Men of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Army on Tuesday, January 5, invaded the residence of Eziuche Ubani, a former federal lawmaker from Abia State, Eziuche Ubani, located at Opobo road to search for arms he allegedly hid.

According to Ubani, the search lasted from 1a.m till about 6a.m. but no incriminating evidence was found. Ubani is now accusing the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of sponsoring the unlawful invasion.At about 1a.m, I woke up to a noise and upon checking for the source, I saw that my house had been surrounded by armed people in both mufti and military uniforms. I was with a friend, Prince. Aware of the history of violence in Aba, we didn’t open the door and so they decided to force it open but when they couldn’t, they went to the boy’s quarter and seized my driver. He was beaten to give information about my whereabouts but he refused.
“It was my friend who noticed their uniform when he went out and when they came in, they showed me a search warrant which originated from Umuahia.

“They said there was a petition of arms storing and training of young men to assassinate people in Aba, particularly those belonging to APGA, against me. I told them to get on with the search because I know I am innocent.
“The raid lasted until 6a.m and during the search, they kept calling their boss that they couldn’t find anything. Before they finally left, they made note to say they found nothing incriminating and took nothing away.
“I know that this has to do with the inordinate ambition of Alex Otti to rule Abia by hook or crook. On Sunday, I was going to Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s house when my phone rang. It was Ahamdi Nweke who contested the Abia Central Senatorial seat against former governor Orji. He said he learnt I held two meetings to plan his death, the last being Saturday.
“Later someone showed me a petition on facebook, sent to the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General (IGP); it was written by Ahamdi Nweke and claiming I was plotting to kill him.
“I did not regard the matter, not until this morning when the security agencies stormed my home. I have inquired and learnt they acted without the consent of the Commissioner of Police, the Brigade (14 Brigade, Ohafia) Commander in-charge of this area.
“So, who are those people? The only time the DSS and Army will go to your house is when you have breached national security bordering on treason. I want to know what the Chief of Army Staff and their sponsors had in mind for sending them to invade my privacy in the name of searching for arms.”
When contacted, Ahamdi Nweke said he submitted his petition to the Commissioner of Police, Joshiak Habila, yesterday, after the search, stressing that the DSS and soldiers may have acted on intelligence and not his petition.
Police spokesman Ezekiel Onyeke Udeviotu who confirmed the raid said the Ogbor hill police station, after receiving a distress call mobilised its personnel to the ex-lawmaker’s house.
The government of Abia State has condemned the invasion of Eziuche Ubani’s home, describing it as unwarranted and unacceptable and requested an apology from the security agencies involved, because according to it, government was embarrassed by the action.
Addressing reporters at Ubani’s residence, Commissioner for Information Bonnie Iwuoha said the government demands an explanation for the invasion and called on sponsors of disturbances to stop forth with as government will not condone violence in any guise, stressing that security agencies are on alert to avoid such.
http://thenationonlineng.net/dss-soldiers-raid-ex-abia-lawmakers-home/
Lalasticlala‎, Mynd44, Obinoscopy and Fynestboi

The Lagos State Government said on Monday in Lagos that it had begun to seal off houses without standard toilets.
Oluwatoyin Awosika, the Director of Public Enlightenment in the state’s Ministry of Information and Strategy, told NAN that the closure of the houses was to check “unwholesome practices” such as open defecation.
According to him, the government is also embarking on public enlightenment to educate residents on the dangers of open defecation.
“We would continue to educate people on the need to stop open defaecation.
“Again, you don’t blame some of these people for doing these things, so many houses don’t have toilets.
“So many houses don’t have bathrooms, so naturally, you find these people doing it outside.
“Government cannot take all landlords and start inspecting all the houses, but the Ministry of Health, ‘Wole, Wole’ Inspection Officers, the houses they go and they find that there are no toilets, they seal them up.
“That is an ongoing thing; their own is just to go round the environment, enter any residential or official premises, inspect; once they see any defect, they give them an ultimatum to put such things into practice.
“And once they are not done, they are sanctioned according to the law.
“The environmental law is clear, every house must have a standard kitchen, standard toilet, standard bathroom, they must have proper drainages around the house and water system.
“The education is endless, we do our own, the health officers do theirs; the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Office do education.
“And then when they have done enough education in certain areas, they do the enforcement and the enforcement is, those who run foul are brought before its tribunal.”
He stated that the state government is working closely with several non-government organisations with a view to changing the attitude of residents towards open defaecation.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2016/01/04/lagos-govt-seals-off-houses-lacking-standard-toilets/
Lalasticlala, may

Boko Haram’s Threats Will Be Neutralized – INTERPOL
By ABIODUN OLUWAROTIMI, New York
— Dec 28, 2015 4:14 pm
The International Police, INTERPOL, has vowed to neutralize the threats posed on the world by Boko Haram, ISIS and other related terrorist groups.

This decision was reached at the just-concluded INTERPOL’s meeting to exchange information linked to Foreign Terrorist Fighters travelling to and from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and the Syrian conflict zone.

The three-day event which had the attendance of law enforcement and counter-terrorism officials from around the world enabled the 111 participants from nearly 40 countries to exchange best practice on how to address and neutralize the threat posed by Boko Haram, ISIS and other terrorist groups using expertise gained in the wider conflict zone as a platform to train and plan attacks against Western and other targets.

Our correspondent who monitored the event via webcast reports that the meeting, which came few weeks after the Paris terror attacks and follows a string of incidents including in Turkey, Lebanon, Chad, Iraq and Nigeria, will help specialists to develop a global overview of the current terror threat posed by both individuals and networks.

Briefing participants at the meeting, Spain’s Minister of the Interior, Jorge Fernández Díaz, said international cooperation was essential in facing terrorism and Spain would continue to work closely with INTERPOL and all those committed to combating this threat.

The meeting, co-hosted by the Spanish National Police and the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Madrid addressed four key topics: Gathering intelligence on foreign terrorist fighters via social media; Identifying and disrupting travel and travel facilitation networks; Involvement of returnees in terrorist or other criminal activity; And terror attacks by radicalized individuals who have not travelled to conflict zones.

Since the unanimous adoption in September 2014 of UN Security Council Resolution 2178 which identified INTERPOL as the ‘global law enforcement information sharing’ platform, data on foreign terrorist fighters shared through the Organization’s channels has increased six-fold, with some 5,800 individuals identified so far in INTERPOL’s systems.

In October this year a US Homeland Security Committee task force report recognized INTERPOL’s systems as ‘crucial global tools for combating terrorist and foreign fighter travel’. The report also highlighted how data from the world police body had enabled US law enforcement to identify hundreds of previously unknown terrorist suspects and foreign fighters.

http://leadership.ng/news/487061/boko-harams-threats-will-neutralized-interpol

Lalasticlala

The death has occured  of the monther of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), today at 6:20am December 25th2015, Madam Alice Emefiele, Age 94 years.

She was the mother of Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor among others.

Details shortly...


http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/emefiele-cbn-gogernor-loses-mother/228857/#.Vn13YMT1x_o.facebook


Cc, Lalasticlala

FLASH: Official Website of @PdpNigeria is suspended, no confirmation from Party officials on cause. @presgoodluck https:///deKtpzrj6P


Lalasticlala

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday attacked the N6.8 trillion 2016 federal budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly earlier in the day as a “big fraud and executive conspiracy tailored towards mortgaging the future” of Nigeria. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party queried President Buhari’s decision to borrow N2 trillion, the biggest in the history of the nation, describing it as “the height of recklessness and deceit from a government that trends on propaganda.”

For her part, in a statement distributed to reporters, Senator Stella Oduah (Anambra-North Senatorial District), described the budget as “very robust and seemingly thorough and well-thought out,” and expressed the hope it would address many of the economic and security situations that Nigerians currently face.
 
She expressed particular joy in the fact that the budget addresses issues of concern to rural communities, adding that she hoped that 2016 would set a new path for the country, as the President seemed to touch on areas that included the boosting of oil and non-oil revenues; the more efficient collection and enforcement of VAT and customs duties; and the subsidized funding of the agricultural and solid mineral sectors.

Her party however berated the government for trying to use its “bogus welfare programme and phantom capital projects” as a cover and conduit to syphon the funds to satisfy partisan interests, particularly to settle huge campaign debts. 

“It is obvious that this budget is an extension of the campaign promises of the APC government, presented as a manifesto filled with bogus promises which implementation will be inconclusive, thereby allowing the APC to once again deny their promises,” its statement said. 

“There has never been any known economy in the world where government deliberately mortgage the future of its nation by borrowing excessively to finance partisan interests while hiding under bogus welfare programmes. This is moreso important as the APC in reeling out their bogus campaign promises never informed Nigerians that they would mortgage their future through excessive borrowing.”

PDP said it had it on good authority that this is the first in the series of APC borrowings which would leave the future generation of Nigerians under the burden of huge debts after four years.

It expressed the view that after seven months in power, the budget clearly shows that President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to differentiate between governance and campaign propaganda.

“By all standards, the 2016 budget, the first major economic policy outing of this government, is completely unrealistic and duplicitously embellished with impractical predications, a development that confirms fears by economy watchers and investors that this administration is obviously ill-equipped for governance.”

It expressed shock that President Buhari and his minister of information have come up with two different reasons for the current fuel crisis in the country. “While we appreciate the President’s apology, we think it is high time he called this minister to order as his excessive propaganda and blame game are ridiculing this administration and the image of the nation,” the statement continued. 

“Furthermore, it is instructive to note the official endorsement of Mr. President to the devaluation of the naira as against his campaign promise of firming up the value of our currency even to the much vaunted one naira to one dollar.

‘Does it mean that Mr. President lied his way to power, or that he did not understand the complexities of governance when he was making his false promises to Nigerians?”

The PDP stated that in the future, there is need to regulate campaign promises “so that we will not end up with a government that promises to climb Mount Everest with bare hands and end up mortgaging our future with orchestrated borrowings.”
It called on President Buhari to involve experienced and well-tested hands in the management of the economy and budgeting processes. 

“This economy is not for Mr. President, neither is it for the APC,” it said.  “The progress of the economy is for all Nigerians and as such, due care should be taken to save ourselves from unrealistic and deceptive programmes.”
In her statement, Senator Oduah Oduah drew particular attention to the employment situation in the country, urging President Buhari to take significant steps to address the problem.
 
She said that the swift passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper showed that the 8th National Assembly has the zeal and commitment to move speedily to pass the 2016 Appropriation Bill.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/12/22/buhari’s-budget-attacked-pdp-praised-pdp-stalwart-stella-oduah

Lalasticlala

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday presented a 2016 budget proposal of 6.07 trillion Naira.
Nigeria’s 2016 Budget is based on a crude oil benchmark price of $38 per barrel and a production estimate of 2.2 million barrels per day for 2016.

GDP Growth Rate Projection 4.37%
Revenue Projection 3.86 Naira
Deficit 2.22 trillion Naira (equivalent to 2.16% of Nigeria’s GDP)
Oil Related Revenues 820 billion Naira
Non-oil Revenues 1.45 trillion Naira
 Projected Independent Revenues 1.51 trillion Naira
Capital Expenditure 1.8 trillion Naira (30%  of total budget)
Works, Power and Housing 433.4 billion Naira
Transport 202.0 billion Naira
Interior 53.1 billion Naira
Special Intervention Programs 300 billion Naira
Education 369.6 billion Naira
Defence 294.5 billion Naira
Health 221.7 billion Naira
Ministry of Interior 145.3 billion Naira
Foreign and Domestic Debt Service 1.36 trillion Naira
Sinking Fund towards the retirement of maturing loans 113 billion Naira
Non-debt Recurrent Expenditure 2.65 trillion Naira
Note:

Deficit will be financed by a combination of domestic borrowing of N984 billion, and foreign borrowing of N900 billion totalling N1.84 trillion.

There is a proposed a 9% reduction in non-debt recurrent expenditure, from N2.59 trillion in the 2015 Budget to N2.35 trillion in 2016.

The budgeted N300 billion for Special Intervention Programs, takes the total amount for non-debt recurrent expenditure to N2.65 trillion.

The Efficiency Unit set up by the current Administration, together with effective implementation of GIFMIS and IPPIS, will drive a reduction of overheads by at least 7%, personnel costs by 8% and other service wide votes by 19%.
http://www.channelstv.com/2015/12/22/breakdown-of-nigerias-2016-budget/

Lalasticlala

The Federal Government on Tuesday in Abuja earmarked N433.4 billion in the 2016 budget for its services in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing led by Babatunde Fashola.
President Muhammadu Buhari stated this on Tuesday in his 2016 budget speech delivered at the Joint session of the National Assembly.
He said it was the intention of government to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure in future.
“To deliver our development objectives, we have increased the capital expenditure portion of the budget from N557 billion in the 2015 budget to N1.8 trillion in the 2016 budget.
“For the first time in many years, capital expenditure will represent 30 per cent of our total budget.
“In future years, we intend to raise the percentage allocation for capital expenditure,” he said.
Buhari said that the measure became necessary in fulfillment of the government’s promise to align expenditure to long-term objectives and government’s commitment to sustainable development.
According to him, this increased in capital expenditure commits significant resources to critical sectors such as Works, Power and Housing to the tune of N433.4 billion.
In a breakdown, Transport would gulp N202.0 billion; Special Intervention Programmes – N200.0 billion; Defence – N134.6 billion; and Interior – N53.1 billion.
The President said these investments in infrastructure and security were meant to support the nation’s reforms in the Agriculture, Solid Minerals and other core job-creating sectors of the nation’s economy.
“We will invest to safeguard lives and property. We will invest in equipping our farmers with the right tools, technology and techniques.
“We will invest in empowering and enabling our miners to operate in a safe, secure and humane environment.
“We will invest in training our youths, through the revival of our technical and vocational institutions to ensure they are competent enough to seize the opportunities that will arise from this economic revival,” Buhari said.
NAN reports that the President presented a budget of N6.08 trillion for 2016 with a revenue projection of N3.86 trillion, resulting in a deficit of N2.22 trillion

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/12/22/fashola-gets-n433-4bn-for-power-works-and-housing/
Lalasticlala‎

The Court of Appeal has ruled that Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan is the duly elected governor of Taraba State and not Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The decision was reached by the Appeal Court today, December 21, 2015, in Abuja.

The judgment was made in support of a ruling of the state election petitions tribunal which nullified Ishaku’s victory in the April 11 and 25 polls in the state.

The tribunal had held, on Saturday, November 7, 2015, that the PDP did not conduct primaries hence Ishaku was not chosen by delegates of the party to represent it, an action which was in violation of‎ the provisions of the Electoral Act.

It found therefore that all votes in Ishaku’s favour had been wasted and Alhassan was the rightful winner of the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on April 13, declared the governorship election in Taraba inconclusive due to widespread irregularities.

Ishaku was however declared winner after a re-run was held on April 25.

Alhassan is currently the Minister for Women Affairs after being sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 11.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/court-of-appeal-says-aisha-alhassan-is-states-real-governor/
Lalasticlala‎

NO fewer than three million Nigerians are living illegally in the United Kingdom (UK), the Senate said yesterday through its Committee on Foreign Affairs.

It also said investigation showed there was no plan by the British government to deport 29, 000 Nigerians, contrary to a recent report.

Committee Chairman Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu made the clarification after a meeting with officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

She said an Assistant Deputy Comptroller–General, Investigations, Intelligence and Enforcement of the NIS, Mr. T. A Hundeyin, also confirmed that the 48 Nigerians recently deported from the UK committed various types of crimes and had served prison terms.

Her words: “The deputy comptroller just confirmed to us that it is not true that 29, 000 Nigerians are being deported from the United Kingdom or that the UK government intends to deport 29, 000 Nigerians.

“He (however) said that only 48 Nigerians were deported and he had shown us their names and records that actually confirmed that they had all served their prison sentences so that is why they are being deported.”

She said further: ”About three million Nigerians are illegally living in the United Kingdom and that if three million Nigerians are living there illegally and they are only removing just 48 people confirmed to have committed crime and jailed, then the situation is not too bad.”

“We will not relent in our efforts on checking and doing our oversight functions. If it requires for us to go there and visit them, and to ask questions, we won’t mind to go there and to give Nigerians and to give them the history and the records of what we find out.”

http://leadership.ng/news/484688/3m-nigerians-living-illegally-uk-senate-committee


Lalasticlala‎

Rwanda votes yes to allow extra terms for Kagame: provisional results
12:02 19/12/2015
Kigali - Rwanda has voted to change the constitution to allow President Paul Kagame to potentially rule until 2034, according to partial referendum results, election officials said on Saturday.
Also Read: Rwandans abroad vote on Kagame third term
"We have seen the will of the people. It's clear that what the people want, they can achieve,"said National Electoral Commission chief Kalisa Mbanda, unveiling preliminary results from some 70% of the country and announcing a 'yes' vote of 98.1%.
- AFP

http://news.yahoo.com/rwanda-votes-yes-allow-extra-terms-kagame-provisional-064032151.html

Lalasticlala‎

By Gbenga Olarinoye
Osogbo
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi(OjajaII) has berated those criticising him for kneeling in church to worship God, saying that “no King on Earth is above God”
A picture showing the monarch kneeling down during the installation thanksgiving held at St Paul’s Anglican, Ile Ife, on Sunday, December 13th, had gone viral on internet, attracting diverse comments.
While many that commented on the picture saw no wrong in the action of the newly installed monarch, many were of the view that the act desecrated the revered stool of Ooni.
The week-long coronation activities for the Ooni was climaxed by a thanksgiving service on Sunday 13th December 2015, at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Ile-Ife
But in a statement signed by the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Ile-Ife, Moses Olafare, the Ooni said it is an unacceptable sacrilege to equate Ooni’risa or any other king to the almighty God.
His words: “God. Is the creator of mankind and it is God made it possible for the enthronement of any king.
“The ILE OODUA has been drawn to a publication released Wednesday 16th 2015 by an online medium known as NEWSPUNCH in which His Imperial Majesty, Ooni’risa & Arole Oodua Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi(OjajaII) was criticized for bowing to God.
“God remains the highest KING OF KINGS who has kept all Kings alive and had made it possible for me to bbe crowned as the a King of the source of Yoruba civilisation.
“I have no regret whatsoever for kneeling down to exalt the almighty God who did not only create me. but also kept me alive, saw me through all the storms in my. life-journey and eventually crowned me as the Custodian of Oodua Race.
“This act of equating me to God of Gods, King of Kings and the sole owner of the universe is a wicked sacrilege planned to embarrass the the throne.
“My emergence as Oba has been made possible only by the almighty Olodumare to whom I remain eternally grateful” the Ooni said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/for-kneeling-in-church-ooni-tells-critics-no-king-on-earth-is-above-god/

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has declared his Muslim-majority country an Islamic republic, saying the move marks a break with the colonial past.

Mr. Jammeh told state TV the proclamation was in line with Gambia’s “religious identity and values.”

He added that no dress code would be imposed and citizens of other faiths would be allowed to practise freely.

Some 90 per cent of Gambians are Muslim. The former British colony’s economy relies heavily on tourism.

However, relations with the West have soured recently, the BBC reports.

The European Union temporarily withheld aid money to Gambia last year over its poor human rights record.

Mr. Jammeh has been president of the tiny West African country for 21 years.

“As Muslims are the majority in the country, the Gambia cannot afford to continue the colonial legacy,” Mr. Jammeh told state TV, explaining his decision to proclaim an Islamic republic.

Other Islamic republics include Iran, Pakistan and – in Africa, Mauritania.

Mr. Jammeh withdrew Gambia from the Commonwealth in 2013, describing the organisation as neo-colonial.

In 2007, he claimed to have found an herbal cure for Aids.


http://thenationonlineng.net/gambia-declared-islamic-republic/

Stop Glorifying Fake Accents”, Writer To Nigerian Media -

A concerned Nigerian decided to speak out about OAPs and entertainers with fake accents and how they are perceived by the general public, blaming the Media for propagating this act.

See what he has to say below: –

Nigerian celebrities live fake lives. Even their accents are fake. I stopped listening to radio because everyone is either trying to sound British, or American. Originality is zero….. Anonymous.

It’s sad that many Nigerians have carried the mentality of our forefathers that the best of products, come from the overseas and Netherlands. This has translated into so many facets of our society to the point where instead of a symbiotic fusion of our cultures with the foreign, we now have a confused sense of cultural identity.

Some of the products of this confused sense of identity is the fact that we would rather hire foreigners to handle high budget contracts than graduates of our own training, prefer to answer to a foreign boss, and more commonly, the fake accents we hear from our media and celebrities. As much as we do not want to admit it many of our on air personalities and celebrities tend to speak with an intonation reeking of foreign affiliations (the very moment you hit stardom/wealth/popularity, one of the first things to change is the accent). Let’s admit it, even when we speak to persons of renown and high social standing, we tend to add the extra slur, and roll our tongues to sound more refined.

The media is largely responsible for this scourge. A lot them favouring those who by virtue of birth, or acting prowess, have a foreign accents. For some weird reason you are considered more hip and socially pleasant if you have a foreign accent. It’s really ironic how one should discard his/her Nigerian accent to be given an opportunity to speak to Nigerians.

The human mind is devoid of language and only seeks to identify with honesty irrespective of tribe or tongue. The very moment you sound fake you lose a bond with your audience, and have to rely on hype, not actual talent to maintain relevance.

It’s high time the media and Nigerians as a whole stop glorifying the fake/foreign accents that plague the entertainment industry. Among the many colonial burdens we need to drop and discard, this is one of them. It is so bad that many media houses don’t consider you because they feel you don’t sound british or American enough to stand in front of a camera/mic (check out most radio and TV presenters)

 

Gone are the days when the man with the British accent has the smartest thing to say. The likes of Chinua Achebe, 2face, Psquare, Olamide, and Don Jazzy have shown that you can have a Nigerian accent, and even be more relevant and successful than those with an English accent mixed with ‘ijebu’  intonations.

Until every aspect of our culture and lives can imbibe this rule, we will remain in the obscurity of our lack of original identity. Its all about keeping it real, so let’s start with how we speak.

- See more at: http://www.aitonline.tv/post-___stop_glorifying_fake_accents_____writer_to_nigerian_media#sthash.KUAmyhSX.dpuf

Lalasticlala‎

Stop Glorifying Fake Accents”, Writer To Nigerian Media -

A concerned Nigerian decided to speak out about OAPs and entertainers with fake accents and how they are perceived by the general public, blaming the Media for propagating this act.

See what he has to say below: –

Nigerian celebrities live fake lives. Even their accents are fake. I stopped listening to radio because everyone is either trying to sound British, or American. Originality is zero….. Anonymous.

It’s sad that many Nigerians have carried the mentality of our forefathers that the best of products, come from the overseas and Netherlands. This has translated into so many facets of our society to the point where instead of a symbiotic fusion of our cultures with the foreign, we now have a confused sense of cultural identity.

Some of the products of this confused sense of identity is the fact that we would rather hire foreigners to handle high budget contracts than graduates of our own training, prefer to answer to a foreign boss, and more commonly, the fake accents we hear from our media and celebrities. As much as we do not want to admit it many of our on air personalities and celebrities tend to speak with an intonation reeking of foreign affiliations (the very moment you hit stardom/wealth/popularity, one of the first things to change is the accent). Let’s admit it, even when we speak to persons of renown and high social standing, we tend to add the extra slur, and roll our tongues to sound more refined.

The media is largely responsible for this scourge. A lot them favouring those who by virtue of birth, or acting prowess, have a foreign accents. For some weird reason you are considered more hip and socially pleasant if you have a foreign accent. It’s really ironic how one should discard his/her Nigerian accent to be given an opportunity to speak to Nigerians.

The human mind is devoid of language and only seeks to identify with honesty irrespective of tribe or tongue. The very moment you sound fake you lose a bond with your audience, and have to rely on hype, not actual talent to maintain relevance.

It’s high time the media and Nigerians as a whole stop glorifying the fake/foreign accents that plague the entertainment industry. Among the many colonial burdens we need to drop and discard, this is one of them. It is so bad that many media houses don’t consider you because they feel you don’t sound british or American enough to stand in front of a camera/mic (check out most radio and TV presenters)

 

Gone are the days when the man with the British accent has the smartest thing to say. The likes of Chinua Achebe, 2face, Psquare, Olamide, and Don Jazzy have shown that you can have a Nigerian accent, and even be more relevant and successful than those with an English accent mixed with ‘ijebu’  intonations.

Until every aspect of our culture and lives can imbibe this rule, we will remain in the obscurity of our lack of original identity. Its all about keeping it real, so let’s start with how we speak.

- See more at: http://www.aitonline.tv/post-___stop_glorifying_fake_accents_____writer_to_nigerian_media#sthash.KUAmyhSX.dpuf

Lalasticlala‎

Finland To Give Every Adult $10,000 Annually
By Tunde Oguntola
— Dec 10, 2015 7:07 am
Finland is considering scrapping all welfare benefits and paying all Finns $10,000 a year, regardless of income, wealth or employment status, CNN has reported.

The Finnish government, elected earlier this year plans to introduce a tax-free monthly payment of 800 euros ($865) to all adult Finns.

The report said, ‘’The government thinks that the move will actually save money. Finland’s welfare system is very complex and expensive to run, and the government hopes that simplifying it could reduce costly bureaucracy. The payment would replace most other state benefits.’’

It also argues that the change may encourage more people to look for work. About 9.5 per cent of Finns are currently out of work, the highest rate in more than a decade, and the government believes some people are deterred from working because they are better off on unemployment benefit than accepting a minimum wage job.

The center-right coalition government, which was elected earlier this year, is planning to finalize the proposal in 2016 and run a pilot programme in 2017.

The agency in charge of welfare and national social security is currently designing the program. A trial period could see it make payments of 550 euros a month, while still offering some additional benefits such as housing support.

The government commissioned an opinion poll in September, which found that 69 per cent of Finns agree with the plan. It has not published estimates of the costs, and did not reply to CNNMoney’s request for comment.

Assuming every adult gets the payment, the programme could cost between 40 billion and 50 billion euros ($54 billion) a year.

The richest would pay most of their share back in taxes, the government said.

although, Finnish media, labor unions are opposed to the plan.

http://leadership.ng/news/482150/finland-give-every-adult-10000-annually


https://www.rt.com/business/325006-finland-minimum-income-euros/

Lalasticlala‎

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), has petitioned the Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau,‎ to urgently investigate and prosecute the lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial district, Dino Melaye, over an alleged operation of foreign accounts whilst still an elected public official.
The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 in the Fifth Schedule Part I Section 3 prohibits Public Officers from operating foreign accounts. It provides as follows:

“The President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, Ministers of the Government of the Federation and Commissioners of the Governments of the States, Members of the National Assembly and of the Houses of Assembly of the States, and such other public officers or persons as the National Assembly may by law prescribe shall not shall not maintain or operate any bank account in any country outside Nigeria” 

‎Taking a cue from a report dated 6th of December, 2015, from an online newspaper Sahara Reporters, which revealed that Senator Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial District has since 2010 illegally operated bank accounts in the United States, the coalition in the petition signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, noted that if the report is true, then Melaye has contravened rules of conduct for elected officials.

‎According to the report, Senator Melaye opened two accounts, one a current and the other a savings account in the name of Daniel “Din” Melaye, posing as a student.

The report further states that by leaving the impression of himself as a student, Senator Melaye was able to open a “Campus Edge” current account with account number 4460 1649 8396 and a regular savings account with account number with 4460 1647 5966 with Bank of America in the state of Maryland.

The report averred further that the lawmaker  obtained a bank debit card with account number ending with 8873. One of his last transactions on the account took place on the 4th December, 2015, the same day he addressed his colleagues at the floor of the Senate, on a proposed retrogressive, repressive, anti-free speech and anti-democracy bill on social media and public petition censorship, as he approved payment for a transaction relating to the purchase of cosmetics from a Kremlin based MagnitKosmetik store. Also on September 1, 2015, Mr Melaye approved payment to a New York based Schweiger Dermatology.

"Mr Melaye’s actions are gross contravention of the Coe of Conduct for public officers by virtue of the above mentioned constitutional provision. 

"Your Bureau is empowered by the Constitution to prosecute before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and if found guilty, the tribunal should amongst other punishments provided for under Section 18(2) impose a vacation of his seat at the Nigerian Senate. 

"The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria remains the ground norm and an infraction of any of its provisions should not be treated with kids gloves in order to forestall a chaotic state of lawlessness in the country. Lawmakers contravening the same law promulgated by the Parliament makes a mockery of the legislature and portrays the entire law making process as a mere charade.

In view of the above, CSNAC is therefore by this petition, demanding that a thorough investigation and immediate prosecution of Senator Dino Melaye, just as in the case of Senator Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal if he is found culpable. This will go a long way in reaffirming the sanctity of the Nigerian Constitution, as well as, deterring other lawmakers and public officers from contravening same."

While attaching copy of bank statement of Senator Melaye as published by SaharaReporters, the coalition stressed that it will not hesitate to take appropriate legal action to ensure the discharge of the CCB constitutional duties.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/12/07/group-ccb-probe-melayes-foreign-account-operation

The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna on Monday, December 7 dismissed the appeal of Aminu Sule Lamido, the 34 year old son of former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji  Sule Lamido, against the decision of the Federal High Court, Kano which found him guilty of the charge of money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Aminu Sule Lamido was arrested on the 11th of December 2012 by operatives of the EFCC, at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on his way to Egypt for failure to declare the sum of $40,000 in the Customs Currency Declaration Form after initially declaring the statutory $10,000 to the Nigeria Custom Service.
Aminu, a 2010 graduate of Mass a Communication from the Bayero University Kano, was subsequently arraigned on February 4, 2013, on one count charge of false declaration of foreign currency.
The charge reads: “That you, Aminu Sule Lamido, on or about 11th day of December, 2012 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while transporting in cash, the sum of $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars only) from Nigeria to Cairo, Egypt, falsely declare to the Nigeria Customs Service the sum of $10,000 (Ten Thousand dollars only) instead of the said sum of $50,000(fifty thousand dollars only)  as required under Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2(3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 2(5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011”.
Aminu was tried and consequently convicted on July 12, 2015 by a Federal High Court sitting in Kano and ordered to forfeit 25 percent of the undeclared sum. Dissatisfied with the judgment of the trial court, Aminu filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal,  Kaduna Division, praying the Appellate court to set aside the judgment of the lower court.
The Appellate court in its judgment delivered by Justice H.A.O Abiru upheld the decision of the lower court and resolved all issues raised against the appellant.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/money-laundering-ex-gov-sule-lamidos-son-aminu-loses-appeal/

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has announced the death of his mother, Mrs. Bessie Ikpeazu (Nee Nwagwu). She died after a brief illness in the early hours of Sunday, November 29 at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH),  Enugu. She was 87. Madam Bessie was a career nurse and midwife.

 A statement issued by his  Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Godwin Adindu, reads:
Born on May 27, 1928 to the family of Nwagwu Anaba of Umuafor Village in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Madam Bessie lost her father in 1944 when she was 16. But her mother took the decision to send her to school the next year by which time she was already 17.
She obtained her primary education at the Adventist Primary School, Aba and later attended School of Nursing, Adventist Hospital, Ile Ife and graduated in 1959. In 1975, she went back to further her education at the School of Midwifery, Methodist Hospital, Amachara Umuahia.
Madam Bessie got married to late Mr. Ishmael Uleanya Ikpeazu of Umuobiakwa Village, also in Obingwa  in December, 1961 and this union was blessed with three children; Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu ( Governor of Abia State),Mrs. Ocheze Edith Ugboaja and Barrister Iheanyichukwu Ugonna Ikpeazu.
As a Nurse, she worked at Ahoada County Hospital, Ahoada Rivers State; Okpuala Ngwa General Hospital and Nigerian Christian Hospital, Onicha Ngwa in Aba where she served as the matron until she retired in 1994. During this period, she also served as the Nursing Supervisor for the Motherless Babies Home, Adventist Hospital,  Aba.
Madam Bessie as an entrepreneur was the founded Ulari Maternity Home/Clinic Umuobiakwa, a clinic where she saved many lives for no charge and delivered thousands of babies for little or no charge.
A community leader, social mobiliser and deaconess of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Madam Bessie also  served as  the leader of the Women’s Ministry of the church.

http://nigeriana.org/475590.html?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook

Lalasticlala‎

Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West has dared online news platform, SaharaReporters to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria, threatening that its founder will go to jail.
Melaye’s unprofessional reaction follows an exposé by SaharaReporters that the former House of Representatives member opened a ban account with the Bank of America in the United States.
“I dare Sahara to register with corporate Affairs commission. Sowore’s jail term will be longer than that of a monkey in the zoo,” Melaye wrote on Twitter.

Melaye’s operation of the foreign account while he is an elected public officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a violation of the Nigerian law. The breach could cost him his seat at the Nigerian Senate if he is successfully prosecuted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal which is currently trying Senate President Bukola Saraki, a close associate of Mr. Melaye’s.
According to SaharaReporters, Melaye, who once styled himself an anti-corruption activist, opened two accounts–one a current account, the other a savings account–in the name of “Daniel Din Melaye,” posing as a student.
SaharaReporters learnt that, by leaving the impression of himself as a student, Senator Melaye was able to open a “CampusEdge” current account with account number 4460 1649 8396 and a regular savings account with account number 4460 1647 5966 with Bank of America in the state of Maryland.
Senator Melaye obtained a bank debit card with account number ending with #8873. It is the senator’s transactions with the debit card that gave away him away as the owner of the accounts.
One of Mr. Melaye’s last transactions on the account took place on December 4th as he approved payment for a transaction relating to the purchase of cosmetics from a Kremlin-based MagnitKosmetik store. Also, on September 1, Mr. Melaye approved payment to a New York-based Schweiger Dermatology.

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/12/06/dino-melaye-dares-saharareporters-says-sowore-will-go-to-jail/

Lalasticlala‎

600 Days Of Chibok Girls’ Abduction, Saddening – BBOG Group

By CHIKA MEFOR AND EJIKE EJIKE
— Dec 6, 2015 6:23 am


The chairman of Chibok community, Tsambido Hosea-Abana has described as saddening, the continued stay of the Chibok schoolgirls in the hands of their abductors 600 days after their abduction.

In an interview during a special sit out and candle light procession by the Chibok girls ambassadors, Hosea-Abana stated that the Chibok community including the parents of the girls are heart broken that the girls have not yet been rescued even after many promises by the government.

He noted that the hope of the parents of the girls was bouyed with the emergence of the new administration adding that so far, that such a hope has been dashed as they now wonder when and if their children will ever be brought back to them.

“It is unfortunate. We are commemorating this moment with sad and heavy heart. It is a sad moment. We never knew that it will ever get to this day. When we joined this advocacy, we never envisaged that it will get to this day. Six hundred days is really a long time for people’s children to stay in the hands of terrorists. We don’t know the state of the girls. We have heard nothing. We are all shedding tears of grief.

“The parents of the girls are also in pain. They don’t know what to expect any longer. They had kept their hopes alives, thinking that the new administration will do what the past administration didn’t do, that is bringing the girls back. But they have seen no positive result. They are confused. They don’t even know what to do and what to asks government any longer,” he said.

In a statement earlier released by the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) group, it has expressed sadness that even after months of its meeting with President Muhammed Buhari, urging him to prioritise the immediate rescue and safe return of the girls, the abducted girls are still in captivity.

“Today (yesterday) is 600 days since our Chibok schoolgirls were abducted in their school, Government Secondary School, Chibok by terrorists on the night of 14th April 2014. It will also be few days to complete five months since our meeting with the Nigerian president urging him to prioritise their immediate rescue and safe return; whereby he reiterated his commitment,” the statement said.

In the statement signed by the leaders of the group, Aisha Yesufu, Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman, the group while calling on everyone in Nigeria, and around the world to continue to remember to girls, expressed hope that the December deadline given by the president for the girls’ rescue and safe return, and the annihilation of the terrorists will be achieved.

“This becomes even more important as we all look forward to the 31st December deadline given by the president for their rescue and safe return, and the annihilation of the terrorists; amidst reports of more abductions,”.

http://leadership.ng/chibokgirls/480943/600-days-chibok-girls-abduction-saddening-bbog-group

Lalasticlala‎

Bayelsa Poll: PDP In Early Lead, As INEC Declares Results At Polling Units, Wards
— Dec 5, 2015 7:29 pmp
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is maintaining a comfortable lead, as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials declared the results in some polling units and wards across the State.

The PDP, according to reults collated so far, won in all the three wards in Odi, same thing in all the units in Kaiama in kolokuma/Opokuma local government area.

Also, the party is maintaining a distance lead in Ogbia, Sagbama and Ekeremor and Yenagoa local government areas

While the results of other polling units are still being collated, the PDP as at the time of filing is maintaining a comfortable lead.  

#BayelsaVotes

http://www.leadership.ng/news/480808/bayelsa-poll-pdp-early-lead-inec-declares-results-polling-units-wards

By Osa Okhomina
— Dec 5, 2015 10:00 am
Just as was the case during the 2015 general election elections where former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan were both rejected by the card reader, the election device has failed to capture the former president in the ongoing accreditation process for Bayelsa governorship election.

Dr Jonathan has gone back inside his house at Otuoke as voters await replacement of the card reader.
http://www.leadership.ng/news/480687/bayelsa-guber-card-reader-fails-capture-former-president-goodluck-jonathan

Update :

Bayelsa Guber: REC Replaces Card Reader At Jonathan’s Polling Unit
By Osa Okhomina
— Dec 5, 2015 10:07 am
The INEC REC has called for a replacement of the card reader at Otuoke.

A new card reader was brought after 30 minutes and is working smoothly.

INEC ad hoc staff are now waiting for the ex-president and his wife to come and be accredited.

http://www.leadership.ng/news/480689/bayelsa-guber-rec-replaces-card-reader-jonathans-polling-unit

Report any suspicious situation in your area to INEC directly or to any police
.





Lalasticlala‎

Thumb-printing Of Ballot Papers Reportedly Going On At Hoil Suite In Yenogoa

Report reaching us says there is thumb-printing of ballot papers currently going on at Hoil Suite in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.

Although, it is not clear which of the political parties participating in tomorrow’s governorship election the thumb-priting favours, but report has it that the hotel is owned by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

http://www.leadership.ng/news/480561/thumb-printing-ballot-papers-reportedly-going-hoil-suite-yenogoa

One bomb blast is reported to have taken place in Kimba area of the Biu Local Government Area (LGA) and the other in Sabon-Ngeri, both located in Borno State.

The numbers of injured or dead is unknown at the time of publication. More details will be reported as made available.

http://saharareporters.com/2015/12/04/breaking-two-bomb-blasts-borno-state-death-toll-unknown

Following media reports‎ claiming a fresh abduction of girls at the weekend in Bam-Buratai, a community in Biu local government area of Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents, Governor Kashim Shettima on Tuesday gave a new committee three days to investigate and report.
Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser on Communications and Strategy to Governor Shettima, said in a statement that members of the seven-man committee were mostly indigenes of Biu, the affected local council area.

Governor Shettima, who met with the committee shortly after it was set up, advised them to deploy lawful means, including interfacing with their kinsmen in the affected community and surrounding areas, with a view to establishing all the facts concerning the reported abduction.  They are to present their findings to him no later than Friday.

The committee is chaired by a member of the Borno State House of Assembly, representing Biu, Aliyu Mamman Kachalla, and has a woman, Mrs Adama Badawi, ‎as secretary and member.  

Other members are:‎ Habib Yusuf, Engineer Baba Isa, Usman D.C. Buratai, Ibrahim Audu Miringa and Dr Hamma Adama Biu. 

Governor Kashim Shettima called on all citizens to remain calm and go about their normal businesses.  He said the Borno State Government was working very hard to support the security agencies and youth volunteers in a combined and very determined commitment to end the Boko Haram insurgency. 

http://saharareporters.com/2015/12/01/gov-shettima-gives-committee-three-days-find-facts-reported-abduction-girls-borno

Lalasticlala‎

A farmer was astonished to discover a sweet potato he had been growing in one of his fields had mutated into a rather provocative shape.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3339279/Farmer-pulls-potato-looks-like-s-suggestive-position.html?ito=social-twitter_dailymailUK



Lalasticlala‎

More

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday handed over series of security equipment and vehicles to the State Police Command and the Rapid Response Squad, just as he charged them to ensure that the equipment are deployed effectively to tackle criminal activities as residents will no longer accept excuses.

The Governor who spoke at the official handing over of 100 4-Door Salon Cars, 55 Ford Ranger Pick-Ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-Ups, 15 BMW Power Bikes, 100 Power Bikes, Isuzu Trucks, three (3) Helicopters, two(2) Gun Boats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Revolving Lights, Siren and Public Address System, Vehicular Radio Communicators, Security Gadgets including Bullet Proof Vests, Helmets, Handcuffs, etc, Uniforms, Kits and Improved Insurance and Death Benefit Schemes for officers, put the total cost of acquiring the equipment to N4.765bn.
He said with the new development, the Lagos State Police Command has been repositioned to compare to similar outfits in other modern City States, expressing optimism that the equipment will go a long way to aid security agencies respond faster to crime.

He said, “Our Police Command will have its operations significantly driven by the right technology and equipment that will match the emerging sophistication of crime in our contemporary time.”



Helicopter to fight crime in Lagos

“Members of the Police Command have been undergoing training to better equip them for the job. We have also re-branded the Rapid Response Squad of the State police Command to give them a new identity.”

“Given the encouraging partnership and support of well-meaning citizens and corporate organisations, we are on course to making our State a safe haven only for law abiding citizens.”

He however urged the officers of the State Police Command to ensure that the purpose for which the equipment was acquired is not defeated.

“We say to whom much is given, much is expected. Law enforcement officers are never ‘off duty’. They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect the public at any time and place. Lagosians will not accept excuses,” he said.

Governor Ambode also seized the occasion to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to further strengthen support for the state, noting that the security of the state reflects directly on the economic fortunes of Nigeria.

He also urged residents to play their part by volunteering useful information on suspected criminals and activities that might lead to the breach of security in our communities to the Police through the state emergency hotline 112.

President Buhari in his remarks commended Governor Ambode for his laudable role in prioritizing security and the purchase of the security equipment that would make the state safer and conducive for residents and citizens of the state.

The President who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdurrahman Dambazau, said the security equipment is a clear demonstration of the fulfillment of the Governor’s mantra to the people of the State.

“This is indeed a laudable achievement by Lagos State Government to improve the security of life and property of the people of Lagos State. I therefore salute the Governor of Lagos State for initiating this judicious use of public funds to protect Lagosians,” Buhari said.

The President who said that addressing security challenges calls for collaboration among critical stakeholders, especially elected government representatives, also enjoined other states to emulate the great strides of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode by supporting security agencies in their various states.

 
http://punchng.com/no-more-excuses-ambode-tells-police/

Lalasticlala‎