₦airaland Forum

Actress, Fathia Balogun has in an exclusive interview opened up on her failed marriage to fellow actor to Saheed Balogun and other issues.

Fathia in an interview with Broadway TV said her biggest down was when her marriage to ex-hubby, Saheed crashed adding that her two failed marriages already which meant she probably didnt have marriage luck.

She also brushed aside rumours about her reconciling with Saheed.

WATCH HER VIDEO BELLOW

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/fathia-balogun-williams-thinks-reconciling-ex-husband-saheed/

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With early passage by the National Assembly, the N8.612 trillion Budget 2018 will sustain steady economic recovery, President Muhammadu Buhari believes. He paints a picture of Nigeria of his dream in the ‘Budget of Consolidation’ he presented to the joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja yesterday.

I am very pleased to address this joint session of the National Assembly, on the revenue and expenditure estimates, and related matters, of the Federal Government of Nigeria for the 2018 fiscal year.

The 2018 Budget will consolidate on the achievements of previous budgets and deliver on Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2018 – 2020.

Overview of economic

developments in 2017

2017, so far, has been a year of uncertainty on many fronts across the world. Whether it is Brexit, the crisis in the Korean Peninsula, or indeed, the political uncertainty in key oil producing nations of the Middle East and South America, we can all agree that these developments have in one way or another impacted Nigeria’s economic fortunes.

By all accounts, 2018 is expected to be a year of better outcomes. The tepid economic recovery is expected to pick up pace and the global political terrain is expected to stabilise. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is anticipating global GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth of 3.7 per cent in 2018. Emerging markets and developing economies are expected to lead with GDP growth of 4.9 per cent, while advanced economies are projected to grow at a slower rate of two per cent.

Nigeria’s journey out of the recent recession was a revealing one. We heard many opinions from within and outside Nigeria on how best to address our economic woes. We listened carefully and studied these proposals diligently. Our belief has always been that the quickest and easiest solution may not necessarily be the best solution for a nation as diverse as ours. We took our time to create a balanced and equitable response, keeping in mind that only tailored Nigerian solutions can fix Nigeria’s unique problems.

And from the recovery that we are seeing today, it is clear that we made the right decisions. Distinguished and Honourable members of the National Assembly, I am now asking you to continue to support our economic policies in order to consolidate and sustain on the success achieved so far. We simply cannot go back.

In the non-oil sector, crop production has been one of the main contributors to non-oil growth, which rose to 0.45 per cent in the second quarter of this year. This was primarily driven by our ongoing financial, capacity building and infrastructure development programmes.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, working with development partners and the private sector, have embarked on numerous capacity building projects. We have also completed over 33,000 hectares of irrigation projects that have increased water availability in key food producing states. We shall continue to intensify our interventions through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative to ensure that this momentum is sustained. We have also made provisions in the 2018 Budget to complete ongoing Irrigation Projects at Ada, in Enugu State; Lower Anambra, in Anambra State; and Gari, in Jigawa State.

This year, many factories and projects in the food and agricultural sectors were commissioned in Kebbi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Anambra, Edo, Jigawa, Rivers, Niger, Ogun and Ebonyi States, to mention a few. This is a clear statement that our economic diversification and inclusive growth ambitions are coming to fruition.

Significant progress has also been made in the solid minerals development sector. In Ondo State, for instance, work is ongoing to fully exploit the bitumen resources to meet the 600,000 metric tons (MTs) of asphalt imported per annum for roads and other construction projects. To consolidate on these efforts, we have also established a N30 billion Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) to support other minerals exploration activities across the country.

In the oil and gas sector, the relatively higher crude oil prices supported our economic recovery. Our mutually beneficial engagement with oil producing communities in the Niger Delta contributed immensely to the recovery in oil production experienced in recent months. We would like to thank the leadership and communities in the Niger Delta for their continued support and to also reiterate our assurances that this administration will continue to honour our commitments to them. We cannot afford to go back to those dark days of insecurity and vandalism. We all want a country that is safe, stable and secure for our families and communities. This means we must all come together to address any grievance through dialogue and peaceful engagement. Threats, intimidation or violence are never the answer.

We are working hard on the Ogoni Clean-up Project. During the year, we engaged eight international and local companies proposing different technologies for the mandate. To enable us select the best and most suitable technology for the remediation work, we asked each company to conduct Demonstration Clean-up Exercises in the four Local Government Areas of Ogoni land. These demonstrations were recently concluded and the results are being studied by the Governing Council of the Ogoni Clean-up Project. Although the project will be funded by the International Oil Companies (IOCs), we have made provisions in the 2018 Budget for the costs of oversight and governance, to ensure effective implementation.

On the international front, I would like to thank our friends and partners in the Joint OPEC / Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) who graciously granted Nigeria an exemption from the output cuts imposed on OPEC member countries in January 2017. This exemption, which was extended in September 2017, significantly helped during our most challenging time. We shall continue our positive engagement with other oil producing nations to ensure that the momentum generated is sustained.

Permit me, Mr. Senate President and Right Honourable Speaker, to state that despite the downturn in oil prices and our challenging economic circumstances, this administration was able to invest an unprecedented sum of over N1.2 trillion in capital projects through the 2016 Budget. This is the highest ever in the history of this country. This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to consolidate on our economic diversification reforms and lay a stronger foundation for future growth and development.

Our Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), which was established in 2011 with $1 billion, did not receive additional investment for four years when oil prices were as high as $120 per barrel. However, despite record low oil prices, this administration was able to invest an additional $500 million into the Fund. This further demonstrates that in our struggle to have a stable and secure nation today, we have not, and will not; lose sight of the need to lay a solid foundation for the future prosperity of successive generations.

We have asked the SWF to look inward and invest locally. Some of the successes we are seeing today in the agricultural sector are driven by this new investment approach by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). The NSIA also has a very strong pipeline of local investments that will support our inclusive and diversified economic growth plan.

Stability has been restored to the foreign exchange (forex) market due to the interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to improve access to liquidity, discourage currency speculation and increase net forex inflows. As at October 30, our external reserves had increased to $34 billion. This stability has supported our efforts to provide the enabling environment and interventions needed to empower Micro, Small and Medium-sized enterprises, investors, manufacturers and exporters, to sustain and in some cases, grow their operations. Indeed, by the second quarter of this year, exports significantly outpaced imports, resulting in a trade surplus of N506.5 billion.



Ease of Doing Business Re

forms (EoDBRs)



One of the targets we set for gauging our progress in creating an enabling environment for business was to achieve a positive movement in the World Ease of Doing Business Index. You would recall Nigeria experienced a decade-long decline in this ranking. In 2008, Nigeria was ranked 120th. By 2015, our situation had deteriorated to 169th of the 189 countries surveyed. Our very simple, logical and user-friendly reforms are reversing this trend. A recently released World Bank business ranking report announced that Nigeria had moved 24 places to 145th position. I am delighted that we have met and even surpassed our target of moving at least 20 places up this global ranking. The same World Bank report also stated that Nigeria is among the top 10 reforming countries in the world.

To ensure these reforms are institutionalised, Executive Order Number One on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment was issued in May. The Order contained measures that ease the process of business registration, approval of permits, granting visas and streamlining port operations. We are committed to continuing and accelerating the EoDBRs, which are critical to attracting new investments, growing the economy and creating jobs for our people.



Improved tax administration



Although the economy is diversified with non-oil sector accounting for over 90 per cent of total nominal GDP, the government’s revenues are not as diversified yet. Our Tax-to-GDP ratio of about six per cent is one of the lowest in the world. This situation is not consistent with our goal of having a diversified, sustainable and inclusive economy. Accordingly, we are stepping up efforts to ensure all taxable Nigerians comply with the legal requirement to declare income from all sources and remit taxes due to the appropriate authorities.

Already, we have introduced the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) on the July 1. The scheme provides non-compliant taxpayers with a nine-month window to regularise their tax status relating to historical periods. In return, overdue interest and penalties will be forgiven. In addition, no investigations or criminal charges will be brought against participating taxpayers. We expect that this scheme will widen the tax net for both the federal and state governments. I am therefore, asking all Nigerians to seize this opportunity and do the right thing. Let us not shy away from our duty to build a better Nigeria.


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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/buhari-nigeria-emerging-tough-economic-period/

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The government of Jersey Island yesterday insisted that about $300million Abacha loot would not be released to Nigeria if a third party representation is brought into the picture.

Attorney General of Jersey Island Robert J. MacRae QC stated this on Tuesday during the on- going 7th Session of Conference of State Parties to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in Vienna, Austria.

A statement yesterday by Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC Wilson Uwujaren said

MacRae spoke at a side meeting with the Nigeria delegation led by acting EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu.

The statement said: “The Jersey Attorney General expressly stated that negotiations in respect of repatriation of the USD300 million being part of the Abacha involving Jersy, Nigeria and the United States, “must be government to government cooperation”.

“The EFCC was accompanied to the meeting by four members of the Nigeria delegation.”

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/jersey-island-gives-conditions-return-300m-abacha-loot/

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THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said yesterday the elevators at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja are undergoing repairs.

The reaction came after some of the aged, sick and disabled passengers complained of the difficulty of accessing the boarding area and the aircraft.

Reacting to the complaint, the General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said: “The Escalators at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport are all functioning.

“The lift that is unserviceable is being serviced right now and it will be available for use again very soon”.

Also reacting to the complaints, the Chairman of Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN) in Abuja, Emmanuel Kerri, said: “There are serviceable elevators at the Wing B but it are not working at the moment.

“In Wing D, we don’t have challenge of escalators or elevator because the boarding area is not upstairs.”

On how they convey the disabled and others who need assistance to boarding area, Kerri said: “We use the baggage area which is downstairs to convey the handicap and we don’t have problem conveying people to the aircraft.

“Any sick person, aged or disabled person is boarded through the baggage area and the airlines are aware of that.”

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/elevators-abuja-airport-undergoing-repairs-says-faan/

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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Monday, assured troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole that their two months outstanding operational allowances would be paid this week.

Buratai said that the Ministry of Defence had released funds for the payment of the troops’ outstanding logistics and operational allowances for the third quarter of 2017.

The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement that Buratai commended the troops for their unflinching loyalty, perseverance, courage and dedication to duty.

The army chief said the troops had brought about the “desired success in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other criminal activities.”

He also paid glowing tribute to troops stationed outside the shores of the nation for their patriotism, patience and understanding and assured them of prompt payment of their allowances.

He said the army high command under his leadership would remain “responsible, responsive and accountable to troops’ operational requirements.”

Buratai commended them for their bravery, discipline and loyalty, and reminded them to always have confidence and trust in the leadership of the army.

He urged them to work hard to flush out the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists, including the cyber terrorists, wherever they were hibernating.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/troops-get-outstanding-allowances-week-buratai/

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Police on Monday arrested a cartoonist in southern India for depicting the region’s top government functionaries in a “derogatory” caricature, sparking criticism over the move as an attack on freedom of the press.

G Balakrishnan, 36, a freelancer associated with an online news portal, was held in Tamil Nadu state capital Chennai on Sunday for the caricature that blamed chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami and top officials for not acting against loan sharks active in the state.

Police officer Anita Arokyamery said that he was charged with publishing defamatory and obscene material under the Indian Penal Code as well as the Information Technology Act, crimes punishable with three years in jail.

“He was produced before a court on Monday which released him on bail.

“The court told him to make himself available for questioning as and when the police requires,” she added.

After his release, Balakrishnan told reporters he would continue to highlight the inefficiencies of the government through his work.

Balakrishnan drew the cartoon after a worker immolated himself and three members of his family in the Tirunelveli district, unable to bear harassment by a money lender who lent him money at a very high interest rate.

The arrest sparked a controversy after media groups planned a protest in Chennai saying it was an attempt to quash free speech and silence critics.

India, the world’s largest democracy, is ranked a poor 136th among 180 countries on the 2017 World Press Freedom index.

There have been questions over press freedom amid the targeting and arrests of journalists in recent months.


Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/indian-police-arrest-cartoonist-caricature-politicians-officials/

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A 13-year-old girl from Ilefunfun, Magbon, Badagry, Lagos State, has allegedly fled with a boyfriend who lives in Ilogbo, Oko Afo, a neighbouring community.

The Senior Secondary School One pupil, Lawal, reportedly eloped with the boyfriend, identified simply as Akin, on October 22 and had yet to return home.

PUNCH Metro learnt that a friend of the girl, known as Kemi, hooked her up with Akin, who is said to be an okada (motocycle) rider.

It was said 21-year-old Akin and Lawal had met in a church on the day, from where she took her away.

Our correspondent gathered that the case was reported at the Morogbo Police Division, but the police had yet to track Akin down.

The father of the girl, Isah, a dock worker in Apapa, stated that Kemi and Akin’s parents had frustrated efforts to find his daughter.

He said, “I have been searching for her for two weeks. I went to my workplace in Apapa. When I came back, her siblings told me that she went to Holy Mary Church, where Akin waited for her. The pastor of the church, a woman, confirmed to me that she saw her and Akin, but said they left before the end of service that day.

“I went to Akin’s house. His mother said she did not know his whereabouts and that he only came home every evening. I told the police what she said, but they said they would not arrest her.

“Kemi said she knew where he passes the night. I have been begging her parents to allow her take me to the place. She was the one that introduced my daughter to Akin. He is an okada rider.”

Isah, who said his daughter had been decent until she struck a relationship with Kemi, explained that she had fled to Kemi’s house and spent two days with her a week before running away with Akin.

He said, “I have been responsible for her upbringing and that of her sisters since their mother died five years ago. She changed suddenly and her behaviour has become strange.

“A week before she fled with Akin, I returned from work in the evening on Friday. A neighbour told me that she went out with Kemi.

“When I got there, Kemi’s mother said she had gone out with Kemi to iron her clothes. She returned home the following day and I warned her not to associate with Kemi again.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the case was reported at the Morogbo division.

He said, “ During investigation, he (Isah) said he suspected somebody who is her boyfriend. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the boyfriend and find the daughter of the man. A case of missing person was reported at the station.”

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/13-year-old-pupil-flees-boyfriend-lagos/

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The chance of survival of a patient who is suffering from a kidney disease, Tochi Mbonu, now hangs by a thread after she became deaf due to the delay in a kidney transplant operation.

PUNCH Metro learnt that 31-year-old Tochi, a graduate of the Benue State University, had been on dialysis for the past three years.

Her mother, Ndidi, told our correspondent on the telephone that she and Tochi were stranded in India, where they had hoped to carry out the operation.

She explained that a non-governmental organisation, Dignity for the Helpless Foundation, which promised to raise N11m for the operation, disappointed them.

She said to make ends meet, she resorted to selling beans cake (moin-moin) in India to raise money for her daughter’s dialysis, until the foundation would have a change of heart.

She added that her daughter had gone deaf due to a side effect of the dialysis.

She said, “My daughter has been down with kidney failure for the past three years. She spent one year in Nigeria and we have been together in India for two years now.

“A friend introduced us to the NGO, headed by Pastor Samuel Brown. He came with his team to interview us in our house. We said we needed money to get Tochi to India for the transplant operation and we both reached an agreement to raise N11m.

“He said he would publish it in newspapers and get broadcast stations involved as well. A broadcast media raised the funds with which we travelled.

“Before we came here (India), he told me we would open a joint account so that I would know how money was coming in. But he didn’t open any joint account. Instead, he opened a personal account. When I asked him why, he said it was a last minute change by his organisation to reduce conflict over the money.

“For the past two years, he has only given me N1.4m. He sent N30,000 every two weeks. Now, Tochi is deaf because of too much dialysis. I don’t have money again. I am a widow. I have spent all I have. I now sell moin-moin so Tochi can survive. Instead of three times dialysis, we can only do two per week.”

Tochi, who chatted with our correspondent via a social media application, Whatsapp, said her problem started sometime in 2014 when she had a fever and went to a pharmacy to get a drug.

She said she never knew that she was given a wrong drug, which affected her body system.

“On a particular Friday, my mum sent me to a bank to withdraw some money and there was a queue. I had to wait for my turn. I did not know how I found myself at the security post. When I asked what happened, they said I passed out.

“I later gave them a neighbour’s phone number, who came to pick me. When we got home, the neighbour told my mum what happened to me.

“I went to the room to relax; I did not know how I got to the hospital where I was unconscious for three days. When I woke up and asked my mum what happened to me, she said I collapsed again. I was told I had no blood and I had already taken three pints of blood. After some treatment, the doctor called my mum and said it seemed I have a kidney failure,” she added.

She explained that a test at a military hospital in Yaba, Lagos State, confirmed the doctor’s suspicion and also showed that both kidneys were affected.

After being on dialysis at Clinix Healthcare, Ilupeju, she said an Indian nurse recommended a kidney transplant, adding that her family was introduced to Brown’s NGO along the line.

“We appealed for funds through social media, radio stations, TV stations, my secondary school friends and other well wishers, including the governor of Anambra State in 2015.

“We campaigned for N11m. Mr. Brown said he would give me N6m out of the money. For two years now, it’s only N1,440,000 that he has given us.

“When I got to India, I had a lot of complications. They realised I was given wrong drugs. My mum has been waiting patiently for over six months that Mr. Brown promised to give us the remaining balance for my transplant. He has failed to give us the money and I don’t know what to do. He is not calling us again,” she said.

Tochi, who appealed to Nigerians for help, said she was in a desperate need for the transplant to avert further complications after losing her sense of hearing.

When contacted, Brown said he didn’t know the balance in the account, saying he would need to contact his bank for details.

He said, “We have not reached N11.5m. To know the amount we have raised, I will need to go to the bank tomorrow (Monday). For now, I can’t give it to you. We were trying to raise the money to ensure that the operation was carried out. At a point, I started having issues with the foundation and I stopped it. When I called her, she said she cannot ascertain anything until I raise the money. So, when I tried to raise the money through a programme by the foundation, it failed to hold. I told her to give me this month, I will get back to her and the operation will be carried out.”

When our correspondent asked to know how much he last saw in the account, he said the money was not up to N3m.

He said he was not the sole signatory to the account, adding that he needed to call another member of the foundation to go with him to the bank.


Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/nigerian-kidney-patient-stranded-india-two-years/

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Image result for Mmm Officially Closes Shop, Announces Restart

Mmm Officially Closes Shop, Announces Restart

Controversial Ponzi scheme MMM has officially announced a “RESTART” of the system, leaving many Nigerian participants wailing with thousands and millions of Naira trapped in the scheme.

In a message posted on the home page of participants at the weekend, the scheme said that it had struggled to stay afloat after going on a break in December 2016 and had been forced to do a system restart.

Many of the participants who commented in various MMM Whatsapp groups recounted sadly how they and family members had lost millions to the scheme.

MMM is a Ponzi scheme which gained popularity in Nigeria in 2016. It promised to pay participants 30 per cent return on investment every 30 days.

Despite various warnings by the Federal Government and its financial regulators, many Nigerians adamantly went on to participate in MMM.

The Federal Government had through the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commission warned Nigerians against putting their money in the scheme.

In December 2016, the scheme went on “Pause Mode”, freezing the funds of participants and allegedly bolted with N18bn but promised to resume payments by January 2017.

MMM kept its promise by resuming in January but it had new rules: 2016 money was to be paid back in percentages of new money “invested”.

This also did not stand the test of time and by July 2017, the scheme went on a semi pause mode when it could not pay withdrawal requests.

While those who lost their money in June/July continued to wait and lament, the Ponzi scheme, in a frantic effort to stay afloat, commenced payment of those who “invested” their money in August, promising to backdate the payment to cover those whose money which were still pending from June and July.

It even introduced 100 per cent return on investment to encourage more Nigerians to participate in August.

Apparently unable to meet its promises to pay back June/July pledges and faced with more challenges, the Ponzi scheme on Saturday announced that it was going on RESTART, blaming the Nigerian government and the media for its woes which started in 2016.

Read the full text of the message:

RESTART

Unfortunately, we were unable to overcome the consequences of the crisis triggered by the authorities and mass media incautious actions at the beginning of this year. Despite all our efforts. The problems have been accumulating and, as a result, we have to announce a restart.

So, there is a restart:

All old Mavros (acquired before this announcement is posted) are frozen. We will gradually buy them back as the System develops.

All transactions with new Mavros (acquired after this announcement is posted) will be carried out on the usual terms with no restrictions.

Some amendments have been made to the rules:

Mavros will now start growing at the moment the request is confirmed (not at the moment it is created, as it was previously).
Consequently, bonuses will start growing at the moment when the main contribution is confirmed (upon which bonuses have been rewarded on).
Mavro-50% for the first contribution will not be available.
We launch three-month contributions of two types: 40% and 50% (see more details in WHAT IS MMM).
We’re confident that this measure (especially paragraphs 1 and 2) will significantly reduce the load on the System while also significantly improving its stability.

As a matter of fact, a restart is not the end of the world, it’s just a restart of the System and nothing more. Continue to provide help and you’ll get it all back (even if you’ve lost something now). It all starts from the beginning. It’s the most opportune time for participating.

We would also like to remind you (just for form’s sake) that everyone had been fully aware of all the risks and had read the WARNING which they had also confirmed by checking the relevant box in the process of registration.

Hoping for your understanding,
MMM Administration

Some of the participants of the scheme expressed regrets for joining MMM.

One of the participants (names with held) said that if he had known he would have used his money fro something better rather than investing on the scheme.

“These MMM people are very useless, they just came to dupe us,” he said.

On the promise by the scheme to buy back the debts it owed Nigerians when it restarts, he said: “Restart? who are they restarting with? Nobody will join MMM in Nigeria again”.

“MMM is gone and gone for good,” he said.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/mmm-officially-closes-shop-announces-restart/

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Expectedly, beauty queens are not permitted to be in a relationship during their reign. Most of them claim they abide by that rule, including the current Miss Nigeria, Chioma Obiadi.

When Saturday Beats asked the young beauty queen how she has been able to cope with that, she said it was just a protective measure put in place for her to stay away from scandals and other “unnecessary things.”

She said, “One needs to be protected against scandals. Some of these scandals come from people who you are close to and trust. It is just a protective clause to help me to be better.”

According to her, it will be hard to keep a relationship as she has been overwhelmed with both her school’s activities and her role as Miss Nigeria. But then, the pretty girl said the clause has not hindered guys from stalking her.

She added, “I have stalkers. Every girl has a stalker, but I feel God has given us a way to handle it without hurting anyone. I was not even in a relationship before becoming Miss Nigeria. I have been jostling between school and Miss Nigeria, so I barely have time.

“The way I handle men now is pretty much the same way I handled men before I won the pageant. I have been a girl all through my life and I feel all girls get pressure from men. Like I said earlier, the organisation is very protective. So, they have in a way protected me from unnecessary exposure. If they feel an exposure is not good for me, they don’t let me experience it.”

She, however, admitted that winning Miss Nigeria was her turning point, as her life became better and her ideas became bigger than they used to be.

“The lowest point is learning how to be patient, especially with the environmental battle I’ve embarked on. It is very tough. We had a beach cleanup two weeks ago and before we finished cleaning up half of it, the other part which was already cleaned up had been messed up again. That was very frustrating, so it takes patience and passion for one to actually keep doing that.”

The beauty queen said she intends to complete her education once she is through with her reign.

“I don’t believe in starting up something when you are not ready for it. I believe you have to lay your bed properly before you lie on it. I have a couple of business ideas, but I have yet to make up my mind. I don’t feel bad that the spotlight will be off from me soon. I wish I could still hold on to it because once you’ve eaten sugar, you don’t want to stop. But don’t forget that if you keep eating sugar, you will get diabetes.

I think I have had my own share and I have gathered things I can tap from to become whoever I want to be. The wise thing for me is to grow and become a greater person. I am just looking forward to handing over to the next Miss Nigeria.”

Already the search for the next Miss Nigeria has begun and the organizers told Saturday Beats that even though the event was rested for about 20 years, it is here to stay.
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Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, who are pushing for a second term ticket for President Muhammadu Buhari, have mapped out strategies to woo the party’s first-term governors to swell their ranks, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

So far, at least six of the party’s serving 24 governors have openly declared support for the President to seek the party’s ticket for re-election in 2019.

These are Kano Sate Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Solomon Lalong of Plateau State; Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State; Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State as well as Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

A top-ranking member of the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity so as “not to ruffle feathers”, told SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday that party members, who considered themselves “core Buharists”, did not foresee any threat to his candidacy at least from “anywhere in northern Nigeria.”

He explained that as members of a political party, no matter which aspirant a person or group of persons supported, it was incumbent on such people to respect others who had other preferences.

The source said, “It is for the same reason why no one could talk about sanctions for the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan, when some mischiefmakers leaked a video of her endorsing former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the needless controversy which followed.

“With all these noise being made by some people and the misleading headlines you see these days, tell me one person, within or outside the APC in Nigeria today, who can defeat President Buhari if he decides to run in 2019? Name one!”

According to him, the APC is determined not to repeat the mistakes made by the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, by taking party members for granted.

He added, “When you hear some of our party members saying no automatic ticket, they are referring to history. How far did candidate Buhari go when he was given an automatic ticket by the defunct CPC?

“Remember that at the height of the PDP’s impunity in 2015, only one presidential form was printed and it was only for the then President Goodluck Jonathan. We have learnt from history.”

The source explained that as part of strategies to get more of the party’s powerful governors on board, the President had started consulting the states’ helmsmen on appointments into the headship of federal agencies.

He also made reference to the tone and language used by the President in his address to party men and women at the just concluded National Caucus and National Executive Council meeting of the party.

The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, had, in an interview with one of our correspondents, explained that the party remained focused on delivering on the mandate given to it by the Nigerian people and would not be distracted.

He also noted that despite insinuations from certain quarters that the party was in turmoil, the peaceful atmosphere under which the last caucus and NEC meetings were held was evidence that the party was on course.

“Nobody slapped anybody; in fact nobody raised his voice against another. We came out of these meetings laughing,” he said.

The APC’s first term governors, who will most likely seek re-election in 2019, are Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Umar Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Aminu Masari (Katsina); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); Abubakar Bello (Niger); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto).

Meanwhile, in furtherance of their desire to ensure that the Buhari brand remains sellable, members of the Buhari Support Organisation, after unveiling an ultra-modern office in Abuja about a week ago, are planning to start a series of activities to showcase the President’s achievements in the last two years.

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the group would, within the next few months, use social and traditional media to increase awareness about Buhari’s achievements within the period under review.

Already, members of the BSO have started putting its internal structures in place to maintain relevance ahead of 2018 when political campaigns for the 2019 elections will start officially.

A prominent member of the group, who is the current Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (retd.), had, during the unveiling of the Abuja office, revealed the reason behind the event.

He explained that it was designed to rekindle “what we started in 2015 and what we used as a vehicle to fight in the trenches, out of the trenches, along routes and in so many different terrains to see to the success of vision and mission.”

However, when contacted, another prominent member of the BSO, who is now the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, explained that there was nothing sinister about the unveiling of the BSO secretariat.

He told SUNDAY PUNCH, “It is all about supporting the APC and the government it has formed with the support of the Nigerian people. You cannot separate President Muhammadu Buhari from the APC. There is no basis for imputing any other motive to last week’s event.”

Also, a member of the party’s National Working Committee, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said the issue of getting some governors on board was inevitable.

He said, “You will agree with me that as they say, all politics is local. No aspirant can make impact in an election, especially at the federal level, all alone.

“Our governors control the logistics required to get things done in the states. The President, Senators and members of the House of Reps are not elected in Abuja, they must come from the states. We recognise this; so, we know we must have them all on board to ensure victory.”

He, however, refused to say how far the group has gone to work on the first-time governors and get their full participation in bringing Buhari back his second term.

Buhari’s second-term endorsement, a Greek gift –Shehu Sani

In another development, the lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, on Saturday, criticised the reported endorsement of Buhari for a second term when the President had yet to express his interest to re-contest.

Sani described the reported endorsement as “a Greek Gift” which the current ruling elite once condemned, commending Buhari for rejecting the “gift.”

On his Facebook on Saturday, the Senator wrote, “Endorsing a President for second term when he has not yet expressed interest to run amounts to political obsequiousness, ‘taradiddle by lick Spittles’. This is something the present political ruling elite once denounced as antics, machinations and relics that characterised the old order, now conveniently dusted for exigency.

“Thanks to PMB for turning down their Greek Gift.”

Several leaders and groups in the ruling APC had endorsed Buhari for a second term. While the Progressives Governors’ Forum had recently proposed an automatic ticket for the President, the National Executive Council of the party only passed a vote of confidence in him and rejected the proposal.

Sani, in another Facebook post on Saturday, faulted the exchange of presidential power between the South-West and the North-West geopolitical zones, saying figuratively that Nigerians were more interested in who becomes President than Nigeria itself.

Resign if Buhari’s govt has derailed, Marafa tells Customs CG

Also, the lawmaker representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District, Senator Kabiru Marafa, has berated Ali for describing the Buhari’s administration as derailing.

Marafa stated that Ali’s statement was “politically irresponsible.”

According to the lawmaker, what Ali said about the current administration in which he is serving is like passing a vote of no confidence in it.

Marafa, who fielded questions from journalists in Abuja on Saturday, urged the Customs boss to leave Buhari’s government if Ali believed in what he said.

The senator alleged that the Customs boss did not influence up to 100 votes for Buhari in the 2015 election, stressing that Ali was benefitting from an administration more than his contribution to it.

He said, “When he talked about derailing, to me, if actually he believed in what he said, he should resign. He should resign because what he did was like passing a vote of no confidence in a government in which he is serving. He is part of the derailment because the position the President gave him is not befitting him. What was his contribution?

“He said 50 per cent of the people who formed the government are from the PDP. If I was there, I would have asked him to expatiate. Is he talking of the PDP members who left the party and joined the APC to secure its victory or is he talking of the PDP as it is today? If he is talking of the people who left the PDP to join the APC, with all sense of responsibility, I think it is politically irresponsible to say that because these were the people who joined hands with the APC to bring about this government.

“In politics, anybody, who identifies with you and joins you before ballots are cast, is part and parcel of your struggle. Anybody at whatever stage they join before going to the polls is part of you and your victory. It is only those who join you after election that can be called any name.”

The lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), said Ali and those behind the idea of the BSO were out to sabotage Buhari and his government.

He said, “On the opening of the office called BSO, it is politically inexpedient now. Buhari is already the President and he became President by popular votes; he was voted for by all Nigerians.

“So, how do you now take a whole national idea back to BSO? Buhari has gone beyond BSO. Even by his own assertion, he said the idea started in 2003 and moved to 2007 and that he joined it in 2011 and it came to 2015.”

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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/buhari-supporters-target-ambode-first-term-apc-govs-presidents-second-term-bid/

Newly-decorated Beijing 2008 Olympics bronze medallist, Maryam Usman, talks about the dangers of drugs and the challenges of being a weightlifter in this interview with IDRIS ADESINA

How did you come into weightlifting?

I have always been doing sports since I was younger. I started as a gymnast; then, I became a footballer and now, I am a weightlifter. Sport has been a way of life for me.

You recently had a bronze medal awarded to you by the International Olympic Committee after two athletes you competed with at the Beijing 2008 Olympics tested positive to banned substances. How do you feel about this?

I feel excited and happy about it. When I was called that the medal had arrived in the country and would be presented to me in Abuja, I was so elated about the news. It was a big relief when I finally had the medal in my hands. Participating at three Olympics without any medal would have been a waste of time if the medal wasn’t awarded to me. It has proved to me that I have been able to achieve something great in my career.

What was the feeling when you were first called to be informed that the medal now belongs to you?

It was an unbelievable feeling. I never knew I had any medal anywhere because the competition had been completed and medals awarded since 2008. But when I was called that I now have a medal from the 2008 Olympics, it was a great feeling that I couldn’t describe. I was nervous and the waiting was very tough. I kept counting the days till it was finally presented to me in Abuja by the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

Now that you have it, what does the medal mean to you?

The medal has become the king of all medals I have ever won. The medal to me is greater than any other medals I could have won at other competitions because the Olympics is the greatest sporting event ever in the life of an athlete. I have medals from the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, All Africa Games and African Championships but none can be compared to that bronze. It means everything to me; it stands out. It will enable me to be able to talk to the younger ones and have something to drive them when needed. They will know I am talking from experience and I something worthwhile to show for it.

The medal came to you as a result of two weightlifters testing positive to banned substances. What is your view on drug use in sports?

I think drug use has to do with self-esteem. Athletes who use drugs have low self-esteem and self-belief. They believe that without the drugs, they would not be able to achieve maximum performance thereby denying athletes, who work hard in training, the chance to win medals at competitions. I believe that drug cheats are faking their greatness and after winning the medals, they will know that they haven’t achieved it legally. When reality dawns on them, they know that they have faked the greatness they achieved. Also, drug cheats will always have their credibility in doubt. Even after retirement, the medals they could have won while they competed cleanly would be questioned. Their images are tarnished and it will leave a huge stain on their credibility and conscience for life.

Would you say drug cheats have had a negative effect on sports?

Yes they have. Even here in Nigeria, these drug cheats have denied several athletes, who should have shone on the international scene, a lot of chances to do so. There are many athletes who have trained hard and worked hard to get to the top but someone will just come within some months and take the shine off them because they have enhanced their performances with drugs. That has really taken a negative toll on sports in general – particularly weightlifting. Since the medal came, I have become an ambassador against drug use in sports. I have been educating the younger ones on the dangers of using drugs to enhance their performances.

Do you think the fight against drug use in sports can be won?

I believe it can be won. But currently, it is still half-way won. A lot more work needs to be done to completely eradicate the use of drugs in sports. The fight should not be left to the World Anti-Doping Agency alone. All sports federations – national and international – should intensify efforts to ensure that we have clean competitions. Athletes should also be educated on time because some athletes get doped ignorantly. Regular education about banned substances and drugs should be given to athletes. Also, stiffer sanctions should be imposed on some countries that have been known to field drug cheats at competitions regularly.

This medal makes you the second Nigeria Olympic medallist in weightlifting. Do you think Nigeria can win more medals in the sport at the Olympics?

I am very optimistic that Nigeria will very soon win a gold medal in weightlifting at the Olympics. The two we have are bronze but I believe that with the talents we have in the country, producing medallists at the Olympics would not be difficult if the right things are done.

What are the things that could be done to produce these medallists?

There should be encouragement for the current ones and investment in the up-and-coming ones. Nigeria never appreciates what it has until it gets lost. There are many budding weightlifters that need to be invested in. I am moved to tears many times when I see these young ones labouring at the stadiums around the country – trying to achieve their dreams. The structures are not there to discover them and at the end, they waste away. We should return to the grass roots to discover them and nurture them to world-class lifters and we have our medallists.

What are the challenges you have faced as a weightlifter?

The challenges are the same for all athletes – not only weightlifters. The challenges faced by elite athletes are even tougher than those faced by the up-and-coming ones. The government does not fund sports in developed countries; rather, they are left to the private organisations and individuals who invest in athletes and support them. The government only provides the enabling environment for sports to grow. The only time athletes get support in Nigeria is after you win at competitions or whenever you get caught or you fail to perform well. This is really not encouraging. Nigeria gives little while expecting so much. We compete against athletes who have been training constantly for years while we camp for weeks or months. Yet, we do our best and at the end, we don’t get appreciated. Most elite athletes have no other thing they do apart from sports while the up-and-coming athletes look up to the elite to encourage them. The situation is really bad. At the end of the day, Nigeria is also guilty of abandoning athletes after they get injured while competing for the country. The encouragement is really needed to motivate athletes to do more for the country.

The year has been inactive for weightlifters after Nigeria missed out on the Commonwealth Games qualifiers in Australia. Do you think we can still make the Games?

Missing out on the qualifiers has automatically ruled the senior weightlifters out of the Games. The junior ones qualified after they did well at the qualifiers. What we can rely on now is the wild card which will be given to us by the organisers. The wildcard won’t allow us select our best lifters rather we will have to make do with the person the organisers want. We can however plan very well for the Tokyo Olympics to have more lifters there.

You missed the podium at the Rio 2016 Games by a few kilogrammes. What really happened?

It is the same old story. We prepare for a competition late and we give our best there but in the end, we can’t win the medal we have our eyes on. It is really painful.

After the Rio Games, you were very angry with the country and threatened never to represent the country again. What happened thereafter?

I was really upset and I had my mind made up not to honour national invitations again but that is a thing of the past. I still want to represent my country. There is a little time for me as a woman to compete and I believe that it should be worth my while but in Nigeria, that is not happening. The conditions with which we went to the Rio Games were very frustrating. However, we can only hope the right things are done to help the younger ones.

How long more do you have to compete for Nigeria?

As a matter of fact, I have started counting down on my days in the sport. The problem with some athletes is not knowing when to call it quits. When injury sets in, Nigeria neglects them and they start nursing that with the little they have left. I don’t want mine to be like that; so, I have started planning how to live life outside sports. If I get injured, I won’t be able to achieve my set goals because I still want to be relevant after quitting weightlifting and the best way to do that is to leave when the ovation is loudest.

What do you think will solve the issue of athletes neglect after getting injured on national assignments?

Really, there are many sad cases of athletes who get injured before they reach their prime and Nigeria abandons them. From Etim Bassey to many others, I can roll out names. I do tell younger athletes to be careful and avoid injuries because they have nothing to fall back on. Nigeria is not worth dying for. Athletes in Nigeria need insurance while on national assignments to take care of their injuries. It will help to create something to treat them when injuries happen. In other countries, athletes give their all because the system takes care of them and they come back stronger but here in Nigeria, it is a different case. Proper planning and organisation will help checkmate these trends.

What is your advice to up-and-coming weightlifters?

Give it your all and avoid injuries. Get education because it is important. Never relent and never give up on your dreams.

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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/hate-see-young-talents-wasting-away-usman/