Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, host of BBNaija Double Wahala(S3)
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, host of BBNaija Double Wahala(S3)
Africa’s popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija (BBNaija), is set to return for a fourth season with the producers of the show revealing that the Big Brother House will be located in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr John Ugbe disclosed this at a media briefing held in Lagos on Tuesday.
According to him, auditions for the show will hold on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2 in eight locations across Nigeria, an increase from previous editions.
He listed the locations as: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Ibadan, Benin and Enugu.
Ugbe added that the Nigeria’s number one betting website, Bet9ja, had been announced as headline sponsors of the new season.
“This fourth season promises to be even bigger than previous editions and underscores MultiChoice’s position as the biggest investor and driver of entertainment content on the continent”.
“The reality TV show which follows the format of the international Big Brother franchise is known to bring excitement and entertainment to fans and viewers across the continent.
“It will house strangers over a period of three months who will contest against each other in a battle of wits for the ultimate prize,” he said.
He said that since its maiden edition in 2006, the Big Brother Naija reality TV show had produced some of the country’s biggest pop culture influencers and celebrities.
They include Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Gideon Okeke, Katung Aduwak, Bisola Aiyeola, Efe Ejeba and Uriel Oputa and mostly recently Miracle Ikechukwu, Tobi Bakre and Cynthia “Cee-C” Nwadiora.
He said that as regards challenges faced, there was nothing anticipated that MultiChoice cannot overcome with its zeal to give its best to its viewers.
Ugbe said that they would always follow best standards as regards security, making sure that the house mates and contents are secured.
He said that specific locations and times for the auditions in February would be announced subsequently.
Also speaking, Bet9ja’s Chief Executive Officer, Ayo Ojuroye said: “As the leading gaming company in Nigeria, we believe in changing lives.
Ojuroye was represented by the Senior Marketing Manager, Bet9ja, Mr Olufemi Osobajo.
He said that this singular attribute coupled with the zeal and passion attributed to the Big Brother Naija platform aligns with Bet9ja’s core values and they were honoured by the opportunity to headline this year’s edition.
“Bet9ja will continue to support programmes that will connect more young Nigerians to their dreams,” he said.
A Non-Governmental Organization “Developmental Association for Renewable Energy in collaboration with an expert, is to embark on recycling plastic waste into building materials in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria.
Already, a number of youth are being trained on the new technology.
The building materials derivable from the waste include interlocking-tiles, blocks, roofing –tiles and interiors.
The Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Engr Yahaya Ahmed told newsmen in Kaduna that the technology apart from the wealth creation, also protects the environment.
“This tried-and-tested new technique of turning waste plastic into interlocking-tiles, blocks and roofing-tiles is very low-cost and helps keep plastic waste out of the environment completely.
“We have been with the idea for a long time on how to recycle the waste plastic that is disturbing our society and polluting the environment every day.
“We are in contact with our partner organization in Germany and United Kingdom UK, but the real idea comes from waste AID UK”.
Adding that “we plan having them in Nigeria for training our people, but things were not ready at that time, so they did the training in Cameroon and after they told us, there are good people in Cameroon that can come to Nigeria and train other interesting citizens, and it would be easy for us, and that is the reason why they send one of them to come to kaduna and train our people” he said.
Yahaya pointed out clearly that, the waste plastic interlocking-tiles is stronger and lasting longer than the normal interlock-blocks that are being sold in the market.
According to him, it would take hundreds of years to decompose because the interlocking tiles-were being constructed with purely plastic waste, saying that there is market for the product.
“We want to train many Nigerians this new technology, so as to reduce unemployment, fight poverty and reduce idleness among youth, and other jobless graduates with street beggars, so as to engage them, in order to become self-employed in the future.
“We are targeting training 1000 unemployed youth including women and graduates from various institutions across 36 states of Nigeria”.
”We buy the plastic and measure it in kilo and pay in cash to waste collectors and other scavengers.
Yahaya said, the plastic has a lot of negative impact on the community, environment, human health and even on agricultural land, saying that was why they were using the technology to recycle them and help Nigerians transform them into money making venture.
“We have started training many interested people, and we are hoping to see that those that received the training would also train other people, so as to spread the ideas across, in order to save our environment against all forms of environmental threat and dangers associated with environmental degradation and waste pollution.
“our greatest problem is how to get-government involved into this programme, so as to have large number of youth in the training and how Government can help to sustain youth engagement into this programme” he said.
Yahaya is the engineer who construct the first plastic bottled house in Africa which he claimed could last for over 200 years. The House is located at Yalwa Village, along kaduna-zaria road.
”The house was the first of its kind in Africa, though we trained many students and youth who are actually displaying the talent of what they learnt at the centre to other places in Northern Nigeria.
“Indeed Recycling of waste plastics is one of the best technologies to avoid environmental air pollution from burning the plastics. As the human population continues to increase, the quantity of solid wastes generation also increases, that is the government need solution”.
Responding, Mr pierre Kamsouloum an international consultant-trainer and an expert on recycling plastic from Cameroon, said it is really interesting coming to Nigeria to train more young people who are interested in learning new technology in transforming waste plastic to something importance in the society.
“This idea came around 12 years ago in my country Cameroon in my town Garowa and few years later, I joined other organization to spread the messages which involved travelling from one country to another.
“We are here in Nigeria to teach other youth how to collect waste plastic from the trash centre, and transformed it into something that is useful for the construction of houses and other interior decoration”.
“It is my joy to see that many youth joined the training, so as to help fight unemployment and poverty.
“I trained the youth how to collect the waste plastic, wash it and dry-it before putting it into a big pot for melting while mixing it with sand that is extracted from kaduna River”.
He said, the interlocking -tiles is very fast to dry and it is very interesting.
Mallam siba Ahmed Dala, one of the youth receiving the training, expressed satisfaction.
Meanwhile the assistant director African Climate reporters, DR Piman Hoffman, has applauded the effort of the NGO and the international waste plastic trainer from Cameroon for coming to Nigeria to train youth on the new technology on recycling waste plastic to interlocking-tiles.
Hoffman said recycling is important in today’s world if they want to leave this planet for our future generations.
“It is good for the environment, since we are making new products from the old products which are of no use to us. Recycling begins at home.
“When we recycle, recyclable materials are reprocessed into new products, and as a result the amount of rubbish sent for incineration reduces.
He then called on Government, NGOs and CSOs to always support the spread of the new initiatives.
Foremost Pentecostal Pastor, Isaac Uye urges Nigerians to pray for the nation as the 2019 General elections draw closer.
Apostle Isaac Asukwo Uye is a Crusader and Evangelist extra-ordinary who held crusades across the country especially, Kaduna, Abuja, Akwa Ibom State among others.
The man of God is highly gifted for his signs and wonders during all his crusades which attracted Christian faithful across the country.
Apostle Isaac A. Uye a foremost Pentecostal Pastor is also a National Evangelist and the Area Apostle of the Apostolic Church Iquita, Headquarters,Oro Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
He is also the Akwa Ibom State Territorial Evangelical Chairman and Oronfield Evangelist who holds crusade almost every year in Oron land.
In this interview with Isaac Odeh of New Nigerian Newspapers, NNN recently at Uko Uyukim, in Oro Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, State shortly after the 2018 Annual crusade, Apostle Isaac A. Uye discussed the crusade as one of the greatest commissions mandated by the Lord Jesus Christ to go out and spread the message of salvation to the dying world.
Pastor Isaac A. Uye also said his annual crusade for Oro land which started with the deliverance of the land in 2015, healing of the land in 2016, blessing of the Oro land in 2017 and finally changed to total victory of the land in 2018 crusade which he described as the “Victory of Oro Land”.
The man of God further discussed national issues and the church:-
NNN: Nigeria has celebrated its 58th anniversary independence this year. What has actually attracted you in the history of the country?.
Pastor: Well, I appreciate the efforts of the freedom fighters (the founding fathers of the country) who fought for this country to become what it has been today. I attracted to the country despite its pluralistic nature and religious diversities and we are still able to remain together as one country.
NNN: How do you foresee the situation in the country from now to 2019 elections?
Pastor: Actually, the situation in the country is that every citizen of the country should watch, pray and wait patiently for God. As for the elections I pray that God’s own will be done in Nigeria. Nigerians are actually in confusion stage and every hand should be on deck to make Nigeria a better country.
NNN: In view of the events happening in the country, about insecurity and insurgency, will you say that the church is living up to its expectation?
Pastor: Yes, the church is expected to live up to its expectation. The issue of insecurity in the nation is well known by all and that Nigeria is prone to violent, attacks on human lives and property. The business of the church is to pray and prepare people for God’s kingdom. I have heard people blaming church that the church is not living up to its expectation which is not true. The church of God has no business with the kingdom of the world. I will ask? Is the church running the Government of Nigeria?
The question should be that is the government living up to its expectation?
Christ body has its own government that is free from all external influence. So if the government is good, it has lived up to its expectation and the reverse is the case. There is no need blaming the church as if the church runs the government of Nigeria. But they are truly doing her best for the country.
NNN: Does the proliferation of churches affect the apostolic church?
Pastor: No. Never, it is the prayer of the apostolic church that other churches should also proliferate. It is the kingdom service. Jesus says the work is great but the labourers are few. So, the growth of other churches does not affect the Apostolic Church from growing at all. Here in Nigeria, we are taking the lead strongly and we will ever remain, whilst praying for other churches to rise and face the great commission that Jesus our Lord once entrusted into our hands.
NNN: The moral degeneration among the youth is apparently a source of worry in the society. What is the church doing to correct this situation?
Pastor: Thank you. The church is already doing what the Lord our God has mandated us to do. But it must be noted that the Scripture writes that in the last days a perilous time shall come, hence, youth restiveness in the society must continue as a sign of the last time. So, any youth who fears the Lord will be very different from others thus breeding good seed to the society and anyone that insolent will bring ill health to the society. By this the Scripture must be fulfilled. I use this medium to call on the youths to have sober reflection.
NNN: Salvation is one of the doctorial backbones of the church, but many churches preach prosperity instead of salvation. What is responsible for this?.
Pastor: The Bible says that by their fruits, we shall know them. Not all are called. Some have made themselves available for such reasons. Salvation is the greatest focus of the Christian cleric. Anyone who fails saving souls for Christ, they preach prosperity is nothing but an evil agent in the lord’s vineyard. Prosperity itself is not wrong to preach but that is not the focus, but winning and prepares them for heaven.
NNN: The Apostolic church is one of the oldest churches in Nigeria. What can the church boast of in terms of winning souls for Christ ?.
Pastor: Numerical, we are above 30 million people and internationally we are growing. And we still remain one of the foremost Pentecostal churches with signs following.
NNN: Now. You have started this career as a man of God for a very long time and if we can look back, what do we see? What have been your experience as well as challenges in the service of God?.
Pastor: We can see raw power of God and the fulfillment of His words in my ministry. Also there is no successful career without a challenge and in all the challenges of my Ministry, God is always faithful.
Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has decried the manipulation of religion and ethnicity for political interests, saying that it is holding back the progress of Nigeria. Malam El-Rufai also explained that the choice of Dr Hadiza Balarabe as his running mate was influenced by considerations of competence, developing the state and pulling the talents of the women.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity , Samuel Aruwan quotes El-Rufai who featured in a Hausa vernacular programme of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Kaduna, on Saturday, as saying that people in their business, travels and daily lives look for who can give them results, not the faith of that person.
“If you are sick and in dire need of life, when you are rushed to hospital, what do you need? Life or religion of the doctor? Life is what you need and you will not waste time on the religion and ethnicity of the doctor. When you are flying, do you care about the religion or ethnicity of the pilot or a safe flight?
“It’s the same thing with business and investment. You hire those who can make your investment profitable. But when it comes to public service, some people will not be concerned about real development but will start talking of religion and ethnicity. This is a serious problem and is part of the reasons for Nigeria’s retrogression.
“Our action was not predicated on religion or ethnicity but getting a Deputy Governor, that suits our quest for a better Kaduna State.”
Malam El-Rufai disclosed that some elite who assume they owned the state and must dictate how it is run are unhappy that he has focused on the needs of the ordinary citizens. He said that he is determined that the “resources of Kaduna State must be used for the health care, security, education and economic development of ordinary citizens who have lost access to basic infrastructure for decades.
“The barrier to progress erected by the elite and a few individuals must be broken. And we will not be intimidated or distracted from putting the ordinary citizen first by mundane and divisive politics.
“Our trust is in God. This gives us the confidence that the ordinary citizens of Kaduna State see and appreciate what we are doing, and will support us to victory’, the statement said.
International Relations and Cooperation, Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule will pay an official visit to India from 6 – 10 January 2019. Mhaule will be attending the Raisina Dialogue taking place in New Delhi from 8-10 January 2019.
The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference of geopolitics and geo-economics and annually attracts high-level participants from all over the world.
The theme for the 2019 edition of the Conference will be: “A World Reorder: New Geometries, Fluid Partnerships, Uncertain Outcomes”.
“The African Continent will receive significant focus during the conference and Deputy Minister Mhaule will utilise the platform of the Conference to highlight key issues at the heart of South Africa’s foreign policy including advancing the African Agenda, regional integration and conflict prevention and peace-building,” DIRCO said on Friday.
During the visit, Mhaule will also have an opportunity to engage with her Indian counterpart, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, General Dr VK Singh.
According to the department the meeting will focus on issues of mutual interest such as further enhancing the trade and commercial relationship between South Africa and India, growing foreign direct investment and partnering in areas beneficial for both countries, such as skills exchange.
Also in the international arena, the two countries share a common vision on a range of global issues and closely cooperate in various multilateral fora, such as BRICS, IBSA, G20 and IORA.
Mhaule will also have high-level meetings with business sector representatives and Think Tanks in Mumbai to promote South Africa as a destination for trade, investment and tourism and to advance our foreign policy objectives.
South Africa and India enjoy a Strategic Partnership and bilateral relations are anchored by a deep and shared history of friendship and solidarity.
During 2018, the two countries celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations and the meeting between President Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi on the margins of the BRICS Summit in July 2018 served to further emphasise the important nature of the relationship in enhancing the national objectives of both countries.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is also expected to pay a State Visit to India later this month. – SAnews.gov.za
A traditional title holder in Zazzau Emirate of Kaduna State, North West Nigeria, Sulukin Zazzau, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi has appealed to Fulani traditional rulers (Ardos) to give all the necessary support and cooperation to polio immunization in the area.
Alhaji Adamu who is also the District Head of Makarfi made the call in Makarfi at a public Awareness/sensitization exercise organized by Nomadic Immunization Forum for Fulani leaders in Kudan, Makarfi, Ikara and Kudan Local Government Areas.
He said the support becomes necessary to enable all the Fulani Parents accept polio immunization and routine immunization among others.
The District Head urged the Fulani leaders that apart from accepting polio immunization, they should always live together in peace in their domain.
The State Administrative Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter, Abdullahi Adamu who stressed the importance of polio immunization and other health issues, urged them to ensure that children of 0-5 years were adequately vaccinated in their communities.
In his presentation, the Kaduna State Coordinator of Journalist’s Initiative on Immunization Against Polio (JAP), Malam Lawal Dogara told the gathering that the Polio vaccines are safe.
According to him, the vaccinations are aimed at making the children to grow well and healthier.
He called on Fulanis to always welcome the vaccinators and present their kids for vaccination saying “it is only when the children were in good health they can work harder to achieve success in life”.
The Director of Primary Health Care (PHC) Makarfi LGA, Abdullahi Sani Bamacco commended the organizers of the sensitization exercise saying that it will help improving polio immunization acceptability, most especially in the Fulani settlements.
At the end of the exercise, Fulani rulers/leaders promised to do their best to enable Fulanis accept Polio immunization at all time.
The four leaders who gave the assurances, were Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji representing Ikara, Alhaji Yusuf Gimi Representing Makarfi, Fulani Abubakar Dandako representing Kudan and Alh. Musa Abubakar Dutsenwai representing Kubau.
According to them, they would sensitize their people for the overall success of polio immunization and routine immunization among others.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria has urged the people to work together to advance and uphold peace in the state. They are also encouraged to usher in 2019 with hope and determination to make it a year of positive attainments.
The Governor, in his New Year message to the people, said they had witnessed sad episodes of violence, including the loss of lives and property in the outgone year.
He noted that over four decades, violent conflict in the state has taken an awful toll in lives lost and shattered hence the need to resolve to make 2019 the year that they overcome the baleful legacy of strife.
“Let us pay tribute to the suffering of people by saying never again. Violence shatters, but only peace can build and develop societies.
“2019 is an election year. Peace is an important condition for enabling our people to express their democratic preferences in a free and fair manner. I urge everyone to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly during the campaigns.
“Election is a democratic exercise. It must not be construed as an exercise in division. We must all respect the right of our people to choose and vote freely.
“We therefore assure our citizens that Government will deploy additional policing and military assets throughout the state to enhance security and surveillance from now until the end of the election season to enable everyone to canvass for support, campaign and vote freely and peacefully. We will vigorously apprehend and prosecute any person that plans, executes or sponsors any disruption to the orderly conduct of the campaigns and elections in 2019.
“Preserving the peace is a collective undertaking. Citizens should report all suspicious conduct to the law enforcement and security agencies. The government is determined to arrest and prosecute anybody, no matter their standing, that threatens the right of our people to live in peace and security.
“This government takes seriously its security obligations, even as it reminds our citizens that the ultimate guarantee of peace is the willingness of our communities to live in harmony. In the last three and half years, the Kaduna State Government has provided vehicles, communications and other logistic support to our security agencies.
“After decades of clamour, there are now permanent security detachments stationed in the southern part of the state. The army has a forward operating base in Kafanchan, with another battalion planned for the Kachia-Kajuru axis. We have also provided accommodation and facilities for a mobile police squadron in Kafanchan. We are building more police stations, security and Civil Defence outposts across the state.
“In addressing the sources of conflict and violence, we have established the Kaduna State Peace Commission under the chairmanship of Reverend Dr. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the former Anglican Archbishop of Kaduna, and current Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion. To deal with the menace of gangsters, we have gazetted the Unlawful Societies Declarations which prescribe a seven
year sentence for people convicted for membership of unlawful societies like the El-Zakzaky movement and the Sara-Suka gangs.
“Conscious of the challenges imposed by the shortfall in police numbers deployed to our state, compared to requirements, we are strengthening community involvement in policing and security through the Kaduna Vigilance Service, and our traditional institution at all levels. The civilian security volunteers were especially helpful in maintaining order during the recent crisis in Kaduna metropolis and environs.
“In the same period, we have been relentless in implementing our governance agenda, which has at its core Putting People First. This government is promoting equality of opportunity by building human capital. We have made tremendous investments to improve access to Education and Health care.
“We have recruited over 25,000 qualified teachers for our public primary schools, of which we have renovated hundreds. In areas of high population density, we have commenced building high-rise schools using pre-cast concrete to enable faster construction. We have supplied more than 200,000 units of furniture to solve the problem we inherited where at least 50% of Primary School pupils sit on floors due to absence of desks and chairs. For our secondary schools, we are recruiting 7600 new teachers, to join the over 2000 Science, Mathematics and English teachers we recruited in 2016.
“To reduce maternal and infant mortality, we decided to strengthen the primary health care system. We developed a programme to renovate and refit 255 primary health centres, one in each political ward. We have upgraded, equipped and staffed about 150 of the 255 PHCs we planned. Many of our 23 secondary health centres have received their delivery of General Electric equipment to ensure improved diagnosis, treatment and safer surgery.
“Our health management system is improving coverage in delivering safe, affordable and timely medicines and vaccination to citizens, particularly children. Pregnant women and infants under the age of 5 enjoy free care in our public hospitals, and we provide cash cover to treat senior citizens above 70 for hypertension and diabetes.
“The government has recruited 1200 professionals to strengthen the health system. The State Primary Health Care Development Agency is preparing to recruit over 3000 more health professionals.
“Across the state, we have expanded infrastructure. We have built township roads. We have constructed feeder roads. We have expanded rural electrification. We have delivered on the 150m litre per day Zaria Water Treatment Plant and will fully commission the entire project in 2019. We are refitting several water-works across the state to provide safer water.
“This government has created a digital land registry for Kaduna State. We have provided a pathway for our people to secure valid titles to landed property in quick time. We have brought investments and jobs, and our efforts have attracted deserved local and international recognition. The World Bank Doing Business Report ranks Kaduna State not just the most improved place to do business, but the easiest in Nigeria. Our state proudly took its place at the Open Government Partnership in Tbilisi, Georgia.
“In doing all this, we have injected into the state economy record levels of capital expenditure in each of our full budget years. We have more than doubled Internally-Generated Revenue without raising tax rates. We have done much to lift our people because we have put them and their concerns at the heart of government. We have devoted public resources to the needs of voiceless, ordinary people, rather than to the insatiable greed of a few selfish and vocal elite. We have stood with our people and taken decisions for the long-term. Every time we have had to make a choice, we have chosen sound governance over petty politics.
“As is customary at this time of the year, we have decided to make a gesture of mercy to some of our convicted compatriots. Upon the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I have decided to order the release of 12 convicts and to commute the sentences of two others to five years’ imprisonment. This is in line with powers granted under Section 212 of the Constitution. The details of the beneficiaries are spelt out in the official release from the Ministry of Justice.
“We have been privileged to witness a new year. We can make 2019 a year of peace and progress. Let us embrace the possibilities a new year offers for renewal in our individual lives. Let the new year help us strengthen mutual understanding and uphold harmony in our state”, he concludes.
Nigeria Police says its operatives deployed to arrest Senator Dino Melaye in his residence in Abuja will not retreat until Senator Dino Melaye surrenders himself for arrest and investigation.
A statement issued on Monday by the Force Spokesman, Jimoh Moshood said , “It is on record that the Police investigators submitted a Letter of Invitation dated 23rd July, 2018, signed by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command addressed to the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja, inviting Senator Dino Melaye to report on 26thJuly, 2018 at 1100Hrs at the Kogi State Police Command, CIID, Lokoja to answer to a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide against him under investigation in the Kogi State Police Command. The claim by the Senate President in the Media that the Police did not submit a letter of invitation to the Clerk of the National Assembly is therefore incorrect as can be seen on attached letter with acknowledgment stamp of the Clerk, National Assembly, Abuja “24 JUL 2018“. Despite this, Senator Dino Melaye bluntly refused to report himself to the Police till date.
“For avoidance of doubt, attached to this Press Release are the copies of pictures of the shot Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, the Police Invitation Letter addressed to the Clerk of National Assembly, Abuja and the Medical Report from the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State, confirming the admission of Sgt. Danjuma Saliu into the Hospital for treatment of the gunshot injury he sustained from the attack by Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs while on Stop and Search duty along Aiyetoro Gbede, Mopa Road in Kogi State on 19th July, 2018.
“The Police Officer, Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, is yet to recover from the gunshot injury he sustained during the attack and still under intensive medical care in the hospital.
“The Force will ensure a thorough investigation into this matter while making sure that the rule of law prevails and that no suspect no matter how highly placed, involved in any criminal matter escape justice”
According to the Police, Senator Dino Melaye is wanted by the Police for a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Attempted Culpable Homicide, committed on 19th July, 2018, when Senator Dino Melaye and his armed thugs attacked Police personnel; shot and wounded Sgt. Danjuma Saliu, attached to 37 Police Mobile Force (PMF) on stop and search duty along Aiyetotoro Gbede, Mopa Rd, in Kogi State.
