Poverty as a cause for insecurity in the North

One of the major reasons why Goodluck Jonathan was defeated in 2015 was the insecurity situation ravaging mostly the Northeastern part of the country, Boko Haram insurgency has claimed thousands of lives, destructuction of properties and caused severe damages to health and education sectors of the affected areas, many people have been displaced from their communities and their source of livelihood destroyed.

There is no doubt that there was a bit of improvement in the fight against insurgency immediately after the Buhari led administration assumed power, as there are no more serial bomb blasts and the activities of the insurgents have been degraded.

But the situation we have at hand now is not much different from the one we experienced in past few years, the recent security challenge of kidnappings and banditry keeps increasing inspite of the measures put by authorities to tackle the menace. The axis of Katsina, Zamfara, parts of Sokoto, Kebbi have become kidnappers and bandits den costing lives of innocent people, burning down of towns and villages and paying huge amount of money as ransoms. The people of these states have continued to mourn the slaughter of their people everyday.

The stories of horrors inflicted on the victims is quite touching, scary and worrisome, its almost on daily basis now that you must catch upon news of either abduction, bandits attack or kidnappings.

Insecurity in Northern Nigeria cannot be unconnected to the failure of leaders and governments at all levels to address properly the basic needs of people, provide jobs, eradicate poverty, create opportunities for people and improve their general well being.

Many Northern elders had already foreseen and warned against the possible security threat facing the region if the ever growing youths population and increasing overall population of the region continued to be neglected, denied jobs, and other basic amenities there and poverty keeps engulfing the region.

There have been reports by National Bureau of Statistics, World bank and other institutions that significant percentage of Nigerians live below poverty line. Many nigerians are living on less than one dollar a day. It may interest you to know larger part of that percentage is in northern Nigeria mostly Northwest states, the award of poorest states have been rotating among northwest states for quite a long time.

The rapidly increasing population in North without any provision for what the population will feed on is another issue to look on,  people especially in the rural areas marry as many wives as they could and give birth to as many children as they desire but unfortunately can't cater for them, hence pushing them to streets to cater for themselves. This is one of the reasons we are having millions of out-of-school children and they are increasing everyday, these kind of children will grow up on their own at the mercy of the environment they find themselves, this alone poses a greater security risk both for the North and the entire country.

All these threats coupled with unemployment rate that is ever increasing poses much greater  risk to the security of the North and the country entirely. As the popular proverb says "An idle mind is a devils work shop"

In conclusion, the solution to insecurity isn't just military action, governments at all level must ensure people are provided with jobs and opportunities, access to good education and qualitative life considering the enormous wealth of resources Nigeria posses, citizens must know and feel the impact of their resources. 

 

Digital Marketing: A gold mine to busineses

 Internet and social media today have become tools not just for educational purposes, fun and entertainment but also a working place and instruments for earning living and marketing products and services. Internet and social media have become unavoidable for most people, from checking for news updates, ordering for food online, sending messages and also business meetings and conferences.

It is estimated that there are almost 3 billion active users on  all the social media platforms and the numbers are increasing everyday as we are coming across new users on our favourite social media platform everyday. The rise in the number of users presents a great opportunity for businesses through social media marketing 

It is this rising popularity and intense use of the Internet and social media that forced businesses to expand their influence into the internet world, even small stores now have online presence where they interact with their customers, get feedbacks, suggestions and recommendations concerning their products or services.

The term used to describe the use of the Internet, social media, search engines and other online platforms to advertise or sell goods and services is called Digital marketing and it is now one of the most lucrative careers because of the rise, demand and pressure on businesses to have online presence.

Digital marketing gives businesses the chance to meet, connect and interact with  new set of customers everyday, adverts on social media reaches audience from a far going through the stress of reaching them physically or looking for contacts.

Another beautiful advantage of digital marketing is that its cheaper than traditional marketing and at the same time comes with higher revenues. Paid social media ads for example can reach thousands of potential buyers within an hour and its cheaper compared TV sponsored advertising or print media adverts. The most beautiful thing about social media marketing is that a user can control the kind of audience his ads should reach, PS5 adverts can be narrowed to appear to only a user below 35 years as most people above 35 years have no business buying PS5.

Digital marketing is real deal for business especially start ups and with the right strategies and techniques in place put in action at the right time, businesses will connect to existing and potential customers and achieve higher revenues.

Good economic policies better than giving out alms to the poor

 There is no doubt that President Buhari's administration remains the best ever in terms of Poverty alleviation and youth empowerment programs, as Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed claims, no government in the history Nigeria strategically brought policies and programs aimed at creating jobs to the teeming Nigerian youths and alleviating poverty in the country.

Several initiatives and programs have been put in place to create jobs for youths, women and other vulnerables . Examples of such programs include N-power in which graduates are eneGEEP of which trader mini, market money and farmers money scheme are part of,  P-YES, Covid Relief funds, Survival fund, NYIF and many more.

These initiatives have undoubtedly have helped in cushioning the effect of economic hardship in the country, some of the beneficiaries have started businesses that can sustain from the proceedings gathered from such programs while others have further improved their investments. The Buhari administration deserves some accolades for this.

Despite the good gesture aimed at economic growth within the masses, little attention have been paid to potential failures that are capable of derailing any prospect of success of the programs. Issues such as after the benefits that should be accrued from these empowerment programs have been recieved which are either given once or for a period of time. Some beneficiaries only enjoy the comfort and security for the period of the program.

Giving out alms to the poor without creating and implementing strong economic policies that will create jobs, wealth and opportunities and automatically lift millions of people out of poverty,  is somehow futile to the aim of eradicating poverty, the desired result might not be achieved in the end.

Youth empowerment programs is one good initiative but good economic policies if implemented would create jobs and wealth for the youths and encourage them youths to fend for themselves and their families as there would be more opportunities waiting for them to harness. 

Federal government to begin primary school feeding programme

It seems that the budget of “recovery and growth” as tagged by President Muhammadu Buhari has started taking effect, On January 3,2016,  Federal Government start giving out N5000 monthly stipend to the poor in the country. Another good news from the Federal government is that the Federal Government will commence school feeding programme.

This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige in an interview in Awka, Anambra state.

According to him, the Federal government’s school feeding programme will be enjoyed by five million pupils from Primary 1 -3 would be catered for by the federal government under the programme, while state governments are expected to feed other five million pupils from primary 4-6.

Ngige said the programme had begun in eight states, including Anambra state.

Dr. Ngige highlighted that President Buhari considers Anambra state as a very important state, that is why he used the state as one of the states to start the programme. 

He also emphasize that Nigerians should know that it is Buhari’s concern for the children that forced him to introduce the programme which will reduce pressure and hardship on parents.

Ngige said that states like Kaduna and Osun were already embarking on the programme before it was introduced nationally. 

He said: “To whom much is given, much is expected, for the federal government to use Anambra as one of the states to begin the school feeding programme indicates that President Buhari considers Anambra a very important states, We therefore call on Anambra state government to fulfill its part of agreement without delay”  

MMM set to unfreeze participants account, check out the date

The controversial Ponzi scheme, Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox (MMM) has decided to give a happy Monday to all its participants with the news that broke up on Monday about the intention of the MMM to unfreeze all its participants accounts come January 14.

The news was disclosed by the Ponzi scheme top guider, Chuddy Anayo Ugorji. Mr. Chuddy assured participants that the scheme will get back to work on january 14.

In a letter he wrote, He said the one month freezing of the accounts was intentionally implemented to disappoint Nigerian Government and MMM Haters.

Read his letter below:

MMM Nigeria No. 1 Guider Chuddy On One Month Freezing of Confirmed Mavros
This is from MMM Nigeria Guider 1 Chuddy.

Hi Mavrodians, As we all must have seen in our PO of the news on Mavro frozen for a month.This isn’t the first of its kind. It happens when there are excess PANIC in the system It was placed on Zimbabwe and after the duration it was lifted.

As MMM Freezes and Goes Offline Few Weeks Before Christmas This idea is brought forward to Calm the members down on intending Threat the FG and Mass media has planned on the system.
It doesn’t mean that there is no more money in the system because in my PO now as a guider, I have about 2million+ PH orders. And I know it would be like that in most Guiders PO too. So you see!!!
Money to pay out the orders wouldn’t be a problem. But the Admins needed to apply measures to sustain the growth of the system.

In order to fight issues that may arose as a result of Massive PH already this xmas. Issues like Uploading of Fake POP; non confirmation of orders and the rest. So this is the best strategy to put FG to shame.

We all need not panic as our money is in safe hands. Check out your Mavros and you see your money is intact both for 30% bonuses and 20% accrued bonuses.

You can keep PHing if you have the money, though you will definitely not be matched until Mavros are unfrozen. But that will really go a long way for you as your PH made this December will surely be giving you extra 20% after paying out next year.
No cause for Alarm. We live to expect a stronger MMM by January 14th, 2017

Guider Chuddy.

Shocking! Man left his wife for her Mother.

A 22-year-old man, Mahto Suraj has left his wife, Latila for his mother inlaw, Asha Devi.

The shocking incidence happened in a village called Puraini in Bihar, India.

The man, Mahto was said to have fallen in love with his wife's mother when she paid a visit to them back then in 2015.

India Times reports that the Mother inlaw, Asha left her husband started living with her Son inlaw Mahto Suraj and they latet validate thier marriage by proceeding to court marriage and a formal temple wedding.

The panchayat (local court ot assembly) ruled that, “The couples love each other so there is no reason to separate them.”

Realizing his mistake, Mahto later made a U-turn and reconsidered his decision, He now wants to break the marriage and return back to his wife, Latila.

“I have come to realize my foolishness. I admit I have committed the mistake, but will never repeat in future. Now, I no longer treat her (Devi) as my wife, rather, I have started
paying her regard as a mother and an in-law that she is."

Mahto further said: “I am on my knees, I’m begging Lalita to take me back home for the sake of our son,”

Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar kick against bill seeking for equality in inheritance between male and female children

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll, on Tuesday has said the bill before the National assembly seeking equality in inheritance is against Islamic doctrine, So it is unacceptable to Muslims.

The Sultan made the statement at the closing ceremony of the 20th Zamfara State Annual Quranic Recitation Competion in Gusau.

He said: “Our religion is our total way of life; therefore, we will not accept any move to change what Allah permitted us to do.

“Islam is a peaceful religion; we have been living peacefully with Christians and followers of other religions in this country.

Therefore, we should be allowed to perform our religion effectively.’’

The bill before the senate is seeking equal share of inheritance between male and female children in the sharing of inherited family wealth.

The bill also proposes that a widow is entitled to the custody of her children unless it is contrary to the interests and welfare of the children.

The bill before the senate also seeks that a widow shall have the right to remarry any man of her choice and should have the right to a fair share in the inheritance of her late husband’s property and the right to live in her matrimonial house.

The Sultan urged the senate to not consider the bill because it is against islamic religion teachings.

See what two men excreted at Murtala Muhammad airport, Lagos

A 37-year-old Man named Achebe Chuks David has reportedly excreted wraps of substances suspected to be cocaine.

The Man was importer of electronics living in Ikeja, Lagos state.

He was arrested by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials at the departure wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, while on his way to Hong Kong for ingesting cocaine.

Daily Trust report that the arrests was made at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos during screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to Hong Kong and Egypt Airline flight to Athens.

Another man called Ndukwe Daniel who is said to be residing in Athens was also arrested in connection with the illegal possession of the cocaine substance.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the suspects had targeted the Christmas holiday to smuggle cocaine out of the

country but drug law enforcement officials at the Lagos airport were able to uncover their plan.

Daily Trust also reports that the total weight of cocaine arrested from the suspects is 1.150kgs. The Other man living in athens, Ndukwe Daniel excreted about five wraps of cocaine weighing 215 grammes.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Mr. Ahmadu Garba confirms that both the suspects are tested and confrimed to be containing cocaine substances in them.

 “Both suspects tested positive for narcotic ingestion and while under observation, they expelled wraps of cocaine which they had wanted to smuggle out of the country. The

suspects are currently under investigation,” he ssaid

However, the suspects confessed that he swallowed the cocaine which was in a black polythene containing plantain and pineapples.

 “I sell electronics at Alaba market. This is my first time of dealing in drugs. My friend in Hong Kong introduced me to cocaine smuggling. He sent the drug to me at Alaba by a young man. The cocaine was in a black polythene bag containing plantain and pineapples. I swallowed the 45 wraps in my toilet without my wife’s knowledge. I was promised the sum of N5 million which I had wanted to use in importing electronics. At the airport, they told me that scanning machine had indicated that I had drugs on me. That was how I was arrested”.

The Chairman/Chief Executive, of the Agency, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) said that those who have the intention to make quick money through drug trafficking will not achieve anything but end up in prison custody.

 “This is a warning to drug traffickers that the Agency is determined to detect all hidden drugs and prosecute offenders,” he stated.

Source: Daily Trust

Photos: Emir of Kano's daughter, Siddika Sunusi wedding ceremony

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sunusi'd daughter, Fulani Siddika Sanusi got married to her heartthrob, Malam Abubakar Umar Kurfi on Friday December 23, 2016 in a colorful wedding ceremony.

Fulani is a name given to all the princesses according to Kano royal tradition.

The Wedding which took place at the emir's palace in Kano was graced by many dignitaries and politicians in the country.

Kamu was one of the events that took place in preparation of the wedding, Kamu is one of the oldest traditional Hausa wedding rites in which the bride will be sprayed with perfume by a respected woman in the family. While in Fulani tradition after the spraying of the perfume, The bride's face will be partially rubbed with cow milk.

 Kamu was followed by "kunshi" which means doing beautiful henna painting on the bride's hand  is the bride.

We wish the couples happy and blissful married life