Joshblaze blog

Nigerian presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar visited Washington two weeks ago to meet with top U.S. diplomats and lawmakers thanks to a temporary suspension of a travel ban linked to decade-old bribery scandals, according to people familiar with the matter. The U.S. administration has not commented on Atiku’s status or his travel, but several U.S. diplomats and others familiar with the visit told Reuters the former vice president has been banned from entering the United States for the past several years after he figured prominently in two corruption cases. For Atiku’s supporters, the fact he was able to visit Washington on Jan. 17 and 18 without being arrested was proof that the allegations were baseless. “It is fake news, and we showed that,” said Harold Molokwu, who heads the U.S. chapter of Atiku’s People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria. Several U.S. government officials said the travel ban was waived temporarily by the U.S. State Department after lobbyists mounted a campaign...

One in four girls and women (27 per cent) aged 15-49 years have undergone FGM in Nigeria.” – UNICEF It’s one of the lower rates in Sub-Saharan Africa but due to Nigeria’s large population, Nigeria has the third highest absolute number of women and girls (19.9 million) who have undergone FGM worldwide. The World Health organization defines Female Genital Mutilation, colloquially known as FGM: a composition of all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. But in Nigeria, people call it culture and there are four types – Type 1: This is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and in very rare cases, only the prepuce (the fold of skin surrounding the clitoris). Type 2: This is the partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora (the inner folds of the vulva), with or without excision of the labia majora (the outer folds of skin of the vulva). Type 3...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to expose those involved in illegal smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria. The president said the issue is a threat to the nation’s economy and security, hence must be stopped. Buhari further commended IPMAN for the significant support and contributions in ensuring Nigerians had adequate supply of petroleum products throughout 2018. The president said this during IPMAN courtesy visit to the presidential villa on Friday, NAN reports. “I am told that your members, in many instances, went beyond the call of duty to support the NNPC and other government agencies in ensuring products are adequately available for our citizens especially during the festive seasons. “I am also very pleased to hear that your members are planning to invest in refinery and petrochemical facilities. President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday attended a town hall meeting in Abuja where he gave the assurance that securing Nigeria’s future was the legacy he desired to leave behind. At the meeting organised by the Directorate of Youth Moblisation, Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, Buhari said: “Our future must be secured at all cost; that is the legacy I want to leave behind.’’ “I will continue to work towards improving on security and national integrity, and continued growth and development of our economy. “Since 2003, this administration has implemented policies aimed at the three main issues—security, economy and fighting corruption. “Those who know me know that I don’t make promises I cannot keep; but I assure you that young people will continue to be part of this administration even as we consolidate on the gains so far and more to come.’’ He said that with over a population of 70 per cent of youths making up Nigeria’s 180 million people, youths were as important presently...

The Federal Government has denied the allegation making the rounds in the media that it had connived with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the country to shut down Internet access during the forthcoming general elections. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had yesterday alleged that the Federal Government, through the Office of the National Security Adviser, (NSA) had directed the INEC to work with Internet service providers to shutdown Internet access during the elections. Wike alleged that shutting down Internet access by NSA and INEC was aimed at facilitating rigging Reacting to the allegation, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in a statement signed yesterday in Abuja by the Spokesman, Danjuma Reuben, said the office works with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government in making continuous efforts to protect them and improve service delivery to Nigerians, noting that ...

A student of the College of Education Akamkpa in Cross River state, whose name was given as Esther Edet, has been expelled from the ongoing 19th Edition of Nigerian Colleges of Education Games, NICEGA at Federal College of Education, Obudu in northern Cross River, for allegedly refusing to sing the national anthem together with other participants. She was said to have flouted the rules that all student and participant should stand while the nation’s anthem is rendered. Authorities said the expulsion would serve as deterrent to other participants who may attempt to go against the rules of the game. NICEGA National President, Dr Sanusi Mohammed, who expelled Edet said, “All participants must obey the rule and play by them, any athlete who goes contrary to the regulations of the games will be shown the way out. And that is why I am expelling this participant for her attitude and disposition when the National anthem was sung. This will serve as a deterrent to others to always obey th...