Israel-Palestine Conflict: Pastors Call For Prayers Amid Continued Violence

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May 17, 2021

PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-GAZA — Fire and smoke rise above buildings in Gaza City as Israeli warplanes target the Palestinian enclave, early on May 17, 2021. - Israeli warplanes bombarded the Gaza Strip overnight, said witnesses in the Palestinian enclave, from where armed groups have launched rockets into the Jewish state. (Photo by Anas BABA / AFP)

Pastors and Christian leaders are calling for prayer and reconciliation between Israel and Hamas as the Middle East begins to see the worst bloodshed in years between Israelis and Palestinians. The intensity of the fighting prompted the United Nations to warn that the rocketing could escalate into a “full-scale war.” The conflict began as the Islamist terror group Hamas fired hundreds of missiles at Jerusalem on Monday after hundreds of rioters were injured in clashes with Israeli police and Jewish religious observers on the Temple Mount.

Evangelist Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, took to Facebook to ask Christians to pray. He said he personally knows innocent people on both sides of the war who will not benefit from its continuance. He posted, “I have many friends who live in Israel, both Arab and Jew, so we are very concerned about the situation there. People have been killed, families are cowering in fear in bomb shelters, and they need our prayers. As we are commanded in the Scriptures, let us “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).”

Additionally, Pastor Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, tweeted, “My heart goes out to the people impacted through the heightened Middle East conflict. Having recently visited that region, I’m reminded of the many wonderful people I met, and request us all to pray for those who are suffering.”

Ed Young, the pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, also called for prayer in a Facebook post, writing, “Pray with me. For protection of the innocent. For peace. For loved ones lost. For our leaders. In Jesus name. #PrayForIsrael.”

According to News reports, during the Jerusalem Day attack on Jewish religious observers who were celebrating Jerusalem Day, Hamas militants launched over 200 rockets into Israel in what an Israeli Defense Forces spokesman called a “blatant, severe attack.” During the attack, the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, was forced to halt its session and evacuate.

Former Players Launch Petition Calling For Independent Regulator In English Football

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Emenike Agu

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May 17, 2021

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Several former footballers have launched a parliamentary petition calling for an independent regulator in English football.

Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker are among 23 ex-players and journalists to undersign an open letter to fans.

They say April’s European Super League attempted breakaway demonstrates the need to reform the game’s governance.

The petition was signed by more than 20,000 people in its first hour.

For it to be considered for a parliamentary debate, 100,000 signatures are required.

“As football fans, we were appalled by the attempt to set up a European Super League,” reads the letter, which has also been signed by Jamie Redknapp and Micah Richards.

“It was a direct threat to the integrity of the game; destroying the concept of sporting merit and open competition.

“Supporters came together with one voice to oppose the cynical power-grab by a group of wealthy owners. The furious protests were heard and the breakaway fell apart.

“Now we must make sure this never happens again. Without swift and direct intervention, the return of a European Super League will be a constant threat.”

In addition to an independent regulator, the petition also calls for government legislation which would stop Premier League clubs from attempting to abandon the football pyramid.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham all withdrew from the European Super League within 48 hours of its launch after fans protested.

The move was criticised by the UK government, which has brought forward a fan-led review into English football that will consider ownership, finance and supporter involvement in the game.

“We welcome the fan-led Government review of the game and hope it leads to lasting change on an array of important concerns; including co-ordinated strategies to deal with racism, supporters’ representation within clubs, LGBTQ issues, ticket costs and the distribution of income,” the letter added.

“All of those aims can be realised if we take decisive action now.”

IDF: Israeli Strikes Target Hamas Tunnels

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Koko Lawrence

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May 17, 2021

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Rocket warning sirens have been sounding in several southern Israel communities near Gaza Monday morning, including the city of Ashkelon and the towns of Kisufim and Ein Hashlosha, according to Israeli media.

There have been no reports of any casualties, but a chicken coop was set on fire by one rocket.

Residents of the Eshkol regional council, south of Gaza, have been told by local authorities to stay in their bomb shelters until further notice.

Earlier, the Israeli military tweeted that 3,150 rockets had been fired by Palestinian militants towards Israel since last Monday.

About 460 rockets had misfired and landed in the strip, while the iron dome missile defence system has intercepted about 90% of those that had crossed into Israel, it added.

The military said it had struck more than 820 “terror targets” in Gaza in response.

‘The Stock Africa Is Made Of’: 2Baba, Chike To Perform At Campaign

By

Koko Lawrence

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May 17, 2021

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Award-winning singer, Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia is set to perform at the virtual launch of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc’s campaign, ‘The Stock Africa Is Made Of’.

The Nigerian music legend will be joined by ‘boo of the booless’, Chike, to provide entertainment at the virtual event scheduled to hold on Tuesday, in Lagos.

Both singers would be performing some of their classics at the event which would also be screened live on major social media platforms.

The event will be moderated by media personality, Ik Osakioduwa.

‘Stock Africa Is Made Of’ comes on the heels of the successful demutualisation of The Nigerian Stock Exchange, which led to the emergence of NGX Group Plc and its three subsidiaries.

They are Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, NGX Regulation (NGX RegCo) Limited, and NGX Real Estate (NGX RelCo) Limited.

The organisers said the campaign is designed to project its new positioning and commitment to the African financial markets as a leading capital market infrastructure provider, connecting Nigeria, Africa, and the world. ‘The Stock Africa Is Made Of’ serves to amplify NGX Group’s new brand identity and spotlight the growth potential of the African continent.

Commenting on the campaign, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group Plc, Oscar Onyema, stated, ‘‘The Stock Africa Is Made Of’ is designed to reinforce the message that we are fully equipped and better positioned to champion the development of new and improved experiences for the benefit of domestic, regional and foreign stakeholders’.

Other industry leaders joining Mr Onyema as speakers at the event include Abimbola Ogunbanjo, Group Chairman, NGX Group Plc; Zainab Ahmed, Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Lamido Yuguda, CFA, Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission; Aliko Dangote, Chairman, Dangote Group; Masai Ujiri, President, Toronto Raptors and Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings.

House of Reps set to legalise the use of Indian hemp for economic benefits — Spokesperson

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Henry Williams

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May 17, 2021

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The House Of Representatives is set to legalise the use of Indian Hemp in the country for economic benefit. Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon.

Benjamin Okezie Kalu said this during a press conference on the benefits and opportunities of Cannabis in Akure, Ondo state capital

Kalu said that the House of Representatives has concluded an arrangement to organize a two-day stakeholders roundtable on the benefits of the weed.

According to him a date for the stakeholder’s forum, which will attract participants among scientists, medical and pharmaceutical professionals, farmers, insurance companies, executives, and private sector investors has been slated for June 7 and 8.

He explained that countries such as South Africa and others are currently reaping high revenue from cannabis which they export to other countries.

Tycoon’s Art Trove Unveiled In Paris, Home To Billionaires’ Culture Contest

By

Koko Lawrence

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May 17, 2021

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The reopening of Paris museums this week finally gives billionaire tycoon Francois Pinault the chance to showcase his vast contemporary art collection in the French capital, with works ranging from stuffed pigeons to slowly melting chairs.

The museum’s launch in a converted 19th-century commodities exchange, blocks away from the Louvre, was put on hold twice due to the pandemic after having suffered earlier planning mishaps, with an initial project abandoned in 2005.

Pinault, 84 – who made his fortune in timber trading before shifting into retail under the group now known as Kering (PRTP.PA), run by his son – joins rival French luxury goods tycoon Bernard Arnault in trying to stamp his legacy on Paris’ art scene and landscape, with museums and renovation projects.

But the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, opening on May 22, will also give visitors a glimpse of the businessman’s vast trove of art purchases since the 1980s, including pieces by photographer Cindy Sherman and painter Peter Doig.

The 200 works on display for the opening, many straight out of storage, feature artists who have never had restrospectives in France, such as Kerry James Marshall, known for his paintings of Black figures and explorations of African-American history.

An ephemeral work by Swiss-born artist Urs Fischer will take centre stage at the launch, with wax sculptures installed in the central space, including of chairs and a marble-like statue, set to slowly melt over six months as they are set alight.

Overhead, stuffed pigeons peer down into the gallery, in an art installation called “Others” by Maurizio Cattelan designed to give visitors a startling sense of being observed.

The project follows Pinault’s attempt to build a new museum in western Paris on the site of a former Renault car factory, which became bogged down in wrangling with local authorities. The billionaire has since opened two museums in Venice, Italy.

NLC yet to implement minimum wage for own staff — 2 years after

By

Henry Williams

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May 17, 2021

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is yet to implement the new minimum wage of N30,000 for its staff two years after it was reviewed, according to the cable.
According to sources the failure to adopt the new wage has unsettled the staff of the congress amid talks of a possible strike to push for the implementation.

Workers at the NLC secretariat who asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak on the matter confirmed that the Ayuba Wabba-led management still pays them their previous wage.

sources were informed at the secretariat on Monday that none of the congress’ leaders was available for comments as they are all in Kaduna, where they had directed a strike after accusing the state government of “anti-worker policies”.

President Muhamadu Buhari had in May 2018 signed the wage bill, effectively raising the minimum pay Nigerian workers can earn from N18,000 to N30,000.

Cattle valuable than oil and gas —Adamu Garba

By

Cleopatra Okohai

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May 17, 2021

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Former Presidential Aspirant, Adamu Garba, has said that cattle have more economic value than the entire oil and gas reserve in Southern Nigeria.

Garba said this in reaction to the advice given by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria, Bauchi State chapter, which required its members to vacate the 17 states in Southern Nigeria.

MACBAN gave the advice following a ban on open grazing issued by governors of the region after a meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

Reacting, Garba said on Twitter, “I perfectly agree with this proposal. All Fulani present in Southern Nigeria should come back. We shall use the cattle, process the resources, and sell all over the world as finished goods.

“Cattle have more economic value than the entire oil and gas reserve we have in Nigeria. Our major stakeholders in the North must admit cows as business opportunities not just culture & invest heavily to bring #CowToCurrency to reality. Cows alone can solve all Northen problems.

“The job opportunities, the manufacturing centres, & the connection to global hubs of demands for the best cattle meats can open more doors and set for the liberation of Northern Nigeria from cheap and somewhat, useless oil assets. We must invest in harvesting the value of cattle.

“A litter of Cow at N350 is much more than the value of a litre of oil at N145. With over 20 million cows, take 1/3 as milk-producing female on average of 5 litres a day, we’ll have almost N12Bn/day from cow milk. That’s about N700M/state/day. About N21Bn/State/Month.

“That is much higher than the Monthly Allocation the largest state receives in the North. Again, each cow can generate a minimum of 3 Jobs. Rearing, Slughtring, Processing, marketing, Selling, and management. 5M cows =15M jobs. I marvel at the laziness of Northern Governors.

“Northern Governors think awarding contracts for building roads, taking their cuts is all they need for themselves. Doing so has subjected the North to condescension and dehumanization from some elements in the South. The time is now for them to wake up to our potentials.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the 2023 election is a game between cattle states and non-cattle states. Let’s be blunt about this. If Northern leaders do not wake up to this urgent reality, the target will not just be the cow, but the cow harbouring states and their adherents.”

Sports Minister, NFF eulogise legendary goalkeeper, Okala, at 70

By

Henry Williams

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May 17, 2021

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The Nigeria Football Federation, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, as well as many football fans around the globe have been sending congratulatory messages to a well-respected former Nigeria goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala, who attained the age of 70 on Monday, May 17, 2021.

In a statement released Monday, the NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, praised the towering goaltender for his meritorious service to his fatherland by delivering his best anytime he turned out for both the senior men’s team (then known as Green Eagles) and Rangers International FC of Enugu.

Okala, an imposing figure between the sticks at 6ft 5inches, emerged during an era in which Nigeria produced a long line of exceptional goalkeepers, including Inua Rigogo, Peter Fregene, Amusa Adisa, and Eyo Essien.

He earned his first cap in a friendly against Tanzania in Lagos that Nigeria won 3-2, and was in the team that won All-Africa Games football gold in Lagos in 1973, took bronze medals at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978 and finished as runners-up at the All-Africa Games in Algiers four months later.

Disabled children deserve equal access to basic education – UBEC

By

Henry Williams

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May 17, 2021

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Children with disabilities will soon have equal access to education like their peers as the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC partners the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPND) to provide special needs learning for kids

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi who disclosed this at the weekend, explained that every disabled child of school-going age will receive basic education tailored to their needs under the partnership.

He said the intervention for children with disability was coming at a time when a UBEC project on “Model Smart School”, designed to address modern ICT needs of kids is about to kick off.

Dr. Bobboyi explained that both Commissions will form a joint committee to address the various issues in physical access such as toilet facilities and technical training amongst others.