Messi commutes prison sentence to fine

Messi commutes prison sentence to fine

Spain’s public prosecutor has agreed to substitute Lionel Messi’s suspended 21-month prison sentence for tax fraud with a fine.
The Barcelona superstar was given the jail term last July after being found guilty – alongside his father Jorge – of three counts of tax fraud.
It was ruled that Messi, between 2007 and 2009, defrauded Spain of 4.1million euros relating to earnings from image rights.
An appeal against the sentence was rejected by the Spanish Supreme Court in May. However, Spanish news agency EFE reports that the public prosecutor has agreed to substitute the sentence for a fine of 255,000 euros.

Source: Vanguard

Tanzania President ban teenage mothers from going back to school

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has placed a ban restricting school girls who get impregnated from going back to school. The President made this known while addressing Bagamoyo District residents during his three-day-tour of Coast Region on Thursday.

Magufuli accused some of the nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), which have been urging the Tanzanian government to allow teen mothers back to school, of being used by foreign agents.

“There are many things that girls, who are impregnated can do after delivery; they can join VETA (Vocational Education Training Authority centres), they can learn sewing but they can’t go back to school,” said President Magufuli.

According to him,  if such girls were to be allowed back to school, then they would encourage other girls to engage in sex.

“If we were to allow them back to school, one day we will find all girls who are in Standard One have babies,” said President Magufuli.

It's understood that for some months now Magufuli's administration has been pressured by some NGOs to allow teen mothers back to school but the President is giving no room to grant such decision.


The NGOs advocating for girls’ rights to education, are said to be urging the government to formulate a legal framework that would allow teenage mothers to resume studies after giving birth.

Linda Ikeji at 6/24/2017 05:23:00 am

Video: I am a practising Christian, Muslim and a traditionalist- Ooni of Ife says

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, says he is a practicing Christian, Muslim & Traditionalist. The Ooni who has been seen attending church services and also some traditional activities in Ile-Ife, said this in a recent interview with The Osasu Show.

According to him,  there is nothing demonic in our ancient traditional religion. 


"I love my religion to pray. I go to the mosque to pray. I go to the church for service. Yes, you are correct that I am a traditionalist Yes you are correct that I was born a christian, but the only one that you didn't add is that I am a practising Muslim as well. I will tell you something that people don't understand. Every religion is one but we have a different perspective of the different religions because God is one. He is a Uni-three God. I have been able to see the light that there is nothing that is demonic in our ancient traditional religion"he said

2019: No referendum no elections in southeast – Nnamdi Kanu

2019: No referendum no elections in southeast – Nnamdi Kanu

Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has said that If the Federal Government does not agree to conduct referendum fro Biafra there will not be any form of election in the Southeast during the 2019 general elections.
“If the Federal Government does not agree with us on a date for referendum, there will be no elections in the southeast, we are starting with Anambra come November this year. There will be no governorship election in Anambra State”, Mr. Kanu said in a video on Youtube.
He went further to say “In 2019, the whole of Biafra land will not vote for any president. There will be no Senator, there will be no House of Reps, there will be no House of Assembly and there will be no Councilor-ship elections in Biafra land if they fail to call for a referendum.”
He also said that “Nigerian government should build as many prisons as possible to jail all Biafrans because there is no going back and we are ready to go there unless the federal government gives us Biafra.
“We are not like any other people. People like us don’t come twice. That’s why I know that with the last breath in this very body that Biafra will be restored. There’s nothing anybody can do about it. Tell them that’s what I said. Nobody on this earth can stop Biafra,”
“In 2019, the whole of Biafra land will not vote for any president. There will be no Senator, there will be no House of Reps, there will be no House of Assembly and there will be no Councilor-ship elections in Biafra land if they (federal government) fail to call for a referendum.

Source: Vanguard

INEC SETS DATE FOR DINO MELAYE’S RECALL PROCEEDINGS

INEC SETS DATE FOR DINO MELAYE’S RECALL PROCEEDINGS

Barely 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) got a petition to recall Senator Dino Melaye from his Kogi West constituents, July 3 was set as the commencement date for the recall process of the senator.
INEC has also notified the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District of the petition seeking his recall.
In a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, the electoral body acknowledged the receipt of the petition submitted on Wednesday by the electorate from Melaye’s district.
The statement signed by Mallam Mohammed Haruna, a National Commissioner and member, Information and Voter Education Committee said:
“INEC has set 3rd July date for the commencement of the verification exercise to ascertain the authenticity of the signatories.”
The date for the verification, he said, was arrived at INEC’s weekly meeting where the issue was discussed yesterday.
The statement further reads:
“The independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held its regular weekly meeting today (yesterday) and considered the petition submitted by some registered voters from Kogi West Senatorial District to kick start the proces of recalling Senator Dino Melaye.
“In accordance with the INEC guidelines for the recall of members of the National Assembly, the Commission has formally acknowledged the reciept of the petition to the petitioners’ representatives and has conveyed a letter notifying Senator Melaye of our reciept of the petition.
“The next step is to verify that the petitioners are registered voters in the Kogi West Senatorial District.
“INEC will on the 3rd of July, 2017, issue a public notice stating the day (s), time, location and other details for the verification exercise.”

Source: The Nation

Salah joins Liverpool

Salah joins Liverpool

Liverpool on Thursday completed the signing of Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah from AS Roma for a fee reported to be 39 million euros ( $ 43 .5 million ) .
The 25 - year -old agreed a five -year contract with the Premier League giants.
Salah , who has also played for Basel , Chelsea and Fiorentina , has been capped 52 times , scoring 29 international goals .
“I ’m very excited to be here . I ’m very happy ,” said Salah who spent two seasons at Roma where he grabbed 29 goals in 65 Serie A appearances .
“I will give 100 per cent and give everything for the club . I really want to win something for this club .
“We have a great team and very good players . I was watching the games last year and everyone was giving 100 per cent to win something .
“Everyone can see the coach gives everything . I hope to see that together we can give everything to win something for the club , for the supporters and for us .”
Salah was a long -term target of Liverpool , who previously tried to sign him three years ago when they were pipped by Chelsea , and current manager Jurgen Klopp was keen to add more pace to his side .
Klopp said he had been a fan of the winger since his early days at Basel and believes his experience in Italy will be key for a Liverpool side returning to the Champions League next season .
“He knows the Premier League, he has pedigree in the Champions League and he is one of the most important players for his country ,” Klopp told www .liverpoolfc .com .
“His record in Italy has been outstanding and he possesses qualities that will enhance our team and squad . I have followed him since he emerged at Basel and he has matured into a really good player .
“His pace is incredible , he gives us more attacking threat and we are already strong in this area . I like that we will make it even more competitive .
“Most important though, for us , is that he is hungry , willing and eager to be even better and improve further . He believes in what we are trying to do here at Liverpool and is extremely keen to be part of it. He is very excited about performing for our wonderful supporters.
“He is an ambitious player who wants to win and win at the highest level ; he knows he can fulfil those ambitions with Liverpool .
Klopp has already signed England ’s Under -20 World Cup winner Dominic Solanke after his contract expired with Chelsea , with a fee likely to be decided by a tribunal .
While Salah will be the second arrival of the summer there are a number of players surplus to requirements and Liverpool have already turned down a bid for left- back Alberto Moreno from Napoli.

Source: Punch

Falana: man giving Igbo quit notice lives in Lagos

Falana: man giving Igbo quit notice lives in Lagos

Rights activist and constitutional lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said yesterday that the leader of the northern youth group that issued a three months ultimatum to the Igbo to vacate the North does not live in the North, but in Lagos.
Falana however said the restructuring and true federalism must be resolved now for Nigeria to make progress. He spoke at a news conference organised by organised labour in Abuja.
To Falana, it is laughable that certain individuals will sit down in the comfort of their homes to issue ultimatum to others to vacate their land.
He said: “The founding fathers of our country opted for federalism. Ours is not the only federation in the world. The United States that we copy almost recklessly is a federation of over 50 states. If you look at the motto of the United States, it is out of many, one nation has emerged.
“All of us were celebrating the emergence of Obama as President of America. Obama is not just an African/American, he is an African because his direct father was an immigrant from Kenya. But if we can celebrate the emergence of Obama in the US, is it possible here? That is the challenge before us.
“In the recently concluded elections in the United Kingdom, seven Nigerians emerged as legislators. Can we look at this challenge before us and stop fanning those things that can divide us. Information is very crucial to all of us and I want to say this publicly.
“The man who is giving quit notice does not live in the North; he lives in Lagos. I am saying this, Shettima Yerima lives in Lagos. He is a Lagos man. So to live in Lagos and be giving quit notice is not the answer.”
Condemning Northern Elders Forum spokesman Prof. Ango Abdullahi for supporting the quit notice, the lawyer said: “on May 23, 1986, four young people were killed at the Ahmadu Bello University. I am saying this because somebody has said we are supporting this quit notice. Prof. Ango Abdullahi was the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University.
“When those students were killed by the police, he came out and said only four students were killed. That angered Nigerians, particularly Nigerian students, and there were protests. One of the universities where that protest was very successful was the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
“The man who led that protest was the late Chima Ubani. The state did not like that there was a national protest against the killing of students. The government did not arrest people in the North; they did not arrest students who were demonstrating in the West.
“The Babangida regime went for Chima Ubani and arraigned him and eight of his colleagues under a military decree that required that they be sentenced to death. I left Lagos and went to Enugu to defend those young men and we got them freed. When they returned to campus, the Vice Chancellor expelled them. Again, I went to court and got them freed.
“This story is important because a Hausa Vice Chancellor invited police and they killed four young Hausa people. Nigerian students protested and an Igbo young man led that protest in the East against injustice. There are lawyers in the east, but a Yoruba lawyer from from the west went to free them.
“So, we must look at those things that tie us together and not those ones that the ruling class are using to divide our people. Poverty is the same all over the country; injustice is injustice all over. So, there is no nation without challenges and there is no nation without problems. It is the ability of a nation to rise to the challenge that matters.
“Those who are talking about restructuring, many of them are talking in the air. We must concretise this now. You can’t have political restructuring without economic restructuring. If you are talking about restructuring, you can’t be selling the assets of the country to individuals.
“How can a serious nation be giving oil blocks to individuals when states are broke. You are not giving these oil blocks to states. States are not buying electricity companies. We have just been informed that what is owed to pensioners who have served our fatherland is N300 billion. Just this week, the Federal Government released N701 billion to those who bought our electricity companies. Initially, they were given N300 billion. That is over one trillion naira to manage darkness in our country. So, please, let us begin to ask relevant questions.
“On the national conference, don’t be carried away because power is not given without a fight. Those who want implementation of the recommendations of the conference should be prepared for a struggle with Labour and with progressive extraction of the civil society.
“The most important recommendation is never touched by the ruling class. The most important recommendation is chapter two of the constitution that the fundamental objective of the state shall be made justiciable. In other words, right to education, right to health, right to unemployment benefits and living minimum wage, which are all set out in that chapter.
“Those who are talking of restructuring and federalism are not interested in these areas. But we must all remind them that the Awolowos, the Ahmadu Bellos and the Azikiwes of this world addressed social services for our people. That is no longer the case. So, please this talk about restructuring and federalism must be concretised.
“You can’t be going to Abuja every month to take money and yet, you are talking of true federalism. True federalism means you must produce what you need in your area and then, we can ask everybody to pay tax.”
Falana went on: “There are two laws that have made education free and compulsory from primary t junior secondary school. The Child Rights Act and the Universal Basic Education Act. If we make those laws implementable, we are not going to have children who are hawking good on the street and many of the young people that are being recruited into terrorist groups and the rest of them.
“We must also insist in the National Health Act that provides that one percent of the national budget shall go towards servicing health. We only talk of the budget of the Federal Government whereas the money that goes out of the federation account is shared into three.
“While the Federal Government takes 52 percent, the states and local governments take 48 percent. As we talk of the federal budget, we must also scrutinise the budget of the states and local governments.”

Source: The Nation

New York's highest court welcomes first openly gay judge

New York's highest court welcomes first openly gay judge
By Kylee Tsuru, CNN

Friends and family applaud as New York Court of Appeals Associate Judge Paul Feinman, center, is confirmed on Wednesday, June 21, 2017.

Senator Brad Hoylman, one of five openly gay members of New York's State Legislature who urged the governor to appoint an LGBT person to the Court of Appeals, called the confirmation "an important perspective that has been missing on the court."

"It is a watershed moment for the LGBT rights in the state of New York," said Hoylman. "It comes at a time when gay rights are under assault from Washington, DC and LGBT people and their families feel under siege."
Two of the seven candidates recommended to take the open seat were openly gay. But it was 57-year-old Feinman whose seat was confirmed amid Pride Month celebrations of the progress the LGBT community has made. He is the first openly LGBT justice to be confirmed in the Court of Appeal's 170-year history.
"Certainly my entire career has been about promoting equal access and equal justice for all, and I hope to add to the diversity of perspectives that the court considers," he said.

Feinman, the newest justice on the Court of Appeals, is a Long Island native and the third of five children. He first took interest in matters of law while navigating the "maze that is the social services network" as an intern in Columbia University's legal internship program.
"I learned being a lawyer is a helping profession," he said before the Senate at his confirmation hearing.

His robust legal career began as an attorney at Legal Aid Society, where he provided legal aid to low-income New Yorkers as a public defender. He served the law in a host of positions, including civil court judge, acting New York State Supreme Court justice and, most recently, associate justice for New York's Supreme Court.

After working for 31 years in state courts and 20 years as a judge, Feinman finds himself confirmed to serve a 14-year term on New York's highest court.

The seat was left vacant by another trailblazer: the late Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam was the first African-American woman to serve on New York's highest court. Abdus-Salaam was found dead in April when police pulled her body from the Hudson River. In May investigators concluded her death was likely a suicide, but family members challenged the idea she would take her own life.

Feinman joins six other judges on the diverse Court of Appeals, three of whom are women.

"Justice Feinman will be an exceptional addition to New York's highest court," New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "He is a talented jurist who has dedicated his career to public service and standing up for a fairer and more just New York."

Feinman was the former president of the International Association of LGBT judges. He is a member of the Richard C. Failla LGBT Commission, which promotes fair treatment of LGBT issues and LGBT members of the court community.

“I HOPE I DON'T GET KILLED FOR BEING BACK TODAY.”

“I HOPE I DON'T't GET KILLED FOR BEING BACK TODAY.”
By Andrew Lind

Cleveland Heights four-star defensive end Tyreke Smith didn't have much to prove during Ohio State's one-day camp on Saturday, as he's already one of the most sought-after prospects in the country. In addition to holding an offer from the Buckeyes, programs such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, UCLA and USC are pulling out all the stops to get him to commit.

Smith showed up anyway, and used the camp as an opportunity to mingle with Ohio State commits — and potentially his future teammates — Emory Jones, Jaelen Gill and Dallas Gant. He also spent a significant amount of time with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who pulled him to the side for some one-on-one instruction.

But none of that was the talk of the camp. Instead, it was Smith's shirt that grabbed everyone's attention.

“I hope I don't get killed for being black today.”

That's a powerful message from a 17-year-old kid who shouldn't even have to worry about losing his life, but that's also a reality for so many young African-Americans across the country. Smith lives in a county that saw a state-high 168 homicides last year, and he wants to use his platform as a star athlete to make a positive impact on his community.

“I decided to wear the shirt because I wanted to bring attention to the epidemic of blacks being killed at an alarming rate,” Smith said. “What we would like to do is have people talk about these issues to reduce the murder rate of African-Americans.”

Now before you rush to judgment, understand that Smith isn't just talking about the Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice and other examples of police brutality that seemingly dominate headline news. He's also talking about the black-on-black crime that is destroying his city brick by brick.

“The shirt was created to bring light into the every day problems that blacks face between police and black-on-black crimes,” Tyreke's older brother, Malik, said. “The shirt exemplifies a voice that we have, but may not be heard. So why not have people see it?”

Saturday's camp, with hundreds of prospects, parents and reporters in attendance, was the perfect time for that to happen. Smith knew he would be photographed and that it would create instant conversation on social media.

“He asked me if he should wear it, [and] I said, 'Absolutely, Tyreke,'” Malik said, explaining how he was the one who made the shirt. “I told him to be ready for people to want to voice their own opinion about the shirt — good or bad. I also told him to be ready to have an answer and be able to fully explain the shirt in great detail. He did just that.”

The response to Smith's actions have been overwhelmingly positive, with seven out of every 10 replies to his tweet showing support. Naturally, some are also not so kind.

“[They] are speaking negatively because they don't understand what's going on and the message behind it,” Tyreke said, noting he understands that not everyone will share his opinion.

But, then again, some people don't live in constant fear of someone taking their life. They don't have to worry about being shot for being out too late or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“To see or hear about so many senseless killings, it tends to have a negative impact on you,” Tyreke said. “You start to wonder if we should move away... but most, 'why?'”

Tyreke, with nearly 40 scholarship offers to his name, has the chance to remove himself from the situation. He'll get a world-class education and have a chance to make millions of dollars in the National Football League. But not everyone in Cleveland has the same outlet.

“I think the biggest reasons [for the crimes] are a lack of parenting, community policing and valuing education,” Tyreke said, who wisely beyond his years acknowledged his family, coaches and teachers for their influences on his life.

Smith knows the shirt — which can be purchased through direct message on Twitter — isn't going to put an end to the killing of black men and children in the inner cities. But if it brings the slightest bit of awareness, then he used his platform for good. And that's more than we should have to ask from a 17-year-old kid.

“We need to come together as a unit and stop coming after our own people,” Malik said. “We have to work together.”

Source: Eleven Warriors

Mississauga woman demanding white doctor 'a bigger issue,' OMA's president-elect says Amara McLaughlin

A woman insisting her son be examined by a “white doctor” at a Mississauga walk-in clinic on Sunday didn’t shock many medical community members who say it’s not an isolated incident, rather part of a bigger problem.
The incident at Rapid Access to Medical Specialists clinic, which sparked international backlash and prompted several to come forward with similar stories, was recorded on camera by Hitesh Bhardwaj, who was sitting in the waiting room at the time.

In the video, an unidentified woman repeatedly asks clinic staff to see a “white doctor” who “doesn’t have brown teeth” and “speaks English” to treat her son, who she claims has chest pains.

Ontario Medical Association president-elect Dr. Nadia Alam who practices family medicine in Georgetown, Ont. says she was “horrified.”

“It brought back memories of racism that I dealt with as a child, racism I dealt with as a medical student, as a resident and even as a practitioner,” Alam told CTV News Toronto on Wednesday.

'That kind of hateful and racist behaviour is unacceptable'

Reaction to the video attracted comment from Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins, who denounced the woman’s actions and said the province’s medical community won’t tolerate racism.

“That kind of hateful and racist behaviour is unacceptable no matter where it happens,” Hoskins said in a statement to CTV News Toronto. “Ontario’s strength comes from the diversity of its people and our government remains committed to fighting discrimination.”

Premier Kathleen Wynne also stepped into the debate, saying she was “shocked” by the woman’s racist rant.

“There is no place for that kind of behaviour, that kind of racism and hatred, quite frankly, in our society,” Wynne said on Tuesday.

'This is a bigger issue'

But more still needs to be done to confront racism in the healthcare system, Alam says, especially when it comes to doctors.

Legal policy enables doctors to refuse to treat a patient if they feel threatened, in similar situations like those at the Mississauga walk-in clinic, but there’s a “grey zone,” Alam added.

If doctors refuse to treat a patient, they may worry about a complaint being filed against them with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario – which regulates doctors in the province.

The provincial regulator says it doesn’t have a policy to address that situation, but stressed that the Ontario Human Rights Code states all those who provide services in the province are entitled to do so free from discrimination.

Under it policies, doctors may also consider cutting ties with a patient whose behaviour becomes inappropriate or abusive.

But Alam says “this is a bigger issue.”

“We need to not just find solutions to prevent it and deal with it, but also how to recover from it because it hurts at the end of the day, it just plain hurts to be devalued as a human being,” she said. 

Source: CTV News Toronto

KIDNAP KINGPIN EVANS MAY FACE THE DEATH PENALTY-LAGOS STATE

KIDNAP KINGPIN EVANS MAY FACE THE DEATH PENALTY-LAGOS STATE

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has signed into law Life Imprisonment or death penalty for the offence of Kidnap and forceful extortion in Lagos State as he signs into law the state kidnapping prohibition bill, 2016.
The law provides for death penalty for kidnappers whose victims die in their custody, and life imprisonment for the act of kidnapping.
The governor said that the law was enacted to address key issues bordering on security.
He said that kidnapping had become a major threat to the safety of residents and, therefore, required decisive action by the government.
“This law imposes a penalty of life imprisonment for kidnapping for ransom.
“The law stipulates that, where a victim dies in the course of kidnapping, the suspect is liable on conviction to death.
“Security is of utmost importance to our administration, and we are confident that this law will serve as a deterrent to anybody, who may desire to engage in this wicked act within the boundaries of Lagos State.
“Our justice system will be required to execute this law in absolute and make sure that any criminal caught, faces the full wrath of the law” he said.
This being said, the verdit for Evans lies between either the death penalty or life in prisonment.

Source: Vanguard

My recall, comedy of errors – Dino Melaye

My recall, comedy of errors – Dino Melaye

The political war between the Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello and the Senator representing Kogi west senatorial district, Sen. Dino Melaye has unarguably gathered momentum and thus raised lots of political arguments, turbulent and social quagmire in Kogi state.
However, Dino has called his recent 52.3% constituency voters endorsement recall a ‘comedy of error’ and ‘a recall fraud’ sponsored by Yahaya Bello, that will soon end.
According to him ” It can not succeed. It is a hoax and absolute comedy of errors. I’m laughing at the stupidity of Kogi state government.
Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello and Dino Melaye
“Many appointees will go to jail for forgery. Even dead peoples name on the recall register, he said. Sen. Dino proving the recall results to be unsubstantial wrote, “A governor who does not know what double registration is may not as well know the procedure for recall. Every lie has an expiry date, he said.
In furtherance to the recall results, Dino said, ” This comedy of error will soon end. No shaking at all. This won’t solve the problem of not paying salaries for over 15 months. “No retreat no surrender. Truth is my only defense.
Moreover, Dino threatening those he called ‘Yahaya boys’ opined, “Jail call for Yahaya boys. Gov. Bello is embarrassing literacy. The speed with which GYB got over 180,000 signatures deserve the attention of Guinness Book of Records. When less than 112,000 voted in 2015” he finally said via his tweeter handle.
Reacting to the fight between the duo, @Olisafincy said, “Fighting Dino Melaye is like fighting the son of God. The matter will take its position which is under the carpet”.
Similarly, @Bilapeter said, “GYB should channel his energy to ensuring that all state owned institutions he closed down are reopened and not recall”.
The Independent Electoral Commission ‘INEC’ is yet to react on the submission made to it on Wednesday. Details to unfold as we wait for INEC’s reaction.

Source: Vanguard

Poor people should not be in charge of economy – Trump

Poor people should not be in charge of economy – Trump

President Donald Trump said he wouldn ’t want a poor person in charge of the economy , as he defended his cabinet , which is thought to be the wealthiest in the country ’s history.
“Somebody said , ‘Why did you appoint a rich person to be in charge of the economy ?’” he told supporters at rally in Iowa .
“So I said … . because that ’s the kind of thinking we want… because they’re representing the country .”
Making a particular reference to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross , a billionaire former investor , Trump said : , “ They don ’t want the money. And they had to give up a lot to take up these jobs .”
Trump , himself a billionaire , went on to refer to Gary Cohn , his chief economic advisor.
“This is the president of Goldman Sachs . Smart . Having him represent us , he went from massive paydays to peanuts, to little tiny … I ’m waiting for them to accuse him of wanting that little amount of money.
“These are people that are great , brilliant business minds , and that ’s what we need , that ’s what we have to have so the world doesn ’t take advantage of us .
“We can ’t have the world taking advantage of us any more . And I love all people , rich or poor , but in those particular positions I just don’ t want a poor person.

“Does that make sense ? Does that make sense ?
“If you insist I ’ll do it but I like it better this way , right ?”
Trump ’s Secretary of Education , Betsy DeVos is also a billionaire heiress , while Secretary of State , Rex Tillerson , the former boss of oil giant Exxon, is thought to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Other rich appointees include Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , a former hedge fund manager , and Housing Secretary Ben Carson , who made his fortune selling books on his career in medicine and his political ideas.

Source: Punch

Fear grips UNIMAID after Boko Haram attack

Fear grips UNIMAID after Boko Haram attack

University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) students are yet to recover from the shock of a Boko Haram attack in the Borno State capital a fortnight ago. They are calling on the government and the school to improve security around the campus. FALMATA KYARI AHMAD (300-Level Mass Communication) reports.
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital – one of the epicentres of Boko Haram insurgency – came under a vicious attack by insurgents penultimate week. The attack left bloodshed and destruction in its wake. The armed insurgents invaded the city and opened fire on residents. The attack, which came after a lull, preceded Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to the state.
Days after terror, a pall of fear has enveloped the city, as the beleaguered residents still reel with apprehension. Members of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) community are also frightened, having witnessed a similar scene of horror last January when a suicide bomber invaded the campus to blow up the school’s central mosque.
Although, the security situation is not new to members of the school, students are worried by the pockets of attack aimed at the campus by the Boko Haran insurgents. Tension is high among students and members of staff over the security measures on the campus.
Some of the assailants, who previously carried out successful attacks on the campus, either disguised as students, or sneaked into the campus through the bush.
Usman Maina, a 200-Level Biological Science student, said he is concerned about the measures put in place by the school authorities to secure the campus. According to him, the management must ensure there is no laxity in measures put in place to secure the campus.
He said: “Some of the attacks on our campus were not expected, because security guards usually vet people coming into the campus through the usual entrances to the school. Despite that they verify Identity (ID) Cards or other means of identification before allowing the people in, suicide bombers and criminals still found their way into the campus. So, we don’t understand how the attackers find their way in to launch attacks.”
Usman urged the school authorities to step up security screening of all vehicles visiting the campus, adding that the school security personnel must stop the habit of allowing VIP vehicles into the campus without being screened.
He added: “Some students come into the school in VIP vehicles. They are allowed into the school without being subjected to security screening. This is a dangerous practice. The terrorists can easily come in through that way.”
Reliving the last attack, Malam Amiruddeen Muhammad, an employee of the school, said he escaped being hit by stray bullet by the whiskers, as he left the school for his home.
He said: “I was on my way home from work when I heard sporadic gunshots. Initially, I thought it was a military exercise, because soldiers usually do their training with gunshots and residents of Maiduguri are used to that. I discovered it was Boko Haram attack when I got to NNPC Depot Bus Stop, where I saw people running in different directions.
“I had no option than turning back to the school immediately. I saw some of the Boko Haram terrorists in polo-shirts, shooting at residents. People from different parts of the town and those around Damboa Road fled for safety. It was traumatic for me, seeing so many wounded people.”
Muhammad said the incident indicated that Boko Haram still posed a danger to the state, noting that the school is a constant target of Boko Haram attacks because of the sect’s abhorrence for western education. He urged security agencies to invest in intelligence gathering and sharing to nip potential attacks in the bud.
Abdulfattah Usman, a 300-Level Language and Linguistics student, noted that suicide bombers found their way into the school because of sloppy security measure. He said security should be strengthened at strategic points around the school, noting that securing only Gate One of the school will be counterproductive to efforts being made by the school.
He said: “I would advice that surveillance cameras be mounted in all important locations on campus so that people entering and leaving can be monitored. There should be an electronic alert gadget that will alert security men,whenever a bomb is been planted.”
Mustapha Modu Bama, a Postgraduate Mass Communication student, said the recent attack in Maiduguri showed that the school is not immune to similar incidents. He advised the school authorities to rise up to the challenge and secure the campus.
According to Halima Abba Waziri, a 300-Level Management student, the school’s security men are taking students’ lives for granted. She said: “I commend the courage of the VC in his efforts to make the campus safe, but I do not trust the security men at the gate. They only conduct checks on vehicles randomly. They don’t do proper checking. All they do is to ask students to display their ID cards even at a distance. Losing a llife will not be tolerated, because the kinds of security measures we have in place is not enough.”
Zara Abba Lawan, a 300-Level Public Administration student, said security is the basis of survival of any society, adding that the school cannot afford to sacrifice security of lives and property on the campus.
She said the school needed to deploy “highly trained” security personnel to ensure safety within and outside the university.
He said: “There should be improved security on campus. They should ensure strict security checks at mosques, churches and other places of worship. The government needs to do something about the insurgency and the deadly attacks, because lives and properties are being lost and people are always living in fear. I think it is high time a new strategy was applied to prevent attacks, especially on educational institutions.”
Another student, Ruqaiyya Yusoof, said: “We live in fear every day and we face a lot of threats, because the university is considered a soft target for violent attacks. Government needs to take all threats seriously.”
Although the government said it had reduced the sect’s power to launch large-scale attacks, Boko Haram’s capability to launch attacks on soft targets seems underestimated. If the government’s security strategy is not reviewed and improved, students fear that there may not be an end in sight to the violence within and around the campus.

Source: The Nation

ASUU to Ambode: Save LASU before it collapses

ASUU to Ambode: Save LASU before it collapses

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has called on Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who is the Visitor to the Lagos State University (LASU), to save the institution from imminent collapse by calling on the Vice Chancellor, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun to comply with the laws governing the institution.
The union alleged that Fagbohun was aiding corruption by frustrating attempts to probe the alleged mismanagement of N1.3 billion NEEDS Assessment Fund (2013) allocation to the university under the immediate past administration.
The union’s Coordinator, Lagos Zone, Prof. Olusiji Sowande, who addressed areporters in LASU on Tuesday, urged the government to implement the Universities Miscellaneous Provisions Act, which the union signed with the Federal Government in 2009.
At present, the unions said the Universities Miscellaneous (Provisions Act] 2009 as amended in 2012 and last year, in and known as LASU Law, allows members in the professorial cadre to retire at 70, recommends a single tenure of five years for vice chancellors. The union is, however, worried that the part that affects other top principals in the university were excluded. The union said it suspected management’s plan of renewing the appointments of top principals since that aspect had not yet been amended
‘’The (Universities Miscellaneous) law stipulates that the Registrar, Bursar and Librarian shall have a single term of five years; yet LASU continues to run a renewable tenure which is no doubt a potential flashpoint likely to heat up the polity sooner than later as other principal officers of the university conclude their tenure in May,2018,’’ ASUU said.
Fagbohun also accused of refusing to appoint a Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), 18 months since he assumed duties in flagrant disregard of the LASU Law 2014 in Schedule 1 (Section 4{1).
‘’Professor Fagbohun has taken the quest for totalitarian powers to such a height that his decision of the Governing Council are now implemented in breach: One case is the decision of Council on the new conditions and scheme of service for junior and Senior members of staff adopted since Thursday, October 20,2006 at its 112th statutory meeting where it stated that the university administration should do the final editorial work within three week; but the question is: ‘are the three weeks still ongoing since October 2016 till date?’’’
In his response however, management described the union’s allegations as untrue.
The university’s Acting Head Information Unit Martin Adekoya said the administration had been most complaint with Council’s directive since it came on board in January, last year.
“Let me tell you that those allegations are not true,” Adekoya told our reporter on the phone on Tuesday.
He continued: “When Council gives a directive to management, do not forget that management will still has to delegate that responsibility, perhaps through committees or some organs that will report back to it. In the end, management will still report to the Council on what it has done about the directive so far.
“Let me also say some of the academic staff are part of the Council. So, if management failed to comply with a directive, what have those members done at the level of the Council to ensure the management complies?
“On the five-year single term for other principal officers, let me say categorically that there is no official paper or document backing that for now.
“I remember that during the immediate past administration, ASUU lobbied its way to the Lagos State House of Assembly to agitate for one single term of five years for vice chancellor which was eventually approved by the governor. If they (ASUU) want same for other principals, they should return to the House of Assembly, which has the statutory right to grant their request by amending that aspect of LASU Law; and until that is done, those serving in that capacity now are still eligible to contest.”

Source: The Nation

Michael Bloomberg to Trump: Stop Tweeting and Run the Government

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has some advice for how President Donald Trump can remove the cloud of the Russia investigation over his presidency.

"Stop tweeting and focus on running the government," Bloomberg said Tuesday on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360".

"If there's an allegation, you have to have a competent independent investigation that will either find something wrong or remove the cloud. It is very difficult to govern when there's a cloud around you."

The billionaire businessman argued that the President needs to "prove there's nothing there," adding that "you can't just say there's nothing there."

Clinton 'never got a real message out'

Bloomberg has been associated with both the Democratic and Republican parties, but now identifies as an independent.

"I didn't vote for Donald Trump, who is a very nice guy, but I don't think he's the right person to be President of the United States for a variety of reasons," Bloomberg said.

Speaking on whether the Democrats had a message for the 2020 presidential cycle, the former three-term mayor cited messaging.

"Hillary never got a real message out," Bloomberg said.
Clinton's message was "don't vote for that guy and the gender issue, whereas, Donald had a saying, 'make America great again,'" Bloomberg added. "I don't know what again means, but 'America.' That's patriotic. And 'great' -- that's a good word."

On the issue of climate change, Bloomberg said the President's refusal to acknowledge that it's real is "embarrassing."

 

 

"No reputable person or scientist doubts that we are creating an environmental and a climate change problem," Bloomberg said.

After President Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement his charitable organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced it would put together $15 million to "support the operations" of the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change, the arm of the UN that coordinates the Paris accord.

Bloomberg said, "Is it helpful that America pulls out and the President says these things?" No, it is not helpful. Is it a disaster for the world? No, it just makes us look foolish."

RAPED THEN REJECTED, STIGMA DRIVES FORMER GIRL SOLDIERS BACK INTO CONGO'S MILITIAS

DAKAR — Stigma and rejection from their communities after returning home from armed groups are driving former girl soldiers in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo back into the militias, where they are prey to violence and sexual abuse, a charity said this week.

For many girls in the conflict-ravaged east of the country, the pain of being spurned by their families and friends as survivors of rape was worse than the violence itself, according to a report by Britain-based Child Soldiers International (CSI).

"It is better to die there than come home and be rejected," said one of the 150 former girl soldiers interviewed by CSI.

Eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed groups that menace civilians and exploit mineral reserves. About a third of child soldiers are estimated to be girls, who are often married off to militants, abused and raped, activists say.

While most girl soldiers in the vast central African nation are abducted by armed groups, others join voluntarily to obtain food and money, to seek protection against violence, or because their families cannot afford to pay their school fees, CSI says.

Yet despite witnessing violence and suffering sexual abuse, some girls in militias do not want to return home for fear of shame and stigma, while many of those who do so end up rejoining the armed groups, said Sandra Olsson, program manager at CSI.

"It is shocking to see that stigma is one of the main reasons reintegration fails so badly for these girls," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. "Even after being home for years, many still suffer from exclusion and discrimination."

"We need to ensure these girls are accepted by their communities, rather than being frozen out," Olsson said. "If they don't receive support after returning home, they won't make it ... they will not survive," she added.

The government should ensure all former girl soldiers have education, vocational training, and medical care, and work with community leaders including priests and politicians to improve reintegration efforts, according to CSI.

One third of the 150 girls interviewed by CSI said they had received no assistance or support since returning home.

With violence on the rise nationally since December when President Joseph Kabila refused to step down at the end of his mandate, more girls could be forced into joining armed groups across the country, Olsson said.

Source: Voice of America

Ex Video Vixen/Actress, Venita Akpofure Shows Off Her Baby Bump

Actress and former video vixen, Venita Akofure-Tarka is expecting her second child with her husband. The couple already have a daughter born in April 2015. She posted a photo of her growing bump on Instagram and wrote: 

"I hardly share pregnancy pics. Because I usually am quite insecure about how I look during such a delicate and hormonal period. But...I felt like sharing this one today. My brother took this picture without me realising on one of his random inner city excursions I invited myself to . lol obviously lost in thought and concentration."

FG appeals CCT acquittal of Saraki

FG appeals CCT acquittal of Saraki

The Federal Government has appealed a court ruling that acquitted the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, of charges of corruption and false declaration of assets.
The Court of Conduct Tribunal last week cleared the Senate President of 13-count charge of corruption levelled against him.
The government yesterday at the Court of Appeal Abuja filed eleven grounds of appeal challenging the judgment of the CCT.
The notice of appeal was signed by Rotimi Jacobs SAN and Pius Akutah, an assistant Chief State Counsel.
The government is seeking an order setting aside the CCT judgment of June 14 that upheld the no case submission filed by Saraki at the close of the prosecution’s case.
The FG also prayed the Court of Appeal for an order calling upon Saraki to enter his defence.
The CCT on Wednesday last week cleared Saraki of the 18 count criminal charges over alleged false asset declaration brought against him.
Danladi Umar, the tribunal chairman said the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Mr. Saraki.
He therefore upheld the no-case submission made by the defendant’s counsel, Kanu Agabi.
In the notice of appeal which was filed yesterday, the government said the judgment was unconstitutional, without jurisdiction, unwarranted, unreasonable and against the weight of evidence.
It argued that the Tribunal failed to analyse and evaluate the evidence of the prosecution witnesses before reaching its no case submission.
The government held that the CCT failed to point out any apparent discredited evidence on the face of the record before upholding the no case submission.
According to the government, the power of the CCT when upholding a no case submission is to discharge Saraki and not to acquit him.
It said the findings of the CCT that EFCC did not invite Saraki was not supported by the evidence tendered by the prosecution which was Saraki’s handwritten statement made after caution.
It said the CCT failed to be bound by the judicial precedent of a superior court of record and has denied the government its right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution.
It was further stated that the CCT unfairly closed its eye to relevant testimony of prosecution witness and the various documents generated by the Guaranty Trust Bank which were admitted as evidence before the Court.

Source: The Sun

Facts Versus Fiction: Why Obama worked against Jonathan in 2015 – Omokri

Former President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, ensured former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 as punishment for the anti-same sex marriage law.

This was contained in a new book, “Facts Versus Fiction: The True Story of the Jonathan Years, Chibok, 2015 and the Conspiracies,” by Mr. Reno Omokri, who served as Special Assistant to Jonathan on Social Media.

The author also suggested that Obama’s then National Security Adviser, Ms. Susan Rice, and a governor of one of the northern states, could have been involved in the conspiracy towards the April 14, 2014, abduction of the 276 Chibok Secondary School girls by Boko Haram.

On the backlash over the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Law, Omokri said he met with Mr. Matthew T. Page, who until his resignation in 2016, was the US State Department’s top intelligence analyst on Nigeria, who gave him an insight into why Obama was bent on making sure Dr. Jonathan was not re-elected in 2015.
 

The author of the book said Obama had invited 12 northern governors to America for a meeting, which held in March 2014, to discuss “strategies for stabilization and development in Northern Nigeria.’’
Omokri said: “Mr. Page noted that the meeting at the United States Institute for Peace was innocuous but that when the governors proceeded to the closed-door sessions at the US State Department, things changed.

“According to Mr. Page, present at the State Department meeting were Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield ‘Tom’ Shannon Jr., Acting Deputy Secretary of State and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

“In my interview with him, Mr. Page revealed to me that after the anti-Jonathan tirades by these governors, they were shepherded to the White House on March 18, 2014, for more meetings.

“Even though Mr. Page attended the reception at the White House for the Northern governors, he did not make me privy to who were at that particular meeting, other than stating that the governors met with the then National Security Adviser, Susan Rice.
“Ms. Rice is, however, a known Nigerian specialist and was the person who on July 7, 1998, made the tea that the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 Nigerian Presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, drank minutes before passing away after reportedly foaming at the mouth.
“When I asked Mr. Page if he thought that the Obama administration was opposed to the re-election of the then President Jonathan, he paused and said, ‘my objective opinion is that it was not as if the administration was against Jonathan.
“There were a few issues. The Obama administration was a bit disappointed (I know that sounds paternalistic) but there were some issues they felt let down on, and you have to remember that the Obama administration supported the transfer of power to Jonathan in 2010.
“The issues were human rights situation in the North-East, which has still not changed under Buhari and Diezani Alison-Madueke, who they felt should have been removed. There were issues with some clauses in the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013.
“Although he listed three reasons the Obama administration felt let down by Dr. Jonathan, my conversation with Mr. Page gave me a sense that the first two reasons were just excuses and that the main reason was the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition ) Bill 2013.
“That issue was a deal breaker for the Obama administration because of the strong support they had from the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender) community for Mr. Obama’s re-election in 2012.
“From the foregoing, it would appear there is a strong circumstantial case for the belief by Dr. Jonathan and other people who were on the front burner of Nigerian politics, that the Obama administration, for reasons bordering on the Jonathan administration’s seeming anti-gay stance, was determined to unseat the Goodluck Jonathan administration as part of its efforts to ‘stabilise’ Nigeria.”

On the Kidnap of Chibok Girls

As regards the alleged conspiracy on the Chibok girls kidnap, Reno Omokri said Ms. Rice met the governor and his colleagues behind closed-doors on March 18, 2014, and that the kidnap occurred on April 14, less than a month, the schoolgirls were taken away by Boko Haram. According to Omokri, while connecting the dots:

 

“...one of the governors who was most vociferous against Dr. Jonathan at those meetings was Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State. Bear in mind that he and his colleagues had a closed-door meeting with the then US National Security Adviser, Ms. Susan Rice, on March 18, 2014. Is it a coincidence then that three weeks after Governor Shettima returned from his meeting with Ms. Rice, Boko Haram struck at Chibok town and kidnapped 276 girls at Government Secondary School, Chibok? The meeting with Ms. Rice occurred on March 18, 2014, the kidnap of the Chibok girls occurred on April 14, 2014. Prudent-minded persons may be wise to take a second look at the Chibok kidnapping.”