Paradise News

Tag: General News

  • JUST IN: ‘Ours Is Revolution Postponed’ – Peter Obi Vows To Fight For New Nigeria

    Peter-Obi

    The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has said the obidient movement is a revolution postponed even as he vowed that the right for a new Nigeria has just begun.

    Obi said he would not abandon the manifesto which the party presented before Nigerians ahead of the 2023 presidential election, noting that the party will “firmly be in the opposition.”

    Obi made this declaration on Monday during his press world conference weeks after the Supreme Court declared President Bola Tinubu as the constitutionally elected president of Nigeria.

    Obi rejected the apex court judgement which he said fell short of the yarning of the people even as it did not serve the needed justice.

    Details later

    JUST IN: ‘Ours Is Revolution Postponed’ – Peter Obi Vows To Fight For New Nigeria is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • James Wiseman has limited role with Detroit Pistons

    CLEVELAND — The Warriors face the Detroit Pistons tonight at Little Caesars Arena for a reunion with 2020 first-round draft pick James Wiseman.

    Odds are Wiseman won’t even touch the court against his former team.

    Wiseman hasn’t been playing much in Detroit, with just one appearance in seven games, in what’s been his second chance at a spot in the regular rotation. All the reasons the Warriors couldn’t find a fit for him last season now apply to his role with the Pistons.

    It makes the reunion less awkward for the Warriors. Any team that trades away a second overall selection runs a tremendous risk of watching that player develop into a superstar.  Truth is, Wiseman’s time in Detroit probably won’t be eliciting any trade remorse from the Warriors’ front office.

    In February, when the last-place Pistons acquired Wiseman, they gave him the opportunity to play he wasn’t afforded in Golden State. This season, under new coach Monty Williams, Wiseman entered camp in a competition at the center position.

    After continued struggles, Wiseman found himself last on the depth chart behind 19-year-old breakout player Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, who was drafted 16th overall in Wiseman’s class.

    “It’s a young dude, super talented, he works hard and I’m confident he will be able to figure it out,” Steph Curry said. “And that’s really all you can focus on, not looking back at how it went with us. But knowing he has the mental fortitude and work ethic to figure it out.”

    Wiseman and fellow struggling No. 2 pick Marvin Bagley Jr. have had somewhat of a roster battle for the backup center role, the player who would be the more “traditional” big behind Duren and Stewart. Wiseman is losing that battle, too. In his one game this year, he drew four fouls within six minutes.

    The Warriors had high hopes for Wiseman. He was the No. 2 pick out of Memphis in 2020 with all the size and touch at the rim the Warriors never had in a young prospect in the Steph Curry era. But Wiseman spent the majority of his two years in Golden State injured and needed more time to grow than the Warriors could afford as they attempted to defend their 2022 championship.

    Rehabbing after his torn meniscus surgery in 2021 is where he grew close to Klay Thompson, who was on his way back from Achilles surgery.

    “It’ll be great to see James,” Thompson said. “Me and James spent many, many weeks and days together rehabbing. I’m excited to see him, especially as a friend, and I think about him often.”

    Statistically, Wiseman was Golden State’s least productive player early last season as the team stumbled to an 0-8 record on the road. Not only were Wiseman’s minutes clunky on both ends of the floor, he struggled to stay out of foul trouble.

    It wasn’t working and Wiseman was slated to earn $12 million, and due to repeater taxes, he would cost the Warriors approximately $90 million.

    Hoping to get a known entity back on the roster for the playoff push and create more financial flexibility while deep in the luxury tax, the Warriors decided to trade Wiseman at the deadline in a three-team deal that brought Gary Payton II back to Golden State.

    Swept under the rug in the heat of the season was the harsh swing-and-miss the Warriors front office took on Wiseman. That second-overall pick opportunity amid a contention window was flushed down the drain.

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  • ‘I Will Expose You If You Contact Me’ — Magistrate Warns Naira Marley, Samlarry After Granting Bail

    Samlarry-Naira-Marley.

    After one month in custody, a Magistrate’s Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, granted Naira Marley (Azeez Fashola) and Lagos socialite Sam Larry (Balogun Eletu) bail in the sum of N20 million each.

    Recall Naira Marley, Sam Larry, and two others had been arraigned and remanded on October 4 due to their alleged involvement in the circumstances surrounding the death of musician Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

    Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, as reported by Punch, ordered the defendants to submit their passports and instructed them to report weekly to the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti.

    The bail conditions also require each of the defendants to provide three sureties, each responsible for the sum of 20 million naira.

    “As part of the bail conditions, the defendants are to surrender their passports and make weekly appearances at the State Criminal Investigation Department,” Olatunbosun ruled.

    Furthermore, Olatunbosun emphasized that no one should attempt to contact her directly regarding the case, warning that any such attempts would be documented and potentially disclosed in open court proceedings.

    “Any attempts to contact me directly would be recorded and potentially disclosed in open court proceedings,” she added.

    ‘I Will Expose You If You Contact Me’ — Magistrate Warns Naira Marley, Samlarry After Granting Bail is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Emma Stone, surround yourself with creative people

    CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Emma Stone, 35; Ethan Hawke, 53; Maria Shriver, 68; Sally Field, 77.

    Happy Birthday: Evaluate what’s important to you and adjust your routine. Let your intuition and imagination lead the way, and you’ll find the path and people to make your journey more enjoyable. Opportunities are apparent, but first, you must let go of your inhibitions and distance yourself from negativity. Surround yourself with creative people, and structure your environment to offer space and time to express yourself. Your numbers are 8, 13, 22, 28, 31, 35, 46.

    ARIES (March 21-April 19): Expand your mind, do your research and plan your next move. Be secretive until you are ready to take the next step and present what excites you most. Don’t let emotions stop you; size up situations and do what makes the most sense. 3 stars

    TAURUS (April 20- May 20): Opportunity knocks. Don’t be shy; embrace what life offers and give it your best shot. An exciting partnership will provide you with more time to do what you do best. A physical change will build the confidence you need to advance. 5 stars

    GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Don’t trust others to do things for you. Focus on what you are trying to achieve. You’ll be subject to false hope or misinformation if you count on others. A social connection will use what you share against you. Talk less; be a good listener. 2 stars

    CANCER (June 21-July 22): Take the initiative to start a discussion, project or plan that will improve your surroundings, environment or ability to reach your goal. A change of scenery will spark your imagination and encourage you to invest more time and money in yourself. 4 stars

    LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Take a step back and examine what’s unfolding. Observation will help you know when to take a pass. Set high standards, and don’t budge until you see a clear passage forward. Don’t be fooled by the hype. It is better to be safe than sorry. 3 stars

    VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’ve got the power to make things happen. Consider your ideal situation and make it a reality. Travel, communication and partnerships are favored. Take the initiative to put your ideas into play, and everything else will fall into place. Romance is on the rise. 3 stars

    LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Pay attention. Someone you think you can count on will let you down if you turn your back. It’s up to you to reiterate what you want and expect from others or to prepare to do the work yourself. Take responsibility and forge ahead. 4 stars

    SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Revisit something you want to incorporate into your everyday routine. Explore the possibilities and eliminate what is no longer essential or working effectively for you. Be true to yourself instead of putting everyone else first. Create an environment that makes you happy. 2 stars

    SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Mixed emotions will lead to trouble. Step back and, when in doubt, rethink what you are trying to achieve. Don’t share information when you haven’t checked the facts. Someone will use misinformation to sway your opinion. 5 stars

    CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Develop relationships and pay attention to money management. You stand to prosper if you take a hands-on approach to money and contracts. A vocal role in the distribution of time, finances and skills will help you reach your goal on time. 3 stars

    AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Keep an open mind, listen and observe, but don’t fear moving forward alone. Outside influences will cost you if you let your insecurities surface and allow someone else to call the shots. Take control instead of putting your fate in someone else’s hands. 3 stars

    PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are sitting on an opportunity. Recognize what’s available to you and make your dreams come true. A good imagination coupled with experience and common sense will lead to victory. Personal growth and positive change can be yours to enjoy. 3 stars

    Birthday Baby: You are energetic, proactive and opportunity-driven. You are innovative and prolific.

    1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

    Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

    Want a link to your daily horoscope delivered directly to your inbox each weekday morning? Sign up for our free Coffee Break newsletter at mercurynews.com/newsletters or eastbaytimes.com/newsletters. 

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  • Kidnap Victim Narrates Experiences In Kogi Forest, Berates Nigeria Police

    Gunmen

    Grace Onah, a passenger of Bright Mass transport company, on Monday narrated her experiences in the hands of her captors at Ogwugwu, a border community between Enugu and Kogi states.

    THE WHISTLER reported that passengers in the bus from Ebonyi state to Abuja were intercepted by kidnappers, and at least ten passengers in the bus were kidnapped. The incident occurred last Wednesday around 5pm.

    Mrs Onah spoke with our correspondent after she regained freedom.

    According to her, “We were released Saturday night. It was terrible. The driver was forced to a halt by the bandits who fired sporadically at the bus when he wanted to reverse. When it was certain we were in danger, some of the passengers began to jump down from the bus, and some managed to escape. Two of the passengers that escaped are soldiers, though not wearing their uniform. But many of us were captured. Our captors are young Fulani men. They wielded AK-47 rifles and knives. I never believed any human being could be such wicked.

    “They were beating the male passengers among us like they were animals. They had power banks used to power our phones so we could be calling our relatives to raise the money they demanded. They charged us N5m each. They later reduced it to N500, 000.00. They said they gave us the last chance, after which we would be killed if we didn’t pay on the fourth day. They were moving us from one location to the other. It was in forests.”

    She said she was surprised that the incident happened shortly after their bus passed a police checkpoint.

    In her words, “The operatives stopped us, chatted with us and they asked us to go. The sound of gunshots of our kidnappers could be heard by the operatives because they were very close. I am sure that those that ran away must have met those manning the checkpoints. But they did not respond. The operation lasted over an hour before we were taken into the inner forests.”

    On how her relatives were contacted, she said, “They asked us to be calling our relatives. After two days without any ransom paid, they gave us one more day or we risk being killed. Relatives of one of us got the first N500, 000, and it was to be delivered by his brother.

    “These Fulani boys asked us to pay our ransoms through the person who was bringing the ransom for the man. We then informed our relatives, who transferred our ransoms to the person bringing the man’s own. He came on a bike, and suffered a lot. They continued directing him from one spot to another before he met them. They warned him that if he contacted police, they would know, and then kill us.

    “I wouldn’t know, but the kidnappers claimed that police had some cuts in the money we were paying, therefore, our relatives should not attempt to report to police. One of them said they would know once we reported to the police because they were working together. In all, we paid and we are back.”

    Grace’s relative, John, said he reported the incident to the police, but got disappointed with their responses. He said, “I called emergency lines of both Kogi and Enugu state police commands. They asked me the location. I told them Ogwugwu/Ette axis. They said they would deploy their men to the place. They also asked me to establish the exact location. I was more disappointed when I reported it to the Anti-Kidnap office in Enugu. They told me to go and report to Igboeze North Police Division. I wonder how I could be asked to report to a police station when I had gone to the headquarters of Anti-Kidnap.

    “We raised money when we realised that police were doing nothing to rescue them. I also heard that the owner of the transport company cared less. He simply recovered his abandoned bus, and left the passengers to their fates. I am angry with Nigeria Police. Are they serving only the rich? Are they part of the kidnappers? Someday, we shall render accounts before God.”

    Kidnap Victim Narrates Experiences In Kogi Forest, Berates Nigeria Police is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Make Your School Fee Affordable, Soludo Appeals To Churches

    The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has appealed to churches that own schools in the state to make the fee affordable in order to give every child in the state equal opportunity for education.

    Soludo who was speaking during the state’s annual prayer rally at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, stated that the affordability of the fees will complement government’s efforts to ensure that every child in Anambra state is educated.

    The governor noted that Anambra State remains a Christian state and called for unity of Christendom in the state.

    He also pledged continued partnership with the church to sustain positive change and growth in the state.

    “We must do the work of God here on earth because God won’t come down from heaven to do it. Government must live up to its responsibility, the church and larger society also have theirs.

    “The twin factors driving us are compassion and transformation. The day leaders lose the link of compassion for the weakest link in the chain, then the whole essence of governance is lost.

    “Road construction, youths empowerment, free education, ante-natal, employment of teachers and medical personnel, distribution of palm and coconut seedlings, are all for the downtrodden.

    “That poor woman selling banners should not only breathe, let’s create the enabling environment for them to work. There must be a balance between physical projects the parishioners are taxed on and what they enjoy,” he said.

    Make Your School Fee Affordable, Soludo Appeals To Churches is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • Sean Manaea opts out of contract with San Francisco Giants

    SAN FRANCISCO — Left-hander Sean Manaea has opted out of his 2024 contract with the San Francisco Giants, becoming a free agent.

    The pitcher confirmed his decision to The Associated Press on Sunday.

    “I have opted out, but I had an amazing time with the Giants,” he said via text message. “Everyone was really good to me and they run a top-tier organization.”

    Manaea signed a $25 million, two-year deal last December that included a $5 million signing bonus with salaries of $7.5 million this past season and $12.5 million for 2024.

    The 31-year-old Manaea went 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA over 37 appearances with just 10 starts in his one season with San Francisco — not the regular rotation role that had been expected for the eight-year major league veteran.

    If he does sign elsewhere, Manaea will miss out on a reunion with new Giants manager Bob Melvin, the lefty’s skipper in Oakland, and again during one season spent with the San Diego Padres in 2022.

    Manaea pitched his first six major league seasons with the Athletics, then went 8-9 with a 4.96 ERA over 30 appearances with 28 starts and 158 innings in his lone campaign with the Padres.

    Manaea has been outspoken about his mental health struggles with San Diego during which he dealt with self-doubt and a lack of confidence.

    Manaea threw a no-hitter against the Red Sox on April 21, 2018, in Oakland.

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  • Cholera Outbreak: Ogun To Shut Down Table, Sachet Water Factories That Fail Compliance Test

    Following the outbreak of cholera in some parts of Ogun State, the government has said it would carry out compliance exercises on all table and sachet water factories in the state.

    Recall that the state has recorded about 250 cases of cholera in Ijebu North, Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North LGAs of the state. Out of the 250 cases, there have been 12 deaths.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, made the disclosure during a stakeholders meeting with the Table Water and Beverages Producers Association of Nigeria held in Abeokuta.

    Oresanya stated that the compliance exercise became necessary to address the environmental and hygienic negligence observed in their production processes.

    According to Oresanya, the exercise is to reinforce and domesticate the factories’ National Agency For Food And Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) certification in all the 20 local government areas of the state, adding that officials would move to all water producing factories “for on the spot assessment of their production processes.”

    The commissioner said: “The team will among others demand for routine microbial analysis results of their products, check the distance of their production boreholes to their and septic tanks, their operational environment as well as medical certificate of fitness of their products for human consumption.

    “For clarity all registered and unregistered water producing factories will be visited and any one of them that fail the compliance exercise will be shut and will remain so until it passes the laid down procedures before it is opened for business in the public interest.”

    While calling for support of all the stakeholders, Oresanya noted that the state government “is not out to witch hunt any of them but safeguard the health of its residents from preventable water borne diseases as well set a healthy standard for their products which have suffered from negative public acceptance in the aftermath of the outbreak of the disease.”

    Speaking on behalf of its members, the Chairman of the Table Water And Beverages Producers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, Femi Olukoga assured of his members’ support for the exercise.

    Cholera Outbreak: Ogun To Shut Down Table, Sachet Water Factories That Fail Compliance Test is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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  • The Cavs exposed Golden State’s biggest weakness — they’re small

    So far, this Warriors season has felt charmed.

    The Dubs are playing beautiful, connected basketball and executing at an enviable level in crunch-time play.

    The team’s five wins at this early juncture of the season served as a warning to the rest of the NBA: Golden State is back.

    But the Dubs received a dose of reality in Cleveland.

    These Warriors are small. Tiny. Diminutive. Itty-bitty.

    And for all the positives this team possesses — and there are too many to list here — there’s not much the Dubs can do to fix that problem.

    Luckily, I don’t foresee it being a massive problem for Golden State this season.

    Now, the Warriors lost to the Cavs 115-104 Sunday, and the reason why was evident to anyone watching: The Dubs were out-rebounded by 10 and outscored in the paint by 34 points in the loss.

    But Golden State is leaning into its reality. Don’t go snooping for lifted shoes with this team.

    Against one of the NBA’s best defenses and a team that has absurd length — Cleveland plays two centers at the same time, for heaven’s sake — the Warriors closed with Steph Curry (6-foot-3), Chris Paul (6-foot), Klay Thompson (6-foot-6), Andrew Wiggins (6-foot-7), and Draymond Green (6-foot-6).

    That’s JV-team height.

    It led to critical moments in the contest where Thompson — the team’s power forward this season — was guarding Evan Mobley — all 6-foot-11, 7-foot-5 wingspan, 40-inch vertical leap of him.

    It was just a bit of a mismatch.

    There were moments where the smallball tactics worked, sure, but most of the time, they did not.

    And with Cleveland taking away any shot near the rim, the Warriors were forced to jump-shoot their way to victory. They didn’t nearly shoot well enough for that to happen.

    Here’s the good news: There are very few teams in the NBA that will give the Warriors this kind of trouble because there are so few players like Mobley — the centerpiece of the Cavs’ defense, even if he’s often playing the 4.

    The combined athleticism of Mobley and center Jarrett Allen (6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan) made the Cavs the best defense in the NBA last season.

    It’ll be interesting to see if the Warriors find anything from this game to help them against other big teams. The Spurs and Lakers come to mind.

    But even the Lakers aren’t quite the Cavs. They’re big but not as spry.

    And there is no parallel with that No. 1 guy in San Antonio — Victor Wembanyama is on a different level than any other human.

    Yes, Cleveland was — and is — a matchup nightmare for the Dubs, and unless the Warriors want to make a significant change to the roster — a move that seems inadvisable, given the fact that it’s one team and they’re in the opposite conference — there’s not much the Dubs can do about it.

    The kid can play

    There was one adjustment that the Warriors made to counter Cleveland’s size advantage Sunday:

    Coach Steve Kerr played rookie smallball center Trayce Jackson-Davis in the second half of the contest. He provided highly positive minutes for a team that needed his energy.

    Jackson-Davis doesn’t have star potential or game-breaking ability, but to have a young player that competent sitting at the end of the bench is downright absurd.

    The Warriors have missed in the NBA Draft too many times to count over the years.

    But Jackson-Davis has the makings of a massive hit, and Kerr having this much trust in him this early is a sign that we’ll see plenty of him in the coming months.

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  • Why You Should Get Health, Life Insurance Policy From 45 Years- Insurance Expert

    Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, Nigerian insurance personality and the Chief Executive Officer of Finterate Projects has said that it is essential for people to buy health or life insurance from insurance companies, especially from a foreign insurance company.

    It has become rampant for successful celebrities and public figures in Nigeria to seek financial support to fund their health challenges when they have retired or are no longer at the peak of their careers.

    Nollywood is the worst hit industry as some actors have appeared on social media to solicit for financial help.

    In a response sent to THE WHISTLER, Ekerete Ola Gam-Ikon, explained that many Nigerians do not understand that insurance gives a guaranteed position of financial strength in the future.

    Ekerete said many people who were successful at the peak of their careers regret because they missed out on an insurance policy that would have helped fund their health challenges.

    He advised that Nigerians at the age of 46-55 should take up insurance because at this stage, they are confronted with diverse risks and challenges probably in different domains.

    “You are better advised to seek international insurance coverage for your health and life assurance policies with different companies.

    “If you cannot afford these, be advised to at least settle for local policies despite inflation.”

    According to him, those who are near retirement or have retired at the ages of 55-65 must ensure that the status of their insurance policy is up to date.

    He said, “Retirement begins to require more attention at this stage and you are advised to give it priority, checking to ensure the status of your insurance policies are up-to-date.

    “Many people have worked hard only to discover that their employers have not been committed to remittance of their contributions to statutory authorities. You are advised to verify the authenticity of any claims made, lest it becomes too late.”

    Another category he touted that needs insurance are those at the ages of 65-75. The CEO said, at this point, their health will begin to take a toll on their income.

    “So, it is advisable to have appropriate insurance that would even address critical illnesses. And if there was no insurance towards a funeral in the family, this would be a good time to have it.?

    From age 75 to 85, he said “You would since have moved your funds from Programme Withdrawals offered by your Pension Funds Administrators (PFAs) to Annuities of your preferred Insurer and enjoying some relative peace knowing that you are insured and assured.

    “Ages 85 and above, you are practically left with annuity that ensures you to receive payments till death. You are advised to have it long before now.”

    Why You Should Get Health, Life Insurance Policy From 45 Years- Insurance Expert is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

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