PDP hired 8,000 militants to rig polls – Oshiomhole

The Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole, has accused Governors in the South-South of plotting with the Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the governorship polls which was slated to hold on September 10, 2016.

Oshiomhole also alleged that the PDP in Edo state hired 8,000 militants to rig the governorship elections.

The Edo Governor said this when he hosted the Inspector –General of Police, Ibrahim Idris at the Edo Government House.

He alleged that the Edo PDP liaised with Governors of Rivers and Delta states to bring militants to the state and disrupt the elections.

According to Leadership, Oshiomhole said “In line with my tradition, I have always tried to speak out on any matter that I am worried about. I first raised this alarm on the eve of INEC Continuing Voters’ Registration exercise, an exercise that has been designed to register those who have become eighteen between the last registration and the current one.

“But these criminals who are determined to perpetrate violence and deny us the beauty of a peaceful election, unable to find local participants have chosen to import these militants with the support of two or so of my brothers. When I say brothers, I mean brother governors. It doesn’t matter if I disagree with them, they are my brothers.

“They are exporting militants to Edo State to register so that with the PVC in their hands, they will appear to have the lawful basis to be present at the designated polling units where they are expected to unleash violence on election day.”

He said, “When I raised this alarm, I should expect naturally criminals are not as courageous as they seem. They denied that there was any such plan, but happily our ever vigilant, the peace-loving electorate were able to apprehend some of these people from other states that came into Edo State for the purpose of this exercise.

“At least, thirteen of them were handed over to the police. The IG may wish to establish what has happened to those people who were handed over. So, we handed them over to the police in line with what we were expected to do as civilised people.

“Having done that, we are clear that there are a lot of people, up to eight thousand of them who are non-resident in Edo State, who are not indigenes of Edo State, who are indigenes and residents of Delta and Rivers states and some other states in the South-South, some from Bayelsa state who have registered for the sole purpose not to swell the votes, but to be present in various locations on election day.

“Now, as part of the processes they put in place to effect this, they had conspirators in INEC that made available to them data capturing machine in the residences of various opposition leaders. We shared these experiences with the police and the DSS."

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has described the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) claim that it influenced the postponement of the state governorship elections as idiotic.

Chibok girls issue is a scam – Rev. says

The National President of the Women’s Wing of the Christian Council of Nigeria (WOWICCN), Rev. Mrs. Omatsola Williams, has described the whole saga of the Chibok girls as a scam.

Williams also said everybody is taking advantage of the issue of the girls to make money out of it.

She also cited the confrontation that ensued between the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign and a Pro-Buhari group.

Williams said the matter has been politicised, adding that people are now using it to promote themselves.

She said "For me o’, I don’t believe that there is Chibok girl. We should not use the life of people to play ‘Jambo’ (game) at all. Some people are using this to make money. Ah ha! How tick is the Sambisa forest is it that people cannot penetrate?

“Food for thought; when you come to Niger Delta Area, there is no secret. Let Nigerians do not toil with Nigerians, because before they know it, women will arise and they will see the other side of women.”

Speaking on the current economic situation in the country, Williams said “Let all of us go back to the drawing board, and forget about oil. Nigeria is a blessed country, a fertile land that has a lot of opportunities to tap. We have forgotten, even the talents giving to us, we don’t want to use it.

“Now is the time, the era of white-collar jobs is over. If you recall, how did Japan grow after the Hiroshima war? They had nothing but hand work. With determination and self development, they built up Japan. Is Japan no controlling the world today? Nigeria! We can even do better.”

Funny photos to make anyone laugh

I found this pictures on Facebook and I decided to share them with you.
  

Nigeria's first Gold in Rio 2016 Paralympics

Congratulations Nigerians!!

Ezuruike Roland has won Nigeria's first Gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympics in this men's 54kg powerlifting events.

God bless u really good.

The Popular "all of me" family

This a photos share by John Legend himself on his Instagram page.

Barcelona sign up Lionel Messi’s son for new children’s project – report

Lionel Messi’s three-year-old son is reportedly set to join Barcelona’s new ‘baby’ project.

The Argentinian superstar recently revealed that his eldest child, Thiago, was uninterested in football.

However, the toddler will now play alongside the children of other Barcelona players and staff members, according to El Larguero (via Sport).

The report claims that the youth set-up, dubbed FCBEscola, will focus on developing kids from the ages of three to five.

Potentially ahead of a future in La Masia, the source suggests that the programme will aim to provide the children with the much-vaunted ‘Barcelona DNA’.

Meanwhile, Messi senior is currently sidelined through injury, after suffering a groin problem on international duty.
Wonders, indeed

Alexis Sanchez says he has reached the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

ARSENAL forward Alexis Sanchez says he has reached a level where he can compete with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sanchez joined Arsenal in 2014 from Barcelona, where he played alongside five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in attack, and has since scored 30 goals in 68 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

Ronaldo, who has won two Champions League titles in the last three years with Real Madrid, captained Portugal to Euro 2016 success this summer and scored 54 goals in all competitions last season. However, Sanchez believes he has now got to a point where there is no one superior to him in football.

“I have reached a level where I can compete with great players,” Sanchez told Sport. “I do not feel inferior to anybody. I liken [my qualities] to Messi and Ronaldo. I have the same abilities as them.”

Alcacer happy to play wide to accommodate “the best No.9 in the world”

New Barcelona forward Paco Alcacer is relishing the opportunity to work alongside the “best No.9 in the world” in Luis Suarez, and is willing to play wide when called upon.

Alcacer, who joined the Spanish champions from Valencia this summer, admires the fear that Suarez instils in defenders in La Liga and is looking to learn a lot from the Uruguayan.

Whilst the 23-year-old sees himself as someone that should play centrally, he admitted that he would be willing to play on the flanks if that’s what manager Luis Enrique wants.

The Spain international told Barcelona’s official website: “When I found out that Barça wanted me I was impressed. I thought of my family and there was more of a chance to say yes than no.

“Now I’m here with Luis, the best No.9 in the world and I’m sure I’ll improve a lot alongside him.

“In Luis Suárez I look at his effectiveness and the fear he instils in opposition defences. My position is centre-forward but if I have to play out wide I will do so.”

Alcacer will need to be willing to feature in several positions if he hopes to play, due to the form of Suarez, who has already scored three goals in Barcelona’s opening two league games, as well as Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Valencia struggled in La Liga as they slumped to a 12th-place finish last term, but Alcacer still impressed as he scored 13 goals and provided six assists across 34 appearances.

Barcelona Trio Reunited, Cristiano Ronaldo Returns For Real Madrid

Madrid: Barcelona's fearsome front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar could join forces for the first time in four months against Alaves, while Cristiano Ronaldo will make his Real Madrid return on Saturday.

Neymar has missed Barca's 100 percent start to the season due to his efforts in leading Brazil to Olympic gold on home soil, but returned to Spain for the first time since May after more international duty in World Cup qualifying this week and is expected to start at the Camp Nou.

Messi is a much bigger doubt after missing Argentina's clash with Venezuela in midweek due to a groin problem. The five-time World Player of the Year has played a limited part in training in recent days and coach Luis Enrique is likely to be cautious for the first of seven games in 22 days for Barca.

Paco Alcacer is in line to make his debut after sealing a 30 million-euro ($33 million) move from Valencia and the Spanish international striker is aware he will have to make the most of limited opportunities as fourth choice behind Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

"I will do everything I can to take advantage of the chances I have to the full," Alcacer said as he was presented on Thursday.

Andres Iniesta has also returned to training following a knee injury and will battle Arda Turan and Denis Suarez for a place in midfield as both have impressed early in the campaign.

Ronaldo makes his long-awaited return at the Santiago Bernabeu against Osasuna earlier on Saturday in what will be his first appearance since suffering ligament damage in his left knee during Portugal's Euro 2016 final win over France.

Real haven't suffered in Ronaldo's absence with two wins from their opening two La Liga games and victory over Sevilla in the European Super Cup.

And after winning two Champions League titles in his first three seasons at Madrid, Gareth Bale insists the European champions have to put more emphasis on ending a four-year run without winning La Liga.

Nigeria’s Health Council To Approve National Health Policy

The Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, said that the focus was to ensure speedy approval of the policy towards strategic inclusion in the 2017 budget for effective implementation.

He explained that its development became necessary following the trend of global health epidemics such as the Ebola virus and Nigeria’s continued need to attain a universal health coverage and accessible healthcare.

The National Health Policy, when approved, will mandate the revamping and construction of primary healthcare centres in each of the 10,000 political wards in the count
ry over the next three years.

This will give up to 100 million Nigerians access to basic and affordable health care services.

This National Health Policy 2016 under consideration by the National Health Council in Abuja, would be the third health policy to be developed and implemented in Nigeria after 1988 and 2004.

Intense deliberations are expected over issues such as the development of the second national strategic health development plan and the role of states in the operationalization of the National Heath Act.

Governor Oshiomhole Condemns Postponement of Edo Election

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed surprise at the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the state’s governorship election earlier slated for Saturday, September 10, 2016.

Governor Oshiomhole Condemns Postponement of Edo Election
Channels Television.
Updated September 8, 2016

Adams-Oshiomhole-on-Edo-electionEdo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed surprise at the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the state’s governorship election earlier slated for Saturday, September 10, 2016.

The agency on Thursday afternoon announced this decision after it had earlier said that it would go ahead with the polls.

Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Governor Oshiomhole described the decision as a set back for the state.

He frowned at the time it took the electoral body to make the decision, which he said affects the parties’ programmes.

He said that if INEC had given the hint earlier that the election would be postponed, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would have also postponed its final rally to suit the new election date.

The Governor also reacted to allegations that his party was behind the postponement of the election by stating that none of the other parties was as ready as the APC for Saturday’s election.

He argued that the large turnout of supporters at the party’s final campaign rally on Tuesday was an indication that Edo State was indeed an APC state.

He maintained that the only issue that involved him as the Governor of the state was INEC’s decision to fix the election to coincide with the West African Examination Council (WAEC), GCE examination, which led to protests by students of the state.

“INEC ought to have known that the West African Examination calendar was out there. It is not something they fix two or three weeks to the time,” he said.

Obaseki shines at debate, Ize-Iyamu fumbles

The flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 10 Edo governorship elections, Godwin Obaseki, emerged as the clear winner from the gubernatorial debate organized by Channels Television between the candidates in the governorship race – ahead of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the factional candidate of the major opposition, Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

According to those present in the audience, Obaseki was the most outstanding of the four runners in the 90-minute televised debate from Best Western Hotel, Benin City. He exuded confidence as he expertly responded to a series of questions ranging from how he would tackle the problem of insecurity in the state; plans to diversify and significantly boost the economy of Edo; and steps to tackle unemployment and create 200,000 jobs in 4 years.

The consensus among young people who watched the debate was summed up by 21-year old Joy Iredia, a student of the University of Benin: “Up until now I did not take much interest in politics. But listening to all the candidates speak, I was drawn in by the candidate of the APC, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and how kept his focus on the issues and articulated his plans to take Edo State forward, particularly the use of technology as a tool for effective governance and job creation.”

On his part, Mr. Osahon Bello, a civil servant, said, “The civil service forms the major workforce in Edo State. I align with Obaseki’s plan to restructure the civil service in order to be more efficient and productive through robust training strategies to meet the challenges of fostering strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth.”

Obaseki, a renowned investment banker and wealth management expert of over 30 years repute, posited that the economic challenges confronting us as a people today are so complex that it takes someone with a full grasp of all the issues, and practical experience in solving complex economic problems to lead the state on the path to prosperity.

Referring to the ‘simple agenda’ of PDP’s Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki pointed out that this is the time for us to be circumspect and think things through very carefully, not simplistically. “Simple solutions cannot solve our complex political problems; they cannot solve our complex economic problems; and can definitely not solve our complex security problems. It is mental indolence to think there are simple solutions to our problems.”

The APC flagbearer noted, “The world is set for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We have identified the cycles and markers and we are prepared to play our part in this forward shift in the gears, ideologically opposed to being left behind. Our vision is a modern and progressive Edo State where every citizen is empowered with opportunity to live life in its fullness.”

In his closing remark, Obaseki assured of better days ahead for Edo people, promising that his will be a people-oriented and inclusive government. He appealed to the electorate to support his bid by voting massively for the APC come September 10