₦airaland Forum

Ex-BBNaija housemate, Khafi Kareem, says she has been asked to resume work at the London Metropolitan police in the United Kingdom where she was an officer before participating in Big Brother Naija 2019.

Recall that while she was in the House, there were reports that MET police authorities were thinking of teminating her appointment for going on the show without any permission from her superiors.

Khafi who returned to the UK two weeks ago, told Mirror in a new interview, that she did ask healr bosses for permission to go on the show but they declined her request. She said the police have since contacted her and asked her to return to her seat.

“I started to ask what the procedure is, what would I do, I thought I might actually get into the show. I wanted to do everything by the book even though I didn’t know if I was in the show or not. I spoke to as many people as I was told to. I was told to go to my commander; I explained the situation, I told him I wanted time off – three months off of work and the reason was because I might get on Big Brother.

Work has been really great, we’ve been speaking and communicating, they asked me when I’d be coming back to work. I’m not sure when I’m going to go back yet. I want to get back as soon as possible, I’m passionate about keeping London safer.” she said

Khafi who turns a year older today November 3rd, also denied claims that herself and her former housemate turned lover, Gedoni Ekpata, had sex while in the house. She confirmed they were in a serious relationship and hopes they are still together for a love time.

“We are still together now – I met someone in there and fell in love with him. I hope we will be together for a very long time.” she said

https://www.mcebiscoo.com/metropolitan-police-have-asked-me-to-back-to-work-bbnaijas-khafi-says/

The practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been officially renounced on Friday by the people of Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti South West Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

This was disclosed by Oba Adebanji Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti who is also the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers during an event, organised by the state chapter of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in conjunction with United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) on FGM elimination.

Oba Adebanji described the act as unlawful and promised that the community would no longer be involved in the act.

“I want to declare today, on behalf of my people, that we will no longer be involved in the act of Female Genital Mutilation, because it is highly despicable and unlawful. Oba Alabi said.

“Henceforth, it is now a taboo for anyone to do it to our kids. I am surprised that at this age people are still into this act that has sent many of our children to early grave; and even those that survived it, are left impotent.’’

While reacting to the development, the state Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Dayo Famosaya regretted that the FGM was on the increase in the state especially in Ilawe community, describing it as an outdated act.

He assured that the agency would continue to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in a bid to put an end to the menace in the state.

The UNICEF South West Consultant on FGM elimination, Mrs Aderonke Olutayo, disclosed that Ekiti State ranked third in FGM prevalence rate in the country.

Olutayo reiterated that the act was a violation of the fundamental rights of girls and women, and was compromising their health and psycho-social well-being.

She advised the government to demonstrate more political will in ending the act, by making budgetary provisions that would enhance advocacy.

https://www.mcebiscoo.com/ekiti-community-officially-renounces-practice-of-female-genital-mutilation-on-friday/

I can’t believe that’s Chi Boy is gone,why this is happening in AJ city like this,we lost Danfo mad melon few months ago now Chiboy ……..well we can’t do anything but ur good music’s will speak for u forever ����� Friday black we lost star boy

https://www.mcebiscoo.com/oritsefemis-former-partner-chi-junglist-is-death/

OAP Moet Abebe who turned 30 recently, shared these photos on her Instagram page.

https://www.mcebiscoo.com/moet-abebe-shows-off-her-ample-butt-in-sexy-swimwear-photos/

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The number of victims killed in an attack launched by Boko Haram insurgents at a funeral in Maiduguri the capital of Borno State on Saturday July 27, has risen to 65.

LIB reported earlier that the leader of the local anti-Boko Haram militia, Bunu Bukar Mustapha, revealed that the attackers rode into the village on three motorbikes and opened fire on a group of men as they walked back from a funeral in Nganzai district near the state capital Maiduguri.

“It is 65 people dead and 10 injured,” local government chairman Muhammed Bulama said while confirming the incident. According to Bulama, 20 people died in the initial attack at a funeral gathering. Others were killed as they tried to chase after the Boko Haram insurgents.

CLICK HERE>>> https://www.mcebiscoo.com/boko-haram-death-toll-in-borno-funeral-attack-rises-to-65/

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Nigerian singer, Skales took to his Instagram page on Sunday, July 28, to share this loved-up photo of himself and his Rwandan-Canadian girlfriend, Neza, who is also a singer, posing together.

He captioned the lovely photo: 'Still growing strong despite the storms....go best friend that’s my best friend @thisisneza.'

Back in May, the celebrity couple celebrated the 1st anniversary of their relationship.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE>>> https://www.mcebiscoo.com/skales-shares-new-lovely-photo-with-his-stunning-rwandan-canadian-girlfriend-neza/

We Always Bring The Best Of Our Comedy Video Skits, Please Kindly Subscribe To Our Mc Ebisco Tv Channel ������

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nci-5t1rfCg

Singer, Wizkid’s son, Boluwatife has named Davido among the list of his favourite artistes in Nigeria – the youngster made this known in a recent interview with Goldmyne TV.
Wizkid’s son Boluwatife names Davido
In the interview, Boluwatife spoke at length about his clothing line which is set to drop in no time and also how he has desires to style top names in the music industry.
When asked who is favourite artistes are, Wizkid’s son said,
“My favourite Nigerian artistes are Wizkid definitely, Davido, Olamide and Ycee . Those are my favourite artistes. Well, I like all those artistes because they sing for a living, they don’t put too much stress in what they do.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/10/wizkids-son-boluwatife-names-davido-as-his-favourite-artiste/

The Aeronautical Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has expressed confidence in the capacity of the nation’s navigational infrastructure to guarantee safety of air travel in the country.

This declaration came at the end of an airport tour of facilities at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in Lagos, recently. Speaking on behalf of the visiting team, the chairman, Aeronautical Division, NSE, Engr. Patrick Achurufe, said their findings have boosted the confidence of members on the safety of the Nigerian airspace, adding that their on-the-spot assessment of the nation’s navigational tools and how these facilities were being deployed by the personnel in operations revealed that a lot has been done by NAMA both in terms of acquisition of critical infrastructure and training of appropriate personnel.

He commended staff of the agency for their diligence and hard work, saying that members were amazed at the dexterity and efficiency with which critical personnel discharged their duties both in communicating with pilots, vectoring aircraft and surveillance of the airspace in general. While extolling the federal government on the massive investment in the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) project, Achurufe however called for a sustained upgrade of the facility.

“Given that aviation is dynamic, most components of these facilities need to be upgraded from time to time in line with world best practices and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) specification,” he said. Also in his remarks, the vice chairman of the group, Engr. Godwin Balang, advocated for uninterrupted power supply from the national grid to ensure that the facilities operate at optimum capacity, even as he urged the federal government to ensure adequate supply of spares for effective maintenance of the systems.

With membership drawn from all engineers working in the aviation sector, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Aeronautical Division was established to promote the growth of the profession and to ensure standards and best practices are maintained in the aviation sector.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/10/nse-aeronautical-division-okays-airspace-infrastructure/

Chief Robert Clarke (SAN) has stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari deserves credit for exposing the head of the judiciary.

Naija News recalls that the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, resigned his appointment in a letter to President Buhari.

Speaking on Channels TV, Clarke blamed Onnoghen for his present predicament, adding that a petition by the EFCC should have warranted Onnoghen’s resignation since February.

He, however, warned that a rejection of Onnoghen’s resignation will ‘create heat wave in Nigeria politics’.

Clarke said, “The government has knowledge of many things which you and I don’t have, so if the government decided to go and take the head of the judiciary to a tribunal, give them credit that they know what they were doing.

“What has created the situation that he (the CJN) has found himself today is the petition written by EFCC. That petition, he had a copy of it in February

“As at February, the CJN was aware of those charges labelled against him, at that stage when he got the EFCC’s petition, he should have resigned.

“The politicizing of the situation stopped Onnoghen from doing the needful at the time.

“Let me be honest with you, we should not allow the politics or the political climate to be overheated. I will advise Buhari as President of Nigeria to accept the resignation because if he does not do so, he is creating another heatwave in the politics of the country.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/08/onnoghen-why-president-buhari-deserves-credit-clarke/

Chief Robert Clarke (SAN) has stated that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari deserves credit for exposing the head of the judiciary.

Naija News recalls that the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, resigned his appointment in a letter to President Buhari.

Speaking on Channels TV, Clarke blamed Onnoghen for his present predicament, adding that a petition by the EFCC should have warranted Onnoghen’s resignation since February.

He, however, warned that a rejection of Onnoghen’s resignation will ‘create heat wave in Nigeria politics’.

Clarke said, “The government has knowledge of many things which you and I don’t have, so if the government decided to go and take the head of the judiciary to a tribunal, give them credit that they know what they were doing.

“What has created the situation that he (the CJN) has found himself today is the petition written by EFCC. That petition, he had a copy of it in February

“As at February, the CJN was aware of those charges labelled against him, at that stage when he got the EFCC’s petition, he should have resigned.

“The politicizing of the situation stopped Onnoghen from doing the needful at the time.

“Let me be honest with you, we should not allow the politics or the political climate to be overheated. I will advise Buhari as President of Nigeria to accept the resignation because if he does not do so, he is creating another heatwave in the politics of the country.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/08/onnoghen-why-president-buhari-deserves-credit-clarke/

Commissioners designate in Ekiti state have been urged to key into Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration’s four point agenda to transform the lives of the people in the state.

The Director General of Buhari/Osinbajo campaign council, Ekiti chapter in the just concluded presidential poll, Dr Olusegun Osinkolu, who gave the charge told them to refrain from corruption practices and other unwholesome acts that could derail the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state.

Osinkolu described the nominees, who had been approved by the State House of Assembly as committed individuals in their respective communities and party loyalists, whom he said would discharge their duties diligently for radical turn -around of the state’s socio-economic facets.

Fayemi had last week Tuesday sent names of 14 commissioners designate to Ekiti assembly for screening and approval and were later confirmed on the floor of the House on Thursday.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, Osinkolu said the proposed cabinet members came at a time when the people are having high expectations from all sectors to compensate for the deprivation suffered in the past, saying they can’t afford to disappoint Ekiti populace under this circumstance.

Osinkolu added that APC as champion of progressive governance should run a government that can change the lives of the people for better, urging the nominees to bear this in mind that they are being appointed to serve and not to pursue personal gains and material acquisition.

He said, “Governor Kayode Fayemi met a lot of rots in the system caused by bad policies and laxity on the part of the immediate past administration.

“He came at a time when several months of salary and pension arrears are owed. Deductions and gratuities to civil servants and retirees running into several millions of naira are outstanding and infrastructures in schools are dilapidated and our people are questing for radical improvement.

“I want the nominees to share the dream of our governor and his resolve to bail us out of this conundrum.

“Under Ayodele Fayose- led government, over 40,000 people were displaced from the safety net like the social security scheme, Ekiti State Peace Corps, Youth in Commercial Farming (YCAD) and others being policies initiated by Governor Fayemi in 2011 , apart from astronomic increase in the level of unemployment among youths . All these APC government would have to tackle for people to have a reprieve.

“They must know that coming at this precarious time as commissioners is more of a service than material acquisition. They must be ready to sacrifice their personal gains to benefit humanity and posterity shall be fair to them as leaders who put up appropriate fight for our people to be delivered from the bandage of poverty if they eventually prove their mettle”.

He appealed to party members and other Ekiti populace to give them the required supports and play advisory roles where necessary for the success of the present administration.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/06/key-into-fayemis-transformation-agenda-osinkolu-tells-commissioners-designate/

Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong has opened up on one of the saddest things he has heard in his career as he ponders on the paths he has trodden to become a successful footballer.

The 25-year Nigerian international, who has given fans joy whenever he steps onto the pitch, revealed how he was told by one of his Tottenham Hotspur coaches that he was not good enough to make it as a footballer, something he believes spurred him and keeps pushing him up till today to achieve more.

The then 16-year-old started honing his trade at Spurs Academy where he spent three years but failed to make the grade before he moved on to FC Groningen for his first taste of senior football.

“One of my last moments at Tottenham before I left was when I had a meeting with one of my coaches. He told me and my mum that I wasn’t good enough to play, that he didn’t think I could make it as a football player.”

“This kind of upset me so much at the time but later became a big point for me to prove, first to them, then to myself and finally to the world that I am good enough to make it to the top.”

Since then, he has gone to represent Nigeria’s U-23s at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics while also earning caps at last year’s Russia World Cup tournament with the senior national team.

Dordrecht, FK Haugesund, Bursaspor and Gent have all benefited from the qualities of the never-say-die defender as he continues to take his career to an outstanding level.

He has become an indispensable part of the national team and barring any irremediable mishap is set to represent Gernot Rohr’s team in his first AFCON tournament in Egypt later this year.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/06/i-was-told-i-could-not-be-a-footballer-ekong/

The Federal Government said the annual Abuja carnival has been rescheduled to hold from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25.

Mrs Grace Gekpe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information said the postponement was to enable the ministry plan adequately for a robust event in a statement in Abuja.

Gekpe, who expressed regret at the inconvenience caused by the postponement, however assured the public of a robust carnival.

The annual carnival holds in the first week of November in the city capital with events such as road shows, music, cultural dances, masquerades and durbar.The event draws participants from states across the country, as well as foreign tourists.

The colourful carnival is similar to other carnival in Nigeria such as the Calabar and the Port Harcourt carnivals.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/05/fg-announces-new-date-for-abuja-carnival/

Yesterday, Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh was slammed with a petition by her ex-husband Olakunle Churchill, who claimed that she had forged the documents of one of his cars and sold it.

The actress has reacted to the allegation saying Churchill keeps paying the media.

Read below;

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/05/tonto-dikeh-reacts-to-reports-she-sold-her-ex-husbands-car/

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it will build digital literacy centre to promote Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) progamme at the NYSC camp in Ussele-Uku, Delta.

The Director-General of NYSC, Maj-Gen. Sule Zakari, represented by the Director of SAED Department in Abuja, Mr Nuhu Kwanghe made this known at the ground breaking ceremony of the programme on Friday at the NYSC Orentation Camp, Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta.

Zakari said that the project would be beneficial to corps members, the community and assured the management of the camp of his commitment to the speedy completion of the digital literacy centre.

He said that the NYSC would not cheapen the SAED programmes by accepting proposal with shallow content from would-be stakeholders.

The Delta NYSC Coordinator, Mr Omotade Ayodele said that the deliberate investment by the Delta State Government coupled with the strategic intervention of the NYSC management would enhance the viability of the project.

Omotade said that when the project was completed it would be a model for all round complete and inclusive training of corps members.

He said that the construction of the four-room SAED center would assure management of its preparedness to ensure that varieties of initiatives was aimed at promoting skills training and self-reliant activities among corps members in Delta.

The coordinator commended the NYSC D-G and the management for choosing Delta State Permanent Orientation Camp among the pioneer beneficiaries of the initiative.

He assured the management that project would redefine purposeful collaboration with private concerns in critical operation of the scheme.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/05/nysc-to-build-digital-literacy-centre-for-corps-members-in-delta/

President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented that Nigeria loses over N400billion annually to medical tourism and urged stakeholders to join hands to find solution to it.

The president urged the course participants of the Senior Executive Course, SEC 41 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, to provide solutions to issues that could close the gaps in the institutional, legal and policy frameworks for funding universal healthcare delivery for the good of the country.

He also persuaded them to embark on researches that would examine the experiences of other countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas in funding universal healthcare delivery and how lessons learnt can benefit the country.

He spoke during the inauguration of SEC 41 at the Institute’s premises in Kuru, Plateau where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the health sector to minimize the rate of medical tourism and inability to combat outbreak of deadly diseases.

Represented by the Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, Buhari, noted that he approved the theme of the study, ‘Funding Universal Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria’ out of his desire to tackle challenges of the health sector funding.

He informed that his government provided N55.1billion in 2018 for basic healthcare system in accordance with the National Health Act signed in 2014.

According to him “I am pleased to be at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru on the occasion of the inauguration of the Senior Executive Course 41, 2019 of the National Institute. When in 2018, I approved the theme of your study, Funding Universal Healthcare Delivery in Nigeria, the decision was borne out of the sincere desire of my administration to tackle the challenges of health sector funding in Nigeria.

“The essence of this programme is to ensure that quality basic healthcare services are delivered to the majority of Nigerians across the country irrespective of their locations.Early in 2018,Government provided N55.1billion, which is the 1 percent Consolidated Revenue Fund to cater for the Basic Healthcare Fund, provided for in the National Health Act.

“Government has shown strong commitment in the revitalization of the health sector. These efforts notwithstanding, our health sector is still characterized by low response to public health emergencies, inability to combat outbreak of deadly diseases and mass migration of medical personnel out of the country.

“This has resulted in increasing medical tourism by Nigerians in which Nigeria loses over N400billion on annual basis.

Thus, I consider the theme for 2019 very apt, timely and important because the primary purpose of governance is to ensure the security and well-being of the citizens including health security.”

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, delivered the inaugural lecture on Health while Plateau State Chief Judge, Justice Yakubu Dakwak, administered the oath of office to the 66 Course participants.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/05/nigeria-loses-n400bn-on-medical-tourism-annually-buhari/

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report says men are more likely to die earlier than women due to uneven access to health services.

According to “2019 World Health Statistics” published on the WHO website on Thursday, the trend is similar in low and high-income countries as men often seek health care services less than women.

The health statistics, which according to the report, was disaggregated by sex for the first time, stated that women outlived men everywhere in the world particularly in wealthy countries.

The report said that where men and women faced the same disease, men often seek health care less than women.

It said that only by intensifying efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can countries close this health gap and improve the health and wellbeing of everyone.

“Women outlive men everywhere in the world particularly in wealthy countries and the World Health Statistics 2019 disaggregated by sex for the first time explains why.

“Attitudes to healthcare differ. Where men and women face the same disease, men often seek health care less than women.

“In countries with generalised HIV epidemics, for example, men are less likely than women to take an HIV test, less likely to access antiretroviral therapy and more likely to die of AIDS-related illnesses than women.

“Similarly, male Tuberculosis (TB) patients appear to be less likely to seek care than female TB patients.

“Where women can access health services, maternal deaths decrease thereby lengthening women’s life expectancy.

“In many circumstances, men access health care less than women. The report also highlights the difference in causes of death between men and women.

“Some are biological, some influenced by environmental and societal factors while some are impacted by availability of and uptake of health services,” the report said.

It said that of the 40 leading causes of death globally, 33 causes contribute more to reduced life expectancy in men than in women.

The report stated that in 2016, the probability of a 30-year-old dying from a non-communicable disease before 70 years of age was 44 per cent higher in men than women.

According to the report, global suicide mortality rates are 75 per cent higher in men than in women in 2016.

The report revealed that death rates from road injury were more than twice as high in men than in women from age 15 adding that mortality rates due to homicide were also four times higher in men than in women.

The report quoted Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, as saying that breaking down data by age, sex and income group was vital to understanding who was being left behind and why.

Ghebreyesus said that behind every number in the World Health Statistics was a person, a family, a community or a nation.

He said that the task of the organisation was, therefore, to use the data to make evidence-based policy decisions that would move everyone closer to a healthier, safer and fairer world.

“The gap between men’s and women’s life expectancy is narrowest where women lack access to health services.

“In low-income countries, where services are scarcer, one in 41 women die from a maternal cause, compared with one in 3,300 in high-income countries.

“In more than 90 per cent of low-income countries, there are fewer than four nursing and midwifery personnel per 1000 people.

“The report was published to coincide with World Health Day commemorated on April 7 yearly.

“This year, the celebration focuses on primary health care as the foundation of UHC; the new WHO statistics highlight the need to improve access to primary health care worldwide and to increase uptake.

“One of WHO’s triple billion goals is for one billion more people to have UHC by 2023.

“This means improving access to services especially at community level and making sure those services are accessible, affordable, and effective for everyone regardless of their gender,” the director general said.

Also, Dr Samira Asma, the WHO Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery, said that these statistics underscored the need to prioritise primary health care urgently to effectively manage noncommunicable diseases and to curb risk factors.

Asma explained that for instance, achieving something as simple as controlling blood pressure was just not happening on the scale needed and tobacco use remained a leading cause of premature death.

She said, however, that irrespective of the challenges, life expectancy has improved since 2000.

The director general said that between 2000 and 2016, global life expectancy at birth increased by 5.5 years which was from 66.5 to 72.0 years.

“Healthy life expectancy at birth which is the number of years one can expect to live in full health has increased from 58.5 years in 2000 to 63.3 years in 2016.

“Life expectancy remains strongly affected by income; in low-income countries, life expectancy is 18.1 years lower than in high-income countries. One child in every 14 born in a low-income country will die before their fifth birthday,” Asma said.

She said that the organisation has for the first time published a Global Health Statistics disaggregated by sex.

Asma said that this new analysis has provided insights into the health and needs of people around the world. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/05/why-men-die-earlier-than-women-by-who/

Barely two days he visited Senegal, President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday jetted off for an economic forum in Jordan.

Buhari who promised to leave Nigeria better than he met it, stormed Amman to participate in the world economic forum in Jordan and investment summit in Dubai.

He was invited by King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan.

President Buhari will deliver an address at the opening of the plenary alongside King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein and United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, and join world economic leaders in an informal gathering at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre.

The Nigerian leader will also hold bilateral meetings with some world leaders on the sidelines of the Forum.

President Buhari will depart Amman Sunday for Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in the ninth edition of the Annual Investment Meeting, April 8-10, 2019.

Invited by His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rachid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Nigerian President as Guest of Honour, will deliver the keynote address under the theme, “Mapping the Future of Foreign Direct Investment: Enriching World Economies through Digital Globalization.”

According to the organisers, the meeting is “the largest gathering of corporate leaders, policymakers, businessmen, regional and international investors, entrepreneurs, leading academics and experts showcasing up-to-date information, strategies and knowledge on attracting FDI.”

The meeting also seeks to explore investment opportunities in more than 140 countries, connect businesses and countries willing to engage in sustainable partnerships with investors.

President Buhari will be accompanied on both trips by Governors Abubakar Badaru, Abiola Ajimobi and Yahaya Bello of Jigawa, Oyo and Kogi States respectively.

Others on the entourage include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Babagana Monguno (rtd), and other top government officials.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/04/breaking-again-buhari-jets-out-of-nigeria/

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is cruising home in victory in the Rivers State governorship elections, having won 13 local government areas (LGAs) out of the 15 councils results announced, so far, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The most rival political party, African Action Congress (AAC), defeated PDP in Oyigbo and Akuku-Toru councils.

The results were announced yesterday, as the commission resumed the governorship election results collation, which was suspended after the March 9 poll, following widely reported violence.

The Returning Officer, Prof. Teddy Adias, who coordinated the exercise assured INEC will be as fast as possible to see a successful completion of the election. He announced the continuation of the collation process today.

Meanwhile, the PDP agent, and former deputy speaker of House of Representatives, Austin Okpara, and his AAC counterpart, Nenye Kocha, have described the collation process as transparent.

Okpara of PDP said his party is “coasting home peacefully,” adding that security agencies and INEC had demonstrated professionalism in their jobs.

However, Kocha, who is also the AAC state secretary, said the figures arrived at, so far, were not comfortable.

He said: “We’ve been in the dark about what is happening. Though the process has been transparent, but, we are not comfortable with the figures. As a party, we are going to review the gamut of all that had happened within the period.”

Regardless, there was pro-AAC protest earlier in the day to disrupt the collation.

The protest eventually turned violent, following alleged shooting by gunmen, which left scores wounded.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/03/rivers-guber-wike-in-comfortable-lead/

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the March 9 governorship election yesterday won in 13 of the 15 local government areas announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC resumed yesterday the collation of the results of the election which was suspended by the commission following the outbreak of violence during the collation of the results of the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

Before INEC shifted the collation exercise to today, Wike had won in Port Harcourt City, Ikwerre, Andoni, Okrika, Eleme, Omuma, Bonny, Ahoada-East, Tai, Emohua, Opobo/Nkoro, Etche and Omuma local government areas while Biokpomabo Awara of the African Action Congress (AAC) clinched Akuku-Toru and Oyigbo local government areas.

The breakdown of the results showed that in Port Harcourt City the AAC got 11, 866; PDP: 40,197), Ikwerre (AAC 5,660; PDP 14, 938), Andoni (AAC 5,335; PDP 92,056), Okirika AAC 3,803; PDP 25,572), Akuku-Toru (AAC 36, 661; PDP 25, 765); Oyigbo (AAC 32,026, PDP 8, 652) and Eleme (AAC 2, 748; PDP 9,560).

Others are Opobo/Nkoro (AAC 3,888; PDP 6,314), Omuma (AAC 1, 853; PDP 15, 792), Bonny (AAC 3, 046; PDP 10, 551), Ahoada-East (AAC 3, 713; PDP 14, 589), Tai (AAC 540; PDP 47, 652), Emuoha (AAC 2,856; PDP 71,522), Etche (AAC 7,437; PDP 11, 842) and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (PDP 31,277 and AAC 8,423).

With the All Progressives Congress (APC) out of the race on the order of the court, it entered an alliance with the AAC to unseat Wike.

Three days to the governorship election, APC leader in the state and transportation minister, Rotimi Amaechi, said that the party had adopted AAC for the governorship poll.Also yesterday, INEC declared the PDP candidates, Senator George Thompson Sekibo and Hon. Betty Apiafi as the winners of Rivers East and Rivers West senatorial districts.

Today’s collation exercise will cover Obio/Akpor and the seven local government areas in the state.

At the commencement of the exercise at INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt yesterday, the commission’s national commissioner for Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers State, May Agbamuche-Mbu, expressed commitment of the commission to ensuring a smooth process.

Agbamuche-Mbu, who stated that security was a critical issue in Rivers election, recalled that it led to the suspension of entire electoral exercise in the state and promised that INEC would bring the collation to a logical end.

Meanwhile, suspected political thugs yesterday disrupted a protest staged by two non-governmental organisations against INEC over the suspended gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state.

The groups: United Niger Deltans for Buhari (UNDB) and Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisation (CNHO) in Rivers State embarked on the protest and ignored the state government’s ban on such activities.

They carried placards with inscriptions such as: “INEC don’t rape us”, “Ijaw say no electoral fraud”, “Obo Efanga, you have been exposed, back off” and “We say no to open day electoral robbery”, amongst others.

The protest came to an abrupt end when suspected thugs invaded and attacked the members near Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, with stones, bottles and later gunshots were heard.

The leader of the UNDB, Anabs Sara-Igbe, who is also the spokesman of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), accused the state government of using thugs to stop the peaceful protest.

Sara-Igbe stated that the groups had obtained police permit before embarking on the protest, adding that the government could not use the police to enforce its order.

He said: “We obtained police clearance for the protest. Some boys were hired to disrupt the protest. They came and shot into the crowd. The government does not have respect for human lives.”

Also, the leader of the Coalition of NGOs, Comrade Somina Wokoma, declared that the people of state were being marginalised.

Wokoma said that the riverine section had not been given the opportunity to govern the state for over 20 years, adding that a riverine person must be given the chance.

He called on INEC to be fair in the process by cancelling the entire process and transfer of the resident electoral commissioner (REC), Obo Effanga and other top officials of the commission in the state.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has warned INEC of the consequences of the unilateral collation of results of the March 9 elections in the stat.

Its governorship candidate, Victor Fingesi, in a statement he issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, called for an inclusive stakeholders’ meeting as part of the efforts to resolve the electoral crisis in the state.

Fingesi, who described the March 30 stakeholders’ meeting organised by INEC as not inclusive because the ADP was not invited, said that it was improper for the commission to make many mistakes, some of which bordered on legal issues, and gloss over it to continue the collation of the results.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/03/rivers-govship-wike-leads-as-inec-continues-collation-today/