‘Farmers are ready to tap into Tinubu’s proposed cassava, maize economy’

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Farmers across the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have expressed their readiness to tap the opportunities in cassava and maize value chain as proposed by the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

The farmers, under the aegis of  Asiwaju Farmers Forum, stated this yesterday in Abuja.

The Nation reported that the group said their resolve to tap from the abundant opportunities in staples such as cassava and maize followed Tinubu’s assurance to invest massively in the entire agriculture value chain if elected president next year.

Leader of the group and National Coordinator, Nigerian Farmers Group and Cooperative Society (NFGCS), Mr. Retson Tedheke, said there must be a different approach to tackle the economic challenge for Nigeria to work.

Tedheke said localisation, industrialisation and sustainable economic strategy will be central to this.

He noted that the focus must be on productivity, processing, warehousing, rural stability and vocation manpower development that is focused on maize, cassava, yam, soy beans, palm trees, sesame, date palm, coconut, cattle, goats, sheep, fish, pigs among others.

According to him: “Our population is mostly not employable except in the art of farming. When a population is as uneducated as we are, we look for the low hanging fruits to get us rolling and working in large numbers even with machines. Our people, particularly in rural Nigeria, need to be engaged in large numbers before they engage us violently with devastating consequences.

“Our imports must be on how to add value to what we can produce locally, it must be on extra jobs; it must be focused on nothing but managing the evolving rural Nigeria quagmire and turning what is currently becoming a curse to blessing.

“The problem of Nigeria is Nigerians. Our failure as a country is our fault as a people. The USD is not coming down soon. Our hunger is not going away. We cannot import everything and expect our people to be free from the challenging economic mess we face.

“There are no immediate solutions outside agbado (maize) and cassava. No place will be safe if we continue to play with a hungry and angry uneducated population. Lagos is working even if slowly and steadily. Nigeria will work.

“Holland makes about $5billion annually from exporting flowers and $100billion annually from agriculture and agribusiness. Those who ridicule agriculture as the only foundation for national development are naive and ignorant about real national economic growth,” he submitted.

Obi plans to fake assassination attempt - Keyamo

Festus Keyamo

The Director of Media and Public Affairs, All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo, on Monday, raised the alarm that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, is planning to fake an assassination attempt and hire some supporters dressed in the APC caps and t-shirts to attack some of his party offices.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment also accused the former Anambra State governor of allegedly circulating a hate-filled video online to disparage and spread the rumour that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is withdrawing from the 2023 general elections due to ill health.

Keyamo made the claim in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

The PUNCH reported that, while challenging Obi to reveal the source and name(s) of the culprits behind the nebulous WhatsApp message, Keyamo noted that it was obvious the LP candidate deliberately concocted the message and circulated the offensive video himself as a campaign strategy.

The statement read in part, “Our attention has been drawn to an offensive, hate-filled video made and circulated by Obi in which he accused an amorphous and non-existent ‘Tinubu’s Group’ of spreading a Whatsapp message calling on the Yoruba not to vote for him. The purported message, according to Obi, forewarned the Yoruba that a vote for Peter Obi would be a vote for a seaport in the South-South and South-East regions.

“We are also aware that plans are afoot by Obi to fake an assassination attempt on himself and hire LP boys dressed in APC caps and t-shirts to attack some LP offices. It is all part of the ‘US Plan.’ It is the first in a series of incendiary actions planned by this ill-prepared but desperate candidate.”

Reacting to Keyamo’s allegation, Obi’s media aide, Emeka Obasi, described it as fallacious.

Obasi said, “It is a fallacy. You media people should also know when you see something fallacious. Does Peter look like someone who pretends or fakes things? What do we gain by faking an assassination attempt? Are they in any way trying to carry out such an attempt and seeking to blame Obi for it? The public deserves to know and that’s what we should put up in the press.

“Does Keyamo know more than we know and just use this opportunity to cry wolf? What is his plan for uttering this kind of stupid statement? Does he think Obi is part of the old order always desperate for power? Whenever he says ‘Go and verify’, does it look like scheming?”

Anglican priest resigns to form polygamous movement

Rev. Ogbuchukwu Lotanna

Against widespread belief of one man, one wife among Christians, an Anglican priest of the Nnewi Diocese in Anambra State, Rev. Ogbuchukwu Lotanna, has opined that polygamy is not a sin.

The cleric who resigned his position as an Anglican priest to form a polygamous movement known as “Gideonites”, stated in his resignation letter that he received a divine mandate to float a movement in support of polygamy.

Lotanna who is also a lawyer from Mbanagu Otolo, Nnewi claimed that “Gideonites” was aimed at encouraging polygamy, with a vision to reducing the rate of sexual sins in society, adding that the place of worship would be called “Gideonites Temple.”

Lotanna also noted that God hates divorce and sleeping with another man’s wife  and not polygamy that many preach against among Christians.

He insisted that God desired men to even marry more than one wife, instead of going for someone’s wife or ladies they were not married to.

He said he had taken his time to discover the truth the church had hidden from members for a long time, adding that it was high time people were told the truth.

This development has generated a lots of criticism from his colleagues who were amazed at Lotanna’s new belief.

Lotanna ordained an Anglican priest on December 22, 2019, at Cathedral Church of St. Mary’s Uruagu, Nnewi, is married to Chinyere Abigail, who hails from Umuogbu village Achara in Awka North of Anambra State.

No official reaction yet from the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi about the development, as the diocese is busy with the activities of its 2022 synod.

INSIDE THE 10-DAY PLAN OF ROYAL EVENTS IN HONOUR OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Queen Elizabeth II

With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled for more than 70 years, the United Kingdom and the entire world, has been thrown into mourning and at least 10 days of solemn ceremony had been carefully orchestrated and detailed in her honour.

Not many people alive anywhere in the world will have witnessed anything like the carefully orchestrated and detailed plan, including gun salutes, bells pealing across the land and millions gathering to pay tribute for the revered Queen. A national mourning has been proclaimed in Britain which will last until after the Queen’s funeral.

Code-named London Bridge, the plan for the queen’s death, which has been years in the making, will stage-manage an otherwise uncertain few weeks for the nation, from the succession to a new king to a period of national mourning, the queen’s funeral and the eventual coronation of her eldest son, King Charles III, 73, according to advance briefings with Buckingham Palace officials.

Friday (9th September)

The queen's coffin will be moved to the ballroom at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, covered in the royal standard of Scotland and a wreath of flowers that is changed daily. The many staff members at Balmoral and its vast estate will be able to pay their respects.

From the moment of Elizabeth’s death in Balmoral Castle, Charles officially proclaimed the monarch of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as the head of state of Commonwealth countries.

Saturday (10th Sept.)

The coffin will be carried from the Balmoral ballroom by a party of bearers consisting of the Balmoral estate head keep and six other keepers. The queen's official bagpipe player, the Piper to the Sovereign, will walk ahead of the coffin as it leaves by hearse.

The queen’s body will then be moved to Holyrood, her residence in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, where a military guard of honor will meet it.

In London, members of the Privy Council, a committee of senior current and former politicians and judges who advise the monarch, will hear the new king say an oath and give a speech. For the first time, the meeting — a constitutional formality known as the Accession Council — will be televised.

Also in attendance will be the Archbishop of Canterbury, the most senior clergyman in the Church of England, which the new king now heads.

Sunday (11th Sept.)

King Charles III and the Queen Consort will go to Holyrood, where he will be met with a 21-gun salute.

Members of the royal family, including Elizabeth's children and grandchildren, will join a procession from Holyrood to Edinburgh's St. Giles’ Cathedral, with the guns of Edinburgh Castle firing every minute throughout.

A service will be held at the cathedral, where the queen's coffin will rest for 24 hours, allowing members of the public to file past and pay their respects.

Towns and cities across the U.K. will make their own proclamations to the new king, with fanfares at Cardiff Castle, Wales; Mercat Cross, a ceremonial monument on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh; and Hillsborough Castle in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Monday (12th Sept.)

The queen’s coffin will leave St. Giles’ Cathedral by car before it is moved to London.

The new king and his wife, Camilla, will receive messages of condolence in Westminster Hall, between the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

Tuesday (13th Sept.)

As the coffin arrives at London's St. Pancras Station, it will be greeted by senior royals, the prime minister and other dignitaries before it is transferred to Buckingham Palace by car.

The thousands, if not millions, of people expected to line up to pay their respects to the late Queen when her body is taken to Westminster Hall will be invited to wait in line in Victoria Tower Gardens, a small green space next to the Houses of Parliament alongside the River Thames.

Wednesday (14th Sept.)

Elizabeth’s body will be taken from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster in a gun carriage procession, a symbolic and momentous moment. The coffin will be draped in the royal standard, on which the Imperial State Crown will be placed on a velvet cushion, followed by the new king. Princes William and Harry, alongside Elizabeth’s other children and members of the royal family, will follow on foot.

Big Ben, the colossal bell in the Elizabeth Tower in the Houses of Parliament (the name of the tower and the bell are commonly confused), will toll at one-minute intervals for the duration of the procession, along with gun salutes in Hyde Park.

Prince Charles and his wife, Camila.

The coffin will be taken to Westminster Hall, where, after a short service, Elizabeth will lie in state under armed guard for the next five days. A continuous vigil will begin by the Yeoman of the Guard and other military personnel. 

Thursday (15th Sept.)

On this day, world leaders begin to arrive to pay their respects at Westminster Hall. Meanwhile, the new king meets members of the royal family at Buckingham Palace.

Friday (16th Sept.)

The new king meets the prime minister at noon for his first official weekly audience, a constitutional custom in which the head of the political executive informs the head of state about parliamentary business, as dramatized in “The Crown” and many other TV and film scenes.

Saturday (17th Sept.)

Not until 10 days after her death will Elizabeth be given her official send-off at Westminster Abbey, with members of her family, British establishment figures and heads of state from around the world in attendance.

During the morning, Westminster Abbey will fill up with British and foreign dignitaries, including all surviving former British prime ministers.

The final well-wishers will be admitted to Westminster Hall to pay their respects at 6:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. ET) before the coffin makes its short journey with the Imperial State Crown, the Orb and the Scepter all on it.

At 11 a.m. (6 a.m. ET) exactly, the pallbearers will stop at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and Big Ben will strike just once to mark a national two-minute silence.

The Last Post, Reveille and the national anthem will end the hour-long funeral service before a procession that could be as long as 1.5 miles then carries the coffin past Buckingham Palace to Wellington Arch and on to Elizabeth’s final resting place at Windsor.

Courtesy of;

Patrick Smith

A London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Mercy Johnson engages Jim Iyke, Zubby Michael in new movie ‘Passport’

Mercy Johnson-Okojie’s exceptional and brilliant role in ‘Passport’, a new comic move, has further portrayed her as a Nollywood queen.

The Okene born mother of four returns to the trenches , delivering a stellar performance that will rattle movie buffs as she pitches tent with two rugged actors, Jim Iyke and Zubby Michael to do justice to the storyline of the movie.

As a street girl, MJ strives to rub shoulders with her male counterparts, vying for the chairmanship of a motor park , where Zubby Michael is the king of the jungle. In between, Jim Iyke becomes their victim by circumstances. But the drama queen must have her way either by crook or omission.

The movie, shot in Lagos, centres around a rich brat(Jim Iyke) who’s forced to work together with a ‘ghetto’ girl (Mercy Johnson) to recover his stolen passport or miss a live-changing interview back in the United Kingdom.

‘Passport’ which premiered amid resounding ovation last Sunday at IMAX cinema on Lagos island remains one of its kind.

Screaming, cheering and excitement rented the air throughout the duration of the premiere.

Directed by Dimeji Ajibola and produced by Vincent Okonkwo, Passport is definitely another laughter therapy that will sit well with the movie goers.

The movie also stars Adedimeji Lateef, Lina Idoko, Emem Ufot, NasBoi Nasiru, Jide Kosoko, Caroline Igben, Emeka Nwagbaraocha among others.

Okonkwo, whose other two projects including ‘PONZI’ was a box office success said “Passport” hitches on perseverance, and explores ghetto lifestyle through the medium of the tube. The movie hits the cinemas nationwide and in Accra, Ghana from yesterday.

“Passport is about the biggest project we have done so far. The movie hitches on perseverance, and explores ghetto lifestyle through the medium of the tube,” he stressed.

Source;

The VANGUARD.

Things to know about Nigerian-born Professor Uju Anya

Professor Uju Anya

A Nigerian-born lecturer Uju Anya sparked global outrage after she took to her verified Twitter handle to mock late Queen Elizabeth II‘s health condition hours before her death.

In a series of now-deleted tweets, the Professor fired several damning shots at the British empire and the influential role played by the late Queen of Elizabeth II, hoping that her death would be painfully “excruciating.”

Uju accused Queen Elizabeth II of sponsoring the “genocide” that led to her family being displaced.

In another tweet, she referenced the alleged role of the British empire in supplying the Nigerian government with arms and ammunition during the nation’s civil war which spanned 1967 – 1970.

Her post attracted a flurry of reactions including criticisms and backlash.

Below are five things to know about Professor Uju Anya;

1, Dr, Uju Anya is a university professor at the Carnegie Mellon University, Department of Modern Languages who currently teaches and researches in applied linguistics, critical sociolinguistics, and critical discourse studies primarily examining race, gender, sexual, and social class identities in new language learning through the experiences of African American students.

2, Before working at Carnegie Mellon University, Anya served in other prestigious institutions like Penn State University, University of Southern California and Dartmouth College.

3, She graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Roman languages. Uju Anya earned her Masters degree in Brazilian studies from Brown University and did her Ph.D in applied linguistics from UCLA.

4, In 2021, the Nigerian Professor who had legally separated from her husband in 2017, announced on Twitter that she had just finalised her divorce with her husband, thus openly revealing that she is lesbian. In a statement released on Twitter, the Professor wrote that her ex-husband knew of her sexuality before they got married, but she only thought at the time she was bisexual.

5, She is from both Nigerian/Trinidadian origin. Her parents met at the University in England. They got married and moved to Enugu Nigeria. However, after her father took in another wife, her mother took her young children and fled to America.

Source;

The Nation.

Fayose throws weight behind Wike on PDP crisis

Dr. Ayodele Fayose

A former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Ayodele Fayose, has declared support for Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, in his fight for justice, equity and fairness in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Fayose noted that those asking the PDP’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to call the bluff of Wike and his group were the real enemies of the party.

Fayose called on those hanging around Atiku to allow him to win the forthcoming election advising Atiku not to allow people without substance to destroy the party.

Speaking on Friday during an inauguration of a world-class Community Secondary School, Obuama, Harry’s Town in Degema Local Government Area, built by Wike told Atiku that it was not too late to make amends and bring everybody together to win the election.

The former governor disclosed that Wike’s group would meet in due course and take a decision on the way forward describing the Rivers governor as the soul and lifeline of the party.

Addressing Wike, he said: “Whatever anybody says about you, posterity will be on your side. It is a matter of time. When I was a Governor of Ekiti, I honoured people when they were alive not when they were dead. You have honoured yourself by your handwork.

“Forget whatever anybody says about you. I said it before Wike, a man with a fierce look but with a good heart, a heart of will to accomplish, to love and to support. Majority of your enemies today are not against you because of anything. They are against you because they know you have capacity.

“I want to believe that Atiku Abubakar is not against you. A lot of people surrounding the throne are enemies of the throne. A lot of people surrounding the throne have one axe to grind with somebody and they take it to where they are not supposed to take it.

“There is no living being in this party or outside that will not acknowledge your contributions to this party. You are the soul of this party. Even till now what you do how many people do it?

“There was a time in this party when I was a sitting governor, I was a nightmare to the APC and the Buhari’s government. That time when you woke up you would see Fayose. But today when you open television, you will see Wike. As your senior brother I was a lion that time. Your good works will never go unrewarded.

“The people that had benefitted from you are the people that pull you down. When sitting governors were defecting, we stood the test of time. We never for one day looked at the eyes of the APC. The good man in the history of the Bible is always the enemy of the people who don’t like the truth. Continue to do your best. Don’t give up”.

Fayose expressed optimism that the party would do the needful and bring everybody together insisting that the ultimate objective should be to win the next election

He recalled their encounter with Atiku when he visited Wike after winning the party’s ticket saying he advised him on fairness and inclusiveness.

Fayose said: “I believe this party will come together. I believe the needful will be done because winning an election is all that matters. Wike hasn’t come out to say Atiku Abubakar is not the presidential candidate. He is.

“I was there the second day after the election when our candidate visited the residence of Wike. We had mutual conversation. We were all happy and everything was in place to move forward. I spoke at that meeting. We don’t want to aggravate the situation. I am only appealing to people that matter. In every political party there will be groupings, same family with different interests.

“We can do better than we are doing. People around the corridor of power, allow this candidate to win election. They say Fayose is now Tinubu’s man. When people were defecting, I never did. Loosing Ekiti election, if I go into that now you will know the source but it is not important because we must put things behind us and move forward.

“Some people believe that they have to destroy their leader before they can rise. If you are destroying any leader, you can’t rise. Wike is not a saint neither am I one. Don’t expect perfection from me. We will not want to come to Rivers here and tell Wike what he wants to hear. We will speak our mind.

“I remember I say something the day the candidate visited Governor Wike. I told him the knife is in your hand, the yam is in your hand. Cut it in a way that it will be edible. It is still not late. We can still achieve cohesion. We can still stay together and win this election. Use the knife to cut the yam and make it edible.

“Don’t let people come to you and tell you that ‘these do not matter, leave them with their local politics’. You are the man that wants to lead us. God will give you wisdom to rally everybody. My own son is a candidate in the party. He is a PDP candidate. Do I wish my son to fail? No. George Fayose is my son. With the last drop of my blood, I will stand by him.

“I came out to say it is the turn of the south, that is the position of that group at the time. I want to say to you that everybody has a way to ventilate their anger. It is not enough to allow people who do not have substance to come and destroy the party that God has given you as a candidate.

“Wike is not saying he is the vice-presidential candidate and he is not looking for it. It is important that winning this election is the ultimate, let us win together. I believe in due course, this group will meet and all their intention is let us win together.

The Nation reported that the former Ekiti governor hailed Wike for his generosity, called on the leaders of the PDP to do more to unify the party.

He said: “Many people have resources they can’t spend it because they are not givers. It is not because you (Wike) has the resources but because you have the spirit to give, the spirit to support.

“You have been the lifeline of this party and anybody wishing you away is an enemy of this party. I appeal to Atiku and those in the corridor of power, let us do more to unify the party. I am with Wike. Wike is in PDP, I am in PDP,” Fayose concluded.

2023: APC will emerge victorious in South-East – Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

The governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma has boasted that his party, All Progressives Congress will emerge victorious in South-East in the 2023 general election because it is the only party with structures in all the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria.

The governor who is also South-East Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, expressed this optimism at a seminar organised by the party for its candidates in Owerri.

He said the seminar was aimed at planning for successful electioneering campaigns for the 2023 poll.

The governor noted that the South-East has every cause to appreciate what President Muhammadu Buhari has done for the zone in his almost eight years as the President of Nigeria.

Governor Uzodinma who listed Buhari's achievements in the region including the second Niger Bridge and the rehabilitation of the Federal Highways in the zone, cautioned members of the party against deceit by groups who often claim to support the South-East Presidency. 

“APC is already winning and will win in the South-East because APC is the only political party that has party structure at the polling units and booths in all 774 LGAs of the country,”

“The participants must carry others along as they cannot lead or win elections in isolation,”

“The Igbo people have been a victim of mistaken identity. There is the need for the South-East to take their destiny in their own hands because if you don’t say I am, nobody will say you are,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that the seminar was attended by executives and members of the APC across the South-East as well as present and former political office holders of the party. (NAN)

Trump, Buhari, Tinubu mourn Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II

The United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who died peaceful at Balmoral Castle, her estate in the Scottish Highlands on Thursday afternoon, has marked the end of an era in the United Kingdom.

However, tributes from world leaders and leading personalities across the globe poured in for the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died at age of 96.

The immediate past president of America, Donald Trump on his social media post, said he would cherish his time together with the Queen, recalling her generosity and sense of humour.

The 45th American president wrote, “Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humour. What a grand and beautiful lady she was —there was nobody like her.” 

In his own tribute, Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari expressed sadness over the monarch’s demise.

In a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, Buhari stated that, “My family and I, and the more than 200 million Nigerians have learned with immense sadness of the passing of the Queen and the end of her unique and wonderful 70 year reign. Her late Majesty was the only British Sovereign known to 90 percent of our population.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth as we join the entire world in mourning her loss.”

In his own condolence message, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, noted that the “United Kingdom has lost one of its greatest ever monarch and the world has lost a much cherished, revered and admired Icon.

“Her Energy, dedication, deep sense of duty and firm belief in the glory of the United Kingdom, particularly in the most troubling and troubled times of her long and distinguished reign, are the lasting legacies for which she shall always be remembered.

“As the first British monarch to reach seven decades on the throne, her patriotic role birthed and sustained warm and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

“Her visits to these shores were always beautiful occasions and the respect and esteem with which she was always held by the Nigerian people helped to maintain the strong bond of friendship that subsists between our two nations.

“My family’s thoughts and prayers are with the new King, Charles III, the entire Royal Family and all commonwealth nations at this time of mourning and sadness. May she rest in eternal peace.”

TODAY IN HISTORY: 09 SEPTEMBER, 1919; Boston police department embarks on strike

When country was lawless following the Boston Police Strike in 1919.

On this day, 09 September, 1919, the infamous Boston Police Strike, that generated uproar around the nation, commenced. The strike also confirmed the growing influence of unions on American life. 

As society changed in the 20th century, police were expected to act more professionally. Some of their previous practices were no longer countenanced. Explanations such as that later given by the Dallas chief of police in defense of their unorthodox tactics; “Illegality is necessary to preserve legality", was no longer acceptable to the public. Police forces were brought within the civil service framework and even received training for the first time. Soon, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) began to create local police unions.

When the Boston Police embarked on strike on September 9, the country’s leading newspapers sounded the alarm bells. Some falsely reported that gangs were running wild and attacking women throughout the city. Others saw it as evidence of the spread of communism. In actuality, the strike prompted a lot of property damage but did not seriously endanger the safety of the community-partly due to the timely response of the government.

Calvin Coolidge, governor of Massachusetts at the time, called out the militia to assist Harvard students and faculty who were acting as a volunteer force. While the Boston Police Strike proved disastrous for unions in the short term, police were eventually allowed to form unions. However, it is illegal for police to go on strike, and even informal work actions such as the “Blue Flu,” whereby large numbers of police officers call in sick at the same time, are seriously discouraged.

Author:

History.com Editors

BREAKING: Graham Potter announced as Chelsea new coach

Graham Potter

Chelsea FC on Thursday named Graham Potter a new manager after leaving Brighton to replace the sacked Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

Potter, 47, who earned widespread admiration for his work at Brighton, has agreed a five-year contract to take charge of the Premier League club, who praised his “progressive football and innovative coaching”.

He led Brighton to a ninth-place finish last season and took them up to fourth in the table this term, while demanding entertaining and tactically astute performances from his players.

Potter’s first game as Chelsea boss will be a derby at west London neighbours Fulham on Saturday.

“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,” said the Englishman.

“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.

“I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton and Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity.”

Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly, who axed Tuchel just seven games into the new season, believes Potter will fit perfectly with his vision for the future at Stamford Bridge.

“We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club,” Boehly said.

“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful club.

“He has had a major impact at his previous clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea.”

A Boehly-led consortium completed its takeover of the club earlier this year, bringing to an end Roman Abramovich’s reign.

AFP

BREAKING: PDP names Wabara BoT chairman

Senator Adolphus Wabara

Following the resignation of Walid Jibrin, the opposition People’s Democratic Party PDP, has appointed a former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, as the acting Chairman, Board of Trustees of the party.

He has also been named the Political Adviser of the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Wabara, who until his new appointment, was the Secretary of the PDP BoT, would be appointed to the presidential campaign council of the PDP.

A source disclosed that the decision was taken a few moments ago at the ongoing BoT meeting taking place in Abuja.

He also revealed that Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, will resign shortly as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.

Adeboye extols wife at 55th wedding anniversary

Pastor and Pastor (Mrs) Adeboye

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye has applauded his wife, Folu Adeboye for staying with him through thick and thin in the last 55 years of their union.

The revered cleric recollected that that pastor Folu Adeboye settled for marriage with despite being the least qualified among men seeking her hand in marriage 55 years ago.

The Christian leader on his verified Facebook page writes, “My darling @pastorfoluadeboye the woman who has suffered with me, she stood by me when we had nothing. I was the poorest and the least known of all the men after her 55yrs ago. But she left all those who were famous, well to do and she picked me.

“Thank God, God had made us a success and proven all the oppostions back then wrong. Here is to 55 more years of double love, double grace, double peace, double of heaven on earth. #PerfectJubilee #CoupleGoals #GodFreedUs”.

DSS combs terrorists’ negotiator's residence, office in Kaduna

Malam Tukur Mamu

Operatives of the Department of State Service in the early hours of Thursday raided the residence of Malam Tukur Mamu, the Publisher of Desert Herald based in Kaduna, who is also a Media Consultant to controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who withdrew as one of the negotiators between the terrorists that attacked the March 28 Abuja-Kaduna bound AK-9 train passengers.

A source familiar with the matter told The PUNCH correspondent that the heavily armed  DSS personnel stormed Mamu’s residence and the office of the Desert Herald Newspaper at about 12:30 am on Thursday.

It was gathered that the officers ransacked every nook and cranny of the house and carted away laptops, phones and documents, though the source revealed that nothing incriminating was found in both the residence and the office.

According to him, no fewer than 50 heavily armed operatives in Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander as well as military vehicles raided both the residence and office.

He added that the two wives of the ex-negotiator that were with him when he was arrested, were brought back to the house, but his two sons “are still with him in detention.”

He said, “The heavily armed operatives came and they searched everywhere both at the residence and his office but nothing suspicious was found during the operation that started at about 12.30am

“Over 50 of them came in, fully armed with sophisticated weapons in Army vehicles, Toyota Hilux, and Toyota Highlander.

“Two wives that were with him (Mamu) were returned but his two sons, Faisal and Ibrahim  are still with him in detention.”

The terrorists’ negotiator was said to have been arrested in Egypt alongside his family members, when he was on his way to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj when he was detained at the Cairo International Airport.

Nigerian Navy sets to halt oil bunkering in Akwa Ibom

Nigerian Navy on Parade

The Nigerian Navy Ship Jubilee, Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State has reinstated its commitment to curbing illegal oil bunkering and reduce it to the barest minimum along the waterways.

The commander NNS, Jubilee, Commodore Semiu Olubode-Fazaz stated this on Wednesday while fielding question from newsmen after inaugurating a water project for Esene, a host community of NNS Jubilee, 

He disclosed that Operation ‘Dakatar Da Barawo’ has achieved tremendous success in the number of arrests and siezures of illegal smuggling across the state.

Olubode-Fazaz commended the community youth for cooperating with the Nigerian Navy to curb illegal bunkering in the state.

He described the inauguration of the project as one of the cherished tradition of giving back to the host community, adding that NN would continue to ensure that it host communities live in peace.

He said, “As you all know, illegal oil bunkering is an old criminality and we are the one fighting it. If you observed just recently, to further our efforts in combating the menace of illegal bunkering, NN launched launched Operation ‘Dakatar Da Barawo’. So far, without being immodest, the operation had gone a long way in curbing illegal bunkering in Akwa Ibom State.

“NN had seized quite a number of crude oil by these oil thieves and we have chased them out of their hideouts, where they vandalised federal government property to steal our oil.

“We will not be tired. We will keep on fighting illegal bunkering. We all know how this has affected our economy and of course, the development of Nigeria. NN as a service would continue to fight this illegality in our waterways.”

In his reactions, the head of the community, Eteidung Okon, who lauded Nigerian Navy for the inauguration of the Water project, assured them the protection of the project.

TODAY IN HISTORY: 08 SEPTEMBER, 1664; New Amsterdam changes to New York

Peter Stuyvesant

On this day in 1664, Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant surrenders New Amsterdam, the capital of New Netherland, to an English naval squadron under Colonel Richard Nicolls. Stuyvesant had hoped to resist the English, but he was an unpopular ruler, and his Dutch subjects refused to rally around him. Following its capture, New Amsterdam’s name was changed to New York, in honor of the Duke of York, who organized the mission.

The colony of New Netherland was established by the Dutch West India Company in 1624 and grew to encompass all of present-day New York City and parts of Long Island, Connecticut and New Jersey. A successful Dutch settlement in the colony grew up on the southern tip of Manhattan Island and was christened New Amsterdam.

To legitimatize Dutch claims to New Amsterdam, Dutch governor Peter Minuit formally purchased Manhattan from the local tribe from which it derives it name in 1626. According to legend, the Manhattans–Indians of Algonquian linguistic stock–agreed to give up the island in exchange for trinkets valued at only $24. However, as they were ignorant of European customs of property and contracts, it was not long before the Manhattans came into armed conflict with the expanding Dutch settlement at New Amsterdam. Beginning in 1641, a protracted war was fought between the colonists and the Manhattans, which resulted in the death of more than 1,000 Indians and settlers.

In 1664, New Amsterdam passed to English control, and English and Dutch settlers lived together peacefully. In 1673, there was a short interruption of English rule when the Netherlands temporary regained the settlement. In 1674, New York was returned to the English, and in 1686 it became the first city in the colonies to receive a royal charter. After the American Revolution, it became the first capital of the United States.

 

Author:

History.com Editors

TODAY IN HISTORY: 08 SEPTEMBER, 1943; Dwight Eisenhower announces Italian surrender

Dwight D. Eisenhower

On this day in 1943, an American General Dwight Eisenhower publicly announced the surrender of Italy to the Allies. Germany reacted with Operation Axis, the Allies with Operation Avalanche.

After Mussolini deposed from power and the earlier collapse of the fascist government in July, Gen. Pietro Badoglio, who had assumed power in Mussolini’s replacement by request of King Victor Emanuel, began negotiating with Gen. Eisenhower for weeks. Weeks later, Badoglio finally approved a conditional surrender, allowing the Allies to land in southern Italy and begin beating the Germans back up the peninsula. Operation Avalanche, the Allied invasion of Italy, was given the go-ahead, and the next day would see Allied troops land in Salerno.

The Germans too snapped into action. Ever since Mussolini had begun to falter, Hitler had been making plans to invade Italy to keep the Allies from gaining a foothold that would situate them within easy reach of the German-occupied Balkans. On September 8, Hitler launched Operation Axis, the occupation of Italy. As German troops entered Rome, General Badoglio and the royal family fled Rome for southeastern Italy to set up a new antifascist government. Italian troops began surrendering to their former German allies; where they resisted, as had happened earlier in Greece, they were slaughtered (1,646 Italian soldiers were murdered by Germans on the Greek island of Cephalonia, and the 5,000 that finally surrendered were ultimately shot).

One of the goals of Operation Axis was to keep Italian navy vessels out of the hands of the Allies. When the Italian battleship Roma headed for an Allied-controlled port in North Africa, it was sunk by German bombers. In fact, the Roma had the dubious honor of becoming the first ship ever sunk by a radio-controlled guided missile. More than 1,500 crewmen drowned. The Germans also scrambled to move Allied POWs to labor camps in Germany in order to prevent their escape. In fact, many POWS did manage to escape before the German invasion, and several hundred volunteered to stay in Italy to fight alongside the Italian guerillas in the north.

The Italians may have surrendered, but their war was far from over.

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History.com Editors

TODAY IN HISTORY: 08 SEPTEMBER, 1965; Filipino-American workers start Delano Grape Strike

National Farm Workers Association

On this day in 1965, the most important strike in American history, otherwise known as Delano Grape Strike began. Apart from over 2,000 Filipino-American farm workers refused to go to work picking grapes in the valley north of Bakersfield, California, they also set into motion a chain of events that would extend over the next five years.

Filipino and Mexican immigrants had worked for decades along the West Coast, moving with the seasons to harvest the region's crops. The Filipino contingent in particular was growing restless, as many of the workers were aging and anxious for decent medical care and retirement funds. When one of their number, labor organizer Larry Itliong, declared a strike on September 8, he asked for the support of the National Farm Workers Association and its Mexican-American founders, Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. Although Chavez had reservations about his union's capacity to pull off the strike, he put the issue to the workers, who enthusiastically joined.

The strike which lasted for five years, went through a number of phases. From the outset, the already poor farm workers faced opposition from law enforcement and cruel attempts at sabotage by the growers. Some reported that farmers shut off the water supply to their meager dormitories. As frustration grew and workers increasingly spoke of violence three years into the strike, Chavez decided to go on a hunger strike, emulating his hero Mahatma Gandhi. In addition to ending the calls for violence, the hunger strike drew further attention to the movement, earning praise from figures like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

The union, by then known as the United Farm Workers, also called for a boycott of table grapes. Individual households stopped buying grapes, and union workers in California dockyards let non-union grapes rot in port rather than load them. Eventually, the industry could take no more, and the growers came to the table. In July of 1970, most of the major growers in the Delano area agreed to pay grape pickers $1.80 an hour (plus 20 cents for each box picked), contribute to the union health plan, and ensure that their workers were protected against pesticides used in the fields.

"We said from the beginning that we were not going to abandon the fight, that we would stay with the struggle if lit took a lifetime, and we meant it," Chavez said of the grueling strike. "[Soon] all grapes will be sweet grapes again."

Author:

History.com Editors

“You are not in the media by mistake,” editor counsels journalists

Lekan Otufodunrin

Former Online Editor with The Nation Newspaper and  Convener of Journalists for Christ Fellowship, JCF, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, has tasked young and mid career journalists to always strive to put in their best for the career, saying they did not find themselves in journalism by mistake.

Mr. Otufodunrin who is also the Executive Director, ED, Media Career Development, gave this charge recently in Lagos during the August edition of Journalists for Christ Fellowship.

Speaking on the topic “What students and young journalists should know about media career,” the media guru told journalists not to be bothered about the negative stories people ascribe to the journalism profession.

Otufodurin who is also a former editor of The Nation on Sunday explained that why lots of persons see journalism profession as one that cannot pay bill or a profession with no breakthrough; journalism indeed pays the bills, and brings global recognition aside other benefits.

Sharing some of his experiences as a journalist, he told participants: “ You are not in the media by mistake. You may think you are, but the Almighty God who knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb knows what you will be. God has a purpose for you in the media that you must fulfill. Whatever your hands find to do, do it with your heart. Even if you desire to move on to some other things, while you are a journalist, put in your best to learn what will be useful for you in other endeavours.

“You must be prayerfully and commit everything you do to God. It would be better if you have spiritual covering against the hazards of the job. Remember you are an ambassador for Christ in the profession. Let your light so shine that men will see your excellent work and give glory to your father who is in heaven.

Participants at the August edition of Journalist for Christ Fellowship

Excellence must be your watchword. You cannot afford to be associated with what is not excellent. You must have a mission statement and career plans with time-lines. You must be purpose-driven. There will be challenges like in other professions. There are miserable Doctors, frustrated bankers etc

“Take internship opportunities seriously and volunteer to get the necessary experience. There are ethics of the profession and higher Biblical commandments that should guide you. There are opportunities including training, conferences and awards. There are many top-flight non-mass communication graduates excelling in the profession.

“Don’t be scared about negative stories about the profession. You can succeed where others fail. Let God lead you in the career decisions you take. Don’t move without a go-ahead from God. Read widely, including about journalists you want to be like. Avoid career mistakes those ahead of you made,” Otufodurin counseled.

TODAY IN HISTORY: 06 SEPTEMBER, 1781; British General Arnold orders burning of New London

General Benedict Arnold

On this day in 1781, British Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, a former Patriot officer already infamous and much maligned for betraying the United States the previous year, adds to his notoriety by ordering his British command to burn New London, Connecticut.

The Continental Army had been using New London to store a large stash of military supplies, but only stationed Captain Adam Shapley and a contingent of 24 Continental soldiers there to protect it. General Arnold’s British soldiers, with help from the area’s Loyalists, quickly overwhelmed Captain Shapley and the Continentals, who had no other option but to retreat and leave New London and the military supplies unguarded.

After looting the town, Arnold ordered his British soldiers to set fire to every building, causing the equivalent of more than $500,000 in damages. Benedict Arnold was already despised throughout the colonies for his attempt to sell the Patriot fort at West Point, New York, to the British in 1780 for a bribe of £20,000. The burning of New London sealed his reputation as a public enemy and his name became a synonym in common American parlance for “traitor.” The bravery and military prowess Arnold had previously demonstrated on behalf of the Patriots at Ticonderoga and Quebec in 1775 have been completely overshadowed by his later actions against the country he had once so valiantly served.

Author:

History.com Editors