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Again, Nigeria ranks low in the Global Gender Gap report.

Nigeria has yet again ranked low in the Global Gender Gap Report.

Nigeria took 122nd position in the World Economic Forum Report behind other African countries like Gambia and Burkina Faso.

The report which was based on four key subindex that includes: Economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment, studied and surveyed the gaps between men and women in a total of 144 countries.

Key variables for the study were derived from the four key subindex and matched with data from different international organizations like the world Bank, world health organization and Unesco.

The indicators where chosen by focusing on gaps rather than level which captured gaps in outcome variables rather than gaps in input variables.
It also ranked countries according to gender equality rather than women empowerment.

The study accessed resources and opportunities in the countries captured rather than actual levels of the available resources and opportunities in those countries and evaluated countries based on outcomes rather than inputs or means.

It provided a snapshot of where men and women stand with regards to some fundamental outcome indicators related to basic rights such as health, education, economic participation and political empowerment.

In the Global Index, Nigeria ranked 122 out of 144 countries. However, it ranked 37 out of 144 countries, above France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Spain in Economic Participation and Opportunity subindex.

African countries like Burundi, Botswana and Rwanda were ranked 1st, 6th and 7th out of the captured 144 countries in the Economic Participation And Opportunity subindex.

In the Educational Attainment subindex, Nigeria was ranked 135 out of the 144 captured countries as against Botswana which took the 5th position.

In the Health And Survival Subindex, Nigeria was ranked 94 while Burundi, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Namibia topped the list.

Nigeria was also ranked 136 in the Political Empowerment Subindex for women while Rwanda came third.
In Africa, Nigeria was ranked 26 in overall gender gap index behind Gambia and Burkina Faso.

Iceland took the first position in closing 87% of its overall gender gap followed by Norway at 83% and Finland at 82%.
Rwanda took the 4th position in the Global Gender Gap with 82%, slightly behind Finland. This is mostly due to continued progress on its economic participation and opportunity subindex.

Omerua marries long-time girlfriend.

Super Eagle’s and Chelsea Fc defender, Kenneth Omerua has married his long-time girlfriend, Chioma.

The quiet traditional marriage which took place in Enugu Last week had friends and family in attendance.

The reclusive Omerua who is on loan to the a Turkey’s giant Kasimpasa from Chelsea, posted the wedding pictures on his Instagram handle.

Udom sacks SSG, appoints replacement.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Etekamba Umoren.

The Governor announced the immediate appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem as the new Secretary to the State Government.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday indicates that the appointment is part of the continuous effort to rejig the governance structure of the state, which started with the swearing-in of two new commissioners less than two months ago.

Dr. Ekuwem, has a Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics, Masters Degree in Physics, Masters Degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering (Microcomputer-based Instrumentation and Control Engineering) and a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Computer-based Instrumentation and Control Engineering).

Until his appointment, Dr. Ekuwem was the Founder and CEO of Teledom Group, a former National President of the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) and a former President of Nigeria Internet Group (NIG).

He is the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, NEPZA.

He hails from Ofi Uda in Mbo Local Government.

The newly appointed SSG will be sworn in at 2pm on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the Government House Banquet Hall, Uyo.

Nigerians remember the fallen heroes.

Nigerians across the globe on Monday , paid respect and prayed for those in the armed forces who paid the Supreme price for the preservation of Nigeria’s unity.

In a ceremony in Abuja attended by President Mohammadu Buhari, the Vice-president and the service chiefs, a wreath was laid for the fallen heroes with similar events taking place in the 36 states of the Federation.

The Governor of Borno State had earlier on Monday, prayed with the officers and theatre commanders of Operation Lafya Dole, asking for the repose of those who have departed.

The Governor, who thanked the officers for their service, said that his government will do all it can to ensure a better working condition for those fighting at the frontline.

The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, in a ceremony held at the Isaac Adaka Boro’s Park,

thanked the members of the armed forces for their role in maintaining law and order in the state and prayed that God will grant eternal rest to those who are departed.

I don’t have anything against Fulanis – Fayose.

TPCN – The Ekiti State Governor has said that he does not harbor any ill feeling against the Fulanis and the herdsmen among them.

The Governor, however, noted that Ekiti state will not surrender any part of its land for the Federal Government’s proposed cattle colony.

In a series of tweets using his official twitter handle, the Governor said that it is not the business of government to set up businesses for private individuals, noting that he has never seen government construct ponds for fish farmers.

He said :“I don’t have anything against the Fulanis and the herdsmen among them. But let me state it expressly that Ekiti will not surrender its land for cattle colony”

“Cattle farming is a business and it is the duty of business owners to get tools. Does government build ponds for fish farmers?”

This is coming after weeks of bloodshed due to series of clashes between the nomadic cattle breeders and indigenous farmers in several states across the country.

The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, had expressed the government’s willingness to end the herdsmen-farmers clashes by developing cattle colonies across the Federation, a move that has been condemned by most governors.

On the issue of protection of life, the governor said that he will never play politics with the lives of Ekiti people, stressing that protection of lives must be done anyway and which ever way.

Fayose who had earlier on provided hotlines for the indigenes of the state to report any strange movement of herdsmen in the state, met with local hunters across the state and charged them to protect the people against killers herdsmen since – according to him – he has no one in Abuja to run to.

He said: “With ranching, cattle farmers will make more money, especially from milk and those who will cultivate grass to sell to cattle farmers will also make money. Those countries where we import milk do not get the milk through nomadic cows”

In a similar vein, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has also expressed its unwillingness to surrender any part of the state for the proposed cattle colony.

In a statement through the special assistant to the Governor on media, the governor said that Abians as farmers do not have enough land for its indigenous farmers and so would not give out any portion of its land for cattle grazing.

Arsenal loses 2-1 to Bournemouth

Bournemouth scored twice in four minutes as they came from a goal down to see off Arsenal 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium for their first-ever win over the Gunners.

The home side mustered the first attempt when Adam Smith fired wide early on, but after eight minutes Arsenal were within a whisker of breaking through.

The chance came when Jack Wilshere, on loan at Bournemouth last season, linked with Alexandre Lacazette to find Ainsley Maitland-Niles, whose effort cannoned back off the bar.

Alex Iwobi tested home keeper Asmir Begovic before Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling was booked after going to ground under a Shkodran Mustafi challenge when the Arsenal player appeared to have caught him.

With 10 minutes to go until half-time, Arsenal were close to breaking through when Danny Welbeck evaded a Simon Francis challenge to force Begovic into more action, but back came Bournemouth and Ryan Fraser saw a dangerous-looking strike blocked.

After a quiet start, the second half burst into life when Arsenal took the lead after 52 minutes, Hector Bellerin on target after Iwobi had put him through one-on-one with Begovic, who got a hand to the strike but could not stop it.

Iwobi and Lacazette linked up after 67 minutes only for the final ball from the former to go awry — and within three minutes of that wasted opportunity Bournemouth had equalised.

The goal came when Fraser and substitute Lys Mousset swapped passes down the right and Callum Wilson was in the right place to turn home the cross.

Four minutes later, soon after Arsenal had brought on Aaron Ramsey to try and get themselves going again, the turnaround was complete when Wilson controlled a long pass forward and set up Jordon Ibe, whose shot went in off Cech.

Wilshere had an effort blocked after making himself space with time running out, and soon afterwards Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe made a change, bringing off Ibe and replacing him with Marc Pugh.

Wilson made way for Benik Afobe with time running out as Bournemouth held on for three vital points to lift them to 13th and further away from the danger zone.

On Saturday, it was another goalless draw for Chelsea when they played host to Leicester city. Crystal Palace edged over Burnley with 1-0 win.

Tottenham Hotspur maintained 4-0 lead over Everton.

Arsenal loses 2-1 to Bournemouth

Bournemouth came from a goal down and scored twice in four minutes to secure a win over Arsenal 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium in their first-ever win over the Gunners.

The home side mustered the first attempt when Adam Smith fired wide early on, but after eight minutes Arsenal were within a whisker of breaking through.

The chance came when Jack Wilshere, on loan at Bournemouth last season, linked with Alexandre Lacazette to find Ainsley Maitland-Niles, whose effort cannoned back off the bar.

Alex Iwobi tested home keeper Asmir Begovic before Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling was booked after going to ground under a Shkodran Mustafi challenge when the Arsenal player appeared to have caught him.

With 10 minutes to go until half-time, Arsenal were close to breaking through when Danny Welbeck evaded a Simon Francis challenge to force Begovic into more action, but back came Bournemouth and Ryan Fraser saw a dangerous-looking strike blocked.

After a quiet start, the second half burst into life when Arsenal took the lead after 52 minutes, Hector Bellerin on target after Iwobi had put him through one-on-one with Begovic, who got a hand to the strike but could not stop it.

Iwobi and Lacazette linked up after 67 minutes only for the final ball from the former to go awry — and within three minutes of that wasted opportunity Bournemouth had equalised.

The goal came when Fraser and substitute Lys Mousset swapped passes down the right and Callum Wilson was in the right place to turn home the cross.

Four minutes later, soon after Arsenal had brought on Aaron Ramsey to try and get themselves going again, the turnaround was complete when Wilson controlled a long pass forward and set up Jordon Ibe, whose shot went in off Cech.

Wilshere had an effort blocked after making himself space with time running out, and soon afterwards Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe made a change, bringing off Ibe and replacing him with Marc Pugh.

Wilson made way for Benik Afobe with time running out as Bournemouth held on for three vital points to lift them to 13th and further away from the danger zone.

Governor’s visit most unfortunate- Shehu Sani

The Senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has described as “Unfortunate” the Friday’s visit of seven governors of Northern extraction to Aso Rock. Reacting through his Twitter handle, the Senator said that visiting Aso Rock to ask the president to run for a second term at a time when the country is in turmoil is most unfortunate. The Senator said that they should have instead advised the president to put an end to the mindless bloodletting, describing the governors as lacking in human reasoning. This is coming a day after about 75 persons massacred by herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue on New Year day were laid to rest. Seven state governor had on Friday, visited the president to ask him to run for a second term in office. Speaking to the Press after the visit, the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, said that he had no regrets for the visit, describing it as a necessity. Other governors who were present during the visit include the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Jibrila Bindo (Adamawa), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abubakar Bello (Niger), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe). According to the Senator: “Seven Governors in the Villa asking President Buhari to run at this material time when all hands should be on deck to advice or support him to end the mindless bloodletting & carnage in the country is most unfortunate. Human reasoning and human conscience where art thou?”

This is our last battle; we will be finished politically if we lose – Amaechi.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has urged members of the Ikwerre Youth Movement to ensure that the current People Democratic Party’s government of Nyesom Wike is defeated in the forthcoming general elections.

Speaking at Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area during a reception organized by IYM in his honour, the Minister said that this is their last battle, stressing that if the Movement fails to chase away the current governor, they will be finished politically.

The Minister who is the founder and Grand patron of the movement said that 60 percent of his appointees came from the movement when he became governor in 2007.

Furthermore, he added that those who benefitted from the movement never went back to build it into a sustainable political force as it was envisioned.

He said: “When I became governor, I took 60 percent of my appointees from IYM because I thought that they will go back and build with you but they did not do that.

“The future of all of us is your hands. The president has said that there will be no more rigging, even if it means him losing election. So, the era of result writing is gone. Once you thumbprint, it will electronically appear in Abuja. That is why you must register and make sure your vote counts.

“People should go and register to vote. If you sell your vote, you have sold your power. If you you don’t have power, you don’t have a voice. If we lose, we are finished politically”

The Minister also said that to ensure equity and fairness, the Ikwerre ethnic group must ensure that others taste power at the state level.

“Ikwerre must give back power to others this time. We will vote out the current PDP government. When you win, I will host all of you”

The event had the Secretary To the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the special assistant to the president on social media, Lauretta Onochie in attendance.

Other dignitaries included the wife of the Minister of Transportation, Lady Judith Amaechi, the Senator representing Rivers East senatorial District, Senator Andrew Uchendu and the Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside.

The Minister who berated the Wike-led administration’s handling of security in the state said that those resident in the state should be free to sleep with two eyes closed, adding that it is the duty of the governor to secure lives and properties of the residents.

He said: “The responsibility of every leader is to keep his subjects alive. If there is no life, you will not find anyone to lead. If there is anybody on earth that said that I have ever sat with him to plan on how to kill people so as to win election, let him come forward”

He said that the people cannot continue to endure unemployment and poverty or else, the leaders will become the employment of the people.

In his opening remarks, the president of the movement, Mr. Azubuike Nwajoku said that the state needs peace and urged the minister to take the plights of the state to the president.

Abia state rejects cattle colony.

The Abia state Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has rejected the federal government’s plan to set up cattle colonies for cattle breeders in the state.

The Governor, in a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos, stated that the state will not cede any part of its territory to Fulani cattle breeders for the federal government’s planned cattle colony.

According to the statement, the Governor said; “we reject any plan to establish cattle colonies for herdsmen in Abia State.

“We don’t have enough land for our agricultural activities and our people want more land.

“Giving away any part of Abia land as a colony to herdsmen, wherever they may be from, will be most unjust and unfair treatment to Abia State and her people who are largely farmers.

“Such alien land occupation will also cause unrest and crisis that may grow beyond what we can handle when it happens, so the best thing I think we should do is to reject such plans so that those behind it will know that Abia State is not party to it.”

The federal government, through the Minister of Agriculture had suggested the setting up of cattle colonies across the 36 states of the federation as a measure to put to an end the Herdsmen-Famers clash.

The minister, Chief Audu Ogbe, said that cattle colonies will help the government resolve the issue of killings between farmers and herdsmen.

This, was as a result of reactions following the killing of not less than 75 persons in Gumi local governments by the Fulani Herdsmen.

The Minister said that the cattle colonies when properly set up, will allow cattle breeders concentrate at a given place instead of wandering into locations that might cause clashes.

More states are expected to reject the Federal government’s plan.

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