₦airaland Forum

Three men, including an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been arrested by the Police for attempting to kidnap a businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola. This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mr. Don N. Awunah, Force Public Relations Officer. According to the statement, the kidnap attempt was foiled by the Inspector-General of Police's Intelligence Response Team (IRT). The arrest, the Police explained, was achieved through coordinated intelligence gathering and deployment of technical investigative tools that spanned several weeks.

Three men, including an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been arrested by the Police for attempting to kidnap a businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola. This was disclosed in a statement signed by Mr. Don N. Awunah, Force Public Relations Officer.

According to the statement, the kidnap attempt was foiled by the Inspector-General of Police's Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

The arrest, the Police explained, was achieved through coordinated intelligence gathering and deployment of technical investigative tools that spanned several weeks.

The principal suspect, according to the Police, is one Ikechukwu Daniel, a 28-year-old indigene of Imo State, who was rusticated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, for cultism during the in 2009/2010 academic session. Daniel also functions as the Information Technology expert of the gang. He was said to have made disclosures about their criminal activities in the South-West geo-political zone of the country.

Also arrested is Adeyemi Kayode, a 29-year old serving officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). He is said to be a native of Ibadan, Oyo State. Until his arrest, he served as a Personal Assistant to the Commandant, NSCDC Oyo State Command. Kayode was said to have taken undue advantage of his office to obtain Mr. Otedola's mobile telephone number and location. He came up with the plan on how to kidnap Mr. Otedola, with the intention to demand a ransom of N1billion.

The third suspect, Ayodele Temitayo, also a native of Ibadan, is said to be the marksman and armorer of the gang. The Police said he claimed to have been dismissed from the Maiduguri-based 213 Battalion of the Nigerian Army as a Private in 2015.

All the suspects were said to have made confessional statements revealing that they had successfully carried out several high-profile kidnappings. Items recovered from them were two AK47 rifles loaded with live ammunition. The Police also disclosed that efforts have been stepped up to arrest other members of the gang.

The statement quoted the Inspector-General of Police as urging members of the public to provide the Police with the information required to fight crime, promising that such will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Source:- http://saharareporters.com/2016/11/16/police-arrest-3-man-gang-plotting-kidnap-businessman-femi-otedola

– Nollywood has being thrown into mourning again as actress Kudirat Ajimati is dead
– The well endowed actress was based in Abeokuta from where she featured in Yoruba movies
– Her remains has being buried according to Islamic rite on Tuesday, November 15, 2016
– She is survived by an aged mother

Abeokuta based actress Kudirat Ajimati is dead.

The Yoruba actress known for playing motherly role’s colleague got wind of her death in the early morning of Tuesday, November 15, 2016.

The news of her death was announced on social media by the association Theatre Arts and Movie Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN),Ogun State chapter which she belonged to.

“It saddens our association, Theatre Arts and Movie Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN),Ogun State Chapter, to announce the untimely death of our beloved sister/colleague Kudirat Ajimat popularly known and called Ajimat.

The news of her death got to us this morning as a shocker but we don’t have the power to stop God from doing what is right in HIS sight. Ajimat, we will seriously miss u and ur friendly lifestyle! Rest in Peace!”

The actress who was well endowed behind is known to always flaunt her backside in movies. She was mostly paired as Mr Latin’s wife in movies.
NAIJ.com spoke exclusively with the chairman of TAMPAN in Ogun state Pastor Ajidara. He revealed that the association heard the news on Tuesday morning and that the deceased has been buried according to Islamic injuction. He also hinted that her burial was hasty as she still has an aged mother. Some of the movies she has featured in include Adigun Oga Oga, Bata Wahala among others.

Source:- https://www.naij.com/1049607-breaking-veteran-nollywood-actress-died-photo.html

naijababe:
Before our very eyes this thing will collapse just like many others before it. If you are too young I have a few names for you to google ... Nospetco, Sefteg, and the many wonder banks under IBB. Y'all enjoy it whie it lasts

Hmmm, it is highly obvious that you posted this useless comment of yours from your sick bed in ARO, I mean psychiatric hospital Abeokuta......... Why not use your drugs as prescribed by the Doctor in charge of your brain..........Barbarian.......... You must be mentally disturbed............. Old fool.........

Their real father, they are sitting there eating and getting fat alone while the masses that voted them in are been kill by unger. Now another way of making ends meal came in and they are looking for a way to stop it so that they can be able to murder the people with unger.......... I won't course you people but whoever participate in the act of putting an end to MMM NAIGERIA, I will keep praying to the Almighty God to punish you all and make you all live a miserable life from your present generation till your last generation............ Allahumoh Ameen......

Northern leaders gathered on Monday in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital and told President Muhammadu Buhari to work harder at fixing the nation’s economy because there was hunger and starvation in the land.

The northern leaders, however, said that despite the current economic woes characterising the President Buhari’s administration, their votes for him (Buhari) in the 2015 presidential election were never wasted.

If Buhari or any other northerner presented himself for Presidency in 2019, they said, they would gladly vote for the individual.

A former Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, who spoke on behalf of the northern elders at the Northern Group’s Summit organised by the Northern Elders Forum in Kaduna on Monday.

Besides, Baba-Ahmed said the summit was being held in Kaduna because of the prevailing peace brought about by the decimation of the Boko Haram sect by the Buhari administration.

He said, “Today, we meet in Kaduna in a vastly-improved security atmosphere, with the Boko Haram sect pinned to enclaves. Some will say thank you to President Buhari; we will say, you have delivered on one of your promises, which was to improve our security.”

The former INEC boss, however, reminded the President that there was hunger and starvation in the land.

He said, “We will not join those who say President Buhari should stop reminding us of a past that is haunting us today. But we will join those who remind him daily that hunger is stalking millions of homes. Inflation is making life difficult by the day. People are losing their jobs. Businesses are closing down. Infrastructure is decaying. Young Nigerians are losing hope of being employed. Our hospitals are full of people who suffer mysterious illnesses, and they cannot afford the fees.”

Baba-Ahmed said despite the current economic woes in the country, the northern votes for Buhari in 2015 were not wasted, insisting that the North did not make mistakes in voting for the President.

He added, “So, those who are disposed to listen, please listen. Northern votes were not wasted in electing President Buhari. In 2019, we will also use our votes in a manner consistent with our interests as northerners. We did not make a mistake in putting up a solid, united front as northerners in spite of our ethno-religions differences.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Northern Governors Forum and helmsman of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has said that nobody, be it the Indigenous People of Biafra or any other separatist agitators, can divide Nigeria.

Shettima, while addressing the leading lights of the region which included, governors, senators, captains of industries, retired senior military officers, also hailed Buhari for fulfilling one of his promises of decimating the Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East and other parts of the region.

The activities of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents had claimed over 20,000 lives since 2009 and rendered no fewer than two million people homeless.

Shettima said the current calls by some Nigerians particularly the Igbo and other ethnic nationalities in the country were purely the handiwork of those who had lost in the “chess of power politics” in the country.

He noted that there was no single ethnic nationality in the country that had a greater stake in the continued existence of Nigeria than the Igbo, saying that continuous agitation for the decimation of the country would remain an illusion.

Besides, Shettima argued that the greatest tragedy that befell the country was the emergence of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The Borno State governor noted that the Jonathan administration made every effort to not only divide the North but the entire country along ethnic and religious lines.

He added that no matter the differences, nobody or group could balkanise the Nigerian nation.

Source:- http://punchng.com/theres-hunger-starvation-land-northern-leaders-tell-buhari/

The counter-coup of 1966 led by Northern officers was a reaction to the January putsch which was staged by mostly Igbo officers. Northern soldiers were not happy with the murder of their revered leader and Northern Nigeria premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and the Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa. They also did not like the killings of four most senior soldiers, Brigadier Zakariya Maimalari, Colonel Kur Mohammed, Lt-Col Abogo Largema and James Pam, which they saw as ethnic cleansing.

The coup which was led by the late Lt-Col. Murtala Muhammed (who later became head of state) and many northern military officers, started like a mutiny at midnight on July 28, 1966 and it resulted in the murder of Nigeria’s first military Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi, who was visiting the Western Region. He was killed along with his host, Lt-Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, the then military governor of the region.

After addressing an assembly of traditional rulers on July 28, Ironsi decided to spend the night in the Ibadan State House with members of his entourage. But his captors seized the opportunity to circle the official quarters to take him and when the plea to spare him by Fajuyi, his host, failed, the governor insisted that both of them should be taken instead.

In this interview with KAMARUDEEN OGUNDELE, the younger sister to late Lt.-Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, Mrs. Remi Ajayi, who was with him on the day of the coup, shares her memory

Where were you on the night that Colonel Fajuyi was killed?

I was with him on the night of the incident. I was with him throughout the six months he was in the Government House in Ibadan as governor. That night, there was a cocktail party for all the Obas (monarchs) who came to Ibadan for a meeting and the Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi, was in attendance. I was watching them from where I was upstairs. After the meeting, everybody departed. Around 4am, I heard gunshots. It was strange to me because I had not heard gunshots before. I just closed my ears and went back to sleep. When I woke up, I went to the kitchen to greet the staff and to collect my meal. Then the staff asked if I heard gunshots. Then I remembered the noise I heard in my sleep, so I said oh! that was a gunshot. I quickly ran into my brother’s room because I thought he had been killed. On getting to his room, I saw him sitting quietly on a chair; that was unlike him. Nevertheless, I was very happy to see him. I rushed towards him and said to him, ‘Brother, I’m happy to see you, I heard there were gunshots in the night. I was afraid something bad had happened to you.’ Then he asked me,
‘Why are you walking about in the house? Aren’t you going to work today?’ I said to him, ‘ I am not going to work. I don’t know what is going on.

What is happening to you?’ Then he said to me, ‘Okay, if you are not going to work, then don’t roam about the house. Go and stay in your room.’
Then, I left him, but I didn’t go to my room. I was worried because of the way he looked. I saw him and Ironsi, they went to his office to make a call in pyjamas. As they were coming, I dodged. After that, I heard Ironsi saying to him (Fajuyi) that, ‘Francis, but you told me I was safe in your territory yesterday.’ Then he replied, ‘Yes, I thought you were safe. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t hear anything. But don’t worry, the two of us will stay together. Go and dress up and I will dress up. Anything that will happen will happen to the two of us.’ Ironsi then went into his room and my brother went to his room too. Before long, they dressed up and they were in the sitting room downstairs in their military uniform. My brother was there before Ironsi and he was pacing up and down in the room. Then Ironsi came down. Meanwhile soldiers were coming in through the main door. Before they saw the Head of State, they told my brother, ‘Give us Ironsi, we want Ironsi. Give us Ironsi, we want Ironsi.’ Then my brother said to them, ‘No, you cannot take him, he is my guest. Why didn’t you take him in Lagos or elsewhere? You cannot take him here. If you are taking him, then you are taking me along.’ At that time, Ironsi was already coming down. The soldiers then went to him and picked him up.

That was how the two of them were taken away from the Government House. The soldiers seized the police vehicle that came to drop those on morning shift and took the two of them in it. That was how it happened. I wanted to go to the house of the Secretary to the Government, Pa Odumosu, in company with my elder brother, Sunday, who arrived the previous night to collect money for his farms. As the two of us were going towards the gate, soldiers sprang up from the bush using their guns to direct us and shouting, ‘go back, go back.’ We were terrified. Soldiers were on top of trees, hiding in the ground, they were everywhere.

Do you remember the person that led the coupists?

I don’t know. But I remember that when my brother heard the gunshots, he sent messages to the guard house and the aid de camp, but they were all not there. They were all Hausa because my brother loved working with the Hausa, including the driver.

Could that mean they were aware of the coup?

Yes, I think they were aware and they did not tell him.

Does that mean he was betrayed?

I should think so because, why didn’t they tell him when they got information about the coup?

What was the altercation between your brother and the coupists when they wanted to take him and Ironsi away?

He insisted the soldiers must take him along with Ironsi.

What was the relationship between the two of them?

I would say it was cordial because Ironsi came that night in a helicopter, he could have gone back to Lagos in a helicopter. But my brother assured him he was safe.

How was the relationship between you and your brother?

We were very close. He loved me so much! I was the only one living with him in the Government House. No wives, no children. The children were in school. He was very kind to me. He was very honest to a fault and loved people who are very honest. He was very honourable and didn’t abuse his office. I remember a time his immediate elder sister visited us in the Government House. She decided to register a company so that she would be getting contracts from the government. The private secretary to my brother helped her to get that done. After she registered the company, she wanted to leave and return later to lobby for contracts. That fateful afternoon, she sat in the sitting room upstairs and showed me the certificate of registration. I congratulated her but warned her not to let my brother know about it. She asked me why. She insisted on showing him. When the governor returned later that day, they exchanged pleasantries and he sat with us. My sister went ahead to show him the certificate of registration thinking the governor would approve of it. To her surprise, my brother’s mood changed. He asked, ‘What is this? Is this why you came from Ado Ekiti to this place? Do you want to soil my name? The thing we want to eradicate, you want me to have a hand in it? You will be going about getting contracts from the ministries? No way, you cannot do that!’ Then he tore the paper and went upstairs. My sister broke down in tears. She was very bitter. If he could do that to his immediate elder sister, then you will know he was an upright man. In another instance, the Head of Service and Secretary to the Government, Pa Odumosu said while bringing the remains of my brother home for burial, that he had never seen such honest man in his life. He recalled that some British men came to have a meeting with them because they wanted to site an industry in Ibadan. He said at a point, the British requested to see my brother privately, so he was asked to leave. They wanted to bribe him, he collected the money from them and sent them away. He then called Pa Odumosu in and narrated what happened to him. He told him that the people wanted to bribe him. He said he collected the money from them because it was part of our money. He then instructed him to pay the money into the government’s treasury. Pa Odumosu said he was so surprised because he didn’t know about the money. There are several instances.

Let’s talk about the first coup in 1966. What role did your brother play?

He didn’t play any role. It was in January of that year. He was here in Ado Ekiti spending his holiday when he got signals that he should report in barracks in Lagos. He immediately left for Lagos. As he told us, when he got to Lagos, it was late in the night, so he couldn’t go to the barracks. He decided to check in a hotel with his driver and orderly. In the morning, when his orderly went out to buy newspapers, he saw soldiers everywhere in Lagos. He quickly ran back to him to tell him of the development. He informed him that the military had taken over everywhere. My brother quickly got up and dressed up for the barracks. When he got to the barracks, he met Ironsi and other soldiers having a meeting. Then Ironsi said to him, ‘Oh Francis you are here. Come, come, come.’ That was when he joined them. That was where they appointed four military governors.

Does that mean the coup had taken place before he went to the barracks?

Yes, the coup took place in the night when he was still in the hotel.

In what way did his death affect the family?

It affected us so much. There was no help from anybody. For somebody to lay down his life for the nation and his family and children were completely forgotten like that; that was very bad. It affected me personally in a great way because it was 10 days to the time I was to travel to the United States for further studies. I had just gained admission into the university. I had already got my passport but I couldn’t go again. I just took some courses in Ibadan because he was the one who trained me through secondary school. My father only paid my fees in the first year in secondary school. When my brother came home on holiday and saw that I did very well in my examinations in Christ School, he was very happy. He gave me one pound to go and buy something for myself. He held me by the hand and took me to our father. He said, ‘Baba, thank you for training my sister.’ He prostrated for him. He said he was happy that our father even in his old age knew the value of education and could send me to a secondary school. He told our father that, henceforth, he would be responsible for my education. One of our sisters tried to stop him because we are not of the same mother. But he said, ‘No, it doesn’t matter. After all we are of the same father. She is brilliant. Whether we are of the same mother or not, we have the same blood.’ That was how he took me along with him.

How long did it take the family to get information about his death?

That day, they killed him with Ironsi. We heard that they took them to Mile 12 in Iwo road, Ibadan. They took them into the bush. When the news got to town that they had abducted Fajuyi and his whereabouts was not known, some farmers said they heard gunshots in the bush. The police launched investigation into the report. They then discovered the shallow grave where they buried him and Ironsi. They then took the bodies to the barracks.

Do you think he had the chance of survival if he had not insisted on going down with Ironsi?

Of course, they didn’t want to take him. They didn’t want to kill him because he was a friend of the Northerners. They loved him. I’m sure of that. Before that coup, the soldiers working with him warned him. They had wanted to stage the coup before that time. He begged them not to shed blood again. He appealed to them to stop the plot. He said in the first one that took place, many people lost their lives. He said it was enough. He asked them to convince their leaders not to do it. But that time, they didn’t tell him. Maybe they felt he would have dissuaded them from carrying it out. They might also have thought that, if he heard about it, he wouldn’t allow Ironsi to stay that night. He would have asked Ironsi to go back to Lagos and come the next morning for the next meeting.

What kind of husband and father was he?

He had three wives and they bore him children. He was a good father and husband. He loved his children very well. He wanted his children around him. His death left a huge vacuum in the family. He was the pillar of the family and everybody missed him.

How were you and the children able to continue with your education?

God made it possible. Their mothers struggled to give them education. In my own case, I went to civil service training school for secretarial studies. I trained as a secretary and started working as a secretary in the ministry. The wives were working. Two of them were traders while one was a teacher.

At what time was the Fajuyi Park created in his honour?

It was when he was buried here. The then Ewi of Ado gave this land for him to be buried here. That day, they immortalised him. The government then beautified the place. The then Military Governor, General Adeyinka Adebayo, who took over, beautified the place and successive governments from the old Ondo State had also done their own bit.

Did his family suffer from accommodation problem after his death?

He had houses so they were not homeless. There was no problem of such.

Is there anything you think the government should have done for the family?

They should have taken responsibility for his children’s education to the university level. Let me say we appreciate the Afenifere, the former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, they tried. The house my brother built in Ado was old; they demolished it and built another one for us.

You were close to him, how was his childhood like and what fond memory of him do you have?

He was my senior with about 20 years. When he was 40 years, I was 20.

Whenever he came home on holiday, we used to enjoy with him a lot. He would bring old gramophone and everybody would gather round him and he would play. He was a very jovial person. It was very unlike him that morning when I saw him sitting quietly on the day of the coup. He used to talk to me as if we were mates. He was free with me. He would be chasing me about the Government House telling me he would knock my head. You can imagine a whole governor playing with his kid sister that way.

What would you say is your personal regret about his death?

I should have gone to America for studies, I know my life would have been better if he were alive. He would have improved my life.

How did your father receive the news of his death?

His sudden death eventually led to the death of our father. He was very sad. My brother was kind and generous to everybody. Our father never went out again after his death and he died shortly after.

Since he was the rallying point, after his death, how has the family fared?

We are one, we love one another and we care for one another.

Source:- http://punchng.com/july-1966-counter-coup-fajuyis-aides-knew-coup-betrayed-sister/

A man identified as Jacob Nwachukwu has reportedly cut off his wife’s left hand over an allegation of infidelity at Abala in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State.

It was gathered that the victim, Nwadiokeonu Nwachukwu, is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital in Aba, while her severed hand had been taken to her husband’s village at Abala for burial.

A female co-tenant of Mrs. Nwachukwu, who pleaded anonymity, told Southern City News that the couple had lived in the city for years before the husband lost his job and had to relocate to the village, leaving his wife, a trader, in the city.

She said, “The couple had always quarreled any time the man visited his wife in the city, to the extent that all the tenants are aware and intervened in their quarrels.”

It was gathered that the husband visited his wife on the fateful day and during their usual quarrel, brought out a machete, cut off the wife’s hand and left with it to the village while neighbours rushed her to the hospital.

The source alleged that Mr. Nwachukwu’s intention was to kill his wife with the machete but missed the target as the woman was said to have used her hand to defend herself before it (hand) was severed.

The wife’s suspected lover is said to be on the run while her landlord reported the incident to a police station close to the hospital along Ogbor Hill, where the woman is currently on admission.

While responding to a text message, the Area Commander, Aba Police Command, Mr. Peter Wabara, said the incident had yet to be reported to him.

But a police officer at Ogbor Hill Police Station confirmed the incident and said investigation into the matter had commenced.

Source:- http://punchng.com/man-cuts-off-wifes-hand-alleged-adultery-abia/

The Senate on Tuesday began the screening of the 47 ambassadorial nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for legislative approval.

Buhari had on June 9 sent to the Senate 47 names of Nigerians to be screened and confirmed as career diplomats.

The President, in the letter personally signed by him and dated June 6, 2016, requested the Senate to approve the list at the shortest possible time.

There was, however, drama during the exercise as some of the nominees, who were drilled by members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, could not recite the national anthem and the national pledge smoothly.

The nominees were asked questions ranging from diplomatic issues to the names of the senators representing their states, their geopolitical zones and the states in them, how many local government areas in their states, how many lawmakers in the Senate, among others.

While some of them stuttered while reciting either the anthem or the pledge, others missed their lines in the process.

Vivia Okeke (Anambra State), who was asked to recite the anthem, murmured when she got to the second to the last line of the first stanza, “One nation bound in freedom.” The panelists however came to her rescue.

Ibrahim Isah from Niger State, who is currently serving in Turkey, was asked to recite the national pledge. When he reached the third to the last line, he said, “To defend her unity and integrity,” instead of “to defend her unity and uphold her honour and integrity.”

Hakeem Balogun from Lagos State, who currently serves in the United States, recited the old national anthem to a point and was asked to start again and he got it right.

Jane Ndem from Benue State, who currently serves in Japan, got the number of lawmakers in the Senate (109); she also got the names of senators representing her state but when she was asked to name 12 states in Nigeria and their capital, she got 11 but named Lagos and Lagos as its capital instead of Ikeja.

Shakirat Ogundero from Oyo State was able to name two out of three presidential candidates in the 2015 election – Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.

Baba Garba, while reciting the pledge, skipped the “to serve Nigeria with all my strength” line, he returned to it and skipped “to defend her unity” again.

Janet Bisong from Delta State, while apologising for not being able to state the number of local government areas in her state, was interrupted by one of the panelists, Senator James Manager, who is from Delta, saying, “You know it; it’s 25.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, who led the nominees before the panel, after the exercise was postponed to Wednesday, however, said the reports of nominees not been able to recite the anthem and the pledge, which were already trending online, were not true.

But a senator in the panel, in a chat with journalists after the session, said Enang lied on the performance of the nominees.

“That was a lie. Everybody saw what happened. We were there; journalists were there; the cameras and the tapes were there. How can diplomats not know the anthem and the pledge of their country? If it were lawmakers now, he (Enang) would come for us,” he said.

Source:- http://punchng.com/ambassadorial-nominees-unable-recite-national-anthem-pledge/

There was chaos on Tuesday on Pacific Estate, Ikejiobi Avenue, Ewedogbon, in the Igando area of Lagos State after some militants engaged security operatives in a gun battle for about seven hours.

During the encounter, three policemen attached to the Igando Police Division and two residents, identified as Baba Victor and Adedokun, were injured.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen, who were suspected to be militants, had invaded the community around 6am through the waterways behind the estate.

They were said to have looted some shops on the estate.

It was learnt that when the matter was reported at the Igando division, a police team was deployed in the area around 8am.

The policemen were said to have engaged the bandits in a gun battle, during which three policemen were shot.

Although one of the policemen was shot in the head, the police said he survived the attack and was receiving treatment in a government hospital.

During the gun battle, some residents were said to have regained their freedom from the militants, who had earlier abducted them.

When our correspondent got to the estate around 9am, four streets – Ojo Benjamin, Kehinde Ashafa, Ganiyu Adekunle and Ikejiobi – had been deserted.

A landlord in the area, who identified himself only as Olayinka, said there were women among the militants, who also looted shops and escaped with foodstuffs.

He said, “The attacks started in Fatoki community, Igando, on Saturday. We did not know it was our turn this morning (Tuesday). At about 6.30am, they came into the estate, shooting and moving around the streets.

“Everyone ran inside and bolted the doors. They caught a resident, Baba Victor, on his motorcycle, and took him away. They cut him with machetes, but he escaped during the gun battle with the police.

“They smashed the vehicles they found on the streets. They broke into shops and stole frozen foods, bags of rice and garri. They were about 15 men. The hoodlums did not cover their faces and there were women among them. Some of us were watching them from our houses.”

While PUNCH Metro was talking with the landlord, gunfire exchange between the operatives and hoodlums sent everyone scurrying to safety again.

Our correspondent observed some residents – women and children – leaving the area at about 2pm.

Soldiers on the streets searched their luggage as they filed out in groups.

One of the women said, “I was sweeping the corridor of my house around 6.30am when people suddenly started running, saying some hoodlums were coming with guns. Immediately I bolted my door, the gunshots started. From the keyhole, I saw four of the men. A boy of about 20 years was in the front. He wore a red cap with coconut in his hand and a charm on his chest. The three others had guns and shot into the air sporadically.”

Thirteen police vans, two Rapid Response Squad armoured tanks and three OP MESA vans were sighted at the bus stop with displaced residents numbering over 200 people.

A policeman, who had gone to the waterside, said the gunmen arrived at the riverside around 6am, adding that they could have collaborators in the estate.

He said, “The attackers are Ijaw youths. They are young, slim and can easily swim away in water. They shot at us and three policemen were injured. They saw us and laid an ambush. When we got to a section of the river, they began to shoot. We replied the bullets. But three policemen were hit and injured.”

When PUNCH Metro left the area by 2.30pm, the gun battle was still ongoing while a suspected hideout of the hoodlums around the waterside was set ablaze.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the police had yet to make any arrest, but normalcy had been restored to the area.

She said, “Some group of people invaded the area in the early hours of Tuesday. Operatives were alerted and moved in to foil the attack. Normalcy has been restored in the vicinity. No policeman died in the incident. The command is still on the trail of the suspects.”

Source:- http://punchng.com/militants-sack-lagos-estate-shoot-three-policemen/

ABUJA—CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo West, yesterday took a swipe at the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, asking him to stop the present demolition exercise in the state against the backdrop that the people are suffering in the face of the present recession.

Senator Anyanwu who also urged the governor to recall the sacked traditional rulers in some parts of the state, said that governments at all levels should be human and citizen friendly in its policies, adding that his office has received series of petitions from the people over the action of the governor.

According to the Senator in a statement made available to Vanguard yesterday, besides the demolition of property in the state by the government and sack of traditional rulers, there were also threats to relocate what he described as the age-long Ekeukwu Owerri market, Orji and Nekede mechanic villages without adequate palliatives.

In a statement by his media aide, Kelechi Eke, Senator Samuel Anyanwu said: “My attention as the Senator representing Owerri zone in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has been drawn to the unfortunate incidents that are happening in Imo State, especially in Owerri senatorial zone where I ably represent.

“This reaction is borne out of many factors that include the need to intervene on behalf of my violated and bruised constituents, the many petitions, protests and calls that have inundated my office as the representative of Owerri zone, a clear statement of my disapproval and discontentment to the unjustifiable demolitions of citizens properties and other sundry decisions especially as they run foul of globally acceptable standards.

“There is no doubt that the economy of the country is “technically in recession” according to the most recent reports of the managers of the nation’s economy. It is therefore expected that governments at all levels should be human and citizen- friendly in its policies. Governments are for the welfare and well being of the people and anything less can be anti people, and could descend to the hobbian idea of life being brutish and short.

“It is worrisome to observe that since the last general election in 2015, the incumbent State government has been acting as if it is at war with its own citizens going by its actions and inactions. The latest is the spate of demolitions of peoples properties, sack of Traditional Rulers and threats to relocate the agelong Ekeukwu Owerri Market, Orji and Nekede Mechanic villages without adequate palliatives. This is absolutely ludicrous.

“I must not take for granted the fact that Urban Renewal is a welcomed development as it enhances development, it is also true that such policies are expected to go with commensurate compensation plan and adequate prior notice. This is especially as most of the buildings demolished got approvals from the same State Government agencies like the OCDA. The reality on round is that the present condition of the economy and the rainy season do not in any way support the ongoing demolitions in the State, especially in Owerri the State capital, and government should have considered these factors if indeed it has the interest of the citizens at heart. It is fantastically unbelievable that the same State government is also demolishing structures it erected not up to three years ago.

“This is a huge waste of public fund in a State where workers and pensioners are owed months of salary arrears, and are also forced to accept seventy percent of their entitlements any time the government decides to pay.

“Equally condemnable is the alleged sack of some Traditional rulers that have been on suspension by the State government since last year. The traditional institution in Igboland is revered, inviolable and sacred, and therefore need to be accorded dignity and respect.

“The sack of some Traditional Rulers that include the immediate past Chairman of Ikeduru Council of Traditional Rulers and Traditional Ruler of Owubinubu, HRH Eze Engr. Ben Ik Nwaneri, my marriage sponsor and Traditional Ruler of Obetiti, HRH Eze Reginald Amadi, and the Traditional Ruler of Awaka Ancient Kingdom, HRH Eze Akujor Osuagwu among others for no other reason than welcoming a sitting President of the Country, the then President Goodluck Jonathan smack of unnecessary victimization, inexhaustible abomination, oppressiveness, and an affront on the Traditional Institution.

“It is important to note that the time of politicking is over, and we are now faced with real issues of governance and quality representation, consequently all our actions should be devoid of party politics with the reality that power is transient.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I do not intend to present the litany of petitions against the State government by well meaning citizens of the State who are also victims of the demolitions under the crucible of the hallowed chambers of the Senate in my capacity as the Chairman Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Petitions in order not to bring our dear State to public opprobrium.

“It is on this premise that I most sincerely appeal to the State Government to reconsider these latest decisions and save our people from the hardship these actions can engender, as well as recall the sacked Traditional Rulers back to their stool. The purpose of government is for the interest of the people, and any government policy that does not get the support of the people does not work implementation. God bless Imo.”

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/07/sen-anyanwu-okorocha-stop-demolition-peoples-property-without-adequate-palliative/

My fellow Nairalander, please take a look at the picture very well, I copied it from my sister where she used it as her DP. Have you ever seen it before, and if yes, can you give me the reason while the fruits are growing together on the same tree. Can this really happen in agriculture ? Or we should call it a miracle from the almighty God............. Please share your thought and let us see if it was an edited picture or genetics work from the scientist.

I love coocked stories, this is exactly what Olamide Badoo called Story For The gods............

14 year old Amina Ibrahim who suffered severe burns after allegedly taking popular antibiotics, Septrin, has died.

Amina had gone to a chemist to buy medications when she was feeling ill and when she got there, she met the 19 year old son of the pharmacist who prescribed the antibiotics for her.

She took the drug and immediately started reacting to it. Within an hour, she suffered sever burns on her face and neck.

She was later diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a “rare, serious disorder of skin and mucous membranes that is usually caused from reaction to a medication or an infection.

Her condition degenerated into the Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). She died in the morning of June 2nd. So sad.

Amina died at the Mohammed Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital in Kano State.

Source:- http://madailygist.com/graphic-photos-using-septrin-young-girl-dies-stevens-johnson-syndrome-kano-see-photos/

15 Tigers..........

dmltoyin:
what do u even know about Islam. Can u even read the Holy quran. Why aare you so sure of what ur saying. Even the bible ordered you to investigate and learn about sometin u r ignorant about, and find the truth before administering it. Where in the Quran is it stated that Muslims should kill and get seven virgins. Be educated

Thank you my dear brother in Islam, please let them know that the religion of Islam is not like that.......... Jazzahkumullahu Khaeran............

tunshe:
He will meet his Lord as Muslim and be rewarded for submitting to Allah alone.

I pray to also die as a Muslim. Amin!

Allahumoh Ameen, may I also die as a Muslim........

The National Industrial Court in Makurdi on Friday ordered the Benue State Government to pay the sum of N989m to 210 sacked workers of Taraku Mills Limited.

The court also ordered Fidelity Bank Plc, Makurdi branch, to pay an unconditional fine of N100, 000 for attempting to pervert justice.

Justice R.B Haastrup held that the bank erred, having admitted in the first instance and informed the court that it had enough funds as well as placed a lien on the judgement sum to turn around and file another affidavit contrary to the earlier submission.

Citing the Constitution, Sheriff and Civil Process Act, the judge dismissed the judgement debtors’ application for not only being frivolous but vexatious and lacking in merit.

She consequently turned the Order Nisi to an absolute order against Fidelity Bank Plc to pay the creditors the judgement sum.

It will be recalled that the Benue State Government set up a six-man committee headed by the then Director of Industries, Mr. Jeff Yaji, to investigate the salary arrears owed staff of the company in 2008 following the lease of the said company to a private investor, Glowrich Nigeria Limited.

Investigation revealed that on May 16, 2008, the committee visited the factory and established that N1b was due for payment and the sum was equally set aside for the purpose.

So, the then Attorney-General, Mr. Philip Ierkwagh, decided that since the government had accepted liability of the said amount, there was no need for a continuous litigation and called for out of court settlement.

According to the counsel to the claimants, Chief F.S Tsenga, the agreement between the claimants and the government was adequately filed in court and the court entered consent judgement in favour of the claimant.

Investigation further revealed that instead of complying with the judgement and pay the money, the state government on August 28, 2015, filed a motion in court praying it to set aside the consent judgement because it was fraudulently filed.

Source:-http://www.punchng.com/court-orders-benue-pay-n989m-sacked-workers/

WARRI—MEMBERS of Niger Delta Avengers, largely an Ijaw militant group, which admitted bombing oil and gas installations in Delta State, recently, have gone underground following a massive manhunt for them by the Army, Navy and other security agencies.

President Muhammadu Buhari had recently given a marching order to the military to crush the group.

The group, which had boasted, May 5, in a statement by its spokesperson, Madoch Agbinibo, that it was on ground and neither the Federal Government nor ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, could stop it from crippling the nation’s economy, was reported to have tactically retreated to fight another day.

A source told Vanguard: “People say the headquarters of Niger Delta Avengers is in Delta State. I do not think so, but I know that they have their network of information gathering and are conscious of the directive by President Buhari to security agencies to crush the militant group.”

Incommunicado

The unrepentant group, whose strike teams blew up Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC and Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, facilities, last week, has also not responded to mail inquiries by our reporters since Sunday.

The group’s other channels of communication have also been shut down, an indication that it has temporarily gone out of circulation.

Security agencies, groups deepen efforts

Vanguard, however, learned that security operatives, who are collaborating with some Niger Delta groups, had obtained information on the identities of some members of the group and would likely pick some of their family members to force them out of hiding.

The Niger Delta Riverine Security (Coast Guard of the Federation) headed by Commander Bibi Oduku, is one of such groups working closely with relevant security agencies to bring members of Niger Delta Avengers to face the full wrath of the law.

Commander Oduku told Vanguard: “Niger Delta Avengers is a criminal and devilish group, which is interested, in crippling economic activities in the Niger Delta and Nigeria. I advise Niger Delta youths not to fraternize with these criminals.”

SOURCE:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/niger-delta-avengers-goes-underground/

Call it mere ‘infatuation’ or “social media madness”, you may not be wrong. But the truth is that American rapper, Curtis James Jackson a.k.a 50 Cent has been caught crushing openly on the charming Nigerian songstress, Ada Jane Okwori popularly known as Imelda J.

The New York-based rapper cum businessman publicly confessed his love for the Nigerian Afro pop star on his Instagram page when he responded to her comment on his page to the consternation of his ten million followers. “I love you back @imeldajmusic”, 50 Cent said with ecstasy.

Basking in the euphoria of new found love, Imelda J in return posted on her Instagram and Facebook pages that she admires the American rapper a lot.

“People, @50 Cent just made my day. I’m blushing right now. He is a legend with a large heart. He is so humble and talented. That’s why I will respect him for life. I admire him a lot. Plenty kisses up in the air for you. You are very humble”, Imelda J screamed.

Before now, the award-winning singer is said to have made some incredible appeal to the American rapper to revisit the country again, after he was in Nigeria for the first time during the Star Mega Jam in 2004. Apparently, many fans have expressed fears that this latest crush on 50 Cent, may pose a serious threat to the smooth feelings that have been angling between Imelda J and Koko master, D’banj.

The Benue State- born singer who just released her new single, ‘OwoYato’ ft Small Doctor has always had a crush on D’banj. At one time, she was captured through the paparazzi’s lens as the ‘Lady in Red’ at D’banj birthday party in Abuja recently.

With 50 Cent already falling heels over in love with her, it goes to ask if Imelda J still has any soft spot in her heart for our Koko Master? We won’t be surprised if 50 Cent flies into the country any time soon to ask for Imelda J’s hands in marriage. Who knows!

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/50-cent-dbanj-imelda-js-love/

The Federal Government has finally removed subsidy from sale of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol with immediate effect.

NNPC sources this afternoon said marketers are now free to bring in cargoes and sell, subject to meeting standard quality control.

It however added that a benchmark of N145 per liter, as a recommended pump price, at which any trader, irrespective of the source of foreign exchange used to import cargo is guaranteed adequate profit.

Details later…

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/breaking-fg-removes-subsidy-petrol-to-sell-for-145ltr/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is set to arraign a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Dikko Umar (Retd.), for allegedly diverting over N13.5bn during his time as the head of the Nigerian Air Force.

It was learnt that the commission would arraign Umar before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday (today).

A former Director of Finance and Accounts at the NAF, Air Commodore Salisu Yushau (Retd.), had revealed before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that some past NAF chiefs diverted N558.2m monthly from funds meant for the payment of salaries of NAF officials.

He told the court that the system was in place when he served under former Air chief, M. D. Umar, from 2010 to October 2012.

Umar headed the air force from September 9, 2010 to October 4, 2012. Calculations by our correspondent showed that N13,528,600,000 was the total sum allegedly diverted for the 23 months he served.

It was also learnt that the EFCC would arraign Umar for his alleged role in the $2.1bn arms scam.

Umar, his successor, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (Retd.); and Badeh’s successor, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (Retd.), are under investigation by the EFCC for allegedly diverting millions of dollars.

The investigations centered on how 10 contracts, totalling $930,500,690.00, were awarded; the payment of N4,402,687,569.41 for an unexecuted contracts; the procurement of two used Mi-24V helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at $136,944,000.00; four used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at US$7,180,000.00 funded by ONSA and the cannibalization of engines from NAF fleet to justify procurement of jets.

Other areas of investigation included the excessive pricing of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar at $33m instead of $6m per one; the strange transfer of $2m to Mono Marine Corporation Nigeria Limited owned by some air force officers; the N15bn lavished on the maintenance of its Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters; the N2.5bn contracts awarded to Syrius Technologies (Ukrainian company) not registered in Nigeria and the award of seven contracts worth N599,118,000.00 contracts to Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria in which only two were delivered.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has obtained a remand order to keep a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, in custody for the next two weeks.

The remand order is, however, renewable after 14 days depending on the outcome of investigations.

Fani-Kayode is being investigated by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N840m when he was the Director of Publicity for the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation in 2015.

The money, which Fani-Kayode confessed to receiving, was said to have emanated from the account of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The commission had recently frozen the ex-minister’s Zenith Bank account with number 1004735721 domiciled at Maitama, Abuja.

Fani-Kayode had told our correspondent that the PDP leadership gave him the impression that the money was sourced from private individuals.

He said, “I served as the director of publicity of the Jonathan campaign organization and I was told to set up an account for the directorate, which I did. I never received money from the CBN but like all the other directors, we received money from the director of finance.”

However, a detective told our correspondent that the EFCC was working on the assumption that the ex-minister might have received more than N840m.

The source said, “Besides the N840m that Fani-Kayode admitted to receiving, we believe he got more. Thanks to BVN (Bank Verification Number), we can trace all other accounts that he has. We will trace the transaction history and see how much he truly received and how much was from the public funds.

“There are other petitions against the former minister and he will be grilled. In the coming days, we will reveal the outcome of investigations.”

When asked if the investigation of the former minister was a witch-hunt as alleged, the detective said such excuses were not tenable in court.

He recalled that Fani-Kayode was arraigned in court for several offences between 2008 and 2015, noting that this was under the PDP administrations.

“The issue of a witch-hunt does not apply here. Fani-Kayode faced a criminal trial under (late President Umaru) Yar’Adua and (former President Goodluck) Jonathan. Did it mean they also hated him?” the detective said.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that the commission might seize some of the ex-minister’s properties as investigations continue.

“Section 29 permits the assets of a person arrested under Section 28 to be seized by the state. The Recovery of Public Property Special Provisions Act Cap R42004 Laws of the Federation also empowers the EFCC to seize assets,” the source added.

Meanwhile, the EFCC on Tuesday, also invited and quizzed an Executive Director of First Bank Limited, Mr. Dauda Lawal.

He was said to have been invited to the anti-graft office in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was allegedly quizzed in connection with the funds collected by the bank from the immediate past Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

A source in the bank confirmed the invitation of Lawal by the commission but described it as “routine”.

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/n13-5bn-alleged-fraud-efcc-arraign-another-ex-air-force-chief-umar/

LAGOS — FORMER Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd), yesterday berated those agitating for the sovereign state of Biafra, reminding them of the unifying role the late first President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, played during the civil war, despite hailing from the secessionist side.

He particularly fumed that the youths, who are in the vanguard of the clamour, are ignorant of Nigeria’s history, noting that Igbo youths at the end of the civil war prayed never to experience the kind of suffering occasioned by the war.

Gowon, who said this in the light of the agitation by the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, noted that what Nigeria needed now is the right political perspective and not self-determination sentiments.

The former leader said these in Lagos at the public presentation of a book entitled: Zik: Testimonies To A Great African, which was edited by Mr. Henry Onukwuba to mark the 20th anniversary of the demise of the late first President of Nigeria, Dr Azikiwe.

At the event which was attended by Senate President; Senator Ike Ekweremadu, represented by Dr. Okorie Uchenna; Lagos State governor, represented by Alhaji Abdulhakeem; First Republic politician, Mazi Mbazulike Amaechi; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; Prof Pat Utomi and Dr. Augustine Obiora, among others, Gowon said Nigeria needs leaders, who would priortize the country’s unity like Azikiwe.

How Zik worked to preserve Nigeria’s unity, Gowon in his capacity as chairman of the event, also explained how the late President, who was the Owelle of Onitsha, passionately worked to preserve Nigeria’s unity during the Biafran secession, irrespective of the fact that he (Zik) was instrumental to the diplomatic recognition of the then Biafran Republic by some countries.

Speakers at the event were also unanimous in their calls on the need to place Nigeria’s unity above personal interests, as Azikiwe did.

Gowon said: “I am particularly touched by the reason the author of the book wrote it at this point of our national history. Now that the revised edition of the book is being presented at a time our youths seem to have forgotten our recent history and the labour of our heroes past, this, for me, is commendable.

“I think the point that he is making here is seen as the recent hype of the pro-Biafran spirit. I remember visiting the East Central State at the time, from Enugu, Nsukka, Owerri, Umuahia, Abakaliki and then to Onitsha and being met by children at that time who welcomed us so sincerely and they addressed me to say you are our leaders, we pray that no Nigerian child should one day suffer what they went through during that civil war.

“Such call should make any Nigerian leader to provide for their children and make them loyal to their country. That touched me so dearly to think of the suffering that these children went through. What can I say to them? I am sorry for the things that they went through. It is not by design that these things happened and so, I want to assure you that we will do our best for the future.

Nigerians never learned from history “Unfortunately, it seems as if we Nigerians never learned from history. How many children suffer today throughout the country? Honestly, something has to be done by Nigerians and I think that is one of the reasons this call by these young people trying to say they want to fight again should be discouraged.

“Do they realize what it takes? If I have anything to do with Nigeria, as I have said, I will implore all of you to really bring peace to bear by correcting the young people if they are going astray. At this time, therefore, I think the youths seem to have forgotten our chequered history and labour of our heroes past.

“I can assure you that anything that has to do with Zik, is something that all of us must join hands and celebrate. Celebrating involves his life-time and his service to Nigeria.

“Nnamdi Azikiwe was one of Nigeria’s greatest statesmen and a true son of Africa. Today’s event can, therefore, very well be described as the extension of the unending celebration of a great man.”

In his remarks, the author of the book, Mr. Henry Onukwuba, said: “Today, 20 years after, I wonder how Zik will be feeling in his grave. I wonder if Zik will not feel betrayed and abandoned by a nation he gave so much to.”

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/gowon-pro-biafran-agitators-youre-ignorant-history-emulate-zik/

I MAKE this submission because the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, is trying to railroad the government of President Muhammed Buhari into a major policy blunder that could set Nigeria back by many decades!

It all has to do with some frightening developments on the whopping $5.2 billion (N1.04 trillion) fine that NCC slammed on Nigeria’s telecoms operator, MTN, in October 2015, for failing to deactivate about five million unregistered subscribers on its network. The trend of events since then has become quite alarming!

They All Sinned

Before visiting NCC’s performance on this matter, which is inflicting a worsening damage on the nation, let us clear the air! If there was a “grave” sin (such as any security implications of the long years of non-compliance) then MTN was not the only sinner! All the operators would have been guilty! According to reports, NCC originally gave the operators a deadline of June 2013, to deactivate ALL their unregistered subscribers; but as at September 2014 (over one year after the deadline) NONE of them had complied. But instead of being decisive, NCC continued to extend the deadline – to October 2014, to July 2015, to August 11, 2015, and so on. Reports also suggest that even after the August deadline, NCC continued to hold discussions with ALL the network operators, about compliance.

Indeed, the greatest guilt could go to NCC, for being rather casual in enforcing the deactivation. As a good regulator, NCC should have known that the operators would naturally delay the deactivation for as long as they could get away with it, because deactivation would cost them the revenues from those subscribers. The appropriate regulatory response was to ensure that no operator profited from non-compliance. If for example, 20% of an operator’s subscribers were unregistered, and NCC simply imposed a 20% fine on the operator’s total revenue, with a progressively increasing percentage penalty as the non-compliance continued, it would have triggered a rush by the operators to comply! But NCC seemed not to be decisive, which would have encouraged the laxity of the operators!

Regulatory Arbitrariness

More seriously, NCC has projected Nigeria as a nation of regulatory arbitrariness! How on earth did it arrive at the titanic rate of N200,000 (or $1,000) for every unregistered subscriber that was not deactivated? If according to reports, the average revenue per Nigerian subscriber is only $5, what impression are we creating to the global investing public with such a draconian arbitrariness? Was NCC effectively saying to the operators, “You have already invested, there is nothing you can do now”?

What has particularly baffled the global community is that NCC should have, as a responsible regulator, considered the implication of a humongous $5.2 billion fine on MTN! If the fine exceeded MTN’s net asset value of about US$900 million, it was effectively making the company technically insolvent – for an offence that should even have been handled routinely! The global community can’t help being perplexed about the regulator’s goal! To kill MTN? As Nigeria’s Mohammed Haruna pointed out, “Penalties are meaningful and sensible only if they serve as deterrence to the culprit and to others. They are useless, or worse still, they amount to cutting one’s nose to spite one’s face, if they serve only to kill the culprit and risk discouraging investors at home and abroad from betting on Nigeria’s future.” Besides, there was no precedence for such a whopping fine in Nigeria’s telecoms history, which prompted Simon Kolawole of Thisday to ponder: “If poor service quality to 120 million subscribers attracts a fine of N5m, failure to disconnect five million subscribers should not attract N1.04trillion”! A good regulator is predictable, not erratic. Regulatory arbitrariness is the worst thing global investors want to face!

Again, look at how we went about granting discounts to MTN on the fine. First, NCC announced a 35% reduction. Even before analysts could figure out how it arrived at 35%, it reversed itself, and changed the discount to 25%! To a perplexed global community, it was all just like playing God to a defenseless foreign investor!

Enormous International Damage

All these have been disastrous to our nation’s investment prospects! From the highly influential Forbes we have got “a huge red flag”! For David Lerche of Avior Capital Markets, “The incident has brought to light the high level of risk when doing business in Africa”. Forbes, still in another piece: “a state-sanctioned mugging … almost 40 times larger than the next-biggest fine imposed anywhere in the world on a telecoms operator”!

Bank of America Merrill Lynch: “… government is under pressure to fill the revenue gap from lower oil prices by any means necessary; this outsize fine represents 20% of forecast expenditure and over 60% of forecast revenues … this year.” Mark Bohlund, of London’s Bloomberg Intelligence: “it reinforces the impression that the Buhari administration does not have the political clout to cut back spending nor any creative ideas to take the country forward and stimulate other sectors of the economy”. Pete Guest: “it has added volume to an already noisy chorus of negative views on the country”! Who then can now come to invest? Is NCC not killing Nigeria?

Worsening all these are reports suggesting that NCC might have even decoyed MTN into defaulting. For example, if NCC continued to hold discussions on compliance with ALL the operators almost right until its hammer fell on MTN, when then exactly did the other operators (Glo, Etisalat and Airtell) achieve full compliance that saved them from attracting any fines whatsoever! By how many days did they beat MTN to compliance, to justify such a whopping fine on MTN alone, without any fine whatsoever on any of them? Again by not responsibly clearing all such insinuations, NCC has created the impression of playing God!

Playing God

Indeed, worsening this worldwide bafflement has been NCC’s arrogant silence, as if Nigeria owes nobody any explanations for what it does to foreign investors! What on earth has NCC been waiting for, before explaining to a bewildered global investing public, the logic behind its N200,000 rate, 35% discount, the change to 25% discount, and its real goal? Even if NCC realises that what it has done is an indefensible global embarrassment, its loud silence has had the effect of flaunting just how defenseless foreign investors can be in our country – which is further flamed by screaming headlines such as “Reps Want MTN Fine Doubled To $10 billion”, “Governors Insist MTN Must Pay $5b Fine”, and so on!

But perhaps the greatest harm of all was our national reaction to MTN’s decision to go to court. One of the most important essentials of foreign investors is the protection of their investments in a country. They want to know that they will be able to enforce their rights. But when MTN decided to go to court, perhaps to challenge the unreasonableness of the fine, we seemed to have unleashed state institutions on the hapless firm, which perhaps caused MTN to hurriedly withdraw the case! According to the respected Segun Adeniyi of Thisday, who seemed to write with inside knowledge of the thinking at NCC “Now that the company has decided to go to court after admitting its guilt in writing to the presidency … I have it on good authority that so many other things have come up about MTN operations in Nigeria and the manner in which the company might actually have been breaking our laws, especially on remittances and taxation. These are issues that the relevant authorities are now looking into since the company wants to fight. But far more significant is that the South African authorities may need to wade in before MTN commits suicide in Nigeria…I hope the authorities at MTN, especially the top Nigerian shareholders, are aware of the implications of what they are doing.” Incredible! Is NCC making Nigeria a nation where it is “suicidal” for foreign investors to seek judicial protection? Segun’s warning is all over the internet, and investors worldwide are perusing it (over and over) up to this moment! What damage!

How can President Buhari be pushing so hard, criss-crossing the globe for foreign investors, while an agency of his government appears at the same time to be telling the investors that the worst of fate awaits them if they come? If NCC single-handedly extinguishes the nation’s investment prospects, what are its plans for the millions of Nigerian youths, who are very angry because there are no jobs – as well as the hundreds of thousands more that are graduating every year to join them?

Our urgent national interests demand that the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and even Mr President himself promptly step in and halt the mounting damage, before it becomes irremediable!

Finally, let me emphasis that I have no relationship whatsoever with MTN, nor with anybody representing them. I am simply alarmed by what appears as our spiraling catalogue of regulatory blunders.

Mr. Gabriel Zowam , a reform & governance expert, wrote from zowam@yahoo.com

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/nigeria-mtn-bungled-regulation/

The incident occurred in 2005, few days after the immediate past Alake of Egbaland, Oba Oyebade Lipede, joined his ancestors, according to the father of a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, Chief Alani Bankole, at a launch of his book, titled, ‘ Alake of Egbaland:The Succession Dynamics’.

Alake Gbadebo flanked by a former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba , business mogul, Chief Tunde Abudu, and Chief Alani Bankole at the launch of the book on Egba monarchs.

Bankole, the Seriki Jagunmolu of Egbaland and Oluwo of Iporo Sodeke /Iporo Ake, claimed to have witnessed one of the most heart-breaking violations of tradition during the performance of the traditional rites for the Lipede, the 9th Alake of Egbaland, when the location of the remains of the late Oba got enmeshed in controversy.

“In the days of old, nobody would dare make such move”, he said.

Lipede ascended the throne in 1972 following the transition of Oba Adesina Samuel Gbadebo on October 26,1971.

He died on February 3, 2005 after spending 33 years on the throne, aged 90 years.

While revealing how the corpse of Lipede went missing shortly before burial rites, Bankole said the transition of the monarch did not go without some drama. Indeed,there was a tussle between the kingmakers and the family of the late monarch, particularly the youngest Olori who was alleged to have taken the remains of the Oba away to the traditional ruler’s private residence in the Government Reserved Area, Ibara, Abeokuta.

“Traditionally, as soon as an Oba joins his ancestors, his family ceases to have control. So, the Olori or family, does not have the authority to go near his remains, let alone take them away. The impasse was resolved when the kingmakers found the Oba’s remains in one of the rooms in the palace, but that was not without a thorough search”, the Egba chief stated .

“If such thing occured, I would not blame the Olori or whoever was involved in such abomination because, as it is popularly said, if you give a hoe to a mad person, he will till the soil to his side. I think that, we, kingmakers, should take full responsibility for all the drama that happened.

“I make this statement on the grounds that we should have been more proactive in our responsibilities. Ideally, the moment we begin to sense that the health of an Alake is deteriorating, all the occupants of the palace are supposed to be sent packing and the palace taken over by the ‘Omo-Iya-Marun’.

“Perhaps, I should state here that the palace does not belong to the Alake because it is actually owned by the entire sons and daughters of Egbaland and kept under the care of the ‘Omo-Iya-Marun’.

“Aside the fact that we did not act according to the dictates of our culture and tradition, most of us arrived the palace late. So, we provided the grounds for those traditionally ignorant individuals to violate the tradition or, mildly put, make attempt to do the unexpected. In the process of searching for the remains of the Oba, we were shuttling between the palace and the Government House for consultation because the Alake is not an ordinary Oba”.

However, while speaking on the intrigues that greeted the selection of the incumbent Alake, Oba Gbadebo, the kingmaker claimed that government had wanted another person to ascend the throne.

Bankole said government wanted a younger brother of the incumbent as the new Alake.

“Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo became the Alake not with my effort alone. During the struggle, one of the contestants came to my house and told me that I was the only one blocking him and that everyone had agreed except Sarafa Ishola and the deputy governor.

“On the eve of the election, I got an anonymous telephone call during which the caller told me that government had decided to either scuttle what we wanted to do or make sure somebody else was chosen”, Bankole said.

“I reported to Sarafa Ishola who called the then Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs who confirmed to him that they were taking some steps to install another person, but I told them none of them was from Egba and that they should leave the Egba sons to handle their affairs.

“On the first day we wanted to do the election, the then governor was outside the country; Ishola ran to us in the palace around 12 midnight and said he had come to plead with us that the governor wasn’t around and wouldn’t want us to run into collision with government, and we listened to him.

“The truth was that the governor wanted somebody else and he didn’t hide it. After the election, the governor phoned me around 12 midnight accusing me of announcing the result of the election; and I told him I only announced the result of the election and not the choice of Alake and that he had the audacity to disagree or allow it.

“He went ahead to write it in one of his books that the present Alake was not as popular as Adeleke, but most of you here are witnesses to what happened when the new Alake was announced; I have never seen such a tremendous support for the Alake”.

He also revealed how he scuttled the plan by the then administration to announce the Alake-elect within seven days as against the provision of law which stipulated 14 days within which petitions are entertained. According to him, the decision of the then administration was to create a lacuna and good ground for other interested parties to fault the selection of the Alake-elect.It would be recalled that Oba Gbadebo continued to accuse the former governor of plans to remove him.

In his remarks, the Alake acknowledged the role Bankole played during the interregnum, saying he as a king maker, refused to collect a dime from him when he was seeking the throne.

“More importantly, when you are going to be an Alake, you give free traditional gifts to all other chiefs, it is free, you are not compelled the same way you were given when you were being elected or before the election of all kingmakers. The only one that declined anything from me throughout the six months, it was exactly six months after the death of Oba Lipede, that election was 3rd of August.

Oba Lipede died on 3rd of February, so for the six months,Chief Alani Bankole told everybody else ‘I have collected my own , so go and take your own’, but, he never took any penny from me. For that singular reason today, I should show my love to him”, Oba Gbadebo stated.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/oba-lipedes-missingcorpse-sparked-trouble-abeokutas-palace-chief-alani-bankole/

Nollywood bad boy, Jim Iyke is one hunk of a man who hardly go into hiding no matter the situation he finds himself. But in recent times, the actor may have yielded to pressure from all quarters and decided to withdraw into his shell to re-brand and shame his haters. In fact, since he came into limelight in 2001, featuring in over 200 films, Jim Iyke has always been in the news either for the right or wrong reasons.

The last that was heard of him was when he featured in actress Josselyn Dumas’ programme on Africa Magic last year. During the programme, the controversial actor gave the number of women he has kissed on set as 200, and went ahead to explain why he started his reality show, “Jim Iyke Unscripted” featuring himself and his ex-girlfriend and now, mother of twins, Nadia Buhari. Jim’s name is synonymous with controversy, and that’s one attribute his fans are missing about him. Recall that last year , before he finally disappeared into thin air, a PR Manager, simply known as Baudex, accused Jim Iyke of not paying for the services he rendered to the actor.

The said Baudex who claimed to be the actor’s social media PR Manager, alleged that the actor owed him some amount of money which he has refused to pay since last year, stating that the actor decided to block him on his social media applications because he had been calling him to ask for the balance of his money.

The allegation was one of the many controversies that have trailed Jim Iyke’s acting career. It has equally endeared him to many admirers. Then, it was one trouble or the other. But the one that hit him most was the case of the daughter of a Lagos-based business man who claimed that Jim Iyke impregnated her.

Her pregnancy became a subject of controversy, even after the father made the lady confess who was responsible for the pregnancy, she still claimed she had been having a secret affair with Jim Iyke. But despite all the controversies, Jim Iyke was still respected and admired by many as one of the most sought after actors in Nollywood. It’s unfortunate that in recent times, he has gone underground to have his peace.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/missing-jim-iyke-controversies/

THE Southern Nigeria People’s Assembly, SNPA, said yesterday that the proposed Grazing Reserve Bill before the National Assembly is not only anachronistic and antiquated, but also an unfortunate elevation of what ought to be private commercial ventures into a national or government business.

The group in a statement by the leaders from the three South geo-political zones, which included former Vice President Alex Ekwueme (represented by former Anambra State Governor Chukuwuemeka Ezeife); Ijaw National leader, Chief Edwin Clark (represented by Senator Roland Owie); and Senator Femi Okorounmu who stood in for Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi decried the raping and killing of innocent Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen.

Lamenting the recent killings in Enugu State, Benue State and other parts of the country by the herdsmen, they said that the grazing bill portends danger to the nation. They added it will institute a source of permanent conflict in the land especially the federal structure of the country and the 1999 Constitution which vest power to hold land on the 36 states of the country and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“The President should deal decisively with the issue of Fulani herdsmen in the manner government is dealing with the insurgency problem”, the leaders said, stating that “if unchecked it has the capacity to snowball into another Boko Haram. Consequently, he should set up a Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate all Fulani herdsmen attacks between May 2015 till date and all those found to be directly or remotely involved in those attacks should be arrested and brought to book.”

The Southern leaders in the statement which was issued yesterday at the end of a three day meeting in Asaba, also said that the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to begin the implementation of the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference was objectionable.

According to them, the resolutions if implemented may help in resolving many political, socio-economic and security challenges of the country.

Calling on Nigerians to support Buhari in his anti-corruption drive, war on insurgency and his effort at reviving ailing industries, the Southern leaders however urged him to respect the rule of law, the protection of citizens’ fundamental human rights and the pronouncements of the courts.

They advised that the war on corruption should neither be vindictive nor selective, adding that selective justice amounts to injustice. They also called for the immediate release of all Nigerians who were granted bail by the courts and have subsequently met their bail conditions but are still being detained.

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/herdsmen-southern-leaders-fault-grazing-bill/

A perimeter fence belonging to a petrol station along Murtala Muhammed Way in Benin, Edo State, has killed a construction worker after it collapsed on him and four others.

The victim identified as Moses Okhakhon and four others attached to a private construction firm were said to be working on a drainage when the incident occurred on Thursday.

It was learnt that the drainage was being constructed as a link between Second East Circular road and Third East Circular road.

However, the incident has halted ongoing construction of the Second East Circular road.

According to eyewitnesses, it took over 30 minutes to dig out the remains of the victim from the rubble.

But the four survivors, it was gathered, escaped death by the whisker, as they were not completely covered by mud when the fence caved in.

One of the eyewitnesses, who identified himself as Friday Omosheri, said that the workers had noticed a warning sign that the collapse would occur.

He also said that the workers were afraid of working on the drainage under the fence, but were ordered back to work by one of the site engineers.

He said, “The workers were working on the site when the fence came down. They saw some signs and they said the fence would fall.

“The other engineer said those who did not want to work should go home. Others were rescued and rushed to the hospital but Moses could not be rescued. They searched for him for more than 30 minutes.”

The brother of the victim, identified as Francis, described the death of his brother as shocking.

He said, “I was shocked to receive the news of my brother’s death. I never expected that he would die under a trap.

“I drove here after I heard about it. I will go and see him in the mortuary. How can they send somebody to work under a trap? We are only two surviving siblings and now I am the only person remaining now.”

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/one-killed-fence-collapses-construction-workers/

Senator Chris Anyanwu yesterday said that though she was one of two persons appointed to oversight President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign in Imo State but that she was completely sidelined in the disbursement of the funds earmarked for the campaign.

Senator Anyanwu in a statement made available to Saturday Vanguard confirmed being invited to the Enugu offices of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC where she said she deposed her innocence of any financial dealings during the campaign.

In a statement issued by her media aide, Everest Ezihe, she said:

“For the record, Senator Anyanwu was neither a party official nor the Presidential campaign coordinator for Imo State and therefore was in no position to collect or distribute funds for and on behalf of the party or indeed the candidate.

“Consequently, let it be stated without ambiguity that Senator Chris Anyanwu did not witness the collection of any money belonging to the PDP for the purpose of prosecuting the 2015 Presidential Elections in Imo State and therefore could not have been involved in its distribution in any form, directly or indirectly.

“Senator Anyanwu visited the EFCC offices in Enugu and made this position clear to the officials and was allowed to go home.

“It is true that Senator Anyanwu was at some point nominated as one of two “persons of integrity” to oversight certain aspects of the activities of the Presidential Campaign Team in Imo State but she was never given the opportunity to play this role. Consequently, she was completely sidelined and shielded from all financial transactions and discussions.

“Senator Chris Anyanwu did not collect any money for the 2015 elections from any bank and she did not witness the collection of any money by anybody from such a bank.

“It is not beyond the investigative skills of the EFCC to track the alleged disbursements in order to arrive at the truth about who collected what, where, when and how.

“She will also be happy to assist the EFCC with whatever information at her disposal to help the process of getting to the truth about campaign funding for Imo State.”

Source:- http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/sidelined-disbursement-campaign-funds-chris-anyanwu/

Another attack by suspected militants in the Niger Delta on two pipelines conveying crude oil and gas are threatening the operations of two of the nation’s refineries and power plants.

The attack comes a day after Chevron’s Okan offshore production platform around Escravos in Warri, Delta State was blown up, a development that led to the shutdown of the facility by the oil major.

On Thursday night, a pipeline transporting crude oil to Warri and Kaduna and a 16-inch gas line, owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, were blown up.

A group known as Niger Delta Avengers has claimed responsibility for the explosion.

It said in a statement on its website, “To keep to our promise, the three days ultimatum given to Chief Government Ekpemupolo has elapsed and he failed to apologise to the Niger Delta Avengers, at 10:00 pm Thursday, May 5, 2016, our strike team 4 hit the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation crude and gas lines.

“The crude line feeds the Warri and Kaduna refineries respectively, while the gas line feeds the Lagos and Abuja electricity power supply. With this development the Warri and Kaduna refineries will be shut down and all cities that depend on the gas line for power will all be in total darkness like the creeks of the Niger Delta.”

Confirming the development on Friday, an NNPC source told one of our correspondents that the crude pipeline runs from the Escravos terminal to the Warri refinery, from where a pipeline supplies crude oil to the Kaduna refinery.

He said, “The 16-inch pipeline comes from Chevron’s Escravos gas plant. There are two pipelines that come from Escravos and one (Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System) ends up in Lagos. That pipeline has two parts. There is a main part, which was bombed in January, while there is a 16-inch loop. When the big one was bombed in January, Chevron switched to that loop, which is smaller. Now, they have blown that loop also, meaning Chevron has to shut down because they can’t send their gas and even condensates.

“Almost all the gas plants in the country would be affected, except Utorogu and Ughelli gas plants operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, an NNPC subsidiary. So, almost all the power plants in the country will depend on those two gas plants now.”

The source stated that the damage to the Chevron’s Okan offshore platform on Wednesday night had already cut supply of associated gas from the Okan field.

Meanwhile, electricity generation from the nation’s biggest power station has plunged to 220 megawatts, compared to 1,085MW on March 15, 2016.

Generation from the national grid dropped to 3,183.9MW as of 6.00 am on Thursday, May 5, with Egbin installed capacity put at 660MW, according to industry data obtained by one of our correspondents on Friday.

The Egbin Power Plant, which is situated in Lagos, has the capacity to contribute about 1,320MW to the national grid. Output from the plant stood at 220MW on Thursday.

Its unit ST1 was said to have tripped on generator CB trouble, while ST2 tripped on undisclosed fault.

Source:- http://www.punchng.com/militants-blow-pipelines-linking-warri-kaduna-refineries/

ABA—What would have been a major ethnic clash was averted yesterday in Aba, Abia State following protests over alleged killings of two Igbo butchers at the Waterside abattoir by soldiers.

Vanguard gathered that penultimate week, an unnamed soldier in mufti, reportedly went to the abattoir to smoke Indian hemp after which he refused to pay, claiming he was a soldier.

The situation led to a fracas with some boys in the area, who insisted he must pay, without knowing that the man was a soldier.

The said soldier reportedly came to the abattoir yesterday with four of his colleagues in a Hilux patrol van and started shooting indiscriminately.

There was commotion in the area as butchers and those who came to buy meat scampered to safety and when the shooting died down, a pig rearer, identified as Ojukwu, was found dead.

It was gathered that when some of the butchers, who saw what happened, sought to know from the soldiers what led to their action, that the trigger happy soldiers shot and killed another butcher.

The soldiers reportedly beat four others to pulp and forced them into their van and drove off to an unknown destination.

Their action angered the butchers as they were joined by other people in a protest that spread to all parts of the city.

Attempt by the protesters to dump one the dead bodies they took round the town in a wheel barrow at one of the military posts in the city was aborted by soldiers in full battle gear at the Ogbor Hill waterside bridge.

The protest which began at about 12.00noon later took an ethnic colouration, as the protesters marched towards the Mosque and the Hausa settlement on Hospital Road, but were quickly dispersed by soldiers who kept watch over the places.

As at the time of filing this report, some Hausas in the city had to take refuge at the Aba Police Area command.

When contacted, Commanding Officer, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General Lawrence Fejokwu, said investigations are ongoing to unravel the cause of the incident.

Source:-http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/protest-aba-soldiers-allegedly-kill-two-butchers/