I hawked fufu before relocating abroad - Nigerian born UFC Superstar, Kamaru Usman

Nigerian born martial arts champion, Kamaru Usman has shared stories of his humble beginning in Nigeria before relocating to the United States in search of greener pastures. 

 

In an interview on Channels Television, Usman who is UFC’s current welterweight champion recalled selling fufu while living in Edo state. 

 

The Auchi-born fighter who moved to the US at the age of 8, described his mother as a hustler who sold different things. 

 

Usman said; 

 

“We grew up in the village. We farmed. As a small boy, farm boy, I used to hawk Akpu, put hot Akpu on my head. I came from nothing. 

“There is just struggle every day, the struggle to, how are we gonna eat next week, next month. What are we gonna do?

“We owned a small store where we sold clothes, we sold shoes, my mum sold bags, anything that we could sell, my mum was able to get and try to sell. My mum was a hustler and that is one of the things I respect so much about her as a woman with three rowdy Naija boys.”

 

The fighter also disclosed that his father went to prison while he was still in college, and also talked about the father-daughter bond he enjoys with his five-year-old daughter, Samirah. 

 

Usman added; 

 

“My daughter, Samirah, I love her to death. She’s very intriguing to me because from about 6 months to about three and half years of her life, she went to the gym with me every day. Then she hit about five years and then she started saying, ‘you know I’m not going to do this daddy, right. You know I’m not going do this sport.’

“I think I have to just accept that and honestly I don’t think I want her to this sport anyway. She’s got her thing, she’s doing gymnastics and for self defence. She does Ju-Jitsu because she has to learn how to control the situation if anything happens. I’m okay with those right now.”

 

The UFC Champion further revealed he is planning to fully move into commentary and analysis of mixed martial arts after retirement.

 

He said; 

 

“Talking about the Sport that I’ve spent so much time in, that’s a dream. So now instead of getting punched in the face you are talking about people who are getting punched in the face. And so, it’s a dream for me but I’m slowly getting my feet wet in it and finding my ground because it is something I definitely want to do when I walk away from this sport.”

Arewa youths give Yoruba indigenes 72 hours to leave Northern region over Sunday Ighoho's statement

A Northern group, Arewa Youth Assembly, has given Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, 72 hours to move Yoruba indigenes from the north.

 

The group gave the ultimatum while reacting to the statement credited to Sunday Igboho on Wednesday, March 18 where he said the time had come for the actualization of the Yoruba Nation.

 

Sahara Reporters quoted Igboho as saying

 

"Starting from now, we don't want herdsmen in our land to disturb our farms again. If we meet any killer herdsmen, we are going to face and destroy them.

If any police attack us for that, we are ready for them. We don't want Nigeria again, but Yoruba nation. There is no essence for one Nigeria when major resources in the country are in the hands of the northerners.

Enough is enough, no going back… we are not scared of anybody; these killer herders are taking over our land and they are killing us''

 

Reacting to Igboho's statement, the Northern youth group in a statement released by its speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, asked Igboho to move all Yorubas from the North within 72 hours.

"One Mr. Sunday Igboho issued a press statement in which he was quoted as saying enough is enough; that the time for Yoruba nation is now, that they will no longer accommodate and accept the presence of Northerners.

The constitution of the country has made it crystal clear that any Nigerian can live in any part of the country, irrespective of his or her religious and tribal placements.

We are hereby giving him the ultimatum of 72 hours to move his people out or we will be forced to take necessary actions by personally taking the responsibility of getting his people back home," the statement read in part

 

The Northern group said that it still affirms its position as a law-abiding civil youth organization, adding that it would not fold its arm and watch innocent Nigerians being threatened by individuals who have no regard and respect for the law.

 

Tanzania's VP, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, is sworn-in as the country's first female President

Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, the soft-spoken Vice President of Tanzania, was on Friday, March 19, sworn in as the East African country’s first female president after the sudden death of President John Magufuli from an illness shrouded in mystery.

 

"I, Samia Suluhu Hassan, promise to be honest and obey and protect the constitution of Tanzania," Hassan swore with a Quran before dignitaries at a ceremony in Dar es Salaam.

 

 

The 61-year-old leader was sworn in at 10am local time on Friday.

 

She ascended to the presidency after President Magufuli’s death due to heart disease was announced on Wednesday, Feb 17, more than two weeks after he disappeared from the public.

 

Magufuli’s absence since February 27 had fuelled speculation about his health and sparked rumours he had contracted COVID-19, although officials had denied he was ill.

 

Below is a video from the swearing-in ceremony. 

FG discovers gold deposit along Abuja-Nasarawa highway

Gold deposit have been discovered by the federal government along Abuja to Nasarawa axis. 

 

Minister of mines and steel development, Olamilekan Adegbite made the disclosure while playing host to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule in Abuja.

 

Adegbite who said his ministry was resolved to ensure that the situation in Zamfara where bandits took over mining of gold does not happen again, told his guest that the FMMSD would develop the mineral resources in Nasarawa. 

 

The Minister was quoted saying;

 

“Nasarawa State is the home of solid minerals in the country. We had an earlier discussion about recent discovery of precious minerals in the Nasarawa, Abuja axis.

“As you probably might be aware, we have been talking about this for a while; there is a programme we call NIMEP executed by the ministry where government has put about N15bn into exploration for minerals, one of which is gold.

“We have done this exploration across the country and we have discovered a very nice track of gold deposits especially between Abuja and Nasarawa where we share borders.”

 

Adegbite who also disclosed that the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project is being executed by the ministry with an investment of about N15 billion for mineral exploration (one of which is gold), added that the project has generated geoscience data that has attracted foreign investors about the mining potentials across Nigeria.

 

Governor Abdullahi Sule on his own part lamented about illegal gold mining activities in the state, saying the state is ready to work with the ministry to end the illegal operations.

Police neutralize two bandits in Kaduna, recover five AK47, one G3 rifle, 17 magazines

 

Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have killed two bandits in Saminaka Town, Lere Local Government Area of the state and recovered arms. 

 

Spokesperson of the command, ASP Mohammed Jalige, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, March 18, said the police received a tip off from a reliable source that bandits were planning to attack the town.

 

In response, the police trailed the bandits and engaged them in gun battles leading to the death of two bandits. 

 

"On 17th March 2021, at about 1045hrs the combined team of FIB, STS, TIU and Operation Yaki of the Command while acting on credible intelligence, trailed some suspected Armed Bandits to Saminaka Town of Lere LGA whom from reliable source were planning to launch a deadly attack on law abiding citizens of the state," the statement reads. 

 

"However, the bandits who were well armed and upon sensing the arrival of the Operatives, immediately started shooting sporadically at different directions. This resulted in a fierce exchange of fire between them and the Police Operatives of which the fire power and operational sagacity of the Police succeeded in neutralizing two bandits and wounding several others who escaped into the forest abandoning their operational weapons." 

 

Jalige said the success of the operation is largely based on the courage and tactical precision displayed by the gallant officers, adding that the triumph is without casualty of any kind on the part of the operatives.

 

Five AK-47, one G-3 rifle, seventeen AK-47 rifle magazines, 1,658 Rounds of 7.62 x 39mm AK-47 live ammunitions and one Golf 3 vehicle were recovered from the bandits. 

 

Jalige said bodies of the bandits have been recovered and deposited at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna.

 

He further disclosed that investigation has since been initiated while concerted effort is being intensified with the view to getting the injured and other fleeing bandits to face the full wrath of the law.

 

"The Command while calling on members of the communities within the said axis to be watchful and report any suspicious person(s) with injuries to the nearest Police formation, is still soliciting for more cooperation with the police on prompt intelligence sharing so that together we can secure our communities and the State in general."

Kidnapped 18-year old daughter of NSCDC officer regains freedom after ransom payment

The kidnapped daughter of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Naja’atu Faruqa, has regained her freedom after ransom payment. 

 

LIB reported that the 18-year-old girl was kidnapped by gunmen on Friday, March 12, at Gangaren NEPA GRA in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. 

 

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Nafi’u Abubakar, who confirmed the report on Thursday, March 18, said the victim regained her freedom on Wednesday night and been reunited with her family. 

 

Speaking with reporters, the father of the victim, Faruq Mohammed, confirmed that his daughter regained her freedom after the payment of ransom. 

 

Mohammed declined further comment on the amount paid but appreciated God for saving the life of his daughter.

 

He said Naja’atu is in good health and thanked the public for their efforts, concern and prayers which he said eventually led to her freedom. 

Appeal court dismisses certificate forgery case against Obaseki

A certificate forgery case filed by the All Progressives Congress and one its members, Mr Williams Edobor against Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, has been dismissed by a Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja. 

 

The three-man penal of justices of the court led by Justice Stephen Adah in a unanimous judgement, dismissed the lawsuit on grounds of lacking merit.

 

The Court which held that the appellants failed to prove their case against Obaseki, stated that it found no reason to dislodge the judgement of a federal high court on the case. 

NLC and TUC members embark on nationwide protest (photos)

Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and te Trade Union Congress (TUC) have embarked on a nationwide protest following plans to amend the national minimum wage act.

 

The protest ensued after a bill to remove the national minimum wage from exclusive list to Concurrent list passed second reading at the House of Representatives. The bill is being sponsored by Honourable Garba Mohammed of Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, Kaduna State.

 

The workers who are currently protesting in different states in the country, held up placards that read “On National Minimum Wage We Stand” , No To Minimum Wage on Concurrent List, “Yes To Minimum Wage on Exclusive List”.

 

Here are photos of the protest in Lagos; 

 

 

Here are photos of the protest in Benue;

 

 

Here are photos of the protest in Abuja; 

 

 

Here are photos of the protest in Ogun; 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40 women reportedly abducted as bandits attack communities in Katsina

No fewer than 40 women have reportedly been abducted after gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded two communities, Katsalle and Unguwar Tukur in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina state.

 

SaharaReporters reports that the gunmen abducted 30 women in Katsalle on Monday, March 8 while 10 others were abducted in Unguwar Tukur on Sunday, March 7.

 

“About 30 women were abducted in Katsalle village of Rafin Iwa ward on Sunday. This comes a day after they kidnapped 10 women in a neighbouring village of Unguwar Tukur.

They invaded Katsalle around 12pm on Monday and began to shoot sporadically. They came on motorcycles.”a resident said

 

Katsina is one of the states most affected by terrorism and banditry in Nigeria.

 

On December 11, 2020, some bandits kidnapped 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara. They were released about a week later.  Also, on December 19, 84 Islamiyya students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya in Mahuta village, Dandume Local Government Area of the state were also kidnapped but rescued shortly after.

The president has ordered security forces to go into the bushes and shoot whoever they see with AK47 - Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, says President Buhari has directed security agencies to go into the forests and shoot anyone seen with AK47.

 

Garba disclosed this when he appeared on BBC Hausa. Garba while speaking on efforts being made to rid Zamfara and other northern states of bandits, said the government is resorting to lethal force.

“The president has ordered security forces to go into the bushes and shoot whoever they see with sophisticated weapons like AK-47. He ordered that whoever is seen with terrible weapons at all should be shot immediately.” he said

 

The presidential aide also stated during the interview that the no-fly zone placed on Zamfara state was as a result of strong indications that choppers were being used to transport arms to bandits in the state.

 

“Even in Zamfara, there is a strong suspicion that some of those choppers are being used to ferry arms for bandits and also to evacuate gold and illegally smuggled out of the country, so the country loses everything in the mining.

As you are aware, the Nigerian gold market is a big business and the government wants to do two things at the same time by doing this; end banditry and economic sabotage through the smuggling of gold."he said

 

Recall that on Tuesday, March 2, President Buhari placed a no-fly zone on the state as well as banned all mining activities carried out by non-state actors. This directive came following the recent abduction of 279 schoolgirls in Jangena.

 

 

The only business that thrives in Nigeria is stealing government’s money, banditry and kidnapping - Peter Obi

Former Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi has stated that the only business that thrives in the country is stealing government’s money, banditry and kidnapping. 

 

Speaking at the launch of a book titled, ‘Communication and Media Studies: Multiple Perspectives’, written by a former commissioner in Anambra Stella Okunna, the former Governor of Anambra stated that the country is not progressing because those who legitimately worked are being owed while those who "stole" are being paid off. 

 

Obi said; 

 

“How do we go and negotiate and pay somebody, a bandit, when we have not paid those who are working?

“You can’t pay people for banditry. The only business that thrives in Nigeria is stealing the government’s money, banditry and kidnapping — and that’s why your country is not progressing.

“We are owing those who have legitimately worked. And we are negotiating and paying those who have stolen kids. It is a criminal system.

“Lecturers are owed. How do we compensate those who have not contributed anything to the economy? The economy is not productive and that’s why it is failing.

“Nigeria will not succeed if we continue asking bandits to come to a meeting, and we are not calling professors to a meeting. That is why the country is where it is today. May God help Nigeria.”

2021 AFCON qualifier: NFF confirms date and venue for upcoming games against Benin and Lesotho

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the date and venue for the upcoming 2021 AFCON qualifier against Benin and Lesotho. 

The three-time African champions will first face the Benin Republic at the Stade Charles de Gaulle in Porto-Novo on Saturday, March 27th, before hosting Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, on Tuesday, March 30. 

Nigeria remains unbeaten in all four games played in Group L so far, winning two and playing two draws to lead the group with eight points.

 

Drama As Female Footballer Beats Up Referee During Match

 Referee Faizatu Jakpa was attacked and beaten up by a player of the Fabulous Ladies in the Ghana women’s league. 

In what will come across as a really shocking development, a football match in Ghana recently took a sad twist.

It took a sad twist when a female referee was reportedly assaulted by a female footballer.

Referee Faizatu Jakpa was attacked and beaten up by a player of the Fabulous Ladies in the Ghana women’s league match between Fabulous Ladies and Kumasi Sports Academy.

The incident left Jakpa with a swollen face and scratches on her face. It is however unclear if the football club or player involved have been sanctioned.

Davido's Fiancee, Chioma Reportedly Dumps the Singer, Leaves His Home

 

The relationship between Nigerian musician, Davido and his fiancee, Chioma has crashed. 

Musician, Davido and Chioma have currently gone their separate ways following the alleged crash of their relationship.

 

It was gathered that Chioma reportedly dumped Davido and left his home for allegedly cheating multiple times during their relationship.

 

This is coming after the popular singer was spotted in St. Maarten holding hands with another lady, Mya Yafai, who is a former lesbian partner of famous rapper, Young MA.

 

In a report by Stella Dimoko-Korkus blog, Chioma had dumped Davido in October 2020, as she also moved out of his house last year.

 

SDK writes: “According to the Insiders, Chioma is the one who walked out of the relationship and not the other way round like is being pedaled on the social media.

According to the insiders ”She is a strong woman. All these news and the attacks on the social media might hurt her but she will be fine…She walked out of the relationship when it went South because of some certain things, people should cut her some slacks’ and stop attacking and trying to shame her on the social media.

The Insider says ”Chioma moved out since October 2020, so how does that amount to being dumped? People should let her be so she can rebuild peacefully”

The Insiders also alleged that the crooner is upset for being dumped and that is why his doing things openly to hurt her back.”

“He chases women a lot and seems not to be the who wants marriage with any woman. Chioma has endured enough and for a 25-year-old, it’s high time she left his life and start something for herself,” another source said.

Nigerian man dies a day after his wedding

A young Nigerian man identified as Ango Adamu has died a day after his wedding. 

 

It was gathered that the deceased got married on Friday, February 26 in Matumbi, Niger State and died the following Saturday, February 27. 

 

 

According to one of his friends, Usman Mohd Chiroma, it was a "sudden death"

 

"Indeed, death is the destroyer of pleasures. The first frame is the face of late Adamu and his beautiful Bride; he died a day after his wedding. The second picture was taken during his Janaiza prayer," Chiroma wrote on Monday, March 1. 

 

"May Jannah be his final abode and may Allah give his new wife ( Now Widow) and the entire family members fortitude to bear this shocking loss"

 

Suspected cultists kill young man in Benue

 

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have killed a young man identified as Terfa Adams a.k.a Adams T, at a market in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

 

The incident happened at the village section of the Modern Market around 10:45 am on Tuesday, March 2, when the traders were displaying their wares.

 

According to a trader who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi, the two assailants came to the area on a motorcycle and attacked the deceased who also on a motorcycle. 

 

The deceased was trying to alight from his motorcycle when the two men moved close to him and shot him.

 

"The moment traders heard gunshots, there was pandemonium, everybody ran for safety. No one could move closer as the gunmen took their time to kill the young man. He attempted standing up to run but the gunmen rushed him with stones and tyre wheel and hit him." the witness narrated.

 

He said when the killers were sure that he died, they then left him on the ground and walked away through a section of the market unchallenged.

 

The traders at the market quickly closed their stores for about an hour until policemen from the D-Division came and evacuated the victim’s corpse and motorcycle from the scene. 

 

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident in a statement said the victim was trailed to the market by the assailants.

 

"On 2/3/2021 at about 1 am, information was received at ‘D’ Police  Division Makurdi that a young man was trailed and hit on the head by unknown men.  The victim was taken to hospital where he was confirmed dead," she said. 

 

"The corpse has been deposited at the hospital morge while investigation is in progress.The command commiserates with friends and family of the deceased and assures them of investigation to bring to book the perpetrators of this gruesome act." 

 

Outrage as Joe Biden cancels Dr. Seuss books for racist imagery

Parents have expressed outrage on Twitter after US President Joe Biden announced Dr. Seuss books will not be part of "Read Across America Day."

 

The US president decided to break tradition and erase Dr. Seuss books from his proclamation on Read Across America Day.

 

The Read Across America program was launched by the National Educators of America (NEA) in 1998 to promote children's literacy, according to MSNBC.

 

Amazon removed the six Dr. Seuss books from its online platform, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises told the Associated Press, the decision to cease publication and sales of the 6 books was made last year.

 

This is due to images that may be offensive to Asian people in the books titled "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street", "If I Ran the Zoo", "McElligot's Pool," "On Beyond Zebra!," "Scrambled Eggs Super!," and "The Cat's Quizzer."

 

 

Social media users who grew up reading Dr. Seuss books took to Twitter to express their outrage.

 

See some reactions below.

 

 

Woman who gave birth to twins at 64 loses custody of the kids after being ruled unfit to care for them

A 69-year-old woman has lost custody of the twins she gave birth to at the age of 64 after Spain's highest court ruled that she was incapable of looking after them.

The Spanish Supreme Court upheld an April 22, 2020 ruling to remove the children, handed down by the Provincial Court of Burgos, which found that the twins were not being cared for in 'optimal conditions'.

The ruling on Monday March 1, brings to an end a four-year legal battle by the woman, Mauricia Ibanez, who gave birth to the twins - Gabriel and Maria de la Cruz - in 2017 after having fertility treatment in the United States. 

 

The court found that the twins were 'in an obvious situation of vulnerability' due to their mother's inability to care for them properly or to cooperate with social services.

 

The decision was based on the 'evaluations of experts,' not the woman's age or mental health, the court said, without elaborating.

 

A report issued by the Provincial Court of Burgos at the time of their initial ruling, cited: ' the mother's personality traits significantly affected the affective and psychosocial development of the minors.'

 

It added that 'non-existent' family relationships, isolation, and a lack of a supportive social network were also of concern. 

The twins, now aged four, were taken into foster care shortly after they were born in 2017.

 

El Pais reported in 2017 that  Ibanez had signed an agreement with social services that she would hire an assistant to provide 24-hour care after it concluded she would need help with cleaning and looking after the children. 

 

However, 10 days after she returned home from spending more than a month in hospital following the births, authorities decided the twins were 'at risk'.   

 

 

'Since she went home, a multi-disciplinary team has been following Ibanez's progress, and their reports all conclude that the twins need looking after in a different environment,' a spokesman from social services in Burgos said at the time, adding that reuniting Ibanez with her children in the future was a possibility. 

'But the obligation in the short term is for them to be with foster parents,' the spokesman said. 

Ibanez also has another child who was placed into foster care in 2014 after the mother was ruled unfit to care for her. Blanca, now aged 11, was also born through IVF and lives in Canada. 

After the 2017 decision, Ibanez's lawyer said his client was 'very distraught and traumatized'.  

The report said she challenged the decision, but her appeal was rejected by the local Family Court, in a decision now upheld by the Supreme Court.

 Ibanez, a former civil servant, had started her family after being given early retirement over mental health issues.

Ibanez's sister tried to have courts declare her 'fully incapable' so that her passport could be taken away to prevent her from travelling abroad for fertility treatment, according to the Spanish newspaper.  

 

However, a judge refused the following testimony by psychologists that her condition, which has not been reported in the media, did not prevent her from 'looking after herself or a child.'  

'I decided to become a mother because the experience of having Blanca, my first child, was fantastic, Ibanez told El Pais from hospital after giving birth to the twins in February 2017. 

'I asked myself if I could really have another. I'm not worried at all about my age. I am old but it has been possible for me to get pregnant: science and medicine are the last opportunity we older people have.

'Of course I am worried that they could take my children away. They are so defenceless, so small and delicate. I am a little bit afraid for them. I just ask God to prevent them falling into the hands of social services,' she told the paper.