₦airaland Forum

http://nextedition.com.ng/2017/05/04/stop-wasting-time-get-social-social-media/

https://events.socialmediaexaminer.com/amember/aff/go/samuel


Nowadays Social Media plays an important role in our life, we are using it to keep in touch with our friends, families, businesses and make some new friends. Besides that we want to show the world what we are doing by means of posting pictures or videos. The social media tools are all very useful when we talk about business too.

A few years ago, it wasn’t that big and widely acceptable, but nowadays people are able to use it for almost anything in their daily life.

Life is dynamic, human beings and their ways of life are dynamic, so it would not be wrong to conclude social media world is dynamic. Hence, it requires a dynamic approach to understanding the tricks and rudiments of social media.

It has got to the point where it shapes our life and makes a great impact in it. For instance, social media has speedily changed the way we learn about and respond to natural disasters. After a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti, nonprofit organisations used social media to mobilize rescue efforts and to support the community.

Similarly, when earthquake and tsunami rocked Japan on March 11, 2011, millions around the globe used it to search for family and friends, as well as get updates on a situation that was very frightening at the time, given the damage to the nuclear reactor. Similarly, in a recent New York area earthquake, residents were receiving tweets from the epicenter of the event before the tremors had reach them.

READ ALSO: How To Get Skilled in Social Media Tools

You will agree less that the "Arab Spring" uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, have proven that social media can be used to transform society and politics on a global scale.

Fast forward to the US elections in 2008, 2012 and 2016 social media was widely used to organize supporters and get-out-the-vote, campaigns. This is not simply limited to the U.S. politics. In countries like Iran and Egypt, where political choice and speech are limited, organizers were able to use their influence to create exciting election results for their people. Even in the 23 February, 2019 elections in Nigeria, its tools are deployed to influence campaign to mobilise followers.

In every era, cultures go through numerous changes, and in recent years ours has been more impacted than anything else by social media. Large media companies are not likely to go away overnight, nor will the need to communicate by phone or meet people in person, but it is providing yet one more means of engaging with people on this vast planet of ours, and if used effectively can give all of us greater choice in how we live and what happens in our world.

By implication, it suffices to say social media has come to stay in our life. We must all embrace it and get skilled via SMMW19.

For you to be social media savvy and up-to-date there is the need for you to upgrade at all times. You can put or register for various internationally recognised various online trainings like the Social Media Marketing World (SMMW19), Digital Marketing Summit so on.

I think that the effects of social media have been somewhat balanced, to be honest. There are many good things about it, and many bad things. In the end, if you can keep your own life centered in reality and use social networking as a small part of it, you should be just fine.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/25/atiku-pdp-plans-secure-court-order-stop-announcement-presidential-results-apc/


President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, have planned to secure a court order to stop the announcement of results of Saturday’s Presidential election.

A statement signed by Festus Keyamo, Director, Strategic Communications, APC Presidential Campaign Counci, said the claims were based on information from their “usual patriotic sources from within the disgruntled PDP circle.”

Read the full statement below.

Our usual patriotic sources from within the disgruntled PDP circle and Atiku’s Campaign team have reliably informed us that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has perfected plans to finally scuttle our democracy and throw the country into constitutional crises by surreptitiously obtaining an exparte (one-sided) court order stopping the announcement of the Presidential Election results which he fears have gone against him.

We understand that a meeting was held today with a group of senior lawyers who were instructed to prepare and file the processes in court on Monday, February 25, 2019. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was clear in his brief to the lawyers that he must be declared the President-elect of Nigeria by hook or crook, whether he wins or loses, or else he would drag the country down with him.

Nigerians would recall that the June 12, 1993 debacle that brought Nigeria to its knees and caused our country international isolation was precipitated by a court injunction stopping the announcement of Presidential Election results. The court order was obtained by a certain Association for Better Nigeria headed then by one Chief Authur Nzeribe. This is exactly what Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who claims to be a democrat, wants to foist on this nation again because of his inordinate ambition.

We are also informed that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar confided in those around him that his desperation is borne out of the fact that he has made profound commitments to his local and international sponsors regarding the sale of our national assets like NNPC and others to them that he cannot just afford to let them down at this time, having assured them that there was no way he would not win the presidential election. However, results trickling in from around the country have dampened his optimism.

This has prompted his instructions to his campaign organization, especially his spokespersons to continue to issue statements, making false claims of ‘victory’ when there is no single scientific basis for such claims. For instance, as brazen as they are to claim victory, they have not pointed at one single presidential election result in any single unit in the whole country where they scored a particular figure with a result sheet duly signed by their agent that was subsequently changed at a Collation Centre. All we hear are sound bites of Atiku’s spokespersons, huffing and puffing about winning the election just to whip up public sentiments to prepare the ground to reject the results when they are eventually released by INEC.

For us our position is very simple and straight forward: we wish to allow the legal process of declaring presidential election results to take place peacefully and in an orderly fashion. President Buhari is not desperate, but is very confident of victory.

We also note their attempt to discredit the entire elections by certain isolated incidents of violence in some parts of the country. For instance, Lagos State that has more than 13,000 voting points recorded a very unfortunate, despicable and condemnable act of violence in one voting point that was clearly not perpetuated by any known or accredited member of our party. Yet the PDP has cried out to the world about ‘burning of ballot papers in most parts the country’.

We therefore wish to advice anyone who wishes to aid and encourage Alhaji Atiku Abubakar along this infamous part to remember the June 12 debacle. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar may also wish to learn a lesson or two from President Muhammadu Buhari who resorted to the court of law in 2003 when Atiku, along with President Olusegun Obasanjo, ‘defeated’ him in the presidential race in that year in controversial circumstances. President Buhari, as a true statesman and democrat, never resorted to underhand tactics to declare himself President.

We hope a word is enough for the wise.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/24/presidential-polls-ortom-david-mark-ayu-storm-inec-headquarters-lay-complaints/

Governor Samuel Ortom in company of Senators David Mark and Iyorcha Ayu on Sunday evening stormed the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to lodge a formal complaint about the movement of results from Gboko Local Government area of the state.

Ortom who spoke with newsmen after meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Nentawe Yilwatda said he got a complaint that some soldiers went to Gboko and highjacked the result of the entire Gboko local government of Makurdi without taking the PDP agents along.

He said they became apprehensive especially as the Senator representing Benue North East, George Akume had vowed to upturn the results coming from the area against the PDP.

"We are apprehensive because just some few minutes ago, I learnt that some soldiers went to the Gboko collation centre and parked all the materials, the returning officer and electoral materials and came to Makurdi without our agents.

"We became confused and said we cannot just allow it. We will come and talk to the REC to find out why it is so. But on getting here now, the REC he assured us that all is well and they (INEC) was just concerned about the safety of the materials."

The governor who was also accompanied by the PDP senatorial candidate for the district, Oker Jev said the REC had however assured them that there wasn't going to be any problem as the PDP agents would be allowed to participate in the collation of the results.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/24/nigeria-decides-cupp-raises-alarm-plans-tamper-fct-results/

The Coalition of United Political Parties has alleged that there were plans to cancel the presidential election in some area councils of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the opposition coalition, that is the strategy by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the FCT to declare results inconclusive thereby paving way for figures to be manipulated in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The allegation was contained in a statement signed by the spokesman of the coalition, Imo Ugochinyere, on Sunday

The statement read, “We have obtained credible intelligence from insiders that the FCT INEC Staff and the REC have caved in to pressure from security agencies and APC chieftains working on the instructions of President Buhari to cancel some area councils’ presidential election results that were won overwhelmingly by the opposition candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and declare the FCT election inconclusive to enable the President and the APC to fully prepare with security agencies to write results in those areas during a rerun.

“President Buhari and his team, after the FCT results were tabulated, realised that not only did Atiku defeat him in the FCT but that he could not score 25 percent of the vote cast requirement hence the plan to cancel results from the remote areas of Bwari, Abaji etc to help declare FCT inconclusive.

“The world monitored the election in Abuja and knows that Atiku led Buhari with wide margin despite all the rampage visited on voters in the remote areas of the FCT.

LWKMD!!!!!!!!!!!

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/23/buhari-announces-self-winner-shortly-voting/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said he has won the presidential election even as voting had barely commenced.

Mr. Buhari and wife, Aisha were the first to cast their votes polling centre No. 003 in Daura at about 8 am and by 8.06am, the duo had completed their accreditation.

While Mrs. Buhari was the first to cast her ballots, President Buhari took a little more time before he came out of the booth to drop his ballots.

In a funny twist, the president was found peeping through the booth where his wife was thump printing her ballot, apparently to see who she voted for.

Shortly after casting his vote, journalists met him and sought his opinion about the election.

“So far so good, Nigerians are behaving themselves,” he said.

Asked if he is hopeful, he responded, “Very hopeful indeed.”

But when asked whether he would concede defeat if his lost the poll, he said, “I am going to congratulate myself. I am already the winner.”

In a swift reaction, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome condemned the president for claiming victory even before the election got underway.

“He has never ever said he will concede defeat. He has always said he cannot be defeated but he knows that is unconstitutional and against the provisions of the Electoral Act,” he said.

“He believes that the rigging machine he has put in place will work but God will disappoint him. We have never had a president who would say that in the history of this country.”

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/23/inec-denies-allegations-hoarding-electoral-sheets/

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Friday dismissed an allegation by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that it was hoarding some election materials.

The Chief Press Secretary of the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the Commission would never deliberately hoard election materials or engage in any act intended to favour any political party or candidate.

He noted that in the past week, the commission had mobilised all national assets to deliver various election materials, day and night, to various parts of the country.

The PDP had accused INEC of withholding sensitive election materials from some states.

According to the party the materials, which included collation (form EC8D) and result (form EC8E) sheets were being withheld in states considered to be PDP strongholds.

The PDP in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary and Director, Media & Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Kola Ologbondiyan claimed that some INEC staff were compromised and working with the APC to rig the election.

The statement stated, "Intelligence at our disposal shows that certain compromised INEC officials are working with agents of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to hold back the material so as to pave way for the allocation of fictitious results for President Muhammadu Buhari and APC National Assembly candidates in the affected states.

The party had noted that in Abia state, collation forms and result sheets had not been received for the Senatorial elections, while in Delta and some other states, result sheets had not been received.

It also claimed that in some states materials delivered fell short of the number required.

However, in denying the accusations, Oyekanmi said: “While the Commission has experienced a few challenges in the process, which is normal with the logistical operation of this magnitude, we have largely overcome these challenges.

“The Chairman of INEC, (Mahmood) Yakubu, has been briefing the nation daily since last Monday on the progress made.

“I think that every well-meaning Nigerian will agree that INEC needs all the support it can get to organise a successful general election starting from tomorrow (today) Feb. 23.

“We want to assure Nigerians who have shown a lot of support and understanding, especially in the last one difficult week, that the Commission will never deliberately hoard election materials or engage in any act intended to favour any political party or candidate.”

He reiterated the call to Nigerians to feel free to vote for any political party or candidate of their choice and assured them that their votes would count.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/23/u-s-places-travel-ban-congos-officials-family-electoral-fraud/

The United States has placed travel ban on some top government officials of the Democratic Republic of the Congo over their roles in alleged electoral fraud in the December 2018 general election in the country.

The U.S. Department of State announced this in a statement entitled: ‘Public Designation of, and Visa Restrictions Placed on, Multiple Officials of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Due to Involvement in Significant Corruption, Human Rights Violations or Abuses, or Undermining of Democracy’.

The statement read: “The United States stands with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.) following that country’s historic transfer of power.

“The elections reflect the desire of the people of the D.R.C. for change and accountable government institutions.

“However, there are legitimate concerns over the conduct and transparency of the electoral process.

“The Secretary of State is publicly designating, due to their involvement in significant corruption relating to the electoral process, the following individuals: Mr. Corneille Nangaa, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (D.R.C.) National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI); Mr. Norbert Basengezi Katintima, Vice President of CENI; Mr. Marcellin Mukolo Basengezi, Advisor to the President of CENI; Mr. Aubin Minaku Ndjalandjoko, President of the D.R.C.’s National Assembly; and Mr. Benoit Lwamba Bindu, President of the D.R.C.’s Constitutional Court.

“This public designation is being made under Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2019, (Div. F, P.L. 116-6-).

“Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that officials of foreign governments have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.

“The Secretary of State is also imposing visa restrictions on election officials as well as military and government officials believed to be responsible for, complicit in, or to have engaged in human rights violations or abuses or undermining of the democratic process in the D.R.C.

“These individuals enriched themselves through corruption, or directed or oversaw violence against people exercising their rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

“They operated with impunity at the expense of the Congolese people and showed a blatant disregard for democratic principles and human rights.

“The Department of State emphasizes that the actions announced today are specific to certain officials and not directed at the Congolese people or the newly elected government.

“This decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to working with the new D.R.C. government to realise its expressed commitment to end corruption and strengthen democracy and accountability, and respect for human rights.”

CENI had announced on January 10 that opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi had provisionally won with 38.57 per cent of the vote against closest rival Martin Fayulu’s 34.8 per cent.

However, Fayulu, who had previously described the outcome as an “electoral coup” forged by Tshisekedi and long-term leader, former President Joseph Kabila, immediately called on the international community to reject the results.

Announcing the final results of the much-delayed poll, the country’s Constitutional Court affirmed that Tshisekedi had won by a simple majority, which paved the way for him to take over from Kabila.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/22/inec-briefing-underage-voters-foreigners-will-arrested-prosecuted-yakubu/

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has said that any underaged person or foreigner found attempting to vote at Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections would be arrested and prosecuted.

Giving his last briefing before the elections on Friday, Yakubu said it was an illegality for such category of people to vote in the country. According to him, voting is for bona fide Nigerians who have attained the statutory age of voting.

Breaking down what the elections would look like in terms of figures, the INEC Chairman disclosed that “Nigerians will elect a president out of a total of 73 candidates nominated by their political parties. Similarly, voters will choose 109 Senators out of 1880 candidates and 360 members of the House of Representatives out of 4631 candidates. Elections will hold in 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

“Voting will take place is 176,973 locations made up of 119,973 Polling units and 57,023 voting points.”

In terms of manpower and other resources which the commission has put in place to ensure a smooth process, he said:

“We have engaged 825,543 Ad-hoc staff ranging from presiding officers to collation officers.

“80,000 commercial vehicles have been made available by the commission to facilitate the entire process. INEC has accredited 120 domestic and 36 international organizations deploying a total of 73, 000 observers for the elections tomorrow.”

Assuring Nigerians that arrangements were in place to facilitate the opening of polls at 8am on Saturday, February 23, the INEC Chairman reiterated that telephones and other photographic would not allowed in the voting cubicles.

In his own comments, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu assured of maximum security.

According to him, “there will be maximum security for INEC Staff and the election materials before the elections, during the elections and after the election.”

He has stated that there will be at least three security personnel at the polling unit, to protect the electorates, INEC officials and the electoral materials.

“The personnel that will be there will not be armed, so there is no need for apprehension. While the election is going on, we may have some group of people that may want to disrupt the process, we have put in place a strategy to stop that,” he said.

He however, disclosed that at the end of voting, materials would be protected by armed security personnel.

“After the elections, movements of materials collected from the centres will also be protected. We will put extra personnel who are armed to protect the results,” he said.

The IG encouraged Nigerians “to go out peacefully, cast their votes and wait for the announcement of the results,” warning that those who cause trouble would be arrested.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/21/rescheduled-elections-may-not-hold-ipob-leader/

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has said the postponed presidential election for Saturday may not hold.

The IPOB Leader said this on Wednesday night in a live broadcast.

Describing the election as ‘sham’, Kanu said Saturday polls may not hold because ‘Jubril of Sudan’ will be chased out of Nigeria.

Kanu lamenting about killings of Igbos spearheaded by some South East governors, further revealed that he is coming back to Nigeria soon.

He said: “There’s no government in the world that doesn’t know about IPOB and fortunately I met most of them, we don’t publish all on social media.

“All these saboteurs you see online don’t exist. Check their profile and you’ll understand they’re fake. Just ignore them.

“I’m coming to Nigeria, in power and glory. I’m coming fully prepared, whatever Nigerian government wants, we will do it there.

“We called for boycott of the Zoo. Nigeria was vibrating, we called it off they ran astray. That’s how powerful IPOB is.

READ ALSO: Come Out and Vote on Saturday, Atiku Urges Nigerians

“No amount of intimidation, arrest, killings will stop us from marching.
“I’m not sure that their Sham election will hold on Saturday 23rd Feb; because Jubril will be chased back to Sudan, then you will know that Buhari is dead.

“There is no way Jubril can survive an election in this zoo.”

Further lamenting on Killings of IPOB members, Kanu called out Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, blaming him for orchestrating the genocide.

“As I am speaking now, IPOB members are being parked and taken to DSS custody in Abuja, masterminded by Obiano and others.

“Now that Obiano, Okezie Ikpeazu and other Igbo governors are hunting down and killing IPOB members, everyone is keeping quite.

But any day we decide to retaliate, everyone will start talking rubbish.”

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/21/come-vote-saturday-atiku-urges-nigerians/

The presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar has called on Nigerians to make their voices heard on Saturday, February 23 through the ballot box.

In a live to broadcast on Twitter and Facebook on Thursday, February 21, Atiku reminded Nigerians of the importance of making their voices heard through their permanent voters’ cards, stressing that elections were carried for citizens to determine who will govern the country in the next four years.

According to him, he was very proud to be a Nigerian and a Democrat adding that another opportunity had come for Nigerians to repeat what they did on March 28, 2015, when the people went to their polling units armed only with their PVCs to vote out the then incumbent President from the office.

“This Saturday, we will have the opportunity to do so again, my message to you is simple, please come out and vote as this election is about your future and the future of our great nation,” he said.

Atiku also laid emphasis on the fact that Nigerians are all equal on election day and no vote was more crucial than the other.

“On election day, we are all equal, there is no single vote which is more important than any other, but if you do not vote, you will be accepting that the next four years will be like the last.”

Atiku urged all Nigerians to use the power of their PVCs to get Nigeria working again.

“The power to get Nigeria working again is in your Permanent Voters Cards. I will be voting with mine on Saturday and I call on you to please join me irrespective of who you wish to vote for.

God bless you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he concluded.

Recall that the Presidential and National Assembly elections which were slated for February 16, 2019 were cancelled five hours to the commencement of voting due to logistics challenges in some part of the country.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/21/atiku-make-broadcast-twitter-facebook-9am/

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar will be making a broadcast on Twitter and Facebook at 9 am today, Thursday, February 21.

In a tweet @atiku by 10:19 pm on Wednesday, February 20, he said: “I will be making a broadcast on Twitter and Facebook at 9am tomorrow. Tune in.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/20/incessant-attacks-ikeja-electric-discontinue-service-hostile-customers-communities/

Ikeja Electric (IE) on Wednesday warned that it would not hesitate to discontinue service to hostile customers and communities attacking its field staff while on duty.

The company’s Spokesman, Mr Felix Ofulue, gave the warning following rising spate of assaults on some of its field staff.

“While we understand that issues surrounding electricity services can be emotive, we maintain that wanton attacks on our staff are completely irrational, unnecessary and unproductive.

“Ikeja Electric has provided multiple channels through which our customers can lodge formal complaints with respect to our service or bills.

“Where responses from these channels are deemed unsatisfactory, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has also set up a robust Forum Office for the redress of customer complaints.

“We have escalated the recent attacks, which went viral, to the appropriate authorities and we are currently exploring every legal channel available to us to ensure the offenders are brought to book.

“Ikeja Electric will not allow its personnel to suffer intimidation, assaults and other bodily harm or threat from anyone who hides under various smokescreen for the unwarranted attack of its staff,’’ Ofulue said in a statement condemning the attacks.

The IE spokesman said that it would continue to deliberate with stakeholders in flashpoint areas to find ways to amicably resolve all pertinent issues of concern to its customers and communities.

According to him, this is in the interest of the safety of its employees and members of the public.

“However, where these attacks persist, Ikeja Electric, will as a matter of course, continue to escalate such matters to law enforcement agencies.

“We will promptly withdraw our services from communities and customers that prove too hostile to operate in.

“We, therefore, urge all stakeholders, community leaders, leaders of youth groups and all persons of interest to remain mindful of these matters.

“We want them to adopt a more civil approach to engagements as all parties are deserving of reciprocal respect and regard as espoused by all laws.

“While there may be concerns and disputes arising from time to time, we remain committed to finding long-lasting peaceful resolutions in the equitable interests of all parties,’’ Ofulue said.

The fairy tale rise-to- fame of Olajumoke Orisaguna in 2016 inspired millions of Nigerians, captured the interest of international media and served as a prayer point for many who desired such overnight transformation.

Olajumoke became the modern-day Nigerian Cinderella when she accidentally strayed into a photo shoot helmed by TY Bello, a Nigerian singer/photographer, while hawking bread on Olonode Street, Yaba, Lagos.

Following her accidental encounter with the photo shoot, TY Bello and Azuka Ogujiuba, a former senior reporter with THISDAY Style, collaborated to make a model and celebrity out of Olajumoke.

Subsequently, companies rolled over themselves to favour the 30-year-old. At the end of the media blitz which included features on CNN and BBC, the bread seller got a five-year rent of a fully furnished apartment bankrolled by Sujimoto, a luxury apartment construction company. She also secured modelling contracts with e-commerce company, Payporte, and Zenith Bakery.

The interventions and series of accompanying developments saw the fortune of the bread seller take a leap – but three years down the line, things are not as rosy as expected in the life of the mother of two.

eelive can reveal that she is struggling economically and her relationship with Sunday Orisaguna, the lover for whom she has her two children, is on its way south as well.

At the moment, Olajumoke cannot boast of any concrete means of livelihood. At home, things are not easy. Sunday said life has been incredibly tough, and that help is farther from him because many people assume that Olajumoke has made it big, and that consequently, he’s also rich.

He lamented that Olajumoke and her family have refused to agree to the formalization of their relationship despite having two children together.

Although Olajumoke and her erstwhile manager, Azuka Ogujiuba, would not discuss the details of their parting of ways, both maintained that they remain friendly and accessible to one another.

Sources close to both parties, however, insist that the severance of their relationship has left the former bread seller at sea.

This suspicion was confirmed by Sunday who told eelive that “I think she was better when she was with Azuka because Azuka and TY Bello have great connections that paid Olajumoke more”.

Sunday also complained that he is often kept out of the loop of Olajumoke’s activities.

He said: “I just know her manager calls her, they go out and return late. Sometimes she returns as late as past 12am and without explanations. She doesn’t even tell me where they go and what happens.”

The former bread seller herself confirmed that things are not as promising as they were three years ago.

Although she has no job and savings, Olajumoke spoke of her desire to have a home of her own before the existing rent expires in two years and to establish a haircare business before the end of 2019.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/20/olajumoke-bread-seller-turned-model-faces-hard-times-relationship-threatened/

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/19/benue-police-parades-14-suspected-criminals-arms/

The Benue state Police command on Tuesday, paraded 14 suspects arrested for various criminal acts.

Among them, were two men, Tersoo Joseph and Demenenge Iorwa who raped and robbed their victim in Makurdi.

Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Bishi Omololu said they were arrested across the state for crimes ranging from armed robbery, cultism, rape, illegal possession of fire arms and other social vices.

The commissioner however, explained that the two suspects who allegedly raped a lady and dispossessed her of her phone and N2,000 have confessed to the crime and would soon be charged to court.

One of the suspected rapists, Tersoo Joseph, told newsmen at Benue Police command that they had raped the woman in the gutter along Kwararafa quarters after taking her belongings.

Bishi who earlier, briefed newsmen in his office before the parade expressed the command's resolve and determination to smash armed robbery gangs and nip crime in the bud, assuring Benue people of the command’s readiness to protect lives and property.

While other members of an armed robbery gang, cultists, and those in possession of fire arms were paraded, the police commissioner called on those with illegal fire arms to surrender them to the nearest police station or face the wrath of the law.

"I want to use this opportunity to warn the general public, especially those in possession of prohibited firearms to, in their best interest, surrender these arms to the nearest police station or face the wrath of the law when caught.

He, therefore, called on the public to partner with them by providing the police with useful information that will help fight crime and other social vices in the state.

Items recovered from the suspects include English made double barrel gun, locally fabricated pistols, live cartridges, live ammunition, knives, phones, a Honda Accord car, a motorcycle among others.

YOU MODERATORS ARE WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS WAS PUBLISHED HERE EARLIER YESTERDAY


Cc: Mynd44





5 Terrorists, 4 Soldiers Killed In Boko Haram Attack On Yobe Community by vegafbs: 5:59pm On Feb 17

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/17/5-terrorists-4-soldiers-killed-boko-haram-attack-yobe-community/

Five Boko Haram members, an officer and three soldiers were killed on Saturday, at Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe, during encounter between troops and the terrorists.

Col. Sagir Musa, the army spokesman, who confirmed the attack in a statement on Sunday, said the casualties were recorded when the terrorists attacked a military formation in the town.

The Nigerian Army Special Forces School and 27 Task Force Brigade are both located in Buni Yadi.

Musa said five other soldiers were wounded and were receiving treatment in the Brigade Field Ambulance.

According to him, the insurgents were armed with four gun trucks, one Mine Resistant Ambush Protection (MRAP), one MOWAC (heavy fighting equipment) and assorted arms and ammunitions.

He noted that nine AK 47 rifles, one anti-aircraft gun, 121 rounds of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft ammunitions, two 36 hand grenades, 295 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four Improvised Explosive(IED) Devices, were recovered from the insurgents.

Musa said one IED cylinder, one RPG bomb, one RPG bomb charger, one gun truck and one Bajaj motorcycle were also recovered from the terrorists.

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, commended troops for successes being recorded in recent times in the battle against insurgents in the North East and enjoined them to remain resolute, alert and decisive as well as professional.

Buratai also thanked all those who passed timely and credible information that aided the successful “abortion of the attempted attack on troop’s position in Buni Yadi.”

In another development, Musa said troops deployed to provide security for the rescheduled Presidential/National Assembly elections at Iwaraja Junction along Osun and Ogun axis on Saturday intercepted three hoodlums moving towards Ilesa East Local Government Area, with intent to disrupt smooth conduct of the rescheduled elections in the area.

The army spokesman said the hoodlums would be handed over to the police upon completion of “initial profiling and investigation.”

He said one locally made pistol, one gutless, three rounds of cartridges, three mobile phones, one iPad, one Peace Corps face cap, one Peace Corps ID card and N14,300 were recovered from the suspects.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/18/kaduna-66-confirmed-army-police-lie-kaduna-sokapu/

The Nigerian army and the Kaduna Police Command have confirmed the killing of 66 people in communities in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state.

General officer commanding (GOC) 1 division of the army, Faruk Yahaya, and Ahmad Abdulrahman, the state police commissioner, confirmed the killings on Saturday when they accompanied Gov. Nasir el-Rufai, on a tour of some of the affected villages.

Responding to the governor’s question on the casualty figure, the GOC said 66 people were killed.

“As far as we are concerned, what we reported was 66, comprising male, female and children.

“We have shown you the other area in that village, where according to information, the residents were lured to that riverine and were slaughtered.

“A total of 37 were said to have been buried there. You have seen the grave there and you have also seen elements of their materials that were on the ground, including some traces of blood.

“Now information has it that it also spread to other villages. You know how the Fulanis are, they are far apart. That’s the information we have.”

The state police commissioner, Ahmad Abdulrahman, said six people have been arrested and were being questioned on the role they may have played in the massacre.

According to him, those arrested would be charged to court on Monday, February 18 while detectives have been dispatched to track and arrest other suspects.

“Even today, we effected some arrest. They are right now undergoing interrogation at the state CID. When I get back, we are going to reveal what they have gotten so far,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna People’s Union, SOKAPU, the indigenous community of the area, Adara Development Association and the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, have insisted that nothing of such as is being claimed happened in the area.

In their separate reactions, they said El-Rufai was lying accusing him of trying to instigate a crisis in the area.

SOKAPU called on the Inspector General of Police and Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate the killings, insisting that El-Rufai’s claim that 66 persons were killed was false.

Its spokesman, Yakubu Kuzamani, said in a statement; “SOKAPU is shocked at the deliberate falsehood by El-Rufai who found it convenient not to inform the world of an earlier attack that claimed the lives of 11 Adara natives.

“SOKAPU is convinced that el-Rufai is on an irrevocable journey of inflaming ethnic conflagration that has always been in line with his deliberate chronicle of profiling Southern Kaduna people as favourably disposed to violence.

“We are startled that it was the governor and not the police that announced the alleged killings in Kajuru. Let Nigerians and the world know that should there be any breakdown of law and order in Kaduna State, Governor El-Rufai should be held responsible.

“SOKAPU has reached out to the various community leaders in Kajuru, including officials of the Adara Nation, to ascertain what actually happened. On Sunday, February 10, 2019, the Adara natives residing in Ungwar Barde in Kufana District of Kajuru Local Government Area came under attack by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.

“The attack lasted from 10 pm of Sunday to 4 am of Monday February 11, 2019. By the time the merchants of death and destruction were through with their mission, no fewer than 11 lives, including a pregnant woman, were lost. Scores of victims of the attack on Ungwar Barde sustained injuries, with some of them presently receiving treatment at some health facilities in the state capital.

“We have been informed that the attackers, seven of them, were arrested by a team of policemen. Sadly, not a statement was issued by El-Rufai over that gruesome attack on Ungwar Barde.”

State chairman of CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab said the government should be held responsible in case of any crisis in the state.

“The incidence of raising false alarm by the Kaduna State Government should make Nigerians realise that some of our leaders are also guilty of hate speech themselves and that makes them major actors in the game that have denied us peace and have claimed the lives of our love ones.

“We call on the general public to treat with disregard the press statement from the office of the Kaduna State Governor and to note that should Kaduna State experience any breach of security before, during and after the general elections we shall hold the Kaduna State Government responsible.”

“We call on our media to grow above the temptations that water down our trust in them, the media houses must not allow themselves to be bought over but be objective and honest in their reportage,” the CAN chairman said.

In their own reaction, the indigenous community of the troubled area, Adara Development Association, ADA, said it was faced with deliberate lies allegedly being manufactured by El-Rufai.

A statement signed by the National Assistant Secretary of the association, Luke Godwin Waziri said: “In view of the unfortunate incidents that we are faced with in Adara land and the deliberate lies being manufactured against us as a people by the governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El- Rufai , we deem it necessary to state the facts and correct the official and deliberate lies.

“It has also become necessary to highlight the high handedness and mischievous manner that the governor of Kaduna State has been deploying against us as a people. Not satisfied with a deliberate attempt to balkanise our traditional institution and culture, the governor is currently trying to instigate a crisis in our area.

“On Friday, 15th of February, 2019, on the eve of what would have been our national elections, we watched with shock the governor granting an interview that 66 people were allegedly killed in Kajuru, Kaduna State. The governor went ahead to list the number of villages that were attacked but deliberately excluded Ungwar Barde where our people were killed. He also gave the gender statistics of those allegedly killed and the tribe of the victims but again mischievously left out the 11 Adara people who were killed.

“He insinuated that the incident happened on the eve of the election. But the truth is that the incident took place between Sunday, 10th February, to Tuesday, 12th February 2019 in Ungwar Barde in Kufana District, where 11 innocent Adara people were earlier killed without any provocation.

“The district head of Kufana wrote an official report to the police about the incident. The member representing Kajuru in the Kaduna State House of Assembly also informed the government about the incident. Even the chairman of the local government, Cafra Caino, was also aware of the incident. But, to our greatest surprise, the chairman did not take steps to set the records straight when lies were being spread against the people he leads.

“After the incidents, the communities that were affected even came together and started the process of reconciliation amongst themselves. Through all these, nothing was heard from the government, nothing was said by the government and nothing was done. None of the affected communities was even visited by him.

“We were shell shocked when on Friday the governor issued a statement about killings days after the dust had settled and the people themselves were working to understand the incident in order to find measures to address it.

“To further complicate matters, media houses kept reporting it as ‘Breaking News’. It is really incredulous that the eve of the election was the most appropriate time the governor found to disclose the attacks, give the ‘specific number’ of those allegedly killed, the ethnic group they belong and the names of the villages affected. There could never have been a clearer attempt by the governor to instigate crisis than this malicious, insensitive and incendiary strategy.

“The governor did not stop there. He went up on different TV houses and newspapers on the issue as one heralding news – still giving a one-sided version and intermittently spicing it with the word ‘reprisal’ at a time when he ought to have been putting finishing touches to his candidacy for elections that would have held in hours. It is not hard to see what such theatrics was intended to achieve.

“This completely lends credence to everyone’s belief that the governor is seriously working toward instigating a crisis in our land and Kaduna State for his own deadly benefit. But we in Adara land have resolutely decided that no amount of blatant provocation would make us to lose our calm. Our peaceful disposition is legendary and we will continue with that.

“Faced with mounting pressure to prove his allegations of ‘66 killed’, the governor hurriedly visited some few places but ensured that the District head of Kufana, Mr Dauda Titus and the National President of the Adara Development Association, Mr Dio Maisamari, were quickly arrested and locked up for the duration that he visited. The reasons are just too obvious! The District Head was released only when the governor had concluded his visit while Mr Dio is still being held by the Police.

“We invite the world’s attention to the serious and indiscriminate arrest of our people and chiefs. Many of them have been arrested for just no reason and without due process. We call for their immediate release and demand that Governor Nasir El-Rufai desists from making life difficult for our people with his arbitrary, divisive and incendiary use of power.

“We want to place on record before the whole world that El- Rufai is working assiduously to instigate a crisis in Kaduna for his own political gain, and that should crisis break out, local and international observers should know who to hold responsible.”

However, Governor El-Rufai, is standing firm on his position that 66 persons were killed in Kajuru Local Government. While visiting the scenes of the alleged killings on Saturday, he warned against politicising the tragedy saying those minimising the casualty figures were bigots.

According to his spokesman Samuel Aruwan, El-Rufai noted that there had been concerted and coordinated efforts by “bigoted busy bodies” to deny or minimise the casualty figures.

“Only irresponsible and insensitive people can recklessly dismiss the deaths of members of a community with whom they have no contact. Private individuals and unelected actors cannot be allowed to reduce weighty matters of state security to the province of their limited networks, inexperienced lenses and narrow agendas,” he quoted the governor as saying.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/18/life-danger-kogi-deputy-governor/

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, has raised the alarm that his life is in danger following the withdrawal of his security details allegedly on the order of the state governor, Yahaya Bello.

Achuba made the allegation while briefing members of the press on Sunday at his official residence in Lokoja.

He said he was shocked after returning from a trip to his village where he had gone to participate in the scheduled elections to find the gate to his official residence empty without any of his security personnel.

He said, “I was surprised to see that all policemen attached to my house had been withdrawn. I then put a call across to the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Busari, who also expressed shock and promised to give the matter an urgent attention.

“After about an hour, I called him again but he refused to pick my call. I sent a text message to him and up till now, he has not got back to me.”

“I’m a member of the All Progressives Congress. I reported to the national leader of the APC but nothing has been done… My imprest was stopped for no reason and it was ordered by the governor. I live as deputy governor in the house without security, I travelled home without police, my life is in danger.”

He also said that the light and water to his residence had been cut off and that he currently lives in darkness.

The deputy governor called on the acting Inspector-General of Police to intervene so as to maintain law and order in the state.

He also called on the Federal Government to intervene in the affairs of Kogi State whose citizens, he said, had been subjected to hardship.

Referring to the governor’s style of leadership, he said, “When God gives you the privilege to rule a people, the people should not be taken for granted. You don’t have to use force for your policy to scale through if they are popular and people-oriented.”

He said that the point of departure between himself and the governor was in the area of urging the government to do things according to the will of the people to which no one had been listening.

Meanwhile, the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the governor Yahaya Bello, Kingsley Fanwo has said it was not the state governor’s duty to assign and post security details to the deputy governor.

“It is not the responsibility of the governor to give security even to himself. The security heads do. So, the governor is not responsible for posting security to the deputy governor.

“So, if his claims are true, kindly get in touch with the security agencies to give explanations.”

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/17/2019-utme-jamb-registers-1-6-million-few-days-closure/

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, says not less than 1.8 million candidates would be registered for its 2019 UTME by the end of the registration exercise scheduled for Feb. 21.

The Board’s Head, Media and Information, Dr Fabian Benjamin, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

Benjamin expressed satisfaction at the ongoing registration exercise nationwide, adding that so far, it had been smooth with little or no hitches.

NAN reports that the registration of candidates for this year’s all Computer Based Test (CBT) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), commenced on Feb. 10.

Meanwhile an official bulletin of the board tagged ‘jambulletin’ issued on Sunday said over 1.6 million candidates had registered for the examination between Feb. 10 and Feb. 15, nationwide, with Lagos recording the highest, with 234,259 candidates.

According to the bulletin, preparations for the successful conduct of the examination scheduled to commence few weeks from now is in top gear.

Also contained in the bulletin is the restatement of the unlikely extension of the registration deadline by the board.

“Candidates would commence the reprinting of their examination notification slips two weeks to the examination date.

“On the examination slip are candidates’ schedule for the examination, date, time and centre, as well as other necessary information about the examination.

“Two weeks to the commencement of the examination, candidates will have their slips placed on their profiles.

“However, in the event where candidates could not access their slip, such candidates can visit the board’s service portal, on www.jamb.org.ng to print the slip,” the bulletin stated.

It also said that messages would as well be sent to candidates, informing them on when to reprint their e-slip.

According to the bulletin, the processes are all automated to keep candidates abreast of developments, just as messages will be sent to all candidates informing them on when to print their e-slip.

The bulletin warned candidates against coming into the examination halls with prohibited items such as wrist watches, telephones and others.

It re-assured candidates that the board was working round the clock to guarantee their full participation during the examination.

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/17/5-terrorists-4-soldiers-killed-boko-haram-attack-yobe-community/

Five Boko Haram members, an officer and three soldiers were killed on Saturday, at Buni Yadi in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe, during encounter between troops and the terrorists.

Col. Sagir Musa, the army spokesman, who confirmed the attack in a statement on Sunday, said the casualties were recorded when the terrorists attacked a military formation in the town.

The Nigerian Army Special Forces School and 27 Task Force Brigade are both located in Buni Yadi.

Musa said five other soldiers were wounded and were receiving treatment in the Brigade Field Ambulance.

According to him, the insurgents were armed with four gun trucks, one Mine Resistant Ambush Protection (MRAP), one MOWAC (heavy fighting equipment) and assorted arms and ammunitions.

He noted that nine AK 47 rifles, one anti-aircraft gun, 121 rounds of 12.7 mm anti-aircraft ammunitions, two 36 hand grenades, 295 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four Improvised Explosive(IED) Devices, were recovered from the insurgents.

Musa said one IED cylinder, one RPG bomb, one RPG bomb charger, one gun truck and one Bajaj motorcycle were also recovered from the terrorists.

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, commended troops for successes being recorded in recent times in the battle against insurgents in the North East and enjoined them to remain resolute, alert and decisive as well as professional.

Buratai also thanked all those who passed timely and credible information that aided the successful “abortion of the attempted attack on troop’s position in Buni Yadi.”

In another development, Musa said troops deployed to provide security for the rescheduled Presidential/National Assembly elections at Iwaraja Junction along Osun and Ogun axis on Saturday intercepted three hoodlums moving towards Ilesa East Local Government Area, with intent to disrupt smooth conduct of the rescheduled elections in the area.

The army spokesman said the hoodlums would be handed over to the police upon completion of “initial profiling and investigation.”

He said one locally made pistol, one gutless, three rounds of cartridges, three mobile phones, one iPad, one Peace Corps face cap, one Peace Corps ID card and N14,300 were recovered from the suspects.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/17/election-postponement-evidence-buhari-jittery-massob/

The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, said the sudden postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly election by the Independent National Electoral Commission was proof that President Muhammadu Buhari is jittery.

It also accused INEC of dancing to the tune of the Presidency to frustrate the will and zealousness of citizens.

Leader of the group, Uche Madu, in a statement on Saturday, said the election was postponed because intelligence report by the Presidency showed that the All Progressives Congress, APC, would lose if the election held as scheduled.

The statement read, “The sudden cancellation of today’s (Saturday) presidential and National Assembly elections by INEC is an open and undeniable evidence that President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC is jittery and uncomfortable about the outcome of the election results.

“INEC played and danced to the tune of the Presidency to frustrate the will and zealousness of citizens. Through MASSOB intelligence Agency working with foreign intelligence firm, we discovered that it is because of the eloquent evidence and intelligence security report that President Muhammadu Buhari will lose.

“The cancellation as an act of cowardice from General Muhammadu Buhari, who boasted that he could crush any opposition as a onetime Army General. We wish to remind the Presidency that no power on earth can crush the will of the people. No black nation can stop Biafra.

“MASSOB wishes to remind the people of Nigeria, Biafra and Oduduwa that their willpower and patience is being tested. Don’t succumb or derail from your positive positions and stand for progressive governance.”

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/16/exclusive-el-rufai-fire-nigerians-demand-bodies-slain-66-kajuru-people/

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been challenged to produce the bodies of the 66 persons he claimed were killed in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

Those challenging the governor are: former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu; the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and indigenes of the affected communities.

In an interview, Mr. Odinkalu said the governor lied about the killings, saying the crisis that led to the killing of 11 persons occurred the previous week.

“About 11 people were reportedly killed in Kajuru about on Monday, as a matter of fact, there are still victims of that killing at St. Gerard’s Hospital in Kaduna and the governor was indeed at the hospital on Tuesday to see them.

“When were these killings he talked about happen? No dead body has been seen, no police officer, no SSS and no camera? I challenge any medium in the country and beyond Nigeria, let us go to Kajuru.

“Let the governor join us and let him tell us where he got these bodies from. Let Muyiwa Adekeye and Samuel Aruwan, who are his spokespersons, also join us so we see the bodies. This is too serious for anybody to make.

“I am saying this as a Nigerian who believes in this country, who believes every life matter. This is too serious for a governor to say and get away with it,” the former NHRC boss said.

On his part, the PDP dismissed the claim as fake news created by the All Progressives Party (APC), to cause panic in the state.

A statement by its deputy campaign spokesperson in Kaduna State, Yakubu Lere; the PDP said it has contacted its sources in Kajuru and found nothing of the sort happened.

“We have contacted sources from Kajuru as well as the police headquarters who confirmed to us that the story is not true.

“Please remain calm and get ready with your PVC to vote Atiku Abubakar and all PDP candidates. We call on the police authorities and DSS to track down those disseminating these rumours,” Mr. Lere stated.

In a separate statement by a group in Southern Kaduna had punctured Mr. El-Rufai’s claims of the killings.

The group said the attacked took place on Monday but Mr. El-Rufai suppressed the information from being made public.

They insisted that Kajuru people were shocked to hear 66 persons were killed in their community because nothing like that happened.

“We recall El-Rufai has once said that Fulanis never forgive and denotes they will go for reprisal no matter how long. If this statement of El-Rufai is to be x-rayed, it will mean that Fulanis will cause trouble in Kajuru to allow for the cancellation of elections in the area or to justify calls for postponement of the elections.

“The government must ensure this is not a strategy to give the Fulanis a reason to harm Kajuru citizens and other people of the state.

Why is it that the people of Kajuru themselves are not aware of any killing? It seems El-Rufai is not the spokesperson of the Fulanis and knows when and where 66 persons were killed,” the group had said.

Governor El-Rufai is not new to controversy as he was in the news last week for threatening that foreign election observers would go back in body bags if they interfered in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Mr. El-Rufai again raised the dust on Friday evening when he claimed that 66 Fulani persons including women and children were murdered in the Southern Kaduna town of Kajuru.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, the governor had confirmed the killings and warned communities against reprisal attacks.

While Mr. El-Rufai failed to state whether the alleged killings were politically motivated, he, however, said security agencies have been deployed to the area and arrests made.

Part of the governor’s statement read, “Security agencies today reported the recovery of 66 bodies that were killed in attacks by criminal elements on various dispersed hamlets in the Maro Gida and Iri axis of Kajuru LGA.

“The settlements affected include Ruga Bahago, Ruga Daku, Ruga Ori, Ruga Haruna, Ruga Yukka Abubakar, Ruga Duni Kadiri, Ruga Shewuka and Ruga Shuaibu Yau.

“Among the victims were 22 children and 12 women. Four wounded persons rescued by the security agencies are now receiving medical attention.

“Government condemns the attacks and commiserates with the families of the victims. Security agencies have been deployed to the area and arrests have been made.

The government urges community, traditional and religious leaders in the area to encourage residents to avoid any reprisal attacks and to leave the matter in the hands of the security and law enforcement agencies. The killings are being investigated and residents are assured that indicted persons will be prosecuted.”

http://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/16/twitter-suspends-influencers-accounts-ahead-nigeria-2019-elections/

The management of the social media platform, Twitter has confirmed the suspension of some Nigerian influencers accounts ahead of election which had been scheduled to take place on February 16, 2019.

This is according to Pulse Business Insider SSA.

The accounts were suspended to amplify election-related information from legitimate sources and bring down ‘some problematic accounts’ ahead of Nigeria’s 2019 general elections.

Twitter spokesperson, Amy Rose, who made this confirmation said that they were collaborating with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and domestic political party stakeholders to “ensure they have clear reporting channels to bring potentially problematic accounts or content to our attention.

“We have suspended a small number of accounts in Nigeria for spam violations as part of our election integrity efforts in the region.

“We will continue to monitor the conversation closely and take aggressive action pursuant to the Twitter Rules,” Rose said.

Some of the suspended influencers accounts include:-

Badmus Hakeem (Tweets @Bhadoosky), Jokunle (@Jokunle), Ani Nomso (@ani_nomso), Shawnife (@Shawnife_), Official Bmax (@OfficialBmax), Uche Kush(@UcheKush_), Lazy Writa (@LazyWrita), Rouvafe (@Rouvafe), Abdulaxis (@iam_abdulaxis), Switchme, Enekem Greg (@EnekemGreg).

https://nextedition.com.ng/2018/11/01/friends-benefits-loses/

The term ‘Friends with Benefits’ (FWB) was possibly used for the first time in 1995 by Alanis Morissette. The term became popular in the 2000s with the 2011 movie with the same name starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis making it even more so.

Loosely put, friends with benefits is a term you give a friend with whom one has an occasional and casual sexual relationship with. The practice has surprisingly become accepted here in Nigeria, especially common amongst the young people. Most times the arrangement can be entered into with a verbal agreement with the two people involved or by an unspoken agreement where both know what sort of relationship they are in.

Most FWB (Friends with Benefits) arrangements usually start with two people who may be busy or just don’t want to commit to a relationship at that particular time. So they decide instead of hopping between beds, they will have the one person (or two as the case maybe) that they see just for the sake of intimacy.

Where this gets messy is where one person starts developing strong feelings for the other and decides he or she wants more. In most cases, they either part ways or usually explore having a proper relationship for a while. Some even end up married after a while in other cases.

But who loses in this arrangement? Does the fact that you have a friend with benefits hinder you from pursuing legitimate relationships? Is it really a 50-50 beneficial relationship?

Akopac Essien, Engineer

Friends with benefits doesn’t necessarily mean sex though we know in context it means sex. In this context, sex is just one of the benefits, but it can be a whole lot more. Food, Shelter, Support, etc. The one who loses when the arrangement is over is the one who was benefitting. Where they decide it’s just intimacy i.e sex and not a regular relationship, the one who develops feelings is the one who loses. They are jeopardizing their chances at future relationships as well. I would do it sha.”


Ebere Johnson, Entrepreneur

“Friends with benefits, in what aspect because it should be defined. It can be financial, emotional or otherwise. We all have friends with benefits in these regards, but sexually is most outstanding one. Mankind has defined friends with benefits to stand for these days. I don’t subscribe to this phenomenon, it’s just messy. If you want to have sex, then be in a real relationship with the person. This one it’s the man that will benefit and the woman loses.”

Aniekan Aniema, Chef and Event Manager

Yes, I would do it; could do it, and will definitely do it over and over and over again. Why? It saves everyone the stress of having commitments. It’s spontaneous, and freaky knowing you could and will get some at any point in time without having to wonder if you would be asked the question: “What are we exactly?” It clearly cuts out its own terms: FUN!!!The person who loses out is the one who mushy mushy and emotionally involved. FWBs are not for the “Oh it’s your favorite? It’s not cool with me but I’ll do it for you”. If you get this way, you would lose be your man or woman. FWBs are to be remembered with a wide grin, and wished to be relived not for the emotional memories of “I love you” with a deep kiss, and a desire not to ever get up from that cupid induced cuddle but in other ways. A mushy mushy friend with benefits always loses in the long run.”


Annabel George, Human Resource Manager

“It should not happen with Friends with benefits but sometimes someone falls in love. They remain caught up in fantasies of romance that it affects them from having real relationships with other people. For those in relationships, it affects their input in their relationship. And thus, the outcome: a misconstrued relationship based on a lie. The worst thing you can do is lie to yourself.”

Rebecca Ebiede, Nursing Student

“Of course, the woman loses! Except she has so trained her mind to see sex as something she can just give away then she’s fine. But to me, she loses. How will she now have a boyfriend? Like I said unless she’s okay with the so-called friend with benefits now dumping her like yesterday’s news because they weren’t serious.”

Chinedu Eke, Lawyer

“This generation has redefined how they go about their relationships. This one is one of the most shocking. I think this is one that won’t ever end well because that is not how it was supposed to be. Even if they end up not falling in love, it is a course of action that any young person will later regret.”

Francisca Ezeji, Medical Lab Scientist/Entrepreneur


“I understand why people do it, I would do it. It just takes the pressure off. I don’t think anyone loses especially if you both spell out your terms ahead of time. It could also be a way to relive stress without necessarily worrying about taking on someone’s stress which is what a relationship is. I would do it, jor, I can’t shout. It’s not all the time that you want lovey dovey. When I want to have a proper relationship, I can now end this one and move on.”

Who do you think benefits the most in a ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement? Would you go into one? Let us know in the comment section.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/15/ig-announces-restriction-vehicular-movement-saturday-election/

Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has announced the restriction of vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm on Saturday, February 16.

The restriction is to assist the security agencies in effectively policing the electoral process.

The force spokesman, Frank Mba, in a statement on Thursday said the restriction would also prevent “hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from hijacking and disrupting the electoral process,” urging the citizens to go out en masse on that day to cast their votes without fear or apprehension.

The statement read, “In furtherance of the overall interest of public order, public well-being and safety and national security as it relates to the general elections billed to take place on Saturday, February 16, 2019, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 6am to 6pm on Saturday.

Good response man

Dreyl:
You guys fail to read that's why you fail your exams, where did you see Yoruba in the write up

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/13/police-ipob-clash-3-dead-others-wounded/

Three members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, were reportedly killed on Monday during a clash between the police and members of the group in Owerri, Imo State.
Reports have it that the IPOB members stormed Okigwe Road and started destroying billboards of candidates of political parties.

A detachment of police was deployed to restore normalcy, but the IPOB members allegedly attacked them.

“The IPOB members stormed the street and started destroying billboards of candidates of political parties. Policemen quickly rushed to the scene, but on sighting the policemen, the members attacked them.

“In the ensuing battle, three members of the IPOB lost their lives, while two were rushed to the hospital. Four policemen were also shot and taken to the hospital.”

Southern City News gathered that one AK-47 riffle belonging to one of the policemen was allegedly snatched by members of the group.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/13/court-orders-efcc-two-banks-to-pay-benue-govt-n100m/

A Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, United Bank of Africa, UBA and Fidelity Bank to jointly pay the sum of N100 million to the Benue State government for freezing its accounts last year.

The presiding judge, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon handed down the judgement on Tuesday.

Benue State Government in the suit number FHC/MKD/CS/46/2018 had challenged the legality of the EFCC freezing its accounts last year.

Delivering judgement in the suit, Justice Olajuwon condemned the act describing it as illegal.

Justice Olajuwon ordered the anti-graft body to pay the Benue State Government the sum of N50 million as damages, while UBA and Fidelity are to pay the sum of N25 million each.

He stated that the Benue State government accounts that were frozen do not fall within the classes or categories of accounts liable to be frozen by the EFCC.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/12/nigerians-u-s-call-peaceful-credible-elections/

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO, Americas, has called for credible and peaceful general elections scheduled for Feb. 16 and March 2.

NIDO, in a statement issued by Ms Patience Key, Chairman Board of Directors, NIDO U.S. Chapter, said the elections placed Nigerians and Nigeria at a critical juncture in the history of the nation’s democracy.

The Nigerian group said living outside the shore of their country did not foreclose the fact that happenings in their homeland also affected them wherever they were.

According to the group, the focus on the leadership qualities of the candidates and the stability of the country in the elections could not be overlooked.

Key said: “The Nigerians in the diaspora are eagerly looking forward to credible elections to help sustain and strengthen our democracy.

“The desire of the Nigerians, both at the homeland and in the diaspora, is to experience peaceful and transparent elections.

https://nextedition.com.ng/2019/02/12/polls-criminals-collaborators-will-arrested-dss/

The Department of State Services has said it would not spare criminals and their collaborators during the upcoming general elections beginning with the presidential poll on Saturday, February 16.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Mr Peter Afunanya, on Monday, the DSS promised to do their best to make the electoral process acceptable to all parties and their supporters.