Soldiers who opened fire on three policemen in Taraba state were ordered by a captain, New Telegraph quoted sources as saying.

The officer is believed to be part of those benefiting from the largesse of Hamisu Wadume, the suspected kidnap kingpin whom the police officers had gone to arrest.

A source was quoted as saying the wanted kidnap suspect, who has been generous to soldiers in Ibi, paid a ransom of N1.5 million when one of the soldiers was kidnapped few months ago.

While the police had accused the army of killing their men and freeing Wadume, the army said soldiers mistook the policemen, who were on a covert operation, for kidnappers.

Since the incident happened, the police and army have had exchanges, with police asking the army for the whereabouts of the kingpin who had already been arrested before the soldiers struck.

According to the army, the officers, who were members of the police’s intelligence response team (IRT), were shot over refusal to stop at checkpoints mounted by the soldiers.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/08/11/report-army-captain-ordered-the-rescue-of-taraba-kidnap-kingpin-from-police/

I have done several threads on the dysfunctional state of our security architecture in Nigeria. 21 Agencies & Ministries managing security matters is too many chefs in d kitchen. They compete rather than cooperate. It is Silo entrenched.

Due to the greater insecurity; many VIPs now employ Soldiers and SSS officers as personal guards because many no longer trust the competence of the police. Hence clashes between soldiers guarding these VIPs and other security agencies is now common.

Sources in the security services are saying it seems d kidnap Kingpin arrested by the police had been paying soldiers for protection. That means their commanding officer as they will not act on their own. So he was on speed dial to the barrack. This speaks of INTER-AGENCY Rivalry.

Local police sources also complained that it’s common for units to be deployed from Abuja to operate in states without coordination or notification of local commands. The IGP now has so many units doing all manner of tasks that overlap d work of state commands; many CPs complain.

This massive expansion of these IGP units became worse under IGP Idris, who ran the force like a personal army, taking over investigations from state commands at will. So there is also an INTRA-AGENCY Rivalry within d Police itself. This killing was an incident waiting to happen.

The use of the army by the Presidency to perform policing duties has further blurred the line of responsibility & accountability. With Army deployed in over 30 states to do civil police tasks; it’s a matter of time before confusion of roles lead to disaster.

If d Army were indeed called to say there was a kidnap, why did they not just call the Police as the civil enforcement agency to act? Why did the army see it as its duty to do policing duties without informing the Police itself? The law only allows the army deployed in support of the police as and when needed. This is legally supposed to be on an ad-hoc basis; rather than a permanent deployment of the army to perform police functions at will in a democracy. This killing is therefore evidence of both Inter-agency & Intra-agency cooperation breakdown.

So what can we do to fix this mess? There are many recommendations I have proposed in my books on Policing in Nigeria; but as a summary capture, the following will be necessary quick steps in the right direction:

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/08/10/killing-of-police-officers-by-army-personnel-by-dr-charles-omole/

Lawyer and rights activist, Abdul Mahmud, popularly known as the Great Oracle has condemned the killing of three police on duty by personnel of the Nigerian Army.

Three members of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Sargent Usman Danzuma, Inspector Mark Ediale, Sargent Dahiru Musa, were gun down at close range by soldiers of the Nigerian Army when transporting an arrested Kidnap Kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume.

Mahmud in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle, also faulted the operational strategies of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

He said, "I empathize with the Nigerian Police over the killing of its officers by soldiers. Gruesome as the killing is, it raises many salient questions over-policing and law enforcement, combat engagement, human rights, investigations, etc.”

Questions must be asked and they are legitimate questions that must elicit answers: 1) why are officers of the IGP Response Team not properly attired during operations? Why are they all always dressed like Bakassi Boys?

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/08/10/expert-raises-four-questions-over-police-officers-killed-by-soldiers/

Nigerians are now required to have a minimum of $1000 (N362000) in cash before visiting another country.

The purported new rules was made known by Olumide Babalola Esq. in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle.

Babalola disclosed that he was confronted by the men of the Nigerian Immigration Service with a document titled “General Travel Requirements” on his way out of the country with his family.

He said, “I was confronted by your men at the airport yesterday with a document titled “General Travel requirements” which mandates every Nigerian visiting another country to have a minimum of $1k as Basic Travel Allowance.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/08/10/new-rules-nigerians-must-now-have-1k-in-cash-before-visiting-another-country/

he dire state of the Security services in Nigeria in no longer sustainable. Things can only get worse unless the govt act quickly to fix the situation. The first thing the govt need to accept is that there is no purely security solution to our insecurity. There also has to be Socio-Economic measures put in place to block the pipeline of new criminality we now see in Nigeria. But to establish a coherent policy; an Emergency Security Summit (ESS) should be organised by the President as a matter of urgency.

This will bring together experts from within govt and outside of govt along with other key stake holders to design a solution to our increasing insecurity. The govt’s approach seems ad-hoc, disjointed, reactive and not Intelligence-Led. But there are plenty of other solutions.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/08/06/emergency-security-action-for-nigeria-by-charles-omole/

To achieve greatness, we have to become more responsible for our nation. It means that for Nigeria to change and fulfil her destiny the good people of Nigeria will have to take responsibility to come out in the open and smash in pieces every form of corruption & its perpetrators, & ultimately bring good government to stay in every corner of the nation. As I see it; this battle is a war against 12 Predominant Poverties that have eaten the fibre of our nation for a long time. They are as follows:

1. Poverty of IDEAS: A dictatorship Constitution brought about by a treasonable power clique which tells lies about our rights, is unfit for us. We want a new democratic Constitution.

2. Poverty of PERFORMANCE: Inability to conduct a free and fair election only allows the wrong people to lead us. We suffer when we are disabled from changing leadership fairly. Getting into office has become the main goal & not delivery for the people. Shameful.

3. Poverty of RESOURCES: Water, light, road and other Infrastructure are in bad shape! The health of our people is imperilled by lack of care of government.

REad more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/08/03/addressing-the-real-poverties-in-nigeria-by-dr-charles-omole/

Ahmad Lawan has been dutiful in his obligation of inking ‘’rubber stamp’’ on the senate. Though he had said the senate, which he leads, would not dissolve into the executive as an appendage; his actions have betrayed this gasconade.

Soon after he became senate president, Lawan assumed the ‘’volunteer role of unofficial spokesman’’ of President Buhari and saddled himself with ‘’interpreting maladies’’.

Rising to the occasion as an ‘’interpreter of inefficiencies’’ on July 10, the senate president explained away the hold-up in the president’s submission of a ministerial list, saying the list would be released that week. This was in response to a point-of-order raised by Senator Bassey Akpan. ‘’The list’’ did not happen, and he later recanted.

Also, speaking with state house correspondents on July 18, the senate president did not flinch in seizing the moment to reaffirm his loyalty to the president. He rationalised the delay in submitting the ministerial list, saying it would not affect the presentation of the 2020 budget.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/29/the-bow-and-go-senate-of-ahmad-lawan-by-fredrick-nwabufo/

A U. S. based Nigerian Academic scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi has disclosed that some Minister nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari paid up to N2.5b to get the slot.

Prof. Kperogi made this known in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle.

He said, “Ministership for Sale: Up to N2.5b Per Slot–THREAD I declined to comment on the ministerial list Buhari sent to the Senate for 2 reasons: I was deeply distraught by what I heard about the process that produced it & I wanted to confirm the info from trustworthy people who should know.”

“Four different, dependable, and independent sources who don’t know each other but who’re close to the corridors of power were eerily united in telling me that except for a few ministerial nominations (notably those of Adamu Adamu, Ali Isa Pantami, Mohammed Musa Bello, Raji Fashola whom Buhari himself personally penciled— and those that were conceded to Tinubu) every other post was literally auctioned off to the highest bidder.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/29/some-ministerial-nominees-paid-n2-5b-to-be-selected/

A U. S. based Nigerian Academic scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi has said Babagana Kingibe has been chosen by the presidential cabal as successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari second term as President will end in 2023.

Prof. Kperogi said this in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle.

He said, “Members of the cold, calculating, and conniving Buhari cabal have chosen Babagana Kingibe as Buhari’s successor. In the privacy of their conclaves, they snigger at perpetually drugged and pie-eyed Bola Tinubu who naively imagines that Buhari will hand over power to him.”


Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/21/2023-kingibe-is-cabals-choice-for-president-prof-farooq/

I once had a Domestic Violence case in which wife alleged the husband punched her with boxing gloves during a fight. She presented pictures of her battered face in court. But the Husband denied beating her & that she must have been beaten by someone else or fallen & trying to incriminate him. There is no history of DV prior to this. I believed the wife, but needed the Crown to give me the evidence to convict.

The Prosecution failed. The boxing gloves recovered from the house was misplaced by the police & No witnesses presented. So I had to let the husband go. Cases are about evidence and not morality or feral outrage.

This leads to me to the Dakolo case in Nigeria. It is possible to do the right thing in the wrong way. Both sides of the polarised Dakolo v Fatoyinbo saga are being blinded by their biases. It is the duty of the Police to investigate Both sides of any allegations. First, headline today says “Police Storm Dakolo residence”. Then the story said there were 3 officers. Can that really be said to be “Storming”? With the headline, I was expecting to read at least a dozen officers were there. Needless sensation does not build legal culpability. Secondly; folks said Fatoyinbo has not been questioned on Dokolo’s allegations. How do you know that? He could have chosen to be quiet about his own questioning.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/21/on-dakolo-vs-fatoyinbo-a-legal-perspective-by-dr-omole/

The Police on Saturday invited soul singer, Timi Dakolo and his wife, Busola, a celebrity photographer, for interrogation over alleged falsehood.

The invitation letter, which was delivered at the Lekki residence of the Dakolos around 6pm, may not be unconnected with allegation of rape by Busola against founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo.

Busola had alleged Fatoyinbo raped her at 16 in Ilorin while attending his church.

Read more: https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-police-invite-timi-busola-dakolo-over-alleged-falsehood/

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has picked holes in the statement made by the All Progressive Congress Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu immediately after paying a condolence visit to Afenifere Chairman, Pa Reuben Fasoranti home over the murder of his daughter, Olufunke Olakunri by suspected Fulani Herdsmen.

The APC leader had rubbished reports linking herdsmen to the murder of Olufunke Olakunri, the daughter of Afenifere Chairman, Reuben Fasoranti.

He said, “How many years ago have we faced insecurity in this country and cases of kidnapping? Is Evans who was arrested, and his disclosure, then a herdsman? I don’t want to be political. The question is where are the cows?

“I am a nationalist and the security concerns and challenges right now must be faced squarely throughout Nigeria. The incident that affected one member of our family, Mrs Olakunri, is saddening and unacceptable but nobody can return her alive, she has answered the call of her creator.

“We must not use this incident to divide ourselves but we must use it as a cure to the security problem by providing additional police and patrol.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/14/olakunris-murder-tinubu-went-to-pa-faronsati-house-to-mock-him-fani-kayode/

Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Russia and 34 other states have written to the United Nations supporting China’s policies in its western region of Xinjiang, in contrast to strong Western criticism.

China has been accused of detaining a million Muslims and persecuting ethnic Uyghurs in Xinjiang, and 22 ambassadors signed a letter to the UN Human Rights Council this week criticising its policies.

Countries including Australia, Britain, Germany and Japan called upon China to “refrain from the arbitrary detention and restrictions on freedom of movement of Uyghurs, and other Muslim and minority communities in Xinjiang”.

But in a show of China’s growing diplomatic clout, an opposing letter accused the West of “politicising human rights” and commended what it called China’s “remarkable achievements” in human rights.

In addition to Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Russia, the pro-China letter was signed by ambassadors from North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Belarus, Myanmar, the Philippines, Syria, Pakistan, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

“Faced with the grave challenge of terrorism and extremism, China has undertaken a series of counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation measures in Xinjiang, including setting up vocational education and training centres,” it said.

The letter said security had returned to Xinjiang and the fundamental human rights of people of all ethnic groups there had been safeguarded.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/13/nigeria-russia-saudi-arabia-supporting-chinas-inhuman-treatment-of-uyghur-muslims-in-xinjiang/

I have searched without any luck for an exact location and precise date in every news report on the jeweleries and customized gold iphone allegedly belonging to former minister of petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke sought to be forfeited to the Federal Government.That will answer a lot of questions.Going by the Buhari administration’s reluctance to extradite her to face charges and the failure of the UK government to also do so after it had promised,the Diezani situation is one that needs to be observed very closely.Without a date those items were recovered and a precise location,then those jeweleries could have been planted by none other than Diezani herself in conjuction with the authorities.

A specific date and location would have answered questions as to the time government had those items in its possession and whether it was from a house it had already cordoned off at that time or not viz-a-viz the likelihood of her running off to the UK without making any attempt to hide items worth over $40M.

In September 2017,Ibrahim Magu,the EFCC chairman said there were ongoing plans to extradite Diezani back to Nigeria to face charges since the UK has failed to prosecute her.More than a year later in 2018,he said the very same thing-there were on-going plans to extradite her.

Now in 2019,instead of giving us that same line,their handlers get smart and fashion out a way to score some PR points for the government while at the hide and seek game by parading luxurious items and tagging them hers.Government need not spend a dime procuring those things,the woman herself will get it if it’ll keep her out of prison.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/13/diezani-buhari-uk-pardon-me-to-think-those-items-were-planted/

Understand that every organization is unique, and each will use the interview type that best fits their budget, time and organization culture. I’d touch a few of the interview types that are common, and will also share an experience of how I goofed a particular one.

Panel Interview: Some companies do not have the time to conduct traditional ‘hierarchical’ interviews where you meet with HR first, then Hiring Manager, then Head of Department. Ain’t nobody got time for that Panel straight. I call this interview type, ‘We Die Here’!
Do’s: – Make sure to remember their names & address them accordingly when answering questions from them. This goes a long way. – Look the person asking question ‘koro-koro’ in the eyes. Also, maintain eye contact with others as well. – Use your firm handshake for all of them.

Don’t: – Don’t use bass tone for one person and use soprano for the other. Maintain the same energy for every body. – If you know you are not good with names then don’t try to address them by their names. You don’t want to be calling Yemi by Remi.

Phone Interview: This one is called ‘Don’t waste our time’ interview. Org use this to check for organizational fit, skills, experience, & qualifications before inviting you in for a face to face interview (if needed). That’s why questions you get for this type are direct.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/13/types-of-interviews-you-might-come-across-and-how-to-handle-them/

The moles within. 2023. The revelation. Individuals named here are hereby put on notice: sue if you’ve been libelled.

The HoReps PDP minority leadership crisis has its roots in the presidential politics of 2019 and the personal ambitions of governors and politicians of the SE, who principally are the brains behind it, while working in cahoots with APC.

Step forward Ekweremadu, Govs Ugwuanyi, Umahi, Ihedioha, Okowa and Obiano. Each is bitter that Atiku didn’t consult them before picking Obi as his VP candidate.

Let’s profile them

Ekweremadu was particularly irked that he was overlooked in the run up to the 2019 poll. He (and Ugwuanyi ) actively undermined his party in Enugu state, and ensured Atiku didn’t have a sweep in his home-state.

When the Senate leadership poll came up, he entered an alliance with Lawan, hoping the later would deliver APC votes to him against Omo-Agege. He didn’t discuss with his party, nor did his party put his name forward. He was assured of the strength of the alliance. He lost.

PDP Senators even voted against him. Bitter, he tapped his boy, Toby Okechukwu, to rebel against his party in the minority leadership race. The conspiracy began, supported by the APC. To what end? To stop the repeat of the active opposition Saraki/Dogara presented.

Enter Ugwuanyi. The Great Oracle has consistently tweeted about this character: a mole inside PDP. He actively ensured that Atiku’s votes were slashed in Enugu state, believing that PMB will keep the promise to make him the Igbo presidential candidate in 2023.

He went to work, undermining the chances of his party’s presidential candidate in 2019. Wait for it. To show he’s fully sold on to PMB, he has surreptitiously accepted that Ruga be planted in Enugu state. He’s that desperate to be in PMB’s good book!

Read also: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/13/pdp-minority-leadership-crisis-the-facts-personalities-involved/

A U. S. based Nigerian Academic scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi has said claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari is barely aware he exists and hardly knows what’s going on in d nation.

He also said the President Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari is de facto president.

Prof. Kperogi said this in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/09/abba-kyari-is-nigerias-de-facto-president-prof-farooq/

A social commentator and a Research Associate at the Department of Psychiatry at the University College Hospital Ibadan Dr. Olatunde Olayinka Ayinde says the stigma of rape in Nigeria is too much for anyone who has no business with rape to be seen anywhere near it.

He said this in a post on his official Facebook page.

Dr. Ayinde post is in reaction to claims by some that Busola Dakolo statement of being rape by COZA Senior Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinmbo was a frame up to tarnish his image.

Busola, a photographer had on the 28th of June in a now viral video accused Pastor Fatoyinbo of raping her when she was 16-years of age.

He said, “I’m trying to stay out of this conversation, because I know I have biases. But I try to be aware of my biases and rise above them. I have a deep aversion for unbridled power and impunity, especially the one displayed by men who claim to represent God/s everywhere and in Nigeria especially. I also harbour a sort of militant abhorrence for rape and degradation of human beings generally. These may, therefore, colour my reactions sometimes.

But apparently, staying out of this one is not something I can do for long.

Let me say this first and get that out of the way. Every accused person is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. At the same time, it is egregious, sadistic and inhumane to silence anyone who believes he/she has been wronged.

Therefore, Biodun Fatoyinbo stands accused and presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Are there evil women who would frame a man with whom they have enjoyed a consensual sexual relationship, just to get at him? Sure. It is the most despicable act a human being can carry out, and I am always for such individuals to be punished to the full extent of the law wherever and whenever such a person is found. Lives can be ruined forever because of false accusations. The memories of “when they see us” is still fresh.

Read More: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/05/the-stigma-of-rape-in-nigeria-is-too-much-for-anyone-to-joke-with-it-expert/

Reading the verdict of the apex court, it is clear the majority based their decision on technical breach of procedure rather than on the substantive merit of the case against INEC.

A legal technicality is a small but ultimately important detail of the law. When a case is decided based on “a technicality”, it means the defendant would have been in trouble for something but through some small oversight or misinterpretation of a rule, they are found not guilty.

The apex court in a split decision of five to two members of the panel, on Friday, agreed substantially with the Court of Appeal which ruled that a majority judgement delivered at the tribunal was a nullity. The court said the judge who had read the majority judgement at the tribunal, Justice Peter Obiora, was “evidently absent” on February 6th, 2019, following the documents before the court. In this case, the Supreme court says because the Lead judge in the Tribunal did not sign the attendance sheet on 6th February, it is assumed that he was not in attendance; hence cannot be a judge in a case he did not hear its facts and details.

Read also: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/06/review-of-osun-verdict-by-supreme-court/

As the practice of assisted reproduction technology continues to gain ground, with more Nigerians embracing the In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment, SHEHU OLAYINKA beams his searchlight on a growing trend of young undergraduate girls engaging in indiscriminate donation of their reproductive eggs for money.

WHEN Bimpe Adeola (not real name) saw the stress on her roommates’ face as she returned from the clinic, she promised herself not to ever engage in what they had just done.

“Though they were only sick for two days, we all just stopped talking about it and no one ever mentioned it again,” Bimpe recalls.

Bimpe is an undergraduate student in one of the leading government-owned universities in Southern Nigeria. Two of her course-mates had just exchanged their reproductive eggs for money.

“The egg-selling business is booming in my school; students are engaging in it and it is because of the money” she tells The Nation.

Bimpe got to know of the ‘new’ business when two of her classmates sold their reproductive eggs to a fertility clinic for One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N120,000).

However, when this reporter began discussing with Bimpe, showing her findings about egg sales, requirements and the mental/health implications, she expressed huge doubts about whether they were made known to them.

Read also: https://thenationonlineng.net/ivf-female-undergraduates-now-exchanging-their-reproductive-eggs-for-money/

Financial Expert, Olúwatósìn Olaseinde‏ has given a breakdown to the Central Bank of Nigeria circular emanating banks to maintain a minimum Loan to Deposit Ratio (LDR).

Olaseinde‏ explained this in a series of tweets on her official twitter handle.

Have you seen this circular sent by the CBN? Let’s break it down for you So CBN is essentially forcing banks to not just increase their lending to a certain percentage but also to certain sectors. Meaning they want it to go to individuals and SMEs to drive growth.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/05/expert-explains-cbn-ldr-order-to-banks/

A social commentator, Abi Idowu has shared a touching story of how she was raped multiple times.

Idowu shared her story in a series of tweets on her official twitter handle on the 3rd of July 2019.

This is my Truth. I’ve spoken with my Brother and friends about this. Please, I won’t be able to take any calls for now as I’m not doing so good. I’ve also explained why I’ve written this like this.

I’m sitting up in bed staring at my computer screen, trying to summon the courage to tell my story but in a rare moment, my usual articulate self is struggling to say something. I’ve struggled for years with the thought of ever sharing what happened to me.

I would make references but for all my boasting of courage in conversations on other topics. I just couldn’t summon up the courage to tell my truth. Even now as I’m finally starting to type, I’m shaking and in tears.

The events of the past couple of weeks got me into a really bad space and after speaking with my brother; a man who though is much younger to me, but whose opinion I truly value, he told me that he’d been thinking along the same lines about me and that I had his full support.

I’ve decided to go against my initial decision to wait until the passing of my only parent before sharing my story and tell it now. In case anyone wonders why I’m writing my account in this format, I have spoken with my psychiatrist and psychologist (yes, I’ve got both&while I know the admission to this is taboo,it should tell you just how deeply I’ve been affected)&they adviced that I put some distance in my account so that my brain doesn’t struggle too much with the pain&I find myself in abject despair as I’ve done before.

When I was 5 years old going on 6 and we lived in Ikeja GRA in the early 80s ( it was very safe and everyone took care of each other’s children), my parent sent me to her best friend’s house to deliver a message.

I was believed to be able to do this as I had started school when I was 2 years old and was quite sharp for my age. Besides, we lived at 14, Ladoke Akintola and this best friend, Mrs Oladipo, lived at number 13. It was a look left and right and safely cross the street errand.

My own best friend who was her daughter was also there and the joy of being able to see her, made my legs go quickly over to their house. It’s interesting how when momentous events happen to us, the amount of minutiae we remember.

My doctors say it’s the way our brains try to protect and process us from trauma. To this day, I remember being told not to be late in coming back. I remember going up the stairs, knocking on the door and being greeted by the eldest son, Bidemi as he opened the door.

Somehow, I don’t remember seeing my friend. I asked for their mother, delivered my message and I remember, him opening the door and walking out with me. Anyone who remembers Ladoke Akintola in those days would remember that the meters were on the ground floor, tucked away in the back and there was a little cubby hole right under the stairs, where people could store things like bicycles, scooters etc if they wanted. The building blocks had 6 or 8 apartments (depending on each block).

The Oladipos like mine lived in a 6 apartment block like ours, in the middle block, just like ours. I remember coming down the stairs and as I got to the bottom to walk out to the compound. I was grabbed from behind, a hand on my mouth and pulled into the cubby hole.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/05/this-is-my-truth-rape-victim-shares-her-story/

Social commentator, Ademola Adigun says the controversial President Buhari administration led Ruga settlement is is anchored on corruption.

Adigun said this in a post on his official Facebook page, stating that the scheme was designed to steal funds.

He said, “The whole RUGA process is anchored on corruption. It is not designed to solve a problem. It is designed to steal funds.”

“Let us start with some fundamentals. Cow herding is a business. The second is that there are genuine herdsmen that need spaces to graze. The third is that we have always had herdsmen around us. The fourth is that it is wrong to associate criminality and violence with a business or a tribe.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/02/ruga-process-is-anchored-on-corruption-say

A coalition of northern groups has issued a 30-day ultimatum to governors who are opposed to the RUGA settlement program to reconsider their decisions.

The group also attacked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and threatened to expel all non-northerners in the North.

President Muhammadu Buhari suspended the implementation of the multi-billion naira Ruga project aimed at ending incessant herders/farmers’ clashes following public outcry.

spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, attacked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for dissociating himself from the policy.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/05/ruga-northern-group-attack-osinbajo-obasanjo-threatens-to-expel-non-northerners/

The average life expectancy for Nigerian men, according to the World Health Organization, is 54.7 years, yet many Nigerians call a 41-year-old senator a “youth” and attribute his thuggish idiocy to his age.

Some even go so far as to say that his behavior represents a diminution of the arguments for the “Not Too Young To Run” initiative.

For starters, a 41-year-old person is NO “youth” by any definition of the term anywhere in the world. The UN defines youth as people between the ages of 15 and 24. In Nigeria, “youth” officially refers to people between the ages of 18 and 35. Second, Senator Abbo didn’t need the “Not Too Young to Run” law be to be a senator.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/05/misplaced-focus-on-senator-abbos-age-by-prof-kperogi/

This post is for a better understanding of how the mosque and imam system work because I see many think it’s like the church system.

First being an Imam in a mosque has nothing to do with anointing, or divinity or calling or special powers. It is all about knowledge. How learned one is. Just like having a degree, Masters, PhD, an associate professor then professor etc. Anyone can be. Put in the hard work.

It is not necessary for a mosque to have the same people all the time. Its mainly about proximity to you ( though there are a few exceptions). You might or might not know the people in the mosque and as soon as prayers are done congregation disperses.

The Imam has zero power over anybody and zero control. Most of the people who pray do not even know what the imam in the mosque they pray looks like.

We do not pay tithes, nor give them any part of our wealth( private jets for full ground and every street forget mosque ). If you want to dash them something it is left to you as a person.

We pay a compulsory tax called zakkah and you must have a minimum amount before you start paying it. It’s 2.5%(1/40) of money you have held for a year. Rent. There are other calculations for grains animals gold etc YOU DO NOT GIVE IMAMS OR MOSQUES. YOU GIVE THEM DIRECTLY OR A BODY.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/02/how-the-mosque-and-imam-system-work-by-aisha-yesufu/

The auguries already favor a decisive win Atiku win in the forthcoming February 16 election, and the biggest electoral shock may actually come from the northwest, hitherto Buhari’s impregnable electoral fortress.

The silent majority of voters in the region will ventilate their pent-up anger and frustration against Buhari in ways that will signal a tectonic disruption of the habitual voting patterns of the region. At this point, Buhari isn’t a threat to Atiku. INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu is actually Atiku’s most potent threat now. Here is why. A brother of the INEC chairman’s close friend confided in me today that the electoral boss has a deep-seated animus toward Atiku and has made many nasty, unkind remarks about Atiku in private.

That, in and of itself, is not the problem. We are all entitled to our personal predispositions and biases as long as they don’t interfere with our judgement on occasions that invite our neutrality and fairmindedness. However, the same source told me the INEC chairman has a profound personal investment in APC’s electoral successes, like Maurice Iwu had of PDP’s victories.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/02/flashback-atikus-fiercest-foe-isnt-buhari-its-the-inec-chairman-by-farooq-kperogi/

To start, please bear in mind that no two interviews can be the same as there are always different factors that determine how an interview will go. The interviewer, the ambiance, the questions can all play different roles on the outcome.

1. Tell me a little about yourself. No: The interviewer is not asking you what political party you support. At this point, he/she doesn’t care if you go with Messi or Ronaldo. About yourself should be an elevator pitch that you have practiced and mastered overtime.

Example: I am a hardworking professional with ___ years of experience. I’m excited to find a role where I can leverage and expand on my current skill set while also learning, growing and contributing to a great organization that aligns with my values.

2. Why should we hire you? No: Don’t go mentioning achievements that do not tie or relate to the role or the organization in question. The more specific you can be about what your skills are & how valuable of an employee you can be the better.

Example: I have the skills and competencies needed in this role and the drive about your organization will help me thrive here. I also believe I can contribute immensely to the company culture by ___________.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/02/15-most-common-interview-questions-how-to-and-not-to-answer-them-by-tunde-omotoye/

A U. S. based Nigerian Academic scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi has described President Muhammadu Buhari as the worst leader to govern the country since the 1914 amalgamation.

Kperogi also accused Buhari of destroying institutions and policy instituted b leaders before him.

He said this in a post published on his official Facebook page.

He said, “Several online polls that sought to find out the worst president Nigeria has had since 1999 have returned Muhammadu Buhari as the undisputed winner, the latest being Sahara Reporters’ poll. Nevertheless, the polls are way too kind to him. He’s actually the absolute worst ruler Nigeria has ever had since its founding.”

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/01/buhari-nigerias-worst-leader-since-1914-farooq-kperogi/

President Jonathan wore a winsome smile while donning Fulani clothing and trying on the tribal hat. It was on March 19, 2015; a few days to the general election, and the day Miyetti Allah appropriated the former president as its life patron.

Jonathan panegyrised the pastoralists, describing them as a “major economic group in Nigeria”, and applauded their “substantial contributions to food security in the country”.

He said his administration was working at “developing cattle rearing in Nigeria to a level where the nation can earn higher revenues from meat exports”. It was reported that the former president made some “promises” to the group at this meeting. Though there had been previous meetings of pacific complexion; that of March 19 was very symbolic; it was to send a strong political message before the elections.

At the time Jonathan was companioning with Miyetti Allah, there was a raging herder-farmer crisis; there was banditry and kidnapping by some strayed herdsmen, but these tragedies were not enough ammunition for an explosion of outrage because the zeitgeist was that of “political convenience”; the government was desperate to win the heart of the north, and the southern-Christian population was not deliriously edgy about conspiracy theories of Fulani invasion and conquest of their lands because there appeared to be no logic or symphony in the sentiments – Jonathan was a Christian and from the south.


Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/07/01/ruga-settlement-is-the-rising-fulaniphobia-a-protest-against-buhari/

The wife of soul singer Timi Dakolo, Busola Dakolo, has alleged that she was raped as a teenager by flamboyant Abuja based Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, Biodun Fatoyinmbo.

Busola, a mum of three revealed this to Chude Jideonwo, a Nigerian lawyer, journalist and media entrepreneur in a now viral video.

Busola Dakolo, a celebrity photographer was a 17-year-old in the Divine Delight Club, the precursor to Biodun Fatoyinbo’s Commonwealth of Zion Assembly when she said was groomed and raped by the pastor.

According to her, she came home on holiday, while in secondary school then, recounts how her sisters convinced her to join the church which was formerly known as Divine Delight Club where Christians gather to share the word of God on Saturdays.

She further said pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo was married with a child when he came to her house one early morning, raped her and told her she should be happy he was the one who took her virginity.

Read more: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/06/28/i-was-raped-by-coza-pastor-biodun-fatoyinbo-says-timi-dakolos-wife/