₦airaland Forum

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki at the weekend maintained that he has no personal grudges against his predecessor and former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, but only dislikes his style of politics, Igbere TV reports.

Obaseki disclosed this to journalists in Auchi, Etsako-West Local Government Area of the state, at the Centenary Birthday Thanksgiving of Msgr. Thomas Oleghe and 18th Canonical Erection Anniversary of the Diocese of Auchi held at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Auchi.

Obaseki, who exchanged greetings with an elbow-bump in compliance with COVID-19 preventive protocols, with his predecessor, said they are both sons of Edo with interest of the state at heart.

The governor said: "I don't have anything personal against Oshiomhole. I may not like his politics, but he has not done anything personal against me. We all are interacting with the interest of the country and the development of our community at heart.”

The governor said the Zonal Congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was scheduled to hold this Saturday, was postponed due to the local government elections taking place in Delta State.

"The Zonal Congress, which was to hold today has been postponed to Tuesday and it’s a normal routine to satisfy the party's constitution; there is nothing amiss,” he added.

On his part, Oshiomhole, who was a guest at the event, hailed his successor, Governor Obaseki, describing him as ‘his brother and friend.’

Oshiomhole stated: “Once the governor speaks, the matter ends. The governor knows that pensioners here might not be able to do much, that is why he said every other thing required to complete the hostel of the Catholic School of Nursing and Midwifery in Uzairue, his government will do.”

“Happy birthday to a friend, mentor and father,” he wrote.

Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Thursday afternoon visited the former military President, General Ibrahim Badomosi Babangida, IgbereTV reports.

Kalu who is currently in a closed door meeting with the former leader was earlier hosted by the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello

More details soon....

The teenage female student of Community Secondary School, Ikot Ewa in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State who went to school with a gun has confessed to being member of a cult group named Sky Queens Confraternity, Igbere TV reports.

The student on February 11 took a gun to school after her teacher asked her to cut her tainted hair.

She was paraded on Friday at the police headquarters in Calabar with her boyfriend. Eleven other suspects were paraded.

Cross River police commissioner Sikiru Akande said the police discovered from investigation that the girl was taking the locally made double barrel pistol to a blacksmith.

Mr Akande also said that investigation was ongoing to unravel the mystery around the ownership of the gun, adding that a suspect Okon Effiong has been arrested and more details would be made known soon.

The schoolgirl claimed to be taking the pistol to a blacksmith before it was confiscated by the school principal.

“I am a member of Sky Queen Confraternity, I am just an ordinary member, I don’t hold any position in the group, I have known the owner of the gun who is my man-friend since last year, he sleeps with me and supports me with little things, but he is not the one paying my school fees,” she said.

“My mother knows about him because he visits me at our house and sometimes he sleeps over at my place because I have my own room then in the morning he goes back to his own house.”

Her boyfriend Mr Effiong said he has been intimate with her since August 2020.

“I am a married man with six children, I did not give her the gun, she took it herself where I kept it under the bed,” he said.

“I started sleeping with her August last year, her mother knows me, I have been doing small something (sic) on her head. They know she is my wife.”

“I’m off to the village to bury my grandmother. She meant so much to me.

“Even though I couldn’t speak our native language, there was always a common language we spoke and that was love,” Kiddwaya, 27, said.

A video vixen has cried to Twitter for help while accusing her boyfriend of domestic violence in Port Harcourt,Igbere TV reports.

She shared a photo of her neck and chest with cuts and blood scarring her skin and claimed her boyfriend is responsible.

She said the beating is as a result of an argument. She added that he's now threatening her not to report him.

She claimed she brought the issue to social media because he's threatening to kill her. She added that this isn't the first time he's laid hands on her.

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The police have arrested a housewife in Kano State for allegedly killing her husband’s fiancée, a week to their wedding.

The police on Tuesday said Suwaiba Shuaibu, 20, stabbed Aisha Kabir, 17, to death in an uncompleted building in Doguwa Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in Kano, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said Kabiru Jafaru had lodged a report with the police that Miss Kabir was missing.

Mr Kiyawa said the police after preliminary investigation arrested Mrs Shuaibu of the same address as the complainant.

The suspect is the wife of Shaibu Ali, who was to be wedded to Miss Kabir on January 9, after six years of courtship, the police said.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed that she had called the victim on phone, deceived and lured her to an uncompleted building in their neighbourhood where she used a sharp knife to stab her on her neck, chest and other parts of her body.

“I killed the Aisha out of jealousy because my husband proposed to marry her,” the police quoted the suspect saying.

Officers evacuated the corpse of Miss Kabir to Tudun Wada General Hospital, the police spokesperson said.

He said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Habu Sani, has directed the case to be transferred to the command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Homicide Section, to wrap up the investigation.

Mr Kiyawa said the suspect would be charged to court after the exercise.

Concerned Abia Citizens (CAC), a forum of highly respected Abia Citizens, has reacted to comment by Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, following the controversies surrounding the hosting of All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator, Orji Kalu in his home.

The forum in a statement made available to Igbere TV reports by its Publicity Secretary, Chief Ndukwo Kalu, on Wednesday, warned Ndukwe that by boasting that his principal, the governor of the state, also visit or host people from opposition, he has overstepped his bounds.

The forum in the statement which was signed by its President, Prof. Uche Chinonso, Vice president, Pharm. Francis Chukwudi and the Secretary, Dr. Nwokeocha Alozie, said it learned “with utter disgrace the comments made by serving Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, wherein the commissioner and elder statesman asserted his right to host, hobnob and have people and actors of the other political divide and parties as guests - his recent hosting of nominal or main state leader of All Progressives Congress APC, Chief Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, MON being in focus here.

“We wish to remind the honourable commissioner that he is indeed in exercise of his right to free association and assembly but at the same in portrayal of his own image as a blatant flip-flopper.

“We so posit because sometime last year - when the speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji visited the same Orji Uzor Kalu after the Supreme Court quashed the ruling by a lower court sentencing the latter to a twelve year prison term - Cosmos who carries the tag and alias of "Man of God" descended on the speaker, reminding him of how he was making nonsense of their fight (when the speaker's father was governor) against Orji Uzor Kalu.

“In the said release, Cosmos vehemently criticised the Speaker but today, we see the honourable commissioner in a banal atmosphere with the same OUK in his hometown of Akanu Item.

“Let it be stated that as concerned citizens, we are not rattled by this latest development. But we wish to warn the commissioner that by boasting that his principal, the governor of the state, also visit or host people from opposition he has overstepped his bounds. May the commissioner show cause as to why he was not in any way labelling the governor as a hypocrite or a political two-timer. His act by bringing or roping in the governor into this matter smacks of his intent to use others as Canon fodder. Why did the commissioner raise so much dust in that visit by the Speaker and why is he doing same if he ever wished his party - the PDP - well.

“Again, the speech as obtained and seen at various media platforms (Facebook and Twitter mostly) portrayed the commissioner in a bad light. Why will he talk in a manner that shows him as an indispensable political heavyweight in the state?

"We want to ask the commissioner if arrogance (as his speech showed) is his way of rewarding PDP for keeping him in political job for the past twenty years or more. When he said he doesn't want to be provoked, was it that he is the final arbiter of state politics in Abia? What could his motivations be? We now ask: Who is Hon Cosmos if provoked? What will he do if provoked? He sure will be the one to regret in any facts that are spilled. So why does he talk with the air and mien of a Herod or a Nebuchadnezzar?

“We wish to remind the commissioner that party loyalty remains the bedrock of internal democracy and that he has for decades been a beneficiary of this - even when he's not the only qualified Abian. His act shows us a man who for insular, parochial interest can jettison the collective. Why bring in the governor in a matter he could have done better to explain in the most peaceful and calm manner?

“If ever the governor goes to Abuja (where the APC controls affairs) it is in interest of Ndi Abia and while still sitting as the governor in Abia State duty calls on him to serve all parties regardless of party affiliation in the interest of Abia while he as a commissioner is an employee or better an appointee of the governor, not even elected by the people but directly answerable to the governor who appointed him based on trust. So why does he make the governor look petty and less?

“We wish to remind the honourable commissioner that his own act was no less an anti-party act and activity as he once accused the speaker and that in any way, he might have to consider the meaning of the alias and moniker he bears in God's own state as "Man of God". He should be an elder we expect him. For now, we want him to continue enjoying his right of association but to have and show respect to the governor whenever he is in exercise of that right.

“May history judge all.”

Anthony Joshua admits he is "coming towards the end of my career" and has hinted that he will have a maximum of "five years left" in the sport before retiring.

The 31-year-old world heavyweight champion could be approaching the most significant period of his career, with ongoing negotiations about two massive unification fights against Tyson Fury in 2021.

Since making his pro debut in 2013, Joshua has become a two-time champion, having regained his WBA, IBF and WBO titles in a 2019 rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr before defending them with a knockout win over Kubrat Pulev last month.

"This isn't the start of my career. I'm coming towards the end of my career," Joshua told Sky Sports News.

"I'm not someone who lives in the moment and thinks that everything is just like for now. I'm always planning ahead so I'm coming towards the end of my career.

"Five years left and that's basically an Olympic cycle. I've got an Olympic cycle and a little bit more left, so when you see the next Olympics happen is when I'll be coming to the end of my career and the next generation will be coming through."

Fury turned professional in 2008, nearly five years before Joshua, who recently suggested that his British rival should also be thinking about hanging up his gloves, Igbere TV reports.

"Fury has been professional much longer than me. He should be looking to retire soon," Joshua had told Sky Sports.

"If he wants to cement his legacy, I'm here and ready. I've built myself into this position."

But the 32-year-old Fury told Sky Sports last year that he wanted a lengthy world title reign like Wladimir Klitschko.

"Klitschko did it until he was 40," said Fury who ended the Ukrainian's dominance with a points win in 2015.

"A lot of the great champions are continuing, and continuing. I ain't boxing for money, I ain't boxing for fame, I ain't boxing for a belt. I'm boxing because it keeps me mentally happy and I like to do it.

"Nothing to prove to anybody. Not one thing to prove at all, but I box now, because I love boxing and I've been doing it all my life. Why walk away when I'm still only young?

"Hopefully I box until I have a good sit down with all the team and we all decide it's time to walk away, while I'm on top, and then sail away into the sunset, and then who knows what will happen after that."

“Today being our 6th Wedding Anniversary, My beautiful wife Esther Chidinma and kids banned me from the Kitchen, "we have a surprise for you Dad, stay in your room till we're ready". I rolled my eyes� but had to obey.

“They invited me to the dinning few minutes ago... ���

“Lunch is ready friends, this is how we are starting the new year, you're all invited �

“Happy Anniversary to us and Prosperous 2021 to us and to all our family and friends.”

American woman Janine Sanchez and her Kano lover Isa Suleiman have held their court wedding five days after their wedding Fatiha, Igbere TV reports.

The couple had their court wedding at the Federal Marriage Registry, Kano on Thursday.

Their wedding faitha held at Barracks Mosque in Panshekara, Kano State.

The court wedding was attended by family and friends.

Sanchez, 46, who lives in California, USA, met Suleiman, 23, on Instagram in 2019, exchanged pictures and began courting online.

Igbere TV recall that in January, she visited Panshekara where Suleiman lives with his family.

She said many people had courted her online but she found the Nigerian as the most loving and sincere.

Sanchez had also said they would return together to the United States where they intend to start a family after getting married.

“Following concerns expressed about reporting of #endsars in Nigeria, the presidential Media team met with the BBC team to discuss the matter.

“We acknowledge that the BBC has reported extensively on all sides of this story. We are pleased that the BBC has heard our concerns,” he wrote.

The Presidential media team has met with the BBC team to discuss its reportage of the #EndSARS protest which climaxed on October 20 with the shooting of protesters at Lekki toll gate in Lagos, Igbere TV reports.

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has repeatedly commended BBC over its report of the protest. On the other hand, he criticised CNN, saying the broadcaster reported a one-sided story.

CNN insists it gathered that soldiers shot live bullets at protesters but the government and the military have denied it severally.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in a tweet on Wednesday said he was “disgusted” by foreign media coverage of the protest especially CNN and BBC.

“I have received this picture from so many people I thought I should post it. This picture used to belong to us till it was stolen like many of our pictures, by unscrupulous people. It saddens me that they now post them on social media without returning them to the rightful owners. They are our memories that I would have gladly shared or put in our museums but now denied that opportunity,” she wrote.

“09-12-2017. RIP DAD,” he wrote.

“But then… Ima celebrate you like never before. I love you pops,” he wrote.

Adanna Nwokolo tweeted; “Naija which way, see my boarding pass.”

“You see this plane ? If they book am for you block the person”.

“I remember this story because I just recalled it to my mother in a conservation to mark her 85th birthday. She was emotional,” he wrote.

“’God bless you my beloved son,’ she said. ‘I thank my God that you have walked in the footsteps of your late father my dear husband. Please never depart from that path.’ I promised her that I won’t.

“Now I am remembering my father Isaac Moghalu, a proud civil servant and former Nigerian Foreign Service Officer in his hey days from 1961 to his retirement in 1984. ‘35 years in the Civil Service,’ he would often brag, beating his chest. ‘And I never took a bribe’.”

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled Nigeria’s first locally-assembled full electric car manufactured by Stallion Group, Igbere TV reports.

The Hyundai Kona car comes with zero emission, 482km driving range, and can be charged both at home and workplace.

“With an innovation of Hyundai Kona, we do not need to put the pressure on what is the pump price of oil again, what is the pump price of petroleum again,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said on Friday.


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According to him, the state government will partner with Ibile Oil and Gas and other private organisations to create different charging points in the city, so that people will have where to charge the cars.

In his address, Stallion Group Managing Director Rohtagi Manish said that the innovation was a step towards an eco-friendly green Lagos.

Igbere TV learnt that the vehicle when fully charged for 9 hours 35 minutes can go a distance of 482km (the equivalent of Lagos to Warri) before it requires charging again.

Governor of Lagos State, Mr @jidesanwoolu today unveiled the first Locally-Assembled Electric Car called Hyundai-Kona at the Stallion Group Automobile Factory, Ojo Lagos. #ForAGreaterLagos @StalliongroupNG @gbenga_omo @drobafemihamzat pic.twitter.com/b8EAN4b6RQ

— The Greater Lagos Project (@GreaterLagosNG) November 13, 2020

A Federal High Court in Yenagoa on Tuesday summoned the coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Office, Prof. Charles Dokubo, to appear before it on January 21 over alleged fraud committed by the office, Igbere TV reports.

Justice Awogboro Abimbola also summoned the office’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Isaac Ityohuma; and its Head of Reintegration, Aroloye Brown.

The defendants were sued by 75 ex-militants under Benuwolo Camp who embraced the presidential amnesty in 2010 in the second phase of the scheme.

The judge said that she had on September 26 summoned Dokubo, also Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta, over alleged diversion of stipends meant for the 75 former militants.

Justice Abimbola ordered counsel to the coordinator of amnesty office, Pere Ikuetemi, to ensure that his client appeared in court on the next adjourned date for continuation of hearing.

The 75 ex-militants are demanding payment of their outstanding N65,000 monthly stipends from January 2011 to May 2019, amounting to N492 million.

The group urged the court to declare as unlawful, the alleged fraudulent manipulation of the 75 slots allotted to Benuwolo Camp by officials of amnesty office in connivance with some other ex-militants.

They had in their statements of claim filed by their counsel, Richard Turner, urged the court to order the office to revert the 75 slots to the camp and halt further diversion of the slots.

Meanwhile, the judge dismissed an application by two other ex-militants to join in the suit.

“Hey @TeniEntertainer when are you coming to SA?” the fan asked, Teni replied: “Let Burna boy go and come back first.”

“You are not the owner of South Africa! It is for all of us. Gbogbo wa la jo ni South Africa. He’s not apologizing to iyalaiya anybody,” the 26-year-old said.

“Nigerian youth, this is called #Freedomofexpression. You can wear what you want. I can choose to wear my #RevolutionNow beret presented to me at #felabration2019 by #Sowore group or wear my wig,” she wrote.

“Dear AhmadLawan Nigerians urge you to immediately withdraw the repressive social media bill which @NGRSenate is rushing to pass. We’ll vigorously challenge this illegality nationally and internationally if the Senate ever goes ahead with this regressive bill.

This bill is a blatant assault on citizens’ right to freedom of expression and is aimed to stop them from holding the Senate and other high-ranking public officials/governmental institutions to account.

The bill, if passed into law would undermine the constitutionally and internationally recognized right to freedom of expression and press freedom on the internet in the country.

We are seriously concerned that this Senate has not learnt from the mistakes of the 8th Senate which introduced but withdrew similar bill. We’re concerned that the Senate under your leadership is pushing to undermine access of citizens to the Internet rather than increasing it.

Freedom of expression entails the ability to both speak and receive information, including through the social media and other generated content services such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and chat applications.

By initiating this bill, the Senate is impermissibly restricting the ability of the citizens to use these tools to communicate, connect, and seek independent sources of information.

The real targets of the bill are social media and ordinary Nigerians that might be critical of government policies or report on corruption involving high ranking government officials.

International law provides that any restriction to rights online must be provided in law, pursuant to a legitimate aim, and limited to only what is necessary and proportionate. The bill falls far short of international requirements of legitimacy, necessity and proportionality.

The bill will also have chilling effect on freedom of expression in the country, as it will create an atmosphere of fear among citizens, bloggers and online activists who may not post critical commentary on Facebook or other social media platforms for fear of being sent to jail.

The Internet cannot enable citizens and others to participate in governance or critique government policy if they cannot freely access information, use social media services, or if they fear being sent to jail simply for expressing their views.

If passed into law the bill would contravene Nigeria’s constitution & international obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified.

While it is important to protect personal integrity in social media, a clean, transparent and accountable government/institution that has nothing to fear will not use this ground as an excuse to undermine the sacred right to freedom of expression.”