₦airaland Forum

African Woman Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala has joined Liverpool Ladies.

The FA Women's Super League champions fended off the challenge of rivals Chelsea to secure the service of the 20-year-old Nigerian international.

"Liverpool Ladies are delighted to annnounce the signing of recently crowned African Women's Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala," Liverpool stated on their official website.

Oshoala has described joining the Liverpool Ladies as "absolutely fantastic."

The striker, who joins from Rivers Angels, recognises that she has pitched tent with "a massive club" that can help her take her game to the next level.

"Since I began my football career I have always dreamt of being a professional footballer, so to be able to join the reigning Women's Super League champions is absolutely fantastic.

"Liverpool Ladies are a massive club, who have some fantastic players who I believe can help to develop my game to the next level. It was also a big incentive to be able to play in the UEFA Women's Champions League, which is a huge competition and one I'm confident we can do well in," Oshoala told liverpoolfc.com.

Oshoala is currently regarded as Nigeria's biggest football talent in the women's game after claiming the most valuable player and top scorer's awards at last year's Fifa Under-20 Women's World Cup.


Source:http://www.supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/150123/Liverpool_snap_up_Oshoala

Jan 23,2015

Mr Timothy Odah, Ebonyi Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, says the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen to N1 billion monthly, from the previous figure of N150 million.

Odah, who is also the Chairman, Commissioners for Finance Forum, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Odah said the improvement was as a result of economic measures adopted by the state government in order to reduce dependence on the monthly revenue from the Federation Account.

“Today, Ebonyi has three rice mills and the milled rice is in high demand. We never thought that something made in Nigeria will attract such high demand.

We also have an international market which has 7070 stores; and we generate a lot of revenue by renting them out to international and local businesses.

“Ebonyi is doing well in terms of generating its own power supply. We have brought the General Electric from the United States and it will soon generate electricity for the state.

“We may not be able to use all of it, so we plan to transfer the remaining to the National Grid and get a commission,” he said.

Odah expressed concern over the financial difficulties some states are facing due to the dwindling oil revenue.

“It’s a pathetic situation. But the fact remains that the clarion call has always been made. We have been sounding the warning telling states to prepare.

“We have been calling on the need for diversification. That we should go towards alternative forms of revenue generation instead of depending on the dwindling oil revenue.

“It is time for oil to stop being a key determinant of our budget from local to federal levels,’’ he said.



Odah also said that apart from government, every individual had a role to play in boosting the country’s economy.

“As a whole, Nigerians should learn to patronise made-in-Nigeria products. Nigerian rice, Nigerian oats and leave foreign chicken alone.

“Palm wine is good. It should be bottled. Also Nigerian food has better taste; we should eat more of it. Stop looking for Chinese and other continental dishes,” he said.

According to Odah, doing this may seem small, “but it will translate to a lot of jobs and better living, which is the end game of diversification.’’ (NAN).

Source:http://leadership.ng/breaking-news/406079/ebonyi-igr-hits-n1bn-monthlycommissioner

Jan 22,2015

Stephen Ukandu

Abia State government has raised the alarm that some opposition political parties in the state “go from house to house in parts of the state to buy permanent voter cards from people for cloning purposes.”

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chef Anthony Agbazuere, who raised the alarm at a press briefing in Umuahia, expressed shock that some political parties were engaging in anti-democratic activities in their desperation to get to power.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to investigate the matter while urging Abians to resist the temptation of selling their PVCs for monetary gains.

His words: “Your voter card is your power, anyone offering you money to buy your card wants to rob you of your voting right and must be resisted.”

He, therefore, warned perpetrators of such heinous act to desist or be prosecuted, adding that security agents have already been put on alert.

On the outcome of the state’s executive council meeting, Agbazuere said arrangements were in top gear for the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed Abia airport project.

He said the peace meeting with the necessary stakeholders and host communities had almost been completed.

Agbazuere said the airport project was very dear to Governor Theodore Orji, and that his administration was working seriously toward its actualization .

He noted that, although the project might not be fully completed before the exit of the governor in May, the next administration would give it the needed attention considering its economic importance to the state.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/news/opposition-buying-pvc-for-cloning-abia/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

This is so saddening.

Jan 22,2015


The Liberian government said 2,800 Ebola bodies have so far been cremated following the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Head of the National Ebola Burial Team, Ciatta Bishop, said this on Thursday, in Monrovia, that the cremation and burial teams collected over 2,800 bodies across the country during the process for burial and cremation.

The Ebola team was set up in August 2014, when the virus overwhelmed the country due to lack of coordination and facilities to dispose of the Ebola dead.

She also said no infection or death occurred among those cremating or burying Ebola bodies during the fight against the virus.

“Even though they were stigmatised and rejected by some communities and families, they actually stood up and held on to defending their country,” she said.

Health authorities in the country say the drastic reduction in the number of cases and 12 of the 15 counties not reporting cases for a long time is an indication the virus is about to be defeated.

The WHO data showed that in Liberia alone, 3,496 people had died from the virus in the latest outbreak.

However, it said in its update released, the case incidence had declined to low levels in the country.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/news/liberia-cremates-2800-ebola-bodies/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Mohammed Ahmad

Jan 20,2015

Unknown assailants on Monday slaughtered the daughter of Musa Illu, the Director General of Governor Umaru Al – Makura’s campaign organization.

Mr. Illu’s daughter, Amina Suleiman, was seven months pregnant.

Mr. Illu’s younger brother, Namairo Babai, told PREMIUM TIMES that late Amina was found in the pool of her blood with her neck cut and a knife in her stomach.

Mr. Babai said that late Amina was killed in her home in faraway Katsina State when her husband, Suleiman Mohammed, was on his way to Zaria for his doctorate degree programme.

“Her husband was on his way to ABU Zaria. After the weekend when he tried calling but couldn’t get her, he sent someone to check just to be told that she was slaughtered and in poll of her blood”.

Mr. Babai added that late Amina who got married two years ago will be buried by 4 p.m. on Tuesday in her husband’s home town in Katsina State.

When PREMIUM TIMES visited the family compound along Shendam road, Lafia, Nasarawa, sympathizers and family members were seen consoling the father of Musa Illu who was weeping.

Among the first callers was the state’s first lady, Salamatu Tanko Almakura.

Source:http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/175282-assailants-murder-pregnant-daughter-gov-almakuras-campaign-manager.html?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Jan 19,2015.


The Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has begun an indefinite strike over non-payment of teachers’ salaries in the state.

The teachers, who began the strike on Monday, said they would not go back to classes until the state government fulfilled the agreement it reached with them in concrete terms.

The circular, which was signed by the Union’s Secretary, Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, authorising the industrial action, was made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday.

Marked NUT/AKSW/SWEC.13/Vol./70, the circular indicated that the union proceeded on the strike following the breach of agreement earlier reached between the Akwa Ibom State Government and the union.

“The teachers of Akwa Ibom State have resolved that failure to address all the issues already negotiated and agreement reached in concrete terms will not make the teachers to report for work,” statement added.

The circular, however, decried the non-payment of promotion arrears since 2009 to date to members in primary schools by the state government.

All appeals by the union to make State Universal Basic Education to clear the backlog of the arrears of promotion owed primary school teachers in the state have proved abortive.

“Teachers in the primary schools system have not been paid their leave grants since 2012,” the union alleged.

The union in the circular also alleged that pensions and gratuities due to the primary school teachers in the state and their 2014 December salaries had not been paid.

Source:http://www.punchng.com/news/akwa-ibom-teachers-begin-indefinite-strike/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Ekele Peter Agbo.

Jan15,2015

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has assured that General Muhammadu Buhari will initiate policies and programmes that will impact positively on the lives of youths and women when he is voted into office in the February 14 presidential election.

A statement from the Directorate of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation said the APC manifesto contained several innovations and legislative proposals that would promote the manpower development and social participation of women and youths in the country.

The statement, signed by Mallam Garba Shehu on Thursday, said: “Drawing extensively from the information contained in the APC’s manifesto, a federal government under the leadership of Buhari promises to offer women and youths in Nigeria a new deal.

“We are firmly committed to the value that women are the backbone of the Nigerian society, especially in our rural communities. Therefore, issues that matter to the average Nigerian woman cut across the spectrum of policy areas, such as agriculture – where they predominate as farmers and farm labour – to health and education, where their concern for their children are paramount.

“Our policy position for woman takes into cognisance the fact that in spite of several rights outlined in the 1999 Constitution, many women do not enjoy the same freedom as men, particularly in the fields of education, economic empowerment and political participation.”

According to the statement, “No society can progress where half of its population suffers systemic discrimination. An APC government will seek to end all forms of gender discrimination in both public and private sectors, in education, employment and housing and also protect equal property and inheritance rights.”

The statement further explains the core policy objectives of the APC for women and youths to include, “improving anti-discriminatory legislation and instituting merit-based affirmative action in employment; injecting gender as a component of federal character and appointing a Minister for Women and Gender in the Office of the President; enforcing legal protection for the fundamental rights of the girl-child in all areas of religious, social and economic life.”

Other policy concerns according to the statement include, “providing women with greater legal protection from domestic violence and sexual harassment; empowering the Police with specialist training on handling of domestic violence issues; strengthening coordination between women and youths’ agencies at state and federal levels cutting across ethnic and religious barriers.”

Other policy initiatives that a Buhari administration will enthrone include “improving and strengthening support for women and youths’ participation in all sectors of the economy through training and skill acquisition; develop innovative ways of encouraging women and youths participation; encouraging local governments to combat female adult illiteracy with education programmes in local languages and provide incentives for the private sector to support these initiatives.

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/402103/buhari-strikes-deal-youths-women

Obinna Ogbonnaya.

Jan 14,2015.

48 hours after the Ebonyi State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were attacked by unknown persons, another set of suspected hoodlums in the late hours of yesterday attacked the Labour Party campaign office in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital with an object suspected to be improvised explosive device (IED).

The APC incident closely followed the destruction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) office and the homes of the party’s supporters in Ohaukwu local government, by gunmen said to be wearing police uniform.

The device, according to workers at the party office, which belongs to the Labour Party gubernatorial running mate and chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, was discovered early in the morning when they came to work.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said “We came to work this morning and noticed smoke coming from the back of the building. We went closer and discovered that the walls had been charred by a mild fire from a paint bucket they used in making the explosive. From what we saw, we suspect that it would have been more deadly if the explosive materials inside the paint bucket had caught the fire.

“We thank God it didn’t happen as they planned it. If that had happened, the building would have been damaged or even burnt down”.

When LEADERSHIP visited the scene, security personnel from the state police headquarters had cordoned off the area.

It was gathered that the bomb squad had earlier visited the area and carted away the materials inside the bucket suspected to be deadly.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Chris Anyanwu expressed worry over the incessant use of incendiary device to attack Political Party campaign offices by some mischief makers adding that the miscreants perpetrating the act usually hauled the device into the premises of their target at night, when most of the staff had closed for the day.

According to him; “ it would be recalled that just yesterday, I addressed the press on the attack of APC and INEC office by some mischief makers. It is regrettable that this mischief makers with the

intention of heating up the polity has resorted to acts capable of causing panic among the public. After their attempt to attack APC and INEC office failed, the went to the campaign office of Labour Party and hauled the device into the office which charred some part of the wall”.

ASP Anyanwu therefore warn such miscreants to desist from such acts or face their Waterloo and urged all law abiding citizens of the state to go about their normal business.

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/401712/another-bomb-scare-ebonyi

They actually attacked Kolafata Army Base this morning killing a soldier(Onana Balla) in the process but chased away later on.All seems calm now.

Jan 12,2015.



Two female suicide bombers yesterday blew themselves up at a Yobe market after detonating bombs wired to their bodies, killing no fewer than 10 persons. The girls were said to be about 17-years-old.

The blasts, which occurred at about 3:12pm along Muhammed Idriss Way, were most likely targeted at sellers of second-hand handsets who usually display their goods at GSM Village (Kasuwar Jakwal).

A businessman, Muhammed Audu Hassan, who survived the blasts, said he counted five corpses.

“I was inside the GSM village market when I heard the first blast around 3:12pm, so I tried to run and minutes later there was a second blast. The first blast was near GSM Village that leads Muhammed Idriss Way while the second occurred by the road side,” said Hassan.

Another witness, Bashir Isa, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said that he saw several corpses shortly after many others had been evacuated to nearby hospital.

Another resident, Auwal Bukar, said that many victims were taken to the general hospital Potiskum.

“We were at the general hospital to see a patient when we saw many ambulances bringing in victims of the blast. Over 20 people were brought, some dead, 43 injured,” he said.

A source at the Potiskum Division Police confirmed that policemen and some soldiers were still busy conveying victims from the scene to the hospital.


Source:http://leadership.ng/news/401257/female-suicide-bombers-strike-kill-10-yobe-market

RIP Madam.

Jan 12,2015.

Chibuzo Ukaibe.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that it is involved in a cover-up for the All Progressives Council (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, over his certificate saga.

It noted that the election commission does not have the constitutional powers to disqualify any candidate sent to it by the political parties.

INEC, while responding to the allegation raised by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the electoral commission is covering up for Buhari over the certificate issue told the ruling party to go to court if it feels so aggrieved.

The director of Media and Publicity of PDP Presidential Campaigns, Chief Femi Fani Kayode, had on Saturday accused INEC of covering up Buhari over his failure to submit his certificate and credentials.

He said “INEC erred in law by publishing the name of a candidate without receiving the personal particulars of the candidate within seven days of receiving his nomination forms as indicated in section 31(3).”

But the director of Voters Education and Publicity in INEC, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi faulted the position of PDP with regards to the role of the commission in the certificate saga noting that INEC has no constitutional powers to disqualify any candidate presented to it by the political parties.

He said “In line with section 31 of the Electoral Act, the commission has no powers to disqualify any candidate whose name was submitted to INEC. This is the power of the law and it is expected that a political party in the calibre of the PDP should know this aspect of the provision of the law.

“If the PDP is strong on this matter, it knows what to do. Take him to court and that is the only option.

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/401239/buharis-certificate-go-court-inec-tells-pdp

Jan 12,2015


Early this month, Boko Haram insurgents attacked Baga town, a fishing community along the banks of Lake Chad, about 250 kilometres from Maiduguri. They succeeded in dislodging the combined troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which comprises mainly troops from Nigeria, Chad and Niger. Again last week fighting was reported in Baga, with heavy casualties and the wanton destruction of property. The battle, which raged on throughout the day, saw a well-coordinated attack by the insurgent group, which reportedly came in a large convoy of armoured personnel carriers and Toyota Hilux trucks, some armed with high calibre machine guns and a significant amount of improvised explosive devices.

According to eyewitnesses, some of the insurgents were obviously foreigners, as they could not understand our local languages. This is indication that they could be from other terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Al Qaeda or El-Shabab. They destroyed the two MNJTF barracks. The soldiers, who were overwhelmed by the superior fire power of the enemy forces, had to pull out in disarray. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and hundreds of civilians were killed also, most as they were trying to flee the battle zone.

According to the chief of defence staff, as a result of the incident, the Republic of Niger and Chad have withdrawn their troops from Baga. He, however, maintained that the two countries are still members of the MNJTF.

The fall of Baga is a great tragedy and a terrible setback in the war against insurgency. If Boko Haram could overrun an MNJTF base, the threat to the entire sub region is real and huge and must be well articulated and understood by all the leaders of the region. In our opinion, it is not strategic for Niger and Chad to withdraw its forces, because this is a regional challenge that needs be met head on. Already, Nigeria and now Cameroon are fighting a relentless war against Boko Haram. Cameroon is reported to have ordered the recruitment of 20,000 soldiers. Nigeria should follow suit, and the proper equipping of the soldiers must not be compromised.

We have recently witnessed the ruthless gains of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and ISIL within a short period and today, they occupy substantial parts of both Iraq and Syria. Since they share a common fanatical ideology with Boko Haram, the possibility of close cooperation between the groups is high, further increasing the threat to Nigeria.

For the past five years, this nation has been fighting an atrocious war against insurgency and from all indications, we are not winning. The federal government must wake up; things are beyond what we can remain in denial about. It’s time to think and act, otherwise there will be no Nigeria to govern.


Source:http://leadership.ng/opinions/401185/takeover-baga-boko-haram

Donatus Nadi

Jan 12,2015.

Following the robust land administration policy of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, the state government has realised the sum of N608,689,414.32 as internally generated revenue (IGR) from the sector in 2014.

This marks a remarkable achievement as against the sum of N448,020,842.68 realised in 2013 and a total shift from what the state has realised from the same sector prior to the commencement of the Nasarawa Geographic Information System by AlMakura’s administration.

Records made available to LEADERSHIP show that prior to his assumption of office in 2011, the state Ministry of Lands and Survey realised the sums of N41,374,362.25 and N53,739,195.00 for the year 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Since the massive investment by the Al-Makura led administration in 2012 the Nasarawa State Ministry of Lands , Survey and Urban Development has been in the forefront as one of the big earners of revenue for Nasarawa State.

The ministry also broke its own record by realising the sum of N136,109,247.17 as revenue for the month of December, 2014, beating its own best records of generating the sum of N86,942,934.77 for the month of October 2014, and February 2014 when it generated the sum of N75, 338, 045,15.

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/401290/nasarawa-land-policy-generates-n600m-igr-2014

Sam Egwu

Jan 12,2015.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC) of Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in Kogi State, Mall Halidu Aliyu Pai has disclosed that out of 1,189,356 Permanent Voter Cards(PVCs) sent to the state, 755,777 has been distributed across the 21 local government areas of the state.

Halidu who stated this in Lokoja at a meeting with journalists and secretaries of political parties weekend, in the state said a total of 433, 576 PVCs are yet to be collected by the rightful owners.

He added that 554 applications have also been received from eligible voters seeking for inter-state transfer of voter cards while 272 also seek for intra-state transfer which he said, were already receiving attention.

The resident electoral commissioner who said if INEC must conduct free and fair elections in 2015, the party leaders, contestants and their followers must change their “do or die” attitude to good conduct of election, urged all stakeholders to desist from the use of unguarded utterances to unnecessarily overheat the polity.

“Those whose particulars were not in INEC database are advised to present themselves for fresh registration.

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/401286/756000-pvcs-distributed-kogi

Jan 10,2015.


An explosion has gone off in Maiduguri poultry market, with several people feared dead, residents and journalists have told PREMIUM TIMES.

Our correspondent said the incident, happening less than six weeks after the same market was attacked by suicide bombers, occurred at 12:20 P.M. Nigerian time.

Details of the incident is sketchy and the casualty rate is unclear. But the explosion has sparked panic across the Borno state capital, with some residents scampering home for safety.

The spokesperson of the Borno Police, Gideon Jibrin, confirmed the explosion.

He however said police detectives were heading to the scene to ascertain the extent of damage.

A security source, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, however said the the explosive was ferried into the market by a female suicide bomber believed not to be older than 10.

“Her body was completely shattered,” he said. “Because of the high calibre explosive she strapped to her body, the upper part of her body was flung apart and found about 500 metres away.”

The source said the explosion occurred shortly after another suspected bomber was apprehended in the area.

Suicide bombers, believed to be members of the extremist Boko Haram sect, had attacked the same market on last December 1.

The police said six people, including two female suicide bombers, died in that attack.

Source:http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/174603-breaking-suicide-bomber-hits-maiduguri-market-many-feared-dead.html

Bode Gbadebo.

Jan 8,2015.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has denied reports of possible campaign donations from Arab countries ahead of the forthcoming presidential election next month.

Speaking with journalists yesterday in Abuja, the convener of the meeting of the Buhari Support Groups and Chief of Staff to the APC presidential candidate, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), who debunked the allegation, said: “It is not true. I am part of it, I am in the centre of it and I don’t know of any Arab man that has spoken to us, so it is untrue, it is false.”

“Buhari has said it that he launched the funding to get money purposely from the lower people because he wants the commitment of the people and to remember when he get to the office that it is the sweat of the people that got him there and by that he will be more committed to serve them.”

Meanwhile, the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) has revealed that its fund-raising drive nicknamed Buhari Crowding Funding Initiative has so far realised a total sum of N118,702,265.36k.

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/400478/2015-campaigns-buhari-denies-donations-arab-countries

Abba Kabara

Jan 8,2015.

As the already charged political climate of Zamfara State continues unabated, the state chapter of the APC has announced the adoption of ‘fire-for-fire’ campaign approach for the 2015 general elections.

Announcing the resolution in Gusau during the inauguration of a campaign committee led by former minister of Information, Alhaji Ikra Bilbis, Gusau local council chairman, Alhaji Umar Tanko warned that violence from the opposition PDP will be met with violence.

The chairman told the crowd of party supporters that the opposition PDP used to resort to violence in the event of any sign of losing elections.

Tanko said members of the party will not condone such attitude from the opposition party before or during elections.

He advised the security personnel to stop intervening in any crisis between the two opposition parties as according to him, “the security should not get involved in matters bordering on political issues.” Giving similar warning, the party’s youth leader, Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Dan Azumi, pointed out that the APC youths are fearless and formidable.

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/400464/zamfara-apc-adopts-fire-fire-campaign-approach

Jan 8,2015.


Japan has pledged to provide technical assistance to the federal government in the implementation of the proposed Automobile Development Plan (ADP) aimed at ensuring the production of various vehicles in the country.

The Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ryuichi Shoji, who confirmed this while on a facility tour of the Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, yesterday said the support would involve the training of the relevant manpower for the realisation of the plan.

He said his country was prepared to provide the necessary facilities and equipment to aid the educational development of Nigeria.

According to him, Japan was ready to support Nigeria’s quest to develop its automobile industry and join the league of vehicle producing nations.

Shoji, however, noted that the dream was a long-term one that could not be achieved in a short time, adding that the country would require some years before the plan could be realised.

The ambassador noted that Nigeria, with a large population, already had the human resources required for its development, adding that the country should endeavour to use the advantage to improve its economy.

Shoji said, “Basically, investment will be made by each of the companies; what the Japanese Embassy can do is to provide support and assistance that will facilitate the development in the automobile industry in Nigeria; we don’t think this can be done in one year or two years; it is a long-term objective; developing the automobile industry takes time.

“There is a need to start with the provision of infrastructure like power, water and so on; the automobile industry is a complicated industry, but we will support it. Also, supporting industries like spare parts making should be developed; we can see that this cannot be done in one or two years, it is a long process and we will support this process if well managed.”

Earlier, the founder, Elizade University and Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, said he had built a relationship with Japan in the last 42 years through his association with Toyota.


Source:http://leadership.ng/business/400430/japan-support-nigerias-auto-development-plan

A healthy, balanced diet is not just good for kid’s bodies, it’s good for their brains, too. The right foods can improve brain function, memory, and concentration. Like the body, the brain absorbs nutrients from the foods we eat, and these 10 “superfoods” on the following slides can help children boost their brainpower.

Fatty fish, such as salmon, is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that are needed for brain growth and function. Getting enough of these fatty acids can help kids improve their mental skills. Make salmon sandwiches (on whole wheat bread) instead of tuna for a healthy alternative.

Kids love peanut butter, and that’s a good thing since this healthy snack is packed with vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects nerve membranes. It also has thiamin, which is good for the brain, and glucose which gives energy. Peanut butter makes a great dip for fruits such as bananas, and for veggies such as celery.

Whole grains such as breads and cereals provide glucose, an energy source the brain needs. Whole grains also contain B vitamins, which are good for the nervous system. Add whole grains to most meals by switching to whole grain breads, wraps, and crackers.

Oats and oatmeal are excellent sources of energy and brain “fuel.” Oats are packed with fiber to help keep kids feeling full so they don’t snack on junk food. They are also an excellent source of vitamins E, B complex, and zinc to help kids’ brains work their best. Oatmeal can be a base for almost any topping such as apples, bananas, blueberries or even almonds.

Berries can help improve memory and are packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Seeds from berries also contain omega-3 fats that help with brain function. Look for strawberries, cherries, blueberries, and blackberries – the more intense the color of the berry, the more nutrition it has.

Berries can be used in smoothies or just as they are for healthy snacks or desserts.

Bean is good for the heart so the saying goes. They are also good for kid’s brains since they have energy from protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. They can keep energy levels high. Kidney and pinto beans are good choices as they contain more omega-3 fatty acids that other bean varieties, which are important for brain growth and function.

Vegetables with rich, deep color are an excellent source of antioxidants to keep the brain cells healthy. Some veggies to include in your child’s diet are tomatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin,carrots, or spinach. It’s easy to sneak veggies into spaghetti sauces or soups.

Replace potato or corn chips in your child’s lunch with baked sweet potato wedges or easy-to-snack-on veggies such as sugar snap peas or baby carrots.

B vitamins are necessary for growth of brain tissue, neurotransmitters, and enzymes, and dairy products are a good source for these nutrients. Low fat milk or yogurt is great sources of protein and carbohydrates foe the brain. Dairy is also an excellent source of vitamin D, which children and teens need in greater amounts than adults.

Low-fat cheese sticks make a great to-go snack and are a good source of calcium.

Lean beef or meat alternatives are excellent sources of iron, which helps kids, maintain energy and focus in school. Beef is also a good source of zinc, which aids memory. Vegetarian kids can get their iron from black bean and soy burgers. Beans have what is called nonheme iron, which needs vitamin C to be absorbed so have them eat their veggie burgers or beans with good sources of vitamin C such as peppers or orange juice.

Grilled lean-meat kabobs or grilled black bean burgers make a tasty and healthy alternative to regular hamburgers and hotdogs for your next barbeque.

Meanwhile, recent studies have shown that eating fast food affects not only your child’s general health but could also slow down his/her brain, a new research suggests.

The researchers found that children who eat the most fast food score less in tests for mathematics, science and reading.

Source:http://leadership.ng/style/400408/top-brain-foods-children

Source:http://leadership.ng/news/400393/180-ekiti-assembly-workers-lose-job

The Kano State Hisba Board said on Saturday that it had facilitated the return of 52 street beggars to their state of origin.


03-01-2015


The Public Relations Officer of the board, Mohammed Yola, disclosed this in an interview in Kano.

He said the affected beggars were brought to Kano from Lagos state in December, 2014.

“The street beggars were arrested by the Lagos State Government which banned street begging and sent them back to Kano.

“The Kano State Government then directed the board to return some of them to their respective states of origin’,’’ Yola said.

He said 29 of them were from some local government areas in Kano state while the remaining 52 were from other states in the North.

Mr. Yola further said that 13 of those affected came from Jigawa, 12 from Katsina, three from Niger and four each from Zamfara and Kebbi.

Others, he said, included seven from Kaduna, two from Borno, six from Niger Republic and one from Ghana.



Source:http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nwest/174202-kano-%E2%80%8Breturns-52-beggars-to-home-states.html?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Congrats Ma'am.

17-12-14


The All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked the serving Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, as the running mate to the party’s governorship candidate in the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, P.M. News can authoritatively reveal.

It was reliably learnt that Dr Adebule was the natural choice for the party when the leadership finally agreed to give the slot to a Muslim female.

According to an impeccable source within the party, “With her high religious background and close affinity with the Muslim community in the state, having being a prominent member of the Muslim Students Society (MSS). She is also a doctorate degree holder who have lectured at the Lagos State University (LASU) before her appointment as the SSG and her political activities. She has the CV and this has given her the edge,” the source said.

Adebule has also been identified as a loyal party member who is more than 100 per cent committed to the ideals and programmes of the party.

“Apart from that, she has a rich political experience in her Resume and she has indeed distinguished herself in her current role as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),” the source added.
It was learnt further that the fact that she is an Awori woman from Ojo Local Government Area of the state in the Badagry Division of the state also played a major role in her favour.
Profile Of Dr Oluranti Idiat Adebule

*Adebule was born in Lagos State to the family of Idowu-Esho of Ojo Alaworo in Ojo local government area of the State.

*She began her early education at Awori College, Ojo. Thereafter, she proceeded on admission to the Lagos State University, Ojo, bagging a Bachelor of Art in Education (B.A.Ed) degree in Islamic Studies in 1992.
*She was back at the same institution for a Master’s degree (M.Ed) in Curriculum Studies graduating in 1997. She then bagged a certificate in Early Childhood Development Curriculum and School Administration and Assessment from the Nigeria Institute of International Education Association in 2006.

*She then enrolled and completed her Doctorate degree (PhD) in Curriculum Studies in 2012 also at the Lagos State University.

*Dr Adebule began her working career as an academic at Lagos State College of Primary Education (LACOPED), Noforija, Epe as a lecturer in the department of Religious Studies and later transferred her service to the Lagos State University as a lecturer in the department of Curriculum Studies and later Language Arts and Social Studies in the Faculty of Education.

*While at the university, she served as member on various university committees including, Committee on establishment of LASU International Secondary School; LASU Staff School Monitoring Committee; Member, Association of Learners, and Co-ordinator, LASU Sandwich Degree Programme, Osun State College of Education, Ilesha Campus.
*Her political career began when she was appointed as a Commissioner 1 in the Lagos State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission (PP-TESCOM), now Teachers’ Establishment and Pensions Office, by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in October 2000 to February 2005 and later as board member of the Lagos State Scholarship Board from February 2005 to November 2005.

*Adebule was appointed and sworn in as the Secretary to the State Government by the Governor of Lagos state, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) in July, 2011.

*A consummate writer, Adebule, has several local, national and international publications to her credit. These include, ‘Reading The Objective Of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria’, ‘The Imperative of Religion and peace in the Quest for Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Plateau State Experience’, ‘The Effective Use of Educational Technology for Religious Teaching: Learning amongst Secondary Schools in Lagos State, Nigeria’ to mention a few.
*A wife, a mother, a mentor, a believer in the development of future leaders and a politician of repute, Dr Adebule’s interests include reading, travelling and community service.

Source:http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/12/17/2015-ssg-oluranti-adebule-emerges-ambodes-running-mate/

Nigeria's 1st assembled Team given a tour ar'd White Hart Lane before Tottenham Vs Sheffield,1949,Credit:Chris Wright pic.

https://twitter.com/SeeMeSeeNigeria/status/542589613743685632/photo/1

Happy Birthday Mama!

Published on November 19, 2014 by ·

The umbrella body of all Fulanis in Nigeria, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has suspended its national chairman, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, over his alleged involvement in politics.

In a communique signed by Alhaji Wakili Ali Babangida, and issued at the end of a meeting of the body in Kano, conveyed Bodejo’s suspension.

State chairmen, secretaries as well as members from 30 states of the federation attended the meeting.

The association flayed the national leadership of the association under Alhaji Bodejo for failing to organize election, four years after registration of the association.

It noted that the action was against the provisions of its constitution, which stipulates that elections should be held after every three years.

The group also condemned the involvement of its national chairman in partisan politics; the recent being his endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition.

The association said the action caused it and indeed all Fulanis across the nation serious embarrassment.

A five-man committee was also set up under the chairmanship of Alhaji Lawal Ali Mai Mamman to investigate the accusations against Bodejo.

The committee was given one month to submit its report and recommendations.

Interim national caretaker executives under the leadership of Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi was constituted to manage the affairs of the association pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation.

Source: http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/11/19/fulanis-suspend-leader-for-endorsing-jonathan/

Rest In Peace.

By SaharaReporters, New York Sept 05, 2014.


Families and non-military staff residing in two major military barracks in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, are being evacuated after Islamist insurgents dropped letters announcing their plan to take the most important city in Nigeria’s northeast region. The letters were dropped at the gates of Giwa and Maimalari military barracks as well as different parts of the city of Maiduguri.

Several soldiers also told SaharaReporters that some of their colleagues had fled the barracks after the letters were circulated amongst military personnel yesterday. A military officer at Defense Headquarters in Abuja said he was not aware of any desertions.

The letter detailing the planned attack on Maiduguri was written in the Hausa language. It specifies that Boko Haram’s unpredictable leader, Abubakar Shekau, planned to personally lead insurgent fighters to attack Maimalari, the more formidable of the two barracks, and to fight to the death as a martyr.

“Soldiers are moving their wives and children out because they should not be there if a battle begins,” a security source said.

Boko Haram appears emboldened by its success in capturing Bama, the second largest city in Borno State. The Nigerian army and officials of Borno State were so rattled by the insurgents’ seizure of Bama that they claimed for two days that the town remained under Nigerian troops’ control. However, a senior official of the Borno State government told SaharaReporters yesterday that there was no doubt that Bama had fallen to the insurgents. A senior United States official also acknowledged the capture of the town by insurgents, and disclosed that the US would provide logistical assistance to the Nigerian government to help secure Maiduguri.

Yesterday, the Islamist terrorists began an apparent push towards Maiduguri by killing some 30 people near Kawuri town. They now have just an army checkpoint in Konduga standing between them and Maiduguri, a city with more than two million residents.


Source:http://saharareporters.com/2014/09/05/soldiers-evacuate-families-barracks-boko-haram-drops-fliers-about-plan-seize-maiduguri