UNICEF Identifies Kaduna As Model In Eradicating HIV/AIDS In Nigeria

OFFICIALS of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have identified Kaduna State as one of the leading states for the implementation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of ending HIV/AIDS in Nigeria by 2020.
Chief, Children and HIV/AIDS Programme of UNICEF in Nigeria, Dr. Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha, disclosed this in Kaduna during a press briefing at the end of her three-day visit to Kaduna.
According to her, “UNICEF works with Kaduna State in a number of areas. We work with the state in the area of preventing new cases of HIV/AIDS in children for Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS and Kaduna has been doing well. It is one of the states in the Nation that is doing well in the PMTCT, HIV programme.”
Mbori-Ngacha added: “Really, as a result of the performance up to date, Kaduna has been earmarked as one of the fast-track states. Remember that recently, President Buhari was in New York and he spoke to the world and said he wants to see the end on AIDS in Nigeria by 2020. So, Kaduna State has been selected as fast-track to begin the implementation of that vision.
“Another area is the treatment of children. We know that adults are getting good treatment when they have HIV. Unfortunately, children are lagging behind and this is a sad scenario. It is like adults are eating and children staying hungry”.
She further explained that UNICEF’s target is to ensure that in the next three to five years, 90 per cent of all children living with HIV are receiving treatment in the state”.

Barca boss won’t risk Messi for Clasico

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has said he won’t put Lionel Messi’s health or Barca’s season at risk by rushing the Argentine back for his side’s clash against Real Madrid on November 21.
Messi has been sidelined for a month by a knee ligament injury that was originally estimated would keep him our for six to eight weeks.

However, the four-time World Player of the Year cast doubt on his presence for the trip to the Bernabeu last week by claiming he would only return when he feels 100 percent fit.
Messi has been left out by former Barca boss Gerardo Martino for Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia on November 13 and 17 respectively.

And Enrique insisted that with two thirds of the season still to play after El Clasico, it would be reckless to risk Messi suffering another serious injury.
“Within the team the only thing we are contemplating is that Leo Messi recovers 100 percent. That is the only thing that worries us,” Enrique said on Friday.
“Whether that is for one particular date or another is indifferent. There is so much of the season to go that the most important thing is that he fully recovers.”

Enrique was handed an injury boost on Friday, though, as midfielders Andres Iniesta and Sergi Roberto have both been passed fit to face Getafe on Sunday.
Iniesta has been sidelined for a month since pulling up with a hamstring injury in a 2-1 win over Bayern Leverkusen, whilst the versatile Roberto returns after just 10 days out due to a groin strain.

Their return comes at the perfect time for the European champions with Enrique’s midfield options reduced to the bare bones by Rafinha’s long-term knee injury and Javier Mascherano’s suspension for Barca’s next two league games.

Check out some Greatest Love Stories Of ALL TIME

Time-honored tales of true love that’ll hit you right in the heart.
From tear-jerkers to the warm fuzzies, the New York Public Library shares with YourTango their top 10 picks for the greatest love stories of all time. They can melt your heart, make you laugh and leave you longing for a Kleenex. Whether you are looking for that special someone or blissfully in love, these ageless classics know just how to pull on those heartstrings. So, jump under the covers, turn down the lights and tuck into the most sought-after romantic novels of all time.

1. Wuthering Heights: A total eclipse of the heart.
In one of the oldest heart-wrenching classics in the “lost love can turn a good man evil” scenario, Emily Brontë’s novel takes us back to 1802 at the Wuthering Heights estate. In this timeless love story, our leading man Heathcliff grows to become best friends with his adopted sister, Catherine, his life-long crush. But an offhand comment, overheard at the Heights, changes the course of both of their lives.
Fun Fact: The 1983 Bonnie Tyler power ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart” was inspired by Wuthering Heights.

2. Anna Karenina: Love can be a train wreck.
Frequently a top author’s choice, this Tolstoy novel is a literary soap opera. Set in the highest circles of Russian society, Anna Karenina visits her brother Stiva in Moscow to help him save his marriage. While there, she falls in love with Count Vronsky. A married woman, Karenina fights off her desires until they overwhelm her and she leaves her husband, Alexei. Denied a divorce, Anna spends her life looking for acceptance in her relationship. When the strain of their love life becomes too much, Anna leaves Vronsky in a rage and well, if you haven’t read it, do! We won’t give away a heart-wrenching ending.
Fun Fact: Anna Karenina became a best-seller all over again in 2004 after Oprah put it on her list.

3. Romeo and Juliet: Wherefore art thou, Romeo?
In one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated works, this tale of “star-crossed lovers” has been told and interpreted time and time again (from film classic West Side Story to teen flick Romeo + Juliet). A story all lovers can relate to, Romeo and Juliet focuses on the tragedies that accompany the loss of true love. Lovers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, two of the most famed clans in literature, come from opposite sides of the Verona tracks and their family’s disapproval of their love eventually leads to their demise.
Fun Fact: In the popular computer game The Sims 2, there is a neighborhood called Veronaville in which two characters named Romeo Monty and Juliette Capp fall in love.

4. Casablanca: Play it again, Sam.
Made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, this love story was originally a play by Murray Burnett. The play was turned into a script by writers (and brothers) Julius and Philip Epstein and their friend Howard Koch. In the story, American Rick Blaine is the owner of a gambling club “Rick’s Cafe Americain” in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. Set during World War II, Rick is a bitter man having been scorned by ex-lover Ilsa Lund. When she walks back into his life suddenly, now married, with her husband in tow, Rick is forced to come face-to-face with well-aged heartache.
Fun Fact: In a 2005 poll by the American Film Institute, the Casablanca line “Here’s looking at you, kid” was ranked the fifth most memorable line in cinema history. (Six other lines from the film are also in the top 100.)

5. Midsummer Night’s Dream: Dream a little dream.
A romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, this play takes place in Athens as Duke Theseus plans a large festival around his marriage. During this time, Theseus’ daughter, Hermia, is refusing to marry her fiancé. Due to a true-love-in-the-wings named Lysander. Against her father’s wishes, she flees the nuptials for the woods. And guess who? While there, they befriend fairies who cause a bit of mischief. Cue a new love triangle and surprise ending!
Fun Fact: In the 1989 blockbuster film Dead Poets’ Society, the character Neil Perry (played by Robert Sean Leonard), was cast as Puck in the a local production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

6. Doctor Zhivago: Boy meets girl meets girl.
This Noble Prize-winning Russian novel by Boris Pasternak is the ageless classic of one man torn between two women. Yuri Zhivago is a medical doctor and poet during the 1917 Russian Revolution. While married to aristocratic Tonya, he falls in love with nurse Lara. Set during a war time, Zhivago’s love triangle falls prey to a twist of fate, and becomes a tale of protagonist versus an achy, breaking heart.
Fun Fact: Doctor Zhivago’s first film version was a made-for-TV version produced in Brazil in 1959.

7. Sense and Sensibility: Sisters and soul mates.
Another Jane Austen classic from 1811, this love story focuses around the Dashwood sisters – Elinor and Marianne. When their father dies, they lose their family estate and are reduced to a life of poverty. The story follows the sisters as they move in with a distant relative, leading them to equal parts heartache and romance.
Fun Fact: In Ang Lee’s 1995 remake of Sense and Sensibility, there are six actors who went on to play parts in the Harry Potter films: Emma Thompson (Sybil Trelawney), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Gemma Jones (Madam Pomfrey), Robert Hardy (Cornelius Fudge), Elizabeth Spriggs (The Fat Lady) and Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge).

8. Dangerous Liaisons: Les Liaisons dangereuses is a novel composed of letters.
The classic eighteenth-century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos is the ultimate dark tale of lust, greed, deception and romance, featuring the Marquise de Merteuil, who requests that her partner, the Vicomte de Valmont, seduce the young daughter of her cousin. Meanwhile, young Cecile has the hots for her teacher, Chevalier Danceny. Love affairs, deception and lies aplenty unfold.
Fun Fact: The 1999 cult movie hit Cruel Intentions was a modern adaptation of the novel Dangerous Liaisons.

9. Pride and Prejudice: A literary game of cat and mouse, widely known as Jane Austen’s most famous novel.
Charles Bingley is new to town and has leased an estate with his sisters and close friend Fitzwilliam Darcy. Named a “catch” by all the single ladies in town (due to surprise . . . his looks and money), Darcy is also known as snob. Neighbor Elizabeth Bennet finds herself repulsed by Darcy’s ego. The resulting pas de deux between the feisty twosome makes for a quite a page-turner.
Fun Fact: Helen Fielding’s book Bridget Jones’s Diary was inspired by Pride and Prejudice.

10. Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame: Oh Quasimodo!
Victor Hugo’s story, set in Paris in 1482, centers around Norte Dame cathedral. In this “true love comes from within” story, Gypsy dancer Esmeralda is longed for by Quasimodo, Notre Dame’s kind-hearted but deformed bellringer. Upon order of Archdeacon Frollo, Quasimodo attempts to kidnap Esmeralda, but is caught. Standing trial, Quasimodo is humiliated by the public and his victim Esmeralda has pity on him. Soon after Esmeralda is blackmailed and sentenced to death for the murder of her crush Phoebus. On her sentencing day, Esmeralda is saved from death by her dear Quasimodo. But can true love overcome her distaste for his looks?
Fun Fact: Hunchback of Notre Dame has been adpated to the screen numerous times and cast two famous Anthonys in the leading Quasimodo role – Anthony Quinn in 1956 and Anthony Hopkins in 1982.

Source: The Guardian

BVN: House Of Reps summons Emefiele

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele has been summoned by the House of Representatives committee on banking and currency.

The committee demanded the presence of the apex bank boss to explain to it why there is a directive by the CBN for Nigerians to disclose their Bank Verification Number (BVN) to every Bureau de Change operator upon transaction.

The resolution by the lower house  followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Dan- buram Nuhu, entitled “motion against proliferation of Bank Verification Numbers” raised as an urgent matter of public importance.

According to Nuhu, the CBN’s move to stabilise foreign exchange market by making it compulsory for all Bureau de Change to have the BVN of all customers in the bid to stem money laundering will make financial records easily accessible to fraudulent people.
He said: ” All customers desiring foreign exchange through any channel would be forced to give their BVN to those with whom they are doing transactions (with).
”In this era of internet fraud, this will endanger our people’s hard earned money and cause even more problems than it was meant to solve.”
The lower chamber adopted Nuhu’s motion after it was put to a voice vote and was presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yusuff Lasun.
The house then mandated its committee on telecommunications to investigate the extent of compliance by all telecommunication companies oper­ating in the country.

Meanwhile, the apex bank governor, has stated that
the CBN won’t devalue the country’s currency again. The CBN governor stated this today, October 30, while speaking to state house correspondents at the presidential villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.
Emefiele, had earlier given a hint that he will consider easing restrictions on currency trading if demand for foreign exchange drops further.

Unpaid Salaries: NFF Set To Sack Siasia

Indications are rife that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have concluded on sacking U-23s head coach Samson Siasia.

According to Complete Sports, a source at the headquarters of the NFF disclosed that the NFF’s senior management are upset over Siasia’s recent outburst in the media over the non-payment of salaries.

Siasia’s move has miffed the NFF top executives, who are already toying with the idea of restructuring the Super Eagles coaching crew, which would see Salisu Yussuf deployed as U-23 Eagles head coach with Fatai Amao and Ogunbote as his assistants.
Meanwhile, Siasia has been ordered to respond to the query issued to him to explaining why he should not be punished for his actions.

The NFF officials were said to be irritated on the grounds that Siasia and other national team coaches were given reasons why their salaries were being delayed and assured that their salaries will be sorted soon.

The football body’s cash flow has been hampered by the new rule which states that the country’s soccer governing body must run only one revenue account.

A source said: “Siasia is facing the sack except there is a divine intervention because the NFF is serious angry with him for going on air to spread the dirty linen in public.
“He is not the only coach we are owing. Amuneke and Salisu Abubakar too are still being owed and these people have not gone to the press to make such claims.
“We explained to them the cause of this problem and then appealed to the coaches to be patient only for Siasia to go to the press.”

It will be recalled that on Thursday, October 28, Siasia had said he should not be held responsible should Nigeria fail to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.

Reasons To Not Go Into Business With Friends/Family

Running a business is something that requires a lot of care and attention. You need to make sure that people you go into business with have the same drive and commitment as you do, to achieve similar goals and objectives.
Working with friends and family can be very difficult. It’s completely understandable that you cut costs by staffing from within your support group, but it can be highly detrimental. Due to the bond that you share with them, they may gradually turn the work environment into a safe house.

At this point, they find it easier to take advantage of the business relationship because they know that their emotions and feelings must always be considered before making business decisions.

Your verdicts end up being biased based on a friendship/ relationship you want to preserve. At this stage, it turns into a risky game because the relationship prohibits potential avenues for growth and progress of your business.
You may honestly never know the true intentions of those with whom you go into business, until you’re faced with challenges and obstacles during the lifespan of that business. Friends, family or even strangers can turn their back on you at any point in time.

It hurts the most when you are involved in such a negative situation between yourself and a loved one. Keep on reading down below to find out  Reasons To Not Go Into Business With Friends/ Family.

1. Your decisions are easily influenced by friends/family
When you’re going into business with a friend/ family member, you must always consider what is beneficial for “both of you”.
You can’t solely make a decision based on what you feel/know is right for your business because you must first evaluate how it will affect both sides. He/she will not always agree with you and this difference in opinion will delay the decision making process.

2. Friends/family can slack at any given time
If your friend/ family member notices that you invest a lot of time and energy into the joint business, they will have no problem letting you carry the burden of the workload.
In every team, there is always one person who does the most grunt work. He/ she is known for picking up the slack when others are falling behind because they refuse to sacrifice the business due to their partner’s lack of effort.

3. You may end up being at a loss
When working with a friend/ family member, you’re focused on satisfying both of your needs. You can end up not achieving your main monetary goals and may not be able to live up to your full potential.
During the process of working together with a friend/ family member, you may not be able to fully express your point of view because of how much you consider your partner’s feelings.
You may have to put aside certain ideas and suggestions that are beneficial for the business. Ultimately, this can hinder the growth of your business.

4. Friends/family can be highly untrustworthy
Friends and family can be the most unreliable people to ever go into business with. This is due to hatred, desire for personal gain, and the built-up jealousy some people harbor against loved ones.
We witness situations like this daily on television shows and in reality where friends/ family members are extremely disloyal to one another. Someone who you trusted with your whole life one day can be the person to stab you in your back the next.

5. The blame factor
In any business, there are always ups and downs. People try to avoid making mistakes, but we fail to realize at times that certain setbacks can be beneficial in strengthening a business.
Challenges help determine if a business is able to overcome struggles and hardships at various points in time with a clear strategic plan of action.

When working with a friend/ family member in such times, there will always be a bit of animosity built up on each side. If a business fails, accepting defeat is the hardest challenge. Money makes people do crazy things.

Economist advocates re-nationalisation of NITEL

A renowned Economist, Dr Chu Okongwu, has called for re-nationalisation of the Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL).

Okongwu, a one-time Finance Minister, made the call at the 3rd Annual lecture series of the Economics Department of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka on Friday.

His lecture is entitled, "National Security and the Nigerian Economy in the 21st Century."
Okongwu said the repositioning and effectiveness of NITEL would make Nigeria have easy access to high speed Internet for better communication, research and development.
"Nigeria's foremost telecommunication outfit should be strategically restructured and positioned to reap bountifully from the ever booming and lucrative Nigerian telecommunications industry.

"The Federal Government should mandate NITEL to build the National Fixed Fiber Backbone network around the country, this would better permit Nigeria to join the rest of the world in the 21st century economy,” he said.

He said the major threat to world and national
security was the redistribution of resources and mass illiteracy among the population.
Okongwu said national security could be better achieved if Nigerian government address the issues of education, housing, infrastructure and indigenisation of technology.

"Man is both the agent and target of development, society-wide education especially in relation to literacy and numeracy is obligatory as a strategy and goal.

"Urgent and correct steps should be taken to stimulate rapid development of local building materials, industries, facilitate mortgage financing, create secondary market and increased access to such financing.

"The deplorable state of our infrastructure is such that the nation stands in danger of losing her investment of over 30 billion dollars in the road network alone," he said.

Also, Prof. Adewale Alawiye-Adams of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, said the theme of the lecture was apt as Nigerian economy had suffered retardation due to multiplicity of national security challenges.

Source- NAN

A little History of Halloween

Halloween is the one of the oldest holidays still celebrated today. It's one of the most popular holidays, second only to Christmas. While millions of people celebrate Halloween without knowing its origins and myths, the history and facts of Halloween make the holiday more fascinating.
Some people view Halloween as a time for fun, putting on costumes, trick-or-treating, and having theme parties. Others view it as a time of superstitions, ghosts, goblins and evil spirits that should be avoided at all costs.
As the Christian debate goes on, celebrating Halloween is a preference that is not always viewed as participating in an evil holiday. Halloween is often celebrated with no reference to pagan rituals or the occult.

-Halloween History
Halloween is on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a pagan holiday, honoring the dead. Halloween was referred to as All Hallows Eve and dates back to over 2000 years ago.
All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert pagans, and is celebrated on November 1st. The Catholic church honored saints on this designated day.

Origin of Halloween
While there are many versions of the origins and old customs of Halloween, some remain consistent by all accounts. Different cultures view Halloween somewhat differently but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.
Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, which was annually on October 31st to honor the dead.
Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge sacred bonfires, marking the end of the Celtic year and beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were fed on superstition.
The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure next years crops would be plentiful. This custom evolved into trick-or-treating.

IS HEAVEN REALLY REAL?”

HOMILY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS Rev. Fr. Boniface Nkem Anusiem PhD

Is there really heaven; the perfect place of eternal happiness? What is life like in heaven from dawn to dusk? How large is the place and how many (many) mansions are really there as our Lord mentioned in the Gospel of John (14:2-3)? Do people there do sports and play games? What do people there eat? People say that those in heaven keep singing and praising God will they not get tired and bored? These and similar imaginative questions have being asked by many and of course some imaginative answers have also being given because nobody on earth can claim to have comprehensive knowledge about heaven.

It will be fitting today to ask ourselves what we think about heaven, the place every well-meaning Christian should be aspiring to go after the short time we have on this earth. As a child, I had the idea of heaven as a place you don’t have to run errands for anyone or be flogged by any teacher; a place you can eat anything you want just by mentioning it. Excuse my little imaginative mind, I was looking for remedy from errands and punishments. For us today, we can rethink heaven by asking some pertinent questions like: “If I die now will I be qualified to be in heaven?” May be, we first have to establish that there are reasons to believe that heaven is real.

Our conviction about a place of eternal bliss after our sojourn here on earth is based on numerous biblical confirmations. During the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus Christ among other things said: “blessed are the poor in Spirit for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them” (Matt. 5:3); he also said: “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Furthermore in the gospel of John (14:2) our Lord said: “In my father’s house there are many mansions if it were not so I would have to you. I am going to prepare a place for you!”
In his letter to the Corinthians (1Cor 2:9) St. Paul said: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, neither has it entered into any mind what God has prepared for those who love him!” He also said that we have a better place after the destruction of this our earthly dwelling place. (2 Cor: 5:1). St. Paul did not stop at these, we went further in his letter to the Philippians (3:20-21) to state: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself”.

We have another confirmation from the vision of St. John in the book of Revelation (7:9ff). Here, we have the whole scenario or if you like, the eternal picturesque of heaven. In his account, John looked up and saw a huge number of people impossible to count standing before the throne of the lamb with palms in their hands. To confirm what he saw, John asked “who are these?” and he was told they are people who have been through great persecution and they have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb. It is worth noting that the robes washed in the blood became dazzlingly white not red. This is an indication that the people in question soaked themselves not just in physical blood, but in purifying blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sainthood is a facility that is open for all of us. This facility continues to be open for you and for me insofar as we are alive. For us to achieve sainthood, which is the end product of our pilgrimage on earth, we need to know:

1)       Where we came from: (We came from God our Creator).

2)       Who we are: (We are Children of God).

3)       Where we are going to: (We are citizens of heaven).

“How can we get to our destination?” This is a question that each and every Christian should be asking himself or herself daily. On this, God did not leave us clueless. From the beatitudes, we are presented with values that will aid us to attain eternity. The beatitudes we heard today from the Gospel of Matthew (5:1-12) are not merely “dos” and “don’ts”. They rather are expressive of core values that will make our journey back to God possible:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This means that blessed are people who depend on God always to get their way for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
This means that blessed are people who are sad for the loss of good values for they shall be comforted by God Himself.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
This means that blessed are those who are truly humble in heart for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
This means that blessed are those who are truly and deeply desirous of God and things of God for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

This means that blessed are the people who show mercy to others by bearing with them and forgiving them, for they shall have the same treatment from God.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

This means blessed are the people who do not
harbour evil in their hearts for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
This means that blessed are people who keep or create peace, for they shall be called sons (and daughters) of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This means that blessed are people who are hurt in any way because of their good deeds and morals, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
We have all it takes to make heaven and thus be numbered among the saints. We have the word of God which is read and explained to us on daily basis, we have the sacraments especially the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and reconciliation very much available to us. Just as heaven is real so is hell also real. We make heaven starting from the things we do here on earth and the same is applicable to hell. “What will it then profit us if after the challenges of live and the attendant undulations we still suffer the loss of our souls in hell?” (Mark 8:36) There is no better time for us to prepare for heaven than now.

Today we are celebrating the joy of our brothers and sisters who ran the race and won the prize of glory. Today, we are also celebrating the glory of heaven; the place we need to be. We are challenged to follow the path that will lead us to heaven.

Fr. Bonnie.
fatherbonny@hotmail.com

Black Carpet Photos From Lagos Fashion & Design Week

The annual Lagos Fashion & Design week kicked off Thursday October 28 at The Marquee Federal Palace Hotel, in Lagos.
On the third day of the Lagos Fashion and Design Week, the fashionistas went the route of hip with an attitude.

Some of the hot fashionistas we spotted on the black carpet Genevieve Nnaji, Di’Ja, Temi Otedola, Tania Omotayo, Ono Bello, Beverly Naya, Tonye Garrick, Bolanle Olukanni, Zainab Balogun, Ono Bello, Ezinne Chinkata, Lami Phillips, Lynxx, Monalisa Chinda, Chidinma Ekile, TY Mix, Temi Dollface and many more.
Check out stunning wears on the black carpet:

 

SOURCE: NAIJ

Buhari Speaks At India-Africa Forum Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that Nigeria and other African countries must work harder to achieve greater political stability and security before they can enjoy the full benefits of partnership arrangements with other countries.

President Buhari addresses the plenary session of the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit.
The president said this while addressing the plenary session of the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit on Thursday, October 29, in New Delhi, India.

According to a statement issued by Garba Shehu, the president’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, Buhari said that Nigeria and other African countries need to attract the massive investment in-flows in order to overcome the challenges of unemployment and wealth creation. They also must establish policy environments that guarantee the sanctity of contracts on the basis of the rule of law.
Buhari stressed that since his inauguration in May 2015, his administration was working hard to establish preconditions for rapid socio-economic development and refocus governance on the real needs of ordinary Nigerians.

“As a government, we have demonstrated our strong determination to change the direction and content of governance, including the management of our resources through accountability, transparency and result-orientation in governance.

“We are confident that India, as a tested friend and dependable partner, will always stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the discharge of the mandate entrusted to us by our people,” the president said.

Speaking further, the president noted that the current international economic and political environment was far from being favourable, especially for developing countries.

“Fresh political conflicts have erupted, accentuated by terrorism and extremism in the most awful forms. Trans-border crimes, illegal arms trade, irregular migration and cybercrimes have all added to the new global threats that demand our collective action,” he said.
Speaking about the challenge of climate change, Buhari noted that Africa remains badly affected with severe threats to food security and social stability.

“From the West to the East, North to South, virtually every country in our respective regions is faced with unacceptable levels of poverty, unemployment and a youth bulge.

“India and Africa must develop a new spirit of solidarity, cooperation and partnership to confront these emerging threats. We must recognise that, in this globalised age, we all live interconnected lives in a fragile planet. We must therefore work together to uplift the lives of our people in a manner that preserves the sustainability of our living environment.

“These challenges call for a renewed sense of urgency among African countries for economic development. It is an open secret that Africa possesses all the prerequisites to become a major growth region of the world,” he said.
According to Buhari, the India-Africa Forum is very important “as it is not only a partnership between friends, but between countries and peoples who have had similar historical experiences of colonial rule”.

Yesterday, October 28, President Buhari took part in an interactive session with chief executives of Indian companies with interests in Nigeria.

The president warned Indian businessmen that some of his policies would one way or the other affect their business interests in Nigeria.

Source: Naij.com

China decides to abolish 1-child policy, allow 2 children

China's ruling Communist Party announced Thursday that the country will start allowing all couples to have two children, abolishing an unpopular policy that limited many urban couples to only one child for more than three decades.
The decision is the most significant easing of family planning policies that were long considered some of the party's most onerous intrusions into family life. The restrictions led to an imbalanced sex ratio because of a traditional preference for boys, and draconian enforcement that sometimes included forced abortions.

A communique from the party's Central Committee carried on the official Xinhua News Agency said that the decision to allow all couples to have two children was "to improve the balanced development of population" and to deal with an aging population.
The move may not spur a huge baby boom in part because fertility rates are believed to be declining even without the policy's enforcement. Previous easings of the one-child policy have spurred fewer births than expected, and many people among China's younger generations see smaller family sizes as ideal.
The communique followed the panel's meeting this week to chart the country's economic and social development through 2020. In recent years, it has been unusual for such plenary sessions to result in major decisions. They generally focus on economic topics and there was no indication that this one would take action on the one-child policy.

China, which has the world's largest population at 1.4 billion people, introduced the one-child policy in 1979 as a temporary measure to curb a then-surging population and limit the demands for water and other resources. Soon after it was implemented, rural couples were allowed two children if their firstborn was a girl. Ethnic minorities are also allowed more than one child.
Chinese families with a strong preference for boys have sometimes resorted to aborting female fetuses, a practice which has upset the ratio of male to female babies. The imbalance makes it difficult for some men to find wives, and is believed to fuel the trafficking of women as brides.

Couples who have broken the rules were forced to pay a fee in proportion to their income. In some cases, rural families saw their livelihood in the form of their pigs and chickens taken away.
In November 2013, the party announced that it would allow couples to have two children if one of the parents is a single child, the first substantial easing of the policy in nearly three decades.
The decision announced Thursday removes all remaining restrictions limiting couples to only one child.

The government credits the one-child policy with preventing 400 million births and helping lift countless families out of poverty by easing the strain on the country's limited resources. But many demographers argue the birthrate would have fallen anyway as China's economy developed and education levels rose.
Moreover, the abrupt fall in the birthrate has pushed up the average age of the population and demographers foresee a looming crisis because the policy reduced the young labor pool that must support the large baby boom generation as it retires.

"The good news is, it is here. The bad news is, it is too little too late," said Cai Yong, a sociology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
"It's better late than never," said Willy Lam, an expert on Chinese politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "It might serve to address the current imbalance in the sense that if they do not boost the growth rate then very soon, within 20 years or less, the working population will be supporting four aged parents."

Source: News24