| 14 SHIITE MUSLIMS TO BE EXECUTED OVER POLITICAL.PROTESTS | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:45 AM PDT Saudi Arabia plans to execute 14 citizens, all Shiites, after a "grossly unfair trial" linked to political protests, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday. Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia, which has one of the highest rates of executions in the world, has witnessed protests and clashes with police in its mainly Shiite eastern province since 2011. Court documents obtained by the two human rights groups showed that a total of 38 defendants, including the 14 sentenced to death, were convicted of charges linked to demonstrations in the eastern province 2011 and 2012. Most had been held in pretrial detention for more than two years, many of them in solitary confinement, the groups said. "The rise in death sentences against Saudi Arabian Shiites is alarming and suggests that the authorities are using the death penalty to settle scores and crush dissent under the guise of combating 'terrorism' and maintaining national security," said Sarah Leah Whitson of Human Rights Watch. Amnesty International's Lynn Maalouf said the death sentences, handed down in 2016 and upheld last month, were based on coerced confessions that were later retracted. Maalouf said the verdicts were based on "sham court proceedings … that brazenly flout international fair trial standards" and should be overturned. Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia has executed 36 people this year. Authorities in the kingdom have accused protesters of "terrorism" aimed at destabilising the country. Saudi Arabia also uses the term to describe drug traffickers and extremists loyal to the Islamic State group, who have executed a number of attacks on Shiites. Read more at: http://ift.tt/2rP7xal
Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| NIGERIAN FOOTBALL STAR, ELDERSON ECHIEJILE WEDS IN FRANCE, SEE PICS | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:45 AM PDT 29-year Nigerian professional footballer, Elderson Echiejile, who plays for Spanish club, Sporting de Gijón on loan from AS Monaco FC as a left back, is married. He tied the knot with his fiancée, Oghenevwemo Ziregbe, on Saturday in France. See below… http://ift.tt/2sMMu5K ![]()
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Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| NIGERIA’S DEBT PROFILE RISE BY 7.1 TRILLION IN JUST TWO YEARS | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:45 AM PDT Everest Amaefule, Abuja The nation's total indebtedness to foreign and local creditors now stands at N19.16tn, the Debt Management Office has said. This is N1.8tn increase from the N17.36tn recorded at the end of December 2016. As of March 31, 2015, the country's total debt stood at N12.06tn. This means the debt level increased by N7.1tn in two years. Segmenting the national debt, the DMO put the Federal Government's domestic debt at N11.97tn. Two years ago, as of March 31, 2015, this component of the debt burden stood at N8.51tn. This means that within a period of two years, the Federal Government has borrowed a total of N3.46tn from domestic creditors. This shows that the domestic debt of the Federal Government has increased by 40.71 per cent. In the same period, the country's external debt (for the federal and state governments) rose from $9.46bn to $13.81bn. This means that within the two-year period, the country's external debt rose by $4.35bn or 45.98 per cent. The external debt component, however, has been affected by exchange rate variations as the last two years have witnessed noticeable changes in foreign exchange rates. According to the DMO, the official exchange rate of N306.35 to $1 was used in calculating the country's external debt for March 31, 2017, while the official rate of N197 to $1 was used in determining the foreign debt for March 31, 2015. The domestic debt component of the states stood at N2.96tn as of March 31, 2017, up from the figure of N1.69bn at the same time in 2015. This means that within the period of two years, the domestic debt of the states rose by N1.27tn or 75.15 per cent. Amidst drying revenues from oil and gas, the government has in the last two years increasingly depended on borrowing even to carry out routine responsibilities. Although foreign debts are accounted as cheaper than domestic debts, the government has increasingly depended on domestic sources of borrowing as foreign donors place more stringent conditions before granting credit facilities to the government. To raise the required funds from the domestic debt market, the Federal Government has been active in the market with a number of instruments, including FGN Bonds and the Nigeria Treasury Bill. It recently floated a new instrument known as the FGN Savings Bond. The International Monetary Fund had recently projected that Nigeria's indebtedness would climb to 24.1 per cent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product by 2018. It said that the country's current indebtedness would have reached 23.3 per cent of the GDP by the end of 2017. The country closed 2016 with a debt to GDP ratio of 18.6 per cent. By the end of 2015, Nigeria's debt to GDP ratio stood at 12.1 per cent, according to the Bretton Wood institution. Nigeria's GDP for the year ended December 31, 2016 stood at N67.98tn, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Going by the projection of 24.1 per cent for 2018, within three years, the nation's debt to GDP ratio would have gone up by 100 per cent, from 12.1 per cent in 2015. Although Nigeria's debt to GDP ratio is considered among the lowest in Africa, some experts have expressed worries about the increase in debt accumulation in recent years, while others are worried about the quality and utilisation of the debts. The World Bank recently expressed concern over the debt servicing to revenue ratio, saying that reduced earnings might render the country's debt unsustainable. A total of N1.84tn was provided in the 2017 budget for debt servicing. Nigeria's debt profile is dominated by local debts, which are characterised by high interest rates. Efforts are being made to secure more foreign debts and reduce the exposure of the Federal Government to the domestic debt market. http://ift.tt/2rXK6g1 ![]()
Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| CHURCH WHERE OFFERING IS COLLECTED IN CALABASH AND RED CLOTH UNVEILED, WATCH VIDEO | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:45 AM PDT This is quite alarming. A Nigerian man has shared pictures of a Church in Nigeria that uses calabash with red pieces to receive offering. In a shocking video footage which has gone viral online, the church members can be seen giving their tithes in the calabash which was placed close to the altar… Source; http://ift.tt/2syBIR0 Watch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8Dxw9xcn2Y ![]()
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Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Aisha Buhari returns to Nigeria with message from the president in London | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:45 AM PDT The First Lady and wife of Nigeria's president, Aisha Buhari has returned from London where she had gone to visit her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari who has been abroad for a follow-up medical treatment since May 7.
Mrs. Buhari's spokesperson, Suleiman Haruna, in a statement said the First Lady, on arrival, conveyed the appreciation of President Buhari to Nigerians.
I thank Allah for my safe trip to U.K, where I visited President @muhammadubuhari He thanks Nigerians for their constant prayers for his health and steadfastness in the face of challenges.
"Mr. President thanked the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for his loyalty and called on Nigerians to continue to support the acting President in his effort to actualise the mandate of the All Progressives Congress." "He is soliciting for your continuous cooperation and support to the Ag. President @profosinbajo towards achieving the mandate of this administration as contained in our APC manifesto, so that we can build a very strong institution for a better future of our country Nigeria," she said.
Mrs. Buhari had on May 30 traveled to the UK to spend some time with the President. ![]()
Source: MPNB
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Bikini-clad Izzy Azalea suffers near tumble as she loses balance on paddleboard | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT Iggy Azalea, almost took a tumble as she was seen wobbling on a paddleboard during a yacht outing in Los Cabos, Mexico on Saturday.
More below
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Source: MPNB
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| ASO ROCK CABAL MOVES TO LONDON TO CREATE CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS, SEE HOW | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT 
| New grand plan by an Aso Rock cabal led by the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, to weaken the constitutional authority of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has taken off at the presidential palace in Abuja, with a meeting held in London last week. The new scheme comes after an earlier attempt to hijack Mr. Osinbajo's constitutional authority failed, authoritative sources told SaharaReporters. The sources revealed that the cabal had the surreptitious meeting a few days ago in London at which a handful of disgruntled presidential aides were in attendance, but without the knowledge of
the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari, who is in
the United Kingdom on a medical vacation. The
officials are described as abhorrent of Buhari's
transfer of presidential power transfer to his deputy,
preferring that one of them be charged with the
exercise of such authority in the absence of the
President. SaharaReporters learned that the meeting resolved
to adopt fresh tactics to constrain the Acting
President by seeking to foist on him spurious and
patently false allegations. One source stated that the cabal does not care that
their activities would amount to a violation of the
Nigerian constitution. In addition to Mr. Kyari, who is himself also sick
and frequenting hospitals in the UK for a treatment
of a variety of ailments, others involved in the plot
include the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi
Sirika, as well as Buhari's secretary, Tunde Sabiu.
The cabal is miffed that the President gave the VP
unfettered support to assert himself in the capacity
of Acting President before departing Nigeria on his
latest visit to London. The sources say the inner
circle members fear not only that the move would
reduce their presidential influence, but that it may
also cause them to account for some of their
shady deals that have been covered up so far,
especially in view of the uncertainty of Buhari's
health. Lately, the President himself is reported to have become disillusioned about the antics and schemes of some of his aides who have attempted to undermine the authority of the Ag. President. Among such developments, Mr. Kyari is said to have showed up to see President Buhari with a list of career ambassadors, asking him to let the cabal decide where to place each of them. In a similar development, the Chief of Staff Kyari reportedly requested that communication from the vacationing President to officials of the government, including the Acting President, would be through him. He even suggested in some circles that the Ag. President should check with the President through him, any major decision on the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian.National Petroleum Corporation, and the military. But he lacked the courage to make the suggestion directly to the Acting President. While the cabal may have sought new ways to undermine Osinbajo's authority, President Buhari is said to believe in supporting him as well, although his health and treatment have not permitted him to do much. One of the main decisions of the meeting in London was to cast ethnic and religious aspersions on the Acting President's appointments, and the person chosen to implement this was Mr. Sirika, who is said to be uncomfortable with Osinbajo's free-willing romance with the northern elite, and his seeming acceptance by the ordinary people in the north. Mr. Sirika was given the task of accusing Osinbajo of appointing only Christians to his office, a charge presidential aides disputed widely over the weekend.
They pointed out that a huge majority of the Acting President's security aides and other officials are Northerners and Muslims inherited from the former vice-president, Namadi Sambo, who himself was surprised recently when he visited the acting President to see most of them still around. "Even when you look at the stewards who serve the VP, they are all Northerners and Muslims," they claimed. The latest plot led by Mr. Sirika via social media shot its first round of attack on the Acting President with aphony author reeling off accusations on the former law professor. The faceless author went as far as insinuating that the Acting President was "consolidating for 2019." our source lamented Just as if he knew what might happen during his latest trip to the United Kingdom, President Buhari reportedly did something unique on May 7, 2017, the day he flew out, bringing together the Vice President and leaders of the National Assembly at his residence. Explaining the nature of his trip, he informed them that he would be following the Constitution to write to the National Assembly so that power can temporarily transfer to the Vice President Aso Rock sources explained that while the President had traveled abroad and transmitted power to the VP a number of times in the past, holding a joint physical meeting with him and the leaders of the National Assembly leaders was a new move by the President, as he had usually transmitted the letter and then traveled. SaharaReporters sources said he made the move because he no longer trusted some of his aides who have shown that they are threatened by the mutual and cordial relationship between himself and the Vice President. That also explains why, for instance, members of the cabal were taken by surprise when Mr. Buhari bypassed them in deciding on a probe to investigate the SGF and the NIA boss. Mr. Kyari was said to have been stunned when the media office issued the announcement without his knowledge.
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Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| TOSIN, BUKOLA SARAKI’S DAUGHTER SET TO WED, SEE PIX | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT | The Senate President Bukola Saraki and his wife, Mrs Toyin Saraki are set to give out their eldest daughter, Tosin,25, out in marriage. Mrs Saraki, the founder of well being Africa Foundation, made the announcement on her social media page, adding that the family will not be releasing further details about the upcoming nuptial, "in respect of the couple-to-be's privacy." Source: http://ift.tt/2rvPF3T ![]()
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Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| MAN BEATEN AND STRIPPED UNCLAD BY PROSTITUTES FOR REFUSING TO PAY AFTER 5 ROUNDS OF SEX, SEE PICS | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT | A male University student who was captured on camera in photos was given the disgrace of his life after he failed to pay a prostitute after an all night s*x romp. A student of Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) in Zimbabwe, was publicly humiliated by commercial s*x workers after failing to pay for five rounds in Chipadze suburb on Sunday.The identity of the student and the prostitutes were not ascertained by Tori News as at the time of filing this report See the photos below>>>> 
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Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| KIND NIGERIAN IMMIGRANT STABBED TO DEATH IN CANADA SEE PIX | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT | Nicholas Ozoechi Nwonye was a kind person who, even in the briefest of moments, left an indelible impression. That's how those who knew the victim of Friday's deadly CTrain platform stabbing are remembering the 46-year-old father of three — killed in an attack police say was random and unprovoked. "He was just such a treat to have there," said Rhonda Hersak, an instructor at nearby Bow Valley College where Nwonye was enrolled in the school's practical nursing program. "(He was) a very kind, empathetic individual. He smiled all the time." Indeed, Nwonye was on his way home from Hersak's lecture hall when the deadly attack took place, at 6:45 p.m. on the westbound platform of the City Hall LRT station in downtown Calgary. Stabbed in the chest and abdomen by a man he'd never met, Nwonye was rushed to hospital where he later died. The man accused in Nwonye's death was caught by police shortly thereafter, arrested as he attempted to flee the scene in an eastbound train. Keeton Michel Gagnon, 39, has been charged with second-degree murder. Nwonye only recently moved to Canada with his wife and three children from Nigeria, and was only four weeks into his studies when he died. Hersak remembered Nwonye as a deeply spiritual man whose faith formed a large part of his life. Being the only male in the class, Nwonye brought a unique insight, Hersak said — laughing as she described him being responsible for the creation of some "pleasant controversy" during in-class discussions. Despite only being a student for a short time, Hersak said Nwonye made a definite impression, both on his fellow students and the faculty. "He had an impact. he had a really big impact in the classroom," she said. "He will be missed in the classroom. I know this for a fact." bpassifiume@postmedia.com http://ift.tt/2sKjyv8 May his soul Rest in perfect peace. ![]()
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Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| WAR IN TUFACE HOUSE AS YOUNGER DAUGHTER ACCUSES ANNIE OF LOVING HER ELDER ONE MORE | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT
Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| WE WILL REMAIN IN PDP REGARDLESS OF SUPREME COURT RULING SAYS AKWA IBOM GOVERNOR, EMMANUEL | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT 
Olawale Olaleye Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, Monday said regardless of whomever the Supreme Court favours between Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi in the lingering Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship tussle, no genuine PDP member would leave the party. Emmanuel, who spoke in Lagos at an interaction with select journalists, said the matter at the Supreme Court was not about whether or not the party should continue to exist but purely a leadership matter, which he described as internal, adding that such would not make the PDP go into extinction. Personally, he said it was unthinkable that someone like him, having benefitted immensely from the PDP, would quit because there was an internal situation that could still be resolved, no matter how long it took the leaders to get round it. The PDP governor, who described the party as the only one that was truly connected to the grassroots and recognised across Africa, maintained that no genuine member of the party would leave on account of the emergence of an individual as party chairman. "Regardless of who wins, we will stay to build the PDP. The name PDP remains. I'm PDP; PDP is in my blood. Anyhow the judgment goes, I remain in PDP. Nobody is going anywhere. All those going are looking for negotiation and we will negotiate with anyone. "I want people to see my children tomorrow and say, you are family of PDP. Only greedy people are jumping ship. The Supreme Court judgment won't change the name of our party. The party will stand on the mission and vision it was founded. We will build the PDP," he said. He, therefore, dismissed swirling insinuations that he had the intention of leaving the PDP, noting that the recent defection of Senator Nelson Effiong of the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had no connection with him as being rumoured in some quarters.
Source: Abuja reporters
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Banks conniving with looters to hide stolen funds – Osinbajo | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT  By Lawrence Olaoye
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has alleged that local, international banks and other financial institutions connive with treasury looters to hide stolen funds.
Osinbajo who spoke at a seminar tagged Conference on Promoting International Co-operation in Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Enhancing Asset Recovery to Foster Sustainable Development, at the Presidential Villa, yesterday called for the retrieval of illicit funds and criminalization of any financial institution found culpable.
The Acting President noted that while proceeds from drug trafficking have been generally regarded as dirty money, it was not the same with proceeds of corruption which he said did not attract outrage.
According to him, "Somehow proceeds from political corruption has not attracted the same outrage that proceeds from narcotics and trafficking in persons have attracted.
"It took years for some people to agree that when somebody loots money where people make decent living, that is more criminal than crime against humanity, more dangerous than trafficking in drugs.
"It is a good thing that we are here with our partners who agree that not only are these stolen assets criminalized but that they are returned to their appropriate owners.
"There is no way that the transfer of this assets can happen without a handshake between the countries that they are transferred to and the international banking institutions in the countries in which they are transferred. There is no way it will happen without some form of connivance.
"We have to look at somehow de-legitimizing those kind of financial institutions and criminalizing them, so that banks and financial institutions that actually engage in this are called out and made to face the consequences of engaging in criminal practices. If that isn't done we are not likely to go very far.
For there to be collaboration, there must first be connivance. In the agreement and conventions we will be signing, we must find a way and ensure that financial institutions are not given a free run and hold them accountable."
Osinbajo admonished African and other developing countries to realize that it was their responsibility to ensure they not only found the monies but to make sure they were returned.
According to him, "It is not enough to talk about it. Some countries are somehow reluctant about it. Many have civil processes that make it difficult. They say our courts are handling this matter and there is very little we can do about.
"We must make it a national call; a call for other developing countries to have the same outrage for drugs, terrorist financing for illicit financial flows.
We must emphasize at every point and call out institutions that are not cooperating and ensuring that they recognize that this, for us, is a serious issue."
Osinbajo warned that corruption could fight back and overwhelm government, noting that corrupt persons had tagged the war against corruption as media trial as a way of fighting back.
He stated further "In Nigeria, for instance, where corruption fights back so eloquently that government itself if not careful can be overwhelmed, if you look at the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria, there is a major fight back in the media.
"There is a media war, between people fighting corruption and those behind the stolen funds. It is called media trial. I don't know what that means.
"If you discover for instance large sums of money in an air conditioned room, there is no where it will not make news anywhere in the world.
"So, this whole idea of trying to legitimize corruption is definitely being fueled and sponsored by those who have these resources; who have stolen funds. Unless we see it as a problem that can bring down our system, then we will never be able to fight."
In his remark, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay, referred to a study which showed that 55 top Nigeria government officials and private businessmen illicitly diverted a total of N1.35 trillion between 2006 and 2015.
Similarly, he alleged that trillions of naira were lost to fuel subsidy scam in the country and millions of dollars stolen by ex-minister to allegedly bribe election officials in 2015.
He said: "A study revealed that between 2006 and 2015
55 top government officials and private businessmen illicitly deviated in total N1.35trillion roughly at that time $7.5 million to themselves at the expense of ordinary Nigerian citizens. This was what was revealed. What was not revealed turned out to be far more mind boggling.
"This include trillions squandered in fuel subsidy scam; billions Dasukigate scam; hundreds of millions of dollars taken from the NNPC by the former minister to bribe election officials in 2015; the list goes on."
He pointed out that one-third of the stolen money could have been used to provide important infrastructure in the country.
According to him, because of the looting, Nigeria was the country in the world with highest abandoned projects.
Sagay regretted that government officials were more interested in sharing projects monies for their selfish benefits than completing projects.
Source: People's Daily
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Reps uncover staggering $40.2bn in crude sales | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT  By Umar Muhammad Puma
The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee investigating the alledged $17 billion stolen from sale of crude oil and natural gas has unconvered a separate monumental fraud allegedly by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the transaction.
The findings of the committee revealed that only $7 billion out of $47.2 billion made from crude sales from January 2011 – December 2014 was remitted to government by the NNPC.
Chairman of the committee Rep Abdulrazak Namdas (APC Adamawa), at a public hearing yesterday wondered why the CBN was collecting and making deposits from government agencies into the Federal Reserve Bank in New York against extant banking regulations.
The Committee's investigation of the apex bank further revealed that only N35 billion out of $47.2 billion was remitted into the Excess Crude Account ECA by the NNPC.
The lawmakers had queried why only $7 billion out of $47.2 billion gotten from crude oil sales was made available for the three tiers of government for sharing noting that both NNPC and CBN shortchanged Nigerians.
The lawmakers said that the ongoing probe had shown that more than $17 billion was stolen from the transaction by the NNPC between January 2011 and December 2014.
The Committee Chairman who threatened the apex bank with a damping report said that the responsibility of opening and managing a revenue account rests with the CBN.
However, while fielding questions a representative of the CBN Governor Mr Jack Pitecu told the Committee that the apex bank is not interested in who opens what account, rather it is concerned with regulations.
He told the lawmakers that the apex bank do no keep audit of accounts of government agencies and explained that it is the responsibility of such agencies.
Source: People's Daily
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Osinbajo mourns Osotimehin | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT  Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) By Lawrence Olaoye Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has expressed shock and profound sadness on the death of Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, 68, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and a former Minister of Health in Nigeria.
Osinbajo, in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by his Spokesman, Laolu Akande, one behalf of the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, extended heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and entire family over the passage of their beloved father, grandfather and also an illustrious Nigerian.
The Acting President also commiserated with the staff of the UNFPA and the entire UN system on the demise of a very remarkable international public servant, who served passionately, diligently and worked tirelessly at the global and national stages to reduce maternal mortality and promote universal access to reproductive health.
The late Osotimehin, who also had a distinguished career as medical doctor and teacher before he served as a cabinet minister in Nigeria, and later at the UN, will be long remembered for his many significant developmental contributions at home and in the international community, according to Acting President Osinbajo.
He stated "As Prof. Osotimehin is being mourned internationally, the Acting President urges the Osotimehin family, friends and associates to take solace knowing that his notable service and worthy contributions especially towards improving women and children's health across the world are widely acclaimed, deeply appreciated, and would be long remembered and honoured."
Source: People's Daily
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Attack on Senate leader: This Day, Punch absence stalls hearing | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT  By Christiana Ekpa
The Investigative Hearing on the alleged media reports of attack on Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan (APC-Yobe) by angry youths in his constituency was on Monday stalled as a result of the absence of This Day and Punch Newspapers.
The hearing was conducted by the Senate Joint Committee on Ethics and Privileges and Media and Public Affairs.
Recall that the Senate Leader had in a Point of Order on May 23, cited a report by This Day Newspaper titled "Senate Majority Leader prevented by angry youths from entering his constituency".
"And then the Punch online of the same day reads: "youths accuse Senate Leader of neglect, bar him from working".
Chairman of the Committee on Ethics and Privileges Sen. Sam Anyanwu who decried the alleged report by the two media organizations said that "this has to stop."
"This has to do with somebody's integrity. The man has built his political career for 18 years. If we find evidence that it was fake news. We are not happy about it.We and the press are partners in this project, Nigeria, Anyanwu said.
"This Day and Punch are not here, we are not concluding, we had invited them, we have evidence that they were duly served and acknowledged receipt of the letter. We will give them time to appear the committee," he said.
Contributing, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi said it was unfortunate that the two outfits were absent at the hearing.
"It is unfortunate because the media are given a constitutional responsibility and a duty. Anytime they are questioned with regards to how they discharge their duty, it is only logical that they oblige to that. It is appropriate for every player in this democratic space to carry out its own responsibility in line with the rules of engagement which will invariably deepen our democracy," he said.
In his submission, the complainant, Sen. Ahmed Lawan said what he was asking from the two organisations was immediate retraction which was not carried out.
"I also demanded for an unreserved public apology to me and my constituents. That did not happen as far as I know.
"The point is, I want a relationship that is cordial, devoid of fake information, poor reportage and unethical conduct.
"I am seeking redress; my reputation and that of my constituents has been dragged to the mud," he said.
The committee thereafter mandated the two organisations to appear before it on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
Source: People's Daily
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Commission registers 7,200 Bakassi returnees, pledges help | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT  Bakassi peninsula The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, said it has registered more than 7,200 Bakassi returnees in Akwa Ibom in nine camps spread across the state.
Sadyia Farouq, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Uyo on Monday after an inspection of the IDPs camps.
Mrs. Farouq, represented by Andy Ubon, South-South Zonal Coordinator for the Commission, said the team visited nine Bakassi returnees internally displaced persons camp to ascertain the welfare of persons in the camps and report back.
She explained that about 800 households were recorded in each camp in 31 Local Government Area of the State.
Mrs. Farouq listed the camps visited to include, Ikot Ada Idem in Ibiono Ibom, Ifa-Okon village in Essien Udim, Ituk Mbang in Uruan LGA.
Others included, Atabong in Okobo, Iko Ekit in Eket, Uta Ewa in Ikot Abasi, Ikono, Mbo and Ikot Oto in Ikot Ekpene LGA.
"The situation on ground is disheartening, honestly, I did not believe the condition I met this people. No water, adequate shelter and health facilities are lacking in the camps visited.
"We have about 800 households in each of the camp, a family that comprises of father, mother and children.
"The Commission has seen things for itself in all the camps, will do its best to alleviate the suffering of the returnees to enable them live a better life,'' Farouq said.
She assured the returnees that the present government was determined to improve on the welfare of its citizens, and the IDPs would not be left out.
The commissioner said that government would do its best to ensure that the returnees get relief materials and the children get education as leaders of tomorrow.
She commended the communities that have been accommodating the internally displaced persons since they returned from Cross River in 2008.
"We really have to appreciate the efforts of these communities, especially their village heads for the hospitality and umbrella of love to their fellow human beings," she said.(NAN)
Source: People's Daily
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| No constitutional crisis over Buhari’s absence – Presidency | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 03:44 AM PDT  By Lawrence Olaoye
The Presidency has said that the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently attending to his health in London constitutes, no constitutional crisis in the country.
Reacting to an article by a Nigerian historian, Max Siollun, in an American Foreign Policy entitled "The Gentleman's Agreement that Could Break Apart Nigeria," where he speculated that Nigeria faced imminent political and constitutional crisis on account of the President's absence to attend to his health in the United Kingdom, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari's spokesman said such alarm was "needlessly sensational and exaggerated speculations by conspiracy theorists".
He maintained that it was grossly misleading to compare President Buhari's case to that of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, adding that the circumstances are completely different.
In a statement made available to newsmen yesterday by Attah Esa, Deputy Director (Information) in the Presidency, Shehu said unlike late President Yar'Adua, Buhari had duly complied with the constitutional requirements by formally notifying the National Assembly of his intention to go for medical treatment and handing over to Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President.
Shehu added "While Yar'Adua was too severely ill to transmit a letter formally to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President Buhari is not in such medical state, and therefore, the country is not currently facing any complications on account of his absence."
The media aide noted that under President Yar'Adua, there was uncertainty about the role of the Vice President because the late President was not in a position to formally transfer power to his deputy, which necessitated the resort to the doctrine of necessity to enable Dr. Goodluck Jonathan act in his absence.
Shehu explained that, currently, none of these circumstances prevail in Nigeria on account of President Buhari's absence for medical treatment.
According to him, having transferred power formally to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Buhari did not leave Nigeria with any power vacuum, adding, therefore, that any suggestions of uncertainty or constitutional crisis are imaginary and exaggerated.
He explained that with the Acting President Professor Osinbajo already running the affairs of the country in the absence of President Buhari, people should stop creating artificial fears of crisis or uncertainty, noting that governance has not grounded to a halt because President Buhari has duly complied with the constitution.
He appealed to conspiracy theorists not to pollute the polity by needlessly seeking to create an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and suspicions in the country.
The Presidential Media aide said that the President publicly admitted he was sick and taking treatment and that he never pretended about his health condition with that open admission.
Source: People's Daily
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| Today’s Inspiring Quote | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 02:29 AM PDT "We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face…we must do that which we think we cannot." – Eleanor Roosevelt ![]()
Source: Olu Famous
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Nigerian woman gives birth to triplets after 6 years of marriage | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 02:19 AM PDT A Facebook user shared the testimony of her aunt who gave birth to 3 boys ,6 years after marriage …
Talk about triple blessings …See post below
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Source: MPNB
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Robert Kardashian’s ‘fake girlfriend’ Mehgan James ‘planted the entire story’ for social media fame | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 02:19 AM PDT A few days t has been alleged that Rob Kardashian's latest fling, Mehgan James, was entirely made up – and she planted the story to gain more social media followers.
According to TMZ, 'Mehgan's "team" contacted a bunch of media outlets planting the story', with the aim of spreading her name and growing her following.
Mehgan's Instagram followers doubled a week so , mission accomplished. ![]()
Source: MPNB
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| 5 Wrong Mindsets That Can Hurt Someone Later | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 01:24 AM PDT The human mind is powerful. What you think sets the boundary of how far you can go in any sphere of life. It is impossible to outdo your mind. An understanding of this fact is what prompted Henry Ford to say, "If you think you can do it or you think you can't do it, you are right." This further buttresses the fact that your mind plays a vital role in how successful you can be. However, there are some dangerous mindsets that you should do away with. The reason is that these mindsets can cage you and prevent you from becoming all you have set out to become. The results of such mindsets may not be apparent now, but they will be in future. Your mindset can either make you or mar you. Here are five mindsets that you should discard, especially if you have an interest in business.
1. Somebody-owes-me-help mentality: Some people believe that it is the responsibility of others to help them. Due to this mindset, they cease to take control of their lives and wait for the assistance. The problem is that they get disappointed too many times. You cannot afford to place the key to your life's success and fulfillment in the hands of others. If you will face the fact, nobody owes you anything. No law says a relation must help you or a friend must repay your good deeds. There is no law – especially in Nigeria – that says the government must provide you with a job. You need to realize that you are 100% responsible for the outcome of your life. The earlier you sit up and take charge of your life, the brighter your future will become. 2. Some-people-are-not-wired-for-business mindset: Business is basically about buying and selling. And everybody engages in this trade. For instance, if you have a job, you are selling your skills. Your employer is the buyer, and he pays you for the skills you deploy to the job. This cancels the notion that some people cannot run a business. Even if you have a job, it is advisable that you have a side business that will bring you extra cash. Moreover, the business you start can be your biggest job security in today's world. It can keep you afloat even when your regular job goes wrong. 3. It-doesn't-work-as-they-say-it-does mindset: Most times, pessimism has no concrete reasons. It is the habit of discrediting and discarding something even before you try it out. Many opportunities that will come your way in life will often seem too good to be true. A wise person does not ignore them because they do not conform to what he has always known. Besides, what most people refer to as their gut feeling is nothing but fear. People fear what they do not fully understand. Rather than throw some ideas to the trash can, you can choose to try it out. Some opportunities that seem too good to be true are real and can be stepping stones for you to higher grounds. 4. I-don't-need-information-to-succeed mindset: People who have this mindset often dislike reading. Unfortunately, information is the livewire of the 21st century. You cannot become relevant in today's world if you do not keep yourself updated. And some of the most valuable information you will have will come at a premium. Successful people have realized this, and this is why they don't hesitate to pay handsomely for a good book or seminar. You just don't need any kind of information to succeed in business; you need tested, proven, and accurate information to succeed. 5. I-don't-need-a-coach mindset: Our generation resents mentorship. Most young people think youthful strength is a substitute for experience, but it is not. Isaac Newton, the renowned physicist, said, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Having a mentor can help you get in a day what it took your mentor months and years to understand. By so doing, you will experience speed and success in any path that you have taken. In summary, mindsets have consequences. They also have rewards. No mindset is without a future effect. You are the owner of your mind. This means you can effect changes in your mind that you deem necessary. Make the changes today and then watch your future blossom. Source: Import/export ![]()
Source: Olu Famous
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Wizkid’s 2nd son hospitalized after being ‘badly injured’ (Photos) | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 01:14 AM PDT Wizkid's second son, King Ayo, was hospitalized a few days ago,according to his mum,Binta Diamond Diallo. She shared a photos of his head wrapped up in a bandage while laying on a hospital bed..
See post below
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Source: MPNB
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Tamara Ecclestone defends her choice to continue to breastfeed 3 year old daughter | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 01:14 AM PDT Socialite,Tamara Ecclestone, 32, has revealed she still breastfeeds her only three year old daughter, because she is not prepared to 'battle' with her. In an interview with Hello!, the daughter of Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone,said she still feeds her daughter in the morning, once or twice during the day, and at bedtime.
She said
I never want to battle, to feel I've taken something away from her, so when she decides she is done, it will be the end of that era. You know your child and you have to do what works for you as a family. I ignore the occasional nasty comment as I have so many nice messages from other mums," says Tamara.
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Source: MPNB
Mr Olumide's Blog |
| Lupita Nyong’o dazzles at the CFDA awards | Mr Olumide's Blog Posted: 06 Jun 2017 12:54 AM PDT Lupita Nyong'o arrived for the CFDA Awards in a stunning gold dress with a thigh-high slit.
The figure-hugging number flattered the 38 year old's fabulous curves and showed off her toned limbs as she hit the blue carpet on Monday night in New York.
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Source: MPNB
Mr Olumide's Blog |
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