₦airaland Forum

BBNaija winner, Mercy has opened up about whether or not she spent N5million to make her bum look bigger.

For Mercy Chinenye Eke, winner, Big Brother Naija reality TV show, her greatest fear is ending a failure.

Having polled the highest votes after 99 days the show lasted, the 26-year-old video vixen and graduate of Imo State University won herself the grand prize of N60 million including a brand new Innoson SUV.

In an interview with The Sun, she talks about her days in the Big Brother House, love life and the controversies dogging her big bum. Enjoy it.

Could you tell us why you decided to participate in the Big Brother Naija reality show?

It’s simply because of my personality. I auditioned four times and God ordained it after the fifth time, and here I am as the winner.

You contested five times. What exactly did you intend to achieve or was it just because you wanted to be in the Big Brother House?

Not really. The first time I watched the show, I fell in love with it and ever since I had wanted to be an housemate. For countless times, they said ‘no’ to me but I persisted till the last time that I was selected at the audition in Warri, Delta State.

So what did you give them at the audition this time around that made them choose you?

Nothing. I remained myself, and like I said earlier, God had ordained it that this will be my time
Did you really expect you will ever get to the final stage of the show?

To be honest, I never believed I will win the show.

Do you think falling in love in the House played a major role in your winning the show?

No. In the first place, I never really wanted a relationship. I came in to play the game all by myself.

What was the biggest sacrifice you made to get into the House?

Nothing precisely than the risk of travelling to Warri for the audition. I am based in Lagos and I haven’t been to Warri before, yet I had to risk everything to partake in the audition.

You obviously came prepared as you never repeated any of your clothes all through the 99 days of the show. Can you let us into your fashion sense?

I like to look bold and confident in my outfits. Even before coming to the House, I had clothes for each day. I had outfits for week days and casuals for weekends. Basically, occasions determine what I wear.

How do you intend to leverage on the platform of winning the Big Brother show?

My biggest dream has been getting my clothing line out. I dream of getting the likes of Naomi Campbell to walk on my fashion show. That’s a big dream for me. I am a go-getter and I am going to get that done.

Do you design?

Yes, I design.

Tell us about your fashion line?

I started the fashion line before getting into the House, I stopped at a point. But now, I have to give it the necessary push, working with my team, and very soon, you are all going to see it.

What’s the name of the brand?

It’s called M&M Luxury. It’s a female brand not necessarily a luxury brand, but I am looking at making every woman look good and confident. It’s something like looking chic on budget.

When Funke Akindele came into the House, you expressed your interest in acting. Are you going to pursue that?

Yes, but as a side hustle, as I am really keen on getting my fashion business out there.

Are you sure you have the shoulder to carry the responsibility that comes with stardom?

All I can say is that God has been my greatest weapon. I have to keep praying to Him to give me the grace and with that I would be fine.

Deep down inside you, do you think you and Tacha will ever be friends?

We are friends. While we were in the House, what happened just happened. I don’t bear grudges against anyone. Tacha and I are friends and I don’t think there is any need for make-up when we remain friends.

Has Tacha congratulated you?

Yes, she has. Look, friends fight, family fights. Things happen and as human you just show the anger side of your life and later you come back to your senses. That Tacha and I had issue in the House doesn’t change the fact that we are still friends. People would soon see us together. Trust me, you guys would soon see us together.

Recently, one of the past winners of Big Brother Naija came out to say he shared his prize money with fellow housemates. Are you likely to share your N35m prize with your colleagues?

No way, it’s winner takes all.

Were you dating anyone before you came into Big Brother House?

No, I was free and single until I met Ike in the House.

What should we expect from you and Ike?

You should expect love and friendship. We will definitely work together and hope for the best.

Now that you are probably richer than Ike, how would you both cope?

Money has nothing to do with what I share with Ike. So, money is not going to be an issue.

There’s a report claiming you did surgery on your bum and it cost you N5 million. You even said so while in the House.

I never said that.

But is your bum real and have you ever gone under the knives?

Yes, it’s real. This interview is getting too personal. But I won’t tell you whether my bum is real or not. People are free to have their opinion about my bum. Let the rumour continue, I am actually enjoying it.

It’s obvious you love tattoos.

Yes, I do.

How many tattoos do you have on your body and what does each mean to you?

I have not counted the tattoos, when I do I will get back to you. But I have roses, flowers and butterflies. They all simply mean I can fly to any height I desire. Everybody loves to fly higher and those tattoos are there to motivate me to go to any height.

What is your greatest fear now that you are famous?

Definitely, it’s the fear of failure. I am afraid of failure.

Read more: http://gistdeal.com/2019/10/12/bbnaija-winner-mercy-speaks-on-spending-n5m-to-make-bum-bigger/

One of mercy’s major sponsor at the BBNaija 2019 show, Cubana Chief Priest, has revealed that he owes Mercy, five mouth watering endorsement deals when she leaves the house.

Mercy on Monday escaped nomination for possible eviction after she smartly decided on buying herself the immunity to see her through to the finals.
Cubana revealed this through the social media, that whether Mercy wins the competition or not, he has five fat deals waiting for her.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/09/bbnaija-ill-give-mercy-five-fat.html

As three-day retreat commences,Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Thursday, declared open the three-day retreat for the newly sworn in Commissioners and Advisers, charging them to hit the ground running and raise their performance bar towards the full actualization of the state government’s policies and programmes.
Gov. Ugwuanyi, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to continue to advance good governance in the state through honest, accountable governance and optimal service delivery, also charged the new appointees to “at all times show this sensitivity in the conduct of government business”.
The governor disclosed that the essence of the retreat was to share the policy directions of his administration, facilitate the appointees’ understanding of governance processes, secure their buy-in and build consensus on the state government’s mission to continue to alleviate the sufferings of the people, saying: “Ndi Enugu expect nothing less from us”.
Declaring that “the season of politics is over”, Gov. Ugwuanyi noted that “under my watch, the governance mode is fully activated” and “our oath of office is to serve to the best of our ability and give fair and equitable treatment to all manner of persons irrespective of one’s partisan interests, fashions and propensities. Therefore, this administration will not tolerate undue politicking”.
The governor, who re-emphasized his administration’s sense of urgency to deliver on its mandate within a short time, disclosed that it has assembled very competent resource persons who are well schooled in public sector management and governance issues to facilitate the policy and governance dialogue.
According to him, “you will be assigned portfolios at the close of the retreat and thereafter we expect you to hit the ground running while fully utilizing the sectoral ad-hoc committees’ overarching and sector-specific recommendations which constitute our strategic architecture for transformative governance.
“I recognize the inalienable rights of individuals to avail themselves the political process, but persons who are so inspired will have an opportunity to step aside and further their aspiration by half-time of this tenure during which we will inevitably reshuffle and rejig our administration. It is therefore my expectation that you will be guided appropriately.
“I enjoin you to maximize the benefits of this retreat by fully applying yourselves to the tasks ahead. I charge all of you to work as a team and to complement rather than compete with one another.
“I thank the team led by Prof. Chidi Onyia and other resource persons from our foremost Development Partner, UK-DFID, for their abiding support and solidarity”.
The three-day retreat will end on Saturday, September 28.
Enugu State is in the hands of God.

More photos: https://gistdeal..com/2019/09/season-of-politics-over-hit-ground.html

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The Nigerian Police force and Nigeria Civil Defence Corp (NCDC) clashed this morning about 11:30 a.m, as one civil defence female officer was beaten and injured as well.

The result of the fight that emerged between the two forces are yet to been known as the point of this report.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/09/police-and-civil-defence-clashes-at.html

This is one of the reasons. Enugu-Onitsha express road. Now Fed Govt want to shut down Akanu Ibiam Intl. Airport Enugu, S/E will suffer in transportation wise

I noticed that Aba in Abia state and Onitsha in Anambra state have similar building pattern.

What is the reason behind this?

Are there any other cities in Nigeria with this level of clustered block building?

N/B: First 2 pictures is Aba while the last 2 is Onitsha

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/similarities-in-building-pattern-in-aba.html?m=1

A 28-year-old woman, Toriola Suliat, on Wednesday, told her husband, Toriola Lateef, that she would only consent to his request for the dissolution of their marriage if he returns her virginity and the good health she enjoyed two years ago before the union.

Suliat gave these conditions before an Iseyin Grade C Customary Court, where the husband had gone seeking the dissolution of their marriage over “frequent public embarrassment”.

He told the Court that Suliat was in the habit of harassing him at his place of work and social functions attended by his friends and relatives.

The husband said he had to move out of their matrimonial home due to the unbearable development.

Responding, Suliat said she was charmed by Toriola before she agreed to marry him.

“Ideally, I will not marry this type of human being, if not for the charm he used on me.

“I was looking for charm to help my business grow and he told me that he will need to get some hairs from my private part and also make love to me, that was how I found myself married to him.

“When I got to his house, my business boomed and he also made lot of money too and we got it renewed twice but now my health is deteriorating and he now moved out of the house.

“He must look for a way to return my virginity and my health, before he can say he wants to leave me,” NAN quoted her as saying.

Ruling on the matter, the President of the Court, Chief Raheem Adelodun, said the case would be put on hold until the health condition of Suliat improves.

He ordered the families of the estranged couple to seek urgent medical help for Suliat and update the Court every 15 days.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/return-my-virginity-before-you-can-get.html?m=1

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated Nigeria’s support for the people of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), and their quest for self-determination and independence.
He gave the assurance on Thursday when he hosted the President of SADR, Brahim Ghali, at the State House.
He stressed that the country’s position is in line with several resolutions of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) on the matter.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, quoted Buhari as saying, “Nigeria remains committed to supporting the efforts of the AU and the UN towards finding a lasting solution to the Sahrawi problem.”
Earlier, President Ghali had congratulated President Buhari on his re-election and the successful celebration of Democracy Day.
He commended Nigeria’s past support for SADR during President Buhari’s tenure as military head of state, and the country’s support for liberation movements on the African continent.
The SADR leader said the weight of Nigeria’s support remained crucial to the final resolution of the “continued colonisation of his people.”
It would be recalled that Nigeria recognised SADR on November 11, 1984, when General Buhari was head of state.
President Buhari had earlier met behind closed doors with his Liberian counterpart, President George Weah.
The meeting started around 11.35 am when Weah arrived at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, ended 11:55 am, with the presidency saying it was a private visit.
Weah was in Abuja for the June 12, 2019, Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/un-siprised-as-buhari-throws-support.html?m=1

Unknown gunmen suspected to be armed bandits have stormed Garin Labo in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State and abduct the village head on Tuesday.
According to sources, the village head, whose name was not given, was said to have been abducted on his farm along with some other villagers amidst confusion caused by the bandits around 1pm.
The sources said the bandits stormed the farmlands on motorcycles and started shooting indiscriminately. It was in the confusion of the moment that the village head was abducted, while those with him fled in different directions.
The Spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the development on Wednesday.
He said, “It is true. Efforts are on course with a view to rescuing him from these rascals . Operation Puff Adder responded to the distress call but since it was inside his farmland far away near the Rugu forest but before they could get to the place, the hoodlums have already fled into the Rugu forest. We are following a lead that may assist us in his rescue.
“The command is calling on members of the communities in the affected areas to always form groups while going to their farms and inform security agencies for back up.”

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/breaking-again-aso-rock-on-fire-as.html?m=1

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has claimed full responsibility for Nigeria’s exclusion from the forthcoming US-Africa summit. According to report gathered, IPOB said Nigeria’s reputation has been left in tatters following President Muhammadu Buhari’s proscription of Biafra activities in the country.
In a statement signed by IPOB’s spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful, on Wednesday revealed that Igbos living in the United States of America and Canada are fully determined in the pursuit of Biafra independence.

He said, “The reputation of Nigeria has been left in tatters as the world has shown that terrorism tag against IPOB is meaningless foolish.
“Nigeria has been thoroughly disgraced by IPOB culminating in the exclusion of Jubril Al-Sudani from the forthcoming US-Africa Summit.

“Regardless of the intimidation, arrest, killings and massacre orchestrated and designed to humiliate Biafrans by the Fulani dictators running Nigeria government and her security agencies, we continue to march relentlessly to our preordained destination of Biafra freedom.
“Our leaders have so far successfully mobilised and united Biafrans living in North America under one common purpose. He will continue to hold town hall meetings and private consultations in the coming weeks.

“Biafrans living in the United States of America and Canada have proven that our people are fully determined, united and committed to the pursuit of Biafra independence as undisputedly championed by IPOB.

“We are urging Biafrans both home and in the diaspora to continue to provide strong support and security for our leader during these times.”

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/biafra-terrorism-tag-against-us-is.html?m=1

Terminally ill seminarian Michał Łos’s dream came true on Friday, May 24, when Auxiliary Bishop Marek Solarczyk of the Warsaw-Praga diocese visited him in the hospital.
The 31-year-old graduate of the Major Seminary of Saint Luigi Orione desperately wanted to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders and celebrate at least one Mass before he loses his battle to cancer.
Thanks to Pope Francis’ prior approval, the Auxiliary bishop ordained the now-Fr. Michał in his hospital bed, first to the diaconate and to then to the priesthood.
Fr. Michał later thanked the publicfor their prayers and gave a blessing.

More photos: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/facing-terminal-cancer-polish-man.html?m=1

The Imo command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed a Thursday, June 6, bomb explosion, which reportedly three persons in Eziorsu community in Oguta local government area of Imo state. Vanguard reports that the police public relation officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the development. The report said Ikeokwu gave the names of the victims, as Elvis Ukado; Kasiemobi Uzoma and Justice Adie. “It was as an unexploded ordinance in a scrap dump. “One of the victim while beating the scrap iron in order to compress it, the bomb exploded killing three of them at the scene as at the time of the incident,” he said.
He also said the commissioner of police in the state, Rabiu Ladodo, and his team had visited the bomb explosion scene at Oguta. “The commissioner of police wish to use this medium to warn all member of the public to promptly report any metal device suspected to be unexploded ordnance or explosive, UXO, for possible examination, evacuation and possible destruction,” he said.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/bomb-explosion-rocks-imo-3-killed-as.html?m=1

The head of the Roman Catholic Church worldwide, Pope Francis, has officially approved a change to the age long “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:13 replacing “lead us not into temptation” with “do not let us fall into temptation.”
The US Catholic reported Monday that the Vatican enacted the change on May 22.
According to the Pope, he believes the new version is better because the first translation implies that God leads people into temptation, an action that is against his nature as a good and holy God.
“A father doesn’t do that, a father helps you to get up immediately,” Francis said of the line in question. “It’s Satan who leads us into temptation, that’s his department.”
For years, Christians have wrestled with the actual meaning behind, “Lead us not.” After more than 16 years of study, some biblical researchers say a better translation of the scripture would be: “Abandon us not when in temptation.”
The late theologian Charles Spurgeon, as reported by the CBN News, had explained during a sermon in 1863 that the word “temptation” in Matthew 6:13 actually holds two meanings, both the temptation toward sin and the facing of trials and tribulations.
While, Spurgeon agrees that God does not tempt us, he does argue that God will send us into trials and situations in which temptation toward sin is ever-present.
“God tempts no man,” Spurgeon said. “For God to tempt in the sense of enticing to sin (is) inconsistent with his nature, and altogether contrary to his known character; but for God to lead us into those conflicts with evil which we call temptations, is not only possible but usual.”
The Catholic Church is using the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible to try to determine the best phrasing. But Spurgeon argues in his sermon that he believes the original Greek version, which says “lead us not” is best.
Dr. Corne Bekker of the Regent University School of Divinity agrees with Spurgeon’s analysis. He told CBN News he believes the bigger question is, “What is the purpose of temptation?”
“God allows us to be tempted, and I think two things happen. We get to know ourselves a little bit better, and of course what we learn is that we have no recourse against sin. But more importantly, we get to know God Himself. We have to remember the next phrase in the Lord’s Prayer – ‘and deliver us from all evil.’ He’s able to do that,” Bekker explained.
Experts after 16 years of research said they found a mistake in the current translation believing “it implied God can lead followers astray.”
“It is not a good translation because it speaks of a God who induces temptation,” Pope said.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/06/outrage-as-pope-francis-changes-lords.html?m=1

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, receives in audience, a delegation from Mewar University, India, led by its Chairman, Dr. Ashok Kumar Gadiya, at the Government House, Enugu.
The delegation which expressed the University's desire to offer subsidized scholarship to Enugu State indigenes willing to study in the institution in India, had fruitful interaction with the governor, on ways of harnessing ideas and utilizing opportunities for improved educational system in the state.

Picture One: Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (2nd left) with the Chairman, Mewar University, India, Dr. Ashok Kumar Gadiya (2nd right), Head of International Relations, Engr. Samer Khan (left) and the International Marketing Manager, Abukakar Sani Bello, when the delegation from the Indian University paid a visit to the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday.
Enugu State is truly in the hands of God.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/05/india-set-to-partner-with-enugu-state.html?m=1

President Muhammadu Buhari has warned Nigerian celebrities to stop using him for comedy.

While speaking with THEWATCH NEWS. president also said that other countries have their challenges and yet their citizens don’t publicly talk rash at their leaders.

My government is trying all it takes to tackle insecurity which I see as the only challenge Nigeria is facing at the moment.
In a conclave with journalists, Buhari talked about the people’s democratic party [ PDP] presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar who is currently challenging Buhari’s victory in Appeal, that if the favour falls on Atiku’s side he will accept to hand-over power to him and his party.
President Buhari has given Nigerians full assurance to end the country’s problems in his four years.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/05/stop-using-me-for-comedy-buhari-warns.html?m=1

The Israeli government celebrate their 71st Independent Day, where members of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), headed by Chief Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his group, were recognized by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu showing a hand of follower-ship with the group.

He said, “There is no doubt, Biafra is part of the Jewish State that based in West Africa Nigeria, If history is checked.”
All IPOB members present in the course of the celebration, where given a platform to display their culture the ways they live in the Southeast Nigeria.

According to Biafra Newspaper, The Israeli government vows to assist Nnamdi Kanu in his struggle and ensure that whatever he asked for, If it is constitutional and accepted globally, “Call on us, We’re ready to assist Biafrans.”

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/05/call-on-us-were-ready-to-assist.html?m=1

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state reportedly offered Emir Sanusi three options – The governor had on Wednesday, May 8, approved the creation of 4 new emirates in the state – Sanusi was said to have been told by Ganduje to resign from his position or be sacked by his government There are indications that an ongoing probe by the Kano state Government’s anti-corruption agency could lead to charges being filed against the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. Daily Trust reports that Sanusi’s status as the only first class emir in the state was whittled when the state government broke the emirate, carving out four new emirates and appointing first class emirs to rule them.
It gathered that the exercise which lasted only two days, fulled speculations that the government was going after the emir over his rumored support for the opposition during the recently concluded governorship election. The fresh investigation by the Kano state public complaints and anti-corruption commission as well as the bid to appoint new first class emirs by the state assembly kick-started almost simultaneously last week.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/05/resign-or-you-face-consequences-kano.html?m=1

I Regret Ever Joining APC, I Wish I Had Listened To Nnamdi Kanu, - Gov Okorocha Cries Out Says 'Oshiomhole Ask Security To Send Me Out Of His Office'
The Outgoing Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has claimed that the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, once sent his DSS detail to insult him.

Okorocha said he had gone to interact with his party Chairman about issues relating to happenings in the party when he (Oshiomhole) sent his DSS personnel to push him out of his office.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, Okorocha said the incident happened in the presence of the APC governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Ekere Nsima.
The Governor, however, said he was not considering leaving the ruling party, at least for now.

Asked if he still feel comfortable in the APC, Okorocha, whose son-in-law, Uche Nwosu joined the Action Alliance, AA, prior to the general elections, said: “I am APC. I have never thought of leaving the party for now and I have no reason because I won under the platform of APC.

“Where will I go to? I have to be in the APC, I formed the APC.”
Asked if he was stranded, he added: “I am not stranded, I remain in APC and I have not indicated that I’m going to leave APC.
Remember that the intention of these people is to frustrate me out of politics and out of APC so that they can have a field of play. But all I advise today is that let no institution or organization allow themselves to be used as an instrument to destroy somebody politically, who has committed no offence.”
On what he will do if by chance he meets Oshiomhole today, Gov. Okorocha said: “We will chat as usual. What will I do to him? The last time I saw Oshiomhole was when I went to his office and he sent his SSS man to insult me in his office, before the governorship candidate of Akwa Ibom, the NDDC guy, Obong Nsima Ekere, who also reacted against the gentleman.

“An SSS was pushing me out as a governor from his office. So, I’ve taken enough insults from Oshiomhole and all those that are planning this evil.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/05/i-regret-ever-joining-apc-i-wish-i-had.html?m=1

Nigerian billionaire, Arthur Eze reportedly has plans to establish a University as confirmed by former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka in a Facebook post he shared.
According to Osita, few days ago he continued on a self imposed task of engaging Igbo Billionaires to start secondary schools, Polytechnics, Universities or adopt an existing one for full funding and it just yielded fruits. He further revealed that Arthur Eze now has plans to establish a University which he will work effortlessly on, to twin with a foreign university and ensure the Engineering school is of a world standard.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/05/arthur-eze-on-track-to-establish.html?m=1

Ganduje swears in New Emirs in Kano. Sanusi to be moved to outside kano town where he will be reporting to a local government chairman.

Read more: www.Gistdeal..com

Nigerian music star, Davido Adeleke, is
obviously a family man going by the way he defends his people on social media.

During the Osun governorship election, he actively campaigned for his uncle, Ademola Adeleke who was running against APC’s Gboyega Oyetola.
Oyetola was initially declared as the winner of the election till tribunal ruled that Adeleke is the true winner.
Despite all this drama, Davido has now created a social media page with the aim of trolling Oyetola. He revealed the news on Twitter as he urged Nigerians to follow the page.

Interestingly, Nigerians have reacted in different ways to the news. A number of them slammed the singer while others showed support for the cause.
It would seem the Aye crooner is now running out of patience and cannot wait any longer to see the incumbent exit the government house for his kin.
He took to popular micro blogging platform Twitter, with a post in which he declared that Oyetola must go as his continued stay in government is ‘embarrassing and ridiculous’.

Read more: https://gistdeal..com/2019/05/nigerian-music-star-davido-adeleke-is.html?m=1

The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to the wanton dismantling of its steel road barrier erected at Ikem-Obollo Eke junction, in Ogor Community, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, by some youths in the area.

The road barrier was duly erected by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, to restrict articulated vehicles from plying the Ugwogo Nike-Ikem road, to safeguard the infrastructure and lives of the road users.
The state government, therefore, strongly condemns the uncivilized act of the perpetrators, which is at variance with the commitment of the present administration to provide quality infrastructure for the good people of Enugu State and protect them accordingly for the desired service.
Consequently, we ask those involved in the dismantling to re-install the barrier immediately or be ready to face the consequences of such unlawful act.
In view of the above, the government wishes to call on the security agencies to take adequate steps to ensure that its facilities are protected at all times.

Source: https://gistdeal..com/2019/04/community-youths-dismantle-road-barrier.html?m=1

Kingsley Moghalu, presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the 2019 presidential election in Nigeria, says if he is offered a political appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, he would reflect on it before taking a decision.
He has, however, announced his withdrawal from partisan politics.
Moghalu stated this in a chat with Arise News TV in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Friday.
Disclosing his next move, he said he was now going to dedicate his time to a citizens’ movement called To Build A Nation (TBAN), which seeks to help in the development of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said: “I’ve decided to pretty much withdraw from partisan engagement at this time; the elections are over.
“We’re engaging on a non-partisan basis to a platform called To Build A Nation (TBAN), a citizens’ movement that will campaign for electoral reform and engage in voter education.
“Those are the two things this democracy needs if it is to survive.”
Asked if he would accept a political appointment in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, he said: “If such an appointment is offered, then you reflect on it and make a decision.”
The YPP Presidential candidate, endorsed by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka in the build-up to the 2019 presidential election, came 14th with a total of 21,886 votes in the February 23 presidential election.

Source: https://gistdeal..com/2019/04/if-buhari-offers-me-political.html?m=1

Pope Benedict XVI has broken his silence in a rare essay on the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, claiming that it was caused in part by the sexual revolution of the 1960s and the liberalization of the church's moral teaching.
In the 11-page analysis published today in a German magazine for priests, Klerusblatt, the former Pope also reveals some of the behind-the-scenes struggles between the Vatican and American bishops in handling the crisis and admits that the Vatican was initially overwhelmed in dealing with it.
Catholic News Agency first published the letter in English on Wednesday afternoon.
A top Vatican official has confirmed the essay's authenticity. Since his resignation in 2013, Benedict has rarely left his monastery high on a hill in Vatican City. In his farewell address as pope, Benedict promised to stay "hidden" from the world, though he has spoken out occasionally on church matters.
Now 92, Benedict appears to be frail but in relatively good health.
"Since I myself had served in a position of responsibility as shepherd of the Church at the time of the public outbreak of the crisis, and during the run-up to it, I had to ask myself -- even though, as emeritus, I am no longer directly responsible -- what I could contribute to a new beginning," Benedict wrote, in explaining why he is speaking out now.
But his comments on the sex abuse crisis seem certain to inflame tensions between conservative Catholics, who largely blame homosexuality and lax sexual ethics for the scandal, and liberals, who say there is no known connection between homosexuality and pedophilia.
As word of Benedict's essay spread Wednesday evening, conservative Catholics hailed it, while others called it "embarrassing."
"This is an embarrassing letter. The idea that ecclesial abuse of children was a result of the 1960s, a supposed collapse of moral theology, and 'conciliarity' is an embarrassingly wrong explanation for the systemic abuse of children and its coverup," wrote Catholic theologian Brian Flanagan on Twitter.
Shifting standards
In the essay, Benedict asserts that the changes in traditional moral standards on sexuality both in society and within the Catholic Church laid the groundwork for the sex abuse crisis.
"Part of the physiognomy of the Revolution of '68," he writes, "was that pedophilia was then also diagnosed as allowed and appropriate."
Benedict says that this mentality also affected bishops and Catholic seminaries and caused, "the extensive collapse of the next generation of priests."
"There were -- not only in the United States of America -- individual bishops who rejected the Catholic tradition as a whole and sought to bring about a kind of new, modern Catholicity," he writes.
"In various seminaries homosexual cliques were established," he writes, "which acted more or less openly and significantly changed the climate in the seminaries."
Benedict cites one bishop who showed seminarians pornographic films, "allegedly with the intention of thus making them resistant to behavior contrary to the faith."
Liberal theologians who questioned the church's traditional norms on sexuality are also partly to blame, the former Pope says.
"There could no longer be anything that constituted an absolute good any more than anything fundamentally evil; there could be only relative value judgments," the former Pope said, characterizing the liberal position on morality.
Benedict also reveals that the Vatican's two investigations into US seminaries, called Apostolic Visitations, were thwarted by cover-up.
"The Visitation that now took place [1983-1987]," he writes, "brought no new insights, apparently because various powers had joined forces to conceal the true situation."
The former Pope does not elaborate on who was involved in the alleged concealment.
"A second Visitation was ordered [2005-2006]" he writes, "and brought considerably more insights but on the whole failed to achieve any outcomes."
The 'absence of God'
Benedict also reveals a tug-of-war between the Vatican and US bishops over zero-tolerance.
The Pope Emeritus says that Church lawyers in Rome "had difficulty" with the US proposal for zero-tolerance and preferred that priests guilty of sexual abuse of minors receive only a temporary suspension.
"This could not be accepted by the American bishops," he writes, "because the priests thus remained in the service of the bishop and thereby could be taken to be still directly associated with him."
As a result, the former Pope writes, a new code of Church criminal law was created and cases of child sexual abuse were judged by the Vatican office of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, of which then-Cardinal Ratzinger was the head.
But Benedict admits that the prospect of full criminal trials for sex abuse was "overwhelming" for the Vatican.
"Because all of this actually went beyond the capacities of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and because delays arose which had to be prevented owing to the nature of the matter, Pope Francis has undertaken further reforms," he writes.
The former Pope says that since the 1970s "the situation in seminaries has generally improved," but that part of the answer to the crisis lies in returning to obedience and fidelity to Jesus' message.
A large portion of the essay laments the increasing loss of religious beliefs in society in recent decades, which Benedict says is at the heart of the sexual abuse crisis.
"Why did pedophilia reach such proportions?" he asks. "Ultimately the reason is the absence of God."

Source: https://gistdeal..com/2019/04/ex-pope-benedict-xvi-breaks-silence-on.html?m=1

Police in Enugu on Tuesday used tear gas on some INEC ad-hoc staff at the just concluded general elections who protested the non-payment of their allowances in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who was at the scene, reports that the tear gas affected passersby, school children and motorists who ran helter-skelter for their lives.
NAN reports that the protesters comprising corps members, students and workers besieged the INEC headquarters in the state and blocked entrance and exit to the building.
Mr Tony Ani, a 42 year old man, who served as an Assistant Presiding Officer (APO 3) lamented the nonpayment of allowances for both the Presidential and Governorship elections including the inhumane treatment meted out to them.
“You can imagine me at this my age coming here for the past three weeks over this issue of nonpayment.
“I worked at Akama Primary School, Ezeagu Local Government during the Presidential and Primary elections and we were told to fill attendance and payment details.
“Ever since, we have not received payment and they will always tell us to write our names and account number just to pacify us, but as soon as we leave, they will trash it,” he said.
A Corps member, Miss Chioma Emmanuel, who worked at Igbo-etiti, said she had not been paid any of the allowances including training allowance since the elections ended in the state.
She noted that the idea of the protest was formed when a WhatsApp page was created for those yet to receive allowance.
In the same vein, a student of Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) who claimed anonymity for fear of being disciplined by the school authority, berated INEC for treating the issue of allowance with levity.
“The painful thing was that after failing to adequately make provision for accommodation, they still refused to pay us.
“This money is what I hope to buy study materials and augment for my upkeep,” he said.
Reacting, the INEC REC in Enugu State, Dr. Emeka Ononamadu, described the protesters as `impostors’ sponsored to pressurise INEC into paying those that did not work.
Ononamadu, who refused to address the protesters, told journalists that those protesting were in the third category of payment.
“One thing you need to know is that there are three sets of people we are dealing with now.
“There are the corps members, those posted but did not work and those who were not posted but made the list because their names were subverted with that of others.
“Those protesting are those students who are not corps members and who were not posted by INEC but bribed their way through and ended up working as Presiding Officers and APO 1.
“Most of the protesters are in the third category of people and if you see any corps member among them, then it is either the fault of their Local Government Inspectors or head of mobilization because they are the ones we are dealing with directly.
“I am determined and resolute that I will not pay those not vetted or those who did not work but wants to be paid.
“We are talking about 20,000 people to be paid and we have to follow due process so it does not backfire on us.
“It is only those that worked in Enugu North, East and Nsukka that we are sorting out now and they would have been paid since yesterday if not that the payment platform managed by CBN had issues but has been rectified,” he said.
Also, the Head of ICT, Mr Richard Onu said for three days now, he and his team had been working to ensure that the right people receive their pay.
“Even as I speak, some people are already receiving payment.
“Payment is not something that can be done in a hurry because there is a budget for payment and we have to ensure the right persons are paid that is why we are going through the painstaking process of vetting.
“The only people yet to receive payment as at now are those who worked at Nsukka, Enugu North and East and it is because of the large number of people who worked there due to the large polling unit,” Onu said.
The ICT head also assured that those who were used to replace a lot of corps member who did not show up during the Presidential elections would also be sorted.
He urged them to exercise patience as all the right persons eligible for payment would be paid.
Workers were seen standing and watching the protesters who were chanting ‘INEC must pay us.’
As at the time of filing this report, the protesters have locked the gates leading to the building with chains and padlock blocking staff and visitors access to the INEC office.

Watch the video here: https://gistdeal..com/2019/04/inec-ad-hoc-staff-protest-in-enugu.html?m=1

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Innoson Tells GTB: Stop Wasting Your Time... Convert the debt into shares
on April 09, 2019



"Based on the foregoing and in furtherance of the letter to GTB by Counsel to Innoson Nigeria Ltd, McCarthy Mbadugha & Co on March 25th, 2019 that it pays the N2.4B Judgment debt to Innoson Nigeria Ltd with the accrued interest of N6,717,909,849.96, Innoson Nigeria Ltd therefore demands from GTB that if it’s banking operation will be seriously and adversely affected, and its capital base eroded as a result of the N8.8bn judgment debt, that it should as a matter of utmost urgency convert the said sum or part of it into shares and allot same to Innoson Nigeria Ltd. This will save taking it over in the manner Innoson is doing."
Motors Limited in Nnewi has advised Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB) to stop deploying more resources into stopping the execution of the court order made against it.
The motor company said the refusal, last Friday, of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan to hear or grant the bank an injunction to restrain Innoson from continuing to levy execution against it is a clear indication that the bank had nothing more to do.
Speaking about the case on Monday, Cornel Osigwe, Public Relations Officer of Innoson, advised the bank to convert the debt into shares for Innoson insteading of engaging in wasteful and desperate means to prevent the execution of court's verdict.
"GTB’s bid to stop Innoson from taking it over nosedived last week Friday, April 5th, 2019 as the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan refused to hear or grants it an injunction to restrain Innoson from continuing to levy execution against it; the court also refused to stay execution," he said.
"Despite the decision of the Supreme Court on February 27th 2019 dismissing the appeal by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) and affirming thereby the concurrent judgment of Court of Appeal, Ibadan division and Federal High Court Ibadan which ordered GTB by way of Garnishee Order Absolute to pay Innoson Nigeria Ltd the sum of N2.4 Billion with a 22% interest, per annum, on the judgment sum until the final liquidation of the judgment debt, the bank is yet to comply with this order.
"In order to stop Innoson from continuing with taking over its assets in execution of the aforesaid judgment GTB approached the Federal High Court, Ibadan on Friday, 5th April 2019 and requested the court, through a motion, to stay execution and or for an injunction restraining Innoson from continuing with executing a judgment which the Supreme Court has affirmed when it dismissed the GTB’s appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision affirming the High Court’s judgment and order in favour of Innoson.
"We have previously stated that in a garnishee proceedings, once an order of garnishee nisi is made, the garnishee is required by law to set the amount involved aside and will not allow the judgment debtor to withdraw from it; and if the order is made absolute, the garnishee pays the money to the judgment creditor and incurs no liability for doing that but if the order is not made absolute the garnishee returns the money to the judgment debtor.
"It will be recalled that the order was made absolute since 29th July 2011 and GTB held unto the money from that time and is using it for its business. It follows that by the time the order was made absolute it was no more the judgment debtor’s money but rather that of Innoson Nigeria Ltd who is the judgment creditor; if a garnishee refuses to comply with the order, then, it becomes a judgment debtor, as GTB has become in the present case, against whom execution of the order will issue.
Innoson Nigeria Ltd is aware that GTB had earlier deposed to an affidavit in the court that its banking operation will be seriously and adversely affected, and also its capital base eroded if it complies with the order of the court.
"Based on the foregoing and in furtherance of the letter to GTB by Counsel to Innoson Nigeria Ltd, McCarthy Mbadugha & Co on March 25th, 2019 that it pays the N2.4B Judgment debt to Innoson Nigeria Ltd with the accrued interest of N6,717,909,849.96, Innoson Nigeria Ltd therefore demands from GTB that if it’s banking operation will be seriously and adversely affected, and its capital base eroded as a result of the N8.8bn judgment debt, that it should as a matter of utmost urgency convert the said sum or part of it into shares and allot same to Innoson Nigeria Ltd. This will save taking it over in the manner Innoson is doing."

Source: https://gistdeal..com/2019/04/innoson-tells-gtb-stop-wasting-your.html?m=1

Infrastructure: Enugu govt. awards over N1.1 billion contracts

*Nsukka gets zonal secretariat

The Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO), in keeping with the commitment of the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Governor-elect to full implementation of the 2019 budget for the benefit of the people of the state, yesterday awarded contracts for infrastructural development worth over N1.1billion.

Briefing newsmen after the council’s meeting at the Government House, Enugu, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, who was flanked by the Commissioners for Information and Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe and Princess Peace Nnaji, respectively, disclosed that the projects approved for immediate construction and reconstruction were “roads and public building”.

Engr. Nnaji stated that the council in a bid to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service and ease the suffering of people coming to Enugu for certain administrative engagements, approved the construction of phase one (block A) of zonal secretariat at Nsukka satellite town at the cost of N418, 649 , 187.13.

The works commissioner, who emphasized the need for the zonal secretariat, explained that the structure, which he described as a legacy project, has a ground floor and two suspended floors with 27 offices, well planned to effectively serve the purpose it was meant for.

On roads, Engr. Nnaji also disclosed that the state government awarded contracts for the reconstruction of Ogidi Street and Onyeama lane, Asata in Enugu metropolis to connect with Carter street, which is under construction by the present administration. Also approved for rehabilitations within Enugu city were the old UNTH-Bunker road, Ngenevu- old UNTH link road and the erosion control works at Okwuosa Street, Ogui New Layout.

It would be recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi had recently embarked on a pre-contract inspection of the newly awarded projects, where he promised government’s immediate intervention.

Other road projects approved by the council, according to the works commissioner include, the construction of additional 2-kilometer at Nkwo Inyi-Akpugoeze Mamu Forest road in Oji River Local Government Area and additional works (River Crossing) on the construction of Nike Lake junction - Harmony Estate road – Amorji Nike - Adoration Pilgrimage centre (Phase one). Engr. Nnaji pointed out that 2-kilometer of the said road is presently under construction by the state government to serve as a veritable bypass from Nike Lake junction, Abakpa to Emene. He stressed that “the all important bypass” will decongest traffic in the aforementioned areas, reassuring the people of the state that the governor and his administration will continue to work hard for their wellbeing.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Nnaji, who applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi’s magnanimity towards the downtrodden and vulnerable, stated that the governor through the EXCO approved the sum of N44,974,593.45 for the renovation and equipping of the state government’s rehabilitation centre in Emene.

Princess Nnaji added that the project comprises renovation of all male and female hostels, toilets, fencing of the centre and procurement of equipment such as computers for learning and tailoring machines to help them to be self-reliant after rehabilitation.

In his briefing, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Anikwe said that the council gave 48 teachers who did not turn up during the verification exercise “one more chance to show up between now and end of the month to get verified with a condition that the person will among others offer reason (s) why he or she did not participate earlier”.
Truly, Enugu State is in the hands of God!

Source:https://gistdeal..com/2019/04/infrastructure-enugu-govt-awards-over.html?m=1

With just a week to go until Britain is due to meet the legal limbo of Brexit next Friday, the country's economy is in the face of mixed signals of slowing growth and low unemployment, with crowds of enterprises in a rush to getting away and hordes of Chinese investors coming in.
Britain is also buffeted by the slowing Eurozone economy and tit-for-tat trade tensions, exacerbating the difficulties ahead.
UK economy ahead of Brexit
The world's fifth largest economy notched up GDP growth of 1.4 percent to the tune of 2.629 trillion U.S. dollars last year after expanding by 1.8 percent in 2017. The increment speed is projected by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to be dragged down further to 0.8 percent this year on account of global headwinds and Brexit chaos.
The pound has dipped about 12 percent to the U.S. dollar since June 2016 and over 10 percent against the euro, which to some extent peps up exports of the country's goods and services to those with strong currencies, according to AFP.
Despite the lowest unemployment rate of four percent since 1975 and an annual inflation rate at a two-year low of 1.8 percent, Britain's consumer confidence has now hit rock bottom, at a five-year low, according to Germany's largest market research institute GfK.
According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), companies' British investments dipped 1.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 compared with the third quarter, and sluggish growth has been posted in household spending in the last two years.
Companies press Brexit panic button
Concerns about Britain crashing out of the EU or a no-deal Brexit has swept through the globe. Many enterprises have announced they are leaving Britain or looking into relocating in the event of a chaotic split that would spook financial markets and dislocate trade flows across Europe and beyond.
The country was once seen as the "springboard to Europe," but with the uncertainties looming over Brexit, an array of big-name companies join the team to flee from Britain or threaten to leave, ranging from financial magnates of Citigroup, Goldman Sach, Barclays and Nomura Holdings to auto giants such as Honda and Nissan.
A recent report on financial markets by think tank New Financial indicated that more than 275 financial companies are now transferring a total of 925 billion pounds of assets and thousands of British employees to the EU to prepare for Brexit, at the cost of over four billion U.S. dollars.

Source: https://gistdeal..com/2019/03/shifting-investment-winds-blow-over.html

A maths and physics teacher from rural Kenya, who gives away 80% of his monthly income to help the poor, has won a $1 million prize.
Peter Tabichi, who is also a Franciscan brother, was awarded the Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize on Sunday.
He teaches at a rural Kenyan school in Pwani Village, with only one computer, poor internet and a student-teacher ratio of 58:1. Nearly all his students are from poor families, and almost a third of them are orphans or have only one parent.
Tabichi gets online educational content by visiting internet cafes and using them offline in class, according to his profile from the Varkey Foundation.
He guided the school's science club, in which students now compete in national and international competitions. The mathematical science team qualified to compete the INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair this year in Arizona. His students also won an award from the Royal Society of Chemistry after using local plant life to generate electricity.
"Everyday in Africa we turn a new page and a new chapter. Today is another day," Tabichi told the foundation. "This prize does not recognize me but recognizes this great continent's young people."
Tabichi's students face many challenges, including food scarcity, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and young marriages. Yet at the Keriko Mixed Day Secondary School where Tabichi teaches, enrollment has doubled over three years and more of the students are going on to college, according to his profile.
"You have to do more and talk less," Tabichi said.
He accepted the award from actor Hugh Jackman, who hosted the ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Source: https://gistdeal..com/2019/03/kenyan-teacher-who-gives-away-80-of-his.html

Against the odds, a young Nigerian immigrant proved that hard work pays off.
Tanitoluwa (Tani) Adewumi, a third grader at P.S. 116 in New York, has won the New York State Scholastic Primary Championship in his age bracket.
That's already an impressive feat in itself, but 8-year-old Tani only learned to play chess about a year ago.
Tani and his family of four fled northern Nigeria in June 2017, worried about attacks by the extremist group Boko Haram, his dad Kayode Adewumi said.
The family stayed in a New York homeless shelter, where Tani kept the chess trophies he has racked up.
Shawn Martinez, chess coach at P.S. 116, recruited Tani to join the chess program.
"(Tani's) very tactical. His memory's great," Martinez said.
But it's more than sheer talent that propelled Tani to victory. He puts in the time to hone his craft and practices every day, his dad said.
"The average kids do 50 to 100 puzzles a week. (Tani) does like 500 puzzles a week," Martinez said.
He hopes to become a grand master one day
Tani said that what he really loves about chess is the "deep thinking" aspect. Eventually, he hopes to earn the grand master title, which is the highest honor a chess player can obtain.
His father said the family was delighted to see the student win at the March 10 competition.
"We're really happy," he said, adding that "(Tani) has a lot of competitions ahead."
The family has received an outpouring of support
A GoFundMe fundraiser for Tani has already raised more than $190,000 in four days. The family plans to put the money into the Tanitoluwa Adewumi Foundation, which Tani's father says will help refugees and immigrants.
The Adewumi family is no longer homeless because an individual gifted them an apartment after hearing the story, said Russell Makofsky, who oversees the chess program at P.S. 116.
In addition to financial support, the family has also received messages from people offering them legal services and cars.

Source: https://gistdeal..com/2019/03/a-homeless-8-year-old-nigerian-is-now.html?m=1