Visa ban: Nigeria slams US, UK, says move disrespectful

The Nigerian government said it was disrespectful to the sovereignty of the country for any foreign government to apply punitive measures such as visa ban on its citizens.

The Nigerian government made this known in a statement issued by Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday in Abuja.

Nigeria was responding to the recent announcement of the U.S. and the United Kingdom to impose visa restrictions on those who undermine electoral processes.

The Nigerian government said it was disrespectful to the sovereignty of the country for any foreign government to apply punitive measures such as visa ban on its citizens.

The Nigerian government made this known in a statement issued by Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday in Abuja.

Nigeria was responding to the recent announcement of the U.S. and the United Kingdom to impose visa restrictions on those who undermine electoral processes.

“They have also expressed their intentions to take punitive measures against those who decide to, in what they termed as, undermine democracy.

“It is important to highlight that the responsibility for the conduct of elections in Nigeria solely resides with the Independent National Electoral Commission and State Independent Electoral Commissions.

“The Federal Government, and especially the President, is committed to providing all necessary logistic, financial and security support to the electoral process.

“The President has continually urged all parties and contestants to peacefully conduct themselves before, during and after the elections, and supported patriotic non-governmental initiatives such as the Abdusalami Abubakar-led Peace Committee.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/visa-ban-nigeria-slams-us-uk-says-move.html

Man goes berserk, murders two of his children, aged mother

A 47-year-old man, Emeka Ezimadu, on Thursday, went berserk killing two of his children and injuring three others.

The incident, it was gathered, happened at Okpuneze Uruagu in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State.

The man used a cutlass to carry out the attacks which left his 85-yr-old mother and two of his children dead.

Police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Mohammed, has confirmed the incident.

He said the police have arrested the man and commenced investigation into the incident.

According to him, two of the man’s five children and his 85 year w old mother, Agnes Ezimadu, were killed in the attack.

“On the September 17, at about 11:55pm, Police operatives attached to Nnewi Division arrested one Emeka Ezimadu ‘m’ aged 47years of Okpuneze Uruagu in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State”.

“Suspect allegedly ran amok in circumstances yet to be ascertained, attacked and killed two of his biological children namely Ifechukwu Ezimadu ‘m’ aged 9 years, Mmeso Ezimadu ‘f’ aged 2 years and his own mother one Agnes Ezimadu ‘f’ aged 85years of same address allegedly with a cutlass while they were sleeping”, he said.

Mr Haruna also revealed that the man also attacked and injured three other children.

 “Suspect equally used same offensive weapon and injured his three other children namely Nonso Ezimadu ‘m’ aged 12years, Chinaemerem Ezimadu ‘f’ aged 11 years and Ngozi Ezimadu ‘f’ aged 8years of same address”.

Mr Haruna said the police detectives visited the scene and rushed the victims to Akwudo hospital for medical attention where the two children and the aged mother were certified dead by a medical doctor while the three other children are receiving treatment.

“Corpses deposited at Akwudo hospital morgue for autopsy and case transferred to State CID Awka for discreet investigation”, he said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/man-goes-berserk-murders-two-of-his.html

Air Force bombs bandits’ hideout in Kaduna forest, many killed

The Defence Headquarters has said the air component of Operation Thunder Strike on Thursday, bombed bandits’ meeting venue in Kwaimbana Forest area of Kaduna State, killing many bandits.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

Enenche said that the air raid was conducted after series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions revealed the hideout, along with a building in the centre of the forest.

He said the Air Component dispatched Nigerian Air Force (NAF) jets and helicopter gunships to attack the location accordingly.

He said the attack aircraft took turns in engaging the target area, scoring accurate hits which resulted in the damage of the building as well as neutralisation of several bandits.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/air-force-bombs-bandits-hideout-in.html

Youths rally in Osun for Laycon

Hundreds of youths on Friday held a rally in Osogbo, capital of Osun to canvass votes for 26-year-old BBNaija Housemate, Olamileken Agbeleshe aka Laycon.

Ex-Osun Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akere, joined the rally tagged #TeamLaycon.

Akere, who led scores of youths in the rally, noted Laycon deserves massive votes from Nigerians because he displayed a high level of discipline since the show started.

“Laycon is the symbol of Omoluabi, who has shown a high level of intelligence through his brilliancy and hard work.

“Laycon is intelligent and has shown the best quality character you will want to see in young human being.

“When he came into the house he said he has done some songs which people know but they did not know him as a person.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/youths-rally-in-osun-for-laycon.html

Facebook opens new office in Lagos

Facebook on Friday said it would be opening an office in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of its continued commitment and ongoing investment in Africa.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, said this would be its second office on the African continent.

It said the opening of the new office was aimed at supporting the entire Sub-Saharan Africa region.

The office, it said, was expected to become operational in 2021.

According to Facebook, it will be the first on the continent to house a team of expert engineers building for the future of Africa and beyond.

Also, the office would be home to various teams servicing the continent from across the business, including Sales, Partnerships, Policy, Communications as well as Engineers.

Commenting, Ime Archibong, Facebook’s Head of New Product Experimentation, said: “The opening of our new office in Lagos, Nigeria presents new and exciting opportunities in digital innovations to be developed from the continent and taken to the rest of the world.

“All across Africa, we are seeing immense talent in the tech ecosystem and I am proud that with the upcoming opening of our new office, we will build products for the future of Africa, and the rest of the world, with Africans at the helm.

“We look forward to contributing further to the African tech ecosystem.

“The investment of the new Facebook office follows the 2018 opening of NG_Hub, its first flagship community hub space in Africa.

“The hub was opened in partnership with CcHub, and the 2019 opening of a Small Business Group (SBG) Operations Centre in Lagos, in partnership with Teleperformance, “Archibong said.

Kojo Boakye, Facebook’s Director of Public Policy, Africa said that the new office in Nigeria presents an important milestone which further reinforces the company’s ongoing commitment to the region.

“Our mission in Africa is no different from other parts of the world, which is to build community and bring the world closer together.

“I am excited about the possibilities that this will create, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa,” Boakye said.

The policy director said since the opening of its first office in 2015, Facebook had made a number of investments across the continent, aimed at supporting and growing the tech ecosystem.

Boakye noted that the support includes the recent rollout of its SMB Grants programme in Nigeria and South Africa.

He said this was aimed at supporting over 900 businesses by providing a combination of cash and ad credits to help small businesses as they rebuild from COVID.

Nunu Ntshingila, Regional Director, Facebook Africa, said: “We are delighted to be announcing our new office in Nigeria.

” Five years on from opening our first office on the continent in Johannesburg, South Africa, we will continue to invest in and support local talent, as well as the various communities that use our platforms.

“The office in Lagos will also be key in helping to expand how we service our clients across the continent,” Ntshingila said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/facebook-opens-new-office-in-lagos.html

Man who posed as female to defraud men is jailed

Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court has sentenced a 29-year-old man, Usman Muhammed, to jail for posing as a lady and using n3de pictures to dupe men.

Muhammed was arrested at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state, according to an operative of the EFCC.

EFCC’s counsel, Adenike Ayoku stated that the defendant is an internet fraudster, who pretended to be female and used female n3de photographs to fraudulently obtain money from unsuspecting internet users as evidenced in his Facebook and WhatsApp accounts.

He was then prosecuted by the Ilorin zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count charge of impersonation.

Justice Oyinloye, who noted that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and that the prosecution’s evidence was neither challenged nor contradicted by the defendant.

He ordered the convict to pay a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only ) within 24 hours or be committed to six months imprisonment.

The convict also forfeited his two phones which were the tools of his crime to the Federal Government.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/man-who-posed-as-female-to-defraud-men.html

Downloads of TikTok and WeChat to be banned in USA

The U.S. Department of Commerce, under President Donald Trump, announced on Friday that it is banning downloads of TikTok and WeChat starting this Sunday, September 20.

According to Good Morning America, the Trump administration announced the measure was necessary to “safeguard the national security of the United States.”

Trump released an executive order in August about the threat posed by TikTok, claiming that the Chinese-owned app may “allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information, potentially allowing China to track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage.”

TikTok released a statement to discredit Trump’s claim from U.S. General Manager Vanessa Pappas after Trump first threatened to ban TikTok in early August.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s full ban of TikTok won’t go into effect until after the election on November 12. However, WeChat is already having more drastic restrictions placed starting on Sunday: GMA reports that the U.S. will ban the transfer of funds or processing payments when used in the country.

U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross released a statement celebrating Trump’s move.

Today’s actions prove once again that President Trump will do everything in his power to guarantee our national security and protect Americans from the threats of the Chinese Communist Party,” Ross said. “At the President’s direction, we have taken significant action to combat China’s malicious collection of American citizens’ personal data, while promoting our national values, democratic rules-based norms, and aggressive enforcement of U.S. laws and regulations.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/downloads-of-tiktok-and-wechat-to-be.html

BBNaija: Why I want Laycon evicted – Neo

BBNaija housemate, Neo has given a reason why he wants Laycon evicted from the lockdown house.

Neo during his diary session on Thursday night said Laycon has achieved a lot since the beginning of the BBNaija season 5 as an artist and has enough exposure.

According to him, Laycon has already gotten to a great stage in his life.

Laycon’s songs have been played by several DJ’s during Saturday night parties in the lockdown house.

He told Biggie: “First of all I was surprised I was not nominated this week.

“I would have nominated Laycon to be evicted if it was the regular process because I feel he has gained a lot already as an artist based on Saturday night parties.

“I would have also nominated Dorathy because she likes to get under my skin often.”

Neo further expressed shock that he was not nominated by the other team for eviction this week.

Neo, Vee and Nengi are one of the finalists of BBNaija season 5 and stand a chance to win the grand prize worth N85m.

The survivors of this Sunday’s eviction will join them to battle for the grand prize worth N85m.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/bbnaija-why-i-want-laycon-evicted-neo.html

Wike redeems N30m pledge to police over Bobosky’s arrest

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday  redeemed the N30m bounty to the police following the arrest of notorious armed robber and kidnapper, Honest Diigbara, popularly known as Boboski last Saturday.

Wike had last year placed the bounty on Boboski for information that would lead to his arrest.

Bobisky died hours after his arrest while being paraded to journalists at the police headquarter in Port Harcourt.

Wike presented the cheque to the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan, on Thursday through the Seceratry to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

Mukan confirmed the receipt of the cheque, describing the governor as a promise keeper.

He added that the  late kidnapper killed a major police informant before he was arrested.

“I am glad to inform you that today (Thursday) His Excellency redeemed that pledge he placed as bounty on Boboski.

“He released the sum of N30m as he promised to the command to get it across to the informants who assisted the police in the arrest of Boboski,” he stated.

Mukan said a herbalist who had been providing the command with vital information was killed by Boboski.

“Only God knows how Boboski located the man. This bounty will go a long way to support the family of that man,” Mukan said.

He also said another informant had been successfully relocated to Port Harcourt so that he would not be killed.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/wike-redeems-n30m-pledge-to-police-over.html

Soldier fighting Boko Haram reportedly commits suicide

A soldier, identified as Lance Corporal Victor Ojeamiran serving with 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni-Yadi in Yobe State has reportedly committed suicide.

It was gathered that the incident occurred yesterday, the 17th of September, 2020 while the deceased was at his duty post.

Information as of the time of filing in this report is still sketchy regarding the motive behind the soldier’s action.

The corpse of the late soldier was said to have been deposited at the Yobe State Specialists’ Hospital, Damaturu.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/soldier-fighting-boko-haram-reportedly.html

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Farouq again inspects floods from an aircraft

Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, is in the news again for inspecting floods from an aircraft.

On Friday, the ministry, on Twitter, posted photos of her looking out the window during the assessment.

It tweeted that Farouq embarked on an official visit to Kebbi State on a Nigeria Air Force surveillance aircraft.

“The aircraft made a detour and flew low over the banks of river Niger from Kainji in Niger State up to Yauri in Kebbi State for the HM to assess the impact of the flood on the river banks.”

The update was provided 24 hours after a similar one that triggered derision on social media.

In flood situations globally, government officials and experts use choppers and drones for a close-up view.

The latest tweet has generated reactions.

“Trying to reposition your previous post, still irrelevant anyways. Just one drone would have saved us the resources wasted on the Nigeria Airforce aircraft”, Adewale Majofodun tweeted.

“This is so embarrassing with the level of cheaper technology, why fly a private jet to get an aerial view. Please take it down”, AM Audu wrote.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/again-buharis-minister-sadiya-farouq.html

WTO includes Okonjo-Iweala in final shortlist, evicts 3 candidates [Full list]

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance, has been included in the final shortlist of candidates for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The WTO members, however, evicted three candidates from the race to be the next DG of the body, according to Bloomberg on Friday.

The Geneva-based WTO said Egypt’s Hamid Mamdouh, Mexico’s Jesus Seade and Moldova’s Tudor Ulianovschi did not secure enough support in the first of three rounds of voting.

“Their expertise and high professional and personal qualities are highly valued and respected by all members,” WTO General Council Chairman, David Walker, said in a statement on Friday.

However, the second phase of consultations would start on September 24 to October 6 after which the WTO would release two final candidates.

The goal was to name a new WTO leader by November 7, 2020.

Okonjo-Iweala is left in the race alongside Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri, UK’s Liam Fox, South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee and Kenya’s Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/wto-includes-okonjo-iweala-in-final.html

Busted!!! Nigeria@60 Independence logo was copied from a Russian company

The Nigeria @ 60 logo unveiled earlier this week by President Muhammad Buhari was copied from a Russian diamond mining company. 

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday 16th of September 2020, unveiled the Nigeria@60 logo and theme for the country’s Diamond Jubilee celebration on October 1st.

It was later discovered that the logo was first used by a Russian diamond mining company, Alrosa, in 2017.

The logo was published on Forbes edition of August 3, 2017 with the headline: “Russian Mining Giant Unveils 51-Carat ‘Dynasty’ Diamond.”

It is not clear if the Nigerian government got permission from Alrosa to us this picture. This is not the first time the Nigerian government under President Buhari will be accused of unwholesome copying.

In September 2016, a part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Change Begins With Me” speech, delivered at the launching of a social initiative against corruption and other vices, was copied from former American president Barack Obama’s 2008 victory speech.

“It was observed that the similarities between a paragraph in President Obama’s 2008 victory speech…are too close to be passed as coincidence,” presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said in a statement, adding that an unnamed “overzealous” speechwriter responsible for the plagiarism will face “appropriate sanction”.

In January 2019, a website belonging to Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress published a plagiarised manifesto on its website.

But the party’s spokesman Lanre Issa-Onilu said the website was hacked by people who have “evil plots”.

The first paragraph of the power supply section of the party’s Next Level agenda published on apc.com.ng showed remarkable similarities to the content published on several other websites.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/busted-nigeria60-independence-logo-was.html

Nollywood actor Femi Adebayo celebrates wife, Memunat

Nollywood actor Femi Adebayo is a happy man as his wife Aduke Memunat became a year old today.

In a special message posted on his Instagram page, Femi described Memunat as a “gorgeous wife.”

Femi posted a video which captured moments from their wedding day, and added a sweet caption to it.

Read the caption below:

It’s a special day today! 

My joy know no bounds as I celebrate with my gorgeous wife another birthday in good health and abundance of progress!

Thank you for saying YES to me.

I love you darling. .

Let’s have some fun dear! 

Femi, first son of veteran Yoruba actor Adebayo Salami aka Oga Bello, and Memunat married on the 9th of October 2016, in a secret location in Maryland, Lagos.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/nollywood-actor-femi-adebayo-celebrates.html

Afghan president approves inclusion of mother’s name on ID cards

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Friday approved the inclusion of a mother’s name in the country’s national identity cards.

For years activists have fought for the change, which experts see as an important step towards gender equality.

The father’s name is already included.

“The mother’s name is officially included in the national identity cards, along with other personal details,” Ghani’s spokesman tweeted.

According to Women’s Rights Activist, Heather Barr of New York-based Human Rights Watch, this is a hugely important step.

“This will have immediate real-world consequences for women.

“This will also make it easier for them to obtain education, health care, and passports and other documentation for their children, and to travel with their children,” Barr added.

In many countries in the region, only the name of the father is given in official documents.

In Afghanistan, activists complain that this makes women invisible.

In traditional parts of Afghan society, it is still regarded as shameful to talk about female family members using their given names.

Just two days ago, a former Taliban commander Sayed Agha said that for Afghans, putting their mother’s names on their ID cards would be a “dishonour.’’

According to Barr, the decree is an important sign to the peace talks in Qatar, where the Islamists Taliban are negotiating with the government.

“While Afghan women are desperate for peace they also have so much to potentially lose in the negotiation process.

“This new law is a confidence boost and reminder of the many battles Afghan women’s rights activists have fought and won since 2001,” the activists said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/afghan-president-approves-inclusion-of.html

Kylie Jenner sets pulses racing in plunging red bikini

Kylie Jenner made the most of her $36 million home's features as she headed to the pool for a relaxing afternoon. 

The makeup mogul, 23, looked sensational as she traded her designer dresses for a skimpy red bikini that left little to the imagination.

The mum-of-one shared her revealing look on Instagram, making her 195 million followers turn green with envy. 

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/kylie-jenner-sets-pulses-racing-in.html

Airport official who Davido gifted $100 cries out after getting sacked

An airport official claims he lost his job after collecting hundred dollar tip from Davido. 

A video of Davido giving money to an airport staff surfaced on the internet few months ago, the man has come out to cry for help, following the punishment he faced for collecting the gift.

According to the man, receiving money from passengers at the airport is unethical, as airport authorities have allegedly fired the staff for “begging a passenger for money” which is strictly forbidden.

He has however cried to Davido to help him clear his name by testifying that he did not beg him for the money, instead, Davido gave him willingly after he hailed him.

Watch his video below;

View this post on Instagram

Cries out for help after getting sacked because it’s against Airport policy for Staff to beg Passengers for money. . . Follow @mediagist for more exclusive updates.

A post shared by @ mediagist on Sep 17, 2020 at 10:30am PDT

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/airport-official-who-davido-gifted-100.html

Ondo poll: INEC opens special registration link for NYSC members

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said it had opened a special link for the registration of additional National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), members as ad hoc staff for the Ondo State governorship election.

The commission made this known in a statement issued after its meeting by Mr. Festus Okoye, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, in Abuja.

Okoye said that as a result of the disruption of normal processes in the electoral process occasioned by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, INEC could not get the full complement of the NYSC members required as ad hoc staff for the election.

“Consequently, the Commission had to broaden its net to recruit the required ad hoc staff from tertiary institutions.

“However, the NYSC authorities recently informed the Commission that they were now in a position to mobilize more corps members for the Ondo State governorship election.

“ Meanwhile, the portal for the recruitment of ad hoc staff for the said election had closed since Aug. 21.

“After due consideration and to restore the corps members to their role in the electoral process, the Commission has decided to allow the recruitment of these additional NYSC members only.

“A special link to the registration form has, therefore, been provided to NYSC authorities to be used for this purpose.

“The Commission notes with appreciation the commitment of the NYSC leadership in sustaining the patriotic and crucial roles being played by corps members in the conduct of elections,’’ Okoye said.

On the Edo State governorship election, Okoye said that all sensitive materials for the election had left the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in Benin for the various Local Government Areas in the State.

“Agents of the political parties involved in the election as well as those of the accredited Observer Groups observed the distribution of the sensitive materials.

“The Commission implores all the relevant stakeholders to continue to observe the distribution of the sensitive materials as they are moved further down the chain to the Registration Area Centres (RACs),’’ Okoye said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/ondo-poll-inec-opens-special.html

Marital crisis: Femi Fani-Kayode’s wife finally breaks silence

Femi Fani-Kayode’s wife , Precious has finally broken her silence 24 hours after the news about their failed marriage broke the internet

In her latest post on Instagram, the mother of four talked about how the lord has turned her captivity into happiness for her.

In her words ;

“When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/marital-crisis-femi-fani-kayodes-wife.html

BBNaija 2020: Why I nominated Trikytee, Laycon for eviction – Dorathy

Big Brother Naija housemate, Dorathy, has given reason she nominated Trikytee and Laycon for possible eviction.

Dorathy’s team on Monday put up Laycon and Trikytee for eviction this week.

The housemate, who survives Sunday’s eviction will get a spot in the finale.

Giving reasons for nominating Laycon, Dorathy during her diary session with Biggie on Thursday night, said she chose Laycon because he has escaped been up for eviction sometimes.

She added that her teammates also convinced her to choose Laycon.

Dorathy said: “I and my teammates nominated Trikytee because he has been up and survived so it was not a personal thing but part of strategy.

“It was also just part of strategy because I felt Laycon too has not been up so much.”

She added that she does not regret her team’s nomination which had Vee and Neo emerge as finalists.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/09/bbnaija-2020-why-i-nominated-trikytee.html