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
When the gains of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration are counted, the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy will make the list. Before the policy, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) operated thousands of questionable and poorly monitored bank accounts. This bred systemic corruption, compromised revenue remittances and deposit dormancy.
But the implementation of the policy was not a walk in the park. The government's initial attempts to adopt TSA were unsuccessful, as the CBN lacked the technological capacity to manage the retail aspect of the policy. RTGS, a Swedish eTechnology platform, was expected to drive the payment leg of the project, but was found unsuitable for retail payments. That was when SystemSpecs came into the picture. Through the company's flagship software Remita, which powers the TSA, the government has been able to recover over N3 trillion of its cash assets lying dormant in Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and 40,000 ghost workers have been flushed out of the public sector, as disclosed by Vice President Yemi Osibajo yesterday.
Remita is an electronic platform that helps the government, corporate organisations, SMEs and individuals make and receive payments easily. It aggregates multiple bank accounts, giving customers the ability to perform the complete suite of eTransactions. Major billers also find Remita a useful tool, since it offers multiple payment options, generates instant receipts and transaction reports.
'Remita has been around for 10 years, with a view to revolutionising payment in Nigeria," said SystemSpecs Executive Director Deremi Atanda, on CNBC Africa's mid-belt programme Power Lunch recently. "Somewhere along the line, the country wanted to implement a fiscal policy which required the support of payment technology. We got onto the scene and proved we could deliver. That actually marked the start of our involvement with a significant national initiative."
John Obaro left a fulfilling career in the banking industry to start SystemSpecs in 1992. Ever since, he has been a crusader for more government investment in Nigeria's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry. He argues that most developing nations are focusing their attention on ICT in reaction to fluctuating oil prices on the international market and Nigeria should follow suit. As of last year, ICT contributed over 11% to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He believes this percentage can be scaled up, making Nigeria overtake South Africa as the continent's largest ICT market.
"We will continue to extend the frontiers of e-Payment, financial and human capital software solutions,” Obaro assures.
SystemSpecs' pioneering efforts have not gone unnoticed by top players in the ICT industry. At the Tech Titan awards held in Lagos last month, the company beat notable competitors in the industry to emerge the 'Pan African Software Company of the Year.' Its software Remita also received accolades as the 'Most Revolutionary eGovernment Product of the Year', while Obaro made the list of Nigeria's Top 50 Tech Titans at the industry night.
By September 15, the TSA will be one year old. A crop of analysts say the policy has achieved much, even though Nigerians have received it with mixed feelings. They explain that the TSA has returned a measure of probity and accountability to Nigeria's financial system, forcing commercial banks to diversify their sources of deposit mobilisation and minimise their overdependence on MDA deposits which yielded them huge interest while the Federal Government was left virtually cash-strapped over the years. Last Tuesday, Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) helmsman Umaru Ibrahim said the TSA has signalled the end of armchair banking. He stressed that over three years ago, banks had been warned to diversify their income sources so as to solidify their capital base.
Despite these gains, the TSA policy is in danger of failing. Atanda says government has not paid SystemSpecs its 1% service charge for using its software to implement the policy. By agreement, the service charge is to be shared in the ratio of 50%, 40% and 10% by SystemSpecs, DMBs and the CBN respectively.
"We have taken this challenge upon ourselves for the sake of other IT entrepreneurs. It's not been easy going ahead without being paid for months. But we know that once this is sorted out, it charts the path for others coming into the market," he says.
Economic watchers observe that if this state of affairs lingers, the TSA may not stand the test of time and the gains recorded in the last few months would go to waste. Systemic corruption will return to the public sector and government will have a much harder time keeping tabs on its income and expenditure. Worse still, developmental projects that will be of benefit to the groaning citizenry will virtually be at a standstill.
By Bunmi Sofola FROM time to time, I get letters from you readers that are so interesting that I feel I ought to share them with the rest of you. A few days back, a letter simply signed "Iyabode" popped up on my e-mail and I couldn't help chuckling to myself as I read it. She wrote: "Dear Bunmi, I am one of the regular readers of your articles in The Vanguard every Sunday, and I do not even know how fully I can express my feelings about your articles. If I may tell you, they have really improved my lifestyle and I always make copies available to friends whenever the need arises.
Bunmi, I shall be grateful if you can please help write something one of these days on: Why men of today prefer married women as girlfriends. Honestly speaking, it is a vogue in town these days. Please help emphasize on the following points:
Class: This set of married women are known for their own class. Most of them are wives of rich and notorious men. These men also go out at all times with extremely younger girls, leaving their wives and kids at home, thinking that money can fix everything, forgetting about love and happiness.
Sex: This category of ladies are preferred by men because they do have wide sexual experiences and they are very safe as they don't pester the men for marriage.
Fashion: These ladies are very fashion conscious. They are seen in designer dresses and at beauty parlours. They do not mind how much they spend on manicures, pedicures and professionally
applied make-up, all in order to look impeccably groomed. Not to talk of ridiculously expensive hair extensions. They are also seen in various body shops where they do expensive keep fit exercises. This set of ladies have all the time in the world to look after themselves as a result of their rich husbands not staying at home most of the time. Their main achievement is to dress to kill so that other men could admire them.
Conclusion: Most of these ladies do commit adultery mainly to spite their husbands who are noted for their indiscretions. They (the ladies) have all the time to have fun outside their matrimonial homes whenever their husbands are out hunting. They just believe in the saying that; what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
Advice: Bunmi, please advise us all that inasmuch as you are not encouraging this type of attitude amongst us, men must be advised and warned to please do anything they do in the name of fun in
moderation because women of today will never allow them (the men) to have their cake and eat it all. Gone are the days of our . mothers when Aro Mental Hospital, Abeokuta, was packed full of female patients who have problems. Ladies of nowadays are not ready for that kind of ego. The reverse in fact is now the case. Please help expatiate on this subject of married women and their lovers. And let us for once bring out fright in these our hard- hearted men."
After sounding all that warning, dear Iyabode, there is precious little left of the topic for me to expatiate on. Over the years, and from time to time, I have touched on similar issues but it seems our men are just bent on living on the dangerous fast lane. As you rightly observed, it takes two to tango. The women too aren't exactly as innocent of the offence as you believed. In fact, they are the bait that keeps men always rushing to the hook. All we have to do really is cross our fingers. Who knows, the vogues might die after the novelty wears off – I wish!
In a second interesting letter, a reader writes on an entirely different topic:
"Good men come in many packages". She writes: "What I have learnt in my adult years is that the father I knew and love wasn't necessarily the man my mother initially met. For example, during the early years of their marriage, my father had a slight drinking problem. But when my mother gave him the ultimatum of choosing between alcohol and his family, he chose the latter. By the time I came along, the problems was history, and I can barely recall my father even taking a drink socially. "Now don't get me wrong – my mother was in no way telling me to settle down in a hurry. In fact, `You can do that by yourself' is one of her mantras. But she was quietly revealing to me how important patience and understanding are of a successful relationship. If my father was alive today, I have no doubt that my parents would still be happily married. Sure. they had occasional arguments, but those never seemed to last. Their love always seemed to overcome whatever challenges they faced.
Though the standard of living today is very difficult from what it was some 30 years ago, when my parents tied the knot, the standard for loving married should never change. I want what my parents had, and no amount of education or financial stability can guarantee that. If my soul mate happens to be a university graduate with a big salary, great. But I no longer have a check list to material things my husband-to-be must possess.
"Of course there are qualities in a husband I cannot compromise on. I want a God-fearing man who will always have self-respect, respect for me, and strong family values. `I didn't have my father around when I was growing up' is a lame excuse for irresponsible, disrespectful behaviour in a relationship. My dad never knew his biological father, and he was raised by women. This never stopped him from being a wonderful husband and father … "
By Olalekan Bilesanmi Mr. Yemi Gbadegesin is Acting Registrar/Director General, Nigeria Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT). In this interview, Gbadegesin speaks on his plans for NISLT among other issues.
What is your take on the issue of HND/B.Sc disparity?
Gbadegesin
I think this issue has been taken care of at the Head of Service meeting at the Directorate of Establishment. It was discussed during the alumni meeting as well.
There is a clause in the new dispensation that before you can move to the directorate level, you must possess post graduate diploma (PGD) in any science discipline. Meanwhile, technologically, HND holders are more knowledgeable than degree holders. For this reason, HND holders should be highly recognized in our society in as much as we are trying to develop our technology. And to be sure our economy grows very fast, technologists must be recognized and placed at the same level with degree holders.
What are your plans for this institute?
The first plan is to continue from where my predecessor stopped, he worked actively to make sure that we got the NIST Act promulgated in 2003. After that, he developed the compound we are using now and making sure the Abuja office was commissioned. He also saw to it that the profession is highly recognized in the country.
How can government enhance the efficiency of laboratory technology generally?
Government should continue to fund the development of the profession. We also want government to assist in the area of enforcement. These two areas are critical to the success of the industry.
What are the challenges facing your members?
One of the challenges we are facing for now is that our people should be allowed to be promoted from grade level 14 to 17. The other issue has to do with discrepancies with other bodies in the health sector, and very soon, we shall resolve it. We are giving it the attention it deserves.
How do you ensure that the ethics of the profession are upheld by institute members?
Our professionals must ensure decorum in the laboratory. Our hospitals must also get the services of qualified personnel in order to have accurate laboratory results.
Also knowing that each one that becomes a member of the association must have attained some certification ,it is the duty of members to conform to approved standards in offering services to clients or employers.
What is your association doing to make sure that your members are represented in health institutions and bodies across the country?
Presently, there is no institution in Nigeria where we do not have our members in the health sector. If you go to FIIRO or NAFDAC, you have our members, and they are otherwise called analysts. So, you can be rest assured that everywhere and anywhere where the issue of health and health related issues are discussed, our members are there.
You talked about enforcement earlier. How do you enforce the enabling law of the institute on professionals?
When you don't have compliance, the next thing is enforcement, especially in the area of laboratory registration; if you are not a practicing member, you are not allowed in the laboratory. Enforcement will start any moment from now and anybody who is found wanton will be dealt with.
By Candida IN a recent chat with Mark, a casual acquaintance for years, he accused me of portraying sex as a fun thing that people happily went into when the urge took them without a care for that dreaded sexual dampener – erectal failure. Was he a victim? I asked, expecting profuse denial. "Yes I am, and it's no thanks to an ex-girlfriend who laughed derisively when I tried to make love to her and failed".
Would he like to talk about it? "You bet," he said. "I'll do better than that. I'll let you have my grouse about you women and your heartless ways, in black and white!" He was true to his words too as he personally brought his write-up to my office. Here is an excerpt from his heart-wrenching experience:
"Rita was a serious girlfriend I met at the university. I was not only in love with her, I was obsessed with her. After months of courting her, we finally made love. For her, I came too soon! I told her it would be better the next time around, but it wasn't. It was obvious I had fallen short of satisfying her. Her sympathy was mixed with a suppressed derision. She implied that it was not so much that she was sexually demanding that was the problem, on the contrary, it was the fact that I was clearly less virile than most men. The tragedy is that
she might be right as two previous girlfriends had hinted at the same thing. So, once again, I suffered a broken heart on the strength of my inadequacy. It was most humiliating and frustrating. It was no surprise that I had a sort of break down – I was in love with Rita. I became tormented by the belief that I was sexually inadequate, and that all Rita's cruel' jibes had been true, though not based on any real evidence. If it could be that obvious to her, could it be obvious to everyone? I went over all the things that had been said to me in the past by other women, remembered all those discreet smiles and sniggers. I became obsessed with the suspicion that most men have larger penises than myself. I began to feel that this was why I could not satisfy a woman, and I started to feel that there was a cruel humour in the fact that I had spent so much time with Rita begging her to change her mind. When, all the time, she knew perfectly well that there was no hope because I was incapable anyway. I had become totally impotent.
"Oddly enough, I did not, at once, grasp the connection; I did not see that Rita's cruel treatment of me had this result. Time after time, I made excuses, adopted the surprised 'this is unusual for me' defence whenever I failed a woman and confessed (truthfully, of course) that I had never got over a former girlfriend.
"A couple of years after this fiasco, I became engaged to Gloria. She was a pretty 22-year-old, virginal, spiritual and innocent, but clearly passionate woman. I felt safe with her because she was so innocent and uncritical. I hoped we could progress together and my problem would just go away. We courted chastely under her mother's watchful eye. Eventually, outside her mother's hawkish watch, on a weekend specially planned to meet her, hints that it would be enjoyable for us to cement our love by sleeping together, I faced the truth yet again. 'Why isn't it hard? can't you make it hard?' she asked, impatiently, as she fondled my offending and obstinately limp penis.
"One can make excuses for a single failure, but perpetual failure became impossible to explain anyway. I had no choice but to hurt her deeply by dropping her, unable to face the humiliation of having to admit being impotent rather than just tired, drunk or upset. At the time, she did not understand the reason. Some years later, I met her again. Seeing she still cared, we tried to resume where we had left off. I had to explain my deficiency and how it had been caused by the cruelty of a former girlfriend. After some time, we broke up again – she didn't want a sexless relationship.
"I have tried to keep my problem secret from friends and acquaintances, but in my efforts to be treated, I have come across a small tribe of doctors, nurses and receptionists trying to act in a clinically detached manner, trying to suppress (in some cases) an obvious amusement or morbid curiosity at my predicament. Treatment was always to no satisfactory results. "Rita was wicked to me to the end. Long after last seeing her, I resolved to try to exorcise her effect on me. I felt that if I could get her to explain why she behaved so badly and hurt my feelings so deeply, my appreciation of this could, in some way, have a curative effect.
"I wrote her a rambling and accusing letter that touched on everything except the central reason for writing; and I could not want to touch on because I didn' want to give her a genuine excuse for ridicule. I got no reply. I wrote again, begging for a reply. I assumed that she had not got the letters. After some research, I was able to get the number to her mobile and phoned her to her amazement. Yes, she had got my letters; no, she thought it best not to rake up old quarrels, after all, it was a long time ago. I then wrote again, begging for her explanation. Again, no reply.
"Since that time, I have been resigned to being impotent and remaining so. I realize that many of you readers will be inclined to snigger in just the same way, and for the same reasons that others have. There is no point at all denying that impotence is funny, to all but the victim himself. Many will feel this is all nonsense, that I'm just making excuses as I admit to having done with many women, some will say I am just making a convenient scapegoat of poor Rita. That my problem is that of being a sexual weakling, impotent right from the beginning, and poor Rita, through some kind of intuition, correctly diagnosed me. That I would have been impotent regardless of who I met with first.
"This is not true. All my problems stem from the first unhappy encounter at a time when I was exceptionally vulnerable. I have heard this sort of thing more than once, one girl accused me of 'making excuses because you've got no balls'. "I have become philosophical, but I still get very upset at the suggestion that I'm just trying to salvage my pride from an intolerable truth. It is quite untrue and distressing to suggest this. Such an attitude stems from a desire on the part of many to protect women from consequences of their own selfishness – a form of female chauvinism."
Marcus Rashford extended Manchester United’s 100 percent start to the Premier League season with a dramatic strike two minutes into stoppage time to seal a 1-0 win at Hull City on Saturday.
Teenage forward Rashford, left out of the starting line-up for each of United’s opening three matches, made his case for greater involvement as he came on as a substitute to convert Wayne Rooney’s low cross from close range.Marcus Rashford
Up to that point, it looked like being an evening of frustration for Jose Mourinho’s team, but they leave the KCOM Stadium in second place in the table behind leaders Chelsea only on goals scored.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic went close twice in the first half for United, while Rooney was denied by a brilliant first-half block from Hull captain Curtis Davies.
Hull, themselves looking to maintain a perfect league record, spent most of the match on the defensive but did have threatening moments of their own.
Robert Snodgrass’ free-kick flew just wide in the opening half, while Tom Huddlestone’s shot was deflected just wide off Eric Bailly inside the final 15 minutes.
Indeed, David Meyler lifted a shot over the bar from a promising position just seconds before Rashford struck, leaving the home side wondering what might have been.
Aside from the agonising manner of the defeat, a major concern for their caretaker manager Mike Phelan, though, will be an injury to Scotland international Snodgrass, who had to come off early in the second half.
Phelan, who is hoping to sign goalkeeper David Marshall from Cardiff City, is desperately short of senior players, despite the return of defender Harry Maguire from injury.
Hull’s stand-in manager is continuing to have to field players out of position, with midfielder Jake Livermore once again filling in as a centre-back, and winger Sam Clucas figuring in a holding midfield role.
The club’s lack of signings has been a sore point with supporters, who have called for owners Assem and Ehab Allam to leave the club.
– Adversity –
Ehab, writing in the match programme, indicated that a deal has been agreed to sell the club, with a Chinese consortium led by commercial property investors Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu Li believed to be taking over, having been in negotiations for several weeks.
Despite chaos off the pitch, Hull’s players have shown remarkable strength in adversity on it, withstanding United’s pressure until the final seconds in torrential rain in east Yorkshire.
The visitors almost took the lead in the eighth minute, when Ibrahimovic glanced a header onto the roof of the net from Anthony Martial’s clever cross.
They found it difficult to create clear chances after that and Hull did cause problems at the other end.
Marouane Fellaini conceded a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area which Snodgrass, a regular threat from set-pieces, curled just wide.
United should have gone in front eight minutes before the interval when Juan Mata raced past Andrew Robertson and crossed for Rooney six yards out, but the England captain’s effort was blocked by Davies, and the visitors’ appeals for handball went unheeded.
Ibrahimovic then backheeled into the side-netting just before half-time, and United’s search for a goal continued with little success for much of the second period.
Paul Pogba and substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan both had long-range efforts that missed the target, and the match looked set for a draw until Rashford’s late intervention.
By Vincent Ujumadu THE land dispute between Abagana in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State and Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area, reached the climax last week when hundreds of youths, suspected to be from Abagana, attacked a police post located on the border between the two communities. The attack claimed the life of one of the security men guarding the large expand of land, while the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, for Dunukofia and three other policemen sustained various degrees of injury.
The area where the incident took place was like a war zone when Sunday Vanguard visited the place as two patrol vans belonging to the police and five buildings under construction were destroyed with explosives suspected to be dynamites. Several dangerous weapons, including live ammunition, three AK47 rifles and dynamite, were said to have been recovered from suspects arrested in connection with the attack by the police.
It was gathered that two prominent indigenes of Abagana and Ukpo respectively were behind the struggle for the land and that, at the peak of the dispute, the land allocated to the police to build a post to serve the area. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the decision to allocate the land to the police was in the overriding public interest as it was thought that it would help to end the dispute.
What was said to have angered Abagana people was the building of a gate, with bold inscription, "Welcome to Ukpo", by an Ukpo billionaire at a place they considered to be their territory. An indigene of the town said that, as if that was not enough, a police security post was mounted at the place, while construction work was taking place on the massive disputed land.
On their part, Ukpo people said the land belongs to them, adding that they donated it to the Federal Government for the building of the police post and wondered why a group of people should have the audacity to destroy government property.
The policemen, who were on duty when the incident happened, said they were overwhelmed by the crowd, adding that a large number of people would have been killed if the police had decided to challenge them.
Anambra State new commissioner of police, Mr. Sam Okaula, said the command had arrested 23 persons in connection with the incident, adding, however, that investigation into the matter was continuing.
Okaula said those involved in the dastardly act had murdered sleep and vowed that they would never go free. The CP said: "Hoodlums, numbering over 200, from Abagana and fully armed with explosives and other dangerous weapons, invaded Ukpo and descended on a police post, while engaging in heavy firing. They overwhelmed the four policemen on duty and instantly shot and killed the security guard, Emmanuel Okafor.
"The assailants went further to bomb the police post and ten-room self-contained police barracks, after burning two police vehicles.
"The DPO Ukpo, who led a patrol team to the scene, was overwhelmed and shot. Three other policemen received various degrees of bullet wounds from the assailants. The DPO and the policemen are presently on admission in hospital.
"I led a team to the scene and, based on intelligence report, arrested ten of the assailants in Abagana. Detectives further arrested eleven other suspects from their various hideouts. It is to be noted that a team of Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) identified and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device, IED, and recovered another one at the scene. "Also, four pump action guns, with two live cartridges, three AK 47 rifles, three locally made pistols, cutlasses and other arms were recovered.
"It could be seen from the magnitude of this unwarranted attack that the perpetrators obviously embarked on what appears to be like an act of terrorism. Investigation is currently in top gear and those found culpable will definitely face the full wrath of the law. Those arrested have also made very useful statements to the police."
The CP said that prior to the attack, a meeting was held in an hotel belonging to a prominent indigene of Abagana where the dastardly plan of attack was allegedly hatched. However, while the 23 persons arrested in connection with the incident were being paraded at the police headquarters in Awka, some of the denied being among those behind the mayhem.
One of the suspects, who is in his late 20s, said he was in his house close to the area when the police came and arrested him. "I am innocent. I work somewhere else and I was getting ready to go to work when the police came and dragged me into their vehicle and took me to the station," he said amid sobs.
In the meantime, people passing through Abagana -Ukpo road since the incident have had ugly stories to tell as they claim security operatives harass them to the point of asking them to undress to be searched. "I don't know why our big men should cause us this problem at this time," one of them said.
By Bashir Adefaka Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, says the security challenges facing Nigeria have made the development of middle cadre officers on the rudiments of logistics crucial. He spoke at the Logistics Staff Course (LSC) 13/2016 graduation ceremony of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL) in Lagos where he was special guest of honour.
The COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Logistic,s Army Headquarters, Major General Patrick AT Akem, noted that in the past decade Nigerian Army operations had witnessed dramatic changes from conventional to asymmetric warfare, thereby necessitating the development of competent logisticians to meet the reality on ground, adding that one of the ways to meet the reality was to train "our officers on modern concepts and techniques in the field of logistics" which, he said, would enable the Army to acquire the requisite skills for sound logistic support at all levels. He added that the numerous achievements of NACOL with respect to training and various research inputs into the Nigerian Army policies, despite its numerous challenges, were commendable. "I am personally happy with the progress being made in this college", the Army chief said.
Buratai said, "Military operations as you are aware are conducted on a tripod of strategy, tactics and logistics. It is difficult for the tripod to stand properly if any of the legs is missing. Therefore, talking from the point of logistics in relation to the tripod, a robust logistics plan is imperative for good strategy and sound tactics to succeed. This underscores the importance of Nigerian Army College of Logistics to the Nigerian Army," he said advising, "mischief makers and criminals to shun violence and all forms of criminality as offenders will surely be made to face the full wrath of the law."
He appreciated the coverage and cooperation the Army enjoyed from the media and promised to continue "to require your cooperation in its effort to protect critical national assets in the Niger Delta from the wanton activities of the Niger Delta Avengers." Buratai thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment and encouragement towards combating security challenges facing the nation promising: "On our part, our response to his excellency kind gesture is our unalloyed loyalty and subordination to the democratic governance."
Commandant of NACOC, Major General Joseph A Orokpo, told his guests: "Today's graduation ceremony formally marks the successful completion of yet another Logistics Staff Course.
The course assembled on 8 January 2016 and is made up of 20 students comprising 19 Nigerian Army officers and one Nigerian Navy officer. It has been 31 weeks of intense training and academic activities for these students. The course is designed to train middle cadre officers and supporting staff in the preparation and execution of logistics plan in support of formations up to corps level.
This is done by developing their understanding and application of modern strategic management concepts appropriate to defence logistics, improving their professional skill in the acquisition of military hardware as well as planning and providing efficient logistics support for the NA and Peace Support Operations."
I congratulate you for being alive to witness the beginning of another week. As we approach the ember months, let's prepare to get the best of it.
How do we get the best of this situation given what one is going through?
Let's first imagine what one may be going through. Challenges come in different forms. For some, it's a turbulent merge; for many others, it is a case of lost job. Yet for several others, it's a long wait to be fruitful in a marriage.
There are others still, who just can't find marriage partner". For some, it's been difficult to pass professional exams. The list is inexhaustible.
What is clear is that every human being has one challenge or the other. Believers have challenges, non- believers have challenges but the difference is that the believer in Christ has the capacity to overcome ALL challenges .
Salvation of the Soul
This is a key step for any believer in Christ. One must surrender to Christ and accept him as the Lord and Saviour. We must also strive to live holy and live according to his word.
This explains why serious churches make altar call during every service. We are reminded that without salvation, the glory of God in our lives remains elusive. Do not be deceived, expecting a miracle without the salvation of the soul amounts to deceit.
The salvation of the soul is crucial in Christianity.
What does the scripture say about this? Isaiah 51 verse 6: " Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished".
Our emphasis is on the last part of this verse which is quite clear that salvation is forever and it comes with a promise of God that his righteousness shall not be abolished.
Once we have submitted to the authority of God, the next thing is to trust him.
Do you trust him?
To trust the Lord is to have total confidence in his word. Is your confidence total or partial? If you have doubts, then your confidence is not total. Please note, here we are talking about trust in God and God alone.
A person who puts his or her total trust in God, will not be persuaded to visit a herbalist, irrespective of what he may be going through.
I'll share the story of a couple who were waiting on the Lord for children. The family put so much pressure on the husband being the first son.
At this time, they were Christians only in name not in full practice. They were persuaded to visit a herbalist. They did . The herbalist after meeting them, told them that the witches behind their case were too powerful for him to handle. He told them to go to the people who shout " Halleluiah". In other words, they should go to the Jesus.
The woman told her husband, " Wait a minute, I am supposed to be a Christian, what am I doing in the herbalist's shrine on a Sunday?".
To shorten this story, with greater determination and total submission to the Almighty God, she returned fully to Christ. It was not long that she took in. Today, she is a mother of four kids.
The Holy Bible cautions us against trusting in man. New International Version of the Bible states in Jeremiah 17 verse 5: "This is what the LORD says: 'Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD'.
Why should we trust God?
The Bible gives very clear reasons why we should trust God. Our trust in the Lord comes with patience. We must be patient and bear in mind that our God is a miracle worker and not a magician. A miracle may be sudden at times . At other times, it takes steps.
Psalm 37 verse 5 states: " Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it ( your desire ) to pass". It here refers to whatever you believe God for that is in line with His word.
Are you facing a situation where those you called your friends are the ones backbiting you or running you down just because they want to take your position?
Or is your spirit low because of the financial situation you find yourself in now? Be calm, trust our Just God to fight for you. Trust the Lord Jesus to turn around your financial situation.
How do I know this is possible? Psalm 25 verse 2 is our authority. This is one of the popular prayer points of David while he struggled to be king.
It states : " O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me".
In this season, as you put your total trust in the Lord, He will surprise you. What He will do for you will be beyond your imagination in the mighty name of Jesus.
Trust him, get your miracle
Having put our trust in God, what assurance do we have? Isaiah 50 verse 10 states: " Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God".
Isaiah 51 verse 2 reminds us: " Look unto Abraham, your father and unto Sarah that bare you : for I called him alone, and blessed and increased him".
Verse 3 of the same Isaiah 51 assures us: " For the Lord shall comfort Zion : he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving , and the voice of melody".
When your story changes, neighbours, even your mockers will hear your songs of thanksgiving and will rejoice with you.
This is your portion in the mighty name of Jesus.
Further assurance of the Lord is given is verse 11 of the same chapter: " Therefore, the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away".
Whatever has been making you shed tears of sorrow, the Lord will turn into joy this season in the mighty name of Jesus.
You will not end this year unfulfilled in the name of Jesus.
I share with you a part of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's message, " Trust, ..Believe .And Act on the Word".
He said: " Even now, if there's a situation in your life that you want changed, you can receive a miracle by saying ' Yes' to the Word! Quit thinking, ' Is there hope for me?'
Yes , Christ is your hope. His word is the answer".
Pastor Chris reminds you: " There have been many like you who were in similar situations and had a transformation. If the Word could produce results for them, it'll do the same for you. Trust the Word. Believe the Word . Act on the Word".
Beloved , I urge you to take these steps and, very soon, you'll have a great testimony.
Before I end this article, may I remind you once again that the September Holy Ghost Night of the Redeemed Christian Church of God is essentially for men and women trusting God for the fruit of the womb. It is also a programme for an end to all forms of barrenness and fruitless efforts. Date is Friday, September 2 and the venue is the Redemption Camp on Lagos- Ibadan Expressway. Be there, invite your friends too.
My prayer for you is , where ever you go this week, you shall be highly favored in Jesus name.
By Babajide Alabi Last week two of the world most controversial politicians were at each other’s sides. They are the loud and sometimes “gibberish talking” politicians – British Nigel Farage and American Donald Trump. Watching these two men on that Jackson, Mississippi event was one of the creepiest scenes in recent times.
TRUMP
By Trump’s body language and facial expression, he was delighted to have the controversial Farage help him to shore up his rating which had taken a drop in recent times. Trump could not help but grin from side to side in approval of every word coming out of the mouth of the outgoing leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).
The appearance of Farage at a Trump event was a surprise to many people, especially back in his native country – Great Britain. To Farage, this invitation seemed more like an endorsement as a “leader” who has stepped up his game. It was an opportunity for him to take a centre stage in world politics. An opportunity he was not ready to give up.
Farage, nor Trump are men who need no introduction. They are celebrities in their own rights. While Trump has been described as the new face of American politics by his loud and unguarded speeches at rallies, Farage is regarded as the polished version of a member of the British Nationalist Party (BNP).
Trump is the Presidential candidate for the Republican Party whose main campaign is centred around immigration. Until recently, Trump has not hidden his dislike for the immigrants to his country whom he has stopped short of calling criminals. His immigration plans are as alarming as the scare campaign that his friend Farage ran in the run off to the 2015 elections.
Trump’s famous sound bites of building a physical wall along the US/Mexico border and deporting all immigrants sound like ideas copied from Farage’s campaign notes. The two men may be thousands of miles apart, their hearts beat to the same rhythm. They share same ideas that definitely appeal to a good sized section of their audiences. Birds of the same feather flock together.
Farage is not a lover of immigrants. He has never hidden his hatred for them and at every opportunity he is quick to heap all the blames for the economic, social and political woes of the British on the immigrants. Just like Trump, he believes immigrants contribute nothing but takes so much from his country. To Farage, the failing UK schools, hospitals, banks etc are the faults of immigrants.
Farage did not publicly endorse Trump at the rally in Jackson, but he was not short of words for the 15000-strong Trump supporters. He said he brought hope and optimism from the recently concluded referendum for Britain to exit the European Union. He had come to propel the supporters to beat the establishment in Washington just like his people did when they took the UK borders back.
The most famous of his lines at the event was “I will say this: if I was an American citizen, I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if you paid me!" He would not even vote for Hillary if she decided to pay him. This is classic Farage on a world stage throwing the gauntlet like no one else can.
In recent days I cannot explain why I seem to pay more attention to every activity of Farage, but no doubt I am getting more interested in him than before. I guess I am not the only one in this situation. Farage is not a man you can push aside or ignore. One way or the other he has been rubbing his type of politics in our noses for quite some time.
Every time I see Farage on national television doing what he knows how to do best – talking, I am excited and all ears. Many times I have asked myself what was it about this man that makes him so irresistible. Naturally, he is not a man I should gravitate towards because of his toxic politics. But I just cannot help myself.
Farage is indeed not such a stranger to us any more after his audacious efforts during the referendum. An interesting man who was propelled to the national stage a couple of years ago. His “entrance” into UK’s mainstream politics was not on a platter of gold or opportunities, it was his choice of words and the way and manner he whipped up nationalistic sentiments that endeared him to the extreme camp of citizens.
In the 2010 General Elections, little or nothing was known about Farage except the news of his near fatal air accident on the elections day. Miraculously he survived to live another day and continue his immigrants bashing campaigns.
After the elections, his profile was on the rise with his brand of politics which caught most people unawares. By 2015, he was a force to reckon with and for the first time in the history of British politics, a leader of a sideline political party was on same podium with other leaders participating in live national TV debates.
Farage’s efforts and popularity did not, however, translate to electoral victory as expected. In disappointment of himself and probably his supporters, he attempted turning his back on his party, but was dragged back by his faithfuls to continue with his “good works”. Apparently, they thought his best days were not here yet.
Indeed, they were right. Farage’s best days came before and during the referendum. Infact, he became the face of the BREXIT group, and he made a good show of it. He ran an energetic campaign to get Britain out of the Union. He had, not at anytime, hid his desire to make Britain an island of its own where only citizens would be granted access to live and work.
Farage is a man with passion. There is no doubt that he sleeps and dreams of a Great Britain where immigrants have no place nor voice. He has a huge audience in frustrated unemployed British voters who were bent on “making Britain great again”, without the immigrants. Although after winning the referendum Farage threw in the towel once again, this has not diminished his status in any way.
2016 has been a year of good showing for Farage and his friend Trump. While Farage can lay claim to his contributions for the exit of Britain from the EU, Trump surprised all bookmakers to become the Republican Party presidential nominee. A few years back, these two were mostly tolerated on the political scenes. A Trump presidency was unthinkable as Farage appearing at a US political campaign was unthinkable.
Farage and Trump are very wise individuals who appeal to the sentiments of their people. They play on the ignorance of the people to dump crooked ideas on them. They love to swim in controversies as they pursue whatever cause they believe in. Loud, careless with their choice of words they do not mind whose ox is gored when making their points.
And finally these two of a kind met. They may not have the same background, but obviously they share the same values. They may be miles apart in their body sizes or hair styles, they definitely have many other things in common.
They may be from opposite sides of the pond, yet their communication lines are very clear.
By Lucky Oji Comrade Timi Oluba, is an Ijaw youth leader from Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South local government area of Delta State.
Oluba, outgoing vice chairman of Okoyitoru community and opinion leader in Makaraba oilfield being operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited, in this interview accuses the oil giant, Chevron of neglecting Okoyitoru and Makaraba communities.
Most oil producing communities in Niger Delta have been complaining of marginalization by oil companies, is it so in Gbaramatu kingdom?
To be honest with you, the entire Niger Delta region is an abandoned territory in Nigeria. Evidently, it appears to be a deliberate plan or conspiracy not to develop the region despite our revenue contribution to the economy of the country.
Every single oil producing community in Niger Delta is underdeveloped and that is why the oil communities in Niger Delta are still complaining because the oil multinationals operating in the region are only concerned about making their profits, while the oil producing communities and the people are subjected to hunger and sufferings.
To answer your question, it is so in my community, Okoyitoru. You will be surprised that the situation in Okoyitoru and Makaraba communities is worst because Chevron Nigeria limited that is operating in my area, Makaraba oilfield, estimated to be producing approximately over 40,000 barrel of crude oil per day are the most neglected and underdeveloped communities in Niger Delta, sincerely, Chevron has not been fair to our communities.
Are you insinuating that Chevron has never done anything to develop your communities?
You are free to take a trip to Okoyitoru and Makaraba communities, which make up the Makaraba oilfield. These are communities producing over 40,000 barrel of crude oil per day over the years but as I speak with you there is no light, no internal roads, no potable drinking water, no hospital not even a good school and shelters.
We have done a documentary on it which we are going to air very soon for the world and federal government to see how Chevron has over the years impoverished our people and communities. More worrisome is the fact that even unskilled job, ordinary cleaners Chevron will not employ our people, rather Chevron employ cleaners outside Delta state and send them in to work.
Anytime I visits my community, I feel pity for my people, because as a major oil producing community we ought not be lacking the social amenities that I mentioned earlier, it is a shame on Chevron for failure to develop our communities.
I challenge Chevron to publish the daily oil production from Okoyitoru and Makaraba communities since inception of its operations in Makaraba oilfield and the developmental projects Chevron has executed to better the lives of the people.
Honestly, I know Chevron will not publish such. In as much I understands that Chevron is a profit-making private company, it should not make profit to the detriment of owners of the oil. We are the owners of the oil, and Chevron wouldn't have being operating in our communities without the oil, so, our communities must be fully developed by Chevron.
Why is Chevron not in Kano State, probably because there is no oil to exploits or explore in Kano state. Therefore, it is simple and mandatory that the development of our communities producing the oil must be the priority of Chevron for that is the only reason why Chevron is operating in the area and also making profits.
What I know is that Chevron cannot deny all I have been saying. how can just two small communities producing that large quantity of oil daily do not have electricity light, no internal roads, no potable drinking water, no hospital no School and good shelters for the residents in the community.
We have said it severally that Chevron should leave our communities because they cannot be freely taking our oil and not doing anything to develop our communities, it is inhuman and condemnable.
Any moment from now we are taking Chevron to Court on this matter because the federal government need to review its joint partnership with Chevron. The federal government must do an urgent assessment on how its joint partnership with Chevron has benefited the oil producing communities, this is very important to demonstrate that the federal government is ready and willing to provide lasting solution to the problems in Niger Delta.
But how about the Gmou signed by Chevron and Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation to develop its host communities?
Yes, there is an existing Global Memorandum of Understanding between Chevron and Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, in which Chevron provides money annually for the development of its host communities in the two kingdoms of Egbema and Gbaramatu respectively.
The Foundation, is presently led by Chief Michael Johnny, and from all indications the money released or giving to the foundation by Chevron annually is less than 2% of Chevron's weekly profits, how do you describe that.
Since the establishment of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, the funds its has gotten from Chevron is meager when compared to the oil taken so far by Chevron, infact, Chevron as a company has failed in its corporate social responsibilities to the communities. We want Chevron to leave our communities for another better company that will develop our communities.
It will amazed you that the Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation presently led by Chief Michael Johnny is grossly under funded, the foundation should be given N3billion annually by Chevron for the foundation to be able to embark on real development of the oil communities in the two kingdoms. Finally, it seems the Gmou was initiated to shortchange both the foundation and our communities, the GMoU must be reviewed now.
By Janet Adetu For many men dressing up can either be a walk in the park or a not so exciting expedition. Some men have the charm, the skill and the charisma to pull off a well-polished look or they find it a boring exercise hence are quite bad at dressing. For the latter shopping for clothes takes no effort they stop and buy as they see without putting any fashion sense forward. Infact some men prefer others to buy clothing gifts to avoid the whole shopping experience altogether.
Ultimately it is not uncommon to see the following traits in men:
i.They tend to wear the similar clothing regularly
They settle for the same or similar colours all the time
iii. Their formal wear has a hand full of ties mainly received as gifts
They have a very limited shoe collection
Their grooming style is constant with very little effort
Most times they are out of sync with fashion
A man's style is his signature, it adds volume to his presence. It shows that you are to a large extent in line with what is in vogue - the current trends and may choose to adapt to it or not. A stylish man is aware of what to wear at the right time and place. He also has a sense of colour coordination and what works best for him.
Choosing your style as a man is not difficult but it does involve getting to know yourself a bit. Once you have an idea of your body proportions in terms of whether you are well rounded, rectangular or inverted triangular shaped you will begin to identify your best fit for when you decide to shop for your next outfit.
Above all your style being your signature is an expression of your personality. It tells the true you usually born by your style characteristics, your lifestyle itself and youR grooming sense. It is essential for men as you think of moving to your next level to at some point seek the expertise of an image consultant to help boost your confidence and self – esteem.
Characteristic Traits of Styles for Men
DRAMATIC:
You like stylish fast cars
You like the latest tech equipment
You are bold & sophisticated
Your level of confidence is high.
You are always in control
Your colour sense is strong
You love feeling energetic and excited
You are proud about your looks
You are always on point
You have a good idea of designer labels
You have a good sense of grooming
ROMANTIC:
Your lifestyle is luxurious and comfortable
Staying fit and healthy is a must
You walk with grace and style
You are always on point
You are a sharp dresser
Your perfume fragrance is strong and lingers on
You like a mix of colours
Your shoes are a statement
CLASSIC:
Your lifestyle is structured
You are pretty neat and organized
Your look is usually business like
You command respect and look credible
At times you may appear boring, non-creative
You keep the same look
Your garments are current, structured and official
Your prominent colours are black, grey, blue or white.
Your clothing is usually well tailored
NAURAL:
You are a sports lover
Your lifestyle is relaxed and comfortable
You can be considered boring
As a natural person you are free and famous
You are comfortable in casual wears like jeans and a T-shirt.
Your sense of fashion is quite poor and uninteresting
Grooming is really an assignment for you
You are very simple
You barb your hair regularly
Your clothing is usually loose fitted
Your look is more friendly and approachable
CREATIVE:
You are more freelance
You express yourself though music, painting or writing
You have your unique style big, bold and brave when it comes to expressing yourself.
You like to wear a multitude of colors;
You wear interesting accessories
Your grooming sense is carefree
You have a creative imagination same as style that is unique and unconventional.
You also have a dramatic way of doing things that expresses your feelings and thoughts.
Your color scheme can sometimes appear outrageous
QUICK TIPS ABOUT STYLE FOR MEN
Identify your favorite colours that work for you
Acknowledge your hobbies and favorite past time
Discover your unique style
Wear clothes that fit well and give you presence
Follow a good grooming regime
Strut your style with confidence.
Just like I mentioned for the ladies, have you been able to place yourself into one of these styles? You may fit easily into one or have a mix of more than one just to form the unique you. Whatever your style, it is not about your pocket or how expensive that outfit is. The way you ensemble your clothes says lot about you. It is important to note though that as you grow in life your tastes also change and so will your style. Your style can be adjustable and altered when needed. Let your style evolve as you evolve be the rock you want to be!
The Zamfara state Police Command had lifted the curfew imposed on Talata-Mafara and its environs on the August 22, following violent attack that led to the killing of eight persons.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Shehu Muhammad in Gusau on Saturday.
Muhhammad advised parents to ensure that their children remain law abiding and warned that anyone caught causing trouble would face the full wrath of the law.
The Police had imposed a dusk to dawn curfew following a mob attack that killed eight persons over alleged of blasphemy against Islam.
Chief Joseph Yobo, a former Captain of the Super Eagles, says the Joseph Yobo Foundation would work to release as many inmates of Ikoyi Prisons, especially those awaiting trial. Yobo spoke at the inauguration of Ikoyi Prisons Football Academy on Saturday in Lagos.
“I have never been to the prisons before but on getting to Ikoyi Prisons, I realised the need to give hope to someone. “The Joseph Yobo Foundation is ready to do everything within its means to grant bail to as many as possible that are awaiting trial, especially those in the facility's football academy.
“I am happy with what is going on in this facility. I have never been here before but when I got here, what I saw jolted me,'' he said. “I thought I will see persons looking very sad, rushing to go out but rather, I saw them very happy, cheerful and looking very hopeful.
“I must indeed commend the authorities of the Nigerian Prisons Service because from what I have seen on ground, the service is in the right track.'' Yobo said that it was in this light that his foundation would seek to secure the bail for some of the inmates, train them and support them in the academy.
“We in our little way will want to give back to the society by giving hope to our brothers here behind the bars and give them a second chance because no one is above mistake. “Having stayed here for a while, I am convinced that they must have undergone a great deal of reformation and rehabilitation,'' he said.
One of footballer inmates, who did not want his name mentioned, said he was looking forward to benefitting from the foundation. He added that with his experience so far he would not disappoint those behind the initiative.
Joseph Yobo Foundation is collaborating with Sisters Cities Vocational/Rehabilitation Centre and the Nigerian Prisons Service in the latter's football academy project. Among the dignitaries that graced the event was a former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke and his wife, Onari.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has confirmed the killing of suspected militants and recovery of a large cache of arms by troops involved in “Exercise Crocodile Smile” in Rivers. Buratai confirmed the incident while addressing troops at the commencement of the exercise in Sapele, Delta on Saturday.
He said that some suspects were arrested following raid on the militants’ camp on Friday evening by troops of the Army’s 133 Special Forces Battalion. Buratai said that the suspected militants had attempted to interfere with the training conducted for formations and units in the Niger Delta.
He said: “as you move into the creeks to conduct the exercise, I urge you to be professional in your conduct and clear any obstacle interfering with your job. “Your colleagues in Rivers in the same exercise are doing well; yesterday evening they cleared a camp of the militants and recovered a large cache of arms.
“Some arrests were made while a number of the attackers who had attempted to interfere with the exercise were killed. “You have to take a cue from them and be responsive as you move into the surrounding creeks.” The Army Chief urged the troops to respect the rights of members of the communities while discharging their duties, urging them not to spare any criminal found in the creeks.
He reminded them that the training was an exercise cum operation geared at recovering the nation’s economic base and restoring normalcy in the region. He assured the troops of government’s commitment to improve their lots during the operation as well as the general welfare of soldiers and officers.
He cautioned them on the need to minimize collateral damage during the exercise, noting that the lives of citizens as well as critical national assets located in the area were important. Speaking earlier during a courtesy call on the Olu of Warri, Godfrey Ikenwoli, Buratai assured residents of Warri and its environs that no law abiding citizen would be harmed in the course of the exercise.
He said that the troops had been directed to conduct the exercise strictly on established rules designed to protect the rights of citizens. Buratai pledged the Army’s continuous partnership with the civil populace to ensure a safer society. In a related development, the Army's spokesman, Col. Sani Usman in a statement, put the number of militants killed in the operation at five while 23 suspects were arrested.
Usman listed the items recovered from the camps to include two AK-47 rifles, 11 Pump Action Guns, and a locally made revolver pistol. Others are 292 cartridges of live ammunition, 199 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition, four electricity generating sets and a Camp Gas Cooker.
Buratai accompanied by corps commanders and other senior officers was conducted around the area where the exercise was conducted in the creeks.
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered the immediate sack of some non-academic staff of the state university and college of education. Umahi gave the order in Abakaliki on Saturday while receiving the report of a committee to review the activities in the institutions.
“It is not economically viable for the institutions to recruit adjunct staff in the non-academic cadre, as the employees will be redundant in their duties. "It does not make 'economic sense' for the institutions to employ 400 cleaners as one wonders the scope and nature of work they will be doing.
"We know that the managements postulated 'professional sense' in employing such workers but with the prevailing economic situation in the country, we should effectively merge it with 'economic sense," he said. The governor also ordered that promotion of staff in both institutions be suspended until the visitation panel concluded its duties.
He also directed the state's fiscal responsibility commission to investigate activities in both institutions. "When we conclude all reviews and investigations, I am optimistic that we can reduce their tuition fees as obtained in other states of the South East geo political zone.
"We are unhappy that our students seek academic pursuits in other states due to high tuition fees, and we are committed to solving all the problems confronting these institutions," he said. The governor also ordered that the salaries of workers under the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) be paid immediately provided there was an agreement between the ministry of health and the concerned local governments.
"The salaries of those who do not have any binding agreement should also be paid but it must be on equal basis with workers on the same grade level in other segments of the civil service. "We have agreed that workers not enjoying CONHESS due to deficiencies in certificates should be paid a special 'hazard allowance to motivate them," he said.
The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, noted that it solicited the assistance of all unions and interest groups for effective discharge of its duties. Ogbu, a former deputy governor of the state, noted that the committee urged the unions to shelve their planned strike and other acts that might disrupt academic activities in the institutions.
The Chairman of the committee on CONHESS, Mr Ignatius Unah, noted that most of the workers did not deserve it, as they were recruited to settle political patronage. "The case of cemetery workers was most intriguing as more than 100 workers collect CONHESS when there are non-existent cemeteries in the state," he said.
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Valencia defender Shkodran Mustafi and Deportivo La Coruna striker Lucas Perez are on the verge of signing for Arsenal.
Wenger has lined up deals for the pair as he seeks to bolster his squad after a quiet transfer window and the Gunners boss is confident both players will arrive at the Emirates Stadium before Wednesday’s deadline.
The Frenchman revealed Mustafi and Perez passed medicals on Friday and it is just a case of completing the paperwork to officially seal the deals.
Germany defender Mustafi, 24, is set to sign a five-year contract for a fee in excess of £35 million ($46m), while Spanish striker Perez, 27, is expected to cost £17 million after scoring 17 goals last season.
“I think they should go through, both of them,” Wenger told reporters after Saturday’s 3-1 win at Watford.
“They had medicals. We have to finish the paperwork and I don’t know exactly when we will announce it but look, I think it could be announced at the beginning of the week.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the composition of the Governing Boards of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, Director of Press in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The statement said that NPA board, with 10 members, would be chaired by Mr Emmanuel Adesoye. Members of the board, according to the statement, are Supo Shasore, Suleiman Halilu, Constance Mashal, Umar Shu'aibu, Charles Sylvester, Hadiza Usman, Mohammed Koko, Sekonte Davis, Idris Abubakar and I. J. Uche-Okoro.
Similarly, the statement said that Maj.- Gen. Jonathan Garba (retd) was appointed the chairman of the board of NIMASA.
It listed the members as Asekomhe Kenneth, Mohammed Muazu, Ebele Obi, S.U. Galadanchi and Nene Dike. Others are Dakuku Peterside, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo (retd), Bashir Jamoh, Joseph Fashakin and Gambo Ahmed.
Chelsea swept to the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Burnley, while Arsenal won 3-1 at Watford to ease the pressure on Arsene Wenger on Saturday.
After a dismal title defence last season, Chelsea look revitalised under new manager Antonio Conte and the Italian was able to celebrate his third successive win after the most emphatic display of his brief reign.
So disappointing last term, Eden Hazard has made a vibrant start to the new campaign and the Belgium midfielder put Chelsea ahead with a superb run and clinical finish from the edge of the penalty area in the ninth minute at Stamford Bridge.
Willian was back for Chelsea after recovering from a calf injury and the Brazil winger doubled their lead in the 41st minute before Nigeria’s Victor Moses came off the bench to net the hosts’ third in the 89th minute.
“It was a good performance. We have started very well this season but we must know we can improve,” Conte said.
“Eden Hazard must be this decisive in every game and I’m pleased because I saw it today.”
At Vicarage Road, Arsenal’s first victory of the season, after losing to Liverpool and drawing with Leicester, should silence Wenger’s critics at least temporarily.
Failing to win their first two matches while struggling to make an impact in the transfer market had prompted some Arsenal fans to turn on Wenger again after many protested against him last season.
But there were no complaints as Arsenal took the lead in the ninth minute when Santi Cazorla stroked home a penalty after Nordin Amrabat elbowed Alexis Sanchez.
Chile forward Sanchez increased Arsenal’s advantage five minutes before half-time with a deft touch over Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Mesut Ozil was making his first start of the season after being rested following Euro 2016 and Arsenal’s German playmaker made up for lost time with a headed goal in first-half stoppage time.
Watford’s Roberto Pereyra reduced the deficit in the 57th minute, but the Hornets remain winless.
“I believe we shot ourselves in the foot in the first game and were under huge pressure,” Wenger said.
“Today we had a good solid performance but at the moment we are not completely there physically and you could see that in second half.”
– Stoke of luck –
Leicester City finally secured the first win of their title defence with a 2-1 success against Swansea City at the King Power Stadium.
Claudio Ranieri’s side took the lead in the 32nd minute when Jamie Vardy finished off a typically efficient counter-attack from the champions and captain Wes Morgan lashed in the second in the 52nd minute.
Riyad Mahrez wasted a chance to make it three when the winger’s penalty was saved by Lukasz Fabianski and there was more frustration for Leicester when goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel came off injured.
But Leroy Fer’s 80th-minute goal for Swansea came too late to rescue a point for the visitors.
Danny Rose’s 72nd-minute equaliser earned Tottenham Hotspur a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at White Hart Lane.
James Milner gave Liverpool a deserved lead with a penalty in the 43rd minute after Roberto Firmino went down under the slightest contact by Erik Lamela.
But a sustained spell of second-half pressure climaxed when the unmarked Rose drilled home to preserve Tottenham’s unbeaten record.
“It’s not easy when you play a team that are perfect on the counter-attack and you need to take risks. The draw is a fair result,” Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said.
Everton climbed to second place with a 1-0 win against Stoke City at Goodison Park.
Ronald Koeman’s team enjoyed a stroke of luck in the 51st minute when Leighton Baines’ penalty — awarded for a foul on Ashley Williams — was pushed onto a post by Shay Given, only for the ball to rebound off the Stoke goalkeeper’s head into the net for an own goal.
Southampton rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Sunderland as Jay Rodriguez’s 85th-minute strike crept past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to cancel out Jermain Defoe’s 80th-minute penalty at St Mary’s.
Scott Dann’s late leveller gave Crystal Palace a 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Bournemouth at Selhurst Park.
Josh King fired Bournemouth in an 11th-minute lead before former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke won a penalty on his Palace debut.
Artur Boruc saved Yohan Cabaye’s spot-kick, but Palace defender Dann spared his team-mate’s blushes with an equaliser three minutes into second-half
Abuja – Military authorities on Saturday said troops of the 133 Special Forces of the Nigerian Army killed five militants and arrested 23 others in an operation in the Niger Delta.
According to a statement by Col. Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, this happened when the troops carried out precursor operation to exercise `Crocodile Smile' in Rivers.
“The operation which was conducted on Aug. 26, 2016, was carried out by the Special Forces at the militants' camps.
“Items recovered from the camps include 2 AK-47 rifles, 11 pump action guns, a locally-made revolver pistol, 292 cartridges of live ammunition, 199 rounds of AK-47 rifle ammunition, four electricity generating sets and a camp gas cooker.
“The troops also recovered an abandoned engine boat left by the fleeing criminals,” the statement said.
Abuja – The Senate will investigate the severe hunger crisis in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the North-East, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity and made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
The statement said Saraki was reacting to protests by hundreds of women from IDP camps in Borno on Thursday, which led to the barricade of the Maiduguri-Kano/Jos Road.
It described the development as `desperate' and reiterated Saraki's calls for better coordination amongst government and international aid agencies.
It emphasised the need for Nigeria to quickly operationalise a more effective and efficient humanitarian response infrastructure to address the situation.
“It is important that we all focus on eliminating the coordination, access and food supply issues hindering us from successfully feeding the millions of IDPs.
“This is particularly important for the many children who are dying daily from starvation.
“It should break every Nigerians heart to know that our own women and children are enduring such horrendous hardships,'' the statement quoted Saraki as saying.
Saraki called on the Nigeria Police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies to quickly move to investigate the diversion of food deliveries.
He said that government officials and contractors should be held to account for the mysterious disappearance of truck loads of provisions intended for the IDP camps.
“Anyone that is found to be diverting the food aid deliveries should be investigated and brought to book if investigations prove their participation in these vicious schemes.
“Profiting from a complex humanitarian crisis is unacceptable.
“The people of the North-East have suffered enough indignities in the past four years from the marauding Boko Haram terrorists and stealing food meant for starving children, only adds insult to injury,'' it stated.
The statement further quoted Saraki as saying that he had recently called for an International Summit on the North-East, similar to the one held in London for Syria which raised about $10 million.
It also stated that Saraki planned to move a motion on the situation in the North-East when the Senate reconvened from recess in September.
According to the statement, the motion will call for the establishment of a Senate ad-hoc committee on North-East and a public hearing to review Nigeria’s humanitarian policies and hear testimonies from IDPs.
“The situation in the North-East has been under reported and under resourced for too many years.
“In terms of scale and complexity, the situation in the North-East is direr than South Sudan.
“Yet, apparently the crisis appears not to be star-studded enough to attract greater international attention and support,'' the statement said.
