Lebanese Man Caught With Over $2million Cash At Abuja Airpot

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested one Abbas Lakis, a Lebanese for money laundering offence.
Lakis was picked up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, following intelligence report that he had on him, undeclared huge sums of monies aboard the Egypt Airline bringing him from the Kano Airport en route Lebanon.

At the point of arrest, a thorough search on his luggage, uncovered $2,104,936 (Two Million, One Hundred and Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty six Dollars), £163, 740 (One Hundred and Sixty Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Pounds), €144,680 (One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Euros).

Other currencies found with Lakis include Riyal 391,838 (Three Hundred and Ninety One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Eight Riyals), CHF 3,420 (Three Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty Swiss Franc), Lira 435 (Four Hundred and Thirty five Lira), £109,000 (One Hundred and Nine Thousand Lebanese Pounds), Dirhams 10,135 (Ten Thousand One Hundred and Thirty Five UAE Dirhams) ¥10,000 (Ten Thousand Chinese Yuan) and Riyal10 (Ten Qatar riyal), in his possession.

He will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Beware, you may be busy doing nothing

Time is one of the most precious things God created. So, make sure you use it well. You can actually be busy doing nothing in particular.

Everyone should know that every minute counts. It is a fact of life that time waits for no one. Time is not a respecter of persons. Once lost, time can’t be regained; you only try to make up for lost time. You can’t regain.
Invest your time, it is very limited and you can’t have enough of time. We all wish we could extend our day beyond 24 hours so that we can accomplish more. One of the most precious things God created is time. So, make sure you use it well. You can actually be busy doing nothing in particular.
Most people would tell you they are very busy, but they have nothing concrete to show for it. What you produce by being busy justifies the time you spend on that particular thing. Even, if you decide to rest or sleep, you are busy doing something. If you idle away and waste your precious time on nothing in particular, you are busy doing nothing. Most Nigerians are not time-conscious. They spend hours on things that could be done in minutes.

For evidence, most of the traffic gridlock you see on Lagos roads are caused by minor disputes between vehicle drivers, over the right of way. One car blocks the road because another vehicle claims the right of way. Precious time is wasted on needless disputes that could be avoided if one driver could just let go. In government offices, gossip is the order of the day. Workers spend working hours doing nothing because they know they’d get paid at the end of the month. We reward lack of productivity and glaring inefficiency in the Nigerian public service.
The truth is that most people in this country don’t like to work. It has been so because we are not accountable. We have a culture that celebrates wealth without work. Government workers stop work and are often set to go home an hour before official closing time. On Fridays, after some workers go to mosque, they don’t return. In the civil service, it is a fact that malingering is common among workers. That is why the sector is not productive. God help you if you need an urgent service from a government office!
Go to the vendor’s stands in the mornings and watch able-bodied youth idle away, arguing over European soccers stars. You wonder why these young men can’t get themselves busy with something productive. My questions to these folks: can’t you think? Education enables you to reason properly. It broadens your intellect and worldview. Why should you spend such precious time of the day at the vendors’ arguing about soccer? Only a lazy youth can be jobless in a commercial city like Lagos. I stand to be corrected.

Let every minute of your life count. God has deposited something inside of you waiting to be discovered. The miracle you need is not in a church or prayer camp. It is within you. Think hard, pray hard for divine revelation. Go to career counselors, they’d tell you how to maximize your potential. Learn to task yourself. The human body is naturally lazy, it doesn’t want to work. You have to push it. Opportunities may not drop; you may have to create your own opportunity.
Many young people spend all their time in churches or prayer meetings. It is good to worship God, but you just have to work, if you hope to create wealth. There’s no sweatless prosperity anywhere. Of course, if you sow, you’d reap a harvest according to Biblical principles, but you can’t live on that alone. You have to be productive to get by in the world. I am a firm believer in the prosperity principles as taught by the Bible, but I believe that you should balance this great teaching with work. Faith must be backed by work.
If your mind is idle, it becomes the devil’s workshop. If your hands are free, they’d be available to do mischief. Negative thoughts tend to occupy an idle mind. That’s why it is called the devil’s workshop. I often say God never creates a useless person. Never! God is highly productive. With God every second counts. We are just a few days to the end of the year. Time starts flying, or so it seems once we hit the ember months. If you are not careful, you’d discover, to your surprise and embarrassment that you didn’t achieve anything this year.
Therefore, it is not too late for you to roll up your sleeves and tighten your belt. Hit the ground running. Look for something to do. Do everything legitimate that can fetch some bucks. Don’t wait for the ideal job. Any job is just good for this moment, just to get busy. If all you can make is enough to feed and pay a few bills, it is not a sin. Just get busy.

Sometimes, you may have to swallow your pride. Get down from your high horse and pick up that lowly paying job, just to survive for the moment. It is not your fault that the economy is bad. Find a way around it. The politicians who ruined the economy have nothing to offer you but excuses. Ignore their false promises and do something for yourself. That’s the best admonition I can give you at the moment. Always, necessity is the mother of invention. That’s how it is. Out of scarcity, lies plenty and abundance. All it takes is a resourceful mind to dig deep for that gold hidden in the belly of the earth, for that black gold (crude oil) buried in the belly of the ocean. Only the deep can call to the deep. You have to be a deep thinker to do something truly extraordinary.
If you put extra effort in your thought or in deep thinking, nature will definitely reward you in due season. Nothing good comes easy; nothing comes of nothing. Unless you are busy doing something productive, you will live in abject poverty and your life would be miserable. You’d have no one to blame but yourself, if in a world where even the physically challenged are excelling in sports, business and every endeavour under the sun, you continue to idle away....a word is enough for the wise.

World AIDS day: UK MP shocks colleagues, reveals he's HIV positive

The UK House of Commons was thrown into a state of surprise today, after a MP revealed to his colleagues that he has had HIV for 10 years.

Labour’s Lloyd Russell-Moyle made the revelation during a House of Commons debate on today on the world HIV and AIDS day.

Moyle, 32, who’s the Kemptown and Peacehaven MP, also gave kudos to the “world-class treatment” he has received from the NHS since being diagnosed of HIV at the age of 22.

“I have not only survived, I’ve prospered, and any partner I have is safe and protected.”

He, however criticized the UK government’s “reluctance” to make HIV prevention drug PrEP available on the NHS as “disgraceful”.
“We now know of cases of young men who have tried to gain access to PrEP, who have been turned away and who have subsequently contracted HIV.
“These men’s HIV statuses were entirely avoidable. The government must now act to prevent this from happening again.”

HIV conjures images of gravestones and a life marked by tragedy.”
“The reality is that today, the prognosis is wildly different to what it was when it was bought to the public’s attention.
“If treated, someone who is HIV positive, like myself, can expect to live a long and full life with little to no side-effects from the drugs regime.
“I hope that my coming out serves to defy the stigma around the disease. I hope that more people will understand that effective treatment keeps people who are HIV positive healthy, and it protects their partners.

“[I hope] that my story might encourage others to get tested and ultimately begin their treatment earlier on.”

Super Eagles Retain 44th Position In Latest FIFA World Ranking, Drop To 4th In Africa

Super Eagles of Nigeria maintained their 44th position but dropped to fourth in
Africa in the latest FIFA World Ranking released today reports Pressmen.

The three-time African Champions are currently on 1,427 points and will hope to
improve on their position when the next FIFA World Ranking is released.
The Super Eagles played out a draw in the two matches they played in November
which has no doubt impacted on their FIFA Ranking position in the world and
continent.
FIFA World Ranking: Eagles Move Up One Spot, Now 48th; 5th In Africa
Gernot Rohr’s men were held to a 1-1 draw by the Bafana Bafana of South Africa
in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture at the FNB Stadium,
Johannesburg and also played out a 0-0 draw in a friendly fixture against Cranes
of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal are now ranked the number one team in Africa
having displaced Tunisia from the number-one position. Both are ranked 23rd
and 26th respectively in the world.
Belgium remain top in the latest FIFA World Ranking, although the gap between
the Red Devils, France (2nd, unchanged) and Brazil (3rd, unchanged) has
narrowed over the past month.
Defeats for the leading duo in the UEFA Nations League resulted in both dropping
six FIFA Ranking points, while Brazil – even though they are still 50 points behind
France – added seven after wins over Uruguay (7th, down 1) and Cameroon
(55th, down 4).
The big climbers in the ranking include the African quintet of Mozambique
(117th, up 5), Angola (125th, up 5), Sudan (127th, up 8), Comoros (143rd, up 5)
and Gambia (166th, up 7). The rise of Kosovo (131st, up 6) was also notable as
it took them to their highest FiFA Ranking position to date.
The next release of the FIFA World Ranking is scheduled for December 20.

Ill-fated Vehicle With Passengers Still Inside River 5 Days After Accident In Delta (Photos)

The car still in the river

Many people have been left in a state of shock after a vehicle which veered off a bridge in Delta state was spotted in the river five days after the accident.

It was gathered that the vehicle fell off the bridge in Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of the state since last week Friday and it’s yet to be recovered till now.

According to reports, no one knows how many passengers were in the vehicle before the accident as no rescue team visited the scene since the accident.

The local government and state government have been urged to send a team to confirm if there were victims inside the vehicle and to bring out the vehicle from the river.

5 Die, Two Injure In Ogun Auto Crash

At least five persons were confirmed dead , while two others
were critically injured in an accident which occurred at the early hours of yesterday in Ogun state.

The crash which occurred around 7: 25a. m at the Orile - Imo village along the
Abeokuta -Siun - Sagamu expressway , involved a black- coloured Honda E . O . D car
with registration number : ( LAGOS) EKY 365 FB and a Subaru car marked :
( LAGOS) KTU 246 AT.
Pressmen gathered that the accident occurred when the Honda E . O. D car
going outward Abeokuta lost control , skidded off its lane to the other side and
collided with the Subaru car going inward Abeokuta , thereby resulting in the
instant death of four men .
Public Relations Officer ( PRO) of the state Traffic Compliance and
Enforcement agency ( TRACE ) , Babatunde Akinbiyi who confirmed the accident,
also said that the fifth person died while the victims were being taken the
hospital for treatment .
Attributing the cause of the crash to over - speeding, Akinbiyi also explained
that all the deceased were occupants of the Subaru car , while the two
occupants of the Honda car escaped unhurt .
TRACE PRO however , explained that the two critically injured have been taken
to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital , Sagamu for treatment,
while corpses of the deceased were also deposited at the morgue of the same
hospital .

South Africa increases minimum wage to N126,480 as Nigeria struggles with N30,000

South Africa has increased its minimum wage to N126,480, as Nigeria still struggles with the N30K minimum wage demand by workers in the country.

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa who disclosed that the new minimum wage will take full effect from January 1, 2019, added that it would benefit about six million workers that currently earn R3,700 (N97,495).

While one South African Rand exchanges for N26.35, this means that South African workers would be earning N527 per hour: N4,216 per day and N126,480 per month, while their Nigerian colleagues are currently earn N75 per hour, which is N600 per day (at eight working hours per day) and N18,000 per month. However if paid N30,000 as minimum wage, Nigerian workers would be earning N125 per hour or N1,000 per day, which amounts to N30,000 monthly.

While South Africa increased its minimum wage to N126,480, a Global Wage Report 2018/19 released yesterday, also revealed that the world’s wage growth also hit a 10-year low, the last of its kind being in 2007.

On the other hand, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba said labour would soon meet to draw up a timetable within which government would be expected to conclude work on the new wage.

Plane flies nearly 50km past its destination after the pilot ‘falls asleep in the cockpit’

A pilot allegedly slept off in the cockpit during a chartered flight and flew nearly 50km past its destination.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau in a statement confirmed the incident and said they are investigating a case of ‘pilot incapacitation’ following the November 8 flight from Devonport in Tasmania to neighbouring King Island.

Flight tracking data published  Online showed the 6.21am flight landed safely at King Island Airport near the town of Currie despite overshooting its target by 46km.

The data, obtained by The Australian, showed the trip was one of seven flights flown that day by the Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-TWU.

In the statement, the ATSB alleged that ‘during the cruise the pilot fell asleep resulting in the aircraft overflying King Island by 46km’.

Investigators have classified it as a ‘serious operational incident’ and are in the process of collecting evidence ahead of a final report.

Several feared dead as commercial bus flips on Third Mainland Bridge

Several people are feared dead as a commercial bus overturned on
the Third Mainland Bridge around Oworo area of Lagos state today.

According to a source that spoke with Pressmen, the cause of the
accident is yet unknown. Fatalities could also not be ascertained as
at report time .
Details later.

Robert Mugabe paralysed: Mnangagwa

Former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe has been receiving medical

treatment in Singapore for the last two months and is no longer able to walk,

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said.

He did not say what treatment Mugabe had been undergoing. Mnangagwa said

“We have just received a message that he is better now and will return on Nov.

30. He can no longer walk but we will continue taking care of him,”  referring to Mugabe by his totem name Gushungo.

During his later years in power, Mugabe made several medical trips to

Singapore.

Officials often said he was being treated for a cataract, denying frequent

reports by private local media that he had prostate cancer.

Mnangagwa, who won a disputed July 30 presidential vote, repeated the army’s

previous justification for last year’s coup, saying his former mentor Mugabe had

been surrounded by criminals.

When the army rolled its tanks into Harare, military leaders said they were

targeting “criminals around the president.” A bitter Mugabe said later, however,

that the army’s action had forced him to resign.

Guaranty Trust Bank Unveils New App Tag Habari

One of Africa's Leading financial Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, (Gtb),  unveiled  its new app tagged: "Habari" for Nigerians to shop online, meet new friends, read blogs, and more.

Habari, unveiled yesterday at a special event attended by renowned personalities,  technocrats, media personnels as well as students.

Unveiling the New App at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank, plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje said, "by reimagining the role of banking and driving innovation in how we serve our customers better, we are creating one of the very big step in where we are going Ladies and Gentlemen I will like you to meet Habari!"

Agbaje said, "Habari is the bank you will create what you want, what you see on your Habari platform is what you tell us and continuously new things will evolve. it is an application designed to do what you want".

He mentioned five things you can do on your Habari application :(1) create your own world. You will be able to download videos and listen to your choice of music. (2) You will be able to shop on the Habari-platform. (3) Content : this means you will be able to read magazines, listen to news. If what you like is exercise, you can also watch people cook on it. (4) Lifestyle, this is very essential. It will connect you to the world and it will be one of the largest communities in Africa. Lastly, we are creating the best payment platform on Habari irrespective of your bank".

According to him, Habari is the first mobile platform in Nigeria created by a financial institution that focuses on enabling people’s needs and lifestyles rather than providing a limited bouquet of regular banking products. The mobile application is open and free for all to download, does not require mobile banking details and offers a wide range of services, all of which are accessible to anyone regardless of where they choose to bank. Habari is also very simple to use and is designed with a clean user interface as well as a seamless navigation experience that ensures everything, from the music to listen to, to the bills to pay, are just two clicks away.

He further said, "Habari will never be the same thing to people because your Habari will be different from mine, it will be all about you and not our own banking system that we want but your own.Overtime, we will continue to change and modify Habari as long as you evolve, he added.

2 mortuary attendants, 5 others arrested over missing corpse

The Police in Lagos have arrested seven persons working as mortuary and
cemetery attendants over a missing corpse in their custody.

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Imohimi Edgal, disclosed the arrests
to newsmen while parading the suspects and others yesterday at the Command
headquarters in Ikeja. According to Edgal, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 the
Command received a complaint from one Anthony Lawani, younger brother to
one Mary Ehinlaiye, now deceased, aged 51 years.
The complainant said that the body parts of the deceased were sliced off by
yet-to-be identified persons.
“Based on the complaint, I directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCIID,
Panti, Yaba to investigate the matter.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the corpse of the deceased was
deposited at St. Raphael’s Devine Mercy Specialist Hospital Mortuary along
Ijede Road, Ikorodu, Lagos for preservation. “However, one Olusesi Owamade,
aged 41 years, a mortuary attendant, with the approval of his supervisor,
Michael Olusegun, aged 65 years, erroneously released the corpse to another
family.
“When the relations of the deceased woman came for the release of the
corpse for burial, it was nowhere to be found. At this juncture, it dawned on
the mortuary attendants that they had released the corpse to the wrong
persons.
“To recover the corpse, five grave diggers working at Sabo Cemetery, Ikorodu
were contracted by the mortuary attendants to exhume the corpse for onward
handover to its owners,” he said.
The police boss further said that the suspects conspired among themselves
and dismembered the body of the deceased by cutting off the two wrists and
heart for a yet-to-be determined reason. “Investigation into this case is in
progress, while efforts are on to arrest one of the grave diggers named
Anifowoshe, who is currently at large.

Being a Mom: How moms can balance work and family

Mothers are typically the primary parent when a child is sick or has an appointment.. so working moms often need more flexibility in their schedules.

Kate Halim

Being a working mother can lead to feelings of guilt and stress because of divided attention between work and family. The key is to focus on a plan, get organized, and find the right balance between profession and parenthood.

There are proven ways to help working mothers make sure that both their careers and family flourish.

Let go of guilt

Rather than dwell on how you are not with your child, think about how your role in the company is benefiting the family. Perhaps you can afford certain classes or educational opportunities for your children. Accept that there will be good and bad days. Mothers should know they are not alone and they should discuss their feelings with partners or support groups.

Find childcare providers that you trust

Knowing that your child is cared for is crucial to having peace of mind when you are at work. Find a daycare, nanny, or someone you know that you trust with your child. A quality daycare should have flexible hours, a low teacher-to-child ratio, a clean and spacious environment, and up to date licenses.

For nannies, look for one with extensive experience and great references. Have at least one trial day to observe if it is a good fit and make all of your expectations clear from the get-go. If possible, keep constant contact throughout the day and ask for updates and photos of your little one.

Maintain open communication with your manager

Being a working mom does not mean you will be a less productive employee. Mothers are typically the primary parent when a child is sick or has an appointment, and is the one responsible for picking up the child after work; so working moms often need more flexibility in their schedules.

The important thing is to make sure you communicate to your manager what your needs are, as well as how you will continue to do your job well. Hopefully, your manager will be understanding and appreciate your transparency and dedication to both your family and your job.

Create special and meaningful family activities

Make the time that you spend with your family really count by planning activities that everyone will look forward to and enjoy. Ask for ideas from your older children and let them get involved in deciding where to go too.

Say yes to less

You don’t have to say yes to every single party invitation or extracurricular activity if it is causing you more anxiety than enjoyment. Determine how much your schedule can handle and choose the activities that your child will enjoy the most. Don’t feel bad about saying no to the rest. Overbooking takes all of the fun out of the experience and leaves no time for much needed rest.

Lower your expectations

A lot of the pressure that moms have to cook healthy and delicious meals daily, maintain a perfectly clean house, and be the perfect parent are expectations that mothers put on themselves. When you lower your expectations, you will find a lot of the unnecessary stress can be eliminated. Your house does not need to be spotless every time a guest comes over, especially if the guest also has children.

Being a Dad: How life changes when you become a dad

And, honestly, you won’t even mind the changes because the biggest change is your biggest reward: your child.

Kate Halim

Becoming a father can be one of the happiest moments in your life. It can also be the moment your life changes forever. As you embark into fatherhood, there are some things you should expect not to remain the same but this should also bring you joy.

No one has to tell you that when you become a dad, your life is forever changed. Say goodbye to your social life or get plenty of sleep now, because soon you will be wishing you could when your baby finally arrives. But there’s also a bright side to the social and psychological changes you go through after becoming a dad.

Your “me” time disappears from your schedule

Most men need a little time to space out to think about nothing in order to recharge. Once you are a dad, you have to be creative to get this time back in your life, and you will probably feel like you need it more than ever, no matter how much you love spending time with your new addition. You may have to wake up 30 minutes earlier for work. You have to know that designating regular time for yourself isn’t selfish; it’s essential to being a focused dad.

You are now responsible in a way that you have never been before

Now, you may constantly realize just how seemingly unqualified you are for the job of fatherhood; you may question your ability to care for a child, and your worthiness, every step of the way. But rest assured that you are not the first dad to feel this way. Although you are overly aware of your role as a provider, you may become intimidated and frustrated by what your gender’s limitations are.

You can’t breastfeed, but you can help your wife get comfortable while she nurses. You may not have the instincts to wake up as easily when the baby cries in the middle of the night, but if the baby sleeps in your room, you can sleep on the side of the bed closer to the baby. That way, you will be more likely to wake up and better able to help out with those 2 A.M. feedings.

You will spend basically all of your free time with your partner and baby

You may feel guilty about leaving your wife and baby at home when you go out to do anything other than work or buy diapers. But just as you have to purposely set aside some time for yourself and your family, it’s important that you pencil in some time for your friends and hobbies, even if it’s considerably less time than before. The same goes for your wife.

Your new circle of friends will consist of other parents

You instantly have new friends who relate to you, and they will likely have good and relevant advice for you. As for your existing single and/or childless guy friends, make time to do activities with them outside of your new-parents circle. That way, they can still relate to the old you and not feel intimidated by the new you.

You adopt a new version of being cool

Gone are the days of being called just a guy, you will now be forever seen by all as a dad. The sports you used to play with your buddies eventually become the sports you teach your kids. And, honestly, you won’t even mind the changes because the biggest change is your biggest reward: your child.

FAAN to divert Lagos airport flights to E Wing

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is to divert all
flights operations from the “D” Wing of the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport (MMIA), Lagos to the “E” Wing of the airport
today.

FAAN made the announcement in a statement signed by its General
Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu in Lagos yesterday.
According to a statement signed by the general manager, Corporate
Affairs, Yakubu Henrietta, the diversion is due to routine
maintenance schedule at the MMIA.
Mrs Yakubu said, “FAAN hereby notifies airlines, passengers and the
general public that between 10 a.m. and noon today, we
will embark on a routine maintenance at the D Wing of the Murtala
Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“Consequently, all flight operations at the Wing will be diverted to E
Wing while the maintenance work would last.”
She said that the maintenance was in the best interest of the flying
public, stressing that FAAN remains committed to its core values of
safety, security and comfort.

Teenager Bags 10 Years Imprisonment For Worldwide Bomb Threats

An Israeli court sentenced a teenager to ten years in prison for
making bomb threats targeting airports as well as Jewish Community Centres
and schools in the U . S . from 2016 to 2017 .

He was additionally sentenced to pay a fine of 16, 000 dollars , the Tel Aviv
court said today.
The 20 -year -old , arrested in southern Israel in 2017 , forced evacuations across
the U . S . and contributed to accusations that President Donald Trump had
sparked a wave of anti -Semitism .
He also threatened a U . S . senator and targets in Australia and New Zealand.
Media has reported that the Israeli citizen also has U . S . citizenship.
The man was found guilty of acts he committed after he turned eighteen, which was in August 2016 .
The court said he had committed around 2, 000 threats by phone and email
using identity- masking technology since 2015 .
According to the conviction , the teenager marketed his threat services through
the online marketplace AlphaBay , charging 40 dollars to call a private home
and threaten a massacre, 80 dollars to threaten a school and 500 dollars to
bomb threat a plane.
He received the equivalent of 873 , 179 shekels in the electronic currency bitcoin for the threats, the court said .
He was convicted of extortion by threats, publishing false information thataw
Wwwcauses fear and panic and money -laundering , among other charges.

Musa is Nigeria’s best in 2018

Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa was being presented an award by Delta
State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as Nigeria’s best player for 2018.

Although, Musa was not present at the Nigerian Sports Award last weekend to
receive the award then.
The award was brought to the field and handed over specially by his
excellency Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
The Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia forward has being consistent in his performance
and so also superlative in his goal scoring, truly deserves to bag more awards
over his performances in the National Team.

NCC Seeks Collaboration Of Academia, Telecoms On Innovation

Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications  Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, has called on the academia and stakeholders in the telecommunications  industry to collaborate to accelerate innovation, industrial growth and sustainable development in the Nigerian telecoms industry.

Danbatta, speaking at a Roundtable forum with Academia, Telecom Industry and other stakeholders in Lagos noted that the innovations,  inventions and improvements that evolve from collaboration with Academia are a catalyst for improved efficiencies and productivity.

Represented by the executive commissioner, Technical Services, NCC,  Engineer Ubale Maska, Danbatta said the commission as a regulator of a critical sector, aims to ensure all stakeholders are protected and the industry is nurtured for maximum benefits to all players in the industry.

He noted further that regulatory excellence has the capacity to drive social and economic transformation in the country and, the NCC seeks to ensure regulations are marched with existing realities.
According to him, the emergence of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence(AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Smart cities, 5G, Broadband technology has led to huge opportunities and consequent risks, hence, the need for collaboration between academia, industry and regulators to ensure that these technologies are properly harnessed.
"The potential opportunities and important aspects that should be considered by all stakeholders are critical aspects that academia are invited to research and proffer pragmatic solutions," he said.
He reiterated that the three areas which are fundamental to future growth and development of the sector include: innovation in terms of new ideas, industry growth in terms of building capabilities and the role of the regulator in promoting synergy between the academia and the NCC while ensuring regultory excellence and operational efficiency  of the industry.
Present at the event were members of the academia from various Universities in North East and North West regions of the country, representatives of telecom companies and other regulatory bodies.

The forum is expected to improve collaboration among the Commission, academia, Telecom Industry players and other Stakeholders to accelerate innovation, industrial growth and sustainable development in the Nigerian telecoms industry.

Shocking Wedding Between 10-Year-Old Boy And 8-Year-Old Girl Spark Outrage

A Romanian gypsy wedding between an eight-year-old girl and a ten-year-old boy has sparked outrage.

Footage taken moments before the ceremony began in Dolj County shows the young girl surrounded by older women making final touches to her oversized frock.

Wearing a pink sparkly gown, the young girl can be seen delicately touching her long ringlets as a local singer gets the crowd going.

The young groom appeared in high spirits as the singer told him to ditch his toys

The groom can be seen dancing along to the folk music, with his pals by his side, appearing to boost his confidence.

The singer calls on the groom and tells him to: “Leave the toys aside, today you’ve married your bride.”

Seconds later, the bride is propelled onto a stool, for all to gaze at her gown which appears to be of an adult size.

Appearing confident, the girl poses as the women continue to pamper her and sew her into the dress.

The young groom appeared in high spirits as the singer told him to ditch his toys

Appearing confident, the girl poses as the women continue to pamper her and sew her into the dress.

And for valid reasons the Local Council could approve a 15-year-old to marry if accepted by an “official physician”.

This gathering was a cultural ceremony celebrating the promise of marriage.

The young pair wouldn’t be expected to have sex and would almost certainly continue living with their families for years to come.

It comes after a similar event took place in Galati, where an eight-year-old and a seven-year-old married back in 2011.

After an investigation, local officials said they would not pursue charges as the marriage was not legally registered at the town hall.

Popular radio personality Tosyn Bucknor dies at 37, Celebrities react

Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning over the sudden death of Inspiration FM’s on-air personality, Oluwatosin ‘Tosyn’ Bucknor.

The OAP died at thirty-seven.

The deceased was reportedly found dead by her husband, Aurelien Boyer, when he arrived at home from work yesterday night.

Nigerians celebrities took to their Twitter pages expressing sadness over her death.

Here are some reactions gathered by Pressmen.

@TokeMakinwa wrote: “You said we shouldn’t question you but Lord why???? My heart is broken and I don’t even know where to begin from. The death of Tosyn cannot be true, someone wake me up.”

@IamSeyiShay “Life is too short…my question is; why must the good die young?? REST IN PEACE MY BEAUTIFUL SIS @TosynBucknor Tell God I said Thank You for allowing me know you in the small way I did.”

@SeyiLaw “I am not sure your energy was comparable. You were one of the kindest persons, I have ever seen. You were too adorable. You were the life of the party.

“ A voice that gave beauty to our radio. You were one of the best human beings, I have ever known.Tosin Bucknor, I celebrate your impacts and what you stood for.Heaven has yet again robbed us of an angel. May your soul find peace and be beautiful in the bosom of our Lord.Rest on and well, my dearest sister.”

@DareyAlade “RIP Tosyn..Life, the ultimate contradiction. Today is a sad day.”

@IamYcee “Forever in our hearts
The heavens will rejoice cos they just gained an angel Love forever. Rest In Peace Tosyn Bucknor.”

@Brymo “Rest In Peace Tosin.”

@Denola Grey “Rest In Peace Tosyn Bucknor. Wow, this is wild.”

California wildfire death toll at 71, more than 1,000 missing

Recovery teams with cadaver dogs pressed on with their search for more victims in a flame-ravaged northern California town on Friday as authorities sought clues to the fate of more than 1,000 people reported missing in the deadliest wildfire in state history.

Remains of at least 71 people have been recovered so far in and around the Sierra foothills hamlet of Paradise, which was home to nearly 27,000 residents before the town was largely incinerated by the deadly Camp Fire on the night of November 8.

More than a week later, firefighters have managed to carve containment lines around 45 per cent of the blaze’s perimeter, up from 35 per cent a day earlier, even as the burned landscape grew slightly to 142,000 acres (57,000 hectares).

Besides the toll on human life, property losses from the blaze make it California’s most the destructive on record, posing a challenge of providing long-term shelter for many thousands of displaced residents.

With more than 12,000 homes and other structures up in smoke, many survivors of the fire have taken up temporary residence with friends and family, while others have pitched tents or were camping out of their vehicles Aljazeera reported.

More than 1,100 evacuees were being housed in 14 emergency shelters set up in churches, schools and community centres around the region, American Red Cross spokeswoman Greta Gustafson said.

Authorities said more than 47,000 people in all remain under evacuation orders in the region.

More than 450 searchers, meanwhile, combed through charred, rubble-strewn expanses of burned-out neighbourhoods looking for bodies – or anything else that might carry human DNA for identification purposes.

On Friday night, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea said the latest official roster of people reported unaccounted for by loved ones had grown to 1,011.

Meanwhile, the remains of eight more fire victims were recovered on Friday, bringing the death toll to 71, he said.

The disaster already ranks among the deadliest wildfires in the United States since the turn of the last century.

Authorities attribute the death toll partly to the speed with which flames raced through the town with little advance warning, driven by howling winds and fueled by drought-desiccated scrub and trees.

The pos