Lai Muhammed, Femi Adesina threaten to shut down station that granted me interview– Fani-Kayode

ON August 31, 2017 1:05 PM / IN

The former Aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, Thursday, alleged that the minister of information, Lai Muhammed and the senior special adviser to president Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, threatened to shut down the television station that granted him interview about Buhari’s health status, government and two years in office, if they dare air it for Nigerians to view.
Fani-Kayode made this known in his write up tagged, “A COLONY OF MONKEYS AND A CONGRESS OF BABOONS” on his tweeter handle. The former minister faulted Buhari’s administration and modus operandi on freedom of speech and government criticisms, saying that his government is “where any form of resistance or opposition is regarded as subversion and is met with brutality and lethal force and where any telling criticism of the ruling APC party, government officials or the President is regarded as “hate speech” that must be suppressed”.
According to him, “A few days ago I had a revealing, probing and in-depth interview with a leading television station about President Muhammedu Buhari, his record in office over the last two years, his health and his government.
“Lai Mohammed, our notoriously excitable and mendacious Minister of Information, was so upset and disturbed by the contents of that discussion that he personally called the television station that recorded it and told them that the government would close them down if they dared to air it.
“His call was followed by an equally threatening one from the chief executive of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation who issued the same threat.
“Yet it did not stop there. Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, almost defecated in his pants when he got a whisper of some of the things that I had revealed and he wondered out loud how I managed to get all the facts and information that I shared during the interview.
“He begged the station not to air it as well and also threatened them with dire consequences if they did so. Sadly the station in question got cold feet, succumbed to the threats and fell for the blackmail.
“I am not surprised by this and neither do I blame them for doing so. I say this because they, more than any other, have been subjected to all manner of harassment over the years yet despite that they remain one of the most balanced, professional, forthright and courageous media outfits in the country till today.
“They are indeed the first amongst equals but they also know the monsters that they are dealing with when it comes to the Buhari administration and they appreciate the fact that they have to be extremely careful even when it comes to reporting what are essentially notorious facts.
“They have to be even more careful when it comes to allowing strong opposition figures like yours truly and other non-conformists and perceived enemies of the government to use their powerful platform to air their personal opinions and strong dissenting views.
The truth is that this government is vicious and dangerous and, in my view, they are only one step away from “disappearing” (Argentinian style) media practitioners, publishers, essayists, columnists and writers that are not prepared to bow down to their unholy will and lick their filthy, unclean and unwashed posterior.
“Simply put they are chicken-hearted governments that are terrified of their own shadow.
“They are a government of uncircumcised Philistines who were put in power by heathens and unbelievers and who attract and enjoy the support of every low-life and apostate from the south side of hell. Nothing terrifies them more than public scrutiny and the glorious light of accountability and truth.
“From the top to the bottom they are all the same: gangsterish and paranoid charlatans who flourish in darkness and who thrive in division, conflict, lies, deceit, suppression, threats, murder, violence and intimidation.
“Femi Adesina’s cowardice and perfidy particularly is nothing new. This is the same man that threatened the publisher of two leading national newspapers to close my weekly column and that has been begging and offering inducements to virtually every online magazine that I write for to stop publishing my essays.
“That is how fearful, feeble, powerless, shameless, cowardly and paranoid the Buhari government has become. That is the level of their depravity and that is the level that they have degenerated to.
“They cannot take criticism and they cannot bear any form of factual and in-depth analysis of their abysmal and woeful performance.
“They do not have the stomach or intellectual stamina for a strong and lively challenge, for what I would describe as “hard talk” or indeed for any form of virile debate and contentious public discourse.
“Simply put they behave like a congress of baboons and a colony of monkeys. They always run away from a real fight and a real debate and they are terrified of those that are ready to take them on.
“Instead of attempting to defend themselves in the court of public opinion they seek to silence the opposition by the power of their might and they seek to suppress dissent, muscle the media and bury the truth.”

Britain pledges £200 mn to help Nigeria fight Boko Haram

Britain will give Nigeria aid with £200 million over five years to help it cope with the brutal insurgency being waged by Boko Haram jihadists, the foreign ministry in London said Wednesday.
Foreign Minister Boris Johnson visited Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s northeast Borno State and epicentre of the Boko Haram organisation, to meet some of those involved in the fight.
The Islamist militant group has increasingly used child suicide bombers and targeted civilians in its eight-year insurgency which has left at least 20,000 dead and displaced more than 2.6 million.
“In Maiduguri I met casualties of Boko Haram violence, including bomb and gunshot victims, and saw for myself the displacement of people that brutality and poverty have created,” Johnson said in a statement.
The £200 million ($260 million, 220 million euros) will help supply food to 1.5 million people facing famine as a result of the bloody insurgency, while providing treatment for 120,000 children at risk of malnutrition and assisting 100,000 children with education needs.
British military teams will also continue to help prepare Abuja’s security forces for counter-insurgency operations, having already helped to train 28,500 Nigerian personnel.
The uprising by Boko Haram, which is seeking to impose hardline Islamic law in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, has included a campaign of civilian kidnappings.
More than 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram from their school in the remote town of Chibok in April 2014.
A total of 106 of the kidnapped girls have been released, rescued or escaped after more than three years in captivity, while 113 are still being held.
AFP
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Chuma Anierobi • 41 minutes ago
Britain should use her money to pay the EU
Octopus • 1 hour ago
And how many billion barrel of oil will they take tru d back door? Lol
'Whatever Given To Boko Haram In Exchange For Chibok Girls Would Be Used Against Nigeria"
October 14, 2016
We Will Not Be Deterred From Supporting Nigeria To Tackle Violent Extremism - UK

Another suspected ritual killers’ den uncovered in Lagos

Two people on Wednesday were killed by an irate mob in the Mushin area of Lagos State over suspicion of involvement in kidnappings and ritual killings .
PUNCH Metro learnt that while one was butchered and set ablaze on the road , the other, who had been beaten to a stupor , died at the police station after rescue.
The incident happened at Challenge bus stop, Mushin .
[ READ ALSO ] Kidnappers’ den : ‘ Mad’ woman arrested with phones, ATM card
On August 9, two people were set ablaze by a mob in the Obadeyi -Ijaiye end of the Lagos - Abeokuta Expressway for allegedly operating a ritual den in the community .
On August 11, a man was also killed at the Ile Zik bus stop, Ikeja Along end of the Lagos -Abeokuta Expressway, over a similar allegation .
Our correspondent gathered that the lynching of the two suspects in Mushin started after a vulcaniser sighted a ‘ mad’ man discussing with another person in a tunnel at the Challenge bus stop around 6am .
The vulcaniser was said to have raised the alarm as residents gathered around the scene.
However, only the ‘ mad’ man was seen , as his interlocutor had fled.
The ‘ mad’ man , who was tortured by the residents , allegedly confessed that his gang had been operating in the tunnel for the past three months .
Some members of the Oodua People’ s Congress were said to have led a search team into the tunnel and found hundreds of syringes. The tunnel reportedly linked different parts of the community.
When our correspondent visited the scene, some of the syringes allegedly used by the suspects were seen on the ground.
A resident, Mr . Sulaiman Adio , said the ‘ mad’ man disguised as a woman when he was first sighted by the vulcaniser .
He said , “ When the youths of the community tore his clothes , they discovered that he was actually a man . He was wearing a woman’ s bra and wig to disguise . The discovery came to us as a surprise and the policemen came and took him to their station at Olosan . ”
READ ALSO : Lagos residents uncover kidnappers ’ den , set two suspects ablaze
PUNCH Metro learnt that the police, after rescuing the suspect, smoked the tunnel around 6. 15am and a suspected ritual killer came out .
He was reportedly hijacked by the youths, beaten and set ablaze .
The mob was later dispersed by some soldiers .
A woman , who identified herself as Lady Gold , said four Automated Teller Machine cards and three phones were recovered from the ‘ mad’ man .
“ We don ’ t know that we are living in the midst of ritual killers. The state government should act fast on the ritual killers’ dens discovered across the state.
“ The ‘ mad ’ man told us before the police took him away that they used the syringes to incapacitate victims they dragged into the tunnel before butchering them , ” she said .
A source at the Olosan Police Station confided in our correspondent that one of the suspects brought to the station died due to the severity of his injuries .
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr . Fatai Owoseni , who condemned the resort to jungle justice by residents, said five suspects had been arrested for taking the law into their own hands .
The CP said there were three suspected kidnappers involved in the actual incident, adding that they were arrested with ATM cards and mobile phones .
He said , “ One of the suspects was lynched, but the other two are in custody. Five suspects , who took part in the indecent act of jungle justice , were also arrested. ”

DO YOU KNOW, YOU CAN SELL YOUR BRAIN TO MAKE PROFIT THAN ALLOWING IT WAXED AWAY

As an entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate. Staying focused can be tough with a constant stream of employees, clients , emails, and phone calls demanding your attention. Amid the noise, understanding your brain’s limitations and working around them can improve your focus and increase your productivity .
Our brains are finely attuned to distraction, so today's digital environment makes it especially hard to focus. "Distractions signal that something has changed," says David Rock, co-founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute and author of Your Brain at Work
(HarperCollins, 2009). "A distraction is an alert says, 'Orient your attention here now; this could be dangerous.'" The brain's reaction is automatic and virtually unstoppable.
While multitasking is an important skill, it also has a downside. "It reduces our intelligence, literally dropping our IQ," Rock says. "We make mistakes, miss subtle cues, fly off the handle when we shouldn't, or spell things wrong."
To make matters worse, distraction feels great. "Your brain's reward circuit lights up when you multitask,” Rock says, meaning that you get an emotional high when you're doing a lot at once.
Ultimately, the goal is not constant focus, but a short period of distraction-free time every day. "Twenty minutes a day of deep focus could be transformative," Rock says.
Try these three tips to help you become more focused and productive:
1. Do creative work first.
2. Allocate your time deliberately.
3. Train your mind like a muscle.
Typically, we do mindless work first and build up to the toughest tasks. That drains your energy and lowers your focus. "An hour into doing your work, you've got a lot less capacity than (at the beginning)," Rock says. "Every decision we make tires the brain."
In order to focus effectively, reverse the order. Check off the tasks that require creativity or concentration first thing in the morning, and then move on to easier work, like deleting emails or scheduling meetings, later in the day.
By studying thousands of people, Rock found that we are truly focused for an average of only six hours per week. "You want to be really diligent with what you put into those hours," he says.
Most people focus best in the morning or late at night, and Rock's studies show that 90 percent of people do their best thinking outside the office. Notice where and when you focus best, then allocate your toughest tasks for those moments.
When multitasking is the norm, your brain quickly adapts. You lose the ability to focus as distraction becomes a habit. "We've trained our brains to be unfocused," Rock says.
Practice concentration by turning off all distractions and committing your attention to a single task. Start small, maybe five minutes per day, and work up to larger chunks of time. If you find your mind wandering, just return to the task at hand. "It’s just like getting fit," Rock says. "You have to build the muscle to be focused."
Back to the topic of the day....selling your brain to make profit that letting it wax away, After spending a decade believing I was selling my brain, I recently discovered that I have not been
doing that at all – I have been selling labor hours. It is very easy to start selling labor hours
without being aware of it but there are ways to prevent it. Doing so requires unbiased
introspection which may be difficult, but going through the following points can be very helpful:
Do you spend more time working on your computer than speaking with people? I did that,
for I believed that it would be easier to close a deal with images, PowerPoints, Excels, Words
and PDFs rather than just drafting a quick outline. I spent around 80% of the workday generating
content instead of actually working with the client solving a problem. Once I reduced that to
20% – and that required quite an effort – business began to accelerate. While engaged with a
project, I found myself forced to cut time to market for a client from six months to two and that
meant that fat had to be trimmed. I nearly stopped drafting anything – basically mapped it out in
my head using mental PowerPoints, Excels, Words – reduced meeting and meeting duration from
30 minutes to 15 and got the ball rolling at high-speed. Once everything was in place, partners,
distributors, end-customers and investors, I pieced together a brief Word document (converted
to PDF), a short spreadsheet and a 7-page PowerPoint, That is all it took to seal the deal. What I
learned from this is that if you focus on selling your brain alone, you catch the momentum
whereas going the document way may cause you to lose it.
Do you micromanage more than delegate? My issue here was that I did not trust anyone to
deliver the message I wanted as I wanted – text, image, layout and format. Since I could not
really delegate – although I believed I was actually doing just that – I wasted valuable time on
what font should be used for headers instead of working with the client solving problems or laying
growth strategies. As I am quite proficient at text, visual and numerical delivery, I preferred to
handle that myself whether or not I had others do it. What happened was that I would
superimpose how I would have done it over the material being submitted. That is not how to run
an efficient operation. Micromanagement eats up time, creates discomfort for the ones working
for you, and may cause a myriad of problems that slow down revenue generation. If you want to
earn more faster, reduce – or stop – micromanaging.
Do you surround yourself with people better at certain things than you are? If you
micromanage, you will correct what other people do. People that micromanage are usually
perfectionists (I am) and accepting imperfection (according to own aesthetic threshold) is just as
unpleasant as eating fermented shark (an Icelandic dish; “ The single worst, most disgusting and
terrible tasting thing I have ever eaten .” Chef Anthony Bourdain, Travel Channel ). Anyone
subjected to micromanagement will quickly begin to divert attention from the task at hand to a
growing resentment toward you . That reduces efficiency and usually results in sloppy work. After
all, if you know your boss will change everything you do, why bother?! When I stopped
micromanaging, something spectacular happened: I transformed from laborer to leader. Now
I expect things to be done properly, although I do not expect them to be done exactly as I would
do them. The way to get to this point is to prioritize tasks and be willing to let go once they
have been delegated to the proper personnel. Once I fully understood the value of doing this and
was able to put a price tag on it (hint: compensation), company growth accelerated.
Do you prioritize or do you work on everything at the same time? In my book, multi-tasking
means getting less done in more time. We cannot think two thoughts at the same time although
the brain can switch so rapidly that we are deceived into believing that we can. We can’t, for
instance, think of an oil tanker and a tomato at the same time without putting both in same
mental image. We can switch rapidly between the two, but we can’t ‘see ‘ both unless we put
them adjacent to one another (and even then we can’t ‘ see ‘ both as our mind’s eye switches
between them). Given the difficulty of this simple task, imagine the effect is has when working
on multiple projects at the same time? In my case, I have to ‘ rewire‘ my brain before changing
between projects which is why I prefer to work on few projects at a time and preferably of very
different nature. The greater the overlaps between projects, the higher the risk that mistakes
will occur as we confuse the two.
Have you put yourself to the challenge of generating revenue using ONLY your brain? Last
year, I asked myself that question and ended up staring into thin air. I had no real concept of
what that meant. The method I used to test this theory was to operate only on email and
telephone; no PowerPoints, Excels, or Words, only my mind and my mouth. The result was mind-
boggling. Before I did this, my reach was limited to Icelandic businesses and a handful of US firms
(I spent seven years there, so I had some contacts still intact). Today, I have a network
capable of penetrating the largest companies on the planet exactly where I want it to penetrate
. The epiphany came when I understood that people are not persuaded by documents but by
other people . If you respect them and what they do, they will respect you and what you do.
Once you have engaged in friendly talks and have formulated a project that creates a mutual
gain, then you whip together the necessary documents and seal the deal. I have found that this
leads to closer, longer lasting relationships than actually trying to sell someone something based
on promotional materials or business plans. People like being sold something that they can gain
from, and sometimes that gain is just interacting with another professional on the same level
(that can lead to very interesting projects). I have been very fortunate to have met a lot of
great people out there that hold impressive positions yet are very passionate about other things
such as the preservation of the Amazon. Companies are not blocks of cement, they are
people . When building a business, it is very easy to forget that which sets the stage for labor
hour sales.
These are just my observations; there is no right or wrong when it comes to building a business.
Or is there?

DJ REAL FT SMALL DOCTOR - MARIO

DJ Real ft Small Doctor - Mario
DJ Real Emir Of Alaba bounces back with yet Another Banger titled “MARIO”, recruiting the assistance of the Mosquito Killer – Small Doctor.
Download this jam produced by 2tboiz and leave your comment!
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PHOTOS: BUHARI HOSTS D’TIGRESS PLAYERS, OFFICIALS IN ABUJA

August 30, 2017
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday hosted the victorious national female basketball team, D’Tigress, before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Buhari, while hosting the players, announced cash gifts of N1 million each for members of the team and N500,000 each to the team’s officials.
D’Tigress won the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Mali and qualified for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain.
See photos:

BUHARI PRESIDES OVER FEC MEETING

Ministers at the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday offered special prayers, thanking God for sparing the life of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari was meeting the whole members of the cabinet for the first time since his return to Abuja on Aug. 19 after a medical vacation in London.
The prayer session was led by the Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.
The ministers thanked God for bringing the President back “in peace not in pieces’’.
While expressing hope that the President’s return would reinvigorate the cabinet and the nation’s economy, the ministers prayed for all Nigerians and for the country.
Buhari shortly after the prayers received and rewarded the victorious D’Tigress players for winning the 2017 Women Afrobasket Tournament in Mali.
He announced one million naira donation for each of the players and N500, 000 for each of their officials.

KOGI GOV, BELLO, IN GERMAN HOSPITAL FOR EYE SURGERY

Kogi State Governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello
Contrary to the claims by the Kogi State Government that Governor Yahaya Bello is healthy, investigations, on Monday, revealed that he had been admitted into a hospital in Germany for eye surgery.
The PUNCH learnt that the governor was in Dubai en route to Germany for the operation, which is expected to correct an eye ailment that had been troubling him for sometime.
Bello, who won the December 6, 2015, by-election in the state, was sworn in on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 without a deputy, the first of such development in the country.
The nature of the eye problem could not be ascertained on Monday, but a senior official in the state confirmed to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity that Bello travelled with some close aides and officials for the surgery.
It was gathered that the state Commissioner for Works, Land and Housing, Abdulmumini Sadiq, who earlier travelled with Bello, returned to Lokoja, the state capital, a few days ago to run some errands for the governor.
The source added, “The governor is not missing as being speculated. The fact is that he has an eye problem and he decided to travel to Germany for medical treatment.
“He actually travelled with some close aides, including about two or three commissioners. He is expected back in the state within two weeks, after he might have recovered from the effects of the surgery on his eyes.”
It was learnt that the governor, however, could not wait for a formal handing over to his deputy, Simon Achuba.
The governor, it was further gathered, did not also officially notify the state House of Assembly of his foreign trip, contrary to laid down regulations.
Another source, who spoke to The PUNCH on Monday, stated that activities in the state had been grounded to a halt following the absence of Bello and some key cabinet members.
It was gathered that some of the cabinet members, including commissioners and special advisers, spent more time in Abuja, than in Lokoja, where they have their offices.
“The commissioners and special advisers were just appointed to do nothing, because no money was allocated to their offices for the implementation of the budget. This is due to the fact that Kogi State is broke,” a source stated.
The absence of the governor has generated anxiety in the state, leading to rumours that Bello was down with a deadly ailment.
Meanwhile, a socio-political organisation in the All Progressives Congress, Lokoja Integrity Group, on Monday, fingered those it described as people desperate for power as the brains behind the rumours that Bello was ill and might have died.
The Leader of LIG and chieftain of the APC in Kogi State, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulmalik, said these in a statement in Abuja.
He was reacting to reports of anxiety in Kogi State over the weekend, following the non-appearance of Bello in public in the last two weeks.
Abdulmalik, who described those behind Bello’s death rumour as “desperate politicians and power seekers in the state,” said, “The governor is hale and hearty, enjoying his well-deserved rest outside the country after 10 months of hardworking and rigorous activities without rest since assumption of office.”
He said the state was “in a precarious situation and bleeding before Governor Bello came on board.”
He added, “Governor Yahaya Bello is human and needs to rest so as to refresh in the task ahead. We are all mortals and every soul must taste death and power ultimately belongs to the Almighty God and who gives it to whomever He pleases. People must live with this reality, which derived mainly from the Holy Scriptures.
The governor’s spokesman, Kingsley Fanwo, had, in a statement on Sunday, denied that the governor was nursing any ailment, stressing that Bello was hale and hearty.
Fanwo, however, urged the public to discountenance “the rumour,” describing it as lacking any iota of truth.
“I want to state clearly here for the avoidance of doubt that the rumour lacks any iota of truth. It is a reflection of the depth the enemies of Kogi State have gone in their desperate angst against fate,” he had stated.

Onise Iyanu lyrics by Nathaniel Bassey

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
Onise Iyanu
You are the God of awesome wonders
I've tasted of Your power
Onise Iyanu
You have shown me so much mercy
Much more than I deserve
My eyes have seen, my ears have heard
The wonders of Your praise
Creation bows in awe of You
And we join to give You praise
The words You speak turns things around
Your outstretched hand
Has lifted me
You took away the chains and colts
That held me bound

Onise Iyanu
You are the God of awesome wonders
I've tasted of Your power
Onise Iyanu
You have shown me so much mercy
Much more than I deserve

Omniscient, Omnipotent
The one who does great things
When I behold the things You do
I just can't hold back my praise
The words You speak turns things around
Your outstretched hand
Has lifted me
You took away the chains and colts
That held me bound

Onise Iyanu
You are the God of awesome wonders
I've tasted of Your power
Onise Iyanu
You have shown me so much mercy
Much more than I deserve
Onise Iyanu
You are the God of awesome wonders
I've tasted of Your power
Onise Iyanu
You have shown me so much mercy
Much more than I deserve
Hey hey hey hey...

Iyanu (Iyanu)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Onise (Onise)
Onise (Onise)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Onise (Onise)
Onise (Onise)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Onise (Onise)
Onise (Onise)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Iyanu (Iyanu)
Iyanu (Iyanu)

Onise Iyanu
You are the God of awesome wonders
I've tasted of Your power
Onise Iyanu
You have shown me so much mercy
Much more than I deserve
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh...

When the world stood In loud ovations for Nigerian Army

ON August 30, 2017 2:00 PM
This particular Saturday morning, August 25, 2017 in the United Kingdom was like any other normal day. The weather was bright and people went out as usual to perform their daily chores in search of a rewarding livelihood. But a few hours into the day, around The Dorchester, in the City of Westminster, the mood began to change slightly, as electrified with the presence of some unusual visitors.
The Nigerian, (TN), a London-based online news portal had slated that day to stage twin genial celebrations.
First, it was the celebration of TN’s first anniversary of birth on the newsstands as medium of information dissemination and, secondly, a stately celebration of what the Master of Ceremony (MC) repeatedly chanted as “the best of the best” from the pool of Nigeria’s distinctive, eminent leadership personalities and public institutions that have remarkably etched profound memories of performance on the Nigerian public in the year 2017.
The preparations engulfed weeks of dedicated planning. But two days to the D-day, the hearts of the organisers was thrown to the backs, with feverish and tension-packed last minute authentication of arrangements. But eventually, every foreseen and unforeseen barrier was cleared.
The organisers lined up a flurry of activities to spice the celebrations, including a symposium centered on the topic “ Oil, Terrorism and Globalization: Security Challenges to the Capitalization of Nigeria’s Natural Resource Market”. On the appointed day, guests invited for the occasion started filing into the neatly decorated moonlit hall, which was decked with artifacts that stimulated the instincts of celebrations.
The guests came from different parts of the globe to fraternize with the management of TN’s   one year of uninterrupted and the finest quality of robust development journalism, rooted in the ululations of African heritage.
Most were enthusiastic because of TN’s edifying consummation of journalism on the plank of the Biblical myth of the mustard seed, from its little beginnings to its near unbeatable influence and impact on African populations anywhere in the world in just one year.
Therefore, within 30 minutes, the marble-walled and brightly lighted hall was full to the brim as almost all the invited guests and the awardees were seated. But the joy of the organisers was incomplete, as something was still conspicuously missing from the array of personalities that converged in The Dorchester in the Westminster to grace this maiden anniversary of The Nigerian.
But the anxiety soon eclipsed, and morphed into the mood of excitement as the Master of Ceremony (MC) or Achor, Mr. Mark Jones bellowed into the microphone the arrival of the delegation from the Nigerian Army. The other guests and dignitaries were no less important.
But the demystification of terrorism in Nigeria, the quelling of acerbic separatism movements and other insurrectional acts in the country by the Nigerian Army conferred on them a reverence and status that made Nigerian soldiers the cynosure of all eyes wherever they registered presence. This instance too was no exemption, as it amply verified their veneration, judging by the loud applauses that greeted the arrival of the delegation of the Nigerian Army.
Nigerians through TN’s online polling massively voted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai “The Nigerian Man of the Year 2017” and the Nigerian Army, “The Nigerian Best Public Institution of the Year 2017. In effect, what was conceived as a mere award ceremony inevitably slipped into a day of ceaseless global celebration of the Nigerian Army in a manner that almost inspired envy from the organisers for their unconscious “stealing of the show.”
As the event progressed, speaker after speaker eagerly took turns to eulogize and extoll the virtues of the Nigerian COAS and leader of the counter-insurgency war in Nigeria, Gen. Buratai and the Nigerian Army.
Gen. Buratai himself was understandably absent at the event because of urgent security matters back home. But he sent a powerful delegation that accentuated the seriousness he attached to the global recognition of the Nigerian Army.
The MC introduced Major General CAT Jemitola, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, as Leader of the delegation and representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Buratai. He was accompanied by Major General CO Ojo, the Rector of the Nigerian Army Institute of Environmental Technology, undergoing the metamorphosis of becoming the first Nigerian Army University, in Nigeria.
Other members of the delegation, included Major General RO Yusuf, the Commanding Officer, Training and Doctrine Command, Minna Niger State; Major General Nani, a Director at the TRADOC; Major General G Oyefesobi, Nigeria’s Defence Adviser to London; Brigadier General US Mohammed, the Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief of Army Staff; Brigadier General SK Usman, the Director, Army Public Relations; a retired Colonel,  Michael Oladeji, who is a friend and Course mate of the Chief of Army Staff and Colonel HI Zaria, another friend of the COAS.
Members of Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Combatant Course 29, COAS’s course mates were also fully represented by their President who personally graced the event to witness firsthand the global honour done to a distinguished member of the Combatant Course 29 and the Nigerian Army under his leadership. The ceiling almost pulled down, with vibrations from applauses and excitements inspired by their presence.
The International Press stood up in engaging and stimulating appreciation of the Nigerian Army, as Mark Jones summoned two reputable international journalists, Patrick Smith, the Editor-in-Chief of the African Confidential and John Milton, an American journalist to present the awards of THE NIGERIAN OF THE YEAR to the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Buratai and the NIGERIAN BEST PUBLIC INSTITUTION to the Nigerian Army. Spontaneous ovations again greeted the hall, as the Nigerian Army as an institution was conferred with these distinguished awards.
The Chairman, Board of Directors, of The Nigerian and former Minister of State for the Niger Delta, Hon. Dr. Sam Ode and the entire management of TN were taken aback by the outpouring of encomiums on the Nigerian Army from Nigerians in the diaspora and foreigners alike . Speakers including academics and conflict resolution experts stopped short of publicly requesting approval to partner with the Nigerian Army on matters of terrorism.
But it gladdened the heart of Hon. Ode, who hinted at the beginning that the event was packaged to celebrate the very best of the best in Nigeria had his assumption confirmed by the reactions of the congregation. The dignitaries and guests at the ceremony confirmed it eloquently by its celebration of the Nigerian Army and indeed, all the awardees for their distinctive leadership qualities, which has earned them a special place in history.
It is not in doubt that the Nigerian Army’s global recognition is spurred by its fruitful battles against insurgency, extremism and separatism. But what has earned them this fame the more as clearly gleaned from the excitement of the world is their dexterity in prosecuting a delicate war like terrorism.
They complied with the most acceptable standards of the rules of engagement and, respect for the sanctity of human rights of both victims and the aggressors in the anti-terrorism campaigns.
And that the world is elated at the penchant of the Gen. Buratai-led Nigerian Army to court civil/military relations excellently. It’s execution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) manifest in the barrage of interventions in community development services to host communities, like offering free Medicare, construction of roads and provision of water among others.
The humility of Nigerian soldiers to key into the environmental sanitation creed to keep the streets clean and maintain a healthy environment are testimonies of a professionally disciplined Army.
These manifestations have earned them global recognition and endeared them to men of conscience around the world. As the Nigerian Army celebrates the token of appreciation of Nigerians and the world by the awards, may it serve as catalyst and elixir to a greater determination to serve humanity anywhere the call of duty beckons for them in any part of the world.
By Prince Ugo
Ugo, a legal practitioner sent in this piece from the United Kingdom.

Travis Greene Lyrics "Made A Way"

Made a way
Don't know how but you did it
Made a way
Standing here not knowing how we'll get through this test
But holding onto faith you know best
Nothing can catch you by surprise
You've got this figured out and you're watching us now
But when it looks as if we can't win
You wrap us in your arm and step in
And everything we need you supply
You got this in control
And now we know that

You made a way
When our backs were against the wall
And it looked as if it was over
You made a way
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way

You made a way
Now we're here
Looking back on where we come from
Because of you and nothing we've done
To deserve the love and mercy you've shown
But your grace was strong enough to pick us up
And you made a way
When our backs were against the wall
And it looked as if it was over

You made a way
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way
You made a way
When our backs were against the wall
And it looked as if it was over
You made a way
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way
You move mountains
You cause walls to fall
With your power
Perform miracles
There is nothing that's impossible
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way

You move mountains
You cause walls to fall
With your power
Perform miracles
There is nothing that's impossible
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way
You move mountains
You cause walls to fall
With your power
Perform miracles
There is nothing that's impossible
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way
You made a way
You made a way
You made a way
You made a way
Don't know how but you did it
Made a way
Don't know how but you did it
Made a way
Don't know how but you did it
Don't know how but you did it
Don't know how but you did it
Don't know how but you did it
Don't know why but I'm grateful
Don't know why but I'm grateful
Don't know why but I'm grateful
Don't know why but I'm grateful
Don't know why but I'm grateful
Don't know why but I'm grateful
And we're standing here
Only because you made
And we're standing here
Only because you made a way
And we're standing here
Only because you made
You move mountain
You move mountain
You move mountain
You move mountain
You cause walls to fall
You cause walls to fall
You cause walls to fall
You cause walls to fall
You cause chains to break
You cause chains to break
You cause chains to break
You cause chains to break
Giants fall
Giants fall
Giants fall
Giants fall
'Cause you move mountain
You move mountain
And everything is easy for you
'Cause you move mountain
Yes you move mountain
Mountains are moving
Mountains are moving
Mountains are moving
Mountains are moving
Strongholds are breaking
Strongholds are breaking
Strongholds are breaking
Strongholds are breaking
'Cause you move mountain
You cause walls to fall
With your power
With your power
With your power
With your power
You perform miracles
You perform miracles
You perform miracles
You perform miracles
My son is breathing
My son is living
My son is breathing
My son is living
When the doctor said no, you said yes
When the doctor said no, you said yes
When they pronounced me dead, you said not yet, ah aha
When they called me dead, you said not yet
You perform miracles
You perform miracles

PENIEL PRAYER CITY BRINGS A BRAND NEW PRAYER PACKAGE

God has never relented from d business of bringing his children close to Himself. Peniel prayer city has always raised intercessions for the town called ankpa in kogi state as well as the country, and the World at large... and but to mention, the church.
Under the care of Evang. Solomon Salami, God has used this particular prayer ministry to deliver the Land. And once again, a great package is presented before us tagged: THE TILLER OF THE GROUND
SPEAKER: EVNG. EMMA IBRAHIM
DATE: 6TH TO 9TH OF SEPTEMBER
MINISTRING: SANI EPHRAIM
                       PSALMIST SOLOMON
                       AND MANY MORE

Blaquenews

Breaking: ASUU shuns meeting with FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has shunned a meeting scheduled with the Federal Government on Tuesday to address the concerns raised in an earlier agreement between them for which ASUU has been on strike.
ASUU President, Biodun Ogunyemi told newsmen that the education body had submitted a proposal to the federal government and is yet to receive a reply from FG, hence, would not attend any meeting with it until the union gets a reply.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige had called the meeting and those expected were the Ministers of Education and Finance, Mallam Adamu Adamu and Mrs. Kemi Adeosun respectively, Chairman, National Income Salaries and Wages Commission, Executive Secretary National Universities Commission and the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba.
A statement signed by Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director, Press in the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja had read thus: “In furtherance of efforts at resolving the lingering industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, will tomorrow (today) by noon meet with the President and Executive of ASUU.
“Government delegation at the meeting will include Minister of Education, Minister of Finance, Chairman National Income Salaries and Wages Commission, Executive Secretary National Universities Commission and the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC.
“The minister recalled that ASUU had earlier promised during the last meeting held on Thursday, August 17, 2017, to take the offer of the Federal Government back to its members and get back to the Federal Government within a week. “Senator Chris Ngige calls on ASUU to show good faith as the Federal Government had already demonstrated commitment to addressing the grievances of the Union.”
When Vanguard contacted the National President of ASUU, Prof. Abiodun Ogunyemi, on his phone, yesterday, on the position of the strike, he simply said that the union was still consulting and that whatever was the outcome of the consultation would be made available to the public.
ASUU had declared an indefinite strike two weeks ago, citing FG’s failure to implement agreements reached with the union in 2009.
Ogunyemi, while calling for the strike said during the strike, there shall be no teaching, no examination and no attendance of statutory meetings of any kind in any of the union’s branches across the country.
However, after its meeting on Saturday, Ogunyemi said the body would attend a subsequent meeting only after it has received a reply from the federal government.
He said ASUU had met, discussed the new offer from the FG and submitted a proposal to the government but is yet to receive any respons