₦airaland Forum

Some scientist have called on regulatory agencies to check the incessant rock blasting in the country in order to prevent recurrence of earth tremors.

They made the call on Friday in Abuja in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

According to them, regulatory agencies should come up with rules and regulations that will prevent people from indiscriminate blasting of rocks in order to preserve the environment as well as save lives and properties from natural disasters.

They said persistent and uncontrolled blasting of rocks through the use of powerful explosives could lead to earth movements.

Prof. Mosto Onuoha, the President of Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), said rock blasting may be responsible for the earth movements in Mpape and parts of Maitama, Abuja.

“The use of explosives to break or blast rocks would have vibrating power and ability to the last end of the rock.

“It will get to the stage that could be seen visibly and to the bottom of the ground where we cannot see but where the rock has ended.

“When this action is continuous, the vibration from the rocks blasted with explosives will be transmitted to the body-like water that is already settled under the ground.

“The release of the vibration in form of energy back to the earth will lead to earth shaking.

“ The FCT Emergency Management Agency, National Agency for Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA) and other relevant organisations should continue to monitor the situation in Abuja and in other places,’’ he said.

Dr Adeneye Talabi, a former Director of Technology Acquisition and Adaption in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, urged the Federal Government to enforce all existing rules on exploitation of natural resources.

According to him, government must ensure that due processes are followed to address the earth movements that happened recently in the FCT.

Talabi explained that Nigeria was not immune to such occurrences, adding that appropriate measures ought to be put in place to avert future incidents.

“If there is a tremor, it is an indication or symptom that the eventual higher degree of it which will translate into earthquake can occur.

“Earth tremor is very close to earthquake. The earth tremor is just the shaking of the ground earth crust while earthquake is a total collapse or opening up of the ground, ‘’ he said.

He said the tremor recorded in the South-South Zone was as a result of distortion in the balance of the eco system during oil extraction.

Talabi said the vacuum created by extracting gas and crude oil ought to be replaced with close density commodity to avoid any future disaster.

“ There is need for the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in particular to enforce all the existing rules guiding exploitation of natural resources like crude oil.

“ Regarding the tremor in Bayelsa and Rivers, a vacuum has been created through the exploitation processes and methods,“ he said.

He urged the Federal Government to direct oil companies to ensure best practices in extracting natural resources such as crude oil and natural gas

http://surecontents..com/2018/09/earth-tremor-scientists-warn-nigerians.html

FROM August 16 to 25, a privileged and extravagant Sango World Festival brought together Sango adherents and cultural enthusiasts from around the world and with over 5,000 participants and thousands of spectators, the Sango World Festival has become a sustained cultural event in the annals of history, providing a tip of the iceberg into the rich age-long cultural development, civilization, diversity, and strength of the most powerful empire in Yoruba’s civilization history – The Oyo Empire.

It signifies the beginning of the Yoruba Indigenous Traditional 13-month Calendar New Year and it took place at the town of Sango, where the sacred Koso Temple, where it is believed that Sango disappeared, is situated.

In the indigenous calendar, one year has 13 months, a month has 28 days and a week has four days. The 28 days monthly circle is called Jakuta Oloyin. The festival starts with sacred rites by Mogba Koso and climaxes with the annual Idaasa Erindinlogun divination cast for the Alaafin of Oyo, all adherents of Orisa, Yoruba land and the world. Idaasa is divided into 16 ancient numerical categories known as Onka Agba, each accumulating unaccountable narrative oral forms of families and towns history, which are recorded in verses. It also forms Yoruba’s historical, cultural, and mythological compendium.


This great institution of checks and balances have endured from ages, pioneering the cabinet system of the administration of justice, law, peace and social order since the time of Oranmiyan, Baba Oba and founder of Oyo Empire.

Oyo Empire had sustainably been in the forefront of the protection of the identities of the Yoruba race through sustained practise of Yoruba civilization and origins in its promotion of language, fashion, food, culture, traditions and specialised arts and craft knowledge.

Our society began to snowball into backwardness against its own value system, when our identities witnessed being violated because of the dearth of knowledge in its development and continued practise and propagation, while we simultaneously pay endless prizes for this disrespect to our identities through anti social infractions like drug abuse, desperate migration leading to modern slave and labour trade, imported HIV and AIDS, terrorism, homos3xuality, transgender, bleaching, indecent dressing and many other vices which were abominations and alien to us. These anti-social doctrines represent false knowledge, derailing our world formerly driven by knowledge to a world merely driven by information, with attendant effects more dangerous than ignorance itself.

Finally, as His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyemi III, has set the cultural ball rolling, the ball is in our court to either prioritise education in the physical, metaphysical, scientific and spiritual knowledge in order to flourish our identities or we ignore education and lose our identities.
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/on-sango-world-festival.html

Mynd44 lalasticlala

Bukola Saraki

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has refused to grant the request by some Senators loyal to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to restrained the federal government from forcefully removing him from office.

Rather, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said the suit filed by Senators Rafiu Adebayo (Kwara South) and Isa Misau (Bauchi Central) will be given an accelerated hearing.

The pro- Saraki Senators had filed the action against the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Inspector General of Police and the State Security Service in a bid to restrain them from aiding the forceful removal of Saraki from office.





But the judge urged parties not to take steps that would force a fait accompli on the court.

While Magaji Mahmud SAN, and Emeka Etiaba SAN, appeared for the plaintiffs, T. D. Agbe appeared for the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (10th defendant).

David Igbodo enetered appearance for the Police, just as S. Azi, appeared for the DSS.

Earlier, counsel to the Senators, Emeka Etiaba (SAN) had prayed the court through an exparte application to restrained the respondents from forcefully removing the Senate President from office.

In the alternative, the plaintiffs’ counsel prayed the court to make preservatory orders in order to protect the subject matter of the suit.

In his ruling on the exparte motion, Justice Dimgba held that in respect of reliefs 1, 2, and 3, which are orders of interim injunction, “I believe the proper order to make is an order of accelerated hearing of the suit so that the court can consider and determine the merits of the substantive case expeditiously.





“Even though reliefs 1, 2, and 3, are not granted, needless to say, parties have been enjoined to respect the authority of the court and the integrity of the judicial process and should not take steps that will render the matter nugatory. “

The court also granted reliefs 4 and 5, and directed substituted service of court processes, the originating summon and motion for injunction on the 1st to 8th defendants through the clerk of the National Assembly.

In addition, Justice Dimgba ordered substituted service on the 10th to 12th defendants by courier service.

The court consequently adjourned the matter till September 6, for accelerated hearing.

Others joined in the suit as defendants are the Senate, the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawal (Senate Leader), Senator Bala Ibn Nallah (Deputy Senate Leader), Senator Emma Bwacha (Deputy Minority Leader), Clerk of the Senate, Deputy Clerk of the Senate and the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/court-declines-to-stop-sarakis.html

FORMER Kano State Governor, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, will officially declare his presidential ambition for the 2019 election on Wednesday, a statement by the Kwankwaso Presidential Campaign Committee, has said.

The statement, signed by a member of the committee Mr Taiwo Adekanla, was released in Abuja on Monday.

It said that Kwankwaso, a senator representing Kano Central, would join the presidential race at a rally to be held at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

The statement said that part of Kwankwaso’s policy direction if elected, would be massive infrastructural development across the country.

“It is imperative for us to embark on massive infrastructural turn-around across the country.


“This includes the judicious management of the nation’s resources without necessarily mortgaging the future of the country on excessive foreign loans and its attendant burden.

“This will eliminate insecurity in all its forms across the country and return Nigeria to the path of prosperity,” it said.

It listed some of the aspirant’s achievements as governor to include his popular “Free School Feeding Programme’’ and free uniform for primary schools, based on his ‘Kwankwasiyya’ ideology.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that if nominated by his party, it will be Kwankwaso’s second attempt at getting the presidential ticket, but on different political parties’ platforms.

First was in 2014 when he ran against President Muhammadu Buhari and others for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2015 election. He came second in the contest.

http://surecontents..com/2018/08/kwankwaso-to-declare-presidential.html

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http://surecontents..com/2018/08/nigerian-student-scholarships-special.html

The Lagos State Police Command on Monday said it had arrested 57 persons suspected to be involved in homosexual activities in the Egbeda area of the state.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, confirmed the arrest to newsmen during a news conference.
He said that the suspects were picked up on Sunday at 2 a.m. while they were performing gay-initiation for newly recruited members.
“Intelligence gathered revealed that some youths will be initiated into a Gay/Homosexual Club between 1 a.m and 2 a.m., at Kelly Ann Hotel/ Event Centre, located at No. 3-7, Adenrele St., Egbeda, an action contrary to Section 1 (1) of Same Sex Marriage, Act 2014.
“Consequent upon this, some operatives from the Shasha and Idimu Police Stations stormed the venue and met no less than 80 young men.
“They were taking different types of drinks including banned substances like Tramadol, Shisha laced with substances suspected to be Marijuana.

“As soon as they sighted the police, they ran into different directions but the team arrested 57 of them,” he said.

The CP said that investigation into the case was ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court soon.

However, some of the suspects who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the press conference, denied the allegations.

They said that they were at the hotel to attend a wedding and a birthday party.

One of the suspects, James Obialu, said that he was a dancer and had come to the party to perform before he was arrested.

“I am not a gay, I am a dancer and I was there to perform before I was arrested. I am a responsible citizen and I work at the Alimosho General Hospital as a counsellor for those living with HIV,” he said.

Another suspect, Samuel Olarotimi, 22, and also a graduate of Mass Communication from the Yaba College of Technology, said that there were other females in the hotel who were not arrested.

“I was there for a birthday party which started late. About eight ladies were at the bar with us while some other ladies were dressing up in their rooms.

“I don’t know why the police refused to arrest the other females but brought us here as alleged homosexuals, “ he said.

One of them, Bob China, said that he accompanied his friend, a caterer, to deliver food at the party but was arrested while waiting outside the hotel.

ECOWAS Court delivers 127 judgments
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice said it received 352 cases and delivered 127 judgments from the first quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2018.
This was made known at the hand-over ceremony of the president of the court and the college of judges to the new judges in Abuja.
The outgoing president of the court, Justice Jérôme Traoré, said since assumption of office of the judges in 2014, external court hearings were held in line with relevant protocols.
Traoré said that such sessions were held to “bring the court closer to the litigants of the community”.
The court’s president said that the court had also developed relations with other international courts and concluded partnership agreements with organisations devoted to human rights defence and protection.

He, however, stressed that the decision of the authorities to reduce the number of judges from seven to five would hamper the effectiveness of its functions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that institutional reforms were announced in Monrovia, during the statutory meetings of the ECOWAS in June 2017.

“With the increasing rate at which cases are being filed before the court, staff strengthening becomes indispensable in order to avoid undue delays in the delivery of justice, he said.”

NAN also recalls that the court, had on several occasions, kicked against the proposed reduction of the number of its judges.

Chief Registrar of the court, Mr Tony Anene-Maidoh said 90 cases were pending before the court, adding that the drop in the number of judges posed an “existential threat” to the court’s activities.

Anene-Maidoh emphasised the reforms made were against the community protocols guiding the establishment of the court.

“Another looming minefield is the reduction in the number of translators from nine to six; currently, there are 585 court processes awaiting translation.

“The judges need quick translation of the court processes into three official languages to facilitate their work; inadequate capacity in the language services can only lead to inordinate delay in the administration of justice.

“The importance of providing a conducive work environment for the honourable judges and staff cannot be overemphasised; we appeal to the President of the Commission to kindly intervene.”

President of the ECOWAS Jean-Claude Brou encouraged the members of the court to “work in accordance with the scheme” of changes.

Brou reassured of the commission’s support to strengthen the efficacy of the court.

The commission’s president further commended the efforts of the court in promoting human rights in the region and in promoting the trust and credibility of the ECOWAS institutions.

The new President of the court, Justice Edward Asante, also assured of the court’s unrelenting efforts in the sustenance of human rights in the region.

Asante also encouraged the members of staff “put in their best to ensure that cases were attended to effectively”.

“Though the numbers reduced, we are going to be certain to deliver on the task.”
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/police-arrests-57-suspected-homosexuals.html

We're pleased to inform you that OOU and UNN have released their 2018/2019
Admission List. If interested in these information, please visit the
appropriate links below;

OOU Admission List, 2018/2019 Out; Link to view;
https://myschool.ng/news/oou-admission-list-2018-2019-is-out

UNN Admission List, 2018/2019; Link to view;
https://myschool.ng/news/unn-primary-admission-list-2018-2019

Goodluck to all our Candidates.

http://surecontents..com/2018/08/oou-unn-release-admission-list-20182019.html

The Police Command in Enugu State has commenced investigation into an incident that led to a 24-year-old man committing suicide after an overdose of marijuana.

The spokesman of the command, SP. Ebere Amaraizu, made the announcement in a statement on Saturday in Enugu.

He said the incident happened on Aug. 22 at Ameke Village in Enu-Oduma Community in the Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Amaraizu identified the dead man as Ebube Chukwu.

He said that Chukwu was reported to have committed suicide after taking his usual and hourly wraps of marijuana, popularly called ‘Igbo’.

“It was gathered that the victim had allegedly committed the act by hanging himself on top of a tree inside a forest at Obokolo, which is between Amorji and Ameke Oduma.

“It was further gathered that the victim was always in the habit of smoking marijuana, which may have caused the unfortunate incident.’’

Amaraizu said that investigation had commenced with a view to ascertaining the actual cause of death.
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/man-24-commits-suicide-after-ganja-binge.html?m=1

Mynd44 lalasticlala

Gambling is a steadily rising trend across Nigeria, especially among the youth. At a relaxation spot in Wuse, Abuja, a sign reading ‘BetNaija’ points to a football viewing and betting centre. Inside, young men sprawled on sofas or standing watch a football match on large TV screens.

Behind the televisions, another group stand before a counter with multiple computers. They are busy. Some stare at a list showing football clubs across the world, others look at a list of football matches to be played. From time to time, they yell out a name to those sitting on the other side of the counter. These are the operators who play whatever team or club their customers choose to bet for or against.

At other times, customers consult a piece of paper with a code. Their expressions are serious. They could either win or lose.

“You have to come with a code,” a girl said to a new customer in a betting centre. “When you come with it, I can then play whatever you want for you.”

In Utako, Olalekan, who works for a corporate company hasn’t been gambling for long. When he saw a friend play, curiosity got the better of him. After the friend explained how it works to Olalekan, he soon began to bet too.

“I’m naturally a risk taker,” Olalekan said and added that from the onset it wasn’t about the money but the thrill of monitoring the game. “When I don’t put my mind in the money is when I win,” he said, and admits that his habit of betting is getting stronger.

A manager of a betting shop in Wuse who craved anonymity explained that on their website they advise people not to allow gambling take over their lives. “It’s for you to use your spare money and not your hard-earned savings to predict and win,” he said.

“Our betting shop is a registered platform under the Nigerian Lottery Commission, and it is advised that players should be up to age 18 and above.”

The manager further added that people from all walks of life bet at his shop. “They may be educated, uneducated, rich, middle class, or poor,” he said, and recalled how someone won ten million naira by putting in only ten thousand naira. Another time, a man won five thousand naira after betting with a hundred naira.

He pointed out that BetNaija is a gaming platform with different types of games, but people prefer betting on football matches.

But what if they lose?

“As gamblers, one thing those who patronise us understand is that it’s a fifty-fifty affair. It’s either they win or they lose. So, they rarely get disappointed because they already know how the game is played,” the manager said.

He added that the difference between playing on ones personal computer at home and at a centre is that you see the person you are doing business with and sometimes you can consult.

“When one wins above N200, 000 in a standard shop, it’s a matter of twenty-four hours and you get paid,” the manager explained. “At a standard shop, the owner can pay some winnings without waiting for BetNaija to send the money.”

There are many betting sites online. Some of the popular ones include BetNaija, Naira Bet, Merry Bet, Winners Golden Bet, Lions Bet, Access Bet, Naija Bet, Sure Bet 247, Bet Dey, Mars Leisure, among others.

Every player visiting a betting shop needs to first get a betting code before they can play. They do this by logging into any betting site they prefer.

On BetNaija, for example, which is arguably one of the most popular in Nigeria, there are a whole lot of sporting events to choose from. It could be soccer, baseball, rugby, boxing, cricket, golf and many others. It could also be politics. However, Bobby Daniel said the most popular sport people prefer to place a bet on is football.

But what has led to the rise in the trend?

A promoter of sports betting business in Kaduna, Mr. John Bala identified frustration and poverty as the major factors, and described betting as the only hope for the common man, because of the high level of joblessness in the country. Aside this is also the interest and passion for football, which fuels the desire to gamble.

Bala narrated that a youth who won over N3million through betting in Kaduna, about three years ago, said that his life would have remained the same if he had not won that money. With the money, he was able to build a small house for himself, complete his tertiary education and then set up a business, which is sustaining him and his siblings.

In Kano, betting has become more popular, especially in Sabon Gari and Badawa areas, where different classes of people are involved. Gradually, scammers took advantage of the situation which led to the closure of many betting shops.

A player known as Hassan Juicy, who claimed to have won money on several occasions, said most people liked the fact that it was a means to make easy money. He pointed out that the major betting houses are Naija Bet, Baba Ijebu and BetNaija.

In Lagos State, the lottery board has licensed 18 online betting companies, including Naira Bet, Sure Bet247, BetNaija, 1960 Bet, Winners Golden Bet, amongst others. On the other hand, a temporary license was given to 12 companies, including Bet King, Fortune Bet, Go Games and many others, while a total of 14 companies were suspended between 2015 till date, by the board. Asides that, 16 pool betting centres have been licenced by the government and only three pool bet operators have been suspended.

A youth leader in Shogunle, Oshodi, Mr. Yusuf Okewale, pointed out that the increasing number of betting shops in Lagos calls for concern as some streets have up to three different online and pool betting outlets. He linked the situation to poor family foundations and upbringing, and lack of social intervention by the government, which has led many to abandon skills acquisition for betting.

“People prefer to open betting shops, rather than a clothing or provision store, because the return is high,” Okewale said. He added that government is not helping matters. Unemployment rate remains high, and this has forced many people to take alternative routes.

Okewale, who is leader of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) said, “Now, people bet in order to plan for naming ceremonies, weddings, birthdays and even burial. Once they win big, they spend lavishly at the occasion.”

At the popular Ijora underbridge in Lagos, young men, many of whom are public bus drivers, conductors, tricycle and motorcycle operators, gather around five different lottery operators within the vicinity. One of the gamblers, Adigun Emmanuel, said he plays the game because it offers him extra income beyond his bus conducting earnings.

“I like to play because I don’t need to invest so much,” Emmanuel said. “With N300, I can play three or sometimes six different games, with different Lotto brands, depending on the amount I wish to commit. Though sometimes I lose, but when I win, I celebrate it big time. I don’t see myself stop playing lottery any time soon.”

Emmanuel, who is the proprietor of The Hocks Pool Betting in Port Harcourt, said those involved in pool gambling are mainly youths between the ages of 20 and 25.

A sociologist, Bilar Luka, pointed out that when people talk about how much they have made on a bet, it encourages others. This eventually affects their social lifestyle, and they find it difficult to do any other thing for money. “Some do whatever it takes to get money for gambling, and this may lead to fraud.” However, Luka added that the positive aspect is that “it makes one sharp in decision-making because they have to predict in order to bet.”

Ustaz Maisuna Yahya said he noticed the trend recently, and learned it is called game of chance. “Islam frowns at it because of its peculiar disadvantages and side effect in the society. According to the Qur’an, there are four things mentioned as the ancestral work of the devil, and gambling is one of them.”

One of the devastating effects, Yahya explained, is that if a married person is involved, that person would not go home on time again and would go bankrupt someday. Also, he will become an irresponsible man.

“Let’s assume that person wins, he is like a pen robber who has stolen other people’s property. Also, if the person is a bachelor or spinster, that means if care is not taken, that person may steal a friend’s money or join a gang,” he said. “The Qur’an says, in his country or town, if care is not taken, poverty will overwhelm him. According to Q5:90, it distracts the attention of the player of the game from spiritual participation.”

But Rev Fr. Godswill Abagwa said that from the Catholic perspective, betting is not immoral. “There are conditions stated by the Catholic Church. One is that the money or property should not be what one should use to support his or her family, or for just obligations. For example, using finance meant for treating a family member in the hospital. If so is the case, it becomes immoral,” he said.

Abagwa added: “You also cannot be betting with a million naira when people around you are going hungry. Therefore, what is just or unjust depends on the circumstance. Also, the betting has to be fair. Generally, people don’t like betting because it is addictive. Betting is not wrong, but doing it excessively is.”

However, Pastor Raphael Olugbenga Olumodeji explained that in gambling, while a person smiles, another cries. “When you invest an amount and lose it, so many people suffer as a result. If that person is married, that means the wife and the children would be affected,” he said, stressing that people have committed suicide for losing.

Olugbenga further said that the quest to acquire quick money is always propelled by laziness. “The Bible in Jeremiah 17V11, says ‘Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay, are those who gain riches by unjust means. When their lives are half gone, their riches will desert them, and in the end, they will prove to be fools.’ This means that when you get wealth or money without labouring for it, you will lose it eventually.

“I once read an article about American gambling. A minister of God said he took a census that showed most people who got easy money lost it. That could apply to people that gamble. Some of them, when they get such money, waste it. What you have not laboured for cannot tarry. That is what Jeremiah 11 says to us. It can’t last.

“Proverbs 13 verse 11 says wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but you that gather by labour shall increase. We labour to get wealth not gamble because God will always bless the fruit of our labour.”
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/nigerian-youth-take-over-betting-shops.html

Mynd44 lalasticlala

The former Governor of Kaduna State who is also a presidential aspirant on of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a free and fair gubernatorial election in Osun state next month.

He gave the charge during his visit to the leadership of PDP in Osun at the Secretariat of the party in Osogbo, the state capital to hint them about his ambition.

Makarfi who is also a former national caretaker chairman of the party warned INEC against conniving with any political party to rig the election.

He said that the last governorship election in Ekiti State was marred by vote buying and massive rigging.

He therefore warned against a repeat of the "Ekiti scenario" in Osun State on September 22, just as he encouraged the people of the state to resist any attempt to rig the election.

Makarfi insisted that the wish of the people of the state must be allowed to stand regardless of the interest of the powers that be in the state and the federal level.

Speaking on his presidential ambition, Makarfi stressed the need for members of the PDP to support a credible and reliable aspirant like him to emerge the party's flagbearer, saying that the party cannot afford to lose the election.

While reiterating call for restructuring of the country, Makarfi said the PDP believes in restructuring and assured that the party will restructure the country if it returns to power in 2019.

Condemning the spate of insecurity in the country, the PDP leader assured that the PDP has solution to the challenges confronting the nation, pointing out that he will repeat the "magic" he used in Kaduna State to solve the nation's problems.

"As a young person, I faced a lot of challenges in Kaduna State in a bid to develop the state, but at the end, I was able to restructure the state and I succeeded in laying solid foundation for peace and development in the state. I promise to do the same thing in the country if I become the president," he assured.

The Chairman of the party in Osun, Honorable Soji Adagunodo while responding told Makarfi that 12,000 members of All Progressive Congress defected to PDP in two days and that the party was determined to win the September election.

Adagunodo commended Makarfi for resolving the crisis in the PDP when he served as the Chairman of national caretaker committee of the party. He assured him of supports of Osun

http://surecontents..com/2018/08/makarfi-charges-inec-security-agencies.html

Senator representing Kaduna central,Shehu Sani, has declared support for Buhari's re-election bid in 2019.

According to TheCable, an online newspaper, Shehu Sani who visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state on Thursday said they spoke about the need for the party to be united.

“I am also here to fully assure him of the support of my constituency, Kaduna central, to his aspiration for the second term,” he said.

“I’m also here to assure him of my own wholehearted support to the success of his administration and his return to office for the second term.

“Those were the basic issues that we discussed with him and other issues that border on the need to strengthen our party; the need to end all internal strife and also the need to put heads, hearts and hands together for the success of his administration and also for the success of the party.”

Sani said his decision to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) was because of the intervention of Buhari and the national leadership of the party.

“Well, there is no human being without any grievances but when national interest is put at the front side you have to put aside other parochial interests,” he said.

“What we need to do as politicians and as people representing those who elected us is to always put the country first and know very well that we have both constitutional and moral duty to work to the progress of Nigeria and of this government.

“So, I think these are the basic issues which we discussed, grievances are natural but we have to know that we have a country that we need to keep and also we have a country that we need to support, so that it can progress. I think the party had made it very clear and known to each and every person that there will be reward for loyalty but in every sense of the word due process of the party needs to be followed.

“And as far as we are concerned, what matters most to us is not simply about automatic ticket but about the peaceful and transparent conduct of the 2019 election and also the very need for us as a people and as a nation to know that the fate of the country is on our hands.”

http://surecontents..com/2018/08/shehu-sani-declares-support-for-buhari.html

The Labour Party (LP) has pledged to deliver 16 million votes for President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential elections

The National Chairman of the Party, Dr Mike Omotosho gave the assurance
on Thursday in Ilorin at a public lecture and inauguration of Wards and Local Governments canvassers for re-election bid of Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The event organised by the Buhari/Osinbajo 2019 Project was attended by the Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture and the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara.

Omotosho, in a goodwill message at the event, said the labour party will support the re-election bid of Buhari and will mobilise vote for him.

He said his party will also work with the APC to liberate Kwara from misrule by a clique led by one man.

Omotosho charged the people of Kwara, to take the opportunity of the political development in the country to free themselves from slavery and oppression.

Speaking in the same vein, the Chairman of APC caretaker committee in Kwara. Bashir Bolarinwa said President Buhari should be given a chance to continue with his agenda of liberating the country from poverty and treasury looting.

He said Nigerians should not allow a repeat of 1985 history when Buhari regime of discipline and prudence was ousted to pave way for corruption and retrogression.

Otunba Gani Zubair, the coordinator of Buhari/Osinbajo 2019 Project, said the group was formed because of the dysfunction within APC orchestrated by the defection in the National Assembly.

He said the objective of the movement, among others, is to counter all forces against the President and mobilise the people for his re-election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the the Information minister inaugurated the volunteers and charged them to sensitise the grassroots to the achievements of the Buhari’s administration.

Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN) human rights lawyer and the Director Media, Buhari Campaign Organisation delivered the lecture on the theme: “Milestones of Sustainable Economic and Social Political Development in Nigeria”. (NAN)
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/2019-labour-party-pledges-16m-votes-for.html

A Muslim activist group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of disallowing Muslim women in the South West of the country from registering as voters.

MURIC, in a statement yesterday, said overzealousness on the part of some ad hoc staff of INEC may deny thousands of Muslim women their right to vote in the forthcoming 2019 elections.

The human rights organization alleged that women in hijab were being disenfranchised right from the Permanent Voter Card Registration centres.

Prof Ishaq Akintola, chairman of the group, who signed the statement said: “Muslim women are being asked to remove their hijab before capturing can take place. Some are asked to draw back the hijab from their faces to expose their ears. Of course, the whole world knows that it is a taboo for Muslim women in hijab to expose their hair or ears. The Muslim women who refused to remove their hijab or to expose their ears are being turned back without being registered. This is unacceptable.

“It is cultural profiling. We are going to use every legitimate means to resist this aggression against Islam. We smell a rat. Religious fanatics have infested INEC’s ad hoc staff and their mission is to frustrate prospective Muslim voters. They want to reduce Muslim voting power in the sub-region.”

Akintola said INEC ad hoc staff “who commit this atrocity” claimed that they were following instructions from their head office, it “is an old trick and a common line of argument.”

He added; “It suggests conspiracy. It means anti-Muslim elements have taken over in INEC head offices in Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Oshogbo, Ondo and Akure (capitals of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states). This abuse is widespread particularly in Lagos State but INEC may want to focus its attention on its office at Arigbanla Road, Orile-Agege LCDA, Iyana Ipaja, very close to NYSC camp.

“Worse still, Muslims who are coerced into agreeing to remove their hijab during capture will forever face the ignominy of being requested to remove their hijab each time they attempt to use their PVCs as means of identification. Why should Muslims be turned into dregs of the society? Why should we be made to face perpetual embarrassment? Is it not better to be free men in our graves than live as puppets and slaves?” Akintola noted.
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/group-accuses-inec-of-disenfranchising.html

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Senate President Bukola Saraki has refused to reconvene National Assembly because he is afraid of impeachment.

The APC Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, in a phone interview with Daily Trust yesterday, said the Senator knew that the party had the two-third majority needed to impeach him.

Nabena said Saraki was just buying time thinking that the party would negotiate with him, advising the Senate President to reconvene National Assembly in the interest of the country.

When asked whether the APC was still insisting that National Assembly should reconvene to consider INEC Budget, virements from Mr President and other issues raised by the National Chairman, he said, “Yes, because it is for the good of the country and the masses if the National Assembly reconvenes. The budget is something that will affect everybody. So, it’s not for personal interest. Budget is meant for the country. We all know that the INEC issue is still outstanding, security and other issues of economic importance.

“So, we are still insisting that Senate President should reconvene the National Assembly. His only fear - he is afraid because he knows that the numbers are there. That is why he is afraid. But he is just buying time. All what he is doing is just to buy time to negotiate with him this time around.”

Asked if the APC was insisting that he (Saraki) should resign, Nabena said, “He needs to resign from the position since he has moved to the PDP. And this is not negotiable. Nobody is negotiating with him. And if he doesn’t, he will be impeached democratically.”

When reminded that there had been argument over what actually constituted the two-third majority, the APC acting spokesman said, “That is what I’m telling you. He knows that the two-third is there. He knows. That is why he is buying time. First of all, he must understand that the country comes first before any individual interest. If that is what is going to make the country move forward, the people also know that. So, the country cannot be held to standstill because of one man. So, if he is not afraid, let him come.”
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/why-saraki-is-afraid-of-reconvening-apc.html

Mavin queen, Tiwa Savage has finally reacted to rumours of an intimate relationship between her and music star, Wizkid.

Tiwa and Wizkid were spotted a few months ago in several pictures together. The two even performed a few shows together and this led many speculating that perhaps there was something more between them.

However, speaking on SoundCity radio 98.5, at the weekend, Tiwa clarified that the relationship between them was not romantic in any way.

She said :

“We are friends definitely.To be honest, I think I have been in this industry for long time, I have grown a thick skin.So,comments like this,genuinely,honestly don't bother me that much.I am kinda used to it. Today is Humblesmith,tomorrow it is Wiz.Its just what it is. Its part of the job.”
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/finallytiwa-savage-opens-up-on.html

The International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety), has asked the Nigerian and Imo State Governments to discontinue, withdraw and discharge all the 10-count charges of treasonable felony, conspiracy to commit treasonable felony and terrorism levelled against over 100 women arrest during a pro Biafra protest.

Intersociety, in a statement signed by Board Chairman Emeka Umeagbalasi and Head, Civil Liberties and Rule of Law Programme, Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Esq, accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of pushing Igbos to the wall.

“The incarcerated Mothers of Igbo Nation deserve apologies and reparative packages for their wrongful detention and being labeled “terrorists” and “felons” in Government’s panicky and draconian response to their use of “braziers as human rights kits” to protest Government’s sundry atrocities against their children and husbands,” it said.

“In line with the recent Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on unconstitutionality of the so called “Holden Charge”, we further call upon the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the AGF, as case may be, to issue a practice direction to all Magistrates in Nigeria to refrain from using their Courts to effect indiscriminate dumping of suspects in prison custodies especially in offences the said Magistrates and their Courts do not have jurisdiction to try,”

“Common sense and logic suffix that where a Magistrate Court cannot exercise jurisdiction over an offence before the Court, such zero jurisdiction must be exercised fully including non admittance of the arraignment of the suspects connected to the zero jurisdiction matter or by not allowing the charge sheet to be read in open Court. The arresting and detaining authorities coming to the Court with such zero jurisdiction matter should be sent out of the Court or ordered to take their detainees to the appropriate Courts (i.e. High Court) and charged them accordingly.

“Analysis done by Intersociety on their social and family backgrounds clearly shows that most of them are mothers of young children. Those under this category are between the ages of 22 and 45, numbering 80. Yet their incarceration and torture has attracted little or no attention locally and internationally.

“This is in spite of the fact that they did not commit any felony during their street protest, with no gun or rifle of any kind or IEDs found in their possession or from any of them; except flags and insignias and other faith objects such as bangles, chaplets, bibles, necklaces, sachets of water, etc. Still they were arrested, detained, tortured and labeled “terrorists” and “treasonable felons”; with the world maintaining inexplicable silence of congregated and aggregated proportion till date.

“It is recalled that the incarcerated Mothers of the Igbo Nation whose names are provided below had on 17th August 2018 embarked on peaceful street protest (guaranteed by Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution under rights to freedom of expression, assembly and movement) in Owerri, Imo State.

“The street protest was organised by the unarmed, defenseless and innocent women to express their deep displeasure over persecutory policies of the present central Government in Igbo Land including ceaseless killing in hundreds by the same Government of unarmed and defenseless pro Biafra activists and maiming of hundreds of others as well as planned “Army Python Dance 111” and non disclosure of the whereabouts of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu and his royal parents, HRH, Eze Israel Okwu and Lolo Ugoeze Nnene Kanu who reportedly went missing following the military invasion of their Afara-ukwu Palace near, Umuahia on 14th September 2017.

“The police and other security agencies, on orders of the Government of Imo State and the Federal Government of Nigeria resorted to use of draconian methods by getting them rounded up and detained for three days at the State Police Command Headquarters in Owerri; from where they were arraigned at Owerri Magistrate Court, presided over Mrs. S.K. Kaduruma. The arraignment was with charge number: OW/430/2018: CP Imo State v Ijeoma Okorie (30yrs) & 111 ors. The Legal and Prosecution Department of the State Police Command represented by SP Thaddeus Okechukwu later read 10-count spurious charges of “treasonable felony”, “conspiracy to commit treasonable felony”, “terrorism”, among others.

“Despite efforts made by their team of lawyers led by Barr Ifeanyi Ejiofor to draw the judicial attention of the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. S.K. Kaduruma to the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to the effect that “a Magistrate Court that does not have jurisdiction to try an offense brought before her, cannot exercise same jurisdiction she does not have by remanding the alleged offenders of the offence to prison custody”, the presiding Magistrate ignored same, hiding under the same cover of “orders from above” and remanded the 112 Mothers to prison custody and adjourned till 3rd September 2018.

Intersociety, in the statement, identified most of the incarcerated women follows: Afoma Umoh Wisdom (64yrs), Virginia Akwufube (62yrs), Ezike Emmanuela (62yrs), Uzoma Oraka (62yrs), Charity Obioha (60yrs), Chinyere Nwachukwu (55yrs), Udeogu Margret (58yrs), Ratchel Okengwu (58yrs), Angelina Felix (55yrs), Monica Anaelechi (54yrs), Esther Osuji (52yrs), Florence Olewembu (52yrs), Nkechi Ekwedisika (52yrs), Kosarachukwu Udegbunam (51yrs), Josephine Ogolo (51yrs), Monica Nwaeleke (50yrs), Mabel Okoire (50yrs), Chika Njoku (50yrs), Grace Nkemakolam (50yrs), Paulina Awunezi (50yrs), Christiana Muonwuba (50yrs), Margret Eze (50yrs), Florence Egede (50yrs), Rose Osuchukwu (50yrs), Comfort Uti (50yrs), Nnedinma Onuoha (49yrs), Agatha Nwachukwu (49yrs).

Ijeoma Okorie (30yrs), Uloma Ejiogu (30yrs), Victoria Jacob (45yrs), Vivian Ozuruigbo (30yrs), Chinenye Imo (40yrs), Chinyere Egbulom (38yrs), Cynthia Onyebuchi (31yrs), Chigbata Chinyere (38yrs), Egesi Josephine (41yrs), Hope Eze (45yrs), Ikejiofor Amechi (44yrs), Nkeiru Ajagba (45yrs), Ngozi James (46yrs), Nnene Nweke (46yrs), Lucy Mary Kanu (21yrs), Irole Goodness (30yrs), Ogechi Okechukwu (30yrs), Tochukwu Eze (38yrs), Onyemaechi Ijezie (38yrs), Ginika Awuzie (39yrs), Vero Nnamani (30yrs), Nkwoagu Chinenye (22), Ijeoma Victoria Nnadozie (43yrs), Blessing Udeme (25yrs), Nnewuchi Obiageli (31yrs), Ngozi Onyenwugo (22yrs), Ruth Onwumere (45yrs), Nkeiruka Ohanebo (45yrs), Nzube Uwaigwe (22yrs), Eberechi Iheanacho (39yrs), Ego Nwafor (40yrs), Chinyere Eze (32yrs).

Adaku Inyama (45yrs), Ndidi Uchenna (45yrs), Nneka Kingsley (38yrs), Nkeiru Nwankwo (37yrs), Chinwendu David (38yrs), Juliet Nwaiwu (42yrs), Juliet Innocent Onwuka (40yrs), Chinyere Nwankwo (25yrs), Nkeiru Orji (34yrs), Joy Uwabunike (47yrs), Nnene Ibeneli (38yrs), Jane Isaac (25yrs), Kelechi Emmanuel (40yrs), Ngozi Nwajiaku (34yrs), Ugochi Okwum (32yrs), Ifeoma Emmanuel (42yrs), Nkeiru Onyegbari (35yrs), Eucharia Eke (42yrs), Ijeoma Onyedinefu (33yrs), Blessing Nnedede (26yrs), Iheanyichukwu Ogueri (35yrs), Ogochukwu Alaribe (35yrs), Uchechukwu Okoro (48yrs), Iheomachi Ejiaku (40yrs), Uchchukwu Ahamuefula (32yrs).

Evelyn Usulo (38yrs), Joy Chimezie (45yrs), Precious Ogbonna (40yrs), Obiageli Nwite (48yrs), Ginika Ndibe (20yrs), Chinelo Ugwueze (38yrs), Nwachukwu Blessing (22yrs), Rita Edet (29yrs), Nnenna Okorie (36yrs), Chinyere Eze (43yrs), Iwuneme Bibian (45yrs), Onuoha Ogechi (no age), Peculiar Nwachukwu (28yrs), Felicia Ike (42yrs), Obiageli Obumsolu (39yrs) Ugonne Godwin (45yrs), Kalunwoke Ekemiri (28yrs), Nwauwa Cecelia (44yrs), Igboka Ngozi, Angela Okeke, Blessing Aguama, Oguchim Chinedu and Mary Okorie (classified in their charge sheet as “adults” but possibly in their 70s).
http://surecontents..com/2018/08/biafra-intersociety-releases-photo.html