Food Security: FG to engage 774,000 youths within six months

Federal government is to engage 774,000 youths under the newly introduced Buhari Young Farmers Network (BYFN) through the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) in the next six months.

The scheme is part of the three-prone federal government efforts at ensuring a post-Covid-19 national food security. Other projects are Back to Farm and Providing farm inputs.

The Executive Secretary of the just revived NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne who disclosed this on Monday in Abuja said the young farmers will be drawn from the 774 Local Governments in the country, with a pilot number of 100 per local Government |||READ MORE

Uzodimma Signs Bill Repealing Pensions, Gratuity for Ex-governors, Others

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has signed an executive bill repealing the law that created pension allowances and gratuities to former governors, deputy governors, speakers and deputy speakers.

Speaking after accenting to the Bill at Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri, the governor noted that the law has become necessary as it runs contrary to the 1999 constitution as amended, which stipulates that a pensioner must have worked for at least 10 years and must be up to 45 years of age.

Uzodimma noted: “Apart from the inconsistency of such a law to the provisions of the ground norm, which is the Constitution of 1999 (as amended), this has led for a very long time a precedence that does not encourage diligence and prudence in service delivery.”|||READ MORE

 

Why churches should remain closed, by CAN

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has explained why churches should remain closed despite mounting pressure in many quarters for their re-opening.

The Nation reports churches and other religious centres were closed by the Federal Government to contain the spread of COVID-19.

But there had been pressures from many church leaders and members for the reopening of churches |||READ MORE

21st century slaves (4): ‘How we fled sex bondage’

Precious thought if she broke out of her jail cell, she would run into freedom. She thought if she fled Jane’s Ghetto (brothel), she would break into blossom, and finally set on the path to achieve her dreams.

One month after The Nation revealed her predicament as a sex slave in Bracody’s underworld in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, she has fled captivity by Lady Jane, her Nigerian madame, to whom she was sold by her boyfriend, Nonso, for a paltry N220, 000. Lady Jane, the trafficker and sex merchant, claimed that she owed her N480, 000, however.

“There was no way I could work off the debt. I am tired. My body is tired. My genitals are worn. Because I was too eager to make money and pay off my debt, I slept with an average of 17 men daily, ‘short time’ and till day break. They were violent and mean. Most of my clients were vagabonds; street urchins, park thugs and criminals, and they did lots of wicked things to me,” she said, showing the scars of multiple cigarette burns on her left breast to the reporter |||READ MORE

Worship centres: Buhari, govs strike five-point deal

There were indications on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari and state governors reached a five-point agreement on containing the coronavirus disease while easing the lockdown nationwide.

It was learnt that the deal addressed the apprehension of some governors on the observance of Sallah prayers and reopening of worship centres.

A major thrust of the agreement is that gatherings in mosques or churches and the observance of Eid-el-Fitr prayers will not exceed 50 people at a time |||READ MORE

 

24-Year-old Ekiti indigene bags PhD in Law in American Varsity

An Indigene of Ekiti State, Dr. Damilola Arowolaju, has bagged a PhD in Law from The George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America.

Damilola who hails from Omuo Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government area of Ekiti State is the son of a former Special Adviser to Governor Segun Oni on Due Process, Dr. Bayo Arowolaju

He was decorated with the honour at the university’s virtual convocation ceremonies held on Thursday, May 21, 2020 |||READ MORE

Tension builds up over influx of northern youths into S-East

ENUGU- THE sudden influx of able bodied youths from different state in the Northern of the country to the states in the South East and South South is raising concern among the people of the zones.

Their movements became more worrisome as they are invading the states at a time the Federal and the various state governments have restricted movement and curfew even imposed. It is very curious why this sudden influx. Initially, it was being reported that Almajiris displaced from the Northern states were making their way to the South East. But a closer look at these people showed that that they were no almajiris but youths ranging from 15 to 30 years and above which belied the earlier speculation.

Incidentally, these youth are secretly entering the states as they hide under tucks conveying cattle and food stuff and some of them usually entered in the dead of the night. The question remains what their mission is, more so in a period interstate movements are banned and all the states in the country have closed their interstate boundaries because of the fight to flatten the curve of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic |||READ MORE

 

COVID-19: Special palliatives should be given to pastors, Imams – MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has said that special palliatives should be given to Pastors and Imams to help cushion the effect of COVID-19 lockdown.

The Islamic group said that such will also help reduce the agitation from those calling for the reopening of churches and mosques in Nigeria.

A statement signed by MURIC director, Ishaq Akintola reads: “Like many countries of the world, Nigeria has been under government-imposed lockdown for nearly two months. The citizenry is restless. People are hungry. The open demand by certain religious leaders for their places of worship to be reopened lends credence to the pressure clerics are going through. Even the recent decision by some state governments to reopen religious centres is not unconnected with subterranean agitations from clerics in the states. Deserted for weeks, the house of God longs for warmth |||READ MORE

Mali President Pardons 400 Prisoners To Curb COVID-19

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta has pardoned 400 prisoners in order to stem the spread of coronavirus, his office said Tuesday.

Among those released was preacher Bandiougou Doumbia who was jailed for two years in March for comments notably praising jihadist leaders Iyad Ag Ghali and Amadou Koufa.

“As part of anti-COVID-19 measures, the president of the republic has granted pardons to 400 prisoners including the preacher Bandiougou Doumbia”, the presidency announced on social media |||READ MORE

 

Chicken Noodle Soup & Nasi Lemak From Restoran Pulau Sembilan, Ipoh

Yesterday, 63rd day CMCO was a very warm day. We started the day with our morning walk near our house. Then we drove out to town to pass something to a friend and after that we proceeded to the nearby Restoran Pulau Sembilan to buy our breakfast |||READ MORE

US hails Taiwan model, but impact on China to be seen

With its remarkable success in fighting the coronavirus and its democratic values, Taiwan is enjoying a groundswell of support in the United States whose leadership is eager to hold up the island as a model against China.

Experts, however, doubt there will be a major impact for Taiwan -- and fear the robust US backing could even backfire if Beijing comes to view its complex relationship with the self-governing island through the lens of growing tensions with Washington.

Some US officials sense a shift in Taiwan's long-polarized politics with the resounding re-election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects Beijing's idea that the island belongs to "one China." |||READ MORE

Russian Military Helicopter Crashes Outside Moscow

A Russian army Mi-8 helicopter crashed outside Moscow during a training flight on Tuesday, killing the crew, the defence ministry said.

“As a result of a crash landing the crew of the helicopter died of their wounds,” the defence ministry said.

Defence ministry spokespeople, reached by AFP, declined to specify how many crew members had died |||READ MORE

Intolerance Toward Christians

A certain type of persecution is increasing: Christians are being called "intolerant" based solely on our beliefs, not because we've actually been intolerant. 

Christian groups that offer humanitarian aid are regularly condemned for their beliefs, even when they offer their help to everyone without bias. 

Some Christians are buckling under the pressure. A well-known Christian restaurant chain recently quit donating to ministries, based strictly on their statement of faith, even though the ministries serve the poor and needy without partiality (source).

Tolerance means treating people decently even if we disagree with their beliefs. Christian organizations that serve people with non-biblical views are going above and beyond the meaning of tolerance.(1) |||READ MORE

 

New York Doctor Who Delayed Retirement to Treat Coronavirus Patients Dies After COVID-19 Battle

A beloved New York doctor delayed his retirement to work on the front lines of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has tragically lost his life to the contagious respiratory virus.

Dr. James Mahoney, a physician at both University Hospital of Brooklyn and its neighboring Kings County Hospital Center, died on April 27, The New York Times reported Monday.

Mahoney, 62, was loved by his patients, who he would give his cell phone and pager numbers to, and didn't stop checking in on even after he became ill himself with COVID-19 |||READ MORE

House Of Reps Wants 300 Sacked WRPC Workers Reinstated

The House of Representatives has called for the reinstatement of over 300 casual staff of the Warri Refining And Petro-Chemical Company (WRPC).

The leadership made this known at plenary on Tuesday, as part of its resolutions after a member, Hon. Thomas Eveyitomi moved a motion that the sack of the over 300 workers be looked into.

Eveyitomi noted that the workers were laid off in spite of the Federal Government’s directives that no government agency or private establishment should sack or lay off any of its staff at a time when the world is battling a pandemic |||READ MORE

Ex-Egypt Coach Cuper Disappointed With NFF’s Decision To Stick With Rohr

Former Pharaohs of Egypt coach Hector Cuper is disappointed with the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation to hand Gernot Rohr a new contract.

Rohr is on the verge of penning a new two-year contract following weeks of negotiation with the NFF.

Cuper’s Egyptian-born assistant, Mahmoud Ahmed, told Premium Times that the Argentine was waiting to pounce on the Nigeria’s job should Rohr failed to agree a new deal with the NFF |||READ MORE

 

Iwobi’s Everton Agree Club-Record Kit Deal With Hummel

Super Eagles Alex Iwobi’s Everton has agreed a club-record partnership deal with Danish sportswear brand hummel.

Everton confirmed the deal in a statement released on their official website on Wednesday.

This means hummel will take over from umbro who has been in partnership with Everton since 2014 and will continue the partnership until the end of the 2019/20 season |||READ MORE

 

'Keep our distance, wash our hands, think of others': Government quietly changes coronavirus slogan AGAIN after its 'Stay Alert' message was slammed by critics as being too vague

Ministers have now introduced a new slogan, according to The Telegraph, in an apparent move to try to explain exactly what is being asked of people.

The new slogan states: 'Keep our distance, wash our hands, think of others and play our part. All together.'

Adverts featuring the new message reportedly began appearing yesterday and feature rainbow imaging in an apparent reference to public support for the NHS |||READ MORE

 

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick celebrate 23rd wedding anniversary in the sweetest way

Sarah Jessica Parker has shared a heartwarming message for her husband Matthew Broderick in honour of their 23rd wedding anniversary. Taking to her Instagram page on Tuesday night, the 55-year-old actress shared a rare black-and-white throwback picture of the lovebirds. "May 19th, 2020. 23 years. We've come a long way baby. X, SJ," she simply wrote in the caption.

Celebrity friends and fans alike rushed to post lovely comments underneath, with Billy Eichner writing: "Gorgeous." Adam Shankman remarked: "Oh my goooddd!! Congrats!!! I remember it all like it was yesterday, including midnight wedding dress covert ops....what a wonderful time it was!" One fan said: "Happy anniversary! I love this photo of the two of you!" Another stated: "Awww that’s amazing, love you guys."

Since tying the knot in 1997, Sarah and Matthew have welcomed three children - son James Wilkie, 17, and ten-year-old twins Marion Loretta Elwell and Tabitha Hodge, who were born via surrogate in 2009. In September 2019, the actress made a rare comment about her marriage to Matthew, telling Us Weekly: "We've grown. We have a family, we have children, we have friends that have passed away, we have relationships... We don't talk about it - that’s how it stays strong!"|||READ MORE

It’s force-feeding not school feeding by Rotimi Fasan

The ill-timed initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide meals at this time of global lockdown for pupils in schools should be called by its proper name: force-feeding.

We all know what it entails to force-feed a child in our part of the world. For those who don’t, this is what happens when a child for one of several reasons, usually loss of appetite due to ill-health, refuses to eat.

After all petting and cajoling had come to an end and there is nothing left more to do to persuade the child to eat, the stalemate is broken when the child is force-fed. It is a last-resort tussle of desperation for which my mother holds a black belt in the heavyweight category |||READ MORE