Revealed !! Nigeria ‘records’ 1.37 million unwanted pregnancies in 2018

Nigeria has recorded over 1.3 million unwanted pregnancies in 2018 alone, the 2018 global family planning report has revealed.

The most populous nation on the African continent also averted 735,000 unsafe abortion in the year under review.

The averted abortions are seen as “the number of unsafe abortions that did not occur during a specified reference period as a result of the protection provided by modern contraceptive use during the reference period”.

According to the report mailed to TheCable, and unveiled at the ongoing International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP) in Kigali, only 13.8 percent of Nigerian women use contraceptives in 2018.

The report defines unintended pregnancies as “the number of pregnancies that occurred at a time when women (and their partners) either did not want additional children or wanted to delay the next birth”.

This is “usually measured with regard to last or recent pregnancies, including current pregnancies”.

Speaking in Kigali, at the ICFP opening ceremony and the launch of the report, Rwandan Prime Minister Édouard Ngirente called on the global policy makers and funders to invest in family planning.

“Family planning is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the wellbeing of people in all countries,” Ngirente said.

“The African continent is very youthful [and] the biggest challenges facing African leaders today is how to harness our youthful population into agents of sustainable development. Investment in young people and in human capital, in general, can enable us to harness a demographic dividend across our continents.”

More than 3,700 global policymakers, researchers, young people, faith leaders and family planning advocates from around the world are gathered in Kigali, Rwanda to attend the 2018 ICFP.

The summit, themed “Investing for a Lifetime of Returns,” is co-hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Rwanda.

- TheCable

Shocking details of Saraki’s dirty talk to supporters on exit from APC

Senate President Bukola Saraki has been trending since Friday, after an audio of an address he gave to young supporters was leaked, by the activist, Kayode Ogundamisi.

One of the shocking things he said was that he left the All Progressives Congress, for his old party, the Peoples Democratic Party, because President Muhammadu Buhari did not reward him financially.

Here are the highlights of the audio, that has drawn flaks for the politician from Kwara State :

“All that you have complained about tonight is on point, I can not find anything you have said that is not on point, you complained about empowerment”

“Let us agree that the last three and a half years, things have not been easy at all, I agree and accept things have not been easy at all, particularly in the area of empowerment”

“Before 2015 I have always tried to empower the youth and get you involved in appointments, but this time around as a result of what I call human factor, things have not been the same, I believe it is the will of God”

“When you all are complaining and you give example of Gegele and co and you compare it to what is happening now, I am sure you are asking yourself, what is happening? how come all of you struggling with me are not rewarded, it is unacceptable”

“What is the point of putting everything into the emergence of a government and we could not benefit anything from the government, you are asking yourself, what have you benefited”

“If you have not benefited personally in the last 3 and a half years, how do you go to market us, wont people ask you what you have benefited for yourself?

“It got to a stage that people will be making fund of you and asking you what you have benefited, but what is happening from Abuja, use me as an example, in 2015 I carried @OfficialAPCNg on my head around Nigeria

“Hardly any state in Nigeria that I did not campaign for @MBuhari, up to the time of the election in 2015, out of 36 states I paid for the election of 30 states”

“Out of 36 states in Nigeria I funded @MBuhari campaign in 30 States, some states I paid 200 Million Naira, some 300 Million, some 400 Million, the only states I did not fund are South West States”

“Many times I will be calling my banks to send money to fund elections across Nigeria for @MBuhari my thinking was that when we get elected, the next thing is that we will get majority of our people appointments”

“In fact I had already promised some of you here that you will either be MD of Federal agencies, either road maintenance, NIPDA (inaudible) even Nigerian Ports Authority, SUBEB and so on and so forth”

“I know if I put someone amongst you from Kwara even in the smallest Federal agencies, the contract you will sign out, 1Million, 2 Million, but for the first time that I have been in politics even speaker can’t appoint a cleaner”

“I as President of @NGRSenate I could not even appoint a cleaner not to talk of Board appointment, if you look at Executive positions I have nothing even after spending Billions for three and a half years, I am as angry as you are.

“I am fighting @MBuhari because of you, if it because of me I wont fight, it is not easy to fight the federal government, the sufferings you are all going trough is because they did not fulfil our agenda”

“In 2018 I told you all I won’t be going with @OfficialAPCNg but in the last one or 2 months that I left I have been doing a lot for you people, my politics is for all of you, I am just here to empower you all, dont mind the one who just bought form for 33M ”

“It was not my plan not to appoint you, when when David Mark was @NGRSenate President, every confirmation he made for the @NGRPresident came with something, if they really love us now you will be empowered”

“In the past we they have a cut for Senate President and Speaker but not anymore, so we are no longer going with APC as soon as we joined PDP they called me National Leader when I lost election @atiku came to me immediately”

“Now we have seen the sign that if @atiku becomes @NGRPresident things will come to us, he told me I am the only one that can run his campaign, I know it is not easy for you all, but let me assure you things will be better”

“God see my “aniyan” (Arabic word meaning the mind) now in PDP they have brought us closer, how many people in Kwara did APC bring together in Kwara, now we will soon have power, today in APC they want us to go to @AsiwajuTinubu in Lagos”

“If I am the only one in PDP I will fight alone, my Father made Kwara and took Kwara to the top 10 in Nigeria and I also took Kwara to between number 1 to 3 in Nigerian politics and they now want us to bow to Lagos.

“In the coming election we will put Youth into power in Kwara, let us take @Atunwa_1 as he his, he will take care of you all, all those who contested against him are loyal but Atunwa will….. inaudible” (applause)

“When I was Governor I gave a lot of young people contract, they buy land etc and then empower others, I want to return you to the days of when I was Governor when you were all enjoying, @atiku will open things when we win election”

“You know as a leader I see things that followers don’t see, when we followed @MBuhari we felt after spending money, we saw that he failed to reward us, so we said this Baba is not coming back, no money, no patronage all over Nigeria”

“Even with all the problem we have with @MBuhari the little cut I get I always send to Kwara but I can tell you that we had to design a method to make the little we have, they did not involve us in sharing”

“The only agenda APC have for Kwara is to fight Bukola Saraki , they favour Osun State with empowerment, for the remaining time of @MBuhari we will still get some things, we gave them list for FIIRS for 3 years they did not employ our list”

“Thank you for listening to me”

Someone declares that Bukola Saraki gave the young listeners 3 Million Naira.

- PM News

2019 election: Ali Baba writes Buhari on what needs to be done

Popular comedian, Ali Baba has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over the state of the country ahead of the 2019 election.

The comedian, in a post on his Instagram page, advised the federal government to invest in arts and tourism, rather than distributing money under various ’empowerment’ schemes.

He disclosed how developing the arts in Nigeria can help the federal government gain more.

Posting a picture of Buhari, he wrote: “Like we told those before you, Mr President, we don’t need you to give us money. Just provide the enabling environment, AND, WE, WILL BE THE ONES TO GIVE YOU MONEY.

“Let the government make a deliberate attempt to promote the arts. Piracy laws. Structure for enforcement of those laws. Film villages. Museums. Creative fora. Cinemas.

“Promotion of culture and tourism just like you promote crude oil then we will show you the money. Sir, you see all these meetings you are having, we have held them before plus several breakout sessions. Only to be forgotten. And remembered just at the dawn of another election.”

- Daily Post

Former England stars can’t come to terms with Country doing well - Rooney

Wayne Rooney has revealed how retired England players from his generation have expressed bitterness over the recent success of Gareth Southgate’s side.

The former captain, who picked up his final cap in a stage-managed Wembley send-off against the United States, said he had spoken to players who could not handle the team’s progress.

“They can’t come to terms with England doing well,” he said. “It’s wrong. I am a fan and I want England to do well.”

There will be no such future resentment from Rooney who flew back to the US last night and will watch Sunday’s match against Croatia from the comfort of his settee at his home near Washington DC. He insisted he would be equally proud to see England win a trophy as a supporter as he would have been as a player.

Rooney cannot re-evaluate his own career with regret. “I can look back and say to myself that I gave everything. It didn’t always work or pay off, but I did give everything I could to make England successful,” he said.

“I had my time. It didn’t work out as hoped in terms of trophies, but I’m happy with my international career and I’ll always look back on it as a proud achievement.”

Rooney, now winding down his illustrious career at DC United, struggled to make much headway after being introduced in the 58th minute on Thursday, but the other members of the squad enjoyed having their record goalscorer back. He said he had given Jadon Sancho words of encouragement before kick-off. “He is a fantastic talent,” Rooney said. “I spoke to him before the game and he said he was nervous, which is normal.”

Sancho’s man-of-the-match display reminded Rooney of his own teenage years that catapulted him to superstardom. The veteran striker said he had told the 18-year-old before kick-off: “Have an impact, have a few moments on the pitch when people remember that moment.” Rooney added: “He certainly did that.”

The 33-year-old was in particularly candid mood in his final meeting with reporters at Wembley, describing how he had registered some of the negative reaction to the decision by the Football Association to hand him a 120th cap. Comparing the decision to pick him with people’s responses to the Uefa Nations League, he said: “It’s new and people have different opinions.”

There was no sign-off goal No 54 for Rooney as he finally walked away into the Wembley night. “It was a nice send-off and it was a great way to say thank you to the fans, a proud moment for myself and my family, and it’s something I will remember for a long, long time,” Rooney said.

“I am proud to have played for England so many times.” But he added: “I’ve had my time. I’m happy with what I’ve contributed to the national team and I look forward to the next few years and watching this young team impress.”

The former Manchester United man said the potential in the team was “huge”. “In a strange way, the game against Spain will give them more confidence than the World Cup, because it’s a massive result to win away in Spain,” he added.

“To be around them and see how they have developed and see how Gareth is coaching them is great.”

Rooney said the side were a match for previous sides, which included the likes of him, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand. “This team’s got superstars. It’s got a leading goalscorer for years, in Harry Kane; [Raheem] Sterling; John Stones at centre-back – names in world football … I’m seeing first hand that they are getting coached right. The right ideas, but they are responding really well to it so, hopefully, these can be the ones to bring the next trophy home.”

He added: “I’m excited for them all because I’m a fan of England. I’m excited for England. It’s a great opportunity for these players to go that next step. They’ve already done that in getting to a semi-final but they can’t sit there and say we were the team along with 1990 who got to the semi-final. They have the potential to go further and I know from the mentality of the players, even though they are young, the mentality is right. They will be pushing for more.”

With 32 minutes left of the 3-0 win against the US, Rooney replaced goalscorer Jesse Lingard, who said: “Just to have his presence around the squad these past few days has been great. He’s brought his experience to the team. Everyone has looked up to him … He’s reiterated that he was very impressed with us in the summer. It put a spring in everyone’s step and got everyone excited.”

The current captain Harry Kane made the surprise admission that he as a child he would cry every time England lost a game, something that has not been forgotten by his family who are keen to see whether he does the same when he marries his long term partner Katie Goodland.

“It [the crying] does come up. I always wind my missus up that I’d cry if we won a trophy with England. And she said if you don’t cry when I walk down the aisle, she won’t go through with it. I’m not a crier, I’m not someone who cries a lot. My missus has probably never seen me cry. So we’ll have to see what comes first, that or an England trophy.”

Kane will captain a much-changed side from the one that beat the United States 3-0 on Thursday night with Dele Alli likely to have to settle for a place in the bench and Ross Barkley starting in midfield. Only Jordan Pickford from the XI that began the game against the US is expected to start. Southgate said that Jadon Sancho’s performance, however, had given him reason to question his original plan.

Kane has not scored in seven games for England going back to the World Cup second round game against Colombia. He said that he was hopeful that he could one day break Rooney’s 53-goal record for England over 120 caps – the former captain once went nine games without scoring in 2010.

Kane said: “I always want to score in every game I play. I have showed my game is not just about scoring goals but there is nothing more I want to do than score and win the game. Hopefully, I can do that but if not, I will do everything I can to help the team, get an assist and bring other players into the game. It would be the perfect end to the year if we win and I grab myself a goal.”- The Telegraph

Facebook can cause depression - Researchers

Spending too much time on “social media” sites like Facebook is making people more than just miserable. It may also be making them depressed.

A new study conducted by psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania has shown — for the first time — a causal link between time spent on social media and depression and loneliness, the researchers said.

It concluded that those who drastically cut back their use of sites like Facebook, Instagram (FB) and Snapchat (SNAP) often saw a marked improvement in their mood and in how they felt about their lives.

“It was striking,” says Melissa Hunt, psychology professor at University of Pennsylvania, who led the study. “What we found over the course of three weeks was that rates of depression and loneliness went down significantly for people who limited their (social media) use.”

Many of those who began the study with moderate clinical depression finished just a few weeks later with very mild symptoms. —

Many of those who began the study with moderate clinical depression finished just a few weeks later with very mild symptoms, she says.

The study, “No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression,” was conducted by Melissa Hunt, Rachel Marx, Courtney Lipson and Jordyn Young, is being published by the peer-reviewed Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology.

For the study, Hunt and her team studied 143 undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania over a number of weeks. They tested their mood and sense of well-being using seven different established scales. Half of the participants carried on using social media sites as normal. (Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat did not respond to request for comment.)

The other half were restricted to ten minutes per day for each of the three sites studied: Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, the most popular sites for the age group. (Use was tracked through regular screen shots from the participants’ phones showing battery data.)

Net result: Those who cut back on social media use saw “clinically significant” falls in depression and in loneliness over the course of the study. Their rates of both measures fell sharply, while those among the so-called “control” group, who did not change their behavior, saw no improvement.

This isn’t the first study to find a link between social media use, on the one hand, and depression and loneliness on the other. But previous studies have mainly just shown there is a correlation, and the researchers allege that this shows a “causal connection.”

It’s possible — even likely — that lonely and depressed people use sites like Facebook more because they are seeking social connections. —

It’s possible — even likely — that lonely and depressed people use sites like Facebook more because they are seeking social connections, says Hunt. The new study suggests that Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat aren’t just popular with the lonely and depressed: They’re also making people more lonely, and more depressed.

Why does social media make so many people feel bad? The study didn’t analyze this, but Hunt offers two explanations. The first is “downward social comparison.” You read your friends’ timelines. They’re deliberately putting on a show to make their lives look wonderful. The result: “You’re more likely to think your life sucks in comparison,” says Hunt. The second reason: FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out.

Social media sites have become such an integral part of the modern world that many people simply can’t cut them out altogether, Hunt says. That’s why the study focused just on cutting back. It’s significant that restricting use to ten minutes per site per day helped those with depression so much. You don’t have to give it up altogether to feel better.

The main caveat is that the study was restricted to undergraduates. Whether the same sites affect older groups, who may be less susceptible to social pressure, is another matter for another day.

Correlation and causation are two issues that researchers grapple with and typically only make claims for the former. In an increasingly polarized and heated political climate, for example,Twitter (TWTR) may be making older Americans miserable and angry — or angry Americans may use Twitter.

- MarketWatch

2019: INEC announces date for commencement of presidential, NASS election campaign

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Sunday lift the ban on campaign for the 2019 presidential and National Assembly elections slated for February 16, 2019

A statement by Mr Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, on Saturday in Abuja to NAN said that political parties who fielded candidates for both elections would commence campaigns across the country.

Osaze-Uzzi said that the commencement of campaigns was in line with the timetable and schedule of activities issued by the INEC.

He added that it was also in accordance with Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) which provides that, “the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day”.

“Political Parties are expected to conduct their activities in an organized and peaceful manner, devoid of rancor, hate and/or inflammatory speeches.”

He reminded political parties and their candidates that campaigns for Governorship and State Houses of Assembly would commence on December 1.

- Daily Post

SARS: Panel makes shocking revelations as South-west public hearing ends

The Presidential Panel on SARS Reform, which began its public hearing in Lagos on Tuesday, Nov. 13, ended its sitting on Saturday after listening to 36 cases.

The five-day public hearing had some cases successfully resolved, while one was dismissed as complainants refused to show up.
Some other cases were adjourned for panel’s decision and the rest reported to have been settled by necessary authorities.

The public hearing, organised by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), came to an end after evaluating the inadequacies of the police as well as members of the public.
The panel revealed that failure of some complainants to report, as well as bad timing of report of some incidents were challenges in resolving some issues.
NAN reports that most of the cases listened to by the panel exposed the failure of SARS to follow due process in discharging their duties.
According to the Chairman of the Panel, Mr Tony Ojukwu, there are some cases which ordinarily should not be the business of SARS.

He cited such instances to include: a case where a SARS official was assigned to handle a matter bordering on debt between two parties.
“This is a matter that a policeman can handle in any police station, not SARS. So, when you are called upon that a bank robbery is ongoing, you will say you are taking statements from market women,” he said.

The Chairman also addressed the issue of SARS officials covering name tags while on illegal duties and questioned why policemen would not register their presence at the nearest police station so as to check issues of illegal duty shifts.

On a case bordering on extra-judicial killing, Ojukwu questioned policemen on why they would carry out coroner inquest on a body without informing relatives of the deceased.

“If you have invited a pathologist to carry out autopsy on a body without a relation to identify the body, how are we so sure you have the right body?

“There is need to always do the right thing. You should have in mind that there will always be a day of account. All of these have to stop.

“Some of the reasons we face these inadequacies of the police is because people do not report, as they are not sure if any action will be taken.

“This is why impunity continues. Our people are docile and they don’t fight for their rights, because if an officer knows that someone will hold him accountable for his actions, he will do what is right.

“I know that recommendations of this panel will put things in order, but I hope we don’t degenerate into looking for other ways to evade being held accountable for our wrongs,” he said.

Ojukwu, however, commended the policemen that accepted their wrongs, saying that it is when policemen try to outsmart the panel that cases keep taking time to resolve.

Meanwhile, the panel is proceeding to Owerri for the joint South-East and South-South Zone public hearing.

- Daily Post

After stadium experiment, Olamide returns to EKO Hotel for 2018 concert

Olamide Adedeji, YBNL rapper, will host the 2018 edition of his annual concert at the EKO Hotel & Suites Convention Centre.

The 2017 concert held at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, and while approximately 15,000 people attended the event, the venue was not packed to the rafters as hoped.

Before the stadium experiment, Olamide had held the previous three editions at the EKO Hotel & Suites.

For his fifth annual concert in a row, the ‘Wo’ rapper will return to the birthplace of Olamide Live In Concert (OLIC).

Flytime Promotions is organising this year’s edition tagged ‘Olamide Live’. The event is billed to take place on December 23.

According to a statement by the organisers, the rapper’s YBNL crew will also be on the lineup of the concert.

“Multiple award-winning hitmaker, street king and YBNL boss, Olamide is set to bring Lagos to a standstill this festive season, as he will be performing live on the final day of the Flytime Music Festival,” the statement read.

“The ‘Motigbana’ crooner will be shutting down the stage alongside his YBNL army and a spectacular line up of Nigeria’s music industry heavyweights.

“Known for his energetic performances, Baddo promises to leave his fans spellbound as he takes them on a tasteful musical journey with live performances of his chart-topping anthems.

“The rapper has carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian music industry by sticking to his craft and consistently jamming the airwaves with indigenous sounds.” 

- Thecablelifestyle

Police officers protest lack of accommodation in Imo

Scores of operatives from the counter terrorism unit of the Imo state police command blocked the Owerri/Orlu road in the state capital on Saturday to protest lack of accommodation.

According to PUNCH, the operatives who were demonstrating for the second day in a row caused traffic gridlock and panic in the area.

The demonstrators, who reportedly wore masks to hide their identities, set bonfires on the high way.

Narrating their ordeal to reporters, one of the policemen said, “we have been pushed out of our quarters on Orlu road by the management of Federal Medical Center, Owerri.”

“To make things worst, our commander supported the act and no alternative place has been provided for us.

“We moved into this place in 2015 after our quarters in Nekede was marked for renovation. But this base 7 of CTU of Nigeria police Force started operation in this state in 2011.

“We have done more than enough to ensure safety and security in this state. This is not the best way to treat us considering the kind of work we are doing in this state.”

“As we demonstrate, our families are stranded. Bulldozers are destroying the quarters. Our property, documents, credentials and other personal belonging are outside.”

“We demand better treatment. We are human beings working for the betterment of this country. We should be treated like human beings not like animals.”

The newspaper quoted Orlando Ikokwu, police public relations officer in the state, as saying alternative quarters had been provided for the protesting policemen.

Ikokwu said the protesting cops failed to understand that the quarters where they were ejected from was not supposed to be their permanent quarters.

He said the protest would not deter the command from fighting crimes and making the yuletide period a crime-free one.

- Thecable

Vigilante Security Summit holds in Abuja Monday

Osjones International Services Ltd, a management Consultancy Services will on Monday, hold a two-day Vigilante National Security Summit in Abuja.

A statement signed by the CEO of the company and programme coordinator, Mr Oluyemi Olaiya said that the summit is aimed at building capacities for vigilante officials and creating public awareness on their work in Nigeria.

According to Olaifa, the summit is in collaboration with Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) saying the summit which begins Monday 19 to Tuesday 20 will be declared open at 11am.

The theme for the summit is “Vigilante as Integral Part of Nigeria’s Security Architecture: a Core Value for Community Policing”.

Olaiya said there will be award presentations to friends and supporters of vigilante works in Nigeria even as he added that resource persons were expected from the Police, Civil Defence and other security experts.

Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahaman Danbazau, FCT minister, Mohammed Bello and the Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris were expected as special guests.

Olaifa said Vigilante was a community based security policing organisation saddled with the responsibility to scoop intelligence information for onward dissemination to other security agencies.

“The summit is to create public awareness on what vigilantes stand for. And further rekindle their knowledge on security activities and how to manage and disseminate intelligence information without distorting same.

“Essentially the event is for capacity building and to showcase the numerical strength of the vigilantes in Nigeria in order to correct the erroneous belief that it is for illiterates or dropouts,” he said.

- PM News