₦airaland Forum

Former militant and leader of the now defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has denied reports that he purchased six warships.

A Norwegian newspaper, Dagbladet reported earlier that Tompolo purchased six decommissioned ships which were also upgraded with new weaponry.

The ex-militant has however said that the rumours are part of attempts to tarnish his image.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo said:
“I am not surprised that this blackmail is coming at this crucial time that Nigeria is facing serious security challenges even as the most decisive moment for the nation, which is the 2015 election closes in.

“For one, the initial reaction was to just ignore this cheap blackmail and forge ahead with personal commitments but the propensity with which these lies are daily peddled requires that a bit of clarifications is given to the Nigerian public,” he said.
“Clearly, the intent of those behind the malicious media report is to weigh me down,paint me as someone with the desire to wage war against the Nigerian state by painting a picture of an arms build-up in the Niger Delta as 2015 approaches.”
“On the issue relating to the alleged purchase of war boats, it smacks of ignorance on the part of those who have taken an ignoble delight to embark on this despicable path; it is pertinent for the ignorance of those behind this blackmail to be exposed.”
“The truth is that these boats in question have been in the care of NIMASA for about two years now. For the avoidance of doubts, the boats are not warships or gunboats as being erroneously spread by mischief makers,” Tompolo added.

“The boats as acquired are neither equipped with war arsenals nor are they ammunition carriers. They are simply boats equipped with modern surveillance devices to track oil thieves and in the process, increase the nation’s revenue base through NIMASA.”
“Similarly, Tompolo is not in charge of the said boats as upon acquisition, the boats were handed over to NIMASA which in turn involved the Nigerian Navy in their usage and operations.”

“Perhaps, it is apt to say that this latest blackmail could not have come from any quarter other than some Niger Delta politicians whose desire to enslave others has not only failed but backfired. The masterminds of this cannot cow me to withdraw my support for President Goodluck Jonathan.”

What an honor to share this brief information with you. After becoming the youngest person in the world at age 10 in 2013 to be featured in Forbes magazine, Los Angeles native Zuriel Oduwole, who showed her newest documentary titled A Promising Africa at the Film House Cinema chain in Lagos on November 27th and 28th, became the youngest person in the world to show their work in a commercial movie theater.

https://thenet.cdn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/zuriel-and-kunle-afolayan-450x600.jpg

The documentary moved to London last week, on a limited and early release schedule.

Below are video clips from Local TV news on this historic moment, in Lagos - Nigeria, and in London - England, where the documentary has showed. She is currently in Paris - France, and heading home in a few days time.

Kaduna state governorship candidate of the APC, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that his party, All Progressives Congress, will defeat the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, at the general elections in 2015.

APC’s presidential aspirant, Muhammadu Buhari, is poised to go head-to-head with incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential elections in February 2015.

El-Rufai, who is an erstwhile Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated on his Twitter page that the PDP will be booted out of office by the opposition.

According to him, the tombstone of the PDP has been carved, while the obituary will be written in February 2015.

He wrote, “The obituary of the Peoples Democratic Party will be written in February 2015 by God’s grace. The tombstone has been carved.”

Just like other top single and ready to mingle female celebrities in Nollywood, Ebube Nwagbo didn't choose to be on that league but she confirmed that she's still waiting for the right man to come sweep her off her feet.

In a recent interview, the Anambra State born diva, who was rumoured to have once wrecked the marriage of Kcee, the acclaimed ‘Limpopo’ master, made a hearty confession of how the thoughts of marriage scares her.

According to her, “I am still single because I am someone who has always believed in love. It is a big deal to me so if I have to do it, it has to be right. I am a strong believer of love. I get lots of proposals; it is so crazy I do not know who to give a chance to. I think it is a price I have to pay for stardom.

“Sometimes when anybody comes my way, I do not know who wants to be with me for the right reasons. I believe when that day comes, I will definitely figure out who that person is. It is not easy.

“What I should be talking about is not relationship but marriage. I want to go into marriage and be in it for ever. No one goes into marriage thinking of divorce, but it happens. We try our best.

“I think I am kind of scared, but I just have to give it a try whether I like it or not. It just has to happen and happen right; at the right time.”

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Sunday asked the presidency to stop its obsession with the party’s internal decision processes and decisions.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the APC in Rivers State, Eze Chukwuemeka, on Sunday, the party reacted to a tweet by presidential aide, Doyin Okupe.

Okupe had on Thursday tweeted that a joint ticket involving APC’s presidential flag bearer, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as Vice President, would be a “fatal error”.

Responding, Chukwuemeka said “This is an issue that does not concern Dr Okupe, who is not a stakeholder in APC but the fact remains that if Buhari/Amaechi ticket is a fatal error then Jonathan/Sambo ticket is not only a disaster but an ectopic pregnancy that must be evacuated to save the life of the mother, in this case our nation.

“Anyone who fails an examination is asked to repeat; but when the failure is so dismal the person is asked to leave as Nigerians are asking President Jonathan and VP Sambo to leave as they have not only failed woefully but have endangered our nation to the extent that the need of Buhari/Amaechi ticket becomes imperative to save our nation from imminent extinction”, Mr. Eze said.

He also said Mr. Okupe’s comment is a sign of cowardice by the Presidency, “which lives in perpetual fear of Mr. Amaechi and has been having nightmares since news filtered out that Mr. Amaechi is in strong contention to emerge as Mr. Buhari’s running mate.”

The spokesman insisted that a Buhari/Amaechi ticket in 2015 was APC’s best bet of removing the PDP from power.

“With the myth surrounding Buhari, combined with the bravery and sagacity of Gov. Amaechi, PDP’s days in the Aso Presidential Villa will surely become history by 2015.

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said it would begin a three-day warning strike to press for the re-instatement of the National Zonal Secretary of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mrs. Elo, who was sacked by Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG) Limited.

The union however said the strike would be limited to the states covered by the Port Harcourt zone of the union where Elo served. The state under the zone include Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Anambra, Benue, and Ebonyi.

The National President of NUPENG, Comrade Achese Igwe, spoke yesterday at the union’s thanksgiving service, held at the All Saint's Anglican Church, Okochiri, Okrika.

His words: “It (the strike) is not a threat; it is commencing tomorrow. But we are graduating the processes. The issue is the sack of the national zonal secretary of PENGASSAN (Port Harcourt Zone), Mrs Elo. The truth is that we cannot fold our hands to see these foreign investors coming with punitive measures in our own country.

“We do not intend to create hardship for Nigerians. That is why we have decided to fashion out a way so that Nigerians would not feel the impact. We are not declaring a nation-wide strike as assumed.

“The zone where she came from would be shut down on Monday until the issue is resolved and she is reinstated back to office. Without that, no going back. The state under the zone included Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi.”

Igwe called for the understanding of Nigerians over the strike, stating that they were forced to embark on the action because of Total’s refusal to reverse its sack of the union official.

“Nigerians know that we do not want to embark upon this strike action now. This issue has been on for a long period; we have done consultations. Even the Ministry of Petroleum has intervened and the NNPC, which is the checkmate of the oil and gas industry have also intervened that the woman should be reinstated but Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG) Limited said no,” he stated.

He also explained the position of the union.

Igwe explained: “We are embarking in that strike because we have driven our processes to a level. Those behind these challenges are blacks; they are also Nigerians. We are saying, reinstate this woman back. She was elected by the people to serve the people. But all of a sudden you said no because she was elected as a woman; that the only thing you can do is to sack her and then you queried her. You begin to tell her that she must go on leave of absence. Fine, you offered a leave of absence but the union needs to sit down and X-ray the impact of that. But the next thing we saw was a sack.

“Now, we have been able to study the offer you made, restore this woman back to job, you said no: That because she was elected at the Port Harcourt zone, you want to transfer her back to the Lagos zone. But the answer is no; she was elected in Port Harcourt zone; you cannot transfer her to Lagos. That is the political office of the workers. The workers elected her; she is representing the workers, not representing you as an institution or as a management.”

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress [APC] on Sunday visited ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, days after defeating the later and three others to clinch the presidential ticket of the party.
It is not clear what both politicians discussed at the closed-door meeting held at Atiku’s Abuja residence.
Mr. Buhari visited alone with just his orderly and driver while all Atiku’s aides were asked to stay away as the two leaders conversed behind closed-doors.

A source in the former vice-president’s camp however said “the APC presidential candidate came to seek the support and collaboration of Atiku in line with the former VP’s pledge to work for the success of the APC in the general elections”.
“It is also possible that they may have discussed the choice of Buhari’s VP consideration ahead of the meeting by the party tomorrow on the subject in Abuja,” the source said.

Before Mr. Buhari’s visit, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that a chieftain of the party and former Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party [ANPP], Ogbonnaya Onu, and Lawal Shuaibu, APC’s Deputy National Chairman (North), had visited Atiku.

Their mission to the former vice-president’s residence is also unclear. But the Atiku Campaign Organisation had before the APC presidential primary proposed Mr. Onu to head the party’s Negotiation Committee, which was expected to work towards ensuring that the party went into the 2015 election after its primaries with a united front.
“I cannot confirm if that proposal was accepted by the party and if indeed Onu came visiting in that capacity to discuss the affairs of the party post-primaries and to chart a way forward,” our source in the Atiku camp said.
Atiku had in his concession speech, after losing the primary, pledged to hand over his policy document to Mr. Buhari for possible review and implementation.
Atiku lost the party’s primaries to Mr. Buhari but congratulated him minutes after the results were announced and since pledged his support.

Nooo, not like physical fire, fire, guys. lol. The 2014 Headies Awards is on right now at the Eko Hotel & Suites and Nigeria's top stars are rocking to the event outstanding outfits. Check out Eva Alordiah, pictured above, 's outfit to the event. Chiq bared her mid riff, belly button for our viewing pleasure. *winks* See D'Prince's look, Victoria Kimani, Dakore Akande. Lilian Unachukwu and more after the cut.

Nigeria’s first indigenous beer brand, Star Lager has completed the building of the world’s largest bottle tree in Lagos State, Nigeria.

The record-breaking tree is made with a total of 8,000 star bottles as against 3,000 bottles announced during the commencement of the project. This development was as a result of the excitement the project elicited in the minds of consumers and Lagosians who trooped in to submit empty bottles as contribution towards the project.

Attention grabbing and beautifully made, the Star Bottle Tree sits proudly at the Star Beer Village, Eko Atlantic City (venue of the much anticipated Lagos Countdown 2014) Victoria Island, Lagos.

With over 17.5 million people, Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria and the seventh fastest-growing city in the world. It is also the commercial capital of Nigeria, making it an increasingly attractive hub on the continent.

The bottle tree is a first of its kind in the country, symbolizing greatness and the enterprising Nigerian spirit personified by Star Lager, the country’s leading beer brand.

The Star Tree aims to break the current World Record of 1,000 beer bottles being held by the Chinese city of Shanghai.

Matse Uwatse-Nnoli who got married to her Nigerian/German husband in a recent interview revealed how she met him and how the handsome dude fell for her recipe.

"It wasn’t my food that initially drew my husband to me but it was what made him appreciate me more. He initially liked me as a woman and enjoyed our intellectual banters before partaking in my culinary delights. My cooking sealed the deal though.

Before radio, cooking was and is my first love. I started cooking as a teenager. Baking all sorts of things in my mum’s kitchen and trying out different recipes. I taught my entire household as a teenager how to bake.

A lady’s life is not all about the kitchen, but if you love doing it, do it. If you can afford it, pay someone else to. There is more to life than cooking. Women nowadays are thinking beyond cooking. I do it because I love it but when I am forced to do something, I dislike that thing."

Then how did he pop the marriage proposal question to Matse’s?

She recalled: "Love proposal ke! It wasn’t the traditional type of proposal. It came in between a conversation. We were talking and he suddenly said, “Let’s get married”. I was shocked and he repeated it. That was how the journey of a thousand miles started."

She also shared her life away from the usual Radio Personality, which catapulted her to fame.

"Life away from radio has been peaceful. I guess I needed being off radio to revaluate my life. It made me closer to my husband and allowed me enough time with my new born and entire family. Instead of the fast paced life I was used to, I slowed down a bit and this has been great.

It showed me other hidden talents that I had not explored. Now, apart from being a media personality, I am now an entrepreneur, a food blogger, photographer and a software developer. The
titles keep coming."

Members of the Boko Haram sect attacked Oil Rich, Gajiganna in Monguno local government area of Borno State on Thursday, killing no fewer than 30 residents.

Some of the residents, who escaped from the troubled town, also told DAILY POST that the terrorists destroyed almost all the houses in the area.

Gajigana is a border town between Niger and Nigeria, where drilling was ongoing as a result of discovery of oil in Borno State. The work has since been abandoned as a result of the Boko Haram attacks in the area.

According to Kalli Abdullahi, a resident of Gajiganna, the insurgents, who attacked them, were of the Manga tribe from Tchad Republic, who he said now governed most parts of the northern Borno.

“They preside over meetings in most of the villages, execute judgement for the people and police most of the communities. Just before they attacked Gajigana, they have been coming around to judge the people. In fact, about one week to the attack, there was problem between one of our friends and a Fulani man who put his cows in the farm; we had to report the matter to them (Boko Haram); they came and gave the Fulani man one day for him to pay compensation; he agreed and paid amount equivalent to five bags of beans”, he disclosed.

He said the villagers learnt that some people went and informed the security operatives in Maiduguri that some residents were joining Boko Haram owing to government’s neglect, adding that the military stormed the place and made some arrest.

“In a form of reprisal, members of the Boko Haram now attacked Gajiganna, because they believed that those that reported them to soldiers were from the area. They took some people and killed them. When we thought that it was over, they suddenly decided to start burning houses”, he further disclosed.

Abdullahi also told newsmen that from Abadam local government to Kukawa, Marte, Ngala, Dikwa, Mobbar, Nganzai, Magumeri, Marte, Kala-Balge, and Monguo in the northern Borno, there was no security presence, adding that all the villages surrounding the northern Borno was now under the protection of the Boko Haram sect.

“Whatever you are doing, they watch you; they monitor every movement”, he said.

Attempt to get confirmation from both the police and military in Borno did not yield result, but a soldier who pleaded anonymity confirmed the attack.

He disclosed that most of the Boko Haram fighters around northern Borno were not Nigerian citizens but a particularly group of Tchadians, who were unleashing terror on villagers.

AYODELE PETERS LIVES IN UNCOMPLETED BUILDING

If anyone told Ayodele Peters that he would find himself living in an uncompleted building after representing Nigeria at the Olympics, he probably would have rained some wicked punches on that person.

But the man, who represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympic Games, has grappled with living in an uncompleted house in Ayobo, Lagos, for close to a decade.

Peters covered the windows of his room with dusty and old blinds. A rope, which serves as a makeshift wardrobe, runs from one end of the room to the window. Peters’ clothes are hung on it.

On the bare floor is a new mattress just below a stove and kitchen utensils. In front of the mattress is Peters’ table, a four-legged iron with a wood on it. That is all he can lay claim to as his own, 34 years after he represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympic Games.

On the roof is a torn ceiling, which evidently means that the ex-boxer must take several positions in the small room whenever it rained, to avoid being wet.

Spotting weather-beaten baggy jeans, an oversized shirt and eyeglasses, Peters related his pathetic hero-to-zero story.

“I’ve been living here since 2007. I took Alimosho LGA to the 2007 Lagos Sports Month and I won laurels. I used the money I realised from the competition, to rent this place. I may soon be homeless because the owner has said he wants to complete the building and pack in,” Peters told our correspondent.

“I am dying every day and the Lord knows it. It’s a big shame, it’s just that I cannot commit suicide because I know that there is God and He has preserved me for the past 20 years. I am over 57 but look at how I am now, after representing Nigeria and Ogun State as a boxer.

“I am alive but I am not living a life. I spent all my fruitful years boxing; I never looked at girls. I was always happy to represent Nigeria.”

Peters problems started in 1985, while representing Ogun at the National Boxing Championship in Lagos, where he sustained a thumb injury in his second fight. Even though he managed to reach the final— his fifth fight— Peters described the injury as one that ‘tops a series of personal disasters that plagued my life and career.’

Indeed, it led to a series of drama that led to his double dismissal— first in 1987 and then in 1994— as a staff of the Ogun State Sports Council and from there, which ultimately reduced him to his present status.

After applying several medications to the injury to no avail, a physiotherapist advised him to seek treatment in the United Kingdom in 1986.

But despite documents to show that his trip was approved by Dr. Ayodele Oni, the state consultant at the time, he was dismissed for embarking on what he termed ‘French Leave.’

“The doctor and consultant gave me all the necessary papers to show (to the sports council) the manner of injury and even the x-ray. But on my arrival in September 1987, I was told I took French Leave and was instructed verbally not to report for duty without an official letter issued to that effect. But I kept going to the office, demanding justice be done. In February 1988, I was eventually given a letter of dismissal with retrogressive effect from January 1987.”

But Peters still competed for Ogun at the 1989 NSF in Lagos and won a medal for the state. Then military administrator of Ogun State, Navy Captain Mohammed Lawal, ordered automatic promotion to the next salary grade level for medalists at the festival, who were employees of the sports council; and employment for unemployed medalists.

Reprieve came his way, a year later, when he was offered a fresh appointment on Grade Level 07. Having been promoted to Grade Level 07 in 1986, Peters pleaded for double promotion from 07 to 09, claiming that he should have been part of the general promotion exercise in 1991 for civil servants who were last promoted in 1986; and as a beneficiary of the promise of Lawal after winning a medal at Eko ’89.

But a letter dated October 11, 1991 and signed by I.O. Adebayo for State Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development, Youth and Sports read, “Since the appointment offered you (in 1990) is a fresh appointment, it is not possible to backdate it to November 8, 1976 (when Peters was first employed). You are therefore advised to face your work…”

There was more drama to come. Peters was first served a compulsory letter of retirement, signed by B.A. Oyeti, for State Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Social Development, Youth and Sports on September 26, 1994.

But another letter dated December 14, 1994 titled Re: Retirement from Service and also signed by Oyeti, instead turned his retirement to outright dismissal from the state civil service.

By Tim Cocks and Julia Payne

LAGOS/ABUJA, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Nigeria is suffering from a plummeting currency, steep budget cuts, corruption scandals and diving oil prices; yet all this is unlikely to decide a tight race for the presidency.

In many other democracies, such turmoil would probably propel the incumbent from office. A likely rise in inflation in Africa's biggest economy is unwelcome for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election on Feb. 14 next year.
But many Nigerians appear willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, while others will vote according to regional, sectarian or ethnic loyalties in the most closely fought election since the end of military rule in 1999.

Jonathan faces main opposition contender, ex-military leader Muhammadu Buhari, with the naira currency devalued 8 percent in the past month and a budget slashed by around 10 percent, both due to a near halving of world oil prices since June.
Yet any undecided voters appear unlikely to be swayed by economic hardship whose immediate cause lies in global markets.
"We are really suffering from the high dollar, but you can't blame President Jonathan for that. He can't control the dollar," said Daniel Ibere, whose sales of electronic goods in Lagos's overcrowded Eko Idumota market dropped when he raised prices.
Buhari is likely to benefit from a perception that Nigeria was ill prepared for the energy price shock because so much revenue from oil, its dominant export earner, has been lost to corruption under Jonathan's administration. He is regarded as a rare example of a graft fighter when president in 1983-85.

"CRYING AND COMPLAINING"
When the central bank devalued the naira last month to save foreign reserves, the impact was felt instantly on the streets. Nigeria imports 80 percent of what it consumes.
"Everyone is crying and complaining," said Ifeanyi Onuchukwu, a clothes wholesaler in the capital Abuja. Onuchukwu tried to raise his prices 10 percent, but the traders wouldn't buy his wares so he suffered losses.

Economist Bismarck Rewane thinks inflation will hit double digits for the first time in two years by January. "That's a difficult situation for Jonathan. You really don't need this two months before an election," he said.
But a bigger headache comes from allegations that billions of dollars of revenue have "leaked" at the state oil firm, according to ex-central bank governor Lamido Sanusi, among others. Jonathan removed Sanusi in February after he made the allegations.
Critics argue this is one reason why Nigeria failed to build up a savings cushion when oil prices were high. Buhari's campaign has focused on the economy and alleged corruption.
"The lives of the poor are bled dry while those of the powerful soak in excessive abundance," he said on Thursday after winning the opposition ticket.
This, however, may not be enough to sway an electorate divided along lines that for the most part have little to do with policy.
Nigeria has been dogged by regional rivalries since independence from Britain in 1960. It suffered a catastrophic civil war in the late 1960s and even today, many Nigerians vote for candidates from their own area or an allied ethnic group. Those who can widen their geographical appeal gain a distinct advantage.
"Policy has never been a great part of politics ... If you look at the last election, Buhari lost because he didn't win as many votes outside his area as Jonathan did outside his," said Anthony Goldman of Nigeria-focused PM Consulting.
He added that the economic problems could cut either way, since "there's sometimes a 'better the devil you know' factor" in times of crisis in Nigeria, a generally conservative country.

COLOUR OF YOUR MONEY
The other factor is money. Vast patronage is often needed to get communities to vote for a candidate, so the incumbent who controls the oil wealth enjoys an advantage.
This time money is running extremely low, and Nigeria's fiscal position always weakens around election time.
However, a parliamentary source said the funds needed to pay for campaigns on both sides had mostly already been stockpiled before the oil price crash, so the impact may be minimal.
While Nigeria faces a more austere budget, its debt remains low, certainly when compared with the developed world.
"Nigeria with its low debt ratios and fairly liquid markets has more capacity than most to increase borrowing ... to see it through a short-term price shock," says Razia Khan, Standard Chartered's Head of Africa Research.
And since suitcases of dollars are the preferred means of delivering patronage - carrying funds in naira bills would require trucks - election spending is likely to increase the supply of U.S. currency in the short term. That bodes well for the naira, which has steadied in a week of electoral primaries.

"Huge dollar spending by politicians on both the (ruling) PDP and (opposition) APC primaries saw the Lagos bureau de change markets awash with dollars," Business Day splashed on its front page on Friday. "This may have contributed significantly to the appreciation of the naira." (editing by David Stamp)

Music stars Davido and Wizkid made up two days ago, but they officially showed everyone all was okay with them again as they partied together at Escape night club last night.

A group under the aegis of Warri Study Group (WSG) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to repeal a Federal Government contract awarded to Global West Vessel Service to secure Nigerian coastline.

The group was reacting to media reports that the Global West Vessel Service, a private company believed to be controlled by one-time militant leader, Chief Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo, has added seven decommissioned Norwegian battleships to its weaponry.

In a statement signed by Edward Ekpoko, Chairman, and Tony Ede, Secretary described the development as a threat to national security, adding that Nigeria was sitting on a keg of gun powder.


The statement said, “Tompolo was a known militant granted amnesty by the Yar’ Adua administration and controls the private company engaged by NIMASA to oversee the security of the Nigerian coastline during Jonathan’s administration.

“President Jonathan, Tompolo and the DG of NIMASA are all of Ijaw extraction. We see a script being acted out. Nigeria is the only country where an individual is awarded contract to oversee the security of the coastline of a nation with powers to import warships and sophisticated arms.

“The question that begs for answer is this: What is the role of the Nigerian Navy in the security of the Nigerian coastline? Is the Ministry of Defence aware of all these arms deals?”

“Are these warships and arm deals to fight piracy and other criminal activities on our coastline or to intimidate other ethnic nationalities or cause destabilization as in the North East?”, the WSG further queried.

It called on Jonathan to intervene by withdrawing the contract awarded by NIMASA, warning, “In the unfortunate event of weapons being turned against other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, those involved will be held responsible for crime against humanity by the international community even if Nigerian government fails to act”.

The Abuja Catholic diocese is set to launch her TV station which will be called Catholic Television.

The Abuja Catholic diocese on Friday, December 12 realised about N15m at a dinner organised for the formal take off of her new Television Channel which will be called Catholic Television. The church requires about N300 million to set a standard television studio.
The Archbishop of the Abuja Metropolitan See, Cardinal John Oniayekun, said the new television station is intended to be used as a tool of evangelisation to deepen the faith of the Catholic faithful within and outside the country.

In his keynote address at the CTV dinner organised by the church, the Cardinal said the new TV station is expected to provide all the Catholics the opportunity to evangelise in the future, using the electronic media to reach families in their homes.
Cardinal Onaiyekan, said the inspiration of the TV station came from comments by various Popes, who have constantly talked about need of the church to use the means of communication for evangelization today.

“Pope John Paul 11, himself used the media effectively to propagate the faith. It is for this reason that after having encouraged the stability of our Archdiocesan newspaper, I now wish to support the growth of our new Archdiocesan media project. Whatever we do is part and parcel of what we preach in the church, spreading the good news of peace, love and charity. CTV is part of the broad based agenda of the gospel, which is part of the revolution,” Cardinal John Ojaiyekan stated at the dinner.

Amarachi Ukaegbu emerged the winner of the Miss Tourism Abia 2014 Pageant which was held at the all glittering Wonderland Event Center in Umuahia with an exclusive green carpet reception anchored by the Abia Tourism Awards OAP Of The Year Elder Prosper Of LoveFM, hosted by Double N and Chizzy of Pacesetters FM.

The young girl who attempted suicide on Friday December 12th in Bayelsa by drinking an insecticide locally called 'sniper' (read here) has reportedly died. I got an email saying she died yesterday in hospital

A seasoned administrator and chartered accountant, Francis Oluwagbenro Meshioye, the Olori Oluwo (Supreme Leader) of the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity has said being a member does not stop members from practising religions of their choice.

In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, he explained the fraternity takes its roots from Nigerian culture.

On the negative perception of the group and what attracted him, Meshioye said: “I wanted to understand my culture, to know why I am here. Why was I not born in India as a Hindu or in China to embrace their culture and religion? This made me to begin to look within myself to know who I am and I extended this to what I have within my area. I am a firm believer in the Yoruba saying, ‘Animo ni peregun laso’ meaning you add to whatever you have.

Affirming that one was free to engage in religous activities, he stated that: “Ogbonism does not prevent you from doing whatever you want to do. It is about understanding our culture which guides in living a better life and improving the society. These were the things that prompted me to go into our culture. I wasn’t particular about Ogboni but it satisfied my urge of knowing what we have in our culture to assist in living a better life, a respectable life. I love to be respected and I love to respect people and I like to be a noble character.

“I had the same line of thought about Ogboni as the public before I joined. When I was contemplating joining, I had nobody to direct me because you don’t see them easily but I had heard about them; so I said if they are bad I will leave. I later found somebody who introduced me to a member and during the period before induction, they were observing me but I was also observing them. They love each other and are respectable people; so I got interested and got glued to it. I found out that it is excellent and what I had been looking for.”

Although Archdeacon T.A J. Ogunbiyi started the fraternity on December 18, 1914 and named it Ogboni Onigbagbo, Meshioye, in the interview, explained the name change to Reformed Ogboni Fraternity.

“At that time, there were only few Christian members in the fold but soon after its inauguration, they realised it’s not meant for Christians alone. It’s a cultural heritage and you can’t restrict heritage to religion. In Yoruba culture, we have Christians, Muslims and other faiths. That was why it was changed to Reformed Ogboni Fraternity to accommodate people of different religious leanings, race and political affiliation. It is incorporated and recognised under Nigerian law.

“Our past leaders include Sir Adeyemo Alakija, who was the first Olori Oluwo and he was followed by Sir Adetokunbo Ademola. We have had members including Chief Oladeinde Lawson, the late Archbishop Vining, Reverend David Mellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Sardauna, Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola amongst others.”

On the difference between Aboriginal and Reformed Ogboni, the Leader explained that there are in fact three types of Ogboni.

“There is Ogboni Ilu, the governing council of a town. In Yorubaland, the governing system in any reputable town is Ogboni Osugbo. So, we have Ogboni Ilu, Ogboni Aboriginal and the Reformed Ogboni Fraternity. However, the major difference between Reformed Ogboni Fraternity and the others is that it focuses on the core principles and tenets of Ogbonism without tilting to the right or left.”

On the forthcoming centenary centenary celebration of the fraternity on December 18, Meshioye said he hopes people will have a proper understanding of what Ogboni is from the perception of the ROF.

BBA Karen Igho got married traditionally to her white husband recently. They say the wedding happened yesterday in Nigeria. Karen is so secretive about it. Happy married life to her..

The annual ‘convocation’ of Winners, Shiloh 2014 by the Living Faith Church worldwide came to a close today Saturday December 13, 2014. The President and founder of the Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, rounded off the programme with prophetic declarations for the year 2015, which has been a tradition in the more-than-a-decade-old ministry as the end of one Shiloh has come to represent the beginning of another year, irrespective of the date. Reeling out the declarations for 2015, the grandfather preacher described 2015 as one where giants would rise up in all sectors of human endeavour.

– 2015 shall be a year with clear distinctions;
-In 2015, nobody will doubt those who serve God; It will be clear that we are only in the world, not of the world;
-In 2015, my God will wipe away all your tears;
-There shall be no occasion for mourning or weeping;
-Throughout 2015, you are not permitted to bury anyone in your life because there shall be no more death.
-In 2015, some things that cause you sorrow will be far from you.
-In 2015, you will not need any medication to be healthy.
-Your night season is over.
-God will be all you need for triumphant life, victorious living all through 2015.
-There shall be a rise of many giants – giants in all sectors of human endeavor.
-There shall be a sudden rise of giants in Zion.
-Men like nations will rise in the year 2015.
-Men that will command attention of many nations shall arise in 2015.
-God has brought us into the realm of heaven on earth, where men will live like angels.
-I release you into your season of exploits.”

Before unveiling the theme of the year (2015), as is the custom with the church, Papa also described 2015 as a year where there shall be a rise of international and intellectual giants.

A member of the Board of Trustees, BoT, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka has assured President Goodluck Jonathan of the votes of the Southeast in the 2015 presidential election.

He said the zone will vote for Jonathan despite lack of federal presence in the Southeast geopolitical zone.

He, however called on President Jonathan to reach out to Ndigbo and reach an accord with them notwithstanding their resolve to vote massively for him.

Ezeonwuka, lamented what he called the marginisation of the Southeast, noting that for the over 15 years that the PDP has been in power, it failed to maintain Eastern roads built within only four years by the Shehu Shagari administration.

“We will vote for Jonathan on the condition that he has to speed up the second Niger Bridge project, maintain Eastern roads, give us uninterrupted power supply and ensure federal presence in the Southeast region,” the APGA chieftain said.

He said that APGA, as an Igbo party has already endorsed Jonathan for the second tenure, in spite of all odds, adding that it is now left for Jonathan to reciprocate the gesture by swinging into action to fulfill his own part of the bargain when he commences his second tenure administration

A Nigerian tissue seller is being praised in Spain as a good Samaritan after he returned 16 thousand Euros he found in a briefcase that fell from a car.

35 year old Peter Angelina, who makes a living selling tissue paper at a traffic light junction at the corner of Calle Juan Diaz de Solis and Ruben Dario in Seville, Spain, was selling his wares on Dec. 3rd when he noticed a small briefcase left on the roof of a car. The briefcase fell to the ground when the driver of the car pulled away. Peter picked up the briefcase and ran after the vehicle, trying to flag the driver down to return the case to him but couldn't get the attention of the driver. He then took the briefcase to a police station near the junction.

When police opened the briefcase, they found €3,150 in cash and six cheques with a combined value of €13,000 as well as some documents and a mobile telephone. More money than the man who left Lagos Nigeria for London, then Spain over 10 years had ever seen in his life.

According to Euronews, Spanish Police tracked down the owner of the briefcase, a 42-year-old businessman from Seville, and returned his belongings. The man later found Peter and rewarded him with €100.
"People say I could have kept the money and then thrown the briefcase away but I am not like that, and God wouldn't have liked that. I am not crazy, I am a good man." Peter later told local media

Turns out Peter Angelina is a doctor, but cannot practice medicine in Spain because his diploma from Lagos University is be recognized there. He started studying medicine in Seville five years ago and sells tissues to afford his studies. He also gets a little financial help from his father who reportedly works in the police force in Nigeria

The name of Hakeem Olajuwon readily comes to mind whenever basketball is being discussed in the United States of America and beyond, especially after his successes with the Houston Rockets. But beyond 'The Dream’, another Nigerian - Masai Ujiri, has broken the barriers and rose to the position of the General Manager of NBA Club - Toronto Raptors, the first by an African. In 2012-13 season, he was voted the NBA Executive of the Year. Ujiri was in the country to organise his yearly Giant of Africa/Nestle Top-50 Basketball Camp for boys and girls, which has been on now for over a decade. In an interview with Kunle Adewale he gave an insight into some of the achievements of the camp so far

After ending a professional playing career in 2002, Masai Ujiri worked as a youth coach in Nigeria. But it was during a National Basketball Association summer league game in Boston that he met David Thorpe, who introduced him to college coaches. He started accompanying young Nigerian players to draft tryout in Orlando when he impressed scouting director, Gary Brokaw, who then introduced him to Coach Doc Rivers and General Manager, John Gabriel.
He then became an unpaid scout for Orlando Margic paying his own way when he had to and sharing rooms with scouts or players when he could.
Later Jeff Weltman, then a young Nuggets executive, introduced him to Nuggets General Manager, Kiki Vandewehe, who then hired Ujiri on salary as an international scout.
“Denver Nuggets took a chance on me and it thus came a time when this opportunity was so big and it put me on some form of a stage, where I can affect basketball a little bit more, especially on the continent here. I had a great run in Nuggets; they gave me an unbelievable opportunity to be a first time General Manager,” he recalled.
After four seasons with the Nuggets, he was hired by Bryan Colangelo of the Toronto Raptors as their director of global scouting. Ujiri became the Raptors’ assistant general manager in 2008, and returned to the Nuggets in 2010, when he accepted his position as executive vice president in charge of basketball operations.
On May 31, last year, Ujiri signed a five-year, $15 million deal to become general manager of the Toronto Raptors: “It was a difficult decision leaving Denver Nuggets, but because I had worked in Toronto, I’m familiar with the organisation, ownership and I was happy to go back,” he said.

Though his pet Africa Top 50 basketball is now in its 12th year, for him every home-coming is always great: “To come and be part of the camp we started several years ago is always great. The Top Fifty and Giant of Africa Camp mean a lot to me. It’s something that will always be close to my heart and I’ll always be close to home through this. I’d like to thank Nestle Milo for being a strong supper of the project and also Nike for their continuous support. It’s not only with what they have provided but the sustenance over the years; it’s always good to have sponsors that will continue to stay by you. Other than that, I’m glad to be here and we hope to always help these kids,” the first African-born general manager for an American major league sports team emphasized.
Continuing he said: “Obtaining a camp and giving young kids opportunity to better their lives gives me pleasure and I really want to thank all the coaches, especially the Proprietor of Dodan Warriors Basketball Club, Colonel Sam Amedu (rtd) and all the people that have really helped in keeping this camp going. I think the ground is the most special thing in the camp before finding and selecting players. The bottom line of this camp is for the kids to go to America but I have always told the kids that if they are good enough, they will end up doing something good with their life. I just wanted to create an opportunity for kids and now that I am back with a better opportunity. I think we are going to broaden some of the things that we can do and one of the things we are going to really look at is developing out-door courts and trying to make an impact with the facilities for these kids to play. That’s what on our minds and we are going to discuss this
extensively obviously with my guys on ground. With Amedu and the coaches, we’ll try and put our resources together to see what we can do.”

On how Nigerian players can get into NBA through his influence and camp, the NBA Executive of the Year said: “I don’t think there has been any young Nigerian basketball player that is really good that hasn’t left the country. If you are good enough, you will be found. However, our emphasis is on education and being prepared for what life is all about, that is what we are trying to teach these kids. The NBA has only 400 players and only a few players are going to make it. We are proud that a lot of them have gone through universities in the US. I have been a big influence on these kids in a big way, showing them that it is not only through basketball that they can make it. One can also do other things outside basketball using the game as a tool and basketball can create that avenue just like what I’m doing now. We stressed the need for the participants to take their education seriously, as it was not possible for all of them to be drafted into the NBA league even if they play at colleges in the US."

A 50-year-old suspect, Ramoni Adeleke, arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command for allegedly duping many people has said that he shaved his long beard and moustache to avoid being recognised by people who know him as a cleric. Also arrested are other members of his gang, including 70- year-old Alhaji Lekan Lanlegu a.k.a. Baba Toyota and 60-year-old Kolawole Odenide.

A police source, who revealed how the three aged suspects were arrested, said the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Kayode Aderanti, had got a hint that they were involved in robbery and receiving of stolen cars. The CP promptly directed the Superintendent of Police in charge of SARS, Mr. Abba Kyari, and his team to get the three men and the stolen cars. SARS operatives, therefore, disguised as car snatchers who wanted to sell a stolen car to the gang.

One of them came forward to collect the car. He had entered into negotiation with the SARS operatives before he realised that they were policemen. Meanwhile, Kyari and his men had cordoned off the spot and promptly arrested the would-be receiver.
Lanlegu said it was one Kolawole Odenide, who supplied him with a stolen car. His arrest also led to the arrest of Adeleke at a private mosque he used as an office to dupe people and receive stolen cars. A cleric he was said to have employed to teach people in the mosque and lead prayers was said to have scaled the fence and ran away on sighting policemen.

Adeleke, who described himself as a native of Ade village, Ade South Local Government Area, Osun State, said he was a transporter. He said he built a mosque and employed an alfa (Islamic cleric) to manage it.

Don't know what they wrote exactly but it has something to do with the #Bringbackourgirls issue, which the former minister holds very dear to her heart...

Nigerian pop star Davido has just received another accolade. His latest achievement comes from one of the leading music magazines in the world Fader Magazine.

In its annual list of best tracks of 2014, Fader ranked 'Aye' as the 81st best track of 2014. The list contains 116 tracks from all over the world.
Written by David Drake, 'Aye' was described as "a complex mesh of cross-rhythms. This intricacy provides a nest for some gorgeous high-pitched guitar tones, which cut through the noise like birds chirping a love song. At the song's heart, though, is Davido's vocal performance, which communicates sincerity with a complete lack of self-consciousness or duplicity, a feeling of confident optimism bubbling over with certainty:

Nobody can love you like I do/ No one can touch you like I do. This is the idealization of devotion, rendered in full color."

The number one song on Fader's list is iLoveMakonnen's 'Wishin You Well'.