STARrex BLOG

Ebonyi acquires 5 rice milling machines lAs Umahi says he has no opposition in 2019 guber poll By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Peter Okutu ABUJA——IN a bid to boost rice production in the country, the Ebonyi State government has purchased five rice milling machines to be installed in five local government areas of the State. Smuggled rice seized by Ogun Command This is as the state governor; Chief Dave Umahi has declared that there is no formidable opposition to threaten his re-election in 2019 election. Speaking in an interview in Abuja, the governor also explained that the N4 billion agricultural loan he recently approved for workers in the state was to boost agricultural production and also improve the financial status of the workers, adding that the state has a comparative advantage in agriculture. Explaining the reason for making the state a food center, Umahi who is the chairman of South East Governors Forum said, “It is well known that Ebonyi state has a comparative advanta...

EPL: Chelsea agree Morata-Higuain swap deal with AC Milan Chelsea and AC Milan have reportedly reached an agreement to swap Alvaro Morata for Gonzalo Higuain, when the transfer window reopens in January. Both strikers have endured underwhelming campaigns, with Morata not even making the Chelsea squad for the last three Premier League matches. Higuain on his part, has not scored since October. But according to Sport Mediaset, the two sides are “perfecting the final details” of an exchange which is now described as inevitable, with just the nature of the swap still to be decided. Technically, Higuain is still on loan at San Siro from Juventus, so the Italian champions must give their approval to the deal. But Milan bosses believe upcoming games against Frosinone and SPAL will be his final, goodbye appearances. There are two options on the table, and the first would see Higuain’s loan at Milan terminated and he would move to Stamford Bridge on loan instead and the possibility to make...

2019 presidency: Gov. Amosun leads APM to adopt Buhari at Aso Rock Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has led the National Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, to present a letter of abdoption to President Muhammadu Buhari. APM adopted President Buhari as its presidential candidate in the 2019 Presidential election. Amosun told State House correspondents that the APM had already taken a decision to adopt the president as its candidate. Even though the Governor remains in the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, he is ostensibly the sponsor of the APM in Ogun state He said, “You will recall that just last week, we made public that APM has adopted President Buhari as their presidential candidate. “I had promised to bring the letter they had given me to present to him and that is what we came to do today. And you know Mr President is a very gracious human being, he is a man with a good heart. “He said if a party has adopted him, it is only fair he a...

Ekweremadu hails Gov. Ugwuanyi over new Egede autonomous community Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for approving additional autonomous community for Egede, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. He equally hailed the Governor for various infrastructural development which he sited in the community. The Senator spoke after the Egede community adopted him as their candidate for Enugu west senatorial district in the 2019 elections. The community said the adoption of Senator Ekweremadu was in recognition of the purposeful and quality representation Senator Ekweremadu has accorded the community, the entire senatorial zone and Ndigbo in his sojourn in the Senate and the ECOWAS Parliament as the Deputy Senate President and former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. A delegation from the community comprising the paramount ruler, HRH Igwe Dr. P. I Oyigbo, the Okwuloha II of Egede Ancient Kingdom, Egede Town Union executives and other...

Why Buhari Was ‘Booed’ At Budget Presentation – PDP Lawmaker A member of the House of Representatives and one of the spokespersons of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Nnena Ukeje, has given some insight into why President Muhammadu Buhari was ‘booed’ during the presentation of the 2019 budget on Wednesday. According to her, instead of addressing the National Assembly as the President of the country, President Buhari’s mannerisms rather appeared as though he was merely speaking as the flagbearer for the All Progressives Congress (APC). She said this when she made an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday. According to her, with an already heated polity, the Presidency ought to have taken a cue from former President Goodluck Jonathan, who during his time, delegated the assignment of presenting the budget to a “less contentious character”. Read Also: Jeers, Cheers As Buhari Presents 2019 Budget Proposal To National Assembly She e...

Group cautions Osinbajo, Ajimobi against instigating Yoruba-Igbo feud A pan-Igbo socio-political pressure group, the South East Revival Group, SERG, has urged Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State to exercise restraint in their utterances as the country goes into general elections next year to avoid pitching their Yoruba ethnic group against the Igbo. Osinbajo, Ajimobi and Aregbesola The national co-ordinator of SERG, Chief Willy Ezugwu in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, recalled that “while speaking at the Alaafin’s palace, the Vice President had urged the Yoruba to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari to pave way for Yoruba presidency in 2023, but Governor Ajimobi took the narrative higher by declaring that the 2019 election was between the Hausa and Yoruba alliance on one hand and the Hausa and Igbo on the other. Yuletide: DPR cautions consumers against panic buying “We condemn in strongest terms possible, this brand of ethnic politics and...

APC urges Nigerians to pray for the country’s leaders at Christmas Abuja – The All Progressives Congress (APC)has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Christmas to pray for the country’s leaders, peace, progress and socio-economic development. Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja while felicitating with Christians and Nigerians on the occasion which commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. “As we gather with families and friends for the Christmas festivities which are characterised by gift-giving, social gatherings and feasting, we should remember to extend love and generosity to the less-privileged around us.We should also emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ exemplified by self-sacrifice,”the APC spokesman said.(NAN) New Airport Terminal : Stop taking credit for our projects, PDP tells Buhari Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/12/apc-urges-nigerians-to-pray-for-the-countrys-leaders-at-christmas/

EPL: Arsenal suffer major injury blow ahead of Brighton clash Arsenal have been hit with news that Henrikh Mkhitaryan, will be out of action until February 2019, after suffering a broken metatarsal. Mkhitaryan picked up the injury, during the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup quarter-final last Wednesday. The 29-year-old suffered the fractured foot, when attempting a shot from the edge of the penalty area, only for Lucas Moura to make a last-ditch challenge. Moura won the ball, but also crashed into the Armenian midfielder, who remained on the deck in agony. He was substituted at the break and missed the 3-1 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. Arsenal confirmed on Monday that, after weekend tests and a scan, Mkhitaryan has indeed suffered a broken foot and is expected to be out for at least six weeks.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2018/12/24/epl-arsenal-suffer-major-injury-blow-ahead-brighton-clash/

‘I will end ASUU strike if elected’ – Atiku says Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has voiced his concern over the ongoing industrial action by ASUU and promises to end it. In a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity for the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Kola Ologbondiyan, Atiku decried the industrial impasses between the Federal Government and labour unions in critical sectors in the country. The PDP presidential candidate lamented that the situation was altering the future of Nigerians youths and putting families under undue pressure. “Atiku Abubakar, however, offers hope to the striking lecturers and other agitating labour fronts as he has already set out templates to handle all related issues and ensure an end to incessant labour crisis, ensure industrial harmony and greater productivity in all sectors, immediately he is elected into office as president,” the statement said. The former vice president stressed the importance of education and youth developmen...

PDP Presidential Aspirant, Atiku, To Sign Peace Accord Pact Today The Presidential Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar to sign the peace accord on the conduct of the 2019 elections today. The Atiku Abubakar and some others were not present when President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress signed the accord in Abuja on Tuesday. The National Peace Accord was convened by eminent Nigerians led by a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd). What Is Your Take On This?

EPL: Suarez to replace Fabregas at Chelsea AC Milan are keen to sign Fabregas in January and the Blues have looked at Barca’s disgruntled Suarez. Chelsea boss, Maurizio Sarri does not want the 31-year-old to go, but the Spaniard wants more football than he is getting at the moment. Sarri has told the club’s board that he does not want Fabregas to go until a direct replacement has been sorted out as he is his only true cover for Jorginho. However, Fabregas has made only four Premier League appearances this season, starting only in the recent defeat away to Wolves. Suarez wants to leave Barcelona after making only one substitute appearance in La Liga this season, and would cost around £15million. The Blues value Fabregas at around £11m.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2018/12/12/epl-saurez-replace-fabregas-chelsea/

Bridge In UK Demolished And Road Cleared Under 15 Hours From the information we were able to gather, the Highways Agency and its contractors (Armac, the demolition company, and Costain-Carrillion JV, the main contractor) completed the demolition and the clearing of road just in 15.5 hours. They closed the M1 motorway in Bedfordshire, and prepared it for the demolition of the old A5120 road bridge, built in 1959 and weighing over 1400 tonnes. The demolition of the bridge kicked off at 9:15 pm on Saturday June 30, 2012. They worked throughout the night and the M1 was fully re-opened from 11:30 am the following morning. In this side of the world, it can take ages or several political tenures just to fill a pothole in a street. How long do you think it will take to do this same thing here in Nigeria? If you’re interested, you can watch it on YouTube here . Source: https://autojosh.com/m1-bridge-uk-demolished/

EPL: Mourinho distances self from agent’s statement on Manchester United future Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has said he did not know about agent Jorge Mendes’ vote of confidence before it was released. Mendes made a rare public statement on Friday, when he insisted United were fully behind Mourinho, despite a disappointing start to the season. “I have nothing to do with the statement, it is Jorge’s statement, not my statement. “I didn’t know [it was coming] and I don’t care about it,” Mourinho told a news conference ahead of the Champions League clash with Valencia. The Red Devils are away to Valencia in their last Champions League group fixture on Wednesday.Source: http://dailypost.ng/2018/12/12/epl-mourinho-distances-self-agents-statement-manchester-united-future/

Mohamed Salah Shines For Liverpool Again Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah Liverpool’s Champions League hopes are still alive, and as so often they have Mohamed Salah to thank. On the big stage, with the stakes high, the Egyptian delivered. Again. His first-half goal gave Jurgen Klopp’s side what they wanted, what they needed. Their 1-0 win means it is the Reds who join Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, while Napoli must contemplate a New Year spent in the Europa League. Tough on the Italians, but few inside Anfield will care. Finalists last season, Liverpool will hope something special is brewing once more. What is it about this competition and the men in red? What is it about this competition and Salah, too? He’s been on Merseyside less than 18 months and he has 14 Champions League goals. Only Steven Gerrard, in the club’s history, has more. After his hat-trick at the weekend, only one goal was needed this time. Some goal, mind. There didn’t seem a huge deal of danger when James...

If you spend without our appropriation you go to jail, Reps tell Amaechi, others ABUJA-Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday told Nigerian Ministers and other public officials working with the Executive arm of government that they were subject to scrutiny at all times on how budgetary allocations to their offices were used and that they will go to jail if they spend money without appropriation. members of House of the Reps The lawmakers also said it would be an illegality which attracts a certain jail term should any minister go ahead to spend money not appropriated by the Legislature. They therefore decided that henceforth, executive officials that fail to give a comprehensive account of allocations made to them would not have their 2019 budgets approved by the House. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkiru Onyejiocha handed down the warning at a public hearing meant to scrutinize chief executives of 4 agencies in the sector on the perfor...

Sunday Adelaja: between truth and outright lies Teach us to guard our tongue oh Lord. This is a prayer every believer should say as regularly as we eat and drink. There is a saying that a falling man pulls down everything his hand can touch. It is a great concern to me and should be for a every Christian, the activities of a certain Ukrainian based Nigerian pastor named Sunday Adelaja. The preacher is famed simply for deriding, criticizing, demonizing and tarnishing the images of some of Nigeria’s most prominent Christian leaders. His videos are littered all over YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms where his followers, mostly Non-Christians, gather to make mockery of the move of God’s power in Nigeria through his prophets. A few weeks ago I came across a video on YouTube by a certain lady named Mayowa. I will describe the video and its content as a heart wrenching display of crass ignorance and a devilish conspiracy against the body of Christ in Nigeria. In this vid...

2019 Presidency: Fani-Kayode talks tough, reveals plan for Buhari’s govt Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister of aviation has blatantly condemned the intimidation of members of the opposition party by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration Fani Kayode in a post on his Twitter page said he would continue to speak up against tyranny in the country as long as he is alive This is coming at the heels of alleged freezing of presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar’s running mate Peter Obi’s accounts and arrest of Doyin Okupe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The former minister wrote: “My family have been members of Nigeria’s ruling elite for 4 generations. I cannot be silenced or intimidated by a coven of ill-bred peasants or any man born of woman “I was born to lead, to resist evil, to fight tyranny, to speak truth to power and to stand up for the oppressed. “No matter what price I have to pay I will play my role and not shy s...

Doyin Okupe Detained By EFCC - PDP Spokesman Claims The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, reportedly detained Doyin Okupe, the Media Adviser to the Director General of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation. A Tweet by Kola Ologbondiyan, the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday night read: "Media Adviser to the Director General of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, @doyinokupe detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes commission." He added, "It is a season of assault, harassment and intimidation for the members of PDP. Details shortly…" Prior to his visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Doyin Okupe had tweeted;Source: https://www.tori.ng/news/112656/doyin-okupe-detained-by-efcc-pdp-spokesman-claims.html

What Presidency Said On Reports Of EFCC Raid On Atiku Sons' Apartment In Abuja Buhari's SSA, Garba Shehu The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a "flowing stream of fake news". He stated this in response to the reports that the account of the PDP vice-presidential candidate, Peter Obi was frozen, and that the house of the son of Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate, was raided by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to Shehu, the reports are untrue and is just "another manifestation of the PDP's growing expertise in fake news". A statement by the president's spokesman read: "The story about the raid 'ordered by Buhari-led government' on the home of PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar’s son and the fairy tale on the alleged blockage of the bank accounts of the running mate, [former] Governo...

Madrid threatens to send national police to Catalonia to provide order Catalan President Quim Torra (R) and Spain’s Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska arrive for a security meeting at Palau de la Generalitat in Barcelona, Spain, September 6, 2018. REUTERS/Albert GeaSpain’s government has warned authorities in Catalonia that it could take over responsibility for law and order in the region after radical separatists blocked a highway. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska warned that if the regional police force does not exercise “the roles…. assigned to it” then “we will order state security forces to intervene, if necessary and with proportionality”. Grande-Marlaska issued the warning in a letter to his counterpart in Catalonia’s separatist government late on Monday. The letter cites a protest on Saturday by radical Catalan separatists who blocked the AP-7 toll highway which runs along Catalonia’s Mediterranean coast to France for 15 hours without any intervention by ...