2019: Some Governors May not find it Easy.

As the race for the 2019 general elections draws closer, several governors who are serving their first term in power are looking forward towards retaining their positions.

While some governors are quite certain convincing the electorates to return them to power in 2019, others may find the process tough and possibly fail in their quest.

Below are some state governors who may not retain their seats in 2019

1. Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue

The herdsmen-farmers clash in Benue and the rising insecurity is making Governor Samuel Ortom’s chances of retaining power in 2019 look slim. The issue of unpaid salaries is also a major factor that can spur Ortom’s 2019 chances.

According to Daily Trust, “Feelers are rife that Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, the PDP candidate who lost to Ortom in 2015 would make a big comeback to the political scene. Also, Dr. Steve Wande, the proprietor of First Fertility Hospital in Makurdi, is speculated to be rooting for the governorship position under the PDP alongside Tarzoor. The body language of Engr. Felix Atume, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant in 2015 general elections, suggests at the moment that he would still dive into the political terrain.”

2. Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal has commendable performance in his three years in office but according to report, he might face stiff competition from other strong political figures if he chooses to recontest in 2019.

It is being reported that Senator Abdallah Wali who contested against Tambuwal in 2015 and also in 2003 will be mounting a strong bid in 2019.

3. Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau

Governor Simon Lalong has completed a number of projects in Plateau although he has come under criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party which claimed he has not started any substantial project yet.

Politicians who are eying the governorship seat ahead of 2019 elections are: Sen. Jeremiah Useni, Sen. Victor Lar, Eng. Jimmy Cheto and Hon. Kemi Nshe.

4. Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina

Governor Aminu Masari’s biggest threat to his gubernatorial ambition in 2019 is seemingly going to come from his own party, the APC due to the splinter group called the APC-Akida comprising people like MT Liman, Sadiq Yaradua, Sada Ilu and Usman Bugaje.

Although the governor has a firm grip of the state, his inability to manage intra-party trouble may jeopardise his chances.

5. Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi

Governor Yahya Bello became governor following the death of d original contestant during the state gubernatorial election. His popularity has however dwindled especially due to the problem of unpaid salaries.

The governor’s decision to support the establishment of colony in the state has also affected his popularity especially among critics.

Source: Naija.ng

All Violence in Nigeria-Adeboye Speaks Out.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has disclosed that he refused to speak despite all the killings going on in the country because he is a member of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).

Adeboye, popularly called Daddy GO by church members and some other Christians ‎said the leaders of the two associations have have spoken on the issues on behalf of their members, including himself.

The revered man of God disclosed this during the 2018 February Holy Ghost Service held at the Redemption Camp

He also led members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to pray against people shedding blood in Nigeria, their protectors as well as their sponsors at the church’s programme, Premium Times reports.

Adeboye who will also hold special three-hour prayer session for Nigeria‎ at the Redemption Camp on February 13, said he finally decided to talk about the killings to members of the church in his capacity as their general overseer.

In addressing the issues, Adeboye used mathematics to reduce them to simultaneous equations to derive an answer.

The equations, according to pastor Adeboye are:

1. There are certain problems beyond man

2. There is no problem beyond God

3. Man can hide from his fellow man

4. No man can hide from God

5. Security agents can be compromised

6. God cannot be compromised. His holiness is not negotiable and cannot be compromised

7 Man can sponsor evil

8. God cannot sponsor evil

The answer to the equations solved simultaneously, he said, is just one answer; which is that “a prayer warrior is more effective than an activist”

Pastor Adeboye however described the correlation of answer to the tendency of enemies and some children of God to underrate the power of prayer. He then led the congregation in a series of prayers for the killers, people who connive with them and their sponsors to be exposed by God and dealt with

50 hospitalised after eating cow bitten by snake in South Africa

Over 50 people were rushed to various hospitals in South Africa after eating meat from a cow that had reportedly died from a snake bite.

The incident happened at Mpoza village outside Tsolo in the Eastern Cape Province.

The province’s department of health spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, said the patients confirmed they had eaten the meat from the carcass of an animal that had died after being bitten by a snake.

He said the patients experienced diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches and stomach cramps, according to a report by News24.com

Among those who were ill were 16 children, eight of whom had been transferred to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital’s paediatric ward, while the others were treated at Mthatha Regional Hospital.

Kupelo said four elderly patients were also transferred to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital for further treatment.

Kupelo said the department was urging communities to stop consuming meat from dead animals as it was dangerous to do so.

Meanwhile,the Nigerian community in South Africa has confirmed that two of its members were killed early Saturday, February 3.

Emeka Ezinteje, the secretary of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the telephone from Johannesburg, South Africa, that the incident happened as a result of a business dispute.

“We have received a report that at 3.00am on Saturday, Ekweghiariri Chidi Isacc, 34, a native of Ehime in Isiala Mbano local government of Imo and Nzechukwu Alabuche, 35, from Azia in Anambra were stabbed to death by one Sunday from Awgbu in Anambra.

“The incident occurred at Rossetinville, South of Johannesburg.

Planned move to impeach Saraki will fail - Abubakar Bugaje warns alleged sponsors

A former acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, has hinted on moves by some people to impeach Dr Bukola Saraki as the president of the Nigerian Senate as he warns of dire consequences for such action.

Bugaje, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member of the party’s board of trustees (BoT), reportedly said the plot to impeach Saraki will not stand adding that it would boomerang.

He told journalists in Kwara state during a prayer session to commemorate his 67th birthday, that there were ongoing gimmicks by certain forces to impeach Saraki.

He however warned that those behind the impeachment plot should tarry because of the dire consequences adding that Saraki’s camp would be watching to know the length the plotters would go to achieve their target

“Many of us helped to build APC. I’m one of them, he (Saraki) was and still one of them. We are still building the party. I think the party has not made a statement about the so called threat to impeach him. We only learnt from the news that we read and from hearsays.

“And I think very sincerely, there must be ground before you impeach somebody like him, and they (Senators) have their own rules and regulations and we all have constitutions that guide impeachment.

“If the Senate president is seen to have violated such rules, why not?

“But sincerely as of today and to the best of my knowledge, I don’t think any Senate president in the past, in the immediate-past or long past, has held the Senate like Bukola Saraki has been holding it.

“He has been seeing to be a team player, he has been seeing to be leader that carries the Senate along and he has been seeing to be somebody, who can endure, give and sacrifice for this nation.

“Remember that he got to that position like a war, as if he was fighting a war. Today, even those people, who opposed him, are the most fanatical people, who are his supporters today. So, what reason do you want to say you have to want to impeach such a person.

“I’m aware there is lot of gimmicks, but the worst one that would boomerang against anybody who is planning anything, is to say they want to impeach Bukola Saraki.

“That Senate is solid as I have never seen. I believe it would keep bouncing. There are other ways that the gimmicks are going, let us all keep watching. We can only wish Nigeria well.

“But I only hope and pray that Nigerians will not be destroyers of their hope. Bukola Saraki is young that is what I mean by hope; he has age on his side; he is brilliant; he knows Nigeria; he has dream for Nigeria. If today, we now stand to say we want to destroy such people, then that is why I said I hope and pray that Nigeria will not destroy its own future,” he said.P

In a related story Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, the head and spiritual leader of INRI Spiritual and Evangelical Church has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to heed the advice of former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to seek re-election in 2019.

Primate Ayodele said the president should rather support Senate President Bukola Saraki to become the presidential candidate of the Alll Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections.

Nigerian government pleads with Saudi Arabia authorities over Nigerians on death row

Federal Government said it would continue to engage Saudi Arabian authorities in negotiations over the fate of Nigerians on death row for alleged drug trafficking in that country.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, made this known while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja on Friday

The minister’s reaction followed report that there were no fewer than 25 Nigerian drug suspects held in several prisons in Saudi Arabia.

The report indicated that 15 of the suspects were on death row, while three had been executed, leading to a call on Federal Government to intervene.

Onyeama, however, said necessary steps were being taken by Federal Government to engage Saudi Arabian authorities on the matter.

He explained that: “regarding Nigerians on death row abroad, we have made very strong intercession over the issue with government of those countries to review the cases and not to execute them.

“However, you know that there is a limit because these are sovereign countries which have their rules and laws.

“But as far as the Saudi Arabia is concerned, we have been intervening at government level with authorities of that country.”

The minister added that government was working with some Non Governmental Organisations on the matter. 

Previously the federal government pleaded with the government of Indonesia to commute the death penalty passed on Nigerians in the country’s prison, to life imprisonment.

Foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, made the plea in a joint communique issued at the end of bilateral meeting between the minister and Mrs Retno Marsudi, his counterpart from Indonesia.

He said: “On consular issues, Nigeria recognises the drug emergency situation in Indonesia and pleaded for commuting death penalty to life imprisonment.”

Obj Berates Buhari on the appointment of Nigeria's security chiefs.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government ignored federal character in the appointment of the Nigeria's security chiefs.

Punch reports that he also berated the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission for failing to check the excesses of the president in the uneven distribution of public offices.

Dr.Obasanjo said this on Thursday, February 1, at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oke Ilewo area of Abeokuta, shortly after the Coalition for Nigeria Movement was inaugurated in Ogun state, and he was registered as a member of the movement.

The former President, who was flanked by a former military administrator of old Ondo state, Gen. Ekundayo Opaleye and a former minister of state for defence, Dupe Adelaja, said the ethos of nation building through eoven distribution of public offices had been abused.

He said: “Let me emphasise important areas, programmes, priorities or processes for improved attention. To start with, we seem to have taken nation building for granted. Nation building must be given continued attention to give every citizen a feeling of belonging and a stake in his or her country.

“For instance, the Federal Character principle, as espoused in our constitution, was to guide the leadership to search for competent holders of major offices to be distributed within the entire nation, and avoid concentration in a few ethnic hands or geographical places, as we currently have in the leadership of our security apparatus.

“To avoid such non-integrative situation, we have the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission, both institutions which must raise the alarm or call for correction of actions by the executive that violates the spirit of our constitution.”

Obasanjo’s registration came almost 24 hours after the CNM was inaugurated in Abuja.

He arrived the venue at exactly 12.44pm in company with dignitaries sdgincluding former governors of Cross River and Osun states, Donald Duke and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The former president, while justifying the need for the CNM, argued that if all the instruments the country had used in the quest for nation building and governance since independence had failed, it was imperative to try new ways.

He said: “If what we have tried in the past has not taken us to the Promised Land, we have to try something else and something else is this grassroots popular movement built from the bottom-up to lead us, I hope and pray, to the Promised Land.”

He, however, warned that if the movement “decides to transform itself and go into partisan politics, I will cease to be a member.”

Obasanjo further said the spate of violence, and other forms of criminality had not received sufficient proactive ameliorative responses through transformational leadership.

He said the youth and women would be carried along, as “they must be part and parcel of governance in this country.”

Benue crisis:Military Approach may fail Bafarawa tells FG.

Former Sokoto governor Attahiru Bafarawa has advised both the Benue and federal governments to evolve a political solution to end the violence instead of trading blames.

“What is required to end the crisis is a workable solution that would be acceptable to all sides; trying to establish who is right or wrong is not what matters now,” Bafarawa said on Friday, February 2, in Makurdi, when rhe paid a condolence visit to Governor Samuel Ortom.

He opined that a military approach to tackling the crisis would not solve the problem.

“A military approach will not solve the problem; the solution to it is political. We need to involve the traditional institution. This problem is not only a Benue problem, it is a national problem and we all need to come together to solve it.

“It is a problem we can solve with a sincere and open approach. We cannot afford the luxury of trading blames,” he said.

He recalled the role played by former Benue governor George Akume in stabilizing the northern part of the country during its challenging moments, and called for unity among Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion or political leaning.

Bafarawa blamed the killings on migrant herders, and declared that they were not Fulani herdsmen.

“The Fulani herdsmen that we know carry sticks to guide their cattle and not Ak 47 Riffles; these migrants speak strange languages. They are not Fulani people.

“We must come together to fish out the people that are perpetrating these crimes against our people,” he said.

He appealed to the governor to protect both Tiv and Fulani people living in Benue, and prayed for the repose of those killed in the violence.

Bafarawa donated N10 million to the families of the deceased.

Ortom, in his response, commended Bafarawa for condoling with the Benue people and also proffering solutions to the crisis.

“Your visit is a demonstration of love and friendliness,” he said.

He said that the attacks on Benue were strange, and blamed them on the influx of foreign nationals who had taken advantage of the country’s porous borders to smuggle arms into it.

The governor recalled the traditional ties between the Tiv and the Fulani, and wondered why the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), was opposed to the anti-open grazing law enacted to check farmers/herdsmen clashes.

“It is sad that in spite of the several legal options opened to those aggrieved by any government decision, the group chose to instigate crises through various utterances.

“The enactment of the law is the only solution to the persistent herdsmen/farmers crisis; we must all embrace it.

“The anti-open grazing law is intended to protect both the farmers and the herdsmen from attack; with land shrinking everyday and population increasing, the only way to do animal husbandry is to ranch,” he said.

He agreed that the problem between farmers and herdsmen was a national problem and called on the federal government to “act fast to save the country”.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris during his meeting with a Senate committee on Friday, suggested that states with anti-grazing law be ordered to suspend the law until ranches can be provided for herdsmen.

Idris reportedly blamed the clashes between herdsmen and farmers on the anti-grazing law when he appeared in front of the senate on Friday.

The IGP however claimed that 100 people have been arrested in connection with the killings in Benue state and suspects have been charged to court.

2019 election: Buhari ready to give up power for progress of Nigeria – Gov. El-Rufai

Jan 30, 2018 8:10 AM

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is ready to give up power for Nigeria to move forward.

He also maintained that no politician currently in the country can defeat President Buhari in election.

The governor also spoke on the recent report on restructuring which the All Progressive Congress, APC, committee headed by him, submitted to the party.

El-Rufai in an interview on Channels Television, said, “I do not have any doubt in my mind that we are going to win the next elections; not only in the centre but we are going to preserve our 24 states, and even more.

“We are not saying this foolishly; this is scientific. We are monitoring the pulse of Nigerians, not the pulse of a section of Nigerians and I am confident that we are going to win the 2019 elections.

“We know the pulse of the nation, we know where we are losing support, we know where we are gaining support; I have no doubt in my mind that we are going to win the 2019 elections.

“There are two pulses of Nigerians – there is the pulse of the Nigerian elites which is the noise that you hear in the media, the social media and so on; then there is the pulse of the people.

“If you remember how many people came out to welcome President Buhari in Kano, then you will know that there are two Nigerias.”

Asked how the President received the proposals by his committee, El-Rufai added, “He was excited. He was very pleased, and he said he fully supports what we have done and that he is looking forward to the party officially transmitting it to him for his necessary action.

“President Buhari is not concerned about his personal power; he is concerned about Nigeria making progress.

“If giving up power will make Nigeria progress, he will give all of it up. Not just part of it, but all of it. This is the real Buhari that many people don’t know. It is the most comprehensive review of this subject matter ever in Nigeria’s history.

“APC’s true federalism committee differs from other confabs in at least two ways; first, previous confabs were conclaves of the elite. The government picks who goes there, they decide who participates, and it is mostly old people with a sprinkle of a few women. Our committee opened the space for everyone.

“More than one-third of the membership of our committee were women. More than a quarter of the membership were young people, below the age of 40. It was a very broad range of consultation. Many opposition figures have expressed support for the report. We have proposed more than 20 alterations to the constitution. Everything we did is in the best interest of Nigeria.

“So, this is the first time that a platform has been given to young people and women and those that are vulnerable to give their voices to what shape of the federation they want to see.

“Because old people like me, 50, 60, 70 cannot define the future for Nigerian youth below the age of 40. What young women and our people see is completely different from what old people see.”

PMB.Appoints New CBN.Deputy Governor

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Edward Adamu as the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(1) (2) of CBN Establishment Act 2007.

The appointment was contained in a letter dated January 26, 2018, to the Senate president, Bukola Saraki,

Spokesman of the president, Femi Adesina, who confirmed the appointment in a statement today February 1, said it was subject to the confirmation of the senate.

The presidential aide noted that Adamu, from Gombe state, replaces Sulaiman Barau, from Zaria, Kaduna state, who retired in December, 2017.

"The nominee, who has spent 25 years in the CBN, was appointed in 2012 as Director of Strategy.

“He became Director, Human Resources in 2016, from where he was nominated as Deputy Governor,"Adesina stated.

Breaking: Senate celebrates as court affirms power to reject Magu

The Senate has said it has been vindicated on the rejection of the appointment of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Senate committee on media and public affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi-Abdullahi, who briefed journalists in Abuja today
February 1, announced that a Federal High Court had ruled that the upper chamber of the National Assembly had the powers to confirm or reject his appointment.

Senator Sabi-Abdullahi made a copy of the ruling available to journalists.

The Senate’s spokesperson said: “We are pleased with this judgment and we want to salute Nigeria’s judiciary for always rising up to the occasion to protect our democracy and deepen our democratic processes.”

The Senate had rejected Magu’s appointment bases on a report by the Department of State Services which disqualified him.

The lawmakers had also placed an embargo on confirmation of appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari which required legislative approval, to protest against Presidency’s position that some appointments did not require Senate’s approval.

Sabi-Abdullahi stated that the embargo would remain until Magu is replace.
Meanwhile.Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, January 29, said it is important that African leaders support Nigeria’s president in his war against corruption, Channels TV reports.

Magu at the 30th AU summit in Addis Ababa told journalists that African leaders must therefore support President Buhari in his task as the champion of AU’s fight against corruption for successful anti-corruption war.

FG may ban open drug market - Minister of health

The federal government says it will shut down all open drug markets this year to curb unwholesome drug distribution system.

The minister of health, Isaac Adewole, disclosed this in a statement issued after a ground breaking ceremony of the Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC) in Abia, The News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Adewole, in the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) on Wednesday, January 31, frowned at the chaotic drug distribution system in the country thereby endangering the lives of the populace.

He noted that the closure of all open drug markets would immediately kick start full implementation of the CWC component of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines (NDDG).

The minister, who identified unsatisfactory drug distribution system as one of the challenges in the use of medicine in the country, however said that this has led to poor product handling.

Adewole added that it has also led to difficulty in product tracking for statistical purposes, circulation of substandard products, difficulty in audit trail and destruction of professional practice.

According to him, the ministry issued the NDDG in 2013 in its bid to reverse the ugly trend of unsatisfactory drug distribution system.

The statement also quoted the Registrar of PCN, Mr Elijah Mohammed, describing the CWC as one of the concepts of NDDG to cater for or accommodate open drug marketers.

Mohammed, who identified open drug market as the hub of major drug supply and major drug problem in the country, noted that the measure would assist in sanitising drug distribution system in the country.

The registrar said that the federal government, being sensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians, provided the CWC as an alternative to those in the open drug market instead of pushing them out.

According to him, the CWC will provide effective regulatory activities and ensure good pharmaceutical service delivery in the country.

It would have control over the efficacy of drugs coming into Nigeria and being made available for consumption for Nigerians, he said.

Mohammed described CWC as a purpose built infrastructure that would cater for storage condition, practice environment, security and also in terms of regulatory activities, among others.

“There are some drugs that need to be stored within a specific temperature and CWCs has such warehouses constructed for them unlike the open drug market where everything is lumped under the sun and in stores that have no windows, among others.

“Definitely the quality and efficacy of those drugs are maintained, which is the purpose,” said the registrar.

Mohammed listed the four major open drug markets of concern to the federal government as Idumota Drug market, Lagos; Onitsha overhead bridge, Anambra; Ariaria market, Aba, Abia; and Sabon Gari market, Kano state.

According to him, those centres will boost economy, help ensure product tracking, build confidence in products in the country and increase patronage.

He emphasised that the Abia CWC would accommodate all the owners of medicine shops in Aba and in other clustered areas in the state, when fully developed.

“It is my belief that the speedy development of the coordinated wholesale centre will go a long way in sanitising the drug distribution system in the state and to a large extend the entire nation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the federal government is preparing to include members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the national health insurance scheme.

Proposed Coalition for Nigeria launches in Abuja

The coalition is being launched at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Obasanjo, had, in a letter, called for the formation of the movement.

He had argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party were incapable of repositioning Nigeria, having lost the confidence of the electorate.

Premium Times reports that Obasanjo, who just bagged a PhD degree was not present at the launch in Abuja.

Though Cheif Olusegun Obasanjo was not present at the launch,two former PDP governors, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor of Osun state and Donald Duke of Cross River, were, however, said to be in attendance

Oyinlola who said the movement is not yet a political party, noted that, with time and agreement with other stake holders, it could eventually upgrade into a political party.

“We’re not a political party, at least, for now,” he said.

“We recognise the facts that by the dictates of the constitution, you can only contest on the platform of a political party.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM) had commenced a drive to welcome new coalitions, groups, and others to its Third Force initiative just as Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s own version of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) is to be launched.
 The NIM’s deputy director-general (media and publicity bureau), Mallam Naseer Kura, said his group is ready to welcome new members and groups. In a statement, Kura reportedly said events in recent times had shown the swift and positive response of Nigerians to the philosophy and message of the movement.

“This is underscored by the recent, historic statement by a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, whose clarion call on like-minded Nigerians from different states and regions of the federation, different religious beliefs and backgrounds, groups of Nigerians from different professional and sectorial leanings should come together to create an environment for the realisation of the citizens’ potentials and aspirations.

Ex Super Eagles star Femi Opabunmi cries out for help

Born on March 3, 1985, Femi Opabunmi is a former Super Eagles striker who featured at the 2002 FIFA World Cup thereby becoming the third youngest player ever to have played in the World Cup.

But 16 years after representing his country at the FIFA World Cup championship in Korea/Japan, the player whose performances then caught the attention of clubs like Manchester United and Lyon is currently battling for survival in Ibadan, Oyo state.

Opabunmi exclusively told NAIJ.comthat he is currently at home in Ibadan with no major means of livelihood and to feed his family has become a serious problem for him since he lost one of his eyes.

While narrating his ordeal, Femi Opabunmi explained that he lost his fortune in efforts to revive his right eye, but till the moment of this article, Opabumni can no longer see with one of his eyes.

Ex Super Eagles star Femi Opabunmi cries out for help (photo: Goal)

He has now begged football lovers around the world to come and assist him for him not to die in his current unfortunate condition.

''I lost my right eye when I was in France, and since the year 2008, I have been struggling going from one place to another as I was in serious pain.

''The fear was for me not to lose the second eye, and I eventually lost all the money I made in football while trying to help my condition.

''The doctors told me that they can't really figure out what the problem was with my eye, and the pain almost took my life.

''As I am speaking with you now, I am down with no or limited hope to survive, and with a wife and three children, it becomes more difficult for me.

''There is no money, no work to do and no help from anyone except Osazie Odemwingie, Seyi Olofinjana and even Taiwo Awoniyi,'' Femi Opabunmi exclusively revealed to NAIJ.com.

Ex Super Eagles star Femi Opabunmi cries out for help

Recently, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick announced that the NFF will help former Super Eagles midfielder Wilson Oruma who was said to have lost his fortune to fake pastors.

NAIJ.com then asked Femi Opabunmi if he has been contacted by any member of the NFF, but he said no one has contacted him and therefore begged the football house to help him.

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''It is unfortunate that I am in this condition which could happen to anyone regardless of your wealth, I lost millions on my eyes, and if I had not, I will be fine by now with my family.

''I am not saying that my life is the responsibility of the NFF because they never owed me when I was playing for the National team, but I want to beg them and all football lovers in Nigeria to help me as life is currently hot for me to live in. I can do any job as far as I will be getting money to feed myself and my family,'' Opabunmi added.

Opabunmi started his football career in 2001 at Shooting Stars of Ibadaan, and it was his superb goal-scoring ability that paved way for him to be included in the Super Eagles squad that went to 2002 World Cup.

The former Chamois Niortais of France striker made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2002 against Kenya scoring the second goal in their 3-0 win.

Security: Senate,Presidency hold Summits on Feb.1.

The Senate in collaboration with the president Muhammadu Buhari and the executive arm will on Thursday, February 1 and Monday February 5 convene a national security summit.

In view of the multi-dimensional security challenges facing the nation, the summit will provide an all-inclusive platform for heads of security and defence agencies, governors, traditional rulers, socio-cultural groups, civil society organizations and others, with a view to finding solutions to acute and long term challenges posed by insecurity.

A statement issued by the majority leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan,today January 30, said the summit will also review the challenges being faced by security agencies in the performance of their duties and charting the way forward towards resolving the issues involved.

The Senate had on January 17, while deliberating on the interim report submitted by its adhoc committee on review of security infrastructure, resolved to convene a summit to interface with security agencies and other critical stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the issue and other related challenges.

The deliberation followed the crisis that erupted in Benue, Taraba and Adamawa States and other states, especially between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria.

The statement noted that though the summit was an initiative of the Senate as part of it’s contribution to the resolution of the rising security challenges, it is being convened in partnership with the Presidency to find a common solution to the issue.

The summit is to be declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari and is to hold at the Banquet Hall of the state House on Thursday with all the 36 state governors in attendance.

Other participants at the event will include all Senators and members of the House of Representatives, ministers of Defence and Interior, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Service Chiefs and other heads of security agencies.

Others expected at the two-day summit are selected traditional rulers from across the six geo-political zones, representatives of regional socio political organizations, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Other stakeholders invited to the summit are the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Meanwhile, Senate, during the Thursday, January 18, plenary sitting announced that it postponed the national security summit previously scheduled to hold on January 24th to 25.

The summit was postponed indefinitely after Senator Ahmed Lawan cited order 53(6) and sought for a two week extension of the summit.

Lawan said the extention would allow the ad-hoc committee a proper planning and hold a summit that’s worth it. 

The Traditional clothing for Igbo men

Author: Mary Ikande

Its good to find out how the traditional clothing for Igbo peoples should look like and what makes it different from the attires of other ethnic groups.

Features of Igbo traditional attire

There are several details that make modern traditional wears of Igbo culture really unique. Let us highlight the most important of them:

• The native wears of dignitaries and honorary titles holders differ from the costumes of other people.
• One of the most interesting accessories is a walking stick. It is a symbol of strength and wealth. Without it, the Igbo attire for a gentleman will look incomplete.

• Holders of high titles usually wear a red cap sometimes decorated with a feather.

• The jewelry (coral beads, bracelets, and even hats) is widely used. It’s worn not only by men but also by women and able to turn the most modest costume into festive attire.

Fabrics used for Igbo traditional wears

Igbo culture allows the use of different patterns and colours. However, the most popular are red, white, and black. The materials with images of crowns, lions, swords, horses, and other attributes of masculinity are used quite often.

Traditional caps are made exclusively of wool. By its quality, one can understand if a cap is meant for a titled person or an ordinary member of society.

Next, we will analyze the most popular styles and elements of the Igbo traditional wardrobe.

Isiagu

This is a beautiful shirt with vivid patterns. It can have different length and size of sleeves. Such clothes are often worn at special events, large-scale festivals. The stylish decorations are gold buttons and chains.

Turning to history, we may find out that such a shirt testified that its wearer is the leader of the tribe. Today, the rules are less strict so that Isiagu is worn by Nigerian men of any age and status.

The best additions to this shirt are red cap and wrapper. However, if you do not want to confuse people around emphasizing the title which you do not have, it's better to give up the red cap.

For reasons of convenience, Isiagu can be worn with ordinary trousers. Modern men use them no less often than a traditional wrapper.

The wrapper

In accordance with the Igbo customs, a traditional wrapper may be worn by both men and ladies. Such clothes are comfortable and look very beautiful. Therefore, they can often be seen on Nigerians during events.

If you do not have a traditional fabric woven in a special way, just create a wrapper from any other similar material that you like and which organically complements your clothes.

Senator attire

This form of clothing became popular after the Nigerians saw it on Anyim Pius once serving as President of the Senate. This is a fairly simple costume, none the less looking stylish and solid. It consists of trousers and a shirt with long sleeves. Designers usually do not come up with a complicated cut. The task of this attire is to emphasize the manliness of the wearer and not to draw attention to some excessively vivid details.

Light features of elegance can be created by shiny buttons or a chain on a breast pocket.

As you can see today Igbo fashion offers to the stronger gender a lot of interesting and stylish designs, helping them look bright and manly. Always remain elegant and handsome supporting the culture of your native land.