Former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp has named Liverpool as the favourite club to win this season’s Premier League title.

He also said that Tottenham and Manchester City are also in the race to challenge Jurgen Klopp’s side for the English topflight league title this term.

Liverpool are currently on top of the Premier League table with 54 points from 20 games, while Manchester City are second place with 47 points from the same number of games.

Tottenham are third placed with 45 points from 20 games.

“I think the Premier League title is a three horse race,” Redknapp told talkSPORT.

“Liverpool are the favourites ahead of Man City now which is a big turnaround.

“But Tottenham are in great form at the moment and they are genuine title contenders. Spurs are still in it, you can’t write them off. They are bang there, the way they are playing at the moment.

“I can’t see anybody else getting into it. I watched Arsenal yesterday and they are nowhere near in my opinion. I know they’ve had injuries, but at the back they are still very poor.

“And Chelsea are just so reliant on Eden Hazard. Without him you couldn’t really see them challenging, they’re still short of a frontman.

“So really, I think there are three runners and I think it will be very tight.

“It’s going to be a great title race this year.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/epl-harry-redknapp-names-club-win-seasons-premier-league-title/

The Defence and Foreign Affairs latest report published by the International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA) based in the United States of America, has stated that the deaths of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh (retd.) and a former Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Idris Alkali, “were not a coincidence”.

ISSA is a Washington-based non-governmental organisation with a worldwide membership of professionals involved in national and international security and strategic policy.

President of ISSA, Gregory Copley, told ThisDay that their analyses were not released to the public but to governments that the organisation has affiliation with.

The report released over the weekend and obtained by the newspaper stated that corruption among top military chiefs appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari is the reason Nigeria is losing the war against Boko Haram terrorists.

It stated that at present, the Nigerian government had completely and comprehensively lost control of the engagement with Boko Haram and could show no instance when the government presently had tactical, theatre, strategic, or information dominance of any aspect of the conflict.

It reads in parts, “It is fair to say that the Nigerian intelligence community itself is no longer sure what groups even comprise ‘Boko Haram’, nor has it addressed the international logistical, ideological, and support aspects contributing to the ongoing viability of the groups.

“The conflict will almost certainly prove the undoing of the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari at the February 16, 2019, presidential elections.

“Despite this, the only significant engagement which the Nigerian military leadership — up to and including the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. (rtd.) Mohammed Babagana Monguno – seems to prioritise is the fight to stop the leakage of information about massive corruption, running into the equivalent of several billions of dollars, in the purchase by senior military officers of major military capital goods and military consumables, including the troops’ own food.

“The conduct of the war in the North is tied to the corruption in the military, and Buhari — ring-fenced by his own team — is unable to tackle the issue.

“His poor health does not help, but he had always (even as a military president, taking office on December 31, 1983) been indecisive and vindictive.

“This ongoing set of characteristics mean that the coming months will be dramatic, even more than the dying days of the preceding administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“It is significant that Buhari, who received the findings of the commission as much as a year ago, has refused to allow it to be made public and he, through National Security Adviser Monguno, has attempted to have the commission disband.

“However, it is believed that Monguno and Buhari are aware that copies of the report are beyond their reach and could be released unofficially if further attempts are made to assassinate commission members.

“The commission, investigating defense procurement from 2007 onwards, made significant strides which were initially accepted by the Buhari government, until the scope of the inquiry went beyond the period relating to the former government of Pres. Goodluck Jonathan, and began to show corruption patterns extending into officers still serving under President Buhari.”

The report stated that the death of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal (retd.) Alex Sabundu Badeh (who became Chief of Defence Staff), and that of a former Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Idris Alkali, on September 3, 2018 were not a mere coincidence .

It said, “Given the upsurge in momentum by ‘the highest levels of government’ to stop the findings becoming public from the corruption commission on defense procurement, it is plausible that the attribution of a criminal ‘kidnapping-attempt-gone-wrong’ against the Air Chief Marshal was a convenient excuse to ensure that the victim — Badeh — could not divulge in court the pattern and details of corruption which has grown even more rampant in the current generation of defense leadership.

“On September 3, 2018, the retired Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali, was also killed, ostensibly by a gang of youthful protestors who set up a roadblock near Jos, the capital of Plateau State. His body was discovered on October 31, 2018. And his death was blamed on ‘an irate mob’, who were protesting in the Du-ra-Du community against the September 2, 2018, killing of 11 members of their own community.”

The report further stated, “No significant economic or political progress can be achieved in Nigeria until the issue of the Boko Haram insurgency is resolved. Other insurgencies are also expected to emerge, or re-emerge, particularly in the Niger Delta. And while other pending internal security issues are important, it is on the BH issue that the prestige, credibility, and reliability of Nigeria is assessed by the international community. Thus, all questions of the viability of Nigeria as a candidate for inward foreign direct investment (FDI) and international cooperation are dependent on a resolution of the BH issues.

“Domestically, resolution of the BH issue is a pre-requisite to enabling issues of intra-Nigerian regional equity imbalances to be addressed. Moreover, the credibility of the Federal Government as an arbiter of justice is assessed by the domestic electorate and the world community.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/us-group-makes-revelations-buhari-govt-boko-haram-deaths-badeh-alkali/

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said Liverpool have a claim to be the best team in the world right now.

Guardiola and his team are trailing the Reds by seven points in the Premier League race and welcome Liverpool to the Eithad on Thursday in a top-of-the-table clash.

The encounter is being billed as a must-win game for City, after Guardiola admitted his team’s title defence would have been over, if they had not beaten Southampton on Sunday.

A 3-1 win restored some of City’s confidence, but Guardiola warned his players that they are about to take on the world’s in-form side on Thursday.

“The problem is the other team is fantastic.

“[Liverpool are] maybe the best team in Europe or the world right now and in top form.

“You have to accept it. All we can do is do our job, play our games and after that we will see,” Guardiola told BBC Sport.

Liverpool won every single one of their December games, while City suffered three costly defeats in the same period.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/31/epl-guardiola-names-title-rivals-best-team-world/

A Yoruba-based youth group, Progressive Yoruba Youth, on Sunday warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against raising false alarm over the proposed nationwide Operation Python Dance III introduced by the Nigerian Army.

The group, while addressing journalists in Lagos, accused opposition party of shedding crocodile tears over Army’s complementary role, saying that it was surprised that the PDP had the effrontery to reject the proposed nationwide exercise.

PYY National President, Comrade Kola Salawu, while speaking journalists, said he was surprised that PDP could make such allegations that the exercise was conceived to intimidate voters ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Salawu said, “We are most surprised that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had the effrontery to reject the nationwide Operation Python Dance planned by the Nigerian Army. In its usual tradition of equating being the opposition with scaremongering, the PDP adduced a host of reasons that are lacking in logic and common sense to classify the military operation as part of a plot to rig the coming election.

“The PDP, through a statement by its spokesperson, Mr. Kola Ologbodinyan, said Operation Python Dance was conceived to intimidate voters. The statement also promoted the fallacy that everybody “knew the direction the 2019 presidential election tide if flowing”, which is best interpreted to imply that the onetime ruling party is in an hallucinatory state that made it assume it has been forgiven by Nigerians to an extent that it can even come third place in next year’s elections.

“Without recourse to the reasons given by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, we has in the past kept close watch on the conduct of the various iteration of Operation Python Dance when it was confined to the South-East of the country. The records show that the operation successfully curtailed the separatist elements in that part of the country and was therefore able to keep the country united. Operation Python Dance can be credited for flushing out practitioners of kidnap for ransom in the south-east, it has reduced armed robbery in the area and even more significantly, it has be instrumental in mopping up the small arms that once proliferated the entire area.

“In the south-west, we have been dealing with several instances of criminality that have defied the regular police force and we will not allow PDP’s tantrum to deny us of the opportunity to be rid of these problems. We know for a certainty that there has been an upsurge in robberies, cultism and even more pressing are the ritualists that seem to have been on the upsurge. We believe that the nationwide Operation Python Dance, in addition to any other thing that the Army has in mind, would help deal with these issues besetting the south-west. When the operation takes place simultaneously, we expect it to be even more effective since it will not be possible for the criminal elements threatening the wellbeing of the country to escape from one part to the other.

“If the PDP is unable to come to terms with reality, it only needs to remind itself that a Boko Haram kingpin responsible for crimes in Abuja, Niger, Edo, Ondo and Kogi States was apprehended in Lagos. This is indicative of the extent to which criminals have spread across the country in their bid to escape from the heat that has been turned on them in the places where they once operated. We understand that the continuation of these crimes work fine for the PDP, which sees them as cheap campaign props. We will not waste time asking if the PDP is responsible for these crimes in order to use them for campaign.

“By the way, it is important to point out that many of these crimes are the extreme measures that the criminally minded part of the population resorted to when they are no longer being given the slush funds from what PDP government used to steal from our commonwealth. These are people that that have become used to being lazy and spending easy money. It is also on record that several of such people that have been apprehended by law enforcement have history with the PDP as the thugs they use for election rigging. It is therefore understandable that this party is worried that the military operation will incapacitate its rigging brigade up to a point that votes would count.

“We have also learnt that the PDP, being made up of a bunch of rabble-rousers, had perfected plans for its thugs to embark on nationwide violent protests once they lose at the poll. Some groups had said that these protests would be the basis for it to render the country ungovernable and request for the unthinkable to happen. If follows that this party would become jittery if Operation Python Dance would prevent hoodlums from taking over the streets. But we see this as a selfish reason to be critical of what the country sorely need at this point.

“We are using this opportunity to advise the PDP to dredge up its achievements as a onetime ruling party to convince Nigerians to vote it in the next elections instead of hallucinating fictitious rigging plot and spotting ghosts behind every shadow that flits past. Its obsession with the glaring loss awaiting it at the polls has gotten to a point where we think its leadership should seek professional help to cope with what is coming. It is a matter of time before they insinuate that the 2019 Budget is meant to rig the elections. In our view, what the PDP is looking for it is getting. He who has no evil intention has nothing to fear from Operation Python Dance. If the PDP has not empowered people with firearms and other dangerous weapons then it should not be afraid about what the military exercise will expose.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/30/python-dance-iii-pdp-accused-shedding-crocodile-tears-armys-complementary-role/

Less than two months before the 2019 presidential election, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has taken a swipe at the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, accusing it of lying to Nigerians that the country consumes 50 million litres of premium motor spirit (PMS) daily. Saraki said the claim was criminal. He also accused the government of scaring away investors by creating a climate of fear and implementing poor economic policies.

Saraki, formerly an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and member of the ruling APC, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following what he called “witch-hunts and political persecution” by the ruling party. He told some editors in an interview that the federal government’s anti-corruption crusade was an attempt to hoodwink the masses.

According to the senate president, “Under this government, we went from fuel consumption of 30 million litres a day to over 50 million litres per day. Where is this consumption taking place? This is criminal. What I am saying is that if we could be so hard on Jonathan that claims to be doing 30 million litres per day, now, they are debiting us with over 50 million litres per day.

“Nobody will tell you that we can consume more than 25 million litres per day. Calculate the amount of money that we are losing. It is not appropriated, that terminology is just a means to cover that transaction. Instead of reversing it, the president said it should be appropriated for and now we are coming back for it to be under the budget.”

Saraki, who is also the director-general of Atiku Presidential Campaign Council, the 2019 election campaign organisation of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said the president ignored repeated counsels he had given him regarding an alleged oil subsidy fraud being perpetrated under his nose.

“If you look at it, that this subsidy must continue, then let it be efficient, instead of doing that the NNPC wrote the government saying that without putting the money in the budget, they can take the money straight from revenue, called cost recovery. This is fraudulent, it is illegal. There is nothing we did not tell Mr President that this cost recovery is wrong.”

Unlike former President Goodluck Jonathan, who adjusted his policies when corrected, Saraki stated that Buhari saw him as an enemy and attacked him as such.

Recalling what happened to him and others then in the APC, the PDP stalwart said, “Go and look at 2016 when we were in a recession. I called a debate and we wrote the president, listing things that he was yet to do. I will give you an example: we said we should see how we can raise equity; he (Buhari) attacked us. They said we wanted to sell refineries to our friends – you can remember. If you see the 2019 budget, the President is saying he is expecting the sum of N810 billion from the restructuring of the JVC – exactly what we had said at that time.”

Furthermore, the former governor believed the Buhari regime was stifling economic growth through its opaque economic blueprint, and urged the president and his economic team to open up investments to the private sector.
He declared that the organised private investors do not have confidence in the president’s commitment to provide a level playing field. Saraki asserted that while ordinary Nigerians would cast their votes to elect a president next year, the investors had already made up their minds.

Saraki affirmed that only the PDP presidential candidate could bring back the investors’ confidence in the country.
“You can harass politicians but investors’ money can only go to where there is safety,” he stated. “As long as the private investor does not have confidence (in the government), things will be difficult due to the fact that the right decisions are not taken by the government. I keep saying that ordinary Nigerians will go and vote on February 16, 2019. But the business community have voted already – that is the truth.”

Speaking further, the senate president said, “Unless we bring that confidence in our economy it will be difficult. That is why for those of us that found ourselves on the other side of the divide, we are saying that for Nigerians to move this country forward, we must do the right thing and vote for our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, because that is what will bring confidence in the private sector to invest.”

According to him, Nigeria is not like Saudi Arabia, which has enough funds to fund any project. He urged Nigerians to vote out the incumbent president.

“We don’t have that money. There are some countries, like Saudi Arabia, those kinds of countries that can fund their projects successfully. We cannot. Where is the money and who is going to bring out the money? Who will bring out that money? Do they (investors) have confidence in the government? The answer is no. Then, the government has to go, if the government does not go, poverty will continue,” Saraki stated.

He economic disaster lurked if Nigerians chose to keep Buhari in power, as it will further scare away the few investors staking their resources in Nigeria.

“Because oil price is at this level, it’s not going to move up. So, we already know the revenues. The question with this revenue is: will it bring the needed investment? The answer is no. Where will the money come from? It has to come from somewhere else. This is why they have been taking loans, which is not good for us, it should come from investments,” Saraki said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had in a report last week said Nigerians consumed a total of 479 million litres of petrol from January to September 2018, representing an average of 53.2 million litres daily for nine months. NNPC’s operational and financial results for September 2018 also showed that the country consumed 80 million litres of petrol per day in March 2018, up from the 41 million litres consumed daily in December 2017.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/30/saraki-criminal-say-nigerians-consume-50m-litres-pms-daily/

Second Republic lawmaker, Junaid Mohammed, on Saturday lambasted the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola over their comments on the South West producing the President in 2023 if they vote President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Speaking with DAILY POST, Mohammed stressed that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was attempting to derail the country’s democratic process and cause mayhem by making such remark.

Recall that Osinbajo had, while speaking in Ibadan, Oyo State last week, said a vote for Buhari may lead to South-West producing president in 2023.

However, the medical doctor-turned politician stated that every Nigerian has the right to aspire for the seat of the presidency.

He wondered on which premise, the Vice President could be making such remark when Nigerians are aware of their failures.

Mohammed also described Buhari as a man with no pedigree and empathy for Nigerians.

He said: “First and foremost, I believe Osinbajo and the other scondrel, Fashola have been making that point which is dangerous. In a country that is porous with an understanding that there should be zoning and rotation for them to now come out and be making this kind of reckless statement is something that should be condemned.

“Whether the Igbos are right or wrong in agitating for presidency in 2023 is beside the point, the point is that theoretically or otherwise every Nigerian has the right to aspire to that office or any political office which is elected.

“Any attempt to now bring a counter agitation to that of Igbos will be completely useless and service no purpose and further divide the country.

“And for this so-called government of Buhari that has not delivered on anything, despite his lies that he has delivered all his electoral to now start this agitation is an attempt to derail the Democratic process and of course deliver is into mayhem which they have no solutions to.

“They have failed in combating Boko Haram, North West and Niger Delta. So what do they have to use in campaign for 2023 when we are yet to see 2019. So you can see that this people are not patriots, they are under a leader that is entirely useless with no pedigree, no character, no education and empathy for Nigerians.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/29/junaid-mohammed-blasts-buhari-osinbajo-fashola-2023-yoruba-presidency/

Former Premier League champions, Chelsea have won the race ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal to sign 20-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder, Christian Pulisic.

According to Bild, the Blues and Dortmund have agreed a deal of approximately £45million for Pulisic to move to Stamford Bridge next summer.

Pulisic has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks.

The United States international has lost his place under Lucien Favre following the emergence of England international Jadon Sancho, but his arrival would come as a major boost to Chelsea.

Chelsea will tomorrow afternoon clash with Crystal Palace in the Premier League fixture.

Maurizio Sarri’s side are currently occupying the fourth position on the Premier League table with 40 points from 19 games.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/29/epl-chelsea-win-race-sign-christian-pulisic-dortmund/

The first executive president of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari died yesterday at the National Hospital Abuja, aged 93.

Shagari, who was born on February 25, 1925, took over power from former president Olusegun Obasanjo and served as the highest political office holder in the land between 1979 and 1983.

Though details of the cause of his death are not in the public domain, below are eight interesting facts about ex-President Shagari.

1. Born in Shagari Village

Shagari was born in the northern Shagari village founded by his great-grandfather, Ahmad Rufa’i, who was also the Village Head and took the name Shagari as his family name.

2. Veteran Lawmaker, Minister and Commissioner

In 1954, Shagari was elected into his first public office as a member of the federal House of Representative for Sokoto west at the age of 29.

With his great wealth of experience in service, Shagari served seven times in a ministerial or cabinet post as a federal minister and as federal commissioner from 1958–1975.

3. Man of Multiple Traditional Titles

In 1962, Shagari was made the Turaki of the Sokoto Caliphate by the then Sultan of Sokoto Siddiq Abubakar III. Turaki is a title which translates to the officer at court, referring to the sultan’s court at the palace of Sokoto.

Beyond the Northwest, Shagari also holds the chieftaincy titles of the Ochiebuzo of Ogbaland, the Ezediale of Aboucha and the Baba Korede of Ado Ekiti.

4. The Teacher

Shehu Shagari matriculated at the Teachers Training College, in Zaria, Kaduna, in 1944

He got a job as a visiting teacher at Sokoto Province even as a federal lawmaker between 1953 and 1958.

5. Founding Member of the National Peoples Party

Shehu Shagari was a founding member of the National People’s Party in 1978.

In 1979, he was chosen by the party as the presidential candidate for a general election that year, which he won becoming the president and head of state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Shagari ran for a second four-year term in 1983 and won the general election.

6. Overthrown By Major General Muhammadu Buhari

Shagari won the 1979 election with the help of his campaign manager, Umaru Dikko.

The campaign had the support of many prominent politicians in the North and among southern minorities.

The party’s motto was “One Nation, One Destiny” and was seen as the party best representing Nigeria’s diversity.

However, on 31 December 1983, Shagari was overthrown by Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

7. Reformer of agricultural, industrial and oil sectors

Shagari is reported to have made Housing, Industries, Transportation and Agriculture as the major goals of his administration during the oil boom between 1979 and 1983.

In transportation, he launched some road networks across the country and initiated a program to foster the use of mechanical machinery in farming. It favored large-scale farmers in order to produce mass products.

Shagari’s government also embarked on a “Green Revolution”, distributing seed and fertilizer to farmers to increase nationwide productivity in farming.

He is also credited with creating a low-cost housing scheme.

With the oil revenue, Shagari finished building the Kaduna refinery in 1980 which started operations same year.

Also with the oil revenue, Shagari concluded the construction of an additional steel plant and three rolling mills at Ajaokuta, Nigeria.

Shagari completed the Delta Steel complex in 1982.

In 1983 he created the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria at Ikot Abasi, Nigeria.

However, Shagari reduced the share of oil royalties and rents to state of origin from 30 to 2 percent.

8. Married three wives and had many Children

Shagari married three wives: Amina, Aishatu, Hadiza Shagari. He has many children.

However, his most visible children are former Minister of Water Resources and Deputy-Governor of Sokoto state, Mukhtar Shagari. Others are Captain Muhammad Bala Shagari (retd) and Aminu Shehu Shagari.

On 24 August 2001, his wife, Aisha Shagari, died in a London hospital from a brief illness.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/29/eight-interesting-facts-nigerias-first-executive-president-shehu-shagari/

A socio economic and political pressure group, the Niger Delta Development Initiative (NDDI) has expressed sadness over Nigeria’s worsening economic statistics in recent times.

It blamed the policies of President Muhammadu Buhari for the downward trend in the economy.

They also criticized the President for the failure of his anti-corruption campaign and for allowing his party, the APC to shelter some politicians they had previously described as very corrupt.

In a statement Thursday in Uyo and endorsed by its President and Secretary, Mr Ernest Ukpe and Tom Buma, the group expressed sadness that corruption has increased in the country despite the high expectations of Nigerians following the President’s promises of fighting corruption to a standstill when he was sworn-in in 2015.

“We are however surprised that the President is campaigning with corrupt politicians like the former Senate Minority Leader Chief Godswill Akpabio and the NDDC MD Obong Nsima Ekere who have been enmeshed in misappropriation scandals.

“Senator Akpabio, Muslimu Obianikoro, Orji Uzor Kalu and all the previously “corrupt” PDP big wigs have now been sanctified after their defection to APC. Recall that Akpabio was charged over N180 billion money laundering,” it said.

The statement said that “the President’s five point agenda and his economic policies have failed with no return on the country’s debt; the present administration has borrowed more than the Obasanjo, Yaradua and Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations in three years while electricity generation and distribution has worsened.

“Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world overtaking India with more than 50% living in extreme poverty, while the UN predicts that Nigeria needs 11.9 people per minute to escape extreme poverty, but presently has a deficit of 6.8 people every minute, i.e. 6.8 people enter into poverty every minute.

“According to statistics by NACCIMA, more than 800 companies shut down within the three years of this current administration further denying Nigerians of the much needed employment opportunities and ruining the
livelihood of many families.”

“Under the present administration Nigeria has become the 2nd worst electricity supply nation in the world. The country has not added more than 1,000 MGW to its supply bank while Egypt in less than two years have added 14,500 MGW of electricity, enough to provide uninterrupted power for over 40 million people.” It said.

The group expressed their support for a President who would ensure the immediate restructuring and practice of
true federalism in Nigeria, commence the immediate development of the Niger Delta and clean up Ogoni and other communities ravaged by oil exploration and exploitation.

“That though we sympathize with the President as a human for his fragile health, Nigerians will want a very healthy and strong President who can cope with the rigorous demands of the office. We strongly doubt that the current state of health of the President will let him cope with the demands of his office.

“As we welcome the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Gen Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.) for the flag off of his Presidential Campaign in Uyo on Friday we will want to remind him that the Niger Delta people will only support a President who will give us restructuring, true federation and who will truly fight corruption.

“That the Niger Delta people will only support a President who will build our battered economy and who will support investments, develop the Niger Delta region and Akwa Ibom in particular.

“The East/West Road has been abandoned while only N3 billion out of the more than N130 Billion needed for Calabar/ Itu highway has been released to mobilize the contractor making the people of the region to believe that this could be another political road project.

“Niger Delta Development Initiative therefore call on the President to as a matter of urgency begin the implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 constitutional conference as regards the practice of true federalism. Bring all corrupt politicians who have formerly been indicted to book. Begin the implementation of a feasible and sustainable road-map for the development of the Niger Delta,” they further stated.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/28/niger-delta-group-tackles-buhari-nigerias-worsening-economic-situation/

Manchester United star, Paul Pogba is the “best midfielder in Europe” on his day.

This claim was made by former Red Devils defender, Phil Neville.

Neville stated this following Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Huddersfield Town on Wednesday in the Premier League.

The ex-England international showered praise on Pogba, who scored two goals for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side as they defeated Huddersfield at Old Trafford.

He, however, believes there’s nobody better than the France international in his position when he’s on form.

“Paul Pogba on his day is the best midfielder in Europe,” Neville told Match of the Day.

Pogba will hope again to lead Manchester United to victory when they tackle Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/27/epl-pogba-named-best-midfielder-europe/

The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, has called on the Federal Government to as a matter of national urgency, resolve the crisis rocking the education sector in the country, particularly as it relates to the current industrial action embarked upon by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

The monarch stated this in a message to Christian faithful in Akure and Nigeria at large on the celebration of this year’s Christmas.

In the message signed by Michael Adeyeye, his Chief Press Secretary, the monarch who prayed for the recovery of the Nigerian economy, advised that the continued stay of the undergraduates at home is unhealthy for the country.

With the 2019 general elections around the corner, he also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain focused.

“I call on the INEC Chairman to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019.

“I also use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to quickly return to the negotiating table with the Academic Staff Union of Universities and find a lasting solution to the current crisis and incessant strike actions that are crippling the nation’s tertiary education. We cannot afford to continue to pay lip service to education.

“This may pose a great danger to our teeming youths if not quickly checked.”

The Akure monarch also commended the efforts of governments both at the Federal and State levels for effort to curb the alarming rate of insecurity in the nation.

“I challenge the security agencies to re-strategise and collaborate with one another in areas of intelligence sharing that could help resolve the high level of insecurity in the country.

“I urge all leaders and Nigerians as a whole to obey and follow the teachings of Christ at this season by shunning corruption, nepotism and all divisive tendencies that could threaten our unity and peaceful co-existence.

“It is with utmost joy that I rejoice with Christians all over the world as we remember and appreciate the miraculous birth of the Lord Jesus, and a great gift from God to mankind.

“I am extremely delighted at the continuous prayers of our revered religious leaders and spiritual fathers for the Kingdom and the country at large. I strongly believe that their continued prayers and support have kept the country going despite prevailing challenges bedeviling our nation,” the Deji said.

He, however, enjoined the people not to relent in their prayers for the peace and greatness of the land.

“As we celebrate during this period, we must continue to pray for the country and its prosperity as we approach the 2019 general elections.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/26/deji-warns-nigerian-govt-ASUU-tasks-inec-2019-elections/

• Tambuwal proposes N169.6b for Sokoto

Governor Nyesom Wike has accommodated the expected new minimum wage in the 2019 Appropriation Bill of N480billion he presented to the Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday.

The budget designed to achieve sustainable growth and development is less than the N510billion 2018 appropriation bill. Wike said the 2019 proposals were specifically aimed at promoting economic growth and diversification, creating jobs to reduce unemployment and poverty and as well, improving the living standard of the people.

The budget is premised on an oil price benchmark of $55 per barrel, which is five dollars lower than that of the Federal Government. It has a total capital expenditure of N323 billion and recurrent expenditure of N157 billion.

The governor said the capital allocation for the 2019 fiscal year represented 65 per cent of the total budget, noting that the sum is, however, less than the figure for 2018 by N57 billion due to the reduction in the total size of the 2019 budget.

According to Governor Wike, the budget is expected to be financed by the internally generated revenue of N120, 492,891,302.00; statutory allocation
of N73, 169,813,022.00; 13% oil minerals fund of N145, 070,991,780.00; Value Added Tax (VAT) of N26, 377,628,543.00; Refunds of N27, 337,926,155.08; and local credits of N45 billions, among others.

A substantial part of the capital budget is allocated to the ministries of agriculture; education; employment generation and empowerment; health; sports development; women affairs; works; and youth development because the budget is focused on human capital development and provision of infrastructure.Governor Wike said his administration would continue to prioritize security of lives and property in spite of the alleged lack of cooperation from the Federal Government.

“The sum of N18,000,000,000.00 has been proposed to fund all aspects of securing and keeping Rivers State safe, peaceful and secure, including the operationalization of the recently established State Neighbourhood Safety Corps programme.

In Sokoto State, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, presented to the House of Assembly for approval a budget of N169,652,771,486.00 for 2019.Tagged “Budget of Consolidation”, Tambuwal said the emphasis would be on continuation of ongoing projects.The amount represents a shortfall of N50, 493,079.00 or 23.06 percent when compared to the 2018 figure of N220,500,264.

According to Tambuwal, N70,468,519,058.00 representing 41.53 percent is for recurrent expenditure while N99,184,252,425.00 is for capital expenditure.He stated that the budget was prepared in consonance with existing budgetary standing and prevailing fiscal projection.He also noted that although under a democratic dispensation, the budget is a product of extensive consultations with key stakeholders, the ultimate objective at all times is meeting the expectations and yearnings of the citizenry within the limits of available resources.The Speaker, Alhaji Salihu Maidaji, assured the governor of speedy consideration so that he could continue the laudable programmes.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/26/wike-accommodates-new-wage-n480b-2019-budget/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Christmas to pray for the country’s leaders, peace, progress and socio-economic development.

Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja while felicitating with Christians and Nigerians on the occasion which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

“As we gather with families and friends for the Christmas festivities which are characterised by gift-giving, social gatherings and feasting, we should remember to extend love and generosity to the less-privileged around us.

“We should also emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ exemplified by self-sacrifice,” the APC spokesman said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/25/christmas-pray-countrys-leaders-apc-charges-nigerians/

Popular sensational singer, Wizkid has finally broken silence on his relationship with his sons and baby mamas.

There have been accusations that the singer only cares and supports his last child, Zion, as he is pictured mostly with him on social media.

The singer had been bashed by some Nigerians sometime ago after his baby mama called him out over financial care for the welfare of his two other sons.

But during his performance on Sunday at his ‘Made in Lagos’ concert when a fan presented him with a painting of himself and Zion, Wizkid said the painting should be redone with his other sons: Boluwatife and Ayo included in it.

“I love all my sons equally. Boluwatife, Ayo and Zion. They mean the world to me.

“I love all my sons’ mothers too,” Wizkid said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/24/love-sons-baby-mamas-wizkid-breaks-silence-allegations/

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will not get Abuja mansion for losing 2nd term bid.

He will be the first governor in Lagos State since 2007 to miss out on a mansion in Abuja after leaving office according to an investigation by Sunday Punch.

The Public Office Holder (Payment of Pension) Law No 11 official Gazette of Lagos State, 2007 states that former governors of Lagos State are entitled to a house in Lagos and Abuja in any location of their choice.

However, the law adds that any governor who does not serve for two consecutive terms, will only be entitled to a house in Abuja.

Section 2 states,

“One residential house each for the governor and the deputy governor at any location of their choice in Lagos State and one residential house in the Federal Capital Territory for the governor on two consecutive terms.”

Following his loss to Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the All Progressives Congress governorship primary in October, Ambode will not be returning to the Alausa Governor’s Office on May 29, 2019.

The state government has built houses for former governors of the state in Lagos and Abuja in line with the law. A house was bought for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Ikoyi and the Asokoro area of Abuja next to the Lagos State Governor’s Lodge.

Although no actual figure was placed on how much the houses procured would cost, our correspondent learnt that to build or buy houses for former governors of Lagos would cost between N500m and N1bn.

For instance, the construction of a “section” of the house of the immediate past Deputy Governor, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, on 15 Cameron Drive, Ikoyi, costs the state N329,929,551, according to the Lagos State budget of 2014, which was obtained by Sunday Punch

However, Ambode will be entitled to other fringe benefits which comprise a house in any location in Lagos State, six brand new cars every three years, 100 per cent of the basic salary of the serving governor, (N7.7m per annum) free health care for himself and members of his family.

The law also says a former governor will be entitled to furniture allowance, which is 300 per cent of their annual basic salary (N23.3m); house maintenance allowance, which is 10 per cent of basic salary (N778, 296); utility allowance, which is 20 per cent of the salary (N1.5m) and car maintenance allowance, which is 30 per cent of the annual basic salary (N2.3m).

Other benefits include entertainment allowance, which is 10 per cent of the basic salary (N778,296) and a personal assistant, who will earn 25 per cent of the governor’s annual basic salary (N1.9m).

The law adds that a former governor is entitled to domestic workers comprising a cook, a steward, a gardener and others whose appointments are pensionable.

A former governor will be entitled to eight policemen and two officials of the Department of State Services for life, according to the Lagos law.

However, any governor of the state will miss out on all the goodies if he is removed from office by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Ambode, on Monday, formally endorsed Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the Lagos State’s APC standard bearers for the 2019 governorship election.

He urged those still aggrieved with the fallout of the primaries of the party to follow his example, and accept the party’s supremacy.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/23/governor-akinwunmi-ambode-forefit-abuja-mansion/

The campaign office of Barr. Tab Ogara, factional guber candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, was on Sunday morning gutted by fire.

The fire, which burnt down two branded vehicles, were said to have emanated from an explosion.

DAILY POST reports that it took the quick intervention and efficient services rendered by officials of the Enugu State fire service to prevent the fire from wrecking further damage.

Ogara is the governorship candidate produced by Deacon Okey Ogbodo faction of Enugu APC.

His campaign office is located very close to that of Senator Ayogu Eze at Chime Lane, beside Ogui junction.

The windscreens of three other buses were smashed, creating a suspicion that the fire was deliberately set up by yet to be identified hoodlums or thugs.

The Enugu state Chief Fire officer, Engr Okwudili Ohaa in a telephone chat confirmed that the incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday.

His words, “we responded promptly and we fought the fire to stand still and prevented it from spreading to the building and other vehicles.”

He said he learnt it started with what sounded as an explosion in the two vehicles, simultaneously.

“Because of the proximity to our office, my men were right there on time with two fire engine and fought gallantly to quench it,” he added.

The Enugu State Police image maker, Mr Ebere Amariazu (SP) also comfirmed the incident, stating that the police had already commenced detailed investigation.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/23/2019-fire-guts-apc-factional-guber-candidates-campaign-office-enugu/

Jose Mourinho believes Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes, conspired against him to get him sacked at Manchester United.

The Portuguese’s two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford came to an end on Tuesday, after he was sacked by the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Mourinho was “surprised” by the club’s decision and felt the board should have given him more time, given his view that they failed to back him in the transfer market.

The 55-year-old felt his first two seasons at the club were a success, but blamed “outside negativity” from pundits like Ferdinand and Scholes, for creating a bad atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Scholes in particular has been scathing of Mourinho in recent months and said the coach was “embarrassing” the club.

Mourinho refused to criticise former players in press conferences but was hugely resentful towards the likes of Scholes during his final months at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has since been placed in charge at Old Trafford on a temporary basis.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/22/epl-mourinho-blames-two-manchester-united-legends-sack/

The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was conspicuously missing on Friday as the governorship campaign of the All Progressives Congress, APC, kicked off in Owerri, the state capital.

The National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole led other national officers of the party to the event.

Members of the party’s Executive Committee of the party in the state also shunned the event.

The event was scantily attended as only supporters of the governorship candidate, Hope Uzodinma gathered at his Campaign Headquarters along Okigwe road where the event held.

Okorocha allegedly did not allow the APC candidate to use the State’s stadium for the campaign.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/21/2019-gov-okorocha-shuns-flag-off-apc-campaign-imo-allegedly-locks-stadium/

Traditional Rulers in Enugu State on Thursday commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his exemplary leadership and the manner he has been piloting the affairs of the state for the benefit of the people.

The Royal Fathers, who had earlier unanimously endorsed Gov. Ugwuanyi for a second term in office, said they are delighted that the governor has entrenched peace and good governance in the state and has continued to accord them their due respect as custodians of tradition.

Speaking during an interactive meeting with Gov. Ugwuanyi held in Enugu, on how to improve their status and move the state forward as revered stakeholders in the development of the state, the Monarchs applauded the governor for his commitment to participatory democracy. They disclosed that “no past government has carried us along like your administration”.

The Traditional Rulers while hailing the governor on his remarkable feats in infrastructure, education, rural development, peace and security, among others, suggested ways his administration could improve on its service to the public.

It would be recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi recently made history, when all the traditional rulers of the 450 autonomous communities in the state unanimously endorsed him for a second term in office.
The Royal Fathers, in what they described as a “mega apolitical grand rally” said their decision was in adherence to the stance of “all our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters in various walks of life” on the performance assessment and endorsement of the governor’s re-election in 2019.

The Monarchs added that they were delighted that without a dissenting voice each individual and group, “especially the religious and members of the ecclesiastical orders; the elders; the political class; the professionals; the academic; the self-employed; the pensioners; the working class; the traders; artisans and the youth” extolled Gov. Ugwuanyi’s exceptional moral virtues and superlative performance in the discharge of his duties as governor.

They disclosed that “all groups of people in Enugu State across political divide have separately approved the performance of Governor Ugwuanyi and have declared him their candidate for the 2019 gubernatorial election”, saying: “This is why we called this mega apolitical grand rally to declare before Nigeria and the world that we stand head and shoulder with our people”.

According to the Royal Fathers, “because of our subjects’ wishes, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is our candidate in which ever political party he chooses to contest”.

Describing Gov. Ugwuanyi as the “most accessible, humble, unassuming, respectful and friendly” governor, the Monarchs added that he has supported and enhanced their status; incorporated them into the administrative structure of governance “and empowered us to be agents of development of our respective communities”, saying: “You have celebrated all joyous occasions for us and with us”.

In his remark during the interactive meeting, Gov. Ugwuanyi while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to participatory democracy stated that it will continue to enhance the welfare of the Traditional Rulers in the state and equally cater for the needs of the people of the state.

He therefore, thanked them for their contributions aimed at further developing their communities.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/20/ugwuanyi-entrenched-participatory-democracy-enugu-royal-fathers-hail-gov-peace-good-governance/

The Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has reacted to presentation and details of the 2019 budget by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday at the National Assembly

Buhari had on Wednesday presented a proposed N8.83trn fiscal 2019 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

In the budget, oil prices was estimated at $60 per barrel while production was 2.3m per day.

“The 2019 Budget proposal is based on the following assumptions:Oil price benchmark of $60 per barrel;

b. Oil production estimate of 2.3 million barrels per day, including condensates;

c. Exchange rate of N305/$;

d. Real GDP growth of 3.01 percent; and

e. Inflation Rate of 9.98 percent.

“With regard to oil production, I have directed the NPPC to take all possible measures to achieve the targeted oil production of 2.3 million barrels per day,” Buhari said.

But, reacting, Duke took to his Twitter page criticising the proposed oil price and production by President Buhari.

The former Governor of Cross River state noted that the forecast of oil price and production by the President shows his government is not taking Nigerians forward.

He also condemned President Buhari for presenting 2019 budget in December.

Duke wrote: “Submitting a budget in December for 2019, assuming an oil price of $60 when current prices are mid $50’s, forecasting oil production at 2.3m a day when this years average is 1.9m tells us these folk in government are taking us nowhere.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/20/national-assembly-donald-duke-faults-president-buharis-presentation-2019-budget/

National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved the executive committees in Imo and Ogun states at the state, local government, and ward levels.

This dissolution was confirmed to reporters on Wednesday by the national publicity secretary of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, in Abuja

The dissolved executives, who are staunch loyalists to Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Rochas Okorocha of Ogun and Imo respectively, are accused of anti-party activities ahead of the 2019 general elections.

According to Issa-Onilu, the decision to dissolve the executives was reached at the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting presided over by the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday.

His words: “The two governors and the state executives have publicly expressed the fact that they will support (their) candidates in other parties, in their respective states.

“So those executives, right from the state to the ward level are not people we can trust to work honestly, for the success of our party in the next election.”

He said the party viewed such action as anti-party activities. Therefore, it will not be in its interest to allow their structure to be used to undermine their chances in those states.

“It is within our powers to ensure that we protect the interest of the party and also to activate relevant sections of our constitution which prohibit members from carrying out activities that are inimical to the interest of the party,” he said.

In their place, the NWC said it would inaugurate caretaker committees that would take charge of party affairs in the two states ahead of the general elections.

When asked what will be done to the governors who are involved in this, Mr Issa-Onilu said “you would be hearing from us regarding that, shortly.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/19/2019-apc-sacks-amosun-okorochas-men-ogun-imo/

The lawmaker representing Bayelsa East senatorial district in the upper chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, has attacked President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of today’s presentation of the 2019 appropriation bill.

According to him, after the presentation of the “budget of hope” last year, things turned worse for Nigerians.

President Buhari will today present the 2019 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly and Ben Bruce has said he has “very little tolerance for budgets with big names and little impact on the people”.

He tweeted, “Last year, President @MBuhari declared a ‘Budget of Recovery and Hope’ and three months later Nigeria was declared the world headquarters for extreme poverty.

“So today, I have very little tolerance for budgets with big names and little impacts.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/19/2019-budget-senator-ben-bruce-attacks-buhari-ahead-appropriation-bill-presentation/

Prof. Obiageli Ezekwesili, the Presidential Candidate on the platform of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), on Tuesday said that good governance was possible in Nigeria if youths would be the agents of change.

Ezekwesili, a guest at the 2018 The Future Awards Africa (TFAA) in Lagos on Monday, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that youths should stand up to be counted among those that would change the country.

“They need to know that they are the future of this country. The youth need to look out for the candidates who are the true symbol of change.

“I want youths to stand up and be counted among their contemporaries all over the world. We can only achieve this through good governance.

“A country that is governed well will not concern itself with the past and I am resolute that good governance is possible in Nigeria, I am certain about it.

“The youth can achieve their dreams through creativity, resilience and productivity with right attitude and associating themselves with the right group,’’ she said.

Ezekwesili advised youths to inculcate the right character and shun all things that might jeopardize national interest and development.

“Youths should exemplify good characters and not just acting like. They should make well-informed choices that can help them grow and also in the national interest and development.

“If the youth understand what quality leadership is all about, they will not continue with the recycling pattern they are into now which is poor choices of political leaders.

“Every young one come 2019, should decide because they now have their choices to make without anybody forcing them to choose.

“It is in their own interest to ensure that governance system in Nigeria is right; they need to dream what they want their future to be,’’ she said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/19/oby-ezekwesili-good-governance-possible-nigeria/

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, on Tuesday, described the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and other Igbo lawmakers in the National Assembly as “mere political errand men”.

MASSOB predicated its claim on Ekweremadu’s alleged inability to use his office to enhance the political and economic condition in the South-East.

In a statement by its Deputy leader, Mazi Ikechukwu Ekwe, the group faulted Ekweremadu’s failure to showcase his Igbo traditional attires and cultural heritage on the floor of National Assembly but prefers to “cling Hausa- Fulani traditional and European attires.”

MASSOB lamented that the Deputy Senate President has allowed his personal ambition and political ego to undermine the collective interest of the people of South-East.

The statement reads, “We frown at the lukewarm and nonchalant attitude of the current highest Igbo political office holder, who has not utilized the opportunity and government access legally and constitutionally attached to his office as deputy senate president towards attracting fair and just betterment of the people.

“How can MASSOB and other pro Biafra groups that have thousands of block votes, grass root support base and massive people- oriented command, support or vote for Igbo political office seekers into the National Assembly, state Assembly and as state governors, when people like Ike Ekweremadu and his Igbo colleagues in the National Assembly are mere political errand men to our oppressors?

“MASSOB wishes to remind our people that Ike Ekweremadu, as the chairman of senate committee of constitutional review and amendment, has not deemed it fit as chairman of the highest committee and as deputy senate president, to push or influence an additional state to South East or influence the insertion of political referendum into the Nigerian constitution or push for massive infrastructural development of Eastern Nigeria.

“MASSOB frowns that our brother, Ike Ekweremadu has forgotten to showcase his Igbo traditional attires and cultural heritage in the floor of National Assembly and cling to Hausa- Fulani traditional and European attires.

“He only remembers that he is an Igbo man with Igbo traditional attires whenever he appears in court over his matter with ICPC. We condemn such blatant hypocrisy and sabotage against our Igbo traditional and cultural heritage.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/18/ekweremadu-south-east-lawmakers-mere-political-errand-men-hausa-fulani-massob/

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of Abia State, Chief Onyeukwu Nwogu has resigned his membership of the party.

He defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Nwogu made this known in a letter addressed to the Abia chairman of PDP, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, and forwarded to DAILY POST on Monday evening.

He cited political rancour and intimidation in the local government area chapter of the party as reasons he and thousands of other PDP members and supporters defected to the APC.

The ex-PDP chieftain, is a known political associate of the immediate past Speaker of Abia House of Assembly and Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike.

Part of the letter reads, “I wish to thank the PDP for the opportunity given me to serve as the Isiala Ngwa North chapter chairman for number of years, but wish to notify you of my decision to quit my as the chairman of the party due to some political distrust, intimidation and alienation orchestrating disunity, backbiting and political rancour in Isiala Ngwa North LGA despite my efforts”.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/18/abia-2019-pdp-chairman-resigns-decamps-apc/

The plan by the opposition to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 received a major boost on Monday as nine more political parties joined the existing 46 parties in the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP.

The event which was held at the Shehu Musa Yaradua Centre in Abuja saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the new parties and the CUPP.

The platforms received by the chairman of the CUPP Steering Committee, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, pledged their support and commitment to ensuring that the consensus candidate, Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, defeats the incumbent Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The parties that signed the deal today are: United Patriot (UP), Save Nigeria Congress (SNC), Peoples Coalition Party (PCP), Reform and Advancement Party(RAP), Alliance of Social Democrats (ASD), We The People of Nigeria (WTPN), Change Party (CP), New Generation Party (NGP), Alliance National Party (ANP)

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/17/2019-election-political-parties-backing-atiku-defeat-buhari-rise-55/

The ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, has maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari will hand over power to an Igbo person in 2023.

The party urged Ndigbo to embrace the party.

The party stated this at the weekend in Umuahia, at the inauguration of the South East chapter of the Presidential Support Committee, PSC.

The South East Zonal Coordinator, Engr. Chemberline Adiaso said Buhariu has proven to be “a man of integrity and honour.

“President Buhari can be entrusted with Nigeria’s resources without fear of looting, re-looting or collective mismanagement of our resources in the name of coalition or government of national unity.

“For Ndigbo in particular, I would like to take this opportunity to remind ourselves that our future is in our hands now and it is time to show that we mean business.

“I do believe that we know what we want but whether or not we are prepared for it depends largely on our collective choices in the forthcoming 2019 polls.

“The 2023 Igbo Presidency agenda is not only realizable by sticking with President Muhammadu Buhari, but will also be a watershed in the lives of Igbos.

“The opportunity has never been this bright, glaring and inviting since the return of democracy in 1999. It is absolutely your choice to make.”

The position of the party is contrary to the position credited to Works and Housing Minister, Babantude Fashola, who had last month stated that Buhari would hand over to a Yoruba in 2023.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/17/2013-presidency-apc-reveals-what-buhari-will-do/

The governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has described as unacceptable, the poor state of primary education in Lagos.

The candidate who said this yesterday during an interactive session with stakeholders in the education sector called on those in authority to take education, especially in primary school, more seriously. He warned that if urgent action is not taken to save education in public schools across Lagos State, everybody definitely, will suffer in the long run.

According to Agbaje, all the technology giants and great thinkers of this age would not have accomplished their huge successes in their different fields of endeavor if they did not have the opportunity of a solid education at the base.

Education, he insisted, is a country’s ultimate investment and every serious country is duty-bound to invest heavily in this all-important sector because it represents the future.

Agbaje said: “For any child to dream of fulfilling his ambition in life, he or she must have a solid base in his or her educational pursuit.

“That is the gospel truth and we must not shy away from this reality. Our leaders today who turn blind eye to our children’s right to quality education, both in primary school and beyond, were all beneficiaries of free and compulsory education many decades ago. So, the onus is on them to also extend the benefits they enjoyed unconditionally in their days.

“We promise to re-enact those good old days again in the interest of our children and their distraught parents. I know many parents, including the less privileged ones who are withdrawing their children and wards on account of poor primary education outcomes in public schools in Lagos State.

“It is a shame that we found ourselves here. Any politician who does not have a concrete plan on how to improve education does not deserve your votes. For us in PDP, education is a priority and we promise to do everything possible to address all the unresolved issues of primary education in our dear state.

“Lagos, as Centre of Excellence, deserves the very best in education. We must do our best to guaranty the future of our children. But above all, we must avoid openly playing politics with the education of young people; the surely deserve better.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/17/basic-education-priority-agbaje/

Manchester United striker, Marcus Rashford, has insisted that the Red Devils are the only club he ever wanted to join as a child and that Liverpool was “never an option”.

In an interview with Sky Sports ahead of United’s trip to Anfield on Sunday, Rashford spoke extensively about how he was spotted by the Old Trafford outfit.

“I was playing for my old Sunday League team, Fletcher Moss, we won a tournament and there were loads of different scouts there.

“For a lot of us, United was the one. Everyone grew up a United fan and United and Fletcher Moss always had a good relationship, players in the past had made that switch, so United was natural.

“When I was about five, six years old, we started at The Cliff development centre. When you make the step over to this building, you’re nine, 10 years old and it’s different from what you’re used to – just look at the size of it.

“You don’t go to 11-a-side until you’re 12 years old. Before then you’re playing on tight pitches, which is good because it develops your skills,” he says, after laughing at the memory of one of his first games here (a 15-6 win over Bradford).

“So from that corner to that corner, you’re learning different ways to play the game.

“It’s really good; you can see the U16s and the U18s train – you see the pathway,” he said.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/epl-marcus-rashford-speaks-joining-liverpool/

The former producer of BBC World Service, Mr Mustafa Chinade, has urged media organisations in the country to develop mechanisms to checkmate fake news and hate speeches before the commencement of the 2019 general elections.

He gave the advice on Friday at the sixth edition of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) annual workshop organised for media practitioners.

Mr. Chinade, who is currently the Managing Editor of Bayero University Kano BUK Today Magazine, said this became imperative in order to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Part of the mechanisms to be adopted to checkmate fake news, he said, includes maintaining fairness and balance and fact-checking of news report before publication.

According to him, “earning the trust of the people is very key in reportage.”

In his keynote address, the KRPC’s Executive Director of Services, Dr Abdullahi Idris, said that social media has exacerbated and accelerated the speed at which false stories spread.

“Our challenge, then, in the face of the growth of misinformation and fake news, is to help people separate fact from fiction.

“This objective of the KRPC wishes to achieve by sponsoring this workshop as its way of delivering corporate social responsibility to this important segment,” Idris said.

Similarly, in a paper delivered by Prof. Ladi Sandra Adamu from the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU Zaria, titled, “Fake News, Hate Speech and the 2019 Election: Imperative for Professional Journalism”, she urged media to play an unbiased role while covering politics, noting that the Nigerian political landscape is overheated by fake news and hate speech ahead of the upcoming elections.

Prof. Adamu said news reporters and editors can identify fake news by obtaining background details of a source and always having multiple sources of information.

While urging journalists to guard against being used by politicians to fan the embers of fake news and hate speeches, Adamu noted that gatekeeping roles, ownership factor, poor salary structure and among other factors are responsible for unbiased reportage by journalists.

In his welcome address, the Manager, Public Affairs of KRPC, Alhaji Aminu Daneji, called for an urgent need to reposition the media to tackle rising wave of hate speeches and fake news in the country, especially as the country approaches the delicate period of electioneering campaign.

He noted that the rise of propaganda, hate-speech and violent politics with an extremist edge threatens stability and peace in the country.

According to him, “There is a need to be more investment in quality information and actions to combat hatred, racism and intolerance.

“How media rebuilds public trust in quality journalism will be a major question in the coming years. The information crisis is one that touches on the prospects for democracy.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/16/2019-experts-task-media-adopting-mechanism-counter-fake-news/

The Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, have been extolled for the political peace and development strides in the State.

The commendation came from various speakers at the fundraising dinner in Enugu organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu West Senatorial District, to support the party’s candidates for various offices in the 2019 general elections.

They noted that unlike previously, Enugu was heading into a major election without crisis.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RICO Groups, Sir Eric Chime described both leaders as agents of peace, political stability, and good governance in Enugu State.

He observed that the synergy between the state government and the state’s federal lawmakers had translated to massive grassroots development in Enugu State.

He said: “The synergy and sincere brotherhood shared by Governor Ugwuanyi and Senator Ekweremadu has brought peace, unity, political stability and good governance to our State. Enugu State has witnessed purposeful, responsive leadership and massive infrastructural development, which have uplifted the living conditions of our people.

“This is exemplified in all sectors- economy; road infrastructures, water projects, health, education, among others. Our choice is to support them to continue the good work because we cannot change a winning team”.

Also speaking, the Zonal Chairman of the PDP in Enugu West Senatorial District, Ozo Okey Ozoani, said both men had given governance a human and for being youth and sport-friendly.

“I will not end this speech without mentioning the Governor’s impact in sports development, which has earned the Rangers International both the league title and the AITEO Cup in the last three years”.

“In the same vein, Senator Ekweremadu has also committed himself to sponsoring of the annual youth sports competition, which has also contributed immensely in enriching the Rangers International feeder team and development of various sports talents”.

The fundraising dinner witnessed a large turnout of friends and well-wishers, who called for support for PDP candidates in Enugu West Senatorial District and beyond.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/15/ugwuanyi-ekweremadu-hailed-political-peace-good-governance-enugu/