Comedian, Bright Okpocha, better known by his stage name: Basketmouth, today, Sunday, sent sweet words to his wife, Elsie Okpocha in celebration of their 6th year wedding anniversary.
In an instagram post, Basketmouth said: “Happy Anniversary to you my love @elsieokpocha, it’s been 6 wonderful years since you said ‘I do’ 6 years of love, happiness, friendship and peace. Happy Anniversary to you my love…..I love you.”
The union is blessed with two lovely kids: Jason and Janelle Okpocha. [myad]
Barely 48 hours to the US. Presidential election, the General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua, has predicted that the Democrat candidate, Hillary Clinton, will emerge victorious ahead of the Republican candidate, Donald Trump.
In a Facebook post on TB Joshua Ministries today, Sunday, Joshua said: “Ten days ago, I saw the new President of America with a narrow win. “The new President will be facing several challenges over many issues, including: passing bills, attempts to possibly pass a vote of no confidence on the new President. “The boat of the new President will be rocked. “By the way, in order not to keep you in suspense, what I frankly saw is a woman.” [myad]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has promised to create 10,000 jobs by the year 2020 even as he said that his government will continue to improve the living standards of the residents by providing the desired enabling environment.
The Minister spoke today, Sunday, at the closing ceremony of the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Programme organized by the FCT Administration in conjunction with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, at the FCT Youth Development Center, Nyanya, Abuja
“As an Administration, our target is to create 10,000 jobs by the year 2020. In creating these jobs, we will support our people to generate wealth; thereby reducing the high rate of unemployment and minimizing the level of poverty in the Territory. This stand is also in line with one of the cardinal policies of the Government of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, which are job creation and poverty reduction.”
The minister was represented at the occasion by the Managing Director of the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), Tukur Arabi. [myad]
Richest man in Africa and the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has asked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pump more money into the small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) for the purpose of stimulating economic growth and development.
In a chat with newsmen, Dangote said that the best way to create jobs and increase the standard of living of Nigerians is for the apex bank to effectively fund the sector that is known as the engine for growth.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should also step up its interventions in the area of improving funding for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). This will create jobs and raise the standard of living of the people.”
Dangote bemoaned the high rate of unemployment in the country, adding that effective funding of the small and medium scale enterprises will drastically reduce the high rate of unemployment in the country.
“Unemployment arises basically because job opportunities are not being created fast enough to match the ever-increasing work force. This is one of the effects of many years of de-industrialization in the country. Retrenchment both in the public service and the private sector also continue to exacerbate the unemployment crises.”
Quoting a United Nations (UN) report, Dangote said youth unemployment rose to 42 percent in 2016 with many graduates combing the streets in major cities such as Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt in search of often-elusive white-collar jobs while for some who are employed, their situation can best be described as that of under-employment, as they are underutilized and poorly paid. This development, posited, no doubt, has serious security implications, as evidenced by the high rate of social ills plaguing the nation. “The spate of kidnappings, intermittent vandalism of petroleum pipelines in the Niger Delta, and the protracted insurgency in the North East, are all fuelled, to a large extent, by the high level of endemic poverty in the country.” Dangote pointed out that the current economic recession has further worsened the situation, as the Government continues to record dwindling revenues thus making it increasingly difficult for the Government to fulfil some of its obligations to the people. As the Chairman of the National Committee on Job Creation, which was set up in 2010, to address the unemployment situation in Nigeria, Dangote said he worked closely with my committee members to identify priority areas for job creation.
Some of these areas, according to him, include micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture and agro-allied industries, manufacturing, entertainment and vocational skills. He said, “I believe we can create new opportunities for MSMEs by linking them up with larger enterprises, through industry clusters. Since a large number of employers in the MSMEs sector are informal family-owned businesses, they can be trained to become more proficient through various capacity building initiatives.” [myad]
Japanese government has sponsored no fewer than 200 religious leaderss in the North East of Nigeria to neutralize Boko Haram terrorist ideology.
The programme is being handled by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
In Yobe state, the Center brought together sixty participants who were sensitized on how to cancel out the Boko Haram ideologies thereby paving ways for peaceful coexistence among people in respective of religious differences.
A collection of religious clerics was drawn from different faith, beliefs and ideologies from across the state.
As religious clerics with huge followers, the workshop is aimed at training participants on how to counter violent extremism with the content of their various homilies.
Participants will undergo a two-day workshop on peaceful relations with different religion, acceptance of non-Islamic political authorities, among other several ways of harmonious coexistence.
The Programme officer of the Centre for Democracy and Development, Mr David Omoigiade, said that the centre would focus on neutralizing the ideology of the terrorist group that may have been propagated in the northeast that has seen over six years of insurgency.
In Yobe State, the Centre carried out series of activities which include, screening and assessment, sensitization as well as training which were carried out in Dapchi, Buniyadi and Damaturu Local Government Areas.
Some of the participants at the session, Mohammed Bashir and Mohammed Atahiru, expressed confidence that the programme would enshrine a positive impact in the counter-insurgency process.
Apart from achieving harmonious coexistence among the people of the zone and the country as a whole, the workshop will further curtail violence extremism among the diverse people of the North East geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
The terrorist group, Boko Haram, has attacked many communities in northeast Nigeria in its over six years push for the establishment of an Islamic State and an end to Western education in the region.
However, heightened counter-terrorism operations of the Nigerian Armed forces and forces of countries in the Lake Chad Basin that begin early last year have decimated the terrorists.
The current situation of things requires that the ideology of the terrorists, which may have been transferred to residents of some communities they had taken hold of, should be neutralized by the clerics who have direct relationship with the residents. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that in spite of the current economic recession, Nigeria is destined to achieve greatness.
“Looking forward, despite the enormity of the challenges facing us, we are optimistic that by the grace of God our nation is destined to achieve greatness.
“Today economic recession is affecting our economy. But we are resolved to overcome challenges, fight corruption and ensure good governance for the benefit of our citizens. Our administration is poised to bring positive changes to all Nigerians.”
The President, who spoke today, Saturday in Sokoto when he commissioned 500 Housing Units at Kalabaina Housing Estate, looked back with nostalgia when in the 60s, 70s and even in the early part of the 80s, Nigeria was reputed for its peaceful coexistence between the different ethnic and religious groups.
He said that the culture of discipline and patriotism was also highly safeguarded even as commitment to national development by all key players in governance was visible.
“However, the situation as we all know, has unfortunately changed.”
Buhari thanked God for the government of governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal the vision to address issues of good governance with passion and love for the citizenry.
“Completion of projects started by the previous administration of H.E Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, is a demonstration of humility and a fulfilment of our promises to our people. I salute the efforts of Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri and all those assisting him in promoting democracy and good governance.”
He described the Commissioning as historic in view of the fact that it is taking place during the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
“Looking at the galaxy of the personalities that came for the Anniversary, as well as people who trooped in from all parts of the country and beyond for this happy event, it is clear to all that our traditional institutions are playing critical roles in the overall development of our fatherland.
“Let me seize this opportunity offered by this moment to once more congratulate His Eminence, the Sultan for the invaluable contributions he is making in the development of the Nigerian polity. The Sultan has consistently proved himself worthy of his ancestors. He has continuously worked to promote peace and unity in the country. He has remained a leader, treading the path of his revered ancestors in building bridges of understanding amongst diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.
“It is our prayer that Allah (SWT) will continue to bless the Sultan, extend his reign and enrich us with more leaders of his exemplary standing.”
President Buhari said that the 10th Anniversary of the Sultan provide opportunity for sober reflections, saying that Nigeria as a country needs to address through exemplary, disciplined and committed leadership in order to accomplish its aspirations for a strong and virile polity that will be a source of pride to present and future generations.
“In this regard, the Sultan and our highly esteemed Royal Fathers, our traditional institutions and indeed all patriotic citizens of this country have to continue to work for peace, religious harmony and sustainable development of our country.” [myad]
The Bishop of the Living Faith Church worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo has warned Christians to stop questioning the high fees charged by his Covenant University to desist to avoid incurring the wrath of God. Bishop Oyedepo, in a telecast to a pre-Shiloh 2016 Convention gathering of the church today, Saturday, monitored via satellite in Jos, Plateau State capital, said that the critics of the high school fees are acting in ignorance and risked incurring the wrath of God. “The school fees has God’s approval and is in accordance with the quality of facilities provided by the university in meeting the educational needs of the nation.” According to Bishop Oyedepo, critics of high school fees, “smitten with a strange plague of chronic mouth odour over the act,” only received spiritual pardon following his confession and “my intervention before he was restored to dignity.” Oyedepo said that the issue of school fees paid by students of the university is a godly agenda to meet the demands of raising godly children in an environment conducive for learning. He said that such criticisms are products of ignorance as what students pay could not be compared with what obtained elsewhere that lacked facilities. Oyedepo said the church in its pioneering role in pushing the frontiers of education with excellence had concluded plans to establish offshore universities. The cleric said that a fully automated Bible press by the church has been completed and would be launched soon. Oyedepo, quoting from some verses of the Bible, which included Matthew 24:6-8, 1 Peter 2:9, Joel 2:2 and Mal. 4:1, said that the current economic meltdown was predicted, but that committed Christians would be exempted. He prayed for resources for parents to always meet the demands of the time and declared the theme of this year’s Shiloh, holding between December 6 and 10, as: “My Case is Different.” The bishop said this year’s annual event of Shiloh would not be advertised as was done in the past, saying that it would be church based. NAN. [myad]
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje has revealed how he refused to honour an invitation by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state, Jimoh Ibrahim for ameeting in London, possibly to bribe him against the background of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Agbaje, who denied bribery allegation made against him by Jimoh Ibrahim, said that Ibrahim’s grouse against him was that he refused a request for them to meet in London, through one of his friends who is currently residing in London.
Agbaje, who spoke at a dialogue session with a coalition of over 60 Civil Society Organizations, CSOs, led by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, also revealed how he was at a point offered N500 million to rig the last governorship election in Osun State in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when he was serving there.
He said that the money was brought in a van at night by certain chieftains of the PDP at the IBB Golf Course in Abuja, after one of his former colleagues in the DSS, hoodwinked him into following him to the venue.
The Ondo REC, who said he was a former Director of the Department of State Service (DSS), said: “so, it baffles me now to see allegations being raised against me. I have never met Jimoh Ibrahim in my life. I have never spoken with him in my life.
“There is one of my friends, an old friend, Mr. Austin Obiagwu who was a former Managing Director of Broad Bank which later merged with Union Bank. He called me sometimes in April this year and said Segun how now, long time! He said when I will come to London; that he has been there for some time. I said ok, that I might be in London later in that April for the ceremony of one of my children and that I will see him then.
“He then told me that there is a friend of his that would want to meet me and that his name is Jimoh Ibrahim. I think he said he was in Accord Party. Either Accord or Alliance Party, I can’t remember. That was in April this year; he was certainly not in PDP then.
“I told my friend that I don’t know him (Ibrahim) and that I have never met him in my life and that I don’t think it is proper for me to see him because I made it a personal policy not to have such interaction with politicians.”
On the Osun bribery attempt, he said that one of his colleagues “picked” him at the end of a conference he attended in Abuja and took him to the meeting where the bribe was allegedly offered.
Agbaje said that he was shocked and immediately berated his friend.
“I told them that all my children have been trained and they are all married. I have a house in Lagos and another in Ekiti where I come from. So I don’t know what I will use money for at this age. I told them politely that I would not be part of their deal.
“The governor in my state had wanted to see me in the government house and I told him that this year, I am not coming to that Government House. He wanted to come to my house and I said you cannot come to my house.
“I was the ICS of Anambra State, the then governor, who was a candidate, came to my office, he brought money to my office and I said Sir, we do not accept money, that my headquarters had provided all we needed for that election and as Director of the SSS in that region we don’t need the money.
“The man was annoyed. He said whether I have seen the other people in the other party and I said Sir you don’t know me, that I knew him when he was Permanent Secretary at Dodan Barrack, that if not because he was a very old I would have known what to do. But very politely told him that we didn’t need his money.
“These are some of the circumstances in which I found myself in the past. I was so much flabbergasted when I was reading Punch of upper Sunday and saw that Jimoh Ibrahim mentioned a lot of things against me. I have written to my Chairman on this whole issue to clear my name, as well as asked for two prayers- to address the press and to also go to court. The Chairman has approved the two.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have never met Jimoh Ibrahim before, the allegations are false and at the appointed time I will take action. Like I said, politicians think that they can always buy everybody, but I told them that the Chairman did not send me to Akure to go and be in favour of a particular candidate.” [myad]
A young Fulani lady, offers President Buhari a gift of beautiful calabash, filled with traditional Fulani drink: nono, as he arrives in Sokoto to ommission Kalambaina 500 Housing Estate today, November 5.
Nigerian army has rescued another Chibok schoolgirl, Maryam Ali Maiyanga, holding 10-month old baby.
The military spokesman said today, Saturday, that the girl was rescued at Pulka, outside the town of Gwoza in Borno state near the Mandara mountains separating Nigeria from Cameroon.
“She was discovered to be carrying a 10-month-old son, named Ali. She has been taken to the unit’s medical facility for proper medical checkup,” said Nigerian Army spokesman, Sani Usman.
“It is imperative to state that troops have been working round the clock to clear remnants of Boko Haram terrorists wherever they might be hibernating and also rescue all persons held hostages by terrorists,” he said.
Another Chibok girl, Amina Ali Nkeki was rescued on May 18, with four-month old baby.
The news of the latest rescue came less than one month after 21 other Chibok girls were released by Boko Haram.
They were freed following negotiations between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram brokered by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Swiss government.
The government said it was hoping to secure the release of 83 other girls believed to be from Chibok being held by different factions of the extremist group. [myad]
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The Bishop of the Living Faith Church worldwide, Dr. David Oyedepo has warned Christians to stop questioning the high fees charged by his Covenant University to desist to avoid incurring the wrath of God.
