Man abscond from marriage ceremony over incessant demands

Drama as bridegroom walks out of engagement ceremony in Imo State due to extortion.He paid N1,500,000 to cater for food, tents, chairs and a public address system.

He was also made to set aside N100,000 as the bride price that the two families had agreed on.

Biobelemoye David was asked to add N50,000 to the bride price because he had already impregnated the girl.

He was slapped with a N10,000 fine for making a detour to the wrong path and ending up in a different homestead other than the girl's.

He was also asked to pay N15,000 to appease the elders who had become tired of waiting for his arrival.

Drama however ensued when twelve girls covered in loose robes from head to toe were paraded before Biobelemoye David and he was asked to guess who his fiancée was.

He pointed at the wrong woman and that led to yet another fine of N15,000.

The decisive moment specifically was when the elders demanded for a refund of the total sum of N850,000 that had been paid as the girl's school fees and upkeep since she started primary school!

Fuming with anger which he tried his best to hide, Biobelemoye David excused himself to visit a nearby latrine and disappeared!

He switched off his phone and was last seen at a bus heading to Bayelsa State from Imo.

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FIRS to be renamed Nigeria Revenue Service

The Federal Government is set to rename the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).It will be called the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

The name change will depend on whether the proposed amendment to the Finance Act now before the National Assembly sails through.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the chief executive would be referred to as “Commissioner-General” as against the title of “Chairman”.

She spoke when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance.

Other provisions are the reorganisation of the FIRS Board by separating the executive management.

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Cash withdrawal limits: Reps insist on Emefiele's appearance, give CBN gov. December 22 deadline

After failing to appear before it for the second time, the House of Representatives has given the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Thursday this week as the deadline to do so.A standing House resolution directs Emefiele to appear before the House to answer questions on the series of policies the apex bank churned out lately, especially the latest one on revised cash withdrawal limits.

He had failed to appear on Thursday, last week.

On Tuesday (today), he again wrote a letter, which the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, read to colleagues on the floor in Abuja. In the letter, Emefiele said he was unavailable because he was engaged in other assignments outside the shores of Nigeria.

Recall that the House also asked him to suspend the cash withdrawal limits pending the outcome of his appearance before lawmakers.

In reacting to the letter on Tuesday, members became agitated, accusing the apex bank's chief of taking them for a ride.

Some have observed that Emefiele might be using excuses as his strategy for avoiding the House until the full implementation of the policy in January, 2023.

However, Gbajabiamila calmed their nerves, appealing that Thursday be set as the final date for Emefiele to appear.

He equally suggested that if an official engagement indeed kept the CBN governor out of the country beyond Thursday, Emefiele should delegate his deputy, who should be "equipped" to respond to all issues unfailingly.

Gbajabiamila's suggestions were taken and passed as the updated resolution.

The controversial new cash policy puts total Over the Counter (OTC) withdrawal per week for individuals at N100,000 and N500,000 for corporate organisations.

However, withdrawals above the limits attract 5% processing fee for individuals and 10% for organisations.

The policy also pegs third party cheque payment over the counter at N50,000, maximum Automated Teller Machine (ATM)/Point of Sale (PoS) daily withdrawal at N20,000 and total weekly withdrawal at N100,000.

In addition, banks shall only load denominations of N200 and below into their ATMs.

The policy further provides that it's only in "compelling circumstances" for "legitimate purposes" that individuals can withdraw up to N5million and N10m for corporate organisations "once a month."

On December 8, 2022, following a motion on urgent national importance moved by Rep. Aliyu Magaji, most lawmakers kicked against the policy on the grounds that it was too harsh and sudden on Nigerians, especially the poor majority residing in the rural areas.

They argued that the majority of small businesses would go under, while inflation might worsen in the long run, altogether defeating any gains expected from the policy.

However, House Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, vehemently opposed the motion, describing the CBN's policy as the best step taken so far to tackle banditry, kidnapping and other crimes that involved the payment of ransoms in cash.

A majority voice vote eventually passed the resolution, asking the CBN to suspend the policy and inviting Emefiele to appear before members on the floor to answer questions.

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History Of The International Day Of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD)

Every year across the globe, precisely on the 3rd of December, a special event is observed. It is The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). On this day, several activities intended to promote a correct understanding of disability issues are organized. Support is mobilized for the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of Persons with Disabilities. The event is also intended to create awareness of the benefits to be derived from integrating Persons with Disabilities into every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

This unique, annual celebration was proclaimed in 1992 by a United Nations General Assembly resolution. This special resolution by the United Nations has behind it an interesting history. This history is the focus of this article. Before then, it is germane to put get some understanding of the background of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

It is said that “a knowledge of the history of a person, a movement, an event, a place, etc is crucial to having a better grasp of its present”. What is more, not only does such knowledge throw a light on the past to aid a better understanding of the present. It also enhances chances of creating a better future. And so an understanding of the successes and failures of the past is important to growing and making progress.

Back then in 1981, the event now known as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities started out as the “Year of Disabled Persons”. Five years earlier, 1976 precisely, the United Nations General Assembly had ratified a global decision in which it called for an “Action Plan” at national, regional and international levels. The focus was on providing equal opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), offer rehabilitation and prevent disabilities.

The theme for that year, 1981, was “Full Participation and Equality”. The impetus was on the right of PWDs to have a full part in the life and development of their societies, the right to enjoy living conditions equal to those of other citizens, and the right to have an equal share in improved conditions resulting from socio-economic development. With this first move of the UN General Assembly, a time frame was given to governments and organizations of signatory nations to implement activities recommended in the World “Programme of Action”. Thereafter, the UN declared the years from 1983-1992 as the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons.

Some pertinent questions rise at this juncture.

Why was it necessary for this apex world Organization, the UN, to expend so much focus and energies on a minority group?

What were the situations leading to the intervention of the UN?

A cursory look at the people in the eye of the storm will be helpful.

Persons With Disabilities.

From a general standpoint, a Person with Disability is one who suffers from a physical, mental, or emotional condition(s) that keeps her from living a functional life that is considered normal. A PWD may also be denoted by a term which specifically points to her disabling condition.

The Statistics

Statistics reveal that some one billion people (15%) of the world’s population suffer from one form of disability or the other.

PWDs, owing to their conditions, are more likely to experience marginalization in education, employment, poverty, unfavorable working conditions and a long list of other social injustices.

Such was the situation across the globe prior to the intervention of the United Nations. The situation still persists. Notwithstanding, there have been giant stride improvements since that first United Nations intervention of 1981.

The United Nations, guided by the principle of fundamental human rights, took up the gauntlet when its attention was drawn to recurrent barriers faced by PWDs in societies across the world. These obstacles constituted subtle infringements on the fundamental human rights of this minority. They came in various forms and magnitude. From restricted socio-political and economic participation to accessibility issues. From deficit in assistive devices availability to gaps in technology and service delivery. The overwhelming argument remained one of PWDs being at the receiving end of society’s attitude of discrimination, prejudice, and stigma. As it was then, so it is today – a tale of injustice to human dignity that calls for concerted actions by a recognized authority.

We now have a concise picture of the background to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Overtime, steady progress has been made and this yearly commemoration has become an important part of the United Nations calendar of activities. There is an increasing global awareness of the disability rights/inclusion social theory. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) has been an active vehicle for achieving the aims of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This very important document in the Disability Rights crusade specifically underscores the imperative of transnational collaborations in addressing the rights of PWDs.

As a legally binding instrument, this document ensures that PWDs across the globe get the same rights irrespective of nationality, gender, religion, language, etc. Signatory nations are expected to formulate laws that grant rights to PWDs in line with UN stipulations.

For instance, the Nigerian State, under President Muhammadu Buhari recently signed the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of Disability and imposes sanctions on offenders. Already, some gains have been made. While this gives hope to PWDs in the State, it remains to be seen how efficient and consistent its implementation will be.

Each annual celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities come with a distinct global theme which sets the tone for activities and lectures. However, individual countries, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the private sector are free to mark the occasion as they deem fit. The UN headquarters though, has a set routine for the IDPD. This consists of an opening ceremony, discussion panels and cultural events. Very importantly, all celebration activities are geared toward raising awareness on, as well as advancing the rights and perspectives of PWDs all over the world.

As individuals, governments and organizations look forward to marking this year’s edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in the next seven months, they will do well to have an eye to the historical background of the occasion. That way, the inclusion spirit will be efficiently nurtured and continue flourishing.

Nigeria should adopt Awolowo’s approach to end insecurity – Sheikh Gumi

A Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has opined that government must invest in education rather than executing what he called “white elephant projects” for it to address lingering insecurity in Nigeria.

The Islamic cleric also opined that insecurity in Nigeria is a “tricycle of poverty, ignorance and injustice”.

Sheikh Gumi explained that the government must have a rethink on the need to make resources available to those at the grassroots and invest in their education in order to arrest insecurity in the country.

According to the Islamic cleric, if citizens are not educated, insecurity would persist, believing that it is fuelled by ignorance and unemployment that are implications of lack of access to education.

He explained, “First, we need to understand that Almajarai is a cultural thing and until you change the mindset of the people, the fire brigade approach will not solve the problem.”

He further explained that Almajarai is an educational system that is outdated by modernity just like the use of donkeys and camels as means of transportation which have been overtaken by the modern transportation system.

Sheikh Gumi is of the opinion that if modern things are made available, people would leave the old ones, saying that there are still some villages where they still use donkeys and camels to move around.

He added that there are no good roads, let alone good cars in such places, believing that Almajarai is not just a school, but an educational system that is not well-financed.

The Islamic cleric explained that the country has to make education from primary to secondary and even tertiary a universal thing for the benefit of all in the country.

He suggested that Nigerian politicians should spend money on education rather than flyovers, stressing that insecurity is a tricycle of poverty, ignorance and injustice as selecting a few thousand out of millions of out-of-school children in Nigeria is just like a drop in the ocean of the problem Nigerians have.

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Nigerian mum of two dies after sustaining injury at Asake’s London concert

A 33-year-old Nigerian lady, Rebecca Ikumelo has died from the injuries she sustained during the stampede at the concert organized by the singer Asake in Brixton O2 Academy on Thursday, December 15.

Late Ikumelo died in hospital on Saturday morning, December 17, after being critically injured in the stampede.

She is survived by two children. She was very popular on Tiktok with videos she shared about her journey in taking care of her autistic son.

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Biography of Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean)

Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) – The story of the man who never gave up on his dreams.

Rowan Atkinson was born in a middle-class family and suffered terribly as a child because of his stuttering. He was also teased and bullied at school because of his looks. His bullies thought he looked like an alien. He was soon marked a strange and became a very shy, withdrawn kid who didn't have many friends, so he dived into science, one of his teachers said. There was nothing outstanding about him. I did not expect him to be a brilliant scientist, but he has proved everyone wrong. Admitted to Oxford University during his days, he started falling in love with acting but couldn't perform due to his speaking disorder. he got his master's degree in electrical engineering before appearing in any movie or TV show after getting his degree, he decided to pursue his dream and become an actor so he enrolled in a comedy group but again, his stammering got in the way.

A lot of TV shows rejected him, and he felt devastated but despite the many rejections. He never stopped believing in himself. He had a great passion for making people laugh and knew that he was very good at it. he started focusing more and more on his original comedy sketches and soon realized that he could speak fluently whenever he played some character. he found a way to overcome his stuttering and his also used there is an inspiration for his acting. While studying for his master's Rowan Atkinson co-created the strange, surreal, and now speaking character known as Mr. Bean.

He had success with other shows, Mr. Bean made him globally famous and despite all the obstacles, he faced because of his looks and his speaking disorder, he proved that even without a heroic body or a Hollywood face, you can become one of the most loved and respected actors in the world. The motivational success story of Rowan Atkinson. It's so inspiring because it teaches is that to be successful in life, the most important things are passion, hard work, dedication and never giving up, because without caring about our feelings and weaknesses.

Moral of the story: 

No one is born perfect. Don't be afraid. People can accomplish amazing things every day in spite of their weaknesses and failures. So go and do the best you can with the one life you've got.