ONE WORD

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has vowed that the military will break the unholy alliance between the Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State West Africa or ISWA. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai made the assertion on Monday in Abuja when he declared open a two-day maiden seminar for senior officers tagged: “career planning and management’’. He maintained that the army was making gains in counter insurgency operations in the North-East. Buratai said: “I am glad to note that we are making strides against the Islamic State West Africa or ISWA in our bid to unhinge the unholy union between them and remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists. “It is, therefore, imperative that we maintain the momentum while motivating our officers and men through an efficient and responsive career planning process.’’ Represented by Maj.-Gen. Aliyu Nani, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Buratai, however, noted that the army was being “stretched’’ by its involvemen...

Buhari stoned at APC rally in Ogun President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress national party chairman were on Monday attacked at the party's rally held in Abeokuta. The President was stoned with materials suspected to be shoes and stones. As a result of the violence, activities at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, was paused for some minutes. President Buhari was shielded by his security agents who blocked his front to avoid being hit by the objects being thrown at him and other party members. The development angered the leaders of the party, including former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, who left the podium while the President was making his remarks. Watch video below: WATCH as the Presidential candidate of APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, was stoned at the party's rally in Ogun State. Shameful! #PMBinOgun pic.twitter.com/C3bKHYt1Hb — Alhaji Table Breaker (@yemi_adebowale) February 11, 2019 Source: http...

Manchester United caretaker manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has identified forward, Anthony Martial as the player that can reach the status of the club’s legend, Cristiano Ronaldo. Solskjaer stated this ahead of Man United’s Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. The Red Devils boss believes Martial, who scored a goal in Man United’s 3-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League encounter on Saturday, has the potentials to reach the Juventus star’s level. “He [Martial] does have similarities with Ronaldo, of course,” Solskjaer was quoted by BBC Sport as saying. “If he wants to be at Cristiano’s level, Anthony knows what he has to do. It’s up to him. He has the talent.” Solskjaer added: “I am glad he is in my team. “He has contributed to so many chances, so many goals. He is a Manchester United player. He excites the crowd. He excites the manager. He excites his teammates. And he is a great character around the place.” Source:https://samueljackson12.bl...

Aliyu Abiola, a son of the widely-acclaimed winner of the June 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola, has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the fast approaching February 16 election. This was as he described Abubakar’s contribution to Abiola’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in 1992 as selfless. In a letter titled “The truth about H. E Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Waziri Adamawa” made available to Dele Momodu’s The Boss newspaper, Aliyu stressed that history must not be distorted or sacrificed on the altar of self aggrandisement. While urging Nigerians to come out en masse and vote Abubakar, Abiola’s son said: “Nigeria needs a thoroughbred democrat not a converted one; someone that has a track record as a businessman not someone who has admitted to not having any business. Above all we need a President that understands international trade.” The letter which Aliyu personally sign...

Priest killed by kidnappers An Anglican Priest, Rev Idris Jatau, has been killed by gunmen who kidnapped him on his way with his family in Sokoto state. It was gathered that his wife, sister and children are being held captive by the bandits. The slain cleric whose corpse has already been recovered, was trained as a Priest at Crowther graduate seminary in Abeokuta, Ogun State. A close friend of the deceased, Chike Onuigbo, took to Facebook to mourn the loss with others. He wrote: "Oh Jat, I feel pain, Go in Peace beloved! This is Rev Idris Jatau, A colleague and friend, We were trained together at Crowther graduate seminary Abeokuta, Ogun State. "He was adopted and killed yesterday on his way with his family in sokoto. Pray with us friends, God Arise for your church." source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/so-sad-priest-killed-by-kidnappers.html

Cristiano Ronaldo came face-to-face with a fan during Juventus’ 3-0 victory at Sassuolo on Sunday, with the pitch invader performing the Portuguese’s iconic goal celebration in front of him. During the second-half of the match, a topless supporter sprinted clear of stadium stewards and reached the striker, who watched his celebration re-enacted. Ronaldo offered the man a friendly pat on the face before security caught up with him and escorted him from the pitch.  The fan sported a close-cropped blonde haircut with a bandana around his neck and jumper tied on his waist as he sprinted across the pitch. Security staff caught up with the man and carried him off the field. Ronaldo would get on the scoresheet himself with a header from Miralem Pjanic’s corner next. Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/drama-as-topless-fan-confronts.htm

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 11, 2018 North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un (R) walks with US President Donald Trump (L) during a break in talks at their historic US-North Korea summit, at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore. President Donald Trump on September 19, 2018 said US relations with North Korea are making “tremendous progress” from the days before his presidency when the two countries appeared close to “going to war.” Trump said a recent letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed the positive track, which he said has seen the hardline communist country promise to halt its nuclear missile test program and mount a combined bid with South Korea for the 2032 Olympic Games. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB The agreement for a second summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un was a “remarkable breakthrough” for peace negotiations on the Korean peninsula, President Moon Jae-in said Monday, but he acknowledged doubts remained over denuclearisation. Th...

Anthony Martial has the talent to reach Cristiano Ronaldo’s level if he puts his mind to it, according to Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Martial had looked set to leave the club in the summer after falling out with Jose Mourinho but battled his way back into the Portuguese manager’s plans. Last month, with Solskjaer now at the helm at Old Trafford, he signed a deal keeping him at the club until at least 2024. The France international marked his first start since that contract with an assist and a superb second in the 3-0 win against Fulham, where his fine solo goal led ex-United captain Gary Neville to compare it to a Ronaldo effort at Craven Cottage in 2007. “He does have similarities, of course,” said Solskjaer, who replaced the sacked Mourinho in December. “If he wants to be at Cristiano’s level, Anthony knows what he has to do. It’s up to him. He has the talent.” “I am glad he is in my team,” the Norwegian added. “He has contributed to so many ...

American singer, Alicia Keys and host of the 2019 Grammy awards, the 61st edition, has been celebrated for pulling off an amazing performance at the event. Alicia Keys’ dual piano performance at Grammy 2019 The 15-time Grammy Award winner sang a medley of songs she wished she had written while playing two pianos, midway into the show on Sunday. She said, “I wanna welcome you to club keys. I’ve been thinking so much about the people and the music that have inspired me, and I want to give a shout out to Hazel Scott because I always wanted to play two pianos. ”But back to the music. You know those songs that live inside of you and live inside of me, and you just love it so much, because it was done so well that you wish you wrote it. That’s how I feel about these songs. I wish I wrote ’em.” The singer and songwriter started off by playing ”The Entertainer “ on two grand pianos. The 38 year old singer moved on to play songs by Drake, Roberta Flack, Coldplay, Juice WRLD an...

Colonel Sagir Musa has been appointed as acting Director of Army Public Relations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Musa replaces Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, who voluntarily retired from the service on Thursday. Colonel Sagir Musa NAN also reported that Musa’s appointment is contained in a new redeployment of senior officers released by the Army Headquarters. Until the appointment, Musa was the spokesman of 82 Division, Enugu. Under the posting, Col. A.A. Yusuf, the Chief of Security in the Directorate of Army Public Relations was appointed Deputy Director of Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian army. Col. A. D Isa is posted to Theatre Command Operation Lafiya Dole as Deputy Director Army Public Relations, while Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, who was the spokesman of the Theatre, moves to the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, as acting Director Defence Information. Others affected by the posting are, Brig.-Gen. N.J. Okah, from Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Envi...

Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala had a great start to her six-month loan spell at FC Barcelona’s women’s team after scoring on her debut for the club in their 4-0 away win against Rayo Vallecano in a league clash at the Ciudad Deportiva on Sunday. Oshoala scored Barcelona’s fourth goal of the encounter in the 63rd minute with her first touch of the game, less than a minute after replacing Alexia Putellas. Barcelona raced into a two-goal lead early in the first half with Putellas and Lieke Martens scoring in the 15th and 16th minutes respectively. Mariona Caldentey added the third a minute before the half hour mark as the visitors totally overran the home team. The 2018 AWCON winner had been left out of Barcelona’s game against Albacete the previous weekend but Barca women’s head coach, Luis Cortes, was optimistic Oshoala would shine against Rayo. “Asisat has arrived in a good physical condition … I think that from next week (Sunday) she can start to bring us very good ...

When Manchester United were paired with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16 draw in December there seemed likely to be only one winner. Solskjaer-Pogba United were stuck in a rut under the management of Jose Mourinho, while the French champions topped the toughest section of the group stages. However, much has changed in the two months since. United go into Tuesday’s first leg at Old Trafford on a run of 10 wins and one draw since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced the sacked Mourinho. PSG will have to cope without the injured Neymar for both legs of the tie due to injury and Edinson Cavani is also missing. AFP Sports looks at five things Solskjaer has changed to give United hope of making the quarter-finals for the first time in five years. Playing football the United way “To win games you need to pass it forward and run forward.” The basics under Solskjaer may seem simple but they contrast sharply with Mourinho’s conservative approach that left a host of e...

Everything you need to live well It looks like after a few months of separation, rap couple, Cardi B and Offset are officially back together as a couple. This is coming after the rap stars made a red carpet debut together at the 2019 Grammys since their widely publicised split. Showing up together as each other’s dates wasn’t the best part though as they appeared to publicly reunite for the first time since their split last year. Cardi B and Offset kissing on the red carpet of the 61st Grammys Photo – Twitter The rappers who were dressed to the nines at the 61st Grammy Awards which took place at Staples Cente shared a kiss on the red capet in what has been considered a public announcement that they are back together. Cardi B who was clearly paying tribute to designer Thierry Mugler’s Fall 1995 collection with her pink dress that looked more like a flower blooming with Cardi in the middle had her tongue locked with that off her baby daddy. Cardi B on the red carpet of...

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA—The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has warned the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN; Nigerian Telecommunication Commission, NCC, and others involved in the transaction for the sale of distressed telecommunications firm, Etisalat (9mobile), to suspend further action on the deal pending the determination of legal issues raised by aggrieved shareholders of the company. The warning was contained in a notice of disobedience form (Form 48), signed by trial Justice Binta Nyako, who is presiding over a suit filed by dissatisfied shareholders of the defunct Etisalat. Justice Nyako had on October 10, 2018, ordered all the parties to maintain status quo, pending hearing and determination of the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/288/2018. The plaintiffs—Afdin Ventures Limited and Dirbia Nigeria Limited — who claimed to be major investors in Etisalat, told the court that they were left out in the firm’s decision making process, even as they demanded a refund of thei...

This morning, a Nigerian man who resides in the UK shared photos of ‘Former Minister of Petroleum Resources’, Diezani Allison-Madueke, whom he claims he spotted walking the streets of London today February 11th. Diezani is wanted in Nigeria for questioning on alleged fraudulent acts she allegedly perpetrated while in office. source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/nigerian-man-in-uk-shares-photos-of.html

By Henry Boyo THE subject of the narrative, in this column, last week, was the $7bn which Festus Odoko, former CBN Corporate Affairs Director, confirmed had been deposited with 14 Nigerian banks in October 2006. It is not clear how many banks, actually, succeeded in raising the mandatory capital base of N25bn, and the additional N35bn steep threshold, required to manage part of Nigeria’s foreign reserves; nevertheless, on hindsight, CBN may have quietly dropped this clearly ambitious requirement, so as to pursue its declared agenda. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele MPC to maintain rates to sustain foreign portfolio inflows Regrettably, despite several promptings in repeat publications of the above title by this writer since 2006, CBN management, remained inexplicably, taciturn to any request to confirm status of the $7bn placed with Nigerian banks, without collateral, equity participation or profitable return after 13 years! Lately, how...

There are indications that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) can no longer support aerial emergency response following the grounding of the agency’s Search and Rescue (SAR) air unit. The chopper and plane launched in 2015 were meant to deliver emergency healthcare and quick transportation of patients. NEMA air operation unit is under the management of a foreigner, Mr Alex Elk Van, employed by Director General, Engr Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja. NEMA insiders insist that the employment was against Public Service rules and regulations and in violation of Executive Order 003 recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari. It was gathered that the 12-passenger aircraft, marked 5N−EMS, last flown on June 7, 2017 is now in need of corrosion check, bench check, landing gear repair and total overhaul, while the NEMA marked NEMA 5N−NEM also require refit. A top official at the presidency confided in PRNigeria that families of late Maitama Sule and former Vice-President Alex...

Everything you need to live well Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance on the Grammys stage Sunday to deliver a message of women’s empowerment alongside superstars Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, host Alicia Keys and actress Jada Pinkett-Smith. “Music shows us that all of it matters — every story within every voice, every note within every song,” said the former first lady, looking glam in a sparkling gunmetal pantsuit with a 1970s-esque wrap jacket. LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 10: (L-R) Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michelle Obama, and Jennifer Lopez appear onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy/AFP “Is that right, ladies?” she said to resounding applause. The Recording Academy behind the awards gala has faced a barrage of criticism for not embracing diversity within its ranks, after nearly muting women nominees at the show last year. ...

With the General Elections just a few days away, Nigerians remain divided as to who they will vote for, when the presidential polls get underway. There are over 70 presidential candidates, however, with so many choices there still seem not to be that many choices for Nigerians to make. From a poll conducted by Rubbin’ Minds, the flag-bearers of two political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were selected as the preferred candidates for the 2019 race. For the first time in the nation’s history, new voters who have never experienced military rule will partake of the electoral exercise, even as the nation celebrates its 20th year of a return to democracy. Four young spokespersons from both the APC and the PDP were chosen to participate in Rubbin’ Minds’ Youth Debate, as to defend their party’s manifesto for the forthcoming elections. In one of the segments, a spokesperson for the PDP, Mr Demola Rewaju, said the ruling Party’...

Foreign investors invade financial markets with $1.2 billion in January By Babajide Komolafe   THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is set to intensify its liquidity mop up efforts to deal with excess liquidity of N1.6 trillion expected in the interbank money market this month, amidst rising business confidence over improved macroeconomic conditions during the month. The Business Expectation Survey conducted by the apex bank in January shows increased optimism in the economy, with overall Confidence Index, CI, for February rising to 62.1 percent from 25.9 percent for January. “Respondents were optimistic of better economic conditions as their expectations on the growth of the economy rose steadily in the short run with an index of 35.5, 42.7 and 56.4 points for the current month, next six months and next twelve months respectively,” the CBN said. CBN However, while businesses expect further appreciation of the naira this month, they also anticipate...

File Photo In six days, Nigerians of voting age will clarify not only whom they are, but whom they wish to be. Four years ago, I helped bring to the leadership of Nigeria a man I had equally endorsed at the 2011 election: General Muhammadu Buhari, as President.  In 2015, there really wasn’t much of a choice. This year, there is: Anybody Else.  Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo unintentionally captured the situation a few days ago during a campaign stop in Owerri. Reaching down to his evangelical side, the pastor told the crowd: “The most important thing is that when the righteous are in power, the people rejoice.” Then he asked, “Are you rejoicing now?” The crowd erupted: “NOOOO!!!” The vice-president seemed to think that he might have been misheard, or that his audience had perhaps got its cue wrong. He tried again: “Under this government…are you rejoicing?” Louder came a thunderous tumult, as if the crowd thought Osinbajo was hard of hearing: “NOOOO!!!” But ...

update by Channels TV The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that it will reprint and deliver Permanent Voters’ Cards that were destroyed in recent fire incidents at two of its Local Government Offices in Abia and Plateau respectively. This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by Festus Okoye, a spokesperson for the commission. INEC said it has notified the Acting Inspector General of Police of the emerging trend of the burning of the Local Government Offices of the Commission close to the conduct of the elections and at a period when the Commission is engaged in the massive movement of election related materials nationwide. The Commission also noted that it has directed the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Plateau State to open a register for all those in the affected Local Government Area who approach the Commission to collect their PVCs within the specified period. The electoral umpire further informed that the two fire incidents did not affe...

The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State has been engulfed by fire. This is coming less than one week to the 2019 presidential election. Plateau State INEC Head of Department, Voter Education and Publicity, Osaretin Imahiyereobo, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust in a statement on Sunday. It was gathered that the incident was caused by a drunken security man. Imahiyereobo described the incident as a setback for the preparations for the general elections in the Local Government Area. The statement read: “The INEC office is completely burnt with all its content i.e Ballot Boxes, Generators serviced and filled with fuel, cubicles, newly printed electronic and manual Voters Register, uncollected PVCs, materials for the preparations of RAC and other materials yet to be identified. “The management team led by the Administrative Secretary, Gbadamasi Rasheed are on their way to assess the situati...

By Abubakar Tsav An American literary pundit, Joseph John Campbell has archetypal veneration of heroes in all his fictional works. He does not see them as ordinary beings, but people specially endowed and who derive the true worth of existence from their peculiar and unique impacts on the universe. In a time-tested aphorism, Campbell says, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Chief of Nigeria Staff Lt. Gen TY Burutai inspects a guard of honour on arrival at the Brazilian Army HQ This literary guru cannot be less accurate and persuasive in opening the eyes of the world to his recognition of the innate worth of heroes. Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff and Leader of the counter-insurgency operations in the country, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai comes to mind, each time one reflects deeply on the concept of heroism. A terrorist is hated with a passion. He is dreaded in Nigeria, like in any part of the world. His limitless taste for bloodshed ...

As Moghalu pledges to unveil cabinet within 48 hours By Dirisu Yakubu As the February 16 Presidential election inches closer, Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has called on Nigerians to vote out analog leaders without the capacity to process data, saying data processing challenge is one of the problems hindering development in the country. Omoyele Sowore Sowore stated this while fielding questions at a Presidential interactive session in Abuja tagged “The People’s Debate.” Organised by a Civil Society Organization, Enough is Enough, EIE in collaboration with Television Continent, TVC, the debate featured five other candidates made up of Kingsley Moghaluof the Young Progressive Party, YPP; Donald Duke of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Tope Fasua of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party, ANRP; Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for New Nigeria, ANN and Sani Yabagi Yusuf of the Action Democratic Party, ADP. “There is data everywhere bu...

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has said that leaders of the Pan-Niger Delta forum (PANDEF) endorsed Atiku Abubakar for President, because he is the only candidate that believes in restructuring Nigeria. The former minister of information said the South-south forum agreed after due consultations that the salvation of Nigeria is in restructuring. Clark who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said the South-south has been marginalized for too long. He said, “We in the Niger Delta produce the resources that feed this country, but we are not participants. We are neglected, dehumanized, marginalized.” “Instead of moving forward, we are moving backward.” He insisted that restructuring is the only solution to the Nigeria’s survival and development, hence the endorsement of a candidate that believes in the same ideology. Chief Clark said the about 17 presidential candidates were spoken to before the decision was taken, he said they were all questioned about ...