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
Senator representing Bayelsa East senatorial district, Ben Murray-Bruce has said that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, created wealth while in power. He said that Nigerians never heard of recession, inconclusive elections nor huge sums of money to be borrowed as loan which the present administration is guilty of.
“As a Nigerian, if you want wealth for your children and for yourself, here is the solution – starting in Rivers State.”
As a Nigerian, if you want wealth for your children and for yourself, here is the solution – starting in Rivers State. Watch and RT. pic.twitter.com/TNRmBpyjnq
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Friday, called on journalists to be more investigative in their reports.
Okorocha made the call at the opening of the 3rd quarterly National Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Owerri on Friday.
The governor urged journalists to be constructive in their reportage and that he welcomes constructive criticism.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said the country was experiencing a difficult period and urged journalists to be less critical in their reportage.
Iwuanyanwu urged Igbos to forget about secession from Nigeria, adding that it would cause the nation further deterioration.
"All Igbos are Biafrans, just as Hausas are Arewas and Yorubas are Oduduwas but most importantly we are all Nigerians.
"I belong to a major tribe in this country and should not break away from Nigeria", he said.
Chairman of Imo state council of the NUJ, Mr Innocent Igwe, commended the governor for keeping the press informed on the socio-political and economic developments in the state.
Igwe also commended him for approving a N20,000,000 agric loan to journalists to encourage farming as a way to overcome the economic recession in the country.
The chairman called on employers of journalists to "tacitly assuage their pitiable welfare to enable them to meet their statutory check off obligations to the union. (NAN)
Mr Ben Nwosu, Counsel to former PDP spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, has faulted alleged reports that money was paid to media houses or their representatives to launder the image of former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Nwosu in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja said the clarification was important due to a misleading report in a section of the media in the case of the controversial N400 million involving Metuh.
METUH
He said that the report suggested that Mr Richard Ihediwa, the fifth defence witness, told the court that money was paid to media houses or their representatives to launder Jonathan's image.
"This report is highly embarrassing and does not in any way reflect the testimony and evidence of Metuh's Fifth Defence witness, Mr Richard Ihediwa, in the court.
"What the witness told the court was that the sum paid into his account by Metuh was for payments for sundry advertorials placed by Metuh in various media houses.
"The witness had earlier laid a proper foundation that media advertorials from the PDP are placed and paid for by the National Publicity Secretary.
"That the payment was mostly in cash or through bank transfers to the media houses, through their representatives covering the party.
"The witness, who is Special Assistant to our client, stated directly and clearly that all the payments to the media were for advertorials.
"He said that paying advertorials through representatives of the media houses was the normal practice in the media industry,'' the lawyer said.
Nwosu said that the witness went ahead to present documents including bank tellers to justify the payments.
"The records of the court are clear in this regard.
"Furthermore, when questioned under-cross examination regarding the appearance of names of some journalists in the payment tellers, the witness stated clearly that the payments were for advertorial placed in their respective media houses.
"He showed documents to justify the payments in line with the practice in the media industry."
He said that at no point throughout his testimony did the witness tell the court that any media house or any representative/staff of any media house was paid to launder Jonathan's image.
"We find this particularly painful.
"Since the arrest and arraignment of our client, he had never attempted in any way to drag in any individual and/or organization in connection with his travail."
However, Nwosu urged reporters covering the court to ensure accurate reportage of events and proceedings.
"We regret the embarrassment the unfortunate report must have caused the respective media houses or persons mentioned in the said misleading reports," he said. (NAN)
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Delta, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has hailed the submission of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in which he advised President Muhammadu Buhari to rise to the challenge posed by the current recession in Nigeria, adding that the blame game would not solve the country’s hapless state of affairs.
Onuesoke
Onuesoke who made the statement in Kano, while responding to questions from journalists said Obasanjo's submission has summarized Buhari's leadership style, adding that those with understanding should read and cry out for a change in approach before our nation goes crashing to an irreparable halt.
"For the first time, I agree with Obasanjo's submissions. Let us find a way out of this economic meltdown. Things are really bad and getting worse by the day. The present economic team and government as composed have proved themselves unable to pull us out of this economic problem," he noted.
He observed that Obasanjo has always spoken against virtually every government anytime he believed things were not going well notwithstanding his initial support for such governments.
"He spoke against Shagari, Buhari/Idiagbon, Babangida, Abacha, Yaradua and Jonathan. Yet all these governments he initially supported. You may not like this man or agree with him on many things but the truth is that he has been fearless in speaking about the State of the Nation under every Government," Onuesoke recalled.
He reiterated that although Obasanjo usually talks nonsense at times, but quickly concurred that the former President is on point with respect to the present bad situation of Nigerian economy, just as he pointed out that it is up to President Buhari to listen and take action.
The PDP Chieftain who said Buhari is acting as if he inherited ungovernable Nigeria, recalled that Obasanjo met Nigeria in a far worse state in 1999 after the country has been grounded by the military, stressing that Obasanjo fought corruption then and still saved the economy.
"Buhari is only fighting corruption while the masses are dying in hunger as he deepened the economy into excruciating recession. This is why Obasanjo is warning that his focus on fighting corruption will amount to exercise in futility without fixing the economy. This is because corruption has been there and by the time Buhari leaves office, corruption will still be there. That's the naked truth," Onuesoke explained. Hail 24-11-2016
The National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG) has hailed the appointment of Mr. Esimaje Brikins as the new General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs of Chevron Nigeria Limited. He is the first person from the host community of the oil firm to hold such a top office,
In a statement signed by its President, Edema Collins, the body said the oil and gas firm has put a round peg in round hole by appointing Brikins, who it described as a sound, intelligent and thoroughbred professional, with an interesting personality.
''We also wish to commend CNL for appointing Esimaje Brikins as the new GM PGPA. We believe that this will go a long way to strengthen the relationship between the firm and and her host communities.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday vowed that the insertions of "rogue projects and figures" into the 2016 Budget, would not happen to the 2017 budget.
The President gave the assurance when he received in audience members of the Governance Support Group (GSG), led by Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, at State House, Abuja.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, along with three other principal members of the House were accused by the former House Committee Chairman on Appropriation, Abdulmumuni Jibrin of padding the 2016 budget.
Jibrin, who has been suspended from the House over the padding controversy, had revealed shocking details on how the 2016 budget was padded.
President Buhari, however, said, "I am waiting for the 2017 Budget to be brought to us in Council. Any sign of padding anywhere, I will remove it."
The President reiterated that he had been in government since 1975, variously as governor, oil minister, head of state, and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), "and never did I hear the word 'padding' till the 2016 Budget."
He promised that such would never happen again under his watch.
According to him, his administration stands by its tripod campaign promises of securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption.
He, however, lamented that some people were deliberately turning blind eyes to prevailing realities in the country.
"They don't want to reflect on the situation in which we are, economically. They want to live the same way; they simply want business as usual," he said.
On violence that attend rerun elections in the country, President Buhari stated; "I agonised over the elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers states.
"We should have passed the stage in which people are beheaded, and killed because of who occupies certain offices.
"If we can't guarantee decent elections, then we have no business being around. Edo State election was good, and I expect Ondo State election to be better."
Speaking on the anti-corruption cases before the courts, the President said current cleansing of the system "will lead to a better judiciary. When people are sentenced, Nigerians will believe that we are serious."
The President equally told his guests that the progress being made in agriculture and exploitation of solid minerals "gives a lot of hope".
"Our grains go up to Central African Republic, to Burkina Faso, but they can't buy all the grains harvested this year. And next season should be even better.
"We will focus on other products like cocoa, palm oil, palm kernel, along with the grains. We can start exporting rice in 18 months, and we are getting fertilisers and pesticides in readiness for next year."
Speaking on behalf of members of GSG, Nwajiuba said the government had succeeded to a large extent on the security and anti-corruption fronts.
He added that the group was positive that the economy would soon experience a turnaround, "as the government is working very hard in that direction."
The group said the biggest constituency of the President was the poor and lowly people in the society, as such the government should initiate "a social re-armament of the poor".
UK- based Nigerian gospel musician, Peter Adeshile a.k.a Kakaki Jesu is a new discovery making waves in the gospel music circle. His dexterity with saxophone and trumpet earned him the pet name 'Kakaki' the Trumpeter.
Kakaki-Jesu
The Oyo State-born musician is doing so well in England where he plays his Afro highlife gospel, laced with saxophone and trumpet.
He revealed to Sidebeat recently how he began his journey into the world of gospel music. He also talked the secret behind the name 'Kakaki Jesu'.
Music, according to him, has been an integral part of his being.
He said: "I started it professionally when I arrived in the UK from Nigeria. I began by going round playing at church engagements. ‘
‘Before then, I was a member of the boy's brigade in my community in Lagos as a teenager. In this club everyone plays as many instruments as possible and for that, I started with the drums and then moved on to the trumpet. I was actually influenced by Debo Norman-Williams, my mentor in the Boys Brigade who taught me most of the instruments.
“I performed credibly well in trumpet and that earned me the nick name 'Kakaki' among my peers, meaning the Trumpet. In UK, a certain sister in the church by name Susan Odushola equally inspired the urge to take up Saxophone as a special instrument saying I could be of help to the church if I play the saxophone aside the trumpet. I did and perfected it so well through the help of a friend in Nigeria by name Biodun Adeoye. Biodun was the baritone and saxophone player for Femi Kuti's band.
“Music has come to stay in my life after shelving other careers. My choice of music –gospel is influenced by my love for God. This is because I grew up in the Christian community. When you look at what is going on in the Diaspora today, it seems the end time is near and I feel it is time to accept Christ and propagate the gospel through music. I was also inspired by the likes of these gospel musicians – Kirk Whalum, Ron Brown, Rick Braun, Charlie Parker and late Fela Kuti."
Kakaki Jesu whose debut song called 'Amazing Grace' done on saxophone and doing so well in the market is assiduously working on his second album which is titled 'Afro according to Gospel'. The yet to be released album has 8 tracks with the first song titled 'Accept Christ' done in full Afro format.
Popular indigenous wordsmith Olamide has announced plans for his highly anticipated annual musical concert; OLIC 3, set to hold on the 26th of December, 2016 at EKO Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Olamide
The rapper, who has been praised by critics for his consistency in the year 2016 revealed the night, will be one to remember as he is fully prepped to make the 2016 edition of the concert a lot bigger than its sophomore; which was held in December 2015.
Tagged 'OLIC 3: Beast Mode III', the concert will witness a one-of-a-kind performance as the rapper is set to take fans down memory; performing songs from the early stage of his career.
The show put together by Right Entertainment, Achievas Entertainment and YBNL will also have some of the biggest names in the music industry in attendance.
Speaking on his plans for this year's 'OLIC', Olamide remarked, "I'm fully charged for the concert this year, my battery is fully charged!"
The recent defection of Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State, from the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has kept tongues wagging on the motive(s), appropriateness or otherwise of it and the timing of such a move.
While a lot of people have naturally believed that Kalu took that decision in order to be adorned with the garment of sainthood by the ruling party since he is facing corruption charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and have his trial truncated, others think it is self-seeking, self-serving and self-redeeming more than any story of regional integration of Ndigbo to Nigeria's mainstream politics.
After all, Timipre Sylva had very damning corruption charges against him in court by the same EFCC, yet, he was the ruling party's anointed candidate in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State. The late Abubakar Audu also had corruption case bordering on some humongous amounts hanging around his neck for which he was being tried, yet, he was the anointed candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last Kogi governorship election.
So when people conclude that Orji Kalu ran to APC for cover, and maybe, for canonization, they might not be blamed seeing the trend of events in this regard in the party over time. Not even his own explanation that his family was already in APC and that he had only gone to join where his family is would suffice or assuage his doubters most of who feel betrayed by the defection of someone they had seen as one of the indefatigable fighters for his people.
It is even more heart-rending to know that Kalu abandoned the Progressive Peoples Allaince, PPA, a party he himself had formed and nurtured to prominence. What could be the attraction in another man's house that would make a man abandon the one he labored to build from scratch to finish only for him to leave his family members stranded in it as he himself moves to another even if he would be given just a servant's quarters to live in there?
Many think that Kalu's family members earlier joining the APC was nothing but a premeditated action that would serve as a decoy for him to move over should he feel left drenched in his own PPA, hence, having lost the Abia North Senatorial zone election held on March 28, 2015, and having lost his bid to reclaim via the Election Petition Tribunal what has now become an unpopular mandate, the former Abia State governor can be said to have been left drenched in the rain indeed.
Rather than jump ship, one would have thought that Orji Kalu would be gracious enough to deploy his wealth of experience in politics, his now fading clout and dwindling popularity to strengthen his PPA and use it to mentor younger and budding politicians who see him as their hero into maturity.
He would have even gone into strategic alliance with other parties of his PPA's similar capacity to impact more on the nation's polity. But no, in his desperation, he decided to choose the easy way out for himself, and he chose a party whose leader and president of the country has treated the southeast with so much disdain, with security agents under his watch killing harmless and armless Igbo youth for the simple fact that they attempt to exercise their fundamental human rights to peaceful assembly.
This has continued even right under the nose of prominent Igbo sons and daughters in APC including Ogbonnaya Onu, Chris Ngige and Rochas Okorocha. Defecting to such a party is viewed by many as a betrayal of the common cause no matter the reasons advanced for it.
Today Mrs Bridget Agbahime, the Imo State indigene that was murdered in cold blood recently by some religious extremists in Kano seems to have died in vain as her suspected murderers have been freed by an APC-led government in manners that seemed to confer on the murderers and murderers-to-be some sort of immunity from prosecution as long as their victims are Igbo, and in a manner that is insulting to the sensibilities of the Igbo nation.
It is this same president who had declared the southeast as part of those regions that would receive only 5% government attention in consonance with their voting patterns in the 2015 presidential election, as if democracy is no longer a game of free choice. It is this same party that has treated its own leaders and major stakeholders with so much disdain that the party has so fallen apart the centre can no longer hold. While such leaders and stakeholders are running away from the party, Kalu is plunging himself into it.
What can a party with so much chaos offer the southeast in particular and Nigeria at large if not needless violence, economic recession gradually graduating into depression, persecution of political enemies, starvation, intimidation and harassment of citizens etc.
A majority of Igbo people did not vote for Buhari in the last presidential election for reasons Buhari is exhibiting today. Even those who voted for him in the north and southwest are now regretting their decision heavily. The Igbo are not known for the character being exhibited by Kalu. They would rather participate in a project that would fail today but succeed tomorrow than the project that would succeed today but fail tomorrow. They do not flinch.
It is therefore startling to hear that one of the reasons why Kalu defected to APC is to bring the Igbo to Nigeria's mainstream politics as if he has crowned himself king of the Igbo whose presence anywhere means the presence of the Igbo nation.
It is even more ridiculous to hear that the media mogul promised to deliver the southeast to APC in coming elections. How can this be for a man who only recently lost his senatorial zone election by coming a distant third after PDP's Mao Ohuabunwa and another even far less popular candidate in the person of David Ogba of APGA? To see APC goons jubilate at this promise requires concerned citizens to call the leadership capacity of that party to question. As it is today, one is not even sure if Orji Kalu would win a local government election in Abia State.
To say dismissively that he would deliver the southeast to APC is to brazenly overrate himself and grossly underrate the southeast as a region. The southeast may be the smallest region in Nigeria in terms of land mass, but it should not be ridiculed to the extent that any one man somewhere can think he can just deliver it to any party. Ndigbo are wiser and bigger than that.
Anyway, APC caused Nigerians to fall for all their false promises during the campaigns. It seems it is payback time now. They also have to fall for the false promises of men who desperately defect to their party.
While one concedes the fact that Orji Uzor Kalu reserves the right to join any party of his choice at anytime he wishes, he should not drag the southeast into what is a misadventure ab initio. He does not even have the capacity to do that which is why his defection is futile while APC's rejoicing at it is puerile.
Jude Ndukwe is media aide to ex-Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
A group, the Alliance for Democracy Renewal Group (ADRG) has threatened havoc on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, its Commissioners for North West and South West, Amina Zakari and Prince Adedeji Soyebi as well as its other officers if they try to rig the elections in the state.
In a statement signed by the group's National Coordinator, Tunde Aderemi, it called on the Ondo state people to protect their votes even if it entailed shedding the blood of the INEC officers, a call it said is an act of "patriotism."
"In view of the outright manipulation of the will of the people as expressed through their votes under the tenure of the Professor Yakubu Mahmud as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the consistent manipulation of the electoral process across the country by Hajia Amina Zakari, INEC Commissioner for North West, and Prince Adedeji Soyebi, INEC Commssioner for the South West, we are hereby constrained to making this tough call on the people of Ondo State."
"We are aware of the nefarious plans of certain staff of INEC to blatantly manipulate and subvert the Ondo State gubernatorial electoral process in favour of the candidate of the All Progressives' Congress (APC) – Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN)."
"This plan also includes the mobilizing Hajia Zakari and Prince Soyebi to subvert the electoral process by giving cash inducements to INEC staff assigned to the elections as well as the falsification of results sheets, the distribution of fake result sheets, cancellation of elections in areas that are deemed unfavourable to the APC candidate and so on."
"In view of all of the above, and with the noble intention to preserve the will of the Ondo State people, we declare that it is an act of patriotism to spill the blood of Hajia Amina Zakari found anywhere trying to rig the election within Ondo State for the duration of the gubernatorial elections and collation of results."
"It is also permissible and noble to spill the blood of Prince Adedeji Soyebi and/or ANY other official or staff of INEC that is found to be subverting the will of the people by rigging the election. This includes all members of the Nigerian Police or any security agency drafted in to maintain the peace and order in the State during the elections but who violates his constitutional duty by collecting money from desperate politicians to subvert the will of the Ondo people."
"The people of Ondo State must be allowed to their constitutional right to freely elect their governor for the next 4 years. If we have to be violent to protect and promote that right, then we will be violent in our actions and conduct."
Senator Dino Melaye, the lawmaker representing Koggi West senatorial district has taken a swipe on President Muhammadu Buhari over what he described as a lie, the MTEF projection by the Buhari-led Executive arm of the government. He also, rhetorically, described as unrealistic the pegging of exchange rate at N290 per Dollar.
Reggae Blues crooner, Harrison Tare Okiri, a.k.a, Harrysong whose news of dumping his former music label, Five Star Music to start his own label, Alterplate went viral on the internet has revealed that the desire to express himself in a new platform prompted his decision to part-ways with his former management.
Harrysong
He, however, debunked insinuations that he was having a running battle with his former management before he finally dumped the label.
Speaking on the development officially during a media chat, Harrysong admitted leaving Five Star Music. He said, "I am no longer Five Star music artiste. My contract with the company has expired and I decided to unveil my new musical platform. I have learned a lot coming from Question Mark, the first record label I have worked with before I moved to Five Star Music.
And when the contract expired, I aspired to grow and to express myself in another platform. That's why I set up the Alterplate and you will see that it is not just a record label, it involves a lot of things. This is a dream I have been nurturing for many years now. I am very grateful to God that it has become a reality."
Explaining further, the "Better Pikin" crooner said, "I will always respect both platforms. I will always respect Five Star Music where I learnt the ropes. I can still do some stuff for them such as writing songs or anything they want me to do for them. I am still in talking terms with them and I had their blessing before leaving."
Harryson said, Alterplate as the name of his label, depicts where he was coming from.
According to him, "I started music as a musical director in the church. The name is talking about where I am coming from and the music I have to churn out. It's also the expectation of what is coming into the music industry in Nigeria. We have some artistes who are already signed to the label and these artistes are people that have worked with me in the past.
“I know them and I know what they can do. We also have a band group now called, Alterplate band, that will be performing with me on stage. They can also perform at events without me because they have complete team. This is what we started long time ago. Before now, I was not strong enough to start this but now, I am stronger. I didn't quarrel with Five Star Music. People say that I am the engine room of Five Star music.
“The truth is that I wrote a lot of songs for them and it doesn't mean the label is going to crumble as I take my leave. They have a lot of talented people like Kcee, Skibii, Ex-boster among others. I came into the label with my own sound. So, as I am leaving they have their own sound that they are going to continue with. I don't think there will be any reason for me to go back to Five Star Music, but I will always appreciate the label."
•Narrates how he told his wife to return to her parents and start a new life without him •Thanks Nigerians for coming to his rescue
By Benjamin Njoku
Nollywood actor, Leo Mezie who was down with kidney related disease for almost four months is back on his feet again.
Mezie returned to the country from the UK last week, where he went for medical treatment, looking hale and hearty. Fortunately, the good-looking actor did not undergo a kidney transplant as was widely publicised. Instead, his kidneys suddenly started working again to the surprise of everyone.
Leo Mezie
The actor met with his media friends at celebrity restaurant, O'jez, National Stadium, Surulere, Tuesday, where he formally announced his return to the country, as well as his plans to organize a survival party to thank God for giving him a second chance to live.
He recounted the touching story of how he cheated death.
Mezie said, his battle with the terminal ailment and consequential victory over death made him to realize that "There is God, and He works in a miraculous way."
News broke around July this year that the popular actor was down with advanced stage of kidney disease and required over 60, 000 pounds to carry out a transplant. "I was devastated, I was broken but God decided to give me a second chance, to serve him.
"I had made up my mind that I was going to die. I had begun to make preparations because from research I knew that most people live a maximum of 10 years after a transplant, some even less than that. But my wife told me I should not give up, she gave me strength to fight on. At a point, I told her to go back to her parents and start a new life without me. That she's still young and cannot afford to live with a dying man.
"But after my friend, Mrs. Juliet Bumah, Saturday Editor of The Telegraph visited me in the company of other media friends; that was when they told me they had to let the world know about my plight because I would not be able to foot the medical bills alone. Then I was already spending about 170, 000 weekly on dialysis aside monies I was paying to see consultants too. I agreed with them and that was it."
The actor is full of gratitude to Nigerians, especially Apostle Suleiman Johnson of Omega Fire Ministries who he said, promptly responded to the "Save Leo Mezie" campaign. He also appreciated Nollywood, fans, and well-wishers who stood by him throughout the trying time.
"I never knew I was loved by Nigerians, I never knew God also loved me this much," he said.
He displayed public gratitude to Apostle Suleiman Johnson for coming to his rescue. "I want to thank Apostle Suleiman Johnson for what he did for me. I have never met him before I took ill but as soon he heard about my condition, he contacted me and asked me to stop further public appeals for funds. He then took over all my medical bills and my stay in the UK. I did not lack anything. I thank God for using Apostle Suleiman Johnson to save me from dying," he gushed.
On the issue of a kidney transplant, Mezie said, "I want to clear the air here, I did not undergo a kidney transplant, although that was what the doctors in the UK said, on my arrival. God did His work and I was only treated effectively. I will call what happened a miracle because tests carried out on me revealed that my kidneys were badly damaged and the only solution was a transplant. But after weeks of treatment, the doctors were even shocked that they were able to revive my kidneys. I give God all the glory."
Leo Mezie was down with kidney related disease for almost four months. The news of his ailment was broken barely a month after popular music producer, OJB Jezreel passed on. The latter died three years after he underwent a kidney transplant.
There is nothing like going to a concert or party with friends. You will definitely enjoy yourself. But why don't you try something different this weekend by dishing your friends and going alone to that pub you frequent? If you want to attempt this, Jumia travel shares some ideas on how to successfully pull this off. The important this is for you not to down too much beverage and book a hotel close to wherever the concert or club is holding.
You will meet new friends
You are already used to the shenanigans of your friends. They always have your back whenever you go partying. However, when you with them, it will be difficult for you to struck new friendships. But if you go solo, there is a high possibility that you will meet someone. This may likely apply to individuals who are single.
You only have to worry about yourself
When you go with friends, you have to worry about them especially if they are individuals that drink uncontrollably. At the same time, when they are drunk, you will be the one to drive them home. This is why they will always encourage them to come with them when they go partying. Not that you don't drink. You just don't drink to stupor. You will want to take a break from this by going alone.
You are in control
Whenever you go solo to a party you are in control. You can leave the party at any time you like as you don't need to wait for anyone. In addition, no one will tempt you into a drinking competition or push to woo a random girl. These are the things friends do!
You can do whatever you like
If you are the kind of person who is conscious of what they around friends. Perhaps, you should go alone and you can do whatever you like. The most important thing is not to overdo it so that you will return home hail and hearty.
You are doing something brave
It is not easy for you to go to a party alone. Very few people will attempt because there so much fun partying with friends. However, if you try it, know that you are being brave and not tied to the aprons of your friends. Thumbs up!
Spanish giants Barcelona have reportedly signified their interest in landing the Nigerian rave of the moment, Victor Moses.
Moses has been able to break into the first eleven and become a key member of the Blues squad under Antonio Conte this term.
Having had loan stints with Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United, the 25 years old has thrived in a new wing-back role for the Stamford bridge side.
His outstanding performance has earned man-of-the-match on two occasion this season
Spanish publication Sport, disclosed that Barca have their eyes on the winger as a possible solution to right-back position position.
According to the publication, Barca have sent scouts to watch Moses in action three times already this season.
Although a January move looks unlikely, Barcelona could approach the former European champions for the services of Moses next summer if he continues to impress at Chelsea.
The last thing any Nigerian who travels abroad wants to do is look or be different. Nigerians generally put in the effort to blend in or endear themselves to the locals in whatever location they find themselves , however, it is amazing to know that despite their intention, certain actions still mark them out, not necessarily in a negative way, but certainly in a unique form.
Traveling out of Nigeria to a foreign location? Before you jump on that plane to head anywhere outside of the country take a look at Jumia Travel’s list of 5 annoying things Nigerian's do abroad. It should serve as a starter to keep you from threading the same path.
Only eating the food they know
You would think that a visitor to a new location would explore its parameters, savoring its gastronomies…that is not the usual case with tourist Nigerians. Several African and Nigerian restaurants are booming in foreign countries not necessarily because of the number of the people in diaspora who patronize but for a large number of tourists who visit for local meals. Nigerian prefer to stick to their own food, and in situations where there are no local restaurants or foods around, they usually stick to staples like bread or rice.
Use Naija slangs
Nigerians are very proud of their local language and even more of the colloquial language prevalent in the nation. Most Nigerians abroad adopt these slangs in their normal English and use them while referring to all kinds of people, even those who have no clue of what it could mean. Do not be surprised to find a Nigerian in Beijing using such slangs as "Abeg", "Shebi", "Pele"etc. while communicating to a Local in the city.
Butcher the foreign accent
Nigerians tend to believe that they can pull off any accent or speak any language if they tried. They are usually empaths when it comes to speaking. In most cases, they mimic the accent of whoever they talk to. A reoccurring instance is a Nigerian faking an American accent on the first trip to the US. The thing, however, is that while they struggle to adopt the new accent, they ruin it and end up not communicating properly to the local, or sometimes even irritating whoever they are talking to.
Shop for Africa
It is no secret. Nigerians are the one with the heaviest carry-ons and the largest number of shopping bags. While some might not be shopaholics and rarely shop while in Nigeria, it is a different story when they travel, they shop till they drop as they most times mentally convert the cost of the purchase and keep buying because they feel it is much cheaper.
Jos – The National Lottery Trust Fund has donated sports equipments in diverse sports to 47 public primary schools in Plateau State to encourage them to organize sports' competitions in primary schools in the State.
Speaking in Jos, Thursday, at the official launch and presentation of the sports' equipments to the selected public primary schools in the State, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung encouraged public schools to inculcate sports' events in their daily activities so that children with potentials can be picked on time and trained. He said this will make them to represent the country in the different sports during international competitions.
Similarly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Babachir Lawal who was the Guest of Honour but represented by Mrs. Amina Shamaki added that the federal government will do “everything humanly possible to vitalize the sports industry that holds great promise for Nigeria in raising huge revenue.”
He maintained that “today’s ceremony affirms the avowed commitment of this administration to change the lives of every Nigerian positively and government is determined to harness needed resources in order to continue to develop our economic potentials and apply them to the generality of Nigerians.”
However, the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, represented by his deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden used the occasion to appeal to the federal government to complete the abandoned stadium left by the past government at Zaria road in Jos so as to attract local and international sports men and women for competitions, boost revenue base and address youths restiveness in the State.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Fund, Engr. Habu Gumel who handed over the equipments to the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB for onward distributions to the benefiting schools said the Fund’s intention is to develop grassroots sports through healthy competitions among school children so that talents which would add value to sports in the country can be discovered.
Among the equipments donated were complete kits in athletics, taekwando, badminton, handball, table tennis, football, volleyball and basketball.
Ben Ekumbo , Team Kenya's Rio Olympics deputy chief of mission, has offered to refund $10,500 looted from money set aside for the games.
Ekumbo on Friday told Senior Principal Magistrate Joyce Gandani that the cash was deposited into his bank account without his knowledge as he led Team Kenya in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The National Olympics Organising Committee's first vice-chairman is facing charges related to the mismanagement of Team Kenya in Brazil.
State prosecutors told the magistrate that they would inform the Asset Recovery Agency about Ekumbo's offer.
Ekumbo was arrested on Monday in a dramatic raid on his house in Westlands, Nairobi, where bales of sports clothing and equipment were found.
The kits were supplied by Nike for use by Team Kenya at the Olympics.
He appeared in court on Friday to face charges of stealing the sports gear.
Prosecutors told the court they intend to charge Ekumbo, who is also the chairman of Kenya Swimming Federation, with sexually molesting young swimmers.
The accused fought the charge, saying the sex scandal happened five years ago and that abusers were investigated and punished according to the law.
Gandani ordered that the accused be remanded until Monday to allow police more time to wrap up their investigations.
Kenyans took to the social media on Monday, especially Twitter to lampoon Ekumbo whose home was stormed by the police.
Richard Bosire @richybosire said: "Police recover hundreds of stolen #TeamKenya Rio Olympics kits at the home of NOCK VC #BenEkumbo in Westlands, Nrb.
AbetaUnBounded @iam_abeta said: "What happened to #BenEkumbo should also happen to Waiguru Ruto Murkomen Duale etc who would steal anything with financial value from the government"
CrimeAlert4Kenyans @CrimeAkoriginal, screamed : BREAKING: CID raid Team Kenya Deputy Chef-de-Mission for Rio2016 Ben Ekumbo's apartment and confiscate Nike kits.
By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu Friday called on Nigerians to unite together in order to protect the integrity of Nigeria as one country.
They made this call at the Concord Hotel, Owerri during the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in the State.
According to Okorocha who declared the event open said, ” We have no place to call our own if not Nigeria. We must defend the integrity of this country. “
“The worst thing that will happen to any society is to have a visionless leader ”
It was the view of Okorocha, that ” Nigerians must change their attitude toward their leaders and leaders must learn how to talk to their followers. ”
He also expressed sadness that, ” Nigerians are always in the attitude to pull down their leaders, adding that ” what ever you do not appreciate will depreciate. ”
Speaking also, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, used the opportunity to call president Mohammadu Buhari to assemble leaders of the country to discuss the the way out Nigeria problems.
He said, ” Nigerians are passing through hard times. These problems have lingered for years. They are not caused by Buhari administration. It is for this reason that Nigerians voted for change. ”
” We have come to a point Mr President should invite leaders in this country for a meeting to discuss how to solve our problems. ”
On the issue of Biafra, he said, ” Igbo are majority in this country and they cannot leave. We are Biafrans, Biafrans are Nigerians. It is the same way we have Arewa and Oduduwa.
