Archive October 1, 2025

Independence Day: Nigeria Has Been Greatly Diminished Under APC’s Leadership — Obi

By in News, Nigeria News

Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of diminishing what was once a promising nation at Nigeria’s independence.

READ ALSO: Independence Day: The Worst Is Over, Yesterday’s Pains Are Giving Way To Relief, Tinubu Tells Nigerians

He stated this at a press conference on the state of the nation in Abuja on Wednesday.

“In 1999, we overcame military dictatorship and restored democracy, beginning a renewed journey toward prosperity, freedom, and justice.

“That journey helped us build Africa’s largest economy and strengthen democratic institutions. But over the last decade, under the APC’s incompetent, divisive, and corrupt leadership, Nigeria has been greatly diminished,” said Obi.

‘Bleak Picture’

Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, said Nigeria had been poised at independence in 1960 to not only be the giant of Africa but a world powerhouse.

He argued that despite the polices of the current administration plunging over 15 million people below the poverty line in its first year alone, it still pursues a tax regime, demanding its citizens pay more to the government despite benefiting little or nothing in return.

“Today, the picture is bleak. Our total debt stands at about ₦175 trillion, nearly 50 percent of GDP, without any improvement in productive sectors. Nigeria has fallen to the fourth-largest economy in Africa, behind South Africa, Egypt, and Algeria. Our democracy is now described as ‘undemocratic.’” he stated.

Insecurity

He also slammed the APC-led government for what he called reckless borrowing that has further impoverished the nation with its leaders feasting while the people are fasting.

“In just one year, this administration pushed over 15 million Nigerians into acute poverty. Today, more than 150 million Nigerians lack access to basic healthcare, education, water, and sanitation.

“This number grows daily under an APC government that pursues brutal revenue-driven policies while ignoring the welfare of its people. Nigeria now ranks among the lowest in the world on human development indicators.

“This government taxes struggling citizens and small businesses heavily, while indulging in extravagance. Billions are spent on new presidential jets, yachts, and luxury cars that cost more than the entire 2024 budget for primary healthcare,” the former presidential candidated added.

On insecurity, Obi claimed that billions of naira had been paid as ransom, with Nigerians increasingly unsafe in the nation due to an apparent lack of leadership and direction.

‘Old Politics Must End’

He is, however, confident that Nigeria can overcome these challenges with competent, compassionate, and people-centred leadership, drawing from examples like Indonesia, Bangladesh, and India.

“The current administration’s failures must not lead us to despair. They should instead fuel our determination to rebuild. Nigeria has the resources, talent, and resilience to become an industrialised nation in record time.

“With the right leadership, we can defeat terrorism, restore security, and guarantee Nigerians safe communities where enterprise and social life can thrive. We must end a system where leaders feast while the people starve, where politics enriches a few and impoverishes the many,” the former governor said.

According to him, the “old politics must end,” and a “new politics of prosperity” for all must begin.

President Bola Tinubu, during his nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, assured Nigerians that with the reforms carried out by his administration, the worst is over.

Nigeria @65: Democracy Only Works If Intelligent People Vote — Leke Alder

By in News, Nigeria News

Leke Alder, a strategist, claims that intelligent voters are the only ones who can support democracy.

“Democracy only succeeds when voters are educated,” says the statement. There is no such thing as a game of numbers. Alder said on Wednesday at the event held by Covenant Nation in Iganmu, Lagos, that true democracy is a game of smart numbers.

The lawyer, who spoke at the event, presented a session on electronic voting and celebrated Nigeria’s Independence Day.

He claimed that adopting e-voting was neither difficult nor impossible for Nigeria.

It is not particularly sophisticated, and almost 80% of Nigerians are intelligent. That is very high praise for our nation, he claimed.

INCLUDES: [Independence Day:] Joe Abah’s 1966 Military Coup Was Nigeria’s Worst National Tragedy

He criticized the current voting process, arguing that the real issue is with elected officials’ ability to respond to the electorate.

They are on their own once you cast your ballot. They are stealing money. You are not entirely familiar with them. How well-known are their representatives? he inquired.

The people are given no more power. By spending eight hours at the polling station, he continued, “you are discouraged from voting.”

Why Is It Possible To Vote on Phone?

Zamfara
A ballot box

Alder claimed that Nigerians could vote on sensitive matters using both mobile and electronic means. He also urged young people to demand changes.

It is doable, they say. Why can’t we vote on our phones and still be able to do everything, even make payments to God with our phones? he inquired.

“EndSARS was organized by the youths. Why won’t they pass this legislation? My generation, who are primarily in their 60s and 70s, will continue in this manner if they don’t, which is not working. How many people are satisfied?

He questioned Nigeria’s contradictions, asking, “Why can Nigerians do so well anywhere but Nigeria”?

Ending Money Politics

Leke Alder

Alder urged urgent changes to end election rigging and vote-buying.

There must be electoral reforms in order to correct these anomalies. It must be avoided from spending a lot of money at the polling booth.

It’s not productive, they say. Why can’t we use a phone to poll voters? He inquired.

Alder urged a shift to true representative governance and argued that the government cannot solve the issue of unemployment alone.

The government is unable to employ every person on the job market. That number can only be significantly reduced by the private sector.

‘Focus and reset’ – the bracelets keeping Bell on track

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Wynne, Flynne

Guwahati journalist for BBC Sport
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Every time Lauren Bell plays for England, she always sports two bracelets.

They are made at home; one word says “focus,” the other says “reset,” and they represent a small portion of Bell’s rapid progression from promising youngster to attacking leader in three years.

The 24-year-old is gearing up for her first 50-over World Cup, which will be played in Sri Lanka and India, and is a top-notch seamer.

With 24 wickets in 16 one-day internationals and an economy rate of just over five runs per over, she has been England’s most consistent pace bowler since the start of 2024. With 19 wickets won in nine matches, she also took the top spot in The Hundred.

Bell is incredibly clear about what makes her tick and has an infectious optimism about her career.

I quickly discovered in cricket that I must concentrate to get the most out of myself because I can be distracted and drift away quickly, Bell said.

A bad ball can suddenly make a bad over, and a bad over can turn into a bad spell as a bowler.

England vs. South Africa: Women’s World Cup

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Before Bell had made her international debut, Bell had won the previous 50-over World Cup in New Zealand in 2022, but after England A and England A met for the winter in Australia, she was chosen as a traveling reserve.

When the rest of the squad had returned home after contracting Covid-19, Bell became bored and alone in quarantine. She wants to make her mark on the most recent edition when England play South Africa on Friday, which is of little surprise.

When Bell was asked how her career had changed since that tournament, Bell responded, “It’s crazy.

Even as a reserve, “Looking back]to 2022” was way beyond my expectations.

Bell’s ability to swing the ball so intently into the right-handed batter was her main selling point when she first started playing international cricket, but she spent the majority of her 2024 refining her swings to add more weight to her bow.

Bell is England’s strike powerplay bowler, and her confidence when bowling during that phase, which is frequently thought to be one of the most difficult, demonstrates her faith and determination in her mental attitude. She now swings the ball both ways and with clever variations in pace.

You’re obviously hitting the best batters, Bell said, but I take it another way: I get to swing the ball, so you know it’s a big chance for wickets.

It’s the ideal time to bowl, in my opinion. I believe that this is a chance for me to start playing.

Instead of worrying that it will make it easy for them to score boundaries, I enjoy opening the bowling.

With Em Arlott and Lauren Filer serving as the other frontline seamers and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt playing all-rounder, head coach Charlotte Edwards removed veteran seamer Kate Cross from England’s squad, giving Bell additional responsibility.

As all teams experienced at the T20 World Cup last year in the United Arab Emirates, the conditions in Guwahati have been extremely humid and challenging.

This has been a factor for Bell, who might have had little time to rest because he could start the bowling with spinners.

Nobody would have seen what we did behind the scenes, she said.

Nobody will notice that we ran these long-running and top-up sessions after games during The Hundred.

I want to ensure that I can bowl as quickly as I can in the final over of the tournament as I can in the first one, especially for me as a seamer.”

Bell may be playing in Bell’s first World Cup, but she might be one of England’s most significant players.

related subjects

  • Women’s Cricket Team of England
  • Cricket

A history of US government shutdowns: Every closure and how long it lasted

By in News, World News

After Congress failed to pass a new spending bill, forcing operations that were deemed inescapable to close, the United States federal government shut down at 12:01 am East Coast time (4:01 GMT).

President Trump has threatened to use the impasse to force widespread federal employee layoffs.

Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree on spending priorities as they push for cuts to social programs, foreign aid, and healthcare.

Washington has not experienced this level of hostility before. Every US government shutdown since 1976, including how long they have existed, and which administration was in place, is depicted in the graphic below.

(Al Jazeera)

A government shutdown is what?

Parts of the federal government must close until a spending plan is approved in the event that Congress does not pass a budget agreement.

Because the government’s fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30, shutdowns typically occur in October.

How frequently has the government been in office?

1976 was the start of the current budget process. The government has since experienced 20 funding gaps, which have caused 10 government shutdowns.

When Congress does not pass a budget or stopgap spending bill (also known as a continuing resolution), leaving the government without the authority to spend money, funding occurs.

  • If temporary funding measures expire before a long-term agreement is reached, a single shutdown may result in multiple funding gaps.
  • Only if the government’s operations actually cease as a result of this funding gap.

Prior to the 1980s, funding gaps did not typically result in shutdowns, and organizations continued to operate assuming funding would be restored soon.

Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti issued legal opinions after 1980 stating that agencies are required to spend money without the approval of Congress. Only essential services, such as law enforcement, air traffic control, and national security, could continue.

Since 1982, funding gaps have more frequently resulted in complete or partial government shutdowns until the standoff is resolved by Congress.

The last government shutdown occurred when?

After President Donald Trump, who was in his first term, and Democratic politicians reached a deadlock over the president’s request for $5 billion in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border, a demand that Democrats opposed, the government shutdown occurred in December 2018 and January 2019.

What shutdown lasted the longest?

Trump announced he had reached a tentative agreement with congressional leaders to reopen the government for three weeks while border wall negotiations continued, making the shutdown 35 days long, the longest in US history.

What transpires during a shutdown?

Nonessential federal services are suspended or reduced while a government shutdown occurs, and many government employees are furloughed or given unpaid leave.

While essential personnel, such as those in the military, law enforcement, and air traffic controllers, are required to continue working, frequently without pay, until funding is restored.

How are government shutdowns ended?

When Congress passes a continuing resolution that provides short-term funding while continuing negotiations for a longer-term budget, shutdowns are typically resolved.

Every shutdown has come to an end with the passage of a continuing resolution since 1990.

What services are being discontinued?

Nonessential federal employees, as well as people and businesses that rely on government services, are the main victims of a shutdown.

The nation’s top employer is the federal government. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by the Pew Research Center, it had a little more than 3 million workers as of November, or 1.9 percent of the civilian workforce.

About 750, 000 federal employees could be furloughed each day, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and their lost pay would add up to about $400 million per day if funding runs out in fiscal year 2026. Because some organizations may increase layoffs as the shutdown drags on longer while others may re-establish some employees, the exact number of furloughed workers may change over time.

Numerous services and organizations have been impacted by previous shutdowns, including:

  • Monuments and national parks
  • Federal museums
  • Federal projects for research
  • Processing of a number of government benefits
  • IRS Taxpayer Services

What services are still in use?

Numerous essential government functions are still in operation even during a shutdown. Some continue because they are deemed necessary for public safety and welfare, while others are funded through self-sustaining or mandatory programs. Examples include:

  • Medicare and Social Security benefits
  • Federal law enforcement and the military
  • US Postal Service
  • Air traffic control
  • US Passport Agency

Keith Urban’s ugliest Nicole Kidman moments from ‘cocaine clause to public dig’

By in Entertainment News, News

After 19 years of marriage, Nicole Kidman and country singer Keith Urban split, but their relationship has endured struggles, from Keith’s drinking to a brutal blow.

The actress Nicole Kidman and country music duo Keith Urban are divorcing after 19 years of marriage, the showbiz industry learned earlier this week. When it came to their PDA moments, the couple looked flawless, but they also experienced some turbulent times away from the red carpet.

After three months of living apart, Nicole, 58, and her husband, 57, filed for divorce on Tuesday (September 30). However, Keith, who has two daughters, Faith, 13, and Sunday, 15, allegedly initiated their separation and reportedly eluded their Nashville home.

Insiders claim the split was “inevitable” and initially it appeared that things would move forward smoothly and amicably. However, fresh revelations have since surfaced, claiming that Nicole was ‘blindsided’. Here, The Mirror takes a look at what went wrong for one of Hollywood’s most devoted couples…

READ MORE: Keith Urban changes lyrics of Nicole Kidman song to include female guitarist amid divorceREAD MORE: Telling signs Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s split is turning ugly – girlfriend to custody

battles involving alcohol and drugs

Their relationship was shattered by Keith’s struggle with drug and alcohol abuse just four months after they tied the knot in 2006. He admitted during his speech at Nicole’s AFI Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony that “we got married in 2006, and we barely four months into our marriage, the addictions that I had done nothing about blew our marriage to pieces.

I’m in rehab for three months after we got married, and I have no idea what would happen. Nic chose love, he continued, going beyond any unfavorable voices, and I’m sure even some of her own.

His newlywed wife, who was employed in Rome at the time, was forced to intervene to encourage him to become sober. Keith claimed in a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone that he would have understood if Nicole had left him.

He admitted, “It was very, very fortunate for Nic to intervene on me.” He continued, “My new marriage exploded because of my behavior.”

He acknowledged that “she really should have just walked” in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. He continued, “She made a decision to turn around and initiate this intervention in the end, and I’m just so glad she didn’t.”

He later wrote in a statement about how hurt Nicole and those who love and support me have been caused by this. I’m afraid that I have let my guard down when it comes to recovery.

Keith recently made an intriguing comparison to “audible heroin” when listening to Ariana Grande’s new song, “We Can’t Be Friends.” Although it was widely regarded as a lighthearted statement, it allegedly struck a chord with his wife Nicole because it brought their “very dark time back” when they almost split up.

An insider told Woman’s Day magazine that Nicole never wanted to ask him to remove a post, but she was disappointed. The couple “went through hell because of Keith’s addictions,” according to the source.

Cocaine “clause”

According to reports, the couple put in place a “cocaine” clause that would allow Keith to make around £444,000 ($600,000) for every year he married if he stayed sober. Since the clause alone, he is thought to have been sober since 2006, which would increase his earnings by more than £8 million ($11 million) to $11.

In front of pals, “Called out”

According to reports, Keith allegedly called out to their friend about their relationship after feeling “unhappy.” They are simply going through the motions of being married, they say. “The intimacy isn’t there. It would be wonderful if Keith and Keith got back together after this separation, according to a source close to the Daily Mail.

Another source claimed to the Times that this was “allegedly in the presence of friends.” She was “blinded,” they continued, “but we will see how things turn during the holiday season and his upcoming birthday] next month.” They still need some work.

Rumors about new romances

Keith has already found love elsewhere, according to US insiders. One person stated, “Kie is with another woman, and all the signs point to that.” Let’s just say that Nicole is shocked by it even though she doesn’t dispute that.

Continue reading the article.

According to a source, Nicole’s new girlfriend is “younger” than Nicole, and “everyone is talking about it.” According to rumors, he is working with a younger woman in the company. Everyone is talking about it all at once. Everyone wants to know who, but so far, it’s a mystery.

altered the lyrics

In response to rumors about a new love interest, Keith has updated the lyrics to a romantic song about Nicole with Maggie Baugh as the name of her. Keith changed the lyrics to “Baby I’ll be your fighter” from “Maggie, I’ll be your guitar player,” according to a clip that was released online shortly after he performed “The Fighter” at a recent performance.