116-year-old recognised oldest living person in the world by Guinness World Records

A Japanese woman identified as Kane Tanaka has been recognised as the oldest person living in the world. The woman was officially confirmed by the organisation at the nursing home where she resides in Fukuoka, Japan.

The 116-year-old woman was confirmed as the oldest person alive on Wednesday, January 30. Tanaka had been presented with the certificates for the record and oldest woman living.

According to Guinness World Record, Kane was born prematurely on January 2, 1903. The woman had gotten married to Hideo Tanaka four days after her 19th birthday.

116-year-old Japanese woman honored as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records Source: Guinessworldrecords.com

Her husband was a business man who ran a family business called Tanaka Mochiya. The business sold sticky rice and Udon noodles. Kane became involved in the family business after her husband was called for military service in 1937.

The Japanese woman with her brothers and sisters Source: Guinessworldrecords.com

The woman's first son had also joined the military in 1943, and was held captive by the Soviet Union after the second world war, and returned to Japan in 1947.

Kane who now lives at a nursing home wakes up at 6 in the morning. She studies in the afternoon and plays board games.

Family photo with all her relatives Source: Guinessworldrecords.com

GuinnessWorldRecords

✔@GWR

Meet 116-year-old Kane Tanaka from Japan, our new oldest person living record holder > http://bit.ly/GWR-KaneTanaka 

161

12:10 PM - Mar 9, 2019

69 people are talking about this

Twitter Ads info and privacy

Meanwhile another woman who might be the oldest woman in the world. The Bolivian woman Julia Flores Colque is nearly 118 and her national identity card states that she was born on October 26, 1900.

Pastor Alph Lukau is missing as Alleluia Ministries increase their security

Alleluia Ministries has denied access to members of the public, only allowing "VIP" members to enter the premises.

On Tuesday, Sowetan LIVE journalist attempted to enter the premises of Pastor Alph Lukau's church, however, they discovered tight security and an absent religious leader.

According to the report, the public is not allowed to enter the church after Lukau made headlines for allegedly resurrecting a man.

The story blew up and has since caused a lot of trouble for the controversial pastor. 

Our source gathered that three funeral parlours opened a criminal case against Lukau and there are also claims that another religious leader has filed charges against him.

The negative reaction the 'miracle' gathered forced the church to increase security. On Wednesday, only "VIP" members attended the church but Lukau was no where in sight.

According to an unidentified woman, no one was allowed to enter the premises and the spokesperson was not there.

She added only the spokesperson was allowed to speak on behalf of the organisation.

Pastor Alph Lukau is MIA as Alleluia Ministries amps up security. Photo credit: Alleluia Ministries/Facebook.

All the negative attention the church has gathered followed a video which has since gone viral showing Lukau allegedly raising a man from the dead.

After a lot of backlash, the church back tracked on their miracle, adding the man was already alive when he arrived on the premises. However, they added Lukau finished a miracle God had already started.

Meanwhile the video of the alleged resurrection went viral, South Africans have taken to social media to mimic the act and also mock pastor Luaku.

Many of them shared their hilarious re-enactments on their various pages on the internet.

Election 2019: Army’s compliance with rules of engagement commendable - Human rights group

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Human Rights and Conflict Management has commended the Nigerian Army for its preparedness in ensuring a hitch-free exercise in compliance with the rule of law.

The group said the Nigerian troops are adequately prepared to deal with any form of violence that might erupt during and after the elections and will do so within the ambit of the law.

The executive director of the human rights group, Maxwell Gowon, said CCSGHRCM observed the threats of violence in the polity by paid political merchants desperate to turn the tide in favour of their paymasters.

Gowon said the group also observed that there are possibilities of attacks from terrorist organizations especially in the northeast region of Nigeria; the southeast region by adherents of the Indigenous People of Biafra among many others.

He said a review of the military security architecture showed that the Nigerian military has continued to maintain a high standard of compliance with its human rights obligations to the citizenry through the continuous engagement by the Department of Civil-Military Relations.

The group said there were also regular operational meetings by the Chief of Army Staff and Top Commanders of the Nigeria Army on how to curtail attempts by unscrupulous elements to infiltrate the troops.

"There is a functional situation room that is linked to all military operational bases around the country which is highly commendable and indicative of the preparedness of the Nigeria Army towards ensuring the safety of lives and properties before, during and after the elections. This is quite commendable," Gowon said.

He further urged that the Nigeria Army must continue to ensure that it’s troops deployed to provide security cover for the citizens as well as to uphold the highest level of standard.

Gowon said: "The military authorities must put in place measures the would curb overzealousness amongst the troops and in the event of such, appropriate sanctions must be implemented to serve as a deterrent to others."

"The military authorities must ensure that the welfare of the troops is adequately taken care of to minimize any form of enticement in the line of duty, especially those mounting checkpoints in strategic places.

The Chief of Army Staff must continue to ensure strict compliance with rules of engagement by the troops," Gowon added'..

Elections 2019:14 battleground states that may be won and lost by Buhari and Atiku

Few hours to the presidential and National Assembly elections rescheduled to hold on Saturday, February 23, we take a look at the some ‘battleground states’ where the two leading presidential candidates, President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar, are expected to keenly contest for votes.
According to our analysis.14 states stand as potential battleground wherein previous voting pattern may be disrupted.

The highlighted states are Adamawa, Rivers, Katsina, Benue, Borno, Kano, Kwara, Imo, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Ondo, Oyo, Jigawa and Kaduna.

1. Adamawa

Adamawa is considered a battleground because the state, despite being Atiku’s home state, is controlled by the APC.

Thus, Atiku’s popularity in the state will be up against the massive influence of the APC government of Governor Jibrilla Bindow, reportedly adjudged as one of the best in the state’s history.

Tipping Atiku as having an edge being a son of the soil, the margin of victory, analysts forecast, will be very slim..
 Katsina

The northwest state of Kastina is President Buhari’s home state. However, analysts believe that Atiku will get impressive votes in the state due to some factors.

According to Premium Times, Nuhu Daiwa, a resident of Katsina said although Atiku is from Adamawa state, his second home is Katsina “because of his long affinity with the prominent Yar’adua family in Katsina.”

Also, Katsina had been governed by the PDP since 1999 and only lost to the APC in 2015. Thus, the opposition party still has a strong membership in the state.

3. Akwa Ibom

Though Akwa Ibom is controlled by the PDP, analysts believe President Buhari will have an impressive showing in the state, compared with his 2015 poor outing in the state.

Though Atiku is tipped to win the state, it is believed President Buhari will get impressive votes because of the massive influence of the political groups loyal to Godswill Akpabio, a former governor of the state; Nsima Ekere, the APC governorship candidate in the state; Umana Umana, the managing director, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA); and John Udoedehe, a former minister.

4. Benue

Benue state is also one of the battlegrounds for the presidential election where the two leading candidates have 50-50 chances.

However, factors such as the defection of the state governor, Samuel Ortom, and other top government officials to PDP and the horrible experience of herdsmen violence are expected to give Atiku an edge over Buhari.

Governor Ortom’s low rating, particularly due to non-payment of over five months salary, George Akume’s influence are some of the factors expected to work in favour of President Buhari.

5. Borno

Borno is a known stronghold for President Buhari but analysts see Atiku’s chances of getting some good votes there as well due to the issue of poor management of the country’s economy.

President Buhari’s winning margin can also reduce due to the stiff contest for the National Assembly seats in Borno state.

6. Ondo

Ondo is also touted as a state which voters can either turn to the side of President Buhari or that of Atiku.

According to analysts, the people of the state are not favourably disposed to the performance of the APC government, a development that may give the PDP some edge.

The recent crisis within APC has also not helped its case in the run-up to the election.

7. Imo

Imo state, the only state in the southeast controlled by the APC, could have delivered their votes massively for President Buhari but the internal crisis tearing the APC apart in the state and the choice of Peter Obi from southeast give Atiku a good hope.

8. Lagos

Though Lagos is a stronghold of the APC and is expected to deliver for President Buhari, analysts forecast Atiku may also get some impressive showing due to the grievances of some members of the party after the incumbent governor could not get his second term bid.

9. Rivers

Atiku is expected to record a resounding victory in Rivers because the state is controlled by the PDP and also produced the party’s national chairman. However, President Buhari is also touted to ride on the influence of Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of the state who is the DG of Buhari’s campaign.

The flag-off of the Ogoni cleanup, an important long-awaited programme to restore the environment degraded following years of oil spillage in Ogoniland, may also give Buhari some chances.

10. Kano

Kano is a major political base for President Buhari and he has a better chance of retaining the victory on Saturday, February 23. However, analysts forecast he may not win with wide margin as in previous elections.

Atiku is expected to ride on the massive influence of former Kano governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

11. Kwara

Kwara has always been following the directives of the Saraki political dynasty up until “O to ge!” sprouted.

“O to ge!”, a Yoruba phrase translated literally as “Enough is Enough!”, is a protest movement against the Saraki political dynasty.

This makes the state open for both President Buhari and Atiku. While Buhari will enjoy the support of the O to ge! movement, Atiku will be counting on the influence of Senate president Bukola Saraki who is the DG of his campaign.

12. Oyo

Despite being controlled by the APC, analysts say it is difficult to predict who between Buhari and Atiku will grab the highest number of votes in the state.

13. Jigawa

Analysts forecast President Buhari will win the state due to some factors. Some of the factors are the incumbency advantage, gale of defection, the achievements of the present administration in the state and the candidate’s personality profile in the eyes of the masses.

However, Atiku is also expected to ride on the support of a former governor of the state, Sule Lamido, and some aggrieved APC members.

14. Kaduna

Though considered a battle ground state, anaylsyts forecast President Buhari will carry the day in Kaduna

Majority of the people in the northern part of the state including Zaria, Kawo, Konfanin Zango and others are expected to vote for him while the southerners will certainly give Atiku a bulk of their votes.

Overall, President Buhari is expected to win in Kaduna, though with a lower margin than in 2015.

 Perviously a collection of eight predictions by international analysts shows that the 2019 presidential election will be keenly contested by President Buhari and Atiku as the election has “split analysts down the middle”.

Out of the eight forecasts by eight analysts, four predicted President Buhari will win a second term while the remaining four also predicted a victory for Atiku.

Withdraw your statement on ballot-box snatching - Army chief tells Atiku

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has called on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw his statement on Army allegiance to President Buhari's directive on ballot-box snatchers.

Buratai while speaking at a meeting with principal staff officers, directors and general officers commanders on Wednesday, February 20, said the call on the Army to disobey President Buhari's shoot at ballot-box snatchers by Atiku is unfortunate.

Stating the position of the Army on the Army against electoral offenders, the Chief of Army Staff said, direct and public incitement of the Nigerian Military against democracy and constituted civil authority will not be tolerated.

Buratai also saying that the Army would remain professional in carrying out its duty during the election noted that one of the military's core values is loyalty to constituted authority.

He said: "It is unfortunate to hear persons who are aspiring to rule this country again inciting the army to disobedience. We have consistently stated our position in the political dispensation to remain neutral and apolitical."

"However, direct and public incitement of the Nigerian Military against democracy and constituted civil authority will not be tolerated. I request such persons to withdraw this inciting statement.

"Let me reemphasize loud and clear, that the Nigerian Army is a professional army. The foundation of military professionalism is discipline and without discipline an army cannot stand. One of our core values is loyalty to constituted authority.

"Loyalty must be hundred per cent. I shall leave you in no doubt as to our resolve to bequeath a professionally responsive army to Nigeria and Nigerians.

"Should any officer or soldier have doubts as to his loyalty to the Nigerian state as presently constituted, such a person has up to 22 February 2019 to resign. There is no room for indiscipline or disobedience to lawful orders in the NA today.

"I want to remind all here present that the act of electoral thuggery, snatching of ballot boxes, illegal possession of elections materials and similar crimes are intended to mar an election and create deliberate avenues for post-election violence and mayhem.

"Such actions can also become more damaging when they are widespread, leading to destruction of lives and properties," Buratai said.

Meanwhile,a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, on Monday, February 18, reacted to a controversial directive given to security agencies on ballot box snatching by President Buhari.

Ozekhome in a statement said the directive by the president that anyone who snatches ballot box at the polls does so at the expense of his life is unpresidential and unconstitutional.

According to the he senior lawyer, President Buhari through his statement was usurping the powers of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police.

Elections 2019: Bisi Akande prays for peaceful polls in Nigeria

Chief Bisi Akande, the former interim national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of the forthcoming elections.

According to Akande, a society where there is no peace will not progress, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

He spoke on Wednesday, February 20, at his country home in Ila-Orangun, Osun state, while hosting lawmakers from the state House of Assembly who came to pay him a courtesy visit.

The APC chieftain and former governor of the state prayed that the presidential and National Assembly elections billed for Saturday, February 23, would be successful.

He also rallied support for the anti-corruption crusade, saying a country bogged down by corruption would be weak.

“The society that is corrupt will never be strong.

” If there is one town government, it will only be as strong as that one town.

“The measure of control in the hands of any government depends on the resources available to that government.

“The moment state’s resources go to individuals, it makes the government weak and when you are under a weak government, you are not safe,” he said.

He said dislodged militias and terrorist groups were flocking into African countries because our system of government was weak and founded on corruption.

He said: “ISIS in Syria will soon be demolished and America will leave Syria and those people (ISIS) will come to Africa because it is only in Africa where you have weak governments.

“Africa is the only place where corruption is the government and as long as corruption is more important than service, government will continue to be weak and the people will have no protection."

Meanwhile, there was mild drama at the Central Bank  of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo state on Wednesday, February 20, as Form EC8B of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) meant for Kano, surprisingly found its way to the south-west state.

The form, which is the result sheet for a particular ward within a state, is one of the sensitive election materials.

Hoodlums disrupt FG's TraderMoni disbursement in Abeokuta

The proposed disbursement of TraderMoni funds at the Lafenwa Market in Abeokuta, Ogun state, was on Tuesday, February 19, disrupted by some hoodlums.

Our source reports that a band of thugs, whose identities are yet unknown, sparked chaos at the said venue of the disbursement of the funds just when officials of the programme were working on the list of the names of prospective beneficiaries at the stall of Ramotalai Olatunji, the Iyaloja of the market.

According to reports the hoodlums forced the prospective beneficiaries of the programme and also kidnapped Ramotalai.

Eye witness reveal that after the unwholesome development, few female traders were eagerly waiting for the return of personnel of the scheme.

Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo who expressed disappointment in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s activities said he has shown human weakness and proved the saying that the corruption of the best is the worst form of corruption.

Obasanjo mocked the President Buhari-led administration’s TraderMoni initiative describing it as an "outrightly idiotic programme.' 

He made the statement in an open letter titled “Point for Concern and Action” which he distributed to journalists at a press conference held at his house at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

Movie producers give update on Baba Suwe’s health.

Movie makers, under the aegis of Theatre Arts and Motions Pictures Producers’ Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has denied abandoning one of its members, Babatunde Omidina, in the hospital.

Omidina, popularly known as Baba Suwe, is currently battling with an undisclosed illness.

Speaking with reporters in Abeokuta yesterday, the National President of the association, Bolaji Amusan, said the report was sponsored by mischief-makers to discredit TAMPAN. Popularly known as Mr Latin.Amusan said the association had been taking care of the veteran actor’s medical bills since 2017, under the administration of immediate-past President, Dele Odule.

He said: “I have just instructed the Lagos State executive of the association to check on him (Baba Suwe) to ascertain his health progress.

“I can tell you that we have not abandoned Baba Suwe, as well as any of our members, as being speculated in some quarters by mischief-makers.”

However, Amusan said they had designed a new policy to help members of the association.