₦airaland Forum

The House of Representatives has vowed to enact laws that would cushion the effects of coronavirus on Nigerians.

The House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabimila spoke on Saturday in Abuja at a retreat on the Revised Legislative Agenda entitled ‘Our Contract With Nigerians’.

It narrows down legislative actions to health, education, security, agriculture and the economy, NAN reports.

Gbajabimila said the lawmakers were devising ways to ensure Nigerians survive the global shock caused by coronavirus.

He recalled that the House of Representatives earlier adopted a Legislative Agenda that was ambitious in scope and innovative in purpose.

“However, in all our planning and imagining, we did not know that the world will soon change drastically, in ways that we could not then conceive and with consequences beyond our wildest imagination,” he said.

He noted that in view of the new realities, the question became how to a chieve ambitions in a world where the uncertainty pervades.

The Speaker said the updated Legislative Agenda sets out the new priorities of the Green Chamber and a plan of action over the next year, and for the rest of the 9th House.

Gbajabiamila explained that the document was called a contract “because that is what it is; a written account of what we owe the people and how we intend to meet our obligations within the shortest possible time”.

He added the documents represent lawmakers’ intention to be held accountable “based on what we have freely committed to achieving, which I am confident that we will realise to the glory of God and the edification of our people”.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the new Agenda comes at a time when the world is facing a life threatening emergency.

The Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, stressed that a lot needed to be done to reposition the health sector.

“It all depends on the legislations from the National Assembly”, he said.

The SGF commended the relationship between the parliament and the executive, saying that it had made good governance possible.

https://theupdates.net/coronavirus-house-of-representatives-reveal-plans-for-nigerians/

Have you ever imagined how fascinating and delightful it can be when you get healed of a disease or ailment through holistic medicine, though some don’t believe such healing. However, there are success stories, and the general lives of some holistic healers are blessed with success stories too. You often meet them in your daily endeavour, therefore The Updates believes it’s always interesting to get their opinion of things.

Our subject today is a wonderful woman called Oluwatoyin Alabi-Ayeni, who happens to be a trained Philosopher, as well as the owner of her own health herb store, Maragbafin Nigeria Enterprise.

Being part of the holistic healing world, Oluwatoyin has seen this side of the healing spectrum, and this is what most intrigued me about her.

Oluwatoyin Alabi-Ayeni, the Managing Director, Maragbafin Nigeria Enterprise in this interview with BAMIDELE FATUNDE, spoke on how she ventured into the business of Holistic Healing among other issues.

The Updates: Tell us about yourself

I am Oluwatoyin Alabi-Ayeni

A native of Ekiti state, ise/orun local government. A graduate of philosophy from the then University of Ado Ekiti now Ekiti State university.

I’m an herbal practicational by profession and to the glory of God I’m the MD of Maragbafin Nigeria enterprises an indigenous herbal company into production of herbal drinks and herbal treatments.

The Updates: How did you venture into your current business?

My passion for nature brought me into this line of business even though I’m from a traditional background and my love for ROOTS, BARKS AND LEAFS in healing people from the way my parents was doing it. So often at times we were taught about vocational skills in Rotaract a youth wing Rotary then my curiosity in advancing what I love start arousing and out of curiosity we started laako bitters out of no shape with just three bottles.

The Updates: Is this traditional medicine one of the things you actually ventured into or not. Why?

Yes! Because I have always believed in the fact that it is best and easier way to treat with ROOTS AND BARKS because herbal treatment treats completely and leave a lasting solution. In my findings I have discovered that most of the treatments used western world are taken from HERBS (roots and leafs) then they processed it synthetically to make it cheap because raw herbs are highs expensive. “Sigh“

This is what made me venture into properly in order to heal completely with the help of Natrual herbs

The Updates: Tell us when it all started?

Hmmmmm….

It all started 2013 when I went to visit my step mother in Isolo. Then she gave me an herb to drink and I love it so much then she taught me. I got home and took my parent herbal book and started pondering on how to go about it.

I then cooked the herb and I ran to market to get plastic. No label o, in fact, no name but all out of curiosity to start something

I produced three plastics and behold I sold it immediately, then I went back to the market to buy six plastics.

It now got to a point that my mum already had interest in it, someone told us we would need NAFDAC I had no money then I met a consultant and analysed that first we need CAC, Trademark before proceeding to NAFDAC little did I know that there is more to it.

My mum sold her gold and gave me the money to get registered for the CAC… It went on like that then my immediate brother came in and started financing it and even sold his apple laptop, afterward my dad sold his vehicle as well.

To the glory of God here we are today.

The Updates: When you foray into this, were you discouraged by anyone?

Hahaha… Smiles

I was discouraged. In fact, a cosuin told me I can never make it with this…


Source: https://theupdates.net/my-passion-for-nature-roots-and-healing-brought-me-into-this-business-oluwatoyin/

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has admonished President Muhammadu Buhari to forthwith sack Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

He also appealed to him to take necessary steps to end the corruption in NDDC by removing Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Fayose gave the advice in a tweet via his official Twitter handle on Friday.

He wrote: “With this level of fraud exposed in NDDC, Buhari must sack Akpabio now. The President can’t continue to treat looting of public treasury as a family affair and his fight against corruption as an instrument of persecution against opposition figures.

“By keeping in his govt the likes of Akpabio and the NDDC MD, Prof Pondei, who went about celebrating the success of their National Assembly drama with hot pepper soup and assorted drinks, the President will only be reinforcing the conclusion that he supports corruption.”

Recall during an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives last Monday, Akpabio had allegedly accused members of the National Assembly of being beneficiaries of most of the contracts from NDDC.

Recall also that former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Joi Nunieh had accused Akpabio of padding, fraud and sexual harassment.

The Minister, however, denied all allegations Nunieh made against him and ordered his lawyers to initiate legal proceedings against her.

Source: https://theupdates.net/nddc-corruption-sack-akpabio-pondei-forthwith-fayose-tells-buhari/

The international NGO community in Nigeria, INGO has demanded the release of the remains of the five aid workers massacred by terrorists in Borno to their families and calls for the unconditional and immediate release of other two aid workers whose whereabouts remain unknown.

A statement by Moshood Raimi, Senior Information Management Officer, international NGO community in Nigeria, INGO Forum and made available on Friday, said, since the beginning of 2019, eight aid workers were executed following their abduction, while the whereabouts of two others remain unknown.

The forum, which strongly condemns the execution of the abducted staff of Action Against Hunger (AAH-ACF), ACTED/REACH, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and an employee of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, added that the brutal act by the terrorist group is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime as per United Nations Security Council Resolution 1502 of 2003.

“Our colleagues were abducted on June 1 and 8 by a non-state armed group on the road between Monguno and Maiduguri, Borno State and were gruesomely executed by their captors despite calls for their release.

“They had dedicated their lives to providing life-saving assistance to the millions of vulnerable people affected by a decade-long, protracted armed conflict in north-east Nigeria. We condemn, in totality, this atrocity, and stand in solidarity with their families and with ACF, ACTED, IRC and SEMA,” the forum said.

According to the forum, “today, there are over ten million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance as a result of the ongoing conflict in northeast Nigeria, yet INGOs that strive to deliver life-saving support are faced with an increasingly dangerous environment and have become direct targets.

“This is unacceptable: aid workers are not a target. Attacks on aid workers result in the loss of life of those who dedicated their lives to support others, and deprive people of desperately needed assistance and access to basic services.

“We urge all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligation to provide safe, unhindered access of humanitarian actors to all the people in need of assistance, and to stop all barbaric acts targeting humanitarian workers. We also call on all parties to the conflict to fulfill their obligation of protecting civilians,” the forum added.

Source: https://theupdates.net/boko-haram-killings-ngo-demands-release-of-remains-of-5-aid-workers-killed-in-borno/

WATCH MORE OF THEIR WEIRD SCENE

https://theupdates.net/bbnaija-lilo-caught-on-camera-with-her-leg-on-erics-joystick/

The Naira on Friday further nosedives against the dollar at both the parallel market in Lagos State and the investor’s window.

According to a NAN report, that the Nigerian currency traded at N472.5 to the dollar at the parallel market, marginally down by 0.5 points from N472 exchanged on Thursday.

Similarly, the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N582 and N530, respectively.

Nigeria currency, Naira closed at N389.50 to the dollar at the investor’s window, down by 1.50 points from N388 it traded on Thursday.

The market turnover at the investor’s window stood at 12.61 million dollars.

It, however, closed at N381 to the dollar at the official Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN window.

https://theupdates.net/exchange-rate-naira-nosedives-against-dollar-now-n472/

PL: LIVERPOOL DEFEATS CHELSEA IN 8 GOALS THRILLER TO LIFT TROPHY

Source: https://theupdates.net/pl-liverpool-defeats-chelsea-in-8-goals-thriller-to-lift-trophy/

Mrs. Aisha Buhari, Wife of the President has on Wednesday admitted that the late Isa Funtua, one of the alleged cabals secured different board appointments for female politicians.

Mrs. Buhari who took to her social media handle to give her tribute to the late Funtua declared in a tweet.

Funtua, an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari died on Monday in Abuja.

During his lifetime, he was one of the power brokers behind Buhari’s regime, leading to him being described as one of the “cabal members.”

Funtua; the late former Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; and the President’s nephew, Mamman Daura; are among the people believed to have a stronghold on Buhari and his regime.

Mrs Buhari said Funtua would be remembered for his support to female politicians.

Aisha Buhari wrote on Twittter;

“Inna lillahi Wa inna ilaihi Raji’un. On behalf of my family, I extend our condolence to Mrs Hauwa Isa Funtua and the entire family on the sudden death of Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua.

“We pray that Allah SWT will grant him aljannatul firdaus.

“Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua will be remembered for his support to female politicians, especially his role to get them appointed into different boards in the last four years.

“May Allah grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, Amen”

https://theupdates.net/funtua-secured-board-appointments-for-female-politicians-aisha-buhari/

North Korean citizens have been forced to eat terrapins due to food shortages.

The hermit kingdom has found itself in the grips of famine since tightening its borders even more than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The move has tipped many citizens over the edge into destitution, with millions having already been on the breadline for years due to governmental mismanagement and UN sanctions.

North Korean trade has been targeted due to leader Kim Jong Un’s drive for nuclear weapons.

In a bid to help its citizens stave their hunger, the government’s website Naenara has advised people to eat terrapins.

“From olden times, terrapin has been used in making haute cuisine for its good taste and abundant nutrient component,” the website says, The Sun reported.

“It has various essential nutrient components including protein, essential amino acid and vitamin efficacious for curing hepatitis, hypertension and other diseases.

“Its blood, carapace and bone are widely used as materials of Koryo medicines.

“In particular, its blood is efficacious for diabetes and weak children.”

It is recommended that terrapins are served raw or made into broths, stews or porridges.

The North Korean economy is having one of its worst years in recent history.

https://theupdates.net/famine-kim-jong-un-urges-citizens-to-eat-terrapins/

Over 2,000 party delegates within the Peoples Democratic party, PDP will today, Wednesday, elect the candidate that will fly the party’s flag during the October 10, governorship election.

With the primaries expected to start any shortly, delegates from across the 18 local government areas have started arriving at the Dome, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State capital, venue of the primaries.

The gladiators that will be looking up to the delegates are the embattled Deputy Governor who recently defected from the ruling All Progressive Party, APC to Party Democracy Party, PDP Agboola Ajayi, a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, Prince Godday Erewa, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, Mr. Banji Okunomo, Sola Ebiseeni and Senator Boluwaji Kunlere.

Meanwhile, the top three aspirants are Ajayi, Jegede and Olafeso with large support base of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP members. One of them will no doubt emerge victorious in the primaries.

The Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwanyi will superintend over the election following his appointment as the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee.

Whoever emerges the winner in today’s primary election will be confronting Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who emerged the winner of the APC primaries on Monday, as well as candidates of other political parties in Ondo state.

Source: https://theupdates.net/pdp-primaries-delegates-ready-to-elect-partys-candidate-in-ondo/

An evangelist, founder and president of Mount Zion Drama Ministry and Mount Zion Television, Mike Bamiloye has advised single (men and women) to be careful about how they select a life partner.

The clergyman in a post via his Instagram page Wednesday morning, which he titled ”Advice To The Waiting Singles”, said singles should learn to make decisions about who they want to spend the rest of their lives with.

According to Mike Bamiloye, any man or woman waiting for a life partner should marry their own husband or wife and not the one their pastor, prophet, priest, or parents recommended to them.

The post reads, https://theupdates.net/marriage-mike-bamiloye-advises-singles-on-what-do/

A member of a church in Virginia, United States whose identity remains unknown to some of its members has taken to his heel after stabbing a pastor and two other persons during a Bible study program.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon, July 18 at around 3 p.m. at the Grace Covenant Church in Chantilly, Virginia.

One of the victims and a member of the church, Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler who was also in attendance for the bible study program rose up to the defence of the pastor. He was however stabbed and sustained injuries too.

Source: https://theupdates.net/bizarre-church-bible-study-member-stabs-pastor-2-others-in-u-s/

The Prince of Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko has been arrested over alleged murder.

The Prince was arrested by the Police in the early hour of Saturday, July 18.

The Prince who has been parading himself as the Obi (monarch) of the Kingdom is currently cooling off his heels at the Police cell. He will be seriously interrogated and investigated about his alleged involvement in a suspected murder case.

When contacted for comments, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Hafiz Inuwa confirmed the arrest of the Prince who is yet to be given “Staff of Office” by the State Government at about 8:30 pm.

The State Police boss said, “We have arrested him for a case of suspected murder and in which all efforts were made for him to appear before the Police and he failed to.

“So, we arrested him early this morning. He is presently with us. He is undergoing investigation.”

Source: https://theupdates.net/breaking-alleged-murder-police-arrests-idumuje-prince-chukwunonso/

The Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has disclosed that he made a wrong choice in his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi, who has now defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Rotimi Akeredolu made this statement while meeting party delegates in Igbekebo in Ese-Odo council area, ahead of the primaries on Monday.

According to him, “Despite the criticism and attack from various quarters that Ajayi is my cousin, l felt that l had made a choice but a wrong choice.”

Akeredolu said he was happy that Ajayi showed his true colours, describing his exit from All Progressive Congress, APC as a cleansing.

He urged the people of the local government not to bother about Ajayi, urging the delegates to vote for him.

Recall earlier this month Ajayi urged Akeredolu to hand over to him after he tested positive for coronavirus.

Source: https://theupdates.net/i-made-a-choice-but-wrong-choice-of-deputy-governor-rotimi-akeredolu/

Nigerian Pastor Chris was on Saturday involved in a ghastly motor accident in Warri, Delta State.

According to report gathered, the accident, occurred at about 3 pm somewhere around a flyover, opposite Delta Mall, Warri in Delta State.

Some relatives confirmed the incident, they said the pastor was driving alone in a Toyota Camry, when the incident occurred.

As at the time of filing this report, there has been no one to ascertain in clear terms regarding the injury he sustained in the course of the Motor Accident but he has since been rushed to Skyphon Medical Centre, along Refinery Road, Warri for emergency medical attention.

Source: https://theupdates.net/breaking-pastor-chris-involved-in-motor-accident/

Chelsea gaffer, Frank Lampard has confirmed that midfield maestro, N’Golo Kante, will be ruled out of the Blues’ FA Cup semi-final tie against Manchester United on Sunday evening due to injury.

Lampard believes the French international is not match-fit to feature against Solskjaer’s men at the Wembley Stadium.

Recall that Kante sustained a right hamstring injury during Chelsea’s Premier League 3-0 victory against Watford earlier this month.

Chelsea goes into the fixture after defeating Norwich City 1-0 in the Premier League in their last game, while Man United won 2-0 against Crystal Palace.

“The squad is okay, but N’Golo Kante won’t be fit for the match,” Lampard was quoted by Chelsea’s official website as saying at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“He is still not right, so he is out.

“Other than that, we have a few players with a few little niggles which we will monitor over the next 24 hours, and then we will be ready to go.”

The match is scheduled to kick start at 6 pm.

https://theupdates.net/fa-cup-lampard-confirms-ngolo-kante-to-miss-man-utd-tie/

Following India’s ban on the short-form video app, TikTok and the Trump’s administration insisting he would do the same, Instagram has on Friday announced that it’s preparing to launch its own video-sharing feature, Reels, in the United States and 50 other countries, just one week after it began testing the platform in India. The Reels announcement comes as TikTok finds itself in a newly weakened position globally.

Reels will let people record and edit 15-second videos set to music and audio, and upload them to their stories and Instagram’s Explore feature. An official launch date has not yet been announced.

Instagram and its parent company, Facebook have a history of mimicking other apps’ new features — and succeeding. In 2016, the company launched its Stories feature, which allows people to share content that disappears after 24 hours. Eight months later, the competitor to Snapchat (SNAP) surpassed Snapchat’s daily user count. By mid-2018, Stories was more than twice as popular as Snapchat.

Apparently, Instagram is not the only company looking to compete against TikTok.

YouTube is developing its own TikTok rival, Shorts, to be released by the end of the year, according to The Information. Similarly, Snapchat may release its own short-form video feature as well, TechCrunch reports.

Still, TikTok welcomes the challenge.

“It’s great to see that tech companies appreciate the refreshing and creative experience TikTok brings people, which has been even more evident as families have been stuck at home in recent months,” a TikTok spokesperson said. “We’ve always believed that open competition provides tremendous benefits to consumers.”

Source: https://theupdates.net/instagrams-reels-tiktok-rivalry-now-global/

The World Health Organization, WHO, regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, has now revealed countries with no coronavirus death cases.

The African continent has recorded 14,386 deaths due to complications arising from coronavirus.

According to the latest figure released by the World Health Organisation, WHO, the number of coronavirus cases in Africa has risen to 663,648 in the past 24 hours.

https://theupdates.net/africa-who-reveals-countries-with-no-coronavirus-death-cases/

The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that the Nigerian troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have got rid of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Zwa Ikyegh, at Tomayin village in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Friday, also said that the troops rescued 32 kidnapped victims some of whom have been in captivity for over a month.

Enenche, who said that the operation was executed on Thursday, added that other kidnappers escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds.

The statement read: “Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded tremendous successes against Kidnap kingpins.

“Following credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnap syndicate operating in the general area of Igbom village in Nenzev council ward of Logo LGA, troops of Sector 2 and 4, on July 16 carried out a raid operation on a suspected kidnappers den location at Tomayin village in Logo LGA of Benue State.

“The gallant troops responded with superior fire forcing the armed bandits to flee in disarray into the bushes. The determined troops engaged the criminal elements in hot pursuit, leading to the killing of one Zwa Ikyegh identified as the ring leader and others escaped with various degrees of gunshots wounds.

“The successful operation led to the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims, some of whom have been in captivity for over a month.”

https://theupdates.net/nigerian-troops-kill-kidnap-kingpin-zwa-ikyegh-rescue-32-in-benue/

The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has on behalf of the Federal government expressed her congratulates Prof. Charles Egbu on his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University, East London, United Kingdom.

Dabiri-Erewa’s congratulatory message was signed by Gabriel Odu of the commission’s Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN on Thursday in Abuja.

She said, “Your appointment is a further testimony of the resilience, determination and dedication of Nigerians to excel in their chosen careers anywhere in the world.

“You will bring with you, your wealth of experience and broad knowledge of the higher education sector to the university and to the benefits of humanity.”

Charles Egbu, who has authored over 12 books and over 350 publications in reputable international journals, is the first black to achieve the historic feat as Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Trinity University.

“Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM and the good people of Nigeria are proud of your achievements”, Dabiri-Erewa said.

https://theupdates.net/nigerian-prof-charles-egbu-first-black-appointed-uk-varsity-vc-nidcom-celebrates/