Ex-Niger Delta militants under the aegis of Niger Delta Ken Saro Wiwa Adaka Boro Biafra Freedom Fighters, have pleaded with the United Nations, UN, and the international community to compel the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government to allow the people of Biafra go.

According to the ex-militants, the only way to stop the agitation for Biafra was to allow Ndigbo have their own country.

Chief Jasper Emmanuel, the leader of the group, made the call in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He noted that the actualisation of Biafra Republic could not be suppressed or denied as everybody had right to freely express his mind on where to belong.
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Emmanuel said, “all ex-agitators and militants must come together to support and agitate for the actualisation of Biafra Republic as that would give the Niger Delta region the tonic for rapid socio-economic development which had eluded the region for decades.

“We are seriously working with all necessary stakeholders and Biafra agitation groups within and outside the country to actualise the dream of the Biafra Republic where the people can be free in a country they can call their own.

“The actualisation of Biafra Republic will happen shortly as the people can no longer remain in a federation that is politically and economically favourable to only some sections, while other parts of the country that lay the golden egg live in abject poverty and under development.

“The battle for the actualisation of a sovereign state of Biafra must be fought and won on all fronts for the benefit of all as the political imbalance of Nigeria has thrown under development to some sections while political power had remained the exclusive preserve of a few ethnic and religious groups.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/04/biafra-will-happen-soon-ex-niger-delta-militants-declare-drag-buhari-to-un/

Popular Nollywood actor, Bishop Linchung Duke Oliver, popularly known as Silvanus of the popular ‘Do Good’ series, has been confirmed dead.

ORIENTAL TIMES understands that the Nollywood actor died in a car crash while he was on his way back from his mother’s burial who was buried earlier last week.

Basorge Tariah Jr. shared the incident of his death on Tuesday, as the actor was said to have died on Tuesday, April 2.

Basorge Tariah Jr. who broke the sad news via his Instagram handle said in his post; “my heart is so so Heavy right now. I am in a dark and painful place. Tragedy is a euphemism. We just lost SILVANUS of DOGOOD. My dear brother was returning from the burial of his mother when death added my friend to his mean account. RIP. These Tears won’t stop flowing.”

Basorge added that; “I am so speechless and so sad. You were such a lovely soul. You smile, you play and never complained. You leave a vacuum that most of the world cannot fill. I will miss so much, it burns my heart. Sleep! Sleep great and awesome Talent.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/03/just-in-nollywood-actor-sylvanus-of-do-good-series-is-dead/

Niger State government has sacked the management committee of Niger Tornadoes Football Club over the poor run of the team in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Niger state Commissioner of Sports, Mr. Duza Babur in a press statement said the decision was carried out after due consultation with relevant stakeholders.

LEADERSHIP Sports also gathered that a sole administrator would be appointed to take over the affairs of the club till the end of the 2018/2019 Nigerian top league season.

“This dissolution is premised on the dismal performance of the club in the current Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). In addition, the seemingly continuous administrative lapses of the management have reached an intolerable level and the ministry is left with no further option than to take this drastic action.

“We wish to reiterate that despite several meetings and advise from the ministry to the management, the management has continued to demonstrate the lack of wherewithal to bring the club out of its present predicament.

“Consequently, the once dreaded and admired Niger Tornadoes have now become a subject of mockery. This has led to the loss of confidence by the supporters of the club.

“Following these submissions, the ministry has no other option than to dissolve the management and appoint a sole administrator to pilot the affairs of the club to the end of the season.

“The sole administrator is expected to work hand in hand with the ministry to bring the club out of the mess and take it to the next level.”

Niger Tornadoes rock the bottom of Group A in the Nigerian abridged league with 10 points from 13 games, having won 1, drew 7 and lost 5 games.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/03/niger-sacks-tornadoes-management/

Security operatives have apprehended three members of a deadly cult group, Eiye Confraternity.

Eiye cultists were arraigned in court

Three men, Amechi Dukur, Totimi Johnson and Yusuf Ahmed, were on Monday arraigned before an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged membership of an unlawful society.

Dukur, 25, Johnson, 18 and Ahmed, 21, are facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, membership of unlawful society and breach of peace.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Insp. Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the trio, along with others still at large, committed the alleged offences on March 1, at 2.00 p.m. at Akala area of Mushin, Lagos.

Ihiehie said the defendants and their accomplices, conspired and conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace by using some dangerous weapons to threaten the community.

He also alleged that the defendants belonged to an unlawful society called the Eiye Confraternity.

The offences contravened Sections 42(a) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Ruling on the bail application, the Magistrate, E. Kubeinje, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50, 000 each, with one surety each in like sum.

Kubeinje said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, be gainfully employed, and with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

She adjourned the case until April 24, for further hearing. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/02/suspected-eiye-confraternity-members-arrested-in-mushin-area-of-lagos/

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Monday visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Shortly after meeting with the President, Governor Okorocha briefed State House correspondents on what he discussed with President Buhari during the meeting.

He said he requested that the top leadership of the ninth National Assembly be zoned to the South-East region of the country.

The governor explained that the people of the South-East were important and should be treated as such.

He informed reporters that he was at the Aso Villa to invite the President to Imo to inaugurate some projects before the end of his tenure in the state.

Governor Okorocha also reacted to the outcome of the March 9 governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State.

He faulted the victory of the Governor-elect, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, who contested the poll on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that he did not win the election.

On the status of his senatorial ambition, Okorocha was confident that INEC would issue him his certificate of return.

The governor visited the President five weeks after INEC conducted the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Although he was declared the winner of the Imo West senatorial district election, the electoral body had insisted that it would not present Okorocha with a certificate of return.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/04/01/okorocha-visits-buhari-makes-case-for-south-east/

The Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos, Anglican Communion, Humphrey Olumakaiye, has urged the governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to serve the people with the fear of God, diligence and humility.

The Bishop said this on Sunday at the thanksgiving service of Sanwo-Olu, at the St. Andrew Anglican Church, Okepopo, Lagos.

Concise News reports that Sanwo-Olu and his deputy Obafemi Hamzat, were at St. Andrew Anglican Church, Okepopo, Lagos, to give thanks to God for their victory at the just concluded general poll.

Olumakaiye said, “If you serve the people diligently, the people in return will serve you to the end. In all your programmes make sure you carry the people along.

“Respect every person under your leadership; one tree does not make a forest. Remember you were nobody before you became the bride of the nation. What can you give back to God?

“Remember how you moved to the crannies without breaking down. God is the source of our joy and happiness, have genuine heart for service, be strong and courageous.”

He further said, “To be successful in life you must do the right thing, moment by moment, day by day. You shared what happened when you keyed into our 21 days of fasting and prayer.

“Never leave or abandon God. Be full of humility, never be full of yourself. Pride changes angels into a devil. Don’t lack integrity.”

On his part, Sanwo-Olu said: “God is real, whatever you are asking God hold on to him. God answers prayers. I know that so much is expected from me by 20 million Lagos residents.

“I pray and hope that God will take Lagos to a greater height.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/03/31/lagos-election-what-cleric-told-sanwo-olu-ahead-inauguration/

Nigeria’s duo of Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun made it five Portuguese Cup title in a row at the weekend after their team – Sporting beat GDCS Juncal 3-0 to retain the Portuguese Cup.

Also, the women’s team of Sporting Club started their return to the first division on a good note by claiming the Portuguese Cup at the expense of GD Toledos in the finals played at the Municipal Sports Pavilion of Póvoa de Varzim.

In the report monitored on the Portuguese Table Tennis Federation website, Sporting has won the last four editions to increase their titles to 26 in the Portuguese Cup, the men’s team is made up of Nigeria’s duo of Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun as well as Portuguese internationals – Joao Monteiro and Diogo Carvalho proved why they remained the best team in Portugal.

The 2018 semifinalist in the ETTU Champions League were in fine form against GDCS Juncal with Nigerian superstar – Aruna Quadri championing the onslaught against their opponent.

Playing the first game against Russian Andrei Bukin, Aruna Quadri wasted no time to dismiss the Russian with a 3-0 (11-5, 11-2, 11-6) bashing.

But it was not same story for Diogo Carvalho who had to dig deep to defeat Romanian Mihai Sargu 3-2 (11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 11-13, 11-7).

The partnership of Bode Abiodun and Diogo Carvalho completed the rout for Sporting when they overcame the duo of David Bessa and Andrei Bukin 3-0 (11-2, 11-4, 11-9) to lift the trophy for the fifth time in a row.

To berth in the men’s final, Sporting had defeated ADC Ponta do Pargo in the semi-finals (3-1), the CD São Roque in the quarterfinals (3-0) and CTM Lagos in the round of 16 (3-0).

The women’s team of Sporting who made their return to the elite division of the Portuguese league after playing in the lower division last season.

The women’s final involving Sporting and GD Toledos was officiated by the duo of Francisco Rocha and António Pacheco and it was Daniela Dodean Monteiro that started the campaign for Sporting when she defeated Olga Shishmareva 3-2 (11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 5-11, 6-11).

Li Fen increased the lead for Sporting when she beat Anita Luis 3-0 (5-11, 5-11, 5-11).

However, GD Toledos made a statement in the doubles game when the pair of Olga Shishmareva and Olga Chramko overcame Sporting’s Zhenqi and Barthel Apolónia 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-.

To end the possibility of a comeback, Barthel Apolónia thrashed Toledos’ Anita Luís 3-0 (4-11, 1-11, 5-11)to hand the Sporting ladies the trophy.

The final phase of the competition was attended by 29 teams made up of 16 men and 13 women.

In men, Sporting Clube de Portugal won the last four editions of the trophy and now adds 26 titles, while the women’s team won the trophy for the 13th time, finishing the reign of CTM Mirandela who won the Portuguese Cup in the nine years above. From 1992-1993 the team “leonina” did not win the Cup.

The coach of Sporting women’s team Marco Rodrigues said: “It is very good to win again the Portuguese Cup for Sporting Clube de Portugal, after so many years of interruption.”

Sporting Director, Miguel Almeida added: “These two titles are very important, because they were a goal of the section and the club, which enters to win in all the races in which it participates. In the female case it was even more important because it is the first year in which, after we were absent from the 1st division, we returned victoriously. We are working to win the remaining titles until the end of the season.”

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/15/quadri-abiodun-retain-portuguese-cup/?amp

An eminent legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afe Babalola, has criticised the Federal Government for the planned arraignment of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

In a statement personally signed by him on Sunday, the senior lawyer said the government has no justification for its decision to arraign the CJN before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

He stated that the Constitution clearly provided for the procedure with which the Chief Justice of Nigeria can be removed from office.

Unlike other judicial officers, Mr Babalola stressed that the CJN can only be removed by the President, upon receipt of an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.

He also condemned the application seeking an order directing Justice Onnoghen to recuse himself from office pending the conclusion of the trial.

The prominent lawyer described the proposed arraignment of the CJN as one that unfairly degrades not only the judiciary but also the Constitution of the land.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/14/no-justification-planned-trial-cjn-afe-babalola-slams-fg/

The First Lady,Mrs Aisha Buhari yesterday in Owerri canvassed votes for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Imo State ,Senator Hope Uzodinma to the chagrin of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Represented by the wife of the vice president,Mrs.Oludolapo Osinbajo,the first lady was confident that the SouthEast and Imo State in particular would vote all APC candidates in the coming elections.

“A vote for Buhari is a vote for progress. APC has done well and we must all support all APC candidates,” she said at a rally in Owerri organized by APC women and youths in the South East.

She added:”I am happy with the crowd we saw today.Iit shows that Imo is APC and I want to urge all our youths not to fight, avoid any form of crisis because President Buhari is a peaceful man. From what we have seen today President Buhari has won the South East the same way all our APC candidates have won.”

At the rally was Uzodinma whose candidature is strongly opposed by Okorocha.

The governor is rooting for his son in law,Uche Nwosu,who is contesting the March governorship election on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA).

Nwosu was originally in the APC until the party gave its governorship to Uzodinma.

An angry Okorocha said at yesterday’s rally that nothing would stop Nwosu from succeeding him as governor.

He said: “Let me say this madam First Lady, this time around we are not here to ask you to campaign for Buhari.What my wife has done is to tell you that Buhari is on ground.

“Imo victory for Buhari is designed, sealed. In Imo state, we have 47 political parties and one of the perfect alliances is Action Alliance led by Uche Nwosu.

“Nwosu is APC in spirit. APC, owes Imo people an apology because of the injustice meted to Imo people. In Imo state, Nwosu will win Imo state. It is not anti- party. We refused imposition in Imo state.”

At some point during the rally supporters of Uzodinma and those of Okorocha/Nwosu began to tear each other’s campaign posters, and eventually clashed.

Security personnel had a tough time bringing the situation under control.

No fewer than 15 persons sustained injuries and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

Speaking to reporters on the situation, Uzodinma asked the APC leadership to “ look into the matter and take appropriate action.”

•Sourced from The Nation report

• The wife of the Vice President Mrs Dolapo Yemi Osinbajo, Imo State Governor Owelle Okorocha and his Wife Mrs Okorocha addressing the People of South=East during the Women and Youth 2019 Presidential Rally held in Owerri Imo State. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE. JAN 12

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/13/2019-aisha-buhari-rochas-okorocha-disagree-support-governors-son-law/

The Kwara State Government says the Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed’s recent pronouncements on governance in Kwara State are at variance with the reality on the ground.

In a response to statements by the Minister “containing unsupported claims about governance in the state”, the Kwara State Government contradicted the image of stagnation painted by Alhaji Mohammed, maintaining that the state has recorded commendable strides.

A State Government statement issued on Saturday said: “Kwara State has made visible incremental progress in the years referred to by Alhaji Mohammed. For example, since 2003, under the administration of former Governor Bukola Saraki and as upscaled by the current administration of Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kwara State has overcome its position as a civil service-driven state and is now a major frontier of growth in the North-Central region. The growth cuts across all sectors of our economy and includes successful reforms in health insurance, agriculture, energy, revenue generation, infrastructure development and funding which several states across the country continue to understudy and adopt. These reforms have the added distinction of earning Kwara State national and international acclaim in addition to vastly improving the lives of the people.

“The minister also failed to clarify his claim that workers have been pauperised in Kwara State on account of salary arrears. Rather, the truth is that Kwara State is one of the few states in the country that are up to date in the payment of salaries to workers. If the Minister was abreast of developments in the state, he will know or at least acknowledge that only local government workers are owed by their individual councils due to the drop in their federation allocation.”

While maintaining that progress has also been made in road infrastructure despite existing gaps, including on federal roads like Ajase Ipo-Erin-Ile, the government stressed that in addition to major achievements on state roads, it is currently intervening on Sango to Oke-Ose federal road, and started work on Kishi-Kaiama Federal Road, before the federal government took over funding.

On the issue of bailouts from the federal government, the State Government clarified that the only intervention received by Kwara State from the Federal Government in 2015 was deployed for salaries of state workers and infrastructure. It said other federal interventions which restructured state government loans and provided budget support due to shortfalls in federal allocation in 2016/2017 were utilised for recurrent expenditure such as salaries as appropriated.

Additionally, the State Government stressed that the said bailouts were loans that it is already repaying to the Federal Government through direct deductions from federal allocation to the state.

On Paris Club refunds, the state government maintained that N5.6b was released to local government councils for the payment of salary arrears out the amount so far received by the state.

According to the statement, “The prolonged local government salary crisis in the country is sensitive and emotive. We, therefore, urge the Minister to focus more on leveraging his position as federal minister to secure a solution to the problem if the welfare of the affected workers is so important to him rather than using their hardship for partisanship.

“Alhaji Muhammed is also advised to adopt a more temperate tone with regard to sensitive issues in Kwara State such as the tragic Offa Robbery which took the lives of 33 innocent civilians and policemen. He should join the State Government and the Offa community in supporting ongoing efforts to prevent a recurrence, in tangible ways, rather than acting in a manner that heats up the polity”.

https://theeagleonline.com.ng/kwara-government-lambast-lai-mohammed-over-uninformed-comments/

With a series of dramatic incidents, 2019 started on a high note for kidnappers, in spite of increased efforts of security operatives.

With kidnapping having reached alarming heights in 2018, and all seeming calm at the end of the year, just a few days into 2019, abductors have raised the tempo across states, taking hostage many in the process.

At least seven persons have been known to have been individually kidnapped, including Dr. Fashina and Pastor Onaade, David Jejelowo and a driver in Ekiti State and District Head of Zandam, Babangida Lawal and a businessman, Murtala Rabe, and an aide to Justice Mamman Nasir in Katsina State. Checks by Daily Trust Saturday showed that there are a number of cases which have not been reported to the police, at the orders of the kidnappers.

Unease returned to the busy Kaduna-Abuja highway over the upsurge of activities of gunmen, with recent reports of killings and kidnapping of commuters, passengers, drivers and other road users. Some drivers who ply the route regularly, informed of an incident a few days ago, when a passenger vehicle belonging to the Katsina State Transport Authority broke down along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, and just as another vehicle belonging to the same company stopped to assist, abductors emerged from the bush and picked most of the passengers.

However, the Managing Director of Katsina State Transport Authority, Haruna Musa, said the management was unaware of any of its buses missing, or having been attacked along the route.

According to Daily Trust, since January 1, incidents have resurfaced on the busy expressway. In fact, worried about the situation, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Abdulrrahman on Thursday undertook an inspection of parts the highway and a forest at Kasarami village to check, first hand, routes the kidnappers may be using.

Commercial vehicle drivers plying the route expressed worry over the situation. The Provost of Command Motor Park in Kaduna, Austin Alfred, confirmed to Daily Trust Saturday the return and spike of kidnappings, which have thrown commercial drivers into apprehension and uncertainty.

Alfred said a few days ago, gunmen stopped a bus and took with them 18 passengers on board apart from six other taxis they attacked, and abducted passengers for ransom. He said since the beginning of the year, about 60 people were kidnapped, explaining that on Tuesday at about 7pm two commercial vehicles and a private car were attacked. Daily Trust Saturday, however, could not confirm the number of victims.

A commercial driver, Usman Nura, said: “We’re worried about recent happenings, and I think drastic action should be taken before the situation gets worse. Even yesterday (Tuesday), my brother’s vehicle was attacked by gunmen on the highway, and in the process one of the passengers was shot, while two others were kidnapped.”

But the Kaduna State Police Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Yakubu Sabo, denied reports of an upsurge in criminal activities along the Kaduna-Abuja highway, even though he confirmed the Tuesday attack on commuters.

What would have been a high-profile abduction was however averted when kidnappers were unable to pick a former President of the Court of Appeal and District Head of Malumfashi in Katsina State, retired Justice Mamman Nasir. Travelling from Malumfashi to Katsina, the abductors abandoned the 90-year-old, who is also the Galadiman Katsina, as he could not walk. The kidappers then grabbed his aide, Aminu Sani, and are demanding a ransom of N50million.

DSP Sabo said the command was strategising and reviewing deployments to checkmate such incidents.

•Excerpted from a Daily Trust report

•Guns and ammunition recovered by troops, from Zwere armed militia in Ugya of Toto LGA of Nasarawa State.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/12/kidnappers-return-big-bang/

A woman in Johannesburg is upset that her family set her bride price at a whopping R150k (N3,948,507), forcing her boyfriend to save more money.

The lady identified as Dineo (@DineoNYC) took to Twitter to express her frustration with her family on January 9.

She wrote: “My boyfriend surprisingly sent his uncles last month for lobola negotiations and my family asked them for R150K cause “I’m priceless, pretty, educated, blah blah blah.” I’m still angry at my family though cause uBae has to save more now. So I guess I’m the most expensive thing.”

In a subsequent tweet, Dineo said the amount wouldn’t really matter if her boyfriend was doing well financially, but her family was just being unreasonable.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/11/woman-slams-family-setting-bride-price-n4-million/

The South-East Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its strong support for the candidacy of Alhaji Abukakar Atiku and Mr. Peter Obi, warning those that are out to sabotage their efforts to beware of the wrath of the people.

Rising from the combined meeting of the Zonal and State Working Committees of the party in the party Secretariat at Enugu on Thursday, the Zonal Chairman of the party, Deacon Austin Umahi declared: “The South East PDP will aggressively give all their support to the victory of the party in the South-East.”

The Chairman said that the party was lucky to have two qualified candidates vying for the presidency. His words: “Alhaji Abubakar has verifiable records. Mr. Peter Obi’s performance in Anambra State is there for everybody to see. Nobody is more qualified than both of them among other presidential candidates.”

Advising other parties to keep-off the South East, Umahi said: “Hold me by my words. You will now see a different dance step that will tell other parties that they have no place in the South-East. Every stakeholder must go and deliver his polling booth.”

Appealing to all PDP members to join hands for the victor of the party, he said that now was not the time of “trafficating right and turning left”, declaring that “the PDP must get it right now.”

Corroborating the position of the Zonal Chairman, the Anambra State PDP Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, said it was now incumbent on all PDP members to put in all they have towards the success of the party in all the parts of the country.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/11/2019-south-east-pdp-warns-sabotaging-atiku-obi-%e2%80%a2insists-obi-qualified-vp/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, claimed it has transferred its corrupt leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The former ruling party claimed it is now free of corruption.

The party made this revelation at a political stakeholders’ forum organised by the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Ikeja, Lagos.

PDP was represented by Kunle Okunola at the event, which was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the National Orientation Agency.

During the presentation of the parties, the PDP said it had flushed out its corrupt leaders to the APC.

“We are the only party that went through democratic selection when we were doing the structural replacement of our hierarchy, including the presidential candidate of our party.

“A party that does not practice internal democracy cannot help Nigeria out of the problem it has found itself. We have provided the leadership.

“And the corruption that they put on our neck, we have shed all the corrupt party leaders to the APC and I can say it.

“So, the PDP is free of corruption; APC is the mother of corruption for the past 16 years,” he said.

Okunola, who is also the House of Representatives candidate of the PDP for Ikeja Federal Constituency, said the party would restructure the country.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/10/2019-weve-flushed-degenerate-heads-apc-pdp/

Three Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1) students (names withheld), who allegedly gang-defiled their 15-year-old classmate, were on Wednesday remanded in a juvenile home.

The teenagers aged: 16, 16 and 14-years were docked at a Tinubu Chief Magistrates Court which also doubles as a Family Court.

They are facing a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful canal knowledge, sexual assault and defilement.

The chief magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, ordered that the boys be remanded at Borstal Training Institution in Adigbe, Abeokuta, pending the receipt of legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).

The prosecutor, Sgt. Hafsat Ajibode, told the court that the boys committed the offences in July 2018 at Makoko Area of Lagos State.

She said that the boys gang-defiled their 15-year-old classmate at her resident.

“The boys claimed that they came to visit their female classmate at her house while her parents were not around.

“They offered her a drink which was suspected to contain some sleeping pills and that was the last the girl remembered when she became conscious.

“When she regained consciousness, she discovered that she was naked and bleeding while the boys had disappeared.

“She raised an alarm which led to the arrest of the accused.

“The girl has since been traumatised and hospitalized as a result of the incident,” she said.

She said that the offences contravened Sections 260 (1) (2) (4), 261, 263 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The case was adjourned until Jan.16 for mention.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Borstal Training Institution is where juvenile offenders are remanded.

There, they would receive both educational and vocational trainings aimed at rehabilitating and reforming them before they would be reintegrated into the society. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/three-ss-1-students-remanded-gang-defiling-classmate/

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two persons and declared wanted a chieftain of NURTW, Mustapha Adekunle aka Seigo, over the disruption of APC rally in Lagos on Tuesday.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Chike Oti, said that the two persons arrested in connection with the incident were helping the police in their investigation.

Oti said that Seigo and his entourage had gained entrance to the rally ground as supporters before his group suddenly attacked another NURTW chieftain popularly known as MC Oluomo.

“The said Mustapha Adekunle aka Seigo, an NURTW chieftain, came to the rally with a group of people and were identified at the entrance as supporters of the party.

“However, at the tail end of the event, Seigo and his group, for a reason yet to be determined, violently engaged other supporters of the party.

“In the ensuing melee, MC Oluomo, another NURTW chieftain, was stabbed and was rushed to EKO Hospital where he is currently recuperating while two other victims of the attack were taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“The crisis was quickly contained by policemen at the venue.” the statement said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Edgal Imohimi, had met with leaders of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW ), Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) where all parties agreed to eschew violence before, during and after the election.

The Command, therefore, expressed disappointment at the incident, stating that it was surprising that a prominent member of NURTW would attempt to violently disrupt a peaceful political rally.

“In view of the development, the Command wishes to encourage members of the public with useful information on the whereabouts of Mustapha Adekunle popularly known as Seigo to report such at a nearest police station.

The rally which was the campaign flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos ended abruptly as violence broke out mid-way into the well-attended programme.

Hoodlums suspected to be members of the National Union Road Transport Workers (NURTW) invaded the Skypower Ground Ikeja venue with guns, daggers and other dangerous weapons, engaging one another in a bloody factional fight.

The situation sent panic across the campaign ground as party members ran in different directions to avoid being hit by bullets being fired indiscriminately by the hoodlums.

Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the situation.

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was making a speech, had to leave the stage immediately and was whisked out of the venue together with his deputy, Mrs Idiat Adebule, the APC governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, and other prominent members of the party.

Several people were injured in the violence, including two journalists who sustained minor bullet wounds.

NAN correspondent who was at the venue could not ascertain if there was any loss of life at the time of filing this report. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/2-police-net-nurtw-chief-declared-wanted-disruption-violence-lagos-apc-rally/

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has announced that his ministry will soon launch a massive national campaign in support of the military, especially in their fight against insurgency and insecurity.

“We are planning to launch a national campaign to rally support for the military. We believe the men and women who are risking all to keep us safe deserve the support and prayers of all Nigerians, not vilification, insults and other acts that are capable of dampening their morale,” the Minister said at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the campaign, which will be similar to the previous ones launched by the ministry on burning issues such as fake news and hate speech, insurgency and the fight against corruption, will mobilise Nigerians irrespective of their political leanings to show support for the military.

“I think it is high time that everybody, irrespective of political affiliation, joined in supporting the war (against insurgency). It’s not unusual, as a matter of fact it’s usually the practice, that when a country is faced with this kind of challenge, people will sink their differences and work together. So, very soon, you will expect to hear from us on this campaign to support the military in the fight against not just insurgency but in the fight against insecurity,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

He said the national campaign, which will be multi-faceted, will include the production and airing of special jingles on radio and television, social media intervention and advocacy.

The Minister decried how some Nigerians, particularly opposition politicians, have made it their past-time to wage a campaign of disinformation against the military on the social media, saying such unpatriotic acts are discouraging and demoralising the men and women in uniform.

“I think the biggest opposition probably today that the military has is probably not Boko Haram, it’s probably the Social Media because it’s so uncontrolled. Today, video clips are doctored and clips of happenings in other lands are now reported and sent out as if they are happening in Nigeria. Unfortunately, there is no one to hold responsible. This is very discouraging and it demoralises the military.

“That brings me to the bigger issue of overall support for our military. Recent developments are disturbing. The activities of a section of the media and some opposition political parties are demoralising the military and strengthening the insurgents. Without seeking or waiting for official clarification, outrageous casualty figures are prominently reported. Without consideration for national security, military plans are recklessly revealed. Not even in the United States, the bastion of democracy, does this happen,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said even though the government would neither censor nor gag the media, journalists must strike a balance between the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom to receive and impart information and national security.

•Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, addressing bureau chiefs and media executives on Tuesday in Abuja

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/fg-launch-national-campaign-rally-support-military/

Famous Israeli philosopher Aaron Ben-Ze’ev has argued in his forthcoming book that most of the popular ways to look for lifelong love are not good enough.

Ben-Ze’ev offers in his book “The Arc of Love” a unique approach on how to gain and maintain an enduring loving relationship.

The most crucial step is how to choose the right person.

The book will be released in June 2019 in the U.S. and Xinhua was the first to review the book and its ideas.

Ben-Ze’ev is the former president of the Israeli University of Haifa and founding president of European Philosophical Society for the study of emotions.

He told Xinhua that building the foundations of deep love is difficult and challenging. However, an enduring love can be achieved.

There are four common ways to judge the potential romantic companion. The first will be the checklist method focused on superficial negative qualities. The second is love at first sight which refers to superficial positive attributes. The third method seeks to identify a major flaw in a personality, and once it was detected, the candidate is dropped. This approach offers more accurate results than the checklist, according to Ben-Ze’ev. The fourth strategy is to observe partners’ interactions and notice whether a partner brings out the best in the companion and help him or her to flourish in their daily life. “Today, the greatest weight is commonly given to the first and second methods, then to the third and in the end, to the fourth. The order should be reversed without neglecting any information gained in each method,” said Ben-Ze’ev.

One fundamental aspect of choosing a romantic partner is the weight that we give to bad and good qualities of the potential spouse. Negative emotions and bad feedbacks have more impacts than good ones. Accordingly, we are more motivated to avoid bad events than to pursue good ones. Establishing a checklist of desired qualities for a partner is a common practice, but it has massive flaws.
Love cannot be computed merely by mechanistically detecting separate negative and positive attributes. It is hard to detect positive qualities that are valuable for the long-term relationship, partly because they are more clearly revealed through shared activities that take place over time. It is ineffective to try to predict a successful relationship merely by calculating a partner’s qualities by following the checklist method.

As no one is perfect, it may often be easier to detect negative qualities in everyone than positive ones. On the other hand, people may get accustomed to the lack of positive characteristics. If we reject all those who have some flaws, we might remain single for the rest of our life, or end up marrying a person who has fewer positive qualities rather than someone we met at the beginning of our search. Therefore, if you realize that your potential partner is likely to bring out the best in you, you have a perfect reason to choose this person as your life companion. Although romantic love is vital for our happiness, love is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for a happy and thriving life. As it turns out, love is not all you need in life, though it is often a central part of it.

Aaron Ben-Ze’ev was born in Israel. He is married to Ruth and has two sons, Dean and Adam.

He received his B.A. in Philosophy and Economics (1975) and his M.A. in Philosophy (1977), both from the University of Haifa.

He was awarded his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1981).). His doctoral thesis was entitled “Perception as a Cognitive System”.

Five years after finishing his Ph.D. thesis, Ben-Ze’ev began to study the emotions, a topic that remains at the centre of his research today.

In this field he was particularly influenced by Aristotle (mainly his analysis of emotions as evaluative attitudes) and by Spinoza (in particular, his emphasis on the importance of change in generating emotions). The psychological work that has most influenced his thinking has been The Cognitive Structure of Emotions (1988) by Ortony, Clore and Collins.

Ben-Ze’ev has published many articles in this field, as well as several books. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/09/find-true-love-philosopher/

A spokesman of the Afenifere group, Mr Yinka Odumakin, has said that he collected Amina Zakari’s CV from the Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai and submitted it to the Presidency.

Mr Odumakin disclosed this when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Odumakin’s assertion comes on the heels of a controversy that has stemmed from Zakari’s appointment as chair of the INEC Collation Centre Committee.

“I was the one who collected her CV from El-Rufai and gave to (late) Oronto Douglas (former Special Adviser to Goodluck Jonathan on Strategy and Research),” Odumakin claimed.

He explained that El-Rufai told him of Zakari, who had worked under him when he was a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “I have read of accounts where it was stated that President Buhari nominated her. It was not the President. It was the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, who nominated her.

“When Jonathan came in 2010, his aide, the late Oronto Douglas, who was my brother and friend, approached the CSOs who were in the forefront of the fight to remove the cabal and he said his boss (Jonathan) had taken a decision to guarantee free and fair elections.

“He said he (Jonathan) does not want to know those who will be in INEC and therefore, he wants recommendations of credible Nigerians who could be in INEC. So, when Jonathan says he never knew Jega before his becoming INEC chairman, he was right.“So, they were headhunting for credible people and that is why you have people like Prof. Jega, Lai Olurode, and the rest of them coming as independent people nominated.

“But in the case of Amina Zakari, when that committee was working, we did not even know (anyone from) North-West and then Nasir el-Rufai also came to be part of the anti-Yar’adua cabal movement and was part of the process and he said there was this woman that worked with him as health secretary when he was the FCT minister.

“He said she was very savvy and he spoke very well of her. He said she was abroad so it took about two or three days to get her CV which I collected from him and gave to Oronto Douglas. So, beyond seeing her name on paper, Jonathan did not know who she was.

The Afenifere spokesman insisted that Zakari is a relative of President Muhammadu Buhari, a claim which has been highly debated for some weeks now.

He argued that the honourable thing for Amina Zakari to do is to resign her position at INEC.

Odumakin also spoke about the role of observers in the forthcoming elections in Nigeria; he said that for transparency in the polls, observer groups must be granted access into the INEC situation room.

He said the electoral umpire cannot be speaking of a free and fair election if the observers are left out from the collation centre where a full overview of the elections can accurately be obtained.

The Afenifere spokesman said, “There is nothing to hide, observers should be able to observe every phase of the election, it is wrong that observers are brought in only on the Election Day”.

He said the role of observers is not to interfere in the affairs of INEC but to be able to make their comments regarding what they have seen play out in the course of the election.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/08/revealed-amina-zakari-got-inec-appointment/

On Monday Nigeria’s frontline comedian, Bright Okpocha, better known by his stage name Basket Mouth, threw thousands of his fans into confusion. Knowing too well that millions of Nigerian youth are interested to go into the movie industry popularly known as Nollywood, he flew a kite by taking to his Instagram page to post a video announcing that he and some of his colleagues were conducting an audition for a new movie.

“If you know you have what it takes, just come and you’ll become an instant star just like several others became stars,” the laugh-merchant had said.

But two vital information were missing in that advertorial – the city and venue of the audition. And hundreds of thousands of eager fans laboured to enquire from the bearded entertainer where they’re supposed to attend the audition but Basket Mouth looked the other way.

What do you call that? Bright’s comical scam, I guess.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/08/basket-mouth-scams-thousands-fans/

Arthur credits Messi for helping him assimilate to the team, saying the Argentinian star has given him the confidence needed to find his way at a massive club.

"Honestly I didn't expect it. He's a guy I admire and, in my opinion and many other people's, he's the best player in history," Arthur said, according to Globoesporte.

"He gave me a lot of confidence, he helped me in training and in games. If the best player in the world praises you, I think that gives you some extra confidence.

"I am really grateful for his words and the attitude he has with me and everyone else in the dressing room."

Messi isn't the only star to help out the young Brazilian as Neymar has also played a big part in his development.

Arthur recently said he is praying for his countryman to return to Barcelona but, even if he doesn't, the midfielder says he remains close friends with the Paris Saint-Germain star.

"[It] began with the national team. He's a simple guy, really playful," he said.

"We've got close, he helped me a lot with Brazil. When I came to Barcelona, I called me to do dinner, to do something, to meet up.

"Online I play video games with him. We speak nearly every day. When he plays on my side, he wins, but when he's against me, he loses."

Arthur has earned the praise of former Barca star Xavi, who says that the midfielder reminds him of himself when he was younger.

The midfielder says he looked up to both Xavi and Iniesta and, now wearing the latter's No. 8 shirt, Arthur hopes to continue on the legacy of great Barca midfielders.

"I always admited [Xavi] . Everything he did, I tried to do the same," he said. "He's a phenomenon. It's much more cerebral than anything else."

"It's special to use the shirt of your idol," he added of Iniesta. "I felt really happy to get his number and I hope I can honour a shirt which has given so much joy to the Barca fans."


http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/08/arthur-best-world-messi-praises-gives-extra-confidence/

Did the United States have a foreknowledge of today’s coup in Gabon as it happened days after President Donald Trump said in a letter to the US Congress that he deployed 80 military personnel to the country.

Trump said the deployment was in response to reported violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where an election took place 30 December.

In his letter, Trump said further troops may be deployed “if necessary” until the “security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo becomes such that their presence is no longer needed.”

President trump said the deployment was in furtherance of US national security, foreign policy interest and the protection of US citizens.

Geographically Libreville is 1,162 km from Kinshasa, capital of Congo DR. The air distance is 830km.

Besides, the United States had asked embassy non-emergency personnel and families to depart Kinshasa in mid-Dec, after terror threats made the embassy to close for work.

The puzzle: Why the deployment to Gabon when there was no threat to US citizens in Gabon itself?

It is logical to deduce that the soldiers deployed to Gabon were meant for Gabon, where the United States has interest in the oil industry.

There are approximately 10 American companies (three producers and the others are service companies) currently active in Gabon’s petroleum industry, which is concentrated in Port Gentil, according to export.gov

In August 2014 Gabon’s Ministry of Petroleum and Hydrocarbons announced that Gabon signed seven contracts with six oil companies – including U.S.-based firms Marathon Oil and Noble Energy – to develop blocks in its deep- and ultra-deep offshore.

At dawn on Monday, soldiers took over the state radio and called on the people to “rise up” as they announced that a “national restoration council” would be formed to run the country in place of the ailing President Ali Bongo.

The stroke-hit leader is out of the country.

According to AFP, shots were heard in the around state television headquarters in the centre of the capital at about the same time as the message was read at 6:30 am (0530 GMT).

Military vehicles blocked access to the boulevard where the offices are located, an AFP correspondent said.

The message was read on state radio by Lieutenant Kelly Ondo Obiang who identified himself as the deputy commander of the Republican Guard and head of a group called the Patriotic Youth Movement of the Gabonese Defence and Security Forces.

Three soldiers wearing the green beret of the Republican Guard were visible on a video of the speech circulating on social media and authenticated by AFP.

The movement “calls on all young people from forces for the defence and security and Gabonese young people to join us,” the officer said, announcing that a “national restoration council” would be formed.

“We cannot abandon our homeland,” he said.

“The eagerly awaited day has arrived when the army has decided to put itself on the side of the people in order to save Gabon from chaos.

“If you are eating, stop; if you are having a drink, stop; if you are sleeping, wake up. Wake up your neighbours… rise up as one and take control of the street,” he said on the radio.

He called on people to occupy public buildings and airports throughout the country.

The developments came as Bongo is recovering at a private residence in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

The 59-year-old leader has not been back to Gabon since he fell ill in Saudi Arabia on October 24.

It was revealed last month that he had suffered a stroke.

On December 31, he addressed the country for the first time since falling ill, saying in a recorded speech from Morocco that he had “been through a difficult period.”

The Bongo family has governed the oil-rich equatorial African nation for five decades.

Ali Bongo was elected head of state after his father’s death in 2009.

He was narrowly re-elected in 2016 following a presidential poll marred by deadly violence and allegations of fraud. (NAN)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/07/america-foreknowledge-gabon-coup/

Over 20,000 Anambrarians from the 21 local government areas of the state and beyond on Sunday gathered at Emmaus House in the state capital, Awka, to formally receive the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi.

The crowd that spilled over the massive field of the large complex, surged out of the gates into the streets. What was initially planned to be a PDP affair saw people coming from even beyond Anambra State and from across all the parties. Those who spoke with the press agreed, as one member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) put it, “Mr. Peter Obi has become a phenomenon that should not be confined within the restriction of parties. All we are saying is that Nigeria is in trouble and need a consummate and tested economist like Mr. Peter Obi to restore it on the path of progress and development.”

In a short speech to introduce Mr. Peter Obi the PDP governorship candidate in the last Anambra State governorship election, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, said: “We live in times of fracture and fear, national interest and our collective March for the future of the people of the state. We are here because the ruling APC has ruined the country. Nigeria needs a purposive and tested leadership, capable of confronting the problems of our time – unemployment, acute hunger, mindless borrowing, fractured economy, among others. We are here to receive a leader, Mr. Peter Obi who has the capacity to restore Nigeria to its past glory.”

In his own speech, Senator Ben Obi, after quoting Vanguard newspaper’s report of January 5, 2019 on Nigerians that have been killed recently, said that the only way to stop the atrocities and misgovernment going on in Nigeria is by voting out the APC and voting in the PDP. After reviewing the performance of Mr. Peter Obi in all the positions he had held, he said he had all the qualities required to help Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to restore the glory of Nigeria.

Speaking, the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, who was at the event with his wife, Margaret Peter-Obi, thanked the people of the state for such unprecedented reception accorded him. He said his mission was to assist the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in restoring sanity to the country by re-creating a country where unemployment would be tackled, jobs created, infrastructure provided and the economy rebuilt.

Earlier, the PDP Chairman in Anambra State, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu, recalled the unkept promises of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during electioneering campaigns in 2015, including making the naira one to a dollar, reduction in the cost of food items, stoppage of importation of refined petroleum products, among others. He said it is time to vote out APC since not one of those promises was delivered.

Some well known Anambrarians at the event include Chief Hagers Igwebike, Noel Edochie, Godwin Ezemo, and Chairman of Reformed APGA, Azubike Iloh, who led over 10,000 supporters to join PDP.

PDP bigwigs who attended the event included Sen. Uche Ekwunife, Chief Osita Chidoka, Chief Chris Uba, Hon. Chu Chu Onyema, Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife, Hon. Chris Azubogu, and Okey Ezibe, among others

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/07/20000-anambrarians-receive-peter-obi/

At least 13 people are said to have been killed in a motor accident along the Darazo-Dukku road in Bauchi State.

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Bauchi, Abdulrazak Najume, confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Saturday.

He explained that the incident happened on Thursday when an 18-seater bus conveying passengers from Gombe to Kano State attempted to overtake a trailer and rammed into it.

Thirteen people died on the spot and four others were rushed immediately to Darazo General hospital in Bauchi.

He, however, said he had no knowledge of whether the injured rushed to the hospital made it alive.

Mr Najume added that no passenger in the trailer was hurt.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/06/least-13-killed-bauchi-road-accident/

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Samson Ayokunle has declared 10th January, 2019, as a National Day of Prayers for peaceful, free, fair and credible election and freedom for Leah Sharibu and others in the captivity of the Boko Haram terrorists.

This was contained in a statement on Saturday by Joseph Daramola, CAN acting General Secretary.

It said the prayer meeting is to be organized in Abuja and all the State capitals nationwide between 11:00am and 2:00pm with a view to asking God to prevent violence, manipulation, intimidation of voters and other electoral crimes with a view to having credible election.

The statement urged Christian politicians, especially those contesting for any of the elections, all Christian groups or organisations and all stakeholders are invited to participate in the programme.

CAN urged all Christian Groups, denominational, church and block leaders of CAN or their representatives to assemble at the National Christian Centre, Abuja on 10th January for the prayer meeting.

It added: “All Christian candidates for all the elective offices or their representatives are also invited as they will be prayed for to be good Ambassadors of Christ before, during and after the election.

“CAN asks all State Chairmen and all denominational leaders to organize similar programme and Christian candidates who could not make it to Abuja, especially those who are contesting for State Assembly or positions of Governor to attend the one being organised at the State level.

“We are to pray for all Christians contesting for one post or the other for the will of God to be done concerning their ambition. That the powerful in our nation will not be able to manipulate the election and edge them out.

“We will also pray for the following:
1. That all captives in the den of the terrorists like Leah Sharibu, the Chibok girls should be set free immediately.
2. That the general election should be free, fair and credible.
3. That it should be violence – free and without any bloodshed.
4. That God should use the process to give the country good and godly leaders at all levels.
5. That every evil plan against Nigeria be frustrated.
6. That 2019 should be a New Dawn for Nigeria
7. That God should stop all groups behind the killings in Nigeria and their financiers.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/05/2019-election-christians-can/

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has condoled with the family of the former military governor of old Kano State, Air Vice Marshal Hamza Abdullahi (rtd), who died in a Germany Hospital on Wednesday.

His condolence message was contained in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba and made available to newsmen on Friday in Kano.
The Governor also condoled the government and people of Jigawa State and Hadejia community over the loss of the former military governor.
He paid tribute to the former governor, who helped to lay the foundation for an effective educational system and civil service in Kano state.
Ganduje also said that late Abdullahi was well respected for his versatility, leadership style and would be remembered for his service to the nation as Minister of Works and Housing as well as the FCT.
He acknowledged the far-reaching role the former governor played in ensuring the successful movement of the nation’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.
The governor prayed Almighty Allah to comfort his family, friends and associates in this period of grief and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/05/ganduje-speaks-death-former-kano-governor/

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Thursday appointed Amina Zakeri as its head of Collation center.

By her new appointment, Zakari, who was once the Commission’s Director of Operations, will be responsible for announcing the result of the presidential election.

However, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faulted the appointment of Zakari because she’s a niece of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Here are things to know about Zakari:

Amina Bala Zakari was the former Acting Chairman of INEC. Her appointment took effect from the directive of the President Muhammadu Buhari following the expiration of the tenure of her predecessor, Attahiru Jega on July 30, 2015.

Zakari, who was the first woman to be appointed to the position of the leadership of INEC was replaced with Mahmood Yakubu.

She is a princess of the Kazaure Emirate of Jigawa State. She was born on June 23, 1960 to the late Emir of Kazaure, Hussaini Adamu.

Zakari completed her elementary education at Shekara Girls Primary School, Kano in 1971 and had her secondary education at Queens College, Lagos.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy with Second Class Upper, best graduating student, in 1980 from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

She was the Senior Consultant/Chief Pharmacist working on PTF-funded health projects across Nigeria.

The former INEC boss once served as Special Assistant to the President from 2004 to 2007. She was former National Electoral Commissioner at INEC. She had also chaired the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) of INEC.

She was chairman of the INEC Planning Monitoring and Strategy Committee, effective November 2014.

Zakari is a widow with five children, who lost her husband in December 2000. Her late husband, Bala Zakari Kazaure, Santurakin Kazaure, a career banker and economist was an executive officer at Union Bank PLC prior to his death.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/04/amina-zakari-things-know-inec-official-named-announce-2019-presidential-result/

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Thursday, declared that it would not be distracted by the 2019 elections in its struggle to revitalise public universities.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Prof. Yakub Mahmood, had said that the planned ASUU strike might affect the 2019 general election.

The Chairman of ASUU, University of Ibadan (UI), Dr Deji Omole, spoke on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.

Omole said that the union was ready to pursue the strike to a logical conclusion irrespective of whether there would be election or not.

He added that INEC could recruit ad-hoc staff from eligible Nigerians “who are in their millions’.’

“We are not part of INEC, therefore, INEC can look elsewhere for ad-hoc staff to conduct the election.

“What Nigerians are only interested in is credible election and not participation of lecturers.

“Even when we were not on strike, not all our members are interested in participating in the elections, because it is a voluntary thing.

“Whoever that feels like participating in the elections can go ahead to participate.

“If you check in the letter addressed to individuals that have participated in the election in the past, the letter is addressed to individuals and not to ASUU,” UI ASUU Chairman said.

He said that the demand of the union that the MoU of 2017 be implemented was sacrosanct. Omole said that once the union saw the commitment of government, the leadership would bring it back to them at chapters, where it would be taken to their congresses and redirect to national for necessary action.

The UI ASUU chairman urged Nigerians to continue to put pressure on government to do the needful by investing more in funding education. He said that private education was not an alternative to public schools and called on all Nigerians to support the strike to salvage the university system in Nigeria.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/03/ASUU-strike-lecturers-speak-distracted-2019-election/

Manchester United interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has expressed his delight at seeing his main striking options getting on the scoresheet and suggested he may start fielding both Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford in the same starting line-up.

Rashford has been in superb form since Solskjaer’s return to Old Trafford and has started ahead of the Belgium international, in each of the caretaker boss’ first four games in charge.

Lukaku has returned to the bench after time away from the sport due to personal reasons, but has netted two goals, when brought onto the pitch by the Norweigian.

But after the 2-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday night, Solskjaer hinted at playing them both alongside each other up front.

“You can play with two of them – no problem.

“One can play on the right; we can play two through the middle. It gives me options,” he told Sky Sports.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/03/epl-solskjaer-speaks-choosing-rashford-lukaku/

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Rev. Danladi Ndohon, on Wednesday warned Christian faithful and Nigerians in general not to promote political violence.

Ndohon gave the advice on Wednesday during the association’s feast in Keffi.

The cleric, who said that the forthcoming elections should not be “ a do-or-die affair,’’ also cautioned against vote buying and selling.

“Vote buying and selling of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) is in total violation of the constitution and those involved are not helping the country,” he said.

Ndohon also urged Christians and Nigerians to pray for violence-free general elections.

He also urged Nigerians to live exemplary lives in order to inherit the kingdom of God.

The CAN chairman further urged Nigerians to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and tolerate one another irrespective of affiliations.

In his speech, Dr K’tso Ngargbu, who is seeking to represent Nasarawa West Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), urged Christians to elect credible leaders.

Quoting from the Holy Bible, he said, “when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice, but if the wicked rule, the people suffer.’’

Ngargbu, who was the former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, also urged the electorate to vote for politicians who would promote development in the country.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/02/can-warns-christians-ahead-2019-election/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Organization, PPCO, on Tuesday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s New Year speech showed that he has conceded defeat, ahead of the 2019 election.

It described Buhari’s 2019 New Year speech as “pathetically empty and shows that he has finally given up, following his irredeemable rejection by Nigerians.”

In a statement issued by PDP’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, PPCO stressed that the President was “now on valedictory mode”.

The party stated that Buhari could “not articulate any concrete commitment on any sector of our national life, not only that he is bereft of ideas, but also because he has lost projections, having realized that Nigerians are not ready to give him a second term in office.”

The statement reads: “Even when he admitted in his opening that the turn of the New Year is a time for stock-taking and unfolding of new prospects, Nigerians are invited to note that Mr. President, in his entire speech, could not point to any single achievement he made in the out-going year, neither could he unfold any development prospect for the New Year.

“Indeed, any discerning mind could see that President Buhari has finally switched into valedictory mode, having realized that Nigerians have seen through the falsehood, lies and deception that have characterized his incompetent and corrupt presidency for almost four years.

“President Buhari has no prospects on security despite the daily killings in the land. Even as a Commander-In- Chief, he has no words for our gallant troops daily laying down their lives, fighting insurgents in the North East. He had no soothing word for the victims of bloodlettings in various parts of the country.

“President Buhari had no prospects on our ailing economy. He has no plans for our grossly under-performing power sector; nothing on health, education, agriculture, transportation, commerce and industry.

He has nothing on job creation, empowerment of our entrepreneurs, and no blueprints for increased foreign direct investments into our nation.

“President Buhari said nothing about burning labour issues in the country. He also choose to overlook the ASUU strike that has crippled our tertiary institutions. He has no plans on how to shore up the value our naira, increase purchasing power of citizens and reduce the high costs of goods and services in our land.

“Instead, President Buhari, dwelt on unnecessary diatribes, finger- pointing, hate speech and fixation on the 2019 general elections, in which an imminent defeat awaits him and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

PPCO however called on Nigerians to rescue their country from Buhari and his cabal by working harder in rallying behind the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who it said has already articulated practical templates to reposition Nigeria and return her to the path of good governance, political stability and economic prosperity.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/01/2019-presidency-buhari-conceded-defeat-new-year-message-pdp/

The Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Paul Enenche on Tuesday disclosed what God told him about things that would happen in Nigeria in 2019.

Enenche disclosed that God revealed to him that he won’t leave Nigeria and the enemy won’t succeed over the nation.

Speaking during the crossover service at his 100,000 capacity seater Church auditorium in Abuja, Enenche said the pains experienced across the country shall be over in 2019.

Anchoring his prophecies on Jeremiah 31 verse 10, the clergy man said equity and justice shall reign in Nigeria.

The medical Doctor-turned preacher disclosed that herdsmen and farmers will peacefully cohabit across the country.

According to Enenche: “Tell the church that they shall not stop praying and I will not leave Nigeria alone until I perfect my will for the nation.

“The enemy is fighting a lost battle, my hand shall rest on the nation and the whole of creation is waiting my manifestation through Nigeria.

“The pains you see are the birth signs for Nigeria. God said suddenly deliverance and delivery shall happen and it will become history.”

Reading from Jerimaiah 31 verse 10, the fiery preacher added: “Thus saith the Lord Nigeria shall come to her quarters again. Our land is coming to a point where there shall be justice and equity, where there is no partiality.

“The Lord told me a time will come when the farmers and herdsmen will cohabit together without any challenge.

“God is bringing Nigerians to a place where we can sleep well in the night with your two eyes closed.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2019/01/01/2019-god-told-will-happen-nigeria-dunamis-pastor-enenche-releases-prophecies/