Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, Sunday dismissed explanations being advanced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to back its non-distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) in parts of the State saying the Commission’s request for re-registration made no sense.
DAVID MARK AND ATTAHIRU JEGA
DAVID MARK AND ATTAHIRU JEGA



On Friday, November 28, INEC pasted notices in some wards, including the State Governor’s Ward G3 Unit E002 in State Junior Grammar School, Itolo Street, Surulere, directing the voters to come for fresh registration scheduled to start on December 3 saying the unit had no PVCs.

Some newspaper reports Saturday quoted the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the State, Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola, as saying the non- distribution of PVC at the Governor’s and other Polling Units across the State was due to the loss of data captured during the registration in 2010 occasioned by the crash of the Commission’s computing system.

But fielding questions from newsmen in an interview at the Lagos House, Marina, Governor Fashola said he will hold onto his Temporary Voters’ Card and advised all those affected by the incident to do the same adding that the Commission must be made to explain its true purpose in Lagos.

“Honestly as I said yesterday, I have temporary Voters Card. On one hand, you say we should go and register, but I have already registered, so why should I register? It does not make any sense, because then they will say the Governor registered twice”, the Governor argued.

Asserting that his name has been on INEC database since he was twenty, when the commission was going under the name Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), Governor Fashola declared, “I have been voting since then. I voted in 1999, I voted in 2003, I voted in 2007 and I voted in 2011. Why should they say I should go and re-register?”

“It is only in this country that they do registration of citizens and after four years they will say you should come and re-register? What did they do with the previous one? This nonsense must stop. INEC has a lot of explanations to give to Lagosians and Nigerians and they should stop hiding behind the fingers and come out and tell us what they really want us to do”, the Governor said.

He dismissed the reason of system crash which the Commission is currently blaming for the shortfall in the State’s voters’ lists saying as a result of the inconsistency of INEC it has become hard to believe the electoral body on anything.

The Governor recalled that when the State Government complained about the disappearance of about 1. 4 million voters from the Commission’s announced registration, it attributed the shortfall to AVIS and later said it was double registration after which they again mentioned “business rules that makes the numbers to reduce” adding, “Now the official reasons why 1.4 million votes disappeared, which include ostensibly my name and millions of Lagosians, has changed from double registration, AVIS and business rules to system crash”.

“When did the system crash? We need to know because a system does not crash in bits and pieces even though I am not a computer expert. If the system crashed, why did it not take the 4.8 million voters? We are not stupid people; they must credit us with some level of intelligence”, Governor Fashola said.

The Governor further declared, “I think they should stop hiding behind the finger and come out and tell us truly what the reasons are. They have failed without any logical explanation for it. The system can’t crash in parts. If you store data in one place, its either you lose it or recover it. What is the integrity of INEC if it is telling us that it does not have a data recovery system?”

Expressing disappointment at the electoral body seems lack of transparency in the handling of the PVC saga, Governor Fashola said it would amount to irresponsibility if INEC said it did not have a disaster recovery system in a national assignment as important as the one it is handling, adding, “Lagos State has one. Every serious company, every company that issues our phone cards has data recovery system if they are serious. INEC has a lot of explanations to make and should stop hiding behind the finger”. .COM



BY: Ifedayo Akinwalere

29 Nov 2014 05:34 Print Email
WASIU AYINDE
WASIU AYINDE
ABBAS OBESERE
ABBAS OBESERE
ADEWALE AYUBA
ADEWALE AYUBA

Its not a news that the fuji lord, King Wasiu Omogbolahan otherwise known and addresses as K1 De Ultimate had a succesful concert penumalte week, but the real fact why the duo of fuji mastrous, Dr Adewale Ayuba popurlarly known as Bonsue fuji and Asiwaju Abass Akande Obesere also known as Oba alasakasa had emmerged.



.COM gathered that Obesere whose teeming fans always addressed as the Paramount King of fuji has vowed that he will never ever have anything to do with Wasiu Ayinde in his life and time.

However, NEWSNOW also learnt that Ayuba who became toast of fuji lover with his Bonsue record early 90s told his friend that he will not attend the concert despite that K1 listed him among the artistes billed to perform at the widely and well publicized concert.

According to hint from Obesere camp, the Ibadan born Fuji wizard accused Wasiu Ayinde of not comfortable with his emergency as the Paramount King ofF, hence he cannot go into affection and relationship with him.

However, Ayuba who hailed from Ijebu like Wasiu Ayinde also accused K1 of his hatred for him and his success as fuji singer.

You will recall that Wasiu Ayinde decided to list his enemies in fuji kingdom like Saidi Osupa, Obesere and Adewale among the aritstes to perform at his concert held at Eko Hotel last week, but only Saidi Osupa attended..COM

BY: TAOFIK AFOLABI

A court in Egypt has dropped charges against former President Hosni Mubarak over the killing of 239 protesters during the 2011 uprising against him.

The Cairo courtroom erupted in cheers when the judge concluded Mubarak's retrial by dismissing the case.

Charges against seven of Mr Mubarak's senior officials, including his interior minister, were also dropped.Mubarak, 86, is serving a separate three-year sentence for embezzlement of public funds.

Mubarak, his former Interior Minister, Habib al-Adly, and six others had been convicted of conspiracy to kill and were sentenced to life in prison in June 2012, but a retrial was ordered last year on a technicality.

In all, some 800 people are thought to have been killed as security forces battled protesters in the weeks before Mubarak resigned on 11 February 2011.



An anti-Mubarak arak

Mubarak supporters celebrate after the verdict outside the Cairo military hospital where he is being held, 29 November

Cheering supporters brandished old portraits of Mubarak outside the Cairo military hospital where he is being held

Mubarak supporters celebrate after the verdict.

However, the court documents at the trial related to the deaths of 239 people and injuries sustained by 1,588, across 11 of the country's regions.

Mubarak was wheeled into court on a hospital trolley, wearing sun glasses and looking grim.

As well as the murder charge, Mubarak was also cleared of a corruption charge involving gas exports to Israel.

His sons Gamal and Alaa were also cleared of separate corruption charges by the same court on Saturday.

As supporters cheered the verdict, his sons and co-defendants stooped down to kiss his forehead.

Mubarak's lawyer, Farid al-Deeb, told AFP news agency the verdict was a "good ruling that proved the integrity of Mubarak's era".

Outside the police academy that used to bear his name, supporters and opponents of the former president gathered to hear the verdict - separated by police and a few layers of barricades. Hawkers stood on the sidelines offering Mubarak memorabilia.NWESNOWNG.COM

Source: BBC NEWS

Following his giant contribution and transformation to the Fuji music, the Nigerian Entertainment Today profiles the most influential people in entertainment in 2o14, which include the veteran Fuji music icon king Wasiu Ayinde Marshall.
The event took place at the Freedom Park Centre on Sunday November 16..COM

BY: MOSAK NURENI ADESINA

Harvest of death from fresh bombing of the Kano Central Mosque has reached at least 120. Officials of the agency also stated that they expected the death toll to rise as more than 150 people were critically injured in the attack.



A security source told .COM stated that at least four bombs exploded outside of the crowded mosque a few minutes before the commencement of Friday’s J’umaat prayers.

The source disclosed that the militants who had planted the explosives began to shoot immediately after the explosion and the Muslim faithful ran scattered in confusion.

It was also gathered that the shooting was brought to an end when armed security agents arrived to engage the militants, killing at least six of them. .COM



BY: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

It is good to have a good memory and learn from our daily experience in order to get along life and overcome obstacles along the journey of life.



Controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, might have lefts hints at possible being molested in the past.

She has expressed gratitude to God for a successful career, which has helped motivate her into giving back to the society with the creation of the ‘Tonto Dikeh Foundation.’ Through this message on her instagram

“Today is a beautiful day for me, today is the official kick off of the Tonto Dikeh Foundation. Today, we’re holding a press conference for the the Tonto Dikeh Foundation, today is the day the Lord has made, the day I have been waiting for, this is an opportunity to be a blessing to so many people around the world.

To whom much is given,much is definitely expected.It is a good gesture to really give back to the society.

“The Tonto Dikeh Foundation is a non-profit organisation, which carters for abused women, unwanted pregnancy as a result of molestation/rape etc and motherless children all around the world. We coming with a special package, we are passionate about this.

“I have teamed up with hospitals, clinics, different charity organisations, churches, mosques, well-meaning personalities in the society and government, together we can save souls. I promised God three years ago that if he made me whole again, I’ll touch and save lives. Help me fulfill my promise to God,” she stated.

The actress might be converting a bad experience into an opportunity for others. Was she really molested ?.COM



BY: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

Leader of the APC in Taraba and Senator representing Taraba North at the National Assembly, Aisha Jummai Alhassan has forced our new acting governor to sign an agreement that he will deliver Taraba state to the All Progressive Congress APC.



Senator Aisha a close ally of APC Presidential aspirant and former vice president Atiku Abubakar bankrolled Abubakar's case from the State high court to the Supreme Court; she boastfully escorted Abubakar in a charted flight from Abuja to Jalingo when the Supreme Court judgment was in their favour.

However, Abubakar is worried over his relationship with top Abuja based, Taraba lawyer, Damian Dodo SAN a member of the cabal he respected so much.

Damian Dodo, who midwifes the reconciliation between Abubakar and the cabals, is the only person among the cabals the acting governor has regard for.

In the new agreement, Abubakar signed to ensure a weaker candidate, Darius Ishaku emerged the PDP governorship flag barrier of the state.

Although the acting governor is also eyeing an elective post on the platform of the APC, agreed to weaken the PDP structure in the state to pave way for the APC.

"It is now clear that Aisha and the APC are in charge of the state, the cabals are just puppets to them, the new acting governor is more loyal to Aisha who uses her wherewithal and connection as a former court register to get the Supreme Court judgment that brought Sani Abubakar Danlandi to office.

"Aisha and Danlandi has now agreed to fight their once enemies (the cabal) no friends from inside, they plan to betray them at the least moment expected. You remember Aisha was a sworn political rival of Governor Danbaba Suntai before the plane crash."

A source who witness the signing of the agreement quoted Abubakar saying 'the same people who humiliated me out of office in 2012, came back to support me because they could not fight Umar alone, I know them very well, they have betrayed my loyalty before, no matter how loyal I am today they will still betray me once they get the PDP ticket, am not ready to be used again."

Also to prove his loyalty to Aisha, Abubakar also promised Garuba Dodo a staunch APC chieftain a juicy political appointment in his cabinet in weeks ahead.

Garba Dodo, a die hard stakeholder of Senator Aisha was present at the signing secret pact before flying into Jalingo with the acting governor today (Friday) November 28.

Garba Dodo earlier brought the idea that the acting governor be given the APC governorship ticket of the state..COM

BY: Ahmed Bala in Jalingo

If the Nigerian police could give security to seven
LAI MUHAMMED
LAI MUHAMMEDmembers of Ekiti House of Assembly against the rest 19 members and locked the gate against lawmakers in Abuja which result in scaling of fence, then Nigerians are likely to be under the most draconic era in the history of her existence.



The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lai Mohammed on Sunday November 23 urged members of the House of Representatives, who scaled the gate of the National Assembly to gain access into the hallowed chambers, to attempt same thing again if the police should stop them from gaining access to the Chamber.

“If the police repeat this again, I will encourage them to do exactly the same”, he said on Politics Today.

He said the lawmakers “outsmarted the police, the PDP and the Presidency, whose game plan was to get the Speaker impeached”.

He also urged Nigerians not to be carried away by the way and manner the members gained entrance into the complex, but “look at what actually led to this”.

He noted that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal put “national interest over that of his personal security” and reconvened the House at the request of President Jonathan to extend the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States, knowing that “the President and his party want to impeach him.

“But he got to the second gate of the Complex and he was prevented from getting into the National Assembly”, adding that “he got down from his vehicle, introduced himself, but all the policemen there turned deaf ears”.

He defended the action of the lawmakers, maintaining that the act of the lawmakers has “preserved democracy, otherwise what we would have been facing now will be a situation where either the Speaker would have been impeached by now or there will be chaos all over the country”.

He further noted that the reason given by the police to deploy officers to the complex was baseless, insisting that “I did not see any motley crowd neither did I see thugs from the footage”, adding that it would have been wrong for the lawmakers to seek redress elsewhere at that point in time.

Mr Mohammed, who alleged that the Sergeant-At-Arms of the National Assembly was detained for hours due t his refusal to submit the Mace to the police, wondered what the “business the Nigeria Police has with the Mace on the eve of that incident”.

He also said treasonable charges should be levelled against “those policemen who caused the mayhem at the National Assembly that day by preventing the Principal person in the House access into the House”.

He maintained that if the people in Ekiti had done the same, seven persons wouldn’t have been able to impeach the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

But in a swift reaction on Politics Today, former Aviation Minister, Mr Femi Fani Kayode disagreed with the APC scribe insisting that “the premise on which Alahaji Lai Mohammed has chosen to justify the action of some members of the House that day are faulty” and “he does not have the right information”.

He stated that there was no plan to impeach the Speaker as alleged by Mr Mohammed and noted that “it was not only the Speaker that was shut out. The Senate President himself was also shut out and took him a lot of efforts to get in”.

He noted that “regardless of whatever reasons that were given by the police, legitimate or illegitimate, the most fundamental issue is that when a cordon has been established, we are all expected to behave in a lawful and a refined manner.

“We are not expected to defy the police, break the line, jump over fences and break down walls and act as if we are in a market place”, he stated. .COM

BY: Ifedayo Akinwalere

If the Nigerian police could give security to seven
LAI MUHAMMED
LAI MUHAMMEDmembers of Ekiti House of Assembly against the rest 19 members and locked the gate against lawmakers in Abuja which result in scaling of fence, then Nigerians are likely to be under the most draconic era in the history of her existence.



The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lai Mohammed on Sunday November 23 urged members of the House of Representatives, who scaled the gate of the National Assembly to gain access into the hallowed chambers, to attempt same thing again if the police should stop them from gaining access to the Chamber.

“If the police repeat this again, I will encourage them to do exactly the same”, he said on Politics Today.

He said the lawmakers “outsmarted the police, the PDP and the Presidency, whose game plan was to get the Speaker impeached”.

He also urged Nigerians not to be carried away by the way and manner the members gained entrance into the complex, but “look at what actually led to this”.

He noted that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal put “national interest over that of his personal security” and reconvened the House at the request of President Jonathan to extend the State of Emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States, knowing that “the President and his party want to impeach him.

“But he got to the second gate of the Complex and he was prevented from getting into the National Assembly”, adding that “he got down from his vehicle, introduced himself, but all the policemen there turned deaf ears”.

He defended the action of the lawmakers, maintaining that the act of the lawmakers has “preserved democracy, otherwise what we would have been facing now will be a situation where either the Speaker would have been impeached by now or there will be chaos all over the country”.

He further noted that the reason given by the police to deploy officers to the complex was baseless, insisting that “I did not see any motley crowd neither did I see thugs from the footage”, adding that it would have been wrong for the lawmakers to seek redress elsewhere at that point in time.

Mr Mohammed, who alleged that the Sergeant-At-Arms of the National Assembly was detained for hours due t his refusal to submit the Mace to the police, wondered what the “business the Nigeria Police has with the Mace on the eve of that incident”.

He also said treasonable charges should be levelled against “those policemen who caused the mayhem at the National Assembly that day by preventing the Principal person in the House access into the House”.

He maintained that if the people in Ekiti had done the same, seven persons wouldn’t have been able to impeach the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

But in a swift reaction on Politics Today, former Aviation Minister, Mr Femi Fani Kayode disagreed with the APC scribe insisting that “the premise on which Alahaji Lai Mohammed has chosen to justify the action of some members of the House that day are faulty” and “he does not have the right information”.

He stated that there was no plan to impeach the Speaker as alleged by Mr Mohammed and noted that “it was not only the Speaker that was shut out. The Senate President himself was also shut out and took him a lot of efforts to get in”.

He noted that “regardless of whatever reasons that were given by the police, legitimate or illegitimate, the most fundamental issue is that when a cordon has been established, we are all expected to behave in a lawful and a refined manner.

“We are not expected to defy the police, break the line, jump over fences and break down walls and act as if we are in a market place”, he stated. .COM

BY: Ifedayo Akinwalere

It is good to have a good memory and learn from our daily experience in order to get along life and overcome obstacles along the journey of life.



Controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, might have lefts hints at possible being molested in the past.

She has expressed gratitude to God for a successful career, which has helped motivate her into giving back to the society with the creation of the ‘Tonto Dikeh Foundation.’ Through this message on her instagram

“Today is a beautiful day for me, today is the official kick off of the Tonto Dikeh Foundation. Today, we’re holding a press conference for the the Tonto Dikeh Foundation, today is the day the Lord has made, the day I have been waiting for, this is an opportunity to be a blessing to so many people around the world.

To whom much is given,much is definitely expected.It is a good gesture to really give back to the society.

“The Tonto Dikeh Foundation is a non-profit organisation, which carters for abused women, unwanted pregnancy as a result of molestation/rape etc and motherless children all around the world. We coming with a special package, we are passionate about this.

“I have teamed up with hospitals, clinics, different charity organisations, churches, mosques, well-meaning personalities in the society and government, together we can save souls. I promised God three years ago that if he made me whole again, I’ll touch and save lives. Help me fulfill my promise to God,” she stated.

The actress might be converting a bad experience into an opportunity for others. Was she really molested? .COM



BY: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

The new acting governor of the state, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danlandi has begins plan to defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC) to enable him contest the governorship election of the state.



Abubakar, a member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently meeting with national officials of the APC and other stakeholders from Taraba State in a hotel in Abuja to conclude plans on how to get the party ticket, a source privy to the meeting said.

The meeting our source said was facilitated by leader of the APC in Taraba Senator Aisha Jummai Alhassan representing Taraba North at the National Assembly.

The source said Abubakar is negotiating on getting the governorship ticket of the party in the next election.

Abubakar is believed to have secure the support of Senator Aisha to contest the next governorship election.

The door to contest PDP governorship ticket has been technically shut against Abubakar, who did not purchase the PDP intent and nomination forms before the deadline for the submission of the forms.

The Supreme Court had on Friday nullified the October 4, 2012 impeachment of Abubakar, ordering that he should be reinstated as the deputy governor. The state house of assembly directed him to resume as the acting governor on Monday..COM

BY:Ayo Oloye

Fast rising Atlanta based Nigeria Rap- musician, Myah J disclosed that she dropped dentistry for music for the sake of sharing her experience with the world.



Myah J who has been singing officially for almost four years disclosed this in an interview during a press briefing with the press men at Aries Hotel, Osbourne Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos recently.

She said though she has always loved music but never thought it would be a source of income for her as she is not only singing but she is into rap music which is a kind of music you find very few female folks.

Myah J did not only left dentistry , a profession she studied in school for music, but also had to put a stop to her modelling carrier to do till she gets the fame is wants.

This year alone, Myah J has proven that no team is needed for her to take over the music industry as she has got all it takes to do well in the industry by going for various photoshoot across Africa, Europe and Asia.

Appearing in a number of men magazines, such as Tearsheet, Sweets, Silk, BlockDymes and FEDs, she has come to make a difference.

“I just don't want to do music because every other person is doing it, i want to do music because i have what it takes. Most importantly share my experience with the world. I have gone through a lot but that didn't affect my today, and i want people to learn from that", she said.

As Myah J completed her Mixtape the world was quick to embrace her stunting demeanour, spontaneous movements, charming humor, and soothing personality. She is definitely bringing a new and innovative Pretty Girl Swag to the Microphone. With the excitement of her success so far in the music industry.

Myah J has also created other hits such as shown her versatility of Flow ability back rapping over some of the hottest tracks out now. Her smile lights every room and she continues to improve her soritings and vocal skills working with talented producers such as Fatboi, Zaytoven, Cassius Jay, Squat Beats, Montay, Will-a-Fool, Sonny Digital, Marcus Millz, KE, YA Beats, M16, illmuzik, Dr Drexx and songs with some of the biggest artist in the industry. Myah J speaks for all women of world as she travels across the nation on tour with top artist of today.

Her new single "For a Dollar Bill" is now moving the US as well "Move to the Beat" sweeps the Naija music market..COM

BY: MOTUNRAYO AZEEZ

Federation International de Football Association has released the list for the world best player and coach of the year, raising controversies over the work rate of some stars that made the list.

The unpredictability of the FIFA award nomination list never seems to amaze many, despite the numerous controversies the list has generated in recent times, the football committee in charge of the compilation still left football fans shocked this year when notable names of players and coaches who had an excellent football season where missing on the list.

The world governing body football committee with the help of French magazine France Football compiled the list which includes 23 players for the best player of the year in male category, ten players for the best player of the year in the female category and with a slew of the world best football strategists filling a group of ten worthy managers.

However, with the explosive performances of Christiano Ronaldo, who his 17 goals in the champions league helped Real Madrid win the much awaited champions league for a record ten times, his inclusion came not as a surprise to any, even as four times winner Lonel Messi is also among the 23 players on FIFA's list of contenders for this year's award. It can be recalled that Messi won the award four straight years from 2009-2012, while Ronaldo won it in 2008 and 2013.The award was presented solely by France Football until 2009, and the publication joined with FIFA's World Player of the Year Award for the 2010 edition.

The list of the 23 players, really generated controversies when it was released as the name of Barcelona striker Luis Suarez was missing. Suarez who was named the Premier League's Player of the Year last season while at Liverpool and shared the Golden Ball award as Europe's top goal scorer last term with Ronaldo, but he has since moved to Barcelona after the world cup, following his four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during a match at the tournament. Pundits claim that the Uruguayan deserves a place on the list been the fact that he single handedly gave Liverpool their first ever Champions League appearance since 2009, while many feel he is been punished for his bad conduct at the world football fiesta in Brazil.

Here is a list of the 23 nominees:

2014 FIFA World Player of the Year List

PlayersClub/National Team



Thibaut CourtoisChelsea / Belgium

Andres IniestaBarcelona/ Spain

Sergio RamosBarcelona/ Spain

Yaya ToureMancity/ Cote d’voire

Karim BenzemaReal Madrid/ France

Javier MacheranoBarcelona/ Argentina

Bastian SchweinstegerBayern Munich/ Germany

Eden HazardChelsea/ Belgium

Zlatan IbrahimovicPSG/ Sweden

Mario GotzeBayern Munich/ Germany

Diego CostaChelsea/ Spain

Angel Di MariaManchester United/ Argentina

Philipp LahmBayern Munich/ Germany

Toni KroosReal Madrid/ Germany

James RodriguezReal Madrid/ Columbia

Gareth BaleReal Madrid/ Wales

Paul PogbaJuventus/ France

Arjen RobbenBayern Munich/ Netherlands

Manuel NeuerBayern Munich/ Germany

NeymarBarcelona/ Brazil

Thomas MullerBayern Munich/ Germany

Lionel MessiBarcelona/ Argentina

Christiana RonaldoReal Madrid/ Portugal

However, following a world cup year, FIFA didn’t disappoint, as there are four international coaches out of the ten shortlisted for the award, as Louis Van Gaal is being touted for his work with the Netherlands national team at the Brazil 2014 world cup, where he guided them to the semi final of the money spinning tournament, rather than Manchester United, where he is yet to find his feet.

Here is a list of the final 10 nominees:

2014 FIFA World Coach of the Year Finalists

ManagerClub/National Team

Louis Van GaalNetherland/ Manchester United

Diego SimeoneAtletico Madrid

Alejandro SabellaArgentina

Jose MourinhoChelsea

Joachim LowGermany

Jurgen KlinsmanUSA

Pep GuardiolaBayern Munich

Antonio ConteJuventus

Carlo AncelotiReal Madrid

Manuel PellegriniManchester City



The award which started in 2010 also has previous winners such as Pep Gaurdiola and Jose Mourinho, both managers remain in contention to be the first ever to win the award twice. Mourinho who won the award during his reign at Inter Milan where he won the Champions League for the Italian Giants, the ‘Special One’ as he is fondly called finished the season trophy-less with Chelsea football club, but his inclusion has sparked controversies among football pundits, who have questioned the Portuguese tactician’s appearance on the list, claiming that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger should have replaced the Chelsea manager after he led the ‘Gunner’s’ to their first trophy in nine years last season when they won the English FA cup.

With the exploits of the United States at the FIFA world cup in Brazil where Jurgen Klinsman guided them to the knock out stage of the competition against all odds, his inclusion was merited, but despite his achievements, it is hard to see him edge out Germany Joachim Low and Argentina’s Alejandro Sabella in the three finalists after their great runs in Brazil. Joachim Low would have been touted as the front runner for the award after he led the Germans to their fourth world cup trophy but history doesn’t favour him as Vicente del Bosque finished as a runner up to the then Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho in 2010 after Spain won the world cup that same year.

This year award promises to be fiercely contested for, as many club mangers who had wonderful season such as Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid who against all odds edged out Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race for the 2013/2014 La Liga trophy as well as defeating English power house Chelsea in the semi-final of the champions league to set up an all Spanish final against Real Madrid. After Antonio Conte inspired Juventus to another Serie A dominant, has been seen as one of the contenders but with Carlo Anceloti helping Real Madrid to the ‘La Decima’ in the champions league he has edged out the other club managers in the race for the trophy.

As usual FIFA also unveiled the shortlists of ten players for the women’s world player of the year and ten coaches for the coach of the year.

The list for the best male player, best female player as well as best male and female coach will be trimmed to a shortlist of three on Dec. 1, with the eventual winner expected to be announced at a ceremony in Zurich on Jan 12, 2015. .COM



By: Philips Sunday

A socio-political group, Taraba Peoples Assembly TPA, has urged the new acting governor of the state, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danlandi to face issues of governance rather than concentrating much effort at probing his predecessor, Alhaji Garba Umar.

The acting governor on Monday night set up a thirteen man panel to probe Umar who was sacked on Friday by the Supreme Court.

The group’s Coordinator, Martin Andekin, in a statement on Tuesday describes the attempt to probe Umar administration as clannish and parochial, tainted with undisguised selfish political fanaticism.

In a press release issued recently, the group warned the new acting governor against being used by political desperado's in the state.

"Our concern is for peace and development of our state, Umar has tried his best in the last two years, he has embarked on a lot of projects that has changed the face of Taraba state.
NEW ACTING GOVERNOR DANLADI
NEW ACTING GOVERNOR DANLADI

Umar completed the 13billion Naira Jalingo-Garba Chede road. The project was less than fifty percent completion when Governor Danbaba Suntai was involved in that unfortunate crash. The Takum general hospital was completed, equipped and commissioned by the Umar administration. For some inexplicable reasons the project was ignored. Umar while he was Acting Governor awarded a N17 billion contract for the rehabilitation/reconstruction of the Bali-Gembu road, a federal road. The project is more than eighty per cent completed.

The administration of Umar Garba is on the verge of completing the College of Nursing previously abandoned for almost five years before the Supreme Court judgment.

Umar initiated and completed some projects at the Taraba State University as well as settled outstanding contractors’ claims at the college of education, Zing.

Apart from restoring monthly running cost to ministries, departments and agencies, which had been suspended for more than two years, the administration has been providing funds for the provision of social amenities to the people. Rural electrification projects had also been initiated and commissioned in addition to the sinking of boreholes around the state before the recent court judgement.

Under the education sector, Umar government paid all the required counter funds for Universal Basic Education and settled outstanding scholarship allowances to Taraba state students for three years. To reinvigorate the economic sector, he also approved about seven hundred million Naira as counterpart funds to enable the Taraba Microfinance bank and the ministry of Poverty.

Alleviation to obtain funds from the Central Bank and the Bank of Industries respectively as loans for small and medium enterprise in the state. The list of achievements under Alhaji Umar Garba cannot be exhausted; a probe will be another waste of time and public fund.

The group said the main reason behind the fathom probe is to humiliate and embarrass the Umar ahead of the PDP primary election.

"The Suntai cabal are losing sleeps over Umar's popularity and credibility; his ability to win the next primary and his capacity to emerge victorious at the general election.

"The plot is to make recommendations at the end of the probe that Umar is not fit to hold public offices; head to a court; arrest him and stop him from emerging the PDP candidate in the state.

"Danlandi should remember that the same political camp who disgraced him out of office, only to come back to him when his support was needed to fight a political enemy, his current compositions of Suntai men will only lead him to another political doom.

"We are aware that Danlandi is now a pawn been push around by the cabals to stop Umar from emerging the PDP flag barrier in the next election, we urge him to use the six month ahead of him to consolidate on the achievements made so far, he should not reduce the state to ATM machines for politicians who were uncomfortable with Umar style of prudence in the last two years."

The group urge the new acting governor to use his second chance to purse cause that will benefit the state..COM

BY: Ifedayo Akinwalere

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has slammed the presidency for its response to the warning by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State that if the 2015 elections are rigged, the party will not recognize the outcome and will go ahead and form a parallel government.



The APC said in a statement Friday that Mr. Amaechi’s comment represents the stand of the party.

The statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, said that what Mr. Amaechi said at the APC’s Salvation Rally, which has now rankled the presidency, was simply to reiterate the stand taken by the party before the last Osun State Governorship election.

“Those who are fretting about this statement are those who are planning to rig the elections and they should be warned that Nigerians will no longer accept the outcome of any fraudulent polls. Those who incite the people are those who steal their mandate.

“What we made is a conditional statement. If A happens, then B will follow. That means if elections are not rigged, there will be no problem. It is therefore laughable that anyone will call that statement treasonable,” it said, adding that there is no higher treason than the subversion of the people’s will.

APC said it is common knowledge that anywhere in the world where elections have been rigged, the consequences have been dire, and Nigeria will not be an exception.

“Let us remind the presidency, in case it has forgotten, that election fraud triggered a civil war in Algeria in the early 1990s, led to the killing of over 1,000 people in post-election riots in Kenya in 2007/2008 and fired a near revolution in Iran in 2009/2010. Electoral frauds also corrupt democracy and breed dictatorship, and risks making the people to lose confidence in democracy. Why then would any government react violently if warned against election rigging?” the party queried.

It said that instead of issuing threats and engaging in name calling, the presidency should simply brace up to ensure that the forthcoming elections are not only free, fair and credible, but are seen to be so by Nigerians and the international community.

APC said it is necessary to constantly warn the PDP and the Federal Government not to tamper with the 2015 polls because of their penchant for electoral desperation, which manifests in the intimidation of the opposition and the militarization of election, disposition to anarchy and propensity for impunity.

The party said already, the process leading to the 2015 polls are flawed, with moves to disenfranchise millions of Nigerians by making it impossible for them to either register or get their Permanent Voters Cards and the plot to depopulate the strongholds of the opposition.

“PDP and the governments it sired, especially at the centre, are lawless and anarchic. That’s why they can unleash the police against federal legislators in an attempt to force a removal of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. That’s why a state under the control of the PDP will use seven lawmakers to remove the Speaker in a 26-member House of Assembly.

“Because it is said that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, we will constantly warn the PDP and the Federal Government not to tamper with the 2015 elections. We will constantly chide them for trying to institutionalize impunity. We cannot and will not be intimidated by an uptight presidency,” it said.

“The PDP and the Jonathan Administration are the masters of impunity, and they will not hesitate to exploit any sign of docility in the face of their evil intentions on the part of the opposition. The lessons are there: Had the members of the House of Representatives been docileon Thursday when remote-controlled security agents invaded their premises and barred them from entering, Tambuwal would have ceased to be the Speaker by now.

“For us, the gloves are off. We will no longer engage in any nicety as long as some people are bent on thwarting the will of the people through electoral fraud. All we are demanding is a free, fair and credible election. All we are saying is that no one should incite the people by stealing their mandate. How these demands can be construed to mean treason is as baffling as the do-or-die disposition of the ruling PDP to elections,” the party said..COM

BY: YETUNDE AGUNBIADE

One of the old Yoruba freelance and independent broadcaster, Opeyemi Fajemileyin, otherwise known as Akoro-Iwosi recently departed this sinful world.


Until his death, Opeyemi who was a general Manager of private Ilesha base Radio, Unique Fm.He worked with Radio Lagos for some time before he proceeded to head a private radio station in Ilesha.
Just like his friend demise in 2003, his sudden departure source stated that the bosom friend of late Gbenga Adeboye died after brief illness.
His death was a rude shock to his colleagues and his friends, because they never expected his death at a time like this.
Opeyemi Fajemileyin started his career in the late 70s.He would be remembered for his versatility and professional way of handling programme on air.
Opeyemi was also a talented Ewi exponent. Rest In Peace Opeyemi Fajemileyin..COM

BY: Afolabi Taofik Ajani

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle), congratulating Hon. Justice Iyabo Olamide Akinkugbe (left) shortly after she took the Oath of Office as one of the four new Judges of the High Court of Lagos State while the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye (right) watches with admiration at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, November 21, 2014..COM

A frontline governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba state and immediate Minister for state for Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Dickson Darius Ishaku has commended the supreme court judgment affirming Alhaji Abubakar Danladi as the new acting governor of Taraba state; describing the judgment as end to tyranny in the state.



Chief Ishaku in a statement yesterday said the judgment signifies a new dawn in the politics and governance of Taraba state. He urged the people of the state to brace up for another peaceful reign witnessed under Governor Danbaba Suntai leadership. According to Chief Ishaku, “our state has witnessed oppression in the last two years when Graba Umar took over the reign of leadership. Umar failed to write his name in gold but instead brought crisis and untold hardship to the people of the southern Taraba and the once peaceful state in general.”

Chief Ishaku who noted that the Supreme Court judgment has restored hope in Taraba state urged the new leadership of the state to restore peace and discipline in governance. Chief Ishaku further noted that the task of restoring sanity in the governance of Taraba state should be the priority of the new acting governor who must to everything possible to redress the injustice perpetrated by sacked Garba Umar administration..COM



BY: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

The Baale of Oke-Odo town, High Chief (Hon) Musiliu Dada has addressed the recent ban of okada in Lagos as 'the right thing'.


This came after a tragic accident between an okada and cement truck in Dada Street of Oke Odo, Alimosho Lagos on Thursday, July November 20, 2014.

While reacting to the accident which claimed the life of the motorcyclist and injured the passenger badly, the Baale said: "We have warned drivers and okada riders to be careful in this area most especially this Dada Street because of the dangerous corner we have here. Infact, we have notices placed in almost every pole but our okada riders will not listen"

He further said: "This is the reason why Governor Fashola banned okada. The deaths caused by Okada are too high... The ban was not a mistake".

It was recalled that the Governor of Lagos state, Governor Babatunde Fashola banned the use of Public Motorcycles, popularly known as 'Okada' on major roads over the number of accidents caused by. The ban was followed by mixed reactions as many supported the ban and other opposed it.

However, as revealed by Punch on October 26, 2014, there are indications Okada will soon be banned nationwide as well.newsnowmagazines..com


By: Aina Tolulope

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Thursday called on Nigerians to use the coming General Elections to decide and demonstrate that they can take control of their own destiny by changing what clearly does not work for them.



This was contained in the press release issued yesterday by Hakeem Bello,special adviser on media to Lagos state Governor,Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Lagos House while hosting a Presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Nda Isaiah, said the Election offers them “a big opportunity now to step up like all other Nations of the World who can change an incumbent government because of its record of underperformance.

The Governor, who said it would amount to a waste of time having to wait for eight years for a bad government to leave before seeking change, pointed out that the choices that the people eventually make would have consequences adding, “So if you refuse to make the choices that are coming, you must be ready to live with the consequences”.

He praised the Presidential Aspirants for stepping out to lead at this period which he described as “troubled times” in the history of the nation adding that they have demonstrated patriotism and the commitment to save the nation from avoidable danger and eminent disaster.

“I think that what you and the other aspirants of the APC, our Party, my Party, are demonstrating is leadership in troubled times, I think by offering your service, by standing up to be counted, you indicate clearly that this Nation is not without patriots”, the Governor said.

According to him, “People who will stand up to be counted, especially at the time when it seems that dark clouds have gathered, that is for me, having run a Government here, a big responsibility in itself. At the State level I know what it takes to seek to hold the office of Governor if you are serious, so I can only imagine the multiplications of that at the Presidential stage”.

Saluting the courage of his Guest and that of the other aspirants, Governor Fashola wished all of them the best adding that the APC was determined to ensure that the process that would produce the best Candidate among them would be a model of probity and transparency.

He told his Guest, “What is important is to continue to keep the issues that inform change alive, the issue of insecurity, issues of infrastructure deficits, that we must quickly overcome these as well as the issues of poor governance alluding to some of the issues that you raised earlier about impunity that manifest as a result of bad governance”.

“We must keep those issues in the front burner, to remind Nigerians of the necessity for democratic change and it is important to continue to make those points as well”, Governor Fashola said, adding, “You have my best wishes as you go along what for me is an undertaking of patriotism”.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Presidential Aspirant said his visit was part of his on-going efforts to talk to the APC delegates ahead of the primaries as to why he should be the choice Candidate for the Party adding, however, that he was also in the Government House to thank the Governor for “the great jobs you have done for this country”.

“I wish to commend you for what you have done in Lagos State, for showing to the world the kind of government that APC will be forming”, the Aspirant said adding, “We have had course to tell people that we have successfully dealt with Ebola and only God knows what would have happened if Ebola had not entered through Lagos”.

Expressing pride over what the Governor did during the Ebola days in the State, Nda Isaiah declared, “I remember that when this happened you left everything you were doing and you did not mind to visit some of the churches where many of these foreigners come to seek help”.

He said as the Nation moves on to the next election, it has become imperatively clear to Nigerians that there is need for change, pointing out that the nation is facing a very embarrassing situation including total breakdown of law and order and impunity taking to the level that could not be imagined in the country.

“That is why there must be change by APC in this country. As I have been saying, we are just three month away for change and by the grace of God we must ensure that it is so for the sake of our country and for the sake of generations yet unborn, because we have to rescue this country and that is what Nigerians are asking for”, he said.

Also present at the occasion were some members of the State Executive Council including Secretary to the State Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule, Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole, and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye as well as Senior Adviser, Sam4Nigeria Campaign Organization, Mr. Hosea Kupchi..COM



BY: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

Mr Festus Keyamo, Human rights lawyer, is currently demanding the arrest of Mr Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo by the Director of State Security Service (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police.



In a petition addressed to the Director of State Security Service (DSS) and the Inspector-General of Police, he advised the agencies to effect the arrest of Tompolo within 72 hours or be prepared for court action.

A copy of the petition was also reported to have been sent to the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

According to Channels Television, Mr Keyamo said that he had received briefs from the family members and friends of seven out of the 14 journalists who were kidnapped by boys loyal to the former warlord and would go to court if justice is not served in the abduction case.

Channels Television 2-man crew of Olu Phillips and Paulinus Odedeyi were among those kidnapped but freed after seven hours.

Part of Keyamo’s petition reads:

The facts are that the aforementioned boys (hereinafter referred to as “the seven victims”), together with some journalists from different media houses went to Ogidingben in Delta State on Sunday, November 16, 2014, to get first-hand coverage of the crises leading to the cancellation of the commissioning of the EPZ Project by President Jonathan two days earlier. Recall that I raised an alarm last week about the threat by Tompolo in respect of the commissioning of the project by the President. True to the alarm, the President called off the commissioning because of the threat by Tompolo.

When leaving the venue, the journalists were joined on the boat by the seven victims, three of whom were given a free ride, one was a boat driver and three were from the company that owns the boat.

On their way from Ogidingben after their assignments, the seven victims and the journalists were stopped in their boats and blocked by more than ten other boats loaded with fierce-looking and armed hooligans around an area called Tebujo, which is also near an area called Opuraja. The seven victims and the journalists were then evacuated from their boat into one of the boats of the hooligans. Along the line, Tompolo called and spoke with one of the journalists and he confirmed that he sent the hooligans to accost them and that they should “co-operate” with his boys.

The seven victims and the journalists were then taken to Tompolo’s house in Opuraja where they were beaten to pulp by Tompolo’s boys. The cameras of the journalists were all seized and the memory cards were removed so that they could not show what they went to cover. Unknown to them however, the journalists all had back-ups of their materials in their external hard disks which Tompolo’s boys did not see and seize.



It was a near-death experience for all the victims and in particular for Mr. Tokunbor Oluwaleye who is suffering from internal bleeding and is in a critical condition till today. It took the intervention of Naval and Army personnel in the area for the victims and journalists to be rescued from the hands of Tompolo’s boys later that evening.

Sirs, your failure to simply carry out your statutory duties of arrest, investigation and prosecution of Tompolo for his various acts of lawlessness is now a national and an international embarrassment to the Government of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is disgusting to all men of normal minds to see a private citizen strutting all over the place, threatening lives, abducting citizens, (perhaps silently killing voiceless persons) and you hide your heads in the sand. Yet, he moves about with nearly a whole platoon of Army and security personnel that even a serving Governor cannot get. What is going on?

Recall that I wrote a complaint of the open threat to my life by the same individual nearly two weeks ago, yet you have not even done as little as write me an acknowledgment letter. It is such a shame. This unhealthy romance between government officials in high places and this individual raises strong suspicion over, perhaps, some criminal alliance in relation to shady deals. I am confident that time will tell us better. There is no better way to see this. But I have decided that enough is enough.

Take notice that if within 72 hours of the receipt of this petition you fail, refuse and/or neglect to invite/arrest, investigate and perhaps prosecute Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) for the threat to my life and the attempted murder of these seven victims and the journalists, I will be proceeding to court to compel you to do your duties under the law.

I would want you to come and tell the court what is tying your hands against Tompolo..COM





BY: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

The end of terrorism in Nigeria is just by the corner as a man suspected to be a member of the Boko Haram sect has been lynched at the Central Motor Park in Gombe, the Gombe State capital on Wednesday, while attempting to blow up the area with a bomb.

It was reported that the suspect, who was in possession of a black bag, was seen waiting suspiciously to enter the state-run Gombe Transport Line.

According to Channels Television,vigilantes in the area upon noticing his movement approached him and tried to make him open his black bag but he refused and instead detonated the bomb that was in his bag, injuring himself in the process.
An angry crowd immediately gathered around the man, piled tires on him, doused him with gasoline and burnt him to death.

This incident is coming barely three weeks after a triple bomb explosion at a bus station left scores of people dead in the north eastern city.
The Nigeria Police Force confirmed the death of seven persons the attack while the Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) put the death toll at nine.

Hospital sources and eyewitness accounts, however, put the figure between 24 and 30 adding that about 37 people sustained injuries, during the blast which occurred at the Gombe Transport Services Limited Terminal in the State capital.NEWSNOWMAGAZINES..COM

The recent success of the Nigeria under 17 team at the Fifa Under 17 World Cup, where the players were alleged to be true under age players, raises fear, if the Country will be able to raise true under aged players again.



Decades after the successful outing of the Dream Team of Nigeria at the Athlanta1996 Olympics, where the players that represented Nigeria at the football fiesta, were alleged to have submitted their real ages to the Nigerian football body, which enabled them to participate in the competition. Years later, Nigerians now bemoan the rate at which over aged players continue to flood the age grade competitions, raising doubts over the effectiveness of the basic academic structures put in place at the various schools where these players were meant to be selected from.

Many argued that the success of the Atlanta 96 team came as a result of the excessive participation of the players in their school curricular activities, where there was a well structured football pitch as well as tennis court, which gave room for great competitions among the students; such has interschool completion, street soccer competition. Parents then were the backbone of encouragement for their kids, buying them the necessary kit needed for the successful participation of their kids in various sports of their choice.

Sports enthusiasts claim that the 96 team enjoyed governmental support then because corruption was on a low level in the country and that the leaders were interested in the grassroots development which helped in identifying the talents that represented the country in its various sporting activities. But reverse seems to be the case this days as the leaders engage in looting the country finances to other country, which has been useful in the development of these countries.

Furthermore, tribalism and nepotism has driven deep into the country leadership prospect, thereby restricting its leaders from carrying out developmental projects in the school, which has in a negative way affected the country in its pursuit of true under age sports oriented teens that can represent the country in various completion, National, Continental, or International.

Nigeria was once again thrown into a mockery state at the Fifa 2009 under 17 tournament hoisted by the country, when several Nigerian players failed the MRI scan, with the chairman of the Nigeria Football Association then Sanni Lulu demanding that the parents of the players be brought down to the Nigerian capital Abuja, to verify the real ages of the players.

This however, created pandemonium among soccer loving fans in and outside the country, with some suggesting that the various schools attended by the players should have the original document stating the ages of the players. Long before now, Nigerian players were used to the act of presenting a sworn affidavit stating that they are truly using their real ages. This has left many bemused on why an affidavit would be submitted to verify ages, when the age of any player should have been stipulated in his or her birth certificate.

When Nigeria won the Fifa under 17 world cup in 2007, many had thought that with the enormous talent the country paraded at the completion, the buck of that team would have been the fulcrum of the Nigeria Senior National team ‘The Super Eagles’ today, but the players in question couldn’t keep up with the pace as they were alleged to have reduced their ages in other to enable them participate in the tournament.

While the British soccer loving fans where excited with the transfer of Gareth Frank Bale from Totthenham Hotspur to the best club in the world Real Madrid for a world record transfer fee of (e100 million) Euros, thereby trashing the transfer record of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 94 million Euros move from Manchester United to the same club. Many never knew that Bale first came into limelight while he was in his primary school, Eglwys Newydd Primary School, when scouts from English Premier League team Southampton watched him play for his first club, Cardiff Civil Service Football Club during a six aside tournament.

At just 14 years old Bale was already training at the Southampton Satelite Academy while he was still in High School, he ran 100 meters in 11.4 seconds which made him the best athlete in his school, this was possible because there was a well organized structure to enable him develop into the star that is recognized in the whole world today.

The world stars that are known today in world football, graduated from different football academies, were they learnt the rudiment of soccer plus academics project and its successes. The football academy of Barcelona known as La Masia as produced over 300 players worldwide, it came not as a shock when one of the graduate of the academy Lionel Messi won the Ballon D’or award and world footballer of the year in 2009. However, since then the academy has produced players who are the bedrock of their various national teams.

Sports analyst and enthusiasts applauded a football programme meant for female football players held last year September, which was anchored by the first African Women Footballer of the Year, Mercy Udoh Akide, in which the best 3 players were granted a football plus academic scholarship in United State of America.

Howbeit, since the gold won by Chioma Ajunwa at the Atlanta 96 Olympic in the track and field event, Nigeria have struggled to find a replacement for her in athletics, apart from the Queen of track now Blessing Okagbare, who has represented the country well in many events winning medals at the world championships and a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics. Many fear that if she is injured or she retires, the search for her replacement might take Nigeria ages to find.

However, Nigerians remain anxious that the current state in the sport sector of the country will encounter a new dawn, were structures and infrastructure will be put in place to enable easy training of this talented Nigerians from the grassroots who have lost hope in their dreams due to lack of sponsors..COM



By : Philips Sunday

Collection of PVC Cards is one of the civic responsibilities Nigerians need to perform in order to choose leaders of their choice for a fixed period of time. The PVC is very important and all you have to do is to visit the designated area and collect yours. It is the only guarantee that you will cast your vote. And once you have it, you don’t need to go through another exercise again because it is permanent.



For those who lost their temporary cards issued by INEC, all they should do is to check the register. Once their names are located on the register, they will be issued their PVC by INEC officers.

As Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) begins distribution of permanent Voters Cards (PVC) in Lagos, the henchman of the commission announced to Lagosians that PVC for nine out of 20 local government areas of the state are not yet ready.

Besides, it was also noted by the commission that nearly 2 million prospective registered voters’ names are missing from INEC register.

As INEC officials failed to show up at collection centres during the major hours of the day, it was reported that some young men between the age of 18 and 25 were seen with different types of gumming materials and poster like papers around 5:30pm at some polling locations with efforts to paste some lists suspected to be expected registered voters list.

On the first day of the supposed PVC distribution, residents of Imota community, Ikorodu, Lagos State complained that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not show up at the designated areas where they were supposed to be issued permanent voter cards (PVC).

Some of them spoke during the National Orientation Agency’s campaign on voters’ education and security consciousness, held at the palace of the Ranolu of Imota, Oba Ajibade Bakare-Agoro.

They said that the erratic distribution and non-availability of PVC cards would disenfranchise many people as some of them might not collect their PVC within the stipulated time.

Responding, the Lagos State director of NOA, Mr. Waheed Ishola, urged the people to take the exercise seriously, stressing that it was the only way they could elect good leaders.

Governor Fashola stated that in order for our democracy to be truly representative, it must be participatory, which means that everybody who is 18 years old from today is eligible to vote in the next election.

‘’This obligation has become very important because of the reports emanating from INEC at a press briefing by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos that the number of voters in Lagos is now 4,800,000 (Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand),’’ said Fashola.

Fashola added that the conclusion of voters registration exercise before the 2011 elections, the number of registered voters in Lagos as announced by INEC itself was 6,247,845 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Five).

This was an exercise conducted by INEC. This was an exercise where INEC boasted to Nigerian that it has secured an Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to ensure the credibility of the Voters Register.

‘’INEC must explain to us how…..voters disappeared from among 1,447,845 (One Million, Four Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Five) to leave Lagos with only 4,800,000 (Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand) registered voters,’’Fashola added

INEC has itself attempted to ascribe the disappearance of 1,447,845 (One Million, Four Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Five) registered voters on its register in Lagos to what it calls “consolidation”; “Business Rule” and AFIS.

Lagosians demand to know what these terms mean, are they provided for in the Electoral Act?

Are they plans to disenfranchise Lagosians from exercising their rights to choose their own representatives?

Are they part of a plan to confer an undue-advantage in the next elections to any person or to frustrate the choice of Lagosians as we have seen in other states?

Fashola said that his Government will vigorously stand on the side of every eligible and previously registered voter to have their name back on the Voters Register compiled in 2011 unless INEC can show legitimate reasons why this should not be so.

For those residents who did not register at the last election, or who were not 18 years old at the time but who have now reached that age and who want to register, the first phase of this exercise which is to issue voters card from 7th-9th of November 2014 is not for you, because a Voter’s Card is only produced from a previously existing register.

For those who fall into the category of persons who have never registered or who were registered and cannot find their names, will have the opportunity to register for the first time, or to re-register in the second phase which is for continuous voters registration starting from 12th November to 17th November 2014.

After the issuance of Permanent Voters Card for those who registered at the last election or who voted, then INEC will start a process of continuous voters’ registration.

‘’So for now, for 3 days, from Friday the 7th day of November 2014 to Sunday the 9th day of 2014, I urge all residents, registered in Lagos to make time to go to their registration or voting centres to collect their Permanent Voters Card,’’ Fashola stated.

The governor urged employers of labour to be flexible and accommodating to allow workers to close early on Friday the 7th of November, 2014.

As for public servants, the governor declares Friday the 7th of November, 2014 shall be a work free day in order to enable workers carry out this civic duty and exercise their civic rights.





The train of the press landed in Edo state and discovered that some members of the National Youth Service Corps assigned to distribute permanent voter cards to voters in Unit Six Ward Two, Oredo Local government Area of the State were on November 7 stranded at the Government Reservation Area because they could not locate the area.

As at 12 noon, the NYSC members were seen sitting at Idah Primary school, waiting for a vehicle to convey them to the area.

Woman leader in the Unit Six, Stella Ekhator, stated that many voters were waiting at their polling units to collect their voter cards. This Unit six is a unit that is made up of many rural communities in Ward Two.

On the other hand, corps members who were to man the exercise gave their own accounts that they could not locate their area of assignment.

Furthermore, the entire voter registers at Unit 16 Ward 12 and Unit 25 Ward seven in Oredo was allegedly missing.

Some of the registered voters at Unit 16, David Aiyegbeni, wondered how the register could be missing when it was what they used in previous elections.

One of them said: “We could not find our names in the register. I am sure INEC is playing pranks to help the PDP.”

Commissioner for Works in Edo state, Osarodion Ogie, who collected his PVC card at Ugbekun Primary School, described the exercise as peaceful and expressed optimism that INEC would fix all hitches before the next Sunday.

In addition, National Coordinator of the Justice Research Centre, Inwalomhe Donald, reported that there were complaints of missing names at several wards his group monitored.

Inspite of the stated irregularity, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Edo, Baritor Kpagih, was reported to have remained silent on the number of PVCs to be distributed in the state.

In Rivers State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) caused confusion in the State over the collection of permanent voter cards (PVCs).

The collection of PVCs in the 23 local government areas of the state, according to INEC, was to hold between November 7 and 9, with voters already sensitised and the stakeholders met with in Port Harcourt by the electoral body chaired by Prof. Attahiru Jega.

The Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), also declared November 7 a work-free day for Rivers people to massively participate in the exercise.

According to the Nation, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in Rivers State, Aniedi Ikoiwak, who earlier assured that the PVCs would be distributed in all the 23 LGAs of the state, could not fulfill his promise, blaming the failure on technical challenge.

Chairmen of the seven LGAs also provided free transportation arrangements for their people to move from Port Harcourt to their various communities to pick their PVCs, and to be brought back freely to the state capital.

Ikoiwak, on Thursday, disclosed in Port Harcourt that the PVCs would be distributed in the three days only in seven LGAs: Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Omuma, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo and Tai, without indicating specific dates when persons who registered as voters in the remaining 16 LGAs would get their PVCs.

As the prospective voters were preparing early in the morning to move to their registration units and communities to collect their PVCs, the Supervisory National Commissioner of INEC in charge of Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, Mrs. Thelma Eremiren, announced that the PVCs would no longer be given in the seven LGAs.

Nigerians should be on the alert; the situation indicates that there might be some elements of Peoples Democratic Party hidden or obvious in the operation of INEC.If there is any element in the INEC or incompetent staff /contractor, it is high time the INEC chairman, Attahiru Jeja who most Nigerians believed to be above board voiced or fished them out so that Nigerians can experience a free and fair election in 2015.

Following the state-wide hitches and irregularities during the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards ( PVC) to registered voters in Ogun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday extended the exercise by one day.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun had on Saturday stormed the INEC state Headquarters where he complained over the distribution of the PVCs in the state.

Amosun also called the INEC) to cancel the marred exercise in the state and start afresh as the hitches and irregularities got worse the second day.

He advised the INEC to redeem its image and described the exercise as the substandard preparations and irregularities characterising the distribution of the PVCs. He also stated that the state distribution of PVC is reprehensible, disappointing, terrible and unacceptable to the people.

According to the Nation, the INEC Southwest Regional officer (Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti) Prof. Lai Olorode, who said he does not have the power to start a fresh distribution as only the INEC Headquarters in Abuja could give such instruction when the governor’s complain is routed officially communicated to Abuja.

But on Sunday, in what appears to be electoral body heeding the Governor’s call, it announced that the deadline for distribution of the PVCs would now be Monday..COM

By: Ifedayo Akinwalere

There is confirmation from France that a second Frenchman features in a video showing the beheading of Syrian prisoners, and the body of a US hostage killed by Islamic State (IS).



About 1,000 French jihadists are thought to have gone to Syria and Iraq.

French media quote unnamed official sources as saying he is a 22-year-old from an eastern suburb of Paris.

Earlier, the government named Maxime Hauchard, from Normandy, as a militant in the video released at the weekend..COM







source: BBC NEWS

Former supermodel, Janice Dickinson, is the latest of a handful of women who have also accused Cosby of sexual assault, allegations the comedian has repeatedly denied.
Allegations of sexual assaults have been haunting one of America’s most iconic comedians, Bill Cosby, by women who say they are victims of his assault.

Joan Tarshis, a journalist and publicist, said she met Cosby in 1969 in Los Angeles when she was invited to have lunch by some friends of his. They saw each other again and she visited him on the set of “The Bill Cosby Show.”
Joan, who was 19 at that time, alleged that Bill Cosby drugged her with a drink he knew she liked and forced her to practice MouthAction with him after she told him she had an infection his wife might catch.
In an interview, Dickinson claims Cosby assaulted her in 1982 after the two had dinner in Lake Tahoe. She alleges he gave her a pill and a glass of red wine shortly before she passed out.
“The last thing I remember was Bill Cosby in a patchwork robe, dropping his robe and getting on top of me. And I remember a lot of pain,” she said.

Cosby had been in the news for a sexual affair once before. In 1997, a woman named Autumn Jackson claimed to be Cosby’s love child. Cosby admitted to a relationship with Jackson’s mother but denied paternity. Jackson was later convicted of extortion.

Since 2005, a handful of women have made the claims. This year, the accusations resurfaced, and earlier this month, a seemingly harmless post on Cosby’s Twitter account turned them into a social media storm.
How all the controversy has affected Cosby personally is unknown. He’s still scheduled to star in an NBC sitcom next year, and his skills as a comedian appear undiminished. Last year’s concert movie, “Far From Finished,” earned mostly positive reviews, and his recent comedy tour has also received praise..COM

The former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-kayode was discharge and acquitted on Monday morning of a charge of money laundering by the federal High court sitting in Lagos Nigeria.



He was discharged and acquitted of the thirty- eight count charge out of forty count of hundred million Naira money laundering charges against him; the court ordered him to enter his defence in the remaining two count.

The presiding judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia in her ruling said “considering the issue of no case submission as filed by the defence counsel, certain laid down principles needed to be considered, such as the following. Has the prosecution led any evidence to link the accused person to the commission of the offence? Is the evidence adduced by the prosecution so credible to sway the court to compel the accused person to enter his defence and is the evidence so adduced make meaning and sense to any discerning minds?”

Ajumogobia, while appraising the submission of the prosecution said the prosecution has failed woefully to prove beyond reasonable doubt the offences in thirty-eight counts and he accordingly discharged and acquitted the former minister on this charges while the former minister was also ordered to enter his defence in counts twenty-five and twenty-six. The court said the prosecution has led evidence to show the ingredient of the offence which will necessitate the minister to enter his defence

Dr Abiodun Layonu after the ruling, leading two other lawyers Tola Oshobi, T. Adigun for the defence urged the court to give them short adjournment thus, the case was adjourned till 8 December, when the former minister is expected to open his defence on those two counts.

Fani-Kayode, is standing trial on an amended 40 count charge, bordering on the alleged offences of transacting business without going through financial institution and has been prosecuted by the anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

Fani- Kayode’s lawyer, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) last Monday made a no case submission on behalf of his client the former minister. He stated that he had also filed a reply on points of law, in response to the issues raised by the prosecution in their processes.

Adedipe while adopting his submission urged the court to discharge the former minister of all 40 counts, on the grounds that no case has been made out against him, to warrant him to enter a defence.

He noted that the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges led against him before the court, and by so doing, he has joined issues with the prosecution, leaving them to prove their case beyond doubt.

He said “the prosecution called six witnesses; none of them came forward to give any evidence that they had any financial transaction with the accused”..com

BY: OLALEKAN OMODARA

Gunmen have released the Channels Television crew and other journalists kidnapped in the Niger Delta creeks duringthe weekend. They had gone to cover an event at the Ogedengbe gas plant in Warri, Delta State.



Channels Television’s energy correspondent, Olu Philips and cameraman, Polynus Odedeyi said they were returning from an official assignment when they were kidnapped. President Goodluck Jonathan was earlier expected to commission the $16 billion export processing zone project, but the event was called-off.

In a telephone interview, Philip spoke from the Naval base in Warri, delta state, recounting their experience in the hands of the kidnappers.

He said that the crew had boarded a boat on their way back to town after covering an event when they were accustomed by the kidnappers off the creeks of Gbaramatu in an area called Escravos, in Delta State’s riverine area.
source: channels
source: channels

“Around 11:00am, we saw another speed boat coming behind us. They caught up with us, asked us to stop and surrounded us.

“They had guns with them and they asked us where we were coming from and we told them we were there to cover an event. They said we were spies and they collected our camera and put it in another boat, after hitting the camera man.

“The made some calls and decided to take us to Gbaramatu. They took us to a chief popularly called Tompolo

“They beat-up some other persons that were not journalists. After beating them they handed them rifle and asked us to stand behind them that we were criminals and that they saw the rifle and pistols with us. They took photographs of us and started sharing it on social media,” Philips said.

He stated that they were held hostage till about 6-7pm before some Naval officials arrived and they were handed over to them.

According to him, the kidnappers made several threats that they were going to kill them and throw them into the river..com

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN and Conference Co-ordinator/ Director, LSE Cities and Urban Age , Professor Ricky Burdett shortly before the Governor made his presentation titled, “Lagos Urban Experience,” during the Session on “ Urban Leaders Governing Change,” at the Urban Age Conference : Governing Urban Futures organised by the London School of Economics and Political Science in conjunction with the Alfred Herrhausen Society : The International Forum of Deutsche Bank , held at the Hyatt Regency , New Delhi, India on Saturday, November 15, 2014..com

The Year 2014 edition of the Lagos State Annual Community Day Celebration held Thursday at the Police College Grounds, Ikeja with the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, urging eligible voters in the State to vote in an All Progressives Congress (APC) Government in 2015 to guarantee continued good governance in the State.

Addressing thousands of community representatives, including Community Development Associations, members of the Neighbourhood Watch, Traditional Rulers and other stakeholders, Governor Fashola cautioned the people to be vigilant and wary of those who would make unrealistic promises adding that the best way to assess all the promises was to check the antecedents of those who make them.

Governor Fashola, who asserted that he has kept all the promises he made from inception as contained in his inauguration Speech in 2007, pointed out that the promises had been kept on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which, according to him, is “a party for whom progressivism is about the people”.

The Governor told the cheering community members of the audience, that the administration has been busy in the last few days handing over community projects, such as water projects, schools, town halls, roads and agricultural projects across the State adding that the purpose was simply to connect the various communities. “For the APC, progressivism is not about self, it is not about boyfriends and girlfriends”, the Governor said adding that Nigerians could not have basic facilities for good living because the country has lost to corruption huge sums of money that would have been used to provide such amenities like have electricity.

Such promises kept in the last seven years by the administration formed by APC elected public officer, the Governor said, include delivery of community projects, water projects, schools, town halls, roads, agricultural projects and electricity, among numerous others spread across the State adding that the impact of the administration has been felt in all parts of the State.

“From community to community, we have been there in the sun and in the rain, working together in collaboration with the communities themselves, developing together and building together”, he said describing communities as “places for the development of our common existence, where we move, holding each other hand to hand and working to achieve a common goal”.

Governor Fashola recalled that in Ibeshe, about three years ago, a high tension mast that was supplying electricity to the communities collapsed adding that although the mast belongs to the Federal Government which abandoned it; it was the Lagos State Government that restored the tower and enabled electricity to return to the communities.

Also, the Governor recalled that in Ilashe, the State Government recently handed over a community hall and a community centre and is currently also building police posts, area commands and security architecture across the various communities adding that access to Justice is being improved with High Courts now functional in Ikorodu while those in Epe and Badagry will soon be handed over.

He declared, “Your State is working. Lagos is working. Our impact is in your communities, in your roads, in your schools, in your hospitals and we will not stop”, adding that Government has been able to accomplish all these because the people have been worthy partners by paying their taxes.

“So anybody who comes to tell you that he will give you a better life without taxes is deceiving you. Ask him to tell you where he is going to get the money. The way money is reducing, some states are now borrowing to pay salaries but Lagos State is not borrowing to pay salaries because you pay taxes”, the Governor said.

Urging residents who registered during the elections of 2011 to go and obtain their Permanent Voters’ Card in their local governments as a guarantee for continuity of good governance in the State, Governor Fashola declared, “No work can be more important now than for you to hold a registered member voter’s card. Everything you will do in the next four years, your business, electricity, your roads, is on that card, go and get it because that card will enable you to choose”.

The Governor slammed the Federal Government for its inability to provide the basic infrastructure and utilities for the people of Nigeria in spite of its lion share of 52 percent from the Federation Account adding that it has failed to provide electricity despite the promises it made to the people as the basis for taking the mantle of leadership four years ago.

“The price of oil is dropping. Our Stock Exchange has been losing money for the last 13 days until yesterday. Our external reserve is dropping. The revenue to the states and local governments is reducing. Small nations that used to look at us with respect are laughing at us behind our backs. This is not the Nigeria we planned”, he said.

According to him, “The 36 states share 26 percent which is below one percent per state. The 774 local governments get 22 percent which leaves each local government with less than 0.001 percent; and they expect magic to happen. If somebody who is holding 52 percent does his own duty well everybody will be happy”.

Pledging the commitment of his administration to the delivery of democracy dividends to residents until the last day of his tenure in office, Governor Fashola said his administration would continue working “in the sun and in the rain”, providing service to the people “until the last day”.

He declared, “The time for promises has come. You will see all sorts of politicians, even those who cannot manage their homes, they will tell you to let them manage your life. Look well, shine your eyes. When you listen to their promises also look at their past records”, adding that even those who could not manage their homes would ask to be entrusted with the life of Nigerians.

Thanking the communities for their collaboration with and support to his administration, Governor Fashola expressed joy that, with its destiny in its own hands, the State is moving forward in all fronts, despite the dwindling revenues from the Federal Government. The Governor, who singled out the State’s grassroots security agency, the Neighbourhood Watch, for commendation declared, “Our very reliable and able security network have continued to communicate and work with our local police here to keep our communities safe for ourselves and our children”.

“Today, you are seeing the first batch of their patrol vehicles, improvement in their equipment and their uniform and slowly, day by day, we are developing our own local security architecture. We are showing that by mere presence in the streets, by being vigilant, by seeing something and saying something, we can protect our communities and our neighbourhoods”, he said.

The Governor who reiterated the importance of the Permanent Voters’ Card as the platform on which all the efforts to make the necessary change in the nation’s leadership, is built, pointed out, “If you don’t like the situation in the country now, the time to change that is now, the tool to do so is your voters’ card”.

He explained further, “If you registered at the last election in the 11 local governments where INEC is currently distributing, go and collect your PVC in your local government offices. INEC is still there; don’t let them fall into wrong hands. Election has started and this is the foundation of election”.

“For those who were under 18 years when we voted in 2011 and those although they were over 18 years did not register, this is the time to do so. That exercise was supposed to have started yesterday, November 12, to run until November 17, 2014”, he said adding that for the remaining nine local governments, PVC would be collected between November 28 and 30 while continuous registration in the nine local governments will start on December 03, 2014.

In his welcome address earlier, Commissioner for Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, said the State Government has continued to mobilize the 3,360 Community Development Associations through their Committees (CDCs) to the monthly interactive fora of the Ministry where issues bordering on government policies, programmes and activities particularly security related issues and tips are disseminated.

Describing the theme of the annual event, “Community Mobilization, Panacea for Security Challenge” as most apt, the Commissioner said the insecurity in the country has become a major challenge and calls for collective action to tackle it noting that the Neighbourhood Watch has become a veritable tool in grassroots policing.

Highlights of the event included a Parade by the various CDAs and CDCs from all the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the State, market men and women as well as members of the Neighbourhood Watch during which the Governor took salute, presentation of a white Horse to the Governor by the Communities and presentation of Awards to some outstanding communities.

Also present at the occasion were the Deputy Governor, Hon. (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Babatunde Akiolu 1, Chairmen of Local Goverrnments and Local Council Development Areas, Chairmen of CDAs and CDCs, Traditional Rulers and other stakeholders as well as other top government functionaries.



By: IFEDAYO AKINWALERE

Brazillian football icon; Edson Arantes do Nascimento better known as Pele, has been hospitalised and he is to undergo a "medical evaluation".



The Albert Einstein hospital did not disclose why Pele was admitted, saying in a statement on Wednesday evening only that he will "undergo exams."

The private Agencia Estado news service and other local media in Brazil say the 74-year-old football great is suffering from stomach pain, but his condition was not serious.

The city of Santos earlier in the day said that Pele canceled his appearance at the Pele Museum in Santos because of "health reasons."

It wasn't clear if Pele would remain hospitalised and no further details were immediately available.

BY CHARLES ODIDIKA



BIOGRAPHY

Pele is a legendary sporting figure and an iconic soccer player who during his active years ruled the game to the point of being called the 'King of Football'. Till date, he is widely regarded by football fans, critics, experts and players (current and retired) as the best player of all time. With his impeccable style, electrifying play and impressive performance, he scored a total of 1281 goals in 1363 games. It was his deep embedded penchant for the game and knack for scoring spectacular goals that made him a star around the world.

He was praised for his exceptional heading ability, powerful shot and unbowed goal scoring.

A Brazilian national team footballer and key player for the Santos club, he played a major role in every game he played. While at field, he gave his hundred per cent to every match and played like an unbeaten pro since his very first professional game. Over his career that spanned for a little over two decades, he showcased some invincible performances and catapulted the popularity of the game astronomically.

Other than his spectacular showmanship on the field, Pele is regarded as the ultimate humanitarian as well, for he has raised his voice to enhance the living standard and social conditions of the poor, a number of times.

In his active years, he created numerous records, some of which till date remain undefeated and unaltered. To know more about this celebrated footballer, scroll further. .com

SOURCE: http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/edison-arantes-do-nascimento-2544.php

Chelsea has announced a profit of $18.4million for the year ending June 30 2014 as the largest since Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich took over the club 11 years ago.



Following the club website on Thursday, there was also a record turnover of $319.8million although transfer receipt of around $87million is added from the sale of Juan Mata to Manchester united and David Luiz to Paris St Germain.

However Chelsea claims that with the figure demonstrated they have satisfied UEFA’s break- even criteria under the financial fair play regulation(FFP).

“By reaching the champion league semi-final and maintaining a challenge in the premier league until the final week of the season we demonstrated that, while improving our financial figures, we remained competitive in football’s toughest club competition” chairman Bruce Buck said.

“In the era of FFP, we must progress commercially to continue the circle of success to invest in the team and get result”.

The club has admitted in the past that increasing match day income will be difficult unless they can move from Stamford Bridge or increase the ground capacity. .com

BY: OMODARA OLALEKAN