Davido and Chioma loses their son Ifeanyi to the cold hands of death.

Ifeanyi Adeleke, the 3 year old son of Music star, Davido and his fiancee, Chioma Rowland has sadly died.

The tragic death occured on Monday, October 31. Ifeanyi died by drowning at his dad’s Banana Island home. He was rushed Evercare Hospital in Lekki where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The couple had traveled for a family gathering to Ibadan yesterday and had left Ifeanyi with his minders who can’t explain how he entered the pool without being noticed and drowned. 

We gathered that quite a number of people at Davido’s House when the incident happened have been arrested. 

A distraught and inconsolable Davido was removed from Evercare Hospital and taken to his father’s house where he remains as at press time. 

This is so sad. May God give Davido and Chioma the fortitude to bear this deep loss.

Tinubu: ‘Some people wanted Buhari to anoint a candidate before the primary’.

 The Presidential Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Sunday revealed that some people wanted President Muhammadu Buhari to anoint one of the presidential aspirants as the candidate of the party but the president declined.

Tinubu in a statement issued Sunday by his Media Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, said the role played by the President and APC northern governors who insisted that all the presidential aspirants must be allowed to go to the field proved to him that Nigeria Nigeria can survive its unity and challenges.

A day before the presidential primary, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdulahi Adamu had during the meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party announced the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan as the anointed candidate of the party.

But other members of the NWC and APC northern governors insisted that all the presidential aspirants must be allowed to go to the field.

However, the presidential candidate of APC who presented his Action Plan to the leaders of Afenifere, while speaking at the residence of Pa Reuben Fasoranti on Sunday in Akure, said President Buhari and APC northern governors proved to him that Nigeria can survive its unity and challenges.

He noted “The North proved to me Nigeria can survive its unity. Some people want President Muhammadu Buhari to announce someone but the President said No. He insisted the process must go on democratically.

“The President said anyone that would mess up the APC process would see the other side of his eyes. He remained upright and saw the process to the end.

“Northern APC Governors resolved that the Presidency must go to the South and especially South West. Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje and others supported me to the end. The battle was tough and at a point I was in doubt. There were many rumours and I became confused about what to believe.

We followed due process in Naira redesign - CBN insists.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Saturday said it followed due process in its decision to redesign some denominations of the naira, insisting that the exercise was twelve years overdue.

CBN made this known via its Twitter account, urging Nigerians to back the measure as it was in the overall interest of the nation.

This is coming after recent comments by Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, that the ministry wasn’t consulted by the CBN before the decision was taken.

“CBN insists it followed the law, due process for Naira redesign, says exercise is 12 years overdue,” CBN tweeted.

“The CBN urges Nigerians to support the currency redesign project, which is in the overall interest of every citizen of the country.

“CBN had tarried for too long considering that it had to wait 20 years to carry out a redesign, whereas the standard practice globally was for central banks to redesign, produce and circulate new local legal tender every five to eight years.

“President Muhammadu Buhari approves redesign, production, and circulation of new series of N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes.”

Apostle Suleman: Police weigh multiple pointers to assassination attempt.

Some security insights have been provided on the recent attempted assassination of a frontline Edo-based cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministries.

The convoy of the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Auchi, Apostle Suleman was last Friday attacked by unknown gunmen along the Benin Auchi Road, Edo State.

The cleric was said to be heading to Edo State after a foreign trip to Tanzania when the gunmen opened fire on his convoy.

Six persons, including policemen and Suleman’s drivers were said to have been killed during the attack.

The cleric, who described the incident as an assassination attempt, alluded to “certain things” happening since 2017.

This appeared to be a reference to the various sex scandals involving him.

He was quoted as saying “Since 2017, there are certain things that have been happening that I have been quiet about. There are things people don’t know, even though one or two people, along the line, took advantage of that to just come out and say one or two things.”

Suleman further explained that he is speaking up because they’ve done a lot and discovered that he is still moving on and have now decided to make an attempt on his life.

In 2017, Suleman may have had multiple issues ranging from controversial preaching to political issues and a host of others

But one incident that was prominent was the issue of Stephanie Otobo, a Canadian based Nigerian singer, who accused the man of God of impregnating and dumping her.

Otobo had alleged that they were in a romantic relationship and had travelled far and wide. She also alleged that the cleric promised to marry her.

She had also claimed that she had no knowledge the apostle was married because he concealed his marital status from her.

In a petition through her lawyer, Festus Keyamo, Otobo whose stage name is Kimora, alleged that the romantic affair began in Canada in the year 2015. She also accused Suleman of illegal procurement of abortion, threat to life, and attempted murder.

Otobo further released an image of Suleman in an alleged romantic chat with her, but the cleric denied and described the photograph as fake and photoshopped.

At one point, Stephanie made a u-turn and apologised to the pastor at his church, saying she was paid to defame the pastor.

According to the Singer, some “very strong and powerful politicians and pastors” deceived her, and she succumbed to the manipulation because they told her it would help her career.

However, in 2022 Otobo returned with a fresh allegation that she went to apostle Suleman’s church to apologise under duress.

Otobo narrated that she was tired of the court processes and stress and also claimed that the cleric’s media aide, Phrank Shuaibu, had approached and promised her that the case would be settled if she made the open confession.

Herdsmen Criticism

Apostle Suleman has been a fierce critic of the killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen in parts of the country.

He had also in the past instructed his security aides to kill any Fulani herdsman who comes around his church premises after he claimed that someone had informed him of the plot to attack his church.

Many have been killed in the past during clashes between the cattle-herding Fulani indigenes and some communities that practice a mix of farming and cattle rearing. The clashes are due to disputes centred around land use.

Halima Abubakar’s sex scandal

Again, in September 2022 the self acclaimed prophet was involved in yet another sex scandal.

Nollywood actress, Halima Abubakar admitted to having a sexual relationship with Apostle Suleman.

Halima opened up on her affair with the cleric after reports emerged on social media that Suleman had an affair with a host of Nigerian actresses including Georgina Onuoha, Queen Nwokoye, Shan George, and Vivian Metchie.

Suleman had in reaction to the viral post described the list as an unrealistic litany of names curated to bring him down, However in a surprising twist, Halima Abubakar took to her Instagram to call him out.

The actress who was subjected to heavy criticism claimed that she only agreed to date him at the time because he told her he had separated from his wife.

He, however, filed a suit through his lawyer, accusing the actress who is currently battling an undisclosed ailment of defamation, blackmail and publishing demeaning statements about him.

Shortly after she told the cleric that they will meet in court, the actress announced that she had quit acting to ‘rejuvenate and continue healing’.

Killing of Suspected attacker

The Apostle’s allegation that some persons were after his life may have been justified after he raised the alarm that one of the gunmen who attacked his convoy was killed by the police to cover up some people.

Suleman, while condemning the killing, slammed the police for killing the arrested prime suspect.

According to him, the suspect who was captured alive was hurriedly killed in order to frustrate investigation and erase all evidence that could lead to the arrest of his attackers.

But, in reaction, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, directed the withdrawal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Auchi Police Station, Ayodele Suleiman.

Yaro said the decision was taken to unravel the circumstances that led to the death of one of the surviving members of the gang.

However, sources say it is difficult to pinpoint the actual source of the attack on Apostle Suleman because of the multiple crises or battles he has engaged in the recent past.

Asked if Apostle Suleman’s public condemnation of the incessant killings by herdsmen across the country may have led to the assassination attempt on the cleric, an Abuja security expert, Dr. Abigail Uwanta, said the situation should not be completely seen that way.

Fears As CBN Takes Drastic Step To Save Currency.

 

In the face of a record inflation rate, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, within the week, announced the redesigning of Naira’s higher denominations in a bid to take control of money in circulation.

The apex bank set January 31st as the deadline to phase out the existing N200, N500, and N1,000 notes out of circulation and replace them with new notes.

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, while announcing the new policy, said over 85% of Naira notes are outside the vaults of the commercial banks. The CBN governor said specifically, out of the N3.23 trillion in circulation, over N2.27 are out of the vaults of the commercial banks.

To be more specific, as at the end of September 2022, available data at the CBN indicate that N2.73 trillion out of the N3.23 trillion currency in circulation, was outside the vaults of Commercial Banks across the country; and supposedly held by the public,” he said.

This situation takes away the power of the CBN to regulate money in circulation through monetary policy.

It would be recalled that the bank had raised the Cash Reserve Ratio from 22.5% to 32.5% in order to reduce money in circulation and curb inflation.

To curb inflation, the CBN uses monetary policies to regulate total money in circulation. By reducing the quantity of money in circulation, it helps to curb demand-push inflation, which is derived from the “more money chasing fewer goods” principle.

If truly over 85% of cash in circulation are outside the vault of the commercial banks, then the monetary policy of the bank may not be able to have the desired effect on inflation which stands above 23% as of September.

Aside from inflation, the other issue the CBN is trying to checkmate is the money in the hands of bandits sourced from ransom.

According to Emefiele “the bank is convinced that “the incidents of terrorism and kidnapping would be minimized as access to large volume of money outside the banking system used as source of funds for ransom payment will begin to dry up.”

Section 20(3) gives the CBN the power to recall notes, subject to the approval of the president.

“Notwithstanding Sub-sections (1) and (2) of this section, the Bank shall have power, if directed to do so by the President and after giving reasonable notice in that behalf, to call in any of its notes or coins on payment of the face value thereof and any note or coin with respect to which a notice has been given under this Sub- section, shall, on the expiration of the notice, cease to be legal tender, but, subject to section 22 of this Act, shall be redeemed by the Bank upon demand.

Despite this power, the announcement by the CBN has generated mixed reactions. Many have taken to social media to reject the proposal by the CBN, stating that it will not address the inflationary pressure facing the country.

Some have also expressed fear that business outlets may start to reject the old Naira notes in anticipation of the deadline set by the bank.

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance, kicked against the policy. Her position is that the timing is poor.

“As a Nigerian privileged to be at the top of Nigeria’s fiscal management, the policy, as rolled out at this time, portends serious consequences on the value of Naira to other foreign currencies,” she said.

Reno Omokri, a supporter of the main opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had tweeted in support of the policy.

“The redesign of the Naira is a good idea. Kidnappers, bandits, and corrupt elements have stockpiles of Naira that they can’t bank. This change will render their billions useless. The pound and dollar have been redesigned multiple times. On this, Emefiele did well!” He tweeted.

Experts opinion

Dr Musa Sabiu, an economist at the University of Abuja, disagreed with Mr Emefiele on the two main factors raised by the CBN governor. He argued that Nigeria’s inflation is beyond monetary policy, noting that it is structural in nature.

“Money supply is a simple economic term. If there is too much money chasing a few goods, there will be inflation. But the problem of Nigeria’s inflation is not a monetary problem, it is structural. Changing the money or reducing the money supply will not change anything because we have a large population and a very weak production capacity. Industries have been closing down and no electricity. The price of diesel that you use as an alternative for your industry has skyrocketed to almost N1000 per litre. How can you produce?” He queried.

Mr Sabiu also dismissed the argument that the policy will disrupt the hoarding of naira by criminals such as bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists.

“Who told you the criminals are keeping their money in Naira? This criminality you see—this banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, Boko Haram is an organised international crime. Do you think ordinary Fulani illiterates can kidnap, organise ransom and get away with it? There is a better brain behind them. That is why the value of the naira continues to fall. People buy dollars not necessarily to import, but as a store of value and as a means to keep the proceeds of criminality. Who is keeping naira? Government is beating a dead horse,” he said.

This position was also maintained by another economist at the Department of Economics, University of Abuja, Dr Masu Gombe.

He stated that the problem with inflation in Nigeria is not domestic because the country is more of an importer than an exporter, hence, the country is vulnerable to economic activities of other countries.

“If there is inflation in those countries, automatically, it will cause cost-push inflation in Nigeria,” Dr Gombe said, adding that controlling inflation will only work when there is effective demand.

“Introducing this new policy, of course, you will control the supply of money, as you control the supply of money, it means that consumption will reduce— if consumption declines, this means production will reduce and employment will reduce as a result of laying off. This means you are mortgaging effective demand for autonomous consumption, that is catastrophe. This will lead to criminality,” he said.

He argued that those who advised the president to take such action were being mischievous considering that the nation is at a transition point.

“Those who advised him in that context, left to me, they are mischievous. Because if you left it to him, he is not an economist, all those promoting this kind of thing, if you X-ray this policy, you will realise they are doing it for their own benefit, not in the interest of Nigerians,” he said.

He explained that in the short run, the policy will have a negative impact on rural entrepreneurs and business people who have been involved in a cash-based economy. He added that it will also affect politicians, who may be stockpiling cash to distribute to supporters.

Indian policy of 2016

This latest policy by the CBN is similar to the 2016 “shock and awe” policy announced by Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India.

The Indian government had announced the withdrawal of 500 and 1,000 Rupees to curb black money.

The policy had caused a great deal of panic in India, as many dashed to banks to change the money. The chaos prompted some measures that created hardship for the people of India.

EFCC joins the party

The anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has also announced that it will monitor illicit funds in the build-up to the phasing out.

The Chairman of the EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa, in a statement on Wednesday, endorsed the move by the CBN and warned Bureau De Change operatives to be careful of hoarders.

There is the risk that the involvement of the EFCC may create an extra bottleneck for people who will be seeking to swap the old notes for the new notes.

As it stands, it is not only experts that are divided on the policy, even within the government.

Davido Set To Marry Chioma, Announces Wedding Date, Finally.

 

Davido Set To Marry Chioma, finally, Announces Wedding DateMusic star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has finally announced his wedding to his lover and mother of his son, Chioma Rowland a.k.a Chefchi

This is coming months after the duo, who had severed relationship as a result of Davido’s dalliance with another woman and his ‘Baby Mamas’, reconciled recently.

According to the singer in a video on social media, the wedding will hold in 2023.

In the visual, Davido and Chioma visited Nigerian UK-based pastor and social media sensation, Tobi Adegboyega and after exchanging pleasantries, the clergy described Chioma as “our wife, real wife”.

It was gathered that Pastor Tobi, founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church, a Pentecostal Church based in London, England, gave a brand new expensive hand bag to Chioma during their visit as Davido eulogised him. 

A $44 Billion Twitter deal by Elon Musk

 

Twitter’s new CEO, Elon Musk says he hopes the platform will continue to be a digital town square for years to come.

The Tesla/SpaceX boss explained his reasons for the $44 billion purchase on Thursday, saying, “There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide in our society.”

He continues, “In the relentless pursuit of clicks, much of traditional media has fueled and catered to those polarized extremes, as they believe that is what brings in the money, but, in doing so, the opportunity for dialogue is lost.

“That is why I bought Twitter. I didn’t do it because it would be easy. I didn’t do it to make more money. I did it to try to help humanity, whom I love. And I do so with humility, recognizing that failure in pursuing this goal, despite our best efforts, is a very real possibility.”

Elon’s Twitter bio reflects his new status as well, calling himself the “Chief Twit.”

I wanted to reach out personally to share my motivation in acquiring Twitter. There has been much speculation about why I bought Twitter and what I think about advertising. Most of it has been wrong.

The reason I acquired Twitter is because it is important to the future of civilization to have a common digital town square, where a wide range of beliefs can be debated in a healthy manner, without resorting to violence. There is currently great danger that social media will splinter into far right wing and far left wing echo chambers that generate more hate and divide our society.

In the relentless pursuit of clicks, much of traditional media has fueled and catered to those polarized extremes, as they believe that is what brings in the money, but, in doing so, the opportunity for dialogue is lost.

That is why I bought Twitter. I didn't do it because it would be easy. I didn't do it to make more money. I did it to try to help humanity, whom I love. And I do so with humility, recognizing that failure in pursuing this goal, despite our best efforts, is a very real possibility.

That said, Twitter obviously cannot become a free-for-all hellscape, where anything can be said with no consequences! In addition to adhering to the laws of the land, our platform must be warm and welcoming to all, where you can choose your desired experience according to your preferences, just as you can choose, for example, to see movies or play video games ranging from all ages to mature.

CBN to redesign N200, N500 and N1000 notes.

Godwin Emefiele the CBN Governor, has announced plans to redesign some naira notes.

The boss of Central Bank of Nigeria , disclosed this at a press conference on Wednesday, October 26.

According to Emefiele, the Naira notes to be redesigned include N200, N500 and N1000. 

The action was taken in order to take control of the currency in circulation, according to the CBN boss.

The apex bank has secured the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to roll out new notes to replace the existing currency in circulation.

“In line with the provisions of Sections 2(b), Section 18(a) and Section 19, Seb section(a) and (b) (2007), the management of the CBN has sought and obtained the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to redesign, produce, release and circulate new series of banknotes at N200, N500 and N1,00 levels,” Emefiele Said.

“In line with this approval, we have finalised arrangements for the new currency to begin circulation from December 15, 2022 after its launch by President Buhari.

“The new and existing currencies shall remain legal tender and circulate together until January 31, 2023 when the existing currencies shall cease to be a legal tender.”

Once the new notes are designed Nigerians are expected to take old notes to banks for the new notes.

The CBN Governor is also concerned about how Nigerian currency is being stored currently.

According to him, the bulk of the nation’s currency notes was outside bank vaults and the CBN would not allow the situation to continue.

Emefiele added, “To be more specific, as of the end of September 2022, available data at the CBN indicates that N2.7 trillion out of the N3.3 trillion currency in circulation was outside the vault of commercial banks across the country and supposedly held by members of the public.

“Evidently, currency in circulation has more than doubled since 2015, rising from N1.46 trillion in December 2015 to N3.2 trillion as of September 2022. I must say that this is a worrisome trend that must not be continued to be allowed.”

According to him, the initiative by the CBN will help address some of the nation’s security threats, especially kidnapping and terrorism.

He believes that terrorists and kidnappers capitalise on the large excess of money to carry out their nefarious activities.

He stated that the new design and issues will be effective from December 2022 and advised Nigerians to go to the bank when the time comes to exchange the old notes for the newly designed ones.

I smokes up to 150 marijuana blunts a day declares rapper, Snoop Dogg’s Professional ‘Joint Roller

 

Rapper, Snoop Dogg’s professional ‘joint roller’ has revealed the American rapper smokes up to 150 marijuana blunts a day.

The Gin and Juice star, 51, lives in California where recreational marijuana use is legal, and has employed a full-time joint roller since 2016.

The employee, Renegade revealed on Kyle and Jackie O on Tuesday she had rolled more than 450,000 joints for Snoop during that time.

”I calculate it at over 450,000. I do about half a pound a day, which is 75 to 150 joints,” she told radio hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.

Kyle said he once spent time in California with Snoop, who told him he’d learned how to roll joints from late hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur.

”He said, ‘I’m going to teach you something Tupac taught me,’ and he showed me how to roll a blunt,” Kyle explained.

BREAKING: Fire Engulfs WAEC National Office In Lagos and many was trapped.

 

Fire outbreak has been reported at the West African Examination Council (WAEC) Yaba, National Office, Lagos.

A report monitored on a Lagos radio station Bond FM, noted that firefighters from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) have arrived the scene of the incident to extinguish the fire as of the time of filing this report.

Eyewitness account disclosed that a staff of the Council believed to have been trapped in between some floors was observed attempting to jump through the window of the 12-floor magnificent building to escape being suffocated.

According to reports, several people are still trapped in the building as the fire rages.

The cause of the fire which started at about 6.50 am, was yet to be ascertained as of 7.15 am. The fire had broken out at the middle of the high-rise building as those trapped in the building were seen frantically calling for help.

None of the Council officials could be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.

The World’s Dirtiest Man Dies At 94, Months After He Was Forced To Bath.

 

A man nicknamed the “dirtiest man in the world” from Iran, for not taking his bath for decades has died at the age of 94.

Amou Haji, who did not shower for about 60 years and was single, died on Sunday, October 23, in the village of Dejgah in the southern province of Fars, IRNA news agency reported on Tuesday, October 25.

Haji had avoided showering over fears of “getting sick”, the agency quoted a local official as saying.

However, a few months ago, villagers, who were fed up, had taken him to a bathroom and forced him to shower.

Mr Haji had an aversion to soap and water. He said he hated even the thought of bathing.

Mr Haji previously said that he chose this way of life after experiencing emotional setbacks in his youth. Since then he became isolated.

As well as cleanliness, Mr Haji also had an aversion to fresh food and drink. His favorite food was rotten porcupine, and he would choose to drink water from a rusty oil can.

Amou Haji also liked to smoke animal faeces out of an old pipe, rather than tobacco.

Mr Haji had spent most of his life in Dejgah village in the province of Fars in southern Iran.

Concerned locals built him an open brick shack to live in after seeing that he was sleeping in a hole in the ground.

A short documentary film titled “The Strange Life of Amou Haji” was made about his life in 2013, according to Iranian media outlets.

Months after being forced to shower, Mr Haji passed on at the age of 94.

CAN President condemns attempt on Suleman’s life, decries Nigeria’s security situation.

 

His Eminence Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has said the recent attempt on the life of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, by armed assassins speaks volumes about the failure of the country’s security architecture.

Archbishop Okoh, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, condemned the attack and called for a full-scale investigation into the dastardly act. 

He added that all hands must be on deck to uncover the identities of those involved in the heinous crime and bring them to book.

According to him, “The national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, vehemently condemns in its entirety, the recent assassination attempt on the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, and the killing of his aides.

“We consider it as a disturbing development and another attempt by evildoers to cause mayhem not only in Edo State but also in the nation as a whole.

“CAN commiserates with the Omega Fire Ministries International and the family of those who lost their relatives in the ugly incident.

“While we call for a full-scale investigation into the dastardly act that claimed several innocent lives, let all hands be on deck to uncover the identities of those involved in this heinous crime and bring them to book.

“We urge the Federal Government and the security agencies to see the incident for what it is, a sign of the nation’s wobbling security system, and act quickly to address the situation.”

In the same breath, the CAN President noted the US Embassy’s warning of a possible attack by terrorists in Abuja and charged the security operatives to wake up to the challenges of securing people’s lives and property to avoid the consequences of a resort to self-help.

“We must do whatever it takes to stop those plotting to eliminate innocent citizens anywhere in the country by brutal means, from achieving their ignoble objectives. They must not be allowed to continue their wickedness.

“While CAN appeals to Churches and by extension all Nigerians to be vigilant, and alert security agencies of any suspicious movements in their vicinities, we will continue to pray for lasting peace and security in our country in Jesus’ name. Amen,” he concluded.

I'm not retired, and my chances of returning to Tennis are 'very high' declares Serena Williams.

 

Serena Williams the tennis legend has declared that she's not retired from tennis and that the chances of her returning are "very high" after she previously indicated that she would step away from the sport.

Back in August, Williams, 41, said she was "evolving away from tennis" in an essay but did not confirm the US Open as her farewell event. At the time, she was given lavish tributes before each match in New York and waved an emotional goodbye after losing in the third round to Ajla Tomljanovic.

"I am not retired," Williams said at a conference in San Francisco while promoting her investment company, Serena Ventures.

"The chances (of a return) are very high. You can come to my house, I have a court."

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who took the tennis world by storm as a teenager and is considered by many the greatest of all time, said not preparing for a tournament after the US Open did not feel natural to her.

"I still haven't really thought about (retirement)," Williams said.

"But I did wake up the other day and go on the court and (considered) for the first time in my life that I'm not playing for a competition, and it felt really weird.

"It was like the first day of the rest of my life and I'm enjoying it, but I'm still trying to find that balance."

Williams chose her words very carefully when she spoke at the US Open back in August. She told the audience there that she was 'evolving away' from the game.

"I have never liked the word retirement. It doesn't feel like a modern word to me," Williams wrote in Vogue in August.

"I've been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people.

"Maybe the best word to describe what I'm up to is evolution.

Dr. Ukpai Iro, Ibeme Obingwa and Others, in Successful Townhall Meetings.

 

Dr. Ukpai Iro Ukpai, the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP Gubernatorial Candidate for Abia State in 2023, has continued to make inroads at the grassroots as a man that believes in carrying the people along in processes that affect their lives directly by offering them the opportunity for good and qualitative governance as he mounts the saddle in 2023.

In keeping with his mandate of reinventing the political consciousness of the people through an interactive approach and constant negotiation to understand the pulse of the people, he has continued the town hall meetings with electorates in Abia State.

Yesterday, five representatives of five Communities in Ibeme ward 11 in Obingwa LGA made the team that accompanied the grassroots mobilizer to visit the Palace of the Chief of the Autonomous Community, Chief Dike who welcomed the NNPP Team and demanded that the party should not disappoint them like some of the old Political Parties that promised and failed the people at every instance.

Present at the August visit were the Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate, Barr Chiedozie Tony Josiah, Hon Azubike, the Secretary, the Youths, and the Women leader.

In a related development, the party had, a few days back, held a similar meeting with Avo Village Ward 4 in Abia South where matters of utmost political, developmental, and economic importance to the people were discussed in detail. Present at the meeting as OHAFIATV News gathered were: The Deputy Gubernatorial candidate NNPP, Barr Chiedozie Tony Josiah, LG Chairman Hon. Ugochukwu, Ward 4 Chairman, Hon Isaac, and Ward 3 Chairman.

Others are the Host Chief Sunday Nwauke, women leaders, Youth leaders, etc

Final forfeiture of over $2.7m Diezani’s Abuja homes, cars are ordered by court

 

One justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Abuja on monday ordered the final forfeiture of two Abuja properties and two luxury cars belonging to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, to the Federal Government.

The judge gave the order forfeiting the assets to the federal government while ruling on the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Suit No. 1122/2021 and Suit No 1123/2021, asking for the final forfeiture of the assets.

The Commission had on November 29, 2021, secured the interim forfeiture of the assets in a ruling on a separate motion ex-parte, filed on September 27, 2021, which prayed the court to order the interim forfeiture of the assets on the grounds of reasonable suspicion that they were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The two properties are located at Plot 1854 Mohammed Mahathir Street, and No. 6, Aso Drive, in the highbrow Asokoro and Maitama Districts of Abuja and are valued at $2,674,418USD and N380, 000,000 respectively.

The luxury cars are a black BMW saloon with Chassis No B8CV54V66629 registered number, RBC155 DH and a black Jaguar saloon car with Chassis No SAJAA.20 GRDMv43376, valued at N36,000,000

In granting the interim forfeiture Order, Justice Olajuwon had ordered the EFCC to publish a notice in a national newspaper, inviting anyone interested in the assets to show cause why they should not be finally forfeited to the federal government.

The court consequently adjourned till January 22, 2022, for a report.

In compliance with the Order of the Court, the Forfeiture Order was published in This day Newspaper of Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

In the absence of any contestation of the Interim Order, the Court, yesterday, forfeited the property to the federal government.

Abducted Katsina businessman killed by bandits, collect N4m ransom from family

One Mubarak Salisu Alkali, was killed by suspected bandits in Katsina State after collecting N4m ransom.

Salisu was abducted by bandits in Dankanjiba town, Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State two weeks ago.

According to reports, the bandits demanded a ransom of N20m as condition for his release.

After several days of negotiation, it was agreed that N4m should be paid as ransom but unknown to his family, the bandits had already killed Mubarak.

When the person delivering the ransom arrived at the point of exchange, the bandits seized the money and showed him the remains of Mubarak, saying they killed him long ago. 

His body was taken back to the family and buried at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

The deceased's cousin, Ibrahim Sani Maikudi, confirmed the sad news on Facebook.

 

"We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Few weeks ago my cousin brother Mubarak Salisu Justice was kidnapped. He was expected to return to the family yesterday after ransom was paid but instead of releasing him they hit us with a gory news that they have killed him long ago. We just completed salatul gha'ib for him recently. Please include him in your prayers." he wrote.

Ooni of Ife's new Queen reveals how God answered her prayers

 

One of the new wives of the Ooni of Ife, Queen Tobi Phillips, has revealed that she begged God months ago to shut the mouths of her detractors by giving her a gift that will shock them, and he answered her.

She explained that in July or August this year, a man told her that he doesn't see her kind of woman getting married because she is too "vavavoom".

She said that was the "straw that broke the camel's back" so she prayed to God to give her a gift that will shock those who have said mean things to her.

She added that she promised God that she will dance every Sunday in thanksgiving if he answers her prayers.

In September, Tobi Phillips married the Ooni of Ife.

She shared her story on Instagram this morning as some sort of motivation, while advising people to "ask and ye shall recieve".

Neymar faces calls for a five-year prison sentence for alleged fraud and corruption charges

 

Neymar is facing calls for a prison sentence of five years over charges of corruption and fraud.

The 30-year-old is set to appear in court next week on charges relating to his £49.6million (€57.1m) switch from Santos to Barcelona in 2013. 

Brazilian investment firm DIS believe the now-PSG star's move from Santos was undervalued, leading them to lose out, having bought 40 percent of the rights to the player for £1.7m (€2m) when he was 17.

The other defendants in the case are both Barcelona and Santos, former Barca presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu, Sandro Rosell, Santos Odilio Rodrigues, and Neymar's parents.

The Catalan giants claimed that at the time, Neymar's transfer fee was £49.6m (€57.1m), and that the fee was paid to both the player's family and to Santos. 

His parents received £34.8m (€40m) of the fee, with the rest going to the Brazilian club, of which DIS received 40 percent. 

However, the investment firm are claiming that Barcelona rejected higher offers. Their lawyer Paulo Nesser said on Thursday: 'Neymar's rights have not been sold to the highest bidder.

'There were clubs that offered up to £52.2m (€60m).'

The DIS are are demanding five-year incarceration for the player, and also requesting a £129.6m (€149m) fine for Bartomeu and Rosell, as well as an additional prison sentence. 

However, the Spanish prosecutors who are bringing the case want only a two-year term and £8.7m (€10m) fine for Neymar and five-years for Rosell as well as a £7.3m (€8.4m) fine for Barca.

But Neymar's family lawyers, Baker McKenzie have issued a statement of their own, which dictates that the transfer broke no FIFA laws and that the alleged crimes are not punishable in the forward's home country. 

Obasanjo to Peter Obi, "Ehen, my job is done."

 

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo vacated his seat and placed Presidential aspirant Peter Obi on it in a move considered symbolic by supporters of Obi.

Both statesmen were at an event recently and, just before leaving, Obasanjo gave a short speech then elevated Peter Obi by placing him on his seat, and the moment was caught on video.

The video begins as Obasanjo is rounding up his speech, saying, "... the president of Nigeria..." while looking in Peter Obi's direction.

As another guest at the event starts walking towards Labour Party's presidential Candidate Peter Obi's seat, Obasanjo tells the guest, "leave him o. Leave him," eliciting laughter from other guests.

Obasanjo then goes to Peter and the former Anambra State Governor stands from his seat and shakes hands with the former Nigerian President.

Obasanjo continues holding Obi's hand and then leads him to his own seat.

After placing Peter Obi in his seat, Obasanjo then walks away, saying: "Ehen, my job is done."

Nigerian police recover #4m after arresting kidnap suspects in Adamawa

Five suspected kidnappers have been arrested by the Adamawa police command. 

The state police spokesperson, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje said the operatives recovered the sum of 4,079,000 Naira from the suspects who are members of a crime network operating in Mubi North and South Local Government.

They were arrested after the kidnap of 8-year-old Mustapha Aliyu Fadil in Mubi. It was gathered that they took the minor to Barassa Hotel at Maraba Mubi. 

They reportedly held their victim for two days until a ransom of five million as demanded was paid to them.

The apprehended suspects have been identified as; Zaiyat Adamu, 19 years, Abdulrahman Abubakar 31years, Haruna Yakubu, Abubakar Muhammed, 20 years, Isa Musa, 21 years.

The Commissioner of Police, SK Akande, while commending the officers and men for disconnecting the crime network through displaying professional conduct, directed the officers and men to sustain the tempo as a strategy to checkmating crimes and criminals in and around the state.