The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it is not for sale.

We want to tell ASUU that NANS is not for sell, we have not and will not turn our struggles to source of empowerment, Mr Adeyemi Amoo, NANS National Public Relations Officer (PRO) said.

The leadership of NANS distanced itself from the purported allegations by the ASUU that it received N150 million from presidency, accused NANS of wooing civil society organisations to malign NANS.

We commend the well-meaning, intellectual and genuine civil society groups for not falling cheap for this blackmail, as weve gotten informed and reliably that theyve also been lobbied by ASUU to join them in pushing such blackmail.

We are not surprised that this blackmail isnt flying beyond the pseudo groups theyve been able to arrange and mobilise with cash.

He faulted the accusations that it received N150 million from presidency, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari was not the type that offers bribe.

The leadership of NANS distanced itself from the purported allegations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The students said Buhari, a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, would never dole out such amount of money for any reason, which would not be of any national benefits or developments.

Amoo called on Nigerian students to discountenance the allegations by ASUU, saying that the association was ready to protect the interest of all the students.

President Buhari on January 3, met with the leadership of the Nigerian Students to resolve issues with ASUU and the meeting centred on ways to smoothen unresolved issues that led to the industrial action.

President Muhammadu Buhari, is a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, even the oppositions knows that Buhari will never give out such amount of money for any reason(s) that is not of national benefits or developments.

No doubt this propaganda might have seen the acceptance of the masses if it wasnt targeted towards Buhari himself.

Source: NAN

For their alleged involvement in $2 billion fraud, three former Credit Suisse bankers have been arrested.

They are accused of taking part in a $2 billion fraud scheme involving companies in Mozambique, United States authorities said.

The scheme allegedly involved loans to state-owned companies in Mozambique.

The former employees of the Swiss investment bank were arrested in London on Thursday.

The men have been released on bail in London while the US seeks their extradition.

The men Andrew Pearse, 49; Surjan Singh, 44; and Detelina Subeva, 37 were charged in an indictment issued by a US District Court in New York with conspiring to violate US anti-bribery law and to commit money laundering and securities fraud.

The arrests came five days after former Mozambique Finance Minister Manuel Chang was arrested in South Africa as part of the same criminal case.

A fifth man, Jean Boustani, was arrested on Wednesday at New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport. Mr Boustani is a Lebanese citizen who worked for an Abu Dhabi-based contractor of the Mozambican companies, according to the indictment.

The indictment says that through a series of financial transactions between approximately 2013 and 2016, more than $2 billion was borrowed through loans guaranteed by the Mozambican government.

It said over the course of the transactions, the co-conspirators acted to defraud investors.

Three state-owned companies were created to undertake maritime projects but were fronts to raise money to enrich themselves, and intentionally diverted portions of the loan proceeds to pay at least $200m in bribes and kickbacks to themselves, Mozambican government officials and others, the indictment read.

Mr Chang, 63, signed off on the guarantees as finance minister, but did not disclose them. When the guarantees were revealed in 2016, foreign donors including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut off support for Mozambique, plunging the southern African country into a debt crisis that still plagues it two years later.

Prosecutors said at least $200 million was diverted to the defendants and other Mozambican government officials. The defendants concealed the misuse of the funds and misled investors abroad about Mozambiques creditworthiness.

The companies missed more than $700 million in loan payments after defaulting in 2016 and 2017, the indictment said.

In a statement, Credit Suisse said the three former employees had been accused by US authorities of circumventing our internal controls in a fraud connected to the Mozambican government.

No action has been taken against Credit Suisse. The indictment alleges that the former employees worked to defeat the banks internal controls, acted out of a motive of personal profit, and sought to hide these activities from the bank, it said.

Source: NAN

Oil cargoes departing from Nigeria to the United States fell to 103,000 bpd in December, down by 48,000 bpd, new data show.

Generally exports by OPEC nations to the US fell to 1.63 million barrels per day (bpd), down from 1.80 million bpd in November and 1.78 million bpd in October.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and several others curbed supplies in the face of rising U.S. production and inventories, analysts said.

Some of it was a decline in OPEC production, said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates in Houston. But theyre facing competition from U.S. shale and Canadian production.

OPEC and allies including Russia agreed last month to cut crude production beginning this month by 1.2 million bpd, following a strategy to support prices when supplies overwhelm demand.

OPEC pumped 32.68 million bpd last month, according to a Reuters survey, down 460,000 bpd from November, suggesting some members moved to reduce supplies ahead of the recent accord.

Historically, Saudi Arabia has utilised crude export flows to the United States as a method of signalling the Kingdoms intentions, given the transparency of the U.S. market, said Reid IAnson, an energy economist at Kpler.

Vessels last month carried about 534,000 bpd from Saudi Arabia to the United States, down from 632,000 bpd in November. Algeria sent 10,000 bpd, down 94,000 bpd.

One major exception to the decline was Iraq, which sent 295,000 bpd to the United States, up by 140,000 bpd from November. Shipments from Venezuela increased 22,738 bpd.

Booming U.S. shale production and growing stockpiles also crimped the nations appetite for imported crude. U.S. commercial crude stocks rose to 441 million barrels in the week ended Dec. 21, up from 394 million barrels in mid-September, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

When inventories began rising, that started to help decrease the demand for imports, said Gene McGillian, vice president of market research at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut. We could see even lower imports from OPEC.

Source: NAN

By Johnson Eyiangho

Troops on Thursday neutralised six Boko Haram terrorists and destroyed their hideouts at Gawa and Boskoro villages of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno.

According to a statement by the army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the gallant troops also rescued three women at Boskoro, who had been handed over to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp officials at Dikwa.

Usman said they recovered three pieces of 36 hand grenade, four Dane guns, 26 round of the anti-aircraft ammunition, three gas cylinders and a set of bow and arrow.

He quoted the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole Maj.-Gen. Benson Akinroluyo as commending the troops and charged them to be more daring in clearing suspected terrorists hideout.

Source: NAN

A spate of brutal witch-hunts and lynchings has plunged parts of Papua New Guineas highlands into a state of terror, as fearful tribes blame dark forces for their rapidly changing world.

In one particularly horrifying incident, an elderly woman writhes and pleads hysterically as she is mercilessly beaten, raped and tortured on a hut floor, before her naked body - bloodied and nearly lifeless is dragged outside, where a village mob beats and burns her until movement ceases.

Almost everyone joins in. No one bothers to obscure their face. No one tries to stop it.

The crowd believe what they are doing is right: the only way to stop a non-human sorcerer who has killed their clansman and devoured his heart.

The graphic scene was captured by cell phone video that was obtained by AFP. Dozens of similar videos have been gathered as evidence by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary showing the brutal reality of modern-day witch-hunts.

There have been at least 20 murders linked to sorcery accusations in this part of the highlands in the past few years, and dozens more violent attacks.

In places like the remote Tsak Valley, attacks have spread like bushfire, said Senior Inspector Epenes Nili, even resulting in an attack on the countrys then chief justice.

Belief in sorcery and witchcraft has long been common across Enga province and Papua New Guinea, but these lynchings are not some ancient rite or custom.

This is a new phenomenon, insisted Anton Lutz, a Lutheran missionary who has spent his life in Enga Province and has rescued accused sorcerers, some as young as six.

Other researchers say widespread lynchings are new in Enga, and the extreme brutality and sexual nature of the attacks is unheard of.

We did have ancient beliefs about ghosts and ancient beliefs about stones that could talk and all kinds of interesting things, Lutz said.

But this practice of accusing a woman of causing a death and torturing her sadistically and sexually for hours until she dies, that is a new thing.

It began about five years ago, he said. We had a serious rise last year. It just seemed like there was an attack happening every week, every fortnight.

According to Lutz, each spasm of violence seemed to begin with a death that locals found difficult to explain.

Heart attacks, diabetes and HIV/AIDS are becoming more common, but are still not well understood. The death of an otherwise healthy person was more easily blamed on sorcery than cholesterol.

Even a recent drunk driving crash that killed eight people prompted a violent witch-hunt, as people tried to explain why some passengers survived and others did not.

The sheer number of people involved in the mob attacks ensures that news spreads quickly, as does fear, due to the widespread belief that witches dont act alone.

The emergence of Glasman opportunist diviners who travel the countryside detecting witches for money also exponentially increased the rate of killings. So too did tribally ordained retribution.

Like the old woman in the video, 55-year-old mother-of-two Rachel, was accused of sanguma sorcery. Her story shows how quickly suspicion can turn into violence.

Her life changed suddenly in April 2017, when she went with her family to pay her respects at a funeral service for a member of a neighbouring tribe.

She was getting ready to leave, looking for her children, when she was grabbed by the dead mans son.

Unbeknown to Rachel, another woman had been accused of involvement in his death and under torture named Rachel as part of a coven.

Rachel pleaded innocence. But she was stripped and, like the murdered woman in the video, violated and burned with hot machetes, spades and rods for a full day by people she knew who were trying to make her return the heart of her victim.

The pain was beyond endurance, she recalled, speaking to AFP as a crowd of locals some curious, others appearing suspicious gathered near her hut. I thought I would die.

With her mouth gagged, and the pain too much to bear, she managed only a silent prayer: You gave me the job of caring for my children, but if I die, who will care for them?'

Only a dispute among the mob, estimated at around a thousand people, saved her life.

Across Papua New Guinea the specifics of witch-hunts are bafflingly different.

In Enga, the victims of violence are almost exclusively women. But on Bougainville island they are almost always men. In Port Moresby, where violence linked to sorcery accusations has also increased, men and women are targeted.

Researcher Miranda Forsyth at the Australian National University, who has studied hundreds of such cases, sees grim patterns emerging.

She describes a script of violent responses to suspected sorcerers that is spreading across Enga.

Part of the phenomenon is people trying to deal with high levels of uncertainty due to dramatic economic, social and cultural changes, Forsyth said.

Authorities know the toxic brew will be difficult to remedy.

In the meantime, fear has turned the whole place into a paranoid mess, said Lutz.

Almost two years after Rachels attack, she can walk again and has returned to her village, although even among her own people, she still lives in fear.

The situation is still tense, she said in a near whisper.

The burns she sustained in the attack had only partially been treated when a mob came to the clinic where she was recuperating, forcing her to flee. She still complains of skin being tight and painful around her torso.

Even though I still need surgery, I am afraid my attackers might kill me if I go. So I live with the pain.

I hope that things will calm down so that I can go to the hospital, but for now, the way is closed.

Source: NAN

By Prudence Arobani

The United States has called on the Democratic Republic of the Congos (DRC) Electoral Commission to release accurate results of Sundays general election in the country, warning against manipulation.

The U.S. Department of State, in a statement by its Deputy Spokesperson, Robert Palladino, said the Dec. 30 election was one of the most important elections in DRC history.

The U.S. also regretted the internet shutdown and the clampdown on the media saying, the internet must be restored and the media allowed to report freely.

The United States stands by the millions of Congolese voters who went to the poll across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Dec. 30 to participate in presidential, legislative, and provincial assembly election.

Since independence in 1960, the DRC has never experienced a peaceful, democratic transfer of power, the department said.

The United States was deeply concerned by the DRCs National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) decision to deny accreditation to several international election observers and media representatives, it said.

We also noted that confusion on election day over the location of polling stations, the posting of voter lists, the late delivery of some election materials, and CENIs unfortunate decision to cancel elections in Beni and Butembo in eastern DRC disenfranchised voters.

Nevertheless, in spite of these challenges, millions of Congolese citizens turned out peacefully across DRC on election day to cast their ballots and make their voices heard.

CENI must now ensure that these voices and votes are respected, the statement said.

As the Congolese people, the region, and the world await patiently for the results of these elections, the internet must be restored and the media allowed to report freely, it stressed.

The U.S. strongly urged CENI to ensure that votes are counted in a transparent and open manner, with observers present, and that the results reported by CENI are accurate and correspond to results announced at each of DRCs 75,000 polling stations.

It expressed support to the African Union Election Observation Mission to DRCs expectation, expressed on Jan. 2, 2019, that the announced results align with votes cast by the Congolese people.

As official results are tabulated and reported, the U.S. said it continued to urge DRC government officials, leaders of the DRC security forces, opposition party leaders, civil society representatives, and stakeholders from all sides to respect the law and reject violence.

There are moments in every nations history when individuals and political leaders step forward and do the right thing. This is one of those moments for the DRC.

Those who enable a peaceful, democratic transfer of power out of respect for DRCs constitution and the results of this election will be hailed, while those responsible for undermining democratic institutions and processes, threatening the peace, security, or stability of DRC or benefiting from corruption will be held accountable.

Those who undermine the democratic process, threaten the peace, security or stability of the DRC, or benefit from corruption may find themselves not welcome in the United States and cut off from the U.S. financial system.

On December 30, millions of Congolese went peacefully to the polls.

Now is the time for CENI to affirm that these votes were not cast in vain by ensuring the accurate reporting of election results, the U.S. said.

Source: NAN

Five days after the arrest of Manuel Chang, Mozambiques former finance minister, more arrests have been made over a fraud scheme involving $2 billion in loans to state-owned companies in the country.

The latest suspects arrested were three former Credit Suisse Group AG bankers. They were arrested in London on Thursday on U.S. charges that they took part in the fraud, a spokesman for U.S. prosecutors said.

Andrew Pearse, 49; Surjan Singh, 44; and Detelina Subeva, 37 were charged in an indictment in Brooklyn, New York federal court with conspiring to violate U.S. anti-bribery law and to commit money laundering and securities fraud, according to spokesman John Marzulli.

They have been released on bail in London while the United States seeks extradition.

Former Mozambique Finance Minister Manuel Chang was arrested in South Africa as part of the same criminal case.

A fifth man, Jean Boustani, was arrested on Wednesday at New Yorks John F. Kennedy Airport, Marzulli said.

Boustani was a Lebanese citizen who worked for an Abu Dhabi-based contractor of the Mozambican companies, according to the indictment.

Lawyers for the defendants could not immediately be reached for comment after business hours in New York and London.

The indictment alleges that the former employees worked to defeat the banks internal controls, acted out of a motive of personal profit, and sought to hide these activities from the bank, Credit Suisse said in a statement. It added that the bank will continue to cooperate with authorities.

According to the indictment, the three state-owned companies were created to undertake maritime projects, but were really fronts for Chang, Boustani and the three bankers to enrich themselves.

According to the indictment, between 2013 and 2016 three Mozambican state-owned companies borrowed more than $2 billion through loans guaranteed by the government and arranged by Credit Suisse and another investment bank, which was not named.

Chang, 63, signed off on the guarantees as finance minister, but did not disclose them. When the guarantees were revealed in 2016, foreign donors including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cut off support for Mozambique, plunging the southern African country into a debt crisis that still plagues it two years later.

According to the indictment, the three state-owned companies were created to undertake maritime projects, but were really fronts for Chang, Boustani and the three bankers to enrich themselves.

Prosecutors said at least $200 million was diverted to the defendants and other Mozambican government officials. They said the defendants concealed the misuse of the funds and misled investors abroad including in the United States about Mozambiques creditworthiness.

The companies missed more than $700 million in loan payments after defaulting in 2016 and 2017, the indictment said

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, and relations of five persons who died in a military helicopter crash January 2 in Damasak, Borno State.

The President mourned Flight Lieutenant Perowei Jacob (Pilot in Command), Flight Lieutenant Kaltho Paul Kilyofas (Co-Pilot), Sergeant Auwal Ibrahim (Flight Technician), Lance Corporal Adamu Nura (Gunner), and Aircraftman Meshack Ishmael (Gunner), who died in the mishap.

Commiserating with the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, President Buhari said it was sad that the fine officers and men lost their lives in the bid to guarantee the safety and protection of their countrymen.

He said rather than dampen the morale of troops fighting insurgency in the North-east, the unfortunate development would rather bolster their resolve to completely eliminate all evil-doers within the shortest possible time.

President Buhari also condoled with the families and relations of the dead, noting that the dead officers and men were heroes, who paid the ultimate price for peace to reign in the country.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has appreciated the confidence reposed in him by Nigerians from different walks of life, vowing; I wont disappoint.

The President spoke Thursday at State House, Abuja, as he was decorated Grand Patron of the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) by the Board of Trustees of the prime media awards organisation in the country.

He described the investiture as a timely honour, adding that he had known a good number of the members of the NMMA board, since the time I didnt even know I would be here.

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Engr. Vincent Maduka, who led the delegation, said President Buhari was qualified to be grand patron, because you respect the rights of the media to practice, without any hindrance.

It was noted that under President Buhari, no media house has been shut, and the first ever campus television license was awarded to the University of Lagos, under the chairmanship of veteran Mass Communication teacher, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye.

Engr. Maduka said the NMMA was established in 1990, to promote excellence in Nigerian media, and has hosted 26 grand award presentations, with the latest holding just a week ago.

Part of the goals of NMMA, he added, was the promotion of patriotism, and unity of the country.

*Statement

Source: NAN

The new US Congress convened Thursday with Democrats controlling the House of Representatives, marking a dramatic power shift on Capitol Hill less than two years before President Donald Trumps 2020 re-election bid.

The opening ushered in a new era of divided government in Washington, with Democrats intent on checking the Republicans turbulent presidency nearly two years into his term.

The clerk of the House rapped the gavel to signal the chamber was into session, with 235 Democrats and 199 Republicans reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and being sworn in, ahead of a vote to elect Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House.

In the election, Nancy Pelosi reclaimed the House speakership, becoming the first politician in 58 years to take back the gavel.

Pelosi was elected 220-192, with 12 Democrats voting for someone other than the California Democrat and three voting simply present.

One seat in the 435-member House remains in dispute two months after the election.

Several beaming new lawmakers were seen hugging and shaking hands with veteran members and each other.

Vice President Mike Pence swore in the new members of the US Senate, where 53 Republicans hold the majority over 45 Democrats and two independents who align with Democrats.

Pelosi was poised to take over as speaker for the second time in her career, a remarkable revival for a battle-tested politician who is so far the only woman to head the House.

Her first task will be to help end a partial federal government shutdown over Trumps insistence that lawmakers fund a US-Mexico border wall.

In excerpts of the speech she delivers to the House later Thursday, Pelosi vowed the new Congress would be bipartisan and unifying and will debate and advance good ideas no matter where they come from.

In that spirit, Democrats will be offering the Senate Republican appropriations legislation to re-open government later today to meet the needs of the American people, and to protect our borders, she said.

But such cooperation across the political aisle appeared unlikely as Trump continued to dig in over his demand that Congress approve a $5 billion plan to construct a border wall aimed at thwarting illegal immigration with Democrats unlikely to appease him.

After saying he remained ready and willing to work with Democrats late Wednesday, Trump lashed out Thursday.

The Shutdown is only because of the 2020 Presidential Election, he tweeted.

The Democrats know they cant win based on all of the achievements of Trump, so they are going all out on the desperately needed Wall and Border Security and Presidential Harassment. For them, strictly politics!

Indeed, progressives will be eager to push back with greater effect against an administration they believe has overstepped its authority and abused power in the nearly two years since Trumps inauguration.

They will have that opportunity, as congressional panels will be led by chairmen who have pledged to probe topics such as Trumps income taxes, his firing of attorney general Jeff Sessions, and the presidents ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

That expected barrage of investigations could bog down a White House already besieged by Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia collusion probe.

But while the blue wave swept dozens of House Republicans out of Congress last November, Trumps party managed to modestly expand its majority in the Senate, meaning Washington gridlock is almost certain to deepen.

Among the first tasks of the 116th Congress will be ending the shutdown, now in its 13th day and which has left one quarter of federal agencies shuttered due to lapsed funding.

But compromise was still elusive.

Democrats will have to get serious about border security so that a government funding agreement may be reached that can pass the House, earn 60 votes here in the Senate, and receive a presidential signature, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said.

Pelosi will preside over the most diverse Congress in history.

One hundred House freshmen took the oath of office, including trailblazers like New Yorks Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who at 29 is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.

The first two Native American women and first two Muslim women were also elected.

Its a new day in America, tweeted Ilhan Omar, a Somali refugee elected from Minnesota.

The House and Senate will each have a record number of female members.

The Houses number two Republican, Steve Scalise, said he would be watching closely to see how Pelosi and the Democrats will handle the changing of the political guard.

Source: NAN

Saudi Arabias attorney general sought the death penalty for five of 11 defendants charged with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as their high-profile trial opened in Riyadh on Thursday.

All 11 accused were present with their lawyers at the first session of the trial, the attorney general said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi Arabia had twice submitted formal requests for evidence from Turkey where Khashoggi was murdered inside the kingdoms Istanbul consulate on October 2 but had received no response, the statement added.

The names of the defendants have not been officially released. Five top officials in Saudi Arabia including royal court insider Saud al-Qahtani were sacked over the Khashoggi murder, but there is no proof they are among those charged.

Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, was murdered in what Riyadh called a rogue operation, tipping the kingdom into one of its worst diplomatic crises.

The 59-year-old Saudi insider-turned-critic was strangled and his body cut into pieces by a team of 15 Saudis sent to Istanbul for the killing, according to Turkish officials.

There have been reports that his remains, which have never been found, were dissolved in acid.

The defence team on Thursday requested a copy of the charge sheet and a timeframe within which to review the charges.

The prosecution agreed to both requests, SPA said. No date has been set for the next hearing.

The Khashoggi murder shocked the world at a time when Saudi Arabia and its de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were pushing an aggressive public relations campaign to rebrand the ultraconservative kingdom as a modern state.

Among Prince Mohammeds strongest allies is US President Donald Trump, who now faces increased pressure to approve measures against Saudi Arabia.

The US has slapped sanctions on 17 Saudis in connection with the Khashoggi murder. France and Canada have also imposed sanctions on Saudis.

The US Central Intelligence Agency has reportedly concluded that Prince Mohammed very likely ordered Khashoggis murder. A bipartisan resolution approved by the US Senate last month held the crown prince responsible for the killing.

But in November the Saudi attorney general ruled out any involvement by the young crown prince, whose reformist credentials abroad have been seriously tarnished by the murder.

The United Nations and human rights groups have called for an independent investigation into Khashoggis killing.

Given the possible involvement of Saudi authorities in Khashoggis murder and the lack of independence of Saudi Arabias criminal justice system, the impartiality of any investigation and trial would be in question, Samah Hadid, a Middle East director at Amnesty International, told AFP on Thursday.

Source: NAN

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sympathy with the victims of Wadata Market fire incident in Makurdi, Benue on Wednesday.

Buhari, who was reacting to the fire disaster, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Thursday, said he was greatly saddened by the unfortunate incident.

He said: Regardless of our status in life, we are bound by our common humanity and, therefore, I share the pains of the victims with a sincere sense of sympathy and empathy.

The President prayed God to replenish their losses and multiply their blessings as they try to pick up their lives once again from the ashes of economic ruins.

He commended the immediate response of the state government, led by Gov. Samuel Ortom in trying to bring relief to the victims.

who announced the donation when he inspected the burnt section of the market.on Wednesday, said the amount was an interim support to the traders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire which started 2a.m. razed many shops in the fish, yams, butchers, grain as well as industrial and allied material sections of the market.(NAN)

Source: NAN

The Founder of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry, Abuja, Prophet Emmanuel Omale has prophesied that President Muhammadu Buhari, would win the Feb. 16 presidential elections

Omale made the declaration as part of his his 36 prophesies for year 2019 made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.

He said that the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would show amazing efforts but he saw President Buhari ruling again.

Omale, however said that Buhari would require serious prayers for his health as that could be an avenue to sway a judicial victory in favour of Abubakar.

The prophet also said that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful, advising Nigerians not to be afraid.

On the international seen, Omale said that the Prime Minister Theresa May of UK may not survive as Prime Minister in 2019 as she would succumb to a second Referendum on BREXIT.

Below is the detail of the prophesies:

2019 PROPHESIES FROM PROPHET DR EMMANUEL OMALE

Founder of the Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry, Abuja.

Brethren!

It is that time of the year again when we at Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministry accept the privilege of conveying to you what God, the Creator of the Universe have in stock for His creatures.

Charity must begin from home and we are therefore duty bound to tell Nigerians the visions and plans of God for the year 2019. This incoming year is a very critical and auspicious period for Nigerians as it is a general election year.

Now, behold the Vision I received from the throne of grace and mercy, the seat of love, security and provisions, the God of miracles and wonders.

1. There will be a peaceful election process, we should not be afraid. Though there shall be pockets of skirmishes, the general outlook still looks good and quite far from the negative mind set prevailing

2. What Nigerians should worry about is a massive resurgence of terrorist attacks; early morning train passengers should be vigilant and prayerful always

3. Air passengers on a popular airline should be prayerful to avert any disaster around first quarter of 2019

4. All service chiefs will be changed to avert a likely mutiny

5. The fight to eliminate and discourage corrupt practices will get a boost as I see the current Chairman confirmed, but he must exercise care among his trusted lieutenants against sabotage

6. Government should handle the Shiite uprising carefully as I see the balls of fire in various cities in the Country as a result

7. We should pray for the military. I see the junior officers killing the generals. A lot of them will run away from the force.

8. Nigerians should pray against a health epidemic worse than Ebola

9. Even livestocks may be affected

10. In 2018, we warned about the floods that ravaged the Country. In 2019, people should work and pray to avert draught and fire outbreaks

11. Even a huge oil vessel may catch fire and create extensive damage in the coastal areas

12. The price of oil may drop further and probably rise around mid year

13. The Naira may weaken to around N400/$1

14. A former Principal Officer in the National Assembly must pray against bereavement

15. A former Nigerian ruler may not survive 2019

16. A prominent South-South leader will be called to glory

17. A very wealthy oil Billionaire from the Eastern part of Nigeria may lose his life in a botched assassination and kidnapping and this will spark violence that will see the burning of a popular market

18. A Nigerian international footballer who is a household name must pray against misfortune and calamity

19. Two Judges will be sent to jail around middle of next year if care is not taken

20. An ex-Governor may be jailed, a serving Governor will be impeached

21. A prominent Vice Chancellor in a private university should pray against loss of whole family in a motoring accident

22. A young international music star should pray against mental illness

23. We should pray for the entertainment stars in our country against unhealthy competition, as I see attempts to take each other’s lives

24. A popular blogger who is a source of encouragement to the youths and inspiration for entrepreneurship, should pray to avert an attack.

25. The APC Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu requires urgent and fervent prayers against an illness that can incapacitate him

26. A Party Chairman and his wife should pray against sexual scandal

27. Atiku will show amazing efforts in the coming elections but I see President Buhari Ruling again, However President Buhari would require serious prayers for his health as this could be an avenue to sway a judicial victory in favour of Atiku

28. Dogara, the House of Reps Speaker needs to work harder to return to National Assembly

29. A few States may have inconclusive elections and new dates will be scheduled

30. Adamawa is still APC while Taraba is PDP

31. I see plenty new entrants into National Assembly

32. Bello of Kogi State needs to work twice as hard to come back

On the international scene

33. A West African president needs prayers to avert bereavement

34. President Emmanuel Macron may lose his seat

35. German economy will witness a dip so investors should hedge wisely

36. Prime Minister Theresa May of UK may not survive as Prime Minister in 2019 as she will succumb to a 2nd Referendum on BREXIT

Festus Keyamo, Director, Strategic Communications,APC Presidential Campaign Council has urged Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the main opposition presidential candidate to quit the race now, as investors in 9Mobile and Keystone Bank punctured the share-grabbing allegation against the Buhari family.

Keyamo made the call Wednesday in a statement titled: We call on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to retain some honour by throwing in the towel now’.

The statement followed the refutal by investors in Etisalat, now 9Mobile and Keystone Bank that the family members of President Buhari have nothing to do with both companies.

The Buhari campaign took the refutal “as another indication of the fast-collapsing campaign of the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the PDP”.

“The result of the fact-check which was published in some news outlets, clearly shows the depth of desperation, deceit and debauchery to which the Atiku campaign has sunk. They have no moral compass, no scruples, no direction in their present attempt to smear just everyone in sight in order to run a campaign of ‘we-are-all-corrupt.’

“Rather than respect the feelings of Nigerians by offering clear-cut responses to straight-forward allegations of tax-evasion, grand corruption in and out of office, impending sealed indictment waiting for him in the US, Atiku Abubakar has decided to drag the world down with him as he goes down in a blaze of infamy. He has decided to go wild with unsubstantiated allegations against the President and Vice President, throwing caution to the wind in the process.

“We alerted the public about this impending avalanche of fake news a few days ago. This is the classic hallmark of a sinking campaign boat, clutching at straws, as Nigerians have woken up to the realisation that these are deceitful people who have nothing to offer. That is how its Vice-Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi was reeling out false statistics with a straight face throughout the Vice-Presidential debate. Till today, he has not apologised to Nigerians for taking them for a ride. It is a real shame.

“We call on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to apologise to Nigerians and especially the family of the President for adopting this unwholesome tactics and telling tales by moonlight that have clearly backfired.

“The public space is now full of jokes about President Buhari buying the whole of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the National Stadium and even the Presidential Villa.

“Instead of making a mockery of a serious campaign with such infantile lies, Atiku Abubakar should admit it is all over for him and the PDP, throw in the towel and endorse the candidacy of President Buhari. We would be sad to see that happen because democracy desires a healthy contest, a serious challenger and a competent opposition. But as it is, with nothing more to campaign about, it is the only way for him and his party to save face and still retain some modicum of honour before the Nigerian people for future engagements – that is if they survive this massive rejection by the Nigerian people as a result of their bare-faced lies.”

A 43-year-old Islamic studies teacher Abdulsalam Salaudeen has been arrested by the police for defiling a five-year-old girl.

Salaudeen, who lives 16, Awoyemi Street on Igando Road, Ikotun Lagos, was recorded on video while engaging in the act.

The suspected pedophile was allegedly engaged to teach the girl Islamic studies.

A Good Samaritan last Friday took the video evidence to the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command.

After watching the heart-rending video, Commissioner of Police (CP) Imohimi Edgal, directed the command’s undercover operatives attached to the State Intelligence Bureau to immediately arrest the culprit and hand him over to the Gender Section for detailed investigation.

The operatives went in search of Salaudeen and arrested him near a mosque in Igando, a suburb of Lagos.

A statement by police spokesman Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent (CSP), said Salaudeen was taken to the Gender Unit, where the Officer-in-Charge, Abimbola Williams, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) confronted him with the video of him defiling the child by penetrating her anus and private parts.

“On seeing himself captured like an actor in a movie, the suspect broke down in tears and owned up to the crime,” Oti said.

The case, he added, will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Oti said: “The CP, while commending the courageous act of the good Nigerian, warned parents and guardians to keep constant watch over their children and wards.

“Nobody should be trusted. Be friends with your children and let them be free to share things with you.

“Do not cover up any crime, no matter who is involved. Raise the alarm on child molesters in your neighbourhood so they can face the law and other nursing such thoughts can be deterred.”

Here is good news for millions of people worldwide contending with diabetes: Scientists have created a new drug cocktail that can induce insulin-producing cells to regenerate at a rate that is fast enough to work in human treatments.

This is a key step in the pursuit of a cure for diabetes that restores the body’s ability to make insulin.

The recent study by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, NY, reveals how a novel combination of two classes of drug can make adult human beta cells replicate at a rate of 5–8 percent per day.

The team reports the findings in a paper that features in the journal Cell Metabolism.

“We are very excited about this new observation,” says lead author Dr. Andrew F. Stewart, who is director of the Mount Sinai Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, “because, for the first time, we are able to see rates of human cell beta cell replication that are sufficient to replenish beta cell mass in human beings.”

In earlier work, the team had investigated a small molecule that blocks an enzyme called dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A). This molecule led to a beta cell proliferation rate of 1.5 to 3 percent.

In the new study, the team demonstrated how adding a small molecule from a different class of drug raised the proliferation rate to an average of 5–8 percent. The second drug blocks members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily (TGFβSF).

However, while the study has taken an important step by showing that the drug combination can regenerate beta cells fast enough for treatment, there is still some work to do.

As Dr. Stewart explains, “The next big hurdle is figuring out how to deliver them directly to the pancreas.”

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose rises to harmful levels. Persistent high blood glucose damages blood vessels, nerves, and other body systems. It can lead to vision loss, kidney disease, and heart problems.

Blood glucose levels rise because of difficulties with producing and using insulin, a hormone that helps the body’s cells absorb and use glucose to make energy.

According to the World Health Organisation, estimates suggest that there could be as many as 300 million people worldwide with diabetes by 2025.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Around 90–95 percent of adults with diabetes have type 2.

In type 1 diabetes, the lack of control of blood glucose occurs because the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes usually starts with insulin resistance, a condition in which cells become less effective at using insulin. The pancreas initially compensates by making more insulin, but this is not a long-term solution, and blood glucose levels eventually climb.

Although the two types have differences, recent studies reveal that type 1 and type 2 diabetes share a major feature: a diminished supply of functioning insulin-producing beta cells.

Dr. Stewart says that none of the drugs currently available for the treatment of diabetes are sufficiently effective in getting human beta cells to regenerate.

Researchers are investigating other approaches, such as transplantation of beta cells or the pancreas and treatments that use stem cells to generate new beta cells. However, none of these are in widespread use, Dr. Stewart notes.

In the earlier work, he and his colleagues had shown that a DYRK1A inhibitor called harmine was able to stimulate a sustained proliferation of adult human beta cells in laboratory cultures.

In addition, mice with human beta cells in place of their own were able to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range following treatment with harmine.

This was a major step forward. However, the rate of new beta cell production was too low for the treatment to be effective in humans with diabetes.

The researchers got the idea of adding a TGFβSF inhibitor to harmine while they were investigating a type of benign tumour that forms in beta cells. This uncovered a novel set of targets for drugs that might enhance beta cell proliferation.

So, the aim of the recent study was to investigate whether combining the two classes of drug might work — and it did.

The investigators write that the study reveals how blocking “DYRK1A and TGFβSF signaling induces remarkable and previously unattainable rates of human beta cell proliferation […] and actually increases human and mouse beta cell numbers.”

The study also explores the mechanisms behind the “remarkable rate of proliferation.” The findings show that the drug combination works not only in beta cells that scientists recovered from “normal cadaveric human islets,” but also in beta cells that they grew from human stem cells and “those from people with type 2 diabetes.”

“Since these drugs have effects on other organs in the body, we now need to develop methods to deliver these drugs specifically to the beta cell in humans.”

The average Nigerian wage earner loves to work; he/she is a ‘workaholic’ who will give whatever it takes to keep his/her job and please the employer – all in the quest for survival. Amidst all these, health and/or well-being is often not given the needed attention, and in no distant time, the body gets to be weighed down as a result of the pressing demands that had been placed on it. As though this negligence is not enough, our office space is not usually set up in an ergonomic fashion.

Time and again, we have heard or even seen a colleague slumped or simply lost it and unable to contribute much productive inputs as he/she would normally do. There is certainly a limit to how far we can push the body, and while not disputing the importance of having a sound and undisturbed sleep from time to time, it is highly advisable to seek some other ways of arresting the situation [of getting the body overworked] before things go out of hand. We have got to make it a point of duty to learn how to relieve stress, and interestingly, massage can be very helpful in this regard.

Studies have shown that stress is often responsible for the onset of a host of chronic diseases. It also leads to the stiffness of muscles and could even cause depression and anxiety. A good and regular massage can however help a great deal to curtail these conditions. Massage ensures that the muscles are eased of tension thus helping one to relax better and maintain a very active mind.

And the truth is that you do not have to frequent the masseuse or a spa to have a good massage session; you can do it right in the comfort of your home – and all by yourself. Here, you will find the different ways you can relieve your body parts from stress. Even more exciting is the prospect of using massage chair for the purpose of stress relief. These chairs are usually equipped with features that will subject your body to varying types of massage techniques – talk about Shiatsu massage, deep tissue massage, Swedish massage to mention just a few. With the chair, trigger point massage is also achievable, and one feature that never ceases to amaze me is the zero-gravity technology [incorporated in some massage chair] that makes the experience all the more gratifying.

Besides all that have been discussed, stress relief can also be achieved through the following means:

• Regular exercise. This basically keeps your body in a good condition.
• Daily meditation
• Taking a nap [even while at work]. Many bosses have found it ‘abominable’ for employees to take a nap at work but research has shown that such nap could be very beneficial in sustaining and/or promoting productivity.
• Eating healthily. Avoid taking peppery foods or beverages containing caffeine to relieve stress – the urge for these foods and drinks might be heightened with the onset of stress. Rather take yogurt, leafy vegetables, fruits like orange, banana, nuts – especially those rich in Omega-3 fatty acid, etc.

Bonus point: Do not ‘bottle things up’; let out thoughts bothering your mind. You can do this by keeping a journal [of these thoughts] or just share with your loved ones. And finally, make out time to enjoy nature’s beauty – go on a sight-seeing escapade and give yourself a good treat.

The electoral bill has been in the news lately and the major talking point has hinged on the president’s refusal to sign it into law. The president’s action and/or inaction has thus far brought about divided opinion especially among political parties – with the top two opposition parties taking the centre stage. The bill does not however seem to evoke much of a concern among the public, and it is with this in mind that it behooves to take a peep at some of the electoral amendment act 2018.

The bill is intended to ensure the credibility of the 2019 elections. It contains provisions that are aimed at ensuring good conducts during and after elections thus preserving the ‘true’ mandate of the electorate. An interesting part of the bill is the proposal for the utilization of the electronic card reader which [if the bill eventually signed into the law] will help to put in check most of the electoral malpractices that have bedevilled our electoral system. Incidences such as child voting, voting by unregistered persons and the stuffing of ballot boxes at unaccredited places will not be the order of the day. This is simply a way of letting justice and fairness prevail by making the most of the available technology. Permit me to deviate a little; I could remember vividly how prior to deployment of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football matches, controversial calls were left unaddressed and at the end of the day, the outcome [of a match] became compromised. However, with VAR in place, the centre referees can now make better calls.

INEC as the centre umpire, in the case of our electoral process may become incapacitated without resources [such as the electronic card reader] in monitoring the excesses of certain despicable political players who are out to rig election and dubiously take hold of the people’s mandate. The president is however not helping matters by dilly-dallying in signing the bill into the law as he kept pinpointing some rather ‘trivial matters’ [in the bill] that ought to be corrected hence delaying the whole process.

Though some political topshots might have applauded the president on his refusal to sign the bill considering the short time-gap to the 2019 elections but it does seem they have forgotten that he (the president) is the reason why the bill has taken this long to be enacted. There appears to be ‘underground’ moves to frustrate the efforts of the Senate and allow the status quo [whereupon election malpractices thrive] remain. The issue at hand is not about aiming to put the president under undue pressure but making sure that national interest takes primacy.

Speaking about national interest; the senate, in its entirety, does not appear to be awaken to this reality as party interest is placed above a sacrosanctity such as the electoral bill that is under review. If not, why should it be difficult to get two-third of the House to veto the stance of the presidency over something that will benefit the nation’s polity on the long run? And why should the Senate majority leader, Ahmad Lawan come out to say that the Electoral Act of 2010 is enough to see us through the 2019 elections – even considering the problems that surrounded previous elections? The fact remains that we cannot solve a problem created with a particular level of thinking without breaking away from an ‘outdated’ way of doing things. There is an urgent need to address those things that have not profited us and learn to put ‘new wine in new wineskin’.

And to those politicians that have exercised fear over the tendency of technological innovations – electronic card reader in this case – to fail; a democratic system that has permitted lapses and allowed ‘men of dishonour’ have glorious seats in the corridors of power is nothing less than a ‘failed system’. So, except something is done to correct some of these issues, the incoming elections may yet left on a razor’s edge.

Controversial Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu has again called on Nigerians to support President Muhammad Buhari.

Mbaka, who has ignored critics over his support for Buhari, urged Nigerians to pray hard so that the country would overcome what he tagged ‘impending unimaginable difficulty’ in 2019.

Mbaka said on Tuesday during his New Year prophetic message and crossover service, Punch reported.

Mbaka said that the type of difficulty the country was going to face was such that has not been “witnessed in its 58 years history.”

The Catholic priest also urged Nigerians to pray for the country and its leaders.

He said Nigerians should support President Muhammad Buhari to continue his fight against corruption.

The clergyman said that at the Catholic Church supports the fight against corruption and that was why she created “prayers against bribery and corruption.”

“A President that is fighting corruption needs to be supported,” he said.

Mbaka’s latest call for support to Buhari has hit the social media.

The fiery catholic priest and the spiritual director, adoration ministry Enugu Nigeria, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka has endorsed president Muhammed Buhari's second term reelection bid.... https://t.co/GOptyH9q3h

— share throughts (@share_throughts) January 1, 2019

I've just posted a new blog: 2019 Prophesy: "A President That Is Fighting Corruption Needs To Be Supported" - Rev. Fr. Mbaka https://t.co/NHrpsOqUvl

— Tosin Gideon (@tosing13) January 1, 2019

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, ex-Chairman of EFCC, has unveiled the “Black Cap Revolution Movement’’ and donated 40 vehicles to mobilise the people for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari in Adamawa.

Ribadu black cap movement was set up to campaign for President Buhari and his running mate, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Expressing his commitment to deliver Adamawa to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ribadu said that the state is “100 per cent in support of Buhari’’.

Ribadu announced that 40 vehicles were donated by his support group.

The former EFCC boss said he will make sure Buhari was re-elected because he (Buhari) deserved another term to continue the work he has started for Nigeria.

He said his appointment as Director General Field operations is to campaign for Buhari, adding that his support group promised the president a hundred perbcent support in Adamawa state.

CLARIFICATION: What we did yesterday was to convert our governorship campaign machinery (offices & 10 vehicles) for the @MBuhari campaign. Most of those items were donated to my campaign last year. Reports in @TheNationNews and @PremiumTimesng have more accurate accounts. pic.twitter.com/Wuuo7c7LAv

— Nuhu Ribadu (@NuhuRibadu) January 1, 2019

“We have decided to convert everything we had for Buhari’s campaign, the meeting here is a dedication and a donation of everything – officers, vehicles and good committees for the campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Ribadu said.

The former anti-graft chief said the presidential election in 2019, is a referendum between a past “that should forever be forgotten and a new chapter of probity and accountability”.

The Nuhu Ribadu Organization has said it would campaign for all candidates of the APC, not President Buhari alone.

In a tweet, Ribadu further explained he converted their governorship campaign machinery for Buhari’s campaign.

“CLARIFICATION: What we did yesterday was to convert our governorship campaign machinery (offices & 10 vehicles) for the @MBuhari campaign. Most of those items were donated to my campaign last year. Reports in @TheNationNews and @PremiumTimesng have more accurate accounts.’’