President Trump set for June visit to UK

US President Donald Trump will make a state visit to the UK in early June, Buckingham Palace is expected to announce later.

The president was promised the visit by Prime Minister Theresa May after he was elected in 2016 but no date was set.

Downing Street did not comment on the matter when contacted.

President Trump and the First Lady, Melania, met the Queen at Windsor Castle when they came to the UK in July 2018 for a two-day working visit.

During the trip, the president also held talks with Mrs May at Chequers before heading to Scotland, where he owns the Turnberry golf course.

Last visit
The president’s last visit was marked by demonstrations around the UK.

In London, thousands of people took to the streets to voice their concerns.

And in Scotland, people showed their displeasure, both in Edinburgh and at Turnberry.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council estimated that the police operation for the president’s 2018 visit cost nearly £18m.

It said 10,000 officers from across the country were needed to cover the occasion.

The campaigners behind the 2018 protests, the Stop Trump coalition and Stand Up To Trump have vowed to mobilise “huge numbers” once again in response to the visit.

Commons Speaker John Bercow has previously said he would be “strongly opposed” to Mr Trump addressing the Houses of Parliament during a state visit.

A spokeswoman for the Speaker’s Office said a request to address Parliament would be “considered in the usual way,” but did not say whether a request had yet been received.

A state visit is a formal visit by a head of state and is normally at the invitation of the Queen, who acts on advice from the government.

National interest
State visits are grand occasions, but they are not just ceremonial affairs. They have political purpose and are used by the government of the day to further what it sees as Britain’s national interests.

Once the location and dates are confirmed, the government, the visiting government and the royal household will agree on a detailed schedule.

The Queen acts as the official host for the duration of the trip and visitors usually stay at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle.

There is usually a state banquet, and a visit to and speeches at the Houses of Parliament may be included. The Speaker of the House of Commons is one of three “key holders” to Westminster Hall, and as such, effectively holds a veto over who addresses Parliament.

The Queen usually receives one or two heads of state a year. She has hosted 109 state visits since becoming monarch in 1952.

The official website of the Queen and the Royal Family has a full list of all state visits since then, including details of how the ceremonies unfold.


Source: VON

"Drainage swallows our streams in Akwa Ibom state"

The Akwa Ibom multi-billion erosion project was aimed at tackling flooding. But our Correspondent, GODSWILL ODIONG , who moved from one village to another investigating, interviewing stakeholders and taking relevant photographs reports that it has turned around to kill almost all streams in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.
Consequently, the suffering people experienced untold hardship while Anyang Nsit, the deity is angry and homeless.

Many people in Akwa Ibom state were delighted when the former governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio mooted the idea to construct the Dominic Utuk Ravine outfall flood channel and erosion control project for some reasons.

First, the project was targeted at ending flooding in Uyo, the state capital. Many parts of Uyo, especially Idoro, Itam and Ikot Ekpene roads used to be highly flooded whenever it rained.

Second, the technology – the pipe jacking or micro-tunnelling – adopted for the project was also thought to be very suitable, particularly as it was expected to channel water into well lubricated pipelines buried 40 metres under the ground, passing through the discharge drain at Ekim Itam-Ikot Oku road, Uyo.

But investigations in Afia Nsit, Nduo Eduo Nsit, Mbiokporo Nsit, Ikot Ofiok Nsit, Ukat Nsit, Ikot Oku Nsit, Ekpene Ikpan Nsit, Obo Urua Nsit, Ede Obom Nsit, Oboyo Ikot Ita, Mbiakot Nsit, Oboetuk Nsit, Obo Atai, Ayam Nsit and Okwo Nsit showed that barely 12 years after, the project has culminated in the contamination and drying up of many streams in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

It showed that the streams which supported many activities, especially domestic, agricultural and commercial, from very early times, started ‘dying’ soon after the coming on stream of the project, apparently because they were interlinked or interconnected.

A visit to the streams, or where they used to be, showed that in most cases, the streams were no longer in existence. In some cases, the sparkling streams have become mere stagnant waters and brownish in colour with the villagers who have no option, complaining of different ailments after drinking them.

Sad reality

The pathetic situation has attracted the comments of many indigenes. For instance, Eteidung Okon James Udoaka, Chairman Conference of Village Heads, Nsit Ibom Chapter, indicated that: ‘’we were born to see these streams over a long period of time.  We used it from infant. Our forefathers used these streams, but this development has brought untold hardship to us.  It is like our lives have been taken away.”

Eteidung Udoaka is not alone. Eteidung Ezekiel Ben Inyang, Village Head, Ekpene Ikpan Nsit, disclosed that: “Our streams used to be free flowing running water.  A stream, as we were taught, is clean because it flows and washes dirt. Now it is stagnant, muddy and dirty.

“In other words, water should be colourless, odourless and tasteless, but that is not the case with our streams today. Our most treasured asset has been taken away.’’

Also, Elder Emah Bassey Essien, Chairman, Village Council, Ayam Nsit, stated that: “we continue to make use of the contaminated stream because we have no choice or option. Our people continue to go to streams, especially in the morning and evening even when the water is not clean. We drink mud water.

The young men have complained about eye pains and other ailments.  It is by the mercy of God that we survive.”

A student, who gave his name as Ezekiel Monday Effiong, added that: ‘’very early in the morning, I will wake up and go to stream to wash my clothes, bath and fetch clean water for my parents. Now, if you are going to the stream, you cannot bath or do anything because it is dirty. But we still use the water because we don’t have another choice or option.’’

A few public boreholes in some communities have been over-grown by weeds, suggesting abandonment.
Inemesit Eyo Edet, a mother of seven children from Ikot Ofiok Nsit,  said, “we  

Sri Lanka Bombings: ISIS Claims Responsibility for Attacks

The Islamic State claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the Easter Sunday bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, as the government there raised the number of people killed to 321. The group’s Amaq news agency called the bombers “Islamic State fighters.”

• The government said the bombings might have been in retaliation for the killing of 50 people last month at mosques in New Zealand, and that two Islamist extremist groups might have been involved, not one.

• The F.B.I. has joined the investigation, officials said, as recriminations continued over the Sri Lanka government’s failure to act on warnings that terrorists were planning to attack churches. The country’s highest Roman Catholic prelate joined those chastising the government.
• The first funerals were held at a damaged church in western Sri Lanka, where as many as 100 people were killed. The coffins, many bearing the remains of children, were interred as the police raised the death toll to 321.

INTERVIEW WITH ESTHER MICHAEL: MEET A FEMALE JOURNALIST CUM SHOE MAKER

INTRO:

Esther in her workshop doing what gives her joy

Esther Michael is a busy youth. So creative and versatile, Esther is a Journalist. She does a lot of freelancing for several media platforms. Beyond that, she is a proud shoemaker. Esther is never afraid to tread where others dread. As a female, she told us that she is never intimidated by her male counterparts who dominate the shoemaking industry. Besides, Esther, believes strongly in the axiom: "There is dignity in labour." Guided by that, she is never shy even as a graduate, at doing what she does in order to have multiple flow of income  to expand her cash bank.  

Though very hardworking, Esther believes that she is not accomplished yet.  She still needs to acquire some machines which cost great fortunes for her shoemaking factory. She will be the happiest youth ever if the government, viable organisations or individuals lend a helping hand to enable her acquire the needed machines to expand her factory.

Though, an indigene of Akwa Ibom state, Esther lives and works in Abuja. In this interview with GLOBAL ACHIEVERS, Esther Michael speaks about her background as well as her experiences in the shoemaking industry.
GA: Can we meet you?

ESTHER: My name is Esther Michael,  from Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. I am the third child and I have four siblings (2boys and 2 girls) . I attended Cardinal Ekanem Nursery and primary school, Abak,  Cornelia Connelly College,  Afaha Oku,  Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria  and Sikkim Manipal University,  Accra Ghana, where I obtained  a degree  in Journalism and mass communication.

GA: What really do you love to do?

ESTHER: I studied Journalism & Mass communication. So, I love to write and surf the internet for latest development.


GA: Are you a practicing Journalist?

ESTHER: Yes, I am.  I do freelance jobs. And I am currently working on having my own TV show.


GA: Can you tell us about your foray into shoemaking?

ESTHER: (hmm...mmm) shoemaking is part of me.  I love creating things with my hands.


GA: Do you derived any satisfaction from shoemaking?

ESTHER: oh yes, I feel happy when people call to say my work is the best they have seen so far.  Those words encourage me everyday.  I feel satisfied.


GA: Do you feel intimated by your male counterparts in the shoemaking industry?

ESTHER: Initially,  I do feel shy whenever I go out to shop for materials. Some male shoemakers will say " babe leave this work for us na"




GA: What is your greatest challenge in the industry?

ESTHER:  The greatest challenge for me has been sourcing for materials. It is the only challenge am facing right now. There are some designs I get from my customers but getting the materials for it is the problem.


GA: What is your seeming weakness?

ESTHER: Just leave me with your wifi  on, Instagram has me.

GA: Can you share your favourite food and music with us?

ESTHER: I love Okro soup (salivating)  and it's my favorite for now.  For  Music (thinking), I enjoy cool music.


GA: What is your marital status?

ESTHER: This girl is single.

GA: Are you seeing someone?

ESTHER:(Smiles) yes!

GA: What are his thoughts about your shoe making enterprise?

ESTHER: He was the one who encouraged me to go for the training. He loves my designs.

GA: What advice do you have for other young females?

ESTHER: Get up and work.

GA: What do you want to be remembered for:

ESTHER: The baddest Akwa Ibom female shoemaker.

GA: Thank you for granting us this interview.

ESTHER: Thank you.

FGN declares Friday, Monday Public Holiday

The Federal Government of Nigeria has  declared Friday and Monday as public holiday
to mark this year's easter celebration.

In a press statement issued by the Minister of  Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, while wishing
all Nigerians a happy and peaceful easter celebration, urged them to use the occasion to pray for the unity, Peace and progress of the country. 

Alan García: former Peru president dies after shooting himself before arrest.

García, who faced accusations of taking bribes from Brazilian company Odebrecht during his presidency, shot himself at his home.

Peru’s former president Alan García has died after deliberately shooting himself in the head when police tried to arrest him in connection with a multibillion-dollar Latin American corruption scandal.

“I am saddened by the death of former president Alan García,” tweeted the country’s current president, Martín Vizcarra, confirming the news. “I send my condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Earlier, García’s lawyer, Erasmo Reyna, told local media his client “took the decision to shoot himself” early on Wednesday after officers arrived at his home in the capital, Lima, to place him under preventive detention.

Peru’s interior minister, Carlos Morán, told journalists García had told police officers he was going to call his lawyer and had “shut himself in his bedroom” before a shot was heard.

The 69-year-old politician – who faced accusations of taking bribes from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht during his 2006-2011 presidency – was admitted to a nearby hospital soon after, at about 6.45am, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Before his death was confirmed Peru’s health minister, Zulema Tomás, told reporters García was in a “very serious” condition and had suffered three heart attacks from which he had been resuscitated. A 27-strong medical team, including neurosurgeons and intensive care specialists, was fighting to save the former president’s life.

“This is a day of national grief,” Alberto Quintanilla, a leftwing congressman, told local television after confirmation of García’s death.

“Peru is in mourning. Our political system is mourning and we … express solidarity with the family … What has happened is very regrettable.”

García is one of four former Peruvian presidents to be sucked into the vast Odebrecht scandal – by which multimillion-dollar bribes were paid to secure construction contracts across the region – alongside Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Ollanta Humala and Alejandro Toledo.

Last week, a judge ordered that Kuczynski be placed under preventive custody for 10 days as part of a money-laundering investigation. Known as PPK, Kuczynski led Peru from 2016 until he resigned last March before a congressional move to impeach him over links to Odebrecht.

García served two terms as president – from 1985 to 1990 and then 2006 and 2011 – and is one of Peru’s most prominent politicians. He rejected claims of wrongdoing, painting himself as the victim of political persecution. Last year he unsuccessfully requested political asylum in Uruguay after seeking shelter in its embassy in Lima.

“I have never sold myself and this has been demonstrated,” García tweeted on Tuesday.

The attempt to arrest García came just days after an investigation revealed his personal secretary, Luis Nava, had allegedly received $4m from Odebrecht’s off-the-books bribery department.

In an interview on Tuesday García said he “emphatically” rejected the accusations against him which he described as “speculations” and “moral assassination”.

Political allies from García’s once-powerful party, Apra, expressed shock and outrage at his dramatic death.

“At this moment of profound pain we must reaffirm our unity and our brotherhood,” tweeted congressman Jorge del Castillo, calling on supporters to gather outside the party’s headquarters on Wednesday night.

Another ally, Mauricio Mulder, described García’s decision to take his own life as “an honorable act” taken in response to the “fascist persecution” of political foes.

“President García has taken the decision of a free man,” to avoid humiliation by those intent on using him as a political “trophy”, Mulder said.

Ecuador’s former president Rafael Correa tweeted: “His suicide is, in reality, a murder … May his sacrifice help us understand that there must be limits to political struggle.”

García went into politics in the 1970s – after a period studying in Paris, where he is said to have supported himself by busking outside metro stations – and has been a towering figure in the country.

Source: Guardian

CCT Finds Onnoghen guilty... Bans him from occupying public office for 10 years

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has found the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen guilty, and bans him from occupying public office for ten years.

According to the tribunal, all monies in the five accounts listed in the charges are seized and forfeited to the Federal government based on the fact that he failed to show the tribunal how he acquired the monies.