Why we won’t ban cattle rearing in Ondo – State government

The Ondo State government,yesterday, said it would not prohibit cattle rearing in the state.

It, however, said plans were underway to regulate the activities of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle to ensure peaceful co-existence of farmers and the herdsmen in the state.



Herdsmen have been accused of murdering several farmers, raping theirwives and female children and destroying several farmlands in recent times.

Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Mr. Akin Olotu,who said this during a stakeholders’ meeting, notedthat the government had no plan to either ban grazing or restrict anyone from farming.

Olotu said: “The meeting became imperative to find a lasting solution to the unabated crisis between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state which have assumed a frightening dimension in the last few weeks.

“We are not going to prohibit cattle rearing in Ondo state; we are going to regulate it. It is not a crime to rear or own cattle in any part of the state, but it has to be done legitimately, it has to be done in such a way that someone’s business is not used to destroy another person’s business.

“So, what we will have in Ondo state is cattle rearing regulation in which case there will be dos and don’ts.”

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2019: Tinubu reacts to alleged support for Atiku Abubakar

Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has reacted to insinuations in certain quarters that he’s in support of Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential ambition.



Reacting to the insinuations,Tinubu’s spokesperson, Tunde Rahman dismissed the claim, saying both Tinubu and the former Vice President belong to differentparties.

Speaking with The Sun, Rahman maintained that theAPC national leader will support any candidate his party fields during elections.

He said: “Asiwaju Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku belong to two different political parties. Asiwaju willsupport his party and the party’s candidate any day.

Moreso, Asiwaju’s position on the presidency is very clear.

He has said time and again that for as long as thatpatriotic leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, is on the saddle or seeks to run, he would not contest againsthim.

“He played a yeoman’s role in bringing this government to power and he believes President Buhari is confronting the nation’s problems head on. He is not saying there are no challenges but he has always said he has implicit confidence in President Buhari to tackle these problems.

“Those who are busy fishingfor other reasons for this undiluted support for PMB are free to do so. It’s their opinion and they are entitledto it.”

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Ambode moves to end violation of consumer's rights

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambodeon Wednesday inaugurated the board of Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, with a pledgeto protect the rights of consumers in the State and ensure they get value for moneyspent on goods and services.

Speaking at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja while inaugurating members of the board chaired by consumer rights advocate and lawyer, Mrs Olufunmilola Falana, Governor Ambode said concerted efforts would be made to end the daily reported cases of violation of consumers’ rights in the State especially considering the vantage positionof Lagos as the largest commercial market in Sub-Sahara Africa.



He said the establishment of theboard, aside from being another giant stride of his administration designed to guarantee the welfare of the people on a sustainable basis, was also meant to complement the reforms already embarked uponby the State Government to ensure the ease of doing business in the State.

“The establishment of the Consumer Protection Agency is a strong demonstration of our commitment to the protection of the rights of consumers, the promotion of consumer satisfaction in the State and our resolve to ensure that they get value for money spent on goods and services.

“The need for the Agency has become more imperative in view of the fact that Lagos State, withits huge population, provides the largest commercial market in Sub-Sahara Africa, with the highest reported cases of daily infractions on the consumer rights.

“The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency is therefore meant to complement ourreforms on the ease of doing business in the State especially as it affects the development of the Industrial, Commercial and Consumer satisfaction value chain,”
Governor Ambode said.

While reeling out the terms of reference of the board, the Governor said the agency had been designed to be an effectiveservice centre for the protectionof the interests of Consumers, settlement of Consumer disputes and for other connected purposes as enshrined in the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law, Cap.C13, Laws of Lagos State, 2014.

He said owing to the responsibilities of the agency, members of the board were carefully selected both from private and public sectors basedon their impeccable character, remarkable track records, experience on the subject matter and passion for the job.

The Governor, who urged members of the board to hit the ground running, also tasked them to be dutiful and nurture the new agency to become an institution that will guarantee timely delivery of effective services to aggrieved consumers, just as he enjoined Lagosians to utilize the alternative commercial dispute mechanism to be offered by the agency that will guarantee reduced time for the resolution of consumer related cases.

Besides, the Governor ordered that office of the agency should be located outside Alausa to bring about the sense of independence and engender confidence of the people.

According to him,

“I have just directed that I will like this agency to be situated outside the civil service premises. We don’t want you to be part of us so that the sense of independence that we are givingto this agency is to ensure that we command the respect of consumers generally in the State.

“I want to let you know that we expect you to hit the ground running; I expect that I must start toget feedback as to what ishappening to consumer rights and then to the citizens generally within the shortest possible time,”

the Governor said.

Aside from Falana, other members of the board are Olugbode O. Ajoke (General Manager), Mrs. Sola Salako Ajulo, Mr. Femi Awogbami, Mrs. Toki Mabogunje, Dr. (Mrs.) Adeleke Monsurat Modupeola, Mrs. Adejoke Oladipupo, Mr. Alayande Olanrewaju, Mrs. Faderera Lekan-Rotimi, Mr. Segun Tayo Kuti-George, Mrs. Mosunmola Samuel and Mr. Oduyebo O. Jacobs who is to serve as Secretary.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Falana thanked Governor Ambode for the opportunity given them to serve the people, assuring that they would work in the best interest of consumers and leave very good footprints on the sand of time.Also, Governor Ambode swore-in a new Permanent Secretary, Mr Tunde Sesan Ogundeko who is to resume work at the State’s Independent Electoral Commission.

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Bannon has lost his mind - Trump lashes out at close political ally

The president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, has lashed out in spectacular manner, at one of his closest political allies, Steve Bannon, Punch reports.

In a statement which was released on Wednesday, January 3, Trump described Bannon, who was his former White House Strategist, as 'insane' and 'irrelevant'.

Trump’s statement was extremely harsh, even for the notoriously combative 45th president.



Donald Trump and Steve Bannon in happier times (Photo credit: Breitbart)

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He stated: “Steve Bannon has nothing to do with me or my presidency. When he was fired, he not only lost his job, he lost his mind.”

He continued: “Now that he is on his own, Steve is learning that winning isn’t as easy as I make it look.

READ ALSO: Bellerin rescues Arsenal, 5 talking points from Arsenal vs Chelsea

“Steve had very little to do with our historic victory, which was delivered by the forgotten men and women of this country. Yet Steve had everything to do with the loss of a Senate seat in Alabama held for more than thirty years by Republicans.”

The US president further claimed that Bannon, who engineered his link to the nationalist far-right, was“only in it for himself.”

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Nigerians react to Fr. Mbaka’s prophecy on Buhari

Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the spiritual director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu, has come under attack by Nigerians over his 2019 prophecies.

Mbaka in his new year message had declared that Buhari would be totally disgraced if he takes a shot at the presidency after his current tenure.



Some Nigerians who seem not to have forgotten the preacher’s support for Buhari in 2015 elections have asked him to stop politicising and face the word of God.

At the same pulpit three years ago, he had prophesied that then President Goodluck Jonathan would be defeated in the 2015 election and alsosupported Buhari’s change.

Here are some comments:

@kingmethods

“Fr. Mbaka, how market?
before 2015 general elections, you said Buhari is the only person that can save Nigeria.

And now before 2019 general election you are saying….Buhari, contest and be disgraced.

“Fr. Mbaka Face your church and leave IPOB and Nigerian politics alone!!! Religion and politics don’t gotogether

@ekanem

“Political reverend, you are a wolve in sheep’s clothing, you have no place in Christianity ,you have made your stomach your god and have defrauded the gullibles, the law of Kama will catch up with you soon

@dukemomoh

“I wonder why this pastors normally use the situation on ground that we are all aware of to predict what will happen every time we are witnessing a new year.They should stop disturbing us. Na mumu dem go fit deceive.

@elisha

“Mbaka at it again. Mbaka why? Part Three(3).

I thought this is your man or could this be a rejoinder to Jonathan’s.

@Moses

“Fr. Politician Mbarka! You brought in Buhari!! you are sending himpacking again!!

@Oparah

“But you said he isthe messiah in 2015 abi no be you again.

@Kanu

“Stop politicking andface your ministry.

@Chinonye

“Don’t take your words serious anymore ! youtold us good luck was bad luck to us n Buhary was Godsent, now another story,please God is not an author of confusion

@Ogechime

“Mbaka shut up!!! You put us in this mess in the first place.

@julius

Stop playing God!!! Almighty God is still using PMB! He is on God own assignment, he will carry it out to the last letter! So retrace your step prophet Mbaka.

For your informationGod will not allow Corruptionto kill our country Nigeria

@edward

“It’s unfortunate that most of our men of God in the Christiandom have abandoned their calling an concentrate on so-called prophecy to gain patronage and that is exactly Wat father mbaka is doing wit the greatest respect

@anang

“Pure fake prophecy. I can tell you if theNorth want Buhari to be president and Buhari is willing to contest, its easy for him to win.

Its not rocker science to read or understand the permutations and narrativesof political alignment in Nigeria.

@Stanley

“The battle for 2019 has started. It is only a fool that will encourage Buhari to context election again in Nigeria.

A government that cannot successful handle minor administrative issues of vetting list appointment.

@Felix

Anybody can lose in any election, nothing is new about it.

Again, can’t you focus on soul winning and leave politics for politicians?

@Suleyman

He is not God. You’re just an ordinary human being using a guess work. His prophecy is based on guess work.

@Abubakar

“When this manspoke against some actions of the Jonathan administration, people said he has been bought by the then opposition.

Now that hespeaks against some actions of the Buhari Administration, has he been bought by the present opposition? One cannot say what is what unless he sides with a particular inclination?

@kelechi

“Fr Mbaka has his personal opinion. We shouldrespect man of God but let him tell us why he supported PMB election…. there are more to it.

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Buhari appoints 209 board chairmen, 1,258 board members

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, December 29, approved the appointment of 209 chairmen and 1,258 members of the governing boards of agencies and parastatals.



This was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha.

Read the statement below:

"The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the constitution of the Governing Boards of Agencies and Parastatals, under some Ministries, as well as the appointment of eminently qualified Nigerians to fill the Board positions, numbering 209 Chairmen and 1258 members.

Mr. President considered the approval for the constitution of the Boards as well as the appointments, very necessary, so as to provide a proper Governance and oversight structure for Government Agencies and Parastatals.

The constitution of the boards with the appointments, is a demonstration of this Government’s efforts aimed at building strong institutions of Governance, and by extension, improving the quality of Policy formulation and supervision

While these appointments represent a substantial number of hitherto pending board appointments, some more appointments are still being processed and will be released in due course

The appointments take immediate effect and Honourable Ministers are advised to inaugurate the boards after letters of appointment have been issued.

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Top facts about Liberia president-elect George Weah

Weah is set to replace incumbent Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who leaves office after serving two terms.



Following the feat achieved by the ex-footballer turned politician,

Hopebaygist has gathered 9 facts about the next Liberian president as seen below:

1. He played 60 games for Liberia over 20 years,scoring 22 goals.

2. Weah is regarded as being among the best football players who never got the chance to play at a World Cup.
He contested in the Liberia 2005 presidential election but lost to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting.

3. The footballer turned politician signed for AC Milan in 1995 where he spent four successful seasons, and won the Italian Serie A, twice.
His most notable goal in Italy saw him run the length of the field against Verona.

4. He will be the only retired professional footballer to have achieved the feat of emerging as the president of a country.

5. Weah represented Liberia at the African Cup of Nations on two occasions.

6. Arsene Wenger brought George Weah to Europe where he signed for Monaco in 1988

7. Weah football career saw him move to Paris Saint German in 1992 where he won Ligue 1 in 1994 and became the top scorerof the 1994-95 UEFA Champions League.

8. Weah was elected to the Senate in 2014.

9. He moved to the English Premier League towards the end of his career and had spells at Chelsea and Manchester City, before returning to France to play forMarseille in 2001, and subsequently ending his career with Al-Jazira in 2003.

The report quoted the National Elections Commission (NEC) as saying on Thursday, December 28, Weah had won 61.5 percent of the vote while Boakai was far behind with 38.5 percent.It added that Weah, 51, through the Coalition for Democratic Change, won the hearts of most of the youths as his rival was seen as old at 73.

Weah had won the first round of the election in October with 38.4 percent vote against the 28.8 percent won by Boakai leading to the run-off.

The report however says Weah’s election has some controversies as his running mate, Jewel Taylor, is the former wife of the warlord and ex-President Charles Taylor, who is still serving a jail term in the UK for war crimes.

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The reason why Nigeria cannot progress - Gov. Aregbesola

The Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has has given reasons Nigeria is doomed and cannot develop now.

Aregbesola said the country was far from development because its economy was built on a very weak production arrangement.

According to the governor, this had made Nigerians to become lazy, especially afterthe nation’s independence.

He explained further that Nigerians now lived on rentsfrom oil, which was discovered in commercial quantity shortly before it became an independent state.

His position was part of a statement made available to reporters in Osogbo on Tuesday by his media adviser, Sola Fasure.According to Fasure, Aregbesola said this while featuring on a live television programme in the state.

He said,

“Our nation today is built on a very weak production arrangement.

We all live on rent from oil, especially post-independence Nigeria that is run on commission from oil, whereas our nation from the colonial period before the military interregnum was run on the productivity of our people.

“Until we are back to production and productivity, we will just be emotional, sentimental and rhetorical inour analysis on how to escape the worrisome situation we are in now.

“Though oil revenue will helpto jump – start the process, but it can’t be the financial basis for our economic development.

“A nation that cannot produce what it consumes isdoomed. Therefore, we mustsee productivity as panacea for our socio-economic challenges.

“Exploitation defines our economic relationship in Nigeria. For instance, the Boko Haram phenomenon . The Boko Haram insurgencyis absolutely economic.

“It is inherited by a section of our people who are in the most vibrant stage of their lives and are resisting and rebelling against an economic situation that has put them in a miserable state that they don’t even know how to escape from.”

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Nigerians implicate Buhari in budget padding scandal

President Muhammadu Buhari has been accused by some Nigerians of complicity in the budget padding scandal rocking the House of Representatives. Yakubu Dogara has refused to resign over allegations that he and some principal members of the House of Representatives padded the budget to the tune of N40bn. Recall that speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and some principal members of the House were accused by the former chairman of the House committee on appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, of padding the budget to the tune of N40bn. But Dogara, who has been under fire since the allegations surfaced, says he will not resign, insisting that budget padding was not an offence under the law. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has also ruled out sanctioning Dogara and Abdulmuminin Jibrin over the issue. However the as calls continue to mount for the resignation of the speaker, a section of Nigerians have also accused the presidency of culpability in the budget scandal. They alleged that since the padded budget was signed by President Buhari, morality beckons on both the speaker the president to resign over the scandal.

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Photos: British kid, Isa Dare known as 'Junior Jihadi' blows up three prisoners in new grisly video released by ISIS

British boy believed to be aged four and nicknamed 'Junior Jihadi' has been filmed blowing up three prisoners in the latest grisly execution video released by the Islamic States.

In exploitative footage that is shocking even by Isil’s standards, Isa Dare, whose mum, Grace Khadija Dare is a convert to Islam who has sworn allegiance to the jihadist group, is seen pressing a button on what appears to be a remote control device seconds before a car containing four alleged “spies” goes up in a ball of flames. 

Wearing a black Isil headband and military-style fatigues, the boy announced to the camera beforehand that “we are going to kill the kuffars (non-believers) over there”. He is then seen standing beside the car’s burnt-out remains, triumphantly punching the air and shouting: "Allahu akbar"

The men inside the car, wearing handcuffs and orange jumpsuits, confessed their crimes to the camera and appear resigned to their fates before the vehicle explodes.

 

In the latest video, believed to have been shot in Raqqa, Syria, he is accompanied by a masked man who issues a threat to David Cameron for arming groups in Syria who are fighting the jihadists.

"You will never fight us except behind fortified fortresses or behind walls,” says the man, speaking in an English accent. 

 

"So no David Cameron….you’ve only done two things. Firstly, when you sent your spies to Syria and when you authorised for your men, thousands of miles away, to push a button to kill our brothers who lived in the West. 

 

"So today, we’re going to kill your spies the same way they helped you kill our brothers.

"So prepare your army and gather your nations as we too are preparing our army"

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17 Things Nigerians May Experience In 2016 Under Buhari- Fayose

Ahead of the New Year, Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose has listed 17 things that will unavoidable happen under the Buhari led government in 2016.

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See What Officials Did To People Who Failed To Use Lagos Pedestrian Bridges – Is this Right? (Photos)

See the horrible way officials treated road users who failed to use pedestrian bridges.
Officials were pictured arresting people in different areas in Lagos who failed to use pedestrian bridges when crossing highways and major roads Lagos.

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Female Suicide Bombers Attack Borno, Six Dead

The town of Mafa in Borno state was attacked by some female suicide bombers yesterday, December 16.
Daily Sun reports that at least six people were killed in the bomb attack, including a member of Civil­ian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and five suicide bombers.

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Army Release Humiliating Photo Of Shia Cleric, Sheikh Zakzaky

The Nigerian army had earlier published a harrowing image of Sheikh Zakzaky to show he is alive.
ABNA24 reports that publishing the photo was after international pressure of Muslims and was done in order to calm public opinion.

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President Buhar On Point As He Becomes 73

So, as Nigeria’s President becomes 73 today, here are 1o swaggalicious pictures of Buhari. Enjoy!

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Wow Troops destroy more Boko haram camps, frees 31 hostages

Troops operating in Bama, Borno state yesterday cleared Boko Haram terrorists out of Aulari general area located within the Sambisa forest, clearing 4 camps located within the area that includes Faldan, Kidiziromari, Kuroshini, Kurumari and Ngulda.

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Biafra Tension: Northern Governor Sends Message To Igbos In Kano

                                            The Kano state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that the Igbos in Kano should not be afraid about any reprisal attack in the aftermath of growing Biafra agitation.

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ISIS Attack Coming To Nigeria Soon - Expert

A warning has been made by Ona Ekhomu, a security expert, concerning a terror attack that is about to happen in Nigeria.

The Punch reports that Ekhomu implored the federal government to take issues of tackling insurgency in the country very serious. Instead of waiting for the attack to occur just like it recently did in Paris and France, Ekhomu implored the federal government to call on Nigerians who can help forestall it.

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Meet The Five Female Ministers In Buhari’s Government

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari swore 36 ministers into his cabinet on Wednesday, ending a five-month wait for 
Africa’s most populous nation.

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