The mallam knows how to play his card, he is only playing to catch on the sympathy of teeming admirers for them to urge him to contest. Scam! Big time

The answer to all these altercations is what is the way forward

King Solomon I: FCT Zone1

Ovokoo! This queue for fuel tie rapper oooo, abi witches and wizards dey do meeting

Well, kudos to the SSS, the security organization is really representing but our security agencies should collaborate and work together the more, for unity of purpose and shun unhealthy rivalry which does not profit the country

According to The Guardian, the EFCC is saying Delta State must “prove” ownership of the $15million with which former Governor James Ibori allegedly attempted to bribe former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu. Delta State, on its part, has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja laying claim to the money and praying the court to order its return to the State. According to the report, Attorney General Rotimi Jacob (who admitted not having seen Delta State’s petition) also says that position is that the burden is on Delta State to prove ownership of the money.

 

Fair disclosure: I am from Delta State. Nevertheless, my argument is based on my sense of what is reasonable and logical with respect to the matter at hand rather than a bias in favor of my state as against the federation. Indeed, this should be a pretty straightforward matter. As I will argue in this article, the money in question belongs to the people of Delta State; therefore, the reasonable and logical thing to do is to give it back to them. Consider the following.

 

Nuhu Ribadu states that Ibori attempted to bribe him with the sum of US$15million and that he (Ribadu) accepted the money and then deposited it with the Central Bank. There is no dispute that Ribadu actually deposited the money. The money is still physically at the Central Bank and there are people (like EFCC Director of Operation Ibrahim Lamorde and CBN staff James Garba) who have attested to witnessing at least aspects of the movement of the money from Andy Uba’s residence (according to the report; ostensibly a stop-point in the movement of the money from Ibori to Ribadu) to the Central Bank.

 

There is no reasonable or logical motive for Ribadu, Lamorde, Garba, and potentially many others to make up this story. Such a conspiracy would be just basically impossible to sustain over time. It is more likely that Ibori in fact attempted to bribe Ribadu with the $15million – a pattern which would be consistent with the finding of the Crown Court which eventually convicted Ibori of money laundering and assorted crimes. In short, it is reasonable to conclude, given the evidence, that Ribadu’s testimony in this matter is truthful and that Ibori’s is not – that is, that Ibori indeed attempted to bribe Ribadu with the $15million in question.

 

Next question: who owns the money? Did Ibori use his personal funds or did he draw (read: steal) the money from the Delta State treasury? The reasonable default position to take is that answer is the latter. Ibori faced numerous corruption allegations from the EFCC (from which he orchestrated a judicial get-away) and was eventually convicted of corruption crimes in the UK. It is altogether reasonable to presume that Ibori stole the $15million from the people of Delta State, and it is reasonable therefore, to move for the return the money to the people of Delta State. Ibori may choose at some point in the future to, through the courts, contest this presumption if he believes that the money is in fact his. However that would be problematic for him because that course of action would require him to first admit that he indeed attempted to bribe Ribadu with the money, opening up a can of worms for himself (not the least of which would be to have added perjury charges to the array of charges already pending against him). Let us just say Ibori is not going to pursue such a course of action – at least not unless he has completely lost his mind.
 

That Ibori very likely lied about attempting to bribe Ribadu with the $15million should not mean the people of Delta State should have to forfeit funds that are rightwise theirs. In short, let us be unequivocal about this: Ibori embezzled money from the people of Delta state and then lied about his attempt to bribe Ribadu with part of it. The rightful owner of the money remains the impoverished people of Delta State. To deny that the money belong to these people and to attempt to deprive them of the money is to extend the abuse they suffered under Ibori’s regime and which they continue to suffer today. We should not further victimize Deltans by depriving them of funds that should rightfully go towards developing their state.

 

The very existence of the exhibit (the cash in CBN custody), Ribadu's testimony as to the origin of such exhibit, and the absence of a motive for Ribadu (and many others) to concoct an elaborate conspiracy against Ibori are, taken together, sufficient prima facie evidence in favor of concluding that the money belongs to the people of Delta State, and of returning the money to them. This is, in fact, the only reasonable and logical conclusion available to us.
http://saharareporters.com/article/case-returning-delta-state’s-15million-charles-e-oyibo

Kai, why are pple/oil marketers bent on frustrating Nigerians and efforts of FGN.

THE first major effort at setting up private sector-managed mega hospitals in Nigeria’s six geo-political zones was initiated by the Federal Government yesterday.

Under the scheme, the government is giving the private sector the nod to mobilise resources to establish and manage the facilities in a selected state in the six zones.

The projects are part of the government’s renewed attempt to bring affordable health services to Nigeria and check the exodus of the citizens abroad for medical tourism.

At the inauguration of the panel to undertake the task yesterday in Abuja, the government said the committee headed by former United Bank for Africa (UBA) chief executive, Tony Elumelu and 19 other members drawn from the leading private hospitals in Nigeria, the African Finance Corporation would design a roadmap for unlocking private health entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

The panel will also draw up an implementable plan for the Presidency’s vision of establishing at least one world-class private hospital in each of the zones before the end of the tenure of the present administration.

Other members of the committee are officials of the Guild of Medical Directors, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who inaugurated the panel, tasked the members to conduct a critical analysis of low private sector investment in high-end specialist hospitals and medical diagnostic centres in Nigeria.

They are also to identify and engage potential investors with a view to guiding them to develop business models and plans for the establishment of world-class hospitals in the country.

The team will also look into and propose an accreditation scheme that would ensure full compliance with global best practices in the operations of the proposed facilities.

Chukwu said: “As many of you have observed, tertiary healthcare services in Nigeria have been largely in the domain of the public sector. However, inefficiency in resource management and service delivery, and the ever dwindling financial resources per capita for the health sector have made it difficult for many of the government-owned hospitals to keep up with global best practices

“The associated failure to provide high-end medical services in many instances coupled with globalisation has resulted in loss of patients to medical tourism with its attendant capital flight from the economy further worsening the economic situation in the country.  In the circumstances, it is obvious that government alone cannot provide all the facilities needed to provide adequate healthcare services to the teeming population, now at 167 million and still expanding. These issues have been a source of concern to the President who in his transformation agenda for the health sector has decided to engage the private sector under different models of Public Private Partnership.”

On his part, Elumelu stressed the need to ensure that the report of the committee does not go the way of previous ones, stressing that the panel would come up with implementable plans.

He also called on the government to create a competitive environment for the businesses to strive.

Representatives of the National Assembly at the event pledged the support of the two legislative chambers for the projects.

The health sector has also received a boost from the Nigerian Navy, which has placed order for modern medical equipment for its hospital in Calabar.

The equipment are expected in the country soon, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, has said.

He asserted yesterday in Calabar, Cross River State, that the era of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment would not be the vogue when the equipment are installed.

Ogunjimi spoke when the Chiefs of Abasi Obori Traditional Council, host community of the hospital, led by its chairman, Chief Effanga Asuquo Edet, visited him at the Eastern Naval Headquarters, Calabar.

He said the hospital, which would attract medical experts from all over the globe, was modelled after teaching hospitals in terms of services and others.

Ogunjimi explained that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) decided that the Navy should take over the hospital that was started over 30 years ago and abandoned as a result of changes in administration and some other logistic reasons. He disclosed that the CNS has mobilised resources for its completion.

Ogunjimi explained that the Navy Clinic in Calabar would relocate to the abandoned hospital’s permanent site.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9565

Let dangote reduce the cost of cement ooooo, some of. Us wan build houses

This man na confirm rogue.....let d full weight of the law fall on him

Gbam!!!!!

Mohammed Dahiru Aminu: Why Nigerians ridicule Nigeria


Yesterday someone asked me why Nigerians ridicule Nigeria insomuch that folks have decided to name the now good-for-nothing Nigerian Olympic athletes with such names as “rubber”, “wood” and “plastic” medalists; since they couldn’t win gold, silver or bronze.

The simple answer to that question is that for most Nigerians, Nigeria does not exist. Granted, the physical mien called Nigeria may be practically perceptible, the government that drives Nigeria is apparently anonymous and wanting.

Most Nigerians feel it is not binding upon them to “give back” to a country that they have not “taken” from. Many Nigerians feel they were born in a country that is completely putrid. For example, the paroxysm of angst that frustrates Nigerians due to electricity scarcity in the country has haunted our national psyche for years.

Many Nigerians never lived in a Nigeria that boast of round-the-clock electricity. Many Nigerians do not know how it feels like to travel in Nigeria with a minimum road traffic discomfort. Many Nigerians do not know how it feels like to live in a house un-caged; without (what Nigerians call) “burglar-proof” windows, thanks to the insecurity.

Young Nigerians do not know how it feels like to attend a university without university strikes. The examples are endless. But the point I seek to make is that too many a Nigerian have never lived the life of their dream; a life in absolute tranquility. Most Nigerians harbor a life that is spent in the constant fear of what it is like to live in an atmosphere of terror, not knowing who or what will strike next.

Quintessentially, young Nigerians have never felt the presence of a government; they usually owe their significant and trivial successes to the individual and collective sacrifices of family and friends.

But let us look at the other side of the coin: in a country like America and other serious nations, an individual starts to benefit from the government right from infancy: you’re given a free and compulsory good quality education, and you are constantly reminded that with hard work and perseverance, a better future awaits.

I have seen a sick, bedridden American whose last words on earth were that he was proud to be American. I do not know any up-and-doing (perhaps the opposite of bedridden?) Nigerian who maintains that he is proud to be Nigerian!

Because they are grateful to their country, many Americans willfully keep US flags and other statist symbols in their homes so that these icons can constantly remind them of what they owe their country: gratitude.

I have never in my life seen a Nigerian flag in the private residence of any Nigerian. According to the grapevine, Nigerians do not feel they owe anything to their country and/or government, no wonder they exhibit a persistent disconnect between them and the symbols of their country, Nigeria.

Until the Nigerian people start to feel the presence of a government in the delicate phases of their personal lives, they will not only stop at ridicule, they’ll always cling to narrow parochial interests before sovereign national interests.

In brusqueness, Nigerian leaders are known to always cast disparaging remarks on Nigerians, whom they claim, do not have faith in them. Who will tell them that faith is not entirely a self-colored affair? Who will tell them that the citizenry of Nigeria like other citizenries the world over can only be devoted to that which is devoted to their personal causes?
http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/08/14/mohammed-dahiru-aminu-why-nigerians-ridicule-nigeria/

Candidates shortlisted to sit for the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development (PRESSID) aptitude test were selected based on their eligibility and not in favour of any particular geopolitical zone, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) Professor Julius Okojie has said.

Okojie, who monitored the aptitude test which held in Abuja yesterday, told journalists that the claim by the Arewa Consultative Forum that northerners were deliberately excluded from the list was untrue as the selection process was computer based.

Okojie said the members of the committee overseeing the project consisted of one professor who made first class from each geo-political zone and representation from the Federal ministries of Education, Women Affairs, Science and Technology.

He said, “Some states in the south did not also have students. It was a computer based assessment it just selected those who had first class irrespective of the CGPA. It would be interesting to know how many people applied from such places. Don’t forget in the North once a student has a first class he is almost always on scholarship. If you didn’t apply you cannot be shortlisted and if you didn’t have a first class you won’t be taken.”

A list of shortlisted candidates by states of origin which was made available to media showed that Yobe, Sokoto and FCT did not have candidates. While states like Adamawa, Kebbi, Borno, Plateau and Taraba had only one candidate each.

However, states like Bayelsa and Cross River in the South-south had two candidates shortlisted.

Okojie said out of the 432 students shortlisted for the aptitude test, Federal Government would select and sponsor 100 for postgraduate studies in 25 top universities in the world.

He said provision has been made to ensure that 2% of the candidates are the physically challenged.

The students with specialization in sciences are expected to work as academic staff in any public university or research institute for a minimum period of five years upon completion of their studies.
http://www.naijapundit.com/news/northerners-not-schemed-out-of-presidential-scholarship-nuc

Interpretation, most of the time goes with what the mind sees and not really what the eyes see. Most of the time, the eyes can be deceptive. It is the mind that often speaks the truth about most situations in life.

Literal Sentences most of the time challenge comprehension and demands that certain amount of problem solving are duly put forth to reveal the true essence of the sentences.

Most of the time, the sentences that we hear and read are understood without deliberate reasoning, whether they are metaphorical or literal, so we end up mixing everything together. I’m saying this to say that most of the time; we tend to misunderstand what speaks to us in riddles, in metaphor and in proverbs. We are easily swayed by emotion, that the façade often hits us silly in the face. This is a fact we ought to admit, so we conclude that certain things are not worth being given attention.  Our conclusion is that it’s fake and has little or nothing close to reality. But what is reality?  It’s my quest for reality that made me find this topic interesting.

The different filament of CharlyBoy over the years that have created series of controversies have began to reveal itself through the work of investigative journalism determined to unleash the most dreaded secrets of the mysterious, sought after clandestine character  of  the heroic “AreaFada”.   This quest has not only caused a nationwide uproar, but has given Nigerians varied opinions about the most enigmatic African, whom most Journalists have continued to throw at our faces with some accompanied unanswered questions.

The AreaFada is a name on the lips of many Nigerians who have little or no knowledge of the man behind the facetious parade a man in a mask.  At least we know Lagbaja because he speaks the language our people, but do we understand the language of Charlyboy? He seems so strange like an alien to many of us. I admit that I’m ignorant of what this character represents; even at that, it does not make me any less intelligent.

Doesn’t it call for national and global concern that a character as mysterious as this is living among us? Doesn’t it call for worries that a man would wake up in the morning, and then goes nude? Doesn’t it give us headache every now and then that someone will have to pull some wool in our eyes, making us to ask plenty questions? However, to be concerned is to search, and to search is to know. Now, I want to know instead of to criticize.

My concern is not what concerns many people. My concern is borne out of my desires to know certain things about this character. My concern is to free myself of all these tongue wagging and criticisms. I want to be free; I want to know more about Charlyboy.  One thing that I will like to know is about his gay status. Is he truly gay?  I was quick to conclude when I saw him and Denrenle on the internet, doing the mouth thing. I simply said, “ he is gay”.  He was caught in the act, yet the picture and the story went viral on the internet. My question is, if the act was really carried out in the closet, as it was purportedly avowed, why did it storm the internet? Why was it made public? How many of us know gay people? Do they go about broadcasting their status, making noise about it?  My confusion about this man is interminable.  He is gay, yet has a battalion of kids, and had lived with a wife, either happily or sadly for over 36 years.  Maybe, it is better to call him bi-sexual, but no one can support me in that.  I may even be made a laughing stock by those who are very close to him.

I was tempted to call him names when I saw his latest nude picture on the internet,  yet, I have read few of his comments on twitter full of wisdom.   I was condemning him, yet I couldn’t stop following him to get hold of his latest comment on the nude story. So each time he drops a comment, I retweet.  I was tempted to ask, who is truly mad? Charlyboy or me?  Why will I be so keen and mean about the person who will never have time to explain or apologize to me over his act? He will always respond in reasonable terms to those of us who tend to attack him.  Who is this man? I tried to ask.  Even amid that rumour, he still went to church. After then, the news of his preaching in church went viral. The news took a new dimension “Alter Ego Charlyboy –Miss Linda”. My apologies to Linda Ikeji. We saw more controversies in controversies. But when I read carefully through his sermon in church, unlike most of us who would easily be deceived by the screaming headline, I didn’t see Charlyboy, I didn’t see Linda, I didn’t even see the Mr. Oputa he claimed he was, I saw a refined and intelligent character full of words of wisdom. He said, and I quote “I live in Nigeria but Nigerians will never live in me” It simply shows that he is not only apolitical,  but his ways are completely not ours. He expresses his thoughts in a strange way. He is obviously a lefty. The question that I asked myself afterwards was, does that really make him a bad person?  Well, who am I to judge?

But he said he doesn’t even smoke, drink nor womanize. He said his son is 46 and an associate professor at the prestigious, MIT Boston. He said he had been married to Lady D for over 35 years, and even said that justice Oputa had lived with him since he retired.  It was revealed in that church that Charlyboy had trained over 46 graduates in schools since the establishment of the Charlyboy Foundation. He cited some examples on how he had fought for the less privileged in the country. Now, I had to blame myself for not finding time to know, and see beyond where I stand. I want to know more, I want to see beyond the mask, and I’m tired of wagging my tongue.  I couldn’t have heard a better sermon. Thank God I went to ThisRanch church, even though I will continue to search for the man behind the Mask.
http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/08/15/innocent-ejeh-the-man-mask-my-defence-charlyboy/

Shendam Bridge Collapses, Cuts Off Southern Plateau

Tue, 14/08/2012 - 12:25pm | NAN News Technology



The Shendam Bridge in Plateau collapsed on Tuesday, cutting off most parts of the southern part of the state from Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bridge collapsed after torrential rainfall that lasted throughout Monday night.

The Shendam and Langtang floods also destroyed houses, farms and other valuables.

Among those who stranded in Shendam town were NEMA officials, who had visited the town on Monday to distribute relief materials to victims of early floods in Wase, Langtang and Shendam.

``We have lost our main bridge and we are at a loss as to how to handle this matter,’’ a visibly shaken Alex Dabo, Supervisory Councillor in charge of Social Services in Shendam Local Government, told NAN by the side of the collapsed bridge.

He said that Shendam residents were worst affected by the development as the bridge was the main link to the market, schools, banks and many other offices located just on the outskirts of the town.

Mr Eugene Nyelong, NEMA Relief and Rehabilitation Officer for the North-Central, who was among the stranded officials, told NAN that the agency’s officials were already on ground to ascertain the level of damage to the bridge.

``We have to ensure that no casualty is recorded; we are also looking into the possibility of erecting a temporary alternative passage to restore some form of communication. ’’

``It is indeed a very bad situation; very devastating, but we shall see what we can do as quickly as possible,’’ he said.

NEMA spokesman for North-Central, Audu Yohanna, described the development as ``very unfortunate’’, but expressed relief that no casualty was recorded.

``Nobody was killed, but cars cannot cross to the other side as I speak with you. The residents are just confused.

``What we intend to do is to try to find a way to Langtang through Tunkus and Mikang, while others will move through Lafia in Nasarawa State .’’

NAN reports that Plateau has continued to suffer massive flood incidents with worst incidents recorded in Gangare, Tudun-Osi, Tudun Talakawa and Angwan Rogo settlements in Jos north where scores got drowned.

NIMET has predicted flooding  in many states, among them Plateau, and advised stakeholders to be very vigilant. (NAN)

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/32510/2012/08/14/shendam_bridge_collapses_cuts_southern_plateau.html

Nope, these suspects are different and have no semblance. It's only a pity that we live amongst mediocres

Boy! No be easy thing oooo, but I go first ensure steady power supply, reduce d pump price of fuel, close the income gap between the poor and the rich. Zero tolerance for corruption and enhance security of lives and properties to allow for direct foreign investment

I guess d Govs did re-assessment of the current security situations and how their region is been affected cum the long term benefit of central policing before arriving at their new submission. Good one, Nigeria is not ripe for state policing.

I tire ooooo, pple like dis should be called to order. This is not the time for ethnic and tribal gratification

The Lagos District of the Nigerian Railway Corporation is currently moving 14,000 passengers on daily basis, the District Manager, Mr. Paul Ndibe, has said.

He also said that the district was targeting 20,000 passengers per day in the next six months from its recently increased mass transit trains, which moved from 12 trains to 18 trains daily.

Ndibe, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos on Friday, attributed the rise in train passengers to the increase in mass transit trains, first from eight trains daily to 12 trains and later to 18.

He explained that the first increase in trains was a way to cushioning the effects of the partial removal of fuel subsidy, which the Federal Government announced at the beginning of the year.

The other, he said, followed the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge to ensure an unhindered repair of faulty expansion joints on the bridge linking the Lagos Mainland with the Island.

He also said the district had increased the Lagos-Ilorin train to two per week. “That was significant; and it was well tailored to suit the needs of the people,” he added.

 The Railway District Manager recalled that the NRC was moving between 8,000 passengers and 10,000 passengers last year when the district operated only eight trains per day.

Ndibe also spoke on congestion on the mass transit trains, noting that more people had taken to the train because it was timely and punctual.

He said, “Many people live along the railway route (Ijoko/Agbado – Iddo/Apapa). And people prefer the train because they are sure of meeting their appointments. We are regular and punctual. That is what we market. In about one hour, we are there at the destination; you can’t achieve that by road where there is traffic congestion in less than three hours.”

He, however, hinted about plan to ease the congestion on the train with the introduction of more coaches from locations such as Kafancha, Enugu and Zaria, where they were being trapped as a result of inability of the train to get to the North.

He said the repair of Akere Bridge, preventing the train from getting to the North, would soon be completed while all trapped coaches would be returned to Lagos.

Ndibe also condemned the attitude of people sitting on the roofs of trains, describing it as a suicide mission.

He said the corporation would continue to arrest and prosecute such people until there was a better way to end the habit.

Ndibe said the increasing use of GSM telephone with earphone had raised the spate of accidents at NRC level crossings.

http://www.punchng.com/business/financial-punch/nigerian-railway-moves-14000-passengers-daily-in-lagos/

General Manger of LASTMA, Mr. Babatunde Edu 

By Chiemelie Ezeobi and Ada Igboanugo

The alleged murder of 33-year-old Hammed Balogun, an official with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), by a female banker with Standard IBTC Bank, one Yinka Johnson has continued to create ripples especially with her  detention along with her three-month old baby, Debby.

According to information made available to THISDAY, the banker had recently resumed work after the compulsory three months maternity leave before the unfortunate incident occurred.

Due to the sensitive nature of the case and the minor involved, Project Alert, a non-governmental organisation and some legal luminaries were Friday present at the State Criminal and Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, to wade into the matter.

It will be recalled that the incident, which happened on Friday morning along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos State, was said to have occurred when the female banker, in a bid to escape arrest for violating road traffic rules, allegedly crushed the deceased to death.

The General Manger of LASTMA, Mr. Babatunde Edu, in statement had confirmed the incident noting that the deceased was carrying out his official assignment alongside his Head of Operations, Mr. Quayum Asafa, when he was crushed to death.

Reacting to the family’s claims that the banker was not responsible for the death of the LASTMA official, Edu when contacted Friday maintained that the suspect is to blame.

He said: “We maintain exactly what we said the day the incident happened. That the family members are disputing our report is not the case because we have pictures and eyewitness accounts to work with.”

He said the driver fled the scene after crushing the LASTMA official to death, adding that she was later arrested with the help of the Area J Commander, ACP Felix Vwamhi.

He said; "The suspect whose identity was revealed by the Auto Inspector device as Yinka Johnson a staff of IBTC drove in a Green Landover Jeep SUV with registration Plate number CY 276 LSD against traffic from Mega chicken inward toll Plaza two."

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/lastma-official-amp-8217-s-death-police-detain-banker-3-month-old-baby/122214/

A suspected fraudster, Chinedu Ezeona, was paraded before journalists on Friday at the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a woman of N4.9m.

PUNCH Metro had reported on May 9, 2012, that the SFU arrested the suspect and paraded him before journalists for allegedly defrauding a woman of N2.5m after posing as a senior employee of the United States embassy.

Ezeona was later arraigned at a Lagos Magistrate’s Court and granted bail. But he was re-arrested for allegedly defrauding another woman of N4.9m.

One of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, said Ezeona told her that he was an employee of the US Embassy and offered to assist her in procuring an American Visa.

She said he gave her a US Embassy complimentary card with designation, Senior System Analyst Visa Section, and the name ‘David Obiora Aniekwe’ was written on it.

She said she wanted to procure a visa for the purpose of visit but the suspect told her that she should apply for a student visa as it was easier to get.

She alleged that the suspect collected various sums of money at different times and presented bank tellers as proof.

The victim said she became suspicious of Ezeonna as he continued to give her excuses and demanded more money.

 “When the whole thing became too complicated, I asked him to return my money because he kept on extorting me. The suspect later stopped picking up my calls but luckily for me, I had recorded all our conversations and I gave all evidence to the police. I never knew he was a fraudster because he seemed very convincing initially,” she said.

Another victim, Mr. Ben Obi, said Ezeona duped him of N540, 000, which he paid into his bank account.

Obi said, “He said it would cost me $3,500 and he would help procure admission into University of Atlanta. I paid in the naira equivalent, N540, 000 into Ezeonna’s bank accounts. He however asked me for more money and I refused to give him the money. So, we lost contact.

“Months later, I was in Brazil when I read on The PUNCH website that the suspect had been arrested. Surprisingly, it was the same method he used in defrauding others. I immediately came down to SFU to report the case.”

The suspect however denied the allegation, saying he was framed.

He said, “I had a problem with my ex-girlfriend some months ago and she sent her daughter to frame me up by giving me money for visa procurement. I don’t work with the US Embassy and the business card does not belong to me.”

The Commissioner of Police, SFU, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, said Ezeona was a member of a syndicate that specialised in defrauding visa applicants.

Ogunsakin said after Ezeona was arrested and paraded before journalists, many victims had come forward to report how they were duped by him.

He said, “In this recent case, he successfully, with the connivance of Mr. Obioma Agu of Obitex Cosmetic Ventures and one Mr. Sam Ufomadu, duped the victim of N4.9m and also hacked into foreign phone numbers and used them to contact the victim.

“Apart from using a fake US embassy business card, he also drives around in different cars with diplomatic number plates.”

http://www.punchng.com/metro/man-on-bail-dupes-visa-applicant-of-n4-9m/

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has urged members of the public to desist from sending false messages either through BlackBerry or social networks.

General Manager, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, said this while reacting to a message sent through social network regarding a collapsed pedestrian bridge in Isolo, along Oshodi /Badagry Express Road on Saturday.

“Some disgruntled elements over the weekend were circulating false messages on the a social network known as BB Messenger of a collapsed bridge leading to the death of three persons, thereby creating panic and unnecessary tension across the state,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu, who described the information as false and misleading, said doing so was a criminal offence which was not in the interest of the state.

He stressed that the state government was concerned about the safety of lives and properties of all residents, and had put in place the mechanism for the management and dissemination of information through emergency telephone numbers.

He warned those who were in the habit of sending wrong information to desist from doing it.

http://www.punchng.com/metro/stop-sending-false-messages-lasema/

Adewale Olupitan-Hassan, who died after being allegedly brutalised by soldiers attached to the Flag Staff House, Force Road, Lagos, has been buried.

At a prayer session held at his Opebi residence before his remains were interred at the Atan Cemetery, Lagos, on Saturday, friends, associates and family members paid tribute to the retired director of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

The presiding Imam, Sheikh Ibrahim Iginla, described the deceased as a generous man worthy of emulation.

He said, “We can’t continue to mourn his death. We all have to take heart and lead a life pleasing unto God. The deceased was a generous man who made a positive impact during his sojourn on earth.

“Whether we like it or not, our own day of reckoning will come someday and it is our deeds that will speak for us in heaven and here on earth.”

The deceased’s younger son, Sunkanmi, wept profusely as he performed the dust to dust rites. His wife, Adedoyinsola, also wept inconsolably as she bid her husband farewell.

The deceased’s first son’s fiancée, Lamosi, whose wedding had been scheduled to hold in October 20, before the incident happened, also attended the funeral.

Meanwhile, Olupitan-Hassan’s younger brother, Adedotun, said he was still hoping that the Nigerian Army authorities would allow justice to prevail by fishing out the perpetrators.

Adedotun said, “It’s so unfortunate and painful that his life was cut short abruptly by those who were commissioned and conscripted with tax payers’ money to protect him.

“The matter has definitely dragged for too long. Friday last week, a colonel attached to the Military Police of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos, called me on the phone that the matter had been transferred from the Special Investigation Bureau of the Nigerian Army, Arakan Barracks, Apapa, Lagos, where we had reported the matter.

“I’m still optimistic that the transfer of the case would be for good. I have been invited by the army on Monday (today).”

The deceased’s friend, who identified himself simply as Alhaji Funsho, urged the army authorities to fish out the perpetrators and try them in a criminal court.

He said, “When I heard the news, I was surprised that the soldiers could brutalise an unarmed civilian. I still can’t understand such barbaric and overzealous act from a soldier that claims to be a professional. Whatever might have happened they shouldn’t have brazenly descended on him the way they did.

“The perpetrators have committed manslaughter. They should stand before the law court and explain why a defenceless man should be treated in such a manner. This will serve as a deterrent to other overzealous uniformed men.”

Olupitan-Hassan was brutalised by the soldiers who were driving in a military convoy at the Obanikoro end of Ikorodu Road on July 15 for allegedly breaking the side mirror of one of the vehicles in their convoy.

He later died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital on July 29 as a result of the injury he sustained when he was brutalised.

http://www.punchng.com/metro/tears-as-man-brutalised-by-soldiers-is-buried/

Wonders shall never end...... Mallam el-rufai hands are soiled with corruption and he is hypocritically playing the role of a saint.......I suggest he should be jailed

Nollywood Film Shoot
| credits: findingnollywood.com
With all the Nollywood hype on juju, money rituals, power rituals, witches and wizards, and prayers that cure all problems, one would have thought that Nigeria would be topping the medals’ list at the on-going Olympics in London. The Americas, Asia, Europe and other parts of the world would have stayed by the sidelines kowtowing with trembling and trepidation as Nigeria pockets medal after medal.

But regrettably, it seems the potency of the juju from these named climes dwarfs ours. Or, perhaps the citizens of these continents pray better and harder than we do. Or, put more resignedly: Maybe God loves these nations more than Nigeria.

Less than three weeks ago – precisely on July 25 – the media reported the arrest of two men from Nasarawa State, near the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with the fresh head of a seven-year-old boy. The victim was identified as Samu Danjuma, the child of their neighbours. According to the confession they made to the police before the media when they were paraded by officials of the State Security Services, they had lured the boy with a loaf of bread, drowned him, and beheaded him for sale to a man who had promised them N250,000.00.

On July 27, two men were arrested in Lagos with the decomposing, mutilated body of their 39-year-old brother, Akinbuyi Ajayi, in their family house in Festac Town. Some body parts such as the head, hands, private part and a part of the two legs had been removed from the corpse. The decomposing corpse was discovered after the two were caught by the police allegedly selling some human parts. That led to a search of their house, a duplex which their parents had left behind for them.

Just like these two unfortunate people murdered by men without consciousness, many have been killed in like manner. Many have disappeared and have never been found till today.

The reason for this wicked act is that many have been made to believe that using some human parts such as head, heart, eyes, lungs, and genitals for rituals makes one rich and powerful. It is also believed that elections are won easily when charms are prepared with such human parts. There is also the belief that such human parts can be used to prepare charms that will make someone invincible, with such a person’s body impenetrable by bullets, arrows and machete cuts.

It is futile arguing whether these claims are true or false, for mystical issues are never empirical and open. But one question nobody has been able to answer is: If human sacrifice or the occult gives such stupendous and inexplicable wealth and power, why are the top ten richest men in the world not all Nigerian men of the occult, since the money that comes through the occult flows in like a river while the money that comes in through businesses and investments comes in countable proportions?

This belief that money and power can be obtained through human sacrifice and the occult has been accentuated and promoted by many of the films produced by the Nigerian home video industry. It is a fact that the 1992 home video, Living in Bondage, which was the first Nigerian home video that kick-started what is today known as Nollywood, focused primarily on the making of money through the occult. A young man, who saw himself living from hand to mouth as an employee, was convinced to sacrifice his wife to the occult to become rich. He budged and suddenly became a multi-millionaire. At the end of the film, a pastor delivered him from the grip of the occult. Interestingly, many people believe that such rituals can indeed give them wealth and power, and so they seek occult powers and human sacrifice as the solution to their financial problems.

While the film producers and directors are producing films that promote the quick-fix life, many religious leaders intensify that same way of life by making their members and those who watch them on TV or listen to them on the radio to believe that one can go to bed a pauper and wake up with duplexes and exotic cars just by ‘praying’ and ‘sowing a seed’.

That same quick-fix mentality runs through all our life as a nation. It is the driving force behind drug-trafficking, advance fee fraud, armed robbery, bribery and corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Many compatriots have been made to believe that all they need to succeed in life is a supernatural occurrence, which will happen like a bang.

So, on all fronts, our nation has been reduced to a nation of men and women who are eager to reap from where they did not sow; a nation that does not work but wants to eat; a nation that believes more in good luck than in hard work; a nation that believes that its duties and responsibilities will be carried out by supernatural forces one bright sunny morning and all its challenges will be a thing of the past.

And so, whether we prepare well for such sporting events as the Africa Nations Cup, World Cup, the Olympics or not, we hope and pray that we will excel somehow. Whether or not the health system, the education system, the agriculture and productivity sectors are nose-diving, we believe that something will happen to turn around our fortunes as a nation.

We have jettisoned the biblical injunction that he who does not work should not eat, as well as that which says that faith without work is dead. Seeing our desperation to make quick money and achieve quick feats, some conmen in the name of medicine men or religious leaders simply feed on our weakness by making us believe that some rituals or prayers can catapult us overnight from penury to wealth and power.

Our movie makers assume they are teaching a lesson by making these movies that show people involving in human sacrifice, becoming stupendously rich, suffering later and being saved by pastors at the end. On the contrary, many who watch these home videos get a different message: that the occult men who got retributive justice in the home videos were not smart enough to abide by all the tenets of the occult. They, therefore, believe that when they make their own money through the occult, they will be smart enough to avoid all the loopholes. These occult-based home videos teach no lessons in effect: all they do is show the youths that there is a quick way to make money and obtain power.

In addition, the home video makers are inadvertently portraying Nigeria as a land where all rich men and women are members of the occult and people who have made their money through human sacrifice. I have heard some West African nationals dismiss the wealth of Nigerian men and women as “blood money”, a term which in Nollywood means money acquired through human sacrifice and occult powers.

The time has come for Nigeria to directly or indirectly intervene in the type of films released to the public as well as the type of message some of our religious leaders preach. That may keep us and our children safer, and make our youths appreciate the beauty in working and earning a living. The 2012 London Olympics has shown that medals, like success, go to nations that rely on hard work and long term preparations than on good luck.

http://www.punchng.com/opinion/the-harm-nollywood-and-religion-cause-nigeria/

The Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday did what many other ministers have failed to do in the past. He officially gave a verdict of disappointment at the performance of Team Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympics which rounds off on Sunday.

The Minister who made a review of the country’s performance at the Nigeria House in Stratford, London, said that poor preparations marred the country’s chances at the games.

He said, “Our inability to win any medal so far is disappointing for my team and myself and for all Nigerians. But we must have the courage to see it as it is. This is a clear testimony to how far our sports have fallen behind.”

He, however, said he would not indulge in a buck passing game but would take the dismal performance as “an opportunity to rebuild.”

In allusion to Great Britain and China success at the Games, Abdullahi said everyone in sports administration must face the reality and work the way forward from such outing.

“In Atlanta ‘96, Great Britain won one medal but in Beijing they finished fourth. They accepted their poor situation and reworked their system including financing. In London today they are standing boldly at the third position. This is one opportunity we cannot allow to pass us by.

“Having been made the minister two months to the Olympics, I have learnt my lessons in two weeks in London.

“We have been hoping too much on luck, but for once, God is telling us he’s not a magician; we must work hard to succeed.”

He said the immediate challenge is how to rebuild. He named the National Sports Festival holding in Lagos this November as one to take the first major step culminating with better outing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 from where the real projection can be taken for Rio 2016.

He said that five specific sports will be listed and given priority for the future Olympic participation of Nigeria. Their federations will also be fully reorganised to meet the new challenges of winning medals at the Olympics.

He praised Team Nigeria athletes for putting up a brave showing at the Olympics and pleaded for understanding and encouragement of Nigerians.

http://www.punchng.com/london-2012-olympics/team-nigeria-failed-in-lndon-olympics-abdullahi/

The Lagos State Special Offences Court, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday, sentenced a 52-year-old grandmother, Mrs. Jemilat Oseni, to three months imprisonment for “using five underage children to beg for alms”.

Two other women- Mrs. Rainat Ado and Mrs. Zainab Abubakar- were fined N10, 000 each for releasing their children to Oseni for the purpose of alms begging.

A prosecutor from the state’s Ministry of Justice, said the acts were “illegal and a violation of the rights of the children”.

The prosecutor, who did not give her name, said, “Four of the children were not hers.

“Two belonged to Mrs. Rainat Ado; one belonged to Mrs. Zainat Abubakar; one is her grand child. Only the last is her child.”

It was learnt that Oseni, who is from Osun State, was arrested while begging for alms with the children by officials of the state Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit at Seme Border.

The children were put between nine months and 11 years old.

However, both Abubakar and Ado claimed ignorance of what Oseni did with their children.

Ado said, “Oseni told me that she wanted to use the children as cover to smuggle some goods from Benin Republic.

“She explained that the children would make custom officials at the border to pity her and allow her to go with her goods.”

She added that Oseni usually give her some quantity of rice after the trip to Seme.

It was learnt that a worker with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation saw the woman and the children at Seme and promptly reported the matter to the task force officials.

The court also ruled that the five children be kept in custody of WAPA.

http://www.punchng.com/news/court-jails-grandmother-for-begging-with-underage-children/

Boko Haram: CAN President To Clinton 'You Have Failed Christians'


The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oristejiafor, has written a letter to the visiting American Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, expressing CAN’s  reservation on the manner  the issues of Boko Haram and related violence by Islamist groups against Nigerian Christians  are being treated by the United States.

The Letter dated July 7, 2012 which was signed on behalf of Oristejiafor by  Secretary General of CAN,  Rev. Musa Asake also described as inaccurate the 2011 International Religious Freedom report which catalogued the attacks on Christians and their places of worship by the Islamic sect.

According to CAN president, “Much to our dismay, the information contained in our memorandum to the presidential panel on Post-Election Violence was not included in the 2011 State Department International Religious Freedom Report. Our memo presented widespread incidents of violence targeting Christians in 12 northern states in April last year during the reporting period of the 2011 report.

“Unfortunately the destruction of over 700 churches and the systematic massacres of hundreds of Christians in 48 hours – the largest single attack on Christendom in contemporary world history anywhere on the planet-were not included in your report. Even more surprising, the report failed to accurately describe the horrific Christmas Day multi-city church attacks.

“These coordinated attacks on three states, comprising Niger, Plateau and Yobe, claimed over 60 lives and, for a second consecutive year, stunned the world. The report merely mentions the Christmas Day church bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic church in Madalla, then fails to communicate the scope and significance of the Christmas Day attacks.

“The pernicious persecution, denigration and dehumanisation of Christians in northern Nigeria especially has been a fact of life for over a quarter century. It is therefore disconcerting that the US report addresses it in a speculative tone that undermines the harsh reality of the masses of orphans and widows left behind.”

http://www.naijapundit.com/news/boko-haram-can-president-to-clinton-you-have-failed-christians

Ovokooo! The controversial mallam has finally let the cat out of the bag

Where you can Obtain ur b.sc and post graduate degrees in destructive politics and character assault........

Haba! Thou man of politi- theology.........Bakare,, quickly change d name of your church to Latter rain church of politics

Don't mind them. Those canvassing for GEJ resignation are attention seekers, they want to gain cheap/further popularity by appealing to d indulgence of the masses. Some of them who were in Govt in time past, were they better off? Of course they are not.