Two children have been confirmed dead while two others sustained various degrees of injuries in a boat mishap that occurred in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger.

The Overseeing Director-General of Niger Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Salihu Garba, disclosed this to NAN in Minna on Saturday.

He said the incident occurred on Friday at about 6 p.m when the boat engine caught fire due to a machanical failure and inflamed a gallon of petrol stored inside the boat.

He said that 145 passengers were in the boat, adding that they were from Danbo community in Kogi.

Garba disclosed that the passengers were on their way back from Katcha market when the incident occurred.

He said that the body of one of the deceased children had been recovered while the search for that of the second missing child was still ongoing.

[NewsGuru]

Sir Bobby Charlton, the Manchester United legend who was a key figure in England’s 1966 World Cup victory, has died at the age of 86.

Charlton won 106 caps for England and scored 49 international goals – records for his country at the time.

During a 17-year first-team career with United he won three league titles, a European Cup and an FA Cup.

Charlton’s family said he “passed peacefully in the early hours of Saturday morning”.

In November 2020, it was announced Charlton had been diagnosed with dementia.

He died surrounded by his family, who said in a statement they wished to “pass on their thanks to everyone who has contributed to his care and for the many people who have loved and supported him”.

“We would request that the family’s privacy be respected at this time,” their statement added.

United paid a fond tribute to Charlton, describing him as “one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club”.

“Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world,” the club said.

“He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game.

“His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.

“The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.”

His death leaves Sir Geoff Hurst – the striker who scored a hat-trick in England’s 4-2 win over West Germany in the 1966 final – as the sole surviving member of the triumphant team.

Hurst posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Very sad news today. One of the true Greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away. We will never forget him and nor will all of football. A great colleague and friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone. Condolences to his family and friends.”

Charlton’s older brother Jack, who died in July 2020, and their fellow World Cup winner Nobby Stiles, who passed away in October 2020, had also both been diagnosed with dementia.

BBC

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been ranked the most valuable squad in Africa.

This was disclosed in an infographic shared on the team’s official X page on Saturday.

The Eagles are also ranked 10th most valuable squad in the world.

The countries ahead of the Eagles are England, France, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, and Netherlands.

The three-time African champions are valued at €451.60 million.

Jose Peseiro’s men dropped one place in the September monthly FIFA rankings but retained their sixth spot on the continent.

[NewsEye]

Mohamed Salah was the Merseyside derby match-winner with a second-half double as Liverpool edged past 10-man Everton in the Premier League.

Salah’s confident penalty in front of the Kop End following Michael Keane’s handball ended a frustrating 75 minutes for the home side and he added a late second as the Reds went top of the table on Saturday lunchtime.

It took the Egypt international’s tally to 201 career league goals and victory maintained Liverpool’s recent dominance over their neighbours in this fixture.

Jurgen Klopp’s side searched for a way to break the deadlock in the second period after Ashley Young was sent off for two bookable offences, with both fouls coming on Luis Diaz.

The hosts had been finding it difficult to make in-roads despite having a man advantage, with many of their efforts from long range comfortable for Jordan Pickford to deal with.

The England international smothered Alexis Mac Allister’s rasping effort and Darwin Nunez’s strike, while dipping drives from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai both dropped narrowly over.

Everton maybe should have gone ahead in the opening couple of minutes but Dominic Calvert-Lewin could only divert his header straight at Alisson.

Dwight McNeil’s curling effort was also deflected over the crossbar, but they were finally breached with 15 minutes to go and again in injury time, leaving Sean Dyche’s side with only two wins in nine league games this season.

[Nation]

The Nigerian Premier Football League, NPFL, match between Lobi Stars and Abia Warriors slated to hold today, Saturday 21st October 2023, at the Lafia township stadium has been postponed.

The postponement of the match which was slated to kick off at 4pm in Lafia town is said to be in honour those who lost their lives in Otukpo, Benue State during the deadly attacks on four banks yesterday afternoon by armed robbers in the area.

DAILY POST reports that armed robbers invaded several banks in Otukpo at about 3 pm on Friday, shooting sporadically.

Dominic Iorfa, Vice Chairman and CEO of Lobi Stars FC, announced the postponement on Saturday.

Iorfa, in a statement made available to DAILY POST said the postponement is to sympathize with the immediate families of those who were killed in the deadly attack.

The statement read: “We regret to inform you that, Lobi Stars NPFL matchday 4 tie against Abia Warriors has been postponed.

“The reason for the postponement is to sympathize with the immediate families who lost their loved ones in a deadly robbery attack on four banks in Otukpo, Benue State, yesterday.

“Otukpo, venue of the deadly incident is the Local Government of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Barr. Sam Ode, who is also the Chairman of Lobi Stars Football Club.

“Following this ugly incident, the Management of Lobi Stars approached the league authorities and requested for a shift in date so as to mourn with the bereaved.

“Consequently, the league authorities have approved their request and shifted Lobi Stars’ encounter against visiting Abia Warriors to Sunday, 22nd October 2023 at the same venue in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Time remains 4pm.

“May God grant those who lost their lives during the incident eternal rest and console their families.”

[DailyPost]

Koko: Why would a man accuse a woman of trapping him with pregnancy?

Kaka: Well if the woman decided to get pregnant without the man’s consent…

Koko: Is that even possible? How can a woman get pregnant without her man’s consent? Will she impregnate herself?

Kaka: You know some women are mean. They will just wake you up one day and say they have missed their period.

Koko: If a woman has missed her period, she should tell her man.

Kaka: Not when the man had told her to ensure that her period does not get missing.

Koko: Are you being serious right now? You cannot legislate on a woman’s missing period. We all know there is a process through which a woman’s period gets missing.

Kaka: A good woman should not get pregnant when her man is not ready. If she does, it is a trap.

Koko: Unbelievable. So, it is okay for a man to do the do as many times as he wants in a month, month in month out and expect no result? When he’s not firing blanks?

Kaka: She is his girlfriend, right? It’s part of the deal.

Koko: This deal allows him to drill for 30 days without expecting to find oil or water?

Kaka: Yes now. I can drill non-stop but that does not mean I’m looking for water. Men drill for fun.

Koko: Well, women are not like that. Sometimes they enjoy the dry drilling but a man who drills carelessly continuously will one day find himself in a hole he cannot get out of. You must choose carefully the site of your drilling.

Kaka: I don’t understand. If a woman is willing and the chemistry is right, what else is needed?

Koko: If you are in a relationship with a teenager, both of you most likely want the same thing- endless dry drilling. In other words, you don’t want her to get pregnant and she doesn’t want to get pregnant. Her period will always surface one way or the other. If your drilling partner is an old layer (50 and above or has reached menopause), there is little or no risk. All things being equal, the period will neither mess up the drilling nor lead to pregnancy. However, some men have been known to ruthlessly drill until they turn back the hands of the clock.

Kaka: Yeah, I’ve heard of those late-hour or retirement babies. Women will put you in trouble all the time, whether they are young or old.

Koko: Why do you keep blaming women in this matter? This thing is a joint venture. It is like clapping, you need both hands to do it.

Kaka: This is 2018 for crying out loud! Every smart woman should know how to protect herself against unwanted pregnancy.

Koko: While the man is allowed to put his nozzle in every tank?

Kaka: Well, am I expected to take the daily pill or install IUCD?

Koko: There is condom and abstinence too.

Kaka: Oh, come off it. What kind of evil thought is that?

Koko: Exposed manhood will lead to fatherhood, trust me.

Kaka: It’s still not fair to allow women to get away with trapping us with pregnancy.

Koko: What is unfair is for a man to cultivate his farm, plant corn during the raining season and still express shock when his efforts yield plenty of corn. It’s not just unfair but incredibly foolish.

Kaka: What kind of analogy is that?

Koko: The one that says that whatever a man sows he will reap. If you are allergic to harvest, don’t sow.

Kaka: That is draconian. A man is built to sow.

Koko: And women are built to bring forth unless they are sneaky teens or old layers. But there is a group of women that will almost always end up making a father out of you, with or without your consent.

Kaka: What group is that?

Koko: My pastor calls them mature singles. They are in their late 30s to mid 40s or even older. They are single, successful and have no children. Their hearts have been broken more than a few times. Their biological clocks are ticking so loudly they can hear it in their sleep. They have all the ducks of their lives in a neat row. All except the children and marriage ducks. They are worried about how fast the days are flying them towards menopause. A relationship with a woman in this group will most likely make you a father.

Kaka: Without my consent?

Koko: What do you mean? You gave your consent when you deposited your seeds in her soil.

Kaka: I didn’t tell her to get pregnant.

Koko: You also didn’t withhold your assent.

Kaka: It’s entrapment.

Koko: No, it’s common sense. A woman looking for a child meets a guy who’s bright, good looking and sexy. She picks him as the father of her child or children…

Kaka: Children?

Koko: Yeah, she just might have twins, you know.

Kaka: Without my consent?

Koko: You really should stop using that phrase. You dived into her pool naked, in ecstatic abandonment. Both of you thoroughly enjoyed each other. Both of you said wow, but for different reasons. She knew it was her raining season. You didn’t. That’s how careless men become fathers.

Kaka: See why it’s entrapment? She lured the man into the rain.

Koko: And the man foolishly ran into the rain without umbrella.

Kaka: If any woman traps me like that, I will deny the paternity of the child. I’ll cut both mother and child off.

Koko: The problem is those babies always arrive the labour room armed with their DNA results. If you have a birthmark on your pecker, that’s exactly where the little boy will have his. If I were the mother, I’d make a postcard of the intimate evidence, send it to you, copy your Mum, (who will know what it means) and dare you to order a DNA test.

Kaka: You think this is a joke?

Koko: No, I think men should stop fooling around and blaming women for unplanned pregnancies. They should stop allowing a few minutes of enjoyment deprive them of rational judgment. A female friend once said when a man unzips his trousers, his brains fall out.

Kaka: Nonsense. Is it his brain that is in his pants?

Koko: Some men take leave of their reasoning once they get an erection. They embrace temptation frontally.

Kaka: Well, it is easier to embrace temptation than to resist it.

Koko: This noise of entrapment is only heard when a player has been outplayed. A man who does not want his seeds to be watered and nurtured should not allow a farmer in need get those seeds in the raining season. A successful woman racing against her biological clock knows how to turn a seed into a tree. Fortunately for her, the seed cannot be taken out as smoothly as it was planted. So, my dear friend, if your seed is growing somewhere, own up, claim your baby. The Yoruba say a man should not get angry when the gods double his blessing.

Re- Women who shared their men

I had the opportunity to read the piece because it was shared to a WhatsApp group that I am a member of. 

I have always found myself conducting a personal evaluation of different marriages practised throughout the world and the various surrounding facts and instances involved whenever I encounter articles or stories about the topic. The way you organised your thoughts and raised the three polygamy-based examples is really impressive. 

I just felt like reaching out to a senior colleague to recognise her prowess. You get readers thinking and that is an accomplishment of the very purpose for writing. Well done ma. 

Phebean Ibizugbe

Re – For marriages that are still standing

I enjoy your human angle articles and always look forward to reading them. I couldn’t resist emailing you today as I chuckled at some of your phrases: Joke was the witch who wanted Jamal for dinner; his production line seemed only capable of churning out only female babies; Tunji strolled back home from his sabbatical…

You write about serious issues in a humorous way.

You’re simply the best in this genre.

Keep it up.

Muda Ganiyu.

I came across your post about forgiveness in marriage and as well read the whole story related to it. That was bad and also something to learn from.

Personally and honestly, I would forgive her only if she owns up or take responsibility for the crime, as well as she being honest.

Kesey Hendrix.

[EagleOnline]

In response to my September 30 column titled "Thought Subsidy Was Bad. Why is Tinubu Bringing it Back?” a Facebook follower of mine by the name of Anas Mundi asked, “So why is SLS [i.e., Sanusi Lamido Sanusi] always agitating for fuel subsidy removal? I still don’t get it really!!”

My curt, perfunctory, irritated response was: “Because his entire life—from birth to now—has been subsidized, so he lacks empathy. He thinks only he and his ilk deserve subsidies. He is a spoiled, bratty sadist.”

 For some reason, this offhanded but accurate response, which I’ll provide evidentiary proof for shortly, resonated with a broad spectrum of people, particularly from the North.

A few days ago, a friend who read my response to Mundi forwarded a news story to me titled, “Why Tinubu Shouldn’t Be Blamed for Nigeria's Economic Hardship – Sanusi Lamido” where Sanusi basically exculpated Tinubu from any complicity in the unbearably agonizing adversity Nigerians are going through now. He also doubled down on his habitual, mean-spirited, intellectually impoverished, and anti-people evangelism against petrol subsidies.

“It’s injustice for anyone to blame the Tinubu administration for the current economic hardship because there is no other alternative than the removal of the fuel subsidy,” Sanusi said. “After all, Nigeria cannot even afford to pay the subsidy.”

He placed the blame for the current downturn in the economy not on the removal of subsidies but on Buhari’s refusal to completely remove subsidies.  “The economy was poorly managed, and they [were] not willing to take advice,” he said. 

Recall that in December 2016, Sanusi advised Buhari to “firmly and unequivocally eliminate fuel subsidies” in a presentation that I characterized in my December 10, 2016, column titled “Dangerous Fine Print in Emir Sanusi’s Prescriptions for Buhari” as a hopeless “maze of pseudo-scientific economic gobbledygook.”

Now that Tinubu has “firmly and unequivocally eliminated fuel subsidies” and people are squirming in way worse existential torment than they had ever experienced, Sanusi murdered logic and common sense by insisting that it was the previous government’s repudiation of his recommendation to “firmly and unequivocally” remove petrol subsidies that’s instigating the current mass suffering.

“I can only plead with the people to endure the hardship, and those who have the means to help the downtrodden should do so,” he said. “I am also pleading with commoners to live according to their earnings; we must not peg our lives above our earnings in this difficult situation where people are looking for what to eat.” 

Notice that Sanusi is only appealing to the victims of his economic policy prescriptions to learn to “endure the hardship” the policies cause them. He never said anything about the Tinubu government’s unexampled profligate and corrupt expenditures.

 For the first time in Nigeria’s history, we now have nearly 50 ministers—with all the avoidable waste that entails. State governors have taken a cue and have enlarged their cabinets, too. The government is growing while the people are groaning, but that’s not a problem for Sanusi.

It recently came to light that President Bola Tinubu spent $507,384, which is equivalent to nearly 400 million naira for his hotel accommodation in New York when he attended the UN General Assembly in September. We also learned that the federal government has requested a $1.5 billion loan to buy new cars for government officials, including SUVs for each of the 360 members of the House of Representatives that will cost N160 million per car. 

These are merely minor examples of major eyewatering squandermania that is happening in governance, which critics of subsidies that benefit the poor never talk about.

How about the unconscionably outrageous trillions of naira that Nigeria spends on its refineries that don’t work? We learned in May this year that the government spent N11.350 trillion to rehabilitate Nigeria’s three refineries that have never refined a single drop of petrol in decades. But that doesn’t worry people like Sanusi. 

Sanusi’s concerns about government expenditures are activated only when the expenditures might benefit poor people. He has a deep-seated loathing for everyday folks and doesn’t have the skills or the intellectual gift to hide it. 

In 2012 during the OccupyNigeria protests sparked by the removal of petrol subsidies (which Sanusi helped inspire), Femi Falana told Sanusi at a forum that removing subsidies from petrol would lead to an increase in the cost of transportation, which would trigger inflation that would inflict incalculable hurt on the lives of millions of Nigeria.

“That is not an economic argument," Sanusi said in response to Falana, as if an “economic argument” were some unquestionable, arcane, and divinely ordained dogma that only he and his fellow neoliberal evangelists could understand and that the rest of us must simply believe in. 

Nevertheless, in October 2019, as emir of Kano, Sanusi tearfully narrated the story of a mother in Kano who couldn’t afford the equivalent of $5 to save the life of her child. “This is what happens every day in this country,” he said. “Children die because their parents cannot afford five dollars, that a mother will watch her child die because she does not have five dollars.”

But I thought that wasn’t “an economic argument,” the most important thing that matters in this world. Sanusi has actively encouraged governments since 2012 to implement policies that activate a multiplication of the example of the woman that caused him to cry—or pretend to cry— in public in 2019.

This is a Sanusi that raided the treasury of the Kano Emirate Council like a conscienceless bandit. In an April 8, 2017, investigation by Jaafar Jaafar titled “A word for Emir Sanusi,” we learned that Sanusi inherited more than N1 billion in the treasury of Kano Emirate Council and squandered it “on exotic cars, unnecessary ‘restructuring’ of the palace, frequent foreign travels, chartered flights, customised sets of Christian Louboutin spiked shoes and Moroccan costumes, Internet bills, among others.” 

As soon as he became an emir, he paid himself a monthly salary of N12m. “Mr Sanusi’s predecessor, Ado Bayero, was paying himself an average of N1.5 million,” Jaafar Jaafar pointed out. Sanusi also “spent N7m on Internet in ONE month!” in 2017. From June 29, 2015, to February 9, 2016, he spent  N37,054,192.06 on Airtel. As Jaafar pointed out, “This amount alone could build a modest school or a cottage hospital with equipment as a way of matching his words with action.” 

Jaafar’s exposes on Sanusi’s corruption as emir, which he couldn’t deny, caused the Kano State’s anti-corruption agency to probe him. The government wanted to use the outcome of the probe to dethrone him but for the intervention of elder statesmen from the North. 

A person with this sordid record of corruption and elite subsidies thinks the miserly subsidies that make life a little bearable for ordinary people are too much and must be eliminated. Thankfully, we are all witnessing the effect of his “economic arguments.”

Re: Ignorance of America that Atiku’s Lawyers and Supporters Betray

Your piece on the Tinubu Certificate saga was highly readable and rigorous as usual. But it has at least one not-so-minor flaw. Read Chapter 8, Part IV, Section 318 of the Nigerian Constitution on "Interpretation". The section which is in four sub-sections (a) (b) (c) & (d), defines "School certificate or its equivalent." Sub-section (c) lists "Primary Six School Leaving Certificate or its equivalent" as sufficing, provided it is accompanied by (i) service in a public or private sector acceptable to INEC, and (ii) attendance at courses and trainings for up to a total of one year at any institution acceptable to INEC, and (iii) ability to read, write, understand and communicate in English to the satisfaction of INEC. 

Sub-section (d) is even more telling. It simply says, "any other qualification acceptable to the Independent National Electoral Commission."

What all this means is that even if Daley College rescinds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's associate degree & his bachelor's degree from Chicago State University automatically follows, he may still have a leg to stand on. Such is the liberality of our Constitution on academic qualification. In other words, it is much more liberal on this issue than most Nigerians imagine, apparently including politicians who gratuitously claim certificates they do not need to qualify as candidates.

Have a great week ahead.

Note this is my personal opinion & not INEC's position. And you are free to publish it.

Malam Mohammed Haruna, INEC Commissioner