It’s false …IPOB reacts to being 10th deadliest terrorist group

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March 17, 2023

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara says he does not belong to a political party for now but he only supports candidates across party lines for elective positions in the 2023 general elections.

Dogara, who represents Dass/Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro Federal Constituency in the green chamber, spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday.

He also said the fact that he supports candidates of different parties for various elective seats does not mean he is an “unstable character” as opined by his detractors.

Dogara was a known stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the presidential primary of the ruling party. The former speaker was one of those who strongly opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the party and subsequently went public to endorse the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar against APC’s Bola Tinubu.

However, Dogara has opposed the reelection of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed of the PDP and expressed support for the APC governorship candidate in the March 18 election in Bauchi, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who is Nigeria’s former Chief of Air Staff.

Asked on Wednesday whether he is a PDP or an APC member, Dogara said he is not politically instable.

He said, “I am supporting candidates; I am not doing any political party for now, I am supporting candidates.

“I have Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates that I helped midwife them into those positions, and I can’t abandon them for political stability.”

Credit: channelstv.com

2023 election is the worst in Nigeria’s history -Peter Obi

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March 17, 2023

Peter Obi has described the 2023 presidential election as the worst in Nigeria’s history and a setback to the democratic process.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) made the comment when he was featured on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, saying despite the humungous amount budgeted for the election, the exercise did not yield to expectations.

“We have seen probably what I consider the worst election in our recent history because of the Electoral law [Act] of 2022 which gave so much hope and the huge expenditure we put into technology,” the former Anambra State governor said.

“Do you know what it means to spend over $1bn? So, there was so much that was promised and then we went back to what it used to be. For me, that is very devastating.”

Obi, who berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its failure to transmit results of the presidential election in real-time via its portal, said the conduct of the 2023 exercise has downgraded the country.

“Everybody paid so much emphasis on the law and the technology,” he maintained, describing the failures of the exercise as “when you promise so much and don’t even meet the minimum”.

“Whenever there is an election announced globally, what it does is that it uplifts the ratings of that society,” Obi said during the show.

He says the conduct of the presidential election has further dampened the morale of youths who had so much hope in the process.

The LP candidate, who has challenged the declaration of Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the exercise, is, however optimistic about getting justice.

“I am not hurt or saddened personally but I am for my country and the future it portends for the young ones and the future generation because we can’t go on this way,” he said. “We must build and bequeath them a better future.”

Obi said he is on course to getting justice.

“So, having gone through courts, several of them, I have not had any cause to doubt the court,” he said.

Credit: channelstv.com

Minister Osei Mensah visits burnt Kejetia Market

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March 17, 2023

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, in the company of officials from the National Fire Service and National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has inspected the Kejetia market to assess the damage caused by the fire, which engulfed parts of the market on Wednesday.

The fire fighters told the minister and his team that the fire certificate for the facility had expired and that installed fire gadgets at the market did not match that of the Fire Service, thus impeding the fighting of the fire initially.

Meanwhile, the Kejetia Market Complex has since been closed down on the orders of the Kumasi City Markets Limited (KCML), the managers of the facility, to ensure effective assessment of the fire outbreak.

Mr. E.K. Duffuor Addae, Managing Director of KCML thanked the GNFS for the swift intervention to check the spread of the inferno.

He said no injuries had so far been recorded as a result of the fire.

Burna Boy to perform at Champions League final in Istanbul

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March 17, 2023

Nigeria’s superstar, Burna Boy will perform live at the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul, Turkey in June.

UEFA made the announcement via its official Twitter handle on Thursday.

“Big news! @burnaboy will be performing at the Champions League final in Istanbul alongside another amazing headliner,” the tweet read.

The Champions League final will be played in Istanbul on June 10.

In February, Burna Boy, Grammy Award-winning singer and Oscar-nominated singer and producer Tems and Rema headlined the 2023 NBA All-Star Game halftime show.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Selina Boateng reacts to viral video of her fall

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March 17, 2023

In a viral video on the internet, Ghanaian gospel singer and songwriter, Selina Boateng fell down during Celestine Donkor’s performance as she was reacting to the latter’s lyrics

This was at the annual Celestial Praiz concert in Accra on March 6, 2023organised by Celestine Donkor.

According to the gospel star, she believes she fell under the influence of the Holy Spirit in a recent interview on Adom TV.

“I think it was the doing of the Holy Spirit, that is what I will say,” she explained.

She went on to add that her over-excitement while dancing was to show appreciation to God, and it was unfortunate that she fell while expressing her gratitude to her Maker.

Despite the fall, Selina quickly rose to her feet with the help of attendees who rushed to her aid.

The incident has sparked discussion online, with many expressing admirations for the singer’s resilience and faith.

Selina Boateng is a popular gospel artist in Ghana, known for hits such as ‘Alpha and Omega’ and ‘Meko M’anim.’

I don’t need money, what matters is my happiness -Akrobeto

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March 17, 2023

Akrobeto has justified Nana Ama McBrown’s departure from Despite Media to Media General. The iconic Ghanaian actress who served as the host of UTV’s entertainment programme ‘United Showbiz’ has departed from Despite Media to join Media General’s Onua TV.

Nana Ama McBrown’s departure has sparked controversy and name-calling from some employees of Despite Media but Akrobeto sees nothing wrong with McBrown’s move.

Speaking during a radio interview, Akrobeto, who also hosts a comic show, Real News, on UTV has said he sees nothing wrong with McBrown’s departure. “When I noticed another person apart from Abeokuta Santana has started hosting her show, I called her and she disclosed to me that she is going to work somewhere else over certain reasons ,” Akrobeto said.

Quizzed by the hosts if that is usual, he replied “nothing bad has happened. She had a new offer so she left it’s as simple as ABCD”.

One of the hosts said he heard Akrobeto had also received some offers. Commenting on that, the actor said “you know this word, everyone have their way of life and thoughts. When it comes to me, whether there’s an offer or no offer, I don’t really need money like that. What I need is peace of mind and happiness”.

Credit: pulse.com.gh

Stonebwoy hints Shaggy, Angelique Kidjo collaboration on 5th album

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March 17, 2023

Dancehall Artiste Stonebwoy, has hinted that his upcoming album will have about 18 songs and will feature big names such as Jamaica’s Shaggy and Africa’s Angelique Kidjo.

Born Livingstone EtseSatekla, the Reggae-Dancehall Artiste is currently on a promotional tour in the United States of America (USA).

“There are some heavy names on there.I don’t even know if I can even release it right now but I could drop it and I am going to drop it over here [in America],”Stonebwoy mentioned.

He revealed; “Imagine Shaggy and Stonebwoy; imagine Stonebwoy and Angelique Kidjo; imagine Stonebwoy and Dexta Daps,” he listed.

He highlighted that the Dexta Daps collaboration will be “for the ladies.”

This will be Stonebwoy’s fifth studio album. He explained that he has, for instance, “niche market female artistes on there,” because he believes in the “product” that will result from their collaboration in view of their talent.

He desires something “organic,” he said, and not forced.

“We have some beautiful stuff [on] there,” he touted. “Rest assured.”

The multiple award-winning Ghanaian Act mentioned that the project will showcase some Amapiano and Reggae sounds.

“We have Amapiano on there,” he said. “Amapiano is actually the most popular style of music out of South Africa right now which is also weaving through the world.”

“We’re merging it with the Afrobeats proper,” the Bhim Boss noted. “I put [the] Dancehall flavour and my style over it as well.”

In fact, the album features “one of the biggest artistes and DJs from South Africa [called] Maporisa,” Stonebwoy further revealed, adding that his fifth is “like an 18-track album.”

“You’re going to get a Reggae song on there,” he again said. “You’re going to get beautiful songs.”

Macron forces through pension reform, shunning parliament

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March 17, 2023

President Emmanuel Macron has shunned the French Parliament and opted to push through a highly unpopular pension reform bill that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64.

The French leader wants to raise the retirement age so workers put more money into the system, which the government says is on course to run a deficit.

On Thursday, his administration used a special constitutional power amid calls for a no-confidence motion from the opposition – a move that is being met with protests in Paris.

Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne triggered a special procedure to push the bill through the National Assembly without a vote, provoking shouts and chants from left-wing lawmakers brandishing placards against the reform that read “No to 64 years”.

The move, using Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, will ensure the bill is adopted, but it shows Macron and his government failed to garner enough of a majority in parliament.

The country’s far-right opposition has said it will file a motion of no-confidence in the government.

The decision is a “total failure” for Macron and Borne “cannot stay” in her post, said Marine Le Pen, the far-right candidate in the last two presidential elections, who now leads National Rally (RN) deputies in parliament.

The bill is the flagship legislation of Macron’s second term. The unpopular plan has prompted major strikes and protests across the country since January.

Source: Aljazeera.com

Cocaine production reaches record levels as new trafficking hubs emerge

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March 17, 2023