Nigerian Senate Passes Amendment To Electoral Act

The Senate Thursday passed amendments to the  Electoral Act 2010, approving the use of electronic voting in future elections.
It also approved that election results should be electronically transmitted to collation centers.

The passage of bill followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on a Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 and for other related matters (SB 231 and SB 234).

Major highlights of the new bill include provision for the use of electronic voting by INEC during future elections, use of Card Reader and also gives INEC power to modify the voting process if there is a challenge.

The Senate also approved a provision to enable INEC transmit the result of elections electronically in an encrypted and secured manner to prevent hacking.

To address the incident that happened in Kogi State, during last gubernatorial election, the amended Electoral Act provides that if a candidate dies before results of elections are declared, the results will not only remain valid but belongs to the political party that lost its candidate.

It also added that in such a scenario, the INEC should suspend the elections for 21 days during which period the affected political party will conduct fresh primaries to choose a new candidate.

The Bill also gives political parties power to adopt direct or indirect primaries in choosing their flag bearers, while qualification of disqualification of candidates for elections will be solely based on the Constitution.

In his comments after the adoption of the report by the Red Chamber, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, thanked his colleagues for a job well done and expressed optimism that the Bill would further improve the nation’s electoral system and also contribute to good governance.

Saraki said: “Distinguished colleagues, let me thank all of you for this job well done. I want to particularly thank the members of the Committee on INEC and particularly the former chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Kyari,  Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and all the members of the committee who have worked very hard to ensure the passage of this very important bill which addresses our electoral process and goes on to strengthen our democracy.

“We have touched on new areas which I believe will improve the credibility of our elections and by so doing, definitely improve our democracy and good governance.

“Most importantly, I think, are some of the new sections we have added, in the area of technology, the smart card reader, and particularly the area of collation which has been an area of great concern.

“Collation of results after the polling units and some of the additions we put on the electronic way by which the compilation of results can be done, I think will go a long way to reduce some of the irregularities we have seen before.

“This is a great work you have been able to put together today and I want to commend everybody. I am also happy that we have passed the amendments very early. My concern has always been that if we don’t do it now, it will get more difficult as we get blowed to the 2019 elections.

“We hope that with this Bill that we have passed, very soon, we will sit together with the House of Representatives to be able to get the copy to the President for assent.

“I think when signed into law, it will enable INEC to have something to work early enough. I think what we have done today will really put our electoral law among the best that we have and it will go a long way in improving our electoral process,” he said.

END

Signed:

Sanni Onogu
Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President

In Memory of Hon Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi (1) By Isiaka Kehinde

Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi: the immortal African project (being part of 59th years celebrations of the life and time of Hon Gbadamosi Oduola Adelabu Adegoke (Penkelemesi).

This post is the beginning of a series that is packaged for ten weeks for your weekend delight and comments. It is a collection of worldview aimed at beaming a searchlight on the life of a man who bestrode Africa like a colossus, left so early but has refused to leave our memories. A coronation of moral teachings of those instrumental values that have made the philosophical Penkelemesi an infuential with a significant influence on mankind as well as Critical Evaluation of a meaningful existence that serves as a pointer as to how we can all "be" to "inspire"others.

According to him "to be, is to do".  It will also look in depth into the political value game in contrast with today's political "power game ". Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi like Montesquieu "was born, achieved and died"  His work begun, and advanced to maturity but very much unlike Montesquieu, his was "not finished". His works, cut in his prime, after 59 years of departure, now continue in grand style as his children and grand sires have resolved to keep the flag flying.

Today's edition is captioned " what  the talking drum amplified of the exploits of Adelabu Adegoke Penkelemesi.

It burrowed into the theory of cultural identity and how it grooms the motif for promotion of African understanding of personal values inherent in an "Omoluabi".  

Below are the cultural identity of the man Adegoke Adelabu vividly caught in the language of the drummers of the yester years and the events that spurred such reactions.

"Adelabu Adegoke
      O se falejo , o se fonile
           Adelabu, ibi to ba wa ile re"

This is to eulogise his chivalry and selflessness which has made him "a true torch in the darkness".

"Kosenatu ti bimo (2ce)
       Iyawo  Olope t Adelabu gba
             Kosenatu ti bimo
                    E o ribi (2ce)".

When his only surviving wife Mama Kosenatu gave birth to her first child. It is to praise God for the gift of the new baby and to deride political opponents of Penkelemesi.

"Adelabu A b'oosun ni?
      Oorun we niwaju Adajo"

To wake an apparently fatigued Adelabu during one of his court cases as a mark of solidarity. He won the case.

"Adelabu ko ku o, (2ce)
      Oke Mapo Ladelabu wa
               Adelabu ko ku o"

Saying that Adelabu only relocated to the top of Mapo Hill, not dead. Meaning that it was imponderable to even imagine, not to say, that Adelabu could die like a mere mortal. This shows how steep Adelabu was held in the minds of his teeming admirers.

"Adelabu maa kowo wa na (2ce)
         Igunnu lo ni Tapa,
                Tapa lo ni ogunnu
                        Maa kowo wa na"

Even they say you embezzle our money, you have our consent, go ahead (Adelabu was so loved and appreciated that he was considered to be infallible.

"Adelabu n se be be (2ce)
       Eni ti ko dun mo
            Ko o fori sole,
                 Adelabu n se be be"

Adelabu is Performing wonders, who so ever is disatissfied can knock  his or head against the ground.

"Adelabu Adegoke Penkelemesi (3ce)"

This has till date remained a signature tune to welcome the "Adelabus" into a social  gathering. I noticed this with pleasure when Oloye Adelabu Adebayo Adekola entered the venue of annual memorial / lecture event for the late Penkelemesi  yesterday.

..................    

watch out for  series next Sunday  on "the role  of youth as true  Agents of change: Adelabu Adegoke's perspective.

Happy Birthday Wishes To Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde, Mr Ethics

Happy Birthday celebrations to Alh Isiaka Kehinde (Mr Ethics).

A man of exemplary character, intellectual prowess and a meticulous team player who deserves all the accolades on this wonderful day as it marks a day this great ethical figure came to birth.

This day should mark a day to enforce Ethical value in our society, especially in Oyo state, from cradle to adulthood.

He has touched lives no doubt with his beautifully crafted ethically inclined posts and write-ups scattered across the entire media centers. He has imparted in my life in no small ways, unquantifiable and he's not relenting any time soon either. Every day marks a new beginning in his life accomplishments. Not many men are born with such congenital character and discipline to help others during their trying times and pave a way for people to succeed in life and achieve their life goals.

Using the famous Guinness advert phrase; Alhaji Isiaka Kehinde Ethics is a great man.

The 59th Annual Memorial Prayer/Lecture for Adegoke Adelabu

It was a memorable event yesterday at Oke Oluokun in Ibadan at the historic Taj Mahal, Adegoke Adelabu Foundation Headquarters for the 59th year Annual Memorial Prayer/Lecture Events of the sage Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemesi.

In attendance were top top dignitaries across all ramifications; The Executive Governor of Oyo State Senator Abiola Ajimobi ably represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Oloye Olalekan Ali, also in attendance is the Olubadan of Ibadan Land himself Oba Saliu Adetunji (Aje Ogungunuso (1) ably represented by Oloye 'Lekan Alabi who doubled as the Chairman of Adegoke Adelabu Foundation (AAF) Board.

Welcome address was delivered by the president AAF Executive Council, Alh Nurudeen Adelabu. We were then sent back to the past, the realm of the sage by the Matriarch herself, Alhaja Kosenat Adelabu, the only surviving wife of Adegoke, she eulogized Adelabu Penkelemesi with so much passion like he died few days ago, she also sang beautifully to our listening pleasure.

"Adelabu Adegoke ose falejo ose fonile, Adelabu ibi to ba wa ile're"

Otunba Gbade Oyebanji also raised panegyrics and honors in respect of the sage.

Oloye 'Lekan Alabi pontificated the uniqueness of Taj Mahal and emphasized how the sage stayed in his home even when he attained a national status and didn't envisage relocating unlike our regular politicians.

The lecture was delivered by Prof. S.A. Olagoke and it centered on 'The Roles of Youths in the Promotion of Peace and Progress'.

It capped a memorable event which Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadan Land, Oloye Adelabu Adebayo was notably present and his aura on display was a true indication of his magnificent personality as the scion of the Adegoke Adelabu Dynasty.

Also present at the event was Alh Daud Bashir Yusuf, Alh Isiaka Kehinde, Mr Ibukun Ogunniran and  a host of other dignitaries, where Mr Yinka Adelabu and Prince Olumide Adeniyi were the Chief Hosts of a momentous event.

Adelabu oku o, Adelabu oku o, oke mapo la'delabu wa, Adelabu oku o

Ahmad Ahmad Has Been Elected As New CAF President

Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar has been elected as the new President of the Confederation of African Football today in Addis Ababa.

Ahmad got 34 votes against Issa Hayatou’s who got 20 votes.

The election was held in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital.

Ahmad is the president of the Madagascar Football Federation while Hayatou has been CAF president since 1988.

Lecturer Slaps UNILORIN SUG President

The drama ensued at the UNILORIN C.B.T center when a lecturer from the faculty of Engineering slapped Comrade Shobowale Lukman (Eminent), the Students Union President, while he was mediating on behalf of some students who were inappropriately delayed in writing their exams.

According to report who claim anonymity, it happened around 4:20pm, when some students from the department of Nursing, College of health sciences who have been waiting since 9am, approached the students union president to intercede on their behalf in a bid to write their examinations after a long wait.

The students union president, in the spirit of solidarity, proceeded to the appropriate body with the aim to make dialogue with the exam coordinators, so the 50 Nursing students write their exams to prevent them from missing the bus scheduled to take them back to their faculty.

It was in this process that the Sub-dean, faculty of engineering, Dr. Ajiboye slapped him after he politely approached and introduced himself while trying to meet with the C.B.T Secretary, Dr. Tomori.

Dr. Ajiboye rudely shooed him off and while he (Eminent) stepped aside, to converse with his colleague, the said lecturer approached him and questioned him as to why he decided to murmur after he has spoken and he then slapped him.

We also gathered that this turn of events resulted in an uproar from the students and it took the quick thinking of Students Union president to calm the already angry students who were ready to cause a bigger scene at the center.

Dr. Ajiboye’s action has really violated the ethics of the school, and the situation should be looked into by the disciplinary committee, in a bid to forestall future occurrences.

While we spoke to some students, who witnessed the scene, many described it as an ”aberration and injustice” on the part of the lecturer, as that would not be the first time such act would be perpetrated by either teaching and non-teaching staffs of the school.

A Feast of Colour As Hindus Celebrates Holi In India

Holi , the festival of colours, marks the beginning of spring in India.

One of the biggest Hindu festivals,  Holi holds a mythological importance - that of the triumph of good over evil. It is also associated with the eternal love of Lord Krishna and his consort Radha.

The festival of Holi brings together people of all classes and ages, who sing and dance, hand out sweets, and splash colours over friends and loved ones.

Here below are more wonderful pictures from the festival.

Pictures courtesy Aljazeera;

Trump Signs Revised Executive Order On Immigrants Travel Ban

President Donald Trump signed a revised executive order on Monday banning citizens from six Muslim-majority nations from traveling to the United States but removing Iraq from the list, after his controversial first attempt was blocked in the courts.

According to REUTERS, the new order, which takes effect on March 16, keeps a 90-day ban on travel to the United States by citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It applies only to new visa applicants, meaning some 60,000 people whose visas were revoked under the previous order will now be permitted to enter.

Immigration advocates said the new ban still discriminated against Muslims and failed to address some of their key concerns with the previous order. Legal experts said it would, however, be harder to challenge because it affects fewer people living in the United States and allows more exemptions to protect them.

Trump, who first proposed a temporary travel ban on Muslims during his presidential campaign last year, had said his original Jan. 27 executive order was a national security measure meant to head off attacks by Islamist militants.

It sparked chaos and protests at airports, where visa holders were detained and later deported back to their home countries. It also drew criticism from targeted countries, Western allies and some of America's leading corporations before a U.S. judge suspended it on Feb. 3.

The 30 Richest Countries In The World

Some of the smallest countries in the world continue to dominate the list of the world's richest countries, an analysis by Global Finance Magazine shows.

The ranking was published in February 2017 and based on data from the International Monetary Fund.

The magazine ranked the world's countries according to their gross domestic product (GDP) based on purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita.

The PPP takes into account the relative cost of living and the inflation rates of the countries to compare living standards among the different nations.

The small countries that dominate the top ten all have small populations compared to countries that lead the world purely in terms of GDP — such as the United States, China, or Germany.

Most of these small nations heavily depend on immigrant workers who often do not reside in the country they are working in or are not granted resident status, and are therefore not counted in the GDP per capita calculations.

15 of the 30 richest countries in the world are in Europe, while big some big economies such as the US, Japan, and Canada also made the cut.

The GDP per capita listed represents the amount of wealth produced in 2016 and is expressed in international dollars.

1. Qatar

Current International Dollars:  129,512

2. Luxembourg

Current International Dollars:  100,991

3. Macao

Current International Dollars:  87,845

4. Singapore

Current International Dollars:  86,854

5. Brunei Darussalam

Current International Dollars:  77,662

6. Kuwait

Current International Dollars:  70,587

7. Ireland

Current International Dollars:  69,374

8. Norway

Current International Dollars:  69,031

9. United Arab Emirates

Current International Dollars:  67,947

10. San Marino

Current International Dollars:  64,465

Others are:

11

Switzerland

59,375

12

Hong Kong

58,094

13

United States

57,293

14

Saudi Arabia

54,078

15

Netherlands

50,846

16

Bahrain

50,302

17

Sweden

49,678

18

Australia

48,806

19

Germany

48,189

20

Iceland

48,070

21

Austria

47,856

22

Taiwan

47,790

23

Denmark

46,602

24

Canada

46,239

25

Belgium

44,881

26

Oman

43,737

27

United Kingdom

42,513

28

France

42,384

29

Finland

41,812

30

Japan

38,893

And of course, Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa is rated 130th with Current International Dollars worth 5,929.

Thugs Cut-Off INEC Official's Hand In Rivers State

Political thugs have allegedly chopped the hand of an Independent National Electoral Commission’s officer in Igbo-Etche area of Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, in the supplementary legislative poll.

according to reports from The Punch, the second officer to the victim was abducted by the thugs and has not been rescued.

The victim whose name has not been identified as of press time was taken to the INEC headquarters in Port Harcourt drenched in his blood.

Jay Z Becomes The First Rapper To Be Inducted Into The Songwriters Hall of Fame

Jay Z has made history by becoming the very first rapper ever chosen to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. By breaking this record, Jay Z has given other rappers hope of someday becoming inductees.

The Songwriters Hall announced on Wednesday Feb. 22nd that Jay Z will be inducted into the Hall at the organization’s 48th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner will take place on June 15 in New York.

Other songwriters who will be inducted include; Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, Max Martin, songwriting-production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Gordy, and members of the band Chicago Robert Lamm, James Pankow and Peter Cetera. Joining the Hall of Fame is a great honour, one given only to artists who are considered to have “enriched the world’s culture”, with people like Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan and Marvin Gaye previously making it into the Hall.

Only five songwriters, or songwriting groups, are inducted each year, so it is understandable that Jay Z is excited about this honour.

The entertainment mogul took to his Twitter account to share the good news. He wrote: “By the way, this is a win for US. I remember when rap was said to be a fad . We are now alongside some of the greatest writers in history.”

Diddy Becomes Hip Hop's First Billionaire

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs took to YouTube to share the very much anticipated news most of us have long been clamouring for: He's finally a billionaire!

The video started with Diddy have lunch and after a few bites, he walks straight into another office and dropped the bombshell.

"A young boy from Harlem, I couldn't even be a waiter. They didn't want me to be a waiter, so you know what I did? I became a billionaire"

We wish him a hearty congratulations!

Here's the link to the video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/oHebtTGzisY

Millions Of Lives Are At Risk In West Africa's Lake Chad Basin

Aid agencies today warned that lives are at risk unless there is a substantial increase in funds to help over seven million people facing hunger in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

The warning from Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) comes as the UN, governments and donors meet in Oslo, Norway to pledge funds to tackle the crisis that wracks an area known as the Lake Chad Basin. The UN has appealed for $1.5 billion to meet the emergency needs in 2017. Last year’s appeal was only 52 per cent funded.

According to Pauline Ballaman, who happens to be Oxfam’s head of operations in the Lake Chad Basin area, said: “The risk of famine is real in parts of northern Nigeria. Millions of people have been pushed to the brink after years of conflict. Unable to grow or buy food, or get the help they desperately need, many have died.

"Aid has managed to make some people's lives better - but without urgent funding and access to areas where people are cut off from aid, we could see levels of hunger and malnutrition deteriorate further and many more lives lost."

Oxfam also reported that over the last four years the conflict with Boko Haram has intensified and spread from North East Nigeria across the border into Niger, Chad and Cameroon.  Over 2.6 million people – of which 1.5 million are children – have fled their homes in search of safety and nearly 11 million people are in need of emergency aid.  In Borno State in northeast Nigeria, at least 400,000 people could be living in famine-like conditions.

Nigerian government forces have recaptured territory from Boko Haram and previously cut off areas are now more accessible revealing huge levels of suffering. But the security situation remains fragile and violence continues to make it difficult for Oxfam and other agencies to get help to all the people who need it.  Some areas remain completely inaccessible to humanitarian organizations because of ongoing military operations or because they are still under the control of Boko Haram

Meanwhile the government has announced it intends to close all camps hosting displaced people by May 2017. Many of them are already returning to areas still surrounded by fighting. Some find their home villages are still too dangerous, leaving them to seek shelter in nearby towns where there is often widespread destruction and few services or assistance available.

Cheick Ba, Country Director for NRC Nigeria, said: “We are seeing convoys of displaced people being moved back into towns the government recently reclaimed, even as fresh violence in the surrounding areas forces more people to flee. People tell us they want to go home, but only when it’s safe. We need to hear real commitment from the authorities that no one will be encouraged to go home until there is lasting security and basic services have been restored.”

People continue to experience horrific levels of human rights abuses and threats including sexual violence, abductions, killings, torture, forced recruitment, forced disappearance and arbitrary detention. In North East Nigeria, nearly one in three women report having experienced sexual violence.

Military and political objectives in the fight against Boko Haram have trumped humanitarian concerns. Collectively, governments, humanitarian organizations, and donors were slow to respond to this crisis. A large humanitarian operation is now underway and many lives have been saved. But without a massive injection of aid many lives could be lost.

Ehlena and Dog Named Wonder Win At A U.S. Supreme Court

In the U.S., a Supreme Court on Wednesday sided with a disabled Michigan girl whose school refused to let her bring her service dog to class, making it easier for students like her to seek redress for discrimination in federal court.

Reports coming in from REUTERS confirms that justices ruled 8-0 that Ehlena Fry, 13, and her parents may not be obligated to go through time-consuming administrative appeals with the local school board before suing for damages for the emotional distress she said she suffered by being denied the assistance of her dog, a goldendoodle named Wonder.

Ehlena was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that severely limited her mobility. Wonder was trained to help her balance, retrieve dropped items, open and close doors, turn on lights, take off her coat and other tasks.

"I saw with my own eyes how Wonder helped my daughter grow more self-reliant and confident," Stacy Fry, Ehlena's mother, said in a statement. "We are thankful that the Supreme Court has clarified that schools cannot treat children with disabilities differently or stand in the way of their desired independence."

The justices sent the case back to a lower appeals court to determine whether Ehlena's complaint involves the impermissible denial of a proper special education.

Nigerians In South Africa Living In Fear After Another Attack

According to ALJAZEERA, Some members of Nigeria's community in South Africa have raised concerns over renewed anti-immigrant violence, appealing to authorities to intervene before the situation gets out of control.

Nigeria's presidency on Monday called the South African government to step in to stop what it said were "xenophobic attacks" following recent reports of violence against Nigerians and other nationals in the capital, Pretoria.

The Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA) on Tuesday confirmed that Nigerian homes and businesses in Pretoria West had been attacked in several late-night incidents in recent days.

ALJAZEERA went further to report that "Homes and shops of Nigerians were targeted and looted in the events of past few days," Emeka Ezinteje Collins, national public relations officer of NUSA, confirmed, citing at least 10 such attacks.

He added: "Our people and other foreigners are apparently living in fear of the unknown as the hoodlums have promised" more attacks from Friday, when a group called the "Mamelodi concerned residents" is reportedly planning to hold a march against foreign nationals.

NUSA also said that some of its members had received threatening phone calls asking for payment to protect their houses and businesses.

"We have also received reports from our members of receiving threatening anonymous calls requesting that money be paid to avert destruction of their properties," Collins said.

"We implore the South African and Nigerian authorities to intervene early and save the situation before it spills out of hand."

In another report, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Nigerian president's advisor on foreign affairs and the diaspora, said on Monday the South African government must take "decisive and definitive measures to protect Nigerians and other African nationals" within its borders.

She also called on the African Union to weigh in on the violence, adding: "Further attacks without any reprimand may have dire consequences".

Dabiri-Erewa said there was a need for the continental body to "intervene urgently", claiming that in the last two years "about 116" Nigerians had been killed, including 20 last year.

"This is unacceptable to the people and government of Nigeria."

There was no independent verification of the claimed number of deaths.

According to NUSA, there are about 800,000 Nigerians in South Africa, many of them living in Johannesburg.

The community was hit badly by the wave of xenophobic violence that hit the country in April 2015 but South African police said only seven Nigerians died.

An independent watchdog has said 640 people died from police brutality or in custody in South Africa.

In April 2015, Nigeria recalled its top diplomat in South Africa to discuss the anti-immigrant attacks that sent hundreds of foreigners fleeing to safety camps, as authorities sent in soldiers to quell unrest in Johannesburg and Durban.

Buhari Gave Justice Ademola N500K In His Certificate Lawsuit

Embattled Justice Adeniyi Ademola allegedly got N500,000 from President Muhammadu Buhari during a lawsuit on his certificate controversy.

According to PREMIUM TIMES,
Some persons had filed a suit challenging Mr. Buhari’s candidacy prior to the 2015 elections, alleging the president had no secondary school certificate as required by law.

A witness in court said the money was given through Mr. Buhari’s former lawyer, Kola Awodeyin. The witness, however, said he does not consider the money a bribe.

Justice Ademola alongside his wife, Olubowale, and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi are currently being prosecuted by the Nigerian government for alleged corruption.

However, government charges are more like persecution because of Justice Ademola refusal to dance to the tune of Buhari’s wish to continue to incarcerate Dasuki, Kanu Nnamdi, Zakzaky and others, which the Buhari government continue to violate laws by still keeping them in detention against court ruling.

Donald Trump Names A US General As Top Security Adviser

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday named Lieutenant General Herbert Raymond McMaster as his new national security adviser, choosing a military officer known for speaking his mind and challenging his superiors.

McMaster is a highly regarded military tactician and strategic thinker, but his selection surprised some observers who wondered how the officer, whose Army career stalled at times for his questioning of authority, would deal with a White House that has not welcomed criticism.

"He is highly respected by everybody in the military and we're very honored to have him," Trump told reporters in West Palm Beach where he spent the weekend. "He's a man of tremendous talent and tremendous experience."

UniAbuja Students Protests Over Death Of A Female Student

Uniabuja students Storms Air-Port Road To Protest Over The Death Of A Female Student

Yesterday night, a driver knocked down a UniAbuja female student while she was trying to escape from armed robbers nest.
Reports reaching us reveals that the driver who knocked down the student to death is a lecturer of the University of Abuja, and was driving one way when the unfortunate scene happened.

Students blames the school authority and the federal government, for not providing close by pedestrian bridges, to hinder such accident.

Pastor Adeboye: I Was Richer Than RCCG As A Lecturer

During a ministry at a three-day special programme to end the church’s 40-day fasting and prayer period at the Redemption Camp, Kilometre 46, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye said the ministry was not financially buoyant before he came on board.

His words:

“When God called me into full time ministry, I must tell you the truth, I was afraid because things were rough. I knew poverty when I was young but I became a university teacher with the belief that my days of poverty were gone. “When God asked me to leave my job to become a full-time pastor, the total income of the church was less than my salary and we were to share it among some 39 people.

‘’I was really afraid but God gave me one promise. He said do not worry my son, I will be with you.
If you are wondering why my case is different, it is because God told me that He will be with me and He has been faithful to His promise.”

10 Most Corrupt Countries In The World Ranked By Perception

According to the USNews reports, Nigeria the most populated country in Africa is perceived to be the most corrupt country among the 60 countries evaluated according to data from 2016 Best Countries ranking.

The ranking are a characterization of 60 countries based on a survey of more than 1600 people from four regions.
In the survey, respondent answered how closely they related each of the 60 countries to the term "corrupt". Respondents were given no further specification of the term, so interpretation of the word "corrupt" was left to survey respondents.

Elections in Nigeria face scrutiny, even though government accountability is seen as having improved. In 2015, President Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari became the first opposition party candidate to win an election. As part of his presidential campaign, Buhari promised to crack down on corruption.

"When you fight corruption, it fights back," Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said in a TedX talk in Berlin.
Nigeria's former national security adviser, Sambo Dasuki, is scheduled to face trial on charges of fraud and money laundering, according to Bloomberg.

It is the country's first high-profile corruption trial since Buhari took office.
In November, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari attributed this incident – and other alleged abuses of power– to the country's inability to defend itself from other threats, including Boko Haram, an extremist group that began its conquest in 2009 to create an Islamic state.

Russia, seen as the second most powerful country in the world, is also seen as the sixth most corrupt.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Colombia– a country synonymous with illegal drug kingpins like Pablo Escobar – gives Nigeria a run for its money as the second most corrupt country, based on perception.

Below are the 10 countries perceived to be the most corrupt, according to data from the 2016 Best Countries rankings.

Nigeria
Corrupt Rank: 1
Best Countries Overall Rank: 57

Colombia
Corrupt Rank: 2
Best Countries Overall Rank: 49

Iran
Corrupt Rank: 3
Best Countries Overall Rank: 58

Pakistan
Corrupt Rank: 4
Best Countries Overall Rank: 56

Mexico
Corrupt Rank: 5
Best Countries Overall Rank: 27

Russia
Corrupt Rank: 6
Best Countries Overall Rank: 24

Algeria
Corrupt Rank: 7
Best Countries Overall Rank: 60

Egypt
Corrupt Rank: 8
Best Countries Overall Rank: 39

Kazakhstan
Corrupt Rank: 9
Best Countries Overall Rank: 55

Bolivia
Corrupt Rank: 10
Best Countries Overall Rank: 54