The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has denied given approval to former boxing champion, Bash Ali to stage a World Guinness Book of Record fight in Nigeria.

Kola Daniel, Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of Youth and Sports Development, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said the Legal Department of the ministry had written to the boxer warning him to desist from peddling false claims about a non-existent approval from the office of the minister for the fight.

Daniel reiterated that no such approval was granted by President Muhammadu Buhari contrary to claims by the boxer that the approval was conveyed to him by the office of the minister.

He therefore asked the boxer to keep to the facts and follow due process in his plans to stage the fight.

D.A. Muhammad, Director, Legal Services in the ministry also denied the boxers claim.

Muhammad said in a letter dated Jan.7, 2020 that no approval has been granted by either the ministry or the presidency for the fight.

It is to be recalled that on Nov.4, 2019 a meeting was held between the ministry and yourself in the company of Director, Legal Department and other senior staff of the ministry, wherein the ministry was categorical about not entering into any meaningful discussion with you in relation to the Guinness Record Fight until the litigation between you and the ministry is amicably sorted out.

It is in this regard the ministry is surprised to note your manipulation of information to the effect that approval has been granted you to carry out the World Guinness Record Fight.

I am accordingly therefore, by this letter, directed to convey that no approval whatsoever was granted you by Mr President or the Ministry, and it will be in your overall interest to issue another letter stating the factual situation that took place between the office of the Minister and your good self on the said date in order for us to make further progress on the said matter, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bash Ali in 1985 made history as the first World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiser-weight boxing champion from Africa.

The 63-year-old former boxing champion is seeking to enter the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest boxer to win a world title.

The former boxer who has not competed professionally for more than a decade is seeking to take on a yet-to- be identified American boxer in a bid to clinch the world record.

The proposed fight has, however, been fraught with lots of controversies.

Source: NAN

Iran on Saturday confirmed suspicions that its missile system shot down the Ukraine Airlines plane killing 176 people and blamed US adventurism for the disaster.

In an apologia on Saturday, Iran said it unintentionally shot down the plane, calling it an unforgivable mistake.

The Ukraine International Airlines plane came down on Wednesday shortly after Iran launched missiles at bases hosting American forces in Iraq in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, one of Irans top generals, in a US drone strike.

The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted.

Armed Forces internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said in a statement on Saturday that his country expects a full investigation, a full admission of guilt and compensation from Iran after the downing of a passenger plane.

Iran had earlier said it mistakenly shot down a plane killing all 176 people aboard and voiced its deep regret, after initially denying it brought down the aircraft in the tense aftermath of Iranian missile strikes on U.S. targets in Iraq.

Zelenskiy said: Iran has pleaded guilty to crashing the Ukrainian plane. But we insist on a full admission of guilt.

We expect from Iran assurances of their readiness for a full and open investigation, bringing those responsible to justice, the return of the bodies of the dead, the payment of compensation, official apologies through diplomatic channels, he added.

Source: NAN

A patient died on Saturday from a mysterious illness after an outbreak in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, according to the local health commission.

The emergence of the virus is raising concerns as hundreds of millions of people are getting ready to travel during the Chinese New Year holiday later this month.

Experts who analysed the gene sequencing of the virus think it could be triggered by a new type of coronavirus, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

A total of 41 people have been diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Seven people are still in critical condition, and two have been released from hospital, with no new infections detected for the last week, Wuhans health commission said.

Most of those with the illness are workers at or visitors to a particular market in Wuhan which sells fish and wild animals, the World Health Organisation said.

It is not clear if the disease is being passed from person to person, the commission said, adding that of the more than 700 people who have come into contact with the patients, none has been infected.

Coronaviruses can infect animals and people, causing diseases ranging from the common cold to severe illnesses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The disease raised an alarm in places like Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines, where officials said they would set up quarantine zones or scan passengers from China for signs of the disease.

Symptoms included fever, difficulty breathing, and lung lesions. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN

Omans Sultan Qaboos died on Friday evening, the Diwan of Royal Court announced, declaring a three-day state of mourning.

There had been speculation concerning the 79-year-old rulers health after he made a short trip to Belgium for medical reasons last month.

His death was confirmed by the royal court in an obituary carried by state media early on Saturday.

The cause of Qaboos death was not specified.

It is with hearts filled with faith in Allah and his Providence, and with great sorrow and deep sadness yet with complete satisfaction and absolute submission to the will of the Almighty Allah, that the Diwan of Royal Court mourns His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the royal court said.

Qaboos ruled the Gulf state since deposing his father in a bloodless coup in 1970 and was credited with transforming Oman into a modern country and an influential regional player.

In its statement, the royal court announced a state of mourning and the halt of official work in the public and private sectors for three days and the flying of flags at half-mast over the forthcoming 40 days. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Veronica Dariya
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Saturday said it had suspended the use of the National Identity Number (NIN), for the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Registrar of the board, Prof. Ishak Oloyede, disclosed this to newsmen during a press conference at the boards Headquarters in Abuja.

He said that the decision to suspend the use of the number as a prerequisite for the 2020 UTME and Direct Entry registration came after several calls from stakeholders.

We also decided to suspend that prerequisite based on some technical issues on ground, he said.

Oloyede spoke further: We came to a decision yesterday and decided that we will suspend the use of NIN as a prerequisite for the 2020 UTME and Direct Entry (DE) registration until 2021.

By then, all candidates would have been given one year notice to register.

This does not affect our permanent and adhoc staff who will participate in the exercise as they will require the NIN for verification.

We have gone round and seen the passion and commitment of the candidates; the reality on ground is that what we expect is not attainable at the moment, so we shall not inflict more pain on candidates.

Oloyede also noted that technical issues on ground with regards to the system of registration at the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), was one of the major reasons for the suspension.

According to him, plans are underway for the provision of a more advanced system that will be more efficient for the exercise.

He also said that the board as well as NIMC would continue to share its intelligence reports as well as other plans for the smooth conduct of the exercise in future.

He reiterated that the need for NIN as a perquisite for the exercise was to tackle identity fraud during the examinations.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NIMC, Mr Aliyu Azeez, said that the move was necessary as the commission was overwhelmed with the exercise within the short time given.

He said that NIMC had only 1,000 centres around the country for the exercise and would need up to 4,000 to conduct such exercise.

He, however, stated that the partnership with JAMB would continue while advising parents and candidates for the 2021 exercise to use the opportunity to acquire the number within the stipulated time to avoid last minute rushes.

Azeez also said that by 2021, NIMC registration would be made available at JAMB Computer-Based Tests (CBT) centres nationwide, with operators on ground to capture candidates.

NAN recalls that JAMB had earlier stated that all candidates for the 2020/ 21 UTME and DE must have NIN before registering for admission slots into the nations tertiary institutions.

UTME and DE registrations exercises are scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 13 and end on Feb. 17

Source: NAN

By Rita Iliya
Residents of Suleja and Tafa have expressed optimism over the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) initiated by Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger to make towns and cities socially inclusive and self-sustaining.

They made this known at the end of a Two-Day Technical Interactive Session with stakeholders on IDP formualtion with officials from the UN-Habitat and Niger State Urban Support Programme (SUP) in Suleja on Saturday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Niger state government is working with UN-Habitat and other partners to prepare the state Urban Development Policy based on the National Urban Development Policy of 2012.

This was aimed at developing the human settlements sector in an integrated manner through the formulation of the SUP.

Alhaji Mohammed Alhassan, Representative of Suleja Emirate, lauded the IDP formulation project and said his aspirations was to have a liveable and workable city for people to live with adequate services provided.

Suleja has become a congested city because of its proximity to the Federal Capital and has witnessed consistent inflow of people not just to Suleja town but the emirate. Therefore, my hope is to see the emirate where things are working in a comprehensive manner.

This is to have a city that adequate services are provided since the major challenges of the city is increased population, inadequate infrastructure and facilities that have been extended beyond accepted limit, he told NAN.

He commended the state government for initiating projects that would attract investors to the state to provide services that were inadequate such as water, electricity, schools, standard hospitals in a planned manner for easy access.

Alhaji Haruna Garba, Director, Social Development in Suleja Council Area, said the IDP project would address challenges of housing, land, education, water, insecurity and youth restiveness facing the emirate.

When the project is implemented, my aspirations is to have a new Suleja that is vibrant and all inclusive with job opportunities and capacity building, he said.

He commended the state government commitment to ensure the feasibility of the project and pledged the councils support in the actualisation of the project.

Also, Mr Obed Nana, Resident of Tafa Local Government Area, said the project would help develop local government areas and said the involvement of stakeholders would bring about the actualisation of the project.

The involvement of the people in the process shows the project is a realistic one, because it involves peoples consultations as the people are the ones to come up with development plan, this shows a good projection.

By this, Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello is very enthusiastic about the project and this shows the project will be successful in the end in terms of funding and addressing challenges affecting people especially rural dwellers, he said.

In his remarks, Prof. Mustapha Zubairu, Coordinator, Niger State Urban Support Programme, commended the Emir of Suleja, Malam Awwal Ibrahim, for mobilising his subjects to participate actively in the project formulation process.

The IDP project is a deliberate attempt by the governor to give Suleja and everyone the opportunity to decide what their challenges are and share ideas of their needs for equitable distribution of services, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdul Hussein, Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Land, said the IDP would serve as a guide for town planning in controlling development.

The ministry of land will continue to provide the needed information for the formulation and the implication as the end user of the document, he said.

NAN report that highlights of the programme was inspection of some sites such as Ladi Kwali poultry, Suleja water plant, Suleja Smart City site and other state institutions.

Source: NAN

Most times, we overlook little details that could possibly help us save some cost on a couple of things and eventually feel the weight of irretrievable spending bearing down on us after a while. In line with this, I am moved to discuss how you can save cost on fuel - using less(er) volume of fuel to cover more mileage. Tips such as putting off the air conditioner while on the move and turning off the engine whenever your car is stuck in traffic are about the most common measures people resort to when it comes to preventing the fuel from burning out fast. Spare me some seconds before I delve into the article proper: it pays - more economical - to wind up the windows and allow the a/c breathe while at high speed than shutting it off and leaving the windows open. The reason is that leaving the windows at a high speed increases the probability of drag - I will shed more light on this as the article progresses - occurring and this, in turn, causes the fuel to get used up quickly.

Now, I shall be sharing the other tips that should help you help optimize the fuel in your car’s tank and save you some cash.

• Unclutter the boot: A lot of persons are fond of packing extra luggage in their cars thus turning it into some form of mobile wardrobe or store. But here is what you should know: the more weight you have in your car’s boot, the lower the fuel economy. As such, it would be wise to take whatever (items) that significantly add(s) to the carriage and save some penny on fuel.
  Well, just to let you know; the physics behind this is that weight increases aerodynamic drag - which is the force exerted on an object moving against the wind - and this consequently increases fuel consumption. The need to limit the effect of aerodynamic drag is one of the major reasons pick-up truck owners usually install tonneau cover over the (truck’s) bed.

• Invest in the right engine lubricant: The hard truth here is that ‘quality‘ might not be enough to give you optimal performance when one considers the impact of engine lubricant on fuel economy - and by extension, the overall functioning of the car’s engine. The perfect word here is ‘right‘; you have to use the engine lubricant that has been recommended for your automobile’s model/type. Hence, in case you do not have the car’s instruction manual with you, there may be an urgent need to do research to know the right engine oil for your car.

• Ensure proper inflation of tyres: Tyres that are not well inflated will ultimately lack enough pressure to roll smoothly on the road - even though the car may be moving somewhat unhindered - and this tells (negatively) on fuel economy. Therefore, you should make sure that your car’s tyres are properly gauged before setting out. Do your checks [with the aid of a pressure gauge] and make necessary fix when need be.

• Back to cruise control: Without an iota of doubt, there are many speedy temptations on our roads, and the truth is that we, more often than not, fall for them. But before you get tempted to hit the pedal (accelerator) and ‘make your car fly‘ just like the other road user(s) right ahead of you, you should consider utilizing the cruise control feature to stay at a steady speed range and burn less fuel.

• Monitor the air filter and fuel injectors: Accessories such as air filters and fuel injectors also play some important roles in improving fuel economy. So, make it a point of duty to check them and do proper cleaning regularly; more so, replacement should be done as soon as it may be required - when these accessories are worn out.

• Let the brake be: An incident during your learning (how to drive) years or some other unfortunate occurrence might have made you form the habit of having your foot on the brake pedal; that may be fine by you - moreover, who wouldn’t go for safety first? That aside, some persons have unrepentantly resorted to driving this way since they got their first automobile. It is, however, important to state here that such an act normally causes fuel to be used up fast(er) - and even cause you to seek a replacement (brake) more often. In essence, you should not be so ‘brake-fastidious‘ that you keep placing your foot on the pedal when you do not need to.

• Ensure proper alignment: Uneven/imbalanced alignment makes the work of an automobile daunting and also results in increased fuel consumption. Hence, any time you observe that your vehicle is jerking towards one side [than the other], your car’s tyres are making squeaking noise or wears out rather too easily, it might be high you took it to an expert to correct the alignment before you spend more (money) on fuel.

Time and again, we have been made to understand that exercises are beneficial for our well-being. And, rightly so; there is a wide range of health benefits - from minimising the risk of one being downed by chronic illnesses to boosting energy level, developing healthy bones and muscles, helping one have sound sleep/relaxation and so on - derivable from partaking in physical exercises on a regular basis. So, a lot of persons would have shut out the idea of exercises being a death trap.

But then, news about how a number of individuals suddenly slumped and breathed their last while engaging in one form of physical exercise or the other has made the rounds at different points in time, and this is enough reason to ask the question: why should an activity meant to improve a person’s health eventually serve as a stimulant for his/her demise? The answer to this may lie in the knowledge one has about his/her body and how it works. More so, it is highly probable that there are some conditions that an individual’s body may be predisposed to, that do not permit specific kinds of exercise.

On the other hand, there are instances whereby exercises may end up turning into a stressor with a person overworking or exerting so much pressure (on) a particular machinery/organ in his/her body. In most of the cases of exercise-related deaths, the cause is traceable to heart complications, especially cardiac arrest and older persons (above 40 years of age) who do not moderate their physical exercise routine have a higher tendency of falling victim, but fatal incidences involving younger individuals cannot be outrightly ruled out, nonetheless.

A report, based on the findings of a scientific research and provided by New York Post, intimated that a high level of exercise can be a risk factor for heart attack consequently leading to death. So, from the foregoing, it is obvious that while physical exercises are good, what one makes of it could either aid in improving the health or turn it into a death trap. You should, therefore, watch out for certain symptoms [like shortness of breath, chest pain, light-headedness, irregular heartbeat, etc.] that are often associated with overexercising. You should give yourself a quick break whenever you notice any of these symptoms - remember, you can leave to fight another day. Talking about moderation; according to renowned medical institution, Mayo Clinic, 150 minutes of aerobic activity every week is perfect for anyone looking to maintain a safe (exercise) routine.

BONUS
Besides moderation, since exercise-related deaths are commonly due to heart complications, it would be of immeasurable benefits to know the kinds of exercise that individuals with a history of heart disease can partake in. The following aerobic exercises are often recommended:

• Swimming
• Light jogging
• Biking
• Walking
• Stretching (for 5 minutes)
• Dancing

You should do these exercises at a slow pace - no overexertion - and ensure that you do not get dehydrated over a long period of time while at it.

Thanks to the internet, there are now many prospects/avenues through which one can get himself/herself employed - and gainfully at that. But how would it be if after you must have completed a particular job/project online with your client ready to pay, there is no medium through which you can obtain your due payment? Or as it had usually been in the past, the payment platforms available do not allow transactions between your country of residence - Nigeria in this case - and your client’s country? - Then frustration sets in. Not to worry, if your online freelancing adventure, at one time or the other, impeded or short-circuited due to payment concerns, you should read on to know where to turn:

Skrill: Skrill is a highly secure payment portal through which individuals can send and receive money - forty different currencies are currently supported on Skrill. Beyond this, however, you can also use the platform to do other transactions like buying and selling cryptocurrencies, running forex trade and so on. Skrill is based in the United Kingdom and started its operations way back in 2001 when it was known as ‘Moneybookers‘ - the company’s name until it was re-branded to Skrill in 2011. This online payment platform is owned by Paysafe Group and it has over 25 million users registered on it.

Procedure for signing up
To register on Skrill; you will need an active email account, and you can either sign up as an individual or as a business - your company. Mind you, the services and charges achievable with each of these two accounts vary to some extent.
Upon the verification of your email address, you will be able to access the platform albeit temporarily because you will have to verify your identity using a valid means of identification - either driver’s licence, international passport or national ID card. Again, you will also need to provide a proof of address (that is, your residence or wherever you are operating from) - a utility bill or bank statement should suffice in this regard. Failure to do the identification and verification means you will be barred after reaching a set limit [of fund withdrawal].

Furthermore, you will need to link up a debit card to your account, and also provide your NUBAN account number wherefore you will make available your bank’s name, as well as the SWIFT CODE. This would enable Skrill to send money into the account after you must have initiated a withdrawal in the times to come. Lest I forget, all your client needs to send payment to your account is your email address, the very one you registered with on Skrill.

Still on withdrawal; withdrawal comes in two forms. There is an option whereby you can receive your fund in local currency - Naira in this case - into your bank account through your debit card and the fund is usually wired almost immediately - though it may take longer (hours) on some occasions. Note that the money will be charged from whatever currency it had been available into your local currency using Skrill’s exchange rate.

With the second option, you will be able to receive foreign currency but it is expedient that you must have opened [and submitted on Skrill] your domiciliary account beforehand. This second option does take between 2-5 working days, and you will only be able to withdraw cash (foreign currency) from the cashier at your bank. It is important to state here that there are attached to every withdrawal you made; you can long on to www.skrill.com to find out more and get started.

Payoneer: Payoneer is another reliable and trustworthy portal through which freelancers can get their hard-earned money. This internet payment service provider was launched back in 2005 and has its headquarters in New York, USA. It only recently extended its operations to Nigeria, and already has over four million registered users spread across 200 nations around the globe.

Through Payoneer, you can request payment from such freelancing sites like Fiverr, Upwork and Envato. Just as with Skrill, you need an active email address to open an account - either personal or business - on Payoneer. The mode of operation - as it regards withdrawal, verification and all - is quite similar to Skrill, but the charges do vary. You can visit Payoneer to find out more.

The security framework of any area/jurisdiction is critical to its growth and development; this is because any situation that endangers or jeopardizes the lives and properties of the residents could, to a large extent, ground businesses and cause a state of panic. Therefore, it is incumbent on concerned and authorized personnel/government agencies to rise up to the challenge and curtail incidences that could escalate into unrest within their area(s) of influence.

Over the past few years, there has been a spate of occurrences that have spiked the state of insecurity in the nation to the end that some persons can scarcely vouch for the safety of their lives, loved ones, and properties. The maladies created by incessant kidnappings, Fulani herdsmen’s disregard for the sacredness of lives [leading many persons mourning the loss of their loved ones], cult violence, a barrage of armed robbery attacks and suchlike have so profound in our society today. Coupled with these, the Nigeria Police Force has sometimes looked ill-equipped or maybe rather short-staffed to effectively take care of the situation. Moreover, the gross misconducts exhibited by some men of the Nigeria Police Force have also some form of distrust among the citizens.

These unpleasant happenings/leanings must have been factored by the governors presiding over the affairs of the six south-western state in the country as they arrived at the decision to institute the security outfit that is now known to all as “Amotekun“. The governors must have definitely felt the heavy burden of insecurity within their jurisdictions bearing down the shoulders.

While there have been talks on the possible clash of responsibilities that may ensue between officials of the Amotekun group and Nigeria Police Force, a number of prominent individuals, including Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, have come out to allay fears that the group is not out to counter/overthrow the Police Force, but to rather complement them. Beyond what has been said however, the launching of Amotekun in Ibadan draws attention to the lapse that has existed in our security architecture especially, as the Nigeria Police Force is concerned. The centre seems not to be capable of holding in many facets - security inclusive, of course, and it is in this wise that the establishment of Amotekun brings to mind the need to have a state police force. More so, considering that the South-west, which is only a part (geopolitical zone) in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic state as Nigeria, now has its own security group should stimulate others to take similar steps in securing the lives and properties of the people that govern.

Again, the Federal government could as well ensure the institution of state policing across every state of the Federation. The truth be told; the need for a sort of outfit like Amotekun has been long overdue, and every well-meaning Nigerian should see the good in it and encourage its propagation/sustenance. However, should the Federal government kick against its preservation, then it may be high time to canvass for the institution of the state police - governors who cannot afford to go to sleep while the roof of their abode gets gutted by the flames of violence should take the lead in this cause.

Irrespective of which side of the divide - be it on the end of those seeking moral justice or the ones canvassing for those indicted to be let off - it is highly probable that you are finding the circus that usually surrounds the fight against corruption to be rather tiresome. The major reason for this isn’t down to giving up on the fight itself but the manner with which the cases are dragged turning the whole thing into some sort of endless battles with court proceedings adjourned over and again.

Though the anti-graft agency, that is, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission would want to have the populace believe that they are leading a good cause particularly when it comes to bringing public office holders to book. However, the fact that their moves are sometimes tainted with suspicion of propaganda, leaves so much to be desired. And, the increasing tendencies to have corruption cases [involving top public office holders] swept under the carpet without any definitive punishment has further fuelled the notion that the anti-corruption fight in the country is geared towards a politically motivated cause. Sometimes, last year, rumours were rife about the charges against former petroleum minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke being dropped with EFCC coming out to the debunk that claim, and after more than four years on this very case, we are yet to see an end in sight.

Notwithstanding, let me be quick to say here that the agency cannot be wholly discredited or blamed for the mess that is apparent in the system today. For one, it has achieved giant strides in fighting internet fraudsters. The significance of their existence or performance will, however, keep paling if it is only a (selected) few that are made to face the full wrath of the law and the anti-corruption fight will be nothing more than an activity-forming/mudslinging exercise. More so, the onus falls on the government to ensure that the fight against corruption is highly effectual by not shielding corrupt officials at the top from being punished.

In the words of the former president of UN security council and Singaporean diplomat, Professor Kishore Mahbubani - as regarding the eradication of corruption from the society - “…the most effective way to do it is to make sure you don’t punish people at the bottom, you punish people at the top“. Such punitive measures will send a strong signal to other public office holders, as well as, the citizens and in effect, limit or quell the menace of corruption. He went further to cite an example of how Singapore practices this measure and it has been found to very effective - by the way; Singapore ranks among the top 3 least corrupt countries in the world today.

But then, I ask myself: how well can this work with the kind of pampering our justice system give to those at the echelon? There are a number of allegedly corrupt cases, Nigerians are still expecting the EFCC to take up, but there seems to be some form of encumbrance holding them back. So, what is the significance of fighting corruption when some individuals are seen as ‘untouchable‘? It is quite pathetic that we are in a nation where justice is defined by the ill-conceived ideologies of men who have blacklisted ‘dignity‘ from their sub-conscious, and those on the side of this ignobleness are certified ‘safe‘ as long as they do not step on the toes of the ‘high-and-mighty‘ ones in the society.

Salt sweetens and gives taste to our meals but with that deliciousness comes a number of health concerns. While the common table salt contains some amount of minerals like iodine, sodium, chloride [and so on] which are beneficial to one‘s health, the possibility of it (that is the salt) when taken excessively increasing the risk of high blood pressure, kidney dysfunction, gastric cancer should make one use (it) with caution. Though it is often posited that all salts are similar, I will like to stress the fact that there are better [and healthcare] choices than the regular table salt most of us have in the kitchen - however, this does not warrant that you take salt (irrespective of the type) excessively. So, here and now, in this article, I shall be hinting on some other varieties of salt you can look out for whenever you visit the grocery store.

1. Pink Himalayan salt: Well, in case you are yet to take note: not all salts are white, and the pink Himalayan salt is a credible proof. The pink Himalayan salt has sodium chloride as its major constituent and it is sourced from rocks found within the Punjab region of Pakistan. Though it does with many health benefits. More so, you will not need to add as much (pink salt) as you might have when using table salt to sweeten your meal.

2. Red Hawaiian Salt: The Red Hawaiian salt is indeed a healthy salt that should not be missing from your kitchen. For one, it contains less sodium - by the way; it is expedient to let you know that sodium (in high concentration) can raise the probability of one suffering high blood pressure. Besides this, the red salt, which is also known as Alaea contains numerous minerals among which are magnesium and potassium - two mineral elements that are valuable in the regulation of blood pressure, maintenance of nerve function and some other metabolic functions. The Red Hawaiian salt also has rich iron content which can aid in regulating body temperature, maintenance of gastrointestinal processes and boost the immune system functioning amongst other benefits.
3. Celtic Sea salt (Grey salt): The Celtic sea salt is loaded with many salty goodness minerals, I meant to say. It has got an appreciable amount of iodine, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, calcium and zinc. So, besides adding taste and flavour to your meal, the grey salt also does your body system a whole lot of good. It is sourced from the Atlantic coast of France with the clay lining of salt ponds imparting its (grey) colour.
4. Kosher salt: Kosher salt is another variety that comes out in a considerably pure form - without any additive; it does not contain Iodine. Sodium chloride is the main constituent of this salt. Its grains are usually flaky and coarse, it is known to give a distinctive and appetizing flavour.
5. Fleur de sel: I will like to wrap this write-up off with this very special one which is known to be the most expensive salt in the world. Just to let you know, the Fleur de sel, which literally translates to ‘flower of salt‘, is not a general-purpose salt as it is a finishing salt - it is used for garnishing foods as well as some other edibles like caramel, chocolates, and candies and gives off a very strong flavour.

Remaining relevant in the future will be incumbent upon the level of your preparedness and how well you are able to maximize your time now - before then. As it is often said: “Our today is a consequence of our many yesterdays“, so would “our tomorrow be a consequence of our many ‘todays‘. it’s all about the future. Looking into the future, there will be certain skills that would be highly revered and this is due to the trends that we are presently seeing. Hence, some courses are of huge importance and it would be wise if you could just take note and act [on the information] that will be shared hereby as you envision a better and brighter future - this is even more significant if you are yet to find your passion or decide on the way to go into your career.

Artificial Intelligence: There is an ever-rising urge to make technology better and even more interactive; this is where Artificial Intelligence(AI) comes in. But this does not just happen; there are brains behind it. In other words, AI can be learned, all you need is to develop an interest in it. Automation is fast gaining precedence in our world and being at the front-line of making machines perform beyond its fundamental attributes will definitely pay off.

Business analytics: In years to come, with men still existing on the face of the earth and irrespective of the fields/areas that are making waves, businesses will remain highly relevant. However, individuals who have studied the performance and data related to business in order to plan out new workable strategies for improved and sustainable profitability are the ones that are bound to make the most of the opportunity. There is certainly a great prospect here - and the pay (salary) is quite rewarding.

Cybersecurity: The ever-increasing tendencies to have hackers on the prowl coupled with the inclination towards digitalization means there is a need for business organizations, particularly those with massive online presence/audience to make certain comprehensive security measures. This opens up tremendous avenues for anyone who is vast in cybersecurity. And, it is already a giving that security agencies and other organizations will have a great need for cybersecurity experts in the future. So, you have got to give this a thought before the space gets flooded.

Coding: We are in a computer age and there’s a language that is very essential [in this age] - though this language is not known, its impact is felt by all. How, [you may ask]? - whether you are switching from one interface to another or playing that favourite game on your smartphone, chatting, posting videos or what-have-you on Facebook or just utilising the browser in some ways, you have benefited from this language. Apps are being generated, improved on and reinvented, and this has only been made possible by programming codes. The yearning for something different or new will always make humans lookout for the latest and/or more advanced app(s) that can satisfy their need or pleasure; herein, is where the work of a coder finds significance, and this is bound to be in the future.

Data science: Here is the big one in this section that deals with maximizing data - whether structured or unstructured - in order to gain valuable insights about specific concepts. Going by the way our world is evolving, data has become [and will continually be] a big ‘deal‘; this means anyone with skills in this area will not be out of jobs now or in the future - it presents a wonderful avenue for you to succeed provided you put your heart to it.

To bring this to a conclusion, that we have touched on these five courses - with a bias towards computer science/technology - does not, however, mean we posit that are other courses are going to be irrelevant in the future. In fact, there are a whole lot of skills we would have loved to discuss but for want of space and time. Notwithstanding, we hope that you ponder on all that we have shared.

(Reuters/NAN) Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declared the VAR video review system a big mess on Sunday after a weekend which saw a series of controversial decisions from the system.

VAR was introduced in the Premier League for the first time this season and there is no sign of the controversies dying down nor of fans warming to the use of the technology.

Every weekend is a big mess. In other games, it was a big mess. Hopefully next season, it can do better, said Guardiola after Citys 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Sunday.

It was one of several games which saw a goal overruled for the most marginal of offside calls, after VARs geometrical lines had been used to deliver a time-consuming verdict.

The Yorkshire side looked to have grabbed the lead through Lys Mousett in the 28th minute but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review found the slimmest of margins for offside.

Moments after the incident, both sets of supporters expressed their opposition to VAR in a loud, united chant, while United fans also adopted the Its not football any more anthem that has become a familiar refrain at various games.

United manager Chris Wilder noted Norwich City forward Teemu Pukki had a similar goal ruled out for a fractional offside decision in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday and said there had been eight or nine incidents over the weekend.

Theres no conclusivie evidence, blurred lines and angles. There needs to be a more clear way of defining it, he said.

Asked about the City fans joining in with the visitors in expressing strong opposition to VAR, Wilder said he was not surprised.

Up and down the country, all the people at Norwich, a four-letter word about VAR, these are proper football people, he said.

Asked whether the system needed to be reformed or fully scrapped, Wilder said: Its not my decision, it has to improve. Yet again, its the first question, eight or nine goals knocked off.

Where theres so much debate on every goal, it will be analysed yet again. I just dont think its been refined enough to make a difference.

He was also upset about Citys first goal where referee Chris Kavanagh appeared to obstruct United defenders before Kevin De Bruyne found Sergio Aguero for the opener.

Ive been to see the referee and he has been honest about it. We make mistakes and I believe he made one too.

We talk about the new rule where if the referee touches the ball then he has to blow up. So surely if he is in the way and hinders us, then he makes a sensible decision.

If he made the sensible decision then I dont think anyone in the ground would have said anything about it, he said. (Reuters/NAN)
VO/OJO

Source: NAN

(Reuters/NAN) Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero believes the 14-point gap between the defending champions and Premier League leaders Liverpool is too hard to overturn.

He said that City need to now concentrate purely on earning a top-four finish.

Now, Liverpool is too hard. We have to focus just on winning because we need to play Champions League next season.

We have to play the same way and see what happens, said the Argentine, Citys all-time top scorer.

City beat Sheffield United 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday but remain far adrift of Liverpool, who have an extra game in hand.

Juergen Klopps unbeaten side had earlier beaten Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 at Anfield.

Pep Guardiola, Citys manager, declined to declare the title race was over but repeated his view that it was pointless to even discuss the issue.

Its unrealistic to think about it. When a team has the numbers that Liverpool has, why should we think about it when we are 14 or 17 behind?

(We have to) prepare, play good, better, be as close as possible, play the knockout (cup competitions) and prepare for next season. Next season will be here and, hopefully, we can do better, he said.

Asked whether it was now tough after two title-winning years to motivate his team for the more modest goal of qualifying for the Champions League, Guardiola said: The best motivation is to try to play good, win games, thats the best.

The Spaniard could not resist taking aim at the Premier League fixture list, which saw his team play at Wolves on Friday before being in action 48 hours later.

City are next in action on New Years Day when they host Carlo Ancelottis Everton at the Etihad.

Now, I must say thank you to the Premier League for giving us three days for the next game. We appreciate it, he said. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN

It was a hilarious outing on twitter as reaction trailed banter between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his son Mustapha Abubakar over the outcome of English Premiere League match between Chelsea vs Arsenal.

The match which saw Arsenal in a 1-0 lead at the end of the first 45 minutes eventually ended 2-1 in favour of Chelsea.

Atikus son Mustapha, who is apparently a Chelsea fan threw the first banter when he took to his handle @HHMustaphaAA to ask: Daddy, How market? and went on to tweet: Market no be good for Daddy today.

Mustapha was responding to an earlier tweet by Atiku when he commended the first goal for Arsenal by Aubameyang.

Daddy, how market?

Alhaji Mustapha Abu Bakr (@HHMustaphaAA)

The former Presidential candidate in his response tweeted: Musty, in the words of Timaya, I cant kill myself.

Musty, in the words of Timaya, I cant kill myself.

Atiku Abubakar (@atiku)

The response which got over 14,000 likes and almost 5,000 retweets as at time of this report, also got a lot of reaction from Nigerian who decided to join the banter.

Some who tweeted teased Mustapha that he was not going to eat for one week, others jocularly called him out for disrespecting his old father while some other also joined the party to tease Atiku.

See some of the reactions below:

Mustapha you wont eat for one week.

DaddyBoy (@Ulap_Michael)

Mustapha, that is

Tom Akor ARPA (@TomAkor247)

Respect dis old man na bros ,that ur days may be long

stand for what you believe (@asena4real)

Oh Chelsea! Why? Why did you do this to my beloved daddy and presido? Daddy e ma binu, those Chelsea guys wanted to end their recent promo/Xmas bonus. Arsenal I take God beg you, go and win your next game for the sake of my beloved Daddy

Where is LEAH SHARIBU? (@SamAde77)

Ah!!!! And I campaigned for you Sir.

Zolonye (@Zolonye)

Am a Chelsea fan but this tweet made me love dis man more

Encrypt (@JerryEmenike)

Hardluck ur Excellency Sir. Chelsea for Life

Ishola Joseph Thomas (@gbenrotom)

Lampard has to prove himself sir

Oji Joseph ose (@ojijosephose)

I didnt know baba has good sense of humor. Top notch

Fitila (@Pirtim)

Sorry its game

BABBA (@AnasBabba)

Sir, i will advise you stop supporting Arsenal cos you know the rest..

Omogbolahan (@Zeem_Miles)

Source: NAN

A News Analysis by Diana Omueza, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

One of the conspicuous events for Persons Living with Disabilities in 2019 was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities being annually observed on December 3 around the world.

The theme for the 2019 edition of the day: Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: Taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda, has been a fundamental reference point of view to numerous persons living with disabilities in Nigeria.

The observance of the day is to ensure the empowerment of persons with disabilities for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that pledges to leave no one behind.

Concerned citizens, therefore, hold a view that sensitisation to the plights of the vulnerable group in that regard ought to be aggressive more than ever after the observance of the day.

They suggest organised conferences on disability and development to step up the ongoing efforts by global, national, regional and local actors to keep the promise of the 2030 development agenda for all.

In his view, Mr David Anyaele, Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, observes that establishing a national commission on persons with disabilities will bring justice to persons with disabilities.

He recalls that the need for a commission to take care of the physically challenged underscores the decision of the Federal Government to establish a national commission for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) to enhance their inclusiveness in the scheme of things.

According to him, the commission will drive the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2019, foster better enforcement and strengthen the implementation of the law.

He observes further that the commission has the potential to integrate PLWDs, including the albino and other vulnerable groups into the society.

The commission is the most integral part of the 2019 national disability law that will boost and give these vulnerable in the society a sense of belonging in the country, he says.

He appeals to the Federal Government to establish the commission with no further delays, while the media should help in sensitising the public to the importance of the establishment of the commission.

He advises the media further to use appropriate expressions to depict the plight of the PLWDs in their reportage and news analyses.

Anyaele enjoins Nigerians to develop a healthy attitude towards the marginalised group by learning to accommodate and cohabit with them.

Sharing Anyaele view, some analysts call on Nigerians to help in reducing the burden and plights of people with disabilities in the country by creating a barrier-free society.

They note that the role of the public is to accommodate, support, encourage and integrate the vulnerable groups in the society by curbing isolation, discrimination and stigmatisation.

He observes that the burden of disabilities will not be felt if the society is accommodating well people with disabilities.

In his opinion, Mr Obinna Ekujureonye, the FCT Chairman, National Association of the Blind, says the importance of an accommodative society can not be over emphasized in addressing the plight of the physically challenged persons.

The government at all levels and policy makers should strive to create an inclusive economic plan that will factor these vulnerable groups into government plans, strategies and policies, he explains.

Similarly, Theophilus Odaudu, Programme Officer for Nigeria for the Disability Rights Fund and Disability Rights Advocacy, says it is important for state government to make inclusive plans, strategies and policies to accommodate every citizen to boost participation in governance.

According to him, only few states in the country have legal framework that protects citizens with disabilities and other vulnerable groups from exclusion and discrimination on the grounds of differences.

We are worried that both the federal and states government budgets for 2020 reflects very little or in some, no provision is made for the rehabilitation and integration of vulnerable groups, he explains.

Odaudu observes that anti-corruption agencies have continuously made no efforts to include organisations of PLWDs in the fight against corruption, while the PLWDs suffer greatly from corrupt practices in any country.

He, however, appeals to states and non-state actors to help in curbing and halting the act of marginalising PLWDs, including the albino and others, during preparations and establishment of both short and long term plans, strategies and policies.

He calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to establish the disability commission to ensure that the purpose of the national disability act is achieved.

Marginalisation of the vulnerable groups such as the physically disabled, the blind and deaf, the albino and others, is an issue that has long received far too little attention in the country.

The social inclusion of vulnerable groups by enabling their participation in cultural and artistic activities cannot be over emphasised.

No democracy can thrive without the inclusion of these groups, so there ought to be a commission to drive an all inclusive government, he advises.

Sharing similar sentiments, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Sadiya Farouq, thanks Buhari for assenting to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act after 18 years.

Irrespective of action programme to ameliorate the plight of PLWDs, Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen, wants Nigerians to change attitudes towards the physically challenged.

Our attitude towards them PLWDs should be the type that will help them realise their potential; my ministry is willing to support PLWDs and all agencies handling activities targeted at giving them a better life, she says.(NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Source: NAN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has confirmed the arrest of the former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani.

He is now being quizzed in our Jabi headquarters in Abuja, the source told on Tuesday.

According to the source, Sani collected money from the chairman and CEO of ASD Motors, his name sake Sani Dauda, under the pretence of passing it as bribe to EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu.

Sani Dauda was a former chairman of Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Limited(PAN). His ASD Motors is a major car dealer in Abuja.

The EFCC however did not confirm the amount that he collected.

The case has been on for sometime. He was granted administrative bail and told to report weekly. But he breached the terms of the bail. Hence his arrest today, the EFCC source said.

Shehu Sani, a human rights activist, was elected senator in 2015, under the All Progressives Congress platform. When he could not get the partys ticket in 2019, he ran on the ticket of the Peoples Redemption Party, but lost to Uba Sani of the APC.

He has been a trenchant critic of the APC government, both in Kaduna and Abuja, since then.

Cu;;ed from

Source: NAN