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The Kaduna State government on Monday said troops have found five of the kidnapped students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization in the state.

This was contained in a statement on Monday

The statement which was issued by Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs said the rescued students are currently undergoing an extensive medical check-up at a military facility.

“The Nigerian military has informed the Kaduna State Government that five of the many kidnapped students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna were recovered this afternoon and are presently in a military facility where they are undergoing a thorough medical check-up.

<p value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">“The Kaduna State Government will provide updates on further operational feedback to be received on this case.” The statement said<img class="wp-image-951" style="width: 150px;" src="https://certified.news.blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/magnus-037.jpg&quot; alt="">“The Kaduna State Government will provide updates on further operational feedback to be received on this case.” The statement said

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja launched “The Decade of Gas in Nigeria” with a pledge that his administration would fully utilize the enormous gas resources in the country to uplift the economy and drive industrialization.

Setting the tone for the development of the industry in the next ten years, the president said given the country’s potential of about 600 trillion cubic feet of gas, the commodity has the enormous potential to diversify Nigeria’s economy.

‘‘The rising global demand for cleaner energy sources has offered Nigeria an opportunity to exploit gas resources for the good of the country. We intend to seize this opportunity,’’ the president said at the virtual Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) 2021 Pre-Summit Conference and official launch of the Decade of Gas.

The president told participants at the Pre-Summit that while his administration has prioritized gas development and recorded remarkable progress, it is well known that Nigeria is a gas nation with a little oil, but the country has focused on oil over the years.

‘‘That is the paradox that this Administration decided to confront when we declared the year 2020 as “The Year of Gas” in Nigeria.

‘‘It was a bold statement to demonstrate the resolve of this Administration that gas development and utilization should be a national priority to stimulate economic growth, further improve Nigeria’s energy mix, drive investments, and provide the much-needed jobs for our citizens in the country.

‘‘Before the declaration of Year 2020 as The Year of Gas, this Administration had shown commitment to the development of Nigeria’s vast gas resources and strengthening of the gas value chain by reviewing and gazetting policies and regulations to enhance operations in the sector as encapsulated in the National Gas Policy of 2017.

‘‘Our major objective for the gas sector is to transform Nigeria into an industrialized nation with gas playing a major role and we demonstrated this through enhanced accelerated gas revolution,’’ he said.

Enumerating what his administration has done to energise the sector, the president said the development of gas infrastructure has commenced along with the domestic utilization of LPG and CNG, as well as the process of commercializing gas flares, development of industrial and transport gas markets, and increasing gas to power.

‘‘We also kick started other policies and projects like the National Gas Expansion Programme, Autogas policy and the construction of the 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline.

‘‘After a thorough review of these laudable achievements and successes in the gas space, we acknowledge that Nigeria still has more work to do in the gas space.

‘‘This has led the Federal Government to begin a more proactive push towards gas development. This initiative will ensure further optimal exploitation and utilization of the country’s vast gas resources,” he said.

The president commended the collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and the Nigeria LNG Limited to actualize the dream of transforming Nigeria with its massive gas resources.”

He described the NLNG as the Federal Government’s arrowhead in the reduction of gas flaring in Nigeria.

He said the NLNG, which contributes about one percent to GDP, has generated $114 billion in revenues over the years, $9 billion in taxes, $18 billion in dividends to the Federal Government and $15 billion in Feed gas Purchase.

He said these achievements were accomplished with 100 percent Nigerian Management and 95 percent Nigerian workforce.

The president also applauded NLNG for winning the award for outstanding business strategy, in 2020, for going ahead with Train 7 during the global pandemic.

‘‘The Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC are in various regards setting the pace. I would like to charge all other relevant MDAs on the need to partner with the international oil companies, the indigenous oil companies and financial institutions to actualize the dream of fully utilizing our gas resources to uplift our economy,’’ he said.

He said Nigeria would host the 4th International Petroleum Summit in Abuja t later this year.

He invited delegates at the NIPS Pre-Summit to attend the flagship event of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources that ‘‘will once more allow us to engage our partners and friends from around the world, exchange ideas and policy options and set the tone for the industry in the next few years.’’

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that Nigerians are better together and stronger in spite of occasional inter-ethnic tensions in the country.

The president made this known at the 12th Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Colloquium held in Kano on Monday, March 29.

“Despite occasional inter-ethnic tensions in our national history, it seems to me that we have all agreed on one point that notwithstanding our diversity of ethnicity, culture, language and religion, Nigerians are better together; even stronger together,’’ Buhari said.

The president, who participated virtually in the event to mark the 69th birthday of the former two-term Governor of Lagos State, commended the celebrant for always being an advocate of unity and cohesion in Nigeria.

“This has been a constant factor in his outstanding political career, from the time he served in the short-lived senate of the 3rd Republic to his involvement in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate of the late Chief MKO Abiola, to his much-acclaimed period of service as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.

“The ranks of Asiwaju’s political collaborators, whether as party members, comrades in the struggle, members of his cabinet, or his advisers, assistants and political associates, have always reflected a pan-Nigeria attitude.

“I believe all of us here can also confirm that the same outlook of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other like-minded Nigerians eventually made possible the coalition of four political parties into what we now see as our great party, the All Progressives Congress,’’ he said.

According to him, the objectives of the colloquium, which seeks to provide answers to national issues, further reflect the personal principles of Tinubu in promoting the unity and welfare of the country.

“I think this colloquium is a fitting reflection of the service that Asiwaju has given, not only to Lagos State, but to Nigeria and Africa; as well as his continuing commitment and influence, as one of the great pillars of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Equally I salute all those who have kept this colloquium culture alive and thriving, making it a rich source of wisdom in our common quest for a better world and, of course, a greater Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Buhari pledges to harness country’s gas potentials for full industrialisation

“Today’s event promises an even more relevant and impactful discussion than ever before.

“The theme for this 12th edition, “Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth: The Imperative of National Cohesion for Growth and Prosperity,” speaks to a very contemporary but potentially ruinous trend, which, in my view, we must all join hands to check at once,’’ he said.

The president said his experience of working in all parts of the country showed possibilities of a strong, united nation.

“I can also relate personally to the ideals of one Nigeria. As a military officer, I have served with great comrades from all the nooks and crannies of our country.

“I have seen over and over again that their goodness or failings did not depend on ethnicity or religion.

“In the course of my career, I have also been opportune to serve in all parts of Nigeria, seeing first-hand the enticing possibilities of a strong, united nation.

“More importantly, I fought for the unity of Nigeria during the civil war of 1967 to 1970, and I saw first-hand the unspeakable horrors of war, not just on fellow soldiers on both sides, but on the civilians: innocent children, women and elderly citizens that they left behind.

“As we all know, the peace-building, recovery and reconstruction that followed could also not have succeeded under an atmosphere of inter-ethnic animosity.

“We must count our blessings in Nigeria and see in them the crucial factors of peace and unity,’’ the president said.

He said that leaders must devote the resources of the country solely to its development and for the benefit of all the citizens and in the process to ensure that every Nigerian felt comfortable in every part of Nigeria.

“We all have a stake in the Nigeria project and, while playing our respective parts in its unity, peace and progress, we must constantly keep faith with the promise of a greater Nigeria.’’

      ‌

Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja

The doves, otherwise known as white pigeons, released by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony, refused to fly despite multiple attempts by the President thereby sparking a debate on social media on Friday.

The President had opened the birdcage at the National Arcade, picked up one of the doves, and thrown it into the air but the bird landed atop the cage and refused to fly.https://5ef86a37df14c1ccc035e5d5ec05707b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html?n=0

Buhari, who was eager to let the white pigeons fly, opened the roof of the cage in a bid to send them all out but the birds remained adamant and decided to sit on top of the cage’s roof.

The President, who appeared tired of trying, soon left the birds and returned to his seat. Moments after the President had left, however, some of the birds flew.

READ ALSO: Trump to reside at Mar-a-Lago after presidency —Reporthttps://5ef86a37df14c1ccc035e5d5ec05707b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html?n=0

The ritual of releasing doves is to commemorate the life of a departed loved one and is common at significant events like funerals or memorials. It also signifies peace.

Studies show that domesticated doves which are used to living in cages are not always keen on flying.

The Vatican stopped the ritual in 2014 when Pope Francis released two birds that would not fly out of the window of the papal apartment and required several attempts to get the birds to fly out over a crowd of spectators.https://5ef86a37df14c1ccc035e5d5ec05707b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html?n=0

A similar incident occurred just the year prior at an event where Pope Benedict XVI released doves during a Holocaust remembrance event. The doves were attacked by a gull, with one dove being singled out and injured, according to Wikipedia.

READ ALSO: Two policemen die on way to pick colleague’s corpse

In 2014, the doves refused to fly when former President Goodluck Jonathan freed them. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, described the incident at the time as a sign that God had abandoned Jonathan.‌https://5ef86a37df14c1ccc035e5d5ec05707b.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-37/html/container.html?n=0

The refusal of the birds to fly on Friday, however, sparked thousands of comments on social media.

A former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Adamu Garba, said the birds should be eaten if they cannot do what they were trained to do.

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“The pigeons are tired and overtime became lazy, they don’t want to fly the spirit of The Nigerian Flag. We should roast them at Suya joint and deploy Crowwe for action,” he said.null

Social media personality, Morris Monye, said the Department of State Services would have arrested the pigeons for embarrassing the President if they could.

“I guarantee you… If it was possible, the DSS would arrest the pigeons for such an affront on the President. But really, is there peace, harmony, and security in the land?” he asked.

A former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, who is a known critique of the President, also tweeted, “Hmmm. Even the pigeons in Nigeria.”

Pearl Modiadie splits up with the father of her child https://www.ayoba.me/channels/?card=25196

Pastor Isaac Oyedepo

Isaac Oyedepo, the youngest son of Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners Chapel, has announced to his almost 300 thousand followers across three social media networks that he is quitting the platforms.

Oyedepo, who is currently the senior pastor of Living Faith Church, Maryland, United States, said tomorrow January 17, 2020 would be his last day on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Without giving any reason for his decision, the pastor said he was quitting social media “for good” and “will not be opening any other social media in the near future.”

Oyedepo, therefore, warned his followers to be wary of scammers who may want to grab the opportunity of his exit from social media to defraud members of the public.

“I will not send DMs to you requesting for any financial aid or asking for sponsorships of any orphanages or foundations. All accounts will be closed on or before the Sunday, 17th January 2021,” he said.

Oyedepo, however, noted that his website (theisaacoyedepo.com) would be online for those who may want to reach him, adding that his podcasts on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, and Google Podcasts would still be running.

He added that, “The Isaac Oyedepo Foundation is still up and running and all the information you need, including application forms will be available on our website.

“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives using these platforms. God bless you and your entire household. Keep the fire burning! #ANewEra.”

Oyedepo had revealed in June, 2020 that he had health problems bordering on pre-diabetes symptoms, high-blood pressure and heart disease threat, but said that he was able to “conquer” them through lifestyle changes.

“It all began with a medical checkup in December 2018 (age 33). A checkup that became my turning point. With the help of my wife, we made lifestyle changes, albeit difficult but very necessary. I saw it as a life or death situation. Her care for me developed into a passion and that into a career. She is now a certified health coach.

“Now, I train 6 times a week with the help of a personal trainer. In 18 months, I have lost almost 50 pounds and defeated pre-diabetes symptoms, high blood pressure and heart disease threat through a healthy diet and exercise.”

Pastor Oyedepo is married to Ayomitide Omogbadegun-Oyedepo and together they have four kids.

Many of his followers were left heart broken by the news of his exit from social media, which came amidst the ongoing 21 days fasting and prayer of the Living Faith Church. Others, however, commended him for summoning the courage to quit social media. Below are some of the reactions on his Facebook page:

Micah Joshua : “Fantastic- I am also leaving social media and actually updated my page yesterday – It’s not healthy- I want to spend my time outdoors with my children- God bless you Pastor Isaac.”
Nwanyioma Amaka Nmecha : “I will miss you. Thank you for your prayers and declarations towards the birth of my son. May God bless you exceedingly.”
Chinwe Nwokeoma Chy-Sam : “Once it is the direction of the Holy Spirit, no hard feelings, pastor. God’s continued guidance is my prayer for you.”
Agbeka Daniel Victor : “It is well Sir, most times we do better when we are off media and live a private life. Whatever reasons it might be, i know God is with you. I will miss your quotes Sir. Take good care of yourself and family. I love you.”
Kosiebestee Ohaka : “You left LFC Lokogoma it seems something is missing somewhere and when I finally came across your posts here on face book I was revived. Sincerely gonna miss your words of hope and uplifting. Hope to see you some other time in future for good, God’s plan and purpose is the best wish [for] you and your entire house hold, all the best as you endeavor Sir.”

Chairman of Air Peace and Vice Chairman Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mr Allen Onyema declared on Monday that palliatives offered by the government will not solve the problems local carriers are grappling with because the N4 billion approved for carriers is only a temporary relief.

Onyema said even if the government had given N10billion each to individual airlines, it would only amount to a tip of the iceberg because the funds will be depleted within a short while.

Speaking in a telephone interview, he told The Nation that the major clamour by indigenous carriers was for the government to remove import duty on aircraft and spare parts as well as the abolition of Value Added Tax (VAT) on domestic tickets to reduce the huge cost and charges local operators were subjected to.

He said as much as the AON under its new leadership has engaged the Federal Government and the Ministry of Aviation on ways and means of assisting indigenous carriers, it is imperative for operators to devise an appropriate strategy to get the sector out of the woods.

Onyema said the new AON leadership has reached agreement with aviation agencies on how to recover the huge debts owed by local carriers, even as a repayment plan has been worked out to starve closure of airlines’ counters and other punitive measures.

He said rather than thinking of ways to engage the government, previous executives of the umbrella body of local carriers have engaged in scathing criticism of the government to cover up their indebtedness.

Onyema said the AON executive will not be dragged into controversies over how the N4billion approved by the government was disbursed because there is a template designed by the Minister of Aviation in doling out the package.

He clarified that no carrier was side tracked in the disbursement of the funds saying some operators were raising false alarm.

Onyema clarified that the criteria for doling out the bail funds was designed by the government following a template based on scale of operations and other factors.

He said: “I do not want to be dragged into the politics of how bail out funds were decided. The government had criteria that it used. It was not the job of Airline Operators of Nigeria. Anybody alleging that some airlines did not get whatever amount should feel free to ask such airlines.

“The new leadership of AON has been engaging the government constructively on how to fix problems of the industry to create a more enabling environment for airlines to do their business. The era of AON engaging in blind fight with the government is over. If airlines are owing aviation agencies, they should approach such agencies on a repayment plan. That should be the new thinking.”

Nuru who was his wife’s boss.

Moyo Thomas is Tunde’s wife. She was reportedly engaged in an office romance with her boss, her managing Director of the bank. Many of the members of the staff knew about the affairs.

The managing director of the Bank, Adam Nuhu is happily married. He got carried about with adultery. He was having an affair with his staff that he knew she’s married.

Tunde was a gentleman. He was so caring and took care of the Kids. He spent all his resources on these kids. He took them to London and Dubai on holidays. He also spared no penny in putting the kids in the best schools.

When the older child was about eight years old, Moyo suddenly resigned from FCMB and travelled to the US with the two children as planned by her boss on holiday.

It was when the school session started in Nigeria and the children were not returned that Tunde started asking questions and the lady finally summoned the shameless courage to tell him the children were not his own.

The lady went to extent of filing asylum in the US on the ground of marital violence in Nigeria. Her aim was to get the Green Card and also get Tunde barred from entering the US.

After Tunde received the sad news first in 2017, He reportedly suffered stroke. He later recovered from the stroke but he was not okay again. He cried a lot.

As he got over the illness, Tunde was said to have tried to pick up the pieces of his life. He reportedly started another relationship with a lady lawyer. Soon, he invited some friends to accompany him to visit the lady’s parents on 26th December. However, the visit was not to be. Tunde was said to have got home from work in the night of 15th December 2020 and collapsed at his residence’s staircase. He died instantly.

Autopsy report puts the cause of his death as ‘heart failure’ .

Tunde Gentle, a former staff of the defunct Oceanic Bank, was buried on Wednesday, 30th of December 2020.

Nigeria’s Army chief, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has revealed that the Nigerian army will shame and disgrace the Boko Haram and the Islamic States for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists in 2021, Igbere TV reports.

Mr Buratai gave the motivational speech at a sit-out night to usher in the 2021 New Year at the TY Buratai Institute for War and Peace, Buratai in his native Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

He said the troops of Nigerian army had done a lot in the fight against insurgency in the North East in 2020, adding that they were committed to decisively deal with all forms of insecurity in the country.

Mr. Buratai urged the troops to dedicate themselves to the task of eradicating terrorism by maintaining the tempo in 2021 with more determination and action to end the insurgency in the country.

He also urged the troops to work with more discipline and courage, adding that the military had the responsibility to solve the nation’s problem of security.

According to him, they must work hard to win the confidence of Nigerians.

He said that the people trusted and believed in the Nigerian army to address the issues of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity.

“I am very optimistic that 2021 will be different, totally different with a remarkable difference from 2020.

“I want you to see it as a challenge and a task that must be done because we are the one that can do it because Nigerians believe in us and believe that we can do it.

“You should go into the year with full conviction that we can do better to address the insecurity in our country,” he said.

Mr Buratai also promised that officers and men of the Nigerian army would enjoy a lot of welfare packages in 2021.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for and confidence in the Nigerian army during the preceding year.

The hot topic about who should climb the seat and lead Nigeria to restoration in 2023 has again surfaced•

Meanwhile , The Ekiti chapter of the APC has opened up on why he sees Governor Kayode Fayemi as a rightful presidential candidate•

However, Fayemi is yet to officially declare his eagerness to be in the contest for the presidential election

The Ekiti chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has choosen Governor Kayode Fayemi to be in the contest for the presidency in 2023.

The state caretaker chairman, Paul Omotoso, Saturday, December 19, opened up that Fayemi is in all instance qualified to take over from Mohammadu Buhari in the presidential position looking upon his brilliant political profile.

Ekiti APC backs Governor Fayemi for 2023 presidency.

According to The information gathered, he said the APC members will make sure their candidate fall into contention for the presidential race if he refuses to willingly contest.

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