₦airaland Forum

Gunmen, on Wednesday night, stormed the home of the new Vice chancellor of the University of Jos, Sebastian Maimoko, shooting dead a private security man, and injuring a police officer and another private security guard.

The injured private security man was whisked away, and the rifle of the police officer seized, in the attack that occurred at Mr. Maimoko’s private residence.

A source said the vice chancellor, who assumed office in June, was out of the country at the time of the attack.

The spokesman for the university, Abdullahi Abdullahi, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Thursday morning, but said details would be released in an official statement by the university authority later.

A witness, Stephen Serki, said the incident took place at about 8:30 pm Wednesday.

“A policeman was shot at the leg and his gun was taken away by the attackers. Two other security men of the university attached to the Vice Chancellor were also shot, one on the head, another on his chest; the one that was shot in the chest died on the spot, but another survived,” Mr. Serki explain.

The police spokesperson for Plateau State, Terna Tyopev, said had not been informed about the incident.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/207678-gunmen-raid-unijos-vcs-home-kill-guard.html

Everyone wants to have a strong relationship with their partner, but they might not be sure how to keep it that way. Life can become busy, stress can take over, and relationships can be on the back burner. However, when you want your relationship to be happy and healthy, there are plenty of things that you can do to create a lasting bond that goes beyond how crazy life can become.

Making time when you have none

It’s essential that you create some time in your hectic life to be with each other. Even when work and home life becomes crazy, you need to be able to retreat to this time in order to reconnect with your partner. This means that every day, you should have some time set aside for you and your partner to be with each other. It doesn’t have to be hours, but it should be time that isn’t spent doing anything else by talking to each other. A five minute backrub or a walk around the block is all that you need.

Make contact each day

If you’re working in separate workplaces, you will want to make sure that you are contacting each other once a day. A simple email or a quick phone call can let the other know that you are thinking about them and that you want to let the other know that you care. It doesn’t have to be anything long and involved – just a little email that says ‘I love you and hope that you have a good day’ is sufficient.

Find out what she needs

Too many times women can feel like their needs aren’t being attended to, but then again, they might not let you know either. What you need to do is ask your girlfriend or wife what they need from you – physically, emotionally, etc. You may be surprised to hear nothing in response right when you ask, but if you give her some time, she will let you know what she needs and truly appreciate that you thought to ask. It will also show her that asking for something will allow you to be there for her.

Listen to her

When your girlfriend or wife is having a rough time in her life, you need to be sure that you are being there for her. Women aren’t necessarily wanting advice at these times (unless they ask), but rather a shoulder to cry and vent on. They want to hear that they’re not crazy for thinking something and that their feelings are validated. You need to sit with her and let her know that you are there for her to listen.

When you do give advice

If there comes a point when your wife or girlfriend might need advice, or there’s something going on in your relationship that needs to be fixed, you will want to pay attention to the way that you say it. By focusing on the fact that your feelings will change when your partner changes their behavior, it takes the ‘blame’ from her and redirects it to helping you. Likewise, allowing her to see how changes can help her will help her realize things that she might not have realized. Never, ever criticize – focus on helping.

Do more than is necessary

Each day you should be waking up to ask yourself the question of how you can make your partner’s life better that day. If you can even help her out in one tiny way or do some little thing that makes her day easier, then you have paved the way to a healthy relationship that allows you both to feel connected and bonded to each other.

Love all of her

There’s something to be said for the idea of loving someone so matter what. You need to realize that she is human and that she will make mistakes, but that when you forgive her or just don’t make a big deal out of little things, she will begin to trust you more and realize that she doesn’t have to ‘impress’ you. Sometimes when a woman tries so hard to impress, she will make mistakes, but when you let her know that you love her and care for her just the way she is, it doesn’t matter anymore.

http://loveseekers-izang..com.ng/2016/06/incredible-ways-to-bond-with-your.html

Let's look at some of the challenges that women in their 30s may have to face when trying to get pregnant.
35 is the age when infertility begins to set in. It is also the age when risks are higher.
What are some of the risk factors and hurdles that woman thinking about late pregnancies have to contend with?
Conception itself may become a challenge: Women are born with a limited number of eggs. As they age and get closer to their 30s and mid-thirties, eggs decline in quality and quantity. Ovulation becomes infrequent and this affects fertility. A woman in her mid-thirties or beyond may take a year or two to conceive, even after having unprotected sex twice a week! So if you're over 35 years and having trouble conceiving, it's best to consult with your health consultant and seek advice.
Twins and Triplets: The chances of multiple pregnancy increases in the mid and late thirties, even though a woman is not on any fertility treatments. There is also an increased chance of babies being born premature and/or with low birth weight.
C-section: Older women are easily prone to pregnancy complications like placenta praevia (a condition in which the placenta blocks the cervix) which may lead to excessive bleeding and complications that may necessitate a c-section delivery.
Longer labour: Older women are like to have longer labor, sometimes going up to more than 20 hours. One of the main reasons for this could be weakened uterus muscles that don't work as efficiently as they used to.
Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes develops only during pregnancy. The sugar level shoots up and the body is unable to produce enough insulin to break it down. Though it is a temporary condition, it is common in women who get pregnant after the age 35. If not treated properly, gestational diabetes could have an adverse affect and cause the baby to grow large - making natural delivery hard - sometimes causing injuries.
Blood Pressure: Older women are prone to age related conditions like blood pressure which can complicate pregnancy and impact labour.
Miscarriage: Women in their mid thirties are more likely to have a miscarriage than women in their twenties. Statistics show that a woman has about 20 percent risk of miscarriage at 35 years and 80 percent risk of miscarriage at 45 years. This is primarily due to chromosomal abnormalities that occur with age.
High Risk of birth defects: As age increase, genetic problems and chromosomal abnormalities also are also high. The risk of having a baby with Down Syndrome is high in women who consider pregnancy after 35. Prenatal examinations, screen tests and regular checkups can detect chromosomal complications early on.
How to have a healthy pregnancy after 35
Leading a healthy lifestyle and making careful choices is one of the best ways to ensure a safe pregnancy - and a healthy delivery.
Go for a pre-conception check-up: Your health consultant needs to check your overall health and give you the green signal to conceive. This also the time to discuss your concerns about fertility and pregnancy issues, if you're having trouble conceiving.
Go for regular pre-natal check-ups: This will help the doctor monitor your health as well as keep track of the baby's progress
Start on pre-natal vitamins: Pre-natal vitamins will reduce the risks of birth defects like spinabifada. At least 1 mg of folic acid is recommended everyday, 3 months prior to getting pregnant. This however, will continue throughout pregnancy and your health provider will decide on the dosage you need to take.
Keep a check on your weight gain: A controlled and modest weight gain is important to avoid complications like gestational diabetes that comes with being overweight. It also makes it easier to shed those extras after having a baby. So work in tandem with your doctor or dietician who can help you gain the right amount of weight.
Keep away from alcohol, smoking and drugs: It is a known fact that all these can have a negative impact on pregnancy and baby's health.

http://women-ng..com.ng/2016/07/why-you-cant-get-pregnant-after-35-years.html

How to organize a Christian women's retreat is a topic of interest for churches, women-groups, and faith based ministries. Church-hosted retreats for women are filled with fellowship and fun. The retreats can take on a number of different purposes, including showing appreciation for ladies who serve in the Church; revitalizing those who hold leadership positions; providing a time of prayer, reflection, and companionship for women within the Church; and much more. Planning such an event requires a couple of steps that the organizer needs to be aware of. To begin, a theme of the retreat needs to be chosen. For example, perhaps the retreat can be a spiritual getaway specifically for new moms who are also members of the Church. After the theme is chosen, the organizer needs to speak with the Church's pastor about a date and time for the event, and invites need to be sent out for the retreat. After invitations for the retreat are sent out, information and materials will need to be gathered for the event. Religious bookstores, online religious shops, and Church bookstores are excellent places to look for such items. If it is decided that a video or DVD is going to be played as a part of the retreat, then the organizer must make sure that the event location has a player to accommodate this. Next, the organizer needs to make up a retreat schedule that leaves space for quiet time, group sharing, teaching, and good old fun. With this said, the retreat location should either be quiet and lovely or just a spot that specializes in holding retreats. Such an environment relaxes one's mind and soul. Retreats are typically held in a hotel, cabin, tent on a camping ground, or private home. The cost of renting the facility, meals, materials, etc. Should be split among the group. After a schedule is made up and a location is booked, the organizer needs to make a list of the fun things in the area. Retreats should definitely include some time for fun. For instance, perhaps the ladies could go out to eat together or attend a museum. The organizer of the retreat also needs to ask each of the ladies to bring parts of the meals that will be needed for the event if food will not be provided by the lodging facility. Furthermore, the person putting together the event needs to remind the women of all that they should bring to the retreat, including toiletries, a Bible, paper, pen, etc. Last but not least, the organizer should think of an exercise that breaks the ice for everyone attending the retreat. Perhaps the ladies can sit in a circle and introduce themselves. After this, they can each mention what brought them to the event. In addition, she should perhaps make up little gift bags to give as thank yous to the ladies attending the event. Also, lots of pictures should be taken at the retreat to commemorate it and capture different memories. In conclusion, there are a lot of steps involved with planning a Christian retreat for women. These include choosing a theme for the event, gathering retreat materials, sending out invitations, making up a retreat schedule that includes time for fun, asking ladies to share in bringing meals, and creating an ice breaking exercise for those attending the retreat. Furthermore, little favors provide a nice way to say thank you to the women attending the event, and lots of pictures should be taken to commemorate the retreat.

http://christianlifeministry..com.ng/2016/07/how-to-organize-christian-womens-retreat.html

The Bible clearly shows us that on the day of judgment at the end of time, the wicked will be punished with Hell Fire. Many Christians believe that this Hell Fire will last forever and that the wicked will be eternally tormented in pain and anguish. Is this really what the Bible shows?
Jesus said Matthew 25:41 "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:" He also said John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". In the one verse it would seem that the wicked will live forever in everlasting fire and yet the other verse tells us that only those who belong to Jesus will not perish. This means that wicked will perish.
The only conclusion we can come to is that the everlasting fire, is not actually fire that is everlasting, but rather fire which consumes with everlasting consequences.
Are there other places in the Bible where it says forever, but the event mentioned has finished? There are actually many examples of this. Just as today people will often say things like "The show was so boring it went on forever" and "It took forever to get the house painted". These same type of expressions were also used in the Bible for events that lasted a long time, but not actually eternally or for events that had everlasting consequences. For example the Bible describes the fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha as eternal fire. Jude 1:7 "Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire". This fire is not still burning today. It had eternal consequences, as the cities were forever destroyed and the fire was not extinguished. This fire was allowed to burn until it had consumed everything away and then it went out.
This is the same type of fire that "death and hell" will be thrown into and the same type of Fire from Heaven that will consume the wicked after the judgment. Depending on their sentence they will be either consumed quickly with little pain, or else have to suffer longer for more severe sins. The Bible shows us that they will not live forever burning in Hell, because we are told that they will be as ashes under our feet. Malachi 4:3 "And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts".
Many Christians think that Satan will be thrown into eternally burning hell fire and yet the Bible shows that he too will be consumed and will be no more. Ezekiel 28:18-19 "Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more".
The Bible further clarifies that fate of the wicked Malachi 4:1 "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch".
Our awesome and loving God who abounds in mercy is not going to torture and torment the wicked forever and ever in the agony of an eternally burning Hell. He will justly deal with them and they will perish for their sins. For the Wages of Sin are death.

http://christianlifeministry..com.ng/2016/07/how-long-will-hell-fire-burn_27.html

All of us have expectations in our lives. We expect things will occur according to our preconceived ideas and plans. Sometimes things do not happen as we expect, and our response to those unexpected events can determine whether or not we miss out on God's best in our lives. To illustrate this point consider the account of Naaman from 2 Kings chapter 5: 2 Kings 5:9-14 (NIV) 9. So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha's house. 10. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." 11. But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage. 13. Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" 14. So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. Naaman had an expectation that he would be greeted by Elisha the prophet, not Elisha's messenger. Naaman was a highly regarded military leader, he could not believe that the prophet would disregard him. Naaman found himself at a point of decision. As we see in verse 11-12, Naaman became enraged and left. Naaman was going to let his pride cause him to miss out on God's best in his life. Naaman was more focused on not having his expectations met than he was about his true need for healing. Isn't it ironic how having our expectations unmet can often make us lose sight of the greater needs in our life. Fortunately for Naaman, his servants were the voice of reason in his life. They brought his attention back to the need for healing. When Naaman considered the truth of their words, he was once again reminded of the reason he had come in the first place. He needed to be healed. In the end it was Naaman's simple obedience to the instructions he had been given that brought about his complete healing...and to think, he nearly missed it, because his expectations were not met. Today you may have some unmet expectations in your life and just like Naaman you are at a crossroads in your life. Don't lose sight of the greater need that God may be trying to meet in your life. Realize that god wants to meet that greater need, but he may forsake your ego in the process.

http://christianlifeministry..com.ng/2016/06/how-to-pray-to-god-strategy-to_27.html

Cervical cancer is completely treatable and preventable, but only if detected early on in its development. Tests such as pap smears have helped bring down the number of deaths attributed to this sexually transmitted infection; yet the ignorance of early warning signs leads to many deaths- deaths which can be completely avoided with just a little bit of information and vigilance.
Cervical cancer is an infection caused by the human papillomavirus, which comes in many types and few of which cause cancer. The symptoms of this disease are a lot more subtle than some other cancers, but can be clearly spotted nonetheless to save lives. Here are 8 signs of cervical cancer that women need to observe and watch out for.
1. Unusual Bleeding
The most common of all early onset symptoms, unusual bleeding between menstrual cycles or following sexual intercourse can signal trouble. This symptom becomes even more important in post-menopausal women.
2. Unusual Discharge
It is normal for women to have a nominal amount of clear and odorless discharge. But watch out for foul smelling and irregular looking discharge, particularly if it is increased in output as this could be an early sign of cervical cancer.
3. Pain in the Legs and Lower Back
With swelling up of the cervix, blood flow to the legs and lower back can get obstructed. Tis often results in pain and swelling in the legs and lower back with a sore, painful sensation. Swollen ankles and pain in the hips too can be attributed to this factor and must not be ignored.
4. Pelvic Pain
Cramps and pain in the pelvis is not unusual for women, especially at certain points of their menstrual cycle. But if this pain is more acute or frequent, lasts longer than usual, or comes at a strange point in your cycle, then you are better off booking a checkup with your doctor.
5. Uncomfortable Sex
Painful sex, referred to as dyspareunia, is a common side effect of cervical cancer and can be attributed to the swelling and discomfort caused by the infection, as well as other medical conditions associated with it. If you are experiencing uncomfortable or painful sex, waste no time in getting a thorough check up.
6. Discomfort in Urination
Urinary symptoms indicate that the cancer has spread to a nearby tissue and must not be ignored. Stinging sensations or other discomfort when passing urine is a clear sign or trouble, as is irregular urinary habits such as incontinence, change of frequency and discoloration (especially with blood).
7. Irregular Menstrual Cycle
Your menstrual cycle can directly reflect the rhythms and state of your body, and as such cervical cancer can cause fluctuations and disruptions in it. Any marked inconsistencies can be a sign of cervical cancer and are best not ignored.
8. Undue Loss of Weight and Fatigue
Coupled with the other signs listed above, drastic and unexplained weight loss and fatigue can signal cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can cause a rise in white blood cell count to fight the infection; this can be accompanied by a drop in the red blood cell count in the blood, leading to anemia and resulting in a lack of energy or appetite, weight loss and fatigue.

http://women-ng..com.ng/2016/06/8-signs-of-cervical-cancer-that-women.html

The police on Tuesday arraigned a 21-year-old teacher, Matthew Sodake, at an Ota Magistrates’ Court for allegedly having MouthAction with a 14-year old student.

The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing alleged charge of assault.

The prosecutor, Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 12 at about 8.00 p.m. at Ambassador Star Comprehensive Secondary School, Answer, Otta in Ogun.

Mr. Gbesi told the court that the accused, a teacher in the school, lured the 14-year-old student into the one of the classrooms and had MouthAction with him.

He said the offence contravened Section 216 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Senior Magistrate, S.O Banwo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Banwo said the sureties must be residents within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed.

He also ordered the sureties to swear to an affidavit of means and show evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case to Aug. 12, for hearing.(NAN)

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/207539-teacher-arraigned-alleged-oral-sex-student-ogun.html

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Hassan-Kukah, on Tuesday said the government was fighting the symptoms of corruption and not the disease.

Mr. Hassan-Kukah made the disclosure at a programme organised by the Book Readers’ Club of Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP) in Ibadan on Tuesday.

According to him, government is only fighting corrupt people and not corruption because corruption can only be fought if the nation’s institutions are strengthened.

“Government should begin the fight against corruption from the institution, so that we will not continue to have the same result,’’ he said.

He said that the fight against corruption would be meaningful if it could be tied to governance, noting that corruption was the product of a malfunctioning system.

Mr. Hassan-Kukah thereafter read from his 519-page book `Witness to Justice: An Insider’s Account of Nigeria’s Truth Commission (2011).’

Revealing his memoirs of Oputa Panel, the bishop said reconciliation required probing and interrogation of the past.

He said that Nigerians have failed to understand that they were all wounded, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political parties.

“Almost all bad things in Nigeria have validation and a lot of Nigerians have gone through several harsh treatments without charges.

“Many of those ethnic leaders are ethnic entrepreneur, who use their people to get what they want.”

Mr. Hassan-Kukah said the book also revealed the miscarriage of justice on Bagauda Kato, Dele Giwa and MKO Abiola.

He said the nation could not get reconciliation without putting in place mechanism of distributive justice.

“There is need for mechanism that will guarantee justice for victim, perpetrator and larger society, likewise seeking God.

“Nigerians like blaming the nation’s woes on some persons and are always obsessed of a messiah.

“We need to create elasticity to be able to accommodate the various agitations across the country,’’ he said.

Mr. Hassan-Kukah stressed the need for Nigerians to always respect their leaders, adding that the solution was not to denigrate President Muhammad Buhari.

The cleric called on the media to set agenda for the leaders, while also reminding them of their electoral promises.

Earlier, Tunji Olaopa, the Executive Vice-Chancellor of ISGPP, said the school was an independent think-tank that undertake research on issues of governance.

“We focus on problem-saving around issues on governance, democracy and development through executive education, seminar, conferences and policy dialogue.

“We create platform for community engagement with a view to getting government to work better and to raise bar of discourse on issues of development,’’ he said.

Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Prof Bolanle Awe, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrina among others attended the event.

(NAN)
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/207578-buhari-fighting-symptoms-corruption-not-disease-bishop-hassan-kukah.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has recognised former Governor Ahmed Makarfi as the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This is contained in a statement issued by Nick Dazang, INEC’s Deputy Director, Voter Education and Publicity, on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said INEC ratified the administrative approval granted Makarfi, based on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

Mr. Dazang said the ratification was in line with INEC’s Decision Extract, issued on July 14, 2016 and signed by the Director, Commission’s Secretariat, Ishiaku Gali.

He said INEC would recognise the National Caretaker’s activities such as the conduct of primaries of political officers and submission of the plaintiff’s list of the candidate for any election to be conducted by INEC.

“Two weeks ago, the commission received the candidate forwarded to it by the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the PDP, which had earlier secured an order from the Port Harcourt High Court,’’ he added.

(NAN)

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/207574-inec-okays-makarfi-pdps-acting-national-chairman.html

The Federal Government said on Saturday that it would soon launch a new education strategy, 2016 to 2020, to serve as a guiding framework for transforming the sector.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said at the 32nd combined convocation and Diamond Jubilee ceremony of the Kaduna Polytechnic that the strategy would inspire efforts to bring the capacity of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems to levels where they could respond to multiple demands.

“The aim is to give access to affordable and quality technical and vocational education and training for the acquisition of technical and vocational skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

“The Federal Government has identified the relevance of polytechnic education in the country’s socio-economic development and is aware of the big gully between the non-formal technical education and the formal TVET.

“Our conviction is that the national vocational framework will integrate the non-formal sector of vocational trade with the formal TVET for maximum result and impact,’’ he said.

Mr. Adamu described education as “a veritable tool for the growth and development of any nation,’’ adding that all hands must be on deck for the country to be rated high in the comity of nations.

The minister, represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Masa’udu Kazaure, called on well-meaning Nigerians, the private sector and non-governmental organisations to support the government in funding the sector.

The minister equally urged the graduates to contribute their quota in stirring the country in the right direction and place it on the shoes of excellence in technology, high morals and unquestionable integrity.

“You must strive to leave your footsteps on the sand of time and make remarkable contributions to the development of this great nation,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Gov Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State stressed that no country would move forward without technical education.

El-Rufai said that Nigeria needed technical manpower with sound innovation, creativity and the ability to take risk in entrepreneurship to move the nation to greater heights.

He said that the current administration was aware of the myriad of challenges affecting the sector, adding that plans are underway to improve investment in the sector to put it on the right path.

The convocation was organised for 67,403 students who graduated from the institution from the 2005/2006 academic session to the 2014/2015 session.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Mohammed Ibrahim, said that out of the figure, 2,350 graduated with distinction, 15,680 with Upper Credit while the rest graduated with lower credit and pass.

“The polytechnic is highly cosmopolitan with students from all over Nigeria; from a modest figure of 158 students in 1961 to currently 40,000 students undertaking more than 140 programmes in 44 academic departments and with staff strength of 4,000 academic and non-academic staff members.

Ibrahim said that arrangement had reached an advanced stage with the NBTE for the take-off of 12 new academic programmes.

He added that during the period under review, 633 staff members were given opportunities to obtain additional qualification with 107 bagging Doctorate degrees, 150 Masters degrees and 416 first degrees and similar qualifications. (NAN)

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/207390-nigeria-launch-new-4-year-education-strategy-minister.html

Niger Delta Avengers, the militant group that has claimed responsibility for several attacks on oil and gas installations across Nigeria’s delta states, on Friday restated its position that it was not in any talks with the Nigerian government.

The Avengers was reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s statement on Thursday that the government was already negotiating with militant groups in the oil producing states. Mr. Buhari, however, did not mention the groups participating in the dialogue.

The president said his government was open to adopting some of the policies put in place by past governments on the amnesty programme as a way of curbing militancy, adding that he understood the plight of the militants.

“We are studying the instruments. We have to secure the environment, otherwise investment will not come,” Mr. Buhari said. “We understand their feelings, we will do our best for the country.”

But in a statement by its spokesman, Mudoch Agbinibo, and published on its website, the Avengers said it was “not aware of any peace talk” with the government.

Mr. Agbinibo said Mr. Buhari’s government had not demonstrated any sign of sincerity to indicate that it was ready to engage the militants.

“President Buhari led government is not sincere to the Nigeria people and their foreign allies,” the group said.

Mr. Agbinibo repeated that only a peace talk brokered by the international community would be acceptable to the Avengers.

“If we are to engage in any peace talk we made it clear that the international community must be part of it. The President knows our demands. So they should stop deceiving the international oil companies, the general public and the international community,” the group said.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the Avengers’ disclaimer was not necessary as Mr. Buhari did not mention specific groups that were in talks with the government.

“The president did not name names,” Mr. Adesina said.

The Avengers had repeatedly said it welcomed dialogue with the government, but said its terms must be met before such could proceed.

This was after the group had claimed responsibility for devastating attacks on oil installations, forcing major international oil corporations, including Shell, Chevron, Eni Agip and Mobil, to shut down operations and evacuate their workers.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/207343-niger-delta-avengers-denies-talks-nigerian-govt.html

A former Kaduna State governor and national chairman of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Balarabe Musa, has described the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government as an “anti-people”.

He made the assertion at a colloquium held by the National Conscience Party(NCP) held in honour of the party’s founder, Gani Fawehinmi, in Akure on Thursday.

Mr. Musa, who chaired the occasion themed, The State of the Nation: If Gani Were to Be Alive, argued that “the policies of the federal government, instead of ameliorating the sufferings of the people, have further impoverished and inflicted more pains on the masses”.

He extolled the virtues of the late legal icon, whom he said, fought hard in his life time to defend the rights and wellbeing of the masses.

He recalled the efforts of the late NCP founder and the sacrifices he made to sustain democracy, which resulted in his incessant incarceration and humiliation by the military.

Delivering a lecture as the lead speaker at the event, Femi Aborisade, a lawyer, blamed the woes of the country on the greed of politicians and those at the helms of affairs.

Speaking on the topic, “Abolition of Poverty Is a Struggle the Masses Wage and an Agenda NCP Must Actualize,” Mr. Aborisade also identified personal aggrandizement as the problem of the leaders.

According to him, greed of the politicians is one of the greatest challenge responsible for the numerous economic crises bedevilling the country at the moment.

Mr. Aborisade, who stated that the present economic situation had devalued the lives of the common man, described the situation as very pathetic, saying the hopelessness in the land was as a result of self inflicted greed of the politicians.

“The situation in Nigeria today is sad, politicians have devalued our lives and gave us poverty, there is hopelessness and economic crisis in our land but when we remove the greed of the politicians, the pains will be removed,” he said.

Mr. Aborisade also pointed at the nation’s adherence to the dictates of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as reasons for the economic challenges facing the country.

While noting that the nation is not broke financially, he urged Nigerian political leaders to allow the masses to develop an alternative economic blueprint.

“There is crisis in the land and Nigeria is not broke. If government can recover all these stolen loot and whatever recovered should be used for the benefit of the masses and should not recover the loots to re-loot,” he said.

Mr. Aborisade recommended a law that would spell out how all recovered stolen funds would be spent.

“We are not interested in only recovering the stolen loots but it must have effect on the lives of masses in terms of economy, education, power and others,” he said.

“The fight against corruption must commence from the NNPC and CBN. The Federal government should investigate and probe these organisation.

“The probe of the past administration should not be limited to former President Jonathan alone, but should be extended to past administrations.

“The Halliburton case should be revisited and Obasanjo and Atiku should be made to answer questions and they must be brought to book if found guilty.”

Mr. Aborisade also knocked President Buhari for appointing his relatives into sensitive positions.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who spoke at the event, said the solution to the economic crisis in the country was to restructure the country.

He argued that the restructuring would also take into account the need to have a decentralized police force.

“How can a unified police structure guarantee security in this nation? We must decentralize the police force so that the local and state can have their police,” he said.

Mr. Mimiko also used the opportunity to eulogise Fawehinmi saying if the late activist had survived his cancer of the lungs, he might have fought to ensure that government voted more funds into the health sector, particularly towards fighting cancer

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/207314-balarabe-musa-blasts-buhari-state-nation.html

Go rest mr minister!

madam you like better thing!

chai.....govt waste money.

bad piki..

chai! oyibo don enter trouble..

God bless nigerian army!

Nigerian economy still going from frying pan to fire......people are suffering....no salaries.

The end time pastors!

too dirty......home for mosquitoes

If you can not serve true God.....give other people chances....Jesus still love you!

kai! God dey...

May the lord see us through.....

why should one fear death when [s]he must surely die. well, i don't think cremation is the most hygienic mode of corpse disposal, it is just an instant decomposition and that is why i prefer it.

hmmm...

Blaise Thompson regularly reads up his favourite betting website, before leaving his home at Sunny Vale Estate, in Abuja, to stake between N2, 000 and N10, 000 a week, at a nearby outlet.

If there are varieties of top football teams against weaker sides, Mr. Thompson said, he can wager N30, 000 in a week. And if he is fortunate, the returns come in thousands of naira. Once, he won N108, 000 after venturing N30, 000.

“I have won several times I cannot recall the exact number of times I won. My biggest was N108, 000 which I staked N30, 000 for it, and the least amount I have won was N14, 000,” said the final year political science student at Crawford University recently.

It’s not always rosy, of course.

Jonathan Chukwudifu, who studies computer science at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology told PREMIUM TIMES how he has become so hooked to the game that despite losing majority of the time, the thrill of a single win wipes the haunting memories of past losses.

“You won’t believe that I have played this soccer betting with my school fees and lost N50, 000 that was meant for my tuition fee,” he said.

Amid growing poverty and rising unemployment numbers, more Nigerians are investing their lean resources, time and energy in football betting.

The National Bureau of Statistics says unemployment grew from 8.2% in the third quota of 2015 to 12.5 % in the first quota of 2016.

As more people find it difficult to get paid jobs or feed in Nigeria, they are taking advantage of lifesaving opportunities in the booming football betting industry, a sector fueled by an unprecedented craze for foreign leagues such as the English Premiership, Spanish Laliga, German Bundesliga and Italian Seria A.

With the right predictions, a N100 stake can easily return millions of naira.

Bet

“My biggest win was N70, 000 and the least I have won was N10, 000,” said Chukwudifu. “In between, I have been winning amount like N25, 000, N30, 000 and N15, 000 with just one hundred naira. I often play the game week in, week out, there is always a game to play, I play every league; name them.”

Odds of the game

From brands such as Sportybet, Bet9ja, Nairabet, Merrybet, to Winners golden bet, and Access bet, contemporary soccer staking is markedly different from the earlier pool coupon for reasons.

A key dissimilarity is that football bookmaking is now almost real time, with internet and satellite television technologies. Bettors can forecast and stake, with an option of paying at the nearest betting center where an identification slip is issued.

For each game, “odds” that bring bonuses are generated by bookmakers who evaluate the variables of a particular game. A better team playing against a weaker side naturally has lower odds value, and attracts less price money. The reverse is true.

The odds start from 1.00 to as much as 5000.00, and depending on the amount and number of matches one places his bet on, and the generated odds, a N200 can return N5000.

A player can increase his odds by adding more matches to his prediction, and the winning price is displayed immediately you place a bet.

Bet 0 3

Besides directly staking money for a win, thousands of Nigerians have also found opportunities in working as agents for the betting companies.

Femi Johnson, who has been in the business since 2012, says his brand, Nairabet, has weekly and monthly plans.

To register as an agent of Nairabet, he said, a person must create an account with the organization and credit it with a reasonable amount of money.

“I operate on their monthly plan, whereby the total stake accumulated for the month is subtracted and the money given out to our potential winners. So at the end of the day the difference is the profit generated for the particular month and is shared equally with the mother company (Nairabet),” he said.

Mr. Johnson, who has several centers in Abuja, says he opens them by 8am to 6pm. At an average, he says at least 1,000 people bet at his centers daily.

Concerns

There are also regulatory concerns, and the most common are complaints that some centers fail to pay winners.

Adolphus Ekpe, the director general of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, which supervises the industry, said the government was improving its ability to provide checks to ensure transparency and accountability.

“We have given notice to all those who have been carrying out these activities that please come and regularise and subject yourself to regulations, so that you will do it in a transparent way and be accountable to the country,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria last week.

But the success stories seem to be more. Many winners tell PREMIUM TIMES that they receive their payments on time.

Bet nn

Mr. John, the betting shop owner, said there could only be some delays with payment if a win exceeds the capacity of the outlet. In that case, the mother company pays.

“If for example one wins N2 million in a bet and as an agent I cannot pay, nairabet takes full responsibility of the payment which is basically concluded in 48 hours,” he said. “As a shop owner if the mother company pays a winner such amount, then the percentage for that month will not be 50-50 as it is; it shall be way above 50 per cent depending on what was the agreed percentage between you as an agent and Nairabet in my case.”

However the concerns, the sector is growing and only a few prospective bettors —if any – are dissuaded by the prospect of losses.

In 2015, a Computer Engineering professor from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, won a humongous amount of N58, 945, 553 with just a N800 total bet on 1960BET. That remains the biggest win in Nigeria to date.

The winner, Godwin Ighalo, said he had been betting for over 25 years but he always believed that one day, “luck would shine on me”.

Chidi Eddie, who sells clothes at Gumi market in Kaduna said he would never leave betting after he successfully revived his shop with the N900, 000 he won.

“I have been staking my money on soccer without winning not until I put in my entire savings of N100, 000 to stake on what they call sure bet, that is teams that are reliable to win their games. I was lucky and eventually won N900, 000.”

He said he suspended all soccer betting activities so he could recoup his losses from the previous ventures.

Chukwudifu, the computer science student said he has reached the point of addiction after only three years. But he has an advice.

“My advice goes to those that have not started playing soccer betting they should not engage or even try it at all because when you start, it becomes addictive and difficult to stop,” he said.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/207218-poverty-unemployment-grows-nigerians-turn-football-betting.html