₦airaland Forum

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has termed the action of former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, where he fed over 150 people, including detainees and visitors two days ago as outrageous, preposterous and embarrassing.

DAILY POST reported on Tuesday that Fayose took his stomach infrastructure to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, office and fed detainees who in turn allegedly sang the national anthem after their stomachs had been filled.

Fayose also allegedly secured lawyers for some of the detainees and promised to assist those who have challenges meeting their bail conditions.

But MURIC has now frowned at the former Governor’s action in a press statement signed and forwarded to DAILY POST on Thursday, by the director and founder of the Islamic group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“It is a comedy of errors. A man accused of stealing money belonging to the people is allowed to rewind the famous Robin Hood tape under the watch of an anti-graft agency. This calls the seriousness of some EFCC operatives to question. How can they allow such a thing to happen? It is the shame of a nation. We are miffed.

“EFCC and other security agencies have no business detaining people they cannot feed adequately. It is highly immoral to arrest and detain a man knowing fully well that you do not have the capacity to cater for his basic needs, namely, food, water and shelter. Should detainees be responsible for feeding themselves? This is a national question that must be answered once and for all. Nigerians must know their rights.

“Nay, Nigerians must know their oppressors. How can we allow the same kleptomaniacs who stole our common patrimony to come and feed us with their dirty blood money in times of distress? It is mockery of the highest order and it robs us of our dignity if we welcome them with open arms. They have come to laugh at us for being foolish enough to think hard work, honesty and patriotism alone can provide our needs. It is dehumanising. This cannot happen in saner climes. Are we serious as a people? We are nonplussed.

“Human dignity is Allah-given according to Qur’an 17:70. It says, ‘We have granted dignity to the children of Adam…’. Why should EFCC rob Nigerian citizens of their Allah-given dignity by detaining them without adequate feeding thereby exposing them to political charlatans, ideological demagogues and unrepentant con artists?

“EFCC and the Nigerian security agencies need to take note of the provisions of Section 34 (i) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees the dignity of every Nigerian citizen. The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Article 4, Clause 1 & 2 also lays emphasis on the inviolability of the dignity of the human person. It says, ‘Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person.’”

“Starving detainees is the same as depriving them of their dignity. It dehumanizes them by turning them into beggars. It exposes them to weakness and endangers their health. The power to detain is not tantamount to the power to starve. No policeman under the sun has the right to detain and starve a suspect at the same time.

“EFCC cannot fight corruption by promoting corruption. This is what will happen if it detains people it cannot feed. Not only that. EFCC will be encroaching on Allah-given fundamental human rights of citizens if people are detained without being fed. A moral burden hangs on the conscience of EFCC if this is what has been happening. We demand an explanation”.

MURIC also descended heavily on the ex-governor, Ayodele Fayose, accusing him of exploiting the condition of detainees to score a cheap political point.

“Fayose is a comedian. He is exploiting the poor condition of detainees just to score a cheap political point. He is seeking cheap popularity. He is also a fake Robin Hood. This was not the way Robin Hood shared his stolen money among the poor. Robin Hood gave out every kobo stolen by him. Fayose is accused of stealing billions but he is giving out pittance. He is playing on the gullibility of Nigerians.

“How much does it cost to bail a detainee? How much does it cost to feed 150 people? He could not have spent up to N50,000. It is chicken feed compared to the humongous amount allegedly stolen by him. Fayose is like a man who stole elephants but he is deceiving the people by giving out ants. He is a pretender. We reject his Robin Hood mentality.

“As we take a break, we charge EFCC and the security agencies to spare us the horror of hunger in the cells. Detainees must be adequately fed by those keeping them out of circulation. They should not be subjected to the dehumanizing spectacle of fake Robin Hoods. We implore the Police Service Commission to review conditions of detention in police cells as it affects the feeding of detainees.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/muric-blasts-efcc-for-allowing-fayose.html

President Muhammadu Buhari’s purported latest outburst against the suffering Nigerians is not going down well with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). President Buhari was quoted as saying that Nigerians, “who feel they have another country may choose to go”.

Apparently uncomfortable with the statement, the PDP on Wednesday took on the president, describing his outburst as unpresidential, defeatist and characteristic of a failed leadership, which has lost all sense of responsibility towards its citizens.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, who made the party’s position public, said it further confirmed that President Buhari “is completely insensitive to the plight of our citizens and has no solution to the myriad of problems his incompetent and disorganised administration has caused our nation”.

The opposition party which is bracing to upstage the administration in next year’s elections, described such comment as ‘unfatherly’ and a direct slap on the sensibilities of millions of Nigerians, who, according to PDP, “have been painfully bearing the economic hardship, hunger and starvation caused by President Buhari’s wasteful and inept administration, to the extent that many have taken to suicide missions and slavery as survival options”.

Continuing, the party said: “Such comment is a putrid spit on the graves of thousands of compatriots killed by marauders in various parts of the country, while the Buhari Presidency and dysfunctional All Progressives Congress (APC) remained aloof without decisive actions to end the carnage and bring the perpetrators of the bloodlettings to book.

“Mr. President’s comment is also a mockery on millions of Nigerians who have lost their businesses and whose families have been wrecked by the anti-people policies of the Buhari-led APC administration. Since Mr. President now knows that Nigerians across board are hurting over the failures of his administrations, the least he, as an elected leader, should have done, was to accept responsibility, rise up to the occasion and find solutions, or at least, have some soothing words to suffering Nigerians instead of dismissing their pains and asking them to abandon their fatherland.”

Continuing, PDP said: “This remark by Mr. President also reminds of his widely condemned outbursts against our youths who he held in disdain as lazy and lovers of freebies. President Buhari should come to terms with the fact that majority of Nigerians can no longer take the failures, insensitivity and incompetence of his administration and have now reached a consensus to elect our Presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has always displayed a commitment to the welfare of Nigerians.

“This nation belongs to all of us. Our citizens believe and love their fatherland and will never abandon it, notwithstanding the anguish and pains brought by the failures of President Buhari and his corrupt cabal who have, with impunity, continued to display the worst form of aloofness and insensitivity to the plight of our people.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/buhari-insensitive-to-suffering-of.html

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the federal government’s Visa-On-Arrival Policy has started yielding fruits, especially in the tourism sector which has been boosted by the policy.

The minister said this yesterday in Abuja when he received members of the Latin America Motorcyclists Association (LAMA), who are in Nigeria for a tour of heritage sites and other tourist attractions in the country.

“All our visitors here today got visa on arrival. That shows that the federal government’s visa-on-arrival policy is working,” he said.

The minister noted that the presence of the international bikers in Nigeria is a testimony to the fact that the administration’s quest to promote the country’s cultural heritage and tourism sites is yielding fruits.

”As you tour Nigeria, under the ‘Rediscover Heritage Bikers Tour of Nigeria’, and visit historical heritage sites, you beam the searchlight on those sites for the world to see.

“You will see these heritage sites for yourselves as you travel through our culturally rich and diverse nation. These sites include museums, monuments, homes of national heroes and other tourist sites,” he said.

President of LAMA, Mr Mario Nieves, said the group, which consists of members from 24 countries, is in Nigeria to rediscover the country’s culture and heritage as well as promote unity among the human race.

“We are just a group of humble motorcyclists that decided to arrange and create some type of impact in our society. We believe that it is more important to be human than it is to be black or white or oriental or Indian, because we belong to the human race and we believe that we are all one people,” he said.

Nieves said Nigeria has set a good example for them in humility, respect and hospitality, and that when they return to their respective countries, they will spread the good news about Nigeria.

While giving a background on the tour, the acting director general of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mr Abdulkarim Kadiri, said the bikers, from Brazil, US and Mexico, among others, and their Nigerian counterparts will tour 11 states of the Federation in order to rediscover Nigeria and its rich cultural heritage.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/visa-on-arrival-policy-yeilding-results.html

The Manager of Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi, Emmanuel Jigi has disclosed that the Stadium would be ready in good time for use by Lobi Stars Football club of Makurdi for their next year’s continental engagement.

He disclosed this when he conducted sports journalists round the facilities under renovation at the stadium.

Jige explained that the management of the stadium in collaboration with board members of the club were working assiduously to ensure that all the necessary facilities at the stadium were put in proper shape ahead of the continental fiesta beginning from February next year.

He promised that at the end of the renovation, the stadium would be wearing a new look from what it used to be and would give the players the right atmosphere to up their game in the championship.

Jige commended Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom for embarking on the renovation, adding that it would enable it to compete with other stadia across the globe.

“We have started work on the main bowl of the Aper Aku stadium preparatory to the CAF Championship league which Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi is participating. We are putting the dressing room in order, fixing the floodlights and other aspects of the field to give it good standard.

“It is a great honor that Lobi won this year’s Nigeria Professional League which gave the team opportunity to play continental Championship and we are not resting in our oars to make the place conducive when the game commences next year”.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chairman of the club, Mr. Mike Idoko, the club media officer, Emmanuel Uja said the team had gone on closed camp in Ijebu-Ode in Ogun state to put the players in right perspective ahead of the championship.

He said that out of the three matches played so far at the camp, Lobi won two and drew one, adding that the club is stepping up another training in Lome, Togo and other West African countries.

According to him, the team would be fine tuned to meet all standards.

“We are not afraid of the championship game more so that the vice chairman of the club has played continental Championship and he knows what to do that would place the players in the right frame of mind to produce maximum results that at the end of the day Lobi will emerge victorious.

“All we need now is prayers from our fans and other football lovers across the country”, Uja said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/aper-aku-stadium-wears-new-look-ahead.html

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says 76 percent of Nigerians are between ages 0 to 24, as the country’s population hits 195.9 million. In its UNFPA state of world population report tagged, “The power of choice: Reproductive rights and the demographic,” the UN agency revealed that 148.8 million Nigerians are under age of 25. This is contrary to the figure released by the National Population Commission (NPC) , which puts Nigeria’s population at 198 million as early as April 2018. NPC chairman, Eze Duruiheoma gave the conflicting figure while delivering Nigeria’s statement on sustainable cities, human mobility and international migration at the 51st session of commission on population and development in New York. He announced that “Nigeria remains the most populous in Africa, the seventh globally with an estimated population of over 198 million.

The UNFPA report added that 44 percent of Nigeria’s population is aged 0 to 14, while 32 percent are aged 14 to 24. The UN agency also revealed that Nigeria has one of the highest fertility rates in the world, with less than 20 percent of married women in urban communities using a modern contraceptive method. They disclosed that “In rural communities within the country, less than 10 percent of married women use a modern contraceptive method”. “No country can yet claim to have made reproductive rights a reality for all. Choices are limited for far too many women,” the report read.” “And this means that there are still millions of people who are having more—or fewer—children than they would like, with implications not only for individuals, but also for communities, institutions, economies, labour markets and entire nations.” Nigeria’s population is expected to double between now and 2050.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/un-agency-npc-disagree-on-nigerias.html

…as Wellbeing Foundation Africa showcases its frontline health partnerships for impact

Toyin Saraki, Founder-President of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), has welcomed the commitments by leading international organisations to develop a joint plan to speed up progress on the 2030 global agenda, as announced at the World Health Summit in Berlin this week.

The Action Plan, presented by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the summit, aims to “align, accelerate and account,” and will be put together in full over the next twelve months.

The World Health Summit, which since its launch in 2009 has brought together stakeholders and decision-makers from every field in the healthcare spectrum, boasted a programme including speeches from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bill Gates and Toyin Saraki.

Mrs Saraki while speaking at the summit said: “As Dr. Tedros said in his opening remarks: “Gesundheit ist ein Menschenrecht” – health is a human right. He was correct, however, that we are not on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: we will miss the targets on maternal, child and neonatal mortality; we will miss the targets on HIV, TB and malaria; and we will miss the targets on family planning, child stunting and universal health coverage.

“I therefore welcome the announcement of an ‘Action Plan’ which must act as an urgent wake-up call to global institutions and Governments around the world. Global health threats require global responses, but without adequate investment we will fail to provide the health and wellbeing for future generations that we have promised.”

Following the World Health Summit, Toyin Saraki’s goodwill message was delivered to the 5th German-Africa Health Symposium, focusing on the frontline work of the Wellbeing Foundation and its partners, commenting:

“Our Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care – known as EmONC – training programme has resulted in a 15% reduction in maternal case fatality rate and a 38% reduction in the still birth rate in health care facilities where the project is implemented. With our partners at the Centre for Maternal and Newborn Health (CMNH) at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Johnson & Johnson, I am proud that we have moved to the next stage of the programme and will expand the training across the whole of Kwara State. Over 600 healthcare providers will benefit directly from the interventions and over the 30-month project, an estimated 62,900 women and their newborns will benefit from the interventions implemented.”

“To harness the power of the private sector for WASH, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa has launched a new partnership with Unilever Lifebuoy Nigeria and Sightsavers to improve hygiene practices to impact more than 2 million children over the following 12 months. The partnership will work on programmes which promote hygiene messages and prevent disease, advancing critical hygiene interventions such as handwashing with soap, addressing the issue of child illnesses and mortality due to preventable diseases.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/world-health-summit-toyin-saraki.html

The Collecting Society of Nigeria (COSON), which remains the only Collecting Management Organisation (CMO) for obtaining royalties on behalf of musicians, since the middle of this year, has been on a crisis of leadership on account of successorship from its first and only chairman for now, Tony Okoroji.

The image of the CMO had been battered and its license suspended albeit partly by the government regulator, Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC). Between the lingering legal tussle from the management of COSON and the regulator and even, one if its leaders, Efe Omoregbe, it has not augured well for the music industry as a whole and the resolve of its stakeholders to develop and put structure to the industry.

The CMO tasked with enforcing the performing and mechanical rights on behalf of its members by licensing music users through the collection of licence fees and then distributing them by giving royalties to musicians under its membership had done well for 18 years since 2000 when COSON started transiting from PMRS in the days of yore.

Still fighting its battles with perceived enemies in court, COSON has not had it this bad and as one that has followed the progression and has attended events by COSON, one is sad about this present development as the music industry is worse for it. Forget the buzz and hype by our own Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Falz, Yemi Alade and others who have gained international recognition which has put the industry in the global map as one that is thriving and worth billions of dollars if well harnessed.

Erudite and astute music practitioner, Efe Omoregbe, who is one of the COSON board members and is supposed to take the reins of leadership from its founding chairman, the ebullient Tony Okoroji until the cookie crumbles, was a guest of the chief comedian, Alibaba on Sunday in his program, Alibaba Seriously, shown on NTAi. Efe Omoregbe, speaking on the crisis in COSON stated that it all began when veteran and stakeholders in music, Prof Victor Uwaifor, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Laolu Akins wrote a petition drawing the attention of the COSON board on issues bordering on royalties collection and the percentage and also the constitutional terms of office for the chairman of the collecting organisation. Efe stated during the program, “instead of Tony Okoroji to address the issue from these veterans and elders in COSON in our meeting, he went on talking about other agenda of the meeting as if that wasn’t important and this irked some of us and we asked questions and demanded that we should address it. All these and others snowballed into the crisis we see now – a case of a leader wanting to perpetuate himself,” Omoregbe stated.

Mr Tony Okoroji and the management should, as a matter of fact, not carry along as if it is business as usual but with a conscience, cleanse its house as the NCC and the leader, Mr Afam Ezekude, as well as Efe Omoregbe, can’t be totally wrong. It is in the domain in our industry that not everyone likes Mr Okoroji on account of his style of leadership and past achievements and this COSON crisis, if not nipped in the bud now, will affect the image of Nigerian music industry, globally. COSON rival, Music Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), which has gotten its license back, has not done much for itself. The Performing Musician and Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has not still recovered from its comatose state. It is about one new leader or the other emerging and elections are not even held across board. The younger generation of musicians and professionals don’t take PMAN seriously and one doesn’t know if there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/coson-crisis-between-tony-okoroji-efe.html

Another Nollywood actor, Ola Omonitan also known as Ajimajasan is dead

The veteran Yoruba actor died in the early hours of Thursday, October 18, 2018, at the age of 80.

The actor’s first daughter and eldest child, Ajike confirmed the news of his death to newsmen in Lagos.

“My dad has gone, he died this morning,” Ajike said.

Prior to his death, the script interpreter had been admitted at the University College Hospital.

He suffered from an enlarged heart, spinal cord problem and prostate cancer.

The actor was discharged from the hospital earlier in the week before he passed on Thursday.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/popular-nollywood-actor-ajimajasan-is.html

The United States’ top diplomat arrived in Ankara on Wednesday to discuss the case of missing Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to state news agency Anadolu.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was met by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the airport, Anadolu reported, without giving details. The US official is also scheduled to meet Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

Pompeo’s visit comes a day after he met with the Saudi leadership in Riyadh to discuss Khashoggi’s disappearance.

Khashoggi, a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 where he had gone to pick up papers so he could marry a Turkish woman.

Turkish officials have told media that the 60-year-old journalist, who wrote a column for the Washington Post, was murdered inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia has denied the allegations.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pompeo-in-turkey-amid-unresolved.html

The season of campaigns is already here and politicians all over the country are putting their best foot forward as they run form pillar to post to garner support from Nigerians. It is also a season of mudslinging, blackmail and release of acerbic statements from all the major candidates and their parties.
Last week, governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) promised that they will focus on issue-based campaigns this time around. Although there are over 20 presidential candidates, political analysts aver that the presidential election will be a straight fight between President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Already, the campaigns have subtly kicked off even though the timeframe provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is still about one month away. Below are some of the issues that have and will continue to dominate the campaigns.

Corruption
President Buhari was voted into power in 2015 on the premise that he would fight corruption to a standstill and put Nigeria back on the path of prosperity. Three years after, the jury is still out on that. Opposition and critics have accused the president of being selective in the fight against corruption.
On the other hand, even though he has never been convicted on any allegation of corruption, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been branded a corrupt politician by some Nigerians. He has tried unsuccessfully to prove that the corruption toga on him is just mere allegations that are yet to be proven.
There is no doubt that APC will want to play up Atiku as being corrupt and try to convince Nigerians that a vote for him will be a return to the dark days of looting the common patrimony by the opposition PDP. The opposition on the other hand will cite cases of malfeasance in the current administration, which President Buhari has turned a blind eye to. It remains to be seen if both arguments would sway the Nigerian voters.

Farmers/Herders Clashes
No doubt, another big issue for campaign will be the killings across the country resulting from herders/farmers clashes. Few months ago, the Fulani herdsmen were one of the hated and vilified in Nigeria, no thanks to the senseless and incessant killings by criminal elements among them. According to a UN report, the Fulani herdsmen are the fourth most dangerous terrorist group in world. In a twist of fate, both President Buhari and Atiku are Fulani by tribe.
Although in the last few weeks they has been a sharp drop in herdsmen killings, the president’s handling of the killings have been severely criticised. He has been accused of siding the herdsmen, an allegation the president vehemently denied several times.
Expectedly, the president would lose a large chunk of votes in the North Central and in the Christian population in the North West and North East because of his perceived slow response to Fulani herdsmen killings. If the killings reduce considerably before February next year, it may swing the pendulum to President Buhari’s side. The opposition would want to play up the fact that a vote for Buhari connotes a vote for killings by herdsmen if the atrocities of the killer herdsmen are not checked before the general elections.

The Economy
The economy will be a major talking point in the campaigns. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo fired the first shot last week when he declared that the next Nigerian president must understand the economy. In their campaign, the PDP would want to cite reports that since 2015, Nigeria slipped into recession and has become the poverty capital of the world.
The ruling APC, on the other hand, would try to point accusing finger at the PDP for mismanaging the economy through the grand corruption in their time. The governing party would say PDP is the reason why Nigeria went into recession.
APC’s success in the agricultural sector is a plus for the administration as the country is gradually moving from a mono economy. The improvement in Nigeria ‘s ranking in the ease of doing business is another boost for the administration.

Restructuring
Although the call for restructuring has simmered in the past few weeks, analysts expect the call to go a notch higher with the emergence of Atiku as the PDP presidential candidate. Atiku has been vocal in his call for restructuring the country and this has endeared him to voters in the South West and South South. It is no secret that President Buhari is not enthusiastic about calls for restructuring.
The president had always called on advocates of restructuring to channel their grievances to the National Assembly. Atiku, on the other hand, has been campaigning for restructuring for some years now. While the calls for restructuring has been on the front burner in the southern part of the country, it is a hard sell in the North. However, it is expected the calls for restructuring to be on the front burner during the campaigns.

Insecurity/Leah Sharibu
One area that President Buhari has done creditably well is in degrading of the Boko Haram insurgents. Prior to 2015, the sect took over towns and hoisted their flags. They were in total control of more than 24 local government areas in the North East. Bombing was a regular occurrence in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Bauchi. Since assumption of office by the president in office in 2015, the activities of the insurgent group has been degraded substantially in the country, as their activities are only limited to some few local governments in the North.
Although the president has recorded success in containing Boko Haram, there have been a significant rise in the activities of herdsmen, gunmen, bandits and kidnappers in the country. Some roads like the Abuja – Kaduna road, Birni Gwari and Abuja Lokoja roads have been virtually taken over by kidnappers. Everyday there are gory tales of kidnapping on those roads. Bandits have completely taken over some states in the North West like Zamfara and Katsina.
The continued detention of Leah Sharibu who is the only remaining Dapchi girl in the hands of the insurgents would also be a major campaign issue. According to political observers, the handling of Boko Haram and the abduction of the Chibok Girls were some of the major reasons former President Goodluck Jonathan lost out in 2015. It is expected that the opposition will put the activities of bandits, kidnappers and the continued detention of Leah Sharibu on the front burner during the campaigns.

Unity of the Country
Some keen observers of the polity have contented that Nigeria has never been so divided along ethnic and religious lines since the civil war. The President’s 97% to 5% analogy has been cited as the reason for emergence of secessionist groups like IPOB in the country. The president has been accused of nepotism and clannishness by opposition and critics alike. They infer that Buhari had been dividing the fault lines in the country. The president’s handlers, on the other hand, blame politicians who view every appointments and killings along ethnic and religious lines for the division in the country. Some observers also blame politicians who lost out in the power game for fueling ethnic and religious crisis in the country.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/issues-that-will-swing-votes-in-2019.html

“Broke guys can’t afford sex dolls.”

Nollywood actress, Maryam Charles has weighed in on the trending sex doll issue. The actress in an Instagram post wrote to the men who are celebrating the innovation of sex dolls.

According to her, there are so many things a sex doll cannot do for a man. She posits that a sex doll cannot take the place of a woman so men should stop celebrating it.

The actress, argued also that no responsible man will go on social media to celebrate a man made doll. she advice however that men should grow up and stand up to their responsibilities.
She wrote;

To all the men celebrating the new s*x doll and throwing shades at women, this is for you.

A responsible man will not go on social media to celebrate man-made doll because it has been carefully designed to have intercourse, y’all need to grow up and stand up to your responsibilities.

Even the doll that is making you happy is not designed for broke guys! It’s cost about N800,000 without the addition of the maintenance cost, yet you feel this is a better replacement to your girlfriends? What madness!

If you want to wake up, have a lady next to you and stay happy, you have to take good care of the lady, that’s when she can happily have sex with you and be meaningful. There are lots of things sex doll will never do for you, its high time we started facing reality with ourselves.

Will the doll give you a kiss when you’re leaving home for office?

Will the doll call you to check up on you during office hours?

Will the doll give you a welcome back kiss?

If you’re disturbed, will the doll advice you?

The list continues like that… wise up and be a true man not a ‘doll’ man”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/actress-maryam-charles-draws-comparison.html

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Alex Asogwa, is currently living the best of her life, since her emergence from the BBN house.

The 22 year old dancer and red carpet host recently signed an endorsement deal. With the deal, however, comes some juices, that has got her in thanks.
Alex is now a land owner.

Taking to her Instastory, the realiity star revealed how good, God has been to her. According to her, she never imagined that she will be a land owner at the age of 22. She now has not just one land, but multiple lands, she noted.

In Africa, especially in the Eastern part of Nigeria, having a land/house is one of the major yardsticks with which a man’s success is measured.

Congratulations to her.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/bbnaijs-alex-cant-contain-her-joy-as.html

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the death of Hauwa Leman, an aide worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

DAILY POST reports that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, executed Hauwa Leman, an aide worker with the ICRC on Monday.

The terrorists promised to keep Leah Sharibu, one of the Dapchi schoolgirls who is still being held captive in their custody.

Reacting to the latest murder, Atiku on his official Twitter Page, condemned the killing.

He said, “I’m deeply saddened by the murder of Hauwa Leman, an ICRC aid worker, by terrorists.

“I implore the Federal Government to deploy every reasonable tool at its disposal to bring Leah Shuaibu and all the children in Boko Haram captivity home.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/boko-haram-atiku-reacts-to-death-of.html

Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the death of Hauwa Leman, an aide worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

DAILY POST reports that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, executed Hauwa Leman, an aide worker with the ICRC on Monday.

The terrorists promised to keep Leah Sharibu, one of the Dapchi schoolgirls who is still being held captive in their custody.

Reacting to the latest murder, Atiku on his official Twitter Page, condemned the killing.

He said, “I’m deeply saddened by the murder of Hauwa Leman, an ICRC aid worker, by terrorists.

“I implore the Federal Government to deploy every reasonable tool at its disposal to bring Leah Shuaibu and all the children in Boko Haram captivity home.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/boko-haram-atiku-reacts-to-death-of.html

A Second Republic lawmaker and elder stateman, Dr Junaidu Mohammed, has said that there was nothing wrong with the travel ban placed on 50 high profile Nigerians by the President Muhammadu government.

DAILY POST reported on Saturday that the Federal Government announced the travel ban no fewer than 50 persons.

Buhari directed the full implementation of the Executive order 6.

The former lawmaker said that it was only persons whose hands were soiled that should worry, adding that in as long as it was legal, the President had the power to do it.

Mohammed told Vanguard that “The question to be asked is, if it is legal. Does the President have the power to do that?

“If you are not satisfied, you go to court. I don’t see any reason we will say because some VIPs are involved, the order shouldn’t have been passed.

“If anybody has issues, then it should be on the legality of the order.”

But speaking on the development, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Ayuba Wabba, kicked against it.

He told the newspaper, “Essentially, it is about the rule of law.

“And in our legal jurisprudence, everybody is presumed innocent until the court says otherwise.

“If you accused any person of corruption, you take the person to court.

“It can be the pronouncement of the court to seize the person’s travel documents. Until the court pronounces anybody guilty, you can’t restrict his or her movement. Using shortcut cannot assist or help our system.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/travel-ban-junaid-mohammed-nlc-react-to.html

The Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday threatened to expose his opponents’ dark secrets should he be pushed to the wall.

Tambuwal made this threat when he was receiving a hero’s welcome to the state after coming second in the just concluded presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that he would never desist from his good agenda for the state.

The governor warned those he accused of trying to smear his name unjustly to desist from their actions or he would be forced expose some of their secret atrocities.

According to him, he has decided to remain calm because some leaders had appealed to him from the onset and he promised to keep to his word.

He, however, warned: “I will be forced to open cans of worms should I be tempted further. Therefore, let them be advised that they should allow the sleeping dog lie to avoid some people running away from the state even before the general elections.”

While calling on the youths to embrace politics without bitterness, Tambuwal told them that those bent on using them for thuggery do not mean well for their future.

“Prior to my becoming the governor, all of you are witnesses to the state of ‘areaboyism’ in the state, but with your cooperation, we were able to curtail the menace. Therefore, I am still appealing to all of you, the youths, not to allow yourselves to be used by anybody.

I am appealing to all politicians in the state to do their politicking with decorum. They must bear in mind that politics is about development and the people.

“And I am assuring you today that, come 2019, Sokoto will freely vote for those leaders that mean well for them and the future of their children. Let them be reminded that Sokoto will not vote for leaders that destroy our youths,” he said.

Both the Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III airport and the Sokoto State Government House were filled up with hordes of PDP supporters who trooped out to receive Governor Tambuwal back to the state.
Tambuwal, who came second in the recent Presidential primary elections of the PDP held in Port Harcourt is returned back to the state yesterday, Saturday.

Political Allies Shun Fayose’s Party As He Vacates Govt House
Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said he will vacate the official residence of the governor today, 48 hours ahead of official handing over and inauguration on October 16.
Fayose said he would hand over the Government House to the State Head of Service today.
However, appointees, friends and political associates shunned Fayose’s last dinner party held Friday night.

The dinner party by the outgoing Ekiti State governor to round off his tenure in office was shunned by the expected crowd of party faithful and political appointees.

According to reports, the dinner which ought to have begun at 7pm did not record up to 20 of the expected guests till about midnight.

Only journalists, armed security men, protocol officers and band boys of a musical group contracted to perform at the ceremony were present as at 11pm.

Those conspicuously absent at the valedictory dinner were members of the state House of Assembly and political appointees of the governor, commissioners and permanent secretaries.
A Government House source said that many of those invited were unhappy with the departing governor for various reasons.

The source, who pleaded anonymity disclosed that aside from the governor who paid himself and his deputy lump sums as severance package, including vehicles, none of the appointees was paid their entitlements.

“Besides, all the 16 local government chairmen are battling to save their jobs in the court, as information was rife on Friday that the incoming governor had concluded arrangement to dissolve the councils anytime soon after his swearing-in on Tuesday.

”The comment of the governor earlier in the day was shocking to most political appointees when he told them that whatever anyone of them may likely encounter in the hands of the new governor should be taken calmly as such was a price of leadership,” he said.

Commenting on the development, one of the personal domestic staffers of the outgoing governor, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was not in any way disappointed by the people’s attitude as it is common with human beings.

He recalled that when the governor was still very much in power, thousands of people would always answer his call at the slightest notice such that the venue of any event organised by him was always overcrowded.

Meanwhile, the outgoing governor pressed on with his plan to leave office today, two days ahead of the Tuesday handover date.

He conducted Bisi Fayemi, wife of the governor-elect of Ekiti State, round the Ekiti Government House yesterday.

Fayose took Fayemi’s wife, who is the chair of the inauguration committee to usher in her husband’s administration in the state, as well as members of the inauguration committee, round the Government House yesterday.

The outgoing governor wrote on his twitter handle: “I am presently taking Dr Kayode Fayemi’s wife, Erelu Bisi, and other members of the inauguration committee round the Govt House. Tomorrow, I will hand over the Govt House to the Head of Service.”

Before the aborted dinner, the governor handed over the instruments of office to the Head of Service, Dr Gbenga Faseluka, at a special valedictory State Executive Council meeting at the new Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Fayose said history would be kind to him due to the way he managed the resources in trust for the people of the state, adding that he would be available to answer questions on how he ruled the state anytime he is called upon to do so.

Fayose said, “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.

“I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration. I’m a man who came, saw and conquered. I can’t finish all. I have done my best.

“History will be kind on me as a man who has given his best to the people. I will remember all for your support, I bear no grudges against anyone.”

He also inaugurated the new State Speaker’s Lodge named after Kolawole Oluwawole who was impeached as Speaker on Thursday by the state lawmakers and replaced with Adeniran Alagbada.
Fayose urged the deposed Speaker to see his impeachment as the price of leadership.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/tambuwal-returns-to-sokoto-threatens-to.html

Scores of Enugu State residents on Saturday, expressed joy, as the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, named former governor of Anambra, Mr Peter Obi, his running mate for the 2019 presidential election.

Some of the residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, said that Atiku made a right choice in picking Obi as his running mate.

A legal practitioner, Mr Nicholas Ude, noted that the choice of the former governor would bring about a positive change, adding that Obi did very well while in office.

“All the sectors in Anambra during Obi’s tenure were properly fixed for the benefit of every Anambra person.

“I, however, hope that he will do the same if elected as Atiku’s vice president,” he said.

In his views, Mr Okechukwu Adibe, another legal practitioner, said that Obi’s impressive performance in his eight years as governor, was why he was chosen by Atiku.

“The former governor exhibited good governance in Anambra through his good knowledge of the economy across all sectors in the state,” he said.

For Cyprian Nnodu, the former governor corrected all the wrongs in governance in Anambra, making the state to stand as one of the best states in Nigeria.

Nnodu, a lawyer, however, called on youths and politicians to emulate Obi’s performance, noting that good character and integrity were of important in a person’s life and career.

In the same vein, Mrs Nneka Dim, a psychologist, said that people would hardly forget Obi’s performance as a governor in the state.

“Obi, through his knowledge of the economy, gave his best in repositioning Anambra as well as putting it on a good and high standard.

“This, I believe, is why Atiku picked him. I am sure that if Atiku wins, the country will not be disappointed,” she added.

Meanwhile, a businessman, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, described Obi’s choice as a welcome development in Nigeria.

He added that with Obi on board, many wrongs would be corrected as he did during his time as a governor.

“Obi performed well and everyone felt it, especially in the areas of road infrastructure, health, education, judiciary among others,” Ani added.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/atiku-how-enugu-residents-reacted-to.html

Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo has commended the choice of Peter Obi as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in 2019.

DAILY POST earlier broke the news on Atiku opting for the former Governor as his running mate in the 2019 presidential tussle.

Speaking on Atiku’s choice, Dankwambo wrote on his Twitter page: “Excited to hear about the choice of my very good friend -Peter Obi as running mate of H.E Atiku Presidential flag-bearer of our great party.

“Atiku will get Nigeria working again.Support PDP!”

Also, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Uzor described the choice of Obi as a masterstroke, adding that it had all the things that would make Nigeria work again.

He described Obi as a consummate administrator, who showed class in leadership as a two-term governor.

The statement read in part: “Atiku and Obi would bring ingenuity and wealth of experience to bear when they become President and Vice President of Nigeria next year.

“Obi as a consummate administrator has shown class in leadership as a two-term governor.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/what-dankwambo-umahi-said-about-peter.html

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Atiku Abubakar has said he would continue from where Olusegun Obasanjo’s Presidency stopped in 2007 when he becomes president.

Atiku stated this after his meeting with the former president who forgave and endorsed him for the 2019 election.

Obasanjo had in the meeting endorsed Atiku’s presidential ambition, declaring that he will defeat the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

According to him, he believes that Atiku has ‘re-discovered and re-positioned himself’ and is now good enough to enjoy his support in the next election.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Atiku in a statement described the visit as historic for himself, Obasanjo and the country.

He said he could not have been what he was today without the wise counsel of his former boss and the opportunity he offered him to be the vice-president.

Atiku promised that if he became the president, he would continue from where the Obasanjo presidency stopped in 2007.

He said, “This visit is an historic one for both of us and for this country, because, as I have said last Sunday, I paid tribute to him(Obasanjo) because I couldn’t have been what I am today without his wise counsel, without his picking me as his Vice-President for eight years and without the training I got from his tutelage and his leadership.

“I believe the time has come for all of us to work together, to unite and work together, so that this country can be repositioned on the path of unity, truth and prosperity.

“Mr President sir, today is one of the happiest days of my life. As I said a few moments ago up there, after your presidency, we have had three presidents in this country, the only President you have trained is I, and I said I am going to commit my presidency, if I become one, to the continuation of your own presidency and legacy.”

Others at the meeting were Bishop David Oyedepo, Bishop Kukah, Sheik Gumi, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, former governors of Osun and Cross River states, governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and Liyel Imoke, and Director-General, Atiku Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, among others.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-why-i-will-continue-obasanjos.html

The Plateau state independent electoral commission, PLASIEC, has announced the results of Wednesday’s local government elections conducted in Plateau state.

While announcing the results at the PLASIEC headquarters on Thursday morning, Chairman of the Commission, Fabian Ntung, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) won eleven out of the thirteen chairmanship positions in the state.

He however explained that the elections for Langtang North and Mangu LGAs were declared inconclusive as a result of ballot box snatching and other electoral irregularities.

But in a swift reaction, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejected the results as announced by PLASIEC.

Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Damishi Sango, while briefing journalists at the party’s secretariat, insisted that the PDP won in all the local government areas except Kanam LGA.

He described the announced results as fraudulent since collation was allegedly still ongoing when PLASIEC announced the results.

Sango said, “I have invited you today to address you on the just-concluded elections held in 13 Local Government Areas of the State.

“I desire that you alert the people of the state on the dangerous plot by Governor Lalong to worsen the already precarious situation in the state.

“While anxious voters are waiting at the collation centres to get PLASIEC’s verdicts on their free franchise, the electoral officers and returning officers have disappeared into the thin air, leaving room for avoidable anxiety.

“Meantime, we have it on good authority that PLASIEC has just announced the names of the so-called winners of the election, and that Governor Lalong is planning to swear in the said winners later in the day, while results have not been announced.

“From the foregoing, it is clear that Governor Lalong and the ruling APC in the state, out of their desperation to hold on to power even when it is clear that they have lost same, are hell bent on plunging the state into yet another needless political crisis.

“I spoke to the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command and the State Director of Security Services a short while ago intimating them on the present sad development, and made it clear to them that Governor Lalong should be held responsible for any breach of peace in the state should he and his cohorts continue on the dangerous path they have chosen to tread.

“At this point, I wish to appeal to Governor Lalong to allow good conscience to prevail at this solemn moment in the state, and allow the will of the people, as spoken through the ballot, to prevail.

“Already four Local Government Areas were excluded from the elections owing to insecurity. I now asked, can we afford to worsen the already fragile security situation in the State?

“As a responsible political party we have all along chosen the path of peace even in the face of grave provocation,” he maintained.

“I invite all well-meaning people of Plateau State to reject this desperation by Governor Lalong to subvert the people’s will, which has further exposed the height of his impunity and disregard for peace, unity and good governance of Plateau,” he stressed.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pdp-kicks-as-plasiec-declares-apc.html

Former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi yesterday said that the party’s presidential candidate, former vice president Atiku Abubakar would return Nigeria to the path of sanity if elected in the 2019 general election.

Senator Makarfi who is the immediate past national chairman of the party and contested for the party’s presidential ticket in the just concluded national convention stated this in a congratulatory message to the party’s presidential candidate.

In the congratulatory message Senator Makarfi personally signed and addressed to the Wazirin Adamawa, the former governor noted that Atiku’s emergence as the PDP flag bearer was an indication that the party has turned a new leaf in broadening the democratic process and space.

Makarfi expressed his readiness to support the former vice president “to play any role expected of me in the pursuit of this noble objective,” ahead of the presidential election.

He said, “Your emergence as the candidate of the party has gone further to reinforce the new philosophy and the promise that the PDP holds for both the present and the future of this country.

“Having known your strength of character, never-say-die spirit as well as total commitment to, and the dogged pursuit of any cause that you believe in, I have no doubt in my mind that you will successfully lead us in this very crucial battle to rescue our country and return it to the path of sanity.

“When prior to our party’s convention, we all came together to commit to the success of the party in 2019 elections irrespective of the outcome of the primaries, I personally did that, fully conscious of the fact that each one of the aspirants was eminently qualified to fly our flag.

“The contest, as far as I am concerned, was not just an expression of the legitimate rights of individuals to give vent to their aspirations, but also a statement in how the party has turned a new leaf in broadening the democratic process and space.

“I therefore write, on behalf of myself, my campaign organisation and all my supporters to warmly congratulate you on your success at the convention and to pledge our total support and commitment towards your, and the party’s success in the 2019 polls.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/atiku-will-return-nigeria-to-greatness.html

An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Bauchi State, Alhaji Ahmed Salele has dumped the party alongside 16,000 others for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Salele, who announced their defection in Bauchi, stated that the APC lacks internal democracy and is a party formed on deceit. He stressed that the non conduct of proper congresses as well as the recent primary elections in the state informed their decision to defect to the PDP.

“APC is no longer a party that Nigerians should support in 2019 election because of the impunity and lack of justice to its supporters especially in the recent primary election in the state where it failed to conduct the exercise instead only stooges were favoured,” he said.

Salele disclosed that most of the defectors were from Danbam/Misau and supporters of Ahmed Yerima, the Reps member representing the areas.

He described APC as a threat to democracy given the irregularities trailing primary elections conducted by the party.

The defecting APC chieftain maintained that plans have reached advanced stage to mobilise voters against the ruling party in 2019 due to the lack of justice.

While receiving the decampees in Bauchi, the PDP state chairman, Akushe Akuyam expressed delight, describing their defection as timely to help his party unseat the ruling APC during the 2019 election.

“I am impressed with the defection of the APC supporters to PDP today. However, we are still expecting more defectors following the injustice noticeable in recent APC primary elections across the country,” Akuyam said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/apc-chieftain-16000-members-defect-to.html

Inspite of public disapproval especially in Nigeria, popular male barbie and self acclaimed social media publicist, Bobrisky appears to be unstoppable.

The skin bleaching expert share new girlie photos of himself, flaunting a perfectly made up face, matched with a red gown.

Fully equipped to look like a woman, it appears there is no stopping for this young self acclaimed publicist

See photos below;

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/bobrisky-looks-prettier-than-ever-as-he.html

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Lamido Sanusi II, has warned that Nigeria may become the world’s capital of poverty within the next 30 years due to policy deficit.

He said unless the country’s leaders get their priorities right and address critical issues that affect human development, many countries of the world would leave Nigeria behind.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) spoke after he was inducted as honorary member of the Sigma Club of the University of Ibadan (UI) at the weekend in the ancient city.

The Emir revealed that he was in New York, United States recently for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and “one of the sessions I missed sadly, of which I got its reports, was the one anchored by Bill Gate, in which he spoke about global poverty.”

He went on: “What he tried to do was to draw attention of the world to the fact that, sometimes, when we look at big numbers and don’t break them down to regions, we miss important issues.

“According to projections, if every country continues its present trajectory, by 2050, 80 per cent of all the poor people in the world will live on the African continent. But that is not the frightening thing. One half of this 80 per cent will be in Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo. Two countries will account for 40 per cent of all the poor people in the world and Nigeria will therefore remain the poverty capital of the world.

“We will have elections in 2019. I read the papers, I watch the television and listen to the discussions. Who is talking about education? Who is talking about nutrition? Who is talking about basic health? As a country, what are our priorities? We don’t have enough money for education. We don’t have enough money for health. We don’t have enough money for nutrition. But we have N1 trillion or N2 trillion to spend on petroleum subsidies. Where is our sense of what is important and where is our investment in the future?”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/nigeria-may-soon-become-worlds-poverty.html

Wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, has lambasted the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over what controversy and irregularities that followed the party’s primaries.

According to her, the party appeared to have granted automatic tickets to some political office aspirants while denying others the opportunity to contest even though they had coughed huge amounts of money to purchase nomination forms.

In a series of tweets on her verified Twitter handle, @aishabuhari, yesterday , she dissociated herself from what she regretted that Oshiomhole, despite coming from Labour background that required staying on the side of the people, presided over the impunity. Mrs. Buhari therefore called on Nigerians to resist it.

She tweeted: “It is disheartening to note that some aspirants used their hard earned money to purchase nomination forms, got screened, cleared and campaigned vigorously yet found their names omitted on Election Day, these forms were bought at exorbitant prices. “Many others contested and yet had their result delayed.

Fully knowing that AUTOMATIC tickets have been given to other people. “All Progressives Congress being a party whose cardinal principle is change and headed by a comrade/ activist whose main concern is for the common man, yet, such impunity could take place under its watch.

“It is important for the populace to rise against impunity and for voters to demand from aspirants to be committed to the provision of basic amenities such as: 1. Potable drinking water; 2. Basic health care ( Primary Health Care centers) “Given this development one will not hesitate than DISSOCIATE from such unfairness, be neutral and speak for the voiceless. “Education within conducive & appropriate learning environments.

“Let us vote wisely! LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA!”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/aisha-buhari-knocks-apc-over-party.html

The Indian Government and the Federal Republic of Nigeria have mapped out plans to build a multi-purpose Convention Centre in Abuja to honour the late Indian political activist and foremost champion of non-violence protest and icon of social justice, Mohandas Kamaramchad Gandhi, popularly called Mahatma Gandhi.

The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, BN Reddy, disclosed this to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday night, during events to mark 2018 International Day of Non-violence, which also coincided with 150th birthday anniversary of Gandhi. He said that the project falls within the dimension of humanitarian and social aspect of the commemoration of the legacies of the Indian legendary leader.

“We are trying to bring the humanitarian and social aspect of the celebration of Mahatma Gandhi and part of the efforts to perpetuate the memory of Mahatma Gandhi is to build a convention center in Abuja. A committee has been set up by the Minister of FCT Mohammed Bello and we are in the process of finalising the concept note, which is given on the basis of the technical requirements by the FCT.

“On that basis both sides will sit together and come up with a design, which can then be implemented. Our objective is to have this project completed in two- year period sooner than later,” he said. He however added that at this stage it is difficult to place value on the whole project.

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mohammed Bello Umar; said Gandhi’s advocacy for peace gave the world a significant meaning that changed things tremendously for India and the rest of the world.

“This is a great man, an icon, a man of philosophy; he sacrificed his own life for his country and his people. Truly, this is a lesson for those of us still alive. This was a man who has not only turned around India but he has turned around the world. His philosophy of non-violence has made India to become great,” the Minister said.

The United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Edward Kallon, in his remarks, called on the world to use the occasion to remember and reflect on the life of Gandhi, his wisdom and achievements, which he said have had lasting impacts every one.

“The message of non-violence is needed more than ever as unfortunately we are not yet living in the world that Gandhi dreamt of. Instead global violence has worsened, driven by ongoing conflict, violent extremism and terrorist attacks are all time high.

“We have more people displaced today than at any time since World War 2. From Syria to Yemen, from South Sudan to Venezuela, conflicts and political violence are causing human suffering on an unseen scale and it is showing no sign of decreasing,” he said.

He decried the growing attacks in Nigeria and lamented that violence has continued to cause immense human and economic losses. He stressed that it is often those who are already farthest behind that suffer the most as the violence causes widespread displacement, abuse and violation of international humanitarian and human right laws.

“Beyond the devastating humanitarian impact violence also represents a threat to the stability and peace of the entire world. Despite the growing violence and conflict we must use this occasion as an opportunity to affirm our commitment to find lasting and peaceful solutions and urge all actors to work together towards the non-violence resolution of conflict as exemplified by Gandhi’s life and work,” he noted.

He pointed out that when the member states of the United Nations adopted the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, a vision to create a safer and more peaceful world was set out. He explained that of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, one in particular, Goal 17, which focuses efforts on enabling peaceful development stands in the midst of the philosophy of the great Gandhi.

“At a time of protracted conflicts and complex challenges Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence remains an inspiration. At the United Nations a world free of violence and the resolution of differences through non-violence means is at the core of our work.

“At a time when inequality is on the rise and the fear of globalisaion is an imperative, we also recall Gandhi’s commitment to social justice. And in the period when the world is striving to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, ensure gender equality and leave no one behind, Gandhi’s commitment to human dignity can light our path,” the UN envoy said.

Contributing, the Chief Medical Director of Hassan’s Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Shabihul Hassan, laid emphasis on Gandhi’s personal cleanliness, saying that “Gandhi was obsessed with cleanliness and discipline and his emphasis ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness’ focused on personal and societal hygiene and sanitation.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/india-nigeria-to-build-convention.html

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention Planning Committee, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday said the outcome of the convention will leave the party more united.

The Delta State Governor in an interview with Channels Television at the Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium, Port Harcourt, venue of the convention said he is confident that the candidate that will emerge from the convention will be a strong candidate.

“We are a strong party and we are going to go through a credible process today. I believe that we going to become more united even after this convention because we are very sure that we are going to deliver a very credible process.

“Therefore, whosoever emerges in this process is going to be a very strong candidate that will be very competitive, and we are sure that we will work hard to ensure his victory,” he said.

Okowa also stressed that the total number of aspirants in the race remains 12. He said no candidate has stepped down.

“I am not aware of anybody who has stepped down. We made it very clear, anybody who is going to step down has to step down in writing and also publicly announce it at the convention ground here.”

He also blamed the delay in the commencement of the convention on the late arrival of delates who are travelling to Port Harcourt, venue of the convention, from long distance.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pdp-will-be-more-united-after.html

The Pastor of the Household of God Church, Pastor Chris Okotie, has said that the recent earth tremors in Abuja were caused by the prayers of Christians.

According to the cleric, the tremors were not because Abuja is prone to earthquake as suggested by scientists, but the prayers of Nigerian saints shaking the subterranean spirits that are underground.

Okotie said that the claim by former media aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Reuben Abati, that there were some mystical powers in Aso Rock that tend to prevent even a President with good intention from performing well in office, was absolutely in line.

This was part of the pastor cum politician’s interview with the Punch, where he maintained that in Aso Rock and in its environs, certain sacrifices had been made in the past by certain past leaders to ensure a certain favour from the deities that they were appeasing.

Okotie continued, “Dr Abati was absolutely right. Everywhere in the world, there are powers that control government.

“Ephesians 6:12 says, ‘We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in the high places.’

“What happens in the seat of government is the result of operations in the subterranean spirit. For instance, in Aso Rock and in its environs, certain sacrifices had been made in the past by certain past leaders to ensure a certain favour from the deities that they were appeasing.

“What they do is to bury the sacrifices in those locations. The deities draw on the sacrifice and determine what would happen in that location because spirits are territorial.

“Even in churches where you have fake pastors, if they want to have followership, they would appease the subterranean spirits in those locations and bury their sacrifices there, and within six months of the inception of that ministry, it is flowing with people.

“There are many of them like that in Nigeria. So, that is part of the reason why governance from Abuja has been extremely difficult. What Abati said is absolutely true.

“Recently, there were tremors in Abuja and I have said this in church that it’s not because Abuja is prone to earthquake; it’s that the prayers of the Nigerian saints have begun to shake the subterranean spirits that are underground, according to the revelation we have in the scripture.

“It wasn’t a geological occurrence. It was spiritual. With the shaking of the seat of government, the end of these subterranean powers has already begun.

“My counsel to the praying Christians is that they should fire on because their prayers are being answered and that is a clear indication that God is already in this with us and that is why I said something is going to happen. That tremor is indicative of God working underground, and it’s really powerful.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pastor-okotie-speaks-on-nature-of.html

No fewer than 7,000 delegates are expected at the special national convention of the APC where the party’s presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to be ratified as the party’s flag bearer. This is as clarification has emerged about those who will be among the delegates, especially in states where there are parallel executives.



However, only those recognised by the National Working Committee (NWC) will gain admittance at the venue. Briefing journalists at the APC national secretariat on behalf of the chairman, Convention Planning Committee and Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the vice chairman of the committee and Borno State governor, Dr Kashim Shettima, said the party leadership was working towards resolving outstanding knotty issues.



He said: “As we prepare for the special convention tomorrow to confirm the nomination of our candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, let me assure you that the nomination and ratification of his candidacy is a commitment to steady, progressive and positive change. “In spite some of the challenges encountered during the primaries in our various states, the NWC of the party is working assiduously to resolve all issues.



It is a family quarrel and we are going to sort things out amicably. “We are expecting to host about 7,000 delegates from across the length and breadth of our great country and all necessary arrangements are in place for a smooth convention.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/7000-apc-delegates-to-ratify-pmbs.html

Ahead of the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt on Saturday, one of the presidential aspirants, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal has alleged a gang-up against him by other presidential aspirants.

Some of the leading contestants for the party’s presidential ticket are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Senate President David Mark and former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang.

There are, however, reports that Tambuwal enjoys support of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, an influential member of the party and host of the party’s convention.

Director-General of Tambuwal Campaign Organisation, Mike Omere, while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday, said the Sokoto Governor’s intimidating credentials were the reason for the gang-up.

“The others are up against our candidate because he is the most qualified. There are candidates and there are candidates. Our candidate has the credential of being one of the very few that have served in public office and is yet to be invited by any of the investigative agencies for talks.

“Our candidate is young and appeals to the leaders of the moment because that is the direction the world is going.

“Our candidate is the one who believes that the future of our country is now and we should begin to create the space for people to begin to achieve their destinies. Our candidate believes that we have passed that stage of potentials,” Omere said.

He expressed hope that the PDP national convention would be transparent in line with established processes.

“The party always has a process; an established process of conducting its businesses and affairs. Like transparent processes that produced former leaders of the party, this will be done in full glare of the media and the public.

“Everyone who is an accredited delegate will be free to cast his vote according to his will. I cannot see how interference will take place in the process. The others are up against our candidate because he is the most qualified,” he said.

Omere added: “Essentially, Port Harcourt today is a city agog. A number of Nigerians are coming into this part of our country, essentially to participate in the forthcoming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Now as a build-up to this, a number of Nigerians have expressed interest to participate in the selection process of the party. And as a result of that, individuals who have signified their interest within the context of the desire to move Nigeria forward, have been going round across the country.

“We are in Port Harcourt to participate and our candidate is Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CON, Governor of Sokoto State.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pdp-presidential-primary-tambuwal.html

Members of the Return Ambode Group 2019 spread across Abuja, Lagos and diaspora have congratulated Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for accepting defeat and allowing peace to reign in Lagos State. This is even as the group urged Lagosians to embrace peace. A statement jointly signed by its president, Prince Ayei Ukagu and secretary, Sule Oyofo said Ambode demonstrated that his second term ambition was not such a big deal to sacrifice gains he had already achieved in the state.



Ukagu called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) hierarchy not to dwell much on the past, as it was normal to fight for fundamental and constitutional right in any democratic setting. The statement reads in part: ‘’Governor Amobode like every other Nigerian having put in his best for the growth of the coastal state, deserved a second term in office and there was nothing wrong in expressing that desire. ‘’We call on the national leader of the APC, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reciprocate his godson’s exemplary character by rallying round him for the remaining months in office.



This is paramount to help him remain focused on good governance and performance. “We also call on the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to squash any plans or idea of impeachment, as there is nothing to gain from such negative practice.’’ Ukagu, however, hailed the ‘excellent’ manner Governor Ambode handled the tense political atmosphere in Lagos State that threatened the peace in Lagos State.



He also described Ambode as a reputable bridge builder that should be praised by every peace loving Nigerian and should be emulated by other state governors facing similar challenge. ‘’We also note that despite the massive gang up against him, it was his magnanimity and calmness that saw the situation brought under control otherwise the state would have been thrown into turmoil,’’ he added

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/group-hails-ambode-urges-lagosians-to.html

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, on Wednesday, commended the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode for accepting defeat.

Sanwo-Olu, who is the anointed candidate of the National Leader of APC had defeated Ambode during the controversial primary election held yesterday across the state.

Against this backdrop, Ambode addressed a Press Conference, where he accepted defeat and congratulated Sanwo-Olu.

The incumbent governor also thanked Tinubu and the elders of the party.

He also promised to ensure a smooth transition and work with the party while still in office.

Reacting to Ambode’s action, Sanwo-Olu, in his official Twitter handle wrote: “I want to thank Governor Ambode for accepting defeat gracefully and also for his support and his words of encouragement concerning next year’s gubernatorial election. Lagos will be better.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/lagos-apc-primary-how-sanwo-olu-reacted.html