₦airaland Forum

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/national-assembly-postpones-resumption.html

The National Assembly has postponed its resumption from annual recess by one week.

The lawmakers were earlier expected to resume on September 19, but will now re-convene on September 26, 2017.

This was contained in a statement by Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, on Wednesday, entitled, ‘Postponement of Resumption.’

“This is to inform all distinguished senators and honourable members of the National Assembly, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the resumption date of both Houses in plenary has been rescheduled from Tuesday 19th September 2017 to Tuesday 26th September 2017.

“All distinguished senators and honourable members are by this notice requested to resume sitting in plenary on Tuesday, 26th September, 2017 at 10am prompt, please,” it read.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/whatsapp-co-founder-brian-acton.html

Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp, now owned by Facebook Inc​,​ ​has announced plan to leave the messaging service company​.

​He made the disclosure in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Acton said, “​After 8 years at WhatsApp, I have decided to move on and start a new chapter in my life.

​”​I am very fortunate at my age to have the flexibility to take new risks and focus on what I’m passionate about. I’ve decided to start a non-profit focused at the intersection of nonprofit, technology and communications.

​”I​t’s something I’ve thought about for a while, and now it’s time to just focus and execute. I’ll have more to share in the coming months.

​”​This decision is, of course, a tough one. I’m proud of what our team has accomplished in only a few years, and it’s humbling to see that so many people rely on WhatsApp every day.​”​

A Stanford alumnus, Acton co-founded WhatsApp with Ukrainian immigrant Jan Koum in 2009. The duo worked at Yahoo before starting WhatsApp.

The​y hit big in 2014 when Facebook agreed to pay $19 billion to buy it, although the price ended up rising to $22 billion thanks to share-based components to the deal.

WhatsApp is the world’s most-used messaging app today with over one billion monthly users, that’s more than double the 450 million it had at the date of the acquisition.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/singapore-gets-female-president-halimah.html

Former speaker of parliament, Halimah Yacob on Wednesday emerged as Singapore ’s eighth president after a “walkover” election that saw no other contenders run for the position.

Yacob, 63, was the only candidate deemed eligible to run in the country’s Elections Department after the other two contenders, Salleh Marican and Farid Khan, were both denied eligibility, having fallen short of a constitutional rule that required any candidate from the private sector to have led a company with shareholder equity of at least 500 million Singapore dollars (372 million dollars).

Yacob, broke the record as first woman to occupy president’s office and Singapore’s first Malay president in 47 years.

Halimah in a speech at the Elections Department office said:

“Although this is a reserved election, I’m not a reserved president.

“I am a president for everyone, regardless of race, language, religion or creed.

“A proud moment for Singapore, for multiculturalism and multi-racialism.”

Yacob is expected to be sworn into office on Thursday.

The president, however, holds ceremonial powers as executive powers lies in the hands of the Prime Minister or members of the cabinet.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-governor-ikpeazu-declares.html




Following the tension in Aba, the Abia State capital, the State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has declared a three-day curfew in the commercial city.

The tension is not unconnected to the current face-off between member of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and men of the Nigerian Army.

Recall that soldiers allegedly besieged the Umuahia residence of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Details later…

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/dino-melaye-inec-to-release-new.html




The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says it would release a fresh timeline on Monday, September 18, 2017 to commence the recall process of Dino Melaye, Senator representing Kogi West senatorial district,

In a statement in Abuja, signed by Mallam Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Member Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC said the action is valid in the light of the order of court.

INEC said that in obedience to an interlocutory order of the Federal High Court, Abuja given on 6th July 2017, the body stayed all actions relating to the petition to recall Melaye.

Noting that judgment in the suit was delivered Monday 11th September 2017, the statement said: “All legal hurdles have now been cleared and the recall process can now proceed as envisaged by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the extant lNEC guidelines and regulations.

“Accordingly, and in compliance with the orders of the Court, the Commission will release a revised timetable and schedule of activities on Monday 18th September 2017.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-biafra-nigerian-army-allegedly.html

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu is currently being held hostage at his Umuahia residence by personnel of the Nigerian Army.



We gathered that the soldiers invaded Kanu’s residence as early as 6am Tuesday and started shooting sporadically.

IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, confirmed the incident to US.

Details later…

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/posters-to-recall-senate-president.html



Trouble seems to be looming for Senate President, Bukola Saraki as posters calling for his recall have flooded Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The circulating posters, designed and shared by a group known as ‘Kwara Must Change’ were spotted around major junctions and highways in the state.

The group inscribed on the poster: “Kwara is not represented at the senate, our senator only represents his personal interest.


“Saraki and his aides are selling Kwara Central slots that should be given to unemployed in Illorin to highest bidder as high as N10m,.Saraki has taken several questionable actions that have negatively affected the economy of the country, as well as Iliorin.

“We can no longer tolerate the deceit, Illorin has been deceived enough. We must change now.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/kogi-government-after-my-life-pdp-youth.html

National Coordinator People Democratic Party (PDP) ​Y​outh ​Frontier​,​ Austin Okai​, ​has raised alarm over alleged plot to assassinate him.

Okai​, ​in statement ​made available to us alongside a four minute​,​ forty second video (4:40) allegedly​, ​accused the Kogi State government and its officials of plans to eliminate him for not succumbing to series of persecutions been carried out to silence him

The P​DP​ youth leader​ said photos on social media showing that he was stabbed to death ‎by one, ‘Ibrahim M Okene’​,​ was the handwork of agents of the state hired to carry out the nefarious act.

Okai informed the police top heirachy,‎the DG DSS,​ ​NIA and other relevant security agencies to take the act as ​”​an act of murder by Kogi State government​”​.

He said despite his escape of series of assassination attempt and arrest over his hue and cry on the maladministration in ​K​ogi,​ ​he was detained and charged to court by the State Government and yet wanted to take his life,​ ​an act which he considered as prejudicial and extra judicial

Okai appealed to the law enforcement agencies ‎to protect him as his freedom and safety was been trampled upon both within and outside the state.

“I have written to all relevant human rights agencies ‎both within and outside the country to assist in that regard as Kogi Government and its officials are averse to constructive criticisms,​ ​yet refused to take the welfare of Kogi workers and pensioners on the priority list of its administration

“The ‎recent death threat to my life was one too many. Those involved at various level are paid agents of the state government and it’s officials” he added.

He ​insisted that the state government and the law ‎enforcement agents should be held responsible in the event of any negative development or act against him directly and indirectly.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/kogi-government-after-my-life-pdp-youth.html




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stjmOmlL9Qg

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/mmm-44-year-old-woman-dragged-to-court.html



One Alice Ejike, 44, has been arraigned before a Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, over alleged MMM fraud.

Ejike, a business woman was said to have dubiously and deceitfully convinced one Sunday Enyi of Karmo village to invest the sum of N50,000 in the defunct ponzi scheme, MMM, on July 20.

The Prosecutor, Florence Avhioboh, told the court that Enyi reported the matter at the Karmo Police Station on September 6.

The complainant said that the business woman told him that the money would multiply in a month, knowing that the Ponzi scheme had crashed.

Avhioboh disclosed that the 44-year-old, after collecting the money converted it to her personal use.

“When he went to collect his money as they agreed, she used her children to prevent him from seeing her,” Avhioboh said.

According to Avhioboh, the suspect had during police investigation claimed to have deposited the money into the complainant’s MMM account.

Avhioboh said the offences contravened Sections 322 and 321 of the Penal Code.

The 44-year-old, however, denied committing the offences.

Against this backdrop, the Judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, granted her bail in the sum of N20, 000 and a surety in like sum.

Consequently, Sadiq adjourned the matter till October 3 for hearing.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/buhari-reveals-why-he-almost-ran-away.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has joked that he was already considering what country “to run to”, but for the improved rainy seasons in the last two years.

Buhari stated this while receiving the National Council of Traditional Rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the presidential villa on Monday.

“We are lucky that last year and this year the rainy season is good. If it were not good I must confide to you that I was considering which country to run to,” he said.

“But God answered the prayers of many Nigerians the rainy season last year was good and this year with the report I’m getting is good. We thank God for that otherwise there would have been a lot of problems in this country.”

Buhari explained that rain has led to good harvest and prevented famine in the country.

He once again blamed the “mismanagement of national resources” over the years for the economic woes bedeviling Nigeria.

He said that he will continue to pursue programmes and projects “to better the lives of Nigerians in all spheres of life”.

Biafra: Turkish government reacts to alleged ‘invasion’ of Nnamdi Kanu’s house by Nigerian Army

A Turkish Diplomat, Abdulkadir Erkahraman, has faulted the alleged invasion of the residence of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, by men of the Nigerian Army.

Recall that some IPOB members had on Sunday alleged that soldiers opened fire on the resident of Kanu, injuring several persons in the process.

However, the Assistant Director of Public Relations of the 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Major Oyegoke Gbadamosi, Ohafia, denied the alleged invasion of Kanu’s residence or killing anybody.

Reacting to the incident, Erkahraman, who once visited Kanu at his Umuahia residence, few months back, stressed that the Nigerian Army is “crossing the redline,”

In a statement on his Facebook wall, Erkahraman, who is the President of the International Nations Commercial Association in Turkey said the Nigerian government can’t stop the actualization of Biafra with what he described as “dirty games.”

Noting that Nigerian government is pushing, “Biafrans” into arm struggle, the Turkish Diplomat said video of the incident has been sent to the United Nations, UN, and the International media.

Erkahraman wrote: “WORLD ALERT!

“Nigerian army officers just attacked people in the home of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra and shot some people.

“The world is hereby put on notice that Nigeria Army has declared war against the people of Biafra by this unlawful attempt around the leader of IPOB.

“Should anything happen to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, let the world know that Nigeria government has assassinated him as they have being planning. Nigerian army is crossing the red line.

“Self-defense is allowed in international law.

“We already sent life video to Turkish Government TV TRT, CNN and local Tv Channels and international media with UN.

“They can’t stop Biafra Nation with this kind of dirty games. Time to be together Biafra Nation.

“The Nigerian government wants to PUSH Biafrans to arm struggle!”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/nigeria-to-host-afrima-2017-2019.html

Nigeria has been awarded the rights to host the next three editions of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) beginning from 2017-2019.

The African Union (AU) gave Nigeria the hosting right for the Pan African Music Initiative sequel to its successful hosting of the 2014-2016 editions.

This development was made known via a statement issued in Lagos issued by Segun Adeyemi, the Special Assistant to Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.

According to the statement, the Minister said the award of the hosting right was conveyed in a letter written to him by the Commissioner of Social Affairs at the African Union Commission, Mrs Amira Elfadil

He said the AU Commissioner disclosed that the AU returned the hosting rights to Nigeria because of the country’s willingness to create entertainment value across Africa.

However, in his personal reaction, the Minister said the government’s desire to bid for the retention of the hosting right was informed by the enthusiasm and sense of duty with which Nigerians embraced AFRIMA from 2014 to 2016 as well as the prevailing international confidence in the present administration.

‘”The African Union’s gracious concession to our request is beneficial for the creative sector in Nigeria and across Africa.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is calling on state governments and corporate Nigeria to partner with it and the African Union in ensuring asuccessful hosting of AFRIMA 2017, which will bring immense socio-economic benefits to the selected host city,” he said.

cc:
lalasticlala, Mynd44, Seun,

Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has released names of successful candidates that appeared before the Armed Forces Selection Review Board held from July 8 to August 26, 2017.

The list was released on Wednesday.

Candidates were selected from all states of the federation.

NDA stated that those whose names appeared on the reserve list are not expected to appear until invited.

The NDA at Kaduna is the only Military University in Nigeria.

Duration of training in the academy is 5 years, which include 4 years of academic studies and 1 year of military training.

It was established in January 1964 as a reformation of the British run Royal Military Forces Training College (RMFTC), which had been renamed the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) on independence.

The military institution trains the officer corps of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force. The initial class was only 62 cadets, and trainers were mostly officers in the Indian Army.

The NDA grew to an all Nigerian training staff only in 1978.

In 1985, the academy commenced offering undergraduate programmes to Military Officers In Training and now also currently offers post graduate studies both for Msc and Ph.D for both military and civilian students.

Full list of candidates below…

cc:
lalasticlala, Mynd44, Seun,



Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has released names of successful candidates that appeared before the Armed Forces Selection Review Board held from July 8 to August 26, 2017.

The list was released on Wednesday.

Candidates were selected from all states of the federation.

NDA stated that those whose names appeared on the reserve list are not expected to appear until invited.

The NDA at Kaduna is the only Military University in Nigeria.

Duration of training in the academy is 5 years, which include 4 years of academic studies and 1 year of military training.

It was established in January 1964 as a reformation of the British run Royal Military Forces Training College (RMFTC), which had been renamed the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) on independence.

The military institution trains the officer corps of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force. The initial class was only 62 cadets, and trainers were mostly officers in the Indian Army.

The NDA grew to an all Nigerian training staff only in 1978.

In 1985, the academy commenced offering undergraduate programmes to Military Officers In Training and now also currently offers post graduate studies both for Msc and Ph.D for both military and civilian students.

Full list of candidates below…

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/nbc-aptitude-test-invitation.html

Dear Candidate,

You have been shortlisted for the NBC Management Trainee Programme Aptitude test which is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Port-Harcourt and Abuja on the 9th September, 2017.

Please check your inbox/spam/junk folder for the copy of the test invitation earlier sent to you having your log in details and test details .


Kindly revert if you did not receive the NBC test invitation.

Read full details on: http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/nbc-aptitude-test-invitation.html

cc:
lalasticlala, Mynd44, Seun,

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-osinbajo-arrives-benue-visit.html

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo is currently in Benue State.

Osinbajo, who arrived Makurdi, the state capital was received by the State Governor, Samuel Ortom at the Airport.

The Vice President is in the state to sympathize with the recent flood victims who are taking refuge at the Makurdi International Market.

As at the time of filing this report, sources told DAILY POST that the Vice President is currently at the Makurdi resident of the Tor Tiv, Ocivirigh James Ayatse to pay homage before visiting the flood affected areas and Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp.

Details later…


cc:

Mynd44

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/nigeria-police-nabs-2-suspected.html

Two notorious kidnap and cult group kingpins have been arrested by the Enugu State Police Command.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, on Wednesday.

Amaraizu said that the police recovered two suspected stolen motorcycles and a tiger generator.

According to him, the arrest is part of the ongoing onslaught against criminal elements in nimbo and Adani axis of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the State.

He gave the names of the suspects as Jonathan Okeagu and Simon Enejere all of Umuasa village in Ugbene Ajima community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area.

He added that his arrested was aided through intelligence information.

“Further intelligence information gathered by the operatives revealed that the suspect, Jonathan Okeagu had once been arrested and charged to court.

“He was later remanded in prison custody for various offences ranging from cult related issues to other vices.

“He was also suspected to be having serious links with suspected kidnappers within the area.

“A full-scale investigations have commenced into their alleged nefarious activities.

“The command has vowed to sustain the tempo of the onslaught against criminal elements within the axis and its environs,’’ he said.

Amaraizu, however, assured the public that the command would keep on the good work without rest in the ongoing campaign against crime and criminality in Uzo-Uwani council area until it is made safe and secure.


Mynd44

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/fec-meeting-should-be-annually-reno.html

Former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, says Federal executive meeting should be made annually following President Muhammadu Buhari’s consistent cancellation of the meeting.

Omokri stated that Sallah break was not enough reason to cancel FEC meeting, especially in times when the country was being faced with ASUU and Resident Doctors’ Strike.

This is in reaction to postponement of FEC meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The cancellation was announced by Lai Mohammed earlier today.

Reno wrote on his twitter page @RenoOmokri wrote: “PMB cancels tomorrow’s FEC meeting AGAIN!!!

“There is no need for this constant disappointment.

“PMB should just make FEC an annual meeting!”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-officer-killed-others-injured.html

Armed men Tuesday morning, reportedly stormed Kolo Police Station located in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The attack left a policeman dead and three others injured.

An eyewitness told Channels TV that the incident was carried out by suspected oil thieves.

The Police has ordered reinforcement to the area.

The development came two days after a similar attack occurred in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state where a local boat owner was abducted.

More to follow…

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/why-we-will-lose-election-in-2018-apc.html

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Osun State, Alhaji Fatai Diekola has said that the ruling APC in the state is sharply fragmented, saying the future of the party is uncertain and bleak.

Diekola was reacting to the a newspaper report , which quoted the spokesperson of APC, Mr Kunle Oyatomi as saying that the party in the state is one and united, with unalloyed loyalty to the governor.

This is contained in a press statement Diekola made available to journalists in Osogbo on Monday, saying members of the party are divided and that the party cannot win the governorship election of 2018.

“There is nothing romantic about crisis within a political family, but we can’t afford to condone a lie that has a tendency to drag us backwards in our quest to genuinely reposition the party ahead of 2018.”

“As a concerned party member, I have studied the press statement, I wish, I could maintain silence after reading the poorly calibrated speech. The urge to respond to some of the political notes extracted from the statement, is irresistible.”

“With much reluctance to believe that Barrister Kunle Oyatomi genuinely meant some of the notes averred in the party press statement. Further, it’s very doubtful that Barrister Kunle Oyatomi had all round consultation with party bigwigs before he rushed to the press and tagged the ‘brains’ behind the electoral success of Osun APC in the past, and before things fell apart ‘dissidents.

“The diction and tone of the press release worries me, it doesn’t reflect that important lessons had been learnt from the concluded Osun West Senatorial bye-election.”

“However, I’m politically tempted to sympathise with Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, as APC spokesman; he’s understandably handicapped and under intense political pressure to promote a facade of unity within Osun APC.”

“Recall, the same Barrister Kunle Oyatomi issued a press statement before the concluded Osun West Senatorial bye election where he dismissed and downplayed the existence of the aggrieved bloc within Osun APC. The outcome of the bye election pointedly punctured his lie and dismissed him as a naive party member constrained by the party position.”

“While I cautiously agree with Barrister Kunle Oyatomi that unlike Osun PDP, we have one chairman in the person of prince Gboyega Famodun and our Secretariat headquarters is along Gbongan- Ibadan Road in the heart of Osogbo, unfortunately, Oyatomi forgot albeit deliberately, to tell us the number of times the Famodun led APC state executives had met, when last it held meeting at the state party Secretariat and how many of its members in the state executives are currently aggrieved and uncomfortable with the leadership of prince Adegboyega Famodun?”

“The time has come to say the truth. Whist it might be inconvenient for the political cotton weights, and a handful of politicians without a solid political base, masquerading as friends and loyalists of governor Rauf Aregbesola. I believe we need to speak the truth. And the truth is this: Famodun’s leadership is the biggest albatross on the neck of Osun APC.”

“The failure of Osun APC state leadership became manifest when we lost Osun West bye election to the Peoples Democratic Party. If the leadership of the party in the state had guided the selection process of the party without public display of bias against one of the aspirants, may be, the result could have been much different.

“How would Barrister Oyatomi convince party members and political watchers that party leadership is in charge of a ruling party where a cabinet member gleefully appointed his brother in-law as SSA legal without a murmur from the party leadership.”

“Quite to the contrary, we are divided in Osun APC, but unlike PDP; we have one chairman whose politics and leadership style have divided the party into two major blocs.”

“With the tone and diction of the press statement released by Barrister Kunle Oyatomi, dismissing the ‘home based politicians’ in Osun APC as ‘dissidents’, there is nothing suggesting that the ‘hawks’ in Osun APC are comfortable with the reconciliation process initiated by the National Secretariat of our party.

“Notwithstanding this temporary setbacks, we, the home based politicians in Osun APC have absolute confidence in the national leadership of our party and strongly in support of its political efforts to reposition the party in the state ahead of 2018 governorship election,” the statement reads.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/edo-hospitals-may-collapse-doctors-use.html

Edo State chapter of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has raised alarm over health facilities in the state.

The state chairman of NMA, Dr Emmanuel Osaigbovo, while briefing journalists in Benin city, called for immediate restoration of health facilities, adding that doctors use candles and lanterns in hospital wards rather than electricity.

He urged the state government to declare state of emergency in the health sector and renovate health care facilities in order to stop unnecessary deaths in the hospital.

“Today, there is hardly any functional ward that is befitting for the people to recover from their infirmities. The wards are dilapidated and ironically pose a major health risk to those who are being cared for and those who render services therein.

“In some of these obsolete facilities, doctors in their usual zeal to work resort to the use of candles and personal rechargeable lanterns when the authorities fail to provide basic electricity.

“The buildings are falling apart in their numbers due to lack of maintenance.

“We seriously hope that there is no collapse of one of those buildings on people who have come to the hospital to get better or on those who have come there to make people feel better.

“There is no greater catastrophe than that. The theatres and laboratories are at best skeletal in the services they render due to lack of basic equipment and consumables.

“Patients have to seek help in peripheral facilities and most times fall into the hands of quacks”, Osaigbovo lamented.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/buhari-orders-connection-of-rails-to-36.html

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered him and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to connect the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by rail.

Amaechi made the revelation during the 15th National Council on Transportation, NCT, in Sokoto.

He said, “The President called two of us, myself and my colleague in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; and told me specifically that I must ensure that the 36 states including Abuja are connected by rail”.

He added that the ongoing rail projects in the country would create employment opportunity for the teeming youths.

He said that to grow the economy effectively and efficiently, the railway must be developed.

Amaechi said the federal government was on the verge of signing a contract agreement with General Electric for the rehabilitation of the rail lines across the country to ensure they are put to use in the very shortest time.

He further disclosed that government has ordered more Locomotives for the Standard Gauge rail lines.

Amaechi also said the President has given approval for the construction of Abuja-Itakpe rail line, while preparation is in top gear to commence activity on the Ajaokuta-Warri line which will be completed in June 2018.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/nigerian-government-reveals-how-five.html

Shocking revelations have emerged on how five officials allegedly diverted the sum of about N3.2bn belonging to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria in Benue State within 71 months.

Recall that the Attorney General of the Federation’s office had on August 1, 2017, charged Solomon Wombo, who was an aide to a former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, and two other former top civil servants in the state, with diversion of about N16.6bn belonging to the 23 local government areas of the state.

However, in a fresh six counts, which were filed before the Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, on August 7, 2017, five persons, whose official positions were not disclosed in the charges, were accused of fraudulently diverting N3,212,216,000 belonging to ALGON between January 2011 and November 2014.

The five defendants named in the case, marked FHC/MKD/CR/72/2017, are David Sevav, Andrew Ayande, Bossua Terfa, Terna Kester Ikyenge and Alex Ogaba.

The prosecution, in the charges signed by an Assistant Chief State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Aminu Alilu, alleged that the defendants withdrew the money in instalments from ALGON’s bank accounts within a period of 71 months.

It alleged that the money was withdrawn in instalments by the defendants “with the aim of concealing” it, “being property directly derived from corruption.”

The prosecution specifically accused the defendants of conspiring and converting N958,500,0000, belonging to ALGON, by allegedly withdrawing it in instalments from the association’s account between January 23, 2011 and May 9, 2012 at Makurdi.

The prosecution also specifically accused them of diverting the association’s N538,996,000 through the same process between May 26, 2012 and November 5, 2012.

It was also alleged that the defendants diverted another tranche of N1,714,720,000 through the same process between November 2012 and November 2014.

The fund allegedly diverted by the defendants between January 2011 and November 2014, amounted to N3,212,216,000, a period of about 71 months.

In the sixth and the last count, the prosecution accused the defendants of fraudulently obtaining “by false pretences” the total sum of N3,212,216,000 belonging to ALGON “for the benefit of yourselves”.

The offence of conspiracy to convert the various tranches of the money, described by the prosecution as being derived from corruption, was said to be contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and punishable under Section 15 of the same Act.

The offence of “conversion” of the money was said to be contrary to Section 15 of the money laundering law.

The offence of “obtaining” the total sum of N3,212,216,000 “under false pretences” for their benefits was said to be contrary to Section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap A6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under the same section of the Act.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/billionaire-kidnapper-how-i-foiled.html



A 53-year old man, who claimed to be a graduate of Civil Engineering from the University of Ibadan, Okpara Linus has narrated how he prevented billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans, from kidnapping his kinsman

Okpara, who himself was arrested for providing information to Evans, claimed he was deceived into crime by the kidnap kingpin.

He told Vanguard thus: “I visited my home town in 2014. When I was travelling to Lagos State I took a car at Asaba. The driver of the vehicle identified himself as Doctor. He told me he was a drug peddler and promised to assist me with building contracts. He told me that he would link me to some of his rich friends.

“A few days later I got a call from a man who identified himself as Nnwachinemelu, who told me that doctor gave him my number.

“He asked me what I was into and I told him. We agreed to meet. We met at Ajao Estate, Lagos where he told me that there was a man trading at Trade Fair Complex, who was indebted to him. He said he needed me to monitor the man so that he would arrest him.

“He sent a bike to pick me up and asked that I should wait on Trade Fair Bridge and look out for the man because he had told me the colour and the plate number of the man’s vehicle.

“When I sighted it, I called him and he asked me to follow the man. When we got to Alakija, we watched the man as he entered Festac Town. He asked us to go back, saying he would take care of the situation from that point. He asked me to go home and two days later he sent N2million into my bank account.

“About seven months after then he called again and told me that the bike man would come to my house and would take me to a place in Agbara. He said I would help him monitor the movement of a man.

We got to Agbara and waited until the man, started leaving his office and we followed him down to Alakija. Evans asked me to pull back again, saying he would take care of the situation. Two months later he called me and paid N700, 000 into my account.

‘’A few weeks after then, he asked me to go to Abule-Oshun to monitor the movement of a man who had an office there. I monitored the man and discovered that I knew the man, who is Mike Umuberede.

“I refused to give him complete information about the man because I knew him and he is from my home town. The man is the owner of Super Master electrical appliances and he had once helped me when my father fell sick.

“I told Evans that I knew the man and he must not kidnap him but Evans got angry with me. Evans said all his men were on standby, saying they were ready to kidnap the man. I lied to him that I had alerted the man and he has contacted the Police.

“He cursed me for betraying him and threatened to kill all the members of my family. He stopped communicating with me from at that point.

“When I heard he was arrested I was glad because he is a beast and a very greedy man. I learned from the newspapers that he collected millions of dollars as ransom and he gave me peanuts. I didn’t know the Police would come after me. But I regret my actions and would turn a new leaf. But I am happy Evans has been arrested.’’

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/ondo-state-poly-lecturers-begin-strike.html

The polytechnic lecturers in the school said they are owed ten months of arrears and that promises made by the authorities to resolve the matter have not been fulfilled.



Lecturers at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo in Ondo State have commenced a strike over the refusal of the school management to pay their arrears.

The lecturers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), are demanding the payment of arrears accruing over N1.7 billion.

The polytechnic lecturers in the school said they are owed ten months of arrears and that promises made by the authorities to resolve the matter have not been fulfilled.

They are also demanding the payment of sixteen months’ worth of Consolidated Polytechnic Salary Structure (CONPOCASS) allowance.

A source in the school told SaharaReporters over the weekend that the union leaders have exhausted their strength in negotiations with the university authorities and were therefore left with no choice but to strike,

The source said the union leaders have also accused the management of the institution of being insensitive to the plight of the lecturers and staff members of the school.

The decision to embark on the strike was contained in an electronic statement issued by the ASUP local chapter of the school.

Adeola Obadaye, the General Secretary of the ASUP, signed the statement which was obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday.

Mr. Obadaye said the leadership of the union held an emergency meeting on Thursday at the Adekunle Ajasin auditorium of the school and unanimously agreed on the strike action.

"We exhaustively discussed precarious situations of members’ welfare vis-a-vis the decision extract to the management dated the 9th of August 2017.

"It was therefore unanimously resolved that all academic activities are hereby suspended indefinitely with immediate effect, and without delay, the union will organize a press conference," he said.

He added that union leaders had already put in place a monitoring team to ensure that the lecturers and members comply with the industrial action.

Speaking with journalists, ASUP Chairman Rafiu Ijawoye explained that the money owed to the lecturers includes sixteen months’ CONPOCASS arrears and 2015 and 2016 promotion arrears.

Mr. Ijawoye said all efforts to resolve the disputes with the school management and the state government have proved abortive.

"The inglorious state of neglect and deprivation of our legitimate demands have gotten to an unbearable crescendo. It is in view of these appalling situations that the union is constrained to embark on this total strike action as aforesaid. We demand as follows:

“Payments of our 16 months’ CONPOCASS arrears by the management of the Institution effective from July 2009 (It should be noted that all sister institutions within the state have been paid these arrears, aside RUGIPO);

“Payments of 10 months’ unpaid staff salaries for the months of June 2016 to January 2017 as well as July and August 2017; and payments of 2015 and 2016 promotion arrears.”

SaharaReporters learned that academic and business activities have now been paralyzed on the campus as students complained about the strike.

Some of the students, in a mobile chat with our correspondent, appealed to the school authorities to yield to the demands of the striking lecturers.

"Everywhere on the campus is now dry and many of us (students) have parked out of the hostels since the strike was declared last week on Thursday.

"Though, some students still stay behind, probably because they planned to spend the Sallah break with their friends.

"But as I talk to you, the hostels are now being shut down and the students have been asked to vacate the premises,” one student said.

In July 2017, the polytechnic lecturers of the institution threatened to embark on an industrial action over the refusal of the school management to pay their entitlements.

The lecturers had also vowed to disrupt the first semester examinations of the students if the authorities of the school refused to pay their backlogs of arrears.

Angered by the decision of the lecturers to down tools, the students of the polytechnic marched to the street to protest the industrial action.

SaharaReporters observed that the sum of N200 million was provided as subvention for the state polytechnic inside the 2017 budget signed by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/breaking-nnpc-crashes-price-of-petrol.html

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that their sustained strategic intervention in the efficient supply and distribution petroleum products, has led to a significant reduction in the prices of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), also known as cooking gas, nationwide.

Spokesman of the corporation, Ndu Ughamadu, in a statement on Sunday, said a national survey by oil and gas forum, NNPC’s weekly TV programme, indicated that in the last few weeks, the price of petrol has fallen steadily from N145 per litre to between N142 and N143 per litre in some stations across the country.

According to him, NNPC mega and affiliate stations across the country are selling for N143 per litre, while the pump price range is between N142 and N145 per litre in some major and independent marketers in Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto, Enugu, Delta and other major cities.

“One of the respondents in the survey and a manager at an independent fuel retail station in Abuja, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the station currently sells petrol at N142 per litre in line with the prevailing market situation in order to sustain the turnover of the business and to attract more motorists to the station,” the statement read.

“Another independent marketer in Mosimi, Emeka Ikechukwu, said the going ex-depot prices of PMS had dropped from N138 per litre in most depots to N133.28 in NNPC depots and between N130 and N131 per litre in private depots.

“However, the situation is slightly different in Aba and Umuahia in Abia State and Calabar in Cross River state where most independent fuel stations as well as major marketers selling the product at N145 per litre.

“The survey also showed a similar trend of drop in price for cooking gas with the average price for refilling 5kg cylinder at N2,215.96 from the former price of N2,500.00.

“The study further revealed that states with the lowest average price for the 5kg LPG refill were Kaduna and Niger at N2,000; Kogi at N2,005.00; and Oyo at N2,033.33.”

Ughamadu also said the prices of cooking gas have also reduced.

“At the NNPC Mega and retail stations nationwide, a 12.5kg of cooking gas that was sold for N4,500 a few months ago is now sold for N3,800 while other retail outlets sell the same quantity for N4,000,” he said.

“NNPC has sustained its interventions through sustained improvement in the supply of the products and remodeling of distribution channels to address sufficiency issues across the country.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/tension-as-policeman-kills-one-in-osogbo.html

There was palpable tension in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, as policeman reportedly shot a man, identified as Segun Emir dead in the early hours of Sunday.

We reliably gathered that a policeman had allegedly assaulted one of those men on the pitch over yet to be known issue which resulted to hot argument between the policemen and the deceased, who came with some of his friends to play football at a pitch located at Oke-baale area of the metropolis.

The deceased was shot by an officer in the ensuing melee, as the policemen fled the scene immediately.

The deceased, who was shot on the chest gave up the ghost at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, Osogbo.

The confirmation of Emir’s death at LAUTECH, therefore, made some youths to attack a police station at the area, which threw the whole community into serious panic and pandemonium.

Meanwhile, all efforts by our reporter to get police reaction practically proved abortive, as several calls put across to the Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO) in the state, SP Folashade Odoro went unanswer.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/09/buhari-leaves-nigeria-on-monday.html

Baring any last minute change of mind, President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria on Monday, September 4, 2017 for a trip to Washington, DC.

Buhari’s trip to the US is at the invitation of President Donald Trump.

SaharaReporters quoted a Nigerian Presidency source as saying that Trump had extended the invitation last February, shortly after his inauguration.

The president is scheduled to leave his hometown, Daura, by helicopter at 9:15 am on Monday for Katsina airport. From the airport, he will fly out at 10 am aboard a presidential jet to Washington, DC.

The source said the earlier plan was for the president to combine the official visit to the US with his participation at the UN General Assembly in New York from September 21 to 25, 2017.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/08/ooni-of-ife-reveals-when-he-will-speak.html

Comrade Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Wednesday said the official reaction to his crashed marriage to former Olori Wuraola, would be made public soon.

Speaking in a telephone chat with the Nigerian Tribune, he stated that “in this era of social media, where people have free access to internet, as constitutionally permitted by laws of the land, people can say anything.”

“Inspite of all being said on the issue, decorum still requires that we in the House of Oduduwa maintains silence, at least for now.

“This is because marriage is strictly a private matter that should not subjected to undue public uproar. When it is necessary for us to talk, we will surely talk on the issue,” Olafare said.

Wuraola, in an Instagram post on Wednesday, confirmed that the union had hit the rocks.

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/08/saraki-reveals-those-responsible-for.html

The President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, has said Nigeria is passing through a difficult phase of nation building, economic recession, rising insecurity and threat to its corporate existence as a nation due to actions of some citizens.

In view of this, Saraki called on Nigerian pilgrims currently performing this year’s hajj to pray for the nation.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said “a prayer for your country and her leaders is as important as asking Allah to grant you your personal wishes.”

The Senate President, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for hajj, also asked Nigerians to use the occasion of the significance of Arafat Day holding today, Thursday, to pray for the quick recovery of the nation’s economy and good health for President Muhammdau Buhari.

The statement read: “The 9th day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day pilgrims gather at the plain of Mount Arafat, at the outskirt of Mecca, praying and supplicating to the Almighty Allah.

“Arafat Day was also the day Islam was perfected and approved for mankind by the Almighty Allah. The gathering is expected to consist of nearly two million faithful from across the world.

“Today our country is passing through a difficult phase of nation building occasioned by economic recession, rising insecurity and threat to our corporate existence as a nation by actions of some citizens.

“The health of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, is also of national concern to all, and every opportunity must be utilized to pray for his continuous recuperation for him to continue to restore the lost glory of Nigeria.

“It is, therefore, not only advisable but necessary for our pilgrims to seize this rare opportunity the Arafat Day offers to offer prayers for our nation to overcome these challenges and for all development plans and policies initiated by government to start yielding fruits but that we as citizens should rededicate ourselves to the service of our country.

“Our people back home should also join in the prayers on the Arafat Day as Muslims believe that wherever you are on this special day, if you supplicate to the Almighty, he will answer the prayers.”

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/08/dele-momodu-writes-ooni-of-ife-as.html

Ovation Magazine publisher, Chief Dele Momodu, has reacted to crash of the union between Olori Wuraola and Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

Momodu penned a message to the Ooni via his Instagram page.

He wrote: “Your Majesty,

BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS…

Thanks for the honour of pouring out your immediate and future plans to me.​

​Thanks for vowing not to disrespect the revered throne of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race.

When marriages break up, it comes with painful stress and traumatic strain.

The pressure can be lessened by staying positive.​ ​It shall be well with you…”

​Wuraola, real name Zaynab, last week through her former spokesman, denied her marriage had crashed.​

The former queen condemned, “the slanderous rumors citing her involvement with prominent businessmen in Nigeria all of whom are good friends of the King and Queen & financial contributors to projects that have advanced our good work in the communities of Ife and Nigeria as a whole.”

“We are deeply disturbed by these rumors and there is absolutely no truth to these absurd claims of infidelity and we vehemently deny them.

“Due to the nature of the allegations and the attempt to defame the character of the Queen and embarrass well respected friends of our Palace, we have immediately employed legal counsel to investigate their origin to take necessary action against the perpetrators.

“Please be advised, that in this digital age, digital footprints can lead to your identification. We stand firmly together, in our commitment to our peace and the truth.”

She, however, made a u-turn on Wednesday, confirming that the union had hit the rocks.


Mynd44

http://www.titopeblog.com/2017/08/president-buhari-to-receive-victorious.html



President Muhammadu Buhari will receive the victorious D’Tigress during Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youth and Sports, announced on Tuesday.


Dalung who disclosed this during a reception for the new African women basketball champions at the Abuja National Stadium said Wednesday’s ceremony would be in a further appreciation of the team.


The senior national women basketball team had on Sunday won the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Championship at Bamako in Mali after beating defending champions Senegal in the final match.


“Becoming Women’s AfroBasket champions after 12 years is an achievement worthy of celebration.


“Winning the African Championship for the third time establishes you (Nigeria) as a force to reckon with in African basketball.


“I am convinced that this will boost your confidence to perform well at the World Championship in Spain in 2018,’’ Dalung said.


The Minister said the victory helped to underline his belief that “when we do things the right way, we will always get the right results’’


Dalung recalled that he and the ministry came under a lot of criticism when they embarked on some reforms.


“However, getting the governance structure of National Sports Federations right was key to success in sports,’’ he said.


Earlier. the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, had praised the team for its performance, pledging his support for the team.


“I look forward to seeing the team perform better at the World Cup in Spain in 2018.


“But I will advise you all to continue training to maintain this quality standard of play at the World Cup,’’ he said.


President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Kida, while presenting the team to Dalung, had said passion, hard work and commitment helped the team to win the competition.


He however assured that the NBBF board would make grassroots development its priority.


Also speaking at the occasion, D’Tigress captain, Aisha Muhammed, thanked the minister and the board for the support given to the team.


She said this and the prayers of other Nigerians helped the team a lot.



The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team had beaten all its five opponents in the competition’s group stage to qualify for the quarter-finals.


It then went on to beat Cote D’Ivoire, hosts Mali and Senegal in the finals stage to emerge unbeaten in eight matches.