, Ohanian spoke at TED about a whale named Mister Splashy Pants. After leaving Reddit in 2010, Ohanian spent 3 months working in microfinance as a Kiva fellow in Yerevan, Armenia. Ohanian helped launch travel search website Hipmunk in 2010, and now acts as an advisor. In June 2010, Ohanian announced the launch of his company Das Kapital Capital, which focuses on startup investing, advising and consulting.
He was named the "Ambassador to the East" for early stage venture firm Y Combinator. In this position, he meets with East Coast applicants, mentors New York YC founders, and is a general representative for the company.
He also held the role of part-time partner and full-time partner at Y Combinator, before leaving in 2016 to help launch the third Initialized Capital fund with Garry Tan.
He co-founded Initialized Capital in 2010 and made seed investments in startups including Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise. It has had three funds, totaling over $160M under management.
In late 2010 and early 2011, he spoke out against Congress's Stop Online Piracy Act and the Senate's Protect IP Act. He helped lead the Internet-enabled grassroots campaign that eventually overturned the two bills.
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In October 2012, Ohanian teamed up with Reddit General Manager Erik Martin and embarked on the Internet 2012 Bus Tour from Denver, CO to Danville, KY to campaign for the open Internet during the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. One of the campaign stops spurred the idea for a possible "National Geek Day." in Washington DC.
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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared January 8 2017 national day of mourning over Southern Kaduna killings.
This came as its commended President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his assumption in office, but decried his silence over the on-going genocide in the last few weeks’
Saying that Buhari’s silence was ‘perceived as official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.’and that the defense of the President's silence and that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter was unacceptable, as governor was biased in handling of the continuous killings.
These were made known in a statement directed by Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo A Ayokunle, President CAN and signed by Rev. Dr. Musa Asake, CAN National General Secretary on Friday.
New CAN President, Rev Ayokunle
The statement read
‘Though the church in Nigeria since 2009 has been subjected to a systemic genocide and persecution through the instrumentality of Islamic fundamentalists Boko Haram, leading to the killing of thousands of Christians and destruction of hundreds of churches, and over 50,000 houses, but the current unprecedented onslaught against Christians in southern Kaduna by the
Islamic fundamentalists disguising as the Fulani herdsmen under the watch of Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and President Muhammadu Buhari has reached an alarming stage.
While we commend President Muhammadu Buhari for waging war against Boko Haram fundamentalists since his Assumption of office, his silence over the on-going genocide in the last few weeks speaks volume over the perceived official endorsement of the dastardly and ungodly acts.
The recent defense of the President's silence that the President has received briefing from the governor of Kaduna State over the matter is unacceptable, because the Presidency knows that the people of the affected area had already protested against the governor's unacceptable biased handling of the continuous killings.
Common sense tells anyone that at that instance, the President has to more directly wade in because lives are involved. The continuous killings have shown that the Governor of Kaduna State lacks the will power to arrest the situation and bring it under effective control.
We know that southern Kaduna has been under 24-hour curfew daily as directed by the governor, yet the enemies of the people are still prowling going from house to house killing defenseless people without government protection.
The security operatives in the area appear to be turning blind eyes to the killings. They only rush to trouble spots after the perpetrators of the evils had performed their enterprise of killings and destruction of houses and farmlands.
CAN has previously drawn attention to the imbalance in the appointments made in our security Institutions, hence we re-emphasize that leadership/ management of security institutions both at the national and state levels be reviewed to ensure a balance of Muslim and Christian Representation. Such balance, will build trust and confidence among all citizens of Nigeria in the Security empowered to protect our nation. We implore the state and federal government to increase their efforts in putting an end to these killings and as well ensure that those behind the killings are brought to book under the laws of our land and those affected to be compensated.
In view of the present predicament, the President of CAN has directed that Sunday January 8 2017, should be declared national day of mourning by Christians including those in Diaspora. We are to pray fervently for our southern Kaduna brothers and sisters who are victims of these wanton killings and also for the peace of our dear country Nigeria.
Therefore, all Christians are to dress in mourning attire of black clothes or dresses in all our church services on January 8, 2017. We are to pray that God who delivered the Jews from Haman should deliver Christians from Hamans in Nigeria.
Not only that, all celebrations/merriments associated with the New Year are to be done low key in solidarity with our brethren in southern Kaduna who had lost their lives and who have been denied the privilege of celebrating the yuletide. An injustice to one is an injustice to all. Each State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria should also address the press either on the 1st or 8th of January reading out the contents of this release. May God deliver our Land from the forces of darkness on rampage in Jesus' name, amen.
All Christians in Nigeria and on the global scene should speak against this ethnic/religious cleansing to wake up the Nigerian security agencies from their deliberate slumber to carry out their responsibilities.
It is our prayer that the souls of all those that were slaughtered to rest in perfect peace. We pray that God will heal the wounds of their loved ones and all those that they left behind, and that God will strengthen and avenge them in the shortest time possible, for our
God will never abandon or forsake His people.
May we be comforted that help is on the way, let us completely trust and depend on Him holding on to His promises for our God is mighty and powerful and He will surely deliver us.
Let me conclude this press statement by quoting from the poem of the German Pastor Martin Niemoller (1892-1984) during the brutal days of Adolf Hitler who pen down the following words in his famous poem:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
The Presidency has been advised not to relent in its efforts to stamp out corruption in the Nigerian Judicial system to truly make it the last hope of the common man by 2017.
Mr Nwoha Amaechi, lawyer and former Speaker, Imo House of Assembly, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
Amaechi said the scrutiny and uncompromising stance of the present APC-led Federal Government was key to restoring the lost public confidence in the judiciary.
He saluted the courage of President Muhammadu Buhari for championing unprecedented investigation of alleged corruption against judges, which he said, was necessary for not only unbiased judiciary but victory for the people.
“No matter what some commentators may say, I give praises to the present government for having the courage to have carried out the level of arrests and scrutiny in the judiciary.
"In 2016, the judiciary received for negative revelations with the unprecedented exposure of corruption that led to arrest of judges.
"These exposures opened up that arm of government to public scrutiny which is necessary in positioning it to perform optimally,'' Amaechi said.
The former speaker, who described the anti-graft war in the judiciary as one of the greatest achievements recorded by Buhari, said it was good for Nigeria's democracy.
He noted that corruption was capable of plunging any institution into moral and disciplinary decadence and had the potential of overriding the country's democratic institutions.
Amaechi said that it was imperative to flush out all the bad eggs from `our courts' to guarantee delivery of fair judgments without fear or favour.
He, however, reiterated the need for the cleansing of the judiciary as a roadmap to a corrupt-free Nigeria in 2017.
"I urge the government not to relent to rescue that arm of government from corruption,” he said
The Department of State Services is investigation and prosecuting some judges for alleged corruption. (NAN)
The Prison Command in Kwara on Friday commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mallam Jaafaru Ahmed, for promoting 232 officers across the ranks in the state.
The state's Controller of Prisons, Mr Adetoyi Akangbe, gave the commendation while decorating the promoted officers in Ilorin.
He advised the newly promoted officers to work hard and be more committed to the service to achieve common set goals.
Akangbe commended the Controller-General for putting an end to stagnation of staff on particular ranks.
He described the Controller-General's gesture as a great motivation to officers and personnel of the service.
According to him, the promoted officers who are in high spirit are thankful to the Controller-General.
He said the promotion would further motivate the officers to do more for the service and the country as a whole.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 1,000 officers of the service were promoted nationwide.
