19 filling stations sealed for alleged malpractice

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) claims to have sealed filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states respectively for allegedly selling petrol at the rates of N 148 and N 150 which is above the pump price of N 145.

The Sokoto operations Controller of the Department, Mr Mohammed Makera, disclosed this to newsmen in Sokoto today Tuesday 6th December, 2016 where he said that eleven (11) of the axed stations were in Sokoto State while eight were in Kebbi. He further disclosed that eighteen (18) of the filling stations were owned by independent marketers and described  one as belonging to a major oil company.

Makera added that they were each fined N 100,000 per pump as well as placed on a two-week suspension. He also assured the public that officials of the department would ensure that the unsuspecting motorists were not cheated by the marketers.

The controller also assured that there were adequate supplies of petroleum products and urged motorists to desist from panic buying.

Minister of Agriculture denies claims of famine by 2017.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh said the Federal Government has already mapped out plans to support dry-season farming that would discourage the presumed food shortage.

He stated that about 10 dams would be constructed in States to support farm irrigation system. He also stated that Nigeria has 33 silo sites with capacity to store about 2 million tons of grains.

In his words “The threat of famine, I think that is a bit of an exaggeration. No danger of famine now. We are doing far better than we did a decade ago. Our neighbours in the West, North and Central Africa are buying, they have always bought, people are buying and storing and this is a challenge I am happy about as it says to the farmer, there is a market for your produce."

"We are not going to face famine, the Government will make sure it doesn’t happen. The GES scheme is working.”

African Development Bank (AfDB) invests $800 million in agriculture.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President African Development Bank (AfDB), made this statement on Monday,  5th of December 2016 in Abuja during the opening of the African Economic Conference (ACE) organised by the bank in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

He stated that the support is based on the platform of the AfDB’s initiative 'Technology for African Agriculture Transformation (TAAT)' as part of the efforts to design and encourage technological innovation within the sector.

Highlights of his statement include

- the scheme is targeted at 40 million farmers in ten years.

- $24 billion would be used to support Nigeria’s agric sector to fight hunger and post-harvest loses within a 20 year frame.

- the initiative would also reduce post-harvest losses.

He did however identify poor infrastructure and access to finance as major challenges, stressing that it has became imperative to develop the Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZ) to which he urged African nations to invest in the SCPZ in order to create jobs and support private agro-allied firms through incentives and infrastructure.

Liberian President visits Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari welcomes Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf To Nigeria.

On his twitter post, he described Liberia as a valued partner.

Young Lady Surrenders Packs of Condoms by Nancy Chukumezie

Ninsiima Allen, a 25 years prostitute from Wakaliga in Uganda, surrendered packs of condoms  in her possession to a church after been convicted by the Holy Ghost.  

According to Robert Kayanja facebook page she gave her life to Christ after attending one of the church crusades, she was also reported to have gone back to the brothel, encouraging her former colleagues to receive salvation.

On urging from the church, she was encouraged to undertake an HIV test to which was found negative.

Chidinma Ekile's new Portfolio by TY Bello

Chidinma Ekile also known as Miss Kedike who some weeks ago made a daring move on her social media page by deleting all photos except those featuring fellow artiste, Flavour N’abania.

She looks absolutely breathtaking in the newly released photos taken by TY Bello  the singer and photographer responsible for Olajumoke, the bread seller turned model.

 

Price of Rice crashes to N8,000 in Ebonyi State

The cheering news was reported by spokesman of Central Bank of Nigeria, Isaac Okoroafor, Acting Director, Corporate Communication, CBN in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state on Tuesday at a sensitization workshop for the CBN Anchor programme for farmers.

“We should eat Nigerian rice provided for by the CBN Anchor Programme;   50 Kg of local rice is now N8, 000 in Ebonyi. Already, the Abia Government has ordered rice from Ebonyi for Christmas,”.

According to him, farmers in Kebbi, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Sokoto and Cross River states, among others, have already keyed into the programme, resulting in massive rice cultivation, he also said that the Anchor Borrowers Programme   for the promotion of Agriculture will make the country  begin exportation of rice by 2017. The development is encouraging and by the end of 2017, we will not only meet our national demand which is between six and seven million tons but have surplus to export.

“We must rid ourselves of eating foreign rice that has been stored for over nine years in Thailand, Vietnam and India. Nigerian rice is fresh and healthier. He further said: “What we have done with this programme so far is to create jobs through farming, especially for the unemployed youths. “Nigerian youths must wake up, dust themselves up and join this worthy campaign."

Okorafor stated that Kebbi State had already harvested one million tons of rice, adding that Ebonyi’s harvest had outstripped the  production target for the year.

WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT NEURITIS MENDES, MISS AFRICA 2016

It is no longer news that Angolan beauty Neurite Mendes,  emerged winner of the maiden edition of Miss Africa 2016, taking home a cash reward of $25,000 and a new Ford Escape car, nor that she has become the first Miss Africa Climate Change Ambassador.

Dr. Linda Ayade, Wife of the Cross River State Governor, crowning winner of the maiden Miss Africa beauty pageant, Angola’s Neurite Mendes

Mendes is no stranger to the spotlight as she has for some time now, been a presenter at VIP access every Wednesday at 18:30 (Luanda) 19:30 (Maputo), Miss Angola South Africa 2013

A model and International Relations student, she stated in past interviews that her passion has always been for the fashion world and the interconnection between Africa and the rest of the world.

The event made box office record with over 365 million people watching it on television however, despite the pomp and finesse, we must not loose sight of the reason behind the pageant; the need for Africans to go beyond culture and tourism by deepening their knowledge of science and technology.

His words: “This Africa beauty pageant is a journey to climate change which today is a big challenge globally. That is why Cross River State people knowing full well that we hold 58 percent of the entire forest map of Nigeria and by extension Africa, made the choice of the theme which is, “Green economy, a tool for sustainable development” for the world to know that Africa generates less emissions yet bears the brunt of industrialization.”

Congratulations Neurite, you deserve it.

FINAL YEAR STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA COMMITS SUICIDE OVER DEBT

Tobechukwu Okeke’s body was found on Sunday morning dangling from a rope in his room at Odenigwe, a community in Nsukka, Enugu State.

A neighbour said the deceased left a note behind where he apologised to his family. The neighbour, who did not want to be named, quoted the note as stating: 

“Mother, Father, brother, I’m sorry. Ify, may your children never suffer. Uncle Mathias, you gave me all. I am sorry. Death calls. Linguistic department, I am sorry. Okeke Tobechukwu S. 2012/185649.”

One of the deceased’s colleagues, who also did not want to be named, said he was given an electrical wiring job to do at the Department of Linguistics in the university, because of his expertise in electrical works.

“I saw him this (Sunday) morning, he seemed to have a problem which he needed money to solve,” the colleague added.

Mrs. Uju Umo, the university’s Dean of Student Affairs, confirmed the incident. She said  “I travelled for a burial last weekend and yesterday I got a text message saying a student had committed suicide, I was told he left a suicide note apologising to his fellow gamblers.”

Chukwu Emmanuel, the university’s Student Union President, also confirmed the incident, and said the matter was being investigated. “There’s no concrete details for now,” he added.

However, the general concesus from people close to the deceased is that he committed suicide because "he was owing too much money!”

This humble reporters summation is, are you sure Nwachuku Daniel Ikechuku is truely Tobechukwu Okeke’s  friend? I'm yet to understand how he could find a loved one dangling on a rope and his first port of call is not how to bring him down and try to resuscitate him but to post his lifeless body on facebook.

Just my 2cents.

Sources: Premium Times, Linda Ikeji's blog

AGRICULTURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR BOOSTING NIGERIA’S ECONOMY

At the recently concluded KITs Essay Competition in Abuja where I was privileged to judge, one of the contestants stood out.
A thirteen year old with a depth of understanding.
Please enjoy.

NAME: SAMUEL OKWUCHI AKINOLA

AGE: 13 YEARS

School: Command Secondary School Zuma Barracks Kaduna Road Suleja Niger state

It is no longer surprising that at thirteen, children such as myself are fully aware of the poor economic situation in the country. The television which mom insists that I watch in order to listen to the news every day inundates us with

news on the fall of oil price and how Nigeria’s economy is negatively affected by this fall. In my home we have come up with different types of sauces to counter the lack of tomatoes. We have also resorted to pasta to deal with high cost of rice. This is what my teacher would call improvisation! That is, providing alternatives, like when my teacher would say that one could use green leaves as a substitute for green colour, charcoal for pencil, smooth rock for sharpener and so on, this is what thinking out of the box is all about, which is what Nigeria really needs at this time. Necessity they say, is the mother of inventions.

I have often wondered what Nigeria would be like if every one were to plant a tree or any other sort of plant. I am told that there are over 190 million people in Nigeria, imagine if all of us, each planted something! The trees would serve as protection from erosion, flood, provide shade, and when cut will provide endless job opportunities in factories and industries where furniture is produced. The sap from trees could be used for many purposes, the wine from the palm tree can be processed for export as a drink, and the oil from the palm kernel can equally serve as a cash crop. Wouldn’t it look wonderful if there were flowers planted all around? If flowers and trees were planted in some certain sites in Nigeria these could serve as beautiful tourist attraction that people from all over the world would come to see and this would boost

Nigeria’s economy.

My grandma used to tell us about the groundnut pyramids in the north which I once saw on the television, a magnificent sight to behold! Can you imagine if most of us planted groundnuts, how many pyramids we could have?

This will not only serve as tourist attraction but also provide an enormous boost to the Nigerian economy through groundnut oil. If we could all have a tiny fish pond and garden in our back yards every child would learn how to nurture and grow something, I could go on and on and on but my conviction and conclusion is that with the exploitation of agriculture Nigeria’s economy would continue to boom!

Chef or Genius? You decide

A friend of mine invited me for a culinary class, being the curious ... errr...person I am (cough**) I decided to stop by.
(I even got to taste)

I met Chef Priscilla Umeda, an extraordinary woman with a great passion and skill (the owner of Priscilla's Kitchen LLC) entrepreneur and Chef extraordinaire. I got her to share her story, ideologies and plans for Nigeria and Nigerians.

Q: Where are you from exactly?

I am from Odiabidi, Ahoada East, in Rivers State of Nigeria

Q: What made you go into food in the first place, or did you just have love for FOOD?

Growing up, farming was a must know as a girl child.

Understanding where food comes from; how it is cultivated, harvested and cooked, inspired me.

I’m from a large family of 8 and was the only girl child for a long time before my youngest sister came. My mother made it my responsibility to ensure my siblings were fed. 

Consequently when I left college with a degree in Business Administration and knowing that I lacked the connections to land me a plushy job I taught myself cake making. It became a business, so when I eventually traveled to the US I found out that food was way much more than I thought it was. That was what inspired me to go to the culinary school. I wanted to be the best at food.

Q: And how long have you been cooking professionally?

About 16 years now.

Q: You recently returned to Nigeria for this course, what would you say is the driving force behind this upheaval?

We need to change the dynamism of the food service industry in Nigeria. We have potential here; preparations and presentations are very important but we need to add business management to it. 

Nobody will give you their business to manage if you do not have a financial management background or know-how. It doesn’t take a lot. This is part of what I taught the first class. Food costs, plate cost etc.

Unfortunately, there are too few Nigerians in reputable food service industries here. Name one hotel or high end restaurant with a Nigerian as a F & B Manager or Executive Chef. If there are, it will be few.

We need to redefine our Nigerian food, put it on the 'global' map and present better without losing its authenticity.

So, I am here to bridge the gap through education, empowerment and mentorship.

Q: Wow, that’s all well and good but is this course really for Nigerians? You pointed out quite clearly that too few Nigerians are put in the position of F&B, surely there must be a reason for it?

Food is beyond cooking your Nationality. You need to learn to cook with cost in mind, like every other trend, you need to attune food to today’s refined palate.

If a diner’s palate is refined, then they no longer want what you have been cooking since the world began. They want food of today. In other to stay afloat in business; you must adapt.

I’m here to teach using Nigerian products to achieve International standards, not just to learn taste and techniques but to also learn presentation.

Furthermore, Nigerians are smart, industrious people. With the right know how, they can take over and overcome any challenge presented to them.

Q: That is indeed wonderful, is this the first time you have been back to the country since you relocated?

No, I’ve been here several times. I worked as GM of Genesis Center, I shot and aired a cooking show on CMTV,  I was also contracted by Rivers State Government to teach 100 women Catering Services. 

These opportunities were short lived because of restiveness in the area at the time, among other reasons.

Q: So why this? Why now? What would you say informed your decision to start a culinary course?

My experience in one of the places I worked did it for me. Nigerian cooks were not earning to their highest potential yet the expatriates that worked in the same kitchen were well paid and well respected even though they could ONLY cook Chinese/ International cuisines. 

My heart bled and knew I had to do something.  I grew up in this country and I know what it’s like not having someone to encourage you, not having someone to show you how to make a name for yourself.  90% of Nigerians are hard working, once you show them ‘the how’ they will go far.

Q: What did you do?

I am a Starbucks addict, so returning from the states I had cases of the product. I had 105 employees and when I got to work in the morning I made coffee for each and every one of them. In that brief span of time,(we all had to go back to work and could not be late) I encouraged them and let them know that they could be better. 

I told them they had the necessary skill sets and all they needed was to put it to work. 

I didn't focus on the cooks alone, I advised that they didn't settle at being security guards, cleaners, dish washers (except if that was their passion). 

With the cooks, I knew I had to do something and to empower them through education. Sometimes I would personally do a hands-on demo, Other times I would instruct and let them carry out by adding their touch to it.

Food is a billion dollar industry and Nigeria is a virgin market for what I have to offer. A lot of people do not understand culinary arts and that’s why am here…to make a difference. 

It’s time that our brothers and sisters who are passionate about food be motivated and trained to be at par with today’s Food service management trend and be given opportunities to be in high places as well as ignite new passion for culinary arts.

Q: How has advertising for this program been conducted?

For now, it has mainly been by word of mouth. 

These are my first set of students on this program and we are currently looking for a bigger kitchen in order to accommodate all the culinary students we are bound to have. 

As you can see, we’ve already outgrown our current space which tells you that the land has been yearning for this and am glad I yielded to this call. 

We need lots of publicity. I am self-sponsoring it for now. It is my hope that ministry of women affairs, churches, food and hospitality sectors, government and even individuals etc. all come on board to support what we are doing here. Think of how many job opportunities and entrepreneurship skills we could generate after graduation. 

While we may not solve everyone’s problem, we can assist them get a skill set to generate their own income.

Q: What advice do you have for this first graduating class?

Complacency is death sentence! I teach you techniques, you put them to creative use. I am one email away; if you have a question, tweet me, email, drop a line on my website and we will continue empower you unto creative productive end!

FIRST GRADUATING CLASS.

Priscilla's Kitchen Live in Lagos

FUEL SCARCITY

In  e-mails sent to customers by GTBank


Dear Customer, 

Notice of Early Closure of Branches 

The current shortage of petroleum products in the country has limited our ability to supply diesel to all our branches, in order to continue normal branch operations.

Due to this, we unavoidably have to close our branches nationwide at 1pm, from tomorrow Monday, 25th May 2015.

Whilst we have had to take this step to close branch operations early, we would like to seek your understanding at this time, and assure you that we will continue to work hard at finding alternative solutions to this situation and will advise you once the situation has abated.

One begins to wonder, is this the norm... are we to hang on with abated breath for our government to remember we exist? 

Having light at home seems like such a distant yet pleasant memory.

God help us all. 

DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU

Have you ever bothered to sit back and maul over that?

What is best for you?... not mind you, what others think is best for you but ...

Here's a little food for thought

#14. Stop focusing on what you don't want to happen 

Focus on what you do want to happen.  Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story.  If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.

#13. Stop being ungrateful 

No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life.  Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs.  Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

#12. Stop acting like everything is fine. (If it isn't, then it's not) 

It’s okay to fall apart for a little while.  You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well.  You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears.  The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.

#11. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments (you might never have them again) 

Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.  The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.

#10. Stop letting others bring you down to their level 

Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.

#9. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself, but even more important - stop blaming others for your troubles 

 

Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you.  

You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough.  But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past.  You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation.  

So smile!  Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be. The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life.  

When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life

#8. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons 

Relationships must be chosen wisely.  It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company.  There’s no need to rush.  If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.

#7. Stop trying to hold on to the past ( leave it where it belongs... in the past) stop berating yourself for old mistakes and most importantly... stop being scared to make a new mistake. 

You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.

We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. 

Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. 

Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success.  You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.

#6. Stop trying to be someone you're not 

One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like everyone else.  Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you.  Don’t change so people will like you.  Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.

#5.Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness

 

If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either.  You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.

 

#4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner

 

The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.  Yes, help others; but help yourself too.  If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.

 

#3. Stop lying to yourself 

You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself.  Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.

#2. Stop running from your problems

 

Face them head on.  No, it won’t be easy.  There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them.  We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems.  That’s not how we’re made.  In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall.  Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time.  This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.

#1. Stop spending time with the wrong people 

Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you.  If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you.  You shouldn't have to fight for a spot.  Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth.  And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.

HELLO AGAIN

Good morning,

Have you missed me?

I sure have missed you.

Does anyone remember the old movie "Hello Dolly" with Barbra Streisand and Louie Armstrong?
That's exactly how I feel, and I have no plans of leaving again... SO YOUR STUCK WITH ME.
Lol, just kidding, but you get the idea right?

When I planned this great come back, all in my head mind you I had plans to do some thing grandiose, something spectacular, something... well... lets just say... I'm going to take it one day at a time but you can be sure that any news related article as usual will be properly researched and verifiable.

I'm on the hunt for Advertisers so if any one of you, my wonderful readers can point me in the right direction I will be most grateful.

Don't go away now, great things are in store.

The office of the first lady

A lot has been said about the illegality of the office of first lady and the abuse of power. In some publications, reference has been made to her involvement in the search of the “Chibok girls”, she has been termed meddlesome and a disruption of justice.

The fact that it is not written in the constitution does not make the office illegal.

The office of the Chief of Staff cannot be found in the Nigerian constitution either but this is an accepted norm.

The office of the first lady has been in contention since after independence with some school of thought believing that the office should be more of a social one, dedicated to hosting dignitaries and being a quiet decoration on the arm of the president.

But nullifying the power behind the man is tantamount to claiming the woman’s role beside her husband is useless. The duty of the first lady is to first and foremost be a wife.

A wife’s job, contrary to popular belief does not stop with cleaning the house, cooking the meals and looking after the children rather the wife serves as a back bone to her husband, his confidant and his sounding board for his issues. In the case where the wife has a good head over her shoulders and can think, she aids her husband in the running of the house hold, his businesses and SHE DOESN’T TAKE over but she supports.

Why should the case of the first lady of Nigeria be any different?

The First Lady is an International celebrity, she can and should leverage her title to serve as an advocate for social issues.

Looking back at history we see various first ladies leave their mark in the sands of time, acknowledged some of these marks are better served erased than remembered but those marks remain indelible. 

Every First Lady is different; she has a different set of ideals and manner of approach. Dame Patience Jonathan has proven to be first a mother and then a woman of peace. 

During the passing of bill of marriage to under age women, the media was bombarded with videos from Nollywood actors  complaining about her inaction in preventing the bill for child marriage. It was conveniently forgotten at the time that the first lady has no power over the senators and bills of legislature and cannot force them to take any stand that favours her

If I recall correctly the statement was

“Oh wait a minute, where is the first lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan? Why haven’t we heard your voice? You derive pleasure in lending your voice to issue that do not concern you but this issue is right under you and we expect to hear your voice because you are the mother of Nigeria…mother of the nation…If you do not stand up and put a stop to this madness, then I’m really sorry, it’s a shame!”

There was a huge consensus as the video went viral. 

Nigerians being a vocal set of people were in agreement therefore it is strange that when the same woman takes an active role in bringing back our children, the same people criticize her.

She has been quite vocal of her pain in the abduction of the girls, this shows that she is human. She broke down in tears when it was obvious that those who claimed to be stake holders in this affair showed a lackadaisical attitude when it came to the investigation of the series of unfortunate events, this shows that is a mother.

How many people can claim to (and believe me, I verified this) provide surgical care to 43 children with holes in their heart, work in collaborative partnership with governmental agencies on maternal and child health programs, reach out and offer a sense of validity to over 3000 persons living with HIV and AIDS, provide an opportunity for skill acquisitions of which to date, over 3000 Nigerian women have benefited of.

I can hear you say, so what? I’m sure she could afford it. And to that I ask you, how many other well to do Nigerians who can afford to be philanthropic, actually spend their own money, or take the time to raise the funds to better the lives of their fellow man? Yet these people are not criticized on every turn. Rather they are praised in hopes that bread crumbs may one day drop from their tables into the awaiting masses mouths.

Let us call a spade a spade.

Dame Patience Jonathan has always been an advocate for women and the girl child in general. 

Becoming the wife of the President did not mean that she would abandon her inherent beliefs and ideals or that she would change from the person she is. Rather she entered a position where lives can be positively affected by her actions and she utilizes it to the fullest of her abilities. 

No one should be prosecuted for caring.