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Christian Baker Jack Phillips Sued Again Over Refusal to Bake Transgender Cake

Koko Lawrence
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Christian Baker Jack Phillips Sued Again Over Refusal to Bake Transgender Cake

Jack Phillips, a Christian baker who has previously been targeted by LGBTQ activists for refusing to bake cakes for them, is facing another lawsuit for his refusal to bake a cake celebrating a gender transition.

Phillips, who is the owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, holds previous legal victories, including one from the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. At the time, the Christian baker went on trial after he refused to bake a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.

At the present time, he is being sued by Autumn Scardina, a transgender attorney who wanted a cake that was blue on the outside and pink on the inside in celebration of her transition. She had attempted to order the cake in 2017, on the same day when the Supreme Court said it would hear Phillip’s same-sex wedding case.

On Monday, Scardina met with a state judge in Denver, arguing that Phillips held to the belief that, as a Christian, he would not make the same-sex wedding cake because it involved a religious ceremony but would sell additional products, according to reports.

Phillips lawyer, however, contended that Phillips’s refusal to bake the transgender cake was about the message the cake portrayed and not because he was discriminating against Scardina.

Jim Campbell, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, denounced the latest case as “another attempt” to harass Phillips, as he has faced similar battles for almost the past decade.

“This latest lawsuit looks like yet another desperate attempt to harass cake artist Jack Phillips,” Campbell said. “And it stumbles over the one detail that matters most: Jack serves everyone; he just cannot express all messages or celebrate all events through his custom cakes.”

“No American should be bullied or banished from the marketplace simply for living and working consistently with their faith,” he asserted. “But this new lawsuit threatens to do just that.”

Scardina previously pressed charges against Phillips with the state and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission contending that discrimination took place. In response, Phillips sued the state, alleging that it was engaging in a “crusade to crush” him with the complaint.

In 2019, both cases were dropped under a settlement permitting Scardina to proceed with a lawsuit independently.

Nigeria’s economic reforms may falter unless professionals take charge – Group

Henry Williams
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Nigeria’s economic reforms may falter unless professionals take charge – Group

Nigeria’s economic crisis may persist as long as the right professional persons are not put in charge of critical tasks and government units.

This is the verdict of top professionals that are meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, under the auspices of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) starting Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

Emma Wike, national president of Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), who is the local organizing committee chairman of the APBN for Port Harcourt presidential retreat 2021, acknowledged that the Federal Government is currently carrying out a series of reforms across all sectors of the economy.

He, however, said these commendable initiatives would not achieve desired results if the FG failed to effectively partner the stakeholders, particularly the professionals, in its bid to build a strong, virile, stable and sustainable economy.

He said the theme for the retreat, “APBN as a Tool for Sustainable National Development in Nigeria: Filling the Strategic Gap”, finds relevance in these efforts.

Prince Harry, Meghan’s Royal Exit To Become Lifetime Movie

Koko Lawrence
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Prince Harry, Meghan’s Royal Exit To Become Lifetime Movie

The ‘Megxit’ saga will be brought to screens in a Lifetime movie about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it has been announced.

Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace will reveal ‘what really happened inside the palace that drove Harry and Meghan to leave everything behind to make a future for themselves and their son Archie,’ according to Deadline.

It is the third in a trilogy of Lifetime films about the couple. It follows 2018’s Harry & Meghan, which covered the early days of their relationship, and 2019’s Harry & Meghan: Becoming Royal, which focused on the royal wedding.

Casting for the third film is underway with production scheduled to begin this spring for a release later this year.

According to Deadline, the new film will ‘detail Meghan’s growing isolation and sadness, their disappointment that “The Firm” was not defending them against the press’s attacks and Harry’s fear that history would repeat itself and he would not be able to protect his wife and son from the same forces that caused his mother’s untimely death.’

It will also look at ‘family feuds’ between Kate and Meghan, Charles and Harry and Harry and William, it is reported.

Producers will no doubt draw heavily on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s explosive Oprah Winfrey interview, which aired earlier this month.

It remains to be seen who will play the lead roles, with two sets of actors appearing in the first two films, according to reports.

Parisa Fitz-Henley and Murray Fraser played Meghan and Harry, respectively, in the first biopic, which explored how the couple’s relationship blossomed from their first date in 2016 to their engagement in November 2017.

Botswana Ministry of Basic Education budgets U.S $10mn for Schools Digitisation Project

Precious Obazee
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Botswana Ministry of Basic Education budgets U.S $10mn for Schools Digitisation Project

The Ministry of Basic Education in Botswana has budgeted a total of P111 million for completion of the country’s school digitisation project.

Minister Fidelis Molao while giving an update on the ministry’s 2021/22 budget, said the project included procurement of computer equipment for 182 junior secondary schools, expansion of Local Area Network for 100 secondary schools and installation of Education Management Information System.

The project would ensure that all schools were equipped with the latest technology and connectivity to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

The minister said the approved funds would also go towards the completion of the Centre for Severe and Multiple Disability in Maun to cater for students with special needs.

 Molao further said a total amount of P1.6 billion had been allocated for the implementation of development projects which included computerisation, consultancy and special education facilities.

He added that the ministry had put in place strategies to ensure that there was learning continuity despite the numerous challenges brought about by the pandemic.

The strategies included reduction of class sizes to maximum of 30 learners, revised school calendar to increase contact time and engagement of temporary teachers for additional classes.

Minister Molao said the ministry had been allocated around P11 billion, 85 per cent of which was for recurrent expenditure and 14.5 per cent for development.

He said the largest proportion of the ministry’s recurrent budget was for personnel emoluments at 79.60 per cent or approximately P7 billion while the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) allocation stood at 2.22 per cent.

The minister said the remaining budget amount was for other operational costs covering the ministry’s departments, regional offices and schools.

Experts weigh in on Mass abduction threat on girl-child education in Nigeria

Henry Williams
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Experts weigh in on Mass abduction threat on girl-child education in Nigeria

The continued abductions of school children in Northern Nigeria could erode gains made to keep girls in school and force many more children to the streets leaving them vulnerable to societal ills, experts have said.

At least 800 school children have been abducted by armed bandits since December 2020. The consequence of this is already being felt in the region as several schools have been shut down and parents are wary of sending their children back to school due to fear.

While the North already occupies an unenviable position hosting the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, data from the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) shows that over 5.3 million students in the region have had their education disrupted due to attacks on schools. According to UNICEF, almost 13.2 million out-of-school children in Nigeria also reside in the North.

Despite advocacies to promote girl-child education by government and non-governmental organisations, records from UNESCO also show that southern states record 53 percent and 80 percent literacy, northern states record 14 percent to 48 percent literacy.

At the zonal level by gender shows female literacy shows an abysmal 29 percent and 49.6 percent in the northern zones compared to an average 80 percent in the South. Experts are worried that insecurity and attack on schools in the North will worsen the statistics.

U.S Mission in Nigeria Opens Advisory Centre in Cross River State

Precious Obazee
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U.S Mission in Nigeria Opens Advisory Centre in Cross River State

In its renewed efforts to reach out to students and youths in underserved communities, the US Mission in Nigeria, recently opened a new EducationUSA Advising Centre in Calabar, Cross River State.

The Calabar EducationUSA Advising Center will offer accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive information about educational institutions in the United States, as well as guidance to prospective students on how best to access those opportunities.

Delivering keynote remarks during the opening ceremony, US Mission Counselor for Public Affairs, Aruna Amirthanayagam, said the new EducationUSA Advising Centre would present an opportunity for the youth in local communities in Cross River State and its environs to obtain a world-class education in the United States and then return home to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

US Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli, added that EducationUSA Advising Centers in Nigeria assist many determined and talented, low-income students in Nigeria who only require financial resources and access to information to better their educational future.

Nollywood Actress Belinda Effah Announces Change Of Name

Koko Lawrence
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1
Nollywood Actress Belinda Effah Announces Change Of Name

Nollywood actress, Belinda Effah has revealed that she will now be addressed as Grace-Charis Bassey Effah.

Confirming the new development, the actress held an Instagram live chat where she revealed that though her last name remains unchanged, she has opted to change her first and middle name. She, however, did not reveal what prompted the change.

“I, formerly know as Belinda Uyu Effah, now wish to be known as Grace-Charis Bassey Effah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note,” Effah also shared via Instagram post.

The actress further disclosed that the name change occurred last year but she only recently decided to make it public, coinciding with the unveiling of her new business name.

Recall Toyin Abraham announced a change of name back in 2017.

Effah joins the list of actors who have changed their official names in recent times.

FG to establish micro-enterprises in 774 LGAs

Henry Williams
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FG to establish micro-enterprises in 774 LGAs

Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, George Akume, on Wednesday, said that micro-enterprises will be established in the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the country.

The minister disclosed this in Abuja at the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) General Assembly with the theme: Strategic Positioning for the Future: A New Era.

The minister, who was represented by Simon Tyungu, deputy director, office of the minister, said that the establishment of the micro-enterprise was conceived to cushion the effect of the current economic situation.

Akume also applauded the role played by ALGON during COVID-19 pandemic in bringing stimulus to the people at the grassroots in spite of their limited resources.

Federal Government, Academic Staff Union of Universities Meet To Review Implementation Of Agreements

Precious Obazee
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0
Federal Government, Academic Staff Union of Universities Meet To Review Implementation Of Agreements

The federal government has fixed a meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Thursday, to consider progress made in the implementation of agreements reached to suspend the nine-month-old strike.

A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press, Charles Akpan said the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige will be meeting with the ASUU leadership today.

In the agreement reached with ASUU, the federal government had accepted among others, the union’s demand to pay lecturers’ salaries withheld during their strike.

It also approved the release of N40 billion as Earned Allowances to university workers, and N30 billion as revitalisation fund to fix dilapidated infrastructure in the institutions.

Other agreements for which timelines for their implementation were contained in the agreement signed include; setting up of new Visitation Panels for universities and embarking on measures to check proliferation of state universities and poor funding by state governments.

Nigeria to establish trade remedies authority to boost AFCFTA

Henry Williams
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0
Nigeria to establish trade remedies authority to boost AFCFTA

The Nigerian government says efforts are ongoing to establish trade remedies authority to enforce rules of origin and tighten borders against fraudulent invoicing that could arise from the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA).

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, disclosed this during a recent visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, as part of the nationwide sensitisation by the National Action Committee on the AFCFTA.

According to Adebayo, the Federal Government is committed to establishing a competent authority to administer the AFCFTA rules of origin as well as automating the process for managing exporter and product registration.

The minister said the National Action Committee, which he chairs, is collaborating with the National Trade Facilitation Committee domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to facilitate the execution of the regional trade facilitation roadmap.

He highlighted the AfCFTA implementation plans to include the domestication of the AFCFTA agreement, border enforcement and rules of origin enforcement, trade facilitation and ease of doing business, production and service capacity growth, power and trade logistics infrastructure, market access, skills and human capacity development, and quality infrastructure.

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