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Are you a fintech entrepreneur and want to commercialise your solutions and products then this is the chance for you to join the FinTech Hive. The FinTech Hive is a programme set up by Dubai Financial Centre (DIFC) and Accenture, a Global consulting firm, to help young start ups in Africa and the Middle east.
Speaking in a phone interview with Adekunle Aliyu, Dubai Financial Centre (DIFC) and Accenture representatives said the FinTech Hive will start a 12 week 'accelerator programme', which will bring together the next generation of 7-12 leaders and entrepreneurs to compete and address the growing needs of the financial services industry, using innovative technology solutions.
They further disclosed that since global FinTech sector attracted over $50 billion in investment since 2010, and that currently the Middle East and North Africa only attract around 1 percent of that investment DIFC Accelerator intends to bridge the gap by creating platforms that will drives innovation and showcases success – identifying leading technology entrepreneurs and companies through a competitive process and then offering them the opportunity to develop, test and modify their innovations in collaboration with top executives from DIFC and regional financial institutions.
What is the programme about?
This FinTech Hive is a private sector backed accelerator with international linkage and is the 'first in the region' – being designed around specific current banking and financing needs for fast growing fintech firms to commercialise their solutions and products (through a series of formal design competitions), rather than a generic innovation space. The fundamental aim is to 'accelerate' the growth of fintech in the region.
The FinTech Hive will start with a 12 week 'accelerator programme', which will bring together the next generation of 7-12 leaders and entrepreneurs to compete and address the growing needs of the financial services industry, using innovative technology solutions. The tech leaders will be mentored by leading financial institutions during this process, allowing them to better innovate and provide tailored solutions for the region's financial services industry. The 12 week programme will take place on a cyclical basis, each time attracting approximately 10 tech entrepreneurs and leaders, and each time addressing a different regional financial services challenge.
Who are those anchoring the programme?
The initiative is owned by the DIFC Authority, powered by Accenture, and developed in partnership with financial institutions. Emirates NBD and Mashreq will be the first local financial institutions to join the accelerator programme, while HSBC and VISA will be the first international financial services providers.
DIFC is the highest ranked Financial Centre in the MEASA region according to the Global Financial Centres Index.
Who will it benefit?
The global FinTech sector has attracted more than $50 billion in investment since 2010, but currently the Middle East and North Africa only attract around 1 percent of that investment.
The DIFC Accelerator intends to bridge the gap by creating a platform that drives innovation and showcases success – identifying leading technology entrepreneurs and companies through a competitive process and then offering them the opportunity to develop, test and modify their innovations in collaboration with top executives from DIFC and regional financial institutions.
The Accelerator is further demonstration of DIFC's commitment to providing an internationally oriented FinTech ecosystem that meets the specific needs of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, in line with Dubai Plan 2021 and the DIFC 2024 Strategy.
Are Nigerians included into this?
They certainly should, given the fact that FinTech is a very promising sector in Nigeria, judging by recent progress presented in the media and in the global finance industry.
Nigeria has exhibited growth in mobile money operations from an average monthly transaction value of $5 million in 2011 to $142.8 million in 2016 (source: ww.finextra.com/pressarticle/67524/nigerian-fintech-scene-expands). Mobile penetration and usage is very high; there is an estimated 150 million active subscriber lines in the country.
Nigeria is clearly considered as one of the big tech clusters in Africa, and Nigeria start-up have focused on developing innovation in the field of remittances, lending and business financiering. There are other very interesting innovations, offering for peer to peer insurance to consumers (in a market where more than 80 percent of the population does not have access to insurance). All these data demonstrate that a Fin Tech accelerator could especially makes sense for Nigerians start up.
How will it grow the economy of your country and others if they are to benefit?
With Dubai being the gateway to US$7.8 trillion in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), with 70% of people being unbanked, and with some of the highest proportions of young people and entrepreneurs in the world, the potential for fintech to change the face of these economies is enormous. In the context of a 22% exponential growth in the fintech market, the FinTech Hive in the MEASA region provides the final piece in the global fintech puzzle – putting it on par with other world leading fintech cities. With the region facing a $110bn financing gap by 2020, Fintech has yet to realise its potential in this ripe market.
What qualifies one to be part of Fintech Accelerator Programme?
The programme focuses on early and growth-stage companies with at least an alpha or beta technology/product, especially those which will benefit from senior access and relationships at the participating financial institutions. We are also interested in growth stage companies that have a product being deployed outside financial services that are interested in entering this vertical.
What kind of series of formal design competitions are we talking about here?
The accelerator programme challenges will be identified by a Committee currently being set-up. This Committee will be comprised of DIFC Authority, Accenture, and partnering Financial Institutions that will draw on demand/ challenges based on their experience and broader knowledge.
To give you some ideas on challenges being considered, the Committee intends to catalyse the growth and efficiency in a variety of areas including trade finance, alternative finance such as P2P payments, and Sharia based services.
The challenges will be set as a 12 week programme that takes place on a cyclical basis. (Please see response to first question, second bullet point).
What is fintech market? How do you see finch market in Nigeria?
In Sub-Saharan Africa, the improvement of financial inclusion will depend on mobile technology. According to the World Bank, in 2015, 34% of adults had an account and 12% of adults had a mobile money account in the region, which is significant compared to the rate of 2% globally.
Nigeria is becoming a hub for tech investments and commercially oriented start-ups. Even if the country is facing serious challenges, the prospect of scaling applications to Africa's largest population and economy attracts local and international investors and entrepreneurs.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the report quoting him that President Muhammadu Buhari's return to Nigeria may be hampered by a faulty aircraft is fake.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed
The Minister stated this in a press statement issued on Sunday in Ilorin by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi.
"The Minister has not spoken to anyone on the issue of the President's return, hence this report is another from the stable of the purveyors of fake news,'' he said.
Pope Francis on Sunday urged the faithful to pray for unborn children threatened by “the termination of pregnancy” in a throwaway culture marked by falling birth-rates.
Pope Francis
“Every life is sacred. Let us promote a culture of life as a response to the logic of throwing away and in the face of demographic decline,” he said in an address to mark the “international day for consecrated life”. “Let us pray together for children threatened by the termination of pregnancy and also for people at the end of their lives,” he said during his weekly Angelus prayer in Saint Peter’s Square. Since his election, the pope has expressed concern over the demographic decline in Europe and particularly in Italy, which the Catholic Church believes is fueled in part by abortion — a practice which Francis, like his predecessors, fiercely opposes. But last year he granted priests the right to permanently forgive abortion, extending a temporary measure put in place during the Vatican’s jubilee “Year of Mercy” which ended in November. The Catholic Church considers abortion to be a sin, with the priestly pardon applicable not only to women who have abortions but also to those who carry them out or are involved in any way.
Chief James Onanefe Ibori who arrived Nigeria, has opened a twitter account with the handle @ChiefIbori at about 8. 00 a.m on Sunday.
At about 3:20p.m, three tweets have been recorded on the handle with his first saying, “Good morning Nigerians. #myfirstTweet.”
Chief James Onanefe Ibori
The second tweet which has a video of him acknowledging cheers from the crowd that welcomed him at his Oghara residence, he said: “I’m excited to unite with my people. The strength of any politician lies in hands of his followers.”
A third tweet reads: “The energy yesterday was electrifying and intimidating. I’m greatful.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians equally responded to him in a series of tweets that followed with many congratulating him while others condemned him on the way and manner he ruled Delta State while he held sway as governor of the state.
In another development, factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta State, Chief Adolor Okotie-Eboh was among the top politicians in the State who visited Chief James Ibori, Sunday.
Though it was not certain if the visit by Chief Adolor was politically inclined or just a solidarity visit, a close friend to the former governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori on Saturday said: “Ibori remains in PDP, and all his followers are in PDP.”
Meanwhile, the Ivie of Oghara, Mosogar and Idjere kingdoms visited Ibori at his home making them the first set of monarchs to have visited him in his abode.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA – At a time Nigerians were anxiously waiting for his return to Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the National Assembly informing them of his desire to extend his leave.
He did not state the duration of the extension.
The letter which was written on Sunday stated that the extension was to enable the president complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina on Sunday stated that “The President had planned to return to Abuja this evening, but was advised to complete the test cycle before returning.”
The statement added that “The notice has since been dispatched to the Senate President, and Speaker, House of Representatives
Mr. President expresses his sincere gratitude to Nigerians for their concern, prayers and kind wishes.”
The Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) said on Sunday in Abuja it has opened camp in Abuja for its male and female under-21 beach volleyball teams.
A statement from the Federation said the teams are preparing for the qualifying competition for this year's World Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championships.
The championships known as the FIVB Beach Volleyball Under-21 World Championships is slated for June 13 to June 18 at Nanjing in China.
The qualifiers for this championships are scheduled to begin on February 9 in Lome, Togo with the Nigerian teams scheduled to depart Nigeria for Lome on February 8.
Habu Gumel, President of NVBF, said the Federation had opened the camp for the two teams since February 1 in view of the importance attached to Nigeria's qualification.
"We have since last week started to prepare for the continental qualifiers, which holds later this week in Lome, Togo.
"We have in camp the male and female teams, with each team having six players, to make a total of 12. The camp also has the full complement of technical crew as well as others such as medical and secretariat staff.
"With these players and officials, we expect to prepare well to be able to perform well there in Togo because we need to use the world championships to strengthen our teams,'' he said.
Gumel, also a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), said Nigerian teams are well poised to qualify for the world championships.
"Our teams are well ranked. The male team are number five in Africa presently, while the female team are number two in Africa, and I think the players are in good form presently to do the country proud in Lome,'' he said.
The NVBF President said the Federation went to the length of preparing the players ahead of the competition so as to strengthen Nigeria's position in the sport.
"We are strong on the continent in beach volleyball and we need to be the strongest and compete among the world's best.
"So, we are hopeful that with qualification for the world championships, we will get better and the sport will grow further in Nigeria,'' he said.
Gabriel Jesus scored two goals including an injury-time winner as Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City recorded a dramatic 2-1 victory over struggling Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The home side looked in complete control during a dominant first-half showing only to surrender an 81st-minute equaliser to Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The Iceland international capitalised on some poor defending, collecting Luciano Narsingh’s pass, switching the ball to his left foot and scoring with a brilliant low drive from just outside the area.
But deep in injury time David Silva’s right-wing cross found Jesus and after his initial header had been saved by Lukasz Fabianski, the 19-year-old Brazilian tapped the rebound into an open goal.
Jesus, a January arrival from Palmeiras, had required just 11 minutes of his full home debut to score the first of what City supporters hope will be many goals for them.
The goal was created by the excellence of Silva, who beat defender Federico Fernandez along the byline before pulling the ball back towards Raheem Sterling.
Martin Olsson managed to block the England forward on the six-yard line, but Jesus reacted like lightning, pouncing on the loose ball and making no mistake with a close-range volley.
City’s first-half dominance was complete and Willy Caballero, continuing to deputise for the dropped Claudio Bravo in the home goal, had not one moment of concern.
Manchester City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) celebrates with Manchester City’s Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta after scoring their late winning goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 5, 2017. Manchester City won the game 2-1. / AFP PHOTO
The afternoon might have been put beyond the grasp of Swansea, showing signs of improvement under new manager Paul Clement, had referee Mike Dean judged that Alfie Mawson had fouled Jesus in the area on seven minutes.
Shortly after the goal, Yaya Toure almost doubled the lead from a 25-yard free-kick that was heading into the top left-hand corner until Fabianski made a superb diving save.
Fernandinho, playing at right-back, sent Sterling away and his cross was almost converted by Jesus, who was only denied by a fine piece of defending from Fernandez.
– Sane hits post – From Silva’s resulting corner, Toure should have made better contact with an unmarked shot that passed harmlessly wide.
Kevin De Bruyne then fired into the side-netting and Toure’s 18-yard shot was smothered, at the second attempt, by Fabianski.
A long Silva pass played Sterling in on goal just before the interval, although the City forward fell while rounding Fabianski and was harshly booked for simulation for his trouble.
However, City’s supporters would have been forgiven for wondering if their failure to score more than one goal would come back to haunt them as Swansea made an improved start to the second half.
Sigurdsson threatened to equalise in the 49th minute with a magnificently struck free-kick that was kept out by a combination of the leaping Caballero’s right glove and his right-hand post.
Leroy Sane sped down the other end in response and delivered a low cross which hit the foot of Fabianski’s post.
But the longer City went without adding a second goal, the more the anxiety grew at the Etihad, especially when Mawson headed just wide from Sigurdsson’s corner.
The Swansea defender was pressed into action at the other end when he blocked a dangerous low cross from Sterling.
It came at the expense of a corner from which De Bruyne picked out Aleksandar Kolarov, whose header flew harmlessly wide.
Mawson again came to his team’s rescue after 72 minutes, producing a well-timed block to stop a Silva shot, set up by Jesus’s superb flick, which had looked destined for the back of the visitors’ net
Travellers from seven mainly Muslim countries affected by the initial immigration order by President Donald Trump have started rushing to board U.S. flights, Reuters report Sunday.
This is sequel to a U.S. Appeal Court judgment which halted the execution of the order from President Donald Trump barring citizens from those countries and temporarily banning refugees.
The court ruling dealt a further setback to Trump, who has denounced the judge in the state of Washington who blocked his executive order on Friday.
In tweets and comments to reporters, the president had insisted he would get the ban reinstated.
Trump had said the 90-day travel ban on citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and a 120-day bar on all refugees, were necessary.
He said this was to protect the U.S. from Islamist militants but critics said the measures are unjustified and discriminatory.
The judge's order and the appeal ruling have created what may be a short-lived opportunity for travelers from the seven affected countries to get into the United States while the legal uncertainty continues.
"This is the first time I try to travel to America. We were booked to travel next week but decided to bring it forward after we heard," said a Yemeni woman.
The woman who was recently married to a U.S. citizen, boarded a plane from Cairo to Turkey on Sunday to connect with a U.S. bound flight.
She declined to be named for fear it could complicate her entry into the United States.
In a brief order, the U.S. Appeal Court said the government's request for an immediate administrative stay on the Washington judge's decision had been denied.
It was awaiting further submissions from Washington and Minnesota states on Sunday, and from the government on Monday.
The U.S. State Department and Department of Homeland Security said they were complying with the directive and many visitors are expected to start arriving on Sunday
Government has said it expected to begin admitting refugees again on Monday.
Reuters reports that Iraqi Fuad Sharef, his wife and three children spent two years obtaining U.S. visas.
They had packed up to move to America last week, but were turned back to Iraq after a failed attempt to board a U.S.-bound flight from Cairo.
On Sunday, the family checked in for a Turkish Airlines flight to New York from Istanbul.
"Yeah, we are very excited. We are very happy," Sharef told Reuters.
"Finally, we have been cleared. We are allowed to enter the U.S," he said.
Rana Shamasha, 32, an Iraqi refugee in Lebanon, was due to travel to the United States with her two sisters and mother on Feb. 1 to join relatives in Detroit until their trip was cancelled as a result of the travel ban.
She is now waiting to hear from U.N. officials overseeing their case. "If they tell me there is a plane tomorrow morning, I will go.
"If they tell me there is one in an hour, I will go," she told Reuters by telephone in Beirut, saying their bags were still packed.
"I no longer have a house here, work, or anything," she said.
An official at Beirut airport said three Syrian families had left for the United States via Europe on Sunday morning.
"Airline sources in Cairo said that 33 people from the seven affected countries had been allowed to board U.S.-bound flights since Saturday.
President Donald Trump has rebuffed calls for a tougher stance on Russia, playing down political assassinations inside the country and Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Trump — now two weeks into his four-year term — showed no signs of yielding to demands from within his own Republican Party to distance himself from President Vladimir Putin.
“I do respect him. Well, I respect a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean I’ll get along with them,” Trump said in an excerpt of a Super Bowl interview with Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly that will air in full on Sunday.
When pressed in relation to Putin’s alleged links to the extrajudicial killing of journalists and dissidents, Trump said, “There are a lot of killers. We have a lot of killers.”
“You think our country is so innocent?” Trump asked rhetorically.
Michael McFaul, a former ambassador to Russia and advisor to former president Barack Obama, described Trump’s comments as “disgusting.”
“This moral equivalency that Trumps continues to draw between the USA and Russia is disgusting (and inaccurate),” he said on Twitter.
Mainstream Republicans have repeatedly called on Trump to distance himself from Putin, with little impact.
Throughout the election campaign, Trump refused to criticize the Russian leader, saying better relations with the Kremlin would be in the US national interest.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump agree to improve relations of both countries
The new president has advocated working with Russia to combat the Islamic State group in Syria, where Moscow has deployed aircraft, naval assets and troops to support Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
In December, US intelligence agencies went public with their view that Russia conducted a hack-and-release campaign aimed at swinging the US election in Trump’s favor.
Trump’s repeated criticism of NATO — a common target for Putin — has only fueled suspicions that Trump is ready to side with Moscow over allies in Europe.
Across Europe, there are growing concerns that the continent might be wedged between a hostile Russia and a hostile United States.
Trump’s stance on Ukraine has also raised eyebrows. After a call with Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko on Saturday, the White House said the pair addressed “Ukraine’s long-running conflict with Russia.”
Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea in March 2014 and has supported separatists in the east of the country.
Former national security advisor Susan Rice publicly criticized Trump’s framing of the situation.
“This distortion of even recent history is deeply troubling,” she tweeted.
– ‘We’re watching’ – Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence tried to explain the administration’s approach to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which had flared after Trump and Putin spoke by telephone a week ago.
“We’re watching, and (we’re) very troubled by the increased hostilities over the past week in eastern Ukraine,” Pence told ABC’s “This Week” news program.
During the Trump-Putin call, the Kremlin said the two men had discussed improving economic relations, a potential signal of Trump’s willingness to lift sanctions on Russia.
Asked whether the administration would be willing to ease sanctions while Russia is violating ceasefire agreements, Pence demurred.
“I think that’s a question that will be answered in the months ahead. And it just simply all depends,” he said.
“If we have opportunities to work together, I think the president is looking for an opportunity to begin that relationship anew.
“But make no mistake about it — those decisions will await action. And they’ll be very dependent on how the Russians respond in the days ahead.”
A member of the National Assembly, Sen. Ali Wakili, said the National Assembly was working on strategies to block loopholes and wastage in recurrent expenditure in the nation's annual budget.
He said that the measures being worked out were part of efforts of the lawmakers to support the executive in addressing issues of corruption in the country.
Wakili said at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja that little investigation by some lawmakers had revealed that more corrupt practices were currently going on in recurrent budget, not usual capital budget.
"By the Procurement Act, the capital budget has to be taken through a long process for them to be seen.
"But, it was discovered that through the recurrent expenditure there can be many loopholes that people can catch in to do those things. "We need to reduce wastages from recurrent expenditure.
"Every year you discover that you are buying software for N500 million, then you discover that you are also buying papers for computer for half a billion naira this year.
"The following year you are buying it for N800 million. Where are those previous ones, the ones bought the previous year? So, we need to be up and doing.
"That is why I challenged the members of the national assembly that we need to be meticulous in this issue of oversight.
"We are talking of corruption, there lots of issues in this regard and we must tackle them,'' he said.
Wakili said that the current National Assembly was committed to improving governance and national development through oversight functions.
Pope Francis on Sunday urged the faithful to pray for unborn children threatened by “the termination of pregnancy” in a throwaway culture marked by falling birthrates.
“Every life is sacred. Let us promote a culture of life as a response to the logic of throwing away and in the face of demographic decline,” he said in an address to mark the “international day for consecrated life”.
“Let us pray together for children threatened by the termination of pregnancy and also for people at the end of their lives,” he said during his weekly Angelus prayer in Saint Peter’s Square.
Since his election, the pope has expressed concern over the demographic decline in Europe and particularly in Italy, which the Catholic Church believes is fuelled in part by abortion — a practice which Francis, like his predecessors, fiercely opposes.
But last year he granted priests the right to permanently forgive abortion, extending a temporary measure put in place during the Vatican’s jubilee “Year of Mercy” which ended in November.
The Catholic Church considers abortion to be a sin, with the priestly pardon applicable not only to women who have abortions but also to those who carry them out or are involved in any way.
By AYO ONIKOYI In the wake of the music star Innocent Idibia a.k.a. 2Face backing out of the highly celebrated February 6th protest in Abuja and Lagos, Nigerians, his fans and colleagues have been in shock. Ace comedian, Oluwaseyitan Lawrence a.k.a Seyilaw who publicly pledged his support to the African Queen crooner is still beside himself in shock and has vowed to go ahead with the planned protest.
*Seyi Law
In his post on Instagram, Seyi said, "I am giving Nigerians the assurance that I will be at the stadium tomorrow. We have a right to our protest. I absolutely understand @official2baba, but I am not backing out.
In a further post the comedian expressed his frustrations with the turn of event, saying "how our greatest weapons have been used against us."
In his words: my pain in the face of our challenges is how our greatest weapons have been used against us. God is supposed to be our greatest tool of deliverance and projection into our unknown future. The government ought to help us organize our collective ideas and smoothen our path to freedom and development. Gun, a potent tool of protection and reassurance of territorial power. The cord that ties these three power tools together is human and the knife that cuts them is politics.
"the hunger for the government has caused some men to politicise god, creating chaos through our religion and oppressing us with guns. It was supposed to be a protest highlighting and stating our desire for good governance, but again politics has to be played and with their tools of government and gun, we have been muted.
"Let them rejoice in the power they hold, but please remind them that death will someday knock on the door. The grave will hold them down and their children will behold the strength in our unity. Silence us today and your children will be silent tomorrow while we speak. I believe in this nation and the emancipation of all. I won’t stop speaking and i know the tides of time will change and usher in a new dawn. Thanks @official2baba, , god bless you for standing with us.
Only one of the eight places at the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017, to be held on 17 June to 2 July, has yet to be taken. It will be filled by either Cameroon or Egypt, who will go head to head in the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 on Sunday 5 February. The victors will join Chile, Germany and Australia in Group B at Russia 2017, with Portugal, Mexico, New Zealand and the hosts fighting it out in Group A.
The match Egypt-Cameroon, Stade de l’Amitie, Libreville (Gabon), 20:00 (local time)
It's official! Two of Africa's footballing superpowers have regained their place at the top table after several years in the wilderness. Cameroon and Egypt now have the opportunity to add yet another trophy to their respective lists of honours, after enjoying virtually flawless runs to the continental final.
Hector Cuper's Egypt owe their place in the tournament showpiece to their miserly defence, tactical nous and their ability to make goals count, having recorded three 1-0 wins to date. Essam El Hadary, their 44-year-old living legend of a goalkeeper, has been at his very best, conceding just the one goal to date and playing the hero in the semi-final shootout win over Burkina Faso. Mohamed Salah has also lived up to expectations as the Pharaohs' star man, while Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan has only added to his burgeoning reputation.
The Indomitable Lions will be lining up against them thanks to their team spirit and the energy of their new breed, who have been skilfully managed by Hugo Broos. The Belgian coach has successfully juggled tactics and formations throughout the competition, while his charges have kept their cool at key moments, a quality most in evidence in the quarter-final shootout win over Senegal and in the last 20 minutes of the 2-0 semi-final defeat of Ghana, all of which augurs well for their hopes in the final.
Egypt fans can take heart, however, from their side's head-to-head record against the Cameroonians, whose last Africa Cup of Nations win against the Pharaohs came back in 2002. And in their two meetings in the final of the competition, which came in 1986 and 2008, the Egyptians triumphed on both occasions, just two of their record seven continental title wins, another stat that will give the North Africans heart. The rivalry between Sunday's finalists is one of biggest in the history of the competition, with two big guns all set to face off for the tenth time on the AFCON stage.
FIFA Confederations Cup records Cameroon and Egypt are both vying for a third Confederations Cup appearance. The Pharaohs lined up in the 1999 and 2009 competitions, while the Indomitable Lions graced the tournament in 2001 and 2003. The Cameroonians reached the final on the second of those occasions, losing to France 1-0 after extra time at the end of a competition marked by the tragic death of their midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe in the semi-finals.
The stat 3 – the number of consecutive Africa Cup of Nations competitions Egypt missed prior to this one (in 2012, 2013 and 2015), a sequence that came after three consecutive tournament wins for the Pharaohs, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, has appealed to both Federal and state governments to make the teaching of culture a compulsory subject for students of primary and secondary schools as well as higher institutions.
"The learning of culture needed to be impacted on the younger generation right from when they are young so that it will become part of them," he said.
Oba Ogunwusi stated this in his palace at Ile Ife Osun, that this would also allay the fears that the African culture was gradually going into extinction.
The monarch said that he was not ashamed to project his cultural heritage inherited from his forefathers to the world.
"I am proud of my cultural heritage and I am proud to showcase it to the world.
" The river that does forget its source never runs dry," he said.
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi 51st Ooni of Ife
He said that Africans were gradually killing their cultural heritage due to their embracing the western culture.
" Nigerians should stop the habit of imbibing foreign cultures at the detriment of their own cultures.
"Africa has the richest and most valuable cultures in the world, especially, Nigeria to be precise, "he said.
Ogunwusi prayed that the cultural heritage Nigerians and Africans inherited from their forefathers would not go into extinction.
The Ooni also pledged to support the promotion of the ancient city's traditional festivals a world class standard as part of projecting the Yoruba culture and tradition.
He said that was why he had commenced the on the beautification of 201 traditional shrines and heritage centres in the town.
"The only way we can sell our festivals, culture and heritage to the world is to give it a good packaging.
" We are blessed with several cultures and festivals that can attract tourists and visitors into the country.
"Nigeria has the highest and richest cultures in the world but they require we give them the needed publicity and promotion," he said.
The real Tsunami’s coming, I will take the first bullet, Charly Boy vows to continues struggle
By AYO ONIKOYI
Veteran entertainment personality and the self-style ‘Area Father’ Charles Oputa a.k.a. Charly Boy is well known for his social activism and he was one of the first celebrated artistes to back the African Queen crooner on his mission to embark on a nationwide protest.
On hearing that the singer had backed out, citing security and public safety concerns, the Area Father reacted and mocked " The struggle to overcome political insanity, audacious impunity and mindless looting in Nigeria took a negative hit last night not just because Tuface Idibia called off the 6th of February, 2017 protest; because most of the demons we are fighting against hijack the people’s protest and anger at the establishment."
In his lengthy post to reaffirm his commitment to start a new onslaught against the state of the nation, Charly Boy, said, "Now we retreat to regroup and replan and we will lock hands to synchronise our objectives. For me, it is #ALUTAETERNAL, because If we no plan well things no go work well. No be everybody get that kin heart to stand tall when jungle mature. The real tsunami it’s coming, and no doubt I will be on the front line. I will take the First Bullet; let my body be the first to drop; Let my Blood be the first to wash our LANDS.
His full post reads as thus: The TuFace Cancelled Protest. The Struggle to overcome Political Insanity, Audacious impunity and Mindless looting in Nigeria took a Negative hit last night not just because Tuface Idibia called off the 6th of February, 2017 Protest; because most of the demons we are Fighting against hijack the Peoples Protest and Anger at the Establishment. We must not Trivialize the Struggle because it is the Emancipation of the Nigerian Mind. President Muhammadu Buhari is not the Problem of the Nigerian State and this is not excusing his Failures. The Nigeria Political Elite are Vampires Feeding off the Blood of a Willing and Docile Populace. They Loot Because we Hail; The Celebration of Ibori in Delta State Yesterday and Across the Country Typifies the Insanity of our Stupidity and eternal Problem of the Nigerian Struggling Populace.
Now we retreat to regroup and replan and we will lock hands to synchronise our objectives. For me, it is #ALUTAETERNAL, because If we no plan well things no go work well. No be everybody get that kin heart to stand tall when jungle mature. The real tsunami it’s coming, and no doubt I will be on the front line. I will take the First Bullet; let my body be the first to drop; Let my Blood be the first to wash our LANDS.
Will the Nigeria youth back a Full Blooded Peaceful Political Mass Revolution at the Federal, State and Local Government Level? I doubt. But, I no go give up on my children, The Coalition of the Frustrated, Angry and Hungry, as well as this country that I love. We must sustain the pressure and cannot turn back as the Revolution Continues. We must begin to resist political insensitivity and mindless looting of our common wealth.
I, AreaFada will fight so fear will no longer cripple my people. Our MUMU don reach last bus-stop. And before we go start to chop sand sand, we go enter street and purge our lands of political dictatorship, oppression, poverty and corruption.
We must not walk/work alone or we will fail miserably. The Nigerian politician is our eternal enemy; The Nigerian people are the willing victim and it is time to channel our angero peacefully towards making governance work work for us not against us.
By AYO ONIKOYI Less than 24 hours to the planned two-state anti-government protest by ace music star, Innocent Idibia a.k.a. 2Face billed to take place today, the African Queen crooner backed out of the protest, citing security reasons for his retreat.
2face
2Face announced the cancellation of the protest barely five hours after reeling out the dos and don’ts of the protest.
In a video broadcast on his Instagram page, the singer said, " After due consultation, it has become clear that One Voice Nigeria protest billed to hold in Abuja and Lagos on Monday, February 6th will not hold due to security and public safety concerns. The point I am trying to make is not worth the life of any Nigerian."
But since the broadcast Nigerians and his fans have not been the same. There have been cries of foulplay, disappointments, and of course, praises for those who deemed the singer has done enough in firing the warning shot.
One of his fans who was obviously angered by the ‘For Instance’ star said the singer must have been compromised. " lanslam "Now I know that everyone has a PRICE. How much were you paid?
This movement will have put your name on the marble and probably made you the greatest musician that stood against the GOVERNMENT and won….. You’ve made countless mistakes but this very one will hunt you for ages……" he said.
Another fan toed the same line of though: " okwuchukwuirie "Respect to you 2baba but you shouldn’t have gotten involved if you were not ready to see it through. Nobody said the road was going to be easy. You should have know that protesting against Nigerian govt would be a threat to your family or loved ones.
Why gather peoples energy and back out? You for just dey do your music. You have done great in your music but mind you that in years to come, cowardice will be boldly written on your resume." Yet another fan described the act of retreat by the singer as a disgrace.
"wydotphotos "U know the funny thing is when Nigerians were protesting in Ojota during Goodluck regime nobody thought about hijack. U could have used wisdom. Converge at the stadium, make some good statement, address d press and tell d masses the risk and dispatch dem from there. u would have achieved something. But this, it is a disgrace"
But there are those die-hard fans who believe the singer has done enough even if he had retreated at the eleventh hour. "Please ignore these negative comments, i doubted it was ever going to be as peaceful as you intended anyway because some people are waiting for an excuse to carry out missions unintended for this purpose.
You will always be a hero. A person that ignores his ego and go for the right thing. You remind me of Goodluck Jonathan in a good way"
Another one also stands with the singer, saying, "lasheggzGreat.. Tubaba is a real patriot, he is the Bob Marley of our time and the fela zeal is in him… Now the govt is scared of the movement, but a day shall soon be here, when we all in one voice and one heart shall come together in peace and fight for our right. I love u tubaba, some day i know I would do a song with you."
2Face’s wife response to hate comments 2face’s wife’s commitment to her husband is almost becoming legend. Just days ago, she said she wanted to grow old and die by his side. During the heat of the buildup to the protest Annie Idibia affirmed her unflinching commitment to her husband’s course.
"annieidibia1I connect to the LOVE in your conscience.. the power in your words are so inspirational…your lifestyle na spirituality..one way or the other you have influenced my life and others.. You are a SPECIAL Blessing..God sees your heart.. And “WE” do too", she had gushed on her Instagram page.
However in the wake of criticisms being hulled at the love of her life, Annie has a simple answer to all saying they are disappointed by 2Face’s retreat at the eleventh hour. @Annieidibia1 "And to many That is typing that they are disappointed, you can continue where he stopped"
Luis Muriel’s penalty gave Sampdoria a shock 1-0 win over AC Milan 1-0 on Sunday to compound the Rossoneri’s hopes of a return to European football.
Milan, slipping to their third consecutive league defeat, remain in eighth place but are now 14 points behind leaders Juventus, who have two games in hand.
More importantly, Milan sit 10 points behind Roma in the third and last Champions League qualifying spot. The capital side can stretch their lead with a win over Fiorentina on Tuesday.
AC Milan coach Vincenzo Montella had raised hopes this season that the seven-time European champions could battle for a Champions League spot.
Milan last graced the competition in 2014 when they lost 5-1 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
Sampdoria’s midfielder from Uruguay Lucas Torreira (R) fights for the ball with AC Milan’s midfielder from Slovenia Juraj Kucka during the Italian Serie A football match AC Milan vs Sampdoria at “San Siro” Stadium in Milan on February 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
But injuries to midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, who is out for the season, and defenders Mattia Di Sciglio and Luca Antonelli forced Montella into deploying a largely makeshift back four.
Alessio Romagnoli and Juraj Kucka were hauled back into defence from midfield and for the first half Milan’s defence held firm against incursions by Muriel and Andrea Bertolacci.
Former Everton striker Gerard Deulofeu spurned a great chance to break the deadlock after the restart when he fired on to the far post from seven yards out.
Milan striker Carlos Bacca had desperate penalty appeals waved away when he tumbled after a nudge by Matias Silvestre in the area.
But when Gabriel Paletta hauled dwn Fabio Quagliarella on the counter, the referee pointed immediately to the spot. Muriel sent goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to give Samp a 70th minute lead.
Milan should have levelled in the final minutes but late substitute Gianluca Lapadula fired straght at Emiliano Viviano after being sent clear.
It was Sampdoria’s first win over Milan since 2012 but the Genoa side have now claimed to major scalps in succession having edged Roma 3-2 last week when Muriel hit a 73rd minute winner.
Samp moved up two places to 10th at 21 points off the pace.
Juventus, bidding for a record sixth consecutive title, saw their lead cut to three points when Napoli routed Bologna 7-1 on Saturday to move up to second place.
But the Turin giants can pull six points clear with a win against Inter later Sunday.
Rev. Sunday Oladeji of the Redeemed Christian church of God, Lokoja has urged Nigerians to stop making inflammatory statements that could jeopardize the peace of the nation.
Oladeji, who spoke in his sermon "Peace of a Nation" in Lokoja on sunday, said peace brings unity among nations.
He noted that most of the crises among Christians and Muslims in the country was as a result of preachings amongst religious leaders and urged leaders to always watch and guide their utterances.
Oladeji noted that if there was love among religious faith, the nation would be more at peace with each other and there won't be room for any form of crisis among faith.
He prayed God to help Nigeria move stronger out of every challenge it was facing, stressing that with prayers and supplication peace would return to the nation at large.
Oladeji said the church has been praying for the nation so that every agitation for breakup would seize and God himself would intervene in the affairs of the nation.
Money can be such a fluid thing. It goes much more easily than it comes, and is a difficult thing to control. Most times, expenses upon expenses will come and before you realise it a good chunk of your money is gone. It really can be stressful.
Jumia Travel shares 5 ways to help you avoid overspending and the stress that comes with it.
HAVE A BUDGET
This cannot be overemphasized. If you don't want to overspend, you have to have a budget. You can't continue to spend spontaneously and expect a miracle to happen.
You might feel like having a budget is too tedious or too technical but it really isn't, or at least it doesn't have to be. Creating a budget is as easy as the sample below:
IMPROVE YOUR BUDGET
Many times, even with a budget, we still end up overspending. A reason for this, most times, is that our budgets are not feasible and do not sufficiently cover our legitimate expenses. In this case, you should improve on your budget so it is more realistic, captures your legitimate needs and is easy to follow.
Legitimate expenses largely consist of your variable expenses. Things like entertainment, clothing, foodstuffs, and transportation are your variable expenses. Most times, when we initially create a budget we are too tight with our variable expenses because we are trying to rein them in and avoid overspending on them.
When you are too tight with your variable expenses you end setting yourself up for failure. This doesn't mean you should be excessive in the amount you allocate for these variables (if you could afford to be excessive you won't need a budget in the first place), but you should be honest enough with yourself to acknowledge how much you really need to sufficiently take care of them. You can base this on how much you've spent on them in the past and how much you can realistically afford to spend on them now.
USE CASH
The cashless society that ours is gradually turning into can be a good thing, but not if you're trying to avoid overspending. Avoid taking your debit cards with you everywhere, especially when you are going out for entertainment. Stick to a cash-only budget system that forces you to stick to your budget. There is nothing that motivates you not to overspend more than when you know you don't have any surplus money with you to overspend with.
DISCIPLINE
In the end it all boils down to discipline. You have to learn to discipline yourself not to overspend and, as much as you can, avoid situations that can make you overspend. Occasionally, you can depend on a friend or family member for support and accountability in helping you curb overspending.
GIVE YOURSELF A TREAT
From time to time, when you have successfully stuck to your budget and avoided overspending, do something nice for yourself with your money to commend yourself for the effort. It helps to encourage you and becomes a sort of reward you give yourself for the short-term financial goals you successfully achieved.
Again, it's important to remember that you set these financial goals for yourself first, achieve them and then reward yourself by spending some, not all the money you have been able to save. Don't be excessive with it.
Barcelona midfielder Rafinha faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken nose in a clash with his own goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
Barca refused to confirm on Sunday how long the Brazilian would be out for but he seems certain to miss Tuesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at home to Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona holding a 2-1 aggregate lead.
Rafinha
The Spanish champions face a congested fixture list over the next six weeks with seven La Liga matches and a Champions League blockbuster last-16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Barca could be handed a big injury boost ahead of Atletico’s visit to the Camp Nou in midweek with Spanish international duo Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets close to a return.
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
Brethren, let's all give glory to God that has seen us through the month of January. The year 2017 which God ushered us in barely forty days ago is gradually going.
Do a bit of reflection and you will find out that the mercy of God over your household has been awesome. He has protected you from all evil and provided for you. There has been healing in your family.
Recession or not, he has been your breadwinner. Why don't you begin to thank God for his faithfulness, for his unlimited mercy toward us even when we really do not deserve most of the things he has done for us.
This edition of Joyful homes is a little different from our usual focus but not completely unrelated.
Brethren, 2017 is a journey which by the grace of God, we have witnessed the beginning but we do not know what is on the way or how it will end. But by the Grace of God, we shall end it joyfully in Jesus name.
How do I know? My authority is found in the book of Jeremiah 29 vs 11 – The Good News Bible: "I alone know the plans for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for".
God says he alone knows the plans for you. The plan of God is to make you prosper. You are expected to be. cheerful and not sorrowful In the name of Jesus, disaster, tragedy will not come your way this year and beyond .
However, there are certain things that we need to do as human beings. The first is that we have to appreciate that we are limited as human beings. Certain things are just beyond our control.
For instance, you wish that your daughter who is over 40 years should get married but you cannot provide a husband for her. When you tried to match-make it failed.
Or yours is the case of your only son yet to make you a grandmother. For some others it is stagnation. You have been working for years but inadequately rewarded yet you cannot promote yourself.
For some others still, it is a case of enduring your marriage instead of enjoying it.
So many conditions that we wish would change for the better but just remains stagnant. This season, as the Lord lives, everything that has been stagnant in your life, your home, your business, will receive the touch of God in the mighty name of Jesus.
What is common to all these situations is that help is needed. What kind of help? Divine help.
DivineHelp– Since we cannot walk the journey of life alone. We need divine help.
Let's take a look at Jeremiah 29 vs 12&13 of the Good News Bible, " Then you will call me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart".
King James version states "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart".
Brethren, the help of God is available for those who seek him with the whole heart. Without Christ, life is empty. Those who seek the help of God, receive it and others see the glory of God in their lives.
You have a choice. Continue to go through that challenge alone, depend on friends or relations or submit to Jesus. The choice is yours.
No wonder it is written in Philippians 4 vs. 13 " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me".
We have a greater assurance in Isaiah 50 vs 7 – King James version " For the Lord will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded : therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed".
Again I refer to the Good News Bible- same Isaiah 50 vs 7 " But their insults cannot hurt me because the Sovereign LORD gives me help. I brace myself to endure them, I know that I will not be disgraced, for God is near and he will prove me innocent".
That house that you have been building for over 10 years and you are unable to complete, this year, as you call on the Lord for help, your mockers will celebrate with you in the name of Jesus.
When you start a project and you are unable to complete it and you are daily insulted by your landlord, the way out is to call on the Lord to break the yoke of tenancy. Many people do not realize that tenancy is a yoke but it is. True, we all start as tenants but by the time you find yourself paying rent for 30 years or more, you better ask for the help of God.
For every challenge that has caused people to insult you, the Lord will give you a result worthy of celebration in the name of Jesus.
Seek the help of God and you will not be disgraced .
Brethren, let's do everything to keep the peace in our homes. Notwithstanding the financial challenges, let's try to maintain peace.
These days, the rate of inflation is putting pressure on families. We are in the days that take home pay isn't taking anyone home anymore. The middle class, the upper class, the lower class, every stratum in the society is complaining but once we embrace the peace of the Lord, we'll be able to cope. This period will soon be forgotten in Jesus name.
Couples must strive to maintain peace. By the grace of God, we shall live to eat of the goodness of this land in Jesus name.
Testimony- I am about to share a testimony that every couple should learn from.
A man gave his wife of many years; mother of his children a loan of N2million to boost her business. The woman got the goods and expected that her sales of December 2016 will write off the loan. Unfortunately, as a result of the recession, she didn't make that much. Lest I forget, her darling husband who gave her the loan told her he would take an interest of N300,000.
The woman was only able to refund one million Naira. Hell was let loose. Daddy threatened to send her and her children packing out of his house. Indeed, he locked them out and neighbours had to plead for him to allow them back but not without his vow to throw her and their children out if she failed to pay within a certain period. How does she pay back what she does not have?
The woman cried unto the Lord and asked the church to help her cry unto the Lord and the congregation did.
Barely a week later, she wrote a testimony that God had touched the man's heart and all is settled. She will no longer be expelled from her home with her children.
Did I hear you say, what kind of husband is that? The couple must have had a cordial relationship to be married for so long. It is the pressure of money.
The economic situation has created a distance between friends, lovers and this is one reason why we have to always pray for our country that God should prosper our nation.
With a blessed nation, we are sure of a joyful home.
The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, has charged troops fighting insurgency in the north east to remain committed and be focused toward routing the insurgents.
Buratai gave the charge on Saturday in Jos, at the celebration of West African Social Activities (WASA), by 3 Division Nigerian Army, Rukuba, Jos.
The COAS, who was represented by Maj. Gen. Rojas Nicholas, Commander of Operation "Safe Haven", said that such focus was key to winning the war.
Buratai
The army chief said that the military had made significant achievements so far, and expressed optimism that the war would soon be over.
He expressed happiness that WASA was being celebrated after many years, and attributed that to the prolonged fight against insurgency.
"Celebration of WASA is an indication that the fight is almost over; I believe that by next year, when we will be celebrating again, our children, soldiers and husbands would be back," he said.
Buratai expressed the determination of the Nigerian Army to defend Nigeria's territorial integrity and ensure peace in all parts of the country.
In a bid to develop human capacity in the maritime sector of the economy, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced the process of establishing partnership with Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside stated this during a meeting with stakeholders and Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities where the NIMASA sponsored Institutes of Maritime studies are domiciled in Abuja .
Dr. Peterside who chaired the meeting restated the Agency's commitment towards growing capacity in the sector and urged Universities in the country to include maritime related courses in their curriculum, in order to expand job potentials for Nigerian youths, to grow the economy, as maritime is a global business with vast opportunities.
He explained that a virile maritime trade is an economic asset to any nation and therefore urged the institutes to continuously improve on their maritime curriculum for the economic benefits of Nigeria.
He also called on public and private organisations to partner with the Agency in ensuring adequate funding of these institutes, stating that it would not be out of place for TETFUND to intervene where necessary in funding them, as NIMASA cannot do it all alone.
According to him, "more than ever, we are open to partnership, in order to ensure that our maritime sector continues to thrive and impact positively on the economy in the long run"
In remarks, the Executive Secretary of TETFUND Dr. Abdulahi Bichi Baffa, commended NIMASA for the initiative in establishing Institutes of Maritime studies in these universities, while announcing that TETFUND will look at areas of intervention.
Lagos – The remains of the late Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr Francis Odesanya, on Saturday arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Odesanya died on Jan. 31 in India where he had gone for medicare.
The remains of the late police chief arrived aboard an Emirates Airline aircraft at about 4.30pm.
It was received by the the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, the Lagos Airport Police Commissioner, Mrs Victory Menta, and the consignee, Dr Adegboyega Oke.
Spokesman of the Lagos Airport Police Command, DSP Joseph Alabi, confirmed to NAN that the remains of the deceased was later deposited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) , Ikeja.
The late Odesanya joined the Nigeria Police Force on Feb.2, 1986 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent
He assumed office as the 37th Police Commissioner in the state on July 28, 2016, taking over from DIG Folunso Adebanjo.
The ancient town of Oghara in Ethiope West local Governments Area of Delta was on Saturday agog as former governor James Ibori returned home after serving jail term in a UK prison.
Ibori, who was convicted by a British court on charges of money laundering, arrived at the Benin Airport on Saturday aboard a chartered plane, IZYAIR, with registration number India Zulu Yanky (5NIZY).
The flight, a Challenger 60, landed the airport at about 2.25pm Ibori stepped into his country home Oghara at about 3:30 pm on Saturday after completing his 13-year jail term in UK.
His residence was besieged by well wishers and political associates in the state to felicitate with their leader.
Hunreds of the well wishers trekked a long distance and around the town carrying leaves while some painted their faces with chalk jubilating
Similarly, musical stands were set up in various locations in the town as musicians entertained the crowd.
Speaking outside Ibori's home, Mr Ighoyota Amori, a former senator representing Delta Central, said the return of Ibori was a good omen to the people.
"We are happy that Ibori is back, people are jubilating, the crowd you see here and the enthusiasm that has been displayed today showed that we really missed him.
"This is the only way for us to appreciate that our leader who left us long ago is back.
"His coming is a beginning of so many good things to come, by his presence today, l am sure we are gaining back all we have lost.
"Ibori remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but it is not time to discuss politics, all his followers around are members of PDP," Amori said.
Also speaking to newsmen, Mr Lovett Idisi, member representing Ethiope East and Ethiope West Federal Constituency, thanked God for the safe return of Ibori.
"We prayed that all our PDP faithful should be steadfast now that we have a pure political direction.
"Their support has not been in vain, I believe now that our leader is out, we will have a sense of direction. We are a sheep with a shepherd right now.
"In my constituency, we now have somebody to consult without travelling overseas," Idisi said.
One of Oghara's youth leader, Mr Efe Moses said the return of Ibori would turn things around for the good of Oghara.
"We are grateful to God for the return of our chief (Ibori), sure things will turn around for better from now on in Oghara.
"Ibori is our father and we can die because of him,'' Moses said.
Security was beefed up to maintain law and order within and outside the Ibori residence.
OGHARA- SEVEN years after he fled Nigeria, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, dressed in dark ash long sleeve shirt and navy blue jean trouser, arrived his country home, Oghara, headquarters of Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state, to an epic welcome by his kinsmen, politicians, friends and top functionaries of the state government, at about 3.20 pm, Saturday. Crowd welcoming Ibori in Ogarah Human movement literally stood still at Oghara shortly after his arrival from Benin Airport in company of a litany of politicians, including his long-standing All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain ally, Chief Ayiri Emami.
His entourage could not disembark on arrival because of the mammoth crowd until about 3.41 pm, as not only the villagers, but political associates and friends flooded his country home.
………donates N20m, car to NYSC The Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has called on the Federal Government to review the corps members’ monthly allowance from the current N19,500 to N50,000, saying the current allowance was no longer feasible to sustain corpers with the current economic situation in the country.
The Governor who decried the deplorable condition of the Ekiti NYSC orientation camp in Ise/Emure promised immediate release of N20 million naira for the renovation of the camp. Fayose According to a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Idowu Adelusi in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, Fayose challenged the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility by coming out to tackle headlong, the challenges confronting NYSC, noting that the corps members’ welfare should be a priority.
While addressing the corp members at the orientation camp during a tour of the camp to ascertain the state of facilities there, he promised immediate release of an official car to the State Coordinator.
The governor promised constant support for the scheme and encouraged the corps members to be determined to break the jinx of poverty by being diligent, citing himself as evidence of hope for the poor.
Fayose who made a surprise visit at the camp kitchen where members of Platoon 9 were preparing dinner for corps members, availed himself of the eba meal, sat down there in the kitchen and consumed it to the admiration of the corps members.
Earlier, the NYSC State Director, Mrs Eze Ukagha commended the efforts of the governor towards the citing of the camp,provision of borehole facility, generating set, vehicle and other facilities during his first term in office.
She solicited the assistance of the governor towards the renovation of the camp and provision of some facilities, appreciating him for a release of N650,000 and N250,000 for the repair of damaged roofs and medical bill of some corps members respectively.
The Coordinator promised the commitment of the 2,116 Batch ‘B’, stream 2 corps members to the development of the state, describing them as very disciplined and dedicated set of corps members.
Some of the corps members commended the governor for his love and contribution to the camp which has become dilapidated. They described the governor as a grassroots man and promised to serve the State dutifully.
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Disclaimer!
Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking. Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For enquiries, text or call 08026651636
ABUJA- AHEAD of the registration of the Mega party, Action Democratic Party, ADP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has visited the purposed National Secretariat of the association at Asokoro, Abuja.
The visit by the team of INEC to the office Saturday was to verify the address if the secretariat, present members of the National Working Committee, NWC, just as each member presented him or herself before the INEC officials.
As part of the process of getting a political party registered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) visited the proposed secretariat of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) a political association at their secretariat in Asokoro, Abuja.
INEC team was led to the ADP’s Proposed secretariat by the Director, Election and Party Monitoring, EPM, Alhaji Bala I. Shittu. More details soon
The US government began to roll back Donald Trump’s contentious visa bans targeting majority-Muslim countries Saturday, after a stinging legal defeat for the new president.
Government agencies and US airlines said they would again recognize visas from seven majority Muslim nations and cease enforcing the Trump’s order, after a Washington State judge put a block pending legal review.
The high profile setback provoked Trump to fire off an attack on the judge, almost unprecedented for sitting president.
“The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law-enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!” Trump tweeted early Saturday from his Mar-a-Lago Florid retreat, where he is on a three night getaway.
US District Judge James Robart of Washington State — an appointee of Republican president George W. Bush — issued a nationwide order blocking Trump’s bans late Friday. By early Saturday, the US government began implementing the judge’s order.
The State Department told visa holders from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen that they are again allowed to travel as long as the documents had not been “physically cancelled.”
The department early said up to 60,000 people had their visas revoked as a result of Trump’s order, although a Justice Department attorney put the number at closer to 100,000.
US President, Donald Trump
The Department of Homeland Security — which runs border agencies — also said it would cease implementing the order.
The travel restrictions went into effect a week ago, wreaking havoc at airports across America and leaving travelers trying to reach the United States in limbo.
The political backlash for Trump has been equally severe, with the order fueling numerous mass protests and internal White House infighting.
Anti-Trump protests continued for a third consecutive weekend Saturday, with demonstrations springing up from London to US cities.
Trump was forced to defend a botched rollout of the plan — which called his government’s competence into question — and had to fire the government’s top lawyer for refusing to defend the order in court.
His approval rating has sunk to the lowest level on record for any new president.
His latest rhetorical outburst is only likely to stoke the controversy.
Presidents from Thomas Jefferson to Barack Obama have criticized court rulings, but have rarely, if ever, criticized individual judges.
“I can’t think of anything like it in the past century and a half at least,” constitutional scholar and Harvard Law professor Laurence Tribe told AFP.
“It’s not exactly contempt of court, but it certainly is contemptuous,” said Tribe, who taught two sitting Supreme Court justices as well as president Obama — whom he later advised.
“It conveys a lack of respect for the independent judiciary that bodes ill for the country’s future as long as Trump occupies the presidency,” Tribe said.
Democrats in Congress were swift in their condemnation of Trump’s remarks, while Republicans notably did not rush to his defense.
“This ‘so-called’ judge was nominated by a ‘so-called’ President & was confirmed by the ‘so-called’ Senate. Read the ‘so-called’ Constitution,” tweeted California democrat, Congressman Adam Schiff.
The White House has argued that the travel bans are needed in order to prevent terror attacks on the United States.
Experts from the fields of intelligence, counterterrorism and diplomacy say the ban is at best ineffective and at worst fuels hatred of the United States in the Middle East.
But cracking down on Islamist terror has become an organizing principle for Trump supporters and the White House has consistently sought to underscore the risks posed to Americans.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed a plurality of voters, 48 percent favored “suspending immigration from ‘terror prone’ regions.”
“When a country is no longer able to say who can, and who cannot , come in & out, especially for reasons of safety &.security – big trouble!” Trump tweeted early Saturday.
Disturbingly, it seems domestic violence against men has become a very middle-class problem. As women work. earn – and in many cases drink – as much as their menfolk, the dominant force in many relationships is no longer male and some women are lashing out. According to newspaper reports, "For nine years, Peter a 47 -year -old IT expert was scratched, punched and slapped by his 42-year-old wife. A proprietress of a primary school, she showed compassion and patience with her young charges by day, but at home, her temper knew no bounds.
"And her husband, out of shame and desperation to keep their family unit together for the sake of their young daughter, simply put up with it. To the outside world', " Peter said, 'she presented a sweet, professional veneer, a smoke screen and I went along with it because I worried about the consequences if I didn't.' It was only after a shocking burst of temper. which saw his wife swing a hair-dryer at her husband, splitting his head open and causing a wound that required eight stitches in hospital, that he finally accepted he needed help."
"Ironically," continued the report, "he was prompted by a phone call from their daughter's school – the 11-year-old had confided in her teachers about what she'd seen Mummy do to Daddy and the school got in touch. In the end Peter had to face the bitter truth he was married to a monster and had to kiss his marriage goodbye."
In the dying hours of last year, a housewife who saw red when her husband gave her only N,000 for the family's Christmas festivities, went into a wild brawl with him which resulted in her stabbing him to death. Over the years, newspaper stories and social media coverage of domestic violence where women feature prominently as the villains, are mind-bugling. There was violence, bullying and intimidation. A spouse being isolated from friends and family, having their confidence and self-respect destroyed and even sanity doubted.
A police spokesman agreed that "Domestic abuse is no respecter of class or status. It crosses all social boundaries – we get calls from bankers, solicitors and medical doctors, as well as office workers, artisans and bus drivers." A few months back, a solicitor's wife, Sharon Edwards was jailed for life for murder after a Manchester Crown Court in Britain heard how he regularly beat and belittled her husband David, before she stabbed him with a kitchen knife. Sharon was said to have relied on the knowledge that her husband, whom she had met a year earlier would never hit back or call the police. After his death, his body was found to be covered in 60 cuts and bruises.
According to Professor Kevin Brown, Peter's situation is far from unique. He saw it is time society woke up to the reality. "In a third of all domestic violence cases the women are violent to men, and the reason many men don't report it is because they fear not being believed. Another reason why violence is creeping into middle-class marriages could be, at least in parts, due to the dramatic shift in women's position in society over the past half century, with most now juggling work as well as family responsibilities, with the inevitable stress that entails. Women are also more likely to suffer from alcohol abuse than in the past and that might be contributing to them becoming more violent, as it's a disinhibitor."
At 6ft 3in, Simon Smith, a Royal Navy Seaman in Britain, can testify that the masculinity and physical strength are no protection from domestic abuse. His ex-wife, Crystal, was jailed for nine years after she stabbed him in a drunken rage at the family home. According to report: 'The Smiths married in October 2010, following an 18-month courtship and have a five-year-old daughter. Although Simon was aware his wife had a nasty temper ,it wasn't until early 2011, when their daughter was a few months old, that she became violent towards him. `She told me she had zero tolerance to dirt nd if I left smear marks on a glass it would make her so angry she could become violent", recalls Simon. "She was very good at making me feel I deserved the things she did, so the next day, I would apologise. I never hit her back, I would never hit a woman, no matter what".
"It is easy to see how Slmon's perspecttve of the state of his marriage was further skewed as Crystal engineered his increasing alienation from his family, who knew nothing of the violence. When he phoned his parents or siblings Crystal would demand the call was on speaker-phone so that she could hear both sides of the conversation. Simon, was too ashamed to confide in friends. Nor did he contemplate leaving the family home. Crystal threatened that she would make it as difficult as possible for him to see their daughter.
"Nothing could have prepared him for the events that unfolded after they attended a naval dinner two years ago. Crystal, who was very drunk, was heard by a couple, with whom the Smiths shared a taxi home, chanting: 'I'm going to make it rain with pain.' Back home, after she punched and threw a knife block at Simon, he went to their bedroom to pack a bag, planning to spend the night with a friend. and give her time to calm down.
"However, Crystal crept upstairs after him with a kitchen knife, which she plunged twice into his back and once into his arm. Simon lost six pints of blood and underwent life-saving surgery in hospital. He says: "There is a perception that men are stronger to put up with it, but that doesn't allow for the psychological abuse. My saviour was a neighbour who alerted police after hearing my screams. She'd told me that if the police turned up to tell them that I'd been attached due to gambling debts, which is what I did. But the officer, who saw I also had many old injuries, took me outside to the police van. He said 'Is the person who hurt you still inside your house." I whispered 'yes' and then collapsed in the back of the van. I couldn't believe it was all over …"
Closer home, in Ibadan about a year ago, Oyelowo Oyediran was stabbed to death on his bed. He'd earlier had an all mighty row with his wife Yewande, who couldn't live with the fact that another woman, far away in France had a child for him. She was still looking unto the Lord and this must have fuelled her jealousy. The poor man's blood-curdling howls during the first attack alerted the neighbours who intervened. Assuring them that all was well, the wife was so convincingly contrite that they left Oyelowo alone with his wife. And the husband was so confident he was safe he went to bed with his eyes closed! That was when his tormented wife pounced on him and finished off what she'd started earlier by stabbing him to death.
As a lot of men have discovered to their cost, either gender can be a victim or perpetrator of domestic abuse. Even a couple of past heads of states have been rumoured to have been battered by their wives! And as the number of women convicted of this violent clime continues to escalate. maybe it's about time we all thought beyond the stereotype of the battered wife.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres says Africa remains a continent of hope in spite of the obvious crises and underdevelopment currently ravaging the region.
Guterres, in a commentary entitled: "A Continent of Hope", following his visit to the region on Monday to participate at the 28th Summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa, said there are many success stories in Africa apart from crises and underdevelopment.
"Far too often, the world views Africa through the prism of problems. When I look to Africa, I see a continent of hope, promise and vast potential.
"I am committed to building on those strengths and establishing a higher platform of cooperation between the United Nations and the leaders and people of Africa. This is essential to advancing inclusive and sustainable development and deepening cooperation for peace and security.
"That is the message I carried to the recent African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — my first major mission as United Nations Secretary-General.
"Above all, I came in a spirit of profound solidarity and respect. I am convinced that the world has much to gain from African wisdom, ideas and solutions. I also brought with me a deep sense of gratitude.
Antonio Guterres
"Africa provides the majority of United Nations peacekeepers around the world. African nations are among the world's largest and most generous hosts of refugees. Africa includes some of the world's fastest growing economies," he said.
The UN chief added that the recent resolution of the political crisis in The Gambia once again demonstrated the power of African leadership and unity to overcome governance challenges and uphold democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
"I left the Summit more convinced than ever that all of humanity will benefit by listening, learning and working with the people of Africa. We have the plans in place to build a better future," he stated.
He said the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was an all-out effort to tackle global poverty, inequality, instability and injustice and noted that Africa has adopted its own complementary and ambitious plan: Agenda 2063.
For the people of Africa to fully benefit from these important efforts, he said, these two agendas need to be strategically aligned.
"It starts with prevention. Our world needs to move from managing crises to preventing them in the first place. We need to break the cycle of responding too late and too little.
"Most of today's conflicts are internal, triggered by competition for power and resources, inequality, marginalisation and sectarian divides. Often, they are inflamed by violent extremism or provide the fuel for it," Guterres said.
He pledged the UN's commitment to work hand-in-hand with partners wherever conflict or the threat of conflict endangers stability and well-being.
He noted that prevention goes far beyond focusing solely on conflict adding, the best means of prevention and the surest path to durable peace is inclusive and sustainable development.
"We can speed progress by doing more to provide opportunities and hope to young people. More than three out of five Africans are under 35 years of age.
"Making the most of this tremendous asset means more investment in education, training, decent work, and engaging young people in shaping their future," the UN chief said.
According to him, however, Africa must also do its utmost to empower women so they can play a full role in sustainable development and sustainable peace.
He added, "I am pleased that the African Union has consistently placed a special focus on gender equality and women's empowerment. I have seen it again and again: When we empower women, we empower the world."
Guterres said he travelled to Africa as a "partner, friend and committed advocate for changing the narrative about this diverse and vital continent. Crises represent at best a partial view.
"But from a higher platform of cooperation, we can see the whole picture – one that spotlights the enormous potential and remarkable success stories in every corner of the African continent.
"With that perspective, I have no doubt we can win the battle for sustainable and inclusive development which are also the best weapons to prevent conflict and suffering, allowing Africa to shine even more vibrantly and inspire the world."
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Michael Johnny, has said that the former governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan promoted ethnic unity and peace among the people of the state, advising the current administration to build on the remarkable legacy.
Johnny, who was reacting to the planned protest against former Governor Uduaghan, said it was a plot to cause a serious ethnic disunity among the people of Delta State.
Uduaghan
The Ijaw leader said "Uduaghan's eight years in office witnessed remarkable peace and harmony among Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and all other ethnic nationalities in the state, and there were human and infrastructural projects executed across the state. So, there is no justification for such protest against Uduaghan, the current administration led by Ifeanyi Okowa should ensure all tribes in the state continue to enjoy sustainable peace and unity".
Johnny, also chairman of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, said "most politicians in Delta State today were made by former Governor James Ibori, thank God Ibori is a free man now and he is back to the country. The immediate former governor, Emmanuel Udughan, in his eight years in office, he touched more lives, and several developmental projects were executed, and now it appears some persons are planning to betray and bring Uduaghan down, it is unfair and wicked".
" Let me sincerely advise the sponsors of the planned protest against Uduaghan to have a rethink because that was how some persons in Delta State because of jealousy and hatred ignorantly connived with outside forces against Ibori. Both Ibori and Uduaghan had served and contributed to the development of the state, Okowa should focus on governance and not otherwise".
Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil, on Saturday conferred degree on 3,212 undergraduates and 31 post-graduate students during its 4th combined convocation.
Prof. Shehu Musa, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, who announced this at the ceremony said 3, 212 students, comprising three sets of students from 2012 to 2015 graduated at the convocation.
"It is gratifying to inform you that the university graduated three sets of students from 2012/2013, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015 academic sessions.,'' Musa said.
He urged the new graduates to use the knowledge acquired from the university to make significant imprints on the country and the world.
"We urge the graduates to be good ambassadors of the university wherever they find themselves,'' he said.
He commended Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje "for his continued support, especially for approving the recruitment of 242 academic staff for the institution''.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Mr Abubakar Mahmud (SAN), while congratulating the graduates, said their hard work had come to fruition.
Mahmud commended the efforts of the Visitor, Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje in developing education sector at all levels in the state.
He also commended the financial support of the Chancellor of the institution, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
"I want to commend the efforts of Dangote for his financial support to the university, particularly Dangote/Oxford Partnership Initiative,'' he said.
In a remark, Ganduje congratulated the university on the 100 per cent success recorded in the recently-concluded accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
He also congratulated the graduands for their endurance and perseverance in their academic pursuit.
The university named Grace Chinwe Okafor, as the best graduating student with CGPA of 4.90.
The university also conferred posthumous Honorary Doctorate Degree of Science on Late Abubakar Rimi and the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II and others.
I first met Jimi a few years back when he showed up with Labisi, a good friend, at a party in my house. Thinking he was his son, I promptly showed him where my younger siblings and their friends were. “No-oh,” protested Labisi, ‘he’s with me.” The scrawny gangly thing pushed out his chest and draped his hand possessively around his date.
It was so comical that I laughed hysterically until I saw the hurt on Labisi’s face. Could she be serious? A few hours later, he was still glued to her side, knocking back the red wine. “Auntie”, he slurred when I went to have a word, “Can’t you see how young your friend looks?” I felt so irritated I wanted to throttle him. Only my friend had this silly grin on her face that I had to give them a sickly smile. What on earth possessed her to be seen in public with this lad?
When I next saw him, it was at another party and he came over to introduce himself. I looked blank. “I once came to your party with Labisi,” he prompted. What a nerve, calling her by her first name! Yet what had it got to do with me? gritting my teeth, I asked him where Labisi was. “I don’t know auntie, “he said, pulling up a chair and plunking it next to me.
“I’ve always liked the company of older women", he said arrogantly, “they’re more "experienced sexually, if you know what I mean. So when I met Labisi and I flirted with her, I was sure I was on to a good thing when she flirted back. She teased me that I was old enough to be her son. I said I was 28, and she said she was in her early 40s.
That wasn’t so bad. I thought, and within days, we were at it like dogs. Until I discovered she was years older than she let on”. So how did he find out? “I was rummaging about in one of her drawers, looking for a bottle opener she kept in it when I came across one of her old passports. It had her date of birth on it – and she was over 50. Can you beat that? I was so shocked that I showed her the passport and she admitted being that old. I was stunned. Dating older women is one thing, but I’m definitely not into grannies! It was like sleeping "with my own mother!
"Dating an older woman is okay, but I want the ones who still have all their own teeth.” He was getting on my nerves, but I asked him why he hadn’t thought of trying women of his own age? “They’re the worst,” he said.
Before, I met Labisi, I had this model-like girl I was dating on a regular basis. I met her at a fashion show and we started going out together. She asked me how many women I’d slept with and I told her plenty. When I asked how many men she’d had she said she was keeping herself for the right man.
That was a challenge, so I spent the next few weeks convincing her I could be the one for her. It worked. We bonked each other senseless for weeks. It was fantastic – I couldn’t believe a novice could bonk so well, but I was already in love with her. I foolishly thought it was the start of a beautiful relationship until the "night I stayed over.
I’d done that a couple of times. She had this one bed flat that was like a love nest. We’d had amazing sex after a boozy night and I fell asleep afterwards. Suddenly, I was being violently shaken by my girl who whispered furiously that I had to go to the toilet as her husband was around. Holy smoke! Husband? What husband? She pushed me hurriedly into the ensuit toilet and there I was in my "boxers, looking sheepish when this male voice boomed from the bedroom.
My girl whimpered that she was glad to see him after being away for so long on business trip. That she had a terrible malaria and was just going to the kitchen to make herself a hot cup of tea when he showed up. She must have put on such a convincing act because the man asked her to stay in bed, he would help with the tea.
“Whilst he was in the kitchen, my girl rushed to where I was and virtually shoved me out through the toilet window. I landed on what looked like very smelly heap of rubbish and I gave a yelp of protest. It was very dark and instead of her to peep out to find out what the matter was, she threw my clothes and shoes after me! I was in shock. There had to be a sane explanation to this nightmare I was subjected to. I don’t even want to remind myself of the gunk that clung to my clothes and body when I got home.
“The next day, when I went to her place of work, she just looked straight through me and walked on! It was then a colleague of hers that I was friendly with confirmed my girl had a sugar daddy they all knew was fond of her. So why did she make a play for me? She confessed they were all having girlie talks comparing different male physique at the party where we first met when I came in.
It was then one of the girls joked that gangly men like me were usually well endowed. They’d had a bet to see who’d be the first to find out if I really was, and my girl had won. She’d given them blow-by-blow accounts of our sexual adventure and I felt cheap – like I was a sex object.”
I was very amused by his self-righteousness. It was nice to see how men feel when the shoes were on the other feet. Women are constantly being used and dumped, but they seldom make a song and dance of it. I told him this and he agreed with me. He said he had this friend who was of the same age with him. ‘He works with a sexy posh women who was their H.O.D.,’ he recalled.
“He was full of how sexy she was that I went to his office to have a look. She was a beauty but scarcely gave me a second glance. But it was obvious she’d taken a shine to my friend. My friend said colleagues had warned him that she always tried it with every new guy. I told him they were only jealous. His boss was only a few years older and attracted to him. What had he got to lose? ‘Weeks later, my friend had cheering news for me; they’d started an affair and she was smashing’.
I tried to warn him to make the most of it and not bank on being the love of her life. He shrugged. He had his eye on the promotion he thought he deserved. He’d been passed over a couple of times but with his immediate boss now in his corner, his promotion was a done deal. Well, it wasn’t. Her boss didn’t put in the much needed word. She looked out for her own promotion instead and got it. "Now she heads a larger department and Romeo is left licking his wounds!”
You aren't happy with your job. You aren't passionate about it and have to drag yourself out of bed daily to work from morning to evening doing that job, either because you need the money to put food on your table or you can't handle going back into the job market to begin the job hunting process again.
Jumia Travel shares 4 ways to effectively deal with job dissatisfaction.
IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF YOUR DISSATISFACTION
Try to find out the exact thing about your job that causes the dissatisfaction. Is it the fact that you have to wake up early to go to work? Is the fact that you finish work late? Is it the amount of your salary? Is it the fact that you have no time for yourself? Is it all these things and more? Figure it out. When you identify the source of your job dissatisfaction, it makes it easier to deal with.
BUILD AN ESCAPE HATCH
If you currently have no choice but to remain in a job that leaves you dissatisfied, don't just give up and let yourself wallow in misery. Work to build an escape hatch for yourself. It could be taking part-time classes to get another degree or a master's degree. It could also be starting trainings, attending workshops or writing exams that qualify you for certificates or degrees that can make you eligible for other opportunities in line with what you desire to do. The crux is to do what you can to ensure that staying in that job is not your only option.
POLISH YOUR RESUME
If you can't take it anymore and staying in the job is depressing you, start investigating opportunities that you can explore, polish your resume, gather the courage and quit the job. The job market might be an uncertain place but you are not going to find a better job if you don't look for one.
But please don't rush into this. Think long and hard if this is what you want to do. Have a plan and a back up to support you in case things don't initially go your way. Use your connections and don't give up until you succeed.
BE RESILIENT
For those who can't just up and leave their jobs due to certain responsibilities; for those who, more or less, don't have a choice but to continue in their jobs, you have to be resilient. Be determined to find a way to make it work. Once you have identified the source of your job dissatisfaction, take steps to either solve the issue(s) completely or alleviate it. Consider who can help you in solving these issues and approach them. If in the end you can't solve it, accept it (as hard as it might be). But be strong, you have to be strong, decide to change your mindset about the job and find a way to make it work for you. You will be surprised that in the end, you will actually find a way to successfully endure the job until there is a silver lining.
You can, I can" is the theme for World Cancer Day 2017, today February 4, which takes a positive and proactive approach to the fight against cancer, highlighting that solutions do exist and that they are within reach. According to the World Health Organisation, WHO, over 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually, and about 80,000 die from the disease; this comes to 240 Nigerians every day or 10 Nigerians every hour, dying from cancer. The Nigerian cancer death ratio of 4 in 5 is one of the worst in the whole world.
The WHO reveals that cervical cancer which is virtually 100 per cent preventable kills one Nigerian woman every hour. Breast cancer kills 40 Nigerians daily while prostate cancer kills 26 Nigerian men daily. These three common cancers alone, kill 90 Nigerians daily. This alarming death rate is mainly due to poor infrastructure to deal with the problem.
Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified by the type of cell that is initially affected. Cancer harms the body when altered cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumours (except in the case of leukemia where cancer prohibits normal blood function by abnormal cell division in the blood stream).
Tumours can grow and interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, and they can release hormones that alter body function. Tumours that stay in one spot and demonstrate limited growth are generally considered to be benign.
Malignant tumours
More dangerous, or malignant, tumours form when two things occur: a cancerous cell manages to move throughout the body using the blood or lymphatic systems, destroying healthy tissue in a process called invasion that cell manages to divide and grow, making new blood vessels to feed itself in a process called angiogenesis.
When a tumour successfully spreads to other parts of the body and grows, invading and destroying other healthy tissues, it is said to have metastasized. This process itself is called metastasis, and the result is a serious condition that is very difficult to treat. Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in Nigeria.
Types of cancers
There are over 200 different types of cancers. Every organ in the body may develop cancer, considered to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The financial costs of cancer in Nigeria exceeds $500 million in medical costs and lost productivity annually. The most common sites of cancer among men are lung, prostate, colon, rectum, stomach and liver. The most common sites of cancer among women are breast, colon, rectum, lung, cervix and stomach.
How cancer spreads
Scientists say cancer cells spread as a result of their adhesion (stickiness) properties. Certain molecular interactions between cells and the scaffolding that holds them in place (extracellular matrix) cause them to become unstuck at the original tumor site, they become dislodged, move on and then reattach themselves at a new site.
Causes of cancer
Cancer is ultimately the result of cells that uncontrollably grow and do not die. Normal cells in the body follow an orderly path of growth, division, and death. Programmed cell death is called apoptosis, and when this process breaks down, cancer begins to form. Unlike regular cells, cancer cells do not experience programmatic death and instead continue to grow and divide. This leads to a mass of abnormal cells that grows out of control.
Genes – the DNA type
Cells can experience uncontrolled growth if there are mutations to DNA, and therefore, alterations to the genes involved in cell division. Four key types of gene are responsible for the cell division process: oncogenes tell cells when to divide, tumor suppressor genes tell cells when not to divide, suicide genes control apoptosis and tell the cell to kill itself if something goes wrong, and DNA-repair genes instruct a cell to repair damaged DNA.
Cancer occurs when a cell's gene mutations make the cell unable to correct DNA damage and unable to commit suicide. Similarly, cancer is a result of mutations that inhibit oncogene and tumor suppressor gene function, leading to uncontrollable cell growth.
Carcinogens
Carcinogens are a class of substances that are directly responsible for damaging DNA, promoting or aiding cancer. Tobacco, asbestos, arsenic, radiation such as gamma and x-rays, the sun, and compounds in car exhaust fumes are all examples of carcinogens. When our bodies are exposed to carcinogens, free radicals are formed that try to steal electrons from other molecules in the body. Theses free radicals damage cells and affect their ability to function normally.
Genes – the family type
Cancer can be the result of a genetic predisposition that is inherited from family members. It is possible to be born with certain genetic mutations or a fault in a gene that makes one statistically more likely to develop cancer later in life.
Cancer and other medical factors
As we age, there is an increase in the number of possible cancer-causing mutations in our DNA. This makes age an important risk factor for cancer. Several viruses have also been linked to cancer such as: human papillomavirus (a cause of cervical cancer), hepatitis B and C (causes of liver cancer), and Epstein-Barr virus (a cause of some childhood cancers). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – and anything else that suppresses or weakens the immune system – inhibits the body's ability to fight infections and increases the chance of developing cancer.
Treatment & prevention
There are conflicting reports about cancer prevention. Sometimes the specific cancer-prevention tip recommended in one study or news report is advised against in another. In many cases, what is known about cancer prevention is still evolving. However, it's well-accepted that chances of developing cancer are affected by the lifestyle choices you make.
Cancer treatment is a huge problem, so prevention is best. Nigerians spend $500 million annually on treatment abroad. Unfortunately, the outcome for Nigerians who embark on cancer-related medical tourism is often poor, because of late detection. Cancer constitutes a preventable major drain on our human and financial resources. According to WHO, one- third of all cancers can be prevented; another one- third can be effectively cured with early diagnosis; whilst palliative care can improve the quality of life of the last third.
Cervical cancer in particular, underscores the fact that cancer is preventable, and epitomizes the cost-effectiveness of investing in preventive health care. It is the easiest of all cancers to prevent. Cervical screening is the best cancer screening test in the history of medicine and the most cost effective of all medical screening tests.
The screening is painless and takes only about 5 minutes. The tissue changes that lead to cervical cancer usually develop very slowly (over a period of about five to thirty years). Screening can find these changes before cancer develops. Pre-cancer changes are easy to treat by an outpatient procedure lasting 15 minutes. Consequently, cervical cancer is now a disappearing disease in the western world, while it remains the number one cancer killer of African women.
Screening & early detection
One of the ways to reduce cancer mortality rates is to improve early diagnosis strategies. This is the message. There are two ways of improving cancer detection: screening and early diagnosis. While screening seeks out asymptomatic cancers or precancerous lesions without symptoms, early diagnosis is the identification of symptomatic cancer cases in the very early stages of the disease.
Lifestyle changes
Some simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Consider these seven cancer prevention tips.
Don't smoke – Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer — including cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix and kidney. Chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas. Even if you don't use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer. Avoiding tobacco — or deciding to stop using it — is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It's also an important part of cancer prevention. If you need help quitting tobacco, ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and other strategies for quitting.
Eat a healthy diet – Although making healthy selections a the shops and at mealtime can't guarantee cancer prevention, it might help reduce your risk. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as whole grains and beans.
Avoid obesity – Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-calorie foods, including refined sugars and fat from animal sources. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. The risk of various types of cancer — including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver — increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length of time you've been drinking regularly.
Limit processed meats – Eating large amounts of processed meat can slightly increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses on mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, like olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.
Maintain healthy weight and be physically active – Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney. Physical activity counts, too. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer. Adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits. But for substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic physical activity. You can also do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine — and if you can do more, even better.
Risk reduction
It is believed that cancer risk can be reduced by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol intake, limiting UV ray exposure from the sun and tanning beds and maintaining a healthy diet, level of fitness and seeking regular medical care. Screening can locate cervical cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer at an early, treatable stage.
A woman has stunned people with her unbelievable actions after helping her own husband to pin a girl down and forcefully have sex with her. Illustrative photo
The Police in Zimbabwe have reportedly arrested a couple for allegedly kidnapping a 14-year-old girl. After kidnaping, the woman then proceeded to assist her husband to rape the minor by holding her hands.
According to the state-owned Chronicle newspaper, Philemon Moyo Tauze, 30, and his wife Netsai Sibanda, 25, appeared before a court in Gweru facing charges of kidnapping and raping a minor. The two, from Mhike village in Zvishavane, pleaded not guilty and were remanded in custody to February 13.
The court heard that Sibanda approached the girl and asked her if she could accompany her to her homestead where she promised to give her something “that she had kept for her”. The girl agreed, and on arrival Sibanda asked her if she could sleep over for the night, saying her husband would be away. But around 20:00, the husband showed up and the couple asked the girl to sleep with them in the same bedroom hut.
During the night, Tauze started caressing the girl, who resisted, before Sibanda “grabbed and pinned her down”. Tauze allegedly went on to rape her.
