PDP: Party accuses FG of planning to arrest opposition members

The party also said that the plot will target members of civil society organisations, media and opinion leaders.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Federal Government of planning to clamp down of members of the opposition.

The party also said that the plot will target members of civil society organisations, media and opinion leaders.

According to Daily Post, this was revealed in a statement issued by the PDP spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan.

He said “the plot against opposition will be hinged on trump up charges of corruption, allegations of plotting to disrupt the processes leading to the 2019 general elections as well as alleged politicization of security issues in the country”.

“It is important to state that the trajectory of our political history neither provides a space for a one party state nor a self-succession shenanigan that seeks occupation of political offices without elections.

“The PDP, which grew our democracy to become sustainable and successfully handed power to the opposition after the 2015 general election, has a responsibility to ensure that democracy and the application of its tenets flourish without let in our country.

“The PDP and the majority of Nigerians, rallying under our repositioned platform, will never be intimidated or cowed on the principles of democracy,” he added.

Nigeria belongs to all us

The PDP also told the government that the country belongs to everyone.

Ologbondiyan said that every plot to intimidate people will be resisted by Nigerians and the international community.

ALSO READ: Olisa Metuh condemns Lai Mohammed over looters' list

PDP releases looters list

The PDP has released the names of 50 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who they claim stole from Nigeria’s coffers.

The names are: Rotimi Amaechi, Timipre Sylva, Bukola Saraki, Aliyu Wammako, Sullivan Chime, Orji Kalu, Ngige, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Abdullahi Adamu, Abubakar Moh’d, Gov. Lalong, Bello Hayatu, Sen. AbdulAzeez Nyako, Sen. Alkali Mohammed, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, Sen. Andy Uba, Sen. Nazif, Sen. Magnus Abe, Engr. Dakuku Peterside, Sen. Silas Zwingima, Sen. Binta Massi, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu, Dr. Idi Hong, Adm. Murtala Nyako, Sen. Bello Tukur, Jummai Al-Hassan, Sen. Hunkuyi, Sen. AbdulAzeez Ibrahim, Sen. Adamu Aliero, George Akume, Joshua Dariye.

“Speakers Aminu Masari, Aminu Tambuwal, Yakubu Dogara, Gali Na’abba, Nat Chairmen Barnabas Gemade and Audu Ogbe, COAS Dambazau, Oserheimen Osunbo, Musliu Obanikoro, Adam Oshiomhole, Jim Nwobodo, Govs Atiku Bagudu, Ganduje, Nasir El-Rufai, Ortom, Ishaku Darius, Rochas Okorocha, Bindo Jibrilla, Abubakar Sani Bello, Ahmed of Kwara, Dakingari, Danjuma Goje, Obanikoro, Sen. Lokobiri and Chinweke Mbadinuju.

This is coming after the PDP dismissed the list released by the minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed.

PDP: Party accuses FG of planning to arrest opposition members

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Conte: Chelsea will continue 'very difficult' fight for Champions League

The Blues boss conceded it will be “very difficult” to qualify for Europe’s top club competition after falling eight points behind Tottenham

Conte: Chelsea will continue 'very difficult' fight for Champions League

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Arise Fashion Week 2018: A review of Day 1 of the legendary fashion event

From supermodel Naomi Campbell strutting down the runway to a curvy collective of plus models, here is all you need to know about Day 1.

Arise Fashion Week has always set itself apart from the rest. It is undoubtedly one of the most glamorous and extravagant fashion events Nigeria has ever seen. After a 4 year hiatus,  to hear Arise was coming back was beyond exciting but we were not prepared for what the legendary fashion show had in store for Day 1.

We are all familiar with Nigerian time but Arise took it to a whole new level on the very first day. A show that was scheduled to start at 4pm finally kicked off at 8.30pm and though we are tempted to hold it against the organisers, to say it was well worth the wait would be a gross understatement.

Vonne Couture

First up was Vonne Couture. Vonne, who has been in the industry for a very long time is finally reaping the rewards of her hard work and gaining well-deserved recognition. Vonne's collection was a riot of bright colours with a lot of frills and floral accents.

Though the collection was not as cohesive as it could have been it definitely represented what everyone has come to associate with Vonne, fun and flirty.

 

Vonne's signature fur slides made an appearance in a variety of colours and the show was closed by our very own supermodel, Oluchi who showed these young models exactly how it's done. Oluchi glided down the runway in a red silk gown with a matching red headpiece and the statement obi belt of our dreams. 

 

Ziva Lagos

Next up was Ziva Lagos, Tania Omotayo's brand and the entire collection was wearable if not a little underwhelming. The collection was full of printed dresses, jumpsuits and cute co-ords which would be great day-wear but didn't quite cut it for the runway. 

The ATCL Collective

The About That Curvy Life collective returned for another turn on the run way and each time they just get better and better. One can't stress how important it is to have valid representation on the runway. The fashion industry is one that has ignored the marginalised for so long and been allowed to get away with it. Despite the average woman being well above sample size, they continue to be underrepresented in all facets of the fashion industry but thanks to movements like the ATCL collective, we are refusing to stand for it any longer. Davido's FIA rang out of the speakers and the first curve model hit the runway to a round of applause.

The crowd came to life as a series of curve models, some short, some tall, some buxom and some carrying junk in the trunk strutted down the runway oozing confidence. ATCL collective comprised of many designers including contemporary womenswear designer Sally Bawa and quirky fashion favourite, Fia Factory.

 

The collective of designers led by About That Curvy Life founder Latasha Ngwube took a much deserved turn around the runway. ATCL represents the direction that the fashion industry as a whole is going on. Whereas a few years ago, putting plus-size models would have been a mere gimmick, now more designers are seeing the value in inclusion and understanding that in order to navigate the changing climate of the fashion industry, they must make sure we move forward together. 

Abaya Lagos

Abaya Lagos set the mood of the show with their awesome soundtrack which (after a quick Shazam) we found out was called Arabian Trap. The song represented everything the label stands for modest yet modern, cultural and cool.

 

The highlight of the Abaya show was the sparkling gold hooded cape that looked like something out of a fairytale. The finale piece which glittered ferociously under the lights looked reminiscent of something Zuhair Muraid would design and was definitely one of the stand out pieces of the night.

Bubu Ogisi did a great job of styling the Abaya show, the collection was cohesive, the colour palette was sumptuous and we can't resist a great turban which Abaya sent down the runway in abundance!

Lanre Da Silva

The Lanre Da Silva Ajayi show was opened by the inimitable Naomi Campbell. Naomi strutted onto the runway with her signature walk wearing a gold fringed dress which fit like a glove and moved beautifully. That's exactly why Lanre has lasted as long as she has, her craftsmanship is incomparable.

 

Of all the shows, her clothes felt the most alive. As the models moved down the runway, the clothes moved with them in the most  beautiful way. Lanre's collection, which was very much her signature aesthetic, had a colour palette of jewel tones which made the whole collection look rich and opulent.

Lanre's collection makes us want to throw a swanky cocktail party and be the centre of attention in her divine dresses. Once again Oluchi closed the show but this time she went out with a bang. As she strode down the runway in a floor length gold gown, little did we know the back of it was completely sheer.

 

Oluchi revealed quite possibly the peachiest bum we have ever seen and by the look on her face she knew it too. At 37 and 47 years old respectively, Oluchi and Naomi are ageing like the finest of wines. 

Laurenceairline

Abidjan born and Paris based label 'Laurenceairline' brought some much needed testosterone to the runway. The label, known for their cool, Laidback yet stylish aesthetic is the brainchild of Laurence Chauvin-Buthaud and is committed too drawing a path between cultures.

Despite the contemporary silhouettes, Laurenceairline is still very much influenced by its multicultural identity and aims to express that in every single collection. The result was a collection for the stylish modern man who wants to stay true to his roots.

Models hit the runway in a palette of earthy tones with splashes of colour. Summer suits and straw hats were a plenty and we watched every guy in the audience nod his head in silent approval.

Arise Fashion Week 2018: A review of Day 1 of the legendary fashion event

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Tottenham Wins At Chelsea For First Time In 28 Years

Dele Alli issued a timely reminder of his talents by scoring twice in four minutes to end Tottenham’s 28-year wait for a victory at Chelsea.

The 3-1 win in the London derby on Sunday didn’t just end a frustrating drought at Stamford Bridge but extended Tottenham’s lead over Chelsea for the fourth Champions League place to eight points in the Premier League.

Chelsea won’t only be surrendering the Premier League trophy to Manchester City but facing a season out of Europe’s elite competition.

Alvaro Morata had put Chelsea in front but Christian Eriksen spectacularly equalized in first-half stoppage time with a powerful, swerving long-range strike.

Chelsea was stunned, and Tottenham maintained the momentum after the break.

Alli’s goals sealed a first win in west London since 1990 at the end of a week when the 21-year-old midfielder’s recent struggles saw his place in England’s World Cup squad questioned after playing just 22 minutes of two friendlies in the international break.

It was Alli’s first double since a 3-1 victory over Real Madrid in November.

And all the hard work was achieved with Harry Kane on the bench. Tottenham’s top-scorer only featured in the final 20 minutes after his right ankle made a rapid recovery from the ligament damage sustained three weeks ago.

The post Tottenham Wins At Chelsea For First Time In 28 Years appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Tottenham Wins At Chelsea For First Time In 28 Years

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Cambridge Analytica : APC is chasing shadows – PDP

FG investigates Cambridge Analytica over Buhari’s data ―Presidency

THE Federal Government has launched an investigation into the reports of data mining by Cambridge Analytica, which was said to have obtained the personal data of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 presidential election.

An unsigned statement which emanated from the presidency on Sunday observed that the firm swiped the data of more than 50 million Facebook users to sway elections in many countries including Nigeria, “where it waged a campaign to perpetuate discord and hack into personal records of the then leading opposition Candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.”

The presidency source said that the federal government has set up an in-house committee to investigate whether Cambridge Analytica’s work for the then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2007 and 2015 general elections campaigns broke the laws of this country or infringed on the rights of other parties and their candidates.

It added: “Depending on the outcome, this may lead to the appointment of a special investigator and possibly, criminal prosecutions by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.”

The source recalled that a whistleblower, Christopher Wylie who worked with a Cambridge University academic to obtain the data, told the Observer, a UK newspaper that: ‘We exploited Facebook to harvest millions of people’s profiles. And built models to exploit what we knew about them and target their inner demons. That was the basis the entire company was built on.”

Among those whose personal data was hacked into in 2015 was the then opposition candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, it noted.

http://bit.ly/2EbAHmH

It also pointed out that Cambridge Analytica, according to the reports, worked with Israeli hackers who were instructed to get dirt on Muhammadu Buhari during the presidential campaign.

The Presidency source said SCL Elections, a public relations firm that later became Cambridge Analytica, according to reports, manipulated Nigeria’s 2007 by organising campaigns to weaken the chances of opposition parties.

It added: “As part of its engagement, the company organized ‘anti-election rallies’ to demoralize opposition supporters from voting in the elections, which saw the emergence of Umar Yar’Adua as Nigeria’s president.

“The Cambridge Analytica team came up with a video to portray Candidate Buhari as a leader who would enforce Sharia Law in Nigeria. It was intended to sway the minds of millions of Nigerians and vote for the PDP candidate.

“Currently, the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook are the focus of an inquiry into data and politics by the British Information Commissioner’s Office, the United States Special Counsel Robert Mueller and, separately, the U K Electoral Commission is also investigating what role Cambridge Analytica played in the EU referendum.”

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, who commented on that matter, said that although he had not been briefed on the issue, Nigerians deserved answers immediately from the PDP administration, Facebook and Cambridge Analytica on how and why they improperly obtained and used data to interfere in Nigerian elections.

He said an investigation should help to determine if there is a linkage between the various killings and maimings that have characterized our elections since 2007 and the misinformation activities of the Cambridge Analytica (CA) data flows.

He said it will also help President Buhari achieve his wish to leave a legacy of improved elections.

The post FG investigates Cambridge Analytica over Buhari’s data ―Presidency appeared first on Tribune.

FG investigates Cambridge Analytica over Buhari’s data ―Presidency

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Easter Celebration: Nigeria on path of resurrection, progress – Osinbajo

Osinbajo gave the assurance when he spoke with journalists shortly after the Easter Sunday Service at the Aso Villa Chapel, to mark this year’s Easter celebration.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday in Abuja, assured Nigerians that Nigeria was on the path of resurrection and progress, as Christians the world over celebrate this year’s Easter.

Osinbajo gave the assurance when he spoke with journalists shortly after the Easter Sunday Service at the Aso Villa Chapel, to mark this year’s Easter celebration.

According to him, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ implis that the country is moving out of its present challenges to a greater hope and peace.

He said, “the resurrection of Jesus Christ is also a strong and powerful message to the nation.

“The message is that, our nation is on the path of resurrection, it is on the path of progress, it is on the path of elevation.

“We are moving out from all our challenges and we are going to a place of greater hope, peace, prosperity and abundance for all of us.”

The Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo, who delivered a sermon on: “The Temporary Hour of Darkness”, also assured that “Nigeria is going to rise again”.

He said that the resurrection of Christ signified that darkness could only reign but for a while.

”Darkness only reigns for a while, no matter the problem we are facing, just as Jesus only laid in the grave for three days, all these will be over,” he said.

He called on all Nigerians to emulate the life of Jesus Christ who sacrificed his life for the salvation of mankind.

He said: “In terms of sacrifice, we have to emulate the life of Jesus Christ. He sacrificed for mankind. And we are liberated and celebrating because he paid the sacrifice.

“We are all called to do our role in giving that sacrifice that will bring the liberation and the greatness of our nation.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that various songs were rendered during the occasion to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. 

Easter Celebration: Nigeria on path of resurrection, progress – Osinbajo

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Tottenham all but condemn Chelsea to the hell of the Europa League

As Arsenal and Manchester United have discovered in recent seasons, the plight of a top team appears complete when the Champions League disappears

Tottenham all but condemn Chelsea to the hell of the Europa League

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Bestselling Nigerian Author covers TW Magazine's latest edition

Looking dazzling in green chiffon and flower embellishments, the bestselling author, looked the perfect combination of motherhood, career and passion.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is the cover star for TW Magazine‘s April 2018 Issue.

Looking dazzling in green chiffon and flower embellishments, the bestselling author, looked the perfect combination of motherhood, career and passion.

In this edition of TW Magazine, Adichie talks about family, sisterhood and true feminism.

 

While we await the release of the magazine, here are 10 of Adichie’s wisest sayings from her books, letters and speeches:

ALSO READ: "I want to be a mum" says Linda Ikeji as she covers TW Magazine

On Writing…

1. "My writing advice is read, read, read: you don’t have to like what you read but it demystifies writing."

2. "Write. Just write. Start. And read as much as you can. Read widely and read different things, and sometimes while immersed in the multitude voices of others, you just might find your own. "

3. "If you are finding the writing process tough, take a break and eat some chocolate."

On Gender…

4. “Of course I am not worried about intimidating men. The type of man who will be intimidated by me is exactly the type of man I have no interest in.”

5. “Show a people as one thing, only one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become.”

6. "Write television shows in which female strength is not depicted as remarkable but merely normal. Teach your students to see that vulnerability is a HUMAN rather than a FEMALE trait."

On Africa…

ALSO READ: Nigerian author named honouree American Academy of Arts and Letters

7 "If I were not African, I wonder whether it would be clear to me that Africa is a place where the people do not need limp gifts of fish but sturdy fishing rods and fair access to the pond. I wonder whether I would realize that while African nations have a failure of leadership, they also have dynamic people with agency and voices."

8. “I recently spoke at a university where a student told me it was such a shame that Nigerian men were physical abusers like the father character in my novel. I told him that I had recently read a novel called American Psycho, and that it was a shame that young Americans were serial murderers.”

9. "You have to do more than go there and adopt a child or show us pictures of children with flies in their eyes. That simplifies Africa."

10 “Because of writers like Chinua Achebe and Camara Laye … I realized that people like me, girls with skin the color of chocolate, whose kinky hair could not form ponytails, could also exist in literature.”

On Love

10. "Please do not twist yourself into shapes to please. Don’t do it. If someone likes that version of you, that version of you that is false and holds back, then they actually just like that twisted shape, and not you. And the world is such a gloriously multifaceted, diverse place that there are people in the world who will like you, the real you, as you are."

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Bestselling Nigerian Author covers TW Magazine's latest edition

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Wenger hails Aubameyang for Lacazette gesture

The Gunners boss was pleased by his striker’s decision to give up the chance at a hat-trick

Wenger hails Aubameyang for Lacazette gesture

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Easter Greetings: Pope Francis, Trump, world leaders deliver their messages

The Catholic leader called for peace while the U.S president delivered a faith-based message.

As Christians around the world celebrate Easter, Pope Francis, Donald Trump, and other world leaders join them by delivering heartfelt messages.

On April 1, 2018, the leader of the Roman Catholic church called for peace in his “Urbi et Orbi” Easter message, according to The Washington Post.

Speaking to about 80,000 faithfuls gathered at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pontiff called for the world to be free from war and conflict.

 

“Beginning with the beloved and long-suffering land of Syria,” the Pope said that the resurrection of Jesus offers hope in a world “marked by so many acts of injustice and violence,” including parts of Africa affected by “hunger, endemic conflicts, and terrorism.”

“It bears fruits of hope and dignity where there are deprivation and exclusion, hunger and unemployment; where there are migrants and refugees, so often rejected by today’s culture of waste, and victims of the drug trade, human trafficking and contemporary forms of slavery,” the pope said.

Pope Francis prayed for a “swift end” to war in Syria, and reconciliation in Israel, a place “experiencing in these days the wounds of ongoing conflict that do not spare the defenseless.”

For Asia, he pleaded with “those who are directly responsible act with wisdom and discernment to promote the good of the Korean people.”

Referring to the problems in Venezuela, he hoped for the leaders to “find a just, peaceful and humane way to surmount quickly the political and humanitarian crises that grip it.”

“May there be no lack of solidarity with all those forced to leave their native lands and lacking the bare essentials for living,” said Francis about South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

Donald Trump’s Easter message

The President of the United States of America delivered his season greetings on Friday morning.

On March 30, 2018, he honored the Jewish tradition of Passover and the Christian celebration of Easter.

“My fellow Americans, at this holy time of the year, families across our nation gather in homes, churches, and synagogues to light candles and to praise God,” he said.

To the Jews, Trump said the holiday is celebrated by families around the world who “give thanks to God for liberating the Jewish people from bondage in Egypt and delivering them to the promised land of Israel.”

Shifting to  Easter, “For Christians, we remember the suffering and death of God’s only son and his glorious resurrection on the third day,” Trump said. “On Easter Sunday, we proclaim with joy ‘Christ is risen.’”

The two holidays serve to “remind us that God’s love redeems the world,” he noted.

“In America, we look to the light of God to guide our steps. We trust in the power of the Almighty for wisdom and strength and we praise our Heavenly Father for the blessings of freedom and the gift of eternal life.

“Happy Passover, Happy Easter. Thank you, God bless you and God bless America,” Trump concluded.

 

Muhammadu Buhari’s Easter message

On Thursday, March 29, 2018, the president of Nigeria also called for peace in the nation.

He called on all Nigerians “to love our neighbors and display increased spirit of tolerance and accommodation.”

“While we enjoin law-abiding fellow compatriots to work for peace and social justice in our beloved country, let there be no doubt of our resolve to firmly resist others who may want to make cheap political capital out of current national security challenges,” he said.

President Buhari also talked about his administration saying, “More than ever before, we are ready to consolidate on these gains and ensure that we improve the lot of our communities in the years ahead.

“Thankfully, our Dapchi schoolgirls who were safely released recently after 30 agonizing days in the hands of their abductors, have been reunited with their families.”

Goodluck Jonathan’s Easter message

According to Vanguard, the former President of Nigeria issued a statement encouraging everyone to love and tolerate others.

“On this Easter Sunday, I urge all Nigerians to show love and tolerance for each other, especially for those God has seen fit to put in positions of influence.

“Leaders should imbibe the qualities of our Lord and Saviour, whose resurrection we celebrate. “Even though He was heavily reviled and criticized, He never retaliated and even prayed for those who reviled Him. Nigerians ARE NOT ANIMALS.

“Together, we are perhaps some of the most decent, Godly and accommodating people on God’s earth. We must never forget that. “He is risen and Nigeria will also rise. Happy Easter Sunday,” his statement read.

Easter Greetings: Pope Francis, Trump, world leaders deliver their messages

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Lovren ignoring critics at Liverpool after Klopp claim he can be world's best

The Reds defender has come under fire at times this season, but he retains the full support of his manager and is learning to believe in himself more

Lovren ignoring critics at Liverpool after Klopp claim he can be world's best

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No Nigerian listed as FIFA names 16 African referees for World Cup

No Nigerian referee was listed when FIFA released the list of referees that will officiate at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Read Also: 2018 FIFA World Cup: Uzoho’ll be first-choice ‘keeper- Rohr

The FIFA Referees Committee selected 36 referees and 63 assistant referees, representing 46 different countries.

Read Also: FIFA’s Infantino promises “fair, transparent” 2026 bidding process

FIFA chose sixteen referees from Africa which comprises of six centre referees and ten assistant referees.

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the selected match officials will operate in a variety of roles, e.g. referees, assistant referees, fourth officials, reserve assistant referees and video match officials.

The 6 African referees

Abid Charef Mehdi (Algeria)
Diedhiou Malang (Senegal)
Gassama Bakary Papa (Gambia)
Grisha Ghead (Egypt)
Sikazwe Janny (Zambia)
Tessema Weyesa Bamlak (Ethiopia)

The 10 African assistant-referees 
Achik Redouane (Morocco)
Ahmed Waleed (Sudan)
Birumushahu Jean-Claude (Burundi)
Camara Djibril (Senegal)
Dos Santos Jerson Emiliano (Angola)
Etchiali Abdelhak (Algeria)
Hmila Anouar (Tunisia)
Range Marwa (Kenya)
Samba El Hadji Malick (Senegal)
Siwela Zakhele Thusi (South Africa)

The post No Nigerian listed as FIFA names 16 African referees for World Cup appeared first on Vanguard News.

No Nigerian listed as FIFA names 16 African referees for World Cup

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Easter 2018: What does this day mean to Christians?

Find out the true meaning of this significant day.

To some people, Easter is a public holiday period that comes with lots of rice and chicken. But, to Christians, this season, today, in particular, holds a totally different meaning.

For believers, this day is all about Jesus Christ, a day set aside for the commemoration of His resurrection. His gift to humanity.

On this day, we unite to celebrate Christ’s victory over death giving us access to eternal life.

 

We celebrate the foundation of our faith because we know that without His death and ultimately, resurrection, we have no Christianity and no eternal life.

Thanks to this sacrifice, the penalty for our sins, which is death, has been paid. So, we rejoice as we honor the Son of God who laid His life for us.

For these reasons, Easter, Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, will always be a special period to for Christians.

ALSO READ: 5 important Bible verses about resurrection of Jesus Christ

History of Christian Easter

The first celebration of Easter can be traced to 154 or 155, according to "A History of The Christian Church," when Polycarp (the bishop of Smyrna) visited Anicetus (the bishop of Rome).

The two met to figure out when Easter should be observed. Sadly, the two bishops were unable to decide on a date, leaving their followers to do what their leaders.

Polycarp observed Easter with a vigil, ending with the Lord’s Supper, while Anicetus had an Easter feast on Sundays.

 

Eventually, a date was set in 314 by the council of Nicaea. The council ordered that “the great event of the year was the Easter season. The period immediately before was one of fasting in commemoration of Christ’s sufferings. Customs differed in various parts of the empire.

“In Rome, a forty hours’ fast and vigil was held in remembrance of Christ’s rest in the grave. This was extended, by the time of the Council of Nicaea to a forty days’ Lent. All fasting ended with the dawn of Easter morning, and the Pentecostal period of rejoicing then began.

“In that time there was no fasting or kneeling in prayer in public worship. Easter Eve was the favorite season for baptism, that the newly initiate might participate in the Easter joy.”

Easter was made official in the third century in the Christian church.

Easter 2018: What does this day mean to Christians?

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Man Utd & Barcelona target Rabiot fuels transfer talk with non-committal comment on PSG future

The France international midfielder is being linked with a summer switch and admits that he is unable to specify where he will be playing next season

Man Utd & Barcelona target Rabiot fuels transfer talk with non-committal comment on PSG future

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Politics: Sessions in the limelight, Trump's legal troubles, and a Russian oligarch in New Jersey — what you may have missed in the Mueller probe this week

President Donald Trump received a handful of rejections from lawyers asked to join his legal team and Robert Mueller probed Trump's contacts with Russians.

President Donald Trump's legal woes continued this week as a handful of prominent attorneys rejected offers to represent him amid special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

Ted Olson, who served as President George W. Bush's solicitor general, explained his reasoning for declining Trump's offer during an interview Monday on MSNBC.

"I think everybody would agree: This is turmoil. It's chaos. It's confusion. It's not good for anything," Olson said. "We always believe that there should be an orderly process — and of course government is not clean or orderly ever — but this seems to be beyond normal."

Despite the rejections, Trump boosted his legal defense team with a little-know lawyer named Andrew Ekonomou, who will take on a more prominent role in communicating with Mueller's office following the resignation of former lead defense attorney John Dowd.

Here's what else you may have missed this week in the Russia investigation:

• Dowd considers controversial pardons: The New York Times reported that before Dowd left Trump's legal defense, he floated the idea of pardoning former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, two of the most critical figures in the Russia investigation at the height of the inquiry. Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators in December and Manafort has pleaded not guilty to dozens of other charges.
• Mueller makes a connection: In a late-night news dump on Tuesday, Mueller's office revealed in documents related to the sentencing of Alex van der Zwaan, a dutch lawyer, that former Trump campaign deputy chairman Rick Gates had been aware that he was communicating with an individual linked to Russian intelligence before the 2016 US election. Mueller's office said the two communicated in September and October 2016 and that their relationship was "pertinent to the investigation."
• Mueller goes after bigger fish: The day after the Gates revelation, CNN reported that Mueller's team wanted to know what Gates knew about the central question in the Russia investigation: the Trump campaign's contacts with Russia during the 2016 US election. Mueller's interest in questioning Gates about Trump is a sign that he may be going after bigger targets.
• DOJ watchdog will investigate corruption: In response to requests from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and members of Congress, the Justice Department's internal watchdog agreed to investigate the FBI's and DOJ's application for a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrant to monitor Carter Page, a former Trump campaign adviser. Republicans have accused FBI and DOJ officials of abusing the FISA application process in an effort to hurt the Trump campaign.
• Sessions featured in Time Magazine: In a cover story for Time magazine featuring the AG, Sessions said he thought he did the right thing when he recused himself from the Russia investigation, adding, "I don't think the attorney general can ask everybody else in the department to follow the rules if the attorney general doesn't follow them."
• Mueller subpoenas a significant figure: Investigators questioned Ted Malloch, a controversial academic with ties to Republican strategist Roger Stone and Brexit leader Nigel Farage. In an interview with Business Insider, Stone said that he recalled meeting Malloch on two occassions, but that they never discussed Julian Assange, Wikileaks, or Russia.
• A Russian oligarch touched down in New Jersey: A private jet belonging to Oleg Deripaska arrived in the US in August 2016, shortly after a meeting between Paul Manafort and a mysterious Russian operative named Konstantin Kilimnik, who has now at the center of the Russia controversy. Mueller has reportedly been examining the relationship between Manafort, Kilimnik, and Deripaska as he pieces together a timeline of events.
• The Republicans' 2016 National Convention is under scrutiny: Mueller's team is reportedly investigating events surrounding the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in July 2016. Sessions is believed to be a subject of the inquiry due to his conversations at the time with then-Russian ambassador to the US Sergei Kislyak.
• More than $500,ooo raised for Andrew McCabe: Friends of former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for his legal defenses as he gears up to fight charges that he lied to investigators about leaking information to the press. In less than 24 hours, the fund soared past its $150,000 goal to around $400,000. As of Sunday, it had raised more than $520,000.

Sonam Sheth, Bryan Logan, and Michal Kranz contributed to this report.

Politics: Sessions in the limelight, Trump's legal troubles, and a Russian oligarch in New Jersey — what you may have missed in the Mueller probe this week

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'Everyone wanted to avoid Liverpool' – Bayern star Hummels admits to Champions League fear of Klopp's men

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'Everyone wanted to avoid Liverpool' – Bayern star Hummels admits to Champions League fear of Klopp's men

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Finance: The average wedding cost in America is $33,391 — but here's where Americans spend way more than that

The average wedding cost in the US is $33,391, but Americans spend more in some places. Here's where the average wedding cost exceeds the national average.

• The average wedding cost in the US is $33,391.
• But the average cost of a wedding varies widely depending on where you live.
• Couples in New York City spend the most at $76,944, while couples in New Mexico spend the least at $17,584.

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Americans spend, on average, $33,391 on their weddings, according to The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study. And that's not even including the amount they spend on an engagement ring.

The cost of a wedding depends on a wide variety of factors, including the amount of guests, the ceremony site, the time of year, the decor, and of course, the city that you decide to host the wedding in.

While there's a current trend in hosting fewer guests, the average cost per guest is increasing, due to couples wanting to create a unique and memorable experience for all those involved, The Knot found.

The tradition of the bride's family paying for the wedding isn't rapidly changing. "On average, the bride's parents contribute 45% (56% for high spenders) of the overall wedding budget; the bride and groom contribute 41% (28% for high spenders); and the groom's parents contribute 13% (15% for high spenders)," says the study.

In some places across the US, the average wedding cost is much lower than the national average. In New Mexico, for example, the average wedding cost is almost half the national average at $17,584. But some places spend much more.

The Knot's 2017 Real Weddings Study looked into which cities and regions across Americans are shelling out the most cash for their big day. Below, see the top 25 places where the average wedding cost is higher than the national average.

25. Illinois – Chicago Suburbs: $34,675

24. California – San Diego: $34,722

23. Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh/Southwest: $34,928

22. Michigan – Detroit: $35,843

21. Maryland – Baltimore: $36,305

20. California – Orange County/Inland Empire: $37,050

19. California – Santa Barbara/Ventura: $38,025

18. Hawaii: $38,984

17. California – San Francisco/Greater Bay Area: $39,329

16. DC — Washington DC/Northern Virginia/Suburban Maryland: $39,465

15. New Jersey – South: $40,231

14. Florida – South: $40,634

13. Massachusetts – Boston: $40,667

12. Louisiana – New Orleans: $41,167

11. California – Los Angeles: $44,142

10. Pennsylvania — Philadelphia/Delaware: $46,211

9. New York City – Boroughs outside of Manhattan: $46,808

8. Connecticut: $47,435

7. Illinois – Chicago: $52,332

6. Rhode Island: $52,777

5. Massachusetts – Cape Cod: $55,083

4. New York – Westchester/Hudson Valley: $55,357

3. New York – Long Island: $61,113

2. New Jersey – North/Central: $62,074

1. New York – Manhattan: $76,944

Finance: The average wedding cost in America is ,391 — but here's where Americans spend way more than that

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LIVE: Arsenal vs Stoke City

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Tattoos: Why would anyone ink a celebrity's face on their skin?

As tattoos are becoming more common, so are people getting ill-advised sketches of Wizkid and Davido on their chests.

As a mode of expression or a form of art, tattoos can be cool. However, the subject of the tattoo can vary between inspired to just downright disturbing, and there are few of this that is as confounding as getting a full-back tattoo of your favourite celebrity.

Celebrities all around the world enjoy the endless support of teens and hundreds of thousands of fans, sometimes that number can run into the millions. In Nigeria, musicians like Wizkid and Davido are the cream of this crop.

Fans express their adulation for these stars in different ways. We can remember videos of young women weeping profusely or men shouting beyond the capacity of their vocal cords at the site of either of these diminutive stars.

For others, all of this is too mainstream. So they go the extra mile (or a couple of kilometres, depending on where the parlour is), to get tattoos of their favourite celebrities.

ALSO READ: Woman gets tattoo of Davido's face between her breasts

Last year, many of these questionable decisions made the news on the internet of things. One that stood out was the instance of a young lady who got a tattoo of Wizkid, complete with 'Starboy' written in a coloured backdrop, that covered her entire back.

 

It’s all safe and healthy to see your body as a canvas and treat it accordingly, but what must you be thinking to have your body covered in a tattoo of a musician whose loyalty is to a generic class of people he’s comfortable referring to as “my fans”?

The answer is that most people who get tattoos in this generation draw from very few sources.

Nigerian tattoo culture is relatively new

While Nigerians and Africans in general, had been getting tattoos for centuries, they were mostly for more esoteric purposes than mere fashion or expression.

Before the 2000s, you would have been hard-pressed to find any common Nigerian with a visible tattoo.

Although many alternative cultures had seeped into the mainstream at the time, tattoos were on the back foot and the morally conservative outlook of our society did nothing to help.

When tattoos did become a thing eventually, they were inspired by the people who already had tattoos: foreign celebrities.

In the western world, tattoos evolved through different phases.

 

At a time, only gang members and sailors got tattoos. Over time, they became a part of prison culture, where prisoners would get inked to reflect their affiliations and experiences.

Young people then began to get tattoos as a sign of rebellion. At this time, there were no machines of the kind we have now, so the extent of the pain and the permanence of the ink was a way of establishing their independence and the right to make their own choices.

ALSO READ: Do you know getting inked can give you skin cancer?

Nowadays, tattoo culture is dictated by celebrities.

According to one tattoo artist in the UK, “If you see a celebrity on TV with lots of visible tattooing, chances are we’ll get an email the next day saying 'I like this idea"

A celebrity’s tattoos might be enough inspiration to get similar work done but getting an actual tattoo of the person’s face is on another level.

It's all love in the end… or is it?

Most of these people get these tattoos because they want to express their love for their favourite celebrities as elaborately as possible. As simple as this sounds, it is easy to see why such a complicated issue is so basic.

In a country with few paragons of influence or role models, if you will, many young people look up to their favourite musicians as a level to aspire to.

They listen out for their songs with feverish anticipation, defend their lyrics (or the lack of them) fiercely and fight rival fans with facts, figures and insults.

We cannot discount the effect that these celebrities had in giving body art a more acceptable image.

But the leap from getting tattoos inspired by celebrities to getting tattoos of celebrities is a big leap that only they are responsible for.

 

When instances of these tattoos surface on the internet, it is easy to believe the outrage is directed at the tattoos themselves, when in fact the issue is that there is an image of Davido drawn on the breasts of someone’s daughter.

A fair number of these tattoos come across as spontaneous, ill-advised decisions, and what makes it worse is that they are drawn with the skill of a 2-year old kid playing with crayons and white paper.

One wonders of these guys really consider the long-term effects of getting this sort of ink.

The pop stars who they so adore are human beings when it’s all said and done; some of them may be outed in the future for activities and practices so distasteful that it will incite a plunge from grace.

Others will struggle to maintain their prominence and will be relegated to relative obscurity.

Celebrities have highs and lows but the people who have tattoos of them will carry those inked testaments forever, or at least until they can afford laser surgery.

Tattoos: Why would anyone ink a celebrity's face on their skin?

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