House of Representatives aspirant for Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal constituency in Enugu State, Prince Emeka Mamah has pledged to harness the economic potentials of the area to improve the lot of his people when elected.

Prince Mamah, who is vying under the Peoples.Democratic.Party, PDP, made this known during his formal declaration of interest to contest the position in the 2019 General elections said that Udenu/Igboeze North are leading other Federal Constituencies both in education and business and as such he will make concerted efforts towards repositioning the economic lives of the people.

The event which was held at the Igbo-Eze North LG party secretariat and Udenu LG secretariat on attracted political bigwigs from the area who pledged an unalloyed support to the aspiration of Prince Mamah.

According to him: “If I am elected as Reps member, I will not only give education and employment in the area adequate attention, I will pursue youth development programmes to reduce poverty and social vices.

“I visited all the communities during 2015 campaign and have the records of their needs which have not been fulfilled till now. If those wants are not lacking, I will not come out to contest. I promise that those needs will be over if am elected”, he said.

He disclosed that he would attract employment to his people, invest in education, bridge the gap between the legislature and the people and also help Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to continue his good works in Enugu State.

He further promised to constitute a project monitoring committee that would monitor all the federal projects in the constituency.

Prince Mamah paid glowing tribute to Governor Ugwuanyi for his wonderful performance, noting that the leadership style of the governor has led to rapid development in rural areas in the state.

“We have a good governor who have done so well within his 3 years in office but he needs the support of federal legislatures to make his good work reach the grassroots and bridge the gap”, he said.

Speaking briefly after Mamah’s declaration, Enugu State House of Assembly members, Hon. Anthony Ogidi and Hon. Ethel Ugwuanyi commended Prince Mamah for taking such decision and prayed that he would emerge the winner in 2019.

Hon. Ogidi who thanked God for making it possible for him to witness the declaration assured everybody that there would be no bloodshed in the coming election.

He advised the party faithful that this season is the season of eating and politicking because God must ordain the person that is our choice and governor’s choice.

Zonal chairman of the party, Hon. Micheal Onyeze lauded Prince Mama for offering himself again for the race of House of Representatives to serve his people without minding his unpleasant experience in the last election.

Hon. Onyeze who disclosed that Prince Mamah is qualified and capable to represent Igbo-Eze North/ Udenu Federal constituency, urged all the contestants to have have an attitude of winning at all cost but to show the spirit of sportsmanship.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North local government area, Hon. Uwakwe Ezeja, commended the party faithful for turning out en mass for the occasion.

Hon. Ezeja who was represented by his vice, Hon. Luke Uroko, also commended Prince Mamah for a wonderful presentation and drawing out such wonderful population of party faithful in the local government area.

Earlier, the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Igbo-Eze North local government, Hon. Alex Urama lauded the party members for coming and urged them to cast their vote wisely.

Prominent party faithful present at the event include, House of Assembly members representing Igbo-Eze North, Hon. Anthony Ogidi, Hon. Ethel Ugwuanyi; Zonal Chairman of the party, Micheal Onyeze; Igbo-Eze North local government Vice Chairman, Hon. Luck Uroko; Igboeze North PDap Chairman, Alex Urama; Party Secretary, Mark Iyida; local government councillors amongst others.

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LAGOS based human rights lawyer, Chief Femi Falana, has filed a fundamental human rights enforcement suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of a journalist, Jones Abiri, who has been held in the custody of the Department of State Security for about two years without charge.

The suit which was filed on Tuesday, sought among other prayers an order directing the DSS to pay to the journalist the sum of N200m in damages for the illegal violation of his fundamental rights.

The suit prayed for a declaration that the detention of the journalist in Abuja without access to his family members, friends and medical doctors since his arrest on July 21, 2016 “is illegal and unconstitutional”.

Chief Falana argued that the detention violates the applicant’s fundamental rights including, rights to personal liberty, dignity of person, fair hearing, health and association, as well as freedom of association.

He also contended that Abiri’s rights which were violated by the DSS were guaranteed by sections 34, 35 and 40 of the Constitution as well as Articles 11 and 16 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

A litigation clerk in Falana’s law firm, Paul Ochayi, said in an affidavit filed in support of the suit that Abiri was arrested without warrant by “the armed agents” of the DSS in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on July 21, 2016.

The affidavit added that “there is no court order which authorised the detention of the applicant” and that the agency, “has not charged the applicant to any court”.

The supporting affidavit said, “That the respondent’s agents brought the applicant from Yenogoa to Abuja on July 21, 2016 and have since then held him incommunicado.

“That the respondent has failed to charge the applicant with any offence.”

It also said that Abiri who has aged parents, wife and children has not committed any offence known to law to warrant his continuous, unwarranted and illegal detention.”

The matter has yet to be assigned to a judge to hear the matter.

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WEST Africa Examination Council (WAEC) has released the result of the 2018 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with 786,016 candidates representing 49.98% obtained credits and above in minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

WAEC’s Head of National Office,HNO, Mr Olu Adenipekun, who announced the result in Lagos, yesterday, said that a total of 786,016 candidates of the 1,572,396 that wrote the examination had five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics.

Adenipekun explained that a breakdown of the results, showed “1,213,244 candidates representing 76.84% obtained credits and above in a minimum of any five subjects (I. e with or without English Language and/or Mathematics.

“858,424 candidates representing 54.59% obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language but without Mathematics.”

He directed candidates who sat for the examination and have fulfilled their financialobligations to the council to check the details of their performance on the Council’s result website: www.waecdirect.org.
“Candidates who sat the examination and who have fulfilled their financial obligations

to the Council are free to check the details of their performance on the Council’s results website: www.waecdirect.org.”

He explained that the result checker pin and serial number needed by candidates to check results online are contained on candidate’s smart identity card used during the conduct of the examination.

“Certificates of candidates whose results have been fully processed and released will be ready in 90 days from today, he said.

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Following the non-completion of the Enyimba International Stadium in Aba, Nigeria Confederation of Africa Cup representative The Peoples Elephants Club will return to the Adokiye Amiesiamaka stadium for the Match Day 3 fixture against Ivorian side Williamsville in a fortnight.
The CAF Confederation Cup tie is slated for 5pm local time on Wednesday, July 18 in the Garden City.

In 2016, the People’s Elephant played all their home games in the CAF Champions League at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka stadium following renovation work at their traditional home in Aba but failed to go beyond the group phase.

The 2-time CAF Champions League winners have been playing home games in the league and on the continent away from home since renovation commenced at their Aba home in 2015.

Enyimba currently sit 3rd in Group B of the competition with 3 points following a 2-0 win against Malian giants, Djoliba in Calabar and an embarrassing 3-0 thumping in the hands of CARA Brazzaville of Congo, before World Cup break.

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Legal adviser of the newly registered party, Re-build Nigeria Peoples party, RBNP, Barrister Chukwudi Nweke has said that his ambition to represent the people of Abia North Senatorial District in the National Assembly come 2019 is to salvage the zone from poor representations it has suffered over the years.

Barrister Nweke stated this in an interview with Nigerian Pilot in Abuja while stressing his level of preparedness in the forthcoming general election in 2019.
He lamented that over the years, his Abia North people have suffered from lack of effective representations even available options at its disposal promising to redress the ugly development if given the mandate.

The Lawyer turned politician added that “there are infrastructural underdevelopment of his senatorial district; pupils attend school in ramshackle buildings, bad roads, no electricity, nothing tangible enough to show that they have had people who represented the zone before and even now.”

Ihechiowa Arochukwu-born lawyer noted that Abia North has produced men of substance in all fields of human endeavour but has not been fortunate to have somebody who will reposition the zone to an enviable height.

The Senatorial aspirant further explained that he has what it takes to offer effective representations given his background as a lawyer of many years standing, his vast experiences in other spheres of life coupled with his humble beginning as a son of an Evangelist will work in his favour.

He also posited that he has consulted widely in all the five local governments areas that make up Abia North and expressed optimism that his people are happy for his aspiration and have given him the nod.

“I know that those before me have tried their best but as a grassroot man who is more closer to the people,i stand the better chance of knowing their problems with a view to see how to solve them,”Nweke said.

The former students Union leader of University of Calabar , however, dispelled the fears of the role money will play to determine the winner granted those interested in the race such as Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of the state, Dr Bourdex Ogba Onuoha, and incumbent Senator Mao Ohuabunwa of PDP who are said to possess the financial war chest apart from their intimidating track records.

“It is true that I do not have the financial muscle to withstand these the so called heavy weight Politicians have I have trust in God and the people and the goodwill I have garnered over the years will see me through.

“Besides, my party, Re build Nigeria, is no doubt relatively new but going by the slogan of our party which Nigeria is likened to a house has fallen and that all hands must be on deck to rebuild it pointing out Nigerians are tired of all these parties that have failed them are now ready to embrace Rebuild Nigeria party.”

Barrister Chukwudi Nweke therefore called on the people of Abia North Senatorial District to lend their total support for his candidature promising that he will not disappoint them.

“I am not going to the National Assembly to enrich myself because I have tried in my personal effort, I am going there to rescue my Abia North people from many years of inactive representations, many years of neglect and many years of lack of infrastructural development and empowerments,” Senatorial aspirant submits.

On his assessment of PDP led Government in his home state, the Abuja based legal practitioner said that the it is obvious to all and sundry that Dr Okezie Ikpeazu’s government has not delivered his electioneering campaign promises to the fullest therefore his party, Rebuild Nigeria is coming to chart the way forward for God’s own state come 2019.

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Senate yesterday recommended some very strict measures to the Federal Government to stem continued insecurity in the country which includes increasing the size of the Police and other armed forces.

Leader of the Senate and chairman of the adhoc Security committee Senator Ahmed Lawan in a report submitted to the senate in session termed

National Security Summit

Recommendations

The senate amongst other recommendations said The nation’s basic security infrastructure needs to be comprehensively reviewed and strengthened.

According to them the Nigerian political structure should be a major factor in this review, as well as the nature of the challenges the nation faces. There is a strong case for review of the nature of the Federal system, which should be pursued with responsibility and strong political will. Managing national security requires an enlightened and constructive approach involving all arms and levels of government, as well as major inputs of key political influences across the nation. It is vital that strong initiatives towards addressing key components of our federal system, of which managing security is one, should be addressed through legislation and an inclusive political process.

Others are that there is the need to isolate current security challenges from political partisanship, narrow political interests and ethno-religious sentiments. Political office holders and all sources of influence should restrain tendencies to further complicate and worsen the nation’s current challenges. Non-governmental organizations, civil society and socio-cultural groups should explore avenues to engineer wider and substantial national consensus around reducing tensions and stresses, particularly with the advent of active political/electoral activities. It is imperative that activities towards the 2019 elections do not fuel further deterioration in the nation’s security.

They also stress that the basic structure in the management of national security should be revisited by the Presidency to address weaknesses in coordination, collaboration and synergy. Clear lines of authority should be identified, and officers and persons trusted with responsibility for national security should be held accountable. Unhealthy rivalry and competition which currently characterize relations between key security agencies and officers must be eliminated immediately.

In addition, they say all the nation’s security assets are dangerously stretched by current security challenges. There is the need to increase the size of the Nigeria Police, the military and other para-military agencies. Recruitment, training and deployment must be strictly governed by suitability and other professional considerations. Funding of our security assets should be improved, while levels of accountability on the part of the military, police and other agencies should be strictly enforced.

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NIGER government on Tuesday flagged-off the distribution of inputs for 2018 wet season farming under International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) for rice and cassava in the state.

Malam Haruna Dukku, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development made this known during the inauguration in Kuta, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

“I am delighted to be in your midst to flag-off the distribution of inputs to farmer organisations for the 2018 wet season,’’ he said.

Dukku said that farmers participate in the programme through farmer organisations that are registered and must own bank account.

He said that the intervention of the project was through matching grant, where farmers pay 50 per cent for inputs, 30 per cent for equipment and ten per cent for infrastructure.

“The project has supported the rice and cassava farmers with inputs for 2015, 2016 and 2017wet and dry season production.

“So far, 10, 000 farmers in the state have benefited from input support since the inception of the programme in 2014,’’ he said.

The Commissioner noted that over N200 million has been expended on inputs support in the past four years of VCDP implementation in the state.

He said that the measure has resulted into increase in the yield of rice from two tons per hectare to six tons per hectare, and cassava from eight tons per hectare to 25 tons per hectare

Dukku said that there have been efforts by the state government to make agriculture the main stay of the economy thereby making it a substitute for oil revenue.

“This why the present administration embraced the IFAD-VCDP programme to increase production and increase wealth of our farmers,’’ he said.

Earlier, Dr Mathew Ahmed, the State Programme Coordinator said that over 120 farmers in the area participating in the programme would benefit from the farm inputs.

Ahmed said that the inputs include NPK and urea fertilizers, improved rice seedlings, improved cassava cuttings and herbicides among others.

Also, Rev. Jacob Olorunyomi, Consultant, VCDP, Lokoja who represented the National Headquarters urged the farmers to utilise the inputs and not sell them in the market as such action would attract disciplinary measures.

Similarly, Mr Mark Hassan, the local government chairman promised that the council would ensure that the farmers utilise the inputs.

Mr Beno Yero, a member of Shilo Farmer group in the area commended the programme for the gesture, saying that a 50 kilogramme bag of fertilizer in the market costs N8, 000 to N9, 000 but the VCDP has made it N4, 000.

The Federal Government is implementing a six year programme for rice and cassava VCDP in the six states of Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger Ogun and Taraba.

Reports also said that the programme prepared in 2010 was approved for an IFAD loan of $74.4 million and grant of $500, 000 in April 2012.

The programme is scheduled to complete on December 31, 2019 and would terminate by June 30, 2020.

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Agriculture remains a dominant sector in the short and long term development of the Nigerian economy. It has the potentials of ensuring food security, creating employments, reducing crime and poverty, as well as guarantee sustainable environment through “green civilisation” which is the process of transforming agro products into industrial finished goods. Bio Plastic i.e. the production of degradable plastics from starch and other agricultural raw materials is one of the untapped opportunities begging for attention.

Plastics have been gaining prominence in the economy because of its multifarious purposes (packaging, as construction materials, automobile, furniture and electronics, and for various types of domestic products) and wide consumption all over the world. 50 million varieties of plastics were consumed in 1976, 330 million in 2015, while its consumption increases on daily basis. Plastics have become major sources of employment to workers in the plastic and allied industries.

Nigeria have comparative advantage in agriculture as her real productive sector, with job creating abilities, the development of rural communities, mitigating urban problems export activities. Raw materials are sourced through agriculture, therefore to obtain easy access to it, development of rural communities cannot be over-emphasised.

Most plastics produced in the 20th century are sourced from petroleum products but are no longer sustainable. Renewable raw materials from plants and food crops have been developed to produce bio-degradable plastics. It is capable of minimising plastic wastes both at production and usage levels. They can also enhance the growth of small and medium scale enterprises through which farmers and youths can generate income and create avenue for employment. With the prospects of biogenic raw materials for plastic production, new technologies will emerge, be promoted and adopted through agricultural education, research and training, and provision of infrastructures in rural communities.

Value chain helps firms to develop their indigenous capabilities to help local firms transfer new technology, skills and knowledge. Producers need to imbibe better technology to improve efficiency, the quality and functionality of a product through upgrading by using higher quality material or an improved quality management system (QMS).

The foregoing portend a huge market for bio degradable plastic from Nigeria. To have easy access to bio raw materials, there is need to develop agriculture with the supports of policies and initiatives. Value chains activities have to be introduced for the purpose of making agricultural produce a ready source of acquiring raw materials for industrial development. Jobs can be created through the value chain by giving skills to small and medium entrepreneurs on how to transform raw materials to valuable products for foreign exchange earnings and poverty reduction.

Production of bio-plastics (PLA) will be a better alternative to BPA plastics and will be an avenue of minimising health hazard derivable from BPA plastics. Our agricultural sectors can become a ready source of obtaining raw materials for the development of industries and means of creating job opportunities for the unemployed youths in the Nigerian society.

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Coach of Premiership side MFM F.C of Lagos, Fidelix Ilechukwu says that not minding the team’s position on the league table, the club will continue to fight till the end of the season.

MFM is presently occupying 11th position on the log with 33 points and will play host to defending champions, Plateau United at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos when hostilities begin after the World Cup break.

He said that as part of efforts to ensure that the team improves on its standing on the table, intensive training has resumed and some friendly matches lined up to keep players in top shape ahead of the commencement of the next stanza of the league.

“We’re preparing seriously for the next stage of the league which will commence immediately after the World Cup break. You know we’re at the middle of the league table and efforts are being intensified to solidify our position on the table.

“As I’m talking to you now, training has resumed fully and we plan to play some friendly matches before our next NPFL game against Plateau United,” stated.

Ilechukwu maintained that though the team is not in contention for the league title or continental ticket but they want to consolidate their position on the table and avoid the drop from the elite league.

“Our main target now is to consolidate our position on the league and possibly improve on it. We’re no longer talking about challenging for the title or picking a continental ticket but are more concerned about how to improve our position which is very important at the stage.

“You’re aware that other teams will be aiming to displace each other and those that are relegation threatened will be working hard to escape the drop and that’s the more reason why we’re not going to take chances from now till the end of the season,” concluded Ilechukwu.

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Milk has long been touted for its myriad health benefits. Rich in many vitamins, minerals and protein, you can enjoy milk in many ways from a refreshing beverage to a satisfying snack or a key baking ingredient. The National Dairy Council says that a few daily servings of low-fat milk or milk products may ward off heart and bone diseases while keeping your tummy trim.

Nutritional Value
A serving of milk is equal to 1 cup, or 8 fluid ounces. Each serving provides more than 30 percent of the daily value for calcium, 25 percent for riboflavin, 17 percent for vitamin B-12 and, when fortified, 30 percent for vitamin D and 10 percent for vitamin A. Additionally, 1 cup contains approximately 12 grams of carbohydrate and 8 grams of protein, which is more than 15 percent of the daily value for protein. The fat and calorie content varies depending on the type of milk. Fat-free and low-fat milks provide 0 to 3 grams of fat and 90 to 105 calories per cup, while reduced-fat and whole milks provide 5 to 8 grams of fat and 120 to 160 calories per cup.

Recommended Intake
Milks higher in fat are calorie dense and provide unhealthier saturated and trans fats. For these reasons, you should choose fat-free and low-fat milk products. For example, swap whole milk for skim milk or enjoy plain non-fat yogurt without added sugar. To maximize the nutritional benefits of milk, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage an intake of two to three servings per day. Serving sizes of milk products vary, so check the nutrition facts label. Milk products that are equivalent to 1 cup of milk include 1 cup of yogurt or milk-based pudding, 2 cups of cottage cheese, 2 ounces of American cheese and 1.5 ounces of hard cheese, like cheddar, mozzarella and Swiss.

Strong Bones
Bone strength in adulthood depends on how well bones developed during childhood. An adequate intake of calcium is essential throughout childhood to achieve optimal bone health. Your body stores 99 percent of its calcium in your bones, where it supports bone structure and function. The recommended dietary allowances for calcium are 1,000 to 1,300 milligrams for children and adolescents, 1,000 milligrams for adults and 1,200 milligrams for the elderly. By consuming three servings of milk each day, you can achieve the RDA for calcium. In addition to calcium, dairy provides other essential nutrients to maintain bone health, including magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein and vitamin D. Women are at greater risk for bone disease, like osteoporosis, than men. According to the National Dairy Council, approximately 88 percent of adult women do not meet the RDA for calcium and are at high risk for bone disease. It is important to consume enough calcium on a daily basis, preferably through foods. Milk and milk products are a naturally rich source of bone-strengthening nutrients.

Healthy Heart
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. The minerals calcium, potassium and magnesium interact with one another to regulate your blood pressure levels. These three minerals are abundant in milk, and are a major reason why many research studies have observed a beneficial link between milk and blood pressure. A comprehensive review of research studies that have examined milk and blood pressure was published in the February 2009 issue of “Journal of the American College of Nutrition.” The authors from the Department of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University concluded that an intake of dairy foods in conjunction with a reduced-sodium diet was beneficial for lowering blood pressure, particularly in individuals with existing high blood pressure.

Weight Loss
The calcium and protein in milk may coexist favorably to promote weight loss and weight management. In a weight loss study of a group of obese adults published in the April 2004 issue of the “International Journal of Obesity,” researchers placed participants on a reduced-calorie diet, as well as either a low-calcium diet that contained 400 too 500 milligrams of dietary calcium per day, a high-calcium diet that contained 400 to 500 milligrams of dietary calcium supplemented with 800 milligrams of calcium per day or a high-dairy diet containing 1,200 to 1,300 milligrams of dietary calcium per day. Participants on the high-calcium and high-dairy diets lost significantly more body weight, overall body fat and abdominal fat compared to those on a low-calcium diet, with the greatest losses occurring in the high-dairy group.

Considerations
It is important to note that the benefits of taking calcium supplements on health are not clear, and may increase risk for cardiovascular diseases in certain populations. You should meet your nutrient requirements through foods rather than supplementation when possible. People with lactose intolerance or milk allergy may need to supplement nondairy calcium sources in their diets. Good sources are calcium-fortified orange juice or non-dairy milk alternatives, canned sardines, salmon, shrimp, broccoli, kale, oranges and figs. While milk and milk products provide many health benefits, they should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

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On June 6, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari, changed the date of democracy day in Nigeria from May 29 to June 12 in honour of late Chief Moshood Kashimowo Olawale Abiola winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, which was annulled by then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida.

This singular act of the president has given Nigerians a ray of hope that Buhari administration is going to be a success. Nigerians are very grateful to Mr President for granting Abiola this honor and will support the Buhari administration especially the Yoruba.

This will enhance or promote peace and integration among Nigerians. It will bring unity in the country irrespective of religion or ethnicity. He has demonstrated what a good leader should do. Buhari who was also a former military president has rectified or rather addressed the injustice of the past military administration.

Nigerians now believe that Buhari’s action shows he is a true democrat and a leader who listens to their wishes and aspirations. Millions of Nigerians have decided to join hands in saluting this singular act of the president and describing it as a watershed in the history of recovery or compensation for the past wrongdoings.

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President Buhari has condemned insinuations that his government has done nothing about the recent killings going on in parts of the country.

The President argued that there is no administration in the country’s history which had not experienced killings that are similar to the ones going on now.

The President who hosted leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the State House, Abuja on Thursday, said it was unfair to criticize his administration for the recent violence in Plateau where about 200 people were reportedly killed, recalling that in 2001, after thousands were killed in the state, the then federal government had to declare a state of emergency in the state.

‘‘When some, for clearly political purposes, attempt to suggest that this government is doing nothing about the killings and that I, being Fulani, must be encouraging these satanic acts, it seems to me that there is no limit to the evil in the minds of men.

‘‘Otherwise, how can anyone in their right minds suggest that I, as an elected President even with substantial votes in the affected areas, will for any reason do harm by an act of omission to those same people?

‘‘Secondly, the problems in all these areas, as you all know, are historical. There is no administration that has not had to contend with killings in these same areas over the years.

‘‘Indeed, in 2001, you may recall that after thousands were killed in Plateau State, a State of Emergency was declared and a Governor was replaced by an Administrator,’’ the President was quoted in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.

President Muhammadu Buhari rallied the Christian leaders in the country to remain united and shame those stoking the fires of ethnic and religious conflicts in the country for their short-term political gains.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bring violent conflicts in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and other flash-points to a decisive end.

He urged the Christian community to complement government efforts by working firmly for a united and strong Nigeria.

‘‘Government can achieve lasting peace only with the sincere and active cooperation of communities, religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders.

‘‘These include the Media in whose hands lies the power to frame, shape the perspectives and narratives which influence the thinking of millions of people within and outside Nigeria.

‘‘Let us collectively shame those who are stoking the fires of ethnic and religious conflicts for their short-term political gains.

‘‘This country belongs equally to Christians and Muslims and even those who claim ignorance of God,’’ the President told the Christian leaders.

Condemning the recent killings in Benue, Zamfara and lately Plateau, which he described as ‘‘wicked, condemnable and completely unacceptable acts’’, the President stressed that Nigerians are religious people and no religion or culture accepts the killing of people for any reason whatsoever.

‘‘This is why we must all rise as one to condemn these vile and wicked acts to ensure that all the culprits are brought to justice

‘‘We owe it to the memory of those who lost their lives in the violence in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and elsewhere since 1999 to bring the conflicts to a decisive end. I assure you that we will do this.

‘‘Let me make it clear that even a single life lost in any part of the country is one too many. I came to office vowing to ensure the protection of lives and property, and I remain committed to this despite the challenges we have experienced,’’ President Buhari said.

He also used the occasion of the visit by CAN Northern leaders to enumerate some steps taken by his administration to check the recurring violence in some parts of the country.

‘‘In recent weeks, we have beefed up Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State, with the deployment of extra Special Forces from the Defence Headquarters.

‘‘Besides, we currently have no fewer than three special military intervention forces in the troubled zones.

‘‘Operation Safe Haven to secure Plateau State, Operation Whirl Stroke 1, OPWS, to secure Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa and OPWS 2 to secure Zamfara and Kaduna States.

‘‘These forces are supported with investigative and intelligence gathering capabilities from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other agencies,’’ he said.

Acknowledging that it is the full responsibility of government to deploy law enforcement agencies in troubled spots, the President noted that creating the platform and mechanisms for dialogue remained a collective effort for all citizens.

He told the Christian leaders that the military and police have arrested hundreds of suspects across the various flash-points in the region and several prosecutions are going on, noting that there have been a number of convictions.

‘‘Nigerians are right when they say they want to see more convictions and I would like to appeal to the judiciary to help us fast track these cases,’’ he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Dr Yakubu Pam had enumerated some demands from the Christian community in Northern Nigeria, including an urgent review of the nation’s security architecture; rebuilding of communities ravaged by the attacks and provision of adequate security for farmers in the region.

The cleric, among others, also challenged the Federal government to encourage herders to acquire land for ranching across the country as a means of private business investment.

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Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is a small, round green colour hybrid citrus fruit. Due to its acidic sour juice and unique aroma, the lime fruit is widely used in various cuisines to accent flavour. It is a common ingredient in Mexican, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine.
All over the world, lime is widely used to make jams, pickles, sorbets, snacks, candies, confectioneries, cocktails and other beverages. Apart from consumption, the oil extracted from lime peel is used as an ingredient in skin and hair care products like toothpastes, beauty soaps, deodorants, hair oils, body oils, disinfectants and mouth washes. Apparently, there are many benefits of lime, some of which are listed in this article.

Aids Weight Loss
Lime benefits weight loss. Lime juice has been traditionally used in several weight reduction programs and is a great refresher and antioxidant drink. Lime juice is naturally sweet but extremely low in calories. It contains citric acid, which is an excellent fat burner. To lose weight, add 1-2 teaspoons of raw, organic honey and the juice of a fresh lime to 8 ounces of warm water. Drink it early in the morning on empty stomach to get beneficial results within a week.

Good For Women’s Health
This citrus fruit contains calcium and folate, two vital nutrients for post-menopausal women as well as those in the child-bearing age. One fresh medium sized lime contains 22 milligrams calcium and five micrograms folate. Women in these phases should make lime a part their diet to get some relief.

Treatment Of Fever
Lime and lime juice possess natural fever reducing qualities. In case of high to moderate fever, the patient should be given lime juice and water along with other fruit juices to bring down the temperature to manageable levels. The high concentrations of Vitamin C in citrus fruits help lower the temperature naturally.

Treats Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease caused due to the deficiency of Vitamin C. It is characterized by frequent infections in the form of cold, ulcers on the tongue and mouth, cracked lips and lip corners, spongy, swollen and bleeding gums etc. Being packed with Vitamin C, lime is extremely effective in curing scurvy. This has been a popular cure since the nineteenth century when the British used to have lime juice to ward off scurvy. Even today, limes are given to workers working in hazardous environments like cement factories, painting shops, mines, furnaces and other dangerous work to prevent the outbreak of scurvy.

Gum Care
The deficiency of Vitamin C can also lead to gum problems. As stated above, scurvy can cause bleeding and spongy gums. Often, ulcers and microbial growth are caused due to physical trauma. Limes contain flavonoids that inhibit microbial growth and, along with potassium, facilitate the healing of ulcers and wounds.

Eye Care
The antioxidant and antibacterial properties of limes are beneficial for your eyes. The antioxidant property of Vitamin C protects your eyes from aging and macular degeneration while the flavonoids prevent infections.

Treats Gout
Gout is caused by the accumulation of free radicals or toxins in the body, primarily uric acid. Being a wonderful source of antioxidants and detoxifiers like Vitamin C and flavonoids, lime can help reduce the number of free radicals and detoxify your body, preventing gout.

Treats Piles
Piles can be defined as an uncomfortable condition that occurs in the anal region, causing bleeding and discomfort during excretion and general activity. When left uncured, piles can even lead to certain forms of cancer. Limes can help heal ulcers and wounds in the digestive and excretory systems, thus providing relief from constipation, which is the root cause of piles.

Treatment Of Common Cold
The high amount of vitamin C in limes not only treats common cold but also increases the resistance of the body towards common cold.

Aids Digestion
The refreshing fragrance of lime can make your mouth water even before consuming it. The acids present in this fruit facilitate smoother digestion by breaking the macro molecules of food. Flavonoids are compounds found in the fragrant oil extracted from lime. These compounds stimulate the digestive system by increasing the secretion of digestive juices, bile, and acids.

Treats Cystitis
Cystitis, also known as urinary tract infection, is an inflammation of the urinary bladder caused due to lack of hygiene or allergic reaction to drugs or radiation therapy. Limes have a high content of potassium, which helps eliminate the toxic substances and precipitates that get accumulated in the kidneys and the urinary bladder. Limes also possess disinfectant properties that can help cure infections in the urinary system. Besides, they prevent prostrate growth and prevent blockage of urine caused by calcium deposits in the urinary tract. In case of urinary tract infection, lime juice boiled in water should be taken every couple of hours to get relief.

Beneficial For The Heart
Limes are rich in soluble fibre that can lower blood pressure level as well as LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol. This soluble fibre also cures the inflammation of the blood vessels, providing protection against heart attack, strokes, and heart disease.

Lowers Cholesterol
Limes contain a flavonoid called hesperidin, which has been shown to lower the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. If you are suffering from increased cholesterol levels, it is advisable to boost your hesperidin levels by consuming more of limes.

Treats Respiratory Disorders
The flavonoid-rich oil contained in lime extracts is used as an ingredient in anti-congestive medicines like vaporizers, balms, and inhalers due to the presence of kaempherol. Scratching the peel of a lime and inhaling it provides relief from congestion and nausea.

Prevents Formation Of Kidney Stones
Whether taken in the fresh or in the concentrate form, lime juice contains more citric acid than orange or grapefruit juice. Citric acid naturally inhibits kidney stones made of crystallized calcium. It is advisable to use fresh lime juice squeezed into water instead of commercial juices to get maximum benefits.

Beneficial For Diabetics
According to the American Diabetes Association, citrus fruits like lime are beneficial for diabetics due to several reasons. Firstly, the high levels of soluble fiber in limes help regulate the body’s absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This prevents the occurrence of a blood sugar spike, which is risky for diabetic patients. Secondly, like most citrus fruits, limes have a low glycemic index. They do not cause unexpected spikes in the glucose levels, thus adding to the benefits for diabetic patients.
Despite the great benefits of lime it’s important to note that it also has side effects thus, it should not be taken too much especially by pregnant women.

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The recent Brookings Institution report indicating that Nigeria has become number one poorest country in the world did not come to many as a rattling piece of news. Nigeria has overtaken India,a country with a population of 1.324 billion people. Nigeria’s population is 200 million.

According to the United States of America-based nonprofit public policy organisation, “At the end of May 2018, our trajectories suggest that Nigeria had about 87 million people in extreme poverty, compared with India’s 73 million. What is more, extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing by six people every minute, while poverty in India continues to fall.”

The report continued by saying that, “In fact, by the end of 2018 in Africa as a whole, there will probably be about 3.2 million more people living in extreme poverty than there is today. Africans account for about two-thirds of the world’s extreme poor and that If current trends persist, Africa will account for nine-tenths by 2030. Fourteen out of 18 countries in the world—where the number of extreme poor is rising—are in Africa”, it stated.

Both World Bank and the International Monetary Fund did separately confirmed the fact that Nigerians are getting poorer and advised the government of Nigeria on result-oriented reforms.

According to a World Bank report, within 25 years, India has reversed the misfortunes of her citizens by lifting 239million of her poor citizens out of extreme poverty. In the same vein, China, through pragmatic policies, lifted more than 500million of her citizens during the period under review.

Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world. According to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Nigeria’s out-of- school children are over 10.5million. The worst case of Tuberculosis in the world, according to a recent report, is Nigeria. The worst place to give birth on earth (according to Bill Gates) because of the high rates of infant and maternal mortality is Nigeria. It said that infant mortality rate is 85.8 of 1000 live births. Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics reports over the months support the increasing rate of poverty, unemployment, mass job loss, etc.

Although official response is sonorously loud in countering the reports, nothing validates the reports more than the groaning in the streets among famished, economically and socially degraded Nigerians.

For instance, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enalamah, came swiftly in defence of the Federal Government. According to him, “We need to understand when we get these reports that there are reports that are lagging in indicators which means, people are reporting on history. There are reports that are leading indicators, which means that they are forward looking and, of course, there are reports that capture generally what you do which is current.

“They are actually dealing with what is current. So, when you get reports from Brookings Institute or all sorts of people, you need to look at the context. Somebody may have written a report when we were in recession. Remember that if you are in a recession, what it means is that even though your population is growing, people don’t stop procreating, which means that in theory, depending on how they run those numbers, you will be going the other way.

“There is absolutely no question that there is an urgency to create employment in Nigeria and it has to be a collective responsibility. What I can tell you, with certainty based on one’s background in business and economics, is that if we complete the things on infrastructure and you implement these reports we are doing- that is what I mean by a leading indicator- poverty will go down”.

It is very clear here that even official reactions are contradictory. What we deduce from this is that the present administration’s economic and social investments policies that claim to reduce poverty, create job and wealth are inherently weak and ineffective. The absence of effective policy initiatives, mismanagement, corruption, nepotism and ethnicism have created more poverty than jobs or wealth since the past three years. The government should wake up from slumber and embrace reality. Nigerians need better economic deal capable of genuinely reducing poverty, hunger, diseases and deaths.

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House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution appealing to Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC to relocate its operations to Warri.

Debating a motion of urgent public interest, Thursday, the lawmakers appealed to the oil major to relocate because peace has returned to Warri and in extension the Niger Delta region.

According to the House, there is absolute peace and tranquility in Warri now that engenders good business environment for Shell and other oil companies to do a rethink.

They noted that so many investments have been made in security by the Delta state government and with assurances from critical stakeholders from the area on total peace, it was only compelling that Shell which still drills oil from the area to relocate back to the oil city.

Sponsor of the motion, Honorable Lovett Disi, representing Ethiope East and West of Delta state, while giving detailed insights during debate of the general principles, explained that Shell left Warri in 2013 because of the then unpleasant and hostile environment, regrettably occasioned by the neglect of the companies and government on the people.

“But things have changed now. There is relative peace now and the best thing is for Shell to return or else they are violating the local content Act, essentially as they still drill oil from the area”

He disclosed that the top management of the oil giant has equally apologised to the people of the Niger Delta region over their inactions in the area and as such, in the spirit of such reconciliatory disposition, it should return.

Hon Disi noted further that Warri was now a shadow of itself following Shell’s absence.

“Businesses are dead, government is losing so much taxes as a result of SPDC’s absence” he said.

This was the same position canvassed by Hon Dan Reneiju and Nicholas Ossai Nicholas, who are of the view that the plea to shell to return had become imperative.

Reineju disclosed that there have been previous pleas to the oil firm to return but declined, not even with a federal government blueprint on all oil companies to return to their operational base in the Niger Delta region, according to Hon Ossai who also noted that the federal government has directed thus, and that it was an ample opportunity for Shell to key in and return to Warri.

The motion drew members’ sympathy following which the committee on Petroleum Upstream was directed to liaise with relevant agencies to ensure compliance by Shell

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LEADERS of ethnic nationalities in Benue State have passed a vote of confidence on Governor Samuel Ortom over his tenacity and dogged determination to ensure the smooth implementation and enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law promulgated in the state last year.

The leaders under the auspices of Mdzough U Tiv, MUT, Idoma National Forum, INF and Omi Nyi’Igede, ONI also commended troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke, a spike operation by the armed forces to end militant herdsmen killings in the state even as they commiserated with families of the personnel who had lost their lives in the operation.

According to a statement issued yesterday in Makurdi, through their chairmen, Chief Edward Ujege, Barr Amali Adoya Amali and Comrade Ben Okpa on behalf of MUT, INF and ONI respectively, the leaders commended Governor Ortom for his resilience to ensure that the will of the people of the state prevailed in the face of adversity.

The statement reads in part, “the forum of MUT, INF and ONI is therefore deeply appreciative of Governor Samuel Ortom for consistently and firmly staking his neck to entrenching modern way of animal husbandry through the enactment of the law on ranching.

“The success of the governor‘s efforts in this regard will encourage and guarantee mass participation in agricultural activities which is the main economic stay of our dear state apart from the civil service.

“In the face of apparent persecution and lackluster response from the centre, which ought to provide us security, our governor has chosen to stand with his people and we also stand with him.

“It is on this note that we the forum of MUT, INF and ONI wish to state unequivocally our unflinching support to Governor Ortom over his stance on the open grazing prohibition law.

“He has chosen to stand with the people at this critical time in the history of our state due to the onslaught by the herdsmen, sacrificing his life and political comfort to ensure that the wishes of the people on whose mandate he became the governor of Benue State prevailed.

“At present, we cannot talk about sustenance of Benue state economy because of the onslaught by the herdsmen. Our rural populations who in their small measure have been contributing to the local economy have deserted their communities.

“We also wish to remind those constituting a clog in the wheel of progress of Benue and Nigeria that they are only building castles in the air and will not succeed in mortgaging the future of our children yet unborn.

“Benue State of Nigeria is ours as we have nowhere else to call home hence we appreciate the excellent work commenced by the military under the operation “Whirl Stroke” for maintaining the peace and commencing the return of some IDPs to their ancestral homes. Your sacrifice will not be in vain.”

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Just last week, the picture of a 10 years old plantain hawker sleeping by the bridge on a street in Lagos was trending. It however attracted the sympathy of Nollywood actor Williams Uchemba.

The Actor and comedian took steps to locate the whereabouts of the little boy by posting on his Instagram page that he was searching for the boy. Under a few hours someone found him.

The actor however cleaned the boy up, fed him and put him on a plane back to Akwa Ibom state where the boy hails form. He made a promise to the young lad that he would be placed on scholarship that should see him through school.

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Nollywood actress Georgina Onuoha took to her Instagram page a video of her newly acquired mansion in the United States.

According to her, this has been a mission of over 11 years, her caption read

“Land lady in America, my song of thanksgiving is forever endless for that which the Lord has done for me and mine”

She however celebrated her kids, stating that they have journeyed with her through life and deserves everything beautiful for their hard work and academics, love and understanding.

Georgina also had a message for her fans.

“… may God bless you all richly as he has done for me. Dream, work and walk towards it and watch everything align for you at the right time, testimonies shall not depart from your household. She said

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Crisis and conflicts appear to be the second name of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, even though not too long ago, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was left off the hook after a Supreme Court judgment that brought reprieve to it. The APC appears to be in another mess after a prolonged in-house wrangling. Can it survive the slide ahead of the 2019 polls asks OkechukwuJombo?
Now that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has been officially factionalized Nigerians are watching to see what will happen next.
Some said they knew it will soon happen so they were not surprised.Those who had this belief based it on the premise that every ruling party passes through the same phase. That Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while in power also went through it too and came out stronger until that of the nPDP finally nailed its coffin in 2015.The party survived it for 16years.
The question is will the APC survive the factionalizationand for how long, considering that it has only been in power for three and half years?
The similarities are very glaring,nPDP and Reformed All Progressives Congress,R-APC.The actors are alike, Senate President BukolaSaraki played a huge role in both scenarios.
A faction of APC in KwaraState led by Rev. BunmiOlusona said it had in the last three months been waiting for Saraki and his co-travellers to defect.
He said he was not shocked by the formation of R-APC by a bloc in the party to which Saraki belongs.
In a statement on Thursday, Olusona said: “The first question one is tempted to ask is: who does not know, since the last three months, that theSaraki-led faction of the APC in Kwara State had concluded arrangements to leave the APC.They are still in the party for fear of the unknown.
“It is a shame that Saraki and his cronies would make their over-hyped impending defection from the APC to a yet to be disclosed party a daily press affair. No credible politician or group of politicians would occupy the press consistently for more than three months on one subject matter without walking the talk.
“What that signifies iseither Saraki and his cronies lack the courage to leave APC or are afraid of their faith in the party they intend to join. If they are confident of their level of credibility and political value, they should have left three months ago.
“Our greatest consolation is that neither the national leadership nor the real APC members in Kwara State have lost any sleep in the last three months since they started threatening to leave the APC.
“We, therefore, heartily welcome the news of their impending departure. To us, it is good riddance to bad rubbish.
“While urging all peace-loving Kwarans to remain calm, we assure them that we shall not hesitate to roll out the drums to celebrate their departure whenever they are able to summon the courage to match their words’’.
That apart some would want to know the reason for the division and to get thatknowledge you need to go to AlhajiBubaGaladima who explained that one cannot build something on nothing.According to him, there were infractions right from the ward congresses leading to the convention. Therefore, the processes were faulty. The executives produced through these processes cannot stand legal interpretation. We are members of the APC,” he insisted.
Galadima argued that none of the three leaders was a signatory to the formation of the party, claiming that APC was nationally accepted because of the integrity of people like him.
He maintained that the party’s constitution was violated during the convention, alleging that members were stopped from buying forms to contest the election into various leadership positions.
“People were stopped from accessing forms, people were stopped from attending venues that will generate delegates to the national convention,” the factional chairman said, noting that those people might have opposed the voice vote which elected Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.
In a swift reaction to the allegation, a member of the APC Board of Trustees, BoT, Jasper Azuatalam, said Galadima has no fact to prove his allegations.
Azuatalam said while it is usual to have disagreements after elections just like the APC convention, “the national convention of the party affirmed every position from all states.”
He, however, distanced the APC from R-APC, saying aggrieved members in the faction have a choice of either joining other registered parties or form a new one.
The BoT member said, “The fact that the national convention produced a delegate from all the states means that it has affirmed all elected people from the ward, to the local government, and to the state and these were delegates that came for the national convention.
“What this means is that there is, at the moment, no faction in any state of the party in Nigeria; there are disagreement and these people who disagreed have gone to court and it is subject to the court to determine in their favour or otherwise,” he added
Even the newly sworn in national chairman knows that the party is in trouble. He has been going round begging perceived aggrieved members. He was at the National Assembly to meet the APC caucus of both chambers and his message was the same, please don’t go, have patience.If anyone says the party is at peace that person is ignorant.

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…Say it’s unconstitutional
…To drag FG to court
… It’s a descent to fascism

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described as illegal, unconstitutional, reprehensible and a dangerous step towards a descent to fascism, the asset seizure Executive Order imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari in total disregard to the provisions of the 1999 constitution.

The party said the constitution does not, under any section, confer such fascist powers on the president under our democracy and there can be no legitimate latitude of interpretation placed on Sections 5 and 15 (5) of the 1999 Constitution cited as justifications for this draconian executive order, that can excuse it.

“Therefore, President Buhari’s unilateral Executive Order is a travesty of justice and rule of law, as it vehemently seeks to hijack and usurp the powers of the legislature and the courts and vest it on himself so that he can use same at will, as a political instrument, to haunt, traumatize, harass and victimize perceived political opponents.

“In order words, Mr. President wants to change our democratic governance to a military regime, in line with his lamentation, two days ago, that the fight against corruption will be better under a military regime than under a democracy.

“It is instructive to emphasize that the PDP is not in any way opposed to the fight against corruption. Rather, the party holds that the imposition of this Executive Order, which is radically at variance with the provisions of the constitution, is totally unacceptable.

“PDP takes this Executive Order 6 of 2018 as a re-enactment of the obnoxious Decree 2 of 1984 which incidentally was also an enactment under the then military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, and this must not be permitted in our current democratic dispensation.

“If allowed, this Order will confer limitless powers on Mr. President, whose administration’s penchant for violation of rules and order, already suggests a readiness for autocracy and a drive towards fascism’’.

According to the party, in a democracy, the role of the executive is to enforce court orders/judgments handed down based on the interpretation of existing laws.

“Any suggestion to the contrary, as clearly intended by this Executive Order, is totally an aberration and inconsistent with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We invite Nigerians and the international community to note the deliberate attempts by the Buhari administration to side-step the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), usurp the powers of the legislature, the judiciary and impose an autocratic regime on our nation’’.

The PDP charged the judiciary and legislature to save our dear nation and its people from “an imminent fascism by rejecting this obnoxious Executive Order.”

“Nigeria is a democratic state run by the dictates of the law and the constitution and not by the rule of the thumb of any elected officer.

“Already, our lawyers are considering a legal action against the federal government on the illegality of Mr. President’s action in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.”

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