₦airaland Forum

A single mother has killed her two-month old baby in the process of trying to stop the child from crying and making a noise, Evening Standard, reports.

Abigail Palmer had claimed she had fallen asleep on the sofa only to wake up and find her daughter, Teri-Rae, “blue and lifeless”.

But the 33-year-old was found guilty of manslaughter after the prosecution alleged she crushed the baby to stop her from crying.

Paramedics had been called to the home in Solihull, West Midlands, United Kingdom, but were unable to save the tragic newborn.

The death was initially treated as non-suspicious but a skeletal examination later discovered fresh damage to her ribs.

The 33-year-old tested positive for cocaine during her pregnancy and had regular visits from health care and social workers, who didn’t raise any concerns.

She has since been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/04/06/woman-murders-2-month-old-baby-for-making-noise/

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Saturday, lambasted Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, over the outcome of the Rivers State governorship election.

It was reported that Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was declared winner of the March 9 Governorship election in the state

State Returning Officer, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Professor Teddy Addia declared that Wike poll 886,264 to defeat his closest rival, Biokpomabo Awara of the AAC, who polled 173,809.

In a statement, the former presidential spokesman said Amaechi’s determination to wrestle power for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led to loss of lives and injuries of his own people.

He said: “Now that he has been disgraced in his Rivers state how does the frog-eyed, pot-bellied Creek Haramite feel? The truth is that he was never fit for power in the first place because he was born in the gutter. He crawled out of that gutter but the gutter never crawled our of him.

“His houseboy background has always haunted him and he has no class or character. All the virtues in God’s heaven and on earth are alien to him and he cannot possibly comprehend them let alone espouse or imbibe them. That is why he has always behaved like an animal.

“A creature from hell that orchestrated the arrest, detention and murder of hundreds of his own Rivers people by outsiders in a futile attempt to win power in Port Harcourt and capture the state is not worthy of public office, honor, decency or respect.

“He and his ilk are a sad reflection of what politics and politicians have turned into in Nigeria. I would not put him in charge of my dog kennels or horse stables let alone a Federal Ministry or a state.

“They took the beast out of the bush but they could not take the bush out of the beast. When a pig wears lipstick it still remains a pig and it still stinks to high heavens.

“When you put a dog in a palace it still remains a dog and it will defecate on the rug. That is what this Haramite is: a beast in the bush, a pig wearing lipstick and a dog in a palace all rolled into one.

“May God judge him for his psychotic barbarism and compulsive wickedness and may he pay a terrible price for his sociopathic disposition and vile inclinations both in this world and in the world to come.

“The blood of those that were killed in the 2019 election in Rivers State will haunt him forever.”

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/04/06/wike-vs-awara-the-blood-of-those-killed-during-rivers-election-will-haunt-amaechi-fani-kayode/

Queen Chinonye Joy Olebu,

Queen Chinonye Joy Olebu, reigning Miss Imo State has released photos as she is set to hand over the crown in the forthcoming 2019 Miss Imo State contest, holding in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

Queen Chinonye doubles as a beauty Queen and the Convener of Joy Chinonye Foundation (JCF).She has displayed unconventional wisdom, abled capacity and Intellectual disposition of commitment throughout her reign as a beauty Queen.

She was crowned Queen in April 2018 and would be handing over on the 13th of April 2019. During her reign, Queen Chinonye was engaged in several charity and humanitarian projects. As the founder of Joy Chinonye Foundation, Queen Joy has carried out free medical outreach in Orsu LGA,Imo State with the development partnership of Society For Family Health (SFH) in Imo state.

Her Foundation also donated food and other items to inmates, during a visit to Owerri prisons, to share love and extend its hands of benevolence to the those who have given up on life.

See more images below:

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/04/06/holy-moly-mouth-watering-photos-of-reigning-miss-imo-state-emerge/

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has raised alarm over alleged last-minute award of contracts by Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the outgoing Governor of the state.
The party also alleged that Amosun was busy with last-minute selling and auctioning of government properties, as well as secret recruitments into the civil service. Tunde Oladunjoye, the Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the party in the state said this in a statement in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Friday.

He said the Governor’s action was to “tie the hands” of Dapo Abiodun, the incoming Governor, who is billed to assume office on May 29.

The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that the outgoing administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun is busy with last-minute award of contracts, selling and secret recruitments into the civil service, in a bid to tie the hands of the incoming Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

“While we find the reported last-minute contracts, withdrawals from the treasury, sale of land and illegal recruitment of Senator Amosun’s cronies into the senior positions of the Ogun State Civil Service very shocking, our party wishes to warn the members of the general public that such hurrried transactions would not necessarily be binding on the incoming administration.

“We urge Ogun State’s senior civil servants to not be part of the desperate moves of the departing governor to undermine socio-economic stability of our state, by engaging in, condoning or being part of any act that breaches or constitutes a flagrant abuse of laid-down rules, regulations and due process.

“It is our belief that an administration with less than two months to hand over should, by now, be preparing its handover notes for a smooth transition, instead of digging pits for the incoming government.

“May we also reiterate here that all loans, overdraft and financial obligations that do not follow due process, including the approval of the Ogun State House of Assembly, would not be honoured. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/04/06/apc-raises-alarm-over-governor-amosuns-last-minute-contracts-in-ogun-state/

Chelsea star Eden Hazard will complete talks over a summer move to Real Madrid in the coming days, reports Marca.
Negotiations between the two clubs and the Belgian are almost complete, despite Chelsea’s reluctance to sell ahead of their upcoming transfer ban.

Hazard is expected to make an imminent visit to the Spanish capital to search for houses and get to know the city which will soon be his new home.

Unai Emery admits Arsenal would struggle to splash out £75 million on one player – such as Liverpool did to sign Virgil van Dijk – but says the Gunners must spend this summer to improve their squad.

As was shown in January when Arsenal could only bring players in on loan, money is relatively tight in north London, but things will improve ahead of the 2019-20 season thanks to the club’s new commercial deals with Adidas and Emirates.

As it stands, the club is working towards a transfer budget of around £45m, but that will rise should Emery’s side go on and secure Champions League football.

Manchester United have ended their pursuit of Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, according to the Daily Star.

The Wales international’s future at the Bernabeu is in doubt, with United often touted as a potential destination for his Premier League return.

But Bale’s prohibitive wage demands have cooled interest, prompting the Red Devils to consider younger options like Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Bale, Isco and Kroos all on the chopping block this summer

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane wants to offload three of his big-contract stars in Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Isco.

The Daily Mail reports that Casemiro and Marcelo are also on the chopping block as Madrid look to overhaul their playing staff this summer.

A suit filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, challenging the emergence of Imo State Governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been thrown aside by a Federal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State capital.

Senator Anyanwu, representing Imo East in the Senate, had approached the court seeking to nullify the victory of Ihedioha.

Anyanwu told the court that he should be declared as the authentic winner of the PDP gubernatorial primary election in the State.

He also accused the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of engaging in over voting, thuggery, which he alleged, swayed the polls in his favour.

Delivering his ruling on the matter Thursday, Justice Tijani Ringim, pointed out that the plaintiff did not convince the court on the prayers he sought.

The judge said the court could not establish the fact in his claims and therefore dismissed the suit for lack of proof.

It would be recalled that the Imo State Governor-elect, won the gubernatorial primary election of the party conducted in Owerri on October 1, 2018, polling 1,723 votes to defeat Senator Anyanwu, who polled 1,282 votes.

The United Arab Emirates Embassy in Nigeria has denied media reports that it has cancelled the three months tourist visa for Nigerian passport holders.

Reports were rife two days ago that the UAE government took the decision following the robbery operation by five Nigerian men in Dubai.

Well, the Embassy took to its twitter handle to deny the reports.

”Press Statement

In light of the press reports published today alleging that the UAE has suspended issuing tourist visas to Nigerian nationals, the UAE Embassy in Abuja announces that these news are inaccurate and stresses the importance of sourcing news from its official channel”.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/04/05/uae-denies-cancelling-three-months-tourist-visa-for-nigerian-passport-holders/

Some men suspected to be armed robbers have allegedly killed the bursar of the Akure Diocese of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Gabriel Kola Abiodun.

It was gathered that the deceased was shot dead at the diocesan office at Alagbaka, Akure, the Ondo State capital this morning shortly after returning from bank with N500,000 meant for the church.

His remains has been evacuated and taken to the mortuary by some policemen.

The Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, Femi Joseph confirmed the incident, saying the police has swung into action to apprehend the killers.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/04/04/anglican-bursar-gabriel-kola-abiodun-shot-dead-at-diocesan-office-in-ondo-state/

Croatian striker, Mario Mandzukic has signed a new contract at Juventus that will keep him with the Serie A champions until 2021.

The 32-year-old who has scored 43 goals in 159 appearances in all competitions since joining the club from Atlético Madrid in 2015, signed the deal this afternoon in Turin.

Mandzukic who teams up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala to form a deadly attacking trio for Juventus is the club’s second-leading scorer in Serie A behind Ronaldo, recording eight goals and six assists in 23 appearances so far this season.

Tragedy struck at a hostel in Imo State, on Tuesday, as two undergraduates of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, were found dead while allegedly engaged in sex romp with a female student of the institution.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the development to our correspondent on Wednesday, said the deceased students were suspected to have abused drugs during the sex romp.

The police spokesperson, gave the names of the dead victims as Ugochukwu Kingsley and one Richard, while the third victim, Aka Uche, 27, and the female victim, Onyinyechi Okafor, were receiving treatment in hospital.

He said the incident occurred at the Sunshine Lodge in Ihiagwa, near the FUTO campus.

According to him, the police personnel, who evacuated the corpses and took the two unconscious victims to hospital, recovered substances suspected to be Indian hemp and tramadol from the scene.

Ikeokwu stated, “On April 2, information was received from the caretaker of the Sunshine Lodge in Ihiagwa, Owerri, that the students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Ugochukwu Kingsley, Richard and one Aka Uche were engaged in a sex romp with one Onyinyechi Okafor, also a student of the same university.

“Police detectives from the Nekede Division promptly mobilised to the scene and found the four victims completely naked and unconscious. The police operatives recovered substances suspected to be Indian hemp and tramadol from the scene.

“The victims were immediately conveyed to the police clinic and two of the victims, Kingsley and Richard, were certified dead by the medical doctor on duty.

“The corpses have been deposited in the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, for autopsy, while the female victim, whose condition is yet to be stabilised, and uche have been referred to the FMC, Owerri, for further medical attention.

“The families of the deceased have been contacted, while the conditions of the surviving victims are still being closely monitored.”

Ikeokwu said the state Commissioner of Police frowned on drug abuse and other illicit acts by youths, whose parents were working hard to ensure that their future was guaranteed.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, FUTO, Uche Nwelue, said the institution was still investigating to confirm if the victims were its students.

Nwelue stated, “We are still investigating to ascertain if truly they are students of FUTO. You know that the hostel where the incident occurred, is being occupied by students from different institutions.

“Apart from FUTO students, who live there, students of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, also live there. We have to conclude our investigation first before we can come up with an official position on the incident. But I have read about it online.”

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) worked against the ruling party in the 2019 general election.

The APC won the presidential election, secured over 25 seats than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the senate, won over 100 seats than PDP in the house of reps and emerged victorious in governorship and state assembly elections.

However, Oshiomhole claimed that INEC conducted the elections in a manner that put the ruling party at a disadvantage was grossly biased against the APC in the just concluded general elections. He spoke in an interview with Maupe Ogun-Yusuf on Channels Television’s Hard Copy.

“I have huge reservations about the way INEC conducted this election. INEC bias against APC is so clear. INEC was biased even in the way it dealt with our primaries, INEC was biased in the way in which it selectively used the card readers or the non-use of card readers in some states where it suits them” he said.

He said there were several instances on paper where INEC contradicted itself as to the way the elections were conducted. Laying emphasis on the non-use of card readers in some areas, Oshiomhole claimed that in some states were the APC clearly won, the electoral umpire used the non-use of card readers to rig the party out.


https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/30/inec-worked-against-apc-in-the-elections-the-bias-is-so-clear-adams-oshiomhole/

A man is currently on the run after allegedly setting his wife ablaze, leading to her death.

Esther Alli, 33, was allegedly set ablaze by her husband Monday Alli Onaivi.

According to online reports, Monday and Esther, who is a housewife, had a disagreement over his refusal to give her money for the family’s upkeep which led to verbal abuse and then it turned physical.

Esther was rushed to the hospital where she died due to severe burns to her body.

She leaves behind three children – two girls and a boy.
The man is now at large after he escaped allegedly with the help of his mother.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/29/man-on-the-run-after-allegedly-setting-his-wife-ablaze-in-benin/

Gunmen on Thursday night attacked a drinking joint and shot dead a young man simply identified as Gift, by the Iyara junction, off Cemetery road in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

It was learnt that the gunmen robbed commercial shops from Sido junction before arriving at the drinking joint.

Customers, who had gone to patronize the joint and other commercial shops around, ran away but the deceased came out with a bottle of alcohol in his hand, asking why they were running.

It was in this process that the gunmen accosted him, Gift, and shot him at close range.

The incident, caused serious tension in the area as the owner of the drinking joint and others scamped for safety.

The matter was promptly reported at the “A” Division Police Station in Warri where the Divisional Police Officer, SP Adebisi Olusegun Samson said, “I’m aware. I have notified the Headquarters.”

When contacted, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeyinka Adeleke said, “That’s what I was told too.”

Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue in Warri.


https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/29/gunmen-attack-drinking-joint-shoot-man-dead-in-delta/

Police in Malaysia on Thursday stormed a Redeemed Christian Church of God in Damansara, a town in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city and arrested about six persons.

The members who are mostly Nigerians, were conducting a vigil when the police stormed the church and arrested them for public disturbance.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/29/malaysian-police-raid-rccg-church-arrest-many-nigerians-for-public-disturbance-photos-video/

Lagos Club owner and controversial socialite, Pretty Mike, took to Instagram to write about what he thinks of short women…

Read below.

Short Girls and there wahala-: They are the EvE among our midst,
These are women 5.3ft and below. A short petite woman might still be considered cute and mistaken for a 12yrs old, but a short thick Lady with huge bumbum are the worst.

The shorter they are the closer they are to the devil, that’s is why it’s easier for him to whisper words into their ears.

In history, female with the worst Atrocities are mostly short women. They are the fighters, with the sharpest of tongue ..especially those with a short and small frame, it’s like they swallowed a microphone as they have the loudest of voice and they are very quick to use it.

A short woman is never satisfied in bed ..they have a sex drive with that of a horse, especially those in relationships.. If there is ever a female arm robber ..it will be a short woman, they have the balls for it…

They are mean, evil and they don’t play.

They are extremely strong and have the tendency to beat their husband and if they can’t beat,they use poison as an alternative… A short woman would still marry a short man and end up being the man of the house while producing mustard seed children….

If you cheat on a short thick woman be very sure she is going to revenge by sleeping with all ur family and friends as a short woman never forgives…

Please do not invite me for a wedding if both the bride and the groom fall under the category of short syndrome, that’s is wicked and unfair for the next generation of children who will be called kekere all their lives… .

Calabar, light up! Get ready for the most high-energy, adrenalin-pumping after-dark party of the year as Smirnoff X1, Smirnoff Ice and Smirnoff Guarana bring the biggest neon-themed party to you on Friday, March 29th at the Municipal Garden, Calabar. Time is 9:00pm

The Smirnoff X1 Tour is coming to the nation’s Paradise with an electrifying ‘glow-in-the-dark’ experience, with performances by the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya and Kukere singer, Iyanya. Superstar DJ Spinall will be on the wheels of steel!

Smirnoff X1 infused cocktails, and the great tasting Smirnoff Ice and Smirnoff Guarana will fuel the party experience, with plenty of colour, excitement, music and entertainment to boot.

The Smirnoff X1 Tour is an experience you don’t want to miss. Bring your crew and express yourself in glowing colours of neon. It’s going to be lit!
Remember, it’s going down on Friday 29th March at the Municipal Garden, Ndidem Iso road, Marian, Calabar.
Join the conversation on social media! Follow @smirnoffng on Instagram or get on the trend with #SmirnoffX1TourCalabar and #BeXpressive and you could win exciting prizes.


https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/28/smirnoff-x1-tour-lights-up-calabar-with-a-unique-experience/

Bollywood actress, Priyanka Chopra, 36, took to her Instagram to share this loved-up photo of her and husband Nick Jonas, 26, gazing adoringly at each other and wrote in the caption: ‘To live for days like this. ?? @nickjonas #boatlife.’

Premiership club, Manchester Unitedhas appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as permanent coach on a three-year contract after impressing as caretaker manager.

The club legend returned to Old Trafford in December, after Jose Mourinho sacking and has since then led his side to 14 wins from 19 games.

His deal is said to worth around £7million a year, less than half the £18m basic the club were understood to have been paying the Norwegian’s predecessor Jose Mourinho.

‘From the first day I arrived, I felt at home at this special club,’ said Solskjaer in a statement on the club website.

‘It was an honour to be a Manchester United player, and then to start my coaching career here. The last few months have been a fantastic experience and I want to thank all of the coaches, players and staff for the work we’ve done so far.

‘This is the job that I always dreamed of doing and I’m beyond excited to have the chance to lead the club long-term and hopefully deliver the continued success that our amazing fans deserve.’

Solskjaer added: ‘It’s truly an honour, I have spoken about it in the last few months, it is the dream job for any football-interested man, for anybody involved with Manchester United.

‘I have been given the opportunity now to move the club forward. With all the potential there is, it is fantastic.’

Nollywood producer, ChinneyLove Eze is back on our screens again with the new movie ‘Hire A Woman’ after delivering back to back blockbusters since her debut in 2017. ‘Hire A Woman’ is set to be in cinemas across the country from Friday, March 29.
She recently had a pre-release party for the movie, ‘Hire A Woman’ where Nollywood superstars and celebrities were presenting dine and celebrate. Belinda, Effah, Khloe, Seun Oloketuyi, Nancy Isime, Ufu Ennada, IK Ogbonna, Pencil, Lasisi Elenu, Gbenga Adeyinka, Rico Swavey, Mike Ezuruonye, Bobrisky, and a host of others graced the occasiony.
Chinneylove is the Nollywood producer behind the highly successful ‘Hire A Man’ movie. The movie which went on to become one of the biggest and most successful movies at the cinemas in 2017. In 2018, she released a new romantic comedy, June but many were still clamouring for more. This was how Hire A Woman came about.
‘Hire A Woman’ is nothing like Hire A Man. The movie tells a different story, plot and twists to deliver an eclectic feature film that makes the romantic in you come alive. It is set to be in cinemas from March 29, 2019.

A lady asked for the design above but what she got from her tailor has received mixed reactions.

Some said the dress made by the Nigerian tailor is similar and the problem is with the owner’s body. But others pointed out that the sleeve wasn’t properly done and the dress wasn’t made to fit the client’s body.

See the photo of what was delivered below and tell what you think.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/27/the-tailor-tried-social-media-users-debate-after-a-lady-shared-photos-of-what-she-asked-for-from-her-tailor-and-what-she-got/

Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, has called on loyalists of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to remain united, stressing that “the party did not lose in the last elections, but Governor Rochas Okorocha was the grand loser”.
Madumere who made the assertion while addressing APC faithful from Mbaitoli local government area in his Lake Malinda country home yesterday, also charged them to join hands to rebuild and reposition the party.

While commending his party members for being resolute to rid the party of unpatriotic elements, including Rochas Okorocha, Madumere insisted that the party was more interested in producing a leadership that will stand for the people, empathize with the people and ultimately change their situation from worse to better.


“For the first time, we have a focused government led by President Mohammadu Buhari that is more interested, not just only in the growth of the nation but in its development. We are all witnesses to what is going on in agriculture, transport, anti-corruption, aviation and now textile industry;” he said.

Speaking earlier, the local government party Chairman, Mr. Tony Amadi, showered encomium on Madumere for his resilience, focus and sacrifice, saying “without his leadership and temperament, the story would have been devastating.

He recounted how most people in the leadership of the party all gave up hope, but Madumere chose to continue and even recruited more high profile politicians to join him in the battle to salvage both the party and retrieve the state from the stranglehold of ‘familiocracy’. His words: “This was a man who was denied everything yet he said no to impunity and family political dynasty. At a time, some of our people left the party but Madumere as a disciplined leader.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/27/apc-didnt-lose-okorocha-did-madumere/

Home to top Nigerian celebrities including Charlie Boy, Dr. Alban and more, Oguta is a popular town Imo State, Nigeria.
Located on the famed east bank of southeastern Nigeria, it is richly endowed with scenic and historic treasures and really does merit its status as an increasingly popular tourist destination
While it is impossible to explore and experience the genuineness of the Oguta in just one stay, there is need to give the town with incredible attractions it’s due recognition. Jumia Travel, Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking site reveals 5 unmissable things to get you started here.

The Oguta Lake
Referred to as Ogbuide or Uhamiri by Oguta locals, The lake is the second largest lake in Nigeria and has attracted a lot of visitors and tourists over the years. While the idea of a lake may conjure up thoughts of crocodiles or salty water, it certain does not conform to that “lake” stereotype and is conducive for swimming and sightseeing.
Ensure you visit Oguta lake while visiting the town, you can either go with swimming trunks and a floater for a dip at the shallow edges or have a picnic at its bank and do some fishing. You will not only have a marvelous time but also stand the chance of partaking from a historical heritage as the lake was a port for the evacuation of palm products in the colonial era as well as a marine base for the Biafran Navy during the civil war.

White soup
The white soup is unarguably one of the most indigenous soups of the Oguta people. Locally referred to as “Ofe Nsala”, it is best prepared with fresh fish (mostly from the lake) and paired with pounded yam or Nni Akpu (starch). Tourist cannot really boast that they have had a full experience of Oguta until they have tried this meal. Prepared locally, visitors can have a rich original taste at one of the restaurants at the Pontu side of the lake.

The water confluence, Urashi
This landmark is one of the major reasons tourists travel all the way to Oguta and risk their lives on wooden ferries while crossing the river. Certainly spectacular, the confluence of the Blue lake (Ogbuide) and Urashi River also in Oguta is an uncommon gift of nature to behold. While the Oguta Lake appears blue, the Orashi is brown and muddy, and they never mix up. An effort made at mixing water from both sources is a tough thing to do as both mixtures will gradually separate within the container.

NaijaPlaza bar
The Naija Plaza Bar is the symbol of Oguta’s nightlife, and does not need to be introduced as it is easily located with town. Visit in the evening time for a drink and interact with locals in the town as well as visitors. Delicacies including peppersoup, nkwobi, and more are also served at different rates.

Ime obodo
The rural areas of the town is referred to as “Ime obodo” by the locals. Indigenes who live within this area and any tourist who wants to get a real taste of the town’s culture gets the best experience by visiting these communities. Tourist attractions include relics of gunboats destroyed by the Biafran soldiers, the colonial jetty, and the famous Ojukwu bunker with a tunnel that runs under the lake connecting both banks of the lake and houses of famous colonial masters who lived in the area.


https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/26/things-not-to-miss-while-in-oguta-imo-state-nigeria/

Illustrations from the photo.

There a fight outbreak on Sunday at 10pm which involve some groups of guys and a lady.
The guy in blue, had a fight with the elder sister of the guy on trousers. His Elder sister called him and inform him of the fight which was going on at egbu, Uwheru Delta state.
On him reaching there to ask what the matter was, he got no reply from them and these guys were armed with cutlass, dagger � and so on. The next thing that took place was that he was bounced upon by the guy on blue and his gangs about two.
He was stabbed in a way that before he could be taken to the clinic he has given up.. i.e the guy on trouser.
After he had been killed, the guy on blue took to his heels and ran through a track of which he was followed by the youths of the community which caught him and brought him down, he was also butchered to death at 11:25pm.
At the time of this report their corpse i.e The one on trouser and the one on blue are not yet buried till the other two involved in the mission are being caught.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/19/uwheru-again-how-it-all-happened-at-uwheru-delta-state/

lalasticlala

Owerri—Intense lobbying has begun over who becomes the next Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly.
File: House of Assembly moves to amend pension bill
Investigations yesterday in Owerri, discovered that six House of Assembly members-elect from Imo North senatorial district, have engaged in moves and counter-moves to woo their colleagues from other zones.
Ugwuanyi preaches peace, unity after polls
Many believe that since the governor- elect, Emeka Ihedioha is from Imo East and his deputy, Gerald Irona is from Imo West , it would be politically balanced to have the speaker produced from Imo North senatorial district.
The House when inaugurated, will have 13 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members; eight Action Alliance, AA, members; and six All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, members.
In Imo North which is where the pendulum appears to be swinging to, APGA won in four local government areas while AA has only two local government areas but the PDP could not win even one local government.
Consequently, it will take the governor- elect, Ihedioha, who has been a deputy speaker of House of Representatives, what an analyst described as “political conjuration” to produce his preferred speaker.
APC women, youths protest Delta guber results
Some were of the opinion that Ihedioha would have to contend with Araraume and Nwosu before he could succeed in installing his choice speaker.
It was gathered that since after the supplementary elections in the state, the governorship candidates of the various political parties have been having meetings with their respective members-elect inorder not to be outwitted in parliamentary politics.
The governor-elect has been advised to do his political negotiations well, as any mistake could result to the two opposition camps teaming up to take over the leadership of the House.
This is not to say that there could be possible defection from opposition parties to the PDP, especially those who have been working day and night to become the speaker of the House.

https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/26/lobbying-over-imo-speakership-intensifies/

Maidens must walk to the market with bare breasts for initiation into womanhood

Young female indigenes protest practice, say it’s initiation into marine kingdom

Osu (caste system) is an ancient Igbo traditional practice that is well known within and outside the country but often condemned because of its perceived infringement on the fundamental rights of the affected people. But not many people are aware of Ikwe-ezi, a traditional festival in Mgbidi area of Imo State, which requires young girls to maintain a high level of morality before they perform the rites which are compulsory for every female indigene of the area. From the stone-age when the practice began till date, hordes of young girls who failed to keep to the rules of the tradition were said to have been publicly humiliated and banished from the community. INNOCENT DURU reports.

THIS, obviously, is a season of celebration and anxiety for many families in Mgbidi, the headquarters of Oru Local Government Area, Imo State. It is a joyous moment for the entire community because it is the period when the people celebrate the Ikwe-ezi, a ceremony that is akin to what is commonly known as rite of passage. It is a huge celebration that draws indigenes of the community in other parts of the country and beyond home to take part, just the way many Igbo people travel home during the Yuletide season.

The Ikwe-ezi is, however, a period of anxiety for many families whose daughters are ripe for the ceremony, because they have seen and heard of how many families in the land have had their daughters publicly embarrassed and even banished from the community for not being faithful to the rules of the tradition. The Nation gathered that the thought of the grave consequence sends shivers down the spines of parents whose daughters are old enough to take part in the ceremony.

The Principal Palace Secretary to the traditional ruler, Chief Festus Orji Achonu, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “When a girl has attained maturity but has not performed the rites, her parents must guard her jealously to prevent her from becoming pregnant. If she becomes pregnant before performing the rites, she will be banished from Mgbidi and certain cleansing rites will be done for the family she comes from. The banished girl will never step into the community again. If for any reason she enters the community, the male children in the family will have to perform some cleansing rites in order not to attract the wrath of the gods of the land.”

Some other respondents said the girl in question risks being lynched if she steps into the community after she has been banished.

“When a girl has been banished from the community, on no account must she return. She can pass through the land in a vehicle, but she must not step on the soil. If she attempts it, she will be lynched and the family will pay dearly for it,“ a respondent said.

Giving background information about the ceremony, Chief Achonu said: “Ikwe-ezi is a unique culture in Mgbidi which has not been affected by civilisation or Christianity. A young girl must have reached maturity age to qualify for participation. If you have not reached the age, you are not qualified to do it. It is a sort of check and balance on our young girls. It begins from January and ends in June annually.

“The practice started from time immemorial with the daughter of a peasant. She was so beautiful that people became jealous of her. She eventually became pregnant, making the elders to gather and declare the development as a taboo. They consequently said she should be banished from the town. The helpless, poor father cried and swore that nothing would ever put an end to the practice in the land. That is why nothing has been able to stop this since then.

“Every girl that performs the tradition will go to a river we call Nmiri nwata oma (water of a beautiful child) with a small yam that is thrown inside the shrine of the goddess of the river called Obana. That is the tradition we got from our forefathers. When she does this, it means she has done the Ikwe-ezi ceremony, and that signifies that she is now pure.

“Every girl going through the rites makes use of large quantities of coconut and fish which she distributes to the guests that come to celebrate with her. There are two nights that they will come and perform the ceremony. The first is done on the Orie market day called Ikpoba ali udu ego. The second ceremony is done on Eke market day and it is called ibu oyo. On these two days, a coconut and a fish is given by the celebrant to as many people as come to congratulate her. In appreciation, you can give her money.

“The Ikwe-ezi ceremony starts after a ceremony we call Chioha here in Mgbidi. Every parent whose daughter is ready will fire two gunshots on Eke day to inform the entire community that their child is ready for the ceremony. On the second day, which is Orie, they will perform the ikpoba ali udu ego. They will come to congratulate the family and take part in the ceremony.

“There would be traditional folk music for the celebrant to dance to on these two days. On those days, the celebrant gets a lot of gifts. The ceremony lasts for two weeks during which she will not do anything. For a period of time, the celebrant will be in a hut grinding local chalk that she would rub on her body. During this period, they would be cooking delicious meals for her to eat.

“On the final day, she would go to Eke Mgbidi Market to do izu ahia ezi, tying only wrapper and leaving their breasts open to go to the market. They will go round the market and people will see her that she did it without any blemish. If she is pregnant before entering the fat room, on the day she goes to the market with her breasts open, some old women will notice it and drive her out of the market. She would then be banished from the community.”

Concerned parents

The fear of falling victim of the unpleasant picture painted by Chief Achonu and other respondents was apparent when our correspondent visited the community. A mother, who gave her name simply as Elizabeth, said she had been seriously troubled since last year when her daughter started seeing her menstrual period. She said she had to keep a close watch on her to prevent her from getting into sexual relationships that could lead to pregnancy.

Elizabeth said: “I have never kept a close watch on my daughter the way I have been doing since she started seeing her menstrual cycle late last year. I developed goose pimples the very day she told me that she had seen her period. Frightened, I exclaimed, ‘isi gini’ (what did you just say)? Have you been seeing any man?

“Confused, she said, ‘Mummy, what do you mean? I see men everywhere.’

“Mba (no)! I mean has any man ever touched you?

“She looked more confused and said yes. Many males touch me now.

“At that point, I said you seem not to understand. Has any man made love to you before?

“She looked astounded as I bombarded her with unusual questions that thoroughly embarrassed the young girl.

“I have never stopped asking the same question every day, no matter how embarrassed she feels. I will not rest until she has performed the ceremony and come out clean. The devil is always bringing temptations to the girls when they are approaching the time, just to humiliate them and their families. I pray that, that will never be my portion. During our time, there was no need for such because you could be naked and no man would touch you. But now, a baby that wears diaper is not spared by sexual perverts.”

If Elizabeth was worried because of her only girl, Ada has more reasons to be worried as a good number of her children are females.

She said: “I constantly suffer serious headache policing my daughters so that they don’t have anything to do with men, especially before they perform the ceremony. As a parent, I cherish and preach morality to my children. But the Ikwe-ezi ceremony requires one to be more than just a morality preacher.

“I follow my daughters, especially the matured ones, bumper to bumper, because any slight mistake may lead to a lifetime regret. If I see any male around them, you will see me barking like a mad dog. If they go to school and have not returned at the time they are supposed to, my heart will be up.

“At times, I kneel to beg my daughters to keep themselves pure. I would take time to narrate the consequence of not doing so and ask them if they would want to be banished to an unknown place where they would not see me again. It is tasking, especially for mothers, because if anything goes wrong, it is the women that would be at the receiving end.”

Equally worried is Nneamaka, who is greatly haunted by stories of girls that have been banished. The fair-complexioned woman said apart from hearing that people were banished, she had seen it happen. The experience, according to her, reverberates in her memory, especially now that one of her daughters is getting ready to perform the rite.

She said: “I enjoyed the ceremony before now and had no reason to be scared because I hadn’t any child old enough to take part in it. I am feeling the heat now that my child is ready for it. I am tensed up because I don’t want any unpalatable story. It could be entertaining to watch another woman’s child banished, but one would never pray to be a victim.

“I know of a woman whose child was banished, and I can tell you that her life has never been the same since then. I don’t want to experience that, and that is why I would not sleep or slumber until my daughter has scaled the hurdle.

“The shame and stigmatisation that come with one’s daughter being banished is too much. When a girl goes to the market half naked, some old women will conduct a check on her to see if she has violated the rules. If she has, they will make her sit down and paint her with charcoal. After that, she will be banished. As they are sending her out of the town, some people will be flogging her, others will be spitting on her, while some others will use brooms to sweep her feet away as she leaves. Immediately they drive her out, you will see men from other communities coming to take her as a wife without paying any bride price to the family.

“There are so many of them in places like Izombe, Otulu and and neighbouring communities. When a young girl is taken away like that, anything can happen to her. She can be maltreated, used for rituals or any other terrible thing. I will not live for another 24 hours if such fate befalls my daughter. That is why I am doing everything possible to monitor them.”

Young girls kick

Some young girls who spoke with our correspondent expressed reservations with the practice, which they said is a subtle way of initiating them into occultism.

One of them, who identified herself simply as Amarachi, said: “I have not done it because it is against my religious belief. I don’t need to do the ceremony to live a chaste life. What is my connection with the lady from which the problem began and why would I have to go to the river to dip my leg into the water and also drop yam and fowl in the shrine? It is nothing but an initiation and I will never take part in it.”

For Onyinye, the practice has outlived its usefulness. She said: “Of what relevance is the ceremony in the modern time? I wonder why our people are holding on to the practice when many other communities have long jettisoned such primitive practices.

“Some of my friends and I have vowed that we would not take part in it. There are some men of God that are also kicking against it. They have been organising prayers for young girls like us to break the curses and other evils attached to performing or not performing the ceremony. We say no to barbaric traditional practices that humiliate the female folk. All you have are cultural practices about females. Why are there none for males?”

Different strokes for different folks

It was, however, a different story with some people who had undergone the rite. Some of them said they actually relished the occasion and wish they could do it all over.

Franca Ekwueme, who was filled with joy when our correspondent asked her about the practice, said: “This is a big festival here in Mgbidi. It is done in the Christmas period. I did mine and I was very happy about it. I feel like doing it again because it is a thing of pride.

“It is always fun because many people will come and celebrate with you. When you are in the hut grinding the local chalk that you rub on your body, your skin will be glowing and you will come out looking robust. If you do it without any blemish, your parents are proud of you for not bringing them shame.

“If you don’t perform the ceremony, nobody will marry you because you will be seen as a cursed person. Many people have been banished for not keeping to the rules of the rites.

“When going to the river, you will go with a yam and a fowl. When you get to the river, you will put your toes in the river. There are some changes that will happen to the river if you are not pure. After dipping your toes in the river, you will take the fowl and fling it across your neck three times and throw the yam at a designated place.”

Franca also shared the shocking fate that befell a girl who performed the rites while she was pregnant. She said: “There are grave consequences for those that succeed in doing it while they are pregnant. I know of somebody who succeeded in doing it while she was pregnant. But when she later got married, the husband developed mental challenges. She later remarried and stayed for a very long time before she got pregnant again.

“When it was time for her to give birth, it was a bunch of hair attachment that came out of her instead of a baby. She died and later on, the husband died too.

“It is better for one to keep herself pure and honourably observe the rites instead of trying to be smart and ending up in shame and lifetime regrets. The tradition is not treated with levity by our people. Even if you are resident in other states or outside the country, when the time comes, you must come and do it. Once the time to do it is announced, you will see many parents rushing back home with their qualified daughters from different parts of the country and beyond to observe the rites. Once a girl is banished, she would not be allowed to come back to the community again.”

Another lover of the practice, Ngozi Emmanuel, says she wants her children to observe it without leaving out any aspect.

She said: “I did full Ikwe-ezi and I will gladly want my children to do same. I enjoyed it so much because it was one moment in my life that people celebrated with me. There was no reason for me to be shy for leaving my breasts open. It was a thing of pride to show that you are pure and that your breasts are standing firmly.

“When you are walking from your house to the market, your breasts will be bouncing in confirmation of your purity. I wish I could do it all over again. The distance you will trek could be far or short. It all depends on the distance from your house to the market. It is always fun.”

Ngozi noted that there had always been attempts by Christians to put an end to the practice but the efforts always failed.

“There was a time a Catholic priest tried to abolish it, but before you know it, many people started dying or having mental challenges. It later became a legal issue because the custodians of the tradition didn’t want it abolished. The priest eventually left the community,” she recalled.

For the men, a piece of entertainment

It is, however, not only the females that enjoy the ceremony. Chats with some males showed that it serves as a piece of entertainment for them too.

One of the men who gave his name as Uzoma said: “We eagerly look forward to the ceremony. It entertains us very well as it gives you the opportunity of seeing maidens in their natural state. Apart from that, it gives us the opportunity of eating free coconut and fish provided by the celebrants. We don’t joke with the ceremony here. There was a pastor that vowed that he would not do it for his children. But the mother who knows the implication secretly did it for them.”

Enumerating the benefits of the ceremony to the community, Chief Achonu said the elders had modified the ceremony to some extent.

According to him: “The benefit is that it is a sort of checks and balances for our young girls. Anyone that has not performed it must be very careful to avoid the grave consequences. Nobody will like herself or her family members to be sent out of the community. That is why they need to be very careful so that such a nasty story does not come up. Many people have been banished.

“The modification we have done is that they don’t go to the market anymore leaving their breasts open. Some people don’t even go to the market again. The ceremony can even be performed now by proxy, especially for those who are abroad, as long as the person is pure.

“Those who fail the test are forever banished and will never step into the community again. If for any reason she enters the community, the male members of the family will be affected. They will have to perform the cleansing again to be free from attracting the wrath of the gods of the land.”

His assertion was, however, denied by some of the community members who claimed that some groups still go to the market with their breasts totally open.

“It is not true that no one goes half naked to the market anymore. Some groups, especially those who are devotees of the water goddess, still do it. There was a family that did that recently and we all saw it,” a community member said.

Knocks for practice

The practice, like the Osu (caste system), has also attracted severe condemnation from religious leaders and gender activists. In a chat with our correspondent, the General Overseer of Living Souls Pentecostal Ministry, in Mgbidi, Bishop Paul Chukwu, said he does not support the Ikwe -ezi ceremony because “it causes the girls to be messed up.”

The cleric, who did not hide his disdain for the practice, said: “They are always asked to go to the river to place their legs there and perform some rituals. They will strip themselves naked along the road and do all sorts of things in the public glare. After the whole exercise, the young girls would be told to go and have the freedom to fornicate. It is hard to bring the indigenes of this place into Pentecostal churches.

“I have been speaking to the custodians of the tradition on the need to abolish it, but they are tightly holding on to it. At times, when you mention it to them, they will be harassing you. When you dare say anything that is against the practice, they will tell you it is a no-go area.”

He dismissed the claims that the ceremony attracts a lot of benefits to the community, saying: “Forget their argument that the practice is aimed at making the girls to keep their virginity. We are here seeing everything that is happening. All the people that have gone through the ritual that I know of become promiscuous after doing it. Look around and you will see that this particular city is filled with touts and prostitutes even in residential buildings.

“The name of the community is one of its undoing. Mgbidi means barrier, and everywhere you go and say that you are from Mgbidi, the next thing people will do is to scream. I have seen many girls that were banished because they became pregnant before going through the ritual. It is an abomination for anybody to banish fellow human beings. Did God ask us to kill or destroy another person? There are many things that I have seen here that are reprehensible.”

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https://efefemisblog.com.ng/2019/03/26/imo-community-where-pregnant-girls-are-banished-for-life/

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