₦airaland Forum

France defender, Samuel Umtiti on Tuesday night scored the first and only goal for his side against Belgium in the 2018 World Cup semi-final fixtures at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Russia.

The Barcelona star scored a header in the 51st minute to give the Les Blues a 1-0 victory over the Roberto Martinez’s men.

France will now face the winner between England or Croatia in the World Cup final slated for Sunday, July 15 at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia.

Belgium on the other hand, will face the loser between England or Croatia on Saturday at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/world-cup-2018-umtiti-scores-as-france.html

Arsenal football club have announced the signing of Sampdoria midfielder, Lucas Torreira.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with the player, but a deal has been held up due to Uruguay reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.

Arsenal manager, Unai Emery announced the arrival of the 22-year-old for an undisclosed fee.

Emery told the club’s official website, “In Lucas Torreira, we have signed a young player who is a very bright talent in the game.

“A midfielder with great quality, I have enjoyed watching his performances for Sampdoria in the past two seasons, and we all saw him do very well for Uruguay in the World Cup

“He is a young player already with good experience, but who wants to keep on growing. We welcome Lucas to Arsenal and look forward to him joining us soon for pre-season.”

The player will not arrive until next month following a period of rest after the World Cup.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/arsenal-announce-signing-of-midfielder.html

Nigerians have taken to social media after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC) and other parties on Monday, ahead of the general elections in 2019.

The main objective of the agreement is to defeat President Muhammadu Buhari.

The R-APC was represent by the national chairman, Buba Galadima. Others at the gathering from the PDP include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Dino Melaye, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom.

Some of the reactions on Twitter are below:

@Johannxs: Obasanjo was in Ogun PDP rally. As a member or supporter, either, his presence is evidence of his desperation and sleepless nights to unseat the APC. He’s back with his vomit.

@AHayatu: A fresh PDP Northern President means another 8 years for the “North”. Win-Win.

@ericmore: Replying to @OfficialPDPNig @MBuhari and 14 others
My vote is for anyone PDP put forward as it’s candidate. Buhari must go back to Daura to take care of his cows next year.

@Sumner_Sambo: Glad to see our political parties fusing into alliances or mergers for STRONGER CONTEST BUT if this PDP alliance fails to win 2019 election, it would be interesting to see how many of their leaders will still remain in Nigeria to play OPPOSITION rather than go on SELF-EXILE!

@kaspervic: If this coalition finally presents someone not in the npdp,Pdp or rapc as it’s candidate, can we say the third forc

@femimclover: A very big congratulations to all Nigerians. PDP and 38 other political parties including RAPC signed Memorandum Of Understanding this day to defeat Buhari and APC in 2019 presidential election. Now you can see that Obasanjo is on point.

@Mo_Atiku: I underrated PDP….especially their ability to strategize. Not bad so far.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/nigerians-react-as-pdp-forms-alliance.html

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has challenged the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun to resign if she cannot respond to the allegation of certificate forgery leveled against her.

Adeosun’s official credentials reportedly showed that she parades a purported fake NYSC exemption certificate, which was issued in September 2009, granting her exemption from the mandatory national service on account of age.

However, CACOL, in a statement signed by its Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran and sent to DAILY POST said, requested Adeosun to respond to the allegations of certificate forgery leveled against her or throw in the towel.

The statement reads, “What should not be encouraged, under any guise, is a reign of impunity as the country steers towards consolidation of its democratic culture. This scandal in which Mrs Adeosun is presently enmeshed is a vindication of CACOL’s position taken as far back as 2015 that she was not morally upright to hold public office based on her past.

“We recollect that this scandal- which was first broken by PremiumTimesOnline Newspaper-had resulted in the Finance Minister becoming vulnerable to blackmail from members of the National Assembly.

“She was reported to have approved fictitious budget heads on several occasions and actually authorized the disbursement of huge sums of money that were not approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly. If this is found to be true, it is not only a criminal but a clear violation of fiscal discipline and accountability.

“The nation is presently facing a lot of challenges which require the present administration’s undivided attention-ranging from Fulani herdsmen-farmers crisis to banditry, social dislocation and economic crunch and cannot, therefore, afford to be bogged down by any distractions or controversy arising from the recklessness of any public official.

“Our current situation as a nation demands that public officers serving the current government should be seen to be above board in implementing the administration’s Change agenda. Public officers are also compulsorily required to demonstrate transparency, responsibility and accountability in steering the ship of state.”

“It is in this regard that we, therefore, call on President Buhari to immediately wade into this matter by suspending Mrs. Kemi Adeosun from her position as the Minister of Finance in order to allow full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the forgery allegation and misappropriation of funds under her Ministry.

“This is necessary to reinforce public confidence and send a clear signal that no criminal conduct would be tolerated by this government”.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/nysc-certificate-cacol-challenges-kemi.html

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has spoken in condemnation of a picture of the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) kit currently making the rounds on social media.

Fani-Kayode, writing on his verified Twitter page, insisted the image looks photoshopped and said it was only compounding her problems.

“Whoever was stupid enough to conjure up this terrible photoshopped picture in an attempt to cover up Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun’s shameless malfeasance has just compounded her problems.

“Not only must she be removed as a Minister but she must also be prosecuted for forgery,” he wrote.

Adeosun is under the microscope, for alleged criminal forgery of her NYSC certificate.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday, charged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sack, arrest and arraign the Minister.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/fani-kayode-reacts-as-picture-of-kemi.html

A former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that the country loses about N300 billion every year to the prevention and treatment of malaria and other endemic diseases.

Obasanjo spoke yesterday at the launch and endowment for the proposed University of Medicine and Medical Studies to be built by the management of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.

The event took place at the site of the proposed varsity at Ajibayo village, OGTV-Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

According to Obasanjo, the country was facing the challenge of dismal health issues like maternal mortality, infant mortality, non-communicable diseases and other life-threatening diseases.

The former military ruler also noted that 43 per cent of the population lacked access to safe water and adequate sanitation.

Obasanjo, who ruled Nigeria for eight years as a democratic-elected president after serving as head of state, said that the country loses N300bn to the treatment of diseases that could be prevented if the health sector was well funded.

According to him, “Nigeria loses about N300bn annually to the prevention and treatment of malaria, including the loss of man-hours and diminished productivity.

“These alarming statistics are further worsened by a number of infrastructural deficiencies.

“It is common knowledge that 43 per cent of the population lacks access to safe water, 37 per cent lacks access to adequate sanitation and about 40 per cent lacks access to public health services.

“Apart from the endemic diseases , the rising number of non-communicable and life-threatening diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney diseases, cancers of the breast and cervix among our women, prostate and colon cancer among men is alarming.

“There is also a challenge of malnutrition and food security in the country,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/why-nigeria-loses-n300-billion-every.html

The National Chairman of the Reformed All Progressives Congress, R-APC and the old ally of Muhammadu Buhari, Buba Galadima, has explained how his face-off with the President started.

DAILY POST reported on Friday that Galadima led the splinter group from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Galadima who appeared on African Independent Television, explained things he had gone through in the hands of Buhari and yet he (Mr. President) does not recognise him.

Speaking on his problem with President Buhari, he explained, “I don’t have any problem with Mr President but I assisted him since 2002.

“I have made more contributions than even himself in becoming the President of Nigeria. Maybe, I should tell the world that because of him, I have suffered intimidation, arrests, questioning about 38 times.

“Not only that, I was detained in an underground prison, chained hands and legs and tried for treason because of him. All these people around now were the people fighting us then.

“Some of these people were receiving money from the government of the time during elections in conducting fake research and using their positions as members of the trade union to say that the election was conducted fairly but today they are Buhari people. I am shocked.

“There is nothing happening except that I just saw him during a world press conference, an elder statesman and former president said that he does not need my vote, my supporters, my families and those that interact with me.

“He never mentioned any reason and I dare say that I have more integrity and more honest than any person in this country.”

He added, “The position I have taken has nothing to do with his impression about me but because the party is getting to a slide and because I made sacrifices to bring the formation of this party. The world knows that I can’t sit idly and see that happen.

“I don’t need to access him because he is the President of Nigeria and I cannot go and stand by the side of the Aso Villa to shout that I want to see Mr President. If he needs to see me, he can direct the SSS to pick me up to the Villa.

“He was quoted to have said that nobody matters and he does not need to see anybody when the members of the nPDP requested to dialogue with him because it is a party matter. If it is a party matter why did he meet the National Assembly?

“The nPDP which was the subject matter then complained of marginalisation, so also my CPC. We brought in 12.5 million votes into this merger yet we get three cabinet ministers.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/r-apc-galadima-opens-up-on-cause-of.html

A meeting of the North West Governors’ Forum is ongoing in Kaduna state.

The meeting, which is being held behind closed doors, has in attendance, the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari and Deputy Governors of Kaduna, Jigawa and Sokoto states.

Also in attendance at the meeting are the SSGs and Commissioners of Education and Agriculture from the seven north-west states.

Top on the agenda is agriculture, the proposal on power generation for the north-west zone and investment prospects for the zone.

More to follow..

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/northern-governors-meet-in-kaduna.html

A fiery Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi has revealed how he warned President Muhammadu Buhari against taking over governance from the immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan.

Gumi said he told Buhari that he was coming to make things worse for Nigerians due to the situation on ground when he won the election.

The cleric said his criticism of the President was done in the interest of Nigerians.

Speaking with Punch, Gumi noted that things were worse now under the Buhari administration than it was during the past government.

According to him, “Our criticism of Buhari is not about being a northerner or a Muslim . It has to do with what is in the best interest of Nigerians. A leader is like a blind man. People on the ground or on the field could see what he cannot see.

“Preachers of religions who are apolitical are the ones that are the eyes , telling the leadership what to do or where things are going wrong.

“We are like the press too, we are supposed to be neutral in our presentation of facts. Once things are not going on as they should be, it is our duty to come out to explain to the people and the government what is wrong and also proffer solutions.

“Even before Buhari came, I was one of the few people that advised him that the Nigerian situation at the end of Jonathan’s regime was not the best for him. He was going to make things worse, not better.

“If you are bringing in a patient who has broken all his limbs to the hospital , the doctor will be concerned about whether his blood is circulating and not about his broken bones.

“The doctor will not be looking at the protruding bones but those standing by will be looking and wondering why the doctor is not concerned about the bones.

“The doctor is concerned about how to save the life of the patient. That is how Nigeria is. When you are concerned and obsessed with what can be fixed later, you are rather killing Nigeria. That is what I see in the government.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/i-warned-buhari-against-taking-over.html

Some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, under the aegis of Osun Continuity Movement, on Friday in Osogbo insisted on the zoning of the governorship ticket to the West senatorial district in the state.

The group, during a peaceful rally, said that the September 22 governorship election ticket of the party should given to a candidate from the Osun West Senatorial District in the state in order for justice to prevail.

Mr Miftah Saheed, the spokesman for the group, told newsmen that for the sake of fairness, equity and justice, the zone should be allowed to produce the next governor.

According to Saheed, for the past 11 years, the Osun Central had governed the state, while Osun East spent eight years in governance.

Explaining further, he said that the Osun West Senatorial District spent only 22 months in governing the state.

“It is worthy of note that Osun West Senatorial District remains the only zone that had not produced a governor since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

“The zone must be supported to produce the next governor. We have competent candidate that can do the job,’’ Saheed said.

He added if for any reason the APC failed to pick its candidate from the West, any other political party that picked its candidate from the district would be supported by the people of the zone.

The party’s primary slated for Saturday had been postponed due to the agitation of the party members.

The party members, who engaged in the peaceful rally from Freedom Park to the party’s secretariat, carried placards with various inscriptions.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “No cheating’’, “West is okay’’, “We must encourage equal political stability’’, “Rotational leadership’’, “Affirmation Action’’, among others.

So far, 29 aspirants under the platform of the APC have expressed their intention to contest the party’s primaries ahead of the gubernatorial election.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/osun-guber-apc-members-insist-on-next.html

No fewer than five persons were killed in an attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen, on Wednesday night, in Kola community, Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

It was gathered that the attackers invaded the town at around 2:00a.m. Wednesday night, killing and burning down houses, while several others were injured.

The Adamawa State Police Command through its police Public Relations Officer, Othman Abubakar, confirmed the attack to newsmen in the state.

Othman said the attack occurred around Mararaba Kola in Guyuk.

“Herdsmen armed with locally made guns attacked Kola, killed a woman and four other men, burnt down seven houses.

“Two other victims, a woman and a man sustained gun wounds,” Othman said.

“Others injured in the attack had been taken to the hospital for treatment and the dead to the mortuary for autopsy,” he added.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/suspected-herdsmen-kill-5-burn-houses.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, said he was selling off recovered loots to put money in government’s coffers.

Buhari stated this while responding to a question on Nigeria’s anti-graft war, during a joint press conference at the end of Namibian President Hage Geingob’s visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He also said the world is waiting to see if the Presidents coming after him, will return the loots and assets being recovered by his administration, to those who looted the treasury.

“We are pursuing people who have declared assets. But we find out that they have much more than they have declared. We follow them through their bank accounts to the companies they formed, to the contracts they got.

“Sometimes, they swear to Almighty God that their structure that cannot develop feet and run away does not belong to them. Then they are confronted with their bank accounts.

“Again, using my experiences when I was arrested and detained, people were given back what they have appropriated. This time around, I said we are going to sell them and put the money into the treasury and I will see whoever comes after that will have the courage to take money from the treasury and give to anybody.

“So, we are winning, but it’s very difficult under this multi-party democracy system. And we are getting the cooperation of countries. We are trying to sell the assets wherever we find them and bring the money into the Nigerian treasury,” the president said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/buhari-reveals-what-he-is-doing-with.html

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will on Wednesday release the results of this year’s May/June WASSCE.

No fewer than 1.5 million candidates across Nigeria sat for the exam which held between March and early May.

Candidates can check their results on the Council’s results website: www.waecdirect.org as from Wednesday Evening.

1. Enter your 10-digit WAEC Examination Number. (This is your 7-Digit centre number followed by your 3-digit candidate number eg. 4123456789)

2. Enter the 4 digits of your Examination Year eg. 2018.

3. Select the Type of Examination.

4. Enter the Card Serial Number found on the reverse side of your Scratch card.

5. Enter the Personal Identification Number (PIN) on your Scratch card.

Click Submit and wait for the results window to come up.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/waec-how-to-check-2018-mayjune-wassce.html

Senate Tuesday was asked by President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm Folashodun Adebisi Sonubi as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

In his letter read by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Buhari stated, “In accordance with the provisions of section 81 sub section 2 of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN establishment act 2017, I have the pleasure to present Folashodun Adebisi Sonubi for confirmation as deputy governor of the central bank of Nigeria.

“Find as attached a copy of his curriculum vitae while looking forward for your usual expeditious approval.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/buhari-asks-for-senate-affirmation-of.html

A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Anietie Okon has opined that decisions may not hold in 2019 because of the steady killings the nation over.

Okon said this while bemoaning the inclination treatment of the emergency amongst ranchers and herders in Plateau and Benue States, a circumstance which has prompted the spread of the killings in the nation.

Tending to writers in Uyo, the state capital, Okon additionally required the acquiescence of President Muhammadu Buhari over his asserted inability to guarantee the security of lives and property in the nation.

He stated, "The President ought to leave since he has flopped in his essential obligation which is guaranteeing security of the residents. It isn't feasible for him to keep on giving all way of reasons. Presently he has requested that we turn to petitions.

"Obviously there is a characteristic absence of limit in the All Progressives Congress, APC initiative. The President does not obviously comprehend his security duty to each Nigerian resident.

"The decisions may not hold. I say this passing by what we have seen, the phlebotomy in the nation and the weak and unoriginal reaction to it, and the undeniable prejudice and inclination displayed by the individuals who should contain and annihilate this blood draining.

"It is certain that the thing is compounding from everyday. Do you want to have a race in Plateau tomorrow or in Benue? What's more, the murdering is spreading. It is a piece of their outline and I provoke them to it."

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/why-race-may-not-hold-in-2019-senator.html

Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Chief of Staff to the Senate President Bukola Saraki, on Monday dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, but was quick to clarify that his decision had nothing to do with his principal.

He described his decision to leave the APC as a difficult one, disclosing that his resignation is coming after due consultation with members of his Akida faction of the APC in Kaduna, which also has the senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, as member.

Baba-Ahmed, while addressing journalists in Kaduna on Monday, said he has sent a letter of withdrawal from APC to the party chairman in his ward.

He explained that he was not leaving APC to join another party but believes the ruling party has underperformed.

According to him, “This statement is to inform the public of my resignation from APC. I have sent a formal letter to this effect to chairman of my ward.

“This has been a very difficult decision, to leave a party I helped to form and made my humble contributions to put in power.

“After three years, however, I need to say that the APC has grossly under-performed and has forfeited any claim to my loyalty and continue membership.

“I do not believe in all conscience, that it should be trusted and encouraged to continue to govern our great country beyond 2019.

“I am not leaving to join another party. This is my decision and mine alone . It has nothing to do with the president of the senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

“It’s a decision taken after due consultations with Akida Group, a group that has predated my appointment as chief of staff to the President of the Senate.

“I will remain active in politics, as this is the main avenue for salvaging our nation from rising insecurity, poverty and bitter divisions,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/breaking-sarakis-chief-of-staff-dumps.html

Actor, Ibrahim Chatta has debunked the claim that his ex-wife, Salamat, who is a Senator’s daughter, left him because he was a woman beater.

There were reports that Salamat decided to walk away from their union because she suffered domestic violence but Chatta, in an interview with Punch, wondered how he could have summoned the courage to batter a politician’s daughter.

The actor explained that he tried his best in making the marriage work but to no avail after the woman declared that she no longer loved him.

Speaking further, he said, “I am not a wife beater. It was reported on different occasions that I beat a woman but no one came out with proof. When one beats a woman, don’t you think the women will come up with photos of injuries sustained during the beating?

“During an interview, a journalist asked me if I had hit a woman before, I said once but she slapped me first and they twisted my words and used it against me.

“When we die, we should not think it is over because God will like to know how we spent our lives.

“When I married Salamat, the daughter of a senator, here was no trust in the union . I begged and did everything to make the marriage work because I feared what the fans would think about me. I didn’t want the public to think I could not keep a happy home or see me in a bad light because I know I am a role model.

“But she said she had stopped loving me since 2012 when we did our Nikkah. According to her, she was only pretending all the while. Even though my mind was no longer in the relationship too, I still wanted her and was willing to put things in order.

“When couples fight, I don’t know why people always put the blame on men. If you are an entertainer, it becomes worse as there is a general insinuation that entertainers are promiscuous and irresponsible. heard different stories when Salamat left me.

“They also said she left my house because I didn’t have a good home . But I had four bedrooms , two sitting rooms and I accommodated people too.

“I love having people around me, which also became a problem . But she saw all these before marriage. They also said I beat her like I did to my baby mama. What kind of money do I have that would make me beat a politician’s daughter?

“Are people so gullible to believe those lies? When people make accusations , they should come out with proof apart from word of mouth.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/actor-ibrahim-chatta-speaks-on-beating.html

Reactions have continued to trail the curfew imposed by the Plateau State Government as a result of the killing of over 200 persons in some villages of the State, as the Plateau State Women for Women and He for She (W4W and He4She) on Saturday said the curfew imposed is not working.

It would be recalled that the State Government had last Sunday imposed curfew in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South LGAs as a result of the aforementioned killings.

But the women have now said that “if they want this curfew to work, the security apparatus should be on their toes”.
This was disclosed by Dr. Jophia N. Gupar, Plateau State Coordinator, W4W and HE4SHE, while addressing journalists in Jos.

Gupar said, “We are being realistic here, the curfew is not working; if they want this curfew to work, the security apparatus should be on their toes, let them be serious with human life.

“There are certain things we don’t want to say here because until we confirm them, there are incidences, we don’t want to be misquoted.

“Let this government know that as the leader of these women on the Plateau, I have sacrificed my life for this course.

“If sacrificing my life will bring lasting peace on the Plateau so be it, enough is enough, whether at the State or Federal levels”, she maintained.

“We are here to support government to succeed, because if there is no peace on the land, there won’t be meaningful development, and they can never lead, be you a Governor. If I’m not having a cordial relationship with these women I can never lead them.

“We want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for visiting Plateau State and sharing in our grief, but we demand a total overhaul of the security system in the country as reports from various quarters indicate that the security apparatus in the country has been compromised. We deserve security officers we can trust.

“We also call on the government that the state owned security outfit, Operation Rainbow, should be well equipped and properly utilized since it has presence in all the 17 Local Government Areas of the State.

“We want to also suggest that the Federal Government bring in all retired security personnel who abound in Plateau State and the nation at large, whose wealth of experience can be harnessed, to brainstorm and come up with a template which can be used to mitigate, nip future occurrences in the bud”, she stressed.

The group demanded that traditional rulers, mai anguwas, ward heads and women representatives, who according to them are always at the receiving end, should be integrated into the security architecture at all levels of governance.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/plateau-killings-curfew-imposed-by-govt.html

Ahead of this year’s Nigerian Army Day celebration, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, has given a detailed account on the activities of the army on its 155 years existence in the country.

Buratai also spoke on the success story of the Army as well as activities lined up ahead of the event.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the army chief said the Nigerian troops were committed to the nation’s sovereignty.

He, therefore, called on every Nigerian to support activities of the Army as it’s troops were making frantic efforts to keep this entity called Nigeria as one.

Full text of his speech below…

Let me begin by reminding us on the reason for this celebration as well as give us a brief history of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

The unfortunate 30-months long Nigerian Civil War was announced by a shot that was fired on the 6th of July 1967 at Garkem which is in present day Cross River State. The Nigerian Civil war was fought to keep Nigeria one and a lot of soldiers paid the supreme price in that process. The Nigerian Army Day Celebration is therefore a constant reminder of the sacrifices paid by troops most of whom as I said laid down their lives to ensure we remain united as a nation.

This celebration is also designed to array Nigerian Army personnel and equipment as well as showcase the combat capability of the Nigerian Army. Furthermore, the celebration affords us the opportunity to celebrate our evolution, achievements and also to showcase our transformational strides in the area of innovation, research and development, civil military relations and technological advances. This is in addition to projecting the Nigerian Army as an instrument of national unity, integration and development. This year, the Nigerian Army will be marking 155 years of its existence, dating back to its inception in 1863.

We are aware of the many security challenges that have bedeviled this country in the last decade or so. However I am pleased to state that the Nigerian Army has made giant strides in this regard particularly in the last one year. Our security architecture as a country is one with a very positive outlook. We have not only consolidated on the gains established in the fight against insurgency in the North East but have progressed to the Post stabilization phase where all efforts are geared towards ensuring displaced persons return to their biological homes which are now safe.

That is why I directed that an operation codenamed Operation LAST HOLD be conducted in the fringes of the Lake Chad waters and Northern Borno. This operation is a humanitarian one in which we seek to return the Internally Displaced Persons and also provide the much needed security and guarantee for them to return back to their economic lives of farming, fishing and trading. With the defeat of the insurgents, it is time to encourage our people to return to their ancestral home.

This year’s Army Day Celebration is quite unique as you will see the innovative, research and development and technological side of the Nigerian Army. We have carefully packaged some activities along this line which you will witness in the course of the celebration. That is why the theme for this year’s celebration is “The Nigerian Army and National Security: A Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Development”. We as an Army are determined more than ever before to contribute our quota to national development. This theme is also in line with my vision “to have a Professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its Constitutional Roles”.

Like I stated in the beginning, this press briefing kick starts the series of activities for this year’s celebration. Later today, Jumua’at Prayers will be held at the Prayer Ground in Maimalari Barracks here in Maiduguri and across all formations in Nigerian. Likewise, there will be an Interdenominational Church Service at the All Saints Military Church, Maimalari Barracks as well as across all formations in the country on 1 Jul 18 as part of the events for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

Other activities lined up for the week long celebration include the following:

a. Sanitation Exercise

b. Medical Outreach to be undertaken at selected locations across Borno State and other parts of the country by all Nigerian Army Formations and units between 2 – 6
July 2018.

c. Local and International Military Equipment Manufacturers Exhibition.

d. Mini Trade Fair.

e. Static Display of Nigerian Army’s Equipment Capability.

f. Airborne/Paratroopers Demonstration.

g. Fire Power Demonstration among others.

The grand finale of the celebration will take place on Saturday 7 Jul 18 at Monguno. The President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to grace the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour on that day.

Gentlemen of the press, the Nigerian Army is continuously making sacrifices towards ensuring the unity and development of this great nation. We therefore use the occasion of this celebration to solicit for the cooperation, prayers and goodwill of all. Let us join hands to collectively build and take this nation forward. I therefore urge us all to desist from acts that are capable of truncating the peace. We must be tolerant of one another and learn to give peace a chance. Let us also remember that no nation can develop or be economically vibrant without peace. I therefore want to use this medium to solicit with us all to be our brothers’ keeper. We assure all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army is for you and will continue to work for the common good of the country while professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

The current crisis in Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Zamfara States are both induced internally and externally. So many forces are against Nigeria. The target is the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country. The blame game along ethnic and religious fault lines is not the solution. Nigerians must unite to solve this serious challenge. The Nigerian Army is not sleeping. We are continuously exploiting all the linkages and leads towards addressing the security challenges we shall get to the roots of all the crisis militarily. Therefore, we must be tolerant of one another and give peace a chance. let us also remember that no nation can develop or be economically vibrant without peace. I therefore want to use this medium to solicit with us all to be our brothers’ keepers. We assure all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army is for you and will continue to work for the Common good of the country while professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

On this note, let me express my sincere gratitude to the media for their wonderful support to the Nigerian Army at all times. I urge you to give this year’s celebration the wide coverage and publicity it deserves. Finally, I thank you for your continued support in our efforts in the pursuit of peace, security and progress of our dear nation.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/nigerian-army-day-buratai-speaks-on.html

The Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwanbo, and Mavin boss, Don Jazzy have cried out over the tanker explosion that left many dead in Lagos yesterday.

DAILY POST reported yesterday that the incident happened at Otedola Bridge, Lagos State.

Reacting on Twitter, the Governor said, “My Sincere condolences to the family of those who lost their lives today in an unfortunate fire incidence that occurred at Otedola Bridge, Lagos

“May God grant quick recovery to the injured and eternal repose to the dead.”

For Don Jazzy, the incident was a bad omen.

The music producer wrote, “A lot going on in this country. Bad omen.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/otedola-bridge-gov-dankwambo-don-jazzy.html

There is a tanker explosion at Otedola/Ojodu Berger this evening and over 20 cars were reportedly burnt.

The number of casualty in the incident is not yet ascertained but at the moment efforts are already in place to put out the fire as The Lagos Fire Service officers are already spotted at the scene.

And calls have been made to other appropriate authorities to intervene in the sad incident to avert a break down of law and order.

More reports coming..

See photos below:- http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/breaking-news-many-dead-vehicles-burnt.html

Watch the Video below:- http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/breaking-news-many-dead-vehicles-burnt.html

This is Sad ☹

May God guide the rest of us and keep the family who lost their loved ones the strength to move on ��

The newly-elected National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Babatunde Ogala, has replied the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to void the election of the new APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

DAILY POST reports that the PDP had called on INEC to annul the recent election of Oshiomhole, as the APC national chairman, claiming that it was not held in compliance with the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from his Kabba Bunu community in Kogi State, the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, had said: “We want to recall that in 2012, we had a convention which INEC declared a nullity because they said we did not follow the rules‎.”

Reacting however, the ruling party said the opposition PDP was only chasing shadows.

Speaking in a chat with journalists on Thursday in Lagos, Ogala noted that the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Ologbodiyan, who made the statement, betrayed his ignorance of the law.

Ogala said: “In responding to Mr. Ologbodiyan, I will take cognizance of his lack of knowledge of law and say he could therefore only have uttered those words attributed to him out of ignorance of the provisions of APC Constitution. I am also not unaware of the fact that Mr. Ologbodiyan, having not been present at the venue of our convention, could only have uttered his words based on hearsay and gossips”.

He added: “The import of the extant provision of Article 20 of the APC Constitution was obviously not known to Mr. Ologbodiyan and his party PDP.

“As Mr. Ologbodiyan and his PDP were not present at our Convention, they are busy-bodies who could not have known that the election of the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and 21 other officers that were elected unopposed all had the attendant overwhelming ‘YES’ Votes at the National Convention at Eagle Square and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was a compliant observer of the convention. Mr. Ologbondiyan was fishing in uncharted and murky dark waters and now needs help.

“Honourable Justice Nnaemeka Agu of the Court of Appeal in the case of:- Rufus Faloyinbo –Vs- IbidapoAwojolu & Anor (1979) LPELR – FCA/3/56/78 held as follows:- “It is the law that in a case where there is no opposition, the date on which the candidate is returned unopposed is the date of his election”.

“We do not coerce our Chairmen and Officers out of office through brute force. Neither do we impose leaders through inducement or shove them forcefully down the throats of our members. That is the difference between us just like the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said at our convention that ‘we are progressive. They are backward. They are despotic, we are democratic’.

“For the avoidance of doubts, those candidates who stepped down their ambitions to allow others elected unopposed, were clearly motivated by the larger interest of the party and sustenance and deepening of our democratic process. We salute those persons as the heroes of our party.

“It is the success of our convention, obviously, that makes the PDP uneasy and fidgety to start chasing shadows and winking in the dark. May they continue their shadow-chasing.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/apc-fires-back-at-pdp-for-asking-inec.html

Nigeria has been named the ninth most dangerous country for women in the latest report released by Thomson Reuters Foundation, yesterday.


Nigeria made the list alongside India, which tops the list, DR Congo, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Somalia.


“NIGERIA – Ranked as ninth, with human rights groups accusing the country’s military of torture, rape and killing civilians during a nine-year fight against Boko Haram militants. Nigeria was named fourth most dangerous country along with Russia when it came to human trafficking. It listed sixth worst on the risks women face from traditional practices,” the report stated.


Other countries polled to have bad records in the treatment of women included the United States of America, which came last on the list, Syria, Pakistan, and Yemen. Between March 26 and May 4, 2018, the Thomson Reuters Foundation said it surveyed 548 experts on women’s issues across the globe, including academics, health workers, policymakers, and NGO workers.


The respondents were reportedly asked to consider the following parameters: healthcare, cultural practices, discrimination, sexual violence, non-sexual violence, and human trafficking. While Nigeria didn’t rank in healthcare, discrimination, and non-sexual violence, Nigeria ranked sixth for (cultural) practices that are harmful to women, like acid attacks, female genital mutilation, child marriage, forced marriage, stoning, physical abuse or mutilation as a form of punishment/retribution and female infanticide.


In cases of sexual violence, Nigeria is ranked fourth on the poll, with examples of rape as a weapon of war, domestic rape, rape by a stranger, lack of access to justice in rape cases.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/breaking-nigeria-ranked-as-9th-most.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed speculations that Governor Ayo Fayose was favoured during the Ekiti primary that produced his deputy Prof. Kolapo Olusola as candidate for the governorship election.

PDP Deputy National Secretary, Emmanuel Agboh, said this in Abuja on Wednesday in a meeting with the party’s aspirants for the Osun gubernatorial poll.

His words: “We urge all of you to engage in meaningful discussion and if you are unable to harmonize, the leadership of the party will not fail in organizing a free and fair primary election, just as we did in Ekiti State.

“When we were going to Ekiti, maybe because we have a sitting governor, people thought we will bend the rules, but we stood our grounds and organised the best primary election in recent time.

“To us at the PDP, the definition of leadership in its context was sincerity of purpose, candidates that play by the roles.

“We are not going to organize a primary for or against an individual, we are going to do it because that is the needful that we must do to win Osun state.

“This is a golden opportunity for you all, that instead of about 300,000 members of PDP in Osun state to decide who becomes the party’s candidate, 11 of you should go and decide who will carry the party’s flag at the election.

“We are sure that from the 11 of you here today one of you is the next governor of Osun state,” he added.

Agboh also urged the aspirants to respect the party’s decision by accepting the outcome of the primaries and work as a team for the success of the party in Osun and 2019 general elections.

“By the time any of you emerges as party’s candidate, we expect that all the other tents be collapsed and everyone should accept the result in good faith.

“In other words, collapse all your individual campaign structure into the party structure.

“We are not only ready to win Osun State we are also ready to rescue Nigerians from the challenges this government has imposed on them.

“We want all of you to support the party to rescue Nigeria in February next year,” he added.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/fayose-wasnt-favoured-during-ekiti.html

Youths In hundreds have taken to the streets in Jos, the Plateau State capital, protesting the killings of over 200 people in three Local Government Areas of the state

The protester who went round the majors streets of Jos took their protest to Government House ray-field to present their grievances to the Governor.

DAILY POST is reporting that the protest has now turned bloody as the protesters took over the gates of the Government House, leading to violence and gun shots inside the Government House.

As at press time, the protesters have refused to leave the premises.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM_qsoU6iAw

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/plateau-killings-aggrieved-youths-take.html

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Oyo State on Tuesday dragged Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and five others before an Oyo State High Court in Ibadan over the unpaid N42.3 billion gratuities and pensions arrears owed primary school teachers and local government pensioners.

Joined in the suit were the Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Commissioner for Finance as well as the Accountant-General and the state’s Head of Service.

At Tuesday’s sitting before Justice Maruf Adegbola, the union’s counsel, Lasun Sanusi (SAN), urged the court to direct the Oyo State Government to pay the arrears of the concerned pensioners.

Sanusi said the primary school teachers and local government pensioners were dying almost on daily basis due to difficulty in getting medications for their various health challenges.

The counsel also told the court that an agreement was reached between the state government and the pensioners that the arrears would be paid in instalments, praying that this be made a consent judgment.

He said since the state government was not denying that it was its responsibility to pay the said money, his clients were urging the court to give its judgment.

The counsel also said that other respondents in the suit had been served except Ajimobi, urging the court to grant his ex-parte motion seeking its leave to serve the governor by substituted means.

The counsel suggested that the governor be served through the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, being the chief law officer of the state.

Adegbola consequently granted the ex-parte motion and ordered that the processes be served on the governor through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

The judge said that the processes and other documents to be filed in the matter be taken to the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

He adjourned the case till July 11 for hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that none of the respondents was in court.

NAN also reports that the pensioners, who had trooped to the court, called on the state government to urgently pay their pension arrears and gratuities.

Representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state also attended the court sitting.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/oyo-pensioners-sue-gov-ajimobi.html

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered Abia Senator, Eyinnaya Abaribe to remain in detention of the Department of State Services, DSS.

The Justice Binta Nyako-led court gave the order while turning down Abaribe’s application for his release from DSS custody.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako said she could not order Abaribe’s release because she was not the judge who ordered his arrest.

The judge held that the circumstances that resulted in Abaribe’s recent arrest were not before her.

She expressed dissatisfaction with counsel on both sides about their manner of handling of the case, saying she will not mind prolonging the matter if they were not serious.

Abaribe was one of the sureties who signed the bail bond of the elusive leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Shortly after his release, Kanu has not been seen in public.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/breaking-court-sends-sen-abaribe-back.html

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has visited Jos, the Plateau State capital, following the renewed killings recorded in the state.

Osinbajo is expected to meet with community leaders over the attack.

Recall that some suspected herdsmen killed 86 persons during an attack on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, yesterday.

The Vice President ‘s visit was confirmed by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Ahmad Bashir via his Twitter handle.

In a tweet, Bashir wrote: “Vice President @ProfOsinbajo visits Jos, Plateau State this evening over yesterday’s despicable attacks and killings in some part of the State.

“President @MBuhari assures that his administration will not rest until all murderers and their sponsors are brought to justice.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/plateau-killings-osinbajo-visits-jos.html

The Ogun state police command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Abbas, for allegedly raping an autistic patient in the Adiyan area of the state.

According to PUNCH Metro, the suspect scaled a fence into the victim’s house and raped her, then threatened her not to say a word to her father, whom she lives with.

The victim, however, told her brother what happened upon his arrival from a trip, and he, in turn, told their parents.

The victim’s mother, Fehintola, said;

“I was not around because I was running an academic programme at the Kaduna State University. My daughter lives with my husband, a retired civil servant. He leaves home at 2pm and returns at 4pm. The gate is always locked from outside. The suspect said each time he saw my husband drove out, he scaled the fence.

“He knew that her younger sister is in the higher institution, so he introduced himself to her (victim) as her sister’s friend. He said they sat for WASSCE together.

“Whenever he came, he had sex with her and put his sex organ in her mouth. He inserted his organ into her anus and private parts more than 20 times between May 16 to May 24, 2018. He even had the audacity to bath in our bathroom.

“After having sex with her in the compound, he dragged her into the bedroom and continued taking advantage of her because she is physically challenged.

“He assumed that she would not recollect all that happened. He instructed her not to tell her parents and if she did, she would kill her. Adhering to the threat, she summoned the courage and told the people in church instead. But fear did not allow anybody to speak out. So, when her brother came to home to visit, she told him as well.”

The mother continued saying no one told her what happened until much later.

“She is always on drug to control her seizure and boost her brain. Unknowing to the guy, she can easily express herself and identify him. She was able to describe the physique of the boy. I reported at the Olomowewe Police Post on Tuesday.

“On Friday, June 22, 2018, we were on our way to a hospital that treats her when we saw the suspect. She identified him. I called my husband to help apprehend him. But while my husband held the suspect, two of his friends wanted to beat up my husband until people intervened. The case has been transferred to the Agbado Police Station.”

The victim, who spoke incoherently to PUNCH Metro on the telephone, said the suspect had sex with her on many occasions.

“He would scale the fence and enter our compound. He said he wanted to marry me. He said I was his wife. He will put the thing that boys use to press when they want to urinate inside my mouth and put it in the front and at the back of my buttocks. He said if I told daddy and mummy, he would kill me,” she added.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident adding that;

He said, “The state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, has given a directive that the suspect should be transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking and Anti-Child Labour Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/ogun-police-arrest-teenager-who-raped.html

Danladi Ciroma, the Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has reacted to the recent attacks on Plateau villages by suspected herdsmen where over 86 persons were hacked to death.

DAILY POST reports that Plateau Police Command on Sunday confirmed the killing of 86 persons in the attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government.

Ciroma in a statement claimed that the attack was in retaliation of the killing of over 300 cows in the last few weeks by the villagers.

He said despite the efforts of the state government, some criminal elements hiding among their people were still frustrating the peace efforts.

“These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on revenge mission.

“There have been recent reports of cow rustling and destruction of farms between Berom farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The people carrying out these criminal activities are well known to the communities but the communities are hiding them.

“Fulani herdsmen have lost about 300 cows in the last few weeks – 94 cows were rustled by armed Berom youths in Fan village, another 36 cows were killed by Berom youths. In addition to that, 174 cattle were rustled and the criminals disappeared with them to Mangu.

“Since these cows were not found, no one should expect peace in the areas. Even soldiers that went after the criminals to recover the rustled cows were shot by the armed rustlers and eventually escaped with all the cows.

“The government of Governor Lalong has done a lot to restore peace, but the criminal elements hiding among their people are the ones frustrating these peace efforts.

“Though the security agencies have tried, they need to do more by being fair to all parties; they should not neglect any report presented by Fulani of Berom because such report can lead to attacks and deaths if not properly handled.

“Criminals thrive a lot in Berom communities, but when the Fulani, who are always victims of their crime, react with attacks, they blame the government.

“These communities have leaders, why hide the criminals? They should fish out the criminals and hand them over to security agencies to avoid death of innocent ones.

“As it is today, the Berom man cannot go to farm, the Fulani cannot breed his cows in Berom Land. This can be stopped if the security agencies do more than what they are currently doing. The attacks will stop as soon as the security agencies stop Berom youths from stealing Fulani cows” he added.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/why-herdsmen-kkilled-over-86-people-in.html

The police in Lagos have arrested 21 persons over the killing of a man at Alapere-Ketu, following a clash by cult groups.

Eiye and Aye confraternities had clashed on June 16 in a continuation of a war that has been going on for years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Alapere Police Division raided some cultists’ hideouts last week.

Area where the suspects were nabbed include: Kazeem, Aminu and Akampson Streets in Alapere.

Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Chike Oti, confirmed the arrest on Sunday.

He said that the suspects were being interrogated.

“Those linked to the crime will be prosecuted after conclusion of investigation,” Oti said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/eiye-vs-aiye-police-arrest-21-persons.html

A couple of hours ago, actress Mary Remmy Njoku, had taken to her IG to share her sexual harassment experience on set with her Instafam.

According to Njoku, an actress was sexually harassed by a director but seemed fine with it. if you missed it, read here.

Reacting to her story, Daddy Freeze said showing camel toe is infact sexual harassment on its own.

Read his post below;

Hello @maryremmynjoku I saw your post on @instablog9ja and since it was directed to #instafam I felt I could respond since I fall into that cathegory, lol.�
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Yes, what you witnessed is definitely sexual harassment and you have every right to be offended by such careless and lewd words from a member of the opposite sex.
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I will strongly recommend that you go as far as making a formal report if you feel violated by what you heard in that traumatizing conversation.
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Also, feel free to demand an apology, which I am of the firm opinion that you deserve.
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However, there is something I want to bring not just your attention, but the attention of the entire public, which is the fact that CAMELTOE IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN ITSELF!
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Camel toe is the outline or silhouette of the vagina, visible through clothes and it is harassment to anyone who is not supposed to see it, working out in a public gym is no excuse!
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I consider myself very tolerant when it comes to how women choose to dress. I have absolutely no issues with mini skirts, crop tops or bikinis, if those who choose to wear them are careful enough to tread the lines of decency with caution.
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However, I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THE OUTLINE OF A VAGINA under any guise, whether it’s the politically correct terminology ‘cameltoe’ or whatever else anyone may choose to delineate it as, it’s not only wrong, it constitutes sexual harassment!
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Has this now become a branch of feminism? “I can flash my cameltoe if I want, I’m a feminist!”, NO YOU F**ing CAN’T, dress decently!
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I remember being in a church on freedom way in Lekki on a Sunday, when I still used to go to church, from the small chops kiosk where I was queueing to buy asun, I could see people emerge from the church. There was this lady walking towards me with the mother of all cameltoes I could literally distinguish the outline of her labia from her clitoris and I felt raped, to be modest.
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So as a public figure with a following, I’ll implore you to spread the word to your colleagues and friends that SHOWING CAMELTOE IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MANY MEN ARE SUFFERING IN SILENCE.
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Do have yourself a blessed day! ~FRZ

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/showing-camel-toe-is-sexual-harassment.html