Group Condemns Amosun's Action to Stop Adebutu's event

A political group in Ogun State, the Lado Vanguard has condemned what it termed as an unjust barricading of the Owode International Market, proposed venue of the conferment of a chieftaincy title on a member of House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Rural Development, by some men of the Nigerian Police Force led by the Area Commander of the Ilaro Area Command, Titus Musa who claimed they were following the Ogun state Governor's orders. 

The international market situated in Owode - Yewa, Ogun state, according to the group, was the choice of Owode citizens for the conferment of Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu as Otunba Fiwagboye of Owodeland by His royal Highness, Oba (rev.) Dr. M. S Akindele, the Arebiigbade 1, Olu of Owodeland who was said to have honoured Hon. Adebutu for "his contributions to the development across the state with no bias for creed, religion nor political inclination."

According to the group, the venue was sealed off after five days  of preparation and less than 12 hours to the commencement of the event, an action which prompted the indigenes to swiftly relocate to the Town Hall and which was also directed to be sealed off, but was rebuffed by the citizens.

"It is unthinkable that a Governor elected in a Democratic dispensation could descend this low to stop a purely civil and traditional activity to prove a political point. We are not surprised however because Hon. Adebutu has become a household name in Ogun State politics and that the governor is already seeing him as a threat to his rudderless and insensitive governance in the affairs of Ogun State". The group said.

" We need to state clearly that, no matter what Governor Amosun might or resolve to do, the Will of God concerning Ogun State cannot be stopped by the whims and caprices of a vindictive leadership "

LIGHT UP LAGOS PROJECT: RRS NABS CABLE VANDALS

About 24 hours after the arrest of a cable vandal by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, men of the security outfit has nabbed another cable thief on Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, Lagos early Wednesday morning.

The first vandal, Bayo Agboola, a cart pusher, was arrested on Oba Akran at 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, at Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, with an armoured saw and two sets of cutting pliers trying to cut a cable from an unlit lamp post.

The 30 year old Agboola, a three time ex – convict, had attempted to take to his heels before he was overpowered by the police on patrol of the area.

LASG set to empower 3000 women

Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, is set empower widows, vulnerable women, graduates of Skill Acquisition Centres, senior citizens and others as part of efforts to improve the socio-economic well-being and welfare of all Lagosians.

The State Commissioner in the Ministry, Mrs Lola Akande, while addressing the press today, disclosed that the State Government embarked on the programme in order to ensure financial independence for women to make them self-reliant and mitigate effects of prevalent poverty in the country.

She noted that the mega empowerment programme, slated for Monday, February 27, 2017, is also meant to take care of the needs of more than 3,000 women of  different categories selected from 20 Local Government Councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas, State Constituencies, Faith- based organisations and women groups.

Akande stressed that various empowerment items, such as Grinding and Sewing machines, Hair Dressing tools, Vulcanizing machines as well as financial support will be given out at the programme to senior citizens and widows to cushion the effects of the economic recession.

The Commissioner maintained that this programme is one of the numerous programmes initiated by the Governor Ambode-led administration to provide succor for women, adding that many will be implemented before the end of the 2017 calendar year.

Lagos Speaker, Obasa Tasks Nigerians On Patriotism

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has tasked every Nigerian to imbibe the spirit of National patriotism and do away with every immoral attitude.

The Speaker gave this reaction while reacting to the recent discovery by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which the commission recovered a staggering sum of $9.8 million and another sum of £74,000 from  property belonging to a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Andrew Yakubu in Kaduna.

ICPC Compels Benue Polytechnic to Award Certificate to Student 7 Years after Graduation

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has facilitated the release of the Statement of Result to a former student of the Benue State Polytechnic, Mrs. Monica Kyasamkombo, after seven years delay.

Mrs. Kyasakombo who read Marketing at the Makurdi Study Centre of the Ugbokolo based school in 2008, had her certificate wrongly withheld by the school management after completion of the programme.

Pinnacle Trading & Investment is NOT EFCC Auctioneer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission hereby wishes to dissociate itself from the activities of a certain Messrs. Pinnacle Trading & Investment Nig. Ltd. who have been  parading themselves as auctioneers purportedly appointed by the Commission to dispose of impounded petroleum products aboard MT Good Success and MT Asteris.

The general public is hereby warned to refrain from engaging in any activity in relation to the auctioning of any vessel or petroleum product on behalf of the Commission, as EFCC has not duly authorized anyone to act on its behalf in that regard. 

NCS Targets N1.1tr Revenue in 2017

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has charged all Customs Area Controllers (CAC) to ensure strict compliance with extant laws to enable the Service achieve its 2017 revenue target of N1,100, 000,000,000.00 (One Trillion, One Hundred Billion Naira).




The CGC gave this directive during a strategy meeting with the CACs where he said Area Controllers must either “shape in or ship out” as there is no place for complacency in a Service that plays the crucial roles of revenue collection and border security.

MOBILE SOLAR ELECTRICITY SERVICE LAUNCHED

At the launch of MTN/Lumos mobile solar power initiative, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, has commended MTN/Lumos, for providing clean and affordable solar electricity to Nigerians.

Minister of Power, Works & Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola,SAN (3rd left), Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu (3rd right),Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (2nd right),Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr Paschal Dozie (2nd left) and United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington (left) in a group photograph shortly after the launch of the Mobile Electricity Service by MTN at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Monday 21st, February 2017.

The device replaces the use of generators as alternative sources of electricity. It enables homes and small businesses to power cellphones, fans, TVs, computers, radios and other small electronic devices at the same time ,while improving the quality of life of consumers.

GTBank Gets TripleHonors at Euromoney Private Banking Awards

...Ranked Best Private Bank in Nigeria

 

Foremost African financial institution; Guaranty Trust Bank plc, reaffirmed its position as a leading global brand with its recent recognition as the ‘Best Private Banking Services, Best Commercial Banking Capabilities & Best Net-worth Specific Services in Africa’ during the 2017 Euromoney Private Banking Awards which held on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the Plaisterer’s Hall in the City of London. 

Now in its 14th year, the Euromoney Private Banking and Wealth Management Survey is the industry’s leading barometer for product innovation and service delivery to private banking clients. The survey covers 15 different product and client categories on a global and regional basis, and has ranking results in 70 countries.

Fashola Advocates Peace in Niger Delta

Against the backdrop of constant sabotage of gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region, the Minister of  Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, made a call for peace in the area, stating that security of gas pipelines would lead to generation of additional 3,000MW, which  “ will give comfort to small businesses, villages, communities, and welders.”

The Minister made this call during his tour of Federal Projects across the South – South States of the Country, further adding that the grievances of those who sabotage the pipelines was equally important. “You will see that in the last few days, the Acting President has been particularly busy in this area trying to reach out to communities to see what methods and efforts would bring peace; because that is really when we will begin to talk of the economy and prosperity, when we have peace”.

GOC 7 Division Receives UK Defence Adviser

The Royal British Army has expressed readiness to assist the Nigerian military in training support and capacity building in the effort to bring  an end to insurgency in the North East.

The Defence Adviser to the United Kingdom in Nigeria, Brigadier General Charles Calder who assumed duty recently made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu.

General Charles said that the UK Government will significantly expand its training assistance to all Nigerian Army training institutions.

The Acting GOC commended the UK Government for previous supports and training given by the British Military Assistance Training Team (BMATT) geared towards capacity building and development of personnel of the Division.

NAF Jet Strikes Boko Haram at Tagoshe

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) struck a Boko Haram Terrorist (BHT) location at Tagoshe/Mandara Mountain general area about 10km Southwest of Gwoza in Northern Borno.

Intelligence report by Sister surface forces had it that remnants of fleeing BHTs were gathered at the location.

This report was confirmed by NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft before combat platforms were called in to strike the location. 

Follow-up battle damage assessment confirmed that the air attack was successful as shown by the enclosed declassified footage of the operation.

Dasuki Asks Court to Consolidate Charges Against Him

...Insists on due process in trial

Former National Security Adviser (NSA) Colonel Mohammed, Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has alleged before an Abuja High Court that the federal government planned to ambush him with double jeopardy in the two criminal charges brought against him at the Federal Capital Territory high court in Abuja and pleaded that the two charges be consolidated in the interest of justice, fair play and due process.

Court Orders Forfeiture of 17 Vehicles of Ex-Customs Boss to FG

Justice S.M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna today February 24, 2017 gave an interim order, forfeiting the seventeen vehicles found in the warehouse of former Comptroller General of Customs,  Abdullahi Dikko Inde, to the Federal Government.

The order was sequel to an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking among others, the forfeiture of the vehicles to the Nigerian Government, pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of the case.

In his ruling, Justice Shuaibu held that  “the seventeen (17) vehicles which are now in the custody of the applicant ( EFCC) and as properly described and listed in the schedule marked exhibit EFCC 2 attached to the affidavit in support of the application are hereby forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria in the interim pending conclusion of the investigation."

Operatives of the Commission had on February 20 stormed the warehouse of the former Customs boss on Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Kaduna and discovered seventeen exotic vehicles worth Hundreds of millions of Naira, suspected to be proceeds of crime.

My husband warehouses STDs - Tonto Dikeh

Star actress, Tonto Dikeh has finally revealed why her marriage to Ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo’s nephew, Olakunle Churchill crashed.

“I posted stuffs my ex-husband bought for me doesn’t make it true. I used my platform to lie, to make him the man he is today,” she revealed.

The star actress lamented that her husband was not really all it all appeared to be be. In her words, “Nobody knows how many Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) I have treated or pain I know in marriage. If laughter is all they have then the karma that bites me awaits them all. Thanks for your love. Yes no marriage is perfect but mine was based on gross lies, deceit, scam and many more darkness. I loved the man. No one begged me to, I take all the blame.

“So don’t come at me with the bullshit of enjoying this man’s money. I have not started talking, I will bare it all but there is time for everything. I care now for the STD’s because I am no longer naive. I am a mother who wants to live long for my child. I am not a saint and cheating is not the only reason I took the forever walk.”

Tonto Dikeh got marriage in 2015 to Oladunni Churchill and the union hit the rocks not too long ago when she started removing her husband’s surname from her Instagram account.

The estranged couple have been fighting over the custody of their son.

OMG! You Need To See This! (VIDEO)

After attempting suicide, he lost his nose, chin and most of the flesh below his eyes. But after a groundbreaking surgery, he has a new face and a new lease on life.

But Why? Underwear Designed To Make It Look Like You Have A Camel Toe Now Exists

These days, having big lips is all the rage. Thanks to the likes of Kylie Jenner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Angelina Jolie, an oversized mouth is so desirable that some even risk going under the knife to plump their pout.

However, according to an Asian underwear company, it’s not just the lips on your mouth that are in dire need of a boost. That’s because a Japanese company known only as Party Pants have created a range of underwear designed to make your lady lips look as plumped as possible, by giving the illusion of a massive camel toe.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

You know, the thing you endlessly try to avoid being seen with at any opportunity. The thing the mean girls at school would make fun of you for having. The thing that stopped you wearing your favourite pair of high waisted jeans. You probably won’t believe me, but apparently it’s a massive trend in Asia.

Yes, that’s right: for the extortionate price of $65, you too can have the camel toe you’ve always (read: never) dreamed of. The pants were created in Japan (where else?) and are available in a range of different colours.



Now, I’m not quite sure why any woman would want to have their camel toe out for the world to see, but I guess it’s better than hiding your natural body parts away in shame? On the other hand, however, I think it’s safe to say that absolutely nothing about this invention is natural.



Of course, there’s one demographic who are benefiting from these seemingly bizarre pants: trans women. What better way to disguise your unwanted male genitals than with a giant, womanly camel toe? Thankfully, the clever marketing guys behind this product saw the niche market and ran with it. But hey, you know what they say: one woman’s trash is another (trans) woman’s treasure.

#NEWVIDEO: Davido's If

Experience #If, a new banging jam from Davido.

OBO collaborates with Tekno on the new single, and from all indications, he is not ready to slow down.

David Adedeji Adeleke, better known by his stage name Davido, is an American-born Nigerian recording artist, performer and record producer. His 2011 single "Dami Duro" was well-received throughout Nigeria.

New Scam Alert: Can you hear me?

'Can you hear me' phone scam currently defrauding US consumers set to hit British shores

If someone calls and asks, “Can you hear me?”, hang up the phone immediately.

A major phone scam from the US is set to cross the pond and hit the UK imminently.

But police and call-blocking companies are warning the public about the dangerous phone call in the hope of preventing innocent people falling victim to the scammers.

Here’s how it works:

• You receive a phone call from a local number
• The voice on the end introduces themselves and the company they supposedly work for
• They then ask: “Can you hear me?”
• Your answer is recorded, and if you say “yes”, your response will be edited to make it appear as if you’ve agreed to a huge purchase.

South African police fire rubber bullets at anti-immigrant march in Pretoria

South African police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to break up clashes between local protesters and migrants in Pretoria on Friday at a march against immigration. Shops and homes owned by foreigners have been looted and torched in recent weeks, with some South Africans alleging that the properties were brothels and drug dens.

Attacks against foreigners have erupted regularly in recent years, fuelled by South Africa’s high unemployment and poverty levels. Police in Pretoria formed lines to keep apart 500 protesters as tensions rise between some South Africans and migrants from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Pakistan and elsewhere.

“We are fed up with people bringing drugs to the youth and the crimes that go with it,” said a South African marcher who declined to be named. As the stand-off continued, Clement Melfort, 26, a migrant from Zimbabwe who had come to see the march told AFP: “We are not afraid of fighting.”

President Jacob Zuma condemned the latest wave of xenophobic unrest, saying that there had been “threats of violence and acts of intimidation and destruction of property directed at non-nationals.”

“Residents in some communities blame non-nationals for the escalating crimes especially drug trafficking,” the presidency said in a statement on Friday. Zuma called for South Africans not to blame migrants for the country’s widespread crime problems, but said the government would crack down on drug-dealing and illegal immigrants. ‘We are scared’

Must Read: What helped me through cancer? Weed

When people about to start chemotherapy ask me what helped me through cancer, I give them a list. Weed is at the top of it. 

It’s not something I’ve written about while chronicling my treatment, but with the federal government moving to loosen restrictions on imported medical marijuana, now is a good time to have a rational discussion about its benefits.

Kaduna Kidnapping: N60m Ransom Demanded For Germans Release

The kidnappers of German archaeologist, Prof. Peter Breunij, and his associate, Johannes Buringer, in Jenjela village in Kagarko Local Government of Kaduna State, have put a N60m ransom tag on them.

A source at Jenjela village, said the kidnappers have demanded N30m ransom for each of the two men.

Are you stonehearted? This would break your heart! How a single punch changed a life (VIDEO)

This short film explores the story of Jamie McKechnie, who was punched in an unprovoked street attack in Shortlands, south-east London, in 2011. The film was made as part of a Channel 4 documentary, One Killer Punch, which explores the dramatic repercussions of a single act of violence.

Twinkas ponzi scheme emerges, promises 200% interest to investors

Following the ‘collapse’ of Mavrodi Mondial Moneybox (MMM), the most popular ponzi scheme in Nigeria, paid 30 percent to its members, a new Ponzi scheme known as Twinkas has emerged, and it is promising prospective participants 200 percent return for their money.

MMM had promised to return on January 14, which it did, but members have not been able to make adequate withdrawals since then.

Swedish Town Considering A Paid Hour a Week for Sex

A local official in Sweden has a novel proposal to improve work-life balance and lift the local birthrate: give municipal employees an hourlong paid break each week to go home and have sex.

Sweden is already celebrated for its generous welfare state, including 480 days of paid parental leave, universal health care and a common ritual of coffee and pastry, known as fika, which is considered sacrosanct.


Per-Erik Muskos, a 42-year-old councilman from the northern town of Overtornea, wants to add to those benefits, by offering the municipality’s 550 employees the right to subsidized sex. In introducing his proposal this week, he told fellow members of the town council that it would give a nudge to the dwindling local population, add spice to aging marriages and improve employee morale.

The idea quickly got attention all over Sweden, where for at least some, it was a welcome distraction from President Trump’s vague reference to problems the country was having with immigration, which were strongly denied by baffled Swedes.

Noting that “sex is also a great form of exercise and has documented positive effects on well-being,” Mr. Muskos suggested that local municipal employees could use an hour of the workweek already allotted for fitness activities to go home and have sex with their spouses or partners instead. The motion, which is expected to be voted on in the spring, needs a simple majority to be passed by the 31-member council. As of now, opinion on the council is divided.

“We should encourage procreation. I believe that sex is often in short supply. Everyday life is stressful and the children are at home,” Mr. Muskos explained in his motion in Overtornea, a town of about 4,500 in the picturesque and remote Torne Valley. “This could be an opportunity for couples to have their own time, only for each other.”

Vacate or face consequences, NAN gives South Africans 48hrs Ultimatum

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given 48 hours ultimatum to all South African companies in Nigeria to relocate over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Mum admits stabbing three-year-old daughter to death and then dousing her in acid to 'dissolve her'

A mother has admitted stabbing her young daughter to death before dousing her body in acid in an attempt to “dissolve her away”.

Horrified police officers discovered the body of three-year-old Alia Ahmed Jama when they raided her family home.

Relatives of her mother Iman Omar Yousef had raised the alarm after becoming concerned for the youngster’s well-being.

The schizophrenic feared Alia would be taken away so she slashed her dozens of times at their home in Birmingham.

Brave woman drove at attackers in desperate bid to stop them kicking and punching a man

A brave woman drove her car at violent thugs in a desperate attempt to stop attacking a 21-year-old.
Susan Brown was on her way to visit family when she saw the group kicking and punching the victim.

She said she beeped her horn and then to drive her car at the abusive group to save the victim.
"If I hadn't driven at them, I think they would have carried on kicking him," Susan told the Grimsby Telegraph.

Police forensic experts combed the scene of the vicious assault which left a man with severe head injuries (Photo: Grimsby Telegraph / SWNS.com)

"I thought they were messing about, but when I got closer, they were completely beating this young lad up.

"He looked in a really bad way. I drove at them and sounded my horn continuously to try to disperse them

"Most of them ran off."

She then called 999, to report the incident, which took place at about 6pm on Wednesday night in Cleethorpes.

Police officers guarded the scene (Photo: Grimsby Telegraph / SWNS.com)

Forensic experts could be seen at the scene in Cleethorpes throughout the night (Photo: Grimsby Telegraph / SWNS.com)

Witnesses said the male victim, who was taken to hospital, was kicked repeatedly during the 6pm assault, and suffered head injuries.

#NewMusicAlert: Dana King releases Omoye (LISTEN)

Ojelabi Akinola Daniel, popularly known as Dana King, a fast rising artiste from Ogun State is here with a new song titled Omoye.

The song is a mix of RnB and Pop genre, which easily qualifies to tagged good music.

Listen to song here.

Omoye, rich in percussion and best recommended for club dancehall, is produced by the award wining producer Young Don.

Four Radio Bayelsa Staff Flogged by Station’s General Manager

The industrial dispute at Radio Bayelsa, christened Glory FM, took a twist on Thursday as the General Manager flogged four staffers on duty.

The Radio Bayelsa Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Unions, RATTAWU, consequently shut the radio station. Some reports had said the staffers were whipped by suspected thugs.

Tonye Yemoleigha, NUJ Chairman in Radio Bayelsa told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Thursday in Yenagoa that he and three female staff were caned by the General Manager of the Station, Mr John Idumange.

“Four of us, myself and three female staff were flogged by Idumange himself. The report that it was thugs is inaccurate. It was the General Manager himself. The blisters on the skin are more severe for the ladies.

“We have reported the matter to the Ekeki Police Division and sought medical attention at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. Workers have been constantly intimidated and threatened for no just cause.

Mr. Idumange declined to comment on the allegation that he caned the four members of staff.

The NUJ Chairman said: “Mr. John Angese, Bayelsa Council Chairman of NUJ who is a staff of Radio Bayelsa has also been threatened with a sack, we are all being victimised for insisting that the General Manager complies with Public Service rules.

“We have been under siege since the General Manager was appointed on December 6, 2016. We are not opposed to repositioning the station which is in our interest but we want the procedure to follow due process,” Mr. Yemoleigha said.

NAN reports that after the station went off air, the management mobilised armed security men and few employees who rebuffed the strike to reopen the station.

The station continued to play music all through as the station’s scheduled programmes and news bulletin could not be aired.

Mr. Yemoleigha said that workers of the station are not opposed to staff redeployment.

“But the unions should also be part of the process to ensure that the best hands are not sacrificed on the altar of nepotism, sentiment or witch-hunt.

“We are also aware of the alleged over N5 million naira payroll fraud which Idumange claimed to have uncovered and has referred to the Police for investigation.

“Ordinarily, in line with established procedures, an Investigative Panel should have been instituted to look into the matter and come up with a report with which management would act as appropriate.

This Lagos Senator is Certainly Not from Yewa

There is no way to twist the facts: Senator Solomon Adeola is just not an indigene of Yewa in Ogun State, Raheem Ajayi insists

Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), representing Lagos West with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State during a rally in Lagos.

I read a rejoinder by Kayode Odunaro, media aide to Senator Solomon Adeola, in response to my article of February 13, 2017, titled: “Adeola and the Burden of Ancestral Ties” wherein I, on behalf of the good people of Yewa, sought clarification on the origin of the incumbent Senator representing Lagos West and an aspirant in the Ogun governorship election in 2019.

Instead of addressing pertinent questions raised in my article, Odunaro merely went on red-herring and introduced innuendos, insinuating that I was a “brotherly associate” of the Senator amongst others. By making reference to an invitation I honoured from Senator Yayi to a programme in Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, several months back, Odunaro attempted albeit futilely to compromise me and vitiate my position against the Senator.

One of the things Odunaro forgot to add was that it was his principal, who invited me to discuss Ogun politics in continuation of an earlier interaction. Odunaro should ask his boss about my position regarding his political ambition in Ogun State when we met a year earlier at a function in Lagos. When Senator Yayi could not convince me, we decided to continue on the discussion at a later date.
That was why I agreed to meet with Odunaro’s boss on June 12, 2016. My meeting with Senator Yayi wasn’t a secret. It was an assignment undertaken on behalf of my people. If Odunaro would be truthful, the outcome of my meeting was made public and I dare him to come out with “details of any financial transaction” as being insinuated. It is an open secret that Odunaro splashed my picture with Senator Yayi’s on the Social media after the meeting, an indication of how much they wanted my support.

Why then attempting a blackmail now, if not for naked desperation. I bet Odunaro didn’t know Senator Yayi has been making frantic efforts to reach me since my article was published. Just how pitiable can people become when they work with a boss with whom they are not on the same page and for whom they will readily sacrifice integrity and if not cheaply trade away their ancestral root?
Odunaro’s rejoinder deviated totally from expatiating on why Senator Yayi initially picked Ishaga in Abeokuta North local government in Ogun Central as his home origin and later shifted to Joga Orile in Yewa North local government and recently Pahayi in Yewa South Local Government. I wouldn’t have written since I had asked him in private, even though he couldn’t give a satisfactory answer.

My write-up was a follow-up to reactions elicited by a letter addressed to Senaror Yayi by Omooba Damilare Oloyede, another concerned Yewa man on the subject matter. If building houses in a place is enough to make an individual an indigene, I should be able to contest for the office of Governor of Lagos State because I also have a house in Lagos. It is condescending for Odunaro, a true born of Yewa, to deride the ancestry of Yewa the way he and his cohorts have been indulging.

How would Senator Yayi’s monetary contributions to festivals in Yewaland confer on him the status of an indigene? I know a friend – a native of Ekiti State who wouldn’t want his name mentioned and who had contributed to such festivals in Yewaland in the past without making a fuss.

A good number of people have been elected into various positions in states other than their states of origin without having to lie or cook up stories to covet indigeneship at whatever costs. Why the desperation and feeble attempts to present fictions as facts? Should we then ask Odunaro why his own origin hasn’t been a subject of controversies? I don’t have a problem when people work to earn their pay but it is however sickening when people stand the truth on its head for whatever the attractions could be.

I challenge Odunaro to ask his boss why he has enlisted several persons to talk to me in the last few days over this matter. Why would there be need for such intervention if truly Senator Yayi has no issues with his Yewa ancestral claim? Odunaro has more herculean tasks to do forcing the falsehood of Senator Yayi’s ancestral ties down the throats of conscientious bonafide sons and daughters of Yewa and Ogun West.

This will be my last take on this matter for now. The people of Yewaland will definitely respond appropriately when the time comes. It is all about us, our homeland and our collective future!

This piece was written by Raheem Ajayi from Imasayi, Yewa North Local Govt. Ogun State.

Protesters attack MTN office in Abuja

Angry protesters broke into the MTN  office located at 4 Madiera street, off Shehu Shagari way, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday.

Some members of staff of the organisation and customers were said to have been attacked, while valuables were stolen.

A witness, who simply identified himself as Oscar, told journalists that, but for the intervention of policemen, the protesters would have destroyed the building.

“The protest was about the xenophobia that is happening in South Africa. The protesters were not happy about the way South Africans have been maltreating Nigerians,” he said.

“They wanted to pull down the office, but security operatives prevented them. One of them even suggested that they should go to the embassy.”

Oscar speaking with journalists

Activities have been suspended in the office, while policemen have taken over the area.

MTN head office in South Africa has issued a statement on the incident, according to Reuters.

The attack happened hours after Pascal Dozie, chairman of MTN Nigeria, led a delegation of the company to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa in Abuja.

A police van in front of the office

Phutuma Nhleko, MTN Group chairman, South Africa; Ferdinand Moolman, CEO of MTN Nigeria; and Gbenga Oyebode, a lawyer of the company, were in the delegation.

The identity of the protesters has not been revealed, but on Wednesday, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) announced that it will be holding a nationwide protest to draw global attention to the attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Kadiri Aruna, president of the association, had described the xenophobic attacks as sad and unfortunate.

The Nigerian community in South Africa has recorded two attacks in the last one week.

At least five houses and businesses belonging to Nigerians were burnt by a mob on Saturday, while 15 houses, either belonging or rented by immigrants, especially Nigerians, were been burnt by angry residents in Rosettenvile, south of Johannesburg, last week Sunday.

Not Yet Uhuru for Senate President

The Federal Government has filed fresh charges against the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The Federal Government who had at the last sitting increased the charges to 17, told the court that it has filed a further amendment bringing the charges to 18.

The Senate President pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

In the new charges, the Senate President is accused of making false declaration, when he declared that he purchased a property at number 15A Macdonald Street Ikoyi, Lagos through his company Carlisle Properties Limited in 2003, but the said property was actually sold to G and C Real Estates Properties and Investment Company limited for 12million Naira.

He is also accused of making false declaration that he acquired the properties through sales of agricultural commodities, when it was purchased using a loan from a commercial bank.

The Trial has continued with an investigator from the Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Samuel Madojemu, the Head of Investigation Department in the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Pope Francis: It is 'better to be an atheist than hypocritical Catholic'

Pope Francis has said it is better to be an atheist than one of "many" Catholics he said lead a hypocritical double life.

Delivering another criticism of some members of his own Church, the pontiff said: It is a scandal to say one thing and do another. That is a double life.

"There are those who say 'I am very Catholic, I always go to Mass, I belong to this and that association'," the head of the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church said, according to a Vatican Radio transcript.

He said some of these people should also say "'my life is not Christian, I don't pay my employees proper salaries, I exploit people, I do dirty business, I launder money, [I lead] a double life'."

"There are many Catholics who are like this and they cause scandal," he said. "How many times have we all heard people say 'if that person is a Catholic, it is better to be an atheist'."

Since his election in 2013, the pope has often told Catholics, both priests and lay people, to practice what their religion preaches.

In his often impromptu sermons, he has condemned sexual abuse of children by priests as being tantamount to a "Satanic Mass", said Catholics in the mafia excommunicate themselves, and told his own cardinals to not act as if they were "princes".

Less than two months after his election, he said Christians should see atheists as good people if they do good.

Kaduna Electric Decries Energy Theft

The Management of Kaduna Electric has lamented the increasing cases of energy theft in it franchise area and destruction of the smart meters currently being installed by the Company and resolved to prosecute anybody caught perpetrating the illegal act.

The Head, Energy metering and new connection of the Company, Engr. Aliyu Abbas Abdullahi made this known during a press briefing in Kaduna today.

He revealed that investigations carried-out by the Company showed that “some unscrupulous elements are compromising the integrity of the meters by damaging the board and circuitry of the meters”.

He disclosed that the energy theft are done both externally by bye-passing the new meters and internally by compromising or damaging the relays, vowing to leave no stone unturned in fighting those behind it.

According to him, the company will fish out anybody perpetrating or aiding the perpetration of the unwholesome act of energy theft either through meter bye-pass or through illegal connections and reconnections.

He further debunked and described as “ridiculous”, the claim that the smart meters being deployed by the Company have viruses and urged their customers to disregard the peddlers of such “false and unfounded information”.

Engr. Abdullahi disclosed that the Company has installed over 11,000 smart pre-paid energy meters in Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto States since the inception of the mass meters deployment programme two months ago, assuring that plans are on top gear to commence the exercise in Zamfara State, the last in the franchise area of the Company.

Robbery At Zenith Bank, Owerri Left 5 Dead, 7 Injured

A robbery attack on Wednesday, February 23, at Zenith Bank, Owerri, Imo state has left four people dead while several are injured.

Premium Times reports that a witness reported that the robbers had trailed a customer who came in to deposit a huge sum of money to the Zenith bank branch located along Wetheral Road, opposite Dan Anyiam Stadium in the city.

Out of the five people who lost their lives was one of the robbers, three bank security agents and the customer who was trailed to the bank, seven other people were injured in the crossfire.

The witness said: “The bandits on getting to the bank premises opened fire at the man as he was bringing out his money. As soon as that happened, security men at the bank responded by shooting down one of the robbers.

On killing of the bandit, his gang members rained bullets on the security men, killing three of them on the spot.”

The source said that the robbers later fled with their heist in a Ghana-must-go bag.

The state Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu, after the incident led officers to the scene in a convoy of three Toyota Hilux vans.

The police spokesperson, Andrew Enwere, confirmed the incident. He said a police officer gunned down one of the suspected armed robbers, while another police officer sustained injuries in the exchange of fire with the hoodlums.

Meanwhile, Gbenga Babatunde, a 25-year old armed robbery suspect has confessed to robbing ATM users in Lagos state.

He told operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command how his gang robbed about 35 Automated Teller Machine users in Alaba Rago Market, Ojo area of Lagos, the police said.

Babatunde was arrested after his failure to rob a lady around 5:48 a.m. at an ATM point in Alaba Rago Market.

Germany unveils zero-emissions train that only emits steam

Germany is set to introduce the world’s first zero-emission passenger train to be powered by hydrogen.

The Coradia iLint only emits excess steam into the atmosphere, and provides an alternative to the country’s 4,000 diesel trains.

Lower Saxony has already ordered 14 of them from French company Alstom, and more are likely to be seen around the country if they are judged a success, reports Die Welt.

Testing is set to be carried out by the end of the year, before it opens up to the public in December 2017.

The train was first presented at Berlin’s InnoTrans trade show in August, and it is set to be the first hydrogen-powered train to regularly ferry people over long distances.

There’s also interest in the train from the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway.

The iLint is powered by huge lithium ion batteries, and these get their energy from a hydrogen fuel tank on the roof of the train.

The hydrail can travel almost 500 miles per day at speeds of up to 87mph, and the only sound it gives off comes from the wheels and air resistance.

“Alstom is proud to launch a breakthrough innovation in the field of clean transportation," said Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge, in a statement.

"It shows our ability to work in close collaboration with our customers and develop a train in only two years.”

Hydrogen power works when hydrogen is burned with oxygen to produce huge amounts of energy, with the only by-product being water.

Nasa has used liquid hydrogen to propel its rockets into space since the 1970s.

Ibakatv changes Logo

Top online content provider Ibakatv has changed its logo in a bid to be properly identified and distinguish itself from the crowd.

 

 

 

The new logo is world standard and has received tremendous commendations since its release.

#NewVideoAlert Ayuba releases new video for his highly anticipated single ‘Jekarira’

He initially wrote the song encouraging intimacy, love-making and staying attracted to one’s spouse.

He dedicates this song to the lovers for the month of love and beyond.

For the first time in like forever I can see a very young and pretty model being used in his video and he looks like he's already stepping things up as usual.

The video is one of the cleanest of his videos so far...

BUHARI'S HEALTH AND THE GROUNDLESS CALL FOR RESIGNATION

By Dr. Kayode Ajulo

It is no news that Nigeria's President Buhari is sick. It's also no news that he has stayed beyond the original 10 days vacation which he communicated to the National Assembly. The President also did write the National Assembly informing the arm of government of the need to extend his vacation (indefinitely) on medical grounds.

Expectedly, the indefinite extension of the President's Vacation has elicited mixed views in the polity; it has been greeted with vehement criticism from many, especially the opposition People's Democratic Party.

While some said it is in order and urged Nigerians to pray for his recovery and safe return, others call for his removal or resignation, stating that a political cabal with the presidential corridor has started holding the country to ransom and cautioned that Nigerians should not be taken for a ride as a result of the healthiest situation of the President.

The President’s letter stated that the extension was to enable him (President) complete and receive the results of a series of tests recommended by his doctors.

Nigeria, like any democratic state around the world, is a Republic with her affairs governed by rule of law as against cacophony of opinions, mob rule and rule of whims and caprices of some individuals or groups.

It's in this light that I dare state categorically that there is no vacuum neither has the country plunge into any constitutional crises to warrant calls for the removal or resignation of the President.

Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution as amended is to the effect that when the President presents a written declaration of his inability to discharge the functions of his office to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, such a declaration is to vest such functions and capacity of his office to the Vice President in Acting capacity. And this the President has done.

This declaration is valid until the President presents another declaration to the contrary. The Vice President for all intents and purposes is vested with all the powers of the office of the President, and as such, the murmur or clamor become unnecessary.

By virtue of this, Vice President Osinbajo is right in carrying out the duties of the office of the President. The President is also under no obligation to write or give explanations to the public regarding the purpose of his absence apart for his public engagements and communication with his people as he deems fit, which is purely political, but which I think should be left with his Presidential aides to deal with.

He has transmitted his written declaration to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the effect of his absence. The prevalent side comments by certain individuals to the effect that the President leave office or give explanations regarding his health status is of no importance, superfluous and cannot be backed up by any law.

This is because, the only people empowered to do so by virtue of section 144 of the constitution is a two-third majority of the Federal Executive Council, declaring the inability of the President to carry out his functions. It is based on this majority vote that the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives will set up a medical committee which must include the President's Personal Physician to look into the health status of the President and deliver its report.

Until this is done, no one has the right to inquire into the health status of the President or demand that he step down by reason of his health. Meanwhile, as patriots and fine citizens, this trying time for the nation's leader is suppose to be a time country me and woman will rise up and pray in agreement, and ensure that we show concern as worthy nationals.

It is therefore ludicrous and unpatriotic that some persons are demanding the President's resignation or removal of the President when the provisions of section 144 of the constitution is yet to be evoked or complied with, when we should all agree to wish him well as he champions the country's resolve to conquer her woes.

*Dr. Ajulo is the Principal Partner, Kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law, Executive Director, Egalitarian Mission for Africa and was National Secretary, Labour Party.

Two Germans kidnapped in Kaduna – Police

Two Germans have been kidnapped in Kaduna, North-west Nigeria, the police have said.

The Germans are said to be archaeologists engaged in an escalation work at Jajela, a village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Kaduna police spokesperson, Aliyu Usman, said on Wednesday evening that the two Germans were abducted at the excavation site on Monday morning.

“The case was reported by locals and we have swung into action to rescue them,” he said.

The names of the victims have not been ascertained, but the police spokesperson said special operatives have been deployed to rescue them.

“So far, there has been no ransom demand or contact from the abductors,” Mr Usman, an assistant superintendent of police, said.

“Unfortunately the victims did not go to site with the policemen attached to them for security,” he added.

Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Babatunde Gbadamosi By DSS Is Condemnable - Lawyer

In a press release by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Esq, a Lagos based lawyer, it is argued that the arrest and detention of a former gubernatorial candidate in Lagos is in bad taste.

In his words;

I was informed late on February 22, 2017, that operatives of the Department of State Security, DSS, have arrested one of the vocal critics of the Buhari administration, Mr. Babatunde Gbadamosi and they have now whisked him to an unknown destination. Members of his family and his lawyers were all denied access to accompany him. Those who arrested him have so far not disclosed their identities or their ultimate destination.

It is disheartening now that the DSS has become like a Gestapo organisation, now being deploy by the State to harass citizens and opponents of government. The Constitution has granted a right to personal liberty to every citizen, which right can only be breached upon reasonable suspicion that a criminal offence has been committed and if this is the case, the suspect must be released on bail, or charged to court within 24 hours of arrest, if it is not a capital offence.

My concern now is that Mr. Gbadamosi is being denied access to his family and his lawyers and he is being taken to an unknown destination. Accordingly, we will hold the government responsible for the welfare and state of health of Mr. Gbadamosi whilst he is in the custody of the DSS.

Take a stand against corruption, Ambode's Wife Charges Women

...As South-West Women Unite Against Menace


Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode on Wednesday emphasized the need for early inculcation of right virtues in children from the home front especially by discouraging any act, behaviour and attitude that abets corruption.

Speaking at the South-West Rollout of the Nigerian Women Against Corruption Initiative held at the Haven Event Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs Ambode said it was time for Nigerian women to take a stand against corruption by ensuring that their children are given the right upbringing based on time-honoured values of honesty, integrity, trust, fear of God and dignity of labour.

Promasidor upgrades Cowbellpedia registration portal, as NECO reacts to competition

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, the sponsor of Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics Television Quiz Show has upgraded the Registration portal for the 2017 edition of the competition.

While entry into this competition is FREE, Abiodun Ayodeji, Promasidor’s Category Manager (Dairy) enjoined contestants to register online at www.cowbellpedia.ng. Also, he advised the candidates/schools to do the following: Go to www.cowbellpedia.ng; click on link to Register your school; Fill the form; Ensure you fill all required fields and complete the process by clicking the Register button. Ayodeji explained that the new improvement on the registration portal will flash the required fields on the computer screen to alert prospective candidate on the need to complete all the processes.

Meanwhile, Mr Oliver Thiry, Managing Director, Promasidor Nigeria Limited explained that investment in education has assumed an entirely new frontier globally that governments and corporate organizations have come to realize that building capacity in STEM courses which Mathematics is a key component of, represents the driving force for development in the 21^st century.

He added that like in the previous editions, the Cowbellpedia Secondary Schools Mathematics TV Quiz Show that is sponsored by Cowbell, our flagship milk brand is open to students in JSS 3 and SSS2 from 10 - 18 years of age attending full time Secondary Education in both Public and Private Schools in Nigeria and entry into the competition is free.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Ikechukwu Anyanwu, Director, Quality Assurance, National Examination Council, NECO, who represented the Registrar added that corporate organisations should emulate Promasidor’s initiative and elevate the quality of Mathematics education in Nigeria.

He added that NECO is impressed with the Cowbellpedia initiative and pledged its continued support to make the competition achieve its aims and objectives.

The 2016 winners, Miss Juliet Ekoko and Master Ayooluwa Oguntade also commended Promasidor for the opportunity given to them to hone their Mathematics skill through the Cowbellpedia Secondary School Mathematics TV Quiz Show.

 The ultimate prize for this year’s edition is One Million Naira and an all-expense paid educational excursion outside the country while the 1^st and 2^nd runners up will go home with Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (=N=750,000.00) only and Five Hundred Thousand Naira (=N=500,000.00) only respectively.

The Teacher of the top prize student winner will be awarded N400, 000.00 while Teachers of 1^st runner-up and 2^nd runner-up will go home with N300, 000.00 and N200, 000.00 respectively.

Tom Watson performs 'dab' dance move in celebration of Jeremy Corbyn zinger

Having originated on the Atlanta hip-hop scene, the 'dab' dance move rapidly became a worldwide phenomenon with associated online videos accumulating millions of views.

But while those behind the move will presumably have been delighted to see it catch on with youth cultures across the globe, it is unlikely they envisaged it would ever reach the hallowed confines of the Palace of Westminster.

So it came as some surprise to many when cameras inside the House of Commons during Prime Minister's Questions capture Deputy Labour Party leader Tom Watson becoming the latest convert to the international craze.

His party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, had just delivered an impassioned plea to Theresa May that she ensure the Government "puts the NHS first, and will invest in our NHS".

But as the live video feed cut away, the camera picked up the unmistakable spectacle of the 50-year-old member for West Bromwich East drop his head into his right elbow, to perform the sneeze-like gesture.

The former Minister for Digital Engagement and the Civil Service later confirmed his actions, telling Huffington Post Executive Editor Paul Waugh: "Did I do a dab? I've been doing them with my kids in the holidays so I may have inadvertently done one."

Asked if the Prime Minister knew what a dab was, Theresa May's spokesman said: "I beg your pardon. Is it a radio?"

Badamosi, fmr Lagos Guber Candidate arrested!

A former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Babatunde Badamosi, has been arrested by the agents of Defence Security Service, DSS, if the news making round is anything to go by. 

According to a source, Babatunde was picked up without any formalities nor arrest warrant for 'questioning' by the operatives. 

He is being transported to Abuja by same agent of the government as at the time of press, after he honoured invitation made to him yesterday at his residence by men of DSS. 

The reasons for arrest are yet to be known. Details as we have them.

Details would be updated.

Pastor Claims That God Calls Him On His Mobile Phone

A Zimbabwean pastor has declared the possession of God’s private mobile number, a declaration which has left many in shock and disbelief.

The controversial Zimbabwean pastor, Pastor Paul Sanyangore shocked his congregation when he claimed he receives phone calls God.

Pastor Paul Sanyangore made the shocking declaration on Sunday, February 19, 2017 while addressing his congregation adding that he has a direct line on which God can be contacted in heaven.

He added that he calls heaven to get directions and instructions on how best to help his congregants.

Pastor Paul Sanyangore

H-metro reported the pastor to have said: “I have a direct channel, actually I have His number and I can call Him when need arises.”

Describing the person on the other end of the heavenly conversation as ‘heaven’, the pastor while prophesying on a certain lady told her of her background to the shock of his congregation.

In reaction to comments which held that the pastor could have been on the phone with someone who knew the lady he was prophesying on, the pastor said: “It is possible to talk to God, while would you doubt that I got a call from him? I actually have a direct line which I can call Him and get instructions on how to proceed. I got this when I was praying and I heard a voice telling me to call direct,” he said.

He added: “I got instructions on the phone on what to do or say and that is what happened on Sunday. If the heavens spoke to Abraham why not us? You are of little faith and people will always have doubts while others are being delivered.

“I know people say whatever they want, some might feel it is a publicity stunt and it is all fine. We don’t do things for publicity; what will we get from that?”

76-Year-Old Woman Allegedly Beats Boyfriend To Death With A Baseball Bat

…after she gets high on drugs

 A 76-year-old woman is being charged with murder, after police say that she beat her 63-year-old boyfriend with a metal baseball bat over the course of a day and a half.

The suspect, Thomasine Bennett, met officers responding to a report of trouble shortly before 1 pm Friday and told them her boyfriend was in the back and made her smoke the street drug “love boat” the previous night, according to court documents.

She showed them to a hallway closet barricaded with a board and removed the board and opened the closet to reveal Walter Mack Clark unconscious, unresponsive and naked in the fetal position with his hands bound.

Walter was pronounced dead at Howard University Hospital about an hour later.

Thomasine told investigators Walter asked her to marry him on Valentine’s Day while they were at a club, but she said she was tired of loving him and tired of him being with other women, according to court documents. Also on Valentine’s Day, she almost got into a fight with someone else over Clark, she told investigators.

Breaking: Youtube is down!

YouTube is experiencing major problems with many users unable to access the website.
According to DownDetector the site went down for users in Europe at around 6pm GMT.
The video streaming site is still working intermittently for some users, but others are seeing a message which reads: “500 Internal Server Error”, alongside multiple lines of code.

YouTube is only working intermittently for many users (YouTube)

A message reads: “Sorry, something went wrong. A team of highly trained monkeys has been dispatched to deal with this situation.”
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