Things Will Be Better In 2017– Lai Mohammed

The Minister for Information, Arts and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has commended Nigerians for their perseverance and understanding, urging them to look forward to better times in 2017.

Mohammed spoke to newsmen on Sunday night on the sidelines of a programme tagged “A special evening of music and camaraderie to usher in the Yuletide season”, organised by the Lagos State Government at the State House, Alausa.

“We give thanks to God that we are alive; by the grace of God, next year will be much easier.

“2016 has not been a particularly easy year even for governance because the economy has not done much as well as we thought.

“This is not because of incompetence on the part of government but because of the general global slowdown and this affected commodity prices,” Mohammed said.

According to him, despite all, the government tried its best, especially in the face of challenges with the Niger DeIta, and has more than thrice intervened and bailed out some states.

Mohammed commended Nigerians for their perseverance and understanding and urged them to continue to support the government.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Abdulwaheed Odushile, told newsmen that the Federal Government needed to focus more on the economy, particularly in the area of job creation.

“Government needs to improve the economy by creating jobs directly.

“It should create rooms so that people in the non- formal sector can also create jobs, especially in agriculture, tourism and other areas where they can show their skills.”

Read More: punchng

Economy Will Be Better In Remaining Part Of 2016- FG

The Presidency has said that the nation’s economic ?outlook remains bright notwithstanding the drop in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, the Federal Government said the remaining part of the year would be better.

The National Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday released the long-awaited GDP figures for the second quarter of 2016 with the GDP growth rate sliding further from -0.36 per cent in the first quarter to -2.06 per cent year-on-year.

Quoting the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Adeyemi Dipeolu, the statement said the recession would not last because many of the challenges faced in the first half either no longer existed or had been eased.

The statement noted that  the just released GDP figures for the 2016 second quarter by the NBS, while? confirming a temporary decline, has also indicated a hopeful expectation in the country’s economic trajectory.

It also said that apart from? the growth recorded in the agriculture and solid mineral sectors, the Nigerian economy, in response to the policies of the Buhari presidency, was also doing better than what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had estimated with clear indications that the second half of the year would be even much better.

The statement said the Buhari presidency would continue to work diligently on the economy and engage with all stakeholders to ensure that beneficial policy initiatives were actively pursued and the dividends delivered to the Nigerian people.

Read More: thisdaylive

Rio2016: Bronze Better Than Nothing, Izilein Urges Dream Team

Godwin Izilein, a former coach of the Super Falcons, on Friday appealed to the Dream Team VI to play well and win the bronze medal.

Izilein said that winning the bronze was better than not getting anything.

The football tactician identified late preparation for major events as responsible for the poor performance of Nigerian sportsmen and women in tournaments.

He called on administrators of sports in the country to be alive to their responsibilities by ensuring early preparation for tournaments.

He said, “I still salute their courage, considering what they went through. It takes people with lion heart to easily come out of what they went through.

“I will urge them to concentrate well for the bronze medal. We need it, it is better than not having anything at all.

“Why are we always starting late in terms of preparation?

“As we speak, some countries are already planning for the 2020 games.

‘’Here, we only start rushing things when it is two or three months to a major tournament and expect the athletes to perform wonders.”

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http://punchng.com/bronze-better-nothing-coach-izilein-tells-dream-team/

Buhari Assures Children Of Better Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with all Nigerian children on the occasion of this year’s Children’s Day celebration, reassuring them his administration remained fully committed to fulfilling its promise of a better Nigeria.
The president, in his Children’s Day message to the nation yesterday, said it was a thing of joy that on the occasion, the country could also celebrate the safe return of one of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls, Amina Ali Nkeki and many other abducted women and children freed from the clutches of Boko Haram by the military.

He reassured Nigerians and friends of the country that his administration would not rest until the Boko Haram sect is totally eliminated.
He said as peace gradually returns to the North-east states, the federal government would continue to work diligently to ensure the rapid and full re-integration as well as rehabilitation of all internally displaced persons, including orphaned children in the region.
He said the government would also sustain and strengthen ongoing actions to protect children more effectively from violence, child-labour, child-trafficking, forced marriages and other related offences.
He urged all Nigerians, especially children, to imbibe and exhibit in greater measure, the virtues of hard work, diligence, discipline, honesty, prudence, selflessness and patriotism which he said were essential for the actualisation of the vision for a truly great nation. Buhari wished all children a happy Children’s Day.

Credit: dailytrust

Air Force Acquires More Aircrafts, Promises Better Welfare

The Nigerian Air Force says it has recorded 100% increase of serviceable aircraft to address the current national security threat in Nigeria.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said this during the commissioning ceremony of staff accommodation in Kano’s Air Force base.

He said that Government is determined to reposition the Nigerian Air Force into a highly professional service through capacity building.

Accompanied by top ranking officers, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar said that the Nigerian Air Force must continue to remain vibrant towards the nation’s air defence.

He added that in order to achieve that, officers and men of the service also need to have a robust welfare package that will make them comfortable in confronting any kind of security threat.

Officers and men of the service had lacked adequate accommodation for mostly their family, a problem Sadique said is capable of dividing their attention in executing their duties.

To him, accommodation, healthcare facilities, capacity building among others should come first in any security institution across the country.

Meanwhile, the Air Chief has said that accommodation package for the personnel would continue across all Air Force bases across the country.

He added that with better welfare and equipment, there would be no hiding place for criminals.

Credit: ChannelsTv

10 Relationship Goals That Prove Men Are Slacking, Women Deserve Better

1. Forget asking you out to a specific place at a specific time, any text at all, no matter how miniscule and single-syllabled counts as a win.

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2. Infantilisation is, like, SO adorable because, like, what girl doesn’t want her boyfriend to remind her of her dad? There’s literally nothing creepy about that. At all.

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3. A stranger calls me Princess? I die.

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4. Men have set expectations so low that they’ve managed to trick some women into thinking an insult is actually a compliment. It’s genius really…

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5. No idea what this man wants to call about, but the fact that he is willing to use up at least three of his unlimited free minutes talking to me must indicate that I am supremely important to him. #blessed.

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6. If you’ve worked out how to get a man to think about you beyond Saturday night/Sunday morning, could you let the rest of us pathetic losers know?

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7. Are we still dating guys who play video games?

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8. Oh yep, apparently we are.

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9. Seriously? Sorry, no we have to draw the line here.

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10. Okay, this one we can definitely get on board with.

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Credit: Yahoo

5 Things You Can Do To Better Your Relationship

1. Be wrong and be happy about it

If you’ve developed the habit of needing to be right, you’ve probably experienced the unfortunate side effect of being lonely or misunderstood. When couples think in terms of “I’m right, you’re wrong,” the relationship is divided and there can be no growth. When couples focus not on being right, but on being connected and growing together, then everybody wins.

Some of the greatest relationship connections you’ll ever make occur when you apologize and commit to doing better after making a mistake. Rather than rubbing your partner’s nose in his or her wrongness, empathy will allow you to see the feelings and needs behind the actions in order to connect, share understanding, and heal. Open communication will ensure that wounds are healed with empathy and emotional connection.

2. Rebuild trust together

It is impossible to be open and vulnerable with someone you do not trust. If someone has hurt your trust, you have the option to protect against future pain for the rest of your relationship — which often involves attacking one another and distancing yourself — or sharing your feelings and needs in a state of vulnerability.

When you choose the latter option, you send out powerful “grow with me” signals that give your spouse the opportunity to step up and fill your needs. They could reject you, but if you have faith and frame the conversation around your feelings and needs, there will be no attack for your partner to guard against. And when you do make that emotional connection, the wounds will heal. Healing emotional wounds is a form of growth that, when practiced, will dramatically impact a couple’s level of intimacy and commitment.

3. Do new things together

After you establish trust in your partner, then you can begin to add to the foundation of your relationship. This is when the flower of your relationship starts to bloom again as the water of your love is supplied regularly. Once you establish a deep trust that is founded on empathy and experience, rather than blind ignorance, you can begin to transform that flower into a rose garden. Then you become free to experience new things together again, to learn together, and to make your love dynamic again.

Take dancing lessons, go rock climbing or sky diving, learn a new language, and grow together in playful ways. Plan new hobbies and activities that satisfy the fundamental need for growth in a relationship. Novel experiences are important to a flourishing love, and your willingness to try new things with your partner will be based on your level of trust.

When you both experience vulnerability together, you will be able to empathize with your partner and appreciate their humanness. You’ll begin to see the inner child in your significant other; excitement, earnestness, and love will grow along with your intimacy.

4. Have sex

Having sex in a marriage relationship is much more than a simple, physical act. It is sharing intimacy, vulnerability, spirituality, emotional connection, and love in the most sublime way. When you are in a protective mode, having sex is not enjoyable or desirable because sex is a growth activity.

Humans are one of the few animals that are exposed completely during sex, so it is the most vulnerable activity we engage in. As you shift your relationship to a “grow with me” mode, your desire for sex will be rekindled. There is no limit to sexual satisfaction in a monogamous relationship, and couples commonly report increased satisfaction even into their golden years. View sex as the privilege for the responsibility you show to all of your emotions and needs. Have it frequently, and make time for it if your schedules are busy.

When sex is used outside of the context of intimacy, appreciation, and vulnerability, it becomes nothing more than a common drug, which acts as an impediment to growth and connection. When sex becomes a physical symbol of these words — “I have such faith, respect, and trust in you that I could bring new life with you” — it becomes a sacred thing. But things are only as sacred as what is sacrificed for them, so if you want a healthy sex life, make sacrifices to grow together.

5. Express gratitude and appreciation routinely

Gratitude speaks “grow with me” just as loud as any action. It says so many things in such a compact way. “I care for you, I appreciate you, I value you, I think you’re amazing.” The more gratitude is expressed in your relationship, the more room you’ll have to grow. Remember, you are the co-manager of your relationship, so you get to exercise effective leadership and management techniques if you want to succeed.

Credit: CheetSheet

INEC Strategises For Better Elections

Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it is working with various stakeholders to improve on the country’s electoral process.

Acting Chairperson of the commission, Mrs Amina Zakari stated this at a one-day workshop for selected journalists and INEC Public Affairs Officers held in Kaduna.

The event was designed to examine lessons learnt from the just-concluded general elections in the country.

Mrs Zakari who was represented at the occasion by INEC’s Director, Human Resources Management, Alhaji Musa Adamu said the event which was to brainstorm on what went well or wrong in the last general elections as well as chart the way forward for better elections in the future.

“Our major concern is to work together, criticize and praise ourselves too in our various contributions for us to get it right”, she said.

Read More: nationalmirroronline

Jonathan’s Administration Better Than Obasanjo’s- Anya

Elder statesman and President of Ndigbo Lagos, Professor Anya O. Anya, yesterday, declared that Nigeria is not yet a nation but that a nation will emerge out of her soon.

Anya made the statement at Sam Ohuabunwa’s Outreach, in Lagos, to mark the 65th birthday of Ohuabunwa, former chairman of Neimeth Pharmaceuticals.

The event was also to launch Ohuabunwa’s books, Sam Ohuabunwa’s Paradigm: Thoughts on Contemporary National Issues and The Port Harcourt Volunteer.

The professor, who chaired the occasion, said it was sad that Nigerians are not learning from history, averring that the much-criticized immediate past administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan was better than that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Read More: vanguardngr

We Will Do Better Than Our Predecessors, Says Ekiti Speaker

The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr Kola Oluwawole, says the legislative house under his leadership will do better than the past four assemblies in the state. Oluwawole spoke at the prayer session organised for the lawmakers to kick start the fifth assembly in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.

He said that the new assembly would achieve development and growth for Ekiti State, through robust legislation and meaningful collaboration with the Executive arm of government.
The speaker charged the people of Ekiti, especially professionals, to be involved by assisting the new house through sponsorship of private bills.

“I want to implore our people, especially the professionals in the state, and our sons and daughters across the country, to sponsor private bills. “I want to let everyone know that the duty of law making is not what the lawmakers alone can do, that’s why we are soliciting the support of our people.

“We appeal to them to quickly challenge us whenever they think we are not doing well; we shall strive to do our best, but we still need their support and advice, ” he said. The Deputy Speaker, Mr Olusegun Adewumi, called on members of staff of the assembly to shun partisan politics in order to give room for development in the state. “We know that you members of staff must have sympathy for one political party or the other, we do not want this to override the objective and letters of your jobs.

“For every government to be successful, the civil servants must work in consonance with their oaths of office. Regardless of your political affiliation, do not be partisan. “When workers are not partisan, then, they can do things objectively to bring about the desired development, ” Adewumi said. In his own message to the lawmakers, the Chaplain in-charge of Government House Chapel, Mr Seyi Olusola, charged them to be thankful to God Almighty for the privilege given to them.

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Private Nigerian Universities Better Than Public Ones, Says Ex-Gov Akpabio

Private universities in Nigeria are better than public ones, a former state governor has said.

Godswill Akpabio, who governed oil rich Akwa Ibom State for 8 years, stated this on Sunday at the 13th undergraduate and 14th postgraduate convocation of Babcock University.

The immediate past Akwa Ibom governor was awarded a honourary doctorate degree in Global Economic Development by the university at the event held at the university stadium,Ilishan in Ogun State.

“I want to say here that private universities are better than the other universities and I want to also say that when graduate(s) of privately owned universities present their certificates,they have more opportunities to be considered for employment,” the governor said without providing any evidence for his statement or stating why he could not make the Akwa Ibom State University as good as its private counterparts for the eight years he ruled the state.

Mr. Akpabio also advised the graduating students to be responsible ambassadors of the university especially as their university is owned by a church.

“Ensure you turn out to be good products of the university. Allow God to go with you; in your future allow God to be with you,” he said. “I remain the only governor in Nigeria who drew his people to God. I have the largest choir in the country called Governor Akpabio Unity Choir.”

The former governor listed the achievements of his administration to include a state e-library, road construction and a standard stadium.

Read More: premiumtimesng