Former Member of the House of Representatives, Nkoyo Toyo, has identified the lack of employment opportunities as the main driver behind the Japa syndrome in Nigeria.
“Japa syndrome” is a popular Nigerian expression referring to the growing trend of mass emigration, especially among young professionals, graduates, and skilled workers who are leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
“The lack of work is a major crisis and this is the most driving force of Nigerians going on Japa”, Toyo said on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday.
“It is the most driving force of Nigerians going on Japa. You know, people are leaving the country wanting to seek better fortunes outside the country”, she added.
Toyo, who once represented the Calabar-Odukpani Federal Constituency of Cross River State, noted that in the 1980s, students would often get jobs immediately after graduating from university — a stark contrast to the current situation.
“When we graduated from the university back in the early 80s, we left straight from the university and we got jobs. But today, you can tell very easily that the lack of work is a major crisis”, she said.
READ ALSO:  , Strongman Politics Will Lead Nigeria To Its Doom, Says Uwazuruike
She further lamented that Nigerians who relocate abroad often face various forms of indignity.
“In those countries they go to, they are being subjected to all sorts of indignity, which we see in South Africa and in different parts of the world”, she said.
The former lawmaker also pointed out that many Nigerians are tired of repeated promises and being told to “wait”, stressing that what people truly want is a country that works for them.
“Nigerians are tired of being told that they should wait, they should give us time, they should also look at the future and the prospect that this comes with.
Actor William Shatner has addressed his health following reports that he had been rushed to hospital this week. The Star Trek star was thought to have experienced a ‘medical emergency’ involving his blood sugar levels recently.
William, 94, best known for his role as Captain James T. Kirk in the franchise, was said to have been taken to hospital after falling ill at home. He’s posted a message for fans on Instagram in which he shared an update on his health.
He told his followers in the caption of his post, which was uploaded earlier this afternoon: “I over indulged.” William went on to say as part of his message on the platform today: “I thank you all for caring but I’m perfectly fine.”
William Shatner has shared an update with fans ( Getty Images)
The post also included a photo of William that’s understood to show him in character as Mark Twain. He portrayed the late writer in an episode of Murdoch Mysteries, broadcast on CBC in Canada, where the show originates, in 2016.
Text over the photo from the episode seemingly referenced a similar quote that is often attributed to Mark, whose novels include the Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876). It read: “Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated!”
William’s post was met with supportive messages from fans, who shared their relief over the update from the Emmy award winner. One wrote in the comments section of his post on the platform earlier today: “I’m happy you are ok!”
Another said in their response to the news: “I’m glad you’re okay, I almost started crying.” A third said: “Thank goodness for that.” Someone else said: “I am so relieved that you are ok. Stay well, take really good care of yourself.”
He’s posted about his health following reports that he ended up in hospital recently ( Instagram/williamshatner)
Another fan wrote in a message to William following the update from him: “Sending healing vibes to you.” And sharing their thoughts, one person commented: “Great news!” They continued by writing: “Glad to hear you’re okay.”
William has spoken about his health over the years. He’s also discussed his mortality, with the actor having once shared his thoughts whilst promoting his documentary You Can Call Me Bill, which was released back in 2023.
He told Variety that year: “I’ve turned down a lot of offers to do documentaries before. But I don’t have long to live. Whether I keel over as I’m speaking to you or 10 years from now, my time is limited, so that’s very much a factor.”
William added in the interview with the outlet that he has grandchildren now too. He described the documentary, which he narrated, as a way of “reaching out” after he dies.
Asked about his legacy, William suggested at the time that people often aren’t remembered long term. He however said that “good deeds” live on as such an act “reverberates to the end of time”.
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The Scottish singer claims she was in awe of the music legend but had to cut him off because he had taken some drugs.
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Lulu lifts the lid on her wild romance with icon David Bowie(Image: Getty Images)
Lulu has shared intimate details of her affair with David Bowie for the first time – saying it was “deeper than sex”. The Shout singer had a romance with the Starman icon in the 1970s after meeting at a hotel in Sheffield.
Detailing her first night of passion with the Ziggy Stardust legend, Lulu said her memory is a bit hazy due to being a bit tipsy. “You know what, I have never said ‘Yes, I had sex with David Bowie’ until now,” she coughed. “This is the first time I’ve said it because I’ve always chose not to speak about it.
It was private, they said. And I think I was a little upset if I’m completely honest, which I have done. I don’t recall anything at all. I can’t remember the details, but I wouldn’t say that he got me there and that we performed the acts in his room, which is okay because I can’t remember them. I do have limitations. I’m developing my own boundaries.
She continued, “But the point is, I did, and it was a fantastic experience to be in his orbit.” He gave me a special treat.
Scottish singer Lulu – famous for hits like To Sir With Love and Relight My Fire with Take That – enjoyed a fling with Bowie in the mid 70s, while he was married to wife Angie. She said he was extremely supportive of her career and recalled how he gave valuable advice on what musical direction she should go in.
She recalls that “he was the coolest dude on the block.” He promised to record me. I entered my hotel room as soon as I returned to my room that night. a phone rang He was it. I had just abandoned him. And the message was, “We’re going to do this.” Oh my God, I believe he is serious, I thought to myself. “
She asserts that their attraction wasn’t just about sex. Lulu said, “I’m only looking to be loved and to give love.” And I don’t mean that I want sex, either. There is much more to it than that. And we all shared that. He seemed to be watching me.
Lulu famously covered David Bowie’s song “The Man Who Sold the World” in 1974. Bowie wrote the song, played backing vocals, and sax. Although Lulu also made his albums Can You Hear Me and Dodo, they were never made public. Lulu, who described Bowie as a “chameleon,” said he wanted to alter how she looked, which led to a confrontation.
He leaped forward to me while we were sitting, and she said, “I think you could lose a little weight,” he said. I was overcome. Because I don’t believe I’m fat, but you’re right, he was emaciated, and I believe he really wanted to redesign me so that he could make the best use of me.
Ultimately she cut ties with him because he wasn’t good for her. Speaking to Fearne Cotton on her Happy Place podcast, she said: “I would have loved it to have continued, but you know, when I then went to New York to do the next lot of recordings, David was not in a place that I felt comfortable with because he was doing a lot of drugs.
“I was a lot of fun. Because I decided to return to London, the conversation didn’t go any further than that. I’m not at ease. And you decide whether or not to remove yourself, politely or not. I did that with Bowie, too.
He obviously assumed that I was angry with him. I wasn’t angry with him, even though I was, well, frustrated. I mean, I adored him and adored his talent. However, I argued, “You can’t just sit around here.”
Bowie died in 2016, aged 69. Lulu was married to Bee Gees star Maurice Gibb in 1969 and divorced four years later. Lulu later had one son, Jordan Frieda, with her second husband, celebrity hairstylist John Frieda. She later said she struggles to find a man because of the heartbreak of her past relationships.
Last week Lulu admitted she had been struggling with her own addiction problems, revealing she was an alcoholic. She explained how she’d developed a drinking problem in her 60s, turning to wine as she coped with menopause, losing her parents, and seeing her children leave home. Speaking about it was “liberating”, said Lulu.
Continue reading the article.
On Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, you can listen to the entire interview.
Paul Speak, the manager of Ricky Hatton, has openly discussed the day he discovered the 46-year-old boxer dead at home.
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Ricky Hatton’s body was found by his manager(Image: BANG Showbiz)
Ricky Hatton’s manager, Paul Speak, has spoken of his “shock and confusion” upon discovering the lifeless body of the former world champion boxer. Paul, who had worked with Ricky for nearly three decades, found his friend dead at his home in Greater Manchester earlier this month.
He has now opened up about the wave of emotions that hit him as he processed the scene before him. Speaking to Boxing News magazine, Paul, who had gone to Ricky’s home to take him to the airport for a flight to Dubai, said: “The lights weren’t on, which I thought was strange.
He overslept, I thought, but that’s not typical. Oversleeping is common. I went inside and yelled, “Rick, Rick, wake up! ” while holding a key. ‘”.
READ MORE: Coleen Rooney breaks cover after Wayne’s bombshell alcoholism admissionREAD MORE: Claire Sweeney returns to work after death of ‘cherished’ ex Ricky Hatton
I listened to music coming from the upstairs, so I went upstairs. I observed him. It took some time for me to process it. I was overcome with shock, confusion, loss, and many other emotions. Then I called the ambulance and the police.
Paul reaffirmed his conviction that the sports legend had no intention of doing it, saying that he had everything to live for. He claimed that Ricky had been making numerous plans and was “in a really good place” prior to his 46th birthday.
“He’d arranged to take his daughters to see Oasis next week,” he said. “He was planning to go to Thailand for the WBC convention and a holiday after his fight. He’d just booked a flight to Tenerife for Christmas.
Paul stated that he was speaking out to prevent wrong speculation from being said. He claimed that there had been “a lot of rubbish,” especially regarding rumors involving Ricky’s parents.
He claimed that the boxer shared a warm embrace with his mother a week prior. He added that he had a plan to travel to Dubai with his father in the future.
Ricky told his daughters that when they first saw him box, Ricky was “in a really good place” and that he was excited for them.
Paul admitted that his mate’s passing wouldn’t have been “as big a shock” if it had happened ten years earlier than Ricky had previously revealed openly about his mental health struggles. He described how Ricky and he had always been together during both of their highest and lowest points.
Ricky’s death sent shockwaves across the world earlier this month. With celebrities and pals all sharing heartbreaking memories of the star, pal Kerry Katona recently spoke about her regret that keeps replaying in her head.
Continue reading the article.
Writing in her weekly New! Kerry, a columnist for The New York Times, described a conversation she had had with Ricky over the summer while they were both on Ibiza. She admits to turning him down when he asked her to meet him, though. When I learned about Ricky Hatton’s passing, it really shook me. She referred to him as a “great friend.”
He asked me to meet up twice while I was in Ibiza recently, but I declined because I didn’t want to leave and just wanted to chill, but now that is what I’m thinking.
And so after weeks of heavy criticism from current and former players, Scottish Rugby has presented its vision of the future of the women’s game.
The SRU has accepted the criticism that was directed at it this past year after players discovered that their contracts were not being renewed and that their professional careers were possibly over before the World Cup.
The contractual arrangement, according to Captain Rachel Malcolm, was “unfair” and “distraction” that “made my job harder.”
Veteran Jade Konkel said the team made the World Cup quarter-final “through no help of the SRU”.
She and others demanded more respect from Murrayfield’s powerful, who have abused their supporters.
Bottom line: The announcement of 28 full-time one-year professional contracts (up one from last time) and seven development contracts (up four from last time) came on Thursday.
Of the World Cup squad, 22 of the 32 will get a new deal. Three have retired.
A further 15 players will be able to access a new high-performance program that will be offered at Oriam in Edinburgh, where the national men’s team trains.
What are their intentions?
In the end, the SRU wants to bring their players from England to Glasgow and Edinburgh via a so-called “progressive” infrastructure.
Right now, they’re miles off it.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are part-players in the modest Celtic Challenge competition, which they participate in.
Edinburgh and Glasgow both won out of ten of the most recent competition. The Scots finished bottom and second bottom of the six-team league.
Good luck attempting to reunite Francesca McGhie with that.
It is aware of the magnitude of the issue, in all respects to the SRU. The question is whether its solutions have heft behind them or whether they’re just glorified PR.
In the upcoming months, the union will appoint a national team coach and two assistant coaches. These three will also be coaching Glasgow and Edinburgh in addition to overseeing the national team and the Oriam performance unit.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
A new head of pathways and a new managing director for the women’s game will also be hired. These positions were previously unattainable. Steps forward, for sure.
Every professional Scottish player will be closely watching that situation closely over the next few weeks as appointments are expected to be made.
Gemma Fay, the SRU’s head of women’s and girl’s strategy, is rumored to be interested in taking the pathways position. If that happens, you’d give more than a penny for the thoughts of the current squad. Fay has her critics, to put it another way.
Williamson cited a number of excellent candidates, both internal and external.
“We’re looking to materially strengthen the support we provide players in Scotland and build an infrastructure that enables not only our senior but also our young, talented players to progress in the country.
In summary, we are providing more financial support to players who are starting out in the industry.
Nucifora stated that the women’s performance program will include a mix of sports psychology, physiology, performance analysis, nutrition, and medical science.
” The aim will be to accelerate the development of these players as quickly as we can to let them reach their potential as fast as possible, “he added.
“Women’s rugby in Scotland is at an exciting time.” I predict that more players will begin to discuss returning to play rugby in Scotland.
Scotland’s ceiling has it reached?
There was not a lot of detail on the financial side.
What will the total cost be? No details were provided. Instead there was just a commitment to spend more than they’ve previously spent on the women’s game.
Williamson remarked, “I can’t give you the specifics,” adding that he would soon provide some clarity regarding the figures.
But there is a question. Given how small the game is in Scotland, is a World Cup quarter-final the ceiling?
A devil’s advocate might argue that Scotland’s women’s rugby could be pumped into the sport for so much money without doing much better than Scotland’s sixth-place finish in the world rankings.
Fifth is attainable. Breaking into the top four looks a mile off. It’s a fascinating debate between reality and reality.
27 players from Scotland’s World Cup squad, most of them from England’s PWR, were in the squad. The other five were based at home.
There will soon be 17 contracts offered to players who play outside the country, so there is a problem with this.
Alex Williamson on BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast
Listen on Sounds
The English-based players who are not contracted may now have to return to work to support themselves. Some will not have the financial freedom to spend the same amount of time on bettering themselves as rugby players, so the fear is that Scotland may lose some international players.
There is a concern that the new Scotland coach will have a fairly small pool of candidates to choose from among the 29 players who played in the previous Six Nations.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are now even more important because of all of this. All of a sudden, they are getting 11 full-time pros and seven development players. a significant increase
Williamson referred to the Celtic Challenge as “on an upward trajectory.” That’s a hard case to argue given how poorly the Scottish teams have done.
He said, “We believe in that program.” We think the WXV’s opportunities are fantastic because they give players a great chance to play high-quality rugby and develop quickly.
“Over this four-year cycle, we will see an increased investment with a view that the Celtic challenge will hopefully grow to the extent that the British and Irish League is a natural consequence”.
A “natural consequence” is an enormous stretch. Scotland still has a long way to go before their teams are ready to join any potential British and Irish League. As do the Irish and Welsh. If it ever occurs, it will take years.
“I’m very confident that if you were to bring the home unions into the room, there would be a consensus that a consolidated league would be the best outcome, from a commercial standpoint,” Williamson said.
That’s highly debatable given that English women’s club rugby really has no need to import new clubs from outside.
Why haven’t the players been given names?
You might have assumed that Thursday would serve as a chance to reveal the names of the chosen ones given the abuse the SRU has received.
There’d be lots of good stories there. Former players re-contracted, some given a chance, and some recruited by youngsters.
No names were given.
“We absolutely will]provide the names]”, said Williamson. We don’t hide from that, they say.
“We’re going to talk about the evolution of the women’s game, the fact that we’re bringing back the game, and setting up the high-performance environment for the first time,” said the president.
“Then, over the next few weeks, we will talk about the players, the management team, the new head coach and everything else that goes alongside that”.
It might have been wise to name the recipients of the 28 full-time and seven development contracts and have a number of them discuss the realization of a dream.
The SRU is aware of what must be done and has not been lying on its own.
And so after weeks of heavy criticism from current and former players, Scottish Rugby has presented its vision of the future of the women’s game.
The SRU has accepted the criticism that was directed at it this past year after players discovered that their contracts were not being renewed and that their professional careers were possibly over before the World Cup.
The contractual arrangement, according to Captain Rachel Malcolm, was “unfair” and “distraction” that “made my job harder.”
Veteran Jade Konkel said the team made the World Cup quarter-final “through no help of the SRU”.
She and others demanded more respect from Murrayfield’s powerful, who have abused their supporters.
Bottom line: The announcement of 28 full-time one-year professional contracts (up one from last time) and seven development contracts (up four from last time) came on Thursday.
Of the World Cup squad, 22 of the 32 will get a new deal. Three have retired.
A further 15 players will be able to access a new high-performance program that will be offered at Oriam in Edinburgh, where the national men’s team trains.
What are their intentions?
In the end, the SRU wants to bring their players from England to Glasgow and Edinburgh via a so-called “progressive” infrastructure.
Right now, they’re miles off it.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are part-players in the modest Celtic Challenge competition, which they participate in.
Edinburgh and Glasgow both won out of ten of the most recent competition. The Scots finished bottom and second bottom of the six-team league.
Good luck attempting to reunite Francesca McGhie with that.
It is aware of the magnitude of the issue, in all respects to the SRU. The question is whether its solutions have heft behind them or whether they’re just glorified PR.
In the upcoming months, the union will appoint a national team coach and two assistant coaches. These three will also be coaching Glasgow and Edinburgh in addition to overseeing the national team and the Oriam performance unit.
JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to play this video.
A new head of pathways and a new managing director for the women’s game will also be hired. These positions were previously unattainable. Steps forward, for sure.
Every professional Scottish player will be closely watching that situation closely over the next few weeks as appointments are expected to be made.
Gemma Fay, the SRU’s head of women’s and girl’s strategy, is rumored to be interested in taking the pathways position. If that happens, you’d give more than a penny for the thoughts of the current squad. Fay has her critics, to put it another way.
Williamson cited a number of excellent candidates, both internal and external.
“We’re looking to materially strengthen the support we provide players in Scotland and build an infrastructure that enables not only our senior but also our young, talented players to progress in the country.
In summary, we are providing more financial support to players who are starting out in the industry.
Nucifora stated that the women’s performance program will include a mix of sports psychology, physiology, performance analysis, nutrition, and medical science.
” The aim will be to accelerate the development of these players as quickly as we can to let them reach their potential as fast as possible, “he added.
“Women’s rugby in Scotland is at an exciting time.” I predict that more players will begin to discuss returning to play rugby in Scotland.
Scotland’s ceiling has it reached?
There was not a lot of detail on the financial side.
What will the total cost be? No details were provided. Instead there was just a commitment to spend more than they’ve previously spent on the women’s game.
Williamson remarked, “I can’t give you the specifics,” adding that he would soon provide some clarity regarding the figures.
But there is a question. Given how small the game is in Scotland, is a World Cup quarter-final the ceiling?
A devil’s advocate might argue that Scotland’s women’s rugby could be pumped into the sport for so much money without doing much better than Scotland’s sixth-place finish in the world rankings.
Fifth is attainable. Breaking into the top four looks a mile off. It’s a fascinating debate between reality and reality.
27 players from Scotland’s World Cup squad, most of them from England’s PWR, were in the squad. The other five were based at home.
There will soon be 17 contracts offered to players who play outside the country, so there is a problem with this.
Alex Williamson on BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast
Listen on Sounds
The English-based players who are not contracted may now have to return to work to support themselves. Some will not have the financial freedom to spend the same amount of time on bettering themselves as rugby players, so the fear is that Scotland may lose some international players.
There is a concern that the new Scotland coach will have a fairly small pool of candidates to choose from among the 29 players who played in the previous Six Nations.
Glasgow and Edinburgh are now even more important because of all of this. All of a sudden, they are getting 11 full-time pros and seven development players. a significant increase
Williamson referred to the Celtic Challenge as “on an upward trajectory.” That’s a hard case to argue given how poorly the Scottish teams have done.
He said, “We believe in that program.” We think the WXV’s opportunities are fantastic because they give players a great chance to play high-quality rugby and develop quickly.
“Over this four-year cycle, we will see an increased investment with a view that the Celtic challenge will hopefully grow to the extent that the British and Irish League is a natural consequence”.
A “natural consequence” is an enormous stretch. Scotland still has a long way to go before their teams are ready to join any potential British and Irish League. As do the Irish and Welsh. If it ever occurs, it will take years.
“I’m very confident that if you were to bring the home unions into the room, there would be a consensus that a consolidated league would be the best outcome, from a commercial standpoint,” Williamson said.
That’s highly debatable given that English women’s club rugby really has no need to import new clubs from outside.
Why haven’t the players been given names?
You might have assumed that Thursday would serve as a chance to reveal the names of the chosen ones given the abuse the SRU has received.
There’d be lots of good stories there. Former players re-contracted, some given a chance, and some recruited by youngsters.
No names were given.
“We absolutely will]provide the names]”, said Williamson. We don’t hide from that, they say.
“We’re going to talk about the evolution of the women’s game, the fact that we’re bringing back the game, and setting up the high-performance environment for the first time,” said the president.
“Then, over the next few weeks, we will talk about the players, the management team, the new head coach and everything else that goes alongside that”.
It might have been wise to name the recipients of the 28 full-time and seven development contracts and have a number of them discuss the realization of a dream.
The SRU is aware of what must be done and has not been lying on its own.
