₦airaland Forum

Aproko247 can authoritatively report that veteran Yoruba actor, Pa Adebayo Faleti is not dead as being speculated in some sections of the Nigerian media.

News went viral on Monday morning that the renowned actor was dead, but a top member of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, ANTP, who asked not to be named, reliably informed Aproko247 that Faleti is hale and hearty.

“Disregard the rumour that Adebayo Faleti is dead,” the insider informed our reporter when contacted to confirm the death hoax. “You know this is not the first time such is happening,” the senior ANTP member said further.

The deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, has found its way to Enugu, Aproko247 can confirm. The disease, which has killed about 1013 persons, was
transported to the Coal City by a nurse who had contact with the late Liberian-American that brought the killer virus to Nigeria, Patrick Sawyer.

Addressing newsmen after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, revealed that the nurse, who was quarantined
in Lagos, escaped to her hometown in Enugu and had contact with 20 persons. These 20 people were traced and put under surveillance by the
government.

Maku said the health worker’s action has now put the government on high alert.

For now, there is no confirmed cure for the disease. The number of person quarantined in Nigeria has now risen to 189, while three cases of death have
so far been recorded in the country.

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/08/13/nurse-takes-ebola-to-enugu-21-quarantined/

Bizarre things happen in the world today, Nigeria not excluded. Or how would one explain a scenario where able-bodied men decide to sleep with corpses in order to get rich.

According to Leadership newspaper, some mortuary attendants were recently arrested by the Police in Delta State allegedly having molesting female corpses deposited in the mortuary.

Read more here:

www.aproko247.com/2014/08/13/mortuary-workers-sleep-with-15-corpses-to-get-rich/

There was a mild drama on Wednesday in Enugu at the Impeachment Panel set up to investigate allegations of misconduct against the deputy governor of Enugu State, Sunday Onyebuchi, by the State House of Assembly.

Few hours into the sitting, the deputy governor collapsed, which cause panic at the panel. The incident, according to our correspondent, took place at about 11:30am.

He was quickly taken out of the court room, venue of the interrogation, by his wife, Nneka Ada, who accompanied him to the place with his lawyers, children and aides.

Aproko247 reliably gathered that Onyebuchi was later rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Details later.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/08/13/tension-in-enugu-as-dep-gov-slumps-at-panel/

Incoming governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has categorically stated that he will not fund the newly created Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, by the outgoing governor of the state, Kayode Fayemi.

Shortly after the June 21, 2014 gubernatorial election in Ekiti, which the sitting governor lost to Fayose, Fayemi established the LCDAs, which has caused controversies between the two.

Fayose, who is returning to the Government House the second time, described the creation as unconstitutional and vowed not to “divert statutory allocations meant for local governments in the state to any LCDA.”

He noted that Fayemi has not done “anything bad, but for me, in order not to breach the Constitution, I will not allow the diversion of allocations meant for the 16 local government areas in Ekiti to the LCDAs.” He said, “Allowing that is diversion, and it is a breach of the Constitution I will swear to obey and uphold.”

He stated that further that, “I want the people of Ekiti State to understand that what Governor Fayemi has created are LCDAs and not local governments. Nobody can create local governments in Nigeria without complying with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.”

Meanwhile, the former Labour Party member said he will not probe the administration of Fayemi.

“I am not going to probe the Fayemi-led administration. I want to act like a military officer taking over a command. My primary focus is how to put food on tables of Ekiti people. And my administration will be judged by that.

“I will make sure the entitlements of former governors in the state are given to them. I have come to work, transform the face of Ekiti State and Ado-Ekiti in particular. I want to leave a legacy that the unborn generations will meet,” he said.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/08/13/i-wont-probe-fayemi-fayose-declares/

Those very familiar with the happenings in Anambra State will confirm the existence of a cold war between the present First Lady and her predecessor.

But just when some thought the fight will not end, both parties have sheathed their swords and have embraced peace.

Aproko247 was informed by a source in the Anambra Government House that the feud between the current First Lady of the state, Mrs Ebele Obiano, and the immediate past First Lady, Mrs Margaret Obi, has been amicably settled.

It was learnt that both embraced each other some days ago during an event held at the Onitsha Parish of the Catholic Church, where the two women were honoured by the church for their outstanding contributions to the people of Anambra State.

Our source disclosed that after the two women hugged each other at the ceremony, other dignitaries and people at the ceremony rejoiced.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/08/12/former-current-anambra-first-ladies-end-rift/

Controversial anti-corruption crusader and member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dino Melaye, has taken a swipe at President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The former federal lawmaker from Kogi State, in a series of tweets on Sunday morning disclosed that all powers belong to God, directing his followers to ask President Jonathan and Iyiola Omisore, candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State.

The election was won by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, candidate of APC.

According to him, “The President can not save or deliver you, but God can. If you doubt me, ask Omisore. All powers belong to God.”

“Make your pledge to God not man. Man has an expiry date, he can fail. But God never fails. He is absolute and total,” he further advised.

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/08/10/melaye-mocks-jonathan-omisore/

Erstwhile member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Femi Fani-Kayode, has congratulated Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for emerging winner of the Saturday, August 9, 2014 governorship election in the state.

Fani-Kayode, who left APC some months ago to return to the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, also commended the
Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting a free and fair poll, as well as security forces who ensured law and order during the election.

“I hereby congratulate him (Aregbesola) and his party (APC) on their victory,” he said, adding that, “I commend INEC for conducting a free and fair election in which there was no rigging. I commend the security agencies for maintaining law and order and ensuring that no-one was killed or maimed.”

Furthermore, the former Minister of Aviation said, “I salute the courage of my friends and colleagues in the PDP in Osun state for putting up a good fight. I thank my kinsmen and the good people of my district, zone and hometown Ile-Ife particularly for standing by the PDP in this election and delivering virtually all the votes in their four local government areas to our son and candidate Senator Iyiola Omisore.”

Concluding, Fani-Kayode noted that, “This is democracy and the will of the people must be respected. You win some and you lose some yet the struggle continues. Though we lost this one we are not deterred. As a matter of fact the battle has just started and we are deeply encouraged and touched by the massive suppport that we received from many quarters.

“We shall continue to proudly fly the flag of the PDP and we shall continue to work and fight for a better Nigeria. God bless the good people of Osun state. God bless Nigeria.”

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/08/10/osun-2014-fani-kayode-congratulates-aregbesola-apc/

The gubernatorial election that took in Ekiti State on June 21, 2014, shocked many political observers because the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Kayode Fayemi, was defeated by the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Ayo Fayose, who once ruled the state.

On August 9, 2014, it would be the turn of the people of Osun State to elect their governor and there have been talks that what happened in Ekiti could also occur in Osun.

A close associate of the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, Prince Bisi Yusuf, said the Ekiti ‘miracle’ can never happen in Lagos and Osun States.

Yusuf, a lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has been a friend of Aregbesola for over 30 years and he’s very confident that he (Aregbesola) will win at the polls ahead of the PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Yusuf, also the Chairman, Committee on Transport, Commerce and Industry of the Lagos Assembly, at an interactive section with journalists covering the Assembly at their weekly programme tagged; “Time Out With The Press,” described Aregbesola as an “uncommon man.”

“What happened in Ekiti State is about stomach infrastructure, which cannot happen in Lagos State. Our people are exposed, they are more educated, so, that cannot happen in the state,” the former Chairman of Ayobo/Ipaja LCDA disclosed.

Furthermore, the legislator representing Alimosho Constituency 1 in the House, said, “Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is an uncommon Governor, when you have an original, you would have the fake. What happened in Ekiti can never and would never happen in Osun State.”

He also said, ”Today, a silent revolution is going on in Osun State, where the students eat two free meals per day; in the morning and in the afternoon, not just ordinary foods. The whole world is praising this man for what he has done.

‘The man from another party is eating corns on the streets, when did he become a grassroots man, Governor Rauf Aregbesola was tested and trusted, he was the Commissioner for Works in Lagos State and he did many roads, go to Osun State and see what he is doing there such as, O-Meal, O-Environment, and others.

“All these are going on simultaneously, the first Governor in terms of mass development is Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and don’t forget that Ekiti is homogenous, they speak the same language, but this is not so in Osun State. Ijesha is different from Osogbo, Iwo and others. The only state where President Goodluck Jonathan did not have up to 10% votes in the Presidential Election of 2011 is Osun State and the margin is still there.

“You can all see what is going on there, let them continue to dream, but their dream would never become a reality. I can tell you, it would not happen in Osun State, they manipulated what they could manipulate in Ekiti State, but they cannot do that in Osun State.”

Speaking on his personal achievements, Yusuf revealed that, “On education, I have done much, I give GCE and JAMB forms to the people, I organize coaching classes for students. I value education a lot and I have a fantastic library in my constituency office, I have over 10,000 books there.

“Most of these people you call touts take to excessive habits because they don’t have anything to rely on. Imagine a conductor that runs up and down everyday, he can be a marathon athlete. I organize sporting events for them and many people participate in it.

“I distributed more than 5,000 glasses to the people and I don’t discriminate when I do it. I attracted a lot of infrastructure to the place like the Ayobo-Ipaja Road construction, construction of Meiran Phase 1 and 2, Aboru Canal, we know what it was in the past, the canal used to sweep about five people away whenever rain fell, but that has changed now.

“I am also involved in dispute resolution. What happened in Ekiti State cannot happen in Lagos State and the determinant of Lagos State fortune is Alimosho, we will always do the best for the people.”

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/08/04/what-happened-in-ekiti-cannot-happen-in-lagos-osun-lawmaker/

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has formally rejoined the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, after he left the All Progressives Congress, APC, few months ago.

At the PDP Osun mega rally held in Oshogbo on Saturday,
August 2, 2014, the lawyer turned politician was presented by the Osun State chapter of the PDP to the people of the state.

In his remarks, Fani-Kayode said he has left Egypt (apparently referring to APC) to return home (PDP). “I have left Egypt to return home,” he told the mammoth at the Osun Township Stadium.

Speaking further, the former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo said Boko Haram party (also apparently to APC) will not smell power in Nigeria.

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/08/02/fani-kayode-boko-haram-party-will-never-rule-nigeria-formally-rejoins-pdp/

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has disclosed that the opposition party, All Progressives Congress, APC, can chase the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, out of Aso Rock in 2015 if some certain things are done.

The former PDP chieftain, speaking in an interview with Voice of America, VOA, on Friday, said Nigerians are hungry for a change across the country, stating that APC can bring it to them.

Atiku said since 1999, only the PDP, which he’s a founding member of, has enjoyed power at the centre. “I have never seen a climate that gives the opposition so much hope than today. Because since the return of democracy, Nigeria has been governed by only one ruling political party, and Nigerians really want to see a change,” he said.

“I toured the country and this sense of change is pervasive. So if the APC can put its house in order, Nigerians will give that party the opportunity,” Atiku added.

On the present security challenges in the country, the former Presidential aspirant said, “The security situation in the country, I must admit is appalling. I have never seen it this bad – not even during the civil war did we have this sense of insecurity all over the country?”

“What we need to have in place is a political leadership that has the will, the courage and the determination to restore law and order. Restoring law and order is a multifaceted approach; both social, economic as well as security

“You must have a political leadership that has vision, the will and the courage to pursue those multifaceted approach,” he advised.

Furthermore, the APC chieftain observed that “we should stop passing the buck at each other,” pointing out that, “as long as this security situation is concerned, we should work as a team, the whole country. Whether opposition whether ruling party, we should work as a team to make sure that we restore peace, unity and stability.”

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/08/02/apc-can-dislodge-pdp-in-2015-if-atiku/

News making the rounds has it that a security personnel with a prominent fast food outlet in Akute, Ogun State, has killed himself.

The man, who reportedly works at Mr Biggs’ ‘Village Kitchen’ outlet in Alagbole area of Akute, was found dead on Wednesday morning inside the eatery’s kitchen.

Aproko247 learnt that the deceased deleted his phone contacts before putting an end to his life. The incident shocked residents of the area.

When Aproko247 visited the area on Wednesday afternoon, some people were seen discussing the incident in hush tones.

Management of the eatery declined to speak with our reporter on the unfortunate occurrence.

Source; www.aproko247.com/2014/07/23/security-man-dies-in-mr-biggs-kitchen/

Add 75545964 on BBM for latest news updates

Report reaching us indicates that former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari, escaped death by whiskers on Wednesday when he survived a bomb attack in Kaduna State.

Aproko247 gathered that though the National Leader of the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, survived the blast, his car was unlucky as it was destroyed in the explosion.

This development is coming few days after Buhari released a statement blasting President Goodluck Jonathan over the spate of impeachment threats in the country.

The former Nigerian leader was near the second blast that rocked Kaduna city on Wednesday afternoon in Kuwa area, very close to military formations in the state.

More details later.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/23/breaking-buhari-survives-bomb-attack-car-destroyed/

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is on the brick of collapse if necessary steps are not urgently taken.

Igbokwe, addressing a news conference in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 16, 2014, also expressed fears that President Goodluck Jonathan’s alleged ambition to contest in the 2015 presidential election may bring an end to the entity called Nigeria.

“Our hard earned democracy is under serious threat and defenders of democracy and rule of law must stand up now,” Igbokwe told newsmen in Lagos.

He added that, “characters that do not know how we got to where we are today must not be allowed to crash this democracy. It seems to me that the harassment of the opposition, Boko Haram insurgency, and impeachment of governors are all geared towards 2015 presidential elections.”

Igbokwe, earlier in his address, noted that, “given the activities of President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP today, it is now obvious that total war has been declared on the opposition and democracy.”

“I saw it coming. After the registration of APC and the defection of some PDP Governors to APC, I warned that there would be intimidation, subterfuge, brigandage, suppression, oppression, repression, force, harassment to fight APC.”

He traced the genesis of Nigeria’s present predicaments to 2009, when former President Yar’Adua died in office, which ushered in President Jonathan, who was then his Vice.

“Former President Obasanjo from the South ruled Nigeria for 8 years. It was also expected that the late President Yar’Adua from the North will rule for 8 years all things being equal. But he died after two years in office.

“President Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President from the South then took over the mantle of leadership. It was expected that he will complete the first term of Yar’Adua’s tenure and step aside for the North to complete their 8 years. Against protests from the North, President Jonathan sought another term and got elected.
“By 2015 he would have ruled for six years. Seeking another term of four years will endanger our polity and create ethnic and religious tension as we are witnessing now. We are in a democracy and if we are still in one country there is need for equity and justice.

“President Jonathan’s ambition to rule Nigeria for 10 years may break Nigeria.”

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/17/jonathans-2015-ambition-may-break-nigeria-joe-igbokwe/

The rate at which those put in position of power rip off tax payers’ money is very alarming and from the look of things, the economy might eventually be crumbled by those meant to manage resources of the masses.

According to a report, a huge fraud has been unearthed in Imo State.

As residents of Oil Producing Communities in Imo State groan under deep-rooted poverty and underdevelopment, massive fraud has been uncovered in the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Community-ISOPADEC, a Commission established to enhance development of Oil producing Communities in the State.

Last Tuesday, there was a melee in the Commission, the cause of which, despite frantic efforts to suppress the story, has since been discovered to be a three year reign of graft and embezzlement of Board Members’ salary by the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Henry Okafor.

Information emanating from the Office of the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Imo State, Mr. Chike Okafor reveals that the sum of eight hundred thousand Naira (N800,000.00) had been approved and disbursed as monthly salary for each ISOPADEC Commissioner.

Read more here: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/16/massive-fraud-uncovered-in-isopadec-as-md-begs-for-mercy/

Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the impeachment of the governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, by the State House of Assembly on Tuesday.

The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the wielding of impeachment stick on opposition by the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, will only cause tension in the country.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, by his media aide feared that the excessive use of power by the PDP-led federal government could tampered with the country’s democratic setting.

He warned the ruling PDP not to use impeachment against elected public office holders to settle scores.

Atiku hails from Adamawa.

Nyako was removed from office after the House deliberated on the report of a seven-man panel instituted to probe his alleged financial excesses. His deputy, Bala James Ngilari, had earlier resigned on Tuesday morning before he (Nyako) was booted out of office.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/15/impeachments-could-cause-tension-in-nigeria-atiku-warns-pdp/

The alleged mastermind of April 14 explosion at the Nyanya bus station in Abuja, Aminu Ogwuche, has been handed over to the Nigerian government by the Interpol.

The Defence Headquarters revealed this on its twitter handle on Tuesday afternoon and posted picture of the alleged terrorist being escorted by two officers of the Interpol with the Nigerian Air Force plane in the background.

“Bombing mastermind Ogwuche delivered to Nigerian Security by @INTERPOL_HQ. Received in Abuja Airport & taken to custody,” the tweet, posted via @DefenceInfoNG, reads. The suspect was said to have fled to Sudan to evade arrest in Nigeria.

The incident claimed the lives of over 60 people.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/15/interpol-hands-over-nyanya-blast-mastermind-to-nigeria/

Wife of late controversial man of God, Prophet Ireti Ajanaku, Joy, has disclosed that popular gospel artiste, Tope Alabi, has not contacted her since the demise of the prophet in August 2013.

The woman made this known in an interview. She said Tope Alabi, who was prophet Ajanaku’s spiritual daughter until they fell apart some months before his death, has failed to reach her to condole with her over the death of the man of God.

“No, I have not seen her (Tope Alabi),” Mrs Ajanaku simply responded when she was asked if the gospel singer has contacted since her husband’s death.

As at the time prophet Ajanaku died, Tope Alabi was not in Nigeria. Aproko247 learnt she was in Canada when her estranged spiritual father died.

The man of God will be laid to rest on Thursday, July 17, 2014 in Lagos.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/14/tope-alabi-has-not-called-me-since-prophet-ajanaku-died-wife-speaks/

The death of Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao, a wealthy Ibadan businessman, shocked many, especially those he affected during his lifetime through his various philanthropic acts, but one person that was allegedly happy about the news is Segun Alawaju, a Lagos socialite.

The Elites reports that, “upon hearing the news of Aare
Arisekola- Alao’s passage, Alawaye who was hanging out with some friends at their regular rendezvous, requested for a bottle of Champagne, claiming it was for his enemy.

“Although, a couple of his friends joined him in popping the bottle, two of his other friends were reported to have declined to be tagged along in the ‘abnormal celebration’

“Sources disclosed that Alawaye had always nursed an age-long animosity towards the late Muslim cleric. His hatred is borne of the pain of losing his wife, Faramade to Alao-Arisekola many years ago. According to sources, Alawaye and Faramade were married for many years and they were described as a very happy couple. However, their marriage went through a most trying period when Alawaye’s financial status suffered a decline.

“Faramade, who had become accustomed to leading a luxurious lifestyle found it difficult to adapt to a life of austere. Invariably, she decided to dump Alawaye and pitch her tent with a flamboyantly wealthy Alao-Arisekola. This turn of event dealt a deadly blow on Alawaye and he swore never to forgive the two people who inflicted such pain on him.

“Since the news of Alawaye’s champagne-popping scenario broke out, his friends have been chiding him for displaying such an abnormal behavior. Some of his friends were said to have suggested he sees a shrink and shred himself of his hatred of those who hurt him.”

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/07/11/how-lagos-socialite-segun-alawaye-celebrated-arisekola-alaos-death-with-champagne/

The race to the Lagos seat of power in Alausa, Ikeja, is heating up and the prospective candidates to the ‘thrown’ have started crossing the ‘t’s and dotting the ‘i’s.

One of those believed to be wishing to rule Lagos after
Governor Babatunde Fashola leaves office on May 29, 2015, is Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon, fondly called GOS.

But going by an alleged declaration by a former governor of the state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has zoned the next governor of Lagos State from the Lagos East Senatorial District, which automatically knocks out GOS from the race.

The Senator is presently at the upper chamber of the National Assembly representing Lagos West Senatorial District.

In a recent interview, the lawmaker lamented that he will not allow anyone tie down his life. He specifically noted that the party primary that produced the incumbent governor as candidate of the then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in 2007, was laughable. (The ACN later merged with other parties to form APC).

In his actual words, “my aspiration is to become the Governor. You have a passion, you have what you want to do. It is not about what someone wants you to do; don’t give me what I don’t want.”

When asked if he will step down if asked to do so by his party, GOS categorically said, “it is not possible because I know how we got to where we are. If in 2007, you said “you can’t go now; let’s allow this person – you will have the opportunity next time”. You want to call me now – so what are you going to tell me? That I have to wait again! You put my life on hold? You cannot.

“You need to tell me what is wrong with me that makes me unsuitable for that position for a second time. And what makes that person so suitable that I need to sacrifice myself again.

“No! We start from where we stopped. It looked like eight years was long, so now you need to call me and let me know or we go to the primaries. And in primaries, you are not under any obligation to start to placate anybody.

“You open your eyes, you collect your form. But the primary must be free and fair. You don’t conduct a kangaroo primary; just like what was done in 2007, allocating votes saying somebody scored this and that. I just laughed it off after I’d seen my name in the 4th position with others. So let it be free; fair and everybody knows their lot.”

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/07/12/tinubu-organises-kangaroo-elections-senator-gos/

The Service of Songs organised by colleagues of late gospel singer, Kefee Obareki Don-Momoh, has begun. The service is holding at the Oba Akenzuwa Cultural Centre in Benin City, Edo State.

Some of the stars present at the event include Sammie Okposo, Maleke, Victor Uwaifo, Godfada D Comedian, Stanley Orobosa, Oduwa Imaseun (DGN), Franchise and many others.

Aproko247 reliably learnt that husband of the deceased, Teddy Esosa Don-Momoh, is presently not at the event. He is said to have just arrived Nigeria from the US. This magazine learnt he will be present for Friday's burial, which holds in Delta State.

However, Teddy's sister is said to be present at the ongoing event in Benin City.

View pictures here: www.aproko247.com/2014/07/10/exclusive-pictures-from-kefees-burial-in-benin/

Prominent Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, has died. The renowned lawyer died in a Lagos hospital on Wednesday evening.

Late Aturu represented popular Nollywood actor, Babatunde Omidina, famously known as Baba Suwe, in court in his highly publicised alleged drug case with the NDLEA in 2012.

The deceased reportedly died after a brief illness. Late Aturu was a vocal lawyer and a public affair analyst in his lifetime.

Source: www.aproko247.com/2014/07/09/baba-suwes-lawyer-in-infamous-drug-case-bamidele-aturu-dies/

World’s football governing body, FIFA, has suspended Nigeria from football activities with immediate effect. The body took the decision on Wednesday following government’s interference in the running of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

A statement by FIFA on its website confirms this development.

The FIFA Emergency Committee suspended the NFF after its meeting on Wednesday.

“Article 13, par. 1 and article 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties,” FIFA stated on its website.

It was said that, “the decision follows a letter sent by FIFA to the NFF on 4 July 2014, in which it expressed its great concern after the NFF was served with court proceedings and consequently an order preventing the president of the NFF, the NFF Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

FIFA explained that, “the suspension will be lifted once the court actions have been withdrawn and the properly elected NFF Executive Committee, the NFF general assembly and the NFF administration are able to work without any interference in their affairs.”

This means no team from Nigeria of any sort (including clubs) can have any international sporting contact (art. 14 par. 3 of the FIFA Statutes).

During the period of suspension, the NFF may not be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, or in friendly matches.

The most immediate effect is that Nigeria will not be entitled to participate in the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (5-24 August 2014) should the suspension not be lifted by 15 July 2014.

Also, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/09/breaking-fifa-suspends-nigeria/

-Disowns Prominent Son and 5 Others

-Kicks Out UK Wife & Kids

-Elder Sister To Receive $1M

-Driver, Cook To Get $250,000 Each

In life and death, this great man, Aare AbdulAzeez Arisekola’s ways never ceased to amaze his hordes of admirers, is it his controversial ways of dealing with people? His unrivalled philanthropist gestures or his underground politicking that is not controversial? His ways are always special.

Much has been said and written about his last glorious days, his simple, but classy Islamic burial and the way and manner his Will was read a couple of days after his burial, which has put paid to what could probably lead to any form of suspicion as to the administration of his vast estates and stupendous wealth.

Sources told us exclusively that many, who witnessed the reading of his Will of the late billionaire are still shell-shocked regarding what they heard on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at the Chief Registrar’s office Room 30 of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan.

Read more here: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/09/exclusive-untold-details-of-arisekolas-will-revealed/

This is not the best of time for a popular Nigerian comedian, who has done well for himself in the comic industry to the extent of having a programme on television. His marriage is in trouble and according to reports, it is as good as over because the matter is already in court.

The woman has been accused of having an illicit affair with her boss, who already has five children from two marriages.

She was further accused of being pregnant for her boss.

Read full report here: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/08/popular-comedians-wife-in-adultery-mess-pregnant-for-boss/

Forces behind the impeachment move against the governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, seem to be bent on removing him at all cost.

Despite a public holiday declared by the state government on Tuesday, the seven-man panel constituted on Monday by the acting Chief Justice of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, has gone ahead to hold its inaugural meeting on Tuesday amidst tight security.

The meeting, Aproko247 learnt, is taking place at the J&J Holiday Villa, Atirwucha close, Karewa GRA, Yola.

It was disclosed to us that journalists were not allowed to cover the sitting, which is ongoing as at the time of filing in this report.

On Monday, Registrar of the High Court, Abubakar Babayola, informed newsmen that the inauguration of the committee was not a requirement for the commencement of the panel’s job. Babayola explained that nowhere in the constitution stipulated this as a prerequisite for such.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/08/nyako-impeachment-panel-holds-sitting-despite-public-holiday/

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde is one of the sexy women in Nollywood, as the movie industry in Nigeria is commonly called. She is also an actress many people look up to because of the intelligence she puts in her job as an actress.

Also, she has been able to weather the storm in her marriage despite the insinuations that Nigerian celebs, especially those in Nollywood, do not have stable marriages.

There have been several cases of divorces in the industry, which is becoming worrisome to many movie buffs, who are still trying to solve the puzzle of what causes these breakups.

For Omotola, she has been in her marriage for over 17 years and she is waxing stronger. In the period of her marriage, several stars that got married in Nigeria have had breakups. Some of these marriages did not last 12 months.

Last week, this mother of four posted her Primary School Leaving Certificate on the internet and the actress blushed over her results, which was excellent. But rather than get commendations as she may have thought, Omosexy, as she is fondly called, got several knocks.

Those who reacted to the act condemned her for doing such and described her action as “childish”. Some of the fans argued that Omotola was far beyond posting her Primary School certificate on the internet, which, according to them, should be left for children to do.

One of the fans said that Omotola does not behave like a mother some times and another said that Genevieve could never stoop so low to flaunt her primary school results. Some of the fans suggested that it would have been better if she had posted her university degree certificate on the internet rather than the elementary school result.

“Let her show us her W.A.S.S.C.E Certificate! English F9, Maths F9, Yoruba F9, Commerce F9, French F9, Geography F9, CRK F9, Government F9, and finally bedmatics A1* This is an intelligent result anyway- We can make do with her flashing her school leaving certificate,” one of the comments online reads, while another reads, “y is omotola always so childish, in one silent moment she wil pop somtgh s*lly up, i like u o bt dis ur childishness is out of hand already, na only u waka com? na only u get gud grades 4 primary school among d celebrity, u suppose say u no wear shoe like jonathan abi funny mother, y nt boast of university grades let knw if it 1st class den we ll hail u. must u even show ursef. omo t think like a mother pls. small small ooo der is God o.”

Also, one of the aggrieved fans asked, “Why do this? I thought you were a big girl! Suppose someone says this certificate is fake? It will be a scandal u don’t need. You are bigger than this. Love u,” and another simply noted, “Always acting up like kids.”

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/08/you-dont-behave-like-a-mother-fans-blast-omotola/

Delegates at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja have given nod to the creation of new states in Nigeria.

The decision was reached on Thursday at the plenary, after the Conference debated on the issue, which also caused a divided house.

The Conference recommended that 19 new states should be carved from the existing six geo-political zones in the country. Nigeria currently has 36 states. If this recommendation is approved by the Federal Government, it will take the total number of states in Nigeria to 55.

Also, the Confab rejected the proposal to revert to parliamentary system of government. Nigeria currently runs the presidential form of government, which some have kicked against because they claimed it is too expensive to run in Nigeria.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/03/confab-okays-creation-of-19-new-states/

Sultry Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus has disclosed that she is not seeking attention with the missing schoolgirls of a Chibok secondary school in Borno State.

There have been speculations that the actress was seeking a cheap popularity with the saga, following her attack on the government over the way the issue has been handled. Also some days ago, it was said that some gunmen stormed his alleged lover’s home in Abuja looking for her.

Reacting to rumour that she suddenly turned a social activist all in the name of staying relevant, Stella disclosed she is standing for the truth and not for any attention. She went on the social media to disclose that she won’t stop standing for what she believes in.

“No matter what anyone tries to do, it will not stop me from speaking the truth and standing up for the rights of women and young girls,” Stella said some days ago. “These are the kind of things that get people scared of and run away from; standing up for their rights,” she added.

“It’s a pity that we say Nigeria is a democratic country, but where is the democracy when people cannot speak their minds for fear of threats like this or danger of being killed,” the mother of two queried, boosting that, “I am not one of those who shout in the morning and then at night I go behind the public and accept ‘Ghana must go’ from those who are causing these problems.”

“We all see what is wrong and what is going on,” she noted, warning that, “shutting me up will not put an end to the issues we are facing.”

“If we don’t deal with these things now, what kind of society are we leaving behind for our children and their children? she asked, observing that, “definitely not a place where they can live in freedom and peace.”

“This is not a popularity contest but about speaking the truth and standing up for what is right,” Stella pointed out, stating that, “they should shift the focus from me and place priority on the matters at hand, and place it on the safety of Nigerians, rescuing the abducted girls, deleting the bill that legally puts our little girls in the hands of paedophiles, paying attention to the amount of women dying from domestic violence daily, unemployment, inadequate health care, proper education, pension funds, economic development and all the other things that are affecting the nation.”

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/06/30/im-not-seeking-attention-with-chibok-girls-stella-damasus/

Ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Paul Oguma, who went blind after leaving office, has been confined to his Ngwa, Abia State village home as his condition has kept him out of public eye for a long time now.

Those in the know and close to the former banker said he relocated from Abuja to his village in Abia State, when he could not find a cure for his eye problem.

Sources said that Oguma has been keeping a low profile at his village since he was taken there by his family members when he became blind.

First Weekly Magazine gathered from reliable sources close to the former CBN governor that all known medication administered on the former CBN for the ailment before he became totally blind could not succeed as he eventually went blind.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/02/blind-ex-cbn-gov-paul-oguma-confined-to-abia-village-home/

If the wishes of some Nigerians could be granted, the country will not qualify for any big sport competitions because according them, Nigeria’s qualification for such mega events give room for some officials to carry out several frauds.

So, they will prefer Nigeria not qualifying for sporting competitions so as to reduce the rate of these frauds that come in different guises.

A report by Nigerian Times has alleged the Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission, NTDC, Mrs Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo, of fraud and altercation in Brazil, where the FIFA World Cup is taking place. Below is the full report.

The Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission (NTDC) Mrs. Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo may be doing everything possible to cover up an alleged fraud in her participation in the ongoing Brazil 2014 World Cup after a failed attempt to chew up a piece of incriminating document in a Brazilian hotel June 18.

She has asked for a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan to explain her role in the alleged fraud that is threatening her credibility, The Nigerian Times learnt on Monday.

Mbanefo was alleged to have diverted an undisclosed amount of money meant for the sponsorship of a proposed Nigerian Fan’s village in Brazil, after which she asked for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between her and Za Entertainment, the contractor for the project; tore it and began to chew the paper. Her attempt to chew and swallow the MoU led to a physical altercation between her and President of Za Entertainment, Mr. Azania Omo-Agege who held her tightly forcing the papers out of her mouth.

The NTDC in conjunction with the National Sports Commission and Nigeria Olympics committee had planned a tourism village also known as Fan’s village in Sao Paulo Brazil to last the duration of the World Cup, in order to showcase Nigeria’s rich culture, tourism assets, entertainment, cuisine and investment opportunities, as well as, where fans could unwind and have fun.

A reliable source who spoke to The Nigerian Times disclosed that Mbanefo, who was initially not interested in the project, took it over after she discovered that the efforts of the project committee and the contractors were already yielding financial results.

The source said: “The project committee sent letters to state governments, sister agencies and banks, soliciting sponsorship and partnership since the DG made it clear that the NTDC will not fund or take responsibility for the project.

“A mandate letter signed by the DG was given to Mr. Rufai Ladipo, the CEO of Agile Marketing Company who went around with the brochure, marketing the project and seeking funds.

“After some banks have indicated their support for the project, the DG then changed the receiving bank account from that of the contractors to NTDC account and immediately cancelled the marketer’s contract.

“She then picked about three journalists, her daughter and Omo-Agege, without any member of the NTDC project committee and went to Brazil.

“In Brazil, Omo-Agege took her to the project site which he had committed to paying for, but the DG refused giving him any money but opted to rent a hotel room which she decorated as a fan’s village.

“When Omo-Agege confronted her about the issue, she requested to see the MoU of the contract, which she collected, tore and attempted to chew the paper but Omo-Agege grabbed, twisted her hand and retrieved the part of the paper that has her signature.

“Omo-Agege is now in trouble in Brazil for his inability to make payment for his commitments there.”

The Nigerian Times contacted Mr. Azania Omo-Agege, President of Za Entertainment who was contracted by the NTDC to build and operate the ill-fated fan’s village in Brazil and he corroborated our source.

He said: “The situation is that I came into partnership with the NTDC board to build the Fan’s village in which we went around looking for funds, as I was told that the funds will have to come from the private sector.

“The monies were remitted into NTDC account and I went to Brazil to secure the venues and hotel accommodations.

“Sally Mbanefo, all of a sudden cancelled all the plans that we had and went ahead to do a sham Nigerian football fans village in a hotel room in Brazil.

“When we got there, we had serious arguments and I told her it was a breach of agreement and she insisted on doing a fans village for one or two days. I told her she cannot do a fan’s village for one or two days as it was not what we had sent out to the organizations funding the project.

“Za Entertainment will have nothing to do with a sham fan’s village in a hotel room.

“I didn’t have money to do anything in Brazil as planned as all the money was supposed to come from NTDC.”

When asked to confirm the alleged confrontation between him and the DG, he said: “We had an altercation in Brazil. When we were at the reception of the hotel, she asked me for my copy of the MoU of the project that we signed and I went upstairs to my hotel room and I brought it to her.

“There were five persons present at the reception with us: the labour leader from NTDC, a journalist form The Nation Newspaper, Omolola from Thisday Newspaper and another lady from NTA.

“Immediately she got hold of the MoU, she tore it into pieces and began to chew it; I then grabbed her and took the remaining pieces from her asking why she was doing that?

“Till today, she has not given me an answer to that.”
He added that the budget for the project was between 40million and 50million Naira.

“Brazil is packed with Nigerian fans and it is just a shame what NTDC has done, she stooped so low to do this.
“I heard from the grapevine that some banks paid some money to her but I can’t confirm that. What I can say is that we spoke to banks like Zenith bank and they promised to partner with us on the project. If there was no money at all, all she could have done was to cancel the event from here but she didn’t do that.

“I was under the impression that there was money, because I insisted that if there was no money given to me, I wouldn’t go to Brazil, but she prevailed on me that she would make the money available when we got to Brazil,” he said.

Mr Rufai Ladipo of Agile Marketing Company who was given the contract to market the project and raise funds for it stated his part of the story to The Nigerian Times.
He said: “Two weeks to the tournament, we had an MoU that includes how much we were going to be paid and I went around seeking for funds for the project.

“From information available to me, about four banks may have paid money to her and we have not seen anything and the failure of the fan’s village project should be blamed on the NTDC.

“We did everything possible to help them but unfortunately it has ended the way it did.

“The brochure provided that all payments be made to either our own account or Omo-Agege’s account but that was not done. I also understand that some banks gave them money and the people at the NTDC should be able to account for that.”

When The Nigerian Times called to speak with the NTDC boss, her aide promised that she would call back as she was in a meeting, but instead her lawyer who identified himself as Barrister Mark Ibrahim called to say he had been asked to speak on her behalf.

He said: “The NTDC entered into an agreement with one Mr. Azania Omo-Agege the President of Za Entertainment and the agreement provides that Omo-Agege who is the initiator shall source the funds and drive same and shall also construct the village and maintain same for the entire duration of the world cup.
“Her contention is that these two things were not done by them; there was no village built as contracted, instead of that, Omo-agege was now asking for more money after he had already been given $10,000 before leaving Nigeria.

“He was not ready to fulfill his own part of the agreement but the DG had to use one of the rooms in the hotel in which she stayed as a mini fan’s village in order not to disappoint Nigerians.

“According to her the man was supposed to raise funds for all that but refused to do so.”

The lawyer denied any altercation between the DG and the contractor claiming her kind of person would not do such. He however accused Omo-Agege of threatening his client in Brazil.

Source: http://www.aproko247.com/2014/07/02/ntdc-boss-fights-in-brazil-chews-contract-to-cover-up-fraud/