Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State recently said the diverse cultures of Nigerians should be seen as symbol of unity and must be used to bolster peace and development in the country. According to him, Nigeria can become an international tourist destination if it harnesses its cultural heritage. The governor, who assured participants of warm reception in Kaduna State, said the festival, had been avenue to develop unity, tolerance and peace among Nigerians since inception in 1970. Among those participating at the week-long festival tagged ”Nigeria Peace and Unity… Our pride” are Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, among others.…
Author: David Folami
Godwin Obaseki of Edo will meet members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners, Edo Chapter, with a view to amicably settling all pension payments-related issues, an official has said. Mr Osagiator Ojo, the Head of Administration, Oredo Local Government Council, made the disclosure reently. He said “Government has observed with dismay the gross misinformation that has characterised the payment of pensions in the state.” “The governor, therefore, would wish to engage the union leadership or the pensioners both at the local and state levels to ensure that this gross misinformation is dispelled and all issues arising to the controversies bothering…
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has publicly blasted the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for its failure to deliver any significant achievement despite having less than one year left before the next general elections. She posted, “It just struck me that President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s Federal Government has effectively barely one year left to deliver on their mandate. Wow. Hmm. “I wonder if this administration realizes how short a time it has left? When will its big ticket items (if any) be delivered to citizens? The counsel, ‘You must hit the ground running’ is most relevant for…
Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to appoint more ministers into his cabinet soon. “Last year I said we would re-constitute the Boards of Parastatals. I must regret the fact that we have not done so, for many reasons. Some of us in this meeting may know I had given instructions since October 2015 for this exercise to start. “But there have been inordinate delays through several committees in an attempt to get the balance right and to make sure all parts of the country are equitably represented. On the other hand, I am keenly aware that our supporters are very eager…
Bukola Saraki has pledged the cooperation of the National Assembly with the executive to ensure better administration of the country. According to him, the event is not just a meeting but to honour the invitation of the President to the National Assembly officers to interact with him since he returned from medical vacation. “As you know, since he got back we have not really had an opportunity to meet with him as part of the stakeholders,’’ he said. “The meeting was to welcome him to show our gratitude that he has come back healthy and continue to assure him that…
Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra says his tenure will bring about the increase of cassava output and processing by 2018. Obiano said that the new plan in place for improved cassava production and processing would begin by 2018, adding that “Anambra Garri’’ would soon take over the markets. The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefo, said that the state was already a leading producer rice and exporter of vegetables. Obiano, who praised Harvest Plus for donating the machines for the project, said that prototypes of the machines would be installed in communities across the…
Yemi Osinbajo recently challenged Nigerians to focus themselves toward building a nation they would be proud to hand over to unborn generations. “We must make sacrifices toward building a nation of our dream. It certainly cannot be easy, but it is very possible,” Osinbajo said at the official inauguration of a 10,000 capacity ecumenical centre in Yenagoa. He urged Nigerians to support government’s efforts to eradicate the nation of all forms of corruption, saying that the bad act had stalled national growth over the years. Osinbajo said that Nigeria was in quick need of strong men and women who were…
Tanko Al-Makura has said that President Buhari is the most appropriate candidate to carry the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential flag. The Nasarawa Governor also said “The tone for this meeting has been set since yesterday (Monday) when we had the caucus meeting.You see, APC as a party, epitomises democracy. For anybody to pre-empt the consensus opinion of the people is to say the least unfair to the vision of our party. “I can tell you if there is anything that is clandestine, the President will not honour it, so let us wait and see. As we embark on these…
Abdulrasheed Maina has spoken out about the corruption allegations that has chased him into hiding, as he made fresh claims that he’s being persecuted for exposing the real pension thieves. His aide, Olajide Fashikun, spoke in Kaduna on Tuesday. According to him, “Between the Head of Service and the Police Pension office, the two places PRTT worked, a leakage of N5.32 billion was stopped per month. “This is what civil servants steal monthly in the two offices out of the 99 pension offices in the country. About 43 persons were arrested and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes…
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that the Abia state Governor should answer for the attack on Nnamdi Kanu’s home. The group said “We, the IPOB, under the command and leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu are holding the Government of Abia State, four other South-East state governments and Ohanaeze Ndigbo responsible for the siege and invasion of our leader’s compound in Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia from September 10 to 14, 2017. “The repeated denials of Governopr Okezie Ikpeazu and his hired hands will not eradicate the fact that, he, along with other South East governors designed and perfected Operation…
David Silva says he prays of winning the Champions League with Manchester City to complete an incredible medal haul. “We’re playing really good football, beautiful football — scoring so many goals,” the 31-year-old told a news conference. “It would be amazing [to win it]. I pray every night to win the Champions League with City. Hopefully we can win it this year. “We are playing well in all the lines. From the goalkeeper to the striker, you can see it in every game.” Silva says he is very happy at the club working under Pep Guardiola since he switched to…
Jose Mourinho has told Manchester United fans that while they are allowed to express their disappointment with certain players, Romelu Lukaku should be “untouchable.” “The fans are the fans and I also said that the fans pay for their tickets and are free to express themselves and say they want to express, but my job is when I feel they deserve is to protect my players. “I think Romelu is one of the players that should be untouchable in terms of the respect of everyone. “It’s not one goal or the ball goes against the post or save by the…
Daniel Sturridge has said he can be a “big part” of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign. “We’ve been in the Champions League two times since I’ve been at the club,” Sturridge said. “Obviously I missed out the first time but hopefully I can be a big part of this European campaign. “I played in the competition many times for Chelsea and we won it when I was there. It’s nothing new to me. You want to be playing at this level. I am ready for when the opportunity comes. The manager picks the team. We’ll have to wait and see what…
Eric Bailly has explained the importance of qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 as quickly as possible after Manchester United’s clash with Benfica. He said : “It’s something very important — first that we win. It’s an important game, this is our fourth in the Champions League and it’s at home, and since we started we’ve not lost a single game at home and this is important for your confidence. “I hope everything goes well and we win and qualify. This would be very important for us.” United, City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham have all started well in…
Massimiliano Allegri and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon have rejected suggestions that Paulo Dybala is suffering from a form crisis. “He’s fine and he’s ready to play tomorrow,” said Allegri at the news conference ahead of his side’s Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday. “He played well against AC Milan and his performances are getting better and better, and this is the most important thing because he’s going to get his goals, either from set-pieces or open play. “Against Milan, his first control and pass for Gonzalo were great, and then Gonzalo scored an extraordinary goal, so in the end,…
Pep Guardiola has said he is not going to play for a draw away to Napoli despite Manchester City needing only a point to qualify for the round-of-16 of the Champions League. “Why would we play for a draw when we can play for a win?” the City boss told a news conference. “We are going to try to win the game against Napoli like at West Brom [last Saturday]. They are athletes, they play a game — we want to win.” The Spaniard has also been complimentary of Sarri and his side but insists his side will not go…
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been compared to boxer Floyd Mayweather by Gary Neville because they both “use defence as a weapon.” Neville said: “Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp have got wonderful reputations for being attacking coaches. “But Mourinho is a little bit like Mayweather at times. Mayweather is called boring at times, where he uses defence as a weapon, let’s people punch themselves out.” “My personal view is he has come in to win the league. He’s got to win the league. The club hasn’t won the league for a few years. “I have to say they’ve scored…
Jose Mourinho has backed his decision to stop Romelu Lukaku from taking a penalty against Benfica by insisting he “does not see the drama.” “I don’t understand why everyone asks me the same, I am paid to take decisions good or bad. “In the first half, the decision was bad. In the second half, I made another decision and I don’t see the drama. “The penalty-taker for this match was Martial, he was not even on the pitch for the second one. Romelu wants to take, he has the personality and character to take the responsibility, Herrera was the same,…
Antonio Conte has said there was big cause for concern, and warned his players that they cannot hope to compete for trophies this season unless they rediscover their “hunger” after the Premier League champions were humbled 3-0 by Roma. “When you lose 3-0, it means it wasn’t a good performance. Our first half was good, we created many chances to score, but to be 2-0 down was unfair,” Conte told BT Sport. “But in the second half, it was a really bad performance. Roma showed more will to fight and more desire to win the game. I’m very disappointed with…
Yo Gotti and Chris Brown are at it again. After joining forces on “Pills & Automobiles,” the duo reunites for “Save It for Me” off the Memphis rhymer’s album I Still Am. The R&B and hip-hop track blends each artist’s style over trap-infused production. Meanwhile, Gotti sends a message to Angela Simmons, who he name checked on “Down in the DM.” “Passed my number to Angela,” he raps. “I thought I had her / Her ni**a cuffed her, married, made me madder / I respect it, I’m moving on, but the truth is, I want her badder / Maybe me…