Other Nations Are Looking Up To Nigeria Just Like They Did In 2015 – US Ambassador To Nigeria

Stuart Symington, United States Ambassador to Nigeria, has stated that Nigeria should ensure it gets everything right in the 2019 elections.

He alleged that if Nigeria fails to do so, it would be disappointing other nations who were impressed by its feat in the 2015 elections.

This he made known when he paid a visit to the Police Command in Kaduna.

“The State of Kaduna is an important place during this election. I am here to underscore a couple of key ideas,” he stated.

“The first being that these elections are really about Nigerians, decided by Nigerians under its laws which will define the future of Nigeria.

“The election is also for others who have looked up to Nigeria’s example of democracy in the past especially if it would be as good as that of the elections of 2015,” he said.

According to him, it was important for Nigerians to decide on the election’s credibility as they did in 2015, “so that it’s credit will be invested in democracy and freedom throughout West Africa and across the entire World.

“This kind of negative speeches can have negative impacts in the future.

“There are other people who have pointed fingers at those who are saying the elections would come out wrong, saying the elections can be right if every citizen of Nigeria act on the understanding that they are individually responsible for anything they get from the polls.”

The U.S ambassador added that people must take responsibility for their actions, “first before God, second under the laws of the country, in the eyes of countrymen and lastly in the eyes of the world.”

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British Model, Katie Price, Expresses Desire To Adopt Nigerian Orphan

British media personality, Katie Price, 40, has announced her intention to adopt a Nigerian orphan.

Price, a mother-of-five, made the announcement on a TV show, “This Morning’ on Monday, reports Mirror UK.

She told the show presenters that she would go to Nigeria to find a new addition to her family.

The reality TV star said she “should have gone last weekend” but was busy with the kids.

She said, “I’ve said I always wanted to adopt a child. I don’t care if they have disabilities or age, just because I feel I can offer them a place.

“Funnily enough I was getting my nails done and there was a lady sitting next to me.”
Katie asked the woman if she was a nurse and discovered she looks after an orphanage in Nigeria.

She continued, “It’s easy to adopt abroad but not easy to bring back to the country.”
When asked why she wouldn’t adopt a British child, Katie said that, it was much harder.

She hopes the woman from the orphanage can make it happen for her.

However, Katie also admitted she has not ruled out having more kids of her own.

She said, “I still want my own kids as well, don’t get me wrong. I would definitely have more.

“If I can offer another child I will. There are enough bedrooms in the house.”

Price had declared bankruptcy in 2018.

Price already has son Harvey, 16, with ex-footballer Dwight Yorke, Junior, 13, and Princess, 11, with ex-husband Peter Andre and Jett, five, and Bunny, four, with Kieran Hayler.

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WAEC reveals when results of 2019 WASSCE will be released

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says result of its ongoing 2019 West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) First Series for private candidates will be released in March.

The council’s Head of Public Affairs, Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos that 12,133 candidates registered for exam.

According to him, the figure shows 3. 51 per cent increase over the 11,721 which registered for the maiden edition in 2018.

He said that the council had mad efforts to ensure a smooth conduct of the examination across the country.

Ojijeogu said the exercise which began on Jan. 21, would be concluded on Feb. 4, adding that candidates were being tested in 19 subjects.

“It is the belief of the council that the examination officials will go the extra mile to enforce rules and regulations governing the conduct of the examination.

’The council also expects candidates to abide by the rules and regulations.

“It is only when they abide by the rules that examination malpractice can be nipped in the board,” he said.

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Borno Govt To Deploy Hunters To Fight Boko Haram

The Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima, on Monday, said his government has mobilised hundreds of local hunters to be inducted into the ongoing counterinsurgency operation in the state.

The governor said the local hunters will be given a crash training by the military before their deployment to guard the fringes of the hinterland.

Mr Shettima disclosed this while hosting the new Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Benson Akinroluyo, who paid him a courtesy call.

According to Mr Shettima, the local hunters have been mobilised at a secret location while the government is working round the clock to provide all their logistical needs.

“In the next couple of days, we will launch our own component of the counterinsurgency force made up of hunters and vigilante operatives,” said Mr Shettima.

“We have already volunteered about 30 vehicles to support their operation. And we will hand them over to the military command to help reinforce security and stabilise the situation in the state.

“They are to specifically enhance the security of Maiduguri and environs and most especially the outlined parts of the metropolis.

“Now that the election is on there will be a lot of mischief by the anti-democratic elements to disrupt the democratic process.”

Mr Shettima said it is the duty of government to provide security to the citizens.

The governor assured Mr Akinroluyo, a major general, of his administration’s willingness to give support to the soldiers in the frontline so as to help return peace to the state.

Earlier, Mr Akinroluyo said he was at the governor’s office to, officially, announce his assumption of duty having served as the General Officer Commanding 3 Division, Jos from where he was deployed.

Mr Akinroluyo said he was not new to Borno State as he had once served as an army captain at the 212 battalion in Maiduguri.

He said he would bring his experience and knowledge of the past to bear in seeing that he build on the successes of his predecessors.

“We want the people to understand that we are here to serve them and make sure by God’s grace they are secured,” he said.

“That is why we want the cooperation of the civil populace to support us. For if they don’t give us the support, there is no way the military and sister security agencies can do it alone.”

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ASUU: Lecturers give update on strike as FG meets major demand

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has provided update on the ongoing strike as the Federal Government, yesterday, met one of its major demands.

This is as the union has received the certificate of operation for Nigerian University Pension Management Company, NUPEMCO, from the National Pension Commission.

The refusal of the regulatory agency to approve the teachers’ union’s pension commission for operation has been one of the major issues in the dispute between ASUU and the Federal Government.

However, the National Pension Council, the regulatory agency for the country’s pension companies, granted the union the certificate of operation on Monday.

ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, in a short message sent across to members of the union, yesterday, said ASUU received the certificate at about 11:20 a.m.

The message reads, “Dear Comrade, We collected the final letter of approval of NUPEMCO operational license at about 11.20a.m in PENCOM office. Profound appreciation goes to all who prepared the ground and made this possible.

“While congratulating all our members for this landmark achievement of the union, we also thank them for their patience. The struggle continues! Biodun Ogunyemi.”

Prof. Ogunyemi earlier told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, that the leadership was still consulting with its members over offers made by the federal government.

He said the government made some offers in the course of meetings with ASUU, which are still being deliberated on.

“We are still consulting with our chapters across the country. There are promises that government made and we are trying to consult with the various university chapters on the options before the union.

“By the time we are fully aware of what is left of our demands from what the government is offering, then we will know what steps to take, even as negotiations with the government continues.

“For instance, we are in touch with about 20 universities that are affected, to be sure of the level of implementation.

“By the time we finish our assessment, we will now send our response back to the government, concerning the level of implementation.

“And depending on the outcome of our further engagements with government, we will now get back to our members,” he said.

Ogunyemi said ASUU was expected to be involved in another round of meeting with the government within the week, adding that he expected a positive outcome.

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JAMB registers 869,709 candidates, suspends 9 centres for malpractice

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said that it registered 869,709 candidates for the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which is scheduled to hold in March.

JAMB stated this in its weekly bulletin from the office of the Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Monday.

The board also revealed that it has suspended nine Computer-Based Test centres, that breached the code governing the 2019 registration exercise.

JAMB noted that some of the centres demanded higher fees than the amounts stipulated by the Federal Government.

According to the publication, the nine suspended centres are the University of Benin International ICT Centre, Iyayi, Benin, Edo State; Mardakem Limited by Methodist Boys High School, Oron, Akwa-Ibom State; Bintels Global Services, Aguleri, Anambra State; Noble and Shuaib ICT limited, Alor, Anambra State; Global ICT Connect, Makurdi, Benue State; DA Civic Centre, Benin City, Edo State; Medes ICT Centre, Okitipupa, Ondo State; Divine Success All CBT Centre, Iseyin, Oyo State; Riyom ICT Centre, Riyom Secretariat, Plateau State.

“Before commencing the 2019 UTME and Direct Entry registration exercise, a meeting with all CBT operators was convened in Lagos State, where the guidelines on the exercise were deliberated upon and laid out strictly for all to adhere to. The meeting had resolved that the cost of registration should not exceed N700.

“Unfortunately, findings from the board’s monitoring exercise revealed that some centres were charging higher than the stipulated figure directed by the Federal Government and equally agreed at during the Lagos meeting,” the bulletin read.

The board added that 10 centres in Lagos and Plateau states were under investigation for the same offences.

In the breakdown of registration, Lagos State recorded the highest number of registered candidates with 111,102 candidates, Kaduna State was second with 59,261 candidates and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had 43,390 registered candidates.

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Mercy Johnson And Husband In Loved-up Photo

Actress Mercy Johnson and her husband, Prince Odi Okojie stun in new loved-up photo looking so adorable and admirable. They step out in matching color of outfit.

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HOW TO KNOW A VIRGIN GIRL FROM HER FACIAL SKIN SIGNATURE

A Chinese scientist who is based in the UK has published his claims in London Times magazine and Voice of London magazine too that his six years research has finally come out with an impressive result which has made it possible to recognize a virgin without having sex with her.

According to his claims, during an interview he can recognise a virgin from two poles away and he has publicly revealed the tricks to this awesome discovery on a live TV broadcast.

During a 30-minute live interview on BBC, which also was re-telecasted on CNN and other VIP world TVs like Channels TV, he has this to say through his interpreter:
"Against popular beliefs, sagged breasts don't really imply a lost virginity and torn hymen does not also mean virginity is lost. Pimples on the face is not an expressway of knowing a virgin. The only way to know a virgin is this.
When a girl is coming from about 3 poles away, watch her direction of movement and tactically move to the left, which would by impulse make her move to the right. Quietly walk beside her, then pass and go on your way to the nearest INEC office to collect your PVC.

Her virginity is none of your business. We need you to vote and ensure the right people are voted into power.

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Hotest couple in Africa

A newly married couple's wedding footage has social media users amused.In a video going viral online, the couple are seen posing for their wedding photo while their wedding guests hailed them.The bride had on a white dress, sunshades, and held a bottle of drink. The groom also held his bottle of drink as they posed.Wedding guests can be heard encouraging them to kiss. A female guest then walked up to them and brought their faces together as they finally kissed

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APC Issues Warning To US & UK After Threat Over Suspension Of Onnoghen

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Adams

He made the condemnation at the Presidential Villa after the APC Senate caucus and the party’s senatorial candidates met with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Nigeria is not a colony. We will not accept any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria,” he said.

He argued that judges get dismissed in Europe and the United States without interference.

“They (judges) have been dismissed across the world when they are found guilty of corruption and the western world cannot, on the one hand when it suits them, describe Nigeria as fantastically corrupt and when a corrupt judicial officer is being charged, people want to interfere.”

Oshiomhole’s comments were in reaction to questions about the criticism that had trailed the suspension of the CJN.

Amid the storm caused by the suspension, the UK, the US, and the EU said in separate statements that they were concerned about the development.

While the UK said the timing “gives cause for concern”, the US said it “undercuts the stated determination of the government, candidates, and political party leaders to ensure that the elections proceed in a way that is free, fair, transparent, and peaceful – leading to a credible result”.

The Presidency has since criticised their reaction, warning that the government won’t tolerate interference, a position Oshiomhole defended on Monday.

Apart from faulting the statements, Oshiomhole called on Nigerians to defend the country’s sovereignty.

“I think we all have to be careful. We must defend the sovereignty of our country,” he said.

Despite his criticism, he said Nigeria remained open to maintaining a relationship with other countries.

“We welcome collaboration, we welcome peer review; we can compare notes. We welcome people who are interested in sharing experiences with us wherever the need arises whether it is capacity building or making useful suggestions on how we can improve on our electoral process. Those are very valuable contributions that we appreciate,” Oshiomhole said.

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Lawyers Ignore NBA's Directive To Boycott Courts Over Onnoghen's Suspension

Many lawyers in Abuja on Tuesday ignored Monday’s directive by the

Visits to courts in Abuja on Tuesday revealed that fully robbed lawyers, turned up in court, ready to conduct businesses for the day.

The situation was the same in the Supreme Court (located within the Three Arms Zone), through the Court of Appeal (located also in the Three Arms Zone), the Federal High Court (in Maitama) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitam.

Some of the lawyers spoken to said the directive by the NBA lacked the force of law. And since it was not an order of court, lawyers could choose to abide by it or disregard it where their client’s interest is at stake.

They argue that since the issue of the suspension of the CJN was already in court, the NBA and all other interested parties should allow the court reach a decision one way or the other.

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Buhari after Senate president

The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has allegedly ordered for the immediate arrest of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. Addressing a Press Conference, on Sunday, in Abuja, the Spokesman of the CUPP and National Chairman of the Action Peoples Party, APP, Chief Ikenga Ugochinyere, said that the Senate President and his Deputy, who are both of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have been marked for arrest, on Monday night, just ahead of Tuesday’s emergency plenary. He revealed that Senators Ahmed Lawan, Godswill Akpabio, and Hope Uzodinma, according to the plan, will be announced “Factional” Senate President, Deputy Senate President, and Senate Leader, respectively. He added that Gbajabiamila and Abdulminim Jibrin, are set for the Offices of “Factional” Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Ali Ndume, Omo-Agege, Dr. George Akume, Abdullahi Adamuand, others, are allegedly part of the move. He stated that Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara, Ben Bruce, Dino Melaye, and others, would be stopped from assessing the National Assembly, leading to what he termed a collapse of constitutional democracy in the country. “The CUPP is once again raising an alarm, having received incontrovertible facts, over a fresh plot that has been hatched and which has received the go-ahead nod of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government, for a violent, undemocratic, unlawful, illegal, and demonic takeover of the Leadership of both Chambers of the National Assembly, on Tuesday, 29th January, 2019. “The APC-led Federal Government is of the firm belief, that Tuesday is their best and last chance to effect the changes, as their control of the Judiciary will be put to use, to ensure there is no reversal of justice for the present occupants. “The Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, to discuss the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by President Muhammadu Buhari. “The APC is ready to do whatever it takes to destroy the very fulcrum of our constitutional democracy, on Tuesday, and have vowed, it is tomorrow (today) or never. “The Judicial coup which they believed was supposed to be more difficult, went very easily beyond their imagination; hence, the need to complete the takeover of the National Assembly immediately, so that the distraction of the election campaigns will be put to use”, the CUPP claimed. Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has alleged that there are moves by “certain agents” to bribe senators of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to protect President Muhammadu Buhari from imminent parliamentary sanctions for constitutional breaches. In a statement, Kola Ologbondiyan, spokesman of PDP, said in a move against possible sanction on his handling of the Walter Onnoghen case, Buhari has summoned a “clandestine meeting on Monday ahead of senate resumption”. The party alleged that the APC senators have been bribed with huge sums of money to disrupt the session when the matter is raised. “Intelligence available to the PDP shows that this is the reason the jittery Presidency summoned all APC senators to the presidential villa to a clandestine meeting on Monday night, ahead of the senate’s resumption on Tuesday,” the statement read. “The PDP has been informed of how the Buhari Presidency has been unsettled following national and international outcry over his constitutional breaches, particularly the assault on the judiciary in his attempt to forcefully remove the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen and impose a pliable CJN to do his bidding. “President Buhari is not only apprehensive that the senate might sanction him for violating the constitution and usurping its statutory duties regarding the handling of issues related to a CJN, the parliament might also open an inquest into how President Buhari, who parades as Mr. Integrity, allegedly procured an order from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) upon which he announced the illegal suspension of the CJN. “There are reports that the said order is suspicious and subject to investigation, being not argued or issued in the open court; following which a distressed Buhari Presidency now seeks to corrupt and undermine the Senate. The PDP said it raised the alarm to protect Nigeria’s democracy as against being partisan.

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Students Forced To Eat Raw Chicken After Being Caught Stealing It

The Police has arrested four men for <>

The suspects are Prince Adu, 40, a farmer; Peter Owusu Aduomi, 41, CPA; Francis Osei, 31, teacher and Abukari Anaba, 57.

According to the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, on January 21, 2019, the students, all juveniles, were arrested by the suspects for stealing a fowl.

And as their punishment, they were made to chew the fowl raw and were videoed while chewing the fowl. They were provided drinking water to wash down the bites to ensure they really ate the raw meat.

According to him, “the police command condemns the behaviour of these suspects and assures the public that whoever is involved would be made to face the full rigours of the law to serve as a deterrent to others.”

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‘China’s Maradona’ signs for Espanyol

Prolific forward Wu Lei, dubbed “the Chinese Maradona”, has signed for Espanyol in La Liga, the Spanish club and Shanghai SIPG said on Monday.

“The new blue and white player will wear the number 24 on his shirt,” Espanyol, who are in the bottom third of La Liga, said in a statement.

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Ohaneze Ndigbo goofs by endorsing Atiku- Kalu

Former Abia governor, Chief Orji Kalu, has berated the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, for endorsing the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Abubakar Atiku.

Kalu expressed his disappointment with the group on Sunday in an interview with newsmen in his Camp Neya country home in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of the state.

“Ohaneze is a socio-cultural organisation and so should not be seen to be partisan. What the leadership did by endorsing Atiku was not in the interest of the Igbo nation.

“The endorsement also did not enjoy the support of the majority of members but may be a committee’s decision,” he said.

Kalu described the endorsement as wrong and capable of decimating the organisation into two factions, if not rescinded.

He said: “I was very surprised that Nwodo, whom I have a lot of respect for, could do such a thing because that is not the right thing to do.

“What they just did implies that we have two Ohanezes, or we are going to have another organisation in a different name.
“I will be in consultation with Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra and other people of goodwill to decide what we will do next, we are not going to accept it.

“These are card-carrying members of PDP, they cannot use Ohaneze platform to endorse any candidate, it’s not acceptable to us.
“We want a level playing ground. I expected Ohaneze to be neutral, whoever wins, they should support.

“I’m not even expecting them to endorse Buhari, we want them to be neutral because neutrality is the hallmark of every independent cultural association,” Kalu said.

The former governor dismissed the fear that the endorsement would sway the voting pattern in the South-East against President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that South-East APC had begun intensive campaign in churches and communities to showcase the president’s performance in the zone in just barely four years of his administration.

He further dispelled the speculation that the president hated Ndigbo, saying that Buhari had done for the area what PDP government could not do in their 16 years.

He cited the ongoing rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway and the construction of the second Niger Bridge as some of Buhari’s major projects in the area, to buttress his point.

He said: “I don’t know why people always say that Buhari hates the Igbos because I know Buhari very well. He is a friend to Ndigbo. Am I not a friend to President Buhari?

“I know that on February 16, Abia will give him more than 85 per cent of their votes.”

Kalu, who is the APC candidate in Abia North Senatorial District, expressed great confidence that the party would have landslide victory in all the elections.

“The party has the antidote against rigging,” he said, adding that the party also had what it would take to win the polls at all levels in 2019.

“We will never allow anybody to rig us out in Abia again. We shall match them force by force and money for money,” he said.
He gave assurance that he would pursue the enactment of bills that would help to transform the nation’s economy, create jobs and ensure agricultural revolution in all the states of the federation, if elected.

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INEC Releases Names Of 144 Observers For 2019 Elections (Full List)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, announced that 144 observers will monitor the 2019 general elections.

The Commission warned that any unaccredited group found in any state for the elections shall be handed over to law enforcement agencies.

In a notice on its website, INEC said accredited field observers found in states other than where they were posted would be sanctioned.

The notice reads: “INEC is pleased to announce the successful applicants to observe the 2019 general elections holding on February 16, 2019, and March 2, 2019.

“All accredited observers shall abide by the code of conduct for election observers, which is available for download from the INEC website.

“The Commission wishes to emphasised that groups other than those accredited, found in any state for the elections shall be handed over to law enforcement agencies.

“Also, accredited field observers found in states other than where they are posted will be sanctioned.

“INEC reserves the right to cancel and withdraw the accreditation of any organisation if its members or agents breach the code of conduct”.

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How I Was Threatened By Gunmen For Speaking Truth On My Programmes - Popular TV Presenter

Veteran TV presenter and producer, Jide Moronfolu, has stated that he was threatened several times for exposing certain things on his TV programmes. Explaining why he rested his popular programme, Eji Owuro, Moronfolu said, “The focus of my Monday shows was security and we usually talked about security issues that a lot of broadcasters/journalists would not dare talk about. We talked about rots in government, police, military, politics, judiciary, and other important sectors. On so many occasions, my discussants on the show were molested for speaking on my show.

<“Personally, I received a lot of phone threats from unknown people reacting to past episodes of the show. One day, I was ambushed by unknown gunmen at Ogere, Ogun State, on my way back from an assignment. Along the way, I parked somewhere to buy some things for my family. As I moved on, I saw a black sleek car trailing me and they told me to stop. They said I had committed a lot of sins through my TV programmes, Eji Owuro and Kondo Kingdom. They warned me to stop the programme, otherwise something terrible would happen to me. There were even times that police officers threatened me.”

Baring his mind on the issue of creative professionals leaving the country in droves, Jide who has relocated to the United States of America, said, “Seriously, all spheres of our economy are experiencing brain drain. Unfortunately, those creative individuals are not doing anything close to what they were doing in Nigeria in those countries they travelled to. There are many known musicians who now sing for fun in their bathrooms. Do you know how many actors/actresses no longer remember what it takes to be in front of the camera? There are many footballers that have represented Nigeria at the World Cup who now walk unnoticed. Our creative people are not in the Diaspora to pursue their creativity but to survive.”
Sharing his thoughts on the creative industry in Nigeria, Moronfolu said, “Nobody talks about piracy again because they now sell their movies to cable channels. Our TV stations and channels are “programme empty”. All of them just play movies, especially Yoruba ones. I was shocked one day when I saw a particular station playing Yoruba movies. This was a channel I approached many years ago to come up with a sound Yoruba programme, but they said it’s not in their station’s policy to do vernacular programmes.”

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Most Successful African Actresses In Hollywood

In her acceptance speech at the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Viola Davis stated that women of color are just as good in front of the camera, only they don’t get as many opportunities as they should. Even so, there are a number of African American actresses leading the charge and making waves in Hollywood. In this article, we shall be focusing on ten African American actresses pushing the envelope in Hollywood and establishing themselves as A-listers.

Lupita Nyong’o

The 35-year-old Oscar winner has had a dreamy run in Hollywood and is one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry at current. Lupita Nyongo was born in Mexico to Kenyan parents and holds a dual citizenship for the two countries.

Her claim to fame was the movie “12 Years A Slave” in which she played Patsey becoming the first Kenyan and Mexican to win the award. Since then she has gone on to feature in high-grossing films such as Marvel’s Black Panther, The Jungle Book and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The actress has had 56 nominations winning 36 times.

Kandyse McClure

After auditioning for a friend’s play in Canada she received a call to audition for a much bigger role and from then dedicated her life to the profession. McClure has since appeared in a number of high-profile films including Romeo Must Die, Battleship Galactica and Da Vinci’s Inquest.

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SAG Awards 2019 Winners: The Complete List

Unlike the award shows that have come before them, and the ones that will happen next, the Screen Actors Guild Awards is all about the actors.

We know that all awards shows are about the celebrities or the talent, but the SAG Awards are awarded by the actors themselves to their peers, so there's a whole different level of prestige when winning one of these trophies.

Tonight actors from both film and television arrived at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles to celebrate one another at the 2019 SAG Awards and it was a big show.

This year marked the second year that the show had a host with Megan Mullally taking over hosting duties from 2018's leader Kristen Bell. 

The Will & Grace star took the stage to run the show, but she wasn't the only one who had a good time.

Nominees like Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born, Christian Bale for Vice and Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards winner Glenn Close for The Wife were all in attendance, which meant the night was full of star reunions and run-ins.

This year the award show also celebrated 25 years and even though it's one of the younger award shows, the SAG Awards draws a lot of big names and it is a huge honor to win an award voted on by your peers.

Actors including, Sandra Oh, Antonio Banderas and Rachel Brosnahanall showed up to represent their shows and hope to take home The Actor trophies. 

Director Alan Alda has been named the 55th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award. Plus, Crazy Rich Asians star Harry Shum Jr. was dubbed the award show's ambassador.

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Ecobank Pay eliminates risk of payment repudiation – Akinwuntan

MANAGING Director/Chief Executive, Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Mr. Patrick Aknwuntan has said that Ecobank Pay solution enhances transactions between merchants and their customers by eliminating risk of payment repudiation.

He said: “The traditional ways that payments are made using cards on PoS means that the merchant, the small business person, the trader, the supermarket owner, the distributor, that entity that is holding a POS needs to wait for at least one day to get the value of the payment.

“The second reality is that because the payment is made using the card of the customer on a device of the merchant, international payment rules allows the person who is making the payment to repudiate if he or she finds a debit that he or she does not agree with.  These because you are putting your card on the gadget of the merchant and you really don’t have control if any other payment has gone through your card.

“But the Ecobank Pay solution is QR based, therefore it is you making the payment that determines that you are making a payment. There is no input or activity on the apart of the merchant. You just look at the QR or the merchant ID and the same way you are the one that buys airtime yourself, or you are the one that makes a transfer to your cousin, you make a payment instantly using the merchant ID or the QR image of the merchant.

“In that manner, the merchant has more confidence that he or she will receive credit instantly. So the first advantage for the merchant is that instead of waiting for one day you receive your funds immediately. That is very important for working capital particularly for small businesses.

“Secondly, you the customer making the payment, you are in total control of your own payment information. You don’t handover your payment information to the merchant, you only handover payment, the cash that you are paying through this process.

“And finally, the merchant is assured that all the payments that I have received is not with a risk that somebody will repudiate. After one month you can get a claim such that the person who made the payment is contesting.  The Ecobank Pay platform, there is no opportunity for such repudiation.  So these factors makes much more convenient particularly for our teaming SMEs.

“And this for us is critical in bringing more digitization into the economy; enable the small unit business entities to participate more effectively in the economy. It enables us to grant credit faster, save faster, reduces the risk of security in terms of exposure to cash or exposure to somebody pilfering your credentials.  So we will be bringing the message of Ecobank Pay to every household, to every business area, to markets, we have started but this year we will be bringing it to every household.”

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