Don't give up!

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all" – Dale Carnegie

No matter the area your goals in life have to do with, if you persevere, you will succeed. The key to success is to continue making efforts to achieve your goal even if you failed on the first attempt. The path to success is heavily spotted with obstacles, but your ability to persevere improves your odds of winning. The world you desired can be won.

You cannot achieve anything without action. Action is what makes your dreams come true. It is also action that translates plans into tangible results or goal oriented. Thinking and planning alone won’t cut it, sustained action is what separate winners from losers.

“I have not failed, I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work” – Thomas A Edison

Don’t forget to celebrate your small wins and mini achievements along the way, forgive yourself for failing, learn from your mistakes, adjust course accordingly. But never give up. Besides you can always call on coaches, mentors, priests and others to assist you in taking better care of yourself. You need to put in the necessary efforts and resources to succeed in life.

 GOVERNMENT OFFICES CAN OPEN FROM MONDAY – PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE


Offices nationwide can open from May 4 for workers to resume work, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has said.

The resumption will be based on specific grade levels, the PTF explained.

Also, the banking, construction, construction, manufacturing sectors, as well as food processing companies, will be allowed to open from Monday, the PTF further said.

The PTF noted that banks will be allowed to open from 8am to 2pm daily while observing the new restrictions put in place by the government.

National Coordinator of the PTF on Covid-19, Dr. Aliyu Sani stated these during the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic.

The national coordinator said that temperature test, respiratory hygiene and restriction of gathering of not more than 20 persons will be introduced.

Sani said the task force would be engaging with state governments to make sure that the PTF have a common approach to the opening of offices.

He said: “For government offices, government staff will be allowed to resume from the 4 of May but it will be based on specific grade levels and specific days so that we can reduce the amount of congestion that we might have in our government offices and we will be discussing further with state governments to make sure that we have a common approach to this.

“Banks will be allowed to open but there will be restriction in the opening hours to between 8am to 2pm and together with all the other preventive measures I have already mentioned.

“In addition to this, from the point of agriculture and rural development, companies involved in food processing can commence operation.

“In construction sites, critical road will be allowed but waivers will be provided by state governments to enable movement.

“For the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, we will encourage shift work and limiting staff to only 30 to 50 per cent to maintain social distancing and pharmacy shops may remain open overnight.”

Sani however said that restrictions on social gatherings remain suspended pending review of the new measures put in place by the government.

He said that restaurants and schools remain closed.

However, Sani said that neighbourhood markets are allowed to operate during the relaxed lockdown.

He said: “Restaurant will not be opened to the publics but will be allowed to engage in home delivery of food.

“Schools will remain closed till further evaluation. Schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teaching.

“Social activities such as the use of recreational parks. Communal sports, concert, social parties and movie theaters will be suspended until further review.

“Neighborhood markets will continue to open with the same standard and restrictions that we have applied in the past as well as supermarkets, and retail stores.”

He urged those above 65 year old and with mobility challenge to avoid co-mingling with the general public so that they protect themselves from catching Covid-19.

“There will be general pieces of advice, for instance, discouraging persons above the age of 65 and those with mobility challenge from co-mingling with the general public so that they protect themselves from catching Covid -19 because they are the ones that are most likely to develop severe illness.

“We will be providing additional details and hopefully the implementation guidelines and the protocols will follow over the next day or two to allow businesses and offices to prepare for these changes,” he added.

Sometimes, problems and difficulties are the triggers that awaken the desire to grow and lead to making changes in one’s life. At other times, people are inspired to take steps towards personal growth after reading inspiring stories or books, even seeing a movie or reading about people who achieved success.
Just like a few months ago, I stumbled into an inspiring story on the internet and I would like to share it here.

 One day the employees of a company reached their office to find a big notice on the door on which was written: yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral at the gym” in the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company itself. People got eager to know who this person was. The more people reached the coffin the more eager they got.
Everyone thought who is this guy who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he died. One by one the thrilled employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless. They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul. There was a mirror inside the coffin; everyone who looked inside it could see himself.
There was also a sign next to the mirror that says “there is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth: IT IS YOU. You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your realization and your success. You are the only person who can revolutionize your life. You are the only person who can help yourself.

Lesson:
Life does not change when your boss changes,
When your friends changes, When your parents changes,
When your partner changes, When your company changes.

Your life changes when you change, when you go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the only one responsible for your life.
 “The most important relationship you can have is the one you have with yourself”.

196 new cases of #COVID19 reported;

87-Lagos
24-Kano
18-Gombe
17-Kaduna
16-FCT
10-Katsina
8-Sokoto
7-Edo
6-Borno
1-Yobe
1-Ebonyi
1-Adamawa

As at 11:55pm 29th April- 1728 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria.

Discharged: 307
Deaths: 51

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086PRLD4W

*Eating Fruit on Empty Stomach: by Prof. Ken Anugweje, UNIPORT.*

This will open your eyes!
Read to the end; and then, send it to Others on your list as I just did to you!

*Prof Anugweje treats terminal ill Cancer patients by an* *"unorthodox" way and many patients recovered. He is also a sports medicine specialist.*
*He insists that all athletes eat fruits on empty stomach.*

Before he used solar energy to clear the illnesses of his patients, he believes on natural healing in the body against illnesses. See his article below.

It is one of the strategies to heal cancer. As of late, my success rate in curing Cancer is about 80%.

Cancer patients shouldn't die. The cure for cancer is already found - its in the way we eat fruits.

It is whether you believe it or not.

*I am sorry for the hundreds of Cancer patients who die under the conventional treatments.*

*EATING FRUITS*

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths.

It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat the fruits.

*What is the correct way of eating fruits?*

*IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS!*

*FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH:*

*If you eat fruits on empty stomach, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.*

*FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.*

Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit.

*The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so due to the bread taken before the fruit.*

*In the meantime the whole meal of bread & fruit rots and ferments and turns to acid.*

The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

*So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals!*

You have heard people complaining :
Every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc.. etc..

*Actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach.*

The fruit mixes with the putrefying of other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat !

*Greying hair, balding, nervous outburst and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.*

*There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter.*

If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the  SECRET of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only  fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans, packs or bottles.

*Don't even drink juice that has been heated up.*

*Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all.*

You only get its taste.
Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice.

If you should drink the fresh fruit juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse or detoxify your body.

Just eat fruits and drink fresh fruit juice throughout the 3 days.

And you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look !

*KIWI fruit:*
Tiny but mighty.
This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

*APPLE:*
An apple a day keeps the doctor away?
Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

*STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit:*
Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging and free radicals.

*ORANGE: Sweetest medicine.*
Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

*WATERMELON:*
Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system.

They are also a key source of lycopene the cancer fighting oxidant.
Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

*GUAVA & PAPAYA:*
Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.

Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation.

Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

*Drinking COLD water or drinks after a meal = CANCER.*

Can you believe this ?

For those who like to drink cold water or cold drinks, this article is applicable to you.

It is not nice to have a cup of cold water or cold drinks after a meal.

However, the cold  or drinks will solidify the oily stuff that you have just eaten.

It will slow down the digestion.

Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food.

It will line the intestine.

*Very soon, this will turn into FATS and lead to CANCER!*

*It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.*

*Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.*

A cardiologist says:
if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

*So lets do it*

COVID-19: FG BOOKS HOTELS FOR RETURNING NIGERIANS



The Federal Government has booked hotel rooms in Lagos for Nigerians returning from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on account of the coronavirus pandemic.

The citizens will be quarantined in the hotels for two weeks on arrival to ascertain their status.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed that the concerned individuals may be repatriated on Monday.

He had last Friday lamented the refusal of the hotels in Lagos and Abuja to offer their premises as isolation centres for the over 2,000 Nigerians awaiting evacuation abroad.

Onyeama stated that the hotels believed that accommodating the returnees may damage their brand.

But providing an update in Abuja on Tuesday, during a briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the minister disclosed that some hotels in Lagos have agreed to accept the returning citizens.

He said, “The low hanging fruit at the moment are those who already paid for their flight from Dubai, they were expecting to be here last week, but unfortunately, they had not cross-checked to find out the health situation. Foreign affairs was not as directly involved as we would have liked.

“Be that as it may, since they have already paid, everything is more or less in place. That flight was supposed to go to Lagos, we have made a bit more progress with hotels here in Abuja than in Lagos. But speaking to the governor, we agreed that we just have to do the first one quickly, we learn lessons and so forth. It is absolutely important to get that flight here.”

Onyeama lauded the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for assisting with the hotel accommodations, noting that his committee was trying to bring the rates down.

He added, “We have been able to identify hotels here in Abuja and also in Lagos. I was on the phone this afternoon with the Governor of Lagos and he has done a wonderful job in trying to bring the prices of the hotels in Lagos down and we are struggling to bring the prices down here in Abuja.

“We know that a lot of people who want to come back have found themselves stuck outside for a long period of time and using resources that they did not expect to use. They also have resources challenges. We are looking at all kinds of possibilities to address that situation.”

The minister noted that the hotels were demanding advance payment, adding that the technical committee was working out the mechanism for this.

“Our arrangement is that the person (returnee) will have to pay forward and that mechanism is something we have to work out. We put a date of Monday and we are going to do everything humanly possible to try and get that plane here first,” he stated.

Motivation: Everything seems achievable when you are motivated.

Humans have many driving forces, both internal and external. Its positivity and negativity could take us up or drag us down. This can determine about the path of our lives we chose to take and this could result living well or poverty we end up.
Motivation as a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way. The dream could appear as possibly impossible, perplexing in the beginning, but with time, perseverance, hard work and not giving up at any point, your passion and hunger to realize the dream will take you there.

Motivation is often the result of actions not the cause of it getting started even in very small ways is also a form of active inspiration that naturally produces momentum.
You don’t need much motivation once you have started a behavior. Nearly all of the friction in a task is at the beginning. After you start, progress occurs more naturally, in other words, it is often easier to finish a task than to start it in the first place.

Thus, one of my favorite quotes by Norman Vincent Peale
”Believe in yourself, have faith in your abilities without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy”.

You don’t just sit at home waiting for miracles or trying to depend on a friend or someone that is putting all his effort trying to achieve it in life. Don’t be a parasite to anybody, start something today!

Get motivated and get that dream of yours achieved, you never can tell or predict the future, our destinies lies on our palms and your dream can be achievable if you motivate yourself and start something doing for yourself.

Remove that pride and ego of BOSS or BOSS LADY in you, be loyal to yourself, don’t think of what your mates will say, your age doesn’t matter neither does the ego in you matters.

  Vera Wang she actually had dreams of becoming an Olympic figure Skater, after her dream was crushed when she failed to make the team, she entered the fashion industry at the age of 40, later becoming one of the world’s most respected names in fashion.

You need to be willing to devote your life to your dreams and goals. I know that is easier said than done, but you have to start today to make plans on how to turn your dream into reality and success.
 Remember, It is never too late to be what you might have been – George Eliot

Eliminate fear and embrace your Dream.

Fear is one of the most powerful emotions. It has a very strong effect on your mind and body.
Fear is an unpleasant emotion or thought that we have when we are frightened or worried by something dangerous, painful, or bad that is happening or might happen.
When you give fear a room in your life, you will end up not embracing your dream.

Fear in human beings may occur in response to a certain stimulus occurring in the present, or in anticipation or expectation of a future threat perceived as a risk to oneself. When we confront a perceived threat, our bodies respond in specific ways physical reactions to fear include sweating, increased heart rate and high adrenaline levels that makes us extremely alert.

Fear makes us to dwell in procrastination, because ordinarily, we will just stand up, strong and eager to achieve that dream we have always had in mind, but due to the fear in us we keep on procrastinating our desired goals.

 Life is too fast to wait for anyone and the clock doesn’t stop to wait for anyone either, try your possible best to eliminate the fear in you and embrace your desired dream. It could be your dream to own a business, or even be one of the top Celebrities in the world but due to the in born fear in us we can’t take a step forward towards achieving that which we desire.

Eliminate fear and take the bold step.

CANCEL, WHAT DISTURBS YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH

You might have come across the term personal growth and wondered what it means. Personal growth is also called self-improvement and self- growth.
Personal growth is the ongoing process of understanding and developing oneself in order to achieve one’s fullest potential.

Personal development is a vital part in a person’s growth, maturity, success and happiness. It is the foundation of emotions, physical, intellectual and spiritual health.
Many of our actions may be geared towards self-improvement. However, personal growth has a profound effect on every aspect of our life. We feel more passionate about life in general when we grow on a personal level. We get naturally motivated because learning and growing add motivation and a sense of excitement.

Personal development covers activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitate employability, enhance the quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations.
Personal development takes place over the course of a person’s entire life.

Successful personal growth requires motivation, the desire to improve and the willingness to strive to make changes. You may also need to be willing to get out of your comfort zone and sometimes do things that are uncomfortable but are for your own good.
 An open mind and the desire to learn and grow are also important.

Examine yourself, watch yourself, be aware of yourself, and don’t be afraid of difficulties, losses or hard times.
 Build yourself, your reality and be a winner.

LIST OF PROPERTIES ICPC SEIZED FROM DIBU OJERINDE, EX-JAMB REGISTRAR                                                                     

The seizure followed a court order from a federal high court in Abuja. The order which was published in a national daily on Friday instructed the anti-corruption outfit to immediately take over Ojerinde’s Properties which were reportedly acquired with public funds obtained through corrupt practices.

“An order of this Honourable Court is hereby made for the interim forfeiture to the Federal Republic of Nigeria of all the immovable properties listed in A attached to the affidavit in support and marked by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) upon reasonable suspicion that each of the said properties was acquired with public funds and/or represents the proceeds of unlawful corrupt activities.”

“An interim order of this Honourable Court is hereby made that the properties attached/forfeited ad-interim and be managed and controlled by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.” the publication read.

Here are some of the properties;

•Oke Afin Hostels located at Opposite Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso,

•Sapati International School Buildings and Premises located at Ajase Ipo Road, Ilorin, Kwara State,

•Doyin Filling Station along Lagos Ibadan Expressway,

•Doyin Gas, Ibadan,

•Soka Filling Station, Lagos Ibadan Expressway,

•Gravity FM Radio Station, Igboho,

•Tejumola House, Ikeja,

•Mansion at No 14 Yobe close, Maitama Abuja

Shares in banks, fixed deposits and money in bank accounts were also part of the properties listed to be forfeited.

COVID-19: WORST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS SINCE WWII LOOMS ― WORLD FOOD PROGRAME

World Food Program, WFP, the U.N. food agency has warned that the world is “on the brink of a hunger pandemic,” as it struggles to contain COVID-19. WFP Executive Director David Beasley told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that “2020 would be facing the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II.”

“ 821 million people go to bed hungry every night all over the world, chronically hungry. And as Dr Chu just pointed out as the new global report on food crises, that’s published today shows there are a further 135 million people facing crisis levels of hunger or worse. “That means 135 million people on earth are marching toward the brink of starvation,” Beasley underlined

As a result of COVID-19 an additional 130 million people “could be pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of 2020, according to a World Food Program analysis.” Beasley, who is recovering from COVID-19, warned that in a worst-case scenario “we could be looking at famine in about three dozen countries.”

Cancel, what disturbs your Peace

Peace is a very strong and effective word. What makes you feel that your life is peaceful, smooth and simple? It's 'YOU'
 When  you are satisfied from inside, feel blessed for whatever you have, when you don't crave for more in your life ( wanting better is good but sacrificing everything for that is not much of a help) then at that point you will realize you are pleased with yourself, with your company.
 There will be a sense of fulfillment and that is what I call `PEACE’.
Keeping your soul satisfied is what we all want but very few of us are able to achieve that and once you have satisfied your soul, everything will be peaceful and harmonious.

Attaining peace is not an examination where you could copy or where you write the answers by copying from your friend's answer sheet. No, you have to explore this by yourself, spend some time with yourself without any tension or something bothering you.
Think of what you want and check if you are satisfied with whatever you are doing or is there anything you want to change?
Are you really happy or are you sad?
Have a discussion with yourself, do some things which take you back to your childhood. Live your life happily; live like a child once in a while. Do things which make your soul happy and you'll realize that you have "peace" in your life.
When you have peace, you can think clearly and this is the basic prerequisite for optimal results in every area of your life.

Don’t take things too serious!

Be laid- back and open minded, explore new things, improve your health by adapting a few lifestyle changes.
 If you focus on taking care of yourself, you can increase your health and your longevity and reduce your incidence of injury and illness.

 It is important to dedicate yourself fully to improving your health. Don’t get discouraged, if you have a bad day and slip up on your healthy living plan, let it go; forgive yourself and start anew the next day.
 Always remember that “every disappointment is a blessing”.
Keeping your heart healthy and strong, helps lower your risk of heart diseases and heart attack.  Always realize that positive thinking is very essential in order to be healthy. Clear out your mind of all negative thoughts and fill it with positive ones.
You will have to remove all the depressing and negative emotions and thoughts from your mind and replace it with healthy and positive thoughts. These positive thoughts can be extremely energizing and always lead to good things in life. You can get involved in practices such as meditation and yoga to get rid of the negativity. Force yourself with positive thoughts.

In the quest to achieve a healthy body, we cannot be lazy and lethargic. We need to work hard, both physically and mentally to be fit and healthy.
Exercise and eating healthy foods is essential to promote a healthy body. Smiling a lot makes your face look younger and it feels great.

You can’t do a good job, if you don’t feel well. Being healthy makes you feel good and allows you to perform more effectively.
 You can maintain your health by taking care of yourself and avoiding toxic situations.

Good morning.

With Perseverance, success is assured!

"Determination brings success” as we rightly say or when advising people.
Have you ever wondered how some famous personalities achieved great heights of success? How did they stay positive despite failure? However, they kept on going, remained persistent, and their perseverance helped them to reach the peak of the mountain.

Research has found that perseverance is a primary character strength linked to school achievement, productivity and success at work. Your perseverance keeps you engaged, focused and connected with what you are doing, perseverance is not only a strength to help you accomplish your goals and dreams, it is also your strength of engagement.

 Start taking full ownership of the goals you have set to achieve, you perceive to control your own fate, start thinking as a firm believer as if your destiny is in your hands.

 Although, failure at the start or beginning of the project or task can lead to frustration, and it shatters the self-confidence you had at the beginning and you might be considering on giving up that your goal or dreams because you once failed and you didn’t feel you can ever succeed in life; wrong.
Remember Stephen Grover Cleveland was an American politician and lawyer who was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. Grover Cleveland was elected President (1884) and then lost his re-election campaign (1888) and came back again to win the presidency for a second time (1892).
 Similarly, just like Muhammadu Buhari, a current Nigerian politician, currently serving as the President of Nigeria, he unsuccessfully ran for the office of the President of Nigeria in the (2003), (2007) and (2011) general elections, but in December (2014), he emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress for the March (2015) general elections. Buhari won the election defeating the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan and this marked the first time in the history of Nigeria that an incumbent President lost to an opposition candidate in a general election.

Success isn’t a way, path or a straight line. It is a confused road with various ups and downs, and you should navigate it with popular care. You might fall or fail in the beginning or even get lost in your way. However, with perseverance, you will eventually reach your destination.

Maintaining a Healthy Relationship

Culture says that chemistry and compatibility are keys to an enjoyable marriage, but character and commitment are really the essential qualities.
We live in a society where we are pressurized to talk about relationships and actively pursue them. For you to flourish in your relationship all you need is a little “Attention” and “Intention” also lots of nourishment.

 Every relationship requires hard work, wisdom and the grace of God to move on and hold on every move you make each day. However, if you want to maintain a healthy relationship, you have to work on keeping the romance alive and on continuing to grow each day with your partner and as an individual. Though the process is not always easy, but you can make relationship thrive if you and your partner are willing to put in effort.
One thing you should know is that no relationship is perfect all the time. A healthy relationship takes more than attraction both people feel good about the relationship most of the time.
If your marriage is not as rosy as you expected it to be, you don’t need to feel bad or quarrel with yourself because there is hope and light.

 Always politely talk to your partner about things that you think could be better. Good communication is a big part of solving problems. If you have problems with working through things on your own, you might consider getting help from a counselor. Sometimes talking with a counselor or a therapist can help couples work through issues and improve their relationships. 

Every relationship is unique and people come together for many different reasons. Part of what defines a healthy relationship is sharing a common goal for exactly what you want the relationship to be and where you want it to go.

The big question here is, is there freedom in marriage or when single?

 Some people will say that when you are single, you are your own boss because you get to choose what you want and when you want it while some will say you give up all your freedom when you are married, everything you want to do has to be discussed and agreed upon with your partner.

When we talk about freedom, we are talking about the ability to pursue happiness not to be hindered by undue stress or pressure and to have a hopeful vision for the future.  In terms of your marriage, this kind of freedom is absolutely attainable that is if you take your time to build and maintain a strong and healthy relationship.

If what freedom means to you is doing exactly what you want, the way you want it, whenever you want it, then you will have to give up on that part when getting married because you are going to live with another person who also want to do certain things in a certain way but with good understanding, commitment and good communication you can do what you want provided both of you understand it or agree. But if one of the couple thinks freedom means to hang out and spend the nights away with their friends, leaving the other behind, then marriage doesn’t work that way. I believe marriage is for people who enjoy their togetherness and family life.

Finding a compatible partner is very significant and many people feel trapped in marriage because they married the wrong person. However, you need to focus on two things; one is the level of your commitment and secondly is finding the right partner.
You and your partner will entangle your lives, most of your chores will affect each other to some extent. Your partner is likely to have opinions about choices you make that affects them but it’s wise to take these effects into consideration when making choices. Even though some partners don’t like thinking about someone else when deciding what to do which is why some people perceive this as loss of freedom hence thinking that they are being used and controlled. Marry someone who respects your autonomy, values and collaborative decision making on issues that affect both of you.

If you get married to a compatible partner and you have a healthy relationship, you won’t lose your freedom. Good relationships do not restrain you, rather they allow you to grow and they support you in exploring the things you want to explore.

Remember, you don’t have to walk into marriage with the same thought of having things done your own way, being your own boss, choose what you want and when you want it, it has to be agreed and done with your partner. When you are single, you may have more freedom to come and go as you please. The reason for that is because nobody cares and marriage is a social contract where we give up certain freedoms for the benefit of what the relationship could bring to us compared to being single.
But you have to ask yourself, is the benefits of a relationship worth the sacrifice of your personal freedom? The answer to that question depends on you and your partner.

Good morning.

WHO APPOINTS OKONJO-IWEALA AS COVID-19 SPECIAL ENVOY

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named Nigeria’s two-term former Minister of Finance and former Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as a Special Envoy for its newly inaugurated Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.
WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this during the launch of the ACT Accelerator, through an online conference that took place in Geneva.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is the Board Chairperson of GAVI Alliance, is to serve together with British Business Executive, Andrew Witty, in the same capacity. They are expected to mobilise international commitment to the initiative.
The initiative is an international collaboration aimed at accelerating the development, production, and equitable distribution of COVID-18 drugs, tests kits, and vaccines around the world.
Ghebreyesus explained: “The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global crisis that has been met with an unprecedented global response. Research and development have played a central role.
“Since January, WHO has been working with thousands of researchers all over the world to accelerate and track vaccine development – from developing animal models to clinical trial designs, and everything in between. We’ve also developed diagnostics that are being used all over the world. And we’re coordinating a global trial on the safety and efficacy of four therapeutics against COVID-19.
“The world needs these tools, and it needs them fast. Past experience has taught us that even when tools are available, they have not been equally available to all.  We cannot allow that to happen.  Today, WHO is proud to be uniting with many partners to launch the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, or the ACT Accelerator. This is a landmark collaboration to accelerate the development, production and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for COVID-19.”

GLOBAL CORONAVIRUS FATALITIES TOP 200,000 WITH 2.8MILLION CONFIRMED INFECTIONS

The global coronavirus death toll has now reached 200,000 with 2.8million confirmed infections.


John Hopkins University released the latest figures as some countries began taking their first steps into removing their lockdowns. The true death toll is likely to be higher. The US have started loosening their lockdown measures in Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska to help ease the economic damage inflicted on businesses despite the US death toll passing 50,000. State governors allowed salons, spas and barbershops to reopen, while Alaska allowed restaurants to resume dine-in service and retail shops and other businesses to open their doors. During a White House press briefing on Friday, President Donald Trump asked people to continue social distancing and use face masks. Despite sounding optimistic about the American economy, Trump signed a $484billion (£391 billion) bill to aid employers and hospitals under stress from the pandemic. Over the past five weeks, roughly 26 million people have filed for jobless aid in America. Trump also said his comments suggesting people can inject disinfectant to fight Covid-19 were an attempt at sarcasm.


In Europe, Norway extended its ban on events until at least September 1 but Belgium have outlined plans to exit their lockdown. It starts on May 4 with the resumption of non-essential treatment in hospitals and the reopening of textile and sewing shops to enable people to have face masks. This will be followed on June 8 by bars and restaurants being reopened. Belgian prime minister Sophie Wilmes warned though that “nothing is set in stone”. Spain will allow children outside to play on Sunday after 44 days but will not be allowed to play with other children. Italy has said that free protective masks will be distributed to nursing homes, police, public officials and transport workers so that the bulk of their workforce are prepared to restart on May 4. Funeral home workers have been working since the lockdown though and Pope Francis asked people to pray for them: “What they do is so heavy and sad. They really feel the pain of this pandemic.” The lockdown in France is expected to be lifted on May 11 with the health minister announcing plans to increase testing to contain the virus if it flares up again. Brazil is close to becoming one of the world’s latest pandemic hotspots. Medical officials in Rio de Janeiro and four other major cities warned that their hospital system is on the verge of collapse or already overwhelmed. In Manaus, the biggest city in the Amazon, officials said a cemetery has been forced to dig mass graves because there have been so many deaths. Workers have been burying 100 corpses a day – triple the pre-virus average. And in Asia India, easing restrictions meant reopening local stores that many of the country’s 1.3 billion people rely on for everything from cold drinks to mobile phone data cards. However, the loosening did not apply to hundreds of quarantined towns and other places hit hardest by the outbreak that has killed at least 775 people in the country. Shopping malls also remain closed nationwide. Last week, India also allowed manufacturing and farming to resume in rural areas to ease the economic plight of millions of daily wage-earners left jobless by the lockdown imposed on March 24. India’s restrictions have allowed people out of their homes only to buy food, medicine or other essentials. Elsewhere in Asia, authorities reported no new deaths on Saturday for the 10th straight day in China, where the virus originated. South Korea reported just 10 fresh cases, the eighth day in a row its daily total came below 20. There were no new deaths for the second straight day.


In Sri Lanka, however, the lockdown was tightened, not eased, confirming a pattern of one-step-forward, one-step-back also seen elsewhere in the pandemic, as authorities juggle public health against the health of shut-down economies. Sri Lanka had partially lifted a month-long curfew during daytime hours in more than two-thirds of the country. However, it reimposed a 24-hour lockdown countrywide after a surge of 46 new infections on Friday, the highest increase in a day on the Indian Ocean island. The new curfew remains in effect until Monday.

POLICE DISMISS COPS FOR FIGHTING ON EDO ROAD


Two policemen attached to the Edo State Police Command have been dismissed by the Nigeria Police Force for engaging each other in fisticuffs along the road in Edo State.

A video capturing the fight between the cops, Corporal Ozimende Aidonojie and Salubi Stephen, had gone viral on Thursday.

They pummelled each other to the ground as some members of the public tried to separate them in the presence of a crowd.

In the background, an onlooker who appeared to be videoing the scenario derided the officials, saying “See Nigeria police o; see them, they are fighting.”

The cause of the scuffle was not disclosed but the Force on its Twitter handle, @PoliceNG, on Thursday promised to investigate what it described as a “show of shame.”

“The two policemen, F/NO 41112 CPL Ozimende Aidonojie and F/NO 516384 PC Salubi Stephen in this viral video have been identified, arrested and detained. They are currently undergoing internal disciplinary sanctions at the Edo State Police Command Headquarters.

“The Force wishes to apprise the general public that this show of shame is certainly not in our character and we will not condone such indiscipline.

“In the best tradition of transparency and accountability, the outcome of the trial will be made public. This, we believe, will also serve as (a) deterrent to other police officers,” it stated.

In a tweet on Friday, tagged ‘Feedback on Investigations into cases of unprofessional conduct by police officers,” the Force announced the dismissal of the two policemen.

“Cpl Ozimende Aidonojie and PC Salubi Stephen captured in the viral video fighting shamelessly in Edo State, have been tried and found guilty. They have been dismissed from the Force,” the message from the Force Public Relations Department, read.

COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: GOVERNORS WANT FREE MOVEMENT, COMPULSORY FACE MASKS

Governors of the 36 States of the federation have advised the federal government to allow internal free movement but with restrictions on large gatherings and assemblies as the second 14-day lockdown on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos, and Ogun States in order to stop the spread of the novel COVID-19 ends on midnight Monday. A letter dated April 24, 2020 from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha also advocated compulsory use of face masks in the public.

The letter signed by NGF chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, was written as a follow-up to a teleconference meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

The governors’ recommendations, if approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, suggested in the letter that the impending broadcast on the lockdown incorporated: “Inter-state lockdown, excluding movement of essential supplies- food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical, petroleum supplies and agricultural products; internal free movement but with restrictions on large gatherings and assemblies; overnight curfews; lockdown of flights; and compulsory use of face masks/coverings in the public.” “Recall at the meeting it was agreed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) articulates the issues that it would want to be included in the next Presidential Pronouncement on COVID-19 so as to have a Uniform and coordinated Policy on COVID-19 at both the national and sub-national levels,” the letter added.

Last Wednesday, the governors “unanimously” agreed to the implementation of an inter-State lockdown in the country over the next two weeks to mitigate the spread of the pandemic COVID-19 virus from State to State.

In a communique issued by the NGF chairman at the end of the sixth COVID-19 teleconference meeting said only essential services would be permitted. The governors also called for the decentralization of the COVID-19 response as the best chance of nipping the spread of the virus in communities with over 25 States now affected by the spread of the virus and increasing evidence of community transmission. The governors reached the agreement after receiving briefing from the governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Oyo and Ogun States who shared their experiences and lessons from the fight against COVID-19. It would be recalled that President Buhari currently imposed lockdown in only the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States to halt the spread of the novel pandemic coronavirus. Some of the States have taken similar measures to fight the deadly virus but there is no nationwide lockdown from the federal government. Health experts say the country may be heading towards the need for nationwide lockdown to stop the virus as confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country as announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) jumped above 1000.

OBIANO RELAXES LOCKDOWN IN ANAMBRA, ASKS CHURCHES TO RESUME ACTIVITIES


 The Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, has relaxed the lockdown on the state and has asked churches to commence full activities.

The governor stated this in a broadcast to the people of the state on Saturday evening.

Before the Saturday broadcast church activities had been restricted for 14 days as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

But on Saturday, Obiano asked the churches to resume full service, stating that the worshipers must wear face masks and observe the World Health Organisation’s guidelines about the pandemic during worship.

He listed the protocol to include regular hand washing, avoiding handshakes, application of hand sanitizers, and social distancing.

The Governor announced that movements around the state were not restricted, stressing, however, that all boundaries in the state remained closed.

He said, “All food and drug markets in the state are to open with immediate effect.

“I will meet with market leaders on Monday, 27th April, for further discussion. When to re-open the schools as well as when civil servants will be allowed to go back to offices will be announced soon.”

SAUDI ARABIA ABOLISHES FLOGGING AS PUNISHMENT

  Saudi Arabia has abolished flogging as a punishment, the supreme court announced, hailing the latest in a series of “human rights advances” made by the king and his powerful son.

Court-ordered floggings in Saudi Arabia — sometimes extending to hundreds of lashes — have long drawn condemnation from human rights groups.

But they say the headline legal reforms overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have brought no let-up in the conservative Islamic kingdom’s crushing of dissent, including through the use of the death penalty.

The Saudi supreme court said the latest reform was intended to “bring the kingdom into line with international human rights norms against corporal punishment”.

Previously the courts could order the flogging of convicts found guilty of offences ranging from extramarital sex and breach of the peace to murder.

In the future, judges will have to choose between fines and/or jail sentences, or non-custodial alternatives like community service, the court said in a statement seen by AFP on Saturday.

The most high-profile instance of flogging in recent years was the case of Saudi blogger Raif Badawi who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes in 2014 for “insulting” Islam.

He was awarded the European parliament’s Sakharov human rights prize the following year.

The abolition of corporal punishment in Saudi Arabia comes just days after the kingdom’s human rights record was again in the spotlight following news of the death from a stroke in custody of leading activist Abullah al-Hamid, 69.

Hamid was a founding member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) and was sentenced to 11 years in jail in March 2013, campaigners said.

He was convicted on multiple charges, including “breaking allegiance” to the Saudi ruler, “inciting disorder” and seeking to disrupt state security, Amnesty International said.

Criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record has grown since King Salman named his son Prince Mohammed crown prince and heir to the throne in June 2017.


The October 2018 murder of vocal critic Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and the increased repression of dissidents at home have overshadowed the prince’s pledge to modernise the economy and society.

KANO COVID 19 CENTRE CLOSED INDEFINITELY FOR FUMIGATION AFTER STAFF TEST POSITIVE

       The head of COVID-19 testing centre in Kano, Nasiru Magaji, on Saturday said there is no definite date for resuming the test in Kano.

He said that although the laboratory was opened on Friday, they are yet to commence treating samples.

“We have opened the lab since yesterday (Friday), but you can’t run samples just like that when you open the lab. You have to do a lot of things. So, we are doing those things up (till) now,” he said.

Commenting on when they would resume testing, Mr Magaji said, “We don’t know until we finish everything. In a lab like that, you have to do all the safety procedures before you start exposing yourself.

On Wednesday, a member of Kano Task Force on COVID-19, Isa Abubakar, said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control‘s COVID-19 testing centre in Kano suspended its operation due to shortage of testing kits.

On Thursday, Health Minister Osagie Ehanire said the centre was temporarily closed because some staff of the laboratory were reportedly infected with COVID-19. He also added that the centre ran short of some testing reagents.

But Mr Magaji said the laboratory was closed for routine fumigation which would last 48 hours.

For four consecutive days, Kano has not featured in NCDC’s daily update on COVID-19.

Nigeria’s cases rose to 1,095 with Kano recording 73 as of Friday night, according to the NCDC.

The COVID-19 testing centre, domiciled at Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, hosts many northern states’ suspected cases.

Experts say testing capacity is a major step in fighting the spread of coronavirus.

The challenge faced in Kano typifies the challenge of testing Nigeria has faced since the first case of the disease was detected in the country in February. About 10,000 people have been tested so far, across the country, less than a quarter of the number tested in smaller African countries like Ghana and South Africa.

GRAPHIC: MAN STABS OWN MOTHER, SETS SELF ON FIRE IN IMO


A middle-aged man, Johnbosco Ejiogu, from Umudagu Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on Friday was arrested by the Imo State Police Command, for allegedly stabbing his own mother, after which he was said to have set fire on himself and mother, Pauline Ejiogu, in the house. According to the police’ own investigation, the State Police Public Relations, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwu, in Owerri, said that it was an altercation between Ejiogu and his mother Pauline, that led to the ugly incident.

However, the police said that both of them were rescued from the fire with the help of the residents around the scene of the incident. “Both of them have been taken to the hospital,” police said. According to the police image maker, “On the 24/4/2020, at about 1020 hrs, operatives of Mbieri Divisional hqtrs, while reacting to a distress call arrested the above-named suspect and rescued the above victim. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the said Johnbosco Ejiogu stabbed his mother Pauline Ejiogu as a result of an altercation. “He went further to lock the door behind himself and the victim, and then set the house ablaze, but they were rescued alive sequel to the swift reaction of the officers and men of the Division and the members of the neighbourhood. “However, Both of them have been taken to the hospital for treatment, while investigation has commenced.”

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has appealed to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on the need to set up more testing centres for COVID-19 in the state.

The governor made this appeal on Monday during a visit by the NCDC DG, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu to Kano State.

Ganduje explained that cases of the deadly virus are on the rise in Kano State due to its cosmopolitan nature and more community transmission are recordeAll the index cases we have are within the metropolitan local governments. We can, therefore, say, community transmission is not there. So it could be true to say we need more testing Centres.

There is a need to increase our capacity for testing our suspected cases. At the same time, we also need more collection centres.

“Being the most populous state in the country among other factors, are reasons for the high numbers we are recording,” the governor said.

He explained further that the disease is new, hence the need for new laws and regulations including the evacuation of Almajiris in the state.

That is why we are coming up with Kano State Infectious Diseases Regulation 2020 to take care of those new public behaviours, he added.

NCDC DG in response commended Kano’s effort in fighting the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the state

The Ogun State government has released 249 inmates across the state.

  The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, disclosed this on Monday while conducting the special jail delivery exercise at the Judiciary Complex in Abeokuta, the state capital.  She explained that the move was part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) among inmates in various correctional centres in Ogun.  Justice Dipeolu who monitored the verification exercise added that the development was imperative in order to decongest the facilities.

President Trump will temporary suspend Immigration to the US

President Donald Trump said Monday that he would temporarily suspend immigration to the United States because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Trump referred to the “Invisible Enemy,” a phrase he has used to describe the virus that has killed more than 42,000 people in the US, which has more than 766,660 infections.
“In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!” he tweeted Monday night.
The State Department issued around 462,000 immigrant visas in the 2019 fiscal year, while US Citizens and Immigration Services granted permanent residence to nearly 577,000 individuals.
Trump said the move would also protect American jobs, although the state-imposed lockdowns to slow the virus have already left 22 million people in the US out of work.
His tweet gave no further details about what the measure would entail, how it would be implemented or how long it would be in place.
Trump has at times appeared impatient with efforts intended to slow the spread of the virus in the US — appearing to lend support to protesters angry at governors’ stay-at-home orders — and has said parts of the country can begin to abandon lockdown measures soon.
He said Monday, however, that “we’ve really done the right thing” on fighting the virus, and that letting it spread unchecked would have been an “atrocity.”
Trump has been widely criticized for initially downplaying the virus, which he likened to ordinary flu and said was under control in the United States, before later accepting that it was a national emergency.
It was not immediately clear who would be affected by the latest immigration move as Washington has already suspended nearly all travel to the country.
The US last month suspended all routine visa services around the world — including for immigrants — due to the coronavirus pandemic, and has also imposed a series of travel bans.
The latest move is also likely to affect those hoping to apply for permanent resident “green cards.”

Single Life to Married Life

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