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Friday 2 June 2017

Former VP.Atiku Abubakar may emerge as new Waziri of Adamawa

The former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar may emerge as the new Waziri of Adamawa, This new conference of the title on Abubakar come on the heels of the death of the former Waziri Abba Mohammed who died recently. Abubakar's possibility to be crowned the new Waziri was following due consideration by the council in a meeting on Thursday, June 1. Subsequently, in the event if Abubakar scales through, his son Aliyu will will be turbaned as the next Turakin Adamawa, a title which the former vice president has held over years. Our source gathered that Waziri is a one of Adamawa Emirate's most important titles. Abubakar is currently the Turakin Adamawa A source within the council said: “Atiku’s emergence as new Waziri was sequel to the meeting held by council members on Thursday." “His son, Aliyu, who is also son of Hajja, the younger sister of the present Lamido of Adamawa, Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha was also confirmed as the new Turaki, taking over from his father Atiku Abubakar.’’ It was also gathered that the possible emergence of Abubakar as the Waziri is not well taken by the people of Adamawa state. Some of the resident have expressed shock, saying the title is only considered by birth. A resident said one of the sons of the late Waziri should be considered as a replacement for the father. "It was also gathered that one of the sons of the late Waziri, including Alkasim Abba, the Vice Chancellor of the Adamawa State University (ADSU) would be considered to replace their father. “Though we wish them good luck it surprises us because everybody knows that Waziri is only considered by birth, to those who hail from progeny of Waziris," the resident said. Also, Abubakar's spokesperson Paul Ibe confirmed the plans by the council. Ibe said he was aware of the decision taken by the council concerning Abubakar and his son. l

6 States with Largest Muslims Population

The month of Ramadan for the Muslims is a month of fasting, prayer, devotion and giving of alms and many other indications of higher piety. In northern Nigeria, the population of Muslims is larger than that of Christians. Below is a list of states with the largest population of Muslims: 1. Lagos- Lagos state is easily the most populated state in Nigeria. It has a population of 20,384,299, with 13,249,749 being Muslims. 2. Kano- Kano state comes in second place. Out of a population of 9,383,682 , about 9,196,008 are Muslims. 3. Katsina- Katsina state with a population of 5,792,578, has 5,502,949 Muslims, which is up to 99% of the population. The capital of Katsina is Katsina. 4. Kaduna- Kaduna state has a population of 6,066,562, 4,853,249 of this, that is 80% are Muslims. 5. Jigawa -Jigawa state with a population of 4,348,649 has 4,261,676 Muslims.  6. Borno Borno state with a population of 4,151,193 has a Muslim population of 4,068,169.

BILL Gate wants to tax robots, EU says no.




Microsoft founder Bill Gates wants to tax robots who take people's jobs, but a top European Union (EU) official has other ideas.

Andrus Ansip, the European Commissioner in charge of the bloc's push for a Digital Single Market (DSM), isn't a fan of a robot tax.
"No way. No way," Ansip said when asked if he would support a robot tax.

Ansip's comments during a CNBC-hosted panel on Thursday at the Pioneers tech conference in Vienna, made it clear that he doesn't back Gates' view.
"The aim of taxation is not just (to) collect revenues … But to increase salaries of teachers and police. Taxes are also to have some influence over some processes. I fully agree that we have to tax bad habits, for example pollution, or smoking, or drinking alcoholic drinks, this I can understand."

Ansip said that he was not in favor of "taxing progress" as others would take a lead in areas such as artificial intelligence, leaving Europe behind.
Earlier this year, billionaire Gates proposed a tax on robots.

"If a human worker does $50,000 of work in a factory, that income is taxed," Gates said in an interview with Quartz. "If a robot comes in to do the same thing, you'd think we'd tax the robot at a similar level." 

Universal basic income
The panel on Thursday focused on the impact on jobs and society from automation and AI (artificial intelligence) technology. In these areas, major Silicon Valley names such as Tesla CEO Elon Musk and FacebookCEO Mark Zuckerberg have backed the idea of a universal basic income (UBI) - a policy in which every citizen in a certain country receives a regular, but equal amount of money regardless of whether they are employed or not.

When asked if this is a policy the European Commission is thinking about, Ansip said, "not yet". He explained that even with new technologies such as Apple's iPad or smartphones, people have ended up being available 24 hours a day. Ansip's point was that new technology has created more work, and there is no reason why automation won't do the same.
But at the same time, he warned that people should be afraid of the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, and urged governments to prepare.

"I would like to say … People have a right to be afraid. I believe in progress, progress always created more jobs than progress used to destroy. We cannot stop progress," Ansipe said.

"The train is moving, speed is growing and now it's up to us to be on that train or just wave to the leaving train. I think that last one is not an option for us. A lot of people will lose their jobs but our municipalities, national parliaments, the European Union and also entrepreneurs, business people need to provide skills to those people who will lose their jobs."

'Project 6o'. WAEC To Release Results in 60days

The West African Examination Council (WAEC), has said that results will be released 60 days after the last paper is written. According to the examination body, the 60-day project is to kick-off with the 2017 West African Senior School Certificate Examination. WAEC has launched the initiative, Project 60, and deployed over 60,000 examiners to ensure that results are released 60 days after the conduct of the examination. The exam body's Head of Information, Mr Demianus Ojijeogu, said this yesterday during an interview.While marking of the 2017 WASSCE has already commenced, Ojijeogu said that it would be concluded on June 10. Results from previous diets of the examination were released after 90 days.  Beginning with the 2017 SSCE, WAEC says results will be out in 60 days Ojijeogu said: “Project 60 was a desire of the council to improve service delivery to its numerous stakeholders. By reducing how long it takes to release results after the exam, we are rendering quality service that will enable candidates to gain admission into universities. “Coordination and marking of 2017 WASSCE for school candidates began on May 22, 2017, with staff training and briefing. On May 23, the staff checked and collected coordination materials. On May 24, they departed to the 83 marking venues across the country designated for that purpose. Some 66, 618 examiners are participating in the process. “Chief examiners, team leaders and assistant examiners had their coordination meetings from May 26 to May 28 and marking will end on June 10, 2017. The results will be released 60 days after the last paper was taken instead of the usual 90 days.’’ In a similar vein, (WAEC) says it has launched a talk back platform, known as “WAECKonnect’’ to improve effective communication between the council and candidates. The organisation said this in a statement issued by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, on Thursday in Lagos. WAEC said it established the platform to further engage the candidates and bridge the communication gap between them and the council. “We are pleased to announce a new electronic information sharing and dissemination platform, called Candidates Interactive System or WAECkonnect. “This is to enable the council communicate effectively with candidates during its examinations. “The council is determined to protect candidates from also falling prey to fraudulent persons, who might want to take advantage of parents and candidates’ ignorance about its operations, to misguide and defraud them,’’ the statement read in part. The platform will also allow WAEC to effectively engage the candidates before, during and after the registration and examinations. Ojijeogu stated that the platform would enable the council in Nigeria to disseminate information to the public effectively. 

Tuesday 30 May 2017

2019 General Elections; The Nine Mask Candidates

Following the political unease within the country at the moment, the race for Nigeria's presidency might begin sooner than expected. Nigerians are beginning to draw their personal inferences and come with their diverse theories as regards the nation's polity and leadership. Major actors have reportedly started aligning their interests for the role ahead of the next general elections in 2019. This would be so if the rumours making the rounds that President Muhammadu Buhari might not contest for another term in office come 2019.  9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates Though some of these politicians have not openly made up their interests but there are strong indications that they may be discreetly melting loose wall with foes and strengthening existing relationship with friends and allies. These are the 9 strong candidates who many Nigerians on social platforms believe are potential candidates for the 2019 presidential election: 1. Atiku Abubakar 2019:who among the 9 people Nigerians believe as potential Presidential candidates was the second elected vice president of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The former vice president left PDP to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on February 2, 2014. There are reports that Atiku will be seeking to contest for the Nigerian presidency in 2019, on the party's platform. This would be making it his fourth attempt as he had contested for presidency 3 times in 1992, 2006 and 2011. 2. Yemi Osinbajo 2019: 9 people Nigerians believe potential Presidential candidates is arguably the most popular Nigerian politician today, especially giving his performance as Acting President while the president is away on vacation. The possibility that the vice president may run for the 2019 Presidency cannot be ruled out, and those who do not see him as a potential candidate for the next presidential election might be shocked. Many hold the belief that Osinbajo carries out his duties professionally and diplomatically, in recent times he is seen as the best vice president in Nigeria's democratic history. Nigerians are of the view that given the deep bond that exists between himself and his principal, the president wouldn't mind giving him a chance to succeed him in 2019. If the zoning formula does not play against him, Osinbajo stands a great chance at becoming the nation's commander-in-chief. 3. Muhammadu Buhari 2019: 9 people Nigerians potential Presidential candidates. Although the incumbent president has not declared his interest in seeking a second term, the possibility that he will do so cannot be ruled out as his loyalists and political associates have continued to fly that kite enthusiastically. The Presidency also seem to believe that the earlier they begin to woo Nigerians for Buhari’s re-election, the better. One of the presidential spokesmen, Malam Garba Shehu, had also last year expressed confidence that the electorate would not abandon Buhari in 2019. Garba claims that the president’s “enormous” goodwill remained strong because the people were convinced that he was acting in their best interest. 4. Bola Tinubu 2019: Another 9 people Nigerians potential Presidential candidates. Those who propagate propaganda will surely have you believe that the Jagaban Borgu wields great political power and has his eyes on the presidency, having served in the capacity of Senator and Governor. It cannot be overstated that it was Tinubu's influence that saw the emergence of APC, he was the strong hold behind PMB's emergence as presidential candidate because much of the northern voted were decided among PMB, Kwankwaso and Atiku. Some are of the view that if northern candidates (the likes of Atiku, Kwankwaso, Saraki who might contest) were to divide their votes in 2019, a lone Asiwaju from the south could clinch the ticket. 5. Peter Obi 2019: 9 people Nigerians believe as potential Presidential candidates. Recently stakeholders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State have called on Obi, to return to his former party and contest the presidential election in 2019 on its platform. The group told Obi that returning to APGA could be better for him than remaining in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he has no chance of making any meaningful political gain there. 6. Goodluck Jonathan 2019: 9 people Nigerians believe as potential Presidential candidates.Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that he will not contest for the presidency in 2019. Jonathan became the first sitting president to be defeated in an election and he made history by handing over to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress without contesting the result in court. There were reports that the former president had allegedly declared his presidential interest but he has come out to deny this. But Ikechuwkw Eze who is the media aide to Jonathan said the report was false. 7. Nasir El-Rufai 2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates. A member of the APC, El-Rufai was the former director general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises. He was reportedly in self-exile during the administration of former President Umaru Yar'Adua. El-Rufai was with President Buhari during the days of struggle in the now defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He is a close ally of Buhari. During the build up to the 2015 general election, it was learnt that the president practically forced him on Kaduna APC as there were other candidates in the party that could have clinched the ticket. 8. Ayo Fayose 2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates. The Ekiti State Governor is seen as fearless person as a result of his controversial comments and leadership style. Fayose's declaration of presidential ambition on February 21, 2017, was seen by commentators as a joke, but he seems to be serious about it. The 56-year who also serves as the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, expressed his interest in the presidency that in the near future, saying he will take over the mantle to lead the nation as his future was tied to the presidency. 9. Rochas Okorocha 2019: 9 people Nigerians believe are potential Presidential candidates.Governor Rochas Okorocha is not a stranger when it comes to taking shots at the nation’s presidency. The Imo State Governor had moved to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but was unsuccessful in his quest for the party’s ticket for the presidency in 2003 and then returned to the PDP. In 2005 Okorocha formed the Action Alliance (AA), planning to become its presidential candidate for the 2007 elections. However he returned to the PDP again and in September 2007 indicated that he was interested in becoming PDP National Chairman. While Okorocha said he will not contest in 2019, citing the successes of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, he is still seen as interested in taking another shot at the presidency in the event Buhari will not contest. 

Coroner Blames Adeleke's Death on Drug over-dose

The inquest constituted by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state to probe the cause of death of Senator Isiaka Adeleke has said that drug over-dose killed the politician. The late Senator died on April 23, 2017. Our source reports that the coroner, Mr. Olusegun Ayilara, said this in his verdict today Tuesday May 30, 2017 after about three weeks of investigations on Senator Isiaka Adeleke's death. Ayilara ruled out poison as the cause of death, saying no traces of it were found in the deceased’s system according to the autopsy and toxicologist reports. He said: “The high dose of sedatives and analgesics with the mode of administration caused aspiration which culminated in death. Previously. Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state set up a panel to probe the cause of the sudden death of the former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adeleke on the early hours of Sunday April 23, amidst speculations among his supporters that he may have been poisoned. Earlier in his report the CMD LAUTECH, Prof. Akeem Lasisi said that Adeleke was given large dosage of banned injection and that there was no trace of poison found in his body. The coroner had summoned 15 witnesses including the nurse that treated Adeleke shortly before he died, Mr. Alfred Aderibigbe. The pathologist, who carried out the autopsy on the corpse of the late politician, Dr. Taiwo Solaja, as well as the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Prof. Akeem Lasisi, also testified. Although the siblings of the deceased were summoned by the coroner, they said they would neither participate in the inquest nor support it. They alleged that the state government had a predetermined report and they just instituted the panel to arrive at that report which would favour them. 

White House Communications Director Mike Dubke Resigns


President Donald Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago, Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Alex Brandon/AP
Mike Dubke has resigned as the White House communications director, just a few months after he started in the role.
Axios was first to report Dubke’s resignation, which he submitted on May 18, and several news outlets subsequently confirmed Dubke’s departure.
Dubke confirmed to CNN Tuesday morning that he had submitted his resignation and said that he “a good conversation with the President” after informing him he would be stepping down. Dubke did not offer a specific reason for leaving the White House, telling CNN that he was resigning “for a number of reasons — for personal reasons.”
“It has been a privilege to serve this president,” Dubke told CNN.
It’s not yet clear when Dubke will leave the White House, but he could depart as soon as Tuesday, according to theWashington Post.
Dubke joined the Trump administration in February from Crossroads Media, a Republican political consulting firm that had been critical of Trump. He was one of just a few top advisers who had not worked on the campaign and he “struggled to build alliances with some colleagues on the senior staff,” according to the Washington Post.
His resignation may be the first move in a Trump administration staffing shakeup, according to Axios and the Washington Post.

Tiger kills zookeeper at UK zoo

Tiger kills zookeeper at UK zoo
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