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I'm scared! Shakira says about marriage to Barcelona star

Popular pop singer, Shakira has given reason she is yet to marry Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué.

The 42-years-old Colombia singer has been in a relationship with former Spain international over a decade and both celebrities are yet to exchange marital vows despite sharing two kids, Milan and Sasha together.

Shakira said in a recent interview that they were not married because ‘Marriage scares her and she does not want to be seen as the wife.’

“To tell you the truth marriage scares the sh–t out of me. I don’t want him to see me as the wife

“I want him to see me as the lover, the girlfriend. I want to keep him on his toes. I want him to think that anything’s possible depending on behavior,” she said.

Ganduje’s Supreme Court victory and collapse of Kwankwassiyya structure

By Muhammad Garba

It was a jubilant jiffy for millions of Kano residents on Monday morning when the news of the avowal of the election of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by the wise Justices of the Supreme Court sieved into the ancient commercial city. Though the victory was very much expected, the treacherous flimflam launched by the opposition few days to the Supreme Court judgment almost created tautness and fright in the minds of many residents.

The news of how Kano residents broke into desolate euphoria over the affirmation of Governor Ganduje’s re-election was everywhere. People were exultant and they did not hide their ecstasy. To them, Ganduje’s victory is a victory for the people. It is a foundation for the accomplishment of the vision to make Kano a Mega City. Indeed, it is a victory for the free education of the Kano children, obliteration of poverty, youth and women empowerment, infrastructural development and human development.

Right from the first stage of the legal scrimmage at the Kano state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Halima Shamaki, ardent observers of the tribunal proceedings were already envisaging the consequence of the case even within the court premises. At the close of its sitting which lasted for 174 days, the three-member tribunal, upheld the re-election of Kano state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, declaring that his victory in the March 23 supplementary election was lawful and valid.

Analysts and even legal practitioners who affianced in discussions over the tribunal’s translucent proceedings already knew where the plumb would swing. This explained why the verdict of tribunal did not come to most people as a surprise. In the article I wrote instantaneously after the Tribunal verdict entitled, “Kano Guber Tribunal Verdict: A Case Of No Appeal,” I had also advised the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf to accept the verdict of the Tribunal in good faith because it was crystal clear that they have no case to appeal.

In fact, before I set out for Kaduna to witness the verdict, I was fully convinced that victory would come our way, having witnessed all the tribunal proceedings in Kano as well as the persnickety manner which the chairperson of the Tribunal and her team delivered justice.

However, the PDP did not heed to my advice and rushed to the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, where the court, at its sitting on Friday, November 22, affirmed the verdict of Kano state Governorship Election Tribunal and validated the re-election of Governor Ganduje.

While reviewing the case, the Court held that the PDP and its candidate could not produce direct evidence to substantiate and prove to the tribunal that they were not defeated in the March 23 supplementary election. The Appellate Court, therefore, dismissed the 24 grounds of appeal filed by the PDP and its candidate. Expectedly, in an undivided judgment, the chairman of the Appeal Panel, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, espoused the judgment of the tribunal, averring that Governor Ganduje was validly elected.

At the conclusion of the case, I had again advised the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf to resist the crackpot advice of approaching the Supreme Court, knowing full well that they have no case to present.

In a unanimous judgment delivered at the court, on Monday, January 20, the seven-man panel headed by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, dismissed the appeal by candidate of the PDP since the facts presented did not support the appeal, which was predicated on a single ground. The judgement, which was read by Justice Nwali Ngwuta also held that the petitioner failed to substantively prove and provide evidence that there was any irregularity in the election held on March 9 and the supplementary election on March 23, 2019.

Ominously, the Supreme Court verdict confirmed the total downfall of the Kwnakwasiyya structure in Kano politics. Less than 24 hours after the judgment, we have begun to receive emissaries from staunch members of the group who have declared their intention to openly deprecate their membership and join the Next Level government. Fortunately for them, Governor Ganduje has extended a hand of fellowship to them. They are welcome because the primary aim of his administration is to ensure development in the state and unfetter the people from poverty.

This is why we should begin to commend the altruism of Governor Ganduje who has vowed to run an all-inclusive government. The leadership of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) has also promised to welcome anybody who decided to join the Next Level train. There are vacancies in the train of victory and we will be willing to welcome them to join hands with Governor Ganduje to rebuild Kano and give our dear state its seemly status of a Mega-City.

The Ganduje’s administration is built on the canons of democracy and rule of law. We view the opposition as no threats. We welcome constructive criticisms of those who decided to stay on the other side, but it is apposite to note that our resolve in the Next Level government is to take Kano to greater heights.

For the good people of Kano state, they should expect nothing less than good governance built on the principles of prudent management of tax payers’ money, transparency and open door policy. We are, indeed, set to put Kano on the front pew of the most economic vibrant cities in Africa.

The next four years of this administration will surely be characterized with the execution of people-oriented projects and implementation of human development policies. With the prayers and cooperation of the people, we will not fail. The electorate will have no cause to regret giving us their mandate.

Garba is the commissioner, Information, Kano state

How Femi Adesina sold his soul to Satan – Fani Kayode

Nigeria’s former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has criticized the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, for attacking the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), following its reaction to the murder of Reverend Lawan Andimi by Boko Haram.

Andimi, the Chairman of CAN in Michika Local government area of Adamawa state was beheaded by the insurgents.

CAN on Thursday rejected the reaction of President Buhari to the killing.

Buhari, who described the murder as cruel, inhuman and deliberately provocative, expressed sorrow that the terrorists went on to kill the religious leader while giving signals at the same time of a willingness to set him free by releasing him to third parties.

But CAN stated that Christians were tired of the usual press releases and condemnations which have failed to make any meaningful impact.

And Adesina in a post on his Facebook page on Friday accused the Christian leaders of labeling Buhari an “anti-christian”.

He was quoted as saying, “Rather than cast the government as omnipotent, it is God that has all powers. And some things are never resolved spiritually except through prayer and fasting. It is not me that said so. Jesus did. So, let the Church be fully involved in supplication for divine intervention in the country, rather than playing subtle politics and unwittingly generating hate in the land.

“CAN says kidnappings and killings are shameful to a government that boasts that it has conquered insurgency. Boasts. So that is all that matters to CAN as if it was an opposition political party? Boasts. No. This would not augur for unity and cohesion in a country. We are not asking the Christian body to be in bed with government, that would not help anybody, but the organization has been sounding too long like a political party. We daily learn to walk with Jesus. His spirit is not an unduly critical one. And He left us an example “that ye should follow in his steps.”

Reacting, Fani-Kayode on his Twitter page, said Femi Adesina has sold his soul to Satan, adding that the blood of the slain CAN Chairman is on his head and President Muhammadu Buhari’s hands.

He said, “Femi Adesina is morally bankrupt. Worse still he has sold his soul to Satan.

“ How can a man who claims to be a Christian attempt to defend the indefensible & insult CAN?

“The blood of Rev. Andimi & every Christian killed by BH & the Fulani are on his hands & the hands of his boss.”

Use your victories at Supreme Court to resolve myriad problems plaguing your states – Middle Belt Forum tells governors

The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, has reminded governors of the region to use their victories at the Supreme Court to settle down and resolve the myriad of problems plaguing their states.

The group urged the governors to urgently resolve on insecurity and infrastructural development for the economic empowerment of citizens.

MBF National President, Dr Pogu Bitrus, in a statement he made available on Saturday, said, “The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) wishes to congratulate Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Samuel Lalong (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) over their victories in the 2019 polls at the Supreme Court.

“There is no doubt that their victories at the Supreme Court have drawn tremendous joy and happiness from the electorate and demonstrates the impartiality of the judiciary in upholding the popular will of the people as fully expressed through the ballot box.

“The final resolution of these electoral disputes by the highest court in the land offers a refreshing hope for the governors to settle down and resolve the myriad of problems plaguing their states, especially on insecurity and infrastructural development for the economic empowerment of citizens.”

The Middle Belt Forum noted that for most of these states mentioned above, the prevailing security challenges have become the bane of safety and development.

MBF observed, “Attacks on communities and defenseless citizens are recurring criminalities in most of the states that have been caught in the web of avoidable bloodshed by terrorists.

“These murderous assaults have continued to cast threatening clouds of uncertainties and untold hardship on the populace. With the electoral disputations finally settled in their favour, it is hoped that more efforts and focus shall be deployed by the governors in combating bloodshed and massive destruction unleashed by terrorists.

“The Middle Belt Forum wishes to draw the attention of these governors to be irrevocably steadfast in evolving measures capable of staving off further bloodshed across our communities occupied by the peoples of the Middle Belt Region.

“Democracy and rights to life are sacrosanct and, therefore, we call on the governors to be committed to the defence of life and property.

“The present decimation of communities in the Middle Belt states and the turning of towns and villages into silent killing fields need to be revisited by these governors in collaboration with relevant agencies of the Federal Government to end the massive siege unleashed on Middle Belt states.”

Considering the horrifying activities that have drawn global attention, the forum called on the governors to work towards the creation of a security network similar to Operation Amotekun in order to obliterate all forms of insecurity unleashed on defenceless communities.

“We believe that a security outfit like Operation Amotekun will serve our communities better than the proposed community policing which is similar to the works as currently being done by informants in providing intelligence to the police.

“To achieve these laudable recommendations, the governors should carry critical stakeholders in policy implementation in their respective states towards creating cordial relations and promoting peace and harmony.

“More than anything, the governors should embark on measures towards engendering development and providing hope for people and communities that are under siege,” MBF advised.

The group called on the government to embark on massive development of infrastructure in order to lay the foundation of industrialisation and economic viability of the region.

METRO DAILY NG

Shame to FG: CAN Says of Rev. Lawan Andimi's Murder

…Passes vote of no confidence on security chiefs 

…Calls on International community 

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria Rev. Dr. Samson Supo Ayokunle and indeed the entire CAN leadership and the Nigerian Church are deeply saddened with the news of the gruesome murder of Rev. Lawan Andimi the CAN Chairman Michika Local Government Area and the District Church Council Secretary of the Ecclesiya Yan’uwa a Nigeia (EYN) Church in Michika, Adamawa State.

We recall sadly that Late Rev. Lawan Andimi while in captivity made a passionate appeal to the leadership of his church and the Federal Government to come to his rescue. The Church did everything within her reach to secure the safe release of this pastor gentleman but it was not possible because they didn’t have the military power to do so. 

Just last Sunday, a clergyman, Rev Denis Bagauri was murdered by unknown gunmen in his residence at Mayo Belwa of Adamawa State. 

The Church views the unabated kidnappings, extortions and killings of Christians and innocent Nigerians as shameful to the government that each time boasts that it has conquered insurgency. It is reprehensible and saddening that each time the government comes out to claim the defeat of the insurgency, more killings of our people are committed.

In the light of the current developments and the circumstantial facts surrounding the prevailing upsurge of attacks against the church, it will be difficult for us to believe that the Federal Government under President Mohammadu Buhari is not colluding with the insurgents to exterminate Christians in Nigeria bearing in mind the very questionable leadership of the security sector that has been skewed towards a religion and region! Is that lopsidedness not a cover up for the operation of the insurgency? If not, why couldn’t the well equipped security agents of Nigeria get this man killed rescued?

While we call on Christians to be calm, we challenge the Federal Government led by President Buhari to be more proactive about effort to get rid of the continuous siege on Nigeria and end the wanton killings and destructions of lives and property of Nigerians if the government is to be taken seriously.  Maintenance of security is the least responsibility of any government that knows its worth. We are once again calling on the  President Buhari to purge himself of the allegations of nepotism and religious favouritism by reconstituting the leadership of security outfits. 

The Federal Government is urged to ensure the release of the prisoner of faith, Leah Sharibu and hundreds victims who are in the Boko Haram and ISWAP captivity before it is too late. A government that cannot protect the governed is a failed government. 

CAN deeply sympathises with the immediate family of Late Rev. Andimi,  President and members of EYN Church,  the government of Adamawa State and the entire Nigeria Church.

There are questions begging for answers:
• What is the essence of SIM card registration if the authorities cannot use it to track down these killers who rely on phones as a mean  of communications to do their criminalities?

• What has become of Intelligence gathering of our security agencies?
• Is this government and the security agencies still claiming that the war against these criminals in religious garments has been won despite all the killings?

• Is the government sincere in fighting these terrorists or merely paying lip service to the war against the insurgency?

• Is there any hope that our security is guaranteed under this government? 
• Can the government tell us what they did since Rev. Andimì cried out to them for help? 

• If the security agencies claim the terrorists are operating outside the country, why is it possible for these hoodlums to invade the country, kill, maim, burn and kidnap without any convincing checks on the part of the security agencies?

• Since the government and its apologists are claiming the killings have no religious undertones, why are the terrorists and herdsmen targeting the predominantly Christian communities and Christian leaders? 

• If the security agencies are not living up to the expectations of the government, why hasn’t it overhauled them with a view of injecting new visionaries ones into the security system?

As long as the government continues to live in denial and fail to face the reality, these criminals will not stop their criminalities. We are almost losing hope in government’s ability to protect Nigerians especially Christians who have become endangered species under its watch. We once again call on the International community and developed world like the US, the UK, Germany, Israel and others to please come to our aid of Nigeria, especially, the Nigerian Church so that we might not be eliminated one by one.

We cannot loose hope on divine protection and the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to expose those behind the sponsorship of terrorism in Nigeria and to get Nigeria safe from the arms of the criminals. We shall remain constant and not bow to the antics of terrorists and their sponsors. We know that very soon, God will unmask these ungodly and wicked elements amidst us and their collaborators in Jesus Name.

We urge all Christians to set three days apart this week to fast and pray for Nigeria.

Read also: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/apostle-suleiman-condemns-killing-of-can-chairman-by-boko-haram/

Falana, SAN, Calls On Buhari To Stop Members Of His Family From Using Aircraft In The Presidential Fleet

MURIC: Hanan Buhari Flying on Presidential Jet an Inspiration to Youth

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has described the use of Presidential jet by children of President Muhammadu Buhari for private social functions, as illegal.

Speaking to newsmen over the weekend, Falana said the children of the President have no right to convert the Presidential jet to personal use.

But, MURIC in a statement signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, defended the president’s daughter’s action.

MURIC claims that critics are just making a mountain out of a molehill.

However, Falan berated the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, for saying all members of the first family had the right to use the Presidential jet for private engagements.

Buhari’s daughter, Hanan, had come under fire for using the Presidential jet to attend an event in Bauchi State last week, where she was invited to take pictures and make a catalogue of Bauchi arts and culture as part of her pet project.

In reaction to criticisms, the President’s spokesman admitted that Hannan had flown on the presidential jet, but insisted that it was a normal practice.

“The normal practice in existence for a long time is that the presidential air fleet is available to the president and the first family and four others. These four are the vice-president, the senate president the speaker and any other person authorised by the president,” Shehu had said.

But in a statement on Sunday, however, Falana described the use of the Presidential jet for personal use as an abuse of office, and privatisation of the presidency of Nigeria.

“The so called ‘normal practice’ of using the aircraft in the presidential fleet by members of the first family to attend to private engagements is not backed by any extant law or official policy,” he said.

“In view of the foregoing, we call on President Buhari to stop the members of his family from using any of the aircraft in the presidential fleet “with a view to cutting down on waste”.

“A country that is said to be the headquarters of the greatest number of poverty stricken people in the world cannot afford to waste billions of Naira on the use of presidential aircraft and hiring of commercial jets by state governors that are owing workers several months of unpaid salaries.”

The senior advocate also asked the Presidency to apologise to Nigerians rather than justify the act.

Lashing out at critics, describing them as ‘petty, mean and most uncharitable’, MURIC insists that Hannan’s invite by the Emir of Bauchi is not a private event.

They then urged politicians to desist from politics of negativism and encouraged Nigerians to see Buhai’s daughter as an inspiration to youths.

The statement read: “An emirate has shown keen interest in the uncommon skill of the president’s daughter. The emirate therefore invited her to demonstrate the skill at a public function. So how private is a private function? Those who described the occasion as personal to Hanan are petty, mean and most uncharitable.

“How private is private? Are we saying that the traditional institution is inconsequential? What happened to our respect for our norms and values? Are we to assume that our system no longer recognises the traditional institution? If so, why do governors still appoint emirs, obis and obas? If the law of the land still recognises traditional rulers, Hanan’s invitation to Bauchi cannot be rightly described as a private affair.

“Besides, that function passed a strong message to Nigerian youths, especially the Nigerian girl-child. It poses a challenge to them to eschew laziness. More importantly, it underlines the significance and relevance of every aspect of human knowledge. This is a very important message wailers missed.

“An intelligent and objective observer will see beyond the use of a presidential jet. Well, only the deep can call to the deep. We all know that Nigerians will give their right eyes to secure admission for their children to read choice courses like medicine, law, accounting, banking and finance, etc.

“They pay little attention and give complex to those reading what they regard as ‘low profile’ courses like theater arts, education, religion, photography, etc.

“Hanan Buhari has challenged the status quo. She read photography and made first class. We salute her. She has done the Nigerian girl-child proud. She elevated a ‘low profile’ course thus raising the spirit of those poor students reading similar courses.

“We have chosen to address the tangential, not the peripheral. What’s in a presidential jet when the dreams of thousands of Nigerian students have been rekindled?

Hanan Buhari is saying, ‘Stop looking down on those who read less glamorous courses. Stop despising artists. They are the gem of the collection’. Therefore, Hanan Buhari symbolises courage, hope and success. Instead of criminalising her action, wailers should realise that she has elected to inspire Nigerian youths to be hopeful and hardworking.

“Besides, President Buhari should not be guillotined for permitting her daughter’s use of the jet. Afterall, it was not for any frivolous jamboree like shopping in Dubai. We may want to ignore the excesses of past landlords of Aso Rock to justify PMB’s action. But it is on record that some first ladies actually excelled Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI in extravagance. Whereas PMB exhibited prudence each time he attended the United Nations’ events, we know those who went with about 150 in tow, brandishing pomp and pageantry on the streets of Washingon DC to the consternation of other delegates. We know past presidents who gave out presidential jets to their cronies and praise-singers, their aourt jesters and bootlickers. But we will not descent to that petty level.

“It amounts to overzealouness on the part of critics to grab every little straw and make mountains out of mole hills. They are simply trying to draw the attention of Nigerians away from PMB’s monumental achievements simply because they were merely looking for the president’s faults.

“We appeal to politicians to change from politics of negativity, retardation and destruction to positivism, patriotism and constructive engagement. It is not everything that political opponents do that we must sensationalise and demonise. It raises true democrats above the herd to appreciate good things in the opponent.

“As we drop the anchor, we appeal to Nigerians to ignore the razzmatazz in the presidential jet furore. Rather, attention should be given to the lessons inherent in Hanan Buhari’s outing. We call on Nigerian youth to see light at the end of the tunnel. There is a bright future for those who face their studies and vocations no matter what field. Politicians should desist from politics of negativism.”

You Can’t Justify Criminalised Entitlement, Odinkalu, Slams Presidency Over Abuse Of Presidential Jet

CHIDI Odinkalu, former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has demanded that the presidency apologise to Nigerians and stop justifying ‘criminalised entitlement’ after President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hanan was criticised for flying presidential jet for a private travel, According to The ICIRreport.

Hanan, a recent graduate of Ravensbourne University, London with First Class in Photography was pictured alighting the presidential jet on Thursday to attend a  Durbar festival in Bauchi.

It was gathered that the Durbar was specially organised to avail her the opportunity to take photographs of the traditional Durbar, Bauchi architecture and other cultural sites in the state

This had generated criticisms on social media on whether or not president’s children are entitled to using the presidential jet.

But in response, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the president stated that Buhari’s children have the right to use the Nigerian Airforce One, Punch reports.

Shehu revealed that Hanan got the approval of her father who in turn informed the National Security Adviser.

However, while speaking to The ICIR in an interview, Odinkalu, Nigeria’s foremost lawyer and human rights activist stated that the current administration which sold itself on a crested coat of integrity has been acting outside the lines and against the rules.

“For an administration that sold itself on a ticket of integrity, these guys are acting entitled to the point of criminality,” Odinkalu said.

“Rather than seek to justify it, they should simply apologise. They should also bury their heads in shame.”

Reacting also,  human rights lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, described Hanan’s use of the presidential jet as the ‘height of abuse of presidential privileges by the First family.’

Mahmud, who was one of the lead counsels who represented the convener of the Revolution Now, Omoyele Sowere against the State Security Service (SSS) told The ICIR  that since the start of civilian rule, the use of the presidential jet has only been to the exclusion of the president, vice president, senate president and the chief justice of Nigeria, until now.

While noting that issues such as the use of presidential jet is not dealt with by the Constitution, he, however, Mahmud quoted Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution which states that executive powers and privileges can only be enjoyed by Mr president.

He also faulted the presidential spokesperson for defending the use of the presidential jet by a member of the first family.

” What Garba Shehu claimed is incorrect. The president doesn’t include the daughter who flew on a presidential jet to attend to a private function.” Mahmud said.

In a message sent to Punch, Shehu said: “The normal practice in existence for a long time is that the Presidential Air fleet is available to the President and the first family and four others. These four are the Vice President, the Senate President the Speaker and any other person(s) authorised by the President.”

Reacting to this,  Mahmud stated that the opposite happens in the United States and the United Kingdom, which he reiterated is the 5th biggest economy in the world.

According to him, the first family is required to pay for its feeding in the White House, adding that  Trump’s daughter Ivanka has faced rejection on many occasions on the use of the Air Force One.

During the last Christmas, Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister, flew economy class of a commercial airline for his holidays.

Lamenting that while Nigeria is christened as the poverty capital of the world, it allowed the president’s daughter the luxury of increasing the country’s carbon footprint in ‘wasteful use of the presidential jet’.

In recent times, Nigerians have also lamented the allocation of N8.5billion for the maintenance of the Presidential fleet in the 2020 budget.

Soleimani and our search for something good

By Dare Babarinsa

The assassination last Friday of General Qassem Soleimani, 62, the Iranian military commander, has introduced another dimension to modern warfare. On the day of his death, Soleimani was surrounded by his faithful military guards who were well armed and they were prepared to confront any aggressor that might threaten their principal, a man of power and influence. But then, when death came from the sky, they were helpless. They may not have been aware of the American military drones that suddenly happened on their convoy from the sky and blasted Soleimani and all members of his entourage. Their death was fiery and immediate. Then the drones returned to base.
The base may be an American Aircraft carrier on the Mediterranean Sea or any military base in the Middle-East. Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, IRGC, has commanded the unit since 1998. He was regarded as the most powerful military figure in Iran, overseeing the Shiites state involvements in many theaters’ of politics and conflicts including Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. He was feared by his opponents and fiercely loved by his supporters. During his burial processions, at least 50 mourners died in the stampede to get a better glimpse of their hero.
The assassination of Soleimani, ordered by American President Donald Trump, is another indication that science is changing the meaning of war. Instead of sending soldiers and manned aircraft, America has deployed unmanned drones to take off an alleged foe with deadly precision. What we need to ask is what is the fate of Nigeria in a world dominated by science and scientific enquiries?

One of the most disturbing things at this period is the depressing indifference of most members of the Nigerian ruling elite to intellectual products. To balance this hostility is the neurotic love of the Nigerian youth to the pleasurable aspect of the internet and social media. During the early days of Africans interaction with the West, the gin, brandy and whisky were valued items of exchange for African slaves. Human lives were given in exchange for a bottle of gin or brandy. Sometimes, human life was not worth more than a mirror.
Today, the Western world has given the African youth the tantalizing item called the mobile phone. Almost all Nigerian youths are constantly glued to it. They sleep with it. They wake up with it. Some of them can never switch off their mobile phones even in the place of worship when they pretend to go into ecstasy before God. The mobile phone and its other varieties has become the new bottle of gin, brandy or schnapps.
Few months ago, I asked a young lawyer whether he has ever heard of the name Kayode Esho.
“The name is familiar,” she said, not too sure whether he was a footballer or juju musician. She did not have any clue about one of the greatest legal minds ever to honour the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. There is a general epidemic of ignorance among the youths of Nigeria who knows next to nothing about their own country and its challenges, its power and its weaknesses. These are the same youths who are living in the same milieu of those youths who are using drones to fight modern wars. I hope the young students of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, would be exposed to this snippets of the next war and beyond.
Only this Monday April 6, Nigerians gathered at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, to celebrate the life and legacies of Professor Kayode Osuntokun, Nigeria’s most famous neurologist. Osuntokun, who died in 1995 at 60, was the first person in the world to win the Charles Drew Award for medicine. If he had lived longer, it would not be far off the mark that he would have won the Nobel Prize for medicine. His prodigious work on African medicine in the field of neurology commanded universal respect. When he died the Independent of London wrote an editorial to celebrate him, lamenting the passage of a giant who “when he came to the England, he came to learn. In the end, we were the one learning from him.”
When Osuntokun was a young doctor at the UCH, Ibadan was the centre of Africa’s intellectual response to the world. Ibadan was the city of the likes Akin Mabogunje, Ladipo Akinkugbe, Chinua Achebe, Christopher Okigbo, Ojetunji Aboyade, Wole Soyinka, Jacob Ade-Ajayi and many other giants. At a time, the UCH was rated number nine among all the teaching hospitals in the Commonwealth. It commanded a higher reputation than many hospitals in Canada, Australia and India. I don’t know its rating today on the world stage, though it remains one of the very best on the African continent.
One is apprehensive however that in the next frontier of the world, the frontier of knowledge, Africa appears to be the least ready. What is responsible for this is the state of primary and secondary education in Africa and especially Nigeria. We can take the cue from Nigeria where the average Primary or Secondary school leaver appears unprepared to do any serious job except the menial ones.
To build outstanding scholars and world class scientists, policy makers need to revisit our primary and secondary school programmes. One of the things that was done during the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the old west was to concentrate a lot of resources on primary education. At the end of the day, primary school leavers were so good that they could be hired as teachers in the lower classes. By the time a child finishes secondary education, he was considered good enough to tackle any job.
Today, how many Nigerian university graduates could be considered the equals of the likes of Chief Anthony Enahoro, who became a journalist shortly after leaving Kings College and became editor of the Southern Nigerian Defender at 21? Within a few years, he became one of our country’s most brilliant parliamentarians and as Minister of Information, participated in bringing the first television station to Africa, the Western Nigeria Television Service, WNTV. Today what has happened to the meaning of secondary school leaving certificate?
We need to examine the training and re-training of teachers and the curriculum that produces graduates without learning. Secondly, it is simply not right to have a secondary school at this age which has no library. It is criminal to have a secondary school library that does not enjoy daily supply of newspapers and magazines. This was not the situation in our days when Nigeria was regarded as a poorer country when the Head of State of Nigeria and the governors were riding in prim Peugeot cars. Today, each of our governors want to ride in the most expensive cars.
Nigeria is a rich country made up of poor people. We cannot harvest the wealth of our country if we don’t invest heavily in the pursuit of knowledge. We may not be able to produce drones that could tackle today Boko Haram terrorists, but at least let us prepare our children for the world of the future when national power and national pride would be measured in the quantum of knowledge.

The Guardian

7 Best Lawyer Shows on Netflix You Must Watch

Gaurav Bidasaria

Courtroom dramas can be a gripping tale of facts, lies, and deceit all mixed up into one. A legal, procedural drama can be both thought-provoking and satisfying. A good series will keep you guessing till the very end and leave you speechless when the final scene plays out. Here are some of the best lawyer shows on Netflix that you can binge-watch this weekend. Grab some beer.

Lawyer Shows On Netflix

Let’s begin.

1. BETTER CALL SAUL

If you haven’t watched Breaking Bad (how could you), you need to watch it first. Saul Goodman’s character was introduced in the series that gave a villain for the ages. He is a witty and sleazy lawyer with a weird sense of humor.

Lawyer Shows On Netflix 1

A prequel to the Breaking Bad series, Saul Goodman mostly represents the bad guys, and helps them navigate the tricky lines of law and order.

Watch Better Call Saul

2. DAREDEVIL

Daredevil takes a darker tone than Marvel movies and even other Marvel Netflix series. Matt Murdock is a blind lawyer by the day and a vigilante with enhanced senses by the night. Most cases are solved by hand to hand combat in the dark alleys of Hell’s Kitchen because, well, superhero!

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The action sequences are something you are going to savor for a long time to come. They just don’t make it like that anymore. It’s a gritty tale with complicated characters leading to other Marvel shows crossovers like Luke Cage and The Defenders. That’s Netflix’s way of saying we got our own superhero team.

Watch Daredevil

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3. HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER

A fast-paced show with a number of twists, How to Get Away With Murder sees Viola Davis and her students get involved in a murder mystery. In fact, a lot of people die and you will quickly realize it is a Game of Thrones for the modern world. Every season, important characters dying in unexpected ways and situations.

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The whole show revolves around a defense attorney and her students trying to get away with… murder. They become the suspects. Needless to say, the show and its cast were nominated for and won multiple awards including Oscar and Tonys.

Watch How to Get Away With Murder

4. THE PEOPLE VS. O.J. SIMPSON

O.J. Simpsons’ murder trial is considered to be trial of the century by many. The trial itself was covered widely by the media, and talked about by the people at all levels. A car chase and a trial that was so public and much publicized.

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The People vs. O.J. Simpson shows us what happened behind the scenes, the anger in a society that was divided by race, people with their own agendas, and some excellent performances from big screen actors like John Travolta and Cuba Gooding Jr. A must watch even if you are not into legal docudramas.

Watch The People vs. O.J. Simpson

5. BLUE BLOODS

Blue Bloods is all about police procedures and the law and order side of it. The action is realistic and the acting is excellent. The story revolves around the Reagans, a family with generations of cops who love what they do and are exceedingly good at it.

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No, it’s not nepotism but sheer talent and love for what they do that motivates them to join the service. Each family member handling a different aspect of the law, Blue Bloods is a crime drama that has all the ingredients of a crime drama. Tom Selleck is brilliant and suave as always. No wonder, it’s got an amazing IMDb rating.

Watch Blue Bloods

ALSO ON GUIDING TECH

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6. NCIS

NCIS is a government agency that is tasked with solving crimes that happen in the Navy and Marine Corps. Not something you come across everyday. With 15 seasons, I think the showrunners didn’t know just where to stop. Still, NCIS makes for a compelling law and order drama series that remains popular even today. Especially, overseas in the France and Australia.

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Part of the success can be attributed to JAG, another popular lawyer show and of which, NCIS is a spin-off. That means carryover audience but you still need to deliver the goods, and NCIS does. NCIS is slower in the beginning and picks up pace in around Season 3 and 4, so be prepared.

Watch NCIS

7. SCANDAL

Scandal is loosely based on the life of Judy Smith, a real-life Washington D.C. fixer who frequently represented high profile politicians and athletes like Monica Lewinsky and Kobe Bryant. The show revolves around Olivia Pope, and her job is to help these high profile people when they are involved in a scandal. Sounds familiar?

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Somehow, these people with larger than life images always find themselves in the midst of a storm. We all have our secrets, don’t we? Given the nature and theme of the show, it’s surprising how the showmakers were able to include funny scenes and get away with it. Scandal shows how the government is favoring the rich, and busy protecting its own agendas rather than working for the greater good. Add it to your watching list right now.

Watch Scandal

I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I AM UP TO NO GOOD

Lawyer shows and courtroom dramas can be slow but gritty and suspenseful at the same time. It all depends on the theme and how it was carried out. Several good shows didn’t make the list because they are currently not available on Netflix. For now, enjoy the ones that are.

Cheating: Father backs daughter in-law against son in court

By Olawale Akinremi


Ibadan – Alhaji Mukaila Eniola, the father in-law to one Kafayat Eniola, on Friday told a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan that his son, Saheed, lied against his wife that his younger brother was caught having sex with her.

He told the court that such a thing was only an excuse by Saheed because it never happened.

Kafayat, had on Nov. 27, 2019 filed a divorce suit against her husband, citing his gross irresponsibility and carefree attitude to her and their two children.

She also stated that her husband had abandoned her for 12 years to resettle with another woman.

Saheed, who consented to the suit, said that his father had on several occasions caught his wife having sex with his younger brother, Jelili, when he was not at home.

He also doubted whether the two children produced by his wife belonged to him.

Against this background, the court summoned Saheed’s father to clear the air on the allegations leveled by Saheed against his wife.

But Saheed’s father, in a message sent through the court’s bailiff, said that there was never a time he told Saheed that he caught Kafayat in an amorous relationship with her husband’s younger brother.

“Even if I caught Kafayat and her husband’s younger brother sleeping with each other, how would I have gone ahead to tell Saheed, do I want to destroy my own family?

“Saheed is a big liar, I never mentioned anything like that,” Saheed’s father said.

In his judgment, the court’s President, Chief Ademola Odunade, dissolved the marriage and granted custody of the two children to Kafayat.

Odunade directed the defendant to pay N10,000 as the children’s monthly feeding allowance in addition to being responsible for their education and other welfare needs.

(NAN)

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