₦airaland Forum

The All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State says the Pa Oruta Ngele Stadium Abakaliki remains the official venue for its mega rally on Saturday.

The Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Eze Nwachukwu, made this known at a press briefing on Friday in Abakaliki, in reaction to media reports that the state government has denied the party access to the stadium.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dave Umahi, Emma Uzor, on Thursday while hosting members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria said the stadium would not be used by APC for its rally due to ongoing renovation works.

Governor Umahi rested the same position on Friday.

Umahi’s Special Adviser on Security, Kenneth Ugbala, said the stadium will be used for training members of the state’s neighbourhood watch on Friday (yesterday) and Saturday (today).

But Nwachukwu said that neither Umahi nor his privies can stop the APC from using the stadium for its rally.

He explained that the party applied for the use of the stadium following all the laid down procedures.

He said: “We officially applied for the stadium in line with laid down rules and clearance was given to the party to use the stadium for our mega rally holding on Saturday.

“For anybody to wake up and say that the venue is no longer available for the party to use, to us in APC is huge joke and we regard it as rumour.

“But if the report is correct and actually coming from the state government, all I will say is that no man can stop the rally from holding in the Abakaliki township stadium.

“The stadium was built and renovated with tax prayers’ money and owned by Ebonyi people irrespective of party affiliations.
“I want to urge the teeming party members and supporters to discountenance the said report as venue for our rally remains the Abakaliki stadium.”

Another chieftain of the party, Chief Egwu Chima, said the report was a ploy to undermine the APC in Ebonyi State.

Chima told the News Agency of Nigeria that the statement was borne out of fear of the rising popularity of APC and desperation to emasculate the party.

According to him, the mega rally was aimed at receiving high profile defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party, including senators, adding that the PDP was jittery.

He said: “The Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, knows that allowing APC to use the stadium for the mega rally, where many members of his party are expected to announce their defection to APC, amounts to committing political suicide.

“Though the stadium is a public facility, it is under the watch and control of the governor and he will not allow it to be used by a party that has repositioned to take over power from him.”

Chima, who noted that he predicted the development, however urged the state governor not to engage in actions that could generate political tension in the state.

He said: “I want to urge the governor to shun acts capable of plunging the state into needless political crisis as the 2019 elections draw closer.

“The actions and utterances of key political actors can make or mar smooth and credible elections and electioneering activities in Ebonyi.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/08/apc-insists-on-use-of-ebonyi-stadium.html?m=1

Bashir, one of the sons of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday took a swipe at three presidential aspirants.
Namely: Fela Durotoye, Omoyele Sowore, Kingsley Moghalu and other presidential aspirants .He described them as a ‘bunch of jesters.’
This was in response to a post shared by Fela Durotoye alongside other presidential aspirants, who gathered in Abuja on Tuesday to form an alliance to change the political course of Nigeria come 2019.
Fela Durotoye wrote “Visionary Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT) towards the 2019 General Elections “Election As Revolution
“We represent the future of our country, a future which begins now; and we know it. We take collective ownership of that mission.
“In attendance were: Thomas-Wilson Ikubese Comrade Eragbe Anslem, Sowore Omoyele, Fela Durotoye, Tope Fasua, Sina Fagbenro-Byron, Jaye Gaskia, Ahmed Buhari, Mathias Tsado, Charlyboy, amongst others. Our future is determined now.”
Tweeting at the picture, El-Rufai’s son wrote: “Look at these bunch of jesters.”
“They say politics is a game of numbers. These jokers actually believe they are more in number.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/08/el-rufais-son-blasts-moghalu-2019.html?m=1

Africa’s 200 metres record-holder Blessing Okagbare has pulled out of the 100m and 200m race at 21st African Athletics Senior Championships in Asaba, Nigeria .
Okagbare was inducted into the African Athletics Confederation (CAA) Hall of Fame on Tuesday night.

No reason for her opting out was officially disclosed, but a close source revealed that she could be nursing a niggle.

It remains to be seen if she will take part in the long jump event.

“Her name is not on the start list of the 100m and the 200m and there could be just two reasons. Maybe she’s nursing a slight injury or the fear of Ta Lou.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games bronze medallist has been under harsh criticisms from some Nigerian fans over her poor form since the beginning of the season.

But the talented athlete said she wasn’t bothered by such criticisms but instead focused on the CAA Senior Athletics Championships.

Her decision to pull out in the last minute will come as a rude shock to many.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/08/asaba-2018-okagbare-pulls-out-of-100m.html?m=1

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, warned traders in the country against rough-handling naira notes, saying “the law guiding the notes is still subsisting and violation of the laws would attract jail terms.”
The Assistant Director, Currency Operation Department of the CBN, Benedict Maduagwu gave the warning, in Akure, during a sensitisation programme for the market men and women as well as youths on how to properly operate with commercial banks without hitch.
Maduagwu said: “The Federal Government uses taxpayers’ money to print the naira notes, so, it is unfair for us to be rough-handling the notes.
“If you continue to spoil the naira notes, there will be no much money for the commercial banks to give out as loans to your customers and this will affect our economy.
“Do not squeeze the naira notes; do not write on the notes. Anybody selling naira notes is an enemy of Nigeria.”
On the scarcity of smaller denomination in circulation, the CBN boss disclosed that the apex bank would soon come to the state to sell smaller denomination naira notes directly to the market men and women.
He said: “We want to appeal to the commercial banks to load smaller denomination in their ATMs to end the scarcity of smaller denomination in the country.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/08/rough-handling-of-naira-notes-attracts.html?m=1

About 5.5 million people are registered to vote in the southern African nation, which is anxious for change after economic and political paralysis during the nearly four-decade rule of 94-year-old Mr Mugabe who was ousted in a military coup.
Thousands of election monitors have fanned out across the country to observe a process that the opposition says is biased against them, despite assurances from the electoral commission.
The two main contenders are 75-year-old president Emmerson Mnangagwe, a former deputy president who took over after Mr Mugabe stepped down last year, and 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa, a lawyer and pastor who became head of the main opposition party a few months ago.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/zimbabweans-have-gone-to-polls-to-vote.html?m=1

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has joined the Presidential race on the platform of the Young People’s Party (YPP) where he hoped to emerge the next president of the country.
He also declared that, he looks forward to President Muhammadu Buhari’s call of congratulations to him in after the general election in 2019.
The financial expert, who stated this while addressing a town hall meeting in Kaduna said, the need to change the present administration now more than ever before is imperative, stressing that he has offered himself to provide the real change that Nigerians will be better for.
According to Moghalu, Nigerians have suffered thousands of preventable job losses across the country in the past three years and might have added in no small measures to the increased crime rates and social vices witnessed within the years under review.
The former CBN deputy governor blamed the sad situation to bad economic policies by the Buhari led administration, adding however that, he has all it takes to fix Nigeria.
He stressed further that, under his leadership, things will be a lot better, adding that then welfare, security and well being of Nigerians will be given adequate priority.
Prof. Moghalu also blamed the present administration over the deteriorating insecurity of lives and property across the country.
While noting that security of lives and property remains a constitutional task of government, he said President Muhammadu Buhari has failed woefully in that aspect among several other areas of failure in governance.
He also promised improved health care for all Nigerians if elected President in 2019. He also faulted the nation’s health care system, while disclosing that his team was already putting in place an effective Primary Health Care programme.
Citizens of Kaduna who attended the town hall meeting which held at the famous Arewa house promised to canvass support for the Presidential hopeful come 2019, this is just as the don promised not to dash their hopes if elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/2019-president-buharill-call-to.html?m=1

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shuaibu, has described the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, ‘as loud-mouthed.’
He said this while speaking to journalists in Bauchi State on Saturday.
Shuaibu was the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress Primaries Committee for the Bauchi South Senatorial by-election held in the state on Friday.
On the defections from the APC by some members of the National Assembly to the PDP, Shuaibu said the development should be viewed in the light of the just-concluded Ekiti governorship election.
He said, “My take is that in the election we won in Ekiti, the PDP has two bulldogs. I won’t mention the name of the other one. But one of its bulldogs is Fayose and you know how loud his mouth is.
“The bulldogs have loud mouths and they can say anything they want to say. But you saw how the people of Ekiti decided that an intellectual state like that cannot be run by a loud mouth and an agbero like Fayose.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/fayose-bulldog-loud-mouthed-agbero-edo.html?m=1

The management of the Federal University, Lafia, has offered automatic employment to the six first class pioneer graduates of the institution.

Muhammed Liman, the Vice Chancellor of the university, made this disclosure on Saturday at the institution in Lafia while presenting appointment letters to the beneficiaries.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries are: William Yaji, Economics; Seyi Adediwura, Physics; and Abdullaziz Zakari, Mathematics.

Others are; Mercy Jerry, English and Modern Languages; Bashir Sani, Microbiology and Ibrahim Salah, Mathematics.

The management also gave automatic employment to the best physically challenged graduate, Solomon Akoji, who had 2nd class upper from Sociology department, also a pioneer graduate.

The VC, who was represented by Mamuda Abubakar, the registrar of the university, said the gesture was in fulfillment of the promise made to the beneficiaries during the institution’s maiden convocation on Jan. 19, 2016.
He said that with this appointment, the management expected better performance from the beneficiaries in their further studies.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, William Yaji, expressed gratitude to the management and said that they had been waiting for the appointment.

He said that rewarding excellence would go a long way in encouraging others to strive hard, believing that they would also be rewarded.

Mr Yaji, therefore, implored the university management to make it a policy to offer automatic employment to all the first class graduates of the institution.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/university-offers-automatic-employment.html?m=1

The chief of army staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for always providing the Nigerian Army with resources to enable it to meet the welfare needs of its personnel.
Buratai also commended the president for giving what he called the “right direction’’ to move the army forward to contribute to national security and development.
The army chief made the commendation in a brief ceremony to inaugurate the remodeled headquarters of the ‘Nigerian Army Garrison’ at the Mogadishu Cantonment at Asokoro.
He said the remodeled structure would provide conducive atmosphere for officers and men of the garrison to give proper professional direction and administration to the army headquarters.
The COAS also commended personnel of the garrison, whom he said, though, had for a long time, remained patient in spite of inadequate office accommodation, were still discharging their constitutional duties.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/coas-commends-president-buhari-for.html?m=1

The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has reacted to reports claiming that he described the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as a bad luck.
Report emerged on Wednesday morning that Amaechi had described his party’s national Chairman as a bad luck after over 50 lawmakers dumped the ruling party for the PDP yesterday.

Speaking after the Federal Executive meeting on Wednesday, the Minister who interjected on a question to Lai Mohammed on what was the position of the council on the face off between Oshiomhole and Ngige, said that there were many fake stories going around.

He added, “How do you know it is true, I saw in social media, this afternoon, where they said I said the Chairman is a bad luck.

“I never said so. I have never said such a thing.

“They quoted me that I was attacking the Chairman.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/apc-crisis-amaechi-speaks-on-calling.html?m=1

Looking at her photo for the first time, one may think she has a wig on, but the hair is all hers and what is even more stunning is that she is just 6-month-old. Identified as Baby Chanco, her incredible hair has made her stand out among many babies her age. Her Instagram page which is dedicated to sharing pictures of her hair growth has garnered over 100,000 followers and counting. The little girl was born in December 2017 in Japan and her Instagram page has ‘hair diary’ written in the bio. With thousands of likes and comments on her posts, a lot of people have been going crazy over her hair.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/6-month-old-baby-with-her-incredible.html?m=1

Impeached Benue Assembly Speaker, Terkimbi Ikyange has spoken on his removal by his colleague.
Ikyange was impeached by 21 members. The House has 30 members.
Other principal officers sacked were the Deputy Speaker, James Okefe (APC, Okpokwu) Majority Leader, Benjamin Adanyi (APC,Makurdi South) and Deputy Majority Leader, Nick Eworo (APC/Oju).
Titus Uba (APC/Kyan) was elected Speaker.
Reacting, Ikyange told NAN that it was “an act of illegality”, declaring that he was still the Speaker of the House.
“The proper procedure for impeachment was not followed. As Speaker, I am the only one qualified to reconvene the seating of the House.
“In my absence, only the Deputy Speaker can reconvene the Assembly as directed by me. None of us was aware of this session because we are currently on recess.
“To the best of my knowledge, the House stands adjourned till Aug 15. When the House is on recess, we can only reconvene if there are matters of urgent importance.
“Since this procedure was not followed, I consider this an act of illegality. This is not about me but about the sanctity of the Assembly. It is an institution whose rules must not bastardized,” he said.
He warned those parading themselves as leaders of the House to desist from doing so in their own interests.
“As far as I am concerned, all the principal officers are intact. Nobody is impeached,” he assured
Chairman of the APC in Benue, Abba Yaro, said that he was not aware of any change in the leadership of the Assembly.
“I am still trying to get details of the said impeachment; I will get across to you as soon as the picture is clear. Right now, I can’t believe it is true,” Mr Yaro said.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/benue-assembly-impeached-speaker.html?m=1

A new helicopter loaded with large amounts of gold was forced to land at a maize farm at Kumikrom in the Eastern Region. The cause for the emergency landing has been linked to a mechanical fault which nearly caused the helicopter a permanent damage.

So far, all four crew members aboard the helicopter; Capt. Abdul Salam, Gifty Danso, a Customs officer, David Fosu and Adjei Kumi Enock, are safe. The Asamankese police have confirmed the incident. According to them, another helicopter later arrived at the scene and transferred the boxes of gold and carried the distressed crew .
Meanwhile, the faulty helicopter has been left at the scene under Yanowa Police guard.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/helicopter-loaded-with-gold-lands-on.html?m=1

Mrs Aisha Wakil, popularly known as Mama Boko Haram has stated that Leah Sharibu has not given up her Christian faith.
Wakil made the disclosure while announcing that she’s working with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to rescue Leah Sharibu.
The captive is the only Christian among the 112 kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents from Girls Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state.
Sharibu was held back for refusing to denounce Christianity, while the others were later returned home to their parents by Boko Haram.
Wakil told newsmen in Maiduguri on Monday, “I am really worried about Leah and her freedom from Boko Haram is very important to me.
“Leah did not renounce her religion, that I can assure you and we shall do everything with both the government and the international organisation to ensure she regains her freedom just like her colleagues that were reunited with her families.”
She added that the her foundation would also partner with ICRC to empower widows and rehabilitate underage girls engaging in commercial sex activities.
Mama Boko Haram, an Igbo, was a member of the Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution Of Security Challenges Committee in the northern region set up by President Goodluck Jonathan.
She was instrumental in efforts at restoring peace to the Northeast and assisted in the release of some abductees by the Boko Haram sect.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/leah-sharibu-has-not-renounced.html?m=1

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the emergence of Sen​ator​ Ademola ​Nurudeen Adeleke as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state.
​​He took to his twitter handle to congratulate Senator Adeleke. He also called on other aspirants to support him.
He wrote, “I congratulate Sen. Ademola Adeleke on his emergence as the governorship candidate of our great party, @OfficialPDPNig.
“I call on other aspirants to rally around him to ensure the victory of PDP in the Osun gubernatorial election in August.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/atiku-reacts-on-emergence-of-sen.html?m=1

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, was on Sunday conferred with the traditional title: ‘Wazirin Ilorin’ by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, at a Special Thanksgiving Prayer Session by the Emirate.
The session was organized to mark the recent victory of Saraki at the Supreme Court on his case with the federal government over allegations of false assets declaration.
Sulu-Gambari said: “We are excited by your political exploits because of late you have become the beautiful bride whom politicians across the board are beckoning to be in their camps. This is a show of recognition of your worth and achievements as a politician. We are very proud of you.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/saraki-conferred-wazirin-ilorin-after.html?m=1

Nollywood actress turned pastor, Eucharia Anunobi has revealed that being a pastor doesn’t stop her from acting roles given to her.
The actress said this while reacting to reports that she has stopped acting.
According to her, “my individuality is different from whatever character I portray in a movie.”
Speaking to the Punch, she said, “Some people think that when you become a minister of the gospel, you are not supposed to have a career. However, being a minister does not stop you from working.
“Since I started acting, I have never taken a break and I am not going there. I think what caused this misconception is that because of the activities of pirates, many movie producers were not publicising our works. So when people don’t see you in movie adverts, they think that you are no longer on the scene.
“As a matter of fact, I just got back from set. Even as a pastor, I can still act a movie like Glamour Girls because my individuality is different from whatever character I portray in a movie. I always tell people that undue exposure of the body that does not add to the story doesn’t make sense.
“I watch some movies where people bare skin for no plausible reason. Being a pastor does not stop me from acting any role, as long as there is no undue exposure of my body. I gave my life to Christ in 1997; so, even at the peak of my career, I was a born again.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/being-pastor-doesnt-stop-me-from-acting.html?m=1

The six-goal thriller saw three goals apiece in each half. Croatia having dominated possession, looked out of the game by the 69th minute when Kylian Mbappe scored the fourth for France. While the Croatian players may be the most hurt over the defeat, they are not the only ones crying at the moment. One Ghanaian who had so much belief in the Croatians is among the chief mourners as he has reportedly lost GHC10,000 over the defeat.
The yet-to-be-identified loser staked the GHC10,000 in a bet on Sunday morning, just a few hours before the match. With 1.92 odds, the bet was to bring a return of GHC9,200 if Croatia had avoided defeat within 90 minutes.
But it was not to be as France 'spoilt his bet' and a photo of the bet slip has been trending online.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/a-ghanaian-reportedly-loses-ghc10k.html?m=1

The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has said that his colleagues in the Senate and House of Representatives do not have the power to suspend him.
Omo-Agege stated this on Sunday to journalists at Osubi Airport in Warri, Delta State where members of his constituency were on hand to receive him.
“The House of Representatives or the Senate or indeed any legislative arm do not have the power to suspend any sitting senator or member of the House of Representatives,” he said.
The Senator also vowed to resist pressure by the National Assembly to stop him from sitting as doing that would mean denying the Urhobo people of representation.
“None of them can stop me because by stopping me, you are stopping the Urhobo nation. It will not happen under my watch.”
According to Channels, Omo-Agege’s remarks come five days after the Federal House of Representatives recommended his suspension for 180 legislative days and prosecution for an alleged culpability in the invasion of the Senate chamber.
This follows three months after unidentified persons believed to be thugs invaded the Senate Chambers and disrupted the ongoing proceedings, thereby snatching the mace.
But this did not go down well with the lawmaker who criticised NASS leadership for intimidating him for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection bid.
Omo-Agege believes that his ordeal is as a result of corruption fighting back while dealing with its menace.
He added, “All of these is meant to intimidate me because of my support for Mr. President’s reelection. I believe that anytime you fight corruption, corruption will always fight back.
“And they want to use me as a scapegoat to fight, humiliate Mr. President but they chose the wrong target because if they know who I am, they will back off because I will fight them.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/you-dont-have-power-to-suspend-me.html?m=1

The independent National Electoral commission (INEC) has taken to its twitter handle to deny the "official report of the ekiti gubernatorial election " begin circulated on the social media. It wrote,
"This is to notify d general public that the photo titled”Official Report of the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election....”below is NOT from INEC. People shouldn't be deceived. People should also note that no figures for total votes cast for Ado & Ise/Orun(S/N 1& 14) on it."

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/ekitiinec-has-denied-official-report.html?m=1

Argentina’s Ole on Saturday said that the country’s Football Association (AFA) has fired Jorge Sampaoli as the manager of their men’s national soccer team. So far there has been no official confirmation of the news.
Ole said that AFA agreed to pay Sampaoli two million US dollars for his departure. This number was much lower than expected. According to his contract, AFA is supposed to pay as much as 20 million dollars to Sampaoli as severance fee if they want to fire him after the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Sampaoli was appointed as manager of Argentina’s men’s national soccer team in 2017 summer after rising to the fame by leading Chile to their first champion of Copa America in 2015. However, both him and his team were hugely disappointment at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Having lost a 0-3 humiliating match against Croatia, the team barely made it out of Group D before being kicked out by France.
Sampaoli was the eighth manager Lionel Messi has worked with in the national team since he made his debut for Argentina in 2005 under Jose Pekerman. Multiple media outlets wrote that AFA might need to find a manager with a steady position before they can explore a better future for the team.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/argentinian-football-association-fires.html?m=1

The vice president of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo took to his twitter handle to wish his lovely wife - Dolapo osinbajo a happy birthday. Dolapo Osinbajo turns 51 today. He said, " I found a girl, beautiful and sweet many years ago. I got to know you and you became Queen of my heart.

You are my past, my present and my future. You complete me!

You are as beautiful as the day I met you.

Happy Birthday Oludolapo, your heart is my home. "

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/you-are-as-beautiful-as-day-i-met-you.html?m=1

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ambassador Chris Giwa, has appointed two (2) Senior Special Assistants, Mr. Ben Agary and Mr. Victor Iroele.
The appointment was made shortly after the NFF Management meeting which took place on the 13th of July, 2018 at the NFF Secretariat.
Mr. Ben Agary is to serve as the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Special Duties while Mr. Victor Iroele is to serve as Senior Special Assistant, Media, respectively.
Agary is a former Board member of the NFF and also former FCT Football Association chairman.
Iroele, ace broadcaster with Silverbird Communications, was former Press Secretary to Sports Minister, Federal Ministry of Sports, and former FCT Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN Chairman.
The appointees are to resume office with immediate effect.
It was reported earlier that Chris Giwa-led Nigeria Football Federation board has dismissed in strong terms a possible ban by the World football governing body, FIFA.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the NFF President on media, Victor Iroele, on Friday.
The statement reads: “Today, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, addressed a world press conference at the ongoing World Cup in Russia, where a Nigerian journalist, practically called on FIFA to ban Nigeria in the guise of asking if the world football governing body was aware of developments in Nigeria.
“To say the least, we are scandalised and pained as a Federation that a Nigerian journalist could be in the fore- front of championing FIFA ban of the country. It is also a sad commentary that only in Nigeria can you see some people, with vested and entrenched interests, who have benefitted and still benefitting from football championing the call for the ban of their country.
“We, however, call on Nigerians not to panic about the comment from FIFA President, Gianni Infantino as we have not gone outside the statutes of the Nigeria Football Federation to address the present leadership impasse. The statutes brought us together in football and no single individual can be greater than the country.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/nff-chris-giwa-appoints-2-senior.html?m=1

UK-based Nigerian Community Association Bradford has called on the UK to exempt Nigerians from International English Language Testing System.
The President of the association, Mr. Adewale Bakare, made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.
The association is based in Bradford, a municipal metropolitan Borough, West Yorkshire, England.
Bakare, who made the call during the association’s Nigeria Community Immigration Conference in Bradford recently, appealed to the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to intervene so Nigerians could be exempted.
He urged the British government to do away with the requirement of passing English language for doctors, nurses and other migrants who want to enter UK.
“Nigeria being a Commonwealth country where English language is widely spoken as lingua franca, we strongly believe should be exempted from the English language test requirements.
“We hereby make representation to the Nigerian High Commissioner, on behalf of many Nigerians living in the UK and pray you to apply to the UK Immigration Authority for the exemption of English language requirements accordingly.
“The association prayed the High Commission to closely look into ways the British government would assist affected Nigerian immigrants,’’ he said.
On the payment of £2,000 by the Home Office, Bakare: “It is possibly one of the most generous Administrative Voluntary Return packages in Europe.’’
He, however, said the amount was not enough to reintegrate migrants in their countries of origin.
“Rather than paying returnees directly in cash, funds should be put for business start-ups or services for them, including vocational training that will help to start a small business or to purchase of tools and equipment.
“This is where the Nigerian High Commissioner can assist the community to negotiate with the Home Office for a better deal, “ he said
He said that reintegration was a critical step toward achieving sustainable return.
According to him, to prevent further irregular migration, it is particularly important to address the factors that led migrants to leave their countries of origin in the first place, which majorly are on economic factors.
Bakare said skills and access to a regular source of income was crucial to people’s ability to support returnees independently, adding that reintegration support ought to reflect the importance of social reintegration.
“For example, solid social support structures are essential for effective reintegration and provide a safety net beyond work.
“The NHC should take this into account when negotiating better deal for unavoidable deportees with the Home Office.
“It is important to note that even the most generous AVR packages cannot always help returnees to overcome systemic challenges back home.
“Such as there being few jobs in their local area, a limited market for their start-up businesses, or prohibitively high school fees to educate their children,’’ he said.
He said that unless socioeconomic conditions improved in countries of origin some people would seek out a better life in another country.
The association suggested the message should to be passed across to the authorities back home, adding that there was need for more publicity about the availability of voluntary returns.
“It seems many Nigerians are still not aware of what is called `Voluntary Returns`, especially those immigrants living hopelessly in the UK,’’ he said.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/association-begs-uk-to-exempt-nigerians.html?m=1

Former Vice President and frontline contender for the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has restated his commitment to the promotion of a just and equitable federal structure of government, saying that it remains the panacea to reigniting the socio-economic development of the country.
Atiku, who was in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State in continuation of his nationwide consultative meetings with stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the country was in a dire need of economic and political re-engineering in order to refocus our productive energies towards areas of respective competitive strength.
The former Vice President commended Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for conceiving the Eyinmba Economic City project and for initiating other policies that will build on the strength of Abia State as a commercial and trading hub.
“I must commend Governor Ikpeazu for this ambitious and modest Eyinmba Economic City project and for creating multiple accesses to Aba City. I was privileged to have gone through the blueprint of the EEC and it is obvious that it is a policy that will reposition Abia State for trading and commercial competitiveness.
“I appreciate and understand what the South-East zone has gone through and how to mitigate it. That is why I am convinced on the necessity of restructuring the country and giving more liberties to the constituent governments.
“The restructuring of Nigeria that I have long been an advocate of will address the issues of imbalance, equity and marginalization by ensuring that the states or component units of our federation focus on their areas of comparative advantage,” he said.
While recalling the efforts that have long gone into making the governmental structure of the country work for the people of the country, Atiku eulogized the late former Vice President Alex Ekwueme for his role in the 1994 Constitutional Conference towards delineating the country into six geo-political units.
He said: “To give every zone of our country a sense of belonging, the 1994 Conference which had your son and patriot of blessed memory, Dr. Alex Ekwueme as a leading member, conceived the six geo-political zones
“The vision that we had was that in thirty-six years every region would have had a single term of six years. That recommendation was not included in the 1999 Constitution. But to make up for it, our party, the PDP enshrined zoning into our own constitution.
“I will work together with your leaders for the emergence of a president of Igbo extraction to give a sense of belonging to the people of the region, and to conclude the work our late leader.”
Atiku said that in the restructured Nigeria of his dream, “Abia will be the Taiwan of Nigeria and of Africa”
Continuing, he said: “I have a blueprint of action on all the sectors of the country’s problems and, if given the opportunity, I am committed to the faithful implementation of this blueprint in conjunction with the National Assembly and all relevant stakeholders including the people of Abia State.
“Part of my policy direction to promote trade and commerce in Abia is to offer entrepreneurs in Abia government concessions to ensure or make it mandatory for the procurement of locally made products.
“For example, boots for the military and police will be produced in Aba. We will also ensure that fight for market access within ECOWAS for made in Nigeria goods and also enhance SMEs access to affordable finances for their businesses,” Atiku said.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/ex-vp-atiku-abubakar-i-will-ensure.html?m=1

FIFA has confirmed that the 2022 World Cup will be played between November 21st to December 18th.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's football championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/2022-world-cup-to-be-played-between.html?m=1

Kenya is supporting Croatia for to lift the World Cup. Recalling how al-shabaab slaughtered 148 Garissa university students, other European nations issued advisories for people to avoid Kenya ,but sympathetic Croatian students lied down in solidarity action.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/kenya-is-supporting-croatia-to-lift.html?m=1

Anyone who takes the sick to church without going to the hospital must be imprisoned with the dingbat pastor!
Timothy was OFTEN sick Paul recommended wine, not prayer!
He quoted 1 Tim 5:23 to back up his claims.

"You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/daddy-freezeanyone-that-takes-sick-to.html?m=1

Jerry Gana, ex-minister of information, has declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election.
Gana picked up the expression of interest form of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, on Thursday.
He said with over 40 years of his vast experience in politics, he has what it takes to salvage the country from its “present state of collapse”.
Gana said the current leadership of the government seems “unconcerned, incompetent and incapable of turning around the drift”, adding that he is concerned at the real prospect of Nigeria imploding unless the great party (SDP) comes to the rescue .


“Every patriotic Nigeria, everyone with sense of compassion, and love for people will know that Nigeria needs to be really rescued because the nation is going through a difficult time,” he said.
“The unprecedented insecurity across the land in which people are been killed in such horrible intensity and inhuman ways in which this is done.
“Being a patriotic and committed democrat who has carried a burden for the rapid, effective and even development of the country for decades, I am deeply concerned at the very real prospect of Nigeria imploding unless our great party comes to the rescue with a God fearing, dynamic, untainted and credible leadership.”

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/2019-ex-minister-jerry-gana-joins.html?m=1

This is getting serious. I hope this restiveness will not affect the date of the election. I smell postponement of this election.

Joseph Yobo, a former Nigerian Professional footballer was spotted at Yomi casual -a clothing store owned by Omoniyi Makun.

http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/joseph-yobo-spotted-at-yomi-casual.html?m=1

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for caution over the activities of security agencies deployed in Ekiti ahead of Saturday’s Governorship election.
His appeal followed Wednesday’s alleged manhandling of some people, including the Governor of the State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital, allegedly by security operatives.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, the former President enjoined security personnel to act within the ambit of the laws of the land, adding that the presence of armed security operatives was meant to give voters the confidence to come out on election day and vote for candidates of their choice, and not to intimidate them.

He said: “I am appealing to the security agencies deployed to Ekiti State for the Governorship election to carry out their duties according to the laws of the land by securing the state in a manner that will enable a peaceful electoral process.

“If it is true that the State Governor Mr. Ayodele Fayose was assaulted as reported in the media, my appeal is that such should not be allowed to happen again, since the Governor’s constitutional immunity guarantees that he should be given official protection to freely conduct the business of governing the State.”

The former President further charged the Security agencies to maintain law and , as well as, prevent any development that could negatively impact on the process of deepening the nation’s democracy.

Source :
http://www.currentgist.com.ng/2018/07/ekiti-guber-ex-president-jonathan-urges.html?m=1