Tag: Nigeria
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British citizen claims he was served a cease and desist letter for trolling UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak on social media
A British citizen has claimed he was served a cease and desist letter for trolling UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak on social media.
In the letter addressed to the social media user, he was asked to not make derogatory comments about the British Prime Minister as he would face legal consequences if he continues.
According to the U.K government, while freedom of speech is enshrined in the country’s constitution, speeches should be made without hate.
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House Of Reps Frowns On Delay In Payment Of Allowances Of Team Nigeria At Africa Games In Ghana
Nigeria finished second at the Games behind Egypt, surpassing her previous record with a total of 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.
The Chairman House Committee on Sports Honourable Ekene Adams has expressed disappointment over the delay in the payment of allowances of Team Nigeria athletes at the recently concluded Africa Games in Ghana.
Nigeria finished second at the Games behind Egypt, surpassing her previous record with a total of 47 gold, 33 silver and 40 bronze medals.
According to the lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal constituency, it is very sad that many of the athletes who made Nigeria proud in Ghana have not been paid their due allowances and bonuses.
He said, “I am very shocked that up till now some of these athletes have not gotten their money days after the conclusion of the Africa Games.
“For me it is even more worrisome that these athletes did not get their money before the Easter celebration and I think we should be finding ways to motivate the athletes more so that they can even do more at the Olympic Games in Paris.
“How do we want their family members to feel knowing full well that they couldn’t enjoy the Easter and I think this is the kind of things we need to get right in terms of Athletes welfare.”
Ekene who is also a sports administrator however plead with the Ministry of Sports Development to swiftly do the needful so that the delay in the payment would not linger to the upcoming Salah break.
He further said, “No sports should be more prioritised than others and these athletes that did the country proud in Ghana deserve at least their money even if they couldn’t get a Presidential handshake.
“I am using this medium further appeal to the Minister to ensure every payment due to the athletes are sorted as soon as possible because I am aware some of them were only given allowances in Nigeria before they departed for the Games.”
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Eight migrants die in Albania auto crash
Eight people believed to be migrants died in an auto accident in south-eastern Albania on Tuesday.
Police told journalists the vehicle carrying the group fell from a road high up above the Vjosa River after the driver lost control.
The seven passengers were described as “nationals from third countries” and are believed to be migrants.
Albania lies along one of the so-called Balkan routes for migrants seeking to reach Western Europe.
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Osun ‘Notorious Political Thug’ Bode Olukayode Arrested After 2-Year Manhunt
After a two-year manhunt, the Osun State Police Command has arrested Bode Olukayode, an alleged notorious political thug popularly known as Bode Itapa, who had been terrorising residents of Ilesa and its environs.
In 2022, the police command declared Olukayode wanted for alleged murder, cultism, and other criminal activities, alongside one Solo Iwara.
The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, had said at the time: “Bode Olakayade is about 34 years old, dark in complexion, white teeth, 1.70m tall, pointed nose, oblong head, black hair and Yoruba by tribe,” adding that the suspect “has been causing menace in llesa and entire Osun State.
Anybody that harbors the suspect will be treated by the police as an accomplice to the crimes highlighted above.”
Olukayode was eventually apprehended on Sunday around 3 PM, while Solo Iwara was said to have managed to escape.
Opalola confirmed Olukayode’s arrest to THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, stating, “He is in our custody, and we are still investigating him.”
Osun ‘Notorious Political Thug’ Bode Olukayode Arrested After 2-Year Manhunt is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
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Chocolate could help with weight loss and prevent Alzheimer’s, New study reveals
A chemical found in chocolate called theobromine has many benefits for the body and the brain.
According to a study from Zhengzhou University in China published April 1 in the Journal of Functional Foods, Theobromine found in cocoa beans, is anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants and can protect the brain from Alzheimer’s.
Scientists also say that theobromine can counter the impact of high cholesterol levels on memory and cognitive function.
Theobromine can cross the blood-brain function to potentially boost brain function as well as mood and fight against depression.
“Theobromine has demonstrated neuroprotective properties, the ability to prevent neuronal damage, and enhancements in motor memory and cognitive regulatory functions,” the study authors wrote.
“Given its low incidence of side effects and minimal harm to the human body at appropriate doses, theobromine and its derivatives show promise as effective agents for preventing brain-related disorders, presenting significant prospects in the medical fñield,” they continued.
In essence the study says that eating chocolate could also help someone lose weight because theobromine helps the body break down fats.
The authors referenced another study that found a link between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity.
“In a study by Dan Wei et al., the effects of theobromine on an NAFLD mouse model were examined, revealing that theobromine led to reductions in body weight, liver weight, and improvements in liver morphology,” they explained.
“Inflammation is a multifaceted process that engages white blood cells and the release of chemicals into the bloodstream or affected tissues to combat foreign invaders,” they explained.
“Theobromine demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects on diverse cell types, including macrophages and chondrocytes.”
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Nigerian Police Rescue Nine Students Abducted By Unknown Gunmen In Delta State
SaharaReporters had on Monday reported that the students were said to have been kidnapped by a group of unknown gunmen on Friday along the Evwreni axis of the East-West road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Delta State Police Command has said its operatives have rescued nine students who were abducted along the East-West Road in Ughelli, Delta State.
SaharaReporters had on Monday reported that the students were said to have been kidnapped by a group of unknown gunmen on Friday along the Evwreni axis of the East-West road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
This was confirmed by the State Police Command Spokesman, Edafe Bright via his X page on Monday night, saying the force had deployed its personnel to go after the gunmen to ensure all the students were rescued unharmed.
“Gunmen have abducted 10 students travelling along the Evwreni axis of the East-West road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State. The Command is aware of this ugly incident, and we are doing all it takes to ensure that they are rescued unhurt,” Edafe had written.
It was learnt that the students were returning from their school in Cross River State when they were accosted by the gunmen on Friday.
They were all kidnapped except their driver who escaped unhurt.
However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Edafe Bright, in an update on Tuesday morning said the victims had regained their freedom.
“All nine of the victims have regained their freedom please,” Edafe noted.
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FIRS begs CAN over ‘provocative’ Easter message
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has apologised to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over its “provocative” Easter message.
FIRS in an Easter message on Monday shared a picture with the caption: “Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes” on its X platform.
Irked by the development, CAN in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Director, National Issues and Social Welfare, Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (retd), demanded a public apology from the agency over the social media post.
It added that FIRS’ Easter message had threatened Nigeria’s unity and undermined respect among diverse religious groups in the country.
However, in a statement signed by Dare Adekambi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Zaccheus Adedeji, the agency apologised to CAN over the controversy generated by the message.
The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) about a flier posted on our social media platforms with the headline ‘Jesus paid your debts, not your taxes.’
“As a responsible agency of government, we would like to say we did not put out the flier purposely to denigrate Jesus Christ or detract from the huge sacrifice He made for humanity. We are acutely aware that the essence of the Easter period is to celebrate this huge sacrifice.
“The message was our way of uniquely engaging taxpayers and to remind them of the need to prioritise payment of their taxes as a civic obligation.
“Yes, we would say the message ruffled feathers in some circles. The unintended meaning/insinuation being read into the post was not what we were out to communicate as an agency.
“Good a thing, this much is acknowledged by CAN in its statement wherein it said ‘We recognise that the intended message may have been to creatively engage taxpayers…’ We wish to offer our unreserved apologies for this misinterpretation.
“FIRS, as a responsible agency, has no religion and will not bring down any religion or offend the sensibilities of adherents of various faiths in the country.
“Our goal is to assess, collect, and account for revenue for the wellbeing of the Federation. We believe it is an investment in the progress of the country when citizens pay their taxes. Once again, we wish to apologise to CAN and Christians, who felt offended at the unintended consequence of our message on Easter Sunday. “
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Cross Rivers: 31 Principals To Face Disciplinary Actions Over Alleged Corrupt Practices
Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey has disclosed that 31 school principals will be facing disciplinary actions over various cases of corruption.
Odey, who was speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, stated that 36 principals were found wanting for various illicit activities, adding that six of them were exonerated after thorough investigation.
“Recommendations have been made to include suspension and their eventual removal as principals,” he said.
The commissioner also disclosed that the government was investing about N450m for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) registration fees for indigenous students.
He disclosed that a total of 16,287 names have been compiled as students that will benefit from the free WAEC registration.
Odey stated as false allegation that the list was padded, clarifying that an error occurred during compilation, with some names being inadvertently repeated.
He, however, assured that the necessary corrections had been made, reducing the list from 16,301 to 16,287 names.
The Commissioner explained that three desk officers were assigned to each senatorial district for the compilation process to ensure efficient administration.
He further revealed that out of the submitted list of 16,301 names, about 20 schools failed to submit their details on time, resulting in their exclusion from the final list.
Cross Rivers: 31 Principals To Face Disciplinary Actions Over Alleged Corrupt Practices is first published on The Whistler Newspaper