Iyetade Soyinka, a daughter of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, has died. Ms. Soyinka, who was born June 6, 1965, died at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital where she was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.
The death was disclosed in a statement signed by Jahman Anikulapo, an aide to Mr. Soyinka, one of the world's foremost dramatists and winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in literature. The statement noted that the late Iyetade Soyinka was a student at the Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before she studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan.
Mr. Anikulapo's statement described the deceased as "affable, intelligent and sometimes capricious," adding that she "struggled with her health in recent years." Despite her health woes, the late Iyetade Soyinka "greeted every day with a smile and doted on her two children."
The statement, which was issued on behalf of the deceased's family, revealed that Ms. Soyinka "took ill quite suddenly and passed away while being treated at UCH, Ibadan.
"Iyetade leaves behind two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews."
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Handsome actor Benjamin Joseph shares a picture with his two kids
They are so grown up and so cute...
#EKITI 2014: Why blackmailing & name calling can't stop Fayose#
Ekiti 2014 Governorship Election.
We consider it necessary to react because it has degenerated to the usual level of blackmailing and name calling by the unrepentant political foes of our organisation as posted on the social media severally.
Let us not forget that our leader alone opposed the other 23 governorship
aspirants and the state PDP Chairman who had endorsed adoption consensus, and the PDP NWC eventually agreed to uphold transparent primary as stated in
the party'sconstitution.
AYO FAYOSE DOES NOT WANT ANYONE TO ADOPT HIM.
Rather, he prefers to emerge as candidate after defeating other aspirants in a free and fair contest.
We are sure of ourselves, we are fully prepared. We deserve respect from our
opponents and this can only come after their defeat. In 2002, through a
transparent primary, Fayose defeated the highly rated Chief SK Babalola to get the ticket.
Certainly, Fayose is set for the history to repeat itself.
As a matter of fact, name callings can't change the position of the Ekiti voting
class about Fayose. The more you malign him, the more the teachers, workers, drivers, artisans, traders, okada operators and pensioners like him. CAN ANYONE QUERY GOD FOR THAT?
As a reminder, the torrent of blackmails and name callings did not stop him from winning the ticket or defeating the incumbent in 2002 and 2003.
LET THE PDP MEMBERS UNITE TO CHASE OUT THE COMMON ENEMY (APC GOVT).
PDP POWER, FAYOSE, YESOOOOOOOO
Idowu Adelusi,
Director of Publicity and Research,
Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation
Ado Ekiti
27/12/13
PDP/LP PLAN REVEALED FROM HEAVEN
A shocking revelation about possible kidnap and murder of the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has been revealed by founder of the Evangelical Church of Yahweh, Primate Theophilus Olabayo, as part of his predictions for 2014. The primate revealed that the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola risks being kidnapped in the New Year.
Olabayo revealed this at his church headquarters in Lagos, just as he added that aside risking being kidnapped, the governor could also be killed.
According to him, "Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has to be watchful so that they will not kidnap and kill him in the New Year. He has to be very careful so that he can survive the year." Please pray for Ogbeni wa oooooooo
PDP NWC AND EKITI SWC - PICK AYODELE FAYOSE AS PDP GUBER CANDIDATE IN EKITI AND EMBARK ON SELF INFLICTED SUICIDE MISSION • NEVER AGAIN IN EKITI
Comrade Ebenezer Olaleye wrote-
Dr Ayo Fayose: 15 Reasons He Can't Be Ekiti Governor Again
There is one certainty as far as Ekiti State politics is
concerned. That certainty is that Ekiti people are fed up with the present Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
government of Dr Kayode Fayemi. Even members and supporters of the ACN are angling to have a change of baton at the Oke-Bareke Government House come 2014.
However, determined as Ekiti people are to send Fayemi out of the government house next year, the major puzzle still remains; "who will the next governor be?"
Two options before the people are; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) picks a credible candidate and the party will be guaranteed a smooth and easy return to power, or; PDP fails to pick a credible candidate, a third force comprising of PDP members and aggrieved ACN members emerges, and presents a credible candidate to slug it out with Fayemi and whoever is picked as the PDP candidate. From the two options, PDP is at advantage if it fields a candidate that does not have any luggage of negativity to carry.
As lovers of the PDP and a group of concerned youths in Ekiti State, we felt we owe it a duty to let those whose duty it will be to elect or select the PDP flag-bearer know that there is a kind of governor Ekiti people do not want.
Lest we forget that:
1: On March 15, 2004, students of the College of
Education, Ikere-Ekiti staged a peaceful protest against the perceived imposition of a Provost on them. Government killer squad was let loose on the unarmed students, and at the end of this deadly attack, FIVE students were brutally murdered while several others were seriously wounded. Gbenga Jaiyeoba, one of those who survived had one of his legs amputated!
2: "Where is Bode Olowoporoku, I want to kill him, I have immunity for eight years as governor of Ekiti State. And this will be till year 2011." Those who were at Ilawe-Ekiti on Saturday, April 3, 2004 will remember the event that led to this statement. Most importantly, Senator Bode Olowoporoku who escaped death narrowly, and the likes of Ben Ogunlana (Benjola), Aseweje, Dapo Osunniyi,
Kamoru Folorunso, Ojo Sunday, Yinka Osunniyi and others that were injured by rampaging thugs can never forget the event and will never wish its return to Ekiti.
3: On Wednesday, August 11, 2004, the then Attah of
Aiyede-Ekiti, late Oba Joseph Adeleye Orishagbemi, was on the order of the State Governor whisked away from his palace by security men. The monarch was detained with criminals for three days.
4: On the September 11, 2004, attempt was made to kill Mr. Taye Fasuba, who was the Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government. Fasuba was not in good term with the governor then.
5: In October 2004, one of the Ayo Fayose's brothers,
Emmanuel granted an interview castigating him.
Emmanuel publicly chided Fayose, threatening to destroy him. Soon after the imbroglio between Ayo Fayose and Emmanuel died down, late Bimpe Shorinolu, Fayose's younger sister went public, accusing his elder brother of pitching her husband against her.
6: On Saturday, May 28, 2005, Tunde Omojola, a Holland based Ikogosi-Ekiti indigene was at Ifaki-Ekiti to personally witness a councillorship election involving one Labaika, who was his (Tunde) in-law. Tunde was bubbling with life until Mr Ayodele Fayose, the then governor of Ekiti State stormed Ifaki-Ekiti with security operatives and hoodlums. For daring to raise his voice against him (Fayose), he allegedly gave rapid directive and in no time, Tunde was beaten to the ground. Till today, those who saw the barbaric act can still testify as to the person who gave Tunde Omojola a vicious kick on his scrotum, leading to his death!
7: On that same May 28, 2005, Alliance for Democracy (AD) was having a programme at Mugbagba Area of Ado-Ekiti, Fayose personally led thugs and security operatives to disrupt the programme, destroying several vehicles in the process. He (Fayose) allegedly grabbed a pistol from a police officer and shot into the air to disperse the people. In the ensuing violence, 20 vehicles were destroyed and 37 suspects detained by the police.
8: A month after the Ifaki and Mugbagba mayhem, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), raised an alarm that Fayose was planning to assassinate him. The elder statesman alleged that he had four different text messages on his GLO Mobile line in the past two months. He explained in a letter he sent to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo that: "My first reaction was to ignore them. However, in view of the concealed sender number and subsequent events, I was no longer comfortable allowing the matter to lie low…" Chief Babalola explained further that his problem with Fayose started over his (Babalola's)
comments on the attempt on Fasuba's life and alleged deduction of LG funds.
9: On Monday, August 14, 2006, Dr. Ayodeji Daramola, a World Bank Consultant and PDP governorship aspirant was murdered at his Ijan-Ekiti country home. Two months before he was murdered, Dr Daramola had resigned from his job at the Ekiti Poverty Relief Agency, (EKPRA), a World Bank funded project following persistent harassment and intimidation by the Governor Ayo Fayose- led administration in the state. He (Daramola) had already printed his campaign posters after he was presented to the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja as a replacement for Fayose in the 2007 election by top PDP chieftains in Ekiti.
NB:
Pressure is being mounted on the State Government to prosecute Fayose for his alleged involvement in the murder of Tunde Omojola and Dr. Ayo Daramola.
10: Between 2004 and 2006, there was no love lost
between the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe and Fayose. Ostensibly to spite the Ewi, Fayose turned late Prince Adegoke, a man with whom Oba Adejugbe
contested the Ewi stool to his ally. Fayose bought a Brand New Mercedes Benz S-Class for Prince Adegoke and registered it; ADO-EKITI 1. On a certain afternoon, Fayose drove himself to the front of Ewi's Palace and publicly called the monarch BABA JOHN BULL.
11: Integrated Poultry Farm Fraud – On June 10, 2013, a Federal High Court, sitting in Ekiti State adjourned
Fayose's the N855 million fraud case till June 24, 2013.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly withdrawing N855 million from the state government's account on the pretext of establishing an integrated poultry farm in the state (which landed both Olatunji and James in a Federal High Court). EFCC alleged that between December 2003 and December 2005, Fayose, without due process, engaged Biological Concepts, managed by James, his personal friend, on the pretext of establishing an integrated poultry farm in the state. Through this project, it said, N855 million was withdrawn from the account of the state government. The trial is still on.
13: During the 2009 rerun governorship election, Fayose openly worked for the ACN. "Even if I am killed or whatever happens to me, I am saying that every Ekiti man and woman should vote for Kayode Fayemi in the re-run election that is coming up on April 25. Let them (PDP) bring soldiers or whatever they like, my position is clear. I am for the people and I don't see anything strange in
that," Fayose said on March 19, 2009.
14: Fayose vowed not to return to the PDP: "I have told them in plain language that I will never return to their (PDP) fold, no matter what.
"Rather if they want us to work together again, they have two options, either to come enmass to my Labour Party or remain in PDP as my eyes and hears," he said on April 30, 2009.
15: After the PDP lost the State governorship to the ACN via the Appeal Court judgment, Fayose, who had declared his intention to contest the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat under the Labour Party (LP) declared: "I have done my very best for the ACN and Dr Fayemi in realising the stolen mandate which we all worked for during the 2007 polls and the re-run. "Now is the time for pay back. I trust them; they will not pick any candidate against me toward realising my mission of becoming a Senator in 2011, they will rather throw out party interest and support me."
Above are 15 solid reasons why Ekiti people will reject PDP should the party pick Dr. Ayodele Fayose as its consensus governorship candidate. The earlier he is made to realise that he is a hard-sell for the PDP, the better.
For instance, all that Governor Kayode Fayemi, who has been endorsed as the ACN candidate, will need to do to campaign for votes is to place newspaper advertisement, produce billboards and print posters and handbills, using Fayose's photograph displaying placard with inscription
VOTE FAYEMI and write underneath: "EVEN THEIR
CANDIDATE WANTS YOU TO VOTE FOR ME."
Dr Ayo Fayose: 15 Reasons He Can't Be Ekiti Governor Again
There is one certainty as far as Ekiti State politics is
concerned. That certainty is that Ekiti people are fed up with the present Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
government of Dr Kayode Fayemi. Even members and supporters of the ACN are angling to have a change of baton at the Oke-Bareke Government House come 2014.
However, determined as Ekiti people are to send Fayemi out of the government house next year, the major puzzle still remains; "who will the next governor be?"
Two options before the people are; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) picks a credible candidate and the party will be guaranteed a smooth and easy return to power, or; PDP fails to pick a credible candidate, a third force comprising of PDP members and aggrieved ACN members emerges, and presents a credible candidate to slug it out with Fayemi and whoever is picked as the PDP candidate. From the two options, PDP is at advantage if it fields a candidate that does not have any luggage of negativity to carry.
As lovers of the PDP and a group of concerned youths in Ekiti State, we felt we owe it a duty to let those whose duty it will be to elect or select the PDP flag-bearer know that there is a kind of governor Ekiti people do not want.
Lest we forget that:
1: On March 15, 2004, students of the College of
Education, Ikere-Ekiti staged a peaceful protest against the perceived imposition of a Provost on them. Government killer squad was let loose on the unarmed students, and at the end of this deadly attack, FIVE students were brutally murdered while several others were seriously wounded. Gbenga Jaiyeoba, one of those who survived had one of his legs amputated!
2: "Where is Bode Olowoporoku, I want to kill him, I have immunity for eight years as governor of Ekiti State. And this will be till year 2011." Those who were at Ilawe-Ekiti on Saturday, April 3, 2004 will remember the event that led to this statement. Most importantly, Senator Bode Olowoporoku who escaped death narrowly, and the likes of Ben Ogunlana (Benjola), Aseweje, Dapo Osunniyi,
Kamoru Folorunso, Ojo Sunday, Yinka Osunniyi and others that were injured by rampaging thugs can never forget the event and will never wish its return to Ekiti.
3: On Wednesday, August 11, 2004, the then Attah of
Aiyede-Ekiti, late Oba Joseph Adeleye Orishagbemi, was on the order of the State Governor whisked away from his palace by security men. The monarch was detained with criminals for three days.
4: On the September 11, 2004, attempt was made to kill Mr. Taye Fasuba, who was the Chairman of Ado-Ekiti Local Government. Fasuba was not in good term with the governor then.
5: In October 2004, one of the Ayo Fayose's brothers,
Emmanuel granted an interview castigating him.
Emmanuel publicly chided Fayose, threatening to destroy him. Soon after the imbroglio between Ayo Fayose and Emmanuel died down, late Bimpe Shorinolu, Fayose's younger sister went public, accusing his elder brother of pitching her husband against her.
6: On Saturday, May 28, 2005, Tunde Omojola, a Holland based Ikogosi-Ekiti indigene was at Ifaki-Ekiti to personally witness a councillorship election involving one Labaika, who was his (Tunde) in-law. Tunde was bubbling with life until Mr Ayodele Fayose, the then governor of Ekiti State stormed Ifaki-Ekiti with security operatives and hoodlums. For daring to raise his voice against him (Fayose), he allegedly gave rapid directive and in no time, Tunde was beaten to the ground. Till today, those who saw the barbaric act can still testify as to the person who gave Tunde Omojola a vicious kick on his scrotum, leading to his death!
7: On that same May 28, 2005, Alliance for Democracy (AD) was having a programme at Mugbagba Area of Ado-Ekiti, Fayose personally led thugs and security operatives to disrupt the programme, destroying several vehicles in the process. He (Fayose) allegedly grabbed a pistol from a police officer and shot into the air to disperse the people. In the ensuing violence, 20 vehicles were destroyed and 37 suspects detained by the police.
8: A month after the Ifaki and Mugbagba mayhem, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), raised an alarm that Fayose was planning to assassinate him. The elder statesman alleged that he had four different text messages on his GLO Mobile line in the past two months. He explained in a letter he sent to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo that: "My first reaction was to ignore them. However, in view of the concealed sender number and subsequent events, I was no longer comfortable allowing the matter to lie low…" Chief Babalola explained further that his problem with Fayose started over his (Babalola's)
comments on the attempt on Fasuba's life and alleged deduction of LG funds.
9: On Monday, August 14, 2006, Dr. Ayodeji Daramola, a World Bank Consultant and PDP governorship aspirant was murdered at his Ijan-Ekiti country home. Two months before he was murdered, Dr Daramola had resigned from his job at the Ekiti Poverty Relief Agency, (EKPRA), a World Bank funded project following persistent harassment and intimidation by the Governor Ayo Fayose- led administration in the state. He (Daramola) had already printed his campaign posters after he was presented to the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja as a replacement for Fayose in the 2007 election by top PDP chieftains in Ekiti.
NB:
Pressure is being mounted on the State Government to prosecute Fayose for his alleged involvement in the murder of Tunde Omojola and Dr. Ayo Daramola.
10: Between 2004 and 2006, there was no love lost
between the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe and Fayose. Ostensibly to spite the Ewi, Fayose turned late Prince Adegoke, a man with whom Oba Adejugbe
contested the Ewi stool to his ally. Fayose bought a Brand New Mercedes Benz S-Class for Prince Adegoke and registered it; ADO-EKITI 1. On a certain afternoon, Fayose drove himself to the front of Ewi's Palace and publicly called the monarch BABA JOHN BULL.
11: Integrated Poultry Farm Fraud – On June 10, 2013, a Federal High Court, sitting in Ekiti State adjourned
Fayose's the N855 million fraud case till June 24, 2013.
Fayose is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly withdrawing N855 million from the state government's account on the pretext of establishing an integrated poultry farm in the state (which landed both Olatunji and James in a Federal High Court). EFCC alleged that between December 2003 and December 2005, Fayose, without due process, engaged Biological Concepts, managed by James, his personal friend, on the pretext of establishing an integrated poultry farm in the state. Through this project, it said, N855 million was withdrawn from the account of the state government. The trial is still on.
13: During the 2009 rerun governorship election, Fayose openly worked for the ACN. "Even if I am killed or whatever happens to me, I am saying that every Ekiti man and woman should vote for Kayode Fayemi in the re-run election that is coming up on April 25. Let them (PDP) bring soldiers or whatever they like, my position is clear. I am for the people and I don't see anything strange in
that," Fayose said on March 19, 2009.
14: Fayose vowed not to return to the PDP: "I have told them in plain language that I will never return to their (PDP) fold, no matter what.
"Rather if they want us to work together again, they have two options, either to come enmass to my Labour Party or remain in PDP as my eyes and hears," he said on April 30, 2009.
15: After the PDP lost the State governorship to the ACN via the Appeal Court judgment, Fayose, who had declared his intention to contest the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat under the Labour Party (LP) declared: "I have done my very best for the ACN and Dr Fayemi in realising the stolen mandate which we all worked for during the 2007 polls and the re-run. "Now is the time for pay back. I trust them; they will not pick any candidate against me toward realising my mission of becoming a Senator in 2011, they will rather throw out party interest and support me."
Above are 15 solid reasons why Ekiti people will reject PDP should the party pick Dr. Ayodele Fayose as its consensus governorship candidate. The earlier he is made to realise that he is a hard-sell for the PDP, the better.
For instance, all that Governor Kayode Fayemi, who has been endorsed as the ACN candidate, will need to do to campaign for votes is to place newspaper advertisement, produce billboards and print posters and handbills, using Fayose's photograph displaying placard with inscription
VOTE FAYEMI and write underneath: "EVEN THEIR
CANDIDATE WANTS YOU TO VOTE FOR ME."
Signed:
Comrade Ebenezer Olaleye,
President, Ekiti Progressive Youths
Cradinal Okojie reacts to Chris Okotie's attack on Catholics
Reacting, Cardinal Okojie said Okotie needs to watch what he says or he'll be disgraced
"It is always good to talk on what you know, not on what you do not know. The problem we have today is that a lot of people put their mouth in what does not concern them because they want people to know that they too are there; that they can be reckoned with.
"I don't think that is the way to do things, no. I think the best thing is to always put your mouth where God puts it, if you don't want to be disgraced." Okojie said
Annie Idibia gushes about her love for 2face
Awwww, a woman who is married to her dream man, the love of her life! Too sweet...:-)
Kanye West buys mini Lamborghini for 6 months daughter (Photo)
Kim posted the pic above on instagram yesterday, with the caption ''Like father like daughter''.
Music producer ID Cabasa ordained a pastor
Saturday, December 28, 2013
The NET list of the 12 biggest Artist of 2013
2013 was a very big year for Nigerian music and quite a number of artistes lived up to expectation. We're talking sold-out shows, monster singles, European tours and endorsement deals. NET presents the 12 biggest artistes of 2013.
1. Wizkid
2. Davido
3. P-Square
4. Tiwa Savage
5. D'banj
6. Iyanya
7. Olamide
8. Flavour
9. Kcee
10. Femi Kuti
11. Ice Prince
12. 2face Idibia
What do you think of this list? Any name missing for you?
Fashola approves 120 new vehicles for traditional rulers
Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has approved the procurement of 120 new vehicles of various brands for traditional rulers in the state.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos. The commissioner, who said the vehicles would be purchased in 2014, noted that they would enable the traditional rulers to discharge their responsibilities
effectively. "Already, the 120 vehicles have been provided for in the 2014 budget and these would add to the over 30 vehicles that we have provided in the current year.
"These vehicles speak of the commitment of the state government toward improving the welfare of traditional rulers in the state and empowering our Obas to serve their people, '' he said. Kuye also told NAN that the state government was renovating palaces and building some new ones to strengthen the traditional institution and improve the living standards of the traditional rulers. "We have just delivered a new palace for the Alara of Ilara, Epe and work would soon commence on new palaces for the Akran of Badagry and Olu of Ikeja,
"Renovation of the palaces of Ayangburen of Ikorodu and Elejigbo of Ejigbo are ongoing and we are taking all these steps to strengthen the traditional institution in the state, '' he said.
The commissioner added that the state government had set up a committee to consider applications from traditional rulers seeking upgrade.
He said that the committee embedded in the State's Council of Obas would ensure that qualified traditional rulers get the deserved elevation.
"We have different categories of Obas in the state and some of them, based on historical evidence and some other considerations, believe they should be upgraded to higher categories.
"So the committee on upgrade of traditional rulers will consider applications, scrutinise the evidence provided there-in and make recommendations to the state government for approval.
"It is State Executive Council that gives the final approval based on the merits of the recommended applications, '' Kuye said.
The commissioner, who said traditional rulers were partners in progress, added that the state government would continue to work with them to ensure development in the state. (NAN)
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos. The commissioner, who said the vehicles would be purchased in 2014, noted that they would enable the traditional rulers to discharge their responsibilities
effectively. "Already, the 120 vehicles have been provided for in the 2014 budget and these would add to the over 30 vehicles that we have provided in the current year.
"These vehicles speak of the commitment of the state government toward improving the welfare of traditional rulers in the state and empowering our Obas to serve their people, '' he said. Kuye also told NAN that the state government was renovating palaces and building some new ones to strengthen the traditional institution and improve the living standards of the traditional rulers. "We have just delivered a new palace for the Alara of Ilara, Epe and work would soon commence on new palaces for the Akran of Badagry and Olu of Ikeja,
"Renovation of the palaces of Ayangburen of Ikorodu and Elejigbo of Ejigbo are ongoing and we are taking all these steps to strengthen the traditional institution in the state, '' he said.
The commissioner added that the state government had set up a committee to consider applications from traditional rulers seeking upgrade.
He said that the committee embedded in the State's Council of Obas would ensure that qualified traditional rulers get the deserved elevation.
"We have different categories of Obas in the state and some of them, based on historical evidence and some other considerations, believe they should be upgraded to higher categories.
"So the committee on upgrade of traditional rulers will consider applications, scrutinise the evidence provided there-in and make recommendations to the state government for approval.
"It is State Executive Council that gives the final approval based on the merits of the recommended applications, '' Kuye said.
The commissioner, who said traditional rulers were partners in progress, added that the state government would continue to work with them to ensure development in the state. (NAN)
China abolishes one-child policy
BEIJING (AFP) – China Saturday formally adopted a reform of its one-child policy to allow couples to have two children if either parent is an only child, state media reported.
The measure was passed by the country’s top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the Xinhua news agency said
Fireworks injure 160 as Philippines readies for New Year
MANILA (AFP) – More than 160 people have been injured by fireworks in the Philippines as they prepared to welcome the New Year, the government said Saturday.
A 14-year-old boy who lost his right hand and an elderly man with a ruptured eyeball were among the worst injured so far, Assistant Health Secretary Eric Tayag said.
He tweeted that a five-year-old had also lost his right index finger from using fireworks.
The Asian nation of 100 million people traditionally greets the New Year by making noise in the belief it will drive bad spirits away.
Households start stockpiling fireworks around Christmas and start using them days before New Year’s Eve.
Apart from fireworks, gun owners are another seasonal hazard as they fire their weapons in the air to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
Tayag said government hospitals had tallied 164 firework injuries in the runup to New Year’s Eve, plus one case of a firecracker being swallowed.
“Active fireworks users (are) up by eight percent this year compared to 2012,” he said, without giving figures.
He said one person was also wounded by a stray bullet.
Celebratory gunfire killed a four-year-old boy and more than 400 others were injured by powerful fireworks in the runup to 2013, according to police and health department tallies
Political killings: North asks Jonathan to prosecute Obasanjo
The North has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to explain who he was waiting for before taking action to bring officials of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration to book over political killings which he (Jonathan) said were the order of the day when Obasanjo held sway as the head of government in the country.
It also insisted that the next president of Nigeria, must emerge from the area, pointing out that President Jonathan must stand down for their own in 2015.
The northern groups, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, and the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, made these known at two separate interviews with Saturday Vanguard yesterday.
Reacting to a letter from Obasanjo, alleging that the President had placed 1000 people on watch list, Jonathan had in turn placed political killings in the country on the door steps of the former President.
Jonathan replied Obasanjo’s 18-page open letter dated 2, 2013, to him, pointing out that all the political killings since the Fourth Republic began, took place at the time Obasanjo was President.
According to Jonathan, although political killings had occurred in the country, none of them had taken place since he became President about three years ago.
Among those who were said to have been politically murdered during Obasanjo’s administration included, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige, and South-South politicians, Chief Harry Marshall, Chief A.K. Dikibo, a former Senatorial Candidate of the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP, in Imo State, Uche Orji, Arc Layi Balogun, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Prof Chimere Ikoku, former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, in Anambra State, Chief Barnabas Igwe and his wife, Chief Victor Nwankwo of Fourth Dimension Publishers and Chief Funso Williams.
However, the Secretary General of NEF, Prof Ango Abdullahi, confirmed in an interview with Saturday Vanguard that the North had made its position on the 2015 presidency known to President Jonathan’s emissaries, who had attempted to recruit some of their key stakeholders for the next poll.
In the letter to Obasanjo dated December 20, 2013, Jonathan further stated, ‘’There have certainly been cases of political assassination since the advent of our Fourth Republic, but as you well know, none of them occurred under my leadership.
’’Regarding the over 1000 people you say are on a political watch list, I urge you to kindly tell Nigerians who they are and what agencies of government are “watching” them. Your allegation that I am using security operatives to harass people is also baseless. Nigerians are waiting for your evidence of proof. That was an accusation made against previous administrations, including yours, but it is certainly not my style and will never be. Again, if you insist on the spurious claim that some of your relatives and friends are being harassed, I urge you to name them and tell Nigerians what agencies of my administration are harassing them.
’’I also find it difficult to believe that you will accuse me of assisting murderers, or assigning a presidential delegation to welcome a murderer. This is a most unconscionable and untrue allegation. It is incumbent on me to remind you that I am fully conscious of the dictates of my responsibilities to God and our dear nation. It is my hope that devious elements will not take advantage of your baseless allegation to engage in brazen and wanton assassination of high profile politicians as before, hiding under the alibi your “open letter” has provided for them.’’
However, reacting to President Jonathan’s allegation on political killings before he came into office, the National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr Anthony Sani, said, ‘’If you consider the submissions by Mr President,whose place in the order of things, is to provide order and direction to the nation… I wonder if he needs ACF to ask him to take necessary actions that are within his mandate.
’’I have made it clear that what the former president wrote to his place-holder, President Jonathan, except perhaps the issues of training and arming snipers against political opponents-was common place knowledge. The same with the issues raised by President Jonathan.
Meanwhile, Prof Abdullahi who spoke in an interview with Saturday Vanguard noted that the North had already made its position on the 2015 presidency known to President Jonathan’s emissaries, pointing out that a list of 151 key northern politicians and leaders was drawn by presidential political tacticians with a view to wooing them to work for the president in the next general elections.
The former ABU Vice Chancellor and Presidential Adviser on Food Security admitted to Olusegun Obasanjo, said that he and some other northern leaders, whose names appeared on the list, had already been contacted for possible support to Jonathan ahead of the impending election.
He said however that the presidential team must have hit the rock, as most of the northern elements consulted on the need to work for Jonathan’s re-election, politely turned down the offer.
Abdullahi did not mention the name of any of those who contacted them and who politely rejected the offer to work for the president.
His words, “What I can tell you now is that my name is on the list of the 151 Northern leaders and politicians, who have been earmarked for consultation by those working for Jonathan. But the good thing is that most of those contacted have also politely turned down the offer.
“What Nigerians should know is that the North as it is today, is ready to receive and welcome a Nigerian president from any of the 19 northern states come 2015. He can come from any of those states and we are ready to support and work with such a leader come 2015.
“I have been contacted by those who believe they can lure me and other Northern leaders to change our cause and we courageously but politely made our political position regarding 2015 very clear to them.
“They must have got our message and have decided to adopt other strategies, which in any case, would not change our position regarding the emergence of the Nigerian president in 2015.”
Although President Jonathan is yet to declare his intention to run in the 2015 poll, his body language suggests he would run, hence, opposition has been mounting against his second term particularly from the North, which claims that he signed a deal to run for only a term of four years after completing the remaining two years of late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The lingering disagreement among some of the party leaders and governors in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over 2015, led to the defection of five PDP governors to the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, last month.
President Jonathan has repeatedly said that it is too early in the life of the administration to begin campaign for re-election in 2015, pointing out that it was better for him to concentrate on the provision of social amenities for Nigerians than dissipate energy on an election that was still far away
2014: Why Nigeria must pray for three days – Prophet Ayodele
Before the airplane mishap that involved Sosoliso and Bellview Airlines in 2005, Prophet Babatunde Ayodele, Founder/Spiritual Head of Inri Evangelical Church, Lagos, warned the aviation sector but was unheeded. Now, while everyone looks forward to raising the curtain on 2014 in a couple of days, Ayodele has again reeled out predictions ahead of 2014, imploring Nigeria to take cover in prayers.
Economy
Concerning the year 2014, I will advise every Nigerian to take time and be prayerful for the country and for themselves from the 1st to 3rd of January, 2014. This is for God to prevent imminent dangers ahead of the nation and economy. Let us take it from here. I don't see anything happening in the Nigerian economy. I see debts everywhere- our crude oil, foreign reserve, and all.
States will be in debt, the Federal Government will be in debt and Nigeria will be planning to go borrow money. So, the government has to be very careful not to be grinded by these debts. Prices of food will increase drastically and flour will be scarce and very expensive. Corruption too will be more prevalent because this government lacks the power to fight it. Fighting oil theft will also pose a major challenge and Nigeria will beg America to support her in the fight. The price of petroleum will increase as well.
There will be too much of troubles concerning kerosene. Sea pirates will dominate the waterways and the African Union, AU, will form a common security to monitor our seaways. Various organisations such as the Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, will be embarking on industrial action almost at the same time. Again, power supply will be unstable until 2015, 2016. I also see ocean surge in Lagos. Sponsors of Boko Haram will be exposed as well. Very importantly, let us be very watchful so we don't have any border crisis.
Economy
Concerning the year 2014, I will advise every Nigerian to take time and be prayerful for the country and for themselves from the 1st to 3rd of January, 2014. This is for God to prevent imminent dangers ahead of the nation and economy. Let us take it from here. I don't see anything happening in the Nigerian economy. I see debts everywhere- our crude oil, foreign reserve, and all.
States will be in debt, the Federal Government will be in debt and Nigeria will be planning to go borrow money. So, the government has to be very careful not to be grinded by these debts. Prices of food will increase drastically and flour will be scarce and very expensive. Corruption too will be more prevalent because this government lacks the power to fight it. Fighting oil theft will also pose a major challenge and Nigeria will beg America to support her in the fight. The price of petroleum will increase as well.
There will be too much of troubles concerning kerosene. Sea pirates will dominate the waterways and the African Union, AU, will form a common security to monitor our seaways. Various organisations such as the Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, will be embarking on industrial action almost at the same time. Again, power supply will be unstable until 2015, 2016. I also see ocean surge in Lagos. Sponsors of Boko Haram will be exposed as well. Very importantly, let us be very watchful so we don't have any border crisis.
Scores injured as fresh violence erupts in Osun communities
This was said to have angered the people of Oba-Oke who mobilised and stormed Oba-Ile for revenge. But Oba-Ile residents claimed that the people of Oba-Oke started the trouble. The disagreement, it was learnt led to a fierce fight where weapons were freely used by both sides. Scores of residents from both sides were said to have been injured in the ensuing melee. A resident, who fled the scene, told our correspondent that policemen had been deployed to the two communities to bring the situation under control.
It was not immediately known if there was any loss of life in the clash but some residents of the two towns expressed apprehension on the conditions of some of those injured. The Police Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, Folasade Odoro, confirmed the fresh clash to our correspondent on the telephone. She, however, added that the situation had been brought under control.
The PPRO said, "The command has been able to restore normalcy in the area and investigation is ongoing." It will be recalled that the residents of the two neighbouring communities had engaged in a bloody clash in October. The October clash which led to the destruction of many houses in the area led to the the burning of the palace of the Oloba of Oba-Oke, Oba Dahunsi Iyiola. Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, had imposed a curfew from 6pm to 6am on the two communities at the time.
The new Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 11, Mr. David Omojola, visited the two communities in November on resumption of duty and held meetings with the traditional rulers of the two communities. The monarchs assured the AIG who was in company with the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, that they would allow peace to reign.
Indian woman ‘raped by two gangs’ on Chrismas eve
Police in India say 10 men are in custody, after a 21-year- old woman was raped by two apparently unrelated groups of men on Christmas Eve.She was visiting friends in Pondicherry when she was abducted by three men and raped by one of them, officials say.She found her friends after that ordeal but they were all confronted by another group of men who singled her out and gang-raped her, according to police.The last suspect was arrested on Friday and police say they have confessed.The suspects have been remanded for 15 days, but they are yet to be formally charged in court. None of the suspects has publicly commented on the allegations made against them by the victim.Pondicherry Senior Superintendent of Police Monika Bharadwaj told the BBC that this was a particularly bizarre and brutal sequence of events.It comes just days before India marks the first anniversary of the death of the student whose gang-rape on a bus in Delhi sparked unprecedented public outrage, leading to changes in India's laws against sexual violence.
Watch list: Presidency, Amaechi in ‘fresh war’
The Presidency and Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, are in a fresh war of words over allegations that President Goodluck Jonathan is training snipers and keeping 1,000 people on a watch list. While the governor stated that he was the number one person on the President's watch list and that he had evidence to support this assertion, the Presidency said the governor was like a drunken man in a china shop who was only interested in bringing down everybody with him.
The Presidency further dared the governor to prove his allegation. The governor, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH through his Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha, in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, said that he was waiting for the invitation of the National Human Rights Commission. Obasanjo had, in a letter dated December 2, 2013, accused Jonathan of putting 1,000 people on a watch list and having a killer-squad. Obasanjo had also accused the President of training snipers. The President has denied these allegations, calling on the former president to provide evidence to back his allegations. But at the All Progressives Congress rally, held at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt on Saturday, Amaechi said that he was number one on Jonathan's watch list.
He had said: "I read the President's letter; he said Obasanjo should prove and name those on the list. I am number one on the list. I am number one."
Okocha told Saturday PUNCH that the governor had enough evidence to back his statement. He said, "The governor knows what he is talking about and this is not just a claim; it is what is happening. There are indices the governor will use to buttress his point. We will not make many comments now until the invitation from the NHRC comes." He stated, "One thing you should know is that Governor Amaechi does not say one thing today on an issue and say another thing tomorrow on the same issue. You are aware of the battle between us and the police. Considering all we have passed through in the hands of the police, would anybody doubt the fact that the governor is on the Presidency's watch list?" However, the Presidency dared Amaechi to go ahead and prove his allegation that he is one of the 1,000 persons on the alleged political watch list of the President.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, threw the challenge in an interview with one of our correspondents on Thursday.Gulak said it was clear to all that Amaechi had completely lost bearing and that Nigerians were aware of the governor's antics.
According to him, no sane man would be talking like the governor is talking to the President. He said, "Let him (Amaechi) go ahead and prove his claim. I don't really want to talk about him because he has lost credibility. He is just like a drunken man in a china shop that wants to bring down everybody with him.
"Nigerians are aware of his antics. He has completely lost bearing and the support of the people. When a leader loses the support of his people while still in office, he will react like a mad dog. No sane man will be talking to the President the way Amaechi is doing." Meanwhile, NHRC has said that it will meet in January to consider the request to investigate allegations of human rights abuses raised by Obasanjo against the President in a letter to the latter.
The President had on Tuesday through the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), asked the NHRC to investigate Obasanjo's allegations.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the Governing Board of the commission chaired by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu had yet to see the memo sent to it by the Attorney-General of the Federation. A source said, "The commission has not taken any decision because the board has yet to meet to evaluate the concerns raised in the memo. This is holiday period; the board can only see the memo in January". Saturday PUNCH further learnt that the NHRC would decide the procedure to be adopted in investigating the allegations contained in the letter written by Obasanjo. A source in the commission disclosed this to one of our correspondents on Thursday. The source did not disclose when the council would meet over the matter, but it is expected that the meeting will take place after the festive season.
The source, who did not wish to be named, explained that the Governing Council would decide whether it would invite Obasanjo to a meeting or adopt a public hearing procedure.
The Commission's Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Mohammed Ladan, told our correspondent on the telephone that he was on leave, and as a result, was not in a position to confirm the procedure to be adopted in the planned investigation.
"I don't know the pattern it will take, I am actually on leave right now," he said in response to our correspondent's enquiries. Efforts by our correspondent to get in touch with the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, to whom the AGF's memo was addressed, were not successful. Calls to his mobile telephone did not go through. Acting on the instruction of the President, the AGF, had in a memo dated December 23, 2013, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, requested the commission to investigate the allegations bordering on human rights violations contained on pages 9-10 of Obasanjo's letter.
In the memo, Adoke had said, "I am to request you to investigate the allegations bordering on human rights violations contained on pages 9-10 of the letter dated December 2, 2013, written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, attached to the memorandum under reference."
The Presidency further dared the governor to prove his allegation. The governor, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH through his Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha, in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, said that he was waiting for the invitation of the National Human Rights Commission. Obasanjo had, in a letter dated December 2, 2013, accused Jonathan of putting 1,000 people on a watch list and having a killer-squad. Obasanjo had also accused the President of training snipers. The President has denied these allegations, calling on the former president to provide evidence to back his allegations. But at the All Progressives Congress rally, held at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt on Saturday, Amaechi said that he was number one on Jonathan's watch list.
He had said: "I read the President's letter; he said Obasanjo should prove and name those on the list. I am number one on the list. I am number one."
Okocha told Saturday PUNCH that the governor had enough evidence to back his statement. He said, "The governor knows what he is talking about and this is not just a claim; it is what is happening. There are indices the governor will use to buttress his point. We will not make many comments now until the invitation from the NHRC comes." He stated, "One thing you should know is that Governor Amaechi does not say one thing today on an issue and say another thing tomorrow on the same issue. You are aware of the battle between us and the police. Considering all we have passed through in the hands of the police, would anybody doubt the fact that the governor is on the Presidency's watch list?" However, the Presidency dared Amaechi to go ahead and prove his allegation that he is one of the 1,000 persons on the alleged political watch list of the President.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Mr. Ahmed Gulak, threw the challenge in an interview with one of our correspondents on Thursday.Gulak said it was clear to all that Amaechi had completely lost bearing and that Nigerians were aware of the governor's antics.
According to him, no sane man would be talking like the governor is talking to the President. He said, "Let him (Amaechi) go ahead and prove his claim. I don't really want to talk about him because he has lost credibility. He is just like a drunken man in a china shop that wants to bring down everybody with him.
"Nigerians are aware of his antics. He has completely lost bearing and the support of the people. When a leader loses the support of his people while still in office, he will react like a mad dog. No sane man will be talking to the President the way Amaechi is doing." Meanwhile, NHRC has said that it will meet in January to consider the request to investigate allegations of human rights abuses raised by Obasanjo against the President in a letter to the latter.
The President had on Tuesday through the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN), asked the NHRC to investigate Obasanjo's allegations.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the Governing Board of the commission chaired by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu had yet to see the memo sent to it by the Attorney-General of the Federation. A source said, "The commission has not taken any decision because the board has yet to meet to evaluate the concerns raised in the memo. This is holiday period; the board can only see the memo in January". Saturday PUNCH further learnt that the NHRC would decide the procedure to be adopted in investigating the allegations contained in the letter written by Obasanjo. A source in the commission disclosed this to one of our correspondents on Thursday. The source did not disclose when the council would meet over the matter, but it is expected that the meeting will take place after the festive season.
The source, who did not wish to be named, explained that the Governing Council would decide whether it would invite Obasanjo to a meeting or adopt a public hearing procedure.
The Commission's Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Mohammed Ladan, told our correspondent on the telephone that he was on leave, and as a result, was not in a position to confirm the procedure to be adopted in the planned investigation.
"I don't know the pattern it will take, I am actually on leave right now," he said in response to our correspondent's enquiries. Efforts by our correspondent to get in touch with the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, to whom the AGF's memo was addressed, were not successful. Calls to his mobile telephone did not go through. Acting on the instruction of the President, the AGF, had in a memo dated December 23, 2013, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, requested the commission to investigate the allegations bordering on human rights violations contained on pages 9-10 of Obasanjo's letter.
In the memo, Adoke had said, "I am to request you to investigate the allegations bordering on human rights violations contained on pages 9-10 of the letter dated December 2, 2013, written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, attached to the memorandum under reference."
Battered pregnant woman: Lagos police arrest Lebanese boss
The Lagos State Police Command on Friday arrested Kaveh Noine, a manager with Toppan Printing Company, who allegedly kicked his pregnant subordinate, Alexandra Ossai, in the stomach two weeks ago, causing her to lose her pregnancy. PUNCH Metro had, on Tuesday, exclusively reported that Noine, a Lebanese, travelled out of the country when policemen attached to the Area F Police Division initially went to the company, to invite him for questioning. Following the publication, President Goodluck Jonathan, had on Friday directed that the police and the National Human Rights Commission investigate the matter, expressing his displeasure over the incident.
However, Saturday PUNCH gathered that Noine was arrested on Friday by the Lagos State Police Command in Kano where he had fled to on Friday and brought him back to Lagos.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the story. She said, "Even before President Goodluck Jonathan ordered an investigation into the case, the Lagos State Police Command has been on it. "In the course of our investigation, we discovered that Noine was still in the country; he had fled to Kano. Our men traced him to Kano, arrested him and have brought him back to Lagos. "Presently, he is making his statement now at the command. The issue of bail, has not come up for now." Ossai had in PUNCH Metro's December 24, 2013 publication, alleged that Noine assaulted her several times during her eight months stay at the company. Noine had allegedly hit Ossai in the chest a day before kicking her in her stomach over some misdemeanor by those whom Ossai supervised. She also alleged that Noine was in the habit of physically assaulting workers at the company with anything he could lay his hands on, whenever he was angry.
The 34-year-old mother of one was said to have developed pains in her tummy which lasted for two days before subsiding. The pains were said to have begun again in the early hours of December 16, 2013, resulting into an emergency surgery at a private hospital at Fagba.
Her seven-month pregnancy was allegedly lost to the kick, as a result of a broken placenta. Ossai's appointment with the company was allegedly terminated as a result of the incident and two of her siblings who also worked there were sacked. Already, the Lagos State Public Advice Centre has waded into the case and offered Ossai free legal aid. The Public Relations Officer of the centre, Mr. Alex Omorodion, said,
"We are going to liaise with other security agencies in Lagos State to see this matter to a logical conclusion. We also intend to visit the factory and talk with other workers to determine if more people have been abused by Noine.
Then we will prosecute Noine at the conclusion of our investigation."
When Saturday PUNCH contacted Ossai, she said, "I am really happy about the arrest. The rest is left to the police and my lawyer."
However, Saturday PUNCH gathered that Noine was arrested on Friday by the Lagos State Police Command in Kano where he had fled to on Friday and brought him back to Lagos.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, confirmed the story. She said, "Even before President Goodluck Jonathan ordered an investigation into the case, the Lagos State Police Command has been on it. "In the course of our investigation, we discovered that Noine was still in the country; he had fled to Kano. Our men traced him to Kano, arrested him and have brought him back to Lagos. "Presently, he is making his statement now at the command. The issue of bail, has not come up for now." Ossai had in PUNCH Metro's December 24, 2013 publication, alleged that Noine assaulted her several times during her eight months stay at the company. Noine had allegedly hit Ossai in the chest a day before kicking her in her stomach over some misdemeanor by those whom Ossai supervised. She also alleged that Noine was in the habit of physically assaulting workers at the company with anything he could lay his hands on, whenever he was angry.
The 34-year-old mother of one was said to have developed pains in her tummy which lasted for two days before subsiding. The pains were said to have begun again in the early hours of December 16, 2013, resulting into an emergency surgery at a private hospital at Fagba.
Her seven-month pregnancy was allegedly lost to the kick, as a result of a broken placenta. Ossai's appointment with the company was allegedly terminated as a result of the incident and two of her siblings who also worked there were sacked. Already, the Lagos State Public Advice Centre has waded into the case and offered Ossai free legal aid. The Public Relations Officer of the centre, Mr. Alex Omorodion, said,
"We are going to liaise with other security agencies in Lagos State to see this matter to a logical conclusion. We also intend to visit the factory and talk with other workers to determine if more people have been abused by Noine.
Then we will prosecute Noine at the conclusion of our investigation."
When Saturday PUNCH contacted Ossai, she said, "I am really happy about the arrest. The rest is left to the police and my lawyer."
We don’t have record of attack on Ogun APC chieftain – Police
Ogun State Police Command has said that it did not have the record of attack on a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State , Chief Kushimo Lukmon who was reporte
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi in a statement, yesterday said the command was disappointed in the victim for his failure to report the incident at the police station.
The victim had told newsmen that a gang of six men invaded his residence at 5, Famuyiwa close, Surulere, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta, around 1:am on Monday and threatened to kill him if he did not drop his ambition for Ogun state House of Assembly.
But, reacting to the incident the PPRO said, "the command is taken aback to read the said story in the paper as we do not have record of such incident. The Command considers such publication an unnecessary alarm geared towards getting cheap popularity and malign the integrity of the security agencies of Ogun state.
"The victim is expected to report such a case to the Ibara Divisional Headquarters considering the nature of the incident."
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi in a statement, yesterday said the command was disappointed in the victim for his failure to report the incident at the police station.
The victim had told newsmen that a gang of six men invaded his residence at 5, Famuyiwa close, Surulere, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta, around 1:am on Monday and threatened to kill him if he did not drop his ambition for Ogun state House of Assembly.
But, reacting to the incident the PPRO said, "the command is taken aback to read the said story in the paper as we do not have record of such incident. The Command considers such publication an unnecessary alarm geared towards getting cheap popularity and malign the integrity of the security agencies of Ogun state.
"The victim is expected to report such a case to the Ibara Divisional Headquarters considering the nature of the incident."
Royal fathers can rescue the nation -isa yuguda
The Obasayero of Oyo Empire, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has appealed to traditional rulers in the country to rise up to the immediate challenges facing the country to
Mallam Yuguda further stressed that unless royal fathers rescue the nation, the challenges of oil theft, insecurity and mutual distrust along ethnic and religious lines are potent enough to disintegrate the nation sooner than optimists thought.
Yuguda who spoke at an audience with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi opined that it was high time for, "traditional leaders across the country to put heads together to help find a lasting peace in the country.
"Political leaders are your followers and will accept your input as royal fathers to guarantee peace, harmony and love among NIgerians so that the country can move forward.
"The country is in dire need of royal leadership especially now that we are faced with challenges of oil theft, corruption, security and division along ethnic and religious lines.
"God has brought us together for reasons best known to Him alone and I think that was why he blessed us and made us to be intertwined along cultural, emotional and commercial activities beyond our control and understanding.
"I have come here with a delegation to appreciate your recent gesture which I accept as a gesture from the entire Yoruba race to, not only my family, but the entire Northern Nigeria and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III also acknowledges this fact and sends his warm regards," Yuguda stated.
In his response, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba :Lamidi Adeyemi assured the delegation that traditional rulers in the country will continue to play their roles because they are accountable to God almighty.
In his views, "several distortions can be made to the constitution which guides the activities of political leaders, but the covenant between traditional custodians is between them and their creator.
"We saw the pre-independent Nigeria, we have also been an indispensable aspect of the nation's one hundred years of existence and we shall not be tired of playing the role of uniting the nation in all peaceful way possible.
"The entire people of Oyo bestowed the title of Obasayero on you because you are a shiny example to industry, to service and to humanity.
Notable among the high-powered delegation that paid the monarch a visit was the Chief of Staff to the Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Yusuf Musa; Close Friend of the Governor, Alhaji Yarima Gobir; Renowned Businessman, Alhaji Sabo Abubakar as well as a retinue of aides in the Government House.
Three killed in Bayelsa road accident
Tragedy struck yesterday on the Bayelsa State stretch of the East-West road as three
The accident occurred at about 10.10am some distance away from the popular Zarama junction market on the Mbiama-Zarama axis of the East West road.
The vehicles involved in the crash were Toyota Sienna car with registration number BJ 292 BWR and Toyota Hiace passenger bus with plate number YA 820 AAA owned by ABC Motors.
The deceased persons, all male, were in the passenger bus and were burnt beyond recognition while eleven others sustained serious injuries.
The ill-fated transport bus it was learnt was coming from Warri in Delta State and heading to Calabar in Cross River State when it crashed into the Toyota Sienna vehicle in front of it conveying a family of eight.
Though the family of eight escaped unhurt, three of the occupants in the passenger bus were not that lucky as they were burnt to ashes in the inferno that engulfed the bus.
Eyewitnesses told this reporter who visited the scene of the crash that the eleven persons in the burnt passenger bus who sustained injuries were taken to the Niger Delta Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri by men of the Federal Road Safety who rushed to the scene of the carnage.
Miraculously, the occupants of the Toyota Sienna car which though suffered serious damage escaped unhurt.
The driver of the Sienna who simply identified himself as Martins told Vanguard that he lost control of his vehicle and veered off the road into the bush when the passenger vehicle rammed into his from behind.
The impact of the crash also caused the passenger bus driver to lost control and summersaulted severally before it went up in flame and burning to death three of its occupants who were trapped inside.
The Bayelsa State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Vincent Jack confirmed the death of three persons in the road accident when contacted.
He blamed the accident on overspending and wrong overtaking adding that the eleven injured persons were taken to the Niger Delta Teaching Hospital where they are receiving treatment.
Odi: Indigenes barricade East-West road over FG’s refusal to pay N37.6bn compensation
Indigenes of Odi community in Kolokuma-Opokuma local government area of Bayelsa State
The protesters made up of the community youths, old women and men were armed with placards highlighting their plight and recalling the atrocities meted to their defenceless population by the Nigerian military over a decade ago.
Saturday Vanguard learnt that the protest was also to commemorate the 13th anniversary of the military invasion which left Odi, one of the biggest communities in Ijawland in rubles in the wake of the killing of some policemen by some hoodlums.
The indigenes of the community said they were forced to take their protest to the busy federal highway which straddled the states of the South South zone due to the continued refusal of the federal government to obey the court order to pay their community the sum of N37.6bn for the injustice visited on its population by the Nigerian military.
It took the intervention of the police to prevail on the protesters to vacate the busy road and returned to their community where a memorial service was held to commemorate the destruction/genocide unleashed on Odi.
Spokesman of Odi community, Lt Commander Koku Imananagha (rtd), warned that they might be forced to take their case to the international community if their appeal to the federal government to pay them as directed by the court failed to yield result.
Speaking on the long drawn legal battle which went in favour of his community, he said, it was their resolve from the beginning to take the path of justice in pursuit of this matter through the courts of the land even though it was a clear case of total destruction/genocide against Odi by federal government.
He said, "So, it was a big surprise to see a Human Right abuse case in this 21st millennium dragging for 14 years. Eventually, 19th February, 2013 the Federal High Court Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Lambo Akanbi in a substantive suit awarded Odi community the sum of N37.616,871,000 only as compensation for the destruction of Odi to be paid within 21 days.
Despite the Inge road to this victory the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigerian instead of taking the path of glory to put smiles on the faces of the long traumatized people of Odi, chose to take us through further legal battle."
According to him, on March 12, 2013 the Federal High Court Port Harcourt still presided over by Justice Lambo Akanbi turned down a stay of execution filed by the Attorney General of the judgement sum without further delay to the law abiding citizens of Odi.
"Furthermore on 14th May, 2013, the Federal Appeal Court in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Ejembi Eko granted the withdrawal application by the AGF for an out of court settlement with Odi community, for which the AGF did nothing thereafter.
"Consequently, on the 31st May, 2013, the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, gave a Garnishee a order Nisi compelling the garnishee (Central Bank of Nigeria) to pay the judgment Creditor/Applicant (Odi) the sum of N37,616,871,000. The Garnishee Order Nisi had a mandatory 17 days life span which gives the Federal Government yet another room to conclude the out of court settlement with Odi Community. This failed because of the inaction of the AGF.
"Finally, on 17th June 2013, the Federal High Court Judge Justice Lambo Akanbi pronounced as follows: That Garnishee Order Nisi is hereby made absolute directing the Garnishee (Central Bank of Nigeria) to pay the judgement sum of N37,616,871,000 which is judgement debt owed the Applicants by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as epitomized by the judgment debtors.
"Accordingly, in view of the sequence of legal successes in our favour and inaction of the federal government to pay the judgement sum, the good people of Odi are now appealing to the a human rights organizations, NGOs, the press and all well meaning individuals and groups to prevail on the federal government of Nigeria to do the needful in accordance with the judgement of the courts without any further delay," he said.
UCH doctors give management 4-day ultimatum over unpaid allowances
HARD times await thousands of patients at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan as
Already, they have given a four-day ultimatum to the management to settle the unpaid wages after the expiration of the earlier one on December 19, 2013.
While calling for immediate and prompt action from the management of the hospital to avoid unnecessary suffering of the patients, the consultants under the auspices of the Medical and Dental Consultants' Association who have not gone on strike on local issues for the past 56 years, said they had not participated in any previous strikes in the health sector because of the importance of their services.
According to the medical association which spoke through its chairman, Prof. Juwon Tunde Arotiba said once they go on strike, there would be total paralysis of medical services which could be very dangerous for the patients.
Prof. Arotiba who was flanked by the Acting Secretary, Dr. Victor Makanjuola further said, "the consultants are at the pinnacle of health care delivery in every part of the world including Nigeria. While some degrees of clinical services can be rendered when other groups in the hospital are on strike, a strike by the medical and dental consultants will lead to total paralysis of all forms of clinical duties as we are the primary people directly responsible for the overall care of the patients".
Reacting to the issue of non payment of the allowances, the Chief Medical Director, UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge after appealing to the consultants that the error did not emanate from the management but from Abuja said, "the management feels very upset about the attitude put forward by the elite in the medical circle, MDCAN after having series of meetings to resolve the issues.''
Already, they have given a four-day ultimatum to the management to settle the unpaid wages after the expiration of the earlier one on December 19, 2013.
While calling for immediate and prompt action from the management of the hospital to avoid unnecessary suffering of the patients, the consultants under the auspices of the Medical and Dental Consultants' Association who have not gone on strike on local issues for the past 56 years, said they had not participated in any previous strikes in the health sector because of the importance of their services.
According to the medical association which spoke through its chairman, Prof. Juwon Tunde Arotiba said once they go on strike, there would be total paralysis of medical services which could be very dangerous for the patients.
Prof. Arotiba who was flanked by the Acting Secretary, Dr. Victor Makanjuola further said, "the consultants are at the pinnacle of health care delivery in every part of the world including Nigeria. While some degrees of clinical services can be rendered when other groups in the hospital are on strike, a strike by the medical and dental consultants will lead to total paralysis of all forms of clinical duties as we are the primary people directly responsible for the overall care of the patients".
Reacting to the issue of non payment of the allowances, the Chief Medical Director, UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge after appealing to the consultants that the error did not emanate from the management but from Abuja said, "the management feels very upset about the attitude put forward by the elite in the medical circle, MDCAN after having series of meetings to resolve the issues.''
One killed, 10 injured as police, MASSOB clash in Onitsha
One person was reportedly killed yesterday in Onitsha while 10 others sustained various degrees of injuries during a clash between the police and members of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB.
According to an eye witnes, trouble started when a motorist was allegedly flagged down along the Onitsha/Owerri Road in Onitsha by a police team on surveillance and as he obeyed, argument reportedly ensued between the motorist and the police.
The MASSOB members around, who have been controlling the traffic since the yuletide season began, felt they should come to the rescue of the man and reportedly intervened. The action, it was learnt, led to heated argument which resulted in a cladh between MASSOB and police which resulted in the death of one MASSOB member instantly.
Consequently, the MASSOB members in anger barricaded the ever-busy Onitsha / Owerri road for two hours and made bonfire with fairly used tyres, forcing traffic flow to divert to the Obosi by-pass.
The corpse of the dead MASSOB member was said to have been taken to the Awada Police Station.
Contacted on the incident, the Onitsha Police Area commander, Mr. Benjamin Wordu confirmed the incident but said that trouble started when MASSOB and a rival group had a bloody clash
According to an eye witnes, trouble started when a motorist was allegedly flagged down along the Onitsha/Owerri Road in Onitsha by a police team on surveillance and as he obeyed, argument reportedly ensued between the motorist and the police.
The MASSOB members around, who have been controlling the traffic since the yuletide season began, felt they should come to the rescue of the man and reportedly intervened. The action, it was learnt, led to heated argument which resulted in a cladh between MASSOB and police which resulted in the death of one MASSOB member instantly.
Consequently, the MASSOB members in anger barricaded the ever-busy Onitsha / Owerri road for two hours and made bonfire with fairly used tyres, forcing traffic flow to divert to the Obosi by-pass.
The corpse of the dead MASSOB member was said to have been taken to the Awada Police Station.
Contacted on the incident, the Onitsha Police Area commander, Mr. Benjamin Wordu confirmed the incident but said that trouble started when MASSOB and a rival group had a bloody clash
Sanusi to leave office April 1
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Lamido Sanusi will proceed on retirement leave effective April 1st 2013, two months to the end of his tenure. It would be recalled that President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua nominated Sanusi as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on June 1, 2009 and his appointment was confirmed by the Senate on June 3, 2009. Hence his five year tenure is scheduled to end on June 3rd 2014.
CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Contrary to speculations that he has been forced to immediately procede on retirement leave, Saturday Vanguard investigations revealed that Sanusi will still be CBN Governor till March 31st.
Though, when contacted, Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Ugo Okoroafor said he was not aware of the CBN Governor being forced to proceed on retirement leave, a highly placed regulatory official, who pleaded anonymity confirm that Sanusi is scheduled to proceed on terminal leave after March 31st. He however said this is normal, and it is not true that the Governor is being forced to proceed on leave. "It is a normal thing; some people go on six months, some on three months. So, there is nothing abnormal about it. You cannot force your Central Bank Governor to go on leave, it could damage the economy", the source said. But this did not apply to Sanusi's predecessor, Professor Charles Soludo, who left office on May 29th, when his tenure expired. A CBN source however said this was because Soludo was hoping he would be appointed for a second term. According to the source who pleaded anonymity, the issue of the governor going on retirement leave is a normal thing for us. It would be recalled that Sanusi had in a chat with Bloomberg on March 24th indicated his intention not to seek second term as CBN Governor. Sanusi said that he had intimated President Goodluck Jonathan way back in 2011 that he would not be interested in seeking second term in office on the expiration of the present tenure in June 2014. "I informed the President way back in 2011 that I would not be interested in serving for two terms," Sanusi told Bloomberg adding that "the job has been done, largely". In November, he called for earlier announcement of his successor, saying the Federal Government should take a cue from the United States and announce the next CBN Governor three months to the expiration of his tenure.
He said, "I think the issue of Bernanke and Yellen, if you remember, it started about two months ago and Bernanke ends in December. Tomorrow it will be six months to the end of my term, probably a bit early for the government to start talking about the next person. But I do hope that about two or three months before then, there should be some announcement.
CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi Contrary to speculations that he has been forced to immediately procede on retirement leave, Saturday Vanguard investigations revealed that Sanusi will still be CBN Governor till March 31st.
Though, when contacted, Director of Corporate Communications, Mr. Ugo Okoroafor said he was not aware of the CBN Governor being forced to proceed on retirement leave, a highly placed regulatory official, who pleaded anonymity confirm that Sanusi is scheduled to proceed on terminal leave after March 31st. He however said this is normal, and it is not true that the Governor is being forced to proceed on leave. "It is a normal thing; some people go on six months, some on three months. So, there is nothing abnormal about it. You cannot force your Central Bank Governor to go on leave, it could damage the economy", the source said. But this did not apply to Sanusi's predecessor, Professor Charles Soludo, who left office on May 29th, when his tenure expired. A CBN source however said this was because Soludo was hoping he would be appointed for a second term. According to the source who pleaded anonymity, the issue of the governor going on retirement leave is a normal thing for us. It would be recalled that Sanusi had in a chat with Bloomberg on March 24th indicated his intention not to seek second term as CBN Governor. Sanusi said that he had intimated President Goodluck Jonathan way back in 2011 that he would not be interested in seeking second term in office on the expiration of the present tenure in June 2014. "I informed the President way back in 2011 that I would not be interested in serving for two terms," Sanusi told Bloomberg adding that "the job has been done, largely". In November, he called for earlier announcement of his successor, saying the Federal Government should take a cue from the United States and announce the next CBN Governor three months to the expiration of his tenure.
He said, "I think the issue of Bernanke and Yellen, if you remember, it started about two months ago and Bernanke ends in December. Tomorrow it will be six months to the end of my term, probably a bit early for the government to start talking about the next person. But I do hope that about two or three months before then, there should be some announcement.
"Central bank governors don't comment on who they think their successor should be. It is not our business to do that, it is the President's decision. But if I have input at all, I will try to encourage that we announce a successor two to three months before the end of my tenure so that everybody knows who that person is, what the views are and so people prepare accordingly. By the way, some of the names are out there in the newspapers and more can come out later."
Ladies beware! I’m not ready for marriage —Flavour
The secret of my success is originality. Right from day one, I knew that if I try to be original, the sky would be my limit. But I know it's going to take some time before that dream would become a reality. This is because nothing good comes that easily.
[*Flavour]
I work so hard to sound so original in my music. Right from when I released my first album, there has been a tremendous improvement in my music. And this time around, I had enough funds to do better videos which has distinguished my style from other artistes. Africans as a whole love originality, even though some might pretend about it .
If you are original in whatever you are doing today coupled with being down-to- earth, you will get to anywhere you want to. That has been the secret of my success. I began my career as a drummer for a local church in my home state, Enugu State.
What has actually kept you going till today ?
Having passion for what I'm doing. I have so much passion for music. I started singing at the age of 13. I went to the right source because I had some companies that gave me a scholarship as a way of encouraging me. They trained me in music. They believed in me becoming as a rising musician then.
The director always tell us that people used to regard musicians as irresponsible and wayward people. People who squander all their money on women and cars while trying to live a flamboyant lifestyle. If you are talented, you need to work hard to give back to the society. That has been my driving force. People now see me as a responsible person and an example to the young ones.
I have to keep my head low and stay humble and keep doing what I am doing well. So, the passion has kept me going. Initially, when I started, I didn't care whether I had some money in my pocket or not. I was just doing it for the love of music. But I wanted to get somewhere.
Where do you draw your inspiration from ?
I draw my inspiration from people around me, especially things that happen around me I like when things go bad and when things go good because it doesn't have to be good all the time.
So, all I do is to keep focus and balance the two situations that come my way. And sometimes friends around me inspire me even when my family were against my keeping too many friends, I still get close to them making them know that they are very important to me. To me, I think as a musician you should have a story to tell .Things around me inspire my kind of music .
Glo endorsed you recently. How do you feel about the endorsement ?
It's something great, it's not only Glo I still have a lot of awards both within and outside the shores of the country . Glo endorsement is a wonderful opportunity , it's good to associate with big brands and it's also good for big brands to recognize big artiste and not to just use the person to build up a platform.It's something nice and I am enjoying the relationship, the tour , interviews and the photo shoot; I am enjoying everything.
Can you share some of the pains and gains of becoming a celebrity ?
Let me start with the pains because it's the bigger part of the challenges we face as celebrities . The painful part of it is that we go through a lot and people don't know and they don't even care to know.
They just want to see you up there so what we go through as artistes every day is unimaginable. Even when you get to meet your fans , the way some of them will approach you is something else . Then the challenge of being on top of your game; But if you know what you are doing the pains will become a blessing and a watchword for you.
You have to take so many things away from you , you don't live your normal life again though not everyone. But left for me, I am free spirit. I want to wake up and walk around the street buy something that I want.
Sometimes you will want to have fun alone but you won't be able to do so because other people will want to associate with you; you don't have to chase them away because they are coming because they love your music even the once with bad intention you have to show them love and accommodate them.
Meanwhile, achieving my dreams and getting to where I want today remains part of the gains . I am also, not relenting on efforts. My work just keeps going and I have so many things to do and also achieve .
What are you working on presently ?
Presently, I have been performing almost every weekend. People invite me to perform at different shows and I've been working everyday, there is no day that pass I don't have something to do. I like surprises, and I also like to look at the market and know where I can make my impact. There are also different businesses I have been doing with some cooperate bodies .
We learnt you are coming up with a reality show. What is it all about ?
Yes, it's not that much. Iam just planning to come out with something very soon. However, I need to put everything in place before I can talk about it.
How have you been able to compete with other top artistes in the industry ?
If you have your own style , you just need to stick to it; be very versatile and at the same time, original because every now and then, new artistes keep emerging from the blues. You need to maintain the tempo.
The hardest part of the job is not to come up with a hit , but to be there and keep giving them the hit till when you retire . The drive is to just keep on doing what you are doing well and going deep into it . And always source for ideas , look for different things , know your market and the people that are looking up to you. What they think about your work .
For me, I havemade a lot of findings outside the shores of Nigeria. So, that alone makes it difficult because you are not just looking at the crown but also, you are looking at Africa at large. From Africa, you can hit the international stage.
Doing collaboration with other artistes is what is in vogue in the industry. In your own case, what are the conditions and things do you look out for before accepting to do collaboration with fellow artistes ?
I look out for somebody I can work with, and not someone that just want me to bless his song so that it will just be my glory. There are few artistes in Nigeria who can really release some good stuffs . In every song, I'm collaborating with any artiste, I always try to bring in something new. I bring my creative ingenuity to bear in every song I'm featuring in.
The truth is that I must always try to bring in something commercial; something I know the fans and lovers of music would embrace and hold unto. I spend quality time thinking about the listeners and I keep trying to put myself in their shoes. I always ask myself, what are the fans going to hold unto in this song, even if it's just a word or phrase?
So, I keep looking out for such word or phrase. I have to create that unique 'word' or 'phrase'. There is no way you will sing and be appreciated if you don't appreciate your fans and put them into consideration while composing a song. If you don't consider them you would end up singing and satisfying yourself instead of your fans.
So, what I bring to the table is the key factor in the success of most of my collaborations. But the essence of collaboration is to see two different artistes combining their styles. You tap into my fan base while I also tap into yours. For instance, Omawumi is good; she was the first runner up in the 2007 edition of West African Idols.
She is doing well in the music scene and has done good songs. So, in the song, Bottom Belle, she brought in something new while I also did. The same thing applies to other collaborations I have done with other artistes.
Do you have a price tag for doing collaborations with other artistes?
It depends on the relationship I have with the person. The only artiste I ask to pay me for collaboration is the person I stand to gain nothing else apart from the money.
But if you have a fan base, you don't have to pay me. I tap into your fan base while you also tap into mine. Except if you don't know what you are doing and you need me to fly, then that is where I will ask you to pay me.
Many celebrities are faced with one scandal or the other. How have you been able to stay away from controversy?
It's only God that knows the secret. I'm not better than other musicians just as they are not better than myself. No artiste that ever set out to be faced with scandals. It's always people around them that fan some of these scandals.
But the issue is that I try to stay away from trouble. For instance, I don't even go to clubs. Anything I want to do something, I do it in the comfort of my house. I party inside my house. I do my recording inside my house. When you start mingling and partying with everybody in different places that is where one or two things would start to emerge.
I'm either here in my house or in my second house in the Island. When you mingle much with people, at times you start trusting people that are not supposed to be trusted. You start having divided attention. You would take a picture and make joke with it and tomorrow it's all over the newspapers and internet.
So, the question is Who did it? Is it not someone you trusted? That's how it happens . Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, you just have to guide yourself in anything you are doing.
We also heard you proposed to your girlfriend?
People will always talk and turn around stories. But I am still single because marriage is not my priority for now. I still want to hit the top before thinking about marriage. It's not yet time. I am still concentrating on my music.
It was once rumoured that you were dating Tiwa Savage after doing a collaboration with her. Was it true?
I didn't feel bad when I heard about the rumour because I knowpeople will always talk even if we didn't kiss. While shooting the music video, the director came to us and said, you guys are playing love scene, you need to do something intimate. He urged us do it, and I now looked at Tiwa and she gave me a go ahead and I said 'yes' we can do it. There was nothing wrong with that. More over, we did music with passion.
FRSC records 197 deaths out of 286 crashes in Bauchi
The Bauchi State Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission FRSC says it recorded a total of 197 deaths out of 286 autocrashes from the month of January to November, 2013.
The State Sector Commander of the commission, Mr Sunday Henry Olatunji made this known yesterday during a special operation tagged "a suaka Lafiya", which commenced from December 19, 2013 to January 2, 2014.
An accident scene in Lagos.
According to the Sector Commander, "the Special operation was an initiative of the commission to ensure safety of lives during the festive season and arrest drivers who commit traffic offences such as overspeeding,overloading,use of mobile phones while driving and invalid driving documents. The commission embark on such special operations several times in a year to instill the culture of safety in drivers and passengers"
He said," the commission recorded a total number of 1,203 casualities from 286 autocrashes for the year 2013. Out of the crashes, 197 persons were killed while 1006 were injuried".
Mr Sunday who disclosed 34,000 officers were deployed nationwideto minimise the high rate of crashes during the season, said that 350 officers, which include marshals were equally deployed to all the FRSC commands in the twenty local government areas of Bauchi state.
He cautioned commercial drivers who are conscious of making profits during the festive seasons to ensure that they consider the safety of their passengers, pointing that the FRSC will not hesitate in arresting and charging to court any driver who found violating traffic rules and regulations
The State Sector Commander of the commission, Mr Sunday Henry Olatunji made this known yesterday during a special operation tagged "a suaka Lafiya", which commenced from December 19, 2013 to January 2, 2014.
An accident scene in Lagos.
According to the Sector Commander, "the Special operation was an initiative of the commission to ensure safety of lives during the festive season and arrest drivers who commit traffic offences such as overspeeding,overloading,use of mobile phones while driving and invalid driving documents. The commission embark on such special operations several times in a year to instill the culture of safety in drivers and passengers"
He said," the commission recorded a total number of 1,203 casualities from 286 autocrashes for the year 2013. Out of the crashes, 197 persons were killed while 1006 were injuried".
Mr Sunday who disclosed 34,000 officers were deployed nationwideto minimise the high rate of crashes during the season, said that 350 officers, which include marshals were equally deployed to all the FRSC commands in the twenty local government areas of Bauchi state.
He cautioned commercial drivers who are conscious of making profits during the festive seasons to ensure that they consider the safety of their passengers, pointing that the FRSC will not hesitate in arresting and charging to court any driver who found violating traffic rules and regulations
PDP is in the intensive care unit- Bello-Osagie
A member of the Federal House of Representatives, Mr Rasaq Bello-Osagie, yesterday, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently on "intensive care" and stand no chance in winning as the the party is fighting a lost battle with Nigerians.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) lawmaker who is representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, declared this in a 3-day event at his constituency office, where he reeled out his achievements to members of his constituency.
According to him, "from what we are seeing now, the PDP as a party in my opinion is still existing through an oxygen.
It is in the intensive care unit. By the time a man begins to lose his hand and his leg, then your eye, very soon you will have no nose to breath then what are we talking about. I think it is a question of time.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said People's Democratic Party, PDP, is fighting a lost battle with Nigerians "What is going on today is a war between Nigerians and PDP. People are leaving PDP because they want to be on the side of Nigerians.
" Nigerians now understand that PDP is fighting them while APC symbolised the platform for change," Ribadu said.
He endorsed former President Obasanjo letter letter to Jonathan as a good development saying Obsanjo deserves commendation for coming out bold to say what many people knew but we're reluctant to say it out to the leadership of the country.
Ribadu said the letter which generated a reply and public discussions would bring something positive to Nigeria in the long run.
Ribadu re-iterated APC's commitment to transformed Nigeria for the better and urged those yet to decide to join the train of APC to do so and be part of history
The All Progressive Congress (APC) lawmaker who is representing Oredo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, declared this in a 3-day event at his constituency office, where he reeled out his achievements to members of his constituency.
According to him, "from what we are seeing now, the PDP as a party in my opinion is still existing through an oxygen.
It is in the intensive care unit. By the time a man begins to lose his hand and his leg, then your eye, very soon you will have no nose to breath then what are we talking about. I think it is a question of time.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, said People's Democratic Party, PDP, is fighting a lost battle with Nigerians "What is going on today is a war between Nigerians and PDP. People are leaving PDP because they want to be on the side of Nigerians.
" Nigerians now understand that PDP is fighting them while APC symbolised the platform for change," Ribadu said.
He endorsed former President Obasanjo letter letter to Jonathan as a good development saying Obsanjo deserves commendation for coming out bold to say what many people knew but we're reluctant to say it out to the leadership of the country.
Ribadu said the letter which generated a reply and public discussions would bring something positive to Nigeria in the long run.
Ribadu re-iterated APC's commitment to transformed Nigeria for the better and urged those yet to decide to join the train of APC to do so and be part of history
Elizade University matriculates 214 students
Within 10 months of its commencement of academic activities, Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo state has introduced 16 new academic programmes verified and approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Valentine Aletor said this at the weekend during the matriculation of 214 students of the Institution.
Prof Aletor said that the curricular of the programmes were designed to meet the specific needs of the society.
This according to him are in the industrial,technological and socio- economic domains.
He said the university kick started with 64 students admitted into two facukties of basic and Applied Sciences and Humanities and Management Sciences.
The VC added that 214 candidates have registered in three faculties which include faculty of Engineering. Basic and Applied Sciences and Humanities and Management Sciences.
He told the matriculating students that the institution has zero tolerance for cultism, drug , examination malpractices, sexual immorality, disrespect for constituted authourity and other vices.
Prof Aletor said the students in the institution are train to become agents of change to fight corruption, ineoptitude and many other vices currently facing the nation.
The Founder of the University Chief Micheal Ade Ojo said the university would produce graduates that could compete favourably with their peers internationally.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Valentine Aletor said this at the weekend during the matriculation of 214 students of the Institution.
Prof Aletor said that the curricular of the programmes were designed to meet the specific needs of the society.
This according to him are in the industrial,technological and socio- economic domains.
He said the university kick started with 64 students admitted into two facukties of basic and Applied Sciences and Humanities and Management Sciences.
The VC added that 214 candidates have registered in three faculties which include faculty of Engineering. Basic and Applied Sciences and Humanities and Management Sciences.
He told the matriculating students that the institution has zero tolerance for cultism, drug , examination malpractices, sexual immorality, disrespect for constituted authourity and other vices.
Prof Aletor said the students in the institution are train to become agents of change to fight corruption, ineoptitude and many other vices currently facing the nation.
The Founder of the University Chief Micheal Ade Ojo said the university would produce graduates that could compete favourably with their peers internationally.

Obasanjo should apologize to Jonathan — NPA
Following the controversies generated by the open letter from Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Network of Progressive Activists, (NPA) has expressed deep worry that if the issue is left unarrested, the brewing diatribe which is already over-heating the polity could boil over and lead to unimaginable consequences.
In view of this, NPA opined that the former President should tender an unreserved apology to the incumbent for peddling falsehood and desecrating the office of the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, of the Federal Republic. In a statement made available to Saturday Vanguard, the Coordinator and National Secretary of NPA, Timothy Ademola Simon Imobo-Tswam said, " The former President Olusegun Obasanjo should apologize to President Jonathan and the people of Nigeria for peddling falsehood and desecrating the office of the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We note that despite General Obasanjo's pretenses to infallibility, his records of service are replete with broken promises missed opportunities, mis-steps and folly.
Nigerians are tired of being trampled upon by revisionary historians whether they hail from the plain farm fields of Ota or from far flung corners of our beautiful country.
Nigerians are tired of being played as fiddles by politicians who are hell bent on plunging us into the abyss for selfish, misguided and malevolent reasons," he said.
In view of this, NPA opined that the former President should tender an unreserved apology to the incumbent for peddling falsehood and desecrating the office of the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, of the Federal Republic. In a statement made available to Saturday Vanguard, the Coordinator and National Secretary of NPA, Timothy Ademola Simon Imobo-Tswam said, " The former President Olusegun Obasanjo should apologize to President Jonathan and the people of Nigeria for peddling falsehood and desecrating the office of the President and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
We note that despite General Obasanjo's pretenses to infallibility, his records of service are replete with broken promises missed opportunities, mis-steps and folly.
Nigerians are tired of being trampled upon by revisionary historians whether they hail from the plain farm fields of Ota or from far flung corners of our beautiful country.
Nigerians are tired of being played as fiddles by politicians who are hell bent on plunging us into the abyss for selfish, misguided and malevolent reasons," he said.
Nigerian Army redeploys senior officers
The Nigerian Army Headquarters yesterday announced a major posting of its senior officers, which saw Major General John Kwabe as the Chief of Logistics, Defence Headquarters; Major General Ugo Buzugbe, Commander Nigerian Army Armoured Corps; and Major General Ebiobowei Awala, as the Military Secretary (Army). Others affected by the posting according to Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru in a statement in Abuja, include Major General Olufemi Adeosun, who is now Director, Policy Defence Headquarters; Major General John Nwaoga, General Officer Commanding 3 Division; Major General Chris Olukolade, Director Defence Information; Major General Sunday Adebayo, Commander Nigerian Army Education Corps and Major General Mohammed Idris, Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy.
Also affected are Major General Mobolaji Koleoso, now Director, Armed Forces Simulation Centre; Major General Letam Wiwa, Director Military Intelligence; Major General Patrick Akem, Director Legal Service (Army); Major General Charley Okoro, Director Peace Keeping Operations Defence Headquarters; Major General Obidah Ethan, Chief of Civil Military Affairs; and Major General Junaid Bindawa, General Officer Commanding 7 Division. Major General Modibbo Alkali is now Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery; Major General Shehu Yusuf is Commandant Depot Nigerian Army; Major General Ahmed Mohammed, Commander Nigerian Army Training Centre and Major General Iliyasu Abbah is Commander, Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield).
The exercise also saw Brigadier General Arinze Ebenebe, as the Commandant Warrant Officers Academy; Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana, Director of Army Reserve Recruitment and Resettlement; Brigadier General Kasimu Abdulkarim, Director of Physical Training; Brigadier and General Enitan Ransome-Kuti, Commander Multi-National Joint Task Force. Brigadier General Ibe Nicholas is now the Commander 23 Brigade; Brigadier General Ohifeme Ejemai, Commander 9 Brigade; Brigadier General Bright Fibionumama, Commander 3 Brigade; Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, Commander 13 Brigade; Brigadier General Mustapha Onoyiveta, Head Nigerian Army Operations Monitoring Team; Brigadier General Lanre Bello, Commander 34 Brigade and Brigadier General Olajide Laleye, Director Army Public Relations among others. Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru said the exercise was part of routine posting of senior officers in the Nigerian Army and appointment of its senior officers.
Also affected are Major General Mobolaji Koleoso, now Director, Armed Forces Simulation Centre; Major General Letam Wiwa, Director Military Intelligence; Major General Patrick Akem, Director Legal Service (Army); Major General Charley Okoro, Director Peace Keeping Operations Defence Headquarters; Major General Obidah Ethan, Chief of Civil Military Affairs; and Major General Junaid Bindawa, General Officer Commanding 7 Division. Major General Modibbo Alkali is now Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery; Major General Shehu Yusuf is Commandant Depot Nigerian Army; Major General Ahmed Mohammed, Commander Nigerian Army Training Centre and Major General Iliyasu Abbah is Commander, Joint Task Force (Operation Pulo Shield).
The exercise also saw Brigadier General Arinze Ebenebe, as the Commandant Warrant Officers Academy; Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana, Director of Army Reserve Recruitment and Resettlement; Brigadier General Kasimu Abdulkarim, Director of Physical Training; Brigadier and General Enitan Ransome-Kuti, Commander Multi-National Joint Task Force. Brigadier General Ibe Nicholas is now the Commander 23 Brigade; Brigadier General Ohifeme Ejemai, Commander 9 Brigade; Brigadier General Bright Fibionumama, Commander 3 Brigade; Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru, Commander 13 Brigade; Brigadier General Mustapha Onoyiveta, Head Nigerian Army Operations Monitoring Team; Brigadier General Lanre Bello, Commander 34 Brigade and Brigadier General Olajide Laleye, Director Army Public Relations among others. Brigadier General Ibrahim Attahiru said the exercise was part of routine posting of senior officers in the Nigerian Army and appointment of its senior officers.
FACTS ABOUT VAGINAL ODOUR.
* If ur vaginal smell musky, Its probably as a result of sweating nd stress - e.g, exercise. Take ur bath.
* If it smells like a fish, greenish discharge + foul odoul - its trichomoniasis. See ur doctor.
* Always make sure not to wear too tight fitting undies and trousers
* If it smells like bread + discharge dat looks like cottage chesse, u probably gt yeast infection.
* Sleep pantless
* If it smells like a fish, greenish discharge + foul odoul - its trichomoniasis. See ur doctor.
* Always make sure not to wear too tight fitting undies and trousers
* If it smells like bread + discharge dat looks like cottage chesse, u probably gt yeast infection.
* Sleep pantless
Friday, December 27, 2013
Court fixes Dec 30 to decide fate of Briton, four others over N15bn fraud
A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, fixed December 30 to decide the fate of a Briton, Gareth Wilcox, and four others, charged with N15 billion fraud.
Wilcox, a former Managing Director of Ibom Power Company and LYK Engineering Company, is standing trial alongside Prince
Johnson Adebami and Uche Uwechia, on a 21-count charge.
Adebami is a former Managing Director of the defunct Gulf Bank Plc, while Uwechia is a former legal adviser to the bank.
Also charged with the accused are Ibom Power Company and LYK Engineering Company, owned by Wilcox.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, fixed the date after counsel representing the accused had respectively moved their application for the bail of their clients. Counsel to the first accused, Mr Samuel Oshodi, in adopting his bail application, urged the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms.
Oshodi argued that the fundamental right and liberty of the accused were lready at stake, since he had been detained at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) for over 20 days. Citing the provisions of Section 118 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, and Sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution, Oshodi argued that the presumption of innocence enshrined in the law, still availed the accused. He, therefore, urged the court to grant them bail.
Counsel representing the other accused, Mr Martin Liadi and Mr Daniel Ade-Peters, also aligned themselves with the submissions of the first defence counsel. Responding, to the argument for bail, the Prosecutor, Mr Dania Abdullahi, adopted his counter affidavit and urged the court to exercise its discretion in determining the application for bail.
He noted that the amount stated in the charge was monumental, adding that operatives of the SFU experienced great difficulties, in securing the arrest of Wilcox.
Wilcox, a former Managing Director of Ibom Power Company and LYK Engineering Company, is standing trial alongside Prince
Johnson Adebami and Uche Uwechia, on a 21-count charge.
Adebami is a former Managing Director of the defunct Gulf Bank Plc, while Uwechia is a former legal adviser to the bank.
Also charged with the accused are Ibom Power Company and LYK Engineering Company, owned by Wilcox.
The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, fixed the date after counsel representing the accused had respectively moved their application for the bail of their clients. Counsel to the first accused, Mr Samuel Oshodi, in adopting his bail application, urged the court to admit the accused to bail on liberal terms.
Oshodi argued that the fundamental right and liberty of the accused were lready at stake, since he had been detained at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) for over 20 days. Citing the provisions of Section 118 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, and Sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution, Oshodi argued that the presumption of innocence enshrined in the law, still availed the accused. He, therefore, urged the court to grant them bail.
Counsel representing the other accused, Mr Martin Liadi and Mr Daniel Ade-Peters, also aligned themselves with the submissions of the first defence counsel. Responding, to the argument for bail, the Prosecutor, Mr Dania Abdullahi, adopted his counter affidavit and urged the court to exercise its discretion in determining the application for bail.
He noted that the amount stated in the charge was monumental, adding that operatives of the SFU experienced great difficulties, in securing the arrest of Wilcox.
Abdulahi, therefore, left the issue of bail to the discretion of the court. Justice Yunusa, adjourned the case till Dec. 30 for ruling on the bail application, but ordered the continued remand of the accused at the SFU. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the accused were arraigned on Dec. 23, following the charge of fraud and had pleaded not guilty.
The judge, however, ordered their remand at the SFU, pending the determination of their bail.
Abdulahi had told the court that the accused converted more than N15 billion from the defunct bank, in the guise of granting loans and overdraft facilities to various companies, without appropriate accounting records.
He said that they also converted and appropriated a total of 55.3 million dollars and more than N3.7billion belonging to the bank.
He said that part of the money was used to finance a non- existing refinery, while the others where converted to personal use.
Abdulahi explained that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap A6, Laws of the Federation, 2006.
Aboh flood victims, widows get succour
AN outreach partnership pro-gramme anchored by Reverend Samuel Akpan-Isong of Champions for Christ Chapel Asaba and Architect Oputa Ajie has brought succour to widows, less-privileged and victims of last year's flood in Aboh, Ndokwa east local government area of Delta State. Bags of rice and other food items including exercise books and writing materials were donated to the widows and school children including victims of last year's flood. Reverend Samuel Akpan-Isong told the gathering that "today, we are on the reach out partnership programme in Aboh. The Outreach partnership programme is an on-going thing. And we believe with the process of time it shall be extended to other areas of the State and beyond.
"Our intention is to bring succour to some disadvantaged persons in addition to the pulpit ministry towards creating a sense of hope for them. Many families were rendered homeless by the rampaging flood of the previous year. The federal and state government did marvelously well by supporting them. Our efforts is to compliment the gesture of this God sent leaders and that of some powerful individuals in finding meanings and answers to the questions of life", he added.
"Our intention is to bring succour to some disadvantaged persons in addition to the pulpit ministry towards creating a sense of hope for them. Many families were rendered homeless by the rampaging flood of the previous year. The federal and state government did marvelously well by supporting them. Our efforts is to compliment the gesture of this God sent leaders and that of some powerful individuals in finding meanings and answers to the questions of life", he added.
Lagos NSCDC arrests 150 vandals in 10 months
Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Lagos State Command, has said no fewer than 150 suspected vandals were arrested in the state within the past 10 months just as he urged Lagosians to report any act of vandalisation of government property during the Yuletide period. Giving the account of his 10 months stewardship in Lagos, the State Commandant Adesuyi clement, also said the suspects were involved in vandalisation of some critical government infrastructures such as petroleum pipelines, electrical and telecommunication facilities. According to him, some of the suspects have been prosecuted while others are still under investigation as the vandalised products recovered from them were handed over to appropriate authorities.
Also, the Commandant said about 50 private guards companies were sealed within this period as they were discovered to be operating illegally within the metropolis. ''The Command has equally sealed over ten companies who defaulted in paying their annual renewal dues,''
As regards disaster management, he said the Command which is the emergency response team, has partnered with other agencies such as National Emergency Management Authority NEMA and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA in the management of disaster scenes.
The peace and conflict resolution unit he said, has handled over 150 cases ranging from landlord/tenant conflict, marital conflict, breach of public peace, land disputes, relationship disputes, cases of assault, monetary conflict and child abuse. Out of these cases, over 80 have been resolved while the rest are still in progress.
''The command has deployed 2000 officers to various strategic locations within the metropolis to ensure adequate security during the Yuletide. Adequate security reporting and grassroots intelligence gathering by this unit has assisted the Lagos State government in checkmating the nefarious activities of some terrorist organisations like 'Boko Haram' across the state. The corps in collaborations with other security agencies recently tracked down some 'Boko Haram' members who were at the verge of causing mayhem to Lagosians,'' he added.
Fashola tells auto dealers to stop using road sides as showrooms
Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Friday warned traders, especially auto dealers to stop making sections of the highways their showrooms. Fashola gave the warning when he inaugurated the reconstructed Kodesho Road and Simbiat Abiola Way in Ikeja.
The governor said trading constricted the roads thereby causing traffic gridlock and great inconveniences to users.
He stressed that staying too long in the gridlock had serious health implications as it could lead to accidents, hypertension and stress. "As we hand over these roads, I think we need to talk to ourselves.
"We build roads to let us get to our businesses; our places of work quickly and to make movement easier. "But some residents covert the roads to places they trade and as long as we continue to trade on them, we defeat the purpose for which they were built.
"As long as we turn our roads to shopping malls where everybody buys in traffic, we all pay the price because you all know that such causes stress and hypertension.
"Now, I see those who sell cars on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way and other areas have turned sections of the highways into showrooms.
"I am using this opportunity to tell them to get land where they can display and sell their cars. If we want to be great people, we don't turn our highways into car shops" , he said.
Fashola reminded the traders that Lagos was fast becoming a megacity and urged them to sell their goods in the market, shopping malls and not on thehighways.
The governor said the delivery of the two strategic roads was the fulfillment of his electoral promise to improve infrastructure in all parts of the state.
He added that work was on going in over 200 inner-city roads across the state, adding that the State Government had awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of additional 25 roads.
He urged Lagos people to pay their taxes to enable the government to do more.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said that the roads were major routes to decongest traffic in Ikeja.
Hamzat said that 274 new jobs were created during the reconstruction of the two roads.
He urged the residents to protect all projects from vandals.
The governor said trading constricted the roads thereby causing traffic gridlock and great inconveniences to users.
He stressed that staying too long in the gridlock had serious health implications as it could lead to accidents, hypertension and stress. "As we hand over these roads, I think we need to talk to ourselves.
"We build roads to let us get to our businesses; our places of work quickly and to make movement easier. "But some residents covert the roads to places they trade and as long as we continue to trade on them, we defeat the purpose for which they were built.
"As long as we turn our roads to shopping malls where everybody buys in traffic, we all pay the price because you all know that such causes stress and hypertension.
"Now, I see those who sell cars on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way and other areas have turned sections of the highways into showrooms.
"I am using this opportunity to tell them to get land where they can display and sell their cars. If we want to be great people, we don't turn our highways into car shops" , he said.
Fashola reminded the traders that Lagos was fast becoming a megacity and urged them to sell their goods in the market, shopping malls and not on thehighways.
The governor said the delivery of the two strategic roads was the fulfillment of his electoral promise to improve infrastructure in all parts of the state.
He added that work was on going in over 200 inner-city roads across the state, adding that the State Government had awarded contracts for the rehabilitation of additional 25 roads.
He urged Lagos people to pay their taxes to enable the government to do more.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said that the roads were major routes to decongest traffic in Ikeja.
Hamzat said that 274 new jobs were created during the reconstruction of the two roads.
He urged the residents to protect all projects from vandals.
Comedienne Princess Dammy & husband split after only 7 months of marriage
"Yes my marriage has ended due to irreoncilable differences. We have been having issues since the wedding but we still remained together hoping that we would be able to work it out. But apparently, we couldn't work it out, hence the reason for our separation. We actually ended it several months ago, but we didn't want to make it public. I'm sure God knows best'
Mercy Johnson Okojie says Thank You
2013 has been an incredible year for me. I couldn't ask for more. It is one year I won't forget in a hurry.
My fans were amazing. They stood by me and took on my fight. The critics played their parts too. I took the constructive ones, made adjustment and became a better person.
How can I forget 2013, the year I had the honour of being the most searched Nollywood actress for the third consecutive year. I am most grateful to the fans who worked the keyboard or keypad reading about me online.
I am grateful to my team, the media and management company, Bigsam Media that became like sponge, wiping away the negative past and soaking in the future. I am most grateful.
Social media, Twitter most especially, played significant role in reaching out directly. The teaming fans on Twitter and other platforms, this is for you; thank you for loving, tolerating and being there for me.
Gentlemen of the press contributed in no small measure to my year, without you, no one will reckon with the brand, thank you.
My colleagues, directors, producers and marketers who made the job easier for me, I am most grateful. Without what you do on set, my best won't manifest. Thanks.
To the companies all over Africa that did business with me, I owe you. Thanks for the confidence in my brand. 2014
will be better. To those who buy or watch movies because of me, you have kept me at the top still in 2013. You are part of my success story. I am most grateful. God bless you. And to the most wonderful man in the world, Prince Odi
Okojie, if there were to be reincarnation, I will take the step of faith with you again. Odi, you are a good man, wonderful husband and loving daddy. I am blessed to be your wife and blessed will you continue to be among men.
In 2014, there will be new direction for the brand, keep your fingers crossed while God and my team work out the magic.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mercy Johnson Okojie.
Koga's One Night Stand set to hold tomorrow
Tomorrow, Saturday, Dec 28, 2013 Terry G, Wizkid, Sean Tizzle, Wande Coal and Reminisce will do a battle of sort at Koga's One Night Stand. The event that has been themed Hot & Raw
The mainland concert that has enjoyed wide followership among party and fun faithful on Mainland will play host to more than one major artistes for the first time. Continue... One Night Stand has always played host to one major artiste and host of other grade B stars but this December 2013 edition will be playing host to more than four certified major artistes that will be trying to outdo one and other in terms of stage craftsmanship.
The five major acts are popular on the street with songs that have become street anthems of sort but there's has never been a time where the five acts will be gracing same stage. Wande is a mentor of sort to Wizkid, tomorrow will witness a scene where the protege will be trying to outdo the mentor. Terry G on the other hand will be trying to further rein in his stress cred ahead of Wizzy and Sean Tizzle who have established following on Island and upwardly mobile elites. Who will win the street credibility battle tomorrow?
One Night Stand is a periodic concert-like party with sizeable and credible following on the mainland. It has featured established acts such as Dede Mabiakwu, Olamide, Obesere, Sound Sultan, Efya, and other.
The last edition for the year 2013 will be taking place at Koga Event Hall, Bolaji Street, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
The mainland concert that has enjoyed wide followership among party and fun faithful on Mainland will play host to more than one major artistes for the first time. Continue... One Night Stand has always played host to one major artiste and host of other grade B stars but this December 2013 edition will be playing host to more than four certified major artistes that will be trying to outdo one and other in terms of stage craftsmanship.
The five major acts are popular on the street with songs that have become street anthems of sort but there's has never been a time where the five acts will be gracing same stage. Wande is a mentor of sort to Wizkid, tomorrow will witness a scene where the protege will be trying to outdo the mentor. Terry G on the other hand will be trying to further rein in his stress cred ahead of Wizzy and Sean Tizzle who have established following on Island and upwardly mobile elites. Who will win the street credibility battle tomorrow?
One Night Stand is a periodic concert-like party with sizeable and credible following on the mainland. It has featured established acts such as Dede Mabiakwu, Olamide, Obesere, Sound Sultan, Efya, and other.
The last edition for the year 2013 will be taking place at Koga Event Hall, Bolaji Street, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.
Dankwambo presents N107.4bn budget to Gombe assembly
**Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State on Friday presented a budget of N107.4 billion for the 2014 Appropriation Act to the state House of Assembly.
Tagged "Budget of Restoration", the governor said it was made up of a recurrent expenditure of N43.5 billion and N63.8 billion capital expenses. According to him, the budget is based on an estimated recurrent revenue of N50.8 billion and capital receipts of N55.8 billion, with an anticipated budget deficit of N678 million. Based on the budget breakdown, the recurrent revenue comprises N6.3 billion as internally generated revenue; N35 billion from statutory allocation and N2.5 billion share of excess crude oil. The governor said the state expected a receipt of N1 billion each from its share of exchange rate gains and Nigeria National Petroleum Company, while N5 billion was expected from budget augmentation and other sources in the fiscal year. On recurrent expenditure of N43.5 billion, Dankwambo said N14.6 billion was allocated for personnel cost, N16.3 billion on overhead and N12.5 billion for consolidated revenue fund charges. On the capital receipts of N55.8 billion, he said with an opening balance of N8 billion, government was expecting N7 billion from Value Added Tax and N2.5 billion as Federal Government's reimbursement on projects executed by the state.
He said N2.5 billion would also come from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme as the state's share. Other capital receipts, he said, included an expected N3 billion local government contribution to joint projects, N7.3 billion as transfer to consolidated revenue fund charges and N4 billion as internal loans. Other sources are N500 million from partnership contribution to Agricultural Development Fund and N250 million partnership contribution to Trade Investment Fund.
About N300 million is also expected as partnership contribution to Gombe State Geographic Information System (GOGIS). Also being expected is the N500 million from Bank of Industry (BOI) partnership for entrepreneurship
development fund. The governor said that during the fiscal year, external loans of N150 million was being expected for HIV and AIDS programme development projects.
Also expected are the N100 million from the World Bank Fadama III project and N1 billion for the Gombe State Community and Social Development Project.
The governor also said the African Development Bank would provide N50 million loan to the state. He said the Islamic Development Bank would also provide N40 million loan for food security project in the state,
among others. On grants from development partners, he said N2.7 billion was expected on projects in education, Emergency Relief Fund, Millennium Development Goals Conditional Grants, among others.
On the N63.8 billion capital expenditure, the economic sector was allocated N43 billion, representing 67 per cent of the budget while the social sector got N16.6 billion (26 per cent).
Tagged "Budget of Restoration", the governor said it was made up of a recurrent expenditure of N43.5 billion and N63.8 billion capital expenses. According to him, the budget is based on an estimated recurrent revenue of N50.8 billion and capital receipts of N55.8 billion, with an anticipated budget deficit of N678 million. Based on the budget breakdown, the recurrent revenue comprises N6.3 billion as internally generated revenue; N35 billion from statutory allocation and N2.5 billion share of excess crude oil. The governor said the state expected a receipt of N1 billion each from its share of exchange rate gains and Nigeria National Petroleum Company, while N5 billion was expected from budget augmentation and other sources in the fiscal year. On recurrent expenditure of N43.5 billion, Dankwambo said N14.6 billion was allocated for personnel cost, N16.3 billion on overhead and N12.5 billion for consolidated revenue fund charges. On the capital receipts of N55.8 billion, he said with an opening balance of N8 billion, government was expecting N7 billion from Value Added Tax and N2.5 billion as Federal Government's reimbursement on projects executed by the state.
He said N2.5 billion would also come from the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme as the state's share. Other capital receipts, he said, included an expected N3 billion local government contribution to joint projects, N7.3 billion as transfer to consolidated revenue fund charges and N4 billion as internal loans. Other sources are N500 million from partnership contribution to Agricultural Development Fund and N250 million partnership contribution to Trade Investment Fund.
About N300 million is also expected as partnership contribution to Gombe State Geographic Information System (GOGIS). Also being expected is the N500 million from Bank of Industry (BOI) partnership for entrepreneurship
development fund. The governor said that during the fiscal year, external loans of N150 million was being expected for HIV and AIDS programme development projects.
Also expected are the N100 million from the World Bank Fadama III project and N1 billion for the Gombe State Community and Social Development Project.
The governor also said the African Development Bank would provide N50 million loan to the state. He said the Islamic Development Bank would also provide N40 million loan for food security project in the state,
among others. On grants from development partners, he said N2.7 billion was expected on projects in education, Emergency Relief Fund, Millennium Development Goals Conditional Grants, among others.
On the N63.8 billion capital expenditure, the economic sector was allocated N43 billion, representing 67 per cent of the budget while the social sector got N16.6 billion (26 per cent).
The Regional Development Sector got N43 million,representing 0.07 per cent of the budget while General Administration took N3.5 billion, representing 6 per cent of the budget.
The governor said the budget would focus on completion of ongoing projects and initiation of new ones that had direct benefit to the people of the state. Dankwambo said "we have tagged it "budget of restoration" because we are determined to further restore the confidence of the people of Gombe State in good governance.
He said his administration would also restore the lost glory of the state in the national and sub-national development arena and chart a cogent course of development".
The governor expressed gratitude to stakeholders in the state and development partners for their cooperation and support which enabled the government to execute "people-oriented projects" in 2013.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Inuwa Garba, assured the governor that the legislature would scrutinise the budget, to ensure that people-oriented projects were provided.
The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Gov. Tha'anda Rubainu, commissioners, traditional rulers and some top government and private sector personalities in the state.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Nigerian Woman Shows Off Giant Cassava Tuber She Harvested From Her Farm (Photo)
A woman from Orlu, Imo State showed off a giant Cassava tuber she harvested from her farmland, NairaNaijaNews reports. See photo below.
