₦airaland Forum

Halleluyah!!!

Nigerian musician Davido has become the first African artist to be included on Apple Music’s Global Pop playlist with his 2017 hit single ‘Fall’.

After filling up the 02 Arena and becoming the second youngest African artist to do so, Davido has been on top of the charts with several hits both in music and their videos and the biggest of them is his song ‘Fall’ which has been included on Apple Music’s Global Pop playlist.

Fall has also been the number 1 most played song on the air in several states in the US.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/02/davido-is-first-african-musician-on-Apple-Music-Global-Pop-Playlist.html

Cc lalasticlala
Cc mynd44
Cc: mynd44, lalasticacla

[quote author= post=75354890]For the survivors : Be brave. Afterwards, don’t be worried about your scar. Just be proud and know that you’ve won the battle[/quote]Amen I am a survivor.

Heart beat stopped Dec.2009 and God's mercies restored my life.

Pete Buttigieg, an openly gay mayor who is running for US president, said Sunday he believes America will judge him based on the quality of his ideas and experience.

Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, launched his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in January.

If elected — which for now seems unlikely — Buttigieg, a former naval intelligence officer who served in Afghanistan, would become the first openly homosexual president of the United States.

He is among a crush of Democrats vying to unseat Republican Donald Trump next year. Other declared Democrats include Trump nemesis Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris, a California senator who aspires to be the nation’s first black female president.

But are Americans ready for a president who is openly gay and in a same-sex marriage? The question was put to him in an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”

“I think there’s only one way to find out,” said the mayor of the city whose population is about 100,000.

Buttigieg, 37, recalled that he came out as gay in 2015 in the middle of a re-election campaign.

South Bend is a conservative community and at the time Mike Pence was governor of the state, Buttigieg said, recalling that he still got re-elected with “80 percent of the vote.”

“So, I think the lesson we learned is that people are prepared to get to know you and judge you based on the quality of your ideas and your experience and your work. And I trust that America could do that too.”

Buttigieg, who has been South Bend’s mayor since 2012, married junior high school teacher Chasten Glezman last year.

Same-sex marriages have been legal throughout the United States since a 2015 Supreme Court decision.

In last November’s mid-term elections, Jared Polis became the first openly gay governor in US history when he was elected in Colorado, after serving in Congress.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/02/america-is-ready-for-gay-president-says.html

It stated that since the completion of a forty days’ inter-faith fasting and prayers as part of preparations for the commencement of the 2019 general elections it was revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari is God’s choice to lead the country for the next four years.

“Recall that at the end of this forty days of fasting and prayers, God emphatically revealed the choice was for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was revealed to people of faith that President Buhari is the choice of God because of the specific assignment that was given to him.

His is the assignment to end the years of locust that had made Nigeria a laughing stock among nations before his ordained first term.

“Our faith teaches us to back prayers with good deeds and actions.

What has been revealed to us after prayers about the re-elections of President Buhari must now be backed up by actions.

We have resolved to between now and the election speak truth to power in a manner that is more vocal than we have ever done in the past.”

The group averred that it would scale up activities to ensure that that which has been said about President Buhari’s election will come to pass.

“As the first step, we shall be holding a Grand Rally for President Buhari’s re-election, he is the choice of God for the land.

We are doing this to ensure that Nigerians do not sin against God by ignorantly voting against the choice ordained to take the country to a higher level.”

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/02/2019-presidential-election-interfaith-reveals-God-choice.html

Thank God

The Blancos hope to swoop before the striker signs a new contract at Old Trafford

Real Madrid are planning a £100 million ($131m) bid for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford before the summer, The Sun claims.

United are hoping to tie Rashford down to a new contract in the summer in hopes of preventing the 21-year-old from leaving.

But Madrid have promised Rashford they will make him their No.1 striker, and that they will top United's contract offer.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/real-madrid-to-make-100m-rashford-bid.html

'Just run in & I'll find you!' - Lukaku reveals how he predicted he'd assist Alexis against Arsenal

The Chilean's goal was the catalyst for Manchester United's win in the FA Cup, with the Belgian revealing he talked about setting him up in training

Romelu Lukaku showed his psychic abilities by predicting that Manchester United team-mate Alexis Sanchez would score against Arsenal in Friday's FA Cup showdown.

Sanchez broke the deadlock in a 3-1 win over his former club, with Lukaku having played a key role in the Chilean's goal.

And the Belgium international insisted he saw it coming, revealing that he told Alexis to make the run that led to his opener when the pair were talking in training.

"I told him in training, 'Listen, you're going to score'," the former Chelsea striker told MUTV.

"I said to him I'd give him the ball as long as he ran inside if I couldn't shoot. I said to him, 'Just run in and I'll find you'.

"I think you could see when I got the ball I was looking for him and he made the right run and the finish for him was incredible.

"We knew they would leave space for me and Alexis with the full-backs pushing on, so it would end up being three v three or three v two and we had a lot of moments when we could have countered better, especially in the second half.

"I think we could have scored two or three more goals to be honest, but 3-1 at Arsenal is very good."

The result saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer extend his remarkable run at the helm to eight consecutive victories and Lukaku urged his team-mates to maintain those high standards.

"We feel great but it's the same in training," he said.

"We play a lot of games in a lot of competitions and every time you come into the games you know the situations and you have to keep on maintaining the pressure on the other team and keep on delivering the quality, that's what it's about, and on the counter-attack we're really dangerous.

"We're growing steadily and winning games, which is the most important thing."

Next up for United is the visit of Burnley in the Premier League on Tuesday, with Arsenal hosting Cardiff City in their next fixture.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/just-run-in-ill-find-you-lukaku-reveals.html

eodavids:
This Justice Tanko, how clean is he??

Can we see the papersmof his asset declaration?

Is justice Tanko operating a single account

The fact we all know is that all the justices in Nigeria have registered company(ies) which are registered and run by others on their behalf. It won't be easy to find a Justice without a business registered and run on their behalf.

Justice Onoghen has just been treated as a guilty person even while he ought to benefit from the rule of presumption of innocence.

I need to be convinced that justice Tanko has only his salary as his source of earning. Else I will conclude that once again, Onoghen is suffering the normal SOUTHERN DILEMA

Time will tell if he is clean or not...For now he is the most senior in line. Someone has to be there.

Buckubuck:
You're a government apologist plain and simple. Buhari claimed ignorance of the IG flouting his orders. Him and his Vice denied they got the disability bill which he just signed into law last week. I didn't see you write so meticulously then. Let me inform you that loyalty to the president does not equate loyalty to the nation. Everyone knows that Buhari was never comfortable with Onnoghen. So all this shenanigans are due to that fact. If you fail to see that, then your condition is irredeemable

As the president of a nation, Will you be comfortable with a corrupt Chief Judicial Officer of the federation. Yes or No pls
[I am not refering to Onnoghen pls.] be Bold to answer the question. YES OR NO

elujah1:
And the person who recommended the suspension is a saint? Selective corruption fight.

Forward your evidences to the appropriate quarters sharply if you have any.

That is what was done in the case of Onnoghen.

Uglymugg:
I'm enjoying the tears from this debacle. I don't think i've seen this much wailing since I was born. I can literallly taste the salt off my screen.

The photos and videos are all over the internet, sparking nasty rivalries between members of the two biggest political parties in Nigeria, the ruling APC, and opposition PDP.

Tagged ‘mammoth crowds’, and rightfully so, they have assumed the role of the main points of boast for the bitter rivals as we trundle closer to the 2019 general elections. But what’s the real story behind these epic rallies?

With 22 days to the general elections, leading presidential candidates have embarked on rigorous campaigns. Less than two months ago, the political scene was not busy, even with the dozens of presidential candidates. Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which are supposed to lead the campaign frenzy had enough troubles in their homes in the aftermath of their primaries.

Midway, some of the remaining 89 registered parties benefitted from cross-carpeting and set the tone for campaigns. For now, there are 74 presidential candidates and many of them have devised different methods of campaigns. While some of them limit theirs to social media, there are some who are visible on billboards and posters in major towns and villages.

However, in the last few days, the campaigns of APC and PDP have become a sight to behold, considering the massive crowd candidates Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar are drawing. The posters, billboards, sound systems, still and video cameras in use are high-end, while in most instances the candidates and their campaign teams wear the traditional clothes of the people of states visited.

Another clear departure from the past, is that while Buhari and Atiku move around under their party’s presidential campaign councils, their wives have formed separate teams to canvass votes for their husbands.

Aisha Buhari, as Chairperson, with wife of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as Co-chair have a team comprising over 700 people, including high-profile politicians, women, youths and popular artistes. On the other hand, all the four wives of Atiku Abubakar have also formed separate campaign teams for their husband.

Across the states, here’s how things look like, for now:

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar waves at supporters during the party’s presidential campaign in Kaduna State, on Thursday Photo: AMO

Akwa Ibom

That was where President Buhari flagged-off his presidential campaign, and the first time he visited the state since becoming president. Justifying the reason for taking the campaign launch to Uyo, Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State said it is always better for a politician to test the depth of his popularity in places that opponents think he’s not.

The mammoth crowd that witnessed Buhari’s visit at the 30,000-capacity Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo was unprecedented. It was reported that over 20 chartered aircraft landed at the airport, while hundreds of cars and buses ferried party loyalists from all the 36 states of the federation. Ambulances were also on standby. Cultural troupes from the 31 local government areas performed and chanted solidarity songs. Hawkers of souvenirs, food and other items also had a field day. .

Mr. Eseme Eyibio, Spokesperson for the APC and Nsima Ekere’s Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation, said the crowd seen at the party’s rallies were there at their own volition. “We didn’t pay anybody anything; they love the APC,” he said.

Plateau

The Rwang Pam Stadium was last week filled to capacity when President Buhari visited Plateau State for his campaign rally. The 15,700 sitting capacity stadium with a pitch size of 100metres by 70metres, was crowded by supporters who said they had come simply for a glimpse of the president. Thousands stood outside the walls, with many sitting on fences while others stood and watched from the top floors of nearby storey buildings.

Ibrahim Yahaya, a tailor around Ali Kazaure in Jos, said he closed his shop for the day just to see the president. He said he was satisfied with the policies of the APC but had gone to the stadium to purely get a glimpse of the president.

So overwhelmed was the stadium that President Buhari could not even deliver his speech while Governor Simon Lalong described the event as “The mother of all rallies.”

Also, the Polo field where the PDP held its campaign a week prior to that of the APC in honour of Atiku was equally massive, where supporters of the PDP said they were there to show solidarity with the party. Amos Victor told Daily Trust Saturday that he was at the field out of his own volition.

PDP Publicity Secretary, John Akans, said the people came because of the manifesto of the PDP. “We don’t need to tell people we are organising rally, people will just come. We have volunteers who will provide busses for those who cannot afford to come at the ward level and there are stakeholders who also provide these busses,” he said.

Jigawa

The coming of Atiku to Dutse, capital of Jigawa State, had pulled an unprecedented crowd during his presidential campaign tour held at the Dutse Eid prayer ground. The PDP presidential hopeful, who expressed his happiness looking at the number of people that turned up for the event, said he was optimistic of victory.

Atiku’s visit coincided with the flag-off of Governor Muhammad Badaru’s campaign in Hadejia. Being the state of PDP chieftain Sule Lamido, the rally drew thousands of people.

Muttaka Ahmed, who was mobilized for the event from Kafin Hausa LGA, told Daily Trust Saturday that the leaders of the party at his ward “mobilized” them for the event in Dutse. He added that for each bus, a sum of 12,000 was budgeted. He said N6,000 was for hiring the bus, while the remaining N6,000 was shared among passengers. He said they got an average of N500, while some get as low as N200. He added that he’s not a member of PDP, but attended the event because of the allowance.

Gombe

The campaign train of Atiku had witnessed massive turnout of party faithful and supporters who thronged the Pantami Stadium in Gombe Metropolis for the rally. The supporters were mobilized from across the six states of the North-East sub-region, who converged at the stadium to witness the zonal inaugural rally of the PDP presidential candidate.

It was observed that the number of people that turnout for the rally but couldn’t get access to the stadium had outnumbered those inside the 12,000-seat capacity stadium. The Secretary of PDP in Gombe State, Alhaji Buba Shanu, said the turnout of people at the event was a testimony that the PDP was still powerful in the state and the North-East zone.

“Apart from our performance over the last 16 years in the state, we gathered large number of people because we were able to enlighten them on the opportunities that await us if Atiku wins the election,” he said.

Another supporter of Atiku, Jamilu Lawan, said: “I was at the rally because Buhari has failed the country, and to show my solidarity with Atiku, who I believe has the capacity to deliver.”

Bauchi

Bauchi witnessed a mammoth crowd that welcomed President Buhari during his campaign launch in the North-East. People lined up along the major road leading to the 15,000-capacity Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium located in Bauchi metropolis. Human and vehicular traffic moved at a snail speed on the roads leading to the venue. Security agents had a hectic time controlling the crowd at the centre of the stadium because of people who surged close to the podium, particularly when the president came on to address the people.

An APC supporter, who identified himself as Mahmoud, said he went to the stadium because of President Buhari. “Nobody gave me anything or prompted me to go. As long as it is Buhari, I can trek or pay anything to go anywhere,” he said.

Kogi

In Kogi, Atiku was first to flag-off his campaign in the state with a mammoth crowd in attendance. Held at the 25,000-capacity Lokoja Confluence Stadium, it had a greater percentage of the venue filled with party supporters and enthusiasts. However, some parts of the stadium were empty.

In the same vein, Buhari equally held his rally at the same venue which also attracted a mammoth crowd. Our correspondent observed that the 25,000 sitting capacity stadium was virtually filled to capacity, while the track and field spaces, as well as the stadium surroundings, were equally flooded with party faithful, and supporters of the president.

A stalwart of the APC, and Chief Press Secretary to the Kogi State Governor, Onogwu Muhammed, said the massive turnout of the people was a clear indication of people’s love and support for the APC.

But the PDP in Kogi State had urged President Buhari and the ruling party not to be deceived by virtue of the crowd recorded at the rally in Lokoja, saying those who attended were paid money. In a statement by its Director of Research and Documentation, Dickson Achadu, the party accused Governor Yahaya Bello and the APC-led government of wasting a billion naira of taxpayers’ money to attract people to the rally.

Edo

In Edo State, only the APC campaign train visited. The campaign which to place at the Garick Memorial School, attracted a massive crowd from all over the state. Being the home state of the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, it was gathered that most of the crowd were party supporters who were mobilized to the event by party’s chieftain.

A party chieftain, Jimoh Abudu said the event was successful as the crowd was unprecedented than any other political gathering in the state.

However, one Jude Edos who was at the venue, said not all the people at the event were supporters of the APC. He said he was there to see president Buhari, who some people said was not healthy.

Kwara

The presidential rally of the PDP which took place in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, last year was graced by many supporters from all the states in the North-Central region. The supporters, it was learnt, were mobilised from Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states.

The PDP publicity secretary in the state, Mr Tunde Ashaolu, said party members and supporters funded themselves to the rally.

Kwara, being the home state of Senate President Bukola Saraki, witnessed a large turnout of PDP supporters for the rally. Another factor that made some people to attend the Ilorin rally was because of the musicians who were invited to entertain the people.

Metropolitan Square, in Ilorin, was the venue. Originally planned to accommodate 30,000 people, it took up to 50,000 with some people standing. However, there are some people who feel that when compared to other rallies, that of Ilorin was low-key.

Niger

Both Buhari and Atiku had at different times held their rallies in Niger State ahead of the February election.

Atiku was the first to flag off his campaign at the Polo Ground in Minna metropolis on Wednesday, January 9. It witnessed a large turnout of supporters who trooped out as early as 9am. However, the crowd thinned out gradually when the standard bearer failed to turned up at t11 am, the time slated for the programme.

Despair heightened when the candidate did not appear hours later, triggering mass exodus from the rally venue. As at the time the former vice president arrived the Minna Polo ground in company of Senate President, Bukola Saraki and other party’s top notch, at about 3:00pm, most of the supporters, especially those who came from distant locations, had left.

Like the former vice president, Buhari could not also make it to the Trade Fair Ground venue of the rally on time. The delay in the commencement of the rally was as a result of the commissioning of Baro Inland Port which was also slated for the same day, 20th January.

By the time Buhari arrived, at about 2:00pm, the crowd which waited patiently for hours, had reduced. He was scheduled for a campaign rally in Jos, Plateau State, so he did not spend up to 30 minutes at the Minna programme. Daily Trust Saturday observed that many supporters, especially youths, were denied access to the venue by security operatives.

Kaduna

President Buhari was received in Kaduna by a massive crowd of party supporters, who thronged the Ahmadu Bello Stadium. The president spoke in Hausa during the flag-off of the governorship and presidential campaign, and said Kaduna was his home and remained one of his strongholds.

A visibly-excited Governor Nasir El- Rufai said he was happy with the way Kaduna people showed love for Buhari.

But on Thursday, Atiku who was also in Kaduna, said the APC, and President Buhari had failed Nigerians. He spoke at the APC presidential rally, and said the APC administration lied to Nigerians in 2015. “They promised to provide security, but the question is do we have security in the country today?”

Atiku’s campaign also recorded a massive turnout, who were also excited.

Sokoto, Kebbi, Anambra, Enugu

President Buhari was on Wednesday in Sokoto, and Kebbi, and then went to Anambra and Enugu states.

Commercial activities were paralysed in Sokoto for the presidential campaign rally. Daily Trust Saturday observed some of the supporters jumping over the wire fence of Giginya Stadium in Sokoto.

The president was received at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the APC Presidential Campaign Coordinator in charge of the North-west, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, among others.

The president was also in Anambra and Enugu states, where he was warmly received.

Atiku was also welcomed by a mammoth crowd when he launched his campaign in Sokoto, with the same situation in many parts of the South.

The massive crowds which have been thronging the rally venues of both candidates have even the most seasoned political pundits resolving that the 2019 presidential elections will be as some foreign analysts predicted, as having the probability of being a ‘close call’. How close a call, and in whose favour, remains to be seen come February 16, at the polls. But in the meantime, both candidates continue to attract mammoth crowds.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/2019-campaigns-story-behind-mammoth.html

Mystick:
APC show us Anambra campaign pictures. We need to see it or is it still being edited to show non-existing crowd? What exactly is holding it?

The zombie above, is showing us a child that was paid N200 to kiss the lifeless one's picture while the person that paid him snaps him and rush to Social media to claim genuine love for buhari.

You should see How President Buhari Was Welcomed In Anambra (Photos & Video)

Also checkout Governor Ambode Reaction To President Buhari's Campaign In Anambra State (photos)...here you have it

AllTheWayUp:

Buhari is a disaster

Hahahaha SEE How President Buhari Was Welcomed In Anambra (Photos & Video)

NaijaRoyalty:
They thought we were joking when we told them APC s dead in south east .

It literally didn't exist when he became president. What dynamics will affect general outcome?

Millie Bailey has seen many milestones in her life. She’s seen wars start, wars end, presidents come and go, but one milestone she’s had is her favorite: she will turn 101 this year.

Bailey, who grew up in the Deep South, joined the Army during World War II and ended up the Commander of a women’s unit.Currently living in Columbia, Howard county, Bailey said in a recent interview: “I haven’t had a paying job since 1975, but my young friends say I shouldn’t say I’m retired, just say I work without pay.”

According to Fox News she has volunteered in different capacities during the past few decades. She has worked with children in Howard County Schools.

Bailey has also packed care packages for soldiers overseas. She has been on advisory boards from police to education. Recounting the impact segregation and discrimination had on her life, Mailey said she hoped the next generations are better human beings.

Also, thanks to the Community Foundation of Howard County, they named a fund the Millie Bailey Fund, established by Mary and Earl Armiger in honor of Bailey. The fund is a permanent fund whose proceeds will directly benefit Running Brook, a Title I school with a large population of minority and low income students.

Her dream is for true equality. She said: “I would like for everybody to see what they can do to help somebody else, like when you go to buy groceries, buy some extra cans and bring it to the food bank. Yes, live every day thinking ‘what can I do to make it a better world.’”

With that same attitude and the health of seniors getting better, it looks like we may see more people living life like Millie.

Death rates have been dropping for Americans of almost every age for decades now. A study of centenarians, Americans 100 years and older, suggests that they are joining the ranks, as their death rates started to decline in 2008.

Using data from the United States Census Bureau and death certificates filed in the United States, a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined the death rate and causes of death in this oldest-of-the-old population between 2000 and 2014.

The study reported that, although Americans in their very golden years are still rare, the population has grown by 44% in recent years, from 50,281 in 2000 to 72,197 in 2014.

“It looks like the population 100 and older is living longer now so the [death] rate has decreased, but I don’t know exactly what caused that,” said Dr. Jiaquan Xu, an epidemiologist at the CDC National Center for Health Statistics and author of the study, which was released in January.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/100-year-old-world-war-ii-veteran-gives.html

ZombiePUNISHER:
Buhari is a failure

They are all hungry... They came for the 500

#Pollswilldecide

NgeneUkwenu:
Chronic Wailers. Sorry! Take handkerchief.

Ashley Graham blows a kiss as she looks stunning in striped swimwear during beach shoot for Swimsuits For All

Ashley Graham has been on the beach all week modeling swimwear.

And on Sunday the Vogue cover girl was in two different striped suits - a one piece and a bikini.

The star designs the Swimsuits For All line which goes up to size 24. On her website it reads, 'This designer swimwear line features daring one piece swimsuits and bikinis meant to flaunt your figure wherever you go.'
Smooch from a supermodel: Ashley Graham has been on the beach all week modeling swimwear. And on Sunday the Vogue cover girl was in two different striped suits - a one piece and a bikini.

Her makeup was perfect and her hair was styled nicely as she flashed a light pink manicure.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/ashley-graham-looks-stunning-in-striped.html

BREAKING: John Momoh Quits As Chairman Of BON

John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Media Group (CMG), has left his position as Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).

This was revealed at the presidential debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) on Saturday.

Godfrey Ohuabunwa was announced as the acting Chairman of BON.

Officially announcing the new position, Ohuabunwa said: "I want to let you know that John Momoh has just left as the Chairman of BON and I am the newest chairman of BON."

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/breaking-john-momoh-quits-as-chairman.html
Ohuabunwa is currently the Group Managing Director at Gospell Digital Technology.

The Philippines' wealthiest man Henry Sy, who rose from being a penniless Chinese immigrant to leading a multi-billion dollar business empire, died on Saturday, his conglomerate has announced.

Henry Sy made his fortune with a Philippine shopping centre conglomerate that has put up some of the largest malls in the world

The 94-year-old, from the Chinese city of Xiamen, made his fortune with a Philippine shopping centre conglomerate that has put up some of the largest malls in the world.

However his holdings also included banks, hotels and real estate in the Philippines, as well as shopping centres in China.

He had a net worth of $19 billion as of Friday, according to Forbes.com.

Forbes said he was the 52nd richest person in the world last year, beating out bold name tycoons like Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch and George Soros.

"Henry Sy... passed away peacefully in his sleep early Saturday morning. There are no further details at the moment," his SM group said in a statement to AFP.

Sy put up his first shoe store in downtown Manila in 1956, a business which later grew into a diversified empire.

He stepped down as chairman of his holding firm in 2017, assuming the title of "chairman emeritus" and leaving trusted allies as well as his children in charge of his empire.

It was a long journey for a man who came to the Philippines as a boy to work in his immigrant father's variety store.

"Our store was so small it had no back or second floor, we just slept on the counter late at night after the store was closed," he told the Philippine Star newspaper in 2006.

Shoe store to supermalls

After their shop was destroyed during World War II, Sy's father returned to China but Henry chose to stay in the Philippines.

He got a commerce degree from a Manila university and started selling shoes in a shop which would later grow into a chain named "ShoeMart".

By 1972, his shops had branched out into selling all manner of goods, prompting the name to be changed to SM Department Store.

But it was in 1985 that Sy made history when he opened his first "Supermall" in Manila.

Spanning over 424,000 square metres (4.6 million square feet), the mall included dozens of stores, numerous cinemas, restaurants, banks and other attractions that made it a one-stop shop for millions of Filipinos.

This was just the start, as more of Sy's mammoth malls popped up across the country, some even containing ice skating rinks, a rarity in the tropical country.

Sy helped create mall culture in the Philippines, where steamy temperatures and the regular threat of torrential downpours can make outdoor shopping uncomfortable.

Sy's holding company, SM Investments Corp. opened its first mall in China in 2001 and has been expanding there as well.

By 2018, SM said it had 70 malls in the Philippines and seven in China as well as six hotels and eight office buildings.

Sy's empire has earned its share of criticism from labour groups, who say it uses thousands of contractual hires to avoid paying higher wages and benefits that permanent workers are entitled to.

SM officials have insisted that they do not engage in so-called "contractualisation", but say they hire "seasonal" workers for peak periods like Christmas, back-to-school and even weekends.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/philippines-richest-man-sy-dies-at-94.html

akdjr:
This is not what actually determine the result of an election. But if Atiku get up to the number of votes Jonathan got in 2015, I will recognize him as president even if INEC declared Buhari as the winner.

Just like you are still recognizing GEJ as Nigeria's President abi

NaijaRoyalty:
See the 3rd picture

Under age kids everywhere

Support is support.

A picturesque town in Sicily is selling off homes for $1 to anyone willing to renovate them

Sambuca in Sicily is selling off homes for just 1 ($1.14).

The stunning countryside town is hoping the move will repopulate its streets and provide a boom to the economy.

There's a catch, though.

Buyers will have to commit to spending at least 15,000 (about $17,200) on renovating the homes, which are in need of some TLC.

The town's deputy mayor and tourist councillor told CNN that this was a small price to pay, though, for a spot in the "City of Splendor."
Do you dream of riding a vintage bicycle around cobbled streets?

Of going to the market to pick up burrata and fresh tomatoes for lunch?

Of stopping for an espresso with the vecchi signori as they sit al fresco in the Mediterranean sunshine?

Well, you could do all those things and, what's more, now you could do them for as little as a dollar.

The picturesque Sicilian town of Sambuca is selling off homes for just 1 ($1.14) in a bid to encourage people to move there and provide a boom to its economy.

Sambuca isn't the first rural commune in Italy to try and encourage repopulation this way as residents continue to move to urban areas.

In January last year , the Sardinian town of Ollolai announced that it was selling 200 homes for 1 in an effort to lure new residents. Over the past half-century, the town's population had declined from 2,250 people to just 1,300.

However, Sambuca says they're doing things differently.

"As opposed to other towns that have merely done this for propaganda, this city hall owns all 1 houses on sale," Giuseppe Cacioppo, Sambuca's deputy mayor and tourist councillor, told CNN .

"We're not intermediaries who liaise between old and new owners. You want that house, you'll get it no time."

So, are you really getting a home for $1? Well, yes, but there's a catch, of course.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/a-picturesque-town-in-sicily-is-selling.html

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has excluded the names of the ruling All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate from the National Assembly election candidates list.

The exclusion followed a judgement which declared the primaries held by the party in the state null and void.

On January 7, a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt delivered judgments in two separate suits, asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to acknowledge Rivers State’s APC candidates following the controversies that marred the party’s primary in October 2018.

Two factions, one faction loyal to the minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi and the other loyal to serving senator, Magnus Abe, had conducted parallel primaries that produced two sets of candidates.

While the faction loyal Ameachi produced Tonye Cole as its the state governorship candidate, the other loyal to Abe, produced him as its own candidate.

The national secretariat of the APC, however, forwarded Cole’s name to INEC.

In a suit filed by Abe, the court declared that the APC, for failing to respect the law, must bear the consequences of her disobedience to the law.

The judge Kolawole Omotosho maintained that Rivers APC would not participate in the gubernatorial, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections.

Omotosho said the plaintiffs do not have legal standing given the fact that they hinged their request on the ruling of the state high court, which nullified primaries conducted by the APC.

He, therefore, issued a restraining order, asking INEC not to recognise the candidates of the APC until a higher court of competent jurisdiction sets aside the ruling.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/inec-delists-rivers-apc-candidates.html

Meir Alfasi is a rabbi, photographer, and former photojournalist who lives in Israel and has traveled to 80 countries.

He spent five days in North Korea , where non-state-sanctioned religion is strictly forbidden.

He had some close calls with North Korean officials and told INSIDER he'd "never felt so scared in my life."

Wherever Meir Alfasi goes, he wears the uniform of the Chabad sect of ultra-Orthodox Judaism : a black hat and long black coat called a bekishe.

A rabbi, photographer, and former photojournalist from Israel, Alfasi has been to 80 countries. He's spent a year living in India doing Jewish outreach and even printed copies of religious books at Everest Base Camp and in Antarctica.

"I travel with the uniform of a religious person, a Jewish person, because maybe someone will see me and ask a question, then I could tell them more about Judaism," he told INSIDER.

In North Korea , he had to hide his religious identity.

While North Korea's constitution says it allows for freedom of religious beliefs, a 2017 report from the US State Department found that any religious activities that are not state-sanctioned, including reading the Bible or praying, result in "executions, torture, beatings, and arrests" or other forms of "severe punishment, including imprisonment in political prison camps."

The report also estimated that between 80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners were being held in prison camps, some for religious reasons.
Alfasi spent five days touring North Korea, calling himself the first Chabad rabbi to visit the country.

He couldn't speak openly about Judaism and hid his religious books and ritual objects from authorities. But he did wear his black hat and bekishe.

Here's what his trip to North Korea was like.

He applied for a visa directly through the North Korean government after getting rejected by tourism companies.

At first, his request was rejected because the companies saw that he had worked as a photojournalist, and journalists aren't allowed into North Korea . He then reapplied and listed his occupation as a wedding photographer and was approved.

On the plane from China to North Korea, flight attendants wore pins with photos of the North Korean leaders.

When he got up to stretch his legs, Alfasi says he was sternly told to sit back down.
When he landed at the border, North Korean soldiers went through his suitcases.

"You have to write down every detail before, then they take your list and see what you have. They say, 'How many socks do you have?'" he said.

Alfasi brought a prayer book, a prayer shawl, and tefillin (small leather boxes containing scrolls of religious writings that are worn during prayer) all of which are forbidden in North Korea.

When the soldiers found his tefillin, he narrowly avoided having them discovered as a religious item.

"Before you come in they tell you you're not allowed to bring any religious things," he said. "They said 'Okay, what is tefillin?' I said 'I put this on my arms.' I didn't tell them it was religious because I didn't know what was going to happen."

One of the soldiers wanted to open the tefillin, but an English-speaking guide intervened just in time.

"I was scared because if they open it they'll see the religious parchment and it would be very dangerous," he said. "I told the guy, 'Don't open it. If you open it, I'm staying here in the airport.'

The soldier called the guides who speak English, and the guide said, 'Let it go, it's okay.' That was my beginning in North Korea."

Alfasi says it soon became clear that his every move was being watched.

"I prayed inside my room every day, but I got so scared because once I wrote something down in my room and in the morning one of the guys said, 'What did you write down in your room?'" he said. "I realized that this is not a regular country, I have to be more aware. Every little thing you do or say...more below

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/an-ultra-orthodox-rabbi-visited-north.html

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The electoral body enumerated seven steps, itemising them on its verified Twitter handle, @inecnigeria as follows:

Step 1: Upon arrival at the polling unit, join the queue and present yourself to the INEC official (APO111) at the polling unit who will determine whether you are at the correct polling unit and check if the photograph on the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) matches your face. If satisfied, he/she will direct you to the next INEC official (APO1).

Step 2: The official (APO1) will request for your PVC to confirm that your card is genuine and your details, using the smart card reader. He/she will ask you to place your finger on the card reader to confirm that the PVC belongs to you by ascertaining, the card reader will contain the name, photograph and finger prints of all those registered in their polling unit.

Step 3: You will then meet the next official (APO11) who will request for your PVC to confirm that your name and details are in the voters register. Your name will be ticked and your PVC returned to you. He/ she will then apply indelible ink to the cuticle of your appropriate finger for that election to show you have been accredited to vote. (If your name is not found on the register, you will not be allowed to vote).

Step 4: The presiding officer (PO) stamps, signs and endorses the date at the back of the Ballot Paper. The PO will roll the ballot paper inwardly with the printed side inwards and give to you. He /she will then direct you to the voting cubicle where you vote in secret.

Step 5: You will stain your appropriate finger for the election with the ink provided then use your stained finger to mark the space or box provided on the ballot paper for your preferred candidate/party. Roll the marked ballot paper (in the manner the PO gave to you).

Step 6: Then leave the voting cubicle and drop the ballot paper in the ballot box in full view of people at the polling unit.

Step 7: You will then leave the polling unit or wait if you so choose in an orderly and peaceful manner to work the process up to declaration of result.

It also noted that the result of each polling unit shall be pasted at the unit and for everyone to see.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/inec-enumerates-seven-step-procedure.html

The 5 richest men in the US have a staggering combined wealth of more than $415 billion — otherwise known as more than 2% of America's GDP. And all but one of them made their fortunes in the tech industry.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos tops the list with a net worth of $135 billion, followed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates ($92 billion), investor and Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett ($81 billion), Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg ($54.7 billion), and Google co-founder Larry Page ($52.7 billion), according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index .

Their combined fortune comes out to more than 2% of the US GDP, which was $20.66 trillion in the third quarter of 2018. (Exactly 2% of $20.66 trillion would be $413.2 billion.)

A Business Insider analysis found that for a billionaire, buying a vacation to Bali is the equivalent of a typical American buying a candy bar . And that's based on a net worth of just $2 billion, the median fortune of a Forbes list billionaire .

While these five men are the richest in the US, they are not top five the richest in the world. Bernard Arnault , the French businessman who controls LVMH and is worth $69 billion, Amancio Ortega , who controls the world's largest clothing retailer that includes Zara , worth $60.1 billion, and Carlos Slim of Mexico, worth $57.1 billion, are all currently wealthier than both Zuckerberg and Page.

While many of the world's richest billionaires live in the US, Hong Kong overtook the US in 2018 to become the city with the most super-rich people individuals worth at least $30 million people in the world.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/the-5-richest-men-in-us-have-staggering.html

An amazing community in California is helping a doughnut shop owner sell out his donuts earlier than usual—for a reason that has touched millions.

For more than three decades now, John Chhan and his wife, Stella, have been humbly serving a whole community in California by selling delicious doughnuts since they moved from Cambodia in 1979. Every day, the duo works hand-in-hand from before sunrise until their shop, Donut City, sells out in the afternoon.

But recently, customers noticed that one of the pair has been missing for days and only John is managing the store. It did not take long before they found out that Stella suffered an aneurysm. Although she survived, she is still weak and has to stay in a rehabilitation facility. At the end of every day, once the doughnuts are all sold, John rushes to be with Stella.

When they knew about the couple’s situation, the people of Seal Beach, California, rallied to help John by urging everyone to buy a dozen doughnuts at a time. After the story spread on social media and viva voce, John now sells out his shop three hours faster than usual. He gets to close the store as early as 10:00 am. and spends the rest of the day with Stella.

Touched by their story, some customers also offered to set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds for Stella’s recovery at the center. But the humble and hardworking John Chhan refused. He said money is not what he needs but more time with Stella.

“I’m very appreciative of all the friends, neighbors, and community that have come to help me,” says John in an interview with NBC News. “We can stay together, I feel very happy all day.”

Having seen the couple work together for thirty years to support their family, the community saw how heartbreaking it must have been for John to have to wait till afternoon before he could see his wife. With a gesture as simple as buying a dozen of doughnuts at a time, they gave him the best thing he could ever ask for from anyone: more moments to share with his beautiful wife.

Source: https://www.babanewsline.com.ng/2019/01/california-community-buys-out-doughnut.html

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Kidaholic:
Lol, have already retweeted since Hope he sees my first account, if not then there is the second aknt and the third is also there

Smarto

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