The Nigerian film industry began with the Yoruba travelling theatre and it evolved into making movies like Fincho in 1957 to Kadara in 1980 and the blockbuster movie Living in Bondage in 1992.

Nollywood was coined from the popular movie industries, Bollywood and Hollywood, that came before the Nigerian movie industry.

Many of the Nigerian millennials grew up watching the great Nigerian classics like, Living in Bondage, Diamond Ring, Silent Night, Blood Money and so on. Do you ever think about the pioneers of the industry? The people that made it possible for movies like that to be produced.

The Yoruba travelling theaters were the pioneers of the earliest movies in Nigeria. These pioneers were known as the first Nigerian film makers, men like Adeyemi Afolayan, Hubert Ogunde, Ola Balogun, Eddie Ugbomah and so on.

Hubert Ogunde show Photo source: The Nation

READ ALSO: Retro: The life and times of late veteran Nollywood actress Bukky Ajayi

They took their works beyond the stage and produced movies like Kadara in 1980, Bull Frog in The Sun in 1974 and Jaiyesimi in 1980. These pioneers produced movies from the seventies into the early nineties despite the lack of funds and lack of better equipment.

Hubert Ogunde Photo source: Pinterest

Adeyemi Afolayan Photo source: Vanguard

Movies were produced then using the Celluloid format, before they had some help from the Nigerian government which later birthed the likes of Kenneth Nnebue who kicked off a new era of film making and production in Nigeria.

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Kenneth Nnebue's era which began in the nineties, gave birth to the classics and also paved way for great actors who are still known as household names till date. Actors like, Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, Liz Benson, Kanayo o Kanayo, Pete Edochie and Enebeli Elebeuwa.

Kenneth Nnebue Photo source: NOFI

These actors made names for themselves with movies like Living in Bondage, Glamour Girls, Diamond Ring and Nneka The Pretty Serpent. Living in Bondage was also the first Nigerian movie to be made for commercial purposes.

Also the likes of Nkem Owoh and Moses Olaiya, popularly known as Baba Sala, brought the modern Nigerian comedy into existence with comic movies that cut across borders of the African continent.

Moses Olaiya Photo source: Onlinenigeria.com

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Osoufia in London, a comedy movie which was shot by Nkem Owoh, was the first Nigerian movie to be recognised internationally. It was released in 2003.

In the late twentieth century and the early 21st century, things changed drastically for Nollywood as the industry became recognised across the world with the rise of actors like Genevieve Nnaji, Richard Mofe Damijo, Stella Damascus, Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Desmond Elliot, Chidi Mokeme and Saint Obi.

The year 2004, birthed the cinema era, with the launch of modern cinemas across Lagos state. These cinemas have played important roles in the movie industry by screening both low and high budget movies.

Movies like Ije, The Figurine, Half of a Yellow Sun, were the first Nigerian movies to be screened. As at 2008, the Nigerian movie Industry’s net worth was between an estimate of 250 and 300 Million dollars.

Nollywood as evolved from the travelling theatre to an industry with reputable film festivals such as Lights Camera Africa, Eko International Film Festival, Africa International film among others, with Nigerian films showing at international festivals such as Cannes Film Festiva; and Toronto International Film Festival.

All thanks to the pioneers of the great industry.

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Armed bandits on Friday, June 22, attacked worshipers at a mosque in Kuriga, along Birnin Gwari/Kaduna road, killing 5 and injuring others.

Kuriga village is in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state and is situated along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highways.

This was disclosed in a tweet by All Progressives Congress (APC) senator representing representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani.

Sani in his tweet condemned the attack and offered his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

READ ALSO: Police arrest pastor over alleged ritual killing of 19-year old girl in Kogi

Read the tweet below:

In a previous report by NAIJ.com, some gunmen attacked four villages in Kakangi ward in Birnin Gwari local government in Kaduna state.

The attack by the armed bandits came a day after the lawmaker representing Birnin-Gwari /Giwa federal constituency, Hassan Shekarau, called for an end in the killing in the area.

A statement released by the Birnin-Gwari Vanguards for Security and Good Governance said the bandits attacked the villages at about 5pm on Tuesday, May 15. The group said the attack by the hoodlums lasted for three and half hours.

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- Diego Simeone angry at Lionel Messi and the coach Jorge Sampaoli after Croatia defeat

- The South American side were beaten 3-0 in their second group game as they have just one point after two games

- Argentina have one last match against Nigeria on June 26

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has lashed out at Barcalone star Lionel Messi for failing to lift Argentina after their 3-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday, June 21.

La Albiceleste suffered their first defeat at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil courtesy of goals from Ante Rebic, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.

However, the former Argentine national midfielder feels Messi has been unable to raise his game in an average team the way Cristiano Ronaldo has done for Portugal in his side's first two encounters.

READ ALSO: Barcelona star Lionel Messi set to end his international career after Croatia heavy defeat

With just one point after two games, Jorge Sampaoli's men are on the verge of crashing out of the championship, as they will hope Nigeria vs Iceland match result favours them.

Despite Portugal lack of quality players, Ronaldo has scored four goals four goals in two games making him the highest goals scorer in the tourney so far.

Simeone is Argentinian himself and his angry comments post-match in a Whatsapp message were leaked by Cadena COPE.

"Messi is very good but that is because he is accompanied by excellent players," Simenoe said speaking to his assistant German Burgos.

"But if you had to choose between Messi and Ronaldo for a normal team, who would you choose?"

Simeone also got angry at coach Jorge Sampaoli, whose tactics was questioned for the encounter which ended in a disaster for the 2014 finalists.

Sampaoli decided to deploy three at the back against Croatia despite playing with a back four in Argentina’s World Cup opener.

Argentina have been poor in their two games, scoring just one goal and with elimination staring the two-time World Cup winners in the face, Simeone believes the entire set-up is to blame.

"What we saw against Croatia is the picture of what has happened over the past four years," he said.

"It is anarchy. There is no leadership, either from the coach, who should be leading, or the players, who should be led. The team is lost, it is wrong."

NAIJ.com previously reported that Croatia reached the next stage of this year's World Cup following their impressive 3-0 victory over Argentina in their second Group D game on Thursday night, June 21.

Argentina went into this game with the hope of them getting a win after drawing their first match against Iceland, but they were embarrassed by Croatia who were superb in this tie.

This is Argentina’s worst defeat at World Cup since 1958 and also their worst start since 1974 as Lionel Messi failed to help his national team.

A shocking gaffe from Argentina goalkeeper Wilfredo Ceballero gave Ante Rebic the glorious chance to score the first goal for Croatia in the 53rd minute.

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- President Buhari's administration has blasted the National Assembly over the distortion in 2018 budget

- The presidency in a statement Mr Femi Adesina accused the lawmakers of distorting the budget for their own selfish interest

- Adesina also revealed that the President Buhari decided to accept this in the spirit of compromise required for a successful budget exercise

The Presidency has reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s reservation over the distorted 2018 budget by the National Assembly, saying he only signed the document in the spirit of compromise.

According to Buhari’s media and publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, the president signed the Bill in spite of the distortions, for the sake of a successful budget exercise.

Adesina was reacting to various explanations by the National Assembly aimed at justifying its distortion of the budget.

READ ALSO: Police arrest pastor over alleged ritual killing of 19-year old girl in Kogi

The president had on Wednesday, expressed concern over adjustments made to the 2018 budget by the National Assembly, saying that the action may affect the execution of meaningful socio-economic projects nationwide.

He made his position known when he signed the 2018 Appropriation Bill at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Adesina, in the statement said: “Sequel to the response of the National Assembly justifying its distortion of the 2018 Budget, the following clarifications have become necessary.

“Throughout the budget consideration process, the executive, through the ministry of budget and national planning, was in touch with the National Assembly.

“The executive was approached by the National Assembly which indicated that it intended to increase the benchmark price by five dollars, from 45 to 50 dollars.

“Out of the five dollars increase, the National Assembly informed the executive that it intended to utilize two dollars (amounting to about N170 billion) for projects selected by themselves.

“They asked the executive to suggest important projects that could be accommodated with the funds arising from the balance of three dollars.’’

According to the presidential aide, after some consideration, the executive was of the view that an increase in the benchmark price of crude oil to 50 dollars was not unrealistic.

He, however, revealed that the president decided to accept this in the spirit of compromise required for a successful budget exercise.

“The executive had, in that spirit, suggested that from the additional funds arising out of the three-dollar increase, 1.25 dollars from the increase should not be appropriated as expenditure, but utilized to reduce the deficit in the budget.

“The executive therefore restricted itself to submitting, for the consideration of the National Assembly, important items that could be funded from1.75 dollars of the three-dollar increase.

“The NASS eventually raised the benchmark price to 51dollars, apparently to accommodate the additional allocations to Health and NDDC.”

He explained that the executive was surprised that the National Assembly cut allocations to important projects in spite of additional N170 billion available to it for constituency projects.

Adesina said that this was besides N100 billion already provided for the legislature in the Budget, adding that the lawmakers’ act distorted the Budget, in order to further increase their allocation for Constituency projects.

He stated that the president’s position was clear from paragraph 12k of his speech, where he said, “About 70 new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.

“In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the ministry’s vote.

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“Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly.’’

Below is the full statement below.

Sequel to the response of the National Assembly justifying its distortion of the 2018 Budget, the following clarifications have become necessary.

1. Throughout the budget consideration process the executive, through the ministry of budget and national planning, was in touch with the National Assembly. The executive was approached by the National Assembly who indicated that they intended to increase the benchmark price by US$5, from US$45 to US$50. Out of the US$5 increase the National Assembly informed the Executive that they intended to utilize US$2 (amounting to about N170 billion) for projects selected by themselves. They asked the executive to suggest important projects that could be accommodated with the funds arising from the balance of US$3.

2. After some consideration, the executive was of the view that an increase in the benchmark price of crude oil to US$50 was not unrealistic and the president decided to accept this in the spirit of compromise required for a successful budget exercise.

The executive had, in that spirit, suggested that from the additional funds arising out of the US$3 increase, $1.25 from the increase should not be appropriated as expenditure, but utilized to reduce the deficit in the budget. The executive therefore restricted itself to submitting, for the consideration of the National Assembly, important items that could be funded from US$1.75 of the US$3 increase. NASS eventually raised the benchmark price to US$51, apparently to accommodate the additional allocations to Health and NDDC.

3. The executive is therefore surprised that with an additional sum of N170 billion Naira available for the National Assembly to spend on constituency projects, together with the sum of N100 billion Naira, already provided for in the Budget, that the National Assembly should feel it necessary to cut allocations to important national projects, and thereby distort the budget, in order to further increase their allocation for constituency projects. How much is enough!

4. The president’s position is clear from paragraph 12k of the president’s speech, where he said “About 70 new road projects have been inserted into the budget of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. In doing so, the National Assembly applied some of the additional funds expected from the upward review of the oil price benchmark to the ministry’s vote. Regrettably, however, in order to make provision for some of the new roads, the amounts allocated to some strategic major roads have been cut by the National Assembly”.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that following the criticisms that trailed the slashing of the 2018 budget by the National Assembly, the lawmakers have explained that allocations for some projects were slashed to correct the alleged imbalance in the appropriation bill.

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- The appointments of NAFDAC consultants has been recoked over allegations of anomalies and irregularities

- Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye director-general of NAFDAC said the activities of the consultants were detrimental to the federal government’s ease of doing business policy

- She said that industries and business organization with necessary dealings with NAFDAC should, henceforth, deal directly with the Agency through its designated officers

Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has revoked the appointments of NAFDAC consultants over allegations of anomalies and irregularities

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, Prof. Adeyeye noted that the activities of the consultants were detrimental to the federal government’s ease of doing business policy.

READ ALSO: Why Buhari signed distorted budget - Presidency replies National Assembly

“The operations of the NAFDAC Appointed Consultants in recent times have been fraught with a lot of challenges and irregularities, which militated against the very purpose of their appointment i.e. easing regulatory business of the industry with NAFDAC.

“NAFDAC, in this new dispensation under my watch, cannot allow these anomalies to continue,’’ Prof. Adeyeye declared.

“Therefore, I have directed immediate revocation of the appointments of NAFDAC Consultants,’’ the Director-General said.

Prof. Adeyeye said that industries and business organization with necessary dealings with NAFDAC should, henceforth, deal directly with the Agency through its designated officers.

“Each business management interfacing with NAFDAC especially the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME’s)/Academic Consultants and company Regulatory Officers can interface with our staff,’’

She directed NAFDAC officials to “ensure strict compliance,’’ with the revocation directive.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that a large quantity of tramadol tablet allegedly smuggled from India has been reportedly intercepted by the Tincan Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

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The shipment in containers was said to be intercepted by customs officers after a failed attempt to smuggle them out of the seaport.

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- A pastor has been arrested for the murder of a call girl in Kogi state

- He was arrested alongside Samuel Oluwasegun and Abdulmumini Yakubu, all of Ozuri area in the local government

- They were said to have conveyed the deceased out of the brothel on a motorcycle after exchanging pleasantries with the manager of the brothel

Police in Kogi state have arrested a cleric, Oluwasegun Aturu and two others over the suspected ritual killing of a 19-year-old call girl, Miss Mercy Moses.

The police public relations officer of the command, ASP William Aya confirmed the arrest of the suspects to newsmen in Lokoja on Friday.

READ ALSO: DSS arrests PDP senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in Abuja

He said that Aturu who claimed to be the shepherd in charge of Voice of Canaan Temple, Cherubim and Seraphim Aladura Church, Ozuri, in Adavi local government area of the state was arrested on June 19.

He was arrested alongside Samuel Oluwasegun and Abdulmumini Yakubu, all of Ozuri area in the local government, he said.

According to the police, both Oluwasegun and Yakubu were said to have at about 10 pm on June 11 gone to a popular brothel in the council area to pick the late girl to an unknown place.

They were said to have conveyed the deceased out of the brothel on a motorcycle after exchanging pleasantries with the manager of the brothel simply identified as Mohammed.

“The two men then approached one Mercy Moses, one of the commercial call girls who resides in the brothel. After discussing with Mercy, she was seen being taken away by the men on a motorcycle.

“When after two days she did not return, the brothel manager, Mohammed reported at a nearby police station at Adavi from where the case was taken up by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lokoja,” the statement said.

He said that police investigation later led to the arrest of Pastor Otaru, Oluwasegun and Yakubu but they all denied the knowledge of Mercy’s whereabouts.

“However, following diligent interrogation by the detectives of the state CID, both Oluwasegun and Yakubu opened up to the gory details of how they were hired by the pastor to bring a female for him.

“They confessed that Otaru hired them to bring a female for ritual purposes, promising them N700,000.

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“The arrested suspects thereafter led the investigators to an area called Uhodo in Ogaminana area of Adavi where the torso of the remains of Mercy Moses was dug out from a shallow grave,” he said.

According to him, police in a well scripted move was able to track and arrest Pastor Otaru who had since the arrest of his accomplices, fled the neighborhood.

He said that the exhumed remains of the victim were deposited at Okene General Hospital mortuary for autopsy.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the founder of God is Able Mega Ministry, Opolo in Bayelsa state was on Wednesday, March 14, arraigned before magistrate court 3 in Yenogoa.

He allegedly obtained a Toyota sport utility SUV and a sum of N20,000 from a church member.

Pastor Ashimolowo shades Daddy Freeze, insists tithing is necessary - on NAIJ.com TV.

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- NiMet has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Saturday with prospect of thunderstorms over Yola, Makurdi

- The agency also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 23 to 32 and 17 to 23 degrees celsius

- It also predicted thunderstorms and rains over the entire southern cities later in the day with day and night temperatures of 29 to 33 degrees celsius

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the central states of the country on Saturday with prospect of thunderstorms over Yola, Makurdi, Mambilla plateau, Jos, Lafia and Abuja during the morning hours.

NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Friday also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 23 to 32 and 17 to 23 degrees celsius.

It added that thunderstorms were also expected over Kaduna Ilorin and part of Niger state in the afternoon and evening hours.

READ ALSO: DSS arrests PDP senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in Abuja

The agency predicted that the southern States would experience cloudy morning with rain showers over Lagos, Yenagoa, Warri, Portharcourt and Calabar.

It also predicted thunderstorms and rains over the entire southern cities later in the day with day and night temperatures of 29 to 33 degrees celsius and 20 to 24 degrees celsius.

According to NiMet, Northern States will experience cloudy skies over the northwest with chances of thunderstorms over Maiduguri, Nguru, Dutse and Potiskum Gombe, Bauchi, Kano and Katsina in the morning hours.

“Later in the day, prospects of thunderstorms are likely over places such as Sokoto, Kebbi, Gusau, Yelwa, Kano and Katsina with day and night temperatures of 26 to 34 and 21 to 24 degrees celsius.

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“Cloudy skies with prospects of thunderstorms and rains over some parts of the country are anticipated within the next 24 hours.”

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Reports reaching NAIJ.com indicates that the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested the senator representing Abia South in the Senate, Eyinnaya Abaribe.

Abaribe, a former deputy governor of Abia state, has been a vocal critic of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

According to his special adviser, Nwokoma Okorie, Senator Abaribe was picked up on Friday, June 22, at his barber’s shop in the Apo area of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

Supporters and associates of the senator have been on social media announcing his arrest.

Some commentators are already blaming President Buhari for the arrest.

Abaribe, the southeast Senate caucus chairman, recently expressed shock over reported cuts in the 2018 budget allocation for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Terminal in Enugu state.

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Abaribe and lawmakers from the region said they learnt that an allocation of N2 billion sustained by the two aviation committees of the Senate and House of Representatives, were said to have been slashed to N500 million.

He said that the caucus had summoned an emergency meeting of southeast lawmakers to unravel when the cut was effected and by who.

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- Veteran Nollywood actor Aremu Afolayan has revealed how actors acquire their Lekki and VI homes

- According to Aremu, any actor that owns a house in Lekki, VI, is into something else

- He stated that most actors driving big cars most likely got their money from influential people

Nollywood actor Aremu Afolayan does not seem to be convinved that his colleagues are rich just by taking movie roles.

In a recent chat with Saturday Beats, Aremu made it clear that Nigerians are quick to accept whatever they see on the internet is true and real. He stated that most actors driving big cars most likely got their money from influential people.

READ ALSO: Actress Mercy Aigbe buys new home for herself

He said, “By the way, I live my life, people tend to think that I am the richest Yoruba actor, but that is a lie. Nigerians assume a lot. I live in a rented apartment because I cannot afford to build one. When they see me buy a new car, they don’t know if I paid for the car in instalments; instead they call me a big boy. What type of big boy lives on N50,000 or N100,000 income per film as an actor? I challenge any Nigerian actor that is living larger than life to state how they made their money because I am sure it is not from the movies they make. I am talking about both the English and Yoruba actors. If they like, they can say they make N5m per film, they cannot afford to build or buy a house at Lekki or Victoria Island or Ikoyi. It is impossible. They should call out mathematicians to figure it out. It is a lie. It is because they meet some influential people that give them businesses or they have side businesses. Since we do not all meet such people or make the kind of money they make through these people, we just have to be content with what we have. In my life, I have never seen an ‘educated illiterate’ country like Nigeria. Nigerians are very gullible when it comes to judging other people’s lifestyle since they do not know anything, they assume. Then social media came and it made things worse.”

The filmmaker who is often referred to as one of the most controversial actors in the movie industry for his outspoken nature said that he was shocked when Nigerians tagged him as a homosexual simply because a picture of him pecking a man surfaced online. He said that at a time, Nigerians called him a gigolo. Now, they are referring to him as gay simply because of a publicity stunt.

READ ALSO: Indigenous rappers Lucy Q and Mz Kiss are two musicians you should know

“I went to a store with a friend to pick up a wristwatch I had been paying for in instalments. My friend was taking pictures when I told him that we should cause trouble on social media with a picture of me pecking him. When I posted the picture, it went viral within 15 minutes. In fact, we were still in the store when the picture went viral. I was shocked that Nigerians would even conceive the idea that I am gay because I love women. Anybody can be gay and I mean no disrespect to them but as for me, the picture was just done for publicity stunt. I never knew it would go viral that fast.

“People call me a gigolo; how come I do not have money? I know a lot of people that are gigolos and they are doing fine. If they say I am an actor and gigolo, why would I have to sell a car in order to afford another car? What is wrong with me buying Versace and Ferragamo? Why would I be a gigolo and not dress like a posh boy? Why would I be wearing slippers everywhere I go? So why should I answer the people calling me a gigolo? I do not have to convince anyone; when I know that at the end of the day, I would not waste my time convincing you about anything. You can think about anything you like but I am not here to convince anyone,” Afolayan said.

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Meanwhile, Yoruba actress, Ronke Ojo popularly called, Ronke Oshodi-Oke has called out her colleagues who have taken to social media to show off their new cars and houses.

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- A Christian group has accused the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of incompetence

- The group said Christianity as a religion in Nigeria may cease to exist by 2043 if CAN fails to restructure

- It calls on the Catholic Church to join CAN fully and participate fully in providing the right leadership

A group of Christians under the aegis of National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has speculated that the present generation of Christians in Nigeria may cease to exist in 25 years from now (2043), that is, beginning from 2018.

The group is championed by a former minister of defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), and Solomon Asemota (SAN), The Punch reports.

NAIJ.com gathered that the group claimed that the present generation of Christians faces the risk of being the last set of Christians in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Nigerian pastor arrested for allegedly using 19-year-old girl for ritual

The NCEF, therefore, demanded the restructuring of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) before the 2019 general elections.

The organisation warned that if the current structure would be carried into 2019, it might be too late to preserve Christianity in Nigeria.

According to The Punch, the secretary of NCEF, Bosun Emmanuel, expressed these fears in his paper entitled: “Impact of lack of unity in CAN as threat to Christian faith”, delivered during the annual conference of Catholic Men’s Guild, held at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Ikoyi in Lagos.

Emmanuel said the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in Nigeria “is openly pursuing an anti-Christian agenda that has resulted in countless murders of Christians all over the nation and destruction of vulnerable Christian communities.”

He said: “Due to the inability of CAN to forge Christians into one indivisible army of the Lord, the Church has been weakened and unable to stand before its enemies. Realistically speaking, Christianity is on the brink of extinction in Nigeria. The ascendancy of Sharia ideology in Nigeria rings the death toll for the Nigerian Church.

“It is therefore imperative that CAN must be restructured, as a matter of urgency, if Christianity is to survive. CAN belongs to every Christian in Nigeria and there is nothing wrong with the association. It is the management that should be revisited and restructured.”

Apart from Danjuma and Asemota, other members of the NCEF include Prof. Joseph Otubu, Gen. Joshua Dogonyaro (retd.), Archbishop Magnus Atilade, Dr Kate Okpareke, Dr Ayo Abifarin, Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd.), Elder Moses Ihonde, Elder Nat Okoro and Elder Matthew Owojaiye.

Other members are Justice Kalajine Anigbogu (retd.), Elder Shyngle Wigwe, P. L. Dabup, Sir John W. Bagu, Dr. Saleh Hussaini, Elder Mike Orobator, Justice James Ogebe (retd.), Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chief Debo Omotosho, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Dr. S. D. Gani, Mrs. Osaretin Demuren, Prof. Yussuf Turaki, and Pastor Bosun Emmanuel (Secretary).

According to Emmanuel, disunity has crept into Christendom in Nigeria because of the deviation from the norms for which CAN was founded in 1976.

He said: “The Catholic Church should be prepared to return completely into the fold of CAN and participate fully in providing leadership in these troublous times. God warned in 2013 that we were not careful, in 30 to 40 years, Nigeria would be like Turkey.

“In 2018, we can say in 25 years from now, we are facing the risk of being the last Christians in Nigeria. Therefore, Christians should be in the frontline of defending democracy in Nigeria. The Church is the bastion of democracy. A divided CAN cannot defend democracy and promote justice, equity, and fairness. Consequently, Sharia will grow stronger. As Sharia grows stronger, democracy will become weaker and the Church will be emasculated out of existence.

“The current Federal Government in Nigeria is openly pursuing an anti-Christian agenda that has resulted in countless murders of Christians all over the nation and destruction of vulnerable Christian communities. Just recently, Elder Statesman, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma raised the alarm that Christians should take steps to defend themselves.”

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NAIJ.com previously reported that the president of the CAN, Rev Samson Ayokunle, called on President Buhari to restrain his aide, Lauretta Onochie on her use of vulgar words, abuse and unprintable names against others.

The CAN president made the call in a statement signed by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, special assistant, media & communications to the CAN president, on Wednesday, June 20, in Abuja.

Oladeji quoted the CAN president as saying that the leadership of CAN frowns at the use of vulgar languages on social media by the presidential aide on her Twitter account.

What is the problem with Nigeria - on NAIJ.com TV:

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- Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has reacted to his wards victory against Iceland at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

- He explained that he likes the humility and fighting spirit in his team who defeated Iceland 2-0 on Friday, June 22

- Gernot Rohr believes the Super Eagles have the chance to beat Argentina in their last Group D game in Russia

Gernot Rohr who is the head coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria has backed his players to go for a win against Argentina in their last Group D game at the 2018 Russia World Cup.

Super Eagles on Friday evening, June 22, defeated Iceland in their second Group D game to record their first win in the tournament in which Ahmed Musa scored the two goals for Nigeria.

Nigeria's victory against Iceland on Friday, June 22, means Gernot Rohr and his boys must avoid a defeat against Argentina for them to have the chance of reaching the last 16 at Russia 2018.

Gernot Rohr while speaking at the post match press conference believes his players have the chance to win against Argentina.

“What I like in my young team is humility, solidarity and fighting spirit.

“I thought before this World Cup we were here to learn. I think this team will be ready in 2022 and this World Cup is coming early, but we have a good chance to win against Argentina,'' Gernot Rohr explained.

Meanwhile, the last time Nigeria and Argentina met was in a friendly match in which the Super Eagles came from two goals down to beat the South Americans 4-2.

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Earlier, NAIJ.com had reported how Leicester City star Ahmed Musa scored twice to hand the Super Eagles their first victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup encounter at the Volgograd Arena.

The 25-year-old grabbed his first goal after receiving a timely and superb pass from Victor Moses and carefully controlled the ball and confidently powered it into the back of the net.

Musa completed his brace in the game after mesmerizing the Iceland defense including the goalkeeper before making it 2-0 for Gernot Rohr's side.

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- APC governors have finally regained firm control of delegates ahead of national convention

- The ruling APC is holding its national convention to elect new executives today, Saturday, June 23

- It was gathered that there had been fears that the governors had lost grounds in deciding who becomes what in response to the parallel congresses held in many states

The twenty-four governors under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) from across the country have regained firm control of the party following their ability to field all the nearly 8000 delegates that would participate in the party's national convention holding today, Saturday, June 23.

Daily Trust reports that the governors on Friday, June 22, had settled the allowances of the delegates and camped them in well-furnished hotels in Abuja and they would be taken directly to the Eagle Square this morning, June 23.

READ ALSO: Former MKO's running mate Kingibe’s SDP to replace nPDP ahead of APC's national convention

NAIJ.com gathered that many hotels at the Central Business district, Jabi and other locations were a beehive of activities as their rooms were fully booked.

It was gathered that initially, there were fears that the governors had lost grounds in deciding who becomes what in response to the parallel congresses held in many states.

The choice of comrade Adams Oshiomhole as the preferred chairmanship candidate of the party was another factor that made analysts insinuate that the governors were not in charge.

The governors had wanted chief John Odigie Oyegun- led NWC to continue for one year.

But during their meeting Wednesday, June 20, at the Imo state government lodge, they regained lost ground and consolidated their firm control of the party by ensuring that only their preferred candidates would emerge as members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

“Even Rochas Okorocha who was thought to have lost out of the APC politics in the southeast has recovered.

“As their chairman, the APC governors insisted that they must not allow Okorocha to be humiliated, saying an injury to him is an injury to all of them. Wait and see, it is his candidates that would emerge as NWC members representing the southeast,” a source at the APC national secretariat was quoted to have said.

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! - on NaIJ.com TV

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Editor’s note: The writer, Buchi Obichie, opines that Comrade Adams Oshiomole faces a daunting task, as he gets ready to assume leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She outlines some of the serious problems the party is currently grappling with, and wonders if Oshiomole’s eventual election would be enough to salvage the APC’s dwindling fortunes.

I have read with some degree of fascination, how, one by one, challengers for the position of the national chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have stepped down for the former governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole. Like a feared Samurai warrior, the former labour leader seems to have conquered his foes, to claim the prize…all without actually going into battle.

At the moment, Oshiomole is the last man standing; and if the situation remains this way on Saturday, June 23, then the position is his for the taking.

However, a part of me wonders if this would not turn out to be a lost cause in the end. I mean, with all the brouhaha in the APC at the moment, one wonders what Oshiomole can really do, to turn the party’s fortunes around.

READ ALSO: It is time for the nPDP to be ignored - Ex-governor Adamu warns APC, Buhari

The APC is practically limping into its convention; and I say this with all sense of honesty.

We watched, during the ward and local government congresses, as parallel factions emerged in several states, and violence even broke out. It was a thing of shame. The party seems to be unable to rein-in the ambitions of many of its members, and bring them under the authority of the overall apparatus.

There are also too many aggrieved parties in the APC who feel like they are being marginalized, and have not benefited from the ‘party commonwealth’. Take the nPDP faction for instance; that group is made up of senior politicians like Bukola Saraki, who have been threatening to walk out of the party if their demands are not met. They even allegedly hatched a plan to deal the APC a huge blow by staging their exit on its national convention day.

Recently however, the spokesman of the gang, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, stated that the group would attend the convention. But that is not a guarantee that they would not still quit the APC…afterall, nothing has really changed.

In view of that, a particular comment made by Baraje, proves that trouble is still lurking around the corner. He stated: “We are looking forward to the Saturday convention; we will be at the convention and after that, we shall see how things unfold.”

There is also the particularly appalling matter of the constant fracas between the executive and legislative arm of government. Now, given that both chambers of the National Assembly are currently led by APC men – Saraki and Dogara- it makes one wonder why the president does not seem to get along with these lawmakers.

However, it’s really a simple matter of political calculations on the part of the lawmakers.

In politics, people look out for their best interests – whether individually or collectively. And in the eyes of many legislators, the Presidency has launched a ‘witch-hunt’ against their colleagues; a sin they cannot forgive.

From Dino Melaye, to Saraki, to Shehu Sani, to Peter Nwaoboshi, there are many lawmakers with scores to settle against the Presidency. And then, it also doesn’t help matters when the president’s appointees disregard the Assembly so publicly, by refusing to attend summons. In these instances, it appears to onlookers, as though these appointees have the support and backing of people at ‘the top’…even if this may or may not be true.

Buhari is not a politician. He is still very much a soldier at heart; and it seems like he still does not understand the intricacies of politics in Nigeria…that it is a game of ‘back scratching’…you give, and then get.

READ ALSO: 2019: Donald Duke is more than just a handsome face! by Buchi Obichie (Opinion)

I must stress that there will always be excesses that need to be checked; however, it makes the job more difficult when both parties seem to have a deep hatred for one another, and when corruption seems to exist on both sides. How can a man with a log in his eyes – or logs in the eyes of those surrounding him – tell others to remove the ones in their eyes? It just smacks of hypocrisy!

And now, the man is wondering why lawmakers basically ‘rubbished’ his budget with ‘padding’! The answer is not farfetched.

So, Adams Oshiomole emerged as the favorite of the president and the choice of the party’s national leader, Bola Tinubu; and he would be banking on the support of both men to take the party to greater heights. However, in addition to all other problems the party faces, I dare say that the level of popularity of both Buhari and Tinubu has waned in recent times.

Tinubu’s popularity has taken a blow within the party and in the south-west as well. Even though the president seems to be trying hard to make amends to the man who was majorly responsible for his 2015 victory, it cannot erase the fact that Tinubu’s wife has revealed how she had counseled her husband against giving too much and being sidelined by the party again. Also, the emergence of parallel factions in the recent APC congress in Lagos state, which led to the sidelining of Tinubu's men by Oyegun, shows that there are challengers to Jagaban’s authority, even in his own domain!

Then in the southwest, the Third Force is gradually chipping away at Tinubu’s previously iron-clad influence; and in all likelihood, this would show in 2019.

On the part of Buhari, the rumblings within the country are clear indications of how unpopular the president has become; even though his minders keep saying otherwise.

From the state of the economy, to the issue of insecurity, people are crying out. The president’s disposition has also not helped matters, as he is known for somewhat nonchalance and a seeming refusal to call things as they are.

Nigerians will not forget in a hurry, how time and time again, Buhari has refused to label killer herdsmen as terrorists, or how his aide said hungry citizens should go and work hard; as though the reason for their hunger was that they were not hardworking. On top of that, the youths will also not forget how the president basically described them as being lazy!

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To cut the long story short, there is so much for the new APC helmsman to attend to; but one wonders if it is not already too late to patch up this badly leaking ship.

Make no mistakes though; Adams Oshiomole knows that his work is cut out for him. His recent statement that if elected, he would ensure that the president and all governors are subject to the party’s supremacy, shows that he does listen to the critics who accuse the president of being ‘lord and master’ in the APC. And I am pretty sure he is taking note of the mood of the country…he was once a labour leader afterall.

But at the end of the day, will whatever effort Oshiomole manages to put in, save the party? I guess we shall find out in 2019!

This opinion piece was written by Buchi Obichie.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of NAIJ.com.

APC officials tell why his party could be voted out in 2019 - on NAIJ.com TV:

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The chairman of the Senate committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim on Friday, June 22, said that they were ready for any eventuality at the party's convention holding today, Saturday 23, at Eagles Square, Abuja.

Daily Trust reports that Senator Rafiu, who is a die-hard loyalist of the Senate president Bukola Saraki, said they would all be in attendance at the convention ground.

READ ALSO: Former MKO's running mate Kingibe’s SDP to replace nPDP ahead of APC's national convention

NAIJ.com gathered that he was reacting to the report that delegates in the camp of the Senate president would not be recognized.

He said: “We are waiting for that but we are coming to the convention. It is not the convention committee that certifies delegates, it is the National Working Committee (NWC) that does that. It was the chairman of our camp that was sworn in as the APC chairman in Kwara state.

"So, I wouldn’t know why they will not recognize our delegates. You know there are rumours ongoing because of the crises in the party; but as Alhaji Kawu Baraje said, we are going to be there.“

On the report that they were dumping APC today, he said: “We have never said so, it is the media that are saying so. When it is time to do so, we will let you know. It is not going to be done secretly.”

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had earlier reported that indications emerged that the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, is set to replace the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) with his structure of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! - on NaIJ.com TV

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- Nollywood thespian Victor Osuagwu has opened up about his beautiful marriage ceremony

- According to the actor who used a tipper truck as his wedding vehicle, he felt fulfilled following his heart

- Victor started acting in 1994 after he starred in a movie titled Evil Passion

In 2014, Nollywood actor Victor Osuagwu's wedding to his wife Roseline was talk of town after the couple showed up in their tipper truck which was their wedding vehicle.

The wedding trended for weeks as Nigerians found his gesture very hilarious and many suggested that the actor was only playing one of his comedic roles during his wedding.

READ ALSO: Yoruba actor Ijebu escapes death as AC guts fire in his hotel room (video)

In a recent chat with Saturday Beats, he said that it was a very fulfilling thing to do. “I felt very fulfilled using a tipper truck as my wedding vehicle because that was my target, I never thought of anything less than what happened on that day. Some people thought the picture was from a movie set but a lot of people knew it was my wedding.

It was a long journey going to the reception and we caused a heavy traffic in town. It was not that I did not have the good cars or I did not have the money to rent lovely cars but people that know me are aware that I am a crazy entertainer and I wanted to show the world another part of me,” Osuagwu said.

The actor said his decision to use the truck shocked his wife. He said, “I wanted to carry over entertainment from the television to reality. My wife never knew I was going to do that even Francis Duru who was my best man. When we came out of the church, people just noticed that there was a well decorated truck but nobody knew what was going on.

People thought the lorry was there to convey goods until my wife told me that we should go into the car as her leg was aching because of the shoe she wore. When she asked which of the cars we were to use, I pointed at the lorry. She was so surprised and it was one of the biggest shocks of her life. She was dumbfounded.

Francis Duru overheard what I told my wife and had to ask the same question and I told him it was the lorry my wife and I would ride in. I told everyone to enter all the available SUVs but that we would arrive at the reception in the tipper truck. All my wife said was, ‘this is going to be great but how would I climb into it?’ the vehicle was not an ordinary lorry but a double hassle truck, the big one. When we got to the lorry, the people brought a ladder for her to climb into the lorry.”

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Victor Osuagwu is a famous Nollywood comic actor, producer, master of ceremony, television personality and currently the chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Lagos state chapter.

I will impregnate my house help if my wife doesn't cook for me - Babe De Baba - on NAIJ.com TV

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- Professor Wole Soyinka said ex-President Obasanjo is not the right person to lead any movement for reform on change of leadership in the country in 2019

- He described the former president as the most hypocritical former leader of the country

- Soyinka said he will launch a publication to expose him on July 3 at Freedom Park in Lagos

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has accused former President Olusegun Obasanjo of being the most hypocritical former leader of the country, following his attempt to hijack the movement for political change.

Soyinka stated this in Abuja on Friday, June 22, at a dinner organised by the International Press Institute, The Punch reports.

“Obasanjo has crossed the red line and I will launch a publication to expose him on July 3 at Freedom Park in Lagos," Soyinka stated.

“He is trying to hijack a recovery process he is least worthy to lead.”

READ ALSO: DSS arrests PDP senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in Abuja

He further said that Obasanjo is not the right person to lead any movement for reform on change of leadership in the country in 2019, adding that Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigerian Movement should not be glorified.

According to Soyinka, Obasanjo and other geriatric leaders of his generation should step aside and allow a new generation to lead the nation.

Responding to a question that he has not been critical of Obasanjo as he had been of other past leaders, especially late General Sani Abacha, Soyinka said: “As for Obasanjo, I have news for him. And it has been a progressive thing.

“I believe Obasanjo has really crossed the red line because he is trying to put himself as the head of a recovery process. He is trying to hijack the recovery process in this nation and I say that he is one of the least worthy of one of the former heads of states to lead that kind of movement.

“I have brought out a publication about that, the title is in Latin but it means; who watches the watchmen. That publication is coming out simply because I will like to see new blood in governance in this nation and I think these corrupt and hypocritical geriatrics should stop recycling themselves and they should stop trying to co-opt their former cronies to take over the reins of governance in this nation.”

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NAIJ.com previously reported that members of the House of Representatives from the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), and the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), disagreed over the allegation levelled against President Muhammadu Buhari by Obasanjo.

Obasanjo had recently cried out that President Buhari was plotting to use fake documents to implicate him and lock him up in jail for fraud.

While APC lawmakers were in support of President Buhari and insisted that the allegation was untrue, their PDP counterparts insisted that Obasanjo's allegation should be taken seriously and investigated.

2019: Kenny Martins speaks about Obasanjo's coalition, Buhari's chances - on NAIJ.com

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Barely a day to the June 23 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has emerged the sole candidate for the party's national chairmanship as all his contenders have stepped down.

The first to step down for Oshiomhole was Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire, followed by Oshiomhole’s predecessor as governor of Edo state, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor.

The last contender to step down was Clement Ebri, a former governor of Cross River state.

Oshiomhole’s interest in the chairmanship position has the blessing of President Muhammadu Buhari, right from the beginning. Perhaps, the main reason while the APC governors, who might have had their own separate desires, easily bought into Oshiomhole's candidacy.

READ ALSO: It is time for the nPDP to be ignored - Ex-governor Adamu warns APC, Buhari

They allegedly capitulated once the body language of the president made it clear that Oshiomhole was his candidate for the party’s top position.

Buhari’s backs Oshiomhole for APC chairmanship

But how does the former governor of Edo state and ex-union leader won the heart of President Buhari? A look into their past relationship provides some insights.

How Oshiomhole gained Buhari’s support for APC chairmanship

1. Oshiomole’s resilience; refusal to defect to the PDP

After Oshiomole came onboard, there were immense pressures on him to defect to the PDP on the prism that all the South-south states must be controlled by the PDP. However, Oshiomole refused.

Till date, Edo state remains the only enclave of the APC in the South-south region. Even before he ascended the nation’s highest office, President Muhammadu Buhari had also observed the challenges Oshiomhole faced against the PDP.

According to Vanguard, President Buhari called Oshiomhole several times to sympathise with him over his travails in the hands of the PDP.

It was gathered that the president while watching the television with his wife, called Oshiomhole to inform him that he had been nursing this fear that his life may be in danger the way and manner he was fighting the PDP godfathers including the former chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

It was learned that Buhari was particularly worried when Oshiomhole’s former aide, Olaitan Oyerinde, was killed and advised Oshiomhole to be careful that Nigeria needs him.

2. President Buhari was impressed with how Oshiomole decapitated the political godfathers in Edo state

President Buhari was impressed with the way and manner Oshiomhole methodically and ruthlessly decapitated the political godfathers in Edo state namely: Chief Tony Anenih and the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

Oshiomhole’s doggedness and seeming hatred for the PDP-led administration attracted him to Buhari.

3. Oshiomole’s unwavering support of President Buhari’s candidacy during the 2015 elections

The president was also impressed with the doggedness with which Oshiomhole stood with him in the 2015 presidential election despite the tremendous pressure brought on the then governor not to work against a fellow south-south candidate in the person of the former president, Goodluck Jonathan.

In the end, Oshiomhole’s efforts contributed to Buhari scoring 46% of the votes, the highest he got in the south outside the southwest. The bravery exhibited by Oshiomhole further endeared him to Buhari who was said to have called Oshiomhole after the presidential election and described him as a ‘lion.’

The president was also glad that Oshiomhole ensured that the party retained the governorship in the state through the emergence of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

4. Oshiomole’s performance as Edo state’s governor

President Buhari was also impressed that in spite of the fact that Oshiomhole spent most of his tenure in office as governor fighting political battles against the PDP godfathers, he also radically transformed the physical landscape of the state.

This was seen when the president lavished praises on Oshiomhole when he visited the state on November 7, 2016, to commission some projects executed by Oshiomhole. The president’s visit came five days before the expiration of the tenure of Oshiomhole as governor of the state.

While commending the job Oshiomhole did in the state in eight years, Vanguard reports that the president informed the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II that he will give Oshiomhole a national position after his tenure as governor.

He also reportedly repeated the comment while commissioning the state-of-the-art Central Hospital building constructed by Oshiomhole.

NAIJ.com gathered that the president said that the country will be the loser if the APC failed to utilise the “people’s governor’s wisdom, skill and energy.”

“It will be a pity to waste his energy by allowing him to retire. I hope there will be a higher assignment for him to do more for the nation. I congratulate the governor for his hard work. Oshiomhole is a hard working governor. We will need his services in Abuja. Thank you for inviting me. You have served two terms and you are about to leave. You deserve a place in history. I hope APC will look for a place for you because your service for the country is far from over,” President Buhari was quoted to have said.

5. President Buhari has also bonded with Oshiomhole’s past personality as a unionist

Vanguard reported that sometime in 2016 before he left office as governor, Oshiomole visited the Villa in the company of other governors for a dinner session with the president, wearing a suit like some of the governors.

It was said that Buhari sarcastically asked: “who is this person?” A shocked Oshiomhole was said to have identified himself. It was said that President Buhari then told him that he didn’t know him with suits noting that he (Oshiomhole) was not even comfortable wearing the suit.

Buhari thus charged him not to lose his identity with his khaki which Nigerians know him for.

Therefore, those who have been following President Buhari’s relationship with Oshiomhole will not be surprised when the president threw his wight behind him as his preferred candidate for the national chairmanship position of the APC.

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that Oshiomhole said that he would ensure party supremacy if elected as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at its National Convention on Saturday, June 23.

He stated this on Wednesday, June 20, in Abuja when he had an interactive session with APC young stakeholders.

Oshiomhole stressed that it was the duty of political parties, particularly a governing one, to have policies on the economy, social policies and policies that would determine how the society is organised and run.

APC official tells why his party could be voted out in 2019 - on NAIJ.com TV:

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- Englishman Raheem Sterling has explained that his daughter Melody is a fan of Liverpool

- He stated clearly that the six-year-old is supporting Liverpool because of Mohamed Salah

- Salah was superb last season for Liverpool as he helped them to reach Champions League final

Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling has made it clear that his six-year-old daughter Melody is a Liverpool fans and supports Egypt international Mohamed Salah.

Raheem Sterling is currently in Russia with England team who are campaigning in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped him from opening up about life back home.

Last season, Raheem Sterling won the Premier League title with Manchester City, but his daughter has no love for the club her dad's currently plays for.

According to the report by Players Tribune, Raheem Sterling explained that her daughter is a Liverpool fan and always sings about Mohamed Salah.

“My daughter is a bit cheeky. My mum warned me this was gonna happen.

“Around six years old they start developing a little attitude, you know? So the other day, my daughter’s running round the house singing a little song.

“And her dad had just won the league with City. Just got 100 points in the league, actually. Does she care?

“Haaaaa! Mate, she don’t give two Scooby-Doos about Manchester City. She’s Liverpool through and through.

So she’s running through the halls — and I swear to God she runs exactly like her dad. Chest puffed way out, back arched, hand flapping about a bit.

“She’s running through the halls like Raheem Sterling, and you know what she’s singing?

“She sings ‘Mo Salah! Mo Salah! Mo Salah! Running down the wing! Salahhhhh la la la la la la la! Egyptian king!’ Can you believe that? Cold-blooded, mate,'' Sterling explained.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah was unable to help his country at the 2018 World Cup as they have been sent out of the competition after losing their first two games in Russia.

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Earlier, NAIJ.com had reported how Russia who are the host of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualified for the round of 16 of the championship after beating the Pharaohs of Egypt 3-1 in their second Group A game.

Egypt welcomed Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah to their squad after missing the first game against Uruguay, but he could not save his country from an embarrassing defeat against Russia.

Mohamed Salah scored Egypt's only goal in their 3-1 loss against Russia at the 2018 World Cup.

Champions League 2018: Real Madrid VS Liverpool Aftermath | Naij.com TV

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- APC governors and the party chieftains have divided over the choice of national secretary ahead of the party's national convention

- It was gathered that while some leaders prefer the incumbent, Mai Mala Buni to continue as national secretary, others want Kashim Imam

- Senator Lawali Shuaibu had been endorsed for the position of deputy national chairman (north)

There are indications that there would be a fierce contest between incumbent national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni and his main challenger, Kashim Imam, at the party's national convention holding today, Saturday, June 23.

Punch reports that the party’s governors had yet to agree on a consensus candidate for the position of the national secretary as of the time of sending this report at 7:07pm on Friday, June 22.

NAIJ.com gathered that a top ranking member of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order not to jeopardise ongoing negotiations, said governors and other party leaders had yet to reach an agreement on the matter.

READ ALSO: APC convention: Saraki’s camp ready for any eventuality - Senator Rafiu declares

The source said, “After the issue of the national chairman was settled amicably, the position of national secretary which is the engine room of the party’s administration, has become a tough nut to crack.

“The reason is simple; our governors and leaders from the south, especially the southwest and southeast, are more favourably disposed to the emergence of Kashim Imam.

“Our governors from the northeast and their colleagues from most states in the northwest are more favourably disposed to the retention of the current occupant of the position, Mai Mala Buni. Talks are still ongoing.”

It was gathered that for the position of deputy national chairman (north), most, if not all northern governors, had endorsed the incumbent, Senator Lawali Shuaibu, to return and that barring any last minute change, he would be returned unopposed.

It was learnt that the main challenger, Faruk Adamu from Jigawa state, who is the campaign manager for former Governor Adams Oshiomole, was prevailed upon to step down.

According to Punch, when contacted, Shuiabu said: “When you have my kind of experience in politics and political party administration, you would always want to position yourself to give the best to make the party realise its objectives.

“Apart from serving for two terms as senator, I was also Senate minority leader. I was also national secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

“I was a member of merger committee that gave rise to the APC. I am not averse to anybody contesting with me, I believe in democracy and its norm. Inclusiveness must be encouraged.”

The contest for the three National Working Committee positions zoned to the southeast is also a source of concern for party leaders from the zone following the insistence of the Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on having his way.

It was learnt that party leaders from the zone set up a five member-committee which included the minister of science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; the director general of the Voice of Nigeria, Osita Okechukwu; and the minister of commerce, Okechukwu Enelamah, to meet with President Buhari over the issue.

According to Punch, Okechukwu confirmed the setting up of the team, saying, “It is true.”

He also said: “We would have met with the president by now but for some problems of logistics.”

The compromise being pursued is for the incumbent national organising secretary, Osita Izunaso, to step down for a neutral candidate.

It was learnt that Chidi Nwogu was being touted as the man to beat. Okorocha’s preferred candidate is Emma Ibediro.

Speaking about efforts being made to reduce the number of contestants, a member of the media subcommittee of the convention committee, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said, “As I speak with you, all the various parties are still meeting with the governors, with the leadership of the party and I believe, a few more people will be stepping down before tomorrow; the less cumbersome, the better for us, so that it won’t go for long hours.”

She explained that while the party encouraged consensus, it did not want a situation where there would be no election at all.”

The APC stakeholders from southeast have warned party leaders against imposing any candidate on them through the unity list.

The party members, who stormed the APC national secretariat, in Abuja, on Friday, June 22, said should the party go ahead with the proposed unity list; it could spell doom for it in the 2019 elections.

Speaking on behalf of the four other APC state chairmen from the zone, the Ebonyi state chairman of the party, Eze Nwachukwu Eze, described attempts by some party leaders to impose those who would represent the zone on them as “offensive.”

The party had earlier resolved to retain zoning arrangement of offices to each geopolitical zone.

The offices zoned to southeast include: Office of national organising secretary, national auditor and national vice chairman, where Osita Izunaso, George Moghalu and Emma Enukwe are respectively current occupiers.

Eze said: “All zones, the six geopolitical zones have positions zoned to them. We don’t go to those other zones and dictate who is produced there.

“The position of national chairman, for example, was zoned to the South-South. We have people who are ably qualified to lead the party from the southeast, so, the concentration is to adopt people from your zone.

“We are made up of different people and ideas, but when a person leaves northeast, northwest or northcentral and dives into the positions of the southeast, it is offensive,” Eze said.

The eoutheast stakeholders urged Buhari to advise those who wanted to impose candidates on the region, adding that such a move could work against President’s re-election bid.

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He said: “We are doing this not because of ourselves. You cannot disregard Jim Nwobodo, you can’t disregard Orji Uzor Kalu, Ogbonnaya Onu, Chris Ngige, Martin Elechi, Sullivan Chime, Andy Ubah, Ugbo Orji, Benjamin Uwajumogu and state chairmen and these are great leaders.”

Other state chairmen from the southeast, who also expressed their displeasure at the event, were: Donatus Nwankpa (Abia), Ben Nwoye (Enugu) and Emeka Ibe (Anambra).

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that

Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! - on NaIJ.com TV

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The Nigerian Army says its men killed seven Boko Haram terrorists and recovered weapons in Azaya Kalmari village in Mafa local government area of Borno state on Friday, June 22.

The deputy director of public relations, theatre command Operation Lafiya Dole, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in Maiduguri, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Nwachukwu said that the troops encountered the insurgents at 12 pm while conducting clearance operation at remote villages around Mafa town.

READ ALSO: APC convention: Former MKO's running mate Kingibe’s SDP to replace nPDP

“The gallant troops overpowered the insurgents in the ensuing firefight, killing seven of them.

“The troops also recovered two AK 47 rifles, one Ak 56 rifle and seven rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition.

“Troops also successfully cleared Moduhum, Njimtulur, Hayaba Gana, and Hayaba Kura, Hashime, Azaya Kura and Azaya villages. All located in the outskirts of Mafa,” said Nwachukwu.

He added: “After clearing the initial resistance posed by the insurgents, the troops proceeded to further clear other surrounding villages including, Koshebe Kanuri, Buramburi Gana, Kashakasha, Ngudda, Kezamari, Kellori, koshiri and Ngwon villages, all located in the remote parts of Mafa local government area.

“The troops remain resilient as they continue the fighting patrol and taking the battle to the insurgents in their hideouts.”

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had previously reported that a Nigerian Army captain intentionally shot himself to death at the 7 Division Medical Centre in Maiduguri on June 18 after he was referred to the facility for medical examination and treatments.

The unnamed officer attached to troops operating in Mafa local government area of Borno state was reported to be on deployment in the North-east as part of the war against Boko Haram from the Nigerian Army 22 Armoured Brigade in Ilorin.

His name had, however, been withheld because it was not clear whether his family members had been notified.

Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram - on NAIJ.com TV:

Source: Naija.ng