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State of the Nation: 2023 elections unrealistic, unless… – Presbyterian Church

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*Tells Buhari: ‘Don’t assent to new Electoral Act without e-transmission of poll results’

*2023 will be turning point in Nigeria’s history

*Nigeria’s unity not by force

*Hunger, starvation staring Nigerians in the face

The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has criticised the Federal Government for the decline in Nigeria’s internal security, saying the 2023 general elections will be a mirage unless the government became more aggressive in the fight against terror.

The Presbyterian Prelate, His Eminence Nzie Nsi Eke, who spoke on Friday at a world press conference to mark the Church’s 175th anniversary in the country, stated that insecurity was driving the Nigeria steadily into a failed State.

He also said that it would be insensitive to take for granted the agitation for the country’s break-up, or approach the issue of Nigeria’s unity with force.

According to him, without equity, justice, inclusiveness and fair play, unity is difficult.

Other issues of national interest the Presbyterian Prelate urged the Federal Government to address for the country to move forward include; hunger and starvation, electronic transmission of election results, and youth empowerment.

He said, “As a church that had existed long before Nigeria existed as a nation and who played a lot of significant positive roles for the emergence of the nation and still playing, we are deeply concerned about the State of the Nation with particular reference to the following issues:

Insecurity

“The fact that we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed in most parts of Nigeria is no more news. The level of banditry, kidnappings and herdsmen attacks, robbery, cult crises and the likes has been driving Nigeria steadily into a failed State.

“While we appreciate the sacrifices our security agencies are making to keep us safe and some recent gains they have made in the battle to keep Nigeria safe, we want to encourage government to get more aggressive in the fight otherwise 2023 elections will be a mirage.

“Our prayers continue to go with all those who are being held captive by bandits and kidnappers. We hereby declare 30 days of special prayers from Sunday, August 15, 2021 for the release of those who are in captivity across the country. This should be communicated to all our members nationwide.

Hunger

“Arising from the combined impact of COVID – 19 pandemic, insecurity and our weak currency, hunger and starvation is staring Nigerians in the face.

“The way food prices have skyrocketed, an emergency program should be declared to increase food supply in the country because a lot of people are finding it very difficult to feed.

2023 Elections

“Prophetically, we believe 2023 elections will be a turning point in the history of our nation. As a church, we are going to labour in prayers and mobilization towards that election.

E-Transmission of election Results

“We support e-transmission of election results because it will go a long way to mitigate electoral malpractices. We are living witnesses to what happened in the last Edo elections. It gave us hope for the possibility of freer and fairer elections in Nigeria.

“We believe it is not too late for the National Assembly to amend their decisions on this otherwise, the President should not sign the new electoral bill until the e-transmission included.

“We pray our President will write his name in the sands of time, as one of those leaders in our nation’s history who significantly improved our electoral process.

Nigeria’s Unity

“Because of our firm believe in the unity of Nigeria, we encourage government to take seriously the current the spate of separatist agitations that has been rocking our nation in recent times. The situation should not be taken for granted or approached with force.

“We suggest a constructive engagement of all agitators. Without equity, justice, inclusiveness and fair play, unity is difficult. We must not pretend to be united country, we must truly unite or agree to go our separate ways to avoid an implosion.

Youth Empowerment

” Our young people remain the greatest asset of our nation. I congratulate them on the recent celebrations of the International Youth Day. I encourage our young people to see themselves as drivers of change.

“Government at all levels, religious organizations and the entire society must work together to create an enabling environment for our youths to be innovative and excel. This is the key to a sustainable future for our country.

“With God on our side, we shall continue to move from Glory to Glory and our nation Nigeria will also experience a greater glory. We must continue to put our trust in God and acknowledge Him in all our ways.

“We must also continue to be good and law abiding citizens of our nation. The God who has been our help in ages past, will be our help in the years to come.”

Culled from the Vanguard News Nigeria

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Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.

In the suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Emilio Garcia said that after a night out in 2022 in Ibiza, Spain, he was in an SUV with the hip-hop star when she began having sex with another woman right next to him. He was unable to get out of the moving car, and would have been in the middle of nowhere in a foreign country even if he was able. Garcia was “embarrassed, mortified and offended throughout the whole ordeal,” according to the lawsuit.

Alex Spiro, Megan’s lawyer, said she would fight the lawsuit in court.

“This is an employment claim for money — with no sexual harassment claim filed and with salacious accusations to attempt to embarrass her,” Spiro said.

The next day Megan told Garcia never to discuss what he saw and berated and fat-shamed him, the lawsuit said. The complaint also said Garcia, who had already considered quitting because he was overworked and underpaid in a hostile work environment aggravated by Megan’s possessiveness and abusiveness, was misclassified as an independent contractor but treated as an exclusive employee.

Garcia raised those issues in the conversation with Megan, and was fired the following day after four years of working for her, the suit said. He has since filed a job discrimination complaint with the California Civil Rights Department.

The lawsuit, first reported by NBC News, names as defendants Megan, whose legal name is Megan Pete; her companies Megan Thee Stallion Entertainment and Hot Girl Touring; and her label, Roc Nation. A defense response has yet to be filed. There was no immediate response to an email seeking comment from a representative of Roc Nation.

Garcia is seeking financial damages to be determined at trial, alleging he has suffered severely both emotionally and physically because of his treatment on the job, the firing and having to witness the scene in the SUV.

Megan, 29, was previously involved in major legal drama — and underwent a torrent of online abuse — as the victim of a shooting by rapper Tory Lanez, who a jury found fired at her feet on a street in the Hollywood Hills in 2020. She testified at the trial where jurors convicted Lanez of three felonies and a judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Already a major rising artist at the time of the shooting, Megan has since become one of hip-hop’s biggest stars. She won a Grammy for best new artist in 2021, and she had No. 1 singles with “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, and as a guest on Cardi B’s “WAP.”

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Body of O.J. Simpson to be cremated this week; brain will not be studied for CTE

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April 15 (UPI) — The body of O.J. Simpson, who died last week at the age of 76, is to be cremated, a lawyer representing the ex-football superstar’s estate said, adding his brain will not be donated for research.

Malcolm LaVergne, Simpson’s longtime attorney and executor, told the New York Post that his client’s body is to be cremated Tuesday in Las Vegas.

He said Simpson’s family also gave a “hard no” to scientists seeking to examine the former running back’s brain for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is better known as CTE.

CTE is a rare and little understood brain disorder that is likely caused by repeated blows to the head. According to the Mayo Clinic, CTE results in the death of nerve cells in the brain and the only way to definitively diagnose it is with an autopsy of the organ after death.

Memory and thinking problems, confusion, personality changes and erratic behavior, including aggression, depression and suicidal ideation, are among CTE’s symptoms, the Alzheimer’s Association said.

The disease has been found in those who play contact sports, including football and hockey.

LaVergne confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that at least one person has called seeking Simpson’s brain.

“His entire body, including his brain, will be cremated,” he said.

Simpson died Wednesday following a battle with cancer.

Known by the nickname “The Juice,” Simpson was a NFL superstar during the 1970s, which made him a household name that propelled him into film and television during the next decade.

But his stardom would come crashing down in the mid-1990s when he was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.

His high-profile trial lasted months, but ended with his acquittal.

In 2008, he was found guilty on a dozen charges, including kidnapping and armed robbery, and was paroled in 2017 after serving nine years of his 33-year sentence.

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Houston’s Urban South Brewery Celebrates Fourth Anniversary

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Urban South Brewery Houston will host its upcoming Anniversary Party from Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7, in the HTX Taproom, starting at 11 AM, celebrating four years of crafting exceptional brews and fostering community culture. This milestone event will be an exciting day featuring live music, food, activities, and a vendor market.

Beer enthusiasts are also in for a treat with the release of four exclusive anniversary specialty beers. Highlights include “Press Start,” a crafted Czech Pale Lager brewed in collaboration with Parleaux Beer Lab. Additionally, beer fans can indulge in “Level Up,” an Old-Fashioned Cocktail Sour Ale infused with orange peel, Luxardo cherry syrup, and subtle bourbon barrel notes. The offerings continue with “High Score,” a robust Double IPA bursting with flavors of Mosaic, Citra, and Chinook hops, and “Game Over,” a decadent Neapolitan Ice Cream Stout layered with strawberry fruit, Tahitian vanilla bean, and milk chocolate.

To make the celebration even more memorable, fans can pre-order an Exclusive 8-Bit Beer Box featuring the four-anniversary specialty beers (Press Start, Level Up, High Score, Game Over), a 16oz can-shaped Silipint with discounted refills, and 2 tokens redeemable for draft beer.

The Anniversary Party is open to the public, welcoming families and furry friends. Urban South Brewery invites everyone to join in the festivities and toast to four years of brewing excellence.

For more information on Urban South’s Anniversary Celebration, follow the Houston taproom on Instagram and Facebook.

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