Pres. Buhari pledges free meals to primary school pupils - Osinbanjo

At the 45th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Vice-President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would soon start giving primary school children free meals. He said the free meals scheme was a core project of the Federal Government that would in turn yield about 1.14 million jobs and increase in food production.

Speaking on the topic “Repositioning Nigeria for Sustainable Development: From Rhetoric to Performance,” Osinbajo said that the multiplier effects of the introduction of the school feeding scheme would help to create new jobs; increase food production by up to 530,000 metric tonnes per annum, as well as attract fresh investments up to N980bn.

He said:

“One of the most important interventions required in the education sector is capacity building to improve teacher quality.

“This programme is intended to drive teachers’ capacity development; boost basic education; attract talents to the teaching profession. Better educated population increases economic potential for productivity.”

“The All Progressives Congress has made a commitment to provide one-meal-a-day for all primary school students; that would create jobs in agriculture, including poultry, catering and delivery services.”

51yr old woman acting as surrogate gives birth to her grand daughter

A 51-year-old mother with multiple sclerosis gave birth to her own granddaughter in North Dakota, acting as a surrogate for her daughter. The pregnancy came with an unexpected and welcome side effect.

Mandy Stephens and her husband Jamie couldn’t wait to get pregnant after marrying in 2013, but they had trouble conceiving and opted for in vitro fertilization.

Stephens became pregnant, and the 20-week ultrasound looked perfect. But she subsequently went into early labor and lost the baby, which she named Theo.

“There’s so much excitement,” Stephens, 32, said. “You carry the baby for so long, and then it’s all ripped apart and taken away. Your whole world stops.”

Mandy’s mom, Sherri Dickson, felt the pain, too.

“Watching your child lose a child is the definition of sadness,” Dickson said. “I can’t describe it any other way. It breaks your heart.”

Because Stephens’ cervix opened early, doctors warned the couple that a premature birth could happen again, though there is a procedure that may allow women with cervical insufficiency to carry their own baby.

The couple considered different options. Adoption? A surrogate?

That’s when her mother stepped in.

“I decided that if they needed somebody to carry their child, I would volunteer,” Dickson said.

The decision was easy for Dickson, who, at 51, had three grown children of her own. But there could be complications because of her age and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system.

“The disabling effects of the disease may make it physically difficult for the mother to carry a pregnancy,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Muscle weakness and coordination problems may increase the likelihood for falls.”

But the situation also came with a potential health benefit for Dickson, whose MS was in remission: Becoming pregnant might help keep it that way.

Researchers think that protective changes in the immune system during pregnancy keep the disease at bay.

Two attempts were made with in vitro fertilization, and by November of last year, Dickson was pregnant with her daughter and son-in-law’s baby.

“Pregnancy was easy,” Dickson said. “I was very fortunate … I was playing tennis a week before I delivered, and working out with my trainer, but the delivery at 51 was way harder than the delivery at 33 with my last baby.”

Their bundle of joy was born four weeks ago.

“It’s indescribable,” Dickson said. “There are times I look at … [the baby] and say, ‘We did that, you know?’ We gave her what she wants. Not that you ever make up for a baby you lost but you give someone that hope, you know?”

Photo: 12 wives of Boko Haram militants surrender in Borno

12 wives of Boko Haram militants have surrendered to members of Civilian JTF in Borno. The women surrendered after their husbands abandoned them in the bush. The women when interrogated said their husbands left them in the forest due to lack of food and fuel supply.

A Leader of state vigilante group in Mussa District in Askira-Uba local government area of Borno state, Apagu Istifanus, said the women surrendered between Monday and Tuesday this week..

''On Monday 4 of them came to Askira after thorough investigation, they told us that their husbands could no longer feed them that they are many in the bush but more were still coming, they have been taken to Biu town for more information. Yesterday at about 4 pm another 8 surfaced again, two of them several months pregnant,. Their husbands had left them and their children at Ngude village in Damboa local government area. But we have handed over to the military. They have moved them to Mubi,'' Apagu said.

Nigerian journalist, Simon Ateba regains freedom in Cameroon

He was released yesterday September 1st. He announced his release on his Facebook page and what transpired while he was detained. 

Enyeama sad about missing Nigeria match against Tanzania

Heard he lost his mum...

Photos: Buhari meets with PENCOM officials

President Buhari met with officials of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) led by the DG, Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu at the state house Abuja today September 2nd.

DJ Cuppy is printastic on the September cover for Zen Magazine!

Women who inspire! Fresh off her Cuppy Takes Africa tour, Florence Ifeolouwa Otedola aka DJ Cuppy dazzles in all shades of print by Iconola on the cover of the 8th anniversary September issue of Zen Magazine.

Nigerian Army uncovers “unprecedented” oil bunkering site in Port Harcourt

The Nigerian Army says it has uncovered a massive illegal oil bunkering site located one kilometre along the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Port Harcourt. Stevenson Olabanji, a Brigadier General and Commander of 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Port Harcourt that thousands of litres of illegally refined diesel were discovered at the site.

He said that army operatives were immediately deployed to the site at Makoba Beach, which is two kms away from the Rivers State Government House.

“About 16:40 hours on Monday, we got an information that some illegal bunkering activities were going on along Makoba Beach. On arrival, our personnel discovered illegal activities which involved bunkering of illegally refined petroleum products and lifting of diesel to local boats. At the site, we found more than 5,000 drums loaded with illegally refined diesel; four tanker trucks containing 132,000 litres of diesel combined, and a barge with 165,000 litres of stolen diesel.

This discovery is unprecedented because since we started our operations 10 days ago, this is about the biggest that we have uncovered.”he said

Mr. Olabanji said that additional 150 drums, loaded with about 3,150 litres of diesel, were also discovered in 21 Cotonou boats. He said 13 suspects were arrested at the scene of the illegal activity. He said the illegal bunkering dump had not yet been set ablaze, in line with the Joint Task Force mandate, because of its closeness to residential buildings and the NPA.

“Our mandate requires us to destroy the site in situ, but we cannot do this because it will degrade the environment and affect residents since it is situated in the heart of Port Harcourt. Our plan is to move them to a safe location for destruction.”

The commander said that preliminary investigation had already begun to unravel sponsors of the activity, adding that the 13 suspects would be handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution. Mr. Olabanji, while urging oil thieves to desist from the sabotage of oil and gas installations, assured Nigerians that the JTF would not rest until it rids the state of illegal bunkering activities.

 “Let it be known that the army will not and will never tolerate illegal bunkering in our area of responsibility,” he assured. Mr. Olabanji called on the public to provide the JTF with timely information which could lead to the arrest of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

(NAN)

Port Harcourt Refineries resumes full operation, produces 5 million liters of petrol per day

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC Ibe Kachiukwu today announced that the Port Harcourt refinery has resumed operations and produces 5 million liters of petrol per day. While addressing journalists in Port Harcourt Kachikwu said this recent development will help to stop the era of fuel shortage in the country. He says the plan is to ensure that all the refineries function optimally.

He also revealed that there are plans to engage the services of the Nigerian Air force using drones for surveillance of the petroleum pipelines across the country. Kachikukwu also revealed that the Warri refinery will begin full operation before this week ends.

Meet Manchester Utd's 19 year old most expensive footballer

Manchester United's splashed out a whopping £3 6million to snare French footballer 19 year old Anthony Martial, from the Ligue 1 outfit.
However, United fans don't need to worry about the teenage sensation going off the rails - he is married father-of-one who prefers a homecooked meal than painting the town red.

The French teenager looks to be on to a winner with his partner, Samantha, if these snaps of the newest United WAG on the block are anything to go by.

Martial, who will wear the No.9 shirt at Old Trafford, got hitched with his childhood sweetheart and they have a daughter together named Toto.

The world's most-expensive teenager has vowed to get his head down and prove his worth to United fans after his mega-money move to England.

He said:"I'm very proud. I worked hard for this and my family is very happy about it.

 "I've always wanted to play in the Premier League and look forward to meeting my team-mates"

"I don't feel the pressure. I know there is pressure but I'm ready for it. I'm very happy because it's a big club in England.

"It's not easy to speak about myself but I am a very fast player. I spoke with the coach and I know that I need to work very hard.

"I hope that everything will go well for me at this club. I'm very happy because the supporters are great here. I will be ready when the time comes."

A source close to Martial said he was serious about his football and is no party animal.

"Anthony now carries the glamorous title of being the most expensive teenager in world football, but his life is just the opposite," a source told The Sun.

"He loves staying in and being with his family. It doesn't look like he'll be raising hell once he moves to Manchester."

Anthony said:

"After training, I like to come home and find my wife. I am very homely."

Hi wife Samantha is looking forward to the move to the Premier League. She posted a picture of Martial with his new Manchester United shirt with the message:

"A new life begins in England ... we will never forget Monaco ... thank you all for your support."