RE- "TENSION IN EBONYI OVER GOVERNORSHIP ZONING" - MATTERS ARISING

By Abia Onyike

PREAMBLE:

On the 10th of February, 2022, some of my friends and political associates drew my attention to a news story that was trending in the Opera News platform. The title of the news which was presented as features was titled, “Tension in Ebonyi over Governorship zoning.”

RE-ELECTED ADAMAWA GOV, UMARU FINTRI, DISSOLVES CABINET, RELIEVES POLITICAL APPOINTEES

By Barnabas Manyam (In Yola, Adamawa State) Yola.

Returned Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has approved the dissolution of the State Executive Council and has also relieved his political appointees including Chairmen of Boards and Parastatals of their jobs appointments.

Re-opening of Schools: SHORTAGE OF WASHING FACILITIES PUTS SCHOOL PUPILS AT RISK OF CORONA VIRUS INFECTION

By Angela Onwuzoo (Reporter, Punch Healthwise)

As schools across the country prepare to reopen, experts have warned that the shortage of toilets and hand washing facilities in schools put students at serious risk of getting infected with COVID-19.

The experts urged the government to urgently take steps to ensure provision of toilet and hand washing facilities in all the schools or suspend schooling for the rest of the year.

Re-Run Election: IGALI TO VIE FOR BAYELSA CENTRAL SENATORIAL SEAT

* Finally Dumps PDP For APC

By Celestine Okafor (Publisher/Editor-in-Chief)

Nigeria's former Ambassador to Venezuela and retired former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministries of Power and Water Resources, Dr Godknows Boladei Igali, has declared his intention to contest for the October 31th, 2020 re-run election for the Bayelsa Central Senatorial seat, which comprises Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenegoa and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas of the state.

Re-Run Polls: INEC SUSPENDS ELECTIONS IN ENUGU SOUTH, KUNCHI/TSANYAWA, TWO POLLING UNITS IN IKONO/INI

By Kingsley Eghagha (Politics Reporter)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the suspension of ongoing re-run elections in specific constituencies due to disruptions, irregularities and abduction of election officials.

Re: BUNI, MALAMI MOVE TO BLOCK CONVENTION, GOVS RISE AGAINST INTERIM PARTY CHAIR

By Yusuf Ali

These days, so many people are saying so many things; indulging mostly in sponsored attacks, and fictitious lies in the pages of Newspapers on the activities of Governor Buni led CECPC, and as spokespersons, we make the deliberate choice of staying out of the most part because it is not worth replying.

Re: Pre-disconnection Notice: GLO, MTN RESOLVE INTERCONNECT DEBT DISPUTE

By Celestine Okafor (Editor-in-Chief)

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced that the interconnect debt dispute between MTN Nigeria Communications Plc. (MTN) and Globacom Limited (Globacom) has been amicably resolved.

READ THE BOOK 'I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS'

By Maya Angelou

"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Maya Angelou's powerful memoir, is a treasure trove of lessons about resilience, hope, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

READ THIS BOOK 'THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER'

By Matt Abraham

Shaky voice. Sweaty palms. Red face. Memory loss. Stuttering.

If you have experienced at least one of these symptoms when having to give a spur-of-the-moment answer or speech, this book is for you. In this book, Matt Abrahams provides tangible, actionable skills to help even the most anxious of speakers “Think Faster” and “Talk Smarter” when speaking spontaneously. Abrahams provides science-based strategies for managing anxiety, responding to the mood of the room, and making content concise, relevant, compelling, and memorable. Here are some masterclass takeaways from the book:

READ THIS BOOK 'WHY WON'T YOU APOLOGIZE?'

By Harriet Lerner

Lessons From "Why Won't You Apologize?"

1. The Power of "I'm Sorry": Lerner explores the immense emotional weight of a genuine apology and its role in VALIDATING your hurt, fostering hope, igniting healing, and eventually, restoring trust. Offering and receiving apologies are crucial for healing and maintaining healthy relationships.

2. Beyond "I'm Sorry": The book goes beyond expecting a simple apology and delves into these deeper needs that arise after betrayal. It reveals that an apology is an acknowledgement of responsibility and the impact of our actions on others. It is also one sure way to show remorse and the desire to repair the damage.

3. The "Non-Apologizer": Lerner explores the psychology behind individuals who resist apologizing, including factors like shame, denial, or difficulty facing their own wrongdoing. This knowledge helps you detach from their behavior and manage expectations, focusing on your own healing journey.

4. The Over-Apologizer: Excessive apologies can also be problematic. The book examines those who apologize excessively, often due to low self-esteem or fear of abandonment. Recognizing this dynamic can help you avoid getting caught in unhealthy codependency patterns.

5. Healing Without an Apology: While an apology is ideal, focusing solely on its absence can hinder your healing. The book offers strategies for healing even if you don't receive one, such as self-compassion, setting boundaries, and reclaiming your narrative by focusing on your strength and resilience.

6. Anger is your friend: Your anger is not your enemy. It signals a violation, fuels change, and motivates you to protect yourself. Lerner normalizes and validates anger as a natural response to betrayal, and offers healthy ways to express and manage it constructively instead of allowing it to consume you.

7. Forgiveness is a Personal Choice: Forgiveness isn't about condoning the act; it's about self-care. Focus on letting go of anger and resentment for your own peace of mind, not theirs. The book challenges the societal pressure to forgive automatically. You decide what forgiveness means and looks like for you.

8. Grieving the Loss: Allow yourself to feel the emotions. Betrayal often involves a loss of trust, safety, or the relationship itself. Acknowledging and grieving this loss is crucial for processing your emotions and moving forward.

9. The Power of Connection: Don't heal alone. Reconnect with supportive loved ones, seek therapy, or join support groups. Sharing your experience and receiving understanding can be invaluable for your emotional well-being.

10. Rewriting Your Story: The power lies in your narrative. Lerner encourages you to rewrite the narrative of betrayal on your own terms, focusing on your strength and resilience. While you do, remember that the experience doesn't define you, but empowers you to become a more authentic and resilient version of yourself. NNL.

READ THIS BOOK, '12 LAWS OF THE JUNGLE'

By Daniel Cleland and Matthew Cartagena

This great book will Unleash Your Entrepreneurial Prowess. While it might use a provocative title, its lessons offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs navigating the competitive landscape.

Here are 10 key takeaways to unlock your inner entrepreneurial beast:

1. Embrace the Zero-Revenue Tightrope: Don't fear the initial lack of income. Focus on building your product/service, validating market needs, and establishing a foundation before chasing revenue.

2. Seek High-Profile Connections: Cultivate relationships with successful entrepreneurs and mentors. Their experience and guidance can be invaluable in navigating unforeseen challenges.

3. Disrupt the Norm: Don't be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom and embrace unorthodox tactics. Find innovative solutions to problems and differentiate yourself from the pack.

4. Beware the Betrayal Bite: Anticipate potential betrayals and have backup plans in place. Protect your intellectual property and choose your partners wisely.

5. Channel Your Inner Jungle Cat: Develop resilience and adaptability. Learn from failures, pivot when necessary, and stay agile in the face of uncertainty.

6. Master the Art of the "Pre-Sell": Don't wait for launch. Generate pre-launch buzz and interest to build momentum and early customer adoption.

7. Leverage the Power of Storytelling: Craft compelling narratives that connect with your audience on an emotional level. Sell the vision, not just the product.

8. Become a Master of Persuasion: Develop your communication skills and learn to influence others. Pitch your ideas with passion, clarity, and data-driven evidence.

9. Embrace the "Minimum Viable Hustle": Don't get bogged down in perfection. Get your product/service out there quickly and gather feedback to iterate and improve.

10. Celebrate the Thrill of the Hunt: Find joy in the entrepreneurial journey itself. Embrace the challenges and celebrate the wins, big and small. NNL.

Reading Culture: GROUP PARTNERS NICO TO LAUNCH CULTURAL STORY BOOK SERIES FOR SCHOOLS

By Cecilia Ogezi

AfriGrowth Foundation in partnership with the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has launched the first in the series of "Tales On the Diverse Shades Of Culture", a cultural storybook series in Abuja.

REC Appointment: OPPOSITION SHOULD PROVE UMOREN IS A CARD-CARRYING MEMBER OF APC, SAYS AKPABIO'S AIDE, HON EYIBOH

A leader of the All Progressives Congress [APC] in Eket Senatorial District of Akwa-Ibom State and spokesperson to the Senate President, Hon Eseme Eyiboh, has shifted the onus to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] to prove that Sir Etekamba Umoren is a card-carrying member of the APC.

REFLECTIONS ON ADESINA'S WORK WITH BUHARI

By Azu Ishiekwene

I knew Femi Adesina when he was “Daddy Tobi.” He still is, of course. But back in the day when we were neighbours in “Olowora Inside”, a Lagos suburb, when you could call to a neighbour from your frontage, often by using the name of their first child, that was how we called Femi: Daddy Tobi.

REGGAE MAESTRO, BUNNY WAILERS, DIES AT 73

By Jahman Ekundayo (Entertainment Reporter)

The reggae music world is currently in deep mourning, following the death of the legendary Jamaican singer, Bunny Wailer, who founded the Wailers with two other Jamaican reggae legends, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

REINVENTING, RESTRUCTURING, RENOVATING PANEL-BEATING NIGERIA OR WHAT? (2)

By Bolanle Bolawole

Last week, we ran the first part of Prof. Banji Akintoye’s treatise on Nigeria, its history, problems, prospects and, well, final solution to the Nigerian quagmire; hopefully, not in the mould of Adolf Hitler’s final solution to the Jewish question! None of the over 360 Nigerian ethnic nationalities equates to the Jews, in my reckoning, and the resolution of the national question in Nigeria does not necessarily have to proceed in the same fashion as it did in Hitler’s Germany. Prof. Akintoye’s recommendations, which he wants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian ruling class to consider with dispatch, are set out here today. It is titled:NIGERIA NEEDS NOW THE COURAGE TO DISSOLVE PEACEFULLY - PART TWO.

Religion: THE WILD CARD IN POLITICS

By Jude Ogechi Eze

No counter argument was more baseless on the road to 2023 general elections than the "religion shouldn't matter" shenanigans by APC and Tinubu supporters.

REMAIN COMMITTED TO NATION BUILDING, GOV KEFAS AGBU TELLS CORPS MEMBERS IN TARABA

By Nahum Sule (Taraba State Correspondent, in Jalingo)

The Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, at the weekend, urged Corps members under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) currently under going orientation in the State to show high sense of responsibility during the course of their service year.

Remarriage: COPING WITH ABUSED, DAMAGED SPOUSES

By Michael West

The most difficult and delicate person to marry is a person who came out of an abused, emotionally damaged and mentally tortured marriage. It is akin to a wounded lioness that survived a hunter's snare. Any animal that dares to intrude on her space or tries to hurt her cubs will not live to tell the story. That is how delicate it is to marry a deeply hurt soul.

Removal of Party Exco: THIS ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY WILL NOT STAND...ADC

By Joseph Iyalla (Politics Reporter)

Following the removal of Senator David Mark led National Executive Committee by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) based on the judgement of the Appeal Court, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has vowed to resist what it described as attempts to destroy democracy in Nigeria.