Be A Millionaire

 

TWENTY-TWO years of democratic journey (1999-2021) has brought little dividends for the Nigerian burgeoning hoi-polloi who endures unemployment, battle poverty, die untimely in ill-equipped health infrastructure, train their children in grossly underfunded schools, and are governed by parasitic leadership. The value of what civil servants earned in 1999 was better than what they earn in 2021. 

These social problems are compounded by rising insecurity and intractable corruption. Some people now raise prayer warriors to ask the Supreme Being to grant them journey mercies as they dare to navigate the valley of death on Nigeria’s hellish roads—don’t blame them, 

even the Prince of Daura said only God can guard Nigeria’s borders. Politrickcians scammed Nigerians with promises that are jettisoned immediately after mounting the podium of power and authority. Millions/billions of naira from the common patrimony are then diverted for personal and familial uses. They have created a monstrous following currently fighting against the system that sidelined them.

The story is the same from parasitic leadership in the North who callously nurtures almajirai system but train their own children abroad to their photocopies in the South, who cannot provide free education, reduce unemployment or effectively protect their people from internal and external insecurities. The abandoned children, including their out-of-school comrades have now come of age and dominate the population of rising insurgent citizens. 

Through banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery and pilfering of commonwealth, the kingdom of Nigeria suffers violence and the violent are taking it by force. Join Politics and with a Degree Certificate in Forest Banditry and Highway Kidnapping, you are on your way to becoming a millionaire with opportunity to speak and dine with the shakers and movers of Nigeria. Indeed, a Diploma Certificate in Mass Kidnapping skill is an added advantage in 2021 Nigeria.

Popular Television show, who wants to be a millionaire metaphorically approximate the state of affairs in post-colonial Nigeria where people leverage on their intellectual prowess to answer questions as they move up the ladder of monetary reward from few thousands to guaranteed sums of money. Poorly managed or unanswered questions could cause major loss from N500,000 to N250,000. Just like real life situation, participants are provided with lifelines: they can call a friend, ask the computer to retain one right and one wrong answer, and they may decide to walk away with the sum of money they have won. Crime script analysis shows that kidnapping and banditry are scripted shows just like it is in becoming Governor, Senator, or President. Through hiring of thugs and unleashing of violence and millions of naira, politrickcians emerge flag bearers. 

After comparing and rating themselves with their opponents on a scale of fifty-fifty, they ruthlessly affirm themselves as next office occupier. To achieve this, they need to ‘call a friend’ to assist with the realisation of their political goal. It is immaterial if this needed friend is a thug, a corrupt person, warlord or more. What is important is how useful the evil friend will contribute to his/her enthronement. 

They canvass people across divides, lure people to their side, and collectively rape people of their mandate through violence. After mounting the podium through violent instrumentality, they are called “his Excellency”, “honourable”, “distinguished Senator”, ‘Honourable Chairman’ and ‘Powerful Special Advisers’ among others. 

Now on the other side, they want to push aside those who enthroned them. Their allies are now working for them to get amnesty or possibly a Federal Ministry of Forest Bandits Commission. In other words, banditry is being pushed to enjoy federal character or is it quota system? Nigeria is treading on a dangerous path if ‘Gumism’ (a pleading that unmerited amnesty should be given to armed Fulani 

bandits occupying Forests and bearing weapons of war to kill, rape and kidnap in exchange for millions of naira) is allowed to flourish. Criminal gangs across the country will occupy their own forest area, kidnap; rape and make millions while people preaching Gumism will plead the State to grant them amnesty.

Who wants to be a millionaire therefore deconstructs the process through which social support is employed for positive outcomes on the show to make millions. Just as it is on who wants to be a millionaire show, kidnappers abducts their victims, profile them to knowing their network of relations to know the amount of money to demand as ransom. Thinking of survival, the captives think of where help would come from and call a person within his/her network to negotiate and raise money for him/her to be able to ‘walk away’ alive.

 Everyone concerned begins to struggle to raise the money. They also think of whether to inform the police or not having been warned not to do so by the kidnappers if they are interested in seeing their loved one alive. Calling a wrong person who does not have solution may be costly to the live of the person in captivity. Any wrong move could result in death and this is why most trusted persons are contacted to help during this period. Those who pay ransom on time and cooperate with bandits/kidnappers, get to walk away alive. Sadly, those who try to prove smart, gets the corpse of their loved ones.

Nigerians have been kidnapped by politrickcians who promised change and next level but unleashed poor economy, ethnic disunity and insecurity. Ongoing experiences of insecurity and dashed hopes are enough to spur Nigerians to rewrite their own history and reject hushpuppic politrickcians in 2023. To sum up, who wants to be a millionaire presents the sad state in Nigeria where violence rules and the violent is rewarded while the law-abiding people are terrorised by the State. When the state stifles law-abiding citizens and slams them behind bars, the message being sent is that there is reward for violence.

 When governments that cannot provide funding to revitalise public primary and secondary schools as well as universities, spends money to train terrorists abroad, the message to those going to school is that they are missing their way to making cool millions in criminal world. We need to encourage and incentivise lawful behaviour and punish criminals. The possibility of becoming a millionaire should be open to all lawful citizens and should not be a reward for negative deviants.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire/

Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail to rejuvenate North-South economy, says Buhari

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has said the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri railway will reactivate economic activities in the Eastern corridor, which has been greatly affected by insecurity.

The President spoke on Tuesday at the virtual ground-breaking ceremony of three projects: the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Port Harcourt–Maiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge railway project; Bonny Deep Sea Port on Bonny Island and Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt.

He said the country’s aspiration for nationwide transport infrastructure and railways would be significantly enhanced by the three projects.

“The connection of the railway to a new seaport on Bonny Island and Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt is designed to increase the viability and boost trans-shipment of cargo and freight locally, across the West African sub-region and in the Continental Free Trade Area.

“The sum of the socio-economic and environmental benefits of these projects includes creation of massive employment, locally.

“In addition, there will be further utilisation of local contents and technology transfer, increase in internally generated revenue (IGR) and would serve as a fulcrum for the achievement of Federal Government’s planned Integrated Development Masterplan,” President Buhari said.

Urging all Nigerians, especially industrialists, manufacturers and businesses within the zones to maximum the use of the infrastructure in planning for expansion and building new factories, the President said the projects, when completed, would raise Nigeria’s economy to the global stage and reaffirm the nation’s leading role in Africa.

President Buhari explained that the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri railway project – with new branch lines to Owerri, the Imo State capital, and Damaturu, the Yobe State capital – would resuscitate the once vibrant railway transportation in the Eastern corridor of the country.

“We are further expanding it to achieve contemporary demand for transport in the Northeast and the South.

“It is also designed to link other standard gauge rail lines under construction through the provision of trans-shipment centres.

“The funding of the railway is through a loan to fund 85 per cent project cost and the Federal Government contribution of 15 per cent as counterpart funding,” he said.

The President, who requested Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi to cut the tape and unveil the plaque for the projects on his behalf, assured the nation of prudent use of resources in executing the projects.

Amaechi said the Bonny Deep Sea Port and Railway Industrial Park in Port Harcourt were being developed through direct investment by a conglomerate led by Messrs CCECC Nigeria Limited with a total investment portfolio of US$700 million.

Hoodlums attempt to set school on fire

 

Security operatives saved the Surulere Baptist School in Ilorin on Monday from being set ablaze by unidentified hoodlums.

The school also has a church located within the premises.

 correspondent gathered that the unidentified hoodlums set tyres on fire and hurled them into the school premises at about 5pm.

However, vigilant security operatives at the scene acted promptly to put off the fire that would have caused major damage to the structures.

No arrest was made, but security has been beefed up around the ten Christian mission schools in Ilorin shut down by the state government following the hijab controversy between Muslim and Christian communities in the State.

When contacted on Tuesday morning, the spokesman of the State police command, Mr Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the development.

He said the Police Commissioner, Mr Mohammed Lawal Bagega, directed the DPO in-charge of the area, “To clear all unused tyres within the area, and beef up security.”

Ajayi, who said no arrest was made, told  that, the policemen at the scene retrieved the tyres, put the fire off and put the situation under control.

To avert a major breakdown of law and order, the government on Monday ordered the extension of the closure of the ten schools involved.

”They were expected to have resumed classes on Monday, but the heightened tension over the hijab issue compelled the government to extend the closure indefinitely.

The Christian community has insisted that no hijab dress code would be allowed in their schools and wants government to hand over the schools to their owners.

Thomas Markle counters Meghan’s allegation against royal family, vows to keep talking to press

Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas has reacted to the allegation of racism made by his daughter against the royal family.

Recall that Meghan in the interview with Oprah Winfrey on Sunday revealed that she contemplated suicide after joining the royal family.

The 39-year-old accused the royal family of being racists, adding that their official concern was about the skin colour of her unborn son.

She further accused Thomas Markle of betrayal and selling her out to the press.

The 39-year-old also said she has ‘found it hard to reconcile’ with Thomas for lying about speaking to the media.

Reacting, Thomas in an interview on Tuesday with Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain made it clear he was on the side of the royal family.

According to him, Meghan’s claim that there were concerns about her son’s skin tone and how dark he might be when he’s born wasn’t as serious as she is making it seem.

“I have great respect for the royals and I don’t think the British Royal family are racists, or I don’t think the British are racists.

“I think Los Angeles is racist, California is racist, but I don’t think the British are.

“The thing about what colour will the baby be, or how dark will the baby be, I feel it’s just a dumb question from somebody and as well not as serious as she made it seem.

“I still love her and I hope there’s still a part of her that still feels something for me,” he said.

Thomas, however, warned that if he doesn’t hear from her in 30 day, he’ll keep talking to the press, and he’ll keep going that way every 30 days until he hears from Meghan and Prince Harry.

“When they decide to start talking to me, I’ll stop talking to the press,” Thomas Markle added. 

5 foods instead of dinner, you will know how to lose fat and lose weight

 

There are many ways to lose weight, including exercise and fasting are the most effective. Because the formula that helps you lose weight fast is the number of calories you put in less than the calories you burn. Per day, but do not skip meals to lose weight quickly, because it can affect health. Such as stomach and intestinal pain, so you should eat less or eat instead of dinner, which helps. Weight loss and good health:

1 Eat cucumber juice

Cucumber is a vegetable that is high in vitamin C and low in calories because it contains a lot of water that the body needs and helps. You can drink a glass of cucumber juice or eat two cucumbers instead of dinner.

2 Eat papaya

Papaya fruit is rich in vitamins A and C, potassium and especially fiber. Because of this, papaya is a food. Which is good to eat instead of dinner because fiber helps you defecate and vitamins A, C helps. The meat is clean too

3 Eat bananas

Eating 2 bananas instead of dinner helps you lose weight faster because bananas can speed up the fat burning system. Eat a banana before bed and help you burn calories while you sleep

4 Tomatoes

No different from cucumbers, tomatoes are high in vitamin C and high in water, which helps to lose weight. Effective. On the other hand, tomatoes also help keep skin clean and shiny

5 broccoli sprouts

Blue cauliflower is not only delicious but also low in calories but high in fiber which is excellent. For those who want to fast, lose weight, eat instead of dinner

Abe urges supporters to close all APC parallel offices, seek other political options

 

Senator Magnus Abe, who was the factional leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State has announced the closure of all parallel APC offices in the state.

Abe who at a media briefing in Port Harcourt reacted to the Supreme Court judgement that laid the APC crisis in Rivers State to rest also congratulated Isaac Abbot-Ogbogbula as the duly recognized Chairman of the party in the state.

The Senator said the crisis in the Rivers Chapter of the APC was not about who controls the structure of the party but about party members who felt cheated by the activities of some leaders of the party.

Senator Abe urged the National leadership of the APC to consolidate on the verdict of the Supreme Court and bring lasting peace to the party.

“We agree with the learned Justices that those issues cannot be effectively and finally resolved by the courts, the courts, several times condemned the actions of the party and acknowledged the injustices meted out to members contrary to the party’s own rules and norms.

“Indeed, all the courts in this country, from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, then to the Supreme Court itself pronounced on these issues, condemned them but all the pronouncements of the courts ended in frustration, as the party to this day has never acknowledged any wrongdoing neither has the summary exclusion and expulsion of some party members been addressed.

“In the coming days, we will carefully watch the statements and actions and utterances of the party as it is the resolution of these issues that will bring lasting peace to the party and restore it’s standing, not only amongst its members but also in the eyes of the justice-loving Nigerian public especially Rivers men and women.

“We congratulate Barr. Ogbogbula and his team and advice all our members with conflicting claims to any alternative structures within the APC to immediately drop all such claims. All alternate party offices in the name of APC across the state should revert to private use.

“Finally, I want to thank members of the party who have been resolute in their demand for justice fairness and internal democracy within the party. It is clear that there are other political options for achieving our desires,” Abe said.

Fani-Kayode threatens to expose ‘Special Advisor’ plotting to destabilise Nigeria

 

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has threatened to expose a “crooked Special Adviser”, who is part of a conspiracy to destabilise Nigeria.

According to him, the plan is to ensure that President Muhammadu Buhari declares a state of emergency in 10 states including Zamfara.

Fani-Kayode made these allegations on his Twitter page on Saturday night.

He wrote: “The conspiracy to destabilise our nation is coming from within. The culprit is a crooked Special Advisor.

“The objective is to destabilise 10 states including Zamfara and ensure the President declares a state of emergency in each one.

“This man is the enemy within. I will expose him.”

Earlier this week, Fani-Kayode had urged Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State to expose those behind the abduction of over 300 students from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Jangebe.