WhatsApp has announced the launch of a new feature globally that will highlight when a message has been forwarded and not composed by the sender.

The messaging application made the move public on Tuesday through its official blog following calls from various parts of the world, including India, to tackle the spread of fake news.

In the statement, the platform, owned by Facebook, said, Starting today, WhatsApp will indicate which messages you receive, have been forwarded to you.

This extra context will help make one-on-one and group chats easier to follow, WhatsApp said in a blog.

It also helps you determine if your friend or relative wrote the message they sent or if it originally came from someone else.

To see this new forwarded label, you need to have the latest supported version of WhatsApp on your phone, WhatsApp added.

Recently, while replying a notice by the Indian government to take immediate measures to prevent misuse of its platform, WhatsApp had said that it was testing a new label that highlights when a message has been forwarded.

This could serve as an important signal for recipients to think twice before forwarding messages.

Because it lets a user know if content they received was written by the person they know or a potential rumour from someone else, it had said.

In its blog, the instant messaging application added, WhatsApp cares deeply about your safety.

We encourage you to think before sharing messages that were forwarded. As a reminder, you can report spam or block a contact in one tap and can always reach out to WhatsApp directly for help.

The company had last month also announced unrestricted monetary awards for research on spread of misinformation on its platform to address the problem.

Source: NAN

A family whose teenage son died honoured his memory in an unusual wake: His corpse was positioned in a chair facing a television screen, a video game controller in hand and his favourite snacks next to him.

Renard Matthews, 18, of New Orleans, La., was robbed and shot to death on the evening of June 25 while walking his dog. Matthews, whom a neighbor described as “a nice young man,” loved football and basketball; his favorite athlete was Celtics guard Kyrie Irving, his mother, Temeka, told a local news station, WGNO. On Sunday, his wake presented a faithful reflection of his low-key lifestyle. The family had Matthews embalmed and placed in a stance that was typical for him. He was seated in a chair, wearing an Irving jersey and sunglasses, with a PlayStation controller in his hand, facing a television playing the Celtics. He was flanked by Doritos and soda.

The funeral home where the wake was held is accustomed to unique requests. “One time, we stood a deceased drummer from a grassroots band at a drum set,” a representative from the Charbonnet Labat Glapion Funeral Home in Tremé, tells Yahoo Lifestyle, adding that it recruits specialists to prepare bodies at varying costs, which differ depending on the details of the service.

The funeral home also hosted the 2014 wake of Miriam “Mae Mae” Burbank, 53, who was posed with a beer, a menthol cigarette, and an ashtray at a table. Burbank, a fan of the New Orleans Saints football team, had her fingernails painted in the team colors of black and gold.

Burbank was described by her loved ones as a “party girl” who loved beer and scotch. “When I walked in, I feel like I was in her house and I didn’t hurt so much,” her sister Sherline Burbank told WGNO. “Because it’s more of her, and it’s like she’s not dead. It’s not like a funeral home. It’s like she’s just in the room with us.”

Burbank’s daughter Zymora Kimball also told the news station that not everyone approved of the send-off. “A lot of people didn’t accept what I was doing,” she said. “I didn’t let that stop me, and I know she’s happy with how she’s looking. That’s her, that’s Mae.”

The unique custom has been called “extreme embalming,” reports ABC News, and honors the deceased in personalized ways. It’s particularly popular in Puerto Rico, where a handful of creative services have won attention.

In 2015, Green Lantern fan Renato Garcia, 55, died of an asthma attack and was bid goodbye in the costume he often wore around town. “It is what he would have wanted,” said sister Milagros Garcia, per the Daily Mail.

That same year, the body of taxi driver Victor Perez Cardona, a former cancer patient, was positioned in his cab — with his hands on the steering wheel — a request his daughter says was characteristic of her father, who loved jokes. According to the Daily Mail, some mourners even sat beside Perez Cardona for one last ride.

In 2016, the body of Fernando de Jesús Díaz Beato, 26, was seated in a chair with one leg crossed over the other, wearing a black cap, glasses, khaki pants, and sneakers. “Some people say that it doesn’t look good,” his sister Lhizz Díaz Beato told BuzzFeed. “They prefer something more traditional. But if that’s something that the family wants, why wouldn’t you do it?”

Source: Yahoo News

A front line governorship aspirant in Delta state, Chief Sunny Ofehe, has urged leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state to harmonise in order to confront the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election in the state.

Speaking when he led his campaign team on a courtesy visit to Delta APC leader, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, the aspirant particularly called on Emerhor and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to come together to harmonise the party to be prepared for the 2019 polls.

Ofehe said that leaders of various blocs of the party must bury the hatchet of the past and forge a formidable forge ahead the primaries.

I see the need for APC to take over this state. I see the need for every one of us to work together to deliver this state for APC. There is power in unity, he said.

The Netherlands-based activist-turned-politician however urged Emerhor and other party leaders to ensure a level playing field for all governorship aspirant, saying that anyone who is interested in the race should be allowed to go into the field and whoever emergences should be adequately supported without ill-feelings.

According to him, it is a fact that the internal wrangling occasioned by the divided congresses has punched a big hole in the partys political machinery but he insisted that the leaders can heal the wounds if they put party interest above personal interest.

You will agree with me that we have been battling a divided house. And I want to use this opportunity to make something clear; Im not in any of the camps because I am for the unity of the party.

Ofehe said that he decided to visit Emerhor as a leader of the party because he believed he has the capacity to genuinely initial the reconciliation process.

According to him, while the wrangling lasted, he decided not to pitch tent to any of the tendencies because as an aspirants he believe his aspirations would cover everyone, bridge the disunity gap and reconcile the people.

He explained that why he attended the congresses earlier heldon Saturdayfacilitated by other party leaders including Senator Omo-Agege was because of the exigencies of his scheduled, believing that the Delta APC as one party would harmonise no matter where one belong at that time.

However I mandated some of my people to also make themselves present for theMondayone. So my physical attendance of theSaturdayone didnt in any way put me in the camp of anybody.

But the most important thing is that we would unite because in disagreed we get agreement and we will come together because if our house is divided then we are giving Okowa-led PDP a smooth run to a second term which will hypnotize our people for another four year of doom and great recession.

Ofehe said that hes in the race because he cannot continue to watch infrastructure decay in Delta state as a civil society organisation expert after living in Europe for close to 23 years and know hundreds of opportunities that the state can tap into.

He called on the leadership of the party in the state to be fair and bring support a good candidate that can stand the PDP in the election.

Source: NAN

President Muhamadu Buhari on Tuesday asked the electorate in Ekiti not to waste their votes in Saturdays governorship election on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Rather, the president urged voters to elect the candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC), Dr Kayode Fayemi, given the track record of the ruling APC administration in the country.

Buhari, who gave the charge in Ado-Ekiti at the grand finale of the mega rally of the party, told the crowd of party faithful and supporters at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium that there was no better alternative to Fayemi.

He said the people of Ekiti must not be deceived by the stomach infrastructure programme of the PDP government in the state, describing it as at variance with the norms in a functional democracy.

Buhari said he was in Ekiti not only to campaign for Fayemi but also to create awareness as well as sensitise the people on the dividends of democracy so far made available to them.

The president said his administration had so far executed 13 projects in the state, with no fewer than 29 contractors handling them.

He said the initiatives, most of which were road construction projects, had also provided direct and indirect jobs to many residents.

Besides, he said approval had been given by his administration for the construction of a Federal Secretariat in Ado Ekiti to ease the burden of office accommodation faced by federal workers in the state.

He also listed the engagement of many indigenes of the state in the N-Power programme of the Federal Government, granting of bailout funds to the state as well as approval of School-Feeding Programme and Conditional Cash Transfer scheme as some of the achievements of his administration.

The president assured the people of the state of more dividends of democracy if they support Fayemi in the election.

Also addressing the crowd, the National Chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, said Fayemi would redress all the wrongs of the Ayo Fayose administration.

He also gave an assurance that all the salaries and emoluments owed workers by the Fayose administration would be paid.

Speaking in the same vein, the National Leader of the party, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assured residents that the APC was committed to the progress and development of the country.

He accused the PDP of destroying the countrys economy, urging the people to embrace the change agenda of the APC.

It was the PDP that destroyed the future of Nigeria and those yet unborn. PDP stole all the monies and made life difficult for all the citizens

It is not easy to rebuild what the PDP has spent long years destroying; for many of them that are now complaining, where were they when our economy was being bastardised?

You must not allow anybody to intimidate you, I urge you to guard your PVC and use it wisely on Saturday

It is your turn in Ekiti to get a good government, it is not for you alone but for your children and their future, Tinubu said.

NAN reports that at the rally were 12 APC governors, seven serving ministers and national leaders of the party.

NAN also reports that the high point of the event was the formal defection to the APC by many PDP members including a serving Senator, Fatimah Raji-Rasaki, and a member of the House of Representatives, Oni Olamide.

Source: NAN

Outgoing Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayoses plan to instal his deputy, Professor Kolapo Olusola Eleka as his successor may have been dealt a big blow as several key members of his party switched support to the All Progressives Congress.

President Muhammadu Buhari received the defectors today at the grand finale of the governorship campaign of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the All Progressives Congress, APC gubernatorial candidate in Saturdays election. The mega rally took place at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the two federal lawmakers were among the defectors, along with the chief whip of the state house of assembly. There were indications dropped by the new APC faithful, that many assembly members may also be getting ready to abandon the PDP, ahead of the crucial 14 July election.

Among the defectors was Sen. Fatimat Raji Rasaki, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District. She is the wife of a former military governor of Lagos. Mr. Olamide Oni, House of Representatives representing Efon/Ijero/Ekiti West Federal Constituency also dumped PDP.

Senator Rasaki represents the largest constituency in the state, the same area where Fayemi picked his running mate, an old political war-horse Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

Political pundits said if the Ekiti central senatorial constituency vote for Fayemi, the election will be lost by the PDP candidate, Olusola Eleka.

The switching of allegiances by the PDP legislators was one of the highlights of the todays rally and it was seen as a big deal as the APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, telling Senator Rasaki repeatedly: God Bless You, God Bless you, when they met before President Buhari arrived.

The Chief Whip of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Sunday Akinniyi and the Commissioner for Justice and attorney-general under Fayose administration, Mr. Owoseni Ajayi also switched allegiances to APC at the event.

Ajayi was also Fayoses attorney-general in his truncated first term, 2003-2006.

NAN reports that the National Chairman of APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomole, was also on hand to receive the defectors. He assured them of equal treatment in the party.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Senator Rasaki, said they had to dump the PDP because of the selfishness of Governor Fayose in the state.

According to her, the PDP in the state has been monopolised by a single individual, who would not allow justice and fairplay in the day-to day running of the affairs of the party.

Former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye was the first to jump out of the Fayose PDP boat, after a controversial primary election, the outcome of which the lawyer-journalist said was predetermined in favour of Kolapo Olusola-Eleka.

Source: NAN

Dr Kayode Fayemi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Saturdays election in Ekiti, on Tuesday said he wanted to rule the state again to reduce poverty among the people.

He stated this at APCs final rally ahead of the election at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

Fayemi, who was governor of the state from 2010 to 2014, told the crowd that his successor, Gov. Ayodele Fayose impoverished the citizens by not paying salaries and pensions.

According to him, Fayose deliberately deprived civil servants, teachers and pensioners their eight months salaries, pensions and gratuity, because he wanted to punish and make them beg for money on the streets.

He commended Ekiti people for coming out to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari contrary to the directives of the governor that nobody should come out to welcome the president to the state.

Fayemi, who resigned as Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development to contest the election, appealed to the electorate in the state to come out en masse to vote for him on Saturday.

I am so delighted with your determination to defy the unpopular order by Gov. Ayo Fayose that nobody should come out to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to Ekiti.

It is therefore time to send Fayose and his unpopular government out of office.

I want you to vote for me on Saturday and show Gov. Fayose that the power of Ekiti people is much greater than his power, he said.

Source: NAN

The Nigerian Law School on Tuesday said 1,550 students were successful after the April 2018 Bar final examinations while their success rate is put at 68.6 per cent.

The school also called to the Bar 12 other graduates from the previous 2018 final examinations.

The Director- General (DG) of the school, Prof. Isa Ciroma disclosed this at the July Call to Bar ceremony for the successful candidates in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a summary of the examinations showed that two, out of the 1, 550 made second class lower while others had pass mark.

He said that the performance was justified following the approval of the Council of Legal Education that re-sit students for the final Bar examinations must undertake two months revision exercise for eligibility to write the examination.

While presenting the candidates, he said that they took the prescribed examinations as well as the dining terms and met all required conditions set by the Council of Legal Education.

I am happy to affirm that they all exhibited good manners and decorum during their training.

They have also been groomed in the best ethics and ethos of our noble profession, he said.

The director-general said that the members of staff of the school had closely monitored the aspiring lawyer during their training and their records, perused by the screening committee and found them worthy to be called to the Bar.

He congratulated the graduating students and called on them to make the best use of the profession while ensuring strict adherence to the norms of the practice and ethics.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, called on the graduating students to shun all forms of vices capable of denting the image of the profession.

Dalhatu also advised the graduating students to always speak the truth, even if it might sound bitter, than concealing it and leading to an offence.

He also admonished the graduands to abide by the rules and provisions of the profession, adding that it law sacrosanct and required strict adherence at all times.

Where a complaint is made against any practitioners conduct, an alleged offence is put side by side with the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct, once established, the defaulter is sanctioned accordingly by the disciplinary committee.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee has been carrying out its mandate in a just and fair manner without giving room for compromise, affection or ill-will.

From January to July 2018, seven lawyers were barred, 12 suspended, ranging from one year to three years while one lawyer was admonished.

You are, therefore, advised to be of good behaviour and abide by the ethics and traditions of the profession to avoid being brought before the committee, he advised.

Source: NAN

Charlie Rowley, the Englishman who was exposed to the deadly nerve agent Novichok last week has regainedconsciousness.

According to hospital officials, the 45-year-old Rowley woke up Tuesday at Salisbury Hospital in London, with small but significant improvement.

Report also said Rowley was still in critical but stable condition since he was exposed to the poison.

Charlie is still very unwell, the hospital said.

Rowley, along with his partner, 44-year-old Dawn Sturgess, were on June 30 at a home in Amesbury, London, exposed to Novichok a military-grade nerve agent produced in the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Sturgessdied on Sunday, leaving behind her three children, as authorities quickly launched an investigation into her death.

Police have said their working theory is that the couples exposure to the poison was linked to a recent attack on ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

Skripal, a former Russian intelligence officer once convicted in his homeland of spying for Britain, was attacked with Novichok at his home in Salisbury, a city roughly 10 miles south of Amesbury, where his daughter had been visiting him.

The two spent weeks in critical condition but have since been discharged from the hospital.

Source: NAN

A public school district in Illinois, U.S. has sent a “cease and desist” letter to an unnamed person who gave away Bibles to boys and girls on a public street owned by the district.

“This individual was warned that law enforcement would be called should he or any affiliated persons come onto the School District campus for the purpose of distributing Bibles to students,” an attorney for the La Harpe Community School District no. 347 wrote in a letter to the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based group of atheists, agnostics and free-thinkers, had filed a complaint with the district over two issues regarding religion at La Harpe Elementary School.

The first involved flyers that Principal Lila McKeown had reported distributed to teachers at staff meetings.

The flyers referenced Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas and included Bible passages.

“Easter is the celebration of God’s greatest gift – salvation through Jesus Christ,” one of the messages read. “Easter blessings! May you feel Christ’s Love in your Heart and be filled with his Peace and Joy this Easter Season.”

“Isaiah 9:6-7 (“For unto us is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,” read another message.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation accused the principal of using her position “to promote her personal religion to teachers and students.”

The school district said they have taken steps to eliminate Bible verses from future staff flyers.

“Principal McKeown will no longer be placing Bible verses in any staff communication or any other School District correspondence or communications in the future,” the district’s attorney wrote in a letter to FFRF.

The other issue involved unnamed individuals who gave away free Bibles to students on April 20. The out-of-town agitators accused the Gideon’s of being behind the Bible giveaway.

The Gideon’s, an international ministry that provides Bibles to school children, hotels and other areas, did not return calls seeing comment.

“La Harpe Elementary may not allow Bible distributions on school property,” the FFRF attorney wrote to the district. “It is unconstitutional for public school districts to permit Gideons to distribute Bibles as part of the public school day.”

The district explained that there’s a roadway that splits the grade school campus in half.

Up until 2013 the city owned and maintained the road. And while the community still commonly views it as a city roadway it is in fact a school district roadway.

While the district cannot ascertain where the Bibles were distributed, the attorneys believe it happened on an area along the roadway.

“Public schools have a constitutional obligation to protect the rights of conscience of young and impressionable students,” the FFRF wrote.

The district responded swiftly – vowing to call the police should anyone come onto the campus to distribute Bibles.

“This individual was clearly informed that North D Street is a part of the School District campus and cannot be used for Bible distribution activities,” the district’s attorney wrote.

Ahead of the arraignment of the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the police have warned sect members against procession or protests.

The Shiite Muslim leader would be arraigned at the Kaduna State High Court on Wednesday.

The spokesperson in the state, Mr. Mukhtar Aliyu, warns that the police will not hesitate to deal decisively with any person or group of persons who deliberately attempt to violate the ban on unlawful assembly.

The police also advised residents of the state capital to go about their businesses without fear as El-Zakzaky is brought to court after more than two years in detention.

He was held as a result of confrontation of members of Shiite Muslims with the Nigerian military resulting in the death of more than 300 persons in Zaria, in Kaduna state.

He assured the residents of adequate security as operatives have been put in place for the hitch-free court appearance of the IMN leader.

As part of the security measures put in place for a smooth process of the court trial, there will be traffic diversion in some parts of the state, especially the roads leading to the court.

Members of the public should note that the ban on all forms of processions and demonstrations in Kaduna State is still in force. Therefore, the public is advised to remain calm and not to be apprehensive where they observe unusual number of security personnel in town.

The Command wishes to notify the general public to exercise more security consciousness as they go about their daily chores and other lawful businesses by being extra vigilant of their environment, persons around them, activities of suspicious persons etc so as to prevent miscreants disturbing the peace of the State, the statement read in part.

However, the spokesperson for the Islamic Movement, Ibrahim Musa says there is no plan by the Shiite members to cause public disorder during the arraignment of their leader by the Kaduna State Government.

They claimed that their previous protests have been peaceful adding that they have been victims of attacks.

Musa said, we will, therefore, like to assure the public that our history speaks for us, we are always the victims of forceful aggression. We have never killed, maimed nor destroyed anybodys property, and we will not start it now. All that we are saying and will keep on saying is free our leader.

Source: NAN

National Chairman, Action Peoples Party (APP), Mr Ikenga Ugo-Chinyeri, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition, which emerged on Monday, is not a merger but platform to re-unify Nigerians.

Ugo-Chinyeri told News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) was a timely action taken by 39 political parties in the interest of Nigerians.

He said that the alliance was not just to capture power, but to unify Nigerians as well as redeem the country from shambles.

This is not a merger. It is a coalition of 39 political parties, including the leading opposition party, PDP, which share the same goal.

It is not about capturing power, it is about the urgency to serve and save our motherland which is dancing at the edge of total economic and political eclipse, he said.

Ugo-Chinyeri admitted that it was not an easy task getting together at this period, but stated that it was voluntary among the 39 political parties that were already set to put their energy and resources together.

He said that the parties decision to act now by forming the coalition was timely, adding that it would save the country from collapse.

He added that the parties were willing to sacrifice everything, especially the presidential slot in the 2019 general elections.

The 39 political parties, including PDP, will bring forth a grand single presidential candidate.

We will all queue to vote in that candidate and vote out the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), the APP chairman said.

He explained that a significance of the alliance was the agreement and signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by all the parties to form a government of national unity to represent and unify Nigerians.

According to him, the coalition is needed to take Nigeria to its promised land and it will redeem and retrieve both the country and the people from the incompetency of APC and its leadership.

Ugo-Chinyeri said that the coalition was different from that of 2015, adding that the terms were clearly spelt out and over time more details about its manifesto and other vital information will be disclosed.

He stressed that the coalition was driven by national interest and expressed hope that individual or party interest would not in the future set in to de-stabilise it.

He said that the coalition would secure 25 per cent appointment for youths from 18 years to 35 years, adding that it would also focus on respect for human right, security of the country and restructuring.

Ugo-Chinyeri urged Nigerians to get registered and collect Permanent Voter Card (PVC) in order to vote in the 2019 elections.

Nigerians should observe the willingness behind this coalition.

They should see the sacrifices the opposition has made and now is the time for them to go and collect their PVCs and join the coalition to root out incompetency, he said.

He added that more news would be heard from the coalition even as more political parties were already indicating interest to join.

The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has described Ekiti governor Ayo Fayase as a poor student of struggle.

Fayose abuses everybody. He is a typical armed robber who diverts attention of the police in order to escape, Oshiomhole said on Tuesday at the grand rally for Mr Kayode Feyemi, the APC governorship candidate of APC.

He said Fayose s payment of road transport workers to park their vehicles to make it difficult for people to attend APCs rally, is an indication that he has resorted to primitive tactics.

Fayose also gave an unlawful order asking all shops and markets to close today.

Has also called workers to monitor workers vote to know who is voting for APC.

The fighting spirit of Ekiti people overcame all the obstacles created by a man.

This is how the Asiwaju of the Universe and National Leader of our Great Party arrived the venue of the APC Mega rally in ekiti

Daddy D.O (@DOlusegun)

He assured the people not to be intimidated and no one can intimidate you. Remember you are educated more than the man who is trying to manipulate you, he said.

He also described the alliance of opposition on the platform of CUPP as an alliance of lies.

Oshiomhole assured the people that Fayemi would clear all salary arrears and pay pensioners who have not been paid for more than one year.

He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari was a democrat and a progressive who would not intimidate anyone irrespective of the divide unlike Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which prevented the opposition APC memebers from joining the campaign of Fayemi in 2014.

Around this time four years ago, PDP was going to make sure I did not come to Ekiti to campaign. I was denied movement.

Buhari, I praise you for not doing what they did. You are not for vengeance but for correction.

He said Fayose brought poverty to the people of Ekiti, He has pauperised the people. The workers are not paid and so cannot pay their rents nor go to the market.

Fayose has brought poverty because he belongs to a deceiving party.

Ogun governor, Mr. Amosu also narrated how he was also prevented from entering Ado Ekiti to attend APCs rally in 2014.

He said that Buhari has not and would not stop anyone from attending rallies because he is a democrat and noble.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he would not play politics with Ekiti people regardless of the partisan and hostile nature of the government of that state.

Buhari spoke at a grand rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti for Mr Kayode Fayemi, the candidate of the party in the July 14 governorship election.

Despite being in opposition and the disposition of the governor of the state, Buhari said Ekiti state would continue to receive its fair share in resource allocations.

Buhari explained that Ekiti people were intelligent and honourable and should be so treated.

He explained that he had not come to Ekiti just to campaign but to explain to the people efforts of the government to implement its change agenda.

Buhari urged Ekiti people not allow themselves to be deceived.

He explained that the federal government embarked on 13 projects in the state, including the construction of N700 million roads.

The government, he said, also extended the national housing programme to the state and the project was being handled by 16 contractors who are from Ekiti.

The president also explained that he had released Paris Club loan refund to the state government.

He also said that he was concerned by the herders and farmers clashes and the violence in parts of the country and assured that the government was taking steps to find a sustainable solution.

He explained that it was his primary responsibility to protect lives and property of Nigerians and said: This I will do. Measures are being take to stop the killings.

He told the electorate, do not allow yourselves to be deceived with stomach infrastructure. Vote for APC and grow beyond stomach infrastructure.

Do not waste you vote. Vote for Fayemi, Buhari told the excited crowd.

Source: NAN

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Development Advocacy Group(DAG) on Tuesday in Osogbo staged a peaceful protest against the zoning of the partys governorship ticket.

The protesters numbering hundreds, who carried placards with various inscriptions, marched from the popular Ayetoro Road through Olaiya area to the partys secretariat on Gbongan-Ibadan road.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: Evaluate merit not sentiment, Good governance is about merit and not zoning and Dont divide us, we stand on merit.

The protest, which lasted more than two hours, resulted in a gridlock on major roads.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there had been agitation by some members of the party that the governorship ticket for the Sept. 22 election be zoned to Osun West Senatorial District of the state.

NAN also recalls that some members of APC from the zone had on July 6 staged a protest, insisting that the partys candidate must emerge from the West District.

As a result of the agitation, the partys primary slated for July 7 was postponed.

Dr Ademola Oyedokun, the spokesperson for the group, told newsmen at the partys secretariat that merit should not be sacrificed on the altar of zoning.

Oyedokun said the agitation for zoning was a mere emotional tool and a negative value to serve the interest of a few stalwarts and not the people of the state.

The ordinary man is concerned with a decent life and not the region that produces the governor.

Poverty, hunger, illiteracy and insecurity do not know any zone or region and that is why we are against it.

What we want is the best and wherever that best will come from is a welcome development to us.

We do not want a situation whereby we will promote mediocrity at the altar of merit, he said.

Oyedokun urged the party leadership to provide a level playing ground for all the aspirants for the best to emerge.

NAN reports that 29 aspirants on the platform of APC had so far expressed intention to contest the partys primary slated for July 19.

Source: NAN

Senator Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), was heralded into the Ado Ekiti in grand style by a crowd of youths, where he accused the PDP members of shouting loud over the problem they caused Nigerians.

This is how the Asiwaju of the Universe and National Leader of our Great Party arrived the venue of the APC Mega rally in ekiti

This is how the Asiwaju of the Universe and National Leader of our Great Party arrived the venue of the APC Mega rally in ekiti #ReclaimEkiti pic.twitter.com/ZffXpCEDWb

— Iyanda sunday (@IyandaKido4us) July 10, 2018

He accused them of causing the nations problem through the perpetration of corruption and are shouting louder.

They are shouting that prices have gone up; we say yes because they ate the breakfast of their children, Tinubu said at the grand rally of his party held in Ado Ekiti for Chief Kayode Fayemi, the partys candidate for the July 14 governorship election.

Amidst ovation from the crowd, Tinubu said: If you eat everything in a yam, there will be no food for the children.

They stole all the money. They talk of high exchange rate. PDP is a party of destruction. It is Poverty Development Party.

Commending President Muhammadu Buhari for his effort at rebuilding Nigeria, he said: It is not easy to rebuild what has been destroyed.

Recounting the nobility and honesty of Buhari, he said that President Buhari then built three refineries which PDP tried to dismantle and sell.

One old man, baba, at the back of my house; I am from Lagos started dismantling the refineries and wanted to sell them.

The old man brought turbines for electricity, but did not provide pipelines for the diesel to the turbines.

Asking Ekiti people to vote for Fayemi and be free from the pains inflicted on them by PDP, Tinubu said: APC is a pain killer. Take APC to ease your pains.

Do not allow anybody to intimidate or make you afraid. You are protected and you will be protected, he told the crowd at the stadium in Ado Ekiti.

Source: NAN

The Borno chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), has closed down MTN Nigeria in Maiduguri over alleged insensitivity to workers welfare.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that picketing of MTN offices started on Monday nationwide to address the company’s penchant for engaging casual workers thereby denying them their privileges.

Alhaji Bulama Abiso, the Borno NLC Vice Chairman on Tuesday said that all congresses leaders were directed to mobilise their members to participate in the protest.

“The reasons are insensitivity to workers welfare and contract employment of MTN across the country, which must be stopped.

“Our workers are not slaves; they must be made permanent staff.

“For instance in Borno, there are over one million subscribers of MTN but with only two permanent staff in all offices; the rest are on three months renewable agreement.

“This is very much gross insensitivity to the workers welfare in the country.

“The Nigerian Labour Congress deems it fit to do the picketing. And if MTN refuses to comply, we will wait for the directive of our national body for further action.

“We are here today and we will be here for the next two days to ensure it complies with our demands.

The whole MTN offices in Borno will not be allowed to continue operating until they address this insensitivity,” he said.

Source: NAN

The football teams coach, Ekkapol Chantawong, was waiting to be brought out.

ABCsaid the last person to leave the cave ledge would be Australian.

This story has transfixed the world.

Source: NAN

The Kaduna State Police Command has announced total ban on all processions ahead of the trial of Shia leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaki, on Wednesday.

A statement issued Tuesday by the command spokesman, DSP Mukhtar Aliyu, said there would be heavy deployment of security personnel to safeguard the general public.

He said residents should be extra vigilant of their environment, persons around them, activities of suspicious persons so as to prevent miscreants disturbing the peace.

The law abiding people of Kaduna state are to note that adequate security has been put in place for a hitch free court appearance.

He said that part of the strategy put in place would be traffic diversion on Independence way, Bida road and all roads leading to Ibrahim Taiwo Road.

Aliyu stressed that the ban on all forms of processions or demonstrations in the state was still in force and the police would deal with any person or group that violates the ban.

The Kaduna State Police Command uses this medium to call on the general public to report suspicious activities or persons around them to the nearest security agency, he added.

Source: NAN

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, made a cameo appearance at the rally of Oladipupo Adebutu, one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State.

Adebutu, who represents Remo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and his supporters were at the rally held within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library when the former President arrived in his Toyota jeep in a convoy of other cars.

This threw the supporters into jubilation, as Obasanjo alighted from the vehicle.

The former President, who is also an in-law to the aspirant, said, I am just passing by and decided to say hello and wish you well.

Immediately he extended his pleasantries, he jumped into the jeep and he left with the convoy of cars in his trail to his residence situated within the premises.

Obasanjo had reiterated that he had quit partisan politics when he established his Coalition for Nigeria Movement, which later fused into the African Democratic Congress.

He, however, said his doors remained open for consultations by all Nigerians who shared his views of a united country.

Before the rally, Adebutu had earlier visited the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in his palace to seek the monarchs support and blessing.

He was accompanied on the visit by some PDP chieftains in the state and he had earlier donated electricity transformers to four communities in the Abeokuta metropolis.

*Reported by Punch

It was a day of reproof in the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as staff members across the country protested lingering and unbearable working conditions.

The protests spread through Abuja, Ibadan, Akure, Enugu, Kaduna and other stations as the aggrieved staffers bared their grievances at the organisations operations.

Members of staff trooped out in black outfits to register their protest.

Some of the workers demands included replacement of obsolete equipment and operational vehicles.

Others were payment of outstanding allowances, expansion of manning levels to enhance promotion of staff, regular training for optimum performance as well as improved staff welfare.

Mr Nofiu Busari, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), FRCN Ibadan Chapter, said the essence of the peaceful protest was to draw attention to the state of facilities in the organisations stations across the country.

Busari said the protest was being held simultaneously across all FRCN stations in the country.

We want the Federal Government to hearken to our plea. Our facilities are over 16 years old.

No doubt, salaries are being paid as at when due but we want to justify what we are being paid for.

Members of staff are using their personal funds to facilitate the running of FRCN and this must stop, he said.

Adewunmi Faniran, the Chairman of the state council of the NUJ in Oyo State, said there was an urgent need for government intervention in redressing the challenges facing the organisation.

We are the hen laying the golden egg and as such shouldnt be killed. Weve realised that they are eating both the hen and egg.

NAN, VON, NTA, FRCN and others need help. That they are not talking doesnt mean all is well in their operations. They are suffering in silence.

All equipment here at FRCN are obsolete, they are nothing to write home about. In Ibadan here, there are over 20 media outfits.

We are operating in a competitive environment but with little or no facilities to aid production. We have equipment here in Ibadan that had been in use since the 80s and 90s.

We want the government without delay to look into our needs and I must emphasise that this protest is not targeted at anyone but for the benefits of members of staff, said Faniran who is also a member of staff.

Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi, Deputy Director Marketing, on behalf of the management commended the workers for the peaceful protest, saying it was for the good of all members of staff of FRCN.

She said that the Director was away to the Abuja headquarters of the organisation over the issues raised.

The management is on top of the development and a meeting is scheduled for today in Abuja over this matter.

No management wants a down turn in operations; everyone wants a good working environment and I believe everything will be put back in place as soon as possible, she said.

In Akure, workers in the organisation also embarked on a peaceful protest at the poor working conditions and obsolete equipment.

The Chairman of FRCN, Akure Chapel, Mr John Ebiofini, said no improvement had been made on the equipment at the station since its debut 16 years ago.

Ebiofini said the equipment at the station could not cover the nooks and crannies of the state.

Today, due to deplorable condition of our outdated equipment, we cannot boast of covering Ondo State where we are located.

We should be ashamed of ourselves being a Federal Government establishment that is supposed to set the pace for state and private broadcasting houses to follow suit, he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Radio and Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union at the station, Mr Gabriel Afolabi, said the protest was to send signals to the Federal Government through the management.

There is a big one ahead unless it does everything possible to avert that before the 21-day ultimatum ends, he said.

Also speaking, the NUJ Chairman in the State, Mr James Sowole, urged the Federal Government to send a delegation to assess the deplorable condition under which the workers were carrying out their duties.

Sowole described FRCN as a leading radio station in the country which must not be allowed to collapse due to obsolete equipment and poor working conditions.

At the same time their colleagues shut down the Kaduna station, staff at the FRCN in Abuja staged a protest against non payment of their allowances and Insurance levy.

All of them wearing black clothes, the workers decried poor treatment of the corporation and its staff by the federal government.

We dont have power and water in the building. We have not been paid our Transport Allowances and arrears since 2010, we dont even have insurance, the worker said.

Also, no seats in the office, reporters dont have office equipment like midgets, staff are to buy equipment and fund assignments themselves without getting paid. We also dont have office materials like papers to print in the office.

The Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) secretary in the office, Ishaku Musa, said that the situation at the headquarters was bad beyond control.

We are mourning today and the protest is tagged Black Monday. Things have gone bad beyond control, when you look at the staff welfare, it is nothing to write home about, he said.

The working condition at FRCN is something that you can never agree that FRCN is like this. When you look at the staff themselves, they dont have working materials, they dont have seats to use in the offices. Most of the allowances are not being paid, and that is why we have called for this Black Monday and started this protest, Mr Musa said.

The permanent staff have not been paid since 2010 their T