Ireland Cautions New British PM Against Collision Course With EU Over Brexit

July 27, 2019

Ireland has cautioned the new British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson against going on a collision course with the European Union over the issue of Brexit. It warned against preventing an orderly exit with a deal.

Such biting criticism from Ireland, just two days since Johnson took office with a pledge to strike a new divorce deal with the EU, indicates the perils of the Brexit gambit chosen by Britain’s new government.

On entering Downing Street on Wednesday, Johnson cautioned that if the EU refused to negotiate then he would take Britain out on October 31 without a deal, a step that would send shock waves through the world economy.

In an indication of business concerns about a disorderly exit from the EU, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said that a no-deal Brexit was an existential threat to the British car industry and would risk output.

Johnson spiced his pitch to the EU on Thursday by bluntly stating that one of the most hotly contested elements of the Brexit divorce agreement – the Irish border backstop – would have to be struck out if there was to be an orderly exit.

However, Ireland’s second most powerful politician, Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, said that Prime Minister Johnson’s comments were “very unhelpful” and warned that the new British leader is not going to get a deal with such an approach.

“He seems to have made a deliberate decision to set Britain on a collision course with the European Union and with Ireland in relation to the Brexit negotiations,” Coveney told reporters in Belfast after meeting Julian Smith, Britain’s Northern Ireland minister.

Smith later said he did not think a collision was looming.

“We need to find solutions particularly for the issue of the border, but the prime minister was very, very clear to his cabinet yesterday that he wants to get a deal done,” he said.

Further illustrating the delicate issues at stake, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that a British EU exit without a deal would raise the question of planning for a possible future unification of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Source: Reuters.

16 Beauties To Battle For Miss Earth 2019 With Grand Prize Of $10,000

Editorial staff

July 27, 2019

Sixteen amazing beautiful ladies have been penciled down to battle for this year’s edition of Miss Earth with grand prize of $10,000 (about N36 million).

This was made known today, July 27 by the founder of the pageant, ex-beauty queen and actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima at a Resort in Eloko Beach, Lagos, ahead of Saturday, August 3 date for the grand finale.

Ibinabo said that the 2nd and third prize winners will respectively smile home with yet to be disclosed cash prizes.

According to the ex-beauty queen, during the grand finale, the contestants who are embarking on different advocacy campaigns will be made to tell a story on the environment.

Also, in the build up to the event, Ibinabo said the organizers working in collaboration with Coca Kola, visited some market places, such as Ajah market, Lawason market among others to clean and teach people how to separate their waste and actually make money from it.

The actress said that the contestants were selected based on their advocacy campaigns in addition to being a perfect combination of beauty and brain.

“Miss Earth is an annual event designed to empower women who are role models and also to maintain environmental friendliness.

“It’s all about preserving mother earth, teaching young girls how to take care of the earth and teaching them how to preach to the people: taking their advocacy campaigns to their homes and schools.”

Ibinabo said that the theme this year is ‘flowers.’

During the welcome party, the contestants shared their advocacy campaigns with the guests, while showing off their amazing bums in hot bikinis. At the end of the party, 18-year-old Gwen Ifeanyieze emerged the darling of the press.

2019 Pilgrimage: 23,893 Nigerian Muslims Already Airlifted To Saudi Arabia or Hajj

Editorial staff

July 27, 2019

No fewer than 23,893 Muslims have so far been airlifted from various airports across the country to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.

In a breakdown issued today, July 27, the Command and Control Centre of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said that the latest figures followed the arrival in Medinah of 970 pilgrims from Katsina and Kebbi States.

Earlier in the day, the 534 hajj pilgrims departed Katsina aboard MAX Air VM 3037 and arrived the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airporrt,while at about 13.49 local time, 409 passengers comprising 275 males, 151 females and six pilgrim officials, landed in Saudi Arabia aboard Flynax XY5475 flight.

Over two million pilgrims from all over the world are expected to participate in the Hajj by visiting the holy sites in Madinah and Mecca.
The pilgrimage is one of the five major pillars of Islam, which takes place in the last month of the year and which all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime, if they are healthy and can afford it.

The symbolic city of Madinah, where a tomb is made in reverence of Prophet Muhammad is playing host to many visitors, who have been praying and visiting many of its historic sites before the main hajj rituals which begin next week in Mecca.

How Veteran Sports Journalist, Akinloye Oyebanji Died Of Heart Failure In Abuja

Editorial staff

July 27, 2019

Nigerian veteran sports journalist and retired Director Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Akinloye Oyebanj, died today, July 27 at the National Hospital, Abuja, after protracted battling with heart failure.

His family confirmed to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Oyebanji, 62, had been ill, according a family member, Bukoye Oyebanji and a close friend, Dr Steve Olarinoye, for almost four months now and the family had spent millions of naira to save his life without any improvement.

They said that some time ago, he had the misfortune of losing his kidneys, and they were replaced successfully through a transplant in India.

“But one of the side effects of kidney transplant is heart failure, which he had experienced on two occasions and survived.”

NAN reports that Oyebanji served the NTA for 35 years in different capacities, including being a sports broadcaster, and later as General Manager (Sports).

He retired as Managing Director of NTA Properties at the authority’s headquarters in Abuja.

Oyebanji, who hailed from Kwara, is survived by four children and a wife.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sorrow at the death Akinloye Oyebanji, who he said was very good at his art, and would be sorely missed by the sporting community.

The President, who condoled with Oyebanji’s family, friends and colleagues, particularly at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), acknowledged that he made his mark as a sportscaster.

Young Graduand Of Ibn Mas’ud Centre In Kuje

Greenbarge Reporters

July 27, 2019

This innocent boy has just graduated from nursery session to primary at the Ibn Mas’ud Comprehensive Islamic Centre in Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Congratulations the young-shall-grow.

….another young graduands looking brightly into the future.

Almajiri System Is Destructive To Islam – Ex Kebbi Education Commissioner

Greenbarge Reporters

July 27, 2019

Former Commissioner of Education in Kebbi State, Professor Mukhtar Umar Bunza has said that the Almajiri practice, especially in the northern part of Nigeria, is destructive to the concept of Islamic education and the society itself.
Speaking as guest speaker today, July 27, at the 20th anniversary and speech, prize giving Day of Ibn Mas’ud Comprehensive Islamic Centre in Kuje, the Federal Capital Territory, Professor Mukhtar Bunza noted that the abuse of Islamic education through the concept of Almajiri negated the comprehensiveness embedded in the original Islamic education.
“Allowing children to roam about seeking for knowledge without any direction is un-Islamic. Some of these Almajiris don’t even know how to recite Fatihat and perform ablution to observe daily prayers.

Professor Mukhtar Bunza traced what he called “integrated education” to the Islamic history, starting from the beginning of the revelation, when Allah commanded Prophet Muhammad to Read.

He explained that with such integrated education and knowledge, Islam once dominated the world for a long time and that all sciences and technologies originated from Islam.

The former commissioner regretted that instead of the succeeding Muslims to sustain and improve on what was handed down through generations, they continue to disintegrate it, resulting in meaninglessness of the so-called modern education and knowledge to the societal development in all its ramifications.

Professor Mukhtar Bunza also regretted that Muslims are lagging far behind even in the modern disintegrated and disjointed educational system.

He noted that out of over 90 private universities owned either by individual Christians or Christian organizations, only four are owned by Muslim organizations, one of which is NASFAT.

“It is not as if there are no wealthy Muslims and Islamic organizations that can match their Christian counterparts.

“Where is the Dantata University? Where is Dangote University? Where is Bakura University and so on?”

The University Don, who praised the proprietor of the Ibn Mas’ud Comprehensive Islamic Centre, Sheikh Junaidu Bunza for investing in education and impacting on the society through educating young one, said that most Muslims would rather buy exotic cars and jewelries as well as other mundane things while complaining of expensive school fees for their children.

“Instead of training children for the development of themselves and the society, we train them by introducing them to begging. Some of these children don’t even know how to pray and perform ablution.”

“Yes, Muslims have population but it is a useless unproductive population. Muslims pamper their children and later become liabilities to themselves.

“In your old age, they can’t help you and themselves. We must come together to save ourselves from shame.”

Ibn Mas’ud Comprehensive Islamic Centre was established in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), by Sheikh Junaidu Bunza in September 1999 and has since grown from nursery and primary sessions to secondary school session with boarding facilities.

The board of the school is made up of Sheikh Junaidu Bunza, Ustazinyya Aisha Bello Bunza, Dr. Attahiru Bafarawa, Alhaji Ahmad son of late Wazirin Gwandu, Alhaji Hassan Bako and Senator Ahmad Yarima Bakura.

I’ve Not Received My Salary For 2 Years – Kogi Deputy Governor

Editorial staff

July 26, 2019

Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba has complained, like most of the civil servants in the state that he too has not received his allowances in the last years, and that it is only God that has been sustaining him.

Simon Achuba, who spoke to news men today, July 26, shortly after a private meeting with Abba Kyary, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, stressed that his boss, Governor Yahaya Bello had since stopped paying him his statutory allowances.

The deputy governor, who would not disclose the purpose of his appearance in the Presidency, said that the governor had continually told him that there was no money to his allowances even as he admitted that relationship with the governor, for now “is not very smooth, it is not what it is supposed to be and it is not supposed to be like that.”

“Well it is a private discussion in relation to my office. From my discussions with him there is hope that all the issues will be resolved. With God all things are possible.”

Simon Achuba said that for the last two years, it is God that has been sustaining him, adding: “if your hope is in God, you will be very much alive. If you have money and don’t have God, you will be living like a dead person.

“But if you have God you can live, He is the one who provides to man. So if one source closes, God opens another source for you to live. Supposing I am not a Deputy Governor, won’t I be alive?”

We Are Fully Ready To Check-Mate Shiites – Nigeria Police

Editorial staff

July 26, 2019

The Nigeria Police has made it clear that its officers have been properly positioned across the country to checkmate members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites that have recently embarked on violent demonstrations, especially in Abuja, the nation’s Federal Capital.

A statement today, July 26, by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has ordered the immediate beef-up of security in all the States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

“This is in the face of series of violent protest and unrest by members of the El-zazakky group in the FCT.”

In the statement, the police asked members of the public to be wary of unsubstantiated security advisories that are being circulated and which are capable of creating undue fear, panic and apprehension in the country.

It quoted the IGP as advising all would-be protesters to ensure that they express their grievances within the ambit of the law so as not to infringe on the constitutional rights of other citizens or cause breach of public peace.

He assured Nigerians that proactive measures, including aerial surveillance of major cities have been put in place to ensure the safety and security of lives and property of all Nigerians.

“In addition, Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) nationwide have been mandated to ensure customized security arrangements are put in place in their Area of Responsibilities (AORs) to checkmate the activities of criminals and any possible threat to public peace.”

Speaker Gbajabiamila Sees Maritime As A Vehicle For Buhari’s Economic Recovery

Editorial staff

July 26, 2019

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has described maritime as a vehicle for the successful implementation of the President Muhammadu Buhari government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

The speaker, who spoke yesterday, July 25 at a ceremony hosted by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos, pledged that the legislature would support efforts by the executive to ensure sustainable management of the country’s vast marine resources.

The ceremony was held to mark this year’s African Day of Seas and Oceans, with the theme, “Harnessing Nigeria’s Marine Biodiversity for Accelerated Economic Growth.”

Gbajabiamila, who was represented by Linda Ikpeazu, said: “efficient management and sustainable exploitation of the marine resources in our seas and oceans, no doubt, provide a veritable tool for our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan as a country and give expression to our sustainable development goals.

“We will support the sustainable governance of Nigeria’s seas and oceans and the efforts of the executive arm of government that would see the effective domestication of relevant international conventions of the International Maritime Organisation on marine environment management through legislative enactments.

“The National Assembly would also work with the executive arm in putting in place the necessary legal framework for the Blue Economy to engender and protect the Nigerian marine environment and development of the ocean economy.”

In his remark, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, disclosed that the Agency had sent six International Maritime Organisation (IMO) instruments to the Federal Government for ratification as part of efforts to ensure sustainable management of the marine environment.

Dakuku reiterated NIMASA’s critical focus on the development and protection of the marine environment, saying: “our efforts in this area have been recognised by the International Maritime Organisation.”

He listed the marine environment management instruments forwarded to the government for ratification to include: the Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009; International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel; the Protocol Relating to Intervention on the High Seas in Cases of Oil Pollution Casualties Intervention), 1973; and Protocol on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC), 1996.

Speaking also, the Chairperson, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Common Services, Dr. Bakare Wadinga, said that maritime security and development were a top priority of the Federal Government in the execution of the ERGP.

Forex Restriction Aimed At job creation, Investments In Local Milk Production – CBN.

Editorial staff

July 26, 2019

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made it clear that the proposed restriction of forex on milk is aimed atensuring forex savings, job creation and investments in the local production of milk.

The Nigerian apex bank insisted that in carrying out the policy as it relates to the planned restriction of access to the Nigerian Foreign Exchange market by importers of milk, Nigeria and the welfare of all Nigerians come first.

“Being an apolitical organization, we do not wish to be dragged into politics. Our focus remains ensuring forex savings, job creation and investments in the local production of milk.”

The statement, which emanated from the office of the Director in the Corporate Communications Department of CBN, Isaac Okorafor, condemned some ‘interests who feel hurt’ by the proposed policy, aimed at promoting the local production of milk in Nigeria,and who are out to mislead the general public by misrepresenting the ordinarily unassailable case for investments in local milk production and the medium to long-term benefits of the planned policy.

“While we are aware that some of our policies may hurt some business interests, we are thankful to Nigerians for the buy-in and intense interest in the policies of the CBN. As a people-oriented institution, however, we shall remain focused on the overarching and ultimate welfare of the Nigerian masses.

“For over 60 years, Nigerian children and indeed adults have been made to be heavily dependent on milk imports. The national food security implications of this can easily be imagined, particularly, when it is technically and commercially possible to breed the cows that produce milk in Nigeria.

“About three years ago, we began a policy to encourage backward integration to conserve foreign exchange and create jobs for our people. Included in this policy package was the introduction of the highly successful policy which restricted sale of forex from the Nigerian foreign exchange market for the importation of some 43 items goods that could be produced in Nigeria.

“Arising from the success of the restriction policy, we approached some milk importers, like we did for rice, tomato and starch and asked them to take advantage of CBN’s low-interest loans to begin local milk production instead of relying endlessly on milk imports.

“Today, although there have been some successful attempts at producing milk locally, the vast majority of the importers still treat this national aspiration with imperial contempt.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Milk importation is not banned. Indeed, the CBN has no such power. All we will do is to restrict sale of forex for the importation of milk from the Nigerian foreign exchange market.

“We wish to reiterate that we remain ready and able to provide the needed finance to enable investors who genuinely want to engage in milk production.

“The ongoing resort to blackmail and undue politicization through the use of social media attacks can only serve to strengthen our resolve to wean our country from the clutches of powerful and highly influential traders and dealers who have kept the masses of our people hostage to foreign consumption and condemned our youths to perpetual unemployment.

“We call on Nigerians to enlist in this vanguard to take our economy back from vested interests, make our country a productive economy and create jobs for our teeming youths.”

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