Inspiring! Meet Ali Shuaibu Baba, a First Class Computer Science graduate who slaughters chickens while awaiting his NYSC

NYSC Dr. Mohammed Goge on Saturday, shared this inspiring story of a First Class graduate, from a poor family, who makes a living as a chicken dresser in Yobe, while awaiting his NYSC. The young man, Ali Shuaibu Baba graduated from Yobe State University this year. His family's source of income is from slaughter and dressing of local chickens. It was through the business that he paid his school fees. Read his story below:  Meet ALI SHUAIBU BABA, FIRST CLASS GRADUATE of Computer SciencePicture: Consent approved"i tot i met just a POULTRY DRESSER,  later I realize i met not just a Computer Science graduate but a FIRST CLASS" On our way coming back from a wedding with a friend Suleiman Dauda we decided to branch and pick some local chickens for the December break, after buying the chick we proceeded to the meet a skilled poultry dresser for slaughter and dressing. Upon arrival, I was surprise when the owner of the stand called my name: He said Dr ina wuni (Good afternoon Dr), I was like, may be is one those people who knew me through social media, as he started his work, I know became curious and asked him, have we met before? He said yes sir, ''I attended the occasion of the launching of your scholarship program'' and I was like, are you a student? then he said yes sir, but I have graduated this year (2018) waiting for my NYSC. I was impressed and became more curios, I asked further, what did you study?He said sir, I studied COMPUTER SCIENCEI ask again, and your class of degree please?, and he drop the SHOCKER!!!!He said, Sir I graduated with FIRST CLASS. I now moved closer and below is some excerpt of our conversation.....Ali Shuaibu is a determine young man from a family who are poor by Economist Index but rich in heart and determination to succeed by all odds. The family source of income is from poultry slaughter and dressing and a times retail of local chickens. He attended FGC Azare but almost missed his WAEC because of N 36,000. He then resolved to come and write WAEC at the Government Secondary School Kukuri but his Father (whom I also met today) insisted that he will work hard to raise the said amount before the WAEC, Ali came home before WAEC, work along with his father until they meet the 36000 requirements. He wrote his WAEC and got one of the best results. After WAEC he applied,sat and pass Remedial science. He said: "I don't know anything about computer, because we don't have it in our house but I still applied for the course, in my part 1, it’s all science courses so I have no much challenge to pass them. During our part 1 break, I worked so hard and saved 30,000 Naira, upon resumption a friend of mine who is studying Biology and has a used Tokunbo LAPTOP computer from LAGOS decided to sale the computer to me @ 30,000 Naira”. Ali use the computer to study through the 4 years and graduated with FIRST CLASS. I now ask Ali for a consent to snap with him, he said Yes, why Not... “This is the business that paid my school fees,” he introduced me to his father. I asked him further what he does beside this work,He said while I wait for my NYSC, in the night I browse a lot and read a lot on IT.We exchange contacts, we advised him further and promise to provide him some MENTOR SHIP. The story of Ali, Is that of inspiration and perseveranceThis is the Story of a child Born with no Silver Spoon but proceeded to get the Gold SpoonALI HAS MADE IT TO FIRST CLASS, ALL HE NEEDS NOW IS MENTORSHIP, NETWORK OF THINKERS AND A LITTLE PUSH UP………. And take note: There is more talent hidden beneath what the eyes sees. 

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Jazz musician continues to play guitar while surgeons operate on his brain to remove tumor (video)

A jazz musician with a brain tumour played a guitar during his brain surgery in South Africa.
Musa Manzini, from South Africa, played his guitar during the successful operation.
According to one of the neurosurgeons, Dr. Rohen Harrichandparsad, the playing of the guitar helped guide surgeons during the delicate surgery whilst "preserving natural pathways".
Mr Manzini was given local anaesthetic by doctors during the procedure, also known as an "awake craniotomy" at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.

Dr Harrichandparsad said:

It increased the margin of safety for us, in that we could have real-time feedback on what we were doing intraoperatively.

Doctors said they gave Mr Manzini his instrument toward the end of the procedure so they could check that everything was in order.  The doctors wanted to test Mr Manzini’s "ability to produce music" during surgery, which requires the complex interaction of pathways in the brain.
A photo and video taken by the medical team shows the musician lying with his guitar in the operating room.
"There you are, do your thing," a team member says as he begins playing.
In an "awake craniotomy," some doctors choose to stimulate parts of the brain with a mild electrical current as a way of testing and mapping areas that control key functions of the brain such as movement and speech. If a patient is struggling to speak when the current is applied to a particular area, doctors know they must protect it during tumour removal.

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Woman killed, two others injured in fatal truck accident in Ibadan

A woman was killed and two other people sustained serious inuries in an accident involving a truck and a motorcycle in Ibadan, Oyo state.
The fatal accident occured in Apata, Ibadan early this morning, according to online reports.

The accident was reportedly caused by the truck which failed brake and hit a motorcycle close to the pump at Apata Police Post. The accident resulted in the death of a woman who was sitting at the back of the motorcycle.

Two men on the motorcycle were injured. One of the injured men was the motorcycle rider, Mr Habeeb Aniyikaye. Habeeb said they were three riding on the motorcycle - the deceased, him a male passenger - and they had no idea that the truck behind them had failed brake.

The injured victims were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the truck driver has been apprehended and is currently in police custody.

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I just had to get f**Ked – Cardi B explains her jet ski picture with Offset

  Cardi B has just explained that she's s not taking Offset back just yet.  

The estranged couple were recently photographed looking happy as they rode a jet ski in Puerto Rico over the weekend, but despite the pic, Cardi B says they not back together as she took to Instagram to set the record straight and explain the jet ski photo.

According to Cardi, the jet ski instructor tricked her into letting him take their picture on his phone and promised to delete it.

“Let me tell you something about the jet ski ni**a, right? The instructor or whatever the fuck he is–he was taking pictures of us on his phone like, ‘Oh, I’m gonna send you these pictures so you guys can have a memory and I’m going to delete it.’ I’m like, ‘Oh OK'”  she said.

She claims he then sold the picture to TMZ. “What type of professional shit is that?” she said before holding up the brochure of the jet ski company and warning her followers to avoid them.

Cardi B then went on to say, “I just had to get fucked. That’s all. I feel rejuvenated, bitch. “Bitch, I feel fucking baptized. I feel like a brand new fucking woman.

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United Nations envoy releases 'urgent statement' over alleged scam involving actor, Williams Uchemba

Earlier today, former child actor, Williams Uchemba was accused of fraud by US based activist, Edafe Okporo.

Edafe in a tweet that immediately went viral shared an alleged screenshot of a chat he had with Williams Uchemba where the latter was claiming to be an envoy of the United Nations and seeking $1000 in payment for a certain programme.

He claims to be a @UN youth rep. Because of @FriendshipAmbas pretentious youth assembly deceit to thousand of young people. His name is @williamsuchemba

This is a cheap scam for so many young Nigerians and youth all around the world. @FriendshipAmbas is collecting money in the name of @UNYouthEnvoy @UNDPINGO He his posing to be an ambassador. Using the reputation of the @UN

In a swift reaction to his claims, the official Twitter account of the UN Youth Envoy distanced itself from Williams Uchemba saying;

Read below....

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Priyanka Chopra reacts as her husband Nick Jonas is named GQ's Most Stylish Man of 2018

Recently Nick Jonas surpassed The Rock to be named GQ's Most Stylish Man of 2018 and his wife Priyanka Chopra could not be more proud.The actress took to Instagram to share a photo of her kissing him and she captioned it:Honoured to be kissing the most stylish man on the planet.. may the style Gods always shine down upon u my love  #gqmoststylishman@nickjonas  T

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Photos: Ex-convict apprehended with toy gun in Lagos (photos)

Operatives of the Lagos state police command Rapid Response Squad RRS, have arrested Dauda Moruff, an ex-convict who was found with a toy gun at Cement bus stop. According to the commander of RRS, Tunji Disu, Dauda and his friend wearing singlet, have been handed over to SARS officers. 

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Caption this photo of VP, Yemi Osinbajo and a fan

Caption this photo of VP, Yemi Osinbajo and a fan  Drop your best caption below....

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UNILAG introduces more entrepreneurship programmes for students

The University of Lagos on Saturday said that its students were on course in changing the narrative of university education in the country through its various entrepreneurship programmes.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, said this on the sideline of the Second Level Investment Pitching Competition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pitching competition is an off-shoot of the recent ‘Impact Week’, a design thinking workshop for both students and staff of the university, organised in collaboration with Lufthansa, a German airline.
The competition came up with 24 teams that came up with new designs and prototypes.
The prototypes and designs were in the areas of Urban Agriculture, Tourism, Environment, Energy, Health, Education, Commerce and Finance, among others.
According to Ogunsola, the university has been in the business of developing innovation and entrepreneurship in the last few years in the realisation that it is only through such steps that Nigeria can truly move forward.
She noted that one of the most important tasks of the university currently was to ensure that every student would graduate as a job creator, ready to solve most societal challenges.
“Today, I must say that I am so proud of these our students who have come up with several designs, waiting to be tapped into.
“We can confidently tell you today that our students are amazing and burning with a lot of creative ideas.
“All they need is the ability environment and training to allow them express themselves and indeed when we challenged them, they rose up to the occasion.
“The major way we arrived at this was through design thinking which means that we have changed our training styles, ’’ Ogunsola said.
She noted that the nation’s universities were indeed not as bad as was perceived by most people, saying there were a lot of changes currently going on there.
“I am so proud of our students. In all, we have about 32 prototypes.
“From the teams that we have put together, in various areas of life such as health, tourism, waste management, agriculture and others, they have come up with a lot of innovation.
“These are the kind if things that will move this country forward.
“Currently we have an entrepreneurship centre but there is an urgent need to expand it for us to have various businesses coming out from our university.
“As of today, in this year alone, we have about five patents and we already have another 10 going forward.
“So what we realise is that when we did not have a centre that was driving this, these developments were hidden but now with the centre in place, we are unearthing a lot of creativity, potential and finding out that our students could actually develop so many things,’’ Ogunsola said.
According to her, a major setback has also been lack of publicity; without it, a lot of people would still not believe in the budding talents of the students.
The don said that the university will continue to collaborate with other entrepreneurs outside the university as the whole idea was a cross-fertilisation of ideas.
“Nobody knows everything and even our students are motivated by what they see outside as well as problems of industries that they can solve. It is only through this that Nigeria can be on its way to development, ‘’ she said.
According to her, no country can develop if it fails to work with its universities.
Ogunsola said that the whole essence was about rubbing hands together, saying that “if as a people, the country gives up on its and everything gives way, then there will be no way forward’’.
The don said that universities could only develop by being challenged and urged that UNILAG be more challenged as the institution could rise up to any level.
“We have the staff and as we are challenged, you will be surprised at what we can do. So, we are calling on the public to come and rub minds with the institution.
“Come with your challenges, and we will be ready to work with industries in finding solutions.
“We are already working with quite a number of the industries – the Air Force, and Aviation .
“I want to say that any country that does not develop its own human capital through its university system will not go anywhere,’’ she said.
Ogunsola said that already, the university had concluded plans to set up a programme that would enable students of the university graduate with Certificate in Entrepreneurship.
She explained that the idea of the institution’s Skills centre was not basically about the acquisition of vocational skills but majorly about the students being able to apply their minds to solving problems.
Ogunsola said it was about thinking and doing things differently.
She said that the centre was focused in teaching the skills of creative thinking, connecting dots and solving problems.
Ogunsola, however, identified energy and funding as major challenges affecting the progress of work in the skill centre.
“We discover that these two are the factors we have to deal with. So, we have been trying to find ways to go around them, through collaboration with international partners, industries and others, ’’ she said.
Dr Sunday Adebisi, acting Director of the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre, noted that the second level pitching had attracted investors already, who had come to take a look at some of the new products if they could invest in them.
According to him, aside showing interest in the products, the investors will also critic the prototypes and advice on how to move them to the next level.
Adebisi said that the university would intensify efforts in producing graduates with a difference, with valid business ideas that could sell as well as create jobs for Nigerians.
“When you look at the crime rate in the country today, you will discover that most of the people kidnapping are graduates who are savy and solid in their brains and these people do this because they are frustrated and cannot secure jobs.
“So, what we are trying to do with our students here in UNILAG is to put their brains in perfect functionality and get them to begin to create business and ideas so that when they graduate, they get very engaged with what they are doing ,’’ Adebisi, also an Associate Professor said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, said that there was no going back on management’s plan in making the university, the number one entrepreneurship hub of the nation.

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Davido Set For A Collabo With Chris Brown

DMW boss has announced a future project with RnB star, Chris Brown who featured in Wizkid’s last album, Sounds from the other Side. Davido shared a Screenshot from their FaceTime where they agreed on the collaboration.

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2019: Don’t Betray Public Trust, INEC Tells Staff

The Independent National Electoral Commission, says it will not hesitate to discipline any staff found to have betrayed public trust during the 2019 general election.
INEC Public Affairs Officer in Akwa Ibom, Mr Don Etukudo gave the warning in a statement in Uyo on Sunday.
Etukudo urged INEC staff to ensure that the commission is able to deliver free, fair and credible election to the people of the state in line with its mandate.
“In the last one year, the commission has been counselling staff on how to ensure a successful 2019 general election and will initiate disciplinary measures on staff that compromise the process,” he said.
He said the commission had withdrawn some electoral officers from the field and re-assigned them to different Local Government Areas.
According to him, the exercise is a strategic re-organisation and re-positioning to ensure that the process leading to the general election is foolproof.
Etukudo said the commission was rejuvenating and re-positioning its personnel to the core values of integrity and impartiality necessary to drive them towards delivering on the commission’s mandate.
He urged politicians in the state to steer clear of INEC’s staff in the forthcoming general election by refraining from “unethical engagement” that may jeopardise the careers of the staff.
Etukudo further said INEC staff recently elevated had been given their letters of promotion.
He enjoined the affected staff to reciprocate the gesture by re-dedicating and committing themselves to the mandate of the commission.

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Photo: Man testifies of how Jesus rescued him from kidnappers in Port Harcourt

company. The driver was as fast as a lazy pregnant snail. We were ambushed at Elele in Rivers state. About 10-15 young men, with auto rifles, shotguns, matchets, etc. They let the driver go, took the rest of us into the bush blindfolded. Every night they move us to a different "barrack". We're always been moved; blindfolded, hands tied, legs tied too.The first night wasn't really a hassle for me as they shared my properties; wears, phones, cash, collected our ATM pins for the money in the accounts.We were always blindfolded except at nights.The next day, they advised us to quickly raise money and pay them if not, they were going to sell off our private parts and skulls to ritualists. They contacted this Alhaji (I don't know if it was to scare us, but I heard the man, he had the Fulani accent) but he said he can't come there on a Sunday.We were made to contact our families on Monday so they can pay our ransoms; N1million. According to them, the Alhaji will come that Monday night, so they gave us till 4pm that Monday to pay, or be sold off in pieces to Alhaji. I contactes my younger brother, asked him to call Dickson and sha give him the update, he laughed on hearing the amount, his hysterical laugh irked them so deeply they took off the steam by landing more blows on me. Where man pikin keep 2milly?I percieved the smell of dope, I begged to take a hit, whoever it was obliged, from there we started talking, we'd gist briefly, hit blunt together, he'll even give me water. At other times, I dey collect beating.That Monday night, they were already having issues among themselves. They complained that their Oga didn't bring the Alhaji, neither is he in the bush with them, that they left them in the bush while the rest have gone to town to flex. I silently prayed. Tuesday morning, 18th December 2018, the band on my wrist was loose, I called on one of them to come tighten it because if they notice by themselves, na beating go follow as they assume that you trying to escape, but he said he'll be back. That meant he's going somewhere. After a while, we couldn't hear their chatter, it happened that the ones manning us took a stroll.How three people watching us decided to leave us without anyone watching was something only God could do. At first, I thought it was a trap.It wasn't difficult untying myself as mine was loose already. I untied the rest of us, Na so we cut out oo. We spent about 25-30mins in the bush trying to find our way out, following the direction from where the sound of speeding vehicles came, till we got to the express road.

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Support Buharis re-election bid, get presidency in 2023'' Osinbajo tells Yorubas

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has advised the Yoruba race to support President Buhari's 2019 re-election because that is the only way they stand a chance of securing an oportunity to grab the 2023 presidency.Osinbajo said this when he visited the palace of Lamidi Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo, on Saturday December 22nd.''The 2019 general elections is our own. We are not looking at the 2019 but 2023. If we get it in 2019, Yoruba will get it in 2023. Because if we don’t get it in 2019, we may not get it in 2023 and it may take a very long time to get it. We need to look at tomorrow and not because of today. What we are doing now is for tomorrow and not for today'' he said

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Lovely photos of Femi Fani-Kayode and his sons

So cute! See more photos below

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Billionaire businessman, E-money gifts comedian, Funnybone, a Mercedes Benz car (video)

Billionaire businessman and record label owner, E-Money, last night presented comedian Funnybone a Mercedes Benz as a Christmas gift. This happened at the music executive's Christmas party. Watch a video of an elated Funnybone after he received the car below     View this post on Instagram         Emoney gifts comedian Funnybone a Mercedes Benz as a Christmas gift

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Watch horrific video showing moment tsunami waves wiped out a stage as band played at a concert in Indonesia

A video has surfaced online showing the moment the Indonesian Tsunami, which happened last night December 22nd, swept through a stage where a band, The Seventeens, were playing at their concert. The Tsunami has so far calimed 160 lives. Watch the video below So this was when this band called Seventeen had their concert but suddenly tsunami attacked them #PrayForAnyer #Krakatau pic.twitter.com/GC70uqgyoj— sasa (@bytsonyeondan) December 23, 2018

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Nigerian lady goes on epic Twitter rant after her aunt was sacked a few days to Christmas because of religion

A Nigerian lady on Twitter has just shared her frustration with churches and religion after her aunt was fired a few days to christmas. According to her, 'how can you sack your best staff (headmistress) because your church members are not comfortable with her. How? A qualified teacher, with remarkable years of teaching experience. Who parents and students appreciate her effort for setting high educational standards. Their excuse, “she’s an Ap____c and we’re D____r L__e members, so she isn’t one of us” Is it not the Jesus Christ y’all call upon?'. Follow her thread below....Religion!!!!!Is the reason why we are where we are!!!A particular religion with different sects.‍Too much hypocrisy!!Too many religious people who’re nothing close to being Godly.I’m done‍.— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018Religion religion religion.What happened to love we all precah about in our various religion. The way this our world poverty capital people carry religion on their head like “Olajumoke’s bread”.— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018Even the foreigners who brought the religion are in awe of our stupidity‍‍.How can you allow your church members interfere in your personal business ??Are you high?— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018I’m still trying to understand why we have different sect in a religion yet we claim to serve the same God??One sect see themselves as Deputy Jesus, meanwhile looking at the other sect like Devil’s Advocate ‍‍‍.I’m just tired of y’all.— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018How can you sack your best staff (headmistress) because your church members are not comfortable with her. How!!!!!!!!??A qualified teacher, with remarkable years of teaching experience. Who parents and students appreciate her effort for setting high educational standards!— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018Their excuse, “she’s an Ap____c and we’re D____r L__e members, so she isn’t one of us”Is it not the Jesus Christ y’all call upon??— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018Pls I’m confused!!! Very confused!!The A_____C person was the one who revived your almost dying business and you sacked her few days to Christmas ‍.Oh whao, just whao!!!. ‍‍‍Is it not the same Christianity???— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018SU!! SU!! SU!!! yen yen yen.But you don’t have the fear of God.Who are you to judge a person, cos she wears earrings, deodorant and makeup‍.You preach love yet you can’t accept people for who they are .— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018I hope you’d be sitting close to God on the last day awon Chief George ati Georgina‍Assistant Jesus.Thanks for coming to my Tedtalk, have a lovely weekend ahead.Don’t forget to watch and pray.— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018I’m sooooo pained, because the victim is my aunt.— Your ancestor (@morewunmie) December 22, 2018

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Photo: Comedian, I Go Save welcomes third child

Popular comedian, I Go Save, just welcomed a beautiful baby girl with his partner, Becky. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Aliana, on January 30th 2014 and welcomed another daughter on Thursday January 19th. Sharing news of his third daughter, I Go Save wrote, 'Christmas gift came early for me. Its a baby girl for me and my girls. Thank You Jesus, the children dey fine and life na brain brain'.

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Honest Corp member reports to NYSC after he was credited N198,800 instead of his normal N19,800 allawee

A serving youth corps member in Borno State has called the attention of the NYSC to a transaction error they made after he was credited N198,800 instead of his normal N19,800 allawee.

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All I Want For Christmas Is You' - Ciara tells her husband as she shares lovely Christmas card of them together (Photos)

Ahead of the festive season, Ciara has shared a lovely Christmas card with her NFL star husband Russell Wilson. In one of the photos she posted to her Instagram account, the singer is pictured with her husband while holding a placard with the words 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' written on it.See more photos below.

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Beyonce flaunts her hot legs in sexy new photos

The Pop Queen and mother of three shared these stunning photos of herself with her hot legs on display. See full photos below.

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Atiku takes on buhari on claims : ‘Some projects have been abandoned, not completed’

…Apologise to Nigerians, PDP insists
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has punctured some of the claims made by Presudent Muhammadu Buhari during his budhet presentation to the joint session of the National Assembly last week.
President Buhari
He said some of the claims of project completion made by the President have since been discovered not to be correct in all materials particular.
Speaking through his Presidential Campaign Organization, he noted with consternation, the deliberate reliance on claims that were not correct by President Muhammadu Buhari in his budget presentation at the National Assembly, Wednesday, and demand his immediate apologies to Nigerians.
PDP raises alarm over alleged plot by Presidency to siphon N1.2bn farmers’ fund
The statement, signed by Kola Ologbodiyan, Director, Media & Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, said “Nigerians and the international community were shocked as fact checks reveal that a large part of the claims made by Mr. President, particularly on projects he claimed to have completed, were (not true), apparently designed by the Buhari Presidency to mislead the nation and the world.
“The fact checks showed that most of the projects which Mr President claimed to have been completed do not have the littlest attention of his administration if they exist at all.
“Of particular reference is President Buhari’s claim that he has completed the Ugwashi-Uku Dam in Delta state; a claim, which casts a long shadow on his assertions, as the project has been abandoned since 2015.
“In fact, the Dam, which President Buhari said that he has completed, is overgrown with weeds, while the road leading to the complex has collapsed.
“The scenario is mostly the same in other capital projects, particularly those in remote parts of the country, which perhaps, our dear President thought Nigerians will not fact check on.
“This explained why federal lawmakers booed him during his budget presentation, a development that is unprecedented in our national history.
“Nigerians will recall that the PDP had always alerted that this (government) has nothing to offer Nigerians except lying, falsehood, deception, beguilement, intimidation, harassment, hunger, starvation and disobedience of court orders.
“The PPCO therefore charges President Buhari to apologize to Nigerians as well as get his handlers to turn a new leaf and save his reputation from further nose-diving within the few months he has in office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

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PDP rejects Buhari’s plan to impose new taxes

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned plans by President Muhammadu Buhari to impose new taxes on Nigerians.
In a statement by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party noted: “Nigerians are already overburdened, impoverished and pauperised by the incompetent, insensitive, uncaring, vindictive and corrupt administration.
“It is disheartening that instead of President Buhari to seek ways to recover the over N14tn looted under his cover by All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and the cabal in his Presidency, the President is seeking to inflict more pain on distraught Nigerians, by imposing new taxes on them in the coming year,” the party said.
Also, the party asked the President to apologise to Nigerians for “his deliberate reliance on falsehood in his budget presentation at the National Assembly, last Wednesday.
The party said: “Nigerians and international community were shocked as fact-checks revealed that a large part of the claims made by the President, particularly on projects he claimed to have completed, were outright falsehood, apparently designed by Buhari to mislead the nation and the world.

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Bayelsa government approves December salary, allowance, bonus payment

Bayelsa State Government has declared receipt of N13.6bn as allocation from the federation account for December 2018.
Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai, in a statement, yesterday, said Governor Seriake Dickson, as a result of the allocation, had directed payment of December salary and allowances to workers before Christmas, while Treasury Department would ensure compliant.
He said the Governor also approved payment of a special Christmas bonus to all categories of public servants, which would be paid according to cadre in appreciation of their support.
The commissioner added that the State Government would liquidate outstanding one-month salary arrears of workers, as soon as another tranche of the Paris Club Refund was received.

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Statue of Liberty’s original 3,600lbs torch moved to new museum site

Statue of Liberty’s original 3,600lbs torch moved to new museum site
dailymail.co.uk Dec 20, 2018 9:29 AM
The Statue of Liberty’s original 3,600lbs torch is carefully trucked across Liberty Island to its new home in a museum which is set to open in 2019
The Statue of Liberty’s original torch, which was replaced by a replica in the 1980s, has been moved across Liberty Island on Thursday to its new home in a museum that will open next year.
The base and the detached flame of the 3,600-pound torch, as well as a replica of Lady Liberty’s face, were trucked slowly and carefully to the museum construction site about 100 yards from the statue.
Officials with the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation said the torch was removed in 1984 because it was too badly damaged to restore.
The OG: The original torch of the Statue of Liberty, and a replica of her face have been moved from their display at the base of the statue, and will now have a permanent home in the new museum
The OG: The original torch of the Statue of Liberty, and a replica of her face have been moved from their display at the base of the statue, and will now have a permanent home in the new museum
Strong and stable: The original torch and a replica of the face of the Statue of Loberty are seen being moved on a hydraulically stabilized transporter
Strong and stable: The original torch and a replica of the face of the Statue of Loberty are seen being moved on a hydraulically stabilized transporter
New home: The torch, which was removed in 1984 and replaced by a replica, was being moved into what will become its permanent display at a new museum on Liberty Island
New home: The torch, which was removed in 1984 and replaced by a replica, was being moved into what will become its permanent display at a new museum on Liberty Island
‘Taking it down was very frightening,’ said Stephen Briganti, president and CEO of the foundation. ‘We had the largest freestanding scaffolding that at that point had ever been built.’
Thursday’s brief trip to the museum site was the latest chapter for an icon that ‘has crossed many miles in its lifetime,’ Briganti said.
The torch left France in 1876 for the United States, where it was exhibited at the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia and then in New York City’s Madison Square Park. The trip was intended to raise funds to pay for the statue’s pedestal, Briganti said.
It went back to Paris in 1882, then returned to the New York Harbor along with other crated pieces of the statue in 1885.
The torch was held high by Lady Liberty from 1886 to 1984, but modifications to the flame changed its original design over the years.
Flame of freedom: The torch was held high by Lady Liberty from 1886 to 1984, but modifications to the flame changed its original design over the years
Flame of freedom: The torch was held high by Lady Liberty from 1886 to 1984, but modifications to the flame changed its original design over the years
The torch and the face will be highlights of the new $100 million museum, which is scheduled to open in May 2019
The torch and the face will be highlights of the new $100 million museum, which is scheduled to open in May 2019
This photo from July, 1984, shows the original torch of the Statue of Liberty being removed from her grasp, in New York
This photo from July, 1984, shows the original torch of the Statue of Liberty being removed from her grasp, in New York
The flame resembled a stained-glass sculpture lying on its specially designed flatbed truck. That’s because the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who also designed Mount Rushmore, ‘put all the holes in it with amber glass’ during a 1916 redesign, park Superintendent John Piltzecker said. ‘It led to the flame’s deterioration.’
The torch was further weakened in July of that year by the Black Tom explosion, an act of German sabotage at a munitions plant nearby in Jersey City.
The 1980s gilt flame that the statue is holding now restores sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi’s original design, officials said.
The old torch, meanwhile, made another fundraising trip at the end of 1984, traveling to Pasadena, where it starred in the Rose Parade.
A trench was dug under the statue so that the 16-foot original torch could be moved into the pedestal when it returned to New York.
It couldn’t depart the pedestal that way Thursday, Piltzecker said. ‘It had to come out in two pieces.’
Joining the torch’s two pieces was a full-scale copper replica of the statue’s face. The torch and the face will be highlights of the new $100 million museum, which is scheduled to open in May 2019.

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Owners of $2.8m intercepted at Enugu airport speak up

The management of Union Bank, owners of the $2.8m intercepted at Enugu airport, has explained that the men who were arrested at the by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were on a legitimate assignment.
EFCC operatives had paraded two men on Friday as alleged fraudsters, who were in possession of $2.8 million.
However, In tweets posted on its official Twitter page, Union Bank explained that the operation was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
“Movement of cash across states is routine for all bank. Bankers Warehouse is licensed by CBN to provide Cash-in-Transit services,” the bank said.
“We are surprised by the release of a news bulletin prior to the completion of @officialefcc investigation. This is a legitimate and routine operation consistent with banking.”
Similarly, Bankers Warehouse has reacted to the development by writing the CBN.
In a letter addressed to the CBN Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ijebor, Bankers Warehouse head of operations, said the EFCC insisted on detaining their employees despite the means of identification provided.
“Despite the information provided, the EFCC insisted on detaining our employees, taking possession of our goods and threatening to confiscate the currency, without making themselves available to our senior managers or other agencies familiar with our movements,” the letter read.
“We seek your intervention as our regulator, to address this issue of constant harassment of our staff, by security agencies.”

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2019: Who is afraid of APGA’s Ukachukwu in Anambra South?

OF all the primaries organized by political parties for the 2019 polls in Anambra State, that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for Anambra South Senatorial seat held at the Ekwulobia township stadium, was the most keenly contested.
APGA
The transparently organized contest at which all the aspirants sat side by side, monitoring it live, and intermittently throwing glances sideways at others, observers, party faithful, supporters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, security agents, and the print/broadcast/social media had gone down the record books as the freest and most keenly contested, until now.
The election stretched into the night but all the participating political heavyweights waited patiently because they knew that this primary election was the key determining point in their 2019 senatorial aspiration.
The screened and cleared aspirants included Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr Okey Chidolue, Dr Anslem Enyimba, and Chief Ikenna Mbazulike-Amechi.
One by one, the delegates trickled-in as they were called, council after council. They were also dutifully handed the ballot papers and had to cast their ballot as they entered the arena.
When the results were collated and announced, Prince Ukachukwu won with 211 votes, followed by Ambassador Ojukwu, 177 votes. Dr Enyimba and Mbazulike-Amechi scored two votes each, while Dr Chidolue got one vote.
These aspirants, like good sportsmen instantly shared warm handshakes with Ukachukwu, the popular choice. Mbazulike-Amechi and Chidolue led in this display of open comradeship as they embraced Ukachukwu very warmly in the full view of all.
Chidolue reportedly followed up this with a telephone message and had to personally lead a delegation to Ukachukwu’s Orsumenyi country home to commend him, saying ‘a better man won.’
It was therefore shocking to hear of the Abuja High court verdict which was said to have been initiated by the same Chidolue. That he had tried to cast aspersions on the same primary election he sat through to the end to witness fully and had commended the winner is surprising.
It’s however not in the corridor of anyone to question his right of litigation or disagreement as it is his inalienable right as a human being to approach the court at any moment in life for any issue he was not clear or satisfied with. But must this be made to throw mud on the face of justice and fair play?
Of all that participated in the primary election, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu came closest to the winner. She raised other issues, which did not question the validity of the contest. Thank God the immediate past National Secretary of the party, and the incumbent governorship flagbearer in Zamfara state, Alh Sanni Shinkafi has publicly acknowledged that her grouse had been resolved.
So where is this Chidolue issue emanating from?
Some had also asked what manner of judgement was that? What purpose has the so-called judgement served him, his friends outside APGA or APGA followers bent on rallying round Ukachukwu to give the zone a worthwhile representation in the next Senate?
Nigerians and the world are keenly watching to see how the Court of Appeal would handle this matter.
Mr Chuks Collins, a media practioner, wrote from Awka, Anambra State.

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Access Diamond Merger And Other Events In The Week

Everything you need to live well
Worldwide, this holiday season pulled off a so-so surprise on many as people saw a coach lose his high-end job, acquisition and racism.
Here is a rundown of the week:
Wizkid On Mourinho Sack



Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho gestures during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Nigerian Afro-pop star Wizkid shaded Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho after he got sacked by his last employers Manchester United. Manchester United announced that Jose Mourinho has left the club, days after the team’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool.
After the news of his sack, the social media space went agog with many of the United fans, who were not pleased with Mourinho’s recent outings at the club.
While Wizkid was tweeting about his concert at Eko Hotel in Lagos, a Nigerian twitter user engaged him on the sack. Wizkid then replied saying, “E dey happen. Mourinho go dey Eko hotel tmrw,” Wizkid continued in a comical manner”

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Money Laundering : How we’re repatriating Diezani to face trial – FG

…says not yet time to bring in INTERPOL
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor
The Nigerian Government confirmed last night that it had begun processing legal papers to expedite the extradition of former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to face trial in Nigeria over alleged money laundering and illicit oil deals.
Diezani Alison-Madueke
Although the government has not given any specific amount of money reportedly diverted by the former minister, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has linked her to several matters, including receiving gifts in luxury homes and plots of lands in highbrow locations while in office, and has filed charges in a federal court against her.
A top official of the Federal Ministry of Justice confirmed to Sunday Vanguard last night that the Nigerian Government had started processing papers that would give effect to the Federal High Court order directing the EFCC and the security agencies to produce the former minister to stand trial in the country.
Badeh’s death ‘crude and senseless’ – Magu
The top official, who is familiar with the processes regarding the extradition of the former powerful Jonathan administration figure, said, “It is true that in line with the order of the federal high court, we have filed an application to kick-start the repatriation of the former minister so that she can formally be arraigned.
“The true position is that the extradition processes were initiated since last year and there is need to begin the arraignment of the suspect. But we also need to formally file the request with the United Kingdom so that she can be released.
“There is no way the prosecution agency of government can make progress without the accused person being produced in court.
“I can confirm that we have both the request by the EFCC and the FHC order to produce the woman and we are currently processing what we need to table before the UK”.
Asked to confirm if the government had made any request to INTERPOL to extradite Diezani as widely claimed in some media, the top source said there was no need to bring in INTERPOL when the request to bring back the accused has not yet been made to the British Government.
“As at today, it is the Mutual Legal Assistance process that is being processed by the OHAGF for onward transmission to the UK. It is only after that is done and if the suspect declines to turn herself in, that assistance of the international police could be sought to arrest her. But we have not reached that stage yet,” the official explained.
The federal government is miffed that the former minister embarked on many oil deals and made the country to lose money through many of such schemes.
But the former minister has maintained her innocence, saying she did her best to sanitize the industry and rake in cash for the country through many schemes, one of them, Strategic Sales Agreement, SSA

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