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 Politics / El-rufai: Opinion Poll Showed APC Will Win Edo Election,i Don’t Know What Happen by GreenAgain: 12:30pm On Sep 21, 2020 |
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, said he was optimistic up to three weeks ago that his party, the All Progressives Congress, would win the Edo State Governorship Election. He said opinion polls conducted had shown that the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, would win the election, adding that he didn’t know what went wrong in the last three weeks of the campaign. The PUNCH had reported Sunday that the Independent National Electoral Commission declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Governor Godwin Obaseki, winner of the keenly contested election. INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, said Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ize-Iyamu, who got 223,619 votes. Commenting on the development, the Kaduna State governor, who spoke on Monday morning while featuring on Channels Television, said the election was “reasonably decent”. El-Rufai said, “We (APC) would have loved to win and quite frankly, I was optimistic up to three weeks ago; the polls indicated that we were going to win. I don’t know what happened in the last three weeks of the campaign. “As you know, a large number of voters make up their minds in the last two weeks of the election. Many voters decide no matter what happens, this is how I am voting but most people want to wait and make up their minds in the last two weeks. “Three weeks ago, the polls clearly showed that APC was going to win but the result came out differently from what we expected. “Obaseki has won, that’s it. You can’t go into an election without the possibility of losing.” He added, “The election was reasonably decent. We were all worried about violence but there was very little violence or none at all.” The governor also stressed that the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), was committed to free and fair elections. https://punchng.com/opinion-polls-showed-apc-will-win-edo-election-i-dont-know-what-happened-el-rufai/ |
| Politics / Sacked As APC Chairman, ‘dethroned’ In Edo — What Next For Oshiomhole? by GreenAgain: 6:08pm On Sep 20, 2020 |
In just three months, the political career of Adams Oshiomhole has suffered a huge setback. Some political experts believe his career might have been reduced to rubble by no other person than the former Edo state governor himself. Not so long after the court of appeal affirmed his sack as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he has been dislodged in Edo where he governed from 2008 to 2016. The tussle with Godwin Obaseki whom he helped into power is one of his greatest undoing as he has not just lost political relevance in his stronghold but suffered a heavy blow. After he fell out with Obaseki, the APC executive committee in his ward in Etsako west local government suspended him. The APC chairmen in the 18 local government areas of the state also passed a vote of no confidence on him, accusing him of working against the party interest. Although Oshiomhole appeared to have dismissed the suspension as a child’s play, it would later cost him his position as the national chairman of the party as a high court in Abuja suspended him on that basis. Danlami Senchi, a judge, had ruled in March that it was wrong of the APC to have kept Oshiomhole as chairman after he was suspended by his state chapter of the party. The final attempt to get him back into the party’s hierarchy failed in June after the appellate court ruled there was no justifiable basis for an appeal against the court ruling suspending him. In the heat of the crisis, the national working committee of the APC was dissolved and his loyalists lost control of the party. While it appeared as if Obaseki was losing grounds ahead of the governorship election, considering how popular the APC had been in the state, Oshiomhole relocated to Benin where he became the face of the APC governorship campaign, with Osagie Ize-Iyamu as a spectator in his own game. His authority as a two-term governor and a former national chairman was not in doubt. Some people had, in fact, likened him to the “almighty” Bola Tinubu who has remained powerful in Lagos despite leaving office as governor in 2007. To all the ears that cared to listen, Oshiomhole boasted of how the APC will defeat Obaseki in the election and even apologised for “selling him” to Edo people as the best fit for governor in 2016. But Obaseki who wanted to beat the master in his own game appealed to the people as the “Edo No be Lagos” mantra resonated among the electorate. In the closing days of his campaign, Obaseki boasted to his supporters in Oredo local government which eventually gave him 43,498 votes, the highest in the election, that having dealt with Oshiomhole at the national level of APC, the next target was to bury him politically. “This election is a contest with Oshiomhole. We have dealt with him at the national level, we will bury him politically in this election,” he had said. Well, the elections are now over and it has become clear that the voters trounced godfatherism. So, what’s next for Oshiomhole? Reconcile with Obaseki to regain relevance in the state’s political stage, like the average Nigerian politician, or return to the labour union as the comrade he used to be? https://www.thecable.ng/sacked-from-apc-dethroned-in-edo-what-next-for-oshiomhole |
| Politics / Re: PDP Monitoring Edo Election From Situation Room (Photos) by GreenAgain: 4:16am On Sep 20, 2020 |
I must say I am amazed at the level of belief and doggedness that my Governor, Godwin Obaseki has shown inspite of the obstacles like the red Sea all these months. He has reawaken my hope for this country and set a pace for future leaders who aspire to contribute their quota of political service to the Nigeria state. God bless bless the governor and his team. 2 Likes |
| Politics / Jonathan: Any Society Where Thugs Become Role Models Will Fail by GreenAgain: 9:01am On Sep 18, 2020 |
Former President Goodluck Jonathan says any society where thugs become role models is doomed to fail. Writing as a guest columnist on THISDAY on Friday, Jonathan said it is sad that in some places, miscreants are celebrated for the roles they play during elections. In the article entitled, ‘COVID-19, democracy and task of nation building’, the former president said he is convinced that electronic voting would eliminate rigging during elections. “I am also convinced that electronic voting will eliminate the worrisome issue of massive rigging and violence during elections because it will limit human presence during voting,” he said. “It will bring an end to incessant deployment of miscreants during elections because there will be no room for ballot box stuffing or snatching. It is sad that in some places, these miscreants are even celebrated, because of the ignoble roles they play during elections. “I should point out that a society where thugs become role models is doomed to fail.” According to him, holding elections regularly does not define democracy. “Holding regular elections alone does not really define democracy or guarantee good governance,” Jonathan said. “We need to work on how to strengthen the pillars of democracy where they are weak, and enhance political stability across the continent. “You can always tell how credible or otherwise a democratic process has been from the level of protests, violence and the number of post-election litigations. For Africa to make more progress towards building liberal democracies, we should first take deliberate measures to strengthen the independence of the electoral management bodies.” The former president also said Africa missed out on the industrial revolution and lagging behind in the race to space. “We therefore have no reason to fail our people in democracy. True democracy guarantees free, fair elections and peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another and it is within our capacity to achieve that,” he said. “Before the end of this year, five nations in West Africa alone are scheduled to hold Presidential elections. They include Ghana, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Niger. That for me is a plus and an important step in the right direction.” https://www.thecable.ng/jonathan-any-society-where-thugs-become-role-models-will-fail |
| Politics / Femi Adesina: Nigeria Has Always Been Divided… It Didn’t Start Under Buhari by GreenAgain: 8:34pm On Sep 16, 2020 |
Femi Adesina, a presidential spokesman, says right from amalgamation, Nigeria has been a divided country. Speaking during a Channels TV programme on Wednesday Adesina said the division in the country predates the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. He was reacting to comments made by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and Wole Soyinka, playwright and Nobel laureate, who said that Nigeria is more divided than ever before. But defending the president, Adesina described Nigeria as an inconvenient amalgamation which has always been divided. “Nigeria had always been divided right from amalgamation in 1914. Nigeria is an inconvenient amalgamation but we have kept at it and we have worked at it,” Adesina said. “And I tell you that there is no time in the history of this country that the country was not divided. But then, we have kept at it and we are trying to make it work. “As at 2015 when President Buhari came, Nigeria was terribly divided; divided along ethnic, religious and political lines; divided along language; divided hopelessly and terribly.” The presidential spokesman, who said the current administration has been making efforts to unite the country, accused some people of “playing politics with everything.” “That is the division that President Buhari has been working at. But you see that a number of people, instead of letting harmony return to this country, thrive and luxuriate in widening the gap between Nigerians. They play politics with everything,” he said. “So, if they say Nigeria is divided today, it is because Nigeria has always been divided. And all efforts to unite Nigeria and Nigerians never worked. “When Nigerians come to a decision point that we must live together, we can’t wish anybody away, then we will be working towards being a nation.” https://www.thecable.ng/femi-adesina-nigeria-has-always-been-divided-it-didnt-start-under-buhari |
| Politics / Nigerians Disagree With Buhari Over Most Prosperous Black Nation Comment by GreenAgain: 8:23pm On Sep 16, 2020 |
Nigerians on Wednesday disagreed with president Mohammed Buhari on social media over his comment that the country is the most prosperous black nation in the world and Africa’s largest economy. The president had on Wednesday while unveiling the 60th Independence Anniversary celebration logo said the neatly encrusted Diamond on the Nigerian Map symbolizes our age of treasure, the worth of the Nigerian people with our sparkle to the admiration of the world. He further said ‘‘In the same vein, the pear green and dark green colours should respectively remind us of our warmth, welcoming spirit and love as well as the abundant wealth inherent in our human capital and the richness of our land. ‘‘All these properties make us unarguably the most prosperous black nation in the world and Africa’s largest economy.’’ The president’s comment has, however, attracted backlash as some Nigerians on Twitter did not find it appealing thereby disagreeing with what the president said. Here are some comments gathered on Twitter by Vanguard: @EjioforOnyishi wrote “Nigeria has entered one chance, he does not even know his administration has brought Nigeria to the worse in every ramification in almost every black nation in the world” @AtikuZo “Nigeria was the most prosperous black nation until Buhari happened to Nigeria” @titilayo_maryam “Yeah…Until you came on board and made us poverty- capital of the entire world..Loudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying faceLoudly crying face” @ReidAkiim “Oh fada why? Individual prosperity or national prosperity, which one?” @walesale “Ironic, some people barely feed in Nigeria” @FelixRonnie1 “Yes sir, but just by number and population” You can read more comments from Nigerians on Vanguard’s Tweet below: https://mobile.twitter.com/vanguardngrnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1306283975967678465%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanguardngr.com%2F2020%2F09%2Fnigerians-disagree-with-buhari-over-most-prosperous-black-nation-comment%2F https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/nigerians-disagree-with-buhari-over-most-prosperous-black-nation-comment/ |
| Politics / Soyinka Backs Obasanjo, Says Nigeria Divided Like Never Before Under Buhari by GreenAgain: 4:56pm On Sep 15, 2020 |
Elder statesman and playwright, Prof Wole Soyinka, has said the country is more divided as never before under the current administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Retd). Soyinka in a statement signed from his Autonomous Residence of Ijegba, Idi-Aba Estate, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday titled, “Between ‘Dividers-in-chief’ and Dividers-in-law,” said though not a fan of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, but embraced any accurate reading of this nation as a contraption teetering on the edge of total collapse. Obasanjo last week said the country was slowly becoming a failed state and more divided under the Buhari regime. But the presidency reacted to the comment by describing the ex-president as a ‘Divider-in-chief.” Soyinka said, “I am notoriously no fan of Olusegun Obasanjo, General, twice former president and co-architect with other past leaders of the crumbling edifice that is still generously called Nigeria. I have no reasons to change my stance on his record. Nonetheless, I embrace the responsibility of calling attention to any accurate reading of this nation from whatever source, as a contraption teetering on the very edge of total collapse. We are close to extinction as a viable comity of peoples, supposedly bound together under an equitable set of protocols of co-habitation, capable of producing its own means of existence, and devoid of a culture of sectarian privilege and will to dominate.” The Nobel laureate stated that on Africa Day, May 2019, organised by the United Bank of Africa, he similarly seized an opening to direct the attention of this government to warnings by the ‘Otta farmer’ over the self-destruct turn that the nation had taken, urging the wisdom of heeding the message, even while remaining chary of the messenger. The Akogun of Isara said, “That advice appears to have fallen on deaf ears. In place of reasoned response and openness to some serious dialogue, what this nation has been obliged to endure has been insolent distractions from garrulous and coarsened functionaries, apologists and sectarian opportunists. “The nation is divided as never before, and this ripping division has taken place under the policies and conduct of none other than President Buhari– does that claim belong in the realms of speculation? Does anyone deny that it was this president who went to sleep while communities were consistently ravaged by cattle marauders, were raped and displaced in their thousands and turned into beggars all over the landscape? Was it a different president who, on being finally persuaded to visit a scene of carnage, had nothing more authoritative to offer than to advice the traumatised victims to learn to live peacefully with their violators? And what happened to the Police Chief who had defied orders from his Commander-in-Chief to relocate fully to the trouble spot – he came, saw, and bolted, leaving the ‘natives’ to their own devices. Any disciplinary action taken against ‘countryman’? Was it a spokesman for some ghost president who chortled in those early, yet controllable stages of now systematised mayhem, gleefully dismissed the mass burial of victims in Benue State as a “staged show” for international entertainment? Did the other half of the presidential megaphone system not follow up – or was it, precede? – with the wisdom that they, the brutalised citizenry, should learn to bow under the yoke and negotiate, since “only the living” can enjoy the dividends of legal rights?” https://punchng.com/soyinka-backs-obasanjo-says-nigeria-divided-like-never-before-under-buhari/ |
| Politics / Jega, Onaiyekan To Buhari: Nigerians Battling With Double Sufferings by GreenAgain: 8:01am On Sep 15, 2020 |
The Nigerian Working Group on Peacebuilding and Governance has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to initiate dialogue at the national and sub-national levels to address the country’s security challenges.https://www.thecable.ng/jega-onaiyekan-to-buhari-nigerians-battling-with-double-sufferings 3 Likes
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| Politics / ‘I Never Knew There’s A Cell At Aso Rock’ — Magu’s Lawyer Speaks On Encounter by GreenAgain: 7:51am On Sep 15, 2020 |
Zainab Abiola, counsel to Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC), has described her client’s probe as a “hatchet job.” In an interview with TheCable, Abiola, who was walked out of the panel’s sitting on Monday, said there is no evidence that Magu is guilty of the allegations against him. President Muhammadu Buhari set up the panel to probe corruption allegations levelled against the anti-graft czar. At its sitting at the presidential villa on Monday, Wahab Shittu, Magu’s lead counsel, was joined by Abiola and Aliyu Lemu, another of his lawyers. But Ayo Salami, head of the panel, insisted that only Shittu would be allowed to defend Magu, and asked his other lawyers to leave the venue. Speaking with TheCable about her experience, the lawyer, who is one of the widows of the late MKO Abiola, said it is wrong for the panel to refuse Magu’s lawyers access to their sitting. “This is a democratic dispensation, you cannot bring military tactics, a Hitler’s Gestapo rule to this type of occasion,” she said. “The panel was set up to be public. How then did it become a private sitting with Emperor Salami? He has become an emperor. He told me personally that there is only one chair for a lawyer. So I said, if there is only one chair, send for more chairs now. “He called the DSS, they were fully armed. So, we left. But the other lady, Fatimah, was bundled and put in a cell, in a prison cell. So, there is a prison in the presidential villa? Nigerians should worry for themselves.” Abiola, a former presidential aspirant, further told TheCable that while the former EFCC chairman’s rights are being trampled upon at the moment, it could be anyone else’s turn next. “If you see how Magu was just sitting there, like a sheep without a shepherd. Like a Christmas goat about to be slaughtered by Emperor Salami. Why would they refuse me access to such a fundamental probe? It is a nullity, very shambolic,” she added. “They don’t have anything against Magu. Not a shred of evidence. The pastor they said took the money. FCMB has apologised in three national papers to Magu and the pastor. They also said Magu did not investigate the P&ID case and he was exonerated. “What is the allegation? How can lawyers not be allowed to represent him? It is not as if we went alone; we were introduced by Magu himself. Did they imagine that it will be only one lawyer defending a man like that? “Twenty-two allegations, 22 lies. The fact of the matter is that this is not a panel of inquiry. It is a Kangaroo contraction with Salami as the emperor.” Magu has often accused the panel of not giving him fair hearing, saying he has not been allowed to defend himself. After he requested the panel to summon Malami to give evidence of his alleged crimes, the AGF said he would gladly testify against him if asked to do so. https://www.thecable.ng/i-never-knew-theres-a-cell-at-aso-rock-magus-lawyer-speaks-on-encounter-with-salami |
| Politics / Ige: They Killed My Father Out Of Jealousy ― Muyiwa Ige by GreenAgain: 10:39pm On Sep 13, 2020 |
As the 90th posthumous birthday of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige (SAN) was held in Ibadan Sunday, his son, Architect Muyiwa Ige said his father was killed out of jealousy. He said this during the service held in honour of the deceased politician who was murdered by yet-to-be-disclosed hoodlums at St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan. Muyiwa said, “A lot of his peers didn’t like him because they could not understand young people which he did. But, that was the essence of Bola Ige, and it was part of the envy that ate into the souls of some of those who didn’t like him. “Nonetheless, that was their problem. Bola Ige came to this world, did his bit, and his legacy still lives on.” On what politics used to be, Muyiwa Ige said: “The conservatives knew themselves, while the progressives knew themselves. Now, you can’t even differentiate between A and B. “There is also a leadership vacuum and so, we need to go back and begin to study what they did well positively in their days and try to enhance that and begin to ensure that there is a vibrant mentoring programme, especially for our youths. There are great leaders out there that we can still point to that can support young people”, he concluded. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/ige-they-killed-my-father-out-of-jealousy-―-muyiwa-ige/ |
| Family / Fertility And Age: What You Should Know! by GreenAgain: 11:11am On Sep 12, 2020 |
How does age affect fertility? A woman’s peak reproductive years are between the late teens and late 20s. By age 30 years, fertility (the ability to get pregnant) starts to decline. This decline becomes more rapid once you reach your mid 30s. By age 45 years, fertility has declined so much that getting pregnant naturally is unlikely for most women. How likely is pregnancy as a woman ages? For healthy couples in their 20s and early 30s, around 1 in 4 women will get pregnant in any single menstrual cycle. By age 40 years, around 1 in 10 women will get pregnant per menstrual cycle. A man’s fertility also declines with age, but not as predictably as a woman’s fertility. Why do women become less fertile as they age? Women become less fertile as they age because they begin life with a fixed number of eggs in their ovaries. The number of eggs decreases as women get older. Also, the remaining eggs in older women are more likely to have abnormal chromosomes. And as age increases, women are at higher risk of disorders that can affect fertility, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis. What are the risks of later childbearing? Women who get pregnant in their late 30s or 40s have a higher risk of complications. Some of these problems may affect a woman’s health. Others can affect the health of the fetus. How can later childbearing affect a woman’s health? Pregnant women older than 40 years have an increased risk of preeclampsia. Some of the increase in risk may be because older women tend to have more health problems before they get pregnant than younger women. For example, having high blood pressure, a condition that becomes more common with age, can increase the risk of preeclampsia. Studies also show that older women who do not have any health conditions still can have complicated pregnancies. How does aging affect the risk of having a baby with a birth defect? The overall risk of having a baby with a chromosome abnormality is small. But as a woman ages, the risk of having a baby with missing, damaged, or extra chromosomes increases. Down syndrome is the most common chromosome problem that occurs with later childbearing. The risk of having a baby with Down syndrome is: 1 in 1,480 at age 20 years 1 in 940 at age 30 years 1 in 353 at age 35 years 1 in 85 at age 40 years 1 in 35 at age 45 years Is there testing to find out the risk of having a baby with a birth defect? Yes. Prenatal screening tests assess the risk that a baby will be born with a specific birth defect or genetic disorder. Prenatal diagnostic tests can detect if a fetus has a specific birth defect or genetic disorder. Every woman should review the available testing options with her obstetrician–gynecologist (ob-gyn) or other health care professional so that she can make an informed choice. What are other risks of later childbearing? The risks of miscarriage and stillbirth are greater in women who are older than 35 years. Also, multiple pregnancy occurs more often in older women than in younger women. As the ovaries age, they are more likely to release more than one egg each month. What is a reproductive life plan? All women should think about whether they would like to have children and, if so, when to have them. This is called a reproductive life plan. If you would like to have children someday, your ob-gyn or other health care professional can help you develop your reproductive life plan. How often should I talk about my reproductive life plan with my ob-gyn? It is a good idea to talk about your plan once a year with your ob-gyn or other health care professional. What should I do if I do not want to get pregnant now? If you do not want to get pregnant now or have decided not to have children, use a birth control method to prevent pregnancy if you are having sexual intercourse. Make sure you are using a method that fits your reproductive goals, your lifestyle, and any health conditions that you have. You and your ob-gyn or other health care professional can review your birth control options. What should I do if I do want to get pregnant soon? If you want to get pregnant soon, you should try to be as healthy as possible before pregnancy. Steps toward better health include stopping alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. You also should start taking folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects. What is a prepregnancy health care visit? A prepregnancy health care visit is a time for your ob-gyn or other health care professional to review your medical and family history. He or she also will review any medications you take and your immunizations to be sure that you have all of the recommended vaccines. Your ob-gyn or other health care professional also may ask about your diet and lifestyle discuss how you can maintain a healthy weight before getting pregnant recommend screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) discuss the option of carrier screening for you and, if needed, your partner Are there ways to preserve fertility? Currently, there is no medical technique that can guarantee fertility will be preserved. If you know that you want to have children later in life, one option may be in vitro fertilization (IVF). With IVF, sperm is combined with a woman’s eggs in a laboratory. If the sperm fertilizes the eggs, embryos may grow. Embryos can be frozen and used many years later. When you are ready, an embryo can be transferred to your uterus to try to achieve a pregnancy. What are the chances that in vitro fertilization will work for me? The chance that IVF will work for you depends on many factors, including your health and your age when the embryos are frozen. Talking with a fertility expert will help you understand your chances of success with IVF. What else should I know about in vitro fertilization? Some IVF treatments are expensive and may not be covered by insurance. I have heard about egg freezing. What is this procedure? In a procedure called oocyte cryopreservation—“freezing your eggs”—several eggs are removed from the ovaries. The unfertilized eggs are then frozen for later use in IVF. Egg freezing is recommended mainly for women having cancer treatment that will affect their future fertility. There is not enough research to recommend routine egg freezing for the sole purpose of putting off childbearing. Egg freezing also is expensive and may not be covered by insurance. I have not gotten pregnant. Should I have an evaluation? If you are older than 35 years and have not gotten pregnant after 6 months of having regular sexual intercourse without using any form of birth control, talk with your ob-gyn or other health care professional about an infertility evaluation. If you are older than 40 years, an evaluation is recommended before trying to get pregnant. This advice is especially true if you have a problem that could affect fertility, such as endometriosis. What happens during an infertility evaluation? During an infertility evaluation, you have physical exams and tests to try to find the cause of infertility. If a cause is found, treatment may be possible. In many cases, infertility can be successfully treated even if no cause is found. But the chances of success with these treatments decrease with age. Can a woman older than 35 years have a healthy pregnancy? Yes. Despite the challenges, many women older than 35 years can have healthy pregnancies and babies. Seeing a health care professional before pregnancy and receiving good prenatal care during pregnancy are key. Why is prenatal care important? When you are pregnant, getting early and regular prenatal care may increase your chances of having a healthy baby. You should visit your ob-gyn or other health care professional regularly. At each visit, your health and your fetus’s health will be monitored. If you have a preexisting medical condition or if a medical condition develops during pregnancy, you may need to have special tests or more frequent prenatal care visits. You also may need special care during labor and delivery. Glossary Carrier Screening: A test done on a person without signs or symptoms to find out whether he or she carries a gene for a genetic disorder. Chromosomes: Structures that are located inside each cell in the body and contain the genes that determine a person’s physical makeup. Diagnostic Tests: Tests that look for a disease or cause of a disease. Down Syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes abnormal features of the face and body, medical problems such as heart defects, and intellectual disability. Most cases of Down syndrome are caused by an extra chromosome 21 (trisomy 21). Many children with Down syndrome live to adulthood. Embryos: The stage of prenatal development that starts at fertilization (joining of an egg and sperm) and lasts up to 8 weeks. Endometriosis: A condition in which tissue that lines the uterus is found outside of the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic structures. Fetus: The stage of prenatal development that starts 8 weeks after fertilization and lasts until the end of pregnancy. Fibroids: Growths, usually benign, that form in the muscle of the uterus. Folic Acid: A vitamin that has been shown to reduce the risk of certain birth defects when taken in sufficient amounts before and during pregnancy. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A procedure in which an egg is removed from a woman’s ovary, fertilized in a laboratory with the man’s sperm, and then transferred to the woman’s uterus to achieve a pregnancy. Miscarriage: Loss of a pregnancy. Neural Tube Defects: Birth defects that result from incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, or their coverings. Obstetrician–Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn): A physician with special skills, training, and education in women’s health. Oocyte Cryopreservation: A procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and frozen for later use with in vitro fertilization. Ovaries: The paired organs in the female reproductive system that contain the eggs released at ovulation and produce hormones. Preeclampsia: A disorder that can occur during pregnancy or after childbirth in which there is high blood pressure and other signs of organ injury, such as an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, a low number of platelets, abnormal kidney or liver function, pain over the upper abdomen, fluid in the lungs, or a severe headache or changes in vision. Prenatal Care: A program of care for a pregnant woman before the birth of her baby. Screening Tests: Tests that look for possible signs of disease in people who do not have signs or symptoms. Sexual Intercourse: The act of the penis of the male entering the vagina of the female (also called “having sex” or “making love”). Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): An infection that is spread by sexual contact, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]). Stillbirth: Birth of a dead fetus. Uterus: A muscular organ located in the female pelvis that contains and nourishes the developing fetus during pregnancy. Credit: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1 Like 1 Share |
| Politics / Marafa: Crooks Within APC Want To Install Serving Governor As Buhari's Successor by GreenAgain: 8:38pm On Sep 11, 2020 |
*** Says he assisted Yari to become governor in 2011https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/2023-crooks-within-apc-want-to-install-serving-gov-as-buharis-successor/ 1 Like
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| Politics / Breaking: Nigeria’s Debt Rises 8.3% To N31trn In 3 Months – DMO by GreenAgain: 7:25pm On Sep 09, 2020 |
The Debt Management Office (DMO), Wednesday, put the nation’s total public debt stock at N31.009 trillion or $85.897 billion, as at June 31, 2020, representing 8.3 percent rise from N28.628 trillion in March 2020. The figure comprised the debt stock of the federal government, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The DMO, in a report yesterday, explained that, “The increase in the Debt Stock by N2.381 Trillion or USD6.593 billion was accounted for by the USD3.36 Billion Budget Support Loan from the International Monetary Fund, New Domestic Borrowing to finance the Revised 2020 Appropriation Act, including the issuance of the N162.557 Billion Sukuk, and Promissory Notes issued to settle Claims of Exporters.” The DMO also said that the figure could rise further when the balance of the new borrowing is raised for the implementation of the current budget. It stated: “The DMO expects the Public Debt Stock to grow as the balance of the New Domestic Borrowing is raised and expected disbursements are made by the World Bank, African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank which were arranged to finance the 2020 Budget. “The 2020 Appropriation Act had to be revised in the face of the adverse and severe impact of COVID-19 on Government’s Revenues and increased expenditure needs on health and economic stimulus amongst others. “Additional Promissory Notes are expected to be issued in the course of the year, this, and new borrowings by State Governments are also expected to increase the Public Debt Stock.” The federal government announced, earlier in the week, that it lost 60 per cent of its expected revenue to the COVID-19 pandemic which adversely impacted the global economy and at a point pushed oil prices into the negative zone, thereby forcing it to take more loans. Nigeria’s Oil cargoes were on the international waters without buyers for weeks, at the peak of the pandemic when most nations were on lockdown. Crude prices crashed, thereafter, and have remained low, since then. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/breaking-nigerias-debt-rises-8-3-to-n31trn-in-3-months/ |
| Celebrities / I Can Only Boil Water, Don’t Know How To Cook – Mr Ibu by GreenAgain: 11:55am On Sep 06, 2020 |
In this interview, popular Nollywood, Mr. Ibu celebrity shared some issues. How often do you go shopping for food? I don’t have the time to do that because of work. Therefore, my wife handles that aspect. I don’t know how often she does that. Do you take note of the nutritional value of the things you eat? My wife knows all about food and it is her duty to take not of that. She makes sure she gives me the best of what I need to eat. I do not take note on my own (of the nutritional value), but my wife does it for me. Do you know how to cook? No, I don’t know how to cook. I can only boil water. There was only a time I tried to cook, but my wife eventually did that for me. I told her how I wanted the soup to be made and the ingredients I wanted in it. I call it Ibu stew. Do you like spicy food? No, I do not really like it. Also, I’m scared of food that has certain types of flavours. Do you like to eat out or eat at home? It depends, I’m always out for work, so I eat out. But whenever I’m back home, I always eat at home. What is your favourite meal? I love eating ‘swallow’ with good soups like vegetables, egusi and okra. Do you think cooking should be done by only women or by both genders? Cooking is for the women and should be done by them, except on few occasions if you just feel the need to cook, which shows you have regard for your wife. Asides that, cooking is a woman’s duty. When a man cooks, it is either because the wife is away from home and he’s alone. So, he has to cook for himself. Have you ever eaten anything that made you ill? Yes, I have, and it was due to the fact that I ate at a wrong time. I was on set and we had to shoot. I therefore, postponed eating until later in the evening and by the time I ate it, made me sick. It gave me constipation. https://punchng.com/i-can-only-boil-water-dont-know-how-to-cook-mr-ibu/ |
| Politics / FG Moves NIMC To Federal Ministry Of Communications And Digital Economy by GreenAgain: 8:50am On Aug 31, 2020 |
To ensure synergy and effective ministry supervision, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy. A statement by the Spokesperson of the Minister, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman said the approval for the transfer was based on Mr President’s consideration for the critical role of NIMC towards the realisation of the objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS). It said also said that the President directives for NIMC to be under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is an illustration of Mr President’s vote of confidence on Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), the Minister, based on an unprecedented achievement he has recorded within a short time in office. It will be recalled that Dr. Pantami has, within his first year in office, amongst others, resolved the ICT sector’s decade-long dilemma of Right of Way charges and also able to secure Mr President’s approval for the provision of security as well as designation of Telecommunications Infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure; regularization of improperly registered SIM cards and deactivation of unregistered ones; the deployment of over 250 digital projects across the country under his policies and supervision as well as built the capacity of over 36,000 Nigerians. The NIMC is mandated to create, manage, maintain and operate the National Identity Database established by the NIMC Act, 2007. In an effort to realise this, the Commission has so far registered around 41 million eligible enrollees for the National Identity Number (NIN). The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the other hand has details of over 191 million mobile subscribers. Similarly, the National Information Technology Development Agency has recorded huge successes in the development and implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), the country’s first codified data protection regulation. The Agency has also reached an advanced stage on the implementation of the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI), while Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) also provides services to Government Agencies – Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service. The need therefore for NIMC, NCC, NITDA and GBB to work closely together under the supervision of one Ministry towards harnessing what has already been achieved cannot be overemphasized. The NIN, considered as social security as well as civil number, is very important for economic planning and social intervention. With Federal Government’s digitalization initiatives in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, access to services and interventions will require it. The Minister, therefore, urged all eligible individuals to enrol as soon as possible, assuring all citizens as well as residents that appropriate measures will be put in place to ensure that opportunities for enrolment are provided to all. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/fg-moves-nimc-to-fed-ministry-of-communications-and-digital-economy/ |
| Politics / Confusion As Subsidy Returns, NNPC Pays N5.4bn As Under Recovery In 2018 by GreenAgain: 4:32pm On Aug 30, 2020 |
Amidst confusion in the downstream petroleum industry, concerning its deregulation, subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, has once again resurfaced, as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, weekend, said it incurred N5.35 billion as under recovery in June 2018. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/confusion-as-subsidy-returns-nnpc-pays-n5-4bn-as-under-recovery/ 1 Like 2 Shares
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| TV/Movies / Chadwick Boseman, The 'black Panther' Who Acted 9 Movies Hiding Cancer by GreenAgain: 11:50am On Aug 30, 2020 |
Long before the advent of ‘Black Panther’, Marvel’s 2018 superhero film, which had starred the now regrettably deceased Chadwick Boseman as its lead character, many would argue out the prejudices among US filmmakers regarding the diversity of their movie casts and the descriptions for roles often accorded people of African descent. But, with Boseman having adorned himself in that daredevil costume that later saw him change the narrative for the directorial choices pertaining to movie roles by African-Americans as well as the cinematic response to such films, a newfound movement that would almost guarantee the success of subsequent movies of this sort was initiated, with many unique African stories waiting to be told. Chadwick Boseman was famous for playing the titular role of Black Panther in the Marvel franchise (Disney/Marvel Studios) Yet, tragedy — a deep tragedy that would defy description among wordsmiths — lurked around. Black Panther would later go-ahead to change history — becoming a huge step forward for African cinema, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide, and breaking numerous box office records including the highest-grossing film by a black director. It is even among the ten highest-grossing films of all time. But while Boseman was fighting villains on-screen, what fans of the famed and idolized superhero character never knew was that the man behind the black mask was also waging a very real battle in his personal life and edging closer to his death, having been diagnosed with stage three colon cancer back in 2016. Boseman had not publicly spoken about his illness before his death. In April, fans had expressed concerns over the Marvel star’s health after he was pictured with drastic weight loss. The film star, who appeared visibly thin and sporting a beard, however, did not engage fans with questions. He eventually breathed his last on Friday evening while at home with his family. Battled cancer while on ‘Black Panther’ set, eight other movies! Born and raised in Anderson, South Carolina, he got his start in the movie industry in an episode of ‘Third Watch’ in 2003 and then featured on ‘Law and Order’, ‘ER’ and ‘CSI’ before getting his breakout role as Jackie Robinson in ’42’. It was his act in ’42’ that led directly to his role as T’Challa/Black Panther, the fictional leader of Wakanda — a character that first appeared in the ‘Captain America: Civil War’. Over the last four years, even as he was on surgeries and chemotherapies, Boseman took up several roles across blockbuster films. Chadwick Boseman had not spoken publicly about his cancer diagnosis (CNet) The year after his diagnosis, he filmed and appeared in ‘Gods of Egypt’ (2016), ‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016), and ‘Message From The King’ (2016). Chadwick then took the role of ‘Thurgood Marshall’, the first black Supreme Court Justice, in 2017’s ‘Marshall’ before the famed ‘Black Panther’ (2018). He also played the same role in other Marvel films such as ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019). He starred in Spike Lee’s 2020 film ‘Da 5 Bloods’ as ‘Stormin’ and August Wilson’s upcoming ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. In 2019, Boseman had noted that the film changed what it meant to be “young, gifted and black.” For his biggest role in ‘Black Panther’ and its many fight scenes, the star was said to have trained rigorously to get in shape and learned Angolan capoeira, Dambe boxing, Zulu stick fighting, karate, kung-fu and jiu-jitsu. According to his family, many of Boseman’s movies got filmed amid his “countless surgeries and chemotherapy” even as his cancer diagnosis was not publicly known. “Chadwick was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, battled it…as it progressed to stage 5. A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you so many of the films you have come to love so much. From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and several more, all were filmed between countless surgeries and chemotherapy,” the family said. DNA test showed he’s of Nigeria, Sierra Leon ancestry Raised in the United States, the deceased actor had revealed that his DNA test indicated that his ancestors were Krio people from Sierra Leone, Yoruba people from Nigeria, and Limba people from Sierra Leone. His mum was a nurse while his dad worked at a textile firm, managing an upholstery business as well. As for him, he initially sought to become a leading movie director and executive. Boseman was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016 (Getty Images) Boseman graduated from T.L. Hanna High School in 1995. In his junior year, he wrote what turned out to be his first play ‘Crossroads’ and staged it at the school after a classmate was shot and killed. Boseman also attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing., with one of his teachers Phylicia Rashad becoming his mentor. She was said to have helped raise funds so that Boseman and some classmates attended the Oxford Mid-Summer Program of the British American Drama Academy in London, the United Kingdom to which they had been accepted as Boseman wanted to write and direct, and initially began studying acting to learn how to relate to actors. He thereafter returned to the United States, where graduated from New York City’s Digital Film Academy. Being a firm believer in social justice, the actor had severally spoken against racism, having lived in Brooklyn as a black man at the start of his career. Boseman worked as the drama instructor in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program, housed at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York. In 2008, he moved to Los Angeles to finally pursue an acting career. After news of his death broke, Howard University tweeted a tribute, where Wayne Fredrick, the school’s president said, “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the loss of alumnus Chadwick Boseman who passed away this evening. His incredible talent will forever be immortalized through his characters and through his own personal journey from student to superhero! Rest in Power!” Chadwick Boseman gives 'Wakanda Forever' salute at Howard graduation Boseman gives ‘Wakanda Forever’ salute at Howard graduation (Washington Post) Even the institution will hardly forget the deceased star’s moving speech, which was made after he returned in 2018 to his alma mater on an invitation to deliver the main address at the school’s historic 150th commencement ceremony. There, he praised student protesters who had taken a stand a month earlier, and he charged graduates to find purpose in their lives and not simply a job. “When you are deciding on next steps, next jobs, next careers, further education, you should rather find purpose than a job or a career. Purpose crosses disciplines. The purpose is an essential element of you. It is the reason you are on the planet at this particular time in history,” he said while addressing the graduates. “Many of you will leave Howard and enter systems and institutions that have a history of discrimination and marginalization. The fact that you have struggled with this university you love is a sign that you can use your education to improve the world you’re entering.” Tributes have been pouring in for the late movie star as words of his death spread. https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/obituary-chadwick-boseman-the-black-panther-who-starred-in-9-movies-hiding-cancer-battle/ 1 Like
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| Sports / Messi, Ronaldo And Guardiola Will Join PSG - Pancrate Tips Ligue 1 Champions by GreenAgain: 5:33pm On Aug 29, 2020 |
The former midfielder believes the trio will all end up in the French capital and claims "Manchester is ugly" amid Man City interest in the Argentine Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be at Paris Saint-Germain and have Pep Guardiola as their coach by next year, says Fabrice Pancrate. Messi has told Barcelona he wants out and, as revealed by Goal, the Argentine plans to meet the Catalan club's board to discuss leaving on good terms. L'Equipe have claimed that PSG sporting director Leonardo contacted the 33-year-old's father, Jorge, to inquire about his situation before being told that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has opted to join Manchester City. However, Pancrate, who played for PSG between 2004 and 2009, believes the Ligue 1 champions have a masterplan in place which involves not only Messi, but Guardiola and Juventus star Ronaldo too. "I'll tell you what I think. Beyond the city itself – because Manchester is ugly, it's grey, it's raining – there are plenty of things that make me say that Messi is going to Paris," Pancrate told Le Parisien. "And Ronaldo will join him in 2021. And Guardiola too. "I think Guardiola and Messi have spoken to each other before. Guardiola must have told him: 'We're going to mix things up. I want you in Manchester, but go to Paris and don't worry, next year I'll join you there.' "I see it like that. And there, the slogan of PSG – 'let's dream bigger' – it makes perfect sense! "It would be the first team in the world to bring together four aliens: Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, [Kylian] Mbappe. With a crazy coach." Ronaldo is about to enter his third season at Juve, having left Real Madrid in a €112 million (£100m/$119m) deal in 2018, but Pancrate believes a move to PSG would make perfect sense. "Even though people say Messi is already 33, and that Ronaldo is going to be 36, stars of their calibre don't need to run," Pancrate continued. "It's the ball that moves! They will always make a technical difference. And then if you were able to take a [Gianluigi] Buffon or a David Beckham at 37, with a marketing side that no one hides, it makes perfect sense to take a Ronaldo who is still very competitive, very professional, who is afraid of nothing. "Paris has everything to gain! It's too premature for him to leave the European scene. He needs ever-higher challenges. Who can offer him that after Juve? Can you imagine this dream team? It would just be grandiose." https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/messi-ronaldo-guardiola-join-psg-pancrate-ligue-1-champions/6crm9sebiszy13wlrhwdduozg |
| Romance / 40% Of Married Nigerian Men Are Bi-sexual- Halima Abubakar by GreenAgain: 8:51pm On Aug 26, 2020 |
A few days ago, popular Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar took to her social media account to send a cryptic message which set the platform agog as many of her friends and followers read meanings to the message. The actress simply posted, “Don’t blame people who jump from one girl to another. Some times what they really want is another man. Don’t hurt yourself. Dust yourself and move on.” In an exclusive chat with Punch, the Kogi state born actress shared her reason for the cryptic message. She revealed that about 40 per cent of married Nigerian men are on the “Down-low” (bi-sexual). She said, “We have over 40 per cent of down-low (bi-sexual married men) in Nigeria, whether you want to believe it or not. Sadly, their families don’t even know. Instead of them putting their families through hurt, infect them with various diseases and end up killing their wives or themselves because they are scared to open up, I feel they should be truthful and realistic about their needs and put it first before anything. “I know so many people who are married and they are bi-sexual. I’m saying this because it is the truth and those reacting are the guilty ones. Tell me why a man will change girls at random? What exactly are they looking for if it is not a man? Nigerians don’t accept the truth because half of us are hypocrites. I Halima Abubakar am telling you that a lot of people are bi-sexual. They should save the lives of future generations by coming out, if they don’t want to come out, they should not get married. She continued, “If they want just a child, they can afford surrogacy. You won’t believe some of these people have nine children, tell me what they want nine children for only to go and end up with a man. That’s destroying somebody’s life. I’ve been hinting about it for a long time now so I just needed to say it like this.” The mother of one debunked rumours that her statement was directed to her long time friend, Tonto Dikeh, as speculated by some blogs stating that such comments were stupid. “Is she a man? The people that said that are very stupid. How can they even mention Tonto Dike? Please let them stop putting my name in things like that. She is somebody that I’ve known for over 15 years why will I just make a post about her when it is not a birthday or congratulatory post. Look, I do not make enemies in my life and she is one of the people that I will never in my life say something against anywhere. People know that I am vocal, if I have a problem with you, I will ask you or call you. I am that bold, so why should I indirectly insult a friend?” the thespian said. https://punchng.com/40-of-married-nigerian-men-are-bi-sexual-halima-abubakar/ |
| Family / Muslim Girl In France Shaved By Family Over Christian Boyfriend by GreenAgain: 7:09pm On Aug 21, 2020 |
The parents, uncle and aunt of a teenager of Bosnian Muslim origin will face trial in France on charges of violence against a minor for shaving her head over her relationship with a Christian Serbian boy, prosecutors said Friday. The girl had her hair shaven off and was also beaten in the eastern city of Besancon on Monday, judicial sources said. “Shaved and beaten because she ‘loved a Christian’. Deeply shocked by this act of torture on this 17-year-old girl,” French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin wrote on Twitter. “This barbarity calls for the most severe punishment,” he added. Police detained the two parents as well as the uncle and the aunt. They were released under judicial control but are banned from contacting the girl, who has been placed under protection. They are not aware of her whereabouts. They will be tried for “violence against minors”, deputy prosecutor Margaret Parietti told AFP. – ‘Can’t marry a Christian’ – The girl, who arrived from Bosnia-Herzegovina two years ago with her family, had for several months had a relationship with the young man, aged 20, of Serbian origin who lived in the same building. “The two families knew each other and (their relationship) was not a problem, but when they started talking about marriage, the girl’s parents told her: ‘We are Muslims, you cannot marry a Christian’,” Parietti said. The family took away her phone and stopped her contacting her boyfriend. The pair then fled for four days and on their return came to the apartment of the girl’s family along with the boy’s parents. “The first blow came from the mother, then there was an outbreak of violence. She was taken to a room and beaten. She was shaved, according to her testimony, by her uncle — her father’s brother — while being beaten”, the prosecutor said. The parents of the young man said they did not dare to intervene but he left the house to report what had happened to police, prosecutors said. Police in France arrived to find the Muslim girl had been made to hide in a room by her aunt. But she was discovered and taken to hospital, the Est Republicain newspaper reported. She suffered a broken rib and bruises “everywhere”, in particular, “at the level of the ear”, according to Parietti. Head-shaving in this context has a particularly shocking context in France. It was the punishment after World War II meted out to thousands of women who had relationships with Nazi occupiers. Bosnia’s 1992-1995 inter-ethnic war pitted Muslims, Serbs and Croats against each other and left 100,000 people dead and displaced more than two million. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/muslim-girl-in-france-shaved-by-family-over-christian-boyfriend/ |
| Politics / The Rule Of Idiots by GreenAgain: 2:58pm On Aug 21, 2020 |
In my high school days in Nigeria, I was a geeked tub-thumper of Irish statesman and philosopher, Edmond Burke. I still am. Among the horde of Burke’s gingering and spiriting philosophical sayings, one stands out strong for me. Each time I think about Nigeria, or when I’m privileged to talk about the nation anywhere around the world, these words barrel through my soul: “Those who will say nothing in the face of tyranny must endure the rule of idiots.” These were the words of Burke. The word ‘idiot’ is defined as a foolish or stupid person and one affected with extreme intellectual disability. Burke’s allusion is that there are “idiots’ who wield much power in positions of leadership in certain nations of the world. It means that some presidents, governors, lawmakers, and many men and women in whose charge are destinies of millions of people in a country, are ‘idiots’. That is a heavy word-dump from Burke. Greek mythology and ancient sociology also have an interesting perspective a little bit different from Burke’s definition of idiots in power. While Burke flatly defined idiots in power as stupid, the Greek description asserts that idiots are not mentally deficient, but very private, secretive, self-centred, and selfish people. According to them, idiots in power are pursuers of their own gain and self-interest and they lack public knowledge and philosophy. Idiots in the Greek ‘dictionary’ are upgraded barbarians who have no virtue and character to make meaningful contribution towards the flourishing of a society. The Greek also opined that modern-day idiots in power and leadership use power for their benefits. They pretend to be advocates of the people’s cause, but in reality, they advance their selfish interest. Wow! When I was putting this piece together, a lot of thoughts ran through my mind about Nigeria. I remember those who led Nigeria when I was growing up. I remember the Balewas; the Azikiwes; the Awolowos; and many other brainy beings who fought through tough enslaving times in the hands of the British to secure Independence for the country and her people. I remember Western Nigeria’s free educational system I was a beneficiary of, and I remember the well-coordinated curricula. I remember the salacious lunch meals we purchased at rock-bottom prices. I remember very well how Awolowo’s free education programme gave us a strong foundation in whatever route we chose to travel in life. And the path we travelled got many young people in my age cohort where we are today. I remember how public policy debates were conducted by men with principle, intellectual deftness, and oratorical prowess who ran our governments. I remember the bursary awards for university students that got to them on time and without bottlenecks. I remember the 45 naira student meal tickets at the then University of Ife. I remember that the voucher lasted a student through a whole month so that his stomach was full to learn, and his brain wide awake to lead. I remember many things about Nigeria I cannot bundle up in this 1,300-word treatise. I remember Nigeria then. And we all live Nigeria now. Like day and night, the two are totally different. Today, progress has stalled, growth has grounded, morality has evanesced; and patriotism is in peremptory interment. Men who took charge of Nigeria especially in the 60s may have had their own weaknesses and failings; but if Edmond Burke were alive today, he will not call them idiots. What do we call the folks in the saddle of our governments today? Amongst them are still great men and women with great ideas. But these few people’s dreams for a better country have been shackled by evil and greedy ogres whose insatiable thirst for power and money is sinking the titanic called the Giant of Africa. The environment in Nigeria today is a stench. In every aspect of our national life, it is all renditions of pain and suffering from top-to-bottom. According to a report by the International Poverty alleviation body, Oxford Committee for Famine Relief (OXFAM), the combined wealth of Nigeria’s five richest men, which totals $29.9 billion, could end extreme poverty in the nation. The report reads: “The five richest men in Nigeria could bring nearly all Nigerians out of extreme poverty for one year… Between 1960 and 2005, $20 trillion was stolen by public office holders; and multinational companies received tax incentives of $2.9 bn a year”. OXFAM also reports that the richest Nigerian man will take 42 years to spend all of his wealth at 1 million per day. And in one day, the richest Nigerian man can earn from his wealth 8,000 times more than what the poorest 10% of Nigerians spend on average in one year for their basic consumption. Many present-day leaders are largely arrogant and arrogating. In power, they believe everything including government properties are their personal possessions. Life is all about them and the massive wealth they acquire through corruption. It is why poverty is still alive and growing. It is why crime rate is spiking furiously. And it is why lives of many citizens are stalled and stuck in reprehensible rut. A derelict set of beings who do not understand that the more the number of citizens brought out of poverty into self-reliance and sufficiency, the sweeter they and their children too will sleep at night. A depraved bunch who are incognisant of the fact that the more the people we educate and empowered with skills and knowledge, the bigger the job market that will be created; and the faster the rate of national growth and development. A foolish generation of nincompoops who don’t know that power is transient and God-given. Will you call them idiot? According to the Greek mythology, idiots in power are upgraded barbarians who only pursue their own gain and self-interest; who lack public knowledge and philosophy; and who have no virtue and character to make meaningful contribution towards the flourishing of a society. Years ago, in Nigeria, armed robbers would write letters to their target-victims that they were coming to rob and loot. The robbers always kept the appointments. Nowadays, robbers have got more sophisticated. They no longer write letters before they rob; they run for elections. And they win. And they loot. And they get away with their spoils. From 1999 till date, a study conducted on Nigeria says that demicracy may have cost the nation close to N250tn to run its engine. But up till now, we are still looking for evidence of the progress made with that annually-budgeted whopping sum. What happened to all the funds? We have leaders who are absurdly lawless; audaciously unbridled, flagrantly foul, and defiantly deviant. Ours is a draining democracy. And where democracy drains, it also drowns. It is only a matter of time. In conclusion, I swing back to Burke’s philosophy that: “Those who will say nothing in the face of tyranny must endure the rule of idiots’. Just like their counterparts in developing nations around the world, politicians in big democracies like the US are also prone to stealing and killing if the hands of the law are weak. Governments of developed nations are able to make remarkable progress because the people hold them accountable. In Nigeria, unfortunately, the people who should hold thieves accountable become their praise-singers and cheerleaders at the mere brandishing of bowls of rotten rice and dirty five-hundred naira notes hauled at them like beggars. Our people must learn how to hold political office-holders accountable for their misdeeds while in power. If not, they must continue to endure the rule of idiots. Written by Fola Ojo Follow him: @folaojotweet https://punchng.com/the-rule-of-idiots/ |
| Politics / Babandede: Foreign Company Tried To Seize NNPC Building Over Contract by GreenAgain: 1:01pm On Aug 20, 2020 |
Muhammed Babandede, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has disclosed how a company contracted by the federal government sought to seize the country’s assets through arbitration in the UK. Babandede said the company tried to seize the building of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Continental Transfert Technique Limited, a member of the Contec Global group, is a technical partner to immigration on combined expatriate resident permit and alien card (CERPAC). While appearing before the joint senate committee on finance and national planning on Wednesday, Babandede said all the revenue generated by his organisation goes to the treasury single account (TSA) except that from the CERPAC, of which CONTEC takes a larger share before the remainder is deposited into the coffers of the federal government. The CG, who said “I don’t want to talk much”, told the committee that the company is taking a huge chunk of the revenue for “doing nothing”. Babandede said NIS could do the job CONTEC is contracted for at a cheaper rate and this would in turn provide more revenue for the government. “The agreement they signed between the ministry of interior and the company, we are implementing…. The agreement is that if someone, a non-Nigerian, buys a resident permit, the money is shared between CONTEC, interior. Initially, it (combined expatriate resident permit and alien card) was $1,000 and at that figure CONTEC collects 72 percent. Later, the ministry of interior changed the price to $2,000 and adjusted the payment model — CONTEC, 55 percent; federal government, 33 percent; immigration, 7 percent and ministry of interior 5 percent. The agreement was first signed in 2007 and it was reviewed last year (2019),” the comptroller-general said. “The truth of the matter is that it was signed on our behalf and we have to implement it. This job (issuing resident permit), we can do it. It is not rocket science. This has been on for many years. This is a company that took Nigeria to court, to arbitration; it is a huge issue. I don’t want to discuss more because the ministry of justice and Mr President have taken it very seriously. “If you see the amount the company is taking, you will be worried. There were several investigations by the senate, by the house; there are reports available if you want. I can get it for you or you can get it in the national assembly. “Nobody should defend CONTEC as a company to do business in Nigeria. This is a company that took us to court; this is a company that wanted to seize our property, including our mission and NNPC building. “Two thousand dollars for resident permit? We can make that resident permit with $500; $1,500 can go to the federal government. We throw away the company, and government will make more money.” The comptroller-general did not reveal how the country has been able to manage the situation thus far and at what time CONTEC approached the arbitration court. Meanwhile, in 2007, according to papers filed at the US court for the district of Columbia, “CONTEC and Nigeria entered arbitration to resolve a contract dispute.” “On August 14, 2008, the arbitrators issued their decision, awarding Continental 29.6 billion Nigerian naira. Nigeria was also ordered to pay Continental’s costs and 95% of the costs of arbitration,” the document reads. In December 2008, CONTEC also sought for the arbitral award to be recognised in the UK and the “United Kingdom’s High Court of Justice (“the English court”) issued an order confirming the arbitral award as final and enforceable”. In March 2020, following the upward review of the permit from $1,000 to $2,000 in 2018, a federal high court sitting in Lagos granted a stay of execution of its 2019 judgment which nullified the hike of the CERPAC fees. There are mounting concerns over the agreements the country is entering into or has entered into. Nigeria is currently struggling to escape a $9 billion judgement debt awarded by the UK arbitration court over a failed gas deal with Process and Industrial Development (P&ID). The country is also faced with a $1.2 billion liability if it decides to pull out of an agreement with Azura Power. Last month, the house of representatives raised the alarm over clauses conceding Nigeria’s sovereignty to China in a loan agreement. https://www.thecable.ng/immigration-cg-how-foreign-company-attempted-to-seize-nnpc-building-over-resident-permit-contract |
| Politics / Banditry In Nigeria Has International Dimension Says IGP, Mohammed Adamu by GreenAgain: 8:12am On Aug 20, 2020 |
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, says the lingering banditry in the North-West and North-Central Nigeria has an international dimension. Adamu said this during a town-hall meeting on peace and security held on Wednesday in Zuru, headquarters of Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State. “We have realised that most of the banditry has an international dimension. The bandits come from outside the country. We arrested Sudanese, Nigeriens and Malians, among other nationals. “We also believe that because of what is happening in the North-East and the fact that the military troops are doing a great job in the fight against insurgency there, most of the bandits are running toward the North-West of the country and we have evidence. “When we operated in Kaduna, Birnin Gwari, where we attacked a group of bandits, we realised that most of them came from Islamic State of West Africa, who are terrorists, kidnapping for ransom. “So, the issue is not at the level you are looking at it, it is a big issue and we must work together to address it. “This is why President Muhammadu Buhari does not rest because of these complaints coming from the North-West and North-Central on banditry,” the IGP said. He said he came with a high powered delegation, comprising the heads of intelligent community in the country. “This is because of the seriousness the president attaches to security and the rising security challenges that are happening in the North-West in particular. “During one of our briefings on security to the president, the issue of insecurity was seriously discussed as it affects the North-West in particular and we saw an emerging trend from Zuru Emirate. “And the president ordered us to move to Zuru and listen to the stakeholders and come up with a solution on how to bring lasting peace in Zuru Emirate and that’s why we are here. “The security situation in the North-West, including North-Central, are issues that bordered on kidnapping, banditry and insurgency,” he further said. Adamu urged every Nigerian to see the fight against insecurity as a collective responsibility. He, therefore, underscored the need for people to continue to furnish the security agencies with genuine, reliable and intelligent information about suspicious elements in society. He further said: “When you look at what happened in Zamfara, it used to be the epicentre of banditry. “When we tried to know the cause of the problem, we identified the cause and we said ok, let us go for a solution. “What fueled insecurity in terms of banditry in Zamfara is what is fueling insecurity in Katsina and invariably the same here in Kebbi State. “When the situation was so bad in Zamfara, we brought all the stakeholders and in another development, we met with all the governors from the North-West to Katsina. “A lot was discussed and we realised that Zamfara’s situation was caused by the problem of “Yan Sa Kai”. “This is because there was no control of command of the activities of Yan Sa Kai. “When we moved to Katsina State we wanted to know what had been fueling the banditry and reprisal attacks. “Again, it was the activities of Yan Sa Kai because they organised themselves genuinely to protect their environment, their communities and their families but there was no command of control, so they went out of control and that is what is happening now in Kebbi State.” Also, the Director-General, State Security Services, Yusuf Magaji-Bichi, appealed to the people of Zuru Emirate to remain calm and peaceful. “There is no doubt that the people of Zuru are peace-loving, accommodating and determined to achieve a result,” Magaji-Bichi said. According to him, the result in this context is to have peace in Zuru Emirate. “If we extend this result to security agencies, I think we shall see light at the end of the tunnel, that means peace will reign in this Emirate by the grace of God Almighty. “On a lighter note, I used to tease the people Sokoto, especially the elite. “I will always say nowadays we do not have Sokoto people, the learned are gone, everything of theirs is gone, you only have Zuru people or Zamfara people inside Sokoto township,” Magaji-Bichi said. He described Zuru people as accommodating and loving, pointing out that people from Kano reside and do business. Earlier, the President of Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Muhammadu Kiruwa, appealed to the security agencies to investigate the extra-judicial killing of 68 Fulani pastoralists in Zuru, Sakaba, Fakai and Dango/Wasagu Local Government Areas under Zuru Emirate. He alleged that the victims were killed by Dakarkari “Yan Sa kai” group this year. “This dastardly act which started on April 29 continued unabated and no one is being arrested or being held accountable for this killings. “The first murder took place in broad daylight at the premises of the Technical College, Zuru, where eight Fulani people were killed. “This trend continued in the communities of Danko, Maga, Ribah, Joli, Kadurga, Marafa, Kanya, Unashi and Ayyu, where 68 people were killed for no just cause other than being Fulani herders. “This murderous gang is getting bolder and bolder by the day and if care is not taken the crises in these areas might snowball into a larger conflict. “The silence and in-action of the traditional institution, the local and state government to deal with this lawlessness is capable of escalating insecurity in the North-West Region,” Kiruwa said. He, however, said that the association had directed its Kebbi chapter to ensure that its members affected in one way or the other to exercise restraint and allow the law to take its course. “As a responsible and law-abiding association we will not allow the situation to deteriorate because we always believe two wrongs do not make a right,” the president said. In a remark, the Chairman of Yan Sa Kai, Mr Mani Giwa, said that the Zuru people were known for their hospitality and peace-loving attributes. “What is happening in Zuru today is that some people have taken up arms for the past three years, killing our farmers, destroying their farms and houses, raping, kidnapping and displacing them. “The lack of media focus might be the reason our voices were not heard until we resorted to self-defence,” he said. Giwa, who described the emergence of the group as a self-defence group, said they only engage in arresting individuals that had direct or indirect links with criminal gangs. “We are not fighting against MACBAN members, rather we are fighting criminals who cut across all tribes and cultures within and beyond Zuru emirate. “We have agreed to handover any arrested suspect to the appropriate authorities and we will monitor the court proceedings to ensure justice,” he said. He thanked the state government, security agencies and all the traditional rulers for their untiring support and cooperation to Yan Sa Kai. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/banditry-in-nigeria-has-international-dimension-igp/ |
| Sports / I Wanted Messi's Shirt But He Was A Little Upset, Says Bayern Star Davies by GreenAgain: 7:08am On Aug 20, 2020 |
The full-back saw his request denied after his side's 8-2 demolition of Barcelona last week Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies said Lionel Messi denied his request for his shirt after last week's 8-2 demolition in the Champions League quarter-final. Davies and his Bayern Munich team-mates beat Lyon 3-0 at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Wednesday in the semi-final, reaching the final against PSG. Serge Gnabry grabbed a first-half double and the prolific Robert Lewandowski nodded in his 55th goal of a staggering season to put Lyon out of their misery late on. It followed an astonishing win over Barcelona in the quarter-final, where the only blot on a fabulous evening for Davies came when he failed to claim Messi's famous number 10 jersey as a souvenir afterwards. "I asked for it but I think he was a little bit upset," the left-back told BT Sport. "It's OK, next time hopefully." Messi's frustration was understandable after Barcelona finished the 2019-20 season without a trophy, casting doubt on the 33-year-old's future with the club. Reports have suggested that Messi could be looking for a way out of Camp Nou as his contract enters its final year. New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has said that he plans to sit down and talk with Messi, expressing his hope that he can work alongside the Argentinian star for years to come. "I don't know if I have to convince Messi or not," Koeman said on Wednesday. "You want to have the best in the world in your team, not the opposite. "I want to work with Messi. He wins you games and, if he provides the performances he has always shown, I'll be happy if he wants to stay. "He has a contract. I have to talk to him, because he is the captain of the team. We are going to work and talk with several players. And in the case of Messi, I hope that he will be here for many more years. "What I talk to Messi, there are private things between player and coach. We will talk about what he thinks of Barcelona and then I will make decisions." Koeman took over from Quique Setien, who was sacked in the aftermath of the heavy defeat to Bayern. Technical manager Eric Abidal was also shown the door. https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/bayern-star-davies-i-wanted-messis-shirt-but-he-was-a-little-bit-/tljs2hj0258p1tugzpk3mskqi |
| Politics / I Was Procured To Nail Magu, Abuja Lawyer Writes Salami's Panel Over EFCC Probe by GreenAgain: 10:51pm On Aug 18, 2020 |
Victor Giwa, an Abuja-based lawyer, says he was procured to nail Ibrahim Magu, suspended acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The presidential panel headed by Ayo Salami, retired president of the appeal court, is probing the activities of the agency under Magu. Magu was alleged to have mishandled recovered loot and sold seized assets to his associates. In a petition, one Donald Wokoma, accused Magu of attempting to extort him of N75 million through Giwa, his former lawyer. In his testimony before the committee, Wokoma reportedly presented an audiotape of his conversation with Giwa in order to implicate Magu. But in a letter dated August 15 and addressed to the presidential committee, Giwa alleged that Wokoma had made a desperate move to lure him to nail the suspended acting EFCC chairman. “I, Victor Giwa, request to provide additional information to state that the said information and petition was borne out of a desperate move of Donald Wokoms to lure me into indicting the Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu of the EFCC, with a promise that his money will be released,” Giwa said. “My refusal was what has led to the presentation of an audio recording of client-lawyer conversation which is privilege information. “I will be grateful if I am given the opportunity to give additional facts.” Magu was arrested and detained on July 6, 2020, following summons by the presidential panel. His travails followed a memo by Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, who accused him of “grave malfeasance”. https://www.thecable.ng/i-was-procured-to-nail-magu-lawyer-writes-salami-panel |
| Education / Re: Mother Prays Over Her Daughter's Biro Ahead Of Her First WAEC Exam by GreenAgain: 11:48am On Aug 18, 2020 |
Is not everything that is condemnable Nigerians. From my ND to Postgraduate levels, I have wintessed were as little as biro and other exam materials had made some of my peers failed (had carry-over) and is not because they never read or were not good. You could even read but meet some funny issues in an exam which often time result in poor grades. Secondly, the woman praying for her daughter and also her writing material shows submission to God. 1 Like |
| Politics / NIMC: National Identity App Not Yet For Public Use by GreenAgain: 2:46am On Aug 18, 2020 |
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says the mobile application designed for digital identification is not yet approved for public use.https://www.thecable.ng/nimc-national-identity-app-not-yet-approved-for-public-use 1 Share
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| Politics / CNN Poll: Biden And Trump Matchup Tightens As Enthusiasm Hits New High by GreenAgain: 2:55pm On Aug 17, 2020 |
(CNN)Joe Biden's lead over Donald Trump among registered voters has significantly narrowed since June, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, even as the former vice president maintains an advantage over the President on several top issues and his choice of California Sen. And on the eve of the party conventions, a majority of voters (53%) are "extremely enthusiastic" about voting in this year's election, a new high in CNN polling in presidential election cycles back to 2003. Overall, 50% of registered voters back the Biden-Harris ticket, while 46% say they support Trump and Pence, right at the poll's margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Among the 72% of voters who say they are either extremely or very enthusiastic about voting this fall, Biden's advantage over Trump widens to 53% to 46%. It is narrower, however, among those voters who live in the states that will have the most impact on the electoral college this fall. Across 15 battleground states, the survey finds Biden has the backing of 49% of registered voters, while Trump lands at 48%. The pool of battleground states in this poll includes more that Trump carried in 2016 (10) than were won by Hillary Clinton (5), reflecting the reality that the President's campaign is more on defense than offense across the states. Taken together, though, they represent a more Republican-leaning playing field than the nation as a whole. The movement in the poll among voters nationwide since June is concentrated among men (they split about evenly in June, but now 56% back Trump, 40% Biden), those between the ages of 35 and 64 (they tilt toward Trump now, but were Biden-leaning in June) and independents (in June, Biden held a 52% to 41% lead, but now it's a near even 46% Biden to 45% Trump divide). Trump has also solidified his partisans since June. While 8% of Republicans or Republican-leaning independents in June said they would back Biden, that figure now stands at just 4%. And the President has boosted his backing among conservatives from 76% to 85%. But the survey suggests that Trump's voters are a bit more likely to say that they could change their minds by November (12% say so) than are Biden's backers (7%). More voters say their choice of candidate is about Trump than say it is about Biden. Nearly 6 in 10 say they support the candidate they do because of their view of Trump (29% say their Biden vote is more to oppose Trump, 30% say they are casting a Trump vote in support of him), while only 32% say Biden is the deciding factor (19% are voting in favor of Biden, 13% casting a ballot to oppose him). Overall, 54% disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job as president and 42% approve. That's an uptick since June, and about on par with Trump's ratings from earlier this year. It still lands the President near the bottom of a list of historical approval ratings for presidents seeking reelection just ahead of their nominating conventions. Trump lands ahead of Jimmy Carter (33% approval) and George H.W. Bush (35%), but below Barack Obama (48%), George W. Bush (49%), Bill Clinton (53%) and Ronald Reagan (54%). Trump's favorability rating remains underwater nationally (43% see him favorably, 55% unfavorably), a bit worse than Biden's 46% favorable to 47% unfavorable even split. In the battleground states, though, voters' views on the two candidates are almost even: 52% have an unfavorable opinion of Biden, 54% of Trump. Both candidates are viewed favorably by 45% in those states. Kamala Harris seen as a good pick Harris joins the ticket with a narrowly positive favorability rating (41% have a favorable view, 38% unfavorable), which is an improvement since May when 32% of Americans said they had a positive view of her and 33% a negative one. Biden's selection of Harris is rated as excellent or pretty good by most (52%), and 57% say it reflects favorably on Biden's ability to make important presidential decisions. Most say she is qualified to be president should that be necessary (57%). And a majority, 62%, say her selection does not have much effect on their vote. People of color, though, are more likely than White people to say her selection makes them more likely to back Biden (28% among people of color, 18% among whites). Compared with other recent Democratic running mates, Harris fares well. The 30% who call her selection excellent outpaces the share who said so in CNN polling on John Edwards in 2004, Biden in 2008, Joe Lieberman in 2000 or Tim Kaine in 2016. And the 57% who say she is qualified to serve as president if that becomes necessary is only topped by Biden (63%) and Al Gore in 1992 (64%). On the issues The poll suggests that supporters of the two candidates are living in alternate universes when it comes to the issues that matter to their vote. Overall, the economy, coronavirus, health care, gun policy and race relations are rated as extremely important by at least 40% of voters. But there are large gaps between Biden and Trump voters on the importance of these issues. Seventy percent of Biden voters say the coronavirus is critically important vs. 24% of Trump voters. Among Trump backers, 57% rate the economy as extremely important, while 37% of Biden voters agree. Majorities of Biden supporters (57% in each case) call health care and race relations extremely important, while only about 1 in 5 Trump backers agree (20% on health care, 22% on race relations). Biden tops Trump as better able to handle most of the issues tested in the poll: Racial inequality in the US, the coronavirus outbreak, health care and foreign policy. Trump wins out on handling the economy. Voters are closely divided over which candidate would keep Americans safe from harm (50% say Biden would, 47% Trump). And more generally, Biden is more often seen as having "a clear plan for solving the country's problems" (49% choose Biden to 43% Trump) and as better able to "manage the government effectively" (52% Biden to 44% Trump). And when it comes to these top issues, nearly all Trump and Biden supporters think their man is the right one for the job. Just 1% of Biden backers say they would trust Trump over Biden to handle racial inequality in the US, and only 2% would trust Trump to handle the coronavirus outbreak. On the flip side, 2% of Trump voters say they would prefer Biden on the economy, and only 4% choose him on the coronavirus outbreak. Overall, Biden holds the edge on a range of positive traits often seen as valuable in a run for the White House. Most say he cares about people like them (53% Biden, 42% Trump), shares their values (52% Biden to 43% Trump), and is honest and trustworthy (51% Biden to 40% Trump). More also say Biden will unite the country and not divide it (55% Biden to 35% Trump). But in this matchup between two septuagenarians, voters are split over which one has the stamina and sharpness to be president (48% say Trump, 46% Biden). The CNN Poll was conducted by SSRS August 12 through 15 among a random national sample of 1,108 adults reached on landlines or cellphones by a live interviewer, including 987 registered voters. The survey also includes an oversample of residents of 15 battleground states for a total subsample of 636 adults and 569 registered voters from those states. That subset was weighted to its proper share of the overall adult population of the United States. Results for the full sample have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. It is 4.0 points among registered voters and 5.4 points for results for registered voters in the battleground states. https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/16/politics/cnn-poll-biden-trump-august/index.html |
| Family / Overcoming Childlessness by GreenAgain: 11:52am On Aug 16, 2020 |
Between 10-15% of all heterosexual couples are involuntarily childless. In this post, you can read about how childlessness it experienced, and how to live a meaningful life while struggling to create a family. If a 12-month period of intercourse of normal frequency ends without pregnancy, a couple is infertile. In approximately one third of the cases, the problem is due to the man, and in one third of the cases, the problem is due to the woman. The last third is due to factors that affect both or other unknown reasons. The psychological pregnancy begins before the physical one Being involuntarily childless – what does this mean exactly? For parents with children, involuntary childlessness can be hard to imagine or understand. But for those who are or have been affected, the meaning is clear. For both involuntarily childless couples and couples who achieve pregnancy quickly, the so-called psychological pregnancy starts with the desire to have a child. However, this is where the similarity ends. For whereas the pregnant couple gives birth to the child of their dreams within a shorter period of time, the involuntarily childless couple may have to wait two to three years or even longer. Change in attitude towards childlessness Generations ago, childlessness was to a greater extent accepted as a fact of life. Or the problem was resolved through for example adoption. However, In the past 50 to 60 years, the availability of new techniques and a change in attitudes have resulted in an increased need to treat involuntary childlessness. In the past 10 to 20 years, it has become much more common to offer treatment to heterosexual couples, single women and lesbian couples. The group of single women, in particular, has risen and today accounts for over one third of all fertility treatments. Childlessness and the relationship In a heterosexual couple, men and women often experience childlessness differently. The difference can result in disappointments and a crisis in the relationship. It is often couples who see themselves as being in a strong relationship that seeks infertility treatment. It requires great commitment to face the problem and attempt to do something about it. Many couples who go through a period of childlessness and fertility treatment together achieve to strengthen their relationship during the process. Who to open up to about childlessness Some people struggling with childlessness choose not to discuss what they are going through. This to avoid pity, questions or well-meaning suggested solutions from others. However, choosing not to open up about the problems could mean not getting help and support which can be crucial. Having said this, there are also advantages in being selective when choosing who to open up to. Some people who have not experienced the problem themselves, may not fully understand what childless people go through. Therefore, it can be a good idea to open up to some of the closets friends or family but not the whole world. However, all people are different and will handle the problem in different ways. For some people, it feels good to open up to people that they do not know, for instance in a Facebook group or another online forum. Acceptance of involuntary childlessness Involuntary childlessness can be very hard to bear. The absence of a child can be a heavy burden to carry. However, it is important not to see it as one of life’s shortcomings. Similar to the lives of couples who easily become pregnant, life does not solely revolve around a child. It is important not to make the absence of a child the focus of one’s life. People with fertility problems may try and view life in its wider context and not let childlessness take over their whole identity. Instead, it should reflect one aspect of it – even though childlessness, being permanent or a period of life, can be hard to accept and to live with. Credit to: cryosinternational |
| Family / Divorce Are Now Celebrated As Weddings by GreenAgain: 10:21am On Aug 16, 2020 |
Should getting a divorce make you this happy? It seems that while previous generations may have considered divorce a failure, something to be ashamed of, it is now regarded by many as an occasion to be marked in much the same way as a wedding – with a cake carrying a far from the uplifting message. Like so many trends, it originated in the U.S., where for several years, divorces have been celebrating the end of their marriages with icing brides and grooms being massacred on fancy cakes. Britain bakers are reporting a growing number of requests for sugary representations of carnage between husbands and wives. One of such bakers, Fay Miller said she’d been commissioned to make tongue-in-cheek creations in which a bride is pushing a groom, or vice-versa, off a cake. “I’ve turned down others that seemed to be vindictive”, she said. “A woman asked me to ice a cake with `F*** you, Gary’, but I refused. I did make one cake featuring bride stirring blood soup beside a pie with a foot sticking out of it because that seemed like a bit of fun”. When Alice, a mother of nine-year-old twins was dumped by her husband of 15 years for another woman much younger than she is, she said: “I cried for three days and went through every emotion imaginable – anger, sadness, disbelief. When everything was finalised, I started planning a divorce party – a friend of a friend had one a couple of years before and my friends talked me into doing the same – and a cake seemed like the perfect centerpiece. I wanted to mark the end of what had been a terrible time and thank everyone for helping me through it. Also, it was a great opportunity to let my hair down”. Naturally, Grey, her ex saw things differently. “I wasn’t happy at all”, he said. “What man would be, seeing a graveyard with `RIP Greg’ and other insults on tombstones? I told myself, `If that’s her way of getting over it, so be it. I didn’t say anything at the time or object to our nine-year-old twins being at the party because I didn’t want to do or say anything that might affect my chances of seeing them. But I don’t think it could have been healthy for them to see those insults about me, their dad”. According to child psychologist Dr. Jack Boyle, “When warring parents say `I hate you, I wish you were dead’, it is upsetting for children, who don’t want to get caught up in the hostility because they love both parents. A graveyard scene, even mean as a joke, would be interpreted by children in the same way as such insults”. When Helen’s divorce was granted a couple of years ago, she celebrated with two divorce cakes … courtesy of a close friend who runs a confectionery shop. According to Helen: “On top of one of the cakes was a groom whose tackle had been sliced off with a bloodied knife. The second was a two-tier cake of which the bride was pushing the groom from the top lawyer into a sharp infested waters beneath. It didn’t seem in bad taste at the time, it looked like a bit of fun and after all, I’d been through, I felt I deserved that. “I had a great time on the night, but with hindsight, I realised I was floating around in a sea of anti-depressants and I had a bit of breakdown afterward. I had lost my marriage, my hopes and dreams for the future, and my home”. According to the psychologist: “Divorcees may feel that having a celebration at the end of their marriage, as they did a the beginning, is a way of marking the end of the relationship, so they can put it behind them, but it may be a sign they are stuck in the past. `If you’re re-rooted in the past and constantly thinking about your ex, having a cake to mark your divorce may be a sign you’re moving forward with your life. Take Alice’s case for instance. Even though her distress at her husband cheating is understandable, one can only hope she’s right in her assumption that her young twins were oblivious to the macabre messages on her divorce cake. Otherwise, sweet though they were, these blocks of icing shaped like tombstones with their father’s name etched on them could leave a nasty taste in their moths in yeas to come”. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/should-getting-a-divorce-make-you-this-happy/ |
| Politics / Quota System Denied Me Dream Of Becoming Air Force Officer –akintemi, Plus TV MD by GreenAgain: 7:10pm On Aug 15, 2020 |
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Plus TV Africa, Mr Kayode Akintemi, shares his journey as a broadcast journalist and the hurdles of starting a television station, in this interview with TOBI AWORINDE Many kids start out with lofty dreams of becoming an astronaut, pilot or surgeon, even though they, sometimes, discover new passions along the way. Was that the same for you? Interestingly, it is the same for me. I didn’t start out in life wanting to be a journalist. I loved the idea of flying an aircraft and, at some point, I would love to still learn to fly an aircraft. But I didn’t just want to fly an aircraft; I wanted to be in that position where I could say, ‘I wear a uniform.’ And that meant, as a child, I wanted to be a fighter pilot. I wanted to be an air force officer because I saw them in uniform and they looked so amazing. Air force officers are, for me, the quintessential smart-looking people. The naval officers as well, in their white, just appealed to me so much that I liked the idea of being an officer in the army, navy or air force. But the fact that being an officer in the air force also meant that I would be wearing a very good-looking uniform and I would also be flying fighter jets is a story from the comic books, so to say. It’s something I so much would have loved to do, but I ended up being a journalist. You obtained a Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Ogun State Polytechnic (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic). What was your journey like up to that point? I went through a phase where I wanted to go to the Nigerian Defence Academy. I didn’t plan (to practise) journalism. But it happened by virtue of the fact that the federal quota system didn’t enable me to get admission even into university at that point, so I ended up going to a polytechnic and that wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to me. In fact, it turned out to be the best thing that could happen and I will say a big credit, number one, would be to God, and, number two, the man who helped and counselled me, that is, Bishop (Titus) Akintayo, who was the bishop of Egba (Anglican) Diocese (Ogun State) then. He happened to be a close associate of my late uncle, Bishop Akintemi. Between the two of them, my admission into Ogun State Polytechnic was sorted out in 1985. I was 20 years old. Even then, I didn’t want to study mass communication because I had good grades in Mathematics and Economics. I wanted to study Accounting, but I got admission into Mass Communication and that was the beginning of my journey. I remember when I said to Bishop Akintayo, ‘Oh no! I wanted to be an accountant. I would have preferred to study Law, rather than Mass Communication.’ Bishop Akintayo told me point-blank, ‘Young man, journalism is what God wants for you.’ And, trust me, that sounded like a cop-out. I was like, ‘Look at this Christian holy-man trying to use God as a reason why I must study Mass Communication, saying it is what God planned.’ I just thought, ‘If you can’t help me get into Law or the NDA, don’t say God is the one that gave me this one (simply) because that’s the only way you can help me.’ But now, I can look back and actually say, ‘Truly, this is the almighty God’s plan for my life.’ And I am delighted; I don’t think I would have thrived anywhere else outside of where God has put me as a place of my assignment. So, I’m happy with what God has done. The journey has been very interesting and exciting. During that time, I started working with Radio Nigeria, and then went to Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation and, at 25, I ended up doing my National Youth Service Corps at the Ahmadu Bello University. While I was there, I became the first HND holder to have been lecturing and encouraged to lecture undergraduates, and that was because I was the only one with extensive experience of being a broadcast journalist even before I graduated in 1990. During the time I was studying for my Ordinary National Diploma and HND, I was also a presenter, producer, news anchor and assistant news editor in radio. By the time I got to ABU, they were just happy to have somebody who could teach practical radio production and they wanted me to stay on but I felt I belonged in the field. So, I came back to the south from Zaria and joined Ogun State Television. Within a short time, I rose to the position of Head of Presentation and then I decided to set up my own production company before I ended up travelling to the United Kingdom in 1993. In 2011, you became General Manager, Operations at Channels Television and remained there until 2016. What are some of the most notable moments from your time there? More in Home FCTA demolishes 134 houses in Apo community Yard fire: Your vehicles safe, LASTMA tells traffic violators Our exploits selling ammunition to bandits — Suspects How to overcome hormonal imbalance to restore your fertility The sad truth When God wants to bless you, he puts you in an environment where you can grow and, regarding my journey since 2011, the one I can give all the glory to is God. When I come down to earth from that spiritual realm, I would still thank God for the likes of Mr and Mrs Momoh. I would say (Chairman/CEO, Channels TV) John Momoh is a friend of mine that I’ve known for years and that became a mentor, leader and somebody I have the utmost respect for. He’s an incredible professional and an amazing man that I can only say good things about because the five-year contractual period that I had with Channels TV opened my eyes to incredible possibilities in the broadcast sector in Nigeria. I’ve always known some of these things because I started my career in Nigeria before I moved to the UK. But when I returned, I needed to do a reality check. If I’d gone to any other TV station, my knowledge and understanding would have been warped and weird. But because God placed me under the wings of people like John and (Channels Executive Vice-Chairman) Sola Momoh, it gave me an opportunity to understand things better. They are always going to be, in my eyes, legends of the broadcast industry in Africa; possibly one of the best in the world. I enjoyed working with them for five years and there are so many beautiful memories. For several years, we became the TV station that YouTube recognised as being the one with the highest volume of content uploaded in any one period because Channels is just churning out loads of content on a regular basis. It’s a place where creativity works and there’s some amount of freedom to create things and to drive it. Because of that, the place thrived while I was in charge of the operations of the station. We created collaboration with so many international agencies, including the United Nations. John Momoh became, for me, practically the first head of any media anywhere in the world to shake hands with the UN secretary general and to sign a memorandum of understanding that gives them the freedom to share content. Channels had relationships with the Voice of America, the British Broadcasting Corporation, Deutsche Welle, and so many others. And you can’t do these things if your books and strategies are not right because they will measure you to the international standard with which they operate. So, my experience there was good because we were working to the highest standard in the land and possibly one of the highest in the world. Having started Plus TV Africa in 2016, I imagine it could be difficult to get your foot in some doors, compared to the likes of Channels TV and other more well-known media organisations. How much of a challenge has this been for you? Yes, it happens. If you’re a newcomer, people are not going to respond to you as quickly as possible. They are going to be concerned about what your intentions are and, in some cases, will choose to stay with either the angel or devil that they know. That will happen. But the story for me has consistently been what I learnt from my dad before he passed away. When my dad was alive, I would sit with him and have conversations, especially in his 70s. He would repeat it so many times: ‘Number one, choose your battles. You can’t fight every battle. If you fight every battle, you’ll lose the war, and that’s the end. Number two, if you find a need that people must have and you find a solution to that need, don’t worry about money. Money will find you.’ I still have these words at the back of my mind. We are surviving by the grace of God, but I know that, economically, this is a project that is extremely viable and sustainable. So, in terms of whether we will survive, I have absolutely no fear or worry. I have absolute confidence in our capacity to survive. Why? Not because I am boastful but because I know we are providing a need, which is information that is creating a body of knowledge that will help to create a change in dynamics and perspective and that will change the game across the board, whether it’s in economy, business, politics or lifestyle. We are willing to shake tables, and in shaking tables, you are going to get some results. What are some television programmes you enjoy producing? I think my news is the one I love, without a shadow of a doubt, and we’re not even there yet. We’re getting very positive, rave reviews, but we’re not there yet. It’s part of the reason why, next week, we’re starting our breakfast news, which we call The Breakfast — you wake up and, between 7am and 9am, if you happen to be watching on YouTube, which is at Plus TV Africa, or on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter via Periscope. Whatever online platform or if you watch on Channel 408 on DStv, when you wake up, you get some news and then you get some analysis of some of the big stories, which, we say, live here. When we look at the big stories, we unbundle them, making them easier for you to digest and have a clearer understanding of what these issues are. Wisdom does not come from just having information; it is the application of information with understanding that then creates wisdom. That’s the platform we are creating on The Breakfast. We will look at the statistics and facts. And we’re not just throwing numbers at you, but getting people to make sense of the numbers. For two hours in the morning, they don’t need to go anywhere else. They can just sit and watch The Breakfast, and they’re happy. They will be fed new delicacies in terms of information, knowledge sharing and analyses by subject matter experts. What are your thoughts on the amendment of the Broadcasting Code by the National Broadcasting Commission, which bans exclusive content like sports competitions and reportedly targets DStv’s monopoly? I’ve not had the opportunity to talk to my friend, Prof (Armstrong Idachaba), the NBC (acting) Director General (on this); I would like to speak with him. I have an idea of the position of the Minister of Information (Lai Mohammed) and what the Ministry of Information and the NBC seem to be trying to achieve. But the people in government and the NBC today are not going to be there forever. I keep reminding some of these people that you can say you want to fight an enemy you think you need to deal with now and then you create a rule or regulation for that purpose, but that purpose captures a lot more than that and is open to abuse. So, if you say this is a rule, and it means that the (English) Premiership can now be given to everybody and DStv cannot unilaterally say it is the only owners of the Premiership in Nigeria, maybe it will allow people like myself to have access to the Premiership and it will open doors for me. But what happens when Prof Idachaba and Mohammed are no longer in office? What happens if the next NBC DG and minister say, ‘This Plus TV always has some documentaries that make money and everybody wants to watch them. Why are they even making exclusive documentaries? But we have a regulation saying there is no such thing as exclusive content. So, you have to share’? We then end up in a situation where they say I must share the content and I cannot pick any price of my choice to charge (the buyer), irrespective of what it cost me. If they begin to regulate and put a price tag on something that I own, it’s not right. https://punchng.com/quota-system-denied-me-dream-of-becoming-air-force-officer-akintemi-plus-tv-md/ 1 Like 1 Share |
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