Wednesday, July 9, 2025
More
    Home Blog Page 19

    Ander Herrera’s contract at PSG terminated

    Former Manchester United midfielder, Ander Herrera,  has had his contract with Paris Saint-Germain terminated two years early.

    The 33-year-old played a bit-part role for the Parisians last season and PSG told him earlier in the summer he was free to find a new club after three seasons with them.

    According to Marca, Herrera will return to Bilbao, the club he spent three years with between 2011 and 2014, prior to his £28.85million transfer to United.

    Herrera will arrive as a free agent and sign until 2024, while retaining the option of a third year.

    The midfielder will be released after negotiations over the compensation he will receive for forfeiting the final two years of his PSG deal. He has reportedly waived 40 percent of this money so that Bilbao did not have to pay a transfer fee to secure him and he will not be their highest earner.

    Herrera joined Bilbao for the first time from Real Zaragoza and played 128 times for them over three seasons, scoring 11 goals.

    In his five seasons with United, Herrera made 189 appearances and helped them win the FA Cup in 2016, plus the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League in 2017.

    Zelensky delivers ’emotional Ukraine’s independence day speech’ (video)

    Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the country was “reborn” on the day Russia invaded as he paid tribute to Ukrainians assisting the war effort in an emotional Independence Day video address.

    August 24 is the day celebrated as Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union and it also marks exactly six months since Russia invaded Ukraine .

    Speaking in an emotional video on Wednesday, Zelensky reminisced back to Feb. 24, when he said Ukrainians had to “prove our words with deeds.”

    “On this day, the second all-Ukrainian referendum actually took place. Again — the main question. Again — a decisive choice. But this time it was necessary to say “yes” to independence not in the ballot, but in the soul and conscience,” he said.


    “A new nation that emerged on Feb. 24 at 4 a.m. Not born, but reborn. A nation that didn’t cry, didn’t scream, didn’t get scared. Didn’t run away. Didn’t give up. Didn’t forget.”

    Zelensky paid tribute to Ukrainians celebrating Independence Day, listing the various ways they have mobilized to assist their country from fighting on the front lines to raising funds for the war effort.


    He spoke to the lengthy nature of the war, remarking that Ukraine has been “holding on for six months.” 


    “Every new day is a new reason not to give up. Because, having gone through so much, we have no right not to reach the end,” he said.

    “What is the end of the war for us? We used to say: peace. Now we say: victory.”

     Zelensky then ended his address by vowing to restore Ukrainian rule in Crimea — which was annexed by Russia in 2014 — and the Russian-occupied Donbas region “whatever the path may be” 

    Goodnews! Italian Govt. offering €15,000 to those willing to move to the beautiful island of Sardinia

    The government of Sardinia is offering grants of up to €15,000 (£12,700) as an incentive for those considering a move to the idyllic Italian island.

    Officials have prepared £38 million for the initiative which aims to help entice people to rural areas of Italy and bolster commerce in small towns as the region is suffering from a dwindling population and shrinking economy because younger generations are travelling to large cities for work.  

    Sardinian President Christian Solinas said in a statement: ‘Thanks to these contributions to [homebuyers’] first houses, [Sardinia] becomes fertile ground for those who will move there or decide to build a family.

    ‘There can be no growth without a real enhancement of the territories, of the interior and most disadvantaged areas, which must pass through new policies for their repopulation.

    ‘We have created the conditions for young people to decide to stay and develop the economic fabric of the most fragile territories.’

    The attractive grants come as part of a nationwide scheme designed to encourage people to buy ageing houses, renovate them and start new businesses to rejuvenate small communities in the Italian countryside.

    Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and has over 1,000 miles of sandy beaches, picturesque port towns and bronze-age ruins built as far back as 1,500 BC

    Appeal Court upholds life sentence for Nigerians and others jailed for drug smuggling in Cambodia

    The Phnom Penh Appeal Court has upheld the life sentence given by the municipal court to two Nigerian men, a Filipina and Cambodian woman, in connection with smuggling of more than 2.5 kilogrammes of cocaine from Brazil to Cambodia in 2014.

    Presiding Judge Ky Rithy said, “After having a clear consideration in this case, the Judges’ Council of the Phnom Penh Appeal Court has found that the sentences given by the Phnom Penh Appeal Court is appropriate and fit for their offence.” 

    The four convicts have the rights to appeal against the judgement to the Supreme Court within a month. 

    Judge Ky Rithy named the four as 49-year-old former nurse from Philippines Macoy Mavill Villamor; Nigerian cloth vendors Emmanuel Thankgod, male, 41; and Michael Sunshine, male, 39; and Cambodian Meng Sinuon, 38, a former waitress working with a French-owned-restaurant living in Chamkar Mon district’s Phsar Doeum Thkov commune.

    Macoy was sentenced on September 16, 2014 by the Municipal Court with a life sentence while Sunshine got 30 years, Thankgod 27 years, and Meng Sinuon got 22 years in prison. Besides, all the convicts were slapped with fine of $10,000 each.

    They were charged with ‘drug transport and trafficking’ under Article 40 of the Law on Drug Control.

    Macoy was arrested on February 12, 2014 at the Phnom Penh International Airport in a joint operation by the police in the anti-drug department at the Ministry of Interior, the excise and customs police officers and immigration police.

    Police seized a total of 2,513 grammes of cocaine powders from Macoy and her confession led to the arrest of Nigerians who arrived to receive the drug from her.

    “2023 Election Results can not be Manipulated” – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given assurances that the results of the 2023 elections can’t be manipulated.


    INEC said the nature of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) gives no room for the manipulation of results during electronic transmission.

    The special adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Prof. Mohammad Kuna gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a panel discussion at a two-day workshop organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) headed by former Head of States, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and The Kukah Centre.

    Naija News reports the workshop had as its theme, ‘The role and impact of Digital Technologies in facilitating Peaceful Elections in Nigeria’.

    Speaking, Kuna submitted that “With the nature of the BVAS, the uploaded polling units (PUs) results cannot be manipulated. The machine was not designed to edit the photographic result uploaded and sent to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV); and once sent cannot be recalled.”

    BVAS is an electronic device designed to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters.

    Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, however, urged INEC to subject the BVAS and other electronic devices which will be involved in the conduct of the polls to a ‘stress test’.

    [NAIJA NEWS]

    HISTORY: Who Sold Nigeria to the British For £865k in 1899?

    This is the story of the first oil war, which was fought in the 19th century, in the area that became Nigeria.

    All through the 19th century, palm oil was highly sought-after by the British, for use as an industrial lubricant for machinery. Remember that Britain was the world’s first industrialised nation, so they needed resources such as palm oil to maintain that.

    Palm oil, of course, is a tropical plant, which is native to the Niger Delta. Malaysia’s dominance came a century later. By 1870, palm oil had replaced slaves as the main export of the Niger Delta, the area which was once known as the Slave Coast. At first, most of the trade in the oil palm was uncoordinated, with natives selling to those who gave them the best deals. Native chiefs such as former slave, Jaja of Opobo became immensely wealthy because of oil palm. With this wealth came influence.

    However, among the Europeans, there was competition for who would get preferential access to the lucrative oil palm trade. In 1879, George Goldie formed the United African Company (UAC), which was modelled on the former East India Company. Goldie effectively took control of the Lower Niger River. By 1884, his company had 30 trading posts along the Lower Niger. This monopoly gave the British a strong hand against the French and Germans in the 1884 Berlin Conference. The British got the area that the UAC operated in, included in their sphere of influence after the Berlin Conference.

    When the Brits got the terms they wanted from other Europeans, they began to deal with the African chiefs. Within two years of 1886, Goldie had signed treaties with tribal chiefs along the Benue and Niger Rivers whilst also penetrating inland. This move inland was against the spirit of verbal agreements that had been made to restrict the organisation’s activities to coastal regions.

    By 1886, the company name changed to The National Africa Company and was granted a royal charter (incorporated). The charter authorised the company to administer the Niger Delta and all lands around the banks of the Benue and Niger Rivers. Soon after, the company was again renamed. The new name was Royal Niger Company, which survives, as Unilever, till this day.

    To local chiefs, the Royal Niger Company negotiators had pledged free trade in the region. Behind, they entered private contracts on their terms. Because the (deceitful) private contracts were often written in English and signed by the local chiefs, the British government enforced them. So for example, Jaja of Opobo, when he tried to export palm oil on his own, was forced into exile for “obstructing commerce”. As an aside, Jaja was “forgiven” in 1891 and allowed to return home, but he died on the way back, poisoned with a cup of tea.

    Seeing what happened to Jaja, some other native rulers began to look more closely at the deals they were getting from the Royal Nigeria Company. One of such kingdoms was Nembe, whose king, Koko Mingi VIII, ascended the throne in 1889 after being a Christian schoolteacher. Koko Mingi VIII, King Koko for short, like most rulers in the yard, was faced with the Royal Nigeria Company encroachment. He also resented the monopoly enjoyed by the Royal Nigeria Company and tried to seek out favourable trading terms, with particularly the Germans in Kamerun (Cameroon).

    By 1894, the Royal Nigeria Company increasingly dictated whom the natives could trade with, and denied them direct access to their former markets. In late 1894, King Koko renounced Christianity and tried to form an alliance with Bonny and Okpoma against the Royal Nigeria Company to take back the trade. This is significant because while Okpoma joined up, Bonny refused. A harbinger of the successful “divide and rule” tactic.

    On 29 January 1895, King Koko led an attack on the Royal Niger Company’s headquarters, which was in Akassa in today’s Bayelsa state. The pre-dawn raid had more than a thousand men involved. King Koko’s attack succeeded in capturing the base. Losing 40 of his men, King Koko captured 60 white men as hostages, as well as a lot of goods, ammunition and a Maxim gun. Koko then attempted to negotiate a release of the hostages in exchange for being allowed to chose his trading partners. The British refused to negotiate with Koko, and he had forty of the hostages killed. A British report claimed that the Nembe people ate them. On 20 February 1895, Britain’s Royal Navy, under Admiral Bedford attacked Brass and burned it to the ground. Many Nembe people died and smallpox finished off a lot of others.

    By April 1895, business had returned to “normal”, normal being the conditions that the British wanted, and King Koko was on the run. Brass was fined £500 by the British, £62,494 (NGN29 million) in today’s money, and the looted weapons were returned as well as the surviving prisoners. After a British Parliamentary Commission sat, King Koko was offered terms of settlement by the British, which he rejected and disappeared. The British promptly declared him an outlaw and offered a reward of £200 (£26,000; NGN12 million today) for him. He committed suicide in exile in 1898.

    About that time, another “recalcitrant King”, the Oba of Benin, was run out of town. The pacification of the Lower Niger was well and truly underway. The immediate effect of the Brass Oil War was that public opinion in Britain turned against the Royal Nigeria Company, so its charter was revoked in 1899. Following the revoking of its charter, the Royal Niger Company sold its holdings to the British government for £865,000 (£108 million today). That amount, £46,407,250 (NGN 50,386,455,032,400, at today’s exchange rate) was effectively the price Britain paid, to buy the territory which was to become known as Nigeria.

    N.B: This post was originally published on Igbo History Facebook Page, May 19, 2014

    Breaking! Togo becomes first country to eliminate 4 Neglected Tropical Diseases – WHO

    The World Health Organisation has recognized Togo as the first country globally to eliminate four Neglected Tropical Diseases.


    The WHO made this known during its Regional Committee for Africa meeting held in Lomé on Monday, August 22.


    Between 2011 and 2022, Togo has successfully eliminated dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis),  human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), and trachoma.


    NTDs are a group of 20 preventable and treatable diseases, but 1.7 billion people worldwide still require NTD interventions. Many NTDs debilitate, disfigure and disable by preventing children from going to school and adults from being able to work.


    In a statement by Associate Consultant, Kingsley Ochieng of the Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases, he noted that as the first country acknowledged by WHO as having won its fight against four NTDs, Togo eliminated all four diseases in just eleven years.


    “Togo previously achieved transmission-free status for Guinea worm disease in 2011. In 2017, it became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate elephantiasis as a public health problem and, in 2020, became the first African country to achieve the same status with sleeping sickness.


    “To eliminate these diseases, Togo adopted a two-pronged approach that focused on first, interrupting transmission and preventing occurrence of new infections; and secondly, treating or managing diseases, their associated morbidity, and their complications, to alleviate suffering,” it said.

    The President of Togo, Faure Gbassingbe, said, “I thank you for your appreciation of my country’s achievements in the elimination of neglected tropical diseases. This progress has been made possible thanks to the dedication and commitment of all health actors who are working at all levels in our country to preserve this precious good that is health. Health is a priority that we have placed at the heart of our development policies. One of the ambitions of the government’s roadmap to 2025 is to guarantee health coverage and access to basic services for all.”


    The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said “The elimination of dracunculiasis, lymphatic filariasis, human African trypanosomiasis and trachoma is an outstanding achievement and a gift not only for the people of Togo today but for generations to come.”

    US Govt to return $23M Abacha loot to Nigeria

    Nigeria and the United States government have reached an agreement on the return of over $23 million of the Abacha loot.

    The agreement signing ceremony was held in the office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami on Tuesday, August 23.

    Mr. Malami signed on behalf of the Nigerian government and the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, signed on the behalf of the U.S government.

    According to Mr Malami, the fund when returned will be invested in three ongoing projects by the Federal Government, including the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna road and the 2nd Niger Bridge.

    Nigeria has in the past recovered several other tranches of the Abacha loot.

    In 2006, about $723 million in Abacha loot was returned to Nigeria from Switzerland.

    In 2020, the US and Jersey also agreed to return over $308 million in confiscated funds to Nigeria.

    Nigerian Man Tortures His Children To Death For ‘Disrespecting God’

    A 25-year old Nigerian man, Elisha Tari, on Monday said he stoned his two children, aged 3 and 5 to death for refusing to pronounce “God” as he instructed them.

    The incident happened at Himike village in the Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, North-east Nigeria.

    After his arrest by the police, Tari, a single parent and a local village musician, narrated, “It happened last Thursday, I was preparing their meal, I enquired to know if they had any idea when their mother would forgive me and return home to us; they kept mute.

    “I also asked them to repeat after me and pronounce “God”; they refused, instead they shouted “fire” and kept yelling “fire”, repeatedly.

    “I got provoked, coupled with the fact that their mother had been gone for over two months; leaving me all alone with all the frustrations of raising them.

    “I’ve tried several times to placate my wife to return home but was blocked by her parents.

    “In that terrible mood, I must confess I didn’t even know when I reached for stones and repeatedly stoned both of them, hitting their head to death,” he said.

    Asked if he was under a drug influence or something, Tari admitted, “I smoke Indian hemp, drink alcohol and inhale snuff. But I don’t do drug.”

    Japanese govt urges its youths to drink more alcohol in bid to boost the country’s economy

    The Japanese government has asked its sober youth to start drinking more alcohol in a bid to boost the economy.

    This is because the younger generation drinks less than their parents, causing a slump in the intake from taxes on drinks.

    According to Mail Online, the national tax agency is now trying to reverse the trend with a new competition called Sake Viva.

    The contest asks people aged 20 to 39 to share their business ideas to help boost the consumption of alcohol among their age group. Contestants will come up with branding, promotions and even artificial intelligence plans to help increase sales. 

    The competition organisers said the Covid pandemic affected drinking habits among the youth, the BBC reported. This combined with an ageing population, with a third over the age of 65, has led to the slump in sales of alcohol. 

    In 2020, people were drinking 16 gallons of alcohol a year, while in 1995, 22 gallons a year were consumed. This has led to a slump in alcohol tax, making up just 1.7 per cent of total revenue in 2020 compared to five per cent in 1980. 

    NNPP Wahala: Shekarau accuses Kwankwaso of betrayal

    Senator Ibrahim Shekarau has accused Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of disappointing him and his supporters who joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

    Recall that Shekarau who is also a former Governor of Kano state, dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the height of the rift with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. 

    Speaking at a meeting with Shura Advisory Council drawn from 44 Local Government Areas of the state at the Kano Foundation Hall on Monday August 22, Shekarau accused Kwankwaso of neglecting the request submitted for inclusion of his associates as party’s candidates.

    He also disclosed that he sent numerous reminders to Kwankwaso before the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

    Shekarau stressed that he has been consulting with Kwankwaso to carry his supporters along but to no avail.

    He said; 

    “We consulted our brother Kwankwaso prior to even his joining NNPP when he was in PDP and I was in APC. After we agreed to join NNPP, prior to closing submission of list to INEC, we designed areas and places to field candidates for state to Federal Government. I met him alone on 5 May at about 8:30. Two of us alone, he said he’ll study it and suggest to his advisory team.

    “On 15th May, I went to his house and reminded him of our submission of proposal. He said that he will come and discuss with me. On 16th May, he came to my house and we discussed. He called Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, Kawu Sumaila, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Aminu Abdussalam, he said he gave them the work and we told him we need to inject our people.

    “On the 17th May, a day after, I summoned advisory team of Shura of what happened. Some said everything should be written but I said no let’s have confidence and have faith in them.

    “On the 18th May, after our decamping, we announced our reasons to the media and public that we ditched APC because of injustice. That day we saw list of purported NNPP candidates. On Thursday 19 May I boarded plane to Abuja and sought audience from Kwankwaso at his convenience.

    “We’ve agreed after Isha prayer. I went to his house and told him we’ve seen list with my name only and Shehu Kura. What’s the position of our submission? He said his four man committee will be given the work. I suggested to add four from my camp to make it 8. He agreed and we planned to fix date… On 20th May, I wrote to him what we’ve discussed to avoid forgetfulness in a text message.

    “June 1, I reminded Kwankwaso of the committee work he promised to talk to them. On 2 June I discussed with Prof Rufai Alkali national chairman of the NNPP and I advised him to talk to Kano chair.

    “On his declaration day, I reminded him of the committee pending work. Time was going, we resolved to meet alongside his closet aides Kwankwaso, Abba, party chair, Umar Muhammad, and I. The chair gave issue but said he submitted their proposal to party chair, Doguwa.

    “On July 4, the chairman brought out their proposal. We added chairman to the committee making them 9. They have written recommendation for candidates from both sides. 9 of them signed and gave me a copy and to Kwankwaso.

    “15 July, I printed two copies of the report and took them to his house. I gave him like 10 minutes. He said he had no objection and I said the same. He called Abba Kabir Yusuf and told me they have accepted the report and be implemented in three days. Two weeks after Abba didn’t call for meeting until INEC closed submission of candidate in July and on August 12 substitution closed. Then he called for a meeting.

    “After the deadline elapsed, we called Advisory committee and we set up a committee to advise us on the way forward. We accept the report on Thursday, will study and consult, and in a few days, we will announce our stand. I wouldn’t have opened up if not for Kwankwaso guilty conscience that he talked to the media. We want to set the record straight on the saying that we were late. So that people can be well informed. It is better to abandon politics than to live in injustice and deception. Did we take directive before joining where we are now? Shall we then seek your permission to join others?” 

    Kenya’s Odinga challenges Presidential Poll result in Supreme court

    Kenya’s veteran opposition leader, Raila Odinga, filed a petition to the country’s top court on Monday challenging the result of the August 9 election that handed victory to his rival, William Ruto.

    In the petition, Odinga asks the court to nullify the vote’s outcome on several grounds, including a mismatch between the turnout figures and the result, and failure by the commission to tally ballots from 27 constituencies as required by law.

    “The final result… was therefore not complete, accurate, verifiable or accountable and cannot be the basis for a valid and legitimate declaration,” the petition said.

    Odinga, a veteran opposition leader who ran with the backing of President Uhuru Kenyatta and the ruling party, rejected the outcome of the poll, branding it a “travesty.”

    He narrowly lost to Ruto by around 230,000 votes, less than two percentage points.

    The 77-year-old politician filed a physical copy of the petition with barely an hour to go before the court’s 2 pm (1100 GMT) deadline for accepting the case.

    An online copy was filed earlier in the day, according to a member of his legal team.

    Last week the election commissioner declared Deputy President William Ruto had won the election by a slim margin, but four out of seven election commissioners dissented, saying the tallying of results had not been transparent.

    In 2017, the Supreme Court overturned the election result and ordered a re-run, which Odinga boycotted, saying he had no faith in the election commission.

    The case will be heard by the seven-member Supreme Court and presided over by Martha Koome, Kenya’s first female chief justice, who was appointed by Kenyatta last year.

    The court will next conduct a status conference with all parties to define the hearing schedule and ground rules. The constitution requires judges to issue their decision within 14 days of the lawsuit being filed.

    Due to the tight schedule, it normally issues a summary judgment within 14 days, followed by more thorough decisions from each of the seven judges at a later date.

    Hilarious! Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)

    Nigerians have started a challenge tagged the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate the outfit worn by APC Vice Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, to the NBA conference in Lagos.

    Shettima arrived at the event to represent the APC presidential candidate,  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday August 22.

    He chose to forego his regular native wears for a suit and gym sneakers.

    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)

    This action made him trend on Twitter as Nigerians reacted to his outfit.

    Now, Nigerians are mimicking him by doing the #ShettimaChallenge. 

    See photos below.

    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)
    Nigerians have started the #ShettimaChallenge to recreate outfit worn by Kashim Shettima recently (photos)

    Netflix Scholarship Applications for West and Central Africa Now Open

    Netflix’s global Netflix Creative Equity Fund (https://bit.ly/3CrVog8), which was launched in 2021 and will be distributed to various initiatives over the next five years with the goal of building a strong, diverse pipeline of creatives around the world, includes a US$1 million scholarship fund for students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The scholarship fund will cover tuition, housing, study materials, and living expenses at selected partner schools in Nigeria where beneficiaries have been accepted to pursue a programme of study in the television and film disciplines in the 2022 academic year. 

    The Netflix CESF is set to launch across the region in the academic year beginning in 2022, and Netflix will partner with Dalberg (https://bit.ly/3CqjkAu) as an implementation partner and fund administrator in the West and Central Africa region.

    The fund will be available to students who have obtained admission to study in various film & TV-focused disciplines, for the 2022 academic year

    How it works:

    The Netflix CESF is intended to provide financial aid in the form of full scholarships at partner higher educational institutions in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Gabon to help ambitious creatives from West and Central African countries obtain official qualifications and training. The following countries in West and Central Africa will be eligible: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.

    The fund will be available to students who have obtained admission to study in various film & TV-focused disciplines, for the 2022 academic year, at the following partner institutions:

    Applications are now open via the LINK HERE (https://bit.ly/3cbyy1m) until the 4th of September 2022 at 23:59 PM

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Netflix.

    Netflix Scholarship Applications for West and Central Africa Now Open About Darlberg:
    Dalberg is a strategy and policy advisory firm focused on global development. Dalberg was established in 2001 with the mission of bringing the best of private sector strategy to address global development challenges. We do so by combining rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets. We work to build a more inclusive and sustainable world where all people, everywhere, can reach their fullest potential. We partner with and serve communities, governments, and companies providing an innovative mix of services – research, analytics, advisory, investment, and design – to create impact at scale. About Netflix:
    Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, with more than 214 million paid customers in over 190 countries enjoying TV shows, documentaries, and feature films in a range of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want on any internet-connected screen, at any time and from anywhere. Members can watch without ads or commitments and can play, pause, and resume viewing at any time. [africa-newsroom]

    Netflix (www.Netflix.com) has announced the extension of its  Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund (CESF) to film and television students in the West and Central Africa region. Applications are now open for students to apply to study at institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Benin and Gabon.

    Netflix’s global Netflix Creative Equity Fund (https://bit.ly/3CrVog8), which was launched in 2021 and will be distributed to various initiatives over the next five years with the goal of building a strong, diverse pipeline of creatives around the world, includes a US$1 million scholarship fund for students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The scholarship fund will cover tuition, housing, study materials, and living expenses at selected partner schools in Nigeria where beneficiaries have been accepted to pursue a programme of study in the television and film disciplines in the 2022 academic year. 

    The Netflix CESF is set to launch across the region in the academic year beginning in 2022, and Netflix will partner with Dalberg (https://bit.ly/3CqjkAu) as an implementation partner and fund administrator in the West and Central Africa region.

    The fund will be available to students who have obtained admission to study in various film & TV-focused disciplines, for the 2022 academic year

    How it works:

    The Netflix CESF is intended to provide financial aid in the form of full scholarships at partner higher educational institutions in Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Gabon to help ambitious creatives from West and Central African countries obtain official qualifications and training. The following countries in West and Central Africa will be eligible: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.

    The fund will be available to students who have obtained admission to study in various film & TV-focused disciplines, for the 2022 academic year, at the following partner institutions:

    Applications are now open via the LINK HERE (https://bit.ly/3cbyy1m) until the 4th of September 2022 at 23:59 PM

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Netflix.

    Netflix Scholarship Applications for West and Central Africa Now Open About Darlberg:
    Dalberg is a strategy and policy advisory firm focused on global development. Dalberg was established in 2001 with the mission of bringing the best of private sector strategy to address global development challenges. We do so by combining rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets. We work to build a more inclusive and sustainable world where all people, everywhere, can reach their fullest potential. We partner with and serve communities, governments, and companies providing an innovative mix of services – research, analytics, advisory, investment, and design – to create impact at scale. About Netflix:
    Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, with more than 214 million paid customers in over 190 countries enjoying TV shows, documentaries, and feature films in a range of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want on any internet-connected screen, at any time and from anywhere. Members can watch without ads or commitments and can play, pause, and resume viewing at any time. [africa-newsroom]

    UK inflation may hit 18% in 2023, expert predicts

    Economist at US bank Citi has predicted that British consumer price inflation is set to peak at 18 per cent – nine times the Bank of England’s target – in early 2023 in the light of the latest jump in energy prices.

    UK’s consumer inflation was last above 18 per cent in 1976.

    With inflation now set to peak substantially higher than the Bank of England’s 13 per cent forecast in August, its Monetary Policy Committee was likely to conclude that the risks of more persistent inflation have intensified, Benjamin Nabarro said in a note.

    According to him, the question now is what policy may do to offset the impact on both inflation and the real economy.

    The front-runner to become Britain’s next prime minister, Liz Truss, was likely to come up with measures to support households that would have a limited offsetting impact on headline inflation, Nabarro said.

    “This means getting rates well into restrictive territory, and quickly,” Nabarro said.

    “Should signs of more embedded inflation emerge, we think a Bank Rate of 6-7 per cent will be required to bring inflation dynamics under control. For now though, we continue to think evidence for such effects are limited with increases in unemployment still more likely to allow the MPC to pause around the turn of the year,” he added.

    The BoE announced a rare half percentage-point interest rate increase earlier this month and investors expected another big move when the MPC makes its next scheduled monetary policy announcement on 15 September.

    Nabarro said he expected Britain’s retail price index – which is used to set the return on inflation-linked bonds – would peak at over 20 per cent.

    It would be recalled that the Covid-19 pandemic led to the sharpest fall in UK output in over 300 years in 2020, causing it to decline more than any other major economy, according to updated official figures.

    A report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 11 per cent in 2020.

    [BluePrint]

    “I will donate N40M will go for Peter Obi’s campaign, Atiku is going back to Dubai” — Isaac Fayose

    The younger brother of former Ekiti State governor, Isaac Fayose, has revealed that he is ready to contribute up to 40 million naira in support of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, adding that he is sure that Atiku Abubakar will return back to Dubai.

    His recent statement is coming after he had earlier said that Peter Obi needs at least N50 billion naira to defeat the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Bola Tinubu in 2023.

    “Out of all the candidates, Peter Obi is the most popular. If we vote today on social media, he will win. But an election is structure-based. So, Obi will need N50bn to be able to make that government a reality. N50bn, yes, Obi will win.

    “Remember, Tinubu is a little bit popular too. He has what they call structure. The structure alone is worth N50bn. He has what they call goodwill. They call him ‘The City Boy’. So ‘where him money no fit reach, him structure go reach, where him structure no fit reach, him popularity go reach.

    “Peter Obi, with N50bn, will manage to buy his own army to defeat Tinubu,” Fayose said last week.

    However, in a new video making the rounds on social media, Fayose said he is ready to donate between 20-40 million naira in support of Peter Obi when the room for donations is made opened.

    “…campaign will start soon and if we truly love obi, we have to starr thinking of how to donate when the time comes. As for me, by the grace of God, I’m sure I will contribute up to 20, 30, 40 million. And I’m sure many of us will support.

    “Whether they like it or not, Obi is coming and Atiku will go back to Dubai.”

    Tinubu, Best Candidate For 2023, Says Obi

    The Eze Ndigbo of Surulere Local Government of Lagos State, Dr Edwin Obi, has declared that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Tinubu remains the best candidate for the presidency in 2020.

    He also declared the support of the Igbo community in the senatorial district for candidates of APC in the general election.

    He made the declaration during a visit to his palace by the chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Honourable Ahmed Apatira, in the company of members of Ndigbo in Lagos APC led by the council’s supervisor for health, Honourable Chidi Okoro.

    Obi said: “The Igbo community in Surulere Local Government is fully in support of Senator Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition because he is the most sellable of all the candidates aspiring for the exalted office of president.

    “Every man is a politician. We are also politicians and we have been part of Lagos politics, so we’ll continue to support you any time you call on us.”
    Obi commended the council boss for the appointment of members of the Ndigbo community into his cabinet and the party executive positions.

    Reacting, Dr Apatira said there was no faction in APC in Itire-Ikate, restating his commitment to an all-inclusive government.

    He said: “We are stronger in unity which is why we try as much as possible to absorb and have represented in our cabinet representatives of all ethnic groups in the community.

    “We are one in Lagos APC; we are one in Itire-Ikate. I am totally against faction in any form; I run an all inclusive government.

    “I want to appeal to the Ndigbo community to embrace peace and work assiduously for the success of our great party, the APC in 2023.

    “On behalf of the good people of itire-ikate Local Council Development Area, I am happy to be here in your midst as a member of one big family.”

    Some of your members were part of the previous administration at different cadres, while some are also part of the current administration, so moving forward, we need all hands on deck because their experiences can’t be washed away.

    We’ll make sure that dividends of democracy get across the nooks and crannies of the communities and as I said, Nigeria is one, Surulere is just a microcosmic of what the country is like, whether you are an Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, you are a Nigerian.

    “If you are in this community, the dividends of democracy should get to everyone regardless of affiliation, tribe or race, that’s the administration I run and that’s the community I want to build, so that those coming after us can be proud of us,” he concluded.

    [Tribune]

    “Obidients are everywhere” – Femi Fani-Kayode cries

    Femi Fani-Kayode, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress has shared a tweet about Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi’s followers who are addressed as “Obidients”. 

    In a now deleted tweet he shared, he stated that Obidents are everywhere and ignoring them as Nigerians prepare for the 2023 presidential election could be dangerous. 

    He also stated that Obidients are not in a political party but members of a movement which would still be here “when we are long gone”. 

    Femi Fani-Kayode

    Nigerian military bombs the ISWAP leader’s enclave in Sambisa

    An enclave of leader of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), Fiya Ba Yuram in Sambisa forest has been bombed by the Nigerian Air Force with fighter jets.

    Many terrorists were killed in the airstrikes carried out on some specific targets in Tunbuns and Sambisa.

    NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet confirmed the development in an interview with journalists in Abuja. He said “the NAF won’t, however, be drawn into the details of those neutralized.”

    Gabkwet added; 

     “The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies have continued to synergize and pull their resources together towards ensuring that terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements are completely eliminated for the sake of peace and security of the nation.

    “In particular, Nigerian Air Force aircraft have remained a critical factor in the counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies and efforts currently ongoing in the various theatres of operation nationwide. Indeed as recent as yesterday, 21 August 2022, NAF aircraft under the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out some strikes on terrorists enclave in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with varying degrees of success recorded.

    “Acting on credible and actionable intelligence, NAF aircraft were directed to an active location in Sambisa Forest believed to be the enclave of notorious terrorist, Fiya Ba Yuram. Fiya Ba Yuram is the current ISWAP leader of Sambisa Forest who took over the leadership following the demise of Abubakar Shekau.

    “Please note that the title ‘Fiya’ connotes the most senior position in the terrorist’s military leadership structure. Note also that Yuram was an ally of Shekau until his demise after which he switched allegiance to ISWAP.”

    Daily Trust reported that Fiya Ba Yuram succeeded the late Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, after he was killed by a rival terror group.

    After taking over the leadership of the Boko Haram sect, he switched allegiance to ISWAP.

    Casemiro in tears as he leaves Real Madrid after for Man United for £70M (Video)

    Manchester United new signing, Casemiro broke down in tears as he bid farewell to Real Madrid after nine years at the club during a farewell press conference on Monday morning, August 22.

    Casemiro first moved to the Bernabeu in 2013, becoming a regular in the side following an impressive season on loan at Porto, and helped Real win five Champions League titles.

    While Carlo Ancelotti was keen to keep the 30-year-old, , the club chose not stand in Casemiro’s way when United made their approach, given his service to the club.

    The Brazilian was given a chance to say goodbye at a press conference at Real’s Valdebebas training complex, with president Florentino Perez, manager Ancelotti and many of his team-mates all in attendance.

    Casemiro shared an emotional embrace with Ancelotti when he arrived and before he had even started speaking was wiping away tears with a tissue as he watched an incredible montage of his time playing for Real.

    As he started to speak, Casemiro broke down in tears, barely able to get his words out, before reaching for another tissue and finally composing himself.


    ‘Good morning everyone. When me and my wife arrived here no one knew us. It was a new country and here we built our life and our family,’ began Casemiro.

    ‘I remember when I first received the Real Madrid call, I was so excited. When I left Brazil I knew I would have played at Castilla, I was very excited because I knew I would have learnt the values of this club.


    ‘I won a lot of titles but the biggest title is when I came here to train every day. I want to thank everyone, my mother, my wife, this club, all the players and team-mates.


    ‘Luka Modric and Toni Kroos… I can’t forget them! We won a lot together. I’m sure one day I’ll come back. I want to give back all the love Real Madrid gave me.


    ‘I am excited to develop at a big club like Manchester United. President, thank you a lot. This club will have a great future with you. Hala Madrid!’


    The Brazil international will now fly to Manchester to complete his £59.5million switch to the Red Devils and is expected to be paraded in front of the Old Trafford fans before kick-off in Monday night’s massive clash with Liverpool.

    Watch videos below

    Dr Anthony Fauci, Covid-19 warrior, to step down from his role after 38 years

    After nearly four decades, Dr. Anthony Fauci says he’ll be departing his roles as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and as chief medical officer to US President Joe Biden at the end of this year.


    Fauci known as the US’ top infectious disease expert has served at NIAID for 38 years starting in former President Ronald Reagan’s administration, a role in which he helped lead the US response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as West Nile virus, the anthrax attacks, pandemic influenza, various bird influenza threats, Ebola and Zika. 


    He became a public figure during the United States’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

    “I am announcing today that I will be stepping down from the positions of Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, as well as the position of Chief Medical Advisor to President Joe Biden. I will be leaving these positions in December of this year to pursue the next chapter of my career,” Fauci, 81 said on Monday, August  22.


    Fauci said in his statement that he is “not retiring” and will “continue to advance science and public health and to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientific leaders as they help prepare the world to face future infectious disease threats.”

    President Biden praised Fauci’s work in a statement.


    “Because of Dr. Fauci’s many contributions to public health, lives here in the United States and around the world have been saved. As he leaves his position in the U.S. Government, I know the American people and the entire world will continue to benefit from Dr. Fauci’s expertise in whatever he does next,” Biden said.

     “Whether you’ve met him personally or not, he has touched all Americans’ lives with his work. I extend my deepest thanks for his public service. The United States of America is stronger, more resilient, and healthier because of him.”

    Oleksandr Usyk declares President Vladimir Putin ‘weak man’

    Oleksandr Usyk has declared Russian president Vladimir Putin ‘weak’ after his victory over Anthony Joshua on Saturday August 20. 


    The Ukrainian, 35, dedicated his victory to his country as they continue to battle Russia’s invasion.


    Speaking after his points victory over Joshua, he said of Putin: ‘Everything he shows is just to show that he’s strong, but he’s not. Otherwise, he wouldn’t show how strong, how big he is. In reality, he is very weak.’


    Usyk, who retained his world title belts with his victory in Jeddah, implied that victory was crucial for his country and ensuring that the world remains aware of what is happening across the country.   


    ‘This fight was extremely important for my country, my team, and for me. I boxed for the whole country and half of the world,’ Usyk added.


    ‘I kept telling myself “you cannot stop, you cannot stop, you cannot stop”. Some big things were at stake. And thank God the belts are coming back to Ukraine, victory is for us and Ukraine won. 

    ‘Now the whole world knows Ukraine is defending itself from the second biggest army in the world. And we stand strong and we give Russia a lot back.’


    ‘I want to say that some people in the world are underestimating what is going on in Ukraine – please open your eyes and see what is happening. Ukrainians never give up, we always go to the end. We always win in the end, we just need a little more time,’ he went on to add. 


    On Tyson Fury coming out of retirement to fight the winner of Saturday night’s bout, Usyk opened the door for a potential December return to the Middle East.  


    ‘I am convinced he wants to fight me. That is what he is dreaming of every day,’ Usyk said. 

    ‘I want to fight him. And if I’m not fighting Tyson Fury, I’m not fighting at all. I am going to beat his ass.’

    ASUU gives one condition for its forfeiture of salaries

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the federal government a fresh condition following the government decision to enforce no-work-no-pay policy.

    The lecturers have now give a fresh condition.

    ASUU insisted that the Federal Government would have to pay the salary backlog to lecturers, conserving that without the move, unfinished academic sessions should be forgotten.

     “If we agree on that, therefore, the lectures we should’ve given [to students] for 2020/2021 and 2021/22 [sessions], should be allowed to go so we start a new session, 2022/23, in September, said Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU president on Friday on Channels TV.

    He said though public universities have been shut since February this year, the lecturers should be paid since they have to teach to make up for time lost during the closure.

    “Therefore, by July next year, I would go on my leave as we used to have in those days so that the backlog is gone. All the lectures that remain; all the two sets of admissions that JAMB has given that are waiting should become irrelevant.”

    Osodeke explained that when “other unions go on strike and come back, all those periods for which you are on strike, you don’t need to do the backlog of work.

    “But for ASUU, when we go back today, we’re going to start from the 2020/2021 session. For these two sets of students that have been admitted by JAMB, we’ve to teach them over these periods to ensure that we meet up with the system.

    “So, we’re going to do the backlog of the work we’ve left behind. We aren’t going to start today and say ‘This session is 2022/23, therefore, all these two sets of people that have been admitted by JAMB are cancelled. We have to take another admission for the 2023/24 session’.”

    [NationalDaily]

    One of the ‘Paris thieves’ who stole from Kim Kardashian speaks

    One of the masterminds behind the 2016 Paris hotel robbery of Kim Kardashian has blamed the reality star for the crime.

    In 2016, while Kim and her family were in Paris for the Paris Fashion Week, robbers posed as cops and gained entrance into her room while her sisters were away.

    The reality star was bound, gagged and held at gunpoint while a gang of masked men raided her jewellery boxes and made away with a huge haul of gems and two mobile phones.

    Among the stolen items was the $4 million, 20-carat engagement ring given to Kim by Kanye West.

    Now, one of the robbers, Yunis Abbas, who has spent nearly two years in prison for the sensational $10 million heist, has blamed Kim for it, saying she “should be a little less showy.”

    He told VICE News: “Since she was throwing money away, I was there to collect it, and that was that. Guilty? No, I don’t care.”

    One of the Paris thieves who stole from Kim Kardashian speaks

    Yunis was one of 12 people to be charged over the incident and said the gang used the Internet to track down the star. He revealed how he stayed downstairs while the gang raided the star’s room.

    “Madame Kardashian’s secretary called for help. But she called 911 in the United States, which scared us, which made them lose a lot of time. And when we got out, there was a bunch of police outside who didn’t know anything about the robbery,” he added.

    Last year, it was claimed that alleged ringleader Aomar Ait Khedache, known as ‘Old Omar’, penned Kim an apology from his prison cell, saying he regrets his actions.

    Nigerian lady arrested in India with drugs concealed in her sandals

    Police in India has arrested a 27-year-old Nigerian woman who allegedly tried to smuggle drugs valued at Rs. 15,10,000, to Goa by concealing the consignment in her sandals. 

    Superintendent of Police (SP), Nidhin Valsan, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, August 21, said the accused, Damilola Janet Odula, was nabbed after the police received a tip off on the consignment of drugs.


    “The accused, carrying the drugs, had arrived from Delhi by Goa Express train. MDMA weighing 151 grams was recovered from her possession and seized.” Valsan said.

    A case has been registered against her, he added. 

    Leon Edwards defeats Kamaru Usman to claim UFC 278 title [VIDEO]

    Leon Edwards is the new welterweight champion after beating Kamaru Usman via fifth-round knockout.

    Edwards stunned the crowd in the first round when he became the first person to take Usman down. He utilized a trip from the clinch to put the champion on the mat and actually worked towards getting a rear-naked choke before the first bell rang.

    The Nigerian Nightmare wasted no time in bouncing back in the second round. He scored early in the period with boxing combinations that put the challenger against the fence.

    Edwards fired back some strikes of his own, but Usman started mixing in the wrestling and started looking like the usual juggernaut fans are used to seeing.

    Leon Edwards knocked out Kamaru Usman with a freaking head kick at UFC 278.

    It appeared as if Usman was going to cruise to another title defense when Edwards knocked out the champion with a stunning left high kick that immediately ended Usman’s night and title reign.

    Edwards not only gets the joy of holding the belt, but he also earns a bit of revenge. These two met back in 2015 in a fight that Usman won via unanimous decision on his way to becoming a champion.

    While the new champion lost that night, he hasn’t lost a fight since. The Brit has beaten everyone in his path, including Nate Diaz and Rafael dos Anjos.

    As is the case when most longtime champions are finally beaten, Edwards knows he’s likely going to have to prove this was no fluke.

    “He’s been a dominant champion, so naturally in sport in boxing or MMA, when you defend the belt a couple times or been dominant, you get a rematch. So, I definitely envision doing it again,” he told reporters before the fight.

    While a potential fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Kamaru Usman would have been huge, a trilogy fight between Edwards and Usman is now the biggest score to settle in the 170-pound division.

    See Video here:

    “I’m Father Of Frustrated Nigerian Youths” – Obasanjo (Video)

    Olusegun Obasanjo, a former president of Nigeria, claims to be the father of young people in his country who are dissatisfied with the state of the economy.

    In a video that has gone viral on social media, the former president is seen making the claim while engaging in conversation with young people who are being led by Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, also known as Charly Boy.

    Charly Boy, posing as the leader of disgruntled Nigerian youngsters, sought Obasanjo for advice on how to alleviate the current hardships of the youths.

    The artist claims that the rising unemployment is the reason why young people, like himself, are becoming increasingly upset.

    Speaking, Obasanjo blamed Nigerian leaders for the economic woes, saying it is not the fault of God but those in authority.

    According to him, the only way to enforce change is to establish better government through good leaders.

    He expressed confidence that the youths are capable of bringing the desired change, saying “there is nobody who will do it other than the youths”.

    “You are the president of frustrated Nigerian youths and I am their father.

    “That we are poor and frustrated is not a fault of God but the choice of our leaders and if you are going to change that, change the situation, you have to change leadership. Pure and simple”, Obasanjo added.

    See video:

    Why over 200 Nigerian Soldiers left the Army – Spokesman

    The Nigerian army has finally explained why 234 soldiers recently withdrew from the military. 

    Army spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement that the voluntary retirement is a routine exercise in the army.

    Nwachukwu stressed that it is within the rights of soldiers to withdraw from service when they deem it fit and if such request meet certain conditions.

    It read; 

    “The allegation that soldiers of the Nigerian Army(NA)are proceeding on voluntary retirement due to alleged corruption, poor service conditions and low morale as recently reported by some media outfits in the social media is nothing but a concoction of the imagination of the unrepentant enemies of the nation and mischief makers and should be outrightly discountenanced by the public.

    “The subjective and unethical report is a distraction and another failed attempt at dampening the morale and fighting will of the loyal, dedicated and patriotic fighting force of the NA.

    “Perhaps these impenitent mischief makers need to be schooled to understand that the NA is not a conscript Army and that recruitment into the NA is voluntary with extant policy on discharge and retirement of soldiers and officers respectively, like other organizations. This provides its personnel the opportunity to apply for voluntary discharge, when they deem fit and meet the terms and conditions as stipulated in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service soldiers/ratings/airmen (Revised) 2017.

    “It is thus, the inalienable right of a personnel to voluntarily or on medical grounds apply for discharge, if they meet the terms. It is therefore not an aberration that the COAS granted approval for 91 NA/32/4792 WO NDAGANA ISHIAKU and 242 others to voluntarily discharge from the NA, as being unprofessionally manipulated by some media.

    “It must also be mentioned, that the quantum of equipment that have been injected into the theatres and prompt payment of operational allowances, have all turned the tide against the insurgents. Also worthy of note is the welfare flight for troops, which has significantly reduced the burden of troops travelling in and out of the theatres, in addition to huge commitment on the medical needs of wounded-in-action soldiers and the barracks communities. Equally important, is the fact that troops are now being regularly and consciously rotated from the frontline, hence, issues of overstay and battle fatigue are gradually being overcome. Suffice to say, that some of these recently discharged soldiers are beneficiaries of these giant strides.

    “The COAS, once again congratulates the discharging personnel for their gallantry, patriotism, loyalty and courage while in service and wishes them the very best as they successfully exit active service from the NA. He also reiterates his avowed determination to continue to have direct impact on the welfare and wellbeing of both serving and retired personnel. He is also assuring the retirees that soon, their various commanders would organise a farewell luncheon in their honour, as it is the practice in the NA since Gen Yahaya took over command.”

    Ukraine disgraces Russia as it parades hundreds of destroyed Russian tanks (photos|Video)

    Ukraine paraded destroyed Russian tanks and armour along the streets of Kyiv on Saturday August 20, to mock Russia’s invasion as it prepares for Independence Day celebrations.

    Before Saturday, the vehicles most of which were destroyed in the first weeks of the war, were set up outside the iconic St Michael’s Monastery as a reminder of Russia’s aggression.


    However, on Saturday morning, they were moved by cranes and lorries to Khreshchatyk Street, in preparation for Ukraine’s independence day on 24 August.

    Ukraine disgraces Russia as it parades hundreds of  destroyed Russian tanks (photos/Video)

    Last year the road was the site of a large patriotic rally and military parade as a show of strength.

    Russia initially planned to use the street to celebrate if it had captured Kyiv during the early stages of the war.

    Ukraine disgraces Russia as it parades hundreds of  destroyed Russian tanks (photos/Video)

    The Ukranian ministry of defence posted videos of Ukranians touring and taking pictures alongside the destroyed tanks and armoury.


    Watch video below…

    One of Tinubu’s Fake Bishop Almost Lynched In Abuja (Video)

    One of the bishops who attended the unveiling of the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima was almost lynched in the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday.

    The Bishop was one of the ‘clerics’ who attended the event which stirred reaction in Nigeria.

    There had been claims that some persons were paid to dress like Bishop to show that the same faith ticket of the APC is widely accepted.

    There has been controversy over the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the ruling party ahead of the 2023 general election.

    Naija News learnt that the Bishop whose name was not revealed was almost lynched by people in Dei Dei International Building Materials Market Abuja.

    The traders at the market had identified him as one of the bishops at the official unveiling of Shettima as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu.

    Operatives of the Nigerian police force had to come to his rescue before people in the market would lynch the Bishop.

    Watch the video below:

    Singapore to decriminalise gay sex after years of ban

    A woman holds a rainbow flag at the Pink Dot event, Singapore's annual gay pride rally, at a park in Singapore July 1, 2017. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

    The Singaporean government will decriminalise sex between men, the prime minister announced on Sunday, August 21, effectively making it legal to be homosexual in the city-state.

    Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government would repeal Section 377A of the penal code, a colonial-era law that criminalises sex between men, adding that society was becoming more accepting of gay people.

    “I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Singaporeans will now accept,” he said in his annual National Day rally speech.

    However, Lee said the government had no intention of changing the city-state’s legal definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

    “Even as we repeal Section 377A, we will uphold and safeguard the institution of marriage (…). Under the law, only marriages between one man and one woman are recognised in Singapore,” Lee added.

    Singapore retained the colonial-era ban on gay sex after it won independence from Britain in 1965.

    Singapore is the latest place in Asia to move on LGBT rights, after India, Taiwan and Thailand.

    Usyk beats Anthony Joshua for the Second time to retain heavyweight titles

    Oleksandr Usyk has once again defeated Anthony Joshua by a split decision to retain his heavyweight titles.

    The Ukrainian boxer won the bout after two of the three judges scored him higher — 115-113 and 116-112 — than Joshua.

    The Nigerian-born British boxer was bested by Usyk in front of thousands of fans at King Abdullah Sports City Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night.

    Joshua entered the fight hoping to reclaim the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles which he lost to the Ukrainian in September 2021.

    Both boxers began the bout with renewed vigour. The pair also delivered blurs of jabs and hooks in the first rounds.

    An improved performance from Joshua pushed Usyk to show a clinical side of his skill set.

    They both went at each other over the course of the epic 12-round battle before the judges announced the winner.

    Following the announcement, Joshua threw two of the title belts over the side of the ropes before storming out of the ring.

    He later went back to the ring, collected the microphone, and poured out his annoyance in front of the audience at the King Abdullah Sports City.

    “If you knew my story, you would understand the passion,” he said.

    “I ain’t no amateur boxer from five-years-old that was an elite prospect from youth. I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my a*** off, I wanted to be able to fight.”

    Usyk beats Anthony Joshua for the Second time to retain heavyweight titles

    This is Joshua’s third career defeat — the first was to Ruiz Jr in 2019, followed by the loss to Usyk in 2021.

    Photo credit: Sky Sports Boxing

    2023 Elections: IPOB rejects Peter Obi, Igbo Presidency

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described as “laughable” a statement credited to the National Secretary, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Fulani Socio-Cultural Association, Saleh Alhassan, linking it to the OBIdient movement.

    The group rejected the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, or any president of Igbo extraction, saying Nigeria was irredeemable.

    It said Alhassan’s statement was an insult to the Biafra struggle and the spirits of all who had died for the restoration of Biafra.

    In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB warned that nobody should drag or link it with the politics of Obi.

    It maintained that it neither knew Obi nor agreed with Obi’s political opinions, insisting that its interest remained the unconditional release of its Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafra Referendum date.

    The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the laughable and disgraceful statement credited to one Saleh Alhassan of Miyetti Allah group linking the so-called Obidient movement to IPOB.

    “Miyyeti Allah are not well informed to know that IPOB does not engage in seasonal jamboree and selection process called Nigerian election.

    “IPOB can not drag its hard-earned reputation to the mud of the farce called Nigerian politics. Peter Obi is involved in and playing the dirty Nigerian politics while we in IPOB play advanced internationally accepted politics targeting Biafra Referendum.”

    According to the group, “the Igbo people rallying behind Peter Obi are not IPOB members” because IPOB’s goal is the disintegration of the “Nigeria enterprise irrespective of whether Peter Obi or anyone else from the Biafran geographic space is contesting in the Nigerian farce of an election.

    “Nigerians should understand that not every indigenous Igbo, Ibibio, Anang, Izon, Ogoni, Urhobo, etc from Biafra extraction support the Biafra Agitation by IPOB. While some are in support others are against it. That’s the democratic nature of Biafrans which only Referendum will settle.”

    IPOB, it said, is neither interested in an Igbo President nor a Nigerian President of Biafra extraction.

    “IPOB is a freedom fighting movement and has nothing whatsoever to do with or in Nigerian politics. So long as we in IPOB are concerned, Nigeria is irredeemable. All we want is the unconditional release of our Leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafra Referendum date,” the statement added.

    [Nation]

    JUST IN! Nigerian Govt revokes licenses of Silverbird, AIT, FM stations etc – See Full list of Television/Radio stations affected

    The Federal Government has revoked the operating licenses of African Independent Television(AIT), Silver bird, MTV and 49 other broadcasting stations.

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) ordered the stations to shut down in the next 24 hours over indebtedness.

    It said the stations are operating illegally as they are yet to renew their licenses since 2018.

    The Director General of the Commission, Balarabe Illelah announced these.

    lllelah however said the stations can still bail themselves out by offsetting their debts in the next 24 hours.

    He, however, called on all stations who have not renewed their licences for the current duration to do so within 30 days to avoid sanctions.

    Full list of Television/Radio stations affected

    Silverbird TV (Silverbird Communications Co. Ltd) Network
    Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd)
    AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication Ltd)
    Greetings FM (Greetings Media Ltd)
    Tao FM (Ovidi Communications Ltd)
    Zuma FM (Zuma FM Ltd)
    Crowther FM (Crowther Communications Ltd)
    We FM (Kings Broadcasting Ltd)
    Linksman International ltd
    Bomay Broadcasting Services Ltd
    MITV (Murhi International Group Ltd)
    Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd)
    Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd)
    Classic TV (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd)
    Beat FM (Megalectrics Ltd)
    Cooper Communications Ltd
    Splash FM (West Midlands Ltd)
    Rock City FM (Boot Communications Ltd)
    Family FM (Kalaks Investments Nig. Ltd)
    Space FM (Creazioni Nig. Ltd)
    Radio Jeremi (Radio Jeremi ltd)
    FM Abuja
    FM Lagos
    FM Yenagoa
    FM Port-Harcourt
    FM Jos
    Wave FM (South Atlantic Media Ltd)
    Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation
    Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation
    Niger State Broadcasting Corporation
    Benin
    Network
    FM Network
    FM Okene,
    FM Suleja
    FM Abuja
    FM Benin
    Breeze FM (Bays Water ltd)
    Vibes FM (Vibes Communication Ltd)
    Family Love FM (Multimesh Broadcasting Co. Ltd) Port-Harcourt
    Port-Harcourt
    Gombe State Broadcasting Corporation
    Lagos DSB
    Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation
    Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
    Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation
    Ondo State Broadcasting Corporation
    Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation
    Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation
    Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation
    Imo State Broadcasting Corporation
    Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation
    Borno State Broadcasting Corporation
    Yobe State Broadcasting Corporation
    Sokoto State Broadcasting Corporation
    Zamfara State Broadcasting Corporation
    Kebbi State Broadcasting Corporation
    Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation
    Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation
    Katsina State Broadcasting Corporation

    Foreign Airlines in Nigeria demand flight ticket sales in Dollar, reject Naira

    An EgyptAir Airlines passenger takes off from Charles de Gaulle airport, operated by Aeroports de Paris, in Roissy, France, on Thursday, May 19, 2016. Egypt deployed naval ships to search for an EgyptAir Airbus A320 en route to Cairo from Paris that went missing overnight off the coast of the North African country with 66 people on board. Photographer: Christophe Morin/Bloomberg

    Following the foreign exchange crisis currently facing Nigeria, foreign airlines like the British Airways and Turkish Airlines have said they will no longer issue tickets to passengers in naira but in Dollar.

    The development is happening a few hours after Emirates Airlines announced suspension of flights to and from Nigeria beginning September 1.

    Turkish Air said, “Dear Business Partner, Kindly be informed that as of today, only C and Y fare classes will be available on GDSs for sale in Nigeria, Unused tickets will be upgraded to Y and C class for voluntary reissue cases, fare and tax difference shall be collected for inbound or outbound travel.

    “Multi city routes will not be combined with fares. All fare classes will be available for sale on the Turkish Airline website and mobile app.”

    British Airways economy tickets to London cost $466, premium economy $1,823 and Business $3,269.

    The decision is linked to the foreign exchange belonging to foreign airlines which has been blocked by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    The International Air Transport Association (AITA) had estimated the amount at $450m of funds belonging to foreign airlines trapped by the CBN.

    Emirates said in July that they are owed $85m of non-repatriated funds by CBN, which they had reported to the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

    Four months ago, APG Interline E-Ticketing (IEG) via its travel advisory issued to its trade partners said members would commence sale of tickets in dollars.

    APG IET members that use Nigerian routes are Middle East Airlines, Turkish Airlines, South Africa Airways, Egypt Air, Asky Airlines, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc and Rwandair.

    APG IET had said, “Dear travel partners, warm greetings from APG. This is to bring to your notice that with effect from April 19, 2022, GP would only accept issuing of tickets in US dollars and not Naira. This is mainly due to repatriation issues and the Forex situation in the country.

    “This would most likely be a temporary measure till the Forex situation improves. Our sincere apologies for any inconveniences this may cause you and your business. Thank you for understanding.”

     [NationalDaily]

    “I have no problem with Mbaise people” Uzodimma declares

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has assured the Mbaise nation, comprising Ezinihitte, Aboh and Ahiazu Mbaise local councils of the state, that he is not in conflict with them, contrary to insinuations by some elements of the state.

    Recall that the immediate past governor of the state, who was ousted by the Supreme Court, Emeka Ihedioha, hails from Aboh Mbaise.

    Uzodimma stated this, yesterday, during the Iri Ji (New Yam) festival and conferment of chieftaincy title of ‘Enyi oma Mbaise” (Good friend of Mbaise) on him by monarchs of the three councils.

    His words: “ I am not in conflict with Mbaise people. In fact, I am friendly with people of Mbaise. Do not allow anybody bring enmity to you due to their selfish interest.

    “Anybody, who loves his community, will use his position to attract friends to his people. A good man will not attract enemies to his people.

    “As governor of the state, I am your kinsman, when you are crying, I am also crying with you. When you are happy, I am happy. When it is well with you, it is also well with me. When it is bad, I share in that too. But God has said that it shall be well with us and it shall be so.”

    “Let me start by thanking God, who made today possible. For me, what has happened here today is beyond new yam festival. It is an act of God.”

    The governor stressed the advantage of the occasion, noting: “The advantage of this occasion is that it has, particularly, opened up all the issues that, before this time, were not known.

    “Mbaise is a great nation. In Mbaise, we have educated men and women. Hardly will you get people from Mbaise who are intellectually blind. For me, civilisation started here in Mbaise.”

    Uzodimma made it clear that he was delighted identifying with Mbaise people. He added: “I am happy to be here today. In fact, I was discussing with one of my friends and I told him that one of the reasons God made me governor is because of the people of Mbaise. Because God wanted to prove that you can have a brother from another land.”

    [Guardian]

    Al-Shabab terrorists attack Hayat hotel in Somali capital, hostages held (videos)

    Islamic Militant group, Al-Shabab said on Friday August 19, it had taken control of Hayat hotel near the centre of the Somali capital, Mogadishu after detonating two explosives outside the hotel and opening fire.


    The Hayat hotel that was ambushed by the terrorist is said to be a popular location for employees of the federal government to meet and according to reports the Head of Somali intelligence services was at the hotel before it was attacked.


    Nine people have been injured and carried away from the hotel, the head of Mogadishu’s Aamin ambulance services, Abdikadir Abdirahman reportedly told Reuters news agency.


    Images circulating on social media  show smoke billowing from the hotel while loud bangs can be heard as the attack occured.

    Al-Shabab terrorists attack Hayat hotel


    Police said after the militants detonated two explosives outside the hotel, they entered the building and opened fire.


    An affiliate of al-Qaeda, Al-Shabab has engaged in a long running conflict with the Somalian federal government.


    The group controls much of southern and central Somalia and is now trying to control Mogadishu, the capital controlled by the government.

    The attack on Friday marks the first attack in the capital by the group since Somalia’s new president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, was elected in May.

    Somali security forces have surrounded the hotel and are trying to safely rescue hostages.


    In a statement, the Islamist group claimed to be in control of the complex and said they “are shooting everyone”.

    “Two car bombs targeted Hotel Hayat,” a police officer told the Reuters news agency in a statement.

    “One hit a barrier near the hotel, and then the other hit the gate of the hotel. We believe the fighters are inside the hotel.” the officer added

    Watch the video below…

    Peter Obi blasts APC and PDP for launching calumny campaign against him

    The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has accused the APC and PDP of launching campaign of calumny against him and his party.

    Obi, in series of tweets on Thursday said it had become evident that the opposition parties had adopted negative strategy of trolling and insinuating fake news and misinformation in the social media space and blaming him and his party for it.

    He said he and his party remained resolute to their commitment to an issue-based and clean campaign.

    Obi added that he would also rebuffed all such ploys of deceit and calumny meant to create disaffection among Nigeria’s voting population.

    He tweeted: “As we approach the official kick off of the 2023 election campaign, it has become evident that the oppositions have adopted a negative strategy of trolling and insinuating fake news and misinformation in the social media space and blaming the Labour Party, its presidential candidate and their supporters of same.

    “We remain resolute in our commitment to an issue-based and clean campaign.

    “We will also rebuff all such ploys of deceit and calumny meant to create disaffection among Nigeria’s voting population, who desire credible leadership change.“

    [PM News]

    Elderly man accidentally cuts off his testicles while dreaming about cutting meat

    A man is in hospital for surgery after accidentally cutting his own testicles off while sleeping.

    Ghanaian farmer Kofi Atta, 47, also known as Wofa Atta, dozed off in an armchair and said he managed to pick up a knife while sleeping and dreaming about cutting meat.

    In his sleep, he said he mistakenly cut his testicle.

    Still in a dream-like state, the farmer from Assin Akomfede called for two neighbours who rushed to his house and found him alone, covered in blood.

    He was rushed to St Francis Xavier hospital in Assin Fosu.

    Speaking to BBC Pidgin he said: “I was sitting in my chair when I dozed off. In my sleep, I dreamt that I was cutting some meat in front of me.

    “I don’t remember how I picked up the knife, even I am confused.”

    He explained that he was still unsure of what had happened when his neighbours arrived, although he stood up and felt a sharp pain in his genitals.

    Perhaps as a result of the loss of blood, Kofi only came out of the dream state when in hospital. That’s when he realised he hadn’t been chopping meat for a family meal, but rather his own testicles.

    The victim’s wife, Adwoa Konadu, disclosed that the latest incident is not the first time her husband has carried out such activity while sleeping.

    She said that he frequently moves, converses, and occasionally fights while he is asleep. It was during one of such episodes that Wofa Atta ended up damaging his genitals.

    “Why We Reduced Minting Of Naira” — Central Bank of Nigeria

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday said it re­duced the minting of the nai­ra in order to boost electronic banking transactions in the country.

    The CBN Deputy Gover­nor, Economic Policy Direc­torate, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, said this on Thursday in Abu­ja at the Grand Finale of the eNaira Hackathon.

    The Hackathon is an initia­tive that creates a collabora­tive environment for experts with a diverse set of skills to drive sustained innovation geared towards making the eNaira the pinnacle for digi­tal financial services and the gateway to the digital economy.

    It is intended to sought solutions that would drive financial inclusion, SME growth and the creation of start-ups; facilitate cross bor­der trades and transfers as well as international remit­tances and foreign exchanges; effective implementation of welfare-inclined government programmes; and enhance efficiency in the interbank market.

    Thursday’s event was targeted at providing an engagement with critical stakeholders in the financial technology space to deepen the link between eNaira and Fintechs.

    Speaking at the event, Obio­ra said that many major econo­mies of the world have started reducing the use of cash as a form of business transactions.

    He said in South Korea, 77 percent of the people no longer use cash to do payment, while 30 percent of the population in Philippines don’t use cash as a form of exchange.

    Obiora said in Nigeria, the reduction in the use of cash as a medium of exchange has led to an explosion in electronic businesses.

    Specifically, the CBN depu­ty governor said that the value of e-business had grown from N393 billion in 2014 to about N2.4 trillion currently.

    He said, “In South Korea, 77 percent no longer use cash to do payment, while in the Philip­pines it is 30 percent. In Nigeria too, we are also seeing the same decline in the use of cash, the minting of currencies in the CBN has been reducing in the last couple of years.

    “So, alongside this reduc­tion in the use of cash has also been an explosion in elec­tronic business and e-business and we have seen the value of e-business grow from N393 billion in 2014 to about N2.4 trillion now.

    “And so, if you look at this movement, you will realise that the central banks in the world are responding to yearnings of citizens which is why citizens in 96 percent of central banks in the world are either working on digital currencies or they have done so already.”

    [TheIndependent]

    Update: Benjamin Mendy ‘boasted he’d had sex with over 10,000 women

    Benjamin Mendy used a ‘fingerprint touchscreen’ to lock a woman in a bedroom of his £3million mansion before allegedly raping her, a court today heard.

    In graphic testimony at Chester Crown Court, the woman, 24, revealed how she begged to the £52million Manchester City ‘I want to go home’ before he allegedly raped her.

    The court heard how she had followed the 28-year-old French international into the room after he snatched her phone from her hands.

    She said once inside, Mendy closed the door to the bedroom, which she told the court was fitted with a special locks and could only be entered using fingerprint technology.   

    The woman also told the court how Mendy bragged that he had had sex with ’10,000 women’ as he raped her.

    Giving evidence in the trial, in which Mendy is accused of eight counts of rape, one of attempted rape and one of assault, she said: ‘He (Mendy) took my mobile phone off me and I followed him up two flights of stairs to try and get it back.

    ‘I was saying “that’s my phone, I want it back.” He was going through it looking at private pictures of me that I’ve sent before.

    ‘He saw pictures of my bum and was saying how much he liked it and he also said he liked my tits.’ 

    Referring to Mendy’s bedroom, she said: ‘It was a big wooden door that had a black handle, like you have in a hotel. It had some kind of touch screen finger print thing on it.

    ‘I followed him in to get my phone then the door shut behind me. I said listen, I want to go home, I don’t want to have sex with you.’

    The incident took place in October 2020 after the woman met Mendy and a group of friends in Alderely Edge and was then then invited back to his mansion for a party.

    She was sitting in the basement of his home close to the swimming pool sending messages on Snapchat when Mendy snatched her phone from her.

    The woman, 24 revealed that once in the room Mendy asked her to remove her clothing.

    She said: ‘He said he just wanted to look at me. He said: “I promise, I won’t touch you. I just want to see your tits.

    ‘He said again, I promise, I just want to look at you. You can’t get out any way.’

    The woman revealed that she reluctantly took off her clothes because she wanted to get her phone back and go home, she was just left standing in a thong.

    Mendy then threw her mobile phone onto the bed and as she bent over the pick it up, the footballer grabbed her from behind. 

    She said: ‘He came around behind me and pushed me on the bed so I was on all fours.

    ‘I told him: “No. I don’t want to have sex with you.” He said he would not touch me, he just wanted to feel me. 

    ‘I was on all fours with my bum in the air. He was pulling my bum towards him and I kept saying “I don’t want to have sex with you.”’

    The woman revealed that Mendy then moved her thong to one side and first raped her vaginally.

    She said: ‘He moved my thong to one side and said that he wanted to put his tip in for a minute. I was trying to wriggle to get free but he had a hold of me. He kept on coming back.’

    The woman’s evidence was video recorded and played to a jury of eight men and four women.

    She said: ‘Then he started to put his penis into my bum. I said I don’t want to do that. I told him that my sister is waiting for me, I need to go, she’s probably looking for me.

    ‘He had his pants down fully, his top off and three diamante chains around his neck.

    ‘Then he said: “Put it (Mendy’s penis) in your mouth.” I put his penis in my mouth but I was trying to pull away.

    ‘He said: “You’re too shy. I’ve had sex with 10,000 women.”

    The woman revealed that she met Mendy at a restaurant called Panacea in Alderley Edge and that it was a Sunday evening.

    Mendy was accompanied by three friends while she was with four female friends and they started chatting and drinking with the footballer’s group.

    The woman revealed that at around 10.30pm as the restaurant was about to close, Mendy and his group invited them back to The Spinney, his mansion.

    She told the court that she did not know that Mendy was a Premier League footballer when she first met him at the restaurant.

    Following the rape, the woman said that she put on her clothes and that Mendy left the bedroom.

    She said: ‘I just wanted to stay calm, get out and not cause a scene. I just put on my clothes and went out.’

    The woman told the court that she confided in her sister and a colleague about what had taken place at Mendy’s mansion and that she also referred herself to a rape crisis centre as she has suffered trauma.

    The woman told the officer interviewing her at Macclesfield Police Station that after raping her three times, Mendy said to her: ‘Don’t tell anyone and you can come here every night.’

    The woman provided details of Mendy’s bedroom, claiming that it was lined with wood, had an en suite bathroom and a large bed which had a blue and gold Versace pillow.

    She said that Mendy was dressed in chocolate coloured trousers, a black top and was wearing three diamante chains around his neck.

    Asked about the impact of the attack, she said: ‘The hardest thing is how many times I said no, it makes me upset. I felt petrified after it happened.’

    Yesterday, one woman, giving evidence in the trial, said how Mendy ‘had a predatory look in his eye’ before exposing his penis and trying to rape her.

    The woman said the footballer ‘pushed’ her down onto a bed and tried to hold her on his lap.

    Asked how she felt as Mendy was holding her down, the woman told the court:  ‘Out of control. I was not in a place familiar to me. I was in a different territory and it was his.

    ‘He was surrounded by all his friends. I had no one else there. I kept saying ”stop” and ”no”. That was not heard and I felt a bit voiceless which is probably why I didn’t scream. I just had millions of questions.’ 

    Mendy is accused of eight counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to seven young women. 

    Cosmin Cernica says that he spends £10,000 a month on food because he can’t cook

    London-based Instagram influencer Cosmin Cernica, 29, claims he spends £10,000 a month on food each month because he doesn’t like preparing food himself or the smell of cooking in his home. 


    Cernica, a self-confessed gourmet foodie with a penchant for caviar, truffles and champagne hails from Romania.


    He spends most of his time in London or Dubai.


    Cernica says that he happily uses up to £10,000 a month to satisfy his tastes, so he orders in and eats out instead of cooking. 

    He says be likes the luxury dining eateries in Mayfair, Chelsea and Knightsbridge and even eats burgers with real 24karat gold leaf on the top from an exclusive Chelsea restaurant.  


    He loves ‘anything with truffles on it’ and spends thousands of pounds on chocolate and lives with his husband Robert.

    Cosmin said: ‘I don’t like cooking and I don’t actually like the smell of food being cooked in my house. 


    ‘So the only options left are to either order in or to go out – which I do five-six times a week when I am in London and every day when I am in Dubai.


    ‘Going out to restaurants for me is not only about the food, but more about the experience – I am very particular with the places I go.’

    He said: ‘Because I don’t cook at all, I always get my food delivered or I go to restaurants. I order my food from a luxury food delivery app that delivers gourmet food from the best restaurants in London.


    ‘I love a truffle breakfast, if it’s weekend that will always be paired with champagne. I also love salmon sandwiches topped with caviar, they are my go-to breakfast.


    ‘Even if I order all the time I try to eat reasonably healthy so I would never order something from McDonald’s let’s say. 


    ‘But when I fancy a “fast food treat” I would order a Wagyu burger topped with Oscietra Caviar and 24K Gold leaf from my favourite Chef in Chelsea, Mr. Z, he always delivers his food in a Mercedes.’


    Cosmin, who spends thousands of pounds on chocolate, added: ‘They are very expensive, especially the white truffle or if they are not in season in Italy and they need to be flown in from afar.


    ‘My local shop in Chelsea would call me every time they have a fresh truffle delivery. I also eat caviar which can be quite pricey too and I love sea food, especially fresh lobsters, and red prawns.’

    He says he has to look good too which makes him spend more than £5,000 a month on health products.


    He said: ‘I do spend a lot on cosmetic products too, I am obsessed with anything skincare or niche fragrances’.


     ‘I try to eat organic, I try to eat sea food and vegetables as much as possible but of course I love my champagne and sweet treats.


    ‘I do buy a lot of chocolate, the chocolate hall in Harrods is my guilty pleasure, I once spent £2,000 there in one go.’


    Responding to critics who feel £10,000 on food every month is a bit rich, he says: 


    ‘I don’t feel like it’s too much, it is just a number and I feel like food should always be top quality. It is at the end of the day a necessity and I would rather spend more on super high quality food rather than something else.’

    2nd Niger Bridge getting ready for use – street lights installation and Asphalt laying in process (photos)

    Asphalt laying and installation of street lights has commenced on the Second Niger Bridge at Onitsha in Anambra State/Asaba in Delta State by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    The bridge is expected to gulp a whopping 386 billion Naira, an amount reportedly more than one year budget of several states in Nigeria.

    The bridge is projected to be operational before the 2023 general election.

    See photos below:

    2nd Niger Bridge
    Second Niger Bridge nearing completion
    2nd Niger Bridge
    2nd Niger Bridge
    2nd Niger Bridge getting ready for use

      

    Goodnews! e-Naira becomes USSD enabled

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has announced that starting from next week, Nigerians will be able to open an eNaira wallet and conduct transactions by simply using a designated USSD code on their mobile phones.

    Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the apex bank, stated this at the Grand Finale of the 2022 eNaira Hackathon in Abuja.

    According to Emefiele, “Nigerians, both banked and unbanked, will be able to open an eNaira wallet and conduct transactions by simply dialling *997 from their phones.

    Meanwhile, to carry out these transactions, Nigerians will only have to dail *997 from their phones.

    China sends over 50 warplanes and six Warships around Taiwan lately

    Taiwan’s defence ministry said 51 Chinese aircraft and six Chinese ships had been detected operating around Taiwan on Thursday, August 18 as China continues military activities near the island.

    Out of the 51 aircrafts, 25 aircrafts crossed the Taiwan Strait’s median line, which in normal times acts as an unofficial barrier between the two sides, or flew into Taiwan’s air defence zone.

    China deploys 51 warplanes and six ships around Taiwan in response to US sending nuclear stealth bombers over Pacific and Taiwan agreeing to new U.S. trade talks

    The move comes after the U.S. government said it will hold trade talks with Taiwan in a sign of support for the island democracy that China claims as its own territory, prompting Beijing to warn it will take action to ‘safeguard its sovereignty.’

    China deploys 51 warplanes and six ships around Taiwan in response to US sending nuclear stealth bombers over Pacific and Taiwan agreeing to new U.S. trade talks


    Earlier in August, China fired missiles into the sea to intimidate Taiwan after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi became the highest-ranking American official to visit the island in 25 years.


    After the US revealed it had started new trade talks with Taiwan – the self governed island that China has vowed to reunite by all means necessary, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government criticized the planned talks as a violation of its stance that Taiwan has no right to foreign relations. 

    China warned the US not to encourage the island to try to make its de facto independence permanent, a step Beijing says would lead to war.


    ‘China firmly opposes this,’ Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shu Jueting said. She called on Washington to ‘fully respect China’s core interests.’


    Meanwhile, the US expects China to increase its military, diplomatic and economic ‘coercion’ of Taiwan, the US top envoy in East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink said on Thursday.


    Daniel Kritenbrink’s warning comes a day after Taiwain’s military staged exercises to show its ability to resist Chinese pressure to accept Beijing’s political control over the self-governing island, following new rounds of threatening drills from China.


    ‘While our policy has not changed, what has changed is Beijing’s growing coercion,’ Kritenbrink, who is Washington’s top envoy for East Asian relations, told reporters on a teleconference call.


    ‘These actions are part of an intensified pressure campaign… to intimidate and coerce Taiwan and undermine its resilience,’ he added.

    Also on Thursday, Taiwan’s military held a drill with missiles and cannons simulating a response to a Chinese missile attack.

    China deploys 51 warplanes and six ships around Taiwan in response to US sending nuclear stealth bombers over Pacific and Taiwan agreeing to new U.S. trade talks

    Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war and have no official relations but are bound by billions of dollars of trade and investment. 


    The United States has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan, its ninth-largest trading partner, but maintains extensive informal ties.

    “Peter Obi doesn’t give ‘shishi’ but we’ll give ‘shishi’ on his behalf” — Ozigbo says

    The former leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State and former governorship candidate in 2021 gubernatorial election, Mr. Valentine Chineto Ozigbo has volunteered that he and fellow “Obi-dients” will supply the funds needed to finance the electoral campaign of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Onwubuasi Obi.

    Mr. Ozigbo stated this while appearing as guest during an interview on political programme of Arise TV on Thursday with Charles Aniagolu as the news anchor and special correspondent.

    Speaking, Ozigbo noted that, for real, the former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, does not give shishi, a term meaning he does not solicit for votes through monetary inducement.

    He, however, said that he and fellow Obi-dients ‘will give shishi’ on his behalf.

    Ozigbo made the remarks shortly after he  dumped the PDP and joined the Labour Party.

    TM had earlier reported that Ozigbo just defected to the Party in solidarity with the Peter Obi Movement ahead of the 2023 general election.

    “Don’t elect Politicians with children abroad” – ASUU President tells Nigerians

    Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), urged Nigerian students not to vote for politicians who have their children studying in institutions outside the country.

    Osodeke made this known Wednesday, August 17, while was speaking on a Twitter Space Webinar, organised by Premium Times and tagged, “ASUU strike, Revitalisation Fund and the Way Forward.”

    Suggesting a way to end ASUU strikes, he said students should not vote for politicians who would not represent their interests.

    Osodeke said, “Anybody you believe cannot take care of your interests, whose children are busy studying abroad, who are living abroad, don’t vote for them, I repeat, you don’t need to vote for them, because you don’t vote for people who will take your life.”

    Matheus Nunes signs up with the Wolves for £38m transfer fee

    Wolves have completed the signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes on a five-year deal for a club-record £38million transfer fee.

    The 23-year-old played 31 league games when Sporting won the Portuguese league in 2020-21, ending their 19-year wait for the title, and he made a total of 101 appearances during his time at the club.

    Wolves confirmed Nunes’ arrival by releasing a video on Twitter, which showed the youngster greeting staff behind the scenes.

    The footage also revealed that Nunes will wear the number 27 at his new club.

    ‘We are very happy to welcome Matheus to Wolverhampton, and delighted to add another exciting young talent to Bruno’s squad,’ Shi told the club’s official website.

    ‘Matheus has had two excellent seasons at the top level in Portugal with Sporting and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football, so we are thrilled that he has chosen the Premier League and Wolves as the next step in what we hope will be a fantastic career.’

    Alexei Navalny ‘sent to solitary confinement at Russian penal colony’ in Prison

    Jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been thrown into a punishment cell for refusing to fasten his top button and encouraging fellow inmates to form a trade union.


    According to Mail Online, it was revealed in a post that Navalny was summoned by prison officials and told that video surveillance showed he regularly unbuttoned his prison clothes while in the work area.

    This comes days after he announced setting up a labour union for convicts, of which he said he was the only member at the time.

    Navalny said the union has successfully argued for replacing backless stools with chairs in the prison’s sewing shop where he works.


    According to the post on Monday August 15, the union activity was the real reason prison officials sent him to solitary confinement.


    ‘The Kremlin wants to see its gulag consisting of voiceless slaves. And here I am, instead of begging for pardon, uniting some people and demanding that some laws be observed,’ he said.

    ‘This certainly characterises me as a hopeless villain. So, a decision has been made to send me to punitive solitary confinement’ for three days, the post read.


    If Navalny ‘doesn’t change (his) attitude’, his stay there would be extended, prison officials told him, according to the post.


    The post described solitary as ‘the most severe punishment in the legal prison hierarchy’ – a small concrete cell, which ‘is very hot and there is almost no air’.


    There is a metal bed attached to a wall, and a mattress and a pillow are only brought at 9pm and taken away at 5am.

    ‘Visitation is now allowed, letters are not allowed, parcels are not allowed. It is the only place in prison where even smoking is not allowed,’ the post read.


    The only possessions at Navalny’s disposal are ‘a mug and a book’, the post said, and he has a pen and some paper for just over an hour a day.

    The book he is reading is 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari, he added.


    The solitary confinement cell is a 2.5 x 3 metre concrete kennel. Most of the time it’s unbearable in there because it’s cold and damp. There’s water on the floor. I got the beach version – it’s very hot and there’s almost no air,’ Navalny wrote.

    ‘The window is tiny, but the walls are too thick for any air flow – even the cobwebs don’t move.’ he added

    Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s most vocal critic inside Russia, is serving an 11-1/2 year sentence after being found guilty of parole violations and fraud, and contempt of court charges.


    He says all the charges were fabricated as a pretext to jail him in order to thwart his political ambitions.

    YABA-TECH demands University status

    The famous Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos State has called for its recognition as a university.

    Founded in 1947, the federal polytechnic is Nigeria’s first higher educational institution.

    Joe Ejiofor, the Deputy Registrar said the institution has the requirements, including facilities, needed for an upgrade.

    He disclosed that there are more than 150 PhD holders, with more academics working to raise their record to PhD level.

    “YABATECH has all it takes in all capacity to compare with any university in Nigeria. So, if the government decides otherwise, YABATECH can always fit in”, he told NAN.

    Ejiofor listed manpower, resources, equipment, studios as some of the assets that can match those of universities.

    The official added that the school is under the supervision of the National Board for Technical Education and awards National Diploma and Higher National Diploma.

    Obasanjo blasts PDP over Atiku’s choice

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has questioned the decision of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party in picking Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate.

    Atiku is from Adamawa State, in northern Nigeria and was Obasanjo’s deputy between 1999 and 2007.

    Obasanjo felt the decision is not politically correct and in the spirit of the understanding between the North and the South of Nigeria.

    “I am very much aware that it’s the turn of the South to produce the next President of Nigeria. I was part of the meeting when the agreement was made between Northern and Southern Leaders”, Obasanjo was widely quoted to have said today.

    “I am even surprised PDP gave her ticket to another North candidate.

    “It will be an injustice to the South if the North retains Power after 8 years of rule”, he added.

    Obasanjo spoke today during the visit of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to his Hilltop home in Abeokuta.

    “We will do the right thing when the time comes,” the former leader said during the closed-door meeting.

    Apart from painting Atiku Abubakar in unsavoury colours in his memoir, Obasanjo believes Atiku should never lead Nigeria.

    In 2018, he famously said: “If I support Atiku for anything, God will not forgive me. If I do not know, yes. But once I know, Atiku can never enjoy my support,” he added.

    [PM News]

    As from September 1, 2022, No more Emirates Airlines Flight to Nigeria

    Emirates Airlines has announced the suspension of its flight operations to Nigeria, starting September 1, 2022.

    The flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, August 18, citing the inability to repatriate its earnings in foreign exchange from Nigeria.

    At least $600 million of over 20 foreign airlines has been blocked in Nigeria since the beginning of the year.

    Emirates had said two weeks ago that out of these funds, it had about $85 million in Nigeria.

    Emirates had asked Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s minister of aviation, to support the repatriation of its revenue, amounting to $85 million.

    On Monday, August 15, the airline had cut its 11 weekly frequencies into Lagos Airport to just 7.

    Now, it has announced that all flights to Nigeria will be suspended from September 1.

    The airline said the suspension would “limit further losses and reduce the impact on its operational costs that continue to accumulate in the Nigerian market”.

    Emirates Airlines said in a statement: “Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective 1 September 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market.

    “We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our customers, however, the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.

    “Should there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeria, we remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations provide much-needed connectivity for Nigerian travellers, providing access to trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai, and to our broader network of over 130 destinations.”

    “E-transmission of election results has come to stay” – INEC

    Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has assured Nigerians that the results of the 2023 general elections would be transmitted electronically.

    Yakubu who hosted a delegation of Media Trust Group on Wednesday August 17, said electronic transmission of elections results from the polling units (PUs) would be a permanent feature in the nation’s electoral processes.

    He said;

    “Yes, it is going to be permanent in all elections conducted by the commission going forward. But I wish to draw your attention to the fact that we did not start the electronic transmission, at least, from the polling units to the IReV Portal, in Anambra or FCT elections.

    “It was actually on August 2020 that we deployed that for the Nasarawa Central State Constituency by-election, the first election conducted under COVID-19. So, if you look at the IReV Portal, you could see all the results from the 2020 to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and all the other by-elections we conducted.”

    Local Flights not cheap as Aviation fuel hits N903 per litre

    The crisis in the Nigerian aviation sector seems to have no visible end as the price of aviation fuel otherwise known as Jet A1 hit N903 per litre yesterday August 16, from N880 on Monday August 15.

    Daily Trust reported that the development has put pressure on airline tickets with passengers paying as much as N200,000 for a return Lagos-Abuja ticket; while Lagos-Kano return is between N150,000 and N200,000 depending on the time of booking. 

    Abuja-Kano flight on Max Air is between N74,000 and N100,000; while it is between N74,000 and N80,000 on Air Peace.  Also on Max Air, Abuja-Maiduguri is N90,000 and Lagos-Kaduna on Azman Air for a Wednesday flight, N130,000. A one-way Lagos-Abuja fare is now N80,000 and could be as high as N150,000 if the travel date is in 24 hours.

    Air Peace return ticket from Abuja-Kano is between N140,000 and N160,000 and one-way, N78,000. A return from Abuja-Gombe is N150,000 and one-way, N75,000. For Abuja-Port Harcourt, a one-way ticket is N100,000; Abuja-Lagos, between N75,000 and N100,000.

    Checks on Air Peace flight from Lagos to Enugu for Wednesday (today) showed that it costs N150,000 for a one-way ticket.

    Though the fuel was sold for N880 per litre in Kano; N780 in Abuja and N740 in Lagos according to figure obtained from operators on Monday, it was sold for N903 in the North on Tuesday due to the additional cost of bridging incurred by marketers from Lagos.

    In Response to ‘Sit-at-home’, Onitsha extends market hours

    The leadership of the main market in Onitsha, Anambra State has extended market hours by one hour from 5pm daily. 

    Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Chief Innocent Ezennia, who disclosed this to reporters said the extension was to cover paralysed business activities occasioned by the weekly sit-at-home directive.

    “Formerly, traders will be in a hurry because we close by 5pm. But now it is 6pm, to enable them and their customers have enough time to transact their businesses,” he said.

    Ezennia also most touts in the market, some of who are graduates, have been converted to apprentice traders so they could be established after learning one trade or another.

    Reacting to the cleanliness of the market as directed by the government, Ezennia said: “We have two standard trucks for evacuation of refuse in the market and personnel who we pay and they clean the market both in the morning and evening.

    “We cleared the roads/streets in the market such that three vehicles can pass in a space of three lanes without obstruction. The previous administrations were not able to decongest Johnson street. I was the one that decongested it and sacked the touts in the market.

    “I also purchased the long sitting chairs in the market Secretariat hall, to change the image of the hall as I inherited nothing on assumption of office.

    “I personally brought the INEC registration officials and four machines to make registration easy for traders and the machines were placed at the Secretariat for easy access.

    “Our Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is a game changer, and that is what I am doing here, to better the lots of the traders in the market.

    “I’m directed to restore the lost glory of the market by the Governor through the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Obinna Ngonadi.”

    [Nation]

    The ‘Unknown Gunmen’ are Igbo and they have become ‘Known’ – Soludo

    Their objective being lucrative criminality — Soludo

    AFTER wrecking havoc in various communities in Anambra State for several months during which many people were kidnapped, killed and sometimes beheaded, many of the so-called unknown gunmen have, at last, become known. 

    Many of them whose dreaded camps in the thick forests in the state have been raided and destroyed, have been running their mouths and narrating their escapades, signifying that they too are, after all, mere human beings.

    In a space of one year, no fewer than 30 persons, including security operatives, lost their lives through the activities of the unknown gunmen. Many police stations and operational security vehicles were also burnt by the gunmen during their operations. 

    The situation was so bad that the November 2021 governorship election in Anambra State was threatened such that the electoral umpire, INEC, almost muted the idea of suspending the election. It was at the height of the unknown gunmen saga in the state that Dr. Chike Akunyili, the husband of the late Professor Dora Akunyili,, was killed. Akunyili was felled at Nkpor in Idemili by gunmen after attending a programme in Onitsha where he picked a posthumous award for his late wife. Other killings by the unknown gunmen were to follow, including those of the lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo in the state House of Assembly, Dr. Okechukwu Okoye, a former member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Nelson Achukwu, a woman and her four children who were killed at UGA and an Onitsha based man, Sir Paulinus Mbanugo.

    When Governor Chukwuma Soludo assumed office, he could not settle down properly for work immediately because no day passed without stories of gunmen burning police stations and attacking local government headquarters, or killing people. Many communities had to inform their relations residing outside the state not to come home until the situation improves. 

    Realizing that no meaningful achievement could be recorded under such a situation, Soludo swore to recover the state first before going into the execution of his promised programmes for the people. And so, the battle began. First, he revived the Anambra Vigilante Group and empowered them to be able to face the usually heavily armed gunmen. From all indications, results of the governor’s action are positively showing.

    Recently, eight persons suspected to be connected with the murder and beheading of the late Hon Okechukwu Okoye, the lawmaker representing Governor Soludo’s Aguata Constituency 11 and his aide, were arrested by security operatives. Few others have also been picked and they are assisting security operatives in locating the camps in the forests. In these forests, such items, including coffins, charms, dangerous drugs, women, cars of all makes and large sums of money were common features. 

    Following the routing and smoking out of these gunmen from their camps in the forests, normalcy is gradually returning to the various communities. The routing started with the destruction of one of the most dreaded camps located in the thick forest along the bank of Oseakwa River bordering Ihiala and Ogwuaniocha in Ogbaru local government area where the supposed king of the gunmen, popularly known as Double Lion, held sway. On the day he and four of his members were killed, Double Lion didn’t see it coming as they were easily gunned down by their breakaway colleagues who have since repented and are now working for the state. It was gathered that they had to eliminate Double Lion and his gang because they jettisoned the original plan by extorting and harassing people during weddings, burials and other ceremonies.

    Double Lion, who hailed from Awoidemili in Orsu local government area of Imo State began his gun activities along the now abandoned Awka Etiti – Utuh- Ukpor- Orsumoghu- Lilu- Mbosi- Isekke axis, which used to be the connecting route between Anambra and other states of Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states because of the traffic gridlock along the Onitsha-Owerri road.

    The armed gang also created a new operational camp in the Unubi bush, a town located in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State.  However, when the gunmen made that axis their haven and set up similar camps inside Orsumoghu and Lulu forests, motorists abandoned the route after many people had either been kidnapped or killed.

    Happenings on that road made Governor Chukwuma Soludo to impose curfew on the entire Anambra South senatorial zone and banned the use of motorcycles at certain times in the zone.

    The governor, who was seriously challenged by the gunmen, swore never to surrender the state to them, insisting that his administration must reclaim and make Anambra a livable state.

    In the words of the governor, majority of the unknown gunmen are Igbo. “Let us be very clear: These criminals causing mayhem in Anambra are Igbos (dominantly from other South East states) whose real objective is lucrative criminality and foisting their idolatrous religion on the region. Why is it that everywhere they gather and in every camp they operate, there is a deity/idol to which they routinely offer blood in sacrifice? Igbo are known for their enterprise but these criminals are bent on killing Ndigbo businesses.

    “The people of the South East, especially Anambra, are predominantly Christians. But with this gang, idolatry is back with vengeance. They forcefully try to convert people, especially the young ones to idolatry by initiating them into cults, swearing oaths to their deities, with the promise of invincibility. Consequently, these youths join them as members and informants.

    “Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they kill and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so called camps.

    “With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people. That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people.”  They have failed, and would continue to fail.”

    Five months gone in his administration, Soludo is winning the battle, such that the so-called unknown gunmen have become known.

    Those of them who have succumbed to the superior power of the state security apparatus have been ranting and confessing their escapades in the state.

    Take the case of Chukwudi, alias 50, for example. The hoodlum, who said he has been part of the unknown gunmen in Anambra State for the past one year, confessed that he had so far killed four persons, including two policemen and two civilians.

    ‘50’ was caught inside a forest at Ukpor, his home town, in Nnewi South local government area of the state along with other members of his gang by security operatives.

    The security operatives had last week stormed the camp and arrested some of the unknown gunmen and destroyed the camp. Items recovered during the raid include arms and ammunition, police and military uniforms, a coffin containing charms and various kinds of drugs.

    He said that although many people had been killed inside the camp, including those whose relations already paid ransom, he had not killed more than four people, adding that the last person he killed before their camp was destroyed was at the instance of their leader who ordered him to kill the man because he was a saboteur.

    He said that their leader, Ezemuo, (King of spirits) now at large, was doing most of the killings, along with the late Double Lion who was killed at Ihiala.

    Chukwudi said: “We killed some people because they were accused of monitoring us and acting as informants to the police and government. The two policemen I killed were at Ozubulu and I did it because the commander ordered me to do so.

    “Our commander, Ezemuo, is from Imo State and he has run away, while Virus, who is the second in command, has also escaped to Lagos and his house at Ozubulu burnt down”.

    Most communities in Nnewi South local government area, including Utuh, Ezinifite, Ukpor and Unubi have been abandoned by their prominent sons and daughters because they have been under attack in recent times. Same goes for towns in Ihiala local government area namely Lilu, Azia, Okija, Orsumoghu, Ubuluisizo, Isekke, Amorka and Uli However, the good thing is that security operatives have been invading the forests and have been destroying the camps of the gunmen.

    The President General of Ogidi community, Idemili North local government area, Chief Chuka Onubogu traced the issue of gunmen to the increasing menace of cultism among the youths, saying it is disturbing that about 70 percent of the youths aged between 18 and 35 years were neck deep into cultism which is a precursor to their participation in the activities of gunmen.

    He said: “Insecurity is taking its  toll in Southeast and that is because we have failed in the upbringing of our children. Many parents concentrate more in acquiring wealth than on bringing up their children. If you train your children very well they will refrain from crime. All hands should be on desk towards curtailing the situation.

    “What we are doing is managing it because drug is involved. What of the rich men that engage them? So it is a complex situation. That is why we talk of unknown gunmen in Igbo land. I think there is no more value for life. We get scared when we see unknown gunmen.

    “These unknown gunmen have given themselves license to kill, not knowing that he who lives by the gun shall die by the gun. I usually hide my PG identity when I see those unknown gunmen because they don’t value life”.

    While calling on the various communities in the state to intensify support for government in its fight against criminality to flush out the bad eggs among them, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said: “These people are not unknown gunmen. They live among our people, some of them have families and operate from various communities. We need people to help us identify them so that they can face justice.

    “The gunmen came with their strange religion, but there is no relationship between light and darkness.

    “Their gods drink blood, but ours doesn’t and that is why we need to fight them together. There is  the need for the various communities to adopt ‘operation know your tenants,’ which he promised, would commence with his town, Isuofia in Aguata as a way of identifying the criminal elements within the communities.

    The governor said his government would not rest on its oars until all those involved in the gruesome murder of people were brought to face justice and expressed his solidarity with all the victims of criminality in the state, even as he reassured that they would surely get justice.

    On the same issue, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi lamented that many Nigerian youths were taking to drugs as escape route from the harsh economic and political realities in the nation.

    To him, if adequate measures were not put in place to arrest the ugly trend and combat the menace, the “leaders of tomorrow” would remain chained to substance abuse while the future of the country continues to dim.

    He said: “Nigeria today has the highest drug abuse prevalence in the world. While the global average is 5.5%, Nigeria battles with 14.4% drug abuse prevalence. In 2021, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) found out that 40 percent of our youths, aged between 18 and 35, were deeply involved in drug abuse. What is more painful is that substance abuse is higher among youths in their productive age.

    “Accumulated leadership failure over the years in the country has continued to rob our youths of their bright future, thus deepening their addiction to substance abuse.”

    As the controversy over unknown gunmen rages, rural schools in Anambra State are also pleading with Governor Soludo to deploy security operatives to the schools as a protective measure against the menacing gunmen in parts of the state.

    Their argument is that because of the security situation, many parents were withdrawing their children from schools, adding that the governor’s action in that regard would encourage them to return their wards to schools.

    The proprietor of Friend of Friends Schools, Nnewi, Mr. Festus Okeke- Enyobi said with the reintroduction of the Anambra Vigilante Group, there would be enough security personnel to go round the schools.

    He said: “We think the major thing these rural schools need now is security personnel, especially in the most affected gunmen -targeted local government areas. The state of insecurity in the state, especially, in and around Nnewi, Ihiala and Ekwusigo local government areas, requires security presence in all the public/private schools to boost the students confidence while in their classrooms”.

    According to Okeke-Enyobi, restoration of security in schools would also ensure improvement in the standard of education in the state.

    He also appealed to politicians and philanthropists in the state to assist government in its efforts to address security situation in the state.

    Another stakeholder in the state, Mr. Ignatius Maduka observed that population of many schools in the rural areas had dropped since the activities of the gunmen increased and suggested that communities should also fortify their vigilante outfits to complement the one established by Governor Soludo.

    Maduka said that only schools in the urban centers have full compliment of pupils and students as many parents in the rural areas have withdrawn their children from schools. He however believed that with the intensified efforts of government, the issue of unknown gunmen would soon become a thing of the past.

    Even the Indigenous People of Biafra( IPOB) is also against the gunmen. Following the recent killing of 14 wedding guests in Awo-Omamma, Oru East local government area of Imo State, IPOB fingered the Ebubeagu security outfit set up by the state government, whose operations are similar to those of the unknown gunmen. IPOB has indeed, declared the commander of Ebubeagu security outfit, Izuchukwu Akuegbulanwa, wanted and  placed  N20m bounty on his head over his alleged involvement in the killing of the 14 young man.

    [VANGUARD]