Prayers, Support of Clerics Have Kept Us Going So Far – Gov. Makinde

Seyi Makinde, Oyo State Governor

This morning, we worshipped at Living Spring Chapel International, Ibadan, to give thanks for God’s protection last year and to commit this year into His Hands. I appreciated Pastor Femi Emmanuel - the presiding pastor, and the rest of the congregation for their warm welcome.

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde dropped the message via his Instagram page a few hours ago.

According to the message, the governor in his remarks during the occasion shared the rationale for some of the projects being carried out by his administration. He also thanked everyone for their prayers and support, and encouraged them to get involved in the political process to choose Nigeria’s next set of leaders as the 2023 elections approaches.

Meet Lagos Hawker Who Gave Money To Prison Inmates In Lagos Traffic

EKUMA JEREMIAH

Just a day ago Punch Newspapers brought us a report captioned “Meet Lagos Hawker Who Gave Money To Prison Inmates In Lagos Traffic”.

Today the same news media has updated the report with the caption “Viral Video: Obi Cubana to sponsor hawker to university”.  

According to the earlier report, Ekuma Jeremiah, the hawker, who was caught on camera giving money to the occupants of a Nigerian Correctional Service bus in the area of Ajah, Lagos State, said he did it because he was concerned for them.

WAO! Queeneth Agbor Reveals What She Does Before Agreeing To Kiss In Movies

Queeneth Agbor, Nollywood Actor

A report by Punch Newspapers submits that actress, Queeneth Agbor, has said that before she agrees to a kissing scene in a movie, certain things have to be put in place.

She told Saturday Beats, , according to the report that “The actor involved will determine if I will agree to a kissing scene in a movie. Having a good breath is very important to me and smelling nicely is also important.”

Asked if she had ever had a bad kissing experience while shooting a movie, she said, “An actor with bad breath actually wanted to make the kissing scene real even after we agreed to mime and it went really wrong because I couldn’t bear it. Trust me, mint couldn’t even help the situation. The director had to scrap the scene because I refused to put myself through such trauma.”, the report stated adding that Agbor  finds it ‘annoying’ when celebrities fight on social media. She said, “I find it very stupid and annoying. Because when the going was good, I wasn’t invited. When the enjoyment goes wrong, they would want to scatter our eyes and ears with unnecessary information. Celebrities should not bring drama we won’t benefit from to social media this year.”

2023: Nigeria Needs The Best To Lead - Makinde

The national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on the recent deaths of two prominent traditional rulers,  the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Saliu Adetunji and a former governor of Oyo, Adebayo Alao-Akala.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the former governor of Lagos State and some of his political associates visited Mr Makinde at the State Government House, Agodi in Ibadan.

SEB gathers that during the meet governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State expressed his believes in the country that it deserves to be led by its best hands as the nation inches closer to the 2023 general elections.

I Don't Have Money For Court Case, Peter Obi Tells Man

Stumbled on this story from Punch Newspapers IG page about Peter Obi replying to a tweet allegedly directed at him.

According to the story Obi  tells the man asking him to run for presidency that he does not have money for court case.

The report states further that former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has told a tweep, tweet he doesn't have money to fund a court case if sued.

Lady Gaga thanks the Palm Springs International Film Awards

American singer and songwriter, Lady Gaga went full glam to virtually receive her House of Gucci award. The superstar took to Instagram to thank the Palm Springs International Film Awards for giving her their Icon Award for her performance as Patrizia Reggiani:

POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED MURDER IN DELTA STATE

The police in Delta state have arrested a 26-year old man Paul Ogilo for allegedly killing a 29-old man, Twere Shipiode in Otu-Jeremi community in Ughelli South Local government area after the two men were involved in fight, TVC News reports.

According to the report, the Delta police command Public relations officer, Bright Edafe, in a statement says the police, acting on intelligence after receiving a distress call about incident, the suspect was trailed to an uncompleted building in Otu-Jeremi where he was seen with a kitchen knife suspected to have been used in committing the crime and he was immediately arrested.

Celine Dion Posts Heartbreaking Tribute To Her Late Husband

Top rated Canadian singer, Celine Dion posts a heartbreaking tribute to her late husband René Angélil via her Instagram page:

I would be lying if I said I’m fine, I think of you at least a hundred times, cause in the echo of my voice I hear your words just like you’re there… I miss you – Céline xx…

FG adopting digital revolution for job creation — NCC

By Victor Adeoti

The Federal Government says it is adopting digital revolutions for job creation, better governance and

youth empowerment in the country.

Prif. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications commission (NCC), stated this while delivering the combined 10th and 11th Convocation Lecture of  Fountain University, on Thursday in Osogbo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture has as its theme: “Empowering Nigeria Youth Through Information and Communications Technology (ICT).”

According to Danbatta, ICT is now synonymous with empowerment, as it transforms processes effectively and plays the role of an enabler in the various sectors of the economy for national development.

Gusau Attack: Tinubu Donates N50m To Victims

Former Governor of Lagos State and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has donated the sum of N50million to families of victims of the recent killings in two Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, Channels Television reports.

Tinubu made the donation on Thursday when he paid a visit to the state.

At least, 58 people were reported killed last week when bandits raided some villages in Bukkuyum and Anka Local Government Areas of the state, the report stated.

Recall President Muhammadu Buhari had on Wednesday also sent his condolences and that of his government to the people of Zamfara State on what he described as the “extremely unfortunate” mass killings of innocent people by retreating bandits.

Friday, January 14 Morning Briefing

Good morning. We’re covering an ominous outcome of talks with Russia and a stinging rebuke to Prince Andrew.

Russian tanks near the border with Ukraine on Wednesday.Associated Press

 

Russia warns it may abandon diplomacy

Russian officials signaled yesterday that they might abandon diplomatic efforts to resolve the security crisis surrounding Ukraine, bringing a whirlwind week of talks to an ominous end and deflating hopes that negotiators could move to ease tensions in Eastern Europe. Russia’s next move will most likely be up to its president, Vladimir Putin.

Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, said the West’s current approach led only to a “dead end.” Michael Carpenter, the U.S. official present at the negotiations, also depicted the two sides as engaged in a standoff with no clear resolution. Ukraine said Russia’s massing of troops needed to be reversed.

Jake Sullivan, President Biden’s national security adviser, said that the U.S. was prepared to talk further, especially about missile deployments and military exercises in Europe, but was also preparing to respond “to a further Russian invasion of Ukraine.” “We have been very clear with Russia on the costs and consequences of further military action or destabilization,” he said. “So we’re ready either way.”

Twitter Commends Resumption Of Service In Nigeria

Twitter commends the Federal Government’s decision to lift the ban placed on its services in Nigeria since June 2021.

The company wrote on its public policy account that it was delighted with the restoration of its services in Nigeria.

“We are pleased that Twitter has been restored for everyone in Nigeria. Our mission in Nigeria and around the world is to serve the public conversation,” Twitter’s Public Policy team said in a tweet on Thursday.

“We are deeply committed to Nigeria, where Twitter is used by people for commerce, cultural engagement, and civic participation,” the tech giant Tweeted.

I Blamed Myself For Failed Marriage - Caroline Danjuma

Actress, Caroline Danjuma has opened up about her failed marriage to her ex-husband, Musa Danjuma.

Caroline, dropping the message via her Instagram page submits that she blamed herself for not having a perfect marriage and she only realised, she was not a failure when she started to heal.

President Muhammadu Buhari has lifted the suspension on Twitter operations in Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday lifted the suspension placed on Twitter from operating in Nigeria for deleting his post.⁠

The president said Twitter would start re-operating in Nigeria with effect from 12.00am, January 13, 2022.⁠

The lifting of the suspension was contained in a statement issued by the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency and Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement, Kashifu Abdullahi.

CATCH-UP: Qatar Airways

 

On Catch-Up this week we have our spotlight on Qatar Airways, positioned as the World’s Best Airline as it continues to expand its West African network, offering seamless connectivity via the Best Airport in the Middle East to destinations in Asia, Europe and North America, particularly now as it strengthens its commitment to Nigeria, connecting to four gateways via its international hub in Doha.   

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was recently announced as the ‘Airline of the Year’ at the 2021 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Airline Seat’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Onboard Catering’ and ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’. The airline continues to stand alone at the top of the industry having won the main prize for an unprecedented sixth time (2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021).

Hamad International Airport (HIA), the airline’s home and hub, was recently announced as the ‘World’s Best Airport’ in the Skytrax 2021 World Airport Awards. HIA has been steadily rising in the ‘World's Best Airports’ rankings since the start of its operations in 2014.

Zeetin boss advocates devotion to science, technology development

The founder of Zeetin Engineering Limited, Azibaola Robert, has said that sincerely embracing and deploying science and technology by Nigerians would facilitate and deepen the economic and infrastructural development of Nigeria.

Robert stated this when he hosted a delegation of the national executive of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), led by its president, Dr Elizabeth Eterigho, on Tuesday in Abuja.

“There are many things wrong with Nigeria’s technological advancement and until we sincerely embrace and deploy science and technology as the necessary tools to facilitate and deepen the economic and infrastructural development of Nigeria, we will not be able to develop and make progress as a country.

Decreasing inflation, rising prices of goods: Experts explain

By Folasade Akpan, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Inflation has been on a steady decrease for seven consecutive months from April to November, 2021, indicating an improvement in the economic indices of the nation.

At the last measurement in November, it was put at 15.40 per cent after the nation’s gradual recovery from recession in the fourth quarter of 2020, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 0.11 per cent from the 6.11 per cent contraction in the third quarter, signaling a gradual recovery from recession.

Although this was a positive trajectory, it did not reflect on the inflation rate until April when there was a decline of 0.05 per cent to 18.12 per cent from 18.17 per cent recorded in March.

This decrease continued in May to 17.93 per cent, June recorded 17.75 per cent, July 17.38 per cent, August 17.01 per cent, September 16.63 per cent and October 15.99 per cent.

Qatar Airways Announces the Start of Service to Kano and Port Harcourt in Nigeria

Press releases

The World’s Best Airline continues to expand its West African network, offering seamless connectivity via the Best Airport in the Middle East to destinations in Asia, Europe and North America

Airline strengthens its commitment to Nigeria, now connecting to four gateways via its international hub in Doha   

Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways is boosting its service to Nigeria with the launch of four weekly flights to Kano (KAN) on 02 March 2022, and three weekly flights to Port Harcourt (PHC) on 03 March 2022, both operating via the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Happy soot year - Hilda

Hilda Dokubo, one of Nigeria’s foremost actor expresses deep concern over “soot” situation in the Niger Delta but somehow uncertain about something else. 

She delivered the message in a post via her IG few days ago, urging Port Harcourt people to wear a face mask.

Let's feel your pulse on this: Tinubu's interest in 2023 presidency

What do you think of Bola Tinubu's expression of interest to contest the presidency in 2023?

I come to you today to ask for help

 

Credit: Instagram | youversion

Kano bans men and women from swimming in the same pool

The Kano State Government has banned men and women from swimming in the same pool and entry of children into hotels.

The agency also banned shisha smoking, lesbianism and gay practices in the state.

The Chairman of the Committee, Baffa Babba Dan-agundi, made this known to newsmen after a meeting with the owners of hotels, restaurants, and event centers in the state.

The committee informed them of a new levy by the state government that will help in sanitizing their places of business for the purpose of avoiding acts of prostitution in the state.

Omicron May Infect Half of Europeans Within Weeks - WHO

More than half of Europe's population could become infected with omicron within weeks at current transmission speeds, a World Health Organization official said.

In other words, half of the continent’s population will get infected with coronavirus variant within the next six to eight weeks.

The fast-spreading variant represents a "west-to-east tsunami sweeping the region," Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said in a briefing Tuesday.

You have been my source of strength – Sanwo-Olu

To my delectable wife, Ibijoke. You have been my source of strength, my prayer partner, my happy place, my supporter, my cheerleader, the co-pilot in our home, and most importantly an exemplary mother to our children.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu dropped the message on his official Instagram handle as he celebrates his dear wife on her birthday.

Fallouts from the recent Capitol Riot Anniversary

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation on Thursday, marking the anniversary of the deadly attack on the US Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Recall on January 6, 2021, a mob stormed the Capitol building in an effort to halt the confirmation of Biden's victory, fuelled by Trump's claims of election fraud. Reportedly, five people died, and over 130 police officers sustained various degrees of injuries.