BBC makes comparisons between Big Brother Naija and Buhari's absence

- The medical vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari is still a major discourse in Nigeria and beyond

- The BBC has compared the president’s absence to reality show, Big Brother Naija filmed in South Africa

- Nigerians are not sure when the president will come back

The BBC has compared President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence in Nigeria to the filming of reality show, Big Brother Naija in South Africa.

President Buhari's medical vacation continues to generate reactions

The popular reality show kicked off about the same period the president commenced his medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

‘’Both subjects were soon generating headlines for the same reason - neither of them were in Nigeria,’’ the report stated.

The report noted that while the howls of protests from outraged Big Brother fans soon died down, the clamour over Buhari’s extended medical stay in London is not going away.

And unlike Big Brother, there are no constant updates - in fact, President Buhari, 74, has not given a single interview since arriving in the UK.

Big Brother Naija contestants

Instead, the Nigerian public has to make do with pictures posted on the president’s meeting senior government officials as proof that he still is alive.

Last June, President Buhari spent nearly two weeks in London receiving treatment for an ear infection.

But the bigger issue this time is that officials have repeatedly refused to disclose his illness and are not saying when he will return to Nigeria.

Afenifere chieftain and elder statesman, Ayo Adebanjo recently said the presidency is not sincere about the true state of President Buhari’s health, adding that those around the president were taking Nigerians for fools.

Similarly, Former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr Dozie Ikedife has expressed his displeasure over how the presidency is handling the president’s health situation.

In a country where rumours are rife, the presidential statements have done little to dampen the speculation about the Buhari's health.

For no fault of theirs, Nigerians are acutely sensitive to leaders travelling abroad for medical reasons after President Umaru Yar'Adua died while in office in 2010.

For months, the public was kept in the dark while he received treatment in Saudi Arabia.The period of uncertainty created deep political instability in the country.

The House of Representatives has however dismissed some rumours that it is contemplating using the ‘doctrine of necessity’ which was used by the National Assembly to solve the Yar'adua saga.

The House of Representatives have dismissed rumours it plans to invoke the 'doctrine of necessity' to oust Buhari

"There is no vacuum at the top, President Buhari takes his constitutional role seriously, and has not personalised power, unlike other African leaders," says political analyst Jibrin Ibrahim.

On his part, opposition politician, Isuwa Dogo says: "President Buhari is a public figure and there is no need for him to hide behind his health issues.

"I want him to be back in the county. If there are successes, he will get the credit. If there are failures, he will get the blame."

So, while Big Brother fans will know in April who has been crowned the series winner, for now, no-one seems to know when Nigeria's president will come back home.

Meanwhile, Prophet TB Joshua has urged Nigerians to rise up in prayer for President Buhari, praying specifically for TB Joshua has urged Nigerians to rise up in prayer for President Buhari, praying specifically for “strength where is weakness”.

BREAKING: Several lives lost as explosions hit Maiduguri

Several explosions have hit Maiduguri, the Borno state capital late on Sunday, January 8, Daily Trust reports.

Picture of suicide bomber killed by Nigerian Army troops. Photo: Premium Times

According to local sources, a Boko Haram suicide bomber attacked a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) check point around Muna garage while another set of bombers attacked Kalleri ward.

Daily Trust quotes a resident Alhaji Mala as saying: "We lost three people in Kalleri last night to the bombers; they would knocked on the our doors when we open, they quickly grabbed people and detonated IEDs.”

Premium Times however reports that the attack was carried out by two suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers who made a futile attempt to assault residents near a popular motor park.

It says only the two male bombers died after one detonated his bomb at Gariki near Muna Park and the second was shot dead by soldiers before his explosive device went off.

The police and officials of the Civilian-JTF, it says, have confirmed the incident.

It quoted Victor Isuku, the police spokesperson in the state, as confirming on WhatsApp that “preliminary information available is that the explosion occurred at Gariki Muna, which I understand is at the outskirts of town. But details will follow soonest”.

“The situation has been put under (control) since last night. They were two suicide bombers, who came around Muna, one of them detonated his self; but no one except him was killed. But the second one was shot dead and the explosives on him later detonated,” Danbatta Bello, a leader of the Civilian-JTF, was also quoted as saying.

The attack comes just hours after scores were reportedly killed and many more injured, following a fatal attack by the Boko Haram sect in the Bin Yadi area of Yobe state capital, Damaturu.

The number of casualties is yet to be ascertained, though it has been confirmed that soldiers were killed after insurgents attacked an Army brigade in Buni Yadi, on Saturday, January 7.

source: Naij.com

Ajimobi’s wife hosts Aisha Buhari, first ladies today 8th of December, 2016

IBADAN—THE wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, will, tomorow, host the wife of the President, Mrs. Aishat Buhari, and wives of governors across the country as they converge on Ibadan for the fifth edition of the National Women’s Summit.
The summit, themed, ‘The ultimate woman at a time like this,’ is being organized under the auspices of the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association, OYSOWA, under the leadership of the governor’s wife.
According to a statement from the Office of the wife of the Governor, the three-day event will also witness an award ceremony where some distinguished women would be specially recognized for their contributions to national development and achievements.
Among those slated for recognition are the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke; wife of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; and the first female Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu.
Others are President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Onikepo Akande; leading industrialist, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; an indigene of Oyo State, who emerged the 2016 best graduating medical student at the International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan, Miss. Oluwatoyin Islamiyat Abdukadir and Pastor Omowumi Popoola.
Slated to speak at the event are Messrs. Nimi Akinkugbe of Bestman Games Ltd.; Nike Adeyemi of The Real Woman Foundation; Foluke K. Abdul-Rasaq of UBA Nigeria; and Tara Fela-Durotoye of House of Tara.
The statement added that Heritage Bank Nigeria would also receive a Special Appreciation Award for its commitment to women empowerment.

Trump nominates African-American former rival Ben Carson into cabinet

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Monday nominated his African-American former campaign rival Dr Ben Carson to become the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Trump made the announcement in a statement by his transition office.
Carson was among the 16 candidates who challenged Trump for the Republican nomination.
However, Carson quickly endorsed Trump after he dropped out of the contest in March, and was loyal but regularly critical of Trump.
“I am thrilled to nominate Dr Ben Carson as our next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Ben Carson has a brilliant mind and is passionate about strengthening communities and families within those communities.
“We have talked at length about my urban renewal agenda and our message of economic revival, very much including our inner cities.
“Ben shares my optimism about the future of our country and is part of ensuring that this is a Presidency representing all Americans.
“He is a tough competitor and never gives up,” Trump said in the statement.
The statement quoted Carson as accepting his nomination to serve in the Trmp’s presidency.
“I am honoured to accept the opportunity to serve our country in the Trump administration.
“I feel that I can make a significant contribution particularly by strengthening communities that are most in need.
“We have much work to do in enhancing every aspect of our nation and ensuring that our nation’s housing needs are met,” Carson said.
Carson became the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital at age 33 and became famous for his groundbreaking work separating conjoined twins.

West Brom and Watford charged by FA over brawl

West Bromwich Albion and Watford became the latest Premier League teams to be put in the dock over their players behaviour as on Monday the Football Association charged them over a brawl on Saturday.
The confrontation between the two sets of players — in a match West Brom won 2-1 — occurred when Watford’s Roberto Pereyra was red-carded six minutes from time for lashing out at James McClean after the latter clattered into him.
“Both West Bromwich Albion and Watford have been charged for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour,” read a statement from the FA.
“It follows an incident in the 84th minute of the game on Saturday December 3 2016.
“Both clubs have until 6pm (1800GMT) December 8 2016 to respond to the charge.”
Earlier on Monday Manchester City and Chelsea had been brought to book by the FA and charged over the ugly scenes in the dying minutes of the London side’s 3-1 win on Saturday

Fuel scarcity looms as FG owes fuel marketers $1.7bn

The country may be plunged into another round of excruciating fuel scarcity in the next couple of weeks, as oil marketers disclosed that they are running out of patience over the Federal Government’s refusal to pay its $1.7 billion debt owed oil marketers since May 2015. One of the oil marketers, who spoke to Vanguard in Abuja under the condition anonymity, disclosed that the seeming sanity in petroleum products distribution and sales across the country can be likened to the, “peace of the graveyard,’ as he noted that marketers are only ensuring that they are not seen as individuals seeking to sabotage the efforts of government. He stated that the marketers had written series of letters over their predicaments to the Presidency and that the Presidency had agreed to grant them audience, while he warned, however, that if nothing is done to address the issue of the debts owed them, they would be forced to take drastic measures that might lead to the return of another fuel crisis. He explained that the amount owed the marketers was for foreign exchange differentials owed both major oil marketers, independent oil marketers and other petroleum marketers. He said the amount was the balance from the payments made by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, before handing over to President Muhammadu Buhari, while the rest was incurred in May 2016, when the Federal Government devalued the naira. According to the source, major oil marketers are owed about $500 million, while independents, depot and petroleum products marketers were owed about $1.2 billion. The source also confirmed that some of the oil marketers are indebted to the government, stating, however, that their indebtedness pales in comparison to the huge debt the Federal Government owes the oil marketers. He further stated that the oil marketers’ indebtedness to the country was more recent, while the Federal Government’s debts dated back to May 2015. “Irrespective of the fact that our own debt is recent, very small and insignificant, compared to the amount the Federal Government owes us, the government is asking us to pay, while nothing is said about their own debt which is huge and dates back to 2015,” he said. He noted that as a result of the huge debts, majority of the oil marketers had sacked a large number of their staff, as many of them are finding it extremely difficult to pay staff salaries and even sustain their operations, as a result of the unfavourable operating environment. He added that the oil marketers are currently at loggerheads with a subsidiary of the NNPC, the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, over the introduction of obnoxious rules that are detrimental to existing contractual obligations, without proper consultations with oil marketers and other stakeholders. He also disclosed that majority of the oil marketers had since stopped the importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, while he confirmed that the NNPC is currently the major importer and has enough stocks of the commodity on ground to guarantee several months of supply. However, he said, “While I can tell you that the NNPC has adequate quantity of the product to last the country for months, we the oil marketers have agreed that we cannot continue to allow the NNPC to supply its products to Nigerians through our facilities, both depots and retail outlets, while nothing is done to address the debts owed us. “We might be forced to stop the NNPC from using our facilities; then let us see how the NNPC can supply its millions of litres of PMS to the public. It is a known fact that the NNPC cannot supply its products to the public without using the facilities of oil marketers. Confirming the development, the NNPC, in its latest Monthly Financial and Operational Report for September 2016 released recently, disclosed that as regards downstream sector, NNPC remains the major importer of petroleum sector. This, according to the NNPC, was despite the liberalized price regime due to inaccessibility of foreign exchange (FOREX). However, it stated that the “FOREX intervention by the international oil companies (IOCs) cushions the effect. Also, the ongoing Turn around Maintenance (TAM) is promising to entirely change the anemic outlook of the country’s refineries.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/fuel-scarcity-looms-fg-owes-oil-marketers-1-7bn/

Fashy pizzle is set to release a new single titled "Party time

The fast rising rapper Fashy pizzle want burst ready to burst the speaker with his new single titled "party time" which will be dropped on Nov 30.
Party time will be dance track since December is already knocking.

BREAST CANCER: Wives of Kaduna, Niger Govs commend Pink Polo initiative Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/breast-cancer-wives-kaduna-niger-govs-commend-pink-polo-initiative/

The Wives of the Kaduna and Niger State Governors have commended MTN Nigeria for supporting the fight against breast cancer in Nigeria. The commendation was given during the MTN Pink Polo Exhibition, the annual Breast Cancer awareness event that drew the curtain on the 2016 MTN African Patrons Cup Polo Tournament. Speaking during the event, Wife of the Niger State Governor and MTN Pink Polo Day Ambassador, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, said the tournament seeks to draw attention of Nigerians to the devastating effects of cancer using the game of polo. “Breast cancer is the deadliest amongst all the cancers that affect women. Polo on the other hand is widely acknowledged as the game of kings and the king of games. We feel the Pink Polo Tournament platform will draw the attention of not only kings but also the wider public to the menace of Cancer in Nigeria. Beyond the exciting polo on display, we are also reminded of the plight of women whose lives have been adversely affected by the cancer scourge, not only in the country but the world over.” In her welcome address, Hajiya Hadiza Nasir El-Rufai, the the wife of the Kaduna State Governor and the Chief Host of the event, called for concerted efforts from all key stakeholders in the fight against cancer. According to her, increased awareness and advocacy as well as public/private partnership would help stem the effects of cancer in the country. “We need all hands to be on deck if we are going to successfully stave off the threat of cancer in Nigeria. I hereby call on well-meaning corporate bodies, organizations and well-placed individuals to join hands with us in this initiative.” In his contribution, the Senior Manager, Master Brand, MTN Nigeria, Emamoke Ogoro, who led the delegation,  expressed optimism . “The whole Pink Polo initiative is in line with a number of other breast cancer initiatives around the world. The idea is to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer.”

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/breast-cancer-wives-kaduna-niger-govs-commend-pink-polo-initiative/
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