Welcome To Echo Blog

In a video released at weekend, the terrorists who abducted some train passengers in March, threatened to abduct President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State. The Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai during a Radio Programme said that President Muhammadu Buhari was not aware of the terrorists’ threat to abduct and kill him. El-Rufai, said Buhari has been informed of the threat to abduct him and promise to improve security in Nigeria. The Governor marveled at how bold the terrorists have become to threaten to abduct the Nigerian president. "I also heard about a video where they threatened to abduct Buhari and myself. I have been warned to be careful including my families too,” El-Rufai said. “How can we be in a country with soldiers, police and Federal Government but some terrorists will be threatening to abduct the president? "If in the past those in government think this is a joke and see it as only happening in Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna and Ni

A public health emergency due to the spread of the monkeypox virus has been declared in New York City on Saturday. The announcement was made by Mayor Eric Adams and health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan, calling the city “the epicenter” of the outbreak. As many as 150,000 city residents could be at risk of infection. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to secure more doses as soon as they become available,” Adams and Vasan said in the statement. “This outbreak must be met with urgency, action, and resources, both nationally and globally, and this declaration of a public health emergency reflects the seriousness of the moment.” The virus spreads through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact as well as sharing bedding, towels and clothing.  The Governor of New York City, Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency declaration and the state health department called monkeypox an “imminent threat to public health.” With the declaration, officials will be allowed to issue

Ex Militant Asari Dokubo clad in Traditional African attire, saunters down the street amidst beefed up security and an encourage befitting an African monarch. See video below of the ex-militant leader, Asari Dokubo, yesterday the 30th of July. Trending on the internet space.

While speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, lawyer, activist, Bulama Bukarti, said that the terrorist group Boko Haram has established a presence close to Abuja, the nation’s capital. This was the first time the terrorist group was establishing a presence in the nation’s North-Central region, Mr Bukarti said. “In the North-Central, close to Abuja, all the three factions of Boko Haram have now successfully established themselves,” he said. “And this is a worrying development. And the train attack was launched by Boko Haram. We now know that the Kuje prison attack was launched by Boko Haram. And I can bet you that the two attacks in Abuja were launched by Boko Haram, not bandits. “And even it its heyday between 2014 and 2015, Boko Haram has never had a residence cell in the North-Central or the North-West. In those days, they were sending bombers from the North-East to detonate bombs in Abuja, Kano and other places. “But what we see today are all of the three factions of Boko

The Real Reasons Hair Turns Gray, According to Dermatologists. Whether you discovered your first silver strand or you’ve decided to let your natural hair color shine, it’s normal to find yourself wondering, why does hair turn gray? And while we’ve touted ways to embrace and style your gray hair, the science behind why white and gray strands occur is actually quite interesting. We’ve all heard the thought that stress causes gray hair, and in fact, recent studies suggest a link between the two.  But, there are so many more reasons why your locks might be getting lighter. In fact, general aging and even your genes could have a lot more to do with your silver strands than you might think. Underlying health conditions like vitamin deficiency or alopecia could even be a factor. Ahead, we asked dermatologists to explain why hair turns gray, what causes premature graying, and if it’s possible to reverse gray hair. Why does hair turn gray? “Gray hair is really hair with less melanin, what gives

Prolific actor, comedian and Oscar winner, Will Smith, in a nearly six-minute video says he is “deeply remorseful” for slapping comedian Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. Smith, said that he has “been doing a lot of thinking and personal work” over the past few months and he was ready to answer questions related to the incident. “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk, and when he is, he will reach out,” the “King Richard” actor said in the video. “So I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you,” Smith said. “My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.” The actor extended his apologies to Rock’s family, including his mother and younger brother, actor and comedian Tony Rock. “I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I saw an interview that Chris’s mother did, and that was one of the things I just didn’t realize. You know, I wasn’t thinking, but how many people got hurt in that moment,” he said, before apol

The Defence Headquarters says the military troops have eliminated 30 of the terrorists who attacked troops of the Guards Brigade in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday This was made known at the Bi-Weekly news conference on military operations on Thursday in Abuja, by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko. Between Sunday and Tuesday, troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 167 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with the air component of “Operation Whirl Punch,” conducted the operation. The terrorists were neutralized and their enclave and hideout destroyed. The troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages. According to Onyeuko, the ground troops also recovered six motorcycles, two AK47 rifles, and one fully loaded LMG magazine amongst others during mop-up. "The hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wishes to re-assured Nigerians of its commitment and pact with all Nigerians. “With the recent

The five percent tax by the Federal Government on Telecoms has received a negative welcome. The telecom operators are kicking against it, describing it as insensitive, unfair, and capable of crippling the industry in the way and manner the oil industry has been crippled by different challenges. They rejected the tax. According to them, the industry is already saddled with over 39 different taxes and the present one being proposed for implementation would only send the telecoms sector into a coma. The industry stakeholders were represented by the Association of Telecommunications Companies in Nigeria (ATCON), Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators in Nigeria (ALTON) and Nigeria Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOS) asked the government to suspend the implementation of the tax policy indefinitely. But the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said they are going ahead with the policy implementation

  "I've always used art to express my feelings," the 59-year-old Johnny Depp said, as he makes £3m in hours through sales of his art. "My paintings surround my life, but I kept them to myself and limited myself. No one should ever limit themselves." He added. Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has made about £3m in just a few hours through a sale of his debut art collection. Depp sold 780 pieces through Castle Fine Art's 37 galleries, including in London's Covent Garden, within hours of announcing the sale on Instagram. The Friends And Heroes collection depicts people who have inspired him, including Rolling Stone Keith Richards and Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor. The actor said he used his art, which also depicted actor Al Pacino and folk legend Bob Dylan, to "reflect on those who matter most to me, like my family, friends and people I admire." All 780 pieces sold within hours on Thursday, with framed individual images going for £3,950 and the co

Yesterday, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said that the nation’s economy was doing well under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration than previous governments. After the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister was asked about the current status of the economy, she replied: “Thank you for that question. First of all, let me address a question on the issue of the economy, as to whether the administration has done well. The administration has done very well. “I need to remind us all here that in 2015, the administration came on and met a crisis in the oil and gas sector; we had the first slump in crude oil prices and a very significant slump in crude oil production. “There was a time the volumes went as low as one million barrels per day. We were able to take measures to reflate the economy and exit recession within three quarters.  By the f

             Nigerian Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Nigeria’s situation beyond party politics – Obasanjo. Mr Obasanjo said Nigeria has lost direction in nation-building and solutions cannot be provided by any individual except common efforts. According to the Premium Times, Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday said the nation’s current degenerating situation is “beyond party politics and requires all hands to be on deck”. He said the country has lost direction in nation building, insisting that: “As long as we don’t get it right in nation building, we cannot get anything right in this country”. Mr Obasanjo made the remarks as the special guest of honour at Babcock University’s 20th undergraduate and 11th postgraduate convocation lecture. The guest lecturer, Kingsley Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the CBN, spoke on the theme; “Knowledge, Vision, Passion and Innovation in the Context of Nigeria’s Development.”                             Kingsley Moghalu T

Apostle Johnson Suleman, the President of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, has disparaged claims by a blog that he (Suleman) allegedly keeps several mistresses. A list of no fewer than 30 female celebrities was released and were claimed to be the cleric’s mistresses. Apostle Suleiman dared the blogger to reveal yourself,  "reveal your identity, he said." Suleiman, added that, "there were more people missing from the list." Responding to the allegations on  Wednesday via video; "I am not moved by the list, the list is not long enough, ”the pastor said. “I have been busy with this crusade but I heard that they are dragging me on social media, that the man is diabolic. Diabolic kee you there. You want to drag me? We will drag ourselves. I’m being accused of knowing some people. These are people who come to my church. Should I deny my children because of what is being written? The list is not long enough. Make it 200. “I am the one who will disappear that blog. You

In 2014, Chibok, north-eastern Nigeria, Boko Haram Islamists militants seized nearly 300 girls from a secondary school. It has been right years plus, since the kidnapping of girls resulted in a global outrage. The Nigerian army says it has found two more of the female students abducted.  Most of the victims have either been freed or escaped since then, but dozens remain unaccounted for. It appears the two hostages gave birth while in captivity, as the army said they were both found with children. One of the abductees was seen with a child, the other with two children. Other victims of the mass abduction have described being forced to convert to Islam and marry the group's fighters. The authorities said the ''intercepted Chibok girls and their children" were in a military medical facility. Other abductees have been offered accommodation and rehabilitation by the Nigerian government following their freedom from Boko Haram. The two women were found on Monday during milita

The President of America, Joe Biden who was down with COVID-19 has completed five full days of isolation and tested negative twice. On Wednesday, the White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, wrote that the President “will discontinue his strict isolation measures.”  Thus, the President was cleared to resume public activities after recovering from COVID-19, which he tested positive for on July 21. While speaking in the Rose Garden Wednesday morning, Biden said he’s “feeling great” and that the fact he felt well enough to work during his isolation period is “a real statement on where we are in the fight against COVID-19. Biden will wear a mask for the next 10 days any time he is around others and will get tested more often than usual, O’Connor wrote. “I’m feeling better every day,” Biden, 79, said four days after his diagnosis. “I still have this ― a little bit of a sore throat and a little bit of a cough, but it’s changing significantly.”

Senators, on Tuesday orchestrated a walkout after demanding the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Senators mainly of the minority party expressed serious concerns over the worsening insecurity in the country. After a two hour closed door section, by the senators; the senators were angry that the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan did not allow them to discuss the issue of insecurity that was deliberated upon extensively in the closed session. The Senators across party lines later  addressed journalists and gave Buhari, six weeks to end the insecurity in the country or face impeachment. Senator Phillip Aduda, the Minority Leader of the Senate,  moved a point of order seeking to discuss insecurity on the floor of the Senate but Lawan ruled him out of order. Aduda, then led his colleagues to the Senate Press Centre where he told journalists that Buhari would be shown the way out if he failed to tackle insecurity within the next six months. Aduda announced, “We agree

TheDaily Trust had reported how a captain and two soldiers were killed by terrorists in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Sunday night. The identities of some of the officers who lost their lives in an ambush by terrorists in Abuja have been unveiled. The deceased officers, who were attached to the Presidential Guards Brigade, were reportedly ambushed after they visited the Nigeria Law School in Bwari following a distressed call from the authorities of the school. The school management was said to have alerted that terrorists had dropped a letter indicating an imminent attack. Spokesman of the Guards Brigade, Captain Godfrey Anebi Abakpa, confirmed the attack to Daily Trust, but said troops were already combing the area in order to ensure that terrorists were not hibernating there. Daily Trust learnt that lieutenant Ibrahim Suleiman and Captain Samuel Attah, who were indigenes of Kogi State, were killed  in the ambush. Suleiman was the son of Col Suleiman Ahmodu

Tobi Amusan the World 10m hurdles record holder, in the early hours of Monday (Sunday in Oregon), won the women’s 100m hurdles gold at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. "Honestly, I believe in my abilities but I was not expecting a world record at these championships,” Amusan said after her final victory. “The goal is always just to execute well and get the win. So the world record is a bonus. I knew I had it in me but I could not believe it when I saw it on the screen after the semis." “Before the final, I just tried to stay calm and to do my best. I took a deep breath knowing that I have some goal to accomplish and it worked pretty good. I knew it was very fast but not this fast.”

Red is a color representing Power. Red is happiness and even danger. Red is undiluted passion. Red has utmost influence in the fashion world. Be it fashion apparels or other fashion accessories, alluring shades of red run deep, charming people into the mix. Red symbolizes life, health, vigor. Red represents love. Red embraces war, courage, anger. Red is luck!

This is sad, the victims been flogged 😭 The victims calling, crying for help. The terrorists threatened that they would turn the area into an abattoir unless the government complied with their demands.  “This is our message to the government of Nigeria and just as you have seen these people here, by God’s grace, you will see your leaders; your senators and governors will come before us,” one of the terrorists said in Hausa language. “These ones you are seeing here, we will keep some as our slaves and sell them off just as our Imam told you in the past. “Just like the Chibok girls that were sold off, we will equally sell these ones as slaves. If you don’t adhere to our demands, we will kill the ones we need to kill and sell the remaining. By God’s grace, El-Rufai, Buhari, we will bring you here.” One of the victims, who did not mention his name, called on the international communities to come to their rescue and accused the Federal Government of negligence.  “These people (Terrorists)

The Mobilisation for the two-day nationwide protest by Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in solidarity with striking university workers, is on top gear. Other critical industrial unions have keyed into the protest. This came as NLC berated the Minister of Information, Lai Muhammed, for accusing it of planning to cause anarchy with the planned protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, saying the Minister is happy that while his children and those of others like him are graduating from universities outside Nigeria, children of the poor have been shut out of Nigeria universities for the past five months. Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, have equally downed tools for over six months because of pending issues with the Federal Government. Despite the fact that ASUU's agitation affect mostly Federal Government owned-universities, stat

In the viral video below, Bishop Anthony clarifies the stand of the clergymen seen in the above picture. He also elaborated their views in respect of the choice made by the All Progressives Congress Party (APC) as it has to do with the tickets for Presidential and Vice Presidential slots. He said the picture captured above portrayed a group of clergymen, as going to pay a solidarity visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections, former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima as untrue. Bishop Anthony said that the picture was taken in 2017 and not 2021 as purported by it's caption. Please watch the video.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a stern warning to Nigerians. Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Elefiele, has warned bank customers, especially politicians and high profile persons to desist from withdrawing Naira for the purpose of converting them into Dollars just for keeps. According to CBN, it would place a post-no debit on bank account(s) of any customer violating this rule. The riot act was read by the Governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele  during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Tuesday, he specifically warned politicians amid rising electioneering spending. He described this action as illegal, which he said was capable of wrecking the country’s economy as the nation makes every effort to resolve the lingering foreign exchange (forex) scarcity, which is depleting the value of the Naira very fast against the greenback in the currency market. Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Emefiele said the apex bank will put in pl

CEOs of 300 health care companies took home over $4.5 billion last year - with Regeneron's top earner raking in a HALF-BILLION Analysis of earnings among top 300 CEOs revealed the highest earnersTop of the list was Regeneron's Leonard Schleifer, with the company having provided an expensive Covid antibody cocktail during the pandemic. Regeneron's Leonard Schleifer. Leonard Schleifer, the head of Regeneron, earned a total of $453million last year — equivalent to ten percent of the total earnings of the top 300 CEOs Many healthcare companies saw their earnings boosted by the Covid pandemic. But others also saw sales of other products rise, which became more appealing after lockdowns were brought into force. America's top healthcare CEOs took home more than $4.5 billion last year, figures show — or seven times the CDC's budget for surveying infectious diseases. Analysis of earnings for 300 top CEOs by STAT News revealed the extortionate figure accumulated from salaries

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have tied the knot in a Las Vegas wedding. Thereby Obtaining Marriage License in Vegas. Months after revealing their engagement in April 2022, the couple obtained a marriage license in Clark County, Nevada, over the weekend. Clark County Clerk's Office in Nevada - where Las Vegas is located - shows on its record system that Lopez intends to change her name to Jennifer Affleck. "We did it. Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient," she wrote on her fan website OntheJLo. The pair called off their first engagement in January 2004. Last year, news of the couple getting back together had sent fans into a swirl. The duo are known to publicly displayed their rekindled love and affection towards each other on social media. Giving an update on her OntheJLo website, the actress and music superstar announced that they had flown to Las Vegas on Saturday and queued for a marriage licence alongside four other

The United Nations (U.N), has postulated that the world’s population will reach 8 billion on Nov. 15, with India displacing China as the world’s most populous nation next year. The global population growth fell below 1% in 2020 for the first time since 1950. According to a report released by the U.N, on World Population Day. In the latest U.N. projections, the world’s population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050 and a peak of around 10.4 billion during the 2080s. It is forecast to remain at that level until 2100. The report says more than half the projected increase in population up to 2050 will be concentrated in just eight countries: Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Tanzania. The report, “World Population Prospects 2022,” puts the world’s population at 7.942 billion now and forecasts it will reach 8 billion in mid-November. The report projects that next year India, with a current population of 1.412 billion, will surpas

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ademola Adeleke and uncle to music sensation David Adeleke (Davido), has achieved the highest number of votes from 17 of the 30 local governments in Osun State.                     Senator Ademola Adeleke  His closest opponent, Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in 13 Local Government Areas. The Independent National Electoral Commissionin Osun State has officially declared the results. The results showed that Adeleke obtained 403, 371 votes from 30 LGAs while Oyetola got 375, 027 votes. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won Ede North Local Government, Ede South, Ifelodun, Boluwaduro, Egbedore, Odo Otin, Osogbo, Ila, Atakumosa West, Olorunda, Ilesa West, Obokun, Oriade, Orolu, Ife North, Irepodun and Ejigbo. While the All Progressives Congress (APC) won Boripe, Ilesa East, Ayedire, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Ayedaade, Iwo, Olaoluwa, Isokan, Atakumosa East, Ife South, Ife Central and Ife East.

Ladies and gentlemen, please meet Dr Tiwa Savage! Afrobeat, top Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage, has been recognised by the international institution, Kent University. She was given an honorary degree to celebrate her time and achievements in the music industry. According to the University of Kent, Tiwa honorary doctorate degree is “in recognition of her inspirational and international career in music.” Tiwa Savage who completed a degree in Business Administration at the University before winning a scholarship to study Professional Music at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A "is overjoyed at this big feat. Who wouldn't be, ain't we all happy for her?"

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has instituted a lawsuit compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission by seeking the disqualification of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party from contesting the 2023 presidential election. The PDP wants the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to prevent Tinubu and Peter Obi, from replacing their place-holders, Gov Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe, respectively. The PDP is also asking the court to declare that Tinubu and Obi be disqualified unless they contest alongside their previous running mates – Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe respectively. The PDP wants the court to stop the two candidates from naming Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, respectively as their running mates. In the originating summons, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, the PDP is seeking an order barring INEC from replacing the running mates of Tinubu and