FEATURES
An 81-year-old Brazilian woman died after undergoing surgery to remove a 56-year-old foetus from her abdomen.
Daniela Vera unknowingly had an ectopic pregnancy when she was younger, and complaints of stomach pain were ignored by doctors for years.
Daniela, from Aral Moreira, Brazil, went to a local health centre on March 10, where she was treated for a water infection, before being sent to another hospital where she received 3D scans.
The scans revealed lithopedion – from the Greek words meaning ‘stone’ and ‘child’ – a condition where an abdominal ectopic pregnancy calcifies around the foetus.
Despite having seven children, the condition went unnoticed until Daniela received the scans.
She went into surgery, after which she was moved into intensive care, where she died on March 15 after suffering an infection.
Dr Patrick Dezir, the head of the Ponta Pora Hospital health department, said: ‘When pregnancy occurs, it must be inside the uterus, but in some situations, pregnancy can occur outside.
‘That baby was not clinical, the patient did not have acute pain and did not have major bleeding and this diagnosis goes unnoticed and time will take care of that foreign body that was left inside the woman’s abdomen.’
Daniela’s child, Rosely Almedia, said: ‘She was old and we are indigenous, she didn’t like going to the doctor, she was afraid of the equipment to take exams.’
Daniela had complained of abdominal pain since her first pregnancy when she was a teenager, her daughter said.
Rosely added: ‘She said so it looked like a baby was moving inside her belly and sometimes she felt sick, but we never suspected that it was that.’
In 2013, a similar incident happened to an 82-year-old woman in Colombia, who had been carrying a 40 year-old stone baby in her belly.
The four-pound fetus remained in her abdomen for decades before she underwent surgery to remove it.
Lithopedion is extremely rare, occurring in only 0.0054% of all pregnancies.
Death toll higher than 8,356 wasted under Buhari, worse than Jonathan’s 2,059 all in 10 months
On March 14, 17 officers and men of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Bomadi, were killed at Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State on account of the land dispute between Okuama and Okoloba communities.
The 17 soldiers including one lieutenant Colonel, two majors and a captain met their Waterloo during alleged botched peace talks in the community. The murder of the military men has led to a military siege to Okuama in which houses had been razed and no fewer than 50 people reportedly killed.
The 67 reported souls lost to the Okuama crisis are among the 6,931 people killed across the country in 10 months since President Bola Tinubu assumed power, last May.
In immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari’s first 10 months in office, May 2015 to March 2016, Nigeria lost 8,356 people to insecurity.
In former President Goodluck Jonathan’s first 10 months as elected head of state, May 2011 to March 2012, insecurity claimed 2,059 lives.
The figures under Jonathan and Buhari were got from the records of the Nigeria Security Tracker, NST, a project of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa programme, which documented and mapped violence in Nigeria motivated by political, economic or social grievances.
However, the death toll under Tinubu is based on media reports.
In all, the figures are conservative because some killings are under-reported or not reported.
In January 2024, troops killed 266 terrorists and bandits in operations across the country. In February 2024, troops neutralised 974 terrorists.
In the last two months, the Chairman of Benue Ethnic Leaders and President General of Mzough U Tiv, MUT, worldwide, Chief lorbee Ihagh, claimed that herdsmen militia had killed no fewer than 147 persons in various attacks on Benue communities.
As of March 21, no fewer than 432 lives had been lost to insecurity in the third month of the year Recurring bandits’ attacks in Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Kebbi and many North-East and North-Central states have led the deaths and kidnap of thousands of people.
The South-East states where unknown gunmen are wreaking are not spared. So also states of South-South and parts of South-West where criminal gangs and armed herdsmen operate.
How 2,059 were killed in Jonathan’s first 10 months
May 2011 – 29
June 2011 – 59
July 2011 – 94
Aug 2011 – 131
Sept 2011 – 109
Oct 2011 -72
Nov 2011 – 254
Dec 2011 – 348
Jan 2012 – 418
Feb 2012 – 226
Mar 2012 – 319
Total———2,059
Death toll in Buhari’s first 10 months
May 2015 -767
June 2015 -808
July 2015 -1,299
Aug 2015 – 790
Sept 2015 – 514
Oct 2015 – 826
Nov 2015 – 510
Dec 2015 – 809
Jan 2016 – 484
Feb 2016 – 1,076
Mar 2016 – 468
Total ———8,356
How 6,931 persons were killed under Tinubu in 10 months
May 2023 – 587
June 2023 – 690
July 2023 – 620
Aug 2023 – 682
Sept 2023 – 527
Oct 2023- 621
Nov 2023 – 869
Dec 2023 – 837
Jan 2024 – 666
Feb 2024 – 1,374
Mar 2024- 432
Total————6,931@~£
Northern Senators kick
Senators from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum, NSF, on Wednesday decried the raging wave of killings and kidnapping in the North and urged decisive action to stop the trend.
In a statement by their Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, APC, Katsina Central, the Northern senators said they would not rest until the security situation was brought under control and the perpetrators brought to justice
The statement read in part:
“The distressing state of affairs concerning the recent wave of violence and kidnappings in the North is a major concern to the Northern Senators Forum. The series of events that have unfolded in Kaduna State, beginning with the kidnapping of 286 students and staff from a school on March 7th, the despicable attack on worshippers in a mosque on March 8th, the abduction of 61 more persons on March 12th, followed by 14 individuals on March 17th, and a staggering total of 87 individuals in Kajuru on March 18th, among others, are not only reprehensible but demand urgent and resolute action.”
Disturbed by the killings, the National Assembly has held many meetings with the security chiefs and President Tinubu had repeatedly ordered the security chiefs to halt the trend.
It is to be seen if these moves would yield desired results in terms of security of lives and property of Nigerians.
In a sobering update provided yesterday, the Defence Headquarters confirmed the recovery of decomposing hearts belonging to some of the victims among the 18 Army officers and men tragically killed in Okuama, Delta State.
It said the hunt for the perpetrators was intensifying but no significant arrest had been made.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar called the killing of the soldiers a national tragedy while Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike branded it barbaric.
Niger Delta Development Minister, Abubakar Momoh, vowed that the killers would not go unpunished.
Residents of the community who have fled their homes for fear of reprisal are lamenting the horror of starvation and denial they have been going through since the incident.
An ex-Niger Delta militant leader, ‘General’ Endurance Amagbein, who was accused in some quarters as the brains behind the killings, yesterday vehemently denied the allegation.
He said he knew nothing whatsoever about the incident.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, told reporters in Abuja that troops were currently conducting clearance operations and cordon and search to recover, among other things, the weapons of the deceased soldiers.
He said their efforts have yielded the recovery of the “decomposing hearts of some of the murdered soldiers.”
Earlier reports had indicated that the people responsible for the soldiers’ death also harvested their hearts and other body parts.
On the list of communities in which troops have already conducted operations are Akugbene, Ukuama and Okoloba in Ugheli and Ugheli South of Delta State as well as Ukuama Amusamo, Akwagbe, Arhavwarien, Pirigbene and Igbomatoro communities also in Delta State.
He said although no significant arrest had been made yet, the DHQ was not unaware of a viral video of a person “admitting to have perpetrated the killing of the soldiers in Delta State.”
He said one of the advantages of the video is that it “helps to narrow investigations to persons of interest and their cohorts.”
He said: “Accordingly, the state governments and host communities of these personalities are required to assist investigation in flushing them out.
“There can be no hiding place for perpetrators of such dastardly act against our nation. This is a clarion call to duty by members of those communities and the state governments.”
Besides the development in Okuama, Buba said troops across other theaters of operation during the week neutralised 106 alleged terrorists and arrested 103 other suspected criminals.
He said troops also arrested 22 oil thieves and rescued 96 kidnap victims.
Buba said troops recovered 171 assorted weapons comprising 47 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 18 pump action rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 14 Dane guns, 12 locally fabricated pistols, one fabricated revolver, one hand grenade, 81mm mortar bomb, one mortar tube and four bandoliers
He said troops also recovered 2,452 assorted ammunition, comprising 995 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 468 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 317 live cartridges, 125 rounds of 9mm ammo, 313 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 13 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 19 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 167 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammo, 45 empty shells of 7.62mm NATO, 72 empty cases of cartridges, 14 magazines.
Other items recovered, according to defence spokesperson, are 10 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 19 mobile phones, one bicycle, four baofeng radios, and the sum of N112,920.00 amongst other items.
He said: “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 51 dugout pits, 17 boats, 15 storage tanks and 4 vehicles. Other items recovered include 21 cooking ovens, 3 pumping machines and 40 illegal refining sites.
“Troops recovered 772,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 80,530 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK.”
Buba said the troops would continue to put themselves in harm’s way in order to protect and secure the citizens of this country.
Reactions As Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Claims to Have Raised 50 People From the Dead in the Last One Year (Video)
AFOLABIPastor Chris Oyakhilome, the General overseer leader of Christ Embassy has been challenged to raise legendary actor, Mr Ibu and singer Mohbad.
This comes after he claimed to have raised over 50 people from the dead in the past year.
During a recent Healing Steam Festival, Pastor Oyakhilome made the controversial statement.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome asserted that his ministry has raised more than 50 people from the dead in the past year.
He said;
“In the last one year, we have had more than 50 people raised from the dead. How do you explain such things? Both old and young, in various countries. How do you explain? What will you use to explain them? Including the ones that happened in the hospitals to the amazement of doctors and nurses. How do you explain? Maybe we bribed them in heaven or hell to come back. You know sometimes they say we bribe people, maybe we bribe the dead to come back to live. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”.
“In the last one year, we have had more than 50 people raised from the dead. How do you explain such things? Both old and young, in various countries. How do you explain? What will you use to explain them? Including the ones that happened in the hospitals to the amazement of doctors and nurses. How do you explain? Maybe we bribed them in heaven or hell to come back. You know sometimes they say we bribe people, maybe we bribe the dead to come back to live. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”.
Reacting, Nigerians took to social media to challenge him.
They asked him to raise Ibu and Mohbad if he has such power.
See comments below:
One I Am Avincii wrote, “Show workings with Mr Ibu and Mohbad.No be all this Cho cho cho
This statement has generated a mixed response.
Some social media users pointed to the recent deaths of celebrities like Mr Ibu and Mohbad, suggesting Pastor Oyakhilome attempt to resurrect them as a sign of good faith.
Others expressed skepticism, believing the pastor may have misinterpreted situations of unconsciousness.
One Bezo Yello Salon wrote, “Them they were unconscious, no dead person can raise again. Stop the deceit at this time and age
One Taiwo Junzi wrote, “And Freeze was begging you people to raise Mohbad the other day but you went into your koro and turned deaf ears
One It’s Kunle Real wrote, “Raise Mohbad and Mr Ibu. No be cho cho cho, show workings
One Tolzy Paul wrote, “If you don’t want to believe nobody cares. If Jesus Chris was in this generation. You people will still doubt his miracles”.
Media
"In the last one year I've raised more than 50 people from death".
— 36kinniun*2 ???? ???? ???? (@fattylincorn_01) March 21, 2024
- Pastor Chris Oyakhilome pic.twitter.com/QOlY3fYbfD
President Bola Tinubu attributed the gradual strengthening of the Naira against the Dollar to ongoing efforts to stabilize forex fluctuations in the country.
The President called on Nigerians to support the initiative by patronising locally produced goods to further strengthen the value of the Naira and reduce hardship in the country.
Tinubu spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, who addressed journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.
According to the Presidency, there is already a noticeable measure being taken by the regulatory body to firm up the nation’s currency, which has started to yield results.
Speaking further on the Federal Government’s resolve to put the suffering of the masses to an end, Ngelale said the Tinubu administration wants to ensure that those industries and sectors that are massively employing people would be prioritized with respect to government intervention.
Ngelale said the plan has culminated in the approval of over N75 billion to be disbursed to 75 large-scale manufacturers across all states of the federation.
He said a larger chunk of the interventions would go to manufacturers who employ over 1,000 Nigerians in each of their facilities and industries.
According to him, the objective is to see that large-scale industries do not just refuse to fire people but actively increase and expand their hiring.
Ngelale said, “I’m certain that everyone seated here and indeed Nigerians at large have witnessed the seismic shifts that have taken place within the nation’s foreign exchange market over the last several days and the strengthening of the Nigerian naira against the United States dollar.
“This is clearly the direction all of us have wanted to head. And we are very sober to the fact that this is no time to rest or to clap. This is a time to deepen our efforts to dig in and to work harder, which is why His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a series of interventions to ensure that we see a mass strengthening of the Nigerian Naira against all other global currencies.
“One, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants to communicate very clearly to our people, that there has never been a more important time in our history to actively agree together that we will patronize and purchase made-in-Nigeria products across all value chains across all sectors.
“There is an intentionality that we must have on this issue that we want a strong currency, we want the spending power of our people to go up. We want every naira and kobo we earn to be more valuable not just here. But when we travel abroad, the way to achieve that is by doing just this.
“In addition to that, His Excellency Mr President beyond the appeal to Nigerians to actively and intentionally make that decision every day to patronize made-in-Nigeria products and services across the board, he is also wanting to ensure that Nigerians fully understand that the momentum that we are now seeing with respect to the strengthening of our currency is not going to slow down.
“The efforts that Mr President has put in place with collaboration with other agencies of government, as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria, in dealing decisively with sharp practices on certain cryptocurrency trading platforms, dealing decisively with sharp practices within the parallel market of the foreign exchange ecosystem that these things are now yielding fruit.”
The presidential spokesman equally assured that Tinubu is intent on increasing the spending power of the people and dealing with the issue of minimum wage.
He said Nigerians should expect the momentum of the Nigerian Naira and its strengthening to continue.
“We understand that there’s still going to be volatility to some extent, but we are seeing a lessening impact of that volatility, and as we move forward with the interventions Mr President is making in the foreign exchange market and will continue to make we will see increasing stability.
“The last point we want to emphasize is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is dealing decisively with the issue of the spending power of every naira and kobo that Nigerians are earning today.
“He is also ensuring that we bring a sustainable strength to the currency so that when we talk about a new minimum wage, because many of our people have asked when the new minimum wage is coming in, those negotiations are ongoing.
“But what we do not want is a situation in which the minimum wage continues to be what it has always been in the history of our country, which is a moving goalpost.
“If we do not get a firm grip on the value of our currency and it continues to be a volatile, devaluing asset, then whatever we do with the national minimum wage is going to essentially become a moot point, nullity. And so we are focused on ensuring that yes, we arrive at a new minimum wage that states can afford, and that will deal with all of the needs of Nigerian families across the country.
“But we also want to ensure that what we peg it at is sustainable over a number of years based on the long-term, you know, stability that we want to bring to the Nigerian Naira with the interventions we’re presently making.
“And this is the point that His Excellency Mr. President wants to emphatically make today.
“There is stability coming to the currency, we’re getting closer to it, and when the new minimum wage comes into effect, it is going to be one that will be sustained over a long period of time by a stable Nigerian Naira based on the interventions being made under his leadership.”
Ngelale noted that the Tinubu administration will prioritize manufacturers who employ higher number of people for government intervention.
He said this is important so that Nigerians who rely on large-scale manufacturers are protected.
He added: “We want to ensure that those industries and sectors that are massively employing our people are prioritized with respect to government intervention, which is why the President has approved over N75 billion to be dispersed to 75 large-scale manufacturers across all states of the federation.
“These are going to be manufacturers who employ over 1000 Nigerians in each of their facilities and industries. We are going to ensure that they have the support that they need at the large scale so that Nigerian families who rely on these large-scale businesses are protected.
“We want to see our large-scale industries, not just refuse to fire people but actively increase and expand their hiring at this difficult time.
“So the President is doing everything he can to ensure that he steps in to ease the burden on families while also ensuring that he holds the public sector and the Federal Government of Nigeria accountable to prudent spending, ensuring that we cut down drastically on travel expenditures, ensuring that with the temporary ban that is being put in place from April 1 on all but necessary foreign travel, we’re expecting to save over N5 billion per quarter.
“This is going to be one out of several initiatives the President is taking to ensure that we reduce waste in the public sector in such a way that we can actually steer these very needed recurrent resources into the hands of those who are doing important work on behalf of the Nigerian people”
Renowned musician, Ebenezer Obey, has shared details about his survival journey after undergoing prostate surgery, which nearly took his life.
He told Saturday Beats, “It is by the grace of God that I survived prostate surgery at the age of 82. I thank God for bringing me out of a prostate enlargement surgery operation at Kelina Hospital, Lagos. I thank my friends, followers, fans and people of God for their prayers. Some people came to visit me in the hospital. I thank them all.
“God told me I had not finished what he sent me to do on earth. He said He still had more assignments for me. I am also determined to do more of such works for Him. I will share the full testimony at my 82nd birthday on April 3.”
He added that despite his initial fears, Nigerian doctors and prayers aided his recovery.
The veteran juju musician also stated that he intended to release a song addressing prostate enlargement.
He said, “I also plan to release a song on the issue of prostate enlargement. I will talk about my experience and inform the public. It is a disease that usually afflicts males, and can happen to any man from the age of 40 and above. King Charles of Britain also had it. It is more dangerous when it is cancerous. I am grateful that mine was not cancerous. I am happy that I passed through it, and was congratulated when I survived it.”
Obey added that he had a major surgery on his legs two years ago. He stated that though there were complications after the surgery, he also survived it by the grace of God.
The ‘Board Member’ singer also stated that he was not sure he would still be alive if he was no longer singing.
Sharing his birthday plans, he stated that he would carry out philanthropic initiatives across nine locations, including Pacelli School for the Blind, and Lepers’ Colony, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
According to him, he would cap the activities with a thanksgiving service on April 3, 2024, at the Decross Gospel Mission, Lagos.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa said the Nigerian Army has identified the person responsible for the attack and killing of the troops from the 181 Battalion in Okuama community in Delta State.
Musa stated this while giving an address in Abuja on Friday.
He noted that the Army is following up with the suspected culprit, and it is only a matter of time before he is caught.
The CDS said that the Commanding officer of the 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel AH Ali, had been targeted for trying to put an end to illegal oil bunkering in the area.
Musa said, “We know who did this, we are following up with him, and it’s just a matter of time, we are sure we are going to get him.”
Explaining the reason behind the attack, the CDS said, “I know him, the CO himself, Lieutenant Colonel Ali, of recent, because we were emphasising, we want the oil production of Nigeria to increase so that we will be able to have enough foreign exchange, and then things can really go down because we all know the challenges we are going through.
“And so, he insisted that all illegal activities within the general area must stop. So, he directed all his troops and they were stopping all these illegal bunkering, stopping all these things, and then these are the people benefitting from it.
“And so, when this issue came, it came as an opportunity for them to also go and do away with him, and that’s exactly what happened.”
Speaking on what led to the unfortunate tragedy, Musa said, “Basically, it was a community clash that was happening and those are his own area of responsibilities, and that was why he responded when initially, his soldiers, some soldiers were apprehended by the communities.
“We know that because of these issues of bunkering, we have a lot of pirates, militants that are still operating in the area, and they have a lot of funding because of the area at which it’s been carried out. So, they always have a lot of arms with them.
“These are people they know and that’s why when he heard it, he felt that these are my community, these are the people I know, and he went to say, oh, this thing that you’re doing is not right, whatever it is within the community;
“…we can do it, invite the stakeholders, let them come and handle it in a single mission and all these things, and the community said okay. And as they turned to go, they were rounding up, killed, not only killed, they were dismembered.
The general then said, “And I don’t know what kind of, for a human being to go to that extent to go for people that came on a peaceful means, then that’s something that must be looked at.”
A corp member has come online to lament after he discovered that he was assigned to the South-West security network, codenamed Amotekun Corps.
The young graduate, whose identity is yet to be revealed, shared a screenshot of his NYSC deployment letter on his Twitter page @bigfeeztm.
According to the screenshot, his place of primary assignment is listed as Amotekun, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Expressing disbelief and humorously questioning the authenticity of the posting, the graduate wrote; “NA JOKE BE THIS?”
The unexpected posting to Amotekun Corps, a regional security outfit established to complement the efforts of the Nigerian police and other security agencies in tackling crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property in the South-West region, sparked a flurry of reactions on social media.
The graduate’s post quickly went viral, garnering massive attention and generating a wave of hilarious comments online.
See reactions online;
@ELT_Godwin said; “Lmaoooo you better be happy, you’ll get all the Available jazz and Opapaparada powers. A win win.”
@tfk_gawat said; “Corper Amoteks ???????? For Nigeria for Southwest.”
@theomolaraa said; “Don’t worry, your office is arranged already. You’re just going to be signing and assigning duties. Don’t let people scare you ehn it’s easy job.”
@hezekiah_alao said; “Nothing you wan tell me. You go dey fight beside Sunday Igboho.”
The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has released the results of the first-ever Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE) for private candidates, 2024 – first series.
The examination took place between Wednesday, January 31, and Saturday, February 17, 2024.
A total of 8,139 candidates sat the examination at 140 CBT centres nationwide.
According to the examination body, a total of 2,519 candidates, amounting to 30.95 per cent of the 8,139 candidates who sat the examination at 140 CBT centres across the country, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
WAEC noted that 3,424 candidates representing 42.07 per cent obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects (with or without English Language and/or Mathematics).
The entry figure (8,362) of the examination which was conducted between Wednesday, 31 January and Saturday, 17 February, showed a 4.30 per cent decrease in candidature when compared with the 2023 entry figure of 8,738.
Announcing the results in a statement signed by the Acting Head of the Public Affairs Unit, Moyosola Adesina, the Head of Nigeria’s Office of WAEC, Amos Dangut, said 3,862, amounting to 47.45 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination were male, while 4,277, amounting to 52.55 per cent of the candidates were female.
Amongst the candidates that sat the examination, the statement noted that 21 were with varying degrees of special needs. Nine were visually challenged, two had impaired hearing and two were albinos, WAEC said.
The examination body also noted that a total of 459 examiners participated in the coordination and marking exercise.
The examination body further noted that the results of 65 candidates, representing 0.80 per cent of the total number of candidates that sat the examination, are being withheld for various reported cases of examination malpractice.
It, however, admitted that the CBT examination method for WASSCE “drastically reduced examination malpractices”, when compared to reported cases of 413 candidates (4.95 per cent) recorded for WASSCE for private candidates in the 2023-first series.
“These reported cases are being investigated and reports of the investigations will be presented to the appropriate committee of the Council for consideration,” it noted.
“Thereafter, the committee’s decisions will be communicated directly to the affected candidates.”
WAEC had in November 2023 announced that it had concluded plans to conduct its WASSCE for private candidates using the computer-based model, which was met with criticism from Nigerians.
Germany has introduced a new regulation to allow international students with student visas to work 9 months prior to their studies.
The country recently announced this second segment of its revamped skilled worker law, following the initial enactment in November 2023.
The government aims to attract skilled workers from various industries and is doing so through its international student visa route by relaxing regulations.
According to the new regulation, non-EU citizens can apply for the visa for study applications, allowing a stay of up to nine months while preparing a university application. During this period, applicants can undertake language courses, gather necessary documents, and acclimate to the country.
Crucially, prospective students from developing countries can now work up to 20 hours per week during these nine months to support themselves financially.
These changes benefit international students, including those who are yet to commence their careers, stand to benefit from the new regulations.
The new regulations facilitate the integration of work and study in Germany at all stages of higher education, even before admission.
Similar to university applicants, third-country nationals interested in apprenticeships in Germany can now work while searching for opportunities.
They are permitted to stay for nine months, provided they possess B1-level German proficiency and are below 35 years of age. During this period, they can engage in part-time work and continue working for 20 hours per week alongside their training once they secure an apprenticeship.
Under the new regulations, international students in Germany can now work more hours to support themselves financially. The permitted time has been extended from 120 to 140 full days in any calendar year, equivalent to 20 hours per week, or 280 half days per calendar year.
Graduates of German universities are now allowed an 18-month stay post-graduation for job hunting, with the option to apply for permanent residence after two years of employment.
As these rules remain unchanged, graduates seeking a career change now have an alternative visa pathway through the EU Blue Card or German Skilled Worker Visa.
Also, applicants with a degree or vocational qualification recognized by Germany can apply if they have two years of relevant work experience, even if it’s not in the same field or industry as their qualification.
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A bride has sparked reactions online after a video of her remixing her wedding vows surfaced.
The lady was on the altar with her husband as the priest officiating the wedding read out the vows for her to repeat after him.
Instead of the usual “For better or worse”, “For richer or poorer”, “In sickness and in health” and “Till death do us part”, she recited it as “For better for better”,
This has caused quite an uproar as some internet users believe her declaration was wrong while others disagree, claiming it is okay.
See reactions to the bride’s video;
bishy.opeyemi stated: “This is the best way to say your marriage Vows, there’s power in the tongue, you confess what you want.”
ejiro_arure claimed: “I knew she meant well when she said “till death do us part at old age”. May God bless and keep them.”
oppyjay_alaga said: “You people want her to marry an elderly and still be saying “…in poverty” ????. Person wey she use escape poverty oo”
michael._ added: “That’s actually a problem and not being woke or whatever she thinks. You think say the people wey arrange those words no get sense ni?”
Watch Video Below;
Media
Amid ongoing rancour between the Labour Party and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), a former spokesman of the defunct Atiku-Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, has alleged that Peter Obi is planning to dump the party to join forces with former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai in the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In a post on his official X account on Friday, Bwala made this allegation and tied the latest development to the ongoing dispute in the Labour Party.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Labour Party had been at odds with the country’s labour union over calls for the removal of the party’s national chairman, Julius Abure.
However, speaking on the rancour, Bwala suggested that Obi will join forces with El-Rufai in the SDP as the Labour Party intensifies efforts to kick out the Abure-led national leadership of the Labour Party.
He wrote, “BREAKING-Peter Obi @PeterObi allegedly planning to unite with El-rufai @elrufai in Social Democratic Party as Nigerian Labour Congress set to take ownership and custody of their political party, the @NgLabour . Recall that there was a judgment of court that states that Nigeria Labour Congress owns Labour Party. NLC is now prepared to take custody of that party. Twist and turns in the coming days. But all that will not give sleepless night to @officialABAT who himself has his magic wands to wield.”
The Federal Government has disclosed its plan to incorporate the Almajiri system into the national school feeding program.
This disclosure was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Home-Grown School Feeding, Dr. Yetunde Adeniji, during a courtesy call to the Jigawa State Governor.
She clarified that her visit was to brief the Governor on the Federal Government’s plans to expand the national school feeding program to Almajiri schools.
She highlighted that Tinubu is passionate about ensuring adequate feeding for schoolchildren across the nation.
In response, Governor Umar Namadi expressed gratitude to the Senior Special Assistant for the visit and extended his thanks to President Tinubu for agreeing to sustain the program.
He further remarked that the school feeding initiative has been successful and beneficial in Jigawa State, assuring all the necessary support for the success of the program.
Governor Namadi stated, “In Jigawa, we know the benefit of the program, and we are eager to see it coming back.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Benjamin Okezie Kalu, highlighted the parliament’s decision to amend the Access to Higher Education Act 2023 to provide equal opportunities for every Nigerian child to obtain a University education regardless of economic circumstances.
Kalu emphasized the importance of addressing challenges in accessing quality education, citing initiatives such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) and ongoing efforts to amend the Act.
He underscored the significance of inclusivity and equity in higher education, advocating for the prioritization of skills acquisition over certificates and emphasizing the role of technology in addressing societal challenges.
Kalu urged collaboration between academia, government, and industry to drive progress and prosperity.
Reno Omokri, a sociopolitical analyst, on Friday suggested that President Bola Tinubu should have probed former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Omokri said Tinubu’s administration should not make the immediate past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, the only scapegoat.
Posting on X, the public affairs analyst described Buhari’s administration as the worst, while former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government was one of the best in Nigeria’s history.
Omokri said while Jonathan was able to defeat Boko Haram, the insurgents had a field day during Buhari’s administration.
According to Omokri: “The Jonathan administration was one of the best governments in Nigeria’s history because it was a conscience-driven administration, not an ego-led one. Buhari was undoubtedly the worst President we had. And facts prove it.
“When Dr. Jonathan handed power to Buhari, Boko Haram has been defeated. The 2015 election was held in every Local Government and every ward in Nigeria. But after eight years of Buhari, Nigeria experienced a total breakdown of security.
“Nowhere in Northern Nigeria was safe under Buhari. Nowhere. The very people who thought Buhari was coming to rescue them watched as he abandoned them to bandits, killer herders, kidnappers and terrorists. You can imagine over 400 terrorists escaping from Kuje prison. Bandits invading the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna and killing senior officers. Terrorists layer stole an anti-aircraft missile and, wiped out the 157 Task Force in Metele and killing over 200 officers and men.
“And then, after running our military, Buhsri ruined our economy. Jonathan handed over an economy that was the largest in Africa, with a GDP of $540 billion. After eight wasteful years in office, Buhari wiped out $100 billion from our economy and handed over a GDP of $440.8 billion to Tinubu. In less than a year, Tinubu has grown it to $477 billion. Buhari impoverished Nigeria, while he and his Tunde Sabiu Yusuf led cabal became wealthy. People who were struggling before 2015.
“I am reminding Nigerians of this because we have a notoriously short memory. Very soon, people will start eulogising and whitewashing Buhari and trying to blame his mess on the current administration. If not that APC cannot try APC, it would have been good for Tinubu to probe Buhari and give him the Zuma treatment. It is not Emefiele that should be made a scapegoat because he is a minority. Where are the members of Buhari’s cabal who used him?”