UK Police Arrest, Detain Ike Ekweremadu, Wife for Human Trafficking, Attempted Organ Harvesting!

Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, have been arrested and charged for bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.

It is not certain if those arrested are Nigeria’s former deputy senate president and his wife, but the description given by the UK police fits into their profile.

Confirming the arrests in a statement, the metropolitan police said the pair were charged to court on Thursday following an investigation by the force’s specialist crime team.

The police added that the investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.

“Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting,” the statement reads.

“Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

“They have both been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court later today.”

“A child has been safeguarded and we are working closely with partners on continued support.

“As criminal proceedings are now under way we will not be providing further details.”

INEC Refuses to Extend Voters Registration Deadline!

 

Aisha Dukku, chairperson of the house of representatives committee on electoral matters, says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) didn’t promise to extend voter registration by 60 days.

According to Dukku, the electoral umpire has several activities on its timetable ahead of the 2023 general election which makes it not viable to extend the deadline by 60 days.

The house of representatives had asked INEC to extend the deadline by 60 days, following the June 30 closing date set by the electoral body.

Briefing journalists after plenary, Dukku said INEC didn’t agree to the request of the lower legislative chamber.

Dukku said Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, only promised to “look at” the request of the lower legislative chamber.

“Part of what INEC told the house through the committee on electoral matters is that they are going to look at our request. However, whatever happens, they cannot be able to open the registration for the next 60 days because of the activities lined up before the general election,” she said.

“The registration of voters is one aspect. There are other schedules that have to be done which the chairman explained. Such include the printing of voter cards, distribution of the cards and the pasting of list of all persons registered in all 774 local governments nationwide.

“And so, it will not be possible. This is the statement— for INEC to extend for the days we requested. However, they will go back and look at their timeline and look at how possible they will be able to increase the days for registration.

2023: Why Citizens' Civic Responsibility In Repositioning Nigeria Is Crucial, by Emmanuel Ajibulu

  

One of the most critical ways that citizens can influence governmental decision-making is through voting. It is a formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue. 

Voting generally takes place in the context of a large-scale national or regional election. In Nigeria for example, presidential election takes place simultaneously in the country same with the governorship election which usually hold in only 29 states at the same time, whilst election in the  remaining seven other states of Edo, Kogi, Ondo, Ekiti, Anambra, Osun and Bayelsa are staggered and conducted off-season by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Presently and according to INEC, the 2023 presidential and National Assembly poll is set for 25 February and governorship and other subnational elections scheduled for 11 March; the countdown is well underway for what will be the seventh consecutive elections since the return to democracy in 1999 after military handover. This apparently represents 23 years of unbroken democracy; the longest period in Nigeria's history.

The process is also considered to be significant as the 2023 election will be conducted under a new electoral legal framework. The Electoral Act 2022 allows INEC to review results made under duress or financial inducements, extends the time for campaigns from 90 to 150 days, and provides for the use of technology to determine the mode of voting and transmission of results. Pundits believe these measures can help manage situations where inaccurate results are returned, expand the opportunity for politicians to visit the nooks and crannies of the country if they so desire, and can cure the chaotic, vulnerable manipulation and unnecessarily opaque process of the aggregating result. 

Meanwhile, there is need for citizens' awareness during the performance of this civic responsibility. It’s so important for the people to adequately understand what they are voting about and the need to accordingly make informed decisions. The 2023 election goes beyond who will be president. Citizens' votes should be their eloquent voices to react to issues affecting housing, education, employment and healthcare, etc.

It is also true that citizens through the strength of their votes have the power to decide on the quality of life they want for themselves and future generations. Voting is an extention of the opportunity to stand up for improvements on issues like public transportation, raising minimum wage, or funding local schools, etc and it is essential at a time like this to also take the time to help decide what’s best in deepening our democracy.

More pointedly, elections are decided by the people who go out and vote on the day of election, however Nigerians owe themselves the responsibility to take some time and learn about the candidates; trace their antecedents and carefully  evaluate their capabilities on the strength of their previous accomplishments in their various field of endeavors, know about their criminal records (if any) the premium they place on transparency, prudency, justice, fairness, decency, charitable course for humanity, etc. 

In the forthcoming 2023 poll, there are two things electorate should demand from INEC. One of them is their PVCs. The second one should be delivery of an electoral process that would be transparent, credible, free, fair and acceptable.

This election is expected to be a defining moment for Nigerians, having experienced two recessions in the last seven years, the economy has been in a very bad shape, with the government helpless at any time it happens.

Without being antagonistic to the present leadership, it is a widely known fact that in the last seven years, foreign exchange has been more volatile, with Naira losing stability of N160 to the American dollar speedily to about N650 today at the parallel market. In the last seven years, which captures the present administration, inflation has risen unimaginably, food security is fable, insecurity has taken deadlier dimensions, corruption, which the government swore to fight, is fighting back and winning more converts, poverty is preeminent as the country infamously ranks as the world capital of poverty today.

Similarly, the country is witnessing a very high inflation rate, the worst in seven years. Though the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) claimed that Nigeria’s annual inflation rate fell for the seventh straight month to 15.99 percent in October of 2021, from 16.63 percent in September, food prices are still rising daily at a very high percentage in the last seven years.

There is no need to ask for what the plights of the masses are now. They are getting poorer daily, one square meal difficult, quality education and healthcare far out of their reach. Staple food like garri now out of the reach of the poor, and building materials untouchable, many are hungry and homeless, and millions have fallen into that category in the last seven years. Yet, farmers-herders clashes took a deadlier turn in the last seven years.

Currently, Nigeria is the third country most impacted by terrorism, according to Global Terrorism Index 2020 after Afghanistan and Libya.

Sadly again, Nigeria increased to 149 out of 180 countries in 2020 from 146 in Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International, while observers worry that the country will top the rank before the present administration, which claims to fight corruption, finishes its tenure in 2023.

More worrisom is the rise in religious intolerance and fanaticism as seen in Boko Haram Islamic sect, banditry, tribalism, nepotism, among other forms of injustice that have divided Nigeria.

However, judging from the constraints itemized above, citizens must still not be deterred in excercising their franchise in 2023 which is their constitutional right, electorate must also be optimistic that their votes will count, and they must never give up on the leadership and the country’s brand of democracy.

Citizens' impact, participation and ownership of the 2023 electoral process will definitely give room for paradigm shift in the larger interest of Nigeria and of course it is expected to be a referendum against bad leadership to usher in growth, socio-political and economic renaissance and national coehesion among other purpose driven interventions. May God bless and prosper Nigeria.

-Ajibulu, a public affairs analyst, social media influencer and publisher of veracitydesk.com.ng, writes from Abuja

Actress Funke Akindele Reveals How She Lost Weight

 

Actress Funke Akindele-Bello has revealed how she was able to achieve weight loss.

 

 

The actress, who took to her verified Instagram page, shared a stunning photo of herself while taking to the caption section to reveal her secret to fans.

 

 

She wrote “Testimony time!!!! From 89kg to 80kg!! I prayed and worked hard to achieve this. Work is still in progress o!! #imustbecomelekpa. Praising the Lord always!!!

 

 

“Pls take note: Prayer without effort is useless!! Make a serious effort while praying for anything.”

 

Prophet Iginla Prays For Nigeria, Releases Warnings About 2023 Presidential Election (Video)

The General Overseer Of Champions Royal Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla has raises an altar prayers for Nigeria over the forthcoming 2023 elections. And this is not unconnected to the grave vision he received concerning it. Aside the prayers which he enjoined both the youths,  Christians and muslims to partake in, he also released strong prophetic warnings to Nigerians concerning the 2023 presidential elections.

During a live service at his South Africa branch, Prophet Joshua Iginla revealed that God spoke to him about sensitive things concerning the election especially on mysterious things that will happen and not the person that will emerge as the next president.

He started by appreciating the Youths for waking up and creating awareness on getting permanent voters card and commended Christian bodies for praying concerning the country.

Iginla reminded Nigerians of his 2022 new year prophecy that talked about the year being mysterious. He asserted that he stands by the word of God concerning the year, stating that God has only shown him part of what will happen.

‘’I know the moments are very sensitive in Nigeria and becomes of the sensitivity, God spoke to me about something very sensitive.I want to start by appreciating the youths of Nigeria for their gallant consciousness about the next election in 2023, Nigeria is a project in the hands of God and for the first time, the youths in my country woke up from their slumber, they are sensitive, matured, calculating, getting their voters card, May God strengthen you all.’’

‘’The Christian body; churches, pastors, prophets are also praying, so many school of thoughts, I want to appreciate everybody for what you are doing for this country. I remember saying at the beginning of this year that God spoke to me concerning 2023 and he said it is a year of mystery, I see light in darkness and darkness in light. I still stand on that position of what God said to me that we need to be very careful especially prophets, we should be very careful because it’s a mysterious year. Even me, I only see part of what God has shown me.’’

Prophet Joshua Iginla revealed that he is not going to mention the name of the next president of the country as he isn’t coming from that angle but what God has shown him which Nigerians need to pray about. He spoke in parables while noting that he is afraid to say what he saw.

Prophet Iginla asked Nigerians to pray for the current leaders to finish well and for the 2023 election to go smoothly without any roadblock and manipulation. He made it known that Nigerians need to pray against a conspiracy theory which is pregnant with a lot of meanings.

Continuing, He urged Nigerians to pray against the enemies of the country making moves that will make history repeat itself in an alarming form.

‘’Many are expecting me to mention a name but I’m coming from another perspective and this part is what we should pray about. I will speak in parable because I am afraid to say what I saw.’’

‘’Let us pray for our current leaders to finish well what they have started, let us pray for the 2023 election to go smoothly without any roadblock and manipulation. Let us pray against a conspiracy theory that I don’t want to explain, it is pregnant with a lot of meaning. While others are busy talking about who will become the next president, it is important we pray about this.’’

‘’Let us pray that the enemies will not throw Nigeria into total darkness before the election and after the election so that history will not repeat itself in an alarming form. Telling you the next president is not as important as this vision. Take note of everything I have said, when God reveals, he does to redeem, our prayers should be more that there should be no systematic failure.’’

WATCH VIDEO:

https://fb.watch/dN5i9eIwiJ/

Lifestyle: What Else Does Vaseline Do Apart from Healing Burns and Wounds!

Vaseline is a brand name for petroleum jelly.

In its early days, Vaseline began as a balm for healing cuts, burns and other small wounds. In fact, it’s still recommended by dermatologists for this use today. Petroleum jelly is often applied to skin after certain types of skin surgery as this keeps the wounded area moist, helping to prevent a scab from forming.

Vaseline is also a great skin moisturizer that can help you get rid of dry patches, soothe skin irritations and protect your skin against external drying factors. It’s truly a “top of the line” moisturizer for certain parts of the body like elbows, feet and great when used as a lip balm.

But when it comes to our face, best to remember that Vaseline is a heavy-duty choice and may not be ideal for use as a day-to-day facial moisturizer. The same quality that makes it so good at sealing in moisture can also seal in less desirable things like dirt and grime we have left on from the day. It’s important to remember to cleanse your face before applying this step.

One thing Vaseline’s occlusive barrier will not seal off, however, are the skin’s pores. Contrary to a common misconception, the product is non-comedogenic — meaning it won’t give you more blackheads. Nevertheless, if you suffer from acne of any kind of skin aliment you may want to stay clear.

Vaseline’s recent comeback into our lives has caught on because of the TikTok trend referred to as “Slugging”.

“Slugging” is a short term for slathering the face every night in Vaseline or another petroleum jelly-based product, such as Aquaphor. It’s the evening skincare step that, ideally, leads to another term, “glass skin,” in which the skin is so luminous and clear, it resembles glass.

However! Slugging keeps the skin hydrated and the skin barrier protected. The "trendy" aspect seems like the product itself, slathering on a jelly balm until your skin reaches a mucus-like quality, but the point of slugging isn't trendy at all—essentially, it's sealing your skin barrier, with a cheeky amount of slug.

We all know that hydrated skin is key to a youthful look, and Vaseline remains the moisturizer against which all other moisturizers are judged due to its purity and efficacy. Might it have other anti-aging properties?

Petroleum jelly can make wrinkles less apparent because it’s essentially adding moisture to the skin, which softens lines, but it can’t actually prevent or reduce signs of aging.

So while Vaseline may TEMPORARY & SLIGHTLY reduce the APPEARANCE of wrinkles, it won’t help in actually reducing them.

This effect is not because of vaseline, though. It’s a consequence of your skin being properly hydrated and moisturized.

When you apply a thin coat of Vaseline over a freshly cleansed face, it helps to lock water and moisture in the skin and retains hydration. Petroleum jelly is a strong moisturizer and moisturized skin is less likely to look older and the wrinkles would be less visible that way.

VIDEO: Zazuh Crooner, Portable, Orders Bosom Friend, DJ Chicken Beaten to 'Death'

Famous disk jockey, DJ Chicken, grew up helping singer Portable promote his songs. 

According to sources, when Portable became 'big', he abandoned most friends and co-lyricists with whom he struggled for survival.

Twice, sources said, Portable has organized assaults on DJ Chicken allegedly for abusing him in his song tracks and "working to bring him down".

In this video below, Portable is seeing ordering DJ Chicken beaten to death by his goons. He accused him of texting a message his (Portable's) wife to influence the sacking of his boys (goons).

See video: