We will soon enter another year. I hope this year has been a great year? Mine and that of my team was great!! You can comment if yours was great. Happy new year in advance. See you in 2017!!! Yeah in the new year.

New Year delayed by a second

A "leap second" will be added to this year's New Year's countdown to compensate for a slowdown in the Earth's rotation.

The extra second will occur as clocks strike midnight and a time of 23:59:60 will be recorded, delaying 2017 momentarily.A leap second last occurred in June 2015 and this will be the 27th time it has occurred.

The change is required because standard time lags behind atomic clocks.The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) - responsible for the UK's national time scale - uses the atomic clock to provide a stable and continuous timescale.

Along with other clocks across the globe, it provides the world with its coordinated universal time.NPL senior research scientist Peter Whibberley said: "Atomic clocks are more than a million times better at keeping time than the rotation of the Earth,which fluctuates unpredictably."Leap seconds are needed to prevent civil time drifting away from Earth time.

"Although the drift is small - taking around 1,000 years to accumulate a one-hour difference - if not corrected it would eventually result in clocks showing midday before sunrise."Atomic clocks use ultraviolet signals emitted in the change of electron energy levels to tell the time.

The time created by the clocks is used in GPS location devices and is used tocontrol the wave frequency of television broadcasts.

The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service in France tracks the Earth's rotation and announces the need for a leap second.

BREAKING: Many feared dead as Boko Haram launches surprise attack against army

Nigerian troops on Operation Lafiya Dole engaged Boko Haram terrorists in an early-morning gun fire leader to the death of about 15 terrorists

.According to Premium Times, the gun fire started around 6 am on Friday, December 30 in Borno state and ended by 9 am.

It was reported that the terrorists launched a surprise attack against troops Rann, in northern Borno where soldiers from 3 Battalion and 112 Task Force Battalion are stationed.

The soldiers responded promptly ant attacked the terrorists who were firing sporadically.At the end of the gun fire, about 15 terrorists were killed while some were injured.
Another source in the military said the number of terrorists that died was more than 15 as some of them escaped with gunshot wounds.

It was however confirmed that four Nigerian soldiers were wounded in action while the nearby 22 Brigade has been contacted to send air ambulance to evacuate a soldier who was seriously injured.

Weapons recovered include “two AK47 rifles, four FN rifles, one M21 rifle, 110 X 7.62MM NATO ammunition, 20 X 7.62MM special,, 40 X M21 rounds, 4 X FN extra magazine and two locally made explosives.”

40,000 seized bags of rice shared to IDP camps

- The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized over 40,000 bags of rice in recent times

- The bags were shared among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps

- This was revealed by Deputy Comptroller-General of the NCS, Mr Umar Ilya

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized over 40,000 bags of rice in recent times and the bags were shared among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

This was revealed by Deputy Comptroller-General of the NCS, Mr Umar Ilya at a joint media briefing with Acting Director General of NAFDAC Mrs Yetunde Oni on the suspected seized plastic rice.

His words:“We have seized over 40,000 bags of rice since the ban on importation of rice through the border.“Those are rice shared to the IDP camps after we tested and certified them suitable for consumption.”At the briefing, the two agencies put to rest the alleged report of importation of plastic rice into the country.Laboratory result released by NAFDAC showedthe rice was not plastic as suspected.The minister of health,Professor Isaac Adewole had debunked the reportwhen it made the rounds after, assuring Nigerians there was no cause for alarm.

Last week, theNCS intercepted 102 bags of ricein the Ikeja area of Lagos, which smugglers were planning to sell in Nigerian markets.

Daily Inspirational quotes

Tough Times never last but tough people do:

"Never try to fix the blame, but try to fix the problem" this way we will have a better world.

Excerpt from the book "Tough Times Never Last But Tough People Do" by Dr Robert Schuller

Philippe Coutinho: Liverpool playmaker to miss Manchester City game

Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho will not return from an ankle injury in time to face Manchester City on New Year's Eve, boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

The Brazil playmaker, 24, has missed six games with an injury picked up inNovember's win over Sunderland.

"The City game is too early and I'm pretty sure the Sunderland match on Monday is too early too," Klopp said. The Reds manager also confirmed that defender Joel Matip will miss the City game with an ankle injury.

The title rivals meet at Anfield on Saturday (17:30 GMT), with second-placed Liverpool one point above City in the Premier League.

Klopp said: "We love playing the best and they are in the groove of one of the best teams in the world."This is a very big game for both teams. Six clubs fight for four or one positions. Each game is kind of a final. If I wasn't sitting on the bench, I would buy a ticket for the game 100%."

Klopp was asked about the fact he has not been to Etihad Stadium to watch City. "I can see better from home rather than always standing up for selfies in the ground," said the German.

He also praised City boss Pep Guardiola, his former Bundesliga managerial rival."Our teams are completely different from when Dortmund and Bayern played each other," he continued.

"We know everything about how Pep played with Bayern but that is not important any more because it is different players and different systems. He was very nearly perfect with Barcelona. He had a big influence with Bayern and changed their style completely."He is an outstanding manager, 100%.

"Klopp denied newspaper reports suggesting Liverpool could sign Arsenal midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23."Usually I don't say anything about transfers but I will make an exception. Nonsense," he said.

Finally!! Syria conflict: Ceasefire agreed, backed by Russia and Turkey

The deal was announced by Russia's President Vladimir Putin and confirmed by Turkey. The two nations, which back opposing sides, will act as guarantor

The High Negotiations Committee (HNC), regarded by the UN as Syria's main opposition body, confirmed the deal, which excludes jihadist groups. If the truce holds, peace talks will be held in Kazakhstan within a month. At least 300,000 people are believed to have been killed in fighting that followed the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad in March 2011.

A further four million have fled the country to seek refuge in neighbouring states or Europe.

Who is included in the deal?

On the one side, Syrian government forces, their factional allies and the Russian military.

On the other, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), a loose alliance of several moderate rebel factions, plus other groups under the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), the umbrella group representing Syria's political and armed opposition factions.

FSA spokesman Osama Abu Zaid said there were 13 armed opposition factions in all who had signed up.

The Russian defence ministry listed seven of the main rebel groups included in the truce as Faylaq al-Sham; Ahrar al-Sham; Jaysh al-Islam; Thuwwar Ahl al-Sham; Jaysh al-Mujahidin; Jaysh Idlib and al-Jabhah al-Shamiyah. Ahrar al-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) are the key names, neither of them part of the FSA.

Who is not included?

Jihadists. So-called Islamic State (IS) "and the groups affiliated to them" are not part of the agreement, Syria's army confirmed.

It also said Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly the Nusra Front) was excluded. However, some rebel officials told Reuters it was part of the deal, giving a hint of the complications that lie ahead.

This is because JFS is intrinsically linked in Idlib province to groups that have signed up to the truce.The FSA also said that the deal did not include the Kurdish Popular ProtectionUnits (YPG).

The YPG, along with other Kurdish militias, controls a large area of northern Syria up the Turkish border. It is regarded by Turkey as a terrorist organisation and an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Anambra community genocide: Who killed Our Six Children

Uneasy calm pervades the sleepy town of Ekweumilli Community in Nnewi South Local Government Council Area of Anambra State since the mysterious death of six children of the same parents six months ago. Facts emerged recently that the situation  had also been compounded following the absence of police autopsy six month after from the state  homicide section of the state CID Anambra State Police Command,  which collected the samples of the diseased particulars before the were buried. When contacted the PPRO, ASP Nkiru Nwode,  told the Nigerian Tribune that she was not in position to give any answer. All other phone calls put across to her were not answered, but the elders of the community confirmed that they were yet to get the result.

It will be recalled that on the 16th July, 2016, the sleepy town of Ekwulimili was thrown unto darkness in the broad day light as the six children of the same parents died one after the other in less than an hour. This tragic incident had several interpretations which made the community, police and Anambra State government to embark on different voyage to unravel the circumstances that led to the sudden death of those children. Youth of the town took to the street charting war song demanding immediate answer from the Elder of the community. The six siblings namely Chukwuebuka 17, Chinemerem 15, Afomachukwu 13, Chekwubechukwu 11, Onyekachukwu 9, Chukwuziterem 6 had returned  from school on the faithful day and after eating their lunch of a flour meal, developed stomach upset and within some few minutes died one after the other. Specification was however roped that the children had used them in exchange of spiritual powers a claim nobody was able to substantiate.

The President General of the community, Chief Ugochukwu Eweluaku told Regional Tribune that Ekwulumilli is a peaceful town and has always lived in harmony showing  love to one another by instituting scholarship scheme while some wealthy individuals donates  tricycle, motorcycle, cash to the unemployed youths to be self employed and that is why the rate of crime and youth restivness were reduced to the barest minimum in the community. The President General however said that the community is still awaiting the result of the autopsy conducted on these unfortunate children and will not rest on their oars until the cause of their death is made public. ”We will not even mind to exhume the remains to conduct a fresh one if the Homicide square are finding if difficult because the community would not allow anything to dent their image. ”When visits the community recently, it was gathered that the youths of the town are regrouping for a shown down, putting their axed together against the Elders of the community. But the Chairman of the Elders forum and Elder states man in the community Chief Patrick Dim Anyichie told our correspondent that normally is gradually returning to the town and that the community is doing everything to unravel the mystery. He took time to go down memory lane tracing the origin of the town to about 15th century and said such has not happened in the recent time or recorded anywhere in the history of the town. According to him “Ekwulumili as a town in Nnewi South Local Government Area  Anambra State, has never known for such calamity and has been the most peaceful town in the council area and even Anambra State. “Ekwulumilli has 14 Villages and made up of 25 political ward under the watch of HRH Igwe G.O Umeanadu, the Eze Onyeolulu. ”The community is also run by a constituted legally instructions like the Ekwululmilli development union (EDU) with a written constitution and other traditional institutions.

“So what happened to our community is tragic but we cannot question God. As patrons of the community, we have been pleading with the youths to calm down and join in the search for the mission object in the water. Nobody is hoppy and I am quite sure that God will reveal the circumstance, because nothing is hidden under the sun”. Food poising according to him is one endemic thing that the federal government should look inward and find a lasting solution to .He recalled that  in 1978, a family of six also perished in Nsukka after eating a cassava  flour meal bought from the market and non survived it. There are similar stories in various parts of the country. Meanwhile, the head of the deceased family, Chief Umeannabue Oramulu in a chat said they have forgotten the death, remember these children and the travail we passed through will be recalling the pains and the loss.  We have resorted to prayers and hopefully God will revenge for us; if this act was done by a living human being let the God who watches over the world judge him or her, but what I am sure is that such cannot go unpunished. ”On the rift between the family and the father of the children, the head of the family said our differences with him have nothing to do with the death. “ It is an internal matter as it happened in every other places, ours is not different”.  Even wife and husband, children and guardians quarrel, it is part of life and that makes life worth living. On the youths’ aggressiveness, Chief Oramulu explained that it was a mere expression of anger and it is not out of place.  However, we have pleaded with them that all should calm down let us together use our brains and pray to God to show us the way to unravel the circumstances that led to this great loss.  “I am however, worried that uptill now at least six months after the homicide squad ought to have finished us with the test they conducted”. “I want to use this opportunity to call on the Governor of Anambra State to call on the authorities of the police command to release the result at least to douse the tension and restore the confidence of our youths on the elders of the community”. 

“I am saying this because we don’t want any further calamity or death in this community because as an old adagehas it, “a stitch in time saves nine”.  We are peaceful and our community was never known for any form of crisis but I know that during the yuletide the people would want to know how far we have gone and the elders are bound to provide these answers as the custodian of the land.”These are salient issues that the community should have answers, so that the cordial relationship existing in our sleepy town continues. I acknowledge that it is tragic and which can also happen to every other community or person, but we should try to do our own as human being to prevent such, so I am pleading that the government should come to our aid.

Meanwhile, palpable fear have gripped residents of the community as some of them who spoke to Regional Tribune said the community is sitting on a keg of gun powder, waiting to explode.  “Oga, you are welcome We all know that this community if care was not taken will again make history.  This is because I have heard that our youths both at home and in Diaspora are all coming home during this Christmas and definitely they will ask questions and if they don’t get satisfactory answer, then there will be trouble.  One of the women in the community said. But a youth who did not disclose his name said there was no such arrangement, but the community will hold general meeting as usual after the Christmas, where other issues including that of the deceased children would be ironed out.

”If anybody is organizing anything count me out of it.  We are not ready to disturb the peace of the town because what happened is now a history.  The only thing is that if anybody come up tomorrow to own up, then the community will decide what to do.  The elders are members of Ekwulumili and are fathers and mothers of the children of Ewulumili so the important thing was that everybody have embraced peace and resorted to prayers and even if you know who killed these children they are not coming back to life.  So to me, it is now an exercise in futility and the best thing is for everybody to pray for the repose of the souls of these children.

Can you die from a broken heart?

Some people talk about "broken heart syndrome", known more formally as stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. According to the British Heart Foundation, it is a "temporary condition where your heart muscle becomes suddenly weakened or stunned. The left ventricle, one of the heart's chambers, changes shape."It can be brought on by a shock. "About three quarters of people diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy have experienced significant emotional or physical stress prior to becoming unwell," the charity says.This stress might be bereavement but it could be a shock of another kind. There are documented cases of people suffering the condition after being frightened by colleagues pulling a prank, or suffering the stress of speaking to a large group of people. It's speculated that the sudden release of hormones - in particular, adrenaline - causes the stunning of the heart muscle.This is different from a heart attack, which is a stopping of the heart because the blood supply is constricted, perhaps by clogged arteries.Read more hereHow does grief cause physical pain?Reynolds was leading lady in a succession of major Hollywood musicals andcomedies in the 1950s and 60s.She rose to stardom with Singin' in the Rain, at the age of only 19.She received a best actress Academy Award nomination for the 1964 musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown.Her other films included 1973 animated film Charlotte's Web, in which she provided the voice for the eponymous spider.In 2015 she was given a lifetime achievement award by the Screen Actors Guild. The award was presented to her by her daughter.Reynolds married singer Eddie Fisher in 1955 and had two children, Carrie and Todd. The couple divorced in 1959 after news emerged of his affair with movie star Elizabeth Taylor.Reynolds married twice more.The actress has a sometimes strained relationship with her actress daughter,who wrote about it in her semi-autobiographical novel Postcards from the Edge.The pair stopped speaking to each other for many years but became closer later in life.In an interview last month with US radio network NPR, Fisher said her motherwas "an immensely powerful woman" whom she admired "very much".As people gathered to pay their respects to the actress at Hollywood's Walk of Fame, one couple, Jose and Daniela Barrera, appeared to speak for many after a year marked by celebrity deaths."It's just, you know, a sad time I guess," Jose told the Reuters news agency."With the closing of the year and so many deaths in the year, it's just sad.""It was so sad," added Daniela. "It was a shocker. I mean, what were the odds of this happening? It was incredible finding out, sad."

Sad!! US actress Debbie Reynolds dies grieving for daughter Carrie Fisher

Debbie Reynolds, who starred opposite Gene Kelly in the 1952 musical Singing in the Rain, has died a day after the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher. The US actress, 84, had been rushed to hospital with a suspected stroke. Her son, Todd Fisher, said the stress of his sister's death had been too much for her and in her last words, she had said she wanted to be with Carrie. US actress Bette Midler said Reynolds was "devoted to her craft" and that her death was "too hard to comprehend".

Actress Debra Messing said Reynolds, her on-screen mother in sitcom Will and Grace, had been an "inspiration"."A legend of course," she wrote in a statement. "The epitome of clean - cut American optimism, dancing with Gene Kelly as an equal, a warrior woman who never stopped working. ''Actor Rip Torn, who worked with Reynolds in her Las Vegas stage show, said: "I was blessed to work with this remarkable woman for 45 almost 50 years. That makes for a very rare bond and unique relationship."She was generous to a fault, never caring who got the laugh from the audience. I will always love her."Veteran comic actress Carol Channing agreed: "She was beautiful and generous. It seems like only yesterday she was having lunch here at the house and we were discussing the possibility of working together in a new show."For Star Trek actor William Shatner, Reynolds was one of the last of the Hollywood royalty."It breaks my heart that she is gone,"he wrote. "I'd hoped that my grieving was done for 2016.Reynolds had been at her son's house in Beverly Hills - apparently discussing the arrangements for Carrie Fisher's funeral - when she was taken ill. She was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre suffering from breathing difficulties and her death was confirmed a few hours later. It is thought she suffered a stroke. Carrie Fisher, renowned for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars series, had died aged 60 the day before, after spending three days in a Los Angeles hospital. She never regained consciousness after suffering a massive heart attack on board a flight from London to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve. Speaking to the Associated Press news agency about his mother, Todd said:"She's now with Carrie and we're all heartbroken. ''Celebrity news site TMZ reported that Reynolds cracked while discussing plans for Carrie's funeral with her son, telling him: "I miss her so much; I want to be with Carrie."

Birds migrating earlier as temperatures rise

Migrating birds are arriving at their breeding grounds earlier as global temperatures rise, a study has found.Birds have reached their summer breeding grounds on average about one day earlier per degree of increasing global temperatures, according to the research by Edinburgh University.The study looked at hundreds of species across five continents.It is hoped it will help scientists predict how different species may respond tofuture environmental change.Reaching their summer breeding grounds at the wrong time - even by a few days - may cause birds to miss out on maximum availability of vital resources such as food and nesting places.Late arrival to breeding grounds may, in turn, affect the timing of offspring hatching and their chances of survival.Long-distance migrants, which are shown to be less responsive to rising temperatures, may suffer most as other birds gain advantage by arriving at breeding grounds ahead of them.Flowering and breedingTakuji Usui, of Edinburgh University's school of biological sciences, said:"Many plant and animal species are altering the timing of activities associatedwith the start of spring, such as flowering and breeding."Now we have detailed insights into how the timing of migration is changing and how this change varies across species."These insights may help us predict how well migratory birds keep up with changing conditions on their breeding grounds."The study examined how various species, which take flight in response to cues such as changing seasonal temperatures and food availability, have altered their behaviour over time and with increasing temperatures.The researchers examined records of migrating bird species dating back almost 300 years.The study drew upon records from amateur enthusiasts and scientists, including notes from 19th-century American naturalist Henry David Thoreau.Species that migrate huge distances - such as the swallow and pied flycatcher - and those with shorter migrations - such as the lapwing and pied wagtail - were included in the research.The study, published in Journal of Animal Ecology, was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council.

Drone-based blood deliveries in Tanzania to be funded by the United kingdom

Therapy UK government is to fund a trial of drone-based deliveries of blood and other medical supplies in Tanzania.The goal is to radically reduce the amount of time it takes to send stock to health clinics in the African nation by road or other means.The scheme involves Zipline, a Silicon Valley start-up that began running asimilar service in Rwandain October.Experts praised that initiative but cautioned that "cargo drones" are still of limited use to humanitarian bodies.The Department for International Development (Dfid) has not said how much money will be invested in the Tanzanian effort or for how long.It also announced plans to fund tests of drones in Nepal to map areas of the country prone to damage from extreme weather, so help prepare for future crises."This innovative, modern approach ensures we are achieving the best results for the world's poorest people and delivering value for money for British taxpayers," commented the International Development Secretary Priti Patel.Parachute deliveriesZipline's drones - called Zips - are small fixed-wing aircraft that are fired froma catapult and follow a pre-programmed path using GPS location data.The advantage of the design over multi-rotor models is that the vehicles can better cope with windy conditions and stay airborne for longer. In theory, theycan fly up to about 180 miles (290km) before running out of power, although Zipline tries to keep round trips to about half that distance.Their drawback is that they require open space to land - in Zip's case an area about the size of two car parking slots.Zipline gets round this issue by having its drones descend to heights of about5m (16.4ft) when they reach their destinations and then release their loads viapaper parachutes. Afterwards, they regain altitude and return to base before coming to rest.The aircraft fly below 500ft (152m) to avoid the airspace used by passenger planes.Tanzania, Rwanda and Malawi - which uses adifferent type of dronefor medical deliveries - all take a permissive approach to unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] regulations, helping make them attractive places for such trials.Earlier in the year, Tanzania also authorised the use of drones in its TarangireNational Park as part of an effort to deter animal poachers.Saved livesDfid estimates that flying blood and medical supplies by drone from out of Tanzania's capital, Dodoma, could save $58,000 (£47,400) a year compared to sending them by car or motorcycle.But a spokeswoman suggested that the time savings were more crucial."Flights are planned to start in early 2017, and when they do it is estimated that [the] UAVs could support over 50,000 births a year, cutting down the time mothers and new-borns would have to wait for life-saving medicine to 19 minutes - reduced from the 110 minutes traditional transport methods would take," she explained.The Ifakara Health Institute - which specialises in treatments for malaria, HIV,tuberculosis as well as neonatal health issues - will be the local partner.The Humanitarian UAV Network and other non-profit bodies recentlysurveyed the use of dronesto carry out human welfare tasks.The study highlighted the work Zipline was doing, noting the firm was capableof setting up a new drones launch hub in as little as 24 hours, meaning it was well suited to rapid response efforts as well as longer-term projects.But the study also noted that humanitarian cargos are often measured in tonnes rather than kilograms, and need to be transported across longer distances than a Zip can manage."Given these current trade-offs relative to manned aviation, the specific cases in which cargo drones can currently add value are particularly narrow in the context of the universe of needs that humanitarian organisations typically face," it said.And it added that more research was needed to properly evaluate whether existing schemes were as reliable as claimed."Organisations considering the use of cargo drones need statistics on flights performed, hours logged, failure rates and other performance measures."

Micheal Schumacher legacy still lives on.

It is three years since Michael Schumacher's life-changing skiing accident, but his legacy remains undimmed.The Formula One legend has been credited with helping to lay the foundations for Mercedes' three years of dominance which culminated in two world titles for Lewis Hamilton in 2014 and 2015 and a first for Schumacher's compatriot Nico Rosberg in 2016.Former Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn says Schumacher had an important influence on the team, which has also won three consecutive constructor crowns.The German made a shock decision to come out of retirement to drive for the team in 2010, staying for three seasons before retiring again and being replaced by Hamilton."Michael, for sure, contributed to the organization and structure that has gone on to achieve success at Mercedes," Brawn, who engineered Schumacher's seven world titles with Benetton and Ferrari as the teams' technical director, told CNN."He helped create the success we had at Ferrari and he continued that approach at Mercedes."According to Brawn, one of Schumacher's strengths was that he put in time at the factory working with the backroom team preparing to race."With his knowledge and maturity, sitting with a group of aerodynamicists or vehicle dynamists or tire people and explaining what was needed was invaluable. He was instrumental in creating the systems that contribute to the success that Mercedes has today," Brawn said.Schumacher's medical status still remains unclear, having suffered serious head injuriesin a freak skiing accident on December 29, 2013.The 47-year-old continues to receive specialist treatment at his home in Switzerland.

We are fighting corruption with clear strategy - Lai Mohammed

The federal government is being guided by a well-articulated strategy in its fight against corruption

- This is contrary to the misconception in certain circles

- This is the submission of the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The federal government has recovered 40 brand new SUVs and other vehicles from one former permanent secretary who singlehandedly appropriated the vehicles to himself when he left office. This was revealed in a statement issued in Lagos on December 29 by the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
Mohammed was responding to criticisms about the government not having a clear strategy in its fight against corruption.

He said the federal government is not just fixated on prosecution alone but isalso taking preventive measures to make corruption unattractive.The minister listed some of the government's corruption preventive measures.They are:1. Strict enforcement of the Treasury Singles Account (TSA)2. Establishment of the Presidential Committee on Asset Recovery3. Establishment of the Presidential Committee Asset Tracing Committee4. Setting up of an Asset Register and5.The Whistle policy.

Meanwhile, the federal government has said it will employ 300,000 additionalgraduates forthe next phase of N-Power volunteer programme.Similarly, thefederal government will train 25,000 cooksto assist the federal government in actualizing the home-grown school feeding programme in nine states of the federation.

We are dying of hunger in Nigeria, MASSOB cries out

The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Cross River State chapter has raised an alarm alleging that people are dying as a result of the high cost of living in the state, The Punch reports.
MASSOB in a statement issued in Calabar on Tuesday, December 27, by its Public Relations Officer, Okon Eyo Effiom, said there were indications that the Nigerian state could no longer take care of its citizens, adding that so many Nigerians could no longer afford to buy basic food items due to inflation.

The statement read in part:“Even at Christmas, a period characterised by celebration and merriment, many people could not afford to cook the common rice meal for their families. Rice is the basic staple during such time but because of high level of poverty in the land many families could not afford to buy it. “The standard of living in the country has depreciated abysmally in just one year and the cost of basic items has quadrupled beyond the reach of the ordinary person. This has made the citizens to easily succumb to diseases and death while others who are unable to bear the situation are killing themselves. “Between 2015 and this year, the cost of living has risen by over 500% which is way beyond the ordinary citizen which accounts for the high death rate amongst our people. ”The group calling on President Muhammadu Buhari stated said they want to leave the Nigerian state and build a nation of their own based on the vision ofRalph Uwazurike instead of languishing in this unholy state.
Meanwhile MASSOB has raised an alarm over covert plans by security agencies to clampdown on its members and label them as kidnappers and robbers, thereby giving an avenue for them to find occasion against them. Zonal Leader of MASSOB in Delta Central Perry Akujinwa told chukebooks.blogspot.com that despite the threat and the intimidation from the federal troops, the group's members will not give up the struggle because it believes that at the appropriate time the dream of the Igbo man would be realized.

Atiku commends Nigerian army, Buhari for recapturing Sambisa forest

Former Nigerian vice-president, Atiku Abubakar has described the defeat of Boko Haram as the best Christmas present to Nigeria

- The former vice-president commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for the invasion and sacking of Camp Zero, the last Boko Haram stronghold in Sambisa Forest

- He described the success of the soldiers as “a military feat worth celebrating”

Nigeria's former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar has described the defeat of the Boko Haram as the best Christmas and New Year present to Nigeria. Atiku, in a statement by his Media Office in Abuja on Tuesday, December 27, noted that the sacrifice of the Armed Forces was a gift to the nation that had been under tremendous stress on account of the deadly activities of the insurgents. The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stated that the northeast geopolitical zone could rejoin the nation’s development process, which it had been denied by the over seven - year insurgency. The former vice-president commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for the invasion and sacking of Camp Zero, the last Boko Haram stronghold in Sambisa Forest.He described the success of the soldiers as “a military feat worth celebrating,”saying the Army had made good its promise to finally defeat the terrorists and bring peace to the North-East. The statement reads in part:“This spectacular victory is the result of committed and focused leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the military commanders at the battlefront, the intelligence agencies and the unity of purpose exhibited by the nation’s military chiefs to rid the country of the Boko Haram menace. “He also thanked the international community and close partners of Nigeria in the antiterrorism war. The final routing at Sambisa Forest hopefully should herald the end of terrorism in the country. On Saturday, December 24, President Muhammadu Buhari announced that the last and most deadly stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists had been recaptured.The president said the terrorists were already on the run and had no place to hide. He further urged the Nigerian military and its troops to maintain the tempo of the ongoing operation in Sambisa and bring the insurgents to justice.

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Ajebo vs kpako

https://youtu.be/HTsW1XZu3ww

The funny native doctor.

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Police sergeant, bank official arrested for bank robbery in Rivers state

-The police have arrested one Sergeant Ukwuoma and an employee of Access bank, Samuel Ndudiri, who are suspected members of a criminal gang- Ndudiri was said to have masterminded a failed robbery in one of Access bank branches in which three suspects were arrested- The police have disclosed that that efforts are in top gear to ensure the arrest of the fleeing members of the gangThe Rivers state police command has confirm the arrest one Sergeant Promise Ukwuoma and an employee of Access Bank, Rumuolumeni Branch, Samuel Ndudiri, identified as members of a criminal gang who attempt to rob the bank. According to a report on The Punch, both men were said to have to been apprehended on Friday, December 23, after a subtle investigation by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team with assistance from Technical Intelligence Unit of the Nigeria Police. Recall that the police on Thursday, December 22, foiled what would have been a major bank robbery in Rivers state and arrested three suspects. 

The three suspects and others on the run had brought a filled gas cylinder to the Access Bank premises in Rumuolumeni, and had engaged in cutting the main door leading to the bank when security operatives stormed the place. However, some members of the gang, including a police corporal, Gabriel Igwe, of the 19 Police Mobile Force, are currently on the run, while two AK 47rifles belonging to the serving police personnel were recovered during the operation. Ndudiri, the Access Bank employee, was said to have masterminded the failed robbery of the bank with the assistance of the police sergeant, who is from the Department of Operations, Port Harcourt. An online statement released by the police read:“Arrest of a serving Police Sergeant and bank staff involved in bank robbery and recovery of two AK47 rifles belonging to serving personnel on 23/12/2016 at about 1135hrs.“Sequel to the arrest and handing over of three suspects involved in Access Bank, Eagle Cement Rumuelumeni branch robbery to Intelligence Response Team by CP, Rivers state, for discreet investigation, IRT operatives immediately commenced investigation and with technical assistance from TIU (Technical Intelligence Unit), two key members of the gang were arrested. “Sergeant Promise Ukwuoma of DOPS Port Harcourt and Mr. Samuel Ndudiri‘m’, 38 years, a staff of Access Bank, Eagle Cement (Rumuolumeni) branch, who brought the job and masterminded the robbery were both arrested in Port Harcourt. “Exhibits recovered are two AK47 Rifles with breach Nos. 523513 / 21173 and two AK47 rifle magazines fully loaded. One Cpl. Igwe Gabriel of 19PMF attached to RRT DOPS, now at large, is the owner of the second rifle with S/No. 21173.”According to the statement, Gabriel Igwe, the police corporal, left the rifle at his beat and escaped when he got information that his gang member, Sergeant Promise Ukwuoma, had been arrested. The arrested suspects were said to have confessed to the crime, even as thepolice disclosed that efforts were in top gear to ensure the arrest of the fleeing members of the gang. On his part, Nnamdi Omoni, the Rivers state police public relations officer confirmed the arrest of the police sergeant and the Access Bank worker, but insisted that he would not make further comment until he got an approval to do so. “I can confirm to you that the IGP Intelligence Response Team arrested the sergeant and the bank staff, but I cannot say anything further until we get an official approval to do so,”he said. Meanwhile, police have arrested a pastor of Cherubim and Seraphim church of Zion in Lagos and mother of seven for allegedly keeping guns and preparing food for militants. However, the pastor who identified himself as governor Peretun, denied the allegation.

Lung Cancer and it's symptoms

Lung Cancer, The Symptoms and the prevention

Unfortunately, millions of people all over the world each year face the problem of lung cancer. Probably it is due to the fact that they do not know what symptoms should cause concerns. Today we would like to tell you about the main symptoms of lung cancer.The most important and priceless thing, given to each person from the birth is our health. Everyone knows that you can buy anything in this world, except health. And it is important to remember this information, to do everything possible to stay healthy.Modern living conditions are not the perfect ones for the state of our health. Different ecological problems and disasters may have a very negative influence on the health of each human being. The most frightening things arethat we ourselves are the reason for these horrible problems, and we can say that in a certain way we ruin our health with our own hands. Moreover, we ruin the health of our children, as now we can see that more and more babies are born with some very serious and sometimes, incurable diseases.Symptoms of lung cancerOf course, it is worth mentioning that human civilization is developing very successfully and fastly, and today we already have remedies for many illnesses which were supposed to be incurable just about half a century ago and if we do not have specific medicines which can treat some disease for 100%, we have special preparations which can slow down the development of a definite health problem.But it is very sad and unpleasant to recognize, but cancer is among those problems which we still did not find how to deal with. There is still no cross-functional medicine, which would help people to fight the illness. Of course, there are some preparations aimed at blocking the problem as well as chemotherapy. But they do not have a guaranteed result. The incidence of this illness is vastly growing each year. Most doctors explain that it happens due to the age hardening of nations, as this disease most often affects elderly people. According to the death level, this problem is in the third place in the world.Symptoms of lung cancerOne of the most widespread kinds of cancer is a lung CA.Symptoms of lung cancer may manifest themselves in different ways. This fact may be affected by the location of the growth and the stage of the disease.Typically, the initial stages of any disease that relates to oncology are virtually undetectable. Symptoms can be similar to other diseases, which usually do not cause any serious worrying. Specific symptoms of lung oncological illness appear already on the last stages of the disease. In this article, we will look at all possible signs of the disease which should immediately attract your attention.Symptoms of lung cancerSymptoms that indicate CA development Asymptomatic carcinoma can occur at the early stages of the disease. It is easy to identify it at this time if you have a possibility of using a standard chest X-ray. According to statistics, 25% of patients after such a procedure can not secure the presence of a small tumour. All clinical symptoms of lung cancer can be divided into three subtypes:

1.Signs that say about the proliferation of the newgrowth in the bronchi of the patient:• frequent coughing;• pain in the chest;• coughing up blood and blood splashes;• shortness of breath, wheezing.

2. Signs which are highlighting the germination of primary new growth metastasis to nearby organs and regional conglobate glands:• the feeling of obstruction of food through the oesophagus;• intumescence of the face, neck;• pain in the hand and shoulder on the affected side;• throatiness, hoarseness of the voice;• swelling of the upper body;• syndrome of superior vena cava;• pericarditis;• pleural effusion;• cardiac tamponade;• neurological symptoms: loss of field of vision, headache, signs of stroke.

3. Signs that say about the general intoxication under the influence of blast cells:• Standard oncology signs: weakness, fatigue, decline in physical activity, reduction/loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss;• aches, pain in the bones (with bone metastasis in);• chills, sweating, fever, coughing;• the appearance of metastases in the neck and in the armpits.Treatment of the lung CA - successful treatment depends directly on the stage of CAWhy do doctors recommend to carry out the X-ray of your lungs regularly, which can help you to detect tumours even at early stages? If a patient is diagnosed with the "lung cancer - 

Stage 4", it means that the tumor, unfortunately, has already sprouted to nearby tissues and organs and is inoperable. In such cases, doctors all actions aimed at facilitating the life and suffering of the patient.This can be applied to drugs that reduce pain, oxygen and cardiovascular drugs. If the big C is detected at the early stage, to fight the growth can be applied: surgical technique, radiation therapy and medication methods.In most cases of successful treatment of people return to their normal life and remain productive for many years. It should be noted that if you suspect yourself or your loved ones to have this disease, you should immediately seek medical help in a nearby clinic. It is better to err on the conservative side than to find out that it too late and nothing could be done.Self-treatment of lung CA, as well as folk remedies, are impossible.

BREAKING: Suicide bomb blast hit Borno

A suicide bomb blast has hit Kasuwan Shanu cow market area of Maiduguri, Borno state

According to reports, the blast was confirmed on Monday by the spokesmanfor the Borno state Police Command, DSP Victor Isuku.According to Sahara Reporters, one of the suicide bombers blew up about 8:30 am while a second bomber was arrested before he could detonate a suicide vest wrapped around his body.READ ALSO:7 governors plot EFCC chairman’s fallAs at press time, number of casualty is unknown.Meanwhile, recall that President Muhammadu Buhari just yesterday declaredvictory over Boko Haram terrorists. Buhari announced the fall of the last enclave of Boko Haram militants in Sambisa forests to Nigerian troops

Scene of explosion

Today is boxing day, yeah!! Happy boxing day to you all as I plan to continue my story and keep on giving quality updates. Haapy boxing day again

God will give the solution to our problems to Buhari in 2017 - Kumuyi

- Pastor Kumuyi of the Deeper Life Bible Church has made some prophecies for 2017- He said that God would grant President Buhari solutions to Nigeria's problems in 2017- Kumuyi also urged Nigerians to pray and have faith that all problems would be solved Pastor W. F. Kumuyi According to Pastor William Kumuyi, the general superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, the solution to Nigeria's problem will be given to President Buhari by God in 2017.The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Sunday said that in 2017, God would grant President Muhammad Buhari the solution to the numerous challenges facing the country. Momodu The popular Deeper Life head, said this while speaking with the press as he hosted the speaker, Lagos state House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa and some other members of the Assembly at the church’s December Convention. Kumuyi said:“We talk of the hours of recession, difficulty, distress and all that, but God is granting us His promises. We are not going to carry over our problems. We pray and believe that the Lord will answer. “As you will see, as we get to the New Year, there is no carryover of our problems. God will give solutions to the problems of our lives, families, communities, the state and our nation.

 ”The cleric also said that with prayer and faith in God, the country would get out of all its challenges and the current economic recession. Admonishing the audience, Kumuyi also said that God created ‘’us and wants everything to be sufficient for everybody.’’ Speaker Obasa addressed the congregation of thousands of worshippers, urging Christians to show love to their neighbours, and that the state was committed to fight unemployment among the youth. Obasa also urged churches to pray for the state and nation, said that the state was passionate to give good governance and improve the economy of the state for the benefit of all. He expressed delight over the warmth reception accorded his team by the leadership of the church. “We must go beyond religious demarcation and show ourselves that we are brothers and sisters. Let us love one another. We should extend hands of fellowship to our neighbours,"he concluded.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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Guardiola vs Klopp, who is the better tactician? Read here

​- Ilkay Gundogan believes Guardiola edges Klopp tactically- The German played under Klopp at Dortmund for four years- Gundogan will miss the rest of the season with an injuryManchester City star Ilkay Gundogan believes Pep Guardiola edges out Jurgen Klopp when it comes to tactical preparation

Gundogan played for three seasons under Klopp at Dotmund between 2011 and 2014 where he became a world Class midfielder and joined Guardiola at City earlier in the summer.The Germany international believes both Klopp and Guardiola are at the very top of their game, but says the ex-Barcelona man’s meticulous approach sets him apart.

“Both are world-class coaches with their own qualities. Both are passionate, even if it’s in different ways,”he told Sport Bild.Ilkay Gundogan”Pep thinks about every different situation and has solutions for them. There is no coach like him.”Pep has great charisma. Everybody who knows him sees that his football was always dominant and he had success every time.”Klopp has an enormous spectrum of things he is able to do. He can fascinate people, make them laugh, so you become a fan of him very quickly.”A serious knee ligament injury has ruled Gundogan out for the remainder of the season and his side travel to Anfield to face Liverpool and his old Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp this month.

Real Madrid President trying to sign Messi.

​Spanish side Real Madrid are still looking at the possibility of signing Lionel Messi- The capitial club is convinced Messi can be convinced to move like Luis Figo did in 2000- Journalist Graham Hunter claims Madrid have been interested in Messi since he was 13- Barcelona are in discussions to make the Argentine the highest paid player in the world Spanish football expert Graham Hunter claims Real Madrid president Florentino PErez wants the next phase of his Galacticos to involve the transfer of Lionel Messi.Writing in the Daily Record, Hunter posits that Perez will attempt to sign the Ballon d’Or winner, following the reduction of Los Blancos’ transfer ban fromtwo years to one.Could Lionel Messi ever join Real Madrid?It was reported that Madrid have been interested in Iniesta and Messi since the latter was 13-years-old.He wrote:“Florentino Pérez has been fruitlessly trying to prise Messi [and Iniesta] away from Barcelona since the Argentinian was still 13 and the Catalan club didn’t know how to look after him, or his father, properly.“On a couple of occasions some board figures at the Camp Nou have told me of Madrid’s fluttering eyelashes and “come hither” wallet flapping in the direction of Camp Messi. So far the response has always been ‘No!’ – but Florentino doesn’t mind a rejection.”

Speaking of Perez, the Scot said:“It’s the prospect of the utterly unexpected answer, like when Alex Ferguson asked Howard Wilkinson whether he could have Eric Cantona and Florentino convinced Luis Figo to abandon Barca for Madrid, which adds adrenaline.“Or when Florentino somehow prised Beckham from United.”Real Madrid coach Zinedane Zidane and Florentino PerezThe journalist added that Perez wanted to sign Neymar and only gave up on that transfer when he was told that Real Madrid would be liable for all fines relating to the Brazilian’s move from Santos to Barcelona.Hunter wrote:“That intangible “we don’t know how much this could rise to” risk was too much for Florentino’s taste.“However, he operates on the basis of ‘You don’t ask you don’t get!”. So [Barcelona president] Bartomeu’s admission that it may take months for any talks with Messi’s father about what will become the biggest contract in football history is a giant hint to Madrid.”A move however seems almost impossible as Barcelona president Bartomeu has already stated the Catalans will make the Argentine the world’s highest paid player.

Release Nnamdi Kanu now, Ekweremadu tells FG, says he has no problem with Buhari

​ENUGU-DEPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has called on the Federal Government to, without further delay, release the detained Radio Biafra Director and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.Ekweremadu who is sore displeased that one of his kinsmen, Kanu and other pro-Biafra agitators should be held even when courts of competent jurisdiction have ruled that he should be released, wondered why they should still be held.The law maker who made the call in Enugu Thursday during the South East Economic and Security Summit at Government House, Enugu, posited that the continued detention of Kanu was part of the marginalisation of the Igbo race in Nigeria and asked that Ndigbo should be included in the governance of Nigeria for peace to reign.He said that without the inclusion of Ndigbo in governance, “there is no way there will be peace in Nigeria.”He also wondered how no Igbo man is not included in the security council of the nation whichis an attestation that Ndigbo are being elbowed aside in Nigeria. He also wondered why Nnamdi KANU is still in prison even when a lot of law courts had tried to settle the matter.

Dog's Body

Chapter 1:

The dog star stood beneath the Judgment Seats and raged. The green light of his fury fired the assembled faces viridian. It lit the underside of the rooftrees and turned their moist blue fruit to emerald.

‘None of this is true!‘ he shouted. ‘Why can’t you believe me, instead of listening to him?’ He blazed on the Chief witness, a blue luminary from the castor complex, firing him turquoise. The witness backed hastily out of range.

‘Sirius,’ the First Judge rumbled quietly, ‘we’ve already found you guilty. Unless you’ve anything reasonable to say, be quiet and let the Court pass sentence’

‘No I will not be quiet!’ Sirius shouted up at the huge ruddy figure. He was not afraid of Antares. He had often sat beside him as judge on those same Judgment Seats – that was one of the many miserable things about this trial. ‘You haven’t listened to a word I’ve said, all through. I did not kill that luminary – I only hit him. I was not negligent and I’ve offered to look for the Zoi. The most you can accuse me of is losing my temper’.

‘Once too often, in the Opinion of the Court,’ remarked big crimson Betelgeuse, the Second Judge, in his dry way. 

‘And I’ve admitted I lost my temper,’ said Sirius.

‘No one would have believed you if you hadn’t,’ said Betelgeuse.

A long flicker of amusement ran around the assembled luminaries. Sirius glared at them. The hall of blue trees was packed with people from every sphere of effulgence. It was not often one of the high effulgent was on trial for his life – and there never had been one so notorious for losing his temper.

‘That’s right – laugh!’ Sirius roared. ‘You’re getting what you came for, aren’t you? But you’re not watching justice done. I tell you I’m not guilty! I don’t know who killed that young fool, but it wasn’tme!’

‘The Court is not proposing to go through all that again,’ Antares said. ‘We have your Companion’s evidence that you often get too angry to know what you’re doing.’

Dog's Body

This is a story about the dog star, Sirius who is tried for murder by his heavenly peers and found guilty. He was sentenced to be reborn as a dog on earth until he hunts down and retrieve a mysterious weapon that has fallen from the stars.

In his earthly guise, Sirius-renamed as Leo, truly lives a dog’s life. Although he is a pet of a girl who truly loves him, he is mistreated by the family with whom they live. His quest will seem hopeless due to strong challenges from dark powers trying to stop him until he is helped by the Sun, Earth and Moon.

This story starts by tomorrow. I hope you will enjoy the story.