Isoko Group Protests Delta 2018 Budget, Passes Vote Of No Confidence On Representatives

Isoko Brains Initiative, IBI, a good governance group, has protested against what it described as gross marginalization and deliberate shortchange of the Isoko nation in the Delta state 2018 budget.

The group also passed a Vote of No Confidence on their representatives in the State House of Assembly, Johnson Erijo, Orezi Esievo and Tim Owhefere, saying they have failed them.

In a communiqué issued by the Group, shortly after its enlarged emergency meeting on Tuesday evening in Asaba, faulted the budget and what was allocated to the Isoko nation by the State Executive, adding that the budget allocation is a deliberate and inhuman shortchange of the Isoko nation.

According to the communiqué signed by the group’s President, Urude Bartholomew and Secretary General, Celestine Ureigho, and made available to journalists, “it is a pitiable situation for Isoko nation despite her contributions to the nation’s economy and overwhelmed support for Governor Okowa in the 2015 election, only to turn around and stabbed us at the back.

“Out of a capital budget of N161,614,568,997 in the Delta state 2018 budget passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Okowa, what Isoko nation could get as a whole was a meagre N4,571,000,000 which is below 1 percent. “The Isoko nation hereby rejects the budget in its entirety because it does not reflect our interest in any way. It is a pity Isoko stooges in the Okowa-led administration could not do anything when the broad daylight robbery was taking place.

“In the Delta state capital budget of N161,614,568,997, Isoko nation got as follows: Construction of Ozoro Market – N350m, Community roads, Iyede – N180m, Oteri Iyede road -N80m, Otor Owhe Internal roads – N250m, Aradhe -Ellu Old road – N60m, Oleh/Emede road -N280m, Emede township road -N500m, Oleh township road – N50m, Interlocking of Old Uzere Road, Emede N50m, Construction of Umeh road – N300m, Okpare Aviara road – N150m, Erowah road – N47m and Ikpide-Irri Internal roads – N350m which is below 2.8 per cent of the total budget.”

The Group, while lamenting what it called the continued shortchange of the Isoko nation by the Okowa-led administration since inception, enjoined all Isoko sons and daughters to use their permanent voters’ cards, PVCs, to do needful and vote only those who will have the interest of the Isoko nation at heart

 “Can you imagine that ordinary mere Market is rated N350 million while road construction is rated N50 million in the case of Oleh township road and Erowah road in the budget,” they lamented.

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Isoko Group Protests Delta 2018 Budget, Passes Vote Of No Confidence On Representatives

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Tech: San Francisco's housing market is so dire, people need to make over $300,000 a year to afford the typical home

The household income now required to buy a median-priced home in San Francisco is now $303,000, according to a report from Paragon Real Estate.

• The household income required to buy a typical home in San Francisco is now $303,000, according to a report from Paragon Real Estate.
• Only 12% of households in the city can afford the median-priced home.
• The high cost of living is making it harder for tech companies and non-profit organizations to recruit and retain employees in San Francisco.

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Being part of San Francisco's middle class doesn't mean you can afford middle-class living.

A new report from Paragon Real Estate reveals that the household income now required to buy a median-priced home in San Francisco reached an all-time-high of $303,000 in December.

That means a person who wants to buy property in the city needs a mid-six-figure salary in order to afford the 20% down payment on a $1.5 million home — the median sale price of a single-family home in San Francisco last quarter.

According to Paragon Real Estate, only 12% of households in San Francisco can afford it.

Patrick Carlisle, the chief market analyst at Paragon who worked on the report, has said low housing affordability is the greatest economic and social issue issue facing the Bay Area.

San Francisco, one of the epicenters of the tech industry, does not have enough dwellings to house all of its workers. Tech companies frequently locate their campuses in areas without much nearby housing, and tech workers often use their high salaries and stock options to bid up home prices.

Even tech workers can't afford to live in the Bay Area

The report was unsurprising but still unsettling for Bay Area residents.

Katherine Maher, executive director of the Wikimedia Foundation, wrote on Twitter, "As a non-profit employer, I cannot see how we reconcile this with a future for our organization in San Francisco."

The non-profit was founded in St. Petersburg, Florida, and moved to San Francisco in 2008. Maher said that fewer than two-thirds of Wikimedia Foundation's staff work out of the city office. The organization has embraced remote work and seen "tremendous benefits."

Maher said the findings of the Paragon Real Estate report are "nonsensical" to the group's staff and donors, and the high cost of living hurts their ability to recruit and retain employees.

"Our local employees, particularly the younger ones, struggle to make ends meet. They leave when they start families. How can we be an equitable employer when only those who can afford to work for us, do?" Maher said on Twitter.

Mike Rosenberg, a reporter with the Seattle Times who previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News, responded to the report with some free advice for millennial homebuyers.

"You'd need to avoid eating 33,600 avocado toasts a year to generate $303,000," he said.

Tech: San Francisco's housing market is so dire, people need to make over 0,000 a year to afford the typical home

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Strategy: A woman who’s worked in venture capital for 25 years shares her best career advice — and why it was worth being the first and only woman on her team when she started out

Throughout Wende Hutton's career, she's brought her children to board meetings, coexisted with a "band of brothers," and mentored future female leaders.

• Wende Hutton has been a venture capitalist for 25 years.
• Throughout her career investing in early-stage biotech companies, she's brought her children to board meetings, coexisted with a "band of brothers," and mentored future female leaders.
• Hutton shares her career advice with Business Insider, which includes staying curious, and avoiding making investing a solo sport.

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It's rare to find women in venture capital. And it's even rarer to find women who've been in the business for more than two decades.

Such is the case of 25-year veteran Wende Hutton, a general partner at Canaan Partners, an early stage firm that manages $5 billion.

Hutton's career in venture started when she joined Mayfield Fund after working at biotech startups. At Mayfield, she was the first and only woman on the team.

"It was a very different environment when I started out at Mayfield Fund. I joined the band of brothers, most of them had been fraternity brothers, they had been business school classmates, or they had worked together at Hewlett Packard," Hutton said. "They had a very strong bond. It was a very collegial, close group."

She came from a much different background from her male counterparts. Getting them to understand why she, as a mother of two young children whose husband was a CEO, wanted to continue working and balance her job with her life was a challenge.

On occasion, Hutton even traveled to board meetings with her children in an attempt to meet her responsibilities to her family and her job, she said. "My son is now a CEO," Hutton said. She left to join Canaan in 2004.

At Canaan, she's able to have different conversations about work-life balance with the women in her office, like principal Colleen Cuffaro. Cuffaro, who recently had a child, said that while she has male mentors in addition to Hutton, having Hutton to chat with about parenthood even before her pregnancy was helpful.

"It's nice to be able to talk to someone in the exact career path I'm on," Cuffaro said. "She's been always able to show that human side of herself to me, which as a woman, as a new mom, means the world to me."

An emotional stake in investments

One of the aspects Cuffaro admires in her mentor is that Hutton isn't afraid to make an emotional connection to an investment. For example, Hutton invested in Labrys Biologics, a company developing migraine treatments that later got acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals for up to $285 million. While the treatment is facing some delays, it's one of a handful seeking to find a preventive therapy for migraines.

While in the process of evaluating Labrys, Hutton had to check herself, to make sure she wasn't just excited about the company because she knew family members with chronic migraines.

"I had to check my personal passion to make sure the market opportunity was significant," Hutton said. Of the estimated 38 million Americans with migraines, 15 million of them might be eligible for preventive treatment.

Admitting that personal connection isn't necessarily something all investors are comfortable with, Cuffaro said. "I think some people would be afraid to admit that they are driven by those kinds of factors," she said.

Others Hutton's worked with have picked up on that connection to her investments as well.

"Wende could be running a consumer products company if that's what she wanted to do," Steve James, CEO of Pionyr Therapeutics, who has worked with Hutton on a number of companies including Antiva Biosciences, told Business Insider. "However I think people who are interested in innovative science, interested in healthcare, interested in developing new drugs for rare or difficult diseases, they gravitate toward the mantra of 'Do well by doing good.'"

For those looking to make a career investing in biotech, Hutton has a few pieces of advice she's learned over her 25-year career. The first: "Don't make it a solo sport," she said. Especially when it comes to new drug development, it can be helpful to pool expertise from others to vet a potential investment.

The other piece: "I think you have to have a very curious nature," Hutton said. Working with new biotech startups is accompanied by a whole lot of learning, from legal systems around intellectual property to how to get the drug eventually paid for. "You have to love all aspects of learning."

Strategy: A woman who’s worked in venture capital for 25 years shares her best career advice — and why it was worth being the first and only woman on her team when she started out

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Lalong appoints 19 commissioners

Barely two weeks after he dissolved the state executive council, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau on Wednesday forwarded 19 names to the House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners. Among those nominated is Dan Majang, Special Adviser to the governor on media and publicity. Others are Bulus Bot, Ezekiel Daju, Anna Izam, Sylvester Wallangko, Pam […]

Lalong appoints 19 commissioners

Lalong appoints 19 commissioners

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Trump Mourns Evangelist Billy Graham, Says ‘There Was Nobody Like Him’

U.S. President Donald Trump is mourning Billy Graham as “a very special man,” after the famed preacher’s death at 99.

“The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions,” Trump tweeted.

Vice President Mike Pence offered condolences to the Graham family, saying that the evangelist’s “matchless voice changed the lives of millions.”

“We mourn his passing but I know with absolute certainty that today he heard those words, ‘well done, good and faithful servant,’” Pence tweeted.

Graham was nicknamed “God’s machine gun,” and he did not find it offensive at all.

On the contrary, the U.S. televangelist with a rapid-fire delivery and booming voice always wanted to be considered a fighter, a soul-catcher.

With his so-called “crusades” alone, the former Baptist pastor reached a worldwide audience of 215 million people in person, and countless found their faith through him.

In spite of his conservative positions on morals, he was considered for decades the “pope” of US protestants and was by far the leading mass evangelist of the 20th century.

His “matchless voice changed the lives of millions,” U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said in remembrance.

When he bid farewell to his supporters in 2005, in a three-day mass show in New York with a cumulative audience of over 230,000 people, he said he was happy to be seeing God’s face soon.

Graham’s impact rests on a simple message delivered to the public for six decades: “Jesus loves you. Let him into your life and your sins will be forgiven.”

With brilliant rhetoric, simple words and clear examples from everyday life, he adapted this message for all walks of life.

He renounced racial segregation early on, saying there was basis for it in the bible, while railing against communism and what he saw as the widespread decline of values.

In post-war times, he supported the hunt for communists of the McCarthy era, and later the US waging of the Vietnam War. In the 1980s he increasingly gave up on addressing political issues and focused on what one critic called a “soft-focus” fundamentalism.

Graham was at the centre of a scandal in 2002, when a home recording of a dialogue between him and then US president Richard Nixon in 1972 was made public.

The preacher, one of the the country’s great moral institutions, spoke of an alleged Jewish “stranglehold” of the media that had “got to be broken.”

Graham later apologised for these comments, which he said he did not remember having made.

The influential pastor was socially conservative but presented himself as non-partisan, serving as an advisor and confessor for other presidents besides Nixon, including Democrat Lyndon Johnson, and Republicans Gerald Ford and George H W Bush.

He was reported to have helped president George W Bush overcome alcohol abuse in the 1980s, through faith.

Born in 1918, the son of a humble Presbyterian North Carolina farmer, Graham was himself converted by a travelling evangelist when he was 16.

After being trained as a pastor, he launched his work in “awakening” and achieved notoriety with his first religious “crusades” in 1949: an event in Los Angeles, originally planned to last for three weeks, ran for over eight weeks because the marquee was packed full everyday.

He continued to rise from there, with the not-negligible help of conservative publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst.

In 1950 he founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which his son Franklin now runs.

For over 50 years, his radio programme Hour of Decision was broadcast every Sunday by more than 700 radio stations around the world.

There were also television programmes, films, daily newspaper columns, more than 30 books, and above all evangelization around the world, having held hundreds of “crusades” around the world.

He travelled to Germany five times, and kicked off in 1993 the massive ProChrist project broadcast by satellite to over a thousand points around Europe on nearly an annual basis since then.

“My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ,” Graham once said.

His personal integrity helped him win over his supporters.

He lived with his wife Ruth for over 60 years until her death in 2007.

He has three daughters, two sons, 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Time magazine put Graham in the list of the 100 most important personalities of the 20th century.

“If there is an indigenous American religion – and I think there is, quite distinct from European Protestantism – then Graham remains its prime emblem,” said powerful US cultural critic Harold Bloom.

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Trump Mourns Evangelist Billy Graham, Says ‘There Was Nobody Like Him’

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Tech: YouTube and Facebook are promoting conspiracy theory videos that the far-right has used to claim one of the Florida school shooting survivors is a paid actor (GOOG)

Far-right outlets have said the video is proof the teenager is a paid actor.

• YouTube promoted a conspiracy theory video that claims one of the Florida school shooting survivors is a paid actor.
• The video was first in the site's list of trending videos Wednesday morning.
• YouTube continues to struggle with people gaming the site to promote fake news.

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A video that claims to show evidence that one of the survivors of the school shooting in Florida last week is a paid actor was promoted by YouTube as the top video in the site's trending section on Wednesday morning. The video was removed from the trending section later in the morning after several news stories and tweets about it started to spread.

The video shows a local news clip featuring David Hogg, one of the shooting survivors who has made several news appearances over the last few days calling for gun control. The segment comes from a CBS Los Angeles local newscast from last summer that shows Hogg telling a reporter how he got into an argument with a lifeguard. Conspiracy theorists say the clip is proof that Hogg shows up in media appearances as a paid actor.

Searching for Hogg's name on YouTube also brought up a large number of conspiracy videos as the top results.

Hogg has become a central figure in a the far-right's effort to discredit the survivors of last week's shooting as they call for tighter gun control laws.

The problem spread on Facebook too. Hogg was one of the top topics in Facebook's "Trending" module Wednesday morning. Clicking his name brought up several videos promoting the conspiracy that he's a paid actor.

YouTube has failed to weed out fake news and conspiracy theories from its trending sections, search results, and other corners of the site that are promoted through algorithms in the wake of several major news events over the last several months. It happened with the mass shooting in Las Vegas last fall. It happened with the Amtrak crash involving Republican members of Congress. It happened too many times to count.

YouTube has said it made changes to its search algorithms to make sure it promotes news videos from "trusted" sources. The company has also said it plans to hire thousands of human content moderators to make sure videos comply with its policies. So far, those efforts haven't solved the problem.

It's possible the video squeaked by YouTube's algorithm because its title frames the clip as going "viral" as the far-right hoax spreads. That tactic has been used in the past to skirt YouTube's content moderation rules, like when several people reposted YouTube star Logan Paul's video that showed a suicide victim last month. But watching the video provides no further context. It's just the local news segment. The subtitle for the video is "DAVID HOGG THE ACTOR…."

The video had more than 200,000 views Wednesday morning. YouTube representatives did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Tech: YouTube and Facebook are promoting conspiracy theory videos that the far-right has used to claim one of the Florida school shooting survivors is a paid actor (GOOG)

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Akeredolu to open rural communities with 500km access roads

Event Planning: Ever thought of becoming a professional planner? Here's how

Professional event planners work closely with their clients to determine the purpose and scope of the event.

Event planners are the miracle workers of events. They bring possibility to that which seems impossible.

Too numerous are the ones that like to claim for themselves the title- "Event planner." But in reality, they know very little about planning an event.

Their lack of awareness lends invitation to disarray; making an event totally different from what it should have been if it was coordinated by a professional event planner.  

Just think of any flopped function you have attended before; I mean an event characterized by disorganization and complaints.

Now try find out the person behind the stage, you'll see that he/she is an acclaimed event planner: One of those proud agents of disarrangement.  

Who is a professional event planner?

A professional event planner is a person that brings life and sway to an event. And this is made possible because a professional events planner knows what planning an event entails.

So if you really want to become an event planner, not just an event planner but a professional, then it is important for you to  know what every professional event planner knows.

What is event planning?

Event planning can be defined as the process of managing a function such as a meeting, convention, trade show, ceremony, party, e.t.c.

 

It also includes budgeting, establishing timeliness, selecting and reserving the event sites, acquiring permits, planning food, coordinating transportation, developing a theme, arranging for activities, selecting speakers and keynotes, arranging for equipment and facilities, managing risk, and developing contingency plans.

What do I need to become a professional event planner?

1. Education

Although having a degree in event planning is not a criteria for becoming a professional event planner, still, it is a good idea because it makes it possible for you to have a solid foundation in terms of knowledge.

2. Experience

Experience is golden and everyone knows this; so whether an event planner has a college degree or not many clients expect to see event planning experience on a resume. Even an amateur event planner can boast of one or two years of experience. Professionalism evolves with time, it grows with experience.

3. Passion

Passion is like a fire…it burns. It is more like a duty for every professional event planner to possess this fire, because it what you need  the to succeed.

 

What are the duties of a professional event planner

1. Before Event

Professional event planners work closely with their clients to determine the purpose and scope of the event. The client establishes the time, location and budget.

And working under these parameters, the event planner seeks bids from local meetings and providers. An example of such service provider is a catering service

2. During Event

The event planner supervises setup for the event, which includes the use of equipments while the event progresses. The planner also strives to meet the needs of his host and guest in other to make every aspect of the event successful.

3. After Event

Inspection, accountability and cleanup.

 

What skills should a professional event Planner have?

• Tolerance

• Multitasking

• Negotiation skill

• Visionary

• Creativity

How to become a successful professional event planner:

1. Develop event Goal and Objective

2. Organize a planning team

3. Set a Date (Give yourself enough time)

4. Create an event  master Plan

5. Determine Administrative Process

6. Create a Publicity Plan

7. Establish a Budget

8. Determine Evaluation Process

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that it is the duty of every professional planner to ensure the event stays on schedule.

The planner should also ensure that featured speakers or performers are prepared and cued.

ALSO READ: Laolu Senbanjo unveils artworks inspired by movie

 

 

 

Event Planning: Ever thought of becoming a professional planner? Here's how

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Scores Injured In Kwara Communal Crisis

Clashes erupted again over land between Offa and Ijagbo communities in Kwara early on Wednesday, forcing people residing in border areas of the communities to flee.

Residents, who witnessed the clashes, said in Omu-Aran, Kwara that the crisis started at around 6.00 a.m.

They said that trouble broke out, following disagreements over an age-long land dispute between families from the two communities.

A family from one of the warring parties was alleged to have made efforts to develop the disputed land when pandemonium broke out.

Schools, homes and shops were hurriedly shut as sporadic gun fire rented the air.

Vehicular movement and business activities were also suspended and a barricade was raised on the major road linking the two communities.

Scores of residents in the two warring communities were also said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries as a result of the problem.

An unconfirmed report said that one person was shot dead during the incident.

Motorists going to Osogbo from Ilorin at Ajase-Ipo were forced to divert because of the crisis.

An eye-witness told NAN that a section of the Offa Central Hotel was torched and a motorcycle and a car were vandalised.

Security operatives from the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the navy were quickly deployed to the communities to ensure peace.

The Divisional Officer of the NSCDC in Offa, Mr Sunday Salami, said that the command was doing its best to bring the crisis under control.

“As I am talking to you, the major roads are still barricaded from both ends.

“Our men have been mobilised and are moving round with other security men in ensuring that law and order is restored,” he said.

Salami said, however, that the command was yet to make any arrest relating to the incident, noting that the immediate cause of the crisis was being investigated.

The Kwara government in a statement, vowed to deal decisively with perpetrators of the latest violence.

In the statement, signed by Mr Abdulwahab Oba, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed, the government expressed its concern over the incessant crisis in the area.

It directed security agencies in the state to strive toward ensuring the arrest of people behind the crisis with a view to restoring law and order.

The post Scores Injured In Kwara Communal Crisis appeared first on Independent Newspapers Nigeria.

Scores Injured In Kwara Communal Crisis

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Anambra Assembly set to regulate gaming industry

The Anambra House of Assembly is set to look into the gaming industry with a view to making it healthier and safer for residents.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication Strategy,  Mr Kinsley  Iruba made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Wednesday.

Irua said that the committee was charged with legislation on the gaming industry that would enhance better living for all residents.

“We will look into operations of the gaming industry in the state and come up with a legislation that will make it beneficial to residents,” he said.

He said that the legislators would ensure that qualitative legislation was done and implemented to the greater benefit and development of the state and the people in general.

Iruba (APGA) representing Nnewi South 1 Constituency said that the need to checkmate gaming industry was apt so as to harmonise issuing of licences, revocation or proscription.

The lawmaker said that the industry needed a legal backing and boards manning its affairs so as to ensure that under aged children were not allowed to engage in activities detrimental to their development.

He disclosed that the bill for a Law to provide for regulation, promotion and control of all gaming activities and to establish a gaming board and other related matters has been referred to his committee.

Iruba said that the issue would be religiously looked into, considering its benefits to the state in revenue collection and its negative effects on the growing children must be totally considered.

He decried the level at which Bet Naja, casino, and other gaming hubs are thriving in the state adding that their activities needed to be properly monitored by a board that would either proscribe or revoke Licenses of any erring operator .

Iruba commended the sponsor of the motion, Mr Victor Okoye and Majority leader of the assembly for initiating such a sensitive motion.

He said that the gaming industry had created jobs for some unemployed youths and created a sort of recreation to the people as well as revenue to the state  but its operations must be balanced for safety of the generality of the people.

Iruba pledged that the lawmakers in the Anambra sixth assembly were bent on giving qualitative legislation and representation to the state and their constituents.

NAN

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Anambra Assembly set to regulate gaming industry

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Saraki’s CCT Trial: Supreme Court berates FG lawyer over incompetent applications

The Supreme Court on Wednesday berated the federal government counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) for filing an incompetent application in the appeal that emanated from false assets declaration suit brought against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Saraki by the government. The Counsel in a trinity application before the Apex Court challenging the ruling of the […]

Saraki’s CCT Trial: Supreme Court berates FG lawyer over incompetent applications

Saraki’s CCT Trial: Supreme Court berates FG lawyer over incompetent applications

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Despite 'pervasive corruption' UK eager for more business with Nigeria

Despite ‘pervasive corruption’ UK eager for more business with Nigeria  Ripples Nigeria Full coverage

Despite 'pervasive corruption' UK eager for more business with Nigeria

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Trump mourns evangelist Billy Graham: 'There was nobody like him'

Trump mourns evangelist Billy Graham: ‘There was nobody like him’  Vanguard Billy Graham: The evangelist pastor’s life in pictures  NBCNews.com Was Billy Graham really friends with Queen Elizabeth, like depicted in ‘The Crown’?  USA TODAY Billy Graham was on the wrong side of history  The Guardian Leaders respond with admiration, sadness for Billy Graham  Daily Mail Full coverage

Trump mourns evangelist Billy Graham: 'There was nobody like him'

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The €150m experiment – why Valverde does not trust Dembele yet

The 20-year-old winger is one of the world’s most expensive players, but has started only three games for Barca and was an unused sub against Chelsea

The €150m experiment – why Valverde does not trust Dembele yet

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Ezekwesili asks Buhari: Are you aware of Boko Haram attack in Yobe school?

Ezekwesili asks Buhari: Are you aware of Boko Haram attack in Yobe school?  TheCable More than 90 Nigerian schoolgirls missing after Boko Haram attack: sources  Reuters Many girls reported missing after Boko Haram attack on Yobe Community  TV360 Full coverage

Ezekwesili asks Buhari: Are you aware of Boko Haram attack in Yobe school?

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Election reorder: Omo-Agege backs down, apologises

Election reorder: Omo-Agege backs down, apologises  The Punch Senate probes amended 2019 elections timetable  Vanguard Nigeria: Senate May Suspend Opponents of Election Sequence Re-Ordering  AllAfrica.com Full coverage

Election reorder: Omo-Agege backs down, apologises

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Ronke Raji and Arthur Adeola Engagement Photo Shoot Got Us All Blown Away!

Meet Ronke Raji,who is a beauty and lifestyle influencer and Arthur Adeola, a retro-photographer who recently got engaged after dating for about seven years. The Duo who are both Nigerian,…

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Ronke Raji and Arthur Adeola Engagement Photo Shoot Got Us All Blown Away!

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Ono Bello Magazine : New Issue Alert Featuring The Ever Popular ‘Orezi’

OnoBello Magazine (@onobello) has a new issue out and this time it features Esegine Orezi Allen, popularly known as Orezi. Stay tuned for more details. Cover & Shoot Credits Editor-in-Chief: Ono Bello (Instagram: @onodiary)…

The post Ono Bello Magazine : New Issue Alert Featuring The Ever Popular ‘Orezi’ appeared first on Wedding Digest Naija.

Ono Bello Magazine : New Issue Alert Featuring The Ever Popular ‘Orezi’

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Kechi Okwuchi: How Nigerian plane crash survivor became a contestant on America's Got Talent

Kechi Okwuchi, who survived the 2005 Sosoliso plane crash, talks about contesting on America's Got Talent, music as a therapy and being an inspiration to many.

Nigerian plane crash survivor, Kechi Okwuchi, inspired millions as a contestant on America's Got Talent.

On December 10, 2005, she became one of the two survivors of the Sosoliso Airline Flight 1145 crash that took the lives of 107 passengers. The crash occurred 20 minutes to landing on her way back to Port Harcourt for a Christmas holiday alongside about 61 other students from her school, Loyola Jesuit College.

Following the crash, Okwuchi suffered third-degree burns over 65% of her body, and has since gone through and survived over 100 surgeries.

In 2015, she graduated from the University of Saint Thomas, in Texas, USA, with a First Class Degree. She also got invited into six honour societies, including the International Economics Honour Society.

Two years later, she earned a spot on America's Got Talent with her performance of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud" during her audition.

13 years after what many would call a life changing event, burn survivor Kechi Okwuchi has remained courageous and an inspiration to many.

In this interview with Pulse Nigeria, Okwuchi talks about how she became a contestant on America's Got Talent, music as a therapy for her and being an inspiration to many.

On what music means to Kechi Okwuchi

Singing is something that I have always loved to do. It has always been a passion of mine; pure love that I have had for the art since I was a kid.

My father's taste influenced mine from a very young age, so as I grew older, I loved not just listening to music, but singing as well. And after the accident, my voice went through a radical change that made me really happy because I was able to express myself even more with music and do what I love to do.

But I hadn't ever thought about taking it further than music being a part of my therapy as a burn survivor and singing in church and at home. These were things that I was doing that made me happy.

On how she became a contestant on America's Got Talent

The way that America's Got Talent happened was very interesting because I didn't actually sign up for the show myself.

It was actually a friend that signed me up. She has been telling me for a while that I should do it or she was gonna do it because she was sick of me always singing and nothing happening. So she just kind of took matters into her own hands and put me out there.

Before I knew it, they were calling me and asking if I wanted to be part of the show. So it just happened out of the blue and it was a complete God thing because I didn't have an input on how things turned out. I was in the middle of my MBA so I had no idea that music would become a primary focus at any point in my life.

It was just a wonderful surprise because I really don't do anything that I haven't purposely planned.

Why she went along with her friend's plan

The reason why I went on and continued with it is that, of all shows to be involved on TV, that would be my first choice. I like the family feel of the show, I like the varieties of talents that they put out there, I love that it gives any kind of person a platform; it doesn't matter your age, size or who you are.

So I just loved that there was a chance for everyone equally, and I thought, 'what better place to start getting exposure or building a platform for yourself than America's Got Talent.

Okwuchi's biggest takeaway from experience on America's Got Talent

The biggest takeaway from my experience on  America's Got Talent was a huge appreciation for behind the scenes work. Honestly, it blew my mind how amazing it was to see the staff come together to create this show.

It's a giant production, something that you really can't appreciate when you're just watching a 2-hour episode weekly.

The fact is, these things take a lot of time, a lot of work from thousands of people, day in and day out, and just working more than 9-5. I know that it has taken them years to perfect this system, but it blew my mind to see all the work that goes into a few of hours on TV.

They did everything themselves. They actually have a warehouse where they created everything you see on set; they built everything from scratch.

Also, the staff were really great. Despite how busy they were, they still took out time to be kind to us contestants and make us feel like we belong, make us feel at home. I really appreciated that.

On the positive feedback she got from all over the world

When I think back to those times, I still can't believe the kind of response that I got from people worldwide. Number one thing about that is that it gave me a lot of courage to actually continue.

It made me think that I had something to deliver to the audience and to the show. I just was humbled by how much outpouring of love and encouragement I was getting from strangers, people who just saw me online singing a few lines and felt the need to send me a little bit of prayer or like an encouraging word.

Getting support from Nigerians since her accident

The truth is that Nigerians have really rallied around me ever since the accident happened. It has been like that since 2005, and even after I moved to America, I have been consistently keeping up with my story and making sure to let me know that they are with me, especially through Facebook.

On being an inspiration to millions

That's just something that I kind of appreciate every single day because the fact that that's what people take away from seeing or interacting online with me, it makes me feel honoured.

I feel like every time I meet someone new, I want them to walk away with a positive memory or feedback from that interaction. And the fact that that's what people are really saying about me makes me happy because it means that me being myself is enough to make people feel positive, and it encourages me to keep being who I am.

 

On combining music and academics

I'm right in the middle of figuring it out right now. I'm definitely at a crossroads where I'm trying to figure out what to give most of my attention to and how I should split it.

At this point, I have decided that I don't want to give up either of the two. I have walked a long road towards gaining these different degrees and academic accomplishments. I want to stay on that part and finish that for sure. But at the same time, this whole music thing was something that happened completely out of my control, and I feel like that's a sign that it's something that God is definitely involved in.

And I don't want to regret anything, so I want to explore this as far as I can. Because of AGT,  a completely new path opened for me with regards to music and the possibility of me doing it as a career. I just feel like it would be cool to explore and see how far I can go and what is in there for me to do.

Am I going to become a motivational speaker? Am I going to have an actual career in music where I release albums and all that?

On releasing original music

I'm kind of working on that already. I have like an original song that I'm working on to release because I want to see how people respond to my actual authentic taste and the kind of music that I would lean towards if I had the complete creative licence.

On God's role in her decisions

100%. I won't even be here if I didn't have some kind of inner peace that it's all gonna work out somehow. I feel just blessed with this inner peace that I can't explain.

I'm walking a path that I don't quite know what's at the end of it. It's like even though I'm quite uncertain of the future, even though I know I might make mistakes, meet obstacles, I feel like all these downfalls will lead me to the right path in the end.

And that's really the way I have approached life since the accident; believing that it's all gonna work out the way he wants it to because I have tried my best to include him in all parts of my life. That helps me to kind of take risks.

On what is next for Kechi Okwuchi

That's the coolest thing ever because I really can't believe that people are actually waiting to see what I will do with music or my life.

It just makes me so humble and I really don't know how to react to that a lot of times, except to just pray that when the time comes, that I do something that people are responsive to, and that I get the honest feedback not based on Kechi  and her story, but like what they actually think about what I am doing.

Long story short, I want people to anticipate original music from me. That's what this year is about.

With her performances on AGT, Kechi wowed and inspired the judges, viewers and her followers. She made it to the finals and eventually emerged the 5th runner-up.

Kechi Okwuchi: How Nigerian plane crash survivor became a contestant on America's Got Talent

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Big Brother Naija: CDQ calls Ifuennada a 'one-night stand and bipolar b**ch'

CDQ has responded to #BBNaija's Ifuennada's claim that she used to clear her bank account for him when she was 17.

During a conversation with fellow Big Brother Naija housemates, Ifu Ennada said she used to clear her account to sponsor Nigerian rapper, CDQ.

According to the actress, she was 17 at the time and would use the money for her handouts to support CDQ and get him VIP tickets to events.

She also mentioned that she got nothing from him in return.

The rapper took to his Instagram page to respond to the accusations, calling Ifu Ennada a one night stand and a bipolar bitch.

He added that she should meet contact his management for free promo and not say "bullshit" on Live TV.

Ifu Ennada is a Nigerian actress, who has met and interacted with several Nigerian celebrities. During several conversations in the house, she has talked about popular celebrities such as DJ Exclusive, MO Abudu and Katung Aduwak.

 

 

She is currently paired with Leo in the Big Brother Naija house after Biggie dissolved her partnership with Angel.

Big Brother Naija: CDQ calls Ifuennada a 'one-night stand and bipolar b**ch'

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ICYMI: Herdsmen take traditional oath to obey anti-grazing law of Ekiti

ICYMI: Herdsmen take traditional oath to obey anti-grazing law of Ekiti  TheCable Emir Of Kano, Miyetti Allah Back Ekiti Grazing Law  Leadership Newspapers (press release) Miyetti Allah’s delegation visits Fayose  TVC News Full coverage

ICYMI: Herdsmen take traditional oath to obey anti-grazing law of Ekiti

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Nigeria hosts summit on shooting in April

Nigeria hosts summit on shooting in April  Vanguard Full coverage

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10 die as truck crashes into house

New Delhi – Police said 10 people have been killed and several others injured after a speeding truck crashed into a house and a tea shop in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Wednesday.

The accident occurred in Barela area in Jabalpur, some 300 km from state capital Bhopal.

“The truck first hit a tea stall and then rammed into the residential house after the driver lost control of the speeding vehicle.

“While 10 people died on the spot, those injured have been admitted to a local hospital,” a senior police official said.

Local TV channels reported that an angry mob protested on the road and set on fire a police vehicle to vent out their anger, prompting cops to resort to baton charge to disperse the crowd.

“Top administration and police officials have rushed to the spot,” the official said.

While the truck is still stuck inside the house, its driver had fled the spot immediately after the accident.

“We have booked the driver for rash and negligent driving and launched a manhunt to track him down,” he added.

The official said a probe has also been ordered into the incident. (Reuters/NAN)

The post 10 die as truck crashes into house appeared first on Vanguard News.

10 die as truck crashes into house

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KFC falls fowl in Britain with chicken run

Bailey: I'll make Man Utd and Arsenal wait until I'm ready

The 20-year-old attacker has been a sensation in Germany this season and has promised to bring an end to Leverkusen’s silverware curse

Bailey: I'll make Man Utd and Arsenal wait until I'm ready

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Chelsea just need better luck in Barcelona, says Azpilicueta

Lionel Messi put a dampener on the Blues’ night, but the defender feels his side should have got the better of the first leg after a dangerous display

Chelsea just need better luck in Barcelona, says Azpilicueta

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Sports: Former NFL executive sparks controversy by saying Lamar Jackson should switch positions in the NFL

Former NFL executive Bill Polian believes that Lamar Jackson, a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, should switch to wide receiver in the NFL.

• Bill Polian, an ESPN analyst and former NFL executive, believes Lamar Jackson should switch to wide receiver in the NFL.
• Jackson was a Heisman trophy winning quarterback in college and many believe he is talented enough to get a shot as a quarterback in the league.
• Jackson's case has once again raised questions of how much racial dynamics affect how quarterbacks are evaluated.
  

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ESPN analyst and former NFL front office executive Bill Polian said Monday in an appearance on ESPN’s "Golic and Wingo" that he believes Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson should switch positions to wide receiver in the NFL, remarks which have triggered a fair amount of backlash.

"Short, and a little bit slight, and clearly, clearly not the thrower the other guys are. The accuracy isn't there. So I would say don't wait to make that change. Don't be like [former Ohio State quarterback and current NFL wide receiver Terrelle Pryor] and be 29 when you make the change," Polian said.

Polian's remarks have already drawn harsh criticism from outlets such as SB Nation and The Ringer. For starters, Polian's description of Jackson, who is listed on ESPN's website as being 6-foot-3, as being short is odd, given that he's taller than Super Bowl winners Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Russell Wilson.

Besides, Jackson has been one of the most electrifying players in all of college football over the past two years. Surely he deserves a shot at the quarterback position in the NFL, especially given the success of Wilson and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, two other quarterbacks who don't fit neatly into the traditional NFL mold. He is not a perfect prospect — The Ringer does an excellent job of breaking down his strengths and weaknesses as a prospect — but he's good enough to merit an opportunity to prove himself as an NFL-caliber quarterback.

Many have pointed to Polian's comments as just another example of how black quarterbacks so often seem to have their games more closely picked apart, or their pro prospects more readily dismissed, than their white counterparts.

Sports: Former NFL executive sparks controversy by saying Lamar Jackson should switch positions in the NFL

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Taraba gov agrees to revisit anti-grazing law

Taraba gov agrees to revisit anti-grazing law  Daily Trust Taraba govt agrees to review anti-open grazing law – Governors  Premium Times Taraba herdsmen, farmers agree to end hostilities  The Nation Newspaper Full coverage

Taraba gov agrees to revisit anti-grazing law

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NSCDC arrests woman for husband's offence, shoots vigilante

NSCDC arrests woman for husband’s offence, shoots vigilante  The Punch 2018: Civil defence budgets N5bn for nuclear weapon equipment, others  Daily Trust NSCDC, Neighbourhood Watch Clash In Bayelsa  The Tide Full coverage

NSCDC arrests woman for husband's offence, shoots vigilante

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Banky W: Singer announces dissolution of EME as a record label

Banky W said EME's business venture will now be marketing, advertising, public relations, branding, shooting of television commercials and documentaries.

Banky W has announced the dissolution of the record label arm Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), which he co-founded.

He said the label has been dissolved since January 2017 as a result of the structuring of EME.

After nine years of "helping discover/boost the careers" many artistes in the Nigeria's music industry, the singer and actor said it became necessary to shutdown the label.

According to him, EME's business venture will now be marketing, advertising, public relations, branding, shooting of television commercials and documentaries.

Banky W named DJ Xclusive, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tolu 'Toolz' Oniru, and Adesua Etomi as the first set of clients of the rebranded company.

He made the announcement on Instagram on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

He said, "Essentially we have restructured our business and instead of operating just as a record label, we have expanded and changed our focus a bit.

"We are now a full fledged media agency that focuses on creative marketing, advertising, PR, brand events/activations and a talent management firm.

"This switch in focus has been amazing and fulfilling. Behind the scenes, we have been able to impact the launching and marketing of a number of brands and companies the way we did artists but even in the talent management side, we are no longer restricted to working with just music artistes. We still work with musicians, but we also work with OAPs, actors and are evaluating sports management as well.

"The goal was always to find talents and brands we believe in, and partner with them to help them become more successful. Now we have expanded to do that for more than just the music business. We are excited about our client portfolio: the corporate brands we rep, as well as the talents."

 

 

EME was founded by Banky W and his best friend, Tunde Demuren in 2002 while they were at the university in New York.

The label was home to Wizkid, Skales, Niyola and Shaydee.

Wizkid reportedly parted ways with EME in February 2013, to start his own label Starboy.

ALSO READ: Banky W denies rumours of N5000 reality show

Multiple reports at the time said Wizkid was raking in about N24 million monthly for the label but got 25 percent from every show, while Banky W and Demuren shared 50 percent and Osagie, Wizkid's former manager, got the remaining 25 percent.

This was believed to have formed the basis of the pop star's exit from the label.

The following year, Skales also moved on from EME following the expiration of his contract.

Although unprofessional, it is a regular practice in the Nigeria's music business for artistes to dump their record labels once they record commercial success.

The labels would in-turn drag the artistes to court, the move which hardly yields the desired results. The labels are often the biggest losers.

 

Banky W: Singer announces dissolution of EME as a record label

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