Guests and Macron were amazed at the unbelievable talent exhibited by one 11-year-old boy, Kareem Olamilekan, who painted the French President’s portrait on canvas in just 2 hours.


Macron was presented with the painting by the host of the event, Banky W, alongside Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode. Olamilekan was called onto the platform to meet the French President.
In a video, Macron shared on his Twiter page, he wrote; “Very touched. Congratulations to this young boy.”
The video showed him patting the boy on the back, as well as bumping head with the young lad, even as he whispered something to him.

http://maniatalk..com/2018/07/video-africa-shrine-macron-presented.html?m=1

The startling and scary conclusions of a study on Nigeria released last week by the British Council should ordinarily provoke every responsible government into deep introspection and action.

Though not entirely novel , yet , the study’ s findings that the country is on the “ cusp of a demographic disaster” unless its stagnant economy rapidly expands to support its teeming youth population, has added to the disconcerting volumes about the Nigerian Project from many concerned quarters in recent times . This latest study, indeed,
should serve as a wake-up call to the country ’ s economic and political leaders .

The study, led by the Harvard School of Public Health and involved an academic team drawn from universities in Nigeria , USA and the UK, rightly observes that , “ If Nigeria fails to plan for its next generation , it faces serious problems as a result of growing numbers of young people frustrated by a lack of jobs and opportunities. If these young people are healthy , well educated , and find productive employment , they could boost the country ’ s economy and reinvigorate it culturally and politically . If not, they could be a force for instability and social unrest . ”

As noted earlier, this would not be the first time some concerns have been raised about the country ’ s bulging unemployed youth population in the midst of a depressing economy . In 2005 , the CIA released a report by the US National Intelligence Council which predicted that Nigeria risked a break up by 2015 , essentially, because its huge unemployed youth population is susceptible to violent crimes and destabilising influence .

Similar sentiment was expressed by the Foreign Policy magazine in a July 2009 article in which it asked if Nigeria was in danger of becoming an “ extremist haven ” because the country was inching up on the “ Failed States Index ” with a “ worsening security situation , comatose electricity system, non -existent infrastructure and mediocre leadership . ”

Curiously, the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party was thumping its chest last week that its 11 years stranglehold on Nigeria ’ s political leadership has resulted in “ a quantum leap ” for the national economy . The National Bureau of Statistics alluded to this “ quantum leap ” last Friday when it was reported to have said that the country ’ s Gross Domestic Product grew to 7 . 69 per cent in the second quarter of 2010 from the 7 . 45 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2009 .

This assertion , however, flies in the face of the claim by the British Council that Nigeria’ s GDP “ remained flat as its population multiplied in the last two decades ” ,

obviously , as evidenced by the extant socio -economic realities in the country . In fact , the 1990 s was declared a “ lost decade ” for the country with per capita GDP falling below 1980 levels

Talking about the “ demographic disaster” , the study notes with trepidation that Nigeria’ s population of 150 million people will swell by another 63 million by 2050 , with more than 40 per cent of the population younger than 14 . Given this , therefore , it warns that “ Large cohorts of unemployed or underemployed young people destabilise their societies ,

fuelling crime and creating conditions where civil conflicts becomes more likely . A country that is not well prepared to make the most of its Baby Boom generation can find itself in the midst of a demographic disaster. ”

Events in various parts of the country in recent times ranging from sectarian violence in the North , militancy in the oil - rich Niger Delta region , armed robbery and kidnapping incidents in major cities and towns all point to the dangers an unengaged but active youth population can pose to a country . This is not talking about the huge population of Nigerian girls reportedly engaged in prostitution across the world.

Like many others before it, it is most likely that the government could discountenance this latest warning . Nigeria progressively descended into the nadir of economic stagnation chiefly on account of the actions and inactions of previous administrations which systematically discarded rigorous planning for ad hoc and tentative approach in the management of the national economy . The consequences are, among other things, the dearth of opportunities especially for the rapidly growing youth population in the country .

For instance , it is instructive that while it is observed that “ Illiteracy remains high as an educational gap grows wider ” in Nigeria, an estimated 340, 000 out of the 867, 000 candidates who were successful in the recent Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination would not be admitted into any of the nation ’ s tertiary institutions because of “ limited spaces ” to absorb them .

According to the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof Dibu Ojerinde , admission into tertiary institutions in the country this year can best be described as a “ survival of the fittest ” as there are spaces available only for about 527, 000 prospective students .

Interestingly , the British Council study sadly points out that “ even an education cannot guarantee a job … as about 30 per cent of those who completed secondary education remain unemployed in Nigeria. ” A shortage of jobs, it further says, is a serious challenge , with young Nigerians taking many years to become productive contributors to society .

It is for this reason that it is recommended that Nigeria needs to create 25 million jobs over the next ten years to get its youth population working and contributing to national development . However , it will continue to remain a big puzzle how a country , which according to a recent report by the Economic Confidential, an online economic intelligence journal, generated N 34 trillion between 1999 and 2009 and reportedly makes an estimated $ 38 billion annually from oil exports to the U . S alone, could be in such economic strait .

In fact , a 2006 United Nations Development Programme report on the Millennium Development Goals says Nigeria has made little progress despite its great mineral wealth put at $ 72. 2 billion in 2004 , and as a result , may end up not meeting the MDGs by 2015 .

Admittedly , the path to Nigeria ’ s economic recovery , so as to avoid the impending “ demographic disaster” , lies in the revival of its national economy through diversification from oil , which experts say “ contributes 40 per cent to national GDP but only employs 0 . 15 per cent of the population. ”

Conscious efforts should be made by government to reposition the economy so that employment opportunities could be provided for the country ’ s bulging youth population. Central and critical to this is the resolution of the power sector conundrum. It should also sustain its anti-corruption posture in order to maximally utilise public funds for common good

All the loopholes that impede private sector participation in exploiting the abundant resources in the country should also be plugged A World Bank report entitled , “ Doing Business in 2007 : How to Reform ” ,

said Nigeria regressed from the 94 position it occupied in 2006 projections to the 108 after appraising the business environment of 175 countries . The country ’ s economy , it said, trailed behind such African countries as South Africa , Namibia, Mauritius , Kenya , Botswana , Ghana , and even war-weary Ethiopia in “ investment -friendly indicators . ”

Nigeria’ s political leaders should be more mindful of the dangers an obscenely affluent and flamboyant lifestyles side by side a huge unemployed , angry and desperate youth population poses to the country ’ s democracy . This alarm bell must be seen for what it is : A call to action by all !

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/04/reversing-nigerias-looming-demographic.html?m=1

yes oooh

British police have launched an investigation to identify those responsible for an attack on Manchester City ’ s team bus before their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool at Anfield .

Missiles were thrown at the vehicle as it arrived at the stadium on Wednesday ahead of the first leg at Anfield , which Liverpool won 3 -0 .

“ We are aware that damage was caused to the Manchester City team bus as it approached Anfield stadium this evening ahead of the Liverpool v Manchester City match , ” said match commander superintendent Paul White.

“ Thankfully , no one on the bus was injured, but injuries were caused to two of our officers when projectiles were thrown towards the bus. The officers and stewards are there to protect the public and keep them safe .

“ This behaviour by a number of people who threw bottles, cans and pyrotechnics towards the bus is completely unacceptable and we will conduct enquiries to identify who was responsible and bring them to justice .

“ We worked very closely with both clubs to ensure the safety of the public and the teams themselves, and it is disappointing to see that a number of people behaved in this appalling way . ”

Liverpool released a statement before the match apologising to City over the incident , saying they would cooperate with the authorities to identify those responsible.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola questioned the organisation of his side ’ s arrival at Anfield ahead of the highly charged match.

“ I didn’ t expect that , ” he said after the game. “ I am new here . Normally when the police know that is going to happen , they try to avoid it happening .
“ The bus is destroyed . I didn’ t expect
that a club as prestigious as Liverpool would do these kind of things .

“ Of course , it is not Liverpool , it is the people. It was not only one , only two, only three. Hopefully it doesn’ t happen again . ”

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/04/police-probe-man-city-bus-attack-before.html?m=1

pastor hmmm

The Cross River State Police command on Wednesday paraded 78 persons accused of committing various crimes between March and April 2018 .



Among the paraded suspects was a 48-year -old cleric, Pastor Dominic John, who allegedly defiled his 12-year -old housemaid identified only as Eno .

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr . Hafiz Inuwa , said John forcefully defiled the housemaid and was arrested after the victim cried for help .

Inuwa said John, who lives at Ikot -Ekpo , Calabar , admitted to committing the crime .
He said, “ On March 11 , 2018 , around 10pm, one Pastor Dominic John was arrested for defiling his 12-year -old housemaid .
Following the victim ’ s outcry , the suspect was arrested and he admitted to committing the crime .

“ Meanwhile, a medical examination has been carried out by a qualified medical practitioner to ascertain the health condition of the girl. The suspect will be charged to court. ”

The police also paraded a 25-year -old man , Michael Okon , for allegedly defiling a nine -year -old girl, Uduak , after dragging her into his living room.

According to Inuwa , the girl has been examined by a medical practitioner for confirmation of her health condition .
He described the incident as “ abominable . ”

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/04/pastor-defiles-12-year-old-housemaid.html?m=1

A 32-year-old Lagos tailor, Mr. Suleiman Ajenifuja, has been arrested with three suspected human skulls.


The father of two, who also claimed to be working as a street sweeper in Lagos, said he was taking the skulls to an Islamic cleric for spiritual purposes when he was arrested.

He said he combined street sweeping with tailoring, adding that he wanted to use the skulls to make a ritual to draw more customers to his shop.


Ajenifuja said a friend connected him to the Islamic cleric.

He said, “I am a tailor, but I also work with the Lagos State Government as a street sweeper from 11pm to 2am. While I was working one night, I saw a bag containing these things (the skulls). I initially wanted to drop the bag, but someone told me that the skulls could be used for some things.

“I contacted one of the boys that we usually talk together, named Saheed, and he gave me the Alfa’s phone number. When I called the Alfa, he told me to come to Ilorin. I have never been to Ilorin before, but he asked me to alight at a particular place where he would come to pick me.

“He had earlier asked me what I wanted to do with the items and I told him that I wanted what would bring more people to my shop.”

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr, Ado Lawan, who paraded Ajenifuja along with other criminal suspects in the state, said he was arrested on March 26 by operatives of the Federal Highway Patrol Team of the command, led by one Mr. Erumebekakhue Benson.

He added that the team intercepted a commercial vehicle conveying seven passengers en route to Ilorin from Lagos.

He said when the passengers were searched, three skulls wrapped in a sack were recovered from a black bag belonging to Ajenifuja.

According to him, the suspect admitted to being the owner of the exhibits and claimed to be taking them to Ilorin from Lagos for ritual purposes.


The CP said the suspect would be arraigned after investigation.

He noted that the command had, during the ongoing mop up of arms, recovered 51 firearms from members of the public who responded to the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, for them to surrender all unauthorised firearms.

He said the firearms willingly submitted included 32 single-barrelled guns, four locally-made cut-to-size single-barrelled rifles, eight locally-made single-barrelled guns, three cut-to-size double-barrelled guns and one AK-47 rifle.

Others are one double-barrelled gun, one English pistol, and one locally-made single-barrelled pistol with two cartridges.

Ado said, “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to inform the public that the enforcement of the mop up and recovery of illegal and prohibited firearms still in possession of such individuals is ongoing.

“Anyone who fails to voluntarily surrender them  will be arrested and prosecuted.

“We wish also to inform members of the public of the extension of the date of withdrawal of all police personnel attached to very important persons, government officials, corporate organisations, political office holders, has been extended to April 20, 2018.

“This is to enable the affected officials to reapply for revalidation of the authority through the CP, Kwara State, for IG’s approval.”

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/03/lagos-tailor-caught-with-three-human.html?m=1

A wild tiger killed a 41-year-old woman who was collecting fodder for her cattle outside her home in south-eastern Nepal, police said Tuesday.



Police officer Dilip Raj Jha said the animal, suspected to have come from the nearby Parsa Wildlife Reserve, on

Monday pounced on the woman’s from behind and killed her on the spot.

“The two men who went to retrieve her body also came under attack from the tiger.

“They sustained minor injuries.”

Under Nepalese law, the victim’s family is entitled to one million rupees (9,680 dollars) in compensation for death caused by a wild animal.

Although tiger attacks are rare in Nepal, human-wild animal conflicts are common, raising concerns about the

safety of people living near wildlife reserves.

Nepal is home to 198 endangered wild tigers that live in protected areas in the country’s southern plains along the border with India.

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/03/tiger-mauls-woman-to-death-outside-her.html?m=1

wonder shall never end!

A video of a wild elephant in India exhaling ashes has stumped experts worldwide as it is the first document of what appears to be a pachyderm “smoking”.



The video was shot in 2016 by Vinay Kumar, a scientist from the Indian branch of the Wildlife Conservation Society, in Karnataka state’s Nagarhole Forest, but released recently “after experts realized its biological significance.”

In the video the female elephant, standing near a carpet of charcoal from a burnt forest floor, seemingly ingests the charcoal.

It then exhales the ashes which appear as puffs of smoke before walking away.

“This incredibly unusual behaviour of the elephant blowing out ashes is puzzling the scientific community.

“Nobody is quite sure what is going on,” Kumar told dpa on Tuesday by phone.

An elephant biologist with WCS, Varun Goswami, said he believed the elephant was ingesting the charcoal, which

has toxin-binding properties and can serve as a laxative, for medicinal reasons.

WCS said the video is the first known video documentation of a wild elephant exhibiting such behaviour.

“The video has taken the internet by storm, going viral on social media sites, and is being shared by international

wildlife agencies,” Kumar said.

Charcoal consumption has never before been observed in elephants, although monkeys in Zanzibar have been known to do it to counteract toxins.

Charcoal ash has traditionally been used for dental hygiene in India. “After the video was circulated, there was

also this speculation that the elephant was trying to cure a toothache,” Kumar said.

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/03/elephant-seen-smoking-in-forest.html?m=1

may God save us from ritualist

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered a suspected ritual killers’ den at the Aleyo settlement on Ojoko Road, in the Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State.


The state Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Ayinla Adeyinka, who spoke through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ayodele Bello, in an interview with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Monday, said the agency visited the scene following a complaint by a victim, Mr. Muminu Abdulrahman.


He explained that Abdulrahman had reported on Saturday that he had been extorted of N5m by the suspects.

According to him, the NSCDC team discovered many shrines and other gory objects at the scene.

He said two suspects, Mr. Kazeem Absdulsalam (54), of  Omu-Aran, in the Irepodun LGA, and Mr. Adamu Hussein (36), of Marafa Oja, in the Ilorin East LGA, were apprehended at the scene.

From our investigation, it was clear that they had been carrying out ritual activities and collecting money from their victims under false pretences.”

Adeyinka said the command, in collaboration with the state government, was working hard to get to the root of the incident.

The NSCDC boss also warned members of the public to avoid falling prey to fraudsters and ritual killers.

“Investigation is still ongoing; the complainant is with us. We are still unravelling the mysteries surrounding the incident. The prime suspect, Mr. Kazeem Abdulsalam, confessed that he asked the complainant to provide N280,000 to appease  the gods.

“The complainant fell victim to them because he had been entreating the gods through them before now. Maybe he was able to record breakthroughs in the past and he still believed he could do it again.”

Some members of the community said they were surprised at the discovery, adding that they always noticed exotic cars being driven into the area.

A resident, who identified himself simply as Tunde, said he did not know that the place was a den of ritual killers.

He said, “I have been wondering why big people always go to that place. They go in big cars. We did not know that the place is a den of ritual killers.”

One of the suspects, Abdulsalam, denied that he was a ritual killer.

He explained that the complainant had told him that he (Abdulrahman) did a money ritual and he was afraid that he could die because of it.

He said the complainant sought his spiritual help to avert the impending death.

The suspect also claimed that Abdulrahman sought his service for good contracts and money doubling.

He denied extorting N5m from the victim, adding that he demanded N280,000 from him.

Abdulsalam said he usually helped people who had marital, family and social challenges, adding that the shrines were not for destructive purposes.

According to him, the shrines were to provide a good location for people shooting films and home videos.

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/03/suspected-ritual-killers-den-uncovered.html?m=1

more.

The European Union has given Facebook two weeks to answer questions raised by the scandal over personal data harvested from the social network, according to a copy of a letter obtained by AFP on Tuesday.



“Have any data of EU citizens been affected by the recent scandal?” the EU’s justice commissioner Vera Jourova wrote Facebook, listing one of the questions. “I would appreciate a reply in the next two weeks.”

Details soon.

https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/03/breaking-eu-gives-facebook-two-weeks-to.html?m=1

GistMore.com

#BBNaija: The entrance Nigerians expected from Anto and Khloe VS the entrance they got

Lol... Alot of Nigerians stayed up till 3am today to witness the return of Anto and Khloe to the Big Brother Naija house.

Many expected it to come with drama and fanfare but the housemates simply sneaked into the house and went straight to sleep!



http://www.gistmore.com/bbnaija-entrance-nigerians-expected-anto-khloe-vs-entrance-got

keep it up

Ace music legend 2baba alongside his wife Annie Idibia are celebrating their 5th Anniversary with so much love to go round and a lot of joy between the couple.

2baba posted on Instagram this post below:

Some people don do 20yrs some 50yrs, we just enter 5yrs and counting. I LOVE U @annieidibia1
make una continue 2 pray 4 us . we dey pray 4 una too. one love always

Annie also wrote:

I L O V E Y O U♥️♥️♥️
Happy ANNIEversary To Us


https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/03/2baba-alongside-annie-idibia-celebrates.html?m=1

The leading attorney on President Donald Trump ’ s legal team, John Dowd , resigned Thursday amid growing pressure on the White House from the Russia investigation of special counsel Robert Mueller.

Dowd quit days after Trump directly attacked Mueller’ s investigation as a “ witch hunt , ” raising questions about whether the president was interfering with the probe .

In an email Dowd confirmed his departure to AFP , saying “ I love the president and wish him well . ” Dowd , 77 , was the lead attorney for Trump ’ s team dealing with Mueller, whose investigation is into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russians during the 2016 presidential election .

The White House legal team , however , has reportedly split over how much to cooperate with Mueller’ s investigators and how much to fight them . On Friday , in a statement to a reporter that he said was in trump ’ s name , Dowd called for Mueller “ bring an end to alleged Russia collusion investigation . ”

He charged that the investigation “ manufactured” and based on “ fraudulent and corrupt ” evidence .
Hours later, Dowd reversed himself , saying he was speaking
in his personal capacity and not for the president . In a weekend twitter attack , Trump took direct aim at
Mueller, a former FBI director whose nine month old collusion investigation increasingly focuses on the president , his family and top aides .

“ The Mueller probe should never have been
started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime , ” Trump wrote . He accused Mueller’ s team of being staffed by “ hardened Democrats ” and as having “ massive conflicts of interest . ”

In response , several top legislators warned Trump against firing Mueller, with Senator Lindsey Graham warning that “ that would be the beginning of the end of his presidency.

http://maniatalk..co.ke/2018/03/top-trump-lawyer-resigns.html?m=1

Big Brother Naija 2018 housemate, Cee-C, has continued to
insist that she’s a virgin.

She said this during a game with Alex and fellow housemate, on Wednesday night. Alex asked her,

“Before you came into this house, when was the last time
you had sex?” Responding, Cee-C said, “Never. At 25 I had never.” Surprised at her response, Alex said, “Cee-C say the truth and shame the devil.” Cee-C reiterated her earlier remark, “Never.”

Recall that Cee-C had few weeks ago declared that she had
never had sex.

http://maniatalk..co.ke/2018/03/at-25-i-remain-virgin-cee-c-insists.html?m=1

The Senate at the plenary on Thursday urged the security forces to secure the release of the last Dapchi schoolgirl still being held by Boko Haram insurgents .
The upper chamber of the National Assembly also sought the release of the remaining 112 Chibok girls in captivity .
The plea was based on a point of order raised by the Majority Leader , Senator Ahmad Lawan , on the “ recovery , return or release” of the abducted Dapchi girls .
He thanked Nigerians for showing patriotism and giving Yobe people the kind of support that they needed .
“ After commending everyone , we still have one more student of Dapchi that has not returned home . We still have 112 of Chibok girls that have not been returned.
“ I want to take this opportunity to urge the Federal Government to expedite action and leave no stone unturned in the effort to recover the remaining girl from Dapchi and 112 from Chibok , ” Lawan said .
The lawmaker , who is representing Yobe - North , thanked the Senate for giving its support when the Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, under who ’ s constituency Dapchi falls , moved a motion to formally inform the chamber on the abduction . The Majority Leader said ,
“ Mr . President , I want to take this opportunity to formally thank you and the Senate for the support , and to commend the Federal Government and the Yobe State Government for remaining focused .
“ President Muhammadu Buhari visited our state about a week after the abduction and he promised that the Federal Government would leave no stone unturned in the effort to bring back our Dapchi girls . ”
President of the Senate , Bukola Saraki , tasked the Federal Government with ensuring the release of the last Dapchi girl with the insurgents .
He said , “ I commend and thank all our colleagues for all their efforts from this chamber and for standing with the people of Yobe State .
“ We commend the government , the President and the people of Yobe State for the efforts they put in the rescue of the girls .
“ But there is one more girl from Dapchi, which all the security agencies must do their best to see that, immediately, this girl is brought back as well as the 112 Chibok girls . ”

A Cross River State High Court sitting in calabar on Wednesday sentenced a retired worker of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , Mr Godwin Elewana , to death by hanging.
http://maniatalk..co.ke/2018/03/ex-nnpc-worker-sentenced-to-death-for.html?m=1

[url][/url]Yes, it is high time Nigeria had a sex offender
registry because we now have a high rate of
rape , sexual violence and assaults in the
society . It should be a gender centre where
both men and women can report such cases.
We have a lot of cases of sexual harassment at
work and in other places including educational
institutions especially within our university
environment, where most of such incident go
unreported . I have also met men who were
harassed by women . There is a colleague of
mine ( a lawyer ) who was harassed by a
woman . Having a sex offender registry will
greatly reduce incidents of sexual harassment .
It will not only serve as a deterrent to others , it
will ensure that sex offenders are brought to
book. It will also provide an opportunity for
victims of sexual violence to report offenders
and get justice as is the case in other climes.
Most times, when you take matters bordering
on sexual offences to the police , they dismiss it
as a family matter, so no serious investigation
is carried out and victims are left to suffer in
silence .


For instance , they may begin to mention
reasons why a victim of rape was raped . You
hear things like : “ can’ t you see how short your
dress is ? Why did you go there alone at night ?
All these things become like a double jeopardy
for the victim of such crimes .
If we have a registry that one can go quietly ,
report and register one ’ s complaint and the
offender is invited for interrogation and when
found culpable , he or she is punished ; victims
will be interested in reporting their ordeal to
relevant authorities and seek help .
I feel very bad because many ladies are
sexually abused and they hardly get justice
because when they report to the police or other
security agencies, their cases are treated with
levity and offenders go unpunished .
https://maniatalk..com.ng/2018/03/should-nigeria-have-sex-offender.html?m=1