₦airaland Forum

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-inec-withdraws-motion-against.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has withdrawn its motion seeking an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja allowing it to serve the recall petition on the Senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba struck out the motion after INEC’s lawyer, Yunus Ustaz (SAN), announced its withdrawal in court on Thursday.

The judge also directed that all issues pertaining to the case should thereafter be taken to the Court of Appeal.

He noted that since Melaye’s appeal against the court’s September 11 judgment had been entered at the Court of Appeal, all pending applications, including the ones filed by Melaye for stay of execution of the verdict, should be taken to the Court of Appeal.

As seen on facebook

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/we-can-do-it-we-will-do-it.html

Full text of the address delivered by His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State, on the occasion of his official declaration to contest the 2019 Presidential Election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

I welcome you all to this historic event, which is landmark in the political landscape of our country, Nigeria.

My inviting you today, distinguished leaders of our party, is to inform you formally that I will be seeking the ticket of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to contest the 2019 presidential election. This is without prejudice to our party’s position.

However, I am a supporter of competence and capacity, especially now that this country needs young and able leaders that can take our country out of this present state of hopelessness.

Most importantly, despite that the party has zoned the presidency to the North, it may interest you that no one has come out in this manner to show interest and our party should not wait or beg anyone to fly its flag. Do we now say that if no one comes out from the North, the party won’t have a candidate?

Going down memory lane, in 1999 and 2003, despite that our party zoned the presidency to the South, the likes of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi of blessed memory and Chief Banabas Gemade contested the ticket.

Also in 2007, some party members from the South did not only declare their intention to contest, they also showed interest and obtained nomination Forms. Those from the South were; Chief Victor Attah, Dr. Peter Odili, Dr. Sam Egwu, Dr. Donald Duke, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Owelle Rochas Okorocha among others.

This, in itself, assisted in deepening democracy.

Our party must not lose sight that Nigerians at this period are desirous of a President with demonstrated capacity to change their fortunes. Furthermore, we must be mindful of the fact that our party needs a candidate like me, with a penchant for defeating incumbents.

Twice, I defeated incumbents to become the Governor of Ekiti State and I am confident that with your support as my party leaders and supporters, I will defeat the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari, in a free and fair election.

Let me state that in Ekiti, God has used me twice for our party to regain power from the opposition and I believe same feat will be repeated at the national level.

I do not stand before Nigerians today to present myself as one with the answers to all our national questions. Rather, I present myself as one with the required knowledge, understanding, competence and, above all, the political will to coordinate the human and material resources that we have in abundance to achieve national greatness.

Having served successfully as governor twice in a state with very meagre resources, I have by this garnered enough experience over time to prepare me well enough for the task of leading our country.

By the grace of God, I am the longest-serving governor in Nigeria today, having served under three Presidents – Obasanjo, Jonathan, and now Buhari.

Therefore, I can say expressly that I am well equipped in terms of knowledge, experience as well as physical and mental capacities to hit the ground running as soon as I assume office as President of Nigeria in 2019.

Today, our country is faced with myriad of problems. Our economy that was the fastest-growing in Africa when our party was in power has gone comatose, with the present managers who are completely clueless.

Scarcity of food last experienced when President Buhari was Military Head of State between 1983 and 1985 has returned to the country, with Nigerians going to bed daily on empty stomach.

Regrettably, a bag of rice that was N7, 000 when PDP was in government is now N17, 000!

Allocation from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government has declined to such a level that most States can no longer carry out the basic obligation of paying workers’ salary.

Under the present government, our economy recorded its second worst investment inflow in 10 years. Exchange Rate that was N197/dollar in 2015 is now over N360/dollar.

In the area of security, which they leveraged on to come to power, despite claims by the government that Boko Haram was technically defeated; Nigerians are being killed by the insurgents while villages are being attacked in the North-East. Also, herdsmen are killing Nigerians and destroying farmlands with reckless abandon while kidnapping is now on the rise.

Most worrisome is the fact that our country is now more divided than ever before, with the unity of the country being threatened due to nepotism, religious bigotry and favouritism of the present government.

Unemployment has risen to an alarming level. Instead of creating three million jobs per year as promised, millions of jobs are being lost daily, with many companies folding up. This government has successfully wiped off the middle-class.

Like they lied to win election, the APC government of President Buhari has been deceitful for over two years and an end must come to this deceptive government by 2019.

My party leaders, standing before you is Peter (The Rock) Ayodele Fayose, the man already destined by God to take Nigeria out of the present political and economic stagnations.

You are all witnesses to my commitment to this party in this difficult period, where I have demonstrated uncommon courage that makes me stand out as capable of leading our country at this time.

Our economy will be revived and returned to the path of progress that it was before we had the misfortune of having these clueless people in power. We will ensure diversification of the economy through agriculture, adequate supply of power and massive industrialization, thereby creating employment for our youths. We can do it, and we will do it.

With me as your President, you can be rest assured of a government that will be responsive to your needs. You are guaranteed a federal government that will relate with all Nigerians not on the basis of ethnicity, religion, political affiliations and the percentage of votes but on equity and justice as citizens of one nation, one people, and one destiny.

In Ekiti State where I am presently the governor, our success story in education is there for all to see. Ekiti State was number 29th in 2014 NECO examinations but within two years, we were able to move the State to number one in 2016 and again in 2017.

Also in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), Ekiti State’s performance, which was 25 percent in 2014, moved to 74.86 percent in 2017.

We were able to revive this sector because we placed our teachers in the driver-seat of our policies. We will do the same at the national level because we are mindful of the fact that education is the bedrock of the development of any nation.

As a governor, I encouraged my children to attend schools here in Nigeria and I have never travelled abroad for Medicare. This, I hope to sustain as president of Nigeria by making sure that our schools and health facilities are of international standard.

Our justice system will be such that judges will not be molested and the common people of this country will see our courts as truly their last hope while our security system will make all Nigerians feel safe living in their own country.

Our fight against corruption will not be selective but total.

My party leaders, I present myself to you as the needed vehicle for our party to move back to the presidency. I am doing so because I am confident that with God and all of you behind me, we can do it, and we will do it.

Thanks and God bless.


cc:

Mynd44

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/why-i-married-myself-messi.html

A 40-year-old Italian woman, Laura Messi, who married herself in grand style with a three-layer-cake, bridesmaids and 70 wedding guest, has explained her motive for doing so.

According to her, she started nursing the idea of sologamy after her 12-year relationship ended two years ago.

La Repubblica newspaper reports that although the ceremony has no legal weight, Messi told the media on her wedding day: “I firmly believe that each of us must, first of all, love ourselves. You can have a fairy tale, even without the prince.

“I told friends and family that if I had not found my soul-mate by my 40th birthday, I would marry myself.

“If, one day, I find a man with whom I can plan a future, I’ll be happy, but my happiness does not depend on him.”

The newspaper further reports that Messi, who claims to be the first Italian woman to hold a solo wedding ceremony, acknowledged that solo weddings might not be for everyone.

To marry yourself, she says, you need a certain amount of money, the support of those around you, and, above all, “a pinch of madness.”

She also mentioned that someone once called her a sad feminist.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/justice-salami-heads-njcs-committee-on.html

Controversial retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, has been named by the National Judicial Council as the head of the committee to try looters in the country.

The information was contained in a statement made available to the press on Wednesday by the spokesman of the NJC, Soji Oye.

Justice Salami was suspended on August 18, 2011 for nine months by the NJC after he refused to apologise to the council and the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, after a panel of the council found him to have lied against the CJN.

Justice Dalhatu Adamu was appointed immediately to take over as the President of the Court of Appeal, being the most senior justice of the court.

On Wednesday, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, approved the establishment of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee and named Salami as the head.

Oye explained that the decision was taken on Wednesday at the 82nd meeting of the Council.

The body, which has 15 members, will operate from the Council Secretariat.

Member of the committee include Justice Kashim Zannah, the Chief Judge of Borno State; Justice P.O. Nnadi, Chief Judge, Imo State; Justice Marsahal Umukoro, Chief Judge Delta State; Justice M. L. Abimbola, Chief Judge, Oyo State; and A.B, Mahmoud, the President, Nigerian Bar Association.

Others are Chief Wole Olanipekun, former NBA President; Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); J.B Daudu (SAN); Augustine Alegeh (SAN); Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN) and a member of the NJC, R.I. Inga.

Others include a representative of Non-Governmental Organisations; representative, Ministry of Justice; representative, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria; and the Secretary of the NJC, Gambo Saleh.

The Committee’s primary functions include: (i) Regular monitoring and evaluation of proceedings at designated courts for financial and economic crimes nationwide; (ii) Advising the Chief Justice of Nigeria on how to eliminate delay in the trial of alleged corruption cases; (iii) Giving feedback to the Council on progress of cases in the designated courts, conduct background checks on judges selected for the designated courts; and (iv) Evaluating the performance of the designated courts.

It will be recalled that the Chief Justice of Nigeria in his speech at the Special Session of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to mark the commencement of the 2017/2018 Legal Year, emphasized on the concerns expressed by members of the public on the very slow speed with which corruption cases were being heard or determined by the Court.

He thus directed all Heads of Courts to compile and forward to the Council a comprehensive list of all corruption and financial crime cases being handled by their various Courts.

He also directed them to designate in their various jurisdictions one or more Courts, as Special Courts solely for the purpose of hearing and speedily determining corruption and financial crimes cases.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Court of Appeal were equally directed to fix special date in each week for hearing and determining appeals from such cases.

The Committee is expected to drive the Council’s new policy on anti-corruption war.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/jonathan-blasts-okorocha-over-2015.html

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied that he offered a bribe to Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan said he did not offer “huge sums of money and an influential ministry” to Okorocha in order to make him dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“We offer to quickly dismiss these claims as lies, because we are clear in our minds that such conversation never happened.

“We are wondering whether this truly came from the governor because we are sure that even governor Okorocha himself did not believe that anybody would accept these claims.

“In the first place, it sounded irrational and absurd. Besides, it was obvious to all and sundry that the south-east, being Dr. Jonathan’s political stronghold, the ex-President did not need Okorocha to win in the zone.

“However, to set the records straight, we make bold to say that former President Jonathan never made any contact with Okorocha, ahead of the 2015 elections.

“All those who had either worked closely with him in any capacity, or served in Jonathan’s administration can bear testimony to the fact that idle talk is not his style.

“Since we know that the only proof the purveyors of this bribery allegation could offer is to probably claim that the transaction happened in a dream, we can only offer the governor sincere advice, to avoid rumours and twaddle, and get down to the business of result-oriented governance.

“Governor Okorocha would have served his state better, if he directed his enormous drive to creating growth and development opportunities for the good people of Imo state, rather than allowing himself to be drawn into dissipating his energy on platitudes and propaganda,” the statement said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/p-square-reno-omokri-reveals-reason-for.html

A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has connected the reported fight between members of a Nigerian music group, the P-Square to the call for separation and restructuring by several groups in the country.

According to Omokri, God is using the P-Square situation to teach Nigerians a lesson.

In a message he shared via @renoomokrion twitter handle, the former Presidential aide hinted that the real cause of the brothers fighting each other was because they needed restructuring from unitary partnership to true federalism.

He wrote, “Perhaps God is using@PeterPsquare & @rudeboypsquare to teach lessons on the options before Nigeria-division, restructuring or family fight.

“Even P-Square wants to restructure from unitary form of partnership to true federalism. You are Peter, I am Paul. Together, we are P-Square!

“If Peter and Paul cant live in peace, is it our own little Republics that will automatically lead to peace? Restructuring is a better option.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/cristiano-ronaldo-fixes-wedding-date.html

Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez plan to tie the knots after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Real Madrid superstar has given his fiancee a £232,000 five-carat diamond ring.

And Portuguese daily, Correio de Manha, claims the pair will officially get married next year.

Georgina, 23, is pregnant with Ronaldo’s baby. And her new dance teachers have accidentally revealed the sex of the couple’s unborn child .

The salsa pair confirmed suspicions Cristiano and his partner were expecting a girl in an Instagram gaffe.

Georgina posted a video of her enjoying her first class in a loose top which hid her baby bump and said: “Dancing makes your heart happy. Thanks to my teachers Basi and Deisy for giving me my first salsa lessons. I’m happy.”

Their reply, removed from social media after it was spotted by eagle-eyed fans, was: “A pleasure giving you salsa lessons.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/2019-presidential-election-pdp-warns.html
http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/2019-presidential-election-pdp-warns.html

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose will on Thursday, formally declare his intention to contest for the position of president of

Nigeria in 2019, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The event is billed for the Golden Hall, Chelsea Hotel, Abuja at 11am.

Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communications and New

Media, Lere Olayinka, said that Governor Fayose, in a letter addressed to leaders of the PDP, declared that his ambition to be president was without prejudice to the party’s position, but in the overall interest of the party and Nigeria.

The letter read; “It is with deep sense of responsibility that I write to inform you of my intention to seek the ticket/mandate of our party to contest the 2019 Presidential election, considering your support

and commitment towards our great party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

it becomes imperative to keep you informed and seek your support.

“This ambition however is without prejudice to our party’s position, but in the overall interest of the party and our country.

“I urge that all hands should be on deck to ensure victory at the 2019 presidential election.

“Accept the assurances of my highest regards as a determined presidential hopeful.”

On his chances if fielded by the PDP, Governor Fayose said; “I have penchant for taking powers; that one in Buhari’s hand, I will take it. I’m going straight to that Villa. I’m the next president.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/67-year-old-ekiti-kidnap-victim.html

Sixty-seven-year old kidnap victim, Mrs. Florence Popoola, has recounted her ordeal in the den of kidnappers.

She relieved her experience when five of the suspected kidnappers were paraded by the police in the state, on Tuesday after their arrest.

The suspects had abducted Mrs. Popoola on September 14 when, according to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abdulahi Chafe, they had “invaded the residence of Mr. Popoola at Arafomi Quarters and forcefully kidnapped his wife (Florence).”

The CP, who was represented by the Public Relations Officer of the Ekiti Command, at the parade of the suspects, said “the hoodlums whisked the woman away in he Nissan Sunny car.”

The five suspects namely: Sunday Adeoye, 30; Dare Adesi, 26; Seun Ogunlayi, 25; Damilola Bamigboye 27 and Tope Ojo, 32, Chafe said, had confessed to the crime.

The police revealed that cash sum of N323,000 being part of the ransom collected from the victim’s family were recovered.

The CP added that the Nissan car was also recovered from the suspects and warned that anyone coming to the state with the intention of committing crimes should not dare.

He said all citizens of Ekiti State should “go about their lawful businesses as the police and the other security agencies are in synergy to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in the state.”

Recounting her four-day ordeal with the kidnappers, Mrs Popoola lamented that she was forcefully taken to a forest, where she was starved, after she was forcefully taken from her home, on her return from a church programme.

“I was made to walk long distances even with my ailing leg, as they moved with me from one location to another for the four days.

“They puffed cigarette smoke in my face, choking me in the process while I had to beg them for water. I was fed stale rice meal, which upset my stomach and upon my throwing-up, they threatened that I’d have to eat my vomit to survive if my children didn’t meet their N1.5million ransom demand,” she recounted.

According to her, “when they got N1million of their N1..5 demand from my family, they told me it was time to go. They set me on a path and directed that I should keep walking, that my children would pick me on the road.

“After I’ve trekked for about a kilometer, I saw someone to whom I cried for help. With the phone they gave me, they helped me to contact my children.”

She was found in Awo community after she was taken from Ikere, a distance of not less than 50 kilometers.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/dino-melayes-recall-inec-officials.html

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, have arrived at the National Assembly Complex to inform Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye on receipt of the petition on his recall.

The officials currently at the door of Melaye’s office with heavy documents believed to be the petition met a locked office.
Melaye’s is aides were not also seen around the office to receive the petition.

The embattled lawmaker had on Monday said the 90-day deadline set for INEC by Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) had expired.

“I celebrate the obituary of the ‘Made in Taiwan’ recall exercise, while sympathising with the induced petitioners, who will obviously face charges of forgery and other criminal charges before a court of law very, very soon,” he had said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/fg-to-reintroduce-tolls-on-federal.html

The Federal Government on Monday said it would reintroduce tolling on the nation’s highways to raise the much needed funds to maintain the roads.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, stated this while addressing members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, who visited him in his office in Abuja.



FG to reintroduce tolls on federal highways

The minister’s position may be an endorsement of the Senate’s proposal in July for the return of tolls on federal roads and the setting aside of 0.5 per cent of transport fares paid by passengers on inter-state trips to generate funds for the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in the country.

Fashola said that the tolling system would only be introduced to road projects that had been completed by the government.

The minister, according to a statement by Director of Information in the ministry, Mr Mohammed Ahmed, also said the government would spend N100bn to be raised from the issuance of the sukuk bond for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 25 arterial roads.

The sukuk bond, which has been described as a safe and low-risk investment, is being issued by Debt Management Office with a seven-year tenor.

He explained that the sum of N16.7bn would be allocated for each geo-political zone across the country.

Fashola gave some of the prioritised road projects as the dualisation of Ibadan-Ilorin road, Suleja-Minna road, Kano-Maiduguri road and Lokoja-Benin road, as well as the rehabilitation of the Enugu- Port-Harcourt Expressway and the construction of the Kaduna Eastern Bypass.

The statement read in part, “The Federal Government is reconstructing and rehabilitating 25 arterial roads with an aggressive plan to spend about N16.7bn for each geopolitical zone across the country.

“Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, also stated that the ministry was in the process of re-introducing the tolling system on completed federal highways in order to sustain the maintenance of these roads.”

President, MAN, Mr Frank Jacobs, commended the minister for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan and Onitsha-Enugu expressways as well as other strategic roads across the country.

He also expressed delight with the approval of N213bn Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility aimed at easing some of the challenges in the electricity industry value-chain.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/how-fg-will-spend-n100bn-sukuk-bond.html

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said the federal government would spend the N100bn to be raised from the issuance of the Sukuk Bond for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 25 arterial roads.

The Minister stated this while addressing members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) who visited him in his office.

He said the sum of N16.7bn would be allocated for each geo-political zone across the country.

Fashola gave some of the prioritised 25 road projects as “the dualisation of Ibadan-Ilorin road, Suleja-Minna road, Kano-Maiduguri Road, Lokoja-Benin road, rehabilitation of Enugu-Port-Hartcourt Expressway and the construction of Kaduna–Eastern bye-pass, amongst others.”

He added that “the ministry is in the process of re-introducing the tolling system on completed Federal Highways in order to sustain the maintenance of these roads.”

The President of MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, commended the minister for the on-going rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan, and Onitsha-Enugu expressways as well as other strategic roads across the country.

The proposed Sukuk bond, which has been described as a safe and low risk investment, is being issued by Debt Management Office Sovereign Sukuk with a seven-year tenor.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/dino-melaye-reacts-to-recall-process.html

Senator Dino Melaye has denied claims that he was evading the service of petition and timetable for his recall from the Senate, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, is facing a recall by his constituents who in a petition on June 23, 2017, called on INEC to recall him.

On Monday, Melaye told newsmen that accepting any “purported’’ petition from INEC would amount to breaching the 1999 Constitution (amended).

“It is clear that by the provisions of Section 69(b) of the 1999 Constitution, INEC must act on the petition purportedly presented to it on June 23, 2017 by conducting a referendum within 90 days of receipt of the petition.

“The 90 days period as provided for in the Constitution for conducting the referendum after our verification, elapsed on Sept. 23, 2017.

“The time having elapsed, I cannot under the circumstance, aid and abet INEC to further infringe on the provisions of the Constitution, which I have sworn to defend,” he said.

The lawmaker pointed out that his position on the matter had been affirmed by various Supreme Court decisions.

“The trial judge failed to respect that provision of the Constitution when he elongated 90 days provided for, saying the process was paused when the interim order for maintenance of status quo was granted.

“I am not evading the service of any purported petition on me by INEC.

“As a matter of fact, my lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, served INEC a notice to produce the said petition in the course of hearing of this matter but INEC failed to produce the petition in court.

“I have also instructed my lawyer to challenge the jurisdiction of the trial court to entertain an ex parte application for the service on me.

“In view of the lapse of time, I shall no longer be in a haste to take any further step in this matter so as not to aid any party, especially INEC in breaching the Constitution,” Melaye added.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/president-buhari-congratulates-angela.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday congratulated German Chancellor, Angela Merkel on her re-election for a fourth term in office.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari said he felicitates with the German Chancellor’s party for producing good leadership for the country for over 12 years, and winning another opportunity to sustain the legacy of good work.

He, however, wished the German Chancellor a successful tenure.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/pdp-blasts-governor-okorocha-for.html

The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the ban of the ThisDay and Vanguard correspondents from covering the Imo State Government House activities as undemocratic and excessively harsh.

The state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, had reportedly on Saturday during an interactive session with reporters announced the ban of Amby Uneze of ThisDay newspaper and Chidi Nkwopara of Vanguard newspaper on the allegation that the journalists did not like him.

The PDP Publicity Secretary in Imo State, Damian Opara, in a statement issued on Wednesday, described the governor’s action as stifling press freedom in the state.

The statement read, “The Peoples Democratic Party, Imo State Executive Council after a very careful and painstaking review of the purported ban in an emergency meeting, views the ban as a breach of the constitutional rights of the journalists and hereby condemn the action of Governor Rochas Okorocha in its totality.

“One of the tenets of any democracy is the freedom of information and this must be respected by all segments of the government in Imo State. The purported ban of the two journalists from carrying out their legitimate duties is to show the whole world how the governor is becoming increasingly intolerant of opposing views to his draconian style of governance.”

The party alleged that the governor was becoming “increasingly intolerant of truth and opposing views,” adding that the governor’s action could only be welcomed in a military regime.

“The APC government of Imo State under Governor Rochas Okorocha has done so much harm to the people of Imo State and has completely lost popularity and sympathy of the people, through his maladministration should not transfer his aggressions to innocent journalists who are carrying out their constitutional duties in Imo State,” it said.

According to the statement, The ThisDay and Vanguard correspondents were not responsible for the dwindling image of Governor Okorocha, which is self-inflicted due to the many failed promises he made to the Imo people.

“The PDP hereby call on Governor Okorocha to allow these journalists to do their legitimate duties as they are not the Eke-Ukwu Owerri market women and other artisans in Imo State whose livelihood have been destroyed by his questionable urban renewal policy,” the party said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/late-nollywood-actor-bossman-to-be.html

The family of late Nollywood actor, Okwudili Chukwujekwu, popularly known as Bossman has released his burial details.

According to details on his burial poster, Bossman’s wake-keep will hold on October 4th, while his body will be laid to rest on October 5th at his hometown at Otolo Nnewi, Anambra state.

It could be recalled that Bossman’s friend and fellow actor, Odira Nwobu, announced his death on social media through a video.

Nwobu had said: “I do not know what to say and where to start. All I know is that this life is nothing.

“I am scared and still confused. I thought he was just acting for me, not on till Boss was put into an ambulance headed to Nnewi.

“May your soul Rest In Peace my friend, my brother, my colleague.

“I am scared. I do not know who is next@main_bossman1 @main_bossman1.

“I wonder how your mother will feel like to hear this sad news. This is not a movie. A small clip of my friend lying dead.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/why-my-friends-go-to-africa-trump.html

President of the United State, Donald Trump, has said he has many friends who go to Africa to “get rich.”

He said this while musing about the vast opportunities and challenges in Africa at a lunch meeting with leaders of selected African countries on the sidelines of the on-going UN General Assembly

“Africa has tremendous business potential.

“I have so many friends going to your countries, trying to get rich. I congratulate you. They’re spending a lot of money.

“For American firms it’s really become a place that they have to go — that they want to go,” Trump said.

The US President also announced that he was dispatching US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley to Africa “to discuss avenues of conflict and resolution and, most importantly, prevention.”

South Africa’s Jacob Zuma and Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari were among the leaders at the lunch.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/2019-election-will-not-hold-apostle.html

Senior Pastor of the Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide (OFM), Apostle Johnson Suleman, has prophesied that unless Nigerians pray for the country, the 2019 election will not hold.

The cleric, in a chat with journalists in his church, prophesied saying: “Tell Nigerians who wish to see democracy sustained, to pray for our leaders and work for peace; tell the leaders too to pray and be honest with the people they are serving, otherwise, elections may not hold in Nigeria in 2019. That is what God has shown me.”

Apostle Suleman has been credited for many precise prophecies made in years past.

The self-acclaimed ‘Oracle of God’ is the first pastor in Nigeria that prophesied in a December 2013 prophecy, the crowning of former Central Bank of Nigeria’s governor, Alhaji Lamido Sanusi Lamido, as Emir of Kano.

He equally foresaw the death of a serving cabinet member in Nigeria and asked for special prayer during a church service in January 2015.

Likewise, during his ministry’s ‘Fire and Miracle Night’ programme in August 2015, the servant of God foretold the trouble in the last Kogi State governorship election that brought in Governor Yahaya Bello and warned of ‘a death’.

Also, as Edo State prepared for the September 10th 2016 governorship election, Apostle Suleman at a church service said he did not see the election holding on the appointed date.

Subsequently, the INEC shifted the election to September 28 2016, citing security challenges.

“I see presidents being removed in Africa and presidents being installed”, the man of God declared in his 2016 prophecies.

In that declaration, Suleman also asked for vigilance as he said he saw kidnappers entering school, adding that “President Buhari’s health needed serious attention; that America and China would have major crisis.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-health-workers-declare.html

The Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) on Wednesday declared a nationwide indefinite strike.

Chairman of the Union, Mr. Biobelemoye Josiah, who made the disclosure during a media briefing in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said the strike will become effective on Thursday, September 21.

Josiah said the Union had issued another seven-day ultimatum on Thursday, September 14, 2017, to again draw the attention of the government to their demands but nothing meaningful was achieved with the ultimatum.

His words, “This lackadaisical attitude of the government has necessitated the resolve of JOHESU to call out all our members nationwide to withdraw their services and stay at home with effect from midnight of today (Wednesday) even after waiting patiently until this hour on the approval for adjustments of CONHESS. However, rallies and meetings should be held at all hospital premises every other day.

“We once again appeal to FG to tow the oath of honour and implement all agreements, memorandum of understanding, and courts judgments, while we urge our members at the tertiary health level to make the strike total, and comprehensive.

“In the event that no appreciable response is received from the government within 15 days of commencement of the strike by the Federal Tertiary Health Institutions, all our members in the states, and local governments nationwide are directed to join the action by September 28,” Josiah said.

Read more on: http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-diezani-court-strikes-out.html



Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of an Abuja Federal High Court has struck out one of the nine counts of $1.6bn crude oil fraud leveled against an ally of former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Jide Omokore, and five others.

The judge struck out the eighth-count after hearing an application filed by Diezani, claiming that she was indicted in the particular count, but was not availed the opportunity to defend herself.

Accused in the case include, Omokore, his two companies, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited and Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Limited.

Other defendants are a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, Victor Briggs; a former Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Abiye Membere; and a former Manager, Planning and Commercial of the NNPC, David Mbanefo and the former Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had instituted nine counts of criminal diversion of about $1.6bn alleged to be part of proceeds of sales of petroleum products belonging to the Federal Government, against Omokore and six others.

EFCC accused Allison-Madueke alongside Biggs, Membere and Mbanefo, in count eight of aiding Omokore to launder money.

Details Later…

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/sukuk-bond-federal-government-planning.html

The Christian Association of Nigeria has strongly kicked against the floating of the SUKUK Islamic bond by the Federal Government.

It alleged that the move has further confirmed its fears that the government was planning to Islamise the country through the back door.

CAN, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja by its General Secretary, Rev. Musa Asake, demanded the abrogation of the laws and framework behind the bond and threatened to seek legal redress if that was not done.

CAN said Nigeria was a secular state and the government was expected to be neutral on issues involving religion.

It said, “The Christian Association of Nigeria has been protesting against this aberration since the Osun State Government, under Governor Rafiu Aregbesola, embarked on this violation of the Constitution.

“Rather than stand in the defence of the constitution, it is disappointing to note that the Federal Government is pursuing what is an outright confirmation of an Islamisation agenda.

“The recent floating of Sukkuk Bond by the government is not only sectional but illegal and a violation of the Constitution. Every law that has been promulgated to back the Sukuk issuance and promote an Islamic banking system in Nigeria is ultra vires, illegal, null and void.”

“Therefore, the manipulations and scheming to smuggle the country into a full blown Islamic state should stop; these manipulations became apparent with the smuggling of Nigeria into the Organisation of Islamic Conference in 1986 by the Ibrahim Babangida military junta,” Asake said.

“The FG must dismantle all legal and institutional framework established to promote Islamic financing in Nigeria.

“We affirm that the territorial integrity of Nigeria is undermined through the issuance of Sukuk in the country. We hope that the government shall desist from its policies of unbridled religious sectionalism,” CAN said.

But the Federal Government in its reaction denied any plan to Islamicise country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the financial initiative was borne out of the need to include people who were opposed to interest-yielding enterprises.

He said, “Sukuk is not an attempt to Islamise Nigeria in any form. On the contrary, it is an attempt at financial inclusiveness. The difference between Sukuk Bond and other bonds is that if you invest in Sukkuk bond, you earn no interest.

“So, the scheme appeals to many people who don’t believe that money should gather interest. They, however, engage in profit sharing in the sense that if the government makes a profit from the bond, they give the investor a part of it but if the government makes no profit, the investor is not entitled to anything.”a

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/apc-members-woo-senator-modu-sheriff.html

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have moved to persuade a former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to return to the party.

Sheriff, who was one of the founding fathers of the APC, had left to become the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

But APC Great Nigeria Group, wants him back in the fold of the party.

“Before the consummating of the APC merger, Sen Sheriff was the greatest sponsor of the defunct ANPP and chairman of the Board of Trustees.

“As chairman of the ANPP Board of Trustees, his roles in the actualization of the merger to form the APC cannot be over emphasized.

“Sen Sheriff was committed to the effective take off of the APC coupled with his track records in party building, the entire APC were miffed and completely demoralized when Sen Sheriff left the APC due to what happened at the APC National Convention in 2014,” Dr Orikeze A. Vitalis, who is the national coordinator, APC Great Nigeria Group, said.

Vitalis also claimed PDP begged Sheriff to come and save their dying party.

“They begged Sen Sheriff to come and rescue their tattered umbrella from further damage. Party building and development world over, is about pragmatism, doggedness and discipline, which are all embedded in Sen Sheriff,” he added.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/biafra-i-cant-confirm-if-buhari.html

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, says he can neither confirm nor deny whether President Muhammadu Buhari okayed the declaration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a terrorist organisation.

Adesina said this in response to questions he was asked during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.

Asked whether the President endorsed the proscription, he replied: “I read the report also online today, but it is not something I have discussed with him.

“So, I can’t confirm or deny whether that actually came up before he left the country.”

The Presidential aide is, however, certain that Nigeria would continue its push for the repatriation of stolen funds.

“It (talk about repatriation of funds) had come up in one meeting yesterday and it will still come up. Tomorrow, he (President Buhari) is going to hold a bilateral meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General, you can be sure that is going to be part of what will be discussed,” Adesina said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/presidency-reveals-when-buhari-will.html

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said that his principal will return to the country by early next week.

Buhari is currently at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he delivered his address on Tuesday.

In a Skype interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Politics Today, Adesina revealed that after a couple of meetings, he will leave the USA to the UK.

“I don’t have a definite word on that yet. But I know that tomorrow he is going to have lunch with the American President, he is going to meet with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Tomorrow is Wednesday. Maybe on Thursday, in the early hours, he has some things to do.

“After that, I believe that he may be thinking of flying out. One thing is sure; the trip was to last between last Sunday and next Sunday/Monday. Though he is going to the UK, everything will still be done within the timeframe of the trip,” he said.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/apcs-endorsement-of-el-rufai-toxic.html

Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Shehu Sani has described the endorsement of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai to continue in 2019 by the State APC as a charade.

He said the governor merely assembled his employees and aides to endorse him saying that, the endorsement was poisonous and corrosive.

“The so called endorsement of Governor Elrufai by Kaduna APC amounts to endorsement of toxic waste.

“El-Rufai simply gathered his employees, aides and hangers on to endorse him. He is a poisonous viper corrosive to the integrity and moral standing of the party in the state and the nation”, he said.

Sani said, ”Nasir El-Rufai has embarked on self service expedition by the abrupt loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari that he has so much disdained.

El-Rufai’s name dropping and mobilization for Buhari 2019 is self-serving. His loyalty to Buhari is for political relevance and his allegiance to Buhari is for self protection and preservation.”

“Now that President Buhari is back from health vacation and and the chances of becoming a Vice President is zero, Elrufai has taken up a new project for Buhari 2019”

“El- Rufai obsession with Buhari is not about Buhari but about himself. Buhari should protect his testicles from a man who always bend close to his knees.”

“Those who endorsed El- Rufai are marketing a bottled fart.”

“The man who boasts of sending Yar’adua to his grave should not be trusted by Buhari. The snake that killed the hunter can kill the charmer.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/dino-melaye-inec-releases-timetable-for.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a new timetable for the recall of Senator Dino Melaye.

Melaye is representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

The first timetable released by INEC, based on the request to recall Melaye by his constituents, became invalid when a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered all parties to the issue to maintain status quo.

However, the Federal High Court last week told INEC to continue with the process.

According to the new timetable, contained in a statement by the Secretary of INEC, Augusta C. Ogakwu, the recall process will commence on October 3 with the Notice of Verification.

The last day for the submission by observers has been fixed for October 5, while the publication of list of accredited observers is for October 9.

The conduct of verification will take place on October 14 in all polling units in Kogi West Senatorial District.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/rape-tension-in-ekiti-as-students.html

Tension rose in Ikere Ekiti yesterday following a violent clash between some students and commercial drivers over the rape of a female student, (names withheld).

The 200 level student of the College of Education, Ikere Ekiti was alleged to have been raped by a commercial driver along College-Igbara Odo way on Sunday.

The lady, who was said to be having malaria fever and went to town to seek medical treatment, was allegedly raped by a commercial driver fondly called (Akoto driver ) at about 8pm.

Enraged by the action, students of the College on Monday trooped to the streets and dealt with any known commercial driver sighted along the way.

This led to the blockage of the Ado-Ikere-Akure way, which caused disruption of traffic flow for several hours.

Those traveling to Akure had to take a detour and returned to Ado Ekiti to prevent being caught in the web of violence that engulfed the town.

The violence also disrupted commercial activities at Odo Oja area of ikere Ekiti, as many of them hurriedly closed shop probably to prevent looting of their wares.

It was gathered that the lady has been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

When contacted, the police public relations officer of the state command, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, described rape as the highest point of criminality which he said would not be tolerated.

Adeyemi said normalcy has returned to the beleaguered town and that the police had launched a serious manhunt for the alleged rapist.

“Yes, the lady was sick and was being conveyed to the College when she was raped. The police don’t tolerate any criminal action in any way and this won’t be an exemption.

“We have launched a manhunt for the man. The police are on his trail and we shall bring him to justice by the grace of God”, he explained.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/wayne-rooney-gets-2-year-driving-ban.html

Everton striker, Wayne Rooney was on Monday banned from driving for 2 years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to drink-driving.

Rooney was stopped by the police when driving a woman’s black Volkswagen Beetle at 2:00 am (0100 GMT) on September 1, while his pregnant wife and their 3 sons were on holiday.

The former Man Utd’s captain apologised for his “unforgivable lack of judgement” after his guilty plea at Stockport Magistrates’ Court in the northwest of England.

He said in a statement, “Following today’s court hearing I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgement in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong.”

“I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career.

“Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service.”

Rooney has been married to his high-school sweetheart Coleen since 2008 and they are expecting their fourth child.

He was given a warm welcome at Old Trafford on his return to former club Manchester United on Sunday.

However, Everton was hammered 4-0.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/biafra-i-cant-be-blackmailed-over-ipob.html

The Ekiti State Governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose, has said nobody can blackmail him over his criticism of the Federal Government’s handling of the agitation by Nnamdi Kanu and his followers in the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He also stated that he will continue to speak out against injustice meted out to anybody or group in any part of the country.

He said this on Sunday evening while featuring on a radio/television programme in Ado-Ekiti.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, on Monday, the governor said leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state who accused him of sponsoring IPOB were not only mischievous, but only embarked on cheap blackmail that failed woefully to achieve any result.

“We cannot all be cowed. The militarization of Nigeria, being witnessed now can only be likened to 1984 when General Muhammadu Buhari was military Head of State.

“Killing people in the Southeast just because some people are agitating is wrong and I wonder why none of our so called human rights activists is talking.

“Herdsmen have sacked a whole community in this country, has anyone been arrested for all the killings by herdsmen?

“If because I am speaking against the wanton killings being done by the military in the Southeast, the APC is saying that I’m funding IPOB, was I the one funding the people of Southern Kaduna when I condemned the killings there? Was I funding the Agatus in Benue State when I condemned their killings by Fulani herdsmen?

“Was I funding the Shiite Muslims when I condemned the killings of El-Zakzaky followers in Zaria?, he asked.

On recent feat by the state in the education sector where it came first again in the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams, Fayose noted that the state’s investment and commitment in the sector were paying off.

He opined that education was different from infrastructural development, and that whoever fails to invest in children’s education would end up wasting his life.

“In 2003 when I came the first time, I met education in a state of a shamble. We were number 35 in WAEC then and I strove to improve the situation before I was removed from office.

“If you don’t put teachers in the driver’s seat in education, the end result will be failure. We have accorded teachers their deserved respect and we do not meddle in their affairs. It is not our business who becomes NUT chairman.

“Every year, we celebrate Teachers’ Day with fanfare and reward best teachers with new cars. We have not come here to play politics with the education of our children and I want to assure that next year too, we will come first.

“My deputy that I have adopted as my successor is the one in charge of education and he has done well. I congratulate all of us in Ekiti, especially the teachers, for this feat and by the grace of God, we will sustain it,” he assured.

On the ongoing capital projects in the state, the governor said they would all be complete before he leaves office, adding that some would be inaugurated next month during the third anniversary of the administration.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/ibadan-family-heads-ask-olubadan-to.html

The controversy that trailed the elevation of 8 High Chiefs and 13 Baales in Ibadan took another dimension at the weekend as a group of Mogajis (Family Heads) under the umbrella of Authentic Ibadan Mogajis asked the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji to put the current impasse behind him and commence the installation of new Mogajis and Baales as he may deem necessary.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, spokesman of Authentic Mogajis, Chief Wale Oladoja (Mogaji Akinsola) said that the decision was taken at a meeting of the group where it reviewed the ‘Current State of things in Ibadanland and more importantly the present lull in the palace”.

Present at the meeting according to Oladoja were the group’s Coordinator, Mogaji Adanla of Adanla compound, Chief Abduljelil Karimu, Mogaji Abass Oloko of Oloko compound, Mogaji Fatumo compound in Oke Bioku, Chief Fatai Olanrewaju, Mogaji Akere, Chief Moshood Akere; Mogaji Aladorin, Chief Wasiu Aderoju and Mogaji Ademola Olasomi Elekuro Ibadan.

Oladoja, who was also a former Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, said the group told the monarch that “full activities must commence in the palace without further delay.

“The installation of New Mogajis, Baale and Honorary Chieftaincy titles should begin now because the place of Olubadan as the Paramount ruler of the city cannot be controverted by anyone.

“Prior to the brouhaha that trailed recent elevation or enthronement of some high chiefs and Baales by the State Government, applications have been submitted to the Kabiyesi, the Olubadan by some family house steads and concerned villages to fill the vacancies existing in their domains due to the deaths of the former occupants of such positions.

“But unfortunately, the Olubadan was taken unaware by the enthronement of the 21 kings and this distracted activities earlier highlighted for the passing weeks.

“But our palace is never a place of mourning and we (the Authentic Mogajis) felt the need to inform Baba to begin full activities in the palace by attending to all the pressing issues like the installation of new Mogajis and Baales to fill the existing vacancies,” Oladoja hinted.

Asked if Olubadan could go ahead to do so without conveying the meeting of Olubadan-In-Council which normally involved the high chiefs, many of who were now kings, Oladoja said “no, they cannot hold Kabiyesi to ransom because their roles in Ibadan Native Law and Chieftaincy declaration are mere advisory. Oba Adetunji remains the Paramount Ruler; Consenting and Prescribing Authority in the land”.

On the new kings, the Mogajis said “All the New obas should stop parading themselves as Obas until all the pending court cases are determined.

“We use this opportunity to also advise Oyo state government headed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to leave all traditional issues for now and concentrate more on how to make life more meaningful for the people of the state,” the Mogajis added

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/nigerian-army-vs-nnamdi-kanu-ikpeazu.html

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has extended the curfew in the State following the tension caused by clash between troops of the Nigerian Army and loyalists of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Enyinnaya Appolos, said the curfew has been extended to Friday.

It advised residents and visitors to cooperate with security agents in order to ensure the maintenance of law and order within the commercial city and its environs.

Ikpeazu expressed displeasure that people were being compelled to raise their hands while passing through security checkpoints.

He, therefore, urged security agents and all authorities concerned to ensure that such acts, and other forms of inhumane and barbaric treatment of people were discontinued immediately.

Ikpeazu had on Tuesday declared the curfew.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/disregard-fake-sars-rumour-oyo-police.html

The Oyo State Police Command on Wednesday advised residents of the state to disregard some messages being circulated on social media platforms that fake SARS operatives are robing unsuspecting residents of their belongings in some parts of Ibadan, the state capital.

The command said all hands were on the desk to continue in its efforts in protecting lives and property in the state.

In a statement signed by Adekunle Ajisebutu, Police Public Relations Officer, the state Police command also advised anyone with useful information that could help smash any criminal element that may pose threat to lives and property of law abiding people of Oyo State, to report same to the police and other security agencies.

It also urged residents to call any of the numbers earlier given out by the command or call the Control Room Number via- 08081768614.

The statement reads; “Attention of the Oyo State Police Command has been drawn to a message going viral on social media platforms especially on WhatsApp to the effect that a new gang of four men ‘usually dressed like SARS operatives wearing black T-shirt operating on two bikes with men on each’ going round Ibadan.

“The police has not received such report or any report of serious threat to lives and property recently.

“Our SARS have a peculiar uniform with the inscription ‘F-SARS OYO’ and numbers boldly written on it. The scary message is being circulated by mischief makers to cause fear and apprehension.

“We therefore urge members of the public to disregard the message and go about their legitimate businesses.

“The police and other security agencies in the state are working assiduously to protect lives and property of the citizens as can be seen in the recent plethora of achievements by the Police in terms of arrest of armed robbery/kidnap suspects, recovery of cache of arms and ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles and other stolen property.

“This notwithstanding, the State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, has further directed all Area Commanders, DPOs/HODs , Commanders of Special outfits to intensify aggressive stop and search and vehicle patrol of every nook and cranny of the state.

“However, we advise anyone with useful information that could help smash any criminal element that may pose threat to lives and property of law abiding people of Oyo State to the police and other security agencies.

“Citizens can call any of the numbers earlier given out by the Command or call the Control Room Number – 08081768614. We thank you all”.