ONE WORD

Sector 2 of the Operation Lafiya Dole in Yobe State on Thursday launched ‘Exercise Python Dance III’ known as Egwu Eke 3, aimed at ensuring peaceful conduct of the 2019 general elections. The exercise was in compliance with the Army headquarters’ directives to reassure Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to the protection of lives and property by building confidence in the minds of Nigerians by creating an enabling environment for them to go about their legitimate activities before, during and after the elections. Brigadier General Mohammed Dala, Commander Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole said the Nigerian Army, as part of its constitutional role, has been acting to civil authority in combating numerous security challenges in the country. “This exercise will give the troops the opportunity for capacity building through practical engagement of personnel through out these operations,” he said. According to him, the exercise was also aimed at sharpening the skills of p...

The Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney speaks at a news conference at the Bank of England in London on February 7, 2019. – Britain’s economy is “not yet prepared” for a disorderly no-deal departure from the European Union next month, Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned today. (Photo by HANNAH MCKAY / POOL / AFP) The Bank of England on Thursday slashed its forecast for UK growth this year to 1.2 percent from 1.7 percent, blaming the downgrade on a global economic slowdown and Brexit. “UK economic growth slowed in late 2018 and appears to have weakened further in early 2019,” the central bank said after the BoE said after keeping its main interest rate at 0.75 percent. “This slowdown mainly reflects softer activity abroad and the greater effects from Brexit uncertainties at home,” it added. Should British GDP come in at 1.2 percent, it will be the country’s weakest output in a decade. The BoE had in November forecast 2019 growth of 1.7 percent. “Brexit unc...

Nigerian international, Alex Iwobi has been named the third best U-25 midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues in one key stat. Though, the Gunners’ number 17 had been criticized in recent games, especially against Manchester City on Sunday, a new performance indicator published by Ashwin Raman of Football Whispers suggested the Super Eagles star had lived up to expectations this season. Raman analysed the matches in the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A; using advances stats and had ranked the top 20 midfielders and attacking midfielders with 850+ minutes for open play xG+xA/90. It is a methodology of giving marks to each shot or pass and adding them to get a number, showing how much a player could / should have been decisive, on average per match. The top midfielder is Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers (0.47) followed by RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer (0.43), then Iwobi at 0.43. Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli (0.42) and Man City’s Bernardo Silva (0.42...

Barcelona’s Brazilian midfielder Malcom (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) semi-final first leg football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 6, 2019. (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) Neither claimed a clear advantage but Barcelona and Real Madrid each had cause for optimism following a frantic 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. “The result does not point to any clear favourite,” Barca coach Ernesto Valverde said after Wednesday’s match. “The tie is open,” said Madrid’s Santiago Solari. “Anything can happen.” Barcelona will have Lionel Messi available again for the return on February 27, after their captain was deemed fit enough only for 27 minutes of a compelling opener at Camp Nou. The thigh strain he sustained against Valencia last weekend is considered minor, with Valverde hopeful he will be able to start against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. “If he is oka...

Rite Foods Limited is surmounting its different business challenges as it grows further and stronger in Nigeria. This was discovered during the British Broadcasting Corporation interview recently, with Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods Limited who explained that; "Everything is a challenge. You have to produce the power to run the plant yourself because you're not on the grid, gaining access to market is another, amongst other things". Despite the fact that Nigeria is the 'business hub' of Africa, Nigeria is home to the continent's biggest population and biggest economy, but the challenge lies in convincing Nigerians to buy locally made products over imported goods. It was clear that Rite Foods Limited is a company that is striving to build its brand beyond those challenges in Nigeria.  The Food and Beverage Company has put the horse before the cart by producing high quality products. Mr. Seleem Adegunwa told BBC interviewer...

By Rotimi Agbana At the just concluded Lagos City Marathon, the life of a random street kid changed forever when Nigerian pop legend, Dbanj randomly gave a fan an opportunity to sing with him on stage. The 26-years-old boy, Joseph David, dazzled and impressed the crowd so much that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, came on stage and promised to take him off the street as well as gave him a cash reward of 2,5million which has been redeemed. Days after the Marathon, the young boy was invited to the state house, Alausa-Ikeja where Governor Ambode and his wife presented him with a one year free education scholarship while Dbanj, alongside the CEO of DKM media, Damian Ifeanyi Okoroafor offered him a deal with CREAM Platform to nurture, develop his talent in music, education and entertainment. Source: https://samueljackson12.blogspot.com/2019/02/dbanjs-cream-platform-ambode-empower.html

Anti-Brexit activists hold placards and wave Union and EU flags as they demonstrate near the Houses of Parliament in central London on January 28, 2019. – Despite the humiliating rejection of Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, Britain is no closer to knowing the end result of its vote to leave the European Union. A raft of amendments to be voted on by MPs on Tuesday threaten to further muddy the waters as the clock ticks down to Britain’s scheduled departure from the EU on March 29. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) Only a few months ago, crowds of protesters marched through London to demand a second Brexit referendum. But just weeks before the departure date, the momentum has stalled. Lacking the support of main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, the campaign has flagged in recent weeks. A cross-party group of second referendum backers last week declined to put forward a plan for a vote by MPs in the House of Commons, accepting that it would never pass without Corbyn’s s...