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
Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace Mugabe has claimed diplomatic immunity after being accused of assaulting a 20-year-old model, South African police said Wednesday, in an incident that could test cross-border relations.
Grace Mugabe Wife Of Zimbabwean president
The 52-year-old wife of President Robert Mugabe is accused of attacking Gabriella Engels on Sunday evening at a Johannesburg hotel where the first lady’s two sons were staying.
Engels has registered a police case alleging assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, saying she suffered deep cuts to her forehead and the back of her head.
“The suspect(‘s) lawyers and her government representatives made verbal representations… that the suspect wished to invoke diplomatic immunity cover,” the police ministry said in a statement.
The police said that Grace Mugabe had been expected to report to a police station on Tuesday to give her version of the events and “to obtain a warning statement”, but that she failed to show up.
– Public or private trip? –
They added that she would attend at the weekend a summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Pretoria where her husband and other heads of state will be present.
Her official duties at the summit could bolster her claim to diplomatic immunity, after her trip to see her sons was widely described as private.
Foreign affairs spokesman Clayson Monyela had told AFP on Tuesday that her trip was “a private visit, so government cannot get involved.”
Her husband flew out of Harare for South Africa early Wednesday evening for the summit, according to the Zimbabwean public broadcaster ZBC.
The summit of heads of state starts on Saturday.
“We know where the suspect is,” South Africa’s police spokesman Vishnu Naidoo told AFP earlier Wednesday.
“We are still continuing with the investigations. No warrant of arrest has been issued,” he added, after some reports suggested she had hurriedly returned to Harare late Tuesday.
The alleged attack threatens to spark a diplomatic tiff between the two neighbouring countries, which have strong political and economic ties.
Zimbabwean officials have made no comment on the case.
– ‘Kept beating me’ –
Grace Mugabe allegedly arrived at the Capital 20 West Hotel with bodyguards and accused Engels of partying with her sons Robert and Chatunga, who are both in their 20s and live in Johannesburg.
Pictures on social media appeared to show Engels bleeding from her head after the alleged assault at the hotel in the upmarket business district of Sandton.
Engels said she was attacked with an electrical extension cord.
“She flipped and just kept beating me with the plug. Over and over. I had no idea what was going on. I was surprised… I needed to crawl out of the room before I could run away,” she told the News 24 website.
Grace Mugabe is 41 years younger than her 93-year-old husband, and the couple has two sons and a daughter.
She regularly speaks at rallies and is seen as a possible contender to take over from her increasingly frail husband, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.
The succession battle is expected to pit Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa against a group called “Generation 40” or “G40” because its members are generally younger, and which reportedly has Grace’s backing.
While Grace Mugabe has in the past denied harbouring ambitions to take over from her husband, at other times she has said she would be prepared to serve in any political position.
She has taken on a larger public role in recent years, drumming up support for her husband and heading the women’s league of the ruling ZANU-PF party.
In speeches this year the president has often slurred his words, mumbled and paused for lengthy periods.
His reign has been marked by brutal repression of dissent, mass emigration, accusations of vote-rigging and a sharp economic decline.
Nigerian born international CEO, Adebayo Ogunlesi has now ceased to be an adviser to embattled US President Donald Trump. Trump sacked him today along with other distinguished CEOs counselling him via two councils on how to "Make America Great Again".Adebayo Ogunlesi: to advise Trump on the economy
Trump sacked Ogunlesi on Twitter, when he announced the dissolution of two business advisory councils, in one fell swoop.
Ogunlesi was a member of Strategic and Policy Forum, one of the two disbanded by the unpredictable president. The other group was the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative Council.
Ogunlesi, heads Global Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm and one of Fortune 500 companies. He was the only African on the panel.
The New York Times reported before Trump's tweeted dissolution, that members of Ogunlesi's panel were debating dissolving the body entirely as Trump wallowed deeper into bigotry quagmire. But Trump preempted their move.
"Corporate leaders had hoped that President Trump would help businesses by slashing taxes and gutting regulations. It is not clear how much he will deliver on that score. On top of that, he is putting many chief executives in the position of answering for a president with an unparalleled track record of outraging people, most recently at a contentious press conference on Tuesday when he drew a false equivalence between the white supremacists who protested in Charlottesville, Va., last weekend and counter-protesters.", NYT reported.
Trump had earned rebuke and isolation from business leaders for supporting racial bigotry, White Supremacists and the KKK, following his remarks that failed to blame the tragic violence in Charlottesville, Virginia on the group. Instead, he blamed all the sides and the group that challenged the racists.
The leaders of three companies — Kenneth Frazier of Merck, Kevin Plank of Under Armour and Brian Krzanich of Intel — were the first to resign from the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative Council.
They resigned on Monday because Mr. Trump was slow to condemn the white supremacists during the weekend and blamed "many sides" for the violence.
When Trump moderated his tone on Monday by saying "racism is evil" and condemning neo-Nazis, he did not assuage some of the CEOs working with him.
Scott Paul, the president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, an organization backed by the steel industry and the United Steelworkers resigned. he was followed on Tuesday by Richard Trumka and Thea Lee, the president and deputy chief of staff for the union group A.F.L.-C.I.O.. The latter's resignation followed Trump's reversed position at a press conference at Trump Tower in New York, in which he said that "not all of those people were neo-Nazis, believe me," referring to the white nationalists who were chanting "Jews will not replace us" as they marched with tiki-torches.
Ogunlesi's Strategic Forum, composed some of America's most highly respected and successful business leaders.
Members of the body were expected to meet with Trump frequently to share their specific experience and knowledge as the president implements his plan to bring back jobs and "Make America Great Again. "
The other members of the forum were:
Stephen Schwarzman (forum chairman), chairman, CEO, and cofounder of Blackstone Paul Atkins, CEO of Patomak Global Partners, former commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission Mary Barra, chairwoman and CEO, General Motors Toby Cosgrove, CEO, Cleveland Clinic Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Larry Fink, chairman and CEO, BlackRock Bob Iger, chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company Rich Lesser, president and CEO, Boston Consulting Group Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Jim McNerney, former chairman, president, and CEO of Boeings Ginni Rometty, chairwoman, president, and CEO of IBM Kevin Warsh, Shepard Family Distinguished Visiting Fellow in economics at the Hoover Institute, former member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Mark Weinberger, global chairman and CEO, EY Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO, General Electric Daniel Yergin, Pulitzer Prize winner, vice chairman of IHS Markit
Apart from being managing partner of Global Infrastructure Partners, Ogunlesi also serves on the boards of Callaway Golf Co. and Kosmos Energy Ltd.
At the same time he's the chairman of Africa Finance Corp. and serves on the boards of various not-for-profits ranging from New York Presbyterian Hospital to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
By Bashir Bello THE Katsina State Police Command has explained how an herbalist, Sule Abubakar strangled a new born baby and dumped the body in a pit toilet.
The incident, which was confirmed by spokesperson of the Police Command, DSP Gambo Isah, occurred in Gyaza village, Kafur local government area of the state.
Fatima had gone to the herbalist to seek refuge when she had a misunderstanding with her husband which led to her expulsion from the matrimonial home.
The police spokesman also noted that by the time the woman resolved the issue with her husband and returned to her matrimonial house, she was already pregnant, allegedly for the herbalist.
After delivery, Fatima was said to have taken the baby to the herbalist who strangled it and threw it in the toilet. "Our men got the information and recovered the lifeless body of the baby from the toilet," Isa said.
In a related development, the PPRO also said the police rescued alive a new born baby girl abandoned by her 16 years old mother, one Hassan Tanimu from Jabiri, in Funtua local government area.
Isa said that police detectives, acting on a tip-off, traced the baby to Hassan who claimed that somebody drugged and raped her and in the process she got pregnant.
The police said that investigation was still ongoing into the matter.
In a related development, the police said it has rescued a new born baby girl abandoned by her mother, one Hassana Tanimu in Jabiri area of Funtua local government.
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has dismissed the fear looming in some quarters that the ongoing assessment of senior civil servants in the state was designed to fish out incompetent workers for sack, assuring that such fears are baseless. Extreme left: Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State monitoring the ongoing assessment of public servants for capacity enhancement at the Imaguero College Hall, Sapale Rd. , Benin City. Obaseki who was at Imaguero College, Benin City, venue of the assessment, on Wednesday, said that the exercise was in good faith and not a competency test as being rumoured.
He explained that Edo civil servants are competent and do not require any further competency test. "Before they were employed, their competency was tested and that is why they are working in the Civil Service. But before promotions are made in the Civil Service, senior civil servants go through assessments to fill vacant positions in the directorate cadre,"
He added that the exercise was part of the strategy to strengthen the Civil Service for effective service delivery and assured that no employee writing the examination will be sacked.
The governor disclosed that the recent examination conducted for staff members on levels 16 and 17 in the state was an eye opener as some civil servants were discovered to be very good and were appointed Permanent Secretaries.
"We are not sacking anybody, but want to strengthen the service so that it can deliver quality services to the state. The assessment is not compulsory but necessary for promotion as those who need to be promoted would have to be assessed. If you refuse, then there may be no basis for your promotion," Obaseki said.
For teachers who kicked against the assessment, the governor said it was unfortunate as his administration did not intend to exclude teachers from the resulting promotion exercise and added that the two teachers that performed very well in the last exercise were appointed Permanent Secretaries.
"We want to give everyone the opportunity to participate but if teachers say they don't want to be part of the process, no one will force them, we would have no basis to promote their senior colleagues," he added.
Heaven was let open at the weekend when Prophet T.B Joshua of the Synaguoge Church of All Nations led the people on a two-day high power crusade to Paraguay.Paraguay Government Honours TB Joshua with merit award
The atmosphere was filled with high expectations as Paraguayans from all walks of life and government as well as religious leaders trooped to the Estadio Defensores Del Chaco in the capital, Asuncion to receive God's touch.
Not less than a hundred wheelchaired people were healed of various ailments as they were seen leaving the magnificent stadium with their wheelchairs raised while they walked unaided for the first time in many years.
The two-day crusade which rounded off on Saturday August 12, started at about 6pm local time on Friday, August 11 and saw many streets deserted, albeit with massive pockets of traffic on major roads leading to the stadium.
Over two million people from the city of Asuncion graced the occasion. Some of them who spoke with local media said no such miracles have ever been witnessed before in Paraguay. This was corroborated by one Mr. Mario Martinez, a Mexican who came all the way from Mexico City to attend the crusade.
The high point of the crusade was the official presentation of highest National Honour by the Paraguayan Parliament to Prophet T.B Joshua.
He was also presented with the key to the capital city of Asuncion by the Municipal Council – an indication that the city has been handed over to God for His blessing through Prophet T.B Joshua.
It would be recalled that the man of God was received by highly expectant Paraguayans at the nation's International Airport. The Secretary General of the Parliament of Paraguay, Dej Medina Paredes, led the country's high-powered committee which received Prophet Joshua upon arrival.
She said: "I am very excited and can see a lot of expectation in the people from Paraguay because they are waiting for a spiritual transformation through the coming of this message from Christ. All of us are waiting for that spiritual transformation.
"We want to receive him very well, we want to be healed and as a Member of Parliament, I appreciate his coming. We are a privileged nation to have him visit our country.
The local media had also reported that most of the hotels in the capital, Asuncion were declared filled while many international visitors were seen making hotel bookings for the event.
Earlier, Prophet TB Joshua had held crusades in Columbia, Mexico, South Korea and Peru. His international crusades have always been huge successes with many suggesting that no other African Pastor has been able to match him internationally.
The member representing the Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Daniel Reyenieju has commended the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), for being steadfast, honest and uncompromising in its discussions with the Federal Government, particularly in the demand for the relocation of both the administrative and operational headquarters of oil companies to their major areas of operations.
Reyenieju made this disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Warri,yesterday.
Daniel Reyenieju
The federal lawmaker urged the different ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region to cooperate with PANDEF, while lauding the current efforts of the group towards redressing the wrongs wreaked on the oil-bearing communities in the region by the transnational oil companies and the government.
He also appealed to the youths of the region not to take any action capable of undermining the current level of oil production or truncating the ongoing peace in the region; as PANDEF is currently taking all necessary steps to get the Federal Government to redress the injustice of the past.
Reyenieju applauded PANDEF's call for the dredging of the Excravos Bar and the revitalization of the seaports in the region; specifically those of Koko and Warri; and the restructuring of the Niger Delta Development Commission to ensure fair distribution of development projects based on quantum of oil production.
The lawmaker further commended PANDEF in its commitment and unwavering call for restructuring of the federation, noting that Nigeria will remain susceptible to endless crises, underdevelopment and instability, if the current unitary system and over-bloated federal government subsists.
Special Advisers on Media and Publicity to the President , Mr Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu addressing Niger Delta Youth during a support protest match to pass vote of confident on President Muhammedu Buhari led Administration in Abuja.
The 27-year-old penned a five-year contract worth a reported £100,000 a week to become Everton’s record signing, topping the £31.8 million they paid Chelsea for Romelu Lukaku in 2014.
“Hopefully I will continue to create goals and score goals for the team and contribute to the kind of success we're seeking at the club," Sigurdsson told evertontv.
"This is an ambitious club and it is clear we are moving in a really good direction. The most important thing is that this team keeps winning games and climbing the table and does that throughout the season.”
By Henry Umoru ABUJA- BARELY twenty- four hours after the closure of the popular Wuse Market in Abuja following a clash between protesters demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari should resume or resign and supporters of the President, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello yesterday re-opened the market for normal businesses to continue.
The FCT administration has however warned that it would no longer tolerate situations where protesters in the nation’s capital city use the markets or unauthorized places, stressing that anyone found to have violated the order would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
In a statement Wednesday by the Chief Press’s Secretary to the FCTA Minister, Cosmas Uzodinma, the FCTA said that there were no lives lost during the fracas between Our Mumu Don Do Movement”, the youth group demanding for the immediate return of President Muhammed Buhari to the country and led by Charles Oputa( Charley Boy), and another one that is loyal to the President which allegedly attacked him.
The statement read, “The attention of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has been drawn to reports and misrepresentations on the recent clash between anti-Buhari protesters led by Charle y Boy Oputa and a segment of traders in the Wuse Market of Abuja.
“It is noteworthy that this incident has spun a lot of versions and false figures of purported casualties. Indeed our findings which were confirmed by the various security agencies clearly indicate otherwise.
“For the avoidance of doubt, therefore, the FCT Administration hereby states that there was NO LIFE LOST due mainly to the timely intervention of the Security and the Market Management agencies.
“The FCT Administration wishes to convey its appreciation to various agencies and organizations whose timely intervention stemmed the situation from degenerating into a major crisis.
“The Administration notes that the market has since been re-opened to the general public and that normal activities have resumed.
“We reiterate the Administration's commitment to the protection of freedom of expression and lawful assembly, but caution that this must be done within the ambits of law and civilized conduct.
“Consequently, the FCT Administration warns that staging political protests in markets and other unauthorised areas would not be tolerated and any person or group involved in this act would be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“We urge all the law abiding residents of Abuja to go about their business without fear of any molestations as the FCT security agencies are geared to ensure the security of lives and property in the Territory.”
It would be recalled that leader of “Our Mumu Don Do Movement”, the youth group demanding for the immediate return of President Muhammed Buhari to the country, Charles Oputa( Charley Boy) on Tuesday escaped death by whiskers following a clash between his group and another one that is loyal to the President which allegedly attacked him.
The attack came when the controversial musician led his group on his “Resume or Resign” protest, this time, at the Wuse Market Abuja.
The Return or Resign protest however took another dimension yesterday, when some pro-Buhari Hausas attacked him at Wuse market leading to total close down of the market.
Following the development, the FCTA through the Abuja Market Management Limited has shut down the market to forestall colossal damage
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Wednesday demonstrated his administration's commitment to the frugal allocation of the resources accruing to the state by setting up a contact group with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) to review road contracts awarded by the state government.Engr. Dr. Victor Obanor, Chief Inspector, COREN ERM, Benin Zonal Inspectorate, presenting a COREN Publication to Governor Godwin Obaseki during a courtesy visit to the governor on August 16, 2017.
According to Obaseki, the contact group made up of executive members of COREN, the country's highest engineering regulatory body, would drive down the cost of constructing roads and ensure quality work is done by contractors.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the executive members of COREN in Government House, Benin City, led by the Chief Inspector of the Benin Engineering Regulatory Inspectorate, Engr. Dr. Victor Obanor, the governor, expressed displeasure over the tendency for contractors to inflate the cost of road construction when the materials are available in within the country.
Obaseki said the partnership with COREN was imperative and essential towards reducing the cost of construction, especially roads.
He noted that his administration places a high premium on transparency and accountability and would ensure there is real value for every tax payer's kobo spent to fund projects in the state. He further stressed that the state would need the collaboration of COREN in manpower development in order to boost the capacity of workers in the state, especially engineers.
Earlier, Dr. Obanor said the group was impressed with the vision of the governor for infrastructural development in the state.
According to him, "COREN believes that a technical solution is needed to deliver cost-effective and durable infrastructure, bearing in mind the current state of the country's economy."
"The Agropreneur" is an agricultural based television reality show.
The show shall focus on raising agro entrepreneurs from our farmers and those intending to go into farming.
It shall bring farmers and agriculture to the front line where they truly belong, it shall create jobs, empower the farmers with the basic modern tools required to excel in his field.
It is a contest with a difference that shall have what I call "agropretainment"; a blend of agriculture, entrepreneurship and entertainment.
It promises to be informative, educative, exciting, adventurous and entertaining
Participants shall receive training on various areas of agriculture and shall be turned from being just farmers to being "corporate farmers", what I also call "Agropreneurs". There shall be a little mix of entertainment so the show is not boring and to attract the attention of the youths to the show.
FOCUS
To change the focus of the Nigerian youths and the older citizens from oil to agriculture and make the nation green again
To turn the Nigerian youths from white collar to green collar jobs
To bring agriculture and farmers to the fore
To provide funding for the farmer through partnership
To provide training & Mentorship
To promote organic farming and discourage the use of GMOS
To showcase Nigeria's rich Agricultural heritage/ potential to the world
To showcase Nigeria as the next Agricultural haven to the world
To provide a lead for the Nation out of recession
To create jobs
To reduce the crime rate in the country
To create wealth
To increase the GDP of the nation
To encourage every Nigerian to own a farm either as a means of livelihood or to feed his immediate family
FORMAT OF THE SHOW
Thirty (30) Nigerians drawn from the six (6) geo political zones of the country shall make it to the house; five participants from each zone shall emerge after a thorough scrutiny from a panel of foremost agriculturist.
They shall live in a farm house for 30 days
They shall be engaged in large mechanized farms across the country
They shall be engaged in the plant a tree campaign, the green revolution
They shall be given various individual and group tasks to undertake. And that would form the bases of their eviction
Through a steady process of elimination, contestants shall be eliminated on the bases of their performance
Five (5) contestants shall make it to the grand finale, out of which 1st and 2nd runner up would be named and awarded. The climax shall be the crowning of "The Agropreneur".
All the other contestants shall have access to interest free Agric start up loans
A one (1) hour television reality show based on the activities in the academy shall be televised for the viewers in Africa, Nigeria and indeed the world.
The show shall be anchored by a television personality and
MODE OF APPLICATION
Interested participants are to make payment of #5,000 into designated account either online or through bank teller. Access to the registration form will be granted once payment is confirmed.
Completed forms are to be submitted online to designated email addresses; depending on the geopolitical zone you reside, along with your agro business plan
QUALIFICATION
Applicants must be Nigerians; home or abroad
Must be 18 yrs and above
Must have interest in starting and developing his agro business in Nigeria
Should have a good business plan
Can be an existing agro business person needing funds and support or one interested in venturing into agriculture
AUDITION
Suitable, interested, intending farmers & agro dealers who have applied shall be required to submit their business plans
A panel of agriculturist shall do a thorough scrutiny of all submitted business plans at the various zones
The panel and crew shall visit the 6 geo political zones to scrutinize applicants from the zones
Those selected shall make it to the house, and be admitted into "the Agropreneur Academy"
5 persons shall make it to the academy from each zone
REWARD
The winner shall be awarded the sum of ten million naira (#10,000,000),
A brand new SUV and a Farm Simulator
The 1st runner up shall be awarded the sum of three million naira (#3,000,000) and a Rice Miller
The 2nd runner up shall be awarded the sum of one million naira (#1,000,000)
There shall be lots of prizes to be won by the viewers at home as well as the studio audience
It shall be an annual show.
Application opens 1st of August, 2017 and closes 31st of October, 2017.
Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dismissed a recent annual report by the U.S. government on the lack of religious freedom in the Islamic republic.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Bahram Qasemi, said that the U.S. Department of State's report was "unrealistic, baseless and biased''.
Qasemi also said that the document had been prepared to serve only political purposes, according to reports.
He said the report was "undoubtedly unacceptable,'' presenting "once again, a distorted image of the status of religious freedom'' in Iran with wrong allegations.
Qasemi hit back at the U.S. government with what he called "the U.S. dark record of racial and religious discrimination, Islamophobia and xenophobia, as well as violent attacks and police brutality against Muslims.''
He suggested that the U.S. government took legal and practical measures to protect religious freedom itself, and particularly make sure that Muslims' rights were respected in the United States, instead of judging the status of religious freedom in other countries.
The Edo State Government has ordered the immediate removal of structures, temporary or permanent, under high electricity transmission cables in the state due to the associated health hazards.
The resolution was reached at the weekly Executive Council Meeting presided over by the Chairman-in-Council and Governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at Government House in Benin City, on Wednesday.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Paul Ohonbamu, who spoke to journalists after the Exco meeting, said the state government was concerned about the health and safety of Edo people and directed that all structures located under High power transmission cables be removed immediately.
'’The radiation from high tension electricity lines has been linked to cancer, and there is also imminent danger of electrocution and incineration,” Ohonbamu said and assured that massive sensitization campaigns would be done to ensure that members of the public comply with the safety rule.
On the threat to the security of lives and property in the state, he said that the State Executive Council urged Edo people to go about their daily duties as the government was determined to ensure their safety and protection.
"Security would be beefed up in all the institutions of the state including hospitals, government offices and schools amongst other places," Ohonbamu said.
He added that the ongoing promotion examination for public servants in the state was not conceived to sack any one from the state civil service.
—Says strike helped in establishing TETFund —–As FEC approves $122.62m for rehabilitation of Ajaokuta- Itakpe rail line. By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA – THE Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu Wednesday admitted that the Federal Government failed to fulfill the agreement it entered into with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, after a meeting with duo last year. Malam Adamu Adamu
This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, has approved the sum of $122.62 milliom for the rehabilitation of Ajaokuta-Itakpe rail road which involved track laying, permanent way works and ancillary facilities area and completion of 12 railway stations by Messr CCECC Nig Ltd.
Briefing State House correspondents after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting the Minister of Education also accused the union of not following the due process before declaring the indefinite strike.
Though he said that the union was made up of patriotic Nigerians that their agitations in the past helped in the establishment of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund by the previous administration, he promised to meet with the leadership of ASUU as soon as possible to find amicable resolution of all the contentious issues.
He said, “Very sad that I am here and ASUU is on strike,late last year we had a meeting because ASUU gave one week notice of strike and we were able to work out some agreement.
“I must confess government has not fulfilled its part of the bargain, even though we are unhappy that ASUU went on this strike without following due process and giving us good notice, we realised that we promised something and we didn’t fulfill it.
“I hope I will be meeting them later today or tomorrow and am sure we will be able to reach some agreement so that the strike will be called off as soon as possible.
“I am sure you are aware of the issues we agreed on, there is the issue of re-negotiation which is the only one they agreed government has done what it promised because we set up the re-negotiation team and negotiation is already ongoing.
“There is the issue of Earned Allowances and I think because of some miscommunication what we promised could not be done, but am assuring ASUU and the whole nation that this is going to be done.
“There is the issue of registration for Nigerian Universities Pension Commission I think that one there are few issues that need to be sorted out with the Nigerian Pension Commission, I believe there will be no problem with that.
“The issue of their staff school which I think the court has given them verdict to go ahead with it, they have requested that they should be allowed to stay off TSA and I think government will not do this but there are some peculiar funds in the university like endowment which are monies kept and all the interest they generate, prices and so on are given.
“Government will exempt that one only,but universities it is part of the peculiarities, they just must log on. I hope later on when I meet them today there will be total agreement.”
Asked to reconcile the statement he made during the last dispensation about ASUU strike to the effect that, ‘So, instead of hectoring ASUU to call of its strike, the nation should be praying for more of its kind in other sectors of the economy,’ the minister said that was still his position.
He said if ASUU had not forced former President Goodluck Jonathan, he would not have created the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), without which he said, the university system would have collapsed.
The minister emphasized: “That is still my view. I believe ASUU is composed of patriotic people, very responsible.
“If I can look at what their struggle is, they force the then government to create TETFund and today, without TETFund, the university system would have collapsed.
“I’m not supporting ASUU, am supporting what is good. If it is something bad, I will condemn it.”
Also briefing journalists, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi also submitted memoranda which was approved by FEC for the contract for the rehabilitation of Ajaokuta- Itakpe rail line.
He said that it involved track laying, permanent way works and ancillary facilities area and completion of 12 railway stations in favour of Messr CCECC Nig Ltd in the sum of $122.62million and that the amount was inclusive of all taxes at the prevailing CBN exchange rate of one dollar to N305 with a completion period of 15 months.
According to him, Ajaokuta to Warri track is in good condition and when the new contract is completed access to the seaport is achieved for the evacuation of goods.
Mohammed added that Amaechi also submitted a memo for the interim phase arrangement for the concession of the Nigeria's narrow gauge railway system which was approved.
He said that the approval was to issue a letter of comfort to General Electric so that by Oct. 2017 there would be full utilization of Lagos – Kano and Port Harcourt – Calabar – Maiduguri line.
He said it was part of the efforts to rehabilitate the 30,000 km narrow guage line and make it ready for haulage of goods and services.
According to him from October there will be new 17 wagons to move at least a million tonnes of goods from the roads and preserve its lifespan.
Mohammed added that FEC approved the variation cost for the construction of one 150 MVA 330/133 KVA transformer at Birnin Kebbi and the reinforcement of a sub-station in Kumbutso, Kano, for the transmission company of Nigeria.
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor will be allowed to wear lighter gloves when they clash in their Las Vegas superfight this month, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) approved a request from both fighters to switch from 10-ounce (283-gram) to eight ounce gloves, despite concerns raised by safety experts.
Lighter gloves carry less padding over the knuckles, potentially making for a more explosive spectacle.
NSAC rules mandate that 10-ounce gloves are used in any bout over 147 pounds. However former welterweight king Mayweather and UFC star McGregor, who clash on August 26, are to fight at a 154-pound limit.
The Association of Ringside Physicians urged NSAC not to waive its glove regulations for the McGregor-Mayweather fight.
“This is a bout that has already been set at a specified weight class,” the physician chairman Raymond Monsell wrote in a letter released on Tuesday.
“Unless there is scientific evidence to support the view that such a change might improve the safety of this bout, we strongly caution against allowing current regulations to be overruled.
“To do so would also set a precedent for future bouts.”
By Daud Olatunji ABEOKUTA- Men of Ogun State Police command have arrested a pastor and three other suspects in connection with the discovery suspected human parts buried inside a church in Ota .
The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, who paraded the cleric Wednesday in Ota,said the arrested 77-year-old prophet, Samuel Babatunde, is the founder of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Itedo Isinmi Ayo Parish, Egan Road in Iyana-Iyesi area of Ota.
The Police boss who conducted newsmen round the Church premises said the discovery followed the arrest, on Saturday, of a suspected serial kidnapper, Jeremiah Adeola.
According to Iliyasu , Adeola, 32, specialised in kidnapping children and had already confessed that the prophet of the white garment church was the receiver of the abducted children.
The Police Commissioner added that a 43-year-old herbalist, Haruna Afolabi, was among the suspects, who allegedly buried the human parts at the entrance of the church.
He said ” operatives attached to the police Area Command in Ota on Sunday received technical intelligence about Adeola and eventually apprehended him.
“On the strength of the intelligence, detectives from Ota Area Command were detailed to effect the arrest of the suspect; and at about 10:20am of the date, their efforts paid off when the said Jeremiah Adeola was promptly arrested.
U.S. President Donald Trump praised Kim Jong Un, the leader of the North Korea, on Wednesday for delaying a decision on attacking against the U.S. territory of Guam and pausing an escalation in tensions between the two countries.
“Kim Jong Un of North Korea made a very wise and well reasoned decision,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “The alternative would have been both catastrophic and unacceptable!”
"Anyone can become angry-that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way-this is not easy."
ARISTOTLE.
In the dungeon of negative emotions anger is the boss. Anger is probably the most passionate of all the negative emotions. However, anger is not altogether negative rather it is how the individual handles the emotion of anger that makes it negative and even destructive. Mismanaged anger is brutal to the body system. It can cause heart attacks, strokes, burst blood vessels, ulcers; migraine headaches; asthma and skin diseases of all kinds. Your response to any given situation is determined by your perception; it is the interpretation of the event to yourself. The same event can trigger different responses from different individuals. Therefore, the emotional reaction of anger is a conditioned response that stems from the person you are rather than being determined by the situation. Anger is a learned response through repetition of our exposure to experiences in our environment. Habitual response of anger to any given situation is a product of a victim mentality that is rooted in pain and frustration. When anger rises up within, your blood pressure rises. And when anger becomes your habitual attitude response mode, your blood pressure stays up. When stress level builds up; anger level stirs up. Anger is a response choice in any given situation. Anger is a reactive response that acts as a defense mechanism based on your perception and interpretation of the event. In my analysis there is the explosive anger; implosive anger; and the rightly directed, wisely expressed anger. The explosive anger is verbal or physical assault that causes emotional damage or physical damage to people or property. The implosive anger is repressed rage that leads to reprisal attack that raids destiny.
Can you control your tongue when you are angry? The ability to control your tongue and invariably your actions when angry is what makes you a king. You may ask, what if the person deserves it? Well, I'll reply you with the story below:
Bob Hoover was a famous test pilot in his time in America. One day, he was returning home from an air show in San Diego. At three hundred feet in the air, both engines suddenly stopped. By deft maneuvering he managed to land the airplane. Fortunately, nobody was hurt but the plane had been badly damaged. When the plane landed Hoover immediately went ahead to inspect the airplane's fuel. He guessed right, the World War II propeller plane he had been flying had been fuelled with jet fuel rather than gasoline. He made straight to the airport to meet the mechanic who had made the grave mistake while servicing the airplane. As Hoover approached the mechanic, tears ran down his face. He had caused the loss of a very expensive plane and moreover, he could have caused the loss of three lives as well. Hoover was infuriated but amazingly, he didn't tongue-lash the mechanic, he didn't criticize him. Rather, he did a remarkable thing that sure made a positive impact and impression in the mind of the mechanic. Hoover put his arm around the man's shoulder and said, "To show you I'm sure you'll never do this again. I want you to service my F-51 tomorrow." Hoover's reaction to the situation paid off than all the criticism and tongue lashing in the world. He had exercised self-discipline and had influenced a life positively. We should strive to control ourselves and speak from our heart rather than our head when we get angry at someone.
The story below is an example of explosive anger and how to deal effectively with it, straight out of life.
Dr Ben Carson a retired outstanding neurosurgeon; bestselling author; speaker and a former republican United States presidential aspirant shared a wonderful story about himself. Dr. Carson narrated that he was quick-tempered when he was quite young. On a certain day, he had an argument with his friend and somehow he threw a knife at his friend, which nearly penetrated into his friend's body. Instantly, fear gripped him over his action and he ran into the bathroom and wept. He prayed that God should take away such anger from him. He reached for His Bible and read some verses in the book of Proverbs that had to do with anger. He stayed in the bathroom for about an hour praying. He testified that after that day, he never experienced such temper in his life. The crux of the whole matter is, had he continued with such a temper, it could have destroyed his personality and his climb to the top of his career. No one wants to be around someone who is quick tempered. It breeds enemies and scares away friends. Hence, it repels success.
When patience is in place and mercy triumphs over judgment anger is easily controlled. Repressed anger may lead to transferred aggression on members of your family or people who can't defend themselves. Respond to offense with forgiveness rather than with anger. Let go of resentment and you will have rest of mind.
Suppressed emotions lead to oppressed body systems that accumulate in pain and diseases. We need to deal with the root of anger; don't stuff it in and don't blow it out rather express it wisely. When we live in emotional denial we become emotionally drained and our lives become dredged. When you stuff damaging emotions into your inner self you strangle the life supporting system of your body. When we don't express our pain; our pain will poison our souls and expose us to devastation. Negative emotions concealed seals off the flow of life within us and death sets in- emotional death; relationship death; financial death and ultimately physical death.
Childhood traumatic experiences such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse; humiliation; rejection; are frequently stuffed in and leads to explosive anger when triggered by even seemingly minor events or situation. Don Colbert M.D reveals, "Those who have stuffed negative emotions, especially anger, and hostility for years, don't need much to set them off. The least little insult-the driver on the freeway who cuts him off, the person at work who voices criticism her way, a person who ignores his presence-can produce an outburst that is above and beyond a normal response."
To deal effectively with anger don't stuff it inside; deal with it forthrightly. If you've hurt someone through your words and actions, apologize quickly. Ask God for forgiveness. In situations that you feel anger swelling up within rather than bursting it forth, leave the scene; take a deep breath and count from 1-100 or till when you are able to calm down, reflect on and analyze the situation objectively. Ask God to help you with understanding and wisdom to give the right response or make the right choice. Thank God for the anticipated help. As you will be divinely prompted, act accordingly and you will reap the fruit of your wise actions.
The window for Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s stand-in president, to launch bold economic reforms and wrestle the ill-disciplined naira currency into shape is fast closing.
President Muhammadu Buhari signaled over the past weekend that he is ready to return from receiving medical treatment in London as soon as his doctors allowed it.
President Muhammad Buhari receives in audience APC delegation lead by APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun. Others are Imo State Governor Owelle Rocharles Okorocha, Nassarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura, Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai and Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Abuja House London on 23rd July 2017.
That would could paid to investor hopes for economic changes to qualify Nigeria for a World Bank loan to drag it out of recession. It will also leave the plethora of naira exchange rates standing, albeit perhaps closer to each other.
Buhari has kept a grip on power despite his medical leave, and the more business-friendly Osinbajo has been reluctant to challenge him.
This has gone as far as him flying to London to get permission for personnel changes.
“We don’t expect any deviation from the current economic policy stance should President Buhari return,” said Cobus de Hart, senior economist at South Africa’s NKC African Economics.
“One could hope that the return of the president goes hand in hand with an acceleration of reform implementation, but we doubt this will be the case.”
Osinbajo, who has been running Nigeria since Buhari went to Britain on May 7 and also ran it between January and March, has made some changes.
He has managed to calm tensions in the Niger Delta oil hub and pushed small steps such as a forex trade window to narrow the gap between the official and parallel naira exchange rates.
But a unifying of all the exchange rates — there are at least six, including the black market — remains far away. It would amount to a devaluation, which Buhari has opposed.
TIGHT LEASH
More than three months after leaving Nigeria, it remains unclear when Buhari will return, despite his remarks about his desire to resume work. They were merely the latest in a number of presidency announcements.
But even from far-away London Buhari and his aides have restrained Osinbajo.
“He (Osinbajo) is so scared to offend President Buhari to the extent that he takes no major action without consent from him through phone,” said a presidency official, asking not to be named.
Osinbajo and his aides often hold meetings which has enlivened a presidential villa criticized for inertia — but he still seeks approval from Buhari or his chief of staff.
He flew to London for a few hours last month to get Buhari’s approval to appoint two ministers who had been already cleared by parliament, the official said.
During the meeting, Buhari even asked Osinbajo to give the ministers no portfolio as he wanted to assign them himself after his return, he said.
Moreover, when Osinbajo tried appointed a new board for an anti-corruption commission he had to withdraw his candidates because Buhari’s aides did not like two names, the official said.
Among the few projects Osinbajo got underway are the legalizing of illicit refineries in the restive Niger Delta oil hub, often the only work for youth who tend to join otherwise militants.
Osinbajo also ordered an overhaul of dilapidated facilities at Lagos airport, the main entry gate into Nigeria, as part of a plan to ease doing business.
Slideshow (7 Images) The new FX trade window has prompted some foreign investors to return, pushing Nigerian stocks to a nearly three-year-high in August.
But its inconclusive nature still holds back investors, London-based Capital Economics said.
“There is a possibility that Buhari returns, sees things improving and thinks there is no need to change anything. Further reforms are desperately needed to achieve meaningful growth,” said John Ashbourne, Africa economist at Capital Economics.
TIGHTROPE
Buhari, a former military ruler from the north, made Osinbajo acting president when he first went to Britain to avoid a vacuum as occurred in 2010 when then-President Umaru Yar’Adua spent three months in a Saudi hospital while his aides shrouded his illness in secrecy.
His deputy Goodluck Jonathan only took over in a constitutional crisis after Yar’Adua died.
Osinbajo has gone out of his way to show his loyalty — as a Christian lawyer from southern commercial capital Lagos he is walking a tightrope to avoid policies that may annoy Buhari and his inner circle, who are mainly Muslim northerners.
“The chief of staff and his team are working alongside Osinbajo on the understanding that (he) will not run in 2019,” a government adviser said. Osinbajo has never said he wants to run.
“The election cycle is the last two years of an administration. As we enter the election the issue of mutual trust becomes crucial because nobody wants to be ambushed,” said the adviser, who did not want to be named.
Traditionally in Nigeria, the leadership rotates between north and south to ensure a balance in a country evenly split between Muslims and Christians.
Jonathan, a Christian from the south, upset many northerners by refusing to give way. Northerners also felt there should have been another northern term after Yar’Adua’s death. Hundreds were killed in riots after Jonathan’s election in 2011. Culled from Reuters
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