08:10 18/06/2015
Lagos - Olumuyiwa Jimoh, the Deputy Majority Leader, Lagos State
House of Assembly, on Wednesday, said that the leadership of the 8th
Assembly would surpass the achievements of the 7th Assembly.
Jimoh (APC-Apapa 2) disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.
The
lawmaker expressed confidence in the ability of the Speaker of the
House, Mudashiru Obasa, to move the House and the state forward.
"I
am part of the leaders of the Assembly; we are going to stand on the
shoulders of the leadership of the previous Assembly so that we can see
beyond what they have done.
"Obviously,
Adeyemi Ikuforiji (former Speaker) is a brother, he is a leader, but I
am assuring you that this generation of leaders would fit into his
shoes," he said.
The lawmaker said that there was nothing special
about having opposition members in the House, which in the 7th Assembly,
comprised only APC members.
"They would be incorporated into the activities of the House.
"Issues will be raised and they will be debated, so majority will have their way," he said.
The lawmaker said that the leadership of the Assembly would manage all unforeseen challenges and crises of the House.
According
to him, the Assembly will support the Lagos State Governor, Mr
Akinwunmi Ambode to succeed in making the state a better place to live.
The
lawmaker, however, cautioned against introduction of politics of
ethnicity to the state, stressing that the state remained cosmopolitan
in nature.
The 40-member Assembly comprises 32 APC members and 8 PDP members.
News, Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Inspiration and yes... Gossip! *Wink*
Thursday, 18 June 2015
Janet Jackson announces tour dates
08:10 18/06/2015
New York - Six-time Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum selling artist Janet Jackson will kick off a 32-city tour on 31 August in Vancouver, Live Nation announced on Monday.
Jackson's new album - her first in seven years - will be released this fall.
Her last studio album was 2008's Discipline.
Jackson's catalog of hits dates back to the mid-1980s, ranging from What Have You Done for Me Lately to That's the Way Love Goes to All for You.
The first U.S. tour date is on 11 September in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Rhythm Nation singer also announced shows in Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Miami.
With 36 shows in the US and Canada, tickets for the Unbreakable World Tour go on sale on 22 June.
New York - Six-time Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum selling artist Janet Jackson will kick off a 32-city tour on 31 August in Vancouver, Live Nation announced on Monday.
Jackson's new album - her first in seven years - will be released this fall.
Her last studio album was 2008's Discipline.
Jackson's catalog of hits dates back to the mid-1980s, ranging from What Have You Done for Me Lately to That's the Way Love Goes to All for You.
The first U.S. tour date is on 11 September in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Rhythm Nation singer also announced shows in Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Miami.
With 36 shows in the US and Canada, tickets for the Unbreakable World Tour go on sale on 22 June.
MERS poses risk to South Korean economy
08:10 18/06/2015
Seoul - An outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) threatens to deal a blow to South Korea's economic recovery, Moody's Investors Service said on Thursday, as the health ministry reported three new cases, the lowest daily increase in 17 days.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak was a "wake-up call" but does not constitute a global emergency. The WHO also described South Korean authorities' efforts to contain the spread "very impressive".
There have been signs that the outbreak, the largest outside of Saudi Arabia may be slowing. The daily number of new cases has dropped to single digits this week compared to as many as 23 last week. Three were reported on Thursday - the lowest increase since June 1.
"The spread of the illness is credit negative for the sovereign, because it is dampening consumer confidence amid already-weak domestic demand, threatening to undermine an incipient recovery in economic growth," Moody's said.
The outbreak has kept consumers from visiting malls and parks, spelling a drop in consumer spending. Worried by the economic impact, President Park Geun-hye and other leaders have urged the public and the business community to return to normal.
MERS infections and deaths
The finance minister has said it was considering a possible supplementary budget to bolster the economy, which is Asia's fourth-largest.
The blow from the MERS outbreak is unlikely to be serious enough to prompt a sovereign ratings downgrade, said Park Sang-hyun, a senior economist at HI Investment & Securities. South Korean debt is currently rated at Aa3 positive by Moody's, well within investment grade territory.
"A ratings change will not have a big impact on the markets, even if it does happen."
A total of 165 people have been infected and 23 have died in the outbreak that has been traced to a 68-year-old man who returned from a trip to the Middle East in early May.
The WHO said it expected new cases in coming weeks.
More than 6 700 people are in quarantine, either at home or in health facilities.
All of the infections known to have occurred in South Korea have taken place in healthcare facilities. Three hospitals have been at least partially shut and two have been locked down with patients and medical staff inside.
MERS is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered China's deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The vast majority of MERS infections and deaths have been in Saudi Arabia, where more than 1 000 people have been infected since 2012, and about 454 have died.
Seoul - An outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) threatens to deal a blow to South Korea's economic recovery, Moody's Investors Service said on Thursday, as the health ministry reported three new cases, the lowest daily increase in 17 days.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said the outbreak was a "wake-up call" but does not constitute a global emergency. The WHO also described South Korean authorities' efforts to contain the spread "very impressive".
There have been signs that the outbreak, the largest outside of Saudi Arabia may be slowing. The daily number of new cases has dropped to single digits this week compared to as many as 23 last week. Three were reported on Thursday - the lowest increase since June 1.
"The spread of the illness is credit negative for the sovereign, because it is dampening consumer confidence amid already-weak domestic demand, threatening to undermine an incipient recovery in economic growth," Moody's said.
The outbreak has kept consumers from visiting malls and parks, spelling a drop in consumer spending. Worried by the economic impact, President Park Geun-hye and other leaders have urged the public and the business community to return to normal.
MERS infections and deaths
The finance minister has said it was considering a possible supplementary budget to bolster the economy, which is Asia's fourth-largest.
The blow from the MERS outbreak is unlikely to be serious enough to prompt a sovereign ratings downgrade, said Park Sang-hyun, a senior economist at HI Investment & Securities. South Korean debt is currently rated at Aa3 positive by Moody's, well within investment grade territory.
"A ratings change will not have a big impact on the markets, even if it does happen."
A total of 165 people have been infected and 23 have died in the outbreak that has been traced to a 68-year-old man who returned from a trip to the Middle East in early May.
The WHO said it expected new cases in coming weeks.
More than 6 700 people are in quarantine, either at home or in health facilities.
All of the infections known to have occurred in South Korea have taken place in healthcare facilities. Three hospitals have been at least partially shut and two have been locked down with patients and medical staff inside.
MERS is caused by a coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered China's deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The vast majority of MERS infections and deaths have been in Saudi Arabia, where more than 1 000 people have been infected since 2012, and about 454 have died.
Gov. Ambode calls for strict adherence to dictates of Islam
08:10 18/06/2015
Lagos - Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday called for strict adherence to the dictates of Islam, as Muslims begin the Holy month of Ramadan.
Ambode, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna said Ramadan signified a month of piety and abstinence from food and all vices for all believers.
The governor, who said that the period of abstinence should go with orderly behaviour and obedience to constituted authority, said with the fear of God, people would obey all laws.
"All Muslims must ensure that the abstinence from all vices during the Ramadan period should become an everyday affair because in doing so, each person will be at peace with him or herself," he said.
Ambode also called for peaceful co-existence among all residents of the state.
He said that it was only in a peaceful atmosphere that all plans and programmes of the present government could be executed.
“At this critical period of nation building, the lessons of the holy month must permeate all actions and deeds of the people in such a way that each person serves as his brother’s keeper always.
"It should also be a period of re-dedication to the ideals of nation building by the entire citizenry," he said.
Lagos - Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Wednesday called for strict adherence to the dictates of Islam, as Muslims begin the Holy month of Ramadan.
Ambode, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna said Ramadan signified a month of piety and abstinence from food and all vices for all believers.
The governor, who said that the period of abstinence should go with orderly behaviour and obedience to constituted authority, said with the fear of God, people would obey all laws.
"All Muslims must ensure that the abstinence from all vices during the Ramadan period should become an everyday affair because in doing so, each person will be at peace with him or herself," he said.
Ambode also called for peaceful co-existence among all residents of the state.
He said that it was only in a peaceful atmosphere that all plans and programmes of the present government could be executed.
“At this critical period of nation building, the lessons of the holy month must permeate all actions and deeds of the people in such a way that each person serves as his brother’s keeper always.
"It should also be a period of re-dedication to the ideals of nation building by the entire citizenry," he said.
Nigeria brings back citizens in Yemen
08:10 18/06/2015
Abuja - The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Monday, received the first batch of Nigerians in Yemen as Federal Government commenced the evacuation of its citizens from the crisis ridden country.
Muhammad Sani-Sidi, Director-General of NEMA, said the exercise was in line with government’s directive to immediately evacuate Nigerians stranded in Yemen.
The DG, represented by Navy Captain Michael Igwe, Head of the Mission Control Centre at NEMA, received the returnees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Igwe explained that the operation was ongoing as the government, alongside its Embassy in Saudi Arabia, was working in collaboration with the government of Saudi Arabia to ensure their safe return.
"Yemen is at war and the Federal Government directed that Nigerians stranded in Yemen should be evacuated and there are about 58 Nigerians that are stranded there.
"However, our Embassy in Saudi Arabia, which we are coordinating with, has been able to get three Nigerians out.
"They have been waiting in Saudi Arabia but we were informed that the number of days given by Saudi Government for the evacuees to transit though Saudi Arabia has been exhausted.
"They have to quickly put them on board the available aircraft to Nigeria while they are gathering the majority of the evacuees and that is why the three Nigerians are here now.
"They complained to us sometimes ago that the border with Yemen was closed last week so they are finding it very difficult to bring out the Nigerians.
"However, they are assuring us that within the next one week, they would be able to get as many Nigerians to Jeddah as possible."
Igwe said the returnees had undergone the preliminary stages of their resettlement as they have been tested by the ports health authorities and have been profiled and registered in the data base.
Igwe said the Nigeria government would continue to assist them until they were fully settled in with proper means of livelihood.
Receiving the returnees, the Liaison Officers from Kebbi, Kaduna, and Adamawa States where the returnees hail from, said arrangements had been made for them to reunite with their families.
Bitrus Shekowoagaza, the Administrative Secretary, Kebbi State Liaison Office in Abuja, said their identities would be verified to ensure that they were indigenes of the state.
He explained that the security verification was of essence so that they would be sure that they would not pose any form of security threat to their communities.
The returnees expressed their appreciation to the government for their intervention and bringing them back home to be reunited with their families.
Speaking on their behalf, Celestine Nwerem explained that they went to Yemen in a bid to pursue their football careers.
Nwerem pleaded with government to assist them in pursuing their dreams in Nigeria.
"We are all professional footballers; this is where we look up to our future to help our families and friends.
"Since the war has brought us back, we would be happy about any assistance they can render to us.
"Secondly, we are very happy to return safely because many have lost their lives while the war is still going in Yemen," Nwerem said.
The returnee urged the government and relevant authorities to speed up the evacuation to avoid losing more of its citizens.
Abuja - The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Monday, received the first batch of Nigerians in Yemen as Federal Government commenced the evacuation of its citizens from the crisis ridden country.
Muhammad Sani-Sidi, Director-General of NEMA, said the exercise was in line with government’s directive to immediately evacuate Nigerians stranded in Yemen.
The DG, represented by Navy Captain Michael Igwe, Head of the Mission Control Centre at NEMA, received the returnees at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Igwe explained that the operation was ongoing as the government, alongside its Embassy in Saudi Arabia, was working in collaboration with the government of Saudi Arabia to ensure their safe return.
"Yemen is at war and the Federal Government directed that Nigerians stranded in Yemen should be evacuated and there are about 58 Nigerians that are stranded there.
"However, our Embassy in Saudi Arabia, which we are coordinating with, has been able to get three Nigerians out.
"They have been waiting in Saudi Arabia but we were informed that the number of days given by Saudi Government for the evacuees to transit though Saudi Arabia has been exhausted.
"They have to quickly put them on board the available aircraft to Nigeria while they are gathering the majority of the evacuees and that is why the three Nigerians are here now.
"They complained to us sometimes ago that the border with Yemen was closed last week so they are finding it very difficult to bring out the Nigerians.
"However, they are assuring us that within the next one week, they would be able to get as many Nigerians to Jeddah as possible."
Igwe said the returnees had undergone the preliminary stages of their resettlement as they have been tested by the ports health authorities and have been profiled and registered in the data base.
Igwe said the Nigeria government would continue to assist them until they were fully settled in with proper means of livelihood.
Receiving the returnees, the Liaison Officers from Kebbi, Kaduna, and Adamawa States where the returnees hail from, said arrangements had been made for them to reunite with their families.
Bitrus Shekowoagaza, the Administrative Secretary, Kebbi State Liaison Office in Abuja, said their identities would be verified to ensure that they were indigenes of the state.
He explained that the security verification was of essence so that they would be sure that they would not pose any form of security threat to their communities.
The returnees expressed their appreciation to the government for their intervention and bringing them back home to be reunited with their families.
Speaking on their behalf, Celestine Nwerem explained that they went to Yemen in a bid to pursue their football careers.
Nwerem pleaded with government to assist them in pursuing their dreams in Nigeria.
"We are all professional footballers; this is where we look up to our future to help our families and friends.
"Since the war has brought us back, we would be happy about any assistance they can render to us.
"Secondly, we are very happy to return safely because many have lost their lives while the war is still going in Yemen," Nwerem said.
The returnee urged the government and relevant authorities to speed up the evacuation to avoid losing more of its citizens.
Three Dutch tourists killed in Portugal bus crash
08:55 18/06/2015
Lisbon -Three Dutch tourists were killed and at least 29 people injured when their bus crashed in southern Portugal late Wednesday, officials said.
The bus, which had 50 tourists aboard, crashed shortly after 11:00 pm in the country's southernmost Algarve region, the Lusa news agency quoted police as saying.
Dutch foreign ministry spokesman Herman van Gelderen said that "three Dutch tourists have been killed and 29 others, many of them Dutch, have been injured."
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, police said.
The wounded, some of them seriously injured, were transported to various local hospitals.
Lisbon -Three Dutch tourists were killed and at least 29 people injured when their bus crashed in southern Portugal late Wednesday, officials said.
The bus, which had 50 tourists aboard, crashed shortly after 11:00 pm in the country's southernmost Algarve region, the Lusa news agency quoted police as saying.
Dutch foreign ministry spokesman Herman van Gelderen said that "three Dutch tourists have been killed and 29 others, many of them Dutch, have been injured."
The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, police said.
The wounded, some of them seriously injured, were transported to various local hospitals.
Charleston shooting a ‘hate crime’
08:55 18/06/2015
Charleston - Nine people were killed when a white gunman entered a historic African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina, and opened fire, the city's police chief said on Thursday.
One other person was wounded and taken to a hospital, Chief Gregory Mullen told reporters about four hours after the shooting on Wednesday evening.
Describing the shooting as a hate crime, Mullen said: "It is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives."
He also said that an all-clear had been sounded after an earlier bomb threat in the area of the church.
‘Unspeakable’
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley expressed his heartbreak at the events that unfolded at the church.
"This is an unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy in this most historic church, an evil and hateful person took the lives of citizens who had come to worship and pray together," Riley told the Post and Courier newspaper in South Carolina.
Charleston Police Department spokesperson Charles Francis said the shooting occurred at the Emanuel AME Church around 21:00 local time.
Police have provided no information on victims.
Charleston - Nine people were killed when a white gunman entered a historic African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina, and opened fire, the city's police chief said on Thursday.
One other person was wounded and taken to a hospital, Chief Gregory Mullen told reporters about four hours after the shooting on Wednesday evening.
Describing the shooting as a hate crime, Mullen said: "It is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk into a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives."
He also said that an all-clear had been sounded after an earlier bomb threat in the area of the church.
‘Unspeakable’
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley expressed his heartbreak at the events that unfolded at the church.
"This is an unspeakable and heartbreaking tragedy in this most historic church, an evil and hateful person took the lives of citizens who had come to worship and pray together," Riley told the Post and Courier newspaper in South Carolina.
Charleston Police Department spokesperson Charles Francis said the shooting occurred at the Emanuel AME Church around 21:00 local time.
Police have provided no information on victims.
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