Passport Ranking 2017: How Relevant Is Nigeria Position?

A new passport ranking by a Canada-based global consultancy firm, Arton Capital released on Wednesday has placed Nigeria in the least position.

While an Asian Country, Singapore garners the top spot as the most powerful passport in the world and approximately 3.4 million citizens of the country can travel to 159 countries without a visa or can acquire one on arrival, Nigerians can only boast of access to 44 countries.

see Also: What Makes Singapore Most Expensive City In The World?

According to The Passport Index, African countries with a stronger passport than Nigeria include:

• Djibouti and Congo with visa-free to 45 countries; 
• Algeria (46);
•  Liberia, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Burundi and Cameroon (47);
• Central Africa Republic (48); 
• Guinea-Bissau, Chad, Egypt (50); 
• Comoros, Gabon, Mali, Madagascar (52);
•  Togo, Niger, Mozambique (53); 
• Rwanda (54); Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso (55); 
• Guinea, Ivory Coast (56); 
• Sao Tome, Benin, Morocco (58);
•  and Ghana, Sierra Leone (60).

Countries Nigeria can Travel without Visa

1. Bangladesh - free 30-day visa on arrival.

2. Barbados - 6 months Visa free.

3. The Republic of Benin - free visa.

4. Burkina Faso - free entry.

5. Burundi - 30 days visa on arrival.

6. Cameroon - free entry

7. Cape Verde - visa free entry. 

8. Chad - free entry

9. Comoros - free Visa Entry.

10. Cote d’Ivoire - free Visa Entry for 90 days.

11. Djibouti -  Visa on Arrival.

12. Dominica - Free Entry Visa for 21 days.

13. Fiji Island -  4-months with visitor's permit.

14. Gambia - 90 days free Visa entry.

15. Ghana - free entry.

16.Guinea -  Visa-free entrance

17. Guinea Bissau - free Visa entry for 90 days.

18. Haiti - 3 months visa-free entry.

19. Iran - Visa on Arrival.

20. Kenya - 90 days free Visa Entry.

21. Liberia - free entry.

22. Madagascar - Visa on arrival for 90 days.

23. Maldives - Visa for 30 days.

24. Mali - free entry

25. Mauritania - visa on arrival.

26. Micronesia - free Visa entry for 30 days.

27. Mozambique - visa on arrival for 30 days.

28. Nauru - Visa on arrival

29. The Republic of Niger - free movement.

30. Palau - Visa on arrival.

31. Samoa - Entry Permit on Arrival for 60 days.

32. Senegal - free movement in member states.

33. Seychelles - apply for a 1-month extendable visa

34. Sierra Leone - free entry.

35. Somalia - Visa on arrival for 30 days.

36. Sri Lanka - will need “Electronic Travel Authorization”  for 30 days stay.

37. Tanzania - visa at the entry point.

38. Timor-Leste - Visa on arrival for 30 days.

39. Togo - no need for Visa

40. Tuvalu - 1 month visa on arrival 

41. Uganda - Visa on Arrival

42. Vanuatu - offers free 30 days stay without a visa.

43. Georgia - visa on arrival.

44. Mauritius - visa-free for 90days.

Video: Nnamdi Kanu Inspects Biafra Secret Service (BSS) In Abia

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu has released a video showing the Biafra Secret Service BSS, whose mission is to defend the freedom course if necessary.

Volunteers are allegedly from different states, including Delta, Rivers, Imo, Abia and other parts of the South East.
Kanu is seen walking amidst the group inaugurated to defend Biafranland and would employ force where necessary to restore Biafra.

A post shared by Instablog9ja✅ (@instablog9ja) on Aug 15, 2017 at 12:15pm PDT

Ostrich Egg: 9 Amazing Facts About The World's Largest Cell

Ostrich is known as the largest, flightless bird with long legs and a long neck that protrudes from a round massive body.

According to the African Wildlife Foundation, the Ostrich can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall and can weigh up to 320 lbs. (145 kilograms), thus it's not surprising for a bird that large to lay the world's largest egg. 

9 Facts about the world's Largest Egg

1. One egg of an Ostrich is equivalent to 20-24 chicken eggs, thus one person is unlikely to finish one Ostrich egg.

2. Ostrich eggs are 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and can weigh up to 3 lbs. (1.3 kg)

3. The eggs are laid in a communal nest called a dump nest, which can hold about 60 eggs at a time.

4. After laying the eggs, both males and the females Ostriches sit on the eggs until they hatch, which can take 42 to 46 days.

5. The colour of an Ostrich egg ranges from pearl white to cream with a thickness of 0.06 inches - quite strong. In other words, the shell of the Ostrich egg is strong enough to bear the weight of an adult man. Although the size is small compared to the size or weight of the bird itself.

Ostrich egg as food

6. In a popular London restaurants like that of bar Florentine in Lambeth, Ostrich egg is served as part of a huge full English breakfast for £65 – feeding four to six people.

7. Unfortunately for those of you on diet, one Ostrich egg contains up to 2,000 calories and 144g of protein, which adds up to almost three times the daily adult protein intake recommended by the NHS.

8. It takes the largest set of frying pan to fry one Ostrich egg and it also takes 2 hours took thoroughly boil one of it.

Read Also: Benefits of Eating Dietary Fiber 

Nutritional Value

9. The nutritional content of the Ostrich egg includes calcium, phosphorus and vitamins like Vitamin A, vitamin E, riboflavin and thiamine - as well as trace elements such as magnesium, manganese, selenium, zinc copper and iron.

Besides the eggs laid by extinct species like the elephant birds of Madagascar and the giant moa of New Zealand which were much larger, the ostrich egg is currently the world's largest.

WATCH How to Prepare an Ostrich Egg 

We deviled an ostrich egg! ・・・ See what #GinormousFood the contestants come up with on #FoodNetworkStar @ 9|8c!

A post shared by Food Network (@foodnetwork) on Jul 23, 2017 at 8:27am PDT

Vitamin D And Its Potential Powers At Midlife

The most natural way of getting Vitamin D is via reduced exposure to sunlight, that is why it is regarded as the sunshine vitamin.

At midlife (from 40 and above) it is important to be aware of your intake of vitamin D - both natural and supplements since research has portrayed its potential roles in the prevention of diseases attached to old age.
Vitamin D is important since it's main function is to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are vital for the growth and maintenance of healthy bones, teeth and muscles. 
Therefore here are potential powers of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D and certain Cancer 

Several studies have shown that vitamin D not only reducing the risk of 30 types of cancer - especially colon, prostate and chest cancers - but it also reduces malignant growth in cancers already present.

Vitamin D and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition of fragile bone with an increased susceptibility to fracture and the risk is high in women over 40 years of age. Vitamin D is critical for your body to be able to use calcium and build bone properly, thus women who are over 40 or who have risk factors for osteoporosis should be sure to get adequate amounts of vitamin D.

 Vitamin D and Depression

Depression is a common health problem at midlife especially in the menopause years of a woman. Therefore, it is advised that you should be on guard over seasonal mood swings, thus you might want to boost your vitamin D intake during those darker months.
Even science has revealed that when people are exposed to sunlight, their mood automatically elevates and they become more cheerful due to the brain hormone serotonin.

Read Also: High Blood Pressure: 5 Foods That Acts As Remedy

Vitamin D and Diabetes

Studies have shown that a low level of vitamin D results in a decrease in the release of insulin in the body, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, not only does vitamin D make your body’s use of insulin more effective, it seems to prevent or minimise both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although studies are yet to show the relationship between low vitamin D levels and diabetes.

Other potential powers of Vitamin D 

• Prevents Cardiovascular disease
• Reduces risk of Obesity
• Irritable bowel syndrome, 
• Prevents muscle weakness, 
• Prevents multiple sclerosis, 
• Prevents Osteoarthritis,
• Celiac disease etc.

Studies have shown that adequate levels of vitamin D in the body inhibit inflammation

According to Dr Mercola, "you should strive to optimise your vitamin D levels via sun exposure, supplements and food, to maintain a healthy blood level of 40-60 ng/ml year round.

Food Sources of Vitamin D

• Beef liver
• Salmon
• Egg yolks
• Sardines
• Cheese
• Fortified milk, orange juice, cereal and yoghurt

Deficiency of Vitamin D

Extreme cases of a low level of vitamin D in children can lead to rickets - the bones become soft and weak and misshapen as they continue to grow.

In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteomalacia — causing severe bone pain and muscle aches. 

Symptoms of lack of Vitamin D

The symptoms in adults include:

• Tiredness aches and pains, and a general sense of not feeling well;
• Severe bone or muscle pain or weakness that may cause difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from the floor or a low chair, or cause you to walk with a waddling gait;
• Stress fractures, especially in your legs, pelvis, and hips.

How much Vitamin D is required

The amount needed in the body depends on few factors such as:

•  Body weight - People with higher body weight or muscle mass also require more vitamin D than people with slighter stature because vitamin D is fat soluble.
• Age - since older adults are more inclined to stay indoors, they get less sun exposure and people over the age of 50 don't produce vitamin D as easily by metabolising sunlight, and their kidneys don't convert vitamin D into a form their body can use quite as quickly.
• Skin colour - people with darker skin colour need 10 times more sun exposure to generate the same amount as in someone with pale skin. Thus the more pigment you have, the more sunlight you need to get adequate "D" levels.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) of serum concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D as an adequate level, or 600 IUs a day for individuals up to age 70 and 800 IUs if for people over 70.

Experts recommend Vitamin D3 supplement for those who can't get enough sunshine.

Read Also: 7 Amazing Health Benefits Of Eating Dietary Fiber Packed Foods

NOTE: Certain people should not take calcium (vitamin D) supplements especially those with a history of kidney stones. Such people are advised to talk to their doctor before taking any supplements.

Women are regularly mentioned because history has shown that their bones degrade faster than their male counterparts.

The reason is, when a woman reaches menopause, the loss of bone density accelerates rapidly - up to 20% in just seven years.

There should be a balanced level of vitamin D in your because too much of it can lead to high levels of calcium in the blood which can cause heart and kidney problems.

Modern Day Slavery: From Sales Girl To A Housemaid

A young girl shared a story of how she suddenly became a housemaid beyond the work description she applied for just to make ends meet.

Though she escaped the bondage, but not without leaving a chaotic situation behind and she wants to know if she was wrong to do what she did.

Here's Her story:

"I remember vividly how I got into that house not as a housemaid but as a salesgirl in her shop.

"Some women! I was indeed desperate for a work because I was in a strange land staying with my best friend just to hustle for myself and family. She never told me I would go from shop to her house for any reason.

"Just in two weeks, she started sending me to the market, after, I will come and cook in her house, feed her four children, her first daughter was then14 years. It became a daily routine.

"I was eventually turned into a house girl, I would sweep and mop every two two days, cook and wash dishes and clothes. I never knew I would be that submissive anyways.

"What got me angry was when she started giving me her husband's boxers to wash as if that wasn't enough, she started keeping her panties and bras for me to wash...after the chores, I will go back to the shop.

"As a Sabbatarian she is, I don't come to work on Saturdays and Sundays. When I come on Monday, you can't believe it, all the clothes and undies they all wore the past days will be waiting for me.

"I tried telling her that women don't leave their undies like that, they wash it during bath immediately.. she hissed and left. It was the children that told me that it has been their father keeping the house neat all those while, she uses her shop to get housemaids.

"She even fought with her last housemaid because the girl refused washing her undies...

"One Monday I washed everything but I kept both her undies and her husband's boxers aside for her.. she got angry and started shouting, she took the bucket of water nearby and poured on me when I tried replying her, just then, her husband came back suddenly, I was surprised as he pounds on her.

"That was the first day he ever touched her, he threw her things away...I couldn't stand the whole drama and ran out of the house. No one was able to settle them as I heard.

Did I do wrong to have refused washing those things? I'm I really the cause of the divorce?

Modern day slavery is described as when someone doesn't have a choice, has no freedom, and doesn't get paid or paid very little. For instance:

• Bonded Labour
• Trafficking
• Forced child labour 

About 29.8 million people are in slavery in the world today. Stop modern day slavery!

Chika Ike Displays Dance Moves To Celebrate Harvard Admission

Nollywood actress, Chika Ike finally gain entry into Harvard Business School after several attempts to secure admission into the private Ivy League research university in Cambridge.

The star took to her Instagram page to share the news in a most hilarious manner as well as shun haters who think she was lying about her success story.

Here's what the Africa Diva hostess wrote:

“I finally got accepted into Harvard business school for my masters. After trying for 5 years and getting rejected...Yes ! The prestigious Ivy League University… Yippee.I’m super excited….The good part is it’s an executive study so I can work ( as an actress, Tv host and CEO ) and school…I started business at age 17 and I’ve been doing this solely on self-knowledge and instincts, I think it’s time to hone my business skills from the mother of all business schools so I can have a sustainable company . …. God is awesome, he has done so much for me, looking at all my achievements so far .His grace has been with me all through. Doors that people said will never open, opened for my sake ….May He give you a blessing that looks like a lie such that people will question your blessings because of its magnitude. May your Enemies be confused and in awe of your blessings.May he give you reasons to smile as you rise in style and in glory.God is no respecter of man and doesn’t care how anyone feels about your blessings. My story so far has truly been his divine Grace…… one advice …Never ever give up!#harvard #EMBA #africadiva”

That unfathomable joy you feel when you get accepted into Harvard for your Executive MBA #havard #EMBA

A post shared by Chika Ike (@chikaike) on Jul 3, 2017 at 4:59am PDT

When haters say your admission into Harvard is a lie .... you give them the olowogbogboro dance .... a miracle that looks like a lie 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻#africadiva #harvard #olowogbogboro

A post shared by Chika Ike (@chikaike) on Jul 3, 2017 at 8:08am PDT

What an amazing achievement. Congratulations!!!

Lionel Messi Weds Antonella Roccuzzo: Facts About The Footballer's Wedding

It is now officially Mr and Mrs Messi as football star Lionel Messi says "I Do" to childhood heartthrob, Antonella Roccuzzo on Friday, June 30.

The wedding took place in Argentine, at Messi's hometown Rosario where his colleagues, celebrities and friends gathered to celebrate the occasion described as "the wedding of the century."

Following the private ceremony hosted at a hotel and casino complex, the couple walked a red carpet for a photo shoot before hundreds of journalists.

Messi and Roccuzzo already have two kids - Thiago (4yrs), and Mateo (1yr) who were had front seats at the ceremony.

Ya en casa con la familia y unos buenos mates !!!! Los amo 💓💓

A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi) on Sep 17, 2016 at 10:08am PDT

About 260 guests were reportedly in attendants including Shakira and her husband, Messi’s teammate Gerard Pique, and Barcelona strike partners Neymar and Luis Suarez; former Barca and current Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas was in attendance, along with Argentina and Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

Venue of the wedding is at the City Center Casino, close to a crime-ridden slum run by drug gangs. Guests were also lodged there for the civil ceremony and party slated to take place right inside the venue.

The new bride Roccuzzo (29 yrs) wore a tight, mermaid-style gown by Spanish designer Rosa Clara - who has dressed actress Eva Longoria and the Queen of Spain, Letizia.

Entertainments at the reception include a performance by Uruguayan pop bands Rombai, Marama and singer Karina, Aguero’s wife. Rumour has it Shakira would also perform.

Guests were asked to donate to a children's charity, instead of wedding presents.

As of the world best footballers, 30-year old Messi has won five Ballon d’Or award. The couple has been friends since Messi was 13, both currently live in Barcelona but still returns regularly to their hometown Rosario for vacations.

Vacaciones !!!! Nada más lindo que vos .. te amo

A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi) on Jun 12, 2017 at 7:12am PDT

Though Messi moved to Spain at 13 to begin his football career at FC Barcelona, he had kept in touch with the love of his life Roccuzzo.

Before their wedding, Argentina media reported that the couple has spent the past two weeks in Rosario with family, but out of sight of reporters who have invaded the city.

Photos of the bachelor and bachelorette parties posted by ex-Barca goalkeeper Jose Pinto, shows Messi enjoying a barbeque with a few friends. While friends of Roccuzzo shared pictures of her relaxing with relatives.

Se junto la banda!#LaBanda #Amistad #PaSiempre pic.twitter.com/g1LQj2K46J

— Pinto/Wahin (@13_Pinto) June 29, 2017

Lionel Messi's Friends and neighbourhood folks describes him as "humble" simple and nice person who never lost sight of where he come from.

The entile neighbourhood has been on frantic celebration since the eve of the wedding. Even a mural of Messi was painted in the hood for the occasion by artist Lisandro Urteaga who said:

"Let him celebrate the way someone like him deserves. He is a real example as a human being — although when he plays football he doesn’t seem to be from this planet."

The special couple dance!

Si ella sube yo también .. tirando pasos 🙈🙈🙈

A post shared by Leo Messi (@leomessi) on Jul 3, 2017 at 6:00pm PDT

Makeup Video: How To Prepare For Unwanted Date With A Guy

This makeup tutorial teaches girls what to do when they don't want to go out on a date with a guy who's been bothering them.

In the video, Fay Nelson says if you don't want anything - whatsoever, to do with him and he keeps bugging you, then you must give him the shock of his life with this outrageous haggard facial makeup. According to her, your facial makeup should be as scary as possible so as to make sure the guy doesn't ever come back again.

In the video themed 'What to do when you don't want to go on a date with a guy who keeps bothering you' Fay Nelson said:

"Girls this is what you'll do when you don't want a date with a guy who's been bothering you.

"When you don't want anything to do with him and he keeps bothering you, just tell him yes we will go on a date. But the preparation for the date is what you need to put more time into like the one am doing here. 

"Just make yourself some natural eyeglasses to make sure that when this guy sees you - this guy whom you want to stop bothering you - that when he sees you, he will run for his life."

"He will run until he probably falls over. Just make sure he doesn't want anything to do with you anymore (with your haggard looking facial makeup). 

Watch the video below.

Get dressed to discourage that date

A post shared by Fay Nelson (@faylovesbeingfay) on Dec 31, 2015 at 9:18am PST

Folorunsho Alakija: Nigerian N2.1 Billion Wedding In UK Breaks The Internet

We are getting more pictures from #floandnaza #Floza2017 and it's stunning! Via @idoghana!

A post shared by Studio Chi Weddings (@studiochiweddings) on Jun 12, 2017 at 3:31am PDT

Congratulations to the now Mr & Mrs Alakija🥂💑💕 It was an honor to witness your union as husband and wife 🙏🏽

A post shared by SHANINA SHAIK (@shaninamshaik) on Jun 11, 2017 at 5:01am PDT

Folorunsho Alakija is a billionaire Nigerian oil tycoon known as the richest black woman in the world and her son Folarin Alakija's £5million wedding with Iranian model Nazanin Jafarian Ghaissarifar has got the media on a rampage.

British Family Visit Nigeria To Take Home Their Royal Nigerian Bride

The wedding ceremony conducted over the weekend -precisely on June 10, is said to be the most expensive ever witnessed this year. As is seen in the IG pictures shared by some of the quests, no expenses were spared at the fairytale ceremony between the couple who reportedly met in 2016 in London and had a traditional Nigerian wedding in Lagos in November - same year.

Folarin is an entrepreneur, while his new wife Nazanin has a degree in bioengineering and biomedical engineering from the University of Manchester. The groom is a widower who lost his first wife to cancer, leaving him with their daughter.

Hiring the Oxfordshire stately home of the Duke of Marlborough cost as much as £150,000 (N6.3 million), according to the venue website and decorated with one million nature white flowers - roses and orchids reportedly worth £200,000. 

When @sadeawe @thebridalcircle_sadeawe plans and designs your luxurious fairytale wedding everything you dreamed about and so much more comes to life. What an exquisite affair it was!!!! @blenheimpalace #destinationwedding #thebridalcircle #bespoke #weddings #weddingdecor

A post shared by Nancy M. Brenner (@brenner0526) on Jun 13, 2017 at 7:32am PDT

The fascination could not be complete with mentioning the 12-foot wedding cake that was also decorated with flowers, and a food menu of a five-course meal.

This wedding giving me all types of life 😓🌸 #NazaAndFlo

A post shared by Temi Otedola (@jtofashion) on Jun 10, 2017 at 12:07pm PDT

My queen 👑 such a beautiful day celebrating the love of these two 💗 #floandnaza #weddingday

A post shared by B e c k a 🌵 (@becka_indigo) on Jun 11, 2017 at 3:47am PDT

Folarin and Nazanin take the first dance on the marble floor engraved with their initials in gold. The bride wore a strapless wedding gown but later changed into a party white lacy dress for the dance.
Their ceremony crowned with a performance from celebrity musician, Robin Thicke followed by an evening fireworks display to end the event.  

Folorunsho Alakija is named by Forbes as the 18th richest woman in African and richest black woman ahead of Oprah Winfrey. Her journey to wealth and fame began through fashion and designing clothes for elites and wives of Nigerian politicians, then the move to oil and other investments. 

UK Parliamentary Election: 7 Nigerians Elected Into Offices

The candidates of Nigerian heritage who won the UK Parliamentary election held on Thursday, June 8, include Chi Onwurah, Chuka Umunna, Kemi Badenoch, Fiona Onasanya, Kate Osamor, Helen Grant and Saffron Walden.
They were elected into positions as follows:

1. Chuka Umunna (38 years) represents Streatham. 

The British-born has been a Member of Parliament for Streatham since 2010 and was Shadow Business Secretary from 2011 to 2015. Umunna polled a massive 38,000 plus vote trouncing his nearest rival the Conservative candidate Kim Caddy, who polled 11,297. 
He expressed his delight to see that more young people were engaging with politics and said he was humbled and privileged to be serving his constituent for the third time.

2. Chinyelu "Chi" Owurah (52) represents Newcastle

She has been a British Labour Party politician elected as the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central since the 2010 general election - as the first black MP. Owurah won 24,071 votes, comfortably beating the Tory candidate Steve Kyte who had 9,134 votes. She is the current Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, as well as Shadow Minister for Culture, Media and Sport.

3. Kemi Olufunto Badenoch (37) represents Saffron Walden

Kemi Badenoch became Saffron Walden’s first-ever female MP as she secured a near 25,000 majority in the 2017 UK Parliamentary election. The Wimbledon-born is achieved 37,629 votes ahead of nearest challenger Jane Berney (Labour) with 12,663 votes. Mrs Badenoch expressed her delight at her new position quote:

“I wasn’t expecting the majority, but I worked hard for it. I got out there, met people and earned every single vote, and I will make those people proud.”

4.  Fiona Onasanya represents Peterborough

Fiona Onasanya from the Labour party won the Peterborough seat from Conservative rival Stewart Jackson who has been the MP for Peterborough for 12 years.  She is a solicitor at DC Law, a Labour Cambridgeshire County Councillor for King’s Hedges and deputy leader for the County group.

Onasanya's was described as short and sweet and she said:

"I'm so grateful for you choosing to make a voice for change. You’ve made your choice, now let’s make the change."

5.  Kate Ofunne (48) Osamor represents Edmonton

She has been the Member of Parliament for Edmonton since May 2015 and was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for International Development in June 2016.

6. Bim Afolami represents Hitchin and Harpenden

Bim Afolami was elected as a Conservative Member in the UK Parliamentary election to represent Hitchin and Harpenden constituency. He polled 31,189 votes - higher than that of his Labour Party opponent, John Hayes' total of 19,158 votes.

Afolami expressed his delight and pledged to focus on local issues as well as become a strong voice in Parliament.

7. Helen Grant (55) represents Maidstone and The Weald

Grant was re-elected t continue representing Maidstone and The Weald at the UK Parliamentary election 2017. She has served as the first black woman in the Conservative Parliament for the constituency since 2010 when she succeeded Ann Widdecombe. 

A UK-based Human Capital Development Strategist, Dayo Olomu congratulated the winners in a Facebook post on Friday.

Biafra: Middle Belt Group Pledge To Accommodate Ndigbo Of Nigeria

The Middle Belt Youth Council (MBYC) has offered to support the Igbo tribes of Nigeria should the northerners carry out their threat to attack.

Following the 90 days ultimatum given by some group in Kaduna for the Igbos living in the state to vacate, MBYC released a statement declaring their stand in ensuing conflict.

In the statement signed allegedly signed by group’s President, Emma Zopmal, they said:

"We wish to express our profound gratitude to God for keeping us alive today. Middle Belt Youth Council is extremely concerned about the ongoing regional tension in Nigeria today and we want to make our position clear to the world.

"In the light of incessant threats to one Nigeria posed by killer-herdsmen, we want to call on good people of Middle Belt to first of all, support the Anti-grazing Bill.

"Grazing by Fulani herdsmen on our land has become the major cause of conflicts in our region. Therefore, we’re calling for total ban on open grazing so as to save the lives of our people and their farmlands.

"Secondly, it’s no longer news that our country Nigeria is facing a daunting challenge of peace and unity but we want to assure the good citizens of Nigeria that we have been a peace-loving people and we’ll continue to be.

"But, in an event one part of the country decides to go away as a separate entity, Middle Belt is also ready to make an independent statement. We want to clarify those who think that the Middle Belt is part of the North: God created everywhere and everyone and He gave it to whom he chooses and Middle Belt is a creation of God and not man (Usman bn Fodio).

"Therefore, we choose what to use our land for, how to run it and where we want to be.

"Middle Belt has been a home for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, South-South and the South-West without any form of discrimination against anyone.

"We’ve accommodated every Nigerian for centuries now. We deserve respect and commendations."

In reaction, the news of death threats issued to the Igbos in Kaduna, the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo took to the presidency social media page to declare quote:

"Nigeria belongs to all of us. No person or group is more important or more entitled than the other in this space that we all call home."