₦airaland Forum

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said plans are at advanced stages to generate constant electricity for residents of the state in 2018.

He noted that the state government had already devised strategies to short-circuit power generation, transmission and distribution to ensure there was “24/7 power supply to residents.”

Ambode spoke at a recent interactive session with members of the business community and informal sector, a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Habib Haruna, said on Sunday.

“Presently, we have less than 1,000MW in Lagos and the fundamental issues remain with generation, transmission and distribution. Transmission is still owned primarily by the Federal Government. But in Lagos State, we have become creative and we have done Independent Power Project through which we were able to generate 47.5MW which was distributed short-circuiting transmission.

“So, if it works, does it look like a template we can now use to get power freedom or what we call power security? If we say we are the fifth largest economy in Africa and we are not in control of how power is generated in an economy that wants to move from fifth to third, then something is wrong.

“So, what we are saying is, let’s find a way to short-circuit them within the ambit of the law,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Ambode noted that the state government was also talking with electricity distribution companies operating in the state to supply 24/7 power to residents at a higher tariff, subject to agreement of all stakeholders, while government would be the guarantor of the people.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/lagos-get-24-7-power-supply-2018-ambode/

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Thugs disrupted the primary elections organised by the People’s Democratic Party to decide its chairmanship candidate for Kanke in the Feb. 18 local government elections in Plateau.

The thugs, who invaded the Kwall Stadium, venue of the election, beat up members of the PDP electoral committee and officials of the party and destroyed several cars.

Worst hit in the attack was one Mr. Anthony Joro, a member of the electoral committee, whose ear was mutilated.

Also hit was Mr Dauda Waptu, the PDP Chairman in Kanke Local Government, who sustained various injuries on his face.

The election, which began peacefully with delegates voting after accreditation, turned violent when it was Waptu’s turn to vote.

Trouble started when some of the delegates said he should not be allowed to vote because they did not recognise him as the party chairman, a position others vehemently rejected, insisting that he was the leader and must vote.

The argument later turned violent and the thugs invaded the arena.

Public Relations Officer of the Plateau Police Command, Mr Tyopev Terna, who confirmed the incident, said that the Police were already trailing the political thugs that disrupted the exercise.

“We have not arrested anyone, but we are investigating the matter; the thugs beat up many people and destroyed several cars. We shall not rest until they are fished out and dealt with,” he said.

He advised politicians to adhere to the rule of the game, warning that anyone found culpable in the Kanke incident would not be spared.

Speaking of the incident, Waptu expressed surprise at the attack that disrupted the exercise.

“The list of delegates for the election was okayed by all members. I still do not see any reason why anyone will want to disrupt the exercise,” he said.

He accused an unnamed member of the House of Representatives of sponsoring the thugs, and described such attitude as “crude and primitive”.

The PDP Vice Chairman in Plateau Central Senatorial District, Mr Benedict Shignuhul, expressed shock over the incident which he described as “very unfortunate uncalled for.’’

He blamed the incident on alleged mischief by a member of the House of Representatives “who appears bent on destroying the party that made him”.

“This same member abandoned the party immediately he won his election in 2015. His eyes are already focused on securing another tenure in 2019, but we have told him to first strengthen the party by uniting its members.

“He wants to control everything but is not ready to contribute anything, except violence. We have always told him that politics is a game of give and take. We must protect mutual interests if we want to progress,” he said.

Contacted, Mr Tim Golu, who represents Kanke/Pankshin/Kanam in the House of Representatives, blamed the incident on alleged mischief by the party officials.

“The authentic list of delegates, whose election was witnessed and certified, was doctored by Mr Amos Gombi, PDP State Deputy Chairman, who is from Kanke, in a desperate effort to impose his crony,” he alleged.

Golu said that the party officials were warned of the impending danger, but insisted on conducting the primary election “even when they were told that the environment was not conducive”.

“Those who insisted that the primary election must hold should be arrested and held responsible for the unfortunate crisis.

“They changed the list of delegates three times and the people at the wards protested; even after the security operatives and some of us, who sensed danger, warned them, they insisted.

“This incident wouldn’t have happened if they had listened to us; now look at the level of damage and animosity it has created,” he fumed. (NAN)

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/thugs-beat-electoral-officers-disrupt-pdp-primaries/

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Actress, Adesua Etomi and her bridesmaids posed together for a pic before she danced into her traditional wedding to BankyW in Lagos today.

Here are the photos:

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/watch-adesua-etomi-bridesmaids-make-grand-entry/

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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/watch-adesua-etomi-bridesmaids-make-grand-entry/

Sitting quietly on the wooden bench and resting his head on the wall in front of his master’s shop, Monday sure had a lot running through his mind, given the way he suddenly sprang to life when our correspondent said hello.

Two weeks ago, he had a taste of the brutality of the policemen at Pen Cinema police station in Agege area of Lagos State. And up till now, Monday, who runs a shop in Ogba, had been battling to stay alive and strong as the pain inflicted on him by the policemen-turned-attackers had yet to fade away, several days after.

With face swollen, eyes looking red and signs of torment in his shaky voice, it was obvious he must have gone through hell in the hands of the policemen, who invaded Anthony Ojekere and Bishop Hughes streets at about 8:30 pm and unleashed serious terror on everyone they came across.

Monday, who appeared to be in his mid-30s, told our correspondent that he was thoroughly beaten to the point of death for committing no particular offence. His submission was echoed by his neighbours who said it was by grace that he didn’t lose his life that night, given the way the policemen, about three of them – all in mufti – pounced on him.

Barely audible, he recalled, “It was on Friday night, two weeks ago. That should be October 27. It was around 8:30 pm. We were two in the shop and we were closing the shop already. As we were about locking the doors, three yellow buses suddenly pulled over in front of the shop.

“Immediately, three men jumped down and rushed to where I was standing. My colleague was able to escape, thinking they were thieves, but they dragged me on the floor to the bus and started beating me. I even thought they were armed robbers because everywhere was dark and they all wore black T-shirts.

“When one of them said they were policemen, I was shocked that policemen could be so inhuman. So, I asked what my offence was and then I told them to allow me to close my shop. But that angered them the more. They started beating me again until I could barely see anything. They used everything in sight to beat me. They pushed me into the bus where I met a crowd – people they also picked up at different places. The bus was full already and we had to sit on one another.”

Monday said by the time they got to the Pen Cinema police station that night and everybody was forced down from the bus, they were about 150 to 200.

After detaining them for some time and taking down their names, they were later released to go home around 11 pm, but not without some scars and bitter experiences. Some, like Monday, lost their phones and others lost other valuable items. It was such a terrible time for most of them.

Whether in the past or recent times, there have been series of reports and allegations of brutality and maltreatment levelled against policemen attached to the Pen Cinema police station.

The already bad impression people seem to have about the police station was further exacerbated in 2012 when the serving divisional police officer at that time, CSP Femi Fabunmi, killed a protester, Ademola Aderintola Daramola, during the protest in Lagos against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Apart from the manslaughter charge, the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere also found the DPO guilty of shooting three other persons – Alimi Abubakar, Egbujor Samuel and Chizorba Odoh, during the protest, thereby causing them grievous bodily harm.

He was arraigned by the state government on a seven-count charge bordering on murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm. Thus, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2015, a decision that was upheld by the Appeal Court in December 2016.

Fabunmi, who was a Chief Superintendent of Police, has been dismissed from the police force and he’s currently serving his term.

But according to some Lagos residents and some persons who live around the police station, not much seemed to have changed about the police station. Our correspondent gathered from some people around the station that victimisation of innocent Nigerians is a regular occurrence in the station and that anyone brought into the station could only be set free by luck.

Across the length and breadth of the police station, including some motorists who ply the road regularly, they said police authorities in the state needed to monitor policemen in the station closely.

To some of the victims of the “violent” raid that night, the ranking of the Nigeria Police Force as the worst police organisation globally could not have come at a better time

The World Internal Security and Police Index International gave a pass mark to Singapore, Finland and Denmark as the first, second and third best respectively, noting that of all the 127 countries that were assessed, Nigeria police was the worst.

The report partly read, “There are 219 police officers for every 100,000 Nigerians, well below both the index median of 300, and the Sub-Saharan Africa region average of 268. This limits the capacity of the force to measure up to its law and mandate.

“In terms of process, legitimacy and outcomes, the story is not different; which makes the Force fall short of the required standards.”

Meanwhile, still on the same night when Monday was nearly killed for committing no offence – at least he wasn’t confronted with any throughout his travails in the hands of the policemen, some other victims of the raid also shared their “unpalatable” experiences with Saturday PUNCH.

One of them, who preferred to be identified as Ola, told our correspondent that the way he was beaten that night marked the worst experience of his life and that since then, he had not been able to sleep well because his body still ached.

He explained that he was on his way from work when he quickly delivered some drugs to his ailing dad and stopped to buy noodles from a mallam (aboki) on Bishop Hughes Street at Ogba. He said he had barely placed his order when the policemen suddenly stormed the shop and arrested all of them, leaving one person behind.

He said, “I left my dad’s house around 8 pm so the drama happened around 8:30 pm. I was on a call when I entered the shop, but shortly after, I saw that people started running. Before we knew what was happening, we saw that three big yellow buses suddenly pulled over in front of the shop. They didn’t come in their van and they were not in uniform, neither did they introduce themselves. It was later we knew they were policemen.

“They told everyone to go on the bus. They said we were under arrest. So, I was still telling the person I was talking to on the phone that we would talk later when one of them gave me a slap in the face for “making calls.” He said I was reporting them. That was how they started beating me. All of them pounced on me. They even wanted to collect my phone but I was able to resist.

“When I entered the bus, it was filled to the brim. In that bus, we wouldn’t be less than 50 because people already sat on one another’s laps. And that was the situation in the other buses.”

As if that was not enough, Ola said they started picking people on the street as they drove towards the station.

“From Bishop Hughes Street, they entered Anthony Ojekere Street, where they arrested Monday and some others. The way they beat Monday, all the pain I was feeling disappeared. It was as if they meant to kill him. I had to look away because I couldn’t bear it. No, that guy is lucky to be alive today. They went to the other side of his shop and carried someone that was lying down on a bench, maybe due to the heat inside the house. They carried him like a dead man and he was wearing only boxer shorts.

“A couple that was walking on the road were accosted and thrown into the bus. They stopped a tricycle on Oba Ogunji Road close to their station and packed everyone in it into the buses. That was how they picked many other people. I tried to call my brother but unknowingly, I called my dad and I didn’t know one of them was watching me.

“He started finding his way to where I was and he was saying he would kill me. He said he would show me hell when we got to the station. I’m sure my dad heard that because I had not dropped the call and that was how he knew that I was being taken to the police station. For that call, the policeman beat me mercilessly.”

On getting to the station, he said they were all locked up in the cell and others had to stay in the passage.

By the time Ola’s brother and his ailing dad got to the station, some other relatives had also arrived, pleading for the release of their relatives.

Ola’s brother, who joined the conversation, said, “When the pleas and protest became too loud for them, they used tear gas, which landed my dad at the Ifako General Hospital. The DCO came out and saw my dad on the floor, saying they should carry him away. I know how much we paid to take care of him that night. Some persons called their lawyers and some people they knew. A woman who was visually impaired was also there to seek her son’s release.

“If police can’t protect us, why can’t they leave us alone, because if it were to be armed robbers, they suddenly wouldn’t have fuel and if they did, they would come after the robbers had left? They would give all manner of excuses, and if you make a report, they demand money. I mean is this a country?”

Ola said when the situation became heated, they were all released to go home at about 11 pm. “Even though I didn’t pay them, the trauma was too much and they must have thought they would make some money from us because I found out that after we were released, they picked up another set of people,” he added.

“I blame myself for waiting to buy the food that night; I could have cooked in my house but I felt it was too late to start cooking. They used to say police is our friend but they are our real enemy. I could neither sleep nor eat that night. I’m tired of this country.”

While policemen attribute all their raids to investigation, findings by Saturday PUNCH had revealed that a number of the raids were meant to exploit, extort and harass innocent members of the public.

A recent report by Saturday PUNCH, published on August 19, 2017, detailed how some policemen have turned raids to intimidation techniques and money-making ventures, as well as extorting and abducting at will while leaving low-profile and high-profile cases unsolved.

The owner of the noodles shop where Ola was arrested escaped being arrested, but he told our correspondent that it wasn’t the first time policemen would invade the area and arrest people indiscriminately. He said they did the same thing about two months ago and that till date, no reason had been adduced for the harassment.

“It was just as if they used us to do exercise. They didn’t arrest me but they promised to come back,” he said, adding that they took the phone of one his workers, which they had yet to return till date.

“My phone is still with them,” the owner of the phone said, adding, “When I went back for my phone, they said the person with it was not around. Since then, the number has not been available. My boss also went there, but they threatened to deal with him.”

Another victim of the raid, who introduced himself as Daniel, said, “They came suddenly and started beating people. We would be up to 200 when they took us to the station that night. We had to sit on ourselves in the bus. They packed us like fish in a sardine. Some of them were armed while some were not. Nigeria policemen are wicked.”

When asked if they noted the name or force number of any of the policemen, they said they could not as the policemen all wore mufti. They were also too distressed to pick the number plate of any of the buses.

The brutality of some policemen seems regular as the passing of each day. The experience of a newlywed couple in the hands of policemen attached to the Maitama police division in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, a few weeks ago was yet another sad tale of policemen’s inhumanity to the people they were paid to protect.

Two policemen were engaged in a fight in the public when one of them cocked his gun and started shooting sporadically. In the process, one of the bullets hit the left leg of the husband who, in company with his wife and a friend, was leaving the premises. One of the policemen was named Akpabio Daniel, while the couple had only been married for two months.

As of today, the leg had been amputated, while the man had been confined to the hospital bed, still writhing in pains. Even though the DPO of Maitama police station where the policemen are attached to, gave N150,000 to the family for treatment, the wife of the victim said they had spent over N1.6m on hospital bills.

As of today, the FCT Police PRO, Anjuguri Manzah, said the policeman who fired the shot had been arrested and that investigation had been ongoing since then. Nothing had been said about the shooter or what the police would do for the victim, who has lost his leg.

When contacted about the raid at Ogba, the Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos State, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the police carry out raids from time to time based on complaints and intelligence reports, but that their men had been warned not to harass innocent persons in the process.

He said the DPO of the station pointed out to him that a lot of complaints, bordering on armed robbery, were received from the residents in the area raided by the policemen from the station.

“He confirmed that they raided those black spots and that since that raid, they had not received any such negative report again. He said there was no form of assault and that among the men arrested were screened, some were released while some were further interrogated.”

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/notorious-lagos-police-station-no-one-innocent/

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The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the appointment of Prof. Moji Adeyeye as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

The appointment of Adeyeye, a professor of Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing Science and Drug Product Evaluation, College of Pharmacy, Roosevelt University, United States, was announced on Tuesday.

Her appointment, which takes effect from November 3, is for the initial term of five years.

Commending Buhari for appointing Adeyeye a [pharmacist] as the new NAFDAC DG, the PSN President, Ahmed Yakasai, said in a statement, “President Buhari has made good on his promise and pharmacists are glad!

“Adeyeye is a Fellow of the Nigeria Academy of Science, Academic Research Fellow of American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy and Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy. Indeed, she’s a round peg in a round hole.

“Today, registered pharmacists have resolved to maximally support NAFDAC to achieve its safety margin in the regulation of the food and drug sector of the economy.”

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/psn-hails-buhari-appointing-adeyeye-nafdac-dg/

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A teacher is facing jail after she forced pupils to have sex with her in exchange for good grades.

Identified only as Yokasta M, the 40-year-old threatened to fail the pupils if they refused to sleep with her.

She taught at a school in Medellin, Colombia, according to Canal 4, which reported that she was caught when one of her victims spoke to his parents after his father saw pictures of her on his phone.

He told them that she would send explicit pictures of herself via WhatsApp after approaching them on social media.

She offered to ‘help with their studies’ before sending the images and offering sex to the 16 and 17-year-olds in exchange for good grades.

She is now facing 40 years in prison and her husband is seeking a divorce.

One of the pictures, posted online by one of her victims, shows her lying on a bed of cuddly toys with a pink bear covering her vagina.

The student wrote: “This is the teacher Yokasta, who tells us that she disapproves of us if we do not have relations with her.”

Other photographs show her in bikinis and standing in suggestive positions.
(Metro)

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/teacher-offers-pupils-good-grades-sex-faces-40-year-jail-term/

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Goods estimated at millions of naira were lost on Tuesday after fire ravaged a market in the Road Block area of Akure, Ondo State.

PUNCH Metro learnt that some of the items destroyed in the fire were foodstuffs, barbing equipment, textile materials, among others.

A source said the fire started around 2am.

He said, “The fire began at a point we have not yet identified and spread to the locked up shops in the market. We believe it was caused by a power surge. No one was around when it started.”

The source added that the fire would not have wrecked much havoc if the men of the Ondo State Fire Service had responded on time when a distress call was put across to them.

Another source said some of the affected traders had just stocked their shops in preparation for the Yuletide.

One of the affected traders, Mr. Paul Emmanuel, who described the incident as tragic, said he rushed down to the market when he was informed that his shop had been gutted by fire.

“So many goods worth millions of naira have been lost. This is very painful because Christmas is just around the corner.

“We called the fire service office on the telephone, but they didn’t pick their calls on time and we had to drive down to their office to drag them here,” he said.

Another trader, Mrs. Abimbola Adesanya, appealed to the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to assist the victims with funds to cushion the effect of the disaster.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said the matter was not reported to the police.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/fire-guts-ondo-market-destroys-goods/

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Lawmaker representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Senator Stella Oduah, has urged the electorate in Anambra State to come and exercise their franchise in the governorship election holding on Saturday.

Oduah, who dropped out of governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party which produced Oseloka Obaze as the party’s candidate for the poll, warned that failure to exercise their franchise could lead to the declaration of state of emergency in Anambra.

The former Minister of Aviation and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration, stated that emergency declaration would not be in the best interest of the state, as the democratic leadership would be removed.

One week to the governorship election in Anambra State, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra had threatened voters with death if they vote. They also vowed to disrupt the election.

The members of the group marched around some streets in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, vowing a lockdown on the day of the election, which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

The PDP lawmaker, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Sunday, also charged political leaders in the state to enjoin their followers to come out and vote at the November 18 exercise.

Oduah said, “Our constitution does not allow for half-a-minute space between the incumbent tenure being over and the next tenure. Therefore, if we fail to come out and cast our votes to have a new governor, what will happen is that the Federal Government will provide an administrator and declare a state of emergency.

“It means that democracy will elude us. The administrator that would be governing us would not be who we voted for or who we desire; that is not what we want.

“Therefore, we must not allow ourselves to be disenfranchised; we must make sure that we come out on November 18th and vote.”

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/ipob-vote-risk-state-emergency-oduah-warns-anambra-voters/

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Check out more photos from Psquare’s sister Mary Okoye’s wedding to Nollywood actor, Emma Emordi in Asaba Last Wednesday.

Jude, Paul and Peter Okoye were all there with their wives…..

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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/photos-psquares-younger-sister-mary-okoyes-wedding/

Sir Victor Uwaifo, singer of the 60’s hit song, ‘Joromi’ has come out to say that Simi and Jaywon failed to request for his permission before making the different remixes of his song.

In an exclusive chat with Vanguard NG, the one-time Edo State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, revealed that Jaywon and Simi did not obtain copyright permission from him before recording a remix of his hit song, ‘Joromi’.

“They didn’t contact me before doing a remix of Joromi; but I’m like a father to them so I can’t begin to drag them to court, so let them make a living out of it, but at the same time it’s piracy.

I’ve heard it too many times on different occasions; it shows the quality of the music that has come a long way. As far as I’m concerned I’ve lived five lives (from one generation to the other), so if they want to appreciate and still appreciate me, it shows the quality of the music. .

It’s one thing to be an artiste and it’s another thing to stay on the scene for a long time; so I will not discourage artistes trying to remix or do another rendition of Joromi, but rather encourage them to give credit to the composer if they do”, he said.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/simi-jaywon-remixed-joromi-without-permission-sir-victor-uwaifo/

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Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold repeatedly disagreed with a Twitter user you kept insisting that he was his look-alike.

Sometimes fans usually abuse the privilege they have to relate with celebrities online as they hit hard at them. While some of them ignore go without replying, Adekunle Gold is one who has always had the perfect response.

from the time someone advised him to remove ‘King’ from his name on Twitter to the day someone made a mistake by telling him to change his tailor, Adekunle Gold is undeniably the king of clap backs on Twitter.

Here’s what transpired between them:
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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/adekunle-golds-reply-fan-insists-look-alike-completely-hilarious/

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President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured religious leaders and all Nigerians that his administration would address rising concerns of corruption, insecurity and injustice in various parts of the country.

Buhari gave the assurance when he received a Christian delegation led by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, and a Muslim delegation led by the Secretary General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in separate meetings at the State House.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President told the CAN delegation that he had already given instructions for the submission of all the names of heads of parastatals in order to address the allegations of lop-sidedness in appointments.

“On the question of one-sided appointments, we will look at it. I have given instructions that a list of all heads of parastatals be submitted to me and I know they will not delay in doing that,’’ he said.

President Buhari said his administration would ensure reform of the police and judiciary, describing both institutions as critical for the security and stability of the nation.

He said: “There is no way we can be comfortable in our country unless we are lucky to have a good police force and judiciary.

“We need a good police force and judiciary to really maintain the legitimacy and the confidence of the populace in governance,’’ the President added.

On the fight against corruption, the President assured both CAN and the JNI leaders that his administration would always be guided by the rule of law and constitutionality in prosecuting all those that had been accused of corruption.

Buhari explained to the JNI delegation that corruption in the country had taken a cultural dimension, urging all religious leaders and Nigerians to join in the fight in order to reverse the trend.

“When something becomes a culture, it is more difficult to stop, but collectively we will prevail,’’ he assured the leaders.

In his remarks, Rev. Ayokunle commended the President’s achievements in the fight against corruption, empowerment of the military to flush out Boko Haram terrorists and the recovery of some of the kidnapped Chibok girls.

The Secretary General of JNI appealed to the President to pay more attention to the yearnings of Nigerians, urging him to continually walk in the fear of God.


Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/buhari-vows-tackle-insecurity-injustice-issues-raised-religious-leaders/

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Friday deliberated on the investment opportunities for the state.

Speaking at the first Alaghodaro Investment Summit themed, “Envisioning the future,” in Benin, the Edo State capital, Obaseki said the goal of his administration was to utilise the state’s endowments to make it a major industrial hub.

He said, “I am glad to inform you that one of the events in this summit is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations Training Institute and the Edo State Government.

“The other institutional reforms include revenue collection, where we have insisted that government revenues should be collected and accounted for.”

Also, in his keynote address, Dangote urged Edo State to capitalise on its areas of comparative advantage, especially agriculture and agro-allied processing.

He called on the Federal Government to focus on providing the right policies, adding that the private sector would do its best by taking the risks.

Also speaking, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, described the growth of domestic investments as an important factor in making the country attractive to foreign investments.

He noted that good returns for local businesses could serve as an incentive for potential international investors.

While declaring the summit open, he said, “As we all know, we cannot successfully attract foreign direct investments if the domestic investors are not happy, especially if they are making investments but are not getting returns.

“People first watch what is happening and then if they see confidence from those who know, they would join.”

Buhari stated that the reforms in infrastructure, needed to make life easier for Nigerians, had already begun bearing fruit, “through noticeable improvements in getting credit, registration of businesses, payment of taxes, among others.”

He said, “The World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking is already attesting to these improvements. Nigeria, after declining for several years, moved up by 24 places and we believe that this is only the beginning because we must acknowledge that our people still face tough times. So, it is not the time to declare victory yet; no, this is only the beginning of the journey.

“However, the improvements we have recorded show that it is possible. We, as a country, must remain committed to making Nigeria one of the most attractive and easiest places to do business in the world. I believe that it is something we can choose to do and something we have chosen to do.”

The Chairman of the summit, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, explained that the initiative was put together to provide a framework for Edo’s investment plan and four plenaries — all aimed at providing a platform for robust engagements.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/obaseki-dangote-identify-investment-opportunities-edo/

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The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday inaugurated a new road linking the premises of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital from Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja.

Ambode, who also inspected the progress of work on the LASUTH Maternity Hospital, popularly known as Ayinke House, instructed contractors handling the project to deliver in six months.

Ambode expressed delight at the completion of the road, saying it would ensure faster access to medical care.

He said, “We realised that just one entrance into LASUTH is too dangerous. It has been like that for almost three or four decades; but we are happy to open another access road to boost the process of saving lives.

“Patients can come in ambulance, but they can be held up in traffic for almost 30 minutes and unable to disembark. However, this road will remove the tragedy that may occur through such delay. In another five to six months, we will be back here to make the Ayinke House functional.”

Ambode, who also inspected ongoing projects across the state, ordered additional projects such as a lounge and canteen for families of patients as well as Ear, Nose and Throat Department in the ongoing upgrade and expansion of the Alimosho General Hospital.

The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adewale Oke, commended Ambode for his commitment to the health sector.

The Provost of the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Prof. Babatunde Sholagbero, also thanked the governor for facilitating the accreditation of Dentistry Department of the institution, saying such had made LASU the only state university in Nigeria that offered bachelor of dentistry degree.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/lagos-opens-new-road-lasuth/

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The Federal Government is targeting no fewer than 15 million jobs for unemployed youths by 2020.

This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (Industrialisation), Sani Yakubu, during the ninth Meeting of the National Council on Industry Trade and Investment held in Sokoto.

Yakubu said the new jobs would be achieved through the Economic and Recovery and Growth Plan launched in April 2017 by the present administration.

According to him, the ERGP is a home-grown four-year medium term development plan aimed at driving economic recovery and ensuring sustained, inclusive growth and building a globally competitive and diversified Nigerian economy.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/breaking-news-fg-targets-15m-jobs/

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has tendered documents in court showing how funds allegedly diverted by former Minister of Petroleum Resources Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke were allegedly shared.

It alleged that Mrs. Alison-Madueke shared $115,010,000 (about N35 billion) to various individuals in 36 states ahead of the 2015 general elections.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Belgore, and a former minister of National Planning, Prof Abubakar Suleiman, are on trial before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The anti-graft commission accused them of directly receiving N450 million in cash from Mrs. Alison-Madueke without going through a financial institution. They pleaded not guilty.

The money they received, the commission said, was shared to electoral officers and others in Kwara State.

Suleiman and Belgore, according to documents tendered by the EFCC, collected N450 million on behalf of Kwara.

Every other state also got part of the cash, according to documents sighted by our correspondent yesterday.

For instance, two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs received N500 million for Cross River State; two party chiefs got N650 million on behalf of Lagos State; while two partymen received N450 million for Taraba State.

Two PDP chiefs collected N700 million for Kaduna State; two party chiefs got N450 million for Gombe State; four party chiefs got N700 million on behalf of Imo State, while two men collected N450 million for Anambra State, among others.

The commission tendered two documents marked as Exhibits 7 and 7A, with breakdown of how the monies were to be shared.

According to one of the documents entitled: Kwara State, four polling booth agents in 2,406 units got N10,000 each (amounting to N96,240,000), while presiding officers got N20,000 each (totalling N48,120,000).

Fifteen electoral officers received N250,000 each (totalling N3,750,000); 15 supervisors got N100,000; 15 returning officers were given N50,000 each; 193 ward returning officers got N20,000 each (totalling N3,860,000), while the state returning officer allegedly got N1 million.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/diezani-cash-allegedly-shared-efcc/

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Ace Nigerian comedian, Ali Baba who was spotted at Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s daughter’s wedding recently and called out by fans, has replied those who called him a hypocrite.

According to him, nobody has the right to call him out because he’s first a standup comedian, talk show host, actor, ideas consultant and businessman, which means his business is to provide any of the requested services listed.

Here’s what he wrote;

“I have addressed this issue before but it seems some people’s stupidity or ignorance is on a dynamic climb. Let me first say that I am a service provider. I am an MC, Stand-Up Comedian, talk show host, actor, ideas consultant and businessman. Which means my business is to provide any of the requested services listed. That said I am a Nigerian and a vocal one too.
I use any platform I am on to talk about the things I observe and experience. I have not stopped being a citizen. So whatever party is in power, can use my services and get served when they step out of line. That cannot change. So I was an MCee at the Sarakis wedding. And the idiots woke up to their refrain again. “There he goes again dining and wining with the people he criticizes. Hypocrite!!” Wow! The wedding was not covered by photographers? Were there no caterers? Were there no event planners? Did they not use an airline to fly into Lagos? How about the decorators? There was media coverage.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/read-alibabas-message-fans-called-hypocrite-dining-politicians/

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday traced N860m to the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada; and a former acting governor of Taraba State, Sani Danladi.

While N500m was traced to Wada, N450m was traced to Danladi.

The money was said to be part of the N23bn allegedly disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, through the then Director of Finance of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Senator Nenadi Usman.

It was learnt that Wada arrived the EFCC office around 12pm and was still in custody around 9pm.

The spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that Wada was detained by the commission.

He said, “Yes, he was invited by the EFCC over N500m Diezani money. He is still in our custody.”

The Gombe zonal office also quizzed Danladi in respect of the N450m collected by him through Senators Joel Dallami Ikenya and Mark Useni during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.

Danladi, in his statement on oath, told interrogators that he chaired the eight-man committee that disbursed the money for Taraba State.

The EFCC stated, “He further stated that, he and the other members of the committee shared N36m among themselves while the balance of N414m was distributed to other stakeholders across the 16 local government areas of the state and one Development Area Council.”

Danladi was arrested and detained in Abuja last week and later released on bail to reliable sureties, but asked to report to the EFCC Gombe zonal office for further investigation.

Last week, the commission detained a former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, for his role in the disbursement of the Diezani sleaze.

It was learnt that at least 20 former ministers and governors who are members of the PDP may be detained by the commission

In the states which were ruled by the PDP, the governors were said to have taken possession of the funds while in states that had no PDP governors, the ministers handled the money.

They were alleged to have received a minimum of N450m each.

Some of the former governors and ministers that may be picked up soon include a former Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil (Borno); and a former Minister of Science and Technology, Alhaji Abdu Bulama (Yobe).

Others are former governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State (now a member of the All Progressives Congress), the immediate past governor of Kebbi State, Saidu Dakin Garin; former governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State, former governor Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno State, former governor James Ngilari of Adamawa State; and a former governor of Zamfara State, Mamuda Shinkafi.

Sheriff allegedly received N40m from the N450m said to have been received by a former Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil.

Also, a former deputy governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen, and a former Secretary to the State Government of Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, may be re-invited for allegedly collecting N700m from the Diezani fund.

The source said many of the PDP chieftains had promised to return some of the funds but had failed to do so and therefore had to be invited.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/diezani-bribe-efcc-traces-n950m-two-ex-govs-detains-idris-wada/

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Dead Owl

Popular TV personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu was left in awe after he came out of the front door of his home and found a dead owl on the floor this morning.

The TV host of Rubbin’ Minds most likely got the surprise of his life this morning as he stepped out of his home.

Ebuka was shocked when he came out of the front door of his home and found a dead owl. He shared a photo of the dead creature via his Insta-stories, asking Nigerians why it was there.

Nigerians went all spiritual telling him its his Village People who paid him a visit.

Here’s what he shared:

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/ebuka-obi-uchendu-finds-dead-owl-outside-door-reaction/

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Ogun West Elders Forum (OGWEF) has said that certain forces are working to divide Yewa-Awori people as they push for power shift to Ogun West Senatorial District in 2019.

The group said tbat part of the tactics to scuttle the governorship agenda has manifested in a recent press briefing in Abeokuta, Ogun State, capital, by the Ogun West Elders Council (OWEC), which cast aspersion on former Governor Olusegun Osoba.

OWEC had accused Osoba of working against the Ogun West people and threatened that no stranger would be allowed to contest for the governor on platform of Ogun West.

But, the Chairman of OGWEF, Chief Muftau Ajibola, said OWEC members were “loyalists of Governor Ibikunle Amosun,” adding that they merely “reechoed” the voice of “their paymaster.”

Ajibola said the so-called Elders Council, led by Muhammed Olagbaye, labelled some Ogun West people as ‘Tekobos,’ ostensibly to strengthen the hands of “their paymaster to exclude a particular Ogun West governorship aspirant, Senator Solomon Adeola, from Ogun 2019 race.”

The two-time member of the Ogun State House of Assembly said no Ogun West son or daughter should be denied the right to aspire to govern the state.

Ajibola also said the forum would not accept imposition of a candidate on the zone.

He said Osoba is solidly committed to the actualisation of power shift to Ogun West, adding that OGWEF is also working behind the scene with leaders outside the zone to present a credible, experienced and popular person as governor.

Ajibola added: “The so-called Elders Council, who obviously are loyalists of the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun reechoed their paymaster by insinuating that some of our sons and daughters from Ogun West who are in the gubernatorial race are ‘tekobos’ (strangers).

“This term was recently introduced into the political space of Ogun State by Governor Ibikunle Amosun. The vitriolic attacks that heralded him is needless of mention here as he was roundly criticised and condemned.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/2019-division-ogun-west-elders-forum/

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A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday fixed November 7 for ruling on the bail application of the Managing Director of Tasty Time Nigeria Ltd, Isaac Kole, charged with manufacture of fake products.

Kole, who was arraigned alongside his company — Tasty Time Nigeria Ltd, had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control had on November 2 arraigned the accused on four counts bordering on producing fake and unregistered products.

Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari had allowed the accused to continue with the administrative bail granted him and adjourned until Monday for the determination of his bail application.

The judge had also ordered the accused to produce a director either from Federal or Lagos State Civil Service, who would sign an undertaking to produce him in court on the next adjournment.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, the case was again adjourned until Nov. 7 as the court did not sit.

The prosecution alleged that Kole and his company had been using their plant to produce unregistered Tasty Time products.

NAFDAC said the products include Tasty Time juice, Glucosaid Energy drink, Tasty Time Pops orange flavoured drink, Tasty Time Fitz Apple drink and Tasty Time mixed orange flavoured drink.

The accused was also alleged to have packaged and labelled the products in a manner likely to create a wrong impression that they were genuine and also sold the unregistered products to the public.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Mrs Chinyere Okoli of NAFDAC, contravene the provisions of Sections 1(1), 5(a) and 5(e) of the Foods and Drugs Related Products Act, Laws of the Federation 2004.

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/fake-products-court-rules-tasty-time-mds-bail-application-tuesday/

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The time for “strategic patience” with North Korea is over, US President Donald Trump warned Monday, after winning Japan’s backing for his policy of considering all options to rein in the rogue state.

Trump described the North’s nuclear programme as “a threat to the civilised world and international peace and stability” on the second day of his Asia tour dominated by the crisis.

The president has signalled in the past that Washington could look beyond a diplomatic solution to the North’s nuclear weapons ambitions and consider military intervention.

“The era of strategic patience is over,” he declared alongside his host, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Under former president Barack Obama, the United States had ruled out engaging the North until it made a tangible commitment to de-nuclearisation.

Washington hoped sanctions pressure and internal stresses in the isolated country would bring about change but critics said the policy gave Pyongyang room to push ahead with its nuclear ambitions.

Close ally Abe echoed Trump’s remarks, voicing Japan’s support for Washington’s policy that “all options are on the table” to deal with the North Korean threat — including military force.

Abe, whose country is in the firing line of North Korean missiles, also announced Japanese sanctions on the assets of 35 North Korean groups and individuals.

The United Nations has adopted multiple rounds of sanctions against the reclusive North, the most recent in September following its sixth nuclear test and a flurry of missile launches.

Earlier, Trump had appeared to adopt a more conciliatory tone towards North Korea, saying he would not rule out talks with its bellicose young leader Kim Jong-Un.

“I would sit down with anybody,” he said. “I don’t think it’s strength or weakness, I think sitting down with people is not a bad thing,” he said in a television interview.

“So I would certainly be open to doing that but we’ll see where it goes, I think we’re far too early.”

And the president again praised the “great people” of North Korea, adding: “they are under a very repressive regime” and that he hoped it “works out for everyone.”

But Pyongyang showed no sign of let-up in its attacks on Trump, with ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun calling him the “lunatic old man of the White House” and saying there was no telling when he would start a nuclear war.

– ‘Golf diplomacy’ –
Abe and Trump’s joint news conference capped two days of chummy behaviour in which the two golf fans have teed off for nine holes and enjoyed informal and relaxed dinners.

Abe said they had enjoyed each other’s company so much over a dinner of scallops and steak on Sunday night that they lost track of time, while Trump said their relationship was “extraordinary.”

The trip has also provided lighter moments, such as when Trump appeared to lose patience feeding koi carp in the imperial palace and tipped his whole box into the pond, to the evident amusement of his secretary of state.

Aides had been concerned the famously unorthodox Trump would go off message or commit some gaffe in the famously rules-sensitive country.

But Trump sailed through a tricky protocol encounter with the emperor, greeting him with a slight nod and avoiding the criticism his predecessor Obama got by bowing to the diminutive Japanese ruler.

There were also a moment of high emotion when Trump met the families of civilians abducted in the 1970s and 1980s, who were clutching pictures of their young family members.

A number of ordinary Japanese citizens were kidnapped by North Korean agents in order to train spies in Japanese language and culture.

Trump said he would do everything he could to secure their release and appeared to hold out the prospect of a deal with Kim.

“I think it would be a tremendous signal if Kim Jong-Un would send them back. If he would send them back, that would be the start of something very special,” he said.

Despite the bonhomie, trade between the two nations continued to be a point of friction, with Trump earlier Monday blasting ties as “not fair and open”, saying that Tokyo had been “winning” for decades at the expense of the US.

“We seek equal and reliable access for American exports to Japan’s market in order to eliminate our chronic trade imbalances and deficits with Japan,” stressed Trump.

Trump can expect a less warm welcome from his next hosts in South Korea, where his relationship with President Moon Jae-In is cooler.

After that, he heads to Beijing for crunch talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

“I like him a lot. I call him a friend. He considers me a friend. With that being said, he represents China, I represent the United States,”

Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/time-patience-north-korea-says-trump/

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Weeks ago, media personality and author Toke Makinwa made it clear that she wanted a partivular green Hermes Birkin bag for her birthday, even joking online with friend, Tania Omotayo about it.

Well her wish came true! Not specifying whether it was a gift or personal purchase, she got the Hermes Birkin and is flaunting it as she prepares for her birthday party tonight.

Recall that days ago, in anticipation of her big day, she declared that she wants to have Heavyweight Champ, Anthony Joshua as a gift for her birthday. Read HERE . But she got something different and also classy.

See more photos below.

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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/toke-makinwa-gets-exotic-gift-33rd-birthday/

In an industry where the term ‘veteran’ has been bastardised, one man that truly merits that title is actor, Sadiq Daba. Sadly, he is not having the best of times and enjoying the acclaim that a true veteran deserves.

Daba has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is coming barely months after the actor was hospitalised for months due to leukemia.

Sunday Scoop put a call through to him during the week to find out how he was doing. “Right now, I have a catheter inserted into my penis to ease the movement of urine. I have been in and out of hospitals for a while now. Next week, I also have to go for a biopsy to determine if I would need to do a major surgery. I have leukemia to battle with, then this prostate issue comes in. The pain is just too much for me,” he stated, explaining his journey so far.

“I have been receiving treatment at LASUTH and OAUTH and the doctors have been wonderful. I was told that one of the side effects of the surgery is that my testicles would have to be removed. That means I would be castrated and I don’t think I want that. The other option is that I would have to take injections that would cost N150,000 every two months, and I have to take it for about two years. You can imagine what the total cost would be,” he added.

On whether members of the movie industry have been helpful to him, Daba said, “A few of my colleagues have been wonderful; they have tried to help as much as they can. The DGs of NTA, Censors Board, and the president of PMAN have also been of help. I can’t start carrying bowls and be going all about the place begging for money. I believe I have paid my dues. For those who know about my situation and want to help, they are welcome. Everything that I have to do is tied to money. There is no drug that is cheap.”

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Succour has come the way of an HIV+ mother of three, Rakiya Zubairu, whose story was published in SUNDAY PUNCH last week.

Zubairu, who was infected with the virus by her late husband, had been facing hard times since her husband died.

The 35-year-old, who hails from the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, relived her ordeal to our correspondent during a reporting trip to Kaduna last month.

The hardship had also taken its toll on her children (Fatima and Abdulazeez) who are HIV+ and malnourished.

The children are HIV+ because Zubairu did not get antenatal care and gave birth to them at home.

Readers of your darling newspaper, SUNDAY PUNCH, had offered to assist her and her children after reading about her predicament.

Within one week, life has changed remarkably for her and her children.

In a telephone interview with our correspondent last week, Zubairu was full of joy.

“Nagode, Nagode, Nagode,” she said excitedly on the telephone. Nagode means “thank you” in Hausa.

The North-West Coordinator, Nigeria chapter of the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS, Mrs. Aisha Usman, who assisted to create a bank account for her, interpreted the rest of the conversation on the phone as Zubairu could only speak Hausa.

Zubairu said she was overwhelmed by the show of support and donations from Nigerians after SUNDAY PUNCH reported her story.

The mother of three said out of the donations she got from PUNCH readers, she had enrolled her children in a primary school in the area.

Abdulazeez had never been to school. Fatima was in school but dropped out when the situation got tougher.

“It’s a dream come true for the children,” Usman said while sharing photos of their first day in school with our correspondent on Whatsapp.

Zubairu too had begun a petty trade of farm produce in the area.

The widow said, “I was unable to sleep very well when we came back from the bank. I was always waking up to confirm if it is true or a dream. I was so happy that I could not eat properly because of happiness. I now know that God has answered my prayers.

“My life has changed totally. My health has improved because I eat very well and take my drugs. My children too now feed well. The sadness on their faces has disappeared. I pray for Nigerians who do not know me but donated. My children have started school. I am grateful to PUNCH and Nigerians who donated. May God continue to provide more for them.”

Zubairu said Abdulazeez was reciting the alphabets in his sleep the second night after he began school.

She said she was afraid and quickly woke him to ask him what was wrong.

Usman said, “Fatima then told Zubairu that Abdulazeez was only mumbling what he was taught in school. Abdulazeez was mumbling “C for cat” in his dream. Zubairu said after the boy came back from school, he told her the story of the tortoise his teacher told him. She said they all came back from school happy. The neighbours asked her why they no longer see her children help pack their dung as usual.

“When Fatima went outside to buy bread, the salesman was surprised they could afford to buy a big bread. He asked her, ‘Where did you people get money to buy a big bread? Did any visitors come to visit you?’ The little girl said she smiled and walked away.”

In her brief chat with our correspondent, Fatima and Abdulazeez expressed their joy.

Fatima said, “I am so happy. Something inside me told me that as help is coming now, my hand will be straight again.” Fatima’s left limb is paralysed as a result of complications from HIV.

Abdulazeez, who spoke in Hausa, said, “Muna acikin aljanna.” It means “Now, we are inside heaven.”

Usman urged the Federal Government and Kaduna State Government to reach out to more HIV+ women to stop mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

She said, “If Nigerians can change this woman’s life, then no situation is hopeless. The government can do more to prevent predicaments similar to Zubairu from recurring. Let us ensure that antenatal care for HIV+ women is free and within reach. By doing this, we would reduce the burden of paedetric HIV in Nigeria.

“Their story is touching. I have been bombarded with calls from Nigerians since the story was published. This shows that Nigerians are good people. I appreciate PUNCH and Nigerians for the show of love.”

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Source:- http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/hiv-children-begin-school-widow-thanks-nigerians/