Following the Apeal Court pronouncement that upheld the suspension of embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress(APC) has named Senator Abiola Ajimobi as acting national chairman of the party.

Ajimobi has functioned as the National Deputy Chairman South of the party.

A statement by the Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu said the elevation was in line with the constitution of the party.

The statement said, the NWC “has received the news indicating the Appeal Court has upheld the suspension of the Party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“Guided by advice from the Party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the Party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, will serve as the Party’s Acting National Chairman.

“According to Section 14.2. (iii), of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone”.


Source:

https://applesbite.com/apc-names-abiola-ajimobi-acting-national-chairman/

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has posited that the Nigerian Governor’s Forum, NGF, under the APC government has become ineffectual, and could be likened to a bulldog that was toothless.
Wike made this assertion a day after he welcomed his Edo counterpart, Godwin Obaseki in Rivers State.

Wike said he would welcome Obaseki with open arms if he joins the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Obaseki was disqualified barely a week ago, by the APC Screening Committee, from contesting in the primary election that would produce a flagbearer for his party in the September Gubernatorial election.

Obaseki was disqualified on grounds that he had 'defective qualifications.'

There had been pressure on Obaseki to cross over to the PDP and pick its governorship ticket.

Speaking with reporters on Monday at the Government House Port-Harcourt, the Governor also blasted the Nigerian Governors Forum(NGF), alleging it has become toothless under APC.

Wike said: “Ordinary, I would not speak on it ( Obaseki’s fate) but the NGF has become a toothless bulldog that can only bark and not bite. It is quite unfortunate that I belong to such a forum. Nobody seems to respect the Governors Forum again because we have given ourselves out”

“Obaseki is a member of the APC, I campaigned against him in 2016 but how can you say a sitting governor is being disqualified because some of his certificates are defective? He was presented by the National Chairman of APC, when he was governor. I was watching a video where Adams Oshiomhole described him as a product of Nigeria’s premier university, who went to the US and came back with a masters degree.”

On the possibility of defecting to the PDP, Wike said: “Yes, he came to see me yesterday; both of us are South-south governors. We sat down and discussed issues, seek opinions and compared notes. He has not said he wants to come to PDP; he is meeting with us and holding discussions to determine, but I will be happy if he comes.”

Wike said it was “quite unfortunate” the treatment meted on Obaseki by the All Progressive Congress leadership, and lamented the perceived acquiescing silence of the NGF and the Progressive Governors Forum.

“If you ask me if I am happy about the way he was disqualified, how can I be happy? How can you disqualify a sitting governor? You asked a Commissioner fo screen a sitting governor and disqualify him.”

“Since 2015 when the APC took over leadership of the Governor’s Forum, everything died; the forum is is not what we used to have. It used to be a powerful forum. The APC has killed it and the forum is now focused on the interests of the ruling party, instead of focusing on good governance and interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

“When the IG (Ibrahim Idris) withdrew my security aides and exposed me to danger, the Governors did not say anything. Yari (Abubakar) was the (NGF) President and a member of the APC. I told them that they’re being captured, and today the forum has become a Beggars Forum because they have to beg for everything.”

He said the ongoing discussion on the Infectious Bill before the National Assembly showed show that the forum has lost its bite, relevance and failed to play its role as an integral part of the nation’s democratic process.

Wike also took a swipe at the Progressive Governors Forum, comprising state governors on the platform of the APC, stating that Obaseki’s fate was a slap on the union’s face.

The Rivers Governor warned the manner of Obaseki’s disqualification, despite the political implications for the APC, indicates that the ruling party was willing to throw caution to the wind and take the state by brute force.

Yet, he warned the ruling party not to use the Police and Security to manipulate Edo election, stressing it could unleash civil disobedience in a magnitude of what is currently happening in the United States, over the killing of an African-America.

“They cannot get away with using the security force and INEC to have their way because everybody will be involved. Edo people will be involved. See what is happening in the US with George Floyd’s death, nobody expected that just one death can lead to all that.”


Source:


https://applesbite.com/ngf-a-toothless-bulldog-under-apc-wike-2/

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai has congratulated officers and men of the Army Super Camp, Monguno for their resilience and bravery in holding and dealing with the members of the BHT/ISWAP group that attacked Monguno town on 13 Jun 20.
The COAS is highly impressed by the high number of casualties inflicted on the insurgents and the number of BHT members and equipment captured or destroyed by the gallant troops with the support of the Air Task Force. He urged them to remain firm and resolute in containing the threat finally.

The COAS further charged the Commander OPLD to consistently engage in massive offensive patrols to all identified terrorists’ locations and enclaves within the theatre to ensure the terrorists are denied freedom of action and eliminated.

The COAS uses this opportunity to assure the troops and people of the North West especially Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States that he will soon be there to ensure that the madness of the bandits is put in proper check. He is also impressed with the performance of the troops in the ongoing operations ACCORD and HADARIN DAJI. He urges them to maintain the momentum.

Also Read: Benin Republic Nominates Okonjo-Iweala for DG World Trade Organisation

Details of the BHT equipment captured or destroyed will be released in due course through a press release.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/coas-buratai-applauds-troops-for-subduing-boko-haram-iswap-terrorists-attack-on-monguno/

Republic of Benin has withdran her nomination and nominated Nigeria’s former Minister for Finance and former Managing Director of World Bank, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This is a major boost for Okonjo-Iweala’s ambition.
Benin decided to withdraw her nominee after a letter addressed to the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Benin to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations based in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday.

Also Read: War in Aso Villa: Ranti Odunlami Takes Sides With First Lady, Aisha Buhari

In her two-page letter, Benin informed the Permanent Missions of the Member States of the International Organization of La Francophonie (01F) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva of its decision to withdraw its candidate in the person of Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Benin in Geneva, His Excellency Eloi Laourou.

Benin said that her decision to withdraw her nomination was informed by consultations conducted by three African countries registered by the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on February 10 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the endorsement of a single candidate from Africa for the post of Director General of the WTO for the period 2021 – 2025.

Benin said that the decision to give her support to the candidacy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in the person of Okonjo-Iweala was informed by AU decision to support a consensus candidate.

Diplomatic sources told reporters that credit should be given to President Patrice Guillaume Athanase Talon of the Republic of Benin for his country’s decision to support Nigeria for the WTO Director General’s job.

This decision of the President of the Republic of Benin was said to have been inspired by his high sense of seeking consensus around a candidate which will be endorsed by the African Union, as recommended by the Heads of State and Government of the African Union in their decisions adopted respectively on July 07, 2019 in Niamey, Niger Republic and February 10, 2020 at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Benin Republic’s Permanent Mission also called on counterparts in the member states of the OIF to inform their respective national authorities that she has decided to throw her weight behind Nigeria’s candidate Okonjo-Iweala.

Last week, WTO acknowledged the nomination of Okonjo-Iweala, as one of the candidates for the position of the Director-General of the organization.

Also Read: FG Creates 114 526 Jobs Inaugurates 44 Dam to Boost Irrigation Water Supply

The WTO has opened nominations for a successful candidate that will succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevedo, who will be stepping down on August 31, 2020, one year ahead of time

WTO announced this on 9th June, 2020 via its twitter handle.

The tweet post from WTO states, “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chair of the Board of Gavi and Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, has been nominated by Nigeria as a candidate for the post of WTO Director-General.”

President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Okonjo-Iweala for the top job. However, her nomination was opposed by Egypt on grounds that the period of nominations had elapsed.

Egypt claimed that the African Union executive had set November 30, 2019 as the deadline for submission of nominees for African countries, therefore, Nigeria’s nomination violated that.

However, the WTO disagreed, saying that the nomination process actually opened on June 8 and will end on July 8, contrary to the claim by Egypt.

The statement from WTO said the nomination period would end on 8 July. Learn more about the process to select the next Director-General of WTO.”

The WTO said after the nomination period is closed, the candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special general council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership.

Other nominees for the post so far include Mr. Jesús Seade Kuri of Mexico, and Mr. Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt. Okonjo-Iweala, is a world-renowned economist and international development expert.

https://applesbite.com/benin-republic-nominates-okonjo-iweala-for-d-g-world-trade-organisation/

When I heard about the unfortunate happenstance in Burundi, I got scared for my family. The fact that the first family of a nation can be wiped out in the twinkle of an eye because of an alien virus, is alarming.

I immediately thought of our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari, who was perhaps saved from the novel COVID-19 virus by the swift actions of his dear wife and first lady, Aisha Buhari.

Read Also: The Villa Debacle And The Truth of What Happened

An ever proactive mother, she sprung into action when news broke of the index COVID-19 case in Nigeria by first shutting down her office. She thereafter isolated her own daughter who returned from school in a COVID-19 high-risk country and ensured that the president distances himself from the then Chief Of Staff who had recently returned from a trip. Her actions may have been all that saved the president.

It's no surprise then that with the rising number of cases being recorded in Nigeria on a daily basis, the first lady has not relaxed the preventive measures set up to protect her family, especially fighting any perceived danger around her husband who is elderly, knowing that the elderly are more susceptible to coronavirus.

This is perhaps why it is surprising that a person as close to the president as his personal assistant would work directly against the measures set up to protect the president and his family from the fate of the Burundian first family.

How can a Personal Assistant to the president be irresponsible enough to pose a threat to his president?

By all standards, and without being told, he should have done all it takes to protect his principal including self-isolating as needed in his case.

We have all learned that you can't be too careful with the coronavirus. I personally think it's unfair for anyone, no matter how highly placed, to have to put the first lady in a position to have to bring her maternal instincts to bear in doing all it takes to protect her husband, the President of Nigeria from imminent and known threats.

From time to time, this Amazon has proven to be the only one truly for the President, standing by him unwavering, spotting dancers even when he himself has not realised that. Such is the amazing love by a wife over three decades and a loving mother that is not in a hurry to see her children orphaned.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/war-in-aso-villa-ranti-odunlami-takes-sides-with-first-lady-aisha-buhari/

Ketu Branch Manager of Access Bank Plc, Mr Nwaru Jerry Nnamdi, on Thursday, June 11, was arrested by men of the Nigerian Police and charged with stealing N14m meant for the bank’s ATM.
Nwaru, 34, was alleged to have stolen the money while refilling the ATM vaults.

It was gathered that his employer, Access Bank, reported the theft at the Ikoyi Division of Nigeria Police Force, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Also Read: Edo 2020: Oshiomole 1 Obaseki 0: Nigerians React Following APC Disqualification Of Incumbent From Guber Race

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station, CSP Tijani Mustapha N`abba, subsequently directed his men led by Inspector Afolayan Babashola to arrest the suspect.

The police arraigned Nwaru before the Igbosere Chief Magistrate`s Court on Thursday on a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

However, the presiding Magistrate , Mrs K.O Doja Ojo, declined to entertain the matter on the ground that the charge did not fall into the category of the emergency cases approved for the court to handle.

Doja Ojo directed the police to return the suspect to the station and bring him back after COVID 19 crisis for proper arraignment.

According to police, nemesis, caught up with the suspect when forensic auditors from the bank`s headquarters audited the account books of the branch.

The auditors discovered that the suspect stole N14m between May and December 2019 through false accounting.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/access-bank-manager-charged-with-stealing-n14m/

An idiot is a stupid person. If that’s still ambiguous, let’s say, an idiot is a person with relatively low intelligence.
The world is replete with people varying levels of intelligence.

Almost anyone would consider themselves to be intelligent, of course, and it can be very hard to get an accurate assessment of our own intelligence. After all, our thoughts always tend to sound smart in our own head, don’t they?

Being an idiot is temporary state for some, self-permanent for others.

It cuts deeper than just about anything you could say. And yet, some people have earned the title.

Here’s how:

1. They refuse to change their mind.

Intelligent people change their minds often. They don’t do it because they’re fickle, spineless, or immoral. They do it because the world is complicated. We’re always finding out new information. We adjust their worldview to accommodate what’s new.
Idiots base their self-worth completely on their opinions. They equate opinions with beliefs and values.

When you challenge their opinion, they see it as a personal attack on every single part of their identity.
Reality attacks them every day.
They’ve never learned how to change their mind, because they’ve never tried. It’s not entirely their fault. Their culture has taught them that changing your mind too much shows weakness. When you disagree with an idiot, it’s like you’re already calling them one.

Also Read: For Ladies: A Dose of Majel’s Elegance-Inspired Wardrobe Muse

2. They have to win every single argument.

It would be one thing if idiots lived their own lives according to their own values and principles.
But living doesn’t make idiots happy.

Idiots feel the need to control everyone around them, which also means they start arguments they know they’ll lose.

They lose because they don’t understand what an argument is. Intelligent people see arguments as exchanges of information, attitudes, opinions, and values, and all that great stuff.

You can’t “win” an argument.
Intelligent people don’t see debates as contests. They see them as opportunities to share their thoughts. They know they’ll come away with new perspectives they didn’t have earlier.

3. They despise difference and diversity.

Idiots feel threatened by anyone who doesn’t look, sound, think, or act exactly the way they do. To feel safe, idiots need everything around them to reflect and reinforce the identity they already have.

They have such an insecure sense of self, they’re afraid that being around difference will change them.
Idiots base their identity largely on their ability to conform. When all you do is confirm, your mind can’t handle difference.

They see new attitudes and ideas as contagious, especially when they come from other cultures.
This is why they feel outraged over Festivus poles, or the sight of women going to school or not covering their hair, or someone who doesn’t look like them going for a jog in their neighborhood.

Idiots like the saying, “Everyone’s entitled to an opinion.” Of course, they don’t really mean this. That’s why idiots get so upset when someone expresses any kind of opinion they find unappealing.

4. They dehumanize others with ease.

Once or twice, I’ve gotten into arguments with idiots. They’re always the first to start with name-calling. They’ll insult your physical appearance first, and go from there.

When idiots run out of reasons and facts, the slurs come out.
They know it’s an effective way to end a debate, and gives them the illusion they’ve won simply by hurting someone.

You might stop and wonder if the term “idiot” itself is dehumanizing. But idiots are people who just need to calm down and stop forcing their lifestyles on everyone else and claiming to be the only voice worth hearing. That’s all intelligent people want from idiots.

We don’t need idiots to give up their family, language, values, or their homes— as they’ve so often expected of others.

But this is exactly what idiots expect of everyone else.
They justify their violence by denying the very humanity of the people they can’t stand for being different.

Also Read: Just In: Fire Outbreak At Aso Villa!

5. They love hurting things.
Idiots enjoy causing pain and suffering. It starts small with bugs and plants then escalates with animals. Any living creature that can’t fight back, they want to cause it harm.

We tend to relegate this kind of behavior to psychopaths because we don’t want to acknowledge how prevalent it is. For idiots, anything less than human exists to suffer for their entertainment.
And so we get dogfighting and sport hunting.

It’s not entirely their fault. Idiots receive a lot of violence in a lot of forms. They grow up thinking the only way to process their own trauma is to inflict more of it on other people.

They believe hurting things protects them from being hurt, and heals what happened to them in the past.
So they’ll beat their wives and kids.

And if they can’t inflict violence on you, they’ll do everything to make it clear that they can. They’ll make it clear that they want to, and that they’re just waiting for an excuse. So we get huge trucks and tail-gating on highways.

6. They laugh at the suffering of others.

The weakness of others is funny to idiots. They’re so confident in their own mental and physical superiority, they can’t fathom that day in the future when they’ll need help. When that day comes, they won’t acknowledge the help they get. They’ll see it as something they earned. To idiots, help is vulgar.

7. They live to offend.

Idiots justify their behavior by elevating themselves above everyone else. This practically requires them to constantly mock and demean anyone who isn’t like them, or who disagrees with them.
Their winner-take-all attitude includes trash-talking the ones they’ve already taken everything from.

Their offensive remarks act as a smokescreen. They honestly believe the awful things they say about other people, because if someone else is that bad, then they deserve what’s happening to them.
When you live to offend, you also live to be offended. It’s a short, easy high that leaves you wanting more.

Anyone can be an idiot.
Idiocy transcends race, class, religion, and gender. I’ve met idiots from around the world. Idiots have a way of thinking that they’re always right. They hate changing their minds. They think difference is contagious, because they lack a sophisticated, flexible sense of identity.

If they can’t be what they’ve always been, then they’re nobody.
Idiots have a way of thinking only they are entitled to certain things. Everyone else is unworthy.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/7-habits-that-make-anyone-an-idiot/

President Muhammadu Buhari says the completion of Amauzari, Amla Otukpo and other 42 Earth Dams with combined job creation of about 114,526 direct and indirect jobs, will boost irrigation and water supply across the country.

The president revealed this during his broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day in Abuja on Friday.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to expand water supply, irrigation and dam facilities to enable sustainable access to safe and sufficient water to meet the social, cultural, environmental and economic development needs of all Nigerians.

“The Completion of Amauzari, Amla Otukpo and other 42 Earth Dams with combined job creation of about 43,354 direct jobs and 71,172 indirect jobs, would provide more support for irrigation agriculture and water supply.

“To further institutionalize our effort in this regard, I signed the Executive Order 009 on Ending Open Defecation in Nigeria.

“In order to improve our forest cover and in fulfilment of my commitment at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2019, we have commenced the planting of 25 million trees.

“This initiative will also contribute to our effort to mitigate the effect of climate change,’’ he added.

On housing, the president disclosed that the federal government affordable housing scheme for the low and middle-income earners had received a boost with the delivery of 1,200 housing units through a Public Private Sector partnership and the issuance of 868 mortgages totaling N7.7 billion.

He said N16.2billion was also granted to 19,210 people as Home Renovation Loans as well as the issuance of 868 mortgages totalling N7.7 billion.

Buhari stated that the government would continue to pursue the enforcement of free and compulsory basic education for the first 9 years of schooling across the country.

According to him, Nigeria remains committed to expanding access to quality education to enhance the productivity of its citizens.

He said: “In pursuit of this, we have launched the Better Education Service Delivery for All in 17 states, established additional 6 Federal Science and Technical Colleges and currently executing a pro-active Teacher Training Plan with all states of the Federation.

“In our revision of the operations of specialized education funds and to implement reforms that would optimize their benefits to the sector, we have adopted a Public-Private Sector Partnership for provision of infrastructure and also collaborate with the private sector to create jobs.

The president also noted that the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund projects had been progressing very well.

“On the 2nd Niger Bridge, piling work has been completed and the approach roads are being constructed. 48 per cent of work on this bridge has been achieved.’’

The president said the government had constructed 102kilometers of the 376km Abuja – Kaduna – Kano Road, representing 38 per cent, and the 42.9kilometers Obajana – Kabba Road had reached 87.03 per cent complete.

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, according to him, has completed routine maintenance on over 4,000kilometers of federal roads out of the 5,000kilometersm targeted.

“We are extending and upgrading our railway network too.

“We are introducing more locomotives, coaches and wagons for the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line. The Central Ajaokuta – Itakpe – Warri Line has been completed and is being extended from Itakpe to Abuja on one end and from Warri Town to Warri Port on the other.

“The Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line is 90 per cent completed and would be extended to the Lagos Port, which would help address the long-standing grid-lock at the Apapa port.

“The Kano – Maradi Single Track Standard Gauge Railway, Coastal Railway Project and Port Harcourt – Maiduguri Standard Gauge Railway, with its associated branch lines running through the South Eastern and Gombe States, industrial park and Bonny Deep Sea Port are all ready for concessioning,’’ he said.

President Buhari maintained that his administration would continue to make investments in the aviation sector to position it as a travel and trade hub in West Africa and the wider African continent.

According to the president, Airport Terminals in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt are being expanded, while the rehabilitation of the Enugu Airport is almost completed.

He revealed that all the nation airports are being raised to international standards with the provision of necessary equipment, especially navigational aids, to guarantee world class safety standards.

The president disclosed that for the first time in over ten years, “Nigeria is conducting bidding process for 57 Marginal Oil Fields to increase revenue and increase the participation of Nigerian companies in oil and exploration and production business.

“We continue to grow local content in other areas of the oil and gas sector with the disbursement of funds from the $200 million Nigerian Content Intervention Fund to indigenous manufacturers and service providers.

“With sustained engagement of youths, opinion leaders and other stakeholders, we have restored peace in the Niger Delta Region and maintained our oil production levels.’’

He stated that the Head office of the Niger Delta Development Commission would soon be inaugurated.

“The Funding of sections I–IV of the East-West Road shall be pursued with a view to completing the project by the end of 2021.

“Furthermore, I am determined to ensure that development meant for the people of the Niger Delta get to them, so I have authorised a Forensic Audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission,’’ he added.

The president said Digital Economy would continue to play an important role in nation development agenda as the country moves into the age of Artificial Intelligence.

“Since the creation of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy has been launched.

“Steps have been taken to achieve a reduction of connectivity cluster gaps from 207 to 114 as well as increase the level of 4G coverage by 30 per cent,’’ the president said.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/fg-creates-114526-jobs-inaugurates-44-dams-to-boost-irrigation-water-supply/

Reactions have continued to trail the viral news of the disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and two other aspirants from contesting the primaries, by the screening committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday.
The party is billed to hold her primary governorship election June 22.

The disqualification was announced at the party headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman of the screening committee, Professor Jonathan Ayuba, said only three aspirants were qualified to contest for the primary.

According to the screening committee, Obaseki presented the Higher School Certificate which the panel said was defective as no such certificate in existence, adding that the National Youth Service Corps certificate he presented did not have his name written properly.

Related: Edo Election: APC, PDP, 13 Others Notify INEC of Dates, Modes of Primaries

In a similar development, embattled Governor Obaseki has vowed not to appeal the verdict, as according to him, he is sure he would not get justice.

Here are some reactions from Nigerians, across social media platforms.

He will join PDP
(Quote) (Report) 28 Likes (Like) 3 Shares (Share)

steve
Re: The Moment APC Screening Committee Disqualified Obaseki (Photos, Video) by frederick106(m): 4:56pm
It has happened �
(Quote) (Report) 3 Likes (Like) (Share)

Re: The Moment APC Screening Committee Disqualified Obaseki (Photos, Video) by Demmtek(m): 4:56pm
Osho baba at work angry grin
(Quote) (Report) 11 Likes (Like) 1 Share (Share)

Introversion rocks
Re: The Moment APC Screening Committee Disqualified Obaseki (Photos, Video) by wolesmile(m): 4:56pm
I watched a video of Oshiomole praising the exemplary leadership skills of Obaseki when he was celebrating two years in office, and tried juxtaposing it with recent happenings. I agree that really, if you have something to hide, don't join politics.
Obaseki made a mistake fighting his Godfather... Just like Ambode.
You just don't make an enemy of someone that can decide your fate!!!
Who does that!!!
Nobody hit him on the leg... He hit himself!!!
(Quote) (Report) 53 Likes (Like) 2 Shares (Share)

Al-'Uyuun............ The Eye of the Gods!!!
Re: The Moment APC Screening Committee Disqualified Obaseki (Photos, Video) by Orubebe01: 4:56pm
Oshi-omo-ole 1 Obaseki 0

Waiting for next fixtures
(Quote) (Report) 9 Likes (Like) 1 Share (Share)

Reach me for goko cleanser herbal
Re: The Moment APC Screening Committee Disqualified Obaseki (Photos, Video) by IceLip: 4:56pm
Crossing Carpet na Nigerian's Polithiefcian Hobby, Just to WIN.

Welcome to PDP or ...

Source:

https://applesbite.com/edo-2020-oshiomole-1-obaseki-0-nigerians-react-following-apc-disqualification-of-incumbent-from-guber-race/

Netflix, Inc. American media-services provider and production company is poised in her resolve to tell local stories with global appeal, and likewise aiming to grow her subscriber base in Africa.
This informs the number of strategic collaborations the streaming giant is making in the region, including the just announced partnership with Mo'Abudu's Ebony Life Films to adapt for screen two of Nigeria's most beloved literary classics.

These literary works are Lola Shoneyin's Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, and Prof. Wole Soyinka's Death And The King's Horseman.
The former would be made into a series, while the latter would be made into a film.

Netflix made this announcement through their Nigerian local Twitter platform, NetflixNaija.

Netflix announced their presence in Nigeria in 2020, February 25.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/netflix-partners-moabudu-for-screen-adaption-of-wole-soyinkas-literary-classic/

You would have to experience the electrifying, soulful live performance of Gospel and Smooth Jazz Artiste Esther Mulero, Estee Sax, to appreciate the dexterity and undisputable professionalism with which she plays the saxophone. In this interview with Apple’s Bite International Magazine, Estee Sax recounts her journey of self-discovery in music, the challenges, assurance and relationship.

Enjoy excerpts.


How did you discover your love for saxophone?

My Love for Saxophone is Extraordinary. I had an early exposure to music, I grew up falling in Love with sweet sounds. With an early exposure, I began playing the drums as a Teen and later developed my interest on the Keyboard at age 10.
I began to develop my musical skills and at that time, I was privileged to attend a musical concert where a saxophonist played and I got inspired with the sound and my spirit told me that the instrument would make me break boundaries and that I’d bless lives with my sound. Thankfully my Parents identified my interest and they encouraged me.

How would you describe your genre of music and sound?

My genre of Music is 'CONTAF' which means ‘contemporary African'.

How long have you been using the instrument?

I have been playing the instrument for six years now.

Are you strictly a saxophonist, or also a recording artiste?

I'm a Saxophonist and I am also a recording gospel artiste.

Did you get a formal training in music?

Of course, I studied Music Technology at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. So, I am a musicologist.

How did you convince your parent about your passion for saxophone?

Well, my dad and mum are into ministry, and for me to be playing instruments is an advantage. So, when they discovered the kind of talent that I had, they encouraged it, and helped me build my passion even spiritually.

Did they reject the idea at any point in time?

Hmm, yes. And this is because the instrument I play is a wind instrument. They taught the instrument is meant for the male gender. But, realizing my passion for the instrument, they got convinced.

Can you recall your first ever major performance, and how you felt?

My first major performance was when I was 18 years old, it was at the first concert that I organized which is tagged ‘YAWDAW’, Altar of Worship. It was a powerful worship and praise program and I performed non-stop for 1hour 30minutes, and that was because I was the convener of the program. I was so shy because it's my first time on stage but God helped me. This was in 2015.

You play an instrument that is mostly associated with males, do you get strange reactions from people who meet you playing it for the first time?

Ofcourse, yes. They are usually amazed.

Has your passion for music cost you anything ever?

Yes, I wanted to be an Accountant but my love and passion for Music made me deviate from that.

What challenges do you face as a saxophonist?

My major challenge is maintenance of the instrument and schedules for rehearsals.

Is there a health Challenge for people who play wind instrument?

No, not at all.

Seeing you’re from a background in Christ Apostolic Church, and Saxophone is not exactly an instrument that CAC is known for, how does the church accept your sound and style?

Well, my music and talent is not denominational. However, I’d say with the help of the Holy spirit I was able to explore. Moreover, my undebatable professionalism changes the atmosphere spiritually when I perform in churches, crusades, conventions, concert and so forth.

Who are your role models?

Jerry Omole, Beejaysax, Mike Aremu, and Saxgold.

Do you do anything else apart from being a saxophonist?

Yes, I do. I am convener of a musical concert, as well as an aspiring music producer.

What skill set does anyone need to have to be a saxophonist?

PASSION and clarity of PURPOSE.

Do you think Nigerians appreciate saxophonists?

Well, I would say saxophonist are not well appreciated in Nigeria. Unlike Aboard where you see saxophonists doing exploits.

What does music mean to you?

Music to me refers to any sound that is pleasant and is agreeable to the ear.

Do you consider yourself gospel Artiste or you do all types of music?

I'm a gospel as well as smooth Jazz Artist.

Which Artistes would you love to collaborate with?

Locally, I'd say Mike Aremu, Nathaniel Bassey. Which globally that would be Dave koz.

What are your plans for your brand and how do you intend to push your career to the next level?

My plan is to engage myself in enabling platforms like Instagram, YouTube etc. I am working on a project, which I will let out at the appropriate time, and I believe with the help of God, it would help push my career to the next level.

What do you think about the music industry in Nigeria?

Well music industry in Nigeria is growing to a bigger and better one. But still we need more creativity and inspirations because, that is what the world needs.

How would you describe Estee Sax?

I would describe Mulero Esther, Esteesax, as a prolific female saxophonist, musicoligst and a muti-instrumentalist.

I will describe myself as a testimony of someone who stays in the place of service and has been consistent in and out of season. I feel blessed doing gospel music. I am based Lagos State, Nigeria. I studied music technology at The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Are you in a relationship?

Yes, I am.

Is he also into music?

Yes, he is.

What are your biggest dreams ever?

To be a renowned gospel music producer home and globally.
I see myself taking taking my music International, and gracing global stages. My dream is to put smiles on people's faces with my music. My desire is to reach every part of the world proclaiming christ and blessing lives.


Source:

https://applesbite.com/i-knew-saxophone-would-help-me-break-boundaries-estee-sax/

On June 12, 1993, Nigerians went to the polls to elect a President for the Third Republic. It was the first election held after the military coup that toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari in 1983.
The two major political parties at the time, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC) contested the polls. The candidates were African business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, also known as MKO Abiola, who was the SDP flag-bearer and Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, flag-bearer of the NRC.

As results of the votes cast began to trickle in, Abiola was reported to have received over eight million votes across 19 of the then thirty states, while his opponent, the NRC’s Tofa received over six million votes from 10 states. MKO Abiola was said to have won almost sixty per cent of the over 14 million votes cast.

Local and foreign observers were unanimous in their submissions that unlike previous elections that were marred by massive fraud, intimidation and killings, the June 12, 1993 presidential election was generally free, fair, peaceful, credible, transparent and unique, as it was the first time the Option A4 voting pattern was deployed. It was also regarded as the first election in Nigeria that was devoid of religious and tribal sentiments.

Consequently, the annulment of the election by the military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, was perceived by most Nigerians as a rude shock, leaving pro-democracy activists and supporters reeling in chagrin and dismay.

Related: 22nd Anniversary: Day Abacha Became History

According to the military government, the annulment was to stave-off credible security reports of a threat to the enthronement of a democratic government at the time and to avoid a likely military coup d’état.

Nigerians were not convinced by the explanations as nationwide protests followed news of the annulment. Days later, General Babangida was forced to step aside as Head of State after naming Chief Ernest Shonekan, a lawyer and industrialist from Abiola’s Ogun state in the South-west of Nigeria, as President of the Interim National Government.

Chief Shonekan’s three-month administration was toppled in a palace coup d’état on November 17, 1993, by General Sani Abacha, the then Chief of Defence Staff, who became the 10th Head of State of Nigeria. In spite of the military coup, Chief Abiola and his supporters, continued the struggle to reclaim his mandate.

Abiola was arrested and imprisoned for declaring himself President. In a fateful twist of events, General Abacha died on June 8, 1998 and was replaced by General Abdulsalami Abubakar. On July 7, 1998, Chief Abiola also died as he was about to be released from incarceration. The chain events that followed marked a turning point in Nigeria’s political history.

Significantly, President Muhammadu Buhari’s recognition of June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day, undoubtedly stands out as a bold, just, historic, instructive, symbolic and resonating move to right the wrongs of the past and deepen the country’s democracy.

The passage of the Public Holiday Amendment Bill by the Senate, affirming June 12 as the new Democracy Day and the assent of President Buhari to the Amended Act, are testaments to this.

In point of fact, Democracy Day in Nigeria is not just another public holiday. It is a call on every Nigerian to remain vigilant and guard jealously, the new era of democracy instituted since 1999, by eschewing divisive politics of ethnicity, religion, violence, rigging and other electoral impunity and malpractices and upholding the tenets of civil liberties, media freedom and an end to arbitrary arrests and torture.

That is the challenge that must be overcome if Nigeria is to strengthen the ideals of sustainable democracy in honour and memory of the country’s past heroes.

Omolayo.A


Credit:

https://applesbite.com/significance-of-june12-in-nigerias-political-history/

Renowned Novelist and Feminism proponent, Chimamanda Adichie has lost her father, Professor James Nwoye Adichie. Professor Adichie aged 88.
A member of the Adichie family revealed that the erudite academician died on Wednesday, night, in Awka, Anambra State.

Late Professor Adichie was admitted at the Chira Memorial Hospital in Awkuzu, Oyi local government area of the State.

The Emeritus Professor of Statistics and Mathematics at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) hailed from Abba, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State.


Credit:
https://applesbite.com/renowned-novelist-chimamanda-adichie-loses-dad-at-88/

Presidency will settle the matter

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy and thundery weather activities from Wednesday to Friday.

NiMet`s weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja said there was increased cloudiness and reduction in temperature currently being observed over most parts of the country.

According to it, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the northern region with prospects of a late night thunderstorm over Yobe environs in the morning of Wednesday.

“ During the afternoon/evening period, thunderstorms are expected over southern Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi and Kaduna.

“Over the central parts of the country, cloudiness is to prevail with possibilities of overnight thunderstorms over Makurdi and Lokoja during the morning hours.

“In the afternoon and evening period, a few thunderstorms are expected over Jos, Abuja, Lokoja, Nasarawa and Kwara, “it said.

NiMet forecast western flank of southern cities to be cloudy in the morning hours with chances of morning thunderstorms over parts of Ikom, Obudu, Enugu, Owerri, Umuahia, Awka, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Uyo and Eket.

The agency envisaged better prospects of thunderstorms and rains over the inland and coastal belt during the afternoon and evening period.

“For Thursday, late night thunderstorm activities are expected to affect most places in the north eastern region especially over Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Jalingo, Mambilla Plateau and Kaduna.

“The north western region cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated during the morning hours.

“Pockets of thunderstorms are envisaged over the northern region to affect southern Maiduguri, Jigawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Gusau and Taraba during the afternoon and evening hours, “ it said.

According to NiMet, cloudy morning is anticipated over the central cities with possibilities of late night thunderstorms to affect Jos, Nasarawa, Kwara and Niger.

The agency predicted a few thunderstorms over Abuja, Niger and Kwara later in the day.

It further predicted southern part of the country to experience light thunderstorms in the morning hours with widespread thunderstorms over the entire southern region during the afternoon and evening.

“For Friday, overnight thunderstorm activities are expected to affect the north western flank, while cloudy morning is anticipated over the north eastern flank of the country in the morning.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms are anticipated over most places in the northern region.

“The central region should be predominately cloudy with possibilities of overnight thunderstorms over Niger and Kwara during the morning hours.

“ Later in the day, there are chances of widespread thunderstorms over most parts of the central cities during the afternoon and evening hours,“ it said.

According to it, residents of the southern part of the country are likely to experience morning thunderstorms and rains.

NiMet also envisages widespread thunderstorms and rain showers over the entire inland and the coastal belt during the afternoon and evening hours.


Source:

https://applesbite.com/nimet-predicts-cloudy-thundery-weather-activities-wednesday-to-friday/

CNN host, Chris Cuomo is making headlines currently, for mistakenly getting caught butt naked on his wife, Cristina's live Instagram yoga session.
The broadcaster who is younger brother to New York Governor Andre Cuomo was filmed with no clothes on while he stood in the garden of his luxury Hamptons home during his wife's live session.

However, the video shows a man with his back towards the camera, which left many speculating that it was Chris Cuomo himself.

From what it seemed, Chris did not know that his wife was recording and happened to walk naked by the window outside.

The video has since been brought down, shortly after it started making rounds on the internet.


Source:


https://applesbite.com/cnns-chris-cuomo-recorded-butt-naked-on-wifes-instagram-live/

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has ordered a review of the capital’s statues and street names after the toppling of the statue of an English slave trader by anti-racism protesters triggered a debate about the demons of Britain’s imperial past.

A statue of Edward Colston, who made a fortune in the 17th century from trading West African slaves, was torn down and thrown into Bristol harbour on Sunday by a group of demonstrators taking part in a wave of protests following the death of George Floyd in the United States.

Khan said a commission would review statues, plaques and street names, which largely reflect the rapid expansion of London’s wealth and power at the height of Britain’s empire in the reign of Queen Victoria.

“Our capital’s diversity is our greatest strength, yet our statues, road names and public spaces reflect a bygone era,’’ Khan said.

He said some statues would be removed.

“It is an uncomfortable truth that our nation and city owes a large part of its wealth to its role in the slave trade and while this is reflected in our public realm, the contribution of many of our communities to life in our capital has been wilfully ignored.’’

In the biggest deportation in known history, weapons and gunpowder from Europe were swapped for millions of African slaves who were then shipped across the Atlantic to the Americas.

Ships returned to Europe with sugar, cotton and tobacco.

As many as 17 million African men, women and children were torn from their homes and shackled into one of the world’s most brutal globalised trades between the 15th and 19th centuries.

Many died in merciless conditions.

Those who survived endured a life of subjugation on sugar, tobacco and cotton plantations.

Britain abolished the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1807 although the full abolition of slavery did not follow for another generation.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/london-mayor-orders-review-of-statutes-street-names-that-reflect-imperial-past/

President Muhammadu Buhari, in-line with his constitutional responsibility has sent the nomination of Her Lordship, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Acting President, Court of Appeal to the Senate for confirmation as President, Court of Appeal.

Justice Dongban-Mensem is a serving Justice of the Court of Appeal and was recommended, as is the practice, by the National Judicial Council for the nomination by the President.

Also Read: Is Virtual Court Sitting a Breach on the Constitutional Right to a Public Trial?

Source:

https://applesbite.com/president-buhari-nominates-dongban-mensem-as-court-of-appeal-president/

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has forbade Lagos State Government from excercising regulatory powers, as well as registering and licensing cinema exhibition centres in the state
under the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State, at the same time with the Federal Government.
In a judgment delivered by Hon. Justice (Prof.) Chuka Austine Obiozor in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1502/2016, Harris & Annis Limited v Attorney General of Lagos State & 3 Ors.the Court faulted the dual registration and annual licensing fees exacted by both the Federal and Lagos State Governments.In the suit filed by its lawyers, Auxano Law, Harris & Annis Limited,which operates ‘Dew Cinema’ in Lagos State, joined the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB), the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) as defendants.

Plaintiff’s counsel, Chijioke Emeka, argued that the National Film and Video Censors Board Act 1993 and the Cinematograph Law of Lagos State 2004 having given the NFVCB and the LSFVCB powers to register and license premises for film and video exhibition, the plaintiff is brought under the registration and licensing regulation of both bodies under sections 17, 21 and 25(2) of the Federal Law and sections 23 and 24 of the State Law, a scenario unintended by the constitution.The plaintiff, it was further argued, having been registered and licensed by the NFVCB and annual licensing fees paid to Federal Government;the LSFVCB, cannot demand the same registration and annual licensing fee from the plaintiff; the only operative power inuring to the LSFVCB being the power to censor films and videos.

1st and 2nd Defendants’ counsel, the Attorney-General of Lagos State and the LSFVCB, A. O. Idowu, argued that the constitution allows both the Federal and Lagos State governments concurrent power to make laws on the subject-matter. Thus both laws can operate side by side with each other, without the Federal law being superior.While the 3rd Defendant, the Attorney General of the Federation was not represented, the 4th Defendant, NFVCB, informed the Court through its counsel that it was supporting the argument of the plaintiff’s counsel to the effect that the Lagos Law should be in abeyance in the face of the Federal law on the same subject.

Justice Obiozor agreed with counsel’s submission that Item 16, Part II of the Second Schedule in the 1999 Constitution gives concurrent powers to both the Federal and State legislatures to make law creating a body to register cinema premises and collect annual license fees.But since the National Assembly has made a law which covered the field, the law made by the Lagos House of Assembly on the same issue remains otiose and inoperative. Item 16(b) however allows the State Law to censor films and videos to be exhibited in Lagos State.

It was held that since both laws exact registration and licensing fees, the state law is not binding. “I have examined sections 17, 21 and 25(2) of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act and sections 23 and 24 of the Cinematograph Law Cap. C8, Laws of Lagos State and find a case of co-existence of a Federal Law and a State Law on the subject matter of registration and licensing of premises for film and video exhibition. To that extent therefore, the Federal Law prevails and the law of State must go into abeyance while the Federal law subsists”, the Judge said.

The Court also held that a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’, ‘Exhibit LASG 1’, entered into between the NFVCB and the LSFVCB under which both bodies cooperate to exact dual registration and licensing fees from cinema operators, is “non sequitur”. This, the Court explained, is because the agreement hinges on a State law which is “inoperative”. The agreement, it was held, cannot therefore apply to the plaintiff.

Source:

https://applesbite.com/court-restricts-lasg-from-registering-and-licensing-cinemas-says-only-fg-can/

My heart goes out to late Uwaila Omozuwa another unfortunate victim of the countless rape cases in Nigeria. Umaila's case even went overboard, because she could not survive the gruesome experience.
Rape is an evil against a lady's body because, because the predator subdues their victim against their wish.

Rape is the act of forcing sexual intercourse upon another person without their consent or against their will.

You may not be aware of how harmful the rape actually is, it is among the most serious crimes of which you can be charged. I call rapists ‘life enders’.

Actually, people often think that rape occurs when someone is walking home alone at night, walking alone in a quiet place or probably attacked by a stranger. Women are not sexually assaulted because they drink too much or wear revealing clothes. They are assaulted because someone made a decision to commit a violent act against them.

But in reality, about 90% of rapes are committed by someone well known to the victim and 70% of the rapes always occur at home or somewhere very close to the house.

Now that we know that rapists exist and are out there looking for someone to assault, it is advisable to do whatever you can to protect yourself.

I am aware men too get raped,however, you will agree with me that it is rear compared to the female victims.

For the purpose of this article, I'll give five tips to help ladies avoid sexual assault:

1. Take a self-defense course. This is one the best way to keep yourself safe.

Taekwondo is a good example of your courses. It helps ladies build mental toughness and self defense skills like Hammer strike, groin kick, how to free yourself from a man's grip among others.

2. Keep your private life off social media. In addition, to reducing updates about your personal life on social media, stop disclosing your location too.

3. Do not walk alone in the dark or in isolated places.

4. Trust your feelings i.e if you notice you are not comfortable about a particular person, do not continue with the friendship.

5. Don't visit strangers and be mindful with your closeness with opposite sex friends and relatives.

In addition, learn about rape, so you can get the reasons why people get involved in the act.


Source:

https://applesbite.com/five-tips-for-girls-to-defend-themselves-against-rape/

American Reality star and entrepreneur, Kylie Jenner, 22, has been named the highest-earning celebrity in the world.

This was contained in Business Magazine, Forbes annual list of the 100 highest-paid celebrities, released Thursday, June 4.

Jenner ranked No. 1 with $590 million earnings in the last year, making her the second youngest on the list after musician Billie Eilish.

Recall that days ago, Forbes had raised questions about Jenner’s billionaire status and alleged the mogul inflated the success of her brand...

Read More:


https://applesbite.com/forbes-names-kylie-jenner-as-highest-paid-celebrity/

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named first-ever billionaire footballer, by Global business magazine, Forbes.

Ronaldo earned the rating from his past year’s earnings of $105 million before taxes and fees. He secured the crown as the first footballer in the history of the game to earn $1 billion.

With his current earnings, the Portugal and Juventus talisman striker is at the fourth spot on the 2020 Forbes Celebrity 100, one spot above his top rival in the sport, Lionel Messi.

“Ronaldo, the first to do it in a team sport, has made $650 million during his 17 years on the pitch, and is expected to reach $765 million in career salary after his current Juve contract ends in June 2022. Messi, who began playing at the senior level three years after Ronaldo, has earned a total of $605 million in salary since 2005,” Forbes report said.

According to the New Jersey-based media company the only team athlete to even come within striking distance of those figures was former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez, who retired in 2016 after 22 years in MLB having earned $450 million in salary.

“Not even soccer legend David Beckham came close, ending his career with total earnings of $500 million, half of which came from off-pitch endorsements,” it said...

To Read More Visit:


https://applesbite.com/cristiano-ronaldo-becomes-first-billionaire-footballer-on-forbes/

My phone rang. It was a call from the hospital. ‘Dr, you have a new patient in the surgical ward’, she says. I sighed and thanked her.

I picked up my white coat, backpack and headed to the hospital. I exchanged pleasantries with the nurse on duty and asked her what we were dealing with. She brought me up to speed and then I peruse the case file.

I headed to the patient’s bedside. She was in a very pitiable condition. A lady in her mid-30s, surrounded by her sister and husband. I introduced myself, asked some questions, explained her condition and prognosis. She was being managed as a case of breast cancer.

Prior to her coming to the hospital, she had been to several spiritual homes and herbal centers. When all failed, she resorted to coming to the tertiary hospital. I need not say that at the time I was seeing her the prognosis was very bad. She was terminally ill.

Breast cancer is a malignant growth or tumor resulting from the uncontrolled division of abnormal breast cells. According to WHO, it’s the most frequent cancer among women impacting about 2.1 million women every year. It also causes the greatest number of cancer-related deaths among women. The above findings obtain in Nigeria where breast cancer in women is responsible for about 34.2% of all deaths due to cancer WHO.

There are a number of risk factors associated with breast cancer. Many of which are linked to the amount of estrogen the breast is exposed to. According to the CDC, being a woman and getting older are the main risk for breast cancer. Breast cancer may occur in males (about 15% of cases) and when it does the outcome is usually worse. Most breast cancer cases are seen in women above the ages of 50, however, in recent times, it’s been noticed that younger people are coming down with breast cancer.

Other risks include:
 A family history of breast cancer also is an important risk factor. This includes breast cancer in the first-degree relative (mother, daughter, sister), second-degree relative (grandmother, aunt, niece), a male relative, a relative with bilateral cancer, two or more relatives that have had breast cancer/ ovarian cancer. According to the Canadian cancer society, having a first degree relative with breast cancer doubles a woman’s risk and the more first degree relatives with breast cancer, the higher the risk.

 Personal history of breast cancer increases the risk of breast cancer in the same breast/the other breast.

 Genetic mutations (changes to a gene)is another. BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are genes that help to control the growth of cancer cells. When mutated, they lose this function and allows for the proliferation of breast and ovarian cancer cells. These mutations may be inherited from either father/mother.

 The reproductive history which includes early menarche(age at onset of menstruation earlier than 12yrs), late menopause(55 years and above), nulliparity( not having children), having few children and not breastfeeding increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Experts believe that estrogen helps the growth of breast cells and thereby contributes to breast cancer cells, hence, the longer the exposure of breast cells to estrogen the more the likelihood of developing breast cancer. This explains the relationship between breast cancer and reproductive history.

 Long term use of hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptive predisposes to breast cancer. Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen alone or combined estrogen and progestin increases the risk by 1% and 8% respectively based on a study conducted by Women Health Initiative(WHI). Long term use(10 years and above )of oral contraceptive that contains estrogen and progesterone increases slightly the risk when compared to people who don’t use combined oral contraceptive.

 Lifestyle which includes physical inactivity, alcohol and being obese shouldn’t be left out. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. This might be due to alcohol increasing level of estrogen in the body as well as depleting body storage of nutrients eg folate, vitamin A and C which are known to protect cells from damage.Lack of exercise also increases the risk. Body mass index (>31.1)Increases by 2 fold the risk when compared to a BMI of 26.6 in postmenopausal women. Fat tissue has been discovered to produce a small amount of estrogen, hence having lots of fat can increase estrogen levels. Smoking(active and second-hand) has been linked to breast cancer, however, research is still ongoing.

 Exposure to ionizing radiation to the chest, armpit, and neck increase breast cancer risk.
Prophylactic oophorectomy (surgical removal of ovaries) And mastectomy ( surgical removal of breasts)in high-risk individuals is protective. There are no established links between bras, breast implants, antiperspirant/deodorant, abortion and breast cancer.

I should also mention that some women have no risks/ are low risk, yet they come down with this condition. Having 1/more risk factor doesn’t translate to having the disease.

Breast cancer may not have any symptom nor sign. However, the most common symptom is a hard/firm lump that doesn’t shrink in size or disappear with your menses. It’s usually painless. This usually occurs when the tumor is grown enough to be felt. You might also notice your breast tissue become hard and thickened. There could be changes in shape and size of breasts, Lump in the armpit, breast ulcer and inverting nipples.

There may be fluid/blood discharging from the nipple. Late signs of breast cancer occur when cancer has spread to other organs/part of the body. This includes hip fracture, weight loss, jaundice, anemia and a host of other symptoms.

After all, is said and done, deaths and poor outcome from breast cancer can be prevented. The risks of cancer can also be reduced. Self-examination, healthy lifestyle and early detection is key. Know what your normal breast feels like, if you notice any changes e.g swellings/lump, Visit a health professional immediately. If above the age of 40years with high-risk factors, I suggest you do a mammogram every 1-2 years or discuss with your physician. Above the age of 50, it’s recommended you have a mammogram done yearly especially if you are high risk or at most biannually. Lifestyle modification including reducing alcohol intake, avoid smoking, exercising, eating healthy can help reduce the risks.

On a final note, the 5-year survival rate in developed countries is far higher than developing countries including Nigeria. For instance, 5 year survival rate in Canada is 87% (87% of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive another 5years) http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/prognosis-and-survival/survival-statistics/?region=bc While in Lagos, Nigeria, a study was done in Lagos State University Hospital revealed it as 25.6% https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268383754_Five_Year_Survival_of_Patients_with_Breast_Cancer_at_the_Lagos_State_University_Teaching_Hospital_Nigeria

You will agree with me that that’s a very wide difference implying that only one out of every four women with breast cancer can survive another five years.

This is due to so many factors which are beyond the scope of this write-up.

My take, do all you can to reduce the risks, screen regularly and if you feel a lump/changes in your breast, see a physician URGENTLY. God be with us all.

Our next series will be on lifestyle modification with focus on exercise. A professional in sports medcine and exercise will be anchoring this series. Please stay tuned!

© Dr Bussy.
bussyabiodun@gmail.com

Credit:

https://applesbite.com/lets-talk-about-breast-cancer-2/

COMMUNIQUÉ ON FIVE YEARS OF BUHARI: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The leadership of New Nigeria Collective (NNC), a non- government, non-profit making organisation, yesterday, at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, reviewed the state of the nation, coming at a time the federal government marked its fifth year in office and the first of the second term of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The NNC noted without biases, the weight of the challenges that are currently besetting governments at all levels in the country and concluded that while the room for improvements and inexcusable delivery of promises palpably points to itself, it has not been a poor journey after all, especially, if the situations in other climes are factored into account side-by-side with the current global health challenge, the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was against this backdrop and the growing malcontents amongst a majority of Nigerians, that the NNC objectively dissected the Buhari administration and clearly pointed out THE GOOD, THE BAD and THE UGLY markers that have become the talking points in the last five years.

The NNC also noted without reservation that its resolve to look at the last five years of the administration in totality as against the last one year was borne out of the reality that countries have been challenged significantly by Covid-19 in the last few months, some dating back to late last year.

To that extent, no genuine assessment could be based on the last one year of the administration, when evidently something else had taken attention away from the familiar good governance and the development of the nation. It’s therefore safe for both the government and the people to look at the administration holistically.

Thus, the NNC, at its NEC observed the following:

1. That the response of the Government to the Covid-19 pandemic has been commendable, particularly its successful handling of the same contrary to some of the predictions of doom and gloom by both the local and international observers/experts. The NNC alo noted with a sense of appreciation and motivation, the dedication, commitment and honesty of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who as the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, has led the nation thus far and successfully so. Mr. Mustapha is a positive example of a public servant.

2. That the recent reductions in the pump prices of petroleum products by the administration three times in a row following the slump in the global price of crude oil was a good move, which spoke to the sensitivity of the government to the plight of the people. The NNC equally commended the recent removal of subsidy from petroleum products as a result of the changing global indices, despite its dwindling fortunes.

3. That the NNC recalled that upon resumption of office of the administration, the economy was plunged into recession but that through conscious, critical and tough choices, as well as positive thinking, the administration survived and crawled out of recession and consequently, stabilised the economy.

4. That the NNC collectively stated that whilst the administration might not have achieved much in terms of economic gains, it sure has put the nation on a better pedestal as far as infrastructure development is concerned in spite of earning less compared to the previous administrations. The NNC alluded to the nationwide railway construction, the 2nd Niger Bridge, repairs and conspicuous rehabilitation of major expressways in the six geopolitical zones as well as the evident developments in the aviation sector.

5. That the NNC commended the recent financial autonomy granted state Houses of Assemblies and the Judiciary. This, the NNC, contended would go a long way in charting a completely different path, not only for the present crop of office holders, but for democracy to thrive better.

6. That the NNC applauded the synergy amongst the three arms of government. Unlike what obtained in the past, the three arms of government not only work together now, they are consistently looking in the same directions in nation’s interest, notwithstanding some of the misgivings that have attended this rare camaraderie.

7. That the NNC further noted the recent financial autonomy granted local government administrations in the country, thus liberating them from the claws and undue interference from state governments.

8. That the NNC took judicial notice of the repeated bailouts of states in financial distress. That the Ministry of Budget and Planning, with the cooperation of the National Assembly, has successfully returned the budget to the January to December cycle is worthy of note, as it now allows for prompt response and planning by those whose activities are directly and indirectly affected by the budget.

9. That the NNC described the developments in the Agriculture sector as mind-blowing, noting also that the school feeding programme of the government is a plus that cannot be shoved aside. That for the first time in the history of the nation, people now consume locally produced goods, while local farmers now have gains through government initiatives in agriculture...

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Archbishop Designate Isaac Idahosa, General Overseer of God First Ministries Inc., popularly known as Illumination Assembly, on Saturday, May 30, has put paid to the promise he made weeks ago, to distribute foodstuff palliatives to pastors and ministers of the gospel, including members and non-members of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria alike, to help them mitigate the economic effect of Covid-19 pandemic in their respective homes.

His admirable penchant for giving and ensuring that the welfare of people around him are catered for is just another reason to love Bishop Idahosa...

Credit:

https://ngg.ng/bishop-isaac-idahosa-foundation-donates-foodstuff-palliative-to-pastors-ministers-of/

Archbishop Designate Isaac Idahosa, General Overseer of God First Ministries Inc., popularly known as Illumination Assembly, on Saturday, May 30, has put paid to the promise he made weeks ago, to distribute foodstuff palliatives to pastors and ministers of the gospel, including members and non-members of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria alike, to help them mitigate the economic effect of Covid-19 pandemic in their respective homes.

His admirable penchant for giving and ensuring that the welfare of people around him are catered for is just another reason to love Bishop Idahosa.

The charity event which took place at the church auditorium witnessed a near mammoth turnout of pastors, other altar ministers with different portfolios including deacons and deaconesses from divers denominations and doctrinal inclinations.

Enlightening Apple’s Bite International Magazine on the motivation behind his decision to cater for the welfare of ministers of the gospel, Bishop Isaac Idahosa said that it is a call to duty for believers to strengthen one another. He explained that the hallmark of being blessed is when you become a blessing to others.


“It is call to duty for believers to strengthen one another. When God blesses you, the true sign that you’re really blessed is to stretch your hands of fellowship and love to others. That is how to go. When one is down, every other person is down, and when one is up, all others are up. We have seen light, and the light is to be our brothers keepers. Jesus said, by this shall all men know you’re my disciples if you have love, one for another. That is it. We are provoking to love, and unto good works.

“In the past, we have done for membership of the church and the community, however, this time, we are concentrating on ministers of the gospel, it doesn’t matter where you belong, weather you are a member of PFN, CAN or another denomination or Christian body, we are all brothers and sisters in the fold of Christ, that’s why you can see people congregated and more are still coming in, to take the little we have to offer them.”

Present at the charity ball to lend support and credence to one of own were other revered accomplished ministers of the gospel who are hierarchy in PFN, one of them was Bishop Dr. Femi Soneye, Province Chairman, Island Eti-Osa, PFN. In his remark, Bishop Dr. Femi Soneye describes Bishop Isaac Idahosa's gesture to ministers of God as though coming a bit late, however, very thoughtful and highly appreciated.

“It is a palliative that is coming almost late, but we thank God it came, and it is very appreciated. Pastors are shepherds, who look after people, but people don’t look after them. In most cases, people they look after turn against them. There is nothing you do for members as a pastor that is sufficient, the day you don’t have, it’s like you have never done. So it’s so great that we have one or two persons remembering that pastors are equally human beings who should also be looked after,” he remarked.

Also present was His Excellency Archbishop Jim Okeu a cleric and former gubernatorial aspirant in Benue State. He described Bishop Idahosa's altruistic gesture as apostolic.

“This is apostolic, the early church started this, but somewhere along the line it disappeared, now it has appeared never to disappear again. The bible says, whatever they had they shared in common, so there was no need in their midst, very soon, there’d be no more needs in the church. So this is apostolic, this is what we have been expecting in all generations, and I’m happy to celebrate him (Bishop Isaac Idahosa) as a person for this. We all are going to hang on with him to make this a success from this level. This is a sacrifice and it is highly welcome in the church of the living God,” he closed.

Highlighting the economic effect of Covid-19 pandemic on ministers of the gospel, convener of the charity event, Archbishop Isaac Idahosa enlightened that ministers of God are humans like everyone else and they have same experiences as other people too.

“Ministers of God are human beings too, blood and water flow in their veins. They go to the same market like everyone else, their children go to the same schools. So the effect is the same on everyone. The only difference between Ministers of God and other people is the calling and grace. Ministers are humans too. The bible described Elijah as a man of like passion like you.

“Even Jesus during his earthly ministry had similar experience, at a point, they needed money to pay taxes, no money was found, he asked them to go open the mouth of the fish to settle the bills. So ministers are no exemption we pass through what everyone else passes through.”

Items distributed as palliatives include repacked raw rice, garri, cartons of noodles and condiments.
Apart from ministers of the gospel, some uniformed officers including police, and other paramilitary present at the charity ball were beneficiaries of the palliative distribution.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to Apple’s Bite International Magazine expressed their gratitude for the timely gesture by Bishop Isaac Idahosa.

One of such beneficiaries Pastor Achiever Jubilee of Prosperous Outreach Ministries, a ministry that reaches out to travelers, explained that since the pandemic halted activities, most young pastors have been finding it hard to cope.

“We appreciate him and thank God for using him to reach out to fellow pastors. This period, pastors need a lot of encouragement. Since the church has not been functioning, a lot has been going on within, and even the members can not cry to them. Pastors really need to be encouraged, so this approach to call pastors together and support them is God’s will. Indeed, God will bless him and honor him for this. It may not be much what he gave us, but this little speaks a lot.

Deaconess Patience Amadi also expressed profound appreciation to Bishop Isaac Idahosa for remembering them, as the foodstuff will go a long way.

“This is a very good initiative by the great man of God. The period of this pandemic, people have really suffered. For Bishop Isaac Idahosa to remember us in a time like this, is a very good gesture and we are very happy This foodstuff will go a long way.”

Another beneficiary that spoke to this tabloid was Pastor Simon Danmole of New Restoration of Lost Hope. “This initiative is very encouraging. We have been looking forward to seeing things like this. We have lots of ministers who have what it takes to deliver like Bishop Isaac Idahosa, but decided not to act on it. We really appreciate what he is doing, and we pray for more grace for him to continue like this.”

This ministers palliative by Bishop Isaac Idahosa Is one from the series of givings that he did through his foundation named after him during the covid-19 lockdown. He had on different occasions distributed food stuffs, cash, hand sanitizers among other items to church members, and the host community of his church God First Ministries in Ajah, not less than 2,000 people have benefitted from his humanitarian gestures during this pandemic lockdown.


Credit:

https://applesbite.com/covid-19-palliatives-bishop-isaac-idahosa-extends-food-distribution-to-pastors-ministers-2/

Mrs Folashade Adefisayo
Lagos State Commissioner for Education, said the state government had partnered Microsoft to train 18, 000 teachers to enhance computer literacy towards achieving a world best teaching and learning practices.

Adefisayo said this while discussing plans of the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for education on an online show, Covinspiration, moderated by Special Representative to the United Nations, and British Council Global Change-maker, Mr Dayo Israel.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the event was to keep the public abreast of the activities of administration in the last one year.

The commissioner said: “This COVID-19 lockdown period avails us the opportunity to improve our teachers. For instance, we partnered with Microsoft and they are teaching 18,000 of our teachers on digital literacy.

Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, said the state government had partnered Microsoft to train 18, 000 teachers to enhance computer literacy towards achieving a world best teaching and learning practices.

Adefisayo said this while discussing plans of the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration for education on an online show, Covinspiration, moderated by Special Representative to the United Nations, and British Council Global Change-maker, Mr Dayo Israel.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the event was to keep the public abreast of the activities of administration in the last one year.

The commissioner said: “This COVID-19 lockdown period avails us the opportunity to improve our teachers. For instance, we partnered with Microsoft and they are teaching 18,000 of our teachers on digital literacy.

“So, they are going to come out of this training, being able to work comfortably with Word and Excel which is going to be done through the Zoom App because of the social distancing order.

“So, first of all, they are learning to be computer literate straightaway.”

According to her, computer literacy is of importance at this point when technology is evolving for the advancement of teaching and learning processes.

Adefisayo added that the introduction of Eko Excel Programme, which was part of the administration’s THEMES agenda, had improved the teaching and learning experiences in classroom between the teachers and pupils.

She added that the government and private sector were investing in online teaching and learning at this trying times, saying devices were being given to students for online learning.

“We have continued to call for devices and people have continued to give us, we are going to start giving them out within a week. Parents will be excited,” she said.

The commissioner said the online digital class would not be stopped after the pandemic, saying it would be used to reinforce teaching and learning.

According to her, the ministry is at the final stage of recruitment processes for 2,000 teachers in order to boost the standard of public primary school education in the state.

Adefisayo said the government, through the ministry, was looking at employing teachers every quarter, saying the rate of retirement of teachers was very high in Lagos.

She said the Sanwo-Olu’s administration had granted the ministry permission to replace retired teachers.

“The most important aspect of learning is the quality of teachers and we did not have enough teachers to actualise the set plan for learning in our public schools,” she said.

On school resumption, the commissioner, who noted that the ministry could not give the exact resumption date, said the government was watching the trend of the pandemic.

“We cannot say specifically that we are going to open on so and so date. We are also working with the federal government because it is not a decision that any state can take unilaterally.

“We are looking at the pandemic. The main thing for us is safety first, safety second, safety third. If we are certain that our children are fairly safe, we will open school,” she said.

On whether there were plans to put COVID-19 school safety protocols in place and ensure strict adherence when the school finally reopened, Adefisayo said the ministry was already working on a paper on this.

She said the ministry was working with the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Development Agencies and others to develop a very robust protocol paper for school to reopen.

“Whenever we say the school will start, there will be notice, there will be time for preparations. We are going to have time within which schools will be able to put in place those protocols for children’s safety.

“Office of the Education Quality Assurance is working hard with us to ensure compliance,” she added.

According to her, considering the dynamism of the society needs, the government has also embarked on training of experts/corricullum developers that will fine-tune the curriculum towards preparing students in compliance with current societal needs.

The commissioner said: “This COVID-19 lockdown period avails us the opportunity to improve our teachers. For instance, we partnered with Microsoft and they are teaching 18,000 of our teachers on digital literacy.

“So, they are going to come out of this training, being able to work comfortably with Word and Excel which is going to be done through the Zoom App because of the social distancing order.

“So, first of all, they are learning to be computer literate straightaway.”

According to her, computer literacy is of importance at this point when technology is evolving for the advancement of teaching and learning processes.

Adefisayo added that the introduction of Eko Excel Programme, which was part of the administration’s THEMES agenda, had improved the teaching and learning experiences in classroom between the teachers and pupils.

She added that the government and private sector were investing in online teaching and learning at this trying times, saying devices were being given to students for online learning.

“We have continued to call for devices and people have continued to give us, we are going to start giving them out within a week. Parents will be excited,” she said.

The commissioner said the online digital class would not be stopped after the pandemic, saying it would be used to reinforce teaching and learning.

According to her, the ministry is at the final stage of recruitment processes for 2,000 teachers in order to boost the standard of public primary school education in the state.

Adefisayo said the government, through the ministry, was looking at employing teachers every quarter, saying the rate of retirement of teachers was very high in Lagos.

She said the Sanwo-Olu’s administration had granted the ministry permission to replace retired teachers.

“The most important aspect of learning is the quality of teachers and we did not have enough teachers to actualise the set plan for learning in our public schools,” she said.

On school resumption, the commissioner, who noted that the ministry could not give the exact resumption date, said the government was watching the trend of the pandemic.

“We cannot say specifically that we are going to open on so and so date. We are also working with the federal government because it is not a decision that any state can take unilaterally.

“We are looking at the pandemic. The main thing for us is safety first, safety second, safety third. If we are certain that our children are fairly safe, we will open school,” she said.

On whether there were plans to put COVID-19 school safety protocols in place and ensure strict adherence when the school finally reopened, Adefisayo said the ministry was already working on a paper on this.

She said the ministry was working with the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Development Agencies and others to develop a very robust protocol paper for school to reopen.

“Whenever we say the school will start, there will be notice, there will be time for preparations. We are going to have time within which schools will be able to put in place those protocols for children’s safety.

“Office of the Education Quality Assurance is working hard with us to ensure compliance,” she added.

According to her, considering the dynamism of the society needs, the government has also embarked on training of experts/corricullum developers that will fine-tune the curriculum towards preparing students in compliance with current societal needs. (NAN)

Credit

https://applesbite.com/lagos-partners-microsoft-to-train-18000-teachers/

By Seunmanuel Faleye

Sometime in April, Chairman of Wale Adenuga Productions and one of the most enduring entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s film/television industry, Mr. Wale Adenuga spoke about the level of disunity in the industry.

He told reporters that this was one of the reasons most practitioners are unable to attain their potential.

Adenuga said amongst other things that: “I am persuaded to believe that our inability to come together under an umbrella is one of the reasons we have some of the problems that undermine the growth of the Nigerian film sector.”

Although some practitioners disagreed with him at that moment, truth is that thirty years after the resurgence of the motion picture business in Nigeria via the video format, sectional divisions based on all forms of primordia and selfish interests continue to limit the industry’s prospects.

Even though efforts had been made at some point to organize into professional guilds and associations, Nollywood as the industry is called, is still undermined by a variety of splinter groups which make unity impossible and cast practitioners as an unserious lot before government, itself is unserious, even unsure about that prospect the industry bears.

If anyone was in doubt as to the accuracy of Adenuga’s observation, the furuore over the membership of the committee recently set up to advice the Federal Government of Nigeria on the impact of Covid-19 on the creative industry should tell a lot.

The committee comprising accomplished individuals from parts of the creative sector is under the chairmanship of renowned comedian and actor, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, professionally known as Ali Baba. It has Anita Eboigbe of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN as Secretary.

Other members of the Committee include: Bolanle Austen Peters, Charles Novia, Segun Arinze, Ali Jita, Baba Agba, Kene Okwuosa, Efe Omorogbe, Prince Daniel Aboki, Chioma Ude, Olumade Adesemowo, Dare Art Alade and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim.

The committee is billed to also include representatives of the fashion, publishing, photography, hospitality and travel sectors. It is to assess the expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general, advise government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector and create succor for small businesses in the industry.

The Agitation of Nollywood Hierarchy

Since May 8, when the committee was named by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stakeholders, especially within the Nollywood subsector have raised questions about the integrity of the process of appointment. Some film practitioners including heads of association, guild, and other allied bodies have raised objections to the constitution of the body.

Speaking with Apple’s Bite International Magazine, former President of Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor posited that although the Federal Government’s plan is mitigate the effect of Covid-19 on the industry is timely and thoughtful, the process through which members of the committee emerged was faulty.
He explained: “My position, like that of others in the industry is simple, this is a fantastic move by the Federal Government.

This administration has taken some commendable actions with the industry’s benefits in focus. I uphold that members of the committee are qualified to speak for and represent the industry, but my grouse is with the process through which these people were selected.”

Toeing the same line of reasoning, President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Amusan conceded that everyone on the committee is eminently qualified, he however explained that TAMPAN, like other guilds and associations feels maligned that people were handpicked without consultations with professional groups.

“We are not in doubt that everyone on the committee would deliver. As a matter of fact, they are eminently qualified to be in the committee. Our agitation is that the federal government was unfair to Nollywood to have handpicked certain individuals, when there is a structure, they could reach us through to send representatives for the committee,” Amusan posited.

President of Association of Movie Producers, Ralph Nwadike expressed similar sentiments in a social media post tracked by this tabloid.

Contrary to suggestions that Nollywood lack a structure to properly channel its views, he posited that the industry actually does forge a common front around issues of interest.

Said Nwadike in the post: “Nollywood is very well structured and each guild or association is formed with a democratic set up and our purpose is to have a common front with various working units under an umbrella body. We are a community of filmmakers and the only way to reach any community is through their various leaders. The people so selected are our family members friends and colleagues, it is not a personal fight against anyone of them. Our complain is for the government or their advisers to stop pretending Nollywood isn’t known to them.

If they say they don’t know us, we know ourselves and the late MKO Abiola once said you can’t shave a man’s head behind him. If you want to deal with a family, you go through the head of that family and not his extended family members.

That is the crux of the matter,”
Another celebrated film and television producer who does not want to be named expressed the opinion that those who made the committee appointment were practitioners who are closest to the government of the day and as such, the appointment was “politically induced.”

Those Who Hold Contrary views

Some practitioners are however displeased with these seeming divisive arguments insisting that they portray Nollywood practitioners as power mongers who cannot put the larger interest in focus.

Entertainment Journalist and Chief Executive Officer of Best of Nollywood Awards, BON, Seun Oloketuyi disagrees with sentiments that government had any ulterior motive in the selection of committee members or that it needs to consult with any set of leadership before nominating people.

In his words: “I think the Minister does not owe Nollywood any explanation for the appointment. He has the prerogative to appoint whoever, he wants. Everyone on that committee is qualified to be there. Who would fault Ali Baba’s over 30years in the entertainment industry or question Segun Arinze’s ability to speak for the industry with his wealth of experience or Bolanle Austin-Peters and Charles Novia? I have read several memos signed by different acclaimed guild and association heads, which I think is unnecessary.

If all the associations send their members into the committee, how about others from other sectors of the creative industry? For me those selected are responsible individuals with track records of integrity and more over, their individual careers speak volume of their personalities. What they deserve is cooperation from the industry,” he submitted.

Publisher of Zebranewsonline, Abiola Alaba Peters agreed with Oloketuyi as he said: “We are all part of the creative industry, but I wonder why the Nollywood subsector is trying to take the day, because of their large number. I think the minister whom I believe acted in good faith has only decided to work with those he considers frontlines in the industry, in terms of career achievements, for want of a better word, and without trying to disparage anyone.”

Agitations Outside Nollywood

Although, Nollywood seems to be the most vociferous with their agitation against this purported appointment, the Guild of Nigerian Professional Dancers, GONDP is also unhappy.

In a conversation with Apple’s Bite International Magazine, the Lagos Chairperson of GONDP, Ugo Obiayo decried the non-consideration of dance as a profession, which sees professional dancers left out in the scheme of things.

Obiayo insisted that the dance sector deserves to be adequately represented in the creative industry committee and vowed to ensure that the concerns of dancers were pushed to the federal government through the committee.

While agreeing with the position of her Chairperson, Celine Ukalina, a dance practitioner and member of GONDP however admitted that the subsector has a lot of internal restructuring to do if it must be recognized.

“I was upset, when I first heard about the committee and saw the post on Ali Baba’s Instagram page. My first reaction was like, what about dance? And Ali Baba replied in the comment session. You see, while it is unfair that dance is being maligned in the scheme of things, I’d still not blame anyone. The thing is, we still need to put our house in order. You don’t cry foul are at all times when you feel cheated. Sometimes, we have a blame.

Dance has come a long way, we have people we trusted to look out for us, but they did not. The guild does not have a structure that caters for the people. There is no statistics, no data base. We need to put up a document that evaluates us. It will take a lot for even dancers to believe that the guild can represent them, but we are getting there,” Ukalina concluded.

A Selfish Agenda or An Altruistic Call to Service?

While most agitators have continued to clamor for what seems like the selective interest of their guilds, Chair of the Covid-19 Creative Industry Committee, Ali Baba told eelive.ng that the creative space is bigger than any sectional interest.

The veteran comedian said in an interview: “I will like to start by making this simple analogy, imagine there’s a global call for sports to be represented, and only FIFA shows up. Then you will ask, what happens to International Association of Athletics Federation, International Tennis Federation, International Basketball Federation, what happens to cricket council, Netball Federation and the rest.

The creative sector is not just about Nollywood. The same industry is home for the music, hospitality, architects, software developers, culinary arts, writers, book sellers, artiste managers, event planners, tattoo artists, publishers, cinema operators, Theatre practitioners, broadcasters, natural wellness experts, dancers, spoken word artists, comedians, bloggers. The list goes on,” the veteran enlightened.

Speaking further he said, “The issue with most people is that personal interest comes first. Those who believe they have the numbers and are the strongest should get it all.

In all fairness, if you have followed my commentaries since this committee was announced, I have been talking about the comedy industry. It is because of the understanding that this course is bigger than that sector.

Nollywood cannot represent dance. Moreover, most comedians are doing well and earning more than the average actor. Nollywood is not the totality of the creative industry, and even these guilds don’t represent the totality of interest of practitioners. I’ll explain, for instance, not all actors belong to AGN, not all writers belong to the Association of Nigerian Authors, not all musicians are members of PMAN,” the King of comedy concluded by assuring that: “the committee’s submission and recommendation to the federal government would be as holistic as possible”

Deal or No Deal

Yet, people like Okafor insist that government must deal with the tendency to abridge the right of every part of the movie industry to contribute to anything that has to deal with the industry. They opine that this should remain important to any meaningful step government plans to take on behalf of the industry.

Okafor told this tabloid in the final analysis: “It is not horrendous in any way to communicate with the authorities of industry guilds. In 2015, during the beginning of Buhari’s first term, when the government was going to make loan facilities available, they reached out to us through this same structure.

Why is it now impossible to reach us through that structure? An industry that contributes as much to national GDP and employs over 2.5 million youths, deserves some respect. We have come a long way, since 1992, when Living Bondage was first made.

I think the government is trying to divide and rule practitioners.”

While this may appear appropriate advocacy in some quarters, some observers feel that the rumblings within Nollywood may indeed portray as an enclave of petty ambitions and rivalries. Such observers argue that practitioners in Nollywood as most critical of the committee even though the subsector has more members in it than any other arm of the creative industry. “what I think is that all these people arguing would rather be the ones on the committee rather than allow anyone else represent their interest and that is where the problem of Nollywood lies.

Everyone with their chiefdoms, to the disadvantage of all other,” a leading industry voice who asked not to be named told Bite International Magazine.

Credit:

https://applesbite.com/the-intrigues-of-nollywood-disunity-and-government-sabotage/

Watch 'Deeeper Truth', award winning short film, produced and co-written by Seunmanuel Faleye.

Deeper Truth was written by Andrew Simon, directed by Seun Afolabi and cinematographed by Hamzat Barshan.

Starring Bukky Thomas, Praise Garba, Abdul Mohammed and Khemizona Babalola.

Synopsis:

Set in North Eastern Nigeria, Deeper Truth mirrors the reality of religious violence and provides a truce for dealing with the menace.

You will enjoy it.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf2dlXnnRTo



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United States President Donald Trump on Friday ordered Governors to allow religious centers, declaring them as “essential”.

He announced that new Centres for Disease Control guidance will classify houses of worship as “essential.”

He told Governors to allow them to open “right now” after being closed during the coronavirus lockdowns.

Trump announced the policy for churches, synagogues, and mosques during a short briefing at the White House.

“The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now–for this weekend,” Trump said.

“If they don’t do it, I will override the governors.”

“In America, we need more prayer not less,” Trump said.

“I consider them essential,” Trump said earlier Friday of houses of worship of all faiths.

On Thursday, Trump had a conference call with 1,600 pastors and faith leaders from around the country, including Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council.

He reassured them he wants to get churches reopened.

Trump telegraphed the decision Thursday when he announced he spoke to the CDC on finding ways to reopen houses of worship during the pandemic.

“We’ve got to get our churches open,” Trump said Thursday.

Some faith leaders have argued that social distancing rules have violated First Amendment religious freedoms.

Others have defied state and local rules and tried to reopen.

Credit:

https://applesbite.com/trump-orders-reopening-of-religious-centres-calls-them-essential/