₦airaland Forum

The #BlackLivesMatter has been trending on Twitter following condemnation of West Ham’s Kurt Zouma who reportedly lost Adidas deal after a video emerged of him dropping, kicking and slapping a cat.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) swiftly rebuked the “very upsetting” video after it surfaced online and will be leading the investigation while co-operating with Essex Police.

More than 225,000 people have signed an online petition on Change.org, started by Anti Animal Abuse, calling for Zouma to be prosecuted amid a growing public backlash.

Reacting, Nigerians took to the microblogging platform on Thursday while calling out Adidas “for being racist” saying “BlackLivesMatter” and “all humans should be treated equally irrespective of their colour or gender”.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/again-blacklivesmatter-trends-on-twitter-see-why/

After emerging the overall champion in a chess contest organised by Chess in slums Africa, Adeoye Fawaz said he would like to become a lawyer to fulfil his childhood dream.

The 18-year-old bus conductor turned chess winner disclosed this during a recent interview with Quest Times correspondent.

When asked what he would like to become if given the opportunity to further his education, Fawaz joyfully said; “I would like to become a lawyer. I really like the profession because, I always like when people come to meet me to settle disputes for them.

“I would like to study law to have deep understanding of the profession if I can get a sponsor,” he said.

He also advised his colleagues to take their game lessons very seriously and be focused on what they are being taught.

“I would like them (chess students) to be serious with this game and not just take it for granted because of the food they get while learning.

“They should be diligent and passionate about it,” Fawaz told Quest Times.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/my-dream-is-to-become-a-lawyer-fawaz-the-18-year-old-bus-conductor-turned-chess-champion/

A top source close to the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has advised Nigerians not to believe straying comments about the Vice President regarding 2023, except the information comes directly from the Vice President’s office.

In fact the source added that the activities of many support groups clamouring for the VP to join the 2023 Presidential race is causing “some excitement at the Villa.”

This was in reaction to a statement credited to APC Chieftain, Daniel Bwala, on whether Osinbajo would run for the presidency in 2023.

It is believed that Bwala is an associate of the Deputy Senate President and he may have spoken out of turn on Channels TV on Tuesday evening.

When Quest Times reached the office of the Vice President, a reliable source said: “As has been earlier noted, any information on the activities and actions of the VP will come from his office, not any other source. It means don’t believe it if it’s not from this office. In due course, any and all concerns would be addressed. For now, VP continues his work supporting Mr President.”

https://www.thequesttimes.com/2023-believe-only-official-information-regarding-osinbajo-says-presidency/

The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has been called out for a viral video of him talking about the AFCON finals that held on Sunday, February 6, with Senegal winning the trophy.

In the purported video, Primate Ayodele was heard saying that Senegal has till 78 minutes to win the Egyptians and that if the match ends up in penalty shoot-out, Egypt will get the trophy.

In a statement signed Tuesday, by his spokesperson, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric disassociated himself from the purported video, explaining that “it is not authentic”.

https://www.thequesttimes.com/afcon-primate-ayodele-clears-air-on-viral-video/

What a shallow reason. You can do more than this OP

Senegal won the African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1957 on Sunday, after beating Algeria 4-2 on penalties in the final at Olembe Stadium in Yaounde.

Sadio Mane saw his penalty saved by Egyptian spot kick specialist Gabaski in the 7th minute.

Mo Salah was seen giving his goalkeeper a hint about where the ball would go before the kick was taken, and he has earned one over on his Liverpool team-mate early on.

Senegal last made the final in 2019 after losing 1-0 to Algeria.

https://thequesttimes.com/breaking-senegal-beat-egypt-to-clinch-first-afcon-title-after-65-years/

Ahead of 2023 presidential election, a group under the aegis of Igbo Women Forum, says it will mobilise at least 25 million votes for Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.

The group stated this in a statement by its President, Mrs. Uju Obi, in Abuja on Sunday.

She said to achieve this, the group would be holding “a mother of all rallies in Abuja”, to declare their support for Bello.

https://thequesttimes.com/2023-igbo-women-to-mobilise-25m-votes-for-yahaya-bello/

Cameroon coach, Antonio Conceiçao, says his team demonstrated a strength of character in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) third/fourth place playoff against Burkina Faso.

QUEST TIMES reports Cameroon came back from three goals down to beat Burkina Faso on penalties to win bronze following a 3-3 stalemate at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé on Saturday, February 5.

Conceiçao speaking at a post-match news conference noted that in spite of that the team was down by three goals, they showed character to claim the third place.

https://thequesttimes.com/cameroon-manager-speaks-after-afcon-win-against-burkina-faso/

Vincent Aboubakar has set new record following Cameroon’s victory against wasteful Burkina Faso in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Vincent Aboubakar was on the spotlight as Cameroon finished third at the AFCON on Saturday after wiping out a three-goal deficit against Burkina Faso to win 5-3 on penalties.

Aboubakar made history after netting brace in the thrilling match that saw his side emerged victorious after coming back from behind to set one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the tournament.

The 30-year-old has now surpassed the record of Egypt’s Hossam Hassan and South Africa’s Benni McCarthy at AFCON 1998.

Source: https://thequesttimes.com/quest-admin/post.php?post=5657&action=edit

Some residents in Benin, the Edo capital, have said that some men would continue to keep mistresses, popularly called ‘side chics’, due to their perceived benefits and strong grip.

The respondents’ submissions arise from the growing reports of infidelity in the lives of men, especially the highly placed and celebrities in society.

Some men who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Benin claim that wives might never be able to compete with the side-chicks in terms of allure, attention to details and penchant for romance.

https://thequesttimes.com/why-side-chics-remain-in-business-report/

Egypt ended host Cameroon’s AFCON dream in extra time to reach Sunday’s final against Senegal, after a thrilling penalty shootout.

A nervy 0-0 draw saw Cameroon dominate the first half but lack the creative edge of their earlier matches – then ended when Egypt prevailed by keeping their cool in the shootout that ended 3-1 in favour of the pharaohs.

Cameroon were the favourites going into the match; thanks to their home advantage and the sparkling form of their dynamic duo Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko-Ekambi.

https://thequesttimes.com/egypt-beat-host-cameroon-to-reach-10th-afcon-final/

A man who had been arrested and charged with stealing two Bibles from a supermarket in Nairobi says all he wanted was to know God.

Augustine Wanyonyi, 35, told the court that he stole the Bibles so he could read and get to know God more.

Asked why he stole two copies instead of one, he said the second bible was meant for his wife.

Wanyonyi appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

https://thequesttimes.com/i-wanted-to-know-god-says-man-arrested-for-stealing-two-bibles/

Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited, DPAN, has started assembling vehicles in Nigeria, beginning with the Land Trek, 3008, 5008 and the new 508.

The assembly of Peugeot vehicles comes nearly four years after joint owners Dangote Group received approval from the Nigerian regulator after previously expressing interest in the former Peugeot plant, now known as PAN Nigeria Ltd, The Sun reported.

According to the Nigerian automaker, the newly built Green Field Assembly Plant in Nigeria’s northwestern region can assemble 120 vehicles per day across two shifts.

https://thequesttimes.com/dangotes-auto-company-starts-assembly-in-nigeria/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, departs Abuja in the wee hours of Thursday for Accra, Ghana to represent Nigeria at an Extraordinary Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government deliberating on the political situation in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea.

The meeting which is coming as part of the resolutions reached at last week’s virtual meeting chaired by Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo, will review the report of the ECOWAS delegation despatched to Quagadougou to meet with the military junta who recently seized power in Burkina Faso, Quest Times reports.

The summit will be attended by regional leaders who will be considering imposing additional sanctions after the country was suspended from the regional body last week.

https://thequesttimes.com/just-in-osinbajo-jets-out-to-accra-for-ecowas-summit/

Atiku Abubakar’s estranged wife, Jennifer Douglas, says the ex-vice president threw her and the kids out of his property, seized some of the cars he bought her and made his security operatives to be mean toward her.

Jennifer has since asked for a divorce, a request she says Atiku has not taken in good stride.

In a statement, Jennifer writes that she never took hold of Atiku’s property as reported in certain quarters.

According to Jennifer; “The truth subsists with regard to the Dubai house. I will make no further comments on it because it is the subject of litigation filed by his Excellency against me.

“I need to also put on record that if I wanted to take His Excellency assets, I would not have returned to him his property documents in Abuja and Jos, allowed the driver to collect his cars, gave up the house in Asokoro and Yola.

“The last time I was in Nigeria, I called to have the Asokoro and Yola documents delivered to him. It was never picked up and I still state that his Excellency is free to send someone to have the documents picked up anytime he deems fit.

“Since this incident, I fear for my safety and that of my kids.

“His Excellency’s security operatives especially Ibro and others have been making threats and calling my relatives, friends and staff and searching for my assets to seize and monitoring my phone calls and those of friends and relatives.

“For that reason, I have exited my law firm and sold all my assets and moved abroad until peace reigns.”

https://thequesttimes.com/jennifer-douglas-atikus-security-operatives-are-threatening-my-life/

Tension as hoodlums said to be operating within Agwa, Izombe and Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta local government areas of Imo reportedly killed a retired police officer, Chris Kpatuma (Hipis) in the area.

Quest Times gathered the hoodlums after kidnapping the retired policeman allegedly c*t-off his throat in a farm in the village and brought back his lifeless body to his house.

When contacted on phone, the wife of the deceased, Blessing Kpatuma confirmed the incident.

“My husband was beaten by the hoodlums and taken to an unknown place they killed him brought his lifeless body back home,” she said.

https://thequesttimes.com/how-hoodlums-allegedly-ct-retired-policemans-throat-in-imo/

As we await the kick-off of the semi-finals in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, here are top five (5) players contesting for the golden boot.

QUEST TIMES based the ranking on players who scored most in least minute of appearance in the tournament.

Let’s take a look at the top 5 players in the list:

Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) 6 goals

Karl Toko Ekambi (Cameroon) 5 goals

Sofiane Boufal (Morocco) 3 goals (eliminated)

Ibrahima Kone (Mali) 3 goals (eliminated)

Gabadinho Mhango (Malawi) 3 goals (eliminated).

Source: https://thequesttimes.com/top-5-highest-goal-scorers-in-afcon-2021/

Following the controversial death of Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni, a family doctor to the deceased’s family, Aghogho Owhojedo has testified at the coroner’s inquest investigating the alleged bullying.

The doctor, who is the third prosecution witness, testified that he did not see any evidence of physical assault on the deceased when he treated the late Sylvester Oromoni Jnr last year November.

While answering questions from counsel to one of the accused Dowen College Students, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Omoaka on Wednesday, the family doctor also told the coroner, Magistrate Mikhail Kadiri that Sylvester Oromoni Jnr did not die of blunt force trauma.

In the proceedings, which lasted over 7 hours at the Coroners Court sitting in Ikeja, Dr. Owhojedo said he treated the late Sylvester at the Oromoni’s home in Warri because his condition was not life-threatening when he first saw him on the 26th.

“Because you felt his condition was not critical, you disagreed with his father when he requested that you admit the young man to the hospital?” the counsel asked.

“No, that is not correct”, replied the doctor.

“So why did you not admit him?” the counsel questioned.

The doctor replied; “The deceased father called me and said his son sustained injuries while playing football.

“The child was given first aid in school at the sick bay and there was no evidence of fracture or dislocation, on his upper or lower.

“His body was very hot as he had a high temperature of 38.7oc. The private ward was not available at that time and since there was no fracture or dislocation, I managed him at home on an ad-hoc basis, a nurse was with him.”

The counsel asked again, “On the 26th when you examined the young man, did you see any evidence of physical assault on him.?”

Speaking further about the care administered to Sylvester, the doctor explained that he “took blood samples and did a test for full blood count, random blood sugar, and typhoid fever."

https://thequesttimes.com/slyvester-oromoni-family-doctor-clears-air-on-alleged-bullying/

Quest Times can confirm that plans have now reached an advanced stage for First Lady Aisha Buhari to move out of the official presidential residence in Aso Villa ahead of the completion of her husband second term next year.

Media sources in the Villa first hinted that the First Lady’s convoy had been seen on a few occasions departing public events without ending up in the Villa. Later a reliable source confirmed that Mrs Buhari has already started spending some time living outside the villa recently.

But it was gathered that the plan to move out from the Villa to the adjoining Asokoro district is not as a result of any marital dispute but mainly because she just wanted to “a breathe of fresh air.”

https://thequesttimes.com/exclusive-first-lady-aisha-buhari-set-to-move-out-of-aso-rock/

Sensational Mohamed Salah inspired Egypt to a place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-finals on Sunday as the record seven-time champions came from behind to defeat Morocco 2-1 in extra time in Yaounde.

Egypt and Morocco met in the last-16 with Premier League superstar Mo Salah appearing to give his side the edge, but it was Soufiane Boufal – once a player for Southampton – who scored first when Achraf Hakimi was felled in the box by Ayman Ashraf after three minutes.

It took several minutes for the referee to review VAR and then for the penalty to go ahead, but once in the lead they were untroubled in the first half by an Egyptian XI who struggled to break down Morocco’s defence, despite the expertise of manager Carlos Queiroz.

https://thequesttimes.com/salah-fires-egypt-into-semis-after-defeating-morocco-2-1/

Tunisia could not stop 10-man Burkina Faso to qualify for semi-finals in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday, as the latter won 1-0 at Roumde Adjia Stadium.

The only goal of the game was scored by Dango Ouattara before the half-time and was later sent off at the 82nd minutes after committing a ridiculous foul against one of the Tunisia players.

This makes it another historic victory for Burkina Faso in three of the past five Africa Cup of Nations events.

https://thequesttimes.com/just-in-10-man-burkina-faso-beat-tunisia-to-book-a-place-in-semi-finals/

In Nigeria today, several online fraudsters known as cybercriminals are committing various crimes via fraudulent electronic means. Hence, the need everyone must stay vigilant and be knowledgeable about how these scammers operate.

In spite of the fact that it has gotten so common among Nigerian youths, it’s important you take note of this vital information QUEST TIMES will be sharing with you in this article.

Fondly called “Yahoo boys” and best known for their lavish way of life, fraudsters are everywhere including Nigeria.

How they operate

Fake adverts
These fraudsters know these, so they make various sites where products are arbitrarily publicised at modest rates, to pull in preys. Try not to succumb to the cheap costs by uncovering your bank details to them if the site isn’t trusted.

Through alerts that sprang up on your phone
Have you additionally been aware that when you turn on your phone you will get a spring up message, saluting you, on how you just won a blessing ( workstations, telephones and numerous others ), at that point you will be asked to guarantee it and coordinated to transfer your individual and bank details for delivery. Try not to fall a victim of this. When you do so, your account is in danger. Regardless of whether your record is vacant right now or now, some would continue to screen.

https://thequesttimes.com/how-fraudsters-transfer-money-from-your-account-without-atm-card/

Following the stepping down of the founder of Dowen College, Lagos, Dr. Olumide Phillips, among other board members, a key stakeholder of the school has revealed the reason for the development.

In a statement signed Thursday, January 27, 2022, by Tomi Borisade on behalf of the school, “The founding members of the Board of Governors including the Founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Olumide Phillips, who have worked tirelessly over the years to develop outstanding children both in and out of the school, have chosen to retire and pass the baton of change to a new generation of seasoned professionals who will run with the vision, leadership passion, commitment and values they have worked rigorously to establish.

“This will also enhance communication and effectiveness with the Parents Teachers Forum. Their good works cannot be allowed to go in vain and they are keen to ensure that.”

Reacting, a competent source in the school, who pleaded anonymity, told QUEST TIMES the decision was taken “to restructure the governance system of the school”.

https://thequesttimes.com/exclusive-why-dowen-college-founder-board-members-stepped-down/

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has been awarded doctorate Degree, Honoris Causa by Kogi State University (KSU) aka Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), Anyigba at the sixth Convocation ceremony held on Saturday in Anyigba Dekina Local Government Area of the State.

This is just as no fewer than 60 graduands bagged first class Degrees out of over 19,000, others who got different classes of Degrees, higher Degrees and postgraduate diploma that spanned through six sets of the university, between 2016 to 2021.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Marietu Ohunene Tenuche who divulged this information during pre convocation press briefing, noted that through the massive investment of the Yahaya Bello-led administration, the university was able to secure NUC full accreditation for 24 programmes on offer saying that the university was equally ranked 25 among the 170 universities in Nigeria.

https://thequesttimes.com/yahaya-bello-awarded-doctorate-degree-as-ksu-holds-6th-convocation-graduates-60-first-class/

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has stated that he has surpassed his predecessors in achievements six years after taking the oath of office.

In his anniversary speech on Thursday, the Governor said Kogi, under his leadership, has remained top-notch.

Bello was first elected in 2015 after the shocking demise of the former governor Audu Abubakar who was declared winner of the poll that saw the emergence of the former as governor.

He was then returned for a second term after securing an overwhelming victory at the 2019 gubernatorial poll.

In commemoration of the sixth anniversary in office, the Governor reeled out his achievements, which he said wouldn’t have been possible if not for the unflinching support from the residents of the States.

“My dear Kogites, today is the sixth anniversary in office of my New Direction Administration and I am truly proud of how far we have come with you. Since my first Inauguration as the 4th Executive Governor of Kogi on 27th January, 2016 my team and I have done nothing but labour in your service to fulfil our promises. Everything else has been secondary to this primary assignment.”

https://thequesttimes.com/yahaya-bello-my-performance-in-6-years-as-governor-better-than-my-predecessors/

Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, is likely going to spend several years in a Californian jail when sentenced next month by the US court handling his fraud case, Quest Times has learnt.

California jails are among the worst in the US as they are known to be overcrowded, a situation that has caused even more terrible conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hushpuppi has been scheduled for sentencing on Valentine’s Day, according to the court’s Director of Media Relations, Thom Mrozeke.

In a plea agreement document, Hushpuppi had pleaded guilty to various offences bordering on internet scam and money laundering, among others, Quest Times gathered.

https://thequesttimes.com/exclusive-hushpuppi-to-be-sentenced-to-overcrowded-california-jail-next-month/

Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, many Nigerians have been wondering who the next president would be. As it stands, it is a political puzzle that seems difficult to unravel considering the events in recent times.

While many social commentators are of the opinion that the next president should be zoned to the Southern part of Nigeria, others believe the decision of who takes the baton should solely be based on competency (the most credible to lead). But the question remains, who is the credible Nigerian to lead the most populous black nation come 2023?

Against the backdrop of who leads whom, there have also been permutations and several schools of thoughts following the comment of President Muhammadu Buhari during his most recent interview with Channels TV, where he was asked who would be his successor.

Intelligently, Mr. President answered; “No, I will not tell you, because he may be eliminated if I mention his name".

It is logical to say, Mr. President concealed the identity of his anointed candidate for the safety of such a person.

The Big Question

Several questions as to who takes over from Buhari have been asked by political analysts and writers of reasoning, but there is still obscurity in terms of who the anointed candidate is definitely, leaving us with the big question, who is Buhari's successor?

Already, several presidential aspirants have emerged in the APC family. These include Governor of Ebonyi, David Umahi; his counterpart, Governor of Cross River, Ben Ayade; former Governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu; former Governor of Lagos and APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu; and more who are still waiting for the green light to join the race.

Among the aforementioned, Tinubu stands as the most viable candidate to take over from Buhari considering his political antecedents and role in the ruling APC. However, the battle looks like a two-horse race between him (Tinubu) and his fondly called "loyalist" or put succinctly "recommended candidate". You may have to find who is being referred to in this stance.

Going forward, some eminent Nigerians have been calling on Osinbajo to join the race. Though Osinbajo had not commissioned them to campaign for him nor has he openly declared interest in the race, however, the Vice President is their choice to become the next leader of the country and every other person has the right to support his/her preferred candidate as well. The most important of all is to strengthen our democracy by encouraging healthy competition between the aspirants.

After Osinbajo's Declaration, What Next?

Without mincing words, Osinbajo may make known his intention to join the 2023 presidential race in the coming days, according to reliable sources. Though some may criticize his action for reasons best known to them, it is a choice that can't be altered considering the calibre of people backing him.

Imagine having the likes of a king and his subjects backing you in spite of the noises coming from outside the palace. This is the case with Osinbajo who many believed has been highly favoured just like the Biblical David who came from the least tribe in Israel to rule over the Isrealites.

While we wait for this revelation to manifest, we must commend the good gestures of Osinbajo in being able to manage the political tension in recent times, especially when his party leader announced his lifelong ambition of becoming president even though he is still consulting with Nigerians; this attribute is such exemplary leadership that should be emulated by politicians who would rather resort to politics of bitterness over intelligence. Nigerians need a leader of good character and qualities not the one that divides us across ethnic lines.

Borrowing from the words of Osinbajo just before the elimination of Nigeria’s Super Eagles from the ongoing African Nations Cup in Cameroon, "No matter where we come from, no matter the faith we profess or language we speak, we have Nigeria in us. We are Nigerians and indeed Nigeria is us.”

Hence, Nigerians must accept in good faith who becomes Buhari’s successor in 2023. It is a game of interest and not a war that should be allowed to tear us apart.

Arogbonlo Israel, a journalist and good governance advocate, writes from Lagos.

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has directed immediate and full investigation into the killing of a motorcycle rider and the burning of the Old Police Barracks in Kabba town, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of the state.

Recall there was pandemonium in the Kabba town, Kabba-Bunu Local Government area of Kogi State as angry youths stormed the streets following the alleged killing of a young motorcycle rider by security operatives.

The angry youths burnt the old Kabba Police Barracks following the incident.

Meanwhile, the governor has called on the youths in Kabba to remain calm and allow investigation into the matter for necessary action.

In a statement forwarded to Quest Times Sunday, by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onogwu Muhammed, governor Bello described the incident as unfortunate and warned the people to desist from any action capable of truncating the sustained peace and stability across the state.

https://thequesttimes.com/yahaya-bello-speaks-on-alleged-killing-of-okada-rider-in-kabba/

Corps members feel bad when they are rejected by employees for reason best known to them, but it is a fact that most of times these NYSC members would rather seek for a rejection if their PPA is not what they wanted. My question is, why do corps always prefer a rejection anytime they're posted to schools or a PPA that is not in line with their taste or preference?

Nigeria forward, Moses Simon has warned his teammates that their round of 16 clash against Tunisia will not be easy.

The Super Eagles talisman described Tunisia as a good side while also looking forward to Sunday’s clash.

Tunisia entered the Round of 16 from Group F as one of the third best losers, with one win and two defeats from three games.

“We are looking forward to it, but it will be a great one for the team. We are going to be playing against a good side,” Moses Simon told the NFF media.

https://thequesttimes.com/nigeria-v-tunisia-moses-simon-warns-ahead-of-clash/