Democrats debate guns, health care as voting nears

With Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in a near dead heat in the election season’s first two contests, the leading Democratic presidential candidates Sunday engaged in heated exchanges over firearm policy, health care and income equality in their last meeting before the Iowa caucuses.

The Charleston, S.C., debate, which also featured lower-polling candidate and former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley, opened just hours after the first of five Americans freed following a dramatic prisoner swap with Iran stopped over in Europe on Sunday on their way back to the United States.

The five Americans, including Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, who had been held since July 2014, were released in exchange for seven Iranian citizens who had been held on sanctions-related offenses. Clinton and Sanders both said they were encouraged by the developments, which came as Iran began dismantling its nuclear program.

"We have had one good day over 36 years,'' Clinton said of the U.S.'s long-troubled relationship with Iran and the need to continue monitoring Tehran's nuclear compliance.

From the debate's opening moments, the candidates sought to stake out sharp differences with Clinton, emphasizing her long experience in government as preparation for the presidency, while Sanders began defending his reversal on legislation that provided gun makers and dealers immunity from lawsuits filed by victims of violent crime involving firearms.

"I am pleased to hear that Sen. Sanders has reversed his position on immunity,'' Clinton said, adding that "no other industry'' had been provided such protection.

O'Malley, meanwhile, highlighted his own record of supporting some of the strictest gun legislation in the country during his tenure as Maryland governor. Through much of the debate, however, O'Malley was a forgotten candidate who was often forced to plead for more time to talk as the debate focused on Clinton and Sanders.

The quick attention to guns came as the candidates gathered in Charleston, where just seven months earlier nine worshipers were killed in an attack on a Bible study session at the iconic Emanuel AME Church.

From guns, the candidates quickly pivoted to criminal justice reform, police brutality and the scourge of heroin addiction and health care policy.

Clinton was sharply critical of Sanders' Medicare-style health care plan, saying that such a proposal would thrust the government back into yet another contentious fight that could endanger the Affordable Care Act, President Obama's signature health care law.

The former secretary of State described the Obama program as "historic'' and in need of expansion along with stronger political support.

Just two hours before the debate's start, Sanders unveiled the long-awaited details of his plan that would be supported by a mix of taxes on employers, middle-class workers and wealthiest Americans.

Responding to Clinton's criticism, Sanders said his proposal would lower health care costs for average Americans by $5,000.

"To tear it up,'' Clinton said of Obamacare, "is the absolute wrong direction.''

source : us today nes

Obama allows sale of aircraft to Iran as nuclear deal nears implementation

WASHINGTON — President Obama took another step toward implementing the Iran nuclear deal Friday, empowering the secretary of State to allow the export of civilian passenger aircraft to Iran.

White House officials stressed Friday that no sanctions relief will happen until Iran lives up to its end of the deal — and the International Atomic Energy Agency verifies its compliance. That verification may be imminent, they said.

"They have nearly completed their major nuclear steps, and that's nothing to gloss over," Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said at a luncheon hosted by Bloomberg News Friday. "It's a significant rollback in the Iranian program."

Rhodes said that the IAEA certification will trigger what's known as "Implementation Day."

"That should happen relatively soon, certainly in the coming days. That is when sanctions relief is initiated," he said.

The nuclear agreement lifts only part of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, and sanctions for Iran's human rights violations and support of terrorism will remain in place. And while the U.S. trade embargo remains largely intact, the agreement makes two exceptions: Iran can buy U.S. civilian passenger aircraft, and sell certain crafts — specifically, carpets and rugs — to the United States.

In 2010, Congress granted Obama the authority to allow exports of goods, services, or technologies to Iran if he determines those sales "to be in the national interest." On Friday, Obama delegated that authority to Secretary of State John Kerry through a presidential memorandum, a presidential directive similar to an executive order.

In a letter to Obama Friday, 13 Republican senators called for new sanctions on Iran for ballistic missile tests it conducted last year. "Iran’s belligerent actions have thus far gone unpunished," said the letter, written by Sen. David Purdue, R-Ga.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Friday that the sanctions relief under the nuclear deal doesn't preclude the United States from taking action against Iran on other fronts.

"We have been quite clear from the very beginning — long before a deal was even reached — that the negotiations were focused primarily on Iran’s nuclear program. That was our number one concern. It’s also the number one concern of our allies in Israel, as well," he said. "And we’ve been pretty clear about the fact that Iran is potentially subject to significant sanctions as a result of the ballistic missile testing that has been reported. So we're going to continue to apply pressure to them."

SOURCE: US TODAY NEWS

Bill Clinton returns to New Hampshire and the campaign trail

Former President Bill Clinton used a New Hampshire campaign appearance to say there's never been a presidential candidate, "better qualified by knowledge, experience and temperament to do what needs to be done now to restore prosperity." (Jan. 4) AP

NASHUA, N.H. — He's back.

Bill Clinton's hair was whiter, his voice hoarser and his demeanor more subdued than when he was seeking to rescue his own beleaguered presidential campaign in New Hampshire in 1992, or even when he was stumping for his wife in her 2008 campaign.

In his solo campaign debut for the 2016 race, the former president gave a capacity crowd of about 700 in Nashua Community College gym a ruminative endorsement of Hillary Clinton that was more personal than political. He didn't mention his own potential impact on her prospects, and there were none of the hecklers or questions that she occasionally has had to face about him.

"This is what I want to say: When we met soon-to-be 45 years ago in a couple of months, when we met, we fell in love," he told them. "I thought she was the most amazing person," he said, as he traced her career from Yale Law School and her early work in Arkansas on behalf of children and the poor. "She hadn't been elected to anything, but everything she touched became better."

He concluded with a history lesson about why New Hampshire native Frankin Pierce was an unsuccessful president and Abraham Lincoln a successful one — in large part because Lincoln matched the demands of his time.

SOURCE : USA TODAY NEWS

Weeks after being declared an Islamic republic, Gambia orders female civil servants to cover their hair

It's not yet a month since President Yahya Jammeh declared Gambia an Islamic Republic - ostensibly in a bid to break away from its colonial past - but the implications of that announcement are only coming into play. The president maintained that other faiths retained their freedoms regardless but all female civil servants are now required to cover their hair.

No reasons were given for the introduction of the new rule, which was announced in a memo that was leaked to local opposition newspapers.

The memo, published by Freedom stated 'all female staff' within government departments were no longer allowed to expose their hair during working hours, effective from December 31.

It went on to urge female staff 'to use a head tie and neatly wrap their hair'.

'All heads of departments and agencies are urgently advised to implement this directive and bring it to the attention of their female staff,' the memo concluded. 

Although it doesn't appear that the president's announcement changes Gambia's laws or its constitutional status as a secular state, it could yet form the justification for rules such as that now affecting its female employees.

'Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy,' Jammeh said of his country, which gained independence from Britain in 1965.

Jammeh said the rights of Gambia's Christian community will be respected and there would be no mandates on dress.

'We will be an Islamic state that would respect the rights of all citizens and non-citizens.'

However, the head of the country's Islamic body wouldn't say if he endorsed the declaration.

'We haven't met yet to discuss over the presidential announcement,' said Gambia's Supreme Islamic Council Chairman Imam Momodou Lamin Touray.

Hamat Bah of the opposition National Reconciliation Party criticized the decision.

'There is a constitutional clause that says that Gambia is a secular state. You cannot make such a declaration without going through a referendum.'

Jammeh has ruled Gambia since seizing power in 1994.

SOURCE: LINDAIKEJI.BLOGSPOT.COM

Buhari becomes first Nigerian president in history to stay at US president's official guest house

President Buhari, who left for the US this morning, will be staying at the Blair House in Washington D.C during his US visit, according to the presidency. He will be the first Nigerian president ever to stay in the house which is the US President's official guest house.

An invitation by a sitting US President to stay in this historic guest house is regarded in America as an honor of highest significance. When visiting leaders reside here, the flags of their nations fly proudly over Blair House, a courtesy that serves as both a gracious welcome and a symbol of the home’s crucial role in diplomatic relations. SSA to Buhari on media & publicity, Shehu Garba shared the photo of him and another Nigerian standing in front of the historic building.

Aisha Buhari says she still cooks for her Husband

Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, said that despite her status as the wife of the Nigerian president and having lots of staff in the Villa, she still cooks her husband’s food.
She revealed this at a party she organized  to mark the Eid-el-Fitri celebration at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She said:

“I’m going to leave you soon. I want to go back home to cook for my husband because my children are here playing with you. Nobody is at home, only my husband. So, I want to go back home to be with him and also cook dinner for him”, she said.

She further stated that the Sallah party was an indication of promoting warm interaction and sharing.

She said, “On occasions like this, we celebrate with children, especially the less privileged, including those in the various internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camp. We love, appreciate and share with their present situation.

“The reason for this is to promote warm interaction and sharing what we have with one another. On this note particularly, we decided to celebrate with all children from different background”.

She advised the children to obey their parents and teachers’ instructions both at home and schools.

“The future of this great country lies in your hands. You are to compliment the efforts of  government by working very hard in school and be obedient to your parents. Tomorrow you may become president, the president’s wife, Senator, honourable members, governors, medical doctors, teacher, journalist, engineer, nurse, lawyer and the rest of other honourable professions”, she added.

Vanguard

Buhari will probe Jonathan's government - Presidency

In an interview with Vanguard, presidential media adviser Femi Adeshina confirmed that president Buhari is planning to probe the administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan

He (Buhari) has said it that money in billions of dollars will be recovered. But you know the world is too small a place for anybody to hide if you are running from justice. You will be fished out. So, there is no need that you say they should not be heading for jail if eventually the law goes after them. Very few countries can they hide in and how long will they hide? So, it doesn’t mean that anybody that has ill gotten wealth will not regurgitate it. They will. Remember when he went to Germany for the G7 summit, he met with President Obama and Obama told him to just give us information on where the loot is hidden and we will help you recover it and the government has been working on that. So, that shows that looters will never go free" he said

Asked if Buhari plans to probe administrations before GEJ, Adeshina said

"He can’t afford to go too deep into the past or else it will be destructive for his administration. There are some things you can’t close your eyes to while you don’t want to shine the torchlight into the dark recesses of our past; immediate past where things are evident. The Yoruba have a saying that the corpse we buried, the leg is sticking out and, if you bury a corpse and the leg is sticking out, you can’t pretend. When there are trails all over of the monies in billions and trillions, then a responsible government can’t close its eyes to that.

President Buhari sacks all Service Chiefs

President Buhari has sacked all Service Chiefs. Their sack was made known by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina while he spoke to state house correspondents this afternoon.

The fired service chiefs include the Chief of Defence staff, and the heads of Army, Navy and the Air Force. More details later.

Buhari -We may negotiate with Boko Haram

The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Friday, disclosed in an interview with the BBC, that the Federal Government has said that it is open to negotiations with the Boko Haram sect in order to find a lasting solution to the security crisis in the country, if the group is willing.

 

In the interview, Adesina said the Federal Government was not ruling out negotiations with the sect if it would put an end to the activities of the group, stating that the insurgents had attacked so many villages and killed scores of people.

When BBC asked if the Federal Government was considering negotiations with the insurgent group, Adesina said:

“If they are willing, why not? You know attempts have been made for negotiations in the past and they didn’t work. Every reasonable person would want to see the end to this insurgency. So if they are willing, why not? You can’t rule that out.”

“These were very vicious attacks. People were killed in scores and it’s so sad,” he said.

 

The President had during his inauguration speech said he had launched a strategy to deal with the sect by relocating the military headquarters to Maiduguri, Borno State.

 

When asked if this would work, Adesina replied:

“This is going to work. There are machineries being put in place. It’s going to work. The recent killings by the sect were meant to break our resolve, to weaken it, but that will stop. It remains a priority to him (Buhari) to deal with the group.

“You will notice that his first two weeks of administration were dedicated to tackling the insurgency. He visited Chad and Niger Republics and the following week, the Presidents of those countries also visited him in Abuja.

“The President of Benin Republic and the Defence Minister of Cameroon visited him; machinery is being put in place and once we’re through, we will see the end of the group. The target time for the deployment of the multinational force is July ending; that is in a couple of weeks.”

Why Bola Tinubu boycotted APC NEC meeting yesterday - Report

More facts have emerged on why former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, and former governor of Osun State Chief Bisi Akande boycotted the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party yesterday. A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) who was at the meeting said the former Lagos State governor was aware that there were plans to humiliate him and his henchmen.

“Tinubu knew that some people were prepared to fight him. He would have been humiliated by some people”, the official said.

He disclosed that the earlier arrangement was to engage him in a brawl and compel him to leave the venue of the meeting in anger.

“Those who were to humiliate him were on ground but his absence saved the day”, the APC chieftain added.

He stated that the party leadership, sensing how rancorous the meeting may be , tinkered with the idea of barring journalists from covering it.

According to him, the earlier plans were that photojournalists would be given five to 10 minutes to take pictures of the opening session and leave the scene. He said

“we tinkered with the plans of barring journalists from covering the event. We knew that anything could happen but we didn’t want to be ridiculed in the public.”

According to the source, Buhari’s men know that former Lagos State governor and his men want APC chairman Oyegun out because they didn’t succeed in “encircling the President with Tinubu’s men”.

He said “the President’s men refused to buy into the campaign that the National Chairman was compromised by Saraki. They didn’t see any evidence to that effect. Rather they believe that those who want him out were angry that that their agenda of encircling the president failed.
“They were angry that Oyegun was called up at 4am by forces from Lagos to do a dirty job. They even dropped the name of the President in all those dirty jobs. Instead of apologising to Mr President for lying with his name they are insisting that the National Chairman must go.”

He said the party should be “happy that PDP did not elect one of its own senate president. Saraki saved the party because there was nothing we would have done if they had elected one of their own as senate president. They formed a quorum, we were lucky that it did not go into their head to elect one of their own as senate president. And the mistake was because somebody in his desperation to have everything lied that the President called a meeting and took our lawmakers to a place they were not supposed to be.”

On the side of Atiku’s loyalists, it was gathered that they were against the removal of Oyegun because they were determined to cut Tinubu to size.

 The source said “the other tendency which is loyal to the former Vice President does not want the structure of the party changed. It is against allowing Tinubu to take everything or call the shot in APC. It believes that the Vice President is a product of Tinubu and that should be enough for him.”
He continued “both Buhari’s men and that of Atiku worked together to save Oyegun. However, I don’t think the fight is over, it may be the beginning”.
  
Source: The Sun

Femi Fani-Kayode changes name to Femi Olukayode following his victory at the Federal High Court

Read the press statement below...

Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted, humbled and relieved by this verdict. In the last seven years, I have been subjected to the most malicious, vicious, sinister, well-orchestrated, insidious and devastating form of political persecution and wickedness. 

 The whole process almost destroyed my life, my family, my reputation, my health and my career. I thank God for his goodness, his mercy and for the fact that today, the whole nightmare has finally come to an end.

Initially, I was accused of stealing N19.5bn of public funds when I was Minister of Aviation. It was thrown out by the courts. Then I was accused of stealing N6.5bn. It was thrown out by the courts. Then I was accused of laundering N200m. It was thrown out by the courts. Then I was accused of laundering N99m. It was thrown out by the courts. Finally, I was accused of laundering N1m and N1.1m respectively, and today, both of these charges have also been thrown out by the courts. I give thanks to God for today’s verdict.

It is the doing of the lord and it is marvelous in our sight. Once again, he has proved that he is faithful and true and that he always honors his word. I wish to thank my family members, leaders of the Body of Christ, intercessors, pastors, political associates and friends who never doubted my innocence and who stood by me through thick and thin.

I wish to thank my lawyers who worked so hard and so diligently over the last seven years throughout this case. I wish to thank the Nigerian judiciary for dispensing justice in an honest and God-fearing way and for refusing to be intimidated by anyone or guided by anything other than the evidence presented before them in this case.

They dispensed justice with candor and fairness, and throughout the proceedings, they were fair to all, honest, courageous, professional and true. I thank them for refusing to send an innocent man to jail and for refusing to allow themselves to be used as tools for personal and vindictive vendettas or political persecution. This gruesome ordeal started seven years ago and throughout that period, it was grueling and difficult.

They took seven years from me but they couldn't break me or end my life. It was a very difficult period for both me and my family which came with enormous and unimaginable challenges, yet from day one I never doubted that I would be vindicated because God had assured me of it and I know the God that I serve. He never lies and He never fails. He said, through his Holy Spirit, that my innocence would speak for me and that he would fight this battle for me and he did. He said that he is the author and the finisher of my faith, my shield, my glory and the lifter of my head and he was. He has proved all that throughout my life and he has proved it once again with the verdict in this case. To him alone be all the glory.

When the ordeal began seven years ago the Lord ministered that it would last for seven years but that in the end, I would be declared innocent, I would be vindicated and I would be delivered. Again he honored his word because the whole nightmare started on 1st of July 2008 when I was arrested in the premises of the Nigerian Senate after the public hearing on the N19.5 billion Naira Aviation Intervention Fund. I was cleared of any wrong doing in the administration of that fund by the Senate Commitee on Aviation yet despite that, immediately after the sitting before the Comimitee, I was abducted and arrested in an unceremonious and shameul fashion and locked up by the Farida Waziri-led EFCC for 10 days and charged to a magistrate court in Abuja.

Today, the 1st of July 2015, seven years to the day from that day when I was first arrested and first put into detention, I have been discharged and acquitted of all remaining charges by the courts. The Lord has, once again, honored his word, to him alone be the glory.

As a mark of honor and respect for the Lord and as an everlasting testimony of my love for and dedication to him, I wish to make it known to the Nigerian public that as from today my name will be changed. It will no longer be David Oluwafemi Fani-Kayode but instead, it shall be David Oluwafemi Olukayode. Olukayode means "the Lord has brought me joy" and today he has done precisely that.

As from this day, in honor of him and as a small tribute to my love for and total dependance on Him, that shall remain my family name. Once again, I give thanks to God for all that has happened to me and for this great deliverance. To him be all the glory. I swore that I would not leave the shores of Nigeria until this matter was finally brought to an end and the courts had pronounced my innocence. That was seven years ago. I kept faith with that oath and it gives me pleasure to tell you that now that the whole ordeal is over I shall be leaving the shores of my beloved country for the first time in seven years for a short holiday and a long overdue medical examination.

They not only threw the whole book at me but also the entire kitchen sink but the Lord was with me. I stood on His words in Isaiah 50 v.7-9 and I never faltered or doubted Him even in the most difficult times. Now they know that I serve a mighty God who never forsakes His own.

I thank the media for their constant support and attention and I thank the millions of Nigerian people that chose to believe in me and to keep faith with me throughout this ordeal. Once again, I give thanks to the Lord. God bless you all.

Signed: Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (Chief Oluwafemi Olukayode) 1st July, 2015

Senate's recess and matters arising

Press statement from the media office of the Senate President. Read below...

The adjournment of Senate's plenary to July 21, was meant to give the Senate Ad-Hoc Committees on Legislative Agenda and Review of the Senate's Finances time to conclude their work and submit their reports. The two committees were given one-week to submit their reports.

However, the Senate assured that it will reconvene at any time before the adjourned date to consider any matter of urgent national importance or to attend to any national assignment requiring its attention.

The Senate's Ad-hoc Committee on Financial review is the first time the Senate is setting up a body to review its own salaries, allowances, and the overhead cost of running the Senate with a view to realigning them to reflect the present economic situation in the country.

It could be recalled that the National Assembly had slashed its 2015 budget to N120billion from N150billion as a result of dwindling Federal Government's revenue.

The cut was part of the National Assembly's belt-tightening measures in view of the current economic realities in the country.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, had during the inauguration of the committee observed that the subject of reduction in cost of governance had been on the front burner of national discourse for a long time because of its extremely sensitive nature.

Saraki pledged that the Senate under his leadership would make "financial conservatism" its watchword.

The Senate President said: "There still persists the need to project clarity, accountability and transparency in all legislative matters and legislators’ welfare.

"The 8th Senate under our watch recognizes the concerns raised by Nigerians about the cost of running office most especially with the economic challenges facing our nation.

"The Senate will be more transparent regarding all public funds spent for the purpose of paying salaries and allowances of legislators and ensure that distinction is sufficiently made between what a legislator actually earns and what is spent to run and implement legislative business and committee activities.

"The watchword in our financial issues will be fiscal conservatism. It is therefore on this arm that the committee is mandated to carry out thorough fiscal examination on the Senate finances with the aim of  coming up with the best cost-effective regime in the 8th Senate."

Media Office of the Senate President

Video: Benue Lawmakers Fight Over House

At Last, President Buhari Moves Into Presidential Villa

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening finally moved into his official residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo have lived outside the Villa and used the Defence House, Abuja as their offices since their inauguration three weeks ago in order to allow renovation works to be carried out at the facility.

The President’s wife, Aisha Buhari had moved into the official residence since last Thursday.

Buhari, who returned to Abuja from Katsina State on Saturday, began the movement of his properties to the seat of power on Sunday evening.

Source: TheNation

Nigeria will remain an indivisible country-BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari who spoke in Johannesburg, South Africa while meeting with the Nigerian community yesterday said that those he regarded as ‘strong men’  have destroyed institutions in Nigeria but promised that his administration would do its best to ensure that it is restored.
Then at the African Union meeting, the president said in spite of what  he described as ‘crazy people’ who are trying to ensure the breakup of the country for selfish reasons, Nigeria will remain an indivisible country.

His said 
“We have a system in Nigeria. No matter what you say about the British colonialists, they built institutions for us, unfortunately we have destroyed those institutions.

President Buhari stated that though he would have liked to be president at a much younger age, he would still do his best to ensure that the country moves forward.

In regards to why he joined politics, President Buhari said 

“I was afraid Nigeria might be like Somalia. The Somalis are the same people, they are all Muslims but because the elite are self-centered, they have succeeded in making Somalia a war-torn country for the last 20 years. “For that reason I said Nigerians are much more vulnerable, we have so many nationalities no matter how you look at it, Hausa-Fulanis, Kanuris, Ishekiris, Yorubas, Igbos. 

We are actually people of different cultures but since 1914, we have merged inspite of religion and culture, married across, produced children and only crazy people can think of balkanising Nigeria. But we are not short of crazy people and that is the frightening part of it.

“How I wish I became head of state when I was a governor, just a few years as a youngman, now at 72, there is a limit  to what I can do. I was in the war front for 30 months during our civil war, I lost a lot of loyal people to me, I lost a relative,  a lot of Nigerians died too. So nobody should come now and tell us rubbish! We are going to remain one country. God has given us another opportunity to reorganise this country. Those who work hard, the society will pay them back” he said.

While enjoining Nigerians in South Africa to be good ambassadors of Nigeria, he promised that he will discuss with President Zuma to return Nigeria’s money that was seized from South Africa during the Jonathan administration.

“I’m told there are 83 Nigerians in prison, I don’t know what they have done but I spoke to the President of South Africa this afternoon. He wants to come to Nigeria. There are issues he knows we will like to talk about, I hope our ambassador will send a comprehensive report about the court cases, and about those who lost properties during the disturbances. And at that time I will attempt to ask him about our $9.7 million which was not correctly transfered.

Vanguard

From a poor boy in Mushin to the president's official photographer - The inspiring story of Bayo Omoboriowo

Meet Bayo Omoboriowo; President Buhari's official photographer and guess what? He is just 28 - written by Chukwudi Iwuchukwu

For many Nigerians on social media, we always admire the beautiful pictures of our new President, Muhammed Buhari. We admire the elegance and the story the pictures portray, we salute the aesthetics behind the image but not many know that the guy behind it all is Bayo Omoboriowo the official photographer of the president and amazingly, he's just 28.

When I met Bayo for the First time February 14 this year at Buhari Valentine dinner here in Lagos, I did not know who he was, he was dressed in an impeccable manner, with suit and tie and then was carrying his camera like a baby I thought he was just one of those "I just came back to Nigeria" guys who like over dressing with their camera not until he told me to stand for him to take a snap shot of me, I did and after the shoot, we got talking, when he mentioned his name, I remembered I had read his interview 3 years back, an Interview he did with Bella Naija talking about his passion for photography, his dreams and where he want to be in the years to come using the instrument of his camera.

My respect for him grew higher that moment and I told myself: "Indeed Dreams come true" Bayo Omoboriowo was born without silver spoon, he tasted poverty, experienced the low esteem Poverty inflicts on its victims but never allowed his past to define him, he decided to change his story and that he has successfully been able to do looking at what he has done for himself within a space of 6 years

He took his destiny by his hand, discovered his passion which was photography, refined and turned it to a business and income making project.

One thing you have to give to this young man is this, he never allowed the distraction that being a youth bring to distract him from his focus , he graduated from University Of Lagos in 2009 and since then he has only been doing one thing, Photography and today, he is the official photographer of our dear President. 

Bayo is one of the 20 man delegation that followed Buhari to Germany On Sunday , seeing his name on that list brought smile to my face, this shows how far he has gone and where God has taken him to. I could not have been prouder of my generation and the envelop we are pushing, the stories we are changing and the boundaries we are taking in spite of the difficulties of being a Young Nigerian.

Bayo's life is teaching young people what is possible and doable, , a man born in poverty at Mushin Lagos 28 years ago is flying with the President all over the world today because of his passion and determination to give meaning to his life, what then is your excuse?

Life is too short to just waste on unnecessary gallivanting. Discover your passion, key into it and start now. You don’t need capital to start, you just need few people who believe in your passion and would do anything to see it come to fruition.

Your network determines your net worth; those friends around you have a lot to do with your tomorrow, more than you know. Bayo's of this world are passing a compelling message to young people to leave every other thing that is distracting them and run with their dreams. Lives and destinies are tied to that dream and that is the more reason you need to take that bold step and believe in your ability to do it.

Again let me emphasize, Bayo started from the bottom, he started with zero capital. he had nothing except his incredible belief in God and the dream he has and nothing more.

I wish you all the best in this journey and hope to celebrate your journey tomorrow. 

Chukwudi Iwuchukwu Is A PR Consultant and Passive Lawyer,

Remi Tinubu reportedly refuses to shake Saraki's hand during her swearing-in

Though there's a photo of them laughing nd being cordial, there's a viral report that Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of Bola Tinubu, refused to shake hands with the new Senate President Bukola Saraki after her swearing in this morning.

Senator Tinubu alongside 28 other APC Senators who were absent when the Senate was inaugurated yesterday, were sworn in as Senators this morning. After their swearing-in, Protocol demands that they proceed to the Senate President to shake his hand and show him their certificate. Every other senator observed the protocol except Tinubu who only showed him her certificate and reportedly ignored his handshake.


The APC Senators who were absent during yesterday's Senate inauguration and sworn in today include the party's desired choice for Senate President and Deputy Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and George Akume. Others are Senators Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa) Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe), Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos), Olusola Adeyeye (Osun), Isiaka Adeleke (Osun), Shehu Sani (Kaduna) and Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos). In all 26 of them were sworn in.