ONE WORD

PDP’s Bala Muhammed has been declared the winner of the governorship race in Bauchi State. Mr Bala Mohammed defeated the incumbent Governor Muhammed Abubakar who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress. Mohammed polled a total of 515,113 votes while the APC polled 500,625. The Returning officer Professor Kyari Mohammed announced the winner and returned the former FCT Minister Bala Muhammed as the Governor of Bauchi State. source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/pdps-bala-mohammed-wins-bauchi.html

The Swedish Automaker reveals a new step in its ambitions to end fatalities in its cars by addressing the issues of intoxication and distraction.  They have plans to begin installations in their cars from early 2020. Apart from speeding, which the company aims to help combat with a top speed limit, intoxication and distraction are two other primary areas of concern for traffic safety. Together, these three areas constitute the main ‘gaps’ towards Volvo Cars’ vision of a future with zero traffic fatalities and require a focus on human behaviour in the company’s safety work as well. For example, figures by NHTSA show that in the United States, almost 30 per cent of all traffic fatalities in vehicles in 2017 involved intoxicated drivers. Volvo Cars believes intoxication and distraction should be addressed by installing in-car cameras and other sensors that monitor the driver and allow the car to intervene if a clearly intoxicated or distracted driver does not respond to warni...

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on Monday denied insinuations he induced the deputy governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Chief Akpo Bomba Yeeh to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with N200million. Governorship candidate of the AAC Biokpomabo Awara had alleged Wike paid N200m to Yeeh, who resigned and joined the PDP on Monday. Wike, who spoke through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, described the N200 million allegation as untrue. Okah said: “The allegation that Govermor Wike gave AAC’s deputy governorship candidate (Yeeh) N200 million is not correct, it is untrue and it is absolute nonsense. Read also: My life in danger, says Rivers AAC gov candidate “Chief Yeeh is a respected elder from Ogoni Kingdom and his action by removing himself from being used to destabilise Rivers State and cause pain to the people is commendable. “Everything is not about money, as there are lots of good people around. “We sho...

(FILES) This file picture taken on March 21, 2019 shows fire and smoke rising at an explosion site in Yancheng in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. – The death toll from a chemical plant explosion in China rose to 78 on March 25, 2019, with hundreds still receiving medical treatment four days after one of the country’s worst industrial accidents. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT The death toll from a chemical plant explosion in China rose to 78 on Monday, with hundreds still receiving medical treatment four days after one of the country’s worst industrial accidents. Thursday’s explosion in Yancheng city, eastern Jiangsu province razed an industrial park and blew out the windows of surrounding homes. More than 500 people are still in the hospital, said local authorities on their official Twitter-like Weibo account. Among them, 13 are critically injured and 66 are seriously injured, the statement said. Out of the 28 people who were reported as missing on Saturday, 25 have bee...

A three-storey building has reportedly collapsed in Kakawa street, Lagos Island on Monday. According to a resident of the street, no one was trapped because the building was marked for demolition and occupants since vacated. The collapsed structure, however, affected a bungalow with three occupants. more details soon. source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/breaking-another-building-collapses-in.html

Microfinance Bank operators in the country have commended the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for reviewing the minimum capital requirement for the industry as well as the extension of the recapitalisation deadline. Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele Last year, the CBN raised the minimum capital base for the three categories of MFBs with December 31st 2020 as the deadline for compliance. The minimum capital base for national MFBs was raised to N5 billion from N2 billion, state MFBs was increased to N1 billion from N200 million while that of Unit MFBs was increased to N100 million from N20 million. However the  CBN last week announced a graduated extension of the deadline to April 2021, while it categorised Unit MFBs into two namely Tier 1 Unit MFBs and Tier 2 Unit MFBs. In a circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Kelvin Amugo, the CBN stated:  “Unit microfinance banks shall comprise two tiers...

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters speak to the media during a Post Cabinet media press conference at Parliament in Wellington on March 18, 2019. David Lintott / AFP New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday ordered an independent judicial inquiry into whether police and intelligence services could have prevented the Christchurch mosque attacks on March 15. Ardern said a royal commission — the most powerful judicial probe available under New Zealand law — was needed to find out how a single gunman was able to kill 50 people in an attack that shocked the world. “It is important that no stone is left unturned to get to how this act of terrorism occurred and how we could have stopped it,” she told reporters. New Zealand’s spy agencies have faced criticism in the wake of the attack for concentrating on the threat from Islamic extremism. Instead, the victims were all Muslims and the massacre was allegedly carried out ...

Ibadan—Oyo State Governor-elect, Seyi Makinde has expressed determination to evolve a radical review of all contracts, including an alleged N30 billion contract awarded within two weeks by the out-going administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He said the contracts, which he alleged were hastily awarded at the twilight of government’s  reign and others that were linked to it would be properly scrutinised when he assumes power on May 29, 2019. Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi Makinde said this in a statement by his media director, Prince Dotun Oyelade. He said events of the past two weeks had allegedly shown characteristics of targeted contract awards that were compiled in haste and randomly awarded to empty government’s purse before the May 29 swearing-in date. However, Ajimobi, through his Special Adviser on Communication Strategy, Bolaji Tunji said the incumbent governor would not compromise on his resolve to make life better for the people of the state. He wond...

Germany’s players celebrate after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group C qualification football match between The Netherlands and Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on March 24, 2019. EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP Nico Schulz’s 90th minute winner fired Germany to a dramatic 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Sunday, lifting the pressure off coach Joachim Loew.  It was Germany’s first win in a competitive game since last year’s World Cup and came after a game in which Loew’s side showed strength and fragility in equal measure. The Germans were magnificent in the first 45 minutes in Amsterdam but were outplayed in the second half as the Dutch came back from 2-0 down against their rivals for the second time since November. Yet Schulz prodded in a last-gasp winner against the run of play to hand Germany the win. Germany burst out of the blocks and Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen had to beat away a fierce shot...

Fadeyi Oloro is presently sick as he appeals for the financial help of the general public to cater for himself. Actor, Ojo Arowosafe, aka Fadeyi Oloro, is in a pitiable condition at the moment. He has been battling with a ‘strange’ ailment for a long time.   Tracing the genesis of his illness, he said, “On that fateful day, I was rushed to the General Hospital, Ile Epo, Agege, Lagos. Six people had to carry me. The sickness just came upon me suddenly and it worsened the injuries I had sustained from an earlier accident I had in Akure. When I got to the hospital, I didn’t have much money on me but we were managing. But when there was no more money to pay the bills, I was asked to leave the hospital. I cannot speak well now. Right now, I’m waiting to be shown mercy by God and man.”   Asked for his diagnosis, Arowosafe said, “When I asked the doctor what was wrong with me, he told me that I might not understand; that whenever I was with a person who understood E...

The United States Trade and Development Agency, USTDA, has endorsed the activities of Eko Petrochemical and Refining Company Limited, adding that it was committed to supporting its construction. Refinery USTDA’s acting Director, Mr Thomas Hardy, disclosed this, weekend, during the inspection of 20,000 barrel per day, bpd, a modular refinery located at Tomaro Island Port, in Amuwo– Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State. Hardy, who said USTDA was impressed with the level of work done so far on the project added: “We will continue to help in sourcing financiers through companies in America that will support the project for speedy completion of the refinery. We are proud to support this project and this will lead to infrastructure development and economic growth in Nigeria. “This project represents an excellent opportunity for US businesses to export technologies and services in support of Nigeria.” Hardy explained that in 2017, USTDA invested in the engineering design of E...

Mikel Obi. Photo ESPN Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi revealed that he had fears his kidnapped father would be shot as he played against Argentina in Nigeria’s final group game in the 2018 World Cup. It was the second time his father had been kidnapped and Mikel was informed a few hours before the game. “I thought I was going to lose my dad, I thought he was going to be shot because of the demands and stuff,” Mikel revealed to BBC World Service’s Sportsworld. “They said they would shoot him and in the back of my head during the game I thought that after the match I would probably find out they had decided to shoot him. “It’s life. It’s made me stronger as a person. I can look at so many things and say ‘this is not going to shake me because I’ve been through worse’. I just hope that it never happens again and my dad can enjoy the rest of his life in peace.” The police were able to secure the release of Mikel’s father after the midfielder had reportedly paid N10 mill...

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa has inaugurated a 17-man Task Force to check human trafficking and irregular migration in Delta State with the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr Peter Mrakpor, as chairman. Concerned Edo Citizens, at Oliha Market, in Benin City on the campaign against human trafficking, on Tuesday, 12 December 2017 The inauguration of the task force by Okowa in Asaba was witnessed by the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli. Speaking at the ceremony, the governor said the inauguration of a task force had become necessary because of the rising number of trafficked persons from the state. “We are very worried as a state that we occupy high position among the states affected by human trafficking and irregular migration. We are committed as a state to stem the tide that is why we are setting up this serious Task Force. We need to reach out to our people and discourage...

US President Donald Trump stands prior to receiving a bowl of shamrocks from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar during a Shamrock Bowl Presentation in honor of St. Patrick’s Day in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, March 14, 2019. SAUL LOEB / AFP In its first reaction to details released from the politically explosive probe into US President Donald Trump’s Russia links, the White House said Sunday that he had been completely cleared. “The special counsel did not find any collusion and did not find any obstruction,” press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. “The findings of the Department of Justice are a total and complete exoneration of the president of the United States.” The two-year investigation headed by former FBI director Robert Mueller found that Trump and his 2016 election campaign did not collude with Russian agents, according to a brief summary of the still confidential report released by Attorney General William Barr. The summary also...

Popular Nigerian singer, Waje, says she has gotten to the point that she does not feel like music is working for her. The singer whose real name is Aituaje Aina Vivian Iruobe has said she may quit music due to lack of funds to promote her work, especially her latest Red Velvet. In a video uploaded on her YouTube page titled ‘Music is not for me’, the artiste said her latest album, which she thinks is one of the best that has come out of Nigeria, has been largely ignored. “I’m frustrated, I am really tired. I no longer believe that this thing is working. I am respecting in this thing that we do but there is also bowing out when the applause is loudest,” she told members of her team whom she identified as Tolani and Fatima. “I do not have faith in it anymore. Nobody will say that I have failed or anything. The point is that I am not willing to do this thing anymore. Do you know how much I have invested in this career thing? “There is nothing wrong with change. There are ot...

The full line-up for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has been completed, after the final fixtures on Sunday. The 24 countries that will do battle to become the next continental champions are: Egypt, Madagascar, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Mali, Guinea, Algeria, Mauritania and Ivory Coast. Others include: Kenya, Ghana, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Benin, Tanzania and South Africa. Equatorial Guinea, Sudan, Malawi, South Sudan, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Botswana, Niger and Eswatini all missed out on qualification, while Sierra Leone were disqualified. The biggest shock was the early elimination of Zambia, who won the AFCON in 2012. The group draw for AFCON 2019 will take place on April 12 in Cairo, with the tournament proper starting on June 21. Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/afcon-2019-all-24-teams-that-have.html

Five socio-political organisations under the umbrella of Imo Salvation Forum (ISF) said they have submitted a comprehensive document known as Imo Salvation Charter to the state’s Governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha which contains some of the major demands of Imo people from his administration in the next four years. Reading a communiqué to journalists after a meeting that took place on Chidi Akurunwa Street, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, on Sunday, the stakeholders said their first line charge in the 10-point document submitted to the Governor-elect, is a probe of the out-going governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha which must begin as soon as he takes over Douglas House. The national coordinator of the Forum, Chief Finbar Chidubem A, who is also the President General of Imo Prosperity Network (IPN) read the communiqué and said that with the emergence of Hon. Ihedioha as governor-elect, Imo has been liberated from Rochas Okorocha and his misrule, adding however that there was the ne...

Lagos – The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, has endorsed the forthcoming District 01 Little League Baseball and Softball 2019 Tournament Clinics slated for April 12 to April 19 in Ibadan. Olubadan Kehinde Laniyan, the Administrator of District 01, in a statement on Sunday, said the body had received an endorsement letter from the monarch. Laniyan said that the Olubadan reiterated his support for activities that constantly engaged teeming youths and provided suitable platform for them to thrive. “This is a very cheering news for baseball and softball in Ibadan and the Little League District O1 at large. “The highly respected Olubadan of Ibadanland has endorsed the forthcoming little league programme coming up in April. “The monarch saluted the initiative of the United States Consulate General in Lagos for supporting the event and he is happy that Ibadan would be in the limelight during the programme, ” he said. The administrator said that the Oba urged notable ...

Mali’s government on Sunday announced the sacking of senior military officers and the dissolution of a militia, a day after the massacre of more than 130 Muslims, including women and children. Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga said new military chiefs would be named, and that the Dan Nan Ambassagou association, composed of Dogon hunters, had been dissolved. The dissolution of the militia was to send a clear message, Maiga told journalists: “The protection of the population will remain the monopoly of the state.” Survivors of Saturday’s attack said ethnic Dogon hunters carried out the deadly raid in Ogossagou, a village in central Mali inhabited by the Muslim Fulani community. Maiga did not name the senior officers sacked, but defence ministry sources told AFP they were the Armed Forces Chief of General Staff M’Bemba Moussa Keita, and chiefs of the Army and the Air Force. The prime minister’s announcement came hours after an emergency meeting called by President Ibrahi...

The Egyptian national team has arrived in Asaba, Delta ahead of their international friendly match against Nigeria on Tuesday. The Pharaohs finished their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers campaign, with a 1-1 away draw against Niger. Head coach of the side, Javier Aguirre, dropped the country’s biggest star Mohamed Salah from the game. Salah will also be missing in action against the Super Eagles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium. Both countries will use the game to prepare for the 2019 AFCON finals, which will be hosted by Egypt in June. The last time Egypt faced Nigeria away from home was in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Source:https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/03/salah-missing-as-egypt-arrive-asaba-for.html