Tiwa Savage, Teebilz unite again

There is an indication that singer Tiwa Savage and her estranged husband, Tunji Balogun, may have decided to patch up the broken bits of their marriage and start again. The gossip mill is agog with a story that the couple has been making moves to reunite after a stormy breakup that generated so much noise in the mass media a couple of months ago.

Evidence that critics have been watching the celebrity couple closely emerged on Wednesday when a popular Nigerian blog reported that Tiwa and her husband had been attending a counselling clinic somewhere in Lagos. The report also insinuated that the couple were seen attending an event together on one occasion.

If this is true, it means that the celebrities must have made up their minds to push their differences aside and rekindle the spark in their relationship. This is by all means good news to many fans of the singer, who have privately wished for a development of this nature. - Punch

THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE HABIT 4: THINK WIN-WIN

Think Win-Win isn't about being nice, nor is it a quick-fix technique. It is a character-based code for human interaction and collaboration.

Most of us learn to base our self-worth on comparisons and competition. We think about succeeding in terms of someone else failing--that is, if I win, you lose; or if you win, I lose. Life becomes a zero-sum game. There is only so much pie to go around, and if you get a big piece, there is less for me; it's not fair, and I'm going to make sure you don't get anymore. We all play the game, but how much fun is it really?

Win-win sees life as a cooperative arena, not a competitive one. Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions. Win-win means agreements or solutions are mutually beneficial and satisfying. We both get to eat the pie, and it tastes pretty darn good!

A person or organization that approaches conflicts with a win-win attitude possesses three vital character traits:

Integrity: sticking with your true feelings, values, and commitments

Maturity: expressing your ideas and feelings with courage and consideration for the ideas and feelings of others

Abundance Mentality: believing there is plenty for everyone

Many people think in terms of either/or: either you're nice or you're tough. Win-win requires that you be both. It is a balancing act between courage and consideration. To go for win-win, you not only have to be empathic, but you also have to be confident. You not only have to be considerate and sensitive, you also have to be brave. To do that--to achieve that balance between courage and consideration--is the essence of real maturity and is fundamental to win-win.

Call to Glory

Insurgency war won, Buratai declares

The insurgency war in the North East geo-political zone has been won by the country, according to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.

He made the declaration yesterday in a speech at a conference on security challenges organised by the Federal University, Dutsin-ma, Katsina State, noting that recent happenings were a rumbling of a dying group.

Represented by Brigadier General I.K. Ikpere, he assured the citizenry that the military was poised to combing the Sambisa Forest for the remnants of the terror group.

While acknowledging the escalation in armed conflicts between herdsmen and rural communities as well as other criminal acts, he noted that the threats require deeper understanding through rigorous academic and intellectual exercise. He stressed that it was only when the origin, nature, causes, manifestation and dimensions were understood that solutions could be proffered.

The state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, said for result, government at all levels must tackle the pervasive illiteracy and poverty in the land.

While lauding the military for the success story in the North East, he feared that the problem would not abate if the twin issues were not urgently addressed.

The vice chancellor, Professor Haruna Kaita, said it was the tradition of the institution to organise public lecture series biannually on burning issues with a view to educating, enlightening and sensitising the public, government officials and policy makers to happenings in the society.

In a related development, four policemen are on the brink of dismissal as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Adamawa State Police Command is currently probing the quartet for allegedly diverting bags of rice meant for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the state.

Government misses budget target as Presidency shifts presentation date

The Federal Government may not be able to implement Budget 2017 from January 1 to December 31 next year again due to its failure to present it to the National Assembly on time to ensure its speedy passage.

In May this year while passing the 2016 spending plan, the National Assembly had expressed concern over poor budget implementation records over the years and attributed the development to late budget presentation by the government.

Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki yesterday, in a letter read to senators at the commencement of their session, said President Muhammadu Buhari had sought to present the document at 10:00.a.m. on December 14, 2016.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning Ministry, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma had assured Nigerians of a speedy action this time around to break the jinx, when the processes of the 2017 Budget began around August this year.

He had promised that latest October this year the plan would be with the National Assembly to give them enough time to work on it and pass it before the end of this year so as to commence implementation on January 1, thereby resetting the implementation calendar.

The current fiscal plan is expected to end in May 2017 up from the March extension limits of the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

However, the disagreement between the Senate and the Presidency with regard the 2017 to 2019 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) remains unresolved.

Iheanacho up to speed as Man City, Celtic draw

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho made a successful start to his spell as Sergio Aguero's stand-in by earning his team a 1-1 Champions League draw with Celtic on Tuesday.

Aguero's four-game domestic ban for getting sent off in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Chelsea means Iheanacho can look forward to a run of games in manager Pep Guardiola's first XI.

The 20-year-old Nigeria striker took his chance at the Etihad Stadium with an eighth-minute goal that cancelled out Celtic's opener, ironically scored by 19-year-old City loanee Patrick Roberts.

"There is no pressure on Kelechi Iheanacho. He just has to do his job," said Guardiola.

"I am so happy for the young players. We played well."

City had already secured a place in the last 16 and were guaranteed to finish below Group C winners Barcelona, while fourth-place Celtic already knew they had missed out on a Europa League berth.

"We were absolutely brilliant tonight in everything we did," said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side held City to a 3-3 draw in September.

"We have grown in belief the more we have worked together. We are disappointed not to have won at least one of the games against City."

Roberts's goal means City have recorded just one clean sheet in their last 16 matches, but after the trauma of the loss to Chelsea, in which Fernandinho also saw red, this was a welcome return to normality.

With nothing riding on the game, Guardiola gave some playing time to young defenders Pablo Maffeo and Tosin Adarabioyo, but it was another City youngster who was the first to show.

Roberts, loaned to Celtic by City in February, embarrassed his parent club's defence, slipping past Gael Clichy from the right and sticking a left-foot shot past goalkeeper Willy Caballero.

- Guardiola rues penalty call -
Celtic had conceded the lead three times in September's draw at Celtic Park and history was to repeat itself here as City levelled within four minutes.

Nolito slid a pass down the inside-left channel for Iheanacho and he showed composure to guide a firm shot past Craig Gordon.

The sense that Guardiola was treating the game as an experiment was emphasised by his casual dress -- skinny jeans and sneakers -- as well as by City's novel 3-5-2 shape.

The system featured Pablo Zabaleta in midfield and he almost created a second goal with a sweeping pass that Iheanacho put wide.

Gordon was also required to palm away an improvised back-heel from Iheanacho, with Nolito's follow-up blocked.

But City looked patchy at the back and Moussa Dembele, scorer of a brace at Celtic Park, twice got in behind in the early stages.

Freed in turn by a sloppy Fernando back-pass and a neat James Forrest through ball, he was thwarted both times by Caballero, blazing wastefully wide of an open goal on the second occasion.

Despite losing Forrest to injury, Celtic made a bright start to the second half, with his replacement, Gary Mackay-Steven, curling a shot into Caballero's gloves.

Celtic threatened twice as the game approached its latter stages, Leigh Griffiths shooting wide and Caballero thwarting Mackay-Steven.

Leroy Sane curled a free-kick narrowly wide at the other end and might have won City a late penalty with a cross that struck Jozo Simunovic's hand, but Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic shook his head.

City were denied three penalties against Chelsea and Guardiola said: "Maybe one day we will get a penalty. Ask the referee. Every game it is like this." - The Guardian

Corps member, Ifedolapo died of kidney infections, says report

Oladepo Ifedapo Rachael, a corps member of the 2016 Batch ‘B’ died at the Kano orientation camp of renal sepsis occasioned by urinary tract infection, according to the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-General Suleiman Kazaure.

Kazaure and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung reiterated the government’s commitment to the safety of corps members while condoling with the families of those who lost their lives in camp.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives yesterday set up an ad-hoc panel to investigate the causes of the recent deaths of corps members in NYSC camps.

The committee is also mandated to invite the director general of the NYSC over the incident.

The decision of the House follows a motion raised by Olufemi Fakeye representing Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Boripe federal constituency of Osun State.

The lawmakers sought an insurance cover for every corps member participating in the scheme.

Elechi Chinyerum Nwenenda, Oladepo Ifedolapo Rachael and Asuquo Ukeme Monday died during the ongoing orientation in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara states.

However, the death of Ifedolapo, a graduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTH) had been generating controversy as some members of the public alleged negligence by the NYSC.

Presenting the report of the committee set up to unravel the immediate and remote cause of their deaths, the DG of NYSC attributed Ifedolapo’s death to her inability to disclose to officials the ailment she had been battling with before resuming at the camp.

“It is clear that the deceased had an ailment which she did not disclose. From the doctors’ report, the corps member died of renal sepsis occasioned by infection.

“Even to the untrained, kidney infections do not develop and degenerate to the level of mortality in three days (that is 27th to 29th November 2016),” he said.

Kazaure further explained: “The deceased first appeared at the camp clinic with complaints of headache and fever which she said she had been experiencing for two days. On examination the doctors on duty noticed rashes on her legs which she claimed started appearing as a result of her use of second-hand knickers she bought without first washing them.”

The DG added: “When doctors noticed increase in the rashes, by this time she had started vomiting, she was admitted at the camp clinic and treated with Drazamol injection and Piriton to soothe her body pains as she was already on malaria drugs.”

He added that the deceased was immediately referred to Gwarzo General Hospital for further treatment where the doctor concluded that she had kidney infection probably due to untreated urinary tract infection (UTI).

Kazaure explained that Ifedolapo died after she had been stabilised for the journey to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for immediate dialysis.