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Posts by solomon2day

  • Sam1

    In Close Fellowship with God

    Believers who sustain a very close fellowship with God have all it takes to neutralize the most oppressive darkness and adverse situations.

    2 Samuel 22 : 1-7

    1 Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; 2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. 3 And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. 4 And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. 5 And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? 6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.

  • Vote 2

    Insecurity, Economic Hardships and Uncollected PVCs will affect elections-Prof. Olagoke

    IndexThe actual population of displaced Nigerians is still unknown. These bonafide citizens were displaced majorly by violent crimes and economic hardships.

    The suggestion is that the uncollected Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) belong to the displaced Nigerians.

    In this piece, the Founder, Spiritual head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu OlagokeJP warns that the unending insecurity, economic hardships and the large number of uncollected PVCs will impact negatively on the 202 general elections. Excerpts:

    Nigerians are apathetic to matters relating to the collection of their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) to be able to be eligible to vote in the 2023 general elections because of the perceived disturbing state of the nation.

    For example, the high prices of consumables and essential commodities coupled with the prohibitive prices of petroleum products has made life unbearable for millions of Nigerians.

    The result is the hunger, poverty and high unemployment rate in the country. Indeed, the organized attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission's(INEC)offices across the country by the enemies of the state has not helped matters.

    The terrible state of security in the South East is also an issue. Nigerians in this part of the country live daily in fear. However, it is wrong for Nigerians to continue to cry over bad governance and the poor conditions of living without working to rekindle their hopes for a real change which the 2023 general elections may bring about, by producing the right leader who will not only transform the nation, but also carry out major reforms.

    There is therefore, the need for the uncollected PVCs to be claimed to ensure that eligible voters are involved in the electoral process because this is one of the ways we can fix Nigeria.

    The collection of the PVCs will ensure that Nigerians participate in the electoral process because if we fail to choose a credible leader, a random person will lead us.

    Therefore, we must all realize that the power of electing candidates of choice depends on the collection of the PVCs by the electorate.

    The failure to collect the PVCs will negatively affect the coming elections. Efforts should be geared towards encouraging Nigerians to collect their PVCs, by making the collection process easier than the process of registration. The INEC must also improve its communication strategy to ensure that all eligible voters are adequately informed on the need for them to exercise their voting rights.

  • Listen

    The Art of Listening

    Explore the potential of listening to achieve success.

    You can generate sales through listening.

    When you have compassion, you will be able to listen. For you to unlock difficult situations, listen.

    Listening makes a difference in every interpersonal interaction.

  • Camp

    Former Political Staffer Admits Role in Scheme to Defraud Campaigns and Political Action Committees

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County man who previously served as a staff member in the New Jersey Senate today admitted his role in a conspiracy to falsely inflate the invoices that a political consultant submitted to various campaigns, political action committees, and IRS 501(c)(4) organizations, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.  

    Antonio Teixeira, 43, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of tax evasion. 

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    From 2014 to 2018, Teixeira conspired with Sean Caddle, and Caddle’s political consulting firms, to defraud various campaigns, political action committees, and 501(c)(4) organizations of $107,800. Teixeira then failed to report this illicit income on tax forms that he filed with the IRS during those same years. 

    Caddle was hired by a former New Jersey state senator to create the PACs and 501(c)(4)s so that they could raise and spend money to advocate on a variety of issues, including supporting particular candidates in local races around New Jersey. Teixeira served as the senator’s chief of staff and wielded influence over the consultants that the campaigns and organizations hired and the budgets that each of these organizations would receive. 

    Teixeira and Caddle conspired to falsely inflate the invoices that Caddle’s consulting firms submitted to the campaigns, PACs and 501(c)(4)s with phony campaign-related expenditures. Caddle and Teixeira were fraudulently padding the invoices because they agreed to split the difference between Caddle’s actual campaign expenditures and the overage charged to the organizations. Caddle paid a portion of Teixeira’s share to him in cash and funneled the remainder to Teixeira via checks made to out to Teixeira’s relatives in order to conceal that campaign money was being kicked back to Teixeira. In total, Teixeira received more than $100,000. Although Teixeira pocketed these fraudulent proceeds and used the money for personal expenses, he never reported the money on the tax forms that he filed with the IRS during the course of the scheme.

    The wire fraud conspiracy charge carries a statutory maximum prison sentence of 20 years, while the tax evasion charge carries a statutory maximum of five years in prison. Both charges are also punishable by a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the scheme, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for March 27, 2023.

    U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy L. Tomlins, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Farrell, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit, and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee M. Cortes Jr.

    Source-FBI

  • Open Defecation-Govt Should Empower Stakeholders-Prof. Olagoke

    Prof 4The government at all levels in Nigeria has been called upon to empower relevant stakeholders in the environment sector as a step toward ending open defecation in the country.

    This call was made on Friday by the Founder, Spiritual head, and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen-in-Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabitu Olagoke in an address titled ''SAY NO TO OPEN DEFECATION'' at the commissioning of the comfort house for the Shafudeeen national headquarters' mosque, Shafautedo, Apata-Omi-Adio road, Ibadan Nigeria.

    ''This calls for government empowerment of stakeholders-Town Planning Authority(Urban and Regional planning)as well as the Sanitary Inspectors to enforce people's compliance in every built scheme with effective sensitization on the essence of hygiene protocol to keep every place clean to avoid breakout of diseases and add value to the necessary beautification effect of the environment for healthy living.''

    ''Comfort House is an essential utility for the home and public places to be hygiene protocol compliant. Built houses must respect the sanitary laws of every compound area to be free of open space defecation,'' Prof. Olagoke stated.

    In another development, Prof. Olagoke has advised media practitioners to discharge their duties with the fear of God and shun all sinful behaviors.

    He gave this advice at a special Jumat thanksgiving  service  held att eh Shafudeen national headquarters mosque for members of the Oyo state chapter of the  Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers' Union of Nigeria(RATTAWU)

    ''Media practitioners should have the fear of God and shun all sinful behaviors. The promise of God would never fail, put your hopes on God. Your work is full of hazards, God shall always guide you and will not leave you. We pray that God will always guide and protect you, '' He prayed.

    In his remarks, the chairman of RATTAWU, Comrade Adebayo Aribatise opined thanked God for everything saying,'' we are here to appreciate God for all He has done for us and in addition, I would like to admonish my members and everyone in the media to be devoted to their duties to justify the salaries they receive. On our part, we shall continue to engage with our employers to ensure that the welfare of our members is given the deserved attention.''
     

  • Cor

    Chinese Estate Developer's Coy Docked for Corruption

    Chinese Real Estate Developer’s L.A.-Based Company Found Guilty of Paying Over $1 Million in Bribes to L.A. Politician José Huizar

    LOS ANGELES – Based on the actions of its agents, including its billionaire Chinese real estate developer owner, a downtown Los Angeles-based company was found guilty today of paying more than $1 million in bribes – including luxury trip expenses, casino gambling chips and a sham loan – to then-Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar to obtain city approval to build a 77-story skyscraper.

              After the jury deliberated for less than three hours, Shen Zhen New World I LLC was found guilty of all eight counts it faced: three counts of honest service wire fraud, four counts of interstate and foreign travel in aid of bribery, and one count of bribery.

              The owner of Shen Zhen – Wei Huang, 57, a resident of Shenzhen, China, who also maintains a residence in San Marino – is also charged in this case, but he has yet to make a court appearance in this matter. He is a fugitive believed to be in China.

              According to evidence presented at trial, in 2010, Shen Zhen – on behalf of its owner – purchased the L.A. Grand Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The property was located in the 14th City Council District, whose representative at that time was José Huizar. As part of his roles on the Los Angeles City Council, Huizar was the chairman of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee, commonly referred to as the PLUM Committee, which oversaw major commercial and residential development projects in the city.

              In June 2018, Shen Zhen filed an application with the Los Angeles City Planning Department to redevelop the L.A. Grand Hotel into a skyscraper featuring a mix of residential and commercial uses.

              From February 2013 to November 2018, Shen Zhen, acting through Huang, provided Huizar and his aide George Esparza with cash, casino gambling chips, flights on private jets and commercial airlines, stays at luxury Las Vegas hotels and casinos, expensive meals, spa services, prostitution services, political contributions, and a $600,000 collateral for Huizar to confidentially settle a pending sexual harassment lawsuit against Huizar by a former staffer that threatened his career.

              At the time Shen Zhen provided these items, it did so intending to influence Huizar to take official acts to benefit the L.A. Grand Hotel redevelopment project, a project that would have transformed Shen Zhen’s hotel into a 77-floor mixed use skyscraper that would have been the tallest such structure west of the Mississippi River.

              Specifically, Shen Zhen intended that Huizar benefit the project by presenting motions and resolutions in various city committees; voting on the project in the PLUM Committee and City Council; taking action in the PLUM Committee to expedite the approval process of the project; exerting pressure on other city officials to influence the approval process of the project; and introducing and voting on city resolutions to enhance the professional reputation and marketability of Wei Huang.

              United States District Judge John F. Walter scheduled a January 23, 2023 sentencing hearing, at which time the company is expected to face a multi-million dollar fine.

              Huizar and former Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, which include racketeering conspiracy and multiple bribery counts, and are scheduled to go to trial on February 21, 2023. Esparza pleaded guilty in July 2020 to one count of racketeering conspiracy, and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 5, 2023.

              Federal prosecutors have now convicted a total of nine defendants along with receiving over $3 million in criminal penalties to resolve their investigation into two other major real estate development companies, as a result of Operation “Casino Loyale,” the ongoing corruption investigation into Los Angeles City Hall being conducted by the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office.

              Salvador Huizar, José Huizar’s brother who testified as a witness for the prosecution in the Shen Zhen trial and is expected to testify at his brother’s trial, is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2023 after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of making false statements to federal investigators.

              In the first Huizar-related trial in this case, a federal jury on June 27 found real estate developer Dae Yong Lee, a.k.a. David Lee, 57, of Bel Air, and 940 Hill LLC, a Lee-controlled company, guilty of felony charges, including fraud and bribery, for providing $500,000 in cash to Huizar and his special assistant in exchange for their help in resolving a labor organization’s appeal of their downtown Los Angeles development project. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for January 30, 2023.

              Assistant United States Attorney Mack E. Jenkins, Chief of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, Assistant United States Attorneys Susan S. Har and J. Jamari Buxton, also of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Castañeda of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section, are prosecuting this case.

              Any member of the public who has information related to this or any other public corruption matter in the City of Los Angeles is encouraged to send information to the FBI’s email tip line at pctips-losangeles@fbi.gov or to contact the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office at (310) 477-6565.
    Source-FBI

  • Impost

    2023-Igbos are expecting to hear from us-Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie

    AnozieFor some time, now a number of faceless individuals have been parading themselves as the leaders of Igbos in Ibadan and Oyo state for self-centered reasons. In light of the worrisome development of the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze(Dr.) Alex Anozie warns Nigerians to be wary of such individuals.

    Excerpt: Any individual or group who allows himself/themselves to be deceived by some people is/ are on their own. Everyone knows the genuine leader of the Igbos in Oyo state. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry knows the authentic leadership of the Igbos in Oyo state, and I Eze(Dr.) Chukwudum Alex Anozie, the Eze Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, and the Ohaneze/Igbo Community Development Association(ICDA) ably led by the President, Chief Emma Nididi Nzeako, we are the true leadership in Ibadan and Oyo state. God has confirmed this, Ndigbo who chose us has confirmed this, and the courts also confirmed this, so anybody or group who allows himself/themselves to be deceived by anybody is on his own because politics has come up again. This is an electioneering dispensation. Mushroom groupings are springing up. After the elections, you will not hear them again. Igbos are expecting to hear from us the leadership on the way forward.

  • Terror

    Man Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Prison for Attempting to Provide Material Support to ISIS

     Defendant Plotted a Terrorist Attack Targeting a Pittsburgh Church

    A Pennsylvania man was sentenced yesterday to 208 months, more than 17 years, in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, aka ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization.

    Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 24, of Pittsburgh, pleaded guilty in the Western District of Pennsylvania on Sept. 16, 2021 to one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS in connection with his plan to attack a church in Pittsburgh.

    “Alowemer admitted to planning a deadly bombing of a Pittsburgh church in the name of ISIS,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The National Security Division was created to protect the nation from terrorist threats and we remain vigilant against those who would plot violent attacks on U.S. soil in furtherance of an extreme ideology.”

    “The defendant’s plan to bomb a Pittsburgh church and risk death or injury to residents in the area in the name of ISIS was thwarted by the extraordinary work of the Pittsburgh Joint Terrorism Task Force,” said U.S. Attorney Cindy K. Chung for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “Our office will continue to hold accountable individuals who threaten the safety of our communities.”

    “I want to commend the great work of our Joint Terrorism Task Force, and that of their partners and sources, in successfully thwarting a planned terrorist attack in the name of ISIS,” said Assistant Director Robert R. Wells of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “Alowemer’s plan to conduct an attack at a church in Pittsburgh and inspire other ISIS supporters in the United States was unsuccessful thanks to the efforts of law enforcement officials at both the federal and state level. This sentencing demonstrates the commitment we share with our partners to pursuing justice against those who violate our laws and seek to harm innocents in our communities.”

    According to court documents, Alowemer plotted to bomb a church located on the north side of Pittsburgh using an explosive device. His stated motivation to conduct such an attack was to support the cause of ISIS and to inspire other ISIS supporters in the United States to join together and commit similar acts in the name of ISIS. Alowemer also targeted the church, which he described as a “Nigerian Christian” church, to “take revenge for our [ISIS] brothers in Nigeria.” Alowemer was aware that numerous people in the proximity of the church could be killed by the explosion.

    In furtherance of the plot to bomb the church, in May 2019, Alowemer distributed multiple instructional documents related to the construction and use of explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to an individual Alowemer believed to be a fellow ISIS supporter, but who was in fact an FBI employee. Alowemer distributed these documents with the intent that the information be used in the assembly of a destructive device and in furtherance of conducting an attack in support of ISIS. In or around June 2019, Alowemer purchased several items, including nails and acetone (nail polish remover), with the belief that they were necessary to assemble a destructive device and with the intention they be used to construct the explosives that would be detonated in the vicinity of the church.

    Between April 16 and June 11, Alowemer met four times in person with an FBI Undercover Employee (UCE) and/or an FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS). At the June 11 meeting with the UCE and CHS, Alowemer provided additional details about the bomb plot and provided the materials, including boxes of nails, he had purchased for construction of the device. Alowemer provided printed copies of detailed Google satellite maps, which included hand-written markings identifying the church and routes of arrival and escape. Alowemer also wrote and provided a 10-point handwritten plan outlining details related to his plot to personally deliver explosives in a backpack. Alowemer expressed a desire to meet one more time to conduct planning and coordination prior to carrying out the attempted bombing in July 2019. That meeting was later scheduled for June 19 in the Pittsburgh area, at which time Alowemer was arrested.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Soo C. Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorneys Brenda Sue Thornton and S. Elisa Poteat of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force members who were directly involved in this investigation include: FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), IRS – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Pennsylvania State Police, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Allegheny County Port Authority Police, Allegheny County Probation, University of Pittsburgh Police Department and UPMC Police Security.

    Source-FBI

  • Drug 2

    Avoid Alcohol and Illicit substances- ACOMORAN Chairman to Members

    Members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders And Owners Association(ACOMORAN) have been warned to shun the use of alcohol and illicit substances when on duty.

    This warning was handed down by the association's chairman in Oyo state, Dr. Solomon Olugbode in a chat with People.

    ''Alcohol and drugs will only make you dull or make you over confident. That is why it is not proper to take alcohol or substances when you drive or cycle. It is dangerous to the health, members should avoid it,''Dr. Olugbode stated.

  • Unique

    Be Unique

    You have to be unique for you to make headway in your industry.

    You must be creative and extraordinary to come out top in the competition.

    Doing remarkable things in presentations and task delivery puts you ahead of others.

    Ensure that the content of your problem solving is of the same standard as the best in the industry.

    Always identify ways to be different.

  • Drug 1

    Illicit Substances and Sustainable Development

    Over time, young people in a crisis have been neglected and this has resulted in an increased rate of drug use, misuse and abuse, in addition to illicit substance intake.

    Sadly, parents and guardians have been found wanting in the examination of behavioral defects in their children and wards, which have become pointers to drug or substance dependence.

    Indeed, different parts of the country are presently in crises which have served as the catalysts for drug use, misuse and illicit substances and enlightenment on the dangers at the lowest ebb.

    An unspecified number of youths have been manipulated to migrate to city centers; today they are now liabilities to society.

    Note-

    Several communities in Nigeria, particularly the South West geo-political zone, have been overwhelmed with strange faces. These strange faces intimidate, threaten and attack innocent citizens and residents just as illicit substances are now sold openly, as abnormalities are now the trend. Those who facilitated the heavy presence of those strange faces have continued to support their activities revolving around heinous and grievous crimes.

  • Money 1

    Naira Redesign-Government ought to Safeguard Nigerians-Prof. Olagoke

    Prof 3

    Mixed feelings have continued to trail the announcement by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele that the 200, 500 and 1, 000 Naira notes would be redesigned.

      A sizable number of Nigerians believe that the action of the apex bank has a hidden motive, considering the fact that the head was once a presidential aspirant of the ruling party. Others however argue that the action would sanitize the monetary system in the country. In this piece, Prof. Olagoke warns of the consequences. Excerpt :

    To start with, the reasons given by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for the redesigning of the 200, 500, and 1,000 Naira notes must be assessed and evaluated based on present realities. 

    The word redesign becomes an issue because it would involve changes that may not likely go down well with our ethnic, tribal, and religious persuasions.

    Since it had the approval of the presidency various considerations must have been put in place to allay the fears of Nigerians on the suspicion that the symbols might be tampered with. If not let the needful be done, rather than putting the cart before the horse. Indeed, Nigerians had expected these changes in 2015.

     

    Grocery Super Saver

    Sadly, it is coming at a time when the thoughts of Nigerians have been rumpled by several factors. However, it is better late than left undone because presently the focus of all Nigerians is the high rate of unemployment, hunger, poverty, and most important insecurity in the land.

    The major question now is, this change in the design of the Naira shall it be very effective?

    What would be the effects of this change in design on small and medium businesses? This is the time when the politicians are on top of their game with various antics to buy votes to attain juicy positions while taking advantage of the above-mentioned. The government ought to do the right thing for the overall benefit of Nigerians.

  • Bible

    Depend on God

    For you to be effective in any endeavor, depend on God for strength, wisdom, and power. 

    John 15: 1-8

    1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

     

    Grocery Super Saver

  • Money

    Naira Redesign-Government ought to Safeguard Nigerians-Prof. Olagoke

    Prof 3To start with, the reasons given by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria for the redesigning of the 200, 500, and 1,000 Naira notes must be assessed and evaluated based on present realities. 

    The word redesign becomes an issue because it would involve changes that may not likely go down well with our ethnic, tribal, and religious persuasions.

     

    Grocery Super Saver

    Since it had the approval of the presidency various considerations must have been put in place to allay the fears of Nigerians on the suspicion that the symbols might be tampered with. If not let the needful be done, rather than putting the cart before the horse. Indeed, Nigerians had expected these changes in 2015. Sadly, it is coming at a time when the thoughts of Nigerians have been rumpled by several factors. However, it is better late than left undone because presently the focus of all Nigerians is the high rate of unemployment, hunger, poverty, and most important insecurity in the land. The major question now is, this change in the design of the Naira shall it be very effective? What would be the effects of this change in design on small and medium businesses? This is the time when the politicians are on top of their game with various antics to buy votes to attain juicy positions while taking advantage of the above-mentioned. The government ought to do the right thing for the overall benefit of Nigerians.

  • Decisions

    Making Difficult Decisions

    Black Friday Treasure Hunt

    Your ability to take difficult decisions would go a long way in determining your survival in business.

    There must be consistency in making decisions considered to be necessary, but unpopular and difficult, timely.

    Decisions such as the shutting down of unproductive branches and the retrenchment of redundant staff should not be allowed to linger for so long.

    Be observant, when you discover that any of your employee is not meeting up to the set standard, it is better to do the needful.

    When you make hard decisions, wrong strategies, the wrong people and the wrong projects are put at bay.

  • Nigeria 18

    Street Trading- The Need for Political Preservation

    BLACK FRIDAY

    Environmental pollution has become part and parcel of daily life in major cities in Nigeria as a result of the lack of political will by the appropriate authorities to enforce relevant laws.

    Street trading and hawking on the main road, road verges, medians, setbacks, drainages, pedestrian bridges and walkways have become permanent features in these cities, since those responsible for the menace are well wishers, supporters and loyalists of political office holders.

    Even though there are designated market locations, Those-in-Charge are very reluctant to wield the big stick because of the urgent need for political preservation. Indeed, pickpocketing thrives in these locations, as it has become a veritable source of income with the covert cooperation of commuters, transporters and law enforcement personnel.

    The free flow of human and vehicular traffic would continue to be hindered in these cities, if the political overlords today fail to facilitate not only the regulation of street trading and hawking, but the enforcement of relevant laws in this respect.

    Note- The conferment of national awards and prize giving have little or no impact on the citizenry, in the face of hunger, poverty, unemployment and insecurity. Those-in-Charge ought to leave behind legacies that would impact positively on impoverished Nigerians

  • Success

    People are the First Priority

    BLACK FRIDAY

    To be successful, it is imperative you develop the ability to engage with people, and motivate and inspire them to achieve success.

    Make people the first on your priority list in your line of business. Success and happiness are crucial and intertwined, for the best results in whatever you do.

    However, you must not forget to give adequate attention to your family.

    Interact regularly with your colleagues at the workplace as this brings about the opportunity to discuss prospects, ideas, and suggestions that would put you ahead of competitors.

    Furthermore, interactions serve as forums to set goals and apportion responsibilities and re-emphasize the need for the best practices while on the field.

    The first priority in the workplace is the people. Make yourself always available and accessible to your colleagues and ensure you arrive at decisions collectively.

    Think of immediate solutions to personal problems while ensuring that regular meetings and discussions are held to address challenges. A sustained compassionate leadership would put you at the forefront of your industry. Finally, do not relent to maintain your standard.

  • Images 3

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez releases information ahead of November 2022 General Election

    BLACK FRIDAY

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – United States Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Jeremy Peña will lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 8, 2022, general election. AUSA Peña has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the District of New Mexico, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said United States Attorney Uballez. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

    United States Attorney Uballez stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Peña will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone numbers: (505) 224-1451 and (505) 269-2038.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The FBI Albuquerque Field Office can be reached by the public at 1-800-CALL-FBI or (505) 889-1300.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC, by phone at 800-253-3931 or by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ .

    “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said United States Attorney Uballez. “It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

    Source-FBI

  • Value 1

    The Resort to Lawlessness and Crime

    ValueIt is very disturbing that the lack of scale and coherence feature prominently in most of the initiatives to address the youth empowerment challenge in Nigeria. The population of youths who are gainfully employed in the critical economic and social sectors is very discouraging. Indeed, a sizable number of the population do not possess relevant digital skills to fit into these sectors. Indeed, a lot still has to be done to the psyche, value and attitude of the youths in this clime, to enable them to have access to decent work and productive employment.

    The government at all levels have, over the years, failed to equip young Nigerians with globally sought-after skills to ensure that they are useful not only to themselves, but also to society. In the absence of the interventions of the government and the Organized Private Sector(OPS), the youths have now embraced lawlessness, crime and all forms of criminality as credible means to ends and the political class are taking full advantage of their development.

    Note- A number of state governments have persistently covertly supported lawlessness, crime and criminality.

    In many state capitals, the brazen and daring attitude of those who are believed to be the supporters and loyalists of these state governments is the major discussion in every mouth.

    These sets of people trespass on landed properties which do not belong to them. The heavy presence of roadside car outlets and make-shift shops has become an eyesore on the environment.

    The Nigeria Baptist Convention among several others has a lot to state about its landed property and trespassers situated at the Scout Camp area of Ibadan, Oyo state.

  • Vote 1

    FBI Cautions About Threats to Election Workers Ahead of the November 2022 Midterm Elections

    Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of American democracy. Individuals who oversee and participate in the administration of elections to include poll workers, volunteers, and election officers, help safeguard the integrity of the democratic process. The FBI continues to prioritize identifying, mitigating, and investigating threats targeting election workers and provides the following information to assist the public in reporting threats of violence against election workers.

    Threats to Election Workers

    Threats to election workers not only threaten the safety of the individuals concerned, but also jeopardize the stability of the US electoral process. The FBI defines “election workers” broadly as individuals who have responsibility over one or more aspects of election administration in the U.S., including elected officials, appointed officials, staff, volunteers, contractors, vendors and liaisons. Specific examples of election workers include, but are not limited to:

    A Secretary of State or someone in their staff

    An employee of a state or county’s board of elections

    An individual volunteering at polling stations

    Clerks handling and counting casted ballots

    There are various means in which threats can be communicated to election workers, such as telephone communications, social media posts, e-mail communications, as well as in-person. Regardless of the manner in which the threat or harassment is conveyed, the FBI takes all threats of violence targeting election workers seriously.

    What the FBI is doing

    In June 2021, the Department of Justice, in close partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, established the Threats to Election Workers Task Force (Task Force) to identify, mitigate, and investigate reports of threats targeting election workers. The Task Force receives and assesses reports of threats targeting election workers to determine next steps, in consultation with the Department of Justice.  

    Victim Reporting and Additional Information

    The FBI encourages the public to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to their local FBI field office. For additional election-related assistance and resources, please visit the following FBI webpages:

    Election Crimes and Security

    Protected Voices

    Consistent with past practice, the FBI is providing this information to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation and suppression in the upcoming Nov. 8, 2022, general election.

    Source-FBI