₦airaland Forum

2face_PSquare_DBanj_BankyWMusic fans and Star lovers across Nigeria are in for an amazing time on this year’s Star Music Trek as music superstars 2Face Idibia, D’banj, Psquare, Ice Prince, Tiwa Savage, KC and many more big names have been confirmed to perform at the highly anticipated event.

A star-studded sign-on and announcement ceremony, which officially heralded Star Music Trek 2013, held at Rhapsodys Lounge, Victoria Island on Wednesday 22nd May 2013.

The exclusive event witnessed attendance from celebrities, industry top shots, consumers as well as Nigerian and international media.

Other hit-makers scheduled to join Star to make Nigeria rock this year include Timaya, Sound Sultan, Wande Coal, Obesere, M.I, Mr Raw, Dr Sid, Ice Prince, and J Martins, as well as Naeto C, Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shey, Kas, Phyno, Yinka Best, Olamide, Juke Box, Da Beatz and Crystalz.

Star Music Trek 2013 will span 10 weeks and will visit 10 cities across the country, namely Aba, Abeokuta, Agege, (-Lagos) Asaba, Enugu, Festac (-Lagos) Lokoja, Nnewi, Owerri, Lokoja, and V.I (Lagos) and will kick off on Saturday June 8, 2013.

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/2face-idibia-dbanj-psquare-tiwa-savage-others-to-feature-in-star-music-trek-2013/

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati has announced the death of his mother – Maria Taiwo Abati .

Abati made the announcement on behalf of his family.

The late Madam Abati, 81, was described as a devout Christian, a very kind and loving person. She was born on 7th August 1931.

She was born into the family of late Samuel Jobo Arowotadina and Late Elizabeth Efundunke Arowotadina of Ijemo, Abeokuta.

She was a trader at Kuto Market for many years and was popularly known and addressed as Mama Adunni or Mama Sunday.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren including Mr. Abati; Robert Abati, a Geologist with Dangote Cement; Ralph Abati, a banker with Fidelity Bank Plc; and Lanre Abati, an Economist & Chartered Accountant.

She is also survived by her twin sister, Victoria Kehinde Olude.

According to the Presidential aide, funeral arrangements will be announced later.

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/reuben-abatis-mum-dies-at-81/

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 29, as a Public Holiday to celebrate the 2013 Democracy Day.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Annesthesia Nwaobia, on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, declared the Public Holiday on behalf of the Federal Government.

Mr Moro urged Nigerians to deepen their participation in democratic governance to enable them pass on the baton of credible and good governance to upcoming generations. He congratulated Nigerians on the attainment of yet another successful year of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He urged the citizenry to support Jonathan’s efforts at deepening democratic governance in the country.

He further enjoined all Nigerians to continue to pray for the success of President Jonathan’s efforts to restore peace that would bequeath Nigeria as the land of peace and unity.

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/nigeria-declares-may-29-public-holiday/

Leading lights in media, entertainment, business, innovation, politics and the economy in Nigeria and Africa at large have been earmarked for honour and celebration at a soon coming event which has been described by analysts and industry watchers as potentially one of the biggest and most prestigious events in Africa in the year 2013.



The landmark event is the launch of EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first global black entertainment channel which is scheduled to hold on Sunday, June 30, in Lagos. A major highlight of the launch will be the celebration of important personalities who have and continue to have significant influence on the media, entertainment, business, political and economic landscapes of the African continent.

The awards, coming after months of intense research and a thorough verification exercise by Forbes, are being awarded by EbonyLife TV and will be presented by none other than Mr. Steve Forbes of Forbes Media, world renowned establishment which has become an insignia of distinction across the world for recognizing worthy business decision-makers, investors and progressive individuals for making real impact around the world by stimulating business growth, spearheading innovation, creating employment and influencing great change in the economy of the world, or of their nation.

Among the recipients are President Goodluck Jonathan, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, President Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa and President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda. While Nigerian leader is being honoured for his administration’s support to the nation’s media and entertainment industry, Ghanaian President is being honoured for presiding over a country that is selected as one of the best business friendly countries.

Other awardees include, Tope Shonubi, Tonye Cole and Ade Odunsi: founders of Sahara Energy Resources Limited for their contribution to the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry, Isabel Dos Santos, for being the richest woman in Africa, UzoamakaMaduka, ToyinOdutola, veteran actress Joke Silva, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, OnyekaOnwenu, Sir Victor Olaiya, Innocent (Tuface) Idibia and Deola Sagoe.

EbonyLife TV is revolutionizing media and entertainment in Nigeria and across Africa. Located in Tinapa, Cross River State, EbonyLife TV is proudly made in Nigeria by passionate Nigerians.

SOURCE- http://informationnaija.com/forbes-set-to-celebrate-jonathan-sunny-ade-onyeka-onwenu-others/

The police has arrested seven persons allegedly involved in the murder of Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chinwike Asadu, IGP Muhammed Abubakar disclosed on Wednesday in Enugu.

Arms used during the operation were also recovered.

Details shortly.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/05/22/breaking-police-arrests-killer-of-kwara-commissioner-of-police/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=breaking-police-arrests-killer-of-kwara-commissioner-of-police
SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/breaking-news-police-arrests-killer-of-kwara-commissioner-of-police/

“Wonders,” they say, “will never cease”. Thiswas the scenario at the weekend at the Old Garage, Akure whena middle-aged woman was alleged to have used charm to take a boy’s penis.

It was gathered that the victim, Adewale Akande, a graduate of College of Education, Oro, Kwara State gave the woman who begged him for alms, N50 but five minutes later, he discovered that he was having a feeling that his manhood had disappeared.


Apparently uncomfortable with the situation, the victim, in his mid-twenties, called a traffic officer around to help him arrest the woman whom he said begged him for alms.


When brought to the Police Area Command Station at Oyemekun Road, Akure, it was learntthat the suspect first denied having collected money from the victim. But after a thorough interrogation by the Police, she confessed that she received the money from Adewale.


Meanwhile, there was tension around the policestation as Wale’s family members insisted that the case be transferred to the Deji’s Palace for traditional solution.
After six hours of apprehension, the victim was taken to an undisclosed hospital where he regained his manhood.


Narrating his ordeal to us, Akande saidhe came to Akure on Tuesday with his brother, Ademola, to inform their relatives about Ademola’s marriage.


The incident, he said, happened when he was about boarding a commercial vehicle to Ilorin from Old Garage; leaving his brother, behind ashe promised to leave Akure the following day, Friday.
Akande said the beggar had begged her for alms, after which he gave her N50 only to notice after five minutes that his manhood was ‘shrinking’.


He said all efforts to get help from passengers in the car proved abortive, as they mistook him for ’419′ (fraudster). The graduate said he immediately called his brother on phone beforeapproaching traffic wardens for help.


He said, “I just saw the woman on the road. Shewas begging me that I should give her N50. I gave her and in the next five minutes, I saw that my body was weak and my penis became very tiny like broom”.


Ademola, his brother, confirmed the incident, saying Wale called him immediately after the incident occurred. He expressed surprise at the mysterious disappearance of his brother’s manhood, adding that but for God’s intervention, it would have been a different story.


On her part, an aunty to the victim whom the brothers had visited, Prophetess Florence Adeojo of C&S, Imole-Ayo Parish, Oke-Ijebu, Akure advised members of the public who wantto give alms to give them directly to churches and not to every beggar they see on their way.

When we visited the Area Commander’s office yesterday, it was discovered that the woman was still under detention, just as none of the officers were willing to speak to press on the matter.


The Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO], Mr. Wole Ogodo who confirmed that the case was taken to the Police Area Command, said the police was not really sure if the victim truly losthis manhood.



According to him, “the boy and the beggar whois an able body woman were taken to the Station and during the interrogation, the Area Commander asked if the boy has a girlfriend or someone who could help him test if he had really lost his manhood, but Adewale claimed that his girlfriend was very far from Akure and no one around could help him make the test if his manhood was still functioning.
“The Area Commander also asked from the victim the last time he had eaten, but Adewale said for the past seven days he had been fasting.

The Police boss immediately directed the boy to go to the hospital for proper medical attention, believing that the victim might be suffering from psychological problem since he had not eaten for the past seven days.


“Later on, the boy returned from the hospital and confirmed that his manhood was now functioning properly.


However, the woman has been warned by Police not to stay around that area again or any place to solicit for money, rather, she should look for better things to do inorder to keep her soul and body together” the PPRO had confirmed.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/man-loses-manhood-after-giving-beggar-n50-in-akure/

Below is a screen capture of my chat with her.
Contrary to report going viral social media that Tonto Dike is dating Naija music artiste Solidstar.


Well the actress/singer just told me now on bbm that she's not dating solidstar, she said they are only working on a track that is set to be release later this month.


So its now a crime if two celebs snap pictures together?

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/i-am-not-dating-solidstar-tonto-dikeh/

And this is happening because late Chinua Achebe’s Ogidi community said the late author would be buried at night because he was a titled man.
According to Chief S. Okoli, the Regent of Ogidi, Achebe's hometown,


As a titled man, he (Achebe) will be buried towards evening in line with our culture and tradition. His body will lie in state in the yam barn where daughters of the clan shall pay him their last respects before he will be buriedin the night.”
In reply, the Anglican Church has said it will not release the body of the renowned author to the Ogidi community, Anambra State for burial.
Similarly, the church and family of the late professor have said that they will not allow hiswife, Christy, to go through the traditional widowhood rites that women who lose their husbands in I
gboland are made to undergo.

Such practices include making the widow to shave her head, drink the water used to batheher husband’s corpse, sit on the floor and sleep in the same room with the corpse.
The Archdeacon of Ogidi and Vicar of St. Philip’s Anglican Church, Ven. Obi Ubaka, told us that the body of Achebe belonged to the church, which shall perform the final rites for the fallen statesman on Thursday, May 23.
Ubaka insists:


“The church won’t hand over the body to the community. Which one has the upper hand; the church or the community? The church hasthe upper hand in this case. He was a Christian and should be buried in a Christian way,” The Achebe family said the issue of when andhow the late author would be buried was not asubject of dispute.
The head of the Umu Ada Achebe (the female members of the family), and niece of the late author, Mrs. Ngozi Ezedum, told us that the story that her uncle would be buried at night according to traditional rites was an unfounded speculation.


“He was from a real Christian family. And in the Achebe family, we do things the Christian way,” Ezedum said.
She said the title that Achebe held did not in any way compromise his religion as a Christian. Achebe’s Ozo title is Ugo Belu N’Orji (Eagle on the Iroko).
Ezedum said Achebe’s wife could feel free to come home without fear that she will be madeto undergo traditional widowhood rites.


“I have told my uncle’s wife that I am around, nobody will do anything,” the head of the Umu Ada said.
She, however, said other traditional rites like searching for Achebe and taking care of his body by the women would be performed.
She said the Anglican Church in the Niger Diocese had long abolished the widowhood rites because they were repugnant to good conscience.


“She will not even wear any mourning clothe black or white. The Anglican Church doesn’t want that anymore,” Ezedum said.
Meanwhile, preparations for the burial of the late literary icon are ongoing.
His Ikenga Ogidi country home is a beehive of activities as workers, artisans and builders work round the clock to erect a mausoleum, which would serve as his final resting place and obi, the major reception in his compound.


The compound situated on the Ogidi-Abatete Road was cordoned off and only the people working on the project are allowed in.
The main house is also being given a facelift, while a new coat of paint has been added to the perimeter fence.
The entire Ikenga Ogidi community is also being given a face-lift as the Idemili North Local Government Council has been grading roads leading to the family home of the Achebes and the St. Philip Church, where the funeral service will be conducted.

The church building is also being rehabilitated, with dozens of painters, masons, tile layers, iron benders and electricians working on the new church auditorium, which has been selected to host the burial service.
The Archdeacon of the church, Ven. Obi Ubaka, said the family had provided financial assistance to finish the work on the new church building so that it would be ready to host the event.


“The Primate of the Church of Nigeria will leadthe officiating ministers. He will be supported by the Archbishop of the Niger, the Most Rev. Christian Efobi, and the Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo,” Ubaka said.

Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who was in Ogidi to monitor the level of work on the projects, told us that President Goodluck Jonathan and two other heads of state would be present at the burial.


Oseloka denied claims by some family members that the Anambra State Governmenthad not provided substantial financial supportfor the burial of the author and playwright.

Though he did not want to go into details, Obaze said, “That is categorically wrong. That impression is wrong. Anybody, who has said that is not being forthright. That is wrong,” he said.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/community-church-family-fight-over-chinua-achebes-corpse/

Thirty one persons were killed when a tree at the Ukwu Uko evening market at Umuejinwaoke Umudagu village, Mbieri, Mbaitolu Local Government Area, Imo, fell on them.
Weekly Trust also learnt that more than16 others sustained various degrees of injuries during the incident, which was caused by rainstorm on Thursday night.


The dead and injured were taken  to Aladimma Hospital and Federal Medical Centre(FMC), Owerri same night.
Among those killed were a commercial motorcyclist, his pregnant wife and their four-year-old son.


The commercial motorcyclist, it was learnt, had come to the market to assist his wife pack her wares because of the impending rain when the ill-fated tree fell.
The incident was said to have happened at about 8: p.m
We recalls that a branch from the same tree had fell and killed four persons last year.


A victim Miss Ukamaka Mkpadi 18, told us that she went to the market to buy food items when the tree fell and a branch trapped her.
She said she shouted for help alongside some other victims, but was lucky to have escaped death.


Special Adviser on Media to Gov. Okorocha, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa described the incident as unfortunate and tragic, saying the state government immediately mobilized   rescue agencies to the scene that night.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/tree-kills-31-injures-16-in-imo-state/

A recent publication of one of Nigeria’s magazine “OK
Magazine” has a caption in which Nigerian Singer
Lynxxx was quotedas saying “Rihanna and I Used To
Date”

Source- www.informationnaija.com/rihanna-and-i-used-to-date-lynxx-reveals/

Here are the awards 2face Idibia has won for himself so far

Best Male Vocalist 2002 Affinity Awards
Music of the Year 2004 Excellence Recognition Awards
Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry 2004 Award for Excellence
Best Male Vocalist 2004 A.M.E.N Awards
Song of the Year 2004 A.M.E.N Awards
Best New Act Male 2004 A.M.E.N Awards
Best Video 2004 A.M.E.N Awards
Song of the year for “African Queen” 2004 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York
Best Album of the year 2004 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York
Best Hip Hop and R&B Artiste 2004 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York
Musician of the Year 2004 City People Awards for Excellence Best Male Video 2005
Best African Video of the year 2005 Channel O Music Video Awards
Best African Act 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards
Nominated Best African Act 2005 MOBO
Best African Act 2005 Kora Awards
Best Musical Artiste 2005 Afro Nollywood Award African Song of The Year (Non Ghanaian) 2005 Ghana Music Awards
Special Recognition Award 2005 Hip Hop World Awards
The Outstanding Musician of the Year 2005 Black Heritage Awards for Excellence
Best Song of The Year 2005 G.C.E International Awards
Musician of The Year 2006 The Future Awards
Africa Break Through Artist of the Year 2006 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York
Best Album of the Year 2007 Nigeria Entertainment Awards New York
Best African Act 2007 MOBO Awards
Song of the Decade 2007 Nigerian Music Awards
Best R’n’B / Pop album 2008 Hip-Hop World Awards
Best African Act 2008 Australian African Awards
Best selling Nigerian Artist 2008 World Music Awards, Monaco, Spain
Best R&B MTV Africa Music Awards 2009
Artist of the Year 2009
MTV Africa Music Awards Best Male 2009
MTV Africa Music Awards Best Video for “Enter the Place” 2009 MTV Africa Music Awards
Artist of the Year MTV Africa Music Awards 2010
Best Male MTV Africa Music Awards 2010
Most Gifted West African Video 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards
Best Pop Video for “Implication” 2010 SoundCity Awards
Best Western 2010 SoundCity Awards
New Champions For An Enduring Culture 2011 16th edition of the Annual THISDAY Awards presented by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Best International Act: Africa BET Awards of 2011
Album of the year 2011 Hip-Hop World Awards – “The Headies”
Artist of the year 2011 Hip-Hop World Awards – “The Headies”
Best R’n’B / Pop album 2011 Hip-Hop World Awards – “The Headies”
Most Gifted African West Video for “Only Me” 2011 Channel O Music VideoAwards
Most Gifted Video of the Year for “Only Me” 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards.

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/list-of-awards-2face-has-won-so-far/

Yet to be identified students of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, on Thursday night, stabbed a senior lecturer of the school, Mr. Anthony Abimaje, to death during a riot that broke out on campus.

An eye witness said the lecturer, who was onhis way to pick his wife and daughter who sells provision at the school centre, came to the scene of the riot when he was stabbed in the stomach by the students.
Investigation revealed that Amebija was a strict lecturer who was fond of refusing bribe to award marks to students which apparently put him in the ‘black book’ of the warring students.

”On sighting him, the students forgot their quarrel, stopped his car, dragged him out, turned the fight on him and stabbed him repeatedly in the stomach and left him bleeding on the ground”, the eye witness said.

Amebija, who taught research methodology and entrepreneurship before his death, was rushed to the hospital wherehe was pronounced dead.
SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/students-stab-lecturer-to-death/

Kidnappers of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, chairman, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, have released him after allegedly collecting over N20 millionin ransom.

Mr. Bamigbetan was said to have been kidnapped by four gunmen on his way home after the close of work on Monday as he was about entering his street, Ona Iwa Mimo Street, Ori-Oke, before Egbe bridge in Ejigbo, at about 11pm. More details soon.

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/kidnapped-ejigbo-lcda-boss-bamigbetan-regains-freedom/

The people of Abia State will in a few days play host to a number of award-winning Nigerian music stars.

A statement made available to DailyPost by the state event managers, said the a number of highly influential artistes will perform live at the ‘ Abia Alive Youth Empowerment Concert’, organised by the Ochendo Youth Foundation and powered by 2Flame Entertainment.

Top on the list of artistes expected to thrill Abians are: P-Square, M.I., D.J Jimmy Jatt, DJ Waxxy , J Martins , Muno, Morachi and many others.

The event is scheduled to kick off at 10am on Wednesday, 24th April 2013, at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Organisers of the show added that there shall be no gate fee, as attendance is absolutely free.
SOURCE-www.informationnaija.com/p-square-m-i-dj-jimmy-jatt-others-to-perform-at-abia-alive-youth-empowerment-concert/

Briefing journalists at the Government House Owerri, Okorocha said he was involved in a minor accident along Owerri Orlu road, and that a flat boot Mercedes 200 ran into his convoy and had a head on coalition with his own car, leading to his sustaining a minor cut on his scalp.

Okorocha who was bandaged on the head said that he was stable and strong, but would seek further medical attention due to the level of impact of the accident on him.

Earlier the Imo State Commissioner of police Mohammed Katsina confirmed the accident, noting that the accident was a minor one and that the Governor was in a stable condition.

He said that he has dispatched the police investigation team to ascertain the cause of the accident and would give further information on the matter as soon as the investigation was concluded.

Speaking also the personal Physician, Dr. Sylvester Igwe, said that the Governor had a minor laceration of his scalp, and was very stable, adding that what he needs now was further medical examination.

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/governor-okorocha-suffers-head-injuries-after-convoy-is-involved-in-ghastly-road-accident/

Ilorin – Mr Farouk Akanbi, NLC Chairman in Kwara, has said that Federal Government’s decision to streamline JAMB and NECO will lead to massive job loss in the country.

Akanbi, who made this known in an interview with journalists on Friday, said the decision had both positive and negative implications.

According to him, one of the most negative implications is the thousands of jobs that may be lost as a result of the cancellation of the two examination bodies.

“If JAMB and NECO is scrapped, what will be the fate of the workers of these organisations that are in all the 36 states of the country?” he queried.

Akanbi said government should not rush to streamline the examination bodies without first considering the fate of the workers.

The NLC chairman also said that a lot of things should be put in place before government entrust the responsibility of conducting examinations solely on WAEC.

Akanbi, who is also NUT Chairman in the state, noted that WAEC did not belong to Nigeria alone as it was a body jointly owned by some West African countries.

He noted that it was a good move for Federal Government to streamline the number of agencies in the country.

The NLC chairman, however, said such move should start from the Presidency and National Assembly, as the two bodies took the lion share of the nation’s budget recurrent expenditure.

“We should not just scrap JAMB and NECO. We should request National Assembly to maintain fiscal discipline,” Akanbi said.

He said that reducing the cost of governance should not be done in isolation, but across board.

According to him, Nigerian workers must not be made to suffer government’s decision to reduce cost in governance. (NAN)

http://informationnaija.com/scrapping-jamb-neco-will-lead-to-job-loss-nlc/

Flamboyant publisher of THISDAY, Nduka Obaigbena, has appealed to his workers to be patient over his inability to pay salaries, blaming the delays on last year’s Boko Haram attack on the Abuja premises of the newspaper.

Mr. Obaigbena has not paid the workers since the beginning of this year. But he promised to clear the backlog within a few weeks.

“The process has already started in Abuja and should end within the next 30 days when ALL arrears of salaries and entitlements would have been settled and we resume payments when due,”he said in a“Dear Colleague”letter to the unhappy staff.

His desperation to write the letter might not be unconnected with a plan by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) to commence a protest in the premises of his paper next week over the unpaid salaries. Many of his employees were complaining about unpaid and late salaries long before the Boko Haram attack.

Mr. Obaigbena recently commenced a global TV station – Arise TV- in London with big broadcast stars on his payroll. The TV station has been severally linked to Nigeria’s wealthy Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke as its major sponsor. Several of the broadcasters reportedly demanded three years pay in advance to forestall that fate that befell Mr. Obaigbena’s THISDAY journalists.

Given Mr. Obaigbena’s tendency to break promises made to his staff, it was unclear today if the NUJ will go ahead with the protest plan.

http://informationnaija.com/thisday-publisher-nduka-obaigbena-blames-boko-haram-for-unpaid-staff-salaries/

Report reaching us have it that Some angry youths in Ijapo area of Akure, the
Ondo State capital, took to the streets to protest the
alleged killing of a pregnant woman by a policeman in the area.


We gathered from a source that the
angry youths went to the Ijapo police station to show their displeasure over the alleged murder of the woman.
A source in Ondo confirmed to us that it
took the efforts of some anti-riot policemen to return normalcy to the area.


The protest reportedly happened about 9pm on
Tuesday after the policeman allegedly shot dead the
pregnant woman.
The state Police Public Relations Officer could not be
reached by informationnaija as at press time.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/breaking-news-pregnant-woman-shot-dead-by-policeman-in-ondo-stateprotest-going-on/

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Frank Mba on Monday said that Lagos is the safest city in Nigeria and one of the safest in Africa.

While speaking about the security situation in the the state on Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily, Mr. Mba said that Lagos has been a very peaceful place in light of the dense population.

He argued that the Lagos State Police Command has been doing a good job inspite of the recent increase in reported cases of kidnapping, stating that it is the new crime being exploredby criminals.
Mba mentioned kidnapping as a new challenge which the Police is ready to wipe out. “We have already developeda very strong standard operational procedure that is commencing this week and we are going to lock up the entry and exit point in this city”.

Lagos state is the smallest state in Nigeria, with an area of 356,861 hectares of which 75,755 hectares are wetlands, with a population of 17.5 million people (2006 National Census).
The state is also regarded as the commercial capital of Nigeria.

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/lagos-is-the-safest-city-in-nigeria-frank-mba/

A popular Mass Communication professor of the University of Maiduguri, Murtala Mohammed, has been killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen in Maiduguri today.


Mr. Mohammed who once served as the chief of staff to late Nigerian first lady, Stella Obasanjo was killed in front of his house in the troubled city of Mauduguri.
The motive for his killing remains unknown. Murtala had recently returned to Maiduguri to resume classes at the University of Maiduguri.


Before his death, Mr. Murtala was living in Jigawa with his wife and two kids.
Murtala was 56 years old.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/university-professor-murdered-in-maiduguri/

PHOTO CREDIT- http://informationnaija.com/photos-president-jonathan-at-easter-service/

This is a very good news coming from the stables of the Joint Admission Matriculation Board, (JAMB) to aspiring candidates of the 2013 JAMB UTME examination that were not able to complete their registration for one reason or the other, or they have not even started registration before the registration closed.

The Joint Admission Matriculation Board, (Jamb) has re-open the Jamb 2013/2014 Registration portal for candidates who are yet to register but be informed that candidates who register after rer-opening the JAMB registration portal will have only one option which is; The Computer based test (CBT).

The general public should now be informed that JAMB UTME 2013 Registration Now Closes 14th April, 2013and aspiring candidates can continue to apply.


We informed you that over1.6 million applications have been received by JAMB already, so you should know you have to prepare for this 2013 JAMB UTME very well.

SOURCE-http://edificationinfo.com/jamb-extends-registration-to-april-14-2013/

Pope Francis used his first Easter Sunday address to call for peace in the world and appealed for a diplomatic solution to the crisis torn countries and regions of the world such the Korean peninsula, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, Mail and the Central Republic of Africa.

The Pope decried the continued insurgent attacks in Nigeria when he prayed for Africa and and referred to Mali and Nigeria,“where attacks sadly continue.”He sued for peace across the world.

In his first“Urbi et Orbi”(to the city and the world) message, Francis also called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, an end to the civil war in Syria, and political solutions to conflicts in several African countries.
He singled out“dear Syria”, saying:“How much blood has been shed! And how much suffering must there still be before a political solution is found?”
Later in his speech, Pope Francis said:“We ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace.”

The Pope then mentioned troubled regions of the world in turn.
“Peace for the Middle East, and particularly between Israelis and Palestinians, who struggle to find the road of agreement, that they may willingly and courageously resume negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted all too long.

“Peace in Iraq, that every act of violence may end, and above all for dear Syria, for its people torn by conflict and for the many refugees who await help and comfort.”
For Africa, the Pope referred to Mali, Nigeria–“where attacks sadly continue”–the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.

He added:“Peace in Asia, above all on the Korean peninsula: may disagreements be overcome and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow.”
Pope Francis concluded by saying:“Peace in the whole world, still divided by greed looking for easy gain, wounded by the selfishness which threatens human life and the family, selfishness that continues in human trafficking, the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st Century.”

“Peace to the whole world, torn apart by
violence linked to drug trafficking and by the iniquitous exploitation of natural resources! Peace to this our Earth! May the risen Jesus bring comfort to the victims of natural disasters and make us responsible guardians of creation.”

SOURCE-http://informationnaija.com/pope-appeals-for-peace-in-nigeria-in-easter-message/

14 Boko Haram Bombers Killed In Kano

A woman and a child were among the corpse seen after the raid.

The spokesperson of the Joint Task Force, JTF, in Kano, Ikedi Iweha, has said that 14 insurgents were killed in an early morning raid in Kano.

Mr. Iweha told Reuters that the task force killed the 14 suspected Boko Haram members during the morning raid.
Reuters also quoted a military source as saying one soldier was killed and another seriously injured in the raid; while a suspected suicide bomber was arrested in a car packed with explosives.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported the JTF raid in Anguwa Uku area of Kano. The raid is believed to have succeeded in foiling a major suicide attack in Kano on Easter Sunday.

“This operation was conducted following a tip-off from our intelligence. You can see that there are over 10 of the terrorists all dead,” Iliyasu Abbah, an officer in the JTF told Reuters.

A witness, who asked not to be named, said he saw a woman and a child among the dead.

Read our earlier story below
The explosion and subsequent gunshots in Anguwa Uku was a result of a raid by officers of the Joint Task Force, JTF, on a suspected insurgent hide-out, security sources have said.

A security source said that the JTF got information of a major operation (suicide bombing) planned for Easter Sunday in Kano and stormed the hideout of the attackers very early in the morning. They reportedly engaged the attackers in a shoot out that lasted nearly two hours.

The spokesperson of the JTF, Eli Lazarus, is yet to talk to the media on the raid, though sources said a statement will be released soon.

Read our earlier story below.
Reports from Kano say an explosion has occurred around Anguwa Uku along the Zaria Road highway.
A resident of the area said the Joint Task Force, JTF, has already arrived the area and cordoned off the explosion site thereby blocking the ever busy highway.

He also said casualty figures, if any, cannot be ascertained now because of the restriction of access to the area.
Another explosion is also reported around the restive Eastern Bye pass area.

Premium Times is unable to confirm the incidents at the moment.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the JTF, Lazarus Eli, were unsuccessful as his lines were continuously busy.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/127699-update-14-boko-haram-members-killed-in-kano-easter-raid-jtf.html

FOLLOWING the discovery of bombs in a building in Lagos State and reports of likely invasion of the South-West region by suspected Boko Haram members, the police have deployed crack teams of policemen to patrol worship centres during and after the Easter service in the region.
Indeed, police commands in all the states in the zone have stepped up surveillance around worship centres while churches and communities have been asked to be vigilant.
Specifically, worshippers were advised not to allow anyone to charge phones or any electronic device in churches during church service.


In Ogun State, a team of heavily armed policemen was sighted at the Christ Anglican Church, Ogere Remo, during the Good Friday service. The officers told the sexton as well as some youths of the church to be on the lookout for strangers who might disguise as worshippers to execute terrorist attacks on their church.
The policemen exchanged phone numbers with the youth and told them to call their hotlines if they suspected any strange occurrence, adding that the current security situation in the country calls for increased vigilance on the part of all.



“In case you see anybody who is not a memberof your church, kindly query such person. Also,if anybody says he or she wants to come and charge his or her phone and you know very well that the person is not your member, politely turn the person back. Don’t allow anyone plug any unfamiliar device in your church,” one of the policemen told them.
The same policemen were also later sighted at the Ogere Central Mosque, close to the former tollgate on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where they combed the vicinity during the Friday prayer service.
In a chat, the Divisional Police Officer, Ogere divisional headquarters, John Oluwole told Saturday Tribune that the patrol was as a result of the directive from the Force Headquarters, communicated to the divisions and police formations through the state command.



He added that his men had also begun the patrol of churches during vigils – all in efforts to avoid being caught unawares by suicide bombers and unscrupulous individuals.
Ogun State Police Public Relation Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, who would not confirm the police warning to churches, however, said “theOgun State Police Command has adopted a security method to ensure that peace reigns supreme in this state. We are working with all sectors to ensure that there is peace in this state.”
Also, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, said the state command had stepped up surveillance and deployed more policemen to ensure effective security of life and property during the Easter period.



Speaking with informationnaija in a telephone interview, the commissioner said nostone would be left unturned to guarantee a hitch-free Easter celebration in the state.
Mrs. Gimba said the state command would intensify its mobile patrol throughout the state, and work round the clock to ensure peace and tranquillity in the state.



“As usual, we will increase our surveillance, through patrols and explore intelligence reports to nip in the bud any act of criminality,while we will also deploy more men to strengthen the security in Osogbo, the state capital, and other communities.
“As expected, there will be more influx of eminent personalities into the state from Abuja, Lagos and other cities, and as such, we are ready as always to make sure that the security here is not breached. I can assure youthat we are up to the task to discharge our duties and responsibilities efficiently, as far as the security of the state is concerned.”



In Lagos State, since police recovered bombs and AK-47 rifles in Ijora area of the state, the state command has continued to conduct raidson hideouts suspected to be operational basesof terrorists in the state; but it has insisted that such actions were just routine exercises.
Ninety two people from Chad, Mali, Republic ofNiger and the northern part of Nigeria were arrested, while many of them have been deported by the Lagos State command of the Nigeria Immigration Service
Informationnaija gathered that the state police command has directed all area commanders and DPOs to properly monitor all religious institutions and public places.
“Policemen have been directed to ensure surveillance and routine patrol around places like churches, shopping malls and market places during the Easter celebrations,” a police source told informationnaija.


In Oyo State, the police on Friday went round the state capital, Ibadan, and other towns withheavily armed anti-crime operatives and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) on a ‘showof force,’ as a way of sending warning signals to criminals.
When the informationnaija called the Deputy Commissioner in charge of administration, Mr Clement Adoda, he confirmed the development, saying that it was to show that the police were prepared repel any criminal acts.
He added that all DPOs had been instructed toremain at their duty posts and to make their offices their homes for the Easter period.



“We are trying to replicate what we did during the Christmas and New Year festivities,” he disclosed further.
On measures being taken against terrorism, MrAdoda said the fight against terrorism is an intelligence war and not the type fought on the pages of newspapers.
“We have put in place measures but we cannot disclose them. We will go by intelligence gathering and community policing, working hand-in-hand with other security agencies and different strata of the society.



“We have heard what happened in Lagos; we have studied it and we have drafted our own strategies to suit our purpose in the state,” thedeputy commissioner stated further.
He revealed that the command’s strategy paidoff on Thursday with the interception of a vehicle that was snatched within the capital, in less than 30 minutes after the robbery.



Adoda added that another vehicle which was snatched in another state and was being takenacross Oyo State was also recovered at the Ibadan end tollgate, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday, while two suspects were arrested.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/police-warn-swest-churches-over-boko-haram-dont-allow-phone-charging-inside-church-buildings/

THE Federal Government has no immediate plan to remove petroleum subsidy contrary to the perception of Nigerians arising from President Goodluck Jonathan recent remarks on the matter.


Giving this new position was the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who assured in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that the president was mindful of the feelings of Nigerians concerning the withdrawal of subsidy.
The presidential aide noted that despite Jonathan’s recent remark concerning subsidy, “the administration, as a matter of policy, had no plans in that direction.”


Okupe said that the President was mindful of the reactions and plight of the Nigerian peopleas he maintained that sufficient allocation for fuel subsid has already been made in the 2013budget and “therefore there is no cause for alarm on removal of fuel subsidy.”
Recalling the president’s remark made at the Economic Summit in Lagos, which generated fresh fears on possible subsidy withdrawal, Okupe described it a “a frank, intellectual andwell-articulated contribution by the President to the discussion on the Nigerian Economy at the said Summit, and it was from a honest andsincere leadership perspective.”


According to Okupe “The President and this administration are not insensitive to the plights of the Nigerian Masses and will continue to pursue and execute policies and programmes that are in the overall interest of majority of Nigerians and that will bring the greatest good to the greatest number of our teeming population.”


The presidential aide was of he opinion that “Itis an undeniable fact that every responsible leadership, genuine stakeholder and patriot must be worried when a Nation spends about N1trillion, an equivalent of about 20% of the National Budget, on subsidy paid out to a few Companies and enjoyed in the main by very few elites, while the common man benefits only minimally.”
He added: “Contrary to the speculation in the media and assumption by certain groups within the polity, we wish to state categorically that, the removal of oil subsidy isnot on the table of the Transformation Agenda of the President.


“The statement made by President Goodluck Jonathan at the recent Economic Summit held in Lagos was a frank, intellectual and well articulated contribution by the President to the discussion on the Nigerian Economy at thesaid Summit, and it was from a honest and sincere leadership perspective.”


“Finally, for the avoidance of doubt and at the risk of being repetitive, this administration is not considering the issue of removal of fuel subsidy in the nearest future and certainly willnot embark on any such programme without extensive consultations and engagements across the various segments, interests and stakeholders in the Nigerian polity.”

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/no-plan-to-remove-oil-subsidy-presidency/

Action Congress Party stalwart Ayo Akande in Lagos State has said the All Progressive Congress will eradicate the Boko Haram menace within a month in power.


He said the inception of the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan set the stage for the escalation of terrorism by the shady group.
Akande, who spoke in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, believed in APC's capability to dealing with myriad of problems bedeviling the country.
He also predicted the likelihood of victory asthe newly formed party sets to take on the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015.



Akande said, "I am optimistic within one month of an APC government in Aso Rock, Boko Haram restiveness will disappear. This is because the grievances of injustice, corruption, insensitivity,hopelessness and unemployment adduced by the sect would have been resolved."
On the issue that most Nigerians deemed APC not strong enough to wrest power from the PDP, Akande said, "The success of the merger is 80 per cent.



You don't expect any arrangement especially politics to be absolute. The hope is high, Nigerian people are fed up with the Peoples Democratic Party
government."

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/apc-will-eradicate-boko-haram-ina-month/

South African court on Tuesday sentenced the leader of the Movementfor the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Henry Okah to 24 years imprisonment for his role in the October 1, 2010 bombings in Abuja.


The MEND leader was convicted January 21 on a 13-count charge of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.


The charges related to two car bombs in Abuja, which killed 12 people and injured 36 others during the nation’s independence anniversary celebration.
Okah was also convicted for another bombing that took place in Warri on March 15, 2010 at a post amnesty dialogue meeting. One person was killed and 11 others seriously injured in the incident.


“Effectively, the accused [Okah] is therefore sentenced to 24 years imprisonment,” Judge Neels Claassen said as he handed down sentence.
However, Okah’s wife has indicated her readiness to appeal the judgment.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/terrorism-henry-okah-bags-24-year-sentence/

Wizkid To Return To Former Music Label, EME

If everything goes according to plan, Wizkid will soon be returning to his former music label, EME Music Group, this is according to a reliable industry source. The source revealed to me exclusively that Wizkid and EME bosseshave been going back and forth for the last couple of weeks through their lawyers trying to agree on new terms of them working together again.


"Wizkid leaving EME was just his way of pushing the bosses at the label to take him seriously and increase his earning percentage. When he joined EME he wasn't a star but then he became a mega star and was making a lot of money for the label and they still didn't increase his earning percentage so he took a walk. Now they are working on a new contract that will favour Wizkid." The source said I hear in the new contract being drafted, EME will not take a dime from Wizkid's international deals. When they start working together again, remember you read it here first! :-)

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/wizkid-to-return-to-former-music-label-eme/

Gunmen have killed one police officer following an attack on Bara Divisional Police Station in Yobe State on Monday.
The attack on Bara, the headquarters of Gulani Local Government Area of the state, took place at about 1am, and lasted for two hours.
The gunmen succeeded in burning down the Police station and carting away three cars  in the area, including a Hilux Van belonging to the local government.


The State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Rufai, who confirmed the incident to information naija in Damaturu, said though the Police station was burnt down with a rocket propelled grenade, the attack was repelled by the police.


He also confirmed the death of a police corporal, whom he said was killed in his residence after the attack. The hoodlums, according to him, also burnt down the MTN and the Glo masts in the area after the attack on the police station.
Mr. Rufai, however, said no arrest had been made and no individual had claimed responsibility for the attack.

SOURCE- www.informationnaija.com/gunmen-kill-police-corporal-destroy-telecom-masts-in-yobe/

Reports from Kano indicate that five persons are feared dead after two fuel laden tankers had a collision early Monday morning.
Initial reports indicate that the explosion occurred around the Bayero University Road and may have been due to break failure of oneof the tankers causing it to collide with the other.


A Kano journalist, Ismaila Dan-Muhammadu, was quoted by a news aggregator, NEWSMAN, as saying that the two tankers exploded at a military checkpoint following a break failure after being stopped by soldiers for routine checks.
“Two persons were engulfed in the inferno from the explosion with both drivers believed to have died. A kid was also knocked down by a vehicle that lost its brake due to the explosion,” the journalist, who reportedly witnessed the explosion, said.



He said emergency and security services are currently helping victims of the explosion.
Efforts to confirm the incident and casualty from emergency authorities are ongoing as thespokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, Yushau Shuaib, could not be reached.

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