₦airaland Forum

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/

The Nigeria Police has cleared the air over alleged arrest of Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah over some issues relating to The Daily Times of Nigeria Plc.

The police in a clarification document made available to DAILY POST on Friday with reference number; CB: 3510X/LEG/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.9/218, signed by DCP Sanomi Austine, (Commissioner of Police, Legal) on behalf of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Legal/Prosecution Section at the Police Force headquarters, Abuja, said the reports were false and without any truth whatsoever.

The clarification titled ‘TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN’, reads; “I am directed by the Inspector General of Police to confirm that SENATOR IKECHUKWU OBIORAH has no criminal case with the police and was therefore not arrested.

“Rather, he was a Complainant in a case concerning the Daily Times of Nigeria Plc, following the investigation of which criminal charge was filed against the accused persons and the case file is currently with the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja”.

Obiorah had petitioned the Inspector General of Police against the activities of Folio Communication Ltd, Fidelis Anosike and Noel Anosike with regard to The Daily Times of Nigeria Plc, following the investigation of the complaint criminal charges of criminal misappropriation, criminal breach of trust, cheating by personation, obtaining by false pretences etc were filed against Folio and the Anosikes in Charge No.: CR/222/18 which is currently pending before the FCT High Court.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/14/inspector-general-police-denies-ordering-arrest-sen-obiorah/

A former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired), has warned politicians in the country against endangering the lives of Nigerians ahead of the general elections in 2019.

General Abubakar, who is also the Chairman of the National Peace Committee, gave the warning during an interview on Channels Television.

“Let us do the right thing and ensure we do not endanger the lives of citizens of this country in trying to avoid violence during the election,” he said on the latest edition of Question Time which aired on Thursday.

He added, “And let us campaign on issues and not on personal (basis). I believe these gentlemen who are front-runners are decent people who will avoid violence, who will not allow their followers to take to violence.”

The former Head of State’s interview aired following the signing of the peace accord by President Muhammadu Buhari, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among other presidential candidates.

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, as well as former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, were among candidates that have signed the agreement.

Speaking further about the forthcoming elections, General Abubakar says he is in no ‘tight corner’ amid claims that two of the candidates are considered as his political associates.

According to him, the political elites must ensure they put the interest of the nation first before considering their respective local government areas or states of origin.

The peace committee chairman, thereafter, advised the political parties and persons contesting in the elections to refrain from the politics of bitterness and the use of abusive language.

He said, “We are too happy with how the campaigns are taking place. We want to make sure that the campaign should be focused on issues, not on personalities.

“A party has a manifesto; candidates should try to sell the manifesto of his party.”

“What we have seen of recent is that some people have started using some abusive languages, people carrying weapons, big sticks and so on. And I think this has no role in democracy,” he added.

General Abubakar said the committee would remain committed to bringing harmony and sanitising the nation’s political system.

•Sourced from a Channels TV report

•Former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalam Abubakar (retired).

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/14/2019-dont-endanger-lives-citizens-abdulsalami-warns-politicians/

Health workers across the nation have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike over the federal government’s failure to keep its promise of prompt payment of salary arrears and other allowances owed them.

The workers, under the aegis of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), issued the warning on Wednesday at the end of the 45th session of their National Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, President of the union, Josiah Biobelemoye, said government’s perennial failure to honour agreements entered with the union informed the resolution to shutdown health facilities and embark on the industrial action any moment from today.

Though Biobelomoye did not announce any date for the commencement of the strike, he urged the public to hold the government responsible for any inconvenience that may be experienced during the period.

He said: “Comrades, we have to prepare ourselves. We will no longer take that deceitful story of ‘there is no money.’

“It is our view that corruption cannot be fought when injustice is not addressed. If the same ministry of health can appropriate to pay illegal items such as skipping to the medical doctors who are not even entitled to such benefit, there is no reason they should tell us skipping allowance for other health workers has been abrogated.

“Can the Federal Executive Council quash the ruling of any court? The court has ruled that we should be paid skipping allowance. If the government believes in the rule of law, then it just has to pay us that money because it has paid those who are not even entitled to it.

“Although the Income and Wages Commission had advised that these people (doctors) are not entitled to this money, don’t pay them, they same government, the same ministry of health who claim there is no money to pay us still went ahead to pay them (doctors).

“Unless we agree to take our destiny in our hands, nobody in that ministry will give us what is due to us. We call on Nigerians to have this understanding with us when the time comes.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/13/strike-health-workers-threaten-to-shutdown-hospitals-over-unpaid-arrears/

Former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, Mr. Donald Duke and that of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili on Tuesday boycotted the signing of peace accord by Presidential candidate’s and their political parties in Abuja.

The ceremony attended by members of the diplomatic corps, international community, religious and traditional rulers, was organised by National Peace Committee for the 91 Chairmen of the registered political parties and the 73 Presidential candidates participating in the next year’s election.

However, there was a protest by some political parties’ Chairmen, who claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, was given undue advantage at the ceremony. The aggrieved party Chairmen wondered why President Muhammadu Buhari who is the APC candidate in the 2019 election should be given preferential treatment and also why the APC Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was allowed to have a group photograph with the committee members excluding other Chairmen.

The protest drew the attention of the Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, retd, who apologized to the aggrieved Chairmen and their Presidential candidates for any lapses recorded.

Earlier in his remarks, General Abubakar, underscored the essence of peace towards ensuring credible polls. He thanked President Buhari for his commitment to ensuring peace and credible election as well as being present to sign the peace agreement and advised him to lead by example. He however, noted that currently, security should be a source of worry to everyone, especially the leaders, and cautions that their acts of commission or omission could make matters worse. He urged them to temper their utterances and action with responsibility and patriotism.


•Excerpted from a Vanguard report

•President Buhari in a group photo with National Peace Committee Members and Presidential aspirants after participating at Signing of Peace Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding by Presidential Candidates and Party Chairmen in Abuja on 11th Dec 2018

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/12/party-chairmen-protest-during-signing-of-peace-accord-allege-deceit/

Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp has revealed what he told his players ahead of their Champions League clash with Napoli on Tuesday night at Anfield.

The 51-year-old disclosed that he told his players that if nothing special happens with a referee decision in tonight’s clash, the Reds will get what they deserve against the Serie A side.

Klopp’s men need a 1-0 victory or win by two goals against Napoli to progress to the last 16, but any win will do if Paris Saint-Germain do not beat Red Star Belgrade at the same time.

But Klopp, however, admitted that Liverpool are to blame for the situation.

“We caused the situation, but we still have the chance to go through and that is pretty special,” Klopp was quoted by Daily Star as saying at pre-match.

“I’m really looking forward to it.

“So far at home we have been good and we need to be even better on Tuesday.

“We knew after the Napoli game [in the second round of games] it was not good and Belgrade was not any better,” Klopp added.

“So far at home we have been good and we need to be even better on Tuesday. I told the boys if nothing special happens with a referee decision we will get what we deserve.”

The kick-off time for the match is 9pm.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/11/liverpool-vs-napoli-klopp-reveals-what-he-told-his-players-about-champions-league-clash/

Chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who held different offices in the party, have declared their support for Governor Udom Emmanuel and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

One of their various reasons for dumping the APC, was the defection of former Governor, Godswill Akpabio, to the APC.

Addressing the crowd, the Chairman of the forum of APC Chapter chairmen, Hon. Joseph Ama pointed out that they were “appalled by the level of impunity exhibited by the APC.”

They said the “impunity has increased since the defection of Senator Akpabio to the APC,” adding that deaths have occurred within the APC fold since then.

Also addressing the audience, the Chapter chairman of APC in Itu Local government area, Hon. Sunday Okon Uyire, said that “it was practically impossible for me and my EXCO members to remain in the same party with those who in 2011, plotted to kill us.”

He stated that the memories were still fresh and that the spirit of those who died in that incident, will not forgive them, if they tagged along with the architects and perpetrators of that heinous offence.

He assured that all the officers who served with them will join hands with the sanitized PDP under the leadership of Governor Udom Emmanuel to ensure the electoral success of all PDP candidates in the approaching polls.

They submitted a list containing the names of those defecting with them to PDP to the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Obong Paul Ekpo, who thereafter received them into the party and assured them of equal rights and privileges with pre-existing members.

In his speech, Governor Emmanuel expressed delight at the voluntariness of their action, noting that such an action could only be motivated by deep seated conviction, that cannot be bought.

He said that he “will not join issues with my detractors, as there was no basis for such.”

He, however, challenged anyone who wants to join issues with him to a debate that will be based on fact, not emotional outbursts.

The multitude of defectors dropped different insignia of their old political party and burnt them at the venue and accepted to come under the cover of the umbrella.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/defection-apc-officials-declare-support-for-gov-emmanuel-blast-akpabio/

Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi has named one player that Ernesto Valverde’s men need following their 4-0 victory over Espanyol in the La Liga fixture played on Saturday night.

Goals from Lionel Messi (2), Ousmane Dembele (1) and Luiz Suarez ensured victory for Ernesto Valverde’s men against the hosts.

According to Messi, fellow teammate, Ousmane Dembele was the player Barca need.

Dembele has been directly involved in eight goals in his last eight games for the Catalan club in all competitions this term.

The France international has scored three goals and assisted five so far this campaign.

Speaking about Dembele, Messi was quoted by Marca as saying at post-match: “He’s very good.

“He wants to play, he had a good game, scored a goal and was important. We need him.”

Barcelona will now tackle Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night in the Champions League fixture at Camp Nou.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/messi-reveals-player-barcelona-need-after-espanyol-win/

The Catholic Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus. Onaga has rejected the recent apology tendered by Fr. Ejike Mbaka to former Governor Peter Obi for the embarrassing episode the priest created during a church bazaar sales.

Onaga, under whose jurisdiction and supervision Fr. Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry Enugu operates, said the apology by Mbaka was no apology but apologetics that did not comply with what the Bishops directed him to do.

The bishop said this during the weekend at a diaconate ordination mass celebrated at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu.

He said: “Before we met Mbaka, he had already apologised to Obi but when we listened to the apology, we realized it was no apology but apologetics, so we mandated him to do a written apology to Obi which he agreed to do and actually did it in our presence.

“He was remorseful and regretted his action. We believe he would do the needful by sending across the written apology.”

Bishop Onaga also bemoaned the deep involvement of clerics in partisan politics and mandated henceforth, in line with the directive of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, that priests of the Catholic Church must not make political prophecies or endorse any politician or political party. He urged priests under his control to maintain strict neutrality in matters of politics and focus of their mandate as priests.

He, however, noted that Fr. Mbaka is gifted but should not allow himself be led into disobeying the directives and authority of the church.

“I urge you all to pray for Fr. Ejike Mbaka. This man has added value to the church through his work. I have on several occasions told him that he is gifted but we must not allow anybody railroad us into disobeying the directives of the church. I therefore urge you all to pray for him so that the church can maximize his gift to the glory of God,” he said.

The bishop also warned that priests were becoming meddlesome even in matters that does not concern them.

He said: “I have heard such cases in some community where the contention was that the priest said that a certain person or the other should be the traditional ruler of a community and the community was in crisis. This is beyond your mandate as priest. Priests are not king makers, just preach and pray for them and let the counties run their affairs. In the same way, we should also allow politicians to play their politics and steer clear from the endorsements of candidates. Nigeria operates a democracy and not theocracy. We must therefore be mindful to preserve the integrity of the Catholic church.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/10/catholic-bishops-reject-fr-mbakas-apology-to-peter-obi-reveal-why/

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed that it has arrested non-Nigerians for being in possession of permanent voter’s cards (PVCs). NIS comptroller general, Muhammad Babandede, who stated this at the 2018 NIS award presentation yesterday in Abuja, revealed that the service had retrieved over 700 PVCs from foreigners living in the country.

LEADERSHIP Sunday also learnt exclusively that over 323 national identity slips had also been seized from foreigners in the last six months. An inside source who pleaded not to be named also revealed that about 1,729 irregular migrants were also repatriated between the second and third quarter of the year.

LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that only Nigerian citizens are eligible to vote in elections in the country. The immigration boss also warned politicians against engaging in “political smear campaign,” even as he gave assurance that his agency was fully involved in the election process to ensure that no foreigner votes during the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

Babandede made the disclosure while responding to questions bordering on the alleged importation of a crowd by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Niger Republic to boost its support strength in Sokoto. He said,

“This year, we have retrieved over 700 voter’s cards from non-Nigerians. We promise that we will stop at nothing to ensure that non- Nigerians do not participate in the 2019 general elections. “We will make sure that they don’t vote and they are not voted for.

During the election, we will ensure the borders are secured so that nobody can enter the country.” The NIS boss added that the service had built the capacity of personnel and improved on structures which had contributed to Nigeria’s security and prosperity. LEADERSHIP Sunday recalls that Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai had accused the PDP of importing foreigners from Niger Republic to its Sokoto rally, a development which led to his political rivals advising him to also import a crowd from Sudan for his campaigns .

The allegation sparked a protest in Sokoto State as youths from the state gave the NIS a 24-hour ultimatum to respond to el-Rufai’s allegation. We need collective effort to forestall future occurrence – INEC However, in its reaction, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) called for collaboration among security agencies and Nigerians to tackle the problem of foreigners having voter’s cards.

The chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Lawrence Oyekanmi, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the electoral commission had earlier visited the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abuja some months to ask for help in identifying foreign nationals who are in possession of PVCs. He said it was part of the Commission’s responsibilities to clean up the voter register by identifying ineligible persons who might be on it.

“On that occasion, the NIS informed the Commission that it had actually identified about 300 foreign nationals with Nigeria’s PVCs and had recovered the cards from them.” Explaining how these PVCs would have gotten into the hands of foreigners when many Nigerians are having trouble getting theirs, Oyekanmi said: “There are many foreign nationals from neighbouring countries living in Nigeria and vice versa.

Some of these foreign nationals bear names similar to those of Nigerians. “For instance, nationals in some parts of Niger Republic bear similar names with northern Nigerians and a few of them could have knowingly or unknowingly taken advantage of one of two loopholes to register in the past. “Ordinarily, no INEC official will register a foreign national, but in a few cases where this might have happened in the past, the facts were not visible.

“However, the important thing is that the relevant agencies are now measuring up to ensure that non-Nigerians do not flout our laws by attempting to participate in the electoral process.”

Speaking on preventive measures INEC will adopt to ensure such PVCs are not used for the 2019 polls, the commission said it requires the collaborative effort of all agencies and Nigerians. “One of the measures the Commission has taken is to approach the NIS as I explained earlier, but the Commission cannot prevent a PVC legitimately obtained from being used.

If for instance, a non-Nigerian bears the name, Mohammed Yusuf, and presents himself as a Nigerian to INEC officials during the CVR exercise with a form of acceptable identification, there is no way of finding out that he is not a Nigerian unless somebody alerts the Commission to that effect.

“Therefore, collective efforts are necessary to prevent such things. That was why the Commission displayed the voter register throughout the country for one week recently, for claims and objections, so that Nigerians can look at it and draw its attention to names of deceased or underage persons and foreign nationals that should not be on the voter register.

“An agency like the NIS has been helpful in this regard, and once such names are identified and checks carried out, they will be removed from the register.

We appeal to Nigerians to help the Commission clean up the voter register,” Oyekanmi said. … Immigration Has Vindicated Us – PDP On its part, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said yesterday that the recovery of PVCs from foreigners had vindicated its position that INEC must allow stakeholders participate in the review of the voter register.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, who dismissed the review of the voter register by INEC, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the refusal of the Commission to objectively sanitise the voter registers shows that it has no plan in place to conduct free and fair elections in 2019. He said,

“It is a vindication of our position on INEC. We have repeatedly said INEC has been registering underage persons and aliens. We have challenged them to review the register and also allow stakeholders to participate in the review. “So INEC said they have reviewed their register and that they came up with a certain number of people, which we challenged because stakeholders were not allowed to participate in that process.”

Attempts to reach the All Progressives Congress (APC) for reaction were abortive as several calls placed to the spokespersons of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu and Yekini Nabena, were not returned just as text messages sent to them were also not responded to.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/09/immigration-arrests-foreigners-over-possession-of-pvcs/

Background

My name is Mercy Aboki from Wukari local government area of Taraba State; I’m Jukun by tribe. I was born into the family of Major and Mrs JM Aboki on 7th December, 1990 in Adamawa State. I am the second of three children. I started my educational career at Command Children School, Bonny Camp in Lagos State. From there we moved to Kaduna where I attended Command Secondary School. I proceeded to Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria for a National Diploma and Higher National Diploma where I studied Mass Communication, because it has always been my passion since childhood. Immediately after graduation and National Youth Service Corps at Army Day Secondary School Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, I applied for a Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and subsequently, I obtained a Master’s Degree in the same institution. I am into buying and selling of imported jewelries.

How It All Started

I am new in the business world. I started February this year. I was at work on a particular day, and was talking to a colleague on how being broke was tiring and that I was tired of collecting handouts from friends and family. All I did was log into Facebook and saw packs of earrings, loved them instantly. I went further to research on how to get them. When I did, I placed an order, paid before delivery. They got delivered after some weeks and here I am after 10 months. I started with as low as N5, 000 but today, I place orders of N100, 000 and above.

Who Taught You?

I was not taught. Seeing people go into business and being successful at it was enough motivation to start mine instead of living life as an under-achiever. I looked into all kinds of business and stuck with jewelries. In fact, being broke made me take the bold step.

Driving Force

Being seen as a pest every time I ask for financial assistance got me here. I also do not want to let my family down in any way. The thought of leaving an indelible mark in life has always pushed me further.

What Sets You Apart From Competitors?

I specialise in jewelries and I give my customers what they want. I usually show them what is available in the market without imposing on them. And when they decide on having any, I place the order.

Mentors

Linda Ikeji, even though she is way up there, I can make it. Being totally independent financially is something I look forward to on a daily basis.

Hobbies

I love to travel no matter the distance. I play badminton, watch movies and find time to read motivational and business books.

Dreads

Sometimes I think about what goes on in people’s head about me. I wonder if they feel my goods are too expensive or cheap. I also go as far as wondering if they love my products. There are times I ask myself if I come across as stupid to them when marketing. I have the fear of appearing arrogant to customers even when they delay payment. I usually find a way to make them understand the growth of the business depends on the monies I make.

Secret of Success

I live below my means until I get enough money. I take responsibility for my low performances and do not blame anyone. I ask questions whenever I need clarification in life and business. I cultivate new opportunities; record them in case of an escape plan. So, sometimes if I fail, I try the other way. I create goals that motivate me to achieve something possible.

Achievements

I have not achieved much because the business is still a baby. I look forward to sharing my achievements with the world.

Future Plan

I look forward to having a shop next year, going into other businesses and utilising online platforms to expand the business. I am based in Zaria and presently, have customers in Abuja and Port Harcourt.

Challenges

There are times I wish someone would believe in my dreams for the business and invest to help it grow.

Regrets

I do not have regrets. I only learn when I fall.

Most Memorable Day

The day I lost my mother. I was in Zaria in search of a job, when I got a call and was told the sad news of her death. I cried all through on my way to Abuja.

How do you combine your job, business and family life?

I work and whenever I am less busy in the office, I move around to market my products to colleagues. I know when to draw the line between family and business. There is no clash whatsoever.

Advice

Women need to start a business no matter how small, instead of solely depending on their husbands. They need to wake up and stop asking for money to buy matches, maggi and salt. They should explore the business world and their husbands will gladly contribute financially towards the growth of their businesses. For the ladies, men admire independent women. Equip yourselves while you can.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/08/i-learn-from-my-mistakes-aboki/

The last is yet to be heard on the controversies generated by the comments made by the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka over the 2019 elections.

DAILY POST reports that the fiery Enugu priest had chided the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Peter Obi for not donating to the ministry, a development that has drawn criticism from across the country.

One of the reactions came from the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), which distanced itself from the statements.

However, members of the Adoration worshipers in the Diaspora have faulted the CBCN’s stand on the issue.

In a joint statement issued by the group on Friday, which was co-signed by two of their leaders, Sir Nelson Onyema and Stella Okpanku, they said the CBCN was giving unnecessary attention to the issue.

Onyema claimed that “the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Bishop Mathew Kukah few months ago took Atiku Abubakar to Olusegun Obasanjo for a political reconciliation and endorsement to pave the way for his emergence as the PDP presidential flag bearer.

“Bishop Kukah is the Chief campaigner of Atiku; the CBCN has been silent on this and issued no statement on it. The same Bishop Kukah who is co-chairing the National Peace Committee with former Head of State, Abudulsalam Abubakar and others were seen few days ago playing some political roles geared towards reaching a Memorandum of Understanding for all political parties in Nigeria, the CBCN did not issue any statement on this.

“Sometime ago, the Bishop of Onitsha ArchDiocese celebrated a public mass of commendation and endorsement for Goodluck Jonathan, what sanction did the church give to him? If the CBCN should be fair on this, they should start to address the issue from amongst them. I am sensing that jealousy and envy may have infiltrated the Catholic Church in Nigeria and have expected the CBCN to guard its utterances jealously.

“It will be a shame for Catholic Church in Nigeria if the Bishops should continue to allow political sentiments and double standards to characterize their actions. I am sure that if this issue were to be between an ordinary citizen and his priest, the CBCN would have been silent on it. For the CBCN to make a statement on this issue just because it involves Obi as PDP Vice Presidential aspirant conveys their tacit support for Atiku and Obi and I can’t help asking when has the Catholic Church become Atiku/Obi campaign organization?”

On her part, Okpanku said “it was Fr. Mbaka that has compelled the whole Nigeria to know the power of the Eucharist and transformed the pattern of worship in the church to the Adoration of the Eucharist after his Ordination in 1995.

“Through this, he exposed the secret miraculous power of the Eucharist to both the Catholics and non Catholics such that today in almost all the parishes in Nigeria, Adoration of the Eucharist has become a popular worship pattern with the attendant miracles. The CBCN has never issued a statement in commendation of Fr Mbaka over this.”

They added that “Nigerians should rather be grateful to God who imbued Fr Mbaka with the courageous gift to speak truth to power.”

According to them, “Fr Mbaka remains a bridge between the poor citizens of this country and the Leaders that are meant to use the nation’s wealth to look after them.

“Fr Mbaka has no need for begging Buhari, Peter Obi or any one that came for the bazaar for money for any personal need. Fr Mbaka is a selfless industrialist that has demonstrated his vow of poverty by using all his wealth for the poor. Donations made to his ministry is donation to the uncountable poor masses who depend on his charity for their survival, education and welfare and regretted that it is unfortunate some of the wailers today are the same poor masses for whose sake he is being persecuted.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/07/peter-obi-fr-mbakas-supporters-attack-catholic-bishops/

A delegation of over eighty resident doctors under the aegis of the Association of Resident Doctors from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku/Ozalla, on Thursday stormed the South East Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu.

They are demanding for the resignation and investigation of the Deputy Director of Finance of the Institution, Mr. Onuchukwu Chukwudi by the anti-graft agency.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting doctors, the President of the group, Dr.Nwidenyi Isiah said they came to the Commission to solicit for urgent intervention.

He said; “Today,we have come to visit you, today we have come to plead with you to rescue us from shackles of corruption, misappropriation of public funds by the management of the hospital. Today, we have come so you can rescue us from many years of stealing, draconian policies and administrative quagmire that has left our residency training in shambles.”

Speaking further, Nwidenyi said that for many years policies being churned out by the management have been detrimental and inimical to the progress of the doctors and the development of research,training and service delivery of the hospital.

He alleged that the deputy director of finance in connivance with the Chief Executive of the hospital had over the past four years deducted and embezzled the sum of N98,000.00 each from resident doctors and N60,000.00 from all the house officers totalling about N400 Million.

He equally accused Mr. Chukwudi of other alleged infractions and specifically mentioned the misapplying and misappriopriation of the sum of N200 Million released into the GIFMIS Account of the hospital as shortfall for two months salary by the federal government which a small part was used in paying a few doctors with the rest not being accounted for.

Speaking while receiving the delegation, the new zonal head, Usman Imam while assuring the doctors of the Commission’s willingness to address their grievances, noted that the Commission is very serious in the realization of its mandate of fighting economic and financial crimes.

“We want to sanitize the system so that we might be able to bequeath a better and decent society to our children. I will assure you on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Commission,Ibrahim Magu that we will look at the petition and will revert back to you in due course.” He said

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/alleged-fraud-unth-doctors-take-case-to-efcc/

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has disclosed what God will do to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, next February.

Oshiomhole said God will punish both Obasanjo and Abubakar by allowing President Muhammadu Buhari defeating them in 2019.

He spoke to newsmen after receiving APC women leaders from Edo State in his office in Aso drive in Abuja, on Tuesday.

The former Edo State governor reminded Obasanjo that he swore that God should punish him if he ever supports Atiku to become the President.

According to him, “We know there are people across the divide who are fighting back. There is a gang up by those who are used to sucking the system without adding any value but Nigerians will not allow that.

“The two candidates are from the North and they are both Muslims. People are now going to look at character. Nobody has ever said Buhari is a thief. But who said the other person (Atiku) is a thief? It was his boss (Obasanjo).

“When you are working with me and I said you are a thief, God will punish me if I support you. And when you are confused because your supply line has been chopped off, you now turned around to support the same person.

“That God that you called with your name to punish you if you support the person is about to go to work. And he will go to work in February and HE will punish him thoroughly and the person he is supporting, in favour of Nigeria.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/2019-presidency-what-god-will-do-to-obasanjo-atiku-in-february-oshiomhole/

The Managing Director of Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Mobolaji Sanusi, says the removal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate’s Jimi Agbaje posters on third mainland bridge is not politically motivated.

According to him, some of the installations of the A-frame posters by the PDP candidate contravene the LASAA guidelines.

LASAA boss said this on Wednesday during a security and stakeholders meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties summoned by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal.

He explained further that the agency has guidelines but many political candidates are flouting the rules. He recommended that politicians should play by the rules and make an official request to the agency before deploying their A-frame posters and billboards.

Sanusi added that the agency usually cleans up the state on weekly basis to remove any poster or billboards mounted illegally across the state.

The police boss in response advised all participants and political candidates to always engage the agency before pasting and mounting billboards.

The reaction of the government-owned advertising agency comes few days after PDP governorship candidate, Agbaje, raised the alarm that the party’s campaign billboards had been vandalised.

Agbaje in a tweet on his official handle described the act as tyranny, adding, however, that the party refuses to be oppressed or pushed into a corner.

He also claimed that some of the party’s deployment staff had been threatened and warned to desist from doing their job.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/06/why-we-removed-jimi-agbajes-billboard-on-third-mainland-bridge-lasaa/

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has called on security agencies to keep a vigilant watch on the activities of the state governor, Nyesom Wike.

According to him, the governor is nursing the intent of arming youths to cause mayhem in next year’s general election.

Eze, who raised the alarm on Tuesday in a statement issued to DAILY POST in Port Harcourt, also warned Wike to drop his agenda of using violence to force himself on the people of the state for a second term in office.

Eze revealed that Wike was bent on allegedly repeating the same strategy of using violence and killing of members of the APC in the state to intimidate voters, just the way it was done in 2015, adding that the Governor is aggressively pursuing the violence option under the guise of his Neighbourhood Watch, knowing that his plot to decimate the APC through Senator Magnus Abe had failed.

Commending the Nigerian Army’s 6th Division for its vigilance and prompt step to halt the recruitment and training of Rivers youths for the ‘slaughterman’s job’ in the guise of Neighborhood Watch, Eze charged all security agencies to take Governor Wike’s threat to continue with his plans by using the Government House as training camp for his personal army.

“One of the major principles of governance and as contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the protection of lives and property of the citizens in consideration of lack of respect for the sanctity of human life, which has become the common decimal since Nyesom Wike assumed office demonstrating his administration’s incompetence in this regard.

“Wike and the PDP in Rivers State to have resort to setting up the camp to train youths that will unleash terror and violence in the State in 2019 on such a scale as they did against Rivers people before, during and after the 2015 elections. This shouldn’t be tolerated, no matter the high level of propaganda that the Rivers State Government and her agents intend to dish out to deceive the public.

“Wike, knowing very well that his plot to use Senator Magnus Abe to truncate and decimate the APC chapter in Rivers state has failed like a pack of cards, has resorted to other untoward strategies like to turn our innocent youths into a war machine with hope of using them to intimidate the opposition in order to win the 2019 general elections. But this is a strategy that will not work this time around, no matter the odds.”

Eze advised Wike to have a rethink and avoid any action that will cause mayhem during the forthcoming election in the state and “concentrate on how to hand over power peacefully in 2019 as his dream of winning elections ever in Rivers State is not only elusive but highly impossible as his demonstration of incompetence is so pronounced and unacceptable”.

The statement continued, “Wike resorted to settings up of the Neighborhood Watch that will permit members of the organization to search any premises without Warrant from a Court of Law and arrest people without recourse to the Police is an attempt in futility as its conception and birth at the period of an election year can’t be acceptable knowing very well the number of APC members that were slaughtered in order for Wike to win the 2015 gubernatorial election.

“Wike should understand and accept the fact that the scenario that made it possible for him to intimidate and run over the people of Rivers State into power has changed as we no longer have Dame Patience Jonathan or Joseph Mbu to guide him accordingly.

“Nigerians and lovers of the progress and development of Rivers State should commend and congratulate the Nigerian Army for her timely raid on the Wike’s Terrorists Training Camp in Ogoni land.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/12/04/2019-election-apc-chieftain-eze-speaks-on-how-gov-wike-plans-to-win-rivers-guber/

Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai Elkanemi, has dismissed claims by security operatives that the ongoing military operations, particularly in some parts of the state and the Lake Chad Region, was yielding positive result.

He insisted that even in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, residents and farmers cannot move out of the city beyond a few kilometres without being killed or kidnapped by insurgents.

The monarch stated this yesterday when President Muhammadu Buhari paid him a courtesy call at his palace in Shehuri, Maiduguri.

The Shehu of Borno, while applauding President Buhari in the fight against Boko Haram, said there was much to be done for the people of the state to be free from terrorists atrocities.

He said: “On behalf of the traditional institution in Borno, I want to commend Your Excellency for the commitment you have given towards ending the lingering crisis of Boko Haram

“It is unfortunate that despite all efforts put in place to restore peace in our land and the North East, we the people of Borno State are still under Boko Haram siege.

“Nobody can dare move out of Maiduguri by 10 kilometres without being confronted/attacked by Boko Haram.

“Quite a number of farmers are being killed and kidnapped on a daily basis around Molai General Area, which is just 10 kilometres away from the metropolis, along Maiduguri -Damboa -Biu road.

“Most of the surrounding villages and communities in Konduga, Damboa, Mafa and other local government areas have been razed down in the last two weeks.

“We plead that the federal government and the security agencies review the strategies in nipping this lingering crisis in the bud.”

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/30/boko-haram-what-shehu-of-borno-told-buhari/

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has so far recovered over N540 billion through the Whistle Blower Policy.

The Minister disclosed this on Tuesday at the 71st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“To this end, as at May this year, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through the Whistle Blower Policy, has recovered over N527 Billion, $53 million, and £122,890,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who was represented by the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr. Sunny Adejoh Baba, said the EFCC also successfully launched a major onslaught on the seeming high-and-mighty in the society (including senior military officer and their civilian accomplices), who had soiled their hands with shady deals, leading to the recovery of choice assets across the country.

He therefore enjoined the media to align itself with the policies and programmes of the Buhari Administration, aimed at ridding the country of the cancer of corruption, in order to free funds for development projects, which will uplift the standard of living of the citizenry.

“This effort should not be seen as the sole effort of Mr. President or the Government alone. The media has a duty to ensure that the programmes of Government, meant to uplift the lots of the citizenry, are projected as a national cause and not just as that of Mr. President or the administration,” the Minister said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who said the BON General Assembly is taking place at an auspicious time in view of the forthcoming general elections, charged the broadcasting organisations not to yield their platforms to the purveyors of hate speech and fake news.

He said the broadcasting outfits should instead promote the unity, stability and the development of the country.

“Anything short of this would amount to a criminal abdication of a sacred duty which could spell doom for our collective national life. We have had enough sordid examples to learn from that we ought not to allow a repeat at this critical time of our national development.

“It is therefore of utmost importance that the media and specifically, broadcast media, do not allow itself to become a purveyor of fake news and hate speeches,” the Minister said.

He restated the Federal Government’s commitment to allowing the press to carry out its assigned watchdog roles, even as government expects the press to be guided by national interest above every other interests.

Alhaji Mohammed said the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Jos in April 2016 underscored the Administration’s determination to democratise the right to know, the right to knowledge and the right to be informed.

He noted that the changing media landscape and the advent of digital technologies have fundamentally altered the nature and function of media in the society, at times circumventing traditional media and challenging its privileged role as gate-keeper of news and entertainment.

The Minister therefore urged companies in the broadcasting value-chain to take the advantage of the market and build local stations that would not only create employment for a diverse segment of the population, but would also lead to a transfer of technology and free the creative dexterity of the young population.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/28/n540bn-recovered-through-whistle-blower-policy-minister/

The China Cultural Counsellor at the Chinese embassy, and Director Chinese Cultural Centre, Abuja, Mr Li Xuda has said, sponsoring a 7 man/woman Nigerian artists delegation to China was meant to boost their experiences, stressing that such move will help improve Nigeria-China relations.

Mr Xuda made this revelation during an event at the Chinese Cultural Centre, Abuja, to welcome the delegation back to Nigeria. The occasion provided the seven member delegation the opportunity to share their experience in China.

According to Xuda, “China and Nigeria shares long history and culture.

Both countries have smooth diplomatic relationship for many years.

“In order to further strengthen our relations, we have to promote people to people cooperation, especially for local artists.”

Xuda said, the artists benefitted immensely from the trip because if affords them the opportunity to see the progress China has made in the last 40 years, since it opened up its economy.

“We arranged China tour for Nigerian artists, so that they see the real China, its culture and its people, to see everything China stands for, the progress it has made since its opened up reform policy about forty years ago,” Xuda said.

He revealed that the programme will be sustained because of its benefits. “This programme is going to continue every year. Last year, the China Cultural Centre here sent some Nigerians to another China city.

“Also, several years ago, we organised similar tour for Nigerian artist to a very big Chinese city, so that, when they comeback, they have new ideas and experiences.

“When Chinese people come here, they get to know Nigeria’s culture and Nigerians go to China, they know Chinese culture. Through this way, the relationship between the two countries will improve.

“Another thing is, from the perspective of arts. The level of artistic creativity will highly improve. The exchange is a lot of window through which they find lots of new things, Xuda explained.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/27/why-china-is-sponsoring-tour-for-nigerian-artists/

Nollywood actress, Rita Dominic has reacted to news of her phone number getting exposed to the public on Instagram. The number got leaked by a hacker who hacked the Instagram account of former BBNaija reality TV star, Nina.

In the process of leaking the chats contained in the IG account, the account exposed Rita Dominic’s phone number in chats she had with Nina. Chats between Nina and actor IK Ogbonna also got leaked which shows that the actor sent her picture of his manhood.

Below is how Rita Dominic reacted to her phone number getting leaked by the hacker.

http://mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/26/how-rita-dominic-reacted-to-her-phone-number-being-leaked-on-instagram/

Real Madrid have denied a claim that club captain, Sergio Ramos, failed a doping test after the 2017 Champions League final.

The LaLiga giants also debunked claimed that the proper procedures were not followed, when Ramos was asked to take a test following a league game against Malaga in April 2018.

The article published on Der Spiegel’s website claimed that after the 2017 UCL final in Cardiff, Ramos gave a sample which contained traces of WADA-prohibited substance dexamethasone, a steroid often used to treat inflammation, but no disciplinary action was ever taken.

The report adds, however, the club noted that Ramos had received an injection of a different medication, Celestone Chronodose, on the day before the final.

Like dexamethasone, Celestone Chronodose, better known as betamethasone, is also used as an anti-inflammatory and is also a banned substance by WADA.

Real Madrid on Friday, quickly responded with a statement which said the case mentioned in the Der Spiegel story was “immediately closed” by the relevant authorities after “specific information” was provided, while also calling the reports “insubstantial.”

“With regards to the reports published by Der Spiegel in relation to our captain, Sergio Ramos, the club wishes to express the following,” the Madrid statement said.

“1. Sergio Ramos has never breached anti-doping regulations.

“2. UEFA requested specific information and immediately closed the case referred to, as is customary in such instances, following tests carried out by experts from the World Anti-Doping Association [WADA] and UEFA itself.

“3. In terms of the rest of the content published by the aforementioned publication, the club will not be making any comment, given the clearly insubstantial nature of the reports,” it read.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/real-madrid-react-as-sergio-ramos-is.html

The Kogi State government said the shutting down of some Telecom facilities operating across the state was based on adherence to court orders.

The Director of Legal and Enforcement, Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Barrister Jamil Isah Abdullah disclosed this in Lokoja on Wednesday night while speaking with newsmen over the shutting down of MTN and Airtel facilities in the state.

He noted that KGIRS has since inception of the present administration, invited the telecom service providers for dialogue on the modality for the payment of the levy, but they refused to honour the invitations.

He pointed out that based on the refusal, Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) proceeded to Court in accordance with provisions of the law and obtained an order to shut the business premises of Airtel and MTN to recover the sum owed.

“The major telecoms affected for now are MTN and Airtel. The sites that have been shut for Airtel are just 5 while MTN is 4. So the 150 mentioned on the online news is incorrect.

“The demanded levies, rents and fees are also not illegal. In the case of Airtel, they have not paid their Right of Way permit fees which allows them to lay fibre optic cables in Kogi State.

“This payment has been due and owed since 2016. There are outstanding yearly rents payable on the Right of Way Permits for the year 2016 to 2018.

“There is also the Annual Social Service Development Levy and the Annual Employee Economic Development Levy. Penalty for failure to pay all these are included”, he noted.

He added that all the payments were by virtue of a law in Kogi State which was duly passed by the Kogi state House of Assembly.

He, however, revealed that one of the telecom service providers had come to the negotiating table to pay what was due, stressing that the other still remained recalcitrant and engaged hoodlums to refuel their facilities in the night, an action which he described to be against the law.

http://www.mcebiscoo.com/2018/11/why-we-shut-down-some-telecom.html

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday hailed the statesmanship disposition of Goodluck Jonathan.

Obasanjo speaking at the public presentation and formal launching of Jonathan’s book “My Transition Hours”, urged the ex-President to remain committed to his residual responsibility of continuous service to his immediate community, Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

According to Obasanjo, “there is no substitute to democracy as it unifies the people.

“Nigeria had the responsibility to unify West Africa, Africa and the black race across the world.”

Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, also thanked Jonathan for conceding defeat in 2015 to save Nigeria from impending war and consolidating democracy not only in the country but the entire African continent.

He also applauded Jonathan for his role in fostering unity, peace, progress and strengthening democratic rule in Africa, saying “Goodluck Jonathan is a good man and when the history of democracy in Africa is written, his name will be etched in gold”.

The book launch was graced by hundreds of prominent Nigerians, including
The APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Sen. Dino Melaye, former Gov. Attahiru Bafara of Sokoto State, ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, ex-PDP governors, ministers and many members of the political class, traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/what-obasanjo-gowon-said-at-goodluck.html

Members of New Auto Motorcycle Spare Parts (NASPA) Nnewi have accused the Anambra state Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Wealth Creation of frustrating efforts to conduct election in the market.

The members have staged a protest against the commissioner, and sent a petition to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) over the actitivities of the commissioner.

The members, under the aegis of Aspirants Forum of NASPA, said the market had been without elected executives since August 2017.

The petition signed by Mr Oliver Uzodimma and Jonas Iloka, chairman and secretary respectively, and seven others, stated that they have purchased forms, got screened and were certified to stand for election which had become elusive.

They alleged that Mr Obinna Okechukwu, the caretaker committee chairman, has been paying huge sums of money to the ministry to perpetuate his stay in office and avoid election.

The petitioners said the caretaker chairman exploiting traders was being shielded by the Commissioner, Dr Christian Madubuko, who extended his tenure for six months instead of three months.

They said that a duly elected chairman would not work against his members, and wondered why the caretaker chairman said to have been quizzed for illegal collection was allowed to return to his position.

The traders said every stakeholder who had intervened in the matter including the traditional ruler of Nnewi agreed that election should be conducted and wondered why the Anambra government has refused to do so.

They urged the federal government through the PCC to intervene in the matter and save over 20,000 traders in the market from proxy leadership and extortion.

“What the caretaker chairman does is to use part of the money to induce and bribe the ministry for commerce and some stakeholders in order to extend his tenure which was supposed to be three months.

“We have been enduring the travails created by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Christian Madubuko, over activities with caretaker chairman against traders in Nnewi motorcycle market.

“Our members who want to build or deck a block of shops are forced to pay the sum of N5 million using printed papers from the ministry with threat to demolish the shops if they don’t pay.

“The commissioner claims his office is not aware of illegal collection of levies and verification fees which runs into millions of naira.

“We are seriously demanding for election so as to avert impunity and abnormalities in the market for the good of the people,” they said.

But reacting, Okechukwu, the caretaker chairman, dismissed the petitioners as a minority who were trying to stop the good work he was doing in the market.

He said he was not opposed to the conduct of election in the market whenever government was ready, but insisted that there must be peace in the market before any election.

“They want me to fight the government and I said no, who is even asking for election when they are enjoying the good work I am doing in the market.

“How can they accuse me of bribing government, am I richer than Anambra government? How can I get such type of money they are talking about.

“There is problem in market; we should solve it first, government will conduct election whenever they are ready but I must be part of the contestants,” he said.

On his part, Madubuko said the petitioners were trying to blackmail him because he had refused them from continuing with ‘business as usual’ attitude, noting that he had plugged the entire loophole for leakages.

He said he was not stopping the conduct of election as he did not install the caretaker committee which was in place before he assumed office.

The commissioner however said he was not in town, but will respond to all allegations with verifiable facts when he returns.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/nnewi-market-traders-protest-against.html

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State has called out Governor Rauf Aregbesola, describing his eight years tenure as a monumental failure.

It argued that the governor will go down in history of the state as the worst since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

PDP said contrary to what the governor was making people to believe as achievement in infrastructure and human capital, “Aregbesola is leaving the state worse than how he met it in 2010”.

The Chairman of PDP in the state, Hon. Soji Adagunodo stated this on Sunday through a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

Speaking on where he scored himself high during an all night interaction tagged “Ogbeni Till Day Break” on Friday, PDP said such self glorification was childish and a total farce.

According to the party, “There is no better indication of the governor’s failure than the dysfunctional educational system, comatose healthcare, gargantuan debt, deplorable road, abysmal water infrastructure and several other negatives which the governor is bequething to his successor.

“It is already on record that it is during the tenure of Ogbeni Aregbesola that Osun was ranked by BUDGIT as one of the four most indebted States and the least fiscally responsible state in Nigeria.

“It was during these same years that the state found itself on the lowest rung of performance of students in public examinations; a situation which made us a laughing stock even among states hitherto considered educationally disadvantaged in Nigeria.

“Human life and development had never been this compromised as Medical doctors, health workers, lecturers, and civil servants embarked on strikes for a cumulative period of not less than 3 and a half years during Aregbesola’s administration.”

PDP also took on Aregbesola over his claim that he had built more roads than previous governors, saying there were more death traps than motorable roads, as it cited township roads in Ejigbo, Iwo, Ede, Ikirun, Ila Orangun, Ilobu among others.

The party added that the roads from Osogbo to Ila-Odo, Akoda-Gbongan, Orile Owu to Ijebu-Igbo, Iwo to Ejigbo and several others which it said the governor used as cover to obtain various huge loans have been abandoned at stages ranging between 15 and 40 percent completion.

“The road from Osogbo through Iwo to Ibadan which the governor boasted would be rehabilitated by Julius Berger in 2012 was never started and must today rank among the worst roads in Nigeria.

“It is similarly on record that a recent survey by an international organisation ranked Osun as one of the 3 dirtiest states in Nigeria. This is in spite of the billions of Naira siphoned by Local and State government officials in the guise of environmental sanitation.

“Our party notes that while Osun is very happy that the reign of Ogbeni Aregbesola is coming to an end, the people are rather sad at the legacy of impunity and fraud that Mr Governor and his party introduced to our political landscape as exemplified in the September 22nd and 27th governorship election in Osun State. It is one ugly legacy which has put the name of our dear state on the dark spot of political discourse within and outside Nigeria.

“However, our hope is in the judiciary to do justice and restore the mandate freely given to Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke as the rightful successor to Ogbeni Aregbesola; the PDP hereby joins the people of Osun State to keep on praying that the inglorious reign of the APC would soon be terminated and a new lease of prosperous life be injected into the State of the living spring”, the statement said.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/you-are-monumental-failure-pdp-blasts.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after being held 1-1 by South Africa in Johannesburg, yesterday.

The President in a statement by his special adviser media, Femi Adesina joins millions of football-loving Nigerians in commending the team for their spirited and disciplined performance against a very formidable opponent which earned them qualification with the final match against Seychelles a mere formality.

Adesina said “Having keenly followed the senior national football team’s progress in the qualifying stages, President Buhari is enthused by their confidence, sense of patriotism and professionalism, and commends these attributes to other Nigerians.

“He equally commends the coaching crew, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Supporters Club, especially Nigerians residing in South Africa who turned out in great numbers to cheer the players, for a job well-done, and assures them of the unflinching support of the Federal Government going forward.

“The President wishes the young Nigerian football ambassadors more successes as they prepare for the AFCON tournament in Cameroon.

It was certainly not one of the classics, but the result means Eagles are ready through to the 2019 AFCON finals in Cameroon after failed to qualify for the last two editions. Only one other team in Gourp E (either Libya or South Africa) would end up with the same 10 points that Nigeria already have, by the of the qualification series in March 2019 But Libya’s 8-1 defeat of their hosts Seychelles on Mahé Island would create real fear in the Bafana Bafana going into that last battle against the Mediterranean Knights in Tunisia.

At the FNB Stadium in Soweto on a sunny afternoon, Nigeria made the brightest start with stand –in Captain Ahmed Musa watching his shot held by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the 6th minute, and two minutes later Nigeria had the ball in the net after a sweet combination by Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho. But Gambian Referee Papa Gassama ruled it off-side, on the prompting of the assistant referee.

A minute later, Nigeria pushed their noses in front as Samuel Kalu, playing in an unaccustomed wing back role, outpaced Sfiso Hlanti and pulled out, only for Buhle Mkhwanazi to divert it past Khune into the net.

In the 11th minute, Bafana had a glorious chance to equalize as the irrepressible Percy Tau got behind the Nigerian defence, only to be thwarted by Kalu.

It became a ding-dong as the match gathered some vibrancy, with Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo arriving late for a free –kick and Mothiba wrong –footed, and at the other end, William Ekong’s run to a good chance from a corner was foiled and Kalu shot too high from an Ahmed Musa corner.

Bafana were level in the 26th minute though, as the nimble –footed Tau, appropriately named Man-of-the-Match, left Ekong and Omeruo in no-man’s-land and drilled a selfless pass to Mothiba, beyond a sprawling Ikechukwu Ezenwa, to slot into an empty net.

Nigeria could have reclaimed leadership in the 36th minute, but after Musa did all the work, Iheanacho’s atrocious first touch bungled the opportunity.

In the second period, both teams sought to conserve energy in a high altitude environment. Two minutes before the hour, midfielder John Ogu’s header from another Nigerian corner was headed for the net before Themba Zwani headed it away, and 15 minutes later, Kenneth Omeruo’s lofty header from yet another corner missed narrowly.

In the 83rd minute, another big talking point surfaced when Musa ran onto a great pass and slotted past Khune, only to be deemed off-side.

Having missed the last two AFCON finals, Nigeria have now joined hosts Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Uganda as the teams already guaranteed slots at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, to be hosted by Cameroon.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/11/pmb-hails-super-eagles-return-to-afcon.html

The eight –time champions and Cup holders, Super Falcons clash with the Banyana Banyana of South Africa will clash in heavyweight opening match of Group B of the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations.

Three precious points are at stake at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast, as the Falcons not only go for the Banyana’s jugular in order to defend their continental title, but also to earn a place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France.

Sunday’s opening match is important to both teams as the restoration of Equatorial Guinea – another strong side in African women football – to the finals means fierce battles in Group B for the two tickets to the championship’s last four.

Only the top three finishers in Ghana will fly Africa’s flag in France next year summer.

Equatorial Guinea, restored to the tournament after the CAF Appeal Board overturned an earlier decision by the Disciplinary Board to put Kenya in the draw, will clash with Zambia’s Chipolopolo Queens in the day’s second match.

Nigeria Vs South Africa (3.30pm), Zambia Vs Equatorial Guinea (6.30pm)

http://www.ebiscoo.com/76/ghana-2018-super-falcons-south-africa-in-heavyweight-clash#142

Following recent auditions in Lagos, Owerri and Abuja, Nigeria’s foremost and most prestigious beauty pageant, Miss Nigeria, unveiled the 18 finalists contending for the highly coveted title of Miss Nigeria 2018 at the 7 Square Restaurant in Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday 12th November, 2018.

Among the celebrities and influencers present at the brunch to witness the unveiling were Mavin Records boss and veteran in the Nigerian Music Industry, Don Jazzy, popular song writer and performing artiste, Timi Dakolo, top actor, Gideon Okeke, the Country Director of WEConnect International Shade Ladipo, the creative director of Miss Nigeria, Ezinne Akudo Anyaoha, the reigning Miss Nigeria, Mildred Ehiguese, leading Nigerian influencer and entrepreneur, Laura Ikeji, popular international model and entrepreneur, Aisha Bello, among others.

Speaking about the unveiling brunch and the selection of the 18 finalists, the Project Coordinator of Miss Nigeria 2018, Chioma Nwigwe said

“This year’s selection though gruelling, has been very rewarding. Beyond their looks, every single one of these incredible ladies brings something unique to the table and we can’t wait to see which of them wins the crown.”

The Miss Nigeria Organisation selected the 18 finalists after various screening processes from 40 contestants that were pre-selected from the auditions held nationwide in Lagos (West), Owerri (East) and Abuja (North) in October. The celebrities and influencers present commended the efforts of the organisation in maintaining the quality of queens that have been produced by the organisation since inception. The guests were impressed by the 18 finalists who were articulate and precise about their mission to stand by the great efforts of the Miss Nigeria organisation in empowering women beyond beauty.

The grand Finale of Miss Nigeria 2018 will be held at the Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotels and Suites on 25th November 2018.

http://www.ebiscoo.com/74/don-jazzy-timi-dakolo-makes-the-unveiling-brunch-of-2018-miss-nigeria-finalist#140

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday said it had no reason to believe President Muhammadu Buhari would not sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2018.

This was stated by INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, when he featured on Channel TV’s, Politics Today, in Abuja.

Recall that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill had been rejected thrice in the recent past by President Buhari over observed lacunas in certain sections of the Bill as forwarded for executive assent.

Speaking on the Bill, which is currently before the executive for the fourth time, Osaze-Uzzi said INEC while waiting for President Buhari to append his signature, is carrying on preparation for the 2019 general elections with the extant laws used in conducting the 2015 polls.

“As for the Electoral Act amendment, the legal regime ought to have been settled long before now. But, be that as it may, the Bill is before the President now.

“We don’t have any reason to believe he will not give his assent to that Bill. So, we will wait.

“People seem to forget there is an (existing) extant law. That law was used to conduct the 2015 general elections which may have been imperfect but I think from both domestic and international observers, it reflected the will of the people.

“Worse case scenario, we would fall back to that law. In fact, it is what is guiding our preparations,” he said.

The Commission’s spokesman further allayed fears that the 2019 polls may marred by violence.

He said: “From statistics, there isn’t a recorded case of death arising form the conduct of the 2015 election itself. No politically charged or political related violence.

“I believe that record would be maintained as much as it is possible nobody will be killed or harmed.”

http://www.ebiscoo.com/66/2019-inec-speaks-on-buhari-assenting-electoral-act-amendment-bill-2018#132

The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central district at the National Assembly has described the promise to sell off part of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as a dangerous proposal.

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku had in an interview during the week vowed to sell off 90% of the corporation.

The former Vice-President, said the NNPC was supposed to have become more profitable by now, adding that he will retain only 10%.

But reacting, Senator Sani tweeted on Saturday morning, “Selling 90% of the NNPC as a campaign promise is being brutally frank and honest.

“But its a condemnable proposal and a dangerous intention.

“Auctioning the country has not helped in the past and will not help in the future.”

http://www.ebiscoo.com/65/2019-presidency-shehu-sani-reveals-one-atiku%E2%80%99s-dangerous-intention#131