Buhari Appoints all Former Service Chiefs as Non-career Ambassadors

Details >>> https://www.ngtimes.net/2021/02/buhari-appoints-former-service-chiefs-non-career-ambassadors.html

The Federal Executive Council, FEC has approved the establishment of 20 new private universities across Nigeria.

The memo sent from the Ministry of Education was approved on Wednesday by the council today.

The twenty new universities will be given provisional licenses to run for three years while the ministry monitors and evaluates their growth.

Detail>>>> https://www.ngtimes.net/2021/02/fec-approves-establishment-new-private-universities.html

Many Nigerians have posited that the nation’s current geopolitical structure has been largely responsible for many of her failures in governance, and the growing spate of unpleasant developments in the country. Nigeria is not a failed state, but could become one if critical steps are not taken to restructure the polity, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has argued. It is this that form the basis of his recent article titled “Nigeria Needs The Peace Serum of Restructuring”.

The article enunciating the pressing need for restructuring was written against the backdrop of the current happenings pertaining to the Fulani Herders situation. Atiku Abubakar stressed that Nigeria’s problems are rooted in the absence of a structure that represents every Nigerian in the spirit of true federalism. His words read in part:

“Nigeria needs to be restructured. Just look at Nigeria today. The truth is staring us in our collective faces.

“The current ethnic and religious clashes bedeviling Nigeria are symptoms of the disease. They themselves are not the illness. We must address the root causes of the various symptoms of insecurity Nigeria now faces.”

This general feeling has equally been the perception and position of many well meaning Nigerians and major stakeholders in the country, which in itself has informed the calls for restructuring over the years. The nation’s challenges, particularly with the current ethnic/religious clash emanating from the Southwest over Fulani Herdsmen activities are indicative of the expediency with which the matter ought to be addressed.

In light of this, the former vice president noted that, “We have been operating from the same unitary foundation, and have given it several names since January 15, 1966. Other than slight name changes, the mould has remained the same, and the yield has changed little.

“Nigeria needs to restructure to avoid the various failed state prophecies, first advanced by an American think-thank against Nigeria in 2006. Most recently regurgitated by The Financial Times of London, about a month ago. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

The PDP presidential candidate stated that Nigeria is not a failed state but stands the risk of becoming a failed state, “if we do not resolve our foundational challenges that make it rather difficult for the central government to discharge her responsibilities effectively.”

Atiku Abubakar added that “Nigeria is now of age. It is now time to trust the component units of this federation with devolution of powers from the central government to handle issues such as policing, in tandem with the Federal Government.”

It is generally believed that Nigeria has the potential and the resources to emerge as one of the greatest in the comity of nations. The position she has attained today in spite of the numerous challenges and problems bedevilling her is indicative of the colossal progress it would have made if she was on course in the right direction. As it is, things are not exactly working with rising tension in ethnic and religious scuffle almost when any slight situation triggers it, coupled with the protracted malaise of Insurgency, even though it has recorded significant improvement in the last six years. The rate at which kidnapping and banditry are fast becoming a trend is nonetheless worrisomely alarming.

These and other uneventful happenings not only generate negative feelings, they raise doubts in the minds of many Nigerians who believe Nigeria is heading nowhere in spite of sincere efforts of the past years. Reverend Kukah’s controversial speech and the mixed reactions that trailed it are indicative of the cacophony and disjointed voices that follows when such situation and scenarios tests the unity of the country. The same scenario was seen in the EndSARS protest as some people in the North were influenced by views that it was a southern affair. This saw a brief contention between the North and the South.

The Fulani herdsmen crisis in the South-western states is particularly mind-boggling as a good number of people have now criminalized the entire Fulani race for the evil some bad eggs in the tribe have perpetrated in different parts of the country.

According to Atiku Abubakar,” if half of our people expend their energies pulling Nigeria in one direction, and the other half counter by pulling Nigeria in another direction, our motherland will never know pace, unity and prosperity.” This is why major stakeholders in the country have raised an alarm that if measures are not put in place to curtail this trend of disunity now, it might plunge the country in the direction of a large scale civil war that can obliterate the country from the map.

Noteworthy is the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari strongly believes in the idea of restructuring which in itself was one of the major highlights of his campaign promises. He himself promoted the establishment of the panel which brought the reports of El Rufai. It has been years and the reports have not been brought to manifestation. This has led many, particularly dignitaries from the Southwest to question the president’s sincerity in realizing the demands of restructuring.

Buhari however has shown that this is not the case. He feels there are more pressing needs that ought to be addressed in the country which if not addressed will run counter to any exhortation on restructuring. The problem of corruption and other related menace are some of the vices the Buhari-led administration has given due prominence to, while tackling other major challenges that has brought about significant progress from transportation through agriculture to power supply, across others sectors.

Details>>>>> https://thejournalnigeria.com/restructuring-atiku/

The outgoing CEO of Amazon Inc. Jeff Bezos has yesterday singlehandedly resigned his position after about twenty-seven years of the establishment. Jeff Bezos has a formulation about one-way doors and two-way doors—decisions that are irreversible and permanent and those that can always be unwound. Stepping through what’s almost certainly a one-way door on Tuesday, Bezos said he will resign as chief executive officer of Amazon.com Inc. and become executive chairman later this year.

He will hand day-to-day control to Andy Jassy, his longtime head of Amazon Web Services, a swiftly growing division that has almost singlehandedly changed the way companies buy the technology that powers their businesses.

Jeff Bezos has been a recurring character in the pages for Forbes since the days when he was a scrappy entrepreneur in the crosshairs of Barnes & Noble to a net worth of $196 billion.

Bezos’s decision to step down also reflects an uncomfortable reality for one of the wealthiest people in the world: The walls of his highly compartmentalized empire have been crumbling for some time. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to be Jeff Bezos (at least by Bezos’s standards). He presides over a collection of properties that spans not only Amazon but The Washington Post, several philanthropies and a space company, Blue Origin LLC, that lags far behind its chief rival, Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp.

In his words, Bezos said, “I’ve never had more energy, and this isn’t about retiring”

The Blue Origin website proclaims, “We are not in a race, and there will be many players in this human endeavor to go to space.” But of course, practically everyone in the space industry, including those at SpaceX and even at Blue Origin, recognizes that Musk is flying literal circles around Bezos. SpaceX regularly flies into orbit and to the International Space Station and just announced plans to take paying civilians into orbit. In his email to Amazon employees on Tuesday, Bezos said stepping down will give him more time to focus on “other passions,” including Blue Origin.

This move could well me he now derives passion for the “Blue Origin” his Space company which will likely allow him to challenge his rival Elon Musk in that tech space.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2021/02/amazon-ceo-jeff-bezos-uses-exit-door-now-executive-chairman.html

https://thejournalnigeria.com/dangote-ms-spike/

A man and his wealth are like faeces. He gathers flies anywhere he goes. These are African sayings that highlight the burdens of a rich man or woman. The fear of the man with wealth has always been the nature of the people around him: whether they have good intentions or relate with him based only on what they can gain. As he grapples with the numerous personalities and identities in his environment, he is open to slippery situations that can get him blackmailed. The blackmail becomes much more intriguing when the wealthy victim has a reputation to protect or has attained certain heights in their career. If it involves a relationship, it takes the obvious form of emotional blackmail. Such is the dilemma of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote as Autumn Spikes, a purported ex-girlfriend of the billionaire businessman said she was “insultingly” offered $15,000 and another $2,500 monthly by the African richest man to keep quiet over their affair.

In the words of Ms Spikes: “I was insultingly offered 15k and 2,500 a month to sign an NDA but I declined.”

She did not disclose how long Mr Aliko Dangote allegedly offered to pay her the monthly $2,500, but went further to state, “I gained legal counsel in which we countered his offer. Mind you his first initial offer wasn’t disclosed in the terms of his proposed NDA.

“Therefore I was pressured and influenced to sign which was already a violation of his own NDA.”

Ms Spikes, who disclosed this in a post via her Instagram handle, @allounda1, on Monday, is instead, demanding $5 million in exchange for the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) requested by Mr Aliko Dangote.

While such statement reveals Autumn Spikes as a money monger and the overall situation as a clear criminal case of extortion, it leaves one to ponder how people enjoy using top personalities as bait to enrich their pockets. One of the hallmarks of an extortionist is that they relate in terms of their demands and how much they want from their victims. If they don’t give in, it generates feelings that leads the extortionist to drag their victims’ name in the mud. When the victim resists, the extortionist becomes locked in a battle to save themselves and their ego.

From what we see, this is the sensibility and disposition that informs Spikes’ ranting. She wants Dangote’s money! It is an obvious fact that there won’t be a need for this conversation if it didn’t involve Africa’s richest man. If it were a random person, Ms. Spikes wouldn’t even bother let alone go on with the buzz she has created around it.

As one struggle to grapple with an explanation for this fad and while it has gained ground over the years, it is important to note that Dangote is not the only victim of this rising menace. Football stars as Neymar Jr. have gone through the same road.

It was just last year that the controversial news of the Brazilian star made rounds in the media space. The Paris St. German forward was accused of raping a woman named Najila Trindade. She claimed that the football star had violently assaulted and raped her in a Paris hotel room May, 2020.

Although Neymar denied the allegation, posting on his instagram that “it was a trap, and I ended up falling for it”, no one was going to have it as all accusing fingers seemed to be pointed at him. They were grievances that he was taking advantage of his position as a superstar in the society to exploit weak women. The public outrage and sympathy for the complainant grew when Trindade disclosed that the rape had left her “traumatized”.

Eventually, investigations vindicated the Champions League winner. Both Trindade and her ex-husband, Estivens Alves, were charged with trying to blackmail the Brazilian international. Trindade was further charged with fraud, extortion, and slander.

There is another case of late-night host, David Letterman, who shocked many when he confessed to having sexual relations with female staffers, including his longtime assistant. It eventually turned out his admission was prompted by a CBS employee who was attempting to blackmail him for $2 million.

Top women dignitaries are also victims of this rising menace. Popular TV host, Oprah Winfrey is a case study. Keifer Bonvillian, a former employee at Oprah’s production company, attempted to extort $1.5 million from the media mogul in 2005. The FBI got involved in 2007 after he approached the TV mogul and threatened to release potentially damaging recorded phone conversations. After publishing a book “Ruthless” in 2008 which featured tell-all secrets about Oprah and her company, Bonvillian tried again and filed a $180 million lawsuit against her. He was eventually arrested.

American star and actress, Cameron Diaz, is another victim. Photographer John Rutter took topless photos of Diaz prior to her becoming a star and tried to sell them back to her before threatening to make them public. Diaz testified in courts that the photographer approached her ahead of the 2003 release of “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” and wanted $3.5 million for the shots. Rutter was eventually arrested.

Extortion is nothing new but attempting to put down dignitaries and personalities in order to gratify selfish desires and enrich one’s pocket is nothing short of plain evil. Extortion has evolved overtime. Modern extortionists have adapted their methods to take advantage of the internet. Since we conduct much of our lives online these days, everyone is liable to fall victim.

In Nigeria, internet fraud, what is otherwise known, as “Yahoo Yahoo” has almost been normalized with endorsement from young people, some parents and particularly players in the entertainment industry. You are deemed smart when you use dubious means to siphon and extort money from people who have struggled all their lives to get to the positions they are.

Ms Spikes has gone further to share a part of a page of Mr Aliko Dangote’s court documents filed at a Miami-Dade County Court in Florida, through her Monday’s Instagram post. She denied threatening Mr Dangote with blackmails on social media or through media talk shows as claimed by the billionaire businessman in his suit. She expressed surprise that she could be sued for extortion by a wealthy businessman.

With such words as “manly egoistical move” to generate sentiments from fellow women while describing Aliko Dangote’s lawsuit, one sees more emotional blackmail in full view.

Read Also: From FCMB to Dangote: Banana Peels that Brands Must Avoid

Clearly, Spikes seems to be emboldened by the trend of extortion from men of wealth and women of substance that is deep-rooted in the American culture. It is thus vital for every sane society to condemn all forms of blackmail, with stiff punishment slammed on anyone involved to discourage this type of opportunism and brazen attempts to blackmail those who made their wealth through sweat and hardwork.

There is hope for success for the graduates of Yoruba and Hausa languages in the US if the statement on the US Embassy website is anything to go by.

US embassy in Nigeria has announced that Yoruba and Hausa teachers are urgently needed – The qualified candidates are advised to apply for the jobs between February 1 and June 1

Barely two weeks after Joe Biden was sworn-in as the president of the United States of America, the US embassy and consulate in Nigeria has announced that the services of Yoruba and Hausa teachers are needed.

A report credited to the Nigerian Tribune said the public affairs section of the US Mission Nigeria made the announcement on its website.

It said the applications from qualified Nigerians wishing to teach Hausa or Yoruba languages and cultures to American students in US universities and colleges opened February 1 and will end on June 1.

NG Times reliably gathered that the applications are being requested under the mission’s Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Programme (FLTA).

The US embassy in Nigeria announces openings for Yoruba, Hausa teachers. The mission explains that the FLTA programme is designed to offer young foreign teachers an opportunity to teach Yoruba language and culture to American students in universities and colleges.

Read Also: Buhari-Tinubu Ticket: Nigeria Would Have Broken-Up – Fani-Kayode

The programme also gives an opportunity for participants to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the United States by engaging in non-degree studies while strengthening the instruction of foreign languages at US colleges and universities.

It said that along with their studies, participants teach language courses, supervise language labs and lead language table discussions.

It was reported that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal member of the US House of Representative, shared the inspiring story of Brisport on Twitter after administering the oath of office to him.

For every qualified Nigerian what are you waiting for dust your certificates and do the needful as soon as possible? Don’t forget to share this with your friends.

Details>>> https://www.ngtimes.net/2021/02/us-embassy-announces-vacancies-yoruba-hausa-teachers.html

The State of Osun has made announcement of the discovery of five cases of the deadly B117 strain of COVID-19 in the state.

The B117 strain of COVID-19 was firstly recorded in the United Kingdom (UK).

Recall B117 Strain of COVID-19 emerged in the the south east of the United Kingdom last September. It comes after the UK reported another 1,401 deaths due to Covid-19.

This is coming barely five days after the Chairman Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha announced that Nigeria has recorded four cases of COVID-19 B117 strain.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Funke Egbemode, confirmed the discovery of the COVID-19 in a public announcement on Sunday evening.

This new strain, according to the commissioner, spreads faster and kills quicker.

“If it continues to grow, more citizens will become vulnerable and those with underlying ailments more endangered.” adding that the government is extremely concerned about the days ahead due to the continued disregard and defiance for safety protocols in the state.

“We cannot continue to act like COVID-19 is not real. It is not just a sad reality but one that has changed the momentum with this more deadly strain.

“Citizens are enjoined to scale up their personal responsibility for safety by complying with all the non-pharmaceutical protocols outlined by the government, to avoid tragic consequences,” she added.

Recall B117 Strain of COVID-19 emerged in the southeast of the United Kingdom last September. It comes after the UK reported another 1,401 deaths due to Covid-19.

Details>> https://www.ngtimes.net/2021/01/b117-strain-of-covid-19-osun-records-five-cases.html

Fast-rising Nigerian artiste Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed popularly known as Bella Shmurda is out with another smashing single. The fast rising star is coming with another after his previous EP, High Tension earlier in the year.

Bella Shmurda also released ‘Cash App,’ a few months back.

He has now returned with a lamba song that gleans the detraction he gets from people. He sings about what people say behind him and his indifferent reaction to it.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2021/01/bella-shmurda-rush-moving-fast.html

Premiered in Nigerian cinemas on Christmas Day, December 25th, Omo Ghetto (the Saga), is a blockbuster that moved swiftly to top all major charts in less than a week of its release. The movie is a follow-up on Omo Ghetto released in 2010.

Set in fictional Lagos, the movie tells the story of Lefty who grew up in the suburb (tagged ghetto) together with her gang -Nikky, Chummy Choko and Busty. One area of speciality of the gang was getting into trouble. Lefty was later adopted to live alongside her twin sister, Ayomide, by the lovely Mrs Benson, in an upper-class neighborhood.

Irrespective of the affluence and the new luxurious change in environment, Lefty still finds herself going back to the ghetto and fermenting more trouble. She falls in love with Stone, leader of Yahoo Gang in Askamaya ghetto. He betrays her, a reality she struggles to grapple with, but manages to overcome.

Her ghetto accomplices however kidnapped the “oyinbo woman” whom Stone was going out with to signal their grievance. Stone, in retaliation, abducts Lefty’s twin sister, an incident that fuelled a large scale war between Lefty’s gang and the Yahoo gang.

“Omo Ghetto”, an action packed comedy is particularly remarkable for exploring the life and character of two twin sisters in showing how two people, informed by the same genetic composition can be so alike and yet so different. Most certainly, you can take Lefty out of the ghetto but can you take the ghetto out of her? This is the question the movie attempts to answer as it throws light into a discourse that engages warring polemics regarding character formation.

Two schools of thought seem to have emerged on the subject. The debate is, between environment and genetics, which has the larger influence on character build up? That is, which of the two has the stronger capacity to inform and shape a personality into what a person eventually becomes.

There is the group that insists that character formation is largely hereditary or a matter of genetics or nature. This school of thought insists that people’s character are innate or inborn and not a result of influences from the environment or determined by a person’s surroundings or where they were brought up.

Another school of thought insists that environment has a greater influence on character formation. In other words, the attitude, mentality, and sensibilities that inform how one behaves are majorly a product of influences in the environment. Even within this school of thought, there are some who believe that a change of environment will automatically mean or inspire a change of character, and others who argue otherwise.

Omo Ghetto however indicates that environment has the domineering power on character formation far more than genetics as it reflects the different lives of two people who are supposed to be alike as a result of their biological composition. But the movie reveals that while the environment has the ability to influence character, it also doesn’t necessarily determine a change of character.

One would have expected the protagonist to adjust to her new life of opulence and poise of the upper class like her twin sister, but we see how much of Lefty’s life in the ghetto has affected her and the paradigm with which she sees the world.

Details:>> https://thejournalnigeria.com/omo-ghetto-the-saga/

United States Embassy and Lagos Consulate in Nigeria has warned American citizens to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.

The Embassy also urged the citizens to always check local media for updates and traffics advisories, while continue to be vigilant and avoid affected areas by the protests across the country.

The Embassy gave the warning in a press statement released on its official website on Tuesday.

Part of the statement read, “Multiple demonstrations are ongoing across Nigeria – to include areas within the consular districts of Abuja and Lagos.

“Although most demonstrations are peaceful, some have become violent and have shut down major thoroughfares and bridges. Some police stations have been targeted.

“Lagos State closed all schools indefinitely as of October 19 due to protests and implemented a 24-hour curfew starting at 4:00 p.m. on October 20.

“Consulate General Lagos is closed for the rest of today and tomorrow”.

The Embassy also urged its citizens to avoid the areas of the demonstration(d), exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests and keep a low profile.

Other precautionary measures as released by the embassy is for the citizens to be aware of their surroundings, monitor local media for updates as well as review the travel advisory for Nigeria.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/end-sars-us-embassy-closes-lagos-consulate-advises-citizens.html

The widely adjudged peaceful protest embarked upon by Nigeria youths has now turned bloody following the deployment of the troops to major cities.

Recall the protest that started barely a week ago was adjudged a peaceful one by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also commended the youths for their peaceful conduct during the protest.

However, following the 24-hour curfew declared by governor Babajide on Lagos State to stop criminals who hid under the #EndSARS protests to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens Sanwo-Olu there has been report of shooting around Lekki Toll Plaza.

Another report had it that a number of persons have been shot dead around Mushin in Lagos.

The former First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure safety of lives of the Nigeria youths.

She made this known via her official Twitter handle.

Her statement reads; https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/hillary-clinton-reacts-killings-protesting-nigeria-youths.html

The National Association of University Students, NAUS have taken protest against the seemingly endless strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff of Union of Universities, ASUU to the National Assembly.

Also, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN a body of Nigerian youths routed a letter which the content was not disclosed through the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi representing Niger North Senatorial district who addressed the protesters on behalf of the Senate President disclosed on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday in Abuja that their grievances would be addressed while thanking them for their maturity.

The lawmaker who spoke on the point of order expatiates on how the Senate leadership had engaged ASUU leadership which he said were almost reaching a compromise.

He told Senators that students were tired of staying at home for a long time due to the ASUU strike.

According to Senator Sabi, “The protesting students were at the National Assembly to seek lawmakers’ intervention in ASUU strike because they have been away from school for over a year now.”

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/ASUU-strike-naus-takes-protest-nass-nycn-writes-buhari.html

The Nigeria Senate has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately address the nation on EndSARS protests.

The Red Chamber said a presidential speech would further give Nigerians an insight of the government’s efforts and actions.

The demand followed a point of order by Senator representing Ekiti South senatorial district at the National Assembl, Biodun Olujimi.

It was titled, “EndSARS: The Need for a Comprehensive Reform”.

However, the Senate has further charged the police to protect demonstrators from hoodlums.

The lawmakers appealed to protesters to take a break to enable authorities continue work on their demands.

The Senate also asked Muhammadu Buhari to set up a judicial panel to identify and prosecute rogue SARS operatives.

Like Edo, Lagos state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew from 4pm today.

The police have also banned all protests in the nation’s commercial city.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/endsars-senate-tells-buhari-make-public-address.html

Following an earlier reported burning of a police station in Orile axis of Lagos state, another command have been set ablazed by suspected hoodlums.

The station located at Ojo road, Ajegunle in Apapa has gone up in flames in just a few hours after the Orile report.

Some hoodlums on Tuesday attacked and razed the Layeni police station.

The incident is said to be connected to the ongoing ENDSARS protest in the state.

The state government has announced a 24-hour curfew effective 4pm today.

The police has banned protests and any form of gatherings.

The Lagos command has also deployed operatives to flash points and other strategic parts of the state.

Videos: https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/endsars-police-station-set-ablaze-lagos-video.html

The End Special Anti-Robbery Squad (EndSARS) or #EndSARS is a social movement in Nigeria that started on Twitter calling for banning of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian Police Force.

It is a call to end police oppression and brutality in Nigeria. The protests started as a social media campaign using the hashtag #ENDSARS to demand for Nigeria’s government to scrap and end the deployment of Nigeria Police Force Special Anti-Robbery Squad, popularly known as SARS.

As at 14th October 2020, the #ENDSARS hashtag had more than 40 million tweets.

The evidence of the brutality murder, theft, rape, torture, unlawful arrests, high-handedness, humiliation, unlawful detention, extrajudicial killings, and extortion against this unit of the Nigerian Police Force is everywhere for all to see but no one has been brought to book.

On Friday, 9th October 2020, the Inspector General of Police, IGP via a series of Twitter post said, “The Force will no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel or any member of the law enforcement community by any individual or group protesting under any guise.”

“The IGP notes that protests by citizens remain a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views. It must, however, be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the confines of the law.”

In a year, between March 2019 and February 2020, the police, particularly the ill-reputed SARS, have caused the untimely death of over 92 Nigerian souls – this is according to the Council on Foreign Relations (a non-profit US think tank). Some of the prominent reasons for the killings are “refusal to give a bribe, argument and accidental discharge’’.

Another report says over 1,000 Nigerians have lost their lives in the hands of this dread SARS in year 2020 alone.

However, it must be noted that this is now a movement, a movement that can never be killed, or cowed by any government machinery. ENDSARS is an idea that has come to stay, and would consume the nepotism and corruption in high places in Nigeria.

Marcus Cicero once remarked, “Freedom is participation in power.”

Don’t get it twisted, the power here is the people. The will of the people to do the right thing in the right manner, and according to laid down laws. You will agree that “freedom” without law is nothing at all, but anarchy.

Hence, a law should not be made to inflict suffering on people but to uplift them and empower them for productivity. Can this be said to be true of Nigeria?

Do we have law in Nigeria? Is Nigeria law for the upliftment of the people?

EndSARS have become a front burner lately, it has attracted international outcry especially with the intimidating bragadocio display of government towards the people. A number of protesters are now under arrest for their demand for a restructured and organized policing system.

EndSARS protest is one of the many protests Nigeria government would experience and must learn to live with until the insanity at corridor of power is checkmated and corrected.

Though some protesters have put up destructive display, such display should be condemned by all. However, it is not sufficient reason for any responsible government to harass, intimidate and arrest protesters.

A country like Nigeria must wake up now, the moment most Nigerians realised how critical this is for the future the better for all. The future here is not just generation yet unborn but the future of Africa.

Over 13 million employable youths are unemployed in Nigeria, while this number is not anything serious of a threat to Nigeria government it may interest you to know that this number is more than some countries (Rwanda, Burundi, Benin) in Africa.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/endsars-end-protesters-nigeria-government-dilemma.html

President Trump called on the House and Senate to send him stand-alone stimulus bills to help the airline industry, small businesses as well as legislation for another $1200 stimulus check.

He made this statement in tweet via his official Twitter handle.

The tweet reads;

The House & Senate should IMMEDIATELY Approve 25 Billion Dollars for Airline Payroll Support, & 135 Billion Dollars for Paycheck Protection Program for Small Business. Both of these will be fully paid for with unused funds from the Cares Act. Have this money. I will sign now!

11,00 North Carolina residents get incorrect voter registration forms. 2000 LA County Voters received “faulty” Ballots, with NO WAY TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT. Many others throughout USA. Here we go. This will be the most corrupt Election in American History!

If I am sent a Stand Alone Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200), they will go out to our great people IMMEDIATELY. I am ready to sign right now. Are you listening Nancy? @MarkMeadows @senatemajldr @kevinomccarthy @SpeakerPelosi @SenSchumer

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/stimulus-bills-will-sign-now-president-trump-calls-house-senate.html

The Nigerian Senate has called for a new, reformed and rebranded anti-corruption agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The Nigerian Senate Committee Chairman on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Suleiman Kwari, spoke on Tuesday at the commencement of the 9th Senate Legislative Anti Corruption Strategy Implementation Session.

He advised that ninety per cent of investigation be done before arrest is effected.

“Media hype must stop. If you want to be effective forget the media, do the work and let your work speak for you,” he told EFCC officials.

Kwari disclosed that the 9th Senate was determined to ensure constant flow of information and engagement between the Senate and the EFCC.

Aliyu Wamakko, a former Sokoto State Governor, expressed concern on EFCC’s lean budgetary allocation for legal fees.

He demanded adequate provision for the purpose in the EFCC budget for effective prosecutorial activities.

Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mohammed Umar Abba, sought the support of the committee through appropriation.

On senators’ inquiry on seized vehicles, Abba expressed pain at the deteriorating state of assets in EFCC custody.

“We are working on this challenge, and I am sure the Attorney General of the Federation is coming out with a gazette so that this issue will be a thing of the past, not only vehicles, but landed properties,” he said.

On the whistle-blowing policy of the federal government, Abba said some members of the public had turned it to a tool for settling personal scores.

“It is true that the whistle-blowing policy has gone down, unlike what it was at the beginning where we received several reports from whistle-blowers. People started being mischievous. We have to tread carefully as people turned it into a personal vendetta tool against individuals.”

Abba revealed that the policy was being fine-tuned by the Ministry of Finance to make it more efficient.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/efcc-nigerian-senate-calls-new-anti-graft-agency.html

The English Premier league giant, Manchester United seem to have lost its rhythm lately, hence, the executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, has contacted Mauricio Pochettino over the possibility of replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the club, the Daily Star reports.

Mauricio Pochettino is back on the Red Devils’ radar thanks to his former club Tottenham.

Man United 6-1 ruthless thrashing in the hands of Spurs on Sunday at Old Trafford must have triggered this swift move.

The result means Solskjaer is yet to win a game at home this season, after losing Crystal Palace in their opening fixture.

Solskjaer, who led United to third place in the Premier League and the Europa League semi-final last term, has seen his side concede 11 goals in their opening three league games this campaign.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/interesting-times-as-man-utd-contact-pochettino-to-replace-solskjaer.html

Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari has yesterday told Nigerians who are not comfortable with certain laws in the country to remain calm and imperturbable.

He further urge Nigerians to seek reform where necessary, even though he admitted that laws are necessarily dynamic but can always be amended when due process are followed.

Buhari made this known while declaring open a two-day joint Executive/Legislative leadership retreat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/10/shocking-be-calm-with-laws-you-dislike-buhari.html

A young man has again fallen victim of scam at Computer Village in Ikeja area of Lagos where he had gone to purchase a smart phone.

In a viral video already making the rounds on social media, a man could be seen asking the victim where he bought the iPhone, which he described as Vitamin C pro max.

The fake samrt phone was sold to the unsuspecting victim for the sum of N100,000 and it appears that the furious man who could be seen in the video had sent him the iPhone 11 pro max.

It should be noted that Computer Village is notorious for phone theft and scam and a lot of unsuspecting victims have fallen victim of the criminality going on in this popular market.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/man-receives-fake-iphone-11-pro-max-in-computer-village.html

The video footage of a former Oyo State Governor, late Abiola Ajimobi has surfaced on the internet. The world-class marble finishing, AC, massive interior decor at the grave is stunning.

The opulence displayed inside the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi ’s grave beats the imagination of many Nigerians.

Some of these Nigerians have taken to their social media pages to express dissatisfaction against the needless show of wealth.

The video surfaced at a time when Nigerians are battling with aftermath of COVID-19 inflation. The recent fuel price hike, increase in electricity tariff, high level of corruption within the Buhari-led government.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/nigerians-react-late-gov-abiola-ajimobi-stunning-grave-video.html

Apple iPhone 12 is seemingly closer to its launch date, keeping in line with the approximate timeline of when Apple launches its iPhones every year.

This time, the new iPhones will make for Apple’s first 5G iPhones, and alongside the latest generation connectivity tech inside, the iPhone 12 lineup is also expected to give the iPhones an eagerly awaited redesign. Also expected are four variants of the iPhone 12 instead of three, which are expected to bring four screen sizes ranging from 5.4-inch to 6.7-inch. All iPhones are expected to feature OLED panels, and also come with the regular performance upgrades that you would expect from a cutting edge iPhone.

Apple iPhone 12 Design & Display
Reports indicate Apple may launch four variants of the iPhone 12 for the first time. As a result, the iPhone 12 lineup may include the standard, entry level iPhone 12 with a 5.4-inch display, an iPhone 12 Max/Plus with a 6.1-inch display, an iPhone 12 Pro (also with a 6.1-inch display), and an iPhone 12 Pro Max with a 6.7-inch display. Apple is finally said to be moving to an all-OLED display lineup for iPhones, and offer a wider range of form factors with its devices. The 5.4-inch iPhone 12, for instance, is expected to be one of the most compact smartphones in the market, should the rumour turn out to be true. Without the thick bezels of the new iPhone SE, the iPhone 12 can potentially be as compact as the former, and this can bode well for compact smartphone aficionados. On the other end of the spectrum, the 6.7-inch display size of the rumoured iPhone 12 Pro Max is set to be the largest iPhone display to date.

Other features of the new Retina display on the upcoming iPhones may be 120Hz fast refresh rates, and proportionately higher touch response rates, with what rumours have suggested may be called ‘ProMotion’ display panels. Reports have stated that the iPhone 12 range may be thinner than the iPhone 11, with the former expected to sport metal bodies with flat edges, instead of the glass body and rounded edge design that Apple has been following since the 2017 iPhone X. The design language of the new generation iPhones may be a cross between the flat edged build of the iPhone 4, fused with Apple’s new generation narrow-bezel displays and the larger sizes. Even the notch on the display, which became ubiquitous in the smartphone industry thanks to the iPhone X, is expected to get smaller this time.

Apple’s new, A14 Bionic processor, along with iOS 14, are the two confirmed new features of the upcoming iPhones. While iPhones have never been specifically rated for RAM amounts, the iPhone 12 Pro Max may come with up to 6GB of memory, as per rumours. Storage options are slated to range between 128GB and 512GB. In terms of cameras, the overall configuration is expected to remain similar to what the iPhone 11 range brought to the table.

As a result, the iPhone 12 and 12 Plus/Max variants are said to get dual-camera units, while the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max are expected to get triple camera units. Alongside these units, all variants of the iPhone 12 lineup are expected to get depth-sensing Lidar sensors to add new augmented reality features to the new iPhones. Apple, much like Google, is also expected to upgrade its computational photography performance, wit reports suggesting up to 4K video recording at 120/240fps for smooth, high resolution slow mo videos.

Many reports have suggested that the iPhone 12 units will not come with a charging adapter in the box, but Apple is expected to launch a new fast charging adapter that users may buy separately.

The iPhone 12 will apparently no longer get the wired EarPods in the box either, and in terms of charging interface, the iPhone 12 range is said to finally move on to USB-C, from Lightning. Wireless charging is also expected to be present.

5G is the big news in connectivity, of course, but that may not have a big repercussion in India immediately. All things taken together, reports have suggested a $649 starting price tag for the iPhone 12, which would be highly competitive since Apple is said to be upgrading its displays to OLED panels and also offer 5G connectivity. In terms of India pricing, this might mean that the iPhone 12 may cost about the same as the iPhone 11 when it launches here. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, meanwhile, is said to cost $1,099 onward, which in India will almost certainly be priced at above Rs 1,00,000.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/5g-compatible-apple-iphone-12-launch-soon-everything-you-need-to-know.html

The duo of Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden have landed in England following the axe recieved after breach of COVID-19 guideline rules.

Recall a report yesterday said that two girls posted photographs of Greenwood, 18, and Foden, 20, on social media, showing them in clear breach of the guidelines set by the FA.

The young Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden only made their international debuts on Saturday, with Foden starting and Greenwood introduced as a second half substitute in the 1-0 win over Iceland.

In a press conference on Monday, Southgate discussed the matter.

“Unfortunately this morning it was brought to my attention that the two boys have broken the COVID-19 guidelines in terms of our secure bubble,” he began. “We had to decide they couldn’t have interaction with the rest of the team.

Southgate described the young pair as ‘naive’ and said they had both apologised for their conduct.

“I think at the moment I’m trying to take a lot of information in,” he said.

“Obviously they have been naive, we have dealt with it appropriately. I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic.

“I’m a father with children, young adults, I know people get things wrong. I’m not excusing that in this instance.

“These are two boys I don’t know particularly well at the moment so can’t speak in great depth. I have got to try and speak with them later in the appropriate way. They have got responsibilities and they have apologised.”

Manchester City and Manchester United both released statements condemning the actions of their respective player.

“It is clear that Phil’s actions were totally inappropriate,” City said of Foden’s conduct.
“His behaviour not only directly contravenes strict guidelines related to Covid-19, but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international.

“The club supports the FA regarding this incident, and officials from the club are now in touch in relation to Phil’s enforced early return to the UK.

On Greenwood, United said: “Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation.”

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/greenwood-and-foden-land-in-england-after-being-sent-home.html

The Ogun State Government has announced September 21 as the schools reopening date of schools in the state but with staggering resumption time.

The new students who will be resuming for the first time after the nationwide closure in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will join students in SS3 who are currently writing the West African School Certificate Examination.

The state government announced that all students had been given automatic promotion to the next class, including automatic placement for primary 6 students in public primary schools into JSS1 of public secondary schools.

The students will be resuming in their new classes for the first term of 2020/2021 academic session.

Meanwhile, early Child Care Development and Education classes, comprising pupils of 3-5 years, will not be resuming in public schools until the next phase of schools’ reopening.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kunle Somorin.

He also announced that this second phase of the reopening of schools is extended to all classes in primary and secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Colleges, and Tertiary Institutions.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/schools-reopening-ogun-gives-students-automatic-promotion.html

This is really sad

NG https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/farmers-lose-25-rice-harvest-floods-nigeria.html

Tension mounts ahead of the United States presidential election, Donald Trump seems to be feeling the heat more than expected following the unforseen circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 debacle. The United States now has over 800, 000 deaths record.

U.S. President Trump was accused by his Democratic rival Joe Biden of causing mass deaths with incompetent handling of the COVID-19 crisis. So, on Monday, Trump did what he does best – he called Biden “stupid,” then demanded an apology for what Trump nonsensically called anti-vaccine rhetoric (Biden is pro-vaccine-science, this is false).

Speaking in front of the White House at a U.S. Labor Day news conference, Trump said: “Biden and his very liberal running mate, the most liberal person in Congress by the way – is not a competent person in my opinion, would destroy this country and would destroy this economy – should immediately apologize for the reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric that they are talking right now,” adding: “It undermines science.”

The president called Biden “stupid.”

Donald Trump again dismissed a report in The Atlantic that he had referred to fallen U.S. soldiers as “suckers” and “losers” and highlighted a denial of the story by an aide to former White House chief of staff John Kelly, Zach Fuentes.

“The story is a hoax,” Trump said. “Who would say a thing like that? Only an animal would say a thing like that.”

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/november-election-donald-trump-joe-biden-stupid.html

The United States President Donald Trump has given a hint that a COVID-19 vaccine could be available much before the November 3 election, even as his political rival Joe Biden sought more transparency on the issue.

“This could’ve taken two or three years, and instead it’s going to be – going to be done in a very short period of time,” Trump said during a news conference. “Could even have it during the month of October,” Trump added, calling Biden’s doubts “political lies”.

President Trump’s comments came days after vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris said she would not take Trump’s word on the safety and efficacy of an anti-virus vaccine, if one were ready before the US presidential vote.

Trump faces intense pressure to curb the contagion that has clouded his re-election prospects, sparking worries his administration could rush COVID-19 vaccine research to fit a political timetable.

Joe Biden also weighed in on Monday, saying he wanted transparency and scientific facts on any future vaccine.

“I’m worried if we do have a really good vaccine, people are going to be reluctant to take it. So he’s (Trump) undermining public confidence,” Biden said.

Trump, who is behind in national polls, fired back saying his rivals in the November 3 vote had both delivered “reckless anti-vaccine rhetoric.”

“It’s so dangerous for our country what they say,” Trump told a press conference. “The vaccine will be very safe and very effective.”

The global COVID-19 death toll has passed another milestone, exceeding 890,000, with 890,260 confirmed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/covid-19-vaccine-could-be-available-before-november-election-trump.html

Sergio Reguilón has been offered to Manchester United. The board and Ole are considering him as an ‘option’. They’re gonna decide soon. Also Sevilla have asked to have him back on loan from Real Madrid.

The race is still on [also for other clubs], Arsenal are reported to be interested in the Madrid man.

Recall Reguilón, 23, delivered a string of brilliant performances on loan at Sevilla last season, and played a starring role in their Europa League semi final win over United.

It’s easy to imagine that Ole Gunnar Solskjær fancies him as the long-term solution to the Reds’ left-back conundrum.

However, if United are to snap the 25-year-old Frenchman, Ole and the board must act fast to scare off other admirers.

Real Madrid may have deemed Reguilón surplus to requirements in light of the emergence of Ferland Mendy as their first choice in the left-back position.

Sergio Reguilón joined the Real Madrid from Lyon last summer, and made 25 appearances as Real went on to lift the La Liga title.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/sevilla-loanee-sergio-reguilon-reportedly-set-for-manchester-united.html

GBOKASINCHA:
Big dick problems ... this is not about money.. she wants maximum satisfaction on the bed...which mahrez cannot provide

Always read before you comment... Lazy Nigerian youth WRITING CRAP

Deicide:
An e day wear face mask

So he should die stupidly of COVID-19. Can you see yourself display your mumu publicly?

A school teacher at Barack Obama Elementary School in Atlanta identified as Johnathon Hines has emerged Georgia’s Pre-K Teacher of the Year. He is the first Black man to receive the award, and hopes to continue inspiring his young students!

“Now I have the opportunity to inspire other males in early childhood. And that’s definitely one of my biggest goals,” Hines told 11 Alive. “I know how hard it is to be a teacher. The love and passion that you have to have to come in the classroom every single day. It’s definitely a calling, and that is my calling.”

Johnathon Hines has often been very passionate about teaching. He believes it is of great importance that a child would first love learning which he does unconventionally and energetically through dancing and singing.

“Cause I feel like when a child is engaged, the more they will learn,” he explained. “When I was in school I didn’t really enjoy the story, or the story was boring. Pre-K is the first year a child will experience school, so I want their first encounter to be a loving, nurturing encounter. And also allow them to have fun and still be a 4-year-old.”

One of the most amazing and rewarding parts of his job is seeing his little students learn. Hines presently teaches 22 pupils that he treats like his own children.

https://www.ngtimes.net/2020/09/johnathon-hines-emerges-one-of-first-black-male-teachers-of-the-year.html