Nigeria VS Cameroon:Rohr makes five changes to Super Eagles starting XI [Full List]

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has made several changes to
his starting line-up, for the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash against
Cameroon at the Alexandria Stadium, Newsmen report.

Daniel Akpeyi returns in goal, while Ikechukwu Ezenwa is benched.
The back four is made up of Ola Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo and
William Troost-Ekong.
Leon Balogun, who was at fault for Madagascar’s opening goal in the last
game, has been dropped.
Wilfred Ndidi and Oghenekaro Etebo will sit in front of defence, with Arsenal
star Alex Iwobi playing as an attacking midfielder.
As expected, Odion Ighalo has gotten the nod to lead the attack and the
former Watford man is flanked by Ahmed Musa and Moses Simon.
Nigeria Starting XI : Akpeyi; Awaziem, Omeruo, Ekong, Aina; Ndidi, Etebo,
Iwobi; Simon, Ighalo, Musa

'"Lot Of Young People In This Generation Are Misinformed" Says, Rmd As He Celebrates 58th Birthday

Richard Mofe-Damijo

Nigerian iconic actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has taken to social media to pen a sweet birthday message to himself as he turns a year older.

His words:

“The thing about getting older is that with each passing day you know yourself better, find your voice more and generally become better aware. It’s been 58, years of stumbles, falls, wrong turns, dreadful mistakes and errors, but in all, they have been 58, remarkable years of God’s consistent grace and mercies.

“If after all these years I am afraid to speak the truth irrespective of whose ox is gored, then I have failed, which is why I have never been prouder of being Nigerian than I am now because Nigerians have given me the best birthday week, ever.

“It’s been a harvest of protests that have brought positive results. It indeed gives me hope that even though a lot of young people in this generation are misinformed, misguided and scaringly shallow, a lot more have their heads in the right places and I am optimistic that it can only get better.

“So, as I reflect on my years, I pray that Proverbs chapter 31, verses 8 and 9 will guide the remaining years of my life, Amen! #RMDSaysSo #RMD@58 #GratefulHeart #HappyMan#FulfilledLife

Commuters stranded as protesting students lay siege on BRT in Ikorodu

Thousands of passengers were stranded at Garage Bus Stop, Ikorodu on Thursday as students of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) disrupted activities of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) over the refusal of the management, Primero, to provide them with buses to Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

The students had requested for the buses to convey them to Alausa for an audience with the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the lingering strike of the non-academic staff of the institution which has paralysed academic activities in the last six months.

Some of the students who spoke to journalists blamed the government for being insensitive to their plight and for not taking steps to end the strike of the non-academic staff.

As early as 6.00 a.m., the students in their hundreds took over the BRT garage in Ikorodu and prevented the buses from taking off after loading.

As a result, thousands of passengers who had bought tickets as early as 5.00 a..m after the early buses had departed for various destinations, were stranded at the garage.

The students parked a red bus which registration number was covered at the exit of the garage to prevent BRT buses from moving out.

At the front of the bus, they tied a banner with inscriptions urging the state governor to intervene in the matter of the non-academic staff of the institution urgently so that they could commence academic activities again

The protest left several of the BRT buses coming in from the Mainland parked inside the inward corridor as they could not access the garage.

The students who wave branches of trees with leaves were seen singing solidarity songs.

Other commercial buses, otherwise known as ‘Tata’ took advantage of the situation and hike fares to various destinations as they charged N200, N300 and N400 to Ketu, Oshodi and Lagos as against normal charges of N150, N200 and N300 respectively.

Arrest Senator Elisha Abbo for allegedly assaulting lady in Abuja-Buhari's aide

President Muhammadu Buhari’s aide on social media, Lauretta Onochie has
waded into the viral video showing the lawmaker representing Adamawa North
senatorial district in the Senate, Elisha Abbo physically assaulting a woman at
an adult sex-toy shop in Abuja.

Abbo in the viral video yesterday was seen descending on the woman after
she pleaded with him not to physically assault the shopowner.

The lawmaker had accused the shopowner of a sex toy shop of insulting him in
form of calling him a drunk.

It was gathered that the Senator has not been arrested despite the case being
reported to the police station in Abuja.

Onochie, reacting on her official Twitter page, called for the arrest and
persecution of Senator Abbo.

According to her, “Serving Nigerian Senator Elisha Abbo assaults a female staff
in an Adult toy shop with a Police officer watching.

“What I don’t understand is why Nigerians are calling on him to step down.
“How does stepping down help? We should be calling on the Nigeria police to
arrest and prosecute him.”

International Breweries Plc's Kickstart initiative

....Launches International Breweries Foundation




The International Breweries Plc's has commenced 2019 edition of "Kickstart" an innovative youth entrepreneurship programme that empowers young people with the financial muscle and training to implement different entrepreneurial ventures. The company also unveiled its new foundation, International Breweries Foundation.

Making the announcement in Lagos, the Managing Director, International Breweries Plc, Mrs. Annabelle Degroot, espoused the power of transformational entrepreneurship and explained that Kickstart is funded by International Breweries Plcs Hero and Trophy brands even as the company continues its support for responsible drinking.

"Kickstart was introduced by International Breweries Plc in 2016 to empower young entrepreneurs with the wherewithal to kick-start  their business ventures in recognition that the growth of Nigeria increasingly depends on the ability of its enterprising youth population to unlock their entrepreneurial potential".

This edition is focussing mainly on entrepreneurs in the  critical areas of agriculture, recycling, manufacturing, healthcare, education, ICT, water stewardship, climate action and crafts among others The initiative underscores the companys support for Nigerias attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth,  and 5 other related goals.


KickStart draws its name from the objective of the initiative, which is to empower young entrepreneurs with the basic essentials to kick-start or start-up their business ventures, Mrs Degroot said. Globally, the power of transformational entrepreneurship to impact growth has become increasingly compelling especially in developing economies like ours. Entrepreneurship helps to create new products and business models, even while availing entrepreneurs fulfilling and dignified livelihoods, she added.


Speaking to Oyinlola Awonuga, also, the Legal & Corporate Affairs Director, IB Plc, Otunba Michael Daramola, expressed his happiness that the initiative has turned out more successful than initially envisaged. He stated that 184 youths had received grants totalling N271.129million so far from Kickstart and the number of beneficiaries rises to 680 when those that benefitted from the training opportunities are included. He added that 571 additional jobs had been created with 1,392 jobs projected by 2021. 

We have seen young Nigerians excel in interesting and diverse industries. From arts and crafts to circular packaging, from water stewardship to agriculture, our young Kickstart beneficiaries are blazing a trail in different facets of entrepreneurship in our country, Daramola said.  And it remains a privilege for us as an organization to be the driver of such an impactful initiative that enables our country harness the power and energy of our young people and deploy them positively towards economically productive ventures, he added.

To benefit from Kickstart, young people have to apply, stating the nature of their prospective entrepreneurial ventures. The applications are assessed and the most promising business cases are identified. Thereafter, the beneficiaries go through an intensive training programme. Upon completing the training programme, seed capital, up to N3M each, is made available to successful entrepreneurs while IB Plc continues to provide guidance and mentorship, helping these young entrepreneurs to establish a strong foothold in the world of business.


The registration portal for kickstart which is www.internationalbreweries.org is open for all interested youth across the country, he added.

US Consulate Trains Nigerian Youths On Drone Technology

United States Global Air-Drone Academy in an effort to impart Nigerian youths to be technologically savvy and innovative while enhancing their cognitive, critical thinking, and problem solving skills has commenced a workshop to train them on Drone technology.

Speaking to Oyinlola Awonuga at the opening of the two-day workshop in Lagos,  yesterday,  Global Air Media’s  co-founder, Eno Umoh, said, "teaching Nigerian Youths about drone technology is an ideal tool to introduce them to the fundamentals of STEM. It is a fun way to help them develop their cognitive, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

"Drones are changing the world from making agriculture more efficient, to aiding search-and-rescue operations, to delivering medicine to remote locations, the possibilities for drones to help make our world better are endless and I am glad that the U.S. Mission is able to play a role in building a better Nigeria by supporting this project".

According to him,  the  United States Consulate-General is pleased to sponsor seminars and workshops by leaders in technological fields in both Nigeria and the United States who are actively advocating for increased education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics  everyone here cares about STEM and the main reason STEM is important is because: STEM education is one of the keys to any country’s economic success.

Last year we inaugurated the Global Air Media workshops in Lagos. In recognition of the program’s success, we are repeating it this year".

Ambassador Symington opened the American Space in Yaba in 2017 also pledged to expand the use of technology in Nigeria.

We have since funded a number of projects to increase STEM education in different parts of the country.  We hosted RoboRAVE, a robotics education program across several locations in Nigeria in 2017 and 2018.  We funded the establishment of a technology hub in Lagos that provides technology training and mentoring for persons living with disabilities.

"I will be holding about a dozen workshops including four build-a-drone programs for 144 high school students, Umoh added".

Nigerians react as COZA Senior Pastor, Fatoyinbo decides to step down

Nigerians have reacted to Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo’s decision to step down as
the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, over alleged
rape allegation from Timi Dakolo’s wife, Busola.
Pastor Fatoyinbo had in a post on his Instagram page today, announced
stepping down from the pulpit following the rape saga.
He wrote: “The past few days have been very sobering on me I have taken
time to seek spiritual counsel form Christian leaders around the world who feel
very concerned about the ongoing report in the media.
“I have solicited their guidance on actions I should take that is honoring to our
Lord Jesus Christ and the work he has called me to do.
“Drawing from their counsel and that of the leadership of COZA and owing to
my love for Lord’s work and the sacred honor of my calling I have decided to
take a leave of absence from the pulpit of the church.”
This came on the heels of protests asking the cleric to step down over the
allegations levelled by Timi Dakolo’s wife, Busola.
The celebrity photographer had alleged that the COZA founder forcefully raped
her when she was young.
Meanwhile, the pastor’s decision to step down as Senior Pastor of COZA till
the matter is resolved, has stirred reactions from Nigerians online.
Here are some comments gathered by our correspondent  from Twitter:
@Iam_ademuyiwa “Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA finally steps down. Truth
is indomitable. Baba just wastes money for the counter-protest yesterday.”
@Iam_anikeade “Mr. Fatoyinbo has decided to step down. This a win for
Nigeria women and humanity at large. May all rapist be it male or female face
the wrath of God.”
@Tibonez “I think Coza global board members finally came to their senses and
realized Biodun Fatoyinbo is bad for the COZA brand.”
@datsbobby “COZA pastor is taking a leave of absence from the pulpit. Now,
proper investigations should be conducted by the police. To all those who
protested on social media, at the churches and victims who spoke up, this is a
good thing. Your voices are being heard!
@BloodyNigerian “It’s just social media. It’s just twitter but Pastor step down
worked. This is a win. More to come COZA.”
@Patrick6544 “Now, the investigations can commence, both internal and
external. To God be the glory.”
@silasdung “Senior Pastor of COZA Biodun Fatoyinbo takes leave of absence.
Now we can move to other national issues #RUGA.”
@Walegates “Coza pastor has stepped down. Definitely didn’t see this possible
but I’m still a bit cynical, is it a move to stop others from coming forward? You
have to look at this like a chess game, if a pro is sacrificing their Queen they
are either accepting you won or you are walking into a trap.”
@Yemitola “Senior Pastor of Coza, Biodun Fatoyin takes leave of absence from
the pulpit. Wise decision. Let him go sort out this mess.”
@LE_arma “Fatoyinbo proceeds on leave of absence from Pulpit. Hallelujah.
Now step into the witness box.”
@Victorexco “COZA man earns my respect. Now go to court if truly you’re
innocent or you come out and apologize.”
@MudMuslimA90 “Senior Pastor of COZA step downed, commendable.”