Maritime Varsity: Ijaw youths demand apology from Amaechi

WARRI—Reactions have continued to trail the decision of the Federal Government to scrap the Nigeria Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, in Delta State, with the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Western zone, demanding an apology from the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

        Nigeria Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, in Delta State

Also, an Ijaw leader and former acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Pastor Power Aginighan, has described as an error of judgment, the reported move by Amaechi to scrap the university which was set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Pastor Aginighan, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in a statement, said that the proposed action was against President Muhammadu Buhari’s assurance to redress challenges of underdevelopment facing the region.
Aginighan, who is the founding National Secretary, Ijaw National Congress, INC, expressed fears that the reported move by the Minister of Transport would upset the atmosphere of peace in the region, stressing that the coming of the university brought joy to the Ijaw nation and people of the region.
Meanwhile, IYC Western zone, comprising Edo, Delta and Ondo States, made the call at a meeting in Bomadi, presided over by its chairman, Freedom Atigbi.
In a communiqué by the Information Officer, Napoleon Kenerekedi, the youths said it was an insult to the Ijaw nation for Amaechi to say that Gbaramatu Kingdom was unsafe for Nigerians from other parts of the country to come for learning.
The council said he should not only apologise but rescind the decision, “If the terrain is not conducive for Nigerians from other parts of the country, then it should also be unsafe for continued oil exploration activities by multinationals and the Nigerian government.”

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS GOVERNOR WIKE’S ELECTION

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the election of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike declaring that the election was conducted in line with the Electoral Act.
In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Kekere-Ekun, the Supreme Court unanimously validated the election of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on the grounds that he won with the lawfully valid votes.
The Supreme Court panel lead by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed declared that it will be giving reasons for its judgment on February 12.

Photos of  Governor Wike's Victory

Here is what Kim Kardashian thinks about breastfeeding in public

Breastfeeding in public can be a sensitive subject, one that Kim Kardashian is hyperaware of. The mother-of-two took to her website, kimkardashianwest.com, today to dish on her thoughts on the debate, plus her tips for breastfeeding. As it turns out, Kardashian has a pretty refreshing view on the matter.

"I know some people find breastfeeding such a private, personal experience, while other people are very open and even breastfeed in public. Now that I'm a mom, I say whatever makes you comfortable goes." Amen to that. The Keeping Up With the Kardashian star does admit, despite this, that she would only breastfeed in public if it was an emergency and she was fully covered—understandably, since she's photographed almost everywhere she goes. As for those breastfeeding photos that some post on Instagram? Kardashian doesn't mind them, either.

When it comes to tips on breastfeeding, the entrepreneur has one: Nipple shields. "I use a nipple shield most of the time when I feed. I find the baby feeds better, and it allows me to never get irritated nipples or anything because they're protected by the shield." For more of her tips on breastfeeding, head over to kimkardashianwest.com.

Kate Moss
From her boho outerwear to slinky slip dresses, Moss, both model and mother, has easily become one of the greatest contemporary fashion icon




Kerry Washington
As it turns out, Kerry Washington is as captivating off-screen as she is on, not only on account of her poise and grace but also because of her bold and elegant fashion choices. She is never afraid to sport a bright color, graphic print, avant-garde silhouette, or even feathers! The red carpet is always a little more exciting when she's around.I

KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN POSTS THE FIRST FULL LENGTH SELFIE OF KIM AFTER THE BIRTH OF SAINT

Kim Kardashian has not been posting full-length selfies (and she's only posted one solo face one). And it's been an unnerving time.

But good old Kourtney is here to calm our nerves now, posting the first picture of her sister Kim since she finished enduring "the worst experience of her life" (pregnancy). And it's surprisingly low key.

I

Home Remedies you can find in your kitchen

Natural-born soothers

You already know that consuming the right foods can boost your intake of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. But there are a few out there that could also alleviate some of your most pesky daily problems, like hiccups or even rashes like eczema. Though it's important to keep in mind that serious conditions need the attention of a doctor, it might not hurt to reach for one of these  items the next time you have a minor health problem.

Ginger for menstrual cramps
Traditional Chinese medicine has relied on ginger for more than 2,000 years. "Ginger can improve blood flow and reduce inflammation in your muscles, including those in the uterus where cramps originate," says Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, New York.

What's more, a preliminary study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine even found that ginger was as effective as ibuprofen for relieving period pain (more research is needed). To make your time of the month a little more bearable, try brewing up a cup of warm ginger tea.

 

Cranberries for urinary tract health

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, a compound that fends off the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTI). "E. coli is one of the top offenders in triggering a UTI," Dr. Rosser says. "This substance has been shown to prevent infection by keeping the bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls." If you already have a UTI, cranberries probably won't cure it, but consuming cranberries daily may help protect against future infections. About 20% of women who get a UTI will contract another one, so drinking one to two glasses a day of 20% pure cranberry juice will help prevent recurrence, Dr. Rosser says.

 Calcium-rich foods for PMS
Prone to irritability and mood swings before your period? You're not alone. About 85% of menstruating women experience at least one PMS symptom each month. The good news is tweaking your diet might help lessen your symptoms. "It's been shown that people with PMS have lower blood calcium levels than those without PMS," Dr. Rosser says. The National Institutes of Health recommends adults consume about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. You probably already know that dairy products are rich in calcium, but so are almonds, broccoli, leafy greens, and sardines.

Oatmeal for eczema
Calm itchy, inflamed skin using this breakfast food. Oatmeal soothes rashes because it's packed with phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory properties. Create a soothing bath by grinding 1/3 cup of plain oatmeal (no flavors!) into a fine powder using your blender; pour the powder into lukewarm water and stir in evenly with your hands until the water is a milky color, suggests Kavita Mariwalla, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist. Another option: use 1/4 cup of oatmeal and enough water to make a paste that you can apply directly to the skin for 10 minutes, she says.

 

Sea salt for dry skin

You don't need an expensive skincare product to treat rough patches on your knees, elbows, and heels. A sea salt scrub made at home will work just as well. "Sea salt is a good exfoliator because it has thicker grains that do a good job of clearing away dry skin," Dr. Mariwalla says. Just mix one cup of sea salt with 1/2 cup of a light massage oil. "Use a bowl to make sure the mixture stays moist, like wet sand, and not runny," Dr. Mariwalla says. It's best to keep this scrub away from your more sensitive areas like your face and the back of your arms, though. It can be harsh on skin that doesn't require as much exfoliation.

Futo Polalized Over Appointment of New VC

OWERRI—The Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, has been polarized as the institution shops for a new Vice Chancellor, VC, that will take over from the incumbent, Professor Chigozie C. Asiabaka, in the next five months.

Strong feelers from the FUTO community revealed that there were serious plans to significantly alter the content of the advertisement already published by the institution.
Confirming the fear during a check yesterday, a senior FUTO staff alleged that “while the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council appears favourably disposed to a particular contestant, others believe that the VC has his own candidate.”
The same senior staff said that “an extra-ordinary meeting of the Senate is scheduled to hold today (Tuesday), in the  Senate Council Chamber”, but also alleged that the Governing Council would also meet  January 28, 2016, to also deliberate on the same issue.
The staff equally showed  the copy of a memorandum, REG/SEN/COM.3/XIV, dated January 21, 2016, and signed by the Registrar and Secretary to the Senate, Mr. Orje Ishegh-Nor.
According to the memorandum, the “appointment of Senate Representative in the Search Team for the appointment of the seventh substantive Vice Chancellor”, is top on the  agenda.
As at the last count, about seven professors from Owerri senatorial zone have applied for the post, while a few others from Orlu senatorial zone and Anambra State, have equally sent in their applications.
Meanwhile, Professor Asiabaka has stoutly denied the allegation that he is grooming one of the contestants to take his place.
Asiabaka, who made the denial when he fielded questions from journalists in Owerri, also said that he never contemplated doing such a thing.
“I am not grooming anybody. Such a thing is not in my agenda. God gives power to whoever he likes. He also takes it when he like. Those who want the office should apply and wait for the outcome of their application”, Asiabaka said,

4,400 Rats killed in six Lagos Markets

The Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Lagos State Chapter, on Monday said that it had destroyed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.

Its president, Mr Samuel Akingbehin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his association carried out the exercise at Onigongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye and Mile 12 Markets.

He said that de-rating the markets was part of the association’s efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state.

The exercise is strategic in our effort toward the prevention of communicable diseases,’’ he said.

NAN reports that this was part of efforts by the public and relevant agencies to de-rat markets that were the causes of the Lassa fever that had broken out in many states.

The disease, since its outbreak, had killed at least 76 victims and over 200 cases across 17 out of the 36 states are quarantined and under observations.

Akingbehin appealed to traders from across the state to show an understanding toward the efforts of the association to rid the markets of rats and rodents.
He said that the plan was to de-rat markets in one local government area per day starting from 5p.m.

The association decided on this time to allow traders and buyers transact their legitimate businesses.

“We also decided to put the exercise in the evening due to the nocturnal nature of rodents and our members had recorded successes in the markets visited till date.

“It took us about three hours to cover the Oshodi market when our members went there for the exercise.

“Today, Monday, we will be visiting Suru-Alaba Market in Orile-Ifelodun LCDA by 5pm with about 400 EHOs to de-rat it.

“We are still calling on all other executive secretaries of the local government areas to assist us toward the elimination of rodents in our markets and our environments,’’ he said.

Governor Wike said Peace has Returned to Rivers State during the Holy Ghost Rally of RCCG Today

WITH PORT HARCOURT HOLY GHOST REALLY, DEVELOPMENT HAS COME TO STAY IN RIVERS SAYS GOVERNOR WIKE
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that the successful hosting of the Holy Ghost Rally of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, RCCG, in Port Harcourt means that peace and development have come to stay in the state.
Addressing the Holy Ghost Rally of the RCCG in Port Harcourt on Sunday where the General Overseer of the Church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye ministered, Governor Wike said "I know with the Holy Ghost Rally peace has returned to Rivers State.

"Peace and development will continue to be in this state as a result of the Holy Ghost Rally."
He prayed God to always protect and preserve Pastor Enoch Adeboye to continue to serve humanity with God's words.
Governor Wike assured the RCCG members that the traffic situation around the stadium would improve in 2017 as alternative routes would have been constructed.
Preaching on the topic "the power in the right hand of God ", Pastor Enoch Adeboye stated that God has the capacity to do the impossible and transform any situation.
He said that the Port Harcourt Holy Ghost Rally was the first time the programme would be holding in the morning which translates to unique visitation of God to the area.
Pastor Adeboye prayed God to always bless Rivers State and ensure that the will of God is done for the state.
The programme attracted thousands of RCCG worshippers to the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium Port Harcourt.

Glamorous Kimberly Tucci Photoshoot, an Australian mother expecting quintuplets

After nearly a year of trying to get pregnant with her third and final child, Tucci became pregnant at the end of July. This photo was taken at just 11 weeks

At her first ultrasound, the sonographer spotted multiple gestation sacks. Five, to be exact.
“My suspicion of a possible multiple pregnancy grew due to the quick rise of the pregnancy hormone,” Tucci wrote on her Facebook page, Surprised By Five. “I was excited at the possibility of twins but absolutely nothing on this earth could have prepared me for what happened next.

“[The sonographer] started to count ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE!” Tucci said. “Did I hear that correctly?? FIVE?? My legs start to shake uncontrollably and all I can do is laugh. The sonographer then told me the term for five is QUINTUPLETS!!”

(There’s just a one in 55,000,000 chance of conceiving quintuplets naturally, by the way.)
Tucci then called her husband, who quickly drove to the doctor’s office.
“I could see the excitement in his face,” she said. “He told me, ‘We can do this.’'

 Yup, she’s having quintuplets. This is her at 25 weeks looking like an actual goddess.

 She also wrote on her face book page that she will be having four girls and one .

 27th Week of Pregnancy

I have made it to 27 weeks and I'm still at home and active!! Whoop Whoop 🎉
I'm starting to feel very uncomfortable and sore, as you can imagine I'm stretched to capacity!! The babies sit as high as under my ribs and stretch out to around my sides! I can't even begin to imagine how painful it will be to have my uterus contract back after all this is over!! I will admit it will be nice to have my body back, enjoy some wine and oysters and sleep through the night without needing the bathroom at a minimum of 12 times, the babies like to dance around on my bladder whilst I'm trying to sleep.
I'm very thankful to have made it this far and to have been blessed with five healthy babies.
Incase you missed our news we are having four girls and one boy ❤
‪
With nausea, body pain, itchiness, stretch marks, frequent urination, and difficulty sleeping and eating, Tucci’s pregnancy has been anything but easy. But all five babies are healthy, and Tucci remains positive.

Tucci said the experience is worth it.“Yes!!! I will keep pushing through.”

We must advise Buhari correctly —Ebun Adegboruwa

Lagos lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, says President Muhammadu Buhari ought to be properly advised on human rights issues amid to the on-going anti-corruption crusade so that he is not accused of vendetta.
Corruption has become a big issue in Nigeria. What is your take?
Apart from the scourge of military coups, no other thing has dealt more harm to Nigeria than corruption.
Once a leader comes in and says ‘I want to fight corruption’, it  gingers the people because corruption  has led to  the  collapse of infrastructure and so many other things; for a leader to endear himself to Nigerians, all he needs to do is to assume office and  proclaim  anti-corruption war.
Have we always had this with past leaders?
Of course, virtually every leader had claimed to attempt to fight corruption.
As a matter of fact, former President Olusegun Obasanjo started this with ICPC and EFCC.
Some people criticised it then that it was not necessary
No. What some of us said at that time was that the two bodies shouldn’t be set up  to the detriment of the other agencies of government like the police because the police is everywhere while the EFCC is only in Lagos and Abuja.
Do you agree with the claim that  some form of witch-hunting is going on?
When Buhari was campaigning, he made war on corruption a campaign issue and, since he came to power, that has been our national anthem. You wake up in the morning, it is anti-corruption, you go to the toilet, you evacuate anti-corruption and it has now become the only song we hear and it seems to have become a distraction.
We support the war against corruption because it has eaten deep into almost every facet of our national life.
In the judiciary, an emergency should be declared because what is going on there is not normal.
If you really want to fight corruption, the gateway to that battle is the judiciary because the President cannot fight corruption.
When you talk about fighting corruption, you’re talking about the Office of the Attorney General and the courts and the statutory law enforcement agencies like the ICPC and EFCC, but, if you can follow me to the offices of some of these agencies, you will discover that we are not serious about fighting corruption.
In the EFCC office in Lagos, for instance, there are no tables; no electricity; the operatives I’ve met several times using their personal stationeries, personal computers to conduct investigations.
You may want to find out why high-profile cases collapse in court.
Manpower is not enough.   There is no method of research to properly investigate a corruption case.
Let me tell you what they do:   When you get a Yahoo-Yahoo (Advance Fee Fraudster) person, an ordinary person who has no money, you beat him up, hang him, get confessional statement from him; and the next day he is in court; he has been so intimidated and battered and he has no lawyer.   In a week’s time, the case is done away with and you get a conviction.

So what happens in high-profile cases?
Ha, in that instance, when you get a public figure who has resources, he goes there with, maybe, two SANs. So, when he sits with you, he folds his hands, waits for you to bring all the evidence you have. You try to force him to write something, the refuses. So, you carry your half-baked corruption charge against him to court and lawyers pick it and begin to tear it to shreds. Then, in another one week, you come with another amended charge and, the following  week, you come again, from 101 counts, you reduce it to 50 and then   you reduce it to 10 and eventually the case is struck out.   Remember Timi Sylva and Fani-Kayode’s cases. The problem really is not EFCC’s; look at the budget and find out how much was earmarked for the agency.
After the EFCC may have finished – even if it had done a thorough job – you will still take your case to court.
Go to courts in Lagos today, electricity is not there.  The average number of  cases before a judge in a day is about 50.   There is no way a human being can conduct a serious trial of 15 cases in a day.

Let’s talk about the independence of the judiciary
The executive arm of government has hijacked the judiciary.
The judicial workers have been fighting for the past five years to liberate the judiciary because the judiciary in almost all the states is in the hand of the Commissioner for Justice in terms of funding because he who pays the piper  dictates the tune.   The judiciary must go cap in hand to get its funds from the commissioner.   The same thing happens at the federal level.
Most judges in Lagos have an average of 20 judgments (outstanding) to deliver, over 30 rulings.   In every country, the executive implements policies and it can seize people’s land by force or imprison people anyhow.   But when the judiciary is effective, it curtails the excesses of the executive.   Therefore, it is in the executive’s interest to stifle the judiciary by starving it of funds.
A  senator has a personal assistant on research, another on media and so on; the same thing for a minister.   But go to the court and see what a judge goes through.   He sits in the court from 9am to 3pm before he rises  and goes to his chambers. Then he starts to research into cases.   Check all the lives of the retired Chief Judges in Lagos, they have one form of illness or the other on account of their years in service. We are not caring for these people.   Investment is not  made in the judges.   All we are hearing about this so- called anti-corruption war is about arrests, bail or no bail, handcuffs and so on and, when the cases collapse, you will turn round  to accuse  the judges of corruption.

What actually is your problem with the anti-corruption war?
During the campaign, a documentary was aired  on AIT which some people considered offensive.   The PDP, through its spokesperson, hammered Buhari.   So, when I saw  Raymond Dokpesi  in court, I have an idea why he is being tried even though there are allegations against him.   I saw the PDP spokesman in court and  I understand why.   I also understand that in 1985 when there was a coup against Buhari, some officers played prominent roles then and one of them is Dasuki;  so I saw  him in court and I have an idea why.   After Ayo Fayose’s tenure as governor of Ekiti, I expect to see him in the EFCC office.   So, people raise the issue of vendetta.   We must advise the President correctly.
I cannot understand why people are saying human rights must be subsumed under a war against corruption.   We cannot  say that people  will no longer be granted bail because they are facing corruption charges.   Corruption trial, terrorism trial will come under human rights.   Felony is a bailable offence.
Section 36 of the Constitution says people are presumed innocent until proven guilty so you cannot just keep people in detention. And the reason is that if the man is found not to be guilty, he would have suffered for an offence he was not guilty of.   So you allow him that presumption.
Look at the case of Dasuki.   J B Daudu is standing for him.   He has been the eye of the law in this country.   He was the President of the NBA. Why should any reasonable person expect or think that Daudu would encourage his client to jump bail, knowing the consequences?
It seems we are being hypnotised with this anti-corruption war.   Look at the high-profile cases and all you hear are stories about bail or no bail and EFCC arresting this and that but when you get to the real trial you don’t get to hear anything because it would seem the proper investigation has not been done.   That is what some of us have been saying and that is what we want reversed – encourage the EFCC  operatives to conduct proper investigation.   Look, there is nothing in bail.   The real deal is when you march your suspects to court and confront  them with hard facts.
In one high profile case here in Lagos, bail became the main issue and people were coming to court in ‘Aso Ebi’. Keyamo, standing for EFCC, said ‘grant the man bail on self recognizance and I will face the trial proper.   He got a conviction here in Lagos until the Supreme Court upturned the verdict years after.
But when the issue is all about vendetta, ‘oh, he’s the spokesperson of the PDP, let’s put him in handcuffs and humiliate him’, you might not get anywhere.   This was a man you arrested in his house and he did not resist arrest.   What is going on is not trial.

What do you have against this government because it would seem you have something against it?
Me?   That cannot be true.   I have no grievance against this government or the war against corruption.   We are blessed with the President that we have, a devout Muslim, a well-trained soldier who is disciplined.   We are blessed as a nation with the Vice President, a professor of law, a SAN, a pastor in the RCCG, who rose to the highest position  of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and revolutionized the judicial system in Lagos.   But we must guide them right.   We cannot say because we have idols in government, then we should shift the goal post of justice.   In any clime, we know the conditions under which you can grant somebody bail, but we cannot now say because we are fighting corruption, so we must change the rules arbitrarily and say ‘let the accused prove his innocence’, I cannot support that.
When people went to court in February 2015 to try to stop Buhari from contesting, I was in court in Abuja spending my resources to defend the President that he should be allowed to contest.   The judiciary was independent at that time because Jonathan did not interfere.
The Attorney General made a statement that judges are going to be sent to jail because they are granting bail to suspects according to the Constitution!

Some people are of the view that once suspects are granted bail, the case drags on and on and appears never to be concluded?
To prosecute Chief Ibori, the UK government spent millions of Euros, sending investigators, combing virtually all over the world and, by the time the charge was presented, he had no choice, the evidence was overwhelming.   Can we do that in Nigeria?   How many lawyers does the EFCC have?   Only two prominent lawyers are helping EFCC prosecute its cases – Rotimi Jacobs and Festus Keyamo.   Any SAN you approach to handle an EFCC case would not agree.

Would you agree to prosecute on behalf of the EFCC?
I have called them to say I am ready so that we can fight this anti-corruption war together but that is a private matter.
But talking about bail, I cannot sit here and encourage what is going on because it would turn round to haunt every other aspect of our lives.
A husband, angry with his wife, can push to lock the wife up because then it would no longer be anti-corruption.   It cannot work.

But the gravity of what these people have done, the lost lives, infrastructure deficit?
The gravity of a crime is defined by a charge and the law.   In Nigeria today, bail comes in three categories, misdemeanor, felonies and capital offenses.
With the law today in Nigeria, any offense is bailable.

What of terrorism?   Because there is a debate now on the gravity of terror…
(Cuts in)  Look, if you want us to have a debate, that is another matter.   But if you are discussing the law, then the law is the law.   Human rights  is intrinsic, you cannot remove it from that individual’s being.
I have no problem with anybody being arrested and re-arrested and charged.   The reason for the argument on the bail matter is that if somebody is being charged, you must have had your evidence – bank statement and all that – before you even charge him.   If the issue is not about witch-hunting or just arbitrary punishment, once you charge him repeatedly over and over, people will see through that and concluded that you are just doing what you’re doing to just punish the individual.   The multitude of charges is not a problem for me, bail is not a lenience for freedom forever.

What do  you expect this government to do that it is not doing?
I would have expected this government to hand  over the judiciary to the Vice President to say ‘this is your field, please take it over, reform the judiciary so that when we take a case to court, we can be sure of the outcome’.   And please, let us do proper investigation so that when we take a case to court, we would have successfully prosecuted the individual and not all the needless energy on bail and media trial because if the case is not strong and the accused is set free, people will turn round to blame judges for corruption.

R Kelly Claimed that he was sexually abused as a child by a relative

Controversial rapper R. Kelly has claimed that he was sexually abused as a child by a female relative.

The music star, who was found not guilty on all 14 counts in his 2008 child pornography trial, explained that he now forgives the relative in question as it could have been to do with something they had been through in their life.

Speaking to Chris Heath of GQ magazine, he said: ‘I, well, definitely forgive them. As I’m older, I look at it and I know that it had to be not just about me and them, but them and somebody older than them when they were younger. I looked at it as if there was a sort of like, I don’t know, a generational curse, so to speak, going down through the family.’

Asked why the generational curse didn’t pass down to him, Kelly replied that he ‘opted to break it’ but added that misunderstandings occurred as his song lyrics were ‘taken far too literally’.


Kelly said that the abuse began when he was just 8 but continued up until his teenage years and shared that while he was initially ‘ashamed’, he began to sometimes ‘look forward to it.’

Admitting that the experience made him ‘hornier’ and more ‘sexual’ than he should have been at a young age, he addressed the question of whether he wished the family member in question was brought to justice for the abuse by replying: ‘As I’m older, I’ve only learned to forgive it. Was it wrong? Absolutely. But it’s a family member that I love so I would definitely say no to that one. To be honest, even if my mom, I saw her kill somebody, I’m not gonna say, “Well, yeah, she definitely should go to jail.” It’s just something I wouldn’t do

Buhari Redeems Pledge to Eaglets..30 Years After

Observes minute silence for Akhionbare
THEY waited for 30 long years, a period in which one of them, Kingsley Akhionbare, joined the great beyond, but yesterday at the Aso Rock Villa members of the victorious team of the China 1985 FIFA U-16 Championship were made to smile as a grateful nation finally rewarded them for service to the country.
Incidentally, President Muhammadu Buhari was the Military Head of State when the team, led by Sebastian Brodericks, beat Germany 2-0 to win the Kodak trophy. But he was removed in a palace coup before he could fulfill his promise of rewarding the members of the team.
But in a elaborate ceremony yesterday, each of the players were rewarded with N2 million, while their coaches were given N 1.5 million.
Before the event started, the president called for a one-minute silence in honour of a member of the team, Kingsley Aikhionbare, who died in London in 1996.

Apart from the members of the 1995 set, the winners of the Chile 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, were also given N1.2 million each, their Head Coach – N900, 000, Assistant Coaches – N600, 000, while the Team Secretary and Medical Team were rewarded with N300, 000 each and other officials got N200, 000.
The players of the 2015 CAF U-23 Cup of Nations team each got N500, 000; Head Coach got N500, 000; while
Assistant Coaches and other Team Officials got N300, 000 each.
Apart from footballers, the President also announced financial rewards for various categories of athletes, who brought honour and laurels to Nigeria in various international competitions, especially in the last seven months of his assumption of office as a democratically-president of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Buhari praised the athletes for always proving to the world that the Nigerian spirit is indomitable and assured that the Federal Government “would not relent in its efforts to ensure that our sportsmen and women continue to excel in international competition"s.

Navy arrests ship found with 183 Nigerians, 41 illegal migrants from Gabon

The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy said, on Thursday, in Calabar, Cross River State, that it had intercepted a transport vessel, `Av Agamba’ with no fewer than 183 Nigerians and 41 illegal migrants.
Rear Admiral Atiku Abdulkadir, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the command, who made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Calabar, said that the ship was intercepted at the shoreline on its arrival from Gabon.
Abdulkadir explained that the ship was, however, allowed to berth at the jetty because a majority of the passengers were Nigerians.
He added that the Federal Government had placed a ban, restricting the dumping of illegal immigrants in Nigerian ports.
The flag commanding officer said that out of the 183 Nigerians, 93 were children, adding that 83 of the children and majority of the adults had no travelling passport, but came into the country with `emergency travel certificates.’
Abdulkadir said that the Navy would confirm whether the children were brought into Nigeria illegally, adding that there was the need to profile them and trace their origin.
“We also have 41 foreigners on board this ship, out of which four are from the Central African region while others are from West African.
“Over 35 of them again are with emergency travel certificates and no passport. We are trying to work with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to re-assure ourselves that they are not of any dangerous character.
“It is a big concern to us that people are coming into this country without proper travel documents.
“Now that there is Lassa Fever and other health challenges, we also want to ensure that those that are here are of no health threat to the people around.”
Abdulkadir said that the police and the Department of State Security at the jetty would check the Nigerians on the ship to ensure that they pose no threat to the security of the nation.
“We will hand the foreigners over to the Nigeria immigration service for proper check. Anyone found with illegal travel document would be sent back to Gabon.
“We are concerned about security; we want to ensure that the proper thing is done and we cannot afford to allow illegal immigrants into this country.”

16killed by Suspected Cultists in Rivers State

PORT HARCOURT – Sixteen persons were reportedly shot dead, Wednesday, in Ula Upata community, Ahoada East local government area by suspected cultists.
The Rivers state Police command on its part said it was aware of the death of eight. The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad in a text message to the Vanguard said suspected cultists were behind the brutal murder, adding that the timely intervention of Policemen saved the community of more death by the rampaging cultists.
“The incident was more of cult-related heinous activities at Ula Upata community, Ahoada East local government area. Eight persons were killed.
Quick intervention by our men for stalled the situation from escalating. One of the suspected cultists was arrested and an English pump action gun recovered from him. Investigation is right now ongoing”, he said.
An eye witness, Mr Frank Alabi said he was in his room in the village when suddenly he started hearing gunshots, adding that he quickly ran into a nearby bush where he monitored all that happened.
He said the assailants after killing ten in his Ula Upata village moved to to Ahoada West to kill another six persons,
“I saw everything. I was in my room when about five boys started shooting. The killing started about 12.5am. I was in my house when I saw the killers. They were five persons. They carried three AK47 and two pump actin. I called the DPO and the JTF.”
One of those killed was a Police Corporal and nine others in the community before they later moved to Ahoada West to kill another six persons.
Continuing, he said the JTF that responded to his distress call arrested one of the cultists.
Former Deputy Speaker , Federal House of Representatives, Hon Chibudum Nwuche condemned the killing, urging the Inspector General to intervene to save the state from further cult related killings

‘90% of cancers are curable with early diagnosis’

In a bid to promote health and well being of Nigerians, the Managing Director of Medifield Health Screening Suite, Dr. Adewale Owolabi has said that at least 90 per cent of cancers are curable, when discovered at the early stage through screening.
Owolabi, during an interview with The Guardian, said, “We pick cancer cases in this country typically at final stages three and four, but if cases are picked at stage one, they can actually be cured, for example a minor excision can be done to cure the cancer of the cervix if picked at stage one.
“But this has to be achieved through a comprehensive health screening, because at the early stages, the body exhibits no symptoms,” he said.
According to him, the cost of ill health is high; therefore health screenings are better, because prevention is cheaper than cure.
He also attributed the rise of non-communicable disease in the country to the ever changing life style trend and the sedentary attitude of people.
Owolabi cited the instance of people seating behind the desk most time of the day during working hours and the consumption of lots of fast foods and sugary things as a leading cause. “All these are things that compound; with the fact people do not seem to have time for regular exercise,” he added.
He stressed, if we screen for cancer and pick them at the early stages, we will have less need for purchasing expensive equipment for the treatment of this scourge. Little cost to screen, huge cost to treat, should be considered, for a screen in time saves life, he said.
The Medifield boss explained: “At the onset of most of these non communicable diseases, they are reversible through health screenings and life style modification, and that is why as part of our screening scope, we have a life style center where people can get in to initiate the life style changes that are required to reverse conditions like the pre hypertension, pre diabetes, obesity among others.”
Owolabi who was the first Nigerian to receive a certification in Health Care Quality Management in 2003 from the Health Care Quality Board, United States, identified lack of quality as the major challenge of the Nigerian health system.
“Nobody is actively measuring and managing quality, the quality of practice and standard in our hospitals and to ensure clinical guidelines such that if you go to any of the hospital within the health insurance system you can expect some degree of uniformity in standard.”
On the assessment of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), he said, though it is positive, but needs to be improved to get more people into it as well as broaden the scope to have a system that takes care of the vulnerable groups.
Health system that is inventive like ours, Owolabi stated, is not part of the NHIS, but it is important for government to consider it.
Responding to the ongoing spread of Lassa fever in some parts of the country, he pointed out, “It is in the purview of public health, so the need for a rapid response system. We need to get the root causes to define what we are dealing with.”
He added that oftentimes, lack of rapid response contributes to why diseases become endemic in the country.Asked how screening can generally improve the health care system in Nigeria, Owolabi explained; When it comes to health screenings, every Nigerian that is concerned about their well being and do not want a health shock is a target.
He further expatiated “What we do here at Medifield is what is done in advance health system and it is an integral part of the health system, so it should be part of our health system too.
With his 26 years medical experience, he evaluated, the life expectancy in Nigeria currently is about 52, in Japan, is 82, in United Kingdom is 81, in Germany is 81 and in America is 80.
And this is not just attributable to advance health system that cures many diseases, but a health system that prevents these diseases through comprehensive health screenings, so that is to say health screenings can help improve the health and well being of Nigerians.
He continued, “It is unfortunate that though these comprehensive health checks have the most advanced health insurance packages, it covers less than two per cent of the people with about 98 per cent off it.
Asked about his take on the issue of mistrust in the health system, the former Head of Operations and Quality at Hygeia Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), lamented, “there is mistrust in the Nigerian health system and that perhaps also needs attention, despite this, the health system can still handle quite a number of things locally.
To improve the health standard in the country, Owolabi noted; government would have to strengthen the primary health care system, “if this is done, more than 70 per cent of the things that causes death, like infant and maternal mortality among others which require simple interventions at the primary level will be avoided.”
He further said, if the National Health Bill is implemented, it will provide funding for primary health care and hopefully if the funds are well applied, and then we should have a good future regarding health in the country.
The public health expert confirmed how high cost of medical equipment affects affordability of quality health care.“The truth is, to get a health care set up with quality assurance like ours, is capital intensive and technology changes from time to time, so improving the diagnostic index of these equipment as well as upgrading them are expensive too.”
He however appealed to government to help wavers off duties for some of the equipment, “am sure it will cascade to the common man because it is about the well being of Nigerian,” he added.
He also noted: “The cost of medical equipment might affect cost of health, but health checks contribute more to the curative measures.”
It is regrettable to say some of our medical equipment is shipped abroad for calibration and maintenance because we do not find reliable maintenance services locally.
He was, however, quick to add that is why we need to have the educational system that will also produce people that are trained in bio engineering to foster the understanding and functional principles behind the maintenance of these equipment.
When our correspondent inquired about the rational of a mobile medical unit, he responded saying, the idea of the mobile medical unit actually came when we had cause to go out to present health screening on sites to our clients, and it also served the purpose of taking health care to the people

*SHAME!Chris Giwa and Amaju Pinnick in fisticuffs.

THE meeting called yesterday by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr. Solomon Dalung had all the trappings of reopening the already settled leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). It took a dangerous turn when the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa who is laying claim to the same office almost engaged each other in fisticuffs.

Pinnick and his greatest challenger, Giwa were locked in a battle for the soul of the NFF after the election in Warri, Delta State on September 30, 2014 which produced the present board. The Confederation of African Football and FIFA have both recognised the Amaju Pinnick-led board. Giwa lost his case both in Fifa and the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS. And this was after he had withdrawn his case from a Jos court when Fifa moved to ban Nigeria.

For more than one year peace reigned in Nigerian football and the meeting the minister called was generally condemned by football stakeholders who said the action was tantamount to waking up a dead horse which could trigger off another bad blood.

Giwa was laying claim to the NFF top seat, saying he was duly elected after the August 26, 2014 controversial election in Abuja in which delegates massively boycotted.

Dalung, a known friend of Giwa back home from Plateau State who just assumed office late last year seemingly reopened the case and initiated an unnecessary peace move that turned out an anti-climax. between the two warring factions. During the meeting, tempers rose, resulting in altercations from both men who called each other unprintable names.

But for the intervention of Dalung who sat in between the two angry men, the situation would have resulted in the two men using their fists as they wanted.

However, after the fracas which lasted for about five minutes, the meeting continued. After long hours of deliberation, the meeting was deadlocked. The Minister told reporters that the meeting will reconvene next week Wednesday.

He asked both parties to maintain the peace and that he will try to resolve the problem in the interest of football and the country.

According to him, the meeting has given him the opportunity to hear from both parties.
On what FIFA would do if the crisis persists, Dalung said he knows that the world body rules over the game adding that they will also be interested to see that the right thing was done.

“I have the will power and the political power to resolve the issue and I am optimistic that this issue will be resolved. We have decided to hear from them because this is a democracy, if we were in a military dictatorship I may have just decreed and asked one party to step down.

Dubai policeman lands court over Messi passport video

 A Dubai policeman could be jailed for at least six months for posting a video showing Barcelona star Lionel Messi’s passport on social media, reports said Wednesday.
The incident took place at Dubai airport where Messi landed last month to attend the seventh edition of the Globe Soccer Awards, in which he received the prize of best team and best player, local dailies said.
The Emirati policeman wanted a photo of himself with the Argentinian footballer but was told the star was tired from the flight, the National daily reported.
“I then went to the passport control desk and noticed that Messi’s passport had been left there, so I picked it up and shot a video of myself while holding it,” it quoted the policeman as saying.
He posted the video on the Snapchat application and wrote: “This is Messi’s (passport), he is here in Dubai, what do I do? Shall I burn the passport or just put it back! Ok Ok you can go!”
The policeman appeared in court where he “pleaded guilty and admitted that he was wrong when he posted Messi’s passport details on social media,” the Dubai-based Gulf News daily reported.
It said the policeman could face a minimum of six months in jail and a fine of up to 500,000 dirhams ($136,000).
Prosecutors accused the policeman of “abusing the telecommunication system”, the daily reported.
He was also charged with “breaching Messi’s privacy,” the National said.
A verdict is expected next week

Ughelli Govt College students suspended over homosexuality

UGHELLI— GOVERNMENT College Ughelli, GCU, has suspended, indefinitely, three of its students for alleged involvement in homosexual activities.
This was disclosed yesterday during the reunion and Annual General Meeting of the Old Boys Association, GCOBA.
According to the school’s principal, Mr. Vincent Useh, the school authorities’ action was done in a bid to move the institution forward and to serve as deterrent to others.
President General of the association, Professor Omatete Oristsegbemi, advised parents to be diligent in the upbringing of their wards, adding that the association would not condone any act of indisci-pline from any student.
The association commissioned the refurbished Orerokpe Hostel with N20 million and built a power generating house for the dining hall.

Lassa Fever Now in Lagos State

The case, which was diagnosed at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, involves a 25-year-old student from the Ahmadu Bello University.
The patient is said to have been admitted first at a private hospital in Ojokoro area of Lagos State.
According to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, the patient is responding to treatment.
The death of a Lassa Fever victim at the National Hospital in Abuja, the nation’s capital, had brought the total number of deaths to 43 in the country, from 10 states.
Announcing the death at the National Hospital on Wednesday, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, called on Health workers at all levels to be more vigilant and look out for patients with symptoms of Lassa Fever.

Symptoms Of Lassa Fever
The Minister advised residents of affected states not to panic but to maintain high level vigilance and present themselves for test if they feel unhealthy or they feel symptoms of Lassa Fever which include high fever, stooling, tiredness and vomiting among others.
He cautioned that self-medication should be avoided at this period.

Doctors On Lassa Fever Spread
Medical practitioners at the Lassa Fever Research Centre at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, have said that Lassa fever has been spreading in the country because authorities have not given the disease the attention it requires.
 “Since 2007, we have been making a case repeatedly for the establishment of centres of this nature in the other geopolitical zones or health zones in the country because Nigeria is a vast country.
“We don’t want a situation where patients with viral hemorrhagic fevers – Lassa fever are managed in ordinary wards and facilities.We want dedicated facilities for them.
“As we speak, sadly, I am not aware that these centre have attained any stage for replication elsewhere in the country,” said Professor George Akpede.

Stephen Keshi buried wife yesterday

 The former coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi  wife late Mrs Kate Keshi was laid to rest yesterday  in Benin City. The Technical Director of the Super Eagles, Shuaibu Amodu, Former Super Eagles Coach, Austin Eguavoen and officials of the NFF were among dignitaries that attended the burial.  The requiem mass was held at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City before she was laid to rest at her husband’s residence in Ugbor, GRA, Benin City.

 Coach Eguavoen who described the death as a huge loss to all sports lover in Nigeria described the deceased as a “wonderful person who was very close to my family.”  He said  that his own wife was her chief bridesmaid during their wedding in Belgium and that “Kate was the god-mother to my first daughter. She was a lovely mother, wife and sister and we are going to miss her”.
Godwin Ezine, who is former falcons coach said that “this period is for sober reflection. You can imagine staying together for many years and a separation now has come. I sympathize with Keshi and I pray that God Almighty gives him the strength and courage with his family to stand the test of time. It is very sad for all of us but we cannot question God”.
On his part Keshi described his late wife a unique woman. “A wife that every man would love to have.
I am honored that people took out of their busy time to come out and give their last respect to my wife. Most of them have been with my wife, they knew her and probably that’s why they are here. I thank them and every other person, the press, and all Nigerians who were in prayers with my family. I am grateful”

lassa Fever Outbreak:Response of Residents in Affected States

Despite the death of 42 lives to the Lassa fever outbreak out of the 86 reported cases, some residents in the affected states have remained indifferent. While some stated that they have not paid attention to the development, some indicated inadequate awareness campaign to guide people against the spreed of the disease.

 Response of residents in affected States . 
Rivers State
In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, residents said they were yet to give any serious attention to the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state because they were trying to settle down after the Christmas and New Year holiday in the village. “I heard of the Lassa fever stuff but I just came back from the village. May be when I get settled for business, I will take time to look for details on the matter”, Emenike who resides in Diobu said.
Some also said the way the federal and state governments were going about the outbreak had not given room for panic. “Though I have heard of Lassa fever, the information coming out so far from government does not suggest there is need to panic”, JohnBull, another resident of Port Harcourt said. “The response so far by the media and government does not suggest Lassa is a thing to worry about.”
In Rivers State two persons have died so far since the outbreak of the disease two weeks ago. The state government has also enjoined residents to maintain clean environment and keep their food from rodents.


Plateau
The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kuden Kumshak a week ago confirmed that a case of Lassa fever has killed one person in Mangu Local Government Area of the state while there are suspected cases which are yet to be confirmed in other local government areas like Jos North, Langtang South, Shendam and Pankshin though the Chairman of Pankshin, Stephen Jings has denied the presence of the disease in the council.
Residents of the state especially in the affected areas are taking steps in clearing refuse dumps to eradicate rats from their environment ’ invasion and even the State Commissioner for Environment, Abdullahi Abbas has led a team to clear designated refuse dump sites in Jos-Bukuru metropolis to sanitize the areas and curb the spread of the disease.
There are also jingles being aired in the State Television and Radio stations to create awareness especially in rural communities and the State Government has established Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers in the 17 local government areas of the state to monitor and manage any further cases.

Niger
Immediately Niger State was mentioned as one of the 10 new states infected by the Lassa fever a few weeks ago, the state government immediately took the blood samples of those suspected to have been infected from the three communities in Fuka Ward of Muyan Local Government Area of the state and sent their blood samples for laboratory test at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in Abuja and Lagos and people of the state have keyed into the campaign strategy of the state government to stop the spread of the disease in the state.
The state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Mustapha Jibril said with the step taken by the state government, the disease has been brought under control as no infection or death has been recorded in the state.

Bauchi
Bauchi State is one of the states affected by the outbreak of Lassa fever in recent weeks. In the month of January, four suspected cases of Lassa fever have been recorded. However, residents in the state have stepped up their personal and environmental hygiene in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Grace who is a resident of Gwalameji, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis, said she has now resorted to cleaning all nooks and crannies of her house to keep a healthy environment.

Kano
In Kano, the state government is on top of the situation and there is no new report of any case since the two earlier recorded cases. One hospital has been designated for emergency. Drugs and all other medical consumables have been provided by the state government. Training of health personnel have also been carried out with the establishment of special committee for rapid response

Former President Goodluck Jonathan Welcomes Grandson..

Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan’s adopted daughter Inebharapu Paul welcomed her first child with husband Simeon Onyemaechi on Jan. 11th at Memorial Hospital West, In Pembroke pines Miami, Florida. The couple got married in December 2014. See photos......

Jonathan left all his busy schedule in Nigeria  to join the new mother and iher husband yesterday in Miami Florida. Their son has been named Kachiside Onyemachi, meaning “The way God has written it” Congrats to them!