The Cross River Government has invited all the Presidential candidates of political parties contesting in the 2019 general elections to take a week-long vacation from campaigns and participate in the annual event scheduled for Dec. 28.
The state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, disclosed this on Sunday in Calabar while flagging off the third and last dry run of the 2018 Calabar carnival which has the theme `Africanism’.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, Ayade said that the carnival has no political or religious affiliation, adding the show was open to all.
“This is the final dry-run and the event is looking as if today is the grand finale,” Prof. Esu said.
“This shows that our first and second dry run was successful.
“I want to use this opportunity, on behalf of the state governor to invite all the candidates of various political parties to come for this year’s carnival.
“We want them to take off one week rest from their campaigns and come and enjoy themselves. Carnival Calabar does not know any political party or religion.
“When you come to Calabar for the carnival, you are as free as air. I will like to invite them to come here and relax and as the people see them, maybe those who are able to dance better may attract more votes.
“So, we want to see the candidates who can come here and rock it better, in such a way some people may be encouraged to vote for them.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Calabar Carnival Commission, Mr Gabe Onah, said that the carnival has become the melting pot of Africa’s hospitality.
Onah said that the `wonders on wheels’ had earlier had their dry-run where over 200 bikers participated.
He said that the state had sustained the hosting of the largest street party in Africa for a record 14 years, adding that it has promoted the talents of budding artists and has equally united the people of Cross River and Nigeria at large.
The Chairman said that the five competing carnival bands and others were designed to tell the African story from the African perspective.
He commended DSTV and MTN Nigeria for their partnership and support for the carnival over the years.
The President of Federation of Tourism Association, Alhaji Sabo Saleh, said that the association was in the state to underscore and study the carnival with a view to find areas of partnership and support.
Saleh said that tourism plays an important role in the economy of any nation or state, adding that the association under his leadership would continue to support Calabar carnival because Cross River has placed Nigeria’s tourism on the world global map.
“This is one of the biggest events that is coming out of Africa and it is sponsored by the Cross River Government.
“They are doing this to support the local people because tourism is multi-faceted and this helps the local economy to grow.
Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has admitted that his side lost 3-1 to Liverpool on Sunday, because the Reds are a better team.
Sadio Mane gave the hosts the lead, before Jesse Lingard pounced on Alisson Becker’s error to equalize.
Jurgen Klopp introduced Xherdan Shaqiri from the bench and the Swiss forward scored twice to secure victory and ensure they return to the top of the Premier League.
“They had a strong team. They showed they had the stronger team. It’s hard to accept the way the goals happened. We couldn’t cope with their fantastic intensity in the first 20 minutes, after that we were calm.
“If you want to speak about fortunate then you speak about their second and third goal. Our goal was the result of a good action. Their keeper made what I call a half mistake,” Mourinho told Sky Sports afterwards.
•President’s refusal to sign bill threat to nation’s existence, says Wike
By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
President Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate, explaining why he refused to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.
Buhari’s clarification is coming as the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his refusal to sign the amended Electoral Act is a threat to the country’s existence as it will generate deadly political tension in 2019.
President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, read the president’s letter at yesterday’s plenary.
Buhari’s letter to the senators reads: “Pursuant to Section 58 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby convey to the Senate, my decision on December 6, 2018 to decline Presidential Assent to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill, 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.
“I am declining assent to the Bill principally because I am concerned that passing a new electoral bill this far into the electoral process for the 2019 general elections, which commenced under the 2015 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process.
“Any real or apparent change to the rules this close to the election may provide an opportunity for disruption and confusion in respect of which law governs the electoral process.
“This leads me to believe that it is in the best interest of the country and our democracy for the National Assembly to specifically state in the Bill that the Electoral Act will come into effect and be applicable to elections commencing after the 2019 general elections.”
Continuing, Buhari explains, “It is also important for the following drafting amendments to be made to the Bill:
”A. Section 5 of the Bill, amending section 18 of the Principal Act should indicate the subsection to which the substitution of the figure ’30” for the figure “60” is to be effected.”
“B. Section 11 of the Bill, amending Section 36 should indicate the subsection in which the provision is to be introduced.
“C. Section 24 of the Bill which amends Section 85(1) should be redrafted in full as the introduction of the “electing” to the sentence may be interpreted to mean that the political parties may give 21 days’ notice of the .. intention to merge, as opposed to the 90 days provided in Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act which provides the provision for merger of political parties.”
“D. The definition of the term “Ward Collection Officer” should be revised to reflect a more descriptive definition than the capitalized and undefined term “Registration Area Collation Officer.”
The President concluded his letter with greeting to the lawmakers: “Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”
After Saraki finished reading the President’s letter, Senate Leader moved that all items on the Order Paper be stood down to another legislative day.
Minority Leader seconded the motion and the plenary adjournedto Wednesday, December 12, 2018.
Meanwhile, Wike, has declared that the refusal of President Buhari to sign bill is a threat to the nation’s existence as it will generate deadly political tension in 2019.
The governor also declared that the essence of not signing the Electoral Act by Buhari was for him to rig the 2019 elections.
Wike spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday during the visit of the Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Ihunwo.
“This present administration does not want the existence of one Nigeria. We don’t know if there will be Nigeria after the 2019 General elections.
“The National Assembly tried to cure the defects of the Electoral Act that led to controversies during the 2015 elections. After the passage, the President kept on giving countless excuses why he wouldn’t sign the amended Electoral Act.
“The whole essence of not signing the Electoral Act is to rig the 2019 General elections. And in the plot to rig the 2019 elections, Rivers State comes first and Akwa Ibom State is the second on their list,” Wike explained.
Arsenal star, Alex Iwobi has blamed himself and his teammates for their 3-2 loss to Southamton on Sunday.
The defeat ended Arsenal’s 22 games unbeaten run.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery was forced into changes ahead of the game and started with a back three of Stephan Lichtsteiner, Laurent Koscielny, and Granit Xhaka.
Southampton’s Danny Ings made the most of the makeshift defence in the first half, twice giving his side the lead with his head.
Two goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw Arsenal twice draw level after Ings’ goals, once in the first half and once at the start of the second.
However, Charlie Austin’s late goal ensured Ralph Hasenhuttl picked up a crucial first win as Saints boss.
Speaking after the clash, Iwobi lamented his side’s lacklustre performance.
“We weren’t concentrated through the 90 minutes,” he told Sky Sports.
“There were spells where we didn’t defend well as a group.
“Southampton deserve credit.
“They had a game plan and they stuck to it, but it’s disappointing by us.
“We’re frustrated the unbeaten run is over.
We had chances to win the game.
“But we should give ourselves some credit for going on the run.
“Now we have to keep going and try to go on another run.”
Emirates Airline has posted a picture of a plane covered in diamonds and crystals.
The Emirates ‘Bling’ 777 – which many regard as a reference to the Boeing 777 aircraft – was pictured alongside baggage carts and shuttle bus vehicles, an otherwise everyday travel image aside from the plane’s spectacular embellishment.
It’s easy to forget how old Cristiano Ronaldo is, especially when you look at him- he does look like a man ten years younger. And that’s no accident- while he certainly does spend hours at the gym it’s clear that he eats wisely.. but it doesn’t mean eating less, but rather more!
The Portuguese footballing superstar shares what has for breakfast, with a selection of ham and cheeses, croissants, toast with avocado, yoghurt and a lot of fruit, and washing it down with freshly squeezed fruit juices and coffee.
According to reports in the Sun, Ronaldo claims one of the secrets to his success was to “eat regularly” and admitted he can “eat up to six small meals a day.”
His favourite option is apparently the bacalhau a braz, a plate with cod, onions, potatoes and scrambled eggs.
Chef Lavrador told Le10Sport: “Ronaldo eats all sorts of dishes, as a responsible athlete he is, but the one he likes the most is fish like gilt-head bream, swordfish and sea bass.”
The General Superintendent of The Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, has advised the federal government to look beyond politicians and set up a formidable team that would get Nigeria out of its presence economic challenges.
Kumuyi said this yesterday at a youths programme organised by the church at its headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos.
The programme, tagged The Gathering of Unstoppable Achievers, brought together thousands of youths from across Lagos and its environs. It featured workshop for students, concert and experience sharing by successful youths who against all odds are walking tall in different sectors of our national life.
He said that the federal government must as a matter of urgency set up a strong team of selfless and proficient Nigerians to come together and fashion out ways of addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In his address, the Chairman, Centre for Values and Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi, challenged youths to develop their leadership and entrepreneurship qualities as that remains a major panacea for growth and development in Nigeria.
He opined that the progress of any leaders comes from entrepreneurship as people make something out of nothing.
Utomi said that Nigeria is a critical example that we are only extracting rent and we fight ourselves over the money realised from oil and other mineral resources.
Utomi noted that the spirit of enterprise and leadership is at the heart of any nation to escape and triumph over misery. Wealth is created out of imagination of people. You must recongnise that to be successful as an entrepreneur in a big way.
He stressed that the only thing that will take Nigeria out of its economic challenges is true leadership, saying “l think it is time to realise in Nigeria that we must change course. To have people in political office with low capacity to understand our problem and solve them is really a disservice to our country.
Former Miss World Agbani Darego and hubby Ishaya Danjuma have welcomed their first child, a son, in London
The couple, who concealed the news of the pregnancy for all of nine months, gave birth in July 2018.
Agbani, CEO of AD by Agbani, married retired General Danjuma’s son Ishaya, in 2017 at a private wedding ceremony in Marakesh, Morocco.
The couple maintained a low key, keeping their marriage off the prying eyes of the public. Their first public appearance was at Ishaya’s dad, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma’s, 80th birthday party last December.
While Ishaya is actively involved in his family business, Agbani helms her eponymous ready-to-wear denim and leisurewear fashion company.
Agbani was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2001. Her star shone beyond the shores of Nigeria when in the same year, she went ahead to beat other contestants from around the world to be crowned as Miss World.
Music Mogul Don Jazzy (Micheal Ajereh) has denied being the father of his longtime crush and celebrity blogger, Linda Ikeji. a Ikeji revealed her six-month- old baby bump on Sunday with a lengthy emotional post, chronicling her journey and her excitement
Ikeji’s engagement to her one-time ex-boyfriend was announced in March by her sisters. Following speculations that Don Jazzy was the father of the baby, after the news of the pregnancy broke, he went on his twitter handle @donjazzy to refute the claim. He wrote, “It wasn’t me”; to which fans sympathised with him for not getting his crush to marry him. @Lindarome20 tweeted, “Lol bro, take heart; we your loyal fans are patiently waiting for your own wedding, and right in the reception, I will throw *my dear*shaku shaku nice song don babaJ.” @Adebayorh1 wrote, “So @DONJAZZY, on top those crushing on @lindaikeji, you weren’t the one..mr man, are you kidding me right now?” NAN reports that after the announcement of Ikeji’s engagement in March, Don jazzy shared a picture of himself being consoled by friends with the caption: (crying emojis) Kai Linda is engaged. It is finished. ” Before the news, Don Jazzy had made several moves and also ‘proposed’ to her (Linda) on social media and with various posts on his Instagram handle. One of such was a recent photo of Linda with the caption:“When you re fine you re fine abeg.”
Another catchy statement from Nigerian singer David Adeleke, aka Davido has sent the media agog.
Uploading a picture of him and his trending girlfriend, Chioma Avril, beaming with smiles in an aircraft, Davido said via his Twitter handle @iam_Davido on Wednesday: “Bought already … it’s not soup. It’s hard work and ambition!”
Thus, news went viral of Davido buying a private jet.
This is coming few weeks after the singer reportedly procured the acclaimed N45m worth Porsche car as a surprise birthday gift for Miss Avril, and two days after he was said to have facilitated a cooking show deal worth between N60million and N100million for her.
Like the Porsche and the cooking deal, Davido or his management is yet to give detail of the aircraft.
His bodyguard, TJ, declined to make any comments on the aircraft.
“I am security; I can’t discuss my boss with you. If you are not okay with the news, you can ‘burst’ it.
“This is not about not being okay with the news; we only need more tips on the aircraft, as his message on Instagram was not detailed,” our reporter explained.
“Well, talk to the management,” he insisted. And when our reporter asked for the contact of his new management,” he said: “ I will have to ask them first and get back to you.”
He never did.
Reports say the aircraft is expected to arrive in two weeks.
The weekend is here again and as usual, the Africa Comedy Union is bringing you some hot comedy shows you really should not miss.
In case you are not aware, the Africa Comedy Union page on YouTube is home to hilarious comedy skits from top comedians all over Nigeria; it is the best place to find unlimited laughter and fun every day of the week.
Here are the top 3 videos that you should not miss this week.
1. The Engager Comedian - 'Be yourself'
2. Dr Fex Kits - 'Naija baby'
3. Onyemaechi Da Senator - 'The unbeliever'
Make sure you never miss out on the funniest videos from top Nigerian comedians by subscribing to the Africa Comedy Union YouTube page. New hilarious videos get uploaded every week.
There, they brought the Coachella vibes with them; with them sitting among thousands of fans in yellow Warriors shirts, the scene brought to mind part of Bey's first Coachella show, which featured her and scores of background dancers dressed in yellow.
In a wide-ranging interview, they covered a range of topics, including Kanye's tweets, red carpets and Kimye house rules.
Here's what we learned:
1. Tristan's cheating
Kim was the first of the Kardashians to openly comment on the reports that Khloe's boyfriend Tristan cheated on her sister while she was pregnant with their daughter, True.
"I don't even know how to describe it besides it's just so [messed] up," Kim said about the situation - using a slightly stronger word than messed.
"We really were rooting for Khloe - and we still are. She's so strong and she's doing the best that she can - it's really a sad situation all over."
Image copyrightPA
Kim looked like she wanted to say more but refrained.
"I kind of made this rule with my brother: if there's a baby involved, I'm going to keep it cute and classy and not talk too bad. I'm going to try not to say anything so negative because one day True is going to see this and it's just so messed up."
"She wants to have some alone time with the baby and figure out what her next steps are," Kim said.
"I think it must be so hard to have your heart broken and fall in love all in a day or two - it all happening at the same time," Kim added,referring to True's arrival just days after the reports of Tristan's cheating first appeared.
"She's going to get through it, and all we can do is be there for her and the baby."
2. Kimye have a no phones rule in the house
Image copyrightSHUTTERSTOCK
Image captionWith you in a mo', just writing a quick tweet..
Perhaps the biggest shock revelation was that the Kardashian-West household has a no phones policy in place.
"[Kanye] always talks about how we should not have our phones first thing in the morning.
"And in the house when we're with the kids, let's not have our phones. It's our rule that we really try to live by."
The queen of social media has no phone time? We all need to take note.
3. Kim isn't actually that keen on the name Chicago
Prior to their most recent arrival, Kim had told Ellen, she wanted a baby name with one syllable to match her other children North and Saint.
But, somehow, she ended up with a three-syllable name.
"It kind of messes with me, I'm not going to lie. I really like the one syllable thing," Kim admits.
And actually the other names Kimye were considering are really normal...
"We were going to name her Jo, because of my Grandma, Mary-Jo. Or we were going to go with Grace...and we ended up with Chicago," says Kim in a bewildered tone.
She then goes on to say she's unsure how the name Chicago even came about.
The mother-of-three adds that she thinks the name is "cool and different"... but totally gets subbed down to Chi (pronounced Shy).... "still one syllable," she reassures herself.
4. Kanye hates red carpets
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionWe would never have guessed
Being half of the one of the world's most photographed couples, you think you'd have to love being in the limelight.
Perhaps not.
Looking through a number of pictures of the two together, Ellen points out Kanye's scowl, and refers to a conversation she had with him about how he doesn't seem to smile in public.
According to Kim, it's to do with a dislike for press events.
"He hates red carpets, but [in the above photo] I was like, "Oh, I didn't just spend three hours getting ready - you had better stand on this red carpet for two seconds!"
No man who waited three hours for his wife to get ready is ever going to smile.
5. Kim is a bit of a pro at Family Fortunes
"I'm really, really, really good," she says of her upcoming appearance on the US equivalent quiz show Family Feud.
She also reveals she was obsessed with the show as a teen, saying she watched it in her father's office when she was supposed to be working.
(Isn't work experience the best?)
6. Kanye played Connect 4 during his daughter's delivery
Image copyrightSHUTTERSTOCK
Image captionKanye likes to unwind over a game of Connect 4
Speaking about the birth of the couple's latest baby, Chicago, Kim described using a surrogate mother as the "best experience".
In the delivery room, she said: "The moment she was getting the epidural, I was like thank God this is not me."
Kim revealed she had her sister, Kourtney - and NOT her husband - with her at the birth for support. Kanye was in the next room "playing Connect 4 with his friends". Natch.
"It's his favourite game - he's the best at it," she adds.
Connect 4? Really? Is it even difficult to be good at it?
7. Kim was surprised to see Kanye back on Twitter
Image copyrightPA
Kanye recently rejoined Twitter - and don't we know it.
The rapper hasn't wasted any time using the platform to sermonise and spread the (somewhat cryptic) Yeezy philosophy.
"I didn't even know he got his Twitter again - until I started seeing tweets come in from other people, retweeting them," Kim said.
"I was like, 'Wait, is this real?' At night, he came in and was like, 'Did you see my tweets??!'
She decided to do the decent thing and follow him back. After all, he needs to get his follower count up.
8. Kim is as confused as the rest of us over Kanye's tweets
Asked about the meaning of some of her husband's tweets, however, Kim admitted she was at as much of a loss as the rest of us.
Ellen wondered about one of the tweet exchanges between the couple, and asked what Kanye meant when he said: "Sometimes you have to get rid of everything."
"I was very confused about that one," Kim admits.
"What did he mean?" asks Ellen.
"I don't know... it didn't mean EVERYTHING," Kim says, with slight uncertainty in her voice.
"But you live with him..." persists Ellen.
"Yeah, it didn't mean me..." she says. Hmmm - let's hope so....
9. North is not thrilled about being a big sister
"She does not share with Saint, she does not - hardly - talk to Saint."
With Chicago she is getting "better".
Kim describes her "shock" when the day before the interview, North offered to share her popcorn with Saint.
"That was such a big moment in my household yesterday."
"Saint is nicer than North, I will say that."
As a parent, though, are you even allowed to say that?
10. Wedding anniversaries are on Kanye
Kim admitted that the pair are big into going on holiday at the moment, and mused that it would be a nice idea to go somewhere for their upcoming fourth anniversary.
"We're really into taking trips these days," she said. "I think it would be good to take one with just the two of us. A house full of three kids is wild - I can't even explain it."
Asked whether Kim would have a plane waiting and just surprise her husband, she waivered.
"But his birthday is the next week, so I feel like he should do the anniversary and I'll do his birthday... that's a good trade."
Seems like a fair deal to us.
Kim added for good measure: "I'll just remind him its our anniversary."
11. Saint can spell the word gargantuan
That's right. A two-year-old can spell a word you still have to use spellcheck for.
"I've never seen a kid speak the way he speaks," Kim says of her Yeezy protege.
"He has such amazing vocabulary and I know it's like such a Kanye thing to say, like, 'Oh my kid's a genius', but if I'm saying it, it's real," she says, tongue in cheek.
