Category: Featured

By Joseph ETTA in Calabar

The leader of the Bakassi people in Cross River State, has again reinterated the need to speed up deliberation and passage of the new anti female harassment bill by the Senate.

The former presidential adviser on National Assembly matters call is coming against the backdrop of the BBC Africa Eye Sex for Grade documentary where two lecturers were filmed making Immoral advances to their supposed students.

Before this development, the former Senator said she had always lamented that the issue of sexual harassment against women was becoming prevalent in the society and should be checked.

At a time, to show her disgust for this immoral act, she advocated that sexual harassers “should even be castrated”.

Ita-Giwa in a chat with Daybreak in Calabar said she is grateful to the Senate especially the sponsor of the bill, Senator Ovie Omo Agege, for revisiting it and identifying with victims of sexual harassment.

She noted that harassment against students or workers was unacceptable as the educational system and the workplace had been full of abuses.

Fondly called Mama Bakassi, also urged victims of sexual harassment to speak up and never be cowed into sweeping allegations under the carpet “but to stand up and collectively fight the ugly trend” she opined that women should first of all uphold their dignity and self-respect towards ensuring a sexual abuse free society.

The Obong Anwan Efik Eburutu, an Efik Chieftaincy title, said, it’s time again to stand up against the ills of sexual harassment. I have always advocated for this, and urged my colleagues in the senate to ensure the bill is speedily passed for presidential assent. We cannot continue to fold our arms while we watch debased and animalistic individuals abuse our girls and women in whatever guise.

The law must be used to checkmate and deterent to others who may be concerning the same idea.

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has described as a milestone development the appointment of former African sprints queen Mary Onyali and the relocation of the office of Youths and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The body, in a statement jointly signed by its president, Comrade Ahmed Aigbona, and Secretary General, Mr.Mike Oboh, in Abuja on Thursday, noted that Onyali’s appointment was akin to putting a square peg in a square hole.

SWAN also said it believes that the relocation to the stadium was a pointer that the Minister has the sincere interest of movin sports in the country to the next level in line with the aspirations of the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

“The minister within his short stay has proved that he has what it takes to move sports to its rightful place in the country,” the statement quoted Dare as saying.

SWAN, while congratulating Onyali, charged her to bring to the table her wealth of experience to impart on the policy formulation and implementation of creative ideas to change some of the negative narratives in sports development.

“Now that we have Onyali there as an aide to the minister, we can roll out our drums to give her the desired support. We can all attest to the fact that she has been involved in sports development since her retirement from the tracks, with various initiatives projected towards producing world stars for the country.

“Expectedly we believe she will be an asset in the drive of the minister to change the tide positively,” the association said.

On the planned rehabilitation of facilities in the various government-owned stadia across the country, SWAN urged the minister to match words with action as this has been one area the country has lagged behind in the development of the sector.

By Abel Leonard/lafia

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Nasarawa State has paraded a suspected kidnapper.

The state commandant, Muhammad Gidado Fari, said the suspect, Bashir Halilu was tracked and arrested after a complaint was lodged following a text message he allegedly sent to someone (name withheld) “wanting to extort huge amount of money or else be kidnapped.”

He however said the suspect hails from Loko town of Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state and that investigation has been concluded and the suspect will be arraigned in court.

…Says Projects Executed in Region Not Reflective of Funds Allocated

Williams Anuku Abuja

Worried by the persistent criticisms of the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a forensic audit of the operations of the organization, specifically from 2001 to 2019.

He gave the order while receiving governors of the states that make up the Commission, led by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Thursday in Abuja.

According to Buhari, what is presently on the ground in the South south region does not justify the huge resources that have been made available to the organisation.

“I try to follow the Act setting up these institutions especially the NDDC. With the amount of money that the Federal Government has religiously allocated to the NDDC, we will like to see the results on the ground; those that are responsible for that have to explain certain issues.

“The projects said to have been done must be verifiable. You just cannot say you spent so much billions and when the place is visited, one cannot see the structures that have been done. The consultants must also prove that they are competent, “the President said.

President Buhari admitted that developing the Niger Delta area required enormous resources compared to other parts of the country with firmer lands.

“I am acutely aware, with my experience, that projects in your area are very expensive; that is why if any job is given, we must make sure that the company is competent and has the capacity to do it well with experienced consultants,” the President added.

He however said that he would wait for the report of the audit before deciding on the next line of action regarding the organisation.

Governor Dickson had earlier expressed the disappointment of other governors with the operations of the NDDC, which they said was characterised by poor choice of projects, shoddy handling, uncompleted jobs and lack of the required support for the efforts of the states and local government administration in the region covered by the organisation.

He, therefore, called for the re-positioning of the NDDC in order to achieve the objectives for which it was set up.

Williams Anuku Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari pulled a mild surprise on Thursday, when he announced the release of N10billion to enable the Ministry of Aviation carryout some repair works at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

South-East governors and leaders of thought from the region had stormed the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to protest alleged neglect of the airport, including the decision of the government to keep the airport shut indefinitely, at the expense of business activities in the region.

But hardly had Dave Umahi, Chairman of the South East Governors Forum tabled their complaints, than Buhari made the announcement, saying, “I have approved the sum of N10billion as intervention fund for the upgrade of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. I have the assurance of the Minister of Aviation that the work will be done speedily and to the highest standards.

“Even as we have many items competing for our limited resources, we will continue to prioritize infrastructure investments in every part of the country. It is our responsibility to ensure Nigeria’s infrastructure is fixed. we will keep doing this.

“We’re trying our best to make sure that infrastructure rehabilitation is carried out very quickly.

“I personally firmly believe that if we get infrastructure correct, the roads , rail, power, most Nigerians will mind their businesses, they would not even care who is in government. But when you deny them infrastructure, it will be difficult for them to compete and move across the country and regions”.

Buhari also appealed to the governors to explain this position to their people.

“Please, have the courage to continue explain to your constituencies whenever they feel that there is laxity in government effort to rehabilitate infrastructure.

“We are doing our best within the resources available to the government. The Federal Government is working to fix infrastructure deficit in the country. The challenges are there. It is our responsibility to fix things, we are doing it and we will continue to do our best in this regard,” the President said.

An elated Umahi who is the current governor of Enugu state, said they tabled the deplorable condition of federal roads in the south east, including the challenges posed by erosion and seeming neglect of the region in rail construction and rehabilitation.

He said they are not averse to interventions in these sectors, especially as the yuletide fast approaches.

“We came here to kindly urge Mr. President to approve special fund for the Akanu Ibiam Airport just like what was done for Abuja Airport, but he told us he has already approved N10billion for such purpose.

“For us, the closure of the Enugu airport has a ripple effect as it has grounded activities in the region, causing great hardship on the people. The deplorable South East roads have made the lives of the people miserable. Issues of railways also came under matters we tabled before the President,” the governor stated.

In attendance at the meeting were Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Emeka Ihedioha of Imo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senate Minority Leader representing South East Caucus in National Assembly, Senator Sam Egwu.

Others were former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, former Governors Martin Elechi, Ebonyi State, Okwesilieze, Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, Enugu State, Achike Udenwa, Imo, and Ikedi Ohakim, Imo.

The lists also included Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Eric Acho Nwankwo, former Daily Times Managing Director, Chief Onyeama Ugochukwu, Ochiagha Regan Ufomba, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu and President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo among others.

Other top government functionaries from the federal government were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

Recall that the airport which was closed on August 24 to enable rehabilitation of the runway and the installation of other safety facilities to ensure safe flight operations generated a lot of reactions from Nigerians, with some claiming that the duration of the closure will bring about huge inconveniences to them.

While the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika had promised to get the project completed by December this year, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, had also confirmed that the rehabilitation was yet to commence.

Yakubu had alleged that the airport was closed due to safety concerns regarding its operations, but Sirika had told the National Assembly that funding constraints was at the core of the delay in carrying out the project.

“Work is yet to begin on the runway. But it will soon; once the processes are concluded,” the FAAN Boss had stated.

In September 2018, the airport was reported as being underutilized, closing by 6 pm daily owing largely to the absence of airfield lighting and approach light.

The report which emerged when a team of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) inspected the airport disclosed that, this has stymied the capacity of the airport to generate revenue for the federal government unlike other major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.

Since the closure, domestic flights which used to land on the airport were being diverted to Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, Port Harcourt Airport including that of Asaba in Delta state.

By Abel Leonard/Lafia

Gov Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has submitted list of 15 commissioner nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as members of the state executive council.

Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the speaker of the House announced this after the Majority leader of the house, Alhaji Tanko Tunga (APC-Awe North) notified the lawmakers at the floor of the house in Lafia.

“The fifteen commissioner nominees are, Ahmed Baba Yahaya (Toto LGA) Philip Dada (Karu LGA), Othman Bala Adam (Keffi LGA), Dr Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (Kokona LGA), Obadiah Boyi (Akwanga LGA) Yusuf Aliyu Turaki (Awe LGA), Dr Salihu Ahmad Alizaga (Nassarawa Eggon LGA),

“Others are: Dogo Shammah (Wamba LGA), Prof.Otaki Allahnanah (Keana LGA), Haruna Ogbole Adamu (Obi LGA), Ibrahim Musa Ekye (Doma LGA), Mrs Fati Jimeta Sabo (Nasarawa LGA), Abubakar Muhammed Imam(Lafia LGA), Hajiya Halima Ahmadu Jabiru(Lafia LGA) and Mohammed Bashir Aliyu(Lafia LGA),” he said.

However, speaker of the state house of Assembly Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe has directed the nominees to submit 30 copies of their curriculum Vitae (CV) on or before Friday, October 18th.

“The house will commence their screening from Monday October 21st to Tuesday Oct.22,” he added.

“Those that will appear for screening on Monday, Oct 21st are commissioner nominees from Toto, Karu, Keffi, Kokona, Akwanga, Awe, Nassarawa Eggon, Wamba and Keana

” While those that will appear for screening on Tuesday, Oct 22nd are commissioner nominees from Obi, Doma, Nasarawa and the three nominees from Lafia Local government,”he said .

Ingredients

3 Cups of basmati rice3 large Onions
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
3 large Onions (chopped)
1 Scotch bonnet (chopped)
1tbsp Tomato paste
400g Canned tomatoes (blended)
250g Corned beef
1 Maggie cube
2 Bay leaves
1tsp Rosemary
1tbsp Curry Powder
Salt to taste

Method

Heat your cooking pot and add in the oil (medium heat)
Add in the chopped onions and let is simmer for about a minute.
Add in the tomato paste and allow this to cook very well (You can add about half a cup of water to it. This diminishes any sourness in the tomato paste).
Add the bay leaves, rosemary and curry powder.
Add the blended tomato paste and allow this to cook for about 20 minutes (until oil starts coming on to the surface of the stew).
Add the maggi cube
Add the corned beef
Add 2 cups of water to the stew
Wash and add the rice (lowest heat to prevent it from burning)
Cover the rice and allow it to cook till the rice is soft.
Enjoy your yummy jollof rice.

Have you lost weight and want to add some weight? Well, here are 15 healthy Nigerian foods you can eat to gain weight.

1. Porridge Beans
Porridge beans can help you gain weight just as it can help you lose weight, it contains soluble and insoluble fiber hence why it can keep you full for a very long time, it contains the right nutrient to keep your body energized for activities, it is high in healthy calorie to aid you to gain weight. Porridge beans is a Nigeria meal that can’t be ignored especially the western part of Nigeria.

2. Smoothies And Milkshakes
Gaining weight quickly in Nigeria can easily be done with smoothies and milkshakes, both are delicious which means you would want more and the higher you consume the more calories you would get and eventually gain some weight. A milkshake can easily make you fat so it’s advised to keep a regular track of the pound acquired from it in a day.

PS: Smoothies have the power to help you gain weight as well as lose it depends on the constituents, check out our 7-day smoothie weight loss diet plan for more deets.

3. Snacks
There are lot’s of Nigerian snacks you can rely on to help you gain weight and the healthy ones are still plantain chips, bean cake or chin-chin, however, you have to be more careful with snacks as you can easily get fat with it. Regular snacking on healthy snack will help you gain a pound or two but try to keep track of your daily calories required.

4. Tuwo Shinkafa
Tuwo shinkafa is another high-calorie food in Nigeria but most common in the northern part of Nigeria, can be really stressful to make if you are not used to it but makes a very delicious meal, highly nutritious too if eating with its stew. Tuwo can be a taken for dinner as it’s pretty light but keeps you full through the night and also enhances a fitful night rest.

5. Milk
A glass cup of milk 2 or 4 times a day will have you spinning down the weight gain cycle fast, milk is a good source of calcium and it strengthens and restore muscle bones, some healthy milk you can try are fura da nunu which is common among the Nothern Nigerians, it’s more proteinous and naturally gotten from the cow and you might want to stay away from skimmed milk to prevent unhealthy weight gain.

6. Rice
Rice is a lot’s of Nigerians favorite and it can help you gain weight fast and also keep a track of it if you eat it the right way, which means in moderation, calories contained in rice is pretty high due to the amount of starch it contains. Rice can also be enjoyed in different ways which make it more easier to incorporate into your weight gain plan. Rice can also be eaten with beans to make it a healthier way of gaining weight.

7. Meat
Meat is widely believed to cause you to gain weight and as it’s an excellent source of protein, then it’s classified to be healthy, meat can be enjoyed either in the stew, soup, fried or boiled. Some of the healthier meats include lamb, veal, chicken, and lean beef.

8. Avocado
They are loads of healthy fruits you can eat to gain weight with but avocado contains the most calories and you can consume close to 4 of it in a day without any health issues, eating with bread is also believed to help gain weight. Avocado is packed full with other essential nutrient and antioxidants to keep your body fit and healthy. Other Nigerian fruits with high calories include mango, banana or cucumber.

9. Cocoyam/Potatos
Another well-versed way to gain weight in Nigerian is foods that are high in carbohydrate like yam, potatoes, and cocoyam, they are nutritious and also keep the body energized to enable you to perform strenuous activities, tubers are foods that will fill you up really fast so it’s advised to eat slowly to avoid feeling full too fast, this can be eaten alone or with vegetables and stew for more health benefits.

10. Whole Wheat Bread
Bread generally is a way to gain weight in Nigeria but some bread can be unhealthy hence why we recommended wheat bread, it contains enough calories to gain a pound a day and is made naturally from grain without much processing.

11. Yam And Eggs
Eggs are often neglected as too small to give many benefits but two eggs in a day are enough to help you gain weight, eggs have been proven to repair hip reflex and also help you can weight especially if you plan to exercise and still gain some weight. The egg is an excellent . of protein and it’s best eating boiled and if planning to fry, make use of healthier oils like olive oil and coconut oil.

12. Semo With Egusi Soup
Semo is one of the best Nigerian swallows you can’t refuse and added with egusi soup makes it more delicious and semo contains high carb with a calorie of 175 per cup, egusi provides nourishment and protein to the body. Other ways you can gain weight with semo is drinking it, drinking semo provides almost enough calorie to help you gain a pound.

13. Banga Soup And Starch
Another Nigeria swallow with calories, The eastern part of Nigeria are fond of this and even claim it gives them the strength to go about their daily activities, other swallows can be enjoyed with Banga soup but the most likely combination is starch. Starch is pretty high in calorie so it’s advised not to make it a daily meal.

14. Afang Soup With Fufu
Another eastern Nigeria delicacies you would love not just for its high calorie but the delicious taste and often used as a Christmas meal and it can keep you full for a very long time. Fufu contains lots of calories too so you might want to limit the consumption to twice a week.

15. Garri
This list would not be complete without mentioning garri, it can pass as drinkable and can also be made with how water to tun in into garri, but whichever way you plan to take it, you would be gaining extra pound with each consumption, garri is prepared from cassava tubers that have been fermented and also a household food in almost all Nigerian homes. It can be enjoyed with a different kind of soup.