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Bullets won’t solve banditry —Adamu Garba

Cleopatra Okohai
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Bullets won’t solve banditry —Adamu Garba

Former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba, on Friday, said raining bullets on bandits won’t end the security menace in the country.

Garba was reacting to the abduction of over 300 schoolgirls from Jangebe in Zamfara State by gunmen suspected to be bandits.

The rate of mass abduction of students by bandits in the north has become alarming in recent times. Just a week ago, bandits kidnapped dozens of students and workers of Government Science College in Kagara, Niger State. 

Read Also: Not all bandits are criminals – Matawalle

Bandits had also last year kidnapped over 300 schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State. Aside from Kankara and Kagara, non-state actors had also abducted hundreds of secondary school girls from Chibok, in Borno State; and Dapchi in Yobe State.

In a string of tweets on Friday, Garba said until the root cause of banditry was addressed, the country might be perpetually plagued with attacks by bandits.

He wrote, “We can stay here and keep trending #RescueJangebeGirls (but) as long as we refuse to accept that the insecurity in the north is pushed by the high level of injustice by the northern elite against the ordinary people, not even (the) U.S. (United States) can fix this issue with bullets.

 “It is on all available records that Boko Haram emerged 90% out of social neglect than ideology. It seems we haven’t learnt a lesson.

“Instead of us to try and correct the problem, we went with state power to fight and kill. Government yet again think using bullets will solve banditry. Sad.

“The political elites can keep pretending. But as long as the deep level of neglect and injustice has reached a point of betrayal of trust, we may continue to witness security issues to the point where our armed forces will get tired. We must get into the mud and fix our problems.”

It had earlier reported that popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi; Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle; amongst other members of the northern elite pushed for amnesty for bandits as against the military clampdown on the criminals with firepower.

But the President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had said that his regime will deal decisively with bandits and terrorists, ruling out any possibility of granting them amnesty.

States set for battle with Biden administration over transgender athletes

Henry Williams
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States set for battle with Biden administration over transgender athletes

The Biden administrations stance on transgender athletes is set trigger a legal faceoff over whether biological male athletes competing on female high school and college sports teams.

The issue began on day One of Biden’s presidency when he signed an executive order mandating any school that accepts federal funds allow transgender men to play on women’s sports teams.

The law is aimed at “preventing and combating discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.”

In opposition to the law 13 state legislatures recently began deliberating various laws that would dramatically limit the availability of athletic opportunities for biological men who identify as women.

House committee in Utah approved language in a bill that would force all schools in the state to segregate all athletics by biological sex.

Any schools public or private found in noncompliance of the law would be subject to legal action or a loss in funding. While north Dakota House of Representatives passed a bill barring high school athletes from participating in sports against those who aren’t a member of their biological sex.

Sarah Perry, a former attorney for the Department of Education and legal fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation is reported to have said that Because the Biden order goes into effect 100 days after it’s signed,  state legislators are working overtime because until the federal agencies that directly implicate local citizens like student-athletes start moving, they have a very short window to pass their own legislation.

She further said that it would lead to a conflict analysis between the power of the executive branch and the state legislator, particularly on issues concerned with education.

Critics of the Biden administration point to cases in Connecticut in which biological men won 15 state women’s championship titles and 17 school records resulting in Students in that state filing a lawsuit against the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference for sex discrimination, arguing that allowing biological men to compete against them violates Title IX and cost them opportunities to earn scholarships.

Republicans, and a few Democrats across the country like former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, have scrambled to stop what they say is the effective end of women’s sports.

I’m afraid Malami won’t let Bawa succeed – Sagay

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I’m afraid Malami won’t let Bawa succeed – Sagay

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), says he is afraid that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), will interfere in the duties of the new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, and prevent him from succeeding.

Sagay said this during an interview on Wednesday while reacting to Bawa’s confirmation by the Senate.

The PACAC chairman, who was a staunch supporter of former acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said Malami is a politician and must not be allowed to directly control the activities of the EFCC as this could derail the anti-corruption war of the Federal Government.

The senior advocate, who had in 2019 led a delegation to the Senate to push for Magu’s confirmation, stated that Malami had become too powerful.

On the independence of the EFCC, Sagay said, “This issue is a very big question because I noticed that they both come from the same state of Kebbi and they may even be related. For me, that is not a very healthy thing because the chairman of the EFCC and the EFCC are supposed to be independent.

“They are not politicians, they are trained security officers. The attorney-general is a politician who has all the weaknesses and loads of a politician. He has people he is obliged to. He has people who are close to him. Some of them may be criminals who might have committed crimes. In fact, some of them may deliberately do things because they think they know the attorney-general.

“So, in such a situation, if Bawa is related to the attorney-general, then there will be a problem because he will not be able to do his job freely because the attorney-general will certainly interfere. He has already indicated his tendency to interfere in both the EFCC and the ICPC with the regulations he purported to make months ago. So, I am not comfortable at all that the possibility that they might be related.”

The PACAC chairman maintained that Malami had never been inclined to support the independence of anti-graft agencies.

Sagay argued that he had made his position known several times but unfortunately, Malami’s powers had continued to increase.

“Malami has never been inclined to allow the anti-corruption agencies to operate freely. He is always sitting on their neck one way or the other. I have complained about that several times and nothing has happened. In fact, he has become more powerful. So, I will not be comfortable if they are related. I don’t want any outside influence on the EFCC or the ICPC.”

While admitting that he did not know Bawa personally, Sagay said he was impressed by his curriculum vitae and background.
He said since Magu had been removed, it was time for all parties to move on and ensure that Bawa succeeds.

Sagay stated, “I don’t really know him. I have just read what has been said about him and he seems to have impressive credentials and a fairly good record from what I read apart from this issue of trucks which the EFCC has denied on his behalf.

“So, inasmuch as the removal of Magu to me looks unsatisfactory, we have to move on and if he is as good as his credentials indicate, then I think the future looks promising for the EFCC.”

Niger abductors: We’ll starve schoolboys to death

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Niger abductors: We’ll starve schoolboys to death

Abductors of the 27 students and 15 workers of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, have threatened to starve them to death if the ransom they are demanding is not paid on time.

One of the abductors stated this in an audio recording made available to one of our correspondents on Wednesday by a prominent Islamic cleric.

In the audio recording, the abductor, who spoke in Hausa, was heard conversing with a negotiator, identified by Gumi as a top official of the school.

He rejected N2.7m offered him as ransom for the 27 abductees.

The bandit stated, “I don’t have food for them. If anybody dies among them, we will tell you where to go and pick the corpse.

“You know these children are hungry. I don’t have food to give them, only water if they are going to die, let them die.”

The negotiator said it would be difficult for him to get the phone numbers of all the parents as requested by the bandits.

The bandit responded that he was aware that many security agents and vehicles had been deployed in Kagara, vowing they would not succeed in rescuing the abductees.

He asked,  “You think I don’t know what you people are doing? I can tell you how many security vehicles are in Kagara as we speak.

“It is with the help of the people of the city that intruders can overrun the city. Don’t you know that? The person who gave us this business is there among you. He is there with you. Wherever you go, he is watching you. If you want to do this deal, go ahead. From God we come and to him we will return

“Even if you put together the entire security forces of Nigeria in Kagara, I have eyes all over Kagara. Whichever step you take in Nigeria, I swear,  I will know. You people are saying they should not pay us, that if they pay us, we will use to money to buy weapons.  With whose money did we buy our weapons? If we don’t have weapons, you will just send security agents to kill us and take the children.”

Appealing to the bandit, the negotiator stated, “They (parents) have agreed to pay N2.7m. Each parent will pay N100,000 .”

But the abductor rejected the offer threatening to unleash terror on Kagara.

The abductor stated, “If I want Kagara to be in peace, it will be in peace. If it is not going to be in peace, it will go in pieces from here until Ilorin. If I die in this process, I have children that I have instructed that if I die that I don’t want Kagara to be peaceful if you don’t do as I say. Even if I die, nobody will come into Kagara.”

He also berated governors, who said they should not be paid ransom.

He added, “Governors are saying we should not be given money because we are going to use it to buy guns; guns that Allah provides and you are boasting about.

PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO ORDERS SHUT DOWN OF LGBTQ OFFICE

Henry Williams
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PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO ORDERS SHUT DOWN OF LGBTQ OFFICE

Protagonists of the LGBTQ now with an I agenda are not resting on their plans to infiltrate Africa especially with Angola the latest African country to legitimize the toxic ideology.

However countries like Ghana are not yielding to pressure from the international community as President Akufo-Addo recently ordered the shutdown of the office of Lesbians Gays Bisexuals Transgender Queer Intersex (LGBTQI) group at Tesano in Accra.

Reports say a combined team of heavily armed policemen and plain cloth National Security officials stormed the LGBTQ office and ordered all operations and activities ceased immediately and occupants asked to vacate the building with immediate effect.

The closure was confirmed by Moses Foh Amoaning, the Executive Secretary of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values.

The coalition is made up of the Christian Council and the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Muslim community as well as the traditional rulers, making it a tripartite group fighting the LGBTQI agenda in Ghana.

It’s a fight that must be won as global bodies like the united Nations (UN) and its donor agencies continue to mount pressure on African nations using aid in exchange for their compliance.

Pro-life activist’s hold  that the LGBTQI ideology is targeted at Africa for population control and in the end promote a new way of life were tradition family values are exchanged for faith in science and ultimately government.

10 Great tips your health will appreciate

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10 Great tips your health will appreciate

When it comes to health and nutrition, we all get confused because of the so many information out there. Even qualified experts often seem to hold opposing opinions.

Yet, despite all the disagreements, a number of wellness tips are well supported by research.

Here are health and nutrition tips that are actually based on good science.

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1. Don’t drink sugar calories

Sugary drinks are among the most fattening items you can put into your body.

This is because your brain doesn’t measure calories from liquid sugar the same way it does for solid food.

Therefore, when you drink soda, you end up eating more total calories.

Sugary drinks are strongly associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many other health problems.

2. Avoid processed junk food (eat real food instead)

Processed junk food is incredibly unhealthy. These foods have been engineered to trigger your pleasure centres, so they trick your brain into overeating — even promoting food addiction in some people.

They’re usually low in fibre, protein, and micronutrients but high in unhealthy ingredients like added sugar and refined grains. Thus, they provide mostly empty calories.

3. Get enough sleep

The importance of getting enough quality sleep cannot be overstated.

Poor sleep can drive insulin resistance, disrupt your appetite hormones, and reduce your physical and mental performance.

What’s more, poor sleep is one of the strongest individual risk factors for weight gain and obesity.

4. Drink some water, especially before meals

Drinking enough water can have numerous benefits.

Surprisingly, it can boost the number of calories you burn.

Two studies note that it can increase metabolism by 24–30% over 1–1.5 hours. This can amount to 96 additional calories burned if you drink 8.4 cups (2 litres) of water per day.

5. Eat vegetables and fruits

Vegetables and fruits are loaded with prebiotic fibre, vitamins, minerals, and many antioxidants, some of which have potent biological effects.

Studies show that people who eat the most vegetables and fruits live longer and have a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other illnesses.

6. Do some cardio

Doing aerobic exercise, also called cardio, is one of the best things you can do for your mental and physical health.

It’s particularly effective at reducing belly fat, the harmful type of fat that builds up around your organs. Reduced belly fat should lead to major improvements in metabolic health.

7. Don’t smoke or do drugs, and only drink in moderation

If you smoke or abuse drugs, tackle those problems first. Diet and exercise can wait.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation and consider avoiding it completely if you tend to drink too much.

8. Minimize your sugar intake

Added sugar is one of the worst ingredients in the modern diet, as large amounts can harm your metabolic health.

High sugar intake is linked to numerous ailments, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many forms of cancer.

9. Lift heavy things

Lifting weights is one of the best things you can do to strengthen your muscles and improve your body composition.

It also leads to massive improvements in metabolic health, including improved insulin sensitivity.

The best approach is to lift weights, but doing bodyweight exercises can be just as effective.

10. Use plenty of herbs and spices

Many incredibly healthy herbs and spices exist.

For example, ginger and turmeric both have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, leading to various health benefits.

Due to their powerful benefits, you should try to include as many herbs and spices as possible in your diet.

11. Take care of your relationships

Social relationships are incredibly important not only for your mental well-being but also your physical health.

Studies show that people who have close friends and family are healthier and live much longer than those who do not.

12. If you have excess belly fat, get rid of it

Belly fat is particularly harmful.

It accumulates around your organs and is strongly linked to metabolic disease.

For this reason, your waist size may be a much stronger marker of your health than your weight.

Cutting carbs and eating more protein and fiber are all excellent ways to get rid of belly fat.

7 common risk factors that can contribute to infertility

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7 common risk factors that can contribute to infertility

We know that women choose to start their families later in life as they are focusing on establishing their careers before having babies, but age is only one of the factors affecting fertility. So, what else could be causing these declining fertility rates?

While infertility is no blame game, it’s important to know that the problem doesn’t always solely lie with the female partner. There are many factors that can cause infertility in men as well.

 See Also: Common foods that will give you energy

The Risk Factors Which Could Contribute To A Couple’s Infertility Include:

  • Age. A woman’s fertility declines with age, especially from her mid-30s. This is due to the number and quality of her eggs declining and to health problems that may interfere with fertility. In addition, the sperm count of older men is often lower, reducing fertility and the chances of conception.
  • Being overweight. If an individual is overweight and lives a sedentary lifestyle with little exercise, this may increase the risk of infertility. In addition, a man’s sperm count may be affected if he is overweight.
  • Being underweight. Women who have eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia, are at risk of fertility problems, as are women who follow a very low calorie or restrictive diet.
  • Tobacco use. If either partner is a smoker, a couple’s chances of falling pregnant are reduced. Miscarriages are more frequent in couples who smoke. Smoking can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and reduce sperm count in men.
  • Alcohol use. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of birth defects in babies, and may also make it more difficult to become pregnant. For men, heavy alcohol use can cause a decrease in sperm count and mobility.
  • Underlying health conditions such as large uterine fibroids can affect a woman’s chance of falling pregnant.
  • The side effects of some medication can affect one’s fertility. This is why it is important for both partners to mention any prescription medication they are taking, including herbal medicines, to their doctor so that alternative treatment options can be discussed.

Wife of Drug Kingpin El Chapo, Arrested On International Drug Trafficking Charges.

faith Jegede
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Wife of Drug Kingpin El Chapo, Arrested On International Drug Trafficking Charges.

Emma Coronel, 31 year old wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin ‘El chapo’ Guzman has been arrested on charges of international drug trafficking and conspiring to help her husband escape in 2015.

The arrest was made yesterday February 22,2021 at Dulles international airport Virginia. Emma is scheduled to make her first appearance in a federal court today via video conferencing.

According to court documents, Coronel is charged with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, heroin marijuana and cocaine which is imported into the U.S. Additionally, she is alleged to have conspired with others to help her husband escape from Altiplano prison in Mexico in July 2015.

Coronel, who is a U.S-Mexican citizen was born in Santa Clara, California but grew up in the “Golden Triangle” of Mexico’s Sierra Madre, where she reportedly met El Chapo at a local festival at the age of 17. The drug lord was already 51 at the time.

Emma Coronel tried her hands on social media influencing and reality television very much unlike other people in her situation. She shares a set of 9 year twins with her husband.

Her arrest is said to likely further complicate already complicated relations between the Joe Biden administration and his Mexican counterpart Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and comes as security cooperation between Mexico and the US appear to have cooled.

All the amazing benefits of turmeric for pregnant and breastfeeding moms

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All the amazing benefits of turmeric for pregnant and breastfeeding moms

Known as the ‘Queen of Spices’, turmeric has a number of powerful medicinal benefits. The golden, pungent spice has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, antidepressant, anti-ageing and anti-carcinogenic properties. But is it safe for pregnant or breastfeeding moms?

Scientifically known as Curcuma Ionga, turmeric root has been used in India as a medicinal component in Ayurveda, a medical and health system that has been around for about 5 000 years. More recently, scientific studies have been done on curcumin, the main bioactive ingredient in Tumeric.

According to tumericforhealth.com, oral turmeric supplements are not considered to be safe during pregnancy, as it could stimulate the uterus, which could increase the risk of miscarriage.

However, University of Maryland Medical Center states that turmeric in low doses as a spice is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women to consume, and has a number of health benefits. Do not use this spice if you are prone to bleeding disorders, or are allergic. Speak to your doctor or caregiver if you are unsure.

Turmeric acts as an immune booster, as it contains anti-bacterial and antiviral properties.

Benefits in pregnancy

 A dash of turmeric in your food, or in a glass of milk can:

  • Ease joint pain and inflammation
  • Help prevent constipation and maintains healthy levels of bacteria in the gut
  • Help improve immunity
  • Help detox the liver and purify the blood
  • Help maintain healthy blood sugar and lipid levels

Benefits for breastfeeding

A dash of turmeric in your food, or in a glass of milk can:

  1. Act as an immune booster, as it contains anti-bacterial and antiviral properties.
  2. Help reduce the risk of mastitis, as it helps reduce inflammation.
  3. Help beat the blues as it works as an anti-depressant. Turmeric improves brain function, improves memory and dopamine levels.
  4. Help promote digestion as it helps in the production of bile and keeps gas and bloating in check.
  5. Have a natural painkilling effect, so helps to heal your body from the inside out.
  6. Be used as a galactogogue. Turmeric is widely used in India to boost the production of breastmilk. While this has not been scientifically proven, it is believed to help due to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
  7. Help improve your cholesterol levels, as curcumin improves the lining of your blood vessels, and helps prevent heart disease.
  8. Help boost blood circulation and aid in general good health.

Turmeric is widely used in India to boost the production of breastmilk

Don’t want to eat it? Try these home pregnancy beauty remedies instead:

  1. Mix turmeric and curd into a paste and apply over your stretch marks. Leave for 15 minutes and then wash off.
  2. Blend cucumber, add lime juice and turmeric powder to make a paste. Apply to any areas with hyper-pigmentation. Wash off after 20 minutes. Turmeric is believed to prevent melanin production and helps lighten the skin tone.
  3. A paste of turmeric and water works well on acne-prone skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
  4. Drinking a dash of turmeric in milk with a drizzle of honey (every few days or so), helps cleanse impurities in your system and gives a clear complexion.

Shasha Crisis: Prices of perishable goods triple in Ibadan

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Shasha Crisis: Prices of perishable goods triple in Ibadan

The recent crisis that engulfed Shasha Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital is causing scarcity of perishable goods in the ancient city.

The scarcity has also led to the increment in prices of perishable goods.

Recall that Shasha Market, which is the major market for perishable goods like pepper, onions, tomatoes and other food ingredients in Ibadan, was penultimate Friday engulfed with crisis.

The market located in Akinyele local government area of Oyo State, has been in existence for over three decades.

Majority of those who sell tomatoes, pepper and onions at retail prices in some parts of Ibadan such as Opopo-Yeosa, Ita-Merin, Sango and Oje buy at wholesale from Shasha Market.

Though checks revealed that some of the sellers of perishable goods have temporarily relocated to an open place at Bodija market, prices have skyrocketed.

Investigation revealed that a size of tomato that usually goes for two thousand naira before the crisis is now sold at the rate of four thousand naira.

The same scenario was observed by our correspondent at the temporary space occupied by those who sell onions and pepper.

An Ibadan indigene, identified as Mr. Daramola, told our correspondent at the weekend that, “I grew up to know the Shasha Market. When we were young, my mother usually went to Shasha to buy pepper and sell at Opopo-Yeosa. She will leave around 5.am even before we wake up.

“She is not the only one, the women who sell at Opopo-Yeosa, Ita-Merin and other markets usually go there to buy things. I am talking about 80s, over thirty years ago and the market has been in existence before then.”

A civil servant who spoke with our correspondent at the weekend noted that the increment was a result of the crisis which led to the closure of the market.

“Things have gone up now. Since last Friday, the prices of perishable goods have increased. I bought this thing last week at the rate of N100, they told me that it is N150 now. Just last week.

“You see, it is because of the crisis, some Hausa said that they are going back. They are the ones bringing these things, the market is closed, where will they sell it? Those perishable goods are scarce now.”

A sociologist at the University of Ibadan, Mr. Saheed Isiaka said that the retail price of perishable goods in his area has increased.

He said, “Yes, I noticed it, though I have not been to Bodija market to see the differences, but buying tomatoes and the likes from retailers in my area took a drastic turn last Friday evening.”

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