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    I earn more than university graduates  Tricyclist brags
    By Ahmed Abba

    A young tricyclist (keke napep rider) on Tuesday in Damaturu has proudly stated that he makes more money than what a fresh graduate earns as salary.

    Bukar Babagana, a tricyclist disclosed in an interview with New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu that he averagely made four thousand naira every day.

    Most of the times I make five to six thousand naira, unless am not fit or my vehicle is grounded.

    After all expenses, I save two thousand naira everyday, which is more than what most of the university graduate, who so lucky to be employed, earn as their take home.

    While responding to a question whether he envies other young men that work and earn salaries, Babagana said I dont envy them, sometimes I help some of them.

    He added that This business is a secret to financial freedom to whoever takes it serious.

    Significant portion of Nigerian youth have ventured into Keke Napep business due the fact that it gives them a better option of not staying ideal.

    Source: NAN

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    Group plans protest march to NASS over INEC budget delay

    A Civil Society Organisation, Election Monitor, says it will moblise Nigerians to march to the National Assembly in protest against continued delay in passage of budget for the 2019 general elections.

    Abiodun Ajijola, Convener, Election Monitor, in statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the peaceful protest would be held on Sept. 13.

    He said it was unfortunate and completely unacceptable that the National Assembly was considering postponing its resumption until the second week in October because its members were going to take part in political party primaries.

    Ajijola queried thee logic in going for primaries and refusing to conclusively approve the budget for the same election the legislators wished to participate in.

    He said that Nigerians needed to ask why it was taking so long for the National Assembly to pass the 2019 General Elections budget and the implications of further delay.

    The convener said that there was no urgency on the part legislators to pass the budget for the 2019 general elections even as the political party primary window had been open for three weeks.

    Election Monitor wants to remind all members of the National Assembly that they were elected to serve in the best interest of Nigerians. INEC has an approved Election Project Plan (EPP) which guides it in effective election implementation.

    With the current and proposed delays it would be arduous if at all possible to meet all necessary benchmarks within the required timelines.

    Therefore there must be no further delay! The current intentional delay of approving the general elections budget is precarious for the peace and stability of Nigeria.

    Election Monitor and The Movement for Transparent Elections is calling on all well meaning Nigerians to come out for a peaceful march to the National Assembly at 8am on Sept. 13, to demand that the 2019 general elections budget is passed on or before Sept. 18.

    Take off point is Unity Fountain Abuja; the Dress Code is white with a touch of green (green cap, hat). You should bring a Nigerian flag (any size is okay).

    According to him, if there is further delay in passing and releasing the 2019 Elections budget beyond Sept. 18, the group will call for sustained protests daily and simultaneously nationwide until the whole election budget is passed and released to INEC.

    He expressed optimism that the nation would overcome every agenda and attempt to truncate the hard-fought democracy.

    Source: NAN

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    Amaechi: N45m paid for Buharis forms contributed by hundreds of people
    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Tuesday that the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms presented to President Muhammadu Buhari were purchased by a large number of people who made contributions.

    Amaechi, who is also the Director-General, Buhari Campaign Organisation, made this clarification while briefing State House correspondents shortly after the forms were presented to Buhari at the presidential villa.

    A group known as Nigeria Consolidation Ambassador Network (NCAN) presented Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to Buhari for the 2019 presidential election.

    The group said it purchased the forms to encourage the president to seek re-election and continue his developmental strides.

    Amaechi said that the gesture showed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was ready for the 2019 election.

    This is a group of persons; some people paid less than N1 million; some paid N50,000; it is a group of hundreds of thousands of people that came together to buy form for the president.

    I do not see any law we have broken by that.

    Not one person bought the form for Mr President; not one person brought the money; not two persons; not three; what we saw from their database is hundreds of thousands of persons that raised the money.

    You can see the huge delegation that came; it is an indication that we are prepared for the election.

    The president has put the first step forward to show that he wants to run for the second time for the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said.

    On his part, APCs National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, said that even in advanced democracies, once the National Executive Committee (NEC) of a party passed a vote of confidence on the president, nobody would contest with him.

    According to Buni, NEC is the highest organ of the party to take decisions where every interest is represented.

    So, NEC of APC has passed vote of confidence on Mr President; that means every APC member endorsed Mr President.

    it is a democracy, we are not saying nobody should come out and contest but the president has right of first refusal, he said.

    More so, Farouk Aliyu, Chairman, Board of Trustees (NCAN), told State House correspondents in an interview that the forms were purchased with contributions from across the country.

    He said the NCAN was excited that Buhari accepted the forms, adding that the group would go back to their localities and work towards the re-election of Buhari in the 2019 presidential polls.

    What motivated the young Nigerians to buy the forms is their belief that whatever the president is doing is for the future of the younger ones, he said

    APC had earlier pegged its presidential nomination fee to N55 million but later reduced it to N45 million.

    Source: NAN

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    Gov Ortom swears in first female HoS in Benue
    By Nicholas Dechi

    Makurdi, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Tuesday swore in Mrs Veronica Onyeke as the first female Head of Service (HoS) in the state.

    Ortom said in Markudi that since the creation of the state in 1976, a woman had not been appointed as its Head of Service.

    This is the first time the state will be having a woman as the Head of Service. This is made possible by divine providence and because my administration is gender sensitive, he said.

    The governor urged the new HoS to be committed to her duties, stressing that the oath she had taken was a commitment to God and humanity.

    If you do otherwise, on the day of reckoning you will give account of your stewardship.

    Anything that you do in secret, God will definitely see, and He will ask you to give account.

    Your appointment came at a time the civil service was facing a lot of challenges ranging from indiscipline, absenteeism and inability of the government to clear salary arrears among others, he said.

    Ortom charged the HoS not to fail in disciplining and motivating the staff for optimum performance.

    The governor told the head of service to evolve policies that would turn around the civil service by rekindling hard work and dedication to duty in the civil servants.

    He expressed his belief in the ability of the new head of service to discharge her responsibilities creditably.

    Responding, Onyeke said she was overwhelmed with joy for the privilege given her to serve in the exalted position.

    She assured the governor that she would not disappoint the government and thanked him for the confidence reposed in her.

    Source: NAN

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    Buhari commits to building corrupt-free Nigeria,  collects nomination form

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday received Expression of Interest and Nomination forms and reiterated his administrations determination to continue on the path of building a strong, virile and corrupt-free Nigeria.

    The president spoke after receiving the forms bought for him by the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassador Network (NCAN), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,

    He observed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would now be stronger as the weakest politicians had left the party.

    President Buhari, who was referring to the defections that engulfed the party in recent times, said those who left the party could not place national interest above their selfish interest in line with the objectives of the administration.

    The president who highlighted the achievements of his administration in the past three years, said corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside the administration.

    These achievements over the past three years had not been easy. Corruption has been fighting back from both within and outside but we held our ground.

    Today, Im pleased to say the weakest amongst us those whose selfish expectations did not align with our patriotic zeal had exited our party.

    We are now a party of strong and patriotic individuals who are ready, willing and able to continue on this journey of building, secured, self- sufficient and corruption-free Nigeria.

    I am honoured today to receive this nomination form which your members from all over the country contributed to buy.

    It is a gesture from an association of patriotic Nigerians which I was made to believe comprises of over three million members which believed in our principle of bringing positive things to Nigeria, he said.

    President Buhari who expressed gratitude for being honoured by the NCAN said that his vision to rescue the nation began in 2002.

    The President, who narrated his political history, said his decision to contest for the presidential seat in 2007, was informed by the sorry and hopeless state the nation had found itself in 2006.

    He added that his decision was predicated on the state of hopelessness in the country where selfish interest of elected leaders superseded national interest.

    President Buhari, however, condemned the way and manner the 2007 general election was handled, saying the result of the election was a disgrace to the nation.

    He thanked the leadership and members of NCAN who contributed part of their meagre resources to buy the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

    The Deputy Chairman, Board of Trustees of the NCAN, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, said the association is a network of young Nigerians in various fields of endeavour who had been keeping tab of the policies, programmes and projects of the Buhari administration.

    He said the association was doing this with a view to making an informed contribution towards the growth of a virile and stable country.

    According to him, in spite all the challenges, the Buhari administration has delivered and continues to deliver on its promises, and other matters arising in the course of governance.

    From the massive re-establishment of security of life and property by reclaiming the territorial integrity of our country even in the face of threat from within, to the redirection and strengthening of our economy, by increased productive capacity in agriculture and financial prudence even in the face of an almost negative balance sheet in 2015.

    The massive infrastructural development whilst growing our reserves.

    He has also reined in systemic corruption by firmly enforcing even erstwhile policies, which no one had the courage or the strength of character to enforce, be it the TSA, the IPPSA, the EGP, the operating freedom of law enforcement, in dutiful compliance with the laws of our land. The list is endless.

    Nigerians for the first time in many years could see a leader who painstakingly took decisions solely on the bases of national interest, above his or anyone elses.

    A leader who belongs to all and behooving to our country and to God only, who in HIS infinite mercy brought our president back from the brink of death and restored him to strength and vigour.

    He said the association, whose network seeks to consolidate these gains, has decided to contribute its intellect, and little earnings towards ensuring that the president was encouraged to continue with his good works to Nigeria.

    It is on account of the resolve of these ambassadors that they proceeded to obtain the nomination form for the president from the All Progressives Congress, to encourage Mr President to seek to be re-elected for another term to help consolidate the work he is doing, he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the handing over of the APC Presidential Nomination Form by the National Coordinator, Members of the Board of Trustees of the Consolidation Ambassadors Network of Nigeria to the president.

    Source: NAN

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    Okupe, Accord Party chief,  chairs  Sarakis media campaign team
    Dr Doyin Okupe has been appointed the chairman of the media council of the Bukola Saraki campaign organisation.

    Okupe until now was the South West leader of the Accord Party and chairs the partys committee to discuss with the Coalition of United Political Parties.

    The Director General of the campaign, Mohammed Wakil, said Dr Okupe will work with other professionals on the team to effectively communicate the campaign messages of the Senate President to Nigerians and the international community.

    Okupe who is a medical doctor and politician served as the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in the aborted Third Republic.

    He has also worked as the Director of Communications during the presidential campaigns of two former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

    He later served as a Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to both Presidents.

    Source: NAN

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    0_1536602673689_back-white-boy-male.jpg

    Years back while I was a child, the word, ‘suicide’ – and the act in itself – was the most unthinkable harm I imagined anyone subjecting himself/herself to. The notion that Nigerians cherish life and would rather fight on than end it all was one that filled my subconscious as I grew up but down the line, my understanding has been broaden and the reality [of suicide] is now so gross to brush aside. News media have reported different cases of suicide – from distraught individuals who jumped into the lagoon to those that have swallowed poisonous substances – and so have we come across online videos of victims plunging into the abyss of forgetfulness without anyone making a successful bid of talking them out of the suicidal attempt.

    The stats before us are quite startling that one cannot but take notice. According to the World Health Organisation, the suicide rate in Nigeria is 15 per 100,000, and the report also stated that 79% of suicides are traceable to countries that fall in the low and middle income categories. Though most persons in Nigeria have often attributed the rising incidence of suicides in Nigeria to economic hardships; there are quite a number of factors that could drive an individual into becoming suicidal. Other individual and situational factors such as stigmatization, abuse, mental illness, emotional breakdown, mental and terminal illnesses have also been highlighted as possible causes. However, somewhere in between is the likelihood of ‘lovelessness’ and negligence serving as primers for suicide.

    What can we do?
    Nigeria’s case may not be as worse as what is obtainable in nations like Lithuania, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea and some others but anyone who regards the sacredness of life will understand that there’s a need to act promptly in order to curb the rising trend of suicide in the land. Surely, it is hard to get into the mind of the suicidal person to know what he/she plans to do within the next instance but there’s something we can do.

    The way out is not necessarily about creating some bogus ‘happiness’ ministries – in fact, Bhutan, a nation that celebrates a Gross National Happiness Day, still records a suicide rate of 11.2 per 100,000 – but rather getting down to LOVE [and look out for] one another in a genuine manner irrespective of ethnic or religious orientation. And without trying to be preachy here; love is a spiritual inclination that ought to guide the way individuals relate with one another. Many palliative measures towards curbing the plague of suicide may be established but should love be thrown in the backwaters, much far-reaching results will remain elusive.

    The love of the nation and the citizenry in the hearts of government officials should make them implement policies and develop structures that would help the standard of living of the people. Again, on individual basis; each and every one of us must learn how to build a thriving relationship with one another, and help anyone who may be experiencing a crisis manage his/her situation effectively. And in showing love, we must have a grasp of some of its characteristics [in the pure form]. At this point, I shall some words from the Holy Bible which says; it says love suffers long and is kind…does not seek its own, is not provoked…and does not fail. This is what someone around you needs to have a rethink and embrace LIFE vibrantly once again.

    So, as we observe the WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY, let us be mindful of the downtrodden who would not so much raise his/her brow because life is not happening for him/her; you can be your brother’s keeper and make his world a better place to live.

    SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE…BUT ONLY IF WE ACT IN THE WAY OF LOVE…LOVE CONQUERS ALL.

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    Djokovic wins 3rd US Open, matches Sampras record
    Novak Djokovic clinched his third US Open title on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 triumph over Juan Martin del Potro, taking him level with Pete Samprass mark of 14 Grand Slams.

    Djokovic, playing in his eighth final in New York and already the champion in 2011 and 2015, is now just three Slams behind Rafael Nadal and six back from the all-time record 20 held by Roger Federer.

    It was also the third time the 31-year-old Serb who missed last years tournament with an elbow injury which sent his career into a mini-crisis completed the Wimbledon-US Open double.

    I want to say Pete, I love you, youre my idol, said Djokovic of Sampras.

    To the support of the loved ones, my kids, my wife, my small team of people that has been there with me through difficult times as well, added the Serb who underwent elbow surgery after the Australian Open in January.

    For world number three Del Potro, it was a heartbreaking experience coming in just his second Slam final, nine years after he was crowned US Open champion before a long battle with wrist injuries pushed him into depression and to the brink of retirement.

    When I had my surgery I could truly understand what Juan Martin was going through when he had surgeries that kept him away form the tour for two or three years, added Djokovic.

    It was Djokovics 15th win over the Del Potro and fifth in five at the Slams.

    It came in a final which was business-like rather than thrilling, a relief for a tournament still reeling from the controversial womens final on Saturday.

    The result also means that 50 of the last 55 majors have been won by the Big Four of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray.

    Del Potro backed Djokovic to surpass Federers mark of 20 Slams.

    Of course he can. Novak has everything to make records in this sport, said the Argentine.

    I was so happy to be playing the final against this magnificent idol, added Del Potro of his close friend Djokovic.

    He knows that hes one of my friends on tour and he knows hes one player I want to watch win on tour. Of course Im sad to lose but Im happy for Novak as well. You deserve to win.

    With the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof closed as heavy rain swept New York, conditions were slow and sluggish.

    After taking just two points off Del Potros first three service games, Djokovic, in his 23rd final at the majors, pounced to break for 5-3.

    The key was his success with a lung-busting 22-shot rally and he pocketed the set when the 29-year-old del Potro netted a forehand.

    It was only the second set dropped by the Argentine at the tournament.

    For Djokovic, it was an illustration of him growing into the championships as he took his run of consecutive sets won to 14, stretching back to the second round against Tennys Sandgren.

    Djokovic was soon 3-1 up in the second set before Del Potro carved out his first break point of the match to level at 3-3.

    He had three more chances in the eighth, all saved by Djokovic in a marathon 20-minute game which left even Hollywood superstar Meryl Streep clasping her head in astonishment.

    The effort took its toll on a suddenly weary-looking Del Potro as a 95-minute set was claimed by Djokovic in the tiebreak.

    Del Potro was looking at having to become the first man since Pancho Gonzales in 1949 to win the US title from two sets down.

    Djokovic sprinted into a 3-1 lead in the third set before a battling Del Potro clung on, hitting back for 3-3.

    But off the back of a 24-shot rally, Djokovic broke again for 5-3 and he was within tantalising touching distance of his 14th Grand Slam title, just three months after he had left Roland Garros in despair after a shattering quarter-final exit.

    Source: NAN

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    Serena Williams gathers support over sexism charge
    Serena Williamss claim that the code violations that sparked her meltdown in the US Open final were sexist stirred debate, with WTA Tour chief executive Steve Simon backing her on Sunday.

    Williams was handed three code violations and docked a point and then a game in her 6-2, 6-4 loss to Naomi Osaka in the Flushing Meadows final.

    Osaka out-played her childhood hero to become the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam, but her accomplishment was swamped in the controversy surrounding 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams.

    The American superstar claimed that chair umpire Carlos Ramos meted out penalties for infractions that male players could have gotten away with, specifically a violation for verbal abuse after she called him a thief and a liar for warning her for coaching from her players box, then docking her a point when a racquet abuse violation followed.

    Eventually she was docked a game putting Osaka on the brink of victory.

    Simon said the affair brought to the forefront the question of whether different standards are applied to men and women in the officiating of matches.
    The WTA believes that there should be no difference in the standards of tolerance provided to the emotions expressed by men vs. women and is committed to working with the sport to ensure that all players are treated the same, he said.

    We do not believe that this was done last night.

    Williams was most incensed by the first code violation she received for coaching from her box.

    Its not clear if she even saw the hand gestures by coach Patrick Mouratoglou sitting her box, although he admitted in an interview with ESPN that he was trying to advise her and said all coaches do it.

    Yes, I was coaching just like everybody else. We have to stop this hypocrisy. Furthermore, Serena didnt even see my gestures. She felt humiliated by the warning, said the Frenchman.

    Simon said the sport as a whole should examine the rules on coaching, noting that the WTA already allows on-court coaching during regular tour events if a player requests it.

    US great Billie Jean King addressed both issues, also seeing things Williamss way.

    When a woman is emotional, shes hysterical and shes penalized for it, King tweeted. When a man does the same, hes outspoken

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    China outlaws Zion Church
    Beijing city authorities have banned Zion Church, one of the largest unofficial Protestant churches in the city and confiscated illegal promotional materials, amid a deepening crackdown on Chinas underground churches.

    The church had for years operated with relative freedoms, hosting hundreds of worshippers every weekend in an expansive specially renovated hall in north Beijing.

    But since April, after they rejected requests from authorities to install closed-circuit television cameras in the building, the church has faced growing pressure from the authorities and has been threatened with eviction.

    On Sunday, the Beijing Chaoyang district civil affairs bureau said that by organizing events without registering, the church was breaking rules forbidding mass gatherings and were now legally banned and its illegal promotional material had been confiscated, according to images of the notice sent to Reuters late on Sunday and confirmed by churchgoers.

    I fear that there is no way for us to resolve this issue with the authorities, Zions Pastor Jin Mingri told Reuters.

    Chinas religious affairs and civil affairs bureaux did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    Chinas constitution guarantees religious freedom, but since President Xi Jinping took office six years ago the government has tightened restrictions on religions seen as a challenge to the authority of the ruling Communist Party.

    Churches across China have faced new waves of harassment and pressure to register since a new set of regulations to govern religious affairs in China came into effect in February and heightened punishments for unofficial churches.

    In July, more than 30 of Beijings hundreds of underground Protestant churches took the rare step of releasing a joint statement complaining of unceasing interference and the assault and obstruction of regular activities of believers since the new regulations came into effect.

    Chinas Christian believers are split between those who attend unofficial house or underground churches and those who attend government-sanctioned places of worship.

    Churchgoers were also given a notice from the district religious affairs bureau saying that the great masses of believer must respect the rules and regulations and attend events in legally registered places of religious activity.

    Zions attendees were also given pamphlets of officially sanctioned churches that they might attend instead.

    But for many worshippers and pastors, such as Jin, accepting the oversight and ultimate authority of the Communist Party would be a betrayal of their faith.

    On this land, the only one we can trust in is God, Jin said.

    Source: NAN

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