Turkey says Syria’s Idlib strikes risk wrecking peace talks

My CAF award, a gift to Nigerians, says Oshoala

African Female Footballer of the Year, Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala speaks during the press conference after the CAF awards at the Accra International Press Conference in Accra, on January 4, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / CRISTINA ALDEHUELA

Nigerian foreign reserve hits 40.4 Billion US Dollars

Herdmen killing in Nigeria

fulani-likkingswhen respite, though temporal, comes to Nigerians, we tend to almost permanently forget the pains, anxiety and disorder we have been passing through. We begin to run from pillar to pole once the crisis shockingly shows its frightening head again, often unprepared. One of the numerous avoidable cases in Nigeria is the issue of the armed Fulani herdsmen who have constituted themselves into a threat to national security although the national government is yet to consider them so. They have made eternal enemies of farmers across the country, destroying their farm and farm produce, razing down their homes, raping their wives and daughters and snuffing life out of the farmers once challenged. They leave behind pools of blood, tears of widows and deserted villages wherever and whenever they carry out their unprecedented attacks on the innocent farmers with little or no effort to put an end to the crisis. Adamawa, Plateau, Ekiti, Nassarawa, Cross Rivers among other states have tasted from the agonies of cattle rustlers have to offer. Benue State seemed to be the main target of the yet-to-be-unmasked men. The state being the Basket Food of the Nation has enough for the cattle to graze on.

Despite the wide call and appeal to the Federal Government to rein in and arrest the ugly situation that has also plunged Nigeria deeper into a state of insecurity, the government seems helpless, as Nigerians are, its best being to merely condemn the killings, sometime with a delay or hesitation. Whenever the government rises to its consciousness, it deploys security personnel just to restore normalcy and arrest a handful of suspects whose trial might be a dream. The spate of killing became more alarming when the devilish people struck Benue State at a time the unsuspecting people were having already bleak festivals. As usual, the weapon-wielding herdsmen stormed the North Central state to perpetrate their evils. Agatuland in Benue State is still reeling in the pains they suffered from the wandering miscreants. The community is always at the receiving end, witnessing a series of attacks. Taking their campaigns to other parts of the state, the state capital, Makurdi had suffered from the bitter experience. The latest ruthless activity of the herdsmen in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state shocked the whole country. It had happened before and with the situation on ground, more is likely to occur. There would only be more condemnations and calls to the government to do more, unless the state government concerned rises to the occasion and saves the state from the grip of the herdsmen.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that the perpetrators of the killings should be arrested and brought to book, would that bring solace to the victims and return the displaced people to their homes? How do you even arrest the nomads? Their arrest and possible prosecution will not bring the needed lasting solution(s) to the menace. Truly, more security presence might be in the state. Would this be permanent? Then, it’s certain that the men would come back to their unfinished business of claiming the land and unleashing terrors in Benue State. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the Federal Government to declare the armed Fulani herdsmen a terrorist group. If the government considers them a threat to national security, it is necessary to treat them as suggested by the body. After all, their negative impacts are felt in every of the six geopolitical zones of the Federation. Declaring them a terrorist group would bring the military in to nip the escalating crisis and tension in the bud.

The Benue State governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, has called on the Federal Government to quickly intervene. He should have identified the government with lackadaisical attitude to some important issues. The Fulani herdsmen’s assaults on farmers don’t just start now. Yet a lasting solution hasn’t been proffered. The buck now stops on the governor’s desk. If the Federal Government has no interest in the matter, it would be active in quenching the fire of the crisis rather than maintaining its perceived indifference. Since it couldn’t make a law against open grazing, the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 in Benue State should be fully put to use. The Ekiti State government has successfully curbed the excesses of the armed men with its own law, and it ensures total compliance to the law. The Fulani herdsmen might not be totally lawless. The Benue State government should take the bull by the horns. Providing ranches could perhaps stop the attack on the farms, that infuriate the farmers. Brazil and Argentina are the largest exporters of beef, but ugly incidents like ours are rare there. Governor Ortom is the Chief Security Officer of his state, likewise other governors and their respective states.

Besides, the state government can have a special anti-armed-Fulani herdsmen squad to monitor the compliance of the Benue State law. Any erring herdsman would be arrested immediately and made to face the full wrath of the law. The squad comprising the police, officers of the  Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies will monitor the activities of those mischievous individuals in areas, villages, towns and cities prone to attacks. If this is considered expensive to manage most especially in term of personnel, the state government could include maintaining order and tranquillity to the responsibilities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This is a long-term measure to reduce the herdsmen-farmers clash to the barest minimum.  Every state government has right and power to protect the lives and properties of its citizens against any internal and external attack.

Source Gnp

Delta state L.G ELection result

The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), on Sunday, January 7, announced the Saturday’s council election results in the state.

According to the results announced by Mike Ogbodu, the chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won twenty-three (23) out of the twenty-five (25) local government areas where election took place in the state

Ogbodu said elections were postponed in Ethiope East and Ughelli North areas due to reports of violence which resulted in the burning of the DSIEC office in Ughelli, adding that election in the two council areas will be held on Tuesday, January 9 2018.

Breakdown Of Delta State LG Election Result

Oshimili NorthAPC 7,229

PDP 47,306

Oshimili South

APC 1,898

PDP 46,183

Udu

APC 5,491

PDP 62,668

Ukwuani

APC 5,611

PDP 32,854

Ughelli South

APC 2,878

PDP 46,941

Isoko South

APC 4,372

PDP 79,784

Warri North

APC 6,221

PDP 48,076

Uvwie

APC 593

PDP 103,308

Warri South West

APC 1,751

PDP 107,973

Ika North EastAPC 2,839

PDP 71,124

Burutu

APC 2,791

PDP 83,897

Bomadi

APC 1,079

PDP 74,857

Okpe

APC 5,440

PDP 67,525

Ndokwa East

APC 126

PDP 44,195

Isoko North

APC 5,394

PDP 78,952

BomadiAPC 1,079

PDP 74,857

Aniocha SouthAPC 11,250

PDP 26,943

Aniocha North

ADC 9

ADP 15

APC 2,798

KOWA 1

MPP 4

PDP 25,272

Ndokwa West

APC 2,107

PDP 66,921

Ethiope West

APC 4, 403

PDP 46,307

Patani

APC 277

PDP 35,752

Sapele

APC 4,533

PDP 77,901.

Source pnws

Polls: Breakdown Of Results Released By DSIEC

By

 Sodiq Adekunle

 -

January 8, 2018

2

29

    

Rivers election

The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), on Sunday, January 7, announced the Saturday’s council election results in the state.

According to the results announced by Mike Ogbodu, the chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won twenty-three (23) out of the twenty-five (25) local government areas where election took place in the state

Ogbodu said elections were postponed in Ethiope East and Ughelli North areas due to reports of violence which resulted in the burning of the DSIEC office in Ughelli, adding that election in the two council areas will be held on Tuesday, January 9.

Breakdown Of Delta State LG Election Result

Oshimili NorthAPC 7,229

PDP 47,306

Oshimili South

APC 1,898

PDP 46,183

Udu

APC 5,491

PDP 62,668

Ukwuani

APC 5,611

PDP 32,858

Ughelli South

APC 2,878

PDP 46,941

Isoko South

APC 4,372

PDP 79,784

Warri North

APC 6,221

PDP 48,076

Uvwie

APC 593

PDP 103,308

Warri South West

APC 1,751

PDP 107,973

Ika North EastAPC 2,839

PDP 71,124

Burutu

APC 2,791

PDP 83,897

Bomadi

APC 1,079

PDP 74,857

Okpe

APC 5,440

PDP 67,525

Ndokwa East

APC 126

PDP 44,195

Isoko North

APC 5,394

PDP 78,952

BomadiAPC 1,079

PDP 74,857

Aniocha SouthAPC 11,250

PDP 26,943

Aniocha North

ADC 9

ADP 15

APC 2,798

KOWA 1

MPP 4

PDP 25,272

Ndokwa West

APC 2,107

PDP 66,921

Ethiope West

APC 4, 403

PDP 46,307

Patani

APC 277

PDP 35,752

Sapele

APC 4,533

PDP 77,901.

Source. Pnws

Buhari to inurgurate First Dry port in kaduna Today

Preparation is ongoing at the Inland Container,the first dry Port in Nigeria located at the Railway Station Kaunda today 04 January,2018 as Mr President is expected to Flag off the operation of the Port. the city was filled with security personnel and the military at every road leading to the dry early this morning to ensure security before the arrival of Mr. President.

Violent protest rocks Makurdi, Atiku, Mark, others condemn killings

The killings in Benue State continued on Wednesday as three protesters, who were protesting about the killing of scores of people in six communities in the state by herdsmen, were feared dead in a violent demonstration by some youths in Makurdi, the state capital.

The protest followed the killing of residents of about five communities in the state between Monday and Tuesday by cattle rearers.

No fewer than 20 people were killed and 30 others injured when herdsmen attacked the communities in between the New Year’s Day and Tuesday.

The invaders attacked communities in the Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.

The protesters in Makurdi on Wednesday almost attacked the state governor, Samuel Ortom, during his visit to calm the frayed nerves.

Security operatives saved the day by whisking the governor into a waiting vehicle.

To avert a breakdown of law and order, the military, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and vigilantes were drafted to beef up security during the violent protest.

The Assistant Director of Information of Nigerian Army, 707 Special Force, Major Olabisi Ayeni, however, denied knowledge of any death during the protest.

Also, the spokesman, Benue State Police Command, Moses Yamu, said, “The command is not in receipt of any such report please.”

Thousands of youths across the state had embarked on a protest in Makurdi on Wednesday, demanding an immediate stop to herdsmen attacks.

The youth, who carried placards, blocked the Lafia-Makurdi highway, the Otukpo road and the Old Bridge Road and converged on the popular Wurukum roundabout.

As early as 7am, the protesters trooped to major roads, mounting barricades in strategic areas, blocking both entry and exit routes, which also prevented vehicular movement in and out of Makurdi.

The President, National Association of Ihiarev Youths, Bem Terna, lamented that despite the killings by the herdsmen, President Muhammadu Buhari had yet to make any statement or order the arrest of the suspects.

He said the protest would continue for seven days.

Terna stated, “The Federal Government is not doing anything to address this situation. In fact, it is conspiring against the state to allow this carnage to continue. The President is adamant over the issue. We will continue to stage this protest for seven days. We want the entire world and the international community to come to our aid.”

The youth defied the tear gas canisters fired by security operatives to disperse them while they kept stoning the security agents.

The demonstrators turned violent when Ortom visited them at Wurukum, insisting that the only person who they were ready to listen to was Buhari.

Security operatives had to whisk away the governor in a waiting vehicle when the situation became tense.

Meanwhile, Ortom, who later spoke to newsmen at the Government House, noted that he understood the pain of the youths, but called for calm and urged the people to go about their lawful business without fear.

He said he had already called for additional deployment of security operatives in Makurdi and the local government areas of the state.

Ortom added, “We have asked for additional deployment of security in Makurdi and placed other local government areas on red alert. No curfew for now as it would mean more hardship for people travelling to their bases.

“I have reiterated my call on the Federal Government to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore because they have openly said they would resist the law on open-grazing, which is an initiative of the Benue people. There is no other alternative to ranching.

“But I think the right thing to do is for the Federal Government to arrest the leadership of MAKH or else, they are telling us that we are not part of Nigeria. Their threats have become a reality and they are living in Abuja with the Federal Government.

“If FG does not arrest them, then they are throwing us into a state of anarchy. No going back on the law.”

Source: PUNCH Nesw.

The 50 best value colleges for 2018

With American student loan debt totaling $1.3 trillion and the average Class of 2016 graduate leaving school $37,172 in debt, parents and students are increasingly concerned with finding schools that offer strong career prospects without over-the-top costs.
To help navigate the college landscape, Stacker looked a Niche's 2018 Best Value Colleges rankings for over 2,000 U.S. colleges and universities. For each school, Niche evaluated the net price (average cost after financial aid), alumni earnings, graduation and employment rates, student debt data and other factors to determine which colleges deliver the best return on investment.
The list ranges from maritime academies to classic Ivy League institutions; click through to see the 50 colleges across America with the highest bang for your buck.

Welcome to year 2018

Happy new year to all our viewers across the globe, Glory be to God almighty for making it possible for us to see yet another year in our lives. It shall be another year we will count for greater achievement and success in all our endeavor in Jesus name.
Stay with us as the days goes bye for we shall be bringing you all the happenings around the world as it is happening.
stay tune and remain blessed.