₦airaland Forum

Year 2017 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Held at National Christian Centre, Abuja today 8th January, 2017. The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Joshak Habila, DIG Department of Operation.

Source , http://www.viviangist.com/pictures-year-2017-armed-forces-remembrance-day-celebration

Cc; lalasticlala

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola; wife of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Worldwide, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye and wife of Lagos State Governor, Bolanle Ambode during the Y2017 Annual Thanksgiving Service at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Today.

Source , http://www.viviangist.com/rtd-adeboye-ambode-others-at-2017-annual-thanksgiving-pictures

Cc; lalasticlala

Photo News : ​Army hand over another chibok girl, Rakiya Abubakar and her six months old Son Abdullahi to Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima

Source , http://www.viviangist.com/%e2%80%8barmy-hand-over-chibok-girl-rakiya-abubakar-and-son-to-gov-shettima-pictures

Cc; lalasticlala

The Anambra State Governor, Dr Willie Obiano has disclosed that the One hundred and eleven (111)roads earmarked for construction this dry season, in the state were those leading to areas with prospects for the realization of its Agriculture, Commerce and industrialization vision.
The governor pointed this out yesterday during a mass at the Retreat Center, Okpuno, Awka South council of the state to mark the New Year retreat and get together of Priests in the Catholic Diocese of Awka.

He explained that the roads will cut across the 3 senatorial districts of the state, and would be done to standard due to the anticipated heavy duty trucks that would convey products to and from the project sites.

The governor noted that the year 2016 was a breakthrough for Anambra even when it was a period of suffering for other states due to his administration's power of vision, and said his administration would intensify its efforts that had ensured that the state economy remained viable so that the people will not feel the impact of the present economic recession.

He revealed that the aside initiating short term policies that guarantees the state's continued march towards greater achievements, his administration was more focused on building strong institutions that would outlive it and pose a viable model for subsequent administrations to consolidate on and take the state to the next level.

Gov Obiano appealed to the Church to sustain its partnership with his administration that has put Anambra on the front burner as a developed state, adding that he is committed to seeing through his social contract with Ndi Anambra.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev Paulinus Ezeokafor in his homily acknowledged that the present administration of Gov Obiano has through its holistic developmental approach restored the people's confidence in government's ability to cater for their needs and said his security agenda had set the stage for meaningful economic activities in the state.

He commended the Agricultural transformation efforts of the administration through which, he noted, the lives of many citizens have been changed for the better especially in the rural areas.

In a vote of thanks, the Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev Jonas Benson Okoye commended the governor for identifying with them, describing him as a humane leader.

Christmas Promise: Governor Bindow Showers People With Disabilities, Children With Gifts

Adamawa state governor, Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow, showered people living with disabilities and their children with gifts in fulfillment of his Christmas promise to them.

It will be recalled that during their Christmas celebration visit to Government House, Yola, children of people living with disabilities in the state had asked the governor to buy bicycles and play toys for them.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary of the State Government, Dr Umar Bindir, said, he enjoys giving comfort to the less privileged and the gifts is a fulfillment of his Christmas promise to the kids.

According to Bindir, Bindow himself will visit their settlement and a renovation of the place will come soon as it is always the governor's wish to provide good welfare for his people.

He then cautioned the kids to stay off main roads with their bicycles and make disciplined use of their toys.

Source ; http://www.viviangist.com/see-the-xmas-presents-gov-bindow-gave-disabled-people-as-promised-pictures

Cc; lalasticlala

Anambra First Baby of the Year 2017, Perfect Gift

The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano has described the first baby of the year 2017 as a perfect gift to the state.

Mrs. Obiano stated this while receiving the baby boy delivered at 5.48 am at St Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha.

The governor's wife expressed satisfaction that the baby weighed 4.5kg on arrival and his mother is in very stable condition.

Said she; “I have no doubt that this beautiful baby has brought some New Year blessing to our state. It interesting that as we age, we have new ones like this baby coming to take over. I am sure this one will grow up, work hard and make positive impact like our governor, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano."

Mrs. Obiano thanked the management of the hospital for ensuring a safe delivery of the baby. She also presented gift items including; diapers, baby soap and oil, beverages and cash amongst other items to the baby’s mother, Mrs. Chidiebere Ayogu.

Speaking on the arrival of the Baby-of-the-year, Head of Nursing Services, Sister Maria-Modester Okafor said that the mother arrived at the hospital in labour early that morning and thereafter had a safe delivery. She noted the symbolism of the annual Baby of the year and expressed satisfaction that St. Charles Borromeo was among the shortlisted hospitals and actually had the good fortune of having the lucky baby and mother.

Sister Maria-Modester also commended the wife of the governor for making the hospitals’ New Year special and prayed to God to bless her for constantly improving the lives of the less privileged.

Reacting to the good news surrounding his family in the New Year, father of Baby of the Year, Mr. Innocent Ayogu an Onitsha based businessman from Enugu Ezike, expressed delight as he thanked the governor’s wife for showers of gifts to the baby and his wife.

He acknowledged his family’s luck and the fact that governor Obiano and his wife are a hardworking couple and deserve another four years in office.

He also explained that the new born is the eightieth in a family of six boys and two girls.

Checkout the full list of “Ex Nigerian Presidents and Vice Presidents to Get a Car From Buhari in 2017”

The federal government has decided to buy vehicles for 7 former heads of states and vice presidents.

The seven living former heads of government include:


Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.);
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,
Alhaji Shehu Shagari;
Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.);
Chief Ernest Shonekan; Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (retd.);
former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The four living former Vice-Presidents and ex-Chiefs of General Staff are

former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme;
Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd.);
Gen. Oladipo Diya (retd.),
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
former Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

The budget details did not indicate the number of vehicles that would be bought for each of the former leaders. The brands of the vehicles were also not disclosed.

Senator Francis Okpozo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC is dead.

VIVIAN GIST NIGERIA reports that Senator Okpozo died in Benin City on Monday night at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The cause of his death is yet to be made public.

Okpozo was elected to the Senate on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party in the Second Republic.

The Onyeama Hill (Ugwu Onyeama) which is located in-between Ngwo 9th Miles and Enugu metropolis is well known for high rate of accidents which have claimed numerous lives and put some in serious coma. This is the major road for all vehicles coming from different parts of the country and cuts through to the State capital. Surprisingly, this road has received just a little careless attention from the government over the years. Remind me again why accidents wouldn't be rampant on a sloppy road that has deep potholes even at the centre ?

Christmas is a festival of birth marked with high rate of death and immoralities. A season to some, an opportunity to showcase their reckless life style. No matter how careful one would be, there is someone who would not be as careful are you are. One who wouldn't drive safely just like you. Who then are we to blame for this high rate of accidents on Onyeama Hill especially in festive periods like Xmas.

The major cause of accidents on Onyeama hill is not farfetched: large potholes and topography. This road serves as death trap to the citizens and even animals (especially cows from the North). Until recently, the government had over the years showed less concern over the road and it's potential danger; the threats it possess. In November, the state of the road had been improved a bit to suit the Decemeber rush and cubaccidents but you know what to expect from a job done in a hurry by a careless government.

Another reason for the accidents on Onyeama hill is as a result of break failure of both trucks, trailers and smaller vehicles. Due to the sloppy nature of the hill, vehicles with high speeds are liable to break failures. Even the ones on deceleration might collide with the one moving at the opposite speed, which might result to something fatal and bloody. What about trucks that depend highly on air to put their tyres to a halt? You know the danger that poses when the air refuses to pump into the break.

Aside the government and break failure, drivers are also to blame.Accidents of course occur on smooth and level roads. Most of the drivers are reckless and careless. Onyeama Hill demands a careful driver who would take time to drive through the potholes and at the same time avoid oncoming trucks, trailers and other vehicles. The hill would also never be a safe driveway for amateur drivers or learners per say.

To minimize the high rate of accident on Onyeama Hill, the government should make an effort in building the road to a very good standard. The drivers should also inspect their vehicles and repair any detected fault. Finally, the drivers should drive carefully and safely.

nwakibie3:
i dey tell u. the same viviangist that was castigating obiano yesterday for giving the civil servants 25kg bag of rice instead of 50kg has now turned to praise him. hypocrites everywhere

"...and he opened his eyes": Recession and the tears of the Nation
I came, I saw and felt the effects of recession in its natural and raw state. It seems sad to behold! How did a retired soldier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come to this sorry sight?In many ways, the neglect of senior citizens of the country, pensioneers, is a corporate judgement on the nation's integrity. It is the 'holocaust' of governmental neglect.

In fact, at exactly 9am in the morning I took a position in front of UBA bank at Lokoja. Somehow, I saw group of people gathered near an old man, whose face has known decades of suffering. It seems that his jacket is a replica of those worn in the Cowboys movies of the 70's. His shorts shared identity with the dirts on the road. His body has not seen water for months I guess.
I drew closer to the crowd. ..I enquired from one of the women what was the matter. She replied " na witch...na God catch am today". All this time, the man was suspended in between life and death...he was uncounsciuos and was assumed to be dead. A young spirited man poured a sachet of water on the man's head. Behold,he opened his eyes to the admiration of the crowd.

Futhermore, the youngman offered some water to the "old man". He drank hastily and his eyes became brighter. Sooner or later, he led us into his ordeal which began in 2013, he told the listening crowd how he was owed pension and how matters became worst during the course of this year. He has been owed over 8months. Sooner or later, some spirited individuals bought food for him to eat. Others offered to take him to the hospital. But then, the old man rejected all the offer. He said 'I got my pension today'. He went further to say the joy of receiving his pension led to his state of unconsciousness.

Immediately the neglect of pensioners came to the limelight, the men in the crowd talked randomly. Majority blamed Buhari regime,others suggested that it was inherited from the previous regime.
Nonetheless, what became immediately clear was that some strange phenomenon are at once attributed to the "occult or the workings of the invisible hands". More so, 'poverty, hagardness' was also captured in the image of 'oldness'. This perspective mix unevenly with the workings of the state, hard felt recession and the dichotomies between Jonathanians and Buharists. It further showcases most Nigerians as caring and sympathetic.


Recession as a phenomenal based on the perspective of the crowd was real. It manifested in a profound way in the body of the old man. What was however contested was 'who caused the recession '. The Devil, Buhari and Jonathan were all implicated. However, by passing these talk. I argue that recession is that which is imbued with diversities of meaning, contested and more so, a political tool of loyalists/apologists. I dare say that recession serves as a technology through which blames are apportioned to heroes/villains and a prism through which the cleavages of the state are chronicled.