Jack Ma Absent From Public View For Two Months After Criticizing China

Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s absence from public view in the past two months, including missing the final episode of a TV show on which he was to appear as a judge, has fueled social media speculation over his whereabouts amid a Chinese regulatory clampdown on his sprawling business empire.

China’s highest-profile entrepreneur has not appeared in a public setting since a late October forum in Shanghai where he blasted China’s regulatory system in a speech that put him on a collision course with officials, resulting in the suspension of a $37 billion IPO of Alibaba’s Ant Group fintech arm.

The Financial Times reported on Friday that Ma was replaced as a judge in the final episode in November of a game show for entrepreneurs called Africa’s Business Heroes.

 

 

An Alibaba spokeswoman told Reuters on Monday that the change was due to a scheduling conflict, declining further comment.

While news coverage of Ma’s absence from public view triggered speculation on Twitter, which is blocked in China, it was not a significant trending topic on social media in mainland China, where sensitive topics are subject to censorship.

Chinese regulators have zeroed in on Ma’s businesses since his October speech including launching an antitrust probe into Alibaba and ordering Ant to shake up its lending and other consumer finance businesses including the creation of a separate holding company to meet capital requirements.

“I think he’s been told to lay low,” said Duncan Clark, chairman of Beijing-based tech consultancy BDA China. “This is a pretty unique situation, more linked to the sheer scale of Ant and the sensitivities over financial regulation,” he said.

Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares fell 2.15% on Monday.

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Nigeria Has No Plan of Imposing Fresh Lockdown – Lai Mohammed Says

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that the federal government has no plans of imposing a fresh lockdown as the country battles a second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Minister said this at a press conference in Lagos, where he expressed the federal government’s displeasure over non-adherence to all protocols outlined by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

Lai Mohammed said;

“I don’t think there is any time when the Federal Government has said it is going to have a second lockdown. However, the Federal Government is very unhappy that Nigerians are not adhering to the basic Covid-19 protocols of wearing face masks or practising social distancing, of washing hands, of ensuring that they don’t gather in large numbers

“If we do not do these, the surge will continue and with the new strain of Covid-19 which is becoming much more difficult to handle than the old strain, the Federal Government will continue to insist and encourage Nigerians to please obey the Covid-19 protocols.

“The Federal Government is aware of the economic and social implications of a second lockdown but we want to call on Nigerians to help us, help themselves and help the economy, by adhering strictly to the Covid-19 protocols”.

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Lagos State Announces January 18 Resumption Date For Schools

The Lagos State Government has announced January 18, 2021, as the approved date for resumption of academic activities in private and public schools in the state for the second term of 2020/21 academic session.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, announced this in a statement released today January 4.

In the statement which was signed by the Head, Public Affairs, Ministry of Education, Kayode Abayomi, Adefisayo asked schools to make virtual learning available for sick or willing students. She said this was in line with the Federal Government’s directive coupled with the second wave of the COVID19 Pandemic.

“All public and private schools below the tertiary level in Lagos State should be reopened for the second term 2020/21 academic session from Monday, 18th of January, 2021.

Schools should have flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick can teach or learn from home via available online platforms. Schools should also strive to avoid any COVID-19 infection among all students and staff” the statement in part reads

She appealed to the management of all schools to adhere to all outlined COVID-19 requirements for the resumption of schools.

“Not just for the improvement of overall school operations but for the safe reopening of academic activities to support the Lagos State Government’s quest for a full return.”she added.

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[Music] Kcee – Cultural Praise (Volume 2) Ft. Okwesili Eze Group

Kcee Cultural Praise Volume 2 Ft Okwesili Eze Group mp3 download.

Nigerian music star, Kcee comes through with a spanking new second part to his single tagged “Cultural Praise” and we totally love this one. As he featured Okwesili Eze Group.

We totally enjoy the vibe and energy on this new one and think it’s a potential hit.

Download and Enjoy Kcee – Cultural Praise (Volume 2) Ft. Okwesili Eze Group below;

DOWNLOAD MP3: Kcee – Cultural Praise (Volume 2) Ft. Okwesili Eze Group

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[Mixtape] DJ 4Kerty – Tule Mixtape

DJ 4Kerty Tule Mixtape mp3 download.

DJ 4kerty comes through with another amazing mixtape for the streets and this one is tagged “Tule” mixtape.

The lovely new mixtape is inspired by Davido’s Tule Jare rant, which went viral on social media a few days ago.

Download and Enjoy DJ 4Kerty – Tule Mixtape below;

DOWNLOAD MP3: DJ 4Kerty – Tule Mixtape

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RCCG Prophecies For 2021 By Pastor E. A. Adeboye

RCCG Prophecies for 2021 by Pastor E. A. Adeboye

Prophecies for 2021
International Scene
1. Some of the things that happened in 2020 will spill over into 2021.

2. The world as a whole can only come out of the wounds when they admit the following;

1) That it is the Most High that rules in the affairs of men not science. Daniel 4:25.

2) That it is God that gives wisdom to the wise. Daniel 2:20-21.

3) That God can reduce the so called wisdom of man to foolishness. 1 Corinthians 1:19-20. 4)

4) That for every vaccine discovered, there is already a variant in the making. This will continue until the high and mighty admit that safety is of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31.

5) God says He will begin to deal with nations on individual basis so that in any nation, if God’s people will humble themselves and pray, He will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Nigeria
1. God wants us in Nigeria to know that only God can lift a siege. 2 Kings 7:1-end

2. The humble who put their trust in God will see the end of the siege. James 4:6

3. The erstwhile ignored will become vessels unto honour in God’s hands. 1 Corinthians 1:27

4. God says there will be sounds from heaven.

RCCG
Your pastors will let you know in your various parishes.

Individuals
1. Your very survival and restoration will be in your own hands. Psalm 91

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[Music] Youngdudetizzy – Adura (Prod. By Peepee)

Youngdudetizzy Adura Prod By Peepee mp3 download.

Fast rising Nigeria Entertainment act, Youngdudetizzy starts the new year 2021 with a brand new single titled “Adura“.

The new entry serves as his first song of the year 2021.

In conclusion, the song “Adura“ had production from Peepee himself.

Download and Enjoy Youngdudetizzy – Adura below;

DOWNLOAD MP3: Youngdudetizzy – Adura (Prod. By Peepee)

What do you think about this song?

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I Used to Save My Lunch Money and Borrow Just to Watch Manchester United Play - Odion Ighalo Reveals

Manchester United and Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo has spoken of how his love for the Red Devils began.

With just a month left for his contract to expire at Manchester United, Odion Ighalo has spoken to the club’s website, reminiscing how he used to save part of his lunch money many years ago to watch Manchester United’s games at viewing centres in his hometown of Nigeria.

Ighalo, 31-year-old joined Manchester United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020, a deal which will see him stay at the club until the end of January 2021.

Born in Ajegunle, Lagos to a poor Edo family, the striker has described how he managed to watch Manchester United’s weekend games back then.

“I grew up in an area where everyone watched Premier League football. You either supported Manchester United or Arsenal or Chelsea back then,” Ighalo told the club website.

“In my house, my brothers, my late sister, they supported Manchester United. I was very young and I didn’t know a lot about football, so when they went to watch the game they would come back and you would see they would be arguing.

“When I grew up, my brother started taking me to the viewing centre to watch Manchester United. That’s how I fell in love with the team, watching Manchester United playing week in, week out“It’s a very small place, you would have maybe 100 people, it was very tight and that. “But they don’t care, they just want to watch the football.

“You see people who will pull a stool and stand at the back. On a small chair like this. They don’t care about the inconvenience, they just want to watch their team playing and doing well.”

Ighalo, who has played just nine minutes of Premier League football this season, said he cried when the Red Devils lost games after spending his lunch money to watch them.

He continued: “I had to save money. Before you go to school, my mum would leave me some money if I wanted to eat lunch. From Monday I was saving my money because I wanted to watch Manchester United.

“I split it in two. Even though I would use part of the money for lunch, I would save some of the money because the weekend is coming. Sometimes you would be feeling hungry because you don’t eat properly, but you don’t want to miss the game at the weekend.

“You don’t want someone to tell you how Manchester United played, how they scored. You want to see it yourself. It’s that passion. You start saving money until the weekend.

“After Friday when school is done, you see everyone get happy. They get their Manchester United shirt, their Arsenal shirt; you wash it and dry it. Everyone’s getting set for the weekend. It’s like a celebration, like you’re at a party.

“If Manchester United are playing on a Saturday, you have to pull on your Manchester United shirt and go to the viewing centre looking smart. When the game started, sometimes it would be so hot because there was no air conditioning, then you have to take off your shirt and you’re fanning yourself.

“Then after the viewing centre, at the end of the game we’re arguing about the match from the viewing centre to our home. Sometimes I cry if Manchester United lose a game. You cry because you come home and see people arguing and saying bad things to you. Sometimes I shed tears because you don’t want your team to lose. That’s how crazy it was back then.”.

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Stop Blaming God For Nigeria’s Woes — Obasanjo To Nigerians

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has charged Nigerians to desisted from blaming God for the current state of the nation.

Speaking on Tuesday, December 29 in Ogun State, Obasanjo said, “I like the motto of a school which says ‘work and pray.’ Some people say it should be ‘pray and work’, but it doesn’t matter to me what order I put it, but prayer must go with work and work must go with prayer.

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Man Expresses Worry as Davido Allegedly Gets Into Another Violent Fight in Ghana

Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido has reportedly gotten into another fight barely two days after he fought with fellow singer, Burna Boy at a club in Ghana. Although the details of the event is still shady, it was alleged that the duo exchanged blows and Davido was whisked out of the club.

In a new video, which was shared on Instagram by a fan identified as Kingelvinho, the singer was seen fighting as eye witnesses tried to separate.

Sharing the video, Kingelvinho wrote;

“Honestly this attitude of Davido is getting out of hand. Your show yesterday was wack. All you do is fight everywhere you go, this nigga is just chasing clout”.

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Man United 1-0 Wolves: Rashford to The Rescue as United End 2020 in Second Spot

Manchester United go into the new year in second place in the Premier League thanks to a sensational late win against Wolves from a Marcus Rashford strike on Tuesday night, December 29.

Ole Gunner Solkajaer made six changes from the Reds’ XI that started the 2-2 draw at Leicester City, four days ago.

It had been a frustrating night for the Reds but the club’s never-say-die attitude helped change the outcome of the match in added-time.

Wolves made four changes from the team that started their last match and tested David De Gea who made three saves from Pedro Neto, Vitinha and Ruben Neves inside the first 15 minutes.

In the 34th minute, Mason Greenwood created the best chance of the half as he lofted a delivery to the far post. Bruno Fernandes connected with the cross but Wolves keeper Rui Patricio saved from point-blank range.

It was De Gea who was back in action next when Saiss flicked on a 39th-minute free-kick from Neto but De Gea came in useful again.

Seeing that his squad needed more depth going forward, Solkajaer made a halftime change bringing in Luke Shaw for Alex Telles.

United struggled to create any danger to the visitors in the opening minutes of the second half and, after 64 minutes, the manager decided to substituteMason Greenwood for Anthony Martial.

After 69 minutes, Edinson Cavani put the ball in the net but was ruled offside immediately and the assistant-referee’s decision was confirmed by VAR.

Paul Pogba managed to get a shot off after 75 minutes but it was saved well by keeper Patricio and Martial followed up with a chance from distance but it flew high.

As the fourth-official signalled five added minutes, Rashford found himself in the box after a wonderful cross from talisman Bruno Fernandes and his shot took a deflection off defender Saiss.

The goal earned United their last win of the year which shoots them to second on the table, just two points below table toppers Liverpool.

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President Muhammadu Buhari Bars CBN From Giving Money to Food Importers

President Buhari has once again instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) not to provide foreign exchange for the importation of food items. 

The President gave the directive at the fifth regular meeting with the presidential economic advisory council that held at the statehouse in Abuja today December 29.

A statement released by Garba Shehu, the president’s senior special assistant on media and publicity, quoted President Buhari as saying Nigerians must eat what is produced here.

“The CBN must not give money to import food. Already, about seven states are producing all the rice we need. We must eat what we produce. Going back to the land is the way out. We depend on petrol at the expense of agriculture. Now the oil industry is in turmoil. We are being squeezed to produce at 1.5 million barrels a day as against a capacity to produce 2.3 million. At the same time, the technical cost of our production per barrel is high, compared to the Middle East production.

We will continue to encourage our people to go back to the land. Our elite is indoctrinated in the idea that we are rich in oil, leaving the land for the city for oil riches.

We are back to the land now. We must not lose the opportunity to make life easier for our people. Imagine what would have happened if we didn’t encourage agriculture and closed the borders. We would have been in trouble.”he said

This is the third time that the President would issue CBN the directive not to give food importers foreign exchange. The first time was in August 2019 and again in September 2020.

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WHO Says COVID-19 Vaccination Is No Guarantee Of Virus Eradication And Warns Of Another Pandemic

The World Health Organisation, WHO, has said COVID-19 vaccination is no guarantee that the virus would be eradicated. 

WHO’s Head of Emergencies Programme, Mike Ryan, states this during a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ryan also warned that there might be a chance of another pandemic, more serious pandemic spreading across the world, NAN reports.

“The next pandemic may be more severe; we need to get our act together because we live on a fragile planet, and in an increasingly complex society.
Let’s honour those we’ve lost by getting better at what we do,’’

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Reps Moves to Legalise Use and Sale of Cannabis in Nigeria

The House of Representatives has proposed a bill that will legalise the cultivation, sale and use of cannabis better known as marijuana or Indian hemp in Nigeria. 

The bill, which has already been read the first time and was slated for second reading before the House proceeded on Christmas and New Year break is sponsored by Hon. Miriam Onuoha (APC, Imo). 

Onuoha, who represents Isiala Mbano/ Onuimo/ Okigwe federal constituency of Imo State, is a firsttimer in the lower chamber after defeating her closest rival Obinna Onwubuariri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the rerun election that was held in 18 polling units in the constituency in January this year.

It is titled “A bill for an act to decriminalise the growth and use of cannabis, to establish a system for the registration and licensing of cannabis growers, users and control, to legalise the growth, sale and use of cannabis and set out a legal framework for the registration and licensing of cannabis growers and producers in Nigeria; and for related matters.”

Although the bill was listed on the order paper on December 21, it could not be debated due to the absence of the sponsors on the floor of the House. New Telegraph investigation revealed that the proposed legislation will be considered when the House reconvene on January 26, 2021. 

A synopsis of the bill obtained by New Telegraph shows that it is “to regulate the cultivation, possession, availability and trade in cannabis for medical and research purposes.”

The objectives of the bill include to: “Provide for a registration and licensing system for cannabis farmers and processors; establish a registration and licensing system for cannabis farmers and processors; regulate the cultivation, processing, availability and trade of cannabis for medical purposes and promote public awareness about the cultivation, processing, availability and trade of cannabis for medicinal and research purposes and its use in relation to medical or health purpose.”

The bill, however, prohibits issuance of cannabis licence for medical use if such a person is without a proof that “he is either a medical doctor and intends to use it for medical purposes or a pharmaceutical company who intends to use an amount of cannabis, which may be determined as required, in producing a medicine for the cure of a certain disease or an epidemic.” When this bill is passed, Nigeria will join the league of 30 other countries that have legalised the use of cannabis.

They include Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech, Denmark and Finland. Others are Germany, Greece, Israel, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Italy, Poland, Jamaica, Lesotho, Romania and Dan Marino. The rest are Luxemburg, Switzerland, Macedonia, Tury, Malta, Mexico, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.

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People Who Falsely Accuse Others of Sexual Assault Should Face Harsher Penalties – OAP Toolz Says

OAP Tolu Demuren aka Toolz, says it is time to ensure that people who falsely accuse others of sexual assault face harsher penalties. 

The mum of two says it is ”disgusting and downlight evil” to falsely accuse someone of such a crime. She shared her thoughts on her Twitter handle.

Her tweets read

”As someone who is deeply against sexual assault in any form, (in fact I would gladly vote for rapists to be castrated with no anaesthetic) I think its time to make sure people who falsely accuse others of sexual assault face harsher penalties.

Its disgusting and downright evil to falsely accuse someone of such a barbaric crime out of revenge or any other reason. Its also a huge slap in the face for real victims.

When these situations hit social media or the blogs, the noise after the initial accusation is so much louder than when the accusation is proven to be false. Unfortunately the aftermath of this is that you have an innocent person with an irreversibly damaged reputation.

How many blogs actually make sure they correct their initial story?

As a mum of 2 boys, who will be taught the importance of consent, I’ve thought about how damaging a false accusation could be for them (God forbid that ever happens) Lastly, should people be able to anonymously accuse someone of sexual assault?”.

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