₦airaland Forum

Lekan Adetayo, the Punch Newspaper State House Correspondent, has been recalled. This was made known in a series of tweets from the office of the SSA Media and Publicity to President Buhari Mallam Garba Shehu.

Shehu said 'Lekan should be assured that he is safe. We will straighten out everything. The Special Adviser on Media, Femi Adesina and I will resolve the issues'. President Muhammadu Buhari’s media team said on Monday that they were not consulted before a journalist was expellled from the presidential villa.


Bashir Abubakar, the Chief Security Officer, CSO, to President Muhammadu Buhari expelled the correspondent of Punch Newspapers, Lekan Adetayo, from the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

Mr. Adetayo, who confirmed the expulsion to Newsnow Nigeria on Monday said it was because of a story about Mr. Buhari’s ill health published by his newspaper on Sunday. The Punch reported that the reporter was summoned by Mr. Abubakar to explain two of his recent stories from the State House.

“He referred to the lead story of SUNDAY PUNCH of April 23, 2017, titled “Fresh anxiety in Aso Rock over Buhari’s poor health” and queried the motive behind it

“He also referred to our corespondent’s column, Aso Rock Lens, published on Saturday, April 22, 2017, and titled “Seat of power’s event centres going into extinction,” The Punch stated in a report Monday evening.

The News Agency of Nigeria said in a dispatch from the State House that Mr. Adetayo was grilled for 45 minutes. But President Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has said his office wasn’t consulted before the expulsion.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/breaking-punch-reporter-recalled-back-state-house-read-tweets/

Another opportunity for Jamb candidates to practice UTME CBT for free and win cash prizes

MORE Comments: http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/dino-melaye-shares-convocation-picture-abu-nigerians-reacts-read-comments/

Shocking footage shows a violent mob attacking Nigerian Students in an Indian mall (Graphic Video)

Africans were attacked with sticks and metal chairs in Greater Noida after teen's drug death was blamed on Nigerian man.

Indian police arrested five men after hundreds of people went on a violent rampage targeting Africans outside of New Delhi where a teenage boy died of a suspected drug overdose.

Senior police officer Sujata Singh told AFP news agency on Tuesday that four other suspects were on the run, adding about 300 people were involved in the riots in Greater Noida city that started on Monday

One television station showed an angry mob hitting a car with sticks, while another showed dozens of attackers using steel chairs to hit shoppers in a mall. "Rumours were being spread that Africans are behind the youth's death and racist comments were made on social media. It looks racially motivated," Singh said.

The unrest came after police in Greater Noida released five Nigerian students detained over the youth's death, saying they had no evidence against them.

Africans living in India frequently face discrimination and even violence and are often accused of involvement in the illegal drug trade. Endurance Amalawa, one of the attacked students, said he was outside a mall with his brother when they saw the mob running towards them.

"We kept crying for help, but no one came, not even the security marshals. I was running but they followed me and attacked me," he said on NDTV television. "Some people were hitting us, pushing us out... They dragged my brother outside and start hitting him."

India's foreign ministry condemned the incident as "deplorable" and said it had assured the Nigerian ambassador that all steps were being taken to protect the country's nationals.

"The government is committed to ensuring safety and security of all foreigners in India. People from Africa, including students and youth, remain our valued partners," said a ministry statement.

In a Facebook post, the Association of African Students in India told its members to stay indoors and not attend lectures on Tuesday for fear of possible attacks.

The issue was thrown into the spotlight after the stoning to death of a Congolese national in a dispute over an auto-rickshaw last year. After that, African ambassadors in New Delhi threatened to advise students from their countries to avoid universities in the capital for their own safety.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfTbCb1LVv0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er7UUiXNlGg

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/shocking-footage-shows-violent-mob-attacking-nigerian-students-indian-mall-graphic-video/

The Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has taken to the social media to mock his critics after the Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University testified that he graduated from the university.

Melaye had been caught up in a certificate scandal after online news platform Sahara Reporters claimed he did not graduate.

On Thursday, after several twists to the scandal resulting in an investigation by the Senate and a N5bn suit against SR, ABU’s VC told the Senate Ethics Committee that Melaye indeed graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JdqZgXbXp0

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/video-melaye-mocks-critics-abu-confirms-graduated-nigerians-reacts-read-comments/

'Because of Your Visit, I Will Remove Controversial Sign Post'- Fayose Tells Fashola (See Photo)


Ayodele Fayose, governor of Ekiti state, has promised to tone down his criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari “due to the intervention” of Babatunde Fashola.

Fashola, who is the minister of power, works and housing, visited Ekiti on Thursday to inspect some projects. Promising to exercise patience with Buhari’s government, Fayose said he does not expect all developmental projects in Ekiti to be fixed in one term.

“We would be praying for your success, there is nothing to ask, because you’ve said it all, and we don’t expect you to do all in one term,” he said.

“If we would be getting this much help, we won’t be criticising the federal government like this. “Maybe because of you, I will tone down. But remember that a blind man has no way of knowing until it gets to his mouth. He would say what you promised me is already in my mouth.

“We appreciate you, I don’t want to demand too much… From your statement you have mentioned two-key roads, without them, there is no Ekiti, there is no Ondo.”

Speaking earlier, the minister, who is currently inspecting projects in the south-west, pledged the commitment of the federal government in supporting every state in the federation to achieve “social, developmental and economic objectives”.
“The federal government is not in competition with any state government; we are here to enable, to support and to assist,” he said.

“Our representatives in your state, our ambassadors, and that is why I said we should visit you first. “Here is the one who is mandated to ensure the roads in this state are safe, they are free from potholes and so on and so forth. I therefore will start by asking you to treat him the way you treat other ambassadors who visit your state.”

Some of the projects both men inspected were the Fajuyi Flyover and bungalow constructions under the national housing programme.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/beacuse-visit-will-remove-controversial-sign-post-fayose-tells-fashola-see-photo/

FROM THE GOVERNOR SAMUEL ORTOM OF BENUE STATE - WIKE NEEDS PRAYERS OF DELIVERANCE:

We read on the front page of today's Daily Sun newspaper a report credited to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, calling for a declaration of a state of emergency in Benue State. He said his call was based on the current security situation in the state. Governor Wike who is expected to know the powers and limits of a state governor with regard to security matters, without any provocation whatsoever, attacked his counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom over his handling of unfortunate security developments in Benue State.

If indeed Governor Wike granted the interview in the manner reported by the newspaper, then his utterances are jaundiced and reckless. What he therefore needs are prayers for deliverance. His call which implies the dismantling of democracy structures and military takeover in Benue State has exposed him as a man who does not believe in civil rule. He has thus lost the basis of being a democratically elected governor.

This is the second time that Governor Wike has launched unwarranted attacks on the person and office of Governor Ortom since he travelled with his colleagues, the Progressive Governors to Port Harcourt in December last year to campaign for All Progressives Congress, APC candidates in the Rivers re-run National Assembly election.

The APC won in key areas where Wike had declared war before the polls and he obviously has not forgiven the APC governors, particularly Governor Ortom. Perhaps Governor Wike needs to be educated on the efforts his counterpart in Benue has made to ensure security in Benue State.

Governor Ortom was the first to declare amnesty to armed youths in his inaugural speech on 29th May, 2015. The disarmament programme resulted in the recovery of over 600 arms and ammunition with about 800 youths embracing the amnesty initiative.

Governor Ortom has made sustained efforts to promote peace between farmers and herdsmen as well as deepening inter-state peace building efforts with Taraba and Nasarawa States. The Governor's contacts with the Presidency, Chief of Army Staff and Inspector General of police resulted in the deployment of troops to curb the herders and farmers crisis in Agatu, Tarka, Makurdi, Logo, Buruku, Guma and Gboko local government areas.

He has purchased patrol vehicles for police and other security agencies and prevailed on the military authorities to establish a special brigade to fight the invasion of Benue communities. The Governor has inaugurated security committees at the state, local government, ward and kindred levels to tackle security challenges at each of those levels.

Governor Ortom has consistently been advocating the establishment of ranches as a permanent solution to end the clashes between farmers and herdsmen and has consequently sent an executive bill on anti-open grazing prohibition and establishment of ranches bill to the State House of Assembly. Public hearings on the bill are ongoing in the three senatorial districts of the state.

When armed Fulani herdsmen invaded Buruku and Gboko local government areas last week, the Governor visited promptly and ensured their exit from the area. His efforts have led to the rescue of people, especially children from kidnappers and has provided support for the Civilian Joint Task Force and the vigilante groups in the state to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies.

Following Governor Ortom's visit to Zaki-Biam on Tuesday this week and the quick action he took, security has been beefed up to restore peace in the affected areas. Arrests of some suspects have also been made besides assistance given to victims to access sustained and better medical attention.

On the other hand, there are reports that over 400 people believed to be mostly members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been killed, with some beheaded in Omoku community and its environs in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State by cultists that were recruited and armed by Governor Nyelsom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

During the December 10, 2016 re-run election in Rivers State, a police officer, DSP Alkali was beheaded and his driver shot dead and buried in a shallow grave at Ijiji community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA. As we speak, no fewer than 200 people have been killed and several communities destroyed in Ogoni area of Rivers State by cultists who were reportedly armed by Wike and the PDP.

In 2016, Wike organised amnesty programme for known cultists in the state, but deliberately refused to recover arms and other dangerous weapons from cultists in Ogoni with the hope of using them for the December 10, 2016 election, which the PDP lost in Ogoniland. So, after the elections, the cultists now turned the guns against their fellow Ogoni brothers, killing and maiming on daily basis.

Recall that the report of the joint panel set up by the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the violence during the December 10, 2016 re-run election indicted Governor Wike for his role in the attack and harassment of electoral officers who refused to do his bidding during the election.

No fewer than 23 officials of INEC, who were bribed by Governor Wike to rig the polls for the PDP are currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Before the December 10, 2016 re-run election, Governor Wike was caught on tape threatening to kill officials of INEC who refused to rig the election in favour of his party.

Late last year, Governor Wike prevented operatives of the DSS from effecting the arrest of Federal High Court judges who were accused of corruption. Governor Wike has also openly identified with militants and as we speak, no fewer than six known militants are either members of the Rivers State House of Assembly or chairmen of local government councils in Rivers State.

For a man who presides over a state where thugs reign supreme, terrorizing innocent people in all local government areas of the state, Governor Wike clearly lacks moral justification to point accusing finger at Governor Ortom. Rivers is the only state in the country at the moment where youths corps members can no longer take part in the conduct of elections.

It is on record that Governor Wike recently warned every corps member posted to his state for elections to write their wills before accepting the responsibility. Allegations that a corps member was murdered in Ahoada on his orders are rife.
He therefore has no reason to call for emergency rule in another state. If state of emergency is to be declared in any state of the federation, that state is Nyesom Wike's Rivers.

His blatant disregard for the rule of law is known to all. That's one unique difference between him and Governor Ortom. While the Rivers Governor takes pleasure in bloodbath, Governor Ortom is a peace-loving leader who employs dialogue and other conflict resolution approaches to end crisis in his state.

Governor Wike's call for emergency rule is therefore not only diversionary but also devoid of any shred of reasoning befitting the status of a man trusted with the responsibility of leading a state. We advise the embattled Governor to face the numerous charges of election fraud, rigging and violence leveled against him by Rivers people and leave Benue State alone. Benue is currently in the hands of a God-fearing Governor who is working tirelessly to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

Signed:
Terver Akase
Chief Press Secretary

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/need-prayers-deliverance-ortom-tells-wike-read-press-release/

OK....oooo...

The Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) says it will begin the sale of the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms on March 20.

Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Head of Public Relations made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Bwari.

Benjamin said the date was fixed following an agreement that was reached on the harmonization of the examination timetable at a meeting with other exam bodies on Jan. 24.

“We will begin the sale of the admission forms on March 20, while UTME is scheduled to hold in May.
“We are ready to commence the sales of the 2017/2018 admission forms for UTME and Direct Entry forms on the said date,’’ he said.

JAMB recently emphasized that it would organise an optional mock examination before the 2017 UTME.

Based on information published on its Twitter handle @JAMBHQ, the date of the Mock examination will soon be announced.

According to the board, the purpose of the mock examination is to allow candidates “FEEL’’ what the main examination will be like.

The board, however, said the mock examination would be “completely optional’’ as it would not be a pre-requirement for writing the actual UTME.

It added that candidates can choose to either take the mock examination or not.

The board also disclosed that Interswitch Payment on the e-Facility portal has been temporarily disabled and that the list of its accredited centres soon be announced.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/breaking-jamb-begins-sale-2017-utme-forms-march-20-utme-hold-may/

Cowbellpedia 2017: Missed Online Registration? Download Manual Form and List of Examination Centers

BREAKING: CowbellPedia 2017 Online registration has closed.

Did you miss the online registration? Kindly click here to download the manual registration form ahead of the National Examination on Saturday 11th, March 2017.

Examination Date: Saturday 11th, March 2017.
Time: Accreditation of students begins by 8:00am
Venue: Click Here to Download List of Examination Centers Nation-wide.

Come along with the manual form with a passport size photograph on Saturday 11th, March 2017.

Success to all participating students.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/cowbellpedia-2017-missed-online-registration-download-manual-form-list-examination-centers/

Rivers Election: PDP Won as INEC Releases Official Results of Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency - See Analysis



http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/rivers-election-pdp-won-inec-releases-official-results-etcheomuma-federal-constituency-see-analysis/

no comment

UPDATE: PDP Stakeholders Meeting Now to Hold at Ekiti State Government House Abuja - See Photos

Press Release:
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in collaboration with the All Progressive Congress (APC) led Federal Government has barricaded the International Conference Center, ICC, venue of the scheduled Stakeholders Meeting of the entire organs of the Peoples Democratic Party.

This is a very sad development in our democratic history where there is no longer free association & movement of citizens of this Country. Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff & his APC collaborators cannot stop the will of the people. Nigerians can now confirm that Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff is a mole in PDP to destroy the only strong opposition in the Country.

All invited members of the Party for the scheduled Stakeholders Meeting are hereby directed to proceed to will the Ekiti State. Government Lodge on T. Y. Danjuma Street, Asokoro, Abuja by same time, 2:00Pm. PDP! Power to the people...


http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/update-pdp-stakeholders-meeting-now-hold-ekiti-state-government-house-abuja-see-photos/

FA Cup quarter-final draw – Chelsea host Man Utd, Sutton could face Lincoln - See Full Draw

Right, what a ruddy brilliant draw that was.

On top of a marvellous draw for Lincoln City, there’s the mouthwatering prospect of Mourinho taking his Manchester United to former club Chelsea. Plus, Tottenham at home to Millwall and the chance for Middlesbrough to prevail at home.

The quarter-final draw in full

Sutton United or Arsenal v Lincoln City
Tottenham Hotspur v Millwall

Middlesbrough v Huddersfield or Manchester City
Chelsea v Manchester United

Ties will be played between 10-13 March.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/fa-cup-quarter-final-draw-chelsea-host-man-utd-sutton-face-lincoln-see-full-draw/

UPDATE: Ahmed Makarfi Led PDP to Challenge Appeal Court Ruling at the Supreme Court

The Makarfi led PDP will challenge the ruling of the Port-Harcourt Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court. This is in accordance with the statement posted on her official twitter handle. The statement read thus:

1. Two out of the 3 man Justices of the Appeal Court gave a scanty judgment in favour of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff while one for Makarfi
2. The Judgment has finally shown that the ruling Party, the APC is out to create a one party state in the country.
3. The Party is proceeding immediately to the Supreme Court to file an appeal against the ruling of today's appeal court judgment

Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff have tested their legal muscles through various litigations in many courts in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, with each getting favourable orders and directives with the attendant effect on stability in the party.

Chieftains of the party from the two sides had at various fora expressed readiness to abide by the outcome of the appeal court verdict with a view to bringing lasting peace in the party.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had last year gave legitimacy to Makarfi as the chairman of the party, while another court of coordinate jurisdiction in Abuja, headed by Justice Okon Abang, had ruled that Sheriff should be recognised as the chairman.

The PDP has not been able to play the role of leading opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the crisis ravaging it from within.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/update-ahmed-makarfi-led-pdp-challenge-appeal-court-ruling-supreme-court/

The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt on Thursday affirmed former governor of Borno state, Ali Modu Sheriff, has the authentic national chairman of the party. It was gathered that the three judges of the court in a unanimous decision agreed that the Modu Sheriff is the chairman of the PDP.

Senators Ahmed Makarfi and Ali Modu Sheriff have tested their legal muscles through various litigations in many courts in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, with each getting favourable orders and directives with the attendant effect on stability in the party.

Chieftains of the party from the two sides had at various fora expressed readiness to abide by the outcome of the appeal court verdict with a view to bringing lasting peace in the party.

A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had last year gave legitimacy to Makarfi as the chairman of the party, while another court of coordinate jurisdiction in Abuja, headed by Justice Okon Abang, had ruled that Sheriff should be recognised as the chairman.

The PDP has not been able to play the role of leading opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the crisis ravaging it from within.

An appeal court in Abuja had on December 16, 2016, adjourned indefinitely, the separate hearing in the leadership tussle so as to pave way for the Port Harcourt division of the court to exhaust the case before it.

Both Makarfi and Sheriff have been operating from satellite offices following the closure of the national headquarters of the party, at Wadata Plaza in Abuja. The crisis in the PDP is also raging in many states where Makarfi and Sheriff share the loyalty of members.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/breaking-appeal-court-affirms-sheriff-pdp-chairman/

Court of Appeal Port-Harcourt Set to Deliver Judgement on PDP Chairmanship Tussle – See Photos

A cross section of supporters of the Sen. AHMED Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee at the Appeal Court, Port Harcourt.

We just got a report that the Court will be sitting by 11:00am instead of 9:00am earlier scheduled. We are here to give you all the details

The National Caretaker Committee of our great Party at the Appeal Court today, still waiting for the 3 Man Justices of the Court to resume

Details shortly...

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/court-appeal-port-harcourt-set-deliver-judgement-pdp-chairmanship-tussle-see-photos/

President Donald Trump of the United States of America, Tuesday confirmed his telephone conversation with President Muhammdu Buhari

The White House Press Secretary and Communications Director, Sean Michael Spicer in his introduction of Tuesday’s White House Press Briefing, mentioned that President Trump spoke with President Buhari of Nigeria and Jacob Zuma of South Africa as well as receiving the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau on Monday.

Recall that President Buhari, Monday afternoon from the United Kingdom spoke to American President Donald Trump on telephone at the request of the latter.

According to President Buhari's spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, the conversation was cordial and President Buhari congratulated Trump on his election as president of the United States and on his cabinet.

He said both leaders discussed ways to improve cooperation in the fight against terrorism through provision of necessary equipment.

Adesina quoted Trump as encouraging President Buhari to keep up "the good work he is doing." He said Trump also commended Buhari for the efforts made in rescuing 24 of the Chibok Girls and the strides being taken by the Nigerian military.

Adesina said Trump assured President Buhari of US readiness to cut a new deal in helping Nigeria in terms of military weapons to combat terrorism.

He said President Trump also invited President Buhari to Washington at a mutually convenient date. According to a statement from the government of South Africa, Trump also spoke with President Jacob Zuma.

*****NB - Full Speech and Video (2/14/17) of White House Press Secretary to be published on this blog soon****

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/breaking-trump-confirms-telephone-conversation-buhari/

Here you go guys, Just because it's the season of love Dial *131*103# to enjoy today's deal.

​Valentine's day offer! Get 1GB for N500 valid 7 days.

Dial *131*103# to activate now.

http://newsnownigeria.com.ng/valentine-day-mtn-offers-1gb-for-n500-see-codes-and-validity/