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2015 LAW SCHOOL BEST GRADUATE, FATIMA SANNI, GRANTED SCHOLARSHIP BY KOGI STATE GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO

Ms. Fatima Bombom Sani who set a new record at the Nigeria Law School (NLS) after winning nine individual awards at the 2015 Call to Bar and was also the best graduating student, has been granted academic scholarship to the tune of $93,000  by the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

This was made known at the award ceremony at Government House Kogi State over the weekend when the governor received Ms. Fatima Sani, her relatives, alongside Bar. Natasha Akpoti. 

In his speech, the governor lamented a situation where academic excellence has not been given the requisite reward in Nigeria.

“The case of Fatima Sani reminds me of how academic excellence has not been adequately rewarded in Nigeria. Imagine someone that bagged nine separate awards including “Best Student of the Year and Council of Education Star Award, and nothing was done for her since 2015.”

The governor also thanked Barr. Akpoti for taking up the case of Fatima Sani by starting an awareness campaign about her academic feat. “I thank Barr. Natasha Akpoti for this if not we won’t all be gathered here”.

It was Bar. Natasha Akpoti, who sought the intervention of the Kogi State Governor who was not only surprised but disappointed that Fatima was left unsupported while no information was brought to his office concerning her case.

“I heard about your exceptional performance at the Nigerian Law School in 2015 and assumed you were recognized and sponsored by the administration of the day.

“It’s unacceptable that such brilliance is not celebrated and promoted. Nevertheless, now that your genuine self is before me, I shall grant you a personal scholarship to celebrate your exceptionality and help your career-defining goals,” Bello said.

Governor Yahaya Bello stated that after some inquiries and validation of Fatima’s credentials, he in his capacity declared a full scholarship for Fatima to study Masters in Finance Law at the Colombian Law School, in the United States of America.

Gov. Bello thanked Akpoti for her humanitarian efforts in bringing Fatima’s issue to him while urging Fatima to uphold her academic excellence and make Nigeria proud and return home to serve her fatherland.

Barr. Natasha Akpoti in her remark thanked the Governor for his benevolence and penchant for promoting academic excellence.

“We must celebrate heroes like Fatima in other to motivate young people especially girls towards exceptional educational performances,” Akpoti said.

She equally advised Fatima to go for her studies and come back to contribute her quota to the development of Kogi state and Nigeria while being a source of inspiration to others.

It would be recalled that Barr. Natasha Akpoti had on the 27th of April 2018 via her Facebook page, advocated for sponsorship to help Fatima further her academic dreams having emerged as the best graduating student at the 2015 Bar exam where she bagged nine separate awards including “Best Student of the Year and Council of Education Star Award”.

Source: Pulse News

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BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA SIGN MULTI YEAR DEAL WITH NETFLIX

Former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have officially entered into a multi-year agreement with Netflix to create a variety of films and television programmes.

The two will reportedly produce “a diverse mix of content, including the potential for scripted series, docu-series, documentaries and features” under the imprint of their own production company.

According to Netflix, the Obamas have established Higher Ground Productions as the entity under which they will produce content for the media-streaming giant.

“One of the simple joys of our time in public service was getting to meet so many fascinating people from all walks of life, and to help them share their experiences with a wider audience,” Barack said.

“That’s why Michelle and I are so excited to partner with Netflix – we hope to cultivate and curate the talented, inspiring, creative voices who are able to promote greater empathy and understanding between peoples, and help them share their stories with the entire world.

“Barack and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others,” Michelle added.

“Netflix’s unparalleled service is a natural fit for the kinds of stories we want to share, and we look forward to starting this exciting new partnership.”

Ted Sarandos, the Chief Content Officer for Netflix, describes the couple as “among the world’s most respected and highly-recognised public figures”.

He said they’re “uniquely positioned to discover and highlight stories of people who make a difference in their communities and strive to change the world for the better”.

“We are incredibly proud they have chosen to make Netflix the home for their formidable storytelling abilities.”

Rumours of the deal surfaced in March by the The New York Times, who floated a few potential ideas.

One saw Mr Obama back at the centre of conversations on topics that dominated his presidency – health care, climate change, immigration and voting rights – and that continue to divide Americans.

At the time, the newspaper insisted the former president did not intend to use the show “to directly respond to President Trump or conservative critics,” but instead to produce “shows that highlight inspirational stories.”

Another possible show could feature Mrs Obama talking about topics like nutrition and healthy eating, issues she championed during her time in the White House.

As the New York Times explains, the Obamas have also long expressed concern over how the flow of information (and, indeed, misinformation) has the power to shape public opinion.

The deal with Netflix gives them a platform to reach 125 million people in 190 countries.

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LAGOS STATE FIRST LADY RAISES ALARM AS CYBER FRAUDSTERS IMPERSONATE HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Tuesday distanced herself from the criminal activities of a certain individual posing as her representative to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public.

Ambode, in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Folashade Kadiri said the unknown individual has been utilising social media platforms to defraud people, alerting Nigerians to be wary of such entreaties from any person.
The statement read, “The attention of Her Excellency, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the Governor of Lagos State, has been drawn to the criminal activities of a certain individual, masquerading as her representative, for the purpose of extorting money from unsuspecting persons, using the social media platform. Her Excellency wishes to state very emphatically, that she has no links whatsoever with such fraudulent element, neither has she authorized anyone to act on her behalf in questionable circumstances”.
The release further urged members of the public to be vigilant and avoid any dealings with shadowy, self serving and dubious individuals purporting to represent the First Lady, while seeking public support for apprehension of the fraudster(s) by law enforcement agencies for prosecution in accordance with the law

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100 EDO SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN TRAFFICKED TO LIBYA IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS

This was disclosed in Benin on Sunday during an advocacy programme by the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Godwin Obaseki on Human trafficking and illegal migration, Mr Solomon Okoduwa.

Okoduwa said this fact was disclosed  to him by some teachers in the school, concerned about how the institution has become the harvesting ground for traffickers.

Okoduwa  said government will not allow the evil to continue to thrive in the state.

Government will  step up its campaign against trafficking, he said, and the state Task Force Against Human Trafficking will be on the trail of the  human traffickers.

He warned  the students to be wary of the antics of the traffickers who are bent on deceiving them into embarking on the dangerous journey.

“Henceforth, report anyone who tells you to travel to Europe. They are simply taking you through Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea and you may eventually end up in Libya.

“The number of students that have been trafficked from your school in this short period is overwhelming.

“The truth is that many of them might have been imprisoned there or facing one challenge or the other.

“Taking the route of Sahara Desert and other illegal routes is hellish.

“Many died of hunger,  many were drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in search of greener pastures.

“Worst still, the families  of those people that died on their journey were  made to pay for the travel expenses, when unknown to them  their loved ones have gone to the great beyond.

“If anyone tells you to travel abroad through Libya,  tell him or her capital ‘NO’.  If you must travel for any reason,  travel the right way.”

NAN reports that the state government had received no fewer than 3,400 Libya returnees within the last six months.

Credit: NAN, Pulse News

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#JUSTICEFORNOURA: CELEBRITIES ARE CALLING FOR SUDANESE 19-YEAR-OLD NOURA HUSSEIN’S DEATH SENTENCE TO BE PARDONED

People are calling for 19-year-old Noura Hussein to be pardoned after a Sudanese court sentenced her to death.

She had stabbed her husband, who she said raped her, to death.
The relative of the man she was forced to marry had held her down, she said, while he raped her.
Her husband’s relatives refused the option to pardon her, and rejected compensation. They requested that she be executed.

According to CNN, Noura had been forced to marry at the early age of 15, and ran away from home.
She was tricked into returning by her dad three years later, who promptly handed her over to her husband’s family.
One of her lawyers, Adil Mohamed Al-Imam, told CNN that she was raped after she refused to consummate the marriage. He said:

His brother and two cousins tried to reason with her, when she refused she was slapped and ordered into the room. One held her chest and head, the others held her legs.
When her husband attempted raping her again the next day, she stabbed him to death.

Noura’s lawyers had 15 days to appeal after the ruling. 7 days are left now.
People have been calling for her to be pardoned, trending the hashtag #JusticeforNoura.
The hashtag has been trending on social media, and even supermodel Naomi Campbell has tweeted her support, sharing a photo of herself holding a piece of paper with the hashtag written

She says:

“I, Naomi Campbell, urge the Sudanese government to pardon rape victim Noura Hussein and show the world that women who are brutally raped are the real victims. #JusticeForNoura,’’ she said in the tweet.

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MORTEIN PARTNERS WITH WITH LAGOS & OGUN STATE TO ORGANIZE THE ANNUAL MALARIA QUIZ COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS

In furtherance of its continuous efforts to stopping the spread of Malaria in Nigeria and in commemoration of 2018 World Malaria Day, leading insecticide brand Mortein, has strengthened its partnership with Lagos and Ogun State Governments through the States’ Ministry of Health and Education, to organize the annual Malaria Quiz Competition for students in public Secondary Schools in both States.

Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi (left); Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Erinosho Eniola (middle) and National Professional Officer, Malaria, World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tolu Arowolo with participants at the 2018 Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition in Lagos.

The primary objectives of the competition were to promote and enlighten the students on the malaria scourge in the society, highlight best ways of prevention, treatment, and cure of malaria. The quiz on Malaria Prevention saw over 15 public secondary schools in participation who were pre-selected from secondary schools across the state.

 

Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi (left); Director of Public Health, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Qundus Yusuff (2nd left), Ogun State Malaria Programme Officer, Mrs Olamide Adeyinka and Senior Brand Manager, RB West Africa, Mrs Kuburat Sanusi, with participants at the 2018 Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition in Ogun State.
Speaking at the events, Marketing Manager, Home and Hygiene, RB West Africa, Mrs. Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi, said the partnership with the states demonstrate RB’s commitment to the anti-malaria fight towards a malaria free nation emphasizing the unalloyed support of the RB to the Government on the prevention of the scourge.

According to her, this competition is designed to arouse and re-awaken the interest of students in the knowledge of malaria and how to prevent it. “This competition is not just to identify winners and reward them accordingly, but to ultimately have advocates who would be championing the course of malaria prevention in their respective schools. Our expectation is that the Mortein Malaria Quiz Competition will continue to re-awaken the interest of students and teachers as well as educate the general public on preventive ways towards the eradication of mosquitoes in their immediate environment instead of curing it.

In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olajide Idris, charged students to engage their host communities in combating the malaria scourge.

Dr. Idris, who was represented by the Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Erinosho Eniola, noted that the students have the power of influence on their mothers and siblings which they can maximize in waging war against malaria for healthy society.

In his remarks, Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Babatunde Ipaye, represented by the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, Dr. Qundus Yusuff, enjoined the students to put to use the knowledge they have acquired during the competition, tasking them to be committed ambassadors of the anti-malaria campaign.

He further expressed appreciation to Mortein for their initiatives and efforts in the fight against malaria in Ogun State.

In Lagos, five Secondary Schools in the State participated in the quiz competition, and was won by Agidingbi Senior Grammar School Ikeja, while in Ogun, 12 Secondary Schools participated and the 1st place trophy was won by Itoki Secondary School, Ifo.

 

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CHIMAMANDA ADICHE RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY

Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has received an honorary degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Adichie was one of the 6 conferred with the degree at the ceremony, all of them describes as people who have changed the world in extensive ways.
“Few writers have captured the challenges of immigrants and others navigating those changes as Adichie,” the university said.

Others honoured with the degree are: the CEO of General Motors, Mary Barra; former Durham, Mayor William Bell; Phil Freelon, lead architect for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Dr. William Kaelin, professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School; and Attorney Russell M. Robinson II.

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US SENATE CONFIRMS GINA HASPEL AS THE FIRST FEMALE DIRECTOR OF CIA

President Trump’s nominee for CIA director, Gina Haspel was confirmed today by the Senate, with help from several Democrats who backed the nomination despite concerns over her role in post-9/11-era interrogation and detention practices.

The Senate voted 54-45 to confirm Haspel, with a handful of Democrats voting in support. The vote came a day after Haspel was recommended in a 10-5 vote by the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Haspel will be the first woman to lead the agency. She will replace now-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, served as the base chief at a black-site prison in Thailand in 2002, where techniques such as waterboarding were used on terror suspects. But Republican supporters accused Democrats of politicizing her nomination, and initially trying to derail an otherwise highly qualified nominee.

At her confirmation hearing last week, Democrats grilled her on her views on what they deemed torture, as well as objecting to what they saw as the CIA’s selective declassification about information on her. She was also questioned at length about the 2005 destruction of more than 92 interrogation tapes a move she said she supported to ensure the safety of CIA agents. Haspel refused to criticize her colleagues and superiors for their conduct during what she called a “tumultuous time,” but said the CIA under her watch would not resume such techniques. She also defended her own conduct.

“After 9/11 … I stepped up. I was not on the sidelines, I was on the frontlines in the Cold War and I was on the frontlines in the fight against Al Qaeda,” she said in response to a question from Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.

Haspel’s confirmation had been in question after Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., later joined by Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., said he would not vote for her.

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REALITY SHOW “MAGODO MUMS & THEIR SINGLE FRIEND” TO PREMIERE ON LINDA IKEJI TV

Media mogul Linda Ikeji has announced a new reality show; Magodo Mums & their Single Friend, written by her.
The show will be joining a host of many others set to premiere on Linda Ikeji TV soon.

The reality show will chronicle the lives of a group of married friends and their one single friend and how they navigate through the drama, love, friendship and conflict.

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NIGERIAN AUTHOR FARIDA ADO MAKES TIME’s 2018 “NEXT GENERATION LEADERS” LIST

TIME Magazine has released the 2018 edition of its annual list of “Next Generation Leaders” and our girl Farida Ado has been featured.

Featuring 11 people from around the world, including pop stars The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, TIME describes Farida as “Kano’s Jane Austen.”

32-year-old Farida is known for her romance novels. Picture a Mills & Boon novel, but in Hausa.
Speaking to TIME, Farida said: “Women turn to romance novels to figure out how to live their own lives.”
And her books draw inspiration from real-life events, too!

Discussing her series “The Block of Ashes,” Farida revealed she was inspired by the story of her neighbor who, trying to solve her marital problems, decided to see a juju priest. She said:
I try to reflect the reality of society in my stories. These juju doctors had become a menace in many homes.

 

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