Legendary ‘Senwele’ Singer, Iya Alaladuke Recounts Her Unforgettable Experience

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July 9, 2018

Music legend, Hawawu Alake-Adisa, popularly known as Iya Aladuke Abolodefeloju, says an unforgettable incidence in her career was when she lost her grandchild to an accident in a vehicle she had received as gift.

The 86-year old creator of Senwele Yoruba music genre told the News Agency of Nigeria in Ilorin that the accident occurred three days after she took delivery of the vehicle given to her by her fan.

“Being a musician is a difficult task because it has a lot to do with metaphysical power. I recall many years back when I sang and was given a vehicle.

“Three days after I got the gift, I was involved in a fatal accident that claimed my grandchild and the vehicle was written off.

“I had so many ugly experiences and I saw a lot as a musician that almost discouraged me. I wanted to back out, but I persisted,” she said.

Iya Aladuke said music in those days was believed to be associated with metaphysical powers, adding that this informed her decision not to encourage any of her children to take after her.

The musician, who spoke in Yoruba language said: “Music in those days was not a profession you would like to hand over to your children.

“Can anyone give birth to a child and send him to choose commercial driving as profession?

“The plan of every parent was for his or her children to go to school to study and become lawyers, engineers and doctors.“

The octogenarian, who is still active in music, said, however, that the trend has changed with music because many youths are now taking to the profession.

She said many young musicians had adapted her brand — Senwele — for secular and religious purposes.

“I am the authentic Iya Aladuke, the creator of Senwele; but so many musicians have adapted my brand of music, even for gospel.

“Now, there are many musicians singing Senwele and they are doing well. My music has also been used for Nollywood movies.”

Iya Aladuke said Senwele was a divine gift to her, adding that she did not learn the music from anyone but she got her inspiration from God.

She said she had waxed many records and performed for many outstanding personalities, adding that she “is well known by the low and mighty.“

She said the record hit that brought her to limelight was that titled, Won lasewo ni wa (they say we are whores), but that she paid heavily for it.

“I suffered over the record but God rewarded me in His own way. So many people castigated me because of the record; they claimed it contained foul language.

“But because of the wide acceptance of the music, it made me so popular and those who castigated me later came back to praise me.

“I have even done collaborations with young musicians like Fuji stars Saidi Osupa and Wasiu Ayinde. My doors are wide open to others who may want collaboration with me for musical production,” she said.

The octogenarian advised young, talented musicians against desperate crave for wealth and fame.

“They should be respectful, humble and not desperate for wealth and earthly things

“For those who are well known, they should learn to manage their fame by abstaining from scandals.

“They should know that they are public figures and that their acts should be properly guarded to avoid scandals,” she said.

NAN reports that Iya Aladuke co-performed at the burial outing of Pa Ezekiel Adeleye-Apata in Ilorin.

Adeleye-Apata, who died at 100 years, was the father of Mr. William Adeleye, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

The burial outing was attended by the minister, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ms Grace Gekpe; and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Value, Mr. Olusegun Odebunmi.

2019: Saraki’s Entrance changes the equation, Unnerves Other Aspirants

By

Uche Mbah

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July 9, 2018

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The political machinery has been unleashed by the Bukola Saraki secret vanguard following his clearance of the Senate president by the Supreme Court on charges of money laundering, asset declaration and others. This has finally established him as a master dribbler who will always pull surprises when it is least expected. It is believed that he was already aware of what the judgement will be, and he immediately started to prepare the groundwork for it. First, a Lawyer and human rights activist, Kanmi Ajibola, and Sulaiman Adeniyi had approached an Osun Federal High court to ask for the court to compel the National Assembly to begin Buhari impeachment, a plea the court acquiesced to and the presiding judge, Justice Oyetenu, ruled that “that the National Assembly being the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents commence the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari”. While the ripples are yet to settle, the Supreme court ruled that Saraki has no case to answer in the controversial code Of Conduct Tribunal trials, thereby removing the last obstacle that may have been hindering his launching of his ambition. Simultaneously, the All Progressives Congress, APC, got split right down in the middle, forming a new group that called itself the reformed APC, or r-APC. This cleared the last huddle the proposed decampees of APC, the group that previously decamped from PDP in the wake of the 2015 presidential election that produced the swing vote that brought president Buhari to power. They are generally referred to as the nPDP. Constitutionally, they cannot decamp unless there is a split within the party that they are decamping from.

But the impeachment may not hold. It has been alleged in some quarters that Saraki has been a major obstacle in the impeachment move based on two reasons. One: Saraki was one of those who bankrolled the election campaign of Buhari, and may not deem it fit to fight what he installed. But the humiliation her has passed through under the regime was enough to change his mind, but unconfirmed reports indicate that his woes came from the APC National leader, Bola Tinubu, who has not forgiven him the coup that brought him into the Senate Presidency against his own candidate. Another issue is the possibility of a coup if the impeachment holds, since the security apparatus is fully occupied by Buhari loyalists who, apart from a few, are known to be Fulani irredentists.

Bukola has kept sealed lips over his presidential ambition. Though it has been speculated, he gave no indication that he is interested. Rather, he has given the impression he will prefer to come back to the Senate. In fact, in his meeting with Atiku Abubakar in Saudi Arabia, he agreed with Abubakar that he does not have any particular candidate in mind, that any one that clinches the nomination will have his backing-whether it is Rabiu Kwankwaso, Atiku or any other person. But no sooner had the Supreme Court judgement came than he indicated interest in the presidency. This took others by surprise, but he appeared unperturbed. He immediately went on consultation spree, which took him to the strong man of Rivers, Nyesom Wike. He was in Rivers State where he commissioned some projects and had a closed door meeting with Governor Wike.

His closeness to former senate president David Mark, who is also said to be nursing presidential ambition, appears to be a contradiction in terms. He may be a new toast of the South west due to his dual ethnicity-he is both Yoruba and Fulani-and may clinch the ticket due to political brinkmanship and deep pocket. He has reached out to Obasanjo and others gladiators who are seeking alliance with PDP.

Besides, he appears to be the arrowhead of the splintering of APC, which may result in the PDP being the majority in the Senate and House of representatives. This magazine was told that the whole movement out of APC of both the r-APC and nPDP will be completed by the end of July. Then the impeachment threat will be used as a whip to force a resignation of the presidency, with both Buhari and Osinbajo stepping aside. This will make it imperative that Saraki will take over and hand over to a new president in three months. This is because it will be difficult for the Fulani irredentists to allow Osinbajo to take over power without an attempted takeover of the military.

But Military takeovers don’t usually happen that easy. The three musketeers-Ibrahim Babangida, Theophilus Danjuma, and Olusegun Obasanjo-allegedly are told in advance and have to give their approval. So it may not be easy for Buhari, a stubborn General, to easily throw in the Towel. This may then bring out a second option of Saraki going the whole hog as a presidential candidate.

But sources indicate that the presidency will unleash the attack dogs to harass the decamping members. The clampdown is already being prepared by the presidential position that the decamping rAPC are the herdsmen. But the sheer volume of decampees may overwhelm the agencies. With Saraki and the main actors currently in the United States to finalize issues and seek the support of the US congress, it may be suicidal for the government to go into persecution drive of the opposition. Already the British House of Lords have done an about face and catalogues all killings by the Buhari administration implying he is complicit. CNN anchor person, Christiana Amampour, has also echoed the same thing. And the inroads that former president Obasanjo is making in the coalition to oust Buhari cannot be ignored.

With these, it appeared that Buhari second coming has been dealt a death blow, which he will not survive. As a top PDP politician told this Magazine this week, “Buhari should know we have been in this game of politics long before he joined. By the time we finish with him, he will not know what hit him”. This appears to be the general consensus among political opponents.

Time shall tell as Nigerians wait.

CAF Bans Kenyan Referee, Aden Marwa For Life

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 9, 2018

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A Kenyan referee who had been due to officiate at the ongoing World Cup in Russia has been handed a life ban after being caught in a bribery sting.

Aden Marwa was filmed receiving a 600-dollar bribe during Confederation of African Football assignment in Ghana.

He is one of 22 referees sanctioned by the CAF in an unprecedented clean up, announced at the weekend.

Marwa, who was a reserve at the 2014 finals in Brazil, had earlier been removed from the list of match officials due to officiate in Russia 2018.

The life ban was handed out by CAF’s disciplinary board, which also banned 10 other referees for between two years and 10 years for similar offences.

A further 11 persons have been suspended pending an appearance at the board in August.

African football has long been plagued by allegations of bribery but never before has CAF banned such a large number of officials.

Sergio Ramos Preparing For Qatar 2022

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 9, 2018

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Spain captain Sergio Ramos said the pain of exiting the World Cup to Russia will motivate him to stay with the national team up until the 2022 tournament in Qatar – even if at 36 by that stage he is sporting a white beard.

Andres Iniesta, 34, and Gerard Pique, 31 – who won the World Cup alongside Ramos in 2010 — have already confirmed that they are leaving the national setup following a third straight disappointment at an international tournament, with other members of Spain’s golden generation including David Silva, 32, and Pepe Reina, 35, have bow out.

However, 32-year-old Ramos said he plans to keep adding to his tally of 156 senior international caps, and told reporters in the Luzhniki stadium mixed zone that he was positive about the younger players coming through the ranks.

“I am not in favour of many changes,” Ramos said. “This is not the end of a cycle, Pique and Iniesta are players who have been very important, but other people are coming up strongly from below. This team has a very good youth system, players with a lot of personality. I would like to keep going many more years. I am leaving this World Cup with a terrible pain. I feel obliged to reach Qatar with a white beard.”

Sergio Ramos wants to continue with Spain despite their unexpected World Cup exit against Russia.

Fernando Hierro is not expected to continue as coach ahead of the UEFA Nations League, although Ramos praised how the former Spain and Real Madrid player had dealt with a job he found himself doing unexpectedly just days before the tournament began.

“We are proud of the coach,” he said. “It fell to him in a delicate moment, and we should be thankful that he had the courage to take it on. He did very well, despite the results. I’ve always thought that in football the coaches end up being ex-players. In this sense we were very comfortable with Fernando. It does not depend on us, but we would not mind if Hierro continued. As captain I just want the best for Spanish football.”

Ex-Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lasisi Oluboyo’s Daughter Found Dead In Boyfriend’s House

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 9, 2018

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By Akinwale Kasali

Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo is presently devastated and in mourning mood following the death of his daughter, Adenike Oluboyo, whose lifeless body was found in the room of her boyfriend, Adeyemi Alao at the Oke Aro area of Akure, Ondo State.

Adenike was a student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, until her demise.

The young undergraduate had been declared missing for the past six days before her lifeless body was found under a bed in the room of the Adeyemi.

A source told the magazine that Adenike has been missing for some days, but no one knew that she was dead and her body was in her boyfriend’s house in Akure.

“It was Adeyemi’s brother that entered the room where the lifeless body of the lady was kept and saw it under the bed. Adeyemi later reported the matter at a police station.”

On surrendering himself to the Police, Adeyemi was arrested and taken to the State Police Command.

Another source told our correspondent that there had been insinuation that the death of the former deputy governor’s daughter might be more than it seemed.

When contacted on the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident and said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the death of the undergraduate.

He, however, did not mention if the deceased’s boyfriend was among the arrested suspects.

“I can confirm to you that the incident happened and we have arrested some suspects, but the Commissioner of Police, Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, will address the press on the matter in the next 48 hours. I can’t say more than that for now,” Joseph added.

Auto Crash: Shuaibu, Edo State Deputy Governor Escapes By The Whiskers

By

Steve Ubana

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July 9, 2018

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By Stephen Ubanna

Barely one week after Philip Shuaibu, Edo state deputy governor received officials of the Human rights Commission in the state and attended a weeding in Asaba , his convoy, was said to have been involved in a crash on his way to Benin from Asaba, Delta state.

An unhappy Ebomhiana Musa, Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor disclosed that it was the spare car in the convoy of the deputy governor that was involved in the crash from Asaba and not the official car of the deputy governor, stressing that the accident occurred shortly Abudu, at a check point mounted by a team of policemen.

Musa disclosed that the accident had occurred because the policemen had taken advantage of a bad spot in the ”ever busy Asaba- Benin Expressway to mount the check point. He confirmed that no life was lost in the accident but a police Inspector and Personal Assistant to the deputy governor and leader of the police team and other occupants of the spare vehicle in the convoy sustained injuries and were quickly rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for treatment and necessary checks.

Philip Shuaibu: Deputy governor Of Edo State.

Eyewitness account disclosed that the Edo state deputy governor escaped by the whiskers as both the spare black Prado Jeeps and that of the deputy governor found their way into the bush, showing the seriousness of the accident. Many who spoke to the Magazine disclosed that Benin was turned upside down when information leaked out that the accident involving the amiable Edo deputy governor as people went into frantic prayers both Christians and Moslems for the safety of the deputy governor and his entourage.

A close associate of the Edo deputy governor informed the Magazine that he was not happy over the accident because he had always warned the drivers in his convoy over their reckless driving but no attitudinal change. His major worry was that if lives had been lost in the accident what story could he have told people that they would believe him . He was said to have donated a tricycle to one Andrew Sabage, one of the accident victims on Saturday, July 7, 2018.

Jumbrox Challenge 2018: Dissecting The Nexus Between Oil and The Economy

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 5, 2018

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By Akinwale Kasali

In respect to the call by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, for the government to improve the standard of education in Nigeria, especially at the tertiary level.

UNESCO also faulted the lack of coexistence, interdependence, unity, cohesiveness, qualitative educational competitiveness, good educational structure/foundation, healthy and friendly relationship among undergraduates in the country, making them unable to compete with their peers around the world.

In this vein, Jumbrox Challenge, a brain-child of Jumbrox Ltd, an ICT company, has for the past two years held a National Annual Competition among undergraduate students in all Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.

The aim of the national annual competition is to promote the use of ICT for related academic activities, to promote a higher level of coexistence/interdependence among the participating school, develop and build self esteem and confidence on undergraduates and to also make undergraduates abreast of the economy state of the nation.

The 2017 maiden edition which was tagged ‘Quest on Delta’ was organized in collaboration with the Delta State Government through the State Ministry of Higher Education and was supported by Kenearth Ventures, Allis Vivere Foundation and Heritage Bank Ltd.

Orogun Maro Justice of Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro emerged winner with Onawharaye Lois Akpevwe of Delta State University Abraka as first Runner-up and Nanaogbuta Chioma Miracle also of Delta State University Abraka as second Runner-up. The Winners were awarded a scholarship and Personal Computer each.

Nigeria, over the years has been a mono-economy, with Oil being the only economic dependence. Sadly, only few undergraduates can discuss the epistemology of Oil in Nigeria and how it has been of immense benefit to the development and economic well-being of the nation this far.

Following this, the organizers of this annual event decided to tag this second edition “The Black Gold”, with questions centered on the Oil Sector of the Nigerian economy.

Just as the maiden edition, Jumbrox Ltd has remained resilient in taking the nation’s tertiary education to the desired height in which it could compete with its peers around the world is being supported in this drive alongside Kenearth Ventures, Elvee Integrated Services Ltd and the Delta State Ministry of Higher Education.

This year’s event is in three phases. The first and second phases has produced 55 contestants from 10 tertiary institutions across the countries who will be jostling for honours and laurels at the event.

The Grand Finale of this edition is slated to take place by 11am, July 28, 2018 at the University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City.

2019: Galadima Plots Against Buhari

By

Steve Ubana

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July 5, 2018

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By Stephen Ubanna

Not many people were surprised when Buba Galadima , a close political ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, Administration , finally turned his back against the party and started plotting for his fall in the 2019 general election. The Magazine learnt that there have been security reports about him about his activities in the All progressives Congress, APC, which was not favourable to the President but was ignored. He was said to have been told to watch out a split in the Party.

Galadima, according to sources has been a strong critic of Buhari over his lack of interest in party politics which is reflected in resolving the APC crisis had dropped hint of leaving the party with other aggrieved members when he volunteered information recently that ” Buhari would be alone in the 2019 general election”.

Many believe that he was acting out a script of Bukola Saraki, the Senate President and Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, House of Representatives who had been at the receiving end of the Buhari Administration despite working for him to defeat President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general election with the backing of the New People’s Democratic Party, nPDP, a breakaway faction of the then ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Galadima had left no one in doubt that the APC has been raped aground but may be still claims to be in government because the ”PDP is controlling power”. An aggrieved Galadima disclosed Buhari’s utterances in the recent time shows has further demostrated that he has no ”interest in party politics”.

Buba Galadima: Plots Against Buhari’s Fall.

Indeed, he had no one in doubt that what happened to the PDP on the eve of the 2015 general election would happen to the APC, which may leave Buhari with no political platform to seek his re-election bid in 2019. The Presidency may not have taken the threat serious because the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris and other security Chiefs in the country are loyal to Buhari who appointed them into office and could do anything to return him to office.

But Garba Shehu , a Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on Mdia and Publicity think who may be speaking his mind said Galadima’s ”calculation and prediction against the President is utterly ”confused and misleading”, stressing that the ordinary people are the ”ordinary masses are solidly behind Buhari in office”, meaning that the political elites have no hand his emergence as President of Nigeria in 2015 and could still play no role in 2019.

H e alluded that Galadima is leading the plot against the Buhari Administration because he ” has no role and no job in this government”, streessing that Buhari is far from being isolated as alleged. He noted that the President’s disagreement with Galadima , who is leading the plot against him was because he is ”committed to level playing field and would not want anyone to link him with injustice”. He revealed that his problem with Galadima, a former political ally of Buhari at the defunct Congress For Progressive Change, CPC, started 2011 when a group within the party orchestrated an Organisational mess by which the party , at the instance of Buhari, the then Party Leader embarked on the imposition and substitution of candidates for cash payments at the expense of those duly and democratically elected.

He challenged the aggrieved APC Chieftain to go his Constituency and stand for election and see what would happen to him. True to his threat to pull down the Buhari Administration in the 2019 general, he was said to have facilitated a splinter group in the APC, reformed App Progressive Congress, RAPC.

Those who knew Galadima , who is leading the uprising against Buhari in the APC says he is not someone to be ignored with a wave of hand. They described him as a spoiler who could cause major political upset for Buhari and the ruling APC in the 2019 general election. his major Campaign against Buhari is that he cannot deliver on his electioneering Campaigns promises and should not be given another opportunity.

They had cited the problem of former President Jonathan whichstarted on the eve of the 2015 election with the aggrieved governors who had mounted pressure on him to recognise Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers state, who incidentally is the minister of Transport, as the then Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF. The request was said to have been turned down forcing Amaechi and other aggrieved governors to float nPDP which merged with other parties to form APC that contested the 2015 general election that produced Buhari as President.

On the current crisis in APC, many believe that Buhari may have saved the uprising in the party if he had heeded the request for a meeting with the nPDP who felt marginalised in the APC government.

There are indications that the Galadima’s group may team up with the nPDP embers who were not happy with the APC government and the PDP to form a meja party that would contest the 2019 election against Buhari and his ruling APC in the 2019 general election. The APC crisis may be the first major challenge confronting Oshiomhole as the national Chairman of the APC .

A source told the Magazine that the APC national Chairman may still holding consultations with party leaders including the aggrieved members to reach a compromise position. oshiomhole , according to closes had vowed to work for Buhari re-election bid in the 2019 general election no matter the opposition from both internal and external sources.

Many fear that if Galadima and his group could remain in the opposition against Buhari till 2019, the chances of his re-election may be slim. Political analysts believe that the outcome of the July 2018 governorship election in Ekiti state, south west Nigeria will determine whether the Galadima’s threat to Buhari’s re-election bid in 2019 will work or not.

Three APC Governors, 40 Senators, 110 Reps Abandon Buhari, Announce Exit from APC

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Chidiebere Onyemaizu

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July 5, 2018

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By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

The Source has been informed that the full impact of the hemorrhage in the All Progressives Congress, APC will be felt next week when the party’s 40 senators, 110 House of Reps members, three sitting governors, two former governors and a plethora of members of Houses of Assembly in states under the control of the APC, pleading factionalization in the party, formally announce their exit from the APC. Many of them, it was gathered, will be declaring their allegiance and membership of Reformed All Progressives Congress, R-APC. While others are pitching their tents with the African Democratic Congress, ADC and Social Democratic Party, SDP respectively.

As was exclusively reported by The Source few weeks ago, the splinter APC group did not adopt the name, New APC (nAPC) so as not to be seen to be copying the nPDP, renegade members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP who sided with the then embryonic APC and eventually joined forces with it in the run up to the 2015 general election to defeat the PDP. Incidentally, the new APC faction is populated hugely by the nPDP bloc in the party.

This magazine had reported that the emerging APC faction would announce itself the authentic APC and pronounce the party dead.That was exactly what Buba Galadima, National Chairman of R-APC did on Wednesday in Abuja while announcing the birth of his group.

Galadima who is a political associate of President Muhammadu Buhari accused the President and APC of running “a rudderless, inept and incompetent government that has failed to deliver good governance to Nigerian people but instead imposed dictatorship, impunity, abuse of power, complete abdication of constitutional and statutory responsibilities, infidelity to the rule of law and constitutionalism”

Bukola Saraki is the president of the Nigerian Senate — Saraki: leads APC Senators out of party

Senate President, Bukola Saraki will be leading the pack of the 40 Senators exiting from the APC while House of Reps Speaker, Yakubu Dogara will be performing the same task in the House.The defecting APC governors have Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal as arrowhead.As at last night, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, according to insiders, was still weighing the option and implications of exiting the APC at the same time as other members of the nPDP . It was learnt that for security reasons, the governor has been advised to defer his movement out of APC for two months.

Impeccable sources to this magazine that R-APC will not be transforming into a brand new party but has instead, with the SDP, labour Party, ADC and many other parties reached an agreement with the PDP to rebrand with new name, logo and motto acceptable to them for seamless fusion to form a mega party.The implication of this, according PDP sources, is that the party will have to make enormours sacrifices. “ There is an increasing possibility that Uche Secondus, current PDP national Chairman, will give way for a South west National Chairman of a rebranded PDP. “This is one of the painful prices the PDP as presently constituted will pay to build confidence and trust in the emerging mega party”, the source said.

Meanwhile, there are feelers that a section of the Northern political establishment is mounting pressure on President Buhari to consider two options: Immediate resignation from office or withdrawal from the 2019 presidential race in order to salvage what remains of his image.They are worried that Buhari’s defeat in the election will finally batter his already sagging image and leave him with a lurid legacy.

They are of the opinion that the president will be considered a statesman at this point if he willingly steps down or withdraw from the presidential race and crown a successor who will protect his interest and at the same time ensure that his good policies and legacies are not dismantled.

Psychic Cat That Predicted Nigeria Loss Dies

By

Akinwale Kasali

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July 5, 2018

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A “psychic” cat in China that correctly predicted the outcome of six World Cup games has met an untimely end, prompting thousands to pour out their grief on Chinese social media.

The orange-furred tabby, named “Baidian’er”, which means “white spot” in Chinese, was a stray that prowled around the Palace Museum in Beijing’s Forbidden City.

He was offered two bowls of food, with the flags of competing World Cup teams stuck in the ground behind them.

Baidian’er correctly predicted the results of six World Cup games.

He achieved such fame that the Palace Museum even set up an account for him on China’s Weibo, a popular Twitter-like platform.

Unfortunately, Baidian’er’s correct prediction of an Argentinian win against Nigeria turned out to be his last.

The museum said the cat fell ill and finally announced its death on Monday, sparking almost 10,000 comments on Weibo.

“Every time I go to the Forbidden City, I have to go see Baidian’er, take a photo, play for a while, see him sleep on the grass in the sun,” wrote one distraught user.

“Go on living a happy life in Cat Heaven, I’ll see you again.”

It has not been a good week for animal prognosticators.

In Japan, an octopus caught in the northern region of Hokkaido correctly predicted the outcome of three of Japan’s World Cup matches, but like the Blue Samurai met an unfortunate fate.

Even before Japan qualified for the final 16, the octopus named Rabio was reportedly sold and turned into sashimi.

Rabio was following on from the most successful salty soothsayer, an Octopus named Paul who achieved global fame by correctly predicting eight 2010 World Cup games from his aquarium in Germany.

Paul became a worldwide media sensation, with his latter predictions covered by hordes of international media.

But Paul fell offside with his home fans after correctly predicting that Germany would lose to Spain. His aquarium received menacing letters threatening to turn him into a tasty dish.

In the stands, the honour of Paul’s mother was called into question and some sections of the crowd watching on giant screens in Berlin sang anti-octopus songs.