Ordinary Name, Botanical Name By Pius Adesanmi

The 22-page 2017 State House Appropriation Bill (alias proposed Aso Rock budget for 2017) is a document that must be read only by the brave and the strong.

No lessons learnt from last year's debacle.
No lessons learnt from all the preceding years combined.

The preceding years are no excuse, no alibi. The rot is what President Buhari and his team are supposed to change.

If you are bold enough to read the document, you will be treated to more than a lifetime's worth of absurdities.

Barrow's Inaguration: Nigeria Warship, Fighter Jets, ECOWAS Special Squad Head For Gambia

The Military Troops of the Nigerian Army will, on Wednesday (today), arrive at a base of the Economic Community of West African States troops in Senegal to ensure that President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia steps down on Thursday, January 19.

Nigerian Naval also  emback on a marching order withe the Nigerian warship, NNS UNITY heading for the coast of The Gambia to join the operation. 

Also, it was gathered that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) would fully involve in the Opreation to Remove Jammeh as they were expected to airlift the troops. Air Force will leave for Senegal 0n Wednesday. They will be briefed by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, at the Kainji base in Niger State.

TERROR ATTACKS ON GERMANY: WE MUST REMAIN RESOLUTE AGAINST TERRORISM — PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday said the latest terror attacks on Germany are a wake-up call for the rest of the world to show sympathy and solidarity towards Chancellor Angela Merkel in the global effort to neutralise and obliterate terrorists’ agenda against humanity. 

The Nigerian leader also extolled Chancellor Merkel's strong leadership qualities and her compassion towards immigrants from the Middle East and other countries. 

Euro 2016 state of play: results, tables, schedule and TV times

THE FIRST round of the Euro 2016 group stages is over but the tournament is just heating up.

Each team still has two more matches to play before the two teams with the most points and the four best third-placed teams in each group progress to the Round of 16. That means a country could make the knockout stages after earning just three points in the group stage.

While the heavyweight nations and their world-class stars have produced moments of brilliance in the first round, will they replicate similar form in the matches to come?

To make sure you’re on top of each group’s results, table, next fixtures and TV times in AEST, here is your current state of play!

Spectrum of Leadership Vision(lessness) & Hopeless Followership - Oluseyi Faseyiku

From Buhari to the youngest state chief executive, Yahaya Bello, tell me whose offspring can be found in a Nigerian college or a local university.

I do not pity Mr. Nasir El-Rufai. If truly he is determined to effect a change in a small portion of that poverty landscape called the Kaduna State he has his work cut out for him. The greatest paradox of that change and its challenges is when his vision and foresight as a leader are completely beyond the people or group he leads. When I read that there were demonstrations in Kaduna against the anti-begging legislation I knew we do have a problem, a huge one. Mr. El-Rufai isn't a purist and should not be fully credited with a 21st century idea of society for his people, but we must arguably admit that he does have a 20th century vision. But when you have a 20th century perspective, as inelegant or outmoded as that is, but the people you lead are still trapped in their 14th century jacket, there is so much to do. You must get them into the 15th century first and if that works, move them into the 16th and with real success get into the 17th until you arrive where you had earlier hoped. The problem is that this guy has only four years, maximum eight, to transport a state of 6.3 million people into the 20th century and that is it. If he leaves while they are in the 16th century, and his successor, unfortunately, happens to be weaned to the 15th, there it is clear that they will go back to their Egypt, which is still the 14th century.

Amb. Ahmadu Was An Accomplished Diplomat - Saraki

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday expressed grief over the death of former Ambassador to the United State, Hamzat Ahmadu and said he was an accomplished diplomat and technocrat per excellence.

Saraki in a condolence message to the government and people of Sokoto State, immediate family and friends of the deceased, signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said death is an inevitable end but he quickly reminded the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the departed diplomat lived a selfless life lived.

President Obama announces additional 250 special ops forces to Syria

US President Barack Obama announced on Monday that an additional 250 special operations forces will be sent to Syria in the coming weeks in a speech in Hannover, Germany, in an effort to stem the influence and spread of so called Islamic State.

"Just as I approved additional support for Iraqi forces against ISIL [another acronym for IS], I've decided to increase US support for local forces fighting ISIL in Syria,” remarked Obama.

Snapshot: Three days of Russian air strikes on Syria And Criticisms, Paris States 3 Conditions to Cooperate with Russia in Syria

Sukhoi warplanes used by Russia in Syria anti-terror

A snapshot of developments since Russia's first air strikes on Syria, an intervention the West says is directed more at regime opponents than Islamic State group jihadists.

On Friday, French President Francois Hollande and Russia's Vladimir Putin had an in-depth discussion on Syria on Friday in which they "tried to narrow down differences on political transition," an aide to Hollande said after the two met in Paris.

The aide did not say if they had succeeded in any way in the 1h15-minute conversation, which took place ahead of a meeting the two men had with the leaders of Germany and Ukraine aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis.

International coalition urge Russia to stop bombing Syria over fears of civilian deaths; Putin, Hollande had 1h15-minute conversation over Syria

The US-led coalition against Islamic State (IS) urges Vladimir Putin's forces to 'immediately cease attacks on opposition and civilians' in Syria.

Russian officials dismissed reports of civilian casualties as 'information warfare' and insisted strikes are targeting extremists.

 Iraq said Russian intervention is a welcome development.

The US and members of the international coalition bombing Isis have urged Russia to stop attacking the Syrian opposition and expressed “deep concern” over its intervention.

This is contained in a joint statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry with the U.S., Germany, Britain, France, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, on Friday.

Syria Conflict: Putin, Hollande Meet In Paris Amid Tension

Footage of Russia's bombing in Syria

The French and Russian presidents are set for talks on Friday amid fears Russia is carrying out “indiscriminate” air strikes on Syrian militants.

As the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine meet in Paris Friday to discuss Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart François Hollande are holding private talks amid rising tensions over Russian strikes in Syria.

The main summit, scheduled to negotiate a fragile peace deal in Ukraine, has been overshadowed by a refugee crisis spurred by the war in Syria and Russia’s dramatic military intervention there.

In Syria, French military, like the US, is targeting Islamic State (IS) fighters with air strikes. But the US says Russia is carrying out random strikes against the Syrian opposition.

French PM Manuel Valls resigns amid economy row

French PM Manuel Valls has submitted the government's resignation to President Francois Hollande and has been asked to form a new cabinet.

The government was badly shaken on Sunday by criticism over its handling of the economy by economy minister Arnaud Montebourg.

Moments after Mr Valls's resignation Mr Hollande issued a statement.

He asked Mr Valls to set up a new cabinet "consistent with the direction [Mr Hollande] has set for the country".

President François Hollande orders cabinet reshuffle amid economy row

France was thrown into fresh crisis on Monday after President François Hollande asked his prime minister to form a new government following an open feud within his cabinet over the country’s economic direction.

The president ordered Prime Minister Manuel Valls to form a new cabinet "consistent with the direction [Hollande] has set for the country," the presidency said in a statement.

It did not give any reasons, but the move comes after Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg spent his weekend bad-mouthing the country's economic direction and ally Germany in a much-criticised show of insubordination.

President Jonathan leaves for Germany amidst speculation on his health

President Goodluck Jonathan will Friday morning jet out of Abuja on a private visit to Germany. This was confirmed by his spokesman, Reuben Abati, in a terse statement late Thursday.

He disclosed that Mr. Jonathan will be accompanied on the trip by some of his principal aides.

The announcement of the trip came at a time cloud of doubt continues to hover around the Nigerian leader’s well-being. It should be recall that some citizens had speculated about Mr. Jonathan’s health just before his trip to the Washington DC, United States, where he attended the 2014 US-Africa Leaders Summit early August.

According to Abati: "President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will leave Abuja early Friday on a private visit to Germany."

"The President will be accompanied on the trip by some of his principal aides."

"He is expected back in Abuja early next week."

Democracy of Ebola - Pius Adesanmi

But for the lives we are losing in Nigeria and West Africa, I would have stated that I have fallen in love with Ebola. This virus is creating a strange, unfamiliar creature in Nigeria called responsible leadership. I doubt if there is any Nigerian in my generation who has ever witnessed responsible, hands-on, on-top-of-the-situation leadership in his or her entire adult life. What we are familiar with is an irresponsible leadership of escape into an alternative universe.

The roads are in a shambles? No problem, we shall escape into our helicopters and private jets.

FIFA World Cup: Mix of tears, cheers and violence in Argentina

Argentinians reacted with tears, cheers and violence after the dream of a third World Cup title slipped through their fingers, as clashes between hooligans and police ended a massive street party. 

Tens of thousands of people flocked to the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, the iconic monument where the country traditionally celebrates and rallies, waving the flag, setting off fireworks and singing the praises of national hero Lionel Messi and team.

Argentina in the World Cup final

Argentine Sergio Romero saved two penalties as Argentina beat the Netherlands on Wednesday in a shootout, reaching the World Cup final after the first-ever semi-final to finish goalless after extra time.

Goalie Romero plunged low to his left to save the first penalty kick from Dutch defender Ron Vlaar and then made a superb stop from Wesley Sneijder. None of the Argentines missed and Argentina won the shootout, 4-2. The pressure of taking the winning kick fell to Argentina substitute Maxi Rodriguez who blasted the ball high to Jasper Cillessen’s right. The Dutch goalie reached the ball but could not stop it.

"We have given everything and I'm incredibly proud of this team," the Netherlands’ Arjen Robben said after the game. "It came down to penalties and they simply did better," he told Dutch broadcaster NOS. "To lose like this simply sucks, it hurts."

Worst defeat in 100 years: Brazil plead for forgiveness

Belo Horizonte - Brazil's World Cup dream was smashed into oblivion Tuesday as majestic Germany ran riot to win an extraordinary semi-final 7-1, sending the hosts crashing to the worst defeat in their 100-year footballing history. Germany scored five goals in 18 astonishing first-half minutes on their way to a 7-1 semi-final mauling of Brazil on Tuesday setting a string of records and leaving the host nation's fans angry and bewildered.

Germany will meet Argentina or the Netherlands in Sunday's final in Rio de Janeiro after an unbelievable performance in which striker Miroslav Klose became the tournament's highest scorer of all time with his 16th World Cup goal.  Fireworks boomed across the city, and fans in the German capital took up the refrain chanted by the German supporters in Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: “What a day! So beautifully wonderful is today!” Their national team had stunned the world, including Germany itself, with a 7-1 trouncing of Brazil to reach its eighth World Cup final.

Brazil: Keshi, Mikel want victory over France

We were No 5 in 1994...Mikel wants victory over France to make a statement that Nigeria has arrived at the soccer map of the world.

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel is hopeful that victory over France and a first World Cup quarter-final appearance can help unite the African nation currently gripped by violence and bloodshed. 

Mikel, 27, said the troubles had made an impression on the squad but he pressed the need for his team mates to focus on Monday’s last 16 match against France and do their bit to bring people together. “I think football is what unites everyone back home in Nigeria, everyone loves football, and as long as we keep doing well and as long as we keep winning, I think this football alone can bring unity back to these various places where we are having problems.” 

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi also pressed the need to bring cheer to the strife hit fans of the Super Eagles, who are the first African country to get past the World Cup group phase on three separate occasions. Peppered with questions about a bonus pay dispute involving the squad and the Nigerian Football Association, Keshi, known as “Big Boss”, was clearly bemused by the interest in a problem he explained was over and said his team were “good to go”.

‘Unprecedented incidents’: 13 aircraft mysteriously vanished from air traffic controllers’ screens in heart of Europe

Up to 13 aircraft was reportedly vanished off radars for about 25 minutes on two occasions over Austria and neighboring countries, Austria's flight safety monitor said, calling for an EU probe into the “unprecedented” incidents. The flights vanished from air traffic controllers’ screens in Austria on June 5 and June 10 for 25 minutes each time, Marcus Pohanka of Austro Control – Austria’s flight safety organization – said Thursday.

Air traffic control in neighboring regions of Germany and the Czech Republic also reported similar problems. Pohanka said the location, height, and identity of the 13 aircraft vanished over Austria both times, in what he called “unprecedented” incidents, AP reported.

BREAKING: US soldier released in controversial swap with Taliban arrives home in Texas

The American soldier released in a controversial swap with Afghan insurgents has arrived back in the United States, the Pentagon says.

SERGEANT Bowe Bergdahl arrived on Friday on a flight from Germany to San Antonio, Texas where he will continue treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center after spending five years as a prisoner in Afghanistan, the Defense Department said on its web site.

Bergdahl was captured in Afghanistan in June 2009 and released by the Taliban on May 31 in a deal struck by the Obama administration in which five Taliban officials were released from detention.