ONE WORD

One of the main reasons newly-elected Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari had been widely expected to lose his bid for a second term was the poor state of the country’s economy. Under his presidency, Nigeria’s unemployment rate more than doubled, from 10.4 per cent in January 2016 to 23.1 per cent in July 2018. President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR In his first four years, Buhari also failed to address poverty. Under his watch, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty. About 87 million Nigerians, or half the population, live on less than US$1.90 per day. And economic growth has been lacklustre since his election in 2015. The country went into recession in 2016, with a negative 1.6% growth rate. There was a rebound in economic growth of about two per cent in 2018. Nevertheless, the IMF forecasts that growth will remain anaemic at an annual average of about 1.9 per cent from 2019 – 2023. By reelecting Buhari despite his unimp...

Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos After losing the presidential election and governorship election in Lagos State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in another controversy over the alleged assault on a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reporter in Lagos, Ajoke Ulohotse. Already, the BBC which has vowed to pursue the alleged assault to a logical conclusion has written to the Prince Uche Secondus, the party’s national chairman and Dr. Adegbola Dominic, the state chairman of the party in Lagos over the matter. The letter, signed by Adejuwon Soyinka, Editor, BBC News Pidgin Service which was exclusively obtained by DAILY INDEPENDENT said the attack on the female reporter occurred during the just concluded governorship and House of Assembly elections in Lagos. The letter reads in full, “We will like to draw your attention to an incident on Saturday March 9, 2019 in which a BBC reporter, Ajoke Ulohotse, was assaulted while carrying out her lawful duties by Mr. Segun Ad...

It has been reported that a Nigerian Student Emelife Chinelo Stella, has broken a record after winning a historic 20 Gold medals in Masters in Chemistry at the University Of Mysore in India. Stella was the Best Graduating Student for a Msc from the University of Mysore, India, she was being celebrated and received outstanding honours for her impressive grades and achievements during her program. According to reports, she graduated with a final grade point (FGP) of 9.263%, Stella received the maximum gold medals from the University, a total of 20 gold medals and five cash prizes at the 99th annual convocation of the university on Sunday. According to the University of Mysore, this is perhaps the first time in recent years that a foreign student has bagged so many gold medals. Stella, during her first degree, also graduated the overall best student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria, in the 2012/13 set with 4.86 CGPA. “I want to say that I’m stunned, but everyone...

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has denied that another building collapsed in Lagos Island. According to the agency, LABSCA men are the ones demolishing buildings. But a national medium reported that the collapsed building was beside the one LABSCA was demolishing. The newspaper quoted Director of the Lagos State Fire Service, Rasaki Musibau, as saying that firefighters from the Sari Iganmu division had been deployed in the area. Musibau, the paper said, stated that the building had a partial collapse. Four rescued victims, he said, have been taken to hospital. But LABSCA spokesperson Titi Ajirotutu said the building had already been demolished by LABSCA. Ajirotutu said a scavenger was injured in the process of carting away door steel and other materials. source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/no-building-collapsed-says-labsca.html

This mother and daughter have won hearts online after they both piloted a plane together from Los Angeles to Atlanta. The mother-daughter duo, who are both pilots, are being referred to as mother-daughter goals after their photo was shared online by John R. Watret, a pilot and the Chancellor of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Watret shared the information on Twitter. He wrote: "Just flew from LAX to ATL on Delta piloted by this mother-daughter flight crew. Great flight. Inspiring for you women." source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/inspiring-story-of-mother-and-daughter.html

Agbo According to the World health organisation (WHO), traditional medicine is generally available, affordable, and commonly used in large parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. WHO estimates that about 80 per cent of the population in developing countries still depend on traditional medicine for their Primary Healthcare (PHC) needs; however, this percentage may vary from country to country. In Nigeria, many people, especially in the South-West region, believe and rely on local herbs for medication. `Agbo’, the Yoruba name for herbal medicines, is a concoction prepared from a variety of herbs and; it is one of the most popular herbal preparations taken for various ailments, especially by the native Yoruba people. It has also seen a lot of patronage and acceptance by other tribes too; Agbo can be soaked in water, alcohol or even palmwine before one drinks it. However, medical experts raise concerns on the after effects of taking Agbo, especially over a long period of t...

The Lagos State University (LASU) on Monday said there was no iota of truth in the rumor being circulated that it planned to increase its tuition soon. LASU The university’s spokesman, Mr Ademola Adekoya, told newsmen in Lagos that the rumor was the handiwork of mischief makers. “The story is not correct. No iota of truth on the increase of school fees,” Adekoya said. He said the university’s Governing Council also had not made any recommendation for the increase of school fees. According to him, the governing council only recently approved an increase on the amount paid on certificates, transcript and other sundry charges as recommended by the Finance and General Purposes Committee of the university. Reports have it that at 6.30 a.m. on Monday, the university also posted on its official twitter handle @LASUOfficial — “Kindly disregard any information suggesting an increase in the school fees of LASU. School Fees remains unchanged, please.” Reports have it that former g...

Football fans of Belgian side Genk hanged a sex doll bearing an ex-player’s name with a noose around its neck – then ran it over with a cardboard train. The disgusting scenes took place during the Belgian league leader’s 3-3 draw against Zulte Waregem yesterday. An inflatable sex doll was smuggled into the stadium, depicting former midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo with his name and number 24 on the back of a blue shirt. Pozuelo, 27, was captain of the Belgian side and was considered a fan favourite. But he left the club to join MLS outfit Toronto FC earlier on March 4 and Genk fans were furious. That is because just two months earlier he stated he wanted to stay with the Belgian side. He previously said: “My wife supported me, saying that I should stay here and that I needed to help the club win the championship.” Pozuelo was scheduled to play in the match against Zulte Waregem as a farewell to Genk but he reportedly decided to travel to Spain to help support his ill grandfa...

Shocking reports are emerging of a mass shooting in Holland as Dutch police confirm that several people have been shot in the city of Utrecht. At least one person has died and a number of people injured in a shooting 'with possible terrorist motive' in the central Dutch city of Utrecht on Monday morning, local news reports. One or several gunmen opened fire on a tram in the city centre at around 10.45 local time on Monday morning, before fleeing the scene, witnesses say. Police say one or multiple assailants are still at large, and have since instructed all schools, as well as mosques and transportation hubs, in the city to keep their doors closed.  Shortly after 12.30 local time, the Dutch government raised the terrorism threat level to the highest possible in the province of Utrecht. The Dutch anti-terror coordinator Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg said in a statement that the 'threat level has gone to 5, exclusively for the Utrecht province,' referring to the high...

Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo has been charged by UEFA with improper conduct, with Juventus now waiting to discover whether the Portuguese will be sanctioned over his ‘cojones’ celebration against Atletico Madrid. The 34-year-old forward has become the subject of a disciplinary investigation by European football’s governing body. That is because he is considered to have acted out of line during a Champions League last-16 encounter in Turin. Ronaldo netted a stunning hat-trick against Atletico to overturn a two-goal first leg deficit and fire Juve into the quarter-finals. They are due to face Ajax at that stage, with the Eredivisie outfit having stunned Real Madrid – the winners from the last three seasons – to prolong their continental adventure. It now remains to be seen whether Ronaldo will play a leading role for Juve in a last-eight clash with Dutch opposition. UEFA have taken a dim view on his reaction to helping the Bianconeri past Atletico. Having starre...

Cristiano Ronaldo was rested and Juventus crashed to their first Serie A defeat of the season at Genoa on Sunday following their Champions League heroics, as Inter won a fiery Milan derby clash 3-2 to move into third ahead of city rivals AC Milan. Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo had fired Juventus into the European quarter-finals with a comeback victory over Atletico Madrid last Tuesday. Without him the team slumped to a 2-0 defeat but still remain comfortably on track for an eighth consecutive league title. Juventus’s lead was cut to 15 points by Napoli who got back winning, prevailing 4-2 against Udinese after goalkeeper David Ospina collapsed on the pitch after suffering a head injury. The on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper was later given the all clear following a CT scan at a Naples hospital. Juventus had won 24 of their 27 previous matches in Serie A this season with three draws, including a 1-1 stalemate against Genoa in Turin. “It’s not a tragedy, but I’m sorry because we want...

President Muhammadu Buhari Despite repeated avowals of his commitment to a fight against corruption, the United States Department of State has said there is a climate of impunity in the President Muhammadu Buhari government that allows officials to engage in corrupt practices with a sense of exemption from punishment. The State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, in its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018, said Nigeria had made little progress in efforts to limit corruption in its public service. The US Congress mandates the executive to produce a report on the state of human rights worldwide every year. For Nigeria, the findings in the 2018 Human Rights Report, released Thursday, were largely similar to those of the previous year’s report, indicating lack of real progress in the government’s anti-corruption war. A copy of the report obtained by THISDAY said, “Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corrupt...

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari would not manipulate Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in favor of All Progressive Congress(APC) Gubernatorial candidates in Sokoto, Kano, Adamawa, Plateau and Benue, where supplementary elections are expected to take place. Shehu, while speaking further added that they should work for their victories if they are sincere about serving the people. The statement: “Party members in states where there will be supplementary elections then need to be reminded that they need to work hard to earn their people’s votes, rather than expect President Buhari to manipulate INEC in their favor. Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/supplementary-elections-go-out-and-win.html

Everything you need to live well Multiple award-winning Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has expressed the opinion that many Nigerian youths are morally lost. The mother of four stated this when she replied a tweet from one of her followers who stated that the youths of Nigeria believe in her and will continue to support her in all her fight against the government. Read the exchange below: The youths sometimes are the ones that discourage you unfortunately. As an activist, besides passion , you have to feel encouragement . Like the ppl you’re doing it for are behind you… Many Nigerian youth are morally and physiologically Lost. I’m sorry but this is the reality. https://t.co/y7mwTOYJ6S — Omotola .j. Ekeinde (@Realomosexy) March 16, 2019 No Movement I’m involved in can EVER be sponsored! Esp Never by corrupt parties. Get your facts right. I know you’ve been messed up by corrupt situations but recognize the difference! https://t.co/X6yjdBtAd3 — Omotola .j. Ekein...

No fewer than 100 people have died and many more are missing in Mozambique and neighbouring Zimbabwe on Sunday after tropical cyclone Idai barrelled across the southern African nations with flash floods and ferocious winds. Authorities in Zimbabwe said the toll there had risen to 65 in the east of the country, while Mozambique said 48 people were killed in affected central areas, after the cyclone tore across the region on Friday and Saturday.  A member of parliament for Zimbabwe’s Chimanimani district the worst hit part of the country gave the updated toll and added that scores remain missing, after houses and bridges were washed away by flash floods when the storm slammed the area. The most affected areas are not yet accessible, while high winds and dense clouds have hampered military rescue helicopter flights.  “So far we looking at 65 people that have lost their lives. We are looking at probably 150 to 200 people missing,” Joshua Sacco, lawmaker for Chimanimani,...

By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA- Following the lowest turnout of voters for a presidential election put at 34.7% on February 23, the matter of voter apathy worsened in the March 9 governorship election with more than half of those who came out for the presidential election turning their backs on the ballot box on that day.   Democracy Voter apathy inimical to democratic growth – INEC With the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC yet to conclude the elections, it is generally estimated that the turnout in percentage terms would notably put a dint on the country’s electoral culture. With the issue still resonating Vanguard drew the opinion of a number of civil society activists on the issue and their profound responses were centred on the increasing threat to Nigeria’s democracy culture by the country’s political actors. Constitutional lawyer,  Mike Ozekhomhe, Awal Musa Rafsanjani, head of Transparency International, Nigeria, Eze Onyekpere, Executive Di...

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, ACJN, Justice Tanko Muhammad, has said that suspended Justice Walter Onnoghen, remains the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria. Muhammad said he would step aside once the Code of Conduct Tribunal or the Appeal Court reverses Onnoghen’s matter. He, however, claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari does not need the permission of the National Judicial Council, NJC, to appoint an acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. This was part of Justice Muhammad’s response to a query given to him by the NJC. Justice Muhammad pointed out that the NJC ought to be consulted only when a substantive CJN is being appointed or re-appointed. He said, “In my respectful view, the National Judicial Council has no role to play in the appointment of an acting Chief Justice of Nigeria in the first instance, that is to say on first appointment. “The council comes in where the appointment as the acting CJN is to be renewed or extended. I humbly refer to Section 231(4) o...

This shows shot large potholes on 7th Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos. PHOTO: TONYE BAKARE Residents of 6th Avenue, FESTAC have decried the poor state of living condition in the once sprawling elite neighbourhood owing to non-existing and poorly managed drainage system in the estate. The Guardian gathered that whenever it rains, residents are not able to go about their normal activities because the area is usually flooded and it takes about a week, depending on the intensity of the downpour, for the floodwater to recede. According to the Estate Manager, Mr. Okezie Madichie, out of the five estates in the area, which he manages, the entire stretch of 6th Avenue is flood-prone due to its swampy nature. He stated that the area, in the original master plan by the Federal Housing Authority, ought to have been sand-filled before plots were allocated but the Federal Government didn’t do that before selling the lands. “Individuals filled basically everywhere in the community and most di...

This is really heartbreaking! A final year Computer Science student of Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, lost her life today in a fatal motor accident. It was gathered that the deceased identified as Sanusi Munira Adamu, was killed at about 4:30pm, in the auto crash which occurred at Dange Shuni on her way back to school from Zamfara State. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/final-year-student-killed-in-motor.html

A Nigerian Imam, Alabi Lateef who saved several lives during the New Zealand terror attack, has broken his silence about the massacre. Fifty people lost their lives when a gunman identified as Brenton Tarrant invaded two mosques in New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday. Those who sustained injuries are being treated in hospitals. Recounting his experience, Alabi, a leader in the Linwood mosque, said he was in the middle of his prayer when he heard gunshots. Lateef was at the Linwood mosque in Christchurch when gunman, Brenton Tarrant, opened fire on worshippers killing at least 7 people, after already killing 42 people at the Al Noor mosque. At the Linwood mosque, worshippers were about to drop to the floor for the second part of the prayer service, when Lateef spotted the gunman. Hearing gunfire outside, the Imam shouted ‘go down’, warning the worshippers to take cover. In a chat with The New Zealand Herald, he said: “When I saw those Muslims shot dead, I just t...

…Needs N7.5m for spinal cord surgery By Japhet Alakam His life hangs precariously on the balance with equal chances of living a normal life again or be permanently confined on a wheelchair where he has been for the past two years. After two years of search for a solution to painful spinal cord disability resulting from a fatal motor accident, a glimmer of hope has arisen in the horizon for Ikenna Eze, a 30-year old businessman from Nachi, Udi Local Government Area, Enugu State, but not without a price. Ikenna Eze Expert surgeons at the Primus International Super Specialty Hospital, Karu Abuja, said the man could walk and live a normal life once again after a spinal cord surgical operation through his front and back sides (a posterior and anterior decompression and fixation). But the accident victim needs more than N7.5million to undergo laminectomy, a surgical operation to remove cracked bones and fix new one. How it happened On August 6, 2016, Ikenna was knocked down ...

But as loved ones say final goodbye to the departed in such mournful mood, survivors of the collapsed building have continued to share testimonies of their narrow escape from death. One of them, Mr. Moruf Abdulhakeem, a Primary 5 and 6 teacher in the affected school, Ohen Nursery and Primary School, said he went out to buy food and on his way back to classroom at about 10 am, the incident occurred. According to him, he noticed that the wall was vibrating when he was at the second floor of the building but before he could take another step, the entire structure came crashing down in debris and dust, with a deafening noise. Moruf told Saturday Sun that other teachers, the proprietress of the school and pupils were in their various classes when the incident occurred. “As I was climbing up, I noticed there was vibration and shortly, the building collapsed. While I was trapped struggling to get help, I could hear voices of other people crying for help. Many were praying and shouting ...

Everything you need to live well Searching for nude lipsticks for women of colour can frustrate and hard to find. Some are sometimes too light; some are too pink or some are just ashy. Thankfully, we have brands and makeup lines who are doing the work and creating inclusive lip products for different skin tones. For those who have been searching, here is a short list of those nude lip products that include bullet lipsticks, lip glosses, liquid lipsticks and more. 1. Velvet Teddy by MAC Cosmetics Every time we asked a WOC for their favourite nude lipstick, Velvet Teddy by MAC always comes up. Many love this lipstick around the world and it is one of MAC Cosmetics’ cult lipsticks. This lipstick is a nude, beige that works for all skin tones but looks amazing on dark-skinned women. 2. After Hours by Nyx If you’re a darker skin tone and looking for a true brown lip product, look no further than After Hours by Nyx. It’s a milk-chocolate brown with little hints of red w...

Lagos – When the management of First Bank of Nigeria Limited hoisted its flag on March 1, across Nigeria and other countries where it operates, symbolising the commemoration of the bank’s 125th anniversary, the gesture sparked a groundswell of encomiums. FirstBank For many stakeholders and associates of the bank, it has many reasons to celebrate. The general belief is that, as a long standing financial institution, FirstBank has contributed immensely to the nation’s growth and development. It is also believed that the bank, which was established on March 31, 1894, has developed into a legacy institution that can only be compared with JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup and Colgate, among others. The bank presently operates in more than half a dozen nations across Africa, Europe and Asia, notably in Ghana, DR Congo, Sierra Leone, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, China, the UK and France. Mr Oscar Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), said FirstBank h...