140221 | NEWS ROUND-UP

 CAFCC: Enyimba, Rivers United In Heavyweights Clash

Enyimba International FC will today battle fellow Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Rivers United, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederations Cup in Aba.

For Enyimba FC of Aba, two- time African Champions League winners and Rivers United of Port Harcourt, there has been a good dose of rivalry for the past two decades during which they consistently played in Nigeria’s top flight league.

Both Enyimba and Rivers United are in their best of form going into the Sunday encounter having defeated their opponents Plateau United and Nasarawa United respectively in their last NPFL outing as the People’s Elephants are leaders of the NPFL table followed strongly by the Pride of Rivers in second spot |||READ MORE

 

I Want To Win NPFL Title With Kwara United – Aiyenugba

Kwara United goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, has stated emphatically that his main target this term is to win the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) title and play in the CAF Champions League with the Harmony Boys.

Since joining Kwara United before the start of the ongoing NPFL season after leaving Hapoel Afula, Aiyenugba has been in in- credible form for the Ilorin based team.

In his first four games for Kwara United this season, Aiyenugba kept clean sheets before he conceded in Kwara United’s 2-1 win over visiting Lobi Stars in Ilorin |||READ MORE

 

Troops Kill 2 Most Wanted Terrorists Commanders

The Nigerian Army has said it troops in continuation of Operation Tura Takaibango under operation Lafiya Dole ambushed and killed two most wanted Boko Haram Terrorists Commanders in Borno State.

The director army public relations Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, in a statement said the troops of 121 and 151 Battalions under Sector 1 on Tuesday ambushed the terrorists at a crossing point between Vuria and Guja settlements along road Banki Junction – Pulka axis.

He said three terrorists were killed during the ambush among who were two of the most wanted Terrorist Commanders known as “Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib.

The troops also recovered three GPMG, seven AK47 rifles, a belt of ammunition containing 446 rounds  of 7.62mm, one Boxer Motorcycle and one ITEL 2160 mobile phone among others.

The director said Abul-Bas and Ibn Habib were among the top BHTs commanders of the Shekau faction operating in Sambisa forest and environs,adding that the two BHT Commanders have been on the Intelligence watch-list for some time |||READ MORE

 

 

Domesticating Child Rights Act, A Clarion Call On Kano Government

It is over 25 years since countries across the world adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child . Yet, to date, the terms it sets out to protect children remain far from reality. In this report , ABDULLLAHI YAKUBU writes that even though the federal government ratified the convention in 1991, there are still huge gaps in Nigeria’s efforts to protect children, especially in Kano State.

After years of complex negotiations, Nigeria passed a new law – the Child Rights Act – 18 years ago. The law was designed to bring the country into line with the provisions of the convention. The act deals with a range of threats that children might face. This includes child labour and other forms of exploitative practices.

Nigeria has also passed other non-specific child laws that protect children. These include the Labour Act and the Trafficking Act. Despite these additional statutes, huge gaps remain.

The biggest is that the Convention on the Rights of the Child incorporated through the Child Rights Act does not apply across the country, especially in Kano State , as only 25 states have adopted the Act |||RRAD MORE

 

Is GYB In A Good Trouble?

It was a warring argument between two gentlemen on the row before mine on a plane flying to Lagos; arising from a sneaky headline on one of the national dailies. They were not only separated by the colours of the clothes they wore which were in sharp contrast, but also their opinions on security in Nigeria.

The man in white was so worried: “What is our nation drifting into?”, he asked. He was miffed by the fact that the nation is not decentralising policing in such a way that the state governors could make good use of them to combat the rising tides of insecurity in the nation.

“Your view on this is parochial”, the man in black angrily retorted. “Did the federal government give the governor of Kogi State the powers to control security agencies? Why is Kogi combating crime like no one? Why are these governors running to Abuja to go and complain about insecurity in their domains? How many times has Kogi governor gone to Abuja to cry? Instead, the criminals are the ones crying in Kogi State. I did not like that man but how can I continue to hate someone who is doing his primary job?” |||READ MORE

 

 

Makinde In Ibarapa: A Walk Through The Trouble Spots

Early in January, a torrent of bad news started emanating from the Ibarapa axis of Oyo State. The stories were about kidnapping, attacks by killer-herdsmen and destructions of farmlands across Ibarapaland.

Incidentally, those attacks were on the heels of the alarm earlier raised by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde when he declared in Saki, a key town in Oke Ogun axis of the state in December 2020 that some criminal elements were crossing the international borders into the forests around Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa.

He said that the state would not allow criminal elements seize hold of the state and terrorise its people |||READ MORE

 

Policy Change Across Ports

Larry Norman in his treatise: Confluence of Paths said… “Two roads diverged in the middle of my life, I heard a wise man say; I took the road less travelled by; And that’s made the difference every night and every day.”

I believe that Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM) a new policy change across port operations will build the road that will bring about the difference in our pursuit to a seamless port operations in Nigeria.

In December 2020, the Vice President ProfessorYemi Osinbajo launched the Nigerian Port Process Manual in Abuja. According to the Vice President, the process manual on port operations is expected to be one of the key indicators for the effective implementation of Executive Order I |||READ MORE

 

 

From #EndSARS to #LekkiTollGate: The rise of cryptocurrency in Nigeria

The EndSARS protests which erupted in October over police brutality was different from any other in Nigeria, largely because the movement had no central leadership, could fundraise bypassing even banks and could organise on social media with a savviness that eludes government officials.

The protesters had always relied on the local currency, naira to sustain the protest that was seeking to get the government’s attention to put an end to police brutality and extortion. Many young people had shared horrifying tales of their encounters with a unit of the police known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The funding was going very well until the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wrote a letter to Flutterwave, a payment gateway company that has been Central to the funding movement. In the latter, the CBN threatened to apply sanctions if it continues to allow its platform to be used to distribute illicit funds. Flutterwave had also contributed N1 million to support the protest. The letter from the CBN tied its hands but not the hands of the leaders of the protest |||READ MORE

 

Nigeria’s biggest banks face customer exit in move to block crypto accounts

Morrison Jackrich, a customer of one of Nigeria’s commercial banks, had gone to a branch of the bank for a transaction when something strange happened. The bank officials delayed attending to him and kept him until some policemen arrived.

“Nobody told me anything,” he said.

At the police station, he was kept behind the counter for hours and was not allowed the use of his phones and nobody was telling him anything until he began to scream. Apparently, an “arrest on sight” had been put on his account |||RRAD MORE

 

Love in the time of Covid: Innovation drives gift market

Tunde Labiyi, a businessman, like many lovers in this season has been preoccupied with the perfect gift for his spouse. But he is confused because she seems to have it all, from perfumes to lace, switch watches, and earrings among others.

He finally settles for a basket of varieties, packed with a fusion surprise in every detail.

This unconventional, classy, definitely-not-boring-packaging are only a few of the many dimensions gift makers are adopting in staying relevant during a period people would rather not spend on gift items. However, the need to extend love to one another, and showing solidarity of sorts as the world passed through a tumultuous past few months, is keeping the gift industry alive |||RREAD MORE

 

Okonjo-Iweala seeks political inclusion for women to tackle poverty

Ngozi Okonji-Iweala, former vice-president of the World Bank has canvassed for more inclusion of women in leadership positions to tackle global poverty and guarantee good governance.

Okonjo-Iweala, who would be appointed the head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Monday, stated at the weekend, while featuring as a guest on Christiana Amanpour programme on Cable News Network (CNN).

She said that recent study by Mackenzie had revealed that the world would gain more than $20 million dollars if more women are in leadership positions |||READ MORE

 

Nobody can force us out of South-West –Miyetti Allah

Fulani herdsmen under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore have vowed to resist any eviction from the South-West, citing their rights as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution to live wherever they desire.

Miyetti Allah also vowed to avenge the alleged attacks on and loss of herdsmen and their cattle, saying it would never tolerate any act of injustice on herders.

The National Secretary of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Mr Alhassan Saleh, stated these in an interview with Sunday PUNCH against a backdrop of the eviction notices issued to criminal herdsmen by some South-West groups and personalities.

Saleh said it was wrong to drive herders out of any part of Nigeria and that even if there were criminals among them, it was the function of the government’s security forces to identify and arrest them |||READ MORE

 

 

Falcons exclusion: Look for another lie, Oparanozie replies NFF

Former Super Falcons captain, Desire Oparanozie, has lashed out at the Nigeria Football Federation following her exclusion from the list of players for the Turkish Women’s Cup, which begins on Monday.

The NFF last Thursday released a 23-man list for the tournament, with some stakeholders questioning the inclusion of Onome Ebi, who turns 38 in May and has not tasted competitive football action, alongside Francisca Ordega and Chinwendu Ihezuo, the trio all without clubs.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Henan Jianye striker Ihezuo was unable to return to China to compete in the 2020 Chinese Women’s Super League season despite being under contract for a second season. Both Ihezuo and Ebi, who was also at Jianye before the expiration of her contract, missed the entire campaign due to the closure of air travels out of Nigeria |||READ MORE

 

 

Valentine: Love can overcome fault-lines, unlock limitless opportunities —Oni

Former Ekiti State Governor, Chief Segun Oni, has urged Nigerians and Ekiti people to build a community of love and purpose, where selfless sacrifice would be the propelling hallmark of development.

Oni, in a personally signed Valentine’s Day message to the people of Ekiti, titled, ‘Let us a build a community of love and sacrifice’, made available on Sunday, urged the people to rededicate themselves to love, which he said could address the state’s challenges and unlock its limitless possibilities.

The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, who wished Ekiti people “Happy Valentine”, said, “On this special occasion of Valentine and as we present our loved ones with candy, flowers, chocolates and such other lovely gifts, let us rededicate ourselves to the virtue of love which is the entire essence of creation and human existence|||READ MORE

 

Valentine: Sex outside marriage is blood covenant with devil, says Bamiloye

The founder of Mount Zion Faith Drama Ministry, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye, has said that any sexual act outside of marriage is a blood covenant with the devil.

The Evangelist said this in a statement titled, ‘The Evening Of Slaughters…In An Abattoir,’ which he issued on February 14 which is Valentine’s Day.

According to Bamiloye who wrote on Twitter, there’ll be demonic activities on February 14 which will ruin the lives of many, adding that some ladies will be used as weapons to destroy homes and marriages |||READ MOFRE

 

LAST INTERVIEW WITH JAKANDE: People mocked me to my face when I said I would build houses all over Lagos

Tributes have been pouring in for Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos State, who died on Thursday at 91. Jakande’s demise marked the end of an era: He was the last of the five governors of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) of the Second Republic under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

His contemporaries were the late Chief Bola Ige (Oyo), the late Chief Onabanjo (Ogun), the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin (Ondo) and the late Chief Ambrose Alli (defunct Bendel). Each of then-governors executed the defunct party’s four cardinal programmes but many observers believed Jakande stood out of the pack.

Because of the free education he provided in Lagos, which was perceived in many quarters as qualitative, many residents withdrew their children from private schools and put them in public schools. Jakande established Lagos State University (LASU) as part of then-UPN passion for education|||READ MORE

 

Valentine: We prefer credit alerts to flowers, cards, chocolates — Jos women

 

As the world celebrates St. Valentines Day, some women in Jos say they would prefer ”meaningful gifts” than receiving flowers, cards and chocolates, usually accepted as standard lovers’ day gifts.

A survey of both married and unmarried women also indicated their preference for spending quality time at home, than going out to fancy restaurants, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Valentine’s Day is a holiday when lovers express their affections for one another with greetings and gifts, and lately this had expanded to expression of affection between relatives and friends |||READ MORE

 

Behold St Valentine’s plans and secret wishes

St. Valentine’s Day which comes up every February 14th of each year means different things to different people. However, there’s no special prescription for the day on what to do, how to do it or even where you need to be. 

It is an occasion opened to all sorts of desires, aspirations and secret yearnings. However, when it comes to St. Valentine’s Day publications, Potpourri has done it all. This year, some few days to the D-Day, we decided to seek opinions of some entertainment people on what they got planned for the day and the secret wishes they harbour in the innermost recesses of their hearts. Read on:

I just want to lie in bed – Sotayo Sobola I just wanna lie in bed, surf the internet, click likes and drop a few comments on posts. Drop a very brief Happy Valentines Day Hunnie to my husband. My wish is for God to continue to bless myself and my household, since everyday is like Valentine’s Day around me |||READ MORE

 

 

SERAP asks court to stop Buhari from using ‘draconian CAMA 2020 to target activists’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court, Abuja to “stop President Muhammadu Buhari from implementing draconian and unlawful provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 which allow the Federal Government to arbitrarily merge a new association with an already registered association; to suspend and remove trustees of any association; and to take over funds belonging to any association, and transfer such funds to another association on the pretext that the account is dormant.”

Joined in the suit as Defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Corporate Affairs Commission [CAC].

In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/172/2021 filed last Friday, SERAP is seeking: “an order stopping President Buhari, Mr Malami and the CAC from implementing the unconstitutional provisions of CAMA 2020 which allow the Federal Government to arbitrarily and unilaterally cancel or revoke the certificate of registration of any association on flimsy grounds. These provisions may be used as a pretext for rights violations.” |||READ MORE

 

Bill Gates’ daughter jokes on social media about getting COVID-19 vaccine

Bill Gates’ daughter told her social media followers that the first dose of the COVID-19 “did NOT implant my genius father into my brain.”

Jennifer Gates, 24, made the joke to dispel wild conspiracy theories that the billionaire Microsoft founder was somehow using the vaccine to get inside people’s minds and track their movements, according to a report.

Jennifer Gates is a second-year medical student at New York’s Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai |||READ MORE

 

Trump celebrates acquittal in Senate trial, foreshadows political future: 'Much to share'

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday thanked his lawyers and senators who voted against his impeachment conviction and foreshadowed his political future in a statement following the 57-43 Senate vote to acquit him of inciting an insurrection. 

"I want to first thank my team of dedicated lawyers and others for their tireless work upholding justice and defending truth," Trump said. "My deepest thanks as well to all of the United States Senators and Members of Congress who stood proudly for the Constitution we all revere and for the sacred legal principles at the heart of our country."

He added: "This has been yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country. No president has ever gone through anything like it, and it continues because our opponents cannot forget the almost 75 million people, the highest number ever for a sitting president, who voted for us just a few short months ago."|||READ MORE

 

11 Actually Good Beauty Products That Are on Sale Online Right Now

Plenty of retailers are having sales right now — and if you do a little digging, there are some pretty enticing beauty deals to be found.

Each week, I'll be rounding up my favorites, the discounted makeup, hair, skin-care and wellness items I deem so legit, I'd recommend them to my best friend or my mom or my sister — or you, dear Fashionista readers. In other words, they're actually good.

This week's finds include an industry-beloved vitamin C serum, a dependable makeup tool everyone needs in their kit and a luxurious eye cream. Click through the gallery below to see (and shop!) them all |||READ MORE

 

White House aide resigns after threatening reporter

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House deputy press secretary T.J. Ducklo has resigned, the day after he was suspended for issuing a sexist and profane threat to a journalist seeking to cover his relationship with another reporter.

Ducklo had been put on a weeklong suspension without pay on Friday after a report surfaced in Vanity Fair outlining his sexist threats against a female Politico journalist to try to suppress a story about his relationship, telling her “I will destroy you.” The journalist had been seeking to report on his relationship with a political reporter at Axios who had previously covered the Biden campaign and transition.

In a statement Saturday, Ducklo said he was “devastated to have embarrassed and disappointed my White House colleagues and President Biden.” |||READ MORE

 

 

News breaks in a fraction of seconds across the globe, thus making it extremely difficult for anyone to accurately track every story. News Round-Up therefore brings you a weekly top priority news recommendation curtesy, ISM.