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
Notjustok.com, a leading African Music online, has revealed the year's most downloaded singles in African Music and the site recorded over 60 million individual downloads in 2016. According to the site, 2016 was a big year in African music consumption.
Kiss Daniel
Kiss Daniel dominated 2016 with Mama at 1.8 million downloads, Tekno's Pana which dominated the latter part of 2016 closed the year out with 1.7 million downloads, while Diamond Platnumz who is arguably the biggest artist in East Africa sits comfortably at #5 with 950k downloads with his Kidogo single featuring P-Square.
Other singles that featured in the top ten includes;Patoranking ft. Sarkodie, No Kissing Baby in third position; Diamond Platnumz Ft. P Square – Kidogo in fourth; Eugy x Mr Eazi – Dance For Me in fifth; Davido Music Worldwide/HKN presents: MaYorKun – ELEKO in 6th; Ycee-Omo Alhaji _ @Iam_Ycee in seventh; Harmonize – Matatizo in ninth and Raymond- Kwetu in 10th
Surprisingly, at the just concluded 11th edition of the Headies Awards held on Thursday night at Eko Hotel and Suites, Penthehouse rapper and Fada Fada singer, Phyno, got shocking nods of disapproval and dissatisfaction from his fans as he walked back to his sit after receiving his award for Song of the Year. In what seemed to be a surprising change of fortune, Phyno who had received a massive applause from his fans and other guests at the event while he was called upon to receive his award, was later massively booed as a result of the physical and general disposition he displayed to and after receiving the award.
Phyno
Phyno who went to receive the award in the company of three associates, displayed an attitude which suggested pride and arrogance. After receiving the award, he proudly claimed he had nothing to say but "Thank you", dropped the microphone and walked off the stage in the wrong direction, instead of going backstage just as other award recipients. Dissatisfied with his actions, his fans and other guests booed him while urging him to go back and pass through the backstage as his other colleagues. Instead, Phyno turned a deaf ear and walked back to his seat in a rather proud manner.
Words on the mouth of many of his fans suggested that it is possible he wasn't satisfied with the award category he won or he was beginning to feel too big for the prestigious Headies award just like his industry colleague, Tekno, who was disqualified from the Next Rated nomination list because of his arrogance.
Thursday night, at the Headies awards, winner of the Artiste of the Year award category, Wizkid, pulled an extremely funny and questionable stunt on Eva Alordia's fiancée for reasons yet to be confirmed. The Baba Nla hit-maker who waltzed in with his manager, Mr Sunday Are, and talented beat-maker, Legendary Beatz, shortly before his label act, Mr Eazi, was presented with the award for Next Rated, practically ignored the wide open arms of Eva Alordia's fiancée who had wanted to give him a brotherly hug while he was called up on stage to receive his award for Artiste of the Year category.
Wizkid
While walking up to the stage to receive his award, Wizkid sighted an excited Eva, who was in the company of her fiancée on the front row not too far from where Wizkid was sitting. He decided to exchange pleasantries with her before walking up the stage. Just then, Eva's fiancée opened up his arms to hug Wizkid, but the star boy totally ignored him, walked past him and hugged Eva, then walked up the stage to receive his award.
Totally confused at what just happened, Eva's fiancée stood stupefied for some seconds trying to figure out what just happened, but shortly afterwards he recovered from the shock and sat down. As at press time, why Wizkid acted in such a manner to the apparently innocent gentleman is still unknown. Efforts to reach Wizkid have proved unproductive.
Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo could be "rested" by Watford manager, Walter Mazzarri for the club's English Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
Ighalo has struggled for form this season, failing to hit the heights of the last campaign where his goals attracted interest from Manchester United.
Mazzarri admits that Ighalo's form could be better and that he may not select the striker for the lunch time kickoff against Palace as the festive programme kicks off in England.
Odion Ighalo
"For strikers not to have positive moments during the season, it can happen.
"We've had problems with many injuries which hasn't helped (club captain), Troy (Deeney) or Odion (Ighalo) as they haven't had a chance to rest, we couldn't take them out to play other players.
"Troy has always been playing and when Ighalo went out the team for a couple of games, then he came back more rested and he was more positive and he is getting his form back.
"Now we're hoping to get (Nigerian striker), Success (Isaac) and (Stephano Chuka) Okaka back, and this will help both players to rest and come back in form," Mazzarri said in his press conference on Friday. Ighalo has scored just one league goal in 14 matches this season.
Jose Mourinho has led a chorus of dismay among Chelsea’s title rivals about the festive fixture schedule after accusing the Premier League of “choosing to give rest for some and to create problems for others”.
Premier League leaders Chelsea play three games in 10 days whereas Manchester United, Manchester City and Spurs play three matches in eight days and Liverpool have three fixtures in seven days.
Chelsea – who are six points clear in the title race and have no European football to contend with this season – also have longer rest periods between matches and comparatively short distances to travel whereas Arsenal, whose manager Arsene Wenger has also denounced the schedule, play two games in three days at the start of the new year.
Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho (L) shakes hands with Chelsea’s Italian head coach Antonio Conte (R) after the final whistle of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on October 23, 2016. / AFP
Mourinho did not name Chelsea but it was clear the United manager had his former club in mind as he launched a fresh attack on the fixture list. The Portuguese has already complained publicly this season about the scheduling of United’s Premier League matches either side of Europa League ties.
“The busy period is for some clubs, not for everyone,” Mourinho said. “If you analyse the fixtures there is no congestion for them. It looks like the fixtures are chosen to give rest for some and to create problems to others.
“But we are used to it because we are in the Europa League and the Europa League is a competition that creates more difficulties.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho has said Morgan Schneiderlin has asked to leave Old Trafford and that he will not stand in the France midfielder’s way if an acceptable offer is forthcoming.
Nigerian reggae star, Rassam Wiliki, popularly called Orits Wiliki, and his singer wife, Becky, have come a long way as a couple, having been married for 22 years now. But while their marriage have continued to wax strong, and blessed with beautiful kids, what many don't know about their union is that they were mere friends before they became husband and wife. Becky reveals that, even before she met her husband, she was one of his secret female admirers, just as Orits Wiliki describes his wife as his best friend, his kid sister, saying,"I was lucky that I married my mother's last born". The wife spoke first.
22 years of marriage
I will say that a good marriage is like the saying, "The higher you go the cooler it becomes". The challenges are actually the ingredients you need to make a good home. A marriage without challenges is not a healthy marriage. This is so because each time you overcome a challenge, it makes the relationship tighter. It helps you to correct the wrongs of each other with the hope for better understanding. So I will say challenges are the litmus test for a true relationship.
Fear of the unknown
Of course, there would be such moment when you ask yourself if you were sure you are doing the right thing or making the right decision. But when you weigh the positive side against the negative side of a person, the answer puts you a step closer to making the right decision. We were lucky to have dated for five years before going into marriage. That, to me, was long enough time to understand each other.
The battle for love
Did l hear you say battle? I don't think there was any battle but, yes, there were many women around him. But being myself was one of the things I think separated me from the other women aside praying to God because I am from a Christian background.
Uppermost in mind
I was into singing and acting. I saw it as a springboard to move to the next level. He was somebody I really admired from a distance even before we met. I loved his songs and creativity. So I looked up to him as a mentor.
Making up mind
It wasn't easy from the beginning because my family belonged to Jehovah's Witnesses. He used to attend Baptist Church. So to break such news to my father was a huge challenge. But, notwithstanding, things started falling into place and we later crossed that bridge when we got there.
What I don't like about him
He can be a handful when he is in his off moments.
The eve of wedding
I can't remember anything really. I was full of excitement. Preparations going on here and there, cooking, the family all around you; it was fun.
Williki & Becky
I was lucky that I married my mother's last born — Orits Williki
First five years of marriage
It was boring. It was the time I said my career was my wife and my works, that is, my songs, were my children. Then I was always on the road, touring and performing at musical concerts. When I was not on tour, I would be in the studio. Then some journalists used to call me a studio rat. I really didn't have much time for other things.
Love life before marriage
My love life was actually boring. I remember saying my career was my wife and my works, that is, my songs, were my children. I spent most times touring and when I was not on tour, I was a studio rat as some writers then used to describe me.
The many women around
Certainly so, but, at the same time, I had lots of female friends and admirers. I was able to define my relationship with them. I respect and treasure friendship, so I wasn't the type that was sleeping around because I was a musician. So, when that time came, it wasn't a task as they were indeed very few.
Casanova?
No way. I was brought up by disciplinarian parents who taught me how to respect the virtues of true friendship. And that's why I choose my friends, whether male or female. One best way of losing good friendship is when you begin to mix the whole thing up with affairs; you lose your respect, you lose your dignity and friendship becomes a bargain. I am not saying I was a saint but, indeed, I was a disciplined musician.
The first time of meeting wife
My experience was nothing spectacular because we met in a strictly business situation where everyone had to be very professional. I called for an audition for back up female singers and she was one of them that turned up. So, you can understand what it was like, strictly business.
22 years in marriage
Trust, respect for each other, fear of God and love have been the strength of our marriage. One thing you need to know is that we think and act alike, so there is hardly an hour without getting on each other's neck but that again is one of the reasons we can't stay without each other. So we miss each other dearly whenever any of us is not at home.
Dream woman while growing up
I wanted a tall, beautiful, intelligent and God-fearing wife. I wasn't particular about colour, she must have good legs, good carriage. She must also be a good cook because I love good food, clean and can hold her own in most circumstances.
Married friend
I was lucky that I married my mother's last born, my kid sister, my best friend, my mother and my confidant. If the adjectives to describe the closeness between me and my wife are kid sister, my mother's last born, my best friend…I think it is simple enough to understand what we mean to each other.
ADELE Adaeze Oni Anyasi was born on October 27, 2016. On Saturday, December 17, 2016, her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Osita Anyasi of Aniocha North and Ughelli North local governments of Delta State, in recognition of the importance of baptism as one of God’s great gifts to mankind, joined other 13 parents who brought their kids for baptism at the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland in Lagos.
The ceremony which involved the use of salt, white cloth, candles, prayer of exorcism and anointing on the chest, head, ear and mouth of the baby, was conducted by Rev. Father Dominic Onuoha who welcomed the children, except one whose parents were asked to represent for a misconduct, to the Christian Community with great joy ahead of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The priest after the almost two-hour service culminating in dipping a cup into a bucket of water and pouring same on the baby’s tender head amidst other rituals, enjoined all the biological and spiritual or God parents to bring up the children in the fear and nurture of God. “By water and the Holy Spirit they are to receive the gift of a new life from God who is love.
*Rev. Father Dominic Onuoha (l) pouring water of baptism on Adele’s head while the mother, Mrs Blessing Eloho Anyasi and the sponsor, Mr. Gabriel Irene watch with keen interest.
“On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring them up in the practice of the Faith.msee that the divine life which God gives them is kept safe from the power of sin, to grow always stronger in theIt hearts. If your faith make you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own baptism. Reject sin; profess your faith in Chrost Jesus. This is the faith of the church which these children are baptised,” he stated.
According to him, children learn better from what they see much more than what they are told, stressing “let the children learn to do things when they see you do the right things. Help the children to know more about Christ. Your primary responsibility is to help them grow up spiritually.”
Admitting the newly baptised children, including Adele, who was asleep althrough the programme, into the Family of God, the officiating priest further counselled the parents, saying: “In confirmation they will receive the fullness of God’s Spirit; in Holy Communion they will share the food of Christ’s sacrifice, calling God their Father in the midst of the church.”
In another development, the church’s Society of St. Vincent De Paul took time to put a smile on the faces of less privileged in the neighborhood for the Yuletide season. Described as Christmas Sharing, the group doled out 200 bags of rice, 120 cartons of chicken/turkey, 100 cartons of food seasoning, 30 bags salt, 10 bags onions, 100 cartons of tin tomato in addition to new and used clothes.
The event took place at the open space behind McGovern Hall of the church where the group’s president, Mr. Femi Adekogbe and the coordinator of Christmas Sharing, Lawrencia George supervised the distribution to the army of less privileged persons including those with various health challenges.
Akinlolu Akinlaja, son of the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream, Rep. Joseph Akinlaja, married his heartthrob, Omolabake, on Saturday, December 10.
People from all walks of life gathered at Eagle Club, venue of the marriage ceremony, where the love birds tied the nuptial knot amid pomp and pageantry. On hand to witness the occasion were diplomats, politicians, technocrats, businessmen, captains of industry, stalwarts of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, who trooped out in their hundreds.
•Mr & Mrs Akinlaja
The dignitaries at the occasion include Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, Chairman/CEO, Capital Oil and Gas, wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Her Excellency, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, Ondo State liaison officer in Abuja and SSA to Governor Mimiko, Barrister Toyin Aladegbami, Mr Goddy Nnamdi, GM Corporate Services, NNPC, Engineer Ladenegan Adewale, MD-NNPC Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company limited, Mr. Henry Ikem Obih GED/COO Downstream, former Chairmen of Ondo East and West Local Governments, Hon. Wale Akinlosotu and Hon Biola Peter Makinde.
Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream were also present, led by the deputy chairman, Hon. Danlami Mohammed Kurfi. Others were, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, Hon Michael Omogbehin, Hon Maasu Lawal, Hon. Onagbule Jimoh, Hon. Danladi Baido. Also present was a member, representing Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency, Hon. Ogene Egoh. Also in attendance were President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, Infopreneur and online publisher, Mr Emmanuel Ajibulu, among others.
Abakaliki – Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has distributed 18 Prado Jeep vehicles worth N279 million to 18 traditional rulers in the state.
The governor, who made the announcement during the distribution at Government House, Abakaliki on Saturday, said that about 80 traditional rulers in the state would benefit from the largesse.
He appealed to traditional rulers who have not collected their Jeep to be patient or indicate the vehicles of their choices for money to be provided to buy them.
"The Prado Jeeps cost N11.5 million each when we assumed office, but currently they cost N25 million each and they are scarce.
"We have made the necessary commitment to the supplier as the vehicles might not even be purchased at that amount in 2017," he said.
The governor said the vehicles would give the traditional rulers a sense of belonging and instill the required confidence on them to enhance their status.Umahi
He said: "the vehicles will enable you compete favourably with your counterparts across the country.
"When you travel to zonal and national meetings, our image will reflect positively.
"The vehicles will assist you in achieving our agricultural policies as you are the lead farmers and chief security officers of your various domains.
"In our desire to make the vehicles assist in achieving our agricultural policies, they will not attract Value Income Taxes and other levies."
Umahi commended the state House of Assembly for approving the funds for the purchase of the vehicles and the local government area caretaker chairmen for their commitment.
"Most of the House members have not received their official vehicles, but they still approved the purchase of the vehicles for the traditional rulers.
"It is hoped that traditional rulers will reciprocate the gesture at the appropriate time as the local government chairmen also showed avid commitment in achieving the objective.
"The funds for the procurement were shared on equal basis between the state government and local government council.
"We will also offer wardrobe or inconvenience allowances to traditional rulers," the governor assured.
Chief Samuel Okoronkwo, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, thanked the governor for the gesture and applauded his commitment to enhance the status of traditional institution in the state.
"You graciously approved the increase of their allowances to N100, 000 monthly and currently redeemed your pledge of presenting vehicles to them.
"The traditional rulers have unanimously endorsed you for a second tenure in office and will ensure the objective is achieved," he added.
Charles Mkpuma, the Chairman of the State's Traditional Rulers Council, also thanked the governor for the gesture and promised to ensure Umahi completes his good works for the state.
"We assure you that security will be adequately ensured in our various localities especially during this yuletide while working assiduously to achieve the government's agricultural programmes," he said.
Chi Limited bagged two awards at the just ended Global Quality Excellence Awards 2016 held in Lagos.
Chivita 100% was named the winner of the 'Best Quality Fruit Juice Excellence Award 2016' for the juice category while Hollandia Yoghurt won the 'Best Quality Yoghurt Excellence Award 2016' for the drinking yoghurt category.
The occasion organized by the African Quality Institute as part of this year's World Quality Day celebration and in line with the resolution of the United Nations, has the objective of ensuring that quality remains an important tool for national growth and prosperity.
Said Desmond Esorougwe, a member of the Organizing Committee for the Awards, "In a global economy where success depends on quality, innovativeness and sustainability, the award is our chance to reinforce these virtues as the foundation of organizations and brand's requirement for achieving improved business performance. After a painstaking review of brands in the fruit juice and yoghurt categories, Chivita 100% fruit juice and Hollandia Yoghurt came tops in recognition of their capacity to deliver authentic consumer experiences".
Speaking on the awards, Managing Director of Chi Limited, Mr. Roy Deepanjan, said: "We are delighted with this honour from the organizers of the Global Quality Excellence Awards 2016.The award underscores our dedication to giving 100% to every stage in the production process of our brands from sourcing of raw materials to packaging and delivery. We constantly review our processes to ensure that only the best quality of our products in the fruit juice and dairy category finds its way to shelf".
THREE years after the murder of their breadwinner, the family of Pa Samuel Ebhosele Philip of Warri is inconsolable.
And to make matters worse, the family says one of its sons, Jerry, is still being sought by the people it believed murdered its breadwinner.
The matriarch of the family, Felicia, who narrated the October 1, 2013 incident, said: "My husband was bubbling in the euphoria of his in-laws' visit from Lagos that fateful October 1, 2013 when some gunmen walked in.
Pa Samuel Ebhosele Philip
"The gunmen demanded that papa should produce his first son, Jerry Philip, who came from Lagos with his wife, children and in-laws. Jerry was in one of the bedrooms in the house as this happened. He hid in the room while the gunmen threatened papa to produce him. Fearless as papa was, he refused to tell the gunmen where Jerry was hiding in the house following which papa was shot in annoyance by the gunmen.
"The gunmen subsequently ejected all of us remaining in the house and set it ablaze. We couldn't even carry the corpse of papa before the gunmen torched the house. And what was more worrisome was the fact that we were not sure whether Jerry escaped or was still in the house when it went up in flames.
"It was not until about one hour later that Jerry telephoned to say he escaped before the assailants set the house ablaze. I informed him about the fate that had befallen his father and that the gunmen threatened to get him at all costs."
The widow lamented that whereas the family had been rendered homeless on account of the burning of their home, the incident has forced her only son, Jerry, into exile.
The Alaege of Orile-Agege Kingdom, Oba Ambaliu Agbedeyi, has urged men across the country to shun violence against women, asserting that true men stand-up for women rather than mistreat them.
The monarch who spoke during an advocacy visit by the Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre, WARDC, and Voices4Change, V4C; led by Mrs Yinka Onabolu, Programme Manager, V4C Project, pledged his support for womenfolk within and outside his kingdom, especially in their quest for greater representation in politics.
Speaking on the rationale behind the visit which was part of activities marking the 2016 United Nations 16days Activism on Violence Against Women, VAW, Onabolu said, "We are meeting with key male influencers and traditional rulers in Lagos State, including the Baale of Okooba, the Oba of Agege, Oba of Mushin and the Eze Ndi'igbo of Lagos, so they can support more women to participate in politics and governance.
"As focal points in their communities also, we are trying to make them understand issues that constitute violence against women so that when these issues come before them, they are not dismissed as private family affairs but as crime against humanity which must be referred to appropriate authorities."
By Sam Eyoboka with Agency reports The Pew Research Center, Nigeria has put the population of Nigerian Christians at over 85 million. According to the research, Nigeria has the largest Christian population of Christians in Africa with various denominations, saying that the number of Christians in Nigeria has grown from 21.4 per cent in 1953 to 49.3 per cent in 2010.
The above figure may not be backed by any empirical data because nobody knows how many Nigerians there are. The authorities have been too afraid to find out. Every headcount held in Nigeria in the past 30 years has ended in national controversy and with strong allegations of population inflation. The last census was carried out in 1991.
But how many of the above figure will be able to answer the question: "Why do you celebrate Christmas?" Many would say Christmas honors the birthday of Jesus. Others feel that Christmas is a good Christian family get-together. Many do it simply because they've always done it.
Christmas can appear tantalizing to the eye and ear. People appear happy, generous, full of good cheer. Twinkling lights decorate many houses. Santa Claus and his reindeer are pictured as poised to lift off from snow-covered front yards or rooftops, although in the southern hemisphere and tropics there is no December snow. The colorful, peaceful-appearing Christmas scene can be intoxicating, addicting.
Shoppers pack stores, browsing for gifts they hope to buy at bargain-basement prices. Soaring strains of White Christmas, Silent Night or Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer resonate everywhere.
The December weather of the northern hemisphere might be frightful outside, but the feeling and warmth inside is delightful. Christmas trees with twinkling lights and bright, sparkling ornaments create a mystical and glowing environment. Entire families want to experience the special mystery that only comes with the Christmas season. There is no religious holiday quite like it for the millions everywhere who observe it.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Over four million Nigerian Christians will regard Sunday, December 25, as any other Sunday and go about their normal Sunday business without the fanfare associated with the season. About 300,000 Jehovah's Witnesses in Nigeria will not be part of the Christmas celebration because they believe in Jesus and God (Jehovah), and follow God's teachings but do not celebrate religious holidays or birthdays. Instead, Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate milestones like anniversaries and graduations.
One of the reasons they don't celebrate Christmas is because December 25 is not the birthdate of the historical Jesus. In fact, according to Jehovah's Witnesses belief, Jesus' birth date can't be narrowed down to any specific date but can be estimated counting back from the day of his death when he was 33 1/2 years old.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe December 25 being recognized as the birth day of Jesus came from the Pagan tradition of the birth date being near the winter solstice. Pagans worshipped the sun god and tried to convince Christians to observe their tradition by telling them it was Jesus' birthday.
Seventh-Day Adventists
Seventh-day Adventist Church, which was started in Nigeria in 1914 by a Missionary David C. Babcock after coming from mission in Sierra Leone, does not celebrate Christmas. About 278,000 Adventists live in Nigeria. They do not celebrate any religious holidays or festivals. The only time that Seventh-day Adventists set apart as holy is the weekly Sabbath, which occurs from Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset.
One reason that Seventh-day Adventists cite when explaining why they do not celebrate Christmas is that the date of December 25 has no biblical basis. They also do not celebrate Christmas because they believe that Christmas is a holiday that encourages materialism and consumption. While Seventh-day Adventists do not officially celebrate religious holidays, they do use holidays to focus on biblical messages.
God’s Kingdom Society, GKS
For God's Kingdom Society, a church founded by a Nigerian, Saint Gideon Urhobo in 1934, that parades over three million population, the reverse is the case. Members of the church believe that Christ, the reason for Christmas celebrations, was not born in December but rather in October. They do not also call their commemoration of the day Christmas but Freedom Day celebration.
Accrding to the church with headquarters in Warri, Delta State of Nigeria, there are geographical evidence to prove that Jesus Christ was not born in December, stressing that Christ was not born in winter and “judging from the time that Zachariah officiated in the temple, we can count the time that his wife got pregnant and that was from the month of July, which is Tammuz.
“From the month of July to December is six months and in the sixth month of Elizabeth's conception, the angel went and told Mary that she would be pregnant. Mary's conception started from the month of January. January to September, we have nine months and every matured child will be in the mother's womb for at least 280 days or nine months and anytime in the 10th month, he will be born.
"So it was with John the Baptist, the angel having told the father that his wife would be pregnant in the month of July. Then, in December, which was the sixth month, her cousin Elizabeth went and stayed with her for three months. Six plus three gives us nine and anytime in the tenth month, April, John the Baptist was born. Having known that John the Baptist was born in April, we only need to add six months giving us October when our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was born."
According to GKS, Freedom Day Celebration is to tell mankind that God has been so kind to man that he sent his son, Jesus Christ, to liberate the world. Christmas to members of GKS is a misnomer. To them Freedom Day Celebration is not Christmas but a celebration of Christ's liberation.
"Christmas is a misnomer, I am not just saying it, scholars have said it," Adedokun said. "In the West African Pilot of 1937, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said: 'Three days from today, the Christian world will celebrate Christmas, although scholars and those with academic training know that Christmas is a misnomer. In so far as December 25th is concerned, it not being the date of the birth of Joshua, Emmanuel, Benjamin, David, Christ whom the Greeks call Jesus, yet, we follow in the medieval origin of this neo-pagan festival to associate ourselves with the message of glad tiding and peace.'
"Astronomers and scholars know that Jesus was not born on December 25, if you go to the internet, you will see for yourself," the GKS minister stated.
Was Jesus really born on December 25?
Please pause for a moment and ask yourself: Was Christ really born on Christmas Day? After all, the Bible nowhere tells us the day of His birth.
In fact, most credible secular historical writings tell us that Christmas, more than 200 years after Jesus' death, was considered sinful: "As late as A.D. 245 [the early Catholic theologian] Origen … repudiates as sinful the very idea of keeping the birthday of Christ" (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition, 1910, Vol. 6, p. 293, "Christmas").
In A.D. 354, a Latin chronographer mentioned Christmas, but even then he did not write about it as an observed festival (ibid.).
There is no biblical evidence that December 25 was Jesus' birth date. In fact, the Bible record strongly shows that Jesus couldn't have been born then.
For example, Luke tells us that the shepherds were keeping their sheep in the fields at night when Jesus was born. "And she [Mary] brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:7-8, emphasis added throughout).
But late December is Judea's cold and rainy season. Would shepherds actually keep their fragile flocks out in the open fields on a cold late-December night near Bethlehem?
No responsible shepherd would subject his sheep to the elements at that time of year when cold rains, and occasional snow, are common in that region.
"The climate of Palestine is not so severe as the climate of this country [England]; but even there, though the heat of the day be considerable, the cold of the night, from December to February, is very piercing, and it was not the custom for the shepherds of Judea to watch their flocks in the open fields later than about the end of October" (Alexander Hislop, The Two Babylons, 1959, p. 91).
Luke also tells us that Jesus was born at the time of a census ordered by the Roman emperor (Luke 2:1-3). The Romans were brilliant administrators; they certainly would not have ordered people to journey to be registered at a time of year when roads would have been wet and muddy and traveling conditions miserable. Such a move would have been self-defeating on its face.
The belief that Jesus was born on or around December 25 simply has no basis in fact, even if 2 billion people have accepted it without question. As the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw said, "If 50 million people believe a foolish thing, it's still a foolish thing."
Does Christmas really honor Christ?
If the Christmas holiday is an important celebration to honor the birth of Jesus Christ, why is it nowhere mentioned in the Bible? Why didn't Christ instruct His closest followers, His 12 chosen apostles, to keep Christmas? Why didn't they institute or teach it to the early Church?
Before you answer, consider that Jesus gave great authority to His 12 apostles, assuring them that they will hold positions of great importance and responsibility in His Kingdom (Matthew 18:18; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:29-30). But since Jesus never taught His apostles to keep Christmas, nor did they ever teach it to the Church though they had years of opportunity to do so, shouldn't that make us question whether Christmas is something Jesus really wants or appreciates?
So how did Christmas become such a widespread practice if the Bible doesn't sanction it, if Christ didn't observe it and if He never taught His disciples and the early Church to celebrate it?
The Western Marine Command (WMC) has intercepted cannabis sativa estimated at the monetary value of about N250million, imported into the country through the creeks, along Badagry axis of Lagos.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Umar Yusuf, who displayed the items in the open, said that the prohibited items packed in 43 large bags, were intercepted by his men, while the suspects escaped through the creeks.
Bags of Canabis
He said, "This seizure of this cannabis makes the forth in the last six months. This time around the seizure was made at Agbara/Badagry axis by our patrol team after we got a security alert that the unscrupulous elements were about entering our country with the items from Ghana. Immediately, we swung into action and intercepted the boat fully loaded with the items, but the suspects jumped into the water to evade arrest. We will continue to fight smuggling activities as long as smugglers refuse to turn away from this illegal business".
He added, "Our officers have done tremendously well in improving the seizure profile of Western Marine, which recorded seizures valued at N3.3billion in 2016. This is against a total of 13 seizures estimated at N6.5million, and the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N8million, the same period in 2015."
Petroleum service giant Halliburton said it has reached a $54 million settlement in a class action lawsuit related to asbestos liability disclosures.
The Houston-based company said in a statement that without admitting guilt, it reached an agreement to settle the Erica P. John Fund class action lawsuit that has been pending in Texas courts for over 14 years.
The class action lawsuit was originally filed in 2002 asserting claims in connection with accounting for long-term construction projects, and was amended in 2003 to include claims related to asbestos liability disclosures.
The case was brought by a group of investors who claimed they lost money when Halliburton’s shares plunged, accusing the company of erroneous earnings reports.
“Halliburton will fund approximately $54 million of the $100 million settlement fund, and its insurer will fund the balance,” the company said in a statement late Friday.
One of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry, Halliburton was led from 1995 to 2000 by Dick Cheney, who became US vice president in 2001 in the George W. Bush administration.
A blast ripped through a police car outside a Catholic church in the southern Philippines late Saturday, authorities said, wounding 13 people including a police officer.
The explosion hit churchgoers attending a series of Christmas Eve masses at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santo Nino in the farming town of Midsayap, a priest who present at the service said.
“The communion was ongoing when the explosion took place,” Father Jay Virador told reporters.
The blast occurred about 30 metres (98 feet) away from the church’s entrance and caused panic, he added.
The regional police spokesman, Superintendent Romeo Galgo, confirmed the blast which he said was caused by an unspecified explosive device.
Thirteen people were wounded by the explosion and treated at nearby hospitals, including a police officer and an unidentified person, according to an updated police tally.
Authorities did not immediately say who was responsible for the blast. No group has claimed responsibility.
A police investigator who asked not to be named told AFP it appeared the suspects had initially targeted the church but later settled for a patrol car assigned to guard the building instead.
“It seems they wanted to get closer but due to heavy security they opted to throw the explosive at the police car blocking the road,” the officer added.
The explosion damaged the police car and a pickup truck parked nearby, police said.
The town, about 900 kilometres (559 miles) south of Manila, is located in the middle of the large Philippine island of Mindanao, home to a Muslim minority and decades of armed rebellion.
However the main Muslim guerrilla group in the area has signed a ceasefire with the Philippine government.
Government forces continue to fight smaller Muslim armed groups on the island, some of whom have pledged allegiance to Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria and have been blamed for bombing civilian targets in the past.
Frank Lampard admitted on Saturday he would relish a return to Chelsea as a player and is keen to rejoin the Premier League leaders in some capacity even if he is not offered a deal.
The former England midfielder is Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer and is keeping his options open after leaving New York City FC following a two-year spell with the MLS side.Lampard
Appearing alongside Blues captain John Terry on Sky Sports, Lampard said: “Myself and John are Chelsea through and through so whatever happens, in some capacity I will be at Chelsea.
“Whether it’s with my season ticket, watching them, I don’t know yet, I’ll have very close contact. Whether I’ll have the role (as a player), it’s not all in my hands so I can’t go any further on that.
“I’m very relaxed about it, which is a nice place to be. If the right thing comes, I’ll take it. Obviously Chelsea, I’d love that, but it doesn’t work that way always.”
The 38-year-old left Stamford Bridge in 2014 after scoring 211 goals in a 13-year spell at Chelsea, briefly playing for Manchester City before heading to the United States.
He scored 15 times in 31 appearances for New York City and has yet to decide whether he will retire or not.
“I feel fit, I’m fresh in the mind,” Lampard added. “I understand when you get even past 30, you start to understand things are different.
“What I would say is, if I was to carry on playing, it would have to be perfect. I’m not being snobby and hand-picking what I want to do but perfect for my family, for me and all those things.”
For many Nigerians, 2016 Christmas is more of economic hardship and hunger than the usual celebration. While some people described it as the worst Christmas Nigeria has experienced since 1999, when democratic government came into being, others said, it is the time for Nigerians to think outside the box, on what they can do to boost economic activities in the country, rather than depending on excessive importation of items that can be produced locally.
When Sunday Vanguard visited some markets within Lagos metropolis, it was observed that some areas were very scanty. For instance, Ojigbo market, which serves as the depot for food items coming into Lagos from other States was scanty. Only few people were seen buying and selling along the railway area of the market that is known to be a very busy place for people coming from different locations to buy food items.
File: Tomato market
Also, food items were sold at very exorbitant prices when compared to last year Christmas. For example, A plastic paint measurement of crayfish previously sold for N1.200, went for N3,000; small measurement of garri sold for N800, instead of N300, five litres of palm oil sold for N5,000, instead of N1,500; a kilo of turkey went for N1,000 instead of N500 and four litres of vegetable oil sold for N6,000 instead of N2,000.
At ketu/Mile-12 market, a tuber of yam initially sold for N300 went for N800; a medium size basket of tomato sold for N20,000 instead of N8,000; chilli pepper sold for N18,000 instead of N10,000 and a basket load of onion sold for N15,000 instead of N7,500.
At Agege abattoir where meat is often sold at wholesale prices to retailers, buyers were very few. At the abattoir, a disagreement ensued between two women over the price of a piece of meat, and it took the intervention of the workers around to calm the situation.
Some people who spoke with Sunday Vanguard at Oyigbo market, called on government to intervene and improve the economy, in order to alleviate poverty in the land.
In a chat with Sunday Vanguard, the Chairman, Toiletries & Cosmetics Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ikpong Umoh, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to pursue economic diversification vigorously, notwithstanding the little increase in crude oil prices at the international market and relative peace in the Niger Delta region.
BENIN-CITY – Dr Chris Ogiemwonyi is a guru in the oil industry where he spent 34 years in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, before joining politics. He was one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. In this interview, Ogiemwonyi breaks his silence on issues regarding the politics of Edo and Governor Godwin Obaseki.
He also speaks on some national issues, including alleged plot by some groups in the APC to remove the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, saying those calling for Odigie-Oyegun's removal are actually angling for the head of President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 presidential election.
Excerpts:
You have been out of the political scene since after the APC governorship primary in Edo which you participated in. How has it been?
Well, I had to go back to re-organize my business. The Edo primary of June 18 has come and gone and I have since moved back to my oil and gas consulting business. And if you talk about the primary, you saw that the sitting governor then wanted somebody and he worked for it. Secondly, looking at the various primaries within and outside Edo State, I can see the high level of opaqueness, that is, the more you look the less you see. There is a mind-set of who will win any of the primaries from the onset and that is why today people are clamouring for independent and I pray that our politics will evolve to that level so that people who have the capacity can come out as independent candidates and run for elections.
What do you say to Godwin Obaseki who eventually won the election?
It will be difficult to talk about the government that is barely two weeks old; the only thing one can say is to wish the governor goodluck and a good tenure. During my campaign, I discovered that youth unemployment is still very high; so Obaseki needs to work on that. And as you know we have no industries, we need to create jobs, invest in agriculture. The issue of education is very pertinent', I have heard the opposition saying we have only five physics teachers, 10 chemistry teachers in Edo. I don't know how true it is, but I want to say that the number of 'Red Roofs Schools' we have may not be enough; we must have qualified teachers so that pupils and students can do well. We believe that these are areas Obaseki will address and I have no doubt that he will do a good job, realizing his noble family background and the industry he is coming from. He is well read, he has the experience, so I believe he knows what to do.
What is your take on the seeming crisis in the APC and the call by some party members for the removal of the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun?Chris Ogiemwonyi
You will recall that when I joined the APC in Nov 20, 2014, I said two individuals made me to join the party: President Buhari and Chief John Oyegun because of their respective individual characters. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a brilliant and principled public servant, is well read, an economist from the premier university who spent all his years in the public service. A man who at the age of 36 rose to the position of Permanent Secretary at the federal level, taking charge of key ministries. He challenged the money bag in the then Edo State and their collaborators in Abuja to become the first civilian governor. This is a man who could have clinched a key ministerial position in Gen Abacha's government but instead opted out to become the NADECO Secretary in exile. For 16 years that PDP was in power, Oyegun was wooed and cajoled to join "the biggest party in Africa" but he refused to bulge and abandon his progressive position in partisan politics. So having Oyegun as the National Chairman of APC is a blessing.
I don't know what Nigerians want; we have this 'pull him down syndrome'. Who are the people calling for his removal? They are some over- ambitious APC chieftains; some of them are not well read. Oyegun is a quiet and amiable gentleman with capacity to work. The Nigeria media must not join this people in flying kites; some of them have resorted to all sorts of propaganda so that Mr President will take action against Chief Oyegun. We urge President Buhari and APC to be wary of these overzealous politicians that want to destroy the APC.
What they are doing today is not really Oyegun, rather they are throwing stones at Mr President and that is because, before they get to Mr President, they want to get Oyegun out of the way; they see him as a buffer for Mr President and ultimately for 2019. We are barely two years into the Buhari administration and they are already fighting ahead of 2019. Their desire is to discredit Oyegun so that their plot against Mr President can work; so it is not Oyegun, after all, they are fighting but President Buhari.
Pressure on Buhari to reshuffle cabinet
Nigerians are too much in a hurry, asking Mr President to remove a minister that has served less than 18 months is unfair. When I was Group Executive Director in the NNPC, I went for a meeting with some Algerians, little did I know that the Algerian minister that led the delegation had PhD in gas engineering and had been there for 12 years; he became an authority on gas but we don't do that in Nigeria. You put a man in office and under one year people start fighting to remove him. To me, Mr President has a good team.
But my advice to him is to realign their portfolios. Today people are talking about many lawyers in his cabinet. What Mr President should do is to look for core professionals and move them to their related ministries, that is square pegs in square holes. People are speculating that immediate past Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhiole is coming in; he definitely can do well as Labour Minister considering the fact that he was a strong unionist as NLC President. People should be appointed in such a way that they can add value. Look at the two Ministers of Health being core medical personnel. So, Mr President can look inward and see how he can rejig and realign Ministers to ministries related to their fields of study.
Economic recession and way out
Truly, we are in recession caused by several factors: Poor leadership by the previous government, oil price drop, Nigeria's over- dependence on foreign products, corruption, mono –economy (over dependency on oil and gas), the activities of militants and pipeline vandals, unstable monetary policies, unemployment. Corruption grew like an oak tree and we allowed it to grow.
Today, we import all kinds of things into the country, including tooth picks. Now, the question is, how do we come out of it? In short term, I recommend to Mr President that we should quickly resolve the Niger Delta issue. Recently, some Niger Delta leaders met with Mr President but I want to differ because I feel the governors should be the arrow heads of such meeting because they know the people. Secondly, what we need to do by way of moving our nation forward comprises the following:
Put in place strong institutions that will ensure proper implementation and interpretation of our laws, it must be mentioned that waste must be cut in government. Security vote must be reduced both at the federal and state levels; promote "made in Nigeria" goods; we should encourage new businesses by lowering our interest rates, tackle job creation through agriculture and solid mineral development. We must as a matter of urgency encourage all tiers of government to embark on road construction to ease transportation of goods and services. In the medium and long term, the railway sector should be developed.
Selling national assets
We hear people talk about selling of national assets and people are pointing at NLNG. I am completely opposed to the sale of our asset, there are alternatives. If you look at the NLNG model today is a 51% IOC and 49% Federal Government Joint Ventures. Instead of just selling my take is that government should go and borrow with good interest rates. Borrowing is not bad but it should be well utilized. This is where good leadership with clear vision comes in. And that is why we are lucky with President Buhari and his zero tolerance to corruption. With President Buhari we can borrow, and tie the funds to capital projects.
Buhari's war on corruption
There is corruption everywhere, even the cook you send to the market, driver you send to buy fuel are all corrupt. We allowed it to grow to a cancerous stage; we just have to quickly strengthen the security agencies especially the EFCC. I have also heard that people are saying it is one-sided and only targeted at the opposition. Look at cases of the Judges, corruption has eaten into the very fabric of our nation. But the EFCC is not doing badly. If I have my ways, I will expand EFCC to be like a ministry and as such have EFCC czar in every state just like we have Commissioners of Police. We just have to expand it, the cases before the commission are too many. The judiciary again is not helping matters; I think there should be legislation where no case will exceed six months. And the EFFC boss, Mr Magu should be confirmed to immediately give him confidence.
Reforms in the NNPC
Once the leadership is properly placed, the tendency is that the company will run well. I must commend Mr President for appointing Dr Baru, as GMD. He is a fantastic Engineer, courageous and fearless, he went through the various sectors of NNPC and emerged unblemished. Many of the issue confronting the NNPC, like restructuring, the PIB, JV funding, with Baru, we can go to sleep, I see a better NNPC under him. For once, this is a round peg in round hole. I will urge government to support him and allow NNPC to run as a business outfit. The only issue we are yet to address now has to do with the refineries; government should also have the will to do a complete deregulation in the downstream; once we do that, the issue of corruption in the downstream could be eliminated. I also think that we should start having local refineries because if you see what we are doing, we take crude out and refine in some neighbouring countries and bring back refine products; we need to put in place modular refineries just as it is done in Niger Republic.
By PRISCA SAM-DURU, PRINCE OKAFOR & VERA ANYAGAFU- PRESENTATION
In recent times, the importance of history as a tool for proper documentation of vital facts, has been emphasised so as to enable people keep good memory of those facts. Historians though a hand full of them are prominent in Nigeria, have made efforts to document facts as well as past events for future purposes while publishing has remained a key method of preserving those useful materials.
Recently, one of Nigeria's brilliant historian, lawyer and 2014 recipient of the African Society of Cambridge University Award for research in African History, Ed Emeka Keazor, gave Nigeria, Africa, Germany and the entire world, what was generally described as a Christmas present in Lagos. It was a book titled, " The Lagos-Hamburg Line – A Brief History of German Companies in Nigeria", documenting the history of business relationship between Nigeria and Germany since the 17th Century. The book also traces the tribulations and triumphs of German business in Nigeria during and after the World Wars.
The public presentation of the book held at Metropolitan Club, V/I, Lagos, courtesy of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lagos in collaboration with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria attracted the presence of dignitaries from the German Consulate, delegation of German Industry and Commerce as well as some Nigerian business moguls.
From left; Hon Justice k k Keazor, (retd), Author Ed Emeka Keazor, German Consul General, Lagos, HE Ingo Herbert; Prof Fabian Ajogwu, Dr Marc Lucassen Head of German Trade Delegation, Nigeria.
Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lagos, Mr Ingo Herbert who congratulated the author for his "tremendous and substantial work", said that "the book not only reflects the manifold history of German companies, but also explains the historic background of the time of engagement in Nigeria and Germany. Not surprisingly, he points out that the business relationship was often closely linked to the overall political and economic developments, with the two world wars of the 20th century as major setbacks.
However, Keazor's research reveals that there was a lot of continuity by companies, due to their established contacts and knowledge of the Nigerian business environment…I'm confident that this book will encourage German companies in their interest to invest in Nigeria and Africa."
"German and Nigeria have enjoyed long business relationship. The book is a wonderful initiative to build more relationship with Africa and the need to get more Germans back into Nigeria business."
Responding, the author appreciated the Germans for being very open and proactive in the process of publishing the book noting that rather than insist on or choose a German to write the book, allowed a Nigeria, "They were very open minded and keen on encouraging whoever that will do a good job."
He said the only thing Nigerians and investors need to do business in the country is an enabling environment, adding that this will boost trade and investment between Nigeria and the rest of the world. Nigeria needs to provide a conducive environment for business to thrive.
He noted that his father Justice Keazor who was also present at the book launch, has been a source of inspiration to him. " He made sure that reading books instead of watching TV, formed part my growing up. I was inspired to write on Germany- Nigeria business relationship after reading books in my father's library." Keazor said.
Reviewing the book, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, a Professor of Corporate Governance at the Pan African Atlantic University and the Lagos Business School, described the author as a great man.
Commending Keazor for his efforts at documenting such important book, Ajogwu said "The book is written in third person narrative and simple language which makes it readable for all. "This is so much knowledge packed in one book rather than have volumes. We must commend the author for lighting up a candle with this interesting book that takes readers down memory on the kind of business relationship that has existed between the two countries."
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
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described the Department of State Services (DSS) claim that it uncovered plot by the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike to disrupt governance in strategic federal government agencies as "barefaced attempt by the federal government to divert the attention of Nigerians and the international community from its involvement in the violence unleashed on the people of Rivers State during the December 10 rerun elections."
The governor said it was unfortunate that the DSS could no longer hide its partisanship, adding that "accusing a serving governor of plotting to disrupt governance in Abuja is the height of irresponsible display of partisanship by a security agency that should serve Nigerians and not the APC.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said no amount of intimidation, blackmail and harassment by the DSS and other federal government security agencies will make Nigerians to surrender the country to dictatorship.
The governor challenged the DSS to tell Nigerians those who sponsored the Tuesday, protest in Abuja by a group that called itself National Support Groups for Good Governance, (NASUGG), saying, "When protesters went round major streets in Abuja on Tuesday, protesting against Governor Wike, where was the DSS then?
"Assuming but not even conceding that anyone was planning to protest in support of Governor Wike, what is wrong with that? Was the DSS on sabbatical on Tuesday, when protest was held in the same Abuja against Governor Wike?
"Is the DSS now telling Nigerians that only supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) can protest and only protests against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are sanctioned?"
Speaking further, Governor Fayose said, "Security agencies were accused of playing ignoble roles in the Rivers State rerun elections. Can the same security agencies that was accused of ballot box snatching and assisting the APC to unleash terror on the people of Rivers State carry out any credible probe?
"The only probe that will be credible and acceptable concerning the Rivers State rerun election is the one in which the international community, civil society organisations and observers who were on the field during the election take part not this kangaroo probe being spearheaded by the police just to work to a pre-determined conclusion."
Somewhere out there is a new Nwankwo Kanu or a Jay-Jay Okocha, but it is not easy for the thousands of pretenders to become Nigeria’s newest football hero to get a foot on the ladder.
There are hundreds of football academies across the country of 180 million people but few put their star-struck trainees on the road to a contract in Europe.
Each week, more than 400 aspiring heroes aged between six and 18 attend the Barcelona football academy in Lagos, which opened in November.
Football is king in Nigeria, even though the country has again failed to reach the Africa Cup of Nations finals which will be held in Gabon in January.
Local project director of the FCB Escola soccer school, Bernat Gorriz (C), takes part in a training session with students of the academy at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, on November 22, 2016. Football is king in Nigeria, even though the country has again failed to reach the Cup of African Nations finals which will be held in Gabon in January. More than 1,500 youngsters took skills tests in September to get into the Barcelona academy. But the 1,000 euros ($1,000) annual cost was an even bigger hurdle for many. The FCB Escola in Lagos, is a centre for youth development and grassroot empowerment modelled after FC Barcelonaís youth system, where football is used as a medium of empowerment to teach FC Barcelona Soccer methodology. / AFP PHOTO
More than 1,500 youngsters took skills tests in September to get into the Barcelona academy. But the 1,000 euros ($1,000) annual cost was an even bigger hurdle for many.
The parents of Johnson Gbenga, 12, had to borrow money from their family and neighbours in the distant Lagos suburb of Badagry to get a place.
“They understood that there is nothing more important than football,” said the shy youngster who spends three hours on a bus to get to each training session at FCB Escola.
“One day for sure, I will play for Barca,” said 12-year-old Yacub Farouk as he kicked a ball in his tattered shorts and worn shoes.
“It makes me happy because other footballers will be able to see that Nigerians have talent and that we can be the best.”
After Dubai, Istanbul and Sao Paulo, Barcelona is now spreading word of the team in Lagos, business capital of Africa’s most populated country.
– Barca ‘vision’ in Lagos – Ten coaches watched over the young players at the Teslim Balogun stadium in a teeming district of the city of 20 million.
Local project director of the FCB Escola soccer school, Bernat Gorriz (C), takes part in a training session with students of the academy at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, on November 22, 2016. Football is king in Nigeria, even though the country has again failed to reach the Cup of African Nations finals which will be held in Gabon in January. More than 1,500 youngsters took skills tests in September to get into the Barcelona academy. But the 1,000 euros ($1,000) annual cost was an even bigger hurdle for many. The FCB Escola in Lagos, is a centre for youth development and grassroot empowerment modelled after FC Barcelonaís youth system, where football is used as a medium of empowerment to teach FC Barcelona Soccer methodology. / AFP PHOTO
Blaugrana Sports International Limited director Leslie Oghomienor, who helped set up the academy, said it was a “revolution” for Nigerian football.
Most of the Nigerians who became stars in Europe — like Kanu at Ajax Amsterdam and Arsenal and Okocha — who made his name at Bolton Wanderers and Paris Saint Germain — learned their football in the streets.
Like many of the facilities in Nigeria, the Teslim Balogun stadium is not state-of-the-art. The worn turf has covered with synthetic grass. The paint on the walls is peeling.
Oghomienor insisted that Nigeria will see the benefit of the school even if there is a chance in a million of getting to one of the top European teams.
“We have trained coaches who will later enter the market. And we also have all the young people who will get to play here in and West Africa.”
Bernat Villa Gorriz, the academy’s technical director, laughed when asked whether the coaches had already spotted the new Lionel Messi.
“We want to introduce our vision and our way of training,” he said.
For Barcelona, the school is a way of looking for talent but also getting its name known in the globalised world of football where it faces intense competition with English Premier League giants like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
All are setting up similar academies in Africa, Asia and North America.
Barcelona is not alone in looking at Nigeria. Paris Saint-Germain has signed commercial accords with two Nigerian companies and will choose 100 children to take part in a three day coaching session this year.
“While the Premier League may be more popular than the Spanish league, the trainee footballers are more than happy to welcome the Catalonian club,” said Gorriz.
Students of the FCB Escola soccer school arrives for a training session at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, on November 22, 2016. Football is king in Nigeria, even though the country has again failed to reach the Cup of African Nations finals which will be held in Gabon in January. More than 1,500 youngsters took skills tests in September to get into the Barcelona academy. But the 1,000 euros ($1,000) annual cost was an even bigger hurdle for many. The FCB Escola in Lagos, is a centre for youth development and grassroot empowerment modelled after FC Barcelonaís youth system, where football is used as a medium of empowerment to teach FC Barcelona Soccer methodology. / AFP PHOTO
Fans of other clubs largely agree. “I support Arsenal but everyone’s got to start somewhere — you can’t choose your club at my age. You have to take what you’re offered,” said Okiki one of the Barcelona pupils.
LESS than two years into his first term, the people and leaders of Uyo senatorial zone of Akwa Ibom State will back Governor Udom Emmanuel for re-election in 2019, Senator Effiong Bob, pro-chancellor and chairman, Governing Council of the University of Benin, has said.
According to him, Uyo leaders are backing Governor Emmanuel to continue and complete the numerous people-oriented projects he is carrying out across the state.
Senator Bob spoke at the third constituency briefing and one year anniversary of Rt Hon Onofiok Luke as the speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly at Nsit Ubium Local Council headquarters, Ikot Edibon, Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking at the the colourful ceremony that attracted prominent Nigerians from all parts of the country including House of Assembly speakers of Kebbi, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, Niger and Bayelsa as well as Lt.Colonel Abdul’Aziz Musa Yar’Adua, younger brother to late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who represented the Yar’ Ádua family, Senator Bob urged Governor Emmanuel not to entertain fears about Uyo support in 2019.
”You are the captain of Team Akwa Ibom. What I am saying is the opinion of leaders and people of Uyo senatorial district. As far as 2019 is concerned, we will give you 100 per cent support. Don’t be disturbed over Uyo votes; concentrate on the numerous projects you are doing across the state,” he said.
At the event, the governor promised to give 50 youths from the constituency N50,000 each to boost their businesses and ensure speedy construction of the Ikot-Nsit-Oton-Edemidimokpot-Mbiekene-Nnung Obong road that passes through the constituency.
To tackle poverty and boost the war against recession, Governor Emmanuel and Speaker Onofiok Luke empowered about 200 indigenes of Nsit Ubium State Constituency, granted scholarship to 115 students and donated computers and textbooks to five selected secondary schools in the area.
While thanking God at the the colourful ceremony the speaker the gestures were part of his appreciation to the people and to empower them in line with his campaign promises.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA- President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed joy over the successful partnership between Lagos and Kebbi States that gave rise to the local production of LAKE Rice (Lagos-Kebbi Rice).
President Buhari also commended the two states for the efforts he said paid off.
The President particularly salutes the commitment of Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Atiku Bagudu in bringing to fruition the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2016 on substantially meeting the country’s rice requirement.
He also expressed delight at the relatively cheaper price of LAKE Rice especially at this period of recession.
“It gladdens my heart to get reports of our citizens rushing to purchase this cheaper local rice to enable them and their families enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations,” the President notes.
According to President Buhari in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, what the two states have done is “evidence of a new base being laid for the Nigerian economy, founded and propelled by agriculture, away from substantial dependence on oil and gas for national revenue.”
The President recalled that in his 2017 Budget presentation before the National Assembly, he said that “a new era is rising in which we must grow what we eat and consume what we make,” adding that the LAKE Rice achievement is in furtherance of the above goal.
While urging other state governments to replicate the laudable example of LAKE Rice in other staple crops and dairy products, President Buhari pledges the Federal Government’s readiness to continue to support such initiatives by providing the enabling environment, policies and incentives for agriculture to thrive in order for the nation to achieve food security.
The President stated that he remained optimistic that going forward, Nigeria would attain rice sufficiency by 2019.
A factfile on the deadly Ebola virus, against which the World Health Organization said Friday a prototype vaccine could be “up to 100 percent effective”.
– Toll –
The worst-ever Ebola outbreak started in December 2013 in southern Guinea before spreading to two neighbouring west African countries, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
That outbreak killed more than 11,300 people out of nearly 29,000 registered cases, according to WHO estimates.
The real figure might be significantly higher, however.
More than 99 percent of victims were in the three nations — more than 4,800 in Liberia, more than 2,500 dead in Guinea, and more than 3,900 in Sierra Leone.
The WHO declared the epidemic over in January this year, but this was followed by flare-ups in all three countries.
Liberia said it was Ebola-free in June, prompting the WHO to declare the official end of the outbreak.
Medical doctors attending to an Ebola virus disease victim
– Origins –
Ebola was first identified in central Africa in 1976. The tropical virus was named after a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo — then known as Zaire.
Four of the virus species are known to cause disease in humans — Zaire, Sudan, Bundibugyo and Tai Forest.
The West African outbreak was caused by a variant, called Makona, of the Zaire species which has historically been the most deadly in humans.
Before the recent West African outbreak, Ebola had killed about 1,700 people in four decades.
– Transmission –
The virus’ natural reservoir animal is probably the bat, which does not itself fall ill, but can pass the germ on to humans who hunt it for “bushmeat”.
Other dinnertime favourites in parts of Africa — chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope and porcupines — are also suspected of transmitting Ebola.
Among humans, the virus is passed on by contact with the blood, body fluids, secretions or organs of an infected or recently deceased person. This can include touching a sick or dead person, and likely also sexual intercourse.
Those infected do not become contagious until symptoms appear. They become more and more contagious until just after their death, which poses great risks during funerals.
– Symptoms –
Following an incubation period of between two and 21 days, Ebola develops into a high fever, weakness, intense muscle and joint pain, headaches and a sore throat.
That is often followed by vomiting and diarrhoea, skin eruptions, kidney and liver failure, and internal and external bleeding.
– After-effects –
After effects have often been observed in survivors, including arthritis, problems with vision, eye inflammation and hearing difficulties
An official of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO), Mr Francis Idoko, was on Friday beaten by residents of a building on Fish Pond St. Muwo Ojo, Lagos, for disconnecting their line.
The residents, who insisted that the official should reconnect them, after raining blows on him, also let loose a dog, which attacked Idoko.
The DISCO official alleged that the building's prepaid metre was illegally connected.
"The house has a prepaid metre but the residents did not go through the right channel,'' Idoko said.
"We are on routine assignment and in the process, we came across the building; worked there and continue with other buildings on the street.
"It was while in the adjourning street, that one of the residents approached me and requested to know why the house was disconnected.
"I followed him to the house and he locked the gate against me,'' he said.
In her response, Mrs Afoke Oghenetaga, whose dog attacked the victim, said that the residents contributed in buying the metres.
"Many of us, few days ago recharged with as much as N6,000 to enable us enjoy the Christmas and the New Year holidays; only for us to be cut off by this man,'' Oghenetaga said.
According to her, the dog was not on chain and only acted in favour of the residents it was familiar with.
She said the dog attacked the only stranger among them, adding that that person happened to be Francis.
On arrival at the scene, the DISCO Supervisor, in charge of the area, Mr Kingsely Amadi, who was contacted on phone, said that all those involved in the mayhem would be brought to book.
"DISCO has been advising customers to formalise their metres to avoid embarrassment that can result to such chaotic situation.
"We are bent in serving our customers to the best of our ability but they too should play their roles to make things work,'' he said.
Senegal's soldiers have been put on alert to intervene in The Gambia if President Yahya Jammeh refuses to step down next month.
Mr Jammeh initially accepted defeat in the December 1 poll, but later said it was flawed.
Army boots
The Ecowas chairman said Senegal had been chosen to lead operations "to restore the people's wishes" if needed.
President Jammeh has already said he will not be intimidated, saying Ecowas had no authority to interfere.
President Jammeh, who has ruled for 22 years, has lodged a case before the Supreme Court to annul the vote after the electoral commission changed some results.
The commission insists the outcome was not affected by an initial error and that property developer Adama Barrow won the poll and should be inaugurated on January 19.
Marcel Alain de Souza, chairman of the Ecowas commission, said Mr Jammeh had until that date to comply with its mediators.
"If he is not going, we have stand-by forces already alerted and these stand-by forces have to be able to intervene to restore the people's wish," he said.
The Gambia, a former British colony, is surrounded on three sides by Senegal.
"Senegal has been selected by its peers to lead the operations but we do not wish to start a conflict," Mr de Souza said.
"If he loves his people, he has to be able to negotiate an exit door calmly. If it doesn't happen, the most radical means will be used."
According to Africa Review, BBC's Umaru Fofana, who has been reporting from The Gambia, says Mr Jammeh's defiant comments earlier this week make it clear that Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, appointed chief mediator by Ecowas, has a fine line to tread.
President Jammeh said that although he was a "man of peace", that did not mean he would not defend himself and the country "courageously, patriotically and win".
The stalemate is already taking a huge toll on the economy of the small West African country, which is popular with tourists, with the Chamber of Commerce saying businesses have been badly affected, our reporter says.
The Supreme Court says it will hear a case brought by Mr Jammeh's party to cancel the result on 10 January.
President Jammeh, 51, seized power in 1994 and has been accused of human rights abuses, although he has held regular elections.
The Gambia has not had a smooth transfer of power since independence from Britain in 1965
West Africa's regional bloc, ECOWAS has put standby military forces on alert in case Gambian President Yahya Jammeh does not step down when his mandate ends on Jan. 19.
ECOWAS commission president Marcel de Souza said this on Malian TV Thursday night.
Jammeh has vowed to stay in power despite losing a Dec. 1 election to rival Adama Barrow, raising the possibility that regional powers may intervene to oust him if diplomacy does not succeed in persuading him to leave.
"We have put standby forces on alert if he does not (step down) on Jan. 19 when his mandate ends," De Souza said.
"No one has the right to oppose the will of the people."
Barrow's surprise victory and Jammeh's initial decision to concede after 22 years in power was seen across Africa as a moment of hope.
But the president changed his mind a week later and said again on Tuesday that he would not step down, rebuffing efforts by West African leaders to persuade him.
Jammeh said the electoral count was flawed and that ECOWAS has no right to meddle in Gambia's internal affairs.
The regional bloc has mandated Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari as mediator to offer Jammeh an "honourable exit", but if he does not take it then forces might be deployed, De Souza said.
The BBC quoted De Souza as saying in an interview that Senegalese troops would lead any military intervention. Senegal is Gambia's only territorial neighbour and has a frequently stormy relationship with the country, having sent troops there during a 1981 coup.
Senegal has indicated that military action would be an absolute last resort.
Diplomats say ECOWAS would probably seek approval from the U.N. Security Council for the use of force. ECOWAS deployed troops to Liberia and Sierra Leone during civil wars in the 1990s, setting a precedent for possible intervention.
A first step for raising pressure once the handover date passes is likely to be targeted sanctions by the U.N. and others, diplomats say, also raising the possibility that Jammeh could be offered asylum abroad.
Barrow's supporters suggested on Thursday that the president might not immediately be prosecuted for alleged human rights abuses during his rule.
"Justice is absolutely essential … but we are going to take the route to truth and reconciliation," said coalition spokesman Halifa Sallah at a meeting with the African Bar Association.
Gambia's Supreme Court will hear a legal challenge on Jan. 10 from Jammeh's ruling party which wants to overturn the election result.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni, on Thursday, warned officers and men of the command against extortion at the stations or when on patrols.
"We do not want to see officers collecting money from Keke marwa or commercial buses. We say bail is free, no officer should do the contrary.
"Police officer is not a debt collector," he said.
Lagos CP, Fatai Owoseni
Owoseni gave the advice while inaugurating the rehabilitated Ikeja Police Station.
He urged officers and men to embrace 'the Change begins with me' campaign initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari by avoiding conduct that would bring the Force into disrepute.
"Let the change start with you in your action with members of the public. We want to see officers on the road doing the right police work.
Owoseni commended the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Bayo Olasoji and Ikeja community for rehabilitating and equipping the police station.
The CP described the project as a good example of police/public partnership programme.
He, therefore, urged other senior police officers to add value to any offices they may be posted without waiting for special grant from the Force Headquarters.
Earlier, the DPO, Bayo Olasoji said he decided to rehabilitate the station with a view to create more offices for the officers and men in the division.
Olasoji said within four months of his deployment to the division, the community, officers and men contributed money and materials to make the station a modern one.
He said every unit of the division now has enough offices for it personnel.
Police Community Relation Committee members, Ikeja Residents Association and police personnel were in attendance.
As the year gradually grinds to an end, here is a recap of sport stars that made headlines for both good and bad reasons:
Heroes
Leicester City
Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City pulled off one of the greatest shocks in English football history by defying title odds of 5,000-1 to lift the Premier League trophy. Having miracuously avoided relegation the previous season, the Foxes rode that wave of momentum all the way to a fairytale triumph. Their rags-to-riches revival was epitomised by the rise to prominence of former non-league striker Jamie Vardy whose 24 goals was second only to England team-mate Harry Kane. Riyad Mahrez scooped the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, while N’Golo Kante and Wes Morgan joined them in the team of the year.
Eder
The Guinea-Bissau born striker emerged as Portugal’s unlikely hero by firing the national team to a first major title with a 1-0 extra-time win over France in the Euro 2016 final. With just three goals in 28 appearances — all of them in friendlies — and only 13 minutes played en route to the final there was little to hint at Eder’s heroics at the Stade de France. But an early injury to Cristiano Ronaldo forced a re-think and the 28-year-old was brought on towards the end of normal time. His 30-yard thunderbolt left Hugo Lloris grasping at thin air and Portugal hoisting aloft the Henri Delaunay trophy. “The ugly duckling went and scored. Now he’s a beautiful swan,” quipped Portugal coach Fernando Santos.
Luvo Manyonga
The South African battled both rivals and addiction along his road to redemption which culminated with a silver medal in the long jump at the Rio Olympics. Manyonga burst onto the international stage with a fifth-place finish at the 2011 worlds in Daegu but descended into a drug-riddled “living hell” after growing hooked on crystal meth. He served an 18-month ban for a failed test in 2012 but eventually got clean after leaving behind his hometown of Mbekweni. He was denied gold by the slimmest of margins in Brazil, finishing one centimetre behind American Jeff Henderson, but still provided one of the most inspirational stories of the Games.
Chicago Cubs
Joe Maddon’s team ended a 108-year wait by beating the Cleveland Indians in thrilling fashion to clinch the World Series. The Cubs romped through the regular season, winning over 100 games for the first time since 1935, but again appeared destined to succumb to the the ‘Curse of the Billy Goat’ after falling behind three games to one. However, Chicago rallied to level the best-of-seven contest and, ignited by Dexter Fowler’s lead-off home run, raced into a 5-1 lead in the decider. The Indians hit back with Rajai Davis launching a two-run home run off flamethrower Aroldis Chapman to tie the scores before a brief rain delay added to the drama. But the Cubs weren’t to be denied, winning 8-7 to snap the longest title drought in the game.
Simone Biles
The American marked her first Olympic Games with a performance for the ages. Aged just 19, Biles won a record-equalling four gold medals in the team event, individual all-around, vault and floor exercise. A slip on the beam cost her a shot at a fifth title, eventually settling for bronze, but by then her status as the world’s best female gymnast was in no doubt. Biles became the fifth woman to win four gold medals at the same Games after Hungarian Agnes Keleti (1956), Soviet Larissa Latynina (1956), Czech Vera Caslavska (1968) and Romanian Ecaterina Szabo (1984). “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps,” the Texan said. “I’m the first Simone Biles.”
All Blacks
New Zealand reinforced their billing as rugby union’s preeminent force with an 18-match winning streak — a record for a tier-one nation. It started with a thumping win over the Wallabies in August 2015 and blossomed into an historic run that included a third World Cup title — their trans-Tasman rivals again vanquished in the final — later that year. All Black greats Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Ma’a Nonu bowed out of the international game but Steve Hansen’s side didn’t miss a beat in 2016. A 3-0 series win over Wales preceded a convincing Rugby Championship triumph that culminated with a 57-15 throttling of South Africa in Durban. New Zealand then beat Australia at Eden Park to make it a record 18 wins in a row before a first defeat to Ireland in Chicago halted their historic streak.
Zeros
Maria Sharapova
One of the golden girls of tennis, Sharapova’s reputation suffered a damaging blow with news of a failed doping test at January’s Australian Open. The Russian tested positive for the banned heart drug meldonium and was subsequently handed a two-year ban, later reduced to 15 months on appeal. Fellow professionals reacted with a mixture of criticism and support for the five-time Grand Slam champion, while sponsors were also divided by her transgression. Both racket manufacturer Head and sportswear giant Nike stood by Sharapova but others swiftly pulled the plug on their relationship. She is eligible to return in April 2017, but it won’t be an easy road back with her every move set to be scrutinised intensely.
Sam Allardyce
Landing the England manager’s job should have represented the pinnacle of Allardyce’s career, but just 67 days after his appointment he was unceremoniously axed following his controversial remarks in a newspaper sting. The 62-year-old was secretly filmed giving advice on how to circumvent transfer rules while also mocking predecessor Roy Hodgson. His reign was the shortest of any England manager by far and piled on further embarrassment after the Three Lions’ shock defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016. “Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that,” a resigned Allardyce told reporters outside his home in Bolton.
Ryan Lochte
The American added 4x200m freestyle gold to his list of honours in Brazil but an infamous ‘robbery’ scandal soon turned that achievement into a mere footnote. Lochte claimed he and three team-mates were mugged by robbers pretending to be police as they returned home from a night out in Rio. But police quickly denounced the bogus story with CCTV footage showing the group had vandalised a petrol station. Gunnar Bentz, Jimmy Feigen and Jack Conger were banned for four months, while swimwear manufacturer Speedo headlined a host of sponsors to sever ties with Lochte, who was handed a 10-month ban. The 32-year-old was also charged with filing a false robbery report — a crime punishable by up to six months in prison.
Nick Kyrgios
The talented but volatile Australian endured another turbulent year on tour which ended with an eight-week ban and fine for ‘tanking’ against Mischa Zverev at October’s Shanghai Masters. Kyrgios agreed to consult a psychologist and his suspension was trimmed to three weeks, clearing him to return for the start of the 2017 season. The 21-year-old vowed to “use this time off to improve on and off the court” but only time will tell whether it’s truly a case of lesson learned. He is the first player since John McEnroe in 1990 to be banned for poor on-court behaviour and also withdrew from Rio, along with compatriot Bernard Tomic, following a row with the Australian Olympic Committee.
Tyson Fury
The self-styled ‘Gypsy King’ was on top of the world after ending Wladimir Klitschko’s long reign as heavyweight champion in late 2015, but a year on his reputation lies in tatters. Fury tested positive test for cocaine while battling severe depression and twice cancelled planned rematches with Klitschko. He backtracked hours after claiming he was retired in a foul-mouthed Twitter rant and a turbulent 12 months was topped off with the suspension of his boxing licence. Beyond his brash persona, Fury’s fragilities were laid bare with his return to the sport looking remote.
Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini
It is almost exactly one year since football’s two biggest powerbrokers were booted out of the game. A controversial two million Swiss franc ($2 million, 1.8 million euro) payment precipitated their demise with a series of appeals ultimately falling short. Initial eight-year bans were reduced to four years for Platini and six for Blatter and while the Frenchman vowed to clear his name in a Swiss civil court, Blatter conceded he had reached the end of the road after turning his back on his last legal recourse. The Swiss, head of FIFA since 1998, was replaced by Gianni Infantino, while Slovenia’s Aleksander Ceferin took over at UEFA from Platini.
The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says President Muhammadu Buhari is eager to reflate the economy and deliver to the people the gains of his administration.
Amaechi stated this in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations Department of the Ministry, Mrs Yetunde Sonaike, on Friday in Abuja.
He said that one of the core mandates of the present administration was to fulfil the needs and aspirations of Nigerians, adding that government would ensure it achieve its promises.
The minister said the ministry was able to complete the Abuja–Kaduna Railway modernisation project and provided safety measures at the nation's airports through rehabilitation of the existing infrastructure within the airports.
He said that there were also ongoing rehabilitation of infrastructure at the seaports and the railway as well as instilling financial discipline in the ministry and its agencies among others.
Amaechi said the focus of the government was the rehabilitation of the old railway lines of Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri and also ensuring that the construction works on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Rail line was completed within the specified time.
According to him, the government is determined to ensure that works on Lagos-Kano Rail line commence in earnest to facilitate the movement of goods and passengers unhindered.
"The construction work on the Lagos-Ibadan segment of the Coastal Rail line will commence in January 2017,” he said..
On the issue of the National Fleet for the maritime sector, the minister said that government had gone far in getting interested investors to come in.
He said that the government was mindful of the provision of the law which stipulates 60 per cent for local investors and 40 per cent for foreign investors.
The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki on Friday said that he would not condone any of his aides that broke the law.
This is contained in a Press Statement signed by Saraki's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu .
"The attention of the Senate President has been drawn to a statement issued today to the media by the Department of State Services (DSS) in which the Department raised allegations against Mr. Ugochinyere Ikenga, an aide to the Senate President.
According to the statement, the DSS has not officially informed the Senate President of the allegations against Ikenga.
"However, Saraki having read the statement now circulating online will want to make it clear that he will never condone any action by any of his aides which threatens the peace of the country or is against the provisions of the law.
Saraki called on the DSS to properly investigate the allegations against Mr. Ikenga and if he is found to have acted against the law, then the law should take its natural course.
Former England manager Sam Allardyce looks set to be named as the boss at Premier League club Crystal Palace after arriving at their training ground for talks on Friday.
Speaking to Sky Sports News outside the club’s Beckenham training base, Allardyce said he was there to “complete talks” and described Palace as a “fantastic” opportunity to return to Premier League management.
Allardyce, 62, is set to replace Alan Pardew, who was sacked on Thursday following a miserable run of results, with the Eagles winning just four of their 17 league matches this season and only one of their last 11.
Palace are presently only a point above the relegation places.
The south London club are due to face Watford away on Monday as part of the Premier League’s traditional Boxing Day fixture card.
Allardyce told Sky Sports News he would have to “wait and see” whether he would be in charge for that game, with assistant Keith Millen taking charge of training on Friday.
Allardyce has been out of the game since being sacked by England in late September after just one match in charge following ill-advised remarks to undercover reporters
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the freezing of Ex-First Lady, Patience Jonathan's multiple accounts over suspected proceeds from crime. One of the account, domiciled with Skye Bank plc, has a balance of $5,316.66.
The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, while granting the order freezing the accounts ordered the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, file an undertaking in relation to damages payable by it if it turns out that the order should not have been made.
EFCC boss Magu and Patience Jonathan
This is sequel to a further affidavit in support of Ex-parte originating summons sworn to by Mr. Abdulahi Tukur, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and filed before the court by EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo requesting the court to urgently direct the managers of the bank accounts contained in the schedule filed with the summons (FHC/L/CS/1343/16) to, in the interim, forfeit the money in the accounts, to prevent further tampering with such.
Also affected by the order are five companies which are Finchley Top Homes Limited, Aribawa Aruera, Magel Resort Limited, AM -PM Global Network Limited Pansy Oil and Gas Limited.
Finchley Top Homes Limited is alleged to have fraudulently open account number 1102001996 domiciled with Ecobank Plc and has a current balance of N226,376,700.23 and a fixed deposit with a balance of N1,099,511,484.88.
The company also fraudulently opened other accounts These are account 1771731336, domiciled with Skye Bank and with a current balance of N14,173,848.85; Fidelity Bank account 4011019539 with a current balance of N1,800,494,000; Stanbic Bank account 0016901361 with a current balance of N40,594,12.88; and Diamond Bank account 0019213687 with a current balance of N39,418,712.12.
Aribawa Aruera Reachout Foundation opened account number 1222014221 with Ecobank and has a closing balance of N479,893,431.01, while Magel Resort Limited accounts (4011019546/5250059782) with Fidelity Bank has a subsisting balance of N1,000,494,000.
The company also operates two other accounts (1011744356) in Zenith Bank, which has a balance of N858,923,982, and 0024351590 with Diamond Bank and has a balance of N174,166,207.00.
AM-PM Global Network Limited opened account number 0026718889 at Diamond Bank and has a balance of N7,213,303.50.
The account opened by Pansy Oil and Gas Limited at Fidelity Bank (4011019577) has a current balance of N1,809,666,494.68, while that at Diamond Bank (0026838491) has a balance of N55,930,024.50.
Also affected is one Esther Oba. Esther Oba has a balance of $429,381.87 in her account while the companies collectively havea balances totaling N7,418,829,290.94 (seven billion four hundred and eighteen million eight hundred and twenty nine thousand two hundred and ninety naira ninety four kobo) in six commercial banks.
Esther Oba was found to have opened account number 0019213689 with Diamond Bank and has a current balance of $429,381.87.
The EFCC said it carried out analyses after receiving an intelligence report, which showed that the accounts ought to be investigated.
As such, Mr. Tukur averred that it would serve the course of justice to grant the application for such.
Commercial bank customers on Friday decried lack of money in many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
newsmen who visited some banks in the city, also observed long queues in most of the banks.
Customers on queue at a bank’s ATM
Some of the banks visited were: United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria Plc (FBN), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Area 3; Ecobank, Gwarinpa and Zenith Bank in Dutse.
Other banks visited were: Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Sterling Bank, First City Monument Bank and Access Bank, all in Garki.
A customer at the First Bank, Area 3, Mrs Esther Uche, said she had been waiting under the sun for more than 20 minutes and had not been able to withdraw her money.
Uche said, "The bank management is aware of the usual chaos during every festivity and ought to have made adequate provision, especially regarding availability of funds in ATMs.''
A customer at the GTB, Mr Gabriel Okwoche, said that it was unfortunate that the banks had not been meeting customers' demands.
Okwoche said he did not expect the queue at the bank, as many Nigerians were complaining the economy was bad and no money in circulation.
At the UBA, a customer, Miss Joy Edoh, said that she had been to about four banks' ATMS in Garki; and that there was no money in the machines.
Edoh said at the Access Bank in Garki, she and other customers waited for 30minutes and when it got to her turn, the machine stopped dispensing cash.
"I am happy that the UBA ATMs are all working and I am sure to get money in the next five minutes,'' she said.
At the Union Bank, it was observed that no customer was seen at the ATM, as it was not dispensing cash.
Meanwhile, a visit to Diamond Bank, showed that many customers were seen in the banking hall and there was a long queue of customers at the ATM.
There were long queues at the Ecobank ATM in Gwarinpa, with some already frustrated customers leaving the bank premises.
A customer, Mr John Johnson, said the management of the various banks and CBN should do something about the queues at the banks.
"Today is 23 and we have all the remaining days of the holiday to contend with and we are already experiencing insufficient funds.''
"I wonder what we will face during the holidays. I implore the management of all the banks to ensure that the ATMs are loaded with cash.
"If this is not done, customers are bound to suffer during this Christmas celebration,'' Johnson said.
Another customer at Ecobank, Mr Emmanuel Adejo, said he was at the bank's head office in Wuse 2 but could not withdraw.
According to Adejo, a bank official said the bank had insufficient funds as CBN did not release money to the bank.
A customer at Zenith Bank in Dutse, Miss Talatu Abraham, said she was impressed that most ATMs at the bank were dispensing cash.
Abraham said that the bank was the only bank within the Dutse Alhaji axis and was always crowded due to that fact (dispensing).
She commended the bank for ensuring most if its ATMs were dispensing money to customers.
Most officials of banks asked about efforts being made to ensure sufficient funds for customers during the festivity refused to comment.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, says the rejected list of 47 non-career ambassadors will be re-submitted when the Senate resumes from recess.
Onyeama told newsmen in New York that the list was being delayed by the recess.
"The list of the 47 non-career ambassadors will be represented to the Senate; yes, I believe the list is ready.
"And very shortly it will be represented; it is just that the Senate is in recess at the moment but hopefully it will be done very quickly.
"We will certainly hope that we will get the envoys in place very shortly. The lists are ready; the places of deployment have more or less been approved.''
The nation, he said, hope to get them on board very quickly.
He, however, said that the delay in the posting of ambassadors to Nigerian missions had not affected the country's diplomatic relations with the host countries or the operations of those missions.
"What we have seen, I think, is probably the quality of the Nigerian diplomats. We have nevertheless been able to achieve very great things with the officials that we have in the missions.
"So that shows the depth of the quality of Nigerian diplomats. A good case in point here is this issue of illicit financial flows.
"It's something that has been achieved without having an ambassador here or permanent representative here in New York.''
Meanwhile, the 47 career Ambassador-designate approved recently have ended their four day induction course in readiness for their posting.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has urged the 47 newly appointed career Ambassadors to explore possibilities of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Abuja.
Bello made the call when the new Ambassadors paid him a working visit in Abuja.
He said that the FDI would help end recession and create new opportunities for residents of the FCT.
The minister told the ambassadors of the enormous investment opportunities in the territory which needed marketed to investors across the world.
Bello disclosed that the Idu Industrial Layout had been provided with adequate infrastructure to encourage investment in the FCT.
According to him, the FCT Administration has also provided an enabling environment and liberal conditions to support genuine investors.
He reminded them that Abuja as the only city created by law in Nigeria was home to all Nigerians and the window through which the world see the country.
The minister assured that the administration would continue to adhere strictly to the Abuja Master Plan to ensure orderliness in the city.
"All of you have Abuja as either first or second home; you know all the challenges of the Federal Capital Territory, because all of you live here and therefore you can best market the city by bringing in FDI to tackle all those challenges'', he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, who led the group, said the visit was part of the induction programme organised for the new ambassadors.
He said it was to acquaint them with the ingredients of government policies.
"This is in terms of protocol and its priority in terms of domestic agenda which is built on change, good governance, economic, security and anti-corruption.
"This is to help identify the foreign policy component of the government programme to enable the new ambassadors go out there to engage and advance the domestic agenda of Nigeria," Enikanolaiye added.
The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed Justice Ngozi Emehelu as the substantive chief judge of the state.
The confirmation of Emehelu, who had been in acting capacity for two and half months, was approved on Friday during plenary when she appeared before the legislators.
The Leader of the House, Chief Ikechukwu Ezugwu, representing Udenu State Constituency, described Emehelu as a woman of integrity with an outstanding character.
Ezugwu said that the judge had been in the legal profession for 35 years, adding that she had served in several election petitions tribunals due to her impeccable character.
"She is a woman of integrity with what we know. We have not had any complaint since she was appointed in acting capacity."
Ezugwu moved a motion for the legislators to confirm Emehelu as the substantive chief judge.
The Deputy Leader, Mrs Onyinye Ugwu, representing Enugu South Rural State Constituency, seconded the motion for the confirmation.
The Speaker, Chief Edward Ubosi, then announced the confirmation of Emehelu as the substantive chief judge of the state, following a voice vote.
Emehelu is expected to be sworn in by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, following the confirmation.
The appointment of Emehelu followed the sacking of her predecessor, Justice Innocent Umezulike on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission.
An official of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (DISCO), Mr Francis Idoko, was on Friday beaten by residents of a building on Fish Pond St. Muwo Ojo, Lagos, for disconnecting their line.
The residents, who insisted that the official should reconnect them, after raining blows on him, also allegedly untied a dog, which attacked Idoko.
DISCO official disconnecting lines on electric pole
The DISCO official alleged that the building's prepaid metre was illegally connected.
"The house has a prepaid metre but the residents did not go through the right channel,'' Idoko said.
"We are on routine assignment and in the process, we came across the building; worked there and continue with other buildings on the street.
"It was while in the adjourning street, that one of the residents approached me and requested to know why the house was disconnected.
"I followed him to the house and he locked the gate against me,'' he said.
In her response, Mrs Afoke Oghenetaga, whose dog attacked the victim, said that the residents contributed in buying the metres.
"Many of us, few days ago recharged with as much as N6,000 to enable us enjoy the Christmas and the New Year holidays; only for us to be cut off by this man,'' Oghenetaga said.
According to her, the dog was not on chain and only acted in favour of the residents it was familiar with.
She said the dog attacked the only stranger among them, adding that that person happened to be Francis.
On arrival at the scene, the DISCO Supervisor, in charge of the area, Mr Kingsely Amadi, who was contacted on phone, said that all those involved in the mayhem would be brought to book.
"DISCO has been advising customers to formalise their metres to avoid embarrassment that can result to such chaotic situation.
"We are bent in serving our customers to the best of our ability but they too should play their roles to make things work,'' he said.
Lagosians are scrambling for LAKE Rice, the branded rice produced by Kebbi and Lagos States in very long queues.
A 50kg bag of the rice sells for N12,000, while a 25kg sells for N6,000. This is 50 per cent less than the imported brands, said to be mostly unfit for consumption, which sell for N24,000 per 50kg bag.
The successful partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states that gave rise to the local production of LAKE Rice (Lagos-Kebbi Rice) has been applauded by President Muhammadu Buhari.
A man carries a bag of Lake Rice at the distribution centre at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in Lagos on Friday. Lake Rice distribution is powered by Lagos and Kebbi states government in collaboration with San Carlos Group incorporated.
In a statement by Femi Adesina, Buhari particularly saluted the commitment of Governors Akinwunmi Ambode and Atiku Bagudu in bringing to fruition the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2016 on substantially meeting the country's rice requirement.
He also expressed delight at the relatively cheaper price of LAKE Rice especially at this period of recession. Lake Rice is being sold for N12,000 per 50kg bag.
The Lake rice queue at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in Lagos on Friday
"It gladdens my heart to get reports of our citizens rushing to purchase this cheaper local rice to enable them and their families enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations," the President noted.
According to President Buhari, what the two states have done is "evidence of a new base being laid for the Nigerian economy, founded and propelled by agriculture, away from substantial dependence on oil and gas for national revenue."
The President recalled that in his 2017 Budget presentation before the National Assembly, he said that "a new era is rising in which we must grow what we eat and consume what we make," adding that the LAKE Rice achievement is in furtherance of the goal.
He urged other state governments to replicate the laudable example of LAKE Rice in producing other staple crops and dairy products.
He also pledged the Federal Government's readiness to continue to support such initiatives by providing the enabling environment, policies and incentives for agriculture to thrive in order for the nation to achieve food security.
The President remains optimistic that Nigeria will attain rice sufficiency by 2019.
The Nigerian Army has urged the public to be vigilant as remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists are fleeing to different parts of the country and elsewhere following the ongoing final clearance of their hideouts in Sambisa forest.
A statement by the acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. -Gen. Sani Usman on Thursday, therefore, advised members of the public, especially residents of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, to be "extra vigilant, security conscious of strange movements or persons in the society."
CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF (COAS), LT.-GEN. TUKUR BURATAI
"The public are also please requested to report any suspicious person or group of persons to the security agencies for prompt action.
"We wish to reiterate our commitment of clearing the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists in all their suspected hideouts by the end of this year. We therefore solicit for more public support and cooperation to achieve that.
Recently, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai charged soldiers to finish off Boko Haram remnants on time to enable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return to their homes.
The army chief gave the charge when he visited troops of the 81 battalion in Damboa Local Government Area in Borno state.
Buratai who reiterated the determination of the army towards enhancing the welfare of troops, said rotation of soldiers would take place after every six months of deployment.
"I am sure you have read and heard the message I sent across. If you are aware of it then we must work to get out of this place. We must work to get out of this operation very quickly. We must defeat Boko Haram.
"I was in one of the barracks and many of the troops were already there and I have assured your families that many of you will go back next Year.
"81 battalion is my unit too when I was a lieutenant Colonel This unit has seen it all. You fought along with the Cameroonian troops in this battle which means you are better placed to deal with this criminals.
"We must continue with the aggressive actions, patrol and ambush. You must move into all the hideouts of these criminals and fish them out. Some of your colleagues in Sambisa Forest are dealing with them properly.
"You are better equipped, better motivated and mobile.The army has provided you with better equipment to fish Boko Haram out and deal with them completely.
"I wish to commend your effort and I urge you all to maintain the momentum and keep it high. Nigerians are proud of you. President Muhammadu Buhari the Commander in Chief is also pleased with you," he said.
