Stop Elderly Rascality: Oshomole Warns Igbinedion

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Monday  warned the  Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, to stop undermining state laws.

Oshiomhole, at the inauguration  of 14 newly elected local government chairmen  in Benin,   said government had  the capacity and the will to contain Igbinedion's excesses.

He also asked the state Independent Electoral Commission to tender unreserved apology to the people of the state for the lapses recorded in the local government election held on Saturday.

He said, "There is evidence that he (Igbinedion) has undermined the prosperity of the state for a very long time. Those who live in glass houses do not throw stones.

"I want to send a warning to Chief Igbinedion that he should take it easy;  he has acquired a lot of government land that the people have not engaged him on. He walks as if he is above the law. He was a chief tax collector in this state, pocketing 25 to 30 per cent of every kobo that accrued while his son was the governor.

"I have not looked back because my mandate is to look forward. I want to put him on notice that if he continues with elderly rascality, I will bring him to justice.

"He must never ever underestimate the fact that I have the will and I have the capacity to deploy that will; if he crosses the law, he will be cut to size.

"Elders must teach the younger ones to behave responsibly.

The governor berated Igbinedion over his alleged conduct on election day on Saturday in Okada.

"You heard how he is using ITV in a very reckless manner, in clear breach of the NBC code. He reduced himself as a high chief,  leaving where he is registered to vote and going all the way to Okada on a day movement was restricted across the state.

"He got to Okada and illegally used mobile policemen to walk on the street; going to the police station where sensitive election materials were  kept  in order to vandalise the sensitive electoral materials to ensure elections did not take place.

"If he misleads himself into believing that he has the birth right to continue to appropriate and  privatise the resources of Edo State, he is living in a fool's paradise."

Source: http://www.punchng.com/news/oshiomhole-warns-igbinedion-against-elderly-rascality/

Ghanian Actress Jackie Apiah set to Wed her Nigerian Boy friend

Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah who got involved in a messy divorce case with her husband few months ago is set to give wedding a shot again.

Jackie Appiah and her Ghanaian lover, Peter Agyeman got married about 5 years ago and the wedding produced a beautiful son.
Now that her divorce is final, she is currently dating Nigerian actor Bobby Obodo.

In the past few weeks, the inseparable lovers were spotted at several functions in Accra, Ghana.

Sources also claim Bobby Obodo has officially introduced himself to Jackie Appiah’s family members and an approval has been granted.

The real gist is that the two are planning a glamorous wedding ceremony.

Though no date has been set, we learnt Jackie Appiah has started putting things in order on her end.
Wishing them a happy married life in advance.

http://hypearena.com/2013/04/photo-jackie-appiah-nigerian-boyfriend-getting-married-soon

Guardian Tortures 12 year old for getting Molested

Guardian Tortures 12-Year-Old Girl For Getting Molested

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a guardian, Edwin Alagbaso, for allegedly torturing a 12-year-old molestation victim.


Chibueze, The injured leg and The victim
Alagbaso, who used razor blade, knife and an iron rod to punish the victim, blamed her for "causing the molestation".

A 22-year-old man, Uche Chibueze, who Molested the minor, was also arrested by the police.

Chibueze, on April 15, 2013, Were Intimate with the victim near the home of her guardian located at number 1 Magente Street, Pipeline, Akute.

Chibueze, however, told our correspondent that he did not molestation the victim since it was consensual.

He said, "I was at a friend's gathering when she came to me saying she had spiritual problem and wanted to know her real family. I told her that she should follow me to Solution Church which was nearby and she agreed.

"On our way to the place, I took her to a corner of the street and took off her clothes. I also took off my shorts and I had not fully penetrated when a resident caught us and raised the alarm. I tried to flee but they apprehended me. I explained to them that it was not molestation but they did not listen to me."

It was learnt that Chibueze and the victim were taken back to Alagbaso's house. The guardian in a rage picked a knife and stabbed him in the palm.

"The man (Alagbaso) went for a kitchen knife and wanted to kill me, but I grabbed it from him. He, however, stabbed me in the palm," Chibueze said.

Unable to do anything with the child molester, Alagbaso was said to have picked a razor blade and inflicted injuries on the scalp of the 12-year-old.

Not done, he allegedly used an iron rod to beat the victim and later used a knife to cut her in the legs.

As the victim was reportedly bleeding from the head and other parts of the body, the residents, who had been pleading, intervened and took her to the hospital.

The residents also invited policemen from Ajuwon Division.

Alagbaso, however, told that he beat the victim to prevent her from being Molested in future.

He said, "When I got home from work, I looked for her everywhere but did not find her. She left my three little children at home alone in the dark and went out with Chibueze. It was while she was out with him that he Molested her.

"I punished her by shaving off her hair so that she would not look attractive again and men would not want To Molest her in future. I also beat her so that she would not go out without permission because if she dies, people will blame me since I was the one that brought her to Lagos.

"I did not mean to beat her up to that extent, but I was angry. It was the devil that pushed me to beat her so much. However, the police do not have the right to detain me since I am the guardian and I have the right to correct her."

She was responding to treatment. The victim said although Alagbaso's wife was her aunty.

She said, "He beat me up so much that I thought I would die. He brought me to Lagos in 2010 but I only started attending school some months ago and he does not allow me to go to school all the time. Sometimes, he tells me to stay at the shop.

A copy of the medical report made available to our correspondent read in part that her 'womanly hymen was partially intact'.

It stated further that she sustained injuries to the scalp, swollen fingers, bruised abdomen and swollen eyes and mouth.

The Director, Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Dr. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, said the victim should be taken away from Alagbaso.

She decried the rise in cases of child abuse and molestation and commended the police for the timely intervention.

When contacted for comment, the spokesman for the state police command, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident.

He said, "The Molester and the guardian are both in custody. The guardian has a case to answer for inflicting injuries on the victim with razor blade. They will be brought to book."

http://m.naij.com/news/31884.html

Corruption is exaggerated in NIgeria: Goodluck Jonathan

Corruption level in Nigeria exaggerated - Jonathan •Issues certificates to PHCN successor companies

IN an apparent reaction to the excitement of opposition over a reported United States (US) Congress report, which reportedly confirmed mass corruption at all levels of government in Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, assured that such claims of corruption in the country were over-amplified.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had, in a statement at the weekend, observed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the government it controlled were at the centre as a “cesspool of corruption,” following the report submitted to the US Congress by Secretary of State, John Kerry.

However, speaking at the Presidential Power Reform Transaction signing ceremony at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Jonathan pointed out that the way government business was conducted in the country had led to a reduction in corruption in the country.

Jonathan was presiding over the handing over of payment certificates to bidders who had successfully paid down the first (25 per cent) instalment of the purchase for five of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor generating companies (GENCOs).

He also gave out payment certificates to the bidders that had successfully paid down the first (25 per cent) instalment of the purchase for 10 of the PHCN successor distribution companies (DISCOs).

Citing fertiliser distribution and the power sector, President Jonathan noted that government had since cleaned them up through various transparent initiatives that had been attested to by the private sector and, therefore, pleaded with all Nigerians to see the country as their own.

The president said the signing ceremony underscored the commitment of his administration to transparency, its renewed emphasis on inclusiveness in core transactions and sustenance of the current tempo of transformation in the power sector.

Jonathan noted that the signing signalled a major step forward in the implementation of power sector roadmap, while commending all private sector players for their commitment to and confidence in the Nigerian economy.

“What we have done so far and will continue to do is to set the rules of the game and act as a responsible facilitator and regulator,” he stressed.

Jonathan assured that “this government cares about you and will not rest until you can sleep well at night without the irritating noise of generators.”

In his remarks, Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, said the government was expecting to add additional generation capacity of about 2,200 megawatts from the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) before the end of 2013.

He said the Federal Government was also investing to boost generation through the large, medium and small hydros, with total capacity of over 4,234 megawatts, which include Zungeru, 700mw; Mabilla, 3,050mw; Gurara 2, 360mw; Itsi, 40mw and Small Hydro Power, 84mw.

Nebo added that a total capital outlay of $3.4 billion was required up to 2016 to bring the country’s transmission grid to evacuate the generated power, noting that government was working out the funding of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) long term expansion plan.

In her speech, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the event was yet another milestone, not only in the act of executing agreements, but also a testimony to the holistic approach the administration had taken in solving in a sustainable manner, gas supply and development in Nigeria.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/10173-corruption-level-in-nigeria-exaggerated-jonathan-issues-certificates-to-phcn-successor-companies

(Quote) (Report) (Like)

Fuel Tanker accident in Ibadan left several houses burnt

60 Houses Feared Burnt In Ibadan In A Fuel Tanker Accident

OVER 60 houses were feared burnt as a fuel-laden tanker fell at Inalende junction,Omitowoju, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday evening.
The incident, an eyewitness informed the Nigerian Tribune, happened around 6.30p.m, when the tanker, with Lagos registration number XJ 288 SMK, fell off as it was trying to manoeuvre its way at the junction.
It was gathered that after attempts by the driver to maintain the balance failed, the
vehicle fell, thereby spilling its content down the road before it exploded.

The raging inferno, the eyewitness said,affected many houses and shops on the street.
As of the time of going to press, the fire was still raging, while unconfirmed report had it that some people were trapped in some of the houses and shops already razed by the fire.
Nigerian Tribune also gathered that residents and traders had fled the area, as a result of the development, to avoid being trapped in the raging inferno.
Some of those who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune lamented their losses to the fire, while others were searching for their loved ones.

At press time, fire fighter service operators had arrived the scene of the incident and were making effort to put out the fire.

http://tribune.com.ng/news2013/index.php/en/component/k2/item/10172-60-houses-feared-burnt-in-ibadan-fuel-tanker-accident

I wish to see Buhari embrace Goodluck Jonathan: Orji Uzor Kalu

Former Abia state governor Dr.Orji Uzor Kalu who clocked 53 Sunday ,turned spiritual preaching peace,love and reconciliation among politicians and looking forward to the day President Goodluck Jonathan and opposition leaders would embrace themselves.

Kalu talked of that great moment when the President would engage Buhari in a squash competition in Aso Villa, and the day Dame Patience Jonathan's dinner hostess could be Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

He said,"there is so much tension in the land. We should play politics without bitterness,afterall, government is about service to the people. I want to see Gen. Buhari sweat it out in a friendly squash game with Dr. Jonathan.How sweet it would sound to find The First Lady in the Ikoyi home of Senator Tinubu serving herself dinner. That is the kind of atmosphere that i wish my country".

The ex-governor recalled that in the Second Republic Chief Obafemi Awolowo accepted National honour from President Shehu Shagari even as an opposition figure. "Papa Awo received Shagari's compliments,party politics was set aside. Even
Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe did not reject the Mercedes birthday gift the then President sent to the Owelle. They respected Shagari as much as he regarded them,"Kalu added.

He urged politicians to be dynamic in their pursuit as they are supposed to serve the people in whatever capacity possible since no two persons can occupy one position at the same time.

"We could serve in any capacity as long as we have the interest of Nigerians. We are copying the Americans. I wish to remind us that their sixth President,John Quincy Adams became a member of the House of Representatives after his Presidency. Walter Mondale who was Vice President Under Jimmy Carter[1977-1981] served as Ambassador to Japan in 1983. Back home,Shagari was Local government chairman after his tenure as minister. Adeniran Ogunsanya, Maitama Sule were state commissioners after service as Federal ministers. Even Buhari served in the Abacha government, and first Nigerian Inspector-General of Police Loius Edet was a state Commissioner afterwards. That is service. I wish this country peace," Kalu said.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/igberetv

Park and go: Buhari and Tinubu to PDP

Buhari, Tinubu to PDP: Pack and Go



For the umpteenth time, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday got the red card from the opposition camp.
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu told the PDP to be ready to quit in 2015.

The duo spoke in Lagos at the public presentation of a book “Witness to history: Action Congress of Nigeria and its struggle for democracy, liberty and justice”.

The 642-page book, written by ACN National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was unveiled at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event was chaired by Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu.

The opposition leaders reiterated their determination for change in 2015. They urged Nigerians to support the push for power shift to the progressives by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gen. Buhari, the CPC leader and former military Head of State, spoke on the need to consolidate the merger of the like-minded opposition parties before stepping up the mobilisation of the various constituencies for political action.

Tinubu charged Nigerians to get set for the future electoral contests, adding that “PDP should go in 2015”.

Seasoned poet, Odia Ofeimun, who reviewed the book, praised the author for his courage and sense of duty. He said: “This is not a review, but a statement; a compendium of the publicity output of the party’s spokesman challenging the business-as-usual approach of those in power at the centre. The book is the defender of the public memory of the political situation in the country”.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included: host governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande, his wife, Alhaja Abimbola, ACN National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and wife, Angela, former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, former Lagos State Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Dr. Amos Akingba, Chief Tom Ikimi, Senators James Kolawole, Olabiyi Durojaye, Chris Ngige, Olufemi Lanlehin, Oluremi Tinubu, Babafemi Ojudu, Gbenga Obadara, Ayo Adeseun, Sola Adeyeye, Ganiyu Solomon, Olorunnimbe Mamora and Prof. Adebayo Williams, and Prof. Ropo Sekoni.

Also at the ceremony were the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, his deputy, Kolawole Taiwo, Secretary to Lagos State Government Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Olawale Osun, Oba Olatunji Hamzat, Otunba Busura Alebiosu, Mr. Olorunfunmi Basorun, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Otunba Dele Ajomale, Chief Rasak Okoya, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, Prof. Idowu Sobowale, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Alhaji Ganiyu Badmus, Mrs. Wonuola Folami, Yemi Cardoso, Chief Sam Bolarinde, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, who was the Master of Ceremony and Mohammed’s wife, Kudira Adeoti.

Urging the progressives to remain committed to change, Buhari said: “Let us agree to come together and give an alternative to Nigeria. We should consummate this merger and mobilise our constituencies.”

The CPC leader noted that Nigerians were eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the merger in readiness for the next elections, stressing that “nobody will want to rig because it will not pay.” Buhari commended the ACN for its successful convention in Lagos, assuring that the CPC and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) will follow suit in Abuja and Zamfara State respectively on May 11.

Hailing the author, Buhari, who wrote the foreward to the book, applauded his single mindedness, intellectual capacity, hardwork, consistency and courage, adding that every school library in the country should have the book on its shelve.
Tinubu observed that the presentation of the book was timely, coming after the last convention of the APC, which has heralded its merger into the APC. Noting that the APC has a permanent place in history, the former Lagos State governor said: “Democracy, justice and liberty may move slowly, but when they gain momentum, nobody can stop them. That is why I talked about positive storm.

“With the APC, we will form a bigger party that will accomplish bigger things for Nigeria. This is a bigger project with an agenda for change. That was why ACN has made a sacrifice for the greater good. We should not call ourselves the opposition again. We are the progressives and government-in-waiting. Those in power only believe in what good governance oppose.

“We have witnessed their empty history. Let them be a witness for our fruitful one. The US State Department has been decrying their impunity and corruption. The presidential aides are blind people embellishing facts. They attack the messengers, rather than heeding the message. We do not oppose for the sake of it. We stand for democracy, fairness, justice, harmony, unity, the eradication of corruption. We oppose indifference to bad governance, unemployment and insecurity.

“Our overriding vision is to gain power at the centre for progressive change. The storm is here. That storm is a positive storm. APC is the storm that will sweep them away. It is time for those in power to go.”

Lauding Mohammed, who he described as a wise man and a one-man army for his sagacity, competence and commitment to the growth of democracy, Tinubu said that he has been issuing press releases with the rapidity of a machine gun and turned them into a weapon of truth.

Fashola, who welcomed the guests, recalled that he had succeeded Mohammed as Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, noting that the astute lawyer and politician performed well in office by setting up the logistics, which facilitated the success of his tenure.

He said the book has told the story of a party that has become yardstick for good government and governance.

Firing the salvo at the PDP, Fashola said: “A party is saying that there is no vacancy in the highest office in the land. Why are they organising elections then? There will be vacancy in 2015.”

Governor Aliyu frowned at late-coming to events, advising dignitaries to send representatives, if they cannot keep to time. He observed that the ceremony was rich in attendance by attracting tall people like Gen. Buhari and Speaker Ikuforiji and short people like Mallam el-Rufai and Dr. Ngige.

Replying Fashola, he said: “We are not saying that there will be no election. There will be election to give you the task to participate. We are not saying that there will be no vacancy. We are saying that you should work hard. I was the first party to pray for the success of the merger so that we will not take things for granted. There is the need for options in democracy. But we should not allow personal ambition to becloud the general interest.”

Aliyu clarified that his presence at the book presentation did not translate into defection from the PDP, stressing that he had deliberately asked the Niger State PDP chairman, Alhaji Mahmud Batanga, to accompany him to Lagos for the ceremony.

The governor cautioned against viewing issues of national importance from the prism of narrow partisan ship, adding that nation-building and development go beyond political partisanship.

He added: “As politicians, we are not up to 10 percent of the people and we decide the fate of all the people. We must listen to all perspectives.”

Applauding the role of the opposition, Aliyu said: “Lai Mohammed has been asking us to understand what Nigerian politics has been and what it will be. If you want to excel, you must have enemies that will put you on your toes. opposition is always there to help you to look at the other side of the coin.”

Osibajo praised Mohammed’s devotion to image making, he said that he has become the peoples’ publicity secretary.
Ipaye, who read Mohammed’s profile, said that as the country has proceeded on the fast lane to development, it should be remembered that the author is one of the engineers of the movement. He added: ‘He is a thinker, strategist and wise counselor.”

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Dr. Remi Desalu, Dr. Wale Adebanwi, Hon. Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Dr. Samuel Adedayo, Hakeem Fashinro, Dr. Leke Pitan, Prof. Abisogun Leigh, Jide Jimoh, Ayodele Adewale, Abiodun Mafe, James Faleke, Rotimi Agunsoye, Jide Sanwolou, Kaoli Olusanya, Segun Dawodu, Chris Ekwilo, Ademola Seriki, Femi Gbajabiamila, Yakubu Balogun, Kemi Nelson, Dele Belgore (SAN), Pastor Eze Iyamu, Chief Adedoyin, Sunday Adepoju, Yekini Alabi, Ismaila Tua, Bolaji Ariyoh, Ife Oyedele, Segun Babatope, Meriko Ebikebina, and Wale Ahmed.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/buhari-tinubu-to-pdp-pack-and-go/

Achebe's Burial on May 23- South-East Governors

Achebe For Burial May 23 –South East Governor's The South-East Governors Forum met in Enugu yesterday and announced May 23, 2013, as burial date for the late literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi who announced the date as part of decisions at the meeting, also disclosed that Achebe’s first son was part of the decision. He told newsmen at the end of a long meeting at the Enugu Government House that “issues of importance to the South-East were discussed; issues like the Enugu international airport, security issues as well the burial of Professor Chinua Achebe were discussed. “I want to announce that the burial will take place on May 23, 2013 and his first son is here with me. “For the international airport, we discussed the impending visit to flag-off the construction. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Achebe’s first son, Mr. Ike Achebe said the South-East governors had indicated that the burial of his father was an important event and that they promised to offer support needed. “And so we are looking forward to working with them. “Mr. President was the first to send his condolence when my father died; Mr. President has also been meeting with me and having a very detailed discussion on what the family wishes. “I will like to use this opportunity to express my family’s appreciation to the president and members of his cabinet who have worked very hard to ensure we are in constant communication with the president. “My father’s wishes were very much known; and we will all agree that seeing a Nigeria that is fair to its people; a Nigeria that lives up to the expectations of her citizens. A Nigeria that is free of corruption; a Nigeria that looks after her own people. “His wishes were an enduring one for the country and I think that right up to the end he was interested in ensuring that Nigeria would live up to her potential to help uplift the African people and people everywhere who have suffered for one reason or another. “My father was a caring family man. Although, he was a global citizen he always made us feel he was a father and husband first. So he was a wonderful family man.” Personalities at the meeting were governors Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, Sullivan Chime, Enugu, Theodore Orji, Abia and Peter Obi. Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha was represented by his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere. Source: http://sunnewsonline.com/new/cover/achebe-for-burial-may-23-seast-govs/

Re: Achebe's Burial On May-23

Tinubu and Buharim are Political liability-Okupe

Tinubu, Buhari Political Liabilities - Presidency

The Presidency on Sunday dismissed criticisms of the Goodluck Jonathan administration by the two main opposition parties, saying their national leaders-Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd) and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were “heavily burdened political liabilities.”

Senior Special Assistant to Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, told journalists at a news conference in Lagos, that the Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government would not be distracted by their ‘empty’ criticisms.

Tinubu had at the ACN convention in Lagos on Thursday, said “The current government’s trademark is to throw empty words and hollow actions at our problems,” while Buhari vowed that the All Progressives Congress would resist any move by the PDP to rig elections in 2015.

But Okupe said Buhari and Tinubu, the arrowheads of the move by the ACN, CPC and the All Nigeria Peoples Party to fuse into APC, lacked “the antecedent that support their claim of possessing what it takes to move Nigeria forward.”

He said, “It is evident that the proposed merger revolves around two personalities only, Senator Tinubu and Retd.- Gen. Buhari. Unfortunately, both are heavily burdened political liabilities. ”

The Presidential aide described the proposed merger as “incongruous alliance of political weaklings, ,dysfunctional Lilliputians and repeatedly frustrated political power mongers.”

He claimed that the promoters of the APC were desperate to “supplant the Jonathan administration, forgetting that one million giant ants can never muster the required strength to lift a concrete pole much less of a nationally entrenched pillar and structurally established institution like the PDP.”

The Ogun State-born medical doctor called the ACN a “motley assembly” lacking in internal democracy and “notorious for outsourcing” its presidential candidates from the PDP.

Noting that the ANPP “had existed for 13 years without any meaningful impact on the polity,” Okupe predicted that the APC would likely pick its presidential candidate from the rank of the PDP stalwarts..

He said, “It is noteworthy that the major plank of this motley assembly, the ACN, is notorious for outsourcing its presidential candidate from the ranks of the same PDP they gleefully villify.

“In 2003, their choice was Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who now knows them better. In 2011, it was a protégé of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who filled the slot although he was later betrayed and sacrificed on the altar of self interest.

“Presently, the debates within the factionalised alliance suggest that they will not mind fielding another PDP stalwart as their presidential candidate.”

Okupe said that the administration of Tinubu in Lagos State was characterised by labour crisis and that it did not at any time attain 60 per cent budget implementation.

He said, “The leader of the opposition, Chief Bola Tinubu, who spoke disparagingly about the Federal Government on a number of issues was once a governor of Nigeria’s richest state for eight years and we all have a record of what he made of that position.

“ Tinubu who spoke about meagre wages for public servants in Nigeria was known to have ignored calls of Lagos civil servants for a N7,500 monthly wage and when he eventually buckled to the pressure of Labour leaders, he wickedly sacked the arrowhead of the struggle in the person of Comrade Ayodele Akele, who was never re-instated.

“Yet Tinubu spoke of the present government as ‘heartless and mean that put the interest of small elite above the interest of the common working man and woman who are the backbone of this nation.”

On the National Chairman of the ACN,Chief Bisi Akande, he noted that when he (Akande) was the governor of Osun State, workers were denied N5,500 minimum wage.

He added that the Akande regime laid off over 9,000 workers during its four years in office

He said, “Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who was then Nigeria Labour Congress President and now Governor of Edo State led workers on protest in Osun during the period but Chief Akande remained adamant. Where then is the credential of these people to talk about job creation, promotion of workers interest and democratic etiquette?.”

He also described the decision of two nominated members of the Amnesty Implementation Committee, Mallam Sanni and Alhaji Datti Ahmed, to reject their membership, as “shameful”.

Okupe said, “They wanted to do it as private citizens and take the glory. Some people feel because a committee has been established, their importance will be undermined.”

Arguing that corruption with over 50 years existence in the country would not disappear overnight, the SSA added that Jonathan overhauled the leadership of government agencies saddled with the responsibility and signed the Freedom of Information Bill in order to reinvigorate the war against corruption.

Faulting Okupe, the ACN National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said, “Lagos State Government under Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu was the first state to increase workers’ salaries without them asking him. Osun State witnessed unrivalled infrastructural development during the tenure of Chief Bisi Akande, these records are there for all to see.”

The National Chairman of the ACN, Chief Akande, said that he would not dignify Okupe with a reply.

Speaking through his media aide, Mr Lani Baderinwa, the former governor advised the Jonathan administration to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians rather than engage in bickering.

“Okupe doesn’t need to be dignified with a response. He is an attack dog. He has enough problems of his own,” he added.

Also, the CPC through its Spokesman, Mr.Rotimi Fashakin, said “A hunter’s dog that is about to get lost forever will never hear the whistle of the hunter. This administration is about to get lost irredeemably.”


http://www.punchng.com/news/tinubu-buhari-political-liabilities-presidency/

Unemployed graduate stabs himself to death

Graduate Stabs Self To Death In Lagos

Residents of Wole Madariola Street, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos have been asking questions about what pushed Chidike Oyeka, a graduate of Madonna University, Anambra, to stab himself repeatedly thereby taking his own life.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the Chidike on April 19, 2013, took a kitchen knife and stabbed himself repeatedly until his intestines were disembowelled.

Our correspondent, who visited his parents’ home where the incident occurred, learnt that the victim recently concluded his National Youth Service Corps programme.

A relative, who wished to remain anonymous, said the 25-year-old had been depressed for some time.

She said, “He did his NYSC in Delta State and only returned in February. Upon returning, he started to act strangely and we noticed that he was no longer sociable. Most times he would sit at a corner by himself and when we asked him what was wrong, he would say he was not happy.

“When the symptom became persistent, his parents took him to a hospital but nothing was discovered to be wrong with him, so we took him back home and continued to monitor him.”

Narrating what transpired on the day the victim died, the relative said it happened after everyone had gone to sleep.

She said he went into the kitchen, took a kitchen knife and stabbed himself three times.

She said, “I do not know the time it happened exactly but everyone had gone to bed while he stayed in the parlour. Around midnight, he was found lying in a pool of blood and the knife soaked in blood.

“His intestines were on the floor as well. From what we deduced, he stabbed himself three times without screaming because no one heard any noise. At daybreak, we went to Aguda Police Station to report the matter.”

A neighbour, who craved anonymity, said the deceased had once complained that one of the reasons why he was unhappy wasthat he was unemployed.

He said people advised him to be patient since he had only just completed his NYSC.

Our correspondent, who visited the parents’ home on Sunday, saw residents coming in droves to console the family particularly the victim’s mother.

Another resident, while consoling the deceased’s parents, said the family should have taken him to see a psychologist instead of a general medical practitioner when he complained of depression.

Mrs. Oyeka however said the circumstance surrounding her son’s death was metaphysical. She said she had left the matter to God but was pained that all her struggles to bring up her son were in vain.

“He was my first born and we did all to make him happy but sadly he took his own life. We counseled him on numerous occasions but this did not prevent him from committing suicide.

“I do not think someone can stab himself to death except he is under spell. I leave everything to God because He knows best.”

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the deceased would be buried on Thursday.

When contacted on the telephone, the acting spokesperson for the state police command, Damascus Ozoani, said the matter could not yet be classified as suicide until autopsy was concluded.

“Although the family claimed he killed himself, the police will have to do their own independent investigation to ascertain what really happened. We will wait for the outcome of the autopsy and this will determine our next line of action,” he said.

http://www.punchng.com/metro/graduate-stabs-self-to-death-in-lagos/

Boko Haram Fights With JTF Over 2000 Homes Destroyed 185 Killed!



Intense fighting between the military and Islamist militants in north Nigeria is reported to have killed at least 185 civilians and destroyed 2,000 homes.

Rocket-propelled grenades and heavy gunfire bombarded the remote town of Baga near the border with Chad for hours on Friday evening, government and military officials say.

Nigeria faces a long-running insurgency in its predominantly Muslim north.

The Boko Haram insurgency has left thousands of people dead since 2009.
'Markets burnt'

Residents of Baga fled into the bush and only returned on Sunday afternoon to find much of the town destroyed and human and animal corpses strewn through the streets.
Map

One local journalist said this marked a significant escalation in the insurgency in the area, with the militants using heavier weapons than in previous attacks.

Residents said most of the bodies had been burned beyond recognition in blazes that had destroyed much of the town.

One resident, Bashir Isa, told Associated Press: "Everyone has been in the bush since Friday night; we started returning to town because the governor came.

"To get food to eat in the town now is a problem because even the markets are burnt. We are still picking corpses of women and children in the bush and creeks.''

Boko Haram wants to carve out an Islamic state across a swathe of Nigeria.

Its name in the local Hausa language means: "Western education is forbidden".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22243834

Babock University school fees has been increased

Babcock university just released the school fees for the next session which some students think it's outrageous but can't protest for fear of expulsion or suspension. See it below.. Accounting - N1.5million per session Nursing - N1million per session Law - N2million per session Medicine - N3million per session Others - N860,000 per session Ridiculous! isn't it? A Christian university that claimed to be a non-profit organization. Anyway I blame it on the people that patronize them. There are Federal universities, state universities and even some private universities all over the country that are less expensive, but they chose this one. It really funny how people decide to invest their money. In my own opinion any parent that pays this huge amount for his or her child is investing in bad business. Some might finish and would never get a job, while others who are lucky to be employed would be paid peanut.

Senator spoils ss3 Student with N2 million and Prado Jeep

Tongues are no wagging over a “distinguished” senator’s alleged romance and showering of expensive gift items as well as N2million cash on an 18-year-old senior secondary school student (SSS3) in Asaba, Delta State. The wife of the senator who got wind of her husband’s love escapades is allegedly fighting on all fronts to stop the relationship but the lawmaker is reportedly not ready to end the relationship with the student, whose parents have endorsed it. The senator is said to have fell in love with the girl when he visited the family of another girl in Asaba who was allegedly killed by suspected cultists. Upon noticing the SSS3 girl, the senator asked a friend for details on the damsel and was allegedly told that she was just an ordinary SSS 3 student and a friend to the deceased. It was learnt that the senator sent his complementary card to the girl and requested her to meet him in a hotel in the neighbourhood. After the burial of her friend, the girl allegedly went to enquire of the senator at the hotel but was denied access to the lawmaker by the workers but the student allegedly put a call to the lawmaker who immediately cleared her. It was learnt that at the hotel room the senator sealed the relationship and promised to change her fortunes. Last Thursday the senator allegedly sauntered into Asaba in a milk coloured Honda Accord popularly known as “End of discussion” car. He allegedly made straight to the girl’s house in NITEL area of Asaba where he presented a Prado car key and N2million cash to the student in the presence of her parents who were said to have fallen on their knees for thanksgiving. Since the incident happened, the girl has allegedly been under harassments by hoodlums (area boys) who want to have their share of the largesse. www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/52540/2013/04/21/senator_spoils_sss_iii_student_n2m_prado_jeep.html (Quote) (Report) 1

APC Manifesto is a Photocopy of our own-PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Saturday alleged that the yet-to-be-registered All Progressives Congress, APC, copied its manifesto. Olisa Metuh, PDP national publicity secretary in a statement, held that the manifesto of the merging opposition,APC is “a very poor imitation, a bland parody of the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party”. According to him, “The leaders and members of the APC are entertaining themselves. The opposition are in their dream world. They are in deep slumber but will soon wake up to the stark reality that it takes more than noise-making to defeat the PDP, the only truly national political party in Nigeria with impregnable structures in every polling booth, every ward, local government and every state of the federation. They will wake up on the eve of 2015 and see us once again in power.” “Then, those who recited the parable of the bloody baboon and monkey and other fellows who pledged the impossible in desperation, may engage demagoguery to throw the state into chaos. Nigerians are however wiser!” he said. Defending his party’s administration on graft, Metuh noted that “Our government established the EFCC and the ICPC, equipped them with canine and molars to crush the backbone of corruption. As relative as their successes are, no record will ever deny their impact in quest for a transparent polity. “It suffices that the PDP has shown enough dispassion in fight against corruption and will continue to encourage all Nigerians, especially the opposition to do same,” the party said.. Reacting to the threat by APC to probe the current and previous administrations, the spokesman said “The PDP is not afraid of probe. This is one of the major reasons our government established the Freedom Of Information Act so that every Nigerian can be a watchdog, well armed with facts to challenge impunity.” “But right under the nose of the leaders of the opposition are taxpayers’ money, state property defiled and pillaged to satisfy the greed of one man- the self styled leader, the Pontifix Maximus. We urge the opposition to start the probe here as an earnest of its commitment.” Metuh further described APC’s rally this way: “It (the convention) promised a jamboree and ended up a jamboree of futile imagination from clueless and disparate forces. It was all noise and no deep thought. What the Zik of Africa would call “panjandrum”. “Besides we have again seen this in their so called 8-agenda manifesto where they offered nothing new. The unstated which we however wish to alert all Nigerians is the use of religion and tribe to divide them. It is their stock in trade,” the statement concluded. http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/04/20/apcs-manifesto-is-a-photocopy-of-ours-pdp/?wt=2 (Quote) (Report) (Like)

US Secretary Of State Report Massive Corruption In Nigeria

US Secretary Of State Report Massive Corruption In Nigeria By Aliyu Kolo on April 21, 2013  The Secretary of State, United States of America, John Kerry, has alleged massive corruption at all levels of the Nigerian Government in the new report he submitted to the United States Congress.  The Report titled: “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012,” was prepared by the Department of State using information from US embassies and consulates abroad, foreign government officials, non-governmental and international organisations, and published reports. According to the report revealed over the weekend, the section 4 that featured Nigeria under “Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government,” disclosed “Massive, widespread, and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces.” Although the Nigerian law provides criminal penalties for official corruption, the report stated that: “government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity.” The judiciary was also analysed and the report stated; “There was a widespread perception judges were easily bribed and litigants could not rely on the courts to render impartial judgements. Citizens encountered long delays and alleged requests from judicial officials for bribes to expedite cases or obtain favourable rulings.” Furthermore, all major financial scandals within the period under review and how the issues were handled by government reflected in the report. “On April 18, a House of Representatives Committee led by Representative Farouk Lawan and charged with investigating the fuel subsidy programme from 2009 to 2011 released a report showing massive fraud, corruption, and inefficiencies in the operation of the program. The report alleged misappropriation of nearly half the subsidy funds, with poor or nonexistent oversight by government agencies. “The report estimated government money lost to “endemic corruption and entrenched inefficiency” amounted to N1.067 trillion ($6.8 billion). The committee recommended reform of the oversight and enforcement mechanisms and further endorsed investigation and prosecution of culpable officials.” “In July, the government released a list of those who had benefited illegally from the subsidy programme, which included relatives and colleagues of key government officials. In late July the EFCC began arraigning suspects, first with a group of 20 indictments, including six oil companies and 11 individuals. “By year’s end the EFCC initiated prosecutions of approximately 50 cases related to the subsidy scam. The majority of these cases involved companies and individuals who had fraudulently received subsidy revenue. Investigations and trials had not produced any convictions by year’s end.” Similarly, during the subsidy probe in June (2012), “allegations and a video surfaced, allegedly showing Lawan accepting a N94.2 million ($605,000) bribe from Entrepreneur Femi Otedola, who had advised Lawan on the investigation but whose company had not received fuel subsidy payments. “After Lawan solicited the bribe from Otedola, the latter approached the SSS to record the hand-off as part of a “sting” operation. The attorney-general referred the case to the police for further investigation. The allegations initially overshadowed the committee’s findings, but the EFCC continued with investigations at year’s end.” It also cited the stealing of 32.8 billion naira ($210 million) Police Pension Fund, which led to the arraignment of six suspects including a director at the Police Pension Office, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, who later rose to become permanent secretary in the Ministry of the Niger Delta, and the criminal charges against former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, for laundering close to five billion naira ($32 million) of funds belonging to state. Other corruption cases reported were the arrest of the former minister of Works and Housing, Hassan Lawal, for 24 counts of fraudulently awarding contracts, money laundering, and embezzlement of 75 billion naira ($480 million); arrest of Mr. Dimeji Bankole, former speaker of the House of Representatives, and Deputy Speaker Usman Nafada for the alleged misappropriation of one billion naira ($6.4 million) and 40 billion naira ($256 million) respectively; arrest of former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Oyo State Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, and former Gombe State Governor, Muhammed Danjuma Goje. “The four (governors) allegedly misappropriated or stole 58 billion naira ($372 million), 25 billion naira ($160 million), 18 billion naira ($115 million), and 12.8 billion naira ($82 million), respectively. Their trials began in December 2011 and continued at year’s end”, the report disclosed. It also cited the guilty plea entered by former Delta State Governor James Ibori in the Southwark Crown Court in London to charges of money laundering and other financial crimes totalling 12.4 billion naira ($79 million) he had committed during his eight years in office. It, however, noted that, “Soon after the court announced Ibori’s conviction, the EFCC issued a statement it intended to pursue a case against Ibori in Nigerian courts.” On the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), signed into law in May 2011, which allows any person to request information from a government office, the report said “Civil society groups continued to introduce an increasing number of cases at the national and state level to test the FOIA during the year. Despite the number of cases introduced, there was only one reported successful prosecution during the year.” The report also contained the declaration of assets by Nigerian public officials in pursuant to the constitution, “Public officials, including the president, vice president, governors, deputy governors, cabinet ministers, and legislators (at both federal and state levels), must comply with financial disclosure laws, including the requirement to declare their assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) before assuming and after leaving office. Violators risked prosecution, but cases rarely came to conclusion.” “In June the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and other groups demanded President Jonathan disclose his assets from 2007 to 2012. On June 24, the president refused the request.

My Candid Take on 2015-Dele Momodu

My Candid Take on 2015 20 Apr 2013 By Dele Momodu Fellow Nigerians, please allow me to set the records straight before I go into the main meat of this letter. On a personal note, I have no problem with President Goodluck Jonathan seeking a second term in office. It is his legitimate Constitutional right. It does not matter if he truly reached an unwritten gentleman’s agreement with some members of his political party, openly or clandestinely. When did it become a criminal offence for Nigerian politicians to renege on their promises? At the very worst, he would have committed a moral offence of being a reprobaterather than a gentleman who keepsto his words. Finito! But that is an act of indecorum which is not punishable under any of our Acts or Statutes. My take is simple and straight-forward: let Jonathan run, if he wants to. It is cowardly to stylishly force him out of the race. The essence of democracy is to give every aspirant a chance except we can establish legal reasons to debar him. The Nigerian Constitution permits a President to run for two terms if he can win the presidential race twice. So be it. This Constitution is definitely superior to that of any humongous political party. If the President has decided to exercise that right, there is nothing anyone can do to stop him from running if he gets his party ticket which I suspect won’t be any problem for him given the way things work in Nigerian politics. However, difficult as it may seem, there are options open to those who don’t want him to be the next PDP candidate if they are ready to fight all the way. But they can only achieve that through Constitutional means. Members of his party can decide to change him for another aspirant, and they are not in short supply, by ensuring he doesn’t get the party nomination during their National Convention. As far-fetched as this may seem, it cannot be totally ruled out if they can muster enough resources to match him dollar for dollar. The only snag in that calculation is that I’m not sure any Nigerian currently has access to such a monstrously deep pocket, as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar discovered on his night of the long knives at the Eagle Square in Abuja barely two years ago. First, the law enforcement agents would be encouraged to lock up the delegates in their hotel rooms and ensure that no other aspirant can reach them. Two, the incumbent President would easily receive the support of every businessman worth his salt in Nigeria and beyond without even asking. The President of Nigeria has the power of life and death and would never waste any time before deploying it. He can turn a billionaire into a pauper overnight and turn a certified pauper into a billionaire before you pronounce Jack Robinson. No wise businessman ever fights government in Nigeria. It is an unwritten code you learn from kindergarten school. Three, Mr President understands the weakness of most Nigerians. It is the special craving, craze and propensity for political appointments. That obsession is so insatiable that even at 80 many Nigerian politicians would sacrifice anything and everything to obtain government appointments no matter how degrading or demeaning. The reason is not far-fetched. Returns on investments are usually high in Nigerian politics. Economic recessions hardly affect them. Right now, most Nigerians are moaning and groaning, yet the politicians have no cause to complain. They are awarding themselves stupendous remunerations and allowances with infinite opportunities to globe-trot on very outlandish estacode. This is why most people want to be in the good books of the President including those who abuse him in public. At the right time, the President would call them in and speak the original dialect they all understand. Money! I believe it is for those reasons some people want to elbow the President out before the race begins. My prediction is that Jonathan will get the PDP ticket again, no matter what it takes. And my advice to those who don’t want that to happen is to either support him or quickly leave the party for him. Unfortunately, there are not too many stronger parties in contention. The only one available for now, if and when it gets registered, is APC. But even here, there are formidable obstacles to scale. How easy would it be for our dear Atiku Abubakar to return to APC with all his former AC allies in firm control? How easy would it be for a Waziri Aminu Tambuwal to persuade General Muhammadu Buhari to jettison his voluptuous dream of ruling Nigeria again? How simple would it be for a Sule Lamido to risk all his investments in PDP and hope to upstage our own BAT, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu in APC? By what magic would Governor Babangida Aliyu control enough influence in APC? These are technical issues that those leaving PDP would have to confront sooner than later. It is a dilemma offering no easy escape route. I see four clear options. The first is there will be the original PDP under the firm grip of Jonathan. But that Jonathan-PDP may become a shadow of itself if most of the Northern Governors, members of the Senate, House of Representatives and other State legislators collectively pull out and join the Obasanjo renegades in the South Westand leave the dry shell for Jonathan and his die-hard supporters in the South-South, South-East and parts of the Middle-Belt. That is the Second option. The third is for APC to risk a Muslim Muslim ticket in Buhari and Tinubu and hope to garner enough crowds from the North West and the South West. The fourth is for Buhari and Tinubu to sacrifice everything and reach out to Tambuwal and Rotimi Amaechi, or a similar formidable duo, and hope to break the monopoly of Jonathan in the South South. This is possible, where a bigger Rivers is already feeling oppressed by Bayelsa, Cross River is feeling emasculated by Akwa Ibom, the Ibori crowds are feeling marginalised in Delta and the godfathers are being rendered irrelevant in Edo by Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. This scenario seems the most likely permutation to ease out Jonathan. Political pundits believe this is why Jonathan is already fighting like a wounded lion in Rivers State. Rivers has the hefty resources and more than enough electoral figures to threaten Jonathan’s ambition. Tinubu and General Olusegun Obasanjo would have to bury their differences and rescue Nigeria from the brink of collapse. Many Nigerians still blame Obasanjo for giving Nigeria a weak and ineffectual leadership. They fail to understand why he couldn’t come up with a star-studded team of Donald Duke, Nasir El Rufai, Dora Akunyili, NgoziOkonjo-Iwealla, NuhuRibadu, Bukola Saraki, Julius Ihonvbere, Charles Soludo, Emeka Chikelu, Oby Ezekwesili, Akin Osuntokun, Frank Nweke Jnr., and others, when he left power in 2007. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had a pool of young and vibrant technocrats like Chris Mammah, Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, Garba Shehu and Adeolu Akande who could have been groomed for the new Nigeria of our dreams. However they were all exterminated like irritants by Obasanjo who squashed them underfoot. Had power been transferred to such upwardly mobile people, Nigeria would have had its own version of Obama and Cameron by now. The decision to swim and drown with the weakest links robbed us of a more energetic government. We have no idea yet what the general electorate might do after 14 years of narcoleptic leadership of PDP. Will they put a final stop to Jonathan’s voluble ambition by casting their votes for the new-look opposition or stick fervently to the devil they already know? While it is tempting to be bought over by the lack of performance argument against Jonathan, it can be safely assumed that one’s man’s meat is another man’s poison. There is no other way to put the lack of performance to test than at the polls. Nigerians hardly vote like normal people do. We often base our decision on primordial sentiments that include the whiff of money, ethnicity, religion, position and so on. Who knows, despite our excruciating pains in the hands of the PDP hawks, Jonathan might still manage to hypnotise enough Nigerians with his Fresh Air razzmatazz? Elsewhere, PDP would have long been consigned to the dustbin of history but not in our long-suffering and eternally resilient and reticent country called Nigeria. I won’t be surprised if all the PDP Governors line up behind Jonathan when tomorrow comes. What will shock me is if they don’t. A lot of government money is already being stockpiled for our type of rainy day. Loads of cash will jump out of the vaults when the time comes, as it certainly will, sooner than later. How many politicians born of women can resist the lure of money in a country where money speaketh all languages and conquereth all territories? As for me and my house, the best option for Jonathan is to ignore all those putting pressure on him to run. Truth is he has nothing to prove again. God has showered him with too much kindness. He has entered the history books for life as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief. It does not matter how long he stays in power. What would ultimately matter is what he does with it. If I were in his shoes, I will concentrate on what legacy to bequeath to future generations and worry less about the distractions of a Second Term malady. He has nothing to lose if he does not seek a second term but he has everything to forfeit if he runs and fails to win. The best way to win or lose with dignity is not to make it a matter of life and death. It would even be worse if he has nothing tangible to point at as his achievement when his tenure expires, whenever that is. If I were Jonathan, I will take off my hat, jump into some casuals and hit the ground running. I will work like a donkey and try to prove my enemies wrong. I will make sure I conclude the power projects. That alone will instantly turn any Nigerian leader to an all-time hero. I will cut the cost and burden of governance. I will keep a lower profile and kick out most of the deadwoods in government. I will concentrate on those projects I can complete as soon as possible. I sincerely believe all the energy he’s wasting on pursuing Rotimi Amaechi and company can be better utilised. He had never fought for anything in his life. Whatever he is today was at the instance of uncommon good luck and enduring patience. Why not allow God to decide his next destination in life instead of stopping others who want to try their own luck. It is not too late for the President to ease the tension in the land. He has nothing more to ask of God. He became Nigeria’s President without much ado. It is for him to compensate Nigerians for that unusual favour. What I see is his proclivity for enjoyment and the good life. His government is too bloated and full of unserious elements. Those goading him on today,and encouraging him to fight on all fronts, would soon abandon him perchance he fails in this mission. They are his real enemies out to preserve their pecuniary interests only. Where are those who said Obasanjo was their god a few years ago and daily swore by his name? They have since moved on to otherclimes in search of new gods, and I doubt if they even remember how to get to the Hill Top mansion in Abeokuta. There is no better lesson for the wise. Source : http://thisdaylive.com/articles/my-ca…

2015: PDP may move against disloyal Governors

http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=119412:2015-presidency-pdp-may-move-against-markedgovernors-&catid=73:policy-a-politics&Itemid=607 2015: Presidency, PDP May Move Against ‘Marked’Governors SATURDAY, 20 APRIL 2013 00:00 FROM AZIMAZI MOMOH JIMOH, ABUJA AND SAMSON EZEA, LAGOS FEATURES - POLICY & POLITICS User Rating: / 0 PoorBest AS the battle for 2015 Presidency becomes more intriguing within the forces in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Presidency and the national leadership of the party, which include the leadership of the Board of Trustees (BoT), have concluded plans to deal with the party governors opposed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term. A source in the party who was privy to a meeting held in Abuja early last week, told The Guardian yesterday that it was agreed at the meeting that the best bet for the President Goodluck Jonathan to secure his second term ticket and subsequently win the 2015 presidential election is to start in time to move against such governors. According to the source, it was agreed at the meeting that no stone should be left unturned in the plot which would involve anti-graft agencies and the judiciary. It was disclosed that despite what looked like fence-mending in the party in the last few weeks, the security report and findings from the recent peace tours by (BoT) leadership showed that the opposing governors, mostly from the North, are already hobnobbing with the merging opposition party All Progressives Congress (APC) by proxy. “What happened in Rivers State with the recent court’s sack of the state executive of the party loyal to Governor Chibuike Amaechi and their replacement with a group loyal to the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, was hatched by the Presidency and the national leadership of party. “It might soon be extended to other “marked” governors such as the Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu; his Sokoto counterpart, Aliyu Wamakko; Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari; Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso. “Those still on the watch list of the Presidency and the party leadership to ascertain where their loyalty lies include Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Sulivan Chime of Enugu State, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State. “Those whose loyalty appeared to have been confirmed at least for now in the North are Gabriel Suswan of Benue State, Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State and his Bauchi State counterpart Isah Yuguda, both of whom are already jostling for the vice president slot in 2015. Others in the South are Theodore Orji of Abia State, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson. “ As a sign of what lies ahead for opposing governors, the man who was instrumental in the originating summon which the court relied upon to sack the party executive in Rivers state loyal to Ameachi is the Edo State chairman of the party, Mr. Dan Orbi, who is also Chief Tony Anenih’s points man. It was Orbih, who, in his affidavit, said that the results paraded by the sacked state exco chairman, Godspower Akeh, did not emanate from the congress that he had conducted in the state more than a year ago.” The source further disclosed that the dilly-dallying of the Presidency on the crisis rocking the party in Adamawa State between groups loyal to the party national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Governor Murtala Nyako with Tukur gaining the upper is a clear sign that Nyako may have lost out. On the fate of Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido and his alleged presidential ambition, the source said the Presidency is still watching him although his son has a pending case of money-laundering with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Speaking on the development, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party told The Guardian yesterday that it appeared Tukur has gained upper hand against the governors in the fight with the backing of the Presidency. On the plans to deal with the opposing governors, the NWC member said it was never discussed in their meetings, but expressed surprise with the sack of the Rivers State exco of the party loyal to Amaechi and the subsequent swearing-in of the faction loyal to Wike. “We never envisaged it, but there is nothing we can do about it because we are ordinary members. Certain decisions on the party are taken at the Presidency and might not be communicated. It appeared the development was a warning to other opposing governors ahead of the party NEC meeting to be cautious of their opposition to the Presidency and national leadership of the party ahead 2015,” the member stressed. A member of the BoT who was on the entourage that visited Amaechi before the sack of the state exco of the party expressed worry that the development might mar the effort already made in resolving the crisis rocking the party. An aide to one of the “marked” governors in the North told The Guardian that they are aware of the plot to use some people from the state, including senators to level false allegations of corruption against his boss and subsequently unleash anti-graft agencies on some state government officials to distract the governor. “We are not surprised but they will definitely fail in the plot because my boss has nothing to hide and has always been on the part of the truth and good governance,” the aide said.

Over 5,000 Boko-haram suspect may get amnesty

Over 5,000 as well as their wives and children members of the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, may benefit from the proposed Federal Government amnesty for members of the group. Saturday PUNCH learnt that members of the Federal Government’s amnesty committee would, among other things, recommend a phased release of members of the sect currently in detention. It was gathered that children and wives of the sect members would be released first before other detainees. This, it was gathered, would assist the committee and the Federal Government in winning the confidence of the sect. The committee, which is to be inaugurated on Wednesday next week, is expected to initiate dialogue with leaders of the sect at a yet-to-be determined date, time and venue. Saturday PUNCH also gathered that members of the group, who earlier rejected government amnesty plans, have yet to make public their response to the latest development. A top security source, who pleaded for anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue, said, “Some wives, children and relatives of members of the sect are among those being detained. “The government may start with the release of this category of people as a sign of its commitment to peace. I believe members of this committee will be favourably disposed to making this recommendation.” As for the venue of talks should members of the sect accept dialogue, the source said, “They may opt for Saudi Arabia or any other country they consider a neutral ground, like they did in the past. This is because they still cannot trust that government will not use the venue of the talks to further hunt them down. “Trust is still a big issue here; the question remains whether the sect will trust that government will be sincere this time around and not resort to behaviours that led to the breakdown of similar attempts in the past. “Just like those in government, they also have hardliners. This group of members are likely to give near impossible conditions such as the rebuilding of their homes and places of worship destroyed by government forces and the like. ” The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, had in Kaduna last month urged the Federal Government to give amnesty to the sect members. The call was echoed by a number of prominent Nigerians. It has, however, been strongly opposed by the Christian Association of Nigeria. President Goodluck Jonathan had few weeks ago said his administration would not hold talks with members of the sect, whom he described as ‘ghosts’. But after some meetings with northern elders and security chiefs, the President promised to set up an amnesty committee for Boko Haram. The President made good his promise on Wednesday by naming a 26-member amnesty committee headed by the Minister of Special Duties, KabiruTuraki. Two members of the committee, Shehu Sani and Dr, Datti Ahmed, rejected their nomination on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. A leading member of the Northern Elders’ Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, confirmed that 5,000 Boko Haram fighters were likely to benefit from the amnesty. He also debunked the notion that Boko Haram members are faceless. Abdullahi said, “We cannot say these people are absent because about 5,000 of them are in detention. You (journalists) are the ones reporting that (Boko Haram) commanders so, so, and so have been arrested. “So we agree that there are senior commanders in detention and I think there is this opportunity even for physical contact between the group and some members of the group and government. “Most reasonable opinions agree that the use of force will not solve this problem. The way forward is to encourage dialogue; it may be difficult at first, but we must try everything possible to encourage interactions between members of the group and the committee.” Asked whether the Northern Elders Forum would be involved in the talks, he said the committee wouldn’t decide which role groups and individuals would play. He added that members of the NEF were prepared to help restore peace to the North. However, a civil rights activist who declined to serve on the committee, Malam Shehu Sani expressed doubts about the possibility of success for the committee. Sani said, “I have not seen people in that committee whom members of the sect will trust enough to dialogue with. “A committee headed by a serving minister does not look to me as serious. For this committee to make progress, these three people must be part of it: Ahmed Shilkida (a freelance journalist), Hamza Idris and Mustapha Zanna. If these people are not part of the committee, it is difficult for it to succeed.” (Punch)

I will dedicate my life to Jihad--Boston bomber

Revealed: Slain Boston bomber had Muslim convert wife and 3-year-old daughter but had sworn his life to Jihad Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was shot dead during a gunfight with police Thursday Had videos dedicated to terrorism and Jihad on his YouTube channel Said in 2010 he has 'a single American friend' and he doesn't 'understand' Americans Studied accounting as part-time student at Bunker Hill Community College Police on the hunt for his younger brother, 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Tsarnaev family came to the US in 2003 as refugees, and Tamerlan became a permanent resident in 2007 Tamerlan became US citizen on September 11, 2012 - 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Aunt said he was a married father of 3-year-old daughter named Zahara Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2311686/Tamerlan-Tsarnaev-Slain-brother-suspected-bombing-Boston-Marathon-Golden-Gloves-boxing-champion-radicalized-Islamist.html#ixzz2Qw1sqNLu Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Boston Bombing suspect captured Alive

• Dzhokhar Tsarnaev taken into custody after police standoff • Suspect, 19, found hiding in boat in Watertown backyard • Obama: 'Our nation is in debt to the people of Massachusetts' Swat teams and hundreds of other police officers surrounded Tsarnaev for about two hours. The suspect was taken to hospital in a serious condition The 22-hour manhunt for the surviving Boston bombing suspect reached a dramatic and surprising conclusion on Friday night when 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured alive after being surrounded by heavily armed police in a suburban backyard. Tsarnaev was found hiding in a boat in the yard of a home in Watertown, the small town where his elder brother Tamerlan was fatally shot by police after a chase which began on Thursday night. The pair had been identified as suspects in Monday's double bomb attack on the Boston Marathon that killed three people and injured more than 170. For about two hours, Tsarnaev had been surrounded by Swat teams and hundreds of other officers, surviving a barrage of gunfire and flash grenades. At 8.41pm, it was finally announced over the police radio: "Suspect in custody". The suspect was injured in Thursday's shootout and had suffered significant blood loss. Police said he was in a serious condition in hospital on Friday night. When the news came through that Tsarnaev captured alive, Thomas Menino, the mayor of Boston who has been a stalwart throughout the week despite struggling with his own health issues, reacted by saying: "We got him." A large crowd gathered near the location of the suspect's arrest began clapping and shouting "Thank you" as a police ambulance carrying the suspect drove by. At a jubilant press conference after the arrest, the sense of relief among law enforcement officials was palpable. Massachusetts police colonel Tim Alben said: "We are so grateful to bring justice and closure to this case. We are grateful for the outcome here tonight. We're exhausted, folks, but we have a victory here tonight." Explaining the breakthrough that had led to Tsarnaev's capture, Edward Deveau, the Watertown police chief, praised local residents. "It was a call from a resident of Watertown," he said. "We asked you to remain vigilant and you did. We got the call and we got the guy." In a statement at the White House, President Obama said: "Tonight our nation is in debt to the people of Boston and the people of Massachusetts. All in all, it's been a tough week, but we've seen the character of our country once more." But he said there were many unanswered questions. "Why did young men who grew up and studied here as part of our communities and our country resort to this violence?" Shortly before the arrest, police in New Bedford, Massachusetts, confirmed that the FBI had taken three people into custody for questioning at a housing complex where Tsarnaev, a student at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, may have lived. Tsarnaev's apprehension brings to an end five days of high anxiety that began at 2.50pm on Monday, with the blasts, 12 seconds apart, near the finish line of the marathon. The FBI say the brothers had dropped bags containing bombs made from pressure cookers packed with nails and ball bearings. More than a million residents of Boston and the surrounding towns had been told to stay inside their homes for most of Friday as hundreds of law enforcement officers went door to door in Watertown searching for Tsarnaev. He had managed to flee Thursday's shootout on foot. The final flurry of frenzied police activity began shortly before 7pm on Friday, just minutes after police chiefs had come before the TV cameras and told the residents of Watertown that they were ending the citywide lockdown, despite admitting that they had lost track of the suspect. A renewed bout of gunfire of about 30 rounds ripped through Watertown as Swat teams and dozens of police vehicles raced to the area of Birch Road, a leafy street with about 14 houses in it. Police immediately ordered people in Watertown to stay indoors, while officers evacuated nearby households, helping families flee across an adjacent field. A resident of Watertown had called police to report he had found a man covered in blood hiding in the boat standing in the yard of a house in Birch Road. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect as they surrounded the boat. There was no chance this time that the suspect could escape. It is now believed that Tsarnaev may have been holed up in the boat all day, eluding the door-to-door search that was going on elsewhere. Birch Road is just a couple of blocks outside the 20-block exclusion zone that the police had set up early on Friday in an attempt to contain the suspect. Amid fears that Tsarnaev may have been wearing a suicide vest or carrying explosives, officers were extremely cautious about moving in. As darkness fell, the barrage of forces ringed around the boat was reinforced by specialist FBI squads dressed in full military gear, wearing protective helmets and vests and equipped with nightvision goggles. Bomb disposal experts, equipped with a robot, were also brought in. Police used a helicopter to monitor the boat from overhead, reporting early in the operation that there was visible movement coming from underneath the tarp, suggesting that Tsarnaev was at that point still alive. Minutes before 8pm there were flashes of light and booms thought to be grenades thrown into the board. Around 150 people had gathered at the end of Franklin Street to watch the police operation. Most were neighbours who lived within one or two blocks. Many had waited here for an hour or more after hearing police had the second suspect cornered. The first sign that Tsarnaev might have been taken into custody or subdued came when a uniformed officer walked away from the top of Franklin and vigorously clapped the hand of a fellow official. He looked down at the ground and clapped his hands two or three times. The crowd read the signal and broke out into applause, cheering. "Did you get him?" one man shouted. An officer nodded his head. The cheers intensified. "It feels great," said Bill Forbush. He lives two blocks away from where Tsarnaev was apprehended. He and his wife, Ann, had been standing on the corner for an hour and a half. They had heard the first gunshots, and heard the sounds of what reportedly were flash bang grenades. They had also spent 20 hours indoors while the town was locked down. "It's nice to be out in the spring air and be relieved," Bill Forbush said. "There's a great sense of relief." As he spoke police vehicles and officers began to stream out of Franklin Street. Each vehicle and each official was cheered. "Great job, you guys," shouted one man, over and over. Tsarnaev had proved to be exceptionally adept in eluding the combined forces of some of the most highly trained and heavily armed law enforcement agencies in America. By that point he had managed to evade capture for more than four days. The drama began around 10.30pm on Thursday night when the two brothers, of Chechen origin, ambushed a police officer, Sean Collier, 26, on the campus of MIT. They then carjacked a black Mercedes, sparking a car chase with police that ended with the huge gunfight in Watertown in which pipe bombs and other explosive devices were thrown by the suspects. Source: http://m.guardiannews.com/world/2013/apr/20/boston-suspect-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-captured-alive

How to run andriod app and whatsapp on your pc

A lot of people find it very discouraging that their brand of phone does not accept the application we generally know as whatsapp. I am going to give an alternative means of running this app.I am pleased to inform you that you can run the whatsapp application through your laptop or pc. Pay very attentive to this tutorials and i bet u in the next few minutes(depending on how fast your internet connection is) you will be whatsapping. Firstly, go to http://www.bluestacks.com/bstk-download-success-2.htm if your download does not begin immediately, at the top corner of the website you will see a download button, click on it immediately the download will be generated into your pc. After you have finished downloading the file,locate and run the file(ensure that you are connected to the internet before you run the file). accept all pop up's and then wait for the bluestacks software to be downloaded into your laptop. After the download has been completed, the software will open and run by it self;but in situation where the sotware does not run on it's own, open the file your self. After you have confirmed that bluestacks is properly working on your laptop, go to if asked to list your phone type simple select android. Search for whatsapp and download it. The download app will be automatically stored into your bluestacks software. To locate the app, run your bluestacks and then click on my app. Click on whatsapp and then follow the necessary registration procedures(for those who are yet to register for whats app)."Hurray am finally Whatsapping" that should be our final reaction. I would love to hear from all those who benefited from this tutorials.

Jonathan seek stiffer punishment for corrupt officials

FG Seeks 10 year imprisonment for pension thieves *Send long Prison term Bill to National Assembly. **Seeks not less than 10-year Imprisonment for Pension Thieves. **Fines, should not less than 3-times of the amount stolen. **Consulting on introducing both Life and Death Penalty for Corrupt Officials. **instructs the Accountant-General to pay all Pension to individual Bank accounts. Tougher times await pension thieves as the Federal Government has proposed stiffer penalties for persons or organisations involved in the mismanagement and embezzlement of pension funds. The proposal was contained in a bill forwarded by President Goodluck Jonathan to the National Assembly yesterday. Part of the bill read, “Any Pension Fund Administrator or Pension Fund Custodian or person or body, who misappropriates or diverts pension funds, commits an offence under this Act. “The individual or group will also be liable on conviction to a fine of an amount equal to three times the amount misappropriated or diverted, or to a term of not less than 10 years or both the fine and imprisonment.” “The bill also instructs the Accountant-General of the Federation to make payment of retirement benefits directly into individual bank accounts of retired persons covered under Section 5 of the Act. Details of such payment should be submitted to the Commission and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate of the Federation and FCT. The Shock of the day, was that news that President Goodluck Jonathan is also consulting on the Idea to introduce another bill soon that will give either Life and Death Penalty for Corrupt people who through their act have deprived millions of Nigerian to opportunity to have or live a decent live. “I hereby introduce for formal consideration and enactment into law by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Pension Reform Bill. “While I hope that the bill receives the usual expeditious attention of the members of the Senate, please accept; distinguished Senate my highest regards," President Jonathan concluded. http://www.punchng.com/news/fg-seeks-10-year-imprisonment-for-pension-thieves/

Four Boko-haram learders arrested in Yobe state

The Military Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe state on Thursday raided a suspected Boko Haram terrorist hideout in Majari village of Gujba Local Government Area arresting four suspected terrorists commanders in the process. The spokesman of the Task force, Eli Lazarus, in a statement released in Damaturu revealed that “at about 23 hours on Wednesday, the men of the JTF raided the suspected terrorists camp in Majari Village close to Buni-Yadi the headquarters of Gujba Local government area” The statement said that four suspects were arrested in the camp while one Isuzu pick-up Van, 10 motorcycles, bomb making materials as well as 200 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the hideout. A police anti-riot Gun, one pistol, one Dane gun, 43 tear gas canisters, two Police uniforms, one laptop and desk top computers were also recovered from the suspects. The JTF spokesman also said 13 military kit pads, four police barrettes, helmets and boots as well as medical box with assorted clothing, cooking pots and food items were also found at the camp. He explained that the pick-up Van was specially covered with mud to avoid spotting it from a far while the exhaust was specially compressed to avoid much noise. While appealing for cooperation, the spokesman assured that the JTF is working hard to overcome the activities of the terrorists in the state and the country at large. The Yobe state Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, recently imposed a dusk till dawn curfew in the state sequel to the wave of attacks being launched on security forces and innocent citizens by the dreaded Islamist sect Boko Haram. Source: http://www.africaeagle.com/2013/04/nigerian-forces-arrest-4-boko-haram.html?m=1

Fourtheen year old Nigerian boy launches own website

A 14 year-old boy, Terkura Unongo, has launched a website, www.theimongo.com, for social networking. Though the website might not be as sophisticated as the likes of Facebook, seems as a good invention coming from a young Nigerian. The early exposure that Terkura, an eighth Grade Student of Hillcrest Middle School, Jos, Plateau State, had to the Internet seems to have paid off. His parents gave him the support to explore his talents in the digital world, and provided him with gadgets. As a result of this he opened his first e-mail address at eight, joined Facebook two years after and other popular social networks in quick succession. Apart from the fact that his parents gave him the support to explore his talents in the digital world, his computer science teacher also inspired him. Terkura, who hails from Benue State, says, “Well, I think I became IT-savvy right from the day I started using a computer, as my parents provided the atmosphere for me to acquire various computer devices. But my potentials got sharpened in 2011 when my computer teacher basically showed me the fun in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). “It was during a class where we were told to make a website based on any topic of our choice, he taught the class the basics, e.g. images, colours, fonts, etc. of the language and I was challenged to go on and further my knowledge on the language.” He explains that after being fascinated by the workings of various social networks, coupled with the knowledge of programming languages he had acquired, he felt he could also make a difference by starting a social network of his own. According to him, the name, “Imongo”, is taken from the Tiv native dialect which simply means, “Gathering,” He explains that he picked the name because he feels it really described his main objective of connecting people to enable them to meet one another, keep in touch with those they already know, and make new friends at the same time staying entertained and informed. He adds that he was fascinated by what he could do with HTML so he immediately decided to learn Cascading Style Script and other languages, including JavaScript, Java, and VB. He created various websites for school projects, and for fun though never published them. “I felt I could do something positive, and then I decided to create something that would impact the lives of potential members from all over the world. So I went on to work on Imongo, and I am still working on it to take the online social experience to a whole new level. “I started work on the Imongo in May 2012, and made it public in early August, and received over 300 members in less than three months. I built the Video Chat feature using a partner called, TokBox. I had no official guide, I used my current knowledge of scripting languages and the Internet to guide me.” A visit by our correspondent to the site shows that the network is not only a platform for making friends but one where members can also stay updated with news bordering on entertainment, where members keep up to date with latest gist, and gossips locally and internationally, and also stay entertained with music, videos, pictures and tech reviews. The membership strength of the network currently stands at 1,258 and the site is designed such that intending members can be a part of it by joining through Facebook or by simply signing up with an e-mail address and a password. An online forum and a blog is also embedded on the network. A check on the site shows that 30 topics ranging from religion, politics, sports and entertainement have come up for discussion on the site’s forum. Terkura, who would be 15 on July 4, says his role model is Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, adding that he is targeting a million members on his site by 2014. “I would like to master Java, C++, PHP and other languages that would enable me to take on future projects. I am hoping to attain one million members by 2014. And if the need for more bandwidth, storage space, and more servers to take on a huge population of members become necessary, it is possible for Imongo to purchase more,” he says. Terkura’s 77-year-old father, Paul, told our correspondent that right from age four, his son had always insisted that he is presented with various gadgets as birthday gifts. He said at some point he was at first scared that his IT inclination could distract him from his academics. “There was a time that I became worried and her mother and I tried to discourage him. We felt that he was spending too much time after school on the computers and gadgets that we buy for him on his birthdays. “But, he assured us that he was taking his academics seriously and when we realised that we was not doing badly, we encouraged him and guided him to achieve his dreams in the IT world.” Paul advises parents not to be over-protective while guiding their children in what they learn. “Once the activities they are engaged in is adding to their knowledge, I think we parents should give them a chance and encourage them,” he adds. http://www.punchng.com/i-punch/boy-14-launches-website-for-social-networking/

22 year old man to die by hanging in Warri for stealing N955, 600

22 year old man to die by hanging in Warri for stealing N955, 600 A court in Warri has sentenced a young man to death by hanging for stealing N955k. Below is how Sunnewsonline.com is reporting it... A 22-year-old man, Julius Aboy was yesterday sentenced to death for stealing N955, 600 by a Delta State High Court sitting in Warri. The trial judge, Justice Marshal Mukoro of High Court 1, who handed down the sentence told the convict that he is to die by hanging. The convict was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery, offences punishable under Sections 6(b) and 1(2)(a) respectively of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap. RII Volume 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. In the first count, Julius Aboy and others now at large were reported to have on or about the 4th day of March, 2011 in Warri, conspired with others now at large to commit armed robbery. In the second count, Julius Aboy and others now at large were also reported to have, on or about the 4th day of March, 2011 in Warri, robbed one Godwin Gwuene of N955, 600, while armed with a gun. The money was said to be Ususu contribution (savings), belonging to workers, serving as cleaners in a company in Warri. The armed robbery gang, of which Aboy was allegedly a member, ran out of luck when an oncoming vehicle knocked down their getaway motorbike at the scene of the crime, leading to the arrest of the convict and killing of another member of the gang by an angry mob. Justice Mukoro said the excuse of poverty, which the convict gave as reason of dropping out of school and venturing into crime was not tenable, as poverty was not a licence for criminality.

Unconditionally release all Boko-haram members in detention:Sultan tells Jonathan

The sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar called on President Jonathan to unconditionally release all Boko haram members to show good faith in the proposed amnesty offer at a meeting in Aso Rock yesterday evening. The sultan who was accompanied to the meeting by a retinue of Northern traditional rulers including the Lamido of Adamawa, Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Tor TiV, Gbong Gwom Jos, Emir of Bauchi, Emir of Lafia and Ona of Abaji. Others were the Emir of Gwandu, , Emir of Borgu, Etsu Nupe, Aku Uka of Wukari, Shehu of Borno, Emir of Fika and the Emir of Bauchi. Other government officials T the meeting Long with the President were President Jonathan was joined at the meeting by Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Chief of Staff to the President, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Minister of FCT Bala Mohammed, , Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Boni Aji. Though the President did not accede or refuse the request, , the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najeem Hussein Adamu, who briefed State House correspondents stated the argument of the royal fathers. According to the Emir, “The meeting was about the state of the nation, the security challenges we are facing. We sought the appointment and the opportunity for the President to know our views about the security situation and how to go about resolving the crisis. We recommended the use of dialogue as one of the strategies to resolve the security challenge and at the same time to devise strategies that will encourage or lay the foundation for sustainable peace in this country. “Our presentation was preceded by long time discussion and deliberation. In a nutshell, what we sought to do is to give our views having regards to our background, our knowledge of various societies, various communities what we think should be done to resolve the crisis and ensure sustainable peace in the country. The issue of amnesty came up, it formed part of the strategies we are recommending but of course it has to be done properly with better appreciation of the situation rather than haphazardly which people think should be the case. We believe that we have to give very serious consideration and make sure that whatever we do is sustainable.” He concluded http://www.naijapundit.com/news/unconditionally-release-all-boko-haram-members-in-detention-sultan-tells-jonathan

NCS Destroys 7,552 Cartons Of Frozen Poultry In Imo State

NCS Destroys 7,552 Cartons Of Frozen Poultry In Imo State 18.04.2013, 17:14 Local The Nigerian Customs Service Zone C destroyed 7,552 cartons of frozen poultry worth N77 million in Owerri. The Comptroller, Victor Dimka, said the contraband frozen turkey and chickens smuggled into the country from France. Dimka explained that six suspects, including the drivers and conductors of the trucks that conveyed the items had been arrested, saying the owners of the goods were on the run. He said the items were impounded on Benin/Agbo axis and Isiopko in Port Harcourt. He said they were neatly concealed with giant generators, jerry cans and furniture by the owner. The Comptroller re-iterated the determination of the service to reduce smuggling activities in the zone to the barest minimum. The destruction of the items was witnessed by the officials of NAFDAC, SSS, NESREA and other government agencies. http://m.naij.com/news/31506.html (Quot