More at https://www.welproperties.site/2020/02/photos-sultan-of-sokoto-and-ooni-of-ife.html

Osun state Governor Gboyega Oyetola received some traditional rulers led by Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and Ooni of Ife, Chairman and Co-Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, respectively.

https://www.welproperties.site/2020/02/photos-sultan-of-sokoto-and-ooni-of-ife.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Senate president,Senator Ahmad Lawan led the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator
OmoAgege and some other senators to condole with the family of Senator Ignatius Longjan who died yesterday.

https://www.welproperties.site/2020/02/photos-lawan-and-other-senators-visit.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Lagos state Governor, Jide Sanwo-Olu received the Mayor of City of Brampton, Canada, Patrick Brownont at Lagos House, Alausa.

https://www.welproperties.site/2020/02/photos-mayor-of-city-of-brampton-canada.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Africa Magic on Thursday, February 6, 2020, unveiled their nominations for the seventh edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA).

The nominations were unveiled in a live broadcast on all Africa Magic channels on MultiChoice’s DSTV and anchored by Nollywood couple Linda Ejiofor and Ibrahim Suleiman.

Awards will be presented in 28 categories, with seven categories open to public voting and 21 being categories to be decided by the AMVCA panel of judges with the inclusion of a new category, The MultiChoice Talent Factory Award.
Full Nominees’ List

Best Short Film or Online Video

Oga John - Bolanle Akintomide

Thorn - Bola 'Enigma' Akanbi

Prueba - Stanlee Ohikuhare

Tokunbo - Bio Arimoro

Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or TV Series

Damijo (Rmd) - Seven Richard Mofe

Ramsey Nouah - Living In Bondage

Nkem Owoh - God Calling

Remilekun 'Reminisce' Safaru - King Of Boys

Pascal Tokodi - Disconnect

Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or TV Series

Toni Tones - King Of Boys

Eucharia Anunobi - The Foreigner's God

Tina Mba - The Set Up

Mary Lazarus - Size 12

Gloria Sarfo - The Perfect Picture: 10 Years Later

Best Cinematographer Nominees are:

God Calling - Cardoso

Living In Bondage - John Demps

Ratnik - Niyi White, Gbenga Fifolabi and Abiola Ladipo

The Set Up - Mohammed Attah

Best Lighting Designer in a Movie or TV Series

God Calling - Cardoso

Ratnik - Abiola Ladipo

Elevator Baby - Eleaxu Texas

Plan B - Odhiambo Walter

Best Costume Designer Movie or TV Series

Living In Bondage Olohigbe Nwagwu

The Foreigner's God Ifan Michael

Ratnik Dimeji Ajibola

King Of Boys Yolanda Okereke

Best Make-Up Category

God Calling - Lilian Omozele Paul

The Foreigner's God - Jude Odoh

King Of Boys - Hakeem Effects

Coming From Insanity - Bio Arimoro

Best Actor in a Comedy (Movie or TV Series)

Uzor Arukwe - Smash

Chibunna "Funny Bone" Stanley - Smash

Uzor Arukwe - Size 12

Ramsey Nouah - Merry Men 1

Etim Effiong - Plan B Daniel

Best Actress in a Comedy (Movie/TV Series)

Toyin Abraham - Bling Lagosians

Bimbo Ademoye - Looking For Baami

Funke Akindele - Moms At War

Toyin Abraham - Kasanova

Ebele Okaro - Smash

Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series)

Swankey J.K.A - Living In Bondage

Timini Egbuson - Elevator Baby

Efa Iwara - Seven

Gabriel Afolayan - Coming From Insanity

Ramsey Nouah - Levi

Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series)

Shola Shobowale - King Of Boys

Zainab Balogun - Sylvia

Zainab Balogun - God Calling

Toyin Abraham - Elevator Baby

Kate Henshaw - The Ghost And The House Of Truth

Best Writer in a Movie or TV Series

BB Sasore - God Calling

Tosin Igho - Seven

Vanessa Kanu - Sylvia

Biodun Stephen - Joba

Nicole Asinugo and CJ Obasi - Living In Bondage

Akay Mason and Yusuf Carew - Elevator Baby

Best Documentary

Hidden Euphoria - Aderogba Adedeji

Skin - Beverly Naya

Against All Odds: A Tale Of Resilience - Aderemi Davies

Ibadan: Yoruba Heritage - Tunde Oladimeji

Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series Swahili

Raveet Sippy Chadh - Subira

Timoth Conrad Kachumka - Sema

Victor Gatonye - Dream Child

Joan Kabugu - Toy Car

Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series Yoruba

Ronke Odusanya - Ajoji Godogbo -

Yewande Famakin - Alubarika

Oyebade Adebimpe - Adebimpe Omo Oba

Wumi Olabimtan - Intent

Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series

Tuntube - Muhammad T. Finisher

Mariya - Abubakar Bashir

Abarawa Rai - Muhammad Adam and Tundun Murtala

Sadauki - Hassan Giggs

Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series Igbo

Isianyaocha - Brown Ene

Nekwa - Paul Igwe

Nne - Victor Iyke

Obiakpor - Evan Okechukwu

Best Movie Southern Africa

Kukuri - Philippe Talavera

Dalitso - Abraham Kabwe

Kwacha - Cassie Kabwikta

The Beautiful Hen Behind Yao Mountain - Imran Kaisi

Best Movie East Africa

Disconnect - Iman Mueke

Lost In Time - Edijoe Mwaniki

Plan B - Sarah Hassan

94 Terror - Mulinwa Richard

Best Movie West Africa

God Calling - Momo Spaine

Seven - Tosin Igho

Elevator Baby - Victoria Akujobi

Living In Bondage - Steve Gukas

Ratnik - Dimeji Ajibola

Best Television Series Drama Or Comedy

Jenifa's Diary - Funke Akindele

Truth - Anis Halloway

Life As It Is - Uche Odoh

Women - Uchenna Mbunabo

Best Picture Editor

God Calling - Holmes Awa

Ratnik - Dimeji Ajibola

Living In Bondage - Antonio Rebeiro

Seven - Tosin Igho and Bryan Dike

Elevator Baby - Emiola Fagbenle

Best Art Director Movie/TV Series

Living In Bondage - Victor Afrigold, Ayanda Carter, Jim Franklin, Zimasa Ndamase

Ratnik - Dimeji Ajibola, Iwaotan Olusola Roberts

God Calling - Omotola Alade

The Bling Lagosians - Bolanle Austen Peters

Best Sound Track Movie/TV Series

King Of Boys - Sess, Reminisce & Adekunle Gold - Original Gangster

Living In Bondage - Larry Gaga & Flavour - Tene

God Calling - Ighwiyisi Jacobs - Stay With Me

The Gift - Mercy Aghedo - The Gift

Run -Timzil - Run

MultiChoice Talent Factory Award

Life of Bim – West Africa

Dreamchaser – West Africa

Ensulo – East Africa

Promises – East Africa

Savana Skies – Southern Africa

The Painting – Southern Africa

Best Director

Living In Bondage - Steve Gukas, Ramsey Nouah

God Calling - Bb Sasore

The Set Up - Niyi Akinmolayan

King Of Boys - Kemi Adetiba

Ratnik - Dimeji Ajibola

The Ghost And The House Of Truth - Akin Omotosho

Seven - Tosin Igho

https://africamagic.dstv.com/show/amvca/nominees

Minister for Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, narrated how attempt by terrorists to bomb Lagos State in 2013 was foiled. Fashola who was governor of Lagos at the time said they intercepted 17 suitcases loaded with explosives, smuggled in to wreak havoc in Lagos


He said this while delivering a lecture titled “Insecurity: Taking actions against organised crime” at 4th annual public lecture of the United Action for Change held in Lagos. Security was not the job of law enforcement agencies alone; the suitcases were discovered by citizens.


They were tried in Lagos without public show. That was the period new courts were being built in Badagry & we prosecuted them there. They were over 20, given fair trial & were convicted and this enabled govt put them in a place where they could no longer harm residents of Lagos.


When information is offered, law enforcement must act to check, recheck and verify. So, with the 17 suitcases loaded with explosives, law enforcement missed it. It was citizen information, that led to seizure, apprehension of the suspects & their cargo of terror brought to Lagos

https://www.apktwit.com/2020/02/how-terrorists-tried-to-bomb-lagos-in.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

A lady has been arrested for allegedly beating her step daughter to death in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

According to Facebook user, Victoria Igbokwe who shared the very sad photos and reported the news, the incident happened at Bori camp. She warned women who get irritated by other people's children, not to marry men with kids.

But how could she beat a little girl till she died? Is she mad? Upset she met her alive before marrying her dad? Her own dad? Mad o!

https://www.apktwit.com/2020/02/photo-lady-beats-her-step-daughter-to.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

A fuel tanker has fallen at the toll gate inward Berger, spilling its content. The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, who tweeted this, said traffic officials were already at the scene of the incident. Two more photos below...

https://www.apktwit.com/2020/02/photos-tanker-falls-spills-petrol-en.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Chief Emeka Atuma who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency (2003-2007) on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP before moving to Social Democratic Party, SDP, ahead of the 2019 general elections on Sunday, formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with his supporters.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Atuma who was former National Organising Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) announcing his entry into APC at a ceremony in his country home in Ntalakwu Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

The former lawmaker said that he was “elated” to join APC to be part of the struggle to transform the state.

He said: “I am elated to join men and women of like minds, who are desirous to see Abia on the wings of development because our state is backward.

“It is not by mistake that we are here today. We are here to form a force that will bring positive change in Abia,” adding that he realised that the change could only come through APC.

Atuma paid tribute to leaders of the party in the state, especially Sen. Chris Adighije, Chief Chima Ugboajah, former Chairman of Ikwuano, and Chief Donatus Nwankpa, the state Chairman of APC, saying that they were instrumental to his joining the party.

“If they desired that I be part of the force to achieve the desired change in Abia, I have no choice than to concede to the pressure,” he said.

He said that he was further persuaded to join APC because of the anti-corruption stance of President Muhammadu Buhari and visible infrastructure development across the country.

In a speech, Ugboajah described Atuma’s defection to APC as a great feat for the local government area and Abia.

He said, “Today is a great day for Ikwuano, Abia and entire Nigeria. It is not easy for great men to leave their comfort zone to join APC.”

Ugboajah, who was the Director-General of Uche Ogah Governorship Campaign Organisation in 2019, regretted the party’s loss at the poll but assured the people that “in 2023, we shall recover what we lost.”

He said that the massive infrastructure deficit and underdevelopment of the state under the PDP administration called for all prominent Abia citizens to join the struggle to deliver the state from PDP.

“Abia is the worst state in Nigeria today. If you travel to Ebonyi (which was created five years after Abia) you will weep because of the huge infrastructure decay and insecurity in Abia.

“What is happening in Abia is not tolerable to us and it is unacceptable to us.

“Eminent sons and daughters of Abia at home and in diaspora have said that they are no longer comfortable with the situation and have resolved to come together to rebuild the state.

“It is embarrassing, PDP has failed woefully in Abia and I can assure you that in 2023, no matter what they do, we will recover the state.”

Also, the state party chairman said that the ceremony called the launch of “Operation deliver Abia,” adding that it was an opportunity for all well-meaning Abia indigenes to interface on how to make the state great.

“Abia must be free in our time and a member of the comity of developed states in the federation.

“We know that with somebody as Atuma in APC, we are going to liberate Abia,” Nwankpa said.

He said that strategic efforts were being made to bring all the remaining four states of the South-East into APC “in order to join the mainstream of the nation’s politics.”

Major highlight of the ceremony was the formal presentation of the APC registration cards and broom (APC’s symbol) to Atuma and Chinedu Kanu, who defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

The event was attended by members of the APC state working committee, local government chairmen and a former state Chairman of SDP, Chief Chidi Nwosu, who returned to APC, shortly after the 2019 polls.


https://www.apktwit.com/2020/02/ex-pdp-rep-joins-apc-in-abia.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Following the full enforcement of the ban on motorcycles and tricycles in some Local Governments and routes in Lagos State, the state police command has arrested 40 violators, impounded 188 motorcycles, and 78 tricycles across the State.

The Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu on 1st February 2020 deployed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, State Traffic Officers, Area Traffic Officers, Divisional Traffic Officers, Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences and other Police Officers across the State Command to fully enforce the provisions of the Road Traffic Laws, especially the ban on the use of motorcycles (popularly known as Okada) and tricycles (also known as Keke) in some Local Government Areas and routes across the State.


The total ban as announced by Lagos State Government, took effect from 0000 hours of 1st February 2020.

40 violators were arrested in different parts of the State while 188 motorcycles and 78 Tricycles were impounded.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) who went round the state to monitor the new development expressed his satisfaction with the level of compliance across the state and thank the good people of Lagos State for their cooperation.

The CP personally arrested some motorcycle and tricycle operators seen contravening the traffic laws.

Others arrested by the CP are VIP escort vehicles without registration numbers, vehicles with defaced and covered plate numbers and vehicles driving against traffic.

Twenty-two vehicles were impounded.

https://www.apktwit.com/2020/02/okada-ban-police-arrest-40-violators.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Bbnaija 2019 Pepper Dem power couple , Mercy and Ike are currently facing alot and one of which is affecting their relationship.


Merke or Icy, which any one you choose to call them are no longer following each other on Instagram and that surely means that something is happening or had happened.

We wish they could give us another bbnaija but all we can do is to update you as events unfold in that quarters.

http://bbnaijahousemates.com/mercy-and-ike-unfollows-each-other-on-instagram

Lalasticlala mynd44

More at http://bbnaijahousemates.com/photos-from-tacha-birthday-party/

Former big brother naija housemate, Tacha celebrated her birthday on Monday and she did throw a special party for celebrities and few of her fans.


The No leave No Transfer madam stuns in her official birthday party photos . Some of the celebrities that attended were Craze Clown, Bobrisky and Slimcase while only Ike and Sir Dee were the only BBNAIJA housemates that came through for the Port Harcourt first daughter.

We are surprise to see only Ike and Sir Dee because those are the few ones that she was close with in the house but you all know that Kafhi is in Cape Verde with Gedoni thats why she was unable to attend.

See photos below

http://bbnaijahousemates.com/photos-from-tacha-birthday-party/

Lalasticlala mynd44

Former big brother naija housemate, Bambam has reacted to reports concerning domestic violence commited by Teddy A .

Bambam posted a video on her Instagram page in which she felt bad about the false news and she said that her husband ” Teddy A” has never and will never hit her .

Teddy A was also seen in the video playing with her before she gave us her piece concerning the alleged domestic violence going on between Bamteddy.

Bambam look extremely heavy as we await a Bbnaija baby in 2019.

Watch video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_bk-w1Z57w

http://bbnaijahousemates.com/video-bambam-reacts-to-claims-that-teddy-a-use-to-beat-her/

Lalasticlala mynd44

Former Big brother naija finalist, Nina is surely not a fan Tacha has she gave her opinion concerning the benz Tacha fans bought for her.

Nina made this know through her official twitter pageNina after Tacha's fan gave her a Benz during her birthday celebration yesterday.

Tacha was also called out yesterday on Twitter after her old video surfaced online condemning fans for buying a car for a former bbnaija in 2018. I call this double standard.

http://bbnaijahousemates.com/nina-throws-shade-at-tacha/

Lalasticlala mynd44

2018 former BBNaija housemate, Tobi Bakre was involved in a charity match organised by African Footballer of the year, Aishat Oshoala today.

Tobi bakre was later pictured with Small Doctor and Fuji Artiste, Pasuma at the Football for hope which was held at the Campus mini stadium in Lagos. The charity football match was between team naija celebrities versus team naija footballers.

http://bbnaijahousemates.com/photo-tobi-with-pasuma-and-small-doctor-at-oshoala-charity-match/

Lalasticlala mynd44

Four gunmen who invaded the Yenagoa residence of Nengi Talbot, the Bayelsa Commissioner for Water Resources on Sunday evening took away his six years, the State Police Command has confirmed.


Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asinim Butswat said in a statement that a manhunt has been launched to fish out the gunmen.


He said: “On 22/12/2019 at about 2230 hours, about four unknown gunmen invaded the residence of the Commissioner for water resources, Hon. Nengi Talbot, at the New Commissioners quarters Opolo, Yenagoa, and abducted his six year old son, one Antonio Talbot to an unknown destination.

“The command has launched a manhunt to rescue the victim and arrest the suspects. Investigation is ongoing”.

https://www.misschibest4real.xyz/2019/12/gunmen-abduct-commissioners-6-year-old.html

lalasticlala

Christmas is celebrated worldwide on December 25 of every year in the Christendom. It is observed to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is a very popular, but boisterous religious celebration. Exchange of gifts among friends and loved ones, one of the popular customs of Christmas, increases business and commercial activities during the season

There is however, groups of Christians that does not celebrate Christmas. Prominent among these groups are Jehovah Witnesses. To them, Christmas is not only a pagan celebration, it is against the teaching of the Bible.

With membership put at over eight and half million worldwide, Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for their strict adherence to their interpretation of the Bible.
They also strictly complied with their interpretation of Bible principles, even when their lives are at risk, or are ridiculed by their opposers.

People have continued to wonder why this group who called themselves Christians, will not celebrate Christmas. In fact, they have made enemies over their stand on the celebration of Christmas.
A search on the official website of the Jehovah’s Witnesses – jw.org, under “Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Christmas? (About us: Frequently asked questions),” gives reasons why this unique Christians shun Christmas celebration.
The site noted that a common misconceptions (myth) among people is that Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas because “they do not believe in Jesus.” But, quoting from the Bible book of Acts 4:12, it says that the fact is that “we are Christians. We believe that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.”


The site gives the following as reasons for the refusal of Jehovah’s Witnesses to join other Christians in 25 December celebration of birthday of Jesus Christ.
1. There is no proof that Jesus was born on December 25; his birth date is not recorded in the Bible.
2. We believe that Christmas is not approved by God because it is rooted in pagan customs and rites.—2 Corinthians 6:17.
3. Jesus commanded that we commemorate his death, not his birth.—Luke 22:19, 20.
4. Jesus’ apostles and early disciples did not celebrate Christmas. The New Catholic Encyclopedia says that “the Nativity feast was instituted no earlier than 243 [C.E.],” more than a century after the last of the apostles died.
5. The Bible does not give the date of Jesus’ birth, nor does it say that Christians should celebrate his birthday. As McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia states: “The observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of NT [New Testament] origin.”
Considering the question, What Does the Bible Say About Christmas? (Bible teachings, Bible questions answered), the jw.org says:
“An examination of the history of Christmas exposes its roots in pagan religious rites. The Bible shows that we offend God if we try to worship him in a way that he does not approve of.—Exodus 32:5-7.
“The early Christians did not celebrate [Jesus’] birth because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom.”—The World Book Encyclopedia.
“December 25: There is no proof that Jesus was born on that date. Church leaders likely chose this date to coincide with pagan festivals held on or around the winter solstice.”
Popular customs associated with Christmas and why they are wrong:
Gift-giving, feasting, partying: The Encyclopedia Americana says: “Saturnalia, a Roman feast celebrated in mid-December, provided the model for many of the merry-making customs of Christmas. From this celebration, for example, were derived the elaborate feasting, the giving of gifts, and the burning of candles.” The Encyclopædia Britannica notes that “all work and business were suspended” during Saturnalia.
Christmas lights: According to The Encyclopedia of Religion, Europeans decorated their homes “with lights and evergreens of all kinds” to celebrate the winter solstice and to combat evil spirits.
Mistletoe, holly: “The Druids ascribed magical properties to the mistletoe in particular. The evergreen holly was worshiped as a promise of the sun’s return.”—The Encyclopedia Americana.
Christmas tree: “Tree worship, common among the pagan Europeans, survived after their conversion to Christianity.” One of the ways in which tree worship survived is in the custom of “placing a Yule tree at an entrance or inside the house in the midwinter holidays.”​—Encyclopædia Britannica.
What Is Wrong With Christmas Customs? The Watchtower of December, 2015, has the following to say:
Christmas has long been described as a traditional Christian festival to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many of the customs used in this celebration, however, make us wonder how they came to be associated with Jesus’ birth in the first place.
For one thing, there is the myth of Santa Claus. The modern-day jolly, white-bearded, rosy-cheeked, red-suited Santa is known to have been a successful Christmas advertisement created for a North American beverage company in 1931. During the 1950’s, some Brazilians tried to replace Santa Claus with a native legendary figure—Grandpa Indian. The result? Santa Claus not only defeated Grandpa Indian but even “defeated the child Jesus and became the official representative of the feast of December 25,” says Professor Carlos E. Fantinati. But are myths such as Santa Claus the only problem with Christmas? For the answer, let us go back to early Christianity.
“During the first two centuries of Christianity there was strong opposition to recognizing birthdays of martyrs or, for that matter, of Jesus,” states the Encyclopedia Britannica. Why? Christians viewed birthday celebrations as a pagan custom, something to be avoided altogether. In fact, no mention of the date of Jesus’ birth can be found in the Bible.
In the fourth century C.E., despite the stand taken by the early Christians against the custom of celebrating birthdays, the Catholic Church instituted Christmas. The church wanted to strengthen its position by removing one of the main obstacles in its way—the popularity of the pagan Roman religions and their winter solstice festivals. Each year, from December 17 through January 1, “most Romans feasted, gamed, reveled, paraded, and joined in other festivities as they paid homage to their deities,” says Christmas in America, by Penne L. Restad. And on December 25, the Romans celebrated the birth of the Invincible Sun. Instituting Christmas on that day, the church cajoled many Romans into celebrating the birth of Jesus instead of the birth of the sun. Romans “were still able to enjoy the trappings of these midwinter festivals,” says Santa Claus, a Biography, by Gerry Bowler. In reality, they “continued to mark the new days with old ways.”
Clearly, then, the main problem with Christmas celebrations lies in their unsavory origins. In his book The Battle for Christmas, Stephen Nissenbaum refers to Christmas as “nothing but a pagan festival covered with a Christian veneer.” Christmas, therefore, dishonors God and his Son, Jesus Christ. Is this just a trivial matter? The Bible asks: “What fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14) Like the trunk of a tree that has grown crooked, Christmas is so twisted that it “cannot be made straight.”—Ecclesiastes 1:15.
Is Christmas for Christians?
The Watchtower, No.6, 2017, gave the following explanation:
“Millions of people around the world believe that the Christmas tradition is the birthday celebration of Jesus Christ. However, have you ever considered whether first-century Christians, those closest to Jesus, celebrated Christmas? And are you aware of what the Bible has to say about birthdays? Finding answers to these questions can help us determine if Christmas is for Christians.
“First, the Bible does not mention birthday celebrations for Jesus or any other faithful worshipper of God. The Scriptures refer to only two individuals who celebrated their birthday. Neither of them was a worshipper of Jehovah, the God of the Bible, and their birthday celebrations were cast in a negative light. (Genesis 40:20; Mark 6:21) According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, the early Christians opposed the ‘pagan custom of celebrating birthdays.'”
Was Jesus Christ born on December 25? The above quoted Watchtower explains:
The Bible does not say exactly when Jesus was born. “The day of Christ’s birth cannot be ascertained from the N[ew] T[estament] or, indeed, from any other source,” states McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia. Surely, if Jesus wanted his followers to celebrate his birthday, he would have made certain that they knew the date of his birth.
Second, the Bible does not record that Jesus or any one of his disciples celebrated Christmas. According to the New Catholic Encyclopedia, celebrating Christmas was first mentioned “in the Chronograph of Philocalus, a Roman almanac whose source material can be dated to 336 [C.E.].” Clearly, that was well after the completion of the Bible and centuries after Jesus was on earth. Thus, McClintock and Strong note that “the observance of Christmas is not of divine appointment, nor is it of N[ew] T[estament] origin.”
What event did Jesus instruct his disciples to commemorate?
“As the Great Teacher, Jesus gave clear instructions on what he wanted his followers to do, and these are recorded in the Bible. Celebrating Christmas, however, is not one of them. Just as a schoolteacher does not want his students to go beyond the instructions given them, Jesus does not want his followers to “go beyond the things that are written” in the Holy Scriptures.​—1 Corinthians 4:6.
“On the other hand, there is one important event the early Christians were very familiar with​—the commemoration, or Memorial, of Jesus’ death. Jesus personally told his disciples when to observe this occasion and showed them how to do it. These specific instructions, as well as the calendar day of his death, are recorded in the Bible.​—Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:25.
“As we have seen, Christmas is a birthday celebration, and early Christians did not follow that pagan custom. Furthermore, the Bible does not mention that Jesus or anyone else celebrated Christmas. In light of these facts, millions of Christians the world over have concluded that Christmas is not for them.”
But, why make Christmas an issue?
The site – jw.org, notes: “Many still celebrate Christmas despite knowing about its pagan roots and lack of support from the Bible. Such persons could ask: ‘Why should Christians take such an unpopular stance? Why make it an issue?’
“The Bible encourages us to think for ourselves, to use our ‘power of reason.’ (Romans 12:1, 2) It teaches us to value the truth. (John 4:23, 24) So while we are interested in how others view us, we adhere to Bible principles even if it means that we become unpopular.
“Although we choose not to celebrate Christmas ourselves, we respect each person’s right to decide for himself in this matter. We do not interfere in the Christmas celebrations of others.”


https://www.misschibest4real.xyz/2019/12/5-reasons-jehovahs-witnesses-dont.html

lalasticlala

2019 Big brother naija former housemates, Tacha, Khafi and Diane were pictured at the Mayor Of Lagos Festival which Tacha was the host of the night .


Tacha and Khafi have continued their bestie roles that they started at the second half of the reality show. Both reality celebrities came in at the same time as they wear black to DMW Mayorkun show.

https://www.misschibest4real.xyz/2019/12/photos-of-tacha-khafi-and-diane-at.html







lalasticlala

See more at http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-osinbajo-interacts-with-students-at-exhibition/

More at http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-osinbajo-interacts-with-students-at-exhibition/

Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo with students, Corp members and other attendees present at the exhibition.

http://www.metronaija.ng/photos-osinbajo-interacts-with-students-at-exhibition/

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

The Zamfara Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has shifted its governorship primaries to Oct. 1, due to non arrival of the election committee from the National Headquarters in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued to newsmen in Gusau on Sunday by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Shehu Isa.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in the state has appealed to stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and abide by security measures during the primaries.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Usman Belel made the call at a security stakeholders meeting in Gusau.
This was contained in a statement in Gusau on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Muhammad Shehu.

Shehu said the meeting was attended by heads of security agencies in the state, officials from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC governorship aspirants.

“The meeting was aimed at taking proactive security measures for effective security coverage before, during and after the APC governorship primaries in the state,’’ he said

http://www.metronaija.ng/apc-shifts-zamfara-governorship-primary-election-to-monday/

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Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello participated in the just concluded presidential party primaries in his hometown Kontagora .

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Friday said it would sue the Leadership Newspapers to court on its failure to pay salaries and other benefits to its staff.

Te National President of the union, Abdulwaheed Odusile, disclosed this while addressing members of the union in Gusau during a visit to Zamfara.

Odusile said the failure of some media outlets to pay salaries and other benefits had subjected their staff to untold hardship.

“I wish to categorically stress that our union is ever ready to picket any media organization that fails to respect the rights and privileges of our members,” he said.

He said the union had taken AIT and This Day Newspapers to court and had compelled some other organizations to offset their staff salaries and other entitlements.

He said the union would continue to uphold the ethics of the profession and enhance welfare of its members.

The president, who gave a rundown of his achievements in the last three years, urged members to elect him for the second time to enable him consolidate on them.

The union is currently preparing for its sixth Triennial Delegates Conference in Abeokuta, Ogun on Thursday, Oct. 4.

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Less than a month after it commenced its substitution of accounts of recalcitrant billionaire taxpayers, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has collected N12.66 in tax revenue.

The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler, disclosed this at the weekend when he received the new Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed during his spot visit to Revenue House, FIRS headquarters in Abuja.
Fowler spoke as Hajia Zainab Ahmed, the new finance minister commended the agency for shoring-up the non-oil revenue: “The Ministry of Finance will continue to work collaboratively with FIRS to support all the efforts that you are doing. And as much as possible, we should interface frequently. For us, the directive I have is to increase the tax revenue and that is the most important task ahead of all of us. You have done well. And the reward for good work is more work”, she said.

Hajia Ahmed urged the FIRS to “maintain the tempo” because literarily, the country depends on the work that FIRS does to shore-up the revenue collection to support the government.
She encouraged government agencies to work together to fish out all corrupt persons in the country, stating that this is President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

“The FIRS is a very important agency of government. I wanted to underscore this importance. FIRS is one of the first agencies in the Ministry of Finance that I am meeting. The Federal Government Medium Term Plan is hinged on diversifying the economy away from the oil revenues to non-oil sector. And the report that the Executive Chairman of FIRS has presented indicates that the diversification effort is working. This is reflected in the turn of the contribution of non-oil revenues over the last three years.

“I am happy that we have a team in FIRS that is not only expanding the revenue base, but also significantly improving tax collection and taking tax offices closer to the people and making it easier for the people to pay their taxes by online and e-tax payment procedures that you have undertaken. And I am sure that, from what I have heard today, that you would continue with all these processes.
“I am also glad that you are increasing cooperation with several agencies like the EFCC, ICPC and Nigeria Customs Service. This is important because the directive from the president for anti-corruption involves cooperation within yourselves as well as with anti-corruption agencies. It makes a lot of sense to priotise tax collection to larger categories: from the big ones to other ones. The effort you are doing in Abuja, Lagos and Osun –(on payment of taxes on property using their turnover as basis for assessment)- is a commendable one and I encourage you to maintain the tempo in generating tax revenues”, she said.
She said the country needs to continue with the efforts to strengthen the non-oil sector, stating that the part that FIRS should play is to continue with its efforts so that the non-oil sector would generate larger part of the tax revenue on sustainable basis.
About a month ago, the FIRS commenced substitution of the bank accounts of High Networth billionaire tax defaulters.
Fowler told the minister that the initiative has pooled about N12. 66 billion into the government coffers.
“FIRS wrote to all commercial banks in May 2018, requesting for a list of Companies, Partnerships, and Enterprises with a banking turnover of N1 billion and above. This activity is aimed at ascertaining those companies that are compliant with the Tax Laws and those that are not compliant. So far, non-compliant organization have paid about N12.66bn

“The FIRS will continue to implement initiatives that will drive compliance and generate revenue by continuous taxpayer enlightenment, implementation of the Auto VAT Collect in other sectors of the economy, simplification of the tax processes especially for small taxpayers, strengthening collaborations with other agencies such as CAC, States Boards of Internal Revenue, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Nigeria Customs Service”, Fowler said.

The FIRS Chairman also told the minister that the Service realised the sum of N2.983 billion from payment on demand notices on property owners who are being assessed based on their turnover and that 653 of 2, 672 of such non-filers have starting filing now.
From enforcement, Fowler said FIRS has collected a total of N47.5 billion from 2016 till date and $32.8 million dollars, £5.9 pounds, netted N225 billion from audit and has collected more than N1 trillion above its January to August collection last year (2017).
He said that FIRS’ collection of N4.03 trillion in 2017 has 62.25 percent as non-oil while oil is just 37.75 percent. It was 64.99 in favour of non-oil in 2016 and 35.01 for oil. In 2018, the FIRS has done 54.56 percent for non-oil and 45.44 percent for oil receipts.
Fowler added that Value Added Tax (VAT) receipt is on a steady increase. “So far in 2018, the FIRS has collected 773.49bn in eight months. The above collected this year has already surpassed that of 2015 (767.33bn), and is set to surpass 2016 (828.19bn), and 2017 (972.30bn) with four more collection months left in the year.
“e-stamp duties collection is on a steady increase. So far in 2018, the FIRS have collected 10.10bn in eight months. The above collected this year has already surpassed that of 2017 (10.9bn), 2016 (5.6bn), and 2015 (7.1bn)”, Fowler said.
Three weeks ago, the FIRS Chairman explained at a stakeholders event in Lagos that substitution is allowed in the nation’s laws and empowers FIRS to appoint banks as collection agents for tax.

“So, all these ones of TIN and no pay and no TIN and no pay, to the total of 6772 will have their accounts frozen or put under substitution pending when they come forward. First, they refused to come forward in 2016, they refused to come forward under VAT and are still operating here. So, we are putting them under notice that it is their civic responsibility to pay tax and to file returns on these accounts.
“We looked all businesses, partnerships, corporate accounts that have a minimum turnover of N1 billion per annum for the past three years. First of all, the law states clearly that before you open a corporate account, part of the opening documentation is the tax I.D. From the 23 banks, we have analysed so far, we have 31,395 records, out of which effectively minus duplications we had 18,602.
“We broke those into three categories: Those that have TIN tax I.D, those that don’t have no TIN and of course no TIN no pay and those that have TIN and have not even paid anything. So, on a minimum, every company or business included here over the last three years have had a banking turnover of N3 billion and above. Some of them have had banking turnover of over N5 billion and have not paid one kobo in taxes. Now the total number of TIN and no pay is 6772.

“So, if someone is good in mathematics and you take the minimum level of N3 billion multiply by 409 and they are operating within our society and economy and do not remit or make any tax payment.

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Paul Majie, a 29-year-old unemployed man, on Thursday committed suicide in his room at Dadin-Kowa in Jos South Local Government of Plateau.

Shocked neighbours, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the incident, said that Majie’s lifeless body was found hanging in his room in the morning.

“We do not know why he did that, but we suspect he killed himself out of frustration,” a neighbour, who refused to disclosed his name, told NAN.
READ ALSO "Buhari Failed In Areas We Expected Him To Act During His Visit" – Benue Government

Efforts to speak with his family members proved abortive as they appeared to distraught to discuss the matter with anyone.

Mr Terna Tyopev, Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Police Command in Plateau, who confirmed the incident to NAN, said that Majie’s body lifeless body was found hanging in the morning.
READ ALSO PHOTOS: Buhari Support Group Buys Nomination Form For Ganduje

“Today, at about 7:15.a.m, one Augustine Nyam of Dadin-Kowa area of Jos reported at our Rantya Division that Mr. Paul Majie had committed suicide.

“Our detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene of crime. On arrival, they brought down his motionless body and took it to the Specialist Hospital, Jos.

“Unfortunately, the doctor on duty confirmed him dead and the body was deposited at the mortuary in the same hospital, “he said.
READ ALSO Girl, 11, began sweating blood as she revised for exams (photos)

Tyopev said that an autopsy would be conducted on the dead body to ascertain the real cause of his death.

He also said that investigation on the case was ongoing (NAN)

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Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo going round to see some of the flood victims in Delta State at their temporary relocation in Asaba

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The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Olagunju Ojo, the Minority Leader, and five other lawmakers on Tuesday defected to three different parties.

The Clerk of the House, Mr Paul Bankole, read the separate letters of defection by the lawmakers during the plenary session in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Speaker (Labour Party-Orire), Mrs Wunmi Oladeji ( Labour Party-Ogbomoso North) and Solomon Olukayode (Labour Party-Ogbomoso South) defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gbenga Oyekola ( Labour Party-Atiba) and Peter Oyetunji (Labour Party-Ogo Oluwa/Surulere), on the other hand, defected to African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively.

The Minority Leader, Mr Ademola Ige (Accord Party-Ibadan South-East II) and Mr Fatai Adesina (Accord Party-Ibadan South-East I) defected to ADC.

Meanwhile, the house has appealed to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Odude, to make conscious efforts to put a stop to gang-related crimes and violence in Oyo town.

The assembly also urged the commissioner to deploy competent police units to tackle the dastardly activities of criminal gangs.

This followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by Mr Muideen Olagunju (Accord Party-Oyo East/Oyo West) during the plenary.

According to Olagunju, the dramatic upsurge in gang warfare within the town has resulted in residents living in fear as well as property damage and deaths.

“The acts of violence are traceable to battle for supremacy among bands of youths in certain black spots within the town.

“During these battles of attritions, the gangs engage in spates of physical attacks, maiming, property damage, looting and sadly, killings.

“More often than not, innocent citizens bear the brunt of these acts of violence especially in Agunpopo, Balogun, Apara, Apinni, Ilaka, Akesan Motor Park, Iseke and Tengbe.

“It calls for concern that in spite of the fact that Oyo town and its environs have four Divisional Police Headquarters, one Area Command as well as a unit of SARS, it appears the gangs are controllable with low rate of arrests and prosecution of offenders,” he said.

The Speaker directed the House Committee on Security and Special Duties to convene, charge and monitor relevant authorities to act swiftly to curtail violence.

http://www.metronaija.ng/oyo-speaker-minority-leader-others-defect-to-apc-adc/

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Ibrahim Idris and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahooud Yakubu, have assured Nigerians and political stakeholders that the Osun Sept. 22 Governorship election would be credible based on efforts put in place.

The I-G and INEC chairman both gave the assurance while speaking at the “Election Stakeholders Forum on the 2018 Governorship Election”, organised by INEC on Monday in Osogbo.

Yakubu in his address said the commission had improved on the functionality of the commission’s technological innovations to safeguard the integrity and credibility of elections.

He said INEC would ensure that personnel and election materials arrived promptly at polling units, the smart card readers functioned optimally and that counting of ballots, collation and declaration of results would be prompt, open, transparent.

“Our ultimate objective is to ensure that the choice of who becomes the next governor of Osun is entirely in the hands of the voters.

“Votes will count and only the choice made by the people of Osun and nothing else would determine the outcome of the election,” he said.

He said the commission had overcome past challenges associated with elections malpractices in the country, and as the process of election could no longer be corrupted, those that want to subvert it had now made the electorate their target through vote-buying.

The INEC chairman said the commission had reviewed the administration of the polling units to make it difficult for voters to expose their marked ballot papers to intending vote-buyers, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

He said that though people could not be banned from taking their cell phones to the polling units because it would be difficult for them to take pictures and report malpractices to INEC as requested of the people, but the electorate from point of accreditation and voting, would not be allowed to be with his/her cell phones.

Idris on his part, assured the people of adequate security before, during and after the election, saying that constant forums orgainsed by INEC ahead of elections would always help the police in strategising and providing formidable security.

Idris said the police, complemented by other security agents would provide the needed security for the election, adding that 18, 426 police officers would be deployed to Osun for the election.

“Arrangements have been concluded to deploy over 18,426 police personnel, including conventional and PMF units, Intelligence and technical teams to provide security.

“This number excludes the support services to be provided by other security personnel from the Armed Forces, the Immigration Service, the Prisons, the Custom and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps to complement the efforts of the police.

“Our brother politicians and their supporters are advised to desist from actions that may precipitate violence before, during and after the election.

“The police officers deployed for this election have been lectured and educated on electoral conducts, behaviours, laws and offences, and are therefore expected to conduct themselves in a highly ethical manner,” Idris said.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had provided funds for the payment of the officers allowances.

http://www.metronaija.ng/osun-2018-inec-police-assure-of-credible-election/

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