Harvard University Uses Nigeria As A Case Study Of A Failed African Country

Nigeria has yet again been 'disgraced' internationally, following an assignment Harvard University gave to its students in which Nigeria was used as a case study of a failed African country.

The question Harvard University gave its students reads;

Africa is growing. Seven of the the ten fastest growing economies in the world are in Africa, and the continent's largest economies are becoming less dependent on extractive commodities. The continent's rising middle class has demonstrated a taste for consumer goods and technological innovation, and Africa's population-currently more than a billion people- is booming and overwhelmingly young at a time when populations in other regions are shrinking and aging.

Nigeria, sub-saharan Africa's largest economy, epitomizes both the promise and the problems the continent faces in the 21st century. The contry had failed to thrive for its first thirty years as an independent nation, despite having a developmental head start relative to countries like China and India, as well as hundreds of billions of dollars in oil revenue.. Now, after pathbreaking reforms followed by signs of retrenchment, Nigeria's new President faced both vast opportunity and grave challenges. Would the country flourish or founder in this new era? We will analyze key reforms in Nigeria's economy, significant political developments, and the choices facing the country's fast-growing private sector.

Why did Nigeria fail to thrive between 1960 and 1999, particularly relative to China and India?

How would you characterize former President Obasanjo's legacy?

Are you bullish or bearish on the next fifteen years for Nigeria? What would make you change your mind? What opportunities do you see? What are the challenges (and risks)

University Of Ibadan Ranked Among World’s Best

The university of Ibadan has secured a spot in the top 978 ranked universities in the world.

In the ranking released by the Times Higher Education, Nigeria’s premier university was ranked 801 alongside several others.

UI was also the only Nigerian university to make the list.

Earlier in 2016, the Academic Ranking of World Universities (AWRU) and the Center for World Universities Ranking (CWUR) released a list of the top 500 and 1000 world universities respectively and no Nigerian university was on the list.

CWUR said that Nigerian universities were not considered for the ranking because of lack of quality research.

AWRU, who did not give a reason for Nigeria’s absence, made it clear that the criteria for ranking were the number of alumni and staff publishing journals in Nature and Science, number of alumni and staff winning Nobel prizes and Field medals.

South Africa and Egypt had the highest number of universities on the list from the continent.

63 universities from the United states made it to the top 200 while 32 from the United Kingdom also made the cut.

The United States had 63 universities among the hundreds of schools considered.

Lazy Nigerian Youth Enterprises

This should show the president that Nigerian youths are creative. While Nigerians are still countering and criticizing the statement made by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday who accused youths of loving freebies above working hard, one 'lazy Nigerian youth'' has decided to turn the controversial statement into a profitable business by printing T-shirts and caps with the caption: “Lazy Nigerian youths”.

Other ''lazy Nigerian youths'' are now making their orders too to encourage one of them who is very ''lazy''.

President Buhari during a business conference in London, was quoted to have said that the youths “do nothing” and want everything for “free” in the oil-rich country.

“A lot of them (Nigerian youths) haven’t been to school and they are claiming, you know, that Nigeria has been an oil-producing country therefore they should sit and do nothing and get housing, health care, education, free,” Buhari allegedly said.

Arrest: Runtown Blasts Okwudili Umenyiora, His Record Label Boss, Dilly

India introduces death penalty for child rapists

India's Cabinet has approved the introduction of the death penalty for child rapists, amid uproar over a series of high-profile cases.

The change to the country's penal code applies to those convicted of raping a child under the age of 12.

There have been nationwide protests in recent weeks over the gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl.

The government has come under fire for not doing enough to prevent sexual-assault cases, many involving children.

A number of serious crimes in India carry the death penalty, but raping a child was not among them until now.

Nearly 19,000 cases were registered in India in 2016 - more than 50 each day.

What's in the new law?

The executive order was cleared at a special cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It allows capital punishment for anyone convicted of raping children under the age of 12.

Minimum prison sentences for rape against girls under the age of 16 and women have also been raised.

According to Reuters, which has seen a copy of the order, there was no mention of boys or men.

Why now?

Two recent rape cases have shocked the nation.

Protests erupted earlier this month after police released horrific details of the rape of an eight-year-old Muslim girl by Hindu men in Kathua, in Indian-administered Kashmir in January.

Anger has also been mounting after a member of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was accused last week over the rape of a 16-year-old girl in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

India's poor record of dealing with sexual violence came to the fore after the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student on a Delhi bus. This led to huge protests and changes to the country's rape laws.

But sexual attacks against women and children have since continued to be reported across the country.

How is the death penalty used in India?

Executions are rarely carried out in India, with just three recorded in the last decade.

The four men convicted in the Delhi bus case were sentenced to death, though this has not yet been carried out.

The judge in that case said it fell into "the rarest of rare category" which justifies capital punishment in India. India's penal code, according to the Hindustan Times, had already prescribed the death penalty for gang rape.

Hanging is the main method of execution. 

Barbara Bush's funeral draws more than 1,000 mourners to honor her life

More than 1,000 mourners gathered in Texas on Saturday to pay their respects and celebrate the life of Barbara Bush, the matriarch of a Republican political dynasty.

Bush, only the second woman in US history to have had a husband and son elected President, died Tuesday at the age of 92 at her home in Houston. She had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, and decided against seeking additional medical help earlier this week after a series of hospitalizations.

Her son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, grew emotional as he delivered remarks about his mother's legacy. During his last visit with her, Bush said that he asked his mother what her feelings were about death.

"'Jeb, I believe in Jesus and he is my savior,'" she told him. "'I don't want to leave your dad, but I know I'll be in a beautiful place."'

According to Mrs. Bush's wishes, the ceremony at the Bushes' family church, St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, was a very simple service. Her friend, Susan Baker, and presidential historian Jon Meacham also delivered eulogies.

Avicii struggled with fame and had stepped away from the limelight

Avicii dead at 28 01:08

Swedish superstar DJ Avicii made millions dance with his catchy hits, flashing lights and soulful collaborations.

But despite a life of jam-packed arenas and screaming fans, he constantly struggled with fame and health issues. So much so, two years before he died, he took a break from touring and the exhausting lifestyle that comes with it.

In messages posted on social media, Avicii, whose real name is Tim Bergling, said stress, anxiety and illness were a factor in his decision.

Avicii was one of the most successful touring DJs in the industry, working with artists such as Madonna and Chris Martin. He had a crossover pop hit in 2013 with "Wake Me Up," and was a big name in the electronic dance music genre known as EDM.

Last live show

In August 2016, he said goodbye to his fans in what he described as his last live show. The decision to retire from touring was tough, he said, but he needed to step away and pursue other interests.

"Creating music is what makes me happy and I have gotten to know so many great people in my days of touring, seen so many amazing places and created endless of good memories," he posted on social media at the time.

"The decision I made might seem odd to some but everyone is different and for me this was the right one."

Partying and anxiety

Avicii said his more than 800 shows had taken a toll on him, added to his anxiety and drawn him to a life of partying. He also had several health scares, including acute pancreatitis, which he blamed on excessive drinking.

"Yeah I was drinking way too much, partying in general way too much," he said. "Then I got a pancreatitis attack [at 21], which is very rare. So that forced me to do a 180 and stop drinking."

Fans left him supportive messages on Facebook after he stopped touring, with some expressing regret that they did not get a chance to see him live.

He reassured them that he'll continue making music -- in the studio.

And in August 2017, a year after his last tour date, he announced that he was releasing a new album.

"Really excited to be back with music once again, it has been a long time since I released anything," he posted on social media.

"My focus on this first EP of the album was to get a mix of new and old songs, some that fans have been asking about/waiting for mixed with brand new songs that they haven't heard before."

'Avicii: True Stories'

The DJ had been open about his struggles. A documentary about his life, "Avicii: True Stories," highlighted some of his struggles with fame after his 2011 hit song, "Levels," followed by "Wake Me Up" two years later.

"The year of 2015 should have been a peak for the producer, but behind the scenes, it was too much. Stress, anxiety and illness were eating him away," a synopsis of the documentary posted on his site says.

Filmmaker Levan Tsikurishvili describes the documentary as a "cautionary tale that explores the taxing nature and intensity of fame" from the artist's perspective.

"Everybody knows Avicii but very few people know Tim," Tsikurishvili said. " I think this documentary really shows Tim's struggle and strength of character. Being a worldwide superstar artist is not as easy as it looks on Instagram."

Avicii, 28, was found dead Friday in Muscat, Oman. The cause of death has not been released.

Fans and musicians mourn

Heartfelt tributes poured in from fellow musicians and fans alike.

"Devastating news about Avicii, a beautiful soul, passionate and extremely talented with so much more to do," fellow superstar DJ Calvin Harris tweeted. "My heart goes out to his family. God bless you Tim."

Singer Wyclef Jean described him as "a little brother."

"In my darkest hour, I went to Sweden and he was there for me and we found light in great conversation and in music," Jean tweeted. " He will be forever be missed. This pain I cannot describe."

My second term bid based on clamour by Nigerians, Buhari says

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said his decision to seek re-election in 2019 was based on the clamour by Nigerians.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said this at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the ruling All Progressives Congress, held at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Monday in Abuja declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019.

“President Buhari made the declaration at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress.

“The President said he was responding to the clamour by Nigerians to re-contest in 2019, adding that he wanted to give NEC the honour of notifying them first.

“Shortly before making the declaration, the President presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee.”

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Buhari had earlier presented a speech on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee, and specifically thanked members of the committee for carrying out its assignment on time.

“It shows a great sense of commitment to the ideals of our party with a view to consolidating and positioning the party to continue delivering good governance in the overall interest of Nigerians.

“With the present state of the party and based on the report submitted by the Technical Committee, it is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party.

“Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.

Buhari declares to run for second term

“President Muhammadu Buhari has just officially announced his intention to seek re-election in 2019.”

This was the simple statement released by the President’s Personal Assistant on New Media Engagement, Bashir Ahmad.

Our correspondent also reported that Buhari made the declaration on Monday morning (today) at the ongoing National Executive Committee meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The President has asked party members to grant waiver to the party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, and other members of the National Working Committee who want to seek re-election.

NEC meeting, which is presently holding, is being attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and 24 state governors.

Before now, 75-year-old President Buhari had left Nigerians guessing as to whether or not he would run for second term.

As of March 1, the All Progressives Congress had passed a vote of confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari, denying that it was not the same as endorsing the President for a second term.

By April 1, while preparations had started among politicians for the elections, all eyes had remained on Buhari who had, until now, remained silent on whether or not he will seek re-election.

His loyalists, APC governors, as well as the chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress all expressed their support for him to go for a second term.

See the tweet announcing his intention to seek re-election in 2019: