₦airaland Forum

D'banj has been commended by the president of World Bank, Korean-American physician and anthropologist Jim Yong Kim for his devotion to the African Union's year of Women's empowerment, where he is encouraging global artists to raise awareness about poverty and other related issues. What Kim wrote on his Facebook page about D'banj below...

http://www.metroparrot.net/2015/05/president-of-world-bank-jim-yong-kim.html

The Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) has shut down its social media platforms, saying some of
them have been hijacked. ‎

The PDP, through its verified Twitter handle @PdpNigeria, had said on
Sunday that it was taking responsibility for the country’s low points
during the party’s 16-year reign.

But Olisa Metuh, PDP spokesman on Monday said the statement did not
represent the position of the party, adding that its Twitter account was
hacked.

“The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) observed
that in the course of the 2015 campaigns, personal positions and
opinions of our party members were generally reported in many instances
by the media as official positions of the PDP,” he said.

“We have also noted that some of our new media handles, our Facebook and
Twitter accounts, have been hacked, resulting in series of unauthorized
releases, with the latest being Sunday’s post quoting our party as
accepting responsibility for failure in the last 16 years; a statement
which could not have come from the PDP that has a robust record of
achievements in all sectors of our national life within the period.

“However, now that the campaigns are over, we wish to notify the general
public, especially the media, that henceforth only statements,
utterances and positions of the national chairman and the national
publicity secretary or any other national officer of the party
authorized by the national working committee shall be regarded and
reported as the official position of our great party in line with the
relevant provisions of the PDP constitution.

“For purposes of clarity, this directive does not in anyway affect the
inalienable constitutionally guaranteed rights of our members as free
citizens to hold and air opinions but such personal opinion must not in
anyway be rendered or reported as the official position of the PDP.

“Consequently, media houses, particularly the electronic media and the
civil society, should note that only authorized persons should be
invited to speak or stand in for the PDP for interviews, debates, talk
shows or any other media appearance whatsoever.

“Furthermore, to halt the embarrassing trend in our social media
handles, the party has decided to decommission our official Twitter and
Facebook accounts for now, to pave way for proper overhauling of the
system.

“The foregoing is pursuant to our determination to rebuild and
re-position our great party, instill discipline in our fold, check
unnecessary divergences and put the PDP on a strong footing to regain
power in 2019.”

PDP added that in the new spirit of rebuilding and re-positioning, the
national leadership charges all aggrieved members to channel their
grievances through the appropriate organs of the PDP for redress using
the internal conflict resolution mechanisms that abound in our party.

“Finally, we urge the media to always crosscheck with the relevant
officials of our party on official matters before going to press,” it
added.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/pdp-shuts-down-social-media-platforms.html

God have mercy

News just reaching from AIT studios inform that President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked another political appointee.


President Jonathan around 1pm on Monday sacked Executive Secretary, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Saratu Umar.

The president immediately replaced the our-going Saratu with Uju Hassan-Baba who will be working as as acting Executive Secretary.
Since Buhari has been declared winner of the 2015 presidential elections, President Jonathan has gone on a sacking and appointment spree.


The outgoing president sacked inspector-general of Police, Sulieman Abba and appointed in his place Solomon Arase. Jonathan also sacked the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Abdullahi and has approved the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero.


Jonathan has also sacked Gbenga Elegbeleye, the director general of the National Sports Commission (NSC). The president meanwhile appointed close ally, Peter Obi as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/jonathan-sacks-executive-secretary.html

Veteran actress, Joke Silva's mum turned 89 yesterday May 16th. The respected actress shared words in celebration of her mum on social media. Taking to instagram, she wrote;

'My mama is 89 today. Dr (Mrs) Abimbola Silva. One of the first female medical Dr's in Nigeria. Lord I'm privileged to care for my gorgeous mama. Thank you.' Happy birthday to Mama Joke.

http://www.metroparrot.net/2015/05/photo-joke-silva-celebrates-her-mum-who.html

A young girl on Saturday carried out a suicide attack at a bus station in Damaturu in killing seven people and injuring 31, witnesses and the local hospital said.





"A girl aged about 12 detonated an explosive under her clothes as she approached the station's perimeter fence," said witness Danbaba Nguru.

The head of the local Sani Abacha hospital, doctor Garba Fika, said six bodies and 32 injured had arrived there with one person dying after being admitted.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/seven-killed-in-damaturu-suicide-attack.html

Three unidentified women have been kidnapped in Ekiti state by unknown gunmen. The women were kidnapped with their husbands and unspecified number of children along Igbole-igbosin road while travelling in a Toyota Rav 4 Sports utility vehicle to Ibadan, Oyo state, for a wedding.


The kidnappers are reported to have later dropped the men and the children while the women were driven away in the car after collecting phones and other valuables from the victims.

The Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, worried about this development has written the Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, calling for his intervention to stem the spate of kidnappings that had hit the state in the last few weeks.


No fewer than five people, including a former Chief Medical Director of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, his wife, a senior nurse at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, and a lecturer of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, had been kidnapped in the last two weeks in the state.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/unknown-gumen-kidnap-three-women-in.html

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, state governors and other dignitaries on Friday graced the wedding of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

The wedding took place at Iyamoh, the country home of the governor in Edo State, southern Nigeria.
Iyamoh turned to a Mecca of a sort Friday morning as a large crowd invaded the sleepy community for the wedding ceremony.



The wedding ceremony which was to hold at the Auchi high Court Registry, was moved to the governor’s private residence located along Auchi/Okene highway.

Gaining entrance into the sprawling compound was a herculean task as security operatives had a tough time screening the surging crowd that wanted to enter the compound.

Many high dignitaries from across the country were present to see Governor Oshiomhole and his new bride, Lara Fortes, exchange wedding vows.

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari who was flown into Iyamoh in a chopper, arrived at the wedding venue exactly 11:20 and was ushered into the wedding ceremony inside the back view balcony of the governor’s residence.

He was immediately followed by the Vice-President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who arrived in company of his wife at 11:28 am, and were also led into the wedding ceremony.

Also sighted were Speaker of House of Representatives and Governor-elect of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Peter Obi, Senator-elect Dino Melaye, Senator Bukola Saraki, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Senator Domingo Obende, Benin business mogul, Captain Hosa Okunbor and many others.

Among the surprise faces at the wedding ceremony were political foes of the governor in the state, Chief Tom Ikimi and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who showed up at the ceremony at about 11:09 am.
The couple later stepped out at 11:30 and walked round and back into the hall.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/buhari-osinbajo-tambuwal-governors.html

The First Lady, Patience Jonathan on Thursday called on Nigerians not to weep for her and President Goodluck Jonathan over the loss of March 28, 2015 presidential election, reports New Mail.



Rather, she urged Nigerians to thank God on their behalf for seeing them through throughout their years in Aso Rock.

Patience Jonathan, who was speaking at a farewell/award ceremony organised for her by the National Council of Women Societies, (NCWS) noted that President Jonathan has achieved what no Nigerian has accomplished



She said there is nothing her husband was looking for having been deputy-governor, a governor, vice-president, acting-president and president.

She stated that not all Presidents and their wives, who entered Aso Rock came out together.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/first-lady-begs-nigerians-not-to-weep.html

President Goodluck Jonathan has signed the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2015 into law. The bill, which was passed by the Senate on May 5, seeks to among others things, address the problem of delayed criminal trials.

Dr Reuben Abati, President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, confirmed this development in an interview with Journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the president signed the document on Wednesday, the same day he received the bill from the National Assembly. “The president has signed the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2015.
“He signed it the same day he received it from the National Assembly. With that development, the bill is now an Act,’’ he said.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/jonathan-signs-criminal-justice-bill.html

Beautiful bride with the Edo state governor,Adams Oshiomhole

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/photo-of-president-elect-buhari-at.html

The Police on Friday arraigned Mohammed Dauda and Ojo Zuberu both of Utako Village, Abuja, in a Grade 1 Area Court, Kado, for disturbing public peace.



The prosecutor Insp. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that some policemen attached to Utako patrol team, led by ASP Ejekane Henry, arrested and brought the accused persons to the Utako Police Station on April 20.



Ibrahim said that on that same day the accused persons engaged in fighting in a public place and injured themselves. According to NAN, he said the offence is punishable under Section 133 of the Penal Code. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, arguing that they were only playing.



The Judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10, 000 and a surety each in like sum. Sadiq said that the surety must be within the court jurisdiction, and adjourned the case till May 25 for further hearing.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/2-men-docked-for-disturbing-public.html

The police in Lagos, western Nigeria, have arrested four suspects who allegedly robbed a bank and killed three policemen and two civilians and carted away millions of naira.

The sensational robbery incident that led to the death of five persons happened on 12 March, 2015 in Lekki area of the state.

The suspects were pararded on Wednesday by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti at Ikeja, Lagos.

The four suspects are gang leader, Duke Odogbo, 38, Lawrence Kingsley, 31, Ebi Tosan, 20, and Ekelemo Kuete, 30.


Aderanti said exhibits recovered from the suspects include a Honda Accord 2008 model car, military fez cap, phones and 130 expended ammunition.

He said during the robbery operation, five people were shot dead, three policemen and two civilians.

The policemen killed were Inspector Bethel Agbobu, Sgt Odehohwo George and Cpl Imoisiu Ikechukwu.

The two civilians killed were Mr Sowemimo Kabiru and 15-year-old fish seller, Miss Sarah Ibikunle.

Aderanti said after the incident, he summoned a meeting of various commands and directed the Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, SP Abba Kyari to take charge of operations to fish out the suspects connected with the robbery.

He said the O/C SARS deployed advanced technology and human resources to Delta, Ogun, Ondo and Ikorodu, and in the course of the operations, one of the suspects, Odogbo the leader of the gang was arrested in Delta State.

Odogbos’s arrest led to the arrest of other suspects who will be charged to court soon after the police have concluded their investigations.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/photos-lekki-bank-robbery-suspects.html

The Osun state government has denied rumours that the first son of the governor, Kabir Aregbesola was arrested in Lagos on charges of money laundering.

In a statement by Semiu Okanlawon, Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, he stated that: “It has become pertinent to inform Nigerians and others generally that there is no iota of truth in the story being peddled around by some misguided elements claiming that a son of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun, Kabir Aregbesola, was arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos today Tuesday May 12, 2015, with a huge sum of money in foreign currencies,” the statement read.

The statement said that: “We have discovered the the authors of the wicked and malicious lie are doggedly pursuing their agenda by engaging in an aggressive push for the falsehood to reach a larger population especially using the social media.”

“The younger Aregbesola neither traveled anywhere nor had any encounter with any security personnel today. It is obvious the evil minds at work are out to drag an innocent young man’s name into this dirt in order to get at his father.”

“Aregbesola has maintained a life of a moderate family man with a set of highly disciplined children who cannot be found wanting on issues of morals and societal values”

Okanlawon warned Nigerians to disregard such reports. “Members of the public are therefore urged to dismiss the falsehood because it is just another handiwork of mischievous minds.”

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/aregbesolas-son-not-arrested-for-money.html

Explosion is on at the ever busy Lagos to Ibadan expressway the explosion occured this morning at about 9am when two tankers exploded on motion.... Heavy traffic is on the road and officials of the FRSC were on ground to direct traffic off the major road.

Metronaija.com can authoritatively confirm to that no lives were lost but about 3 passengers were badly injured.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS BELOW

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/breaking-news-explosion-on-lagos-to.html

The Berom people of Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State have express worry over fresh killing of two young men in Kakpwis village of Foron District yesterday by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdmen.

They also expressed concern over incessant attacks by the herdsmen in the locality that has claimed over 40 lives in the past two days with over 200 cattle stolen.

In all the attacks, no arrest has been made by security operatives.

Ward head of Kakpwis, Dagwom Ahmadu Dung Hwere, said the attacks occurred around 11pm during which the duo of Emmanuel Joshua, 32, and Bot Joshua, 30, were killed in their home.

Our correspondent who visited the scene of the attacks gathered that both Emmanuel and Bot were shot close to where their cows were kept.

The councillor representing Kakpwis Ward in Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA, Hon. Istifanus Gwom Dung condemned the incessant attacks on the locality in the past few days as a strategy to eliminate the Berom people from the state.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/gunmen-shoot-2-brothers-in-plateau.html

The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr Eugene Odo, has described his purported impeachment by the nine-man faction of the lawmakers as legislative recklessness and impunity.

Odo told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that he was still the speaker of the Assembly.

He noted that the action of the Chinedu Nwamba group was illegal, unknown to law and unknown to democracy.

“The status quo remains. I am still the speaker. It is only two-thirds of the 24 lawmakers that can impeach or suspend the speaker and only eight of them cannot suspend or impeach the speaker.

“It is true that they formed a quorum but a quorum cannot impeach the speaker,” Odo said.

He said he was being persecuted for not signing a forged supplementary appropriation for 2012 which the governor allegedly wanted him and the clerk of the assembly to sign in 2015.

Odo claimed that the document had no records in the proceedings of the assembly.

The speaker said the crisis started when the lawmakers declined to sign the N11bn loan sought by the governor less than 60 days to the end of his tenure.

“The governor surreptuously called some members and gave them N2m each to impeach the speaker,” he alleged.

According to him, one of the lawmakers who felt that the impeachment was against his conscience pulled out, leaving only eight of them.

The speaker said that the assembly would resume its plenary session on Tuesday.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/i-am-still-in-charge-enugu-speaker.html

Above is the picture of Julius Berger himself, the world renowned construction magnate whose construction company - Julius Berger - built most of our bridges and many Nigerian edifices.

He was born in 1862 in Zempelburg, a small town in Germany. His father sent him to Berlin at the age of 12 to take up an apprenticeship with a leather wholesale firm. He returned to the family transport business three years later in 1878. He soon found himself more frequently transporting building materials instead of grain. It was this transportation of building materials that led to his becoming increasingly familiar with the construction industry.

When he had learned enough, he switched professions and started his own construction company named after him. Julius Berger came into Nigeria in August 1965. The first bridge they constructed in Nigeria was Eko Bridge in Lagos. They also built the 3rd Mainland Bridge. He died in 1942.

http://www.metronaija.com/2015/05/photo-of-man-we-all-know-as-julius.html