₦airaland Forum

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday, told President Muhammadu Buhari that the political future of the Igbo was in the hand of God and not any man.


Buhari had at the Southeast APC mega rally in Imo State, organised by Governor Rochas Okorocha, said that the political future of Igbo in Nigeria, depends on his re-election in 2019.


The President was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha.


He had said, “2019 is an election that will make or mar the chances of Igbo in Nigeria. I want Igbo to make a paradigm shift.”


But Ohanaeze in its reaction yesterday through a statement by its spokesman Chuks Ibegbu said, “The political future of Ndigbo lies on God and not on any man. Nobody should play God over the political fate of Ndigbo.


“We have nothing against President Buhari’s re-contest but nobody should threaten or cajole us with that. The actions, utterances and activities of any presidential candidate for 2019 will determine if Ndigbo would identify with his or her aspiration in 2019.”


Ohanaeze Ndigbo maintained that Ndigbo would identify with a candidate or candidates that were ready to restructure the country and exhibit equity in the polity.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/2019-our-future-in-gods-hands-ohanaeze.html

A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, on Wednesday remanded a 37-year-old Nurudeen Bakare at Ikoyi prisons, for allegedly stabbing his mother to death at oremeji street in Ilasamaja mushin area of Lagos.

Magistrate Oluwatoyin Oghere ordered the remand of the accused in prison, and to be tried on a count-charge of alleged manslaughter.

Oghere directed that the case file be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice and also adjourned the case until August 1.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Modupe Olaluwoye, had told the court earlier that the accused committed the offence on June 6, 2018.

Olaluwoye stated that the accused had an argument with his 65-year-old mother identified as Bosede Bakare over inherited property.

He said, “My Lord, during the argument, he grabbed a knife and stabbed her on her stomach and neck.

“The prosecution has the knife in custody as an exhibit plus witnesses that saw the whole event.

“During questioning, he admitted committing the offence and even signed a confessional statement,” Olaluwoye told the court.

He said the offences contravened Sections 222 and 223 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015 .

The accused, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.

The Magistrate, Oluwatoyin Oghere, adjorned the case until August 1.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/37-year-old-man-stabs-mother-to-death.html

Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State has insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari does not hate people of the South East.

He said contrary to insinuations, Buhari was a friend of the South East and has been doing what former Presidents failed to do in the region for 16 years.

The former governor said this during a meeting with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State held at his Igbere country home, Camp Neya.

He also noted that people of the region will massively vote for Buhari in 2019.

According to Kalu, “President Buhari is doing a lot of work which PDP didn’t do in their 16 years of ruling this country. The second Niger Bridge is being constructed by him, this shows that he is competent to rule this country.

“Our South East governors promised to build the second Niger Bridge but they didn’t do it. Obasanjo promised and failed. Goodluck Jonathan promised to do it but he did not care to build the bridge for Ndigbo.

“I don’t know why people will say that Buhari hates the Igbos because I know Buhari very well. He is a friend to Ndigbo. Am I not a friend to President Buhari? I am very close to Buhari and I know that come 2019 election, Abia State will give President Buhari 75 percent of their votes.

” No matter how bad the country is, Nigeria remains our country and there is no other place we can run to. President Buhari doesn’t have a house in America or Germany. He only has a house in Daura and we should respect him for that, we should stop calling our leaders names on social media and painting our country bad before the world.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/2019-orji-kalu-responds-to-idea-buharis.html

Ghali N’Abba, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of the crisis between herdsmen and farmers across the country.

N’Abba said Buhari can’t resolve the crisis by working alone, hence he needs to engage communities and their leaders.

Speaking in Abuja over the weekend, the former Speaker said the current administration was not prepared to resolve the crisis which it inherited.

N’Abba said: “I think a long time ago, communities must have been engaged properly by this administration. I don’t think communities are being engaged. These conflicts have been raging on even before this administration and I thought the administration must have been prepared enough to meet with most communities where these conflicts have been taking place with a view to engaging them not on one-off basis but on a continuous basis. I don’t see this happening.

“I don’t think it has been handled in the most appropriate manner. I don’t think Buhari can handle this problem alone and the impression he has given most people is that he is working alone.

“If he wants to solve problems in this country, he has to engage many people as possible- elders, the party and everybody that can assist. Problems cannot be solved just by ruling and that is what I think they are doing and not everybody in the government possesses the right kind of wisdom for them to be able to solve these intricate problems.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/herders-killings-where-buhari-is.html

Former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, has formally declared his intention to run for the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Bafarawa disclosed this over the weekend at his residence in Sokoto, claiming that he brought President Muhammadu Buhari into active politics.

He told his supporters that he decided to contest because of his love for the people, adding that he delayed his declaration despite calls from across the country because of the situation in the country and his party.

“Politics is my profession. I am a grassroots politician spanning for over four decades.

“President Buhari is my student. I brought him into politics. I gave him ticket to contest when I was the national chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party. Therefore I know how to run the affairs of the country and the party,” he said.

The one-time presidential candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), said the problem of Nigerians was allowing unprofessional politicians to run democratic government, apparently referring to President Buhari.

According to him, this was the reason for total disregard to the manifesto of the party by political leaders.

“Nigerians are calling for restructuring because of the way APC government was running the affairs of the country,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/2019-bafarawa-declares-for-presidency.html

A gas explosion on Saturday evening, down 15 shops on Ibrahim Taiwo Road by Abeokuta street in Kaduna State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 5:40 pm.

NAN reports that residents mobilised to put out the fire before it spread further in the densely populated area.

Most of the shops affected by the gas explosion contained kitchen equipment, gas cylinders and refiling facilities.

The residents chased away fire service personnel from the Kaduna State University, who arrived over an hour after the fire started.

One of the shop owners, Mr Ifeanyi Eze said the fire started as a result of electrical surge which led to heavy explosion in one of the shops selling gas cylinders.

An eyewitness, Mr Samuel Emma said immediately after the explosion, fire emerged from the shop, adding that the owner was slightly burnt and was rushed to hospital.

“We don’t know his situation now, butfrom there, the fire extended to the rest of the shops and only a few items were salvaged.

“We thank God no life was lost. We called the fire service but for close to two hours we didn’t see them until one fire service vehicle from Kaduna State University came and was chased away by angry neighbours,”he said.

A resident, Hamza Ado said: “we called the fire fighters but they didn’t come and when we called again we were told that they had no water in their vehicles.

“It was the youth that fetched water from all available sources to control the blaze.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/07/gas-explosion-razes-15-shops-in-kaduna.html

President of Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, Prof Uzodinma Nwala has pointed out why the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, must be declassified as a terrorist organization.

Nwala said the declassification of IPOB was in the interest of the Igbo nation.

Speaking with The Sun, Nwala said the people of the South-East will be able to integrate IPOB and other pro-Biafra organizations as instruments of development and freedom.

According to Nwala, “ADF believes that it is in the interest of Ndigbo to have IPOB de-proscribed and declassified as a terrorist organization.

“One, it is not a terrorist organization. Two, it is non-violent in its agitations. Three, Ndigbo needs IPOB and other self-determination organizations for their own political struggles for survival and relevance in the scheme of things in the country.

“Employing the methods the Igbo society employs in the handling of the activism of their youth, Ndigbo will be able to integrate IPOB and other pro-Biafra organisations as instruments of development and freedom.

“The Yoruba nation has been able to do this successfully with the OPC. Ndigbo can do so with the youths in search of freedom and equality.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/biafra-why-igbo-need-ipob-declassified.html

Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, former Vice President of Ghana is dead, local media reported early Friday.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Amissah-Arthur died on Friday morning at the Air Force Base, where he had gone for exercise.

He was subsequently rushed to the 37 Military Hospital where he died shortly after.

The deceased was the country’s number two-man during the administration of ex-President, John Mahama.

Ghana’s current President, Addo Akufo-Addo, in a post on his Facebook page, wrote: “I have learnt with shock and great sadness the sudden death of the former Vice President of the Republic, His Excellency Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.”

The president described the former vice president as a longstanding public servant, who discharged his duties with dignity.

“The news of his death is unfortunate since he appeared to have a lot to contribute to the public life of our country,” he added.

The 67-year old also served as Governor of the Bank of Ghana between 2009 and 2012 during which time Ghana enjoyed about 30-month-long single digit inflation and a stable foreign exchange environment.

He was last seen in public on Wednesday during a book launch by his wife, Matilda Amissah-Arthur.

Amissah-Arthur was a lecturer at the Economic Department at the University of Ghana, Legon from 1980 to 1988. Alongside that he became a Special Assistant to the Former Secretary (Minister) for Finance, Kwesi Botchway from 1983 to 1986.

Amissah-Arthur subsequently rose to become a Deputy Minister for Finance and Economic Planning from 1986 to 1997.

Prior to becoming a politician, Amissah-Arthur had lectured at the Department of Economics, Anambra State College of Education, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria between 1981 and 1983.

He is survived by his wife, Matilda and two children.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/ex-vice-president-dies-during-morning.html

The National Executive Council, NEC, of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, yesterday, accused the Federal Government of “receding into an authoritarian regime” as it now picks outspoken Nigerians and detains them without trial.

Rising from its meeting in Enugu yesterday, Ohanaeze gave the example of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who it said was recently arrested and detained for several days without being told the reasons for his incarceration.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Media Aide of the President General of the association, Chief Emeka Attamah.

The statement read in part, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the recent arrest, detention and harassment of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe by the Department of State Services, DSS.

“Abaribe’s detention was an aberration because under the law, nobody should be detained for more than 48 hours without being charged to court or released.

“His incarceration and harassment could make others with the interest of the nation at heart to develop cold feet instead of contributing ideas to the growth of the nation.

“Ohanaeze regretted that by the action of the Federal Government, the country is gradually receding into authoritarianism.”

“Rather than compare the number of casualties, the Federal Government should rejig its security apparatus, stop further killings and appease the families and communities affected by the senseless killings.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo observes that while the Federal Government proscribed IPOB a harmless organization, Miyetti Allah which has openly claimed responsibility for most of the attacks for just the killing or rustling of their cattle has been going around .

“If government could label IPOB a terrorist organization, there was no reason that Miyetti Allah, the umbrella body of cattle herders should not be proscribed and their leaders prosecuted.

“Ohanaeze is asking: how many suspected Fulani herdsmen have been taken to court for either the killings in the country or for carrying Ak-47 rifles about in the full glare of security operatives, contrary to the provisions of the law.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/nigeria-gradually-receding-into.html

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, on Wednesday, said he was not supporting any of the presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Answering questions from newsmen in Asaba at the quarterly media interaction, Okowa said he would not force any PDP delegate from the state to vote against their wish.

He said when former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who is also aspiring to the exalted office came for consultation, he was also well received by the people of the state, noting that he carefully chose his words each time to maintain his neutrality in the process.

Okowa said not even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who was given an elaborate and overwhelming reception, on Tuesday, when he came on a consultation visit to the state PDP has his support yet.

He said, “I have not said I am supporting Atiku. I made my statement which was clear and cautious. If you followed us properly, you will discover that when he talked to Deltans, he made a lot of statement which did interest our people, and he has said he is a friend of the state.

“He talked about restructuring and the rest. And if his programme continues to interest the people, I will not be able to hold back the hands of the people. I am not going to force any delegate to the national convention to vote the way Okowa thinks or feels.

“They will be allowed to exercise their discretion and their votes. I am not the type of person that will insist that this is the way it must go. When Sule Lamido came, people know that he spoke so well, Lamido is also a man I respect so well, and he was well received.

“As governor, I don’t want to directly support any candidate, but the will of the people will be allowed to be, but if anything happens that I have to give guidance, I will never force the people to vote against their will,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/2019-im-not-supporting-atiku-lamido-gov.html

The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has berated the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association, MACBAN, over the renewed killings in Plateau State.

Recall that suspected armed herders on June 24 2018, killed 86 persons during an attack on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, over the weekend.

Reacting, Danladi Ciroma, the Chairman, North Central zone said the attack was in retaliation of the killing of over 300 cows in the last few weeks by the villagers.

However, PANDEF condemned the boastful statement by MACBAN.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson,Alfred Mulade, PANDEF demanded an immediate repudiation of the claim and apology by the group to affected people and communities.

The statement read: “PANDEF condemns in the strongest possible terms the statement credited to the Chairman of the North Central Chapter of MACBAN, Danladi Ciroma that the attacks were retaliatory over cows lost by herdsmen in the last few weeks.

“That statement, to say the least is callous, insensitive and provocative. We call on the leadership of MACBAN to denounce it immediately, and apologise to the people of the affected communities, in the interest of peace and harmony.

“In as much as we do not support cattle rustling under any guise, it is, however, absurd that human lives are now being equated with those of cows in the country. That kind of statement gives the obvious impression that MACBAN supports and aids the spate of killings by herdsmen across the North Central region and other parts of the country.

“It is imperative for the government to thoroughly scrutinise the activities of MACBAN and also put its leadership under security watch.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/plateau-killings-niger-delta-elders.html

Nollywood actress and Yoruba film maker, Yetunde Akilapa was on Wednesday caught stealing.

She was nabbed with a bunch of master keys while trying them on the door of a house in Magodo in Lagos.

Akilapa, who assumed the occupants had gone to work, was stunned as the occupants grabbed her when she entered their apartment.

A similar incident involving the actress occurred three years ago.

Akilap, that time, broke into a beauty lounge in Yaba with a master key, after closing hours.

Earlier in February 2013, she was arrested for robbery by the police in Alade, in Somolu area of Lagos State.

She was sent to the Kirikiri prison and after a few months there, she regained her freedom, precisely in November, 2013.

Again on Sunday January 12, 2014, she was caught trying to break into a house in Magodo Phase II.

The actress is currently at Isheri Police Station, Isheri, Lagos.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/nollywood-actress-caught-stealing-video.html

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom yesterday lamented that he has been abandoned by all those he gave positions in his government, regretting that all his appointees have not been able to stand for him in the face of opposition.

He spoke while innaugurating the governing board members and two governing councils at the Government House in Makurdi. Names of the Boards and Governing Councils are; Alfred Akawe Torkula College of Advanced and Professional Studies, Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev, Colleges of Education, Katsina-Ala and Oju.

Others are; Benue State Examinations Board, IBB Square Management Board, Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), Benue State Scholarship Board, Benue State Planning Commission, Benue Sports Council, Land Use Allocation Committee and Adult and Non-Formal Education as well as Boundaries Committee, Council for Arts and Culture, Radio Benue, Benue Tourism Board, Benue State Urban Development Board, Benue State Water Board and Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Ortom said that rather than defending him wherever his government is being battered by opposition, “They will rather keep mute,” adding that the appointees have not contributed meaningfully to the success of his administration in the past three years.

“l know all these while that l have nobody in my government. It is unfortunate that l had surrounded myself with appointees who cannot defend me or this government. I have realized that I have given the opportunity to serve with me in this government are not doing good to me.

“I’m all alone. This is because each time they are confronted with issues regarding me or the government, they would not defend me or the government, rather they would remain mute. But l know that God will see us through.”

The governor, however, charged the newly appointed board and governing council members to do their best in order to meet the yearnings of the people of the State.

He said that his administration has zero tolerance for corruption, saying he would not hesitate to deal with anyone found diverting public funds into private pockets.

According to him, “It is necessary to urge all the appointees that they have come to serve at a time that challenges are numerous but the people’s expectations are high. The implication of this is that you should swiftly deploy your experience to respond to all these challenges and expectations. The meagre resources of the State must be frugally managed to get the best results for the people.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/all-my-appointees-have-abandoned-me-gov.html

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the lawmaker representing Abia-South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, from detention.

Abaribe who was arrested by the DSS on Friday morning at his barber’s shop in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja was released around 6pm Tuesday,THISDAY reports.

Justice Nyako had, in April last year, granted bail to IPOB leader,Kanu, with Abaribe and two others standing surety for him.

Kanu however became missing after soldiers in an operation to quell pro-Biafra protests in the South-East, invaded his home in Abia State in September 2017.
Since October 17, 2017 when the trial was supposed to resume, Abaribe and the two other sureties had been faced with the burden to produce Kanu in court.

The court, on March 28, 2018, ordered the senator and the two others to appear in court to show cause why they should not forfeit their bail bonds worth N100m each, or be imprisoned for their inability to produce the IPOB leader in court.

The DSS arrested Abaribe on Friday without giving any reason for the arrest.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/why-dss-releases-senator-abaribe.html

Nollywood Actress, Georgina Onuoha has expressed her doubt on the status of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo. She said she was not exactly sure the Nigerian VP is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

The actress said this while lamenting the recent killings in Plateau which has generated several reactions from Nigerians.

DAILY POST recalls that Plateau State Police Command on Sunday confirmed the killing of 86 persons in attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government.

Also hit were Daffo and Kuba communities in Bokkos Local Government.

Reacting to the killings, Georgina on her Instagram page urged the Vice President to provide military forces to protect citizens, rather than sending condolence messages.

She argued that mere rehabilitation of farmers will not end killings in some parts of the country, saying that a drastic action must be taken.

“I cannot believe that this man is a pastor and now the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Prof Osinbajo, you cannot serve God and man at the same time. If the root cause of these senseless killings is not addressed, it will keep repeating itself. It’s been blood bathe since this your regime because we are no longer in a democratic nation, so I won’t call it administration. Resettlement and rehabilitation of these farmers are not going to stop these hoodlums from invading again. What happened to use the full force of the Nigerian armed forces to fight against these killers.

“If the non-violent protesters of the Biafra agitators were killed and beaten by the Nigerian Army ordered by your regime, what happens to using that same forces in tackling this menace ravaging our nation. It is time you begin to speak truth to power. Enough is Enough.

“Extending your condolences will not change anything. Protect Nigerians with your military and save them from these herdsmen killing them. You pastors in Nigeria have bastardized religion in Nigeria that even the people have become docile to fake miracles and prayers.

“Fellow Nigerians, go and get your PVC, fasting and prayer points will not count. Only your votes will count. God will not do for man what he has given man the ability to do for himself. Your vote is your power. They’ve used Cambridge Analytical to sow religious tensions and hate amongst us, so that their divide and conquer strategy will work. Don’t allow it this time around. Go and get your PVC. Enough is Enough. Our hearts are with the Plateau State,” she wrote.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/plateau-killings-i-doubt-you-are-pastor.html

Nigerians on Social media have called for the arrest of Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Danladi Ciroma, for claiming that the Sunday attack on Plateau State villagers was in retaliation to the death of their cows.

DAILY POST reports that the Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Danladi Ciroma, on Monday claimed that the killing of 86 persons in Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area l of Plateau State was in retaliation to the killing of over 300 cows in the last few weeks by the villagers.

He was quoted as saying “These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on a revenge mission.

“There have been recent reports of cow rustling and destruction of farms between Berom farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The people carrying out these criminal activities are well known to the communities but the communities are hiding them.”

Reacting to the statement, Nigerians on social media called for justice on Miyetti Allah for the killings.

They asked that Buhari should declare them terrorists, wondering why the killers of innocent Nigerians were still walking freely.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST from Twitter:

@Ogbenidipo “Miyetti Allah proudly defends the killing of over 300 people and nothing will happen to the group. IPOB did NOT go about killing people and setting villages ablaze but the group was proscribed and labelled a terrorist group. Bloody double standards and demonic hypocrisy.”

@Ody4real “I mean, IPOB didn’t kill a single person, yet Government treated them like Terrorists, killed innocent people and locked the South East down for a long time, but Miyetti Allah are openly admitting committing Mass Murder and that is about that.”

@Xantaplus “Dear @Mbuhari, Danladi Ciroma, the Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has taken responsibility for Plateau killings. He said it was a revenge for 300 cows stolen or killed in the last few weeks. What will you do?

@Segalink “Miyetti Allah like SARS will kill you and nothing will happen because they are above the law as empowered by the powers that be. I wonder how many people they asked who they support on Twitter before cutting their lives short. Let self-genocidal defenders take note.”

@Uncle Ajala “Miyetti Allah says Plateau mass murder is revenge for stealing 300 cows from herdsmen. IPOB that didn’t kill 10 people are terrorist group to Buhari’s FG, Fulani herdsmen that av killed over 500 people, & not denying it are not terrorist to Buhari’s FG. I hope you can see the hypocrisy.”

@Chreze “Miyetti Allah claimed responsible for killing almost 100 persons and till now no arrest has been made!
This is total madness!

@Goonvich “So what does it take for this Miyetti Allah guys to be declared terrorists?

@Leonardduggh “Declare Miyetti Allah as a terrorist group and treat them as terrorists. The same way IPOB were treated.

Remember, IPOB never attacked and killed innocent civilians while they sleep but were labeled terrorists.”

@Agorasblog “Why has the Army, police, and DSS refused to act against terrorist Miyetti Allah? Buhari & his Fulani people will NOT rule Nigeria forever. There will be a day of reckoning.Those who abandoned their duties will be jailed. ”

@Ayshatou “Shocked and disgusted by the barbaric killing of innocent lives in Jos how many more atrocities will it take before @MBuhari handle Miyetti Allah same way he handled IPOB.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/plateau-killings-handle-miyetti-allah.html

Some supporters of the Super Eagles have warned the team against defensive play in their third group match at the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Nigerian national team will file out against Argentina in their third group game on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles, which fell 2-0 in favour of Croatia in their opening match, defeated Iceland 2-0 in the second group game.

Tonye Orabere, a sports reporter, told Newsmen that a defensive play pattern against the Argentine side would not produce needed result.
Nigeria team (Back row L-R) Nigeria’s midfielder John Obi Mikel, Nigeria’s defender William Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s defender Leon Balogun, Nigeria’s midfielder Victor Moses, Nigeria’s midfielder Joel Obi and Nigeria’s goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, (Front row L-R) Nigeria’s striker Odion Ighalo, Nigeria’s defender Shehu Abdullahi, Nigeria’s midfielder Alex Iwobi, Nigeria’s midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and Nigeria’s defender Bryan Idowu line up for a pre-game photograph ahead of the International friendly football match between England and Nigeria at Wembley stadium in London on June 2, 2018. / AFP PHOTO

He said “we need to show the kind of aggression shown during the second half of our match against Iceland, we need to be proactive.

“This game should bring out the best in the Super Eagles, it is a game they must use to make their supporters happy.”

Another supporter, Christopher Nkwachukwu, a civil servant, said that the Super Eagles should move for an early goal against the Lionel Messi-led side.

“They can achieve this by keeping Messi on good check, they must ensure that he is rendered unproductive and adequately caged,’’ he said.

Eshiet Bassey, a commercial driver, said that there may not be need for any formation change during the game, saying, “ what we need is aggression and resilience’’

“We must agree that the Argentine team is a strong side; we cannot afford to give them any opportunity to stay long within our half.

“ This is the game to decide our fate, we must approach it with the right spirit to enable the team move to the next stage of the game.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/nigeria-vs-argentina-fans-warn-super.html

The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace [NIFROP] has carpeted a group of Christians under the aegis of National Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, championed by a former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), and Solomon Asemota (SAN), who recently warned that Christianity in Nigeria may cease to exist in 25 years from now.

Danjuma’s group said that the present generation of Christians may be the last set in Nigeria.

With this, NCEF demanded the restructuring of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, before the 2019 general elections.

Reacting to the claim, NIFROP said it was worried by the abuse of religious groups that were now being deployed as canon fodder by political clerics.

The group said the claim was targeted at stirring the fire of hatred among Nigerians.

Bishop Chanami, national leader of the group, while addressing the media on Sunday in Abuja, noted that the claim was the handiwork of the devil and not deserving of being associated with any group that professes faith in God.

He warned the elders against beating war drum in an already-tensed nation.

He said, “There is none of the testaments in God’s name that promotes the kind of wicked lie contained in the misleading claim. We can only thank God that the sectarian crisis that those behind this lie hoped to trigger did not materialize while praying that Nigerians will continue to be discerning and not allow themselves to be deceived into engaging in self destruction.”

“It is also alarming to mention the activities of supposed elders either in the Church or any sane society led by Lt. Gen TY Danjuma [Rtd] and some other Christian folks perpetually stoking the embers of war in the country. Neither did our Lord Jesus Christ or Apostle Paul ever in the scripture embarked on this destructive path to defend the Church. Our weapons of warfare are not carnal and we demand that they review whatever scriptures they are reading as Christians before we destroy the country.”

The group also reacted to the recent claim by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian Army and the Police to recruit rehabilitated Boko Haram members into their ranks

Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant on media CAN President, Rev Dr Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, said it had information that a number of ex-terrorists were allegedly being considered for recruitment into the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Army.

Bishop Chanami, while reacting, said, “Ordinarily, we had hoped that the era where CAN or any other religious organization was deployed as an attack dog for government or the opposition was over only for this to happen. Our concern over this matter is that the events that led to a CAN president being linked to gun running and money laundering began on similar notes. It started with the CAN leadership being used as an extension of a ruling party only for it to eventually become the errand boy for the importation of weapons of destruction.

“The ugly conduct of CAN in those nauseating years can be credited for provoking an explosion in the number of persons from across all faiths that have renounced belief in God. The gun running saga set off the chain reaction that have seen more young persons take to crime in order to make it like the flamboyant clergies that ran errands for politicians. This is a scenario that must not be allowed to repeat itself for we are yet to recover from the ravages caused to our collective psyche by CAN when its leaders acted without decorum.

“We are also speaking out because we have reliably gathered that the lie about recruiting Boko Haram members as soldiers and policemen is the first in the series of negative propaganda for which CAN has been recruited. It is similar to the brief it ran under the past administration. It must be noted that Nigeria cannot withstand another campaign of lies and hatred spewed from hallowed pulpits that should have been proclaiming the good tidings of God’s infinite love.

“It is equally pertinent that we prick the conscience of the clergy in Nigeria. Religious leaders critical stakeholders in the global drive to curtail the evil of fake news so where do we stand as a people if those who should condemn fake news have become its purveyors? On what basis should the faithful believe the admonitions of a clergy that lies for whatever reason? The days are indeed evil.

“May we however point out that we are not standing in judgement over those who decided to lie even as clergymen. We will rather that they repent and thread a new path of repentance; that they will act I’m accordance with the promptings of the song we shall be singing as we close this press conference. As leaders of faith we should continue to be instruments of peace and this should not be too difficult a task for those currently leading CAN.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/stop-beating-war-drum-in-nigeria-inter.html

The 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards was recently held at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood and featured performances by both rising stars and current chart toppers, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Charlie Puth, Ludacris, Meghan Trainor, Marshmello, Echosmith and American Idol winner Maddie Poppe.

See photos of celebrities on the red carpet;

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/see-photos-from-2018-radio-disney-music.html

Outgoing National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, on Saturday delivered his valedictory speech.

He said though naysayers thought the party was on the verge of implosion, the crowd at the convention shows the party is stronger and believes in its vision.

Read full text of his speech:

“When I look to my left and right, I feel a deep sense of fulfillment. If you read the stories on the social media, you will think that the party was at the verge of implosion. That it had divisions within it that were fatal. But you look around and see one happy family.

“Mr President, I thank you specially for the opportunity to work closely with you, interact and the support you gave all this while. Today is not the day to make great policy statements but to express my deepest gratitude.

“I will start with the key founding fathers of this party: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Prince Tony Momoh. You were the key heads of the political parties that accepted the idea of unity for the progress of the nation and because of you all; and of course, the later additions, nPDP and a faction of APGA, it is because of you that we are here today.

“It is because of you, that I look left and right and see a strong and united party. I see a vibrant party, of passionate followers who are ready to follow our President because of his principle leadership in spite of the crude abuses, insinuations and fake stories that has been hauled in his direction of which he has not allowed to dissuade him in anyway or detract him from his determined course.

“I thank my colleagues of the National Working Committee (NWC) and all the state chairmen, some of whom have returned to the saddle and will provide the experience needed for continuity.

“My colleagues of the outgoing NWC, I thank you for the fantastic cooperation I have received all these four years. Yes, our arguments were sometimes almost getting muscular but at the end of the day, we provided the kind of leadership that has brought the party to this point today. A strong, united party. Yes, there are divergent views here and there but the essence is that the APC at the end of the day, is a strong party, a passionate party that believes in its ideals and the vision of Mr. President to give this nation the best leadership.

“I thank the delegates who are here today, because it was the same group that elected me four years ago and today, they are here to perform the same function.

“I will end by saying that Shakespeare told us generations ago that the world is a stage and that all of us are actors on this stage. We make our entrances and in due time, we make our exit. Today, I make my exit from the honour you have bestowed on me to lead you for four years.

“Phase one of this party is over, phase two is about to begin and it is my hope that at the end of today, we would have elected a worthy son to carry on the battle, the leadership, the struggle of this party.

“I wish my successor the very best of luck, I wish him fair weather and for the rest, we leave to history.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/apc-national-convention-full-text-of_45.html

Thank God for his mercies.

Popular Nigerian artiste, Sky B, was involved in a ghastly car accident but thankfully escaped death.

Angel Attah, a friend of the singer shared the news online asking that everyone send their prayers to him. The accident occurred in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/veteran-artiste-sky-b-involved-in.html

Veteran singer Daddy Showkey yesterday called singing duo Mamuzee out on social media saying the twins abandoned their mother for 17-years until her death.

According to Showkey, the duo abandoned their mother after a pastor told them , she was a witch.

Speakingat their mother’s burial, Augusta, the younger sister to Mamuzee affirmed that they should inded be blamed for their mother’s death.

In her words;

“About six years ago, our mother was so unhappy with the fact that she had not seen her sons for a very long time, so she took two pastors and went to their house and according to the pastors that went with her, immediately they saw our mother, they went inside the room and came out with a bible. Then they stood on the Bible and placed a curse on our mother. They said that if she had come with any evil intention, she would die in a week. The pastors said that our mother could not cry; she just began to sweat. When they got back to my house, my mother could not say a word. That was the final straw that broke the camel’s back because after that day, we began to visit several hospitals over her health. Although I never tried to reach out to Mamuzee because I was very upset with them, some of my other siblings reached out to them but couldn’t get through them. About two months ago, I noticed that our mother could neither eat nor drink anything. I got a nurse to treat her and we were told that she had malaria. When her health was getting worse, I rushed her to Igando General Hospital and to my surprise, I got Daddy Showkey’s call. He was our childhood friend even though he is older than Tony and Andrew. We all loved him. When I picked his call, the next question he asked was about our mother. By that time our mother was in a coma, Daddy Showkey asked me to do a video call when I was with my mother so that he could see for himself and I did as he instructed.

“My father-in-law advised me to take a picture of my mother in her comatose state and send it to all my siblings via Whatsapp. Every one of them responded, even the two that are abroad except Mamuzee. It was obvious that they saw it but they did not respond. All my mother’s children living in Nigeria rushed to the hospital to see her except Tony and Andrew and the two that are abroad kept calling constantly.”

Augusta continued saying;

“While she was alive and ill, she was always calling Mamuzee. There was a time I had to go to Bayelsa to get some of her things. There was a box where she kept her documents, I stumbled on her Bible and prayer books and the only thing she asked from God was for her twins to return to her. Our mother died of heartbreak and depression. The amazing thing is that our mother never laid a curse on them. Our mother gave birth to ten children and we all have children of our own. If our mother was a witch, she could have killed us or her grandchildren but we are all healthy and doing very fine in life. We do not know where the story that they do not have children emanated from because they both have kids. Tony and Andrew killed our mother. It is Mary and Martha that are doing this to them. All is not well, I saw what they posted on Instagram about our mother’s death. They do not even have her recent picture except the one I sent when our mother was in a coma. The picture that they are posting online is the one my mother took after we just returned from Ghana in 1985. We started our lives in Ghana before our mother brought us back to Nigeria and singlehandedly raised us. Now they are calling this same woman a witch. Tony and Andrew cannot be forgiven. I did not comment because I do not want to have anything to do with them. Tony and Andrew killed my mother and they would not find peace. My mother’s spirit would take vengeance. I give God the glory that my mother held her peace till the very end. My mother prayed for ten years to have twins and when she finally had Tony and Andrew, it was as if they were her only children. My siblings were angry that our mother really loved them but now that we are grown up, we understand. They would not go unpunished,” she said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/mamuzee-twins-killed-our-mother-sister.html

Former stripper Blac Chyna does not seem to be fazed by the recent split from bher teenage boyfriend YBN Almighty Jay as she put up a busty display last night.

Chyna attended the launch party of her pal Amber Rose’s line with the plus-size clothes company Simply Be in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old mother-of-two showed off her trim midriff in a cleavage-baring pink crop top with full sleeves and a zigzag motif.

More below;

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/blac-chyna-bares-her-hourglass-figure.html

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday speak with the Super Eagles players to motivate them for the crucial second group game against Iceland, in Volgograd, Russia.

Although the President had before the opening game against Croatia called the players to wish them well, arrangements had been concluded to call the players again to boost their morale ahead of the Iceland tie.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), First Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi disclosed this in St. Petersburg, noting that the team has enough motivation ahead of the game.

“The President had called them before the opening match and will still speak with them again before the match against Iceland.

“The Minister of Sports is also here with the ambassador. All these things are ways of motivating players. I don’t think that they are lacking in motivation.

“We have addressed the issue of social media and we have tasked them to remain focused and not to react to anything they see from Nigerians on Social Media. If he did err, I am sure we will address that,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/nigeria-vs-iceland-buhari-to-motivate.html

The Nigerian Intervention Movement (NIM), on Wednesday adopted Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) as the political party to contest the 2019 general elections.

The political movement announced its adoption of ANN, a relatively new party, at a gathering in Lagos.

NIM is chaired by former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Olisa Agbakoba with Dr Abdul Jelil-Tafawa Balewa as its co-chair.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that prominent members of NIM and executive members of the ANN were present at the gathering.

They included Debe Odimegwu-Ojukwu, son of late founder of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Odimegwu Ojukwu; Mr Fela Durotoye, and Mrs Elishama Ideh both presidential aspirants under the ANN platform.

Speaking at the gathering, Agbakoba said the decision of NIM to fuse into NIM was borne out of the need to realise its vision for Nigeria.

Represented by NIM’s, Deputy-Director-General, Mallam Nasir Kuta, he said the limited time to the general elections would not permit NIM to register as a political party to pursue its vision.

Agbakoba said the movement settled for ANN because the party shared in its vision and ideology to build a better Nigeria.

“It is trite to state that the majority of Nigerians have been overwhelmed by the extant quality of politics going on in our dear country as manifested by self-serving politics.

“For us in NIM, the whole essence of political leadership and government is the welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry.

“Therefore, there is need to restore hope to this country. The NIM was formed on 28th November 2017 by a new breed leaders of conscience towards breathing a new life of constitutional democracy and good governance trajectory that will engender a new Nigeria that works for all of us.

“Therefore having come to the reasoned conclusion that political parties are pillars for nurturing popular democracy and nurturing good governance and that political parties that have superintended over the affairs of the country have failed.

“And given the timeline of the general elections, it was our resolve to adopt a fresh and untainted political party with elemental potential of delivering dividends of democracy towards realizing a new Nigeria of our dream”, he said.

Agbakoba added that ANN was chosen after NIM had scanned no fewer than 17 parties that shared its vision.

Speaking, National Chairman of ANN, Dr Jay Osi-Samuels said the adoption of the party by NIM was historic.

He said the marriage of the two platforms was borne out of the need to give Nigerians a credible alternative in 2019.

He urged Nigerians to trust the platform to deliver the goods in 2019.

“We also urge citizens to obtain their PVCs as that is what they need to realise the country of their dream”, he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/2019-election-agbakobas-nim-adopts-ann.html

Property estimated at several millions of naira was on Tuesday evening destroyed by fire in Calabar, Cross River State capital.

The incident occurred at a gas refilling plant along MCC Road, close to Effio-Ette junction at about 6pm.

An eyewitness, who gave his name as Matthew, said that he and others were watching football around the area when they heard a heavy explosion.

“We were watching football in the neighbourhood when we heard heavy explosion from the gas refilling plant and we rushed in to help as there was no help from the fire service.

“People ran to the place and collected detergent from people’s stores, poured it into water and emptied it on the flame of the fire and that was how we were able to put out the fire,” he stated.

He said some persons sustained various levels of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

“I saw two persons being rushed to the General Hospital as a result of burnt. We prayed that they should not die,” he said.

Matthew lamented that the fire would not have been so devastating had the fire service responded.

“In fact, we called the fire service but they said outright that they have no functional equipment to fight fire,” he added.

When DAILY POST called the Public Relations Officer of the State fire service, Mr Cletus Makper, on Tuesday night, he said, “We don’t have anything in case of any fire disaster or emergency.

“We are not funded and we cannot carry out any rescue of any kind in that place.”

He called on the state government to come to the rescue of the service with a view to providing functional equipment to fight fire.

“Over a year or two, nothing has been done in this place to serve the public in case of fire outbreak.

“The place has not been funded and there is nothing that we can do and if there is any serious inferno.

“However, we are hopeful that government would come to our aide by providing us with equipment, we have trained fire fighters in the service but what we need is equipment. We appeall to Governor Ben Ayade to come and assist us,” he pleaded.

He said the service would embark on aggressive public enlightenment program to train the people on means of preventing fire.

Reacting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ms Irene Ugbo, confirmed the incident but said “Only one person who went to the roof of the place to put out the fire sustained minor injury and was rushed to the hospital”.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/gas-explosion-property-worth-millions.html

Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have been accused of ‘detaining’ some pupils of Eucharistic Heart of Jesus School, Isolo, after the school bus driver allegedly violated the state traffic law.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the bus driver had penultimate Wednesday gone to pick up pupils of the school at their houses in the Isolo area of the state.

He had reportedly picked up two pupils in the neighbourhood when he was accosted by two LASTMA officials, who accused him of not using a seat belt.

It was gathered that the steering of the Sienna bus was taken over by one of the LASTMA officials, who drove to the agency’s yard at Isolo.

The pupils were reportedly held for over three hours and were released after their parents went for them.

The vehicle was allegedly released to the school proprietor after an undertaking was signed.

A parent, Mr Ikem Okuhu, whose kids were in the vehicle at the time, said the encounter traumatised his children.

In a petition to the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Okuhu said his children were released after his wife visited the LASTMA yard, adding that the officials insulted the woman and asked her to go to court if she felt her children were ill-treated.

Okuhu’s lawyer, Nnamdi Nwonyishi, who wrote the petition, dated June 6, 2018, copied the General Manager of LASTMA and the Officer-in-Charge of LASTMA, Isolo.

The lawyer demanded that the officials be disciplined, in addition to an apology and payment of N5m for general damages.

Nwonyishi threatened that if the demands of N5m, an apology and sanction for the officers were not met, the case would be taken to court.

The Public Affairs Officer of LASTMA, Mahmud Hassan, said although he doubted that a school bus was involved in the incident, the agency would investigate the allegations.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/lastma-officials-detain-schoolchildren.html

Singer Simi expressed her anger after fashion designer, Toyin Lawani claimed all men cheat and every man is entitled to 10 women. According to the talented singer,people should stop normalising infidelity.

Read her post below..

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/stop-normalising-infidelity-simi-fires.html

The Abia state police command has arrested a young man identified as Agaezichi Ogbonna, for allegedly killing his mother.

According to reports, the 22-year old murdered his mother after she found out he was having a love affair with her sister, who is the boy’s aunt, at Akpaa Mbato community, Obingwa council area of Abia State.

The deceased is said to have gotten home one day and found them in an uncompromising position and immediately rebuked them.

This got Ogbonna angry, prompting him to pounce pon his mother, beating her to death. Upon realizing she was dead, he and the aunt tried to run but Ogbonna was caught

A resident in the community who spoke on the condition of anonymity said

”The boy was having a love affair with his mother’s sister. The love affair has been going on for a long time. But his mother kept warning him against it. Everybody in this village has been warning the boy against the love affair because it is a taboo in Igbo land. Any time his mother warns him to stop the love affair with her sister, Agaezichi will beat the woman. “Yesterday, his mother saw him with the girl and warned about the consequences of their love affair and Agaezich rained blows on the woman. She fell to the ground and died. When they saw, she has died, they ran away but Agaezichi was arrested by some youths while his girlfriend escaped.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/man-murders-mother-over-love-affair.html

Davido’s first babymama,Sophia Momodu celebrated him yesterday,being Fathers Day.

She shared a video of the star laying down with their daughter Imade ehich she captioned ‘HFD-*Happy Father’s Day.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/sophia-momodu-hails-davido-on-fathers.html

Ghanaina PR guru Matthew Mensah gave his dad one of the biggest surprises yet when he flew to Denmark to celebrate him on his birthday/ Father’s day.

Mensah shared a photo of them on IG and penned a sweet message below;

Flew back to surprise my Dad on His Birthday and For Father’s Day.. Love You Dad ❤… Happy Birthday to Matteu Mensah Snr ��

Not stopping there, the PR guru also took to his comment section to acknowledge just how awesome his dad is.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/popular-ghanian-pr-matthew-mensah-flies.html

Kim Kardashian came under fire after North West stepped out a day before her fifth birthday with her long hair straightened and slicked back into a high ponytail with a single braid down her middle part.

As the pictures made their way across the Internet on Thursday, many people took issue with North’s pin-straight hair, criticizing Kardashian West, a white woman, for straightening her half-black daughter’s natural curls. They expressed their disapproval on Twitter, where one wrote,

“Y’all…. Kim really straightened out her baby’s hair. That’s sad, what is she like 6? Leave her natural hair alone.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/kim-kardashian-slammed-for.html