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The much-anticipated TV game show, Star Football Superfans finally hit the screen on Thursday, April 9, 2015 on Africa Magic with a repeat broadcast on AIT on Friday, April 10, 2015.


The show was anchored by popular sports OAP, Mozez Praiz who co-ordinated the fierce battle between the participating teams, Nou Camp and One United . One of the highlights of the show was the ‘Show Your Passion’ segment, that had representatives of the two teams take turns to display their talents in a bid to attract support from the studio audience.



At the end of the 30 minutes exciting football banter, Nou Camp, that had Soyinka Adesoye, Ali Umaru, Nelso Apaya, Ewaudu Michael and Jerry Ubaka as players, emerged winner, clinching the N1m cash prize and the bragging right as Superfans of the week while One United comprising of Alade Ridwan, Gideon Saibu, Udeawu Felicity, Akata Elijah and Adewale Olumide went home with the consolation prize of N100, 000.



The show was closely followed by celebrity OAPs, Colin Udoh, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Yaw and several football fans across Nigeria with most of them busying the social media with comments as the show aired.

Star Football Superfans is sponsored by leading beer brand, Star Lager beer. It is an immersive football game show set up to test the passion, knowledge and skills of football fans and reward them in the process. It is expected to deliver an ecstatic TV experience as well over N16 m cash prize through out its 14 weeks of broadcast.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM


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The Police in Lagos on Friday, assured residents that all the security agencies in the State were ready to ensure that there would be comprehensive security cover in the State before, during and after the general elections.


Fielding questions from newsmen after the State Security Council meeting presided over by Governor Babatunde Fashola SAN, at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Kayode Aderanti, said the Police and other security agencies were ready to ensure security of the State adding, “Lagos is secured and all these minor irritations should not distract people. Residents should go about their daily business activities”.


The Commissioner told newsmen that his command and other security agencies were able to bring in new strategies that would enhance smooth operations adding that all the security agencies in the State were going to work as a team to ensure that the forthcoming elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace.

According to Aderanti, “We are all on the same page, we have decided that come March 28 and April 11, 2015, the people of Lagos are going to have a very credible experience in this forth coming general election, they should just go out and cast their vote”.

The Commissioner maintained that every residence should remain calm as the Police Command and other security agencies were going to provide enabling environment for everybody to exercise his or her own civic responsibility, adding ‘’Nobody should have fear of anything, just go out and have fun, cast your vote and see your vote being counted’’.

According to him, ‘’The people of Lagos should know that we have a solid security architecture in place in the State that is being supported by His Excellency, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, and in collaboration with the other security agencies, we are more than determined that the people of Lagos are safe, safe for commerce and safe for living”.

The Commissioner was accompanied at the press briefing by other members of the State Security Council including Commander NNS Beecroft, Olokun Apapa, Navy Commodore Teikum Ikoli, Commander Airforce Base Ikeja, Air Commodore Lere Osanyintolu, Chief of Army Staff 9 Mechanized Brigade, Major General U. T Opuene, Director State Security Service, Mr. Ben Olayi and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Major Tunde Panox (Rtd).NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

MUHAMMADU BUHARI
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday pressed forward with his campaign for victory in the March 2JEGA 28 election by hosting a Town Hall Meeting with Nigerian women in Lagos.

Joined by other leaders of the Party like the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, and his Rivers State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, at the meeting which took place at Harbour Point Hall, Victoria Island, General Buhari promised that there would be a strong political will to promote women empowerment and gender equality through the dedication of needed financial, human and technical resources.PRES 9871

Addressing the Town Hall Meeting consisting of women professionals, top business executives, political leaders and traders, General Buhari said an APC Federal Government would implement the 2005 National Gender Policy which would serve as a roadmap for the promotion of women empowerment and gender equality in the country.

Noting that his mission to restore Nigeria’s fading glory as well as reposition her on the path of greatness would not be possible without addressing the needs of women, who, according to him, constitute half of the nation’s population, General Buhari also promised that an APC Federal Government under his watch would ensure that gender is mainstreamed throughout all government’s commitments in all the key areas of national development.

Such key areas, the former Head of State said, include the Economy, Education, Health, Security, Good Governance, Power and Agriculture, among others adding that the APC controlled Federal Government would also commit itself to merit based Affirmative Action to level the playing field for women with opportunities to be part of decision-making and governance at all levels.

“We will insist on legislation to ensure women’s right to own and inherit property on an equal basis with men while also making concerted effort to empower women in rural areas”, he said adding that his administration would also enforce legal protection for the rights of the girl-child in all areas of life as well as protecting her right to dignity, shelter and choice.

The APC Presidential Candidate, who said his administration would have zero tolerance for violence against women and girls, added, “We will provide women with greater legal protection from all forms of violence and sexual harassment with a commitment to the implementation of all existing legislation on violence against women”.MOLADE FASH 4812

Pledging to strengthen support for women in all sectors of the economy through access to capital, training and skill acquisition, General Buhari, who said the promises were only an abridged version of what his administration has in store for Nigerian women, declared, “I believe that the most important commitment I can make to Nigerian women is that they can count on strong political will from my administration to ensure that women’s rights are safeguarded and protected”.

“Ours will be an administration that firmly believes that women hold up half the sky. My vision is for my daughters and your daughters to enjoy a world in which discrimination will be a thing of the distant past. It might be a long journey, but with your support and votes, we will be on that right path together”, he said.
FASHOLA
Fielding questions from a cross section of the women during a question and answer session later, General Buhari said his administration would pursue with vigour the solution to the problem of Power supply pointing out that without adequate Power supply investment would be unattractive as entrepreneurs would never break even.

He said the successful eradication of cultism in the nation’s educational and other institutions would come from a joint effort by parents, teachers and the government pointing out that of the three segments, parents have the most important role of inculcating discipline and good moral upbringing in the infant child even before school age.

The APC Gubernatorial Candidate for Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in response to a question on alleged recklessness of some members of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), said the agency has become indispensable considering the volume of traffic on Lagos roads adding, however, that his administration would continue to train and retrain the members on good human relations while making efforts to weed out bad eggs within the organization.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, described the election season as a season of choice, “a choice whether to continue with what we have or to change what we have” adding that those who play discordant notes to prevent people from hearing those who ask for change were being mischievous.

“We have an opportunity to decide which way we want our country to go. Who are the people to be entrusted with the responsibility to make decisions that will affect our lives directly, that will affect the lives of our husbands, which will affect the lives of our children and our grand children”, the Governor said adding, “That is what this election is all about”.

According to the Governor, “In making that choice, we cannot avoid, and indeed it is imperative, to hold a referendum on the performance of the current government; because you cannot make a choice without assessing the current Government. How has the current government done well? Have they fulfilled the promises they made to you in 2011?”

Recalling some of the promises, Governor Fashola noted that the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in 2011 promised the people of Lagos that the road leading to Murtala Mohammed International Airport would be fixed asking, “For those of you who use that road, has it been fixed?” to which the response was a resounding No.
jo-and-bu
He also recalled that during the campaigns, the President promised Nigerians stable electric power supply and even said in one of the sessions that those who owned generators would start giving them away, asking again, “Have you started giving your generators away?” to which there was another resounding No with some saying they are even buying more generators.

Noting that the generators are imported and with the spiral rise in the exchange rate, Governor Fashola reiterated that the price of generators have also gone higher adding that the promise of a stable electricity supply has turned out to be one of the broken promises that the present Federal Government made to Nigerians.

The Governor told the women, “One of the achievements that this present government has also touted is that they have done so much for women. You are the ones that have tasted the pudding so you should know.

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They say that at no time have women benefitted so much and they celebrate the appointment of women into positions. Let me say if you are responsible for bringing us here, I think you have a larger stake in deciding how things are distributed rather than staying at the back and waiting for us to give you a few appointments”.

The Governor recalled a statement he made while swearing in the Head of Service that while some people celebrate the appointment of women to leadership positions, in Lagos and in most states of the Southwest women being in leadership positions was taken for granted “because it is on merit. We don’t need to give them anything; they earn it”.
gov-fashola-apc1
“So that is why we have had two Heads of Service, who are women, back to back. We have had three Chief Judges, who are women back to back. We have had more female Permanent Secretaries in Lagos by exams and merit, back to back. In the Judiciary of Lagos State, we have more women Judges by merit and in the Magistracy we have more women magistrates”, he said.

Other areas of female dominance Governor Fashola said, include school enrolment numbers where, according to him, there is more girl-child enrolment than boys in our public school adding, “This is, for me, the kind of society we should aspire to live in. Majority of voters are women and therefore there should be more policies to give them a fighting chance”.

“As I said, what does it profit a woman to get an appointment, a political appointment, when her children are in captivity? So if you appoint a few women and 219 children are in captivity, have you addressed women’s issues?”, the Governor asked adding that he only spoke to set the agenda of what the women would hear from the Party’s Presidential Candidate, General Buhari.

Also present at the occasion were Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Hon. (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, her Osun State counterpart, Otunba Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, First Lady of Lagos State Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, wife of the APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, Lagos Women Leader, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, House of Representatives Member representing Ikorodu, Hon. (Mrs.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, other prominent women leaders and market women.
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One of the highlights of the well attended occasion was the donation to the General Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Fund by eight-year-old Eniola Benson who donated her pocket money to the fund. It was received by the Director-General of the Fund Raising Committee and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, who thanked the young child with a handshake to the applause of the audience..COM
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The society of landscape architecture students of Nigeria (SLASON) has beckoned on organizations, government and everyone to help save the world from climate change and other related issues.


This call was made today by the president of slason Mr. Ejenobor Eseoghe, at the landscape advocacy project and competition held at the university of Lagos.



He stated that Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and Lagos state university are the two universities that offer landscape architecture in Nigeria and as a sense of belonging has formed SLASON.

In his delivery speech, he said that the project is all encompassing, as it revolves round about many academic disciplines.
He disclosed that slason is established to help solve problems that can affect humanity and the environment, such as; desert encroachment and desertification, flooding, erosion, waste management, Bio-Remediation of oil spill lands, climate change and adaptation, global warming, forestry and afforestation.

“International tree planting and adoption project, watershed clean up project, a world without fumes painting competitions, reduce refuse and recycle waste bin design competition, among many are part of our project and competition” said Eseoghe.
However, he noted that slason would do all that is within its capacity to inform the general public about things that can pose problems to humanity and environment, and also to find solution to them..COM

SOURCE: BY: ONOTANEMERE JOHN TAIWO

According to an audio account released online Saturday, the Nigerian militant group known as Boko Haram has pledged official allegiance to ISIS.

In the audio, a man who claimed to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau appears to address ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, and also calls on Muslims throughout the world to follow suit.

The message, posted via Boko Haram social media accounts, was confirmed by Flashpoint Intelligence, a global security firm and NBC News consultant.
According to Flashpoint, the audio confirms what many analysts have said would happen: a bridging between Boko Haram and ISIS. Boko Haram is also following ISIS's trend of releasing messages online and mimicking the terror network's propaganda. .COM



source: NBC NEWS

Barcelona forward, Pedro Eliezer Rodríguez Ledesma, has put Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool on red alert after owning up that he could leave Barcelona this summer.

The 27-year-old had made 20 league appearances this term, but only 10 of those have been starts. While he is tied to the club until 2016, he said the lack of regular playing time is affecting him and suggested he could leave in the summer.

Pedro said, “I’m calm, with my mind set on the club until the end of the season and then we’ll see what happens after that. Not having continuity makes things complicated. It’s tough, but what I try to do is help out as much as possible.”

The Barcelona forward insists he is happy at the club but does not know of his future beyond this season, despite his contract expiring in 2016.

Pedro also jumped to the defense of Luis Suarez, who has faced significant criticism for his form following a big-money move from Liverpool in the summer. “You can see Suarez is totally motivated,” he added.NEWSNOWMAGAZINES..COM

Emotion flow, when a 70-year-old man from North Carolina was released after serving four decades in prison for a crime he did not commit.Read more...

A panel of judges has found Joseph Sledge was wrongly convicted in the stabbing deaths of a mother and daughter nearly four decades ago.

After his release on Friday, the 70-year-old said he was looking forward to sleeping in a real bed and maybe swimming in a pool.

Sledge was sentenced to life in prison in the September 1976 slayings of Josephine Davis and her daughter, Aileen. They were found stabbed to death in their home in Elizabethtown, a day after Sledge had escaped from a prison work farm where he was serving time for larceny.

The judges heard from a DNA expert who said none of the evidence collected in the case matched Joseph Sledge. A district attorney apologized to Sledge and promised to reopen the case into the 1976 slayings.

"The system has made a mistake," district attorney Jon David said. "The wrong man is in prison."

After the judges' decision was announced, Sledge was still for a moment, then hugged his lawyer and family members who attended the hearing.

His nephew Maurice Sledge said the family planned to take him to Savannah, Georgia, to live with one of Joseph Sledge's brothers.

Sledge is the eighth person exonerated after the state set up the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, the only state-run investigative agency of its kind. The commission found there was enough doubt to review Sledge's case, and the state Supreme Court appointed the three judges to hear it.

In addition to fingerprints, DNA and hair gathered at the scene that didn't belong to Sledge, a key jailhouse informant, Herman Baker, signed an affidavit in 2013 recanting trial testimony. Baker said he lied at the 1978 trial after being promised leniency in his own drug case and he said he'd been coached by authorities on what to say.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM



Source: The Telegraph

The entire global world mourns as Saudi State television announced early Friday that Arabia’s King Abdullah has died at the ripe age of 90.SAUDI KING 3

King Abdullah’s successor, half-brother Deputy Prime Minister Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, was immediately istalled new king of Saudi Arabia after his death, state television reported.

“His Highness Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, who passed away at exactly 1 a.m. (5 p.m. Thursday ET),” state television said in a statement attributed to Salman.

Abdullah, who took power in 2005 after the demise of his brother King Fahd, was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 31, state media reported at the time. All channels of Saudi TV early Friday local time began broadcasting recitations of the Quran. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

Pope Francis has made it known that announced he will be making his first visit to Africa later this year.

He expected to visit Uganda and Central African Republic.

According to his camp, the visit should have taken place but for Ebola which hit major parts of Africa last year. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

The Nigerian Police have redeployed the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Joseph Mbu,who was deployed at the heat of his controversial meddling in politics with APC/Amaechi from Rivers State to Abuja has also be redeployed to Lagos.
He was redeployed alongside 27 other AIGs. Mr. Mbu was posted to Zone 2, Lagos by the order of the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, on Tuesday.


Mr. Mbu, who was in charge of Police Zone 7, which covers Abuja and the neighbouring states. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

PRESIDENT OF YEMEN, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi
Gunmen from the Houthi militia whisked away the office director of Yemen’s president in the capital Sanaa early on Saturday to stop him from presenting a draft of a new constitution to a presidential meeting,police sources told Reuters.

The seizure of Ahmed Awadh bin Mubarak, office director for President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi, shows how wrangling between the country’s political and regional factions over the new constitution threatens to intensify political turmoil and insecurity.

The Houthi militia, which controls Sanaa, has denounced leaked details of the draft, which President Hadi has said will ensure the country does not fragment into two regions based on the former states or North and South Yemen.

The draft is a result of a national dialogue, aimed at easing a transition of power following mass street protests that led former president Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down in 2012.

The details leaked to Yemeni media indicated the new constitution instead retains a plan for a federal state divided into six regions, which both the Houthis and southern separatists believe would weaken. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BOITI ADEYEMI

According to The Nation,the desperate battle to secure former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid may have collapsed.The former president has been a virulent critic of the Jonathan administration, which he accused of embracing corruption and burgling the anti-insurgency battle.
Dr. Jonathan and Chief Obasanjo met for about one hour on Monday night at the former president’s Abeokuta home. The President requested for Obasanjo’s support.
“It’s too late; I’m sorry,” Obasanjo reportedly told Jonathan.
A source close to the meeting told our reporter on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to the media.
At the meeting were two Christian leaders – Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Winners’ Chapel – who attended at Obasanjo’s request.

Also yesterday, Obasanjo advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to recruit “men and women of character” – if the party wins the February 14 election.
Obasanjo said such abound in all political parties and also in every part of the country, adding that they make things better for a government, the country and the citizenry.
According to the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), the advice applies to other political parties.

Obasanjo spoke also on the report of the probe panel on the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), for the period Gen. Buhari was the chairman, saying the “report was not of any material importance”, as he was convinced that Gen. Buhari made no personal gains while his tenure lasted.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

By: Ifedayo Akinwalere NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

The bond between the Lagos State Government and ace filmmaker, Tunde Kelani’s Mainframe Film and Television Productions gets stronger. The award winning filmmaker’s filmed play; Yeepa has received the nod of the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to screen the satire free to all the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in a mobile cinema show across the state.In a letter addressed to all the Executive Secretaries of all the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas, by the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Affairs and signed by a Director in the Ministry, G.O Onafeko, the mobile cinema show would commence on Monday, January 19 and runs till Tuesday, February, 2014. The Executive Secretaries were urged to give maximum support to Mainframe; the theme of Yeepa, according to the Permanent Secretary is of importance and sustenance of peace in Lagos State. While the film show will be at no cost to the Local Governments and LCDAs, concerned officials are expected to provide space, either indoor or outdoor that can conveniently seat a minimum of 500 people, provide chairs to seat the same capacity, adequate security and other necessary logistics. It could be recalled that in 2009, the Lagos State Government and Kelani’s Mainframe collaborated to screen Arugba across the 57 LGs and LCDAs.
Yeepa, one of the attempts by Kelani to retrieve Yoruba classics features a hybrid of traditional theatre artistes, trained actors and a handful of Nollywood stars with Niji Akanni as the Artistic Director. The ‘filmed drama’ depicts Isola (Bayo Bankole) a rascally and unreliable man who is mistaken for the formidable Public Complaints Commissioner, Solarin, by the corrupt officials of the Local Government Council.
His presence causes anxiety and panic among the officials, and they make desperate efforts to out-do each other so as to pacify the visitor. The flurry of activities to cover their misdeeds exposes the high level of corruption and rot prevalent in the local council. Isola is therefore generously bribed and accorded the reception that befits the status of a man of importance. The discovery of the mistaken identity coincides with the arrival of the real Public Complaints Commissioner.
Speaking on the initiative, Kelani said: “For me, my passion is to take cinemas to the physical audience and just as the same thing as growing the cinema’s audience. From this experience, Nigerians will once again witness the rebirth of the cinema industry.
The involvement of Lagos State, he said, confirms the state as the entertainment capital of Nigeria and in line with the policy of the State’s investment in entertainment. Lagos’ investment in the entertainment industry is huge and it is only expedient that the government keys into such a lofty project.’’
Find below the schedule for FREE Cinema shows in all Local Government Areas in Lagos State from Monday, 19, January, 2015.

Asked what the audience should expect, he said: “Yeepa! It’s a comedy, a social satire. People will come and laugh but we are also looking at the theme of corruption and good governance in a good manner.”
SCHEDULE FOR FREE CINEMA SHOWS IN ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS
IN LAGOS STATE

SHOMOLU
Monday, 19 January 2015
MUSHIN
Monday, 19 January 2015
AGBOYI KETU
Monday, 19 January 2015
BARIGA
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
ODI OLOWO
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
KOSOFE
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
OSHODI
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
SURULERE
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
IKOSI ISHERI
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
ISOLO
Thursday, 22 January 2015
COKER – AGUDA
Thursday, 22 January 2015
IKOSI EJINRIN
Thursday, 22 January 2015
ITIRE IKATE
Friday, 23 January 2015
BADAGRY
Sunday, 25 January 2015
EJIGBO
Sunday, 25 January 2015
ORI-ADE
Sunday, 25 January 2015
BADAGRY WEST
Monday, 26 January 2015
ALIMOSHO
Monday, 26 January 2015
AMUWO ODOFIN
Monday, 26 January 2015
OLORUNDA
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
EGBE IDIMU
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
AJEROMI
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
OTO AWORI
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
IGANDO IKOTUN
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
IFELODUN
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
IBA
Thursday, 29 January 2015
MOSAN OKUNOLA
Thursday, 29 January 2015
APAPA IGANMU
Thursday, 29 January 2015
OJO
Friday, 30 January 2015
AYOBO IPAJA
Friday, 30 January 2015
APAPA
Friday, 30 January 2015
LAGOS ISLAND
Sunday, 1 February 2015
IKEJA
Sunday, 1 February 2015
AGEGE
Sunday, 1 February 2015
LAGOS ISLAND EAST
Monday, 2 February 2015
ONIGBONGBO
Monday, 2 February 2015
ORILE AGEGE
Monday, 2 February 2015
LAGOS MAINLAND
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
IFAKO IJAYE
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
AGBADO OKEODO
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
YABA
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
OJODU
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
OJOKORO
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
IJEDE
Friday, 6 February 2015
IMOTA
Friday, 6 February 2015
IRU-VICTORIA ISLAND
Friday, 6 February 2015
IGBOGBO BAYEKU
Saturday, 7 February 2015
EPE
Saturday, 7 February 2015
ETI -OSA
Saturday, 7 February 2015
IKORODU CENTRAL
Sunday, 8 February 2015
EREDO
Sunday, 8 February 2015
ETI -OSA EAST
Sunday, 8 February 2015
IKORODU NORTH
Monday, 9 February 2015
LEKKI
Monday, 9 February 2015
IKOYI OBALENDE
Monday, 9 February 2015
IKORODU WEST
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
IBEJU
Tuesday, 10 February 2015 NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

Jimi Agbaje, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, on Wednesday promised to cancel the toll on the Lekki-Epe axis of the state, if elected.
Agbaje told newsmen at the party secretariat in Lagos that the decision was based on the fact that the toll-gate was untenable as it was standing on an existing road.He, however, disclosed that the Lekki Phase 1 inner bridge would remain, since it was started from the scratch by the concessionaire.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the issue of toll on the Lekki-Epe Expressway of Lagos had remained controversial since it began in 2014.
The PDP candidate commended Governor Babatunde Fashola of the state for some of the successes recorded in the state, but insisted that Lagos was in need of urgent change and not continuity.
“Most of the problems afflicting the state remain the product of vested interest,” he said.
The PDP governorship hopeful noted that the successes of the present administration were yet to be felt by residents, whom he said, were totally alienated from governance.
Agbaje said residents were not positively lifted in the areas of health and education, among others.
“Despite the promises of the state government on free health services, Lagosians pay heavily at government hospitals,” he said.
Agbaje promised to address the health services problems through a free health insurance scheme that would be paid for by the government NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM
BY: BOITI ADEYEMI

As part of bid to ensure violence free election come February, the International Press Centre on Tuesday organized a seminar (Tweet-a-thon) to sensitize journalists.The seventh tweet-a-thon themed: ‘Making use of Media Code of Election Coverage for Credible Reporting’, generated several tweets which reached 134,853 accounts, thereby making 173,975 impressions through hashtag #Media4Elections.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adeshina who was represented by Executive Director, Special Duties Guardian Newspapers, Bolaji Tunji, said "every Journalist in Nigeria should have this book"‬
‪Tunji said, “Bearing that in mind, stakeholders in the media had worked hard over the past many months to articulate what is now called The Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage, which has now been formally presented to the public. ‬
‪"What are some of germane issues in the code? Equitable access of parties and candidates to the media; the responsibilities of media organisations, how to conduct opinion polls impartially and responsibly, how to do endorsements, does and don’ts of political advertisement, avoiding hate speech, conflict sensitivity, and others. Many of these things constitute the bane of electoral practice in our country, and if journalists and media houses can play their roles effectively, the impact could be tremendous."‬
‪Also speaking at the event, Assistant Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, Mrs Funmi Komolafe stated that the media code is the first book that will guide Journalist on election coverage in the Country.‬
‪Komolafe said “I am concerned about the protection of Journalist. At some point Journalist become intruders, without us information.‬
‪"I am also worried about the issue of ownership interest. Owners of media organization have interest, they have their mission statement.‬"
‪"The media is suppose to focus on underrepresented groups, people in the grassroots should be represented."‬
She added that journalists should not place much trust on politicians and other sources, as this might be a way to buy the over.
‪Also speaking, Secretary, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Chapter, Abimbola Oyetunde, added that Journalist should be objective when reporting election.‬
"Journalist are bound to report credibly, we must not be subjective. To much prominence should not be given to one side." She said. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: SAMSON ADEYANJU

According to The Nation,the desperate battle to secure former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid may have collapsed.The former president has been a virulent critic of the Jonathan administration, which he accused of embracing corruption and burgling the anti-insurgency battle.
Dr. Jonathan and Chief Obasanjo met for about one hour on Monday night at the former president’s Abeokuta home. The President requested for Obasanjo’s support.
“It’s too late; I’m sorry,” Obasanjo reportedly told Jonathan.
A source close to the meeting told our reporter on condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to speak to the media.
At the meeting were two Christian leaders – Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Bishop David Oyedepo of the Winners’ Chapel – who attended at Obasanjo’s request.

Also yesterday, Obasanjo advised the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to recruit “men and women of character” – if the party wins the February 14 election.
Obasanjo said such abound in all political parties and also in every part of the country, adding that they make things better for a government, the country and the citizenry.
According to the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT), the advice applies to other political parties.

Obasanjo spoke also on the report of the probe panel on the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), for the period Gen. Buhari was the chairman, saying the “report was not of any material importance”, as he was convinced that Gen. Buhari made no personal gains while his tenure lasted. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

By: Ifedayo Akinwalere

Without any doubt the forthcoming general elections (14 and 28 February) happens to be on mind of majority Nigerians, as this is another opportunity for Nigerians to elect who to lead them for the next four years at the federal and state levels.
Election can be defined in different way, either as "the process of choosing a person or a group of people for a position, especially for a political position" (Oxford Advanced Dictionary), while according to Wikipedia.com "is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office".
Election like this have been held in the past, especially since when Nigerian returned back to democratic dispensation and as such the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP won and it has been dominating the highest office in the land since 1999.
With this, the party have stated its intention to rule the country for the next 60 years. Accessing this statement from the party, many Nigerians are against it and prayed against its domination, since we are not in a one-state political party system.
"Effects of the party's present position have rather drawn the country backward and there have been no change, so why allowing them to come over again to rule us" a Nigerian, Adebisi Olaiya said.
Another Nigerian, Emeka Charles said "the ruling party have done their part since; therefore we need a change of hand"
The opposition party, All Progressive Congress, APC have appeared to have all what it takes to capture power from the ruling party, having merged together to achieve this dream. The party, also like PDP as it being seen has arrays of politicians who defected there from the other party, PDP.
However, this has been a mind-boggling issue for Nigerians in deciding who to vote for; even though some shared this axiom "the devil you knew is better than the angel you just know".
"I don't even know who to vote for, since one doesn't even know whether this Buhari have what it takes to change the country, but if is to vote, I will vote for Jonathan, at least we know him" an anonymous respondent said.
In her manifesto, the party, APC is geared towards changing the forefront for the country and to many Nigerians, having a change of hand, their main intention.
"There is no difference between the two parties, but I believe in APC's presidential aspirant, General Buhari; but hope the party won't shame Nigerians, if they eventually won" Akanni Soji, said.
Taking a look at some of the posts on social media, especially Face book and WhatsApp, from "concerned Nigerians", some of such posts include: "35 days to presidential elections. If you're voting remember this factors;1. The Chibok Girls 2. NNPC Scam 3. Police pension fund 4. Missing N20 Billion, 5. $9million Arms deal 6. Bomb Blasts 7. Immigration job scam 8. Petroleum pump price 9. Devaluation of Naira 10. Oil theft 11. Power outage 12. Selling of NEPA 13. Selling of Refineries 14. Skyrocketed NEPA Bills 15. ASUU & Poly Strike 16. Doctors Strike 17.
National Assembly tragedy 19. Stella Oduah's Aviation Scam 20. Kerosene subsidy" among others.
It is well and also necessary to determine who take up the leadership position of our dear country, as we all match to the polling booth next month, but can this really be achieved, since 60 per cent of Nigerians are yet to get their Permanent Voters' Card (PVC)? NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: SAMSON IWALA

The Ivorian and Manchester city of England playmaker Yaya Toure emerged as African best player in 2014, for four consecutive time.
The ceremony which was held at Eko hotel and suite yesterday evening, and Asisat Oshoala became the best female footballer of the year in 2014 on African continent.

This program gave room for different Artiste to showcase their talents, some artiste like Fali Ipupa all the way from Angola and one of the best Nigerian hip hop artiste, which Nigeria has ever produced, the twin brothers Peter and Paul Okoye popularly known as psquare. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

Source: Temitope Sylvester

Andoni Zubizarreta has been relieved off his duties as the director of football at Spanish club Barcelona.
“The FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has decided to terminate as of today the contract of the club’s Director of Football, Andoni Zubizarreta,” a statement on the clubs website read.“The President, in the name of the club, thanks Andoni Zubizarreta for his contribution, dedication and professionalism over the last four years in his role at the head of the club’s football area.
Zubizarreta, 53, was a goalkeeper for Barcelona from 1986 to 1994 and rejoined the club as football director in 2010. He also made 126 appaerances for Spain.
Barcelona are second in La Liga, a point behind arch-rivals Real Madrid, and play Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 next month.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: CHARLES ODIDIKA

The National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in his recent press release declares that the party is yet to have a governorship candidate in Taraba State.
PDP Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus interacting with newsmen at Wadata Plaza PDP national secretariat in Abuja said the party is yet to present or elect any candidate for the Taraba state governorship election.

Secondus said until all issues revolving round the crisis in Taraba PDP are resolves, no candidate will emerge.The party has till January 16 2015 to submit its list of governorship candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
Controversy of Ishaku’s Candidature
Various interest group has continue to call on the PDP leadership and President Jonathan to drop former minister Darius Ishaku as the PDP flag bearer for the February poll.
Ishaku was selected in Abuja by some stakeholders and Taraba born Elder Stateman Gen. TY Danjuma.
But elected PDP delegates rejected his candidature calling for a free, fair and transparent primary election in Jalingo, the state capital.
Analysts say PDP has a slim chance of winning Taraba State if it presents Ishaku as its candidate.
Ishaku is believed to be very unpopular in the state.
Taraba socio-cultural group, Taraba Peoples Assembly (TPA) in a statement said “It is not too late, today, Jonathan is no longer visible in Taraba State, and we see a PDP governorship candidate that has no electoral value from his home stead.
“We see the popularity of President Jonathan diminishing fast because the acting governor, Sani Abubakar Danlandi is working for the APC. He has ensured that a weak aspirant was imposed as PDP candidate. All bill boards with President Jonathan’s picture in the state have been pulled down under the new acting governor’s instruction.
“At no time has the electorates voted against the PDP in Taraba State, but we now witness the strongest political party in Africa imposing the weakest governorship candidate in the history of the state politics.
“If President Jonathan and the PDP is serious about winning any election in Taraba, a popular and acceptable candidate should be fielded. Today the chance of PDP in Taraba is floating,” the group said.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: AYO OLOYE

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has said that the controversy surrounding the party’s governorship candidate in Nasarawa State has been resolved as the name of immediate past Information Minister, Labaran Maku, has been submitted and accepted by INEC.The party’s National Chairman, Mr Victor Umeh, confirmed this to our correspondent on the phone.
He stated categorically, “Mr Labaran Maku is our governorship candidate in Nasarawa State. We have submitted his name and same has been accepted by INEC.
“There is no question about the party’s governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Maku’s name has been accepted by the party and INEC.”
There was some drama a week before, over who would fly the party’s flag in Nasarawa State, when news of Mr Maku emerging as APGA candidate broke.
The controversy stemmed from the claim by Mr Matthew Unbugaku who reportedly claimed the ticket.
The coast seems clear for Mr Labaran Maku to run for governor on the platform of APGA, after failing to secure the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he had been very visible in confronting opposition parties. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: BOITI ADEYEMI

Mali international and FC Girondins de Bordeaux striker, Cheick Diabate, is set to miss the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament due to injury.The tall and lanky striker has been ruled out of action for four months following a knee injury. The 26-year-old is now expected to undergo knee surgery, according to his French Ligue 1 club,
Diabate has agreed to undergo surgery which is essential for the successful continuation of his career.
The striker is now expected to be out of competitive football until the last weeks of this season. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: CHARLES ODIDIKA

Prestigious French Newspaper, L’Equipe, have named Super Eagles of Nigeria shot stopper Vincent Enyeama as the French ligue1 best goalkeeper for 2014.Enyeama was adjudged the best goalkeeper despite Lille’s poor start to the season which sees them placed 13th on the 20 teams Ligue1 table. he claims the award for the 2nd year running after clinching same award last year
Enyeama has featured in every minute of Lille’s 56 league matches since returning from his loan spell at Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2013. the only other African selected by L’Equipe’s panelists was Olympic Marseille and Cameroun international defender Nicolas N’koulou.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: CHARLES ODIDIKA

The Football Association has announced that Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has been banned from football-related activities for six weeks and given £50,000 fine over comments he made regarding Jewish and Chinese people.Whelan accepted an aggravated misconduct charge and the 78-year-old has also been fined £50,000, warned as to his future conduct and ordered to undertake a mandatory education programme.
The Wigan chairman has seven days in which to to appeal or accept the sanction, which would be suspended until after the outcome of any appeal or would begin immediately if he decides to accept the punishment.
The Wigan chairman made the remarks in a newspaper interview defending his decision to appoint Malky Mackay as the club’s new manager. Mackay is the subject of an investigation into alleged racist and anti-Semitic texts sent while he was in charge of Cardiff.
Whelan told The Guardian it was “nothing” to call a Chinese person a “chink” and stated: “Jewish people do chase money more than everybody else.” NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

SOURCE: THE INDEPENDENT

Barely 10 years after Tsunami disaster that claimed more than 2020,000 lives,Malaysia is battling some of the worst floods in decades along its east coast, which have killed at least five people.


More than 100,000 people have been forced from their homes, and Prime Minister Najib Razak has returned early from holiday in the US.He is due to visit the worst-hit areas of northern Kelantan state.

According to BBC reports,Eastern states are often flooded during the monsoon season, but this time officials say heavier rain and stronger winds have made things worse. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

SOURCE: BBC NEWS

Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Austin Ejide, 30, is the highest paid footballer at Israeli vice – champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Authoritative football website Sports Walla has reported that the gloveman , who is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal in January, pockets 25,000 euros every month excluding performance related incentives.Bringing the statistics to life, Austin Ejide earns 821 euros every day or 34 euros per hour.
The Nigeria international earns 5,000 euros more than Israel national teamer Maor Melikson and Maor Buzaglo, who takes home 18,700 euros every month. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

SOURCE: THE NATION

A man who defiled his 16-year-old step-daughter for four years was sentenced to life imprisonment on Tuesday.

The girl told the court that the incidents took place from 2010 to 2013 at Soweto village in Kasarani division, Nairobi county.

She said her step-father defiled her while her mother was away and threatened to kill her with a knife if she reported the incidents.

Her mother told the court that the accused did not put a stop to the defilement despite a warning from her at a meeting attended by her sister and a village headman.

Four other witnesses testified in the case.

The accused had earlier denied the charges and had remained in custody for failing to raise a Sh300,000 bond on which he had been released.

Kiambu resident magistrate Monica Kivuti said in her ruling that no other sentence befit the crime.

The man was given 14 days to appeal. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

BY: BOITI ATAYESE ADEYEMI


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The Ukip councillor who first revealed Nigel Farage’s intention to run for a local parliamentary seat has been dramatically expelled from the party amid allegations that she made “jaw dropping” comments in a yet to be broadcast television interview.

Rozanne Duncan, a councillor for Thanet, Kent, has been expelled for “bringing the party into disrepute”, the party said. She has 28 days to appeal the ruling. While the exact remarks have not been disclosed, The Independent understands that Ms Duncan aired her views to a BBC documentary, whose producers then clarified them with the party’s head office. A source told Kent Online that the comments were “jaw-dropping” and left the party with no other choice than to expel her.

Ms Duncan sat on Thanet District Council in Kent, near South Thanet where Mr Farage plans to stand next year. She was one of the first people to make her leader’s intentions known in August when she described Mr Farage’s intent to stand as “the worst-kept secret in town”.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

SOURCE: THE INDEPENDENT

Agriculture alone contributes 22% of the Nigeria’s GDP hereby amounting to GDP per capital (GDP divided by total population) of $586.96 and contributes up to $112 billion to the Gross Domestic product.
The agricultural sector once contributed up to 70% to the GDP but the trend was dwindled ever since the emergence of petroleum in Nigeria. In recent years, the federal government has made conscious efforts in some aggressive agricultural reformations that assist farmers in getting loans and fertilizers to improve their farming methods.Rural farmers were taught new methods on how to farm and how to make agro business to aid them In progressing in their agricultural calling yearly.
With the recent cutting of oil prices and austerity measures strategically put in place, the economy may suffer a huge set-back if agricultural doesn’t boom. Oil and gas constituting 15.9% of the economy may dwindle to 10% between the next five years.
Investing in agricultural, is a key factor farmers are happy to be part of but other challenging factors still stand on the way of many farmers and stakeholders in feeding the nation and improving the economy.
Factors like land ownership, credit acquisition, farm hands supply, fertilizers and so many more still affect most farmers in fully maximising their potentials in the agricultural world.
In Lagos state, the urbanisation of rural areas is one of the major set-back that affect farmers in the state as a farming seems inconsistence where farmers gets sent away from leased or borrowed land due to the fact that some companies wishes to construct a ware house or any constructive thing on the land.
According to the Lagos state ministry of agriculture, Lagos state possesses about 5,000 per km to pressure on land for non-agricultural purpose. It also state “the aggregate food supplied internally is less than 10% of total food consumption but the ministry is hoping for 25% increase in the next five years’ time which is still not enough to feed everybody in the state.

One of the strategic measures the ministry is putting in place is Agricultural land holdings and management to improve access by genuine farmers to land.
Lagos state may be loving agriculture but land acquisition is still a major challenge that encounters farmers. Agricultural projects had been under-taken in other countries in multi-partnership but it’s still a strain on Lagos state farmers, projects like Songhai Benin republic.
Some farmers in Lagos recount how they have fared in land redistribution programme.
In an interview with, chairman of Abundant Blessing Adiyan Co-operative Agricultural Multipurpose Society (ABACAMS) Mr Eugene Njoku, who has been suffering from stroke since February of this year said “one afternoon we just saw caterpillar coming, destroying and uprooting everything we have worked for from cash crops to food crops’’
He said they weren’t given any notice of any kind, he added ‘’we have been farming on this fallow land for over 25years and the officials of water corporation and the Lagos state ministry of agriculture are all aware of our presence for this while’’.
“We have written letters to the Lagos state government, attorney-general, and ministry of agriculture but we have not being replied since 2012….. These are some of the letters (flaunting the letters).”
Lagos State Water Corporation, Adiyan fallow ground, has been re-claimed by the corporation for construction of water projects to aid the industrialisation trend at expenses of agriculture.
Efforts made to speak with the construction company in charge of the project SALINI wasridiculed by the security officials who said’ ’you can talk to me, or I walk you out’’. Though he was in charge of the security details of the premises but information got from couldn’t be ascribed as fully credible. He said ‘’ this place used to be a farm land before but now the Lagos state government has decided to use the place for water project………. You can’t meet anybody here until you go to the Lagos state government nobody will answer you.’’
Meanwhile, Mr Njoku says the impact of the land reclaim has left many of his members devastated. Challenges like this not only crush practicing farmers but also scare young farmers and agriculture SME’s and stakeholders from going into agriculture, he said.
“Fallow lands may be called up by owners anytime thereby making agriculture in Lagos state a risk for farmers.”
Efforts to get an interview from the Ministry of Agriculture were fruitless. When we tried to speak with Mrs Abimbola (surname withheld) on a phone conversation she said “you can go ahead with your story……… we’ve tried all our best to help them but we can’t fight against ourselves ……..you understand……. We are both government agencies.”
As at the time of this report, farmers under Abundant Blessings Adiyan Co-operative Agricultural Multipurpose Society who were affected have not been fully compensated. Their spokesperson has called for the government to assist them with loans and compensate them to launch their agribusiness.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM
By: Alice Ajakaye & Psamuel Adekunle

PIX 3253: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle) commiserates with Miss Bolutife Adebiyi (left), widow, Mrs Biodun Adebiyi (2nd left), Miss Victoria Adebiyi (2nd right) and Miss Opeyemi Adebiyi (right) during the Governor condolence visit to the family over the passage of their beloved father and Special Adviser to the Governor on Regional Integration, Reverend Adetunji Adebiyi at their Ijaye Residence, Lagos, on Wednesday, December 17, 2014. NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM

Lane, who is currently Vicar of St Peter’s church in Hale, Greater Manchester, and St Elizabeth’s church in Ashley, Cheshire, was an outsider for the landmark Church of England job. She was not among the bookies’ favourites and has been a dedicated local clergywoman rather than a public figure.

Rev. Libby Lane, 48, was announced yesterday as the first woman to become a bishop in the Established church. Her appointment comes just a month after church leaders made a historic vote to allow women into the episcopate.

The only mention of the Ms Lane in a national paper until today was a single line in the appointments column of the Daily Telegraph back in 2010, when she had just been made Dean of Women in Ministry for Chester diocese. But yesterday she addressed the nation at a press conference in Stockport, fully aware of her role in the church’s history. Speaking from the town hall, she said the new job was “unexpected and very exciting”. She will be consecrated as the eighth Bishop of Stockport at a ceremony at York Minster in late January.

“I am grateful for, though somewhat daunted by, the confidence placed in me by the Diocese of Chester,” she said. “This is unexpected and very exciting. On this historic day as the Church of England announces the first woman nominated to be Bishop, I am very conscious of all those who have gone before me, women and men, who for decades have looked forward to this moment. But most of all I am thankful to God.”

David Cameron was among public figures from around the world who welcomed Ms Lane’s new job. The Prime Minister said: “This is an historic appointment and an important step forward for the Church towards greater equality in its senior positions.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Libby has been appointed to succeed Bishop Robert Atwell as Bishop of Stockport. Her Christ-centred life, calmness and clear determination to serve the church and the community make her a wonderful choice.”
Read more: Church of England to shatter ‘stained-glass ceiling’

Ordained as a priest in 1994, Ms Lane worked in parish and chaplaincy roles in Blackburn, York and Chester before becoming vicar of St Peter’s Hale and St Elizabeth’s Ashley eight years ago. She has no direct experience of the church’s upper echelons, but is one of eight clergywomen elected as a Participant Observer in the House of Bishops.

As a married mother of two grown-up children, a keen saxophonist, cryptic crossword enthusiast and Manchester United fan, Ms Lane is a reassuringly ordinary parish priest. She met her husband when they were both studying at St Peter’s College Oxford and they were ordained at the same time in 1994.NEWSNOWAFRICA.COM