smellgist.com: 2016-11-27

Saturday, 3 December 2016

Fayose Hails Judgement Releasing Shi’ite Leader, El-Zakzaky | Tribune

Ekiti State governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has hailed the Federal High Court, Abuja judgement, ordering the release of the leader of the Shi’ite Muslim sect, Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife, as well as payment of payment of N50 million damages awarded against the Department of State Service (DSS).

The governor, who had called for the release of El-Zakzaky two weeks ago, however said he would not be surprised if the Federal Government does not obey the judgment, adding that, “The judgement will be for posterity, even if in their usual style of impunity, those holding power in Abuja ignore the judgment.”

THE Federal Government has approved arms-bearing for the men and officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps following upsurge in violent attacks and killing of some of its operatives during legitimate duties.

This is coming on the sad revelation that the Corps has lost over 70 of its personnel in 2016 alone as a result of violent attacks by motorists at the course of duties on highways.

The sudden death of two First Class graduates while undergoing orientation at National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camps in Kano and Zamfara states inflamed passions across the country on Friday.

A Batch B female corps member identified as Oladepo Ifedolapo who graduated with a First Class degree from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, died at the NYSC camp in Kano during the week. She was buried on Thursday in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

Ford Motor Co. was a target of Donald Trump’s criticism on the campaign trail for building cars in Mexico, and now that Trump will be president, Ford said it’s willing to work with him to keep jobs in the U.S. — provided Trump puts the right policies in place, according to the automaker’s chief executive officer.

“We will be very clear in the things we’d like to see,” Mark Fields said in an exclusive interview Friday at Bloomberg offices in Southfield, Michigan.

Among them, according to Fields: currency-manipulation rules to promote free and fair trade, tax reform and safety guidelines for autonomous vehicles.

Ondo Now In The President’s Kitty With Aketi’s Win By Olalekan Adetayo

The victory of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress in the last Saturday governorship election in Ondo State was not celebrated in the state alone. It was also celebrated inside the Villa, but with a touch of class devoid of the way brooms-wielding party members celebrated it on the streets of major towns in the sunshine state.

It is not new that result of governorship election in a state will be celebrated in the seat of power at the centre. In 2014 when Mr. Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party won the governorship election in Ekiti State, members of the party’s National Working Committee led by the then National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, joined former President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, to celebrate the victory. The mini victory party was held inside the official residence of the President. They clicked glasses and exchanged banters.

There is a deep rage in me that rises by the day. When I hear the voices of the voiceless and I see the suffering of the despised and the oppressed in our land it wounds my soul.

When I hear the cries of the poor and those that have been reduced to eating one meal a day by a King and court that delights in spreading nothing but hardship and poverty it stirs my anger.

When I hear the wailing of mothers and fathers whose children, whether they be Shiite Muslims, Biafrans or northern Christians, have been butchered by the military or any of the other agents of our King and state, it kindles the spirit of the Man of War that resides in me.

The UK Embassy in Nigeria has adopted a new visa application process, the British High Commission said yesterday, in a statement.

The spokesperson of the commission, Joe Abuku, described the new process as a slight change in which “Visa staff now only need electronic versions of support documents.”

The new process, which takes effect from December 5 for customers applying for a UK visa in Lagos, Victoria Island and Ikeja, would bring applicants benefits from digital improvements to the UK visa application process.

This chaos is enough to see that the federal government’s prediction of 7000 MW by the end of 2016 is a wild dream.

Last week, I went on a two-day trip that changed my ignorant position on the nation’s perennial energy crises. It was a privileged opportunity to inspect Jebba and Kainji Hydropower Plants and also interact with the management. The two plants, located in Niger State, have been under the management of its concessionaire, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, since November 2013.

Donald Trump lost the vote for president by well over two-and-a-half million votes and counting, and it’s driving him out of his mind. Because our odd electoral system gives more weight to voters in small, rural, mostly white states, the loser of this year’s popular vote will take the oath of office on January 20th.

America’s electoral system gives smaller, more conservative states more weight – and that benefited Trump
The popular vote this year matters more than ever. In an election that was more deeply about values than any in recent memory, it’s important that a clear majority of Americans rejected a campaign premised on racist attacks against Mexicans and Muslims and a man with a long history of misogyny. The majority rejected a near-sociopathic celebration of ignorance and the least qualified person ever to become a major party’s nominee for president.

WhatsApp has said that its messaging app will cease to work on older phones and operating systems as early as the end of this year.

The announcement comes after a warning earlier this year that the Facebook-owned company would be pulling support for older models, and that the deadline to upgrade was fast approaching.

At 25, DAME affords us the immeasurable opportunity to reflect on the place of media awards in journalism practice in the country and indeed the state of the media in Nigeria.

This year, the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME), a not-for-profit organisation that rewards media excellence in Nigeria, marks its Silver Jubilee. Since 1992 when the award, dubbed in some quarters as Nigeria’s version of the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, debuted till now, Trustees of DAME have inducted 475 outstanding journalists, advertising professionals and media organisations into its hallowed hall of fame. Other outstanding media professionals will join this privileged rank this Sunday, December 4 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday warned Nigeria’s government against demonising Shiites and their Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN.

Delivering judgement in a bail application sought by the IMN leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the trial judge, Gabriel Kolawole, said Nigeria’s government must allow its citizens enjoy the fundamental right to freedom.

“I am of the view that the applicant need not be demonised, but that they should be allowed to practice the faith they choose,” said Mr. Kolawole.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, the truth just never feels enough, right?

What do you do when the truth about yourself seems insufficient to project the image you think will make your crush notice you?

What if the things you have actually done, and what you actually are do not sound interesting enough to catch her attention, and actually make you win her?

The Premier League is back in action this weekend as teams from around the country are ready to fight for yet another round of 3 points on offer this weekend.

Like every weekend, the domestic league has yet again provided some top class games for the neutral to watch and there are some interesting matchups that can light up the weekend.

How many times have you heard guys that went from sweet to sour after a woman said no to their relationship proposal?

Quite a number of times, most likely.

But surely, that is a kind of behaviour that should not be expected of adults, right?

Insultive words, said to woman directly, or sent to her phone or her social media is not a cool thing to do after being rejected. But is that the only wrong way guys handle rejection? Surely not.

Below are some of the wrong ways men react to rejection, which need to be stopped quickly.

As far as weekends of football go, the first of December 2016 isn’t half bad.

Aside from the glitz and glamour of El Clasico, the Premier League is littered with intriguing clashes such as West Ham versus Arsenal and Manchester United’s trip to Everton.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is one of the longest-married Nigerian celebrities at the moment.

So when she has something to say on relationships, it has to be valid, right?

At the Africa International Film Festival which recently ended in Lagos, the actress and mother of four shares the opinion that sharing faith with one's significant other and being disciplined are both key to making any celeb's marriage work.

Victor Moses: This was worst thing Chelsea managers did to me..

Victor Moses admits being ignored at Chelsea left him at rock bottom.

Moses joined Chelsea in 2012 but has spent three seasons at different Premier League clubs.

"The toughest time was pre-season, when you know that you've done well and the manager has never spoken to you," he told Sky Sports.

"And then someone comes up to you and says you're not in his plan and you've got to go on loan.

"When you go on loan it's totally different because it's not your club.

"You're going there to do your best but sometimes you get injured and coming back into the team is always difficult.

"I felt a little bit frustrated to be honest when going out on loan but I needed to keep on working hard, keep my head down and play my football."

A Propos the Unilateral Declaration of Independence From Godfather (UDIG), By Jibrin Ibrahim

…godfathers define themselves as men who have the power to substitute themselves for the voting citizenry during elections by determining who gets nominated to contest for elections in political parties and who wins the subsequent elections in the state. Since 2011, the integrity of our elections has been improving and the implication, at least at the theoretical level, is that free and fair elections dismantle the power of godfathers.

This week, the media is full of stories announcing the end of the reign of the godfather of South-West politics, Bola Tinubu, the ‘Jagaban of the World’ as his supporters call him. This followed the defeat of his candidate in the APC primaries, as well as a second defeat in the Ondo State gubernatorial election. His attempts to get his candidates into governorship seats in Kogi and Edo States had also failed fuelling speculations that his political power is waning. I believe that the power of all godfathers should wane but it might be premature to assume that has already happened to Tinubu. My reflections today are about our troubling history with

Antonio Conte believes Chelsea have gone a long way to proving their doubters wrong ahead of one of the biggest games of the season so far.

Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League last season but Conte has overseen a huge improvement in results and they sit top of the table after 13 matches this campaign.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Verily, all praise is for Allah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evil of our own souls [and from our bad deeds]. Whomsoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, [alone and without any partner] and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has signed a new five and a half year contract worth £90,000.

This is a boost to the North-London club as Kane has been a key figure in Mauricio Pochettino’s side. His new deal is a significant rise on the £60,000 per-week he is receiving at the club.

The contract talk between Kane and the club reportedly hit a snag over his demand for over £100,000 per week wage.

An article of faith?

Controversial and startling new evidence is casting light on a part of Jesus’ life that was not previously known, and appears to provide documentary evidence of his work. A lead tablet artifact contains noteworthy references and at least some of the details of his life, and is now the oldest discovered record of early Christianity.

This engraved and encoded metallic booklet/tablet not only mentions Jesus by name, as well as several of his disciples, but it describes some new details about his ministry and work.

hairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has said that every institution, including the anti-graft agency, suffers from corruption.

Magu made the comment on Friday, December 2, when he paid a visit to Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai in Abuja.

The most comprehensive research review ever done on the topic found that marijuana can help battle depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even addictions to alcohol and painkillers. Canadian psychologists pored over 60 published studies and articles, half of which examined the effects of medical marijuana, while the other half looked at recreational use. Because cannabis research is so young, pulling data from both types of studies provides the best confirmation yet that pot really can enhance — or even save — lives.

The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has said that no country will lend $30b to the Nigerian government.

The monarch said this at a forum organised by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), in Abuja.

Since the election of Donald Trump, news outlets and social media accounts have swelled with reports of swastikas at schools, racist taunts, and other hate-fueled attacks and acts of intimidation.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has both aggregated media reports and gathered submissions from its website, cataloged 867 such incidents in the first three weeks after Trump won the presidency.

Inside Osun State: 35-Year-Old To Die By Hanging

An Osun State High Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced Kayode Idowu, a 35-year-old artisan, to death by hanging for armed robbery and murder.

The police had arraigned Idowu and his accomplice, Femi Adebowale, before the court on three counts of conspiracy, murder and armed robbery.

The Mayor of London issued air pollution warnings at bus stops, tube stations and roadsides on Wednesday night to alert millions of Londoners that they are in danger of breathing in toxic fumes.

It is the first time that the alerts have been made since Sadiq Khan pledged to tell people in the capital when pollution was harmfully high.

Anyone experiencing discomfort such as sore eyes, a cough or sore throat was advised to consider reducing their activity, particularly outdoors.

If your iPhone 6S keeps dropping dead on you, it may have a faulty battery. According to Apple, this problem affects “a very small number” of iPhone 6S handsets manufactured in September and October of 2015. Customers with an iPhone 6S from this period may be eligible for a free battery replacement from Apple.

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions has arraigned a former Bursar of the Yaba College of Technology, Mr. Olugbenga Ibirogba, for allegedly leaking classified information on the college to media houses including Sahara News, Osun Defender, Premium Times and Global News Magazine in 2013.

Dinah Bazer was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the spring of 2010. The Brooklyn resident, an ice skating teacher and former bank IT programmer in her 60s, was devastated.

Luckily, doctors were able to successfully treat her disease with chemotherapy, but the dread of a reoccurrence just wouldn’t go away. It was like waiting for the other shoe to drop. “I was totally consumed with fear and anxiety,” she said on a recent call with a group of reporters.

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said he remains a committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party and has no immediate plans to dump the party.

He had on Wednesday, during a meeting with the members of the Suppliers’ Association of Nigeria, Ikere Ekiti chapter, said that he might seek another political platform to prosecute his succession battle in the 2018 governorship poll.

I voted GMB and campaign for his victory, I have no atom of regret about my action. So for those of you who think by doing ntor every now and then because of the situation of the country, that you have achieved a milestone, no! You have no justification, your hero put us in the dungeon of recession with his reckless ineptitude, my candidate is only clueless for now on getting us out. If we are still faced with the 2 wrong choices of PMB and GEJ come 2019, I won’t hesitate to repeat my choice.

At every point in time since the 1967 – 1970 Civil War, Public opinion in Nigeria has been United over its condemnation of government. Politics is too violent, government officials have no respect for the rule of law and virtually all of them, rightly or wrongly are viewed as crooks whose sole purpose is self aggrandizement, and personal enrichment.

Service in order to improve the quality of life for the electorate is never part of their plan. Consider the several, attempts that have been made to change this deploratale

Gambia Bans Internet, International Phone Calls because of Presidential Election

As Gambians go to the polls today, the authorities have shut down the internet and have banned overseas telephone calls.

The BBC’s Umaru Fofana in the capital, Banjul, says post-election demonstrations have also been banned.

The reporter adds that this is the most tighly contested presidential election since President Yahya Jammeh came to power 22 years ago.

Igbo youths took to the streets of Enugu on Wednesday in protest against the alleged “persecution” of Patience Jonathan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Some bank accounts, reportedly belonging to the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan had been frozen by the anti-graft agency.

Nigerian Nobel prize-winning author Wole Soyinka said Thursday he has fulfilled his pledge to throw away his US residency green card and leave the country if Donald Trump won the presidential election.

Shortly before the vote, Soyinka had vowed to give up his permanent US residency over a Trump victory to protest against the Republican billionaire’s campaign promises to get tough on immigration.

Instead of using Christianity as a tool for political and racial witch hunting, it is time for us Christians to renew efforts in applying the principles of grace and love as engendered in the Bible…

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” – Luke 6:35

THE alleged incompetence in the management of the nation’s sports sector was brought to the fore yesterday when stakeholders in the sector took the authorities at the ministry to the cleaners, alleging that they were killing sports development. Specifically, different presidents of the sporting federations, lamented that there was high level of corruption in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development which affected Nigeria’s poor outing in the London and Rio Olympics.

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